by Josen Llave
Paul knelt. “I was about to say that we have something in common, but I’m not here to kill anyone. I’m here to stop killing from happening on all sides.”
Was he lying to Cyprian—and to himself?
“Well, you do your thing. I will do mine. When can you help me improve my Variance skills?” Cyprian kicked and punched as he made swooshing sounds with his mouth.
Paul stood to give Cyprian space. “As soon as we go inside. How does Variance feel?”
“Sweet.” Cyprian turned the sphere into spikes, a cube, and then a dodecahedron.
“Is the supporting processor an AI?”
“No, just a computer. I don’t think any of the prototypes have AIs.”
Interesting. He feared that the prototypes might become a limiting factor in a battlefield situation and put more mental stress on the boy and everyone else on Azure. Maybe Siren could manipulate the prototype remotely. Kaiser would be all right, he hoped.
Siren approached the group in her human form. “Hello, everyone. My name is Siren.” Everyone returned the greeting. Corda stared at Siren and stood close, which made Siren stand closer to Paul.
“Everyone, Siren is my AI. She’s built into my Variance suit. Days ago, she was just a virtual entity in my Visuals. Now she’s able to use material and become an independent entity in human form. She’s kept me alive throughout Divine Might, and she’s the reason we have a fighting chance against Shadow and Crimson. She’s very powerful and trustworthy.”
“And beautiful too,” Corda mumbled, shifting her gaze elsewhere.
“Thank you very much for your compliment, Miss Corda.” Siren could not stop smiling. Her skin blushed naturally with a soft red glow. She brushed her arm against Paul’s arm.
Paul stepped away and pointed to the bay. “Store your suits inside the blast-proof bay. We don’t want to take chances. A large shipment of supplies should be on its way. We have to make use of every second we have to prepare for tomorrow’s event.”
“Yes, sir!” Wind carried away Cyprian’s high-pitched voice. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Benedict.” He turned and ran toward the gate, jumping and kicking, while the sphere followed.
This is going to be interesting.
While machines organized large boxes inside the bay, supervised by sponsor security teams, Ryan’s group, excluding the children, huddled around a table. Ryan shared his Visuals, which displayed three-dimensional maps, data, and everything he knew about championship games.
Paul tried to focus on the details, but his mind continuously recalled memories of his family. He missed adventure hikes along the nearby mountain at Forest Omicron. He missed holding Amaryllis’s soft hands. He could not wait to hear Statice play a soothing song on her violin. He wanted to watch Lily magically reprogram the landscape displays lining their tree’s hallways, as she would cause flowers to bloom and sparkle at the touch of her hands.
Ryan, his head slightly hunched down over his clasped hands on the table, looked at everyone with sincere eye contact. “Our goal is to protect Paul to achieve victory and the rights of the contract. Our objective is to execute our best plan in achieving our goal. Our chain of command starts with me, followed by Paul, Nyle, Corda, Pela, and Cyprian.”
Siren cleared her throat.
“I’m sorry, Siren. You’re synonymous with Paul.” Ryan stared at the deliveries. A train of robots dropped off several cube-shaped metallic containers next to the parked suits.
“Before we start, I want to make sure everything in those containers is safe. Looks like the material printer is assembled.” He pointed at the machines and security exiting the bay. “We can improve and repair our suits—and repair ourselves if we have to. We have the highest quality and most powerful ammunition in the world. Paul could make an army of Sirens if he wanted to.” He winked at her and stood up. “Everyone, follow me.”
An army of Sirens? One is enough.
Siren raised her hand. “I can only create one of myself, but the additional material helps us out exponentially.”
Ryan stood before the containers, and the panels opened to reveal several Variance spheres. “Here they are, Paul. Special delivery from Forever Spring.”
Paul stood close to the spheres. Siren gave him a nod. He activated the material on each sphere and rotated them in intricate vines to massage the material. “It’s only been a few hours since you delivered the message. Great job, Ryan. I hope this finds Kaiser well.”
“I knew I made the right choice by betting everything on you.” Ryan raised his eyebrows as he blew out air with puffed cheeks. Paul never knew exactly what his bets were, but he was sure they involved an abundance of assets. “Anyway, we should have frequent secured shipments until this is all over, so think of ways to make use of the new material. I just hope Kaiser’s holding up. What do you plan to do with the material? Make duplicates of yourself? Make yourself fatter?”
“For now, save some to replace damaged cells. I think the rest will be used to protect the team. I can add protective armor, and Siren will be able to manage them remotely. Right, Siren?”
“That’s a great idea.” Siren smiled.
Nyle’s eyes grew wide. “She’s a very powerful computer. No offense, Siren. But I don’t think we have technology like you on Xameeshee.”
Siren maintained her smile. Paul figured she probably wished Nyle had referred to her as a human being.
Corda touched the vines. “This is revolutionary. I really hope this stands up against the Kalliro suits.”
“Now that we have our inventory checked, let’s sit back down for the briefing.” Ryan led the team back to the table.
He pulled up videos from the previous championship, when Paul had met Shadow for the first time. “The point of the games is to entertain spectators. And to achieve this, twists and unknowns come into play, even if they break the rules. For Paul”—Ryan slapped Paul hard on the shoulder—“Shadow is going to make it extra special. This is not a typical championship. They will do their best to defeat him. If he loses, we’re all dead. Xameeshee will turn into a pile of shit.”
Paul watched Cyprian demonstrate Variance with Ryan’s children. Should Cyprian participate? He’s too young to suffer.
Ryan continued. “We have to be certain we will go all the way together as a team, regardless of the odds. Does anyone have the slightest doubt or hesitation?”
Paul looked around. They all shook their heads, their eyes on the video. He’d stopped caring about odds when he’d lost his legs. The bothersome questions produced from fear aggravated him and gave him a headache.
Ryan continued. “Good. The first battle will take place in Forever Summer.” A desert valley with sand mountains striped with variations of rust colors appeared on the table. “There will not be a Kalliro champion, because his ass got handed to him during the last battle.”
Video of the champion’s shattered and blood-covered body appeared. Pela looked away. Siren moved closer to Paul.
“The second battle will have several global Kalliro champions in play.” A block of metal appeared on the screen. Video from previous battles showed the maze of bluish and greenish metallic walls forever changing while appearing the same.
“It’s a death maze. We have to escape a nuke detonation, which will take place in the center. The stage starts with all of the competitors at their own gate next to the bomb. We have to find and fight our way out. The terraformers will interfere with navigation and confuse our orientation with antigravity. The maze is controlled by an unbiased AI, supposedly, which means to expect the worst.”
Paul remembered when he’d watched the Divine Might commercial for the first time. His heart had raced with anxiety. He’d wanted to return to Azure. Now he couldn’t care less.
Nyle responded, “The mechanical suits are capable of handling an open nuclear blast but not a channeled blast. Think of the bla
st as a fluid traveling through pipes. I’m not sure how Variance would hold against that much radiation and force.”
“I’ll try to find an improvement for everyone.” Siren pulled up coding that only Paul could see and commenced work.
Paul pointed at a champion’s image. “If we run into a Kalliro champion, I would like to take him on so that everyone can keep going.”
Ryan nodded. “I understand that, Paul, but every second counts in this thing, and we need to stick together. You have to move all the—”
“Then I will move and fight. I will not compromise the team’s escape. Let me take care of them. No one else. We need interaction to make upgrades.”
Nyle increased the size of the Kalliro champion. “How do you know you’d survive?”
Paul put his arm around Siren. “I don’t think we have a choice but to try.” He had no idea what the outcome would be. Nonetheless, he’d had no idea how things would turn out since he’d become defective. He noticed Siren staring at him, and he could feel the passion burning in her stare.
“If you say so.” Ryan sighed. “Please assess the risk when we delay our escape even by a millisecond.”
Paul and Siren nodded. She placed her hand on his lap. This crazy AI.
Ryan took a deep breath and exhaled. “Lastly, we have the final battle in Forever Winter. Probably a death match. We go in blind. It’s Shadow’s game. It’ll be whatever he wants. Just know that whatever it’ll be, its purpose is to break Paul down. He’ll probably try to turn us against each other or target all of us at the same time to make Paul choose who to save. As long as we stay together, that’s our only and best plan.”
Pela brought up Forever Spring’s desecrated region with multiple red highlights around the surrounding forest. “More forces gathered around the desert. I’m sure he’ll use this as leverage somehow.”
Ryan pointed at the forest. “Again, does anyone have the slightest doubt or hesitation?”
Nyle rubbed his chin. “We can run simulations along the mountain range to get a good idea of our communication, execution, and interactions.”
Corda crossed her arms across her chest. “It is what it is, right?”
“Pela? How about you?” Ryan leaned back and placed his hands behind his head.
“Me?” Pela looked around the table of information. “One in one hundred ninety-five million.”
Corda jerked her head back. “What?”
“That’s our chance of surviving.” Pela covered her mouth with her hand. “I mean, you said it is what it is, and that’s what it is. Regardless, it’s worth it.”
That knowledge made Paul care even less about impossible survivability rates. He rubbed his knuckle against his temple. He wanted the championship to start.
Pela turned her head toward Cyprian. “I know he hasn’t got any experience with Divine Might, but he’s capable. With Variance, he’ll be a force multiplier. Even if we don’t make it through Divine Might and don’t somehow survive, I want him to be ready to fight.” She held Nyle’s hand.
“We really appreciate your family’s participation in all of this.” Ryan leaned in toward Paul. “How about you, buddy?”
Paul looked down. What about killing? That was what they were used to. That was probably what the team wanted. A part of him wanted that. He reminded himself to maintain his beliefs. He should not transform into a pessimistic Kazat.
“We have to agree that we cannot injure or kill anyone or at least that we will act in the best interest of others,” Paul said.
“You know, at first I really liked you, but are you fucking serious, Paul?” Corda slammed her fist on the table.
Nyle looked at Pela. “Paul, we’ve turned our cheek many times when someone harmed us or even harmed Cyprian. In Divine Might, hurting others is inevitable if you don’t want to put yourself in danger. Remember that Shadow is killing Utopians as we speak.”
“I can install an add-on into your programming that will allow you to effectively and efficiently disarm a fighter. At least let’s try that.” Paul shared data of all the suits’ weaknesses.
Pela asked, “And what happens if we disable someone who’s about to die from the environment or from someone else if they’re not able to help themselves?”
“Our objective does not include saving others, but it’s a bonus.” Paul sighed and pressed his palms into his temples. “Listen, everyone, where I come from, all we know is love and peace. You guys adapted to this world. I’ve only been here a few days.”
Siren put her arm around him as he continued with rage creeping into his voice. “I’m losing more of myself every day. I cannot feed into that negative energy. I’m trying to accept the change, but I don’t want to be unrecognizable when my family arrives. If we are to fight for peace and justice, the last thing I want all of us to do is become just like the radical Kazats, just like Shadow.”
He took deep breaths to calm down. He felt better.
“I will fight on Paul’s terms as best I can. Everyone else agree?” Ryan watched everyone nod in unison. He pointed at Cyprian. “Just make sure that little man over there is on the same page. I know he wants to draw someone’s blood.”
“Thanks, everyone. This really means a lot to me.” Paul blinked a glaze of tears from his eyes and loosened his clenched fists.
Several logos and names appeared before them. Ryan scratched his head. “The last and most important topic of our briefing is that we need a team name. Any ideas?”
“Team Tigers?” Pela said.
Corda laughed. “Tigers? This isn’t school, doll face.” She looked up to the ceiling for ideas and whispered random words. “Destroyers, demons, hellcats, liberators, cold steel, flying fucks.”
None of the logos or sponsors had meaning to Paul. “I’m sure our sponsors would like to use their name. But if Shadow calls himself that because he works in the dark, then we can snuff him out with light. I recommend Team Radiance.”
“Yeah, I guess that’ll do.” Nyle looked up at the banners featuring Paul’s face.
Corda shrugged. “I guess it’s more uplifting than my suggestions. I mean,” she said, lowering her voice with a shrug, “flying fucks.”
“I like it.” Pela smiled. “Nice name.”
“Great. Team Radiance, let Siren reprogram your suits. Send your improvements to the printer so that they’ll be done for installation after training. Let’s suit up and depart in …” He looked at Siren.
Siren stood up. “Ten minutes is all I need.”
Everyone departed from the table. Paul remained seated.
“What are you thinking about?” Siren sat back down.
“I’m sorry about how I acted earlier. There’s just too much going on. I feel better now that we’re all aligned. Sometimes negativity takes over and controls all that I do. There are just way too many changes that I’m not adapting to. I’m not maintaining my Utopian self. I’m afraid of becoming something that I am not, but at the same time, I feel like my new behavior is the only way to help me survive.”
Siren placed her hand over his heart. “Don’t stray from your beliefs and the joy that they bring. What is inside your heart is what makes you who you are. You’re a good man fighting for what is right.” She broke her stare and walked away.
She sounded just like Amy.
10
W1-S-HR
PAUL’S HEART RATE REACHED a comfortable resting zone, only to spike up to peak rates. He slept for five minutes and thirteen seconds. He sat up. The brush of air cooled his sweaty skin. The building swayed from side to side. Something churned in his stomach with a sensation of rising upward. He held on to his cot, leaned over, and vomited his partially digested vegetables with clumps of yellow mucus all over the floor.
Ryan and Siren walked over to Paul with rags to clean up the mess. Ryan handed Paul a handful of pills and a bottle of
water. “The ancient alternative to Cellular Infinity is medicine. Take these; they should help.” Ryan turned his head into his elbow and coughed. Blood sprayed onto his bodysuit.
“Looks like I’m not the only one taking pills today.” Paul stood up and felt a new sensation around his anus. “I’ll be right back.”
He ran past Ryan’s family, who were rising from their cots. Then he ran past Nyle’s family and Corda, who were preparing breakfast on the briefing table. A few warm drips excreted from his anus. His intestines wanted to push out everything. He reached the bathroom, locked the door, and sat down on the toilet.
Before his bodysuit could peel away to create an opening, he defecated. Liquid chunks exited his body. At the same time, his stomach churned again. The smell added to his need to vomit. He attempted to grab a small wastebasket close to the sink and fell onto his side. Using his elbows, he raised himself to lean his lips over the edge of the basket. He vomited stomach fluid in powerful heaves while lying in an uncomfortable position. More waste exited his body from both openings.
Siren knocked on the door.
I feel like shit, in my own shit. “I’m okay, Siren. I’ll be all right.” He refused to let her see him in his condition. “I’m going to shower and clean the place up. Give me a few minutes.” He looked up at the bottom of the sink.
What the hell was going on with him?
With Cellular Infinity collapsing and every virus and bacteria trying to attack his body, doubt about succeeding in Divine Might crept through his mind. His life expectancy dropped from eighteen years to seventeen. Someone else vomited behind the walls. It sounded like Ryan cursing while heaving. What a great way to start a team battle.
After showering; cleaning his bodysuit with its self-cleaning, sanitizing function; and cleaning up the bathroom, he stepped out to find his team standing in a circle.
“Sorry, everyone. I’m becoming mortal.” He tried to smile.
“Paul, we have some bad news.” Siren’s somber eyes made him assume something had happened to his family. “It’s not your family. It’s Kaiser. He led thousands of others into battle. At first, they were successful, and they disabled a fleet of massive transport ships. The Crimson soldiers attacked, almost a hundred to one. He didn’t make it. Any Utopian left in Azure is presumed dead.”