The Kurtherian Endgame Boxed Set

by Michael Anderle

  The outpost’s domes resembled a grisly row of boiled eggs. The tops had been cracked open, leaving nothing but jagged shards at the top of each one.

  Bethany Anne eyed the damage to the smaller research modules. The equipment had been torn out, leaving bright spots in the otherwise burned buildings. She saw no bodies and sensed no one hiding.

  Bethany Anne’s sense of ADAM grew slightly stronger as the ship neared the largest dome.

  TOM, can you feel that?

  Um, no. I am rather busy trying to work out what the hell is going on with your chip. What is it you want me to feel?

  Bethany Anne almost growled in frustration. ADAM, of course. I can almost locate him, but the energy is shifting too much for me to pin him down. Bethany Anne almost lost her balance when her skull briefly felt as though someone had driven an icepick into it. What the fuck was that?

  I’m sorry. I loosened my hold on your nervous system to see if I could sense him too.

  Did you?

  No, but then I didn’t dare leave your chip unattended for long enough to really try.

  Bethany Anne rubbed the base of her skull. Yeah, don’t do that again until you’ve fixed the problem. Has the issue gotten that much worse? Am I in danger?

  I’m still not sure what the problem is, but it’s within my control. As for the cause, I would hazard a guess that it has something to do with ADAM being absent for so long.

  Then we’d better get him back. She opened a large drawer and began attaching the contents to her armor’s utility belt.

  Are you expecting to need grenades?

  Bethany Anne shrugged. Better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them. She added a few other bits and pieces before taking a shortcut through the Etheric back to the bridge.

  Michael and the children arrived a few minutes after Bethany Anne stepped out of her transfer area.

  “I can sense ADAM,” Bethany Anne informed them. “He’s somewhere inside the main dome.”

  She turned her attention to the children as Izanami brought the ship in to land inside the largest dome. “Pay close attention. We are allowing you to leave the ship. This is not a game scenario. You are part of a working team, and your actions will have real repercussions. I want to see you making good decisions, just like we trained you for. Okay?”

  Alexis and Gabriel nodded and chorused, “Yes, Mom.”

  Bethany Anne's face was soft although her tone was hard. “K’aia, you want to earn your place here?”

  K’aia nodded fiercely. “I came here to serve you, whether you want to be an Empress, a Queen, or just plain Bethany Anne. But I don’t want to stay if you have no use for me. I won’t be kept out of pity.”

  Michael snorted. “What did I tell you?”

  Bethany Anne raised an eyebrow at Michael, then turned back to K’aia with her million-watt smile. “That suits me perfectly. You are now Alexis and Gabriel’s shadow. Swear to protect my children and you will have a home with us for as long as you want one.”

  K’aia’s eyes widened. “Seriously? That’s all? I’d do that anyway.” She shuffled her back legs slightly and looked at the twins. “That’s if you want me?”

  Alexis paused the happy dance she was doing around the bridge and put her hands on her hips. “Of course we want you! Does the dancing not speak for itself?”

  K’aia shrugged, abashed. “I wasn’t sure what you were doing, honestly.”

  “I thought you were having a seizure, Sis,” Gabriel offered less than helpfully. He walked over to K’aia and gave her a brotherly punch in the arm. “Welcome to the family.”

  Bethany Anne's eyes sparkled a little, seeing a possible future for the three of them as a force to be reckoned with.

  They grow up so quickly these days, Michael deadpanned.

  Bethany Anne made sure he heard her groan. What are you now, the font of all dad jokes?

  Michael grinned. If it annoys you, my love? I’ll get to studying.

  Not if I murder you in your sleep first, she replied.

  She gave the children another moment before herding them toward the elevator. Michael snickered every now and again on the elevator ride down.

  Bethany Anne shook her head, refusing to give him an opening to bombard her with bad puns.

  Izanami’s avatar was waiting for them at the ramp. Her aura flickered green/blue. “There are no life signs in this area, human or otherwise. Neither can I find any trace of ADAM, although there are strange readings coming from an alley nearby.”

  Bethany Anne reached out with her mind. ADAM’s presence was the strongest it had been since he’d cut out. “I can find ADAM. Keep us covered.”

  Michael sidestepped Bethany Anne before she could leave the ship first. “I will check to ensure it’s safe for you and the children.”

  “Is that necessary?” Bethany Anne asked impatiently. “Izanami has already confirmed that it’s safe.”

  Michael shook his head. “I don’t care. I want to see for myself.”

  Bethany Anne and the children exited the ship once Michael was satisfied there were no hidden threats.

  Bethany Anne strode down the ramp and looked around. “If this is the place ADAM vanished, where is his scout ship?” She headed into the alley and looked around as if expecting to see it appear from behind one of the dumpsters.

  A slightly cleaner patch on the wall in the gap between two of the dumpsters caught Bethany Anne’s eye. She stood back to get a better view and saw the scorch marks around the clean spot.

  She looked over her shoulder at the mouth of the alley. Izanami, what did you mean by strange readings from this alley?

  Izanami answered instantly. The signature was from Gate energy. I only mentioned it because it was unexpected. I deduced it to be a false reading since this part of Loralei’s logs were indecipherable.

  Bethany Anne waved Michael and the children over. Check again. You may have been right the first time.

  There was a pause from the AI. There is residual Gate energy here, but it’s mixed with Etheric energy.

  He made a Gate to the Etheric? Why?

  The reason is unclear, but the evidence leans toward that conclusion, yes.

  Bethany Anne was looking at the evidence with her own eyes, but she still didn’t quite believe it. Is it even possible to create a Gate on a planet without causing an earthquake or something equally detrimental?

  It would appear so, Izanami replied. I, however, lack the ability to travel between realms. I must wait here for your return, my Queen.

  Michael came to stand beside Bethany Anne, spotting the anomaly immediately. Alexis also noticed the scorch marks and diverted to run a finger over the blackened brickwork. “What happened here, Mom?”

  Bethany Anne explained in a nutshell. “It looks like ADAM made a Gate to the Etheric and went through it.”

  Michael regarded the place ADAM had entered the Gate, his posture betraying his concern. “Excellent. Then we can find out why he expended the energy to take the missing dumpster with him.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  The Etheric

  Bethany Anne and Michael dropped Alexis and Gabriel's hands once they were on somewhat solid ground.

  The twins let go of K'aia, breaking the circle completely.

  K'aia turned around unsteadily to take in the strange new environment. She batted at a tendril of mist that was tickling her face. “What is this place?”

  Bethany Anne left Michael and the twins to explain. She took a few steps away and paused to search the mists for any sign of the scout ship. ADAM!

  Her heart rate spiked when there was no reply.

  Bethany Anne, you need to take it down a few levels.

  Bethany Anne didn’t hear TOM.

  Michael saw Bethany Anne walk away, and her posture made it clear she was on the hunt.

  He had expected to find the dumpster and ADAM’s ship immediately on entering the Etheric. Since neither were in sight, and he sensed other minds in the
near distance, he could only deduce that there had been an attack and ADAM had acted to save lives.

  Michael understood his wife's distress. However, emotion was not his driving factor, and there was more at stake.

  He turned to the children. “There are people here. You three will find them and return to this point in the speediest manner possible. Stay together, and be ready for anything.”

  K'aia's bewilderment was no less than it had been when they arrived. “What kind of anything?”

  “Nothing to worry about,” Gabriel teased. “Just don’t wander off.”

  “It is perfectly safe for you to look around,” Alexis told the nervous Yollin. She threw a glare Gabriel’s way. “We’re all fitted with trackers, and you have limited access to Phyrro to guide you if you get lost.”

  “Remember that you have an objective,” Michael chided. “There are people relying on the three of you. Look for the dumpster, since they will most likely be too afraid to go too far from it.”

  Alexis tilted her head. “What about you and Mom?”

  Michael indicated Bethany Anne, who was now some distance away. “We’re going to search for ADAM’s ship. Gabriel, you are team leader.”

  Alexis made a face. “Why Gabriel?”

  Michael’s lips pressed together. “Because the team will be relying on you to locate the people you are searching for.” He nodded in the opposite direction from the one Bethany Anne had taken. “Good luck, and if you get into any trouble, we are only a few moments away.”

  Alexis, Gabriel, and K’aia looked at each other after Michael headed out.

  K’aia was first to speak. “So where do we find these people?”

  Gabriel looked at Alexis. “I can sense them, but only generally.”

  Alexis pointed and set off in the direction Michael had indicated. “This way.” She chatted as they walked, passing on what she knew about the realm to K’aia. “Things can get weird here. Like, if you see a storm, go the opposite way.”

  Gabriel nodded. “Oh, yeah. But it’s calm enough right now.”

  K’aia looked at the swirling mists skeptically. “It doesn’t look very calm. Let’s just get these people to safety. I don’t like it here.”

  Alexis paused at the revelation. “Really? I love it in the Etheric. It’s so peaceful just to be here and feel the energy currents wash around.”

  K’aia waved her hands. “Yeah but you’re all, like, powered by this place.”

  “If you’re sticking around, Mom will probably have you go in for more enhancement,” Gabriel pointed out. “Then you’ll be ‘powered’ by the Etheric, too.”

  They got back to walking while K’aia chewed that over.

  She was distracted from trying to decide how she felt about being given that responsibility when a dark shape materialized out of the rolling mists. “Is that the dumpster?”

  They edged a little closer.

  Alexis eyed the dimensions. “It looks to be the same size as the space in the alley.”

  Gabriel wrinkled his nose. “Ugh, it smells. I’m going to take a guess and say we found it.”

  K’aia tilted her head. “I hear voices. Are they singing?”

  “It’s a pretty big group, and yes, they are singing,” Alexis confirmed. “Weird. We should get closer so I can work out how many there are.”

  “Wait.” Gabriel held an arm out to stop Alexis from rushing over. “Call first. We might scare them.”

  Alexis nodded, seeing the sense in her brother’s reasoning. They approached carefully, keeping their senses peeled. “Hello?” she called. “Is there anyone here who needs help?”

  The chorus in the dumpster cut out immediately.

  “It’s okay,” Alexis continued. “We came to get you out of here.”

  A tremulous voice called from inside. “We’re dead…aren’t we? Have you come to take us on to the next place?”

  A child began to cry, and there was an angry murmur among the others before the singing started up again.

  K’aia’s mandibles clicked quietly. “There are infants in there.”

  Gabriel nodded somberly. “I can feel their confusion and fear.”

  “That can be dangerous,” K'aia told them. “People make bad decisions when they're scared. I saw it in the mines, although sometimes I was able to help.”

  Alexis raised an eyebrow. “How do we help these people? If Mom was here, they'd see her and feel safe.”

  Gabriel nodded. “K’aia, what did you do to help people in the mine?”

  She shrugged. “Mostly just talked to them when the guards weren't watching. Let them know they weren't alone.”

  Gabriel scrunched his nose. “It seems too simple, but it’s worth a try.” He walked over and tapped on the side of the dumpster. “Hello? You’re not dead, you were brought into another dimension to save your lives by our AI friend. We came to rescue you all.”

  “Do you think you could come out of there?” Alexis added hopefully.

  There was a shuffle, and the lid rose a fraction. A hammy-looking man looked out at the three of them. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw Alexis and Gabriel. “You’re just kids. How did you get here?”

  Gabriel gave the man a friendly smile. “We came with our parents. What say we get you all out of there so we can go back to the outpost?”

  A child screamed inside the dumpster. “No! There’s monsters!”

  Gabriel held out his hands, his voice projecting complete calm and assurance. “Our parents took care of the Ooken who attacked the outpost. It’s safe, I promise.”

  The dumpster lid rolled back, pushed open by five of the occupants.

  A woman straightened up to get a look at them. She narrowed her eyes at Alexis. “You look familiar… But we can’t leave. We have children and elderly. What if we end up walking around in circles in that mist until we die?”

  Gabriel reached up and touched the woman’s hand. “I promise that won’t happen. Our parents are a short walk away from here, and they will take you back.”

  The people in the dumpster murmured among themselves for a few minutes, then the man who had spoken first nodded. “Okay.” He looked to figure out a way to get his leg over. “We believe you.” He muttered before throwing a leg up, just missing another person. “My nose might be dead now.”

  Gabriel’s smile was pure sunshine. “Great. Let’s get you all out of there so we can get going.”

  K’aia held out her arms. “Here, pass me anyone who needs help.”

  It took a short while to get everyone out, but they were finally all assembled in front of the dumpster and ready to leave. They went slowly to accommodate the elderly woman, who bitched merrily the entire way about not having had rejuvenation therapy before she left the Meredith Reynolds to survey the rings.

  Alexis glanced at her brother as she moved to help a young girl who had wandered out in front of them. When did you work out how to do that on purpose?

  How to do what? Gabriel asked.

  Persuade people to do what you want, Alexis clarified. You didn’t do it on purpose?

  No, Gabriel replied. I just really wanted them to not be scared anymore so we could get them to Mom and Dad.

  Alexis continued walking, turning Gabriel’s words over.

  Michael walked beside Bethany Anne, blind to the mental scent she had been tracking since they’d parted with the children. His focus was on monitoring Alexis, Gabriel, and K’aia. Have you still got a lock on ADAM?

  She looked at him with frustration creasing her perfect features. Yes, but it feels wrong—like there’s too much of him.

  TOM interjected, What you are feeling is the main portion of ADAM’s brain.

  The yucky bit that we agreed not to talk about ever?

  Well, yes.

  Then how—

  Bethany Anne interrupted Michael as she was hit by a massive spike in her pain level. She clapped a hand to the base of her skull, stumbling a step before she recovered her balance.

 
; Michael had a steadying arm around her waist in an instant. What happened?

  Bethany Anne brushed his concern off with a wave. A headache, she told him. TOM is supposed to be keeping it under control.

  TOM’s concern came through clearly to both of them. Sorry, I let go to block the Kurtherian brain so you can focus on the chip in his scout ship.

  Michael frowned. This is what is causing your headache?

  Mmhmm. Bethany Anne rubbed the back of her neck as the pain ebbed. Can we get your shit together, TOM? How am I supposed to find anything when my brain feels like it’s being constricted by barbed wire?

  Working on it. There was a pause. And?

  A grin lit Bethany Anne's face as she turned slightly to her right. It’s gone, and now I know where ADAM’s ship is.

  Michael held out a hand. Lead the way, my love.

  Bethany Anne took his hand, and they ran through the mists until the scout ship came into sight. She was at the scorched scout ship almost before Michael noticed she’d dropped his hand.

  ADAM!

  >>Bethany Anne?<<

  Bethany Anne felt a rush of relief when she heard ADAM speak. You’re okay. What the fuck were you thinking?

  TOM interjected on ADAM’s behalf. How is your head, Bethany Anne?

  She frowned. Still good. Why?

  >>You were in pain?<< ADAM sounded regretful. >>That was probably my fault. I’ve had a bitch of a time since I got here trying to get hold of you, but something blocked me at every turn.<<

  Michael turned to Bethany Anne with an icy look she knew was all for TOM.

  She shrugged. It’s done now. ADAM is back inside my head where he belongs. No more mysterious headaches. I will think of a suitable way to thank TOM when we get back to the Izanami.

  ADAM’s laughter echoed over his backdoor link to TOM. >>Trust you to land yourself in the firing line trying to get me out of it.<<

  TOM, for his part, was mysteriously quiet.

  Bethany Anne waved at the ship, and it rose a short way off the ground. I think Jean might actually attempt murder if I leave this one behind.