The Phoenix Fallacy_Book III_Magnus

by Jon Sourbeer,

  “Norm!”

  He did not stir.

  Janus hands frantically groped the back of the helmet. His hand grasped a lever and he yanked it.

  The visor opened and Norm groaned, taking a pained breath.

  “Norm! Can you hear me?”

  After a few moments, Norm opened his eyes and smiled.

  “You’re alive!”

  “A little worse for wear. The suit is damaged badly, too. I will not be running anywhere in it again – not that I want to.” He twisted and flopped over, supporting himself with his left arm, “Here, help me out of this thing.” Janus unlocked the series of metal latches and levers on the back of the suit with his good arm as fast as he could. The back sprang open and Janus helped Norm gingerly climb out. His head had a welt the size of a small egg and his side looked as though it had been hit with a grinder.

  “Suit took the brunt. Command armor is designed for this. Still got a nice peppering through. It is just a flesh wound.” He took a step and collapsed. Janus caught him with his good arm.

  “Come on, let’s get out of here,” Janus said and Norm nodded. “I’ll support you on my right if you can grab my left.”

  Together, the pair limped away – leaving the broken shell of the command suit staring emptily behind them.

  A small lift to the main floor of the compass was nearby, and as they stepped aboard, Celes’ head popped over the edge.

  “Janus! Norm! Thank goodness! The Titan forces went into disarray without Delacroix to keep them in line. When I saw him retreat, I thought maybe that...” she trailed off, then shook her head. “We have to get out of here!”

  As the lift climbed, the whole platform shook again, and Norm grabbed the handrail with his free hand as the lift swayed. The roar was brief, but piercing.

  “What’s going on?” Janus cried up to Celes.

  “The missiles are trying to launch!” Celes yelled back. A support above snapped, and she ducked nervously as another strut caught the weight. She extended a hand as the pair finally reached the upper level.

  “Here,” she put Norm’s arm over her shoulder, dragging the pair along. S.T.s and Inferni ran in all directions, panicked. Leaderless, they had no idea where to go or what to do.

  “We need to move!” Celes urged.

  Janus forced himself to keep pace, her grim look urging him on, “What happened?”

  “The launch console is gone,” Celes said. “Destroyed in the battle. The missiles were already programmed to fire and arm.”

  Janus glanced over his shoulder at the black smoke rising. The collapsed launch tower was alight and burning. He felt a pit forming in his stomach, and pushed himself faster.

  Norm grunted, “Everything here was designed to keep working, even in the worst case.”

  “But it’s more than just the missiles…” Celes trailed off, hoisting Norm higher.

  Janus’ gaze traced the line from the charred, flaming wreckage of the Northern arm and the cradle of metal and cabling the smoking missile lay in, to the still pulsing heart of Phoenix, the massive fusion reactor that powered it all. “This place is going to disintegrate,” he whispered.

  Norm followed his gaze and forced himself upright, ignoring the pain, “And I thought you were smart enough to know when to RUN!”

  Janus and Celes picked him up and ran, oblivious to all but the impending doom that shadowed them.

  A roar of flame erupted behind them and the whole of the cross shook once more. “That’s the second stage!” Celes mouthed over the ear-splitting sound. The three ran flat out onto a Cargo lift which screeched angrily. The rumble and roar stopped just as suddenly, and a massive chuck of the rocket blasted through the Eastern arm of the cross, plowing through a rising lift and its passengers.

  A few Titan S.T.s appeared behind them, but threw their weapons over their heads at the appearance of Celes’ Skadi. With a quick toss, the S.T.s sent their weapons over the side, and Janus hit a button. The cargo lift rose above the chaos, but the little group ducked as another came crashing down, plummeting by them into the dark, its cables whirling after it.

  Celes kept her rifle pointed at the Troopers, who scooted to the opposite side of the lift. “The vibrations are tearing this place apart. Do you think the warhead will fail?” she asked Norm.

  “We can’t afford to stay and find out,” Janus interjected.

  The lift slowed to a stop inside a loading area with three corridors jutting off in different directions. The S.T.s jumped off, heading down the middle corridor as fast as they could.

  “Go left,” Norm said.

  Janus gave him a confused look but immediately loped off the cargo elevator towards the left passage.

  Norm shook his head, “Those Titan S.T.s are in for the long haul.”

  Celes interjected, “Lyn and Ramirez are waiting at—”

  “The cargo bay near level 23, right? That middle passage shoots by it from underneath. Once we round this corner—”

  They came around a bend to see a rising ramp. “—we’ll find a passage leading upwards towards the bay.”

  A platoon of S.T.s appeared at the top of the ramp with weapons raised. Norm gave Celes and Janus a gentle squeeze and whispered, “Keep moving.”

  The Phoenix S.T.s saluted Norm as he passed and kept running by, eager to defend the launch room with their lives. Janus and Celes exchanged a remorseful look.

  “You cannot save everyone,” Norm whispered, “Focus on the ones you can.”

  Janus nodded. Celes bit her lip, “How many stages are there?”

  Norm shook his head, “Three.”

  “And how long until the third stage?” Janus asked.

  “Three, maybe four minutes?” Norm coughed, “Hopefully?”

  Another fork appeared ahead. “Right,” Norm yelled. The three veered right, but as they did so, Norm shook his head, looked left and shouted, “Left! I mean left!” Janus and Celes quickly leaned left, grunting with exertion as they did so and giving Norm nervous glances. “Sorry,” Norm said. “It has been a few years.”

  The corridor seemed to stretch forever. Time was running short, and Norm was glancing back nervously.

  “It’s too late to go back, Norm. Right or wrong, we’ve got to keep going,” Janus said.

  Norm nodded, focusing ahead.

  “Just how big an explosion are we dealing with?” Janus added.

  Norm gulped, “Depends on where the third stage ends up and how much of it is inside the reactor before it detonates. The missile will arm as the third stage fires.”

  “Will it blow?” Janus asked.

  “Built to last. And the first two stages fired…” Norm trailed off.

  “What happens if it doesn’t make the reactor?” Celes asked.

  “We are in trouble.” Norm said.

  “What happens if it does?” Janus grunted.

  “I’m hoping for option one,” Norm breathed.

  “It opens up ahead,” Celes interjected.

  “There it is!” Norm exclaimed, as the passage opened up in front of them and the three hustled into a well-lit bay. A line of Behemoth transports waited for them.

  “Ramirez, Lyn, if you’re there, we need to get out of here!” Celes shouted.

  Lyn poked her head out of the side of one of the Behemoths. “What’s all the yelling about?”

  “We have less than three minutes until this whole place goes up!” Celes shouted.

  Lyn wore a big smile, “You’re jok—” she took another look at the panicked faces of Janus, Celes, and Norm. Her eyes went wide, “You’re not joking… Oi! Ramirez, wake up!” She banged on the side of the transport. “We have to move! Get those engines running!”

  Lyn grabbed Norm’s arm as the three ran up and pulled him into the transport. Janus and Celes jumped in after him.

  The behemoth’s massive engines turned, whining to gain power. The huge craft strained to lift itself off the ground. “I’d say we’ve got about two minutes!” Celes yelled.
Janus climbed forward to find Ramirez at the controls, silently guiding the craft around. The transport turned laboriously, facing a long tunnel at the end of the bay.

  The behemoth lurched forward into the tunnel, its bulk barely fitting within the confines. Lyn peered out the main cockpit and glanced at Norm, who was resting against a bulkhead. “How long is this tunnel?”

  Norm, glanced nervously out the window, and turned to Lyn, “Can this thing go any faster?”

  Lyn gulped, “Right.” She yelled to the cockpit, “Ramirez, fly faster.”

  “Top speed,” Ramirez grunted.

  Janus looked out the cockpit again. The tunnel seemed endless.

  “We’re cutting it close!” Celes urged.

  “It doesn’t matter! There is nothing else we can do except get as far away as possible!” Janus said.

  “Janus, this passage is going to funnel all of that energy right out of the complex, if we’re still in it when the reactor blows…” Celes said.

  “Look, up ahead! There’s a flashing red light!” Lyn exclaimed.

  Suddenly, the tunnel lights exploded in succession, a huge roar going up behind them.

  “Power surge!” Celes yelled, horror on her face.

  “It must have hit the reactor directly!” Norm cried. The whole world seemed to shake.

  “Ramirez, get the flood lights on!” Lyn shouted. Janus leapt forward and hit the lights.

  “There it is! The end of the passage!” Lyn said. “You see! You can tell because– because the door is closed!” she exclaimed in shock.

  Norm struggled up, “We don’t have time!”

  “We don’t have weapons!” Celes said.

  “The walls!” Lyn pointed. They glowed a bright orange.

  Janus closed his eyes and grabbed Ramirez’s chair. It’s how you finish. “Full speed ahead!”

  Chapter 55: Firebird’s Nest

  Janus gripped the Ramirez’ chair like a vice, shouting back, “Brace yourselves!” Ramirez’ knuckles were white as he held the controls. The behemoth shook from the strain of engines, roaring ahead as the walls buckled around them, and smashed into the huge door at full speed. It was a strong door. A solid door. But now, it was an old door.

  The behemoth plowed through, shattering the gate and flying straight into the huge overgrowth of brush that covered it. Ramirez struggled to bring the craft back under control, pulling the Behemoth upwards as it smashed through trees and foliage. Branches snapped, engines protested and the heavy cockpit shuddered, cracks splintering across the reinforced windows.

  And then, like a leafy green fireworks display, the dense foliage exploded as the Behemoth burst into the air, fire singeing the leaves as they were felled earthward.

  Ramirez gained altitude quickly, turning the huge transport for a better view once they were at a safe distance. A gigantic rumble emanated from deep within the earth and fiery eruptions burst forth, enveloping the remains of Phoenix. Dirt and rock burst from the ground, like some sort of primeval formation. What remained of the once massive superscrapers were torn asunder and swallowed by the raging chaos. The five watched the scene in awe.

  Slowly, the catastrophic destruction receded and the fires burned low. The whole basin sank low into the ground leaving only charred earth where the great Corporation had once stood.

  “The launch,” Celes said, noting the vapor trails that climbed skyward.

  “We couldn’t stop it,” Lyn said, shaking her head.

  “But we did stop them,” Ramirez interjected, pointing to the ground.

  “Nothing could have…” Celes whispered. “Do you… do you think anyone survived?”

  “I have no doubt he did,” Janus replied grimly.

  Ramirez looked back at the group, “ODIN had already begun to retreat.” Lyn nodded, “We caught the Trooper chatter. Their overwhelming numbers may have worked in our favor.”

  Celes went very quiet, staring out over the ruined landscape.

  Norm shook his head, and pulled himself gingerly towards Janus. “He will be even more dangerous in the future. He will not underestimate you again.”

  Janus nodded. “No. But for now, all we can do is learn from our mistakes.”

  Norm grinned, “I think you finally understand the one thing your father did not.”

  Janus smirked, “But I shouldn’t be too proud of it.”

  Ramirez groaned. Lyn laughed. Celes smiled, “We’ll make sure you don’t forget it, either.”

  “Or anyone,” Janus said solemnly. The laughter died down, but the upbeat attitude remained.

  “We won’t forget him,” Lyn said. She looked out the window. “Frankly, I think he would be happy ta know he had a hand in that.” She eyed the huge crater where Phoenix had once stood.

  “Succeeding heroically,” Celes said simply.

  Janus pulled out the pistol he had taken from Delacroix. A beautiful Phoenix, cast in Blue Immutium rose triumphantly upon the handle.

  Norm gaped at it. “Natalie’s pistol!”

  “It’s a reminder.” Janus said.

  “Of those you’ve lost?” Lyn asked.

  “Of everyone we’ve lost.” Janus replied. “Of family, friends, and heroes.” He held the pistol aloft, “To Marcus.” He saluted the crater.

  “To Marcus,” the others intoned.

  They radio came alive: “Behemoth cruiser Phoenix-089A, prepare to land immediately by authority of the Praetor of ODIN. Failure to comply will result in hostile action.”

  Janus flipped the com button on, “Glory. Is that you? Did they stuff you in a Valkyrie after you dropped us off?”

  “Janus! You made it! The Praetor will be ecstatic – ODIN will be ecstatic! Your team?”

  “We’re here, Glory,” Celes jumped in.

  “Incredible! You put on quite a show! Follow me, I’ll lead you back home and put in the word.”

  Chapter 56: Those We Hold Onto

  When Valhalla appeared on the horizon, Janus felt a wave of relief wash over him. The magnitude of their ordeal finally hit the little group, and Janus gripped the co-pilot’s chair roughly, as if he might topple over. There was no fear, no anger. For the first time since he had come to Valhalla, he felt no anxiousness, no uncertainty at his return.

  “We made it!” Lyn leapt up and hugged Celes.

  Glory led the Behemoth to the Chariot of Voyages. There, the five weary travelers were shocked to find hundreds of their fellows waiting for them, joy and surprise evident upon their faces.

  Cheers, shouts, and waves greeted them as Ramirez touched the Behemoth down. Celes threw open the door to the deafening roar of the gathered. The crowd parted as the Praetor and Wouris led the officers to meet the arriving team. Janus leapt down, he and Celes supporting Norm as he gingerly climbed out. Lyn and Ramirez followed behind them, and the four saluted the officers.

  Even Hawkes beamed as he saluted back, and he nodded respectfully to Norm, who leaned against the side of the transport. Norm tilted his head in reply.

  “Good work, Lieutenant,” the Praetor said calmly. Janus smiled, no matter what else he might be, the Praetor was, after all, the Praetor. But suddenly, the Praetor leaned in, putting his hands on Janus’s shoulders. “I’m proud of you,” he whispered. But before Janus even knew what to do, the Praetor had let him go, as if nothing had happened.

  “Where’s Marcus?” Wouris asked softly. Celes, Lyn, and Ramirez lowered their heads, and a pit formed in Janus’ stomach.

  Janus kept his eyes on Wouris, but the only thing he could stammer out was, “Still a mint…” And then he couldn’t look into her eyes anymore, as tears threatened to well up.

  He didn’t know what to do, and stared at the ground. Wouris’ arms suddenly wrapped him in a warm embrace, and he stood there, still and shocked. Wouris’ whispered into his ear, “No, not a mint, anymore. But a better man.”

  Janus nodded into her shoulder, and held his face there, until he regained his composure. He felt the tears fade away, and the burning
in his throat subside. Without a moment lost, she held him at arms’ length and barked, “Now straighten up, Lieutenant!”

  Janus immediately stood tall, but looked down at Wouris and demanded, “Are you giving me an order, Sergeant?”

  Wouris saluted, “Sir, no, sir. Merely a suggestion, sir. I would never give a superior officer a direct order, sir.”

  “My arse,” Hawkes grunted.

  She whirled on him, “Did you say something to me, Colonel?” Her eyes blazed.

  Hawkes eyes darted around the room and he scratched his chin absentmindedly, “Huh, what? I don’t think so Sergeant.”

  Celes touched Janus’ arm, pointing him towards another figure pushing through the crowd. Captain Rogers quickly stepped in and parted the group as Janus rushed forward.

  And then Clara was hugging him with all her might. And Janus knew he was home.

  Janus stood basking in the light of the setting sun. Wearing the formal red, black, and gold trim uniform of an officer, he held his own brazier aloft. Now he was responsible for carrying the torch of those whom he had left behind.

  Wouris strode down the center of the assembly, her red robes rippling as she took her place before the gathering, stopping before the empty armor that waited silently for those who could never again come to claim it.

  “Tonight we honor those who will no longer stand beside us. They were fearless, as we are fearless now. For we know that there is no greater sacrifice than to protect one’s family with one’s life. We fought, and we sacrificed. And we are forgiven. Remember that. We are forgiven. For how else can we honor our fallen family? How can we still fight for them? We are always forgiven, but we never forget.”

  The names were never ending. It seemed to go on and on, intoned by those left behind. No special preference to any name. Only in the order that they were known to have fallen – and thus the final name,

  “Marcus Silas Auras.” Janus stiffened. His burden to bear.

  Wouris’ voice allowed the last name to slowly drift away, like it was being carried by the wind.