“These are mines, not missiles. They don’t have a sufficient amount of encasing for shrapnel to be of concern to a Storskip-sized ship. Their use is more subtle—they’ve been designed to be as undetectable as possible while they linger in one location, until the enemy ‘steps’ on them.”
“You’re telling me that we have a weapon that requires a ship to fly to a specific point, in infinite space, to be effective? Sounds really cutting edge,” Zetes mocked.
“In a way, yes, but it’s space itself that would be moving, not the ship. These mines are meant to sit in possible superluminal paths and fall into any ship that gets too close.
“These weapons take advantage of the fact that superluminal travel requires the contraction of space in the direction of motion. They are low mass and extremely sensitive to gravitational changes. As a ship approaches them at a superluminal speed, the mines ride the contracting space-time in front of the ship and are latterly slammed into the object at near-superluminal speeds.”
Zetes thought for a moment. “While that is clever, how effective is it really? How close does a ship need to be for the mine to fall into it?”
“Somewhat close—on the order of thousands of kilometers.”
Zetes became a little incredulous again. “That’s still a very narrow margin, all things considered. Even if it does work, don’t we risk leaving some undetonated mines floating in space? Do we just leave them there? I’m not keen on cleaning up anti-matter.”
“They self-destruct. I have ours set to self-detonate two hours after they launch.”
Zetes was about to speak, but then stopped. There’s no point in asking questions. All this is either over my head or stupid enough to get us killed. Either way, I do trust Dionysus. “Where exactly will we be launching them?”
“I’ll handle that,” Dionysus said as he started to fiddle with the controls. “This shouldn’t take long. Once we finish here, we’ll need to make our way toward Earth.”
* * *
Njord nodded in his pilot’s direction. “Sir, accelerating to superluminal speeds in 3…2…1.”
That was the last sound Njord, or anyone on the ship, heard. Njord’s Storskip didn’t even begin deceleration before it ran directly into four of the anti-matter mines.
* * *
Zetes was dumbfounded as he stared at the destruction. The mines’ impact on the Storskip blew gaping holes straight through the hull, splintering it into multiple pieces and releasing its crew to the merciless universe outside. Crew that wasn’t incinerated went through the immense torture of being exposed to open space: their bodies inflated, lungs ruptured, and many died a surprisingly slow death.
A few souls that were too close to the front or back of the ship were flung into warped space-time, caused by the ship’s superluminal engines failure. Those in the back were crushed by space contracting after its expansion and in the front they were ripped to bits by space expanding for the opposite reason.
“They were more effective than I thought they would be…and precise…how many of these mines did you launch to catch them in their flight path?”
“Enough. Now, let’s head to Earth.”
Act III, Chapter 6
Coalition
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Sigyn was waiting for Emilia to arrange a live view via satellite of the Krysuvikurberg Cliffs in Iceland, but before she could finish a second call came through on her phone. This time Sigyn answered.
“Vili!” Sigyn exclaimed gleefully. “You’re alive!” She began pacing to burn off her sudden burst of energy.
“Atlas is dead,” Vili replied.
At the sound of his voice, Sigyn could feel the anxiety and fear wash off her as her eyes began to water. “You did it…I can’t…you did it…”
“I’m afraid the worst is still to come. Apart from the other Olympian lurking in Africa, I can no longer call my hammer and I believe Olympians have entered this solar system.”
Sigyn’s jubilation was cut short by a jolt of terror; she froze in place as sudden as when she started pacing. “Why do you think that?”
“Because the ship I used to send Atlas’ body into space blew up in the upper atmosphere. I think Skadi engaged the defense protocol, preventing ships from entering or exiting Earth.”
Sigyn struggled to regain her mental footing with the comment. Though it was confirmation the Olympians were in the system, it would also buy them time. “So Skadi layered the Earth…okay, that gives us a few days. Are you injured? Can you meet us in Zurich? I can give you our—”
“Sigyn,” Lugh said as he grabbed her arm. “Sorry to interrupt, but you need to see this…both of you do.”
Lugh pointed to the television which was displaying the final message Athena sent from Egypt, but to all Earthlings it looked like complete gibberish. Sigyn understood it immediately: it was a phonetic representation of the Aesirian language: The traitorous Aesir deserve no place in Olympia. Meet me at the Anunnaki’s first research site or I’ll come find you. This ends now.
Sigyn spoke into the phone. “Vili, the other Olympian wants to meet us in Djoser; otherwise, they are threatening to seek us out.”
“Give me your location. We’ll figure out our next move after I arrive.”
Sigyn furnished Vili with the location of the hotel and then turned to Lugh, hanging up her phone. He met her gaze with a perplexed look and question. “Djoser?”
“It’s likely not called that anymore,” Sigyn replied.
Heinrich, the physicist, spoke up. “According to our records, Djoser was an Egyptian pharaoh and is associated with the first Egyptian pyramid ever constructed. There is actually a Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, Egypt.”
“’Djoser was the first group of Anunnaki scientists to set up a facility on Earth. Their lab carried the same name,” Sigyn said. “It would seem that, given that the message was coded, whoever is there is hoping to meet us alone.”
“Well that’s not going to happen,” General Peterson said, command in his voice. “While we aren’t ready to get involved in your fight, we will have eyes on everything occurring on Earth. If necessary, we will defend ourselves.”
Sigyn ignored the veiled threat. “You should have a live feed of Djoser—you need to see the threat a single Olympian poses. The fact that they masked that message is all the evidence you need.”
Emilia cut in before the General could respond. “Given these new revelations, we need to contact COPUOS immediately and agree on a path forward.” Her movements were stiff under her black pantsuit as she moved to conference in the leaders still stationed in Washington D.C., among other places.
Sigyn turned to Lugh. “Lugh, you should stay here. I need to think about our next move before Vili arrives. You can be my representative.” She turned to Emilia. “Let me know what you decide.”
As Sigyn moved to leave, Lugh ran up to her and grabbed her arm. “Sigyn, wait! I’m not qualified for this,” he said as he waved his arm around the room. “Plus, given my newfound abilities, I might be able to be some help.”
Sigyn was quiet for a moment as she stared into Lugh’s eyes. Milky blue with hints of yellow—I hadn’t noticed. “Your bravery is admirable, but misplaced. I’ll hardly be of any help to Vili, let alone you.”
She could see the frustration and helplessness in his eyes. I wonder if that’s how Vili views me… It certainly wasn’t a flattering thought. Sigyn smiled reassuringly and gave his upper arm a firm grip. “I’ll come by before I leave—I really do need your help here.”
And with that, she went back to her room to meditate until Vili arrived.
* * *
A knock at the door pulled Sigyn from her trance. Vili stood there, clearly fighting exhaustion, but still burning with determination. “We need to get to Djoser,” he said.
Sigyn hugged him. “You need to rest and fill me in on what’s going on.”
Vili walked straight for the couch and collapsed. “For starters, I can’t summon Mjoln
ir anymore. During the fight with Atlas, the current in my hand was interrupted while I was calling it, and it resulted in a giant blast of…lightning that ripped a hole through Atlas and deformed my hand.”
Sigyn began to pace. “We were already aware of the sparks that occur when the current is cut while you’re holding the hammer, but we assumed that was from the fluxtubes collapsing…of course! If there is more potential energy stored in the fluxtube then there will be a bigger blast of plasma when it collapses! I guess that energy needs to go somewhere once the collapse is initiated…very interesting,” she said mostly to herself.
“How does that explain why I can’t summon Mjolnir?”
Sigyn abruptly stopped her pacing. “Oh, that’s likely just because the blast overloaded the circuit in either the hammer or your hand. My guess is the hammer.”
“Okay, can you fix it before I travel to Djoser?”
“Unfortunately, no. I’d need equipment we haven’t yet built.”
“Well, at least I still have the adamant,” Vili said, showing some signs of disappointment. “The other issue we need to discuss is the likely presence of Olympian ships in this system.”
“You said you sent a vessel into Earth’s atmosphere and it exploded, right? I’ve thought about it and that doesn’t necessarily prove Skadi has layered the Earth—it could have been a compression issue with the ship. We should inquire with COPUOS whether any satellites have suddenly gone offline—that will tell us if Skadi did have to engage our protection protocol.”
“I like the plan. I need to rest for a day before I head to Djoser. After you speak with COPUOS, try to figure out where Loki is and bring him back…I’ll need all the help I can get in the next fight.”
Vili went to lie down, leaving Sigyn alone with her thoughts.
His dedication to the Aesir, to me…no Olympian would ever care this deeply about me. But this is how Vili, and the other elders, view all of us. If I’m being honest, my love for the Aesir comes naturally while my warmness toward the Olympians is artificial. Forced. I tolerate Olympia to receive the benefits it confers me, but I embrace the fledging Asgard, hoping to give more than I receive.
Sigyn shook her head, unable to square her emotions with her logic. She packed a duffle bag and prepared to speak with Emilia and Lugh before setting out to find Loki.
* * *
General Paterson answered the door when Sigyn knocked. Before he could say anything, she spoke. “I have a time sensitive mission, so I’ll be brief.” She walked inside to address everyone together. “We believe Olympians have entered your solar system, but we aren’t certain. If any of you can confirm whether satellites have unexpectedly gone offline over the past couple of days then that will tell us if they are really here.”
Her comments were met with looks of confusion.
“The admiral sitting behind the moon was ordered to send millions of small, dense spheres into orbit around the Earth if any Olympian ships were to enter this system. These tiny pellets would be practically invisible to any of your primitive detection equipment.” The General’s brow furrowed and he seemed about to speak. Sigyn nodded to him as she continued. “My apologies, General, but I am forced to speak frankly. This technique would isolate Earth from inbound and outbound travel for a few days, before the spheres burned up as they entered Earth’s atmosphere.”
Emilia still bore a bewildered countenance and turned wordlessly to Heinrich. Heinrich spoke up. “If I understand correctly, Sigyn is saying Earth is now ensconced in a layer of orbiting spheres.” Sigyn nodded. “Which, given the acceleration of any object in orbit, essentially means Earth is covered in a blanket of bullets: any ship entering or leaving will do so at the risk of being completely destroyed…at least, until those spheres disintegrate in the atmosphere.”
“Which will be in a few days,” Sigyn said.
Confusion drained from Emilia’s face, but was replaced by concern. She quickly dialed a few COPUOS personnel and confirmed that multiple low orbit satellites had been knocked offline earlier that day.
“So that means the spheres were only recently launched,” Sigyn said. “At least the timing is working in our favor.” She approached Lugh. “I’m going to look for Loki and then return here soon after to rest and prepare for the coming fight. Tomorrow at this time, Vili—and Loki if I can find him—will leave for Djoser.”
“What will you do?” Lugh asked.
Sigyn stayed silent. I’m not sure. The ambiance of anxiety that had accompanied her on this mission thus far was fainter than usual, but she didn’t pay much attention as to why. “I may go with Vili, especially if I can’t find Loki. Vili is exhausted and needs help, but I’m not sure how much help I’d be, anyway.”
Sigyn gave him a quick hug and then left. If Vili dies I’ll need to spend my life running…is that something I’m ready for?
Act III, Chapter 7
Betrayal
Location: Bandurria, Peru
Loki was convinced the book would provide him with “true escape.” His rigid adherence to his beliefs made him impossible to negotiate with, but I was told to “find a way.” How can I convince the sun not to shine?
—In Vino Veritas, page 156, note 6.
* * *
Sigyn found herself in the triangular Hod ship that she—with the help of Loki and Vili—stole from the research facility in the Kuiper Belt. The last I saw of Loki was in Pachacamac, before we encountered Atlas. He showed interest in exploring that facility, but he also wanted to spend more time in Bandurria. The thought of “Bandurria” triggered a memory of what Emilia had said.
Someone killed two Peruvian men at the same facility Loki explored, and likely returned to after fleeing from Atlas. He knew we had strict orders not to cause undue harm to humans. Or maybe that wasn’t Loki, there are no guarantees he is even alive…
Sigyn’s emotions were subtly balanced somewhere between ire at the notion of Loki’s betrayal and grief at the possibility of his death. Instead of the normal self–scolding and frustration that typically followed, she let both emotions slip off her; neither embracing nor fighting them. She was patient and allowed her mind to settle, and then refocused it on the task at hand.
Bandurria is now known to the humans, so it’s unlikely Loki’s there—I’ll check Pachacamac.
* * *
After leaving Bandurria, Loki went straight to the Pachacamac facility. He studied the destruction wrought by an incredible battle, read the parts of the mixed-language he understood, and deduced what various experiments had occurred.
He was able to gather that the Pachacamac facility was the central research hub in the region for the Huacans—if not of Earth—for biological warfare. In retrospect, the Bandurria facility likely specialized in something specific to biological warfare. Perhaps it was research focused on Primordial-specific pandemics that could be smuggled in via vegetation or less sentient beings. Based on the heavy experimentation on pregnant human women, it was also possible the Huacan were developing ways to keep the diseases dormant, only revealing their presence after infecting an entire generation of infants.
Loki was certain the Bandurria facility would report its findings to the central hub—Pachacamac—he found himself in now. It appeared as though the researchers in Pachacamac collected findings across all facility branches and stitched them together into coherent, deadly weapons. Loki assumed the scientists witnessed first-hand the effects of their acute poisons and semi-sentient fauna in the glass-encased arena that he found in one of the rooms.
The sentient fauna Loki found especially intriguing: a weapon that could quickly, and nonchalantly, infect an entire planet. Imagining ubiquitous, harmless-looking vegetation somehow turning deadly made him grateful the Huacans were all but extinct. Hopefully, the one I killed is the last of them.
In general, Loki was happy with the progress he had made, but he was getting to the point where he couldn’t learn much else. He had been intentionally avoiding exploring the door marked
with the warning of death in multiple languages. You’re running out of excuses—there isn’t much left in this facility to explore except for that.
He made his way to the room in question and stood before the door guarding Death; the only section of the facility that lay untouched. Why wasn’t this destroyed in the same catastrophe that ripped holes in steal walls? Why is it marked in multiple languages? A virus—or creature—the Huaca could barely contain? Is it the reason for the destruction of this facility?
* * *
Sigyn made quick work getting into the Pachacamac facility. The ship she was piloting was more advanced than the ones she used earlier, giving her the ability to scan for entrances to the hanger in the underground site. More comforting than the feeling of using advanced technology again was the fact that Sigyn hadn’t felt the presence of any Olympians the entire trip. They aren’t here.
She took note of the severe damage sustained by the site. A large battle?
Sigyn surveyed the hanger, inspecting the few other ships. That’s Atlas’ Linter, the ship Loki stole.
“Loki! Where are you?” she yelled. “I know you’re here!” Sigyn moved toward the ramp leading up and out of the hanger.
* * *
Shit. Why is Sigyn here? Loki weighed his options. She sees my ship—there is no way I can hide. I knew this would be a possibility…
He moved out of the room with the door boasting to hold back Death and responded. “Come up—I’m in the hall!”
As soon as he finished his sentence, Sigyn reached the top of the ramp.
He stared wordlessly at her. Sigyn was tense; her eyes had a slight squint and her jaw was tight. Her fists were clenched. The spiritual quality Loki had noted in the forests of Bolivia was replaced by a fiery demon.
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