“We’re working on getting the routing system unlocked. Your trip back to Earth won’t last long.”
Ken took a step around his desk, gun at Slade. “I’m old and maybe I’m being a little too much of a humanitarian, so here is what I’m going to propose. We head back and I won’t throw this whole business in your face ever again. It’ll be like it never happened. I’ll put you in command of building these pyramids or powering them on.” He lied. He would do no such thing for Slade. He’d hire the most talented physicists and engineers while putting Slade behind bars. “Jaxx wrote about the conductive power of dolomite and I’m convinced building these pyramids the Jaxx-way is the answer. Dolomite is a limestone with a high magnesium content. It’s a type of limestone that conducts electricity—freely. That’s what the Pyramids of Giza and many other pyramids are made out of. Used correctly, and when we tap into them, they can power entire cities without using up natural resources. They’re giant, healthy power plants.”
Slade gave him a blank stare.
Ken hit the papers in his hand with the pistol. “We can make these.”
“You’re an idiot if you think we can replicate what the ancients did.”
“We can make pyramids exactly how Jaxx wanted us to. These pyramids act as a magma release valve, taking the pressure off the major earthquakes that are coming. We don’t have to go through the shitty Earth changes that you left Earth for...that we all left Earth for. All you have to do is create more of these pyramids in specific locations throughout the world and ease Earth into the next ice age instead of a major, sudden shift. We can do this, Slade.”
Slade clapped his hands. “Bravo. You have solved our problems.” His sarcasm was more than apparent.
“No, it’s more than that. Listen...please.” He cleared his throat and read a few sentences on the pages. “The dolomite limestone core is electrically conductive. The core is wrapped by an effective insulator; dura limestone. When you look at the pyramid’s passageways, you find that they are made out of granite, and granite is slightly radioactive and will ionize and electrify the air, along with releasing radon gases. The shafts are lined with granite to keep the electric charge moving back and forth in the shaft. It’s built like an insulated wire, which also draws the electric charge from the ground.”
He looked up. Slade was shaking his head.
“I know what you’re thinking,” said Ken.
“You have no idea what I’m thinking. If you did, then you wouldn’t have taken your eyes off me.” Slade now held a small pistol. “I could have blasted you ten times by now. That’s the difference between my intelligence and your intelligence. You want to go back to Earth and fix things. I know they aren’t fixable. They’re simply not. I’m practical—a realist. You’re an optimist.” He grinned. “Give me the documents. We have no time for your silly ideas or this mutiny.”
Ken backed away, thrusting his gun forward. “And, why would I do that?”
“So no one gets their paws on these and starts thinking optimistically.”
“We can power Earth with these things. We no longer need fossil fuels. No longer need natural gas. We no longer need wars over land resources.” Ken started shaking, bringing his eyes back to Jaxx’s writings. “Many pyramids have water beneath or near them. The gravity pull from a pyramid draws water from underneath it and or near it. In essence, it draws water closer to the surface and closer to the pyramid’s base, creating a primitive aquifer, doing two things. One, it pulls up minerals and two, it moves water through lime or chalk aquifers, producing electricity and changing the magnetic field inside and around the pyramid. It’s a giant battery.”
Slade aimed at Ken’s head. “I get it. Pyramids are power sources as well as goddamn terraforming devices. Now, drop your pistol and I’ll let you live. If you don’t, you’ll be on the ground in three seconds, dead.”
Ken put the pistol on his desk. “I want to save us all, Slade.”
“Your ideas are in the right direction, just not in the direction to keep us a hundred percent safe. Callisto is our best bet. It’s tidally locked to Jupiter—the same side always faces the planets, and because of that, there’s virtually zero earth change activity. And most likely never will be. We’d never need to worry about global warming, natural disasters, and the like again.” Slade swiped the papers out of Ken’s hands. “Thank you for your cooperation.”
He pushed the small gun down past his waistband and in the crotch portion of his underwear. “Now, if you don’t turn this ship back toward Callisto and convince the rest of the government to abide by my rules, then there’ll be dire consequences, starting with your wife. Do you understand?”
The thought of his wife, dead, pulled at his heart. He’d rather die than not be with her. Ken nodded. “I’ll see what I can do.”
40
Planet Taiyo, Sector 9 - Galactic Arm, Milky Way Galaxy
Jaxx took another cautious step, eyeing the forest, sensing the Agadon was near, safe, and angry as hell. He had gotten the upper hand and sensed that no one got the upper hand with this guy; this blue freak of nature.
A crackle pierced the forest.
Jaxx stopped and listened. He needed to know why and how this Agadon was like him. Was the Agadon part Atlantean? Did he have some human in him? Was there an even bigger glitch in the AI-based system in his hardwired brain, more than the rest of the Agadon’s?
He lowered his head to avoid a low-hanging branch. He was walking closer to the fire, the Agadon’s crash site. He unholstered his gun, holding it at his side.
“Welcome, Kaden Jaxx.”
Jaxx halted, eyes darting left and right. His weapon spun out of his hand and crashed against a tree.
Laughter filled the forest. Laughter that wasn’t human.
“Where are you?” asked Jaxx.
“Over here.”
Jaxx turned, seeing a figure in a dark blue robe, hood draped over his face.
“I’ve been waiting a long time, Jaxx. You’re in the prophecies. You’re loved by many. Hated by more.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m someone not in the prophecies, someone more powerful than you in every facet of life, in every way of being, someone who deserves a place in our galaxy’s Akashic records, records of everything that happens in our galactic life.”
Jaxx shifted from one foot to the other, watching and waiting for the robed man to make a move.
The Agadon waived a hand and the ground in front of Jaxx exploded, lobbing clumps of dirt at him. Ineffectual, but startling.
“What do you want?”
“Why did you follow me, Jaxx?” The robed man floated forward, gently landing on his feet a few meters from Jaxx.
“I—”
The man put his hand up. “I know why. You wanted to know how I can do what you can do. You want to know how I can do even more than you. Isn’t that a little naive, though, Jaxx? You thought you were the only one in the galaxy who had these powers?”
“I’m not—” Jaxx stopped himself. If this guy assumed that Jaxx thought he was the only person in the galaxy with these powers, then all the better.
“You’re not the only one?” The man took another step forward, shaking his head. “Your thoughts reveal too much.” He looked up. “Rrriivkahh. Is that how you say her name?” He lunged forward, pushing out with his hands, throwing an energetic force against Jaxx, hitting him square on the chest. It picked him up, tossing him against a tree.
Jaxx grunted on impact and slid down the trunk and onto his backside. He pushed himself up, bringing up all the energy he could muster. Any emotion he could dig up—the anger, the pain of being abused by Slade and being shot by Fox while inside Underfoot Black. He pushed his palms outward, moving energy like it was a toy and threw it at Taz.
Taz sliced the air with his hand, dissolving and dissipating the energy to a mere breeze. He chuckled. “I’m not as easy to push around, am I, Jaxx?”
The Agadon jumped and spun in the air, per
forming a flying back kick, focusing his energy through his legs and out his feet.
Jaxx went into a defensive crouch. The energetic kick landed against his side, toppling him over. He rolled on the ground, holding his abdomen, cringing in pain. He tried to get up, then a sharp, unforgiving knife lunged into his lower back. He yelped like a dog as a burning sensation ran up his spine. He arched and fell on his stomach, reaching for the knife stuck in his back.
It wasn’t there.
Was the knife energetic? Ethereal? No blood. Only pain.
Jaxx took a deep breath and went to his feet, his arms up, hands in fists.
Taz leaned back against a tree. “It’s just energy, Jaxx. See?” The Agadon showed his palms. He twirled his hands like a magician. “It sure felt like a dagger, huh?”
Jaxx touched his lower back, nodding, sweat dripping off his chin.
Taz clapped his hands loudly and Jaxx lifted off his feet, slamming him onto his back. He slid ten meters across the forest floor and toward the Agadon until he stopped at Taz’s feet.
Taz sighed, wiping his hands together. “I thought you’d be more of a challenge.” He circled Jaxx. “Oh, don’t get me wrong. You bested me in our starfighter battle, but how well did you do on the ground? Not so good, Jaxx. Not. So. Good.”
Jaxx crawled backward, closing his eyes, conjuring up energy, heating his hands until he couldn’t take it anymore. He yelled, lashing out, throwing the energy through his palms and at Taz.
The Agadon flinched for a moment, then snorted. “That was a good one. It almost felt like a baby slapped me.” The ground stirred and Jaxx was thrown. Head over heels, he belly-flopped onto the forest floor, knocking the wind out of him. He rolled to his side, sucking in as much air as he could, his spasming diaphragm making it difficult.
The Agadon pulled a long sword from behind his robe. “I like the old fashion way of killing. Don’t you? There’s such a satisfying crunch, when steel meets bone through flesh and gristle.”
Jaxx pressed his hand against the soil and pushed onto his knees, coughing. “Don’t...”
“Don’t what?”
A branch cracked and the Agadon went rigid, his arms stiff at his sides.
“He doesn’t want you to hurt him anymore.” Abdu walked form behind a tree, his paws aimed at the Agadon.
“Unwrap me, you filthy Leonian,” yelled Taz.
Abdu leaned over and helped Jaxx up, still keeping one paw on the blue-man. “As you wish.” Abdu dropped his arm and Taz went limp, falling to the ground.
Taz threw off his hood, revealing a bald, blue man snarling with blood-shot eyes. He windmilled his arms, thrusting energy at Abdu.
Abdu stood his ground. He put his hands together and bowed. “If you leave now, I’ll let you live. If you don’t, then I’ll defend myself and my friend. You’ll not live through that exchange.”
The Agadon paused then backed away through a throng of trees, slithering into the shadows.
Abdu grabbed Jaxx’s arm and pulled him to his feet. “We better get going before he brings some of his friends.”
Jaxx nodded. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you. I haven’t done that in eons. It was fun.” He slapped Jaxx on the back. “Now, let’s get going.”
They rushed through the forest and entered the meadow, the grasses stirring in the wind.
Jaxx glared at his hands. “Why didn’t my powers work on him?”
“You and that Agadon have one thing in common. You think the energy that courses through you and out of you is power, and only power. You think the power is to defend yourself and do harm to those you’re defending yourself against. You and your mortal enemy have no idea what Chi truly is.”
Jaxx reached his Air Wing and patted its belly. “But, still, the power has always worked to defend before.”
“Yes, against those that don’t know what it is or how to properly use it. Chi is the equilibrium in nature, in the body, and in every living thing in the Universe. Without it, you would not live. You think of it as power, as if it was solely created for that purpose and that purpose alone. Don’t be mistaken, Jaxx. Chi is what’s in between. The middle way, the calm between the joy and the storm. The center between up and down, the medium between left and right. It’s the fulcrum for all of life.”
“What do I do with it then?”
“You do nothing.” The lion smiled. “Or, you do everything. The only way to allow negative Chi to affect you is by allowing negative Chi to affect you. It needn’t. It mustn’t. I didn’t allow the Agadon to feed off me and throw me across the forest. Why? Because I use the middle path, the way Chi is meant to be harnessed and used.” He tapped Jaxx’s third eye with his claw. “Use the calm in the middle of the storm. It’s always there. It’s the basis of all Chi.” He put his paw on Jaxx’s chest. “You just have to find it.”
“I don’t even know where it comes from.” He stepped up on his craft’s wing and pulled himself up into the cockpit.
“Remember, Jaxx. You don’t have to think of negativity to use your Chi to defend yourself. In fact, if you use the images and memories of love, you’ll pack more of a punch. Light negates darkness. It’s not the other way around and never has been.”
Jaxx nodded. “Teach me how?”
An explosion filled the air and the lion grimaced. “If we survive this, then yes.” He glanced over his shoulder, giving out a thunderous roar.
The forest shook and a mech walked from the tree line and onto the meadow.
“Until then, we have a fight to win.” The lion turned and ran toward his mech.
Jaxx shut his cockpit window. “Time to kick some ass.” He lifted into the air and rocketed toward the battle.
41
E-Quadrant, Earth - Alliance, Nebraska
The helicopter vibrated. The cabin’s back and forth movement nearly drove Drew bat-shit crazy.
Segarra eyed Drew as if Drew was a pedophile, the worst filth in the universe.
Drew hadn’t kidnapped his daughter, used her as bait to get Segarra to do his bidding, or Anderle’s bidding. He needed this man to see the truth.
Mya wrapped her arms around her father’s forearm. She said something in her dad’s ear and he shook his head—the third time in as many minutes.
Drew tapped his helmet, then gestured for Segarra to put the helmet in his lap on.
Segarra again shook his head.
Drew jiggled the helmet mic near his lips, mouthing, “Let’s talk.”
Segarra dropped his shoulders and clenched his jaw. He placed the helmet over his head and pushed it down, bringing the mic closer to his lips. He crossed his arms, almost dragging Mya over his lap. He paused and ruffled her hair, forcing a smile. One glance back at Drew and the smile disappeared. “What do you want?”
“I kept her safe. Her mom—”
Segarra lifted his chin. “Where’s my wife? My son?”
Drew hesitated. He didn’t want to tell Segarra the truth, especially not about his wife, who was a bloody mess, dead and decaying in a Charlotte, North Carolina car dealership, along with Segarra’s son. Drew didn’t want this incredibly buff man’s hands around his neck, choking him out in front of Mya.
Maybe if Drew had some weed on him or a bowl, they could smoke out for a while, and make some peace with their deaths, maybe eat some grub and call it a night.
That wasn’t going to happen. Drew pressed the mic closer to his mouth. “She’s in North Carolina.”
Segarra pursed his lips. “Take me there.”
Drew thumbed over his shoulder. “I’m not the pilot or the one in charge.”
“Tell them to turn this thing around and take me to the rest of my family.”
Mya raised her chin toward her father’s ear, saying something.
He shook his head.
She flopped on his lap, dejected.
“What does she keep saying?” asked Drew.
“Nothing to worry your mind about. Now, tell me why you can’t take me t
o North Carolina.”
“I don’t know.”
Segarra leaned forward, twisting Drew’s shirt in his hands, pulling Drew closer. “You better—”
“Take your damn hands off him, or you’re not going anywhere, partner.” T-hacker held a gun, aiming it directly at Segarra’s face.
Segarra eased up his grip and backed off, coddling Mya, turning her away from the gun. “Where are you taking us?”
Anderle chimed in. “We’re taking you to Whitefish, Montana, but we’ll be making several pit-stops to fill up. So, make yourself comfortable. If you have to use the bathroom, well…don’t.”
Segarra stood, baring his teeth, knocking his head against the ceiling. “Dammit.” He sat down hard and massaged his neck. “Why are we going to Whitefish? That’s the last place I want to go.”
“Why?” Drew inquired. That was a strange reaction to a rather peaceful place—at least peaceful when he’d visited it a few years back.
Anderle turned. “Don’t answer that.”
For a moment, there was silence. Segarra scratched his chin, eyeing Drew. “You’re not part of this...thing...whatever this thing is, are you?”
Drew frowned. “What thing?”
“Did they capture you as well, use you as bait for something you’re not privy to? Mya keeps telling me you’re nice. I keep telling her that you’re not. Maybe she’s right.”
The helicopter violently dipped and a rumble rattled inside the cabin and cockpit.
“Shit!” screamed Anderle. “Bogeys, bogeys. Or, whatever the hell you call them. Uh...jet fighters.”
Segarra looked around Drew, doing his best to see through the cockpit window. “Are they American?”
“I believe so,” said T-hacker, doing some computations on the helicopter’s console. He nodded. “Yes, they are.”
“And you’re in a Chinese goddamn helicopter? Now doesn’t this just fit like a nice rotten cherry in an apple pie,” responded Segarra.
The helicopter shook again as another jet fighter roared by.
Ascendant Saga Collection: Sci-Fi Fantasy Techno Thriller Page 66