Finish What You Started

by Michael Anderle

  Gabriel nodded. “Alexis was upset and Tabitha told her to rest, but I thought it would be better to train.”

  Izanami froze. “The Queen is not in the Etheric?”

  Alexis shook her head. “She’s on a planet filled with so many Ooken I couldn’t count them.”

  Izanami’s avatar rippled, the flash of light she emitted turning her armor blood-red for a split second.

  Gabriel glanced at the armory door. “Can we get our armor?”

  “Yes, children.” The armory door began to cycle open and Izanami winked out of existence, leaving Alexis and Gabriel by themselves.

  They entered the armory and found their armor crates waiting on one of the long benches.

  Gabriel looked at his sister uncertainly as they opened their crates. Do you think it worked?

  If it didn’t, this will. Alexis removed her wrist holo. She set it down on the bench to display the video and turned to her crate. “It’s the scout ship footage from the Ooken planet. Look how the defenses are positioned; there’s no easy way through for the fleet. Even the Ballista will struggle to hurl a rock large enough to get to the inner atmosphere intact.”

  Gabriel frowned at the projected scene. “I bet Izanami could get through. This is the best ship in the fleet.”

  Alexis gave her brother a mental nudge. Subtle.

  I’m just putting the idea out there, Gabriel assured her.

  Izanami reappeared in a burst of red pixels. “Phyrro informed me of your plan to take part in the battle. Did you really think I would lose my temper and forget you were here?”

  Alexis sighed and hung her head. “No, Izanami.”

  “Sorry we tried to trick you, Izanami.” Gabriel dropped his chest plate back into the crate. “But you have to understand that we’re worried about Mom and Dad being on that planet without us there to back them up.”

  “Your parents were very clear about the two of you remaining here while they are off-world,” Izanami reminded them. “It’s important to them to know you are both safe while they fight.”

  Gabriel grunted. “Yeah, and if it was up to Mom, we would stay nice and safe forever.”

  “I hate to admit it, but he’s got a point.” Alexis shrugged when Izanami’s stern gaze landed on her. “We’ve been training practically since we could walk. Fighting is what we are made for. How else can we prove we’re ready if Mom and Dad are too afraid we’ll get hurt to give us a chance? None of what we said was a lie. They’re in danger.”

  Gabriel banged his crate with a hand. “We had to do something. Mom and Dad are going to be facing hundreds of thousands of Ooken alone if the fleet can’t get through, and you could get to them.”

  “There’s something I didn’t tell Gabriel earlier,” Alexis admitted. “Mom was thinking about Kurtherians.”

  Izanami remained silent as Alexis and Gabriel continued to argue their case. She could get Alexis and Gabriel to their mother and father. A quick check of Alexis’ holo had given her the coordinates of the Ooken planet, and it was within range of her ship’s Gate drive.

  Further inquiries had given her the details of the impending battle and her Queen’s situation. It did not look at all promising from a mathematical perspective, but then Bethany Anne was forever one to defy the odds.

  Her decision came down to one factor: would the twins benefit from being prevented from making this choice for themselves? The answer to that was beyond her ability to fathom, but her decision was already made.

  Izanami held up a hand to halt the twins’ persuasion. “Enough. I will take you to your parents.”

  15

  Ooken Sky Base, Laboratory

  Bethany Anne hesitated a fraction from the nano-curtain.

  Second thoughts? Michael asked.

  She frowned. No. Just…we might not get out of this. It’s been a long fucking time since I had to face the prospect that I might not survive. The thought of orphaning our children is frankly the most frightening vision in my life.

  Michael didn’t conceal his own concerns, but like Bethany Anne, he preferred to reach for dark humor in these moments. I would have thought that would have been awarded to the revelation of the UnknownWorld.

  Bethany Anne snickered. What, that bunch of overgrown superpowered toddlers? Don’t imagine they rattled me for a second. There was a reason you chose me to replace you, you sneaky bastard. You’d been parenting them so long you wanted the world’s longest nap.

  Some of those overgrown toddlers are your closest friends, Michael reminded her.

  Bethany Anne held the Ooken in front of her like a shield. I stand by my statement. They needed a nanny. Nathan still needs one; just ask Ecaterina. She lifted the Ooken’s hand and pressed it to the nano-curtain. ADAM, is it working?

  >>You’re not screaming, so I’ll say yes.<<

  Bethany Anne raised an eyebrow. I hope you’re not still sulking over the body thing.

  >>No,<< ADAM replied tersely. >>I’m having a hard time convincing the Pods to stay closed.<<

  Do what you can. Bethany Anne restored Michael’s connection to their link and turned her attention to her other ridealong. TOM, why are the Pod-docs opening?

  The Pod-docs are opening? Michael asked.

  Mmhmm, unless ADAM can prevent it. TOM is about to tell me how it came about.

  Not because of anything we did. TOM huffed. ADAM is causing delays across every tower, as well as tracing the location of whoever sent the order to rouse every Ooken on the platform.

  Michael frowned in consideration. Are the Ooken aware of our presence?

  Not yet, TOM confirmed. However, remaining here might leave you in a tight spot. The Pod-docs will open. It’s only a matter of time.

  Bethany Anne tightened her grip on the Ooken and stepped into the passage. Then I suggest we hurry the fuck up before I’m forced to make so much of a mess it puts me off calamari forever.

  Her body tingled as she passed through the nanocytes. Are you feeling that? she asked Michael.

  All the way to the marrow of my bones, he replied. I have to agree, this is not the most comfortable situation to be in.

  We should be grateful the Ooken don’t know how to use half of the tech they have. Bethany Anne almost slipped on a slick patch as they descended the twisting tube. Why are these lairs always underground? Is there some realtor to the evil who finds these places? It almost makes me think fondly of trashing mansions and palaces like we did in the good old days.

  Her Ooken twitched when a long, desperate cry echoed through the mental space. It opened its eyes a crack when more pained wails joined the first.

  Bethany Anne slammed her fist into its nose ridges, sending it back to sleep instantly.

  Don’t you have night-night cartridges for your JD Special? Michael asked.

  Bethany Anne shrugged. Yes. I just didn’t feel the need to waste one on this sorry mothersucker.

  Michael chuckled dryly. Fair enough. He stepped over the wet spot as he passed it. Did you look to see what you stepped in?

  No, Bethany Anne answered without looking back. Why?

  It appears to be a puddle of the substance.

  I don’t think stopping to investigate inside the nano-curtain would be the best idea.

  Michael nodded, continuing to press through resistance that wasn’t there. I agree wholeheartedly. Nevertheless, we should not leave without obtaining a workable amount of the substance if we get the opportunity.

  It would alleviate the need to return to Moen, Bethany Anne agreed. She cautiously felt ahead with her mind. The first thing on the list is getting the prisoners out of here. I have a feeling we’ll have another opportunity to collect samples once we reach the end of this passage.

  Two turns later, the passage ended in a chamber lit by the same glow inside the walls as the rooms above. The only ways out were back the way they’d just come or through another darkened archway.

  Bethany Anne formed a trio of energy balls over her left hand to light the chamber. The sm
ell of water is stronger down here, she murmured. We’re getting close to where the prisoners are being kept.

  Michael flexed the hand not holding his Ooken to activate his gauntlet. Looks like there’s only one way to go.

  Looks like it. Bethany Anne released two of the energy balls to float a short way in front of them and readied her katana in her free hand.

  They walked side by side through the archway into an expansive cavern.

  Which was empty.

  Michael winced at the echo their boots made on the polished crystal. Where are the Ooken?

  Bethany Anne had different concerns. Fuck the Ooken. Where are the prisoners?

  Michael glanced around, looking for another exit. You said we were getting close. Maybe the prisoners are in the next chamber?

  Bethany Anne shook her head and dropped her Ooken. I can feel them. They’re in this one.

  Michael frowned in confusion. Then where are they?

  She waved him off and walked toward the center of the huge, empty space. Shhh. I’m listening.

  You do that, Michael told her, dropping his Ooken next to Bethany Anne’s. I’m going to search for another way out of here. His armor slumped as he Mysted out of it.

  Bethany Anne’s eyes drifted over the pattern of light in the walls as she walked, her focus on reaching out to the Collective mind.

  It took a few moments to breathe away her frustration. She knew the prisoners were here somewhere. Finding them was simply a matter of attaining a clear state of mind.

  She opened her mind a fraction as the storm inside her was quelled by her determination to calm her emotions. Can you hear me?

  The Collective ceased their dirge and shied away from Bethany Anne's mind.

  I’m your ally, Bethany Anne continued, Do you understand what an ally is? A friend?

  Apparently not, since there was no response from the Collective.

  Bethany Anne’s heart ached for them and her chin dropped to her chest, her eyes closed against the wave of sadness that washed through her. Any other time, she would have forced the situation. However, all she could do was shed tears for beings too broken to see the good in anything.

  “Please.” Her voice cracked, her hold on her emotions slipping as she spoke. “I want to help, but I can’t find you.”

  She waited as the silence stretched, hoping that just one of the prisoners would see that she was there to save them from the horrors they had suffered. TOM, can they hear me?

  I assume so, he replied.

  A voice came from beneath Bethany Anne's feet.

  What do you want from us?

  Bethany Anne opened her eyes and found herself meeting the blind eyes of a Collective through the floor. As always, she was jarred by how they could look so different from the Ooken despite wearing the same face. She dropped to her knees and placed a hand to the floor. I don’t want anything from you. I want to get you out of there.

  The tentacles around the Collective’s mouth wavered in the water. Leave us. We will not be tricked by the lies of a god again.

  Bethany Anne almost laughed aloud. I’m a bitch to cross, but I’m no god. My name is Bethany Anne, and I’m human…mostly.

  Much stronger gods than you have taken ownership of our destiny.

  Bethany Anne counted seven more voices as dark chuckles rippled through the Collective mind. I told you, I’m no god. And neither are the Seven, no matter how thoroughly they believe their own bullshit. I should know. I’ve spent two hundred years exterminating them.

  A baby god, then, the being corrected, since you have barely seen two centuries. You cannot save us, Baby God. There was silence for a moment. The being below attached itself to the underside of the floor, the tiny serrated teeth in its suckers gripping the crystal for purchase. We have agreed to speak with you. I will be the conduit.

  Bethany Anne’s eyebrow shot up. In my experience, those claiming to be gods are usually nothing more than pain-in-the-ass Kurtherians in need of my attention. Are you saying you know of one?

  We know of many, the Collective replied as one. The gods of old came to our world and tricked us with promises of Ascension. By the time we discovered the danger and fought back, it was too late.

  You would be surprised how many times I’ve heard a similar story. Bethany Anne sat down beside the conduit and crossed her legs. Eradicating the Seven has already taken up too fucking much of my life.

  There are many who have suffered at the hands of the gods, the conduit told her resignedly. We can only bend to their will or die faster.

  There are also many Kurtherians who aren’t breathing well enough to continue fucking around with innocent civilizations, Bethany Anne retorted. Let me show you what I do to your “gods.”

  She gave them what they needed to see.

  The eight Collective gathered around like children at story time while she showed them her memories of the death of every Kurtherian who had met their end at her hand so far.

  The conduit spoke from the mass of undulating tentacles. Gods do not die. Kurtherians bleed and die like any other being.

  That’s right, Bethany Anne affirmed. Where do you come from? What did they do to you? I’ve come across one of your kind before, isolated and dying. I honored their last request, and they shared their memory with me. I’m happy to share that with you once we get you out of that tank.

  We thank you for that. The conduit’s tone became melancholy. We lived in peace in the giant kelp forests of our world. The water was sweet and clear, and we spent our lives contemplating the key to Ascension.

  Sounds perfect, Bethany Anne murmured.

  It was, the conduit agreed. Until the Kurtherians came. They took us far from home, imprisoned us in their ships, and cut us off from our kin and the Mind. We are scattered and alone now. The gods only wanted us for our genetic material. They tear us apart, corrupt us with the DNA of other species they have here, and remake us into the abominations that enslave us.

  Bethany Anne covered the crystal over the conduit’s tentacle with a hand. The Ooken.

  We see the Corrupt in your mind. You name them differently?

  Bethany Anne pursed her lips. Human trait, I’m afraid. Nicknames are kind of our thing. You’ll have to get used to the concept of being named.

  We will accept these nicknames from you, Baby God, the conduit replied. A ripple of alarm went through its body. The Corrupt are beginning to wake.

  Don’t worry about it. Bethany Anne got to her feet. Will you allow me to help? I have a ship here that can take you home, just as soon as I work out where that is and make it safe for your people.

  The conduit’s tentacles rippled. It is too late for that. The seas were polluted in the war, the kelp killed.

  Bethany Anne nodded as she considered where she could possibly house nine beings the general size and shape of krakens. Then we will find a new world for you to settle, somewhere I can protect you easily. You are welcome to stay aboard one of my stations that is fitted to accommodate water or vacuum dwellers until we find a suitable planet.

  The harmony of voices murmured among themselves for a moment before the conduit spoke again. Maybe you are not a baby god after all. We thank you, Bethany Anne.

  Don’t mention it. Bethany Anne turned at the sound of Michael’s footsteps behind her. Did you find a way out?

  Michael indicated the western side of the cavern. There’s an upper level. It’s sealed, but there’s definitely someone in there.

  Bethany Anne narrowed her eyes. “Someone?” Not an Ooken?

  Not an Ooken. Michael confirmed. He lifted his hands. Whoever it is, they were capable of blocking me. What about you? Did you find the prisoners?

  Bethany Anne swept a hand at the mass of tentacles beneath his feet. All eight of them, and they’re not just being held prisoner. They’re trapped.

  We have a similar issue, TOM added, cutting in. One of the captured Ooken has just expired.

  Bethany Anne spun to look at the two Ooken they’d l
eft by the entrance. Michael’s was twitching in its sleep. Hers lay still, its head in a slow-spreading puddle of yellowish fluid.

  She turned to Michael. Maybe the night-night round wouldn’t have been such a waste after all.

  Michael grimaced. I’m going to guess the second punch to its head did it.

  Of-fucking-course it did. Bethany Anne sighed at the problem she’d made for herself. Fuckdammit, how do we both get out of here now?

  There is still another possible exit, Michael reminded her.

  Bethany Anne waved over her shoulder as she turned away from the dead Ooken. Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. You get hold of Bart and have him send down the Polaris to pick up our friends here.

  Michael nodded. It would be nice if they brought us a fresh Ooken to replace the dead one so we can get out of here in one piece.

  Bethany Anne held out her hand, and an energy ball appeared briefly over her palm. That shouldn’t be a problem. I believe the solution is behind that door.

  Michael glanced at a hair-fine crack in the floor. What’s your plan to get the Collective out of there and onto the ship?

  Bethany Anne snorted. Give me a second. I haven’t gotten that far yet. She increased the intensity of the energy ball as the whole cavern shook, showering dust all around them. This minute my plan is to introduce my size seven to that door and make whoever is behind it shut down the nano-curtain.

  Michael pointed out the crack, which was spreading alongside them as they walked. We should hurry up, whatever we’re doing. This crystal is reacting poorly to the impact vibrations resonating from the shield. If it disintegrates, we’re going for an unexpected swim.

  Bethany Anne picked up her pace. I have no intention of allowing that to happen.

  Michael showed Bethany Anne to the door, an iron rectangle cut into the crystal that came up to Bethany Anne’s chest. No Ooken would fit through there.

  Bethany Anne tossed the energy ball from one hand to the other. There’s only one way to find out who does, she replied, throwing the energy ball.