by Riker Kane
“The gauntlets did all the work.”
“Yes. The Slayer Gauntlets. I never thought I would hear about them… again.”
I slowly shifted my eyes back toward him. His expression hadn’t changed. He hadn’t moved, his hands behind his back as he looked down his nose at me.
“Oliver Drake,” I said. “My father…”
That was all I had to say to get a reaction from him. He slowly exhaled a deep breath through his nose. His brow furrowed in slight disappointment.
“Seventeen years ago. I was only a young scientist with the Legion back then, continuing the work my father did back in Japan. Dr. Redgrave was full of energy and excitement and enthusiasm. But he was a genius, too. He backed everything up with the data. When he presented the Slayer Project, everybody, including my father, had no choice but to agree to it.
“The Slayer Project needed a conduit, however. Someone willing to step up and do something unconventional. Omegas venture into Pandora knowing their lives are never truly at risk because of their Recall Boxes. Most of our research and technology went into regeneration to mitigate any losses. But it took a true Omega to step up and risk losing everything.
“There was a chance of no respawning. There was a chance of no do-overs. But the reward of possibly ending the war in Pandora was worth whatever risk. Oliver Drake was the only man suited for the job because he was willing to take the risk without hesitating.”
“And it looks like that risk didn’t pay off.”
“I’m sorry—”
“No, you’re not.” I shook my head, smiling to stop the anger from bubbling inside of me. “My father risked everything and what did it get him? Nothing has changed. Pandora is still a threat. But you know what bugs me even more? He doesn’t even exist. Redgrave told me you wiped him from the record books. All that’s left of him are some classified files nobody will ever see. I’ve got all my memories of him but I was so young the last time I saw him, I wonder if even those are real…”
There was no point in crying over it now. I got all of that out when I was a kid. All I could do was shake my head. One of the guys responsible for what happened was standing right in front of me and he didn’t care.
“What did Redgrave tell you?” he asked.
“You don’t already know? Or has my father been erased from the record books long enough that you don’t remember?”
“Hmm… I see… I’m certain Redgrave told you your father may still be alive in Anarchy. His Mana may be preserved in the chaos of the farthest, uncharted dimension on record.”
“That’s right.”
“Have you ever wondered why nobody in the Legion has bothered to go after your father? Do you think Redgrave is the only individual, after seventeen years, who would consider maybe there’s a chance to save him?”
It was a good question. The fact that Higashi was asking me meant he had an answer he was just dying to give to me.
“It isn’t a simple matter of going into Pandora and killing every Shadow and destroying every Obelisk we come across. There are powers at work. Greater powers we’ve only just begun to understand, even after forty years of research since the First Event. Whenever an Omega ventures into Pandora and gains levels, it upsets that balance that already existed. It draws the attention of those that want to destroy all of us.”
“Sounds good. Draw ‘em out and kill ‘em. I don’t see what the problem is.”
“The problem is the Shadows we’ve detected are stronger than we could anticipate. There are Omegas on record who have leveled into the hundreds. But even Red Mana is no match for age. As they’ve gotten older, their power becomes limited. And with limited power, they have less of a chance to challenge the greatest Shadows. And that isn’t even considering the Heralds who have only just made their presence known.”
Higashi spoke every word with conviction. It was no surprise someone like him was at the top of the food chain.
“If you venture into Anarchy, there’s no telling what kind of threat you’ll draw the attention of. The Heralds will see this aggression and may launch a counterattack we are ill-prepared for. Not to mention that Anarchy itself is unstable. Humans weren’t meant to exist in such a dimension. It’s the reason Oliver… was lost.”
I got up from my seat and took a step toward him. “Redgrave figured it out. He can keep my essence stable—”
“Yes. We’ve reviewed all of his theories. It’s possible, for a short time, you would be able to exist in Anarchy. But only temporarily. And that’s only one part of the equation. The threat level will increase if you attempt this.”
Higashi kept staring hard at me. The guy was a fucking statue. I put my hands on my hips and sighed in frustration.
“What if it was your father? What if you lost somebody you were close to in Pandora?”
“My daughter is a proud Omega. This is in spite of my personal protests against it.”
“Your daughter… What if she ventured into Anarchy? What if she was gone? Wouldn’t you do everything you could to try and save her?”
I took another step toward him. I wanted to look him right in the eye. I wanted to hear him say it. Say that I was right and I had to do this. This was the chance I had to take.
But Higashi didn’t give me the answer he knew I wanted to hear. “Oliver Drake knew the risks. He was willing to go through with it anyway.”
“I’m not just gonna sit here and accept it. I’m gonna do something about it.”
“I’m afraid that’s not an option.”
“The hell it isn’t—”
“What about your friends? Your companions? Are you willing to risk them, too?”
Jade. Alisa. Redgrave. I’d almost forgotten about them. I wasn’t about to take them for granted.
“They’ve got nothing to do with this. I’ll go into Anarchy by myself.”
“I don’t doubt that. You’ve inspired a sense of loyalty from them. I don’t know what it is you did but they’re as adamant about continuing this venture as you are. I want you to consider them for a moment.”
“What’s there to consider?”
“If you continue your pursuit, the LOD will be forced to take action. All of you will be punished. But the LOD isn’t so short-sighted. Which is why we’re willing to make you an offer. You’ve done your part for humanity even though your goals were different. Miss Conrad is already an Omega. She’ll be allowed to maintain her status and carry the title. Miss Bosworth will also be given the opportunity to take the oath as well. And the same offer is extended to you.”
The thought of becoming an Omega made me wanna puke all over his fancy suit and punch him at the same time. I clenched my fists, just holding on for as long as I could because I knew I couldn’t do anything.
“Think about it,” he said.
“I don’t need to.”
He took a step back from me. A frown on his lips, Higashi looked me up and down with disappointment in his eyes.
“Your emotions are running high. Take a moment to gather yourself. Calm down. Relax. Once you’re able to think with a clear head, you’ll see how unreasonable you’re being now.”
He turned around and walked toward the door. The green lights around it all lit up.
“Just ask yourself this. If your father was here, what would he say to you? Would he tell you to risk yourself going after him?”
It was obvious what he was trying to do. I wasn’t gonna fall for it.
“I won’t answer a hypothetical about my father when you won’t do the same for your daughter.”
“Hmm…”
Higashi straightened his suit jacket then walked out with his escort. The door slammed shut like a vault and the lights around it turned red.
I stood there and stared at the door. All of my emotions came back to me, swirling around inside of my head. But more than anything else, I was numb.
I was on the doorstep to Anarchy. The door was closed though. And I couldn’t think of any way to get it open.
>
43: Sneak Attack
I lost track of time. Could’ve been any time of the day outside. All I could do was lie on my bed and stare at the lights. They seemed to keep adjusting so it was never too bright in the room. My thoughts were the only thing stopping me from going crazy. At least when I finally lost it, I wouldn’t be bored.
My eyelids started to flicker when the door beeped. I watched the green lights outline the door as it slid open. Two armed men in black Legion uniforms stepped in. A couple of bald bastards with beady eyes. They had to make it a point how tough they were by not smiling as they pointed their weapons at me.
“Move it.”
I thought about asking them what this was all about. Maybe I had a chance to escape. Then again, I had no idea where the hell I was.
“Don’t even think about trying anything,” the other man said. “These things can take down people higher level than you.”
“I’m not gonna try anything. Let’s go, assholes.”
They escorted me into the hallway. It was the same as my room. Polished steel walls. Bright boxed lights shining above. A black granite floor that squeaked from my sneakers twisting against it.
We walked down the hallway until moving into what looked like the main hall of the building. The circular room was wide, like standing in a hotel lobby. I could see all of the floors above me. Everything seemed to be made of glass and steel. Digital displays on the walls had all sorts of information and numbers I didn’t bother trying to figure out. In the center of the granite floor, the LOD symbol was emblazoned in gold on the tiles.
All of the displays. The shine on everything. There was even that new electronic smell in the air. This wasn’t some ordinary building. No, we were definitely in something LOD funded.
“This way.”
They pointed me toward another sliding glass door. I stepped in and realized it was an elevator. Our ascent to the fourth floor was brief but another short walk down the hallway gave me another chance to look around.
“You assholes gonna tell me what this is all about?”
“Stay in line. Keep moving.”
“There’s no line…” I muttered.
We came upon another set of glass double doors. They slid open and I looked inside the room. It was spacious from what I could see. But when I stepped inside, I realized it was even bigger than I thought.
“Holy shit…”
My jaw dropped when I saw it. The room was as long as a football field with four more floors. More Junction Gates than I could count were on each of the floors, all of them resonating softly with a blue, red, or green pulse. On one side of the room, a giant digital display the size of a movie theater screen had more unintelligible numbers and information on it.
The room was definitely where the Legion conducted their operations. I’d been spending so much time in that warehouse I didn’t realize what it would take to monitor dozens of Omegas who were fighting at the same time. I got my answer.
My eyes shifted around, trying to take in the bright lights and the fancy LOD technology. I was so distracted I didn’t even notice Jade and Alisa standing a few meters away. They were escorted by a couple of guards themselves. Neither of them looked too happy, obviously.
Off to the side of the room, Dr. Redgrave worked on his tablet. One hand holding the device up, his other hand tapped and swiped on the display like he was hard at work.
There were a bunch of computers and digital displays next to him. Monitoring equipment like it was an air traffic controller’s room. Another scientist in a white lab coat examined the monitor in front of him. His hair was thin and white, going in every direction like there was a fan blowing except there wasn’t.
My escort moved me over to Jade and Alisa as they waited for whatever Redgrave was busy doing.
“You all right?” I asked them.
Alisa gave me a half-hearted smile and shrugged. Jade stayed calm and composed as she nodded. Neither of them was in bad shape, so I took that as some kinda victory.
The guards escorted us over to the work area where Redgrave and the other scientist were busy at. I immediately noticed the gauntlets sitting on a table off to the side. How could I not notice a pair of steel gloves just sitting there? Of course, the light bulb flipped on in my head. If I could get to them, I had a chance.
“Don’t even think about it.” One of the bald guards behind me poked me in the back with his barrel. “I see you eyeballing those things. You make one move and you’ll wake up back in your room.”
I turned my head and shrugged at him. “I wouldn’t even try.”
Redgrave finally looked up from his tablet and bowed his head to me. He let out a deep sigh before a slight smile cracked the corner of his lips. “This is him.”
The other scientist turned his head up and shuffled over to me. He was as old as Redgrave. His posture wasn’t much better. His face was wrinkled and the empty spots on his head were covered with liver spots. His white hair looked even wackier up close.
He looked me up and down, his eyebrows dancing up and down and threatening to knock off his glasses. “So… You’re the Slayer.”
“I’m the Slayer,” I replied.
“This here is Dr. Bonet,” Redgrave said. “He’s one of the lead scientists here at the Vegas District.”
“We’re the newest LOD District but we’ve made some remarkable advancements. The Omegas here are doing a commendable job.”
“I’m sure they are,” I said. “But you’re telling me something I don’t give a shit about.”
“Perhaps not.” There was a slight smugness in Bonet’s tone. I guess all smart guys had that kinda attitude because they earned it. “I know you have no interest in becoming an Omega yourself. That doesn’t mean you can’t lend your efforts in the war against Pandora. I’m attempting to recover the battle data from your attempt to travel to Anarchy. Most of it is recorded in these.”
He held up three communicators in his hand.
“Dr. Redgrave managed to encrypt the data so that it can’t be read unless it’s reading your Mana signatures. Remember. They’re only communicators. So don’t attempt anything.”
Bonet handed Jade, Alisa, and me our communicators. My touchscreen display lit-up but none of the information on it had changed.
“Now… If you’ll give me a moment, I’ll download the data into our database. The information on the environments you traveled to will be available to others. Any new Shadows you encountered will also be entered into our bestiary. I know you have no interest in assisting the Legion in an official capacity. Perhaps you’ll find some consolation in knowing your efforts will assist others.”
“I don’t find any consolation in at all,” I said.
Bonet frowned and his eyebrows sagged a little. “Stand by.” He walked over to one of the digital monitors and began swiping his finger on it. I glanced at it and watched the data being transferred wirelessly from my communicator.
Alisa had her head down, her hands behind her back like she’d rather be anywhere else in the world. Jade stared straight ahead with no emotion on her face. Both of them were wearing jeans and plain t-shirts, which made me chuckle.
“What’s so funny?” Alisa said.
“Nothing. I was just thinking how out of place you two look in this room.”
“You’re not exactly dressed for success either, fancy pants.”
“Never said I was.”
“This isn’t the first time I’ve ever been in a Junction Room,” Jade said. “Never thought I’d be in here with you two. Shame the circumstances aren’t any better.”
I managed to forget about everything else happening long enough to smile.
I looked over at Redgrave and he was just staring at me. The guy probably had more to lose than any of us. He had every reason to be stressing out. But he was so calm, I almost thought something was wrong with him.
“There we are,” Bonet said. “Your data has been uploaded. It’ll be interesting to read the statisti
cs of the Slayer. Your damage output should be remarkable. You’ve experienced tremendous growth faster than most Omegas. Perhaps we’ll offer a new class for Omegas to choose from.”
“Good luck getting your engineers to make some gauntlets,” I said. “Blueprints for them have been destroyed. You’re looking at the last pair on that table over there.”
Bonet looked over at Redgrave. “Yes… I suppose we’ll have to do more research to see if we can reverse engineer them. Regardless, I thank you again, Mr. Drake. And your companions as well. I know the offer to become official Omegas has been presented to you. I do hope you take time to consider it.”
“All the time in the world won’t change my mind.”
“Stubborn. You’d do well as an Omega. Now… If you’ll just give me your communicators—”
“Hold on one moment.” Redgrave interrupted him and stepped forward. “There’s one more thing I need to do.”
Bonet’s eyebrows danced again. “What’s that?”
“I need to remove the lock. Since they won’t be needing them anymore, I’ll take this moment to de-sync them. If you don’t mind.”
Bonet looked down his nose at Redgrave. One of his eyes started to close as he leaned forward. Redgrave stood his ground as the strange scientist began looking at him like he was trying to stare at his insides.
“…All right,” Bonet said with a nod. “Remove the lock.”
Redgrave shifted his eyes toward me. He didn’t blink. He just kept looking at me long enough for me to realize something was up.
I looked back over at the gauntlets but there was no chance I could get to them. I kept searching, wondering if there was something he wanted me to do. But I couldn’t find it.
“Dr. Bonet,” Redgrave said. “There’s just one more thing I needed to tell you before I unlock their communicators.”
“Eh? And what’s that?”
Redgrave sighed a deep breath then shrugged as he began tapping on his tablet. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry?” Bonet twisted his brow. “Sorry for what—Ahhh!”