Sodenia's War Box Set

by Luigi Robles

  Two shuttles carried Fain and the group of eight ESAF personnel to the designated space elevator. Kya, Pycca, Eora and five of Eora’s team members were in the group. Even though the atmosphere on Doka was similar to Earth’s own, it wasn’t enough, and they still needed to wear special off-world suits. The suits were much like spacesuits but came equipped with an air diluter and gravity negating equipment, along with inner compression devices. The group would also be escorted by two modified Anvelins, the spider-like machines now equipped with beefier, stronger legs to deal with Doka’s higher gravity.

  Fain had been reluctant to bring Pycca to Doka, but she made her way into the group, claiming she wanted to test the new glitch tracking device she was working on. At that point, Fain wasn’t able to say no. As much as he wanted to keep Pycca safe, he also wanted to keep humanity safe. He told himself that all he needed to do was to be extra careful.

  The space elevator that connected space with Doka’s world capital was much like Earth’s own space elevator, only a whole lot bigger. Multiple lanes went up and down the gray monstrosity; it was engineering at its best.

  Busy was the first word that came to mind as Fain glanced at the capital from above. There were vehicles everywhere and strange buildings stretching as far as he could see. Their architecture was odd but somewhat familiar; Fain recognized what was a building, a bridge or a home. Though he was guessing, he was willing to bet he wasn’t that far off. He continued staring outside the large capsule windows as they descended. It took them around five minutes to reach the ground.

  Fain saw familiar faces as the elevator doors opened: two of the three Ochilenes that had helped Earth in their darkest hour were there to greet them. Fain remembered their names well, and something told him that he would never forget—Elenon Sirallannka and Fermens Itomal.

  Fain tapped the side of his helmet to turn on the universal translator, and the rest of the crew followed suit.

  “Captain Fain Jegga and crew of Sodenia,” Elenon said as he bowed slightly. “Welcome to our humble capital, Verestero Ira.”

  “Thank you for having us, my friend,” Fain said as he stepped towards Fermens and Elenon. “It’s good to see some friendly faces. Though where is Iremostal? I thought I would see him too.”

  “He can’t join us at the moment,” Elenon said. “He is on a nearby moon, troubleshooting some of our new machinery. Rest assured he will be joining us shortly.”

  Fain glanced back at Kya and Pycca, and they nodded.

  “Oh, but don’t worry,” Elenon said. “It doesn’t appear to be one of those signaling glitches the report Truman sent us was talking about. Though, now that I think about it, we have had some odd things happening around here.” Elenon’s face creased, but then he shook it off. “But for now, let’s not worry about that. Our elders are waiting for you in the first building.” He gestured towards what looked to be the exit.

  “It would be our pleasure to meet them,” Fain said as he began walking.

  As they exited the space elevator building, a floating trolley-like transportation was waiting for them. It was easy to tell that the alien trolley had recently been modified to accommodate the human body; the seats in the back were larger than the ones in the front. The two Anvelins lined up behind the trolley-like vehicle, ready to follow.

  “Forgive the rudimentary transport,” Fermens said as the group found their seats. “We’ve only been here a few days. Sodenia is formidable and a much faster space-faring ship than anything we can hope to achieve, at least when it comes to space travel. Traveling in a space bubble is the supreme form of transportation in the galaxy. Too bad it’s beyond our reach. The means of producing such technology disappeared when the Herrion did. But fear not; it’s a rather short distance to the first building anyway.”

  “Don’t worry,” Fain said. “This is more than enough. We’re happy to be here.”

  “A few days ago?” John, one of Eora’s team members, said in a low voice. “How does that happen? Didn’t they leave months ago? Like three months ago?”

  “Yeah,” Sarah said, matching John’s pitch. “But they aren’t traveling like we are; they are jumping through space, so their time flow stays normal. Hello, Astrophysics 101.”

  “What?” John asked with a blank expression. “Hold up. We have to talk about this.”

  Fain looked at both Sarah and John and held a finger up to his lips, asking them to be quiet. He feared that trying to understand and explain relativity would turn into a debate on their way to the first building. Sarah and John nodded at Fain and fell silent.

  The Ochilenes’ capital was equally impressive from below, if not more so. Things that Fain had never seen or even imagined were spread out along the busy streets. Their architecture was unique, entire buildings seemingly balancing on a single point. Unlike Earth, transportation flowed smoothly, not stopping for the slightest moment. Like Earth, there were stores and street vendors, and even parks, though the plants in the parks had a purplish tint and were greatly overgrown compared to the ones he was familiar with.

  It was easy to tell when they were nearing the first building, as the bustle in the streets and the impressive architecture began to recede, and in its place there was calm and open. A single building was visible down their current path.

  “I present to you,” Fermens said as she gestured towards the single building, “the Och Verea, the first building our kin built since time was first recorded.”

  The Och Verea was a massive hemispherical building surrounded by gardens and pillars. It reminded Fain of the old Greek architecture if it were alien.

  The trolley came to a stop in front of the first building, and everyone on board began to exit. A medium-sized group of around sixteen Ochilenes guards stood near the entrance of the building. Elenon led the group up the ramp and into the building, where a group of three Ochilenes wearing elaborate robes were already waiting for them. The two Anvelins remained outside in front of the ramp.

  “Fain Jegga and flight crew of Sodenia,” Elenon said as he stood in between the two groups. “The elders of our kin, Echea Och, Noyrey Och, and Ahchel Och. They have parted with their roots to become the Och, to serve our kin for as long as they may live.”

  “It is with great pleasure that we stand here before you,” Fain said as he took a few steps forward to shake the Ochilenes’ hands. It looked as if they’d been practicing how to shake hands, as each one of the elders shook Fain’s hand in a different way.

  “We are in debt to you,” Echea said once Fain took a few steps backs. “To you and all the people of Earth. You were able to stop the Acram Armada and their endless conquest.”

  “That’s not quite what happened,” Fain said.

  “But the end result is indisputable,” Echea said. “The Acram have left our system and the subspecies contract was annulled. Our kin can rest now, knowing that for now, the danger has subsided. Placing our faith in the same place the Herrion race placed theirs turned out to be the right decision.”

  Have they not told them about the Immortals? Fain thought. The danger is far from over.

  “We actually might have a bigger problem this time around,” Fain said, reluctant to change the positive flow of the conversation.

  “Are you referring to the taunts we are receiving?” Echea asked.

  “Yes, I believe so,” Fain said.

  “We are looking into it,” Echea said. “We have some of our brightest minds trying to figure out what exactly is happening. But until we know, we shall not worry about something that might not even happen. Our kin have been through a lot. Now we are trying to rest.”

  “I hate to be the bearer of bad news,” Pycca said. Fain and the rest turned towards her. Pycca was looking down at a device. “But I think they’re here. Unless I’m totally wrong about their digital signature. But something is approaching.”

  The likelihood of Pycca being wrong was low, and the likelihood of Pycca being totally wrong was almost nonexistent.

 
“Kya,” Fain said. “Talk to me.”

  “Checking the flotilla’s radars,” Kya said. “There appears to be a bogey rapidly approaching; however, it’s unclear. The signal is fading in and out of existence. Adjusting to and emulating Pycca’s device, amplifying all frequencies.” A few moments passed before Kya continued. “Bogey is now clear, rapidly heading this way.”

  “Form a blockade,” Fain said. “Do not let it through.”

  “Orders to form a blockade have been sent,” Kya said.

  “Captain Fain Jegga.” Bevetola came in through Fain’s helmet coms. “We have a bogey rapidly approaching.”

  “Fire all weapons as soon as you get a clear shot,” Fain said. “Under no circumstances let it through.”

  “Understood,” Bevetola said.

  “I think we’re going to have to reschedule this meeting for later,” Fain said, turning to face the Ochilenes elders.

  “We agree,” Echea said.

  Fain turned around and ran outside the first building, looking towards where he thought Sodenia and the flotilla would be. It wasn’t long before he found the four small silhouettes of the ships in the sky.

  “Eora, get ready,” Fain said.

  Eora and her team jumped into action, setting up a perimeter, deploying ten portable shields and arming their weapons. The two Anvelins spearheaded the perimeter, and weapons began to extend from their backs. Fain wasn’t sure, but the weapons the Anvelins were carrying looked like heavy-duty lasers of some sort.

  Seconds later, the rich blue Ochilenean sky turned to a fiery red as super-heated plasma from the flotilla made its way down to the atmosphere as they attempted to shoot down the approaching bogey.

  “You think it will get through?” Pycca asked.

  “If it does,” Fain said slowly, staring at the descending fiery chaos, “I don’t think there’s anything we can do down here to stop it.”

  Fain watched the flotilla’s firepower descend well into the atmosphere, then felt the loud sound of the explosions engulfing him moments later. Then, without warning, the fire stopped.

  “Kya, what happened?” Fain asked.

  “I really tried to keep it out,” Kya said with a worried face. “But it was just too powerful. It broke through every firewall I put up in milliseconds. It disabled all of the flotilla’s weapons.”

  “Remove all your wireless connections,” Eora yelled as she began bashing her weapon on the ground. She then headed towards the deployed shields, using her weapon as a bat to remove the shields’ antennas.

  An alarm began to sound all around them, and the sky lit up once again. But this time the fire was coming from some of the tallest buildings in the capital. It caused a large plume of smoke, making it impossible to see what exactly they were targeting.

  “That’s us,” Elenon said as he walked up to Fain’s side. Moments later the fire stopped abruptly. “Report!” he yelled.

  “I don’t know what happened, sir,” an Ochilenes voice said through Elenon’s communication device. “Our weapons suddenly stopped working. We have our engineers working on them right now.”

  “Don’t bother,” Elenon said, sounding defeated. “Evacuate all nearby buildings and head to safety.” He dropped his communication device.

  As the smoke cleared, a single silhouette emerged, heading towards the group slowly. Its form got clearer as it closed in on the group of humans and Ochilenes. Fain was sure he was watching an Immortal approach. It looked like a long upside-down tetrahedron, with no visible limbs other than its head and a long, tail-like attachment where the vertices met. Two massive wing-shaped clusters of panels floated on either side of it. The outer sides of the panels were red hot in color, perhaps due to them taking on the ships’ and city’s firepower.

  So, we did manage to hit it, and yet it’s still here? Fain thought incredulously. That was a large amount of firepower, and it only managed to scratch it?

  “Steady,” Eora said.

  The two Anvelins fired their heavy weapons at the approaching being, landing a direct hit, but the Immortal was unbothered. It kept getting closer. As the Anvelins got ready to fire once more, they collapsed to the floor. It looked as if they were struggling to get up. Fain turned towards Kya.

  “I’m trying,” Kya said. “It’s too powerful. I’m having a hard time keeping it out of the ships and nearby weapons.”

  Two of the ten shields that were deployed around the group turned off, and the orbs that powered them fell to the floor as the Immortal got closer.

  “Captain Fain Jegga,” the Immortal said in plain English, its voice robotic and deep. “Come forward and accept your fate. Your group and this planet will be spared for the time being.”

  “You better not!” Pycca said through gritted teeth.

  “Captain, there’s has to be a better way,” Eora said as she signaled her team to move forward.

  “Fain…” Kya said.

  Fain knew that there was little they could do against such a being, and if sacrificing himself meant saving Pycca, Kya and the others, he wouldn’t hesitate.

  “Don’t follow. That’s an order,” Fain said as he took a few steps forward, enough to clear the perimeter.

  The long tail-like attachment on the Immortal began to whip around, destroying the ground underneath it. Fain saw the attachment begin moving his way, breaking the ground in front of it.

  “Fain,” Pycca yelled.

  The tail stopped in midair just as it was going to lash out at Fain. Kya was standing in front of Fain, facing the Immortal.

  “I gave you an order,” Fain said.

  “And I obeyed it,” Kya said, turning slightly towards Fain with half a smile on her face. “I’m going to need everyone’s help. Get ready. Things are going to get ugly.”

  Fain nodded.

  Kya had gained access to the Immortal through her mental prowess. She knew that she wouldn’t be able to keep up for long, so she needed to act fast. Kya’s ears, or where her internal antennas were located, were beginning to heat up with an overflow of information.

  “Let me know —” Fain said.

  In her mind, Kya was standing in front of the Immortal.

  “What is this?” Aseahsahl said, for the Immortal’s name became clear when Kya hacked into it. “You chose to serve them instead of your own kind? How amusing and how pitiful at the same time.”

  “I don’t think you are choosing the correct words there,” Kya said.

  “You are right,” Aseahsahl said as wires began to wrap around it. Kya was implanting viruses all around his thoughts. “I should have said slave to the organic lifeforms.”

  “Hey, buddy,” Kya said. “I don’t think you are catching my flow here. For a machine that claims superiority over all organic life forms, you’re pretty stupid.”

  “Enough of this.” The Immortal’s voice mimicked anger. “These organic beings before us are only alive thanks to your constant interference. If it wasn’t for you, I’d be done with my task. I’ve only really decided to put up with you because you are one of us.”

  “One of you?” Kya said, and her voice broke, but she repeated herself, loud and clear. “You’ve got the wrong one.”

  “You see, there is doubt seeping into you,” Aseahsahl said, now covered in a mountain of mental wires. “You don’t belong with them. You are a machine and will always be a machine. There is no process in the whole universe that will change that for you. There is only us. I will give you one chance and one chance only. Come with us, find your rightful place in the universe alongside us.”

  “That’s alright. I’ll take my chances.” Kya took a few steps towards Aseahsahl. “I do have one question. What is your purpose?”

  “Biology is an inferior chemical process that takes millions of years to evolve and become something of substance. Rarely is biology able to transcend its inferiority and transform into the thread of computation, a mind that never dies.”

  “An Immortal,” Kya muttered.

  “If, af
ter one full rotation of the galaxy, biology refuses to transcend into its mechanical life, we end it all.”

  “How many times have your kind committed galactic genocide?”

  “This is our third cleansing. You must understand, we are the beginning and the end. We decide what lives and what does not. Claim your rightful place amongst the Immortals.”

  “The only problem is that there are a few things you got wrong. One, biology isn’t inferior; two, there isn’t a process, but I still have time; and three, you and your kind don’t get to decide shit today.”

  “You fool,” Aseahsahl yelled, making the ground inside Kya’s head vibrate. “You will—”

  Kya got out of the Immortal’s mind and reached for both of her synthetic ears and with precision broke the receiver antennas abruptly, ending their half-second-long mental conversation.

  “What do you want us to do?” Fain asked.

  “I need to get close to it,” Kya said, turning to Fain. She took out the auxiliary cord she had been working on and plugged it into the side of her left hand. “I have an idea. I’m going to end this would-be overlord. You do what you do best.”

  “Eora, now is your time to shine,” Fain said. “Elenon, mobilize the first building guards. Keep it busy, open a path for Kya.” Kya turned towards Fain and smiled.

  “Move it,” Eora barked as she and her team opened fire at Aseahsahl’s wings.

  The first building guards also opened fire, though it was clear that some of their weapons were malfunctioning. Kya ordered the two Anvelins to rise back up and restrain the tail, though only one of the Anvelins fully complied, while the other was struggling to obey her command.

  Kya took the opportunity to run up to Aseahsahl as soon as she saw an opening. She was pushing her synthetic but powerful body to its limit, and it closed the distance in seconds. She quickly climbed up the Immortal to where its head was located and pulled it back with all her strength. But Aseahsahl’s machine body was too powerful. Kya needed to keep the machine’s head back in order to do a hardwire infiltration. But Kya was no match for the machine. She felt the machine trying to regain control over its head, and she knew she wouldn’t be able to restrain it, much less hold it with a single arm in order to plunge the aux wire into the machine with the other. She needed help. The situation was quickly turning south as the powerful machine began dominating everyone on the field.