by Chris Fox
So he did.
Sixteen minutes later the light bridge finally activated, its clean white light flooding the room. Three figures stood there, and Jordan was surprised to realize he recognized all of them.
He’d expected Trevor. He hadn’t expected the other two.
Jordan recognized Anput from his time at the Ark of the Cradle. She had always been thick as thieves with Trevor, and had served Ra loyally. Her husband, Wepwawet, had been a royal pain in Jordan’s ass.
The last figure was the most welcome, and Jordan moved forward to offer his hand. “You look like hell, Yuri.”
“Eh, not so bad. Just older. Years tough,” Yuri said. He shook Jordan’s hand, his grip as firm as ever. His goatee had patches of grey now, but his hair was still dark and he still wore the same mirrored shades he’d always loved. “Good to see you, Commander.”
“Welcome to the Mother’s Ark,” Jordan said. He released Yuri, and turned to the others. “Unfortunately, our stay here is going to be short. I can’t take you further into the Ark just yet. An order of priests have taken up residence, and it will be simpler if we avoid them. Now, how about someone tell me what the hell just happened in the Nexus?”
“We have a lot to catch up on, Commander.” Anput offered Jordan her hand like she expected him to kiss it. Jordan shook it instead. “I see you’ve grown far more powerful than at our last meeting. Hopefully you can help us win this war, Ark Lord.”
“Which war, exactly?” Jordan asked.
“She’s talking about the Builders,” Trevor supplied. “What she and David call the ‘grey men’.” He gave Jordan a respectful nod, which Jordan grudgingly returned. “We engaged them in the Nexus. They’re tough, but we took down a handful easily enough.”
“This time,” Anput said, frowning. “They are masters of adaptation. We do our best to hide our true capabilities, because every time they see us do something they either counter it or start using it themselves.”
“I need a lot more basic information before I feel qualified to even discuss a war with these grey men,” Jordan said. He folded his arms. “Trevor and I have been gone for five years. He might know some of what’s going on, but I’m still in the dark about a lot of things. Yuri, what happened with Mohn Corp? Is the old man in charge of the Syracuse facility?”
“No.” Yuri frowned, stress lines tightening around his eyes. “Syracuse gone. Old man dead, or worse.”
“What happened?” Jordan asked quietly.
“Nox,” Anput snapped. Her expression suggested that her hatred was personal. “He’s Hades’ chief enforcer. He took Mohn Corp apart in less than three months. His demons hit every facility around the globe, converting or destroying everyone. Everything Mohn had, Hades now has.”
Jordan didn’t like the implications of that at all.
“You’d know Nox by another name,” Anput continued, moderating her tone. “Trevor, I suspect you’ll recognize it too. Nox was once the Director, the most highly trusted member in Mohn’s organization.”
“The Director?” Jordan said. He sat down against the marble wall, slumping to the warm stone. “That’s pretty much the worse news I could have imagined. If he works for Hades, we’re in serious trouble.”
“He’s worked for Hades for five years.” Anput spat. “During that time we’ve lost engagement after engagement. We’ve been powerless, while Hades has made deals across Asia and Africa. He’s building a global army, slowly infecting every leader he meets with demonic taint. They have no idea the cost of the bargain they’re making, and the fools are lining up to sign on. He’s already got Syracuse as a beachhead in North America. Now, he’s set his sights on South America.”
“What does Hades want?” Trevor asked.
“Good question,” Jordan added. “Set seemed unbalanced, but Hades was self-serving. What does he want? Global domination?”
“David was able to intercept some of their recent communications,” Anput said. “They’re after a city, maybe the first city to ever have existed. In that city is something called the Proto Ark. The problem is, we don’t know why they need it.” She brushed a lock of dark hair from her face. “Hades works with the grey men, and we’re guessing that they’re the senior partners in that relationship. They’re mostly holed up in Antarctica, and seem to be letting Hades do the bulk of the work. I’d guess his first order of business is conquering every continent, but that can’t be his end game. He’s proven too intelligent for that.”
“I’m still trying to get a handle on these grey men,” Jordan said. “Are they an immediate threat? If so, are you trying to focus on them or on Hades?” He felt like he needed a flow chart to understand their various enemies.
“David considers the grey men to be the primary threat,” Anput said, “and Project Solaris lacks the resources to go after Hades, even if they did consider him a primary threat. He isn’t, so far as we can tell. He’s self-serving and deceitful, but the grey men are paving the way for the return of the Builders. If they aren’t stopped, we’re going to have to deal with something even Isis and Ra never faced.” She adopted a faraway look. “I’ve had a glimpse into one of their minds. The ones that left Earth before the last ice age are still alive. They make someone like Isis or Osiris look like a child.”
“I can’t even wrap my brain around that,” Trevor murmured. “If these things have had millions of years to get stronger, there’s no way we’re going to be able to stop them. Not without one hell of an advantage.”
“Gaining that advantage is why David sent me,” Anput said. She looked from Jordan to Trevor. “You two are new players, and one of you is the Ark Lord of this continent. With your combined help, we might be able to reach this Proto Ark before they do.”
“Maybe,” Jordan said, and shook his head. “The tactical situation in Peru is grim. Brazil is encroaching on both the northern and southern border. There’s a whole lot of deathless packing a whole lot of weaponry, and every last one wants Peru to burn to the ground. I’m not sure I can go haring off into the jungle. These people need me.”
“Your concern for these people is laudable, but you have to realize what’s at stake. Jordan, something came before the Arks,” Anput said. “From what we understand, the Builders were the dominant race some 2.3 million years ago. They were far more advanced than humanity, and they built a city that housed the bulk of their culture. This was long before they created the Arks, perhaps hundreds of thousands of years. Eventually, for whatever reason, they built an Ark on every continent. Their numbers fell dramatically, until there were only a handful remaining.”
“Why did they build the Arks?” Trevor asked. “Their placement doesn’t appear random. Why were they constructed in the first place?”
“David has a theory,” Anput allowed. “I haven’t been able to substantiate it. He believes they built the Arks as a transmission network. When they decided to leave they beamed themselves to their new world as light, using the Arks.”
“That’s the light pulses David was talking about?” Trevor asked.
“Yes, it sounds like you witnessed them,” Anput said.
“Yeah,” Jordan said, nodding. He turned back to Trevor. “It was right after the CME, maybe a month or two later. The Ark beamed something into the sky, and we had no idea what or why. Is that what you’re talking about?”
“That’s it exactly,” Anput said, soberly. “In that case, the grey men were beaming information. Information the Builders now have. In the distant past, we think they may have beamed their own consciousnesses.”
“So this Proto Ark,” Jordan broke in. “Assuming it still exists, where is it exactly, and what is it you think having it will do for us?”
“We believe the Proto Ark is located somewhere in the Amazon Jungle,” Anput said. “That’s backed up by the fact that Nox was recently sighted in Brazil, and that Brazil has launched a massive offensive into the jungle. They know the Proto Ark is there, and they’re searching for it. We don’t know everythin
g it can do, but the fact that they want it should be enough.”
“It’s enough for me,” Trevor said. “Jordan?”
“It’s too thin. I can’t leave on a hunch,” Jordan finally said. “If this place is a threat, I need to know how.”
“How about this, then?” Anput asked. “The staff that Isis used, the Primary Access Key? Both that and its mate were created at the Proto Ark. If the grey men are able to make another, then they’ll be able to seize control of the entire Ark network. They’d be able to circumvent the security Isis put into place. Even were they not, do we really want them to be able to create access keys? Even a few would be enough to end the war instantly.”
“Okay,” Jordan said. “You’ve convinced me of the gravity of the situation. We need to get to the Proto Ark before they do.” He gave a grim smile. “I think we can make that happen. I know just the person who can help us.”
Chapter 22- Tricked
The Great Bear lumbered towards the colorful tent nestled atop a rise overlooking a nameless glacial lake. By day, its waters were the bluest thing he’d ever seen, though they were painted black under the heavy moon. The tent was bright yellow, visible from miles off. Yosemite could hear a single heartbeat coming from inside that tent.
“Awaken, child of man,” the Great Bear roared. He rose to his full height, three times that of a tall man. His voice was thunderous, but he shattered a foot thick pine to punctuate it. “Rise, and be judged.”
The heartbeat quickened, and then one of the wonderful zippers these moderns had invented began to unzip. The flap fell, and a woman emerged from the tent. She stared impassively at Yosemite, seemingly unconcerned by her impending death.
“What do you want, old Bear?” The woman’s voice was crusted with age.
“Why have you come to the roof of the world? There is nothing for your kind here. Before I kill you, I would know your purpose.” The Bear lumbered within easy reach of the woman, yet she did not flee.
“These lands used to belong to my people,” she explained. “My tribe is called the Miwok. I figured I’m going to die soon, so I may as well do it somewhere pretty.”
“You are of the Awanechee?” he rumbled, bending to sniff her. “Your legends tell you of the Great Bear?”
“That’s right. The Awanechee came before the Miwok, but we’re the same stock. Our legends tell of the Great Bear.” She rubbed her gloved hands together to ward the chill. “They say that you were called Yosemite, a chieftain of your people, and that you earned your name by slaying a grizzly. Of course, those legends seem like they were off. They said you were a man, once.”
“Your tales hit near enough the mark,” the Bear replied. “I was born a bear, the largest to roam the mountains you call the Sierras. One day, a woman came to me. I attacked her, as I would any other human. She was prey, or so I thought. That woman became a wolf, and bested me. I was forced to retreat, but she followed. When she caught me she healed my wounds.”
“You’re talking about the earth mother.” She nodded in recognition, waving for him to continue.
“Yes, the same. The earth mother changed me. She used her magics to shape me into a man. I was able to think as a man, to appear as a man.” Yosemite moved to sit near the woman, his form still dwarfing her. “But I am not a man. I am Bear.”
“Well, Bear, if you’re going to kill me, get on with it,” the woman taunted. “It’s mighty cold, and I’m tired of listening to you yammer.”
Inexplicable anger burst to life, coloring the Bear’s vision. He roared, lunging for the woman. She made no move to flee, smiling as he took her life.
The Bear tore off a hunk of flesh, wolfing it down. He lost himself in the feeding, completely unprepared for the burst of scarlet light that came from the corpse.
He snorted, pawing at his nose as he backed away from the meal. His eyes itched, and his head hurt.
A thin, reedy voice sounded within the Bear’s head. It was high, like the mountain wind. He’d not heard it in seasons uncounted. You are a fool, old Bear.
“Windigo,” Yosemite growled. He rose slowly to his feet, peering around the snowy ravine. “Show yourself, trickster.”
I can’t do that, I’m afraid. Windigo taunted.
The Bear remembered the Mother speaking into his mind, and Ahiga had once done the same. Yet Windigo was no Ka-Dun.
“Where are you, demon?” the Bear roared. He spun around, still searching. Perhaps Windigo was in the shadows, somewhere. Like a Ka-Ken.
I was in the woman, you fool. When you consumed her, you opened yourself to me. Now I am in your mind. Already I am overpowering your defenses, and each time you sleep I will control your body.
“No,” the Bear said. He turned in a frantic circle, still trying to locate Windigo.
I tricked you, Bear. Windigo’s laugher echoed in the Bear’s head.
“What do you want, trickster?” the Bear demanded.
You will leave these mountains, making your way toward the city that men call Santa Rosa.
“Why would I do anything you ask?”
Because I will kill every one of your children while you sleep. There are few enough bears in these mountains as it is. If you want to save your children, start walking west. Stay, and I’ll ensure that your species is eradicated.
Chapter 23- Summons
Blair briefly surveyed San Francisco from his perch atop Mount Burdell. He was about thirty miles north of the city, but he could be there in a few heartbeats. He could blaze through the deathless, extinguishing every last one of the lights.
Part of him longed to do that. Melissa certainly deserved it, after what she’d done to Angel Island. She could have come clean and told them. He’d have respected her for it.
That would have been most unwise on her part, Ka-Dun. You’d have slain her out of hand, and she knew it.
That was probably true. He would have killed her, and even if he hadn’t Liz certainly would have. So, in a way, he couldn’t blame Melissa for not telling him.
He could blame her for doing it in the first place, but now wasn’t the time for vengeance. He’d meant what he said to Trev. He needed to get home, to Santa Rosa. It was time to rebuild, not to pick fights.
Blair turned from San Francisco, staring north. Below him lay Petaluma, golden hills forming a valley where dozens of farms had once lain. Most of that land was fallow now, reclaimed to some extent by nature. He could feel the minds prowling the darkness down there: dogs, coyotes, and a few foxes. They watched for threats, ready to alert their human allies if they found deathless.
He blurred from his perch, soaring down the mountainside to the valley below. Blair landed in a crouch, then bounded into the air. He flitted from building to building, the miles rolling by as he made his way closer to Santa Rosa. The wind tore at his fur, but he reveled in it.
High above, the full moon shone down, feeding him a trickle of power. That, too, felt good, though he didn’t need it with so much more power readily available from the Ark.
Several minutes later, Blair reached Santa Rosa. The dark houses stood like tombs. He could hear heartbeats in a few, but most were empty. It would take decades to repopulate, assuming the world was able to go that long without yet another apocalypse.
Rebuilding was daunting, but if Alicia could shoulder the burden, so could he and Liz.
Blair blurred up Fountaingrove Parkway, leaping up the hillside to land near Alicia’s house. He could sense Liz inside. Blair slowed, pausing outside the front door. He shifted back to human form then rapped three times. Several moments later he heard footsteps on the stairs—two pairs. The door opened to reveal Alicia, her long dark hair in a simple ponytail.
“You came back,” Alicia said. She motioned for him to enter, giving a brief smile.
“You sound surprised,” Blair said, hugging her as he stepped into the unfurnished home. “I was just exchanging news with the other Ark Lords we know.”
“What’s that stench?” Liz asked. She cr
inkled her nose in disgust.
“Oh, yeah, I guess I did get some goo on me,” Blair said. Dark green blood had spattered all over his chest fur. He shifted back to human form, and the spots remained. They smelled like sour milk.
“Explain.” Liz raised a copper eyebrow.
“All right, but let’s do it outside so I don’t stink up the house.” Blair agreed. He walked to the back deck, opening the door and stepping outside. The others followed. “I met with Trevor and Jordan. Apparently, our use of the Ark communication network alerted the Progeny of the Builders, and possibly the other Ark Lords. We were warned by a guy named David who worked for something called Project Solaris. He claims that before the end of the world he’d been abducted by aliens that he calls the grey men. He was one of thousands of experiments.”
“What kind of experiments?” Alicia asked, rather dubiously.
“The kind that gave them the ability to shape.” Blair leaned against the wooden railing. He stripped off his goop-covered shirt, setting it on the railing. The cool wind felt good on his bare skin. “I saw some of what he can do, and I don’t think he was lying.”
“So where did the blood come from?”
“The grey men sent a scouting party when they realized someone was using the Nexus,” Blair explained. “We took care of them. No casualties. Trevor is fine.” He knew that was what Liz would most want to know. “They wanted me to go with them to South America to talk further about the threat, but I told them we have our own problems to deal with.”
Alicia and Liz shared a look that Blair didn’t much like.
“What?” he said.
“We received a messenger just a few minutes ago,” Liz said. She bit her lip. “From Melissa. She says that the Lords of Silicon Valley want to meet in person to discuss a possible treaty.”
