by Ballan, Greg
“Yeah, they fixed me up as good as new—better than new, you could say,” Erik agreed.
“So I've been told,” Jeff replied. “What happened to you, what did they do?”
“It's complicated, and I still haven't worked my way through it completely,” Erik began. “I'm the byproduct of a genetic virus, a combination of human genetics and a breed of advanced beings known as Espers. When the Espers came to our planet, they were not alone. Another species called the Seelak accompanied them. They combined their technology to create a titanic vessel capable of carrying the remnants of their people to Earth. Their races had been at war for centuries, the conflict had made their world uninhabitable. They realized that both their races would die if they didn't cooperate and save themselves. They ended their war and put all their efforts in building a huge spacecraft that they called a Worldship, a ship capable of carrying them all to a new world.
“When they first arrived on our planet, they lived in peace working together, but disagreement broke out between the species, and the Seelak eventually moved themselves to a new encampment away from the Espers. Both species did what they could to avoid Mankind, until it was realized that their species and the human species could not coexist. Native diseases began to plague both Esper and Seelak, while the bacteria that they brought with them proved deadly to the native life on Earth.
“The Seelak wanted to destroy all humankind, while the Esper preferred to isolate themselves and let this world evolve naturally. The Espers and the Seelak disagreement escalated into another war. This war proved to be the end of both species. The Seelak created creatures to feed off of Esper emotion, use them like food, but the Esper had created huge powerful warriors to aid them in their fighting. I'd call it a Warrior cast for lack of a better term.” Erik paused for a moment to let Jeff absorb what he had said.
“I'm following you so far, but how does all this involve you and whatever those things were?” Jeff asked.
“I'm just getting to that,” Erik answered. “During the final battle, the Espers were victorious. Several pair of the Seelak creatures had been killed, only one pair remained, and that pair was locked inside their huge spacecraft. The Esper decided to lock the Seelak survivors into the Worldship with their creations to serve as an alternate food source. From what I understand, Seelak emotions are not nearly as intense as Espers. Since these monsters were designed to feed off of strong Esper emotional energy, the creatures would be constantly starved, while the Seelak would be tortured for food for the remainder of their lives, trapped inside that large ship with their monstrous creations.”
“That's horrid,” Jeff remarked with a shudder.
“I agree, but their crimes were just as horrid and the Esper felt the punishment was fitting for their crimes. But what they didn't realize, until after they had completely buried their ship, was that the creatures would not die, they would enter a period of hibernation and would eventually be released, which we both know happened,” Erik said lightly. “The Esper created a series of genetic viruses to embed themselves into certain humans that had particular genetic traits. My body was host to the genetic coding of their greatest soldier, a being named Jakor. He was the mightiest Esper warrior ever created. His genetic codes have combined themselves with mine to allow me to combat those mutations when they escaped their confinement.
“Very few people have the genetic virus within them, in those very few, the virus will remain dormant. Shanda has Esper genetics, as does Alissa, as far as I know, nobody else in our area does. The three of us were all drawn to this area for a reason. The Espers knew that this day would come and made sure that humankind would have someone to fight for them,” Erik finished his limited explanation and awaited his friend's response.
“I don't know what to say,” Jeff whispered. “That's the most incredible thing I've ever heard.” Jeff looked directly at Erik. “And what about you, how does this effect you now? Are you still different? I mean, you look like the same man I've known for so many years.”
Erik took two steps and turned “I've been altered, incredibly. This shell of skin is just a disguise for what I really am: a large metal-skinned interspecies experiment. I have the knowledge of an alien being locked inside my head—I'm sharing my mental real estate with a being called Jakor. It's almost as if I've known him for years. His personality exists deep within me. He actually can speak to me at times. I can feel and experience things that no human can, see things and sense things no one else can.
“When I was up in that mountain, it was almost as if I were a part of this planet. I could actually feel the magnetic pull of the poles. I could smell the scent of Brianna on the soil, feel her feelings.” He paused, sitting on the steps and looking up at the evening stars. “Then there's the physical strength. As I am, right now, I'm easily ten times stronger than I was before, and I was already lifting seven hundred pounds of free weight at the gym before all of this happened, thanks to the mutation from the virus. It seems that its abilities were more predominant in the perfect genetic match, me. It was hard enough keeping that feat secret. Imagine if I start lifting cars or trucks for exercise?”
Erik could see traces of doubt in his friend's eyes. He quietly stood and walked to a nearby car. He casually lifted the front end of the car four feet off the ground with one arm and then carefully lowered the vehicle's front end to the pavement. He heard Jeff gasp in astonishment. Erik walked back over to the steps and sat back down “If I make the change, become the hybrid creature that fought the Seelak, the physical strength is beyond anything I've ever imagined. There are abilities, senses, and power in the hybrid still remaining to be explored.” Erik put his face in his hands and groaned.
“I must admit, all of this scares me. I never asked for this, this isn't what I wanted for myself: To be a freak.” He looked over at his trusted friend “I wonder, Jeff, am I still human, do I have the right to love that woman in there, knowing what I am, and what I'm capable of becoming?” he asked his friend. “Will she still be able to love me?”
Jeff approached his friend, placing an arm upon his shoulder, and stared up at the stars, following Erik's gaze. “Two interesting words,” he began, “changed and different. Have you changed? Yes, you're stronger than you were before. You have senses and abilities others don't and you can become a being with metal armor for skin. But from what I understood from Shanda and Alissa, and from what you've just told me, you all have unique abilities. You were all chosen, for a reason.
“You told me that you've had a sixth sense, a unique ability since you were a child—that it set you apart. Shanda too has those gifts, it seems Alissa has those gifts, and you have those gifts, and more. You were given those things for a purpose: to stop a dreadful thing from occurring and you did. But dreadful things occur every day. Why not use those gifts and stop more dreadful things from occurring?” Jeff asked, letting the question hang in the evening air unanswered.
Before Erik could reply, Jeff continued. “So, we both agree that you've changed, but are you different? You still seem like the man I've known. You act like him, your friends seem to think you're the same. Inside, where your heart is, you are Erik Knight. Maybe you have a piece of this Jakor person in there, maybe he's there to guide you, help you cope with your new gifts. If these Espers were as advanced and as wise as the ladies claim, I don't believe that they would enhance an unsuspecting being without giving him some sort of user's manual or instructions. This extra set of memories and intellect is probably your instruction guide to help you cope and understand your abilities, and to use them wisely, which so far you've done.”
Jeff sat next to Erik on the steps. “Changed, yes, but not different. You're still the same man, only better. As far as Shanda goes, she knows what she's getting and accepts it, or she wouldn't be here now.”
“One more thing,” Erik added.
“There's always one more thing with you, isn't there?” Jeff added in mock annoyance.
“The military knows about
me. There is more than a healthy curiosity about what I did today and how I did it. They'll be here, probably tomorrow, for a grilling. I don't know how far they'll go, or what they'll do to get what they want. But I don't see it ending with just one meeting. And I don't think they're going to go away.”
“What are you getting at?” Jeff asked intently.
“I got a quick read on the Major who spearheaded the operation today,” Erik began. “His interest was more on the line of ‘Can we use this thing as a weapon? Can we make more of him?’ than it was any relief that the situation here was over. I don't know how far they'll go or who they'll put at risk,” Erik added, knowing that Jeff understood what he meant.
“I'm willing to take that chance. Besides, I don't think anyone in their right mind is going to pick a fight with you,” he answered flatly, swatting at a persistent mosquito. “Look, I don't have metal skin, and unless you plan on changing now, I suggest we no longer provide food for the bugs and go inside. You have two pretty ladies waiting for you inside,” Jeff added as he stood up, heading for the door.
“Jeff,” Erik said quickly as he stood. The older man turned. “Thanks.”
Jeff nodded. “Welcome back, Erik. Let's go enjoy our company.”
Both men went inside and did just that, talking and celebrating until very early the following morning.
* * * *
The gathering finally ended around two o'clock in the morning. Jeff had called several staff over for the celebration. Alissa had spun a fantastic fairy tale of hospital mix-ups with patient records to minimize Erik's hospitalization for the co-workers.
Nobody seemed to care or pay much attention though. They were all just happy to have Erik back where he belonged. Shanda and Margaret spent a great deal of time together with Brianna and actively kept the young girl mute regarding her fathers recent experiences.
Erik sat back and talked with everyone and enjoyed the evening. It had been a while since he felt like he belonged anywhere, but he finally realized home was this small little diner, his tiny apartment, and one-room office. Everything that he needed, he had had all along: friends, family, and people who cared about him.
Erik had occasionally glanced over to where Richard Pendelton sat, alone in a corner booth, looking as out of place as anyone possibly could. Erik had unfinished business with him, but that would be done later, at the time and place of his choosing. Pendelton had put his daughter at risk, and was willing to sacrifice her life to keep some corporate secrets. Erik would make sure he would pay for that. It was an account that he would settle very soon.
* * * *
Erik lay awake in his bed, staring out into the empty darkness. Erik and Shanda had conducted their own private celebration when they arrived at his apartment, normally he would relish the time sleeping in her arms, but he kept having images of those creatures flashing through his head. Erik realized that if he was having trouble sleeping, his daughter too must be quite uncomfortable in the darkness.
Erik leaned over and gently kissed Shanda who was in a deep sleep next to him. He put on a pair of sweat pants and left the bedroom. He walked into the small living room, his enhanced eyes piercing the veil of darkness. He quietly tiptoed over to his wall safe and opened it. As he opened the door, he was greeted by an almost welcoming purr of the Sentient Staff. He gently grasped the flowing living metal and felt its warmth against his palm. He studied the object carefully for a few moments, listening to the purrs and whines of the metal as he brushed the metallic surface with his fingertips.
“You and I have some things we need to accomplish,” he whispered to the staff, suddenly feeling foolish for addressing the weapon. The staff, however, seemed to comprehend its new owner and hummed with an almost human anticipation.
Erik left his apartment and walked out into the night. He stared up at the stars, wondering if the light from one of them was also shining on some other sentient being somewhere in the vast universe. He took the staff and willed the weapon to elongate. The staff obliged, sighing with satisfaction at being activated. Erik closed his eyes and pictured himself as he was earlier, a great being of silver, with glowing blue fireballs for eyes. He felt a slight tingle throughout his body, and when he opened his eyes, he saw silvery metallic flesh once again replace his frail human skin. He looked up at the nearest tree and easily leapt the thirty feet up to the nearest large limb. He began to move, silently and swiftly, leaping from tree to tree, seemingly the only creature stirring at such a late hour.
* * * *
Brianna Knight sat in her bed with the covers tucked close around her. She was absently squeezing her father's dog tags. The young girl had witnessed the demise of the creatures at the hands of her father, but for some reason still expected to see the inky black Seelak and its huge cat-like companion appear from the darkness to take her away again.
She looked over at her mother who was sleeping soundlessly in the chair in the corner of her room. The more she thought about it, the more agitated she became. After five minutes, she felt the overpowering urge to look out her bedroom window. She silently crept from her bed, and peered out from the locked bay window into the darkness of the night. It didn't take her long to spot the silver being crouched on one of the large limbs of the tree outside her window, guarding her house like some armored sentinel. The silver being looked over at her, and its fiery eyes—eyes that lit up the darkness—winked.
A voice sounded gently in her mind. Go to sleep, Munchkin; nothing will bother you ever again.
Brianna smiled, her fears whisked away at the sight of her father. “Goodnight, daddy,” she whispered as she climbed back into bed.
Within seconds, her body yielded to the much needed rest and peace of slumber. The Hybrid stood watch for several more minutes, and then leapt into a nearby tree; he had several other children to visit this night.
* * * *
Lisa Reynolds sat in her hospital bed with her parents. She was on her third cup of hot cocoa, and getting no closer to falling asleep. She felt tired, but every time she closed her eyes, the nightmare continued. Her mother was shedding tears as she held her daughter, and her father cursed at his inability to help his only child.
“Momma,” she whispered, “there's a voice inside my head, calling my name. It's calling me over to the window.”
“You're imagining things, honey,” her mother whispered.
“Just like I imagined those creatures,” Lisa replied as she broke from her mother and ran to the window. She gasped, then smiled with delight, whispering to a voice that only she could hear.
Her parents looked at her, and then accompanied her at her hospital bedroom window. On the rooftop of the adjacent building was the same large silver being with glowing eyes that had rescued her from her horrible ordeal and had gently carried her from the cavern into the woods. She remembered his gentle, metallic arms as she faded in and out of consciousness, while he gently carried her from her dark prison.
Lisa took this opportunity to thank her chrome-plated knight, and giggled as he bowed flamboyantly then brought his staff up in a kind of salute. The two talked for several minutes, mystifying both parents.
“Goodbye, Mr. Knight,” Lisa whispered.
The silver being turned and leapt from the rooftop into a nearby tree, and the Reynolds family watched with fascination as he vanished into the dark night.
Andrea Reynolds looked at her daughter carefully, the terror seemed to have vanished from her face. She actually was laughing as she made her way back to her bed. “What did it say to you, dear, what did you say to it?”
“He came by to check up on me, to make sure I would be all right. He said he knew that I was probably still scared. He said that his daughter was.”
“His daughter?” Andrea asked, shocked. “Child, do you actually know who that was?”
“Yes,” Lisa answered. “His name is Erik, Erik Knight. He's the one who came and got all of us yesterday. His daughter goes to school with me.”
L
isa's parents looked at each other in total disbelief, staring out at the window, and then back at their daughter.
* * * *
Richard Pendelton sat behind his desk, draining his second bottle of scotch. He glared up at the fancy gold inlaid clock upon his wall: 3:45 a.m.
He knew he should be tired, yet somehow he felt an unusual exhilaration. His men had pulled it off. They successfully covered their tracks pertaining to the Hopedale mining operation. The cost had been high, but his stepdaughter was home safe, rescued by her father. That, too, was unexpected. Erik Knight had survived, somehow transformed into some type of inhuman super being.
Pendelton knew deep down, from their brief eye contact at Madame's, that Knight knew he was responsible for the tragic incidents of the past several days. To Richard's advantage, all of the potential evidence had been obliterated or buried beneath thousands of tons of rock and earth, never to be uncovered again. The only evidence that Knight had was anecdotal, nothing concrete that his lawyers couldn't shred in a court of law. He knew, however, that Knight was far from stupid, and that the man was a vengeful sort. Knight would be coming for him. It wasn't so much a matter of if in Pendleton's mind, as a matter of when.
But that was another worry for another time. It was somehow comforting to have Knight still alive, a foil in which to continually match his wits and skill against. It had been almost too easy to destroy the man years ago. It would be far more challenging to accomplish the same task again, for Erik Knight was the ultimate loose end, and Richard Pendelton hated loose ends.
Richard had taken several phone calls from his associates regarding his company's current position throughout the early morning; all outstanding loose ends had been cut and any potential liabilities had been removed.
He finished off the dregs of his last glass of scotch and swirled the ice cubes around the glass. “To success,” he whispered as he drained the last bit of liquid and crushed the liquor soaked ice cubes with his teeth. And to getting away with murder, he added in his thoughts as he swallowed the crushed ice.
