Echo Effect Complete Edition

by Robert D. Armstrong

  “Destroy, at least, destroy it,” the Omega struggled. Michael paused for a moment, then marched toward the device and snatched it up, plopping it down a few feet in front of the Omega as a river of blood flowed toward the device.

  “Michael. What are you doing?” Keith asked. The Omega swung its arm with the force of a toddler toward the artifact.

  “Finishing this!” Michael yelled.

  “Here,” Michael muttered, igniting his plasma blade. He melted the artifact into a pile of black goo. Michael stared into the Omega’s eyes as it panted, its breathing became labored. The wheezing sounded like air rushing through metal as if some sort of integrated life support system attempted to assist what little organic remnants remained.

  A faint voice emitted from the Omega that was so low only Michael and Vala could hear it. The Omega tilted its head toward Michael with its last bit of strength. “Unexpected. I’ve realized something… in these last moments. You know… my people were freed long ago… but I never felt it, the liberation. I heard them speak of it… but it wasn’t for me. I am an instrument of war for my masters. Even my own people used me in much the same way. I’ve felt the chains of slavery tugging me toward my eternal tomb for centuries, but only now can I rest.”

  The Omega’s red eyes flashed as it stared at the liquidized artifact, then slowly faded to blackness.

  “What’d it say? I couldn’t hear it!” Keith demanded.

  “I think it’s gone?” Garza stood.

  “It’s gone.” Michael said.

  “Looks that way,” Keith replied. The flaky, ash-colored layer of skin coating began to fall off as the cold wind picked up, revealing dark purple skin underneath.

  The deep purple membrane was thick and rough, more like an animal hide, hairless and littered with scar tissue. Hundreds of insertion marks or drill holes burrowed deep in the skin, and what appeared to be claw marks from various species. Most of the arms and legs were cybernetic, possibly replaced from wear.

  The facial features were somewhat human in placement, with deep-set black holes for eyes that were slightly further apart. Everything else was unrecognizable, like a burn victim with no nose or ears, only holes that seemed scorched and melted. An array of small, circular metallic implants dotted around his eyes and ears, wrapping around its skull like a band of crude jewelry, possibly connected to his telekinetic headdress.

  “What’s the plan with the Omega’s body? We can’t let them find it,” Garza said.

  Michael stared at it. “I’ll burn it. My blade will incinerate most of it, I’m sure.”

  “It should, yeah,” Keith said, patting Michael on the shoulder.

  The group stared at the Omega for several seconds without a word.

  Chapter Eleven

  Six weeks later

  There were three knocks at the door. An older woman stumbled through her home toward the entrance. “Karen? Is that you, dear?”

  Again, three more knocks.

  “I’m coming. You have a key, sweetheart. Not sure why you don’t—”

  “Hey, Mrs. Keller,” a muffled voice erupted through the thick door.

  “Oh, my word, is that you, Vala?” she asked.

  “Yes! It’s me!” she replied.

  The woman opened the door. “Vala, baby, come here. Where in God’s name have you been?” She leaned forward, hugging Vala.

  “Goodness gracious, I thought it was my other daughter. Come in, please, come on in. It’s cold out there,” Mrs. Keller said with a southern accent, revealing her Georgia roots.

  “Just been really busy,” Vala said. Mrs. Keller shut the door behind her. Vala noticed she’d put on a few pounds in her age, but she was still well kept. She was short, about five-foot-three with thick wavy hair that was about shoulder length. She had round facial features with big, blue eyes highlighted by her light brown skin.

  “So good to see you, sweetheart, being up here in Alaska without Fred these days, it gets lonely,” she whispered, placing her arms around Vala, flashing a full smile. Vala noticed she didn’t make direct eye contact.

  “No need to explain.” Vala took in a deep breath. The log cabin smelled like pine, just like it did the first time she met Michael’s parents. There was a bit more clutter in the living area as Mrs. Keller used a walking stick to feel around.

  “Yeah, I know it has been several years now since Fred passed, but I just don’t know what to do with his stuff. You know, he really got into that holographic reality, at the end. Before, he also loved the outdoors, so lots of stuff here, and I’m afraid to sell it. I wanted Michael and Karen to have it but, well, ah,” she went on, shuffling through the clutter.

  “Come on and sit down. My bot has a fire going. You remember ol’ Ranger, don’t you? Michael named him.”

  “Oh yeah. Wow, yeah, he’s uh, still kicking, huh?”

  “Yeah, him and I both, holding down the fort, I guess,” she said.

  Vala observed the squeaky old QL-54 robot stacking wood next to the flames. It was a five-foot tall, simplistic humanoid-shaped model, reliable for most household duties. Its arms vibrated as it struggled to shuffle the wood logs. It likely hadn’t seen a round of maintenance in five years or more.

  Vala moved a stack of old books from the sofa and sat down opposite of Mrs. Keller’s recliner. “Still feels cozy as ever.”

  “I suppose it does. Course, I wouldn’t know much different. I haven’t been outside the house in about two weeks. Went down to the eye doctor and got groceries. Karen took me.”

  “How’s she doing these days?” Vala asked.

  “Fine, just fine. You know, she has her life with the kids. I don’t know if she likes coming out this way as much anymore, all these memories of her dad and brother.”

  “Yeah.”

  “You know, when I married Michael’s father, he brought me up here, and I’ll tell you one thing, Vala, I laughed in his face when I saw all this snow. We’d get some snow down in Georgia, but my word, it’s nothing like this. I told Fred I wouldn’t last one winter in this mess. Well, look here, thirty-seven winters later, I’m still here. Me and Fred raised Karen and Mike, and now it’s just me.” She paused. “Me and ol’ Ranger.” She chuckled.

  “Amazing what we’re willing to do for the people we love sometimes, isn’t it? Thirty-seven years of this weather?” Vala asked.

  “You bet it is, but that’s what makes life worth livin’, ain’t it? Ranger, that’s good for now. Why don’t you get Vala something to drink.” Mrs. Keller raised her eyebrows.

  “I’m good, no thank you,” Vala said.

  Mrs. Keller looked in Vala’s direction and grinned. “So, how are things for you these days?”

  “Great.”

  “Did you ever marry, sweetheart?” she asked.

  “Well, yes actually.”

  “Oh, dear, that’s just wonderful. After Michael passed I wanted that for you, I truly did.” Mrs. Keller grabbed Vala’s hands.

  “Thank you.”

  “Any children?” she asked.

  “Well, we’re adopting one, yes,” Vala replied.

  “Well now, I’ve always thought that was an admirable thing. Of course, my aunt used to always say you’ll never love a child the same way you would your own, but we didn’t always agree,” Mrs. Keller said.

  “Me either. I don’t agree with that one bit,” Vala replied.

  “Thank you, Ranger. You can shut down for a bit.” Mrs. Keller reached out for the coffee mug, feeling around in the air before grabbing it. Vala lunged forward with her catlike reflexes as she lost her grip, securing it. “Oh, I’m sorry.” Mrs. Keller’s eyes danced around in confusion. “I didn’t get a good hold of it.”

  “Here ya go. No, it’s fine. It didn’t burn you, did it?” Vala asked.

  “No, no, I’m fine. Sometimes I-I, well, Vala, I hate to bring it up, but I’ve lost most of my vision. I can see shapes fairly well, but I can’t make out the details,” she explained. Vala dropped her head in deep tho
ught.

  “Hmm, I hate to hear that, Mrs. Keller. I wondered when I saw the walking stick. I noticed you weren’t using it to walk.”

  “Nah, just so I don’t run into things. I’m in good shape otherwise, until I have a fall I suppose.” She laughed.

  Vala leaned forward, grabbing her hands. “I’ve got a surprise for you, and you won’t need your eyes for it,” Vala whispered.

  “What will I need?”

  “An open heart.”

  She chuckled. “Well, I still have that.”

  The door opened and closed.

  Mrs. Keller turned her head, attempting to make out the two shapes walking toward her. “Vala, who’s that? Dear, someone just came in? Karen?” She peeked around Vala, trying to make out the shadowy forms strolling into the living area.

  Vala stood up and moved out of the way as Mrs. Keller’s eyes bounced around. “No, that’s a man’s shape. Is this your husband and child, Vala? I can see it’s a man and a smaller person,” she said, peering forward.

  “She can’t see you, Mike,” Vala whispered.

  “W-what?” he asked.

  “She’s mostly blind,” she replied. Michael glanced at the floor, then at his mother in deep thought.

  “I told you not to worry about how you look, but now you really don’t have to.” She grinned. “You’re the man she raised, the man I love.”

  Michael pulled up a chair next to Mrs. Keller and sat down, grabbing her hands. “Mom.”

  She jumped back. “Oh-hh-hh! My God! I’m gonna have a heart attack. He sounds, oh my, he sounds just like my M-Michael.” She placed her hand on her chest “Vala, dear, p-please, please, I can’t handle jokes, not anymore.”

  “It’s not a joke, Mom, it’s me,” he said. Mrs. Keller’s eyes widened, and her mouth dropped. She buried her head into his chest, weeping uncontrollably. He embraced her. “I knew it! Knew y-you were alive! I told them, they didn’t listen!” He held her tight, rocking back and forth.

  She grabbed his chest. “So much metal. What’d they do to you, baby?”

  “I was in an accident, Mom.”

  “Gosh, it has been so many y-years.” She sobbed.

  “I know, I know.” He held her even tighter.

  Garza stepped inside, noticing Iris smiling while taking in the reunion. “Did you meet your grandma yet?”

  “Not yet.” She grinned, squeezing her shoulders together. Iris stepped past Vala in front of Michael and Mrs. Keller.

  Michael glanced over his shoulder at Iris. “Mom, this is Iris. We’ve adopted her. Not sure if Vala told you—”

  “Come here, child,” Mrs. Keller demanded, embracing both Michael and Iris.

  “So, Mom, Vala and I were curious if we could stay here for a while?” Michael asked.

  “You don’t have to ask me that. This is your home, and when I’m gone, it was always going to be yours. I would love for you to stay here as long as you want. I wanted to give this to Karen after I found out you weren’t coming back, but she’s got enough on her plate to deal with this old house.” She smiled. “I’m just so glad you’re here. It’s like a dream I don’t want to ever wake up from. I cried for years, every night, hoping you would come walking through that door.”

  “I’m sorry it’s been so long,” Michael said.

  “You’re here now. This is going to take me months to get used to,” she said.

  “Hey, Mike, pardon the interruption, but when you get a minute, can you come outside? I want to show you something.” Keith peeked his head inside, grinning, quickly shutting the door to keep the heat in.

  “Mom, um, I’m gonna step out real quick, okay? I’ll be right back,” he said.

  “Okay, baby.” She grabbed his head and squeezed, lightly skimming her fingers across his metallic skull. “Best day of my life, you have no idea.” She smiled.

  Michael hugged his mom, then Vala, both of their faces full of tears. “Thank you, Mom.”

  He slowly stepped toward the door, panning around the home he grew up in.

  “Congratulations, Michael.” Keith smiled as Michael made his way through the door.

  “Thanks. Yeah, never thought I’d see the day.”

  “You’ve earned it,” Keith said.

  Michael sighed, putting his forearms on the porch railing. He slowly inhaled the familiar air from his youth, closing his eyes as Keith allowed him a moment. Michael exhaled, watching his breath dissipate. “Strange being up here again.”

  “I remember that feeling, back home after a long hiatus. You know, you forget what it’s like after so long, even who you were sometimes,” Keith said as a hawk soared overhead. Its shadow swept across the white canvas and disappeared into the woods. Michael nodded, glancing up at the bird of prey.

  “So, I wanted to give you the rundown of what we’re doing. Garza and I are setting up a perimeter around your property, top of the line, fit for a military compound: eight brute drones, a mechanic drone, and an aerial attack Viper, all solar-powered so you don’t need to do anything,” Keith explained.

  “I was wondering what you had in that tractor-trailer that followed us up here,” Michael said.

  “Yep. No one’s getting close, and if they do, you’ll know about it way beforehand,” Keith said.

  “Good. Sounded like the Star Rust mercs were done with us, anyway. We gave them a beating. But if they do try again, it’s good to know we have serious protection.”

  “Yeah, it would blow my mind if anyone attempted to come way out here with all this. Even then, afterward, they’d have to deal with you and Vala.”

  “And Iris,” he mumbled.

  Keith raised his eyebrows. “Yeah, and Iris. Which reminds me, how’d you get her to take the telekinetic headband off? When we left, she had it on. Several hours later, its off and she seems pretty content,” Lucas said.

  “For now,” Michael said. “I bought a box. Simple metal crate. I had a talk with her and Vala, I said that we’re giving up the life we had in exchange for a new one. I asked if she was okay with that.”

  “That easy, huh?” Keith asked.

  “I disabled my plasma blade, Vala handed over her submachinegun, and with only a hint of hesitation, Iris took off the headband.”

  “Wow. Glad to hear you are going to try and adopt her,” Keith said.

  “We’re going to do our best. Obviously, with that much trauma, she’ll need counseling. We all do. We want to make sure we’re in the position to give her a good home, mentally and physically. We figured since we have a lot in common. Her family battled tech addiction, and so did ours. Hopefully, we can feed off each other’s experiences for the better.”

  “Excellent. Good outlook. You said though, be realistic with her and do what you can. If she needs additional professional help, I’m here. I can put you in contact with some of the best doctors in the country,” Keith said.

  “We appreciate that. I should take you up on it,” Michael said.

  Keith nodded, staring into the horizon. “Absolutely. Before we go, we’re setting up a military grade solar panel and a generator so you’ll never have to worry about powering this place. It should be good for at least thirty years,” Keith said.

  “You mean when I’m near seventy years old, I’ll have to figure out how to replace all this shit?” Michael chuckled.

  “Start planning now.” Keith grinned.

  “It goes without saying, but don’t mention our names about all this. Garza and I literally pulled all this from Lucas’ facility. Then again, he would have wanted it. It’d be difficult to explain that to the shareholders, though.”

  “We never will, that you can count on. You’re gonna miss him, I’m sure,” Michael said.

  “Lucas? Yeah. We weren’t as close the last couple of years, but he made an impact on my life. He was a true patriot, a maverick, and a friend. He had a unique perspective on things, a real eye-opener.”

  “A warrior.” Michael nodded.

  “Yes, a warrior, too.”
>
  “Who’s going to take over for him back at his compound?” Michael asked.

  “Well, Garza said his last request was to have everything melted down, but he left open another option, but it’ll never see the light of day,” he replied.

  “Oh? What was it?” Michael shifted his shoulders toward Keith.

  “Ah, he said I could take over operations in reverse engineering,” Keith replied.

  “Wow.”

  “Basically, that means it’s all going to scrap. I want no part in it,” Keith said.

  “All that technology, to the scrap pile?” Michael asked.

  “Well, not all of it.” Keith tapped Michael’s armor. He narrowed his eyes at Michael for a moment, then glanced away. “During the ordeal a few weeks back, I’m not sure if you heard me, you were unconscious, but I told you something before you killed the Omega. Something I should have told you a long time ago. Not sure why I had the courage when you were out of it. Maybe I’m a coward like that.”

  “No, you’re not, and I heard every word,” Michael said.

  Keith leaned over the railing parallel to Michael. “Well, I meant every word, and I want you to know, I’m sorry for not putting a stop to the madness you endured, the ECHO program. It was morally wrong. No two ways about it.”

  “It was my choice, Keith.”

  “But you didn’t know exactly what you were getting into. I did, and I could have spoken up, but I didn’t. I allowed Amery to put you through that. At first, I tried to rationalize my decision in that I was devastated from losing Olivia and our unborn son, but the reality is, you had nothing to do with that. I failed to act.” Keith’s eyes glossed over.

  “It’s okay, I—”

  “Mike, I learned not only what true sacrifice is from you, but I learned about making the right decisions at my worst. There is nothing like rock bottom. I’d like to believe that’s who we really are as men, during adversity. Can we still do the right thing in those moments? Can we dig deep enough? I want to thank you for that realization, thank you for making me better, Michael.” Keith turned toward him, extending his hand.

  Michael shook it and nodded. “Likewise.”

  Keith cocked an eyebrow. “I helped you?”