by C. A. Fraser
Simon smiled despite the grim purpose of their mission. His smile was for the small victory of finally locating Curtis Reynolds. The man had been Simon’s ghost throughout the mission. Simon had thought he had located him several times only to have guessed incorrectly. The advantage of invisibility had finally lost out though. He knew Curtis was suspended on the ceiling of the giant elevator.
When the drones had entered he had seen one dip down to avoid something and realized they could detect Curtis and the drone was avoiding him.
Simon felt the smile fade as their descent slowed indicating they were approaching the chamber that housed Landis’ quantum. He focused on his nanids and felt them respond forming the smooth metallic skin across his body preparing him for the next step of the operation.
His control over them was greatly improved with ARES guidance. He felt the presence of the AI in his mind as it had been since their first mingling in Southern Colorado. He knew it would not assume control without his permission since their last interaction at Cheyenne Mountain. They had agreed that Simon should choose when ARES controlled the nanids and his body. Simon needed to retain his autonomy and to know he controlled his own mind.
As the nanids continued to prepare him he felt his body grow heavier as they increased his muscle mass in case of a physical altercation. He knew these were base abilities of the nanids and hoped he did not have to use even these. The elevator came to a halt and he saw Maher manipulate the tablet to pause the opening of the doors. Simon observed the man as he surveyed his team and the NDP. Seemingly satisfied Maher tapped the screen again and the doors began to open slowly revealing the chamber beyond.
Simon stared in disbelief. Nathan Landis stood in front of the cooling tower lit by a solitary light. Simon scanned the room looking for potential threats. The rest of the chamber was wrapped in darkness. Simon felt his heart pick up speed with the prospect of what could be waiting in that darkness. He turned his attention back to Landis assessing the man’s transformation.
The old man confined to a wheel chair was gone and had been replaced with a strong and commanding individual who was fully functional. Landis stood with his hands clasped in front of him obviously waiting for his visitors to make the first move.
Maher did not disappoint the man signaling his team forward. The squad collapsed their perimeter and moved as one in front of the elevator reforming the perimeter once they were inside the chamber. Maher stepped up behind his squad holding Landis’ gaze.
“Nathan Landis by order of the United States Government you are ordered to surrender yourself and cease all nanotechnology development immediately.” Maher’s voice echoed through chamber. Landis’ deep voice came back to them and Simon felt a chill despite his metallic skin.
“Welcome to the fold and the next step in humanity’s evolution.” Nathan Landis’ response bounced through the chamber and as it faded the light above him blinked out plunging the room into darkness. His laughter began and Simon knew they had stepped into a trap as the keening and growls of Nathan Landis’ infected filled the chamber.
FOURTEEN
The ground was a blur below the transport Tim Reed was riding in. He had forgotten how fast the machines could move when controlled by an AI. He was the sole occupant of the vessel that was quickly making its way to the NDP facility at Cheyenne Mountain. Tim turned his gaze to the horizon. He was still two hours out from the home of ARES and the front line of humanity’s newest battle.
He could not fathom what had possessed Nathan Landis to develop a nanotech strain that would affect people so horribly. Tim had worked his entire life to improve humanity’s chances of survival on the ravaged planet. It shocked him to see the effects of this new strain. From what he had seen of the strain its purpose was to inflict pain and establish control. There was no symbiotic relationship. The strain invaded the body and converted it to Nathan Landis’ purpose. Tim closed his eyes as the screams of the man from the Rocky Flats compound echoed through his mind again. He felt dread fill him at the prospect of the mission’s failure.
“They will stop him.” He said needing to hear the words. His mind turned to his reason for traveling to Cheyenne Mountain. Ostensibly it was to assist with the mission and provide technical expertise if needed. In truth he was there to deliver a message. Stephen had finally contacted him after his communication regarding Landis. The message had been brief and provided no insight:
SEND WREN TO ISIS. SIA IS THE KEY.
Tim could not understand why Stephen would send his daughter to the third quantum. ISIS controlled all the quantum communications for the planet and also provided the web for the AI to function in. There was nothing else the quantum did currently. Tim tried to puzzle out why Wren would need to go to the quantum. What was the connection between ISIS and the Fore family? He could not figure it out. However, he was loyal to Stephen and knew the man put his duty to humanity first. Tim would deliver the message and ensure Wren traveled to the quantum as quickly as possible.
He leaned back feeling the material of the seat conforming to his body. He closed his eyes running through all that had happened trying to pick out what he was missing. It eluded him. Stephen had been trying to reunite with Wren and Simon not pull them farther apart. The few communications Tim had with Stephen had confirmed that was his intent.
The new directions confused him. Tim was a scientist which meant he was accustomed to solving for unknown variables, but there was not enough for him to form a firm hypothesis. His mind continued to roll through the possibilities. Was Stephen sending her there to keep her safe or was it another step in his plan to bring her to him. Tim could not be sure. His thoughts settled on Wren and her search for her father.
“Maybe Wren will know why.” He thought. Doubt filled him as he opened his eyes. He stared at the horizon far in front of him. The arid Midwest was beginning to give way to the barren Rocky Mountains. He continued to observe the changes in the landscape knowing he would be at the facility soon. Tim felt his body growing tense. His heartbeat rose with the thought of what he was going to reveal to Wren. He turned to the panels in front of him to check his progress and hoped he was doing the right thing.
“Flares!” Maher’s voice cut through the noise of the infected focusing Simon’s attention on the group outside the elevator. As he watched the sound of flares being launched echoed through the chamber.
What the team had launched were in reality small field generators encased in a clear compound. The field had been tuned to emit a bright white light and could last for hours. He watched as the lights flickered on while the flares descended slowly the same field technology emitting the light slowing the descent of the machine. The lights revealed what lay in front of the squad.
Dozens of infected were moving toward the elevator. Simon was shocked by Curtis’ transformation, but even that had not prepared him for the scene in front of him. Landis had brought nightmares to life. All sizes of creatures approached them. Some on all fours some upright. The infected were all well-muscled with the same pitch black skin and feral appearance that Curtis had. All resembled beasts rather than humans. He could tell the gender on some of the creatures. With others the infection had changed them into something completely nonhuman.
Glancing across the approaching force, which bristled with claws and bared teeth, Simon knew there was no way Maher’s squad could complete the mission. He began to move past the NDP security team who to their credit had their weapons readied for the upcoming battle. Before he had stepped out of the elevator several of the creatures sprang forward leaping into the air and grabbing the flares which had finally fallen close to the ground. The creatures quickly covered the lights and retreated with them plunging the squad into darkness again.
“Drones! Lights!” Maher’s voice rang out again and Simon felt the rush of the drones flying past him into the chamber. As soon as they emerged they lit the area in front of and around the squad quickly gaining altitude to prevent any attack from the creatures. La
ndis’ pack was much closer now. As the squad prepared to defend itself two of the creatures leapt forward attacking the forward most squad member and dragging the man back with them. Simon watched the man struggle vainly as the creatures began tearing at his body armor. He tried to bring his weapon around and was quickly disarmed by one of the growling creatures.
“Open fire!” Maher’s command was quick and certain. His team responded instantly firing into the gathered creatures. The infected recoiled from the modern weapons initially but then seemed to shake off the fire. The energy weapons obviously had an affect but it was as if the creatures did not experience pain.
Another of the squad filled the gap where the man had been taken firing at the creatures still attacking the man. The team tried to disable the two creatures holding the man but they seemed unaffected by all attacks.
As Simon watched the creatures finally removed the man’s chest armor. Without any hesitation one held the man down and the other plunged needle sharp claws into the now unprotected chest. The screams began immediately. It was the same as the transmission when Landis’ location had been revealed. A long agonizing wail brought all attempts to push the creatures back to a halt. The entire squad was frozen by the pain and desperation in the man’s voice. Again Maher brought them out of it.
“Shields! Drones lights and covering fire!” The man shouted. His teamed responded each putting a small field generator they carried down. Each generator hummed to life and the field snapped in place between the squad and the infected.
The scream ended as the fields intermeshed and formed a wall around the squad. The blue light of the shield fell across the soldier. The man lay still and Simon could see the infection beginning to take him. The speed at which it spread filled him with dread. If this ever escaped the facility there would be no stopping it.
At that moment the drones began to execute their defense protocol. The four machines began moving erratically above the squad to make any attack from the creatures more difficult. The AI controlling the drones then began firing at the creatures at the front of infected horde. The ferocity of the attack pushed the creatures back momentarily allowing Maher to move to the next phase of the mission.
The NDP security team moved out of the elevator moving to either side of the large opening as the two soldiers with the nuclear weapon navigated the platform it rested on into the chamber. Simon moved to the entrance of the elevator behind the soldiers knowing the team would begin moving deeper into the chamber.
The creatures were trying to shrug off the drones’ attacks but the varied fire came to quickly for them to counter effectively. Simon saw blood flowing freely from many of the creatures but the strain healed the wounds quickly. He knew they had to find a way to incapacitate the creatures or they would be overwhelmed. He stepped forward to warn Maher when one of the feral creatures ran and leapt over the shield. The drones fired in an attempt to stop it but were too late. The beast cleared the shield landing in front of Maher. The creature knocked the man to the ground growling fiercely while looming over him.
Simon did not hesitate moving to Maher’s aid. His new control of the nanids allowed him to close the gap between him and the creature in a single breath. His speed and reaction time were incredible and Simon felt an adrenaline rush as he closed with the creature. It was not prepared for an attack and as Simon swung his fist it made no attempt to defend itself. Simon’s first punch knocked it back away from Maher into the middle of the squad.
Simon stepped forward before it recovered feeling the nanids in his hands hardening into a solid metal. He used every ounce of his enhanced strength to place an uppercut onto the creature’s jaw. The creatures head snapped back and a distinct crunch told Simon he had broken its neck. The creature slumped to the ground it eyes vacant and lifeless. Simon did not pause. He grabbed the creature and with a quick spin threw it back over the shield. The creature flew over its infected brethren and slid to a stop several feet in front of Nathan Landis.
The Leviathan stopped its infected using the link with the strain to hold them in check. He looked at its creation laying crumpled on the ground. It had failed but had revealed Simon Fore in its failure. The Leviathan stepped over the creature moving towards the huddled humans behind their shield. Its horde parted as it steadily moved closer.
It stopped in front of the shields staring at the humans. They were of no consequence merely pawns to be disposed of. It turned its gazed to the man standing in the middle of the space protected by the shields. Simon Fore stared back defiantly.
The Leviathan weighed its options. Fore had obviously increased his control of the nanids and was a formidable foe. It knew Fore would still fall to its infected. It was only one man against a quantum and its army. The Leviathan did not want Fore dead yet though.
It wanted the nanids. They were obviously a weaponized strain and could not be allowed outside of its control. Its course decided the Leviathan spoke.
“Simon Fore surrender and I will allow the rest of your companions to leave unharmed.” It said knowing that humans had a weakness for one another. It had seen several sacrifice themselves in order to save others. It was an admirable quality but incredibly naive. It was also easily exploited. Fore stared at the Leviathan not responding. The leader of the squad who the Leviathan sent its creature to kill stepped forward instead.
“Nathan Landis we will not leave until you are detained and your creations are destroyed.” The man said his voice steady and determined. The Leviathan forced a smile. Humans could be quite entertaining. It stepped back raising its arms in a shrug.
“As you wish.” It said as the infected began closing in once more. It watched the man hesitate and then recover. He was definitely stronger than most it had encountered. The man spoke and the Leviathan saw a determination it had seen in Curtis Reynolds when Landis had ordered his conversion. It was the mark of a seasoned soldier who had more than one close call in their time.
“Drones focus fire on Landis. Squad close ranks and fire.” The man shouted as he lifted his weapon.
The drones immediately fired on the Leviathan. The weapons did little to harm it. It could feel the impact of the energy beams burning its skin but the strain repaired the damage as quickly as it occurred. The Leviathan looked up at the drones mildly irritated at the AI controlled machines. It would not tolerate a direct attack.
The quantum focused on the drones moving evasively above it. Extending itself out of the human body it sought out the AI controlling the drones and disabled them. One at a time the drones fell out of the air crushing several infected. The lights gone the Leviathan watched its infected stalking their prey once more.
Wren had monitored the operation from the moment the airships had left Cheyenne Mountain. The drones accompanying the team fed video directly back to the mountain facility to ensure the leadership could alter the mission if needed. The progress had initially been encouraging but as Simon and the squad had moved deeper into the compound with no resistance she had felt her dread grow. If the facility were abandoned that meant they were too late and Landis would unleash a plague on the world. If it was not abandoned it meant the team would be walking into a trap.
She monitored her connection to Simon and Curtis frequently to ensure she could contact them if needed. She knew she was manipulating the web somehow to maintain the connection but did not know how the nanids were capable of it. She could feel Simon’s trepidation and determination at the same time as Curtis’ desire for revenge and resolve to protect Simon. It was disconcerting at first but now she was comfortable with it. As they drew farther from her she felt the connection weaken and now that they were below ground it was weaker still.
As she watched the events unfolding in the chamber that housed Nathan Landis’ quantum she relayed anything pertinent to Worth. At the same time, she tried to find anything that would be helpful to Simon. When the attack began she pushed down her fear not wanting to risk influencing either Simon or Curtis. Instead she focuse
d on Landis and the mutated humans, trying to find a weakness.
As she stared at the infected she began to see traces of deep red connecting them all as her nanid enhanced eyes revealed the unseen energy fields present. It was puzzling and she was trying to figure it out when Simon revealed himself by saving Maher. The break in the fighting gave her time to observe the infected once more. She followed the lines from one creature to the next until Landis stepped forward and she saw all the lines connecting to him. She could not believe what she was seeing. How could Nathan Landis be connected to all of the creatures. He was controlling them all. Wren was trying to puzzle it out when Landis turned as the drones attacked him. She now saw how the man was controlling the infected.
It was not Nathan Landis at all. A thick rope of energy, the same dark red of the connections to the creatures, extended from the man’s head to the quantum in the middle of the chamber. They were not fighting Nathan Landis at all. They were facing a quantum controlling the mutated humans. Wren was shaking. The implications of a quantum controlling humans were horrifying.
As she watched the quantum turned and looked at the drones firing on it. All the video feeds on the screens in front of her went blank. Wren knew that the quantum had disabled the drones. She retreated into herself focusing on warning Simon and Curtis.
