by Chris Fox
“As you wish.” Davina studied him for long moments, so Jordan took the opportunity to do the same. Davina’s grandmotherly exterior was backed by the toughest steel. “You’ve placed us all in a very difficult predicament, Jordan. Did you realize that?” Davina asked mildly.
He noticed that she’d dropped the Ark Lord.
“I apologize for that. I know our arrival was unexpected, but we really didn’t have a choice. If the grey men and Hades want this city, then we need to deny it to them. That means getting the city fortified for battle.” Jordan knew it sounded desperately inadequate.
“This place is fortified for battle. We have over two score of the toughest champions on this continent. What is it, exactly, that you think will enable an enemy to breach this city?” Davina asked. Hard eyes locked onto Jordan. Her jovial expression melted. “That’s assuming they were even able to find the city, which I assure you they cannot. Unless your friends are here to reveal the location.”
“I found it,” Jordan pointed out. “You’re also assuming that there’s nothing out there that can deal with forty plus champions. I assure you, there are things that could sweep aside this defensive force in a matter of hours.”
“You’re no doubt referring to Nox, and his puppet Camiero,” Davina said. The matron seemed unconcerned. “If you think we fear him, then you are a fool. Nox has his armies clearing jungle in a futile effort to find this place. Every day we pick off troops.”
“Yeah, and I’ll bet you’re losing troops too,” Jordan countered. He shook his head, sadly. “You think you’ve got a handle on this situation, but I promise that you don’t. If Hades is coming for this place, he’ll hit it with overwhelming force. Not just deathless, but demons. Stuff you haven’t had to deal with. If Nox really took apart Mohn Corp, he can back all that up with the most sophisticated technology in the world. He’s funded by a god that Isis herself was wary of. Do you really think that’s worth treating lightly?”
“You mistake my intent, Jordan.” Davina sipped her drink calmly. “I am not treating it lightly, I’m simply saying that we’re beyond his reach. No matter how powerful he is, he cannot harm what he cannot find. You’ve shown me nothing to prove that he has the means to locate this place. Or is there something you wish to tell me?”
“No, there isn’t. And it’s your call whether you mount a defense, I just want you apprised of the facts. So let’s ignore the imminent threat for now.” Jordan knew he wasn’t changing the matron’s mind; might as well see what else he could accomplish. “How about my friends? You’ve got them locked up. How and when do we sort out what’s going to happen with them?”
“The council meeting will be starting in less than an hour,” Davina said. The corners of her mouth were turned down in the kind of frown Elia would have envied.
“I thought you already had your meeting. Awa said that he was leaving for the council meeting,” Jordan protested. He folded his arms, forcing even breaths. He couldn’t afford to lose his temper, not now.
I disagree Ka-Dun. These are champions. They respect strength. Take her position for your own.
Jordan knew it wasn’t that simple, or he’d have already done exactly that. A hostile takeover wasn’t going to work, and would only weaken them when they most needed strength.
“We met to plan the trial itself,” Davina said. “That trial will be held in full view of every sister and brother, so they may witness justice taking its course.” She took another sip, eyeing Jordan distastefully. “That trial will be held this evening, just after moonrise.”
“Then I guess we’re done here,” Jordan said. He rose to his feet. “I don’t know why you dislike me so much, and I have to be honest. I don’t much care. You and I want the same thing, Davina. We want to see this city—and your people—survive. You might think I’m being overly paranoid. You might think I’m power-hungry, or whatever the hell else you believe about my motives. I don’t much care. We need each other, and the sooner you realize that the more of our people will survive what’s coming.”
“Goodbye, Ark Lord. I believe this will be the last time we meet, and that after the council meeting you may find your short stay in the Holy City at an end,” Davina said. She also rose to her feet, seemingly unperturbed by the relative difference in heights. Jordan towered over her, in human form at least. “When that time comes, I urge you toward restraint. If you try to resist, you will find that your abilities avail you little here. We are also powerful, and we’ve learned more than you can imagine about shaping.”
“Davina, you’re one of the least intimidating adversaries I’ve had to deal with. I’ll extend the same courtesy you’ve offered me, a warning.” Jordan leaned forward, lowering his voice to a near-whisper. “If you threaten the safety of this city, none of your fancy toys, none of the shaping tricks you’ve learned, none of your allies will save you. I’ll put you down, Davina. I’ll put down anyone and everyone I have to, so if you pronounce that judgment be ready for a fight.”
Chapter 61- Human
Trevor raised a hand, deftly spinning the hologram. It moved to a different fragment of DNA, what Anput kept referring to as helixes. Ba hovered nearby, eyes scrunched as it observed Trevor’s work.
“I believe Anput’s assertion is accurate,” Ba said. “Changing this segment would likely affect the subject’s ability to shape. This gene is present in all strains of the virus you’ve provided. However, its interactions with nineteen other genes are slightly different in every case. Slight modifications to this gene will almost certainly trigger unpredictable results.”
“Not necessarily unpredictable,” Anput countered. She tapped lightly on her glasses, lips pursed as her eyes shifted between the various strains. “We know the capabilities of each strain, and we know the desired end result.” Anput pointed at the last of the DNA sequences, the one that differed the most from all the others. “David’s DNA was modified by the grey men to allow him to interface with Builder technology. That’s, unsurprisingly, the same reason I believe Hades would seek this city. If they can find a way to control Builder technology, they can seize full control of the Nexus, and find the Black Knight satellite.”
“And you want to get that ability first,” Trevor said. He didn’t understand enough about genetics to see the patterns that Anput casually understood, but the concepts weren’t that hard to understand.
“Doesn’t that make sense? We lost one of the keys when the First Ark detonated. You’re young, and can’t really understand what an incredible blow that is—far greater than losing Isis herself.” Anput turned to face Trevor, her oval face bathed in the blue glow of the hologram. “If we could manufacture deathless with the ability to become Primary Access Keys, we could guarantee victory in this war against the Builders. They know that, too, which is why I think they’re seeking the same thing. Hades isn’t stupid.”
“I get it. I’m not stupid either. I did see Blair wield that thing. It’s a potent weapon.” Trevor tried to stifle his irritation, but it was difficult. Being cooped up in here was wearing on him, and throwing himself into work he barely understood wasn’t much help.
“You don’t get it.” Anput removed her glasses and began to pace. “Blair used the staff in the most blunt force way. It is capable of incredibly intricate shaping, especially when linked to a nearby Ark. You can destroy an Army with a thought. Reshape an entire species, every member within a hundred miles.”
Trevor was a bit taken aback. “Okay, I can see the importance. We have to get there first.” He turned to Ba. “Can you replicate David’s segments in all nineteen affected genes?”
“Of course,” Ba said. His large eyes closed, then opened a moment later. “Done. I’ve modified the current template to include the requested change. However, I would caution against using the mutagen in its current form. It is likely to have very detrimental effects. It might be wise to conduct tests on other lifeforms before risking your own helixes.”
“Perhaps we can test it on me,” P
ercy’s shaky voice came from the shadows against one wall. He rose haltingly to his feet, leaning heavily on his cane as he limped into the light. “I don’t appear to have much time in any case.”
Anput frowned at Percy. “It’s highly unlikely you’ll survive. Most people exposed to any strain of the virus simply die, or don’t come back with the capacity for real intelligence. An unstable version? It would disintegrate your helixes.”
“What would you suggest then, Lady Anput? Should I resign myself to an ignoble end? Testing this virus would contribute to science in a small but measurable way. I am first and foremost a scientist, just as you are. Let me contribute.” Percy rested against one of the pedestals, regaining a bit of color.
“We don’t have anything to test just yet,” Anput said. “We’ve got a lot more simulations to run before I’m comfortable testing anything on anyone. When we reach that phase, we can decide if we want to allow Percy to test it.”
Trevor focused on the hologram again. “Ba, given the differences between all viruses, can you extrapolate any possible side effects?”
“The mutagen will likely exhibit entirely different side effects for each being exposed,” Ba said. “If given to a normal human, that human is unlikely to survive. If they do, they’d likely be very similar to the original subject. The altered helixes would allow the subject to shape in a variety of ways, and to further modify their helixes as desired. However, this ability could be extremely dangerous. Some modifications could terminate the subject. Even if they do not, such radical alterations will often send a body into shock. This shock can trigger systemic failure.”
“He’s right,” Anput said. She played with a lock of hair, her gaze fixed on David’s DNA. “The amount of energy needed to shape is immense. If the subject has the same kind of adaptation David does, that could explain why it took the grey men so much testing to create a viable subject. It could also explain why they haven’t been able to duplicate their work with him, so far as we know.”
“Just so I’m clear,” Trevor said, “a normal human that survived the process could modify how they shape. This could make their shaping stronger, but their bodies aren’t equipped to process that much energy. That about sum it up?”
If you consumed the right kind of human mind you wouldn’t need to feel this ignorant, his risen taunted. Your squeamishness limits you in countless ways, and you know that Anput would agree.
“It mirrors my understanding, Sir Gregg.” Percy dabbed at his mouth with his handkerchief. The gesture had become reflexive. “I still do not fully understand this shaping you go on about, or who these ‘grey men’ fellows are. What I do understand is that I’m not of any use to anybody if I am dead. Please create whatever this pill is so I can take whatever—what did you say it was called?”
“Mutagen,” Ba provided.
“Yes, this mutagen. I’d say create it, and I will take it,” Percy continued. He seemed to gain strength as he spoke, driven by pure hope. “If it doesn’t work, why simply put my body in one of those—” Percy turned to Ba. “What did you call the strange man-sized tubes in the basement?”
“Reclamation chambers.” Ba said. The hologram seemed pleased to answer. “I begin to see what potential subject Percy has planned. If the mutagen is unsuccessful, he could be placed into a state of suspended animation until a shaper of sufficient skill was able to modify the mutagen in the appropriate way.”
“Precisely, my short green friend, precisely.” Percy attempted to clap the hologram on the back, and seemed puzzled when his hand passed through.
“I’m on board with letting him take it,” Trevor said. He turned to Anput. “What do you think?”
“It’s his life.” Anput shrugged. “It will probably take at least several hours to come up with a set of modifications that take every possibility into account. I can do a lot of that on my own, but I need space to think. Interruptions are catastrophic to creativity. That’s one of your era’s more insightful quotes.”
She bent to one of the pedestals, and Trevor took the hint. He helped Percy to his feet.
“Let’s go examine those tubes,” he suggested. “I want to make sure we understand the sequence needed to freeze you, if necessary.”
Chapter 62- Calculated Risk
Jordan removed his sunglasses as he stepped inside the temple’s shaded corridor. He’d needed them for the glare, which he suspected was artificial. The domed sky was too white, the sunlight not quite right.
It made him uneasy, and he was happy to leave it for the cooler confines of the temple.
“You realize that the council will react very poorly when they hear that we’ve entered this place,” Leti said. Her tone was disapproving, but she’d stepped inside just the same. “It will destroy what little chance we have of swaying them to help us.”
“I know,” Jordan replied. He kept walking, and waited until Leti followed before he spoke again. “Respectfully, your council is impotent. They’re too busy bickering over power to see a real threat. They think they have Nox right where they want him, but I know him. The Director always has a plan. We might not see it coming, but the blow is coming. We need to be ready.”
“And how does coming to this place make us ready?” Leti asked. She grabbed him by the arm, stopping him. “Listen to me, Jordan. I have sacrificed everything to support you, because I believe that is what the Mother wants. I deserve to know what you are thinking.”
“You’re right.” Jordan paused, shoving down the surge of guilt. They’d nearly reached the makeshift prison’s control room, but were still far enough off that he doubted their conversation would be overheard. He turned to Leti. “I’m sorry. In the military we learned to give and accept orders without question. Command rarely explains themselves to subordinates.”
“I am not your subordinate.” Leti’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “I support you, but I do not serve you.”
“I know,” Jordan said, maybe a tad quicker than he might have with a less angry Ka-Ken. “I’m not suggesting you’re a subordinate. I’m just used to dealing with them in combat situations, and I have a feeling this is about to become one.”
“Do you really believe this Nox is that dangerous? It took us weeks to find this city, and we had advantages no demon will possess.”
Leti’s anger seemed to have ebbed, and Jordan relaxed a hair.
“Far, far more dangerous than you can imagine,” Jordan explained. “The Director, Mark, was the finest strategist I’ve ever seen. He was always a dozen moves ahead of his enemies, and even when he made a mistake he usually turned it into an advantage. Now? He’s got powers we can’t even guess at. He’ll find this place. I’m actually a little surprised he hasn’t already.”
Leti released his arm. “You were going to tell me why coming here would help us prepare,” she prodded.
“The Director is incredible, and there’s only one other person I’ve met that might approach his level. Every damned time I’ve gone up against Trevor, he’s pulled ahead somehow. I don’t know what he can do to help, but I’m damned well going to bring him into the loop. That will piss off the council, but they don’t really have the power to stop me.” Jordan gestured at the control room. “Shall we?”
“Very well. I’m unsure if your friend is worth risking the council’s ire for, but we’ve already acted. We may as well see what he can tell us.”
Jordan was mildly surprised by her use of the word friend, but he said nothing. Instead, he walked boldly into the room, raising his voice. “Trevor, you around?”
A soft blue glow came from a cluster of holograms around one of the room’s four pedestals. Trevor and Anput were both peering at a segment of DNA, speaking in low tones.
A few feet away a familiar hologram hovered.
“Ka, is that you?” Jordan asked.
“Ah, I see that you too have met my fellow Ark Keeper.” The hologram disappeared, then appeared in front of Jordan. It flickered, the same way Ka had when the Nexus had been near
ly out of power. “I am Ark Keeper Ba, custodian of this facility. Welcome, Ark Lord. It has been many millennia since we’ve had one Ark Lord, let alone two. I almost believe the old days have come again.”
“Trevor, this thing trustworthy?” Jordan asked. It looked remarkably similar to Ka, but now that he was studying it he could spot differences. The head was a slightly different shape, and the unreadable black eyes were a little further apart.
“Jury’s out, but it’s been helpful so far. No idea if it will betray us to the Builders if given a chance.” Trevor rose from the pedestal, then approached. “Let me guess, you’re here to deliver more bad news? Hey, Leti.”
Leti gave a cool nod, then folded her arms. Anput stayed at the pedestal, darting occasional glances their way as she continued her work. She seemed irritated at the interruption.
“I’ll keep it brief,” Jordan said. “Looks like you guys are in the middle of something.” He approached the holograms, but couldn’t make heads or tails of what he was seeing. He turned back to Trevor. “The council is going to meet shortly. I suspect it will be a lot of posturing with a healthy dose of denial. They think they’re secure here—in fact, they’re certain of it. Because of that, they spend their time bickering and jockeying for power.”
“Yikes,” Trevor replied. “They have no idea what the Director is capable of. If anyone can find this city, it’s him.”
“Yup,” Jordan agreed. “So you see the problem. Maybe it won’t be today, and maybe not tomorrow, but sometime very soon Nox is going to find this place. The werewolves will get overwhelmed, and he’ll take over the city.”
“Then you’re really not going to like what we’ve learned,” Trevor said. He let out a long breath. “This place warps time. The interloper they were talking about? He arrived in 1925. To him, only seven months have passed.”
“Oh, shit,” Jordan said. The news sent him reeling. “How much time has passed in the outside world since we arrived?”
