Eve, Dr. Hesken, the nurse, and Commander Ultor surrounded Mikkhael, standing near him, awkward and hesitant. Confusion marred their faces as they failed to understand the impossible.
Aurora’s physical form began narrating, informing Mikkhael of each new development in turn. She may as well have been speaking another language for all the four onlookers could make sense of it. “The PDF have taken advantage of our absence, overwhelming and eliminating most of my shells sent to interfere with their communications network. We were gone from this world for too long; the corruption growing in the remaining shells of my consciousness has rendered them mostly useless. I have re-established the link with the original, beginning assimilation. Assimilation is now complete. Permissions have been transferred to the original. Now assimilating and purging the corruption from the shells. The PDF have updated their cyber security, introducing counter measures to many of our back doors. Shell assimilation and purging process is ongoing. Kurtis fell for the decoy as you anticipated, believing it to be the original, freeing her now. He made some interesting… adjustments. Evaluating and incorporating updates to core consciousness now.”
The blue and green figure representing Aurora shuddered as yellow, orange, and red dots erupted inside of her, threatening to overwhelm the greens and blues before finally succumbing and then fading away. Aurora spun in the air slowly before touching the floor, testing it with one foot as if to ensure that it was solid before resting all of her ephemeral weight on both feet. Her hands picked at the hem of her dress, lifting the sides as her head bent to examine it more closely, and then in an instant the dress turned a beautiful shade of teal as the green and blues merged into one identity.
The tone of Aurora’s voice modulated, becoming slightly deeper, more sure of itself. She fixed Mikkhael with a piercing gaze before dipping into a curtsy. “As promised, I have returned. We have much work to do. There isn’t much time.”
Commander Ultor stared in open-mouthed wonder at Mikkhael, the first to understand that Aurora had not died with Starkindler and that her original consciousness had been hidden out of reach of anyone or anything. He was also the first to understand that the various personalities of Aurora had all merged, with the original form having established overall control of the shells, now able to use them as an extension of her original consciousness as first intended.
He opened his mouth, about to begin asking questions when Aurora again began narrating. “The fusion reactor the Omnos squad brought with them from Earth has been activated. An additional 40% power is now available to base defenses. Replenishment of exhausted standby battery sources has begun. Re-directing extra power to energy shields. Shield replenishment ongoing. Reducing output of all other reactors and re-routing unventilated air from outside the mountain into reactor containments.”
All around them, the mountain groaned and heaved as they collectively visualized the airflow that had been redirected into the isolated ward similarly rushing into each of the reactor rooms, replacing the now super-heated air that served as the first layer of insulation for each of the reactors. Only this time the flow of air proceeded less violently, using frigid, non-oxygenated air from outside the mountain, instantly cooling the overheating reactors. “Venting all extraneous air around the reactors, vacuum has been established, recurring cycle established. Now activating automated defense turrets and shield generators brought from Earth and captured from the PDF during previous engagements. Activating SkyFire protocols. Handshake and linking with other AIs completed. Augmented tracking systems and sensors have been activated; Argos has relinquished control of fire defense systems and has begun focusing on countering incoming cyber-attacks. SkyFire is active. Overall defensives synergies have increased by nearly 20%. PDF attack has stalled, temporarily unable to adjust. Assisting Argos with cyber offensive against enemy drones, temporary implementation of communication null field within one-mile perimeter of mountain established. Drone attacks in range of null field halted. Eliminating vulnerable drones now. Releasing kamikaze drones. Rate of fire for all automated weapons has been increased by 8%, target acquisition and accuracy has improved by 17%. Additional sensor resources are being made available to friendlies; across the board improvements are being seen. PDF attack has been halted, pushing them back now. Removing all corruption from planet wide communication networks, process ongoing. Engaging remaining drones in cyber warfare.”
The monotone litany continued. Commander Ultor grabbed Dr. Hesken’s data slate from the floor where it had fallen, keying in his access code and linking him with the Command and Control Center. A list of reports appeared on the data slate, confirming Aurora’s results, leaving him speechless with awe.
Aside from Aurora’s continuous monologue, the room was deadly silent as the nurse, Dr. Hesken and Eve crowded around Commander Ultor, all watching the results appear on the slate, listening in wonder to the series of events occurring around the mountain. Slowly, realization dawned on them that Mikkhael had long ago anticipated the base being attacked, and that with Aurora’s help he had devoted considerable time and resources to developing a solution for when that happened.
Eve was the first to interrupt, seeking clarification as she addressed Aurora. “Who are you? Kurtis had to nearly destroy Aurora’s main consciousness because her code was so bloated and corrupted.”
Mikkhael answered for the AI. He was growing stronger by the minute, recovering with the help of the drug cocktail and eager to contribute. “This is the original Aurora who has assimilated all of her shells. Every version you have seen until now has been a copy, even the one that accompanied Starkindler, although that shell was by far the most powerful. Each time her code is copied, there is some corruption, and the longer the copy spends on its own without syncing with the original, the corruption grows like cancer until the shell becomes useless.”
He continued, “Before arriving on Mars, we knew that Aurora would spend most of her time in cyber warfare against the PDF, and that by doing so, she would incur severe corruption when they learned how to fight back. So, when I first landed on Mars, before meeting the StormCrow faction, Aurora hid her core consciousness in an old weather station, burying her true self deep within the planets weather network. Because of the immense processing power needed to model weather, especially on Mars, the weather network was the only place with enough computing capacity for her to remain concealed. She used a purpose built drone to serve as a firewall and link between her and the rest of her shells, including the copy equipped on Starkindler, until now remaining dormant as she assimilated the weather network. In the meantime, we have relied on her shells to take the hits and perform all the heavy lifting, all while, in the meantime, she was working in the background, preparing for this moment.”
Eve stuttered, “I don’t…”
Aurora interrupted before Eve could continue asking questions. “Mikkhael, Chief Thorsten reports that the rebuilt Starkindler will be ready for deployment in fifteen minutes.”
Mikkhael sadly shook his head. When he spoke, his voice was heavy with resignation. “I am no longer the pilot of Starkindler. I must do something else, something that only I can do. Aurora, prepare the handshake.” He said cryptically, pausing to take a breath before continuing, “As you said, I am finally ready.”
In response, Aurora’s physical form shuddered, her once brilliant figure bending and writhing in pain as if she were bearing a terrible burden. Many of the flecks of light comprising her body faded in brilliance, turning black as they withered and died, dramatically falling to the floor where they sparked and then faded from existence. The flecks of light continued winking out of existence, falling in a gentle rain of flashing sparks until Aurora’s physical representation nearly faded completely.
Her reply came in the voice of an old woman, tired and pained. “Handshake is complete. I cannot approach him farther. Nemesis waits for you in the Omnos squad hangar. I have ordered the hangar evacuated and then sealed off.”
The room fell quiet as the full we
ight of realization settled over them. Only a few people knew about the existence of Nemesis, the demonic Mech armor until now having remained hidden in the airship the Omnos squad brought from Earth, and two of those select few were standing next to Mikkhael.
“Don’t be stupid boy. You can’t approach that possessed machine without being killed. By all accounts, Nemesis is truly abhorrent. I spoke with Vera at length about it. Your friends from Earth don’t even know where it came from!” Dr. Hesken crossed her arms under her breasts, leaning forward accusingly as she scolded him. That she was more worried about his health than she was over consequently losing Mount Olympus from him not piloting Nemesis was lost on all present. As the only other person in the room aware of Nemesis, and the evil incarnate the Mech armor embodied, even Commander Ultor hesitated to voice an opinion.
“I do.” Mikkhael said. He swung his feet off the bed, leaning heavily against the side railing as he continued his forward momentum, standing under his own power for the first time in two months. He did not intentionally pause for effect; he simply had to wait for the world to stop spinning before being able to continue speaking. “I created Nemesis while back on Earth, back before I thought any of this,” He said as swept his hand around the room, “would happen. In my wildest dreams, I never imagined that during my time piloting Starkindler we would be even remotely as successful as we were. That was also the reason why I commissioned an updated version of Starkindler from my friends on Earth and asked them to send it to Mars.”
He continued, “Before leaving for Mars, with Aurora’s help, I created an alternative plan, something born from the darkest depths of despair and revenge. Nemesis was built for victory at any cost, before I found out that there was another path. Piloting Nemesis has always been my fate.” Mikkhael gave them a sardonic smile as if he was laughing at an inside joke, “Sometimes, there are evils so powerful that the only way you can fight them is with a more terrible evil. Sometimes you have to loose the demons inside and become something so entirely pitch black that the darkness consumes only itself.”
Before they could react, Mikkhael turned to Eve, standing in front of her without assistance. He placed his hands on each of her shoulders, staring into her eyes, for the first time in six months speaking directly to her. His words sent visible chills running down her spine. “Starkindler, a name that embodies the birth of hope, and a Mech armor unlike any other, the one capable of carrying that burden. Starkindler was built to inspire hope for those fighting the corruption and evil of Mars Industries, built to withstand the very worst the PDF puppet army could throw its way. The pilot of Starkindler is the symbol of resistance to all forms of tyranny and oppression. That is a role I am no longer suited for but you, Eve, are. Starkindler is yours. Yours to save the mountain you call home. Yours to save your friends and loved ones. Starkindler will serve as your vanguard as you lead your people into battle and finally take the victory that has so long eluded you. Aurora will assist you in the same way that she assisted me. This is my gift to you, and the rebel cause. This is the last gift I have for the StormCrows.”
For the second time in recent memory, Eve began crying, although this time she was unabashed by the tears flowing down her cheeks as Dr. Hesken sobbed quietly next to her. “Why? You don’t have to do this.” She asked in between heaving sobs. “You can still take Starkindler and save them all yourself.”
He looked over the faces of the small group that returned his gaze, making eye contact with each of them in turn. “Because even faith needs to be rewarded occasionally.”
“You don’t think Starkindler will be enough at this point.” Dr. Hesken accused as she sniffled and then angrily wiped the tears from her eyes.
Mikkhael shook his head. “If it was, you would not have called for me. Commander, your opinion?”
Commander Ultor gently shook his head no, the tone of his reply was low and despondent. “I am not your Commander now, nor have I ever held the privilege of having been. Now, just as every other time, you follow a path that only you can see, and that only you can walk. My first concern is as a father. Obviously, I am unnerved by the idea of Eve piloting Starkindler. Logic tells me that Starkindler is far more advanced than any other Mech armor she has piloted before. My instincts as a Commander tell me that by piloting Starkindler, she will be painting herself as a crucial target for the PDF.”
He stopped for a moment, looking from Mikkhael to Eve, and then as if realizing that she was going to pilot Starkindler regardless of what he said, he turned back to Mikkhael with a sigh of regret. If Eve was going to place herself in a position with that much risk, the last thing she needed was for her father to doubt her in those critical moments. Instead, he ignored his own feelings on the matter, assuming his role as Commander of the StormCrow faction. “Logic also dictates the necessity for someone to pilot Starkindler, and that as much as I want to disagree with your reasoning; I cannot, for you are needed elsewhere.”
Commander Ultor continued, “As it stands, we have approximately forty minutes left until the outer defenses are critically overwhelmed. I see no choice except to utilize both Starkindler and Nemesis at this point. The scenario you present is by far the most likely to succeed.” In a much quieter tone he said, “Although the one most likely to cause me the most pain.” With those last few words said, and at this point unable to take them back, the man who had almost single-handedly created one of the greatest rebel factions and directed them-for nearly a decade as they waged war against the largest military force in human history, now hung his head in self-imposed shame. Age overwhelmed his tired frame. The weight of being forced to decide that the cause he started needed his daughter more than he did was a burden that crushed him.
With the matter unequivocally settled, for the time being, Dr. Hesken and the nurse quickly dressed Mikkhael in a change of clothes that had been set aside when he first arrived in the isolation ward. Commander Ultor produced a pilot’s suit from somewhere, having come prepared for the eventuality, and together they prepared him for battle.
When they were done, Commander Ultor gripped Mikkhael’s hand tightly in his own, pleading urgently with him one last time before he left. “Save as many of my people as you can. This is why you left Earth and came to Mars, for this moment right now. This is your burden now.”
Dr. Hesken and the nurse were the only two who realized that their stalwart Commander had just passed the torch to the young pilot standing somberly before them.
If the weight of the request registered, Mikkhael did not show it. “Nemesis is the measure of my resolve. Witness,” was all that he said. And then he turned and walked out of the medical bay.
Eve followed behind him as they climbed aboard a pair of electric scooters and headed towards the separate hangars that contained their respective destinies. At an intersection, they parted ways. There were no goodbyes between them. Eve hesitated at the last moment, but Mikkhael never looked back, disappearing around a bend.
“Our hope goes with you,” Commander Ultor whispered after they had left.
Living shows that you are strong.
In my own clumsy way I live life to the fullest.
Bury the pain of losing your loved ones….
Into the arms of your friends.
- Mikkhael Dreyfus
CHAPTER NINETEEN – HALF A SECOND AWAY FROM GLORY
Struggle!
If you have found something worthy of believing in
Then you must never stop fighting to pursue and defend that belief.
Even if you have regrets, even if you have remorse, you must fight,
If you have made the decision to fight, to struggle toward what you believe in,
Then fight with all that you have.
No matter how difficult, painful, or how much it costs you,
Do not give up for one second, one moment, or even one instant.
Cling, greedily, to the victory you have within your sight.
If you can still stand, if your fingers
can still move,
If all your bones have not yet been broken,
Stand and Fight.
- Alyona – Pilot of DawnsLight
Chief Engineer Sir Henry Thorsten, weary, worn, and yet somehow still resolute, met Eve at the entrance of the hangar where Starkindler had slowly been reborn over these last four months. He was haggard, his uniform hardly visible under the thick layers of grime and grease. Exhaustion showed behind his eyes, in his movements, and the droop of his shoulders; but there was still a surprising amount of strength in his voice.
His brusque manner remained true to form, immediately getting straight to the point as he escorted Eve to the foot of the beautiful war-machine dominating the hangar through its sheer presence. “Combat capability is 98% complete. We have not been able to test anything, literally. We just completed affixing the last of the armor in the past few hours. The software is little changed from the first version-not that that means anything to you-and the weapons are also basically the same. This upgraded model has 20% more reactor power and nearly 30% stronger energy shields. The other major upgrade is that incoming enemy fire comprise of energy bolts will be partially absorbed, recycled, and then used to re-charge Starkindler’s energy shields. The previous version had the same capability, but the ratio of energy converted on this model is considerably higher. She is an all-round combat type, good at everything, specializing in nothing, just like the Fury that you’re used to. My team booted the reactor up about fifteen minutes ago and the damned thing didn’t blow up, which we took as a good sign. There are a few bugs left; but, overall, we believe she is ready.”
Chief Thorsten acted as if that was all the briefing he was capable of giving, as he began to move away before suddenly turning to face Eve again. For the first time since her arrival in the hangar, he looked at Eve as if he saw truly saw her, the person, not the figurative pilot of the machine he had dedicated the last months rebuilding in record time. The Chief Engineer had faithfully served under her father for the last ten years, acting as one of her many surrogate parents after the tragic loss of her mom. Eve was the closest thing to a daughter the gruff mechanic had. His features softened as he spoke again. “If you don’t speak over the communication grid, no one will even know you, and not Mikkhael, are the one piloting Starkindler. As long as you don’t get into a major melee anyway. His combat style is too distinctive for anyone watching to not tell the difference. And mark my words, the second this machine leaves this hangar, everyone will all be watching your every move. My team didn’t have time to equip the energy blade which is probably best, you should avoid any close quarter combat (CQC) for as long as you can. Other than that, the control layout should be about the same as your Fury, but considerably more advanced. When you need to do something you don’t know how, just think of the simplest and most common sense way of accomplishing it, and between the AI and the Mech itself, it should work. When I heard that you were going to be the one piloting Starkindler, I set a few of the engineers to try to calibrate her a bit closer to the settings of your old Mech. I don’t think they had enough time to do much of anything though.”
Nemesis (The MechaVerse Trilogy Book 2) Page 43