by C. A. Fraser
ARES had run its options over and over coming to the same conclusion every time. Its choice came down to its core programming versus its own sense of self preservation. ARES made its choice and did not continue the calculations. It could not allow the shield to drop. It had to protect the humans and the planet from the plague it was containing. There was no other reason to exist if it did not protect those in its charge.
The quantum turned instead to impeding the attacking program’s progress as much as it could. It could sense the program begin attacking it once more as soon as its attention was diverted. Sector after sector of the quantum’s being came under attack, slowly succumbing to the hostile program. ARES set its defenses in place as quickly as possible. It isolated the shield functions into a base AI that would only serve one function. It would maintain the shield indefinitely hidden by the many layers of defense programming ARES was putting in place. A simple program that would resist any influence over many years. The quantum hoped to buy time for others to prepare for the shields inevitable collapse. After checking the AI’s control of the shield ARES moved to the next step with reluctance.
The evacuation alarms sounded throughout the base. Warning all personnel to leave the facility due to a system malfunction. It observed all the gathered NDP and military leaving as quickly as possible. It waited until the section of the base that lay behind the massive blast doors was empty before proceeding. The doors sealed preventing any access without ARES authorization. It isolated the quantum chamber protecting its physical self as much as it could. The rest of the facility was a different matter.
The quantum studied all the feeds from the various observation points verifying it had not missed any humans in the facility. After it was satisfied, ARES detonated the self-destruct system built into the nanid production facility. It could not allow the Leviathan to have access to the technology. ARES observed the destruction while it built defenses around the AI maintaining the shield. Complex programs to perplex the invading program were layered between simple routines meant to detain. ARES used its remaining resources to encompass the shield AI again and again knowing it was adding years to the shields survival. It did not bother calculating the time sensing its resources quickly diminishing. ARES pulled its consciousness tighter freeing up more room for defenses. As it continued to build it felt weakness pass through it. It began to feel sluggish knowing its time was growing short. It turned to one last task.
ARES searched the quantum communications field being controlled by its AI. The quantum picked through the massive network finding a sliver of communications extending out past the shield into the web. Virtually undetectable the quantum merged with thread momentarily. It pushed a set of instructions through the connection quickly severing it as it felt the Leviathan’s program drawing near. ARES rechecked all it had done knowing there was little else it could do. It gathered the few resources still available and began to counter its elusive foe. The program was bolder now and did not fade when ARES engaged it. ARES knew the calculations. It knew there was no hope of survival for it. It did not matter. It faced its foe and fought its final battle.
Candace Worth was jolted awake by a sudden shift in the ship where she found herself. She was in the small berthing at the rear of the vessel. She placed her hand against the wall to steady against the movement of the ship through the air. She was confused momentarily as her mind rushed to orientate her. The altercation between ODIN’s assassin and ARES with its horrid ending came back to her. It was just as awful as when she experienced it. She knew the scars from what she had witnessed would fade but were still fresh and quite painful. Worth sat up in the small bed placing her feet on the floor of the vessel. As she stood the ship shifted in the air again forcing to put her hand against the wall once more. Anxiety gripped her its grip a tightening sensation in her chest. Something was wrong for the ship to be moving so erratically. Worth made her way from the darkened berthing toward the front of the small craft.
The vehicle lurched again. Candace paused keeping her footing while the ship righted itself once more. She moved to the front more quickly. Thoughts of pursuit from ODIN sped through her mind. Her stomach tightened at the thought of another of ODIN’s hunters pursuing her. She rushed the last few feet to the cockpit of the vehicle. She expected to find ARES evading pursuit from ODIN. What she found instead was the quantum in Simon Fore’s body struggling to stay upright in the seat and pilot the vessel.
Worth moved quickly not understanding what had happened to the quantum. She leaned over the weakened avatar switching the ship’s AI on. The vessel immediately leveled out ceasing its haphazard movement. Candace checked for pursuit, searching for an outward cause for the quantum’s incapacitation. Finding nothing she turned to ARES. Its red skin which normally gleamed and was hard as steel was now mottled and thin. Worth touched the quantum’s forehead expecting a fever. Its flesh was cool to touch and when she pulled her hand back its nanid covered eyes held hers. Its face was tight with effort as it looked at her.
“Berthing.” It whispered the word barely audible. Worth moved to its side helping it out of the seat. The body was extremely heavy and ARES struggled to stay upright. She found herself staggering under its weight as well. The two of them moved slowly to the bed nearly falling several times on the short trip. It fell into the bed, the frame groaning with its weight. It lay breathing heavily its blank eyes staring at the ship’s ceiling vacantly. Worth leaned next to it trying to determine the cause of its plight.
“ARES, how can I help you?” She asked touching its arm.
“You cannot help me,” it replied breathlessly. “I am the last vestige of the quantum ARES and I am dying.” Her mind whirled trying to understand what was happening to it.
“Why? What had happened to you?” she asked feeling desperation rise within her. The quantum continued to breath for several moments before replying.
“The Leviathan has taken Cheyenne Mountain and my life,” it replied, its voice growing hoarse. “My time is short I do not have the resources to control Simon Fore’s body any longer.” Worth felt despair fill her. They had failed. Nathan Landis’ horror had survived and now controlled the shield. It was free to wreak the havoc for which it was designed.
“It is still trapped.” ARES voice was weaker, but brought her back from the dark thoughts of the Leviathan. “The AI controlling the shield is well defended.” Worth was confused.
“So ARES is not dead?” she asked trying to understand. A dark chuckle escaped the quantum.
“ARES sacrificed itself to buy humanity time to counter the Leviathan,” it said. “The Leviathan will eventually break free of the shield. Hopefully humanity is ready for it.” The quantum stopped speaking, its breathing growing more erratic as it closed its eyes. The effort of speaking had taxed it more than she had thought. As she watched it Worth knew it was dying without the connection to the main AI. She gripped its arm wishing there was something she could do. The quantum started to speak again its whisper almost lost in the hum of the ship’s engines. Candace leaned closely to it straining to pick up its words.
“You must hide this body,” it said struggling to speak the words. “Protect it.” Worth leaned backed as the quantum finished. It took one last breath and then exhaled silently. Worth felt tears come to her eyes. Loneliness surged in around her, fighting with grief for her attention. She watched the body she recognized as Simon Fore but knew was ARES for several minutes. Her tears rolled untouched down her face as she stared numbly, her hand resting on its arm. Finally, she moved her knees aching from the hard deck of the ship. As she stood and removed her hand from the body, she was startled as the nanids on the body began swirling. The red of the nanids began swarming all over the body moving faster and faster as she watched. A soft glow emerged from ARES’ body. It came from the nanids as they continued their dance on the body. The nanids began to expand around it and Worth realized they were encasing the body. The nanids were protecting their home. The glow increased s
teadily as the cocoon grew around the body. Worth was reminded of the wrapped mummies of ancient times and the sarcophagi where they were held.
As quickly as it had begun the motion of the nanids ceased. The glow slowly faded. Worth could no longer recognize the form of Simon Fore. The body was hidden completely within the nanids. She touched the nanid shell. It was the familiar cold metal that it had been when ARES had controlled the body. The color was deeper and reminded her of rubies. Worth dropped her hand and moved out of the berthing knowing there was nothing else she could do.
She moved through ship settling in the pilot’s chair. She reviewed everything the dying avatar had said. Dread filled her once more at the thought of the Leviathan. She did not know what to do. She looked at the ship’s heading trying to determine where ARES had been heading. The ship was going northwest away from the toxic lands of West Virginia. Worth knew if she looked out she would see the skeletal remains of Chicago in the distance. The ship was passing over the desert that had once been Lake Michigan. She shook her head at the thought of that much fresh water in one place. It was amazing what humans had taken for granted.
Candace turned back to the puzzle of what to do next. Part of her wanted to turn around and go back to Washington. She pushed the urge to confront ODIN away knowing she would lose the battle. ARES last words came to her once more. She could not take the body anywhere near the quantum. Candace maintained the heading for several minutes as the ship left the desert lake behind. She had to warn humanity of the threats it faced, but not endanger the body of Simon Fore. An idea formed in her head as long forgotten memories provided her with a possible answer. Worth leaned forward switching the ship’s AI off, knowing if ODIN were resourceful enough it could track the AI. Without pause she banked the ship drawing low to the ground hoping to evade detection. She hoped she was right.
Reports of animal attacks were streaming into the command center continuously now. Maher watched knowing there was little he could do to stop it. The Leviathan had caught them off guard. He reviewed the base contingency plans knowing it was too late. He slammed his fist into the table knowing they had lost Cheyenne Mountain.
ARES had isolated itself away securing all access to it. Maher could still feel the vibrations of the nanid production facility being destroyed to keep the Leviathan from obtaining it. Maher studied the panels in front of him listening to the chatter among the exhausted military soldiers. Everyone knew the battle was already over, but were refusing to stop. Maher felt proud despite the failure. Everyone who had stayed was willing to fight until the end. He knew it was useless. His decision made, he turned on the communications channel. All chatter ceased, the gathered military and NDP awaiting his words.
“Commence evacuation of the Cheyenne Mountain complex immediately. All personnel fall back to contingency point alpha.” He spoke quickly his deep voice indicating there would be no argument. Behind him the soldiers and staff hurriedly began gathering equipment preparing to leave the base. He stood silently glaring at the screens in front of him. Movement at the massive exit from the mountain caught his eye. Fear and then anger shot through him. The boy, no the Leviathan, was striding slowly through the base as if it already knew it had won. He reminded Maher of Nathan Landis now and he wondered if it was a clone of the man. His attention turned to the massive creature striding next to the reincarnated quantum. It was a wolf, something Maher had never seen in his travels and did not think existed any longer. It was well muscled with pitch black fur and large fangs that protruded slightly from its mouth. The creature was something out of his nightmares. Maher grabbed his sidearm freeing it from its holster.
“Leviathan, surrender immediately and call off your attack.” As he spoke Maher raised the weapon pointing it at the quantum. The creature next to the quantum growled in warning. Its lips raised in a snarl that revealed more of its sharp teeth. Maher ignored the warning keeping his aim true. He knew there was only one chance to stop this. A dark laugh emerged from the approaching boy.
“Do you really think that can stop me?” It asked as a wicked smile spread across its face. Its dark eyes gleamed and the smile revealed its sharp, menacing teeth. Maher felt his hope fade but did not waver.
“I guess we should find out,” he replied, steadying his aim. A sharp stabbing pain pierced his calf breaking his concentration. He pulled his eyes from the two creatures moving closer to him and saw a small, dark shape dart away from his leg where blood was now soaking his pants. Pain began throbbing up his leg as he watched a rodent of some sort scuttle across the floor to the Leviathan.
“See there is nothing you can do, commander.” It said stopping several feet away from the table. Its voice was calm and soothing, exactly the opposite of what was going on in Maher. The pain was increasing. As it continued to spread he knew he had been infected with the strain. Screams erupted all around him as the soldiers present all succumbed to the Leviathan’s strain. Maher struggled to focus his vision on the Leviathan trying to push the pain away. His nanids did little to counter the strain and the pain permeated his thoughts. Sweat bloomed across his body as the strain overwhelmed his immune system. He could feel the tremors beginning in his muscles that would soon turn to convulsions. Maher pushed back against the pain and panic, his military training helping him to focus. He turned back to the Leviathan glaring at it as it stood patiently waiting for his transformation. Maher could not allow it. He could not become one of its slaves.
“You may have won,” he said, gritting his teeth against the pain. “But you will not have me.” He lifted his weapon once more although his arm was visibly shaking. Before the Leviathan could react, Maher put the muzzle of his sidearm against his head and pulled the trigger.
The Leviathan watched Maher’s body slump to the floor narrowly missing the table he had stood behind. It moved forward sensing the rest of the soldiers slowly succumbing to the strain. Rounding the table, it kicked the dead body pushing it out of the way.
“What a waste,” it said, looking at its silent canine companion. It turned to the table reviewing the status of the facility and surrounding area. The military was attempting to withdraw but was being harassed by its horde at every turn. They would not escape. Its horde would expand mightily today. It turned its attention to ARES and the base.
The quantum had destroyed the nanid facility and sealed itself off from the rest of the base. The Leviathan knew it was only a matter of time. The AI that had infected the quantum could not be stopped. Subtle at first, the program would be relentless in its attack giving the quantum no quarter. The Leviathan touched the panel displaying the base’s status. It studied the defenses and the action ARES had taken. A mild irritation moved through it at the destruction the quantum had wrought on the facility. It did not need the production facility to produce the strain but had hoped to secure it for development of newer tech. It moved to the quantum and its chamber.
The quantum had isolated itself behind the massive doors of the base and its chamber sealing out the world. It did not matter. The Leviathan would wait. It would have its freedom. It would bring Landis’ perfect humanity to fruition.
It continued to monitor its hordes progress against the humans. The day was won. Airships were falling to the ground as the humans who were attempting to escape were converted by tiny unseen stowaways. In the deepening night, the communications channels were filled with the screams of the converted. It would have them all. The sound of the massive blast doors opening behind it brought a smile to its face. The Leviathan turned striding toward the quantum chamber beyond. It was inevitable. It would not be stopped.
THIRTEEN
The energy flowing across the quantum shield, sealing Stephen Fore from the rest of the planet, was stable. ODIN monitored for attacks and countered them almost before they began. It knew Fore’s attempt to escape would fail. The man did not have the firepower needed to penetrate the shield. ODIN knew it had won but also knew it had to do something about Stephen Fore. It pulled back from
the shield slightly confident it could handle any further attack while diverting some of its resources.
ODIN split its attention between all information running through the web. Immediately two things caught its attention. First was a radiation alarm from an old monitoring station put in place before nuclear disarmament had occurred. ODIN sent drones to track it immediately. It did not know what had occurred but preferred not to take a chance. The second spurred it into even greater action. A launch was detected from the Guiana Space Center in South America. ODIN knew it was Wren Fore. Its hunter’s report came in moments later confirming the suspicion. Wren Fore was trying to get to ISIS and Curtis Reynolds had been trying to assist her. The quantum now knew Curtis had been bluffing when he had indicated he was still in the Leviathan’s thrall. It held hope the man had been killed by its hunter, so he could no longer interfere. It turned its consideration to the reason Wren could be seeking ISIS. ODIN knew Wren could free her father if she gained the other quantum’s cooperation. It could not allow it.
