“Tackle him,” he yelled. “Somebody tackle him.”
Super 5 was the last Meken in the room. He rushed out from behind his control panel, but too soon; the Breaker saw him coming and managed to shoot him in the shoulder. Super 5 spun and fell back into the water. Kane stopped and watched helplessly as the Breaker bounded up the stairs with Mhara, a taunting, evil laugh echoing through the room.
Then, in a surreal moment, Kane saw a flash of golden light at the top of the stairwell. The Breaker leader stopped dead in his tracks and stood motionless for a couple of seconds. Then he collapsed to the floor, his head rolling to one side, completely severed from his body. In his place at the top of the stairs stood the Director, with a glowing, golden laser sword extending from his right hand.
“He’s got a freakin’ light saber,” Kane whispered, in shock.
The Director was already checking on Mhara when Kane reached them.
“How is she?”
“Her vital signs are acceptable, but she needs treatment to help her recover from the electrical trauma.”
Kane surveyed the room. Two Meken sentries were dead. The rest were either binding the immobilized Breakers or carefully lifting the unconscious humans. Super 5 was directing, his injured arm clearly not at full functionality. Kane called for a sentry to help him with Mhara, and they carried her out of the turbine room and laid her in a canal barge with the others. He hated to leave her, but after instructing two sentries to take them to the hospital, he returned to the turbine room. Standing next to the dead Breaker leader, the Director held a rectangular black box, the size of a large cell phone. The device had a few buttons and a small digital screen with numbers counting down rapidly.
“Is that a detonator?” Kane asked.
“It was attached to his waist. I believe he could have performed a manual detonation with this device, but he chose not to. In any case, whatever they have done to the central computer, it will activate in the next nineteen minutes.”
“Is there any way to stop the countdown?”
“Possibly. But it probably requires a code, and we could set off the trigger if we try and fail.”
Just then, laser fire ricocheted off the roof of the turbine room. Super 5 was standing with the other sentries at the fake turbine, laser flares shooting out of the stairwell. A Breaker was still down there. When the shooting paused, two of the sentries rushed into the stairwell, firing as they went. By the time Kane and the Director reached them, they were climbing out, dragging the last Breaker, dead.
Kane conferred with the Director and Super 5. With no time to waste, the three of them, along with three sentries, descended the stairwell and boarded the elevator. Kane felt that booby traps were unlikely from this point on, so they didn’t take time to look. He gave instructions as they made the half-mile descent to the central computer.
“While the Director checks the computer, the rest of us need to spread out and look for explosive devices. Look for anything suspicious or that seems out of place, particularly in a key structural area or a hidden space. If there is a wire attached to it, do not detach it; you could set it off. Director, how much time will we need to return to the surface?”
“We will need to be in the elevator and leaving with no less than four minutes of remaining countdown.”
“How much time now?”
“Fifteen minutes.”
“Everyone got that?” Kane said, automatically looking to his wrist, then remembering that his watch was no longer there—Atticus had taken it on Alto Mair. “We do what we can and pull out in exactly eleven minutes.”
Super 5 emitted a tone, and the sentries synchronized to their own internal timer. “Don’t worry, Mr. Kane,” he said. “We will evacuate you in time.”
The elevator slowed and stopped. The doors slid open and a sentry started to step out. Suddenly, he stumbled backward and fell, knocking down Kane. Two laser flares flashed above Kane’s head and struck the rear elevator wall. There was another Breaker in the computer room lobby.
Kane pushed himself out from under the downed sentry and into a corner with the Director. Positioned behind the front elevator sidewalls, Super 5 and the other two sentries fired randomly out of the elevator. They were trapped.
“Based on the trajectory of the flares, there is only one Breaker,” the Director said. “Fire in that direction.” He pointed. All of them, including Kane, directed a simultaneous barrage of laser fire to the right. Without a word, Super 5 leapt low and out of the elevator. They stopped shooting and heard a brief exchange of fire. Less than a minute later, Super 5 appeared at the elevator door.
“The Breaker is terminated; it is clear.”
The central computer area was similar in layout to the suspension chamber area, but smaller in dimensions. There was a small lobby with several columns, a counter-type fixture opposite the elevator, a heavy metallic door behind the counter, and a corridor on each side of the lobby. They also found Supervisor 6’s body—he had been terminated.
While the Director went straight to the door behind the counter, Super 5 directed a sentry into each of the perimeter hallways. “Mr. Kane, could you please join the Director in the computer core to check for explosives? I will assist the others and then join you.”
The sentries disappeared into the corridors, and Kane followed the Director through the heavy, vault-like door. They entered a tunnel carved into solid rock, probably twenty feet long, then passed through a second heavy door and into the core of the central computer.
“This is it?” he said with a hint of disappointment. He had obviously seen too many sci-fi movies, and they were all wrong about what a central computer from an advanced civilization looked like. The central computer core was a small, circular room, maybe ten feet in diameter; the ceiling was low with recessed lighting. There was a workstation on two sides of the room, set at standing height, each with a digital pad and monitor. There were two access panels under each station. That was it. The Director was tapping rapidly on one of the pads.
“The computer itself is actually above and below this room,” the Director said, “extending five hundred feet in each direction, encased in solid rock.”
Starting with the workstation opposite the Director, Kane looked for explosives. Taped underneath the station he found two black rectangular bricks about two by four inches and about a foot long; each had a short wire protruding from one end. He examined them closely and determined that there were no wires connecting either brick directly into the electronics of the workstation, so he carefully pulled off the tape and removed one of the bricks. It was heavy. After removing the other brick, he checked the access panel under his station; it fell off the wall when he touched it. In their haste, the Breakers had not resecured the panel. Kane found two more bricks behind the panel. He then worked around the Director and found four more bricks under that workstation. When he was done, he had a stack of eight explosive bricks in the center of the room.
Super 5 joined them. “I found four explosive devices just like these. They are in the lobby.”
The Director stopped typing and stepped away from the workstation. “They did not install a virus. For one, it would be very difficult to input; I alone carry the series of pass codes. It would take them considerable time to decipher the codes. And I did not find any traces of recent access beyond the encoded levels. Even if they had overcome the codes, the computer has multiple virus firewalls, and I doubt that the Breakers have the resources to create a virus sufficient to overcome them.” The Director looked at the stack of bricks. “Plus, the evidence of multiple explosives devices clearly confirms the Breakers’ intended method for disabling the central computer.”
“How do we disarm them?” Super 5 asked.
Just then, an explosion outside the core shook the room.
The Director checked the detonator device. “The timer is stable. But we only have one minute to leave in order to escape on the elevator.”
They gathered up the explosive
bricks between them and ran out of the computer room. Dust and smoke poured from the left corridor, filling the lobby, the unfortunate Meken sentry assigned to that corridor presumed dead. Another Meken sentry joined them from the right corridor, several explosive bricks in his arms.
“Director,” Super 5 said, “please join Mr. Kane in the elevator, and I will seal the computer core.”
The Director grabbed Kane’s arm before he could respond and ushered him into the elevator, followed by the one remaining Meken sentry. Super 5 sealed the two central computer doors, then headed toward the elevator. Stopping at the entrance, he leaned to one side and input a code into the control panel on the lobby wall.
As the elevator doors began closing, he said, “I must disperse the explosives and move them as far from the core as possible.” The last words that Kane heard from Super 5 were, “It is my honor to fullfill my purpose.”
“No!” Kane yelled and tried to put his arm between the elevator doors so they would reopen. The Director pulled him back.
“It is too late, Kane. If we stay a moment longer, we will all perish, and Super 5’s sacrifice will be for naught. He has made a valiant choice. He can disperse the explosives around the corridors and minimize the damage, possibly saving the central computer and Alto Raun.”
Kane slumped against the elevator wall. He didn’t know Super 5, but in an hour’s time he had established that unique bond that comes to soldiers who have fought side by side. The bravery and sacrifices of battle were such a mixed bag of inspiration and sadness. He would not forget Super 5.
It felt like an eternity to reach the surface. But they made it, and they were halfway across the turbine room when the shock wave hit, knocking all of them to the floor. The explosion half a mile below felt like a midlevel earthquake. The lights and power flickered several times and they waited for the worst. Kane imagined the central computer gasping for breath as if it had taken a massive punch to the stomach. The lights went out but came back on a second later. Thankfully, they stayed on. Super 5 had succeeded; the central computer was still operational.
Exiting the power station, they found a canal barge with several Meken sentries waiting for them at the dock. As the barge pulled away, Kane sat in silence, emotionally exhausted, and wondering how he could ever create a sense of security in Alto Raun.
42
Day 40
1200 hours
Central tower, Alto Raun
Dr. Manassa paced in the command center atop the central tower.
“There must be something we can do,” he said again.
“We have reviewed the options numerous times, Doctor, and there is nothing we can do from here,” Jhemna said. “I am sorry, but we cannot redirect and recalibrate the suspension array in time to stop the armada or the attack on the central computer. We have no choice but to trust that Kane, Thorin, and the Director will deal with the Breakers. The best use of our time and energy is to accelerate the launch of the Mayflower as much as possible, which I am attempting to do.”
“We should have known that the Breakers would launch a surprise attack. The suspension technology was our best defense against them, and we failed to prepare.”
“Doctor, please!” Jhemna half shouted. “We have all done our best under the circumstances. I will not be distracted with regret. All we can do now is successfully complete our task.” Jhemna went to the doctor and ushered him toward a chair. “I could use your help in communicating with the Mayflower crew as they prepare for the Push. Press this button here to talk. Tygert and Sam will be the only ones to hear you.”
The Mayflower was already positioned in an orbital docking station that would align their ship between the suspension array and the portal that would take them to Earth. The Push sequence was pretty much on autopilot by this time, and there was really nothing for the doctor or the Mayflower crew to do but wait. He sat down, thankful for the distraction, and pressed the talk button.
“Tygert, are you there?”
A moment later, “Tygert here. Is that you, Doc?”
“Yes. How are things up there?”
“All seems good. I’ve just finished a walk-through of the cabin, and everyone is settled in. We now appear to be moving away from the planet, I assume into position for the portal.” Doc glanced over at Jhemna.
“That is correct,” Jhemna said.
“Yes, that is correct,” the doctor said.
“How long until the Push?”
“Approximately four minutes,” Jhemna answered loud enough for Tygert to hear.
“OK, we’re sittin’ tight,” Tygert replied. “But I want you guys to know: I don’t like leaving like this. We should be down there helping defend Alto Raun. I understand the decision to go ahead with the Push, but it’s killin’ Sam and me. How’s it going with the Breaker fleet?”
Dr. Manassa paused before answering. He decided not to tell Tygert about the attack on the central computer.
“The Mekens have launched several speedboats from Alto Raun. The plan is to draw Leevee to our boats and thereby lead her into the Breakers.”
“Are they drones or manned?”
“They did not have time to prepare the boats for remote command. They are being piloted by four builders.”
“Those Mekens. Do you think it will work?”
“The boats are under way. We will know soon.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
“Thorin and the Director are gathering Mekens, men, and weapons to the roof and the hangars, where the Breakers are most likely to attack the city.”
“Yeah, that sounds right. I just really hate that I’m not there.”
“It’s OK, Captain. I trust Kane, Thorin, and the Director to see us through this. And it is good that you are leaving. It’s time for Earth to discover Ahlemon. It will be the most glorious day in the history of Earth. Tell me, what are you most looking forward to when you return?”
“After I see my wife and kids, I’m headin’ straight to Doogie’s.”
“Doogie’s?” Doc asked.
“A Doogie’s double cheeseburger, fries, and a root beer. I’ve been dreaming about it. I’m salivating just talking about it. Wish you could join me, Doc.”
“Ah, the finest in Earth cuisine. That is definitely something I miss. Maybe you can bring one back for me when you return.”
“You betcha. I’ll bring a warming case full of ’em. It would be great to see Thorin’s face after he takes a couple bites of a Doogie’s burger. If the grease doesn’t kill him, the happiness will.”
The doctor smiled; this was Tygert at his best. He would be a fine emissary between Ahlemon and Earth.
“Ninety seconds,” Jhemna announced.
“Well, Doc, looks like I gotta go. You spend some time with Anne now. She looks like she might be a good thing for you.”
“I will. Safe travels, Captain. I look forward to seeing you sometime in the next year. Give my best to Earth. Command center out.”
Jhemna sat down, looking exhausted. “My work is done. It’s up to the computer now.”
The doctor and Jhemna sat quietly. They had worked almost nonstop for the last forty-eight hours, and they had talked about everything there was to talk about.
“Thirty seconds to suspension, forty seconds to Push,” a pleasant-sounding female computer voice announced over the room speakers.
“Twenty seconds to suspension, thirty seconds to Pu—”
The speaker and the lights flickered and the room went dark. A couple of seconds lapsed, and then the lights came back on. The entire central tower began to tremble. Jhemna and the doctor jumped up.
“Is this an earthquake?” Doc asked, holding on to his chair.
“No, not on Alto Raun.” But Jhemna looked concerned. He rushed over to look at the various screens managing the Push.
“Suspension activated,” the computer voice announced. “Push in ten seconds, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.”
As the central t
ower stopped trembling, Jhemna looked to the sky through the glass ceiling of the command center. The doctor followed his gaze and saw a bright flash. If it hadn’t been for the tinting on the glass, it would have been blinding. Drawing a focused energy pulse from Ahlemon’s sun, the array had ignited the Push, melting itself in the process. It was over in less than a second.
Jhemna stood gazing. “It never ceases to amaze me.”
“Are they gone?” the doctor asked.
“Yes. They’re gone.”
43
Day 40
1100 hours
The channel between Alto Mair and Alto Raun
Supervisor 3 stood at his post, the misty seawater beading on his silver skin as the fleet made its way across the channel. As he looked down the armada line, the silence mixed with the wispy fog made for an eerie scene. He knew nothing about how the attack would unfold. He hadn’t even known who would lead the fleet until he heard Rakaan’s voice over the intercom. But the actual plan really didn’t matter. He had been improvising for the last month. This would be no different.
Based on the available information, Super 3 ran his tactical program, calculating the possible attack scenarios. Unfortunately, Rakaan rendered any tactical program almost useless; he was too much of a wildcard. What would they do when they reached Alto Raun? The heavily armed boats meant that they were prepared to fight their way through any Meken resistance. The laser cannons were portable; they could be carried into the city. And Super 3 suspected that Rakaan already had a team inside, preparing to assist. He feared for the humans and his fellow Mekens. They would be overwhelmed with this assault.
Supervisor 3 had managed to avoid direct contact with Rakaan while he lived in Alto Mair, but his nemisis’ presence hung like a dark cloud over every aspect of Breaker life. Rakaan’s transition from the Mekens’ lead supervisor to the Breakers’ lead supervisor had obviously triggered a severe break in his bio-mechanical psyche. He had become the most ruthless Meken on the planet, thinking of nothing else but revenge and the demise of the human race. And his malice was not limited to humans. Any Breaker he encountered that showed the slightest sympathy for the humans was vigorously interrogated and often terminated on the spot. Breakers were now watching each other and reporting any sympathizers in order to gain Rakaan’s favor.
The Last City (The Ahlemon Saga Book 1) Page 30
