by D. N. Leo
Michael approached her. “He’s gone, Lyla. Cayson must have done something wrong, and Ryan didn’t want to get you involved.”
“I shouldn’t have let him stay here alone. I should have known he asked to come with us so he could leave from the Daimon Gate and go to Xiilok. I should have known he wouldn’t have been able to get a Pass out of Eudaiz himself. I shouldn’t have let it happen. I should—”
Michael grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. “Stop, Lyla. Sit, and stop talking. You can’t possibly know everything. You can’t possibly anticipate everything that’s going to happen. And the more you talk, the less time we have to find a solution.”
She knew he was right.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shake you. You just seemed to lose it for a moment there.”
“Thank you.”
Gale rushed out with an electronic pad in his hand. “Trouble. My source suggests they got Ryan.”
“What source? Who are they? And what do you mean they ‘got’ him?” Lyla asked.
“I can’t tell you my source. But as for who the badasses are, I think they’re identity smugglers.”
“No! No way,” Lyla said. “You’re saying they took Ryan so they could swap identities with him and smuggle someone into Eudaiz?”
Gale nodded. “Not just someone. People. More than one. They wouldn’t go to such lengths to swap only one identity. My source detects a mechanism that could multiply an identity if they got their hands on a copy of the original citizenship profile.”
“But that wouldn’t work,” Michael said, waving his arms in frustration. “The Daimon Gate system will purify them all out. Even a truly evil creature wouldn’t survive a test, never mind a copycat. So you’re saying it’s a scam?”
Gale nodded. “Unfortunately, yes. You know falsification of identity wouldn’t work in the Daimon Gate because you’re in border security, Michael. But ordinary citizens, especially isolated ones like those Xiilok, wouldn’t know that.”
“So they take a real Eudaizian citizenship, duplicate it, and sell it to innocent citizens in other universes? They take money from these poor people and let them enter the Daimon Gate citizen tests with false identities. They send them to the gate to get burned!” Lyla exclaimed. Tears gleamed in her eyes. “And because these smugglers are shady citizens from Xiilok, there’s nothing we can do to stop them. Is that what you two are telling me?”
Gale nodded and said nothing else.
“There is a way…” Michael said softly.
“Tell me, please!” Lyla said.
“No!” Gale yelled.
“You can’t say no before I even tell her what it is, Gale!”
“I already know what you’re going to say. It’s too dangerous, and I don’t want any part of it.” Gale paced back and forth in agitation.
“Are you thinking about a holocast, Michael?” Lyla asked.
Gale braced his hands against the wall, leaned in, and shook his head. “Holocasts can only be used between trusted member universes. And absolutely not with Xiilok. If you want to go there, go on foot.”
Now it was Michael’s turn to pace. “From what I understand, if we use hologram images only for communication and don’t interact in physical form, it should be safe.”
Gale shook his head. “It’s not as safe as you think, Michael. The holocast connection could leave the system vulnerable to attack. Given that Lyla and I have been seeing the shadow, opening a holocast now could invite the hacker to jump right in.”
“We need to communicate with the people there,” Lyla said. “They’ve never communicated directly with Eudaiz. They have no idea how the system works. That’s why they’re being killed by this scam.”
“But we have no authority. We’re just tech geeks. Why would they listen to us?” Gale asked.
Michael narrowed his eyes, looking at Lyla. “No, Lyla.”
“You can’t say no before you know my intention.”
Michael approached and gazed into her eyes. “No,” he repeated.
“What am I missing?” Gale asked.
Michael pulled Lyla to a corner. “Does Gale know who you really are?”
“No.”
“See, even your close friends don’t know. Your family keeps it top secret for a very good reason, Lyla. I’m sorry to say this, but if Ryan and Cayson die, they’re just casualties. But if the badasses in Xiilok get you, there will be a war between universes. I know Ciaran and Madeline too well to guarantee that will happen if you lose a single hair on your head.”
“My parents sent me here to live among the commoners. Wouldn’t they expect this would happen one day?”
“No, they would expect you to be smarter than this. They’d expect you to see the big picture. They sent you here to learn, not to be a hero when you’re not experienced enough. But they know you’ll make mistakes. And that’s why they sent a guy like me to speak to you. Because I don’t give a shit about diplomatic crap. All I care about is keeping you alive and well until you’re mature enough to take on a commander role.”
“My parents sent you?”
“Oh shit!”
“Michael, what about the border breach in Iilos. Is that a setup? My father is brilliant at plotting!”
“Don’t talk about your father that way,” Michael growled.
The intensity in his eyes made her cringe. “Michael, if you let me know exactly what happened, we can work things out. I love and respect my parents more than anything. But I’ve spent a large part of my life with Ryan. He takes care of me like a second father. So I’m a little freaked out here.”
Michael nodded. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get rough. All I know is Ciaran ran some kind of simulation program, and he didn’t like what he saw. It was bad enough that he called me in confidence and sent me here from the past. My task is to tell you that there is a shadow in your system that you need to detect and destroy. At this time point—meaning now—Ciaran’s calculation suggests that the shadow is at an early stage where it can be easily destroyed.”
“Is that all?”
“No. He could have just sent a message for that. The most important reason I’m here is to keep you here. Your father said you are not to travel across time and dimensions. You are not to cross the border to Xiilok or any other universes, including Earth. You must stay within Eudaiz and the Daimon Gate. And if I have to beat you up to keep you here, I have your parent’s blessing to do so.”
“Do you know why?”
He nodded. “The last time Ciaran let your twin brother travel from the future to the past on a mission on Earth, it had disastrous consequences. He doesn’t want that for you.”
“If my father is worried that much, Eudaiz must be at stake. I’ll do what he asks. But he sent you instead of several of his Eudaiz commanders, so there must be more to the story. What aren’t you telling me?”
He shrugged. “Nothing. That’s it. And now I have a proposed solution for your problem regarding Ryan and the Xiilok people.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“If you could ask your tech geek friend to organize a holocast and isolate it so that it comes from Iilos, I can be the authority, and I can speak to the citizens in Xiilok who want to cross the border. I’m the commander in chief of border security in Xiilok. And that’s for real. Iilos isn’t Eudaiz. But for all the remote citizens in Xiilok, that’s good enough, don’t you think?”
“If it’s just a holocast, I want to be in it with you. I want to be there when you talk to those who captured Ryan. I need to know he’s okay.”
“No, you have nothing so do with this. That’s non-negotiable.”
“Do you speak Xiilok?”
“I could use a translator.”
“That’s how you negotiate sensitive matter at the inter-universal level about migration. That’s how you establish trust among those who you’ve never met. Those who’re desperate and on the verge of being used—”
“All right, all right. I get your poin
t. Okay, you’re in. And it’s only a transmitted holocast. Under no circumstances are you to materialize during the conversation. Promise?”
“Yes, Michael.” She smiled, knowing he wasn’t the least bit confident that she would keep her promise.
Chapter 9
Lyla and Michael landed on the cold stone floor of what looked like a chapel. They were surrounded by the holocast light beam, which separated the holocast environment and the destination environment. It was as if they were on stage, under a spotlight. They were at the destination, but the other party wouldn’t be able to physically engage with them unless they chose to materialize and step out of the protective holocast light.
Although the light beam looked transparent, it would be like an iron shield protecting them should the opponent try to attack. It was supposed to be safe. But Michael still felt uneasy having Lyla with him. He cursed silently. This was a holocast, not reality. Why couldn’t Gale have created a different setting? How about a nice river somewhere warm on Earth?
“A stone chapel? Seriously?” Michael muttered.
“I thought the same,” Lyla said. “But the other side may have requested this setting for the holocast meeting.”
“Who with a right mind would want to meet in a bloody cold and dusty chapel?”
“That would be me.” A voice echoed across the room from a dark corner, followed by a cold breeze and the stench of rotting flesh.
It was too dark to see who was there, so Michael walked along the dark hall of the chapel, approaching the altar at the far end, making sure Lyla stayed behind him the whole time.
When they got closer, Michael could see the shadow of someone standing, gazing at what appeared to be a wall. There was no artifact, statue, symbol. Nothing that would normally be placed on this sort of altar. But it didn’t surprise Michael. Xiilok was truly the land of the outlaws. There was no authority or governance of any kind, so it would only be natural that there was no god on the altar.
But why then is there an altar? Michael wondered.
Large candles on the stone base of the altar and torches on the wall suddenly lit up. The shadow turned around, and it appeared to be a man who looked somewhat normal.
“Hello there. You requested to speak to a representative of the village citizens?”
Michael smiled. “Indeed.”
“You’re Michael Fraser? May I see your credentials?”
Michael glanced at the electronic pad he was holding. “And your name?”
“I have no name.”
Michael turned around to look at Lyla. “Let’s get out of here. This conversation’s finished.”
“Why the hurry?” the man asked.
“I don’t talk to nameless creatures.”
The man looked at Lyla. “Who’s she?” he asked.
“Nameless.” Michael smiled.
The anonymous man chuckled. “Very well, Michael, my name is Samuel, and now because I’ve told you—”
“You have to kill me?”
The man laughed. “That’s absolutely right. Nothing personal, though.”
“Well, if you’re going to kill me, I think that’s pretty personal. We wanted to talk to the citizens who intend to migrate to Iilos or any other member universe of the Daimon Gate. How can I be sure you are their representative?” Michael said as authoritatively as possible.
Samuel chuckled. “May I ask to what the conversation pertains?”
“No, we need to see the citizens,” Lyla said.
“And again, what is the name of the beautiful lady I’m talking to?”
Michael pushed Lyla behind him. “She’s my technical assistant. Now if we can’t see the citizens, we’re done with this conversation.”
As Michael turned to leave, Samuel said, “Once again, you want to run away, Michael?”
“Excuse me?”
“Life was too hard for you to handle, so you ran. And on that cold night, you left your mother to die.”
“You bastard.” Michael charged at Samuel.
Lyla grabbed him with both hands, using all her body weight to hold him back. “Don’t engage. Stay in the holocast, Michael. You promised me.”
“Don’t worry, lady. He’s a coward. He won’t do anything. If I wasn’t sure about it, I wouldn’t be standing here by myself.”
Michael inhaled deeply to calm himself down. “Don’t worry,” he said to Lyla, careful not to speak her name. And then to Samuel, “You wanted to trick me so that I’d step out of the holocast to fight you. Once we engaged, you’d be able to steal my biological profile. If I stay right here, all you have on me is a simulated psychological profile from some factual information you hacked from somewhere. Well, I certainly have to hand it to you—you almost got me.”
Samuel nodded. “You know more than I would expect from a street kid.”
“I had a good mentor.” Michael turned around once again, intending to leave with Lyla.
Samuel rushed at them. He penetrated the holocast light wall, pulled out a short dagger, and ran toward Lyla.
Michael had thought it was impossible to penetrate the wall. He was caught by surprise but pushed Lyla aside and pulled out his gun. But he was too late. Samuel was as fast as lightning. The force of the man’s movement hit him like a storm, pushing him backward and causing him to fall and drop his gun.
Michael leaped instantly to his feet. He had fought and killed many space creatures. This was nothing. Samuel swung his dagger. Michael blocked him and kicked at Samuel’s abdomen.
Samuel fell backward, and his dagger dropped to the ground.
Michael kicked the dagger away then approached the fallen man. Samuel crawled backward on the ground.
“I don’t attack a man when he’s down. Get back on your feet.”
Samuel smiled. “I can see you are trying to prove you’re not a coward. But your mother died because you tried to escape your pathetic life. That’s a fact you can never escape from. But I have a solution for you…”
“Fuck you, Samuel.” Michael picked up the dagger and darted toward the man, who was already standing. He heard Lyla yelling out to him, but he couldn’t help himself. Two more steps and he’d cut Samuel’s throat.
He charged at Samuel.
Samuel threw his arms up into the air, and an invisible force struck Michael, throwing him to the ground. The hit was so hard it dazed him. He felt an incredible heat, but he didn’t know where it was coming from.
As he lay on the ground, his mind wandered back in time. He was eight. It had been a while since his mother had died, but the guilt was still eating at him. At the moment his stepfather was about to slit his throat, he was prepared for it. He just wanted everything to end. Then, at the end of the dark tunnel in the subway, Ciaran stepped out. He still remembered the blood and gore raining down on him when Ciaran killed the old man.
Seven years later, a space creature dragged him across dimensions. Once again, he was prepared to die. But Ciaran injected the Iilos energy into him, keeping him alive once more. Since then, he had learned how to live a useful life, how to contribute and give back, and how to justify his own life when others died.
Ciaran hadn’t asked, but Michael had promised himself before this trip to do whatever it took to protect Lyla. He would never be able to repay Ciaran for what he had done for him. But this wasn’t all about repayment. He had been given precious opportunities in life, and he would do whatever it took to deserve them.
Michael was confused and dazed. In which reality was he in? Why was he brooding like this in the middle of a fight?
He lifted his head from the ground and saw a giant ball of fire flying toward him. It was too late for him to do anything.
Was this it? Was he going to die here and now? The fireball was so big and fast. There was no way to avoid it. And what about Lyla?
He felt the pressure of another force of air coming toward him. Then Lyla yanked him out of the way. The momentum and the energy from the fireball hit them both and threw them s
everal feet.
Then his whole world went completely dark.
Chapter 10
Lyla went back into a temporary control room Gale had arranged for her at the station in the Daimon Gate. Michael was still lying on the bench. She handed Gale some water. “It’s been a while,” she said. “It’s my turn. Thank you, Gale, but you’ve got work to do. I’ll take it from here.”
Gale took the water from her and stood up from the computer. “You were reckless, Lyla.”
“If I hadn’t been, Michael would have died.”
“Can you tell me what you saw?”
“Yes, aside from Michael’s personal information, I can tell you everything. We have never before encountered such an attack. And if that was the first strike from the Shadow, I’ll need every single bit of help from you that you’re willing to donate.”
“The Daimon Gate system is my lifetime responsibility, Lyla. You don’t have to ask for my help. I’m your man. But is Michael prepared for this? I mean, it looked like a nasty experience.”
“I can’t speak for him, but I’ll ask him.”
On the bench, Michael stirred and groggily opened his eyes. With anticipation, Lyla rushed over and sat at the side of the bench. When the memories came back to him, Michael bolted right up.
“Are you okay, Lyla?” he asked, heaving and coughing at the same time.
She patted his back. “Look around, Michael. You’re in the Daimon Gate. You’re okay. I’m okay.”
When his coughing subsided, Michael sat up properly and glanced around the room. He looked at Gale. “Gale!” he exclaimed.
“Yes, I’m Gale Brody…ever since the day my parents named me.”
Michael glanced back at Lyla. “We were in Xiilok. I was in a fight with Samuel. There was a giant fireball.” He looked Lyla up and down. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I told you I’m fine.”
“So what’s this then?” He picked up her two hands, eyeing the bandages wrapped around them.
