by C. A. Fraser
This was the final round she was sure of it. She had climaxed several times and Nathan still had not. She could tell he was close now his movements becoming more erratic. She could feel her orgasm beginning again as Nathan tipped over the edge and began spilling his seed into her. They writhed together in a final embrace as they both peaked.
Nicole slowly came down from her orgasm and lay for a moment breathing heavily. Nathan pulled back separating himself from her. She groaned feeling his absence already. She put her hand on his arm and he pulled away from her touch. She looked at him and paused. He was watching her intently, the easy smile and relaxed demeanor were gone, replaced with a predatory look.
Nicole felt a chill course through her as he continued to observe her. She began to sit up to ask he what was wrong when the burning in her womb started and pain raced through her. What was happening to her? Her body convulsed and she fell back on the bed a thin wail escaping her lips. Her mind raced trying to understand what had happened. Thought failed her as the pain took everything and she succumbed to the strain the Leviathan had impregnated her with.
The Leviathan watched the woman go through the powerful spasms of her conversion. It had become quite good at imitating its former master and this woman had been particularly fun to toy with. The sex had been gratifying but not as much as the game it had played over the last several days. She had allowed herself to be convinced he was trying to save them both and had succumbed to the charm of Nathan Landis.
The convulsions stopped and the woman lay still. The Leviathan could see the signs of the infection begin to take hold. It leaned over the naked woman and placed its hand just above her groin. It knew a child would come from their joining. A new breed of human would be brought into the world and raised by its father. The quantum stood and walked out of the room a soft chuckle escaping its lips. It had much to do and its guests would be arriving soon.
TWELVE
Simon stepped out of the quantum chamber the doors shutting behind him as he passed the guards. He felt like he had been in there a lifetime but his implant told him it had been little more than an hour. He began walking to the operation staging area hoping Wren would be there.
As he moved down the large hallway to the main complex she stepped out from the passage that led to their rooms. Simon stopped shocked at what had happened to her. She had not seen him yet and he studied the changes to his longtime companion. Her skin was a pale silver and contrasted sharply with her dark hair. He could see a slight shimmer in her hair and realized that her hair had been altered by the nanids as well but he had no idea why.
Wren turned towards him stopping when she saw him regarding her. Her eyes held his and he could see nothing but black and realized that nanids had completely changed the structure of her eyes. It was still Wren. His heart ached for the changes she had gone through. He had never wanted her to experience this and now it was too late.
Without another thought Simon rushed to Wren and embraced her tightly. Wren returned his embrace and tucked her head into his chest. Simon felt the frustration and anger fade as he held her. They were the only ones. He knew no one else could understand what they were going through. Simon lost track of how long they stood there but eventually Wren pulled back looking up at him with her dark eyes.
“I am sorry Simon.” She said “I should not have been angry with you.” Tears formed in her eyes and Simon shook his head.
“You were right to be upset Wren. I should have discussed it with you.” He said as he took her hands in his looking at the contrast in their augmented skin. His gaze returned to her newly darkened eyes. They bore into his and he could feel a slight buzz from his neural implant as if she were trying to connect to him.
“Wren what happened to you?” He asked sensing that there were not only physical changes to her. She smiled and let a sigh escape her as he observed her reaction to his question.
“Stephen sent a message, Simon. He is alive!” She said the excitement animating her face. The nanids on her skin seemed to glow faintly reflecting her emotion. Simon turned his eyes to Wrens processing what she had just said. Stephen Fore was alive. He had always believed Stephen was alive but they had searched so long Simon had doubted they would ever find him.
“Where is he?” he queried while Wren watched him process the news.
“I do not know. I know where our next destination is, but we have to stop Landis first.” She replied releasing Simon’s hands. Simon paused. He did not want to dampen her spirits but how did she know it was really from Stephen. His doubts swirled as his neural implant informed him the mission briefing would begin soon.
He saw Wren’s excitement fade and knew she had received the same information. He smiled hoping to reassure her and pushed his doubts away. He stepped next to her and began walking toward the mission assembly area just outside the mammoth door to the interior of the facility. Wren fell in step next to him. They were both silent as they made their way through the massive facility.
Simon knew this was the first time they would separate in many years and felt the urge to flee reemerge. He looked at Wren as they walked and knew there was no turning back. The changes they had both undergone prevented a return to whatever normal had been before. He sighed and stepped closer to her wishing he could extend their last few moments together.
They had never been more than companions but they were closer than any lover or spouse. The bond they shared was not easily defined but Simon knew he would never have that with anyone else. They were drawing close to the entrance to the facility and Simon stopped to study the massive door once more.
He wondered if there would ever be a need to use it again. He looked at all the exposed systems in the door not knowing exactly their function but grasping the basics. A technology from another time that had never been truly tested for which Simon was thankful. Wren pulled him from his musing with a soft touch on his arm. Simon glanced at her and began moving towards the staging area hoping this would not be the last time he passed through the enormous doorway.
Wren followed Simon through the doorway that rose high above their heads. The whole area was bustling with activity. Drones moved above several of the transports monitoring the preparations and reporting the progress to Director Worth and the base commander. Nanid Security and military staff moved everywhere. All knew their assigned task and hurried to accomplish it.
Simon and Wren wound their way through the bustle making their way to the makeshift command station where Worth and the base commander were issuing directives. As they approached the station Wren observed Worth and smiled at the easy way the woman took charge. It was clear from her interactions with the commander and other military officers that she was in control of the operation. Officers moved quickly to and from the large table covered with various interfaces and screens. Each piece of information delivered to Worth was quickly followed with a follow up request which sent the person on another critical task. Wren and Simon stopped in front of the table across from Worth waiting while the woman issued yet another set of commands.
Worth turned back to the table noticing them for the first time. She stopped short when she saw the changes in Wren and then quickly covered her surprise.
“I was wondering if you two were going to sleep through the mission.” She said forcing a wry smile. Wren stepped forward brushing off the attempt at humor. She held Worth’s gaze with her dark eyes sensing the woman’s discomfort through her newly acquired abilities.
“We are here to help, Candace.” She stated hoping she sounded sincere because she wanted to take Simon and run away. Worth nodded all trace of humor gone.
“I need you here, Wren, to help with analysis and communications. Simon I assume you are still set on going?” Worth asked looking directly at him. Wren looked at Simon knowing his answer and wishing it were different.
“Yes.” Simon replied simply as if there were no other option. Wren felt the anger stir and pushed it away knowing they were past it. Simon was r
ight if things went wrong his nanids could be the only thing left to stop Landis. Worth paused and looked from Simon to Wren sadness showing in her eyes and face. After a moment she took a breath and turned to the base commander.
“Bring me Curtis Reynolds and Squad Leader Maher.” She said her tone formal yet firm. Without a word the man turned and went to retrieve the two men. Wren put her hands on the table and leaned forward to observe the various information streams displayed in front of Worth. There were intelligence reports and videos coming from the Rocky Flats site. There was little to see. The entire place seemed dead. There was no power and across the entire facility nothing moved. It was as if the site had been abandoned. Wren did not like it.
It felt wrong there should be something to indicate what had happened and how to proceed. She felt a tremor of unease while she observed the video feed of a drone flying over the facility. There was something she was missing about what had happened there. She stared at the video stream trying to find a clue to what it was. Her concentration was broken by the buzz of conversation and stifled laughter. Wren looked in the direction of the commotion trying to see what had caused it.
The reason was Curtis Reynolds. The man turned creature strode confidently through the chamber entirely naked. NDP and military personnel stopped and whispered amongst themselves as he passed. The squad leader stepped surely next to the towering creature seemingly unperturbed by Curtis’ lack of clothing. As for Curtis if he noticed the whispers and stares he gave no indication of it. He continued on toward Worth with no hesitation.
Wren stared at him and the squad leader as they approached Worth and the command center. She was glad for her black eyes. No one would be able to see where she was looking at least. She held her composure as the two men drew up to the table next to her. Wren turned away hoping her newly formed skin would hide the flush she felt in her cheeks. Director Worth for her part just seemed irritated at the interruption and Simon was chuckling quietly next to Wren. The commotion died down and the table was finally silent when Simon spoke.
“Curtis I think you forgot something.” He said seriously and then broke out into laughter. Curtis turned to him his feral face forming a frown that made him look menacing.
“Clothing irritates my new skin. Kelly recommended I go without until the nanid reaction calms down. Besides if I had clothes on I could not do this.” He said the frown turning into a vicious looking smile.
Curtis then stepped back from the table and Wren watched as the lines of nanids on his skin began to glow as they activated. The black skin between the lines seemed to shimmer and then Curtis Reynolds slowly disappeared from view. The commotion in the chamber began anew as everyone marveled over what had just happened. The only indication that Curtis was still in the room was his dark chuckle from the spot he occupied next to Wren.
“Alright that is enough!” Director Worth’s command cut through all conversation and sent everyone back to their tasks immediately.
“Curtis if you do not mind please maintain your present state. I am sure it will be much less distracting that way.” Worth said looking at the space next to Wren.
“Yes mam.” Curtis replied. Wren found it disconcerting to have his voice coming from the empty space next to her. She shook her head and turned her focus to Worth. The woman looked at each of them in turn to ensure she had their attention. Wren sighed knowing it was going to be a long day as Worth began to review the mission briefing.
Simon gazed out the window of the NDP transport he and the squad were transiting to the Landis facility in. Cheyenne Mountain was falling behind them as the transport quickly moved north. The predawn light was just beginning to paint the sky in varied colors and Simon silently observed while his mind ran through their departure from the mountain complex. It had been as hard as he thought it would be. He and Wren were rarely apart and it was strange to say goodbye. The awkwardness had quickly fallen to the sense of loss and loneliness that had enveloped them both.
Wren had said her goodbyes to Curtis first extracting a promise to protect Simon and take care of himself. She then hugged the mutated man tightly telling him to stay safe. Curtis then boarded the transport leaving Simon and Wren to say their goodbye.
Simon had stared deep into her black eyes while she held his gaze firmly. They both knew this was uncharted territory for them and there was a real chance that he might not return if things at the facility went wrong.
“I wish there was another way.” Simon said as he stepped forward embracing Wren.
“There isn’t.” She replied her sadness weighing her voice down. “There is a way for me to be with you though.” Wren placed her hand gently on the side of his head over the location of his neural implant. Simon felt a pressure in his mind followed by a slight tingle and then he felt her presence. He could sense Wren through his implant and knew she could him as well.
“I will be with you Simon.” Wren said renewing their hug. The final signal for the operation departure sounded and Simon pulled back looking into her eyes once more and then turned boarding the transport afraid that he would not get on if he waited any longer.
Even now Simon felt the urge to not go with the team into the facility. He could easily ride back with the transport. He knew he would not be judged. He was not held under any obligation to be here. Simon looked across the transport at Curtis and all the members of the squad and felt his doubts fade. He would see the mission through.
The fear and hesitance were minor compared to the threat posed by Landis. The man had unleashed a nightmare on the dying world and Simon knew that he and his nanids could be the only thing with a chance of stopping it. He had to be there as a failsafe in case those around him now did not complete their mission. He had to ensure this strain of nanotech was not allowed to spread.
Simon looked down to the ground streaming by. He forgot how quickly the transport could move and was surprised they were on the outskirts of Denver. The sky continued to brighten in the east the pink of the dawn growing brighter and driving the night back. The city below him was dead and as the light revealed the remains Simon remembered its slow demise.
Denver had been one of the hardest hit cities by the changing climate. A large city of millions, Denver, was positioned in the high plains of the western United States and backed up to the Rocky Mountains. The availability of resources had not been an issue for many years. Water came from the mountains and food from its Midwest neighbors.
The change in the climate that turned much of the West and Midwest of the country into desert had eliminated those resources. The reduction in food and water had quickly doomed the city and its inhabitants. A slow decline had preceded the final death throes of the city. Rationing and conservation efforts had extended out Denver’s existence. It had only lasted so long though and with the demise of the Midwest food sources the local government had quickly lost any semblance of control.
The riots began soon after. The people found themselves with little to no food or water in a city where it had been plentiful for so many years. What began as protests one early spring quickly escalated with the onset of a brutally hot summer.
The temperature rose well above one hundred degrees Fahrenheit and the temper of the populace rose with it. The riots began due to the brutal response of local enforcement agencies to the protests occurring all over the city. The protesters responded with equal fervor and by the end of the summer the city was enveloped in chaos.
A federal government dealing with the vast climate crisis could not hope to respond adequately and all efforts to restore order to the city were abandoned. Gangs emerged in the vacuum left by the government and unending turf wars erupted over resources and territory.
Anyone capable left the city, moving to other parts of the country that were still stable. For those left life was a brutal and unceasing struggle for survival. If you did not thirst or starve to death you were under constant attack by the desperate or greedy. At the end, the cities final violent spasms resulted
in huge sections of the city burnt out or abandoned.
Simon turned his head from the window; the view too much to absorb. The city was dead now with no occupants, abandoned completely once all the resources were stripped from it. All that remained were the decaying buildings and the bones of those who died there. He closed his eyes in an attempt to block out the knowledge of what had happened below. It did not work and he was almost thankful when the pilot signaled the final approach to the Landis facility at Rocky Flats.
Simon watched the transport departing in the early morning light. He felt the morning chill in the air through the tactical gear he had on. The jacket he had on had a hood that he had pulled up prior to exiting the transport. He did not want to reveal himself to Landis unless he had to and had covered as much of his skin as possible wearing gloves and a partial face mask to hide his identity. Simon turned away from the quickly receding transport knowing it would go a specific distance and the wait for the operation to end before retrieving them.
