The No Names

by Frank Albelo

  “We need to take this chance. The Officials are distracted and I know where the ship is!” I saw the hope spark in their eyes, and Zeta and Galileo actually started to make their way towards the USG base. I held up a hand and spoke before more could join them. “We can’t leave that force behind. Besides, all I know is that the hangar for it is part of the base.”

  The group deflated slightly, but Hunter moved up to speak for the group. “Well, I say we get out of here. We came to get you, regardless of how important you might actually be, but we need to cut out before we are hit much worse “ I could hear the calculative tone in his voice as he looked me and Koma up and down. He knew the only reason we were alive to even fight the USG was thanks to us.

  We don't have time for this, I thought.

  Indeed we do not. However, just you and I will not make it to the ship, if it even is in there. As I expected; a cool and rational response from the multi conscious Calforn.

  “Then we put it to a vote. Only from the people going to the hangar, however I need to get rid of Howard Craft first. We had a little chat while I was still trapped and I think he can tell us where the ship is”

  Before there was much chance to vote, Justin jumped in.”I agree with the Boss here. We should definitely go for that ship, getting rid of the others will be necessary.”

  I nodded in agreement and the rest of the group except for Zeta and Hunter agreed. Overruled.

  “Alright, Hunter I need to know you are with us even if you disagree. I could definitely use a strong arm here.” I could see the conflict and counter arguments play across the man’s expression, but eventually he nodded also. His face was a mask of stone as he adjusted the grip on his sharpened steel. Zeta raised her arms defensively and prepared to move.

  While the conversation had only taken a minute I could already hear shouts for regroupment from around the ice spire we had hid behind. We all closed ranks and crept forward as fast as we dared until I was able to peek around the corner. The man with the static contingent of ten was still in the same spot, but the groups of Officials had convened together and had managed to whittle down the horde of mutants to fifteen or so. As I scanned the field, a sharp spike rammed into my mind when I glanced back at the solo man. A second later, I felt a wave of static rushing towards me and the group of people surrounding him, except for two, surged after our hidden spot.

  The mental wave also seemed throw the mutant horde into a frenzy as they abandoned reason and plowed straight into the group of officials. I recognized one of the armor suits of the officials as he coordinated commands. Starden. He was standing back from the soldiers who had run out of bullets and were engaging the mutants in melee. I felt cold hatred burn in my chest but I refocused on the eight incoming bodies.

  After a moment of seeing and sensing with my mind, I realized they were also mutants. The reality of what had just happened crashed into me. In the corner of my eye I spotted the other Digits as they ran around me when the snarls of mutants drew closer. Craft could control the mad Calforn somehow. I could not believe I hadn’t made the connection from when I had been captured. I flooded my arms with energy as Hyperburn activated, locking eyes with the man apart from the horde. The disgusting mental signal that he emanated now that he was controlling his mutants made my want to shut the mental link completely but I held.

  Koma, cover them. I need to get to the guy at the back. I thought at my fellow Calforn.

  Alpha, wait. I do not think we can take on so many while I am injured.

  If I can take that guy out, we should be able to manage. Tell Hunter he is leading.

  I didn’t wait for a response as my legs shifted with a pop and a tear of suit fabric. The sounds of combat moved around me as I skirted the horde and bounded across the snow towards Craft. A rogue shot grazed me but I continued forward. My burning frustrations began to bubble up. The Officials, the scientist, even the Calforn held some blame for what had happened to what I could only assume was hundreds of people and creatures. The edges of my vision began to darken and I retracted my helmet to get a proper breath. The moment the cold wind brushed against my face I roared in defiance, all my emotions expanding out physically and mentally.

 

 

 

 

  <...>

  The moment the sensation spread to the edge of the horde like a crashing wave, two of the mutants stopped trying to attack the Officers. I stumbled to the ground as a piercing headache flared and I crouched holding my head. I struggled to open my eyes, but when I did it was as if I was looking through three overlapped images. It took my brain a few seconds to process what was happening. I shut my eyes and pressed my head against the cold snow to try and alleviate the throbbing that was ruining my thoughts. Even with the numbing sensation of the cold, I felt slick blood running down my hands and a strange, unnatural hunger in the back of my throat.

  With a start I opened my ‘eyes’. I was looking at the back of the horde, where as before I was looking straight at Craft. Flexing my mental connection I turned to see the other mutant that had stood frozen. The multi limb creature stood stock still as all but four of its limbs held it up. I tried to speak, but all that came out was a hiss and I pointed at the scientist. My arm reached way beyond what I expected. I am in one of the long limbed Calforns. I realized.

  Brother! What is going on!? Two of the static signals are imitating your own, it's like there are three of you! I heard a whisper of Koma’s voice in my head. I turned to see the Digits fighting a losing battle against the mutants that had focused on them. Guilt shook me out of my wonderment. I had abandoned the Digits in possibly the most moronic plan I could have thought up. Focusing back on the multi limb mutant I urged my feelings of protectiveness and safety towards the Digits. The limbs started to pad forward on the snow and pick up speed as I felt the signal recede from my mind except for a tiny tether.

  Reinforcements incoming, don’t attack the mutant coming in hot. I hoped Koma could understand my lack of explanation, but I had to accomplish my original plan as I had committed.

  I used my gangly limbs to take me back over to where my actual body laid, curled in the snow. It was an experience and a half, even with all the strange things I had seen since becoming part Calforn. With a jerk, I snapped back into my body, panting.

  “Alright…” I gasped as my mind reacclimated to its original limbs. “...you and me are wiping the floor with the good doctor.”

  I received a snarl in response and headed for Craft once again. Now that I had sensed the connection to the Calforn more… directly… I could almost feel the threads that held Craft to his minions. The long limbed mutant strode forward next to me, easily keeping up by pushing off the ground with its inhuman arms.

  A second later we were met by a stealthy ATC and a hulking fist mutant.

  I felt my senses meld together with the long limbed mutant. A sensation similar to fighting with Koma, but even more acute rang through me. I slipped under a wide slap from my hivemate as it engaged the hulking mutant. Not bothering to slow down, I tackled the nimble mech. Not a second after having grappled with the robot did I feel a painful grip on my shoulder again. Reacting on instinct, I increased the density of the skin there with a bone plate. The clamp motor on the robot groaned as it tried to crush my new metal shoulder armor, but the bone beneath reinforced it enough to allow me to tear the limb off with a mutated left punch.

  The sparking limb flew through the air a dozen feet where it was intercepted by Craft’s remaining mutant. The mutant looked like a normal human, there were no outstanding features to mark it as a Calforn, but I could feel a strange hesitance from my lengthy ally. Leaving the mutants to each other I moved closer to Craft. The human look alike moved to stand in front of me.

  “Why, it seems I underestimated you! Should have kept the sedation drip going,” said the doctor. His words were lazed with contempt but I moved forward
with the conversation.

  “Sure, not like that would have kept me down long. Oh, how is your human doing? I had a brief chat with the real Howard. While he seems just as much a prick as you, he told me you are something of an unwanted guest.” The part mutant did not like my response.

  The scientist voice turned into a hiss as he retracted his helmet completely and his blood red eyes shone in the planet light. “This is my body. That idiot keeps sapping my mind, but he will wear away eventually.” I heard the man draw in a deep breath even over the rushing of wind around us and his tone returned to normal. “That is enough time wasted out of you. Dov, dispose of him.”

  “Y...e...s…” The mutant whispered out in response. Right before speeding towards me in a blur. I didn’t have enough time to pull up my arms, so his full fist struck me in the chest. I felt the metal there bend under the force and I rolled several feet back. I could hear the din of battle behind me, but I could not spare a look to check on the Digits or on the Officials. The mutant, Dov, shot forward again but this time I was mostly prepared. I was able to deflect the blow with my forearm, but the moment my limb swatted his right punch away I heard the bone snap under the force. He must have something similar to Autophagy… I was almost overwhelmed in the instant it took me to draw the connection to Dov’s explosive energy.

  I shouted at the Overmind to activate Autophagy. I didn’t have any true reserves, but I used the few I had against the human-like mutant. I felt the burning energy course my veins and it was almost as if the world slowed just ever so slightly.

 

 

  Shit, all this fighting and healing must have drained, it even if much slower. I spent less than a breath analysing Dov and charged at him in an attempt to slow him down or wear him out. Without waiting for an invitation, he also responded. The two of us collided and staggered back. I swore I saw a frown crease the mutant’s face, but he recovered much faster than I did. He planted his feet and tackled me to the ground. The blow knocked the air out of me and I felt the man’s arms grip around my torso. The moment I tried to breathe in, he squeezed.

  I heard the audible snap of at least three of my ribs. The only thing keeping me conscious was Autophagy as I kneed the mutant right in the nards. It was a low blow, and I wasn’t sure if Calforn even functioned like that anyways, but I sure as hell didn’t want to die. Thankfully, the man was human enough. With my Autophagy enhanced blow he unclintched and I shoved him away, sending him off a dozen feet like a ragdoll.

  Seconds later I felt the burning in my body intensify and my ribs snapped back into place. As I fought against my swimming vision I gulped down air, scanning for Dov. The mutant was still on his back and looked to be unconscious since he was neither stirring nor grabbing for his jewels. I took that as a good sign as I struggled to my feet and faced Craft.

  The doctor didn’t look nearly as confident as he had a second before. I moved forward slowly, doing my best to mask the pain of my injuries. The doctor was backing up slowly as I approached. When he turned his blood red eyes from my own, they widened further and he took off at a mad dash to the other Officials. I fell to one knee as the scientist bolted, unconsciously deactivating Autophagy.

 

  As the burning faded, a dull throbbing permeated my entire body. Random muscle twitches threatened to jerk me around the snow, but I gritted my teeth. It was my power and I needed to learn to control it without the Overmind to hold my hand. A second later, I felt the physical presence of reassurance. Kind of.

  “You asshole!” A fist came flying at the back of my head, but the long limbed mutant that had been nearby caught the blow without my instruction.

  Without my concentration focused on Dov, the overall senses of my hive mates washed through me. Snippets of memories also flashed by: a piercing blow on the hulking mutant or two dozen limbs fighting each other as Galileo looked on in horror. The Digits had been successful.

  “What kind of shit are you trying to pull, Alpha!? I thought we were dealing with threats at a time!” The heat in Hunter’s words was palpable.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “You think you can just… Wait what?” The man stuttered a bit as I apologized.

  “I let the fight get to my head. I focused on Craft too much, but right now is not the time for this conversation. We need to get rid of them while they are fleeing.”

  I motioned with my hand in the direction of the now retreating mutants. I had the multi armed mutant watch the group as Craft joined them and they rallied. The scientist hunched over momentarily and three of the horde near the front hunched also. The Officials opened fire and blasted the horde when their front fighters were clear.

  “The horde won’t last much longer. If we can—” I was cut off by a loud rumbling that shook everyone in the snowscape. I looked around with three sets of eyes, which was incredibly dizzying, but I noted a growing plume of white smoke coming from the USG base.

  “That’s a rocket if I have ever felt one,” piped Delta from the back of the group.

  My thoughts raced as I considered what a rocket would be doing on the surface of Dun Lund. I was once again thrown off balance just as I noted the Officials fire a final blast into the humans and dash for the base. They were close to the thinnest section of the crevasse and I saw the group start to jump the four foot gap into nothing. Of the people jumping, three didn’t make it and not one of them tried to save their fellows.

  “...pod!” I heard a shout behind us. Epsilon, with Gamma carried over one shoulder, was huffing it towards the base. Beta and the pair of scientists were hot on his tail.

  “Escape pod!” They all shouted as they continued running towards the base.

  I reacted immediately. We were about twenty feet from the crevasse and the opening was around eight feet span. I had the multi limb mutant grab the ladies and the long limbed grabbed Galileo and Justin. Get them across, I thought at Koma. The man nodded without words and grabbed Delta. The trio of mutants took off at a full sprint towards the maw of ice.

  “Come on, Hunter. Let’s take a stroll.” Without waiting for a response, I hefted the man over my shoulder and mutated my legs. My shin shortening ached as my legs inverted under the man’s weight and struggling, but I took off for the edge.

  Seconds later we were all jumping across to the tune of very shrill screams and cursing from the Digits in our care.

  Chapter 19: Piercing the Veil

  “I am going to gut you, Alpha,” Hunter shouted as we made our way to the opening of the base the Named pair had led me to.

  Delta shut the door behind us as we all squeezed into the airlock room. The space felt cramped with all the Digits present, so I immediately stepped out into the flickering hallway. There was a thin haze of smoke spread in the air. “Fires must have broken out somewhere in the base,” said Delta matter-of-factly.

  I turned to Delta as he reactivated his helmet. The Digit, and most of the others, were squeezing into new sets of the armor. The cubies with the hanging plating shut briefly as they were encased in the suit. There were seven spots remaining after me and the scientists emptied the slots. Delta, Zeta and Beta replaced their armor as they were the most battered, and Justin, Hunter, Dana and Galileo equipped the armor they had wrecked long ago. The mutant trio stood around awkwardly as everyone was engulfed by the material.

  “Let’s get us an escape pod, eh Boss?” The time in Dun Lund had done Epsilon good, as he was slimmer and his stamina was much better. He nudged me in the ribs and strode out into the hallway. The rest of the group followed and we started to make our way deeper.

  The two, terrified, Named scientists who I then learned were called Mark and Clara led the group towards where the pods were supposed to be located. We encountered three multi armed mutants, but they were easily dispatched by Delta, Hunter and whichever of my hivemates was closest at the time. I figured out how to muffle the sensations from the mutants and was
able to relax slightly even with our hurried pace through the base.

  You have created a Hive. I am not sure of all the implications, but I would like to become a part of it. If that is possible. I heard Koma in my thoughts as we made our way forward.

  Not entirely sure what I did here, you know. Still getting used to the whole multiple bodies thing.

  They should be their own entities once you release direct control. As far as I can recall from the Overmind memories, your Call was used to gather and unify units for battle. Without a Hive to belong to, it must have placed you as the head of the group and created one somehow.

  I mulled over his words as I thought of him and my hive mates. The voice of the Overmind came and responded to my thoughts.

 

  <...>

  I mentally nodded and a strong tug threatened to tear my mind apart.

 

 

 

  All the part and full mutants fell to the ground as a mental gong reverberated through our minds. Koma was able to catch himself on his knee, but I felt the world darken for a moment as if I would pass out. Zeta caught me, and even Delta and Galileo helped the other mutants to their feet and arms. I looked around and saw concern in almost all the faces present, but some were looking around anxiously.