by Adair Hart
Evaran turned his head toward Emily. “We go with them.” His gaze bored a hole through the man. “For now.”
Dr. Snowden’s heartbeat ramped up as he studied the situation. It sometimes felt to him that if Evaran were by himself, he would make different decisions. Then again, had he been alone with Seeros in their last adventure, it would not have turned out well. This was one situation where there was no way out without someone getting hurt. Hopefully Evaran had a plan, because going up against these armored monsters was not something Dr. Snowden wanted to do.
The man gestured for them to head back into the room. After an hour of being escorted through various hallways, they reached a circular room that had evenly spaced shielded doors ringing it. The room had the text Unit 4A above it. A man with heavy black armor approached them. He tapped at a console on his forearm, causing one of the shielded doors to dissipate. With a nod from the heavily armored man, the men escorting Evaran, Dr. Snowden, and Emily moved them inside the cell. The black-armored man interacted with his console, resealing the entrance, which became dark gray as a light turned on above them.
Dr. Snowden noticed a small set of benches that extruded from the wall and took a seat. Emily joined him.
Evaran scanned the cell with his ring. “Interesting. I detect emitters between the cells.”
“What’s that?” asked Emily.
“They could disable us in a variety of ways in here.”
“Oh …”
The wall opposite the way they came in turned translucent. On the other side, Dr. Snowden saw a larger room with a table, a chair, and a middle-aged male dressed similarly to the man who had arrested them earlier.
The man walked up to the shielded door and peered in. He smirked and stepped back while placing his hands behind his back. “I’m Ring Commander Sheel. I’m curious … do you know why you’re here?”
Evaran stepped forward. “We are here because I am not a human, and the Evaran Protocol has been activated.”
Sheel nodded. “Yes … but do you know what the Evaran Protocol is?”
“I do not.”
Sheel snorted. “Figures. Well then. Let me fill you in.” He tapped at his forearm, causing a hologram of a book to appear floating to his side. “This is a book called The Human Way. It contains, in great detail, how a human should live their life, the way they should behave, and the many protocols that need to be observed. It has led to this,” said Sheel, sweeping his hand in an arc, “the great Human Dominion. Yet … there are these … protocols, that I believe should not be in there.”
“The Evaran Protocol.”
“That is one,” said Sheel with a scowl. “You got a protocol named after you, so it pollutes The Human Way with its very presence.” Spittle flew from his mouth. “The Human Way was written by the overlord, and he wanted to make sure that any human that sees you or detects you follows a specific protocol. In this case, I have the honor of being the one that executes it.”
“Why is there a protocol named after me?”
Sheel shook his head and walked around the table with his hands behind his back. “You are considered the highest threat and, supposedly, some powerful being.” He snorted again. “Nonetheless, the overlord wishes to speak with you.” He interacted with his forearm, and the book disappeared. It was replaced by a bronze-skinned head wearing a headband with a large crystal in the middle. The Purifier symbol stood around his eyes.
“I am the overlord, and from what Sheel tells me, the Evaran Protocol has been activated.”
“It would appear so.”
The overlord narrowed his eyes. “Yes … I can sense you, even as far away as you are.” He cocked his head. “Interesting form … but a poor choice. I look forward to seeing it in person. Unfortunately for you, this will be the end of an age-old fight.”
Evaran perked his head up. “Elaborate.”
The overlord chuckled. “All in due time, plane traveler. I will relieve you of the burden of having that form.” He looked at Sheel. “You have done well.”
Sheel bowed.
“Our ship should be there in a day. I have dispatched nearby royal exterminators already. Prepare for my arrival.”
“Yes, my overlord.”
The overlord looked Evaran over, then smiled big. “I will make use of the Torvatta’s time-travel ability and be sure that everyone knows how I got it.”
Evaran shook his head. “I cannot allow that.”
The overlord laughed as the hologram faded.
Sheel sighed.
“You do not agree with the overlord?”
“I think he overestimates you. If you’re so powerful, how did I capture you so easily?”
“A fair point. I have noticed you did not disable us.”
Sheel’s nostrils flared. “The protocol is very clear on that. You’re not to be harmed. If it was up to me, I would kill you and,” he said, gesturing at Dr. Snowden and Emily, “whatever those … abominations are. Then there would be no more need for this protocol.”
“Uhh … we’re human,” said Dr. Snowden.
“No, you’re not. You have some type of technology in your body that has altered your purity. A shame, really.”
Dr. Snowden’s right cheek twitched. This was the first time he heard someone say they were not human. It was not something that ever crossed his mind. Sweat rolled down the side of his head as he stood up and approached the shield. “We’re just as human as you, buddy.”
“You’re filth. Just. Pure. Filth.”
Dr. Snowden’s blood began to boil. He clenched his fist. “Well, thankfully that’s your opinion. If your views represent what humanity has moved to, then it’s a sad day.”
“You judge me?” said Sheel. “You’re not worthy of that. You and your dirty niece will meet the overlord tomorrow. You can discuss your inefficiencies with him.”
Dr. Snowden’s eyes narrowed, and his face turned red. “Don’t you talk about Emily like that! You don’t know me or her.”
“I know you’re tainted and you travel with Evaran. That’s all I need to know. You’re subhuman.”
Dr. Snowden pounded the shield with his fist. “You’re lucky there is a shield here. I’d be more than happy to show you how dirty a human can get.”
“Uh-huh,” said Sheel, laughing. “Just like an animal.”
Dr. Snowden imagined himself breaking through the shield and grabbing Sheel. He would target the eyes first, ripping them out and stomping on them. Then he would tear out his tongue and break his arms and legs. His vision turned red as he began to hit the shield repeatedly while grunting and staring at Sheel. He jumped as Evaran laid a hand on his shoulder.
“Dr. Snowden!” said Evaran.
A pain shot through Dr. Snowden’s heart as he paused. He staggered over to the wall and knelt down with a hand on his chest.
“Uncle Albert!” said Emily. She rushed over to him and helped him sit on the bench.
Evaran scanned Dr. Snowden. “You need to calm down. Your body is stressing itself. This is not normal.”
“Ahh … can’t even handle a simple disagreement. If you’re representative of humans from wherever you are, then it’s definitely a sad day,” said Sheel with a smirk.
Dr. Snowden lunged at the shield.
Evaran caught Dr. Snowden and sat him down. “You need to relax. Sheel is not worth the effort … or time.” He looked at Sheel. “He is just a middleman with no real power and personal issues he needs to work on.”
Sheel rolled his eyes. “Whatever. I came to facilitate the overlord’s hologram, and also to see what the great Evaran was like, and I leave confused. Why a protocol was designed for you, I’ll never understand. You can sit in that cell and waste away your last day pondering about what the overlord is going to do to you.” He tapped at a device on his belt, and the shield turned dark gray.
Evaran stroked his chin.
“Are you in pain?” asked Emily, staring at Dr. Snowden.
Dr. Snowden shook his he
ad as his vision returned to normal. The pain had subsided and a tingling sensation shot out over him. After a moment, a chill swept across him and his breathing stabilized. “I was, but seems the nanobots have kicked in. Not sure what happened. One moment I was thinking why Sheel was doing what he was doing, the next I was dismembering him in my thoughts and everything went red.”
“Your reaction was unusual. I do not know if the nanobots are malfunctioning or if there is something else going on. We will need to investigate when we get back to the Torvatta,” said Evaran.
Dr. Snowden waved a hand at Evaran. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”
“You’re not fine,” said Emily. “I’ve only seen you react like that twice.”
Evaran studied Emily for a moment. “An excellent observation. The draug and Seeros. Both life-and-death situations. However, this was not a life-and-death situation.”
Dr. Snowden rubbed his eyes. It felt like he had just gone several rounds with a boxer. “So … what now?”
“We wait. I need to think on this situation some,” said Evaran as he sat opposite Dr. Snowden and Emily.
Emily scooted over and tapped her arm as she smiled at Dr. Snowden. “Why don’t you take a nap.”
Dr. Snowden sighed as he laid his head against Emily’s arm. “Yes, ma’am.” His eyes began to drift closed as he wondered how they were going to get out of this.
John looked through the front window of his cruiser as it approached the Purifier space station. Sweat trickled down the side of his face as he focused on the readouts flying around the window.
“If you want some alone time with the window, just let me know,” said Hermes.
John eyed Hermes.
“Relax. We’ll do fine, like we always do.”
John shook his head. “Yeah … I know. Just had an update from Brills.” He tapped at a button on the console near Hermes. The ship-wide communication system crackled. “Everyone, come to the command deck. It’s almost go time.” He let up on the button.
Hermes pressed the button. “And lunch time. If you’re into that sort of thing.”
John chuckled. “You know, if you die, I’m going to miss your humor.”
“And if you die, where am I going to find someone brooding all the time?”
John snorted as he stepped down from the pilot area into the command area. Although Hermes ribbed him a lot, Hermes had proven to be a vital part of the team. His humor had defused many a situation. John’s hands flew across the table console as he studied the information Brills had sent. The rest of the crew filtered in over the next five minutes and assembled around the table. A holographic projection shot up, showing a layout of the segmented ring they were hovering outside. It had eighteen levels with various shafts indicating lifts.
John surveyed his crew before speaking. “It’s time. Brills has sent an update on the situation.” He pointed at a red dot that appeared in the layout. “Evaran, Dr. Snowden, and Emily are here.”
“I still find it hard to believe they were captured. Isn’t Evaran some type of badass?” asked Miles.
“Maybe it was on purpose, hon,” said Shandra, looking up at Miles while under his arm.
“I guess,” said Miles.
“We don’t know if Evaran had a reason or if he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” said John. “Doesn’t matter. What does matter is we are going to get him out and then head to the Gallant out past the Galvin Rim. Brills said that all of our inside contacts have left the ring segment, except for him, of course.” He pointed to another red dot on the layout. “He’s still in the segment command area here. We’ll meet up with him, shut down the power to the cells area and docking bays, then meet up with Evaran here,” he said, pointing to a third red dot. “Then we’ll make our way back to our ship. Brills has opened a small window where we can slip through the ring segment shield and get to a docking bay extension.”
“You mean we have to rely on Hermes?” asked Dizz.
Hermes chuckled. “If you want, I can join you on the inside part.”
The crew laughed.
“I thought so,” said Hermes with a smile.
John raised a hand. “There has been a complication. Brills also said the Third Royal Exterminator squad has arrived. I don’t remember seeing that in the Evaran Protocol, so it must have been a decision by the ring commander.”
“A full squad … yeah … that’s not going to be easy,” said Dizz.
“I know, but we have no choice. Once the power is down, they will know we are there. There are a few guards on the way to the command center, but nothing we can’t deal with,” said John.
Miles cracked his knuckles. “Exterminators or not. Bring ’em on!”
Shandra slapped Miles’s chest and nodded at him.
“Okay, suit up for a protracted fight. Hermes, take us in to the prearranged docking bay.”
“On it, boss!” said Hermes with a smirk.
John shook his head as he headed to his room to get suited up.
After thirty minutes, the crew had reassembled in the command area, decked out in gear. John did a final check on his crew. Miles had on his shielded heavy black armor with oversized gauntlets. He liked to charge into enemies and initiate close-quarters combat. Dizz and Cantol had on their sleek black-and-silver light armor. Their energy blade hilts rested on their backs, and their faces were covered by segmented helmets with raised areas around the eyes. Small weapons were strapped to their thighs. Shandra had on her brown stretch outfit. It was able to stay with her when she transformed.
John chuckled. All he had on was some light armor and a dizzying array of small weapons, both ranged and melee. “Hermes, where we at?”
“Almost there. I located Evaran’s ship—well, where it should be. Scanners aren’t detecting it, but Brills’s information says it’s at docking bay extension 42.”
“All right then. Once we’re in, head there.”
“Got it.”
Their ship flew through the light-blue shield and headed to a docking bay extension. Once docked, everyone except Hermes disembarked.
John noticed the Torvatta nearby with clamps on it and a bubble shield encircling it. “Hermes, once Brills has shut down the system, you will need to override that clamp and shield.”
“Piece of cake,” said Hermes over the group’s communication channel.
John and the others walked up to a large rectangular door. John pulled a disc-shaped device with a U-shaped handle on top of it from a backpack and put it on a console. “Hermes, the overrider’s in place.”
After a moment, the door slid up into the wall.
“Link is established. Brills’s codes actually work. I’m surprised. I’ve disabled the alarm system so you shouldn’t have any guards tripping it. I’ll unlock each door as you get to it. If you need me to swoop in and save the day, just let me know,” said Hermes.
“Good work, Hermes,” said John with a snort. He looked at the group. “Let’s move.”
They headed into an empty hallway. After several turns, they reached the corner to a hallway. Two heavily armored guards in segmented silver armor with weapons resting on their backs stood at the end.
John slapped Miles’s armored chest. “Do your thing.”
Miles bobbed his head. He turned the corner and charged toward the guards. The startled guards pulled their weapons and opened fire. Their laser beams lit up Miles’s shielded armor. Miles crashed into the first guard, slamming him into the wall. The second guard pulled out an energy sword, which glowed blue, and approached Miles. He lunged forward at Miles’s exposed back. Dizz flew in and sliced the guard’s arm off. The guard screamed in agony. With a quick movement, Dizz decapitated the guard.
Miles turned around from the guard he crushed. “Hah!”
Dizz smiled. “One, one.”
John, Shandra, and Cantol caught up to them.
John placed a hand on Dizz’s shoulder. “Don’t get cocky. There’s exterminators around here some
where.”
“Door opening,” said Hermes.
After the door was open, they proceeded to the next area. It was a large dining room with various Purifier personnel eating and several guards stationed around the room.
John chewed his bottom lip.
Miles looked at John. “You know what they did to our friends.”
John sighed. “Yeah … but some of them are probably innocents.”
Shandra snorted. “Innocents? They support the purifying killing machine. More importantly, they’re in our way, and that’s the fastest way to the command center.” She put a hand on John’s shoulder. “Look, I know you don’t like killing civilians, so I’ll put them to sleep. Remember, though, if even one of them gets loose and notifies the exterminators, we could fail this mission.”
John nodded. He appreciated Shandra’s ability to prick people with her poisonous vines that put them to sleep. “You’re right. Mission first. Miles, draw the guards’ fire. Shandra, follow Miles in and tree up in the center. Dizz, you take the left. Cantol, take the side room to the right. I’ll provide cover from the back. Hermes, seal the doors when we go in. Everyone ready?”
They all nodded.
John pointed two fingers forward. “Go!”
Miles charged into the room. Some of the startled civilians fell out of their chairs. Others put their heads down on the table. The guards in the room lurched forward, shooting. Shandra hurtled to the center of the room and transformed into a large tree, with vines flying out from her rapidly expanding branches. Civilians passed out as her vines pricked them. Miles had knocked one guard down and was taking fire from another. Dizz ran along the wall and jumped at the guard shooting at Miles. With a quick flip and forward strike, he impaled the guard’s chest with his blade.
Cantol ran to the right into a side room. He came flying back out and almost knocked John down. John helped Cantol back up. They both froze. A gold-plated and heavily armored exterminator stepped out with oversized forearms, autotracking shoulder-mounted lasers, and a visor that could unleash a wide laser. The shoulder-mounted lasers fired at John and Cantol, who dove out of the way.