The Gauntlet of Possession (The Teracian Chronicles Book 1)

by Christopher Lambert

  They walked down the small set of stairs, and Allen noticed no blood or trails of filth. The clean white walls and patterned floors appeared as though no one had walked on them. His stomach ached with anticipation for what he would find. Azek’zander opened up a reinforced door and led them inside. Anya sat down near a healing pod and turned their direction as they entered a colorful force field attached to the door. Trevor whispered to himself as they entered the virtual room. All around them was a realistic beach and a warm sunset. Waves splashed as the tide rose and fell; seagulls squawked and flew towards the ocean. Trevor had told him about this kind of technology on the station. Even though it was an illusion, the sun felt nice on his cold skin.

  “Anya, your friends have arrived. Unfortunately, Nocturne has escaped. He is suffering from mental breakdowns, but he wouldn’t let me help him. The Septunians will find him eventually.”

  Anya rose to hug them. Allen expected her to cry seeing him, but she didn’t. She hugged Trevor next and then Taiyah, as the Teracian initiated the action. The look on her face was hardened and tired. She’s not the same timid girl I once knew.

  “I can’t believe it’s been a year since we last saw each other. You just missed Will. He left through the teleporter in a room down the hall. There is so much to tell you both, but not enough time. Trevor, you need to be with your sister before it’s too late.”

  Trevor hesitated, looking from Anya to the pod and back to her. “What’s wrong with her? Is she gonna be okay?”

  “There was an incident at the top of the mountains. She was attacked by...” she hesitated for a moment, “she was attacked by these towering machines. We all were, and we were lucky to escape with our lives. I’m sorry, Trevor, but she was severely injured in the attack.”

  With a mixture of anger and concern, Trevor and Allen rushed over to Brenda. She lay in a cushioned bed surrounded by life support machines and many others built into the device. Bruises, cuts, broken bones, and bloody clothing sent Trevor into a breakdown. He started to tear up and held her hand in his own. Allen held back his emotions but found it harder and harder with each passing second. Her chest rose and fell, resulting in a raspy breathing and frequent painful coughs. Allen rubbed her arm and felt her move. Opening her eyes, she looked at the two of them. One eye was white as snow, and the other was bloodshot. The machine keeping her alive sent out continuous fluids and monitored her vitals.

  “Trevor, Allen. You’re both alright. I’m sorry this happened to me. I wasn’t good enough,” she said with tears streaming down her face.

  “No, no, don’t say that. None of this is your fault. You’re gonna be fine, alright. You’re gonna be fine.”

  “You’re wearing gauntlets on your arms like Anya. No one’s gonna mess with you now, huh? That’s good,” she said coughing up traces of blood. “Listen, I know I don’t have much time left. I’d like to just enjoy the scenery a little while longer with all of you.”

  Anya put her arm around Allen as she joined them.

  “Anya, there has to be something we can do. These gauntlets might be able to help. We were given sacred crystals. Maybe we can…”

  He was cut short as Anya shook her head. “I’ve already tried. I have one too. The One Mind visited us back at the mountain pass. Allen, she’s too far gone for help. Dazshra tore her apart. I’m not sure how’s she even survived.”

  He bowed his head in defeat as they all gathered chairs and sat around her. The warm sunset and traces of green grace among the sand made them him feel at home. The peaceful despair, a juxtaposition of a girl’s final moments on a virtual beach within a darkening world. Allen waved at Taiyah and pulled up a chair for her to sit on. For several minutes, nothing mattered to anyone.

  “Remember how we all met? Well, Trevor and I were born as twins, so that doesn’t count. Anya, we met at our cooking class in 7th grade. You burnt that pie, and I had to help you salvage it.”

  “That pie couldn’t have gotten more burnt, huh?” said Anya, trying to remain calm.

  “I can sense that tone in your voice. You don’t have any more tears left, do you? I don’t want you to cry.”

  A large wave crashed near them, and artificial water hit them in the leg. In disbelief, Allen shuffled his foot and touched it. His hand was dry.

  “Allen met Trevor and me on our first day in high school. We didn’t know what to do beings as it was a different country, but he made us feel at home. Thank you, Allen.”

  “You’re welcome, Brenda. I couldn’t let you two get picked on or anything.”

  Silently, Azek’zander approached the group, and a teenage voice left his lips. “Tell me she’s gonna be okay? Brenda, you can’t die.”

  Tears left the Teracians face as he nervously walked down the beach towards them.

  “Cody, come here honey. Take my hand. Don’t cry. I’m glad to see you one last time.”

  Her machine made one last pump and slowly started to shut down.

  “This breeze feels great. Trevor, Allen, Anya, Cody. I love you guys. I’ll always love you. Tell Will I forgive him…” she said as her voice trailed off and went still.

  Trevor stood up and squeezed her hand, “Brenda? Brenda! She’s gone. My sister’s gone.”

  Birds gathered in the center of the ocean and escaped with a fish between their mouths. The sun set completely, and the solemn waves crept up against the shore. Small turtles came up to rest as a single gray dolphin flipped into the air. All was calm, and all was serene, but in that serenity, was loneliness and regret.

  Nineteen

  Corruption of the Mind

  Awakened and angry, the monster inside the surgeon’s corpse came to life and forced himself upon them. The room shook, and the lights flickered as if a tornado was tearing through the medical center. Gunfire and yells; pain and rage. All at once, their quiet mourning came to an end. Anya and the rest of her friends stood up and looked at each other for guidance. No one spoke as the building went silent. A slight beeping went off and loud footsteps. Too late, the device erupted, and a powerful explosion pummeled it into submission. They all ran out at once after hearing the fighting stop. Fire and debris were scattered all around the console room. In the corner was a black, smoldering mass with blood oozing all around it. Jace Sorehn yelled for them to hurry to the ship.

  “Go now, all of you. This thing isn’t done fighting.”

  “What the hell is it?” said Trevor, powering up his gauntlet.

  “What about Brenda? We can’t just leave her here,” said Anya.

  Kicking open the main hospital door and signaling for Strotsky, Jace said, “Something we thought was long dead.”

  Anya looked at the monstrosity and recognized the lab coat,” I saw Dr. Stevson die with my own eyes. Whatever that is, it isn’t him.”

  As Sorehn turned around, the hardened, dark body stood straight up. His skin started to grow back at a rapid pace and was soon replaced by a thick material over most of his body. With glowing blue eyes, it stared at all of them, and with a primal-like howl, it charged at them. Trevor, quick to act, moved out of the way and blasted the beast back a few inches. It turned and grabbed his leg, throwing him into a medical cart. Anya and Allen were on the monster instantly. Allen attempted to slice at its skin and Anya smashed its legs with a hammer, but nothing affected it. Distracted, it turned around and took an electromagnetic shock to the face. Jace shot it again and again, and the creature was momentarily stunned.

  “His armor’s too thick. Get to the ship. That’s an order.”

  “I’m not running. I’m sick of feeling powerless and weak. This crystal is all I need to stop this. That man tore me apart so he could rebuild me as some cyborg. No, not anymore. Allen, Trevor, help me stop him before he hurts anyone else.”

  “Anya, I didn’t know. What did he do to you?” said Allen.

  “You guys know how to use this I assume?” she said holding her gauntlet in the air. “Break his shield, and we might get to his weak points,” she said
, pushing the red hair out of her eyes. She was terrified, but if she couldn’t handle this, how could she handle facing William?

  “Damnit. Strotsky, come in. Prepare the Crimsath for takeoff. We’ve got to take care of something first.”

  “Taiyah, go around us and get inside,” Allen said as the creature started to rise from the ground.

  Its gaze was hostile and uncalculating. Taiyah slowly crouched and walked behind them towards the ship. With swiftness unrivaled by anything Anya had seen, Stevson ran by them and targeted the young Teracian. He grabbed her by the neck and punched her into the ship. With a scream, she collided with the cold metal and was knocked out cold; blue blood dripped from her dark chest plate. The doctor ran past them and returned to the console room, craving to be challenged. They all ran outside, and Trevor guarded the rear. As soon as they were out of the building, the abomination swiftly flew in front of the Teracian.

  “Taiyah!” said Allen as he was pushed back after colliding with the doctor.

  “What fragile insects, these creatures. Let’s make this interesting. I’ll let you all escape if you give me the girl. I’ve never had the chance to experiment on a Teracian as special as her.”

  “Piss off. What makes you think we’ll bargain with you?” said Trevor.

  The coal-black fiend’s skin began to regenerate, replacing his hard shell with human skin. Taking a breath, it said, “Because if you don’t, I’ll kill her and use her as a meat puppet for my experiments. If all of you can escape this place, then you’re free to go. I won’t follow you. Do we have a deal?”

  “You’re going to regret this. You’ll get nothing from us,” said Anya.

  “Let the entertainment commence,” Stevson said with a maniacal laugh. “I’ve been waiting for a chance like this. I’ll cut you all down.”

  With a loud blast, several small pieces of metal started to fall off the space station above them. Ships and large cruisers flooded the sky with laser and plasma beams, covering the atmosphere like a light show. Anya saw the Septune Station begin to open on the east side. An alarm went off as the panel unlocked, allowing an immense ship exit its bowels. It was reminiscent of an aircraft carrier but 10 times the size. To them, however, it appeared to be insignificant. A powerful voice suddenly pierced their ears.

  “My Therak’tow, here me now. Crack open the station and filet the humans like the fish they are. Our master awaits.”

  “The bloodshed from this might just rival some of the conflicts during the Quantum War back on Earth. Has anyone told you about that yet? It was a fight between the Delta Plaque Survivors and Actavian for control over his little A.I puppet. It’s why we’re here in the first place. The Quantum Infinity, an endless power to control life and reality itself. No one could have anticipated the billions of bodies destroyed over a theoretical concept. Will you fight for this proud alien race, doomed to die as humanity has, or will you perish here?”

  “We fight for more than just ourselves. More than you stand for.”

  The surgeon laughed. “You fight to keep yourselves alive; for a promise to return home. Honestly, the past year has been most entertaining to watch. First the Delta survivors, now the Theta Resistance group. You humans spend your whole existence fighting over lines and ideologies. It’s a shame, really.

  “I’ve heard enough of your talk. We have to end this now,” said Trevor as a sword appeared in his hand. With a swing, the blade connected, cutting the doctor’s flesh. Stevson stood there grimacing as both Allen and Anya attacked, leaving only mere scrapes and cuts in their wake.

  “Are you all done? If you don’t mind, I’d quite like a go. Beware the beast that lives inside. Poor Elliot; if only he were here.”

  Allen, Trevor, and Anya stood their guard, awaiting a counter-attack. Kaczmari tended to Taiyah, whose wounds were healed instantly. She looked around for the orange-eyed Teracian, but he was nowhere to be seen. With a scrape of the hand, the surgeon’s skin melted off, leaving a black, metallic hide with scars and bits of flesh weaved around the burned body. On each hand were massive claws; the creature chuckled with gray, pointed teeth. The discoloration on his chest was the only blemish visible. With swiftness, it ran at them and swiped furiously. Barely dodging the attack, Anya jumped back and strafed to the side as the monster targeted her first. She heard a computerized voice in her head while her synthetic eyes analyzed the data. For a moment, she lost control of her actions. With breakneck speed, she dodged and countered every assault. This body may just come in handy.

  “I built you, and I will unbuild you when this is finished. Command: Cyborg Rose system shut…”

  His order was interrupted as both Trevor and Allen shot propelled grenades at his legs. Stevson collapsed and winced in pain. Anya, seeing the opportunity, came at him with the diamond-tipped hammer. She slammed it over and over onto the weakened plate on his chest, and it started to disintegrate.

  “His chest is vulnerable. Strike him.”

  Distracted by the fight, Anya didn’t notice the falling debris as it smashed through the ceiling. A piece of jagged, hot metal struck her in the leg; she screamed and fell to the ground. The tip of the shrapnel stuck out on the other side. She tried to pull it, but it was lodged in tight.

  Allen and Trevor rushed to her aid, leaving the monster to regenerate. Trevor sliced off both pieces as tiny nano-machines repaired and scrubbed the silver blood from her leg.

  Trevor just stared as her leg was fully healed, and Allen had to help her up.

  “Get a grip, Trevor. We’ll talk about what just happened later. Watch out.”

  Trevor turned around to witness the doctor heading straight for him. At the last second, Sorehn jumped in front of the blow and was scratched across his back. He turned around and blasted the monster, but was too close. They both fell to the ground paralyzed.

  “Anya, get him out of here,” said Trevor.

  “I’m fine. I have to help,” said Sorehn, barely able to stand.

  “You’ve done enough. We can’t risk losing you.” Anya helped the injured commander onto the ship with a limp. Kaczmari watched them enter and sat in a lotus position.

  “Keep him busy. I must concentrate.”

  Stevson stood up and pierced his claws into his own chest. With a tear of metal and flesh, he exposed his beating heart, surrounded by veins and black metal. His eyes turned red with anger as his breathing increased.

  “You only get one shot at this. The bloodlust in my heart is what drives me. One shot or you’re all dead,” he said lunging the air. With fast reflexes and speed, the doctor crashed down onto the tiled floor and ruptured it. Allen and Trevor moved away just in time and held up their swords in defense. Unable to control himself in his state, Stevson reached for every available object and tossed it at them. Allen was hit with several chairs and a desk but got back up. Trevor brushed off the blood on his shoulder. They were both out of breath and tired.

  “We aren’t gonna last much longer if this keeps up,” said Allen.

  “Now’s our chance,” Trevor said as he aimed for the heart. Stevson blocked it with his hands and tore its claws across Trevor’s chest. The armor blocked the incoming attack. It punched Trevor onto the ground and jumped on top of him. Allen ran for him but was pushed aside; the beast was too strong.

  “That armor won’t stop my teeth.”

  With a crunch, the doctor clenched down and bit hard into Trevor’s abdomen. He screamed out in pain and placed the palm of the gauntlet at the creature’s eye. An energy blast shot right through it, blinding him. The beast let go and grabbed onto its face, writhing in pain.

  Allen used this time to try and lure it away.

  Anya watched the fight, feeling underutilized as Kaczmari left the ship.

  WARNING, ROBOTIC DEFENSE CONTAINMENT GRID ONLINE. ALL PERSONNEL MUST REMAIN IN THEIR RESPECTIVE ROOMS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. I REPEAT, THE ROBOTIC DEFENSE CONTAINMENT GRID IS ONLINE.

  Running up the stairs, Azek’zander shot round after round o
f plasma at the creature until the fleet of miniaturized robots came up behind him. With precision, all of them stopped at the stairs and rotated clockwise; their sensors analyzed the room. The scanners stopped at the doctor and turned red. Like a colony of insects, the robots covered him. Shocks of high voltage currents trailed across his whole body, and with a demonic scream, he dropped to the floor.

  Azek’zander ran to Allen and they both helped Trevor stand. Anya jumped out of the ship to assist them as they all lifted him inside.

  “Time to go Strotsky. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

  “Affirmative captain.”

  Allen let out a breath as the fight was finally over. Trevor bandaged himself up and applied a healing salve to the wounds.

  Anya stood up and opened the door once again. To their amazement, she jumped out.

  “No, Anya, what are you doing?” said Allen

  “I can’t leave Brenda here. I have to take her with us.”

  “Are you crazy? He’s still alive.”

  “Precisely why I can’t leave her.”

  Anya ran back into the medical building. The beast didn’t move, and the robots stood stationary, continuing to scan the room for threats. In no time, she reached the recovery room and opened it. The calming beach was gone. All that was left was a cold reminder and an even colder room. She looked inside the pod and saw Brenda, peaceful and without pain. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away. With a push of a button, the pod unfastened.

  “What do you think you’re doing, Anya? Returned to me at last to finish the surgery?”

  She quickly turned around and saw the crooked smile of her worst nightmare standing in her way. The robots, all shut down, provided no assistance.

  He reached out to grab her, and she screamed and tried to push him away. The doctor seized her arm and twisted it behind her, “first this meddlesome gauntlet needs to go. Stand still.”

  “Release her.”

  “How dare you interfere, Teracian.”

  Anya tilted her head and saw Kaczmari standing in the doorway, gauntlet raised in front of her. “Anya shield your eyes.”