by David Byrd
“Awareness of your state, I am,” the words rang out through the complex. “I am B’Noth. I was awakened from sleep/slumber by your tampering with the other complex. I have scanned/probed/looked into your mind and have viewed the recordings from the other complex and seen all. Learning still your tongue/speech but need input.”
Hollis sat up and had a good look around. He was in a small room with a closed door and B’Noth was on the other side standing at a control console. “Well I guess not all of the Plakorii people are as gracious as T’Kreil was,” Hollis said. “He…at least I think it was a he…had manners and treated us with respect.”
“T’Kreil was mad/insane/compelled,” B’Noth said. “You aliens…mutations…you defile our world and I have seen the great test/experiment in your people called firstborn. They must be purged/destroyed along with all beings of your race here.”
Hollis was appalled at what he was hearing but B’Noth had a determined set of body movements which made Hollis sure he was serious…unlike T’Kreil who seemed fluid and graceful, this Plakorii had a purpose.
“Ah…just to educate a dimwitted worthless being,” Hollis started. “Why should I believe your view when clearly you were part of the keliq path that T’Kreil warned us about? It seems to me that his was a noble purpose to bring back some of the emotions and contact that your people lost in their quest to evolve.”
“You understand nothing,” B’Noth said. The keliq path was not a racist/exclusive group. We were here to make sure that experiments would not change/destroy our genetic material but we were too late to stop the spread/information/data from reaching our home system.”
“I’m not sure I understand,” Hollis said. “There are no records of the experiments in T’Kreil’s lab that I have found and for that matter, how is it that you are still alive when he lived for only a brief time?”
“I enacted the final protocol after T’Kreil ended/destroyed most of his faction,” B’Noth said. “I sent a false signal that our fleet was coming so he would go into stasis. I then used the mover/travel station to enter his lab and remove all data about the great experiment and set his stasis tube for infinite. I returned and enacted waking activation periods. In this manor I am able to survive longer out of stasis but it is of no concern now.”
Hollis was stunned. He had no idea if B’Noth was telling the truth or not but he seemed committed to a course that would surely be disastrous for the colony.
“I’m sorry but T’Kreil said that some type of explosion had affected his other faction’s lab.” Hollis said.
“No. He destroyed/killed the Plakorii in that space,” B’Noth said. “He knew that all Plakorii here on this world had realized the experiment was a grave mistake and would cast dissenting votes to purge the experiment. He sent his data back to the home system before I could stop it and now I am the last of the Plakorii because of his hubris.”
“How can you be the last?” Hollis asked. “Surely that was a thousand years ago and as advanced as you were, there must be even greater accomplishments now.”
“I am the last. Five times before I have left stasis in spans of 200 years of your time markings. In the first I learned of great conflict between groups of Plakorii who used the knowledge sent from here to evolve. By the third awakening, there were no worlds, outposts or survivors left to contact. The mental and physical abilities gained by the experiment along with a flood/river of emotions not felt in thousands of years created powers my people could not control and they destroyed each other. The final protocol must once again be used before I journey to the infinite.”
“This final protocol you speak of,” Hollis said. “Just what is it exactly?”
“Our race created this world like many others and we can also destroy it. We build the structure of a world and then apply the forms we wish to the template after the molecules are reorganized.” B’Noth said. “To your limited view it would be as if we erased all matter on the surface of the planet. Then the template re-seeds matter according to our plan and allows it to mature/grow at its own rate. This is what happened when I purged/ended the great experiment a thousand years ago.”
“I see,” Hollis said. “So this must be the reason there are no animals or insects on Trellis II.”
“Just so,” B’Noth replied. “The reseeding template contained no forms that could mutate again.”
“Well I’m sure none of the humans on this world will have the problem your people experienced because you see we have always had strong emotions to deal with,” Hollis said. “Emotions are central to our makeup and you have nothing to fear.”
“The process has already begun. Even now all matter at both poles is in the process of being set free. The Plakorii labs/complexes are immune to the process but eventually when all matter is freed, the template will begin to reorganize into the forms selected. I will show you in the teaching how we failed so that you may understand,” B’Noth said as he activated the crystal outside of Hollis’ cell. The crystal came alive with bright white light and suddenly Hollis’s mind was filled with sights and sounds streaming in faster than he could process and then it was over. He sat down on the shelf as his perceptions were spinning nearly making him sick.
“The teacher has downloaded a small portion to your mind,” B’Noth said. “In time the information will become clear.”
Hollis slowly became aware of the data downloaded directly to his brain. He assumed that the speed at which the transfer had taken place was meant for a Plakorii mind. Images like small vids of different scenes played out in his memory. Some of those were truly horrifying. The Plakorii people in the great experiment had evolved in much the same way as the firstborn but to a greater degree. Their mental powers and sudden urges acted like a plague spreading among all of the people. The onslaught of strong negative emotions such as jealousy, anger, hate, envy and the ability to force another person to their will was too much for the Plakorii. Hollis understood in part why B’Noth was so consumed with eliminating this from happening again even if he didn’t agree with the methods.
Chapter 7
Ascension Camp
The day started like any other in the hydro farm but this day, Althea was missing. When they could be alone for a few minutes Elia as able to talk to Julie without the others overhearing.
“Althea was taken somewhere last night after the bonfire,” Elia said. “She never came back to the hab. I went out about 3 in the morning following the path they took but couldn’t tell where they went inside the forest.”
“We have to break out of this camp soon before some of the zombies turn us in,” Julie said looking at the other girls across the way. Parker has been sitting next to Corin each night and making him spill his wine. I don’t know if he’s coming out of it yet but we need him especially if Althea is involved with Micah.”
“I’m betting that wherever they are going in the forest, Micah may have some communications equipment. I’m going to follow them tonight after the bonfire and try and get a message back to Ancora and to Kai. Go ahead with tonight’s meeting and see if you can get Corin on our side.” Elia said.
Giggling from the other side of the farm could be heard from the followers as they were calling them. Elia and Julie looked up and saw Althea with them chatting about something.
Elia sent a mental probe as gently as possible to Althea and what she saw there shocked and appalled her. Not only was Althea going over and over in her mind the fact that Micah loved her, he had also taken advantage of her.
“That’s it then,” Elia said. I’m not about to become anyone’s personal play thing. One way or another, this is going to end tonight.”
After her shift at the hydro farm was over, Elia decided to scout the area in which the rovers that brought them here were parked. Being as nonchalant as possible, Elia assumed a blank but cheerful face and greeted everyone she met. The Rovers were all parked in a row and it would only take a few minutes to get Julie, Parker and Corin if he was clear headed to th
e rovers and off before anyone knew. There was one small rise in the terrain in the direction they came from and before leaving the area, Elia walked up and over that hilly rise to survey the route they had taken in getting to camp. What she saw chilled her and for the first time she was truly frightened of the situation.
“Kai where are you?” Elia whispered. “I really need you right now.”
Over the rise and down the trail Elia could see heat waves. The same kind of visual disturbance that indicated a KT energy shield was in place over the entire area.
Plakorii Complex – Canyon
Kai made quick work of the control panel at the alcove. With just a simple wave of the hand, four images appeared in the air above the console.
“So…they all have the same shape and it kind of looks like the lab,” he said. “But which one did you go to doc?” The four shapes were colored blue, red, gold and green. He would have to just chose one and hope that he was on the right track. He slung the pulse rifle on his shoulder and grabbed his survival pack.
“I’m going to assume that this lab is blue,” he said. “Red…so far has been for death and destruction so gold it is.”
Kai selected gold and walked into the alcove. Suddenly for just a single second, he was frozen in place and couldn’t move even an eyelid. Then a bright flash happened all around and he realized he could move again although he felt slightly dizzy with vertigo.
“Great, what is this some kind of vid recording booth?”
Looking out from the alcove, the room looked exactly like it did when he stepped into the alcove except, the walls floor and ceilings were softly glowing with a pale gold glow.
Kai left the alcove and feeling dejected, decided to go back to the hab and get some rest before trying again to make sense of the alcove. As he passed halfway through the bottom area he noticed something that seemed strange. The cell doors on three of the cells were open. They had been closed he was sure of it. He continued up the stairs and out the normal door but instead of finding the hab there was nothing but the familiar smooth cave like area and the temperature was much colder than he remembered. He continued ahead until he cleared the cave and was astounded to see a much different landscape than he was used to. There were mountains with high peaks ahead. He realized that he had been transported somehow to one of the other Plakorii labs but Hollis was nowhere to be found. Kai retraced his steps to the alcove and was again presented with a choice.
“Here goes,” as he selected the green image.
Just as before, there was a moment of disorientation as Kai was transported to the Plakorii forest lab. What he had not counted on was the automatic chime of an incoming traveler that sounded in the complex. B’Noth was alerted and ready to destroy whoever stepped out of the alcove.
Kai was disoriented again for a moment and then he started to exit the alcove. Everything happened in just a few seconds but it seemed much longer. Kai took one step into the room…
“Kai duck!” shouted Hollis.
Kai felt the urgency behind the warning and immediately went into survival mode. Something he was grateful that his late father and Noel taught him about military tactics. He dropped and rolled out of the alcove just as an explosion sounded from the side of the alcove where his head would have been moments before. He landed behind a console and quickly looked from the side to assess the situation. Immediately another shot rang out on his position but he had seen something incredible. Another Plakorii was firing on him in front of a cubicle where Hollis was obviously captive.
“Look whoever you are, I just came to find Hollis,” Kai said from behind the console. “I’m not here to hurt you but you have to stop shooting.”
“Irrelevant, you and all your kind will be destroyed,” B’Noth said.
Hollis could not communicate the way the firstborn could mentally, but Kai was feeling very strong emotions coming from him. Fear…danger…desperation.
Kai crawled forward and to the left into another position as silently as possible. He felt a curious sensation from the Plakorii…hatred. It was not as strong as a human emotion but it was there as well as determination. He set the pulse rifle to half power hoping that he would not have to kill the Plakorii but if necessary, he would.
Kai readied himself and popped up slightly above the console bringing his rifle to bear and squeezed off two shots hitting the Plakorii in the arm and torso. The Plakorii went down in a heap and Kai wasted no time in sprinting to the fallen alien.
“Kai, that tube is a weapon,” Hollis said. “Get that away from him.”
Kai grabbed the strange looking device and stored it in a utility pocket.
“Hollis are you alright?” Kai asked.
“Yes my boy and thank the heavens you found me,” Hollis said. “But just how did you find me in the first place and what was that thing you came out of?”
“Later. I’ll fill you in on all the details, but first I have to check on this Plakorii.”
Kai knelt down but it was too late for the alien. Although the anatomy was different, the alien breathed air just like humans and there was no breath in the being below him. Kai was filled with remorse that it ended that way but he had no choice.
“He’s dead,” Kai said standing to face Hollis. “Alright how do we get you out of this fishbowl?”
Hollis was able to instruct Kai in the motions to activate the submenus of the cell he was in. He paid careful attention to everything B’Noth did while captive in the cell. It was only a few minutes before they found the door release.
“Well I’m quite happy to be out of that cell,” Hollis said. “I should think that the first order of business would be to contact Ancora and let them know what has been happening. Then I need to research this station as B’Noth said before you arrived that he had activated a final protocol.”
“Great. That sounds just wonderful,” Kai said. “But if anyone can figure that out it’s you Hollis. But before that, help me move him upstairs to one of the stasis tubes. I’m not sure what happens to Plakorii then they die, but you might not want to be researching down here in a few days...”
Kai and Hollis managed to get the Plakorii into a stasis tube and Hollis activated the device which then turned red. Kai filled in Hollis on everything he learned about the complexes during his search and the transport alcove which had to be none other than a matter disassembler.
The men contacted Noel from the main room. Noel appeared in the center of the console circle hovering in the air.
“Kai…Hollis, I’m so glad to see you,” Noel said. “Are you both alright?”
“Yes we’re good Noel, it’s been…interesting to say the least but we can talk about that all later. Right now we just wanted to let you know we are both ok and we have some work to do here.” Kai said.
“Kai, we really need you back here,” Noel said. “We’ve had no word from Elia or any of the firstborn since they left for the community site.”
Kai was instantly concerned for Elia and for the first time he noticed the strain and stress in Noel’s face. Noel looked tired and there were lines of worry there.
Hollis brought up the planetary display and zoomed down to the eastern location of the community site.
“Oh my…I believe we have a problem.” Hollis said.
Over the site in just the same way that Hollis had protected the original 5 settlers, there appeared a KT energy shield.
“Damn, I’m geared up with some security forces and ready to roll but there is no way to penetrate the shield from the outside,” Noel said.
Options were streaming through his mind but foremost were his concerns for Elia. Something was wrong in that camp and Elia had not been able to get a message back to her parents or anyone else.
“Hollis look there,” Kai said pointing to a label just inside the new energy shield. “That’s one of the Plakorii labs.”
“Yes...yes that is one of the four but it was the one T’Kreil said had an incident.” Hollis said.
�
�Noel…I think I have a way in and I’m going after Elia,” Kai said. “Get your group to the canyon lab. Hollis can get back there and show you how to travel between labs.”
Clearly surprised by this news, Noel could see the determination and concern on Kai’s face. The set of his jaw and the steely gaze were attributes he appreciated in Kai’s father. He knew Kai would stop at nothing to get to Elia.
“Kai…thank you.” Noel said staring directly into Kai’s eyes and nodding his head slightly, the understanding between them clear but unspoken.
Chapter 8
Ascension Camp
With the discovery of the energy shield over the camp, there was really no choice but to try and find the KT reactor and shut it down. The obvious location was in the woods where they assumed there must be a portable hab or campsite of some kind since Micah and his two body guards never slept in the main camp area. After the nightly ritual the four that were free of Micah’s control would seek out and find the reactor.
Micah completed his nightly affirmation with the group and as they dismissed, the two bodyguards came directly towards Elia. She made a quick mental block as Parker had been training them to do, and assumed a bored look.
“Come with us,” the first man said. “Micah wishes to speak with you privately.”
“Certainly,” Elia responded. There really was no choice since both men were beside her and she couldn’t drop the block to alert the others or give away the plan.
As they neared the forest edge, Micah was waiting for them.
“Ah Elia, you don’t know how long I’ve waited for this moment,” Micah said with a charming smile. “I’m just happy that extremely tall oaf you call husband has been delayed. But no matter, he will make an excellent worker in our…sanitation department.”
Elia was seething inside but she knew she couldn’t betray any emotion or Micah may learn the truth. She projected confusion as one would under his control.