Chapter 30: Old Acquaintances
Janus awoke to find Clara at his bedside. She smiled and stood up over him. He felt re-energized.
“Well, I can see that your habit for getting into trouble has not improved since you left me,” Clara said with a smile.
Janus laughed and then grimaced. Pain shot up his body – apparently he hadn’t been in bad enough shape to warrant a Nanyte injection. “I think sometimes that it has gotten worse, actually,” he joked, and grimaced again.
Clara shook her head knowingly, and looked him up and down.
“It’s good to see you again, Clara.”
“I’m glad to see some things haven’t changed,” she said, “barely surviving the day and all you can say is ‘good to see you’. You never were very good at such expressions.”
“Hey! I just—” Janus began, but Clara cut him off.
“You’re safe, and that’s all that matters to me.” Clara said, with evident relief. In a flash, she hugged him.
“Ahhhh, ahh—” Janus squirmed uncomfortably, trying to pull away from her firm grasp.
“Oooo, sorry,” she pulled back. “Well, it serves you right, making me worry,” Clara scolded, “And getting yourself captured like that. I could hardly believe how stupid you were.”
“How was I supposed to know?” Janus asked skeptically.
Clara rolled her eyes, “You grew up in the slums. You’re supposed to know.”
Janus looked at her blankly, and she sighed, exasperated. “I thought you were supposed to be the smart one.” Janus scowled, but Clara merely brushed his look off, “Middleton wanted to capture you, so she took me as bait.”
“But why? How did she know that I was involved? How would she know to take you?”
Clara shook her head, “I’m not sure, but I think it has something to do with this,” she picked up the locket from where it rested on Janus’s chest. “A few weeks ago, she was extremely agitated, and she called me in from my cleaning duties,” she spoke softly, “I think Alastor’s probing was getting to her – the conflict between them was churning the maids’ rumor mills. She didn’t like the cleanliness of her tapestries, and she berated me for it. During her rant, I started fiddling with this,” she held up the locket, “but when I did so, she stopped dead in her tracks. She asked me where I had gotten it – I told her I had found it, and she…changed. She told me I was to be moved to the middle levels. That she was pleased with my performance.”
“I knew something was wrong – I had never seen her like this. She seemed… sickly sweet,” Clara shivered. “I told her I would go grab my things from below and return right away – but she wouldn’t allow that. She didn’t want me to risk travelling anymore in the slums. I asked how I could tell my friends, and she told me I could write a note – I lied and told her I couldn’t write.” Clara sighed, “But she was adamant, I couldn’t leave. So I volunteered to pass along my locket. She was reluctant, but agreed. You were supposed to know that I would never have given this to you willingly!” Clara exclaimed.
Janus cocked his head at her, “But, if this is mine, why wouldn’t you ever let me have it?”
Clara shook her head. “I’m sorry, Janus. I should’ve given it to you long ago. But…” she paused, her breath catching.
Janus looked confused, “But…”
“But–” Clara hiccuped, “I was afraid. I know I’m not your real mother, Janus – but I always wanted to be. Ever since the day I found you, when you proved to be my good luck charm, I’ve held onto the idea you’re mine.” Tears streamed down her face, “Something…real and precious in a life filled with garbage.” She took a moment to collect herself, wiping away a tear, the pain still evident in her eyes, “It was silly.”
Janus’ eyes widened in surprise, “But—“Janus hesitated, struggling, “It’s not.” He paused, “Do you remember the books that you found me when I was young? So that I could learn to read?”
Clara nodded, wiping her face with her sleeve.
“Well, they were filled with stories about families, and how the people you love are the ones you share your life with, not necessarily the ones related by blood. I still want to know the truth, but–,” Janus faltered, obviously embarrassed, “I owe my life, everything I’ve become, to you.”
Clara smiled happily, but her face reflected her confusion, “But, you’ve never called me mother, or mom, or anything other than Clara, unless you were annoyed, of course. Why?”
Janus lowered his eyes, “I guess I didn’t realize it was so important. I guess it might be a –,” he paused, “I guess I figured it was safer in the slums, to appear as though I had as little connection to you as possible.”
Clara hugged him tightly, “Well, I guess I’m just as big a fool as you are, then.” She pulled back, her face beaming beautifully, although her eyes were puffy and ringed with tears.
“Thank you, Janus, you really have been my lucky charm all these years. I’m so sorry for holding back on you all this time.”
Janus smiled, “Well, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”
Clara looked at him with smile, “That’s true.”
Janus looked pensive, “I think I have some serious questions for Norm, though.”
Clara nodded, “I think we all do. But first, I thought you might want to check on your friend–”
Janus leapt out of his bed, “Celes! How is she? Is she OK?”
Clara looked shrewdly at him, “Why don’t we go find out. She’s just a few doors down.” Janus rushed out. Clara called after him, “Oh, and I forgot to tell you, the Praetor is willing to let me stay…” She heard Janus yell “Great!” as he disappeared around the corner.
“Well,” Clara half-grumbled, fighting hard to keep the smile from her face, “At least I got twenty years.”
Janus bumped into one of the medics in the hall, the words coming out in a stream, “Adept-Celes-what-room-is-she-in?”
The medic pointed to a ward on his left. Janus ran to the room and realized that the medics might not appreciate him bursting in. He checked himself and carefully cracked open the door, knocking softly as he did so. After a moment, as the door slid open, he realized he need not have worried.
Celes sat upright in bed, talking to Ramirez, Lyn, and Marcus. Norm sat off to one side, listening. They stopped when Janus entered.
Celes beamed at him, “You’re awake! We weren’t sure if you would ever wake up, you were so tired.”
“Yeah, Janus, we thought maybe you were taking a good opportunity to catch up on all the sleep we missed as cadets while you had a chance,” Marcus said with a smile.
Janus screwed up his face in confusion, “What are you talking about?”
Lyn eyes lit up with surprise, “Didn’t you know? It’s been two full days since we made it back to Valhalla.”
“What?” Janus exclaimed.
Wouris walked into the room with Clara behind her, “Ah, good. I just ran into Clara in the hall. We were about to give you a Nanyte injection, Janus, for fear that we had misjudged your condition. I am glad to see that all you needed was some rest.”
“Well, he earned it. I can hardly believe you made it that far carrying me like that,” Celes smile became even larger, “Thank you, Janus.”
Janus shifted uncomfortably. Marcus scowled and turned away.
Wouris eyed the pair and said, “I’m sure any of them would have done the same.” Marcus nodded. Wouris smiled at Janus, “although I must say, I can hardly believe that you made it as well as you did, Janus. That was quite the feat,” she proclaimed, taking a moment to note the marks everyone still bore. From the bruised and battered faces of Lyn and Ramirez to the heavily wrapped arm of Marcus, Celes actually seemed to be in the best condition, externally.
Wouris turned to Celes, “How long?”
She shrugged, “Another day. Major Yalla doesn’t think I need another injection to heal fully, so he’s forcing me to rest instead. Another day here and the medics said the
y would release me.”
“Good.” Wouris turned to Norm, “Will you talk now?”
Norm nodded, “Tell the Praetor that now that Janus is awake, I will tell him everything I know. But I want everyone in this room to be there. They all deserve to know the truth, after what they have been through. And if you would be willing to share the information you obtained on your own…” Wouris cocked an eyebrow in suspicion at him and Norm shrugged, “The choice is yours, but I can better frame my story for you.”
Wouris nodded, “I will talk to the Praetor. Either way, he is determined to hear your tale as soon as possible.”
Norm nodded, “That is all I ask.”
Wouris looked at Celes, “I’ll see if I can speed up getting you out of here.”
After much protesting by the medical staff and Yalla, Celes was allowed to leave, albeit under orders to go easy and not to train for at least three days.
Wouris led the ragtag band to the officer’s briefing room in the Beacon. The Praetor, Hawkes, Keats, Northcott, and Rogers were already waiting for them. Rogers wore a boyish grin like a lad waiting for a strange story, while Keats seemed to balance perfectly between an eager alertness and complete serenity. Northcott was grimly stroking his jaw, while Hawkes scowled beside him. The Praetor was inscrutable. Janus smiled, glad to know nothing had changed. Soft light around the edge of the room gave everything a warm glow.
Norm stood off by himself, deep in thought. There was an element of relief on his face. “Sit down, sit down,” he said commandingly – it seemed odd coming from the soft-spoken man. Clara looked uncomfortable, unsure of whether she should be in the room.
Norm smiled at her, “Go on, sit down, Clara. You have your part in this story, too.”
With everyone settled, the walls of the briefing room became an opaque frosted glass, granting privacy to their discussion. The Praetor spoke, “Well, Norm – I have already been briefed on the generalities of your situation and the mission by Wouris. You apparently have quite a bit of information of value to us. Is there perhaps a better name for you?”
Norm smiled, “Of course, Praetor Jennings. My full title is Overlord Norman Garret Walden, Intelligence Branch, of the former Phoenix Corporation.”
The Praetor stiffened, but made no moves. The officers and Wouris glanced nervously at the Praetor, Keats especially. Janus’ jaw dropped at the pronouncement.
Norman cleared his throat, speaking carefully, “And you would be the former Colonel Alexander Jennings – of SHADE. Am I correct?”
The Praetor nodded once, slowly.
“I knew it from the moment I saw you,” Norm said simply.
Chapter 31: The Beginning of the End
Janus suddenly realized he was standing up, his head darting between the Praetor and Norm, “You’re…” He wasn’t sure what he wanted to say.
Norm shook his head and motioned for Janus to return to his seat, “Now is the time to listen, Janus.”
Janus sat slowly – he was not alone in his alarm, and he leaned in with the rest as Norm took a deep breath.
“As most of you know, several hundred years ago, the Corporations were all that survived the collapse of the grand republics,” Norm began. “They adopted the cultural identities of the Greek and Roman empires to remind people of a time when the world was united by the strength of a single force. Each corporation, however, had a unique origin – identity, if you will, that allowed it to survive. Titan manufactured weapons. Medusa was an energy conglomerate and could obtain oil, gases, and other valuable fossil fuels for conversion into energy, plastics, etc – and its entropic battery design remains invaluable even in this day of fusion power. Cerberus specialized in mining and alloy production. Each had their unique background.”
Norm leaned in, “Phoenix was a powerhouse for medical advancements and food production.”
“Using these strengths, the Corporations were able to trade and thrive after years of hardship and famine. For centuries, the Corporations held a necessary, and oftentimes amicable, truce. However, as people recovered and expanded again, the Corporations started to provide for themselves – trade and cooperation were no longer necessary. The great mixing of survivors from all over the world stopped, and the Corporations began to divide culturally and diplomatically. Eventually, a state of constant warfare broke out – the Corporate Wars – a mix between total war and cold war, with no one power able to emerge victorious.
“Each Corporation searched for a way to gain an edge in their constant battles with one another, exploring fields in which they had excelled to produce an advantage. Titan created the Zeus rifles and security trooper armor to enhance their soldiers. For many years, they held an advantage, but eventually, those technologies were reproduced, and their gains were slowly whittled away. Medusa’s entropic batteries gave it a powerful mobile energy source, albeit an expensive and short-lived one. Cerberus eventually produced Immutium, an incredible discovery, but it was so difficult and expensive to make that they never were able produce enough to give them an advantage before the other Corporations discovered their secret.”
Norm pointed to each person, like they were a different Corporation, “Minotaur, Chimera, Hydra. Each with their strengths. And in turn, advantages came and went and a cycle emerged. It became clear that for a Corporation to truly turn the tide, it needed a decisive advantage – one that it could utilize in secret for its gains.”
“And so, Phoenix took a different approach – setting itself on a quest that would last centuries: it was decided that Phoenix would not invest as heavily in material advantages, but in human capital,” he glanced at Clara, “Not for any humanitarian reason, of course, but simply to create a longer lived, more productive population. And perhaps more importantly, for the Executors, it was a chance to see if humanity could finally achieve a form of immortality.” Norm clasped his hands behind his back, “The research we conducted was the most highly guarded secret in Phoenix. Only the intelligence branch and the Executors knew of it. It was difficult to maintain this secrecy, and many of my predecessors, and occasionally, my forebears, were consumed entirely by it.”
“Many times, all of our research was nearly discovered, and our progress lost. Nothing could be revealed, and the Executors gladly sacrificed years of research, or even the scientists themselves, to maintain the shroud that surrounded Phoenix’s attempts at—” Norm paused, his gaze piercing Janus, “the fountain of youth. Hundreds of years passed, and always we seemed on the cusp of success, but we were unable to break through. Death has a fearsome grip upon its power. But then something happened—”
“The advent of Immutium,” the Praetor remarked coldly.
“Very good, Praetor,” Norm nodded. “That remarkable metal. A key to so many technologies,” he paused, looking at the five young mercenaries, “You found a painting in Middleton’s possession, one that depicted me and another young man?”
“Yes,” Celes answered, “he could have been Janus’ twin – or relative.”
Norm pursed his lips, “I will come to that in a moment. Does anyone care to guess when that painting was made? It is important to put the rest of the story in perspective.”
There was some silence around the room. Finally, Janus spoke up, giving his best guess, “Well, it was before Phoenix fell, and you appear to be a young man – anywhere from thirty to fifty years ago?”
Norm smiled, “Not a bad guess... did you see the name of the painting?”
Janus paused for a moment, “Yes. I remember now that I searched for it in our database after our return, but I couldn’t find it.”
“That is because you didn’t know where to look. I am not surprised that Valhalla’s database might be lacking in historical data. The Corporations may sometimes trade information, but their histories are far from reliable,” Norm reflected. “That being said, however, I’m guessing that when you recounted your tale, no one thought to ask you the title of the painting. Otherwise I am sure some of the officers here would ha
ve said something about it – it was a rather singular event that is still sometimes spoken of…” The officers looked at Norm curiously as he asked Janus, “what was the name?”
“Victory at Lightemann’s.”
“Impossible!” Hawkes jumped up.
Norm shook his head.
“That can’t be true,” Keats’ air of serenity seemed to vanish.
“It is true,” Norm said.
“And I say again that it’s impossible,” Hawkes interjected.
“Why, what is wrong with the name?” The question emanated from several places at once. Northcott, Keats, and Hawkes stared at the Praetor, as if some unknown possibility had come into play.
“Because,” the Praetor leaned forward, “Lightemann’s Ridge was the final decisive victory by Phoenix and the other Corporations over the alliance of Cerberus and Medusa during the conclusion of the Fusion War. It was the battle that allowed all Corporations access to fusion power,” he paused, waiting for recognition from the younger Adepts, “It happened over 150 years ago.”
Chapter 32: The Phoenix’s Tears
Janus gaped, “You’re over 100 years old?”
Norm smiled, “You’d think I would be a little wiser by now, wouldn’t you? Yes.”
“But that’s impossible, Norm! You’re old, but not that old!” Clara exclaimed.
Norm held his hands up in defense, “Allow me to finish. As I said earlier, the advent of Immutium changed the game completely. During the conclusion of the war, the Corporations were finally able to learn the secret of its production for themselves. Immutium is not just produced by fusion power, it’s necessary for sustaining fusion. A symbiotic relationship, if you will. One does not exist without the other.’
The Phoenix Fallacy_Book II_Norm Page 20
