by Nick Braker
You made a mistake, human. You gave yourself away. She’s dead now.
Tohmas sensed the other human closing behind him but it didn’t matter, he would reach the Piran whore first. He would kill her with one thrust into her chest, right below her ribcage. Her heart would be easy to reach. His fingers would stiffen, pushing through her flesh with enough force to rupture it. Its concern for the Piran girl when he killed her would weaken the human psychologically, giving Tohmas numerous options to kill it. This fight was over for them. They just didn’t know it.
Rohku taught him lethal killing skills but, more importantly, it taught him to think faster than his opponents. He had already worked out their deaths in exquisite detail. The human named Troy was a few days away from being an unwanted memory, the human named Geoff was shy of two seconds from a crushed windpipe and the Piran whore had less than one second before Tohmas pierced her heart.
Tohmas pulled his arm back, preparing to thrust it into her heart. His eyes grew wide as his body collapsed in mid run. The Piran whore stepped aside as he slid, face first across the floor.
Face plant. I bet that hurts, mister Tohmas. Troy thought, taunting him.
Troy’s body twitched several times as Tohmas tried to move. The spasms didn’t last long and soon he was motionless. Tohmas could move his eyes but his body would not respond.
“That was close, Geoff,” Skyler said, relieved.
“Yeah,” Geoff said. “You were right. Glad we brought the paralysis compound. Is that the same stuff used in the S&Gs?”
“Yes, quick and effective,” she said.
“Not quick enough,” Geoff said, holding his ribs gently.
“He’s Rohku, sweetie. They are more resilient in many ways. They are a warrior race but they were defeated just as we Pirans. If you hadn’t injected him as he woke...,” she said, letting her point trail off.
You remember the stinging sensation? Troy thought, still gloating. You don’t? Oh, did I prevent you from knowing that happened?
The human, Troy, was taunting him.
I didn’t reveal myself because I know your abilities too. Troy thought. Your suspicions were well founded though. It was me that mitigated your attacks. It was me that made you attack my friend first instead of destroying the device. It was me that planted the thought of throwing the shiv instead of killing my friend. It was me--
Tohmas relaxed, walling up his thoughts against Troy and pushing him down, deep into unconsciousness. Tohmas cursed knowing Troy had outwitted him. If he had stayed on target, Geoff would be dead but it seemed Troy had to reveal himself to keep that from happening, diverting him to the Piran bitch.
Skyler entered his field of vision. She smiled at him though he would describe it more as a wicked grin. Someone, probably the human male, picked him up off the floor and laid him back down on the mattress.
“Troy,” she said. “If you’re the one hearing this, I do apologize ahead of time. My comments are directed at Tohmas. Troy, do not try to take control. Trust me.”
Skyler leaned over him, inches from his face. Her hair hung down around her face, touching his. The bitch. She was taunting him, showing him how close she could get and that he could do nothing. If he could move his arms, she’d be dead. He’d kill her slowly though, reveling in her fear and pain.
“Tohmas, it is an absolute pleasure for me to meet you again,” Skyler said, her voice filled with sarcasm. “You know our sordid history which we shall keep between us, you treacherous piece of shit. Yes, I’m gloating and taunting you but you know the Neural Nullifier compound cannot be resisted, so I have a little time. Geoff, get the device ready please.”
The human moved the device back into position. They had his head propped up on the bed, letting him see everything happening around him. Skyler sat next to him, patting his hand like a little boy. She knew him well. She knew how to piss him off. Tohmas’ anger flared and turned to rage.
“My question to you is,” she said, injecting him in the neck with a syringe she had pulled from her bag. “How did you get into Troy? We both know Alta’s suggestion parasite couldn’t do alone what Troy has experienced. Between her genetic parasite, your essence, Troy’s essence, and his own human physiology - I’m wondering if it all combined together to create his current predicament? What was the last thing you remember when Borit’un killed you?”
Tohmas could feel again but it was localized in his throat. Vocal cords maybe? It spread to his tongue, lips, and his jaw muscles. She wanted him to talk but nothing more.
“I won’t tell you anything,” he said, struggling to form the words.
“Yes, you will because if you cooperate, I’ll save your essence.”
For an instant, his eyes gave him away. She had offered him another chance and the thought had bled through, probably something left over from the pathetic human within him. She already knew he would take the offer, even if he didn’t believe she would keep her word.
“Deal,” Tohmas said. “I remember Borit’un killing me and then I awoke in this body.”
“Nothing else?” she asked.
“Are you sure we have time?” Geoff asked.
Skyler nodded at Geoff. The human powered the device on which meant Tohmas didn’t have much time left. Whatever she planned to do to the parasite or to him, it would not be pleasant. He would soon die by the hands of a Piran whore.
“Well?” she pried.
“I, remember moving... shifting would be more accurate, through... something misty, like a fog. I can’t describe it because I’ve never experienced anything like it before. Something greater, immensely greater than me. I shifted through it and then ended up here. It didn’t hurt and it felt... familiar. Heaven?”
“Dear, we both know you were never in heaven and will certainly not end up there,” she said, playing him more.
“What will you do with my essence?” Tohmas asked.
“Is there nothing else you remember?” she pried.
Tohmas sighed. Was that a human thing? He never sighed.
“I felt like I met Troy, twice,” he said.
Geoff moved to stand again next to him.
“What the hell does that mean?” Geoff asked.
“I really do not know. It was a feeling. Nothing more,” Tohmas said.
She pulled a rag and a piece of tough leather-like material out of her bag. She stuffed the rag in his mouth.
“Bite down on this,” she ordered, holding the material between his teeth. “It’s going to hurt. Immensely.”
“Why? Doesn’t the S&G compound numb the victim?” Geoff asked.
“This device is affecting Tohmas at an essence level as well as a cellular level. He’s not feeling the pain just through his nerves. Frankly it will override the numbing affect due to its intensity, exactly like what you went through.”
“Shit,” Geoff said. “Bro, this is going to hurt.”
The device activated. It started at his feet, working its way up slowly. The pain it created felt like thousands of tiny, biting ants with acidic venom. Their bites never stopped and the pain did not ease. Tohmas screamed in agony.
“By the way dear, I lied,” she said, yelling loud enough to be heard over his screaming. “The device will kill the parasite and it will kill you. Your worthless existence ends today,” she said.
The device had reached his ankles but it already felt like an eternity had passed. Slowly, the beam moved up, touching every single cell from his skin on the outside and into the marrow of his ankles on the inside. Tohmas wasn’t sure it moved up at all. The ants bit and ripped, injecting and re-injecting their venom into every single part of him, again and again. He tried to force Troy into control, let him experience this pain but Troy had pulled back deep within him heeding Skyler’s warning. Sweat poured off the human’s body and still the pain remained, never easing. Was this what hell was like? An enormity of never-ending pain?
“Die you--”
“Skyler, enough baby,” Geoff said.
“Sorry,” Skyler said. “You’re right... but if you knew the evil he’s committed.”
“Let the device do its magic. I want my friend back.”
“I’m afraid some of it will remain within Troy. Some taint of Tohmas’ nature will always be with him. He was so close to being overcome by Tohmas’ essence.”
“It will work though, right?” Geoff asked.
“Absolutely.”
His Rohku techniques were useless. He could not ignore the pain, nor could he mitigate it. Had the beam reached past his ankles yet? He screamed, again and again.
“He’s a tough bastard,” Geoff said. “I passed out much sooner.”
“It’s necessary. Every single genetic cell and particle of essence in his body that is infected is getting ripped and replaced. Someday I’ll have to figure out a way to make it painless but let’s console ourselves with the knowledge we’re showing him what hell is like,” she said.
What felt like hours later, Tohmas passed out. The beam had reached his knees.
Chapter 24
GEOFF
Pira - The next morning.
Troy opened his eyes. The dampness of the bed beneath him meant he had another night of tossing and turning. He sat up slowly, compulsorily steeling himself again for the pain in his head but it was relief that washed through him. His head no longer hurt. The migraines were gone, as was the dull ache that had started the day he arrived. Troy grinned from ear to ear and stretched while he enjoyed the feeling of wellbeing. Troy took in a huge breath, letting it out slowly. What had happened? He snapped his fingers, remembering. Tohmas’ presence was gone and with it the constant probing thoughts that always interjected themselves into his consciousness. He was whole again.
Troy jumped out of bed landing quietly upon the floor. Geoff sat slumped in a chair in front of the doorway to his room, asleep. Somehow he managed to get out of the bed, land on the floor and stand in front of his friend without making any noise.
“Geoff,” Troy said, shaking him awake.
Geoff jerked awake and jumped up, grabbing Troy by the shirt.
“Easy,” Troy said. “It’s me.”
“Aye, I know,” Geoff said, letting go of him. “Sorry, old habits.”
Troy nodded.
“How ya feeling?” Geoff asked.
Troy rubbed the back of his head out of habit.
“No pain. No headaches. No strange, errant thoughts. What happened last night? There are black spots mixed in with memories. Vague memories of excruciating torment but it’s just knowledge, as if someone told me it happened but I don’t remember living through it. Weird.”
“Yeah, it was... is excruciating,” Geoff said. “I suffered through it, too, but I remember every detail. It still haunts me.”
“Sorry to hear that,” Troy said. “How badly are you hurt?”
Geoff’s face was badly bruised and he was favoring his right side.
“Couple of bumps and bruises,” Geoff said. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
“Promise me you’ll see the doctor. Their medical science is--”
“Okay, Dad, I will,” Geoff said, laughing.
“Tohmas is gone?” Troy asked, already knowing the answer.
Geoff nodded.
“Lakin and Chance okay?”
Geoff nodded again.
“I need to apologize to both of them. To you, too.”
Geoff shook his head.
“It wasn’t you. I understand that,” Geoff said.
Troy nodded. He squared his shoulders, putting his hands on Geoff’s.
“It’s time to make things right, my friend.”
“What does that mean?” Geoff asked.
“We’re going to kill every last Reptauran alive in the universe, but first we’re getting these people off this planet,” Troy told him.
Geoff moved the chair from the doorway.
“Why would we want to help these people? They’ll just fuck us over again.”
“I’m not doing this for Alta, Cienna or Septima,” Troy said. “I’m doing this for Pira and for Earth. Bro, the Reptaurans are on their way to Earth soon.”
Geoff’s eyes grew wide.
“What the hell?”
“Yep,” Troy said. “They will continue to plunder Pira as their fleet prepares for an attack on Earth. We’ve got to stop them before they get moving.”
“And how are we going to do that?” Geoff asked.
“I have a plan...,” Troy said turning to head back to his bed.
“Troy, wait,” Geoff said.
“Yeah?”
“There is something you need to know.”
Troy cocked his head to the side. Geoff’s tone gave him pause.
“We had help, bro,” Geoff said. “Skyler and I couldn’t have done this alone. Septima has been working with us for days. Since Alta had me under her parasitic control, Septima approached Skyler telling her what was going on. Septima said she’d be killed if Alta or Tohmas ever found out but that it would be worth it if she could save you.”
“Holy hell,” Troy said.
Troy started to feel lightheaded. He thought of how he had treated her all this time and how she had secretly worked behind the scenes to save him. Septima had risked her life for him.
“She said Tohmas spoke with her several times after taking control of you. Tohmas thought she was still under his control, but she worked against Alta and Tohmas, secretly meeting with Skyler to cure me and then, with my help, cure you.”
Troy stumbled back to the mattress, managing to sit on the edge. He ran his fingers through his thick brown hair.
“Fuck,” Troy screamed. “It would have been so easy to hate all three of them while I stuck a proverbial dagger in their backs. This fucking complicates things.”
“Huh?”
“My plan was to play... the... game, bro. I have Tohmas’ memories and abilities, all of them. I know everything he knew, at least I think I do. It’s enough to fuck them over anyway. I was going to pretend Tohmas finally took complete control and then approach Alta. She doesn’t exactly trust Tohmas but they have a mutual respect for each other and she’d work with him. It would put me in the inner circle and from there I could plan how to take them down.”
“Why don’t you kill her?”
“She has a bomb she can activate that would destroy the entire facility and everyone in it.”
“Why would she kill herself?” Geoff asked.
“Because she’s one crazy bitch and I promise you this, she’d blow herself up and everyone around her if needed. No one can touch her until I find that bomb.”
“So Septima complicates this how?” Geoff asked.
Troy sighed. He didn’t want to tell Geoff this part of the plan.
“Tohmas and Alta were lovers. If I get in the inner circle, she and I would continue the S&M relationship they shared before he died. Sick shit to say the least.”
“Which means, you’d be hurting the one person you care for and who cares for you,” Geoff finished.
“Do you think she’s strong enough to understand?” Troy asked.
“No woman, no matter what they say, will ever understand completely, no matter how strong. Let me tell you though, she’s one strong woman to fool both Alta and Tohmas while working in the background to save you.”
“Damn it,” Troy said. “Do I tell her? Let her know what I’m doing? I could put her in danger.”
“I can’t answer that for sure,” Geoff said. “I can say this, she fooled you too, bro. She played her part very well.”
Troy nodded. He knew what he’d do.
“Geoff, do me a favor and don’t tell Septima anything. She needs to believe I’m Tohmas in order to protect her. If she knows what happened last night, she could slip up. As far as she knows, Tohmas won. I don’t like it but I’ll tell her the truth when it’s safe to do so.”
“I don’t like it either but you’re right,” Geoff said. “She might slip and that would put her on the
receiving end of Alta’s wrath. You’re protected as long as Alta thinks you’re Tohmas. It’s all on you, bro.”
“No pressure,” Troy said, rolling his eyes.
“I know you can do it.”
“Thanks, my friend. You need to leave now,” Troy said. “Time to play my part.”
“Wait, there is one more thing,” Geoff said. “Skyler wanted me to warn you...”
“Warn me? About what?”
Geoff hesitated, rubbing his chin.
“Geoff?” Troy added.
“Skyler’s device was only designed to remove the suggestion parasite from you.”
“Which means...?”
“Your DNA was changed, bro. Alta’s intent from the beginning was to make you suggestible. It was never designed to convert you to Tohmas as Alta said. She lied, creating a cover story for what was happening to you. She was trying to take credit for it. Alta knows what should have happened and is trying to figure out what really happened. She knows and only Skyler and I know too, bro. You were in a genetically weakened state and something was changing you. Skyler theorizes that you are different and have been your entire life.”
“What... the...”
“Yeah, there is something about you, bro, that none of them understand. At least one other person is aware of you as well, to some degree. Joliza is a wicked smart scientist and has been secretly studying Tohmas for years and you since arriving. Skyler and I found her computer research. Hacked it, actually. Skyler is as smart as Joliza and neither of them understand a damn thing about you other than you are different.”
“Holy...”
“The device Skyler created couldn’t remove whatever it was inside you. The suggestion parasite is gone but Tohmas is very much a part of you still.”
Troy’s fear of Tohmas’ return was palpable. The weeks of torment he endured under that malaise and in the end, he was nearly wiped from existence.
“No, no, no,” Troy said.
“Wait,” Geoff said. “Not like it was. No, you are Troy again, but without the consciousness of Tohmas within you. Skyler believes the parasite weakened your resistance to Tohmas’ essence. It inadvertently was allowing Tohmas to take control of you. Now that you are no longer weakened by the parasite, you are in control again. Well, that is the theory.”
