《Guardians》
Prologue
The heat of the day proved stifling, ensuring the small party of nominated ambassadors struggled as they made their slow and arduous way up through the Fields of Light, along the Hallowed Approach and into the Orchid Gardens. Weighed down by their official regalia and sweating profusely, their discomfort blinded them to the splendor and heady bouquet of over seventeen species of flowers, eight variety of fruit trees, and plethora of gloriously colored birds and wildlife found nowhere else on Earth besides here on Kalliste, home of the Gods¡ªor Protectors¡ªas the Zus Adhem-un preferred them to be addressed.
That delegation, representing the heads of all the main guilds and magisterial satraps from Minoa, Mycelia, Helenian, Atlantis, and Athena grew ever more anxious as they drew nearer to their destination.
Slowing, they passed the rippling threshold to the Prismic Bow. Aptly named for its nine geothermally powered shooting fountains arranged in consecutive sequence, the gate¡¯s musically iridescent rainbows formed a shimmering parade of liquescent archways leading to the Atrium of Solace.
Loitering beneath the tranquil shade of the Grand Colonnade, they breathed a collective sigh of relief, being spared at last from the power of the midday sun. There, they steeled themselves for the ordeal ahead, for the confrontation shortly to take place was as unavoidable as it was necessary.
As¡¯talon, the appointed spokesman for the group, looked to the others for last minute encouragement before leading them briskly into the Audience Hall of the Twelve, formally referred to as the High Pantheon of the Olympiad. All the same, the imposing angelic reliefs carved into the pillars on either side of the entrance soon gave everyone pause for thought, for they encapsulated the majesty of the beings they were about to address perfectly.
A vicious tremor shook the earth, breaking their composure and causing them to stumble.
The quake was the latest in a number of disturbing events to strike since Psi-edon and his cabal¡ªcomprising Hades, Ares, Hephaestus, Dionysus, and Hestia¡ªhad begun their arcane manipulations of the seas and lands around the Protectorate in an insidious and ongoing attempt to expand their influence. On this occasion, they¡¯d seized the opportunity to interfere while the Zus Adhem-un and those loyal to him were away on the fabled Star Odyssey, and huge wedges of coastline were being raised up or pulled down into the emerald embrace of the sea without warning, regardless of how many mortals perished. Needless to say, fear had spread rapidly throughout the realm.
Shielded as the envoys were by the formidable barriers protecting Kalliste, they nevertheless felt the increasing power of such machinations and were unsure of their continued safety.
The Zus Adhem-un himself was still absent. Thankfully, those Gods loyal to him had returned earlier that morning, prompting this hasty assembling of the council and their arrival via the Monolith Gate only an hour ago.
As¡¯talon and his associates entered the Audience Hall and halted again, overwhelmed this time by the nine beings seated within, radiating both antiquity and authority. Arrayed around the outside of the domed chamber on a horseshoe shaped upper gallery, each deity occupied a throne of gold facing in toward the center of the High Pantheon, granting them a clear and unobstructed view of those subjects seeking counsel.
All except for one, that is. As guardian of the Sacred Flame, Hestia, stood proudly at her station positioned at the head of the bow behind the largest of the thrones, vacant while the Zus Adhem-un was absent.
The Flame, a source of interspatial psitronic vitality, was used to augment the island¡¯s defenses as well as manipulate matter at the subatomic level. Powered by a rare and unusual crystal discovered by the Zus Adhem-un on one of his star quests, it existed in four dimensions at the same time due to its uniquely latticed vibratory parameters which naturally seemed to absorb almost all known forms of energy at the quark level. If those lattices were then excited in the correct manner, the gem was able to generate anti-quarks and thus, incredible dominion.
That stimulus was usually maintained via the subconscious extrasensory interaction of the Gods as they went about their daily business, thereby providing a well of untapped mundane and psychic latency that was then harnessed and stored in a buffer.
Situated as the island was at the convergence of several tectonic plates and an active volcano, much of that potential was directed toward anchoring the shifting landmasses in place. A positive side effect of such chicanery was the fact that thermal variance made the locale suitable for a wider than usual range of flora and fauna. It also provided power to the Monolith Gates employed throughout the Protectorate as a means of almost instantaneous travel between all major cities and the capital, Kalliste. Any untapped energy remaining was left within the buffer and used by the Gods to supplement their own incredible powers when completing major projects or undertaking more complex modifications of the atmosphere or weather.
Hestia¡¯s blazing regard swept over those gathered below. Her animosity was palpable and it didn¡¯t need a mind reader to discern what she thought of those who presumed to question their betters¡¯ judgment.
Apollo, noting the tension, stood and spoke calmly but with authority. ¡°Hestia, please, you will daunt our guests.¡±
His twin sister, Artemis, echoed the sentiment. ¡°Yes, Hestia, perhaps we should all make an effort to extend a greeting to our emissaries.¡±
As Artemis spoke she issued a psychic prompt, reminding all present of her authority as the Nike. In turn, most of her fellow immortals suppressed their auras. Clearly unhappy to capitulate, Hestia and Ares took considerably longer to do so than the others, while Dionysus¡ªas abrasive as ever¡ªcontinued to threaten the humans with a bout of surreptitious posturing.
In response, Apollo bathed the delegation in healing light, filtering out the ominous undercurrent entirely and creating a better mood for mutual rapport.
¡°Dear friends, elected representatives of your people.¡± Apollo raised his hand and gestured. ¡°Please, come forward and speak your concerns. Be reassured, we wish to clarify the reason for your visit here today . . . though I feel the answer might be only too obvious?¡±
Glancing briefly but pointedly at Hades, Dionysus, Ares, and Hestia, he added, ¡°Despite the incivility shown by some, never doubt you are welcome and are always free to express your misgivings to those who live to serve and protect you.¡±
He ignored the mental sneers issuing from his uncle¡¯s lackeys, and brightened his sun bright corona again as a sign of support. Smiling warmly, he sat back down and waited for As¡¯talon to begin.
Braving the malice still radiating from four of those present, As¡¯talon cleared his throat, stepped up onto the Representatives Dais, and made a point of fixing his attention on Apollo, Artemis, Hera, Hermes, and Athena. ¡°Lord Apollo, as spokesman for the Guilds and Magisters of the Protectorate and indeed for the people themselves, I have been asked to declare our horror regarding the wanton destruction unleashed by some of those who are supposed to shield and guide us. As this is such a serious matter, I must confess I¡¯m disappointed that I am not able to address the full House?¡±
Sending a telepathic inquiry to her son, Apollo, Hera interjected, ¡°May I offer my husband¡¯s sincerest apologies, As¡¯talon, to you and indeed to your esteemed colleagues. You are aware of course that Adhem-un is still otherwise engaged, traversing the ocean of the cosmos. Because of the immeasurable distances involved, he was unable to make it back in time and sent us on ahead in his stead. Believe me when I say, he regrets not being here. . .¡±
Staring directly at Hades, Ares, Dionysus, and then Hestia, she held their gazes for a moment before lowering her voice, ¡°Sadly, I cannot say the same of Psi-edon or Hephaestus, as for some reason, they have seen fit to decline your invitation?¡±
When none among the duplicitous quartet chose to reply, Hera continued, ¡°However, we who are present shall do our utmost to redress the grievances you air. My son Apollo has been granted right of proxy in his father¡¯s absence. And as you know, Artemis¡ªin her role as the Nike and First Attendant¡ªwill ensure Adhem-un is fully informed of the events transpiring here within minutes.¡±
As¡¯talon lingered, studying the silent veils of dust dislodged from various corners of the room as another, stronger convulsion shook the island to its core. A deep growl could be heard, groaning throughout the building as supports strained in protest under the stresses brought to bear. Forced to dance nimbly to steady himself, As¡¯talon didn¡¯t miss the puzzled expressions Apollo and Artemis shot toward the other Gods and then toward Hestia in particular, who was responsible for maintaining the supposedly impregnable arcane barricade surrounding the island.
He murmured, ¡°I thank you, Earth Mother, but the exploitation of our lands instigated under the direction of the Lords Psi-edon and Hephaestus have wreaked havoc on our cities and crops. Trade and commerce is severely disrupted. This past week alone has seen the destruction of four major metropolises and six townships, causing an unacceptable loss of life and the displacement of over eight hundred thousand citizens. And now, I see evidence those same machinations are also affecting the sacred home of our sovereign protectors. This begs the simple question, why?¡±
In a visible demonstration of empathy, Apollo bestowed a withering frown upon Psi-edon¡¯s clique. ¡°Why indeed? We discerned your just cause for complaint upon our return this very morning. Not one month has passed since some of our number departed, leaving you in the care of those who should know better. Yet what do we find? Neglect, disruption, growing anarchy and terror! Those we are sworn to defend, to guide and nurture, fearing our actions, suffering harm and premature death on an unprecedented scale!¡±
Even though his comments were not aimed at them, the humans below flinched as Apollo¡¯s feelings became manifest, intensifying his visible nimbus.
Leaning toward Hades, Apollo demanded, ¡°Lord Hades, Uncle. As one of the most senior members of the first generation left on Kalliste, why have you allowed such travesty to unfold without notifying father? And why is it the rest of your group are not here to answer for their neglect?
Hades glared at the gathered counselors before sneering. ¡°I do not speak for Psi-edon or Hephaestus, Apollo, nor do I account for my behavior in front of petty mortals. If it is your will that the Makers must now bend to the wishes of those beneath us, then of course, I shall go and summon my brethren at once.¡±
He rose, leaking feelings of apprehension and strangely, a building wellhead of excitement, which all present could discern. Apollo signaled Artemis subliminally and lifted a single finger, exerting the most subtle telekinetic influence as he did so. ¡°No, I think it might be best if you stayed with us.¡±
A further lightning fast mental exchange took place between brother and sister, which then expanded to include Athena.
Abruptly, Artemis spun to face Ares and suggested, ¡°Perhaps you would be so kind as to fetch my illustrious older uncle and Hephaestus? I¡¯m sure they will be only too keen to clarify the situation publicly?¡±
The warrior god peered steadily into the magnetic gray eyes of the twins, measuring them with the precision of an electron microscope. His scrutiny was matched by an unspoken guarantee of unflinching loyalty to the tenets of their patriarch¡¯s cause. Two sets of irises started glowing softly in warning, revealing a minuscule hint of their sovereignty. By this mannerism especially, did they reveal themselves as their father¡¯s children.
Sending a heavily encrypted message to Hades, Dionysus, and Hestia, Ares nodded once, ¡°As you wish,¡± then disappeared, teleporting to wherever it was that Psi-edon had buried himself away.
Apollo broke the silence that followed. ¡°As¡¯talon, both you and your compatriots are welcome to enjoy the refreshments that will shortly be provided in the annex. On my oath, this matter will be resolved today and reparations will be forth . . . ?¡±
¡°Hestia, what are you doing?¡± Always alert and cunning, Hermes had leaned forward in his seat, a look of puzzlement etched across his features. ¡°And why is the numen of this blessed sanctuary corrupted?¡±
In answer to Hermes query, all heads turned to the Keeper of the Sacred Flame as she openly completed a series of subtle manipulations begun in secret more than a month previously. It was only at that moment, with all minds focused on the generator, that the results of her ingeniously executed artifice became apparent.
At Psi-edon¡¯s behest, Hestia had adjusted the crystal¡¯s functioning, allowing her to siphon off the energy accrued over time so that shield integrity and transporter capabilities were gradually diminished. Her goal: a harvesting of psitronic potential to be used as she saw fit against those loyal to the Zus Adhem-un.
She initiated the psinergic overload, whereby a massive buildup and subsequent explosive release of interdimensional quintessence would take place, rendering those who were unprepared helpless and unable to manifest their higher state. The island would also be stripped of its defenses, placing everyone at the mercy of the breakaway faction.
The control gem glowed red and a shrill buzz impinged on everyone¡¯s sensibilities. With a shout of triumph, Hestia released the cascade. A blooming shockwave of immense power rippled away, bowling over her opponents and killing all but two of the interfering mortals outright.
Grinning, she issued a brief but intricate set of instructions for her confederates to follow and teleported to their side, intent on assisting their onward journey to the prearranged rendezvous.
Unfortunately for her that was a grave error.
While most of her enemies now lay unconscious, Hestia had neglected to factor in the inimitable heritage of the twins. Though the force of the initial pulse had knocked them from their feet, Apollo and Artemis had been forewarned by Hermes¡¯ query. In turn, that alerted them to the nature of Ares¡¯ heavily encoded message. Perceiving an imminent threat, they had reacted with preternatural speed and managed to partially raise their personal screens. Still awake, they had listened to Hestia¡¯s last communiqu¨¦ and were only too keen to answer.
Artemis extended both hands, unleashing dual shafts of ferocious potency, supercharged by emotion. The first eviscerated Hades as he entered his teleportation nexus. Writhing in abject misery, he held out for a full three seconds before being effaced in a nova of argent purity. The second hurtled toward the traitor Hestia, only just missing her as she dematerialized.
Continuing on through the space left vacant by Hestia¡¯s departure, the plasma charge struck the next object in its path: the depleted Flame Generator. An eruption of frigid intensity announced the destruction of the weakened crystal, forcing Artemis to crouch down momentarily and cover her head to avoid incineration in the amplified backlash.
Apollo had also acted swiftly, erecting a class one forbidding over those who had been stupefied. In doing so, he missed the opportunity to destroy Dionysus before he made good his escape.
As he strove to revive his fellow immortals and the only two humans to survive¡ªwhich thankfully included their longtime friend, As¡¯talon¡ªa sizzling sensation swelled in the ether about him. Apollo ducked and then flinched as his defenses were struck a ringing blow from a hastily thrown psitronic thunderbolt, flung by Ares who had snuck back in an obvious attempt to end things as quickly as possible.
Athena¡ªnot blessed with the precognitive power of the twins, but nevertheless a superb strategist¡ªhad already responded with a warrior¡¯s reflexes. Determined to follow Hestia by piggy-backing along her hyperspatial pathway, she allowed her molecules to dissipate. Unfortunately for Athena, so intent was she on discovering the location of the rebel base, that she didn¡¯t realize her maneuver had left her temporarily vulnerable to the esoteric flashover engendered by the destruction of the flame generator. The ensuing countercurrents wrenched Athena out of the spatial matrix in mid-jump, slamming her to the floor.
Meanwhile, Apollo had his hands full juggling numerous obstacles at once. The stupendous strain of absorbing the abstruse might of the attack in such a way that the only two mortals left alive were spared from further harm, had driven Apollo to his knees. His struggle was compounded by the unexpected weight of thousands of tons of falling granite as the hewn blocks of the Olympiad started to crumble around him. He reached out with his perceptions and found his sister standing tall amid a deluge of bricks, mortar and choking dirt: They¡¯re flitting about to confuse us. Hail Adhem-un now, we need his strength!
Artemis, knowing full well the gravity of the situation, wreathed herself in astral flame and summoned her superlative farseeing faculty. Relying on her astounding capacity as the Nike, she was confident she would possess the mental muscle and discipline required to home in on the exact coordinates of her father¡ªwherever he may be¡ªso that he could be apprised of the awful events that had just occurred.
No sooner had she commenced her scan than the environs were slammed by another world-shaking blast that caused the air to warp in complaint, and which all but breached Apollo¡¯s protective shield.
Providentially, all of the falling masonry and even the dust particles were instantly vaporized. But that was as far as their luck extended. So fierce were the variant stresses brought to bear, that a full-blown major earthquake was spawned.
Kalliste was rocked to its foundations.
Apollo called to Artemis on their intimate mode: They¡¯re working in harmonic union, and are enhanced by psitronic energy! Be quick, I can¡¯t keep this up without manifesting.
Artemis blazed victorious, a pristine solitary statue shining bright amid the occluding chaos: I¡¯ve found him! He¡¯s right at the edge of my range. Transmitting data now.
The ground beneath them vanished as another fulgid discharge struck home, gouging a hole over four hundred yards deep through eleven layers of the island¡¯s substrata. As tornadic winds streamed into the ensuing vacuum, every standing structure within a one-mile radius imploded.
Powerful though the twins were in their fleshly guise, the speed of the conflux reduced them to nothing more significant than tiny midges caught in a gale.
Their mother, Hera, was killed in that same blast, her consciousness shrieking poignantly for her husband during the fraction of a second it took for her light to be extinguished. Hermes also died, though less dramatically, remaining blissfully unaware of his demise as he was torn apart from the inside out.
Athena had retained the presence of mind to spin a force field around herself and the person next to her, As¡¯talon. Sadly, she was unable to react in time to save the other human, Nikolas¡ªa Magister from Minoa, who had only recently become a father.
Incensed by the brutality she had been forced to witness, Athena phase-shifted to ward off the effects of the ambush and then threw herself through the superficies in pursuit of Hestia, but not before sending a brief update of her intentions to Apollo.
In a daring move, Dionysus and Ares teleported back into the thick of things. Having assumed divine incarnations, they appeared as avenging angels hovering high in the sky; lambent stars whose scorching presence heralded a clear objective to eradicate anyone daring to face them . . . At least, that was the impression they gave. Alas for them, they never got the chance to express their goal more fully.
Countering instinctively, Apollo and Artemis meshed in harmonic union, multiplying the sum of their capabilities whilst simultaneously erecting a refractive web in the air before them, a fabrication designed not to stop but merely deflect any attack.
Together, they began sucking in energy at a truly astonishing rate. So shocked were Dionysus and Ares at the staggering potency of the twins¡¯ hitherto unmeasured capabilities that their assault faltered.
They were further stalled by an extreme range, hyperspace translation probe of incalculable strength and precision. Sizzling into being, it anchored instantly and expanded into an impregnable shield bubble even before the unknown traveler had signaled the commencement of their jump.
Only one entity they knew of was capable of such a feat.
The bubble began emitting a target locator program. Ignoring everyone else, it latched onto the psychomimetic auras of Dionysus and Ares, prompting them to send out a panicked call for help.
Shielded or no, Dionysus was no match for Apollo or Artemis. Capitalizing on the distraction, they pounced, and a heartbeat later he was crushed by duplex anvils of fearful mastery that struck his complexus from both sides at once, atomizing him entirely.
An extension of the twins¡¯ will, those cords snapped and crackled as they sought out fresh prey. Finding none, they coiled back in on themselves, subsuming the dead God¡¯s essence and providing the twins with the boost they needed to overcome the debilitating effects of the psitronic booby-trap. As one, they triggered the metamorphosis into their true selves.
In that same instant, an expanding auroral prism of blinding intensity announced the arrival of a living storm made manifest.
Blazing with anger, the Zus Adhem-un thundered onto the battlefield in all his awesome glory; compelling, radiant, terrifying. Not only was his mind a maelstrom offering nothing but certain death, but such was the focus of his ardor that the earth¡¯s crust started to liquefy. Still in mundane form, he was nevertheless wreathed in his Aegis, an astral nimbus of such soul numbing potency that he could not be looked upon directly.
By now, Ares had managed to teleport fully away. Nevertheless, his haste meant that he had neglected to take the full measure of who it was that hunted him. Making no attempt to cover his tracks, he jumped straight to the location chosen by his allies at which to muster their forces; an armored vault, deep beneath the island. Realizing they had been discovered, they then made the further mistake of acting far too rashly, channeling most of the remaining arsenal at their disposal into an all-or-nothing strike.
A blistering spherule, composed of psitronic and psychic energy with a diameter measuring in excess of fifty yards, hammered down onto the Zus Adhem-un and the twins. So intense was the flash emitted by the resultant detonation, that anything looking toward Kalliste at that moment¡ªman or beast¡ªwas struck blind.
Twenty-three long seconds passed in which all hostilities ceased and every single immortal¡ªloyalist and separatist¡ªgazed in anticipation at the slowly dimming ball of plasma, throbbing like a dying pulsar against a blood-red sky.
Some hopes faltered when the false sunrise waned sufficiently to reveal the former jewel of the known enlightened world had been reduced to a glassed and smoking wasteland. A few were crushed entirely when the Zus Adhem-un stood forth unharmed. Hovering between the twins above the crater that had once been their home, he surveyed the carnage below him and his countenance turned black.
Alerting Apollo and Artemis to his designs, Zus Adhem-un started drawing in power at such an alarming rate that it made the twins¡¯ earlier efforts seem nonexistent by comparison. The speed of his inhalation grew more pronounced, and kept on increasing until cyclonic wind shears screamed toward him from all points of the compass.
A bastion of stolidity, the Father of the Gods frowned and sizzling sigma beams leaped from his eyes. Punching down through the intervening sedimentary layers, they locked onto the secret complex from which Psi-edon and Hephaestus had launched their diabolical schemes, and where they now cowered, trapped in their transcended forms.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
Athena arrived inside that same facility in time to witness the onset of the Zus Adhem-un¡¯s scorn. As the fragile weave of the subduction zone threaded throughout the region had been weakened and the island now lacked the protection of the Flame, it was plain to her the Zus Adhem-un was showing restraint by concentrating his efforts solely on the area around the insurgents¡¯ refuge.
Regardless, his restraint was by no means a sign of weakness.
A mighty roar reverberated through the heavens, clarifying that point: STAND AWAY FROM THE CONTROLS OR DIE! COMPLY WITH MY INSTRUCTIONS NOW OR I WILL END YOU . . . PERMANENTLY!
Shaking her head at the trapped rebels, Athena advised, ¡°Give it up, you idiots. Even combined, you know that none of you has a chance against him.¡±
A hurried exchange took place between Psi-edon and the rest of his coterie. In response, Hephaestus began floating toward the main control console, his mind a leaking colander of desperation and rising anxiety.
Athena was appalled, genuinely fearful for the one ancient who had treated her like his own grandchild in the centuries it had taken her to mature. In desperation she shouted, ¡°For pity¡¯s sake, show some sense! He¡¯s livid enough as it is. Don¡¯t force him to kill you.¡±
Hephaestus glanced at Psi-edon and then back to Athena. A peculiar look of resigned helplessness cast a shadow of sadness across his beautiful, shining face. He met her gaze for a final time, then mentally triggered the self-destruct program.
Athena¡¯s anguish was heartfelt: Nooo!
The burst of pre-stored psitronic energy cut down through the shattered geology beneath the island in less time than it took to blink, detonating three cloaked antimatter mines placed in close proximity to the junction of the crust with the upper mantle.
The shockwave triggered an immediate ¡°oblique slip¡± tectonic shift, allowing the pressure that had been held in stasis for millennia within the vast magma chamber to begin percolating toward the surface. A sense of agitation seemed to grip the currents surrounding the coastal region. Then the Atlas Sea flexed, generating a huge vertical deformation of its mass. As it relaxed, millions of cubic tons of displaced water radiated outward, away from the island, carrying with it the promise of certain calamity.
Now there wasn¡¯t a thing anyone could do to avert a catastrophe. But that didn¡¯t prevent the Father Protector from trying.
He started with the dross.
The radical element may have chosen to hide themselves away more than two miles underground, but that meant nothing to an incensed Zus Adhem-un. The sigma beams intensified. Cutting through shielding and armor as if they were nothing more robust than wet paper, he fried Hephaestus where he groveled. Such was the ferocity of the attack that everyone gravitated toward the vacuity created by the doomed God as he was extirpated.
Nails bared, her visage a mask of hatred and grief, Athena flew across the chamber at Psi-edon. A wasted exercise, for he was already halfway inside a carefully prepared hyperspatial escape pod.
Glancing back, he hissed: Fool! Your people will suffer for this.
He disappeared so fast Athena didn¡¯t have time to track his trajectory. Not that there was any real need to do so.
My people! She thought.
Rubescent searchlights roved the interior of the vault. Alighting on Ares and Hestia simultaneously, the rays oscillated, delivering a kinetic wallop sufficient to send both Gods crashing to the deck. As they fell unconscious, their auras darkened and they reverted back into their human avatars.
Athena expressed no joy over this brief success: Adhem-un, there are over a quarter million souls living under my care!
Go to them, he replied: Apollo will follow shortly while Artemis assists me here. I have to try and stabilize the island before we do anything else.
Teleporting to her patron holding, she discovered Psi-edon lurking about ten thousand yards out at sea. His potential swelled as he summoned the energy needed to level the entire city. Sending a brief update to Apollo, Athena prepared to intercept the death stroke before it achieved primary resolution. Only then might she be in a position to deflect the blast without ravaging her more vulnerable human disposition.
An unwilling spectator to the callous treachery of his uncle, Apollo arrived just as Psi-edon unleashed an amphitheater sized gobbet from hell. Projected toward the busy metropolis as more than twice the speed of sound, it engendered a mammoth sonic boom which reverberated off for over three hundred miles in every direction before fading.
Athena must have realized she didn¡¯t have time to create an effective barrier, for she put herself in harm¡¯s way in a deliberate attempt to absorb as much of the strike¡¯s potential as she could. Somehow, she managed to endure for over nine, horrendously long and drawn out seconds of eternity before her threshold ruptured. A dazzling white chrysanthemum burst arched outward, covering Athena City itself and extending as far as Karkalla, Trikkia, and across the Atlas Sea to Kosse.
With nothing to stand in their way, shards of residual energy battered the southern continental shoreline, carving it into five huge distinct gulfs¡ªand in one area¡ªalmost severing the south western peninsula from the rest of the mainland. Countless square miles of bedrock were smashed downward, compressing the already delicate strata even further and spawning a substantial tremor as the sea raced hungrily to fill the void.
The weight of the inrushing monster tide sparked another reaction and millions of tons of rock and water started spuming high into the sky. Beneath it, the earth itself appeared to vibrate like the skin of a war drum sounding the call to battle.
Thousands of mortals called out, their last moments alive filled with bewilderment and fear as they realized they were about to perish. True to form, Psi-edon uttered a self-satisfied cry of glee. That will teach you for choosing her over me, he crowed, now you see the price of . . .?
Unfathomable majesty coalesced behind him. Strengthening his screens to maximum, Psi-edon turned to face this latest challenger and came up short: You!
A huge gale of mental laughter followed. Boy, you had better run along and hide behind someone¡¯s coattails before you stretch my patience beyond its limits. You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re dealing with.
Apollo continued to advance, his purpose concealed behind a veil of obsidian menace; his plexus blazing coldly.
Psi-edon continued: Do you really think you can take me, boy? Do you seriously think you have the potential to defeat the likes of me?
No answer was forthcoming.
Still one hundred yards distant from his uncle, Apollo began drawing on the tincture of reality far more adroitly than Psi-edon thought was inhumanly possible.
Suddenly aware of his error, Psi-edon poured even more energy into the strongest shield he had ever created. He snarled: Let¡¯s see if you can kill me then . . . boy.
At last Apollo replied. Oh no, Uncle, I think father has something rather special in store for you.
And with that, Psi-edon discovered for the first time in his long and illustrious life just how competent his young nephew was. His most potent defense was routed with surprising ease; his psi-well was capped within vicelike bands of restrictive agony; and his transcension program was stripped entirely before being blocked. Thus bound, Psi-edon suffered the further indignity of being drained to the point of oblivion.
However, instead of absorbing that potential, his nephew used Psi-edon¡¯s own former psyche against him and imprisoned him within the halo of a Null Vortex of stunning finesse.
Helpless, constrained to human form, and stripped of any hope of escape, Psi-edon had to concede he had drastically underestimated the twins. The possibility had never occurred to him that they could inherit such potential from their father . . . considering his unique origins.
He was snapped from his reverie by his nephew¡¯s chill reminder: Like I said, father has something else in mind for you . . . as you¡¯ll soon find out.
Without further ado, the would-be leader of revolution was hauled unceremoniously back to Kalliste, where he wasn¡¯t surprised to find his only surviving adherents¡ªAres and Hestia¡ªdangling in similar psychic restraints above the scene of their greatest crime. From what he could surmise, the Zus Adhem-un and Artemis appeared to be working in concert, in an attempt to nursemaid the entire Atlantean fault line through the multiple tremors provoking the formation of an ever widening subterranean geomorphic web.
Artemis expressed her reservations out loud to her father: It¡¯s no good. If we spend too long trying to close the fretwork of fissures here, we won¡¯t have time to deal with the tsunami. One way or another, we¡¯ve got to make a choice.
Zus Adhem-un¡¯s reply was laced with regret: No, my daughter, I¡¯ve got to make a choice.
Glaring at the instigators of the unfolding tragedy in a way that left no doubt they would answer for their crimes, the Father Protector then cast his farsight outward, toward the ridge of the killer bore as it sped away from them at over three hundred and fifty miles per hour. Next, he jumped ahead of the crest to asses which islands of the archipelago would be hit first. Finally, he looked down through the intervening strata to the boiling cauldron still straining to find release.
Enlarging the scene so that everyone could see, he drew their attention to a pooled hotspot at the apex of the giant magma chamber. That¡¯s going to blow the rest of the Olympiad apart and devastate the whole Atlantean area if we stop trying. But if we delay much longer, the wave will destroy everything the mortals have built.
Reverting to their intimate mode to deliberately exclude the now defunct rebels, he continued: Apollo, when Kalliste goes it will trigger major changes to the lithosphere and no doubt initiate an even bigger tidal wave. I¡¯m going to modify the crust over the next few minutes to ensure that when this thing pops, it goes straight up, venting as much of the energy as possible into the atmosphere, and taking out the capital with it. That way, I¡¯ll save most of the nearby island chain.
He paused to scan the fault zone again, this time displaying his calculations visibly as he determined the countermeasures required to to redress the balance¡ªeven a little.
In a trice, he had his answer. His body began to shine, radiating with a strange nebulous luminescence as he summoned a metamorphosis he had not entertained in over a thousand years.
Son, I need you to get across to Andros, Kosse, and Rhodos and evacuate as many as you can on the way. The eastern mainland of Rhodos will do as a staging area. You should find your task a little easier as Psi-edon has already destroyed the largest settlements along the south and west of those islands in his pathetic attempts to remove our supporters. Work quickly, lives are the priority. They can always rebuild afterward.
Artemis, you take Athena City and the mainland around it. It¡¯s a horrendous mess up that way as the entire district is still unstable. Evacuate first and we can always mop up afterward once people are safe. When I¡¯ve finished here, I¡¯m going to see what we can salvage at Kriti, Atlantis, and Hermania to the south.
A gigantic eleven-foot tall angelic apparition of transcendent beauty now blazed in mid-heaven, its radiance so bright that it cast secondary shadows on the earth beneath. Vaster and more glorious than any of them remembered, the Father of the Gods was revealed in his full potential. Those on hand stared in wonder, especially the older immortals, who only now recalled from whence they¡¯d come and who it was they had dared to cross.
A simple thought bound the rebels further within a temporal cocoon. Then, together with his might offspring, the Zus Adhem-un set about completing the saddest duty he had ever undertaken.
*
Over the next hour, more than eight million souls from the once jewel of modern civilization, were saved in a three staged relocation effort of gargantuan proportions.
Artemis, tasked to serve those mortals in the Satrap covering the inland capital of Athena, was shocked to discover the devastated city had almost succumbed to the cruel encroachment of the sea, while the former major ports of Apollyon, Monolithium, and Hestiania were now fully submerged.
Over a dozen larger towns were also lost during the upheaval and Mount Athena to the South had been completely obliterated. Though initially inundated, its sister peak, Mount Egina survived, albeit as an island now separated from the refashioned mainland by a seventeen-mile wide channel.
Loss and suffering reigned everywhere, and the already stricken populace was forced to move far inland; firstly to avoid the effects of repeated aftershocks as the earth¡¯s crust fought to stabilize; then later to evade the desolation wreaked by the double tsunamis, the second one of which swamped the virgin shore to a distance of thirty miles before finally receding.
On a positive note, Artemis had been pleased to find the Pantheon at Athena¡ªalong with the city¡¯s backup monolith gate and power generator¡ªwas still intact and operational. Because of this, Artemis was able to transport thousands to safety before its energy eventually depleted, significantly reducing those requiring teleportation during the latter stages of the relief effort.
Such was the scope of her efforts that she later came to be revered by the more than one million people she was able to rescue as the Victorious One, the immortal benefactor who overcame the blight of the evil demon gods. Indeed during the millennia that followed, the use of her name gradually evolved, coming to reflect the outcome of her deeds and the salvation she brought to those who would otherwise have faced certain death.
Apollo, leapfrogging Andros, Naxos, Kosse, and Karpathania prior to the arrival of the initial tidal wave, simply evacuated all of the panicking population from the smaller municipalities along the way and placed them together on the southeastern headland of his final port of call, Rhodos.
He made his stand there in sun bright transcended glory, braced across the seafaring entrance to Rhodos City, generating a shield of such heroic proportions that it was able to withstand the unimaginable charge of millions of cubic tons of water. It was a magnificent, fear inspiring sight, watching a dual-headed surge wall higher than the cliffs of Pelion smash against his invisible will, only to be held in place until the energy driving it had bled away, back into the bosom of the earth.
His colossal efforts that day not only saved the lives of over two million refugees, but earned him the love and respect of the populace as a whole, who went on to express the depth of their gratitude by immortalizing him in marble and bronze. Standing proudly across the harbor, his enormous monument served as a timely reminder to future generations that only by uniting together could adversity be defeated.
*
In preparation for the inevitable destruction of his home for the past two thousand years, Adhem-un also had to steel himself for the shipwreck such a drastic act foreshadowed regarding his original proposal for mankind. Thinking back on all the effort and sacrifice; the heart and soul devoted through the centuries to this project; the careful guidance provided to ensure humanity reached their potential¡ªonly to see it snatched away just as things were beginning to bear fruit¡ªmade him more determined than ever to succeed.
And succeed he did, for he was peerless among his kind.
Extending his immense talent for precognition into the dusky skein threading its way through spacetime, the Father Protector commenced strumming the multitude of subdued possibility filaments he found there. Glowing like dying embers in a cooling hearth, most expired in wasted expressions of futility. But not all.
I see you!
The silver luster of a viable reality nexus gleamed bright amid the gloom. Seizing it, he began to play; softly, delicately; expertly plucking its structure with a refinement that coaxed notes of soaring beauty and complexity to the fore.
Drawn by what he heard, Adhem-un meshed his consciousness to that nexus, intent on following it toward the culminating feasibility climax in the far distant future.
And there it was: the golden bloom of hope; a triple helix of swirling petals orbited by myriad rainbow blooms, swirling along the path that must be followed to ensure the life of this world¡ªalong with its ultimate potential¡ªwould not be squandered.
So profound was Adhem-un¡¯s relief at discovering that one strand, that his transcended heart swelled to bursting. If he¡¯d been in human form, there was little doubt he would have been moved to tears. As it was, the song of his emotions tinkled around him like a swelling melodic halo, expressing to the cosmic all how alleviated he felt just knowing a chance¡ªno matter how slim¡ªremained.
The phoenix will rise, he murmured, showing a clear understanding of the enduring patience that would be required to see this new course to fruition.
But first . . .?
With a heavy heart, he initiated the blast that would vanquish Kalliste¡¯s fragile foundations, allowing the barely restrained magma to voice its anger on an already devastated land. Having done so, he teleported to a better elevation from which he could maintain a lonely vigil as his home finally met its end.
In slow motion, an area encompassing about six by three miles slowly bulged upward as the lithosphere inflated, only to fall away moments later when a void opened beneath it. That collapse was misleading, however, for the ground leaped skyward again a split-second later in a cataclysmic expression of earthshaking magnitude.
Scanning the ruined substrata, Adhem-un could see why the eruption was so catastrophic. Toxic vapors trapped below ground had been compressed far beyond their natural capacity to remain thermally stable. The instant the crust was pierced, the inrush of air led to a hypervented outpouring so rabid that the resultant explosion not only incinerated the bedrock close to and at the surface, but also far down into the mantle as well. The influx of frigid water that followed caused instant steam flash, forcing further expanding volatiles into an already tumultuous brew. Needless to say, that incendiary mix evaporated the entire central region of Kalliste in its rush for freedom, triggering a total collapse of the southwestern segment of the island.
A huge ring of earth, over a mile in breadth, was flung upward and outward, joining the searing magma and boiling fumes already rocketing toward the stratosphere ten miles up. Projecting about, Adhem-un could see larger fragments curling away toward Ios, Amorgosia, and Milosia, while the lighter particles kept on ascending into the mesosphere.
Gauging the strength of the prevailing easterly wind, Adhem-un nodded in satisfaction. At least one thing was working in their favor, as the countercurrents higher up in the atmosphere would help to keep the dissipating ash cloud confined to a relatively small area, thereby reducing the impact of corrosive emissions.
Pondering, quietly, his thoughts brought some degree of comfort: They might have to wait a decade or so, but life across the fallout zone will survive. And with the fortitude I know they possess, they¡¯ll eventually recover.
His rose tinted reprieve ended there, for the newly spawned tsunami was even more powerful than its predecessor. Making its presence felt across an expanding wave front, it was already more than two hundred miles wide and hurtling along at close to the speed of sound. Analyzing its composition, he estimated the bulk of its energy would strike the mortals¡¯ planetary capital of Adhemun on the northern shores of Kriti¡ªa place dear to his heart, as that was where he had first revealed himself to mankind.
Another major earthquake gripped the entire fault line, this one working its way down the southern accretion prism toward the coast of Africa. Perched along the boundary of the same continental ridge, Atlantis, Hermania and He¨¤dis slumped into the newly opened abyss, dragging the northern coastline of Kriti along with them.
Hot on that convulsion¡¯s heels, the leading edge of the propagating wave surge skimmed across the roots of the sunken islands, gaining height as it did so. Exerting his long-range astral faculty, the Father Protector skipped ahead to the most heavily populated of Kriti¡¯s cosmopolitan cities; Adhemun, Apolos and Helios. It¡¯s unlikely they¡¯ll survive. And even if the swell doesn¡¯t crush them entirely, what¡¯s left won¡¯t be fit for anything but gulls to inhabit. So . . .?
Accepting what was certain, the Zus Adhem-un refused to be sidetracked by sentiment. Swiftly determining where he could best direct his efforts, he flew into action.
*
Looking back on that day, the survivors from those southern islands and their many cities, townships and surrounding villages were able to recount a saga¡¯s worth of tall tales, heroic deeds and endless miracles in great detail. For once, such accounts were well worth listening to, for nobody needed to exaggerate a single thing.
Whether they had been cowering in dread as their homes and businesses collapsed about them, or screaming in terror as the very ground beneath their feet fell away, all recounted feeling the same weird fluttering sensation in their stomachs before a sense of utter tranquility infused their souls with a cast-iron guarantee of salvation.
And the coincidences didn¡¯t stop there, for while the specifics of each story differed, a common denominator continued to worm its way through an extraordinary narrative.
Wherever they were, no matter the circumstances, one and all reported being scooped away from whatever predicament assailed them and lifted high into the heavens. There, out of harm¡¯s way, they were amalgamated into a vast macrocosm, a single united audience to the calamitous events that then unfolded:
A huge black smudge appeared far to the north, its presence a rapacious and ominous stain against the bright blue expanse above. While yet distant, thunder rumbled, providing an echoing accompaniment to the branched electrum fracturing the pall from one end to the other in haphazard photonic majesty. Each interlude between strikes served as a warning, for as the shroud advanced, the wind began to freshen, rushing toward an unknown goal in quickening gusts. Soon, it was snapping like a whip, driving the rain and whitecaps before it in stinging rebuke. A background resonance built in the ether; a timbre felt, not heard; a subsonic challenge even the foolhardy couldn¡¯t ignore . . . and with good reason.
The veil swept closer, its fulgurous gloom a freakish crucible that blocked out the sun, leeching the courage from many of those watching. The lower half of the mass evolved into a seething monstrous cliff, a pelagic maw intent on consuming everything in its path.
Roaring out of the darkness, the wave smashed into the crippled husk that was Kriti, stripping the pedestal of high society clean of any evidence humans had ever lived there. Its hunger was relentless, for the surge pressed inland, encroaching upon the slopes of the Astral and White Mountains¡ªand in some cases¡ªeven intruding as far as the cities of Ierapetras and Vouvassia along the southern peninsula.
It was only after events had climaxed and the millions of refugees were being deposited in droves along the shorelines of those lands surrounding the Atlas Sea that it at last dawned on them . . . something was off!
Not only was the daylight an odd color, but it had been shining from a multitude of different angles. Even more perplexing was the fact that the solar disc was still occluded behind a thick blanket of cloud. So how could everyone see?
That¡¯s when the author behind the benevolent invisible force revealed himself and everyone discovered that this new blazing daystar, radiating light and warmth from on high, was none other than the Zus Adhem-un himself¡ªthe Father Protector, first among the Gods, possessor of the Aegis and all glad tidings¡ªcome to safeguard them in their hour of need.
For need there was.
It took over a month to treat the afflicted and relocate the homeless. Grateful citizens were gradually grouped together by families or trade, equipped with the provisions they needed to rebuild a comfortable life, then transferred to new, specially prepared settlements selected for them in a variety of prime locations. The former glory of the Protectorate might be gone, but cultured civilization would endure, as would their prospects for the future.
However, as relieved as Adhem-un was by such progress, another vital chore still awaited his personal attention.
*
Without warning, Psi-edon, Ares, and Hestia were able to see, hear, and feel again. Experiencing a bout of lightheadedness, they stumbled and reached out to each other, only realizing at that moment they were still in human form. Freezing gusts chilled them to the bone, causing them to instinctively huddle together for warmth.
Squinting against the glare of sunshine on snow, all three covered their eyes and commenced a slow three hundred and sixty degree turn, shuffling like penguins as they did so. A vista of endless white, sparkling like fire diamonds, greeted their scrutiny. Unprotected as they were without their powers, they began to shiver and subconsciously brushed at the ice crystals forming on those sides of their bodies exposed to the wind.
Turning full circle, they completed their inspection to find their nemesis standing mere yards away. Flanked on either side by his formidable offspring, The Father Protector¡¯s demeanor was as hard and flat as pitch.
¡°I¡¯m not going to waste my energy talking to you, as we¡¯re way past the time for talk,¡± Adhem-un began, making a sweeping motion with his hand, ¡°especially as your new home will provide you with ample opportunity to think long and hard about the future and your part in it.¡±
He gestured again, this time at the ground in front of them, and the permafrost there melted away to reveal a narrow borehole.
A brief tingling sensation followed, along with a moment¡¯s disorientation, and they were teleported into an underground vault containing an antigravity generator with solar backups and three bio-pods.
Adhem-un resumed his explanation. ¡°I have left your self-regenerative plexuses intact, along with an aspect of your ultrasenses to allow you a small degree of astral projection. Your other abilities will remain capped until I choose to restore them . . . if ever. Rather than simply destroy you¡ªas the twins would have me do¡ªI have opted for a less lethal form of correction. One that allows you to play a part in the grander scheme of things should you wish it.¡±
The fallen trio looked around the cold, imposing room, devoid of any of the creature comforts they were used to. Noting the cryotubes and the bank of computers and automated security stations that would provide the only furnishings to their abode over the coming centuries, they paled visibly.
Indicating the suspension chambers, Adhem-un clarified their situation, ¡°You¡¯ll be imprisoned in stasis, here on the southern continent of this world in a permanent dreamlike condition, well away from those you could possibly harm. I¡¯ve ensured that your minds will remain cognitively aware, allowing you to reflect on the appalling results of your cowardice and egotism over the millennia ahead. Your biometrics and psiometrics will be monitored, regularly assessed and, if necessary, recalibrated to evaluate how deeply you come to repent of your actions. If in time you express true regret for your crimes, you may be released and your abilities gradually restored. Conversely, if at the time of Unification¡ªnow delayed by thousands of years because of your interfering¡ªyou are still intent on domination, well, be under no illusions . . . you will die. I will never allow you, or anyone else for that matter, to prevent this race from attaining their full potential.¡±
Psi-edon hissed in anger. ¡°You are a fool if you allow this travesty, they will think to equal us, we who were once of the hea¡ª¡±
¡°SILENCE!¡± raged the mind and storm-loud voice of the Father Protector, suddenly transformed into a titanic apparition before them.
Such was the weight of his rage that the prisoners were forced to their knees. Expecting death, they cowered on the floor, only to find the storm had dissipated as instantly as it had appeared, leaving Apollo and Artemis exchanging puzzled glances behind their father¡¯s back over his outburst.
A moment passed before Adhem-un continued. ¡°You know we are not permitted to speak of those times, and you are a fool if you fail to realize that in the future this race will not only equal us as we are now, but surpass our feats in many ways too. Those of us who were first have a duty to protect and safeguard them so the Grand Unification can manifest. Had you not been so consumed by avarice, you would have surmised that there are already individuals on this planet who have taken their first tottering steps along the path to transcension. They belong with us in this plane, and I will afford them every opportunity to succeed, with or without your help.¡±
And with that, the cowering rebels were rendered catatonic and confined to the long sleep of oblivion. Rejected, they lay forgotten by the world at large, awaiting the day of reckoning that would one day surely come.
*
Zus Adhem-un, Apollo, and Artemis¡ªoperating from their temporary home on Mount Olympus¡ªinitiated a significant program of biomimetic land and plant husbandry in many areas over the following years to ensure the institution of a suitably diverse ecosystem. Under their care, crops thrived, trade flourished and a wide gamut of cultural and civil pursuits was reintroduced.
Eventually, after everyday life had reestablished itself, they called together the newly elected Magisters and Guild Leaders, issued final instructions, and bade their worshippers a sad farewell. They went to great lengths to emphasize that never again should mortals become as overly dependent upon the Gods as they had been previously. Mankind must find their own way, and although they would find it difficult, especially in those early years, society as a whole would benefit in the long run.
The populace received that news with sadness and trepidation, fearing to face the future alone. However, knowing without a doubt that these surviving Gods had nothing but their best interests in mind, they eventually acceded to their wishes, declaring they would never forget their saviors, and asking them to accept a parting gift in honor to the Zus Adhem-un.
That gift was bestowed with the unanimous agreement of the people: to rename the entire region, and indeed the sea itself to the Aegean, in remembrance of the light the Father Protector had shed across the Earth on the black day of salvation.
The Zus Adhem-un graciously conceded, and thereafter, the Gods returned to Olympus where they gradually withdrew from open interaction with human kind. As such, despite the best intentions and motives of a grateful community, they gradually faded from memory with each passing generation.
Tales emerged from time to time of course, regarding mysterious benefactors who would step in at critical moments to protect the weak; the deserving; and those special few who found themselves in dire need.
Whoever those benefactors were, or what they were called, depended upon which civilization happened to be in ascension at the time. But as the years turned to decades, and decades to centuries, open reference to the gods of old faded into myth and legend and they were never openly seen or heard from again . . .
For a long time!
Fortunes
The global census of the year before had surprised many as the outcome was somewhat closer than anticipated.
The initial backlash over the failure of the Guardians to prevent the deaths of, and injuries to, the thousands of victims of the missile attack had been skillfully maintained by the ¡°anti¡± faction. As such, most people thought the naysayers would win by a landslide. However, their subsequent procurement of only fifty-two percent of the votes was a far cry from original estimates.
Apparently, the sudden change of heart was due to an astonishing event that took place on the day before polling closed, in a small English city called Exeter, where the Guardian Overlord gave his first ever interview live on air with young Joshua Drake by his side.
In hindsight, there was little doubt the Overlord used the occasion to demonstrate that, when it came to the effective use of strategy, he obviously had nothing to learn.
Everyone knew he was powerful. They¡¯d seen clear evidence of that when he¡¯d manifested into his true form to destroy the black hole in Texas. So his appearance was a surprise, in that not once did he relate to the stupendous metapsychic arsenal at his disposal. Nor did he stress how ungrateful some people were being by dismissing all the Guardians had done on their behalf. Instead, the Overlord took the unprecedented step of submitting his testimony to the intrusive and unsympathetic mercies of a Wave Reader, one of the newfangled mindreading devices recently made available to a number of the more prestigious international law enforcement agencies.
Under its clinical analytical scrutiny, he went on to deliver a simple, straightforward, but most eloquent and candid explanation as to why the Guardians had started to respond so openly to the never-ending cycle of disasters afflicting the modern-day world.
In itself, that move was a masterstroke, for though the Overlord¡¯s explanation involved the future as witnessed through his unparalleled oracular talents, the veracity of his account¡ªas fantastical and farfetched as it sounded¡ªwas impossible to refute.
And what a future it was.
Mankind¡¯s story couldn¡¯t be embellished to include a catalogue of happy endings just waiting to be told. In revealing what was to come in the way he did, the Overlord left no doubts as to how bleak, indeed, how cruel the coming hand of fate would be.
Because so many of the myriad possibility strands culminated in disaster, the demise of civilization without hope of reprieve seemed a foregone conclusion; be it in flame and ruin; the blight of war and pestilence; or the chilling consequence of stripping the planet of its precious resources and thereby, its capacity to sustain life. The outcome was always the same: a sterile barren wasteland, spinning alone through the endless night of space.
And because of the Wave Reader interlink, not only was the Overlord forced to live each horror as if it was an everyday actuality, but the viewing public were able to share the extrasensory spillover from process as well, and experience for themselves the terrible, gnawing ache of watching something you care for more than life itself being torn from your grasp and consigned to an untimely end . . . again and again and again.
There was no denying the masses were moved, for the Overlord¡¯s profound sorrow was both real and expressive; his dismay, heartfelt; his distress at even contemplating such an outworking, moving beyond measure.
So, when he at last revealed that one ray of hope hidden away among the seemingly endless wells of despair, the world wept in relief with him.
In mute wonder they listened intently as he described what that brightness might go on to illuminate in the years to come: a posterity where humanity would at last conquer their divisive, petty squabbling attitude and their indifference toward social issues and begin working together toward common goals.
In awe, they were able to visualize that prospective cohesive society as it grew into an integrated international community, united in their efforts to develop new technologies; to uncover the unknown marvels of science; the secrets of creation; and direct their expanding innovation toward a previously unheard of level of self-sufficiency.
The Overlord didn¡¯t stop there, either.
He next painted a picture of a golden age, an era where mankind attained unlimited lebensraum among the stars within an endless vista for their expanding consciousness to delight in. A place where they would begin to fulfill their psychic potential, before spreading that same psycho-paradigm among the cosmos.
Only then did he refer back to the young lad in front of them, highlighting to one and all that Joshua Drake was destined to play a special role in securing that possible future. In doing so, he granted a startling insight into why Joshua may have been the very first to be saved . . . and by none other than the Supreme Commander of the Guardians himself.
Pandemonium ensued!
All manner of political jockeying and overt pressures were brought to bear during the final polling day, and from nowhere more so than those comprising the anti-Guardian brigade, who gleefully reminded everyone that votes already cast couldn¡¯t be withdrawn. That they were worried went without saying, for they called on supporters everywhere to ignore the thinly veiled threats the Overlord¡¯s nightmare saga had so cunningly woven about them and concentrate instead on why the survey had been instigated in the first place.
Accusations flew thick and fast that this work of fiction was just that, a juicy carrot held out by a desperate manipulator who wasn¡¯t ashamed of using a little boy¡¯s near tragedy to bolster his standing, whilst saving Team Guardian¡¯s collective asses at the same time.
When it was pointed out to them that the Overlord¡¯s narrative had been delivered under the watchful eye of a Wave Reader, the pontificating roosters fled, clucking unhappily, back to their coops. Not surprising, seeing as an independent panel of six adjudicators had confirmed the device as working within predetermined parameters and its findings as totally dependable and accurate.
Sure enough, when the tally from the initial ballot was counted and later verified the next day, the No voters had lost their huge majority, having failed to account for the millions upon millions of last minute constituents who had been deeply moved by the Overlord¡¯s plea.
As the issue was clearly still of significant public importance, it was felt the voice of the global electorate must be heard to determine once and for all how society viewed the continued presence of its supernatural benefactors. The referendum was set to take place on June1st, 2036, allowing governments time to debate the issue of the Overlord¡¯s revelations in open session, and people ample opportunity to make an informed choice free of rhetoric and hype.
The response of the Guardians to those proposals was as unexpected as it was sensational, for the Overlord himself chose to intervene directly. Following his explicit instructions, the Lord Conciliator¡¯s office issued a brief statement.
It read:
¡°Much has been said in the press and through those outlets available to social media during the past several months questioning the intentions of our organization.
This is as baffling to us as it is saddening, for we have always gone to great lengths to emphasize our benevolent and altruistic nature.
However, we appreciate that sometimes, emphasis alone is not enough. It¡¯s what people do that defines them, and indeed, this view can be summed up by a well known popular maxim.
¡°Actions speak louder than words.¡±
Therefore, we would ask that you reassess your impressions of our actions over the time you have known of our existence; from the event that led to Joshua Drake¡¯s salvation, up until this very day.
Such an examination will reveal a simple truth: that to us, the preservation of human life is and always will be our priority!
We offer no apologies for this core tenet, as it is the principle that drives us to succeed; to excel at what we do; to push ourselves beyond the limits of what even we thought might be possible. And we will never willingly compromise that precept.
However, if we were to sum up our motivation by using a single word, ¡°desire¡± springs to mind. You see, mankind has an incredible legacy just waiting to be claimed, and we sincerely desire for you to inherit what should rightfully be yours.
Although it will be difficult for you to comprehend¡ªespecially now, as deeply troubled and divided as you are¡ªthe universe will one day be a better place with humanity in it. The eventual attainment of your potential will cause a ripple through space and time that will be felt in the farthest reaches of all eternity.
You are important! But you need to realize this, as we have stated so often.
Alas, the majority of eventualities the Overlord has foreseen predict an end that leaves the Earth a shattered and lifeless husk.
Thankfully, he has also seen it overflowing with transcended sentient life, which, at its zenith, will establish a presence throughout the known galaxy and beyond. However, to reach that incredible pinnacle of Unification, you must survive the crucible: your own shortcomings and insecurities; your doubts and fears; and your discordant, conflict ridden outlook.
We know such a mindset has been compounded by the tragedies and calamities you face every day. Believe it or not, such hurdles play a major part of the refining process. A process that can be endured successfully, but only if you find a way to prevent those hurdles from becoming insurmountable.
In harmony with our genuine desire to help, we recognize that our presence on Earth at this time has become something of a divisive influence. One that you could do without. As such, the Guardians acknowledge the wishes expressed by the narrow majority of the populace regarding our continued presence and, effective immediately, will take preparatory measures to leave this world.
We do not take this course lightly, but feel you must be afforded the time and space you obviously need to make a full and honest appraisal of your circumstances. Only by doing so will you arrive at a solution that is not only right for you, but beneficial to your long-term maturation.
Be in no doubt, you stand at a crossroads. One of the most pivotal points in human history unfurls around you. Take care which path you choose, for the Overlord has foreseen you will shoulder the consequences of your decisions more swiftly than you could ever imagine.
We pray those consequences are not too heavy to bear.
Do not fear unnecessarily. Though we are leaving, we will maintain our vigilance from afar and await the change in hearts, minds and temperament that signals the shift toward Unification.
In the meantime, those souls among you who are already emerging and who wish to continue their advancement toward the envisioned golden age need not be concerned. Just reach out to us. We will hear and be there to guide you.
Indeed, to all the peoples of the planet Earth. If you ever truly need us . . . Call! Your eternal welfare will always be our priority.
With hope in the future,
The Guardians
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
*
True to their word, the Guardians gradually scaled down their activities and over the next two months, subterranean command centers were decommissioned, orbital stations were moved, and a host of other functional assets were secured behind impregnable barriers.
When the world came to realize this, they reacted as they always did and backpedaled, triggering a global panic over the shocking consequences their major tantrum had caused.
So intense, so impassioned were some of the appeals directed toward the Lord Conciliator¡¯s office, that specific clarification was sought from the Overlord himself, who, it was subsequently discovered, had mysteriously departed the Earth on the day following the international poll¡¯s results.
The response they received¡ªstrangely, via the Lord Inquisitor¡ªwas as intriguing as it was perplexing: ¡°Continue with the exodus. Events will continue to unfold as foreseen.¡±
When the Guardians¡¯ official reply was delivered to the various Heads of State, those leaders found themselves having to explain to a frightened and increasingly angry populace the full implications of their impulsive behavior.
They would soon be alone and only had themselves to blame.
Endearingly, those of a more optimistic disposition hoped that they had not damaged their once special relationship with the Guardians beyond repair and expressed a desire to rectify the situation during the coming referendum in June.
A token gesture made far too late to do any good.
The Guardians left anyway, and within a week of their departure, some regimes revealed their perpetually provocative natures by instigating fishing expeditions in an effort to locate as many Guardian operations centers as possible. When an indignant public caught wind of this, their respective administrations tried to hide behind a fa?ade of reasonableness; the most heavily abused excuse relating to the need to answer the drastic growth in natural and environmentally spawned disasters. After all, who could deny the procurement of advanced technology wouldn¡¯t go a long way in helping stem the rising tide of adversity now their former benefactors weren¡¯t there to help.
Of course, the mere fact that such acquisitions would also ensure each participating nation stayed one step ahead in the newly emerging arms race went without saying and was kept well away from the press.
No one would have been surprised to learn that those governments were not alone in seeking such treasures. Another group of well-financed, highly motivated and gifted people were also hunting for the resources they knew would guarantee their continuing domination of a very lucrative and super competitive technological market. What¡¯s more, they had been instructed to remain on the lookout for anything that could be used or adapted to prevent unwanted intrusions into their affairs by others like them, who weren¡¯t averse to using their abilities to gain an unfair advantage.
A witch¡¯s brew, if ever there was one. Regardless, none of those opposing organizations were aware of how many covert facilities the Guardians had thought to leave behind to counter exactly this precise state of affairs.
The cauldron was bubbling. They just didn¡¯t realize it yet.
*
When the votes of the June referendum had finally been collated, checked, double then triple-checked, the published conclusion only added fuel to the fire heating that cauldron: Deadlock!
More mud was flung and allegations flew thick and fast, none of which could be substantiated. Opinions became heavily entrenched between the forty-seven percent still opposing the return of the Guardians, and the identical number of constituents who seemed as equally determined to see them back.
As it had been stipulated from the outset that the outcome would only be validated if there was a definite, one hundred percent consensus, the remaining don¡¯t knows held the future in their sweaty, vacillating hands.
Every day since then had dawned to the furious lobbying of one side or the other to beg, steal, cajole or otherwise secure those last few deciding votes. TV and radio channels ran twenty-four hour opinion polls; tabloids covered little else; even the internet seemed incapable of finding anything else remotely newsworthy.
And the longer such campaigning went on, the longer the suffering continued, and the more peoples¡¯ lives were changed forever.
Days turned into weeks; weeks into months; months into a seeming eternity of nonstop political drudgery. And all the while, the Guardians watched, waited, and prepared for the long haul.
As it transpired, they wouldn¡¯t have to wait for long. The Earth¡¯s fortunes were about to change.
*
January 1st, 2037
Flaring like a nova, the abnormality burst through into normal spacetime. Such was the glory of its brilliance that it cast back the midnight pall of the surrounding abyss with consummate ease.
For the merest fraction of a second, it hung there in the void, a shining beacon against the stygian backdrop of endless night. Then the epic nucleic forces involved became too much and it crashed out of existence before its magnificence could be detected and catalogued by the silent, watchful electronic eyes encircling the nearest inhabited world lying a mere four hundred million miles away.
Though unusual, this incident was by no means unique, as the area of space closest to the largest planet within this localized system was prone to such incursions.
A little under five billion years previously, an episode occurred whereby a much larger cataclysmic paroxysm had caused the collapse of an immense molecular cloud into a slowly swirling accretion disc. Over time, the heavier, denser concentrations of interstellar dust and matter were drawn together, generating planetesimals. As is often the case with freshly formed nebulae, the smaller, rockier candidates were pulled nearer to the system¡¯s hub than the proportionally larger gas giants farther out. Having found their place, they all became gravitationally bound to the newly crowned luminary at its center.
Eons passed, and eventually, the whirling mix coalesced into a fully-fledged solar system. The third planet out from its sun came to be especially blessed with an abundant diversity of plant and animal life due to the beneficial effects guaranteed by a thick, rich atmosphere.
Nevertheless, the weakness engendered by the original cosmically induced phenomenon now made that area of space prone to further sympathetic ripples. And, despite the abstruse energies knitting the wound together, exotic particles abiding within the alternate reality continued to seek a way through, being as irresistibly drawn to the disparate polarity of their twinned opposites as a compass needle is to a lodestone.
The last time such a violation occurred had been sixty-five million years previously. On that occasion, a large quantity of volatile matter, measuring less than eight miles across, not only survived the oppressive compression-wells within the nexus of actuality, but also managed to withstand the savage tides dominating the geodesic curvature between realms. Erupting from the terminus like a crossbow bolt, it hurtled straight for the blazing bullseye situated at the heart of the system.
Or it would have, had its path not been impeded by a huge asteroid field.
Regardless, the ejecta¡¯s mass was significant enough to capture a swarm of smaller debris from within that field. It was also traveling at such a punishing pace that, when it scored a direct hit upon one of the larger micro-planets, it snapped the rocky obstruction in half, knocking both parts free from a stable orbit.
The larger of those two pieces¡ªa fraction shy of thirty miles in diameter¡ªadopted the same course as the intruder. Together, the bizarre new pairing made their uninterrupted way toward their fiery goal.
Arriving several days later, both were consumed in the blazing holocaust that was the star¡¯s corona.
Meanwhile, the lesser segment of the asteroid, badly weakened from the collision, had continued to crumble until all that remained was a robust nucleus of iron and dark matter, three thousand yards across at its widest point. It too had been making its way toward the system¡¯s luminary until it encountered a significant obstacle while still ninety-three million miles from its objective.
Significantly smaller that when it set out, this foreign interloper was still a force to be reckoned with. Smashing into one of the third planet¡¯s larger landmasses at over five hundred miles per second, it unleashed Armageddon. The resultant explosion not only metamorphosed the continental crust in an holocaust releasing the energy of a fifty-four thousand megaton atomic bomb, but it also precipitated a monster shockwave, throwing billions of tons of regolith, bedrock, dust, and ash into the atmosphere. Monumental seismic activity followed, triggering worldwide landslides, mega tsunamis, and volcanism that changed the surface forever.
Even though hurricane-force winds helped dissipate the ionized ball of gas away from the zone surrounding the irradiated epicenter, ambient temperatures in the northern hemisphere remained well in excess of two hundred and sixty degrees Celsius for nearly forty minutes, effectively broiling all of the larger aquatic and land based species, and sparking wildfires and conflicting weather fronts in rapid succession.
Several days later, the air had cooled sufficiently enough for the effects of global cloud cover and acid rain to make themselves felt. Temperatures plunged, and within ten months, two thirds of the life on the planet had been obliterated, wiped out forever by a sucker punch from nowhere.
In spite of this, some creatures survived and adapted. As the enduring march of centuries passed, one species in particular grew to dominance, developing a sophisticated culture along the way. Their empires came and went. Cities reached toward the heavens for a time before falling to decay. And all the while they remained blissfully unaware of how tenuous their link to continued existence was . . . Until lady luck decided to roll a hard six.
A year before, another startling event had occurred within this very same system, prompting a harmonic echo from somewhere long forgotten. Obeying the inextricable desire for symmetry, opposing eddies had reached out, only to find the way to ultimate equilibrium barred by an odd, subspace scab. Woven together from duplex polarity strands, the incongruity represented the site of previous, successful catastrophic conjunctions. As such, antipodal tides began to gather, their choral resonance building and expanding; swelling and intensifying, until . . . Just twelve months later, a wound thought healed for untold millennia ripped wide apart.
Fortunately, so arcane were the energies incorporated within this compacted region of spacetime that the ensuing bridge and its blinding fanfare were pinched off almost immediately. Nonetheless, that split second allowed sufficient opportunity for a quantity of hybridized dark matter¡ªquark plasma¡ªto pass through from the nexus of actuality.
Though the majority of its substance was crushed outright, an eleven mile fragment was ejected from the terminus like a cork from a champagne bottle. Travelling at close to one thousand miles per second, its trajectory sent it hurtling directly toward the local star, lying a mere five hundred million miles away.
Much larger than its predecessors, the outer layers of the aberration were comprised of iridium, iron, nickel, ammonia, water and methane. Its core, however, was pure quark plasma. Of sufficient size and density to generate its own gravity, the fiery comet posed a threat to anything and everything in its path. A danger that would only be compounded the further it travelled, for the closer it got to the luminary dominating this system, the faster its acceleration quotient would be, ensuring it would complete its race to oblivion in less than five brief and all too transient days . . .
If it wasn¡¯t accosted along the way.
By a freak coincidence, the only thing that would deign to cross its path would be the asteroid field of old, and, the very same third rock from the sun. A place which had since flourished until it was a vibrant blue-white jewel in space, overflowing with abundant life:
Earth!
Up For It
Guardian Training Academy ¨C North Polar Region of the Moon
Lost in thought, Naomi Cruz paced the floor outside the Lord Marshal¡¯s office suite, wondering why on earth she had been summoned to the training wing at such short notice.
Less than an hour ago, she¡¯d still been reveling in the best New Year¡¯s Day ever with her family and close circle of friends in S?o Joaquim, Brazil. The small get-together her parents had planned for the previous evening had ended up being so much fun that most of the neighbors joined in, escalating a quiet affair into a full-blown Brazilian style street party. A party that carried on through the night and still showed no signs of slowing at nine o¡¯clock the next morning. To her surprise, a usually reserved Naomi loved it.
Naomi was enjoying a late breakfast at home when the mental command cut through the bonhomie like a hot knife through butter. Whispering quietly to her parents that she was required for duty, she excused herself and, after quickly showering and changing into uniform, had transferred to the Academy¡¯s new location on the Moon. Naomi¡¯s route took her via her latest place of work, the cloaked Guardian Observation Station parked in geo-peripatetic orbit above Antarctica. A necessary diversion while she was still learning how to use her teleport, or T-Ring, over such a vast distance.
Arriving fifteen minutes ago, Naomi couldn¡¯t help but feel somewhat unsettled. So far as she was aware, she hadn¡¯t broken any protocols; she had conducted herself and her duties impeccably; and, having deliberated at depth, was positive she hadn¡¯t upset anyone or infringed psi-etiquette in any way that might result in such a blunt order.
In fact, after running a number of different scenarios through in her head, so sure was she that nothing could be amiss, that she was eager to get to the bottom of this conundrum. Stepping forward impulsively, her knuckles rapped like a tattoo across the stained oak panel of the Lord Marshal¡¯s private entrance.
¡°Come in,¡± Earl Foster¡¯s voice called from inside the room.
Tentatively, Naomi reached for the handle and realized she was sweating. Muttering a swift curse, she wiped her palm on her sleeve, took a deep breath and went to meet her over imagined doom.
The Lord Marshal¡¯s leather-backed mahogany chair behind his desk was conspicuously empty. His usual place at the head of an oval slab of granite that served as a conference and meeting area was likewise vacant. Craning her neck, Naomi spotted him down at the far end of the chamber, relaxing on one of the three large couches forming an open-ended box around a circular coffee table. Situated next to an imposing set of panoramic windows overlooking the vista of space, the formality of such an arrangement was offset by a jaw dropping backcloth, for the Earth hung there in plain sight, a glittering orb captured on an epic canvass layered in vacuum and stars. Wow! Who needs a Constable or a Turner when you have a view like that? She looks even more beautiful at this distance than from up . . . ?
Remembering why she was here, Naomi dragged her attention away from the mother of all fixtures and only then realized Earl Foster wasn¡¯t alone. Sitting side by side on the sofa opposite him were Jade Heung, head of the Procurator Division¡ªwhich Naomi was proud to be part of¡ªand her former chief, Commander Anatt Yasin.
Anatt smiled warmly and waved. Nodding toward the couch sandwiched between the two parties, she said, ¡°Hello, Naomi. Come and sit down. We need to talk to you about something.¡±
Trying hard not to let her anxiety run away with itself, Naomi stepped forward. Even so, the Lord Marshal must have sensed her apprehension, for he added, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. This should be fairly painless . . . so long as you¡¯re not too attached to working in an Observation Station, that is.¡±
What? Naomi couldn¡¯t help but project her surprise telepathically. Halting in mid-stride, she verbally exclaimed, ¡°Sir?¡±
Earl¡¯s gaze flicked briefly to his colleagues. ¡°This will be your last tour, Naomi. It was a difficult decision to make, but it had to be done.¡±
¡°My last . . . ? Why, what have I done?¡±
Pointing to a sheaf of papers and electronic reports scattered across the table, Jade interposed. ¡°Quite a lot really. That¡¯s the topic we¡¯ve been mulling over in your absence.¡±
Naomi caught her next question as she was about to utter it. Suddenly suspicious, she bit her bottom lip, narrowed her eyes and stopped panicking. Bringing her hypercognitive metafaculty to bear, she then mentally scrutinized her performance over the past year.
All this took a mere three seconds.
Other things didn¡¯t escape her attention either. Her superiors were sat in a relaxed manner about the table. From what she could see, their mugs were still half full of steaming coffee. What¡¯s more, their auras betrayed no hint of concern, anger or disappointment.
Addressing the group as a whole, Naomi cut right to the chase. ¡°Sir, what¡¯s going on? I admit I was nervous when I first came in, but that¡¯s natural when someone like me is called in before someone like you. Regardless, that doesn¡¯t happen unless the officer concerned is facing a serious disciplinary matter. And this is no disciplinary hearing, there are too many giveaways indicating as much. Something else is obviously happening. Do you mind my asking what that is . . . exactly?¡±
Anatt couldn¡¯t contain herself. Waggling her finger like a schoolteacher at the Lord Marshal, she chided, ¡°I told you she was sharp, Earl, and with enough guts to question us directly!¡±
¡°No second guesses needed to tell us where she got that from then?¡± Jade raised one eyebrow and stared directly at her colleague, who simply shrugged in reply.
¡°So, who¡¯s going to tell her?¡± Anatt pressed.
Earl pursed his lips for a moment, but couldn¡¯t prevent a broad grin from lighting up his features. ¡°Boss¡¯ perks. Sorry ladies, but I get to break the good news.¡±
The older women graced each other with an, I told you so look, before indicating that Naomi should sit down.
An undercurrent of excitement began to predominate, running between the others in sparking arcs of scarlet and gold. Naomi did her best to relax, but found her curiosity mounting by the second.
As she walked around the table to take her seat, Earl began. ¡°We¡¯ve called you here today for a number of reasons, the least of which is your latest annual appraisal, so I think we¡¯d better start with that.¡±
He picked up one of the m-pads from the pile, flicked through several screens, and displayed the gist of their contents in the air before them. ¡°Top percentile in every subject across the board; extremely capable operationally, as events over the past year have proven; able to remain calm and objective under stress, no doubt assisted by your extremely versatile cognitive faculty that gives you the ability to compartmentalize multiple scenarios simultaneously . . . a skill well in advance of what we would normally expect for one of your limited experience.
¡°Your latest psi-evaluation is also interesting, as the annual tests indicate your gifts are maturing at a faster than average rate. Let me see . . . High Grand Master indicators in all ultrasenses¡ªwith an intriguing additional factor included that shows you¡¯re verging on precog awareness¡ªGrand Master potential telekinetic, healer, and shielder.¡±
The Lord Marshal raised his voice in query. ¡°Did you realize you¡¯ve already attained Grand Master Class strength in all but a few of your abilities?¡±
Looking as genuinely surprised as she felt, Naomi came to a stop again. She shook her head, slowly, ¡°No, Sir. I didn¡¯t. Don¡¯t get me wrong, I have felt my psi-well expanding; you could say intensifying in certain ways inside me. But I thought that was just a manifestation of my overall psychic maturation. I didn¡¯t appreciate I¡¯d grown that much . . . well, except . . . .¡±
¡°Go on, Naomi.¡± Anatt urged gently.
Naomi turned her sensibilities inward and examined those aspects of her nexus that were still a mystery. ¡°Well, now that you mention it, I have noticed something different about my ultrasenses. When I¡¯m conductive active scans, be it through the Search Enhancing Psioptics interlink or bare brained, my analytical insights somehow blend to . . . and . . . I don¡¯t know how to put it plainly. It boosts my sensitivity? I¡¯m doing it so often that it seems to click on, like I¡¯m on autopilot, allowing me to factor in multiple awareness and response levels as I go. Because the THOR systems allocate task after task in quick succession, it¡¯s totally slipped my mind how easy it¡¯s been lately to multitask those assignments. Even with a million and one other things demanding my attention, I manage to maintain primary dexterity and focus lock without breaking a sweat.¡±
Jade was clearly impressed. ¡°You can compartmentalize with that degree of finesse and precision already? We really must take a closer look at you with the latest generation Compilator. It¡¯s still undergoing final testing, but it¡¯s the most sensitive recorder we¡¯ve had to date. I¡¯d love to get a more detailed breakdown of your psidetic complexus. It should indicate by what factor your performance is increasing.¡±
The Lord Procurator¡¯s eyes narrowed as she considered what such an assay might reveal. Next to her, grinning broadly, Anatt slapped her thigh and crowed, ¡°I did say I knew my people better than most! That¡¯s why I want her so much.¡±
Want me? Naomi was puzzled and repeated herself aloud before she realized what she¡¯d done. ¡°Want me! What for?¡±
Earl gestured for Naomi to sit once again and waited until she had finally taken a seat on the vacant couch before pouring her a mug of coffee and placing it on the table before her.
Such comforts must have been ancillary to requirements¡ªat least, from Anatt Yasin¡¯s point of view¡ªfor she delivered a stunning mental prompt, so sharp, that it made the Lord Marshal wince.
Clearing his throat, he threw the commander a dirty look, composed himself, then gave his complete attention over to Naomi. ¡°We have a special task in mind for you that must remain strictly confidential for another month or so. However, we need to know if you are in agreement with what we propose before revealing further details.¡±
I¡¯m not in trouble! Naomi was too numbed to feel any sort of relief or elation. Swallowing hard, she coughed, and stammered, ¡°So, er, wh . . . what do I need to agree to?¡±
¡°Firstly, that you¡¯ll be happy to accept your promotion to the rank of Guardian Master, effective immediately.¡±
Winking, the Lord Marshal leaned forward and sent an extrasensory command toward a small box on the table. A brief, click, followed and it opened silently with a graceful ease that only heightened Naomi¡¯s expectations.
Overawed, her gaze came to rest on an unusual dark green gem lying on a scarlet cushion. So dark in fact, that it was almost black. A plasma staff power crystal!
Naomi was aware that the crystals had to be replaced on a regular basis as a candidate matured. It was only by adopting such a procedure that the weapons were able to manage the increasing potential channeled through them as each Guardian grew into a fully developed psychic entity. All the same, Naomi was astounded to think she had gained that much strength in so short a time.
Moving deliberately, Earl extended his hand toward her baton and, displaying the utmost dexterity, employed his telekinesis to pluck it from the concealed sheath within her robes. Suspending it so that the base of the handle was closest to him, he worked deftly, manipulating the micro-mechanisms of the spring until the cap fell away to reveal the softly glowing peacock blue power core.
Removing the housing, he maneuvered both jewels until they hovered, side by side in the air, and touched them briefly together. There was a bright flash as a bundle of stored information transferred instantly from one unit to the other, and Naomi only just managed to blink her vision clear in time to witness the aquamarine gem flaring for a second time before crumbling into a fine powdery residue.
As a smattering of dust particles pattered slowly to the floor, the Lord Marshal nudged the now pulsing dark green crystal into the vacant slot. After resealing the outer casing, he edged the grip back within Naomi¡¯s reach. ¡°If you would be so kind? Just open yourself to the staff and squeeze it firmly so it recognizes your aura.¡±
Knowing what was expected of her, she hesitated. ¡°Sir, I thought there had to be three transcended Lords present to activate the bonding process?¡±
¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Earl replied. ¡°We¡¯ve still got to speak to you about that in a minute. Suffice to say, you¡¯re the first to know, officially, that there are three of us present.¡±
Wide eyed, Naomi stared at her former chief, who smirked and tapped one finger against the side of her head in response.
So it¡¯s true? She had heard rumors of what the Overlord had done for Anatt Yasin, but like most Guardians, she didn¡¯t actually appreciate what the full ramifications of his actions were. Nor was anyone aware of just how capable the commander was becoming.
Naomi didn¡¯t realize her own mouth was hanging open until Anatt raised her eyebrows, shook her head and suggested, ¡°Shall we get on with this?¡±
Snapping her jaw shut, Naomi did as instructed; remembering she was the first person to physically touch the plasma staff since the activation of its power core.
Clearing her thoughts, she scooped the baton even closer and grasped it firmly in her right hand. The more she relaxed, the more the image of her new symbol of office filled her acuity with the increasing familiarity of a unique, many-faceted framework. It¡¯s like an ice glazed viridian neural net.
Somehow, the crystal powering the core became aware of her mind¡¯s distinctive timbre. Naomi went with it, opening the floodgates of her memories so that her identity flowed in a swelling surge toward a shining jade nucleus in the distance. A feeling of mutual recognition bloomed in the ether. Expanding, it rippled back toward her in a prismatic rapport of welcome and companionship.
The trilling tones of a counter melody began splicing both currents together. At that moment, the gem¡¯s capacity was augmented by a mammoth inrush of power. That must be the Lords, doing whatever it is they do.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
Almost instantly, a secondary, much more intimate infusion pitched along her nerves, flooding her brain and taking root at the center of her psychic complexus. As harmonic balance was finally achieved, a blinding mental flash followed, indicating to onlookers the coupling process was complete.
Standing, Naomi activated her staff with the merest inkling of inherent thought. A deep, resonant thrum accompanied the appearance of a twinned set of emerald plasma blades. Illuminated by a warm grassy glow, she mentally flicked through its various settings, and nodded in satisfaction as the staff responded to her instructions as if it were an extension of her own will. That¡¯ll do nicely.
With a flourish, she deactivated her weapon and sheathed it within her shoulder holster. It was only as Naomi withdrew her hand from the folds of her robe that she discerned the results of another piece of arcane manipulation that had taken place right under her nose.
She gawped at her sleeves, both amazed and delighted to find dual bronze bands about two inches from the bottom cuff of each arm. Grinning, she turned from side to side to find the Lords staring back at her.
¡°Congratulations, Guardian Master Cruz,¡± the Lord Marshal intoned, ¡°and welcome to the privileges of your new rank.¡±
¡°Thank you. Thank you all.¡± Naomi gushed, overcome by the reality of the situation as it finally began to sink in.
¡°No, we should be thanking you, Naomi,¡± Jade replied. ¡°We¡¯re going to be asking a lot from you over the next year or two, so don¡¯t be under any illusions we¡¯ve done you a favor. You¡¯ve earned this promotion . . . and will continue to do so for a long time to come.¡±
Her interest kindled again, Naomi shuffled forward to the edge of her seat, and said, ¡°At the risk of repeating myself, what does that mean, exactly?¡±
The Lords glanced between one another and the mood changed abruptly into one far more serious than before. Using the occasion as a signal, the Lord Procurator activated a confidentiality shield. Speaking mentally, she explained: We asked you here in person because, as you and everyone else are now aware, Anatt was boosted into manifesting a whole new and improved complexus. We initially thought it would take at least a couple of years for that complexus to integrate with her already developed adult psyche. How can I say this? It turns out we were . . .
¡°. . . You were wrong!¡± Naomi blurted out, intuitively, finishing Jade¡¯s sentence for her, ¡°she¡¯s growing faster and stronger than you anticipated, thereby allowing her to assimilate the augmentation much more swiftly than usual.¡±
Snorting out loud, Jade muttered, ¡°God, you¡¯re on the ball!¡± Turning to the former commander, she continued, ¡°I know you¡¯ve never been prone to exaggeration, Anatt, but even I thought you¡¯d elevated her abilities¡ªjust a little bit¡ªto emphasize your approval of her. I can see now I was wrong, I apologize.¡±
Anatt shrugged. ¡°I told you I knew my people, Jade. If anything, she¡¯s proving my point for me as to why I was so sure she¡¯s the prime candidate.¡±
Now thoroughly absorbed, Naomi reverted to the security of mental speech and said: Sorry for the interruption, but what has this got to do with me?
Jade replied: We want you to play the role of Supporter at Anatt¡¯s forthcoming Transcension Ceremony.
Me, a supporter? Naomi was incredulous. But . . . but that usually goes to a High Grand Master!
Anatt could see Naomi was completely blown away, so she hastened to clarify certain aspects of her story: While everyone now knows the Overlord healed me, restoring my metapsychic complexus along the way, it¡¯s not common knowledge that he also supplemented my psi-well. And just to make things clear, I¡¯m not relating to those attributes I¡¯d already manifested to full operant status; I¡¯m talking about my weaker teleport, telekinetic, and healing functions too. Long story short? Whatever he did enhanced me sufficiently to guarantee my ascension to Ultra Level across the board . . . including my previously dormant capacity for self-rejuvination, thereby ensuring I¡¯ll survive the transcension process.
Gasping mentally, Naomi spluttered: Holy shit! Excuse me, but how did he manage that? To graft a newly emerging complexus onto an already established psyche without leaving any form of mental scarring is . . . is . . . well, it should be impossible in itself. But to kick-start previously buried latencies and¡ª
Whoa, hold on, Naomi. We can discuss that later as we have about two months before I actually manifest, so¡ª
Hang on! I almost missed it in all the excitement. You helped power up my staff. How have you attained Ultra Level without incarnating a higher form?
Verbally, Earl interjected. ¡°Tsst, she is sharp! Now even I¡¯m convinced you¡¯ve made the right choice, Anatt. Please keep it simple, otherwise she¡¯ll be asking questions all day.¡±
Anatt returned the Lord Marshal¡¯s earlier grimace and quickly pressed ahead: Let¡¯s just say it¡¯s another one of those quirky little gifts that our seemingly omnipotent leader snuck in there. Realizing my nexus would virtually explode into transcended glory, he¡¯s somehow added a buffer program to prevent me from being swamped by it all. Rather decent of him really, as it¡¯s allowing me to wrap my head around the accelerated expansion and keep pace with it.
Believe me when I say, knowing you¡¯re going to transform into some super-potent angelic apparition is a lot to take in, especially as the day is fast approaching now. That¡¯s why your next tour will be your last. I need to bring you up to speed on what¡¯s happened to me; what¡¯s expected from you; and specifically, how you will help the Shepherd fulfill his role as he guides me into a floating on a cloud playing harps all day level of existence.
A thrill went down Naomi¡¯s spine at the mere mention of the other participant who would lead the Transcension Ceremony. Though it was a responsibility very few ever got to fulfill, written records on the nature of the metamorphosis were plentiful and required reading during the final year before graduation:
Having already lived through the experience themselves, the Shepherd would be in the best position to guide the aspirant along their new path. Alas, they weren¡¯t only there to offer ethereal high-fives and hand out hugs and kisses. On several occasions in the past, candidates had lost control at the vital crossover point, going nova and vaporizing everyone and everything in their vicinity. As such, the Overlord had decreed that future ceremonies would not take place unless governed by another transcended being . . . just in case.
Naomi glanced across at the Lord Marshal and, realizing they were discussing something of the utmost confidentiality, added a further encryption layer to her thoughts: So we¡¯ll be there together to help her?
A slow, sad smile spread across his face as he replied. Although I¡¯d love the honor, no, I won¡¯t be there. The position has already been snapped up by someone else.
Who then? You¡¯ve already inferred it¡¯s a male, so it¡¯s obviously one of the Lords, if not you then . . . ? She went pale as a daunting prospect crossed her mind. Oh no!
Earl laughed. Relax; it¡¯s not going to be the Overlord. However, you¡¯ve bagged someone equally as enigmatic. You¡¯ll be assisting the Shadow Lord, Andrew. For some reason he¡¯s very keen to fulfill the role, but won¡¯t say why!
Naomi went quiet as she considered what she knew about the elusive Shadow Lord. In some respects, Andrew was very much like the Lord Inquisitor, Victoria. Both were fiercely private about their lives and everyday affairs and tended to stay out of the limelight as much as possible. They had been transcended for a long time. Even so, no one actually knew how old or how strong they were. Neither did they have a clue as to when they had become Guardians. Even the Lord Marshal¡ªwho had been recruited by the Overlord himself more than three thousand years previously¡ªwas unable to shed any light on their true origins.
Until recently, they had always declined any offer of promotion and were used extensively by the Overlord on clandestine or developing projects that nobody knew anything about until the time was right for others to step in and take over.
It was with frustrating ease, therefore, that Naomi discovered she knew very little about the man at all. Regardless, that would change in the near future for it was rumored the transcension process forged the most intimate of links between its participants, creating a bridge that made it impossible to keep any of your embarrassing indiscretions or guilty secrets buried. No wonder they wanted to warn me in advance. Not everyone would be comfortable letting strangers beneath their barriers so they were free to rummage around in their personal recollections. Especially someone so . . . so . . . handsome?
Oh for the love of God, get a grip Naomi! He¡¯s mysterious, is all. Mysterious and powerful and ancient . . . and . . . fit? Aaaargh!
Naomi didn¡¯t vacillate long. In the end, her deep respect for the former commander won out over her reticence¡ªand disturbing fantasies¡ªat letting the Shadow Lord access the most private areas of her persona. As her pensiveness faded, her awareness returned to the room, only to discover all three of her superiors were watching her closely, waiting.
She took a deep breath. Okay, yes! I¡¯ll do it. I appreciate your trust in considering me for this honor.
Anatt shook her head. On the contrary, we appreciate that you trust us enough to accede to our wishes. An odd glint appeared in the new Lord¡¯s eyes. Though I¡¯ve a feeling you won¡¯t regret it once you get a bite of the cherry adorning the top of this particular cake. Am I right, Earl?
Naomi glanced back to the Lord Marshal and waited for him to elaborate. She became even more intrigued when he increased the security screen to maximum and added a powerful psychic scrambler, making it theoretically impossible to penetrate.
¡°It¡¯s safe to talk aloud now,¡± he reassured everyone, before launching into his explanation. ¡°Naomi, as you¡¯re rather astute, I¡¯m sure you¡¯re beginning to suspect, the ceremony isn¡¯t the real reason why you¡¯ll be removed from duties aboard the southern Observation Station. It doesn¡¯t take forever to undergo the transcension process; a day or two at the most. No, the basis for your reassignment is this: we have a new project in mind that you may wish to take some time considering. What I tell you now cannot leave this room nor can it become common knowledge until things are officially announced in General Orders. Is that clear?¡±
¡°I understand. Please, tell me more.¡±
¡°It¡¯s very rare for the Overlord to intercede in the day-to-day operational running of things. That¡¯s my job as the Marshal. Basically, I¡¯m in charge of things with very little or no oversight. When he does intervene, experience has taught us that it is a course of wisdom to respond accordingly.¡±
Naomi was now perched so far on the edge of her seat that it would be impossible for her to go farther without levitating.
The Lord Marshal forged ahead. ¡°Imagine our surprise then, when he informs us¡ªand by us I mean the Council of Lords¡ªthat in less than twelve months from now, Anatt will not only have ascended safely, but, as you surmised a few minutes ago, she will have stabilized sufficiently to assume full autonomous control over her newly expanded nexus. That¡¯s unheard of¡ª¡±
¡°Unheard of?¡±
¡°Oh yes. Integration of the human psyche aside, it can take a further decade or so before a freshly transcended complexus becomes wholly grounded. We don¡¯t advertize that fact, as people would be a little disconcerted to learn some of the newer Lords are still settling into their heightened state of existence as they go about their duties. However, I¡¯m letting you in on this little secret, because Anatt has been earmarked, by His Nibs, to fulfill a vacancy that¡¯s been burning a hole in our ranks for far too long for lack of a suitable candidate: that of Deputy Marshal.
¡°Her specific remit will be to head the terraforming taskforce during the pioneering phase of the colonization process planned to commence sometime over the next five years. Whether that process affects us alone or goes on to encompass humanity as a whole is beside the point. Full settlement protocols are to be established from the word go, and once underway, she will then remain to oversee all off-world operations. Do you appreciate the scope of what this will involve, Naomi?¡±
Naomi¡¯s mind raced to administer the superfluity of information. The evolution of an established psi-well in less than a year; the post of Deputy Marshal, putting her third in the overall chain of command; hand-picked by the Overlord himself; and to top it all off, a fully formulated platform to migrate to the stars. What the hell? Aloud, she gasped, ¡°Wow! I . . . I can¡¯t begin to imagine what it¡¯ll involve.¡±
The Lord Marshal chuckled. ¡°Funny you should phrase it like that, Naomi, as it puts you in a better position to understand the bewilderment we felt when the Overlord went on to emphasize other facts about Anatt¡¯s prospective role. Because her duties will involve a shitstorm of strategic and operational issues, the job is going to be understandably stressful. Now, while we believe Anatt is more than up to the task, we must remember that she will still be going through transition. As such, she is going to need a dedicated aide to assist her; a helper who is as tenacious as they are resolved and flexible; someone who will not only provide a rock for her boss to lean on, but an individual who can help to carry the burdens of responsibility and deputize for Anatt when she¡¯s absent.¡±
¡°Phew!¡± Naomi whistled, ¡°It¡¯ll be a nightmare to begin with. The logistics of such a huge . . . hang on? Provide a rock for her boss to lean on?¡± Oh crap!
Earl¡¯s chuckle deepened into a full-on cackle. ¡°Ah, I see the proverbial penny has made itself known? Well, while you contemplate its descent, you might want to wrap your head around an additional little rider.¡± He hunched forward and grinned. ¡°The thing is, the Overlord was adamant that Anatt be allowed to make the final decision as to who her adjutant would be. He said she¡¯d know instinctively who to pick. Spookily enough, she did. And here you are. Having talked about it at some length between ourselves, we now appreciate the reasons for her certainty. Basically, we need to know if you¡¯re up for it. Are you willing to step up and be a major player in one of the Overlord¡¯s most ambitious plans to date? You may want to take some time to think about it before giving us your reply.¡±
Caught like a deer in headlights, Naomi fought to digest the implications of everything she¡¯d been told. Am I up for something like this?
The moment passed in a heartbeat. Meeting the gaze of her sponsors, she calmly replied, ¡°Count me in.¡±
¡°That was fast!¡± Earl exclaimed, ¡°are you sure you don¡¯t need more time?¡±
¡°Not really, Sir. Reading between the lines, the Overlord must have his motives for putting all the pieces in place the way he has. If he trusts Commander Yasin¡¯s judgment, then I¡¯d be an idiot to refuse . . . him or her.¡±
The Lord Marshal nodded. ¡°Good point.¡±
¡°When do I start?¡±
¡°Two weeks from now. Your current rotation will end prematurely on the pretext of a reassignment to the Academy in connection with your promotion. That way, people will get used to seeing you about the facility quite openly until after the ceremony.¡±
The Lord Procurator took over. ¡°By then, your assignment to Shadow Operations will have become common knowledge. However, what people will not know is that you will be assisting in the establishment of the proposed Alpha Site and making initial preparations with the new Deputy Marshal over here for the arrival of a number of specialist teams. Once they are there, both of you will coordinate your efforts with Andrew to ensure things are well under way for when the colonization program is publicly announced.¡±
Mind in turmoil, Naomi flopped back in her chair, her earlier assumption that she had been summoned here to answer for an imaginary catalogue of wrongdoings now seemingly forgotten. Where will they be sending us? I¡¯m pretty sharp on picking up snippets of gossip here and there, but I¡¯ve not heard a single whisper about a major lift-n-shift to another planet. I wonder how far away it will be. Is it even in this galaxy? Who found it and how long have they . . . ?
A single loud knock at the main door interrupted her private reverie. Along with everyone else, she turned to watch as Andrew, the Shadow Lord himself, came striding confidently toward them without having waited for an invitation to enter.
This was the first time Naomi had actually met him in the flesh and she wasn¡¯t disappointed. At over six feet in height, he stood like a cliff personified. With his angular features, close-cropped dark hair, and muscular frame, he also gave the impression that solid rock had been poured into his uniform; in itself a contradiction to his almost fluidic baring. Curiously, now that he was standing closer to her, she also felt a tingling ache spreading from her sinuses and into her teeth. Strange I don¡¯t get that from the others in the room.
With no hint of an apology at his intrusion, Andrew nodded briefly to the other Lords and then the intensity of his gaze locked onto Naomi. Her stomach flipped, triggering an automatic response from her inner shields. Oh my God, he¡¯s staring right at me! Don¡¯t read my mind¡ªdon¡¯t read my mind¡ªdon¡¯t read my mind . . .
Noting her reaction, his stern countenance broke into an open look of amusement. Addressing her senior colleagues first, Andrew¡¯s tone was deep and friendly. ¡°I wonder if you wouldn¡¯t be too put out if I stole Naomi away? It¡¯s just that she¡¯ll be working with me quite a lot until Anatt is up and running, so I want her at her best. I¡¯ve been studying her file and see she¡¯s restricted by the use of a T-Ring. It might be wise to instruct her in some of the fancier things you can do with them to extend her versatility . . . if she has the balls for it.¡±
Spinning back to face her squarely, he extended his hand and his voice took on a challenging edge. ¡°How about it? If you¡¯ve got the nerve, I can teach you a thing or two you won¡¯t learn from anyone else.¡±
¡°I bet you can,¡± Anatt muttered, causing Naomi to blush.
Andrew turned slowly toward their latest transcension candidate, his gray eyes flashing as they narrowed in concentration for the briefest instant. A smirk edged across his face. ¡°He said I¡¯d like working with you. I can see why.¡±
No one needed to guess who ¡°he¡± was.
Resuming his conversation with Naomi, he said, ¡°I¡¯ve got a quick job starting tomorrow which should take about forty-eight hours to complete. That gives us the rest of today to go over the basics of some pretty nifty augmentations you¡¯ll find are fun and extremely useful. We can always pick up where we leave off once I¡¯m back. C¡¯mon, trust me. It¡¯ll be worth the effort.¡±
Naomi glanced at the others. Seeing no objection, she took his hand which was still held out in invitation. A spark snapped loudly through the air as their fingers met and Naomi jumped, immediately aware of the vast reservoir of power lying just beneath the surface of an obsidian screen. The shock travelled up her arm, numbing her to the shoulder. What the . . . ?
Scowling, Andrew visibly exerted himself and squelched the potency of his might right down until it was barely more than a subliminal hum. ¡°Sorry about that. I tend to forget how my heritage can run away with itself if I relax too much.¡±
Without a further word, he escorted Naomi from the office, oblivious to the confusion he¡¯d caused. Like her, it was evident the Lords were wondering what on earth Andrew had meant by heritage.
Discoveries
January 3rd, 2037
The exotic meteor now found itself traversing the chaotic interstellar medium between the two main zones of the solar system. Behind it, Jupiter navigated the heavens, a majestic behemoth fording its way through the firmament as king of everything it surveyed, while around the visitor itself sat the all-embracing reminder of just how influential that planet was.
The asteroid belt¡ªcontaining the embryonic remnants of those planetesimals that surrendered to the influence of Jupiter¡¯s magnitude during the formation of the solar system¡ªlay like a shimmering amoeba across its path, as if trying to absorb this new addition now boring its way right through the middle of it.
A fitting analogy, for the debris field contained millions of objects over half a mile in diameter. Some were much larger, bordering on being protoplanets, while myriads upon myriads of others were nothing more conspicuous than grains of sand upon a vacuum washed beach. Whatever their extent, their combined sum represented but a thousandth of the mass of earth.
At first glance, the asteroid belt appeared to be a formidable barrier. In reality, it was nothing more than a tenuous veil, and a fragile one at that, as evidenced by the carnage the juvenile brute left in its wake. Hundreds of thousands of smaller particles had already been effaced from existence, either by being absorbed into the intruder¡¯s bulk, or obliterated entirely. Those large enough to resist, however, were swatted away like bothersome insects¡ªor more ominously¡ªflung ahead along the same trajectory.
*
Angelika Papadakos was feeling justifiably frustrated of late. As a woman who usually enjoyed a high degree of professional success, recent months had witnessed a lamentable decline in such a commodity, reminding her how precarious her gilt-edged pedestal could be.
One of Boss Yeung¡¯s top Apostles, she¡¯d been handpicked by him the previous summer to hunt down and acquire any technology left behind by the Guardians from any of their now redundant command centers. A savvy move, requiring a considerable commitment of resources and more than a little nerve.
Regardless of the risk, Angelika had been given free rein to choose her snatch squads and¡ªas a mark of her proficiency¡ªensured to include individuals blessed in teleportation, remote-viewing and shielding, along with a chosen number of scientists from the research and development wing of Yeung Technologies.
Her approach was simple.
Locating those complexes would be difficult enough. Remaining undetected against whatever countermeasures had been left in place, even more so. Having the foggiest notion what to do with anything they happened to find, a conundrum of a nightmare waiting to happen. Therefore, Angelika intended to maximize her response options by mixing the skill set of her teams from the word go.
Needless to say, those early days saw everyone eager and confident of success.
However, early optimism began to wane as the months went by. The only thing they discovered for certain was the fact that the Guardians had been extremely adept in selecting sites people wouldn¡¯t even begin to think of as a base of operations.
They scanned the deserts and jungles; forests and frozen wastes; even those green areas in the middle of major cities, like Central Park . . . just in case. But it was no use. Not even when someone had the bright idea of snooping through the junk littering the Earth¡¯s lower and upper atmosphere did they have any luck.
Initial indicators were clear. The Guardians had either removed every last vestige of their existence, or entombed their facilities behind impregnable force fields that confounded scrutiny. And, judging from the way Angelika¡¯s fortunes were going, had most probably beefed up security by adding some kind of holographic-chameleon element to those shields, making them register as nothing more conspicuous than solid rock.
When those Apostles not directly involved in the search began grumbling and referring to the ongoing marathon as the ¡°Tomb Raider Fiasco,¡± Angelika decided it might be time to change her approach. And with good reason. Thanksgiving break had been and gone, and for the first time ever, it was looking increasingly likely she would be forced to report a failure in fulfilling her mission objectives.
Determined to hold that day off for as long as possible, Angelika had a brainwave. Instead of trying to sniff out the smaller operational centers, might we not have more success by expanding our horizons? Their headquarters and training academy, for example, must have been an extensive faculty. Something so large would be hard to miss.
That suggestion was met with renewed enthusiasm and following a lively discussion, a list was drawn up of possible locations capable of masking such a massive complex; the general consensus being that the best options would be places like the polar regions, larger mountain ranges¡ªespecially those containing sizeable encircling valleys¡ªand a number of isolated archipelagos. One of Angelika¡¯s advisors even suggested adding a few extra Yeung Corporation pilots to the mix to help move things along.
Initial skepticism to such a proposal faded when it was pointed out that those trained to observe locations from the air would look for clues in a different way than others who were blessed only with psychic capabilities. Yes, most of them would be mundane, but they might stand a higher chance of spotting something a gifted operator would otherwise miss.
In a purely selfish move, Angelika sent most of her squads to freeze their asses off searching some of the higher peaks and cordilleras of Europe, Asia and the Americas, whilst reserving the Pacific Island chains for herself. She had always preferred warmer climes, and really, what better way to spend the last week of December than by working the east coast of Australia and out into the Coral Sea.
It was during that time they received the breakthrough they were looking for.
Having taken off on a bright New Year¡¯s Eve morning from Samoa, Angelika¡¯s team headed north toward Tokelau, three hundred miles away. The weather was clear and sunny and visibility was excellent. Because of the gifted individuals on board, their aircraft was able to skim the waves at a height of only five hundred to a thousand feet and maintaining such a low altitude afforded them an exceptional view of the environs below.
An hour into their journey saw them circumnavigating Tokelau¡¯s prominent cliffs and making out to sea on a southwesterly bearing toward the next island on their list: Mata-Utu, four hundred miles distant.
As they flew, the crew had been checking their coordinates with the jet¡¯s lidar, the most recent OS maps and the very latest generation of handheld Global Satnav Precision Pinpoint Scanners¡ªGaSPPS¡ªdeveloped by Yeung Technologies but not yet released to the general market. They would then compare what these mediums revealed against the evidence produced by remote viewing and good old-fashioned eyeballs.
Those not engaged on active scans kept themselves occupied by relaxing, listening to music, reading mission report files, or simply gazing off across the glittering expanse below.
They had only been flying for forty-five minutes on their current heading when David Shelton, one of the mundane off-duty pilots suddenly piped up, ¡°Hey, is that a porpoise? No wait . . . it¡¯s a whole bunch of them!¡±
Responding to his question, everyone looked to find a large pod of more than twenty sleek silvery-gray forms, surging through the waves in rhythmic arcs off to the starboard side about half a mile in front of them.
¡°I think you¡¯ll find they¡¯re dolphins, which most people don¡¯t realize are a separate species,¡± Simeon Banner, one of the scientists and a remote-viewing telepath replied. ¡°But I can¡¯t for the life of me. . . Does anyone know what kind they might be? For some reason I seem to be having trouble focusing my mind on them.¡±
Everyone stared at each other and shrugged. Lorraine Swanson, their captain for that day who also happened to be clairvoyant, shouted back, ¡°They¡¯re possibly Spinners. Either that or Pinks. If I could see them clearly I¡¯d let you know, but I think I¡¯ve caught what you¡¯re suffering from. I¡¯m having a spot of bother myself.¡±
Her co-pilot, Bryn Morgan, glanced at her and frowned as if expecting the punch line from a joke. When she didn¡¯t expand on her comment, he shook his head and snorted softly.
Catching the exchange, Angelika shouted through, ¡°What do you mean, ¡®if I could see them clearly¡¯, they¡¯re right there below us!¡± She peered out the window again and this time phased in her own remote viewing ability.
Before she realized what was happening, Angelika found herself thinking of a thousand-and-one other more important things she ought to be doing. Blinking rapidly, she turned away from the spectacle and noticed Simeon puzzling over something that was obviously bothering him.
Meanwhile, David had pressed his face against the glass. Excitement mounting, he cried, ¡°Wow, that one came right out of the water. Lorraine, take us closer so we can get a better look.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll take us down,¡± she replied, ¡°but there doesn¡¯t seem to be all that much happening to get so worked up about. Hang on.¡±
Thirty seconds later, the plane looped back around and started to descend.
This doesn¡¯t add up, Angelika wondered, privately. Aloud, she queried, ¡°David, what do you see at this moment?¡±
¡°Porp . . . er, dolphins as I said. Lots of them. Why?¡±
Angelika was onto something, she could feel it in her bones. ¡°Simeon, Lorraine, what about you? Stick to what your eyes tell you, not your powers.¡±
¡°There they are!¡± Simeon sounded surprised. ¡°That¡¯s better.¡±
¡°Oh, I see them now. Why couldn¡¯t I . . . ?¡± Lorraine also seemed confused.
The jet continued to dive, and Angelika was graced with a clear view of the prancing volley of aquiline arrows as they sliced and swerved through the waters with unbelievable agility. Steeling herself, she gradually phased in her astral sight. Sure enough, the closer the aircraft got, the more her resolve wavered.
Playing to her intuition, she called out, ¡°Guys, fast as you can, try to project your extrasensory awareness again.¡±
¡°What the . . . ?¡± Simeon mumbled.
Lorraine snapped, ¡°Oh, I¡¯m too busy to fart around like this. Get someone else to waste their time; I¡¯ve got a damned plane to fly.¡±
Angelika was on the verge of understanding something important. And if I could only remember what that was, I might . . .
¡°Where did they go?¡± David squeaked, looking to the rest of the team for help.
¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Angelika asked, ¡°Did they all dive under the water at the same time?¡±
¡°No, they vanished.¡±
¡°What do you mean ¡®vanished¡¯?¡±
¡°I mean, they were there one second, gone the next. Even the ones in midair disappeared like they were spirited away or something.¡±
A shock ran down Angelika¡¯s spine. ¡°Lorraine, fly directly at the spot you last saw the dolphins, I¡¯ve got an idea.¡±
Lorraine still sounded bored with the entire drama. ¡°Oh joy, another remarkable suggestion that will waste our time. I can¡¯t wait.¡±
¡°Just play along,¡± Angelika growled, ¡°and don¡¯t be surprised if you start to feel uncomfortable with what I ask you to do. If I¡¯m right, you¡¯ll like me even less in about a minute from now.¡±
Admonished, Lorraine brought the jet around for a second time and commenced her approach.
True to form, Angelika perceived her anxiety mounting with every heartbeat. Across the aisle, Simeon also became agitated and kept glancing nervously up and down the cabin as if expecting trouble to spring out of nowhere. I bloody well knew it! ¡°Who else here besides those of us with telepathic or remote viewing capabilities thinks something is about to go wrong?¡±
No one replied at first, but as the other gifted members of the team began chipping in and expressing how perhaps it might be better if they all turned round and called it a day, David piped up, ¡°I¡¯m not at all comfortable with this, Angelika. My gut keeps telling me we¡¯re going to drop out of the sky at any moment. Can¡¯t we go and look somewhere else . . . or better still, just go home?¡±
This is too much of a coincidence. ¡°We¡¯ve found it!¡± she exclaimed triumphantly.
¡°Found what?¡± several of the others chorused.
The sense of impending doom grew. Then suddenly, a pins and needles sensation washed over her and an island, not more than a few miles away in front of them filled the horizon.
Waves crashed against high bluffs topped by dense overhanging vegetation and trees. The natural barrier created by the cliffs was broken in two places by cascading waterfalls that plunged for hundreds of feet to the rolling breakers below. Just over half a mile away to the right, a huge cleft cut its way down to an idyllic secluded beach.
As they sped over the top of the cavorting school of dolphins¡ªclearly visible now they were within the barrier¡ªAngelika was able to regain her composure. ¡°Lorraine, Bryn, check our position. Simeon, do the same with the GaSSPS sat-map.¡±
While everyone rushed to comply, she began excitedly entering a text message for Yeung into her company Izmus scroll phone to inform him of the find.
A few seconds later, and Angelika was shaking the phone in frustration. Damned piece of shit must be on the fritz.
She was about to ask Simeon if she could use his, when she noticed he was scowling at the GaSSPS and clearly having difficulty getting it to lock on.
Alarm bells started chiming in her mind.
Turning to their teleport specialist, Angelika queried, ¡°Jingfei, what¡¯s your range? I¡¯ve got a feeling we may have to get out of here quickly.¡±
Before the young woman could reply, Lorraine called out, ¡°Angelika, I don¡¯t seem to have control of the plane . . . Hang on. We . . . we¡¯re . . . ?¡±
The aircraft decelerated without warning, throwing everyone forward and came to an abrupt halt about four hundred feet up in the air. What the!
¡°Beautiful, isn¡¯t it.¡± A voice from behind them declared.
They spun around to find a male Guardian standing near the rear exit of the plane, close to where Jingfei was sitting. His aboriginal features were split in two by his wide, gap-toothed grin. Nonetheless, his friendly demeanor did little to hide the barely suppressed power radiating from every pore of his body.
Jingfei appeared to be asleep. Placing a hand on her shoulder he said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about your friend, I¡¯ve induced a little naptime is all. She won¡¯t miss anything special as I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s much too late for the guided tour.¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
Angelika had just started edging to one side so she would have room to maneuver¡ªas were a few of the more aggressively gifted members of her party¡ªwhen she found she couldn¡¯t move a muscle. Nor was she able to call upon her capabilities. Casting her gaze back and forth, Angelika discerned her colleagues were likewise rooted to the spot. Jeesus. What are we going to do?
The Guardian raised his plasma baton before him and a dazzling neon ribbon filled the rear of the cabin with intense blue-white light. His irises began to glow, illuminated by an inner power source, and though his lips remained still, the same voice as before rang through loud and clear in their minds: Friends, if I were you, I¡¯d think very carefully about your next move. You¡¯ve already been cautioned about the consequences of crossing us again, and that admonition still stands. The only reason you¡¯re still alive is because we can appreciate the misunderstanding. Publicly, we aren¡¯t here; the warning was delivered over a year ago; and you thought you¡¯d be able to take a peek without causing a confrontation. Fair enough. But as you can see, a few of us have remained behind to ensure fools don¡¯t go rushing in and getting themselves into all sorts of bother mishandling things they have no understanding of.
He paused to look each of them in the eye, before calling through to the pilots: Don¡¯t worry about the jet either; it¡¯s under our control now. Be thankful of that. If you¡¯d gone any further, the next barrier would have fried all your electronics and you¡¯d have ended up in the drink keeping the locals company . . . and the dolphins here don¡¯t take kindly to interlopers on their turf.
Oh, well done on getting through the chameleon screen by the way. Now we¡¯ll have to recalibrate it to ensure this doesn¡¯t happen again.
Angelika seized the opportunity to try and keep the lines of communication open. ¡°So who do we have the opportunity of speaking to?¡±
The Guardian¡¯s gaze intensified, boring into the depths of her soul, bringing with it a hint of icy claws and purest agony which clutched at her mind like a bear trap. Angelika staggered and fell into the nearest seat.
Apparently satisfied, he touched his hand to his chest, exposing a single golden band near the end of his sleeve and spoke aloud. ¡°I am High Grand Master Designate Akama Balun. How can I be of service before I help you on your way?¡±
Massaging her temples, Angelika replied, ¡°I take it we¡¯re not in the least bit welcome?¡±
¡°You¡¯ve got that right at least. The last time our two organizations exchanged pleasantries it was emphasized that the world needs people with exceptional abilities now more than ever. You haven¡¯t understood the spirit of that statement, or even worse, have refused to consider it. Therefore, I¡¯ve been sent to emphasize aspects of the second half of the message.¡±
He paused and his expression changed slightly, becoming almost distant.
He¡¯s communicating with someone, Angelika realized.
The toothy grin returned. ¡°You now know where our largest facility on this planet was. We will allow you to retain that snippet and take it back with you . . . along with a reminder. You were clearly told that if you continued along your current course, there would be consequences. Do not make the gravest of errors by thinking that just because we¡¯re not here in numbers our intent or resolve has changed.¡±
Staring at Angelika, he continued, ¡°As you¡¯re probably aware from the king sized headache, I¡¯ve taken quite a bit of interesting information from your mind and passed it on to my boss. We know who you are now, and where you are. Make no mistake. If you are stupid enough to try something like this again, you won¡¯t survive the experience.
¡°And very shortly after that, Mister Yeung will find one of us waving one of these in his face.¡± To emphasize his meaning, the Grand Master leaped forward, faster than they could follow. Pirouetting through the air, he lashed out with his blade, bringing its tip to a stop less than an inch from Angelika¡¯s throat.
The blood drained from everyone¡¯s faces as the shocking truth of what could so easily have happened sank in.
That realization turned to astonishment when half a dozen headrests toppled to the floor, neatly severed from their positions atop the expensive leather upholstery.
Pointing to them, the Guardian gleefully concluded, ¡°You ought to see what these things can do to heads. Pray you never find out!¡±
The next thing Angelika knew, she and her entire team were waking up in the Yeung Corporation private lounge at Faleolo Airport in Samoa some three days later. Every single one of them was suffering from the most appalling migraine and inexplicable bouts of stomach flu, and nobody could account for the missing time or how they had arrived back at their departure point.
Yes, Angelika Papadakos was feeling more than a little frustrated with recent developments. Not only had she walked straight into the viper¡¯s nest¡ªbut because of that¡ªshe¡¯d also been forced to miss the New Year¡¯s Eve gala scheduled to take place at the island¡¯s open embassy.
The French envoy, Marcel Delattre, was on a list of prospective candidates the Council had drawn up of those ambassadors they would like in their pocket. A secondary part of Angelika¡¯s assignment here involved the objective of grooming him for the Council¡¯s future pleasure, something that would now have to be rescheduled to a more appropriate juncture.
Angelika was not looking forward to explaining her first ever failure¡ªand a double one at that! Nor was she relishing the prospect of clarifying to Boss Yeung why it was the Guardians would now know so much about their activities.
*
At almost thirteen billion light years away, astronomical body A51689-2X1was one of the most distant and therefore one of the oldest known galaxies in the universe. Held in position amongst the heavens by a super massive, rotating black hole¡ªa region of space and time where the normal laws of physics were confounded and from which, it was presumed, nothing, not even light could escape¡ªthat body presented something of a paradox: the reason being the two minute streaks of intense brightness positioned across the plane of the event horizon.
It was as if someone had taken a rhinestone encrusted rag and wiped it across the lens of reality.
Had the streaks been stationary, an observer would be forgiven for thinking they were looking at two micro-dwarf pulsars, one slightly larger than the other, which had somehow perched themselves within the unstable zone of the opaque sun¡¯s rotating ergosphere. Dual witnesses, each bore silent testimony to the dying spasms of the cosmic ghoul before them.
However, closer scrutiny of those anomalies would reveal why such a thing was possible, for the two stars were none other than Adam, Overlord of the Guardians and his chief of Shadow Operations, Andrew. Having assumed their natural forms, the dynamic duo were conjoined by a harmonic bonding of such intricate complexity, that they were able to defy the stresses that would otherwise have torn their atoms apart. In fact, so ingenious was the program employed that it was actually siphoning off sufficient energy from the incongruity itself to counter the ubiquitous pull of its gravity well.
Though the mind of the smaller of the two incandescent foci of beauty and light was in awe of the magnitude of the scene around him, he was nonetheless mystified as to the reason for his presence: While I admit this is pretty awesome, I¡¯d love to know why you really dragged me all the way out here?
The flaring conflagration beside him replied: We¡¯re here to pay our respects, Andrew.
Mystified, Andrew couldn¡¯t help but respond: Pay our respects? Who to, there¡¯s no one here but us?
You¡¯ll see. You need to witness the end. It¡¯s necessary.
Necessary? Why?
So you¡¯ll know what to do when the time comes. Observe closely, the climax will soon be upon us.
Still puzzled, Andrew turned his attention back to the monstrosity. This close in, he was able to discern its speed of rotation was indeed slowing exponentially. He was about to frame another question but was forestalled by the sense of anticipation and sadness leaking from the usually impregnable shields of his companion. Numbed, he watched as the Overlord absorbed even more potential from the rapidly depleting energy of the vacuity and then used it to initiate a short hyperspatial jump, moving them across the tabular of the event horizon whilst skillfully avoiding the Schwarzschild Radius.
The Overlord murmured: This is no ordinary black hole. Attune yourself to it. You¡¯ll discover there¡¯s much more to this phenomenon than you might realize.
Doing as instructed, Andrew opened his stupendous senses to the essence of the colossus; seeking, reaching, prying, delving . . .
The Overlord¡¯s need became more pressing: Can you sense it? Search like this.
As skillful as the younger mind was¡ªperhaps only second to the being next to him¡ªthe abstruse equation laid out for his inspection was a construct so incredibly refined, that he couldn¡¯t help but whistle in appreciation. Grudgingly, Andrew reminded himself of a poignant truth. Old as I am, I still have so much to learn.
Employing the proffered cipher, Andrew extended his ultra senses again. Eh! I . . . I can almost . . . ?
Something wraithlike and distant, something as insubstantial as the last exhalation escaping the lungs of a fresh corpse, thrummed along Andrew¡¯s rarified nerves. And there, right at the limits of his perceptions, a faint but definite response rippled back in answer to his probe: What the fuck was that?
Shhh. The plea was earnest: Just listen.
Adding an additional filter to their metapsychic concert, the Overlord projected feelings of profound respect and hopeful anticipation into the core of the vacuity: Time to say goodbye, old friend. Here, let me help you.
Andrew¡¯s concentration wavered. Thinking he was being addressed, he allowed the minutest part of his acuity to sweep across his mentor¡¯s psyche only to flare in alarm as he realized the Overlord¡¯s attention was focused wholly on the Cimmerian expanse. Then who the hell is he . . . ? Oh my God!
A consciousness¡ªethereal and tenuous, nothing more than a filament of thought fluttering on a stellar breeze¡ªseemed to fuse out of the void into a lucid pulse that, although virtually nonexistent, was nevertheless there. The longer Andrew concentrated on it, the more tangible it became.
As it drew near, it breathed a phrase in reply to the Overlord¡¯s ministrations: SaachaeelZaaAahdeemm.
Andrew was stunned. For some reason, that expression sounded almost identical to a name he hadn¡¯t heard in an age of days.
The Overlord responded to the call by releasing a shockwave of immense vitality. Blooming outward as an Arcadian halation, it reached the edge of the ergosphere and rebounded back toward them, amplified a thousandfold. Somehow, the Overlord managed to catch that supercharged efflux and redirect it, channeling its might to serve his needs and increasing the drain.
A growing web of unimaginable power coalesced along the event horizon, accelerating the process even further. Soon, energy levels rose far beyond Andrew¡¯s capacity to assess, and the demise of the singularity became inevitable.
Tidal distortions increased, rapidly approaching a point which would be dangerous, even for them. In rising panic, Andrew yelled: What the hell are you doing? Fath . . .
Interrupting his query, the looming identity throbbed: Yeeesss.
Then the laws of actuality changed.
One moment the dying super massive black hole was collapsing in on itself at a truly astonishing rate, and the next, the flow of time puckered, stretched, blushed pink, and slowed, almost to a stop.
The Overlord appeared to have been waiting for this critical moment. Crushing the converging forces into a cogent whole, he targeted the rotating singularity deep within the leviathan¡¯s jowls and flung the sum of his might down. Augmented as his strike was by gravitational collapse, the compressed needle of limitless power seemed to strike a point of nothingness. The fabric of spacetime ruptured in an explosion of gargantuan proportions that swept both Guardians away like leaves along a windblown street.
Andrew¡¯s mind reeled as he tumbled over and over, away from a scene of unimaginable devastation. So scrambled were his wits that he couldn¡¯t trust what his sensibilities were registering, for the geodesic curvature at the heart of the abysm was tearing slowly apart. But . . . but that¡¯s just not feasible. How . . . ?
Through that rift, a creature of breathtaking beauty and abject terror stood revealed. Transmuted from the very stuff of the universe into a vision godlike in scope, it blazed with the glory of a multitude of suns, blinding him in a phenomenal storm of sensations.
As he regained his equilibrium and waited for his hyper-senses to clear, Andrew heard a thunderous declaration, trumpeting like a fanfare: THANK YOU SACHAEL-ZA-AD¡¯HEM! I KNEW MY OLDEST FRIE¡ª
IT IS NOT PERMITTED FOR YOU TO INTERACT WITH DEBASED LIFEFORMS! Another, even greater voice roared.
Then the apparitions were gone, swallowed into the cleft as it was slammed shut and sealed by an incomprehensively commanding force.
The darkness of true space returned, followed by a resounding silence.
Ignoring the promulgation of countering riptides, Andrew scanned the immediate vicinity, checking for the whereabouts of the Overlord. Locating him floating over a light-year in the opposite direction, he jumped to his side, only to find the older mind remonstrating with himself in a contemplative, almost prayerful mood. He was the first of us to shoulder the burden of leadership after the fall. Many thought him a fool, but the purity of his convictions proved true. He found the way back. After all this time, he actually did it!
Exasperated, Andrew became insistent: He? Who are we actually talking about and what did he do that¡¯s so important?
With an effort, the Overlord ceased his musing. Turning, he then blended his essence to that of his young champion in an act of intimate fellowship: Patience, Andrew. I¡¯ll answer all of your questions soon, trust me. For now, I think we¡¯d better turn our consideration to something else?
Part of the Overlord¡¯s attention was directed toward the spot where the black hole had been anchored. Following his astral line of sight, Andrew was astonished to discover something where it shouldn¡¯t be; something that hadn¡¯t been there before: Father, what¡¯s that?
The Overlord initiated a short hyperspatial hop back to the edge of the depleted gravity well and erected a class-ten shield around the object of Andrew¡¯s scrutiny.
A huge black jewel floated before them. Dark for the moment, its angles nevertheless flickered and gleamed as if shot through with miniature coronal discharges. Analyzing it closely, Andrew could see it was blessed with one of the most intricate molecular arrangements he had ever seen. Its long range order and symmetry was so complex that its multifaceted parameters repeated into the fourth instead of three dimensions. A deep scan revealed why. Instead of the fourteen unique Bravais Lattices usually found in crystals, this specimen had eighteen. If that were not remarkable enough, the gem also possessed a dual polarity that should have resulted in total self-annihilation. Yet, it emitted a curious vibratory resonance that somehow soothed its natural inclination toward catastrophe.
For the second time in as many minutes, Andrew struggled to uncover long buried memories. It¡¯s like I¡¯m looking at a collusion between matter and anti . . . Comprehension dawned. Aloud, he gasped: Father, is that what I think it is?
It is . . . and well done. I¡¯d forgotten they can be formed as a byproduct of a cataclysmic quantum event. This beauty makes quite the first impression, eh?
And then some, Andrew mumbled, not believing the evidence of his senses: We always speculated where you found the first psitronic crystal as you never told us. Forgive me for not appreciating what I was looking at. I was thrown for a moment there, especially as this one is . . . well, it¡¯s huge! I didn¡¯t think they could reach such a size without blowing apart.
That¡¯s because the spawning anomaly was so big. The energy produced during the black hole¡¯s death throes was most impressive, spaghettifying everything within the Schwarzschild Radius and forming a nucleus around which a stable core could bind itself. When you take that into account, there¡¯s little doubt such a miracle would be created.
They spent a while scanning the newly formed enigma, marveling at the beauty of its fourfold existence and ensuring not to trigger its matrix. Eventually, the Overlord declared: It¡¯s five hundred percent larger than the gem on Kalliste, and I calculate it to hold thirty-two times the magnification quotient. This is a real bonus, Andrew, especially as the last one shattered under duress. It¡¯s been quite frustrating having to make do with the few shards that were left over. What a stroke of luck.
Why¡¯s that? Andrew probed, unable to pry his gaze from the mesmerizing allure of the jewel¡¯s atomic structure.
Because even when a super massive black hole dies¡ªwhich believe me is a rarity¡ªit doesn¡¯t automatically guarantee a psitronic crystal will be generated. I tell you, it¡¯s like he gave us a parting gift.
Andrew¡¯s suspicions immediately rekindled: Are you not going to give me any further clues about what¡¯s really going on?
The Overlord ruminated for a moment before replying: Soon my Son, I promise. I¡¯m sorry if that frustrates you, but this is not the time or place for such revelations. I¡¯d rather explain things in full when you sister is present too. Speaking of whom . . . She¡¯s hailing us, can¡¯t you hear?
Andrew knew it would be useless to labor the point. Instead, he fought down his irritation and cast his perceptions out as the Overlord suggested, searching for the signal that should be virtually impossible to hear over such a vast distance. When he discerned a certain tingling within his complexus, containing the unique mental signature he knew so well, he started in amazement. I don¡¯t believe it.
Confused, he looked toward his father, who radiated gentle humor at his surprise: Remember she was specifically empowered with the capability to reach me no matter where I am a long, long time ago. You¡¯ve had the aptitude to do the same for quite a while now without even realizing it. And from what I¡¯ve just surmised, you can also distinguish her ultrafar hails too. That¡¯s no easy feat.
Andrew adjusted his consciousness to harmonize with the distinctive and very specialized narrow-beam long-range thought pattern. Absorbing it, so that in future he would be as naturally sensitive to it as was the Overlord, he registered the nature of what he was being told and exclaimed: Holy shit! What are we going to do? They went to all that bother of kicking us out and, despite a shed load of procrastinating and catching the tail end of some terrible disasters, have made no real attempt to get us back.
The Overlord¡¯s reply was laced with sadness: I think we may discover a different attitude prevails soon, especially once their satellites pick it up!
How did the damn thing get so close without us registering it?
Sheer bad luck, Andrew. The Titan outpost was eclipsed on the far side of Saturn when it came through. Fortunately, they passed apogee in time to register the seismic currents generated by the original event and subsequently notified Moon Base.
Andrew was just about to ask why Mars Command had been remiss in their duty, when he remembered; they were even farther away than Earth at the moment, due to orbital variance: Didn¡¯t the ecliptic relay sensors monitor the incursion?
Once again, the Overlord¡¯s regret was evident in the tone of his thoughts: They only picked it up thirteen hours ago as it neared the outer edge of the asteroid belt. Time dilation this close to the event horizon prevented us from receiving Victoria¡¯s beacon until we¡¯d removed ourselves from its sphere of influence.
How long do we have?
The Overlord paused. The way that thing is accelerating, I¡¯d say a day and a half until planet-strike. So we¡¯ve got to be ready in one. Even then, there¡¯s no guarantee there won¡¯t be casualties. Let¡¯s hope their leaders don¡¯t postpone making a decision for too long, eh? Hang on . . . ? A stronger burst of psychic data came through. Listen, your sister¡¯s really blowing a fuse so we¡¯d better start heading back. I¡¯m going to hold our prize in stasis, so how would you like to handle the primary for the jumps?
Andrew commenced weaving the necessary forces together that would create a super hyperspatial conduit capable of spanning the distance of half the Milky Way at a time. Even so, he couldn¡¯t help but cogitate on the contents of Victoria¡¯s message and expressed his doubts aloud: You do appreciate this is bound to put noses out of joint; us forcing our resources on them. Even if we can help mankind escape mass extinction, there¡¯ll be those who¡¯d rather die than accept our help.
Oh, I know, Son. That¡¯s why I¡¯ve ensured Victoria has the lead in this. We¡¯re not going to be back until after the party starts, so she¡¯s already pointing a few things out to some of the world¡¯s more influential leaders as we speak. What say we go and see the results of her efforts?
And with that, the two extraordinary beings vanished, leaving behind absolutely no trace of their part in the miraculous intervention that had just taken place.
Wake Up Call
January 4th
Shaking her head, President Vivian Becknell, the first woman ever elected to that office, looked back on the way her day had started only five minutes ago.
She had been enjoying a particularly restful and appealing dream. In it, she was a happy-go-lucky girl of thirteen again, reveling in the joy of life and the opportunity to spend a day at the beach with Grandpa Ernie and Grandma Ellen¡ªsadly taken from her some twenty years previously.
Fishing for crabs and shrimps among the rock pools a mere stone¡¯s throw from her grandparents¡¯ modest seaside home, Vivian relished those times and the contrasts such visits brought. The warmth of the sun on her face; the chill of the ocean as it lapped against her legs; the abrasive texture of the sand between her toes; and most of all, the quiet cussing of Grandma Ellen as she directed proceedings from the safety of a foldout deckchair on the pathway leading down from the veranda.
Such events helped color the way Vivian viewed the world, and she treasured those rare moments when circumstances¡ªor sleep¡ªallowed her to delve into memories of childhood innocence.
In this latest outing, Vivian had just turned to hand a bucketful of precious, wriggling crustaceans to her grandfather, when she felt the ground begin to shake. Alarmed, she glanced up, only to watch as Ernie¡¯s mile-wide smile started to fade. Then the idyllic scene vanished entirely as Vivian was forcibly snatched awake by a roughly administered shaking, delivered by none other than her personal Secret Service Agent, Christopher Joplin.
Trying desperately to hold onto the dream, she was momentarily bewildered as to her surroundings.
¡°Ma¡¯am, you have to come with me.¡±
Huh, where did he go? ¡°Chris, what¡¯s the damn time, it¡¯s still dark outside?¡± she rasped, squinting against the intrusion of light into her bedroom from the hallway.
Agent Joplin became more insistent. ¡°It¡¯s six-thirty, Madam President. You have to come with me now. This is urgent.¡±
Sitting up slightly and moving away from her husband lying next to her, Vivian replied, ¡°Give me a chance to make myself presentable and I¡¯ll¡ª¡±
¡°I¡¯m sorry, Madam President,¡± he interjected, ¡°there¡¯s no time. She says if you don¡¯t come now, she¡¯ll drag you out herself.¡±
And just like that, Vivian¡¯s attention became much more focused and her fiery, no nonsense African-American heritage asserted itself. Raising her hand to cut out the glare, she delivered one of her most withering scowls and hissed, ¡°What did you say? Who dared¡ª?¡±
¡°I did! And I mean what I said!¡± a woman¡¯s voice snapped, crackling with authority.
The President leaned forward and peered toward the corridor as her bodyguard straightened and stiffened, evidently uncomfortable about the situation.
A silhouette belonging to an imposing woman filled the doorway. Although she couldn¡¯t see her features, Vivian was able to make out her eyes. Eyes that shone with the intensity of a full-blown blast furnace.
A Guardian, she thought. What¡¯s a Guardian doing here?
Hearing her question, the Guardian replied, ¡°Stop farting around in bed and you¡¯ll find out. Now get out here, or I¡¯ll start making the decisions for you. We¡¯ll be in the Green Room.¡±
As the Guardian turned and strode away, the covers moved of their own volition and Vivian Becknell, one of the most powerful persons on the planet, felt herself lifted into the air, only to be deposited unceremoniously onto her feet moments later.
Vivian had barely been in office for a year, having ridden to success on the back of the ¡°Anti-Guardian¡± brigade, so she was in no mood to be told what to do by those she felt were a law unto themselves.
Gathering herself together, she grabbed a robe from behind the door and made her way toward the Green Room, leaving her ever-present Secret Service detail trailing in her wake. Needless to say, the heat of her anger rose with every step. Who the hell does she think she is summoning me to the principal¡¯s office like she owns the place? When I get in there, I¡¯ll put that prissy down faster than a bantamweight going up against Floyd Mayweather.
Christopher Joplin rushed to open the door ahead of her. When Vivian entered, however, she came up short, her bellows deflating rapidly, for she found several Chiefs of Staff waiting inside, along with Jack Balotelli¡ªher personal advisor. The air was tense and everyone looked worried. It was obvious they had only assembled a short while before, as a few were in various states of undress.
Amongst the impromptu gathering were four Guardians who, judging from the insignia adorning their sleeves appeared to hold high rank.
Before Vivian could gather her wits, the woman who had issued such a blunt summons turned from speaking with Jack Balotelli and came striding toward her, together with two men she didn¡¯t recognize.
Seeing her clearly for the first time, Vivian felt instantly intimidated.
At over six feet tall, the Guardian moved with feline grace and fluidity. Stalking toward the President like a panther in human form, she also possessed the bearing of someone used to being in charge. Her long, dark hair was swept to one side in a no-nonsense plait, and her expression was at once businesslike and serious. As she drew closer, Vivian felt her teeth begin to throb, which in turn caused her eyes to water.
Cursing any sign of weakness, Vivian commenced to let fly at the source of her discomfort, ¡°I don¡¯t know what high horse you fell off, missy, but let me make one thing perfectly¡ª¡±
¡°Madam President,¡± Jack cut in, raising his hand to placate her. ¡°You need to listen to what she has to say.¡±
The Guardian calmly waited for the President to fight down her anger, plainly unimpressed by all the posturing. Only then did she introduce the NASA specialists who were quick to confirm the news she was delivering. Vivian listened in silence, took a deep breath and then began pinching herself on the arm, hard enough to cause bruising.
A raised eyebrow from the Guardian caused Vivian to shake her head and confess. ¡°Just checking, I was hoping I was still asleep and that I¡¯d wake up to find this was all a bad dream!¡±
*
Pandemonium. An expressive word that nevertheless went nowhere near to describing the reaction to the emergency communiqu¨¦ that suddenly cut into the monotony of people¡¯s daily lives. No avenue was spared: radio, TV and social media; breakfast, lunchtime and evening bulletins. Each and every medium was utilized to deliver a message of worldwide importance.
Within minutes of the breaking news, all telephone and mobile networks around the globe¡ªand shortly thereafter, the entire internet system¡ªcrashed, unable to cope with the volume of horrified customers who were sure the end was nigh and that nigh meant now.
Initially, the only comfort the terrified populace received, involved live reports covering fuel shortages and dreadful queues at shopping malls and supermarkets, intermingled with interviews granted by a whole host of studious scientists and other experts. More used to the insides of stuffy classrooms and laboratories than the bright lights of fame, each offered differing opinions on how to best face the coming crisis, conscious of the fact that their fifteen minutes in the limelight might be their last.
However, all was not lost, for as more concerted efforts got underway and gained momentum, the dross was purified by a broadcast issued via the Threat Assessment and Emergency Centers, situated in major cities across every continent.
They made interesting listening, for the unified contents contained a spark of hope:
¡°This is an advisory announcement.
An international state of emergency has been declared.
Early Warning Systems established by NASA and other agencies have detected and are tracking a foreign body on a collision course with the Earth.
At this time, we are uncertain as to the composition of that object. However, we are able to confirm it is almost twelve miles across and has been enhanced by the additional mass of many astronomical bodies from within the asteroid belt. All that combined potential is travelling at a rate in excess of one thousand miles per second.
The Hubble Space Telescope has verified the menace is now approaching the orbital plane of Mars. If it continues on its current trajectory, such speeds will ensure it reaches us in just over twenty-four hours.
Although contingencies are in place for such incursions, neither our capabilities nor resources are sufficient to counter a threat of this magnitude. There is no doubt that should the asteroid strike the Earth as it is, we are looking at a mass extinction event on a scale unseen since the demise of the dinosaurs.
But take heart, for hope endures.
Despite their preclusion some nine months ago, the Guardians have¡ªprovidentially¡ªremained concerned for mankind¡¯s welfare.
Though most of them are beyond our reach, a limited number elected to stay behind, close enough to provide a channel through which we could reach out to them in the future should we have a change of heart, or if ever we found ourselves in dire need of assistance.
There is no doubt that this is such an occasion.
At this juncture, it is plain for all to see we need their help, for without it humanity will not survive.
As such, world leaders have extended an invitation to them on your behalf, requesting urgent aid to confront this, the greatest threat we have ever faced.
It is humbling to concede; the Guardians have responded promptly to that plea and are now liaising with various heads of state to coordinate efforts to face this peril before it reaches us.
The Guardians have been at pains to stress that, because the majority of their fleet is far beyond the outer rim of the Milky Way galaxy, they will be unable to reach us in time to add their considerable resources to the defense of this planet. However, those who are able to assist will do all in their power to ensure the human race prevails.
Be advised, there is no location on Earth that can be deemed as safe. So, use the time you have left wisely and try not to give way to despair. The best way you can help the emergency services organize their efforts in tandem with the Guardians is to follow the direction to remain in your homes. As you safeguard your loved ones, pray we did not make the gravest of errors by rejecting those who are now our only hope for life.¡±
That directive was repeated three times in a row, every half hour for the benefit of those who were not panicking too much to pay attention to the bigger picture.
*
Wired to a level of consciousness a transcendental yogi adept would be proud of, Vivian Becknell pushed herself away from the antique Resolute desk within the Oval Office, studied the people before her, and tried to judge the mood of the room.
Assisted by the caffeine rush of her eighth coffee of the morning so far, she was helped to an epiphany regarding the idiom: Wonders will never cease.
I don¡¯t believe it. Despite the hurdles were facing, everyone seems to be determined and optimistic. Pity that¡¯s not reflected out there on the streets.
It wasn¡¯t yet ten o¡¯clock, but already more than twenty of the world¡¯s leaders¡ªtogether with their aides and retainers¡ªwere crammed inside the confines of one of the most photographed workplaces in history to listen as the Guardians outlined their basic proposals. A tight fit, especially as members of the White House Press Corps and representatives from the BBC had also been allowed access to record what could be the final moments of civilized human society.
TVs in the background displayed a constant barrage of ever-changing information, most of it relating to the public¡¯s reaction to the breaking news: unconditional chaos.
It seemed the majority of people were ignoring the advisory broadcasts and millions upon millions of frightened residents were fleeing the cities by whatever means possible in the vain hope of finding safety elsewhere.
Vivian¡¯s heart went out to them. Poor misguided fools. I hope we have something concrete to inspire them with soon.
She caught the ranking Guardian¡¯s eye, the very woman, in fact, who had disturbed her less than four short hours ago. A voice echoed in the back of her head: I agree. Let¡¯s get this show on the road.
Stepping forward, Victoria, the Lord Inquisitor announced, ¡°I need to be brief. The Lord Evaluator and I have to leave in the next few minutes to coordinate our assets. Everything has to be ready for when the Overlord and Shadow Lord return.¡±Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.
¡°Where are they now,¡± asked Richard Williams, the British Prime Minister, ¡°chivvying along the rest of your fleet?¡±
Shaking her head, Victoria complained, ¡°God, I wish they were, Richard. You¡¯d already have half a dozen squadrons of our finest cruisers forming an impenetrable blockade otherwise. No, I¡¯m afraid to say they¡¯re both much farther away, billions of miles in the opposite direction to be exact, bringing a special package along with them. They¡¯re being forced to drag their feet as the item in question reacts violently in the presence of highly excitable energy emissions. A shame, when you think about it, as it would be very useful against what we¡¯re facing.
¡°Basically, that means we¡¯re all alone for the time being. And it¡¯s essential, therefore, that everyone knows precisely what they¡¯re doing, and where and when, so we can orchestrate our efforts to the best advantage.¡±
Looking toward Vivian Becknell, she continued. ¡°Madam President, as your country¡¯s resources are the most extensive, I hope I can trust you to keep everyone in line and ensure everything is ready for when it¡¯s needed.¡±
Vivian¡¯s opinion¡ªof the Guardians and Victoria herself¡ªhad changed mightily over the last several hours. She cleared her throat and in a steely fashion, declared, ¡°Oh, I¡¯ll make sure all parties concerned behave, don¡¯t you worry.¡±
Nodding, Victoria pointed out two other Guardians. ¡°The Lord Conciliator should be known to most of you, as is his deputy, High Grand Master Joseph West. They will act as a liaison between units on scene and whoever remains here at the White House to guarantee an instant line of communication once the shit starts hitting the fan. For prudence sake, we are also providing Guardian scanners and farspeakers to those of you who act as Commanders-in-Chief of your armed forces, and in particular, those who have allocated mission-specific resources. That way, all our control centers will remain in sync, no matter how deep the mire becomes.
¡°I cannot stress how vital it is that our defensive countermeasures are meticulously implemented. Without the majority of the Guardian armada to back us up, our potential to deal with this threat is severely reduced. So we must use what we have to the greatest effect.¡±
The point was well made. Seeing it had sunk in, Victoria turned her attention toward the bottom of the Oval Office where the news crews had gathered.
Watching closely, Vivian Becknell noticed the Lord Inquisitor pause before the corner of her lips lifted in a one-sided smile. Hello, who has she spotted?
Intrigued, Vivian examined the faces at that end of the room and was surprised to recognize the former BBC Guardian Correspondent of ¡°Langley Incident¡± fame, Cathy West, hidden away among the gaggle.
Addressing that crowd, the Lord Inquisitor made an unexpected offer. ¡°Seeing as how these may be the final events you ever get to report, how would one or two of you braver hearts like to capture things from a very unique perspective?¡±
Cathy West grinned from ear to ear and punched her hand high into the air. ¡°I¡¯m game. Count me in.¡±
Conscious of the fact that everyone¡¯s attention was now focused on them, the journalist next to her¡ªSimon Ford of the White House Press Corps¡ªpaled considerably and tried to lose himself among the cameras and microphones.
Catching his elbow, Cathy gave him a quick dig in the ribs and teased, ¡°C¡¯mon Simon, are you a chicken? I promise you, if you don¡¯t seize the chance to fly the coop, you¡¯ll regret it for the rest of your life . . . even if it is only twenty-four hours long.¡±
Seeing he was being backed into a corner, the hapless Simon took a deep breath, and stammered, ¡°O . . . Okay, yes. I . . . I¡¯ll do it.¡±
Warming to the young woman¡¯s spunk, Vivian subconsciously cheered her efforts on. You go girl! Show these weedy-ass guys how it¡¯s done.
Across from her, the Lord Inquisitor let out a hastily suppressed chortle of delight. Glancing the President¡¯s way, she continued to smirk and singled out Cathy West and her sweaty, press-ganged colleague for her closing statement. ¡°Excellent, you¡¯ll both be coming with me. I¡¯ll drop you off on our flagship, the Olympus, where you¡¯ll get to meet the Lord Procurator who will decide on your final assignments.¡±
And with that, she waved to her companions and vanished, taking the Lord Evaluator and the paired reporting teams along with her.
The Lord Conciliator, Vladimir Arihkin allowed a moment or two to pass, then patted his subordinate on the shoulder. ¡°For those of you who do not know my deputy, I¡¯d like to introduce you to High Grand Master Joseph West. He¡¯ll now briefly review the directives of this joint undertaking and outline the basics of each module in turn. Please listen closely and make notes of those stages that specifically involve you, as we will take questions clarifying pertinent aspect of the plan after he¡¯s finished.¡±
Striding confidently forward, Joseph walked around to the window alcove behind the President¡¯s desk, dropped the blinds a little so that his audience wouldn¡¯t be dazzled by the glare of the midmorning sun, and politely waited for everyone to get comfy as they adjusted to the extra space provided, courtesy of the absent journalists.
Once they were settled, he activated a holodisc and an overview of the solar system was projected into the air. ¡°Scans completed thus far using SEPs, that¡¯s the Search Enhancing Psi-optical emitters we use to zero in on live emergency response incidents, have ascertained the composition of the advancing meteoroid. Forty-five percent of its mass is made up from a combination of iridium, iron, nickel, chondrite, ammonia, and water. However, the rest of it¡ªand especially its core¡ªis comprised of a blend of unknown exotic materials so alien, it could only have originated in an inverse or alternate dimension.
¡°Armed with this knowledge, we conducted further investigations by backtracking along the meteoroids trajectory and believe it entered local space through a fracture created billions of years ago during the formation of the solar system itself. . .¡± He paused, and a portion of the astral map midway between the orbits of Jupiter and the Main Asteroid Field glowed red, ¡°at those coordinates there. From what we¡¯ve surmised from residual readings emanating from the breach, that fracture was weakened by a further incursion about sixty-five million years ago¡ª¡±
¡°Isn¡¯t that about the time the dinosaurs are believed to have been wiped out?¡± the German Chancellor, Wilhelm Schmidt, interjected.
¡°You¡¯re quite right, Wilhelm. We suspect that mass extinction event was triggered by a meteorite issuing from the same place as our most recent visitor, as ground teams have already discovered residual traces of similar exotic materials deep underground at a handful of other major impact sites.¡±
¡°Other impact sites?¡± Several of the other politicians parroted.
¡°I¡¯m afraid so. It looks like we¡¯ve been invaded more times than we first realized.¡±
¡°So you¡¯re implying this could happen again?¡± The Chancellor¡¯s distress was obvious and shared by just about everybody else in the room.
Looking on, Vivian Becknell became troubled. Darn, Joseph¡¯s in danger of being swamped.
But then, just as it seemed the tone of the meeting might sour and run away with itself, the young Guardian did something unusual. Taking a deep breath, he lowered his head, raised his arm into the air, and waited.
Amazingly, everyone fell silent almost immediately.
In a quiet but firm voice, Joseph continued, ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, I¡¯d remind you that there¡¯ll be ample opportunity for questions later. For now, please listen to what I have to say. It¡¯s important.¡±
He smiled and made eye contact with the German Chancellor. ¡°And to answer your concerns, Wilhelm; yes, as the fabric of reality has been torn, that locale is . . . how can I say this . . . stretched? It¡¯s nursing a poorly healed scar that makes it tender and prone to further incursions. Think of it as an area of weaker tissue around the site of a hernia. Needless to say, now we¡¯re aware of its existence, our scientists will be working around the clock to reduce or eliminate the danger, okay?¡±
Vivian found herself amused. Hell, no wonder that boy¡¯s the Deputy Conciliator. Despite his weak hand, he called them out and scooped up their chips before they realized what was happening. Good on you.
The boy must have been aware what the President was thinking, for he winked¡ªjust once¡ªher way and breezed on as if he hadn¡¯t received the slightest interruption.
¡°So, to the matter at hand. Our predicament means we¡¯re facing a three-tiered hurdle, one we need to surmount in the right order. . .¡± As he spoke, Joseph lifted a different finger to emphasize each obstacle in turn, ¡°structure, speed and splintering.
¡°The exotic nature of the meteoroid presents and unacceptable danger that rules out a straightforward metapsychic assault. Why? Simple discretion. In our travels, the Guardians have discovered naturally occurring phenomena that can absorb a wide array of energetic frequencies and bounce them right back at you in a highly excited, amplified state. Think about that for a second. If we were to join in harmonic union¡ªthat¡¯s our term for meshing the capacity of our minds together to boost the overall sum of our combined power¡ªand tried to zap the damned thing to a cinder, there¡¯s a chance that some of the elements making up the meteoroid¡¯s core might be super conductive to extrasensory stimulation. We could inadvertently set off a chain reaction that obliterates a huge region of the Main Asteroid Belt; knocking goodness knows how many foreign bodies into irregular orbits that would prove hazardous in the future.¡±
¡°Then how do you propose to deal with it?¡± a voice shouted from the back.
¡°By concentrating on the second rung of the hurdle I mentioned first; speed.¡± Pointing to the star chart, Joseph reasoned, ¡°That thing is coming at us in excess of one thousand miles a second. The kinetic potential alone is lethal. Where better to concentrate our primary efforts? As I speak, the Guardians have commenced influencing the interplanetary medium between Earth and Mars. In laymen¡¯s terms, we¡¯re thickening the material through which the meteoroid is travelling; in the manner a chef might turn weak broth into a creamy soup. Doing so will increase the drag created by its passage. This works in our favor, especially when you factor in the solar wind and Earth¡¯s magnetic field.
¡°For those of you who aren¡¯t particularly scientific, all you need to understand is that, along with heat and light, the Sun emits a form of plasma called solar winds. As those winds flow away from the Sun, they cause layers of charged particles to form around any obstacle in their path. The denser the milieu through which they travel, the heavier the coating surrounding the object will become. Understand? Though we won¡¯t be able to bring the intruder to a full stop, we¡¯ll be able to put the brakes on to some degree. Every little bit helps. That¡¯s why were adopting a similar strategy with the Earth¡¯s atmosphere and magnetic field. By bulking them out, we¡¯ll be adding additional cushions to our defensive measures that will help soften the blow when it arrives.
¡°This is necessary for a couple of reasons. During the active phase of the mission, we intend to start detonating a selected number of your latest high yield gravo-nuclear warheads in tandem with antimatter mines seeded along the defensive line by those Guardian starships that are close enough to assist. In a nutshell, we¡¯ll generate a whole web of additional tidal forces to impede the meteoroid¡¯s path.¡±
¡°Won¡¯t that be dangerous though?¡± the same person called out.
¡°Not at all,¡± Joseph responded. ¡°We¡¯re being very careful in what we do. You¡¯ll get to see some pretty lights in the sky for a week or two, but they¡¯ll soon pass as the excess capacity scatters away from the plane of the ecliptic, diminishing as it goes.
The unknown heckler was insistent, ¡°But will it be enough to stop the comet?¡±
¡°Not by a long shot. Don¡¯t be under any illusions, my friends. The meteoroid is travelling too fast to stop by mundane means. And, because its composition is both highly exotic and metallic, it¡¯s generating a huge bow wave. If that thing manages to pass close enough, it could rip the Earth¡¯s atmosphere away or knock our polar stability for six. That¡¯s why we¡¯ve centered our stratagem on slowing it sufficiently for the third rung I mentioned; splintering.
Referring to the map again, Joseph explained, ¡°Guardian ships are preparing a tiered line of defense between here, the Moon, and the site of the initial blasts. Once we have succeeded in slowing the meteoroid intact, we intend to shatter it with a combination of the rest of your tactical missiles and our antimatter torpedoes.¡±
¡°That will cause additional problems though, won¡¯t it?¡± Vivian was quick to point out.
Joseph turned toward her and smiled. ¡°It¡¯s more of a catch twenty-two situation, Ma¡¯am. In targeting the meteoroid, we will succeed in destroying the sledgehammer that threatens to wipe out all life on Earth. However, as you¡¯ve correctly surmised, doing so will create thousands of smaller mallets that will still cause widespread devastation.¡±
He pointed to a close-up of the Earth and a detailed diagram of the orbital countermeasures that would soon be in place. ¡°That¡¯s why we¡¯re going to all the trouble of temporarily modifying the interplanetary medium and electromagnetic field. In their boosted state they will be able to handle countless smaller and medium sized objects exuviated from the main mass. By this stage, I might add, Guardian cruisers and orbital stations will also be targeting as many of the larger shards as possible before they enter the atmosphere.
¡°The flip side to this approach is . . . we won¡¯t be able to handle them all. A lot of shrapnel will still get through. Regardless, all is not lost. The tinkering I referred to a few moments ago will include the addition of an extra layer within the mesosphere about forty to forty-five miles up. We chose this zone because it¡¯s within the mesosphere that meteors usually burn up anyway. So, liken this extra band to a flak jacket or bulletproof vest. It will absorb many of what could have been lethal fragments, reducing again those we need to worry about.¡±
Alina Vydrina, the Russian President, raised her hand. ¡°So we¡¯re still going to get hit and hit hard?¡±
¡°Yes, we will! But at least the scenario will have changed by then into one that is manageable. Those Guardian planetary and orbital stations that survive the initial wave will then vaporize as many meteors as they can before the deluge becomes too overwhelming. They will be supported by transcended Guardians, who will endeavor to shield sensitive and critical areas.¡±
Hang on! Planetary and orbital stations that survive the initial wave? Vivian Becknell¡¯s mouth dropped open. Are they . . .?
Richard Williams beat her to the punch. Aghast, he spluttered, ¡°What? Are you saying you don¡¯t expect all of your people in the ships and space stations to survive?¡±
Joseph glanced briefly at the Lord Conciliator. ¡°No, we don¡¯t.¡±
Such a frank and open admission ignited a flare of alarm that swept the confines of the Oval Office like a wildfire. Necks swiveled from side to side; faces paled; barks of surprise snapped back and forth, then swiftly faded into mute astonishment.
Seizing her chance, Vivian asked a question that had bugged her from the start. ¡°If things are going to get so bad, are you certain the transcended ones can¡¯t just use their strength to shoot down the meteors as they arrive?¡±
¡°I¡¯m sorry, but the exotic factor presents too high a risk, even with the smaller fragments. Remember, I did mention earlier that we know of certain elements that are capable of absorbing and amplifying energetic psychic projections. Once we¡¯ve had the chance to study and test them, we can sometimes utilize their characteristics as a tool and they prove invaluable in our work. However, this object is still an unknown dynamic. If the most powerful amongst us were to strike with a harmonized bolt intra-atmosphere, the super magnified ricochet might be capable of leveling an entire city. Could you imagine the mayhem that would cause?¡±
Vivian sucked in hard. ¡°Then what do you propose we do?¡±
¡°As we¡¯ve already stressed, please ensure you¡¯re ready to synchronize your efforts with ours during the initial stages of the operation and make certain all available emergency centers are prepared for high volume casualties. Twenty-four hours from now, things are going to get apocalyptic.¡±
The young Deputy Conciliator studied the people gathered before him and seemed to come to a decision. ¡°Madam President? With your permission, I think this might be a good time to take a quick coffee break. If we reconvene in say . . . fifteen minutes, everyone will have cleared their heads sufficiently for us to get down to the nitty-gritty stuff.¡±
More coffee? That¡¯ll be my ninth one. I¡¯ll never sleep again.
Outwardly, she nodded, and replied, ¡°Coffee sounds great, Joseph . . . though I¡¯ve got something a little stronger secreted away in the bottom drawer of my desk if anyone feels the need?¡±
Moments later, those with a need were crowding round, desperate for what might be their last fix.
Guardians
Victoria blazed incandescent; a beacon of hope against the boundless setting of interstellar space and the lesser candles flickering about her, whose wan lights were eclipsed by the purity of her transcendent radiance.
Nearby, the fleet waited, its presence a resolute testimony to what would shortly take place. Two Dreadnaughts, four cruisers and ten Frigates¡ªa paltry representation of the might they possessed¡ªspread too thinly to accomplish what they were here for.
Extending her mind, Victoria blended to the psyche of Jade Heung, her ascended counterpart aboard the Olympus who would be leading the task force during the ordeal ahead. A necessary precaution, as the jump coordinates locked into each ship¡¯s navigational computers were not only stunningly complex, but a vital link in the defensive chain that would ensure the flotilla¡¯s almost instantaneous relocation to high Earth orbit, a place they would make their stand following the first phase of the combined operation.
Always efficient, the Lord Procurator indicated her readiness.
And now, only two minutes remained until it all began.
Just two fleeting minutes until mankind¡ªand they themselves for that matter¡ªdiscovered if they really could live up to their name. Casting her farsight over a hundred million miles forward, Victoria scanned the first wave of human missiles crawling toward the rendezvous coordinates at a sedate twelve thousand miles per hour.
In the scant time they¡¯d had to prepare, only five hundred tiny needles of lethal potency could be mustered for this opening gambit. Although they represented the finest killing technology of the world they were trying to protect, lying as it was a mere ten million miles away behind her, she didn¡¯t know if it would be enough, for the bulk of their arsenal was needed here at the line.
Thankfully, their manipulations of the interplanetary medium had proven successful thus far. Abaddon, Angel of the Abyss¡ªthe name given to the monster bearing down on them with uncompromising ruthlessness¡ªhad been forced to decelerate to just under seven hundred miles per second. Soon, it would reach the first of the hastily prepared contrivances that would hopefully snatch even more wind from its sails: a constriction buoy.
Positioned as it was to activate when Abaddon was only eight thousand miles from it, this first marker was armed with a focusing collar more than ten miles in diameter. Devised to swallow the energy released by the simultaneous detonation of those nuclear warheads and antimatter mines activated within range of its matrix, the constriction buoy would channel a substantial proportion of the resultant pressure wave in one direction: straight into the face of Abaddon; the intent being to slow it further, weaken its integrity and knock it off course.
Easier said than done, but at least it would give the secondary, smaller buoy a chance to deal with what was left as they executed the second part of the plan . . . hopefully.
With just under a minute to go, Victoria risked the distraction of a few brief side scans. Firstly, she assessed the speed and course of the returning Guardian armada who had been halfway toward Kalliste when the shocking news broke. She found them easily enough. And though they were pushing their engines to the limit, it was plain to see they wouldn¡¯t be in a position to help for two days yet, a truth she found disheartening.
Next, she determined the current position of her father and brother, still gingerly nursing the giant psitronic crystal home. It did no good fussing, of course, as it wouldn¡¯t make them come any faster. But the mere fact that she could verify that no further backup was available stiffened her resolve to live up to her own name and succeed. Well, that¡¯s that then. It looks like I¡¯d better get on with it.
Exerting herself for a third time, Victoria sent her consciousness skittering back toward Earth, to ensure Anil, the Lord Evaluator, was ready at the site of the former Academy. His role involved directing the teams who were putting the finishing touches to the atmospheric jacket they¡¯d managed to generate over the preceding twelve hours. So far as she could ascertain at this distance, it looked ready to go. Good.
Finally, she did likewise toward Moon Base, only to discover she was being watched. The mental voice of the Lord Marshal arrowed into her mind: Don¡¯t worry about things this end, Victoria. We¡¯ll do our part, you concentrate on yours. No matter what happens today, humanity will know once and for all who we are.
Acknowledging Earl Foster¡¯s remark with an ethereal thumbs-up, Victoria severed the connection and reflexively verified everyone and everything were in place one last time anyway. Satisfied, she ramped up her output onto the declamatory mode and called: GUARDIANS, ATTEND YOUR DUTY!
The first wave of missiles was now past the constriction buoy and less than a hundred miles from the carefully prepared minefield. Perfect.
Activating the buoy, she zeroed in on more than a thousand high yield antimatter assets arranged in a gradually tightening spiral formation, with the open end of the cone facing out toward their intended target¡ªa target now only eight thousand miles distant.
Victoria counted down in her head and triggered the mines. An instant later, the gravo-nuclear warheads followed suit. Dialing back the range of her stupendous sight a little, she subconsciously held her breath¡ªa needless, autonomic reflex remaining over from the days she bore a wholly human form¡ªand waited to view the results of their handiwork.
A dazzling burst split the darkness. Blossoming outward in the manner of an immense, ice-frosted stained-glass window reflecting sunlight, the explosion rushed to ignite everything in its path, expanding in a snow-white fusion of fury that, despite its exuberance, would not be seen by those on Earth for a further ten minutes.
Victoria altered her perspective slightly so she could measure the potential within that shockwave. Delighted by what she found, she followed the coronal discharge as it churned onward with the might of a relentless breaker, straight at their nemesis and back toward the waiting embrace of the constriction buoy. The moment the leading edge of the rearward surge broached the threshold of the ring, a molten golden net sprang to life. As the obscene deluge continued to flood through the aperture, the mesh bulged, swelling larger and larger until, like an elastic band that could stretch no further, it snapped forward, flinging the absorbed potential back from whence it came.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Abaddon shuddered, and Victoria¡¯s heightened senses shared every moan and creak as the seismic stresses brought to bear ravaged the leviathan from end to end. Without warning, spurts of gas began hissing from vents freshly opened across its surface, highlighting just how powerful the first blow had been.
Others must have seen the vapors too, for hundreds of queries flashed to and fro around her. Refusing to be badgered, she shouted: Pipe down!
For ten long drawn-out seconds Victoria watched and waited. She checked and rechecked; then checked again. At last the indisputable proof stood revealed.
Hailing her fellow Lords, she crowed: We¡¯ve done it¡ªand better than anticipated. The damned thing is travelling at only four hundred miles a second. The drinks are on me later if we do as well in about five minutes from now.
Pressing on, she allowed her enormous telekinetic faculty to settle over the remaining five hundred gravo-nuclear missiles. Assessing what would be needed to ensure their arrival on target was synced to the salvo that would soon follow; she adjusted the strength of her invisible grip to suit and swatted them into motion, en masse.
The waiting armada was strung out behind Victoria in a staggered pyramid formation. Initiating a short hyperspatial hop, she assumed her new command position high above them and switched back to declamatory mode: CAPTAINS, INITIATE YOUR JUMP ENGINES AND HOLD AT THE READY UNTIL YOU HAVE RELEASED YOUR ORDNANCE. I WILL PROVIDE FINAL COORDINATES FOR THE STRIKE. STAND BY TO FIRE ON MY FIRST MARK.
DO NOT HANG AROUND TO ADMIRE THE OUTCOME. JUST BLAST THIS THING AND GET TO YOUR DEFENSIVE POSITIONS. FOR THOSE OF YOU ASSIGNED TO EARTH ORBIT, THE LORD PROCURATOR ABOARD THE OLYMPUS WILL ISSUE FURTHER DIRECTIONS. THOSE HEADINGTO MOON BASE WILL BE DIRECTED BY THE LORD MARSHAL.
STAY SHARP AND WHATEVER YOU DO, DON¡¯T FORGET. . . LIFE IS THE PRIORITY. PROTECT THIS CIVILIZATION WITH EVERYTHING YOU HAVE AND BRING HONOR TO THE NAME WE BEAR!
Reassessing their objective, Victoria was surprised by how quickly Abaddon had closed the gap. Tumbling over and over like a lopsided potato, it loomed larger and larger with each passing second as if threatening to crush them if she dared look away again. Calculating its rate of rotation, she could already feel its gravitational effects upon the local interplanetary milieu.
Calling her compatriot aboard the Olympus, she advised: Jade, make ready with the Infiltrators. Remember, you¡¯ll be initiating their transference on my second mark.
Roger that, Victoria. They¡¯re already primed and ready to go. I¡¯ll be teleporting them personally so don¡¯t go fretting about accuracy and timing.
The Infiltrator was the Guardians version of an overt tactical weapon. Tailored to carry multiple warheads if required, it had been designed precisely for what they were using it for today: the removal of large roving foreign bodies that presented an unacceptable hazard to life and property.
Sheathed within a temporal scrambler, the Infiltrator could be teleported inside solid objects intact and without detriment to its functionality. The materialization sequence itself detonated the decanitrocubane antimatter core, resulting in an explosion eight times more destructive¡ªgram for gram¡ªthan pure antimatter alone. When used singularly or in clusters, the results were always impressive.
Victoria spent some time poring over the meteoroid¡¯s composition. Selecting three points; one at its geophysical center; the other two where its structure appeared weakest, she made haste to share those coordinates with the Lord Procurator aboard the flagship. Next, she widened her scan bubble to confirm the current position of the gravo-nuclear missiles and their corresponding distance to the constriction buoy.
Satisfied with what she saw, she addressed the fleet: SHIP CAPTAINS, MAKE READY! FIRE ALL BATTERIES ON MY MARK . . . MARK!
Potent and deadly, eighty antimatter torpedoes stabbed forward at breathtaking speed, closing on the approaching angel of death as if the distance involved was negligible.
Below her, the inky expanse sparkled as her instructions were followed and the commanders took their ships away.
As planned, the outgoing bombardment caught up with the preceding missile salvo so that both waves arrived on target at the same moment. Activating the secondary constriction buoy, Victoria signaled her counterpart in the magazine bay of the Olympus: Jade . . . now!
Their timing was perfect.
The Infiltrators manifested, detonating deep within the asteroid¡¯s core. Clearly visible, ripples could be seen radiating in incongruent patterns across Abaddon¡¯s surface for the briefest fraction of a second before the accompanying dual fusillade struck. The brute then disappeared from view in a cacophony of light and conflicting energies. When it emerged several heartbeats later, it had been transformed into a chimera, something no longer capable of bearing the wounds inflicted upon it.
Victoria felt as if she was watching a speeded up movie-clip on continental drift, for over a dozen principle chunks of the meteoroid started floating away from the central core, the cataclysm having finally overpowered its ability to maintain gravitational cohesion. She knew this was only an optical illusion, of course, as those pieces were still hurtling along at an unearthly speed. But the majestic grace of their vacuum assisted waltz proved strangely mesmerizing.
Not for long. An instant later, the constriction buoy went to work. Flaring into existence, the gravity net ballooned to encompass the energy generated by the blast, before recoiling with terrific force. Yet another fist of stunning vitality jackhammered out, straight into the exposed jaw of the remaining mass.
The remnants of Abaddon exploded away from each other like tenpins kissed by a cannonball. Keen to gain as much information as she could on what they still faced, Victoria fine-tuned her shields and allowed the leading fragments from the debris field to filter through for closer scrutiny.
As she did so, Victoria continued sweeping her ultrasenses back and forth in converging arcs until she was able to confirm that almost all of the larger hunks had been knocked beyond the plane of the ecliptic. Free to spiral off into the depths of space, they would never bother anyone again.
Sadly, there was little opportunity to celebrate, as three particularly large segments¡ªtwo more than eight hundred yards across and one measuring nearly a mile in diameter¡ªcontinued parading stubbornly on along their original course, seemingly just as determined to make their unwelcome presence felt.
The processional triumvirate was courted by an entourage of smaller asteroids exceeding dozens of yards in circumference. Scores of them. In turn, that throng was accompanied by an uncountable swarm of impressive shards and splinters.
Victoria¡¯s defensive screen bloomed again and again; over and over, as countless thousands of slivers imposed on its integrity. But she would not allow herself to be hurried.
Finally, she had what she wanted.
The explosive bulwarks and thickened interplanetary medium had served their purpose, for the speed of the approaching storm had been reduced to less than two hundred miles per second. Now, hopefully, the modified atmosphere would take care of the smaller pieces while the Guardians did what they could to prevent a large-scale loss of life from the pile-driver¡¯s still intent on reaching Earth. For pile-driver¡¯s they were.
While Abaddon had been reduced to just under a quarter of its original mass, the three principle segments were planet killers in their own right. And due to their exotic makeup, many of the larger fragments being dragged along with them were more than capable of leveling cities, vaporizing lakes and causing widespread mayhem.
Regardless, the ensuing storm would be survivable, if the protective cordons did their job. And she would ensure they would. They were Guardians as the world was about to see.
Jumping the trifling ten million miles back to Earth, Victoria positioned herself fifty thousand miles beyond the Moon¡¯s orbit. From there, she updated the fleet and waited with them as the final minutes counted down to what would later be known as: Guardians Day.
Knock-Knock
January 5th
Guardian Master Naomi Cruz sat at the command console of the South Polar Orbital Station reviewing the rollercoaster ride her life had experienced over the past week.
She¡¯d adjusted to the new routine established aboard the covert control centers quite nicely after the majority of the Guardian fleet had left for Kalliste, as their satellite facilities had always been cloaked and shielded anyway. The only real difference was the fact that they had released the gravity anchors that kept them in a geosynchronous orbit above their respective continental sites. Four stations had been relocated to the far side of the Moon, while the remaining two, formerly positioned at each pole, now shared a hemisphere each and varied their longitudinal and latitudinal position as well as their altitude on a daily basis, to ensure no one could stumble across them by accident.
Just as well too, she acknowledged, with the way members of that Council have been snooping about looking for our dormant bases.
As irritating as they were, the Council¡¯s shenanigans had soon been forgotten in light of the latest shocker. Naomi had only been able to spend a single day with the Shadow Lord before her particular skill set had been called upon to help confirm the implications of what the deep space probes and monitoring buoys had picked up just over twenty-four hours previously:
It was called Abaddon¡ªaka, the Angel of the Abyss¡ªand from what Naomi had been able to determine from repeated analysis, it would be unleashing the wrath of its fiery demons upon an unrepentant world within the next few minutes.
But she was determined to do something about that.
Her ability to compartmentalize multiple scenarios simultaneously was well known among her people and had been a great boon to the Lord Inquisitor, who had been impressed at the response options Naomi had swiftly formulated when originally asked for her views.
Naomi was surprised that someone so senior had asked for her opinion over such a critical matter and was totally stunned when they actually implemented her suggestions. That¡¯s why Naomi had insisted that she be allowed to experience the outworking of her grand design firsthand.
Thinking of the ultimate panacea to each and every impasse was one thing. Being willing to stand side by side with your colleagues as they applied what you¡¯d dreamed up was another. Mind you, up until now my little scheme has managed to cope with the threat level quite nicely. Here¡¯s hoping that continues as we enter the final stages.
She had already thought to initiate repeated scans of the rapidly approaching storm to assess its ever-changing composition. As each cycle ran its course, Naomi updated the fleet as to which fragments to concentrate on first, leaving the lesser threats to the modified atmosphere. Here we go, let¡¯s see if my strategic action plan will keep enough of us alive for long enough to do some good.
Entering a sophisticated firing solution into the station¡¯s Automatic Targeting Recognition¡ªATR¡ªcomputers, an AI enhanced network linked to the 10,000 MW Z-Band, Tracking High Orbital Resolution¡ªTHOR¡ªmultisensory array and the Search Enhancing Psi-optics¡ªSEPs¡ªsurveillance program, Naomi counted down the seconds in her head and for the first time in her life, focused the entire sum of her awesome cognizance upon the matter before her.
Then the waiting was over. The batteries opened up and the tranquil beauty of endless night erupted in a shimmering blaze of contrasting distractions as the interstellar shit truly hit the fan.
*
Cathy West had discovered there were two things she didn¡¯t particularly like about being a journalist: First was all the hanging around involved when you were waiting for things to happen; second was how quickly the situation could change when things eventually did kick off!
The bridge of the dreadnaught, Olympus, flagship of the Guardian task force, had been more spacious than she imagined it would be. But that was understandable, as she had been thinking of things from a human standpoint.
The larger starships of the fleet had been designed to be captained by transcended individuals if the need arose and as such, had been constructed accordingly. The center of the operations room was a hollow bowl measuring some ten feet in diameter, into which a three-dimensional, holographic and full sensory interface milieu had been incorporated. When in their higher state, the Captains could position themselves within the projection matrix, where they would not only receive a full corporeal input of all prevalent conditions throughout their vessel, but also be able to exercise instant control over many onboard functions as well. Other critical stations were positioned around the edge of that bowl, facing forward, toward the giant view screen which covered almost the entire front wall. To Cathy¡¯s critical eye, everything appeared extremely functional and the only ornate embellishments she could see were the two Guardian emblems in silver and white hanging from either side of the view screen itself. Such austerity was a boon at times like this, for Cathy discovered she was able to report on things without any danger of getting underfoot.
Not that there was much chance of that as the crew went about their duties waiting for the clock to count down and the offensive to begin. Even the excitement of being in the presence of two of the most powerful Guardians in existence¡ªin their glorified forms¡ªhad gradually diminished as the seconds, weighed down by monotony, dragged by.
Then, just when she feared the tedium would last forever, she¡¯d been teased by the mother of all anticlimaxes: The Olympus was called to action stations and the bridge staff became much more alert. A voice over the tannoy announced the advent of a gigantic explosion. The trouble was, the dreadnaught was so far away from the site of the opening engagement that the light from that detonation, impressive or no, hadn¡¯t reached them before they began firing their torpedoes.
When the main screen erupted in a momentary cough of static, only to clarify an instant later on the view of the Moon against an interstellar backdrop, Cathy realized they had jumped back to Earth¡ªa move signaling the second stage of the campaign¡ªwithout having seen a thing on which to report.
Feeling somewhat deflated, she turned to her cameraman, Brad Zuckerman, to complain. That¡¯s when the patron saint of journalists took pity on her.
A sudden burst of frenzied activity erupted in the holo-field above Jade Heung¡¯s position. Those Guardians already at their posts responded to it¡ªand no doubt to further, unheard telepathic commands¡ªand a second or two later, a klaxon began sounding. Cathy noticed the backlighting to a number of panels change from a gentle orange glow to scarlet. Looking back at the holographic display, Cathy saw thousands and thousands of tiny ruby dots, like pinpricks, streaking across the intervening gap toward the blue nucleus at the center of the picture. Some of those pinpricks were much, much larger than the others. But they all had a common goal: The blue dot . . . them!
Cathy was about to request the services of a liaison officer to help interpret what was going on, but the psychedelic fanfare that abruptly ignited outside the ship took her breath away. Frozen by indecision, she didn¡¯t know what to concentrate on first; the arrival of the leading fragments of Abaddon, or the activities within the bridge itself.
Fortunately, Brad Zuckerman came up with a perfect solution.
Rushing to his equipment bag, he reached inside and rummaged around until he found what he was looking for. Running back with a handheld camera and tripod, he declared, ¡°You never know when you might need backup. I started carrying this baby around last year after my job camera got shot out of my hand in Afghanistan. I didn¡¯t have a spare and spent the rest of the attack with my head stuffed up my ass and nothing to keep my mind off dreaming up all the ways I was going to die. I literally pissed myself silly!¡±
Cathy laughed at his candidness, but was still puzzled. ¡°What good will that little thing do? I mean . . . look at it out there. It¡¯s absolute bedlam.¡±
Brad proudly waved the camcorder in front of her before setting it on its frame. ¡°This little thing has state-of-the-art HD picture resolution and motion stability graphics. Even on its ¡°superfine setting,¡± the inbuilt hard disc will give us eight hours coverage of the fireworks, more than enough to capture all that!¡±
He flipped his thumb toward the main view screen and they both stopped to stare at the jaw dropping results of the Guardians tactics. Dozens upon dozens of blue, white and crimson ribbons of energy crisscrossed the blackness with wanton abandon. Lurid flashes bloomed, again and again, as endless streams of meteoroids met their end. So volatile, so intense was the riot that Cathy found she couldn¡¯t blink away the retina burns fast enough to stop her senses reeling.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
Nonetheless, she retained the wherewithal to notice some of the larger chunks of Abaddon were managing to evade the withering crossfire. Those particular specimens were singled out by Raptor Rail Guns¡ªRRGs¡ªfiring fifty pound projectiles at speeds exceeding six thousand miles per hour, or, with the especially large examples, Infiltrator missiles. Once shattered, the photon cannons and lasers took out any remnants still deemed to be a threat, leaving the other fragments to the mercy of the modified atmosphere.
¡°Right!¡± Brad patted the top of the recorder assembly. ¡°Now that¡¯s taken care of, let¡¯s see who can help us in here.¡±
Together, they walked over to one of the consoles at the rear of the bridge and began looking for a suitable person to ask for assistance. A female Guardian materialized beside them, the single silver stripe on each sleeve identifying her as a Grand Master Designate. Smiling, she held out two earpieces incorporating wrap-over headbands, with what looked like minicams on the side.
Without preamble, she introduced herself. ¡°Hi, my name¡¯s Loren. If you¡¯d slip these on, they will help enhance your latent telepathic ability. That way, you¡¯ll be able to listen to what¡¯s going on in here and out there.¡±
Taking the devices, Cathy and Brad placed them on as indicated while Loren attached a similar, smaller version to the top of Brad¡¯s shoulder mounted BBC camera.
After a moment¡¯s disorientation, Cathy was stunned to hear a choir of voices echoing somewhere in the ether.
Lifting their hands until they felt a small stud at the back of each ear bud, Loren ensured they acknowledged it¡¯s presence with a nod. ¡°These are to make certain you don¡¯t get sidetracked as things heat up. You¡¯re currently listening to ship-to-ship transmissions. However, if you want to hear what any particular person is saying, all you have to do is look at them and press the button I¡¯ve just indicated. It will tune in to their mental frequency and allow you to eavesdrop without disturbing anyone. It will also transmit an audiovisual link to your camera, okay?¡±
They both nodded again and Cathy was about to ask where it would be best to stand to ensure they remained out of the way, when an unfamiliar vibration ran through the structure of the hull. The scene outside flashed brightly and the shields blazed red as if absorbing the potency of a devastating blast. Then the Olympus lurched violently, before righting itself with an audible groan.
¡°What the hell was that?¡± Cathy gasped, aware that the vocal exchanges in her earpiece had intensified considerably. She also spotted several of the Guardians around the perimeter of the bridge had stopped what they were doing and were now staring at each other in shock.
Loren¡¯s expression hardened for a moment. ¡°That, my friends, was the Magenta.¡±
Cathy was momentarily confused. ¡°What? You mean the dreadnaught Magenta? The vessel the other news crew was on?¡±
¡°Yes, from what I¡¯ve learned, the Magenta took out one of the larger meteoroids making up Abaddon¡¯s debris cloud. The damned thing was more than two hundred and fifty feet across and jam-packed with fluctuating anti-particles which showered down on them following its destruction. Whatever that stuff is, it disrupted their shields and snapped the spine of the ship.
Cathy glanced toward Brad and found his usually permanent grin had been wiped clear off his face. Turning back to Loren, she could see the young woman¡¯s breast was heaving with barely repressed emotion. ¡°How many?¡± she gasped. ¡°How many were killed?¡±
¡°We don¡¯t know yet.¡± Loren replied, before spinning on her heel and stalking off toward her station. ¡°Please excuse me, I¡¯m needed elsewhere.¡±
Aghast, Cathy breathed, ¡°Brad, what crew compliment does a dreadnaught carry?¡±
¡°I¡¯m fucked if I can remember, Cathy. Sorry, I was too amazed when I first came aboard, but it must be close to what, two, perhaps three hundred people?¡±
*
The monitors along the wall of Lei Yeung¡¯s office were filled with the images of his trusted Apostles; twelve extraordinarily gifted individuals who represented the cream of his empire.
When news of the impending catastrophe had broken, Yeung had assured his prized assets were segregated and ensconced in fortified Council facilities in various parts of the world, along with the pick of his top scientific minds. And in this regard, he¡¯d been given something of a head start.
He had always suspected the interfering angelic busybodies would never leave Earth, no matter what the referendum of the year before decided. His suspicions had been confirmed several days previously when Angelika Papadakos had apprised him of the results of her failed treasure hunt. Learning that the Guardians now knew about his organization had spurred him to begin spreading his resources into smaller, hidden congregations. Then, should confrontations ensue, less of them would be captured at any one time, giving the rest an opportunity to flee to pre-designated bolt holes unknown to anyone but themselves and a few trusted aides.
What had started as an irritating necessity had been transformed into a godsend once news of the impending holocaust broke.
His top people were already dispersed within those complexes the Council deemed as safe around the globe. So, instead of panicking, Yeung simply extended his strategy to include a variety of scientists and other psychics whose skills would be useful to his Apostles in the weeks to come. And if things went as planned, they¡¯d prove very useful indeed.
There was no doubt in his mind that many of the meteors would get through. There were just too many of them for the Guardians to deal with, especially as their numbers were so few. Additionally, early indications appeared to suggest the composition of the planet killer was so unnatural that the Guardians had raised concerns about their inability to neutralize the threat effectively. And that was what had interested him the most, for it presented an open window of opportunity.
A pragmatic individual, Yeung had split his holdings accordingly, ensuring that each congregation contained a suitable blend of talent and expertise. The Council would not only survive the coming storm, but be in a position to capitalize on the strife that followed. After all, there were bound to be so many meteorite strikes that no one would notice if one or two of those lovely, troublesome little rocks went missing?
Addressing his Apostles, Yeung began, ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, the first item on our agenda . . . .¡±
*
Naomi was in her element!
So far, her tiered response to the threat had produced incredible results. The dual braking maneuvers and thickening of the interplanetary medium had succeeded in slowing Abaddon¡¯s mad dash to one hundred miles per second. Though that velocity was still lethal, their adversary¡¯s advance was much reduced from its original charge. Hopefully, the extra cushion we¡¯ve added to the Earth¡¯s atmosphere will be able to cope in negating many of the smaller fragments making it past our blockade . . . because from the look of it, we¡¯re going to need all the help we can get.
Now that the flak was well and truly flying, Naomi was thankful she¡¯d thought to include the automatic targeting protocol into their weapons systems. Many of her colleagues, not blessed with her exceptional ability to compartmentalize various aspects of their consciousness, had been distracted by the sheer volume of meteoroids swarming their defenses and the ATR had more than compensated for that deficit.
Naomi experienced no such hindrance, of course. Under the AI¡¯s guidance, her gunnery bubble strained in its sheath, pivoting and gyrating so rapidly that, had she not been held in place by a gravity field, her organs would have quickly been reduced to mush.
Even so, she was becoming increasingly apprehensive that her valiant efforts¡ªand those of her colleagues¡ªmight not be enough.
A mutiny of luminous vapor trails continued to scar the thermosphere, pulsing sickly orange, yellow and red as exotic compounds found their mark. Igniting like magnesium flares, Abaddon¡¯s minions were countered by a throng of neon sunbeams as the Guardians fought back, struggling vainly to seek out the worst of death¡¯s harbingers before it was too late.
Intermittent blue and white flashes erupted in too many places, too often, each implosion signaling the demise of yet another ship or firing platform. Jesus! How many will die before this swarm ends?
Thankfully, Naomi didn¡¯t have time to dwell on such morbidity, for her awareness was attuned to a cadence of hope. Lock on . . . fire! Lock on . . . fire! Lock on . . . fire!
However, the longer the spiral of madness stretched on, the more desperate the situation became. Naomi¡¯s mind raced ahead, completing arcane calculations at a rate far beyond what should be humanly possible¡ªsometimes six or seven targets in advance¡ªanything really, that might help achieve a moment¡¯s respite from the tsunami threatening to drown them under its weight.
A warning buzzer sounded in the background. Checking the nature of its cause, Naomi was surprised to find her magazine capacity had already been reduced by forty-three percent. Soon, it would hit the halfway mark. If the bombardment doesn¡¯t end soon, I¡¯ll be a sitting duck!
*
Anil Suresh, Lord Evaluator of the Guardians, was pleased to find the newly modified layer of the Earth¡¯s atmosphere worked quite satisfactorily in the first few minutes of the barrage. He had personally led the team of elementals who had joined in harmonic union to generate that shield, fifty miles up on the outer edge of the mesosphere as it was the perfect altitude to place what they had termed, the ¡°flak jacket,¡± a superheated protective ring that could later be stripped away and discarded.
To ensure no permanent harm would be caused to the planet¡¯s natural cycles, they had gradually excited the particles within the jacket and, as an added precaution, air pressure throughout that narrow band was raised in excess of one thousand kilopascals by the deliberate infusion of various carbons, sulfurs, and fluorides.
A welcoming byproduct of such manipulations was the formation of thick blankets of cloud in the lower regions of the atmosphere, a sure sign that barometric density had increased across the globe. Though temporary, the modifications made short work of the smaller, leading shooting stars and Anil was initially relieved by their success.
His relief was short-lived. The meteors that followed close behind were much larger, and all too soon everyone found out to their cost exactly what the exotic material could do.
*
Victoria took a moment to check her coordinates and then fine-tuned her senses to the character of the age-old fracture between actualities.
She¡¯d recognized early on that the bizarre matter Abaddon had brought along with it would cause major problems beyond their ability to manage safely. So, instead of blindly enduring a relentless assault they couldn¡¯t hope to control effectively, Victoria decided to do what she did best: take direct positive action.
To start with, she jumped to the site of the original incursion, her intent being to learn all she could about what they were facing. Once there, Victoria harmonized her probes until they teetered at the threshold of the alternate reality.
Invisible to the human eye, the badly knitted rupture flexed and pulsed at irregular intervals, issuing spasmodic bursts of gamma rays and neutrinos in response to the push and pull of their polar opposites on the far side of the schism, in a mesmerizing display that belied the destructive forces at play.
Satisfied, Victoria settled in to wait, hoping with all her heart that the breakthrough she so desperately needed would come soon.
Abaddon
Cathy West had managed to hold it together remarkably well during the first ten minutes following the destruction of the Magenta. It wasn¡¯t because she was immune to tragedy either, far from it. No, Cathy owed her composure to the simple fact that her fellow journalists¡¯ death¡ªalong with most of the Guardians on board that vessel¡ªhadn¡¯t had the chance to sink in yet.
The catastrophe had been so sudden, so unexpected that the crew were taken completely by surprise. The fifty individuals who emerged from the wreckage alive owed their survival to instinct, having been able to reflexively teleport to safety. A handful even managed to drag several of their colleagues along with them as they bolted, thereby alleviating the death toll to some degree.
It was subsequently discovered that the erratic elements within the meteoroid cloud oscillated in a distinctly contrasting manner, creating a subspace dampening field that disrupted the operation of mechanically generated shields and transporters¡ªT-rings included. Thus it was that those who relied on such contrivances found out too late how costly those vibrations could be. Always hungry, death had welcomed the souls aboard the Magenta into her fold, giving them scant choice but to comply.
That same ten minutes had also brought the three largest fragments of Abaddon into range and Cathy could hear the urgent exchanges this engendered between the remaining ships and platforms.
Depressing the button to her headset, Cathy followed along as Jade Heung, an irradiant ectoplasmic island of serenity, calmly issued instructions to the frenzied accompaniment of light burst, heat flashes and percussive reports.
Using the operational codename adopted by those in charge, Jade called out: Moon Base, this is Sunray, ready for instructions?
Moon Base here, go ahead.
You are past apogee and closing on us. Time until you are in range?
From Moon Base, we will be in position within two minutes.
From Sunray, once there, fire all, repeat all, your batteries on these coordinates. An undecipherable stream of compressed information passed between the two parties: Your principle is designated Alpha, the largest of the remaining fragments. The blockade will focus its efforts on Bravo and Charlie thus . . .
Another torrent of data squirted out. Jade resumed: Once missiles have been depleted, you are to concentrate your lasers and photon cannons on those foreign bodies still extra-atmosphere exceeding two hundred feet in diameter. Keep your Raptors free for those mavericks encroaching on your airspace. We will provide support while¡ª
There was a break as the Olympus rocked from the obliteration of yet another frigate. The blinding glare of its passing blanked the screen for a full five seconds before clarity was restored.
Jade¡¯s amplified voice rang out. All ships, all ships, the Gauntlet has been destroyed! I say again, the Gauntlet has been destroyed. Report casualty list as survivors arrive, and initiate bio-scans of the debris field.
Listening in, Cathy learned the hard way how difficult it was to kill a Guardian.
After the initial surprise that had caught the Magenta unawares, the fleet had adapted their tactics, and small groups of those relying on T-rings had been assigned to personnel possessing natural teleportation capabilities. By generating a number of pre-prepared ¡°escape pods,¡± four untalented Guardians could be carried through the rarified hyperspace medium at an instants notice, a strategy that went on to save hundreds of lives.
Even when some crewmembers were overlooked, it didn¡¯t necessarily mean they would perish, for many were capable of enduring the harsh environment of the interstellar vacuum by spinning a variety of psychocreative sheaths around their bodies. Suspended accordingly, they were able to hang on until ships¡¯ sensors picked them out from the chaff littering the battlefield.
Nevertheless, the death toll was appalling and getting worse by the minute.
Seeing that rescue operations were now well underway, Jade resumed her rundown: Moon Base, this is Sunray, do you copy?
Yes, yes. Go ahead.
As stated, you are to target the larger bodies before their incursion into Earth¡¯s atmosphere. We will support. Orbital assets will begin sweeping for those fragments we miss. Understood?
Understood. We¡¯ll commence bombardment in T-minus twenty seconds.
Another stream of psychic data followed, after which the transcended Lord turned her attention to the orbital platforms and stations: All units, this is Sunray, do you copy?
A host of responses sounded forth.
Weapons platforms are to be abandoned and set to fully independent ATR functioning. Their priorities will be as follows . . . There was a slight delay as the appropriate parameters were uploaded: Manned satellite modules must be double-crewed from this point forward. Primary teams will lay down fire while their partners prepare appropriate escape protocols. The same goes for our orbital stations, though they can be supplemented by their own defense grids. Is everyone clear on what they have to do?
Further multiple affirmations drowned out Cathy¡¯s ability to distinguish who, exactly, was speaking.
Adopting a declamatory mode, Jade announced: GUARDIANS, STAND BY, STAND BY! FIRE ON NEW COORDINATES ON MY MARK. THREE¡ªTWO¡ªONE . . . MARK!
The void outside was transposed in photonegative glory and both Cathy and Brad were forced to avert their eyes from the glare.
Cathy felt the deck beneath her feet listing. Struggling to maintain her balance, she peered instead toward the holo-matrix where hundreds of hill-sized gobbets were depicted in all their molten ferocity, spewing outward from a squealing nub of incandescent fury. Oh my God! We¡¯ll never. . .
She watched in horror as starships, platforms, and satellites vaporized under the onslaught, disappearing in a cleansing wash of fire that flensed the heavens bare.
Fighting to stay on her feet, she clutched at Brad¡¯s shoulder and shouted, ¡°This is getting way out of hand. Where the hell did that other transcended Guardian, Victoria go?¡±
*
The vista of deep space quivered, peeling back to reveal a sparkling binary helix of stunningly complex beauty.
Despite the exigency of the situation, Victoria took her time, fascinated by what she was learning from peeking through the crack between realities. Whatever¡ªwherever¡ªthis place was, it appeared to be a contradiction of certainties, a plane where pure energy formed and destroyed itself, over and over again in a cyclic rhythm of creative annihilation. Being careful not to trigger a conflicting psychic echo, she probed deeper, allowing the fissure to partially close behind the nexus leader so that the tear wasn¡¯t encouraged to pucker open in her wake.
There!
Enraptured, Victoria manipulated those erratic atoms closest to the threshold of the geodesic curvature. Buzzing like angry wasps, they were a marvel to behold, their very existence promoting an infinity warp of simultaneous destruction and replication.
Peering closer, Victoria pondered why this might be. At first the atoms acted normally, with a regular nucleus, containing both protons and neutrons surrounded by a cloud of negatively charged electrons. Moments later the polarity reversed as the atom imploded to produce a mirror version of itself surrounded by positrons¡ªthe antimatter equivalent of the electron. No wonder this stuff is kicking our asses!
More determined than ever to live up to the meaning of her name, Victoria tried to soothe her sense of urgency and concentrated instead on looking for a pattern to the process. Anything, good or bad, that would help mimic or assimilate the means by which these particles managed to exist despite their antagonistic duality. I know they¡¯ll be pissed I skipped out when I did, but if I can solve this conundrum here and now, it¡¯ll turn the tide in our favor when we need it most.
*
The sky rippled like molten lava as millions of Abaddon¡¯s foot soldiers subjected themselves to the ablation of the augmented atmosphere, their sacrifice a gesture of ultimate defiance and mindless fanaticism.
The jacket stood up against their relentless charge stoically, consuming hundreds of thousands of tons of mundane and abstruse material every second. But it might as well have been trying to catch the wind, for in the end, there were just too many meteors travelling too quickly for the modifications to stop them all.
Those ships, firing platforms and observation stations that endured did their best, expending their remaining ordnance in a hopeless attempt to thin the deluge. Eventually, Anil was forced to concede defeat. There was nothing he could do to prevent multiple ground strikes from pounding cities and townships alike to dust, and as such, he hastily reallocated his teams to protecting the world¡¯s most prominent leaders.
The primary wave of meteors, being much smaller and representing only a fraction of the potential that would soon follow, began falling over the Pacific Ocean. Coming in just south of the Solomon Islands some twenty minutes previously, they had entered along a relatively narrow corridor that spread in an extending swathe, reaching all the way across the planet and into the mid Atlantic Ocean.
As the bulk of Abaddon drew closer, the meteors got bigger and illuminated the interior of the global cloud blanket in fulgid orange, yellow and green eruptions that could be seen from horizon to horizon.
Detonating as they were at high altitude, those hardier remnants contained a richer proportion of metal. That, combined with an abundance of alien compounds, produced supersonic shockwaves and intense EM bursts of frightening proportions. Anil knew only too well what their volatility portended.
In confirmation of his suspicions, he had been forced to stand by as a group of paparazzi, in defiance of warnings to the contrary, had dropped like stones from the sky over Tokyo, when the controls of the aircraft they had chartered were fried by a sizzling electromagnetic pulse. No one survived.
By the time the storm made landfall, it had intensified, showering death and debris onto northern Australia, Japan, China, and Indonesia.
The first meteorite to actually reach the ground intact measured less than thirty feet across. Impacting only two miles outside Darwin, it released an irradiated fireball usually reserved for nuclear infernos. Once again, Anil could only look on as countless human lives were snuffed out like guttering candles in the wind.
Japan and China were next, though the island nation fared better, as the meteor there fell into the sea two miles off the east coast of Hokkaido. Comprised mostly of mundane elements, it produced a much tighter blast radius and the subsequent tidal wave and force six earthquake were easily absorbed by the coastal defenses.
The one striking Nanjing was far smaller. Composed mostly of dark quark particles, it released the energy of a seventy kiloton atomic bomb, and eradicated all three and a half million souls populating that city in less than five seconds.
Mobile and standing ground stations¡ªsupported by numerous missile batteries and underground silos belonging to the world¡¯s militaries¡ªdid a fantastic job in the face of relentless pressure. Sadly, their luck couldn¡¯t hold out indefinitely. No matter how many photonic rays, laser beams, normal shells or magnetized rounds threaded the sky in a phosphoric stitch-work; their light was eventually eclipsed by a seemingly endless rain of fire and brimstone.
Reports began rolling in of ruined cities and devastated farmlands, of shattered mountains and rolling grasslands turned into cratered moonscapes. As the Earth continued to spin on its axis, nowhere was spared: Asia; the Middle East; Africa and Europe. All suffered. And now, the latest fragments of Abaddon had started to pound the eastern shoreline of the Americas and Brasilia.
For the first time in his long life, Anil felt doubt.
Along with Earl Foster, Anil had been among the original candidates to be approached by the Overlord over three thousand years previously. He¡¯d personally witnessed the slow and painful progress humanity had made toward civilization and their even slower advancement toward a wider diversity leading to psychic maturity.
Casting his stupendous transcended vision heavenward, he calculated the cost of their efforts to prevent the three principle portions of Abaddon from reaching its target.
While Moon Base had indeed achieved their objective and sent the largest fragment hurtling off into the depths of space, their victory came at a price. The holocaust they had unleashed in knocking it out of the ballpark set off a chain reaction that not only obliterated the smallest section¡ªCharlie¡ªbut decimated almost all of the fleet and remaining firing platforms and automated satellites, as well as the northern orbital station.
Now, only the Olympus and two frigates, the Mercury and Tempest, were still spaceworthy, albeit badly damaged. The southern observation station was also operational, having been saved from destruction by the cruiser, Eagle, who had unwittingly caught the blast of remnant Charlie full on, thereby shielding the vulnerable installation from harm.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Anil watched as the remains of the final massive section¡ªdesignated Bravo¡ªmeasuring nearly half a mile across and travelling at twenty miles per second, began to encroach upon the atmosphere, knowing without a doubt that if it hit, the planet would not survive.
*
Battered, bruised and bloody, Naomi was nonetheless grateful to be alive. Smiling in grim satisfaction, she initiated a full systems reboot that brought the only remaining SEPs targeting node and life-support nodules back online. At least I get to watch the end in style.
Meshing with the cerebral enhancer to boost her farscanning capabilities, Naomi activated the SOS beacons to ensure rescue teams would know where to find her once the carnage had run its course.
She eyed the hairline fracture that had split the command deck from stem to stern and tried not to worry. Even with malfunctioning force fields and emergency sealant dispensers, she had over two hours of oxygen left to her, so she sat back and strapped in to watch events unfurl with a morbid fascination. And nobody can accuse us of not trying . . . hello?
A neutron star manifested above and behind the all-consuming meteor, its brighter radiance creating an abrupt counterpoint to the fiery glow permeating the night sky.
Naomi brought the sensors to bear and the blazing luminary fell toward the ground, as if pulled along by the wake of the leviathan before it, another helpless casualty of the battle that was about to end.
Except this casualty had other ideas.
As the atmosphere bruised red and the rarified vibrations of the monster¡¯s presence grew more pronounced, the star appeared to flare, creating concentric bands of shimmering energy that sucked nearby smaller debris in toward it.
Tingles ran down Naomi¡¯s spine when a familiar pattern finally registered: No! She exclaimed aloud: It can¡¯t be! Victoria?
The one and only . . . came the jovial reply: And just in time from the look of things.
A shrieking blade of unimaginable power lanced out from the Lord Inquisitor¡¯s corona, skewering the giant meteor in the back and holding it transfixed as if it had actually felt the pain of its impalement. An expanding ripple spread across its surface. Naomi sensed the moment Victoria adjusted the output of her attack and a further bolt of energy stabbed down, causing their adversary to glow hotter and hotter as the potential grew within its core.
Something about the assault set Naomi¡¯s teeth on edge. Fine-tuning her perceptions, she registered an odd, dually polarized particle stream within the plasma flow that sent sympathetic and counter vibrations skipping every which way at once into the rock mass. How the hell is she doing that?
Before Naomi realized what was happening, the energy beam modulated again and the beast blew apart before her very eyes. What the hell?
Recovering swiftly, Naomi analyzed the fallout, searching for celestial flotsam that would present the greatest danger to those units waiting on the ground. She spotted three such chunks in particular that she didn¡¯t like. They won¡¯t have much time to react, but at least they¡¯ll know where to concentrate their effort¡ª
An expanding halo of blinding intensity¡ªlocated mid-way between the Polar and Vostok stations on Antarctica¡ªbroke her concentration. Almost immediately, all the barometric, radiological and gradiometer alarms started sounding at once. Shit, how the fuck did I miss that one?
Limited by the damage caused to her post, Naomi was unable to carry out an accurate assessment of the blast site. Antarctica is one of the most pristine environments in the world. I¡¯d better pass this on to Moon Base, the Lord Marshal will want this handled¡ª?
Leave it, Naomi! Victoria interrupted: I¡¯ll take care of that personally when the crisis is over.
Never one to question procedure, Naomi did as ordered, but couldn¡¯t help but think it strange that the Lord Inquisitor herself would want to handle such a thing, especially as the most prominent remains of Abaddon¡¯s bulk were still large enough to cause widespread devastation.
Too late!
Dual mushrooms of light boiled upward from the planet¡¯s surface, one in the mid-Indian Ocean; the other in Africa, somewhere in the area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The background noise from Naomi¡¯s sirens ascended into an earsplitting frenzy.
Both explosions were dwarfed by twin solar flares that burst into existence not one mile from Naomi¡¯s station, necessitating the addition of extra filters across her monitors.
It was only as she cut the alarms that she discerned another mental query¡ªthis one laced with dry sarcasm¡ªringing in her head.
Hey Naomi! Did you throw a frat party in there while the grownups were away? Look at the place. It¡¯ll take a month of Sunday¡¯s to put this right.
Responding to Andrew¡¯s twisted sense of humor, she retorted: Glad to see you¡¯re so concerned for my welfare . . . Sir. But shouldn¡¯t you be doing something more than just stating the obvious, especially as you turned up soooo late?
The moment Naomi uttered her reply, she regretted it, for the thought patterns of the larger transcended being next to Andrew were instantly recognizable.
The Overlord cut in: Quite right, Guardian Cruz. We shall see you at the debriefing later. For now, let me assist you instead.
Naomi felt a prickling sensation crawling over her, a sensation that fluttered away from her skin, only to grow into a separate protective bubble. Expanding as it formed, the bubble inflated to encompass the remains of the station, rendering it impervious to further damage. No sooner had it settled in place than the newly arrived Lords disappeared.
¡°And just like that, I¡¯m left to face the end alone,¡± she muttered under her breath, knowing full well they¡¯d probably heard every word.
*
Three blazing concentrations of transcended light hung high in the air over the Indian Ocean. Locked within a bond of the utmost intimacy, they weren¡¯t wasting time saying ¡°hello¡± or reminiscing over lost opportunities. Just the opposite, in fact, for in the space of a few heartbeats, these incredible beings had shared the knowledge contained within of their vast psyches with one another, thereby arming themselves with the key needed to bring the ongoing debacle to an end.
Altering his matrix subtly, the Overlord expanded his consciousness to ensure that all his ascended Guardians, everywhere, were updated with the same information.
Having completed that task, he turned back to Andrew and Victoria and directed their attention toward the African continent and the havoc inflicted there upon the Democratic Republic of Congo. The cities of Kananga and Mbuji-Mayi and over a dozen of the major townships were gone. In their place, a huge crater, hundreds of miles wide, yawned open toward the sky. The former villages, farmlands and forests beyond the smoking bowl were nothing but an unsightly, cauterized scab on the face of the Earth. Any trees, pylons and taller structures still standing just outside that blackened ring leaned away from the blast site, as if keen to disassociate themselves from anything to do with Abaddon¡¯s cruel progeny.
The ground vibrated in sympathy as it struggled to regain a degree of stability following the aftershocks of a cosmic blow that could still be felt thousands of miles away. Conflicting reverberations beat upon the trio¡¯s ultrasenses, making them think they were listening to the resonance of a celestial tuning fork.
Realizing nothing could be done; they cast their sight downward into the Indian Ocean, and only then realized how fortunate they had been.
Severely debilitated by Victoria¡¯s strike, the huge meteor fragment had entered the atmosphere at eighteen miles per second on a thirty degree trajectory. Exceeding two hundred yards across, it was nevertheless sufficiently weakened to be unable to withstand the horrendous pressure its passage invoked. When it was a quarter of a mile from the surface of the ocean, the cohesive force holding it together failed entirely, and it blew apart. Unfortunately, that act unleashed most of its energy in one direction: down.
Had it struck the sea, there was little doubt a mega-shift earthquake would have resulted along the Indian-Burmese fault lines. That would have engendered a monster tsunami nigh on impossible to control.
While the airburst had avoided that scenario, it created problems of its own. The explosion generated emissions equivalent to a fifteen megaton atomic bomb and an extensive pressure front that squeezed millions upon millions of cubic tons of water downward and outward. The simultaneous compression and release of the ocean¡¯s surface created an immense deformation that reared up like a fluidic escarpment.
As the depths struggled to fill the void, an expanding doughnut shaped wave front charged away from the epicenter at over six hundred miles an hour, triggering ancient memories in some of those watching.
The Overlord assessed the extent of the danger and addressed his companions on their intimate modes: There¡¯s no way we can control all that water without sparking a backlash that may cause more harm than good. But I have an idea.
Opening his mind, he revealed his plan. Allowing them a few moments to consider the implications, he continued: Well, do you think you can handle it?
We¡¯ve got to try! Victoria exclaimed.
And at least this time I don¡¯t have to stand across a harbor with an audience, Andrew replied.
They transferred to their designated coordinates and waited.
The Overlord positioned himself just above the coastal region of Somalia and started drawing in immeasurable quantities of power; Andrew placed himself off Sumatra and also began absorbing the energy required for the task ahead; Assuming her station off the southern shoreline of India, Victoria opened herself to the essence that binds all life together, an endless source of dominion from which she drank greedily.
Around the world, other transcended Guardians broke off their labors and prepared the meshing of their potential into a symphonic construct that would hopefully save billions of lives.
An opening note, deep, bass and clear, rang loud in the ether. Almost immediately, two further tones¡ªpitched at a higher scale¡ªcommenced whirling around it, adding to the whole with tenor and contralto counterpoints. Other voices chimed in, reticulating through and about the main theme, elevating the majesty of its splendor until gradually, they fused together into a soaring rhapsody that boosted the choral matrix far beyond the sum of its individual parts.
Out of that matrix rose three distinct, yet perfectly synchronized and complimentary chords of unity. Together, they commenced a woven work of wonder that mankind had never seen before, and most likely, would probably never see again.
It started as nothing more than a glistening haze evolving from the curtain of spray thrown up by the meteor¡¯s obliteration. Crystallizing over Madagascar, it extended south toward the Cape of Africa and north around the Gulf of Oman and beyond it, toward India. There it met and blended with a similar haar extending from the southern tip of India toward Pakistan on one side and down across the Maldivian archipelago on the other. In turn, that translucent apparition merged with a third wall of swirling light braiding northward from the west coast of Australia and up past Sumatra, Thailand and Burma.
Once the miasma had metamorphosed into one distinct mass, it flared through all the colors of the rainbow and condensed into a blank gray wall. The surface of that edifice continued to shimmer, staining darker and darker until it stood transformed, looking for all the world like a vast opaque driftnet cast out with the sole purpose of trawling the abyssal plane between realities.
The sea receded at an alarming rate, making it appear as if the ocean¡¯s floor had cracked in two and was now spilling the contents of its bowels out into the void of space. Those same waters emerged again minutes later, stacked into an unassailable cliff, twenty feet high and over a mile in breadth.
Myriads of onlookers had gathered along the shorelines of those lands encircled by the snare. Overcome by awe, they ignored the danger, so intent were they to experience whatever salvation was at hand, in the flesh.
They didn¡¯t have to wait for long to see how the Guardians landed their catch.
A disturbing vibration thrummed through their feet; winds buffeted them from every angle, tearing at hair and clothes alike; the roar of the approaching tempest hurt the ears; a distinct tang of brine stung their nostrils. Then the thalassic precipice arrived, rushing headlong into the waiting curtain. The crowds held their breath, only to discover the flimsy looking construct was one enormous gateway; an ingenious fabrication designed to swallow the influx whole and spit it back out from whence it came.
And that¡¯s exactly what happened over the next several minutes as the endless gullet expanded to the onrush and gulped it all down in one, long, continuous draught.
Within seconds of the surge ending, a vortex flared wide a mile above the epicenter of the original blast site. Resembling an inverted waterspout, it tossed and churned like a captive squall, descending from the heavens until it was a few hundred yards above the surface of the sea. A shiver passed through the length of the bore, and a deluge began falling from the eye of the maelstrom in an increasing torrent. The winds returned, whipping the wave caps and stirring the brume into a thickening cyclone of storm clouds that shed voluminous sheets of water in biblical proportions for more than an hour until equilibrium had been restored.
And in all that time, not a drop of moisture reached farther inland than the usual high tide mark.
*
The Olympus had remained stationary above the Indian Ocean to capture the spectacle for future generations. And as good fortune would have it, the only remaining functioning news crew on the planet was able to record events in ultra-magnified high definition glory. As the phenomenon came to an end and the remaining Guardians set about the task of assisting their own casualties and rendering aid to civilian survivors, Cathy was unable to express herself properly.
Whispering hoarsely to her colleague, she croaked, ¡°Did you get all that, Brad? Please tell me you got it¡ªevery last little detail?¡±
Brad Zuckerman raised his camera toward her in salute, patted the lens cover, and replied, ¡°Oh yes, and then some! And don¡¯t forget the footage we¡¯ll have on the camcorder.¡±
Cathy couldn¡¯t help but punch the air. Finding her voice at last, she shouted at the top of her lungs, ¡°Fuck you, Abaddon! Earth, one; planet killer, nil!¡±
¡°You¡¯re going to have to edit that last bit out you know?¡± he teased, a smirk plastered all over his face.
Giving him a look that would shatter rock, she said . . .
*
Ever the pragmatist, Naomi quickly got herself into a routine.
While several of her own sensors were now functioning, the station was too badly damaged to change orbit, leaving her capability for global analysis severely reduced and confined solely to the southern hemisphere.
Within a few minutes, she¡¯d had an idea. Requesting the Olympus to assume a new position over the North Pole, she was able to leapfrog her SEPs emitters through their scanners and start screening for signs of life in the more remote geographical regions.
Her quick thinking produced results, and Naomi was able to direct both Guardian and civilian emergency services to those most in need.
But this was Naomi Cruz and she was rarely so easily satisfied.
Not content merely to restore coverage, she commenced a series of secondary sweeps in the background to assess the worst of the environmentally damaged areas.
After an hour or so, repetitive tedium started to take its toll and curiosity finally got the better of her. Focusing the only remaining THOR array down onto the Antarctic, Naomi began to snoop about.
Now that¡¯s odd. Apart from the permanent settlements at Amunden, Scott Polar Institute and the Russian Vostock Base, which are thankfully well outside the blast and contaminated area, only one other spot might cause concern. She paused to check her calculations. Yes, there it is. Kunlun, the new faculty funded by the Polar Research Institute of China. It¡¯s quite near to Vostock and only four and a half miles from Dome A.
Checking her database again, Naomi confirmed the final sections of Kunlun¡¯s habitat ring had only recently been completed and was not due to go fully operational until the summer. Why would the Lord Inquisitor want to lead this phase of the mopping up operations, especially as she¡¯s only just wound things up in the Indian Ocean? Transcended or not, she must be exhausted by now. Surely there are lots of other commanders who could oversee the job here?
As she enjoyed a close-up view of the blast site itself, Naomi was amazed to see Victoria¡ªnow returned to her human form¡ªsuddenly materialize right over the crater. Descending rapidly to the ground, she erected a stealth shield and promptly disappeared from sight and from Naomi¡¯s scanners. What the hell is she up to?
Naomi was about to focus one of the SEPs nodes onto the area when a precisely aimed mental voice needled into her brain: Guardian Master Cruz. Is there something I can help you with?
Frozen like a cat caught in headlights, Naomi fired off a hasty apology, cut the psi-optical link and flopped back in her cradle. Fuuuuck! Caught red-handed.
A part of her consciousness registered an ultra-refined telepathic intrusion, so intricately encrypted, she knew instantly it was meant to attract her attention without being overheard by anyone else. Accepting the call, Naomi braced herself for a scolding.
But she was in for a shock.
Well done, Victoria commended, warmly: You¡¯ve demonstrated you can act discreetly without involving others, even when you¡¯re itching to uncover what¡¯s really going on. I should have known you¡¯d take things further. I¡¯m impressed! We¡¯ll be keeping an even closer eye on you.
The Lord Inquisitor¡¯s heavily shielded mind departed, leaving Naomi wondering what on earth she was doing in the vicinity of the Chinese station that required such secrecy. So far as Naomi was aware, the Guardians had no operational bases or research facilities there, that would warrant such personal attention.
And as fascinated as Naomi was, she was even more intrigued as to who Victoria meant by ¡°we¡±.
A Fresh Start
The life-form lying within the stasis chamber became aware of the drop in containment within moments of the event.
Following the meteorite¡¯s obliteration, the entire region had been riddled with powerful gravity fluctuations and a ferocious electromagnetic pulse. Surprisingly, his first concern had been for the human outpost, situated only six miles away.
He had kept a close eye on the oriental settlers as they added to the facility¡ªlittle by little, bit by bit¡ªover the years, during the window each brief summer afforded. This was one of the harshest locations in the world and now the self-contained little community was ready for habitation, he had been looking forward to eavesdropping on their everyday affairs as it would help to break the monotony that was his own personal hell.
Surveying the disruption around the outpost filled him with unexpected rage. Although outside the immediate blast radius, the shockwave had caused substantial damage to several of the larger structures and rendered all unshielded electronic equipment inoperative. It would take the humans time to put such last minute problems right and the thought of postponing his much anticipated diversion for another twelve months made him fume . . . until the specifics of this particular conundrum gave him an idea.
Always cunning and ever alert, he extended his will toward the barrier keeping him restrained and discovered he was no longer a mute observer. The meteorite¡¯s intervention has interrupted the flow of power! I can interact with my environment again, albeit minimally. However, that should be enough to . . . ?
With the utmost caution, the incorporeality exerted himself to ensure the surrounding monitors would display a series of feedback loops designed to mislead. He didn¡¯t know how long the current glitch might last, so he set about manipulating the ancillary backups and security overrides too, confident his machinations would take hold before the secondary generator kicked in. Someone will surely be sent to investigate. By the time they arrive, nothing must seem amiss.
Infusing the circuitry of each machine with the energy reserves required to continue functioning at maximum capacity for perhaps three or four weeks, he fell back, fatigued but content in the knowledge his artifice would remain undetected. After all, what¡¯s one more month compared to the millennia I¡¯ve already had to endure? They will no doubt continue to fuss; checking their black sheep are in their pens and that things are as they should be for a while. Prudence dictates I wait a little longer and build up my strength before making my move, so wait I will.
The entity withdrew his mind and, fighting down a rising excitement, reduced the overt manifestation of his presence down to virtually next to nothing.
Time dragged. Just when he thought he might have misjudged the situation, a hooded figure popped out of thin air in the empty space dominating the center of the chamber. Moving like a predator confident in its own lair, that figure spent the next ten minutes scrutinizing various systems and running diagnostics. Apparently satisfied by what they saw, the visitor then stalked across to the other cryo-pods, swept the top covers free of dust, and stooped to peer inside each one in turn.
An eternity passed before the glass above his own prison was wiped clear and a pair of glowing gray eyes crowning a heartless smile started down at him. He held his ethereal breath . . . and then the interloper was gone, as suddenly as she had appeared.
Golden opportunities like this rarely presented themselves. The life-form knew that if he was patient, he¡¯d soon be able to exert more than a passing influence on the machines about him¡ªand of course¡ªon those beings inhabiting the frigid continent above.
Better still, he¡¯d do so without alerting his captors.
Yes, if I play this right, we¡¯ll all three be safely hidden among the teeming billions by the time they discover the truth. And not only will we be able to capitalize on the advances this civilization has made, but the next time I look Artemis in the face, I¡¯ll make sure to wipe that smug smile right off it!
*
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The recently returned Guardian fleet found a very different society to the one it had left¡ªand nowhere more so than its prevalent attitude. But that was most likely due to the harsh realities inflicted upon them in the aftermath of a relentless and brutal bombardment.
Huge quantities of amplified, ultrahigh electromagnetic energy still saturated the atmosphere. Because of that, ninety-nine percent of the largest transformers in most of the major cities had shut down. Without power, purification plants couldn¡¯t pump clean water; gas stations were unable to function; air, traffic and rail systems were rendered inoperable; access to fresh food became difficult; stock markets crashed, and in the absence of a viable means of trade or bargaining, people quickly began to go hungry.
If that were not bad enough, telecommunications and broadcasting networks fell silent, impacting on the quality of those public services remaining. Only the presence of the Guardians prevented the worsening crisis from descending into chaos.
Heading a mammoth relief effort, the Guardians worked diligently to provide necessities for those most in need. Slowly, surely, humanity struggled to regain its feet. As it did so, their benefactors stressed how vital it was to take precautions in order to ensure such a catastrophe could never occur again.
In an unprecedented move, the Lord Conciliator was authorized to propose a solution to answer the world¡¯s extreme penury. If the planet¡¯s leaders were agreeable, the Guardians would implement a tiered, educational program that would accelerate the discovery of scientific, technological and medical understanding in targeted areas. Not only would such a provision allow mankind to rebuild their shattered infrastructure in a uniformed manner, but it would also safeguard their future. The breach between the two sides needed to be healed. What better way to do so than by jumpstarting social and economic growth hundreds of years in a matter of decades.
Within days, those heads of state had a clear an unequivocal reply from a grateful populace who were under no illusions as to the poignancy of their situation: were it not for the Guardians, the human race would now sit alongside the dinosaurs in the annals of history.
Such a stark reversal of fortunes was a bittersweet reminder in other ways too.
Just over a year previously, a malicious crime lord had initiated a surprise attack upon multiple targets during the most violent storm in history. Although the Guardians had reacted with amazing alacrity to that threat, their limited resources were stretched beyond capacity and people had died; only a few in comparison to the number who were saved, true, but those deaths¡ªand the circumstances under which they occurred¡ªcaused the public to react in a hostile and petulant manner, sparking a backlash leading to the Guardians ouster from Earth.
Yet unbelievably, here they were just thirteen months later, returned to a civilization that had suffered ecological disaster and untold calamity costing billions of lives, only this time, the Guardians were hailed as its saviors.
In hindsight, that was to be expected, for as the full extent of the Guardians¡¯ exploits emerged, heroism formed a common, most pervasive thread. And nowhere was this typified more than by the story told by the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Colin Lewis, who touched the hearts of millions when he described the sacrifice of two young Guardians who tried to save the life of Richard Williams, the Prime Minister.
During the crisis, Williams¡ªhis cabinet, and a number of specialist military advisors¡ªhad been at Chequers, the country residence of all British Premiers. In a million-to-one freak accident, a meteor fragment struck their location full on. As the roof came down about them, the elementally gifted Guardians had thrown themselves on Williams and cocooned him within an incredibly strong barrier. Unfortunately, it wasn¡¯t strong enough and the entire party had been hammered more than thirty feet down into the foundations of the basement area by the force of the impact. Williams was killed outright, as was one of his protectors. The other, a woman in her mid-twenties, was mortally wounded.
The survivors, who included Colin Lewis, had been astounded to watch as the severely injured Guardian had crawled across to where Williams lay in a ruined heap, only to try and revive him by pouring her own life essence into his stricken form until she expired.
Because such selfless acts were so commonplace, everyone came to realize how shortsighted they had been. It didn¡¯t take long for a contrite and humbled people to unite and accept the Lord Conciliator¡¯s offer without reservation.
Most of the world¡¯s basic infrastructure remained intact, notwithstanding it was badly damaged. The return of the Guardian armada facilitated the speedy restructuring of an ordered society. Their greatest priorities had been the provision of drinkable water, suitable shelter for the sick and injured, and the restoration of a sustainable power supply and communications network. Once these had been established, other amenities swiftly followed suit across the board.
As mankind breathed a huge sigh of relief, the Guardians kept their word, announcing the first of the seminars introducing a sharing of knowledge would begin the following month, at a special conference to be held in a place synonymous for neutrality between opposing sides: Switzerland.
At the time, the Guardians didn¡¯t realize that their benevolence would provide another group of people a fresh opportunity to begin their scheming anew.
Get on Board
Lake Gen¨¨ve ¨C Switzerland ¨C February 15th, 2037
The Charles Le Montreux Palace Conference Room at Montreux, Switzerland had been packed the night before well beyond its one thousand five hundred person capacity. Those present hadn¡¯t been there to experience the quaint, picture postcard setting; the bracing mountain air; the magnificent view across Lake Gen¨¨ve toward the Alps. Neither were they particularly interested in the traditionally elegant and refined luxury of the Palace itself.
No, the reason why virtually every scientist, engineer, and industrialist of import fought to be there was that it had been the venue for the most lusted after technological extravaganza ever held; a free-for-all where the Guardians made available a treasure-trove of wonders in an effort to kick-start mankind¡¯s leap toward a better future.
Even those who couldn¡¯t be there in person were happy to settle for the multitude of public wireless and high speed internet links the Conciliator¡¯s office provided.
And they hadn¡¯t been disappointed.
True to their word, leading Guardian specialists, led by none other than the Lord Marshal¡ªa huge powerhouse of a man of African origins¡ªhighlighted several areas that techno-groupies and science buffs should concentrate on. Their information contained vital pointers and suggestions that should, in theory, lead to a self-sustaining domino effect pathway of discovery and enlightenment. Consultants were delighted to find material covering many areas of significance, including mitigator and shielding principles, clean fuel sourcing, and atmospheric modification.
The worldwide implications of this targeted guidance would be astonishing in the protection of future eco-system dynamics and sustainability. Not only would it directly impact upon restored natural weather cycles, a strengthened ozone layer and cleaner, and much more efficient industrial processing plants, but it would also afford better protection from natural disasters as well as provide fresh ideas for transportation and energy production.
Needless to say, those present or watching pounced on the proffered gems like starving lions on a baby gazelle. Every available morsel was devoured.
As an additional carrot, the Lord Marshal went on to reveal that the Guardians would be opening the site of their former academy on Earth as a place for advanced learning. Such a move would afford those scientists leading the charge in the testing and development of new technologies a safe and secure environment to conduct their experiments under the watchful eye of those who had a much deeper understanding of the pitfalls involved.
It went without saying; such disclosures were met with unanimous approval.
The only downside¡ªif it could be called that¡ªwas the attitude displayed by military representatives of certain countries who still appeared far too insular for their own good.
They had arrived ever hungry and full of ripe and eager anticipation, only to leave with a sour taste in their mouths. The Lord Marshal himself reminded them that recent events proved beyond doubt that society needed to concentrate on a collective agenda. Global and not national security was now the priority. As Abaddon¡¯s incursion proved, there would always be a need for a planetary defensive capability. To emphasize how important such a change in focus was, the Lord Marshal went to great lengths to stress to those diehards that he was the person who rubber-stamped all day-to-day activities and operations of the Guardians, including the curriculums they would be sharing with the public. If they didn¡¯t want to get left behind, they needed to adopt a new work ethic.
Fortunately, that hint did not go ignored by all.
The mood brightened again during the second half of the conference when it was revealed that the end of the month would bring additional releases. Guardian healers were planning to provide further insights to help improve the medical assessment and diagnostic scanning of patients, along with more advanced, noninvasive alternatives to treatments for all forms of cerebral and cardio vascular disease.
They also wished to present a complete map of the human genome, along with those DNA and RNA nucleotides that would help doctors and other experts mark and eliminate all known precursors to cancer.
A euphoric mood prevailed and once again the world¡¯s media were propounding that everyone should get on board the Guardian Express to destination, Futuresville.
*
Old District ¨C Tokyo ¨C February 19th, 2037
Lei Yeung read the reports in front of him twice; both times with a great deal of interest. The first had been compiled by one of the Council¡¯s representatives who had attended the Science Conference in Switzerland several days earlier, Peter Dyer.
Peter was a C.O. of the Advanced Technologies and Research Department of Yeung Technologies itself, based in Texas, USA. An MIT graduate in Computer Sciences and Artificial Intelligence, he had always displayed a voracious appetite for knowledge and was a recognized leader in matters of theoretical physics and Self Aware-Self Learning matrices.
His novel application of those systems led to a number of breakthroughs in various genetic research studies around the globe, which concentrated on mapping the human genome and pinpointing recessive genes for modification. Those efforts had given Yeung Technologies a huge lead against their competitors.
Peter¡¯s place as a member of the audience that evening had been vouchsafed by his credentials and the weight the Corporation was able to put behind his application. As such, he had gleaned some very insightful leads as to how to apply his company¡¯s acumen to stay ahead of the opposition in the new fields of research now opening up.
But Peter¡¯s attendance proved useful in other ways too. He was gifted, in that he only had to touch an object or thing to be able to read a history of everything occurring to and around it. He could also pick up certain stronger impressions regarding the people who had handled the article previously, and it was this facet of his talent that motivated him as a youngster to always crave knowledge. His ability worked with actual people on occasion, giving him an edge at times like this.
During the evening, Peter made a point of socializing and exchanging ideas on various subjects with other scientists. Of course, he ensured to include several Guardians in on those discussions too. His natural reserve helped to mask his motives, which was just as well, for he soon perceived that even the younger Guardians appeared to employ privacy screens around their minds and bodies, preventing anyone delving into their psyches.
Yeung appreciated how Peter¡¯s account not only highlighted the danger this trait represented, but went on to make several recommendations as to how it might be countered in future. Indeed, those details revealed how Peter Dyer himself overcame such a hurdle, for as the evening wore on, he¡¯d chanced upon an amazing discovery.
By engaging the Guardians in an animated discourse on their relevant disciplines and by maintaining friendly social contact, he was later able to skim aspects of their specialized knowledge from the various items they had touched or held at the time of the conversation. In that way, he successfully gleaned a number of fortuitous insights regarding the advancement of microwave and mitigator technology, and atmospheric manipulation.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.
Both Yeung Technologies and the Council itself would benefit greatly from such intelligence, as it was another string to an ever widening bow ensuring their continued dominance.
All in all, Yeung thought it a very promising start. Another convention was scheduled for the end of the month at the same venue, this one concentrating on Peter¡¯s specific area of expertise: that of medical research. And the personal invitations extended to Peter by several new Guardian acquaintances would guarantee his ringside seat at a goodly proportion of the symposiums.
Feeling inspired, Yeung turned his attention to the other matter on his desk; the return of an old problem he had thought was gone for good. I have an idea how to avoid a direct confrontation, but I¡¯ll need to get the others on board to make our strategy an effective one. Fortunately, I know just the people to give them a little incentive!
*
Exeter ¨C England ¨C February 21st, 2037
Samantha Drake could not begin to express the profound feelings of relief she felt having heard the news that the Guardians were back and intending to stay. At last, she would have the opportunity to right a huge mistake made only a year before.
Always a very private person, Samantha had never liked publicity. And the circumstances surrounding Joshua¡¯s original rescue only reinforced those feelings, for they had gone on to cause her a great deal of personal stress; stress that had been compounded when news broke that it was the Overlord himself who saved her son. The paparazzi swarmed all over them after that and she¡¯d been forced to go through a huge amount of irritating bother to get suitable court orders in place to enforce her family¡¯s right to privacy. A right she had jealously guarded since then.
The Guardians themselves were also keen to ensure Joshua was protected. So much so, that they offered to move her entire family to Australia or New Zealand¡ªher choice¡ª while Joshua attended their best training facility. Being the fool she was, she¡¯d turned them down flat, feeling everything was happening too quickly.
Not easily thwarted, the Guardians proposed a compromise, whereby someone would come on a regular basis to teach Joshua and help him retain proper control over his newly emerging powers. Samantha hadn¡¯t wanted that either. Viewing it as another form of intrusion, she threw a rather spectacular tantrum and banned them from the house.
Needless to say, she came to regret that decision deeply as the months went by; and all the more so after the exodus.
Joshua had always been a hyperactive black hole, having the unnatural ability to drain the energy of everyone around him without apparent effort. And that was before his extrasensory gifts had emerged!
Now they had, Samantha suffered the ignominy of his telepathic intrusions on a regular, almost daily basis, whereby he would sort through her personal effects remotely, from the comfort of his very own bedroom. If that wasn¡¯t demeaning enough, Joshua would then use his burgeoning telekinesis to pluck those items that took his fancy away from their supposed place of safety and into his grubby little hands, where he would inspect them at his leisure.
Samantha found it so unnerving. In the past, the thumping of his little feet across the floor gave her some warning of his evil plans. Now he could do things the sneaky way. And boy, did he love that!
His infantile precociousness¡ªdisplayed as with most children, in a naturally self-centered and na?ve manner¡ªwas becoming hazardous too, for he simply could not appreciate how dangerous some of his antics were.
No, it was not a good idea to bake teddy in the oven so he could watch him turn crispy with his farsight. No, Patch, their black and white cat of four years, did not like to have someone make him fly or swim with telekinesis, or have things thrown at him to make him jump. And no, it was definitely not funny to play volcanoes on the carpet with burning coals from the fireplace!
She soon reached the end of her tether and wanted something done to ensure her sanity, along with the safety of her home, remained intact.
So frustrated had Samantha become that she¡¯d given in to the persistent cold-calling by specialists from Japan who purported to be the world¡¯s leading civilian experts on paranormal behavioral research. Somehow, the company¡ªInsight Solutions¡ªalways managed to keep up to speed with Samantha¡¯s ever-changing catalogue of electronic addresses, passwords and telephone numbers.
Badgering her with e-mails, letters and direct calls, they¡¯d assured Samantha that they were ideally suited to help Joshua come to terms with his gifts in a stress free environment away from the limelight.
That offer became more appealing every day, as it grew to include all relocation expenses involved, subsidized housing, free dental and healthcare, a full scholarship for Joshua at an exclusive college, and term break holidays for the whole family at themed adventure centers around the world. In the end, the opportunity of any respite from Joshua¡¯s antics became too tempting to resist.
Just after the Christmas, Samantha gave in and contacted Insight, only to find one of their representatives on her doorstep the very next morning.
However, what started out as a day of hope swiftly deteriorated when Joshua stubbornly refused to leave his room, holding the door firmly shut with his TK. Samantha could remember the incident now, all these weeks later, as if it were yesterday:
Standing on the upstairs landing together with the Insight consultant, Hope McCall, Samantha tried vainly to get her son to comply. But it was no use; she might as well have been trying to walk through solid rock. Making light of the situation, she threw her arms in the air and, addressing their guest, exclaimed, ¡°Get used to it! Seriously. If he¡¯s anything like his father, this strop will last for as long as it¡¯s inconvenient for us or ceases to be a source of amusement to him.¡±
Turning, Samantha rattled the handle again. ¡°Come on, Josh. There¡¯s a visitor here to see you. She¡¯s come a long way.¡±
¡°No!¡±
¡°Joshua, don¡¯t be naughty. Open the door!¡±
¡°No! I don¡¯t want to.¡±
Samantha glanced at the woman beside her and shrugged an apology. ¡°He¡¯s not normally this bad. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s gotten into him.¡±
¡°Would you like me to try?¡± Mrs. McCall asked in a kindly manner, ¡°I have a way with children and might have better luck?¡±
¡°Yes, if you think it will do any good.¡±
Stepping away, Samantha allowed the consultant to place her hands against both sides of the doorframe. ¡°Hello, Joshua, my name¡¯s Hope. Some friends of mine asked me to come by after your mom turned to them, asking for help with your needs.¡±
The silence was deafening.
¡°Don¡¯t be frightened,¡± she cooed, patiently, ¡°I¡¯m special like you and know what it¡¯s like to be different. I want to be your friend.¡±
Samantha remembered how Mrs. McCall had then pressed her head against one of the panels and closed her eyes in concentration, only to jump away an instant later as if she¡¯d been scalded. ¡°What the bloody hell was that?¡±
A muffled voice called out from inside, ¡°I said go away. You¡¯re not a good person really. Why do you want to take me away from mommy?¡±
Samantha hadn¡¯t registered what Joshua said at first, being more embarrassed than anything. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. He¡¯s getting very defiant lately. I just don¡¯t know what to do for the best.¡±
¡°Mommy, tell the naughty lady to go away, she¡¯s not nice.¡±
That¡¯s when something clicked in the back of Samantha¡¯s mind, causing an icicle of fear to trickle along her spine. ¡°What does that mean, Joshua? Isn¡¯t she like your special friend who brought you the lightning ball?¡±
¡°No, she wants to hurt you.¡±
Suddenly frightened, Samantha looked toward the consultant, only to find a mask of hatred staring back. Mrs. McCall¡¯s teeth were bared. She began to advance on Samantha, snarling, ¡°You¡¯ll not stop us this ti. . .¡±
She¡¯d only managed to take one step before Samantha discovered what her soon to be six-year-old son could do. The woman¡¯s facial expression changed from one of loathing to wide-eyed horrified shock. Then she disappeared and Samantha was left all alone.
Beside her, the lock clicked open. Joshua leaped out, his bottom lip protruding in an expression of fear and anger, and wrapped himself tightly around her legs. A voice echoed in her mind: Sorry, Mommy, but the nasty lady was telling lies. She was going to hurt you, so I sent her away.
Samantha ruffled his hair and hugged him tightly. ¡°That¡¯s okay, Joshua. It¡¯s okay, Mommy loves you.¡±
Ushering Joshua back into his room, she found the orb, given to him over a year before by the Overlord, lying on the bed. He liked to hold it whenever he was upset or frightened as it seemed to comfort him in some way. Sitting down, she cuddled him close and asked, ¡°Where did you send her, Joshua?¡±
His solemn little face turned thoughtful for a moment. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I wanted her to go away and she did.¡±
Another, deeper chill ran down Samantha¡¯s spine.
Why, oh why did I refuse the Guardians help? I should have got on board and done the sensible thing from the word go. What the hell¡¯s going to happen now?
Her son looked up at her and, in response to her thoughts, patted her knee. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. They¡¯ll be coming back soon. They have to, because something nasty¡¯s coming to get us and we¡¯ll need their help.¡±
¡°What? How do you know all this?¡±
Snuggling in even closer, Joshua went quiet for a moment as if considering how best answer. Eventually, he pulled a face¡ªthe one usually reserved for when he didn¡¯t want to eat his vegetables¡ªand, in a matter-of-fact way replied, ¡°I don¡¯t know, I just do.¡±
Subsequent enquiries by Samantha and her lawyer failed to establish the existence of any company registered by the title: Insight Solutions. Nor was anyone by the name, Hope McCall, ever reported missing.
In hindsight Samantha knew why, and reflecting on those events now made her mightily relieved that the time had arrived for her to begin putting past mistakes behind her.
Transcension
In a place like the Guardian Headquarters and Training Academy there were few secrets that could be kept for any length of time, as the nature and temperament of the gifted individuals working and studying there tended toward an overly inquisitive disposition. That being the case, gossip did abound from time to time, especially where noteworthy or more ascetic members of the organization were concerned, or if said gossip related to the purpose and functioning of those parts of the faculty deemed off-limits to all but a privileged few.
As the Sun crested the hills of the Florey Basin to herald the first day of March, the rumor mill was working overtime.
At 6:00 a.m. sharp, three people dressed in the plain white hooded gowns that identified them as members of a Transcension Ceremony, made their slow way through the complex toward the armored doors that led to the lunar catacombs.
The transcension candidate herself was well known to most at the academy and was easily identifiable at a distance due to her unstable psyche, which flared at irregular intervals as if she could barely contain its exuberance. Many were still openly amazed by what the Overlord had done to enable Anatt Yasin¡¯s already mature nexus to expand as it had. Though privately, a small minority feared the long-term consequences of such an evolution.
Leading the way as Shepherd was none other than the enigmatic and reclusive Shadow Lord, Andrew, who no one appeared to know anything worthwhile about. For him to be seen so openly and so often around the facility lately was a rarity. And the fact that he had agreed to fulfill such an intimate and important role had set minds and tongues wagging.
Fuel was added to the fire when it was discovered that the assistant or Supporter¡¯s position had been filled by Guardian Master Naomi Cruz. While her superlative cognitive talents were common knowledge, most were speculating as to the reasons for her selection in the first place, as such an auspicious privilege was normally assigned to Guardians of a much higher rank.
Of course, when you added in the mystery of where they were now heading for the actual ceremony itself, the catacombs, it was no wonder the base was buzzing.
Entrance could only be gained through a set of heavily armored and shielded doors close to the main generators, which were said to give access to a restrictive corridor that curled away into the depths in a gradually sloping spiral. That hallway was somehow able to mute extrasensory ability due to the unique harmonic properties generated by strata particular to this one place in the solar system. It was thought the passage led to a room studded with gemlike mineral deposits. Naturally occurring, the composition of those deposits harnessed the energy released by psychic exploitation in such a haphazard fashion that they defied the laws of quantum physics and arcane expression.
If allowed to go unchecked, it was alleged those crystals could drain an individual¡¯s entire complexus like some monstrous multifaceted vampire. This explained why an Ultra Class Guardian always had to be there, as their presence would ensure the choral resonances produced during the ritual were properly and safely directed.
Darker speculators argued that not all who descended that corridor were seen to emerge again.
This particular lunar day dawned with so much hot air being generated by mental and mundane tittle-tattle that had there been a proper atmosphere, kite enthusiasts would have had no problems whatsoever in getting their rigs airborne.
Nonetheless, all of this went unnoticed by the youngest member of the transcension party as she trailed along behind her more experienced friends.
On entering the tunnel, Naomi quickly became fascinated by the floors and walls of her surroundings. Jet black in color, the surface texture felt crusty and brittle to the touch and was laced through with veins of iridescent orange quartz that throbbed gently with hidden power. Such a setting pulled at the bowstring of her nerves, and despite the subdued atmosphere, Naomi felt her excitement tightening with every step she took.
*
The candidate herself, Anatt Yasin, was lost to the wonder of the living pulse beating all around her. Although this was the first time that she had ever entered this section of the new academy, her mind and thoughts were turned inward. There, she surveyed the growing swells of power that piled irresistibly higher and higher against the mental constraints put in place by her savior, the Overlord, a different lifetime ago.
Those barriers had done a remarkable job over the past year, gradually siphoning her increasing potential through in manageable levels. Such a gambit had allowed her to retain a fleshly form whilst coping with vitality that would instantly vaporize a normal human brain. Anatt could sense things would soon change, and when they did, there would be no stopping it! Too much pressure had coalesced within her newly formed metapsychic magma chamber to avoid an eruption. An ever-increasing tempest now stormed against the restraints placed there, overwhelming them in a controlled collapse leading her toward a metamorphosis of unimaginable glory.
At the same time, Anatt could taste a fearful anticipation growing inside her, as if something wonderful¡ªand yet terrifyingly predatory¡ªwas flexing its muscles at the prospect of imminent release.
*
As Andrew led the way steadily downward toward the Reflection Chamber, he was more than prepared for what lay ahead, having attended the transcension of a number of individuals in the past. Even so, his immediate concerns ran to deeper, more convoluted and troubling things.
For one, he was is hoping against all the odds that he¡¯d be able to prevent certain personal facts from becoming common knowledge as the ceremony got underway. In truth, he didn¡¯t really hold out much hope of that as the orphic processes involved spliced the minds of the participants together in a sharing far more intimate than any harmonic union program ever devised. It was bound to happen sooner or later, I suppose. At least Anatt and Naomi are people we can trust to be discreet . . . though I do wonder how they¡¯ll react initially.
That thought reminded him of other recent events he¡¯d rather keep to himself. So, why did he think it so necessary I witness the incident in the first place? He hasn¡¯t explained himself yet. I mean, who was that? Better still, what was that? How the hell did they know each other, and when is he eventually going to get around to telling us?
Such remonstrating didn¡¯t last for long. The scant illumination afforded by their tenebrous surrounds gradually diminished, giving way to a blackness so pitch, so complete, it swallowed the company whole. Soon, Andrew was forced to quit his deliberating and concentrate instead on the path ahead.
Eventually, after an age of walking in eerily prolonged silence, the corridor widened and they found themselves standing in a brighter, mineral infused cavern. The walls here were comprised of the same pulsing, arterial rock as before, presenting an uncanny counterpoint to the sophisticated security station looming before them.
Constructed of what looked like a single piece of gunmetal gray alloy, the post had been fashioned into the shape of the Guardian emblem with wings held rampant. Beyond it, a gulf at least a hundred yards wide and deep enough to disappear into obscurity wound off into the distance in both directions.
Across the void, they could see a corresponding sentry positioned before a huge armored door which had been fashioned into the cliff face. The tingle of a thousand pinpricks puncturing his skin warned Andrew of the presence of a high magnitude force field. Beckoning for Anatt and Naomi to follow, he went to stand before the sentinel and waited.
Twin rays of golden light lanced out from each wingtip. Starting at opposite ends of his body, they took their time scanning Andrew from head to toe and bottom to top before repeating the process with the women standing on either side of him.
Once the sensors detected the unique auras of the Shadow Lord and the Transcension Candidate, a beacon on top of the sentry activated. Its counterpart on the far side of the chasm came to life and a photonic platform started to stretch toward them. No sooner had it extended fully, to create a bridge, than the distant door rolled silently up into a hidden recess, exuding a silent invitation for them to cross and enter.
The pins and needles frittered away. Using that as his cue, Andrew ushered everyone forward, and in no time at all, they had crossed the gorge and stepped through into the fortified environs of what would be their crucible: the Reflection Chamber.
The Chamber resembled a mirrored amphitheatre, in that the circular entrance level gave way¡ªin equal tiers¡ªdown to a completely smooth floor area, thirty feet in diameter. That design was reflected by a matching arrangement in the upper portion of the room, so a flattened sphere was formed by the joining of the two halves.
The walls, floors, and ceiling were made of a dull carbon composite, which appeared to have identical weblike traceries of earth-blood running through it as the stratum outside. Those veins pulsed like a heartbeat, their deep orange-red color flaring in rhythmic unison to the subliminal thrumming sensation they could all feel running through the soles of their boots and spawning flickering shadows that flowed backward and forward in time to the beat, teasing the eye, tempting the imagination.
At first, Andrew couldn¡¯t distinguish the sixteen-foot high construct of gleaming facets and angles filling the center of the cavity with refractive glory. Not only did the gloom make seeing things difficult, but the artifact itself kept folding in and out of existence as if it couldn¡¯t decide which reality to settle in.
It wasn¡¯t until they had descended the steps all the way to the bottom that comprehension finally dawned. Jesus, I didn¡¯t recognize it in this setting. It . . . it¡¯s huge.
Beside him, Naomi spluttered, ¡°What is that thing?¡±
¡°That, my inquisitive friend, is a psitronic crystal. You could say it¡¯s the heart and soul of the place. It¡¯s an extremely rare phenomenon that actually absorbs most of the forms of energy you can think of, including psychic manipulation, before converting it into a highly agitated expressive state.¡±
¡°Is it dangerous?¡±
¡°In the wrong hands, certainly! Once activated, it¡¯s capable of draining the sum from anything within its sphere of influence. Dependent upon the amplitude and wavelength it adopts, it can also emit that potential as an augmented coherent force. That¡¯s why we have to be so careful and match our extrasensory harmonics to the specifics of its uniquely ordered structure. We¡¯d be screwed otherwise.¡±
Naomi glared at the translucent paradigm, unsettled to be near something that was capable of sucking the life out of her without effort.
Noting her discomfort, Andrew moved to reassure her. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Naomi, we¡¯ve used them for a long, long time now. This beauty is brand new and a welcome replacement for the remains of the old one that was destroyed thousands of years ago. In fact, we used several of the old shards recently to clear up the fallout left over from the meteorite strikes.¡±
¡°Clear up the . . . ? Are you saying this . . . this King Kong of an engagement ring is capable of decontaminating the area of a nuclear blast?¡±
¡°Of course it is. Radiation, electromagnetism, heat; all the things emitted by such explosions are just different states energy. So we simply adjust the pitch of absorption in one of the prismic focal nodes and it will feed on whatever particles are present, be they saturating the air, water, rocks, soil, and so on. Useful, eh?¡±
To Andrew¡¯s amusement, Naomi was only partly paying attention. Gawping intently at the encrusted outcrop nearest to her, she kept frowning and kinking her head from side to side. ¡°Why can¡¯t I see it properly? The more I stare, the more it fades and reappears just outside my peripheral vision.¡±
¡°Ah, its molecular composition is unique. It has eighteen distinct Bravais lattices that create diffractive pockets of nullspace, allowing it to exist as a fourth dimensional cons . . .¡±
¡°Can we skip the physics lesson and just get on with it, please?¡±
They both spun on the spot to find Anatt¡¯s distress increasing by the second. Delving inside her mind, Andrew discerned she was only minutes away from shedding her principal layers. She¡¯s fighting to maintain control. Time to get down to business.
Projecting appropriate feelings of comfort¡ªand an apology¡ªAndrew gestured toward their appropriate stations, as indicated by three tiny star symbols etched into the floor around the northern quadrant of the base of the crystal. ¡°Ladies, as we rehearsed.¡±
Anatt moved to stand at the centermost position and faced the gem directly. Leaning forward, she pressed her palms against the largest of the facets closest to her, closed her eyes and almost immediately began to murmur, ¡°Oh! It . . . it feels cool to the touch and as fragile as wafer-thin ice. Yet . . . and yet I get the sense it¡¯s far harder than diamonds could ever be. How strange.¡±
Sparks leaped from her fingertips and caromed off into the multi-angled depths, whereupon her body vanished from sight. An instant later, she reappeared, encompassed up to the wrists within the stone¡¯s superficial structure. Her knees buckled, giving the impression she was about to fall.
Andrew and Naomi moved swiftly. Standing either side of Anatt, they adopted a stance that would ensure they remained facing toward her at all times.
At a signal from Andrew, they reached out to grasp Anatt by the shoulders with their outer hands, while extending their inner arms so they could lean against the crystal itself for support.
Now they were arranged correctly, Andrew issued final instructions: Anatt? Keep in mind, once I initialize this thing, it will attune to your complexus and negate any aggressive outbursts you might be inclined to make. As you¡¯ve seen, it¡¯s aware of your presence and has already given you a little taste of what you can expect as time goes on. Basically, don¡¯t get distracted by any of the weird experiences you¡¯ll encounter as you burn away your mortal coil and begin to expand.
Breathing raggedly, her brow beaded with sweat, Anatt could only nod in reply.
He continued: As hard as you may find it, relax as much as you can and try not to think. Just let it happen. Your mind will instinctively know what to do. I will guide you when things get more intense. Be confident in my ability and of the fact that the crystal will absorb the worst of your flares. It will be impossible for you to cause any harm or damage, okay?
Anatt nodded again, her body trembling as if she were standing naked in a snow storm. Just hurry up, she gasped: I can¡¯t hold it much longer!
Making eye contact with Naomi, Andrew said: After the time you¡¯ve spent together recently, you know Anatt¡¯s mental parameters intimately. Make sure you mesh with her as we begin to phase-shift and then stay with her. Wherever her soul goes, you go. Don¡¯t think, don¡¯t suggest or intimate any particular course of action other than to constantly remind her of who she is. The close companionship you provide will help her stay linked to her humanity as her consciousness expands toward a whole different level of existence. Consider too that what you feel¡ªall those bewildering sights and sounds and sensations¡ªaren¡¯t happening to you, they¡¯re happening to Anatt. So don¡¯t sweat it, keep her rooted, and you¡¯ll both come out the other side.
Naomi winked and braced herself to indicate she was ready. Andrew allowed her a few moments grace to take a number of quick, deep breaths to calm her nerves, then watched in admiration as the younger mind leaped fearlessly into the swollen psyche between them, which was flexing and flashing alarmingly.
Anatt suffered a series of agonizing spasms. Growling with pain, she bared her teeth. Her head snapped forward, then back. Finally, her eyes flared wide, streaming forth with a brilliant white light as the last of the mental restraints started to crumble. Her mind and voice screamed in conjoined ecstasy and agony, cascading argent shockwaves about the chamber: IT¡¯S COMING!
Andrew responded, and within the blink of an eye, the man was replaced by a ten-foot tall, blazing apparition of majesty and splendor. As his true form anchored, fully manifest, Andrew triggered the psitronic crystal so that it erupted into incandescent life, overcoming the fragile senses of the humans before it.
He heard Naomi whistle. Linked as he was to her thoughts, he saw himself through her perceptions, transformed and radiant, an angelic avatar of the interdimensional paragon next to them.
Nonetheless, Naomi refused to be distracted. Though she was clearly overawed, Andrew noted with satisfaction how she remembered the importance of her role and strove with all her might to sustain her friend who, by now, was wracked by seizures so violent that it was a miracle her spine hadn¡¯t been shattered.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
A tremendous throb of energy resounded throughout the chamber. As it dissipated, an intervening pair of incorporeal arms¡ªtitanic in proportions¡ªwrapped itself around the two women.
Satisfied that his charges were safe, the Shepherd set about demonstrating the true nature of his calling.
*
Anatt became conscious of the presence of others within, without and all around her, emblazoned with fluctuating degrees of potency. A stronger nucleus of life congregated a quarter of a million miles away. Buzzing like angry bees nests, the more concordant nuclei of extrasensory operancy were interspersed randomly throughout, their presence betrayed by brighter flares of puissance.
It was as if her impressions had become so fine tuned, that the other entities had temporarily¡ªor permanently for that matter¡ªbecome an actual part of her psyche. Anatt wasn¡¯t sure which. All she could be certain of was the fact that the monumental pressure that had ravaged the very core of her being for so long was at last finding sweet release. She managed to peek inside one final time to confirm that all trace of the mental restraints had indeed been swept away, and then a cleansing purge flooded her acuity with light.
Unadulterated power claimed her, roaring along her synapses and bursting out through her inconsequential flesh with ever increasing passion. Her grasp on reality evaporated and she went deaf, blind and dumb in a juxtaposition of absolutes:
Whispers screaming like banshees throughout the stillness of an endless night that stretches on forever; fires raging to the cruel bite of winter¡¯s touch; liquid sounds, as restless as waves, impinging on a faltering consciousness; ripples of thought as insubstantial as smoke; the frigid taste of humanity lost; a global heartbeat stuttering to regain its rhythm; tones of soaring majesty captured at the point of silence as they dance through the never-ending lattices of an enormous jewel; elation the moment a psychic barrier is pierced, bringing paralyzing bliss and release, together with an expansion of perspicuity.
A clear voice rang out amid the pandemonium: Do you see the way you need to go? THEN COME, FOLLOW ME!
Rush headlong down new pathways freshly created, like water flowing through rocks; seeking, surging, bubbling; swelling higher, higher¡ªexpansion!
I am with you.
I will never leave your side.
We are with you. . .
Nostalgic reminiscences from long ago converge and flow:
A little girl sits alone in the street. As a child that is different, she is shunned, by parents and others in the village too frightened to understand¡ªswitch!
This time we see the recollections of another youngster standing on cliff tops with the loving arms of her mother wrapped around her. Squealing in delight as the howling wind whips through her hair, she extends her mind¡¯s sight high into the sky to fly with the gulls that mock from overhead¡ªswitch!
Impressions from another; a boy; cramped, trapped in the womb, fighting for space against a twin that had always been there. Each together, always separate. Both are cognizant, aware, even before their miraculous birth; seeing the world outside by telepathy alone as vernix coated eyes are still shut tight¡ªexpansion!
Neural pathways extending beyond a fleshly cerebrum, so new, so fresh; sensitized, energized; sounds combusting throughout all the hues of the spectrum; tastes oscillating to corporeal stimuli; smells eliciting texture; sights possessing the rarified palate of sophistication; touch generating music in limpid transparency. Everything supercharging, changing, metamorphosing.
Flashbacks intrude again:
The lonely girl is an outcast, spurned by her family. Unwanted, she learns to rely on herself and wanders far and wide. She revels in justified gratification as she learns to control the devils within and finds new acquaintances with whom to share her aspirations¡ªswitch!
A first kiss and the thrill of what it¡¯s like to be touched for the first time by a lover. Fear of discovery; the anticipation of hidden pleasure; forbidden lusts made real¡ªswitch!
The unique pride of a patriarchal presence as you create your first tangible illusion; that same father¡¯s countenance¡ªapprehensive, filled with concern¡ªas you teleport across a nebula for the first time; a parent¡¯s aura glowing rosy warm in satisfaction as ideals long in the making come to fruition; endless wells of luminous gray reflected in the mirrors cast by your own pupils¡ªexpansion!
A boundless symphony contained within a single note that pierces the silence; our universe, vibrant and whole, contained within the dust mote of another reality; the crux of life as it is carried throughout the cosmos on solar winds; a concordance of grandiose proportions revealed!
I am with you always. Together and separate, always present when I am absent.
See the path, Anatt, become one with it.
Everything is vast and endless; tiny and miniscule; simple and intricate; so full of zest and ¨¦lan. All connected and intertwined by the Creator¡¯s wisdom.
Why am I the extraneous factor to the riddle?
More memories come unbidden in a tumbling avalanche of color and explosive roar of sensations:
The solitary child is now a young woman, well versed to the bitter embrace of loneliness. People approach. They have been watching her and would like to extend an invitation; the prospect of a life where her gifts will be honed and valued¡ªswitch!
Welcome advances from new friends who offer a chance to achieve true fulfillment. They rejoice as she demonstrates what she can do, soaring among the stars without effort, piercing the veil between the mundane and mighty¡ªswitch!
A monstrous wave approaches. So high, so wide, the colossal pressure of its approach mounts by the second as he fights to prevent it engulfing the barrier he has placed in its way. Soon after, he becomes aware of the glare cast by frozen silver-white wastes and is consumed by a barely suppressed rage toward those who have destroyed a thousand years of careful planning¡ªswitch!
Your calling realized and a destiny fulfilled as you find discipline and purpose among those who are like you. Those who welcome you as a daughter, a sister, a long lost member of the family, returned at last to a fold you never left¡ªswitch!
That first day of duty where your heart bursts with pride. The peace of mind that comes from being able to accomplishing things faster than anyone ever has before¡ªswitch!
A gradual withdrawal from those you have served for millennia. New goals unveiled, now thousands of years from culmination. The patience of a careful search to gather those who will join you on the road to Unification¡ªexpansion!
Newborn, a lustrous, radiant mentality¡ªenergized far beyond the strictures she thought might ever be possible¡ªpushes and pries at the superficies of veracity as her neurological transformation continues to diversify. A psychoenergetic concordance manifests, spanning the length and breadth of the spacetime continuum.
Body gone. Shackles gone. Weight gone. Free to soar at last, free to reach out, to shine and thunder a challenge into the ether at full capacity. To grasp and take hold of hypothetical phenomena!
I see, I see. SUCH INCREDIBLE BRIGHTNESS!
NO! Not that way. The consequences are far too perilous. Follow me as I lead.
Strong inhuman arms reach out to enfold the fledgling pulsar, ushering her toward a safer course: Remain with me, Anatt.
And me, Anatt. Don¡¯t forget I¡¯m here too. Don¡¯t leave us, please stay.
But . . . but you¡¯re so tiny, so inconsequential and far below me. Who is that? What is that? Ah, an insect, an echo, a reminder of . . .
It is who you are, child. What you are. Never forget.
It is who you were, what you were, never forget.
Reminders of that previous life interrupt again:
The unbelievable strike of a hideously warped lightning bolt, willingly received. Crushing you to the ground, it boils blood, eviscerates organs, vaporizes bone and makes you scream. Having no lungs to do so, your pain is amplified a trillion times as your very soul is raped by fire¡ªswitch!
Graduation day and the relief you feel on seeing the faces of your parents in the crowd. The elation of having constantly improved on what you can do, gaining the approval of your superiors¡ªswitch!
Gray eyes in the darkness. Peering up out of the abyss, they hold you steady against a fatal fall. The void recedes and a soothing radiance takes its place, warmth that restores and changes what you are¡ªswitch!
Delight at being the best and being noticed. A simple smile that brings pleasure and wards against the fear of treading into the unknown¡ªswitch!
The wonder of seeing reality ripped apart and beholding what no mortal or immortal being has ever witnessed before; the place beyond conquered¡ªexposed¡ªaffirmed?
Who is that? Where is that?
Why am I suddenly so small¡ªexpansion!
Multiple levels of impossibility spring abruptly to the fore.
Therein, a fusion linking the building blocks of life together takes place, a strident plainsong of sonorous nobility that peals within the void between atoms. Without, solar winds gain depth, timbre and taste. Dark matter blazes within a network of unforeseen, inexplicable frescos. The cords holding fast the universe exhibit a texture that can be grasped and manipulated, molded to serve a higher purpose.
The vastness of space and time urge you to experience it all, taste it all, and savor it all: I . . . I want it all!
Not yet, Anatt. Soon. Be patient, for I am with you mind sister, always.
I¡¯m here for you too. The anchor for your soul, a reminder of who you are.
Return.
Return.
But the song of the cosmos . . . it urges me, invites me, calls to me.
Return . . . NOW!
Return, please.
The duality speaks as one: You are Anatt.
A prodigious, dominant originality asserts itself and moves in close.
Further away, a fainter spark begs you to stay.
Vistas, previously outside her ken are now easily discernible; as is her grasp on the intricacies of creation. A purer synthesis of self asserts itself, along with a modicum of self control.
The threat of anarchy recedes, muted in defeat. In its place, a vibrant sense of rightness reigns supreme, spurring the dyad to repeat its plea: Know yourself and be whole.
One voice is principal, authoritative, assertive, guiding: Anatt!
The other pleads, begs, clings and reminds you: Anatt!
I am Anatt Yasin. I am . . . I am myself. Reborn. Renewed. Released.
Coming back to her senses, Anatt looked down on the small form of Naomi, pressing herself against the crystal on one side and into her transcended essence on the other. She seemed so fragile, so temporary, nothing more than a rumor on the breeze. The merest thought enabled Anatt to see into the young woman, then through her and into the microverse of the components making up her body.
And the crystal. Much larger than it had appeared to mundane sight, it randomly wove itself in and out of existence with a complexity she was stunned to grasp with ease. What was more, it occupied multiple phasic states simultaneously, each of which were extraordinarily different. And yet, they occupied the same spacetime reference at those points where reality overlapped without sparking the slightest reaction. It was at those junctures Anatt could see the quarks and leptons interacting to create the unique conditions required to absorb and harness limitless energy without spawning havoc.
Turning to view her shepherd, Anatt looked up into his blazing countenance. No longer dazzled beyond comprehension, she truly saw him for the first time.
She sighed, becoming distracted by the whorls and powder-puff concussions her verbalized expressions generated on this plane: Whoa? Where did those things come from? Andrew, am I here? Have I actually . . . ?
Yes, Anatt, you did it! And very quickly too. I¡¯m not surprised, considering the circumstances surrounding your change.
She understood the subtle inference to his father immediately.
His father of all people! What an eye opener.
Anatt noticed how solid his voice was in comparison to hers, the hues possessing a richer, deeper texture as they chimed around her complexus like ice encrusted teardrops.
Dragging her wayward attention back to herself, Anatt realized she had stabilized with a matrix close to seven feet tall. Wow, that¡¯s bigger than I was led to believe I¡¯d be! Does this mean I . . . ?
Without warning, she detected an imploding electron within one of the facets of the psitronic crystal, close to where it transposed between multiple causality nodes and the lunar bedrock.
Next, she looked into Naomi¡¯s heart, fascinated by the volume of blood flowing in brief surges through its various chambers.
Then she somehow became aware of the passage of the Moon through the interstellar medium dominating this region of space. More distant, the hum of the Earth¡¯s molten core spinning within its layered shell predominated; reminding her that planet was responsible for the prevailing gravity currents shimmering to and fro through the ether.
Damn! Why am I skipping about so much? Addressing Andrew once more, she asked: Is it always like this?
Yup, pretty much. A comforting conflux of warmth, comradeship and love washed over her: But you get used to it after the first thousand years or so.
The room filled with the light of scattering starbursts. Tinkling together, those flecks meshed so as to form a glittering fall of rainbow snowflakes that pattered to the ground in polychromatic explosions of red and green, blue and yellow and orange and violet over exuberance.
Anatt realized she was seeing them laugh and became captivated by the novelty of the experience . . . only to fixate on something else an instant later.
I think it¡¯s time to get you back down to earth, Andrew chuckled.
What? By now, she had become engrossed in the composition of one of the carbon tiles in the ceiling.
Watch me as I transform. I¡¯ll slow it down so you can copy the process. Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll find it easy.
The air became translucid, containing a luster that reminded Anatt of highly polished glass. That patina commenced swirling in lazy spirals toward the crown of Andrew¡¯s head. She felt a stronger impression of the man she knew before the ceremony, growing. His identity as a human being became more prominent, spurring the vortex to spin faster and faster. The vacuum of subspace began to glow as Andrew harvested the dormant energies hidden there to create an embryonic puddle of solid matter.
Describing his process, Andrew explained: It helps to store a physical archetype within your plexus, so that what you recreate becomes a fully functioning living entity.
His form started to shrink, cool, and dim. Within seconds he¡¯d literally infused his construct and animated it, bringing it to life.
For the first time, Anatt truly saw a transcended being in the flesh, and was amazed to find the area about his brain glittering like a rotating prism in sunlight. The canorous pulsing halo extended out from his body for several yards. Ah-ha! I always wondered how they managed to encompass all their potential within the limited human brain. I never realized they don¡¯t actually bring it all with them. Of course, the solution would have to be as elegant as it is simple.
Anatt acted without hesitation and mimicked the process flawlessly. Imagining herself as the woman she had been, she poured herself into the framework of that icon like fluid into a jelly mold. Within seconds she had solidified in the corporeal shell she¡¯d always known. Peering out from gelatinous orbs once more, she was saddened by how dim the world looked.
She was surprised to find Naomi as motionless as a statue and staring into space, seeing goodness knew what through eyes that shone with a brilliant silver radiance.
¡°Andrew, is Naomi okay?¡±
The Shepherd studied their colleague for a while in silence before letting out a snort. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be a . . .¡±
¡°What? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Anatt pressed, moving closer.
¡°Oh, nothing¡¯s wrong,¡± Andrew replied. ¡°It¡¯s just that someone we know well appears to have surprised us yet again.¡±
¡°Surprised us, in what way?¡±
He indicated the detached serenity on Naomi¡¯s face. ¡°This is called the Rapture. It¡¯s a rare and enlightened state of euphoria brought on by the vitality released during the Transcension Ceremony. Anyone in attendance capable of undergoing the metamorphosis themselves gets a little foretaste of what¡¯s to come.¡±
¡°Foretaste?¡±
¡°Yeah. Think of it as having the dormant aspects of their DNA and psi-well primed for future transition.¡±
Anatt was puzzled. ¡°I thought she¡¯d been assessed as maxing out at High Grand Master level?¡±
¡°That¡¯s right. But as you know, her nexus is still maturing. Somehow the sneaky bastard knew she had the potential snuck away in there and ensured she got included in today¡¯s proceedings.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±
¡°The higher echelons have known for some time that those with the aptitude to reach High Grand Master Class also display a genetic predisposition toward transcension. For some reason, it¡¯s rarely manifested during the past five hundred years or so . . . until now.¡±
Catching on to his line of thought, Anatt said, ¡°You mean like me? My Psi-Well contained the capacity for healing and self regeneration, but for some reason they never bloomed. Well, until your father did something to me and boosted everything I have.¡±
¡°Yes, it¡¯s very much like that. As a rule, once a candidate has matured . . . that¡¯s it! Their mind and complexus become hardwired to the level of expression their abilities have become accustomed to in a fleshly shell. If the well of potential isn¡¯t somehow triggered by then, it never fully manifests. However, if a malleable, still developing psyche is exposed to the right stimulus at the right time, then even if those Ultra Class latencies are deeply buried, they can be jumpstarted, dragging other faculties along with them.¡±
Anatt was intrigued. ¡°So why have we never included younger candidates in the process as a matter of course?¡±
¡°Aah, therein lies the rub. You saw how disconcerting the rite is. That¡¯s why we use a High Grand Master or one of the more experienced Grand Masters. It takes a great deal of concentration to maintain focus once things get disjointed, and people don¡¯t normally develop that kind of backbone until they¡¯ve matured. By then it¡¯s simply too late.¡± Stabbing his thumb at Naomi, he emphasized, ¡°but this young lady is unique in her ability to partition her consciousness and complete multiple tasks at the same time. She¡¯s the first one we¡¯ve ever felt might be capable of fulfilling the Supporter¡¯s roll while still flowering.¡±
¡°Will she be alright?¡±
¡°She¡¯ll be fine, Anatt. Remember, she was linked to us while we were in a transcended condition and her senses have become supercharged for a while. As the energy drains, she¡¯ll gradually return to normal, although I¡¯m thinking her well of Ultra Class goodies won¡¯t stay hidden for too much longer.¡±
He looked from Naomi to Anatt several times before muttering, ¡°Interesting how things have worked out for you both?¡±
¡°Why do you say that?¡±
¡°You seem to have initialized at a far stronger level than is usual for a newly transcended being. Naomi appears to have a little secret tucked away, deep inside her. How the hell does he know these things?¡±
Anatt was reminded of her earlier experience. ¡°Funny you should say that, but I remember thinking my new complexus was much larger than I was led to believe it would be.¡±
Nodding his head, Andrew replied, ¡°You¡¯re right. Normally, when a candidate weathers the process, they transmute with an initial threshold that corresponds to their human dimensions. That¡¯s due to what we call psychoresidual memory by the way. Then, as the complexus flexes and adjusts to its newly expanded horizons, it actually shrinks for a while to accommodate its new esoteric parameters. It¡¯s not until your potential becomes accustomed to operating without human restrictions that you begin to grow again.¡±
¡°But I could feel I was close to seven feet tall, why?¡±
Andrew projected wry amusement. ¡°I don¡¯t know the answer to that yet . . . but I have a feeling my father¡¯s showing us the future in his usual sneaky way.¡±
¡°What do you mean?¡±
¡°You¡¯re the first human I know of who had mental blocks spliced into her mind during the emergent phase. Those blocks prevented you from being inundated by the onrush of power as you exceeded human limitations. However, they also allowed just enough psycho-energetic supercharging to leak through, to help your psyche adjust to the next stage. It¡¯s as if your elevation was carefully stage-managed to ensure the change wasn¡¯t triggered until optimum results¡ªand your survival¡ªwas guaranteed.
¡°It reminded me in some ways of the new compressor program father has initiated for babies in the womb. Those stimulated by such a regimen emerge stronger, have a wider range of abilities and mature with a more powerful complexus than ever before. I think he¡¯s just demonstrated an adaptation of that program for Ultra Candidates!¡±
Anatt was stunned. ¡°So you¡¯re saying his meddling allowed me to transcend in an enhanced way?¡±
¡°It certainly seems so. You have metamorphosed at a degree that¡¯s comparable to Ultra Lord Designate. The others will have a fit when they see you¡¯re already about as strong as they are! And that¡¯s before your natural re-calibration and growth cycle. No wonder he selected you for the Deputy Marshal¡¯s post. I¡¯m just wondering if that will be enough or if there other surprises you¡¯ll spring on us as time goes by.¡±
A slight intake of breath behind them caused Andrew to pause. Turning, he found Naomi staring their way in a most peculiar manner. Her eyes had returned to normal. Nevertheless, an argent gleam still flickered in the background, leaving bright streaks in the air as her gaze skipped between the ascended Lords in front of her. Every now and again she would stop to blink and stare off into an unseen distance. Andrew could see she was struggling to verbalize her jumbled thoughts in such a way that made sense.
He felt it kinder to save her the trouble. Making light of a profound moment, he smiled, shrugged, and declared, ¡°So now you know! I can appreciate how that might blow you away somewhat. It¡¯s a little hard to digest, eh?¡±
She could only nod and squeak in reply.
Sweeping both women into his arms, he began ushering them toward the exit, ¡°then why don¡¯t I fill you in on some juicy details before we get back topside? That way, you won¡¯t be so tongue-tied when you speak to my dad¡ªwho¡¯s waiting in the Lord Marshal¡¯s office and itching to meet you, by the way. Evidently, he wants to get in first before the gathering crowd gets their hands on you. . .¡±
Changes
With the help of the Guardians, social stability was gradually restored and a subtle change was seen to manifest in the hearts of people everywhere. It was as if recent events had somehow served as a catalyst, a determining stimulus to a larger balance which now sought to achieve its rightful equilibrium by bringing the truly important things into focus.
During that time, the Guardians didn¡¯t make the slightest reference to past mistakes in an effort to remind survivors of their gravest error. Not once did they ever raise a wagging finger and pontificate to a shamefaced populace, ¡°We told you so!¡±
Instead, they went to great lengths to put mankind at ease and demonstrate they recognized previous public concerns and were working to rectify them.
The beginning of April witnessed a press conference, whereby the Lord Marshal of the Guardians sponsored the advancement of a Universal Psychic Law and Order Bill. Such legislation¡ªhe reasoned¡ªwas intended to provide a platform for acceptable guidelines to be introduced regarding the use of psychoenergetic abilities.
He stressed the proposal would prove the Guardians recognized the concerns of the majority within society who were not gifted, while making a framework available in which the rights and freedoms of citizens everywhere were protected.
As an added guarantee, the Lord Marshal revealed that the latest versions of their thought reading device¡ªthe Wave Reader¡ªwere nearing completion and would soon be made available to the numerous justice departments and intelligence communities around the globe. Priority access to such apparatus would be given to the highest courts within each nation to ensure a clear message was sent: no one, be they a state or individual, was beyond the reach of due process. The Guardians also disclosed that in future, those devices would be produced under the oversight of the world¡¯s top scientific and legal experts, to ensure the strictest standards of impartiality and objectivity were adhered to.
When the case of Luigi Espasito, the elementally endowed crime boss who had instigated the nuclear missile attacks was highlighted, a specific clause was added to the Bill.
It was widely accepted that such a character would be very difficult to arrest, interrogate, and keep incarcerated by normal means. Clearly, their talents would be hard to manage unless someone equally as skilled was there to negate the threat they posed. Those employed to administer such countermeasures would need to follow guidelines provided by statute. Planning accordingly, an amendment pertaining to extremist acts was included within the draft detailing the appointment of civilian psychic prosecutors. It decreed that if a transnational act of terrorism occurred, the perpetrators must be subject to the jurisdiction of a court convened at the behest of those nations directly targeted.
The court would be chaired by a legal expert chosen from a neutral country who, in turn, would be assisted by two examiners picked from a list of registered telepaths; one, a Guardian Inquisitor, the other a state appointed attorney. That panel would conduct all necessary proceedings against the accused and be empowered to pass judgment.
As with the bill itself, this clause was readily accepted and given enthusiastic support.
During this same period, the Guardians dramatically increased their involvement with many of the national, federal, and specialist law enforcement agencies around the world. Their actions appeared to harmonize with previous statements from the Lord Conciliator¡¯s office that international organized crime would be the priority as they began their integration into society. As those initial weeks passed, results were quick to materialize, and it didn¡¯t take criminals long to learn a hard truth: no matter where they were or how widespread their influence¡ªinsurgents, arms dealers, drug peddlers, and human traffickers alike were all as equally helpless to prevent the total disruption of their activities.
So great was the impact targeted assistance made, that many voices began calling for January 5th to be memorialized as ¡°Guardians¡¯ Day¡±. A call that was taken up with greater vigor, by more and more people as time went by. Needless to say, this call was tactfully ignored by the Guardians themselves, who went about business as usual.
*
As deserving of praise as these issues were, not all made the headlines due to a number of revolutionary breakthroughs in the areas of science and medicine.
The first came only a few months after the conferences in Switzerland.
Maxwell Small, an engineer studying the effects of thunderstorms hit upon the idea of using the energy produced by those storms against themselves. He¡¯d noted how the Guardians used microwave emitters during the incident in Texas, to warm up the cold air at the trailing edge of the tornado to rob it of power. Then he¡¯d remembered that they had hinted a similar strategy would assist in the development of mitigator technology.
Using his corporation¡¯s Regional Atmospheric Modeling System¡ªRAMS¡ªMaxwell perceived how, amongst other things, supercells generated acoustic vibrations known as Rossby Waves.
Rossby Waves emanate from giant areas of turbulence within high altitude vortices which twist and turn so alarmingly, they have a major influence on weather within the cell itself. The stronger the gusts, the more pronounced the conflicting currents of volatile air; the greater the divergence, the more powerful the production of acoustic vibrations.
Initially, Maxwell only managed to reproduce those waves in simple thunderstorms. Nevertheless, he was able to ascertain the infrasound emissions radiated within a very specific range. The exact frequency depended upon the intensity of the winds. By measuring those wavelengths precisely and bouncing them back at the source, he was amazed to discover the radical fluctuations produced during such an event were drastically moderated¨Cor ¡°mitigated.¡± Not only that, but the becalmed area would actually spread throughout the rest of the storm¡¯s cloud mass.
Breakthrough!
Since then, Maxwell had not only gone on to construct the basic patented model of his mitigator¡ªwhich was proven to protect structures and machinery within the generated field under laboratory conditions¡ªbut had also made a televised live-time demonstration of a full scale mock-up during an actual tornado.
The implications of his discovery for long-term weather control and modification were enormous and unanimously welcomed.
Other popular studies focused on what was being labeled artificial tree and lung technology and bio-reclamation projects. Researchers had high hopes of manufacturing viable working models of atmosphere scrubbers, purification plants, and soil regenerators within the next two to four years if current innovation continued. A promising start.
Elsewhere analysts had taken some of the pointers from the Lake Gen¨¨ve Conference and modified previous attempts to utilize good old ¡°H2O¡± as a fuel source, something that had eluded many a great mind for decades.
Zara Gill, a leading physicist from Canada, had thought of introducing a counter polarized bolt of electricity through water contained in a restricted pressurized capsule. Doing so allowed her to weaken the force holding the hydrogen and oxygen elements together and split them into two different components entirely, a method which proved more energy efficient than electrolysis.
Gill was then able to store the separated components in a fuel cell that remained cool to the touch no matter how long it was kept in operation. By introducing another oppositely polarized charge, she was then able to recombine the liquid derived hydrogen with one part oxygen to create a distinctive electric current. It was discovered that current was potent enough to drive a motor and the only by product was pure water.
So far, she had produced viable options for use in automobile engines and industrial converters. Her team was currently working on a cost effective way of reducing the size of the special batteries used, so they could be incorporated into everyday consumer goods such as clocks, torches, scroll phones, remote controls, and the like.
Researchers for another company had also begun delving into this lucrative form of energy production. Although no real advancement had been made so far, they were nevertheless pleased at their slow progress, as their particular efforts were focused on using the most abundant compound on the planet as the fuel source: sea water.
Needless to say, results in that area would have earth changing consequences. However, the scientific community was still waiting for data on the subject to be published because, as usual, all information surrounding the trials had been patented and highly restricted.
Perhaps the most innovative breakthrough¡ªand certainly the most celebrated¡ªwas a revelation from one of the world¡¯s most respected medical specialists, Dr. Peter Dyer.
A known expert in Computer Sciences and Advanced Artificial Intelligence applications, he was also a leader in the field of forging those applications into various human genome projects. Such programs employed theoretical ¡°Cognitive Micro-Technology¡± which recognized and removed recessive genes, so they could be modified and reintroduced into candidates¡¯ bodies.
Dr. Dyer had also attended the conference in Switzerland and had come away inspired. So much so, that he had returned to his laboratories in the USA and immediately spliced two major areas of active research together¡ªthose regarding a contemporary multi-wave holographic bio-scanner and another investigating nanobot distribution methods within the cardiovascular system.
Within months, he had overseen the construction of an incredible new piece of technology. Christened the HaSP¡ªthe Holographic Scanning Platform¡ªit was a high resolution multi-wave reader and emitter, able to map the human body to varying depths, dependent upon the modulation of the wave form. The HaSP could then project a real-time, dynamic three-dimensional rendering of the patient onto a high-resolution LCD screen, or directly into the air, allowing surgeons to zoom in on a specific problem to determine the best course of action in each case.
Dr. Dyer was optimistic of being able to devise a full body bio-bed version of the HaSP before the turn of the year. By then he hoped to have incorporated all new micro-optic targeting nodes equipped with state-of-the-art laser and sonic delivery systems into the framework, his intention being to produce a regimen capable of a non-invasive, yet aggressive response strategy.
His published findings revealed the HaSP was already patented, as were the results of any future programs related to its evolution.
The article resulted in a flood of enquiries from teaching hospitals around the world keen to be amongst the first to include his discovery in their curriculums.
At the time, nobody noticed that in all but a few cases, most of the technological leaps had been spearheaded by various subsidiaries of the Yeung Corporation. Perhaps that was fortuitous for them, because closer scrutiny would have revealed hitherto unknown aspects regarding a number of their more ¡°inspired¡± employees.
*
Those same months saw the Council arriving at an extraordinary decision in an effort to safeguard its future.
Always cautious and perceptive, Boss Yeung knew without a doubt that unless the Council adjusted its goals and aspirations, they would not survive the coming years. The Guardians were back, they were firmly entrenched in people¡¯s hearts and minds and they were digging ever deeper into areas that would bring both organizations into direct conflict with each other.
They way the Guardians had helped rebuild the global infrastructure so quickly, revealed a depth and understanding of sciences far beyond what even the Council had access to. And, after viewing the footage of the defenses they had employed against the asteroid, he had no doubts that the Guardians had a psychic capability his most talented assets could never hope to match . . . yet!
But he was working on that.
His foresight and vigilance when it came to making plans was legendary and these qualities had helped him arrive at a perfect twofold solution to their predicament.
Firstly, he realized that the warning so bluntly delivered to them via Angelika indicated the gloves were off! The Guardians would now answer any confrontation with force. So, while the Council now had to avoid such a scenario, there might still be a way they could fulfill their aspirations without engendering friction in the first place.
On the pretext of visiting the site of one of the meteorite strikes in the Adachi ward of Tokyo along with some of his top scientists, Yeung set up a chance meeting with some old associates who also happened to be in the area, enjoying an elaborate tea party following the birth of a child into the White Tiger family.
Yeung had managed to find himself a seat next to the Oyabun¡ªor Father of the clan¡ªTamotso Hearn. Hearn was close in age to Yeung and during the course of the evening as they reminisced on old times and on how things were changing for the worse, Yeung had used his gifts to subliminally influence the gang leader¡¯s mind. Something he had done on many occasions, to many Japanese crime lords, over the years.
As was their way, traditional gangs liked to show strength, power, and daring in the face of impossible odds. Such posturing enhanced their own standing amongst other Yakuza bands and increased their influence within the districts they governed. Using his arts, Yeung planted the seeds of an elaborate scheme to do just that in the mind of Boss Hearn as the evening went by.
With those seeds planted, Yeung left them to sprout while setting about initiating the second phase of his reorganization: he ordered the cessation of any and all overt forms of criminality by the Council¡¯s assets.
During an extraordinary conclave held at the end of spring, he stressed that survival was dependent upon change. While he foresaw no real problems from maintaining ties to gambling, pornography and licensed prostitution, he insisted these aspects of the Council¡¯s dealings be financially and administratively recategorized under a totally separate set of new shadow companies. Once instituted, they were to be headed by non-gifted executives who were to ensure any and all current legislative red tape was adhered to.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Yeung also suggested their cybercrime activities be adapted to patented cyber security, an area they should excel in because of their obvious edge in that field.
When a few members of the Council expressed their reservations about these changes, Yeung highlighted, as an example, the recent successful patenting of several new Guardian inspired projects being pursued by their parent company, Yeung Technologies. This open door to legitimization would now be the way forward, as the Council would be in a stronger position than any other corporation on the planet to gain access to the secrets needed to stay ahead in the new techno-industrial race.
While he agreed that it was an entirely new way to go, he reminded them that such a path would nevertheless generate a great deal of revenue, along with prestige, privilege and influence. It would also ensure they retained the insidious grip on the power they had worked so hard to achieve over the years and guarantee their continued freedom to exploit such discoveries for their own advantage in the future.
When he went on to reveal a hint of what such exploitation might achieve, his proposals were met with renewed enthusiasm by all.
A unanimous vote quickly set the Council to putting their affairs in order, everyone appreciating that any loss suffered now would only be temporary and more than recuperated by future profits. Change would not be easy, but it was crucial, especially if it deflected Guardian scrutiny for the foreseeable future!
*
Anatt also discovered that change wasn¡¯t as easy as she¡¯d first imagined it would be.
Her initial enchantment at being boosted into a transcended state faster and with greater strength than previous candidates didn¡¯t last.
It wasn¡¯t that the constant distractions annoyed her so much anymore. Her iron resolve and self-discipline had quickly helped her overcome the tendency to become absorbed in absolutely everything within an unprecedented matter of weeks. No! It was the fact that even now, several months later, something as simple as dust motes swirling in the sunlight, could catch her unawares.
Recently a small crowd of students at the academy had turned a corner to find the new Lord Designate standing like a statue¡ªwith her head kinked over to one side¡ªin the middle of an empty corridor. On that occasion, the strangest smile graced her countenance as she was entertained by delights only her senses could appreciate fully.
Repeated reminders from both Andrew and Victoria that she was doing far better at coping with her transition than anyone else they knew did little to ease her agitation. Be that as it may, their assurances that she would soon find her own equilibrium spurred her to grit her teeth and throw herself into her work.
And fortunately, there was plenty of work to go round.
Unfortunately, that merely highlighted another downside to the transcended condition: she could absorb information at an alarmingly accelerated rate.
Working with the Lords of each division, Anatt was delighted to discover she could subsume knowledge of the specifics of each of their specialties with relative ease. She only needed to experience something once to ingest almost all of its nuances and applications as demonstrated, before intuitively progressing that material into further novel uses. Sadly, this resulted in her learning all she could from each department after three and a half months.
Keen to stay occupied, Anatt turned her attention to the new compressor concept for emerging Ultra candidates. The Overlord had revealed the anticipated program during the late spring and Anatt not only devoured the program itself, but went on to extend its applications in mere weeks.
As such, August loomed with her thirst for fresh stimuli reaching new heights. Then, much to everyone¡¯s relief, the Overlord had stepped in to help, in a most unconventional, roundabout way.
*
The Overlord had been spending an unprecedented amount of time in and around the Headquarters environs, working in tandem with Andrew on the selection and training of the relatively few Guardians they had handpicked as possible candidates to serve on the newly expanded Shadow Operations branch. The people chosen were markedly distinctive, either in the range and flexibility of their psychic abilities, their outstanding physical and educational attributes, or their expertise in certain psientific disciplines.
It had taken Naomi, one of those elite few, quite a few months to get over the astonishment of discovering just who Andrew was . . . and even more so when she considered his ancient origins. A month spent personally with Andrew, Victoria and the Overlord following the Transcension Ceremony¡ªenhancing and fine tuning her skills¡ªhad done nothing to alleviate the awe she felt in their company. Even now, she couldn¡¯t get past the fact that she was in the presence of the Gods of old, actual myth and legend come to life in the flesh. And they were family!
The Overlord himself had later worked exclusively with her for over a week, giving her new programs and mental exercises to absorb that would strengthen her burgeoning mind and accelerate her psychic maturation. And strengthen her it did. In a frighteningly wonderful way, Naomi felt something deep within her sprouting, flowering, growing . . .
Into what, she didn¡¯t know yet.
During all that time, not once did the Overlord make reference to what she now knew and needed to keep secret. To Naomi that implied a level of confidence and trust in her integrity that greatly moved her. And as those weeks passed by and turned into months, her awe turned into a deep abiding respect.
The gradually waning class size only served to strengthen that bond, as decreasing numbers entailed ever more time spent in each Lord¡¯s company, being trained to form a nucleus of talent for the remarkable assignment before them. Naomi knew what this involved, of course, but wasn¡¯t aware what information the other candidates were privy to. As such, she was determined to prove her worth and remained tightlipped about the subject.
The list of studies appeared endless:
Survival training in a multitude of environments, including deep space; hunting and tracking; unarmed and armed aggressive and defensive tactics; language and syntax recognition drills; floral and faunal identification and husbandry; terrestrial, extraterrestrial, and hybrid DNA isolation and categorization; and of all things, pilot training.
Endless tutorials, repeated seminars and compressor sleep-induction, turned every day of every week into one long extended lesson that she reveled in. Then, on a hot and sticky August afternoon, something totally unexpected happened during one of their regular combat sessions.
Naomi and her classmates had been attempting to defeat a tag team comprised of Andrew and Victoria by taking it in turns to attack them with plasma staffs set to sparring mode. Their efforts were being closely monitored by the entire Council of Lords, who were keen to see what strategy this peerless group of students might devise.
Trying out her boosted staff properly for the first time, Naomi had initially felt quite confident. Two grueling hours and one set of deadened limbs later, and she had drastically changed her opinion. Neither she nor her classmates had come close to achieving success. Nor could they hardly stand! What made it worse was the fact that their two super-ninja opponents¡ªwho had teased them mercilessly throughout the ordeal¡ªhad hardly broken a sweat.
Icing her bruises and taking a much needed breather, Naomi had been surprised to catch sight of her former boss entering the arena. The bored look on her face and lethargic gait announced to one and all that the Lord Designate was agitated and obviously looking for something to do.
In between large gulps of air, Naomi suggested to the Overlord that perhaps he should offer the latest addition to the transcended ranks an opportunity to give her weapon a test run, as to their knowledge; Anatt hadn¡¯t yet tested the scope of its new power crystal.
To everyone¡¯s surprise, the Overlord agreed. Rising from his seat, he removed his cloak and outer tunic¡ªrevealing a finely muscled torso partially hidden beneath a vest top¡ªand then casually walked out onto the combat area, twirling his baton between his fingers. The hush was palpable. Even some of the Lords had never seen him use it before.
After broadcasting an invitation loud enough for everyone to hear, he activated his staff. Instead of bursting into life as expected, it merely rippled from end to end and lengthened to form a five-foot long smooth pole very similar in appearance to a blackened martial art cane. Once extended, he remained still, watchful for his opponent¡¯s response.
Anatt seemed distracted, at first by something on the back of her sleeve; secondly by a sound only she could hear; and finally, by certain aspects of the Overlord himself.
She blinked and her demeanor changed, as if registering for the first time the challenge just extended. A sly smile crept across her face. Maintaining eye contact with the Overlord, she unbuttoned her jacket and let it drop to the floor. Then she broke into a flat-out run¡ªstraight at him.
Overcoming their shock, the select crowd watched in amazement as she brandished her own baton at the last moment. Its dual blades sang as they activated, leaving sizzling golden arcs in the air where the Overlord had been standing just a split second before. Realizing she had missed, Anatt wheeled round into a combat ready position, hunting for her target.
The Overlord had gamboled three yards to one side to where he now stood in a relaxed manner with his staff tucked neatly under one arm. Wiggling his eyebrows, he smirked, and motioned with the fingers of his other hand that she should try again.
And she did.
Everyone was spellbound. Given something to wholly concentrate on, Anatt began to pound away at the Overlord¡¯s resistance with an increasingly ferocious assault that made the air throb in sympathy.
At first, the Overlord was content to either block her attack and disengage, or melt away just out of reach. Each time he evaded her, he would deliver a stinging rap across her back, legs, arms¡ªor in one case¡ªthe cheeks of her backside.
Anatt refused to become flustered, and from Naomi¡¯s perspective, channeled whatever she might be feeling into applying ever more speed and finesse to her own technique.
At last, a living branch of coruscating purple and silver lightning appeared in the Overlord¡¯s hands. This time he held his ground, moving with a liquid grace and precision that countered every attempt to land a blow against him: overhead and underhand; slashing and sweeping; complex combinations and blunt ripostes. Nothing Anatt did was able to penetrate the sweeps, parries and outright slamming rebuttals of a perfect defense.
But Anatt was relentless. Circling the Overlord she dodged and feinted¡ªleft and right¡ªsearching for a chink in the armor, an opening between the blades, any tell she could exploit. Silent except for the sizzling play of plasma on plasma, she was soon breathing heavily and panting for breath.
The pressure mounted. No one dared blink in case they miss the sudden resolution they felt was sure to come. And when it did, twenty minutes into the duel, it left them breathless and the memory of it was still emblazoned across Naomi¡¯s memory.
Anatt had been advancing along the Overlord¡¯s centerline, employing a series of engagements and breakaways in a clear effort to force a mistake. Somehow, the Overlord must have spotted a pattern to her movements, for no sooner had he repulsed a particularly vicious overhead chop to his weak side¡ªthereby knocking his attacker off balance¡ªthan he surprised everyone by deactivating his staff. Maintaining his rate of spin in toward Anatt, he used the space this gave him to his advantage by sheathing his weapon and pivoting fully behind her. Anatt reacted instinctively, stepping back in an effort to regain her footing. In doing so, she fell into the waiting trap.
Synchronizing to Anatt¡¯s movements, the Overlord thrust his left palm down into the small of her back whilst simultaneously cupping her chin with his opposite hand and tipping her head toward him.
The result was instantaneous. She was upended on the spot!
But the Overlord hadn¡¯t finished. Dropping to one knee, he followed her to the floor and caught her head in the crook of his left arm. Even more remarkable, he was able to snatch her baton into his grasp with his opposite hand at the same time, extinguishing the blades as he did so.
Everyone held their breath, and for a moment, even the Moon seemed to pause in its orbit. Then a thunderous burst of applause set time in motion again.
Naomi watched with interest as the victor helped the vanquished to her feet and handed back her staff. The ether buzzed as a telepathic exchange took place, to which Anatt retorted, ¡°I look forward to it . . . Sir. Next time I¡¯ll kick your illustrious ass, and in front of witnesses too, so you can¡¯t deny it.¡± Then she spun on her heel and strode from the arena without looking back, serenaded all the way by the Overlord¡¯s good-natured laughter.
After taking his seat, Naomi couldn¡¯t help but notice how the Overlord continued staring at the exit, deep in thought, for some considerable time.
The upshot of his musings became apparent the following day when it was publicly announced that, as Anatt Yasin would be heading the project anyway, now would be a good time for her to join in with the rest of the classes. Such a move would not only help to keep her occupied and physically and mentally in shape for the trip ahead, but the team would have the opportunity to become accustomed to her unique style of leadership.
Thus was the problem of the new Lord Designate solved!
*
The end of August also saw an additional bonus, with the unveiling of a new ultra-range, teleportation program for all transcended Guardians. It appeared fortuitous in its timing, as this same period witnessed the final selection of those qualifying to join Shadow Operations.
High Grand Master Trudy Bevin, a former resident of Alice Springs, Australia, was appointed as Deputy Shadow Master. An elemental tigress with a no-nonsense attitude, she was the perfect choice to ensure discipline would never be an issue.
Her two Divisional Heads, Grand Masters Guillermo Agia and Pascal Theriault, were Ultrasense veterans with over three hundred years active service between them. Their sound experience would prove an essential calming factor for the people serving under them, four much younger Master Class Section Heads and twenty-eight Guardians.
There were two promotions amongst the selected crew: Jack Parker, a twenty-five-year-old telepathic weather elemental from the UK, was granted his Master Class diploma; and Naomi, who received her Grand Master Designate commission.
Although shocked to be considered in the same year as her appointment to Guardian Master, it was pointed out to Naomi that a lot of pressure would be placed on her shoulders in the very near future. Fortunately, the accelerated training she had received would allow her to keep pace with her expanding powers, ensuring both her suitability and capabilities remained sufficient for the task ahead.
A timely reminder, for then came the news they had all been waiting for.
It was a shock to most of the contingent to discover they would be taking part in an extensive terraforming project on a preselected alien world: Kalliste. Their objective would be the selection of a viable Alpha Site, along with the compilation of detailed final ground surveys to confirm the planet¡¯s viability for global colonization.
Once this had been accomplished, three-quarters of the team would be replaced by mission specific analysts¡ªor psientists¡ªwho would devote their particular skills to ensuring the success of the transformation process. They would also be responsible for completing more detailed inspections of floral and faunal diversity, and the danger represented by the larger of the indigenous predators native to two of Kalliste¡¯s three major continents.
In all, four Shadow Sections would rotate on a monthly active basis, and divide their duties between Kalliste and Earth. The unavoidable consequence of such a schedule was that half of their downtime would be spent ferrying equipment and essential supplies to and from the Pegasus Dwarf Galaxy.
As tedious as the prospect of that might be, the revelation was still exciting. However, it was somewhat tempered by the details of how they would arrive at that brave new world:
Up until now, the Guardians had employed starships using Slip-Sheath accelerators. Such engines allowed them to fly at velocities approaching the speed of light by cancelling the resistance incurred by vessels fording the interstellar medium. While they had teleport technology, this was impractical over vast distances, as the ¡°pain-to-focus¡± threshold multiplied exponentially the farther the distance involved.
But no longer!
As trailblazers, the advance party would be travelling by means of a brand-new Explorer Class frigate, the Proteus. Equipped with the very latest faster than light drive engines¡ªtermed FaD¡¯s¡ªthe Proteus had just completed final trials. Not only would she get them to their destination in just under two weeks, but her design specs were a precursor to the Prometheus, the first of the new Explorer Class carriers earmarked to carry colonists and their possessions en-masse.
And the surprises didn¡¯t stop there, for the crew was then informed of a team of specialists who would be accompanying them on their very first outing.
Experts in the construction of jump gates¡ªa variation of the technology used in the T-rings which allowed the virtually instantaneous translocation of a subject between two distant points¡ªtheir initial task would be the establishment of a viable travel hub situated in close planetary orbit. A necessary precaution, as Kalliste¡¯s two moons, Callistran and Theron, created powerful gravity fluctuations. That, together with ambient solar radiation and system wide plasma winds, required an eyes-on/hands-on assessment.
Once suitability was confirmed, the techs would begin construction of two Hyper- Jump Portals, powered by a pair of specially attuned psitronic crystal shards. Naturalized to local ionization at both ends, their sympathetically shared harmonics would ensure the gates remained locked on to each other, regardless of galactic drifting. In turn, that would guarantee communication between worlds was always maintained.
As Naomi finished packing her bags in preparation for departure, she stared into the mirror and noticed the changes the past months had wrought. She wore a crisp new uniform, complete with Guardian insignia on the shoulders and a silver band at the end of both sleeves.
To her mind, she appeared older. And truth be told, she felt it too. Her increasing responsibilities seemed etched into her face in defiance of her self-healing capacity. Leaning closer, she peered into the depths of her eyes. They looked harder somehow, possessing a steely caste that wasn¡¯t there before, along with an intensity that had begun to catch people¡¯s attention.
She couldn¡¯t help but feel a little scared at where all these changes might lead. Will I be up to it?
Shaking away her negative mood, she turned to more urgent concerns. I¡¯ve just got time to make a call to Mom and Dad. Then I¡¯d better get myself over to the assembly point. I don¡¯t want to be late on my first day as a Grand Master Designate!
Coming Out Party
The same period that had witnessed a mutual trust growing between the Guardians and the rest of mankind also led to another interesting development. As time went by, it appeared some within society who had previously worked hard to conceal their supernatural abilities were encouraged to reveal themselves to a more accepting world.
An unlucky few were more reticent, exposing themselves quite by accident, and in circumstances that changed their lives forever.
*
On a brisk but sunny afternoon back in May, Samuel J. Allard, a thirty-two-year- old native of the Bronx had been enjoying a rare day off. To celebrate, he¡¯d decided to do something quite daring and treat himself with a trip into Manhattan. And like many people with major attractions on their doorstep, he was going somewhere he had never actually been before: the Empire State Building.
His profession was his life. Since college he had gained experience on almost every department at Bronx Zoo, displaying an incredible affinity with the animals there. No matter how big or small; how dangerous or placid; how grumpy or playful they could be, each and every beast, critter and insect reveled in his company.
While it was true Sam had a ¡°way¡± about him and was a highly qualified keeper, his skill was no doubt enhanced by the extrasensory talents he possessed. Highly empathic, Sam had discovered as a youngster he could not only pick up and influence the moods of people, but especially of animals, and quickly acquired a menagerie of pets by the time he was nine. He also had an aptitude for controlling the weather that was almost as strong. When combined with his weaker telekinetic ability, he was afforded the luxury of being able to enjoy his favorite pastimes of nature rambling and extreme hiking at times and in places others would find dangerous.
As he grew older, Sam found he preferred the temperament of wildlife much more than humans and would often isolate himself from other people, as their mood swings would give him the most awful headaches.
So it was with a great deal of trepidation that he braced himself for that day¡¯s journey. His New Year¡¯s resolution had been to get out and mix a bit more and there was nowhere better to do that than at one of the modern wonders of the world¡ªthankfully spared the attention of the two meteorite strikes that had hit New York in January.
He had been quietly impressed with the art deco design and, after queuing to buy his ticket and visitors guide, made his way straight to the eighty-sixth floor observation deck. Its three hundred and sixty degree panoramic views occupied his interest for almost half an hour, the only downside being the migraine brought on by the sour frame of mind percolating from some of the other spectators.
One in particular¡ªa young man who had arrived in an agitated state twenty minutes after Sam¡ªworried him deeply. Not only was his constant fidgeting and mumbling a bothersome distraction, but his sub-vocal bleating kept advertizing details of a recent dismissal from his place of employment brought on by excessive lateness. Such tardiness seemed evident in other aspects of his life too, for his most powerful thoughts dwelt on the fact that he had caught his girlfriend in bed with someone else the previous week!
Vacillating constantly about ending it all, Sam had been relieved when the guy hurriedly departed after a short orbit of the deck; his booze-fuelled, suicidal tendencies having been sufficiently curbed by savoring the terrifying height firsthand.
Nevertheless, the incident unsettled Sam. To ease his nerves, he decided it might be best to visit the smaller, enclosed observation cage up on the hundred and second floor. There would be less of a crowd there and he would have a chance to clear his head and get some great shots with his camcorder.
Arriving some five minutes later, he was surprised to find a uniformed guard by the door, explaining to a handful of bystanders that the public were only just being allowed in again following maintenance tests to the broadcast tower. Checking his guide, Sam discovered the viewing area on this level was fully enclosed to prevent jumpers. Apart from the main entrance, there was only one other exit, and that led directly from the platform to the antenna array itself.
Though sunny, the air was chill and Sam was delighted to find that¡ªapart from security and the two technicians who were still packing away their gear¡ªhe was one of only six other souls present.
As he commenced recording the spectacular vista below and beyond the city, Sam tried to peek around the workmen to see what lay on the other side of the gate. Alas, his headache returned, without warning and with a vengeance. Wincing and massaging his temples, he heard what sounded like two people speaking at once.
Noticing he was in difficulty, one of the engineers asked, ¡°You okay, buddy?¡± and started walking over, presumably to see what was wrong.
Initially, Sam thought his helper¡¯s colleague must be speaking too, because he distinctly heard: Yeah! Fucking bitch! Let¡¯s see how she gets her head around this!
The secondary presence was so strong that Sam staggered, only to be caught by unseen hands. Taking charge of his camcorder, the Good Samaritan said, ¡°Hey, pal. Are you on meds or sick or something?¡±
The workman¡¯s colleague began strolling across too. ¡°Everything okay there, Don?¡±
Smiling through gritted teeth, Sam replied, ¡°No problem, no problem. Honestly. I¡¯ve just got a mule trying to kick its way out through my skull is all. It¡¯ll be one humdinger of a ball-buster by the feel of it.¡±
Everyone was looking toward him now, their added concern flooding his consciousness, threatening to drive him to his knees.
He heard the other voice again: Screw this; I¡¯m going for it while everyone¡¯s distracted. This¡¯ll teach the two-timing whore.
Too late Sam realized Mr. Suicide was back¡ªand at that moment¡ªwas sprinting toward the still open gate. Fighting down a bout of nausea, Sam pointed and gasped, ¡°No, not me, you idiots . . . Him!¡±
The cold reality of what was about to happen struck everyone at the same time. Aghast, they watched as a disheveled individual in his mid-twenties sped through the service exit and simply ran off the ledge.
An amplified wash of conflicting feelings hit Sam like an electric shock, galvanizing him into action. He surged to his feet and shuffled forward until he could see over the lip. Holding on tight to the meshing with one hand, he fought down a sudden attack of vertigo, extended his opposite arm and reached out with his telekinesis.
The man appeared to wallow for a fraction of a second in midair, before starting to squirm. Then he began descending again, albeit more slowly.
Sam recognized his weakest ability wouldn¡¯t be able to hold the wriggling deadweight in check. On the verge of panic, he desperately sought a solution. And found it.
Before stunned onlookers knew what was happening, a swirling column of air had formed above Sam¡¯s palm, distorting the atmosphere with the speed of its manifestation. The vortex intensified, darkening as it shrank until it had condensed into a howling mass of wind and energy about eight feet in height.
He gestured and the whirlwind swooped on the still struggling jumper¡ªwho was now screaming in terror about thirty yard down from Sam¡¯s current position¡ªscooped him up and unceremoniously spat him out on the ground, back on the observation deck.
The security guard immediately jumped on the stranger to pin him down, yelling loudly into his radio for assistance. He was joined by the larger of the maintenance technicians, who sat on the poor guy¡¯s back, immobilizing him entirely until other staff armed with restraints, arrived a few minutes later.
By far the greatest reaction, however, was reserved for Sam himself, whose actions had not only been witnessed by the other people present¡ªnot including Mr. Suicide¡ªbut captured on his own video recorder as well.
The engineer still in possession of it asked, ¡°Hey, are you one of those Guardian Angel dudes?¡±
Quite a clamor broke out after that, and Sam had to shout to make himself heard over the noise. ¡°No. No I¡¯m not. I¡¯m a nobody. I work at Bronx Zoo for Christ sake.¡±
Initial disbelief slowly turned to amazement as the realization set in that he was telling the truth. No black robed figures appeared; no mysterious ships arrived to hover menacingly in the skies overhead; no inspiring words of wisdom and reassurance were uttered. Instead, the poor hero suffered the ignominy of being led away by police attending the suicide attempt and having his camera seized as evidence.
Mobile phone footage recorded by several of the other sightseers was in the hands of the press or on YouTube within the hour. By dawn the next day, Sam was not only well and truly outed, but a household name and a celebrity.
A virtual prisoner in his own home from the mob of photographers and press camped outside, Sam had been forced to call his boss and take some of the holiday entitlement still owed to him, reluctantly explaining in detail what had happened.
Still, this was one cloud of woe that had a silver lining. His story was brought to the attention of the Lord Conciliator¡¯s office a few days after it appeared on headlines across the world, and a representative was dispatched forthwith to render assistance. Sam gratefully accepted the offer to attend the training academy and spent a relaxing two weeks in the company of those who were sympathetic to his situation. During his stay, a psychic assay was completed to emphasize how different his life could be . . . if he so wished:
A raw talent, Sam¡¯s empathic, screening, and meteorological capabilities had been measured as Master Class, while his TK registered within the C2, ¡°moderate¡± range. Although he regretfully declined an invitation to undergo full training, he did accede to a brief course from the Evaluators, who helped to shut his mind off from the unwanted emanations of those around him. As an additional bonus, they also helped him strengthen his already existing abilities.
Sam returned home a changed man and, for the first time in years, was able to go outside without the fear of crippling headaches.
That being said, he wasn¡¯t truly happy until he was back at work with the animals he loved! And his managers were delighted to keep him, for his mere presence generated a huge amount of additional revenue. For months after the event, thousands of sightseers¡ªincluding a multitude of news and social media outlets¡ªcame flocking to see the man who had chosen the zoo over the Guardians.
Sam¡¯s example opened an international door. By the end of June, other gifted citizens¡ªmoved by his experience¡ªbegan declaring who they really were and joined the party.
Sadly, not all of them did so as willingly.
*
Emma Boucher, a twenty-eight-year-old native of Smithville, Ontario, was a feisty six year veteran working for the Niagara Emergency Medical Services.
A natural beauty with long flowing auburn hair, her five feet eight inch frame came in at a solid one hundred and twenty-three pounds. And well it should. She was a powerhouse athlete, who competed in three or four triathlons every year. Though Emma loved sports with a vengeance, she lived for her job. To her, it was a vocation where determination, focus and devotion had gone on to earn her a sterling reputation amongst the emergency medical provider community.
Her skills and qualifications¡ªsome of the best in the business¡ªwere enhanced by the wonderful metapsychic abilities she possessed. Abilities she had always used for the benefit of others since childhood: healing; remote viewing; teleportation; and an incredible affinity for water. All came naturally to Emma and she had unsurprisingly channeled the benefits of those talents into her true calling.
Such aptitude helped Emma save countless lives over the years. She could reach people much more quickly, and deal with critical injuries far more efficiently than any of her comrades who, unaware of her gifts, looked on her as a lucky charm.
Few could match her toughness and dedication, as proved by her speedy promotion to Advanced Care Paramedic at Greater Niagara General Hospital. Her career plan to make it all the way to the top of her profession was in overdrive and nothing was going to stop her. . .
Or so she though!
Looking back on that bright June morning, now almost two months in the past, still brought a wry smile to her face. She had always been so careful, so determined not to make the same mistake as the guy¡ªa zookeeper¡ªdown in New York made by outing himself so publicly. And then one incident had changed everything forever.
She¡¯d been returning to the ambulance with her new partner, Rick Coulter, and breathing a sigh of relief regarding their last job; a reported heart attack. Having arrived on-scene within minutes of the call, they¡¯d determined the middle aged, overweight victim, was in fact having a very painful bout of indigestion. A misconception that was sadly all too common nowadays.
Ten minutes hooked up to a portable cardiac diagnostic monitor and plenty of reassurance later, and their customer was left with only a severe case of embarrassment to contend with.
It was as they strolled back to their rig that the spare radio they always carried when outside the vehicle squawked into life. ¡°All units, all units. Be advised. We have a child in the water. I repeat, we have an unconscious child in the water one hundred yards upriver from Horseshoe Falls. Call-signs available?¡±
Listening in as several police and EMS crews began to respond, Emma glanced toward her colleague and offered an observation. ¡°That¡¯s under a mile away, Rick. We could be there in minutes!¡±
¡°Yes, we could. Although with the way the current is along that stretch, it might be best to go straight to Table Rock. The kid¡¯s bound to go over.¡±
Acceding to his superior knowledge of the area, Emma grinned and threw herself into her seat. She only just had time to strap herself in and activate the lights and sirens before Rick fired up the engine and stamped his foot to the floor.
She then waited for a gap in all the chatter to inform the control centre. ¡°Dispatch, this is Golf November One-Three responding. Now free from Days Inn job. That was nothing but a case of indigestion. I say again, indigestion not heart attack. Amend incident log to show correct coding. We are now mobile for Table Rock where we will update once we know more. Question . . . Do we have any details on the youngster or know its condition? And is Fire and Rescue able to assist in retrieval, over?¡±
¡°Golf November One-Three, Dispatch. Yes, yes. Fire service en-route, ladder oh-two attending. Child is Megan Smith, ten years. Parents state she slipped and banged her head prior to falling into the river, face down. There will be a high probability of ingestion, over.¡±
¡°Dispatch from Golf November One-Three, what is Megan wearing and where does the current look as if it¡¯s taking her, over?¡±
¡°Golf November One-Three, Dispatch. Be advised. Megan is wearing a bright pink coat. She was last seen twenty yards out from shore heading toward Horseshoe Fa . . . Wait! All units be advised, child has gone over the falls. I repeat, Megan Smith has just been seen going over Horseshoe Falls. Closest police unit is now on Roberts Street, near Niagara Parkway, e.t.a. six minutes. Fire and Rescue are still five minutes out and the helicopter, Rover One is diverting, over.¡±
¡°Roger that, Dispatch. Golf November One-Three, we are now on Falls View Boulevard, e.t.a. about three minutes, over.¡±
¡°Roger that Golf November One-Three. Dispatch out.¡±
¡°Emma, it¡¯ll take us longer than that!¡± Rick exclaimed, ¡°even if I cut out Murray Street by using the parking lot at Tower Hotel. And we¡¯ve still got to get down to the shore.¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
¡°Just drop me, then. I¡¯ll take a medi-bag and radio and go in on foot. You follow behind. Every second counts here.¡±
¡°That¡¯s still five hundred yards to the top of the cliff path.¡±
¡°I can run that in less than one and a half minutes, even with kit. You get the rig as close as you can, fast.¡±
Rick whistled through his teeth and nodded. Even though it was the middle of the morning he turned his headlights full on and took up an aggressive position in the center of the road. Emma burped the sirens to draw further attention to their presence, knowing only too well how many drivers and pedestrians would be lost in their own little worlds or listening to m-pads and not paying attention.
Using the lull in activity to her advantage, Emma extended her astral vision toward the river. The sky gained a strange violet translucence as her perceptions adjusted to the heightened plane. Gliding like a bird, she swooped over the Holiday Inn, across the manicured grounds of the casino, banked down before Table Rock viewing area, and finally, into the water itself. There!
A rose-colored flash bobbed to the surface, Megan appearing for just a second amid spray and churning water, before descending into dark turbulence again. Oblivious, people walked along the shoreline. Some started to point, helpless to do anything except panic.
We¡¯re going to be too late, Emma thought. She¡¯s been in the water for about a minute. If I don¡¯t get there soon, even I¡¯ll have trouble reviving her.
By now, the ambulance was approaching Murray Street.
Dammit! I¡¯ve got no choice. ¡°Rick, let me off here. You get the vehicle down to Table Rock and direct everyone in. Make sure there¡¯s enough room for the helicopter, just in case.¡±
¡°Here!¡±Rick spluttered. ¡°Are you crazy?¡±
¡°Just do it.¡± Emma responded, waving furiously in the direction she wanted him to take. ¡°Trust me! I know what I¡¯m doing.¡±
Shrugging, he slammed on the brakes to make the requested turn, slowing just enough to let Emma make her jump. Once her ass was out the doorway, he gunned the engine again.
Emma hit the ground running and cursed her luck when she realized there were too many people around to play it safe. A crowd of customers were queued, waiting for a coach near the entrance to the Holiday Inn. They looked on in astonishment as she sprinted past and vaulted the neatly trimmed hedgerows of Falls View Casino on the opposite side of the road. Attracted as much by the sound of the ambulance¡¯s sirens, as the sight of a female paramedic breasting like a juggernaut through pristine saplings and pruned shrubbery, the people there stopped to stare as well.
Emma faced a stark choice. Not on my watch. So much for discretion!
Using the fountain in front of the casino to mask her actions as much as possible, Emma sucked in deeply and gathered potential. Focusing on a location she knew well¡ªthe view point at Table Rock House¡ªshe exhaled sharply and willed herself to that location.
A sensation of passing through an ice curtain washed over her . . . and she was there. Scattering a group of startled tourists like pigeons fleeing the over exuberant attentions of a child, she was forced to holler repeatedly to avoid an accident. ¡°Sorry! Sorry, folks! Get outta my way. Coming through. Move!¡±
Dismissing a volley of comments with a flick of her hand, Emma pushed through the press and strained to see beneath the surface of the water. Projecting her vision for a second time, she caught a glimpse of telltale pink somewhere in the gloom, already over two hundred yards distant.
Shit, I missed her! Emma gathered energy and jumped again, her adrenalin really starting to flow now.
This time she manifested on the walkway spanning the length of Queen Victoria Park. Ignoring the beautiful bouquets of red, burgundy, and yellow flowers in the display beds and hanging from regularly spaced street lamps¡ªand further shouts of alarm from sightseers¡ªEmma raced to the ornate railings and peered into the swirling froth below. There she is!
Fortunately, the little girl had been caught in an eddy created by contending currents in the shallower water along the edge of the canyon. Her hood bobbled back and forth like a flag lain out to summon aid. Members of the public had spotted the child as well, along with an EMS helicopter that was beginning its descent toward a nearby location.
No time! Emma came to an instant decision.
Stepping up onto the stone buttress via the balustrade, Emma snatched a breath and launched herself off the wall. Bystanders screamed in horror.
Those screams turned to gasps of incredulity as Emma disappeared, only to reappear again a split second later more than fifty yards away, as if skimming the top of the river¡¯s clashing wavelets.
Shocked by the bone-chilling cold that enveloped her, and distracted by a scalpel of misery that skewered her skull, Emma momentarily floundered before managing to break surface. She kicked strongly toward the motionless child, using the current to speed her along. Scooping Megan into her arms, Emma uttered a silent prayer and blinked through the water in her eyes back up toward the causeway. A sea of bewildered faces stared back down, frozen in disbelief, jaws agape in the manner of miniature cliff top caves.
Finding herself more fatigued than she realized, Emma had to gulp down air several times to clear her head and summon the required vitality to teleport safely. She needed to carry another person with her and wasn¡¯t going to risk an aborted jump. Not now, not when the end was in sight.
On this occasion, the frosty veil of translocation was littered by needle-sharp icicles. She cried out in pain and realized too late, fear and exhaustion had caused her to overcompensate. As she materialized in the middle of a growing riot of distressed onlookers, Emma discovered she had somehow managed to transport the weight of over a thousand gallons of river water along with the Megan and herself. How in the . . . ?
Relaxing the grip of her mind, they both flopped down like stranded fish onto the edge of a lawned area amid a miniature cloudburst.
The world was in a spin, but Emma couldn¡¯t afford to rest. Dragging herself up onto her knees, she crawled to where Megan had landed and turned her over into the recovery position. Ensuring the child had nothing more serious externally than merely superficial injuries, Emma summoned her elemental ability.
So rapt was her attention on the task at hand that Emma didn¡¯t notice the team of four Guardians who appeared out of thin air only five yards away. Nor did she register just how many people were recording the drama on their scroll phones or camcorders. Neither did she see the CTV News helicopter that had decided to join the party¡ªand which had managed to capture her incredible retrieval of the little girl from a watery grave.
Instead, Emma concentrated on the nature and volume of the liquid filling the little girl¡¯s lungs. Willing it to leave caused the invasive fluid to commence flowing away from the child¡¯s alveoli and into the bronchioles. From there, she ensured the bronchi, main stem, and then her trachea were cleared in quick succession.
All this took just over twenty seconds.
During that time, the Guardian Master leading the Alpha Response Team regarded Emma¡¯s progress with professional courtesy and respect. Dispatching one of his squad to fetch the child¡¯s parents, he kept his attention on the woman in front of him and indicated to his colleagues they should wait quietly for her to finish.
Seeing there was no cerebral or bronchial atrophy or scarring, Emma scooped Megan into her lap and sent forth a surge of healing energy that gently started the child¡¯s heart and bathed it in a halo of nurturing power. As it reestablished its own natural rhythm, Emma also cocooned Megan¡¯s brain in a neural sling to banish any terror she might have experienced during the fall and subsequent immersion.
Gradually, Emma coaxed the little one back to life and only then became aware of her surroundings. Dog-tired, she fell back onto the grass and peeped out through half-closed lids, taking in the milling throng, the city¡¯s interagency news helicopter¡ªnow joined by Rover One¡ªand the waiting Guardians. If that wasn¡¯t bad enough, the absent team member chose that moment to return with Megan¡¯s distraught parents. After smothering their bemused, but amazingly calm child in hugs and kisses, they listened to an embellished recount of the entire episode from bystanders and Guardians alike. Then they looked toward Emma herself with open heartfelt gratitude.
Ah, shit! That¡¯s me outed then! I can¡¯t believe how stupid I¡¯ve been.
A stern voice instantly cut into her mind: That¡¯s enough of that nonsense, young lady!
As weary as she was, Emma raised her head to find the Guardian Master looking directly at her. He continued: You chose to save a life. A child¡¯s life at that! Nothing you¡¯ve done today was stupid. Nobody here thinks that.
She craned her neck from side to side and found a multitude of people staring at her in open awe and admiration . . . though most had an active mobile in hand.
The response leader spoke out loud in a softer tone, ¡°Here, let me help you.¡± Stooping beside her, he placed his palm over her heart and Emma felt a flow of empowering heat strengthening her limbs and banishing the oppressive fatigue that threatened to plunge her into darkness.
A few moments later, he offered her his hand. ¡°We could use someone like you. Now that you¡¯ve dropped that shield you wear like a necklace all the time, I can sense your potential . . . It¡¯s really quite amazing. I wish you¡¯d consider switching professions.¡±
Struggling to her feet, Emma expressed her surprise. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±
¡°You¡¯re a naturally strong shielder . . . amongst other things. It masked your aura from us.¡± He chuckled. ¡°So you didn¡¯t know, then?¡±
Shaking her head and gesturing toward the swelling crowd, Emma replied, ¡°I wish I did! I¡¯d have tried to hide from this lot. I may have to take you up on that offer as I don¡¯t like being part of a media circus.¡±
The Guardian¡¯s spontaneous laughter contained no hint of mockery. ¡°Well, give it a chance and see how bad things get first. If you end up needing a change of scenery, just think of me and project a mental hail our way. We have your signature now, so if you do call, we¡¯ll hear you and come running.¡±
And four weeks later, Emma did exactly that.
She tried to return to work as if nothing had happened, of course, but true to form, the media made that¡ªor any form of privacy¡ªvirtually impossible in the days following the rescue, even going so far as to try and force a public meeting between her and Megan¡¯s family.
Inevitably, Emma was called in to see the hospital¡¯s board of directors and EMS administrators, who informed her they wished to discuss the route her future should take. While they acknowledged her excellent credentials and obvious edge when it came to trauma management, they felt the posse that now shadowed her every move would drastically reduce her effectiveness in the long run. As such, it might be in everyone¡¯s best interests for her not to return to her former position for the foreseeable future.
Instead, they asked that Emma consider an administrative role and perhaps focus her considerable talents on going back to college for the few more years it would take for her to qualify as a doctor. But Emma hadn¡¯t joined the service to do that. And while the prospect of becoming an M.D. did appeal, the thought of the time spent away from actually saving lives really upset her, and so, she made the monumental decision to quit.
July found her standing in the living room of her apartment one afternoon, screaming in her head for help and not really believing anything would happen. When the Guardian appeared less than a minute later, she jumped out of her skin. It took a stiff glass of bourbon before she realized it was the same team leader from the incident of the month before.
¡°So you¡¯ve decided to take the plunge?¡± he asked.
¡°It looks like it. There¡¯s no way I can carry on here, so I¡¯d better see what else I can do to help.¡±
¡°You won¡¯t regret it, Emma. We think you were born to serve and we want to make sure you do that for a long time.¡±
Coming to stand by her, he said, ¡°Do me a favor. Relax and envisage this place, will you, with as much detail as you can . . .?¡±
He put his hand on her shoulder and projected an image into her mind of a room with huge panoramic windows, overlooking a strange silver-gray vista. The Earth hung like a brilliant blue and white backdrop in a midnight sky, so Emma naturally assumed it must be somewhere on the Moon. ¡°Now imagine that we¡¯re actually there.¡±
Puzzled, Emma did as she was asked. Frosty nails raked down her spine, and before she could comprehend how, they were standing in the office she had visualized.
¡°Ho . . . what the hell?¡± she spluttered.
¡°Sorry about that,¡± the Guardian Master apologized, ¡°we wanted to see how strong you were when properly rested. I made sure primary focus was maintained so there was never any danger, but you¡¯ve just teleported us nearly a quarter of a million miles. That¡¯s impressive!¡±
¡°Tell that to my nerves,¡± she moaned, clutching at the kettledrum threatening to erupt from her chest.
Turning, she found herself in a small conference room, overlooking an eerily beautiful valley with high cliffs on either side. A blonde-haired woman in Guardian robes sat on one of the three couches grouped around a coffee table.
Emma¡¯s gaze strayed to the woman¡¯s cuffs, where a narrow golden ribbon gleamed from the middle of a much wider scarlet band. Her first impression was that the colors denoted high rank, but not having really followed much about mankind¡¯s saviors on the TV or internet, she couldn¡¯t begin to guess just how high that might be.
The stranger stood and walked toward her, smiling. ¡°Hello, Emma. It¡¯s wonderful to meet you at last. My name is Corrine and I¡¯m the Lord Healer.¡±
Emma extended her hand in greeting, but was surprised to find the Lord Healer swept her into a warm embrace instead. Not knowing how to respond, Emma stiffened, then murmured, ¡°Er . . . hello Ma¡¯am?¡±
¡°Call me Corrine, please. I¡¯d like to show you around the Academy if I may and tell you a bit about what it¡¯s like to live and work here. Of course, my department is the busiest and the best, so I do hope you end up wanting to stay with us. We can never have enough dedicated doctors and nurses . . . or first responders come to that.¡±
Emma immediately felt relaxed in the other woman¡¯s company and wasn¡¯t surprised to find the Guardian Master had disappeared while they were chatting. ¡°So you think I¡¯ll be able to do that, blend my talents to your regimen?¡±
¡°If what Gerry¡ªthe guy who alien abducted you¡ªsaid is true, you¡¯ll definitely fit in. You¡¯re quite a talking point here you know.¡±
¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m afraid of.¡±
Corrine¡¯s face beamed. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry about being the center of attraction. You¡¯ll find this place is full of gifted individuals with the same desire to serve others as yourself. I assure you, we¡¯ll keep you a busy and an active part of a much larger, closer family than you¡¯ve ever imagined. Come and see.¡±
And with that, Corrine ushered Emma out the door and took her on the most amazing tour of her life.
Five hours later found Emma sat in a well appointed room taking a break. Coffee in hand, she perused a concise report of her recently completed mental assay:
High Grand Master Class potential healer and shielder; Grand Master potential teleporter and water elemental; Master Class remote viewing telepath, with a similar telekinetic aspect that wouldn¡¯t surface for a while.
Although Emma appreciated she wasn¡¯t yet as strong as the results indicated, her prospects after training and maturation would certainly guarantee she would fulfill her dreams of making a difference where it mattered most. Even so, that wasn¡¯t the part of the evaluation that excited her. No! The part she kept reading and rereading over and over again was the psych-evaluation detailing the roles she would be best suited for.
The report contained three distinct recommendations:
Medical Division¡ªSubject shows a natural bent for active response duties.
Command Training¡ªSubject possesses superlative leadership skills.
Shadow Operations¡ªSubject scored a preliminary rating of 93%.
Emma laughed to herself. To think that, after all this time of being so focused on never exposing myself, I almost missed the opportunity to take up my true life¡¯s work. Each of the listed options sounds fascinating.
However, it was the last entry that kept drawing her gaze.
What the hell is Shadow Operations? She wondered, determined more than ever to join the party and find out.
*
Emma¡¯s example engendered a wonderful harvest and those late summer months saw many brave hearts blessed with extrasensory talents abandoning their self-imposed isolation and reaching out¡ªsome to the Guardians, others toward their fellow human beings¡ªwith a simple, if profound request: that they be allowed to reveal who they were and what they could do with a modicum of dignity, and without the relentless pressure certain factions of the public might try to bring to bear.
Those requests gained a great deal of influence when the weight of the offices of both the Lord Conciliator and Lord Inquisitor were thrown behind them. Going further, the Guardians vouchsafed the privacy of all such individuals by ensuring specific legislation was added to the fledgling Universal Psychic Law & Order Bill, so that everybody who subsequently exposed themselves as ¡°gifted¡± would be protected.
It was stressed this new draft would guarantee the rights and freedoms of all those who stepped forward to declare themselves openly and have their mental assays recorded. Once listed, they would also be expected to undergo a number of tests and attend a series of seminars, by which their competence to control their powers responsibly could be verified.
When some reacted to this declaration with suspicion, the Conciliator¡¯s office pointed out a little issue they had all overlooked. The simple fact was, as the decades passed and more and more people were born with abilities, not everyone would qualify or want to serve as a Guardian. Therefore, there would be a need for accurately registered, properly licensed psychics to operate in fields as diverse as criminal and civil law or medicine, politics or academia, trade or industry, and the like. Licensing would protect all concerned¡ªon both sides of the fence¡ªfrom charlatans and crooks.
A gentle reminder of the existence of psychoenergetic miscreants like Luigi Espasito quickly helped people appreciate that this would be a very good idea.
The rest of the summer passed with the closet floodgates well and truly opened, and soon, it didn¡¯t matter that a small minority were still reticent about the impact such changes would bring. Mankind was evolving and society needed to step up the pace.
So swift was that pace that even the Council took the unusual step of selecting an undisclosed number of members from within their own ranks to stand forward and proclaim themselves as gifted. A cunning move, for while they were keen to present a publicly benign face, the same couldn¡¯t be said of those they were leaving in their wake. Yes, thanks to the machinations of Boss Yeung, one crime family in particular were still determined to demonstrate they were a force to be reckoned with, changes or no.
*
The reach and influence of the White Tiger cartel was, thanks largely to the administrations of its former backer, considerable.
Two months previously, some of their members together with several specialists provided by a sponsor in France, had stolen a consignment of digger drones¡ªchristened, Double-Ds¡ª from the Russian Naval Research Facility at Novorossiysk, on the Black Sea.
The still experimental drop-and-forget smart mines were designed to destroy or disrupt a wide variety of objectives: sea-going vessels; watchdog sentinels; fixed and mobile communications and listening posts; pipelines and other submersed infrastructures. All such were valid targets.
The weapons were unique in that they could lie dormant¡ªeither at a set depth in mid-ocean or on the sea bed¡ªuntil activated by a microwave burst. After initialization, they would home in on their principal by following preprogrammed sonic frequencies. Once in situ, they could burrow slowly into whatever obstacle or casing was in their way, before deploying a highly caustic, flammable, atomized spray. The mine would then detonate, killing anyone inside by a combination of blast and burn injuries, or straightforward oxygen starvation, leaving the structure intact. If destruction of the facility itself was the aim, then the Double-Ds were more than capable of pumping thermodynamically volatile solvents in sufficient volumes to rupture the skin of something the size of a Columbia Class nuclear submarine when those gases ignited.
Having secured six of those drones, the hired specialists added a quantity of exotic meteorite compound into the explosive component, whereupon, representatives of the syndicate began travelling to and from the UK on a regular basis. Purporting to be businessmen, they used the Channel Tunnel extensively, taking with them sophisticated monitoring and recording devices secreted away within their briefcases. As such, they were able to accurately measure the oscillations produced by the whole fleet of EuroTram shuttles as they sped back and forth between England and France.
The agents completed their mission without attracting the slightest suspicion within a matter of weeks. Then¡ªhaving programmed the mines with the appropriate acoustic triggers¡ªsimply dropped them overboard from the back of a pleasure cruiser, doing so at two separate locations, both five miles out to sea from either end of the tunnel.
After that, they concerned themselves with other affairs, leaving the world totally unprepared for what was to come.
Im With Him!
At six feet seven inches tall, Marty Mays always made an imposing first impression on those who had the pleasure to meet him. Hailing from Texas, he was typical of those who had spent his life serving others, first as a cop, then as a firefighter. In later years, his dry sense of humor and no nonsense attitude helped him become one of the most respected Captains the Emergency Fire & Rescue community had ever seen.
Marty had worked hard for decades to change the culture of the Fire Service toward a more realistic training structure. By making himself and his staff available to the nucleus of highly competent veterans in every department, he gradually helped spread the ethic of self policing their own levels of professionalism and expertise.
Within twenty-four months of implementation, his methods had impacted core principles across the board in Texas, improving standards and rooting out those slackers not prepared to pull their weight. Marty¡¯s packages became the benchmark standard to achieve, not only in the USA, but also Europe, where his sound judgment was much in demand.
And on the morning of October 2nd, that demand led to his presence in the Mid-Point Safety Control Area, more than two hundred and fifty feet down under the English Channel, along with a combined group of executives and maintenance managers from EuroTram.
Opened in 1994, the Channel Tunnel possesses the longest underwater stretch of track in the world, with over twenty-three of its thirty-one mile length being fully submerged. Comprised of two, twenty-five-foot diameter passenger bores running side by side thirty yards apart, the system is complimented by a sixteen-foot service channel running between the main lines which can be accessed by cross-passages and piston relief ducts, set at eight hundred and twenty-foot intervals.
Because of previous fires in 1994, 1996, 2009 and 2028, security and health and safety measures employed within the tunnel were now state of the art. Marty was currently at the halfway safety station, inspecting a selection of carts from the Transport System Vehicle¡ªTSV¡ªfleet, used to provide cover in the event of emergencies. Operating from Folkestone, Coquelles, and Mid-Point station itself, four TSVs were always patrolling at any given time and could be kitted out with different pods, equipped to address a variety of situations. No matter where an emergency might arise, TSVs were capable of reaching an incident within ten minutes.
Having scrutinized conditions within the confines of the tunnels over the past forty-eight hours, Marty had been able to devise the framework for a number of realistic training scenarios to better prepare the teams here to face danger in this kind of environment. That framework involved an adaptation to the TSVs themselves, a move that would enhance their longevity and versatility. It was also a costly necessity. Despite the cost involved, Marty was confident the gathered bigwigs would accept his proposals, for he possessed an edge when it came to this type of thing: the value of foresight, as granted by the gifts that had burgeoned within him as a child.
Marty had the most amazing affinity with energy; be it thermal, electrical, electro-magnetic, hydraulic, kinetic, and so on. He could delve into it, absorb it, and completely negate its effects on his surroundings. By experimenting, he discovered that if he combined that skill with an offshoot of his powerful shielding ability, he could create mirror barriers capable of keeping that dynamism confined to one area or completely at bay.
As he grew older, Marty unearthed an unusual aspect about himself that he could add with pride to his psychic curriculum vitae. He could see into and through solid objects and actually distinguish the atoms making up their substance. By meshing the right facet of his mind to the exact harmonic frequency of whatever he was viewing, he found that¡ªwith concentration¡ªhe could physically interpenetrate walls, doors, and other seemingly unyielding obstacles.
Those skills came in mighty handy when he was a police officer, as he always managed to avoid being injured no matter what confrontation he was dispatched to.
They were of even greater benefit when Marty found his true calling as a firefighter, for no matter how difficult or dangerous the situation; he invariably walked away without a scratch. And as time went by, the list of those he saved grew ever longer.
It was no wonder Marty had become the training genius he was. His intimate knowledge of the way energies propagated through various mediums meant he was capable of devising the most elaborate response drills imaginable to exploit the inherent weaknesses found in all elements.
His presence that day was most fortuitous for the three hundred passengers aboard the 10:00 a.m. First Class Express now fourteen minutes into its thirty-five minute dash from Folkestone to Calais. Nearing the halfway point of their journey, they were currently traversing the deepest stretch of the system and about to encounter a whole world of woe.
While security was tight in and about the tunnel itself, the same couldn¡¯t be said of the seabed above it. Earlier that morning, a proxy commissioned by the White Tigers had caught the pre-dawn passenger and vehicle ferry travelling in the opposite direction. Whilst en-route, she activated an encoded microwave emitter twice, initiating the Double-Ds previously deployed. Thus armed, two different groups of three mines tuned into the specific vibrations stored in their memories and sank toward the sediment. Arriving there, they commenced burrowing their way through the one hundred and fifty-foot thick chalk and clay stratum, toward the quivering tunnel hidden beneath. Once they reached the reinforced concrete outer shell of their target, they paused, waiting for the go signal that would synchronize the final phase of the attack.
That stage was initiated some three and a half hours later.
Marty had just finished highlighting the various strategies EuroTram would need to implement in the event of fire, slow water ingress and catastrophic failure when he sensed, and then felt, a prominent tremor run through the substructure around him.
¡°Was that a train?¡± one of the younger suits asked; an office flunky who obviously didn¡¯t get out much. Not only did he look ridiculous in his borrowed lab coat and ill-fitting protective hat, but the worried expression plastered across his face revealed he was ill at ease in any setting that didn¡¯t include plush leather chairs, mahogany desks and an expensive scroll phone pressed constantly to his ear.
His agitation was infectious. In moments, the older bespoke-clad clones were also fidgeting and muttering between themselves.
Failing to hide a withering frown of disgust, Gerard Halstead, the director responsible for the service and maintenance department replied, ¡°No . . . Sir! The vibrations produced by our fleet are dampened by the special absorptive bedding we use under the tracks. That was something different. Remember, we are underground and the thousands of miles worth of metal, pipes and cladding do shift about from time to time.¡±
Marty admired the man¡¯s professionalism. He could see the guy knew something was up, but wasn¡¯t letting on yet for fear the pampered entourage might soil themselves.
¡°A train is due to pass soon though, isn¡¯t it?¡± Marty asked.
One of the lower echelon managers checked his watch. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s the ten o¡¯clock VIP service on the way to Calais.¡±
The ground shook again and Marty noticed a subtle change in the pulse¡¯s intensity. He angled his head to one side and phased in his special sight. Almost immediately, he recognized three distinct patterns within the acoustic waveform . . . and something else. Something different!
One pattern belonged to that of the looming express. Although over a mile away, it was closing fast in excess of a hundred miles an hour. The other tones were deeper and coming from much farther afield; from opposite directions in fact; oscillations that were only now impinging in the center of the France-bound tunnel.
What worried Marty the most was that these frequencies contained an echo that he¡¯d only recently encountered, so he knew without reservation that something was wrong. How the hell did exotic particles find their way down here?
Keeping his gaze fixed firmly on the maintenance director, Marty reached across and punched the plunger sprouting from the middle of the alarm box like an angry red mushroom. ¡°Gerard, it might be best if you get these guys out of here now. I think things are gonna get real interesting, real soon.¡±
Gerard knew a command when he heard one. Rounding on the executives and pointing at a fellow technician, he shouted over the sound of the klaxon, ¡°Gentlemen, listen in! Would you calmly follow Ron here into one of the TSVs? We need to get you back to Folkestone, ASAP.¡±
Turning to his colleague, Gerard continued, ¡°Ron, if anyone gives you any trouble, you have my permission to kick their backsides. Starting now!¡±
While the minions were being ushered under protest into the rearmost vehicle, Marty watched as Gerard directed another engineer to accompany him to the control console where they ensured all cross passage and piston release duct hatches were operating properly and were either sealed or primed. As they did so, Gerard used his radio to contact both costal terminals to explain the nature of the crisis from the scant details he had so far. Then he initiated an emergency stop of the train and looked back to Marty for further instructions.
Excellent. He¡¯s cool and professional and not in the least bit interested in engaging in a pissing contest while I¡¯m on his turf. I¡¯m glad he¡¯s here, it¡¯ll make my job a darn sight easier . . . hopefully. Marty appeared to be leaning with his hand pressed against the wall, thinking. In reality, his farsight was allowing him to evaluate the double nightmare rolling toward them from either end of the tunnel in excess of one hundred and forty miles an hour. Well ride me sideways!
Referring to the reinforced doors, Marty asked, ¡°Gerard, it feels like there¡¯s been an explosion and we might have a shit-storm from hell bearing down on us harder than a bull in heat. Can you halt the first few carriages in the area outside this hatch?¡±
¡°I can if I have to. . .¡± Gerard grimaced, ¡°though it will be rough for those on board, especially if they¡¯re standing.¡±
¡°Do it! ¡®Better hurt than dead,¡¯ as my daddy used to say. I¡¯m just going to a take a quick peek outside to make sure I¡¯ve got this right. Oh, and Gerard, it might be best to get some more transporters here. Pronto.¡±
¡°I¡¯m already on it. We should have an extra couple of TSVs coming at us from either end in the next few minutes, each carrying two drivers. They can pick up the redundant pod-free units on the way here and create a nice little convoy.¡±
¡°Well, now were cooking on gas. What capacity will that give us?¡±
Gerard looked thoughtful for a moment. ¡°Not enough. Even if all eight rigs get here in time, we¡¯ll still only have room for two hundred bods . . . maybe a dozen more if we cram ¡®em in like sardines.¡±
Marty nodded. ¡°Better hope the Guardians get wind of this pretty soon then, or a lot of people are gonna get all warm and toasty in ways they can¡¯t imagine.¡±
And with that, he released the locking mechanism of the gate and stepped through onto the track.
Illumination within the tunnel had been extinguished and intermittent warning beacons flashed in synchronous rhythm toward the nearest exits, north and south, creating an eerie setting against the glare of the decelerating train¡¯s lights.
Brakes squealed and sparks arced as Gerard¡¯s efforts manifested, causing Marty to cover his eyes and cringe away. But the mental assault didn¡¯t stop there. The shrieking intensified, building into a crescendo that assailed Marty¡¯s ears, causing them to pop and spurring him to project his acuity outward for a second time.
On this occasion he was able to taste the precise nature of the two-handed fists punching toward them, encased as they were in pyrotechnic gauntlets. Exotic particles filled the vapor saturated air, compounding the dynamics of the fire. In turn, insane compression¡ªgenerated by the inrush of so much water in such a confined space¡ªonly served to fuel the flames. From Marty¡¯s perspective, it looked as if they¡¯d been force-fed oxygen from a blast furnace. The results were horrific.
Preparing himself for the inevitable, Marty began to harmonize with the approaching energy surges and was surprised to find they were a hydra of contradictions. An unusual girdle, composed of both ultraviolet and infrared luminance led the way. Behind it came a hypersonic comber that ushered a further wave of thermonucleic emissions along in its wake. That was shadowed by a highly compact kinetic-hydraulic swathe that got stronger and stronger the further it travelled. And Marty could see why. As the seabed above continued to collapse, the pelagic invasion squeezed ever more millions of tons of water in and down, ensuring the situation would only get worse.
It did. And that¡¯s when things started happening, all at once and very quickly.
Firstly, the express itself slammed to an abrupt halt, throwing most of those who had been clinging on for dear life inside to the floor.
Ignoring their piercing cries of pained surprise, Marty took a good long breath to ready himself for the task ahead.
Within seconds, he heard Gerard shouting toward those people already managing to exit the carriages. ¡°This way, this way! Quickly now. No, just leave your bags, bulky items and laptops where they are. That¡¯s it, through the door as fast as . . . You!¡± Yes, you¡ªidiot! I said leave your laptops where they are or I¡¯ll personally beat some sense into you for putting others in danger. . . .¡±
Marty grinned, and then cursed himself when he realized the ensuing stampede had distracted him from something unfolding at the very edge of his perceptions. What the hell is that? It¡¯s like a drop in tension?Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
He tested the barometric gradient of his surroundings. Yes, everything is leveling off. But that should be impossible . . . Unless it¡¯s the Guardians?
Broadening his search, he detected two concentrations of ionized radiation issuing from somewhere high in the heavens. Thunderstruck, he followed their trajectory downward and his heart leaped as twin photonic beams seared the fractured lining at either end of the main bore shut. He blinked, astrally, and found himself looking at a matching set of ugly, but effective plugs of melted concrete. Thank Jesus for that, it is the Guardians! Now we¡¯ll get some . . .? What now?
All too soon, Marty detected a much nearer problem. A resonating growl rumbled out of the distance, rising in pitch until it drowned out the screams of those who were still scrabbling for safety. Beyond them, an ever brightening glow turned their disheveled outlines black. Then even their silhouettes were blanched from existence as an igneous deluge manifested¡ªpainfully bright and unmercifully hot¡ªpromising a quick end to all it could swallow.
I¡¯ve never stretched myself this far. Raising his arms into a crucifix position, Marty closed his eyes, flexed his knees and braced himself to absorb the giddy inrush of choleric madness. He sincerely hoped the passengers in the end compartments had made it safely out, as there was nothing he could do for them.
The instant the hammer struck the anvil, Marty became one with the multiple resonances reflecting and refracting and rebounding through the air about him. Bending them to his will, he commenced molding the first rush of exotic ferocity into an acoustic bulwark, a tangible forbidding which grew in density the closer the holocaust pressed. He added to its strength by siphoning the secondary wave of hydraulic pressure through the flames, thereby allowing the pursuing waters to close in on the fire itself. Preoccupied as he was, Marty still became aware of an intrusion at the subatomic level, for it was insistent and kept testing the integrity of his screens.
Marty¡¯s initial reaction was to try and mesh with it. However, he found the wraith would rotate and skip away from him, resisting all attempts to lock on to it. Comprehension brought little relief. Ah, it must be another facet of the Guardians response. Whatever it is they¡¯re up to, I hope it turns into something useful quickly.
The conflagration was now close enough to buckle metal and spontaneously combust solids. Doing his best to disregard the Guardians entirely, Marty started to push a third wash of harmonized thermal, acoustic and gravitational potential out to meet the ravenous inrush, his intent being to hold the nightmare at bay long enough for stragglers to escape.
In an amazing feat of strength and endurance he did just that, extending his mirror barrier for nearly two hundred feet in either direction. Though unable to encompass the entire train, Marty wasn¡¯t too concerned as prudence dictated it was better to be safe than sorry.
He needn¡¯t have worried in any event. The Guardian probe returned, playing over him repeatedly and causing his abilities to twitch in choral sympathy, before skipping across the threshold of his conjuring like an inquisitive sprite. Seemingly satisfied with what it found, the beam then hopped onto the melting carriages beyond the reach of Marty¡¯s influence where it unexpectedly intensified.
Just as the storm reached his blockade, Marty noticed whatever life signs still remained outside his protective sphere winked away, snatched from certain doom at the very last second.
A deathly hush fell over him.
Still deliberating his next course of action, Marty opened his eyes to watch as the muddied lifeblood of the English Channel slammed into the firewalls, extinguishing them in an instant and adding the burden of millions of tons of liquid, evaporating water and expanding gas to the stresses he had to bear.
Yet silence still dominated.
The benefit of decades of experience came to the rescue. Reacting intuitively, Marty adjusted his labors to compensate. It was only as he did so that he realized he now stood within a shimmering golden halo, a contrivance that drastically reduced the chances of him being distracted by outside influences as he worked. So that¡¯s why it went so quiet.
Glancing to one side, Marty was surprised to find the source of that halo standing right next to him; a young Guardian woman with the faraway look of someone lost in deep concentration.
A man¡¯s voice called out from behind him, ¡°She¡¯s experimenting and trying to deploy a shield that won¡¯t cause your own abilities to react. Quite a job, considering what you can do. Fortunately, she¡¯s already a master at her craft . . . like you.¡±
Marty glimpsed the two bronze bands signifying her rank at the end of her sleeves.
The same voice continued, ¡°And that¡¯s something of a quirky talent you have there, Marty. Tell me, can you keep it up for another ten minutes or so?¡±
¡°Ten minutes? Hell, if you can fix me up some steak and eggs when this is all over, I¡¯ll stay here all day.¡±
A note of humor colored the male Guardian¡¯s response. ¡°Super! Then you won¡¯t mind hanging around once we¡¯ve got all these civilians safely out of the way. I¡¯m hoping you¡¯ll help us drain the tunnels? We can¡¯t have all these expensive toys getting rusty now, can we?¡±
Warming to the guy¡¯s spirit, Marty grinned from ear to ear. He couldn¡¯t wait to see how the Guardians would manage such a feat, as he knew full well he wasn¡¯t strong enough to push such a vast quantity of water out all by himself.
It was as he waited that Marty sensed the familiar impression of the transporters activating again. On this occasion, however, he discerned a number of additional codices that were somehow more natural, interspersed amongst the signal patterns. Several Guardians materialized nearby, just before a larger group of two dozen of their colleagues manifested behind them. Holy cow! Did I just crack the difference between a natural teleport frequency and one that¡¯s artificially engendered? That¡¯s a new one.
As the last of the survivors were ushered away, the female Guardian next to him lowered her screen. ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Varna.¡±
They were joined by an older man bearing a silver band on each cuff. ¡°And I¡¯m Seth. Marty, the reason I asked you to keep things in check for us is that we¡¯re about to scan the tunnel to determine how much seawater we need to clear. Once we¡¯ve done that, we¡¯ll combine in harmonic union¡ªthat¡¯s our term for the meshing of our extrasensory potential¡ªso that we can blend more precisely to the frequencies by which our transporters operate.
¡°Such a massive volume of muck and fluid will be extremely difficult to lift and shift. So we¡¯re not even going to try. Instead, we¡¯ll do something similar to what the Overlord accomplished earlier in the year down in the Indian Ocean, but in our case, we¡¯ll only need to open a double set on miniature wormholes so that everything drains away under the pull of its own weight. Get it?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Marty was stunned by how straightforward the Guardians tactics were, ¡°yes I do. And I like it.¡±
¡°Coming from you, that¡¯s high praise indeed, especially as you¡¯re the key to its success. We¡¯ve noticed how strong you are at distinguishing between various forms of energy and the way you then counter whatever you¡¯re facing by generating an inverse response to cancel out the problem? So, what I¡¯d like you to do is this: keep your existing force fields in place as they are and, as the results of our efforts begin to register, adjust them to match the drop in pressure. If you run into trouble, Varna will lend a hand. Understood?¡±
Marty shrugged. ¡°Don¡¯t sweat it. As I said earlier, I¡¯m in this for the steak and eggs. A man can work up a mighty appetite farting around when he should be relaxing.¡±
Quite a few heads turned to look his way, either nodding in agreement or snickering openly in the special bond of comradeship experienced by those used to facing danger. Still tittering, they swiftly got down to business with a proficiency that only heightened Marty¡¯s respect. While Varna remained by Marty¡¯s side, the rest of the Guardians divided into two groups and positioned themselves before the translucent planes of his barriers.
Watching them closely, Marty felt the moment they began to weave their minds together, for an almost musical score coalesced in the ether, a sonorous medley that continued to soar in scope and potential with each passing instant. The notes thrummed along his synapses, scaling in tone and texture toward a utopian crescendo.
He thought they couldn¡¯t possibly go any higher, but they did, swelling and expanding and deepening until a distinctive harmony rang forth, a concordat that multiplied the sum of its total exponentially.
When the power of the transporter emitters was phased in, Marty experienced a momentary hit of elation, and then all that majesty was focused into the creation of four distinct vortices. Divided into pairs, the twofold gateways thrummed to the resonance of incongruent polarities. One set contained a positive aspect and were anchored within the foundations of the flooded tunnel on either side of him, while their negative counterparts stabilized in midair, twenty feet above the surface of the Channel itself.
A tremor fluttered along the newly formed subspace corridors, whereupon the opposite poles reached out to each other, creating gravity wells leading upward. No sooner had the connection stabilized than the subsumed waters started to dissipate, regurgitating at a rate of thousands of gallons every second.
Time ticked slowly by. Marty was puzzled by the fact that he couldn¡¯t discern any lessening in the load he was handling. Noting his concern, Varna explained: Don¡¯t fret. I knew you were told to expect fluctuating conditions, but we adapted our strategy. As well as the elementally gifted Guardians you saw earlier, were also being supported by two teams of TK heads who are working in tandem from opposite ends of the tunnel. They¡¯re helping to maintain a constant level of pressure to give your mirror ability something to react to. We decided on the change so we could dry things off as we went along. It¡¯ll minimize the damage and allow our Inquisitors to get straight in there.
Intrigued by Varna¡¯s statement, Marty contented himself by testing the resistance of the opposing forces at play. It took him eight minutes before he was able to discern a difference. Shoot! These guys are good. Then something else¡ªenergies operating on an entirely different level¡ªcaught his attention. Hey, is . . . is that . . . ?
Yes, Varna replied, catching his thoughts: That¡¯s psychic energy. Take the opportunity to attune to it, as it may come in handy in the future if we end up working together again. . .
You never know! She added, in reply to his unspoken skepticism.
Before Marty had the chance to fire off a particularly droll comeback, the Guardian commander, Seth, interrupted their mental conversation. ¡°Okay, Marty, we¡¯re all done. Drop the bubble and take a look.¡±
He did as instructed and was stunned to find a pristine rail track stretching off in both directions. Seth continued, ¡°As Varna intimated, we thought we¡¯d take advantage of your help and do some repairs on the way through.¡± he shrugged, ¡°Though I¡¯m afraid we can¡¯t do anything about getting the trains to run on time.¡±
Slapping the commander heartily on the back, Marty teased, ¡°Hey, buddy, people expect the impossible from you guys as it is! But c¡¯mon, I think that would be beyond the influence of even real angels.¡±
Everyone burst out laughing, and as the guardians started teleporting away, the hatch to the Mid-Point Safety Area clanged open, revealing the startled face of the maintenance director, Gerard Halstead. Staring in wide-eyed wonder, he gasped, ¡°You . . . you¡¯re one of them?¡±
¡°And who are you?¡± Seth interjected, addressing Gerard directly.
Like a guilty child discovered with his hand in the cookie jar, Gerard pointed to Marty and spluttered, ¡°I¡¯m with him!¡±
Marty was genuinely concerned. ¡°Hey, brother. You¡¯re a professional, why the hell didn¡¯t you get out of here with the others?¡±
¡°I supposed to be your liaison and stayed behind to make sure you were alright.¡±
¡°Well, now you know,¡± Marty responded, his tone becoming more serious. ¡°I was never in any real danger. You were. Now I¡¯m going to have to do what you ordered Ron to do, and kick some sense into your ass.¡±
Stepping between them, Seth offered a gentler solution. ¡°I think we might be able to help you out there, Marty. Why don¡¯t we drop him off our way?¡±
Something in the Guardian¡¯s voice made Marty suspicious. ¡°Our way? Why, where are we going?¡±
¡°One of the Inquisitors would like to pick your brains regarding the energies you may have detected when the tunnel was ruptured. Your evidence will come in real handy during the investigation. The Lord Evaluator would also like to chat to you. He won¡¯t keep you long, but in view of all the people coming forward lately, he¡¯s indicated this incident might provide a golden opportunity for something . . . mutually beneficial. Are you game?¡±
Marty thought about it for a moment. ¡°Why not. I¡¯ve always wanted to see how the other half lives. And if it involves those steak and eggs I mentioned, I might even become a regular visitor.¡±
*
Later that day, Marty was feeling very full and very pleased with himself. Not only had he enjoyed the most magnificent lunch ever¡ªsteak and eggs included¡ªbut out of curiosity, he¡¯d submitted to an assay of his abilities.
Knowing you have raw talent is one thing. Finding out just how strong they are, quite another. Marty had been stunned to learn that he was blessed with the potential to be a High Grand Master Class energy manipulator, shielder, and harmonic mimicker. Traits that were rare indeed. He also possessed Master Class telepathic functioning and a refined dexterity for both far and deepsight.
The thing was, because he had spent his life using those gifts in the service of others, his primary attributes were already close to Grand Master level in strength.
Although the Guardians would have loved Marty to join their ranks, they knew his professional and family commitments would be too great an obstacle to surmount. Marty¡¯s wife, Jinga, loved their home life in Texas too much to leave, and their son, Matt, was career military. Nevertheless, Marty¡¯s professional status and qualifications presented an opportunity whereby the world could witness the benefits of a respected leader in his field becoming the first ever licensed Emergency Services Trainer.
It was hoped this act would open the door to others like him still out there, and inspire them to declare their gifts and expertise by registering. The effect such know-how would have on public safety would be astounding and go a long way in helping mankind implement new technologies safely.
Marty was drawn to that solution and went on to become the poster boy for all those hidden gems who had¡ªup until now¡ªbeen reticent to reveal themselves. And, as his fame grew, Marty also established himself as a revolutionary in the standardization of training protocols for a proposed Global Fire and Rescue Service, heading a team that had the most advanced training policy ever devised.
*
It was over this same period that three of the individuals ¡°volunteered¡± to publicly out themselves by the Council stepped forward into the limelight.
Initial reservations were overcome when it was established that, although sponsored by a company that seemed overly zealous in its pursuit of gifted talent, none of the applicants had criminal records. Nor were they linked¡ªdirectly or indirectly¡ªto actual acts of unlawful activity. What¡¯s more, rigorous vetting subsequently failed to unearth any skeletons that might raise concerns. Each of the applicants was who they said they were and their professional credentials were beyond reproach.
Passed as fit for employment as representatives of Yeung Technologies, Simon Cooper, a forty-five year old astrophysicist blessed with telepathic, telekinetic, and shape shifting abilities; Harry Johnson, a thirty-four-year-old geologist possessing compulsive and healing skills in equal measure; and Esther Perry, a thirty-six-year-old microbiologist and bio-chemist empowered with incredible telepathic, empathic, and elemental capabilities, found themselves snapped up by eager recruiters for the Antarctica Research Co-operative before October had run its course.
The Co-operative was a multinational conglomerate of some of the world¡¯s top analysts and researchers who were leading the way in the development of clean air and artificial tree technology. They also undertook various other classified studies, as funded by MIT, Salk, Utrecht and Oxford University.
As the newly appointed ambassadors for the Co-operative, the trio would never forget their first assignment. Tasked to measure the ozone layer above the geomagnetic South Pole, their mission seemed a straightforward one.
However, the meteorite strike back in January had subsequently affected ambient background radiation throughout the region, and radio and microwave telecommunications across the continent had remained sketchy ever since.
As their inspection route would take them close to the recently completed Chinese research faculty, Kunlun Station, the team had been asked to make a small diversion to deliver a consignment of extra batteries and fuel for that facility¡¯s operations center. Since opening the previous month, inhabitants at the outpost had reported weird energy spikes, many of which caused repeated power outages.
In itself, that presented nothing in particular to worry about.
Even so, survey crews throughout the area had been warned to take more than the usual precautions, as several expeditions had gone missing over the past six months. Not only had investigators had been baffled by the disappearances, but they found no clues whatsoever as to what might have befallen those concerned. All were experienced explorers and well used to Antarctica¡¯s hostile environment.
Regardless, the Pin-ups¡ªas they were being labeled¡ªalong with the support of three tried and tested veterans from the Co-operative¡¯s pool of staff, set off on the morning of October 31st, looking forward to what their fortnight in the world¡¯s coldest meat locker would bring.
After all, they were metapsychically proficient; they were experienced; they know how to navigate and look after themselves; and they had some of the most powerful backers in the world.
What could possibly go wrong?
It Will Never Happen to Me
There¡¯s a certain attitude that¡¯s very prevalent in the world and it can be summed up by a common saying: ¡°It will never happen to me!¡±
If we are honest, it¡¯s a point of view echoed by us all, far more often than we care to admit.
The past year had proved beyond doubt that gifted individuals were indeed present among humanity. By their actions and their willingness not only to come forward and identify themselves, but also register, most gave testimony to the fact that their hearts were in the right place.
Sadly, that couldn¡¯t be said of everyone, as exemplified by the misfits involved in the missile crisis two years before. Only a handful of the persons responsible for that atrocity were psychic, but they no doubt expressed those exact same sentiments as they sat together, furtively planning the outworking of their diabolical act:
¡°Hey, don¡¯t sweat it, our powers make us invincible.¡±
¡°What can the authorities do to stop us?¡±
¡°People like us never get caught.¡±
How wrong they were.
The naivety of such an obtuse attitude no doubt came back to plague them on the morning of November 4th, as their sentences were at last handed out:
Life imprisonment in each and every single case!
Not only that, those felons endowed with any form of extra sensory perceptions suffered the additional indignity of having their psi-wells capped by a forensic examiner of the Inquisitor branch. Thereafter, they would be forced to live the rest of their natural lives knowing their wondrous talents would remain locked so far away within the deepest recesses of their psyches that it would be as if they had never existed.
No sympathy was forthcoming from the Guardians, who were adamant a stern example be set in this regard. Society needed to witness the drastic consequences awaiting anyone foolish enough to think they would be granted any form of leniency because of their abilities. And witness it they did, in a united accord that went on to act as a strong deterrent to those who might be contemplating such crimes in future. . .
Or perhaps it might have been better to say, a strong deterrent to those capable of exercising any degree of common sense, for there was a minority who refused to listen, and Abraham Volker was one of them!
Born and raised in Limpopo, South Africa, some forty years before, he was to all intent and purposes an astute and successful businessman. Publicly, he headed his family¡¯s small but financially solvent fruit producing firm, an enterprise that had been spared the devastation caused throughout the rest of the African continent by the multiple meteorite strikes earlier in the New Year. His business took him about the various provinces on a regular basis. Outwardly, not a problem at all.
Secretly though, such freedom of movement was bad news for just about everyone else, and especially females, as it allowed him plenty of opportunity to indulge in a particularly revolting vice.
As a youngster, Abraham had discovered he could mask his presence from others. He wasn¡¯t invisible, per se, but until he called attention to himself, people were blind to the fact he was there. That had proved useful to Abraham when younger in obtaining all sorts of trinkets, toys, and keepsakes from locker rooms, shops, and friends¡¯ houses when the mood took him. He also had an elemental ability¡ªelectrical in nature¡ªwhich, while not as strong, was nevertheless able to jumpstart vehicles and short out lights. Quite by accident, he found out he could also stun people by interrupting the signals travelling between their brain and muscles, thereby rendering them helpless.
Abraham never got caught. As he grew older he grew bolder, often taking what he wanted by lying in wait for an intended victim and shocking them as they went past. Once incapacitated, he could prevent them from moving properly or crying out by maintaining regular bodily contact as he went through their pockets. Having finished, he would stun his victims again to vouchsafe a clean getaway, before blending into the background as if he¡¯d never existed.
Yes, the ¡°It will never happen to me,¡± syndrome summed up Abraham Volker¡¯s self-centered attitude completely.
As callous as Abraham¡¯s behavior was, it got worse. His mid-teens brought his raging hormones into play, as well as a hankering to control others, especially girls. Those particular appetites led him down an altogether different path, and now, some twenty-seven years later, Abraham Volker was South Africa¡¯s unofficial longest running serial rapist and a fiend in a class all of his own.
Possessed of an extremely cold, calculating and methodical personality, Abraham was always careful in choosing his victims, following a predetermined set of criteria to so. Having made his selection, he was quick to establish the foundations of his alibi, foundations he would lay in a most ingenious¡ªif unusual¡ªway.
To begin, he would make certain he was readily noticed about the environs of whatever hotel he happened to be staying at by feigning either an illness, or straightforward drunken-bumitis. Then, as the time for him to strike drew near, he would ensure his behavior caused sufficient concern to warrant being escorted to his suite and put to bed.
No sooner was he left alone, than Abraham would change into a tracksuit and use his skills to depart, unseen by staff, customers or CCTV. Having made his sick fantasy a vile reality, he would return, shower, change back into his old clothes and leave his room, apologizing loudly to management¡ªand anyone else nearby who he might have upset¡ªfor his earlier uncharacteristic behavior. He wasn¡¯t well; he was on medication; he didn¡¯t realize how strong the after-effects were; the pills didn¡¯t mix with whiskey; and now he was awake he¡¯d like to make amends; blah¡ªblah¡ªblah. . .
In hindsight, an appallingly lackluster excuse. And yet, this simple but effective ruse had worked for him on countless occasions.
Usually, Abraham¡¯s victims were left so traumatized that they never reported the attacks to police. Because of this, not only were the authorities in South Africa unaware of his existence, but they didn¡¯t have a clue that a serial rapist of Abraham¡¯s prolific nature or abilities was operating around the provinces.
Even worse, because he was so careful in portraying a benevolent, if somewhat bumbling public image, Abraham was the last person friends, neighbors or acquaintances would ever expect of being a monster.
A pity, for in truth his lusts were all he cared about and when the urges came upon him, he paid scant regard to anything else until he¡¯d satisfied them. Not those whose lives he¡¯d ruined; not their families; and certainly not the fate of those who had so recently been sentenced to life imprisonment¡ªor in the case of those blessed with abilities¡ªpsychically castrated. He was Abraham Volker. Untouchable. Unaccountable. Uncatchable.
Abraham was currently staying at the Okiep Plaza Hotel. Situated about six miles from Springbok, he¡¯d arrived early the previous day (Friday) to prepare for his meeting with local fruit and maize farmers the following Monday. Driving along route seven, he¡¯d noticed a young woman out on an early morning jog. Heading along highway fourteen, from Springbok toward the Goegap National Reserve¡ªan area that was beautifully rugged and open¡ªshe wore a spandex top and bottoms that left nothing to the imagination. Her firm yet curvy body triggered an itch within him as soon as he laid eyes on her, something he was finding more and more difficult to scratch these days.
Noting the time at just before six o¡¯clock, Abraham hoped she was a fitness fanatic who liked to keep a schedule. Her figure certainly suggested she lived by a healthy routine. Infatuated beyond measure by what he saw, Abraham made the instant decision to come back this way at dawn the next day on a stolen bike. If she was here and if it was deserted enough, he¡¯d take her.
Abraham had gone to bed early that evening, ordering extra alcohol several times during the night to make certain staff remembered his face. Finally, at 3:30 a.m. ¡ªwhile staggering around pretending to be the worse for wear¡ªhe summoned the night porter to his room and gave him explicit instructions to wake him at 7:30 sharp, stating, ¡°I hash . . . I have to geh . . . hic . . . get up for a businesh meeting firsht thing. Do . . . don¡¯t lesh me be late.¡±
Having a door slammed in his face didn¡¯t impress the concierge one bit. There and then, the guy determined that if this troublesome man dared step near a vehicle in the morning, he¡¯d call the police.
None of this bothered Abraham one bit. With everything in place, he immediately set several mini bottles of single malt aside¡ªone for drinking on his return, the others for pouring over his clothes¡ªbefore tipping the rest down the toilet. Setting his scroll phone alarm, he then laid back and went to sleep, dreaming of the sweet release to come.
By 5:45, Abraham was waiting, shielded and full of testosterone-laced anticipation, in the already pleasant warmth of Voortrekker Street, Springbok, hoping and praying with all his twisted heart that the object of his desire would be along soon.
He didn¡¯t have to wait long. She came running from the direction of the sports fields in a bright pink spandex outfit, clearly visible as the Sun crested the distant hills and rose higher into the sky. From the route she was taking, it was obvious she would be heading for the reserve again.
Abraham took a closer look as she breezed past, listening to music on an iBud and oblivious to his presence. He estimated her to be in her late teens or early twenties. Though he preferred them to be a little older, he¡¯d make an exception for a body like that! Five feet seven inches tall; long wavy brunette hair tied back in a ponytail; fantastically firm breasts; the peachiest ass he¡¯d seen in a long time. Yes, he was going to take his time with this little bitch and enjoy every inch of her.
He started crawling along in her wake on the bike he¡¯d stolen earlier that morning, keeping a close eye on her backside as it winked from side to side with each rhythmic step. The sweat glistened on her limbs as she ran, causing her skin to glow with a burnished sheen. Already highly aroused, he contented himself by summarizing the catalogue of abuse he intended to inflict on her, paying scant heed to the thought of being caught. The area was deserted and in a little while, they¡¯d be over the main highway and heading out toward the reserve where the chances of being disturbed were virtually nonexistent.
Five minutes later and they were far enough from civilization for Abraham to feel confident about scouting ahead. He knew once he had her inside his chameleon bubble they¡¯d remain undisturbed until it was time for him to get back and continue his charade of a severe hangover, so he chose a spot half a mile distant, where the road disappeared from view as it wove between a dense cluster of rocks and trees.
Riding off the asphalt, he dropped the bike behind a clump of bushes, divested himself of his tracksuit, and spread the towel he would be using to protect himself from abrasions out on the ground. Not once did any similar expression of empathy for his victim¡¯s comfort enter his mind. His thoughts were in overdrive now and totally focused on how good it would feel to vent himself on his helpless prey. I¡¯ll probably shock her a bit as the fun unfolds. I like it when they wriggle.
Minutes turned to hours, but at last, there she was. Abraham could see she was perspiring heavily from her exertions. He especially liked the way the spandex had soaked right through so that it clung to her form like a nonexistent second skin. The sight of her almost had him climaxing. Glancing about to confirm they were all alone, he moved away from the verge, raised his shields to maximum and prepared his distraction.
When she was only several yards from him, he hefted a large pebble toward the far side of the road and gathered the energy he needed to knock her senseless.
The stone landed with a thunk! She checked her stride a little and glanced left, a frown creasing her face. Seizing the moment, Abraham stepped in from behind and enfolded her in his arms. Crushing her breasts, he reveled in their firmness while his free hand snatched at her taut belly, pulling her closer toward him.
For the briefest moment he allowed her to make eye contact, then smiling, delivered the charge to easily paralyze a two hundred pound man for a good five minutes.
She grunted, stumbled and began to fall. Matching her momentum, Abraham grabbed a fistful of hair and yanked her away from the safety of the highway and in behind the rocks. Excitement mounting, his gaze seared along the curves of her feminine physique. She was perfect, but the moisture pouring from his palms kept causing him to lose his grip.
Eventually, after a lot of huffing and puffing and cursing, he managed to drag her to his lair where he gave her a second, stronger hit and let her fall to the ground in a heap. Spinning on his heel, he took the time to ensure they were alone and unobserved then bent toward her, intending to strip her naked before stunning her again to maximize compliance.
His head snapped back as a flash of light filled his whole world in blinding brilliance. That wasn¡¯t as startling, however, as the pain that followed an instant later. Somehow, Abraham found himself face down in the dirt, gagging and spitting up blood from his broken nose through loosened teeth. Too shocked to do anything but lie there for a moment, he craned his neck and tried desperately to blink away the tears blurring his vision . . . only to wish he hadn¡¯t. How . . . how can she still be awake, let alone on her feet?
Somehow, the young woman was conscious and shaking her head from side to side in an effort to rid herself of the effects of a secondary charge sufficient to render a horse comatose for ten minutes. Her gaze snapped back into focus. Amazingly, instead of trying to run away or call for help, she balled her fists and stomped toward him, a look of fury congealing on her face with every step.
What the fuck? I¡¯m getting outta here! Employing his shield, Abraham shuffled onto his hands and knees. He was about to get up and flee, when he was knocked backward by an invisible blow to the side of his jaw. Wheeling high through the air, he felt several of his ribs crack on landing. Fresh torture coursed through him in waves, making it almost impossible to take a ragged breath. How did she manage to do that?
Such discomfort soon became a petty, distant memory, for Abraham felt something seize him by the genitalia in a vicelike grip. Whimpering like a child, he was hauled unceremoniously through the air by his balls and slammed down hard on the rock back in front of his would-be victim. Misery impaled him anew.
Abraham rolled and managed to glance in her direction. He only had time to register the fact that her eyes were glowing vivid neon red, and then a devastating scream filled his mind: TRY AND RAPE ME, WOULD YOU? YOU SICK FUCKER!
His spine turned to ice as her anger was replaced by a look of pure hatred. With the utmost deliberation, the young woman raised her right hand in front of her. Then she snarled, and made a vicious downward clenching motion.
The terrible telekinetic force applied to Abraham¡¯s testicles in that moment burst them instantly, rendering him impotent for life. Before his bloodcurdling scream could find its voice, he¡¯d passed out and was oblivious to the final kick¡ªapplied with gusto¡ªthat shattered his sternum.
*
Her rage subsiding, the young woman, called Heather, was left in the unenviable position of having to summon the help of some very special friends to deal with the scum in front of her. After rendering a degree of healing aid to his breastbone¡ªand only his breastbone¡ªHeather then submitted both herself and her attacker into their custody to await judgment.
*
Excerpt from the South African Enquirer national newspaper ¨C November 8th 2036
Following the arrest of South African businessman Abraham Volker, on the Sixth of November by Guardian Inquisitors, astounding details have come to light regarding this respected entrepreneur¡¯s activities, stretching back more than twenty years.
Guardian forensic mind-interrogators, supported by verification as supplied by the recently released Wave Reader, have established the following facts:
Volker is not only gifted with both elemental and chameleonlike abilities, but has used those talents for his own sexual gratification on numerous occasions.
Evidence unearthed to date¡ªtogether with the admission provided by his own mind¡ªhas proven his involvement in the rape of over a thousand women throughout all nine provinces of South Africa over two decades. In each attack, he employed the astounding power of his mind to subdue his victims.
That he would have continued to molest females is beyond question was it not for a fluke of chance. His final target proved to be none other than a young local woman, due to complete her Guardian training at the beginning of next year.
Heather Duarte, a twenty-three-year-old native of Springbok, Northern Cape, has been studying with the world¡¯s benefactors now for almost five years. We have been informed by a spokesperson for the Lord Conciliator¡¯s office, that she is particularly potent in telekinesis and healing, and is also a proficient telepath. These skills made her entirely the wrong type of prey to pick on, as her healing aptitude contains a powerful self-regenerative aspect. That fortitude allowed Ms. Duarte to recover exceptionally quickly from the electrical charges delivered by Volker, during his preparations to fulfill his sick cravings.
It is felt the terrible injuries suffered by Volker as Ms. Duarte recovered from being stunned are entirely justified. She was clearly defending herself from a cold, calculating, serial rapist, whose obvious intention was to abuse her, regardless of the consequences. That she reacted instinctively is plain for all to see. It is our sincere hope that the Guardians take a more lenient form of disciplinary action against her, as we, our readers, and indeed the world¡¯s media, offer her our full support.
In conclusion: Though the ordeal must have been horrifying, we should all be relieved that Ms. Duarte was there that day. Her presence brought a fitting end to a reign of terror that has afflicted the lives of too many women and their loved ones. Because of her, no one else will ever be harmed by this particular animal again. Bravo to that!
The article ended with an older photograph of Ms. Duarte, posing at a family barbeque with her parents. A telephone number and e-mail address was included for those who might wish to contact the newspaper, either to provide information regarding Volker himself, or any other offences his might have committed, and of course, to register support for Ms. Duarte¡¯s actions.
*
In the weeks following the Volker expose, other headlines went on to reveal just how adept the Guardian Inquisitors were at bringing supposedly untouchable criminals to justice.
In particular, the Inquisitors made sure to put Marty May¡¯s unique skills and expertise to good use during their investigation into the Channel Tunnel bombing. Marty¡¯s insight proved invaluable in helping to pinpoint the exact location of each explosion, along with a comprehensive assay of the compounds, volatiles and accelerants used.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
By concentrating their efforts on those areas¡ªboth above and below the surface¡ªthe Guardians were able to recover micro fragments of the mines for further analysis by way of holographic VR reconstruction. That assisted in swiftly identifying the exact type of devices used and their country of origin within forty-eight hours of the event.
As that part of the inquiry progressed apace, passenger schedules for the previous six months were being closely scrutinized by a battery of psychic and mundane means. On the basis of what was discovered, a complex AI cross-check verification cipher was initiated. The program not only compared those schedules against multiple CCTV references, but delved into a wide range of associated variables; name, address and payment details; mainline and mobile telephone accounts; employment databases; financial standing and credit histories; criminal records and know associate indexes, to name a few.
A mere six days after its inception, the proxy who initiated the microwave bursts was positively identified as one Margaret Tanner, a freelance reporter from London. Tanner¡¯s details were circulated via Interpol and by way of all Guardian Observation Stations, who included her physical identification matrix within their scanners. Result!
Despite a concerted attempt to evade the long arm of the law by moving from Britain to the remote town of Kulgera in the Northern Territory of Australia to stay with distant relatives, the end of October saw Tanner safely in custody.
Her arrest sparked a precautionary response from Lei Yeung. Eager to make certain no fall out ever drifted the Council¡¯s way, he dispatched his trusted problem solver, Angelika Papadakos and her team, to cut any loose ends that might draw the wrong kind of attention.
A wise precaution.
One week later and all of the French and Japanese accessories to the crime had been identified and were being hunted. Fortunately for Yeung, by that time, all sixteen members of the White Tiger clan involved were deceased, their deaths being explained as a tragic series of accidents. Accidents or no, the demise of so many operatives involved in the attack sent a clear message to the ruling father, Boss Hearn. Still believing the failed plan was entirely of his own devising, Hearn took the only honorable course he felt was open to him for bringing such shame on his family: Suicide.
No one claimed responsibility for the ruthlessly efficient cleansing of such a public problem. That resulted in other syndicates falsely believing that secret Guardian assassins must have done the deed, a special cadre of killers who were keen to demonstrate their determination not to be crossed. Though false, such a view had a huge impact on Yakuza operations thereafter and such a venture was never sanctioned again.
Unbeknown to the four French mercenaries involved, they were only spared because they had no knowledge whatsoever of who was really behind the fiasco. Their only link related to the identity of the now departed White Tigers who had worked with them in procuring the mines, and later, several others involved in their deployment. The fact the world would want someone to blame was seen as an additional bonus to leaving them alive. Sure enough, when arrested early in November by a combined team of French Sous-Directorate, Anti-Terrorist officers and Inquisitor Enforcers, an unforgiving media made sure the ensuing hatred was both focused in the right place and extreme.
Nonetheless, Yeung wasn¡¯t satisfied. As an extra safeguard he saw to it that two of his top ¡°untalented¡± scientists from the team spearheading the development of new mitigator technology¡ªBrent Leech and Kay Cobourg¡ªstepped forward to offer their services in augmenting safety standards within the Channel Tunnel itself.
Having no previous connections to the shadier dealings of the company they worked for, Brent and Kay devoted themselves to the task with clean consciences, and ended up working closely with Marty Mays to devise a mechanical equivalent of Marty¡¯s energy mirroring ability. The joint undertaking received a huge boost when they spliced the results of their findings into the mock-ups already undergoing testing back at Yeung Technologies. With Marty¡¯s expertise, they were able to produce an enhanced, new-and-improved prototype that showed the potential of being able to deal with multiple crises at once.
Conservative estimates put the implementation of a fully operational model only ten to twelve months away, by which time Marty was confident that the mitigator¡¯s capability to react to hazards would have been fine-tuned enough to include defensive protocols against energy based and kinetic weapons.
If such guesstimates were accurate, the end of terrorism against vulnerable targets was in sight. Desperate to be seen as a world friendly benefactor in this regard, Yeung insisted that the first phase mitigators would be provided¡ªat cost¡ªby his subsidiary companies. He also promised that any profits would be devoted to further research, so that improved versions of this exciting new tech could be made available more swiftly.
Yeung stressed in several subsequent interviews that the phrase ¡°It will never happen to me¡± was a misconception that was far too common nowadays. A valuable lesson had been learned from the Tunnel Disaster at a relatively low cost and mankind needed to wise up and ensure such things could never be repeated. He concluded by pledging to devote his considerable resources to making the world a safer place.
Additionally, because recent events had shown how quickly progress could be made when all members of society¡ªpsychic and normal¡ªworked together, Yeung went out on a limb by publicly declaring that from now on, his corporation would lead the way in openly recruiting as much gifted talent as possible.
His comments were met with universal praise, and soon, Yeung¡¯s name was on the lips of many around the world who¡ªunaware of his past¡ªbegan to look upon him as a leading light in the amalgamation of all groups of society for a better future.
The Guardians themselves were more reserved in their judgment. While cautious, they were pleased to note how Yeung and those shadowed entities within his Council appeared to have taken their final warning to heart. As such, they quietly welcomed his active involvement and waited to see what benefits might accrue.
*
It¡¯s assumed your whole life passes before you in the moments before your death. Simon Cooper now knew that was a pile of crap!
His team¡¯s trip out to the blast site had been uneventful. If he could describe it in a few words, he would have said, ¡°serene and relaxing,¡± as travelling through the endless white and glaring sunshine for mile after mile could cause the unwary to drop off to sleep quite easily. For Simon and his fellow psychics, that wasn¡¯t a problem. Their gifts enabled them to remain much more alert than the other members of their merry band, who they found had to be constantly woken up, sometimes even when they were driving.
Following orders, they had set up a selection of mobile and embedded monitoring drones around the rim of the crater and programmed them with a preselected set of variable operating parameters. While it was true initial readings would render data rather quickly, the nature of the study required Simon to leave most of the apparatus in situ over the next twelve months so that the wider effects of localized exotic radiation could be more accurately assessed.
Initially everything had been fine. It was only after they left the tranquil environs of the blast site two days previously that things started going wrong.
To begin with, radio contact became intermittent and unreliable. Then other electrical equipment began fritting out for no reason. This baffled Simon a great deal, as such effects were something he¡¯d anticipate manifesting in and around ground zero and not as they left the area.
Simon had been updating HQ regarding their location the previous day, when the comms unit cut out entirely. While he didn¡¯t have the blas¨¦ it will never happen to me syndrome infecting others, he nevertheless felt it would be okay to press ahead. His teammates were all highly experienced extreme weather survival veterans, and they had sufficient fuel and rations for a month¡ªthe return trip only being a seven day journey from the Kunlun facility. To cap it all off, the combined psychoenergetic talent at his disposal would afford them a much greater chance of success, as they could navigate and maintain contact telepathically even in the most inclement of weather.
His plucky outlook paid off, and earlier that afternoon they had arrived at Kunlun full of optimism, only to find it was the apparent Bermuda Triangle of the Antarctic Circle.
Just completed, the Chinese research base was supposed to be operational all year round and fully manned by nearly thirty scientists. However, no one would know by looking at it now. The place was deserted. That someone had been living and working here was obvious, as previous signs of life were everywhere: half eaten meals; washing machines with clothes still waiting to be emptied inside; unmade beds; books left open. But everything else was dead. Lights and computers weren¡¯t working, battery and back-up generators simply wouldn¡¯t start and might as well not have existed. Simon couldn¡¯t shake the feeling someone had plucked the occupants from the security of their home and taken them somewhere else.
The team had been trying all afternoon to raise a signal with no luck. Even their telepathic hails were unusually muted, as if something were dampening their ability to communicate with the outside world.
Now well into the early evening, they had just divided into pairs to conduct another, more thorough search, when Simon, the most telepathically sensitive among them, detected a near subliminal whisper blended in amongst the moans of the wind: Help us! Please help us!
Huh? Stopping sock still and shushing everyone to be quiet, Simon listened again. Out of habit, he sent forth an astral hail: Who¡¯s that? Where are you?
At the same time he sent a query Harry and Esther¡¯s way: Heads-up guys. Did you hear that?
Harry wasn¡¯t a particularly gifted farsensor and Esther did not have Simon¡¯s range. Her empathic ability, however, was off-the-charts strong. Gaze affixed toward the southeast, she verbally and mentally declared, ¡°Simon, someone¡¯s out there! I can¡¯t hear them properly yet, but I can sense their need and it . . .?¡±
Help us! Please!
¡°Jesus! That was as loud as a bell.¡± she gasped.
The petition was much stronger this time, making Simon¡¯s spine tingle.
¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Theresa Topple, one of their teammates from New Zealand muttered, clearly worried.
Waving off into the wilderness, Simon replied, ¡°We¡¯re beginning to hear calls for help from somewhere out there.¡±
Everyone turned to peer into the endless crystal swathe, graying now as the Sun continued to dip toward the horizon.
¡°I didn¡¯t realize they had telepaths among them,¡± Michael Meekin, a native of Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory of Canada, declared.
¡°But it should make finding them easier though, won¡¯t it?¡± Theresa shot back.
Simon paused to look at his friends, one by one, before nodding to confirm their suspicions. ¡°Yes, Theresa. Hopefully it will.¡±
Trudging across to their customized ATV, Simon determined that if they were going to investigate, it would be best to get going before temperatures dropped too far. ¡°Into the Nodwell, guys. There¡¯s not a lot of room inside, but at least we¡¯ll be able to ferry anyone we find back to Kunlun to spend the night in relative comfort. We¡¯ll set up a triage point and sort out what to do next, once we have a clearer idea of what we¡¯re dealing with.¡±
Facing off into the blizzard, he projected: We¡¯re coming. Stay strong.
A faint reply wafted back. Hurry! We can¡¯t hang on much longer!
Despite the plea, something didn¡¯t sit right in Simon¡¯s stomach. As a precaution, he turned to the final member of the team, G¨¹nter Adler, from Munich. ¡°G¨¹nter, I know you feel pretty safe in our company, but we don¡¯t know what to expect. Break out the weapons, would you?¡±
Alarmed by his statement, the others gawped back at him. ¡°You¡¯re not expecting trouble, are you?¡± G¨¹nter grumbled.
¡°Better safe than sorry. People have been going missing out here for months and we¡¯re not going to become part of that club.¡±
Acquiescing, G¨¹nter nodded, accepted the keys and went to the secure locker at the back of the cabin. Out of the firearms inside, he selected a Smith and Wesson revolver, an HK P47 machine pistol and finally, a pump action shotgun. Keeping the P47 for himself, G¨¹nter offered the rest to the others.
Theresa took the revolver. ¡°It¡¯s been a while. But if you think there might be problems at least I know I can hit what I aim at.¡±
The only other person accepting a weapon was Harry. Although strong in compulsion and combat healing techniques, he was also a keen skeet shooting enthusiast. Always the pragmatist, he explained he would feel better knowing a little additional backup was to hand¡ªjust in case.
Thus armed and raring to go, they set off on a southeasterly course, with both Simon and Esther staying alert for further clues.
Over the next hour they received three more hails, each progressively stronger than the one before, until at last, they reached a frosty open expanse.
That¡¯s when the engine died.
Simon gazed up at the diffuse rose and crimson streamers fringing a rapidly darkening sky. The Sun wasn¡¯t the only thing to sink as it disappeared below the horizon. On cue, the wind picked up considerably, blowing the snow into a frenzy. Well . . . shit to that!
He turned off the main spotlamps to conserve the battery, broke out the flashlights, and was about to issue instructions for repairs when he heard them.
Why are you stopping?
Come on, quickly now.
Were just over here!
Squinting into the static wash outside, Esther pointed and hissed, ¡°I¡¯m getting a really strong hit now! They¡¯re two hundred yards that way.¡±
¡°But I can¡¯t see them,¡± Simon complained. ¡°Christ, that meteorite must have really screwed up the harmonics of this place to prevent us from being able to scan them at such a close range. I¡¯ve got nothing.¡±
¡°Me neither,¡± Esther admitted. ¡°I just know they¡¯re there.¡±
Simon thought for a moment. ¡°Harry, you¡¯re the healer on this mission, so you get first dibs. Esther, back him up. Use your empathic sensitivity to zero in on whoever it is that¡¯s trapped out there and then warm them up as much as you can with your elemental skills. G¨¹nter, go with them. If anything doesn¡¯t feel right, don¡¯t take any chances, get the hell out of there and we¡¯ll regroup before deciding what to do. As I mentioned, we¡¯re not going to end up on any missing posters. While you¡¯re doing that, I¡¯ll stay here with Theresa and Mike and see what we can do with this damned piece of crap they call a Nodwell. Fortunately, TK doesn¡¯t get frostbite from frozen metal.¡±
Their immediate action plan agreed upon, the rescue group were swiftly on their way, fading into the thickening squall like diamond-encrusted teddy bears. In mere seconds, the only evidence of their existence came from the gentle strumming on the taut lifeline attached to one of the vehicle¡¯s safety rails and the brisk affirmation from Esther herself, reassuring him that all was well.
Simon got to work on the engine with the others. Fifteen minutes of cussing, swearing and tinkering with his TK later and he was rewarded by the sound of the motor coughing to life. Punching the air to celebrate, he yelled, ¡°At last, something¡¯s going right.¡±
That¡¯s when he noticed the lifeline had gone limp.
He reached for the familiar auras of his friends. Nothing!
Then he sent out a farsensing query. Still nothing!
Yanking the cab door open, he demanded, ¡°Hey, guys, did you see when the rope went slack?¡±
Both Theresa and Michael looked dismayed and shook their heads. Clambering inside, Simon continued, ¡°We¡¯d better go see what¡¯s happening then. Theresa, make sure you¡¯re ready with that gun, I¡¯m beginning to suspect there are too many mishaps occurring all at once for our run of bad luck to be a coincidence.¡±
Five minutes later and they were staring at a gaping hole in the ground measuring more than four yards in diameter. In the illumination provided by the main spotlights, Simon could just make out the equipment his colleagues had been carrying¡ªguns and all¡ªnow almost blanketed in snow lying to one side.
Simon didn¡¯t believe for one second that people like Esther, Harry or G¨¹nter would have blindly stumbled into such an opening. He was heading toward the weapons locker to retrieve another shotgun, when an irresistibly powerful psyche pulsed through the ether: You in the strange land craft. Get out, now!
Unable to resist, they exited the vehicle and stood as motionless as ice sculptures in the freezing wind.
Jump into the hole. Simon, use your telekinesis to lower everyone to the ground.
They did exactly as instructed, stepping into the abyss without the slightest hesitation. Bracing himself, Simon took control of the descent, conscious all the while of how his chances of escape diminished the deeper they went.
In no time at all they¡¯d reached the bottom, where the howl of the wind from above was conspicuously absent. Simon discerned they¡¯d landed of some kind of metallic shell, for light spilled out from a circular hatch next to them.
The entity commanded: Come inside.
Like automatons, they followed each other down into the structure, which appeared to be some kind of control room containing a wide variety of sophisticated equipment, machines that were obviously generators of some sort and what looked like three cryogenic pods.
As Simon waited, a degree of independence returned. Though his feet remained rooted to the spot, he was able to look around and think more clearly. A loud clunk drew his attention back to the cryotubes in time to see several restraining bars disengage from their moorings. Before they could retract all the way, the lids adorning each case slid to one side in a cloud of venting gas. A trio of imposing persons was revealed; one woman and two men. Adorned in simple robes, they appeared to be sleeping on some kind of sparkling fabric.
At that moment, Simon became aware of his absent teammates, standing as if frozen in the shadows against a far wall. Like him they struggled against invisible bonds.
A shiver reverberated around the chamber. In response, G¨¹nter, Michael, and Theresa detached themselves from their compatriots and started walking toward the pods. Stopping beside them they dropped silently to their knees, bent over the prone figures inside and kissed them on the mouths. Puzzled, Simon watched as the hypnotically repugnant act continued for about thirty seconds. Then without warning, all three of his colleagues stiffened and exploded in a cloud of dust.
Holy shit! Too late Simon realized what had become of all the other missing scientists and began screaming with all his might for the Guardians to come and save him from his predicament. From the look of them, Harry and Esther were following suit.
The same menacing presence became outraged: SILENCE, MORTALS! Although inescapable, you face a different fate than these lesser insects. You may now approach us to bring this process to completion.
Helpless to resist, they staggered forward, Esther toward the woman, Harry and Simon likewise toward the men.
Simon balked as the terrifying giants within each tube opened their eyes and vaulted to their feet in one fluid motion. Towering above the diminutive humans, their auras radiated with immense power.
The titan looming over Simon burrowed deep inside his mind and commenced rummaging through his memories and experiences; lapping and slurping at them greedily as if they were sustenance. When Simon tried to prevent the unwanted intrusion, he received an overwhelming throb of agony as a reward.
Gasps of pain and whimpers of fear from his friends told him they were enduring the exact same treatment.
The feeding continued for an eternity, before changing in both nature and tempo. As it did so, the creature before Simon clamped a huge hand over Simon¡¯s face, while grasping his shoulder with the other one. Twisting his head to one side, Simon¡¯s attacker began sucking at his neck. What the fuck is this?
With each ragged draw of the demon¡¯s breath, Simon felt a part of himself fade, flowing in spurts from his body as his tincture was gradually siphoned into the devil beside him. From his new position, Simon was able to peek out through talonlike fingers and watch as Esther was likewise emptied, each inhalation causing her to convulse and arch her back toward the psychic vampire greedily draining her life and energy.
In less than a minute, Simon was so weak that he was able to stand only because of the iron grip on his skull. He sagged. The world spun violently, appearing now as an inverted, crisscrossed overlay from somebody else¡¯s perspective. How . . . how can I be staring down at myself from up there? Who . . . where . . .?
Everything went dim as reality fled along a darkened corridor toward an unseen future. He-it began to fall, only to find himself-the other lowered gently onto the same mattress the terrifying colossus had occupied only a heartbeat ago.
Through fluttering eyelids, Simon witnessed the spectacle of his own hand pressing against a chest that wasn¡¯t his. The all-pervading persona spoke for a final time. ¡°Simon Cooper, though my words will bring you little comfort, take heed. Your sacrifice is not in vain. You will take my place here, in stasis, while your comrades provide a similar service for my kin. This is the only reason you were spared. As we assume your identities in the world above, know that what little remains of your souls will remain safe from the carnage to come.¡±
And with that, everything went black.
*
Standing, Simon glared in triumph toward his cohorts Ares and Hestia and said, ¡°Have you drained their essences?¡±
Both replied in unison, ¡°Yes, Psi-edon.¡±
¡°I am Psi-edon no longer! Join with me in harmony, dear friends, as we forge a brand-new bond between us.¡±
Heads bowed, they communed in intimate bliss for over fifteen minutes, savoring their freedom and relishing the vibrant experiences their newly restored senses brought them. Only once they had sated their ardor completely did they break the link.
¡°From this day onward, I am Simon Cooper, possessing all his hopes and dreams, traits and ambitions. His abilities joined to my own will prove most useful as we begin our dominion of the world above.¡±
Placing a hand to her heart, Hestia said, ¡°I¡¯m Esther Perry, elemental daughter to Earnest and Violet, a Bio-Chemist of impressive rank.¡± Looking Ares in the eye, she couldn¡¯t stop herself from grinning. ¡°I¡¯m still a scientist! Ha, these fools will do more than just serve if her recollections are accurate.¡±
As she spoke, Esther kept staring at Ares new form, extending a clear subliminal invitation.
Ares smiled back. ¡°I hold similar credentials, though mine relate to another discipline. Harry Johnson is my name. For a healer, this individual possesses an imposing aggressive capacity, especially for mind alteration. Psi . . . Simon, we have been most fortunate.¡±
Simon beamed broadly. ¡°Did I not say our endurance would be rewarded? The long wait is over. We move forward at last.¡±
They looked down on their former bodies, animated now by the tiniest spark of life provided by their unwilling captives who had been genetically altered to exude the necessary bio and mental signatures.
Esther checked the monitors. ¡°If anyone comes snooping, these readings will show we are still captive to oblivion¡¯s cruel embrace . . . and unrepentant.¡±
¡°Excellent,¡± Simon gushed. ¡°In such a condition they will remain undisturbed and we shall be long gone. All that remains is for us to ensure this hovel is cleansed, so there are no traces of our visitors from these past months.¡±
They were about to start when he had an idea: Brother, sister. I forget myself.
They looked toward him expectantly.
¡°We have waited patiently for thousands of years, so scant minutes spent on research now will cause us no harm. As we sanitize this facility, make sure to conduct the most thorough interrogation of the memories these fleshly cerebrums possess. We may uncover useful intelligence that will assist in our duplicity.¡±
They did and thirty minutes later, Simon was beside himself with ecstasy, for there were particulars within Cooper¡¯s mind he had overlooked in the haste of his initial excitement.
Whatever this Council was, Simon fully intended to find out and he eagerly anticipated Esther and Harry¡¯s findings once they had regained their composure.
Yes, these bodies will serve our needs perfectly. And now I know exactly what to do to expedite our swift departure from this hell continent, our long-awaited revenge can take another leap forward toward fruition . . . Mind you, I am keen to discover more about this place humans call Tokyo!
Out of This World
Deputy Marshal Designate Anatt Yasin decided to check her first major report as Off World Commander just one more time before sending it back to Guardian Headquarters.
Her teams had been very busy over the past few months, preparing the details of their findings regarding this beautiful planet and its suitability as a future colonization candidate. And truth be told, reading the contents again gave her a great deal of personal satisfaction.
From: Deputy Marshal Designate Anatt Yasin ¨C Off World Operations
To: Lord Marshal Earl Foster
Date: December 1st, 2037
Subject: Preliminary Results ¨C Kalliste Project
Sir,
It is with pleasure I present the enclosed dossier, following the completion of the first cosmological and planetary surveys.
Elpis System:
The star dominating this solar group has been christened ¡°Elpis¡± (Greek¨Chope).
She is an F(IV) blue/white sub-giant with one point seven times the mass of the Sun and six times the luminosity.
Initial examination has revealed Elpis to be stable, and ideally positioned on the edge of the Pegasus (Spheroid) Dwarf Galaxy, well away from dangerous radioactive and tidal influences.
Early indications reveal that her irradiative and convective rates are constant, and will remain this way for at least five billion years.
(Full scientific analytical analysis as per appendix A)
Planets:
The Elpis System contains seven planets divided into two sectors, Inner and Outer.
The Inner zone has four solid bodies, Ovid, Seneca, Apuleius and Kalliste, ranging between eighty-nine millions miles¡ªtwo hundred million miles in orbit.
As with our own solar system, this family has a main asteroid field. Measuring over one hundred and seventy million miles across, it appears to be the remains of an unformed planetoid, shattered by the interaction of opposing gravity between Kalliste and Arminius. (See below)
The Outer region encompasses three gas giants, Arminius, Virgil, and Arrhenius. Each has a mass in excess of Jupiter and the orbit of these bodies range from eight hundred million miles¡ªthree billion miles.
Of the inner planets, only two have moons, Seneca¡ªone and Kalliste¡ªtwo.
To date, we have ascertained the outer planets as having seventeen moons, Arminius¡ªfive, Virgil¡ªeight, Arrhenius¡ªfour.
All but two have atmospheres, and will be subjected to ¡°boots on the ground¡± studies in the near future.
(Full analysis as per appendix B)
Recommendations:
Once the Alpha site is established and Hyper-Gate viability is confirmed, I recommend a slow time survey be completed to accurately chart the entire outer system.
Rogue and foreign bodies are to be targeted and their orbits mapped, especially those travelling along or crossing the plane of ellipsis.
Planetary satellites are to be scrutinized for future viability as operational star or ground base venues.
Kalliste:
Although surface luminosity is only a third higher than that of Earth standard, there will be occasions when colonists and visitors will be working and/or travelling exo-atmosphere. This will represent a hazard as UV light will cause permanent blindness. As such, the following options must be considered:
(i) Colonists are to be offered voluntary retinal¡ªfull eye adaptation, to counter the detrimental effects of permanently heightened UV exposure.
(ii) Visitors are to be issued with mandatory wraparound filters, unless able to prove genetic modification as (i) above, or psychic shielding dexterity.
(iii) As technological advances are made, we must ensure all corporate and private craft capable of interstellar and Hyper Jump Gate travel are fitted with perma-shields as standard.
Kalliste has a diameter of twelve thousand six hundred and ninety-three miles, and a ¡°K-Standard day¡± (KSD) of thirty-nine hours.
Her atmosphere comprises seventy-four percent nitrogen; twenty-two percent oxygen and traces of argon, helium, hydrogen, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, methyl, ethyl and ozone. This generates considerable cloud cover, thereby reducing surface luminosity to less than half again earth standard.
Kalliste has two moons: Callistran and Theron.
Callistran has a diameter of two thousand one hundred miles and an orbit that averages three hundred and forty thousand miles along the elliptic plane. She completes one revolution in fifty-two KSDs.
Theron has a diameter of eight hundred miles, and lies between one hundred and eighty¡ªtwo hundred thousand miles out. Having an elliptical orbit which is also inclined at seventeen degrees, she completes a full circuit in thirty KSDs.
The gravitational influence of these moons upon the planet is high. Tidal variations of twenty-five feet, four times per day are common.
The additional impact added by Elpis¡¯ presence will result in two ¡°flood surges¡± annually. (Twenty-seven standard Earth months). Every fifth month will see super-high variances that must be considered when choosing settlement sites.
Our base camp has been set up on Nerada, the largest of the three continents which straddles the equatorial band. The eventual settlement itself is destined to occupy the coastal area to the south. (See attached topographical map).
The two other continents, Viridian and Paladin are situated west and south respectively. Both extend well into the polar zones. Combined, these two continents are roughly equivalent to the land mass of Nerada.
There are a goodly number of smaller land concentrations and archipelagos that mostly lie to the west and south of Nerada. These will be explored in the New Year.
In summation, these bodies cover forty percent of the planet¡¯s surface and possess a total of five major mountain ranges.
(Full summary enclosed ¨C Appendix C)
Due to the thicker atmosphere, the intensity of the F(IV) blue white sub-giant registers at only one third brighter than Earth standard as previously stated. That, together with a high proliferation of compounds (See flora and fauna below) has resulted in a lush environment with no great seasonal disparity.
While there will be a variance, it will never be cold enough for deep pack ice or permafrost to form, or arid enough for erosion, and as such, there are no deserts or ¡°wasted¡± land spots.
Minerals are plentiful, and will serve to sustain a controlled infrastructure.
Flora and Fauna:
At this stage, it has been determined that two of the continents¡ªNerada and Paladin¡ªare home to four of the five apex predators we have encountered, with those animals being common to both.
The ursine is best described as a combination of a grizzly and polar bear, but half again as big. Nick-named a Grylar, it eats anything that moves and will have to be monitored closely. Surveillance shows it favoring deep woodland and high altitude.
There are three main families of big cats.
One is docile, enjoying a form of telepathic ability comparable to that displayed by dolphins. It looks like a cross between a Jaguar and a Puma, being similar in size to the former. It is carnivorous, but loves company, and enjoys acting as a retriever of all sorts of objects.
We have affectionately dubbed it a Guappa.
It is susceptible to moods and as such, colonists will need to be strictly instructed as to how to act around them. When aroused, this animal is capable of inflicting severe injuries.
Bearing this in mind, the other two species are much more hazardous.
The first has been christened a Veran, a saber-toothed leonine that stands nearly six feet tall at the shoulder and which is blessed with leopard markings. It inhabits the jungles and coastal regions and is an excellent swimmer, with many marine animals included in its diet. It is a solitary animal, and so far has displayed an excessive wariness of humans which is to be encouraged until we understand it better.
It too displays a form of extrasensory awareness and would serve as an excellent ¡°guard dog¡± if we can instill in it an adversity to hunt humanoids. Thankfully, one of its favorite foods appears to be Silverstreaks, (see below), which may solve a number of problems for those eventually relocated to a coastal area.
The final big cat is comparable in bulk to larger male tigers.
Called a Quincha, it can best be described as a cross between a tiger and hyena, only twice as fast. They can cruise at seventy miles an hour and have the stamina of a marathon runner. So far, the top sprinting speed of this animal has been measured at one hundred and ten miles per hour.
As with the Grylar, they eat anything that moves, but thankfully have a preference for carrion.
Our final candidate is reptilian, a lizard we have called an Ozzaman. Uncannily like a small fairytale dragon to gaze upon, it can reach twenty feet in length and will fly for very short distances if it has to. Not only is the Ozzaman an excellent swimmer, but it can vent steam through its jaws in sufficient concentrations to strip flesh from its prey.
The oceans have a massive variety of life. (Precise enclosed ¨C Appendix D). The only direct threat is represented by the aforementioned Silverstreak, a thirteen-foot long eel that can cut through the water in excess of eighty miles per hour. It is highly aggressive and will attack sudden movement without provocation. Colonists are to be educated about the danger this genus represents.
Conversely, vigilance must also be exercised in the presence of a species of fish christened a Shogun Emperor. It is exceptionally venomous, with poisonous barbs being positioned along its fins. Although its diet consists of other fish and micro-organisms, it is exceedingly inquisitive and will brush along you if given the opportunity. This is not a sign of aggression, as the Shogun Emperor is a tactile soul and likes to say ¡°hello¡± by doing just that. As such, extreme caution must be exercised in its presence, as the neurotoxin it delivers is indirectly lethal, inhibiting¡ªas it does¡ªcontrol of the involuntary muscles.
Providentially we have only found this creature around the southern seas of the western continent, Viridian, where the currents congregate them within a one¡ªthree thousand mile radius.
All oceans are home to a species of giant squid, the common length of which is fifty feet. Fortunately this cephalopod is very shy, if somewhat gregarious. When it does approach you¡ªand it will¡ªexpect to be fondled and examined closely. (A most unnerving experience by all accounts!)
There are a number of aquatic mammalians which are plankton or fish eaters and so far, we have not discovered any aggressive groups.
Apart from these examples, the only other predator of concern is isolated to Viridian; a bird of prey similar to an Eagle, which relentlessly attacks anyone or anything straying too close to its nesting sites situated along the western shores of that continent. We have christened them Fire Strikes, as their claws secrete a naturally acidic enzyme that paralyzes its victims. Happily, their largest prey are sheeplike bovines plentiful across the entire landform.
Of note is the fact that there is a higher proliferation of chloroplasts in all varieties of vegetation, and while you still get photosynthesis, the majority of leaves are a very pale silver color.
The higher volume of rainfall here is countered by the superior water holding capacity of the top and subsoil. Not only is it excellent, but it negates erosion ¨C except near sea shores where high tidal variation causes substantial attrition.
The virgin forests are graced with a huge variety of trees, many of which exceed a thousand Earth years in age.
There are equatorial rainforests, abundantly stocked with epiphytes, bromeliads, saprophytes, lianas and other species never witnessed before. Outside the equatorial zones are broadleaf forests of majestic scope, containing many thick barked varieties, and several species of ebony unlike any on Earth.
Because there are no permanent polar icecaps or deserts, the rainforests gradually diminish into deciduous regions, unless interrupted by mountain barriers. Those arenas are expansive and spattered with grasslands and enormous swathes of land ripe for farming.
Inland spring sources contain a naturally occurring fluorite, which¡ªalong with other environmentally occurring minerals¡ªgives the water a refreshing and distinctive citrus tang.
The seas contain similar compounds which add a slightly different aftertaste. This will easily be addressed with suitable filtration methods.
The overall impact presents us with a milieu that can be said to be invigorating.
Moisture and precipitation levels are high. Nonetheless, corrosion is reduced due to abundant concentrations of airborne phosphorics along with organo-sulfurs in the soil. Such compounds are also rich in zinc, magnesium, copper, iron, manganese, boron, and calcium.
(For full scientific details see report crystal ASY/1)
Logistics:
The site of the Hyper-Gate has already been determined. Local gravitational conditions create a doldrums mid-way between Theron and Kalliste, encompassing the planet in a one thousand mile wide band. This will not only provide an excellent harbor/run out area for arriving ships, but also allow us to position orbital stations, platforms and the Star Base within a synchronous zone enjoying a stabilized environment.
The major planet transport hub will be sited on Viridian, where there are fewer hazards for new arrivals to contend with. Two additional subsidiary centers will be positioned to the north and south of this continent, along with an extra four on Nerada and two on Paladin.
Once established, further exploration and detailed surveys of each continent will be completed.
Personnel:
It has been a delight to work with the men and women selected for this mission.
Adjutant Marshal Naomi Cruz, (Ult), has taken to her roll like the proverbial duck to water. Her ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously has been a godsend. It is thanks to her that most of the inter-system bodies, planetary features and creatures have been named.
She coordinates the efforts of the Shadow Team under Deputy Shadow Master Trudy Bevin, (Elm/comp); the Scientific Contingent under Grand Master Jaghpal Singh, (TP ¨C Vt); and the Procurators under High Grand Master Designate Asher Cogan, (Tel/F ¨C Weth), with amazing alacrity. Her relaxed manner of exercising oversight encourages each department to complete their assigned tasks with a minimum of fuss. There is no doubt in my mind that everyone finds this a refreshing contrast to my own style of hands-on discipline, and other more senior staff members are always happy to follow her suggestions.
The Shadow Lord is still away, completing long range security scans for roving comets and other orbiting bodies that may pose a threat in the future. He is due to return in the New Year, when the Proteus completes her roundtrip with fresh supplies.
Note: We are currently operating at eighty-nine percent efficiency.
Once the barracks have been completed, all resources can be devoted to Hyper-Gate construction. By the time the engineering and construction crews arrive, I envision that figure to be ninety-six percent.
Anatt Yasin. Deputy Marshal Designate
Satisfied by the content and flow of her report, Anatt realized she had time for an invigorating run through the forest with Felix¡ªthe resident Guappa who had introduced himself to her on their second day planetside¡ªbefore ensuring the Proteus got underway on the epic journey home.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
Evidently, something about Anatt¡¯s own character appealed to the Guppa¡¯s feline temperament. From the moment they met, he had bonded to her and now insisted on leaving all manner of gifts inside her footwear on an almost daily basis. Sadly, not all of those offerings were dead.
*
Old District ¨C Tokyo ¨C December 2nd
Ensconced within his private suite in the penthouse complex atop the Yeung Technologies tower block, Lei Yeung was treating himself to a well-earned break. He¡¯d spent that morning preparing some preliminary facts and figures with his accountants and lawyers for the New Year¡¯s board meeting. Those statistics showed the corporation¡¯s stocks and shares as ¡°over performing¡± by an index of at least seventeen percent against their closest competitors.
Skimming the notes he¡¯d made brought a smile to his weathered face. Against all the odds, the return of the Guardians had been very good for business and his Apostles would be delighted with the revenue generated through their dominion of the scientific and medical markets. And all the more so when they discover the size of their bonuses for this year.
He chuckled to himself. How easy people are to manipulate when offered an appropriate . . . incentive.
As Yeung picked up the next batch of confidential files needing appraisal, he decided the time was ripe for a light lunch. Pressing the intercom button beside his chair, he waited for the gravelly tones of his personal chef, ninety-six year old Tome Dui to answer.
¡°Shacho-San, what can I fix for you today?¡±
¡°Not much, Dui-San,¡± Yeung replied. ¡°Just a Kani salad will be fine. I don¡¯t want to be dozing off during my conference calls.¡±
Laughing, the wizened cook replied, ¡°Ah, I can sympathize. Your meal won¡¯t take long. Do you require a suitable sake to compliment the spices I¡¯ll be using?¡±
¡°Not this time, old friend. A mineral water will be sufficient.¡±
Yeung ended the call and began checking through his outline again while he waited. Even though some of their latest projects were well ahead of schedule, it was the unorthodox application of one or two of them his Apostles would be most interested in.
Only three days ago, one of his project leaders, Dr. Brent Leech¡ªwho was heading the development of the Energy Mirror Units, or EMUs as they had been dubbed¡ªhad stumbled across an unconventional adaptation to their use. He¡¯d discovered that, with certain adjustments, the EMUs might be capable of negating the psychic and physical forces generated by the Guardians in their day-to-day affairs.
Leech remembered a conversation with Marty Mays back in November, whereby the Fire Chief described how his abilities had begun to mesh with and mirror the various energetic emissions used by the Guardians as they went about their work in the Channel Tunnel. He went on to explain that the Guardians seemed to employ some form of natural and technological reactive element to those emissions which were able to recognize what he was doing, before modulating away from him, thereby preventing his mirroring ability from locking on, mimicking and nullifying the process.
Intrigued, Leech had engaged in a bit of afterhours tinkering on a separate prototype and had managed to create an emitter that was able to cycle through a variety of physical and esoteric vibratory wavelengths.
Reminding himself of the summary of that report, Yeung could see the conclusion was highlighting the fact that those frequencies may be limited at the moment and far too slow to be of use, but the potential for improvement was huge. Thinking of the other activities the Council was committed to, Yeung couldn¡¯t help but ponder what would happen if he could micro-size that new technology, as anything that helped speed the day when he could effectively counter those interfering do-gooders permanently would be most welcome.
The latest bit of news he wanted to chew over arrived this very morning and related to their bid to be the sole manufacturers of the new line of Wave Readers. His company was down to the final two applicants! A good start. But Yeung wasn¡¯t going to allow something as mundane as odds to dictate the reshuffling of his strategy, or indeed, the final outcome. Deciding there and then to ensure their competitors received a visit from one of his problem solving teams before things progressed any further, he felt much better. Yes, I think the next month or two will usher in all sorts of fresh prospects; prospects that will sustain our drive well into the next fiscal year.
The buzzer to his outer door sounded. Ah, lunch!
It wasn¡¯t until he¡¯d pressed the buzzer that Yeung realized he couldn¡¯t sense Tome¡¯s aura. Instead, he perceived the muted emanations of his head of security, Harry Bing.
Puzzled, he called mentally: Harry?
No reply was forthcoming from his strongly telepathic employee, who for some reason was broadcasting a disturbing m¨¦lange of dread, alarm and frustration.
¡°Harry, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Yeung called out. At the same time, he reached toward the emergency button below his desk.
A disembodied voice answered. There is nothing physically wrong with your security director . . . for the moment. And so long as you comply, he will remain unharmed.
Guardians! Yeung thought. Depressing the button, he glancing toward the files on his desk, which he now wished were safely hidden away in the strong room. Instinctively, he started moving.
The same voice replied to his unspoken panic. Oh no, my friend, we are not Guardians. Far from it! In fact, we have reason to hate them even more than you do.
What? The passion lacing that statement caught Yeung by surprise.
Pausing mid-step, he turned to look toward the atrium leading into the suite. Harry entered; red faced, sweating, eyes bulging wide as he fought against the compulsion dominating his actions. Walking like an automaton, he led the way before a group of three people Yeung recognized . . . or thought he recognized, as their psyches didn¡¯t register.
Momentarily confused he scrutinized at each face. That¡¯s Simon Cooper and his pin-up team, Harry Johnson and Esther Perry. What are they doing here? Their assignment in Antarctica can¡¯t have finished already?
Intuition kicked in.
¡°Who the blazes are you?¡± Yeung roared, gathering his strongest psychoenergetic shield and releasing a shockwave of auto suggestive power that should have had them turning and running for the hills.
Simon appeared unfazed and smiled. ¡°I plainly told you, your security manager was safe only so long as you behaved. Now it appears I have to demonstrate the integrity of my resolve.¡± He made a sign, and Harry flew through the air toward the reinforced windows as if he¡¯d been dropkicked by a giant. When he hit the centermost triple-glazed pane dead center, it cracked, splintering into a weblike network of chaos.
Somehow, it held and Harry bounced back to land on the floor in a bloody mess.
Yeung¡¯s attention remained locked on this unexpected opponent, but his mind screamed to his colleague: Teleport you idiot! Now!
Harry shook his head, trying vainly to clear a skull filled with jumbled wits. Yeung could tell he was hampered by the pain, but knew he was gathering enough focus to initiate a jump to safety.
Loyal to a fault, Harry risked a glance at his boss: I¡¯ll bring help.
It¡¯s already on the way. For goodness sake, get out of here!
That delay cost Harry dearly. Esther stamped forward and delivered a savage telekinetic blow that not only knocked the hapless security chief unconscious, but sent him sailing out through the shattered remains of the window.
Harry disappeared from sight amid an angry swarm of glass, and began his race to extinction six hundred and fifty feet below. Refusing to show fear, Yeung declared, ¡°That was reckless. Can you imagine the unnecessary attention his death will generate as his body splatters all over the sidewalk? Are you not aware the Guardians are alerted by such things very easily?¡±
Esther spat obscenities in reply, but a warning from Simon stayed her wrath.
Moments later, a pulse of light signaled the timely retrieval of Yeung¡¯s erstwhile protector. As Harry lay there oblivious, rasping for breath through shattered ribs and ruined lungs, his namesake Harry Johnson strolled over to him, knelt and placed a hand on his chest. Yeung initially thought the act to be a benevolent one, assuming his injured employee would be rendered some form of aid.
He was mistaken.
Convulsing once, Harry Bing crumbled to dust before Yeung¡¯s eyes, his essence having been consumed with sickening ease.
A master of strategy, Yeung knew he was hopelessly outgunned. Even so, he retained the presence of mind to realize these people needed him for something.
He decided to take a risk. ¡°If you harm one more of my people, be assured you will find the consequences most unpleasant. You are no doubt aware I have alerted my staff, and they will respond from around the globe very quickly. That you are beyond us individually is clear, but together? We shall see. Appreciate too, our conflict may also be heard in places neither of us would be comfortable with. How do you think you¡¯d fare against those you say we hate in common? I would really hate the thought of being indebted to them.¡±
Yeung held his breath, not daring even to blink.
Still bristling at his defiance, the one who looked like Esther Perry let her barriers drop slightly. The merest hint of the awesome power she possessed radiated from every pore of her body. As she started toward him, Yeung felt an invisible clashing of authority that stalled her approach. Gods, what is she?
Shifting his perceptions into the esoteric spectrum, Yeung was stunned by what he saw. While the people in front of him appeared normal to mundane sight, their psi-wells revealed them to be the complete opposite. Huge golden and blue halos surrounded them. Intertwined with a myriad of rainbow hues, each color was garlanded in vibrant bands of silver. A million and one tactical options vied for Yeung¡¯s attention. They are extremely powerful and profess an abhorrence of the Guardians. Regardless of the danger involved, I have to find out why . . . Very well, let¡¯s see how this plays out.
¡°Peace sister,¡± Simon cooed in the meantime. ¡°This human only needs to appreciate his place in the scheme of things, and we will have found ourselves a valuable ally against our true foe.¡±
¡°We need no help from the likes of them,¡± she spat back.
Harry Johnson put a restraining hand on her arm. ¡°Patience Hest . . . Esther. They are far beyond the mortals we are used to and possess sufficient technology to prove useful in the fight ahead.¡±
Simon stepped toward Yeung. ¡°Useful indeed.¡±
Human? Mortals? Yeung remained still as Simon walked right into his personal space and began studying him closely. He didn¡¯t flinch, not even when the doppelganger stooped so close that they were almost touching, nose to nose. Staring right back, he allowed his bitter hatred of the Guardians to radiate from the core of his being, and said: I may be past my prime, but look into my mind. Witness the depth of my patience and cunning. How else could a humble Chinese peasant rise through the ranks of the Japanese Brotherhood to become unrivaled among the Bosses? That was no easy feat, let me tell you. Nor was it child¡¯s play to manipulate the world¡¯s markets and media to become their leading light.
Simon¡¯s gaze softened. Motioning toward the couch, he said. ¡°Shacho-Yeung. Forgive me; no, forgive us. In our haste to exact revenge on a mutual enemy, I fear we may have vented our ire unwisely and got off on the wrong foot.¡±
Yeung breathed out slowly and joined the predator on the couch, taking care to sit as far away as possible. ¡°It is custom to drink tea while conducting business that involves a degree of trust and cooperation. Would you care to join me?¡±
Simon inclined his head and Yeung placed another call to his chef. As he did so, he couldn¡¯t fail to notice the crackling discharges still jumping through Esther¡¯s hair and from her exposed extremities. She views me with nothing but contempt. That will have to change if progress is to be made . . . and swiftly.
Harry Johnson went to Yeung¡¯s desk and started rummaging through several files without asking. Raising his eyebrows at their contents, he repeatedly looked toward Simon and Esther, obviously discussing something with them telepathically.
The silence grew for a minute until the buzzer sounded.
Yeung asked, ¡°Is it within your capabilities to do something about the window? My man is bound to notice the damage and wonder where Mister Bing is.¡±
Simon shrugged and waved. Moments later the glass was fully restored.
That kind of raw power will prove most useful . . . if it can be harnessed. Aloud, Yeung called out, ¡°Dui-San, you may come in.¡±
Pushing his way past the armed contingent crowding the exterior of the main entrance, Yeung¡¯s ancient servant eyed everyone in the room in wary silence before shuffling across to place a tray of tea and refreshments before his master.
¡°Thank you, Dui-San,¡± Yeung began. ¡°Now, would you please inform everyone¡ªand I do stress, everyone¡ªthat I¡¯m not to be disturbed. I have urgent matters to discuss with some new . . .¡± He paused to look at the strange trio, but especially at Simon who appeared to lead these mysterious beings, ¡°associates who may be able to accelerate our timetable considerably.¡±
Dui bowed in response and, as he left the room, Yeung mentally affirmed his instructions: My friend, ask the security team to remain close by. If I do need them, ensure Angelika responds with extreme prejudice. Tell her, the ¡°Ashai Protocol¡± is to be followed to the letter. If necessary, blow this place apart, whether I¡¯m here or not.
The aged chef glanced back and nodded on his way out, indicating he had understood and would ensure those orders were passed on.
Yeung then turned his attention to Simon. ¡°It is the time for truth and trust. If you wish to do business, I need to know who you really are and what you want.¡±
¡°That, my newfound partner, makes for an interesting story.¡± Simon helped himself to tea. ¡°We have been out of circulation for a long, long time, but we know your current adversary and his minions with an intimacy born from millennia of conflict. You on the other hand have only had to contend with them for a relatively short period. Even so, you have accurately surmised they are weeds, prolific vines that will choke the life from your goals and aspirations if left unchecked. Our experience and power¡ªtogether with your considerable assets and influence¡ªmay forge a union that ends their supremacy over humanity, leaving us all where we rightfully belong.¡±
With you at the top, no doubt. ¡°I have to admit, that sounds out of this world,¡± Yeung confessed. ¡°But how would you propose we actually do that?¡±
Simon lowered his voice and spoke in a conspiratorial tone. ¡°For a start, we could show you exactly how to achieve the more interesting aspirations you have in mind for the EMU devices mentioned in your reports over there.¡± He indicated the woman called Esther. ¡°My fellow collaborator is a noteworthy scientist and tells me she can ensure they function as you desire, and very quickly too.¡±
She can? Yeung smiled warmly in her direction, ensuring to project an appropriate degree of formality and respect into the gesture so that it couldn¡¯t be construed in the wrong way. Edging along the couch, he murmured, ¡°Please, tell me everything.¡±
For the next two hours, he listened to a tale so incredulous, that it not only made him forget about the planned conference calls, but also about the untimely death of a very close and personal friend, who would be very difficult to replace.
Invitations
BBC Studios Washington ¨C 7:20 p.m. local time ¨C December 4th
Cathy West sat quietly in her seat within the interview area of the main studio, striving desperately to ignore the hustle and bustle unfolding all around her. Breathing slowly and deeply didn¡¯t seem to help, for the background noise soon triggered another attack of the jitters. Less than ten minutes to go until the interview that makes or breaks my career.
The familiar feeling of treading water in lead boots returned. Oh God! Why do I put myself through this?
She repeated that question to herself over and over again, in between bouts of elation at being chosen by Harold Bennett in the first place, and the anxiety his supposedly helpful pep talk that morning had caused:
Squinting at her through one eye over the top of a fat cigar, he boomed, ¡°Golden apples like this don¡¯t fall from trees. You have to pluck them. Get this right today, young lady, and your path to the top will become a harvest windfall.¡±
Oh, cheers! She thought, realizing that what he¡¯d left unsaid was much more profound. ¡°Screw it up and you¡¯ll be burned . . . forever razed from the limelight.¡±
No pressure, then!
A prickling sensation along the back of her neck snapped Cathy free of a mounting panic. Scanning the set, she observed how everyone else was carrying on with their preparations without seeming to have noticed anything. What is that?
Without warning, a male Guardian materialized on the couch right next to her, so close he was almost touching. Aha! I should have known.
As with most other Guardians Cathy had met, he appeared youthful, about thirty-five years of age. At close to six feet tall, he was blessed with close cropped black hair and an athletic build. Even better, his eyes were a gorgeous aquamarine color that she found herself swimming in almost instantly. Yum, yum!
It wasn¡¯t until she¡¯d recovered from her initial astonishment and looked him up and down properly that a bolt of recognition hit her. ¡°Oh, you were in the Oval Office . . .¡±
¡°Indeed I was,¡± the Deputy Conciliator declared. ¡°Tell me, how have things been since you were snatched away on the adventure of a lifetime?¡±
¡°Fi . . . fine, really good.¡± Now she was flustered.
¡°I¡¯ve been following your career quite closely since your item from the Olympus. That was a very complimentary broadcast by the way, despite the hairy circumstances. So thank you. You helped us build a lot of bridges there.¡±
He¡¯s been following me? ¡°You¡¯re welcome. I can¡¯t think of a better way to nearly die a horrible death every five minutes and entertain the public at the same time!¡±
Laughing throatily, he leaned forward and offered his hand. ¡°Joseph, but I prefer Joe. Oh, and by the way, Alex sends his regards and asked me to ensure I make you look good.¡±
Bemused and yet pleasantly surprised that the Guardian leader of the Langley rescue team had remembered her, she accepted the invitation, discerning his grip was tactfully firm, and replied, ¡°Thanks . . . to you both. It was nice of him to think of me. And please. Feel free to do exactly as Alex requested.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll do my very best, okay?¡± Joseph retorted, still chuckling.
Overcoming the shock of his arrival, several floor personnel started to fluster about their final preparations, and tried hard not to stare.
The floor manager, Ben Glenn¡ªBG to his friends¡ªstepped forward and asked, ¡°Sorry to ask the obvious, but you are the Guardian who will be talking with us today? Not to be rude, but we were kinda expecting the other grandpa guy.¡±
¡°He¡¯s tied up with other things, so I¡¯m standing in for him. Allow me to introduce myself properly.¡± He stood and shook Ben¡¯s hand. ¡°High Grand Master Joseph West at your service, Deputy Conciliator of the Guardians.¡± Glancing Cathy¡¯s way, he winked and added, ¡°No relation. I think?¡±
¡°Small world,¡± she murmured, checking him out again in open admiration and hoping with all her heart there were no familial ties hidden away somewhere. Patting the seat next to her, she motioned for him to sit back down.
No sooner had he done so than the various department representatives surged forward, offering their particular services. Accepting a button microphone, Joseph turned to his host. ¡°How do you wish to proceed?¡±
Cathy mulled things over briefly. ¡°To be honest, people have been watching footage of your activities over and over again since the New Year. They¡¯re fully aware of the tremendous sacrifices you all made there, and of course, what you actually did for us before that in Texas, Egypt, and Spain. If you want my opinion, I think it may be best to review the events from before the exodus from your own personal perspective, and then I¡¯ll get your feedback about what went down in January.¡±
¡°Really?¡± Joseph seemed amazed. ¡°Do you think people will find that interesting?¡±
¡°Yes I do, because we never really got a chance to find out how you felt at being kicked out for¡ªbasically¡ªdoing your best. In hindsight, most of us realize we made one hell of a mistake and found it very humbling to see how quickly your remaining people responded in our darkest hour, even though it cost many of them their lives.¡±
Joseph looked thoughtful for a moment. ¡°No problem, Cathy, leave it to me. I was there for both incidents, so I should be able to fill the holes in quite nicely.¡±
Were you now? I didn¡¯t know that. So, he¡¯s the quiet hero type. Outwardly, Cathy didn¡¯t miss a beat. ¡°Great! That¡¯ll leave us time to mention a few details about the scientific advances we¡¯re now enjoying and of course, the door that¡¯s been opened up for others with gifts who seem to be coming forward in droves, and¡ª¡±
BG wandered back over and stopped in front of them, ¡°Sorry to disturb you, but it¡¯s almost time to start. If you have to do anything, please make sure it¡¯s done soon, okay?¡±
Both nodded.
¡°If you need to freshen up, I can show you where to go,¡± Cathy offered.
¡°I¡¯m fine, thanks. Although I wouldn¡¯t mind a drink.¡±
¡°Well, I¡¯m free tomorrow night.¡± Cathy couldn¡¯t suppress a giggle. Oh Jesus, I can¡¯t believe I just said that!
Joseph stared intently at her, the faintest beginning of a smirk causing his cheeks to twitch. Unsure if she might be joking or not, he murmured, ¡°Actually, Cathy, I meant I wouldn¡¯t mind one now.¡±
Cathy held his gaze, determined not to let him get away so easily. ¡°Okay. Follow me, but think of it as a trial run.¡±
His brows furrowed but the smirk grew into a full-blown smile. Trailing Cathy into the kitchen, she soon had him talking like they¡¯d know each other all their lives.
*
The seemingly innocent t¨ºte-¨¤-t¨ºte didn¡¯t go unnoticed.
Busy they might have been, but the floor crew and technicians perceived just how relaxed Cathy appeared to be in the presence of their guest. A few¡ªespecially the women amongst them¡ªrecognized that her body language was suggesting she wanted to be more than just relaxed.
*
The Interview
The music faded and the opening logo disappeared, to be replaced by silhouettes illuminated by backlighting. As the studio grew brighter, the camera zoomed in on two of those profiles in particular, now transposed into a couple chatting away like good friends on a large couch positioned behind a wide coffee table.
The young woman¡ªinstantly recognizable to viewers because of her previous on-the-go exploits¡ªeased back into her seat and announced, ¡°Good evening and welcome to the first of what we hope will be a series of interviews with our newly returned saviors. I¡¯m Cathy West, and you¡¯re joining us live for the next thirty minutes here at the BBC Studios in Washington.¡±
Inclining her head to one side, Cathy expanded the opening spiel to include her visitor. ¡°With me is Deputy Conciliator, High Grand Master Joseph West¡ªno relation I¡¯m relieved to say¡ªwho will help us reflect on the events of the past year, and consider what the future may hold now the Guardians are back.¡±
She paused, allowing the Deputy Conciliator time to smile and make his introductions. ¡°Hello, it¡¯s nice to be here.¡± He had a quizzical look on his face. ¡°I hope you don¡¯t mind me clarifying something, Cathy. Why are you relieved we¡¯re not related?¡±
¡°Why? Because it means you¡¯re available, Joseph. Accessible. Footloose and fancy-free. And I, along with another umpteen million single young women am absolutely delighted about that!¡± Smirking, Cathy flashed her eyebrows, bent forward and patted his hand where it rested between them on the couch.
The look of astonishment etched across the Deputy Conciliator¡¯s finely chiseled features at that moment was priceless, delighting the floor crew and production team who¡ªto a man, woman and intern¡ªfailed miserably at concealing their mirth. The mood changed in an instant as everyone realized this was going to be an interview to remember.
Clearly off balance, Joseph stammered, ¡°Why . . . um . . . thank you? I . . . er, I really don¡¯t know what to say to that.¡±
¡°That¡¯s okay. You can think of something suitably witty tomorrow night, over a candlelit dinner at an amazing restaurant you think will impress the socks off me. And just so you know, don¡¯t even think of trying to say you¡¯re busy or washing your hair. I know people and have made a few phone calls to make certain you¡¯re free.¡± This time she held his gaze without smirking. When he didn¡¯t reply immediately, she crossed her arms and waited.
The already charged atmosphere became electric when, to the thrill of everyone watching, Joseph burst out laughing. ¡°Wow, I walked straight into that one didn¡¯t I? Well done!¡±
Suddenly businesslike, Cathy beamed, ¡°Excellent! Now I¡¯ve got the necessities over and have made myself unpopular with the adoring female masses, can you remind us of a few details about yourself? As Deputy Conciliator, I understand you are second-in-command of Lord Arihkin¡¯s department, yes?¡±
Joseph played to the switch in tempo beautifully. ¡°That¡¯s . . . ahem . . . that¡¯s right. Our working policy ensures all the Guardians are represented in council. While the Lords are the strongest, and therefore best suited to actually head our departments¡ªor Houses as we call them¡ªthose of my rank usually fill the Deputy posts.¡±
¡°Why is that?¡±
¡°High Grand Master is the strongest you can become without triggering the transcension process, so we best represent those of the corporeal ranks.¡±
¡°Ah, transcension. Thank you for mentioning that. I¡¯d like to ask you some questions on that subject a little later, okay?¡± Joseph nodded, so Cathy breezed ahead, ¡°For now, take us back if you would, to before the exodus and the sparks that some might say set the forest ablaze.¡±
As she spoke, the BlackRay panels on the wall behind them activated, revealing different shots of the terrible storm and monster tornado that had ravaged Texas and Oklahoma a few years previously. After a few minutes, some of the monitors blinked and changed to depictions of the missile strikes that followed shortly thereafter.
Citing the numerous scenes of carnage, Cathy declared, ¡°Since these events, we¡¯ve had ample opportunity to uncover the circumstances that not only compounded the issue, but led to a devastating climax. Facts that weren¡¯t common knowledge at the time. Now we¡¯ve had a chance to digest their implications, we realize what a huge mistake we made in blaming you for the relatively few deaths that occurred.
¡°Are you able to tell us, Joseph; how did the Guardians feel about mankind¡¯s reaction, or should I say, over-reaction, to what happened?¡±
Joseph pursed his lips and blew out slowly. ¡°I think I can safely say we felt deeply hurt. Don¡¯t get me wrong, part of us understood where you were coming from, but it was still difficult to handle.¡±
¡°Would you be prepared to expand on that?¡± Cathy asked, surprised by the candidness of the answer.
¡°I¡¯ll try.¡± Another deep breath followed. ¡°If you recall, the Lord Conciliator, Vladimir Arihkin, made it abundantly clear in his opening public address that we didn¡¯t reveal ourselves to humanity until we could be confident of being able to respond to dire emergencies on a global scale. That¡¯s one hell of a commitment to make. The issue being, he did stress repeatedly that we could only provide cover if the situation was urgent enough.
¡°The storm that sparked things off, as you say, was the strongest ever recorded. Your footage captures only too well how powerful, how mutated it became as it gathered sufficient energy to be capable of wreaking havoc and killing millions.
¡°That potential for loss of life is what prompted us to take action. I mean, that¡¯s what we¡¯re here for, after all. However, by allocating our resources to such a mammoth undertaking, it left us stretched rather thinly elsewhere.¡±
Raising her hand, Cathy interjected. ¡°Why did this particular storm commit your assets so extensively?¡±
¡°Because it wasn¡¯t confined to just one locality. Its destructive latency was spread over several states, which cover thousands of square miles, placing all the souls living in those cities and townships in peril. Obviously, we did our best to balance current needs against the risk of other crises of that magnitude arising, but. . .¡± he sighed, heavily, ¡°but, as we now know, something else did happen. Something unnatural. An act so nefarious and foul that its sole purpose was to see us fail, regardless of the cost.¡±
Cathy made haste to add a little illumination. ¡°You¡¯re referring of course to the terrorist attack at Carlsbad, New Mexico, instigated by the psychic crime boss Luigi Espasito, and the offshoot arising from that scheme, the later missile strikes on targets thousands of miles apart?¡±
¡°I am. He was obviously following things on TV, or something similar, and chose the exact moment that some of my colleagues died to trigger a very cowardly chain of events.¡±
¡°Yes, we¡¯re all grateful for the remarkable way your Overlord was able to step in and save the day at Lawton, so I would like to expand on the other incidents you just mentioned.¡± Joseph inclined his head, so Cathy continued. ¡°Am I right in saying that Espasito instructed that all the safety and security systems at Carlsbad be sabotaged too, so really, there was nothing worldly resources could have done to prevent a catastrophe?¡±
¡°You are spot on, Cathy. He had engineered it so our involvement must take place. Had we not intervened, the lives of millions of residents in New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma would have been endangered by radioactive fallout. Just thinking of how many people¡ªand animals come to that¡ªwho would have been subjected to a slow and painful death from radiation poisoning had we not got there in time makes my blood boil even now.¡±
Following his line of thought Cathy added, ¡°But that wasn¡¯t the only act of sabotage and subterfuge you had to contend with, was it?¡±
¡°Right again. It wasn¡¯t until our Alpha Teams had been forced to assist at the Waste Isolation Plant that we discovered a diabolical twist to Espasito¡¯s strategy. It was a diversion. A very real, very deadly one, but a diversion nonetheless. We found out his goal was to keep us distracted and unable to intervene during the final phase of his plan: the detonation of highjacked tactical gravo-nuclear warheads sent against civilian, economic, as well as military objectives.¡±
The background frieze changed to show the various locations from around the world subsequently revealed as the intended targets of the missiles.
Pointing to the screens, Cathy stressed, ¡°After the exodus, designated authorities took the opportunity to go over your accounts of the incident much more thoroughly than we did at the time. We were shamefaced by what we discovered. You viewers at home might especially want to listen to this.¡±
Selecting an A4 sized sheet of paper from the coffee table, she faced the camera directly and read aloud, ¡°A projected death toll numbering into the hundreds of millions; damage to trade and industry from the loss of so many ports and the closing of the Suez and Panama Canals exceeding two hundred and forty-three trillion dollars; untold harm to the environment and sustainable ecology in multiple locations; and of course, the unimaginable, ongoing misery this would have generated.
¡°Experts are still arguing over the full implications, so we just have to know. How on earth did you manage to uncover what Espasito had worked so hard to conceal?¡±
Joseph shrugged and smiled grimly. ¡°I can only say that was down to some very astute and vigilant farscanners aboard our observation stations. Though we were already heavily committed, they became so suspicious at the lengths the persons responsible for the sabotage at Carlsbad had gone to, to guarantee our attendance that they started digging. Thank God they were sharp enough to spot the needles in a world-sized haystack.¡±Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Then Joseph¡¯s demeanor changed and his voice trailed away. ¡°Regrettably, we weren¡¯t quick enough implementing a suitable strategy.¡±
The back screens came to life again, spending some considerable time highlighting the rescue efforts in the aftermath of the detonations.
Eventually, the images froze. Using that as her cue, Cathy sat up straight and spoke in a sincere manner. ¡°Not to cause offense, but I think we¡¯ll have to dispute with your assumption that you weren¡¯t quick enough.¡±
Seeing that Joseph seemed puzzled by her remark, she moved to expand on her statement. ¡°Quite a number of law enforcement and fire and rescue agencies from more than a dozen different countries went over your reports after you¡¯d left, their investigations being conducted under the oversight of a UN led committee. All of them agreed; you shouldn¡¯t have had the time to find, let alone react to the final stage of Espasito¡¯s plot. We¡¯ve all witnessed how things played out. The missiles were impossible to predict or anticipate. And yet you did, thereby reducing what could have been a catastrophic death toll.¡±
The BlackRay panels commenced flicking through the various headlines from around the world, published following the release of the UN backed inquiry. Many of them included shocking estimates of what the casualty list could have been, was it not for the miraculous intervention of the Guardians.
Resuming her summary, Cathy said, ¡°We¡¯ve never officially expressed our thanks for all you achieved that day. You did more than could be expected and unfortunately, because of the actions of a vocal minority, we allowed ourselves to get swept along on a crusade that led to your ostracism and exclusion from Earth. We were wrong, we screwed up and we¡¯re sorry. You should know, there¡¯s a growing consensus that we need to make amends, and certain heads of state are pushing to publicly demonstrate our willingness to apologize this coming New Year. I hope you won¡¯t deny us the opportunity to make reparations.¡±
Joseph coughed, visibly uncomfortable at the sudden change in emphasis. ¡°Thank you, Cathy. That . . . that¡¯s very kind of you, but we¡¯re not here for accolades or to be told ¡®well done¡¯ or anything like that, we . . .¡±
Cutting back in, Cathy insisted, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Joseph. I have to disagree again.¡±
The display monitors changed to a startling deep space backdrop showing a number of long range pictures and video feeds, their title headers revealing they were recorded by NASA back in January. In them, the planet killer, Abaddon, hurtled through the firmament toward Earth.
¡°As I mentioned, we didn¡¯t fully appreciate what you did for us two years ago, before we kicked you out like petulant children throwing a tantrum. It wasn¡¯t until after you had left that we realized our mistake, and even then, we were too proud to come to a unanimous decision to do anything about it.¡± She cocked a thumb at the brute on the screens. ¡°In fact, it took this little beauty to galvanize our thinking and force us to realize just how much we need you.¡±
The panels switched from a long-range view of the asteroid to shots of the Guardian fleet taken from the bridge of the Flagship Olympus.
¡°If I may be so bold?¡± Cathy waved both hands in the air. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you just leave us in the lurch? We¡¯d kicked you out, so why bother? How come some of you stayed behind to secretly watch over us?¡±
The Deputy Conciliator¡¯s gaze took on a vacant aspect as he tried to formulate the best way of expressing his thoughts. ¡°Because you¡¯re too important, we couldn¡¯t just leave you when you needed us most.¡±
¡°Nice answer, but I think it needs some explaining?¡±
¡°What¡¯s to explain?¡± Joseph contended, ¡°We are Guardians. How could we act against our very nature? It is not only our duty to protect others, but our calling too.¡±
¡°So you stayed behind?¡±
¡°Some of us did, just enough it seems to be effective against anything nasty.¡±
The screens now showed multiple clips as seen from the differing vantage points offered by the Guardian fleet, firing platforms and observation stations, each highlighting the many sacrifices their crews had made despite the odds stacked against them. Their determination to prevent as many shards getting through as possible was clearly evident. Time and again, a ship or station would deliberately maneuver into the path of a larger, deadlier fragment capable of causing utter devastation should it reach the surface. And time and again, those same vessels were obliterated amid a blinding flash of light.
Moving. Poignant. Brave. Horrific. Words were insufficient.
¡°Do you see why I interrupted you, Joseph?¡± Cathy stressed gently. ¡°Do you appreciate why we feel the way we do? We made a huge mistake by forcing you to leave and this is how you answered us! Is it any wonder we feel the need to say ¡®thank you¡¯ for all you¡¯ve done? That¡¯s why January fifth is being earmarked as a new international holiday to commemorate the day the Earth was saved . . . and by those we treated so unfairly, no less.¡±
Snorting gently, Joseph admitted, ¡°Actually, we already knew about that.¡±
¡°We guessed as much by your reticence,¡± Cathy countered, ¡°which is why you still need to allow us to make amends in some way. Not only did you preserve us alive in our time of need¡ªsacrificing more than half your numbers in the process¡ªbut you prevented a shattered world from falling into chaos. Look how quickly our basic necessities were provided; how swiftly the infrastructure was restored; and don¡¯t forget the technical and medical advancements we¡¯ve made since you decided to shepherd us.¡±
The Deputy Conciliator remained silent, ill at ease from the reverence his vocation was being subjected to. Realizing this, she changed tack. ¡°Joseph, I just touched on the subject of guidance. How do the Guardians feel we¡¯re progressing in the application of the new technologies we¡¯ve recently uncovered?¡±
Immediately warming to the subject, he replied, ¡°Oh, without a doubt we¡¯re delighted. As you know, we have to be very careful not to just give dry knowledge or shed-loads of data away. That can be very dangerous, especially if the stuff you¡¯re dealing with isn¡¯t properly understood.¡±
¡°So what made the Guardians decide on the particular fields of science and medicine they did?¡±
¡°It was twofold. Firstly, we assessed how far you had already come by yourselves. Some of your researchers and academics were very close to discovering the path anyway, so we just prodded them in the right direction. In many instances, that push was all you needed to get you digging enough to unearth some incredible breakthroughs.
¡°The second reason touches on the first. By concentrating on targeted fields, like clean energy; mitigator and shielding generators; atmospheric cleansing; as well as the various remedial applications we¡¯ve hinted at, you not only get to rebuild your damaged society all the quicker, but protect your future wellbeing too. Think about it! If what had happened a few years ago occurred twelve months from now, you wouldn¡¯t need to be so concerned about storms, tornados or tsunamis and so on. Your mitigators would protect you from those things. In fact, as you adapt and develop them further, you¡¯ll find they can also shield against atomic explosions and residual fallout.¡±
Cathy was stunned. ¡°What? Mitigators can do that?¡±
¡°Oh yes. And it won¡¯t be long before you¡¯re capable of producing even stronger ones. Good news, really, as it means we¡¯ll be free to devote our talents to other, more important issues.¡±
¡°I hadn¡¯t thought of that!¡±
¡°That¡¯s just it. You must consider the wider implications. Purer fuel sources remove the need for nuclear power stations or fossil refineries. The environment is cleaner; there¡¯s no need for huge waste repositories or dangerous chemical plants; there¡¯ll be less likelihood of pollution or harmful side effects from disasters or containment breaches, yes? And if accidents occur, your medical sophistication will be in a better position to deal with, or remove, certain hazards altogether. It¡¯s a domino-effect. By helping you to help yourselves, we actually free ourselves of unnecessary burdens. Honestly Cathy, we look forward to the day we can at last devote our full resources to the truly epic, to defending the planet as a whole and accelerating the unification of humanity.
¡°Speaking of which, we still need to be mindful of the precious new breakouts that are popping up all over the place lately. After all, the more recruits we have, the safer mankind will be and the swifter the process of change.¡±
¡°A sound point,¡± Cathy agreed, ¡°it¡¯s an extension of the ¡®give a man a fish and he¡¯ll eat for a day¡¯ parable. You want us to be more self-sufficient by learning how to fish, and how to build our own rods too.¡±
¡°That¡¯s an apt way of putting it. Though from what we¡¯ve seen of the way you¡¯ve taken to the advancements so far, you¡¯re building up your own momentum now. It won¡¯t be long until you undergo a natural growth spurt. I suggest everyone holds on, as it¡¯s bound to be a rollercoaster ride. One that will take your breath away.¡±
On impulse, Cathy leaned in close to pat Joseph on the back of his hand for a second time. Huskily, she breathed, ¡°It certainly will take your breath away. Especially when you see the dress I intend to wear tomorrow night on our date.¡±
Her outrageous flirting had the desired effect. His mouth hinged as wide as a pedal bin lid being stamped on by a circus elephant. It took a good few seconds before the Deputy Conciliator was able to snap it shut.
Needless to say, at that moment, millions of viewers were cackling themselves stupid.
A smile slowly spread across Joseph¡¯s face. ¡°You¡¯re not going to stop until you get a definite yes are you?¡±
¡°Oh, I know you¡¯ll say yes, Joseph. It¡¯s just a matter of when.¡± Sitting back, Cathy¡¯s expression returned to neutral. Serious once more, she said, ¡°Something you mentioned a moment ago struck a chord with me, and I¡¯m sure all those watching picked up on it too.¡±
¡°What¡¯s that, Cathy?¡±
¡°You said emerging minds are popping up all over the place. Why do you think that is? And perhaps more importantly, why is it happening now?¡±
Joseph shook his head. ¡°To be honest, there¡¯s no easy way to answer that without spawning a whole load of other questions.¡±
¡°Try.¡±
Joseph scratched his chin. ¡°Okay then, think of it like this. Human beings are designed in a wonderful, awe-inspiring way. We sometimes take for granted¡ªor even forget the fact altogether¡ªthat we are the pinnacle of bio-design, although that¡¯s understandable when you look at some of the horrendous mistakes humanity has made down through history. Nevertheless, we do stand out as special.
¡°Yes, some creatures are far superior in the air, in the water, under the water, in freezing or hostile conditions, and so on. But none of them have the ability to adapt to all of those conditions and environments like we do.
¡°Even at the molecular level, we are so complex, there¡¯s something about Man that makes us unique, and perhaps nowhere more so can this be demonstrated, than by taking the human brain as an example.¡±
Captivated already, Cathy said, ¡°What about it?¡±
¡°Well, like the rest of the human body it¡¯s mostly water. Yet it¡¯s not only responsible for helping us delve into the most complex issues of science, mathematics, philosophy and language, yes . . . ?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± she replied, following his line of thought.
¡°But it can also generate the processes required for the concepts of self, the imagination, dreaming, planning ahead for a rainy day. It not only ¡®perceives¡¯ its immediate environment and the way things are, but it has the capacity to ask why.¡±
¡°So you¡¯re saying this uniqueness is linked to the emergence of psychic abilities?¡±
¡°We believe so. The average human only uses a fraction of the potential of their cerebrum. Over the centuries, there have been characters who made the intuitive leap to harness their higher functions. I suppose you could say they were among the very first Guardians to manifest. But recent years have shown us those leaps are becoming more and more commonplace. It¡¯s as if the mind of humanity itself has also been maturing, allowing more and more individuals to reach into previously inaccessible areas of existence, to unlock the marvels of psychic functioning and the¡ª¡±
¡°Hang on a second! Are you saying this difference has occurred because, what? The collective mind of mankind has ¡®grown up¡¯ in some way and this maturation is triggering a shift on a planetary scale?¡±
¡°I did say it wasn¡¯t easy to explain.¡±
¡°So how much of the old gray matter does your average Guardian actually have on tap then?¡±
¡°According to our latest findings, the normal human brain uses somewhere between twenty to thirty percent of its capacity. Those who have functioning extra sensory perceptions utilize about fifty to seventy-eight percent; not including the transcended ones of course, they¡¯re something else!¡±
¡°We know what you mean.¡±
This time, the monitors behind them changed to reveal a large mosaic of the bridge of the Guardian Flagship Olympus, depicting a scene from back in January. In it, the Olympus¡¯ commander, Jade Heung, directed the armada in their fight against the incoming asteroid storm. Shimmering like a pulsar, she was a magnificent sight to behold.
The overview flickered and another brief clip began, this one showing a recording made by the last orbital station to survive the meteoroid bombardment.
A searing conflagration of immense energy appeared, now known to be the Lord Inquisitor, Victoria. Flaring like a supernova, she created a stark contrast between the backdrop of space and the bright arc of the Earth in front of her. The atmosphere glowed red as a huge fragment of Abaddon encroached on the fragile planet below. In response, the Lord Inquisitor unleashed a mind-numbing psychic assault, obliterating the intruder instantly.
The setting changed again, to show the astonishing arrival of the Overlord two years previously at the site of the black hole outside Lawton. Even though he was still in human form, his presence radiated with such incredible might, that viewers were initially unable to see anyone through the blinding glare.
Finally, the panels went still and the main studio camera focused on their host. ¡°That was extremely revealing, Joseph. I¡¯ve been around Guardians more than most civilians, and have seen your people in action, up close and personal. They are very, very impressive. But these guys are something else.¡±
Following her lead, the picture split to screen in screen, adding in the view from one of the Guardian ships that had hovered overhead during the Overlord¡¯s manifestation live on air. They watched, spellbound, as he transformed into an entity of absolute power incarnate. Cathy found the amplified intensity of his radiance both hypnotic and terrifying.
She whispered, ¡°Joseph, just what is a transcended being?¡±
¡°Simply put, a transcended human is a person whose psyche has become so powerful, has inflated so much, that what they are can no longer be contained within the limitations of their finite body. They grow beyond flesh and bone and are transmuted into beings of pure thought and potential, existing within the energy lattices that bind spacetime together.
¡°From what I¡¯m told, their capacity becomes so expansive, that they can see the iridescent hues that sound generates as the waves bounce from atom to atom; they can feel the pulse of the universe beating along every fiber of their mind; they can smell the fragrance of each color of the spectrum; they can taste the solar winds weaving between dark matter and derive nourishment from the very essence of creation.¡±
Cathy seized the moment and pressed. ¡°But as we saw, in everyday affairs they still look like normal people. How come?¡±
¡°Residual identity is a key factor. Once enlightened, their entire nexus metamorphoses into parameters that don¡¯t conform to any known shape. However, it appears a transcended person retains a humanoid or angelic identity because it¡¯s an echo of their previous hominoid archetype.
¡°Of course, it also helps that the Overlord insists all transcended Guardians wear their human persona as a matter of course.¡±
¡°He does? Why?¡±
¡°I have been told that a long, long time ago, various transcended beings became so distracted by their hypersensitized consciousnesses that they became lost among the cosmos. Some heard the call of dying stars in faraway nebulas; others were drawn to the contradiction of a black hole; a few just wanted to drift endlessly in the tranquility between galaxies, contemplating topics far beyond our ken. Whatever the reason, he felt it was too high a price to pay when younger life forms needed their guidance. Now, he ensures they retain their original characteristics, to remind them of who they are and to keep them focused on what¡¯s more important.¡±
¡°And that is?¡±
Sweeping his arms wide, Joseph replied, ¡°You are! Humanity hides a wonderful potential, and he wants to make sure you¡¯re all given the best chance of attaining it. Remember, even now, we¡¯re seeing the genetic catalyst for transcension increasing among our newer candidates. So what the future holds, goodness only knows. As I said earlier, this is part of the reason we stayed around in the background after the exodus. You¡¯re too important and are heavily involved in the blossoming pattern the Overlord has espied.¡±
¡°Are you saying the Overlord has foreseen all of humanity becoming transcended?¡± Cathy was officially blown away.
This time, it was Joseph¡¯s turn to waggle his eyebrows and smile. ¡°Makes you wonder what comes next, doesn¡¯t it?¡±
Cathy pondered the implications of what she had just heard and came to a spur-of-the-moment decision. I hope the big guns fly with this.
Rounding on the camera, she declared, ¡°Well, through no fault of my own it looks as if I¡¯ll be forced to chair another show! Stay tuned, viewers, for my next exclusive with the Overlord of the Guardians himself where I¡¯ll find out the answer to that very question: Your future. What comes next?¡±
Guffawing out loud, Joseph replied, ¡°Good luck with that. We have a hard enough time as it is trying to pin him down. I doubt you¡¯ll do any better.¡±
¡°Well, you don¡¯t have to worry,¡± Cathy retorted. ¡°I¡¯m very good at pinning people down. Shall we say eight o¡¯clock for tomorrow night?¡±
¡°Eh? Oh, yes. Okay then,¡± he replied, realizing she was remarking on their impending date, artfully maneuvered and sealed in front of myriad witnesses with lethal finality.
But she wasn¡¯t finished.
¡°And while you do look damned good in uniform, I think something less formal would be appropriate?¡±
Holding up his hands in surrender, the Deputy Conciliator caved completely. ¡°I shall be more than suitably attired and arrive five minutes early.¡±
As Cathy reeled in her helpless prey, quite a few million envious women around the world uttered a satisfied, ¡°Gotcha!¡±
¡°One more thing,¡± she added. ¡°While we¡¯re on the subject of being pinned down¡ªin a nice way of course¡ªwill you confirm for us now that you will support the investiture of January fifth as Guardians Day? Please say yes. The world needs heroes now more than ever. Show that you forgive us.¡±
Without realizing it, Cathy had edged forward slightly and taken one of his hands in her own, as if to emphasize her plea. She noticed that faraway look in his eyes again. He¡¯s communicating with someone!
As a joke, she started projecting into the ether: Come on hotshot. It¡¯s not like we¡¯re going to bite. You can even make a tentative booking for our little chat at the same time?
Ghostly applause resounded in the confines of her skull, causing a shiver to melt down her spine. Jesus Christ! Was that him?
Spooked, she missed her visitor¡¯s response. ¡°Huh, I¡¯m sorry?¡±
¡°I said yes, Cathy. We would love to attend the event. Now can I have my hand back?¡±
Still unnerved by her encounter, Cathy only realized what Joseph was referring to when she peeked down and saw that she was stoking the back of his knuckles with her fingertips. Oh shit!
A timely reminder from BG up in the control booth saved her from further embarrassment. ¡°The clock¡¯s run away with us, Cathy. Wind things up in the next sixty seconds.¡±
Fiddling with her ear bud and wristwatch helped mask her surprise. One deep breath later and Cathy had recovered her composure. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, viewers, but we have to draw things to a close to cover those other items we had planned for tonight¡¯s news schedule.¡± Addressing her prospective groom, she continued, ¡°I guess this means we¡¯ll have to diary another interview ourselves. We still need to find out more about your new operating structure and your plans for an integrated society.¡±
¡°I suppose we will,¡± Joseph conceded, ¡°although it may take a little time as we¡¯re rather tied up finalizing the last draft of the Psychic Law and Order Bill that¡¯s due to go live next year.¡±
¡°No problem, Joseph. I can be extremely patient. As you¡¯ve found out, I also have surefire ways of getting the things I want.¡±
Without giving him an opportunity to reply, Cathy stared into the main camera. ¡°Well, that¡¯s about it from us here at the BBC studios in Washington. Quite a successful night all round, I think you¡¯ll agree, and one from which I¡¯m sure there¡¯ll be all sorts of interesting developments.
¡°I¡¯m Cathy West. I¡¯ve enjoyed being your host. On behalf of everyone involved may I say a final ¡®thank you¡¯ to our special guest, High Grand Master Joseph West, Deputy Conciliator of the Guardians who, let¡¯s face it, mustn¡¯t be late as he¡¯s got a really big engagement to prepare for tomorrow. Well, make that occasion. The engagement comes later. Good night.¡±
The picture faded as she grinned and squeezed the Deputy Conciliator firmly on the knee. His face¡ªa wide-eyed picture of bemusement and helpless acceptance¡ªwas reminiscent of a lamb who had been invited to dinner by wolves, only to realize at the last second who was on the menu.
*
Old District ¨C Tokyo
Lei Yeung studied the being sat next to him, surprised that he felt so relaxed in his company already. Pointing to the screens where the BBC interview had just finished, he inquired, ¡°So, is that your true nature as well?¡±
The new and improved Simon Cooper replied, ¡°In a fashion, yes. As part of the Primary Host, we are more akin to this Overlord than to the others. Although, to be honest, his unnatural offspring are something else entirely, something that should not exist.¡±
Yeung was intrigued. ¡°What do you mean they shouldn¡¯t exist?¡±
Narrowing his eyes and ruminating for a while, Simon finally replied, ¡°They are of a somewhat different heritage. The impossible results of a union forged after the Fall. They, above all else, must be approached with caution.¡±
¡°Will they pose a threat to our long-term plans?¡±
¡°Not if we proceed with restraint as agreed. Esther has already modified and augmented two of those Energy Mirroring Units your company is producing, and we will test the rest within a few weeks . . . once you have selected a suitable target of course.¡±
¡°I already have a shortlist. We can discuss it in private following the conclave.¡±
¡°Excellent, I look forward to meeting your Apostles and testing the effectiveness of your toys, especially if they allow us to accelerate our timetable and help spoil the planned celebrations as an added bonus.¡±
Always cautious, Yeung couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°And if one of these transcended creatures is also there at the celebration? What then?¡±
Turning to him, and letting just a fraction of his potential leak from beneath his impregnable shields, Simon replied, ¡°Then, my newfound friend, you will witness the superiority of those whose origins is of the Host, over these so called homo-superior imitations. That will be a day you will never forget.¡±
I¡¯m sure I won¡¯t, Yeung thought to himself. Aloud, he continued, ¡°It¡¯s about time I introduced you to the twelve. There¡¯s only one or two we might need to worry about, but I¡¯m sure their replacements will be more than happy to accept a promotion and commit to the program. Care to join me in the Lion¡¯s Den?¡±
And with that, the two predators made their way into a meeting that would have long term consequences they had not foreseen.
Test Run
North Atlantic Ocean ¨C Off the northern coast of Ireland ¨C 4:00 a.m. ¨C December 23rd
HMS Valhalla was the epitome of what a Nuclear Attack Submarine was meant to be.
The first of her class, she was four hundred feet in length, had a beam of fifty-five feet and a draft of forty-seven feet. Her incredible design and triple layered hull allowed her to dive to an unprecedented depth of two thousand six hundred and fifty feet¡ªfour hundred and forty fathoms.
Powered as she was by two Rolls-Royce, PWR-4, dual pressurized gel, nuclear reactors, she would not need refueling for thirty years and could remain submerged for periods of up to eight months, whilst cruising underwater in excess of thirty-eight knots. That task would be completed in near silence¡ªthanks to the revolutionary, Stealth Aqua-Jet Propulsor System¡ªcourtesy of the Weapons Division of Yeung Technologies. Her uniquely designed skin, comprised of individual bio-acoustic tiles grown in a laboratory, were said to mimic the signature of a dolphin. This, together with her intra-hull Optronic Stealth Mast and Atlas Hydrographic echo-sensing equipment, would render her invisible to sonar, surface radar and any other current radio or hydrophonic systems.
In other words, once the Valhalla went tactical, she ceased to exist.
Block V, Tomahawk Orbital Cruise Missiles, with the latest ground-breaking gravo nuclear variable yield payload; Bloodhound, Hunt & Capture EMP homing-harpoons; and the radically new, Hammerhead Seek & Destroy, high explosive torpedoes¡ªall controlled by an AI Combat Management System, similarly tailored by the aforesaid Yeung Technologies¡ªmeant she was not only the most advanced specter to sail the seven seas, but also the perfect killer.
For the past five months, this new flagship of the Royal Navy¡¯s submarine fleet had been undergoing final battle exercises between the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center, in the Bahamas, and the US Navy¡¯s missile ranges in the Gulf of Mexico. Passing with flying colors, the Valhalla¡¯s compliment had stood down for a two week break, stateside, and now they were nearly home.
The crew themselves had behaved impeccably. Even better, the boat would be berthed in time for Christmas, and they would enjoy over a month with their families before setting sail again on their first active commission.
While happy, Captain Elway Rowland found the timing rather poignant. Pity she¡¯s going to be the last Attack Class vessel ever designed. Still, I suppose the boys at the Ministry know what they¡¯re doing, bringing us into line with the Guardians aim of global security. Mind you, it won¡¯t really bother me soon. Two more years and Florida, here I come!
Checking their position with his Executive Officer¡ªLieutenant Commander George Deacon¡ªRowland noted they were now well past Hebrides Seamount and Donegal Fan, and closing on Rathlin, a small boot shaped island six miles off the northern coast of Ireland and a mere sixteen miles east of the Mull of Kintyre.
¡°George, take her up, will you?¡± Rowland sighed. ¡°We might as well take in the open sky one last time before we get back.¡±
¡°Yes, Sir. Which approach into the Firth would you prefer?¡±
Using the digital ghost antennae to scout their route ahead, Rowland could see several fishing boats a few miles out from Colerain, Ireland. ¡°Take her round the top, surface approach. We wouldn¡¯t want to upset Her Majesty by getting her latest toy caught in nets, would we?¡±
¡°Aye, Sir . . . Helmsman! Prepare to surface, automated standard response. Set hydroplanes to alpha-one, forward tanks with propulsion broach.¡±
The helmsman echoed, ¡°Preparing to surface, response set to automated standard. Hydroplanes now calibrated to alpha-one; forward tanks ready to purge; depth steady at one hundred feet.¡±
Rowland walked back to his duty cabin to find something warm to wear in anticipation of the brisk night air and felt the deck beneath his feet start to tilt upward as the gradual ascent began. Collecting his coat, he grabbed one for his EXO and was re-entering the control room when the duty engineer, Chief Petty Officer Bob Clarkson, snapped his fingers to draw their attention.
¡°Sirs, you need to take a look at this!¡±
Captain and EXO ambled over to the wraparound triple display unit encompassing the senior rating in a diffuse verdant glow. Once they were standing either side of him, the Chief pointed to the right-hand screen and highlighted his concerns, ¡°For some reason, we have a uniform buildup of heat in the reactors?¡±
Scrutinizing that console, Rowland could see a dual, diagrammatical replica of each core, with input and output relays and temperature indicator bars. Both reactors were showing the usual rate of absorption. However, they were failing to adequately cool the fuel rods, all of which showed an identical rate of elevation across the board.
¡°Bob, have you run a diagnostic on the cooling system?¡± the EXO asked across the Captain¡¯s shoulder.
¡°Just finishing the second one now, Sir. Ah, here we go.¡± The results flashed up. ¡°This can¡¯t be right! We¡¯d normally get a fractional temperature variance between the two cells, corresponding to their individual isotopic decay ratios. For them to be so precisely aligned means something¡¯s controlling the increase.¡±
¡°And I take it that something isn¡¯t us?¡± Rowland interjected wryly.
¡°No, Sir! It bloody well isn¡¯t! If this continues, it will rupture containment.¡±
The EXO leaned in to whisper in Rowland¡¯s ear. ¡°Sir, may I recommend we shut down both systems and revert to passive cooling? We¡¯re only two hours out from Faslane and the ocean will do the job just as well?¡±
Fortunately, the Valhalla was designed to tolerate a complete loss of primary power for short periods and was able to utilize seawater to regulate the propulsion system. ¡°Do it! We can sort this out once we¡¯ve berthed and the crew has disembarked. Give the boys at Clyde something to do for a change, eh?¡± For goodness sake! We had a clean sheet until this glitch. Why now?
Beside him, the Chief commenced listing the necessary criteria to isolate the reactors and cool them using the icy expanse of the North Atlantic. Thirty seconds later, he turned to the two officers and asked, ¡°Will you input your respective codes, please?¡±
George went first, typing out his executive twelve digit shutdown sequence, before stepping aside for his captain, who swiftly did likewise. Once the appropriate etiquette had been satisfied, Bob Clarkson added his own confirmatory password and selected: enter.
Interior lights began stuttering on and off throughout the boat. Seconds later, the inevitable whine of electrical systems shutting down followed. The bridge went dark.
What now? ¡°Bob, report!¡± Rowland barked.
The sound of metal being pounded by something soft resonated out of the gloom. ¡°Bob?¡±
Emergency lighting kicked in. Rowland glared at his engineer, who appeared eerily deformed in the intensifying ruby flush illuminating the backups.
¡°Just a second, Sir.¡± Holding up one hand as a sign of forbearance, the Chief continued pummeling at the caplock to an emergency plunger situated on the far side of his desk with his opposite fist.
As he waited, Rowland could feel the boat leveling out. Though annoyed, he had to acknowledge the discipline of his crew. No shouting, no panicking, just the sound of them quietly and competently checking their own stations and equipment, as the most expensive weapon the Royal Navy had ever produced began a slow and graceful glide to the bottom.
Then the siren kicked in.
The EXO¡¯s voice cut over the ramping warble of the klaxon. ¡°Blow tanks and take her up. We¡¯ll sort this out on the surface.¡±
¡°Blow tanks, aye, Sir.¡± the helmsman sounded back.
¡°And turn that damned alarm off! We all know we¡¯re up shit creek without a paddle!¡±
¡°Shit creek it is, aye, Sir.¡±
It went quiet again and everyone glanced up reflexively as the re-pressurization of the ballast tanks generated a telltale thrum. The nose began to rise, their gradient increasing the more positive buoyancy returned.
Rowland took a deep breath to calm his nerves. ¡°So, have you worked out what the problem is yet, Bob?
The Chief was staring at his monitors, a look of puzzled consternation on his face. Waving furiously, he beckoned the captain closer.
Rowland stooped to take a look and was immediately reminded of one of his all-time favorite classic science fiction films¡ªThe Matrix¡ªin which everything, reality included, was represented by tumbling, fluctuating code. And with good reason. The Chief¡¯s readouts were filled with indecipherable emerald symbols that dribbled down each screen in a never-ending cascade. ¡°Is . . . is that what I think it is?¡±
¡°Yes, it damned well is! Though, how the hell anyone managed to crack the firewalls of this system, God only knows.¡±
Rowland shook his EXO by the shoulder. ¡°George, release the beacon, just in case.¡±
They all held on as the Valhalla continued to ascend rapidly, forcing the EXO to swing like a monkey along the grab rails. Reaching the sail module, he entered the appropriate code to unlock the outer cover protecting the emergency locator buoy. Grasping the piston release lever with both hands, he hung on tight and let his weight tug it downward.
A sharp rumbling hiss reverberated along the hull and the indicator light changed from red to green. ¡°Beacon away, Sir,¡± he yelled.
Everyone clung on grimly as the Valhalla broke surface and crashed back down like a giant fairground ride. Once everything had settled, Rowland scanned the command deck and was dismayed to discover that all the main stations had been compromised by the same virus. A tiny, selfish part of him was relieved. It meant the problem was not of their causing, and it would make the inevitable ear-bashing he would get from Admiral Lake on their return a little easier to take.
Then he had a disturbing thought. Spinning on his heel, Rowland quickly made his way toward the weapons compartment.
Leading Seaman, Alan Grayson, gave him a smile and thumbs-up before he got there. ¡°No problem here, Sir. Whatever¡¯s fucking with the other systems¡ªbegging your pardon for the language¡ª has either missed this station entirely or it wasn¡¯t designed to deal with the defensive hardware incorporated into the AI.¡±
Thank the stars for that! Rowland was just about to call for a handheld radio unit to take up onto the sail deck, when the arrival of five, black-clad individuals made him jump.
The unexpected visitors pulled back their hoods and raised their heads, filling the control room with a warm yellow-white light, courtesy of the power generated by their minds. The Guardian in charge¡ªidentified by two, navy style bronze bands on the cuff of her sleeves¡ªstrode directly toward Rowland himself. ¡°Captain, I am Guardian Master Adams. We detected your buoy and with your permission, can render assistance?¡±
Recovering his wits, Rowland replied, Thank you. My chief engineer¡¯s the best one to explain things to you. I hope you speak techno lingo, otherwise you might not understand a word he says.¡±
The Guardian commander grinned, revealing an appreciation for military humor that put Rowland at ease. Taking her by the elbow, he ushered her across to where Bob Clarkson was still trying to free the emergency catch.
¡°Got yourself in a pickle?¡± she observed.
¡°You could say that,¡± the Chief replied. ¡°This bastar . . . er, button should activate a re-boot of the systems, allowing the weapons AI to take over and control the boat for the few minutes it takes for an uncorrupted back-up program to assert itself. For some reason the restraining collar won¡¯t budge.¡±
Pushing him gently to one side, the Guardian Master insisted, ¡°Allow me.¡±
Looking on, Rowland watched as the woman concentrated on the lock. She must be using telekinesis or something similar?
She frowned, reaching out as if grasping at an imaginary handle in midair. Then she closed her eyes, her movements becoming increasingly energetic by the second. That doesn¡¯t look promising.
Abruptly, her eyes snapped open. ¡°Excuse the intrusion, but I don¡¯t have time for twenty questions.¡± Stepping forward, she placed her hand over Clarkson¡¯s head and allowed her gaze to turn inward and lose focus. The Chief stiffened for a moment, and then relaxed.
What in the blazes?
¡°She¡¯s just doing a quick mind ream,¡± a voice behind everyone said.
Turning, Rowland found himself face to face with one of the other Guardians, a younger man with a studious expression. ¡°She¡¯s doing what?¡±
¡°A mind ream. It¡¯s a technique we use if we need information quickly. Guardian Master Adams tried to use her TK to free the mechanism but the darn thing doesn¡¯t want to play. So she¡¯s currently sifting through Bob¡¯s memories to find out exactly how the latch works. That way, she won¡¯t break anything expensive if she has to get a little . . . aggressive.¡±
¡°I trust I can rely on your integrity should you glean the context of our more sensitive operating procedures?¡±
Smiling, the young Guardian replied, ¡°Of course, Captain. I¡¯m James, by the way. Jim to my friends. But like all my compatriots, integrity is my middle name.¡±
¡°Got it!¡± the Guardian Master announced triumphantly.
She glanced at her younger companion who had been speaking, and then to another member of her party. Both saluted and started moving toward the stairs leading down into the bowels of the vessel, only to linger near the top step as if awaiting further instructions.
Addressing the Executive Officer, Adams said, ¡°George, isn¡¯t it? Would you be kind enough to escort my colleagues, James and Pam to your reactors? Both are highly skilled in dealing with all things nuclear and will be able to assess exactly what the dilemma is.¡±
He nodded and quickly led the way past the waiting Guardians.
Returning her attention to the trigger mechanism, Adams explained out loud what she was doing. ¡°Seeing as it¡¯s only a safeguard, I¡¯m going to apply increasing pressure to the collar to force it open. A tricky task as my efforts don¡¯t seem . . .? They don¡¯t . . . eh?¡±This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
A dull retort signified the instant the caplock snapped and the plunger engaged. All the surrounding screens and monitors went blank. Then a metallic voice intoned, ¡°Artificial Intelligence override activated. Systems re-boot initiated. Combat Management Protocols coming online.¡±
Rowland noticed the Guardian commander seemed preoccupied. ¡°Is everything alright, Master Adams?¡±
¡°Huh? Oh, it¡¯s nothing really. I must be a little under the weather is all. My TK didn¡¯t want to play properly at first, and then came on way too strong. I¡¯ve probably picked up a bug.¡±She shrugged. ¡°Anyway, I understand this phase takes about two minutes?¡±
¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. There¡¯s a redundant drive kept on an isolated network. It¡¯s fully functional and programmed to take over operations until we return to port.¡±
¡°Captain, my contingent has some hand-held devices with them capable of meshing with your software and other electronic systems. They employ some of our latest hunter-seeker tech, which link directly to our deepscanning abilities. Would you mind if we snoop about? We¡¯ll be able to pinpoint the source of any virus very swiftly.¡±
Rowland deliberated for a moment before the Guardian gently added, ¡°Remember who we are. We¡¯re here to assist, not steal your secrets.¡±
She¡¯s got a point! ¡°Yes, please go ahead. The flacks¡¯ going to fly thick and fast anyway when we get in, so at least I can dodge most of it by telling them exactly why this balls-up occurred in the first place.¡±
Adams signaled her remaining two colleagues and they got to work, fitting what looked like wraparound visors with cables coming from the rear, to their heads. Those leads were plugged into an orb that emitted a wide cone of light.
Once attached and activated, the beam intensified and a gentle humming could be heard, which increased slightly as it swept over the other people present. The Guardians worked their way slowly up and down the compartment several times, pausing every now and then to check their readings.
Even though their eyes were covered, it was clear something was troubling them and Rowland grew more anxious as time passed.
He was on the verge of asking what the snag was, when he heard alarmed voices and clanging deck plates echoing from down the aft gangway. Somebody was shouting, ¡°Off! Everybody off! Both cores are going to blow!¡±
Rowland glanced back toward the Guardian Master, who appeared as equally surprised. Her gaze became distant for a second, before focusing in anger. Gritting her teeth, she tried to do whatever it was she wanted to do again. To no avail. ¡°Goddam it!¡±
A sense of urgency gripped her. Sweeping her cloak to one side, she slapped the palm of her hand against a sky-gray emblem sewn into the bicep area of her uniform.
Rounding on him, she growled, ¡°We¡¯re going to have a little talk about the technology you¡¯ve incorporated into this craft. Something about it is interfering with our ability to function.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know what you mean, there¡¯s nothing here to . . .¡±
He was interrupted by a silver-white brilliance. Shimmering like concentrated moonbeams, it washed through the room from end to end. He shot the Guardian Master a look. She declared, ¡°It¡¯s an emergency transport web. Any second now and everyone will be dosed with lethal radiation, so we¡¯re taking you all off!¡±
The sound of running feet grew louder and was almost on top of them. The net continued to flicker, crisscrossing each person multiple times as they stood there waiting to see what would happen next.
James, the younger Guardian who had spoken to the Captain earlier, burst onto the bridge leading a crowd of panicking men and women. Glaring at his leader, he yelled, ¡°For fuck sake, Sue, what¡¯s taking so long? Get everybody out of here before it¡¯s too late!¡±
Everything went silent.
Rowland was struck deaf, blind and dumb, yet experienced the most awful pins and needles sensation under his skin. Then he was somewhere else. Stumbling, as if he¡¯d lost his balance, he looked around to find himself in a large chamber full of his fellow submariners, who all started talking at once. ¡°Pipe down you lot,¡± he roared. ¡°Show some discipline while I try and . . .¡±
At that moment, his eye caught the extent of the vista outside the huge window on the starboard side of the room. A blazing yellow sun had just burst into view over the edge of a beautiful world hundreds of miles below them. Earth!
Everyone¡¯s gaze followed his, and all were struck dumb.
¡°Captain Rowland, where are you?¡± The sound of George¡¯s voice cut over the now muted chatter. ¡°Captain?¡±
One of the crewmen next to Rowland raised an arm and began waving. ¡°He¡¯s over here, Sir.¡±
As the two men met in the center of the milling throng, a large hangar door opened opposite their position, revealing Master Adams from the rescue team and a male colleague, who sported two silver rings on his sleeves. The crowd parted as they walked to where Rowland and his EXO stood in astonished silence.
The older Guardian inclined his head and spoke in accented English. ¡°Gentlemen, I am Grand Master Gabriel Piccolo, Commander of Observation Station two. Please follow me. We have some urgent matters to discuss, with you and your Admiral Lake.¡±
¡°Admiral Lake is here?¡± Rowland asked.
¡°No, we have him on holo-link at the moment. But we will be taking you to him shortly¡ªafter you and your men have received a check up from our station healers. We need to establish exactly what the anomaly was that caused the catastrophic failure aboard your vessel, as it created an unusual side effect. Now, if you¡¯ll just follow me.¡±
Tagging along behind their hosts, Rowland glanced at his EXO, whose visage mirrored the exact same question as his own. What on earth did we have on the Valhalla that would worry the Guardians so much?
*
The Premier Hotel ¨C Belfast ¨C Northern Ireland
The elderly oriental gentleman stood in his pajamas next to the panoramic floor to ceiling window of his room, stared down through the rain drenched air in the direction of the River Lagan, only several hundred yards distant. Those lights strung along the walkway bordering the water¡¯s edge threw back the indigo hue of the pre-dawn sky, the raindrops distorting their radiance and casting twinkling starbursts of rainbow brilliance along the path in a fairytale procession.
Thankfully, the centrally heated executive suite revealed no hint of the bitter conditions outside. Time passed slowly, and Lei Yeung uttered a mournful sigh as he considered the hypnotic allure of the unceasing downpour.
Three days they had been waiting. Three long, laborious, drawn out days of building expectation in a city that seemed forever gray beneath a mournful blanket that never stopped expressing its sorrow. Still, at least it will soon be over.
Padding back into the dining and office area, he took a seat, opened his encrypted ¡°Yeu-Tech¡± laptop computer and cracked his finger knuckles, one by one. Might as well get some work done to while away the hours.
A voice in his mind replied: Work can wait, my friend. It¡¯s time to celebrate in earnest!
Yeung spun back toward the window in time to catch the materialization of his latest co-conspirators. Despite their awesome shielding capability, all three radiated a heady mix of euphoria and satisfaction. As a matter of habit, he phased in his special sight and was treated to the strontium-red glare displayed by individuals when in a highly emotional state.
Their feelings were infectious. Breaking into a broad grin, Yeung almost skipped toward them. ¡°I take it our dry run was successful?¡±
The usually hostile Esther Perry was absolutely gushing. ¡°Successful? We were more than successful, my clever little wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing! Your toys provided the most agreeable entertainment I have experienced in a long, long time.¡±
¡°Hah! Entertainment indeed,¡± echoed Harry Johnson, his bluff fa?ade gone for the moment. ¡°They were as lost and confused as blind puppies snuffling for the teat.¡±
Maintaining eye contact with Esther, Harry poked his chin toward the spare bedroom, and then scooped up a bottle of champagne and a couple of glasses. ¡°We are going to celebrate in a time honored fashion. Don¡¯t wait up!¡± He was followed moments later by Esther, who, though she didn¡¯t say another word, nevertheless selected two more bottles as she breezed past the bar.
Frowning in distaste, Yeung looked toward Simon and waited for a more rational explanation.
Simon helped himself to a large brandy and flopped down on the leather couch, indicating for Yeung to come and sit with him. Realizing this may be an appropriate moment to share the mood, Yeung also poured himself a generous serving of the same beverage before taking his seat.
¡°Forgive them, my friend,¡± Simon chided. ¡°We haven¡¯t had a lot to celebrate these past millennia, so times like this must be savored.¡±
Yeung bowed his head in reply and remained silent, exercising heroic patience while Simon fought to control his own feelings of obvious pleasure.
Eventually, Yeung could abide the wait no longer. ¡°Tell me.¡±
His face alight, Simon began, ¡°As you so astutely counseled, the craft was indeed making its way around the northern shore of this island less than an hour ago, taking the usual routes employed by vessels travelling to this, Faslane?¡±
¡°Yes, it is one of the main military harbors they use for that type of warship, so it is a simple thing to anticipate their movements.¡±
Simon continued, ¡°So, as planned, we secreted ourselves on the ocean floor in our natural forms, muted and cloaked, and scanned the craft as it passed the undersea mounts. Your sensors hidden on those prominences triggered the virus, disrupting the thermal exchange in its reactors.¡±
¡°I take it they entered the necessary codes to shut them down and employ the seawater to take over the cooling process?¡±
¡°Exactly as you predicted they would! We were watching closely as they initiated the override, and their surprise was an absolute treat to savor . . . although I must admit, that captain has a well disciplined crew.¡±
¡°And then?¡±
¡°As you envisaged, they deployed their emergency buoy to call for aid and made a rapid ascent to the surface, drawing the attention of our adversaries¡¯ associates.¡±
Now Yeung was really intrigued. ¡°How did the EMUs fare?¡±
¡°Better than I expected they would. We allowed these Guardians to enter the submersible craft and instead of simply attempting to mirror their abilities outright, I thought it best to avoid suspicion by intermittently triggering your devices.¡±
¡°So they worked?¡±
Simon looked thoughtful for a moment. ¡°There was a momentary delay before the Guardians¡¯ talents were negated, but each and every time we triggered the EMUs¡ªas you call them¡ªthose benevolent fools were prevented from operating effectively.¡±
Yeung grimaced. ¡°That delay is an unfortunate consequence of the unit¡¯s scanners. They have to read and then harmonize with the frequency of the particular ability employed. If Esther can reduce that factor, well and good! If not, do not worry yourselves unnecessarily, as our intended ambush will allow us time to completely isolate our target.¡±
¡°Yes, there is that. Still, it would be prudent to ensure the emitters are operating at maximum efficiency on the day. We have almost two weeks before the event itself and I want to do everything possible to ensure our chances of success are maximized.¡±
¡°I agree,¡± echoed Yeung. ¡°And by then, we should have increased their energy harnessing potential too, so they will be capable of nullifying someone of a much higher mental capacity. An added bonus will be the fact that we will also have completed the miniaturized DNA encoders, thereby preventing their effects spilling over onto us.¡±
Both devils studied one another, sure that the other would plan some future treachery if those adaptations were successfully incorporated and the opportunity presented itself.
Raising his glass, Yeung proposed a toast, ¡°To the joy of continued success.¡±
His partner in crime echoed the sentiment. In the next room, the sound of the other celebrants¡¯ means of expressing their elation became much more pronounced.
*
Moon Orbit ¨C 1:00 p.m. ¨C December 23rd
The youngsters on the observation deck of the Star Cruiser, Pathfinder, were finding it increasingly difficult to stay quiet or occupied. Yes, their extra sensory faculties were exceptional, but at only six and seven years of age respectively, Joshua Drake and Becky Selleck were still susceptible to the natural exuberance of childhood and the malady inflicting all kids¡ªno matter where they¡¯re from¡ªwhen a journey is on the cards: the, ¡°Are we there yet?¡± syndrome.
When they began prodding each other for what must have been the sixth time with their telekinesis, Victoria had to take a deep breath and make an effort to remember the uphill struggle both children had been through to make it this far.
¡°I¡¯m bored!¡± Joshua whined. ¡°You said we were going on a trip. Why haven¡¯t we left yet? I¡¯m hungry and it¡¯s taking forever!¡±
Keen to emphasize his torture, he threw himself to the floor and commenced drumming his heels against the deck in a relentless tattoo.
Becky sneered and¡ªin the condescending way a child does when they¡¯re slightly older than those around them¡ªdeclared, ¡°That¡¯s because it¡¯s a special journey, silly! They have to make sure we don¡¯t fly into a sun. Or a planet. Or even another ship. If we go too quickly, we could crash.¡±
¡°No, we couldn¡¯t,¡± Joshua retorted.
¡°We might.¡±
¡°Will not.¡±
¡°We w-ill.¡±
¡°Won¡¯t!¡±¡ªwith an additional telekinetic jab added in for good measure.
¡°Ouch!¡± Retaliating, Becky lashed out with her own ability, only to meet an invisible, opposing force.
Both youngsters leaped upright as Victoria administered a brief psychic tweak to their nervous systems, and mentally and verbally shouted, ¡°Enough!¡±
Almost immediately, Joshua¡¯s eyes narrowed, a litany of mischievous scenarios forming anew in his subconscious. ¡°I thought you said it was going to be a surprise?¡±
Is he skimming my mind? Not for the first time was Victoria astounded by the precocious strength of these tiny prodigies, talents who would one day mature to take the lead in mankind¡¯s continuing adventure.
Walking over to her charges, Victoria chivvied them toward the main viewport. ¡°It is a surprise and we¡¯re almost ready to depart. This is the first time a trip of this magnitude has been attempted, so we have to ensure everything is safe before we go.¡±
¡°Told you,¡± Becky sniped, casting a smug grin Joshua¡¯s way.
Ignoring the jibe, Victoria pointed to a U shaped construct of dull metal and winking lights. ¡°Right, let¡¯s see if you remember your lessons. What¡¯s that?¡±
Appearing uninterested, Joshua kicked the trioxyresin glass gently, and grumbled, ¡°It¡¯s a spatial anchor for the big crystal. You already told us that.¡±
Sharp little bugger! Victoria was amused. Sneaky too. He looks like he¡¯s not paying attention, and all the time he¡¯s soaking things up like a sponge. Out loud, she replied, ¡°Clever boy, well done. But what type of crystal is it?¡±
This time, Becky answered. ¡°It¡¯s a big piece of the old psitronic crystal we used to use, before Grandpa Adam found the new one of course.¡±
Victoria loved the friendly informality Becky employed whenever the little girl spoke of her illustrious father. And the way she referred to the Guardians as we, as if she had always been a part of their extended family, was most endearing. ¡°That¡¯s right, Becky. But what does this piece do that¡¯s special?¡±
Joshua continued to kick at the window, seemingly more determined than ever to test its integrity.
Continuing her charade of superiority, Becky adopted a studious pose. ¡°It shows the way to . . . No . . .¡± She paused and gently scanned the anchor facility with her highly developed ultrasenses. ¡°It calls out to its twin at the other end, giving the ship a tunnel to travel along.¡±
¡°It¡¯s not a tunnel, stupid. It¡¯s a hyperport matrix!¡± Joshua abruptly chimed in.
¡°Shut up, stupid. She didn¡¯t ask you,¡± Becky retorted.
¡°I¡¯m not stupid, you are! We can see that by the way you don¡¯t know how to explain things properly. That¡¯s because you¡¯re a girl who plays with dolls too much.¡± He started singing. ¡°Stupid, stupid girl . . .¡±
Victoria was stunned. Since his gifts had emerged, Joshua¡¯s aptitude for absorbing knowledge had expanded way beyond the norm. I¡¯ll have to ensure father completes another assessment of his potential, and soon, otherwise it¡¯ll be impossible to keep his attention in class. But first, let¡¯s nip this in the bud.
¡°Joshua! That¡¯s not how a Guardian would act. I know you¡¯re not as dumb as you pretend, so you know that¡¯s a very naughty thing to say. Psi-etiquette is there for a reason. Now what do you need to do?¡±
The inevitable sulky bottom lip appeared, extending so far outward that Wyle E. Coyote would have been proud to run off the end of it before peering into the camera and plunging to his doom. But at least the window was spared its merciless beating.
With his head cast so low it was almost grazing his knees, Joshua¡¯s grudging apology trickled out into the ether: Sorry, Becky. I shouldn¡¯t have said bad words.
¡°That¡¯s better,¡± Victoria crooned, ¡°and anyway, you¡¯re both right. It¡¯s is a hyperport matrix and it does send out a special signal to the other crystal. So when we turn it on, what happens?¡±
Joshua glanced at Becky who swiftly said, ¡°We travel without moving!¡±
¡°Yes, we jump¡ªor teleport¡ªa long, long way. It¡¯s like stepping into a hole and coming right back out at the same time, only to find you¡¯re someplace else. How cool is that?¡±
¡°Super cool!¡± they chorused.
¡°And where do we end up?¡±
¡°Kalliste,¡± they cried in harmony.
¡°Ah, but where is Kalliste?¡±
Neither youngster could answer that, nor did it take long for them to start probing her shields for any weaknesses through which they might glean the answer.
¡°That¡¯s why today is a surprise,¡± Victoria explained, expertly fending off their efforts, ¡°This is the first time we¡¯re going to make sure the crystals are holding on to each other properly. If they work, we¡¯ll build a big gate at both ends for all sorts of people to travel backward and forward every day. Are you ready to see them in action?¡±
¡°Yes!¡± they both shouted, pressing their faces so hard against the glass, she thought they¡¯d get nosebleeds.
Reveling in the sudden silence, Victoria relaxed a little too much and said, ¡°Uncle Andrew and Grandpa Adam are waiting at the other end. Evidently, they have another treat for you.¡± Ah shit! That was a mistake.
Too late.
A treat? What is it? Is it a toy?
Does it explode? Can we eat it? Is it a monster?
And in unison: Why won¡¯t you open your mind and tell us?
¡°Patience, patience. You¡¯ll be there in less than a minute. Now, look out outside and tell me, what do you see?¡±
Miraculously, they obeyed.
The ship executed a sharp loop, so it had room to make an accelerating run at the temporary anchor point. In future, the hyperport matrix would coalesce within the boundary of the gate¡¯s threshold. For now, though, someone with transcended capabilities was needed to hold the sheath in place.
Exerting herself, Victoria formed a nexus-tone attuned to the specific harmonics of the crystal. As soon as the vibrations synchronized, a brilliant chord of blinding luminescence flared between the focusing arms, creating a shimmering veil of light. Through it, a tantalizing void of pulsating, spiraling colors could be seen.
Enraptured by the delights of the astral rainbow calling to them, Becky and Joshua squealed in delight. ¡°Oooooh!¡±
The viewport darkened slightly as the UV filter engaged, and before they knew it, the Pathfinder had swept into the curtain.
A brief pinch to their sinuses later and they were swooping away from a huge blue-white star. Before them, two alien moons vied for dominance against a verdant world bedecked in fluffy white clouds.
¡°Oooooooh!¡± the children cried out again, transfixed by the sight of the beautiful planet below.
Victoria marveled at the way Becky and Joshua were already ranging with their senses, scanning everything they could and drinking in the vista of new sensations this home from-home would offer. Well, it looks as if the physics involved is sound. It won¡¯t be long before we get the two-way shuttles up and running.
Spinning on her heels, she headed toward the door. ¡°C¡¯mon kids, let¡¯s go and see what your surprise is!¡±
She was stopped in her tracks by a double-whammy.
¡°People are going to live here?¡± Becky squeaked.
Where the hell did she get that from?
¡°What¡¯s a Guppa?¡± Joshua wondered aloud. ¡°And why is one asking me for food?¡±
Victoria was shocked. Yes, Father needs to re-assays these two, and quickly, or else there won¡¯t be anything we can¡¯t keep from them.
The Calm Before The Storm
United Nations Headquarters ¨C New York ¨C January 5th ¨C 2038
The United Nations is an institution founded after the Second World War by fifty-one countries, who had the noble aim of developing friendly relations around the globe as a steppingstone to achieving international peace and security.
Their goal was to focus society on working together to improve the quality of life, regardless of where they were from, the color of their skin, or what their beliefs might be. Respect for each other¡¯s rights and freedoms were key factors behind its formation.
Peace; security; respect.
Honorable aspirations indeed, but as history went on to show, they were principles that proved to be most elusive.
Elusive or not, the world always had high expectations of a new beginning, and today would see such a hope give birth to something special. The venue chosen for such an auspicious occasion was the World Headquarters of the UN itself, situated by East River in New York City, along a huge stretch of 1st Avenue, from 45th to 48th Street.
In all, the site covered eighteen acres and belonged to the organization¡¯s one hundred and ninety-nine member states, affording plenty of room for the visiting leaders, dignitaries, honored guests, and gaggle of media, who would help to commemorate the investiture of this date as ¡°Guardians Day.¡±
The program was scheduled to include a number of brief oratories and presentations by a panel of specially selected speakers from the worlds of industry, science and medicine. President Vivian Becknell herself was listed as the final spokeswoman and was due to announce the main address, to be given by none other than the Lord Marshal of the Guardians himself. Though not yet confirmed, it was rumored he would disclose the steps world leaders had been waiting to hear regarding the implementation of the new Psychic Law and Order bill, as well as other groundbreaking issues.
If all went to plan, the day would culminate with the unveiling of a new commemorative statue in the North Gardens, close to one of the world¡¯s most recognized monuments by Yevgeny Vuchetich, ¡°Let Us Beat Swords into Plowshares¡±.
The bronze sculpture was symbolic of mankind¡¯s desire to end war, and convert the means of destruction into creative tools for the benefit of all.
At long last, it seemed those desires were about to be realized.
*
This was the second occasion inside a month that Lei Yeung had found himself sharing a hotel suite with his extraordinary new friends and he sincerely hoped it would be the last. While they had proven useful in advancing his agendum to gain an edge against the Guardians, he was beginning to find it most irritating how often they took gratuitous risks in the belief they were invincible. While there is a distinct possibility that might be the case, there¡¯s no denying I¡¯m not indestructible. Nor are those making up my beloved Council. If such a lackadaisical attitude exposes what we¡¯re up to this close to the off, it won¡¯t be their transcended necks on the block.
Yeung¡¯s recommendations that they implement a more prudent course of action were constantly scorned. His hankering for added security precautions, ridiculed. Since the Valhalla exercise, it had been an uphill struggle to get them to adopt any of his suggestions at all, especially Esther and Harry, who continued to view him as an irritation.
Thank goodness Simon has been more reasonable. That being said, he knew the leader of the inhuman rebels considered him a necessary burden, and one that would no doubt be discarded as soon as he¡¯d served his purpose.
We shall see about that, Yeung thought, I haven¡¯t lasted this long by chance. He sniffed in amusement; At least the views are better from here.
All four hundred and eighty-eight rooms of the New Millennium Consort had been booked well in advance of the occasion. It was only due to the fact that Yeung Technologies held a block of permanent suites here that their chance to stay at a suitable location had been vouchsafed. Situated on 46th Street, New York, the huge glass and steel construct of refined quality and elegance provided sweeping views of the Empire State and Chrysler buildings, the five legendary bridges spanning the East River itself and of course, their venue later that day, the United Nations.
Yeung grew tired of reading through his speech, due to be given in the hall of the General Assembly later that morning. Extending his astral vision, he began idling away the time by watching a combined taskforce of the city¡¯s amenities workers and UN employees adding the finishing touches to the exterior seating area recently constructed along the Plaza. Changing focus, he zoomed in on the brand new monument itself, still under wraps in the gardens and surrounded by a halo of foldout chairs. Perfect!The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
A gentle ping alerted him to the fact that his private elevator had just been activated. Drawing back his farsight, he confirmed his fellow collaborators were on the way up. Closing the computer, he ambled over to the kitchen to await their arrival.
Not thirty seconds passed before the door chimed and the terrible trio stalked into the suite, pokerfaced and stiff gaited. Once inside the protective bubble of the portable mitigator shield, however, they allowed their barriers to drop slightly, revealing their emotions were anything but cold and aloof.
Waving the blender, jauntily, Yeung asked, ¡°Anyone for coffee?¡±
Three mental affirmations bounced back almost immediately, so he set about preparing the drinks while they divested themselves of their disguises.
At his nagging insistence, they had muted their auras and, posing as casual staff, had intermingled with those workers preparing the investiture site.
Despite their initial misgivings at not being able to flit about at whim, Yeung had advocated that following his advice would dramatically increase the chances of success. The event would have undoubtedly attracted all sorts of additional security measures, mechanical, mundane and otherwise. So, by acting like they belonged there and fussing over the exact positioning of the new awnings¡ªthoughtfully provided in case of inclement weather¡ªthey were far less likely to draw attention than trying to do the same thing whilst fluttering about like ethereal phantoms. Additionally, strolling around on foot would also afford them the opportunity to check the target area for bugs and other devices they might have missed on their initial sweeps.
He was itching to discover what harvest his forethought had yielded.
Esther was the first to return to the kitchen area. Snatching up her mug, she took a seat at the table and regarded Yeung with obvious interest. Hello, someone looks happy?
As Simon and Harry sauntered in behind her, Yeung enquired, ¡°Something on your mind, Esther?¡±
Inhaling the aroma of the freshly ground beans, she replied, ¡°I was just thinking; what a waste it is that your mind is trapped within such a fragile body.¡±
¡°Thank you . . . I think?¡±
¡°Oh yes, it was meant as a compliment, human. Mark the date; it won¡¯t happen very often, believe me.¡±
Coming in on the conversation, Harry patted her on the back and grinned. ¡°What my sentimental companion is trying to say is, yet again, your guidance proved invaluable.¡±
There¡¯s a shock. Nevertheless, Yeung was intrigued by the unexpected accolade. Addressing Harry directly, he murmured, ¡°How so?¡±
¡°Dressed as mundanes, we were able to walk about undetected, clouding the minds of any fool who got too close or those few who became inquisitive. As a warrior, I can relate to the value of gathering intelligence before you strike. Thus forewarned, we witnessed firsthand how your caution produced unexpected fruit.¡±
¡°It did? In what way?¡±
¡°Furtive scans around the speakers¡¯ platform picked out two automated sentries of Guardian design, ingeniously crafted and shielded by a chameleon net to prevent tampering. Knowing they are there has helped us to adjust our tactics accordingly.¡±
¡°Sneaky bastards are using brand new technology as well, so we left them well alone,¡± Esther added.
Yeung nodded. ¡°I see. So you¡¯re going back to my original proposal to hit them at the unveiling of the monument then?¡±
¡°Indeed we are,¡± Simon affirmed without the slightest hint of embarrassment. ¡°As you so wisely pointed out, the Guardian VIP is bringing only a small retinue of high-ranking staff with him. The organizers are obviously relying on their formidable reputation to deter troublemakers because they¡¯ve only bothered to place a handful of bio-readers and explosive detectors on the approaches to the venue itself. That will be perfect for our needs. The Guardians will feel a false sense of security in numbers; security staff will be relaxed and have their minds on other things as the circus winds down; and people will be tired after a long day. Better still, nobody will be expecting a mass public execution . . . ?¡±
In response to Yeung¡¯s look of surprise, Simon explained, ¡°We were able to place the mitigator stanchions exactly as we want them. When they blow, they won¡¯t only destroy our objective, they¡¯ll vaporize everyone else in a fifty-foot radius as well.¡±
¡°That¡¯s going to smart!¡± Yeung was elated. ¡°I¡¯d better make sure I¡¯m in the thick of it then, so no suspicion falls my way.¡±
¡°Indeed, human,¡± Esther giggled, ¡°the closer the better.¡±
She sighed, wistfully. ¡°You are wasted within that fragile shell. It¡¯s such a pity you are not powerful enough to adopt something more robust. Your strategy and cunning would make a welcome addition to our triumvirate.¡±
Yeung chuckled, basking in the first sign of genuine warmth to escape the frigid confines of this terrifying woman¡¯s aura. ¡°Then you¡¯ll be glad to learn I¡¯m working on that very agenda, Esther. If we survive, I intend to address such a dilemma head on.¡±
¡°Oh, we¡¯ll survive,¡± Simon assured him. ¡°Especially if these new mitigator and mirror units, what phrase did you use for them . . .? MEMUs are up to the task?¡±
¡°You know they are. You¡¯ve seen the prototypes in action, having destroyed them yourselves. The energy threshold you had to employ proves they will negate any Guardian who is constrained to a fleshly form. That means you can concentrate solely on anyone who is transcended without having to worry about their minions. So far as I am aware, only one such creature is due to be in attendance today. Are you positive you¡¯ll be able to manage?¡±
Esther and Harry gazed Simon¡¯s way and the ambient room temperature dropped.
Simon narrowed his eyes. ¡°You leave that imbecile to us. Remember, we were there when his potential was discovered. And while we don¡¯t doubt he is now very powerful, he will be no match for us combined, especially since he will be unable to manifest.¡±
¡°And how will you elude those who come after you?¡±
¡°You need have no concerns for us, human. As we discussed, Esther, Harry and I will depart and lie low, as you call it. In the meantime, your new implants should shield you from the dramatic effects of your arcane gadgets and the interrogation that¡¯s bound to follow your miraculous survival. Then, once the dust settles, we¡¯ll all meet at an open venue to see if the coast is clear before implementing the next stages of our master plan. Agreed?¡±
¡°Oh, I agree wholeheartedly, my friend. But if you excuse me, I have to go and prepare myself for the ordeal ahead. It¡¯s not often I get to speak in front of such celebrated company and if I¡¯m going to look like a hero by the end of today, I want to be a stylish and distinguished one.¡±
And with that, Yeung left three, extremely intimidating beings feeling quite bemused over the vanities of those restricted to a purely fleshly form.
Guardians Day
The morning passed with far less aggravation than Earl Foster imagined it might.
His initial frustration at having been selected to represent the Guardians had been tempered by the Overlord¡¯s promise to divulge his origins. It was hard for Earl to imagine that, after all these centuries, he would finally discover where Adam came from.
Why now though? He wondered.
Of course, he readily agreed. I¡¯ve had to wait three and a half thousand years for him to get around to answering the question that¡¯s always bugged me, so I can put up with a little discomfort for a few hours.
Except, there was far more to his task than merely being uncomfortable.
The Lord Conciliator¡¯s suggestion that Earl arrive in the Flagship Olympus, proved especially astute. Astute and crafty. When the massed crowds caught sight of the vessel that had led the defense of Earth¡ªone of only three to survive the encounter¡ªbedecked openly for the first time in Guardian emblems, they had erupted, generating a deafening chorus of adulation Earl could hear from inside the bridge.
Unbeknown to him, the Lord Conciliator also supplied a number of Guardian flags to the secretariat of the United Nations, to be unfurled at the moment the Olympus dropped from the sky. The gasps they drew at their unveiling was quite moving, and thousands of cameras and faces had remained trained on the silver and white or silver and black logos ever since. (The buzzword being they looked suspiciously angelic in design.)
As popular as that entrance proved to be, when Earl descended from the belly of the carrier in his transcended state¡ªreminding them of just who their saviors really were¡ªonly to materialize in human form in front of the visitors¡¯ lobby, it caused an uproar that took President Vivian Becknell more than fifteen minutes to settle.
And the organized chaos didn¡¯t stop there. Earl manifested inside an honor guard where an endless stream of children bearing gifts and colored bouquets waited. The moment he metamorphosed, the floodgates opened with everyone surging forward all at once to greet him. Thinking on his feet, Earl promoted his impromptu court to ad-hoc flower bearers, bestowing upon them the thankless privilege of wondering where to safely deposit the thousands of trinkets and sprays on offer.
Fortunately, his liaison for the morning¡ªHigh Grand Master Joseph West¡ªswiftly demonstrated why he was such a prominent figure on the Conciliator wing. He¡¯d suggested the Lord Marshal ask the crowd for their blessing in allowing the youngsters currently under training with the Guardians to select their personal favorites from among the many presents. Once completed, the excess would be donated to the needy, especially the flowers, which would brighten the wards of many of the city¡¯s hospitals and care homes.
That idea proved most acceptable.
Earl had then worked the line, exchanging personal greetings and handshakes with many notaries and VIPs and gradually making his way toward the General Assembly Hall, where the speeches had begun well over an hour ago.
The auditorium itself was packed to capacity, and in keeping with the occasion had been decorated accordingly. Two rather large Guardian pennants now hung on either side of the United Nation¡¯s symbol, adding a somewhat martial overtone to proceedings. Privately, Earl thought them rather tasteful, and a nice final touch that rounded off the occasion.
Speakers were supposedly restricted to a maximum of five minutes each. Eleven of the twelve had droned on for well past that, the exception being Lei Yeung¡ªFounder and CEO of Yeung Technologies¡ªwho was acknowledged as one of the world¡¯s leading industrialists.
Events over the past few years had exposed the depth of this man¡¯s involvement in the acquisition of people possessing any form of extra sensory talent, ostensibly to further his dominance of the business markets. Earl was gratified to see Yeung appeared to have taken the Guardians blunt warning to heart, with recent months in particular demonstrating how eager his board members were to share the beneficial applications and technological breakthroughs his subsidiary companies were making. Keen to follow their patron¡¯s lead, Yeung¡¯s workforce continued to set a sterling example to their contemporaries by stepping forward to properly register themselves as licensed psychics.
A promising and impressive change of direction!
To cap it all off, Yeung had given a refreshingly informative, self-depreciating and hilarious monologue, which had ended bang on the five minute mark. Against all the odds, Earl found himself fervently wishing Yeung had been allowed a much larger segment of the program, as it would have helped ease the monotony of endless pomp and ceremony.
Sill, other forms of entertainment were available if you knew where to look.
His favorite so far centered on the antics of the BBC¡¯s Guardian Correspondent, Cathy West, who was going out of her way to lavish as much attention on his Deputy Conciliator as possible while they were together in public.
Watching them now brought a smile to his face, for Joseph was squirming so much in his seat; it was as if he literally had ants in his pants. My God, it¡¯s only been what, just under five weeks? Poor boy doesn¡¯t know what hit him. I wonder what date she¡¯s set for the wedding . . . and if she¡¯ll bother to tell him until it¡¯s too late to wriggle out of it?
Checking back in on the proceedings, Earl realized Vivian Becknell¡¯s discourse was in the process of winding down. He seized the chance to take a long drink of water from the pitcher in front of him.
As the President gathered her notes together, two ushers brought in a small stand, placing it next to the speaker¡¯s lectern. Studying it closely, Earl could see something concealed beneath a heavy velvet cloth. An expectant hush fell over the room.
Clearing her throat, President Becknell announced, ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, auspicious gests. It is my deepest pleasure to officially declare this day, January fifth, Guardians Day. A date that will be commemorated from this year forward and for time immemorial to mark the heroic actions of those who saved our species from certain extinction. There is no doubt in any of our minds, that were it not for their benevolence and unwavering commitment, none of us would be here now.¡±
She paused to remove the cover from the table and selected one of the articles from underneath.
Holding a golden key in the air, she said, ¡°This token represents the key to the doors of every city in the world. We hope the Guardians accept it in the spirit in which it is given. We invite them to enter every land; every metropolis; every township and community, to persist in doing what they do best. Protecting and safeguarding our lives, and acting as our best line of defense.¡±
Rapturous applause followed that announcement, filling the air with reverberations that hurt the ears.
Picking the next item, she held aloft a gray and bronze medallion the size of a large dinner plate, emblazoned with the dual crests of the Guardians and the United Nations. ¡°This tribute has been struck from the remains of the Guardian Dreadnaught Magenta. The strange colors you see within its composition are pieces of the asteroid Abaddon, which caused its destruction along with the loss of two hundred and four heroes on board. Their sacrifice, now one year ago, put us on notice as to the standards by which the Guardians measure themselves in their service to us; one of personal dedication and nobility!¡±
Tumultuous acclaim tested the integrity of the glass in the windows.
Once it had subsided, President Becknell continued. ¡°It is with great pride that I present this medallion and this key to the Guardians as a mark of our deepest gratitude and as a sign that we are ever grateful that they chose to be our friends.¡±
Turning to face him directly, she concluded, ¡°Earl Foster, Lord Marshal of the Guardians, do you accept these gifts in the spirit with which they are given?¡±
There¡¯s my cue, Earl thought.
Easing himself from his chair, the Lord Marshal descended the stairs. A lump rose in his throat as the auditorium erupted into an enthusiastic standing ovation. The cheering was so deafening, the handclapping and foot stamping so vigorous, he could feel the ground shake beneath his feet.
Unwittingly, the response of the audience within the General Assembly had been amplified by the feelings of the billions of viewers tuning in to the live broadcast. So united were they in their hearts, so cohesive was their hope for the future that¡ªjust for a moment¡ªa subliminal note of soaring majesty burst forth, ringing into the ether like a fanfare.
What the . . .?
The note faded into the probability lattices as quickly as it began, causing Earl to stop dead in his tracks.
To those in the hall, it looked as if the Lord Marshal was scanning the congregation in order to meet the eye of every person present and acknowledge their grand gesture. In reality, the oldest transcended human being on the planet was struck with awe at the glimpse he¡¯d just witnessed of the world¡¯s announcement to the cosmos, that its emerging mind had taken a huge step up the ladder.
A familiar presence, from so very far away, coalesced in close proximity: Did you feel it, my old friend?
Adam? Was that what I think it was?
Yes. You¡¯ve just been given a rare glimpse of what no mortal or immortal will witness until the grand unveiling itself.
His mind still ringing into the furthest reaches of space, the Lord Marshal whispered: It was so beautiful!
I know, and one day its essence will be a beacon among the stars. But for now, I think you had better turn your attention back to the matter at hand.
Clearing his acuity, Earl¡¯s senses registered the clamorous backwash again, and he resumed his approach to the podium and the waiting President.
Shaking hands amid the glare of myriad flashes, both leaders gazed out into a sea of faces and vidi-cams until the noise gradually waned.
The President returned to her seat, and Earl hefted the two emblems high, unleashing a blinding pulse of energy to cast back the blaze of the cameras. ¡°As Chairman overseeing the presiding Council of Lords of the ruling Guardian Oligarchy and on behalf of the Guardians themselves, we accept . . .¡±
His words were drowned out in another unrestrained outburst, a deluge bringing with it the fleeting whisper of a familiar melody. Damn!
Earl bowed his head and waited for the adoration to stop.
After a full three minutes had passed, he was forced to use the power of his mind to instill peace and restraint amongst them.
¡°Dear friends. Thank you, all of you, from the bottom of our hearts. We gladly accept the weighty accolade extended to us today, but for a different reason than you may imagine.
¡°Your welfare is, and always will be, our dearest concern. We undertake that duty, that calling, with a willingness that you do not fully understand . . . yet.¡±
Displaying both key and medallion to good effect, he moved to clarify his comments. ¡°These gifts are a wonderful expression and we appreciate the sentiment behind them. But we would serve you even if you had not extended such an honor. However, your gesture reveals something important, vital even, for the sustained development of our relationship. Trust!
¡°That you now trust us to always act on your behalf and with your best interests in mind is evident. Therefore, it is in that spirit we accept the key to your cities, because we now know we can devote ourselves fully and without hindrance to the very tenets that drives us: service, sacrifice and honor.¡±
A rippling accolade forced him to wait again.
Raising his hand in acknowledgement, Earl lowered his voice. ¡°This is a great day, because it marks a turning point in mankind¡¯s history, a new course proving your social maturation is well underway. You are starting to turn your eyes from purely selfish pursuits to those concerning a greater benevolence.
¡°Abaddon¡¯s timely lesson taught you how fragile life can be. It is a rare and precious gift; something you need to appreciate; to value and cling to with all your strength. And to do that effectively, you¡¯ve got to be willing to cut down the invisible barriers that have divided society for far too long. You¡¯ve got to look to the future as a united family, because that¡¯s what we all are!
¡°Despite our efforts a year ago, a great deal of harm was inflicted on this precious gem we call home. But look what¡¯s been accomplished by working together since then.¡± Earl gestured expansively to the trappings about the hall and their significance. ¡°Here, is the proof you need. United we stand. United we prevail. United, the future holds no bounds! Do you agree brothers and sisters?¡±
So resounding was the unrehearsed ¡°Yes!¡± that thundered back, Earl was almost lifted from his feet.
¡°Very well. It is with this healthy, singular goal in mind that I have the pleasure of announcing the following stages of our integration into society:
¡°A finalized draft of the Psychic Law and Order Amendment Bill was put forward for inclusion in this year¡¯s ratification process and will serve as a stepping stone toward active legislation in twelve months time. The full Act presents a guiding format for the introduction of Psychic Law Officers, investigators, prosecutors, and defense attorneys into everyday affairs. It also includes a useful codex for those in the legal profession intending to specialize in this new area of law to help implement its various mandates and decrees into criminal and civil practice.
¡°That Draft will safeguard citizens everywhere. It not only codifies standards and acceptable practices for those who are gifted¡ªprotecting their liberties and freedoms¡ªbut it especially defends the civil rights of normal members of society, who will have to cope with the emergence of psychic individuals amongst them.
¡°Over one hundred cities have already agreed to its trial implementation as from next week, with a further two thousand due to join us at the beginning of April. The framework should then be in place for the universal launch of the Bill by January next year.¡±
A smattering of applause echoed around the auditorium.
¡°Expanding on the theme of integration, you will be relieved to hear that we Guardians are busily engaged in the task of positioning a network of planetary, lunar and solar system-wide defenses that will help shield against hazards similar in nature to Abaddon. The grid has been designed in such a way that it will remain fully compatible with your progressive technological acumen and is capable of incorporating the very latest military ordnance into its setup. This move compliments our strategy of global instead of purely nationalistic security.¡±
Now the applause was more vigorous and was interspersed with shouts of, Bravo! Abaddon was still on everyone¡¯s minds, and anything involved in reducing such threats was welcome.
¡°I am also delighted to announce that the latest generation of Yeung Technologies, Energy Mirroring Units¡ªEMUs as we call them¡ªhave passed their final assessment trials with flying colors.¡± He indicated the founder of the corporation sitting in the audience, who waved amiably in reply. ¡°They are currently being installed in areas of civil, military, economic, and ecological importance or sensitivity, to provide a terrestrial bulwark against natural and other disasters.
¡°Additionally, plans for the latest spec Saline fed power plants, courtesy of our Mister Yeung again, have just been approved. International construction is scheduled to commence in twelve to fourteen months time. I don¡¯t need to stress to you the beneficial impact this will have on the recovering environment, especially as this breakthrough is being supported by the results of other studies that have been able to produce power cells fuelled with a by-product of the filtration-distillation-regenerative process: pure water. As you can imagine, the implications are simply enormous.¡±
He paused for a few seconds to allow the audience to express their approval.
¡°Finally, I¡¯m glad to reveal our involvement in selected research projects with specialists chosen from among some of the best scientists in the world, who will help us conduct fresh studies into the disciplines of quantum levitation and human genome sequencing and adaptation.¡±
This time, the reaction was very enthusiastic.
After allowing a suitable period to pass, Earl signaled he wished to bring proceedings to a close. ¡°That¡¯s all I have to say for now. However, I understand that the next stage of the investiture will be conducted in a more intimate setting outside?¡±
The chairman of the assembly nodded, so Earl made haste to conclude, ¡°In that case, may I once again say a heartfelt ¡®thank you¡¯ on behalf of all Guardians everywhere¡ªand especially on behalf of those who gave their lives¡ªfor the trust you have extended to us this day and for evermore.¡±
Earl stepped down to the sound of a boisterous ovation. As he returned to his seat, Joseph West came forward and spoke mentally to cut out the din: Nice one, boss! Do you want me to take the gifts back up to the ship? It¡¯s only you and a few representatives from the Conciliator¡¯s and Inquisitor¡¯s office who will be staying for the finale.
Handing the key and medallion over, Earl replied: Thanks, Joe. I¡¯d get out of here while you can if I were you. Goodness only knows how long it will take me to get through this lot and out into the gardens.
There¡¯s always teleportation? Then again, they¡¯d probably think that rude.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Go now, before I decide to deputize your ass and spoil the rest of your day!
Joseph responded by backing away in mock horror: I¡¯m gone, I¡¯m gone. I don¡¯t exist and was never here. And with that, the Deputy Conciliator winked out of existence, taking his ever-present girlfriend with him.
¡°Lucky bastard!¡± Earl muttered as he sat back down.
The latest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, Michelle Zeller from Switzerland, had assumed the platform and was announcing the next phase of the commemoration.
¡°Ladies and Gentlemen, honored guests. The time is fast approaching for the final phase of today¡¯s inauguration. However, we will now break for a short recess in the Plaza area where refreshments have been provided. Farewell, to all of you who are leaving us at this stage. Please be aware a guided tour has been arranged for your entertainment beginning at twelve noon. For those delegates forming the presentation party, would you ensure you make your way to the North Gardens where the unveiling is due to take place, also at noon. Thank you.¡±
And with that, the stampede for the door began.
*
Flashing his VIP pass at regular intervals allowed Lei Yeung to swiftly make his way from the General Assembly Hall and remain unchallenged until he entered the environs of the North Gardens.
There, he lingered only long enough to subject himself to retinal, palm print and DNA verification before he was through the cordon and into the relative calm of the inauguration site. Having threaded his way those workers who had remained behind to help in the last minute preparations, Yeung stopped to chat with three security guards.
As they talked aloud, he took the time to inspect the four ornate posts holding the sail cover awning in position, ignoring the statue entirely. Mentally, his concerns were focused on an entirely different topic: Is everything ready?
Simon turned to face him, and replied: Of course. You have done well today, my friend. Thank you for the great service you have rendered in affording us this opportunity to strike back.
Nodding, so onlookers would think he was agreeing to some aspect of the setting, Yeung said: It has been my pleasure, but now is the time for you to fulfill a promise. Despite the bio-technology I now carry in my head, I seek the further guarantee you promised that will safeguard me from the longer repercussions of what we do here today. Remember, I must have no memory of my treachery. No hint! I understand their forensic redactors are extremely adept in retrieving information. They must be unable to glean anything from me except genuine shock and horror.
Have no fear, human, Simon assured him. As skilled as these Guardians have become, they are no match for those of the Host. The only ones capable of detecting the initial application of my manipulations are absent, and by the time they return your psyche will show no hint of any deception whatsoever. Do you wish me to apply the block now?
Nodding his assent, the old man shuffled forward.
*
To onlookers, it appeared as if the four persons around the monument were showing their deepest respect for what it represented, as they had just bowed their heads in prayer.
Ensuring to keep a respectful distance, those workers continued to busy themselves with their chores, mindful of the fact they couldn¡¯t dawdle, for the main event was now only thirty minutes away.
*
The Veran froze, indistinguishable from the surrounding jungle, thanks to her dappled markings and ability to telepathically will herself into nonexistence. A stiffening breeze brought with it the unique aroma of the new apes that had taken to roaming through her hunting grounds of late. She sniffed, causing her twenty-four inch long whiskers to twitch.
Previous encounters with this flesh proved them to be a frightening and formidable opponent, and as such, not on her list of prey. However, she had cubs to feed and the scent assailing her nostrils contained the tell-tale signature of the young of this new species. Perhaps they would present less of a challenge?
Lowering her huge head onto tufted paws, she smacked her lips and yawned, releasing a reverberating growl that rumbled into the canopy overhead. Fourteen inch incisors formed an amber gateway into the jaws of death.
Disdainful of the other critters now eyeing her from the underbrush, she became immobile once more, alert and patient, confident of the fact that with every passing second, fresh opportunities were striding obliviously her way.
*
Sharing the magic of the moment, Earl Foster clapped as vigorously as all the other guests clustered about him for a job well done.
Their benefactor for the event, Lei Yeung, had just finished describing the intricacies involved in blending the exotic meteor ore together with the metals used in the creation of the commemorative statue and medallion. The alloy produced was unique, providing a fitting accolade to the stand the Guardians had made only a year ago this day.
Having concluded his speech, Yeung bowed and gestured toward him. ¡°Without further ado, may I invite our distinguished guest, Earl Foster, Lord Marshal of the Guardians, to join me and accept these ceremonial scissors to finally make public the world¡¯s tribute to our greatest ever protectors.¡±
A slight fellow, Yeung struggled with a huge pair of specially designed clippers, as big as garden shears, so Earl quickly made his way forward. As he approached the monument along a brief length of red carpet, the breeze picked up and a handful of ladies in the audience were forced to hang onto their hats. The wind began to gust and several UN security officers stepped in to support the ornate anchoring posts holding the heavy canvass covering in place. Earl felt the briefest tingling sensation cross his skin as he walked beneath the awning and assumed he was once again getting caught up in the ambiance of the affair.
Holding out the scissors, Yeung said, ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you in person at last. I believe you know what to do with these?¡±
¡°I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll work it out,¡± Earl replied, ¡°and the pleasure¡¯s all mine, by the way. Your company is making huge strides in the development of so many new technologies. I must admit, that worried me for a while, but now? Let¡¯s just say, we¡¯re very pleased how you¡¯ve taken the reins. We really must get together to discuss a number of special projects I¡¯d like to put your way now you¡¯ve decided to join us in promoting a united front.¡±
A genuine smile lit up the old man¡¯s face¡ªcuriously tinged with a deeper, regretful undercurrent of remorse which was soon smothered. How odd?
Yeung stepped aside and waved toward the shrouded memorial. ¡°If you would be so kind?¡±
Dismissing his confusion, Earl stepped up to the statue and severed the ribbon with a deft, snap! He shuffled back a few steps as the canopy fell away to reveal a truly astonishing piece of craftsmanship.
A beautifully intricate and detailed representation of the Earth had been positioned upon a plinth of the utmost delicacy, its style highlighting the fragile nature of the planet it symbolized. Where that plinth met the floor, it thickened, twisted and flowed, growing into a miniature overhanging plateau upon which two life-sized Guardian figurines stood, side by side. One was male, the other female. Their cloaks streamed behind them, and their faces encapsulated a serious and determined fortitude.
Braced as they were in a defensive position¡ªwith their outer feet forward and hands held high in front of them¡ªthe meaning was clear. Nothing would be allowed to breach their defenses or bring harm to the world they would die to protect.
A simple message was inscribed below the statue:
¡°In memory of those who perished so we might live.¡±
A tear came to the Lord Marshal¡¯s eye as he recalled those friends and colleagues he lost that day. He was surprised to note the mood had also affected the elderly gentleman standing next to him, for earnest sorrow leaked from Yeung¡¯s usually stoic persona like water through a colander. Well I never! Who would have guessed?
Earl reached out to grasp Yeung¡¯s shoulder in mutual support. That¡¯s when he noticed he was no longer able to sense those thoughts or emotions that should have been emanating from the ringed spectators seated only fifteen yards away. Strange, there are over a hundred people here. I ought to be getting something. . . .
Spinning on the spot, Earl discerned the tingling sensation across his epidermis had increased. A subliminal warbling impinged on the buried layers of his awareness, disrupting his concentration. Yeung must have felt it too, for his gaze darted from place to place as he backed away, giving the impression he expected to be jumped by muggers at any second.
The crowd, seeing the Lord Marshal¡¯s reaction, was also coming to the realization that something must be wrong. Earl scoured the sea of faces before him. It¡¯s like they don¡¯t exist?
Yeung¡¯s turmoil distracted him. In a world of his own, the old man kept glancing toward the security contingent surrounding the sculpture. Regarding them himself, Earl recognized something he¡¯d initially missed. I can¡¯t perceive their esoteric presence.
Puzzled, he glanced to and fro between the screaming psychic nub that was Yeung¡¯s anxiety and the disturbing absence in the place each steward should have occupied. Comprehension dawned.
Responding with superhuman speed, Earl reached for his plasma baton and dropped into a defensive crouch. Reciprocating, the closest of the spectators reacted in alarm. At the same time, the impenetrable sheath insulating the guards fell away to expose a set of bizarrely combined psychoenergetic imprints.
What the hell is going on? He didn¡¯t know the people before him, but their minds were a different matter, bearing a provocative, hostile familiarity.
Echoes from the past, almost forgotten, came to the fore. ¡°You!¡± Earl exclaimed. ¡°I thought . . . I thought you were all dead.¡±
Unleashing a wave of searing authority, Earl was stunned to watch as his efforts warped in midflight, only to come bounding back at him almost instantly. How in the seven shades did they do that?
The female cackled. ¡°Surprised?¡±
Earl¡¯s hair stood on end as the dynamism of a threefold choral splicing intensified about him. Ignoring the woman¡¯s taunt, he triggered multiple concussions between them and him in a bid to divert their attention.
Through a now visible, shimmering force field, Earl saw an increasing number of his colleagues teleporting into the location. Some began ushering distraught civilians away from the threat, while others started to pepper the dome with their own mental bombardment.
Earl raged: Call the Overlord! There are transcended ancients loose in the city!
His thought projection bounced impotently back toward him. Damn, something seems to be nullifying my abilities.
Knowing there was little time to act, Earl grabbed Yeung by the lapels and drilled into his brain, depositing a nucleus of mental data there that would easily be found. That completed, Earl then generated a needle of meteoric potential and hurled it with all his might at a single point in the barrier. As he did so, he tightened his grip on Yeung¡¯s jacket, pirouetted once, and sent him flying bodily through the air toward the exact same spot.
Thankfully his efforts were just enough. An alert Grand Master had seen what the Lord Marshal was trying to do. When Yeung became enmeshed within a crawling web of power, the Grand Master latched on with his telekinesis, pulling him all the way through.
Earl¡¯s assailants had come together now. Standing shoulder to shoulder, the atmosphere crackled as the substance of their metapsychic concert continued to grow.
I¡¯m not strong enough like this. In desperation, Earl summoned his own transcension program, only to find it skipping away from his grasp as the process began to take hold. Eh?
He tried again and narrowly missed being incinerated by a gobbet of blazing plasma that stretched his natural defenses to the limit. Absorbing as much of the discharge as he could, Earl channeled its exuberance down through his staff, adding the sum of his own vitality as it went.
A devastating ribbon of royal blue lightning stabbed out, branching into separate hybrid filaments as it neared its targets.
Though most of Earl¡¯s bolt was reflected back at him, some of its influence hit the mark. Each of his opponents staggered under the vehemence of his attack. So they do have their limitations?
Aloud, he taunted: What¡¯s the matter? Am I not as weak as you thought?
The hatred blazing from the enigmatic trios¡¯ eyes would have been sufficient to sear the flesh from lesser beings. But Earl didn¡¯t have time to dwell on that, for he¡¯d just spotted how his adversaries were maintaining their advantage. The awning supports! The darn things are augmenting the frequencies the rebels are employing; oscillating them in some way so that their overall wattage is amplified.
That observation didn¡¯t sit right in Earl¡¯s craw. Then why can¡¯t I use the pillars to boost my own output?
He scanned the props more thoroughly. Jesus Christ, they¡¯re mirror unit too! But how? We haven¡¯t authorized the manufacture of anything like this. They¡¯d be illegal.¡±
Frowning, he glanced toward where Yeung was receiving first aid and having his mind reamed by one of the Inquisitors. The truth struck home. You measly little bastard!
The look of surprise on the Inquisitor¡¯s face brought little comfort. Though it was obvious she¡¯d just uncovered the packet of information Earl had planted in Yeung¡¯s cerebrum, nothing in the way she acted gave any indication that she¡¯d been tipped off as to the charlatan¡¯s treachery. What the fuck is going on? How could he stand a chance of concealing what he¡¯s done?
Snatching a deep breath, Earl decided it best not to dwell on the negative. His initial warning was out there now, and he was confident that once the Overlord arrived, the matter would soon be settled. Then I¡¯ll deal with that little turd myself and get to the bottom of this.
Sure enough, the Inquisitor¡¯s head snapped up and she began signaling furiously to her comrades. Then she stared into the sky toward the Olympus. At that same instant, the Guardians broke off their disjointed attempts to gain entrance to the memorial site. Adopting similar postures, they started to form a harmonic counterstrike of their own. Yes! Now we¡¯re in bus . . .?
¡°You¡¯re too slow, human.¡±
Earl recognized a subtle overlay to the voice. ¡°Psi-edon! It¡¯s been what, nearly three and a half thousand years? I take it these are your cronies, Ares and Hestia? Sorry, but you look a little different from how I remember.¡±
The outer bubble went opaque.
What?
In answer to his dismay, Psi-edon boasted, ¡°We don¡¯t want too much of an audience for your final moments, do we?¡±
All three ancients triggered the transmutation back into their natural forms.
Scanning their efforts as closely as he could, Earl tried to mimic the process, attempting numerous times and different ways to access the full majesty at his disposal. To no avail. The errant energies pouring from the pylons thwarted him at every turn.
Aghast, he watched as his opponents started to ripple and change unhindered, knowing with absolute certainty that unless someone or something intervened, he was done for. They must have some form of mental code or bio-mitigator? Shit, I¡¯m screwed!
Stepping back to give himself space to maneuver, Earl summoned the entire potential available to him in human form. Smirking, he raised his sword and waited.
Psi-edon¡¯s cruel mental jibe cut like a knife: Why do you smile, fool? Do you not realize your death is now imminent?
If I die, I die, Earl acknowledged: But at least I¡¯ll do so knowing for a fact that you¡¯re signing your own death warrants. No, maybe it won¡¯t be as swiftly as I¡¯d like, but you¡¯re still as stupid as you were millennia ago if you think you won¡¯t face the consequences of your actions. My only regret is I won¡¯t be there to watch him grind your atoms to nothing.
As their transformation neared completion, Earl could feel the fever of their radiance growing within the confines of the mirror bubble. Straining with all his might to boost the resilience of his own defense, he commenced draining the substance of the crystal powering his baton, hoping to gain those vital few seconds that might make all the difference.
Outside, Earl could sense the massed minds of over fifty of his Guardians approaching prime focus. From what he could surmise, they were going to hit one of the EMU generators. He hoped their strategy would work.
Psi-edon, Ares, and Hestia finally fused their transcended wills into one terrifying artifice. Their eyes blazed with triumph.
Debilitated as he was by the constraints of his humanity, Earl¡¯s shield held for a heroic five seconds before it buckled under a titanic onslaught. The devils pounced immediately, seizing the sum of his psi-well in a merciless threefold grip of unimaginable ferocity. As one, they yanked it free of his complexus, prolonging his agony by shredding his life-force as they fed.
An unearthly howl pierced the ether, only to cut off abruptly as what was left of Earl¡¯s body flared like a nova before crumbling to dust.
As his blackened, lifeless plasma staff fell to the earth with a thud of finality, Earl Foster, Lord Marshal of the Guardians, uttered a final thought. Remarkably, it was laced with deep satisfaction: He knows what signatures you¡¯re hiding behind now. There¡¯s nowhere you¡¯ll be able to run¡ªrun¡ªrun. . . .
Then the generators exploded.
*
The Veran edged its way forward. Only a single curtain of moss now separated it from the path on which the new apes approached.
She heard their calls, mentally and physically, resounding in the air about her, sending the other beasts lurking nearby into a wary silence. Adopting the pose taught to her by her own mother many cycles ago, she willed herself into non-existence. Coiled and silent, she bided her time, ready to pounce.
The voices drew closer.
Suddenly they stopped and an alien notion insinuated itself in her mind.
Unwillingly, she straightened and slunk gracefully out onto the pathway, only to discover two younglings of these new flesh-walkers in the company of an adult.
*
Joshua pointed, his eyes almost popping from their sockets. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±
¡°She¡¯s a Veran,¡± Andrew explained. ¡°A very big cat that lives here, something you need to be very careful of.¡±
¡°Why? I like it, I want one! I want to take it home.¡±
¡°You won¡¯t be taking this one home.¡± Andrew laughed. ¡°She¡¯s a mother and has cubs to feed, can¡¯t you tell?¡±
Amused, he observed warily as both Joshua and Becky edged forward a few steps, scanning the beast¡¯s mind for all they were worth. Andrew did the same and marveled at its power, its pride and feline confidence, even in this unusual situation.
The children were dumbstruck and in total awe of the creature towering above them.
Andrew snorted. At last, I¡¯ve found something that keeps their attention.
¡°What do they eat?¡± Joshua asked, not daring to look away.
¡°Stupid, silly boys like you!¡± Becky couldn¡¯t contain herself any longer. ¡°You know you can¡¯t have one, so why bother?¡±
Instead of retorting in his usual way, Joshua remained quiet, fixated on the magnificent eight-foot tall beast in front of him.
Becky hadn¡¯t given up. ¡°Why don¡¯t you like the Guppa? He¡¯s clever and brings us present, he likes to wash our faces over and over again, and he¡¯s small enough to fit on the bed at night.¡±
Ignoring the heckling, Joshua held out his hand and extended a gentle audible and telepathic invitation. ¡°Psst, psst, psst!¡±
Becky, fearful of the danger, looked to Andrew for guidance. Andrew raised a cautionary finger and waited, keen to see where this unprecedented opportunity might lead.
Meshing to Joshua¡¯s psyche, he was amazed to discover the boy¡¯s superlative empathic ability had already established a bond within the predator¡¯s consciousness. I don¡¯t believe it!
Slowly, the powerful beast padded up to the tiny child and lowered her massive head, drawing in his scent and uttering a soft growl. She walked around him, sniffing and snorting and licking, batting her head against him where his essence was strongest, causing Joshua to giggle and rub back adoringly.
Andrew thought he¡¯d seen everything in his long and lonely life. But when the eight hundred pound killer emitted a coughing snarl of acceptance and started to wash Joshua¡¯s legs, he realized just how much he still had to learn.
*
Strange emotions flowed into her mind from the youngling: love?
What was friend? What was play? What was this strange thing called string?
Making up her mind this insignificant flesh was not prey but a whelp in need of instruction, she disdainfully lifted one side of her top lip and emitted a rumble of impatience at having wasted her time with them while her own brood went hungry. But the small flesh-walker was insistent and kept hugging her around the leg and filling her mighty frame with warmth and comradeship.
Perhaps she would come this way again, with her cubs next time, to see if they enjoyed the presence of this strange little creature that was not prey.
Perhaps it would bring string?
Suddenly, the larger flesh¡ªa dominant male¡ªbecame a source of terrifying danger. Anger and hate radiated from him in growing waves, terrible and fearful to behold.
It screamed a sound: Earl!
What is an Earl? Why does it make the flesh-walker rage so?
A defiant counter roar built in her throat, her muscles bunched in a fight-or-flight reflex. At the last second, her incredible senses realized the dreadful feelings were not being directed at her, but elsewhere, at prey in the sky.
Suddenly the flesh vanished, leaving her alone on the path.
She approached the spot where the adult had stood. Sniffing cautiously, the Veran decided it was relieved not to be on its list of food, for she had never sensed so much strength and limitless dominion in one thing before.
Unsettled, she slunk back into the jungle, determined to re-establish herself as queen by bringing down the other food source she had scented on the way there.
*
Attuned to the cadence of the primeval galaxy spread out in all directions around him, Adam drifted sedately, content to let the eddies generated by his age-old friend¡¯s passing take him where they would. Though bereft of its anchor, the speed of the system¡¯s deceleration was not yet acute enough to pose a problem. But that would need to be addressed, and soon, before gravitational fluctuations began affecting the rhythms of the entire local cluster.
Knowing that time was short, Adam juggled the countless factors that must be addressed in order to rectify the imbalance, back and forth in his mind. So much to do, so little time.
Time! Though it pressed on him constantly, he was coming here more and more often lately to enjoy the solitude afforded by the vast reaches of the stellar hub and its cold embrace, courtesy of the void left behind by the leviathan¡¯s departure.
His feelings of jubilation over the discovery that return was possible had been tempered by the regret he would experience at being parted from them. Where he was going, they could not follow, being outside the established laws of creation. They were not of the Host, nor human come to that¡ªbeing something in-between that should never have existed. And yet, here they were. Aeons had passed, and he still couldn¡¯t account for the miracle that had generated their conception. And because of that, he couldn¡¯t properly assess their potential, or when they might eventually mature, centuries from now.
How will they bear the burden knowledge brings, he thought, knowing they will be forever alo . . .?
Adam¡¯s meditations were broken by the far-off eradication of an intimately precious and familiar mind. His stupendous psyche leaped the gap in an instant, absorbing a wealth of data and unwelcome confirmation simultaneously.
Then everything changed as the tranquility of deep space was broken by the petrifying return of a true angel of the abyss, whose boundless wrath¡ªrestrained as it had been for so very long¡ªthreatened to rage unleashed for the first time in millennia.
Epilogue
Public reaction to the death of the Lord Marshal of the Guardians was tempered by the fact that details of his execution remained hidden from mainstream viewing; the strictures of the force field ensuring the epic battle remained unseen¡ªeither by those in attendance or those watching at home.
Fortunately, the number of Guardians on site prevented an even greater tragedy, as they were able to absorb the potential of the explosion, protecting bystanders from the blast that heralded the destruction of the deathtrap into which Earl Foster had unwittingly stepped.
Be that as it may, once the circumstances of the slaying emerged, everyone united in grief and universal condemnation of such a craven act. That someone would dare such a thing, on such a special day, caused disbelief and outrage. So much so, that it soon became clear the killers would have no place to hide.
Rallying behind the Guardians, the world¡¯s law enforcement agencies and media quickly circulated the vague descriptions of those believed responsible, but try as they might, no actual video footage, photograph, or valid record of them could be found.
It was as if they had never existed, before or after the inauguration.
The Overlord arrived as the sonic boom from the detonation reverberated off across the city. To protect those present, he ensured to form his teleportation nexus over a hundred yards up in the air. Nevertheless, when he crashed into the ground like a cyclone ravaged meteorite, he bowled over everyone else in the vicinity¡ªGuardians included!
Having regained his composure, he summoned the Shadow Lord and Lord Inquisitor to his side and together, they spent over an hour examining the esoteric afterimages infused into the surrounding structures by the energies released during the conflict. They also labored for a considerable time, trying to locate the quantum ruptures through which the killers had fled. Finding nothing of value, they concluded their escape route must have been prepared beforehand so as not to leave any form of telestic echo.
In a moving act, the Overlord used his stupendous abilities to restore the monument to its former glory, adding a poignant modification. The face of the male Guardian was altered to an exact likeness of the now deceased Lord Marshal. Needless to say, his gesture raised no objections whatsoever.
However, those close enough to observe the Overlord as he retrieved his friend¡¯s blackened plasma staff from its resting place, reported seeing a chilling transformation.
The Overlord carried himself stiffly, tucking the ruined weapon away within the folds of his robe in a reverential manner reflecting the depth of his grief. Having done so, he pulled his cowl forward and bowed his head, whereupon his demeanor changed, darkening into a storm wracked visage filled with a hatred so cold, so rabid, that witnesses were adamant: had he been looking directly at them, they¡¯d have suffered nightmares for the rest of their days.
*
The reinforced cover slid back to disclose the unsullied face of Psi-edon, still ageless despite his long years of enforced oblivion.
Adam signaled, and Victoria deactivated the adjacent pods, releasing the prisoners within from stasis. Immediately, all three of the black-clad visitors raised their shields, just in case, only to find it wasn¡¯t necessary. The forms on the beds didn¡¯t stir.
In fact, they seemed barely alive.
Andrew leaned over Psi-edon and sent his enormous redactive faculty burrowing into the supine figure beneath him. Within seconds he had his answer.
Sharing his findings, Andrew declared: They¡¯re catatonic. Almost all of their life force has been drained. What with the involuntary complexus substitution on top, it means they¡¯ve scant vitality left.
Can you do anything for them? Victoria asked.
Hell, Sis, I¡¯ll try, but in the end it¡¯ll come down to their will to live. They¡¯ve been driven over the edge, so my ministrations might snuff what little spark that¡¯s left, out. Once I get them back to Moon Base, I¡¯ll feel more comfortable and will be able to give you a more accurate estimation.
Adam nodded gravely: Son, before you do that, I¡¯d like to know what psidetic ID you¡¯re registering?
Gently and with the greatest of care, Andrew slipped his lightest probes in beneath the chaotic neural layers stuttering on the brink of dissolution. His skill was paramount, dwarfing that of even their fabled Lord Healer, Corrine Jackson. Adam and Victoria followed with admiration as he first caressed and then invigorated his patients¡¯ frayed sanity with the most soothing esoteric balm he could manifest: Can you see what we have here?
Deep within each bruised and battered ego, Andrew uncovered the minutest kernel of identity that was the only remaining residue of their former selves. Prying the pith of those delicate personas apart, he was then able to discern the parasitical mental signatures that had been forcibly bonded to their true personalities. In so doing, he was not only able to reveal the genuine character of each individual, but the strange new duality that had been forged. ¡°Got it,¡± he proclaimed aloud. ¡°Good call. Now we can track them wherever they go.¡±
He transferred the unique binary auras of their adversaries to his father and sister. ¡°Of course, they¡¯d have to be pretty stupid to drop their barriers and let us spot them . . . though it has been a long time.¡±
¡°But if they trigger their transcension programs, mutated or not, we¡¯ll be able to recognize them if we¡¯re close enough, right?¡± Victoria stressed.
They regarded their father, waiting for a definitive answer.
¡°You are correct,¡± Adam affirmed. ¡°Even warded, their transformation will alert us to their presence if we¡¯re within five hundred miles. And if they¡¯re not¡ªwhich is highly unlikely¡ªwe¡¯ll ping them from as far away as Kalliste.¡±
¡°Excellent!¡± Andrew enthused, ¡°So who do we let in on this?¡±
Adam looked thoughtful for a moment. ¡°For now, this intel stays between us. You can appreciate why. But maybe there¡¯s something we can do with the automatic sensors on the unmanned sentinel satellites and orbiting stations.¡±
Andrew caught his drift instantly. ¡°What? Like a covert security sub-routine running in the background, set to alert us if the scanners sweep across their actual patterns or anything similar?¡±
Adam nodded. ¡°How long do you think that would take?¡±
¡°Transcended? About a month if we want to ensure nobody gets to know what we¡¯re up to.¡±
¡°Good, then let¡¯s get on with it.¡±
As they prepared to depart, Victoria raised an intriguing point. ¡°While we¡¯re on the subject of transcension, what do we do if we run into them and they try to prevent us from assuming our true aspects?¡±
Placing his hand on each of their shoulders, their father replied, ¡°We need to discuss that. You¡¯ll find you are both a very different kettle of fish¡ªas am I¡ªto Earl or any other magnified Guardian. Once we¡¯ve completed the adjustments aboard our various installations, I think it¡¯s time I talked to you about the specifics of your unique heritage.¡±
Turning, he stomped toward the exit, leaving the twins speechless as to the implications of what he had just said.
*
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
As his private elevator ascended toward the boardroom level, Lei Yeung took the time to study the prevalent mood among his twelve most trusted advisors via the sophisticated surveillance video interlink fitted into the car¡¯s control panel.
It was plain to see the Apostles of the Council were decidedly on edge, and he couldn¡¯t blame them. It had been a month since the outrage in New York, and though no information to the contrary had been forthcoming, they must have known their boss was involved in some way. Why else would he have been absent since then¡ªand his terrifying new acquaintances along with him?
Yeung had been taken into protective custody and, according to media reports, subjected to all sorts of tests, interrogations and straightforward interviews. Because of that, he was sure his team was under the impression he¡¯d been locked away and left to rot in a dungeon somewhere and that it wouldn¡¯t take long for the knock at the door heralding the moment their own tribulations began.
Despite their fears, no Guardians or any other law enforcement agency ever came calling; no news bulletins interrupted normal services announcing the identity of the offenders or their accomplices; no charges were laid. In fact, Yeung had come out of the affair smelling of roses and being hailed as something of a hero.
Then, forty-eight hours previously, the telephone calls started, ordering the Apostles to meet in conclave in Tokyo where they would at last discover the new path the Council would be taking.
And here they were, waiting with bated breath to find out exactly what was going on. Now the moment had arrived, Yeung could barely contain his excitement. Let¡¯s see how they react to my opening statement. After all, a picture does paint a thousand words.
The door to the conference room opened and a surprisingly rejuvenated Yeung¡ªlooking ten years younger and without a care in the world¡ªstrode confidently into the room, followed by a trio of sinister shadows radiating ill-concealed malice.
He was happy to note the astonishment his appearance elicited from each and every single member. Making no reference to their surprise, he began, ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to the co-leaders of our corporation.¡± He nodded toward the three newcomers. ¡°From this day forward, the Council will operate under the direction of a quorum, with each of the four primary executives exercising equal authority.¡±
Angelika Papadakos spoke out. ¡°Sir, I¡¯ve known you for a good few decades now, and this is most out of character. Are you sure this is wise?¡±
Overwhelming contempt radiated from two of Yeung¡¯s companions, in particular, Esther Perry and Harry Johnson who loathed having their motives questioned.
But Angelika wasn¡¯t one to back down. Dismissing their obvious irritation, she taunted, ¡°I rest my case. We have always had your back. What¡¯s with the snotty attitude?¡±
Yeung raised his hands. ¡°Angelika, your loyalty is a delight to behold. Do not worry yourself unnecessarily. These changes are not coerced, far from it. They are crucial and freely made. In fact, they will ensure our power continues to grow unhindered.¡±
¡°How so?¡± she pressed, boldly. ¡°Remember, I was there the day the bluntest of ultimatums was delivered. How are you going to guarantee we keep our heads?¡±
Stepping forward, the most amiable of the imposing new associates interjected. ¡°Perhaps I can answer that?¡±
All eyes turned toward Simon Cooper. He commenced strolling around the table and made a point of holding the gaze of each Apostle for a few seconds before moving on to the next one. ¡°My friends, I know these changes seem disturbing. Let me assure you, they will guarantee your dominance of the world, its markets and its affairs without fear of interference from these erstwhile superhero do-gooders.¡±
¡°Yes, but how will you guarantee that, exactly?¡± Angelika retorted, tartly.
Simon turned, an appraising, if calculating veneer on his face. ¡°You saw a clear demonstration of our power a month ago. Earl Foster was second-in-command of their infernal organization. Not only were we able to prevent his transformation, we also subsumed his potential. We are much stronger than before and will be more than capable of deflecting the worst those meddlesome busybodies can bring our way.
¡°If you need further reassurance, you will have noted Lei Yeung is free to enjoy his liberty, yes? That is due to good planning and the micro-chip technology incorporated within his brain; bio-engineered hardware that not only protects its user from the effects of the modified MEMU emitters, but any form of mental intrusion by Guardian Inquisitors as well.¡±
The entire board stared Yeung¡¯s way.
¡°And he looks younger, too, doesn¡¯t he?¡± Esther interjected.
Several Apostles¡¯ nodded, and a few mumbled openly as to the veracity of Esther¡¯s statement.
¡°That, my human friends, is due to my efforts,¡± Esther took a little bow. ¡°I am a scientist of exceptional talent, and have been able to adapt a number of your human genome projects to produce the results you see before you now. Mister Yeung, would you please tell the members how you feel?¡±
There¡¯s my cue. ¡°I¡¯d be delighted, Esther.¡±
Yeung virtually skipped to his feet. ¡°As you can see, I have been infused with enough fresh life-essence to remove the burdens of the last ten years. Ten years with just one treatment! This regimen will be extended to all Apostles of the Council in the coming weeks so you can experience for yourselves what it¡¯s like to become so . . . so invigorated.
¡°You might also like to know we are examining the likelihood similar results can be achieved through technical adaptation alone. I don¡¯t have to tell you the benefits that particular breakthrough would entail, especially as Esther is sure her bioforming methods can be adapted to enhance our extra sensory abilities too, or even add to them in some cases.¡±
Simon cut in. ¡°Do you see now why we feel these changes will be good for our enterprising little consortium? Do you appreciate why you will no longer have to fear your adversaries? If our manipulations are successful, all of you will be a match for whatever comes your way. Tell me honestly, who here wouldn¡¯t like to strike a blow as we did?¡±
That got them. No one spoke a word, but the mental exchanges flew thick and fast. Yeung motioned to his benefactors for a little patience.
Soon, an accord was reached. Angelika turned to her mentor. ¡°Very well, then, Sir. What do we have to do?¡±
Yeung gestured toward Harry Johnson, who unfurled a roll containing a dozen state-of-the art hypo-needles on a nearby coffee table. He cracked a wicked smile. ¡°What you can do is form an orderly queue. Each of you will receive a micro-MEMU implant to prevent any details about our plans from leaking out in the wrong places.¡±
¡°And then?¡±
¡°And then, dear lady, you can be the first to volunteer for the delights of nano-rejuvenation and the expansion of your existing talents with the new prototype Esther hopes to have completed in a week or two.¡±
Angelika didn¡¯t need asking twice. She¡¯d never forgotten the humiliation of her experience a year or so before when her team had stumbled upon the old Guardian headquarters. Payback had been a long time coming, and she was itching to cash in . . . with interest.
*
Three blazing concentrations of celestial light orbited in close proximity to one another, forming a miniature constellation within the still reverberating central zone of an aphotic abyss.
Though each of them flared¡ªoscillating rhythmically in accord with the tempo of the harmonic rapport yoking them together in a bond of utmost intimacy¡ªone of the dazzling pulsars was notably brighter and larger than the other two.
If an onlooker had been present with the skill to pierce the impenetrable barrier surrounding the ebullient trinity, he or she would have been party to a shocking discovery, for the Overlord of the Guardians had just completed a tale of such extraordinary substance, that his companions had been struck dumb.
Adam sighed: So now you both know.
Andrew and Victoria found it difficult to absorb what they¡¯d just been told. They hung there mutely, their agitation betrayed by the plangent eruptions of scarlet radiance that coursed through every fiber of their beings. Their senses flicked to each other for mutual support, only to discover they craved the preference of their own solitude even more, impossible to achieve now they were committed to the strictures of their esoteric symphony.
After more than an hour had passed, Victoria was the first to find her voice: No wonder you said we wouldn¡¯t need to worry about transmuting into our true forms when we catch up with those fuckers! Just how powerful are we?
Adam studied his exceptional daughter for an eternity before answering: Only time will tell, Victoria, and believe me, you will have that in endless abundance.
Andrew cut in. That¡¯s all well and good, but what will we become when we eventually mature? His mind bloomed slightly as the perturbing truth sank in: Mature! That¡¯s a good one, we¡¯re thousands of years old and we¡¯re still in short trousers. Oh fantastic!
Their father replied: Like I said. You are unique; a wonderful, unexpected legacy from an unusual union. Your heritage means you are the first of your kind and your eventual maturation will bring marvels and opportunities the universe has never before witnessed. I wish I could be there to see it.
The mood darkened.
So, you¡¯re still determined to take the next step? Victoria asked, pensively.
I must, my daughter. For me, there is no other option.
But why, when you¡¯re doing so much good here? Why leave?
My true nature calls to me Victoria . . . even now. The longer I am away, the greater the void inside me turns to ice. The deeper that petrifaction sinks, the closer I am drawn to the animus of my creation: conflict, ruination and chaos. Fortunately, the way of salvation has been revealed and my repentant heart draws me here, to the only solution that can lead to my re-magnification.
Andrew¡¯s mind whispered. And you really have to go?
He showed the way, and I must follow.
Are you sure we¡¯re ready?
My son, you¡¯ve both been ready for a long, long time without even realizing it. Maintain your peace, there¡¯s still time before my transmogrification to hunt our quarry and bring this business to an acceptable end. He glided closer to his progeny: Blend with me once more before we return and all will be explained.
The burning conflagrations came together again. Two were dulled by fear of loss and the pain of a separation to come, the other raged supreme, pouring consolations upon the wounded psyches before him. Each drew strength from the other, along with the resolve to see things settled¡ªone way or another.