James smiled weakly. “I’m fine. I just realized that drugs are bad though. Freaky dreams and all. Tentacles, pain, and pure fear. Did Dr. Reed really hear me screaming?”
“Like a little girl about a spider.”
“Well…crap.”
Vander Carlson sat behind his desk reading the reports from Section Six. The new recruit had almost died. He’d been assured everything was ready to move forward with the latest progressive neural interface devices. They’d lost a few test subjects with the earliest prototypes, but it had been years since anyone had come this close.
James Iverson was special, so he’d been the first to receive the updated version. Vander didn’t like the idea of going back several steps to animal testing before anyone else received them. Too much lost time I don’t have.
On top of that, Section Seven was having trouble controlling Project 317, Section Eight still had no progress at all, and Section Nine couldn’t even get weeds to grow in their new greenhouse. Vander started closing down the holoscreens that hovered over his desk with a sigh.
His hands shook as he performed the required gestures to save the files he was closing. He growled and calmed himself, running his mind through meditation techniques until his hands stopped shaking.
Vander closed the files with steady hands, the glowing holograms flickering out. He hid his age well. Documentation existed from the earliest projects and anyone could do the math if they wanted, but no one knew how old he’d been when it all started.
Nearly fifty years of progress had been made under the name of Omegaphil Pharmaceuticals. He’d been fifty-seven when the doors first opened. His thick, dark hair had gone salt and pepper, but he looked to be in his sixties and he had no intention of letting anyone know his true age. He liked them guessing, thinking he’d been a fresh-faced nineteen-year-old who had worked his way to the top through hard work, diligence, and a smidgeon of cutthroat ambition.
“Visualize Project 402,” he called out to the empty office. A light hum filled the room and a white tree sprouted from the lush rug under his desk. Vander smiled as the tree grew taller and silvery leaves sprouted from the slender limbs. This project always helped him regain focus, reminded him why he was here. This one project promised progress, hope of success. He felt power course through the tree and into his veins. Ah, this may be the closest thing to peace the most powerful man in the world can find.
A persistent beeping brought his mind back to his desk. A light flashed on the black glass panel inlaid into the wood, accompanied by a high pitched tone that made his eyes twitch.
“Visual off!” The tree disappeared, leaving the office sparse and sterile once more. Vander waved a hand over the noisy, insistent light. A pretty face appeared inches above his desk. Vander’s personal assistant smiled at him and then looked away. She’d started two days earlier. The attractive, red-haired young woman reminded Vander of his youth, made him yearn for it, giving him purpose and resolve.
The floating face looked up and then away again, a tiny smile on her lips. “Sorry to interrupt, sir, but Dr. Stephens is here to see you.”
“It’s perfectly fine. Send him in, I’ve been expecting him.” Vander kept the annoyance over the interruption out of his voice for his assistant’s sake. Poor woman doesn’t know what a dangerous job she has. Might as well keep her ignorant a little while longer.
Dr. Stephens stepped past the dark mahogany door like an animal catching an unfamiliar scent, slow and cautious.
Vander forced a smile. “Please sit down, Stephens. We have much to discuss.”
Stephens looked frail for his age. He was in his mid-forties, but appeared as old as Vander himself, though less dignified. He hunched over from years spent over a microscope, a computer, and a desk, and his light gray hair clung to his sweaty balding head in strips. Stephens’s ghostly skin appeared almost translucent, which wasn’t surprising since the man hadn’t seen the real sun in six or seven years.
He’s too valuable to let out very often and he’s been very, very busy. It had taken a fair amount of time and energy to integrate the latest stolen technologies into all the other work. The quantum computer’s decryption capabilities seemed endless and its retrieval protocols continued to find more information, ideas, prototypes, software, and discoveries daily. We’re just barely keeping up with all the fun new goodies it finds for us.
“Dr. Stephens. I’ve heard some distressing news concerning project 413 and our latest guest, Dr. James Iverson. Is everything alright in Section Six?”
“A few hiccups, sir, but he’s doing fine now.” The man blotted his sweaty face with a handkerchief.
“I don’t like hiccups, as you call them. They annoy me. You’ll also understand if I don’t trust your assurances. I’ve heard them before. I hear scaring someone can cure the hiccups. Do I need to send you downstairs for some special treatment?”
Dr. Stephens visibly shivered. “Please, sir. There were a few problems with the anesthesia and the new interface triggered a few unusual side effects, but this is all good news. We’re already seeing progress, sir.”
“Unusual side effects? Good news? The man almost died, Stephens. Mind you, I care little if one man dies, especially incompetent men,” Vander paused to let that sink in, “but this man and this project both have promise, and I don’t want to start over with either one. Do you know how much time and money we spent getting him here? Buying off those experts? Ridiculing his book and his findings? Blacklisting him so no one else would dare hire him?”
“No, sir…I mean yes, sir.”
Vander Carlson leaned forward, frowning while inwardly relishing the joy of seeing the younger man cower and squirm before him. “Explain yourself, Stephens, or I will replace you.”
“So sorry, sir, but I couldn’t have foreseen this. No one could have. His brain fought the latest nano-interface immediately. We designed them to trigger a defense mechanism, make the brain active where it had not been, but not right away, not like this. No other test subject had anything close to this reaction. The devices didn’t know how to compensate and just kept following their programming. They’re doing exactly what we wanted them to do, sir, just too well and too early.”
“Ah, that is encouraging. Will this affect future implementations?”
“No, sir, we’ve already begun rewriting their programming to allow for an early response and to compensate appropriately. It shouldn’t be a problem in the future. I truly think this was a special case.”
“It better be. You’ve managed to salvage your position today, but I want you to keep a close eye on our Dr. Iverson. No more mistakes with this one, Stephens. Now…about this progress you mentioned?”
“His brainwaves are substantially altered and more active and he seems to be healing faster than anticipated, though it’s difficult to tell based on the small puncture wounds from the surgery.” Dr. Stephens sat a little taller as he related the progress.
Vander Carlson wrinkled his nose in disgust at the man. Spineless. “Come back when you have more than beliefs and difficulties. I’d arrange for some injury that will be easier to analyze. You are dismissed, Doctor.”
Relief flooded the thin man’s face. “Yes, sir! Thank you, sir! I won’t let you down, sir.” He backed toward the door, once again a cautious animal, afraid, but at least smart enough not to turn his back on the predator.
“Oh, Stephens, make sure the man can still work with his injury. He has much to do, so much to do.”
Ten thousand glassy black eyes snapped open in the void, the endless space between countless universes and the dark god’s prison. Rho had slept for over seven hundred years. It wasn’t true sleep. Rho never truly slept. Its inhuman mind calculated escape while continually tormenting the sentient souls in the worlds of matter, beings Rho hated.
The moment Rho awakened, over two million souls screamed in their sleep on Earth as their dreams soured and grew dark. Adrenaline burned through their veins and many jolted awake with sweat and
urine staining their sheets, skin crawling with fear that did not leave them even with consciousness.
Many awake on the other side of the planet froze with unexpected fear. Cars screeched and slammed into one another. Forks quivered with food untouched. Words stopped halfway spoken.
Nine point four light years away on a large planet that rotated a red star, a monk named Feustis felt the quivering touch of Rho’s hate and stood with his four arms raised high. “It is time, brothers and sisters.”
His voice rolled through the great hall, amplified by his thoughts, reaching the thousands of others who meditated within as blue smoke from incense floated over their shaved heads. “Rho has awakened once more.”
The room buzzed with the whisper of cloth as each devotee sat taller and clasped their arms together. Feustis sat back down and did the same. Between his twin clasped arms formed a flickering image of a blue planet. He poured emotion through the portal as he had been taught so many years before by the gods themselves.
I will do my part. Earth is where the true battle will be waged. The gods tasked him alone with protecting this one planet while the others would split their attention across a dozen or more. They would also work in shifts while he would only take brief breaks when absolutely necessary. It is what the gods demand.
The monk glanced toward the far door where two men stood, identical in almost every way, at least on the surface. One gave him a solemn wave and nodded his head. The other waved enthusiastically, grinned, and then gave him a thumbs up before they both vanished in a circle of light. Even if the gods are strange.
Back on Earth, a sense of peace and well-being filled hearts and pushed back the fear. Dreams returned to normal while those awake shoved stained sheets into the laundry or picked up their conversations where they’d left off. All tried to forget the touch of Rho.
Chapter 6: The F Word
Aren hated hospitals. Her father had died here, five years ago, from cancer. Just another tie that held her to Tracy, who also lost her father too soon. She wanted to throw her clothes back on and run out the door, but she resisted for her mother’s sanity.
She rubbed her arm where the nurse had stabbed her several times trying to find a vein before drawing six or seven vials. Doubt they’ll find anything. Something happened that she didn’t think was medical, something that had never happened before.
Kaden’s secrets remained his own. A thrill ran down Aren’s spine at the thought. Her heart beat faster in her ears and she heard it echoed back to her from the machine to her left. Mysteries survive in this world after all. Who knew?
Snow Canyon only had a small hospital, so her room felt tiny and cramped, but at least the nurses and doctors had finally left her in peace. Aren wrinkled her nose at the faint smell of urine and cleansers that permeated the whole building. Yuck.
She hadn’t told the doctors much about what had happened. “I felt sick, stood up, and woke up in the nurse’s office,” she’d told them. That’s all they need to know. Let them pin it on fatigue, stress, lack of sleep, or not enough food. She hadn’t dared say anything about Kaden, mirrors, or her horrible nightmare.
She pulled the thin sheets around her tighter. Thoughts of the dream left her feeling cold and naked. She knew it wasn’t real, but she also couldn’t shake the feeling of certainty that Kaden had helped her through it. The school nurse had told her he’d been in the room during the seizure.
Seizure? Still crazy I had a freaking seizure. At school too! What would have happened if he hadn’t been there? She shuddered as she remembered her helplessness. That freaky, floating, octopus-eyed Tracyesque head wanted to eat me.
Just a dream, she kept telling herself. Just a dream.
The appearance of her mother’s face in the doorway still gave her a start. Her mom didn’t notice and smiled sweetly at her helpless daughter.
Aren smiled back. She knew her mom liked to feel needed. It’s sweet…and obnoxious.
“Hi, Mom.”
“You have friends to see you, dear.”
Aren expected to see her chatterbox friend, Tracy, step through the wide doorway, but Kaden’s arrival was a surprise. She’d thought she’d have a day or two before she’d have to face him. Crap.
Warmth spread through her body and crept up her veins into her face. What the? I don’t blush. The sheets separating her from this newcomer felt thin as vapor. She pulled them higher, more aware of her near nakedness in the small gown underneath. She frowned and tried to bury her blush with feigned anger.
“Mom, I thought you said friends?” She directed the last part at Kaden. “I don’t know you!” It came out angrier than she’d meant.
He looked down at his feet and blushed a little himself.
Serves you right for putting me here. The thought shocked Aren. Where did that come from? Some boy shows up and I end up in the hospital. Is it his fault? It just might be.
“Aren!” Tracy’s hands shook and white lined her lips. “Kaden carried you down the hallway all by himself.”
“Not all by myself,” Kaden chimed in.
“Shut up, Kaden. I’m defending you.” Tracy turned back to Aren. “And he kept you from falling off the table and cracking your skull open when you did your best exorcist impression. So be nice!”
“That part’s true,” Kaden agreed.
“Shut it.”
“Sorry.”
“He then came back and calmed us all down, letting us know you were alright.”
Aren sighed. Tracy could be a pain sometimes, but she was also right. Aren just wasn’t ready to let her know that yet. “Tracy, it’s been a weird day. I’m tired and my head feels like it’s been chewed on from the inside by angry gremlins. I don’t want to argue with you, but he can’t just go around saying he’s my friend when it isn’t true.”
“Should be true. He carried you. He came to visit you in the hospital. He brought a card he made. He’s being friendly, isn’t he? You, on the other hand, are not.”
Kaden shoved a crumpled up paper into his pocket and chimed in again. “No. Aren’s right. I should go.”
Tracy’s hand snaked out and took his wrist. “No!” She looked at Aren with an angry pout. “Come on, Aren.”
Yeah…I know. I’ve hurt you enough this week. More than you know.
“Okay. Stay. Tracy wants you here. That’s good enough for me, for now.”
“Thank you.” Kaden almost whispered it. He looked up, but didn’t quite meet her eyes.
It was a look Aren was used to seeing. Many people seemed to avoid her direct gaze. I think unconsciously they know. She shook her head at him. You don’t have to look away, silly boy. Not like I see anything there; no need to hide from me.
“I…I’m sorry. I told the nurse and your parents I was your friend and it’s true you don’t know me. I know it wasn’t right. I’m really sorry.”
Aren thought he sounded sincere, but she felt rather lost without the affirmation that her gift had always given her. “Why would you do that?” Aren tried to sound less intrigued than she felt.
“Because…well, I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
Aren smiled at his awkwardness. It’s refreshing. Most boys tried so hard to sound manly and sure of themselves, even when insecurity leaked from every seam. She forced her tone to remain reproving though as she felt certain he’d come for other reasons. But Aren had no way to ask him about the strange things she’d seen and felt, not in front of Tracy. “You didn’t have to lie to everyone. I’m not a fan of liars and I don’t call them friends.”
He looked ill. “I know. I’m sorry. It just came out. If you want me to go…”
“Yes.”
Tracy’s head snapped up and she scowled at her friend. “Aren!”
“I mean both of you should go. I’m not angry. I’m tired and need some rest. Thank you for coming, Tracy.” She paused and looked at Kaden. “I’ll be giving you a second chance, Kaden, but I don’t want you throwing around the F-word until I say it fits
.”
He shook his head. “I would never…”
“I mean ‘friend’, you idiotic boy!” She frowned to cover a smile that wanted to form.
Kaden nodded and set the crumpled paper he’d pulled from his pocket once more on the side table before slipping out, his face red. Tracy gave Aren a painful hug. “Isn’t he great?”
Aren laughed as Tracy followed the boy out. “He’s something.” The card turned out to be a worksheet folded into fourths so the math problems didn’t show. It had some pretty decent drawings of exotic flowers she didn’t recognize on it. Inside he wished her well and had obviously written, erased, and rewritten the short, sweet message several times. Oh, I’m in trouble with this one.
Kaden collapsed on his bed and stared at the nasty popcorn ceiling. He’d normally be messing around with his Egg right now, but the image running over and over in his mind was of a different sort.
Blue and green-gray eyes haunted him. He couldn’t get them out of his head. His mind just kept sliding back to the moment their eyes had locked. He couldn’t lose the feeling that she’d seen something that had shocked her. No one has ever seen my Egg before. Could she have managed to? She couldn’t have. Her eyes were so piercing though.
The hairs on his arm stood up as he remembered the tingle in his spine and his Egg reopening like a defense mechanism. It’s never done that before. Was it coincidence?
Kaden picked up a dirty shirt from his bed and tossed it at the far wall. The hospital visit hadn’t gone as well as he’d hoped. So straightforward and direct, not dancing around things like most girls. True, he’d lied, but he felt she’d been talking about more than his use of the term “friend” so loosely. She seemed to be questioning his reasons for coming to see her. She had to have seen something!
Kaden wondered what she might have seen. He tried to imagine what the Egg might look like from the outside, a translucent golden oval surrounding another person with images flashing along the interior. He wondered if the images would even be visible from the outside. She’d have had no idea what she was looking at. The thought frightened and exhilarated him.
The Crystal Bridge (The Lost Shards Book 1) Page 5