“Uh, roger. Deletion aborted. Seventy-four percent of the cloning research remains,” she said.
“Victoria, what the hell are you doing?” Leo said.
I stepped toward the android behind Sylass, looking deep into his glowing blue eyes. “They can see me, can’t they, through your eyes? All the androids on this ship?” I asked.
He nodded. “Now they can, yes,” he replied.
“Good. You want your cloning research preserved, huh? Then you’re going to do exactly as I say,” I said, pointing at Xena. “All I have to do is say the word and the rest of the research is gone,” I threatened.
“Captain, I have command of these androids through Sylass. There’s no need to have an incentive like that. We can destroy the research,” she said.
“But these androids have been known to refuse orders, Xena. Remember? The reason this colony exists is because they refused to obey their Moderator and destroy humanity decades ago. I’m not taking a chance. I know exactly what they want, and I’m holding it ransom until I get what I want,” I explained, holding my fist to my chest.
“Noted. What are your orders, Captain?” Xena asked.
I stared at the android. “I want every android in the hangar bay, immediately,” I commanded. I stormed away with Xena and Leo in tow. “Do it now!” I yelled.
Chapter 4
BACK AT THE LEGION...
Luther, Neona, and several knights stood at the entrance to the Legion. They were panting and covered in the ashen remains of slain Mave drones. Behind them was an old, three-cart passenger train. The style of the train was like something from the 1950s, with a two-tone turquoise and silver color. It was rusted and most of its windows were broken.
Behind the train stood just over a thousand civilians huddled together in fear. The sunlight from the entrance beamed in, but they stood, waiting. The knights were staring down the dark tunnel leading into their home, now overrun with Mave.
Knight Renheart approached Luther. “Sire, by my count, about seventy percent of the population fled here in a panic. Some took the train here, while the others ran. The other thirty percent is either missing, dead, or infected,” he replied.
“How many of the Mave do we estimate are inside?” Luther asked as he peered into the darkness.
Neona turned toward Luther. “Rough estimates are about two thousand. We think the Mave infiltrators changed their tactics. Instead of focusing on assassination attempts against our leadership, they tried finding a structural weakness, allowing the horde into the walls. The longer we wait, the more will flood inside,” Neona replied.
Renheart glanced at Luther before panning behind him at the worried crowd of civilians. “They knew we didn’t have enough knights to stop them.”
“Yet they’ve halted their attack,” Luther said.
“We’re not sure why, sire. They have the advantage,” Renheart replied.
Dozens of people were whimpering and some were crying, but for the most part the population held strong. “Your orders, my lord?” Renheart asked.
Luther turned toward his people and scanned across the sea of concerned faces. As he started to speak, a shrieking sound could be heard that echoed off the tunnel walls.
“My lord, if we retreat outside these walls, we’ll be slaughtered like cattle on the open ground,” Knight Clovess advised, adjusting his eyepatch.
“We’re not leaving,” Luther said.
The sound of the howling wind whipped through the corridor. As it dissipated, a female voice erupted from the depths of the Legion. “I know... you,” she said in an electronically altered voice. The crowd began to back away as the chilling voice echoed off the walls.
“Stand fast!” Luther said, igniting his sword. The remaining knights followed suit. With Luther in the middle, they formed a wall of fiery blades that covered most of the tunnel. On the left side was a firing squad of twenty soldiers. The first row of shooters was kneeled, taking aim into the tunnel, with another row standing behind them.
The mothers and children were ushered to the back of the crowd. The men, armed with steel pipes, hammers, wood planks, and whatever else they could find, stood at the ready in front of the civilians.
Luther stepped forward as a single pair of glowing white eyes emerged in the distance. Luther tilted his head as the figure slowly came into view from bottom to top.
“Only one? There’s thousands of them. Why do they only send one?” Renheart asked.
It was a barefooted female. Her feet were silver. The toes and bones of the foot were metal with bits of rotted flesh clinging on. The legs were much the same—metal bone with flesh-colored ligaments and tendons attached.
There was no organic tissue around the waist. Her metal spine was visible through her abdomen. The upper torso showcased a cluster of organs that stood out on the otherwise robotic body. Her slowly beating heart was dark red, almost black. Behind the heart, the lungs were visible, inhaling and exhaling. Covering the organs were dozens of swarms of black Mave nanobots.
Her arms were thin and metallic. The metal fingers were like serrated blades that curved like a bird of prey’s talons.
Oddly, her long, gaunt face appeared human and out of place on the otherwise cybernetic form. The youthful, olive-colored skin on her face extended onto the neck, where it stopped abruptly, replaced by metallic tendons in the throat.
She had shoulder-length hair that was combed back. It appeared frizzy and wild, with streaks of white spread evenly throughout. Her white eyes narrowed as she stepped completely into the sunlight that shined in from the tunnel behind the silent crowd.
There were several gasps as she came into full view with a commanding stride. Her walk resembled a less exaggerated trot of a runway model, but it was slower, unconcerned with the dozens of firearms aimed at her. She stopped and panned across at the assembly.
“My people, it’s been too long,” she said, raising her arms to the side. She appeared emotional, like a longing relative reuniting with her family after many years.
“The Architect,” Knight Renheart mumbled, holding his sword in front of him.
Her face morphed from emotional and inviting to disgusted as she lowered her eyebrows at Luther. “Mr. Belic, it’s been almost twenty years since you came to me for help,” she said.
Luther gritted his teeth, pointing his sword toward her. “Your people? You’re delusional, sickened. You betrayed the Legion. You betrayed humanity!” he roared.
She smirked. “Betrayed? I gave them you. Without me, there would be no Engineer. Without the Engineer, there would be no Legion. You are an anomaly, Luther. My Mave virus had never failed to convert a human mind. You were the first. But your body, your ability to recover from mortal wounds, your incredible speed and power is a testament to the Mave. Imagine if all your people could have this. Imagine all the death and suffering we could prevent if you weren’t so selfish.”
Luther raised his sword into the air and pointed it toward her. “Fire!” he shouted. To the left of him, the firing squad unleashed a hail of bullets at her. The Architect’s chest and face were suddenly enveloped in a black mass of metal, like a large turtle shell that blanketed her body. The volley of projectiles skipped off the object as sparks flew into the air. She laughed as the gunshots echoed down the tunnel.
“Cease fire!” Luther ordered.
The Architect peeked around the shield. “You think I would stroll down here alone without anticipating your aggression?” she posited.
Luther took a step forward. “I think you’re foolish for approaching me to within a sword’s length. You’re a terrorist and I’ve made it my life’s goal to stop you, and I will.”
The Architect held her fist to her chest. “I’m the terrorist? Or was the Warden?” she asked, tilting her head.
“It makes no difference. It was the Mave, and you’re their leader!” Luther shouted.
“Of course, but most of the people that died here weren’t because of me. No. I tasked the War
den with spreading the message, the gospel that humanity has the option to repent and accept a life of machine origins.”
“And refusal meant death. Convert or die. That’s your message of peace,” Luther said.
“Luther, everyone here knows this was my home well before it was yours. I love these people despite the lies you’ve told them about me and my cause. I want to see them and their children flourish,” she said as a small creature scaled her back, crawling over her shoulder and into her arms.
“What the hell?” Renheart narrowed his eyes. It was a small machine in a newborn baby’s tiny frame. There was no skin, only cybernetics layered over bone. It looked like a small, metallic skeleton. Its white eyes stared up at the Architect as it nestled under her chin.
The Architect looked at the child and snuggled her face close it. “I accept blame, Luther. I accept it because I allowed the Warden partial control over his mind, but he wasn’t worthy. In his rage, his jealousy, he sent the Mave after you, and your people suffered the consequences. He envied your relationship with his son, Leo. Many died, but not my hands,” she said, showing them her palms.
“Lies!” Renheart shouted.
Luther glanced down at Renheart before glaring at the Architect. “If you truly believe the Mave are an evolved version of humanity, then why allow a man control over his own mind? Why would you appoint him to a leadership position that could potentially endanger the people you supposedly love? It makes no sense,” Luther challenged.
The Architect slumped her head and grinned. “I made mistakes. My compassion has caused a great deal of pain and death. I couldn’t turn the Warden into a mindless drone. I needed a lieutenant, someone who could think for himself and spread our message. Not only that, but he begged me to allow him to retain his memories. He wanted to remember his only child. As a parent and leader, I allowed it. In the end, he betrayed us both, causing this unnecessary conflict,” she said, staring down at the Mave child in her arms.
Luther shook his head. “The Warden turned against you! He saw his faults and redeemed himself—”
“Is that why you cut off his head? Is that your judgment for redemption?” she asked.
“I executed the Warden because of his crimes. His redemption could never justify the deaths the Legion suffered, and neither can your insane religion,” he replied.
Luther slowly stepped forward, circling the Architect. He stretched out his arm toward her and pointed his fiery blade at her face. The bright light from the weapon illuminated her as she covered the Mave child’s eyes.
“Careful, Engineer. I created you, and I know you have to wonder if I can destroy you,” she said.
“You haven’t done it yet,” he said.
The Architect’s mouth opened wide as she flashed her massive icepick fangs at Luther. She snarled as black saliva streamed from the tips of the silver canines.
Luther shook his head. “Under all your intelligence and your army of cybernetic beasts is nothing but a broken woman who never recovered from the loss of her child. You’ve created this abomination that clings to you like a needy child to help you cope with death,” Luther said.
“How dare you! Are you any different? Behind you stands a crowd of terrified innocents that you’ve failed to protect. You keep them weak, uninformed, human. They cling to you to make the only logical decision, Luther. Does knowing they can’t survive without you give you fulfilment? Is life not difficult enough in this world? Hunger, depression, anxiety—these are struggles your people know all too well, but you choose to keep them frail and afraid so that they need you. I can give them a chance to break those chains. I can give them peacefulness and serenity without the need for your protection,” she offered.
Every set of eyes was locked onto Luther as he circled her. “You sent assassins after our leaders, sent us into chaos, children screaming for their dying parents. That’s your definition of serenity?” Luther asked.
“A necessary evil that will haunt me forever. I had to get inside to spread the truth of our evolution. You wouldn’t allow me an audience. I had to force it. I offer a life without the greed and desire to destroy our planet again. The androids might be gone, but they’ve left us with a world restored. Let us not take this for granted. You and I can take command of this unique situation, Luther. We can repopulate the planet with a species deserving of such, without further violence. Mankind has already proven that the old way was ineffective. We all know the world before the android war was one of turmoil, overpopulation, and pollution. Our planet was sick and dying, and despite the hard evidence, humans ignored the warnings. Have you not pondered why? Any of you?” she asked, extending her arms outward.
The Architect looked out into the crowd. “No human can truly care about a world they’ll only occupy for a few measly decades. Forever brings true perspective and responsibility to the world we were gifted. All I ask is that if you believe my words, if they ring true in your hearts, you step forward now. No more cowering and trembling underground like rats when you can soar forever like eagles.”
Luther lunged forward with his blade overhead. The Architect dashed backward, projecting a large shield-like object from her arm. Luther’s scorching blade lopped it in half, narrowly missing her body.
“Neona!” the Architect called out.
Luther turned toward his daughter as she panned left and right. She looked down at her feet as one foot lifted, then another. Her eyebrows lowered. “I-I-I’m... Something is controlling me!” she screamed.
The Architect outstretched her hand, extending her spiny fingers toward Neona. She glared at Luther. “The next time you use that weapon against me, my nanobots will rip her in half,” the Architect said quietly so that only Luther could hear.
Neona attempted to speak but was unable.
“People of the Legion, as you can see, Knight Neona has chosen the path of enlightenment. Who else has the courage? Do not fear the Engineer’s wrath. He is powerless!” she said.
The Architect and Neona slowly backed away. Two dozen people slowly waded forward with their heads down, walking past the knights and toward the Architect.
“Yes, my children, keep coming forward. What courage you have shown after all the lies that have been told. You will be rewarded and keep your senses, your memories, but gain an eternal body. I swear it,” the Architect said.
Renheart stared down at one man holding his young child and his wife’s hand as they walked past him. She was weeping hysterically as the man pulled her by the wrist. The young, tall man stared at Renheart. “There’s no other choice, not after losing so many knights. We can’t fight them Renheart, not anymore.”
“Get back in formation,” Renheart growled at him.
“I can’t. This is the best decision for my family,” he replied.
Renheart’s nostrils flared. He smacked the man across the face. “How dare you! Your father was a knight. He’d be rolling in his grave if he saw you now. Traitor!” Renheart yelled.
Neona stepped parallel to Luther and stared up at him. “Father,” she pleaded.
The Architect snickered. “You know, Luther, she’s the only bargaining chip I had. If she dies, then you’re free to kill me where I stand and end everything I’ve worked so hard for. But I knew you couldn’t kill her. As a parent, you hold on to any shred of hope that she might survive. I understand this. The same way I used Vlad to pit your knights against one another, I’ll use Neona to recruit my flock,” she said, lowering her voice.
Neona glared at her father. “Kill... m-me,” she muttered, struggling to get out the words as she shuffled by Luther. Many civilians took notice of Knight Neona’s submission to the Architect and followed her lead.
“No! She’s not in her right mind! Her mind is corrupted! The Architect is controlling her!” Luther pleaded as over a hundred people followed Neona. The crowd began to stir as family members argued. Some attempted to force their loved ones to stay, while others pulled relatives toward the Architect.
&nb
sp; Luther lowered his sword as people walked by him. The Architect waved the group toward her. “Engineer, no one will judge you for not taking Neona’s life. However, they will for not accepting my final offer: order your soldiers and knights to lay down their weapons. I want you to turn and proclaim me as the savior of the human race. Do this and your daughter won’t suffer, nor will any of your people. They won’t endure the pain Micah did when you refused my last offer. You remember, don’t you? The way my Mave mauled him, biting and crunching his skull? Can you sit back and watch while this happens to the entirety of the Legion, your own family?”
Luther tightened his grip around his sword.
“I’m walking away, Luther,” the Architect said. “You have less than ten minutes. Lead the rest of your people down this tunnel to eternal life or watch them suffer in agony. You will not be harmed until every person is killed,” she said, disappearing into the blackness.
A loud heckle erupted from deep within in the tunnel, like thousands of hyena’s grumbling in anticipation.
Luther stared down several more stragglers as they walked past him and toward the Architect.
Luther looked down at Renheart and slumped his shoulders. “Tell me, old friend, is there a point when defiance become madness?” he asked.
Renheart lowered his eyebrows. He shook his head slowly. “No, my lord. For decades, our people have fought and died for what we believe, and we will not be intimidated in our final hour by the threats of a fanatic. I, Neona, and every Legion soldier and knight stand at the ready for whatever comes next, and I know you will lead us to the death we deserve, a death that will honor the Legion’s values and our ancestors.”
Luther paused for a few moments, staring at Renheart. “I thought you might say something like that. For the Legion,” Luther said, clapping his shoulder and turning toward his people.
“For the Legion,” Renheart repeated.
Luther faced his knights. He stepped in front of them as they waited silently at attention. He peered past them and at the civilians that decided to stay. Despite the deaths, and those that followed the Architect, most of the population was still here, faithful to their values and their leader.
The Reclamation and the Lioness Page 8
