“What about that machine of yours?” River chimed in. “What’s the scoop on that? And where is it right now anyway?”
“I don’t know its present location exactly. But I activated its cloaking device and set it on its remote mode. It’s been keeping up with us and traveling through terrain that would better accommodate its larger size. As for the mech itself, we call it the Gladiator. It’s the most advanced fighting mech human kind has ever made.”
“What about its cloaking device? And that sword we saw?” Colonel Brown asked.
“I’m afraid that’s classified. And it is technology that only approved and supervised persons should possess.” Agent Law glared at Victor.
Victor casually ignored her and sat beside a wall with his helmet beside him.
The technology on the Gladiator… Jack realized. It’s almost the same as what Victor uses.
“Davidson,” Brown began slowly, “is she trying to say that you stole their technology?”
Victor took a swig from a canteen and slammed it back on the ground, sending a splash of water to the ground. “If the all-powerful 'Agency’ thought the technology was so sensitive and special, I wouldn’t have been able to swipe it from their transport that just happened to be near my vacation home.”
There was silence, tense energy crackling between him and Law. No one spoke. She held her back straight and glared down at him. He sneered back at her, hand on his battle-worn helmet with pride.
Something snapped in the bushes, and their squabble was cut short as everyone went on full alert.
“Vade,” Agent Law whispered as her eyes darted across the area, “You have the best scanners. Do you see anything?”
Jack raised his hands and activated his scanning beams. The scanning had barely started when a piercing pain shot through his arms. He cried out and clutched them to his chest.
“What’s wrong with him?” one of the soldiers with short blonde hair asked.
“He’s being attacked by a Ribiyar virus,” Brown answered as he glanced over at Jack, sympathizing with his pain. “He’s been fighting it off, so he could help with thi-”
“You’re saying that he is infected. With an alien virus, that’s spreading through him?” Law demanded, almost shouting. She suddenly turned her head at Jack and wiped her rifle toward him. “In that case, we need to take him out. Now.”
The rest of the task force drew their weapons in suit. Law’s soldiers whipped theirs out with equal speed and stood deathly still.
“Alright,” Victor said, chuckling as his hand hovered over the Phantom Blade handle on his belt. “I was wondering when your true colors would finally show.”
Jack, still trying to recover from the pain, stayed still but faced Law without fear.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Colonel Brown shouted.
“He’s a risk!" Law shouted back. “One we can’t keep around. The fate of the world is at stake here.” She adjusted her aim, her gun now pointed straight at Jack's head. “I’m sorry Vade. I don’t want to hurt you, but I don’t have a-”
“You’re crazy if you think I’ll let you,” Brown barked.
Blitz’s eyes glowed crimson and he shifted in front of Jack, standing to protect his master. The other E.V.A.N.s moved around the soldiers as well, waiting to strike.
“The virus hasn’t made any attempt to take control of him,” Brown continued. “It’s destroying him like a cancer. And if you shoot him, I’m going to shoot you, which will cause your soldiers to kill us, my people kill you, and our furry friends to finish you all off. Odds are only a small handful of us will make it out alive, which greatly lessens our chances for getting what we need from the Ribiyar base.”
Brown shifted his footing and breathed out, waiting.
“Well?”
The two sides were at a standstill and the seconds seemed to crawl.
“Your orders, Agent Law?” The soldier closest to her asked cautiously.
Law pressed her eyes shut.
“Director,” she finally called out, “what’s your call?”
Director? Jack thought. Who is she talking to?
A moment later, she slowly lowered her weapon.
“Alright.” She glanced at the soldier behind her. “Agent Carton, everyone, stand down.”
Slowly, Carton and the other soldiers lowered their weapons, and Jack’s team did as well. Seeing the threat had lessened, the animals lost the blood-lust in their eyes but still watched them sharply.
Law glanced at Brown. “I will defer to your judgement on this. He’s your man.”
“Thank you,” Brown said, letting out a deep breath. He lowered his weapon, signaling everyone else to do the same. “No need for things to get messy.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” Victor grumbled as he plodded back down on his seat and took a huge bite of his protein bar.
After another tense half-minute, Jack returned his attention back to the jungle, sure that whatever had made the noise was long gone by now. He closed his eyes in frustration. He was grateful that his team had backed him up, but it was becoming increasing apparent that this computer virus would soon result in his death.
One way or another.
Chapter 16
Date: July 14, 2132
Location: Southern Africa
The bright light from the moon gently reflected off of her dark blond hair as Agent Law perched on a branch high above the ground. Her weapon rested in her lap, ready at a moment's notice.
“The message has been sent, as you requested,” a male voice spoke into her hidden earbud. “It was heavily encrypted and its transmission origin scrambled.”
She nodded slightly, knowing the voice couldn’t have seen her gesture. Or then again, maybe he could.
“And you included the authorization codes I gave you?” she softly asked.
“Of course. The Defenders, as they call themselves, will know it’s from Colonel Brown’s team. The survivors they found will get their transportation to safety.”
A small, content grin appeared on Law’s face. “Thank you, Director Carr. And Vade… I didn’t trust that his broadcast wouldn’t be compromised, even though he claimed otherwise.”
“Of course, Agent Law,” Carr responded.
“Director,” she began but hesitated, unsure of how to phrase the question. “Why did you insist that I keep him alive? He’s an obvious and explicit threat to the mission and our survival. And you want to keep him around because…?”
“Because at this current juncture, it is the right thing to do. You’re not going to earn these people’s trust by showing up and shooting one of their men point blank. And as Colonel Brown mentioned, this virus hasn’t shown any indication of trying to override his control.”
“So far,” Law stressed.
“Precisely. And should those signs surface, I trust that you and your team are more than capable to deal with the threat.”
“Agent Law?” a voice called from down below her.
Looking down, she saw Agent Fenwick Henderson, a younger man with neatly combed hair, standing at the base of the tree. Hoisting her weapon strap over her head and moving the pistol to her back, she slipped off the branch and swung from several others on her way down, gently landing on her feet.
“Yes, Agent Henderson?”
His eyebrows raised slightly from her acrobatics display, Henderson said, “Agent Carton wanted me to tell you that he and some of the others are taking perimeter around the rock face, pairing up in groups of two. He told us to be the first to get some sleep so we’ll be rested for the second shift of guard duty.”
Law nodded. “Good idea.”
“Agent Law,” Henderson continued as they walked back to the rock face. “We’re going to make it out of here okay, aren’t we?”
Law’s gaze drifted from him to Vade, who still sat quietly in his place unde
r the rock.
Like a lion hiding among the flock of sheep.
“Of course, Agent Henderson,” Law said as she turned back to him, forcing a reassuring grin onto her face. “We’re all going to be just fine.”
Security sweep complete. Area clear of hostiles. Returning to staging ground.
Moving as quietly as a whisper in the wind, Blitz crept through the tall grass. He was making his way back to the others when his ears perked up with a sound ahead of him.
“Agent Law,” a voice quietly lifted out of the silence. “We’re going to make it out of here okay, aren’t we?”
Blitz crawled forward and saw a man walking towards the rocks, accompanied by a woman.
The woman.
The woman that pointed a gun at my master’s head.
His eyes flickered to its crimson hue, and he felt a surge of energy as he prepared to take her down.
Action not permitted. order not issued. Stand down. Immediately.
The restrictive programming flashed in his mind, the invisible leash that kept him in control. Even still, Blitz pressed against it, as the protective cover on his front right arm over the machine gun started to lift up.
Action not permitted. Stand down. Cease hostile movements.
The cover over his weapon was now completely moved aside, and the weapon barrel rose.
Action not permitted.
The weapon’s barrel began to spin, moments from letting a reign of bullets free.
But just before he fired, an image flashed in his head. His first master, laid against a wall, his life blood leaking onto his war-torn uniform. Master’s face grew closer as he approached and gently put a paw against his right arm.
“Blitz,” his master spoke, “listen to me. You… have a new mission. You are to protect… Jack Vade… at all costs, and he is to… be your new master. Do… you understand?”
Master…
Current Master, Jack vade, has not authorized offensive action. Disengage. now.
Fighting for a moment more, Blitz finally surrendered against his governing programming. His weapon retracted and his eyes lost its crimson hue.
“Of course, Agent Henderson,” the woman said as she continued walking with the man toward the others under the rock. “We’re all going to be just fine.”
Staying put until they took their places near the edge of the rock, Blitz continued his walk, exiting the grass. He made his way over to his new master, silently leaning against the rock wall as he rested. An image of his old master in a similar position crept into his memory once more, but he shook his head to banish the thought. He gently laid down next to his master, curling beside him. Blitz moved his tail over some of his master’s leg in an effort to keep him warm.
You will be fine, master, Blitz declared as he rested his head against his master's leg and closed his eyes.
I will make sure of that.
Chapter 17
Date: July 15, 2132
Location: Aboard the Atlantis, at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean
Lexton awoke with a start, sitting up quickly. The fast movement made her side flare up in pain and she slowly laid herself back down. She remembered her injuries and gingerly brought her hand to her side. Though she felt some stitches on her wounds, she gently pushed against them and realized the shards had successfully been removed, with thick bandages pressing against an operating gown she had been changed into.
Another day in the life of yours truly.
“Take it easy,” a soft voice called from the other side of the room.
She turned her head and saw the silver-haired doctor who had given her the sleeping medication before she lost consciousness.
“You’ve been asleep for about eight hours. I was able to get all of the metal out of you, but it was a very extensive surgery, and it will take some time for you to heal up the rest of the way.”
Lexton warily leaned away from him as she studied his light blue eyes, remembering what she had seen. Or… what I thought I saw…
“Is something wrong?” the man asked, rubbing his hands over his head. “It’s the hair, isn’t it? It’s common in my family to have this rare color when we’re so young. Don’t worry; it’s not from a disease or anything.”
His concern about his hair made her chuckle and dispelled her worries enough to calm her down.
“There’s nothing wrong with your hair. In fact, I think it looks good.” She extended her right hand as she tried to bite down a wave of pain from the movement. “Sorry we had to meet this way. I’m Gabrielle Lexton.”
The man took her hand and shook it gently. “Elijah, at your service. Are you new here? I haven’t seen you here before, and I thought we’d already taken in the last of the refugee transports.”
She shook her head. “I’m not a civilian. I’m part of a group called the Defenders. We’re a military force fighting the Ribiyar and I’m here to help get Atlantis ready for battle.”
Elijah chuckled dryly. “A marvelous idea. But I doubt Acting President Hunter will agree. From what I've heard, he’s been hard-bent on getting Earth in our rear-view mirrors.” He held up a grey uniform and footwear. “I brought this for you to change into. I know those gowns can make patients uncomfortable.” He handed her the clothes and started to walk away. “I’ll put away some supplies in the other room and give you a chance to change.”
As he exited the room, she slowly sat up and finally got a good look at her surroundings as she slowly changed on the table. The room was made of the blue metal she had seen elsewhere on the ship. It was circular and fairly spacious, with a good number of stretchers laid out next to a lot of cutting-edge medical equipment, some of which she didn’t even recognize. At two sides of the room, there were more doors, but the one to her left was closed tight.
“What’s in there?” Lexton asked when Elijah came back in and she tried to get off the table and stand up.
“Easy there,” Elijah said as he helped her stand. “You’re going to be weak for a while. I’d prescribe a day of rest, but under these circumstances, we’ll have to make do with some painkillers. And as for that room… that’s where they’re keeping the president.”
She coughed in surprise at the news. “The President is in there?”
Elijah nodded. “Yeah. He’s not conscious though and hasn’t been his whole time here. He was being escorted from the White House when the Ribiyar hit Washington, and he was ambushed. Some debris hit him in the head, knocking him out, and only Vice President Hunter survived other than him. Hunter was the one who managed to hold the Ribiyar off before they were rescued.”
“Is he okay though? When do you think he’ll wake up?”
“He’s just about healed, but he’s not showing any signs of waking up. There’s no telling how long he’ll be asl-”
He was cut off when an alarm suddenly blared, the loud noise reverberating in Lexton's bones. Elijah rushed to a display on the wall and quickly glanced over the data. The color vanished from his face and he froze at the console.
“What is it? Is the power core overloading?”
Elijah shook his head slowly. “It’s the Ribiyar. They’ve found us.”
Chapter 18
Date: July 15, 2132
Location: Aboard the Ribiyar Warship Ji’Co, in orbit of Earth
“High Order Ki’Ra, I have news to report,” Stealth Combatant Mi’Kel announced.
Mi’Kel stood in the Battle Coordination Hall, accompanied by several dozen other Ribiyar soldiers and commanders who were spread around the room. He pressed his left arm against the pedestal before him and his data module inserted into the port and connected him to the room’s systems. He displayed a hologram in the middle of the three-story room, showing the remains of Ribiyar soldiers in the jungles of Africa.
“Though our forces have been virtually unopposed within this area of the planet be
cause of the level of technology the organics possess, our entire squadron was inexplicably wiped out in a recent confrontation.”
“How could they have been overrun?” Ki’Ra demanded from his pedestal on the upper level.
“It appears that they are receiving assistance from the organics that claimed Holding Facility Tri’La. Additionally, it appears that some of them were using advanced stealth technology, which is not consistent with their current level of development.”
“They are receiving help from another organic species?” Ki’Ra questioned.
“Uncertain. As of now, this is the only instance of such wide-spread advancement. There has not been any evidence of another species’ assistance, perhaps beside the warrior known as ‘The Guardian’.”
Video feeds played on the holograms, showing the warrior taking down Ribiyar soldiers with great success.
“His origin is unknown," Mi'Kel continued, “but he has proven effective against our soldiers and is made of material that rivals our own in strength. There has been no confirmation whether the Guardian is an advanced suit of armor, something that is, again, out of these organics' technological reach, if it is a sentient automaton such as ourselves, or a mech piloted remotely. We do know from intel recovered from our fallen warriors that he survived multiple confrontations with the Lit’tra, albeit narrowly.”
Just then, a door opened behind Mi’Kel, and Telcon Zan’Tar rushed forward.
“Stealth Combatant,” Zan’Tar whispered, “I have urgent information for you.”
Mi’Kel raised his right arm, and Zan’Tar inserted his data module. Their minds linked, the transfer of information taking less than a second, and they quickly disconnected.
“High Order, I’ve just received news that a patrol of soldiers has located an organic vessel at the bottom of one of the liquid masses, and they are moving in to engage. Do you wish for reinforcements to be dispatched?”
“Negative,” Ki’Ra responded. “Inform them to gather what intelligence that they can and destroy whatever they are able to. We will analyze what they send us and then plan our next actions.”
Galactic Defenders- Perseverance Page 10
