Achilles stepped forward. “I understand how you must think of us.”
“You….understand?” the black-robed Phaerion said mockingly.
“Please, I beg your indulgence. This unit has known Oslo for multiple cycles as well. He is striving with all of his ability to awaken the world once again with the limited resources at his disposal, and these young people are all he has left. Though he assumed much risk to gather them, he pressed on despite the danger that was sure to arise. You claim a friendship to Oslo, yet in his darkest hour, you will not come to his aide?”
The Phaerion glowed and reverberated amongst themselves.
Achilles continued. “I am aware that the Elephim are distracted and in disarray, and they seem unresponsive to any activity here on Earth. And if they do respond, their attacks appear to be uncoordinated and not well led. Flying machines are being constructed by humans, and yet they seem to take no notice. Something has obviously happened, and Oslo is capitalizing on their distraction. After all he has done, can we remain idle and not attempt to rescue him?”
The black-robed Phaerion stared at Achilles. “For a robot, you seem to possess a certain…melancholy. Why is it we find you so peculiar?”
Achilles stiffened.
The black-robed Phaerion continued. “You all will be escorted to your quarters while we discuss a course of action amongst ourselves.”
They were immediately led out of the assembly hall and down a long corridor. Upon reaching the end, a hidden entrance slid open and they stepped through. Inside was a room filled with random pieces of mismatched furniture that appeared to be put together by someone who tried to imagine what would be pleasing to humans.
The door slid to a close. They stood about and looked at each other as an uncomfortable silence began to build.
Ray was the first to break it. “Okay, so what now?”
“I hope they take pity on us and help,” Sally said
“Pity?” Breeze snorted, “I’ll pass on that. We can do this on our own”
“How?” Ray said
“I talked to one of their ships,” Breeze replied with a wink.
“What do you mean?” Sally said.
“When I was with the Phaerion inside the assembly area, I touched the hull of one of the ships.” Breeze then recounted his experience communicating with the ship named Aerion.
“Ships made of energy,” Achilles observed.
“Ships that are alive,” added Breeze.
Sally leaned against him. “I don’t know why, but I feel so tired.”
“The day’s events have taken their toll on all of you.” Achilles said. “May I humbly suggest that you accumulate a few hours of rest as we wait for the Phaerion to arrive at a decision as to whether they will render aid to us or not?”
No sooner than the robot finished speaking, the lights of the room began to dim.
“Yeah,” Breeze muttered sleepily, “need to close my eyes for just a little while.” He stretched himself out on a nearby couch and fell asleep immediately. Sally and Ray flopped onto couches of their own and were soon in deep sleep.
The door slid open as several Phaerion floated in. One of them pointed at Achilles. “We wish to speak to you. Privately.”
“May I inquire as to why? I wish to monitor and protect these young people as they rest.”
“You may drop the charade. We wish to speak to you,” the Phaerion repeated.
Achilles nodded. “Very well.”
The robot stepped out into the hallway while followed by the Phaerion as the door slid to a close.
THIRTY
THEY ALL WOKE UP to brilliant sunshine streaming onto their faces. Breeze slowly got to his feet as he stretched and yawned loudly.
Sally tossed and turned on her couch, then sat straight up. “I need to use the bathroom,” she said, and headed towards a panel door along a wall that slid open.
“Umm, good morning?” Breeze responded as she stepped by. The only answer he received was the door sliding to close. He wondered how she knew where the bathroom was. Funny how girls always know how to find one and fast, he thought to himself, and then chuckled.
He shrugged and turned to check on Ray who was sound asleep on his couch, then stepped over to the window where the morning sun was rising and splashing its light across the arid land outside. Though he had spent his whole life in the desert, he never got tired of its spectacular sunrises.
He then realized Achilles wasn’t around. He checked the apartment, but the robot couldn’t be found.
He stood perplexed when the bathroom door slid open and Sally stepped out dressed head to toe in a white jumpsuit.
“Well, what do you think?” She twirled around for him to see.
Breeze was tongue tied.
Sally put her hands on her hips and pouted. “Well, I’m waiting.”
“Umm, you look great?”
She snorted at him. “I look fabulous!” and she turned to admire herself in the mirror.
“Where did you get that uniform anyway?” Breeze said.
“The closet in the bathroom, there are two more for you and Ray.”
“Ray is still asleep.”
“How come we always find him sleeping when we’re awake, like the time we found him on Achilles couch when he was supposed to be on watch? By the way, have you seen Achilles?”
“Went looking for it while you were in the bathroom. No sign of it.”
“Wonder where it could be?” she mused.
They both were startled as the door slid open and Achilles stepped in. “Excellent, all have arisen to greet the new day!” it said, then turned to Ray on the couch. “Excluding Master Verhesen, of course.”
Achilles looked over at Sally. “Your choice of wardrobe flatters you, Ms. Trumbull.”
She smiled at Breeze. “Even a robot knows when to pay a compliment.”
Breeze rolled his eyes and turned to Achilles. “Where did you go? You weren’t here when we woke up.”
“Exploring the grounds. Quite a fantastic facility,” the robot responded.
A chime rang. The door slid open and a sole Phaerion with a red robe glided in. He looked at Achilles and nodded, then turned to Sally. “I see one of you has found the atmo suits we have provided for all to wear, please see the rest of you do the same, then proceed to the hangar bay in one hour. My associates will be posted outside your door to escort you.” He turned and glided out the door.
“Atmo suits?” Sally said with exasperation.
“Did you think it was fashion wear?” Breeze retorted.
“Well, yeah. Look how good it fits me!” She twirled around again.
Breeze laughed. “We call these atmosphere suits, or atmos for short. Pilots wear them when testing aerocraft at high altitudes. The suit responds to your body. If you need moisture, it generates it so you can drink, and it will cool you down or warm you up, depending on conditions. It will also pressurize itself to keep blood from flowing away from your brain, preventing blackout.”
“Oh, are we going to fly?” Sally said.
Breeze shrugged. “I think they have something else planned for us.”
Ray stirred and sat up. “Wow, how long have I been asleep? Say, what’s going on?”
Breeze and Sally laughed at the sight of him. His hair was a mess as he wiped drool from his face.
“Pull yourself together Ray and get into an atmo suit. We meet in the hangar in one hour.”
“Atmo what? Where are we going?”
“It looks like we’re going for a ride,” Breeze replied.
An hour later, they were gathered along with the Phaerion inside a cavernous hangar. The four stood together and were surrounded by technicians while across from them were the Phaerion leaders. One of them gli
ded forward and spoke for the group.
“We have engaged in a fierce debate amongst ourselves whether or not to render aid. Both proponents and opponents of the issue made spirited and logical reasons how we should arrive to our decision. Nevertheless, we have decided to help you.”
Breeze let out a sigh of relief while Sally squealed and clapped her hands.
The Phaerion spokesman raised a hand. “Please keep in mind our aid comes with the understanding that it will be limited at best.”
“What exactly does that entail?” Achilles asked.
“See for yourself.”
A set of doors slid back and the scout ship silently drifted into the hangar and settled down onto its landing gear.
“We have mended your ship to the best of our abilities. We can only accomplish so much with metal, for it’s not a material we have much use for.”
“How do we achieve orbit to intercept the platforms? Our scout ship was stripped long ago of its high altitude capabilities,” Breeze said.
“We understand that,” replied the spokesman, “but we can only do so much.”
“So how exactly do we get to the platform to rescue Oslo?” Ray asked.
“Look carefully and you will see,” the spokesman said.
They all looked, but saw nothing, except for Breeze.
“You understand.” The spokesman looked directly at Breeze.
He nodded. “Yes.”
Sally whispered to him. “What is it?”
Breeze held out a hand and waved it across the scout ship from bow to stern and it responded to him with the same brilliant lightworks he had witnessed from the ship named Aerion on the assembly line. The assemblymen molded a hybrid design of metal and light, attaching it to the undercarriage of the scout ship. Breeze could see how the light spread its tentacles throughout the hull, stiffening and reinforcing the frame and body of the vessel.
“Can everybody see?” Breeze asked his teammates.
They all nodded with awe.
“We had debated long and hard allowing such power in the hands of an amateur such as Breeze,” the spokesman said, “which is why we came to the conclusion that we would not give you one of our lightships. Instead we would graft our technology over yours and create a symbiotic relationship between metal and light.”
The spokesman then addressed them all sternly. “You will have to work together as a team if you wish to succeed in your mission. A good friend waits for your rescue and hopefully is still alive.”
“Don’t say that,” Sally said.
“It is best for the truth to be told. Oslo has been a thorn in their side for many years. He was the last best hope of any real resistance against them.”
Another of the Phaerion hovered towards them. “Using your ship’s propulsion and our light wave, you will approach the upper atmosphere. Upon arrival, you will cut off main power as our light wave will take over and envelope the ship with a cloak and glide it to the platform. You will then synchronize your speed with that of the platform and decide how to best enter it to rescue your friend. We will not and cannot give any further aid.”
“Thank you,” Breeze said.
The Phaerion turned to look at him and began to pulse with light.
“You are very much welcome,” said the spokesman and bowed his head slightly.
Breeze returned the bow with one of his own. He understood the great gift they had been given. It was far more than he expected.
Later that day, the newly refurbished scout ship was pushed out of the hangar and into a cavern that led to the desert. It provided them with shelter from the sun as technicians performed last minute checks.
They all gathered inside the pilot house where Achilles had activated the vid-screens and the holographic projector.
“So we’re supposed to take off with full power and hope that we’re not detected?” Ray said.
“The Phaerion have assured us that they have detected a gap in the Elephims’ defense grid,” Achilles pointed at a holographic projection that showed an array of massive black cylinders in orbit above Earth, “a minor breach if you will, but one that will allow us to slip through. The Phaerion are aware of what I realized long ago; the Elephim are distracted and in disarray. The Phaerion have also been observing and documenting the various platforms and ships that the Elephim employ and have identified the cylinder where Oslo is being held prisoner. They have been more than generous to provide us with detailed schematics of it.”
“What do you think is our best approach?” Breeze asked.
The robot punched up a wire diagram of their ship. “The Phaerion have fitted our vessel with a docking ring that matches the airlock on the platform.” It pointed at a holographic image of the scout ship. On top of it was a ring-like device. “The docking ring will allow us to connect to the extreme lower portion of the platform. From there, we shall ascend to the uppermost levels where Oslo will most likely be found. I have had plenty of experience in dealing with these platforms in the past. I know where the detention levels are located,” the robot added.
“Yeah, Achilles, I have no doubt about that, but how can we be sure we won’t be detected on approach?” Breeze persisted.
“The Phaerion assured us the light wave coursing through the hull will envelope the ship and mask our approach. As for the platforms, they most likely will be automated and devoid of crew, but there will be personnel on some of them, so we dare not use the ship’s sensors.” Achilles pointed at Sally. “This is where you come in.”
“Let me guess, you want me to project into the platform and scan it,” Sally said.
“Do not be frightened, mistress. You have performed this feat in the past and proved yourself during your final training session on the farm. Granted, it did not end well, but this unit believes we have moved on.”
Ray squirmed in his seat.
Achilles continued. “Sally, you will need to scan deck by deck and take inventory of any personnel that may be on board until you reach the detention level. When you locate Oslo, I will exit the scout ship and proceed to the platform’s airlock where I will interface with a control panel adjacent to it and ensure that it will not reject our request for access. I will also bypass any alarms to mask our presence. Ray will loiter behind to guard the ship and prep for our evacuation while Breeze and I shall traverse to Oslo’s location and retrieve him, then return to the ship. We will drift away and descend to a lower orbit for one revolution, possibly two, than begin re-entry into the atmosphere. There are many forests located in the Pacific Northwest where we can land and disappear. We will wait there to ensure that we have not been followed. Once we are certain the Elephim have not tracked our escape, we will proceed to Appalachia for a rendezvous with Raza and Escort.”
Breeze nodded his head. “Sounds like a plan. Let’s do it.” The others agreed.
“Very well then. We know what to do. Let us perform any final tasks and prepare for takeoff. A powerful storm is forecast to arrive by evening and to better mask our ascent, I wish to make a night launch into it and hide within the atmospheric turmoil for a stealthy approach.” Achilles paused to look at the three of them. “I am requesting you to endure much more than you have ever imagined. Not long ago you were all living relatively quiet lives, unaware of the history that preceded you and ignorant of what was currently happening to the world around you. Much has changed. You have lost families, homes, and the lives you knew. Virtually overnight you have been forced to grow up fast. You now find yourself inside a mountain with a robot, planning a rescue mission in space. This is not the typical life of a teenager, but you cannot deny the powers that you possess and the responsibilities that comes with them. You cannot turn your backs to your destinies and return to the lives you have known. Life will always be full of change. It is how you manage to adapt to these changes that will dete
rmine how bright your future will be.”
The trio stood solemnly.
“Now go get some rest. We embark upon our journey at sundown,” Achilles said.
They quietly filed out of the ship.
Achilles watched them leave and it wondered if this was the right thing to do.
But what other choice did they have? The robot asked itself.
It couldn’t find an answer.
THIRTY-ONE
NIGHTTIME ARRIVED ALONG WITH the promised storm. The wind was picking up as they climbed into the scout ship and settled into their seats. The interior lights were dimmed allowing the glow from the cockpit’s electronics to spill out into the cabin.
A gathering of Phaerion stood by to observe their launch. Though they had woven their light wave into the ship, to the untrained eye it could not be seen. It was a question of having the ability to sense it. For Breeze, it was a matter of going into a trance and seeing the energy that coursed through the ship, like blood flowing through veins.
In the cockpit, Ray and Achilles were going through their preflight checklist as the engines spooled up.
Breeze and Sally were seated next to each other in the cabin when they looked out the window and saw the Phaerion standing on the tarmac, eerily illuminated between flashes of lightning, punctuated by the deep rumble of thunder.
Without warning the ship lifted off with a lurch. It hovered for a few seconds, and then accelerated into the ominous night sky.
Sally took his hand and squeezed it. Breeze squeezed back and settled into his seat.
The scout ship rattled and squeaked as they approached the upper reaches of the atmosphere. Rain pelted the hull while vicious lightning crackled around it. Between the flashes of lightning Breeze could see through the window the outlines of the thunderbirds in the distance as their giant wings flapped and fanned the fury of the storm.
Breeze chuckled. The Phaerion were emphatic that they could only offer them limited aid in their quest to rescue Oslo, and yet they unleashed the thunderbirds to help mask their ascent.
Breeze Corinth (Book 1): Sky Shatter Page 58
