by Andrew Gates
“Where do they want us to go?” Dan asked as he hopped down from his block of ice.
“Follow me,” Ukhrani replied. “I shall show you.”
What do you know? Something to do after all. No more sitting around in the guestroom.
* * *
Grey expected to meet Ikharus and the others in some sort of meeting room, but when he and the humans arrived, they found themselves in a clean white laboratory. Here nothing gave any indication that they were in a cave in the mountains. The walls were sleek, as if made of tile, though the entire section of the wall was one continuous tile itself. The overhead lights were warm. Blinking equipment encompassed the room. Two large lab tables stood at the front of the room and farther back was an empty space that was probably used as a workspace for larger experiments.
If Grey had not known where he was, he would have guessed this was anywhere in Kholvaria, or even an oversized version of a lab from the Atlantic Station.
Ikharus and Flokh stood behind one of the two tables in the front of the room, while Saratti and three other Sorrevahni stood behind the other. Ukhrani joined Ikharus and Flokh, while the humans stood still in the entrance.
One Sorrevahni in particular stood out from the rest. His uniform was decorated with bird feathers and a crown of antlers rested atop his head. Grey assumed this must have been the Emperor’s representative and that the other two he did not recognize were his guards.
The decorated Sorrevahni opened his mandibles and spoke in roars and shrieks.
“I am afraid they will not understand you, Soh Sylus,” Ikharus said. “These ren lei do not speak the Kholvari tongue. They have their own language that is foreign even to us.”
The one called Soh Sylus nodded his head, clearly understanding. He walked out from behind the table, then took a few calm steps forward toward the humans. He leaned down and studied each individually, starting with Dan, then Grey, then Margery, then Jallah, then Ophelia. When at last he was finished, he walked back behind his table again, then turned and said something to Ikharus.
Ikharus listened to Sylus talk for a few moments, then nodded in confirmation and addressed the humans.
“Thank you for joining us, Kho Daniel, Kho Greyson, Kho Jallah, Kal Margery and Kal Ophelia. I am glad to see that you have been well taken care of in the Sorrevahni presence,” he started. He briefly turned to Sylus again, then back to the humans.
“This is Soh Sylus,” Ikharus introduced. “He speaks for the Emperor. As I am sure Kal Ukhrani has already informed you, we have asked for you to come to answer some questions that Soh Sylus has about the Metamorph.” Ikharus paused, then said, “Firstly, he wishes to see it for himself.”
Jallah gulped, then took a nervous step forward. He reached into his jumpsuit and pulled out the glass vial. The chemical inside gleamed blue in the warm light.
Sylus leaned forward and stared at it. After a few seconds, he came out from around the table again and walked toward Jallah. The boy nervously took a step back as the creature approached, but kept the vial held high. When Sylus was close enough, he held out his claw. Jallah understood the gesture and slowly handed the vial to him. The Sorrevahni held it in his grasp and raised it up to the light, examining it.
After a few seconds, Sylus lowered the vial and turned to Ikharus again. He spoke for a few sentences and Ikharus nodded back.
“Soh Sylus finds it beautiful,” Ikharus said. “He wants to know how you came to find it.”
“That’s a long story,” Dan began with an exhale.
“Then begin, one sentence at a time. I will do my best to repeat the story to Soh Sylus,” Ikharus said, waving his scepter to the floor.
Dan nodded and stepped forward.
Dan started at the beginning, explaining how they had stumbled onto the domed town called Country Roads and how they narrowly escaped from zombies to get there. He even had to stop and explain what zombies were for Sylus’s sake. He then talked about the video they had uncovered, then about the attack on the lab and the discovery they had made in the vault. Grey had heard the story of how they came to find the serum before, but never with so much detail and vivid descriptions. It seemed Dan did not want to leave out a single detail this time. The real story was much more horrifying than Grey was initially led to believe. Perhaps he saved the details on purpose for my sake, he wondered.
When at last the story came to an end and Ikharus had translated the final words to Sylus, the Sorrevahni’s mandibles were open wide in shock. It took several seconds before he even moved and when he did, he shook his head in disbelief and wiped his face with both claws. Finally, he then turned to Ikharus and spoke a few quiet words.
“Thank you for sharing the story, Kho Daniel. I imagine it is not a tale you wish to relive,” Ikharus said, nodding in appreciation. “Soh Sylus would now like to know why Kho Jallah has held onto this deadly chemical for so long.”
Jallah gulped again and stepped forward.
“I… uh… I don’t know. It was just a feeling, I guess,” he said.
Ikharus translated the words again, then turned to face Jallah.
“I know there is more to it than that. Tell him what you told me about the visions you had,” Ikharus said.
“Oh, yeah, so there are these dreams and in them the Metamorph is fighting against these big tentacles. The dream told me that the vial is the key,” Jallah added.
Grey knew there must have been more to Jallah’s dreams than that. Unlike Dan, who elaborated on everything, Jallah was clearly trying to keep his story simple.
Once again, Ikharus translated the words for Sylus, who nodded curiously. He glanced down at the vial in his claw again, then back to Ikharus. Then he spoke again.
“Soh Sylus would like me to tell you what we have planned,” Ikharus said. He cleared his throat. “I have proposed my plan to infect the swarm queen with this chemical, though Soh Sylus does not wish to proceed with such a mission until he first has definitive proof that the chemical works on a species outside your own. Despite our lack of available time, I am inclined to agree with him.” Ikharus turned and motioned to Saratti. “To help us with this, Soh Saratti has volunteered to test the serum on himself.”
“That will kill him, well, kill his mind,” Dan warned without even waiting for his time to speak.
“Soh Saratti knows the risk, Kho Daniel. His action is one of sacrifice. He need not be reminded what will happen to him. That he is willing to do this shows his true courage and honor,” Ikharus replied. He lowered his claw back to his side. “But in order to do this, we first require your help. As you evolved-ones have had the most experience with the Metamorph, as limited as it may be, you five are best suited to advise us in this experiment.”
“You’re seriously going to test the chemical on him?” Dan asked in shock, pointing to Saratti. “Right here in this lab?”
“That is correct,” Ikharus confirmed.
Dan exhaled and wiped his forehead.
“And you want us to help?” Dan continued.
“That is correct.”
“Uh… well, there are few problems with that,” Dan started. “For one, let’s say everything goes as planned, we’re going to have a monster in this lab, a violent murderous monster.”
“Then we will kill the monster before it can deal any harm,” Ikharus responded without a second’s thought. It seemed they had already considered that point.
“Alright, but that’s not your only problem. There’s an even bigger problem before we get to the monster part. Let’s say we do this test and we unleash the chemical. The Metamorph will turn to gas the second it is exposed to oxygen, so when we open the vial, all of it will turn to gas, the entire supply, everything we have. This is not something we have copies of. This is only something we can use once. If we use it here, what will we have left to use on the Hive?”
Ikharus did not respond as quickly this time. He paused, then turned to Sylus and relayed Dan’s concerns. Sylus considered Dan’s points f
or a few seconds, then offered his own response, which Ikharus then translated.
“Would it be possible to open the vial briefly to allow just a portion of the chemical to be exposed to the oxygen? Then the vial could be sealed with an airtight stopper, thus saving some of the serum to use for later,” Ikharus asked.
Dan considered it for a moment, then nodded.
“I suppose it is possible,” he said, “but we would have to seal it fast. Any oxygen exposure will trigger the chemical reaction.”
“But it is possible?” Ikharus asked.
“Theoretically, yes,” Dan replied, obviously choosing his words carefully.
Ikharus turned to Sylus and relayed the message. Then Sylus responded and Ikharus nodded.
“Soh Sylus says he will have his engineers get to work on the type of stopper needed to quickly seal the vial,” Ikharus translated. “He asks if you have any other notes for the experiment.”
“When the chemical is unleashed, keep Soh Saratti contained. Do not let him out and do not go to help him. When he breathes the air, he will no longer be the person you know. Remember that,” Dan said, bluntly.
Ikharus nodded. The long look in his eyes showed that he understood.
“Thank you, Kho Daniel.”
Dan made eye contact with Saratti.
“What you’re doing is very brave. I know you don’t know what I’m saying, but I just feel like I must say it anyway,” Dan said.
“I shall pass along your message to Soh Saratti,” Ukhrani said.
“Thank you.”
“Anything else?” Ikharus asked.
“Yeah,” Dan replied, nodding again. “When you do the experiment, I want to be there. I want to help if I can.”
“Me too,” Jallah said, stepping forward.
“Jallah? You?” Grey asked, surprised.
“What? Why?” Margery asked in the same tone.
Jallah nodded.
“I know it sounds weird but, the Metamorph called to me. It came to me. I’ve been holding it for days now. It’s almost become… a part of me. I want to see what happens to it,” he said.
“Are you sure?” Margery asked, turning to face him.
“I am,” the boy confirmed.
“Very well,” Ikharus replied.
The Supreme Chieftain turned to Sylus and repeated the humans’ requests. Then Sylus nodded his head.
“Consider your requests granted,” Ikharus relayed. “We shall summon you when the experiment begins, but we have much to prepare before then. Soh Sylus tells me it may be a few days.”
“Days?” Ophelia repeated.
“You mean we’re not here for one night and leaving tomorrow morning?” Margery asked.
“No,” Ikharus replied, shaking his head. “While I understand that time is of the essence and I do not wish to delay any more than you do, this is an experiment that we cannot rush. If the Metamorph fails to work as we expect, then so shall my entire plan. We must ensure that everything works.”
“I understand,” Dan said, nodding.
“On top of that, we will need days to assemble the forces of Sorreveous. My plan calls for pulling all available resources into one cohesive assault and although the Emperor has not yet authorized this mission, we should be ready to execute it at a moment’s notice. Soh Sylus has already agreed to assist in this endeavor, which shall also take time,” Ikharus added.
Grey tried to imagine what such a massive fleet of spaceships would look like. I guess I’ll find out for myself in a few days, he thought.
“Are there any other questions?” Ikharus asked.
No response.
“Good,” Ikharus replied. He waved to the door. “Thank you again for coming, Kho Daniel, Kho Greyson, Kho Jallah, Kal Margery and Kal Ophelia. Your advice has been most helpful. You may leave now.” He turned to face Ukhrani and said, “Kal Ukhrani, please escort them back to their quarters.”
“Understood, your Majesty.”
And with those words, Grey and the others were led out of the room.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Echoes
SQL Kal Jakhu
Frigid air blew against her face as Jakhu stood on the mountainside and gazed in awe at the sight hundreds of kotans below. The thick bearskin that covered her body blew this way and that. She had to hold it in place just to keep it from flying away as the gust slowly subsided.
“It is quite the sight,” Kozakh observed, taking a step beside her, his feet creating deep imprints in the thick snowy ground. “I have stood beneath a warship before, but I never thought I would be standing above a warship, looking down upon it.”
“I never thought I would see a lot of things,” Jakhu replied, not taking her eyes away from the sight.
Here they stood, on the edge of the mountain, staring down at the low, flat valley where the base of three mountains converged. There was an icy lake in the center, though the view of it was now obstructed by the massive warship that covered its place.
The Empire’s few remaining military vessels were beginning to arrive. This was only the first of what Jakhu was told would be just under a dozen ships. The vessel, Light of the Creator, took a slow, low approach beneath the ridgeline to avoid detection from any unwanted eyes.
More ships like this were expected to arrive throughout the day and throughout the days that followed. Landing these ships would take much longer than normal, as the captains were given strict instructions on how to approach as inconspicuously as possible, using the mountains, clouds and snow as cover. Anything they could do to avoid Hive detection.
Light of the Creator came to a full stop now and slowly descended straight down until it met the snow-covered Earth below. The ground shook as it made contact. Jakhu could even feel the reverberations from where she stood.
“There has never been a gathering like this before,” Kozakh noted. “Kholvari, Sorrevahni, evolved-ones, all together in such numbers, all in one place.”
“There has never been a need to gather like this before,” Jakhu replied.
The squad leader let out a sigh and turned her gaze to the west. The sun was beginning to set now. The last glimmers of daylight shone from above the faraway peaks. It was hard to believe the day was only just now coming to its end.
It had been a long day, a very long day. She had spent most of it in the visitor’s quarters, sitting idly and waiting. It was like torture. She could hardly believe the evolved-ones were summoned before her. But after the evolved-ones had returned from their meeting with Ikharus and Sylus, she was finally able to learn what had been happening. The evolved-ones told her everything.
Dan shared the news as best as he could, while his brother filled in the holes here and there. According to their account, Soh Sylus was willing to bring Ikharus’s plan to the Emperor, but he first needed proof that the Metamorph serum worked. To do that, they were going to test it live on Soh Saratti. The plan was bold, but if it worked, Sylus would have his proof. Jakhu knew Saratti was brave to sacrifice his own life like that.
In the meantime, Sylus had ordered the ships to converge here to this location. Jakhu was not sure how a simple representative was able to authorize such a significant movement of ships. After all, he only spoke for the Emperor, he was not the Emperor himself. But somehow or another, he had done it.
Shortly after learning what had transpired from the evolved-ones, Ukhrani and Flokh arrived at the quarters and the guests were given Sorrevahni clothes and food. They dressed and ate, then were granted access to move freely about the cave and the world outside so long as they remained out of trouble.
Naturally, Jakhu wanted to go for a walk. She did not take kindly to sitting idly for too long. She wanted to move, to feel busy. Resting did not suit her. It never had.
When she heard news that the first ship, Light of the Creator, was landing, she jumped at the chance to see it for herself. She had found her way outside quickly, with Kozakh eagerly following behind. Now here, watching it with her own tw
o eyes from the side of the mountain, she knew she was right to come. There was nothing like the view she now beheld.
“It is hard to fathom that more will be coming, more ships just like it,” Kozakh said.
“We will need them. If the Supreme Chieftain’s plan is going to work, we will need all the help we can get. I imagine even that antique we used to travel here will work its way into Kho Ikharus’s plan somehow.”
“If his plan ever comes to fruition, you mean,” Kozakh said. “There is a chance the Emperor will say no, even if the Metamorph proves effective.”
“Soh Sylus must know that the Emperor will agree to the plan. Why else would he bring the warships here? It is a big move to make if he doubted the Emperor’s commitment.”
“I suppose you are right,” Kozakh agreed.
“You told me once that I was suspicious of coincidence. Well I do not believe it is any coincidence that we should be here among the might of Sorreveous in this dire hour of need. We are destined to be here, destined to see this mission through.”
Kozakh let out a deep breath and planted a spear firmly in the ground. Jakhu turned to face him now, finally taking her eyes away from the view below.
Kozakh wore a thick black yak’s wool across his body. The yak’s horns were still adhered to the wool. The horns poked up from Kozakh’s shoulders like two massive spikes piercing the air and moved whenever he adjusted his shoulders.
“Assuming the Emperor approves Kho Ikharus’s plan, do you believe it will work?” Kozakh asked.
Jakhu sighed and turned away from him, facing the warship again. Its engines were powering down now. Even from here, Jakhu could hear the echoing hum begin to die away.
“It will work,” she said.
“How can you be so sure?” Kozakh asked.
“Because I am a Kreed and a Kholvari. I must believe so.”
“I do not understand.”
“You have been part of the honor guard for so long,” Jakhu replied with a deep breath. She turned to face Kozakh again. “You do not yet think like a Kreed. You still ask the wrong question.”
