“What the hell is this?”
Soon all he could see anywhere were duplicates of these shadowy men in purple, bright, metallic armor. Their presence blackened the atmosphere as they hovered in the sky.
Chase’s heart pounded in his chest. He was unable to process what was going on around him.
Suddenly he heard a voice that sounded like a million voices at once. Only one word: “Die!”
Every shadow launched itself at him from every conceivable direction and struck him at once.
Chase shouted at the top of his lungs and everything changed. He was in his quarters aboard the Iron Fire, his heart racing, panting for air, clearly shaken.
A dream? A vision? What the hell was that?
* * *
Spiros was having more and more trouble sifting through the millions of lines of code, trying to find a way to reprogram the entity. Cedric had fallen asleep at his terminal a good hour back and was snoring heavily. Yanis had gone for coffee and stims from the med-bay.
Spiros decided he needed a break from his current task and checked his latest scans. What he saw really terrified him. The entity had already assembled six facilities around the planet, clearly intended to become the generators for the planetary shield. It had created hundreds of thousands of drones to carry out the task really quickly, clearly having no qualms about how quickly it was depleting the Alliance’s quadrinium reserves. By his calculation, in just a few days they’d simply run out.
Spiros had kept the admiral informed, and she had already asked their Droxian allies for a large delivery of the precious material.
Their scans of Droxian, Alliance and Obsidian ships had not detected any presence of the entity, but Spiros was not yet ready to accept that they were immune to it. It was perhaps just not part of its plan; at least not yet.
The entity hadn’t made contact with them since their last conversation, but that was a good thing. Spiros hated being on the defensive and having to justify the earthlings’ past actions in order to ensure their future. Part of him agreed with the entity. The humans had really been hard on this world, and if there was such a thing as planetary consciousness, he could see why it would be utterly pissed.
Yanis entered with coffees and pills on a small tray and sat next to Spiros.
“I don’t know how long we can keep awake, even with all this. Surely we are performing at a way lower capacity than when in top shape.”
“I know. We should take turns sleeping.”
“Looks like Cedric didn’t want to wait.”
“That’s alright. You can be next.”
“You’re the oldest of us; perhaps you should sleep first.”
Spiros shot him a pointed look.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“No, you did; but it’s correct, I’m older. I’m also enhanced, which you are not.”
“Right, nanites.”
“Amongst other things.”
“I’d like to get enhanced too. Is that a possibility?”
“I don’t see why not, but some people don’t like augments.”
“Why?”
“They think it’s unnatural, that we’re cheating the circle of life and such nonsense.”
“I think it’s cool if it helps us be more efficient and more resilient as well.”
“I agree, obviously. We should get back to work.”
“Right. What’s new?”
“Look here.” Spiros showed him the scans.
“Someone’s been busy.”
“Yeah, at this rate this planetary shield will be done in a week.”
“Perhaps even faster.”
“Yeah, it’s difficult to evaluate since the entity is able to do so many things at once.”
“Can you imagine how great it would be if this thing was working for us? I mean, how fast it would churn out ships, repair damage?”
“Yeah, I’ve been thinking about that. In fact, we need to try it; but we also need to be ready to kill it in case we fail to convince it.”
“It’s not gonna like that. We’d better make sure that part of the plan is foolproof.”
“I don’t think foolproof exists; hence the predicament we’re in.”
“Yeah. If we had to choose between wiping all the data on Earth and it taking over, I take it we would chose the former, right?”
“The fact that you’re asking means you know how awful both those solutions are. But yes, if needed, let’s turn every computerized system off and start with a blank slate. That ought to paralyze this world for a while.”
“I’ve thought about that too, fortunately.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah, I discussed it with Cedric earlier. We could create an intelligent system to restore the basic OS you mentioned. It would do that on its own by populating it to drones, which would then populate other devices and so on.”
“That’s what I had in mind as well, but I’m thinking nanites might be a better delivery system.”
“True, but can we manufacture enough? Do they have a sufficient range?”
“We could, I suppose, and they could reproduce themselves.”
“You do realize we’re taking risks we shouldn’t as scientists. The same types of risks that got us here in the first place. What if the nanites become self-aware when we let them replicate?”
“I know, but what else can we do? Live under the tyranny of an entity that can decide to wipe us out by the billions at any time? We’re sitting on the biggest ticking time bomb of all time.”
“It’s ironic it came into being while we tried to diffuse bombs that would have destroyed this world in the first place.”
“It is, isn’t it? That’s it!”
“What is?”
“That’s what we do: we reverse the process. We prepare nanite bombs on this ship, and then we beam them down and let them explode all at once. The entity won’t have time to react to it. The nanites will wipe every system and then immediately install the new basic OS. Then we can restore pre-infection backups.”
“Still a gigantic task, but that could work.”
“If we do our job well it would only take a few days, I think.”
“Let’s just hope we don’t get attacked, then.”
“Even so, our ships are operational. The Droxians and Obsidian both agreed to send reinforcements. So if Argos comes back, he’ll find a committee waiting, and this time we’ll anticipate their suicidal tactics. Hopefully we can have a semi-functional shield made with the satellites as well.”
“You seem pretty confident.”
“Well, I think this could work.”
“You did say beam, though.”
“What about it?”
“Well, last time Cedric did that it created the entity.”
“I’ve analyzed the entire logs of what he did. I think I can replicate it safely.”
“If that’s so, we could use the technology for other things too.”
“Yes, transportation on Earth of living beings; on ships to deliver payloads within the enemy ships.”
“What about plan A, though? Clearly this is plan B?”
“It is, yes. Well, plan A is the reason we’re not sleeping currently.”
“Let’s keep at it then.”
CHAPTER
XVIII
On board the Valken, Daniel woke from his nap.
“Hello, sleepyhead.”
“Hey, Keera, what’s our status?”
“We still have a few hours before we arrive at our destination. You do realize that if the Iron Fire made a stop there and re-entered hyperspace we won’t be able to track them?”
“Not necessarily. I’ve got the Iron Fire’s signature, and if we don’t arrive too late after they jumped, we should be able to calculate a hyperspace vector at least from the residue its engines leave.”
“That seems approximate at best.”
“It is, but it’s better than nothing. How’s everyone back there?”
> “Last I checked they were also resting. You may want to check on them.”
“That’s okay. If they can get some rest that’s good. We might be in for a difficult time ahead.”
“About that. I have a question.”
“Shoot.”
“It seems Chase and Argos are in a league of their own, powerwise. What is it you wish us to accomplish exactly?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps he may still need our help one way or another.”
“That’s a big assumption.”
“I know. I just don’t like the idea of letting my friend run into the lion’s den on his own, that’s all.”
“I understand that totally. I just hope we don’t end up being a liability for him.”
“How so?”
“Well, we are frail compared to the Furies. Heck, even Ares was killed by Argos.”
“What? Ares died?”
“Yeah. I thought you knew, but how could you.”
“That’s the thing, and that’s what I hate about being kept in the dark. So Argos killed Ares. Can’t believe an Olympian as strong as the god of war got killed. How did Chase take it?”
“Not very well. He was his mentor after all.”
“I know. He told me about him. I sense he had a deep respect for him.”
“It hit him hard, but it did seem to fuel his hatred for Argos.”
“Yet he left with him willingly.”
“Don’t be an ass, Daniel. You know as well as I do that you’d be doing the same thing in his shoes.”
“Would I? I guess I never really felt what Chase feels for Sarah. I suppose if it was the case . . . Perhaps.”
She looked a little surprised at the confession. “Such a handsome guy as you? Really? I kinda thought you and what’s-her-name back there were a thing.”
“Her name is Fillio, and no we’re not. Though I must admit we’ve been closer since Chase resigned and left the Alliance.”
“Alright, I’m not judging. Sorry if I’m a little nosy. I just felt a vibe, that’s all. Call it feminine intuition.”
“You’re the second person who’s told me they feel something between us.”
“There you go. You may want to look into that eventually. I think she likes you.”
Daniel blushed but couldn’t help smiling a little.
“You’d make a nice couple, I think.”
Suddenly Daniel’s expression changed.
“What did I say? Why the long face?”
“It just hit me. Perhaps on a subconscious level I never really let myself be close to anyone to avoid being hurt or heartbroken. We are at war; there’re casualties. What if I open my heart to her and one of us bites the dust?”
“That’s the risk we all take when we care about someone. But is it really living if we prefer shielding ourselves from pain rather than take a risk to be happy? No, really, it’s an intrinsic part of living. There’s nothing we can do to control what’s going to happen; and honestly, even if it was possible, I think life would be boring.”
“I suppose so.”
“I know so. I’m glad to live in a world where I can meet someone and that person sweeps me off my feet; then, all of a sudden everything changes; life has more texture, more taste.”
“You’re an interesting bounty hunter, Keera, to say the least.”
“Well thank you.” She beamed at him an almost childlike smile.
* * *
The Iron Fire exited hyperspace near a brownish-grey planet with three moons orbiting it.
“We’re here,” said Argos.
“What are those?” asked Chase
“Planetary defense systems. They will scan us as soon as we’re in range and start firing.”
“Shouldn’t I be in a fighter taking them down?”
“Wait for it.”
“What? Why?”
“Let’s call it a hunch, okay?”
“And if you’re wrong?”
“If I’m wrong we’ll double back and land on the planet using the Dark Star.”
The onboard computer beeped. “Target lock!”
Chase jumped to the nearest console.
“Take it easy. They’ll scan us first.”
Multiple rays of bright, white light illuminated the bridge, emerging through one wall and disappearing through another.
Argos rose. “Five . . . four . . .” After a few seconds, he sat back in the captain’s chair.
“They’re not firing,” observed Chase.
“Thanks for telling me. I hadn’t noticed.”
“Sarcasm aside, why do you think that is?”
“Want me to spell it out for you? Isn’t it obvious?”
“Aphroditis?”
“There you go. I suspected this planet was under their protection. In fact, everything we will face from now on is probably thanks to the Olympians.”
“That’s why you needed her?”
“No, I need her for something else later.”
“What if she doesn’t want to comply?”
“Then both her and your precious Sarah die; so better work on your convincing speech for when that time comes.”
“She won’t refuse, but I might.”
“Yeah, you keep telling yourself that. I know you won’t sacrifice Sarah.”
Chase wanted to argue that perhaps under the right set of circumstances he could convince himself that, for the greater good, he would indeed make that decision. But he would be lying to himself. There was nothing more important to him right this moment than saving her. Even though the nightmare, Aphroditis’ latest vision and his growing sense of dread all seemed to point in the same direction. Whatever Chase was helping Argos achieve, it would have dire consequences. Of that Chase had very little doubt.
“Let’s take my ship and land. We need to get going. The fun hasn’t begun yet.”
“Fun?”
“That depends on how you look at it, I suppose. But if you like fighting, you won’t regret what comes next.”
“I don’t like fighting per se, except when your face is on the receiving end.” Chase smiled lopsidedly.
“Well, this time it won’t be; and remember, if my heart stops for thirty seconds, so does Sarah’s. Well, technically it’s not really her heart that would be the problem, but I’d rather spare you the mental image.”
Chase cringed. “So generous of you. So not only do we have to fight someone together, but I have to make sure you don’t die in the process, is that it?”
“Told you the fun hadn’t started yet.” Argos wore a defiant smirk.
He rose from the captain’s chair and cracked his neck and fingers.
“Ready, brother?”
“Ready, but don’t call me that.”
“Let’s go then.”
“Is she coming with us?”
“No, if Aphroditis leaves the ship it will be destroyed, obviously.”
“Won’t we need her help on the surface?”
“We’ll transmit video. She might be able to help us decipher some of the runes in the arena.”
“What arena? What is this? What do we do down there?”
“We fight, what else? And this is a fight to the death. I barely escaped with my hide last time. I don’t have to remind you what happens if I perish this time.”
“No you don’t, even though you seem obsessed with repeating that part.”
“Let’s go. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can stop pretending that we’re tolerating each other’s company.”
“I’m looking forward to that.”
“As am I, brother.”
Aphroditis emerged from the captain’s ready room.
“Where are you go—” She stopped short. “No, if you two go down there you’ll die. You can’t defeat the beast. It’s too powerful.”
“We’re Furies. We can defeat anything and anyone,” said Argos before looking straight at Chase. “If we work together.”
“Aphroditis, you know this place?”
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“I’ve heard of it. This is Tartarus, isn’t it?”
“Correct,” muttered Argos.
“No one ever came back alive from this place.”
“I did, once.”
Her eyes grew wide.
“Did you really escape it?”
“Barely, but yes. I’m not entirely sure how. One minute I was defeated, losing consciousness, about to get crushed. The next I was outside the arena. That’s all I recall.”
“Chase, I don’t like this.”
“Neither do I, but we don’t have a choice.”
“I’m coming with you, then.”
“No you can’t. The defense platforms around this planet will destroy the Iron Fire if you do. We may need you to come get us in case things go wrong.”
“I don’t know how to pilot this ship, Chase.”
“See these?” Chase showed her two small, round devices. “Put them on your temples and the ship will do what you think.”
“What if it doesn’t work with Olympian physiology?”
Chase tossed them at her and used his mind to place them gently on her temples.
“You should close your eyes now.”
She did. She saw an HUD with commands of all sorts, but when she thought about turning the ship around the Iron Fire responded immediately.
“Seems to work fine. Don’t you dare leave us stranded here, though. If you do I will kill Sarah.”
Chase growled and the Iron Fire shook. Aphroditis removed the devices from her temples and stored them in a pocket.
“Keep your energy for the next fight, brother. We’ll need it. Use that hatred you harbor towards me; but may I suggest you focus it on the right target.”
Chase’s eyes blinked purple and his fists tightened.
He’d had just about enough of being ordered around by Argos. He could feel the will to strike him down grow stronger inside him. But Sarah and Chris’ mental image calmed him down quickly.
Argos smiled. “We should get going; and you,” he said, looking at the Olympian. “We’ll transmit video signals to you. We may need some translation done, as well as tips for defeating the beast.”
“I don’t know how to help you, and even if I did, I’m not sure I want to.”
“You don’t want to incur the wrath of my brother. Believe me, I know firsthand what Chase is capable of when he loses someone he loves.”
Universe in Flames 3: Destination Oblivion Page 23