by Jerry Aubin
Zax nodded. “As one of those oddballs who was barely tolerated, I’ll agree with Aleron. Mase analyzed my DNA and identified that I’m one of the zero point one percent, so there’s at least a valid reason for why I’m different. So is he. You too, Kalare.”
Zax met his friend’s eyes as waves of emotions roiled her face and knotted her brow. Kalare finally spoke.
“How did he get access to my DNA?”
“He stole samples off cups we used in the mess hall. I’m sure he’s trying to do the same thing right now with that cigar to test if the Boss is also part of the zero point one percent.”
The compartment fell silent as everyone processed the information. Zax didn’t know if everyone believed him, but if independent corroboration from Imair wasn’t sufficient to convince them, then nothing ever would short of hearing it directly from the Boss himself. Kalare stared at the table and breathed deeply while Aleron observed her with an expression of grave concern. Imair leaned back and stared at the overhead while her hands were tented and the tips of her index fingers tapped together in a repeating pattern. Major Eryn, who had silently observed ever since they entered the conference room, sat with her eyes closed. Sergeant Bailee stood up and paced while clenching and unclenching his fists. Finally, Mase burst through the hatch.
“The medkit was super easy to hack. I used it to extract a sample and perform the DNA analysis I needed. The Boss is part of the zero point one percent.”
Zax had already assumed that would be the answer, but he allowed everyone else a few moments to ponder Mase’s words before he spoke.
“Now what?”
“I don’t know what the hell we’re supposed to do with all of this absurdity,” spat Sergeant Bailee, “but the one thing that makes the most sense is checking with the Boss for orders. Imair—do you have any way for us to contact him?”
“I’m afraid not, Sergeant. Civilians loyal to me are embedded throughout Rege’s command structure, but there’s no one able to communicate with the Boss. Shortly before you arrived, I was told Rege kicked him off the Bridge and he’s now confined to his quarters.”
“Well then,” the Marine grinned, “we’ll just have to fight our way up to him.”
The compartment burst into a din of crosstalk as Zax, Kalare, Imair, and Aleron all called out the stupidity of Bailee’s idea. After a few secs, Major Eryn rose and rapped her knuckles against the table until everyone fell silent and all eyes were on her.
“I have important information to share.”
14
You have sixty seconds!
Rilee screamed to make herself heard above the din of the klaxons.
“Hey! Let me loose. Let me loose. Now!”
The medic charged into the room and spoke as she undid the restraints that bound Rilee to the bed. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t have a clue. I was speaking with the General Secretary when our connection was cut off. Something bad must have happened up on the asteroid. Once you get me loose, I’ll make some calls to find out more.”
The medic removed the last strap and Rilee jumped out of the bed. She approached the communications wall and activated its console to configure a secure connection to the Operations Center. The medic observed for a moment but then made for the door.
“I need to check on some other patients. Call me if you need anything. There are some clothes for you in the drawer.”
The medic’s mention of clothing drew Rilee’s attention to the cold air on her buttocks. She wore a medical gown that opened at the back but was otherwise naked. She had long ago given up any pretense of physical modesty, so she quickly forgot about her state of undress as the communication screen came alive with an image of the Operations Center. Rilee was grateful to find Kalyn on the other end of the connection. She had worked extensively with the woman across a range of missions and was comfortable she could trust whatever information she shared.
“Rilee—it’s great that you’re awake. I was told your prognosis was quite poor.”
“Thanks, Kalyn. What are the klaxons about?”
“Two things. First, there was a fragment of a message from the asteroid that made it sound like there was something unexpected happening up there. The message was inconclusive and by itself wouldn’t cause any alarm, but there’s also spacecraft from the asteroid inbound to both our Mars installation and our facilities in the asteroid belt. They’re approaching at high velocity and not responding to any hailing attempts. We triggered the main alarm to get everyone in the Palace to their stations.”
Rilee thought for a moment. “What’s going on with the Central Committee? How are they reacting to all of this?”
Kalyn paused and checked back over her shoulder before speaking quietly. “That’s what has me nervous. None of them have any clue what to do. Everyone who was on the Committee when you were last awake is now up on the asteroid. The people who replaced them have barely had time to get up to speed about their roles. They haven’t even elected a new General Secretary yet, since that was supposed to happen right before the asteroid left. We’re managing the tactical situation, but the full chain of command is unclear right now.”
Rilee was pondering the woman’s concerns when the lighting within the Operations Center flipped to dark red. “What’s the new alert about?”
Kalyn pressed a finger to her earpiece and closed her eyes for a handful of seconds. When she opened them, all the blood had drained from her face.
“The asteroid belt reported they were under attack fifteen seconds ago, and now they’re offline and appear to be gone. Mars just reported inbound missiles as well. Why the hell is Adan attacking them, Rilee?”
Rilee didn’t wait to reply but instead turned to run through the door. She urged her legs to move faster, but her brain was dull as if synapses were misfiring in their attempt to control the Skin. Once she gathered her bearings, Rilee moved as fast as she was capable down the hall towards the medic workstation. She arrived just as the woman turned the corner coming from the opposite direction.
“Medic—I need you to listen closely. Adan and his asteroid are attacking us before they leave. They’ve destroyed our installations on Mars and the asteroid belt, and I’m guessing this facility is their next target. If you want to live you’ll do exactly what I say. Give me your communicator and get me a stimulant.”
The medic hesitated for a moment, but then handed over her communicator and crossed the corridor to root around inside the medication cabinet. Rilee sat down and called Kalyn again.
“Rilee—where did you go?”
“Kalyn—listen carefully. Mars and the belt won’t be the end of the attack. We’re going to be next. Maybe not the whole planet, but definitely the Palace. Grab anyone around and run as fast as possible to the coordinates I’m sending you. Move!”
Rilee cut the audio connection and sent over coordinates which she had long ago memorized. The medic approached with an injector at the ready, and Rilee held out her arm and closed her eyes as the woman pierced a vein. A moment later, her eyes popped open as the drug delivered its magic. She turned to the medic.
“Who else is nearby and will be able to move fast?”
“There are two more medics and an admin down the hall.” The medic paused for a moment before responding. “One of my patients is stable but still bedridden. The other three are in good enough shape to walk on their own. Why?”
“Go collect whoever you can and get back here if you want to survive whatever’s coming next. You have sixty seconds!”
To her credit, the medic didn’t hesitate but instead bolted down the hall. The stimulant was reaching full effect, so Rilee stood and paced to warm up her legs as she repeatedly keyed the communicator. None of her calls were answered. She hoped the rest of her team would be scrambling for safety the same way she was, but it was just as likely they were part of the group who had left with the Secretary and now faced an unknown fate up on Adan’s asteroid.
One minute and fiftee
n seconds later Rilee was on the verge of giving up on the medic and leaving by herself when footsteps finally pounded down the hall. The woman was accompanied by two male medics and another young woman who must have been the admin. The three patients were easy to recognize as they all wore the same style gown as Rilee. She walked backwards as she addressed the approaching group.
“Our off-planet settlements have been attacked, and I expect there will be missiles inbound to Earth soon. We long ago developed an emergency plan to shelter key people if this facility was ever threatened. I’m pretty sure most of the people who were supposed to take the available slots are now up on the asteroid, so you all get to come along instead. Follow me if you don’t want to die.”
One of the medics stopped in his tracks and put his hands on his hips. His age and bearing suggested he was used to giving orders rather than taking them, and he appeared dubious at the idea of following someone with her butt hanging out in the breeze.
“Just who in the hell are you? That specific alarm means we should remain at our stations.”
Without breaking stride, Rilee turned forwards while answering the medic over her shoulder. “We need to keep moving. If you don’t want to come, you’re welcome to stay here and die. If you don’t keep up, we’ll leave you behind.”
Rilee didn’t bother to look back, but running footfalls a few moments later suggested the man didn’t want to remain by himself. Two turns and one long hallway later, they halted in front of a lift. The same petulant medic spoke again.
“The lifts go into automatic lockdown during alerts.”
Rilee was well aware but didn’t want to waste any energy on the man. Instead, she placed her hand next to the lift’s call button and waited as a hidden scanner validated her palm-print. A moment later, the lift door opened and Rilee stood aside to let everyone pile in. The medic pursed his mouth like he had just bitten into a piece of sour fruit, but he followed the rest inside and Rilee boarded behind him and spoke a command.
“Destination sub level ten.”
The door closed and then reopened a few moments later. The lift had automatically engaged emergency mode in response to Rilee’s biometrics, so the descent was stomach-churningly fast. The group exited and Rilee led them down the hall at a brisk jog until she turned a corner and nearly ran into Kalyn and a dozen of her coworkers. The new group were milling around in a nondescript hallway.
“Rilee—what are we doing here?”
“Glad you made it, Kalyn. Please step aside.”
The woman moved and Rilee approached what appeared to be a featureless wall. She placed her hand against yet another hidden scanner and waited for a moment while her palm-print was analyzed. A hidden door slid aside to reveal a downward sloping corridor that was carved into the facility’s bedrock. Rilee stepped aside.
“Everyone get in. Now!”
The group hustled inside with the exception of the imperious male medic. He approached the opening more cautiously, and Rilee finally took notice of the man’s name-tag—Randel. He poked his head into the doorway and then turned back to Rilee.
“What’s down there?”
Rilee stared at the man and spoke coolly. “Your only shot at survival, Randel. Do you want it or not?”
15
If you want to survive, put on a helmet.
The medic stepped past Rilee. She followed him inside and then pressed a button to reseal the wall behind her. She pushed her way past the waiting group and then bolted full speed down the passage. As they descended a series of switchback turns, the air became cooler and cooler. Finally, the group reached a secure door with a visible access panel. With one final scan of Rilee’s palm, it slid aside.
The open door revealed a chamber which appeared to measure one hundred meters on each side. Hundreds of Upload helmets were hung from the ceiling. Two dozen people had beat them to the facility as evidenced by Skins dangling lifelessly with their heads encased in a helmet. Rilee took a moment to scan the bodies only to be disappointed when she recognized none of them.
“What the hell is this place?” It was Randel, once again. “What kind of Upload facility is this? What’s going to happen to all of these Skins without proper storage tanks?”
Rilee was considering her reply when a new klaxon wailed within the compartment. It was quite different than any that had sounded previously, and her heart pounded in recognition. She pitched her voice loud enough for everyone to hear.
“That alarm means there are missiles inbound to the Palace. If anyone is worried about what might happen to your Skin, stay here and die with it. If you want to survive, put on a helmet. Once it’s secure press the button on the side. It’s just like a regular Upload, except these helmets are all hardwired to deliver you to a special lifeboat facility. I’ll explain more to whoever joins me once we’re safely Uploaded.”
Rilee dashed to one of the dangling helmets and placed it over her head. She adjusted it to be sure all of the contact points were aligned correctly, and then secured it around her neck. Suspecting it might be a long time until she was able to do so again, she took one last deep breath and then pressed the button.
An instant later, Rilee was blinded by bright sunshine. She had arrived in a room where the ceiling and all four walls were comprised of seamless glass. The blue of the sky was rendered all the more perfect due to being set off by the pure white of two downy clouds. Out one set of windows was a mountain range with ice-capped peaks. The windows opposite overlooked an ocean vista, where foamy waves broke against a beach with black sand.
Rilee pushed her appreciation for the scenery aside to focus on counting the heads around her. Almost everyone had donned a helmet with Randel being the sole exception. She felt an urge to celebrate being rid of the man who had been such a major annoyance in such a short amount of time, but her satisfaction was tempered knowing that an intelligent and highly skilled person would be sorely missed if her worst fears about the attack proved true. Rilee was searching for a way to exit the room when Randel finally appeared. The man smiled as he gaped at the scenery, and Rilee pushed him out of her mind to focus on the matters at hand. She spotted an arrow labeled Command Center and ran in its direction through a door and then barreled down a set of stairs.
The Command Center was large enough to hold far more than the two dozen people sitting inside. Most looked up as Rilee entered and was trailed by the remainder of the group she had Uploaded with. Monitors around the room displayed the same image, and a half dozen people stared intently at a smaller screen they had gathered around. Rilee approached.
“What’s happening?”
“Shhhh,” said the woman closest to the screen as she pointed at the top right corner of the display.
The screen identifier revealed it to be a satellite view of the Palace of the Secretariat. Rilee assumed it was in real time because columns of people streamed out of the building in what appeared to be a panic. The top right corner of the screen displayed a countdown timer that had just reached five seconds.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
The screen flashed to solid white momentarily. When it displayed a picture again, it showed nothing but a sea of roiling flames. The woman who had shushed Rilee reached for the controls of the display and changed the magnification level. As she zoomed out, the cause of the destruction became clear. A massive mushroom cloud had engulfed not only the Palace, but the surrounding area for kilometers in every direction. Everyone sat stunned into silence until the man next to Rilee spoke.
“Let’s check some of the other feeds. Pull up a view of the entire Eastern Hemisphere.”
The woman interacted with the display until the screen was filled with half of the Earth. One after another, furious mushroom clouds burst from the ground. First it was a handful, and then it was dozens, and finally it became hundreds. The cities across the entirety of the Eastern Hemisphere were soon nothing but fire and ash, and yet missiles continued to impact
. The room was quiet save for soft sobs emanating from multiple people. A man from the first group of arrivals spoke up.
“How did this happen? Who did this? Why?”
Kalyn spoke up. “I just came from the Operations Center. The people on Adan’s asteroid did this. Before I left to come here, I witnessed spacecraft that were launched from the asteroid blasting our installations in the asteroid belt as well as on Mars.”
Adan. Rilee’s blood pressure spiked at the mention of the man’s name. She had repeatedly warned the General Secretary the man was up to no good, but she had never imagined Adan’s betrayal and malfeasance would reach such epic proportions. She committed to a silent vow that as long as her consciousness persisted, she would never let anyone forget the name of the man who had unleashed such horror on the nine billion people who were dying on the planet’s surface.
One of the people who had been crying was the female admin who had Uploaded with Rilee. She wiped at the tears with the palm of her hand as she called out.
“What’s going to happen to us? Where is this facility located? I didn’t recognize the mountain range outside the windows when we arrived upstairs.”
Rilee waited to see if anyone else would offer the answers she possessed. When everyone continued to stare glassy-eyed at the screens, she spoke.
“That mountain range does not exist in the physical world. The designers of this facility understood that anyone who arrived would be fleeing horror like what is happening to the planet right now. They wanted the reception area to serve as a vivid reminder of the Earth’s natural beauty. It’s a landscape composite that combines some of the world’s most ideal vistas. The system we’ve Uploaded into is housed within a facility five kilometers underground. Those aware of its existence called it the Ark, and it’s construction was the most closely held secret in all of the East. It was built to serve as a long-term shelter for those among our people who were deemed most critical to ensure the survival of our culture. It’s clear to me that, with all the tumult surrounding the departure of Adan’s asteroid, the access list was not updated to reflect those of us who were staying behind.”
