by T. R. Harris
Stimmel leaned against the table, again surveying the faces of his captive audience. “Do you realize what it's like to be a regional director for Maris-Kliss? I’m sure you don’t. I will explain. Although there are thirty-five-hundred of us, the next level in the company is the Assembly, with only three hundred individuals. Next up is the Counsel with forty-eight people, then the Circle with ten followed by the General Director. It may seem that a regional director is far down the ladder, but that is not the case. MK is a galaxy-wide business, the largest. Comparatively, I am wealthier than any Human alive, and as such, I have the money to buy all the worlds in the Dead Zone if I wish, and many more. But because of the vast size of the organization, no one knows this.”
He walked over to Adam. “You think I’m buying up worlds and acquiring dark matter so I can one day rule the galaxy.” He paused, nodded and pursed his lips. “In one way, that’s correct. But it is not my desire to conquer worlds. Rather, I believe in the corporate structure as the most efficient means of owning and controlling. I believe in a system of mutual benefit, not subjugation. I do aspire to have a galaxy-wide affiliation of worlds, but not by coercion. I am starting in the Dead Zone, using my worlds to set an example of my vision. I will eventually own all the worlds. After that, other planets will seek membership in my organization.”
“Then, why all the threats? Why steal the DMCs?” Adam asked.
“You see them as threats; I see them as self-defense as I establish my base. There are forces in the galaxy who will attempt to keep me from setting this example. Once they realize what I’m doing—and how I offer a better way—they will feel threatened as their power slowly slips away. And that is a key word in my plan, Adam Cain, slowly. As you can tell, a plan such as this must evolve. It cannot be rushed. I do not want to wage galaxy-wide war to speed up the process; that would defeat the purpose. I do not want to force my vision upon anyone.”
“All that sounds good, but what does the Formation have to do with anything? Is it another form of deterrent, like the dark matter collectors?”
“No.” Stimmel grinned sheepishly. “I have acquired the Formation for a more selfish, personal need.”
“It is about me.” Lila stated, her clear voice echoing off the stone walls of the cavern.
“What do you mean, you?” Sherri asked as she hovered beside the mutant.
“He wishes to distill my essence so he can become immortal.”
“Bullshit,” Riyad said. “Not him, too? That would be crazy.”
“I’m afraid she’s correct,” Stimmel confirmed. “But do not think me crazy. My plan is rooted in logic, not insanity. All intelligent creatures seek some form of immortality, be it belief in an afterlife or other manifestations. I’m no different. However, in this day and age, we know immortality is possible, and not a fantasy. I have before me two examples of that. We are also standing in a facility built by a race of beings who engineered immortality. So, my goal is not only attainable but easily within my grasp.”
Stimmel stepped up to Lila, his eyes full of concern. “I am not crazy. I am but a mortal man who is at the cusp of initiating a great societal experiment in the galaxy. I believe in it so strongly that I would be a fool not to want to see it to fruition. I am fifty-four years old. My vision will only barely get underway before I grow too old and weary to appreciate it. And throughout history, most systems have failed because those who came afterward did not have the vision of the original creator. I want to provide that continuity, to help guide the vision, not for personal gain, but for the good of the galaxy. I have enough wealth; that is not why I’m doing this.”
“No, it’s the power you want, dickhead,” Sherri said. “It’s always about the power.”
“Have you not heard a word I said? It is not about power. It’s about providing a better way.”
“Or so you say. If you can get the system started, then let it grow naturally. If you’re right about it being better, then it will survive. That’s how things evolve naturally. Survival of the fitness, and all that.”
“I could do that. But is it wrong to want to witness that evolution? The Aris wanted it. So do I.” He looked over at Lila. “The Aris spent three billion years creating you. Fortunately for me, you are still here. The formula for your distillation is in the Code device. My scientists have already deciphered the equations. In a few moments, I will enter the code, and the Formation will align itself. This is a great moment, Lila Bol. The moment when you fulfill your destiny as the giver of immortality.”
“How do you expect to do this, Stimmel?” Adam asked. “She’s immortal herself. Do you just drop her in the top, and the Formation does the rest?” Although Adam was trying to draw him out and extend the conversation, he also really wanted to know. It was one of those great mysteries of the universe that had always bugged him. How did the Aris plan on converting Lila into something they could use?
“Ah, good question. It has to do with the Lerpiniere effect. The field creates a microscopic link between universes. I simply use two of them in tandem to reduce Lila into useable slices. I know it sounds cruel, but I assure you, she will feel nothing. By placing the field within her body, I can place one part of her in one universe and the other part in another. And by using the quantum anchor effect, her body will not have a chance to regenerate before she is fed into the Formation. Do not ask me how this works; that is not my area of expertise. But the genetic material must be fed into that small opening at the top of the device. For that to happen, she must be reduced to manageable units.”
Stimmel looked at Panur. He still glowed but wasn’t nearly as hot as before. “And because I cannot leave you intact and free to seek revenge—even against a fellow immortal—I will separate your parts as well. But I will leave them in various universes. You may still have a consciousness—I don’t know for sure. But you will have difficulty regenerating. At least that is the plan.”
He stepped up to the main computer terminal for the Formation. A Gracilian technician was seated at the controls while two more faced the team with controllers for the anchor fields.
“It is time, Lila Bol. Please understand that I have regret for what I must do. You are a magnificent creature, the pinnacle of evolution in the galaxy. You are perfect, and that is why you are immortal. But it will be through your sacrifice that others will live forever. Well, maybe not others, but I will. Auf wiedersehen, meine liebe.”
The Gracilians maneuvered Lila lower to the floor and closer to the delivery carousel for the Formation. The other tech worked the computer, undoubtedly preparing to initiate an L-field that will begin the process of slicing Lila into thin wafers. Adam couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He had no doubt that what Stimmel said was possible. At one time, the Aris had the process planned out. Lila wasn’t created to survive, but to become part of a cycle that would lead to the immortality of their race. Fortunately, Panur’s J’nae creation served that purpose, sparing Adam’s daughter. But now things had come around full circle. The concept of distilling a living being down to its essence was beyond science fiction. But he’d seen it done before, and multiple times. He knew it was reality. And the desire for immortality had been pursued by everyone from ancient geniuses to insane mass murderers. Now Wolfgang Stimmel was trying to convince himself that what he was about to do was logical, compassionate … and sane. Perhaps it was, but not at the expense of Adam’s daughter.
He had one chance to stop this, and one chance only. And he had no idea how to make it happen.
Adam could sense the ATD in Stimmel’s side. Although the Director had learned more about how to use the device, it still wasn’t his to control. The Formilians tuned it to Adam’s brainwaves, and although the Gracilians made an amateurish attempt to tune it to Stimmel’s, they had only scratched the surface. At this range, Adam had complete control of the unit. His current ATD—the one built by the mutants—was under the control of the quantum anchor, shifting in and out of this universe along with the rest of his body. But Stimmel’s
ATD was unaffected by the anchor. How Adam could use that fact to his advantage was the question screaming in his mind. There had to be something he could do. And he only had seconds to come up with an answer.
The MKs!
Although Adam’s ATD was inoperative, he could use Stimmel’s to access the battery packs in the weapons. He did a quick probe of the devices. The pistols were unaltered, using standard Formilian control circuits. He had a way to set the pistols to explode, but he didn’t want to harm the team. He had to free his friends from their quantum anchors—and not kill them in the process.
He had to knock out the controllers.
Fortunately, each of the Gracilians wore MK-17s. Adam identified the Gracilian controlling Lila. Although there were five people held by the anchors, only two of the aliens had control units. This meant the units could be switched to individual beams. If he took out those two, it could free them all. And once free, Panur and Lila would do the rest.
The Gracilian controlling Lila wasn’t a problem. His weapon could explode and and not hurt the mutant. The other controller was on the other side of Stimmel and fairly close to Riyad and Sherri. Although the explosion would be confined, they would still feel the effects. Adam had to take the chance.
He located the battery circuits and then triggered the firing controls. The power from the battery flowed outward but was then routed back in. The charge began to build up.
“What is that sound?” Stimmel asked, suddenly alert.
A slight hum was rising in the room. Stimmel was between both the affected weapons, so he heard it in stereo. His eyes grew wide, and a moment later, he dove under the table just as the MK-17s exploded simultaneously.
Amid the heat and flame of the detonations, Adam dropped to the floor, landing on his stomach and bouncing his forehead off the hard stone floor. He was dazed, and it took him a moment to clear his head before he could look around.
Although smoke obscured his vision, what he saw was a shattered array of equipment, intermixed with a fair amount of blood. Some of the blood was his. His nose was bleeding, as was an ear. Strong hands took hold of him and lifted him from the floor. It was Lila.
As seemed commonplace for the mutant, most of her clothing was gone, blown away in the explosion. Adam now gazed embarrassingly at the exquisite form of his naked daughter. “Are you okay,” he asked, averting his eyes.
“You know I am. How are you?”
“Fine, what about Sherri and Riyad?”
Lila didn’t answer. Instead, she led him through the haze to where Panur was helping his two friends to stand. Sherri was clutching her right arm, grimacing in pain. Riyad wobbled on rubber legs, his nose and mouth bleeding prodigiously.
“It’s broken,” Sherri moaned.
“I’m sorry,” Adam said.
Sherri focused her bloodshot eyes on him, her mouth agape. “Sorry? You just saved all our lives. Where is Stimmel?”
“He ducked for cover at the last moment,” Panur said. “The MK executive must have recognized the sound of an overloading weapon. He ran toward the hibernation units. Let’s go get him.”
“Go without me,” Riyad moaned. “I trust you don’t need my help.”
“Nor mine,” Sherri said.
“I will stay with them and administer first aid,” Lila said. “I will let the boys have their fun.”
Adam returned her grin.
Adam still had his MK-47, and now that he was free of the quantum anchor, he had it out and ready for action. “Leave Stimmel for me,” he said to Panur.
“Why would I do that?”
“Because I asked. He was about to slice and dice my daughter. You owe me that much.”
Panur blew out a breath. “You sure know how to ruin the mood. Fine. He’s yours. I will run interference for you.”
Mutant and Human ran off down one of the long side tunnels that housed the hibernation units for the Aris Technicians. It was darker down here, so Adam stayed close to Panur, who suffered no loss of vision or other senses.
“Is there another way out of here?” Adam asked.
“I don’t know. I never saw a schematic for the facility. I would assume there would have to be.”
“We can’t let the bastard get away and back to his ship. He has the DMCs. He can still cause a lot of trouble.”
“If he is in the complex, we will—”
Panur suddenly shot into the air, while Adam found himself pressed against the cold stone floor on his belly, his arms extended out in front of him. Adam knew instantly what was happening. More quantum anchors.
A dark figure emerged from the shadows. Wolfgang Stimmel stepped into the dim light.
“Sorry, Herr Cain, but I, too, have a control unit,” he said with a grin. “But how could you know that?”
From where he lay, Adam could still move his hand. He lined the MK up on Stimmel and pulled the trigger. The bolt lit up the chamber, hitting Stimmel in the chest. The force threw him back, but he didn’t go down. Instead, he grimaced with pain but shrugged it off. He still held the anchor control in his hand.
“I have to admit; there is pain,” the Director said. “But I’m grateful for your ATD. Remember, I’ve been tracking you for a long time. I know what happened on Lindahl. You took twenty bolts and didn’t die.”
It wasn’t anywhere near that many. But he didn’t tell Stimmel that.
“A remarkable device,” Stimmel continued. “I don’t know how it does it, but being immune to flash bolts is a handy feature to have. And now I have it, too.”
Adam fired again.
“Be careful,” Panur warned from where he hovered.
“Yes, Adam, be careful. You are under my control. I could lift you to the top of this cavern and then drop you to the floor. I don’t believe ATDs protect against things like that.” He stopped and shook his head. “You have really screwed up my plans. I hope the explosions didn’t damage the Formation. That would be a pity. But now, I must look for alternatives. My vision is intact; I just need to find another way to make it happen. Perhaps a dark-matter war is what’s required now that my peaceful path has been disrupted. You, Adam Cain, will be responsible for what happens next.”
The Director pulled a small thumb drive from his pocket. “This contains the code for Lila’s distillation. I don’t need the Code device anymore. And seeing that the mutants insist on saving the Formation, there may come a time when I can reactivate my plan. We’ll see. But I must say, I’m disappointed. I had such high hopes of becoming immortal today.”
Adam fired again. And again.
Each shot drove Stimmel a few steps away.
“Stop it, dammit!” Stimmel screamed. “That hurts, and it’s not making any difference. You know I can—”
The Director stopped speaking, looking down at his right side.
“As you were saying?” Adam asked.
Stimmel grasped his side and then looked at Adam with panicked eyes. “What’s happening? Why is it burning so much?”
“Didn’t you wonder where all that energy goes? It doesn’t just vanish.”
“What are you talking about? It burns!”
“That’s the ATD working overtime, trying to vent the energy.”
Stimmel dropped to his knees, the control unit for the quantum anchors falling from his hand. The Director was in too much pain to respond.
“I’ll tell you where the energy goes, Herr Stimmel. It goes into the tiny blackhole that’s forming inside your body, the blackhole that’s about to suck you into it.”
Adam fired again.
He had no idea how far out the event horizon for the quantum blackhole would reach. It didn’t matter. All he knew was that Stimmel would be gone. If that meant Adam and Panur went with him, so be it.
The end came in a blinding flash that quickly faded into the blackest black Adam had ever seen. The image was gone a second later, leaving a residual green glow and a perfectly smooth concave scoop in the granite floor where Wolfgang Stimmel once stood.
Adam wiggled the fingers of his outstretched hand. The edge of the scoop was six inches away.
Something hard, hot and heavy fell on Adam’s back, knocking the breath from his lungs.
“Thanks for breaking my fall, my friend,” Panur said as he rolled off Adam’s coughing body and climbed to his feet. With the controller off in nowhereland, the quantum anchors were freed. Panur stepped up to the edge of the perfectly smooth-sided pit. “That was close. I told you to be careful.”
“I think you cracked a rib,” Adam said as he gingerly stood up.
“You’ll live,” Panur said. “And thanks to you, we will all live another day.”
Adam looked down into the pit. “Well, not all of us.”
Epilogue
“The dark matter collectors are still out there,” Adam said. He was with the team in the mutant’s laboratory at Camp Forrester, conducting an after-mission brief. A lot of changes had taken place over the past couple of weeks, changes that needed perspective.
“That is correct,” Panur said. He was still in his grey mutant body, although the gorgeous TeraDon Fief was safely stashed away with Lila somewhere. She wasn’t about to let that body go to waste. “Some of the Gracilians have to know where Stimmel hid them. I’m not too worried if they have them; the Gracilians had several of the DMCs for years, and no accidents occurred. But if they’re in the hands of others, then we could have a problem.”
“I’ll get my Enforcers out looking for them,” Adam said. “And now that Stimmel’s worlds are being returned to the original natives, we should have access to them like we haven’t had in a while.”
“And hopefully, the Zone will settle down now that Stimmel and MK are no longer making waves,” said Riyad.
Adam grinned. “Yeah, we’ll see. But I’m not holding my breath. It just means the door is wide open for other nasties to come rushing in. A hero’s work is never done.”
“You’re right, my friend,” Riyad said. “My work never is.”
Sherri snorted and changed the subject before the BS got too deep.
