He coughed. "In the meantime, of course, our expansion into space took over all the headlines. Not that any of them mentioned exactly how we were doing that. Vague references to copied alien technology." The man snorted, and his voice turned low and bitter. "Forget whatever you think you know. An alien ship did crash in the Hope Desert, but everything else has been an evil lie. The ship's technology was useless to us. As far as we could tell, it was incomplete. Some critical element was missing, and we never figured out what it was. It should have been on the ship, unless its absence caused the ship to crash in the first place. But then, how did it get as far as it did?" Another sloshing sound, followed by a noisy swallow. "Regardless. The ship was useless to us. So were the two dead aliens inside. But... Its cargo..." He sighed. "The ship carried dozens of pods of unknown function. Experiments showed they reacted strongly to radiation by generating massive amounts of energy, seemingly without requiring replenishment of any kind. The PRISM core was born as a result, and they are what powers our proud space fleet, as well as this facility.
"Then the aliens came. And contrary to what I'm sure you've been told, they tried to talk to us. In our heads. The first humans they encountered were told the entire story." He gave a disbelieving laugh. "I'm sure you know what our answer to that was; you probably have one in your own head. Our great leaders found out the truth of what we had done: the pods were cocoons. Alien cocoons sit at the core of every FTL-capable ship we've built. And what did they do? What was their response to realizing the accidental atrocity we'd perpetrated? They made us all deaf! Implants for every citizen! The aliens use telepathy to control our minds, and we must protect ourselves!" The man drank again, swallowing several times until he sputtered and coughed. He gave a long groan that trailed off into a deep sigh. The slur in his voice deepened: "As I'm sure you've realized by now, that was the true reason why the aliens invaded. Can anyone blame them? And rather than surrender our precious, fledgling space empire, rather than compromise all those countless interests in space travel, our leaders chose to fight. And that is why I'm now sitting here, by myself, one of the last humans left on Nadir. Safe inside my... anti-alien-mind-control shield. And with no way out.
"So now we get to the point of this little presentation. When the aliens were approaching Nadir and it was decided we ought to pack up and try our luck elsewhere, some of us were faced with the reality of not being able to take everything with us. Our research, our subjects. Our work. The man in charge of the microscopic research division didn't care for the idea. He believed his work was so groundbreaking, it had to be preserved at any cost. And he was quite serious. So he activated all the Marauders he had left, and he gave them one simple order: secure this facility against all access. And he did this knowing that one day soon, these things would forget what he told them and start killing everything they found.
"I had my subjects. The Ascended. I had to decide what to do. Orders came down to terminate them, but I couldn't. You must understand that these were people. None of them had ever asked to be experimented on. They couldn't begin to understand what we'd done to them." He laughed, or sobbed. "They liked us. They liked me. I taught them our language. I taught them math and basic science. Someone taught them how to fight in groups. They were excited for all of it." He moaned. "Have mercy, what have I done?"
A deep, shuddering breath. "I gave them weapons. Fighting knives, the only thing that was left behind. I told them a story, about the Marauders. I told them they had to kill the monsters, any way they could, at every opportunity, or they'd spread out and destroy the world. The Marauders needed an enemy. As long as they were kept engaged, there was a chance they would stay within the limitations of their initial assignment. I knew the Ascended could fight them. We'd tested it. I sent them out. And they were... They were glorious. They cut their way out. Didn't lose even one. I watched her go, leading the way. She never looked back." The man gave a strangled sob, then stayed silent for a long time.
"In regards to killing the Marauders. They have no specific vulnerabilities. Their hides are resistant to heat, cold, acid, kinetic force, and no doubt anything else you can think of. They bleed very little, and heal quickly. The automaton core is the key. As the creature develops, the automatons merge together into a more complex entity that can meet the needs of the growing organism. They surrender their flexibility to achieve greater functionality. It was a necessary step in the creature's development, but it means the core is vulnerable to catastrophic damage. It lies buried deep inside the body, in the center of the torso. It's well protected, but a high-powered projectile can reach it. So can a laser beam. A large enough explosion can be effective, but bear in mind that the core must be sufficiently damaged, else it will recover over time.
"Other than the Ascended, I don't think anyone can fight them in the jungle. They're much too fast, and too hard to see. They can even lower their body temperature to be invisible in the infrared spectrum. Assuming the Ascended remain, they are your best hope. If they are all gone, then I think it might be too late. If you represent a nation with an army, use every resource at your disposal to fight them. Infantry should operate in large, tight formations close enough to provide overwhelming mutual support. Saturation bombing can be a viable option, but it's imprecise. You must be sure to destroy every last one."
He gave a rough sigh. "There is one other option. As I said before, there was some experimentation with the Ascended. One such experiment involved treating specimens with automatons designed to form a link between the human brain and the Marauders. Utilizing the brain's functionality as part of the communication process would allow the controlling individual to issue complex instructions nearly instantly, and with a high degree of accuracy. The intention was for one Ascended to command a legion of Marauders in the field, without the risk of them losing focus. The experiment did not go well. Two subjects died. A third completed the operation, but went insane shortly after and had to be terminated. It seemed the strain of communicating with so many individual units was too much.
"I complained and had the experiment stopped, but the technology remains. If you have no other option, you could allow an Ascended to undergo the treatment. Assuming they survive, and assuming they can stand the pressure, they should be able to command the Marauders to stand down. But you must understand that this isn't likely to work. It never has. There is also the fact that you will be granting enormous power to a single individual. If they manage to take control and learn to command these things, they could become a terrible threat. Consider this a last resort, only marginally preferable to the Marauders roaming free.
"Such is my tale. I wish you good luck. Sadly, there is little else I can offer you. Rest assured that most of us paid for our sins." A pause. "I'm sorry. Lilith... I'm sorry. I should have opened my eyes sooner. I hope you live well. I love you."
Silence.
Seruya stared at the bones in the chair. She'd understood enough of the message to know it spoke of her people, and the Sharyukin. She knew now that there was nothing divine about their mandate to kill the Vile. There was no paradise they had been driven from by the monsters. No Deliverer who had brought them there out of pity. No hateful Magus who had made the Vile to spite the other gods.
She felt sick.
"We should―"
"Silence!" she hissed.
How many years had they sacrificed themselves to hold back the Vile? How many had died horribly at their hands? It had all been the work of selfish men, trying to fix their mistakes by spending the lives of others. "I want the Vile," she said.
"You will likely die, or lose your mind."
"How else do you expect to leave here? The Vile are everywhere outside. I'll be attacked the moment I open the door. No doubt you will simply abandon me to be killed, but I intend to survive. That means compelling the Vile to hold back, and we just learned how to do that. One of your cocoons is here, no? How do you propose to remove it?"
Sage was silent for a time. "We have no busine
ss on this world except to uncover what our enemy seeks here. I will assist you in exchange for your word that once you take control of the creatures, you will abide by our original agreement and assist us in our search. I have learned much, but I still intend to look for information about our enemy's objectives here."
Seruya scowled. "You reveal much of yourself when you question the word of another. We made our deal. You have not yet betrayed me, therefore it stands. Now tell me where I have to go."
Sage led her back to the desk, where she was forced to relinquish control of her body for a time as the spirit stared at glowing symbols and lines rapidly scrolling through the air. Only the knowledge that it had no way to escape without her gave her some reassurance.
"I know where to go. There is a testing chamber that contains the equipment. I will direct you."
Guided by Sage's voice, Seruya navigated the deserted halls of the ancient structure. She couldn't help but wonder about these people, and what had become of them. The dead man had mentioned their departure, but where could they have gone? Beyond the sky, where Sage had claimed to be from?
She didn't think she would like to see them return. Her heart burned with shame for her ancestors, who had been so taken in by the powers of their captors that they had proclaimed them gods. Should they ever come back, she would show them how far their victims had come since they left.
"Pass through this door."
The one she opened seemed no different than any of the ones they had passed, save for the symbols on it. Light sprang to life as she entered, illuminating a completely white room holding a vaguely person-shaped table fitted with restraints. A box on wheels and a cluster of tools surrounded it. More small doors lined the walls of the room.
"The procedure is largely automated. I will make the necessary preparations when you are ready. However, there is something you need to know before we begin."
"I've already accepted the risk of death or insanity. They will not befall me."
"That is not what I mean. This procedure will inject tiny machines into your brain. This was previously done with the use of an anesthetic. I have no doubt the machines are still active, but the anesthetic has likely lost its potency since it was last used. You will suffer extreme pain."
Seruya allowed herself a small smile. "Begin preparations."
"As you wish."
Sage once again took control of her limbs and performed a series of actions she couldn't begin to interpret. She managed to ignore the discomfort of watching her hands move without her say-so, but she still yearned to be free of the spirit's insistent presence. She felt certain it believed it could maintain its presence within her against her will. She'd taken its word that something here prevented it from leaving, but her next priority would be finding out how to remove that effect. Then she would discover its true nature.
"The procedure will begin once you lay down on the table."
She did as instructed, taking care to avoid showing signs of apprehension. As soon as she lay still, the restraints snapped shut. Steady breathing kept her calm. She'd been through―
Agony exploded at the base of her skull. She strained against the bonds, blindly seeking relief. All thought burned away, leaving her only with the need to escape. The impossible pain obliterated the notion of control. Her screams echoed through the chamber.
Pressure swelled in the back of her head. She expected to die, but her life persisted. She tried to beg Sage for an end, but couldn't form the words.
The pressure abated. A moment later, the agony receded until only an intense, pulsing ache remained. The restraints snapped open. She rolled onto her side and curled up, trembling hands covering the back of her head as she fought against the tears. She lost, and lay weeping on the table, sobs shaking her body.
All her strength, all her stamina and experience and the calluses on her soul... and still helpless. She slammed a fist into the table, unable to escape the shame of her weakness in the presence of another.
"Are you―"
"Shut up," she croaked. Slowly, she managed to sit up, grimacing. She drew a shaky breath and wished she had water. Other than the pain, the echo of pressure in her head, and her hammering heart, she felt little different than before. Part of her hoped the operation had been a failure, and she wouldn't have to endure any more trials. "You said there is a force protecting this place. Can we destroy it?"
"It is part of a security system, and requires passwords to access. However, I can show you where the device that creates the field is located."
"Let's go."
Her legs unsteady, she followed Sage's directions deeper into the building. As she walked, she became aware of another presence in her mind, a demand on her attention she couldn't ignore. Once, she stopped and looked around, half-expecting someone to be near, but saw no one. It sat in her head like an unanswered question, the kind that wouldn't let her forget until she found the answer.
After traversing a maze of pristine corridors, Sage led her into a large space containing a separate structure roughly the size of a hut. "This is where the device is located. The door will not open without authorization."
The new sensation had intensified to the point where it demanded her constant attention. She felt like she was trying to remember something without even knowing what. Could this be the Vile?
"Are you well?"
She spared a glance for the door in front of her. It seemed thicker than the others she'd seen, and lacked handholds of any sort. "I can't open this."
"Perhaps we can look for a tool to assist you."
Seruya suspected the spirit had run out of ideas, because this one smelled of desperation. "No. We will go outside."
"Have you gained control of the creatures?"
She smiled. "We shall see."
She recalled the route back to the entrance well enough to make her way without assistance. She opened the inner door and, without hesitation, struck the button to open the outer gate. She sensed Sage's agitation as the strip of daylight at the bottom grew larger, but she said nothing. The widening gap gradually revealed even ranks of Vile, lined up neatly a few paces from the door. Each one stared at Seruya, and their overwhelming regard triggered another spike in the new presence in her mind. It demanded her attention, insisting on a response. Her jaw bunched as she fought off panic. She phrased a simple command in her head: go inside.
Nothing happened. Then again, they weren't killing her either.
She tried again, visualizing the monsters filing into the building. As soon as she formed a clear picture in her mind, she envisioned herself trampled by dozens of Vile mindlessly shuffling inside. She discarded the image, but not before the mass of Vile took a unified step forward.
Sweat tickling her skin, she directed her efforts at the six that stood closest. Follow me. After holding the thought in her head for a few seconds, she turned and went inside. She had to suppress her reflexes when she heard the clicking of Vile claws on the hard floor behind her. She'd expected to feel relief at her success, but turning her back to the monsters went against everything that had kept her alive so far. This arrangement would take some getting used to.
She led the six Vile back to the door she hadn't been able to open and turned to face them. Their hides had shifted to match the monochromatic color scheme. Standing well off to the side, she visualized them tearing the door from the wall. Nothing happened at first, so she summoned a sense of urgency. The monsters lunged forward, and the door shrieked as the Vile sank their claws into it. They made no sound as they tore the material into three ragged chunks and ripped them off their supports. Their task complete, they gathered into a group and stared at her.
Forcing herself to ignore their demanding stares, she entered the room. Light blinked to life overhead, revealing a monolithic object as tall as she was, rife with tubes and protrusions. Once again, she summoned her pets, and visualized them tearing it to pieces. Sounds of destruction followed her as she stepped outside. From one instant to
the next, Sage's presence vanished from her mind, prompting a deep, involuntary breath. "I take it the field has been disabled?"
"It has. My brethren are among us."
She detected a subdued tone in the spirit's words. She suspected it hadn't expected her to succeed so easily, and imagined it felt concern over having armed her with this incredible weapon. Although she'd only begun to consider the possibilities of her newfound power, Sage hadn't crossed her yet, and she intended to follow through on her end of the bargain. "Have they located your unborn?"
"Yes. Will you assist us in freeing it?"
She needed the practice. "My monsters will help. Direct me."
With the spirit's guidance, she made her way to a large chamber still further inside the structure. Equipment similar to what Sage had operated lined the walls on three sides. In the center, a large, light blue orb rested on an elaborate framework inside a circular housing that was clear as water. Thick pipes emerging from the wall penetrated the barrier to wrap around the sphere in a coil. Light shimmered inside it. "What do you need?"
"We will shortly terminate the draw of power from the building. When the light stops flickering, break the outer barrier."
She turned to her pets. So far, she had given them precise instructions, down to the specifics of executing their task. She needed them to be able to give them a goal and decide how best to achieve it. She considered various commands before settling on a simple one.
In Nadir's Shadow Page 19