He Who Crosses Death

by Isaac Hooke

  “Yes,” the dweller said.

  “Uh, you know my name is Sinive, right?” she said.

  “Whatever you say, His Woman,” G’allanthamas said.

  “How would you like it if I called you His Alien,” Sinive said.

  “That would suit me just fine,” the dweller said.

  “A-hole,” Sinive said.

  “I’ve never understood your penchant for calling everyone an a-hole,” G’allanthamas said.

  “I have,” Tane said. “She only does it for people—or aliens—who deserve it.”

  “Thank you,” Sinive said. “I was wondering when you’d stand up for me.”

  “Well, I usually figure you can stand up well enough for yourself,” Tane said.

  “I suppose I can, at that,” Sinive said. She kissed him on the cheek.

  “What was that for?” Tane asked.

  “I don’t know,” Sinive said. “Believing in me?”

  “Are you two going to mate now?” G’allanthamas asked.

  Sinive pulled away and told Tane: “Did you enable video sharing or something?”

  “No,” Tane said. “He can’t see us.”

  “I heard the slurping sounds of that disgusting habit you humans call ‘kissing,’” G’allanthamas explained. “So I guessed you were going to mate.”

  “Well, we just might, at that,” Sinive said, smiling wryly at Tane.

  “Do you mind if I watch?” G’allanthamas said.

  “What?” Sinive said. “No!”

  “It would be interesting, from an anthropological perspective,” G’allanthamas said. “I haven’t watched humans rut in a long time. The last time was when I secretly planted a camera in the quarters of Tiberius, and—”

  “Great, your alien friend is a pervert,” Sinive said. “Do we have to worry about hidden cameras somewhere in our quarters now?”

  “No, I don’t think so,” Tane said. “He can’t fit in the hallways. He’s confined to the cargo bay.”

  “But he could have tricked the maintenance robot into installing one…” Sinive said.

  “I think I’ll let you go now, Gall,” Tane said. “Before you get yourself into more trouble.”

  “I’m in trouble?” the dweller said.

  “Bye for now,” Tane said, disconnecting.

  Sinive kissed him on the lips. “Well if he is watching, let’s give him the show of the century.”

  “Maybe we should record it ourselves, just to be sure,” Tane suggested.

  “I always knew you were an exhibitionist.” Sinive lowered the straps of her dress, and shoved it down to her hips. She removed her bra and her breasts jiggled enticingly.

  “Only with you,” Tane said, mashing his lips against hers.

  24

  The two ships had arrived in the destination system in different locations, and took some time to join up. They were in the Baith system, located in the Albedo Lattice, a series of TSN colonies on the border between the TSN and Mautauraen territories.

  Tane arranged a virtual meeting between the crews when the ships were close enough so that the comm lag between them was three seconds: good enough for his purposes.

  Tane held the meeting in the tiny compartment where they had their meals: the wardroom. Gia and Sinive were present in person, while Tane’s chip generated augmented reality holograms for Nebb, Chase and Positron, who were aboard the Red Grizzly, and G’allanthamas, who, while aboard the Mosaic, was restricted to the cargo bay. Only the disembodied, sideways-oriented head of the alien was visible, along with the glass dome of the environmental suit he wore, floating at the center of the table.

  Gia was showing signs of weariness from her latest jump: she sat slightly slumped at the table, with her face waxen, and her eyes harboring heavy bags underneath. Meanwhile Chase seemed entirely unaffected from his most recent jump, and sat straight upright, his features flush with energy—the wonders of digital avatars. He was very likely just as exhausted on his end.

  “According to open source intel I found on the Galnet,” Tane began. “The Paramount Leader keeps a vacation palace on the luxury world of Timerus. He frequents it two or three times a year, and he’s always there for the week long Festival of Debauchery.”

  “Sounds like my kind of festival,” Nebb said.

  “You’re in luck, because the festival is in its third day,” Tane said. “And the Paramount Leader has been spotted at his palace.”

  “So we’re going to Timerus.” Gia said.

  “We are,” Tane said.

  “Security around the main palace is going to be intense,” Chase said. “They’re going to have Mancers, Essence warriors, mechs, you name it.”

  “I’d expect no less,” Tane said. He went ahead and explained the plan he had come up with.

  “It’s not going to work,” Chase said. “We’re five men and women, one robot, and an alien, against an entire army.”

  “But we have the Doomwielder on our side,” G’allanthamas said. “Our odds are even, I’d say. Maybe even skewed a little against our foe.”

  “We’re going to need you to give us a breakdown of the expected troops and their deployments of course,” Tane told Chase. “Sinive has given me her own thoughts on the matter, but her navy days were a few years ago. And she was never in the infantry.”

  “I’ll tell you whatever I can,” Chase said.

  “Wait a second, I have a question,” Gia said. “You’re doing this because the archaeoceti told you the Paramount Leader could bring you to the creodenti, right? But what if he can’t?”

  “That’s a risk I’m willing to take,” Tane said. “Because to be honest, this needs to be done. I can’t always be looking over my shoulder, wondering when the TSN will strike next. It’s time to take the battle to the enemy, for once. Plus, I need him in my pocket if I’m ever to unite humans and dwellers.” Tane hesitated, and then: “Send the transmission. Tell the Paramount Leader I’ve agreed to surrender to him directly.”

  Tane was waiting for Nebb, Positron and Chase to board the Mosaic. He had decided that the team only needed one ship to do this. The Red Grizzly would remain behind, awaiting further orders. Once they were aboard, Sinive would make the jump to the next system, and then she would join Chase and Gia in recovery. Once Gia had sufficient stamina, she would jump them to the final system, and they would proceed to the pleasure world, Timerus.

  He stared at his inbox. Earlier he had received a message from his parents, but had been putting off answering it. Now was as good a time as any.

  He viewed the message once more. His parents appeared before him, in front of the bulkhead, their faces full of concern. Their lower halves blended in with the wall, as the recording hadn’t covered that portion of their bodies. He had the impression they were sitting on the bed of a hotel room.

  “Tane, we hope you’re well,” Mom said. “We got your message the same day we saw what happened on Xalantas. Please tell us that wasn’t you. It can’t be you.”

  “But if it is, Son, we want you to know, we love you,” Dad said. “No matter what happens, we’ll always be here for you. Come home to Galtede Serpentis, Son. Leave all of that behind. You don’t need to be the World Bender or whatever it is they think you are. You can still come back here and live an ordinary life. It’s not too late.”

  “We’ll be waiting for you,” Mom said. “When you’re back, we can visit Xaltog’s Restaurant in town, like we used to do. And when we come home, I’ll make your favorite cookies. White chocolate chip. Your friends want to see you. Greg. Jenna. We all miss you.” She forced a grin. “Come home.”

  With that, the message ended.

  Tane smiled wanly. “Begin recording.” He cleared his throat. “Mom, Dad. It’s too late. I can’t go back, not now. I am the World Bender. I realize that now. The galaxy… the universe itself, is falling apart. Stars are disappearing. Boundaries are thinning. You’re going to start hearing reports of people disappearing and of monsters returning in their places, if yo
u haven’t already.

  “I’ve heard the call, and I’ve done my best to avoid answering it, but the time has come to take up arms. I’m going to face the Paramount Leader, Dad, Mom. I’m going to do something, risk everything, because I’ve run out of time. The universe has run out of time.

  “After that, I’ll make a visit to the realm of the dwellers, and then I’m headed to the galactic core. I don’t know if I’ll save the galaxy, or further its demise. I don’t know if I’ll live, or I’ll die. But I do know I’ll always love you, and I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me. You raised me into the man I am today. I’ve told you that before, I know, but it’s true. Though I admit, I was a bit of a self-absorbed, narcissistic kid at times. I can see that now. Leaving Galtede Serpentis has certainly opened my eyes. Sure, I might be the World Bender, but that doesn’t mean the universe revolves around me. Then again, maybe it does, in a way.

  “Whatever the case, I’ll do my part, play my hand, and when next we meet, if it’s in the flesh, you’ll know the universe has been saved. And if not…”

  Tane ended the message on that note, and sent it.

  Sinive made the jump to the next system, and they were waiting on Gia to recover for the final jump to the system containing the pleasure world, Timerus.

  After Sinive had rested for two hours, Tane called everyone to assemble in the wardroom. As usual, G’allanthamas attended virtually from the cargo bay, his head alone visible on their augmented reality displays.

  “I told Sinive that we’d need to get to know one another very well for what was coming,” Tane said. “That we’d have to trust each other absolutely.”

  “So what, we’re here to bond, is that it?” Nebb said.

  “Mostly,” Tane said. “This is one of our last chances to relax and hang out with each other before Timerus. What happens down on that planet isn’t going to be easy. Not for any of us. More than one of us could die. Maybe all of us. The faces you see sitting here? Some of them might not be present when we return.”

  “But you can Revive us?” Nebb pressed.

  “Assuming there’s a body,” Tane said. “And that I survive, or don’t come out of this chipped by the TSN.”

  “That’s a lot of assumptions,” Nebb said.

  “It is,” Tane agreed. “Which is why I want to know why each and every one of you is here. You’ve all had multiple opportunities to turn back by now, and yet you remained by my side through it all. I want to know why. We’ll go around the table. Starting with Gia.”

  “I hate doing stuff like this,” Gia said.

  “I’m sure we all do,” Tane said.

  “Maybe it’ll be easier if we start with our history?” Muse suggested.

  Tane glanced upward. “And there the AI goes, interfering already.”

  “No, it’s a good idea,” Chase said.

  Gia sighed. “Well, you all know I’m a corrector. Or used to be, until our World Bender friend here showed up. I originally trained to be a law enforcement officer.” She sighed. “That didn’t work out too well. Me and a fixed schedule, well, let’s just say we don’t get along. I was minding my own business in the mall one day, doing what I did best at the time: shopping. And then out of nowhere a servant robot began attacking people. First its owner, and then anyone who happened to walk by. Not with weapons, mind you—its bare hands. About five people were unconscious with broken jaws before I got to it. I found out I was good at beating up robots. Someone gave me a card, said I should do it full time. And that’s how I started down the corrector path.”

  “So why are you here?” Tane said. “I know you’re fond of Jed, or used to be. But he’s gone now. Why stick around?”

  “I don’t know,” Gia said. “I guess I just want to feel like I’m a part of something bigger than myself. And if it’s true that you’re really the World Bender, and going to save the universe, that’d certainly qualify.”

  “You don’t think I am?” Tane pressed. “After everything you’ve seen?”

  “I’m not really sure yet, no,” Gia said. “I mean, I know you’re the World Bender, but are you really the Bender of Worlds? I’m not sure if you get what I mean.”

  “I think I do,” Tane said. “I call myself the World Bender, and I have his abilities, but will I do the right thing when it comes to it. Will I save this galaxy, and all the other galaxies in this universe? Or destroy them?”

  “Yeah, that’s right,” Gia said.

  Tane glanced at Positron. “So how about you?”

  “I’m here because I follow Nebb,” the scepter robot said.

  “Fair enough,” Tane told Positron.

  “I must admit,” Positron said. “Grudgingly so, that I’m impressed with how much you’ve grown since I first met you. I’m not talking so much in your abilities and powers, but as a person. I didn’t like you at all when we met. I thought you were wishy washy, talked too much, made redundant comments about everything. And you acted like you were an equal to myself, to Nebb, and even the Volurs. No, I was not impressed. But you’ve been humbled, many times over, since then. Risking everything to save those closest to you, wearing your heart on your sleeve, and even displaying self-sacrifice. Yes, I have grown to respect, even admire you. And the sheer valor you have exhibited in the face of insurmountable odds, all I can say is, some of the things you have done... I can’t decide whether you’re courageous or insane. Or a mixture of the two.”

  “Probably a mixture,” Tane said. He was beaming. “And thank you, very much, my robot friend, for the vote of confidence.”

  “Yes, well, don’t let it get to your head,” Positron said. “I wouldn’t exactly call you a friend. Not yet. I may respect you to a degree, but I still plan to shoot you in the back one day.”

  Tane frowned.

  Beside him, Sinive laughed out loud. “Oh Positron, I love you.” She glanced at Tane. “He’s kidding, you know that, right?”

  “Am I?” Positron said. His visor animated as his eyebrows formed an inverted V.

  “How did you end up on Nebb’s team?” Gia asked the robot.

  “There’s no big story there,” Positron said. “He purchased the original, pre-backup me straight out of a shop. When I was turned on, I was aboard the Red Grizzly.”

  “I’m often turned on there, too,” Sinive said with a giggle. “Sorry, I have a dirty mind.”

  Tane suppressed a smile, and glanced at Nebb. “Why are you here?”

  The smuggler looked at Sinive. “For her. For you. For myself.”

  “That’s it?” Tane said.

  “We’ve talked before,” Nebb said. “You know my secrets.”

  Tane nodded slowly. “I suppose I do.” Killing one’s previous apprentice was definitely a secret that was probably best kept bottled up.

  “Chase?” Tane said.

  The Mancer’s face darkened, and he gazed off into the distance. “I lost my platoon on Sigma 231. My friends. We were called the Darkslayers.”

  “That’s terrible,” Sinive said. “What happened?”

  “We were hunting you down,” Chase said. “My CO ordered the Darkslayers ahead of you guys in Durahepte City, where intel suggested you might flee. Turns out, you didn’t flee there. And instead, we found ourselves surrounded by kraals. We begged for reinforcements, but none came. What happened next wasn’t pretty. By the time help finally came, I was the last man standing. Covered in the blood of my forsaken brothers and sisters.”

  “I’m sorry,” Tane said.

  “Yeah,” Chase continued. “At first, when you planned to revive Sinive, I harbored a small hope that you would do the same with my Darkslayers if I was loyal enough to you, and proved I was worthy enough of your favor. I imagined them fighting at your side, restored from the great beyond. But after the fight we went through in the swamp, almost dying ourselves to save her, I realized it wasn’t worth it. What’s the point of reviving a person if there’s a good chance you’ll kill someone else in your party, or yourself, in the process
? Plus I didn’t have their bodies. By now their bones will be distributed throughout Durahepte in the Umbra, buried in kraal guano.

  “So anyway, as you can guess, I don’t owe the TSN a thing. I’d rather be here, fighting for you, than for them. The TSN should be trying to ally with you, not trying to destroy you, especially considering you’re the only one who can save us all. But it’s the Paramount Leader’s fault. The TSN is a great organization, but we’re rotten at the top. The everyday men and women, the rank and file of the navy, they’re good people. Well, most of them. Excepting my CO. But I wanted to ask you if you could show some mercy to those rank and file. Maybe not kill so many this time.”

  “I won’t,” Tane said. “Because I’m not going to lose it, not like on Xalantas. What happened there won’t happen again.”

  “Unless...” Nebb glanced at Sinive.

  The unsaid words echoed loudly among them all.

  Unless you lose her again. Permanently.

  25

  “How did you end up in the TSN?” Tane asked Chase quickly, wanting to steer the topic toward something more comfortable.

  I expect them to be uncomfortable, and yet I can’t face discomfort myself. I haven’t grown all that much after all, Positron.

  “Oh, the usual way,” Chase replied. “I tested positive for the Essence when I was young, and I knew from an early age I wasn’t strong enough to be a Volur. The TSN drafted me when I was eighteen, and I chose the path of the ranged Mancer. I’ve been in the military for three years now. I had five more to go, until I deserted. I wonder what they’ll do to me if they capture me alive...”

  “Big Chicken Dinner,” Sinive said.

  “With jail time,” Nebb added.

  Tane’s chip told him Sinive was actually referring to a Bad Conduct Discharge. Definitely not what any military personnel would ever aspire to.

  “Gall, how about you?” Tane said.

  “I’m here because I’m your friend,” G’allanthamas said. “I recognized early on that you needed much guidance, and I knew you’d be lost without me. Just like Tiberius. He was so young. So naive. I remember, back when I was chasing my brood mate, seeing Tiberius for the first time. Here was this man walking among my people. This human, wearing his spacesuit, somehow having found his way to our universe. It expanded my mind, made me realize that ours wasn’t the only universe out there. I promptly launched myself at him and carried him away, announcing to everyone else that I was going to eat him, and I’d let them know how he tasted. It was a trick, of course. I took Tiberius to the mountains, and so there I began his training, along with others. He began amassing followers, and the rest, as they say, is history.”