The Gauntlet of Possession (The Teracian Chronicles Book 1)

by Christopher Lambert

  The source of the disturbance presented itself as it walked past on four long legs like a giraffe. Spotlights on each of its sides came to life and immediately pointed to them. The machine stood still while it graphed the environment. The curved, shiny body was shaped like a bean lying horizontally with two short laser cannons on the side.

  “It’s only a sentinel; probably just monitoring the area for Teracians. It’ll be on its way soon,” said Antigone.

  “There’s a hollow section in the mountainside over here,” said Ismene as she removed the armed stun rifle from her back. “This is the spot.”

  “We should use a controlled charge as a diversion and ambush whoever comes out.”

  Ismene nodded and removed a tiny sphere from an opening in her armor just below her waist. She planted it on the wall and took cover. Antigone grabbed the plasma cannon on her back and fired it up. The light turned red just as soon as the wall opened up with a small explosion. She hesitated a bit, expecting the worst, but nothing ventured out.

  The sentinel finished its evaluation, and its long, armored legs stomped its way up to the pass beside them. With a harsh robotic voice, “hostile intruders. You have ten seconds to lay down your arms and submit.”

  “We are with the Septunians. Cease your advance,” said Ismene as she gripped her rifle tightly.

  “Threat of violence detected,” said the derelict machine, blasting its spotlights on them.

  With a thunderous crash, the Sentinel vaulted on top of the mountainside and attached itself with winding cords. The laser cannons turned red, and beams began to rip through the surrounding trees, melting the metal throughout.

  Both Antigone and Ismene jumped out of the way just in time as the burning energy scorched the ground.

  “Ismene, turn your Harmonizer to Beta 5 and aim for the legs.”

  “Got it. This thing is making too much racket.”

  “Then we need to silence it quickly,” said Antigone as she fired at its legs with molten plasma. It coated the towering sentinel’s legs but did little to eat through the metal.

  Ismene ran the other direction and let loose a barrage of stun rounds meant to disrupt with non-lethal electricity. The shots connected to its legs and pod, causing it to collapse and fall down the mountain.

  “Nice job. Let’s head into the cavern and find our target.”

  As they reached the tunnel, however, their path became blocked by a falling boulder let loose from the explosion. Ismene planted another charge beneath the rock, and they exited the cave. As they ran out, a dark teal Teracian with orange eyes hovered below the cliff, his wings clanging together in the cold breeze. Antigone and Ismene aimed both of their weapons and stood their ground. A clawing sound beneath the cliff broke apart the rock below, and the Teracian started to lift further above them. The sentinel pod below his feet came into view as it climbed up the mountain towards them. They turned to run the opposite direction but were stopped by a group of gray and black Therak’tow with chests glowing red.

  “Fire,” thought the Teracian, jumping off the Sentinel. His gauntlet fired several shots at them, and soon the others fired as well. The Purtarian mountain pass lit up, while the trees continued to burn. Birds flew overhead, and many other small animals tried to escape, but some were caught in the blaze. A group of white crab-like creatures charged the Teracians and trampled them to the ground; their massive claws barely missing the leader. He fired a powerful energy blast, sending the giant crabs flying off the mountain in a ball of fire. A frantic voice bellowed into the girl’s helmets. “Use the Shift and get into that cave. I’m sending a transport ship to assist. Don’t let them move the target.”

  With a flash, both Antigone and Ismene vanished, leaving a gust of wind to combat the fire. The teal Teracian yelled for the Therak-tow to follow them, as they teleported off the mountain. The blaze stopped in its tracks as the sentinel lifted one of its tendrils and rotated it like a wind turbine. It then proceeded, stomping down the mountain trail to resume its route.

  The cave tunnels were dark and appeared to go on for miles down the mountain. Antigone and Ismene, like two ants in a maze of broken glass, walked on expecting for the Therak’tow to ambush them at any moment. As they went further in, they could feel a sudden and intense heat at several points along the walls as if energy were passing through. Antigone brought up a map in her visor of the surrounding area and saw that they were reaching the end of the network.

  “This isn’t good. They’re certainly waiting to kill us the moment we enter that chamber,” said Ismene, shaking slightly with the rifle in her hand.

  “Remember our training. We can’t be merciful to these creatures, don’t forget that,” said Antigone as she minimized the visor on her helmet. A small lock of red hair fell in front of her green eyes. “We need to set off the charges back at the entrance. Maybe that will distract them.”

  “Right.”

  Ismene stood silent for a second, concentrating on the neuro interface with her suit. Within seconds, the bomb ignited, causing the cavern to rumble.

  “Let’s move,” Antigone said, rushing ahead towards the source of the extreme heat. They took a turn to the left and found themselves at the entrance to a large sub-floor. Around the room were dim lights and electronic static. The floor below them was a sturdy plastic with a black outline; along that perimeter were several working computers and large monitors. They approached the center of the room, and a spark ignited, causing them to jump back. Antigone raised her plasma cannon and pointed it around the room. One by one, the light displays came to life in each corner. After the process was finished, the room’s secrets were visible. In the back of the chamber was a large a containment pod with the designation written on the top: DZ064.

  Antigone immediately turned on her commlink, “Lieutenant Nocturne, we’ve found the target. How should we proceed?”

  They waited to hear the response, but nothing came through except silence. She tried again, “Antigone to Lieutenant Nocturne of the Septune Station do you read me?”

  “This isn’t good. Can we get to him outside of the container?”

  “I don’t know what he’ll do if we open it. He isn’t the same person he once was.”

  As they approached the containment unit, they saw more clearly what was inside. Antigone put her hand against the glass, perhaps waiting for the same by its inhabitant; a college student with black hair and sky-blue eyes suspended in a stasis pod.

  A sudden sound caused her to remove her hand, and the next thing they knew, a large group of Therak’tow had entered the room. In front of them was the same Teracian they had fought earlier. None of them spoke, and no one dared to make a move. It was as if each side was waiting for the other. Abruptly, before either party could advance, a golden ray of light appeared in front of them. Antigone shielded her eyes beneath the helmet. In an instant, a woman made of pure energy materialized right in the center of the conflict. Her hair waved with a mixture of colors as she walked up to the vessel and placed her hand on it.

  The Therak’tow backed away as if she were a threatening force. They snarled, and the holes in their chest plates leaked a strange slime. Antigone could barely contain herself and fumbled to turn up her suit’s emotional stability chemicals, but couldn’t concentrate.

  “You, you’re not Krysanthe are you? I’ve seen you before.”

  “Dear children, you always try to seek out all of the answers, now don’t you? Krysanthe is only a model I used to take a physical form. Such beauty and grace coming from an artificial being. So many lives inhabit me now; I am one, and I am all.”

  “You have to help us. Do you know what they have contained here?”

  “I know exactly what they have contained here, and I know a way out. Find the crystals and the power you seek. Be cautious, my little rose, and remember that you’re not alone in this journey,” she said in a soothing voice.

  “The One Mind! Get her before she escapes,” one of the corrupted Teracians thoug
ht, running straight for her. Before he got close, she disappeared into sparks and left without a trace.

  Looking for a way out, Antigone stepped back and saw that the Teracian leader was approaching her rapidly. In a swift motion, the gauntlet on his wrist lit up and a roaring energy beam collided with Ismene, slamming her against the wall.

  Antigone fired a shot, but it missed, flying past the Teracian’s head and into the cavern ceiling; it ruptured slightly as a few rocks fell onto the dark floor. To her left, Ismene fired arcs of lighting from her rifle. With swiftness, she leaped up from the floor. Five Therak’tow were hit and crumbled to the ground. The rest returned fire like a bullet storm at Ismene, but she was too fast. Expanding his wings, the orange-eyed Teracian tackled her. She crashed into the glass container. It shook and electricity arched to the ceiling from a dislodged wire.

  Antigone, almost out of breath, rushed to her side, “Ismene you have to teleport us out of here.”

  “I won’t let you escape us again,” thought the Teracian as he grabbed ahold of Antigone just as her partner shifted out of the cavern. With an audible heave, he slammed her against the ground, cracking her suit down the middle. The Therak-tow watched as their leader pried off her helmet and threw it across the room; it smacked against the stasis unit and bounced. She saw his chest suddenly change to a dim white and his eyes widened.

  “Find the girl. We cannot let this area be known by anyone,”

  Without thinking a word, the Therak’tow raised their falling brethren from the floor and ran out towards the tunnels.

  “Anya Rose? You’re still alive,” he said, rubbing the blood away from a deep cut on her forehead.

  The girl continued to struggle and wiggled around, but the bulky Teracian was too much. Eventually, she stopped. Her suit was powering down from the leaking energy on the cracked nuclear fusion battery. The Teracian’s mouth plate opened, and a child-like voice spoke, “Anya, you have to calm down. It’s me, Cody and Azek. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Over 8 months have gone by so fast; I’ve missed you.”

  A sudden wind gust appeared next to them, and the yellow-tinted cyborg rolled onto her knees. With haste, she quickly grabbed her rifle and pointed it to Azek’zander, “Let go of her or I’ll shoot.”

  “No, Brenda, lay down the gun. It’s Cody and Azek’zander.”

  Brenda took off her helmet and dropped it to the floor, “Cody. Azek. They wouldn’t tell us what happened to you after the attack at Windenfall.”

  Azek ’zander’s voice returned, “I’m sorry, but this is no time to discuss this. They will be back soon.”

  “We’re here to return William and Dazshra to Septunian command,” Antigone said, wiping away the blood from her forehead. “Please tell me you aren’t aligned with them?”

  “I’m afraid I can’t let you do that. William sealed himself in this containment cell to prevent Dazshra’s return.”

  “Then what the hell are the Therak’tow doing with you, Azek?”

  “I am as much a prisoner as you are. They are under false pretenses that he requires time to grow in strength. I had no other choice but to blend into their ranks.”

  Anya felt her suit activate suddenly, and a rush of chemicals entered her system. She looked over at Brenda as she placed her hand on her head. Both of us are receiving the suppressant without activating it.

  “Are you two okay?”

  Gunfire rattled the cave and the sound of bodies hitting the floor vibrated along the tunnel walls like an orchestra of death. Footsteps drowned out the screams, and without haste, a battalion of soldiers entered the room. They each wore a dark body armor and plasma rifles at the ready. Behind them stood an underdressed man with dark, long black hair, a shotgun resting on his shoulder, and a toothpick in his mouth. His eyes were a bright blue reminiscent of an endless sea. He let the shotgun fall behind his back, shooting a struggling Teracian as she dragged herself across the floor.

  “Great job, girls. You reached the objective and captured the fugitive Teracian.”

  “You aren’t taking William. You have no idea what it took to find this place and secure a working containment pod.”

  “I understand completely, but protocol is protocol. Supreme Commander Miller would have my ass if I left you all here. Trust me, you don’t want to mess with him. If you resist, we will shoot you down,” he said, fidgeting with the northern white owl patch on his uniform.

  Anya gripped the plasma cannon in her hand tightly. She was unable to see William in the enclosure but could feel that he was still in there. The cavern air chilled her face and the nerves near her exposed wound.

  “Anya, please put down your weapon,” the lieutenant said, watching her every move. He turned a switch on his chest, and she grabbed ahold of her head.

  “I can’t do that, sir. This Teracian is a personal friend of mine,” she said, trying to resist the increased mood suppressants.

  “This dial can go as high as you want it to go, Rose. This alien played a role in the assassination of Actavian.”

  Anya backed away towards the containment shell while Brenda followed her. As they got close, she started to shut down. Flashes of light were erupting in her eyes, and loud howls were ringing in her head. She stumbled and grabbed ahold of a nearby metal table and tried to regain her balance, but the onslaught of endorphins was too much. Lightheaded and dizzy, she stumbled towards the pod and rested her hand next to the emergency ejection lever.

  “Turn the dial down. You’re gonna kill her,” Brenda screamed, pointing it to Nocturne. Surprised, he placed his hands in the air. The soldiers behind him all aimed their rifles and charged the plasma within the cells. The lieutenant turned the dial to low and motioned for his battalion to lower their firearms. With everyone watching Anya, Nocturne flipped a switch, causing their suits to stall temporarily. The two college girls collapsed onto the floor and could only watch as he fired a round near Azek’zander. The Teracian, consumed by rage, dodged the round and shifted from spot to spot, incapacitating the guards one by one until only Nocturne remained.

  “You bastard,” said Nocturne as he was face to face with a gauntlet pointed to his head.

  “Like I said before, you aren’t taking him anywhere.”

  CONTAINMENT POD DZ064 OPENING. PLEASE CLEAR THE AREA FOR SECURE TRANSPORT OF THE SPECIMEN. CONTAINMENT POD DZ064: WILLIAM DANTE HAS BEEN OPENED. PLEASE CLEAR THE AREA.

  Anya attempted to lift herself up but had crashed into the release lever. Blood flowed from her head as Brenda tried to help her. The exposed wire clashed with the nearby computer equipment, ending with an abrupt and fierce blaze engulfing the edge of the room. It quickly spread as a nearby siren went off.

  Upon seeing Anya hit the ground, Lieutenant Nocturne suddenly fell to his knees and grabbed his head. Azek’zander typed on the keyboard, opening up an access point near the pod and snatched the contents: a polished, yellow crystal. The teal Teracian watched as the army official curled to the fetal position with wide eyes, “My head. God, it burns. What’s happened? Why do I see these visions? Such destruction and bloodshed all around,” he said thrashing on the cold ground, “they’re all dead. The Delta plague killed them all. I couldn’t save any of them; the Dante Rebellion has failed. How could I be so ignorant of his power.”

  The owl patch on his chest peeled slightly, exposing three bold letters on the back: A.M.R.

  Fourteen

  Chronological Equilibrium

  The images collected in Allen’s eyes like a flock of birds diving to eat from a fruitful tree; each one pecking at him relentlessly. He had lost track of time but knew several days had passed. The trials he and Trevor must bear for the responsibility of the gauntlet had begun. Flickers of the real world flashed every so often, letting him know that daybreak was approaching. The cold, harsh wind sliced at his skin. Like Atlas holding up the sky, the duty given to him and Trevor felt overbearing. Allen wondered if such a titan existed on this planet and if it held up their emerald horizon.


  “Allen, you have to focus your mind, or this will never work. Our meditation is much more complicated.”

  “I’m trying, Taiyah, but I can’t seem to do this.”

  She came closer, staring into his brown eyes, “Let’s take a walk.”

  Rising from the ground beneath him, Allen cracked his shoulder and felt the cold metal below it. Although the air was frigid, his shoulder didn’t ache. An entire quarter isn’t enough time to get used to an arm like this; six months isn’t enough time for anyone.

  He walked along a path near a group of elegant metallic houses. Each one exhibited a different color, and some soared high into the air like guard towers. He saw other Teracians meditating as well and many of them levitating as their wings fluttered in the breeze. I don’t belong here. Allen sat down near a set of rocks and examined them. Veins of metal ore collected in clumps around the outside and were rough to his touch. Taiyah sat down next to him. Together, they watched the clouds go by, and the ocean waves leap in the distance.