Tales of the Vuduri_Year Five

by Michael Brachman

  “Whatever,” Rei said. He considered their circumstances. “You know, I used to think there was something wrong with this world. Its utter lack of biological diversity. But from what you said, they must have known what they were doing.”

  “Yes,” Rome replied. “They have built an optimal system.”

  “I guess I shouldn’t be so surprised,” Rei said. “When I was a kid, I had this thing called a bio-sphere. It was a sealed glass globe. All it had was some water, some air, a dead wood-like plant, some algae, some rocks and a few shrimp.”

  “Wouldn’t the shrimp suffocate eventually?” Rome asked, “If it was a sealed globe?”

  “No,” Rei said. “That was the sleek thing about it. All you had to do was supply light. The algae made oxygen which the shrimp breathed. The shrimp ate the algae. Their waste was food for the plants and so on. It was perfectly balanced and I had it for a long time.”

  “This world is perfectly balanced as well,” Rome said. “I hope we don’t upset that.”

  Rei sat up. “We’ll try hard not to. But we’d better get going.” He stood up then helped Rome up.

  Entry 5-276: October 3, 2017

  The Evolution of Rome’s Evolution

  After I had completed The Ark Lords, I was pretty much done with Rome and Rei and the 35th century world of the Vuduri. I had a few little short stories that I wanted to publish which ultimately became The Vuduri Companion. I also wanted to try my hand at a YA novel which ultimately became The Milk Run but as far as major novels in the original continuity, I was done.

  I did have an idea for a story but it wasn't very substantial. It felt like a novelette or more likely a novella but certainly not a full length novel. I still had the one or two Darwin stragglers skulking about the planet and I wanted to find them and extradite them. The plan was for Rome to evolve to become a mind reader and use her new abilities to track down the would-be assassins. I had this cool idea to have the climax occur where a bad guy shoots Rei right in the chest with a hand gun and the bullets fly right through him. For that to happen, I needed Rei to be wearing the PPT tunnel vest and he required that piece of hardware because his back was healing as a result of an attempt on his life.

  It was all nice and clean and short and a tidy way to gain closure so that's what I set out to write. But, as always, when I was in the shower, I suddenly had a glimpse of another, much larger loose end. What of the now leader-less Onsiras? Were they just going to go away? Don't we have to deal with them some day?

  The two plots dovetailed and became a full-fledged conspiracy and now what was supposed to be short ended up as even longer than The Ark Lords.

  So over the next few days, I wanted to show you how the book was supposed to end and how I was able to clamp on the hook into the final, deeper climax. The fight scene between Rei Bierak and Dan Steele was my first full-length fight and sure, it ended with another hand getting cut off, but it was very satisfying, especially because Rome ended the fight, not Rei.

  The series starts tomorrow and is entitled Finale 1. I hope you enjoy it.

  Entry 5-277: October 4, 2017

  Finale 1 - The beginning

  When I first came up with the idea of Rome’s Evolution, I had only thought it through to Rome and Rei capturing Troutman and Steele. But when I started writing it, suddenly, I realized that this was not the end but the beginning of a deeper, more insidious plot. So here is a 6 part series on what was supposed to be the finale. Today we set up the confrontation during final approach:

  Rei wasn’t sure what the water would do to his electrostatic blouse so he took his shirt off and crumpled it tightly into a ball and covered it with the Deucadon cloak. Rome had gotten used to seeing him with no chest so the sight did not alarm her. Rei held his balled up shirt and cloak over his head with one hand and held onto Rome’s hand with the other as they slid down the bank where it was slightly narrower to ford the creek. The water was cool but not uncomfortably so. The bottom was made of silt and rocks and it was a little bit slippery so they took their time crossing. There were one or two deep spots but for the most part just going slowly was enough.

  Once they reached the far bank, as they ascended out of the water, Rei shook himself like a dog then put his shirt back on. Once again, Rei held Rome’s hand as they climbed up the bank. Ahead the trail of ‘blankets’ beckoned. The trail led through a series of cane-tree woods alternating with rocky outcroppings. Each of the rocky stretches represented a clear area with nothing overhead. It was in those flat areas, strewn with boulders and rocks that Rei looked up to search for signs of MINIMCOM, even though it made no sense. If Rei could see him, then Steele could see him too and tip their hand. Finally, though, Rei had had enough.

  “MINIMCOM, do you read?” he asked.

  “Yes, is there a problem?” the starship asked.

  “It’s just that it’s been a while since we’ve seen you.”

  “Why do you need to see me? I am more or less directly overhead,” MINIMCOM replied. “We can see you just fine. That is all that matters.”

  “But we can’t see you,” Rei responded. “I’m not saying it’s rational. Can you please just phase in and out for a second to put my mind at ease.”

  “As you wish,” MINIMCOM said but Rei could tell from his tone that he was irked.

  MINIMCOM’s reassuring jet-black presence became visible high up in the air. Rei smiled and tapped on Rome’s shoulder, pointing toward the sky. Rome looked up and nodded.

  “Thanks,” Rei said, “that’s all I needed.”

  MINIMCOM promptly disappeared again. “You are welcome,” MINIMCOM replied.

  Now it is time to follow the trail to the end, to Steele himself!

  Entry 5-278: October 5, 2017

  Finale 1 - Last moment of peace

  When I first came up with the idea of Rome’s Evolution, I had only thought it through to Rome and Rei capturing Troutman and Steele. But when I started writing it, suddenly, I realized that this was not the end but the beginning of a deeper, more insidious plot. So here is a 6 part series on what was supposed to be the finale.

  Yesterday, MINIMCOM appeared in the sky for just a minute to reassure Rei that he was nearby. Today we lull Rei into thinking he has one last moment of peace before he has to confront the big bad of the story:

  “You are welcome,” MINIMCOM replied. “And thank you for such supreme confidence in me.”

  Rei couldn’t help but laugh. With renewed conviction, Rei and Rome plunged into the deepest part of the forest yet. Rome put her hand on Rei’s shoulder and let him lead because he could see far better than she could. It wasn’t long before they came to another creek. As before, the current group of blankets stopped and they waited for their cousins to appear on the other side. This creek was narrower but the swiftly moving water told Rei it was deeper. Once again, he took off his shirt and balled it in his cloak and helped Rome down into the little river. He held her hand high overhead as the water came up to her neck. The bottom of this creek was smoother so the footing was easier, thank goodness.

  As before, the cane-trees lining the tree bank were the bushier, split trunk kind. They looked like giant slingshots to Rei. He stared at them as they crossed and wondered what the slight deviation from the norm meant and why they required more water. Some day, he would have Rome ‘ask’ one of the blankets but for now they had to keep going.

  Because the cane-trees were bushier, there were more leaves on the ground, many of which led down to the water. Climbing up the far bank was a little trickier. The capillary action of the leaves and humus wicked up the water and soaked it making the soil wet and somewhat mushy. The moisture also hastened the decay of the leaves.

  It appeared that the sticky bushes had given up their claim to this land so the whole thing smelled like a mildly pleasant compost heap. Once again, when they got farther away from the water, the density of the cane-tree species changed back to the single trunk variety. A gentle breeze wafted through the area and the
click-clack of the cane-tree trunks formed a soothing, ethereal cadence. Rei realized there truly was peace in this forest. The creatures, the trees, all lived in harmony. Though they had started out as intruders, somehow, Rei now felt their welcome. It was too bad they were fighting for their lives. Some day he’d like to come back here and soak it all in.

  Actually, he may not want to do that. Before it is all over, he will have very bad memories of this place.

  Entry 5-279: October 6, 2017

  Finale 1 - Blanket pointers

  When I first came up with the idea of Rome’s Evolution, I had only thought it through to Rome and Rei capturing Troutman and Steele. But when I started writing it, suddenly, I realized that this was not the end but the beginning of a deeper, more insidious plot. So here is a 6 part series on what was supposed to be the finale.

  Yesterday, we let Rei think he was going to have one last moment of peace. But today, the blankets do their job as best as they can, trying to warn Rome and Rei that Steele is upon them:

  Even though it seemed nearly impossible, the dense stand of trees grew even thicker. The going was so slow, Rome had to hold Rei’s hand and pull her through each opening as they wound their way through the cane-trees, tree by tree. They came across one final stream, the deepest one yet. While Rei could still wade, the water was too deep for Rome and she had to resort to swimming. She was a surprisingly good swimmer and she beat Rei across by a wide margin. The water was downright cold. Rome waited for him patiently on the far side then they climbed the bank together. As they were climbing up, Rei noticed Rome was shivering so he draped the Deucado cloak around her shoulders to warm her up a bit.

  There were no trees on the far side. Instead, a boulder-strewn glade lay before them. There were a few patches of threadgrass but it was mostly just dry soil. The whole scene reminded Rei of the place where he first met the Deucadons: Triden, Melloy and Steben. It was made even more similar because in front of them was a vertical rock wall, almost a small mountain. Rei thought back to that day. It was the first time MINIMCOM had ever used his transporter. He had relocated Rei to the top of the cliff and it was only after he did so that the little computer informed Rei it was the first time he had ever attempted it with a living creature.

  The major difference between this glade and the other one was a tiny waterfall which dripped down the mountain and the little rivulet that formed at its bottom made its way to join up to the stream they had just crossed.

  “Look, Rome,” Rei said mentally.

  “What?” Rome replied.

  “The blankets are climbing up the front face.” He pointed to the dense rock formation ahead. “Look at the way they are forming an arch.”

  “What do you think it means?” Rome asked.

  “When I was making my way back from the Ibbrassati village to your father’s base, I came across a glade just like this. There was a cave tucked in there that was the Deucadon’s base of operation.”

  “A cave would be a perfect place to hide. Do you think Steele is in there?”

  “Something’s up. The blankets have been laying out the road for us steadily and now this? Look, there. I think they’re trying to tell us something.”

  What are they trying to say? They are saying danger, danger, Steele is coming!

  Entry 5-280: October 7, 2017

  Finale 1 - Steele is close

  When I first came up with the idea of Rome’s Evolution, I had only thought it through to Rome and Rei capturing Troutman and Steele. But when I started writing it, suddenly, I realized that this was not the end but the beginning of a deeper, more insidious plot. So here is a 6 part series on what was supposed to be the finale.

  Yesterday, the blankets frantically tried to warn our intrepid couple that Steele is close. Today, the bad guy descends upon them:

  Rei pointed to the left. He saw a dark crack that could be a cave or, maybe it was just a shadow. Rei started moving forward while Rome bent down to pet one of the blankets to get more information. Realizing he did not have the Deucadon cloak to hide him, Rei dashed ahead hoping to get close enough unnoticed to peer in. If there was a cave there, then it would be the perfect hideout and it would explain why MINIMCOM couldn’t spot anything from the air. As Rei ran, he scrambled to avoid the stones, pebbles, boulders and rocks scattered about. It was more than an obstacle course. It was like somebody took a huge boulder and broke it into a thousand pieces just to make Rei’s life even more difficult than it already was. By the time Rei got to the rock wall, the blankets started to move away. They wriggled around in a haphazard manner, flopping like fish. Their behavior made no sense: it smacked of confusion.

  Suddenly, Rome screamed out loud, “Rei!”

  Rei whirled in place and saw Dan Steele, wearing a deactivated Deucadon invisibility cloak, standing there with his arm clamped around Rome’s neck. A glint of metal told Rei all he needed to know. The man was holding Jack Henry’s M9 Beretta pushed up against his beautiful wife’s temple.

  Rei started to move toward them but Steele called out, “Freeze or I blow her brains out.”

  Rei came to a complete stop and raised his hands slowly. “You only want to kill me,” Rei shouted back. “Let her go.” He slid one foot in front of the other, trying to get closer.

  “Actually, I want both of you dead but I’ll settle for either,” Steele sneered. “I’ve got enough bullets to pull it off.”

  Rei pointed up as he took another step closer. “My starship is overhead. He can vaporize you before you can do anything.”

  “Well, he won’t vaporize me as long as I have your little whore. Although I’d be curious to see what he does after I shoot her,” Steele said. He lifted his elbow so that the handgun was horizontal to Rome’s temple and pressed it in tighter.

  In an instant, Rei made his decision. Unwilling to wait until the cavalry arrived in the form of MINIMCOM’s livetar, Rei activated the cell-phone link in his head and called out to Rome, “As soon as I say go, I want you to fall to the ground. He won’t expect it.”

  “No, there is something…” Rome started to say but Rei pre-empted her.

  Rei is going to pull a fast one on Steele and take him on directly. But Rome has something she wants to say, Rei just doesn't want to hear it. Tomorrow, the rumble.

  Entry 5-281: October 8, 2017

  Finale 1 - A cut so deep

  When I first came up with the idea of Rome’s Evolution, I had only thought it through to Rome and Rei capturing Troutman and Steele. But when I started writing it, suddenly, I realized that this was not the end but the beginning of a deeper, more insidious plot. So here is a 6 part series on what was supposed to be the finale.

  Yesterday, Rei encountered Steele who had taken Rome captive. The only way to free her was to have her drop to the ground like a rock and Rei take on a trained assassin directly. It is not looking good. How will he get out of this?

  “Go! Now!” Rei commanded.

  Reluctantly, Rome let her knees buckle. Gravity took over and she slipped out of Steele’s grasp. At the same time, Rei came rushing at him. Steele didn’t even bother with Rome. He calmly raised the handgun, steadied it with his other hand and when Rei was close enough, he fired off two rounds, point blank into Rei’s chest. The bullets passed harmlessly through the miniature PPT tunnel vest that Rei wore under his electrostatic blouse and out the other side. Taking advantage of Steele’s surprise, Rei launched himself over Rome like a linebacker and hit Steele full on, driving his shoulder into Steele’s chin.

  Being in that Steele was trained in the martial arts, he used Rei’s own momentum against him, flipping him up and over. With a thud, Rei landed on his back, flat on the ground. He hit his head and the blow made him dizzy, dizzier than it would have if he had not just had a concussion.

  In the blink of an eye, Steele whirled around, lifting his right fist as he turned. He smashed his hand down onto Rei’s nose, breaking it. Rei cried out. The pain was excruciating. Steele used Rei’s agony to buy the ti
me he needed to land on top of his adversary, knees straddling Rei’s chest. He seized Rei by the throat with his left hand and tried to crush the fallen man’s windpipe. Rei reached up, grabbing Steele’s hand by the wrist. It took both hands and all his might but finally, Rei managed to pry Steele’s left hand off of his throat. What Rei could not see was Steele withdrawing a knife from his boot with his right hand.

  “Die, you god-damned traitor,” Steele said, raising the knife up into the air.

  “Rei!” Rome screamed but it was too late. Steele plunged the blade into Rei’s chest, slashing through Rei’s shirt, right where his heart should have been. But there was no chest. There was no heart. Steele’s hand and blade went right through the PPT tunnel and lodged firmly in the rocky soil underneath Rei. Rei seized the opportunity and twisted to his right. The rim of the PPT tunnel, possibly the sharpest edge in the universe, severed the connection between Steele’s arm and his right wrist and hand.