D'mok Revival: The Nukari Invasion Anthology

by Michael Zummo

  * * * * *

  Eyani, Mini-T, and Bob in his bug-bot form waited patiently as the ship entered the bay. Behind them, a small army of Eden soldiers waited, weapons drawn.

  “What are our priorities?” Bob asked, his robotic cockroach-like body clicking and chirping.

  “We secure Jencho,” Eyani said. “Then I want to update Mencari and his team on what’s going on out there.”

  “Right-oh!”

  Anticipation welled within Eyani. The beast was a great prisoner, but now they had an actual Nukari leader, one that originally handled the Terconian operation no less. She looked forward to finding out what Jencho knew. From what Bob and Mini-T reported, everyone also got back alive. She wondered what wound Allia sustained on this mission.

  She saw Allia looking out the main cockpit, waving as the ship touched down. So she wasn’t hurt? That seemed so odd given Allia’s bad luck in combat.

  The girl always made her smile. Of all her allies, Mencari and his group were the most colorful. She didn’t like to admit it, but she’d allowed herself to grow close to them. As a matter of professionalism she preferred to keep her distance, but there was something endearing about them.

  The hatch hissed opened, Mencari the first one out, followed by Naijen holding Jencho like a sack over his shoulder, then Katen.

  “Rhysus,” Eyani said.

  “Special delivery,” he joked.

  She waved, and the guards collected Jencho from Naijen.

  “He’s trapped in his own mind,” Katen said, pleased with himself. “He can’t awaken until I allow him to.”

  Mencari said, “When his mech exploded, he was thrown hard too. Might want to have the doctor check him out.”

  “Send the doctor to Jencho’s cell,” Eyani said to Bob. With a gesture, the soldiers were off and running with their Nukari treasure.

  “I was hoping to get to the Coalition, but Una said you needed us back here.”

  “I apologize, Rhysus, but having a creature with your abilities inside our walls makes me uneasy. It’s growing agitated.”

  “Maybe it could feel Katen returning?” Allia said, emerging from the ship with a roguish grin.

  The official report from the battle at Fowl 359 said Katen used a mind attack through Cerna to subdue the entire beast army. While effective, the thought of what Katen could do, given he himself was also a Nukari beast, kept her up more than a few nights. Perhaps the captured beast could feel Katen’s presence, or Katen made his presence known. Given the possible reality, Allia’s joke wasn’t terribly funny.

  “I appreciate you coming here directly. I need to give you updates on other Nukari activity as well.”

  “You do your chat thing, I earned another tattoo,” Naijen said, already headed down the corridor. Eyani recalled the tradition from his world to mark their bodies with symbols signifying a significant event or accomplishment. She wondered what the new tattoo would look like.

  Nikko followed saying, “I want to make sure Cogeni is holding up okay.”

  “If you don’t mind, I’ll go as well,” Cerna said. “If something does happen, I can help.”

  Eyani didn’t understand Cerna’s abilities completely. She reviewed the reports that said she could transform and redirect the abilities of others. But how that happened, she wasn’t exactly sure.

  “Toriko, why don’t you take your sister and Palo to the medical unit,” Eyani said. “Let’s get them checked out and make sure they’re okay. After they get checked out, I’d like introduce Maro to Jika.”

  “That’s a great idea,” Toriko said.

  Eyani had hoped to introduce Maro to Jika Lindu, the child prodigy and Terconian catgirl, before now. Toriko found a kindred spirit with Jika, who had created Eden’s famous bug-bot Bob. Together the two tech geniuses created technical marvels. Eyani wondered what the addition of Maro would bring.

  “I know the way,” Mini-T said with a wave.

  “I’ll go too!” Allia followed behind Mini-T as she floated away.

  Eyani’s gaze met the boy’s innocent eyes. “And who is this?”

  “His name is Speru. He came from a world I discovered,” Mencari explained.

  “But you were only gone a short while.”

  “Long story.”

  “Nevertheless, nice to meet you,” she said. Speru’s cheeks turned pink. His shyness was almost cute. “And what’s your skill?”

  “Ah, I boost everyone else’s abilities.”

  “Boost?” That was new. Her thoughts went to attacks she’d witnessed from Naijen and Mencari. Those would get stronger?

  “Speru, come with me,” Osuto said. “We can look at those crystals from your world, and catch you up about our universe. It will take me some time to recover too.”

  As the others walked away, Eyani said, “Follow me, Rhysus. We have a duplicate war room here. I can show you what’s going on there.”

  * * * * *

  She wasn’t kidding. Mencari looked around and thought he was literally back in Eden’s secret section of the Be’Inaxi Trading Post. Along the glass walls were the same pictures of the various worlds they’d visited, in addition to profiles of his team members, and of every Nukari leader or beast encountered to date. It even had an image of the planet Ruul, and of Jencho.

  Scenes floated in holographic projections over the large meeting table in the middle of the room. Each depicted the Nukari beasts in mid-attack. Unlike early pictures, Mencari didn’t recognize any of the places.

  “More attacks?”

  “That’s putting it mildly,” she said, her gaze upon the images grim.

  “Ever since Anrik was rescued, and we captured that creature, there’s been a noticeable spike in attacks. We’re trying to find a pattern. The Wise Men theorize they’re looking for their captured comrade.”

  The Wise Men? Mencari had to recall who those were. Memories of floating avatars came to mind. Humanoid-like men with thick beards, each cloaked in an ornate robe. The tallest, with graying reddish-brown hair, wore a robe of emerald green and golden trim. The shortest, with sandy-blond hair, wore a purple robe with silver trim. The last, in a flaming-red robe with white trim, sported raven-black hair. Melchior, Balthazar, and Kasper, the artificially intelligent offspring of Mini-T and Bob, thanks to Jika’s ingenuity. Ah yes, the Wise Men.

  Eyani’s words brought him back. “But that’s not all,” she was saying. “They’ve started heading deeper into Coalition territory. Mostly smaller targets, but when they hit, they hit hard. I don’t think we need the Wise Men to theorize Anrik might have broken under interrogation while captured. Who knows what the Nukari has about the Coalition operations and bases of operation?”

  “Beyond what they already knew from their initial observations, you mean. Remember, the Nukari had been watching us from phased space for who knows how long before the initial attack.”

  “That’s true,” she said. “I hoped the station destroyed when we freed Anrik was the source of those Nukari beasts. But from their activities, it doesn’t appear to be the case. We need to find where they’re coming from and destroy it.”

  “Any leads?”

  “No, but we do have one of them.”

  “And you think we can get the information out of it?”

  “Setting ethics aside, I think Katen can.”

  * * * * *

  Mencari wasn’t sure what to think as Eyani left the war room a bit later. Was there such a thing as intergalactic rights for prisoners? But they were at war, one they needed to win. It would be an interesting test of loyalty and ability to see what Katen was capable of. If he could invade the mind of the beast and get information, what risk were they themselves under to have the same thing done to them? He didn’t like that thought. Though he recalled a number of times, especially early on, when Katen telegraphed messages directly into their minds to help in a situation. At any time he could have inflicted harm, but he didn’t. While that was true so far, something inside Mencari cried out for some
type of protection to be discovered, in the event they needed it against the turncoat Nukari beast.

  For now he needed to contact the Coalition. He didn’t honestly think he’d reach them, but in the absence of going there in person, this was his only option.

  Taking a seat at the table he called out. “Bob, open a channel to the Coalition, reference the connection protocol from Osuto’s asteroid base.”

  While initially disconcerting, the fact that Bob and Mini-T had equal access to every system with Osuto’s asteroid base, and Eden’s operations, meant he could literally do anything from either location. Mini-T was Toriko’s creation, and had his trust by default. Bob had likewise proved invaluable since their first meeting. In fact, perhaps oddly, he had implicitly trusted Bob from the start.

  “Request acknowledged! Opening connection now.”

  A holographic projection appeared before Mencari, like a golden gateway with a swirling vortex of light. The turning waves were mesmerizing, as he waited patiently.

  As the display changed, an instant of hope was dashed as Bob blurted, “Connection refused.” The small gateway shattered into millions of tiny balls of light, then dissolved.

  “Refused?” Had they cut off his access? “Can you trace the connection?”

  “Affirmative—already have. The transmission route follows the same path used from the asteroid base. The problem is not on this side. Your protocol, and resulting transmission, is being denied on the receiving end.”

  Had he been finally cut off? A knot formed in his stomach. He wanted answers. Demanded answers. He needed to know what was going on, how much he could rely on Anrik’s team for support, and anything else they should have told him, but didn’t.

  He’d tried the official routes of contacting the Coalition. It was time to try his personal contacts.

  “In my personal files, you’ll find the contact information for Admiral Asten: his personal access bits. Open a channel to him directly.”

  “Let’s give it a try!” Bob chirped.

  Another golden gateway appeared. Though, this one had a black void swirling in the middle. “This method appears limited,” Bob said. “Audio only.”

  In moments a familiar voice answered amid a thundering din of background noise. “Hello?”

  “Admiral Asten?”

  “Who is this?”

  “Admiral, it’s Rhysus Mencari.”

  “Oh,” he said with a jovial laugh. “Yes, dear, hold on while I get somewhere I can hear you better.”

  Dear? He’d caught Asten at a bad time. The noise through the connection died down and Asten returned, voice serious. “Rhysus?”

  “Admiral, I’ve tried reaching you.”

  “I know. You need to stop, Rhysus.”

  “What’s going on, Admiral?”

  “Too many things to talk about. We’re in a break—special session of the Department of Defense. Changes are happening rapidly, ones I don’t understand in the least. Something is very wrong here, Rhysus.”

  “Do you need me to—?”

  “No, stay away. Inquiries went crazy after Anrik returned. In fact, I’ve scrubbed all the information about your whereabouts, from every backup too.”

  Asten huffed. “We’ve known each other for a long time, Rhysus. Do not trust anyone here. Not now. Not until I can find out exactly what’s happening and what’s behind it. In fact, let’s go one step further: anyone who attempts to contact you needs a code word.”

  “Is that necessary?”

  “I wouldn’t suggest it otherwise, and I know just the word … Eisah.”

  A chill ran though Mencari. The name echoed in his mind, followed by the memory of piercing green eyes, and then an angry scowl. His lungs began to burn, a reminder for him to breathe again. Asten had indeed known Mencari for a long time, since he first entered the Coalition space force, since before Mencari met Anaka and they had their first child, Rhyiel. He knew things about Mencari no one else did.

  “How is he?” Mencari asked in a mix of shame and curiosity.

  “A handful, as always. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Still lives with his mother in the projects of Doa Vallis, Mars colony. Do you really want to know more?”

  How old would the boy be now? He had to think back. Mencari himself was twenty-nine now. He met Evelyn when he was fourteen and she was twenty. Eisah was born two years later. A tragic mistake of youth, one that could easily have destroyed two prominent families. Their parents worked hard to keep the scandal from getting out. The baby was to be given up for adoption. Images of the last time he saw Eisah attacked his mind. Tiny green eyes peeked curiously through the tightly swaddled blanket. Mencari had just stared, deeply conflicted, unable to speak. Evelyn cried out to him as social workers escorted her away, Won’t you even say goodbye to him?

  Watching his wife and son murdered before his eyes was the only thing more painful than watching his firstborn taken away forever.

  Though, Eisah didn’t end up being adopted. Evelyn changed her mind, decided to move away where no one knew them to raise the boy. It was Asten who first tracked the child down, claiming he had to “judge a man by his actions” and “understand the situation” to know where and how Mencari might fit in his military unit. After accepting Mencari in, Asten scrubbed the file, making sure no one else would discover the child.

  “Yes, I do,” Mencari said to Asten’s question. “Tell me what you know about him.”

  “Doa Vallis is a tough area, poor, rundown. Gangs of Ex-Earthers and Red-Borns run rampant there. There’s intel suggesting he’s leading one of the gangs, as such he’s on a few watch lists.”

  Mencari felt ill. Another failure. A storm of questions plagued him. Would things have been different for his boy had he been there for him? Was there something more he should do for the boy still? Being a part of Anaka and Rhyiel’s life didn’t save them from a violent death. What made him think he’d be a savior to his firstborn?

  “Evelyn still getting the payments?”

  “Every month.”

  “Good.”

  It’s something he’d never told Anaka. Even if Mencari had to be removed from Eisah’s life, he still felt a responsibility for him. He made sure a part of his salary went for the boy’s care.

  “I need to get back, Rhysus. Remember what I said. Trust no one.”

  * * * * *

  A flutter of excitement filled Katen’s chest as he saw the beast claw his radiant cell walls. It was trapped, and he already knew what Eyani wanted him to do to the creature. He liked how she thought. She was also right to fear Katen’s abilities. If they eventually came up with a way to keep him out of their minds, the days would be far less entertaining. Besides, he didn’t want to hurt them; he only wanted the Nukari destroyed. Working with them moved him toward his goal. He’d already demonstrated his value to them in past missions, something he verified directly from the minds of his uneasy allies. Without them knowing, of course. But he held no delusions they’d ever be at ease around him, not really.

  The creature opened its mouth and unleashed a hellish breath of fiery plasma. Ichini moved in front of Allia, and Nikko shrank back with a yelp. The already radiant walls glowed brighter where the attack struck, and absorbed the energy.

  “I have it,” Cogeni said, his face relaxed and serene. He sat cross-legged in a meditative posture, hands clasping a necklace of large, glowing beads.

  “How long can you keep this up?” Nikko asked, gently moving behind her husband, wrapping her arms around him.

  “As long as needed.”

  “I kind of feel bad for it,” Allia said, taking a seat closer to the barrier to gawk at the creature as if it was in a zoo.

  Katen observed Cogeni. From what he’d been told, Cogeni was from a line of priests. His own mother, De’Genico Omura, was the religious leader for their world, Argosy. The man had a supernatural peace about him. The only thing on Cogeni’s mind was an image of a woman in ornate and flowing robes, who poured a radiant l
ight from her hands—the same light surrounding the beast’s cage. Most beings couldn’t attain such focus, yet this one held it with perfection. Curious.

  Warmth filled Katen’s belly, making him smile. Eyani was approaching, and she’d soon request he invade the beast’s mind. He reveled in the thought. It was one thing to simply read minds; it was another to pillage them. And he was certain he’d have to push, more than just a little, to get what she wanted from the beast. But, who was he to refuse such a request? After all, a good ally would do whatever he was asked, even if it caused him excruciating pleasure.

  A tone rang out, and the far door opened. Eyani and Mencari entered, eyes locked on the creature.

  “How is it?” she asked.

  “Contained,” Katen said.

  “We want to find out—”

  “—where they’re coming from?”

  Her body grew rigid. Good, he thought. They still took him seriously. Reminding them he actively read their minds was a fun game, one he couldn’t do too frequently, but occasionally was just fine.

  “I’m assuming you’d like any additional details about the Nukari, if possible,” Katen added.

  Eyani hesitated then said, “Yes.”

  “By your command.” Katen bent down, placing his staff gently on the cell floor before mimicking Cogeni’s cross-legged posture. “Then I shall begin.”

  A manic flurry hindered his focus. He inhaled a breath, and exhaled slowly. As calm came to him, the stimulus of the world dissolved away. He pictured himself falling into shadow, disappearing into blackness. No sounds could reach him, beyond the beating of his own heart and his blood rushing in his ears.

  It had been a while since he’d fully entered another’s mind. He wondered what it would be like to touch the mind of another Nukari creation. He envisioned the beast standing before him, energy wrapped tightly around it, binding it. A spectral hand of wafting energy moved from Katen’s mind toward the beast. The creature grew still as the spectral hand wrapped around its head.

  It didn’t appear to have any defenses of significance. The spectral hand pushed down through the creature’s skull. Elation filled Katen.