by Kip Hartzell
“Is she alright?”
“Yes,” Rhe-A said, crossing her arms and watching the spectacle, “all my scans indicate no adverse effects from her Extra-Temporal-Matrix excursion, other than the usual shock of traveling back and forth.”
“Set up a Council meeting for the eighteenth hour. We have a lot to discuss. I’ll be in my quarters finishing my report.”
“And getting a shower, I hope.” Rhe-A smiled, and then went to help Athene-A.
John re-familiarized himself with the new changes around the facility and greeted people he hadn’t seen in decades. The hideout had been enlarged in many areas. Power grids updated to be more efficient. He finally made his way to his quarters.
The musty smell of vacancy hung in the recycled air. He called everything to life, and stood there looking around, remembering. Jay saw himself in the mirror. John went out to relieve himself of responsibility, but wound up gaining more. He took a deep breath and excepted his fate. Atlantis, I hope you’re alright, he thought. Before he stepped into the shower room, he placed a polished turquoise stone on a shelf, and then moved on with his life.
Time flashed again for Jay. John entered the Council chambers refreshed, haircut, shaved, and clean. Sporting a blue jumpsuit and a handheld. He greeted the Council members as he strolled around the round table. Standing in front of his chair, he noticed someone was missing. “Where’s Xen?”
“The TSD would not release him. His second should be here momentarily.”
The door slid open, and Nate walked in staring down at a handheld. Looking up, he found himself at the center of attention. “Uh, sorry I’m late. Last minute notification.”
“It’s alright, Nate,” John said, noticing the man’s age was closer to the point when John first saw him on Atlantis. “I was just about to begin.” He set his handheld on the large table, and it immediately transferred information to each person’s individual holographic template built in the console. They all scrolled through the information quickly, part text, part video moving rapidly around the ghostly areas before them. More often than not, most stopped to reexamine a particular incident, or to talk about it to someone nearby.
John sat back and watched expressions and gestures, especially Athene-A, she had a perplexed look on her face, one of almost recognition, but fleeting.
Rhe-A was the first to speak up. “So, it was the Destroyers you saw in the power point.”
“Yes, as Pandor-A’s friends can attest.”
“We’ve lost contact with power point eighteen,” Delphi-Apollo said.
“Quarantine the area and observe, maybe we can find out exactly what they’re up to. At least, until we can develop some sort of weapon to use against them. Pan, can you get your friends to elaborate on how we can devise something physical to use against them?”
Pandor-A spoke in her own voice, “I think I understand now the founding principles of our long time enemy.” Everyone leaned in closer. “They were once much like we are, advancing technically faster than maturity, the kind that imposes restraint, and studying an issue before acting on it. The Destroyers lost themselves in science, expanding their knowledge to almost insanity. Once they felt they could control the Andromeda Galaxy, the universe would only be a matter of time, so they turned their attention to the multi-verse, other dimensions. The making of several mistakes, they trapped themselves between dimensions. They seek help to get back, or forward.”
“Strange way, even by extreme standards, of asking for help. Why don’t they just ask?”
“Because they have developed into ego maniacs, thinking themselves as the Great Creator, if they admitted to being fallible, then they would not be God. So, if you cannot be of assistance to them, then that species will be against them, in time. Thus, they destroy any who can’t, or won’t help.”
“Still doesn’t make much sense. It appears they have found a use for us. The need of a physical presents in this universe to maintain a stable existence. Much like our Inquisitor friends have done to Pan. But it seems as though they need an Atlantean body that has recently died. I’m sorry to say, but the image of Aztek-Alon was disconcerting and may come back to haunt us.” John looked over at Athene-A, who appeared none the wiser for her experience. “But still, a dimensional phase destabilizing field will help us, perhaps buy some time.”
“A mobile phase destabilizer can be made by using agoam crystals. The radiation seems to separate the universes, like a catalyst activating chemical compounds. They say it can be done, but its use will be limited.”
“Something is better than nothing, get started.”
“Might I add,” Pandor-A said, still in her own voice, “that in their transitory state, the Destroyers cannot affect any of the universes physically, but possessing a person in this universe acts as an anchor to ground them here in time and space. Conventional weapons will work in this instance.”
“So, we can kill them as long as they are possessing a body?”
“Too many variables to determine whether they actually die, or return to their phasic state. Insufficient data at this time,” came the Inquisitor’s voice.
“Why do I get the feeling you’re holding something back.” Pandor-A just sat there with a blank expression on her face. “Alright, let’s train our sensors on power point eighteen, maybe we get some more intelligence on the Destroyers. We can only surmise that the mother ship is chasing Atlantis, or lying in wait for an ambush. The group I met must be a contingent left behind to observe, or experiment, either way, they’re dangerous. We are going to have to be more vigilant.”
“Are we going to invite all of Maya’s creatures to join us?” Rhe-A mockingly said.
“Only the ones willing to abide by Atlantean standards. Now, I have briefed you on Maya-A-Toltek. We know what she’s done, much under duress, my report goes back several decades. I believe she is trustworthy and advocate on her behalf to be reinstated, with some restrictions. Before we vote, I would like you to hear her statement.”
The Council chamber door opened to let Maya in. She looked clean with her hair pushed back and a customary jumpsuit on. The two guards stayed at the door as it closed, watching her carefully as she moved before the members. The round table split into pie slices, moving back away from each other. Maya approached the center as the table stopped with the sharp ends pointing straight at her.
She looked around the room, making eye contact with each member. Putting her hands together in front of her, she began, “Honored Members of the Chrysalis Council, I come before you, humbled and beaten. What I did, I did out of love for my former husband. I see, now, I chose the wrong path and seek all Atlantean’s forgiveness. I can be a contributing member again. All I ask is a second chance. I want to be of use again, and to advance the Atlantean way.”
“Any questions, or statements from the Council before we vote?” John asked, looking around the split table.
“Just one,” Rhe-A said, standing up and glaring at Maya.
John knew an ambush when he saw one. Obviously, this had been previously discussed with the other members, except him.
“Kneel, and beg for forgiveness from this Council.”
Rhe-A knew just where to hit her, John thought, as he tried to keep all emotion from his face. Her pride and arrogance led her actions, it had always been her downfall.
Maya’s anger flared, her eyes turned dark red as the blood rage was taking over. Her teeth gritted and fangs protruded. Then she looked over at the disappointed look on John’s face. He believed in her, he tested her offspring-wait-she thought-he was testing her for just this very moment. He had been training her to control her pride. At that moment, she felt more emotion for him than she had anyone, or anything, she would not let him down. She unclenched her fists, started to control her breathing. Relaxing, her eyes began to return to normal, her fangs retreated, and she smiled. “Very cleaver Rhe-A, but you always were the smarter one.”
Rhe-A was set aback, as Maya kneeled down on the floor, with h
er arms hanging down and her head bowed in silence. She said, “Members of the Council, and to all Atlanteans, I beg your forgiveness.”
Rhe-A blew out an exasperated breath, and then called the guards in. “Take her to her chambers to await the outcome.”
Jay watched her from the center of the room. He couldn’t help notice the nod John gave her, and the return of a smile as the doors shut.
Then, with a flash forward, Jay saw John talking to Maya, Athene-A stood nearby. “You made a convincing argument, I’m proud of you, but the vote was close. The terms were two-thirds majority in favor of reinstatement, looks like you’re back in.”
“Yes!” She wrapped her arms around John’s neck and kissed him.
He pulled her away and said, “You’re welcome, but there are some limitations, you’ll be monitored, but no guards, access to critical information will be restricted. A request for access will have to be made by you in person, and most important of all, no eating anybody. Welcome home.”
Athene-A looked uneasy, watching the spectacle.
Maya noticed. “I read your report, have you told her the details you left out?”
“I haven’t had time, yet, but I will. Now enjoy your freedom.”
Maya bounced away as if on a cloud.
“What did she mean-details?” Athene-A asked, while they strolled down a large corridor.
“Well, let’s get something to drink and I’ll explain the last forty years.”
Jay’s eyes calmly opened to the smooth metal ceiling of the laboratory. His head ached just behind his eye sockets. Rhe-A saw the discomfort and injected him. He gave her a thank you look, and rolled to a sitting position. “That was entertaining, but I’m still baffled as to why I’m seeing all this.”
“I, too, am at a loss for an explanation,” John said from his chair.
“Did all this really happen, or is it more of our collective imaginations?”
“It was so long ago, at times I’m not sure whether it was real, or just a dream.” John quickly recovered from his reverie. “Shall we continue? I’m sure there’s something here for us to discover.”
Rhe-A started to protest. John held up a hand. “Trust me, the answers are here, somewhere.”
Jay took a drink of something fruity, readjusted the headband, and laid back down.
Rhe-A backed off, and initiated the machine again.
Chapter Thirteen: Extinction
John stepped out of the TSD and blinked away the spots in his eyes from the excessive light in the cavern. He focused, and then found himself near Delphi-Apollo. Athene-A stepped out next, along with Rhe-A, and then Pandor-A.
Apollo approached John urgently. “Captain, we have a problem.”
“How bad?”
“Possibly an extinction level event.”
“Oh, is that all.”
They stepped away from the machine as it spit out more of the Command Crew. Maya stepped out a little shaky. She began touching things to be sure they were real. The disorientation quickly dissolved, and she moved toward John.
Xen stepped out and crumpled to one knee.
Pandor-A and Rhe-A were helping him up when he saw Maya. His low growl caused the two helpers to look up and see what he was looking at.
“Has anybody told him?” Rhe-A asked, and was immediately shoved to the floor. Pandor-A flew back in the opposite direction, while Xen began to snarl and metamorphized.
“Doesn’t anyone read reports, anymore,” John said, while moving to intercept.
Xen was lightning fast. Maya’s fangs came out and her eyes went blood red. A hiss was heard just before impact. They went to the ground biting, punching, and kicking. They rolled several times before separating, and jumping to their feet. Circling each other slowly, they looked for a weak spot. John stepped in between them, a dangerous move, but his voice made them listen.
“Xen! Listen,” he said as he held his hands up, “You have to calm down, I can explain.”
Xen growled and gnashed his jaws. His blue eyes softened as he circled. The giant wolf-shaped Atlantean paced as if trying to calm itself.
Maya walked up behind John, back to her usual self, and said, “Have you considered a muzzle?”
Xen lost all control and leaped at Maya, with John in-between. Xen was coming down, when John telekinetically held him in midair. Xen’s mental capabilities were diminished while in this state of being, but he could still growl and slobber. John strained against Xen’s mental push and uncontrollable anger, then he felt great relief. The others in the room began to help him. They lightly chanted a low tone. Xen must have sensed the combination, for he began to relax. Soon, he metamorphized back to himself. His clothes were shredded as the group slowly lowered him to the ground.
John approached the panting, sweaty man, and put his arms around him. Xen slumped a little, and soon regained his composer.
“It’s alright Xen, no one was hurt. You’ll be fine.”
Xen pulled away, embarrassed. “I’m...I’m sorry, John. I couldn’t control it. Just the sight of her-I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. It’s built into your DNA, but you’ve proved you can control it.”
“Xen?” Maya meekly said, while approaching, “Please accept my apology for what I did to you. I made mistakes, many mistakes.” She slowly moved up closer. “I’ve humbled myself, I’ve done penance, and I’m working on a cure, for both of us.”
She wasn’t using her hypnotic powers, but Xen softened anyway, and was now in full control of himself. She reached up and touched his cheek. Mental images were exchanged, or at least the ones, each would allow. “I’m sorry,” she said, as she broke away.
They all anxiously watched the exchange dissolve. John clapped his hands together and said, “Well, is anyone else hungry? I hate dealing with a crisis on an empty stomach, and started moving toward the common area.
The Crew, and most Councilors, sat in the briefing room, listening to Delphi-Apollo describe what the satellite sensors had picked up. “The satellite scans both inward and outward, as you know. On its outward sweep, it picked up this,” He blinked, and a 3-D graphic appeared in the middle of the room. It showed the moon, and then black space beyond. In seconds, an asteroid appeared small at first, then grew quickly. “This asteroid should not be there, we track all of them, and none should be in striking range for several hundred years. this one is on a collision course with Earth.” Apollo let that sink in.
“Can we harvest it, disintegrate it, or simply divert it?” Subriasa asked. Her voice cracked a little with her age. Her gray hair was cut short and pinned back to reveal her pointy ears. The black spots on her body were fading against a white back drop.
“We could, Councilor Subriasa, but the point is-it shouldn’t be there at all. By all our calculations, it should be in the asteroid belt. It has artificially changed positions, just slightly, several times, indicating outside interference, watch.” The asteroid blasted through space with a very slow tumble. Its uneven, cratered skin lit up when the sun touched its bright side. As it moved a black dot came into view. Xen froze the image and magnified the spot on the rock, where it became identifiable.
“That’s one of our shuttles,” John said.
“Yes, one of our very old shuttles.”
“Aztek-Alon’s?”
“Yes.”
“Last we saw of it, it was at the bottom of the ocean. I surmise the Destroyers figured out how to salvage it. They are using us against ourselves.”
“Yes, we believe they are going to try to destroy the higher life forms on this planet. Perhaps humans have become a burden. They could prepare the planet for a base, and not have to deal with us. Atlantis would still have to return to investigate, and then-”
“I see, diverting it would keep it as a viable threat, harvesting takes too much time and manpower. It looks like we destroy it. Alright, ladies and gentlemen, let’s get to work, and get our options together. We’ll present our plans tomorrow morning, seventh hou
r.”
John wandered Chrysalis, marveling at the change. It was no longer looking like a cave. A lot of the sections had been turned to metal and strengthened by AN-9. It was starting to look more like a space station than a cave, except there were no windows to the universe. He took the elevator to the Ecological Section. It really wasn’t needed, but it psychologically helped all the species to cope with the confinement.
“We have the makings of a plan,” Drof said, moving around the 3-D projection of the asteroid. “New information tells us the Destroyers have erected a spacial field around it. Something we’ve never seen before. The best of us are working on the problem. We’ll need both shuttles to form an inversion explosion. A shuttle on each side of the asteroid, once the shielding is down. We can then fire concentrated beams at the center. The beams will charge themselves in the center until containment can no longer be tolerated, and then will violently escape.”
“We’ll need agoam powered beams,” said Subriasa.
“What if we miss our mark for beam collision?” John asked, as he studied the simulation.
“Then the shuttles will destroy each other.”
John sat back in his chair. “If we had the key, this would be very simple. When should we launch?”
“The asteroid is less than a week away, and accelerating. I suggest no later than four days.”
“Two days later, John went to the Science Section. It had been completely remodeled and he was having trouble finding his way around. “I should read my reports more often,” he wasn’t sure whether he said it out loud, or not.
“This way,” Subriasa said from behind him, and walked away.
John caught up to her. She moved elegantly for a half horse, making no noise as she did so. He looked down to see an ornate set of footwear that covered her hooves. “Nice shoes,” he complimented.
