by Trevor Gregg
“Huh?” Elarra wondered what Joraq was talking about.
“The time when entropy reigns, when all particles have lost heat and motion. All matter shall decay, all energy shall disperse. Everything decays. The universe is no different,” Joraq finished with an atypical snort.
“So you’ve seen the end? The final end? Was that your visikaji?”
“Indeed, you have deduced correctly. My visikaji is the universe’s visikaji. It is an end that none shall live to see, yet all shall come to know. Now come, there is something else we must attend to,” Joraq instructed, making for the exit.
52
Ow!
Kyren watched as dozens and dozens of glinting shapes flitted to the ground. He realized he could zoom, so he took a closer look. Triangular black ships sped to the ground, where they hovered and disgorged troops. He stared incredulously, knowing exactly what he was seeing.
Dragoons, the ships were. Dragoons and reapers, the very forces Tharox had commanded when he had taken the power of the Epsilon Computer. Here they were, arrayed against him. He wouldn’t underestimate them but he hoped he really was controlling the most advanced tech on the battlefield. He hoped he really did have an edge.
“Leicara believed you are outside of the Epsilon Computer’s knowledge, and therefore beyond its prediction. She thinks you can act with complete freedom against the Halifax. Prove her right, or we are all doomed, interloper.”
Kyren paused for a moment, recognizing the situation. He had seen this in the visions Joraq had shown him. Had Joraq shown him these things for a reason? Had it been more than he could comprehend? Maybe he just needed to know he was on the right path. If her visions were of his success, then yes, he should be reassured. But it was Joraq who had shown him these things, so he knew it wouldn’t be so simple.
Flipping through the control systems, he scanned the array of weapons the Gaidan was equipped with. It’s primary weapons were a pair of giant energy blades that would extend from its wrists when activated. There were several ranged weapons available too. Some long range blasters of some sort, Benjam would’ve understood them, and some sort of missile system.
There was also something that was referenced by the symbol for destruction. He wasn’t sure what it would do, but assumed it was powerful, as there was only one charge. The Gaidan also had jump jets. Those might come in handy, he mused, unable to help feeling a little excitement.
The dragoons lifted off, apparently done depositing their troop on the surface. The reapers surged forward. Looking down, he saw the battle bots begin to charge as well. They crossed the distance and engaged. The battle bots’ front lines were gunned down by the reapers, but some got through, and tore into them ferociously. But without any vigor or creativity. These bots were preprogrammed. Fodder.
He looked up just as the first of the dragoons reached him. It opened up with the energy pulses from its vertices. The beams lanced out, burning into the Gaidan’s armor. And Kyren felt it. Like bee stings, the beams elicited pain and discomfort wherever they hit.
Reflexively swatting at the small ships, he felt ridiculous, as he watched the bot from one of the external surveillance drones. The bot looked as it had in the vision. Humanoid in shape, it towered more than a hundred stories tall. It appeared as if it were wearing body armor, the plating a dull gray, accented by some gleaming white here and there.
The head bore two short antennae and there were multiple towers jutting from its back. The antennae, he didn’t know what they were for. But the towers contained the jump jets, he was certain. There was one great eye, a narrow slit, glowing yellow. Not that he expected anything different, but it had no mouth.
Swatting again, he tried smash the ships, but they were too maneuverable. Every second, more were appearing, buzzing around his head.
“Use your weapon systems! What are you waiting for?” Dralok bellowed.
“Back off,” Kyren growled, programming furiously.
He checked the sensors and the statistics provided to him by the advanced targeting system. Once the enemy count matched the payload, he launched every missile the bot possessed. Panels slid aside and launch tubes emerged, row after row just below the top of its shoulders. They bellowed smoke and fire as each one disgorged a horde of missiles, each missile splitting into multiple warheads.
The cloud of missiles streaked through the sky, a trail of smoke leading to each ship. Missiles began to detonate, one after another, a staccato burst of light and fury. Falling to the desolate plain below, the triangular ships impacted with tremendous force, shattering upon the stone or burying themselves in the soft soil.
Continuing his programming, he ignored the remaining incoming dragoons. Their beams continued lancing into his armor plating. They were doing damage, certainly, but not much. Not enough, anyway, to change the outcome of the fight. They must have realized that at the same moment, because they broke off their assault, buzzing into a cloud just out of his reach.
Suddenly, they streaked toward him, accelerating faster than he could react. They began to thud into his chest and torso. He didn’t know what was happening, until the first detonated. But by then, it was too late. A chain reaction was loosed, as each ship blew up in turn, explosions stitching their way up the Gaidan’s chest toward the head and neck.
Readouts went yellow and red as dragoons, embedded in the gaps between the Gaidan’s armor plating, detonated spectacularly. Then the pain hit him. He would have staggered and fallen had he not been suspended between the two pillars. He lost his concentration, both on the Gaidan and his programming. Kyren couldn’t help but bellow in pain.
Struggling to recover, Kyren quickly tried to assess the damage. The main eye was disabled, he would be unable to see through it. He would have to rely on an external view to control the bot. Thankfully there were several observation drones still functional within range.
The armor on his right side was nearly destroyed, it wouldn’t stop much. And the chest and torso were a disaster. The readings showed major damage to multiple systems. Mercifully, the important systems he would need were still on line.
“Ow,” Kyren said, to no one in particular.
“Hurts, yes?” Dralok said, not masking the pleasure he took in pointing it out.
“Yeah, well I wasn’t expecting that. Thanks for the warning.”
“Had I known they were capable of that, I certainly would have warned you. It’s in my best interest, after all,” Dralok said bluntly.
There was a bright flash from across the plain, where the ships had come from. Several more bright flashes and then a tear in reality opened up. He could see beyond to empty space. Through the massive, towering portal, flew a bot the same as he controlled. Nearly identical, in fact. It was the Halifax’s Gaidan.
53
Stolen
Kyren knew he was in trouble the moment the opposing bot opened fire. Warnings bloomed as the energy beams tore into him. Pain also blossomed, taking his breath away. Fighting through the pain, he broke into a run, dodging and weaving as he barreled toward the enemy Gaidan.
A panel on the outside of each of his forearms slid open and a barrel emerged. He aimed the cannons and fired off short bursts. He wasn’t aiming at the bot, or rather, he wasn’t intending to hit it. He was just trying to buy enough time to close the gap and engage it in hand to hand. He knew it was his only chance.
As soon as he was withing range, he activated his jump jets and launched himself at his opponent. Energy blades crackled as he struck. Energy blades flared to life and the enemy bot blocked his furious strikes. Shit! This might be more impossible than he thought.
At least his secondary program was nearly complete. He was going to need his full concentration for this fight. Spinning, he tried to deliver several blows to the Halifax bot’s back, but it whirled too quickly, blocking the strikes again. Kyren spotted an opening. He unleashed several quick pulses at the bot’s feet.
The blasts did some damage, to Kyren’s delight, lea
ving some of the ankle’s armor plating melting into slag. Maybe he had a chance after all. There was definitely a weak point, now. How to exploit it, he wasn’t quite sure yet. Slightly out of position from his attacks, he reeled backward as the enemy bot counterattacked. Missiles disgorged from the enemy bot’s shoulders and detonated spectacularly, knocking him back.
Pushing forward, blade on blade crackled and sparked as the two behemoths clashed, Kyren struggling to keep up. The enemy bot-fighter was deft, skilled, and inventive. Had he met his match? No. He wouldn’t give up, no matter the odds. Just like all the opponents he had faced before, this guy could be beat, he knew.
The enemy bot managed to land a glancing blow on his shoulder. Kyren’s Gaidan’s armor absorbed the blow, but several large armor plates sheared off. He shifted to put the damaged side away from the strikes. The enemy bot charged again, a flurry of blows coming his way, more missiles disgorging and blasting into him.
Quickly programming in between blocks, he activated the routine. His enemy paused for a brief moment, and his bot executed the maneuver. He activated his jump jets, propelling himself up and over. He twisted his body, so at the apex of his flight, he was upside-down, directly above the enemy bot.
It’s head tracked his motion, but it was still unprepared for the downward strike Kyren delivered, punching his blade into the bot’s shoulder. Sparks flew and fire belched from the wound. He pulled his energy blade free as he completed the arc. Landing behind it, he prepared to strike. The bot whirled on him, swinging.
But it was only swinging one arm. He had disabled the left arm. A moment of distraction took him as he considered the pain the other must have felt. He barely blocked the incoming strike, deflecting it away from his face by mere meters.
He returned blows, the enemy bot somehow managing to fend him off with only one arm. His opponent suddenly activated his jump jets, flinging himself into Kyren in a flying tackle. Not expecting the maneuver, he was caught off guard. He crashed to the ground in a tremendous cloud of dust and flying rock.
The enemy bot stood over him and leveled the barrel protruding from its working forearm at his head. He had a mere millisecond to react. He swung his arm, driving his left blade out and into the breach in the bot’s armor, just above the ankle. His blade bit deep into the leg, severing structural components and doing massive damage.
It began to topple as its leg crumpled at the ankle. It fired, missing his Gaidan’s head by meters, blasting the stone beneath into vapor. Activating his jump jets briefly, the pulse threw him upright. He drove his other blade into his enemy’s head in a vicious uppercut. He retracted the blade and watched as the bot began to stagger. Then it fell.
“Well done! You are warrior, truly. You have my respect, interloper,” Dralok said pridefully.
Kyren began to extract himself from the harness.
“Wait, the Halifax still live. You must destroy them, every last one,” Dralok urged.
“No, you’re the bloodthirsty killer, Dralok. I’m just a bot-fighter. And there, bot-fight over. Now you can take me to Benjam and Leicara,” Kyren replied confidently.
“No, you’ll not see them again. You’ll fight, or you’ll rot in a cell,” Dralok responded venomously.
“Y’know, I don’t like either of those options, asshole,” Kyren barked.
He stepped closer to the console and keyed up the routine he had built while fighting.
“What are you doing?” Dralok asked, advancing on him.
He hit the engage and smiled at Dralok, “It’s done man, you’re screwed. I win.”
Suddenly a massive towering portal ripped open, revealing an empty expanse of forest. His bot’s thrusters fired on full burn, launching the bot through the portal, which closed with a staccato burst of flashes seconds after.
“What have you done?” Dralok growled, picking up his Barish staff and advancing on Kyren, the end flaring into crackling purple energy.
Kyren dropped into a fighting stance and replied, “I’ve done what’s necessary to save the galaxy. Sorry that screws you over. Oh, wait. No, I’m not sorry.”
He knew the only way he was going to survive a fight with Dralok is if he made him angry. Would he be angry enough to forget his training, though? Dralok growled and lunged. Kyren dodged and spun as the blows continued. Dralok lashed out with a vicious kick, sending him sprawling.
“That was a weak-ass shot, you bastard,” Kyren grunted through gritted teeth as he stood.
Several more strikes came in, and mercifully he was able to dodge. Angry or not, it seemed Dralok wasn’t forgetting his training. He was driven back toward the pillars, barely able to dodge, feeling his muscles beginning to tire. Kyren knew he was slowing down.
He glanced at the screen, viewing the battle from the hovering drones. It wasn’t going well for the outnumbered Nevthifar. Even though he had defeated their Gaidan, their forces were still superior in number.
“Looks like your people are going to lose, asshole,” Kyren taunted.
Dralok growled as he glanced at the battle. Then he thrust his staff in a ferocious, uncontrolled strike. Kyren waited until the last second before spinning out of the way. He palmed the staff, diverting it directly into the control pillar. Sparks flew as the staff embedded itself deeply. Dralok tried to pull it free but failed, it was planted too deep.
Screeching in anger, he unleashed a flurry of kicks and punches upon Kyren. Kyren blocked most, but several blows reeled him backward. He focused his mind and launched his counterattack. He landed a blow to Dralok’s solar plexus, staggering him back.
Not relenting, Kyren advanced and launched several kicks. Dralok easily blocked but fell out of position. Kyren closed the gap in two strides and launch an easily block-able strike. Dralok took the bait. Kyren grabbed his wrist and twisted, pulling and levering him over his body and flinging him through the air.
Dralok landed on the protruding staff’s remaining energized end. The crackling purple energy punched through his flesh with ease, emerging out the front of his chest by several feet.
As he slid down the staff, he sputtered, “How… how could an interloper beat me?”
“That move, Alis taught me that one,” he responded proudly.
“Who are you people?”
“We’re the product of destiny,” Kyren replied. “We’re here to save the galaxy.”
And the light left Dralok’s eyes.
54
Question and Answer
“Benjam, do you read me? Hello?” Kyren said into the comm unit.
“Kyren! What is going on? Where are you?” he squeaked back enthusiastically.
“I’m in the control room. There’s a fade-gate leading to Dralok’s city, and the one back to the compound.”
“What happened to Dralok?” Benjam asked hesitantly, as if he were afraid of the answer.
“Uh, yeah, Dralok’s been, uh, neutralized. Don’t worry, he’s not getting back up.”
He heard Benjam let out a small gasp.
“You need to get to the waterfall cave, Kyren. We can pick you up if you do,” Benjam insisted.
“Okay, I’ll head there. Let’s hope I don’t encounter any more Dras,” Kyren replied.
He made his way back out onto the street, and was shocked to discover it empty. There was no sign of the Dras, but there were Yal bodies littering the street. As he approached he could see the gruesome wounds caused by the makeshift weapons.
First things first, he needed to get his stuff. He wasn’t going to go any further without his rifle and battle armor. He had gear he still needed. Making his way to the building that contained their quarters, he was both disturbed and thankful that the streets were empty.
In short order he had donned his armor, recovered his rifle, and slung his satchel over his shoulder. He moved cautiously yet made great haste should he discover the compound was still occupied.
He heard voices as he approached a small courtyard nestled between several buildings. Creeping f
orward, he peered around the corner. It was Alis! She was speaking with a Dras in low tones, discussing something about the capitol city.
They finished and the Dras disappeared back into the maze of buildings. He ducked his head back and hoped he hadn’t been seen. He was torn between his desire to save Alis from whatever it was, and the knowledge that he could do nothing at this exact moment.
So he choked back his sorrow and sneaked away. At least she was still here. Maybe Benjam would have a solution, a way to save her. But now wasn’t the time. And it broke his heart. He swore to himself he would return for her.
He cautiously made his way to the narrow canyon and stepped through the waterfall into the small cave. The light stand Benjam had erected was within reach, so he flicked it on, illuminating the cave. At the back wall, there was now a doorway, that appeared to lead onto a ship’s bridge. A bridge occupied by Benjam and Leicara!
He hesitantly walked through, stepping into the ship. Benjam squiggled past and deactivated the doorway, leaving a blank ship’s wall behind him. Leicara surged forward and wrapped her arms around Kyren’s neck and drew herself close.
“I’m so glad you’re alright. I thought for sure Dralok would have killed you,” Leicara lay her head on his shoulder.
“Well, he certainly could have. But he made a fatal error. He believed himself to be superior,” Kyren responded.
“What did he make you do, Kyren?” Benjam squeaked.
“He had me control the Gaidan. I fought his battle for him.”
“And obviously won,” Leicara said, sounding pleased.
“Yeah, but not before I stole the Gaidan,” he replied.
He couldn’t help but be amused by Leicara’s shock.
“You’ve doomed my people, you have,” she said despondently.
“Actually, I’ve saved your people. The Kirugi is coming, and we need the Gaidan. We’ll need it twice, actually. You should know, you’ve seen it.”