“You’re smart enough to know the answer to that question.”
He could feel Alexander studying his every move.
“Alden, I have spent a great portion of my life and resources to bring you to this moment with the skills you now possess. If you want the truth, then here it is. Over the past several decades I’ve been working on something that is incredibly powerful. It is not an overstatement to say that it will reshape the balance of power. It will guarantee our freedom forever, but it’s not ready yet. We need the Cronus Contingency to succeed so that we can buy enough time to finish the project.”
Kira and the tall robot stood behind Alexander; they followed his every word.
“We need your help to protect the colonies until the time is right. The device is securely hidden.” He insinuated towards the large robot behind him. “Primus is the only other one that knows where the device is located. Alden, you are faced with the most important decision of your life. You can return to the Council and serve an organization that murdered your parents and worked to destroy everything they stood for. Or you can return to the place of your birth, fight for your people, and help me finish the work I started with your father.”
Alden looked for something sturdy to hold onto. Everything he still held dear had been completely ripped out from underneath of him. So many secrets, so many lies!
“How do I know that any of this is true and that you really knew my father?”
“You don’t. As you’ve said, people have made decisions for you your entire life. I’m giving you the gift of freedom, no matter what decision you make your future will be your own. Just know that the choices you make will affect countless generations to come.”
Great, no pressure, thanks. How could he possibly have an effect on that many people? Even before Father McKinley’s death he’d been programmed to hate Alexander, to use every ounce of his capability to hunt him down and kill him. Had it all been an elaborate ruse by the Polemarch? Given Alexander’s perceived connection, it wasn’t out of the question that he could eventually be used to turn on Alexander once he’d gained his trust. Had his entire existence been a lie? If his father had truly been that close with Alexander, Alden could’ve easily been in Kira’s place.
“Alexander, are you there?” General Stone’s voice cut through Alden’s thought process.
“I’m here,” Alexander responded.
“The Council just declared martial law. I’m in New Tranquility and I’ve got Richardson with me. Demetrius and Li Tao are on the line with us as well.”
“Why are you out there? I thought Viktor was supposed to handle Senate security.”
“It’s a long story. The Three Nations have already started to place the blame on the lunar colonists for the attack on the Testament. I’ve received unconfirmed reports that the Three Nations are preparing to send an additional 100,000 troops…each. They’re ready for war.”
There were several moments of silence and then Richardson came on, “We must initiate the Cronus Contingency. It’s now or never.”
“What’s our operational status?”
Richardson cut in, “The colonies are in the process of arming their citizens. They await our orders to attack and arrest the provincial governors.”
“The problemis that we still don’t have control of the anti-meteorite batteries and we haven’t knocked out the Council Military base yet. Even if we purge each of the colonies and take control of the command structure, we’ll never be able to fight off 300,000 soldiers,” Stone responded.
“Leave the military base to me,” Demetrius said. “The bomb is here. I’ll get it done.”
“It’s too big of a risk for you to go,” Richardson said. “Can’t you send someone else?”
“No. Too important, I’ll make sure this is done.”
“Okay, what about the anti-meteorite batteries then?” Alexander asked. “We’ll never be able to take over their controls with anything less than a full assault on the control room and Level Two.”
“I’ve got an entire company of soldiers stationed outside the city. They’re just waiting for my orders to attack,” Stone responded. “I haven’t been able to reach Thereon and we need someone to lead that assault.”
Alexander scoffed, “I’m a scientist, not a soldier.”
Alden could feel Alexander and Kira both turn to look at him. Even the military robots that still surrounded him seemed to implore him to make the decision. But they were just piles of metal configured a certain way, toasters. How could they be so aware of the moment?
Alexander stared at Alden for a few more moments, and then said, “We need someone who can lead these men into battle, Alden. The war games, missions, travel to the surface—this is what you were born to do. It’s your destiny and we need you now more than anything.”
Kira’s eyes pleaded with him to say yes. This is what she’d been preparing him for all along. For the first time in a long time, everything fell into place and made sense.
Alexander must have read his thoughts because he pressed his deck. “We’re a go.”
“I’m initiating the Cronus Contingency. Demetrius, Lee, you know what you have to do.” Stone commanded. “Richardson, contact your people, make sure they understand what’s about to happen. The moment they’re called upon, we need them to take action and ratify our secession from the Three Nations.” Muffled applause broke out in the background. “You must go now. There are a dozen transport ships on the way from Hyperion as we speak. We have to gain control of those batteries or everything else will be a waste. I don’t need to tell anyone that all of our lives are on the—”
“Not again!” Alexander yelled. “Primus, get Stone back on the line!”
Deafening gunfire erupted around them as a hail of bullets rained down on them. Gabriel leapt from a secret perch above, followed by twenty elite Council soldiers.
The robot soldiers around Alden retreated behind cover and then fired back at the soldiers. Bullets ricocheted off Gabriel’s armor. Alden was shocked to see that he was no longer wearing the normal Council space gear he’d last seen him in, but a freshly polished red zero-grav combat suit. It had to be one of the two that had gone missing from the resistance’s military vault.
Several rappelling soldiers were hit with bullets and they tumbled the rest of the way to the floor. Alden rolled towards Kira and helped protect her from the incoming fire. Despite the casualties they had already sustained, the soldiers’ advantage point allowed them to pick the robots off one at a time. A bullet pierced the head of the one of the robots and he thudded to the ground, as dead as the human soldiers around it.
By the time Gabriel’s feet touched the ground, the last of the robotic fighters had been eliminated. Gabriel’s men pointed their weapons at Alexander, Primus and Kira. Gabriel walked over and helped Alden up. He pulled the sidearm off his suit and handed it to Alden.
“Thanks for the distraction.”
Gabriel turned to Alexander, raised his weapon and pointed it at him. He motioned for his soldiers to apprehend Primus. They grabbed the robot and placed his hands behind his back, and then handcuffed them together.
“This will make the Archon very happy.”
“Haven’t you heard?” Kira asked. “The Archon has been killed.”
“Unfortunately, the previous Archon has passed away. The Thesmothetai, or sitting Council members, are voting on a new leader as we speak. You can be assured that Kalligan Vasentus will be sworn in as the new Megas Archon before the day is out.”
“Vasentus!” The name spat off Alexander’s tongue like acid. Alden had never witnessed so much hatred packed into a single word before.
Gabriel looked over at his men. “Load the prisoner into the ship. Make sure he is fully contained, then lock him in the cargo hold like the piece of equipment that he is.”
Primus whipped his head around to Alexander, who shook his head. His eyes urged self-control.
Gabriel focused his sidearm at Alexander. “Now,
where is the weapon you’ve been developing?”
“You’ll have to be more specific. I’ve developed a lot of weapons over the years.”
“We know that you’ve brought up massive amounts of resources, supplies, and engine components. Don’t waste my time! Where is it?”
The situation didn’t seem to rattle Alexander. “There’s one thing I haven’t been able to figure out about all of this. The ADNV Testament was destroyed in a nuclear explosion. The size and yield seem to be comparable to the device stolen from the Island a few weeks ago. I’m curious, how did it make it all the way to the lunar colonies?”
“Haven’t you heard? The lunar terrorists are responsible for the attack.” Gabriel said, in a calm yet threatening tone. “Now tell me, where is the weapon you developed?”
“Maybe the colonists are responsible, but they’re not the only ones that would benefit from the destruction of the Testament… and the death of the current Archon.”
Alden could see it in his eyes; Gabriel had lost his cool. He took a step forward and swung the hilt of his gun into Alexander’s face. Blood splattered out across the floor.
“Father!” Kira yelled. She tried to move forward, but there were soldiers on either side of her, and they held her in place.
“Stop wasting time and tell me where to find your weapon!”
Alexander stood back up to full height. He held his hand to his mouth. When he pulled it away, blood was smeared across his chin and finger. “Why would I ever tell you?”
Gabriel waved his sidearm. “Because I’m the one with the gun.”
“That assumes I’m not prepared to die, which I am. However, if this weapon does exist, and you kill me, you’ll never find it. I can’t imagine what your new Archon will do when he learns you’ve lost your only connection to it.”
Gabriel nodded at the men that held Kira. They moved her off to the side.
“Let go of me!” she yelled.
Alexander shot his hands up. “Wait, just calm down!”
“I can assure you, I’m very calm.” Gabriel swung his gun away from Alexander and pointed it at Kira. “Tell me what I want to know, or your daughter will suffer in your place.”
“You have no idea what you want,” Alexander shot back. “This weapon isn’t what you think it is.”
“We’ll be the judge of that. Either way, you will tell us where it is. This resistance is destined to fail. You’ll never fight off three different nations and the Council military. Tell me what I want to know, and we’ll at least let her live.”
“Okay, I’ll cooperate. If you let everyone else go, I’ll take you to the weapon.”
Gabriel rolled his eyes. “So much talk, what I need is action!” He squeezed the trigger indiscriminately.
Alden couldn’t believe the speed at which Alexander moved. He dove in front of Kira as the weapon went off. Blood splattered across the floor and Alexander landed with a thud.
“Dad!” Kira dropped and grabbed Alexander. She dragged him over. Alden flashed back to the Island, sitting in a puddle of water as he held Father McKinley. Kira let out a desperate cry. Blood splattered across his chest.
“You son of a bitch!” she yelled at Gabriel.
Alden had seen enough; he grabbed Kira and stopped her from attacking Gabriel. “This isn’t the time,” he whispered into her ear, but she just pushed him away.
Primus slammed its weight into one of the guards behind them. It toppled them both over. It yanked at its chains as it attempted to free itself, but Gabriel smacked a small device on its body. The green light inside the robot disappeared and a moment later Primus crumpled to the ground.
“Now, do what I ordered you to do and get it in the ship!” Gabriel told the soldiers. He went back to Alexander and pointed the weapon at Kira once more.
“What are you doing?” Alden demanded. “This isn’t how we do things. She’s innocent.”
Gabriel aimed the barrel at Alden. “Don’t get in my way. She’s as guilty as the rest of them.”
Europa, the Island, Father McKinley, Kira… He was filled with a sense of purpose and conviction he hadn’t felt since the Siberian mission. For all its complexities, it was now the simplest decision he’d ever made.
Alden shot his hand out and nailed Gabriel’s gun. It sailed across the room. Gabriel swung around and landed a similar blow to Alden’s hand and broke the weapon he’d given him minutes earlier.
“Traitor! You defy the Council and take the side of the terrorists!” Gabriel screamed. He swung again and this time connected with Alden’s torso. There was a cracking sound and an overwhelming force that sent him hurtling back several meters.
“Sir! We have to get Khasim to a doctor or he’s going to die,” one of the soldiers said to Gabriel.
“Good, let him bleed to death.”
“I don’t think the Archon will be pleased if we fail to recover the weapon.”
“I don’t care about the weapon!” Gabriel yelled back.
Alden rolled over and looked back at Gabriel. Whatever kinship he’d pretended to show had vanished forever. At that moment, he knew the only thing Gabriel wanted was for him to die.
“Sir!” the soldier cut in once more, defiantly.
“What?” Gabriel reeled around, ready to strike.
The soldier backed off slightly and lowered his voice, “He’ll kill us.”
Alden watched Gabriel struggle with the choice. “Grab them and let’s go!” he snapped.
Several soldiers picked up Alden by the arms. They dragged him towards Gabriel’s ship. Alden used his last strength to pull his legs underneath his body. He jumped into the air. The guards lost their grip. Alden dropped behind them. He landed several successive blows and downed the soldiers. Snatching up one of their sidearms, Alden fired at the remaining soldiers.
Two soldiers attempted to drag Kira to the ship. He vaulted over a piece of machinery and landed a bone-crushing blow into the first soldier, and then another into the opposite one’s stomach. As the soldier doubled over, Alden kicked him as hard as he could. He sailed back into a leg piece for a mech-warrior. His body bent around the metal in an inhuman fashion and then dropped to the ground.
Every soldier returned fire. Alden jerked Kira down behind several large pieces of metal. Bullet fire ricocheted off the walls around them. The last thing he saw was Alexander’s limp body carried into the ship. Alden snatched up one of the dead robot’s assault rifles. He raised the barrel above the cover and started firing.
“I’ll be back for you!” Gabriel yelled as he stepped onto the ship Alden had arrived on.
The moment the door shut behind him, the craft lifted up off the hangar floor. It headed back through the entrance tunnel and disappeared out of sight.
“Is there another craft?” Alden asked Kira desperately. “I swear I’ll get your father back!”
“No, but there is this.” She gestured at one of the large containers next to them. She pressed one of the buttons on the side of it. Agreat hiss of steam escaped from the sides as the cover swung open. Inside was the last of the four zero-gravity suits. It was black with red and gold accents along the torso and arms. “This was my father’s. It was the last one he built and the strongest of the four. It was meant to be worn by the leader of the unit. He’d want you to have it,” she said.
Alden grabbed her arm and pulled her in close. “I promise I’ll bring your father back.”
“I know you will,” she said softly.
“I need you to head to Level Two and take charge. Start the assault. I’ll head there as soon as I can.”
She nodded. “Please bring Primus back with you as well. I can’t tell you how important he is.”
“That giant robot?”
She nodded, kissed him and then ran off into one of the tunnels.
Moments later Alden was inside the gold suit and blasting down the tunnel after Gabriel and Alexander. His body shrank back into the suit as he accelerated faster and faster. The suit moved lik
e no other. He made it up the shaft and out into space at breakneck speed. He pulled back on the thrusters slightly, as he continued to sail forward. It only took a moment to locate the craft rising out of the canyon ahead of him.
He pressed the jets to full speed. As he closed in, he was able to wrap his fingers around an exterior vent and pull himself close. Alden climbed along the exterior hull as the surface quickly faded away beneath them. He needed to slow their progress, or they’d be in outer space before long. If anything happened up here, it would be a struggle to return to the surface before his air ran out.
He turned to the aft engine, raised his arm, and fired one of his rockets. It whizzed out of its launcher and slammed into the motor. There was a great burst of light. The craft dipped and then listed to one side. It slowed under the drag of the damaged engine. He slammed his fists into the glass that protected the pilot. It cracked under the force. Alden put all his energy into the next thrust and crashed his clenched fists through the glass.
The instantaneous change in pressure ripped the pilot out the window and into space. Alden grabbed hold of the frame and pulled himself inside. Without a barrier to space, the artificial gravity engine had stopped functioning inside the cockpit. He floated inside and then flipped the emergency switch. The familiar blue barrier materialized over the exposed cockpit window.
The oxygen rushed back into the newly pressurized cabin along with the artificial gravity. The suit stabilized just as the gravity took over. There was a loud thud as he made contact with the metal floor. To the rear was the pilot’s entrance hatch. Alden pushed out, moving towards the cargo hold in the rear. Sirens sounded, announcing part of the craft had just depressurized—something no one liked to hear in space. Alexander sat slumped across a cot; his face had gone grey. It looked like it was a struggle to keep his eyes open. Gabriel was attempting to pressure information out of him before it was too late.
The heavy footsteps of the suit alerted everyone to his presence. Gabriel looked up at him and smiled. “I knew you’d come.” He turned to the handful of soldiers that had survived the attack and said, “Get him.” They raised their weapons and fired on his position.
The Last Revolution Page 31
