While he scanned her tiny space, she began typing feverishly to her online friends, her fellow gamers. She had to tell them goodbye anyway, without revealing where she was going—wherever that was. But more importantly, they could help her confirm the horrible news she’d just heard. And much more. She just couldn’t leave without at least trying to find the professor.
As she typed, she mumbled, “And if my new boss can’t accept that, then . . .”
She stopped typing and laid her head in her hands. “No. I need this job. Professor FX would be so-so mad at me if I don’t take it. Oh, what do I do?”
* * * * *
“Finally,” Mencari said as Toriko’s homeworld of Tericn came into view. He was also getting the hang of Osuto’s commercial-class ship. It was much older, far slower, and less responsive than the Coalition vessels he was used to, but it did the job. In fact, it felt like flying a tank in space.
Following the approach beacons, he guided the ship down. As the ship zipped through the atmosphere, the barren landscape below surprised him. Nothing. There was no indication of life in any direction. Had it not been for the communication signals and landing directives, he’d swear he’d arrived at the wrong planet. The environmental readings were all askew. Temperatures were hotter, and the air quality unusually thin and polluted. A normal human may even need to don an environmental suit to tolerate such a climate.
What a horrible place. He wondered if it had always been so desolate.
As he got closer to the surface, he started to make out deep track marks in the crusty dirt. They grew numerous, leading towards a great pit in the ground. It looked like a strip-mining operation. Great conveyor belts, and vehicles filled with plundered material swarmed with activity. The metallic shine from those skittering about were either from protective suits, or a small army of robots. Suddenly the planet's likely sad history spun through his mind.
Finally, as he skimmed farther along the directed route, a great dome appeared on the horizon. The display before him illuminated with a more detailed image and the name “Maurai Dome.”
Saying it was mammoth was an understatement. It was easily hundreds of miles across. Beneath the glassy surface stood clusters of towering structures, separated by beautiful forests and lakes. It reminded him of a huge greenhouse and, from the looks of the surroundings, was the only way that life could sustain itself on this planet.
Aligning with the landing beacons, he guided the ship towards an opening in the dome. Like a beehive, other crafts swooped in and out. Some hovered angrily, defending the entrance with overtly displayed energy cannons. He wondered, with so little around the dome, why they’d need such protection.
Passing through, he followed track lighting to a personal pad. After securing the ship, he sent a quick message to Osuto reporting his arrival, and headed out the airlock. A giant, holographic sign said “Welcome from Bansa!” He quickly noticed the name was plastered everywhere. “Powered by Bansa.” “Brought to you by Bansa.” It seemed plastered on every gadget and panel around him.
A multitude of locals swarmed about, each eyeing him uncomfortably up as they passed. He wasn’t used to being such a spectacle. As an alien on the Trading Post it was easy, since countless races were represented. But biodiversity didn’t appear to be this world’s strong suite.
At least Terconians looked somewhat close to humans, albeit a bit puffier, with broader faces and wider eyes. And some sported variations in skin patterns, resembling stripes or patches. Oddly enough, everyone seemed to have some type of cyberware component installed into their body, too. Eye patches appeared common, while others had augmented limbs, or robotic assistants on their shoulders. Funny, but he didn’t recall Toriko having any.
Speaking of Toriko, where was she? From their previous conversion, he expected she would be waiting for him in the arrival area.
A small sign, a hologram really, caught his eye. “Rhysus Mencari?” it flashed. Visually following the chat bubble-like projection downward, it emanated from a small robotic dog. He grinned at the primitive contraption. Compared to the high-tech appearance of everything else around him, including the cyber-implants, the dog appeared downright crude. Regardless, it had a certain charm to it.
“Excuse me,” he said, approaching cautiously. “That’s me.”
The dog tilted its head curiously. Two light beams radiated from its visor, sweeping across Mencari. In moments, the dog nodded, and a small holographic projection of Toriko appeared.
“Mr. Mencari!” she said with a mixture of alarm and pleasure. “Thank you so much for coming to pick me up. But I’m so sorry, and you probably won't believe me, but my professor friend and I discovered these aliens that took over the Bansa Corporation--the same place that recruited my sister. Now he's been kidnapped, and . . .”
Her projection suddenly froze in place, and grew pixelated. A digital whimper escaped the robotic dog. It pawed at its head, but couldn’t reach the emitter. Gently, Mencari reached over and tapped the area near where the hologram projected. The image sharpened, and continued to play.
“I think I'm next! I'm safe with friends. But I have to find the Professor FX! And help my sister get out, too. I'm so sorry! I totally understand if you think this is crazy and want to go—or you can wait! Though, I don’t know how long it will take. But I have to do this first. Just tell Spark what you decide you want to do. I totally understand either way. Sorry again!"
Who’s this professor? he wondered. Toriko never mentioned him, let alone anything about a sister and trouble she might be in. And what was this alien take-over business all about? Maybe he should have gone with his gut when he thought something seemed a bit off about a brilliant techie who was so readily available. Maybe there was a mental instability issue. Or did she think this was some sort of funny prank to play on him? Either way . . .
Then again, who would believe him about the Nukari? What if Bansa, especially given its pivotal role in Terconian society, had been compromised by aliens like the Nukari? Or by the Nukari?
Even if the Nukari weren’t involved, there could be far-reaching implications of Tericn under an alien influence. Mencari sighed, as the robotic dog waited patiently.
What was it Toriko said to do? Just tell “Spark” what I wanted to do? That must be the dog’s name?
“Spark,” he said. The dog instantly sat at attention, wagging its stubby metal tail. “Take me to Toriko.”
After a quick digital bark, Spark swirled around and dashed to a station where small self-transportation vehicles waited. The dog jumped in one and waited. A bit puzzled, Mencari climbed in also and took a seat. Symbols began streaming across its visor, the same symbols which then appeared on the control console ahead of Spark. The vehicle lurched then darted off at high speed, shooting out the station and into the open air of the dome. The craft zoomed in-and-out of oncoming ships headed into the station. After a few near collisions, Mencari wondered if the dog was actually programmed to fly or if had just commandeered the nearest transport option.
After hastily dodging around one ship, a much larger vessel now barreled directly at them. The dog let out a bark, that sounded more like a surprised yip. Mencari had to clutch his seat to keep from toppling at the right-angle change in direction. Once safe, his hands groped for a seatbelt or other restraining device. Finding none, he simply clawed his hands into the seat.
He sighed in relief as their transport moved out of the main docking lanes. However, his tension returned when the vehicle suddenly rolled up vertically and dove at the ground. Panic subsided only when a small hatch, barely large enough for their craft, opened. Sparks flew as the wing tip grazed the tunnel wall. It was snug, but they at least fit. Though, it was so dark. He hoped the robot had night vision equipped.
Within moments they slowed, before stopping at a rudimentary docking port. Ancient lights flickered to life above them. Mencari saw what resembled an abandoned sub-way station. Dusty benches sat waiting for passengers long since gone. Mult
iple tunnels appeared to span in every direction, disappearing into the darkness. It certainly was creepy, and very quiet. Only the hum of ventilation droned ambiently about them. He had no idea where the dog had taken him. Once again, he mentally lectured himself about brash decisions.
The dog bounded out, then ran into a dead-end. Following behind, Mencari thought perhaps the canine robot had misunderstood, or had, in fact, really blown a circuit. But before he could say anything, a small beam shot out from Spark’s visor, striking a hidden sensor on the wall. A sizable panel pulled in, then disappeared into a track revealing an access tunnel.
Spark gazed at the transport. Symbols flashed across its visor, moments before the craft came to life, and returned the way it came. Looking at Mencari, it barked and moved forward through the opening. He hesitated, wondering if this was a good idea. After peering into the darkness and seeing little, he stepped into it.
* * * * *
“I’ll be ready in just a bit,” Toriko said working feverishly with the holographic interface before her.
“This node should be pretty secure,” a rotund, tiger-like man said, pawing at his whiskers, reviewing his own holographic interface. “I know we’re pretty deep into retro-tech here, but Version 6 had awful tracking and location beacons. Which is great for us now!”
“Seriously, Palo, this was brilliant--and so much easier,” she said gratefully.
He tapped the bulky device fused into his arm. “Trust me, I personally attempted a trace here. They’ll get as far as the seventh version’s firewall, then lose the trail.”
“Big black hole?”
“Dev null, baby,” he joked. “Those little packets won't even get a chance to ping. Waaah! Never to be seen again.”
The two laughed as a tall, graying cat-man sporting a trench coat entered. Despite his age, he had a commanding presence that was undeniable.
“What’s so funny?” he asked with a purr.
“Hey, Daleron,” Toriko said, still amused. Her eyes fell on the black tech gloves he wore. Even from the little she could see, she knew heavy tech when she saw it. Those were the latest in cyber implants, something fitting for the leader of the resistance against the alien invasion. While she had yet to see them in action, its capabilities were legendary. Still their leader was fallible. His cybernetic eye, the replacement for the one he lost during a conflict with a droid scouting party, was proof. But even that just made him look tougher.
She could only guess at what other implants the trench coat hid.
“Just good geek humor,” Palo added.
“And I’m almost done,” she said, anticipating his next question.
Daleron nodded, then suddenly looked puzzled. “Where’s Spark?” he asked. “He’s usually prancing about.”
“Oh he’s waiting for . . . ” she stopped mid-sentence, starting in horror at a display.
“What’s wrong,” Palo asked concerned.
“He’s moving, and he’s not alone,” she said quickly, calling up more details. “Oh My Gosh!” she cried.
“O M G, what?” Daleron said.
“Mencari’s with Spark.”
“The guy you were going to work for?” Palo asked.
She nodded as the others flanked her, gazing at the display.
“Where are they now?” Daleron said.
“They’re in the air ducts, Version 9,” she said flatly.
“Why are they . . . ” Palo began.
“They’re coming here!” she said panicking. “It’s the last directive in Spark’s command queue!”
“Here?” Daleron said confused. “Why would Spark be leading him here?”
“Spark’s just following orders,” she explained. “Hmmm. I guess I should have mapped the obedience methods to only recognize my commands.”
“You have to stop him!” Daleron said. “For all we know he could be an agent for the aliens. Besides, there’s all kinds of dangers between here and there--droid patrols, creatures in the various versions.”
She closed her eyes, and focused. As her collar illuminated, she transmitted an embedded command directly to Spark.
“I have an idea,” Daleron said forebodingly.
* * * * *
“What’s wrong, boy?” Mencari said staring down at the now motionless robotic dog. It cocked its head as if listening for a sound. He saw Spark’s visor glow, and suddenly a hologram of a cloaked figure appeared.
“Rhysus Mencari?” the figure said.
“Yes.”
“What are you doing?”
It was a man’s voice, but was this really Toriko? Why all the dog-and-pony shows?
“I want to help,” Mencari said. “I have connections, and I know a few things about alien invaders. Maybe I can help.”
“How do we know you’re not one of them?”
“Toriko contacted me, remember?” he said, mildly annoyed. “And Spark here was leading me, I didn’t force it to take me here.”
“He’s got a point there,” Toriko said quietly in the background.
“Toriko, is that you?” Mencari said.
He heard a surprised squeal before she went silent again.
“She’s safe here with us,” the figure said. “Continue to follow Spark. I will meet you.”
Before he could answer, the projection dissolved into tiny balls of light. Spark looked back curiously at Mencari, as if waiting for a command.
“Let’s go, Spark,” he said. After a quick wag of its tail, Spark continued on down the tunnel.
How much farther did they have to go? Mencari wondered. It felt like they were traveling down to the center of the planet. He knew that wasn’t the case, but at times the ancient corridors and tunnels felt like underground caverns. It appeared some sections were still well maintained, while others were grown over with moss, or crumbled all together.
“Version 7: Ventilation Station” proclaimed a sign on the wall. Version 7? It almost sounded like software to him. Thinking about it more as he followed the mechanical dog, the higher levels they had passed through all seemed better maintained. Perhaps that referred to the various incarnations of the city? Were the Terconians building up their city, layer upon layer, like an ancient archeological site?
Breaking his thoughts, a projection appeared from Spark.
“I’m nearby. Wait right there for me.”
Daleron was gone before Mencari could even respond.
Spark stopped instantly and sat quietly waiting. Mencari looked around, wondering what was going on. This whole thing was so odd. Maybe trying to meet Toriko wasn’t a good idea. Mencari didn’t know anything about this world, much less expect to go on a trek deep into who knows where. But he knew the only way to assess whether she was telling the truth—and was really a skilled tech—was to talk with her directly.
Otherwise, it was back to the Trading Post to stare at lists of techs not readily available for a long time.
A clinking of metal feet drew his gaze down the corridor. He listened carefully with growing anxiety. It sounded like there was more than just one person approaching, and Daleron didn’t say he was coming with friends. Even Spark stood at attention, gazing down the hall. It wasn’t until Spark crouched down and digitally snarled that Mencari began to worry.
“Let’s find somewhere safe, Spark,” Mencari said. “Come on, boy.”
He turned and ran in the opposite direction, with Spark following close behind. The metal clanking grew louder, and seemed to follow them despite the many twists and turns Mencari took. His heart sank as he turned a corner and ran into a narrow corridor that ended in a cave-in of rock and debris that blocked the passage before them.
“Okay, then,” he said tapping his wrist phaser, activating it. “I guess we do this the hard way.”
Spark whimpered.
A boom echoed down the hall, followed by the distinct zip of laser fire.
“Come on, Spark,” Mencari said, creeping cautiously back toward the entrance to the corridor, and the sound o
f fight. Peering around the corner, he saw a small troop of nearby droids blasting it out with at least two attackers. Instinct guided him as Mencari took aim and unleashed his own volley of fire from the side, taking the droids by surprise. Disrupted, the droids hitched and bleeped poorly adapting to the new dynamics.
In moments, they were smoking piles of scrap metal.
“Mencari?” a familiar voice called.
“Daleron?” he said back.
A remarkably tall cat-man emerged from a breach in the wall, placing his weapon inside his trench coat. As he made his way towards the smoldering piles, a second, more rotund figure emerged from the shadows.
“Thanks for the help,” Daleron said. “Good work, too. Those droids can be a pain.”
Picking up one of the robotic heads, Daleron pried it open and pulled a large pink crystal from the innards.
“Is it intact?” the rotund one asked.
“Indeed it is, Palo,” Daleron said. He looked at Mencari, then back at his companion. “Perfect condition. Toriko will be happy.”
“This is huge!” Palo said. “They’re usually fried. Mencari must have surprised them before they could self-destruct.”
Mencari shifted his weight nervously, still unsure of the whole situation. “What is that?”
“Command crystal,” Daleron said flatly. “Should provide us with some useful information--maybe. Toriko will let us know if it’s of any use.”
Daleron pocketed the crystal and paused. He looked down at Spark and spoke to the mechanical dog.
“Toriko, we’re coming back with Mencari. I think he’s okay. Had he been one of them, we wouldn’t have secured an intact crystal like this.”
“Yaay!” she said through Spark. “See you soon!”
* * * * *
D'Mok Revival 1: Awakening Page 10
