by JM Guillen
I could really learn to hate spatial vectors, I groused.
These things are bizarre. Just like the ones we saw in Rome, they’re gateways to somewhere else.
That made perfect sense. Earlier I’d wondered how the Phothu-nacyi had avoided the detection of humanity for millions of years. It made more sense if they had the capability to hide within an alternate topia.
So secretly, I had kinda hoped I’d be able to carry us directly to the foot of the Dirge.
I have to admit, I’d hoped that, too. I furrowed my brow.
I can still get us there. I can even take us as a group, I just can’t do it in one leap. We’re going to have to make several stops along the way, but we don’t have to stay in any one place for longer than a few minutes.
Okay. I could work with that. So you’re saying you can jaunt us forward to a different location where we need to hold for a few minutes. Then, you can carry us forward to the next one?
That’s it exactly. She felt a touch relieved over the link. It would be helpful if I could promise you exactly how many jaunts we’re going to have to take here, but that’s tough too. It’s all in the numbers, and I’ll be figuring on the fly.
A guess?
Somewhere between three and five leaps to reach the front door.
What about going back to the Corvus? I folded my arms and leaned back against the courtyard wall. Could we make our leaps back to the realmship, and use that as an in-between haven somehow?
I can easily get the cadre to the Corvus. She nodded, and I felt her certainty. But getting from the Corvus to here is a bit trickier. I’m certain you remember how my apertures shifted in Ar’Ghosa? Didn’t stay still?
Right. I did, all too well. The things had made me vomit on an innocent asshole’s shirt.
With the aberrant vectors, we’d have to deal with unstable apertures like that for every leap. I felt her shake her head. My official recommendation is take the leaps.
You’re the expert. I raised both hands. Do this the way you see fit.
It really will be easier, she linked. Would you like me to patch this plan to the rest of the cadre?
Please. Then let me know when the first aperture is ready, and we’ll head out. I paused. Good work.
Michael, Anya linked to me alone. You have indicated that when we had a moment of spare time, we might discuss the patch you sent regarding 3302 and new intel?
Right. I nodded. Let me see if I can raise Stone first.
I didn’t actually roll my eyes as I initiated the link. He might have felt that, after all. I needed to reign in my feelings for the man, especially as Alpha.
Wyatt insisted I had no reason to feel the way I did about Facility Liaisons, and perhaps he was correct. Demetrius Suave Superspy Stone wouldn’t be unpleasant or difficult to deal with. Quite the opposite.
The fucker was perfect. He’d probably cleared out the entire Mediterranean area of every amphora and Irrat by himself. While he’d been at it, he’d taken down the Sadhana Corporation, just for fun, and seduced half the region.
Jerk.
Stone?
Hello, Michael! His link felt like free-form beat poetry in my mind. I take it the cadre is alive and well?
For the moment. I nodded. We have a bit of time on our hands, and I thought we might use it to discuss the information I patched.
Good idea, he linked solemnly. Is this need to know? I noticed only you and I are on the link.
I thought I would make certain you had a moment before I linked us together.
I do. Please go ahead at your convenience.
The little things about Stone, things I couldn’t quite describe, were the ones that bugged me most. I was the Alpha of our cadre, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that Stone gave me permission to share the link, rather than acquiesced.
It was a tiny thing. Perhaps I overthought sometimes.
Okay, everyone can carry on with what you’re doing, but let’s discuss our latest intel.
The completely fucked up intel, you mean, Wyatt injected. Yeah, we should discuss.
Sounds good to me, Rachel joined in.
Alpha, Delacruz linked. I’m actually prepared to ignite the first aperture. Do you want me to wait?
You know —I skewed up my nose in thought— I don’t. Preceptor, Artisan, Caduceus, we’ll do this on the move.
Good play, Alpha. I felt Stone’s approval.
As if I were a puppy.
Why don’t you start, Stone? I imagine your plans don’t require intimate knowledge of ours. We just need to be on the same page.
Makes sense, he agreed.
In the center of the courtyard, the aperture ignited and burst into crimson flame. It warbled in the air, singing a soft and eldritch song.
We went through.
***
We stepped out into the top of a building, with none of the Phothu-nacyi in sight. Small gardens of algae grew along the side of one wall, multicolored growths that had been arranged into patchwork squares. Several of the glowing fronds sprouted from the stone itself, and I saw that tiny holes had been drilled for this very purpose.
In one corner, an irregularly shaped pool of azure liquid roiled. It seemed bluer than any blue had ever been.
I eyed Wyatt, and he nodded. Rosie’s hum kicked up a notch.
“We seem to be clear.” Rachel peered around the rooftop, and then down into the winding streets.
Well, obviously, your patch carried some very disturbing news, Stone began. Particularly without Designate support to advise us. As acting Liaison onsite, I opted to make use of Liaison priority channels to send a message to Facility Prime.
You…? I frowned. The Designate had specifically told us we were on our own here. I wasn’t certain how I felt about this.
I can feel your uncertainty, Michael, and I want you to know I share it, he interjected. I didn’t expect a true response. Instead, I simply thought the packet I sent would be received once Facility Prime downgraded from a Status Five hot zone.
Status Five? I glanced at Anya in alarm. I hadn’t realized things had actually degraded at Facility Prime.
Imagine my delight when I immediately received a response. I felt him give one of those perfect smiles. Not from the Designate, but it seems as if there have been several Catalysts deployed to aid Assets-in-play.
Oh. I hadn’t considered that, but it made sense. The Catalyst packet included a direct link to the Designates and allowed control over Facility subsystems, such as drone deployment.
Previously, most Facility resources had been allocated toward the tracking and capture of the Designates considered compromised. However, upon receipt of your intel, concerns were realigned.
They were? My stomach sank to my knees.
Correct. Immediately, Catalyst Garret Valis arrived onsite in Rome.
Garret Valis? I wrinkled my nose. I don’t know if I’ve worked with him.
I have, Wyatt nodded. Once.
Currently, Catalyst Valis has deployed fifteen telemetric sweeper teams from Facility 8. Those Preceptors are working to discover telemetric modulations that allow detection of the rift-causing vessels before they are broken.
“I knew it,” Wyatt mouthed at me. He’d long believed Facility 8 in Moscow was the nexus for Preceptor allocation.
Does such a resonance exist? Anya queried. We found ourselves unable to detect the vessels prior to their eruption.
It is hoped, Anya. Furthermore, other Asset teams and drone squads are in play to lay telemetric resonators. If we can find that frequency, this effort would uncover a significant percentage of the items.
Well, that’s good. Maybe. One of my more troublesome worries had involved hundreds of Phothu-nacyi suddenly appearing within every city along the Mediterranean coast.
This is seen as a backup effort, of course, Stone continued. Valis was granted clearance on the Citadel Initiative for this project. It is fully expected that your team will handle the Variance prior to Situation: Critica
l. The hope is that, when you contact me, you will update me on that effort. I, in turn, will pass the data to the Catalyst.
I frowned. I knew Stone would feel it, but in that moment, I didn’t care.
We ready? Sofia linked me from… wherever she was. I have the next aperture prepared.
We are, I linked. I nodded at my cadre members. “Let’s move.”
***
The next aperture led into a narrow alleyway. We couldn’t see much regarding the city, as walls loomed high over us.
Wyatt stepped behind the party. The WHUF! I heard would be a stasis trigger to guard our back, I felt certain.
Thirty seconds ’til the next one. It’s easy, Delacruz sent.
Now you tell me. Wyatt sighed.
Well, Stone, our situation hasn’t changed from what the Designate shared as far as I’m concerned. I don’t trust Irrat 3302, and I have good reason to feel that way. As a result, I’m choosing to ignore a significant portion of what he said.
You are? I felt his surprise. Michael, the intel provided…
Amir Cadavas is a manipulator of the first class. The man has games inside games, lies inside lies. He left that little gift for me because he sought me out. That’s important.
Behind us, on the other side of Wyatt’s stasis trigger, a brilliant carmine spark unfurled into an aperture. It hung there, tinkling with unearthly tones.
“Hold on,” Wyatt grumbled and raised one arm. He tapped on his interface, and the spike he’d just laid down began to glow.
A brief flash of amber light burst from it. For a second, I caught a strong scent of ammonia, but then it dissipated.
That is an excellent point, Stone considered. If he’s half as clever as you seem to believe, then it’s quite significant that he sought you out.
I’ve decided not to play the game, I explained. Tell the Designates I’m going forward with the mission they gave in our last communique.
That’s… Stone trailed off for a moment. Michael, are you certain we should entirely ignore Amir’s conversation?
No, I replied honestly. But let me ask you, Stone. Other than those we found in Rome, how many of the amphorae have the sweeper teams uncovered?
Well, that’s not the best metric. I felt Stone’s brief flash of concern. The Preceptors have yet to uncover the frequency that shows the vessels. There’s no possible way we could have located them yet.
I pointed at the open aperture.
Anya nodded, and Wyatt stepped through.
Rachel and I followed.
***
The next aperture led to an enclosed structure. The walls were pale gray and had the chiseled appearance so common in M’elphodor . Three separate pools sparkled in the floor, eldritch blue and painful.
Rationality is unstable here, Alpha, Anya linked to me alone.
Two dead Phothu-nacyi lay upon the floor, probably slaughtered by a clever Gatekeeper. Their spawn were nowhere to be seen.
That’s my point, Stone, I continued. The only Asset who understood these assholes better than I do was Gideon DuMarque. He used to say if they showed you one hand, and you looked, it was already too late.
So…? The Liaison seemed reluctant.
So based upon what Irrat 3302 said, we have fifteen sweeper teams in the Mediterranean. We’ve dispatched drones and Assets. Everything we’re doing is looking exactly where Amir told us to look… for items we have no way of knowing even exist.
I see. Stone felt off balance, and I could tell his distaste for the sensation.
Facility Prime is at Status fucking Five because Amir manipulated me into carrying pages from an Irrational tome back to the Designates. That ruined their day. I paused. Now, I’ve carried intel back to you, and we’re scouring the Mediterranean.
That’s… true. I felt his wheels turn.
Prior to this, the Facility had expended priority resources chasing the corrupted Designates. However, once 3302 and I had our little talk, and I passed that intel on, those Assets were reallocated. I suppose my concern is that 3302 wanted those Assets reallocated.
Alpha, those are excellent points. I’ll admit, I hadn’t considered them.
I’m not telling you I know what 3302 is up to. That would be foolish. I paused. My point is you don’t know either. The Designates don’t. But we’re fools if we think he’s playing things straight.
I’m beginning to agree with you. He paused. I’ll share your concerns with Catalyst Valis. What shall I tell him is your next move?
Demetrius, there is an Active Variance in Rationality. I and my cadre are currently— I glanced at Anya.
Point six five kilometers from the target. She nodded at me, the tiniest smile on the edge of her lips.
I continued, At last contact, the Designate informed me this event was priority one, and I assume it remains so. Do I have any update on my objectives?
No, he confirmed. We’ve had no communiques from Facility Prime, although they certainly know of events here.
Then I think we’re all updated. I smiled, knowing he’d feel it through the link. I’m on course for the Variance and expect to engage within a couple of hours. Do you have anything else for me, Liaison?
I… I do not, Alpha. He paused for a moment, but then I felt him grow certain. It sounds as if you have everything there in hand.
Thank you, Demetrius. I appreciate all you’ve done. You’ve been invaluable. Please touch base if you require anything.
Will comply.
I severed the link, then shook my head like a dog throwing off water.
I’m ready for the final jaunt, Mike. As Sofia linked, another aperture opened in front of us. We’re as close as can be.
Activity at the site?
Minimal out here but the structure is pretty busy. I’ll let you know when the area is clear.
Copy that. I turned to my cadre.
Wyatt seemed to chuckle to himself, perhaps still thinking about my conversation with Stone.
Anya simply nodded.
You aren’t keeping things as simple as you told the Liaison, Hoss, Wyatt teased. Come on.
Maybe not. I stepped toward the aperture. But Stone doesn’t need those details. In the end, the Catalyst only needs to know one thing.
That we’re on the job. He nodded. So what’s the play?
I’ve figured out that’s not how it works. I took a step toward the shimmering gate. When we make long-term plans, things go sideways on us.
That’s a fact, Wyatt agreed.
I hate to admit it, Alpha, but I’ve noticed that myself, Rachel linked. And I’m usually a stickler for planning.
We’re after the Variance. We’re waiting for 3302 to pull some underhanded bullshit we can’t possibly anticipate. I gazed at each of them. No matter what we plan for, somewhere around halfway through, it’s all going to flip.
Of course. Anya nodded instantly. So you suggest we keep things fluid.
We punch through. Guthrie smirked.
I’m suggesting… I met each of their gazes. We don’t leave anything on the table.
Didn’t we give that a go back in Rome? Delacruz linked.
We thought so. I shook my head. Here’s the difference. This time, we’re doing it smart. I spent a moment to gather my thoughts.
They looked at me then.
Looked to me.
They waited.
The Facility wants the Variance handled, and we’re doing that. I scratched at my scruffy beard. That’s priority one. Even if we wanted it to be otherwise, the sovereign prerogatives will kick in as soon as we get within range.
Right, Wyatt nodded.
But that’s not all that’s at stake. We don’t know if M’elphodor will actually rise from the fucking sea because there’s no way we can trust Amir.
The possibility sounds awful, if you want my opinion, Delacruz chimed in.
If we see the slightest opportunity, if we have a chance to fuck up their frog party, we’ll take the shot, I emphasized.
I’m
calling a moratorium on apocalypses, Rachel linked.
Ha! Delacruz crowed through the Crown.
It is possible that 3302 spoke earnestly, Michael. Anya furrowed her brow. If, in fact, he seeks to create another world-spanning event later, then we may be acting as his pawns.
And that’s thing three. I pointed at her. Amir fucking dies. None of this ‘death is but a doorway’ thing. If the chance comes, and you can turn his bones to glass, you take it. If you can infect him with ravaging superheated mecha or teleport him into the sun or scowl him to death, you do it.
Are you implying I… I can scowl people to death? Anya linked.
You’re inferring that. I gave her a cheesy grin.
Aperture ready, Alpha. Area clear.
Alright. I nodded. We’re in this.
Fully equipped with reality altering technology, genius intellect, and fierce scowls, the remaining four of us made for the aperture. The Artisan, Preceptor, and Caduceus stepped through first, and I followed up on the rear.
This was it. This was what all the horror had been building to.
For the first time since the Yucatán, I hunted a Variance.
2
The Dirge of Brine and Salt positively loomed before us, a shadow of sinister malevolence. Just as Amir had described, five jet-black towers jutted from the structure, resembling a malformed hand that clutched fruitlessly skyward. Just above each of those jagged fingers, a crimson fury burned, flames that had no source.
“Okay…” Wyatt stared at the thing. “Seriously?” He pointed. “That?”
“Have fun storming the castle,” Rachel muttered.
“I bet there’s fucking organ music playing inside.” Wyatt shook his head.
The aperture brought us out on the roof of another building, this one almost three times as tall as the previous warped structure. The space where we stood wasn’t nearly as wide, however, and I suspected it hadn’t actually been constructed as usable space.
Still, Delacruz had figured out a way to position us well. We remained mostly out of sight, on a relatively flat surface.
From here we could see everything.
In the twisting streets below, gurgling, yeerping Phothu-nacyi patrolled the city. Across the way, masked cultists marched, accompanied by mindless, half-dead thralls with copper masks seared upon their faces.