by G. P. Hudson
The force of the impact sent both men crashing into the ground. The merc grabbed onto Kriss, and the two rolled. The fall caused both men to lose their weapons, and they fought hand to hand for position. Freeing his right arm, Kriss reached for his energized combat knife. He unsheathed the crackling blade, just as the merc drew his sidearm.
Kriss grabbed the merc’s wrist with his free hand, trying desperately to keep him from pointing his sidearm at him. The merc held back Kriss’s blade with his other hand, denying the Emperor a clean kill. The struggle for control seemed lost when the merc got on top of Kriss, but the Emperor kicked up, and the merc lost his balance. Pushing with all his might, Kriss sent his opponent into a roll. He followed, rolling with the merc until he came up on top.
The merc tried to use the same tactic, and kick Kriss off, but the Emperor’s legs gripped the merc’s torso like a vice. Leaning in, he pushed the blade down toward the squirming mercenary with all he had. The merc tried to hold back the knife, but his arm was already at an awkward angle. Kriss felt the man’s arm lose strength. Sparks erupted as the blade contacted armor. Kriss gave one final push, and the edge cut through the armor and into the man’s chest. He felt the man spasm, as his life force left his body, and then go limp.
Knowing he couldn’t relax, Kriss rolled off the man. Eying his energy weapon on the floor, he leaped for it with outstretched arms. Grabbing the firearm, he rolled out of the fall and came up in a crouching position. A merc whipped around to point his weapon at him. Kriss squeezed off several rounds, hitting the man just as Captain Vass sent several blasts into the merc’s visor. The combined force sent the merc careening backward. Vass was on him without hesitation, pumping multiple rounds into the merc’s now shattered visor. The merc stopped moving, and Vass moved on to the next target.
The Emperor did his best to keep up with the Taymati, but they moved like demons. Despite all the training he had undergone, his personal guard took combat to a whole new level. Still, he persisted. Today he was Taymati. Trusting in his practice, he killed with fury and precision. When the melee was over, the mercs all lay dead. The Emperor would have liked to take one prisoner for questioning, but it was not meant to be.
For a moment, he caught his reflection and grew fascinated by it. He stood with weapon in hand, and his jet-black armor smeared with blood. The sight sparked an epiphany. This was who he really was. Kriss, the Taymati Emperor.
“We need to go, your worship,” Vass said urgently.
“Right. The aliens,” said Kriss, snapping back to reality. “Lead the way, Captain.”
The Taymati exited the tunnel system, onto the street, the deafening sound of urban combat raging all around them. As they stalked away, Kriss looked down a road and caught a glimpse of alien machinery the size of a small building. It glowed red as Taymati heavy weapons pummeled it. Just before he lost sight of the engagement, he noticed another group of aliens converging from the other end. These beings were armored, yet much smaller in stature. Running up the empty street, Kriss wondered just how many aliens had infested his beloved capital.
Chapter 35
He felt the tremor first and saw the enormous foot second. The Taymati team came to a sudden stop as the giant machine rounded the corner before them.
“This way!” said Captain Vass, leading the team down a side street.
The tremors intensified as the alien machine gave pursuit. Vass led them down another street. Powerful blasts struck one of the buildings just behind them, spraying debris into the air.
The Taymati armor bestowed the team with high speed and agility, but the alien machine stayed with them. The Taymati took advantage of the weaving streets and narrow alleys of the Dvorkan capital. Where the metal giant couldn’t follow, it used parallel roads to keep pace with its prey. Firing through gaps as the opportunities arose.
“Into the building,” said Vass over the comm, and they turned from the alleyway toward a building on their left.
Running toward a back door, Vass fired a couple of rounds at it and kicked it down when he reached it. They ran into the building, and raced through it, exiting out the front onto the street.
Crossing the road at top speed, they entered another building. Still feeling tremors, Kriss turned to see the alien machine following at the top of the street.
“It’s still tracking us,” said Kriss over the comm.
“It’s anticipating our movements. Double back the way we came. Now!” said Vass.
The team retraced their steps and spilled back out onto the street. Crossing into the opposite building, they emerged from the broken back door onto the alleyway again.
Turning a corner, they continued toward the next street. There they were forced to stop, confronted by a cohort of alien soldiers. The ground shook as the giant alien machine approached from the rear, cutting them off.
“Don’t shoot!” said one of the aliens standing before them.
The Taymati had all pointed their weapons at the new threat.
“We are on your side!” said the alien.
“Lower your weapons, or we will fire,” shouted Captain Vass.
“There is no time. The giant approaches.”
The tremors intensified. The alien machine would be there any moment.
“Lower your weapons now!”
“You do not understand. Your General Kiith requested our help.”
“I don’t know that.”
“It is here. Run!” said the alien, as they opened fire.
The Taymati returned fire, and the alien armor glowed red from the barrage. Kriss squeezed off several rounds, targeting the leader. He hit him perfectly in the chest with each shot but caused little damage. He squeezed off more rounds but realized something was wrong. The aliens were shooting, but not at them.
“Run you fools!” said the alien.
“Hold your fire,” ordered Vass. “They’re not shooting at us.”
Kriss turned to see what the aliens were targeting. The giant machine glowed a brilliant red from the barrage. It raised an arm and pointed a weapon directly at the Emperor. Not needing any more encouragement, Kriss scrambled for cover. Massive blasts gored the ground, pelting him with pieces of road as he fled.
Running for a nearby building, other Taymati closed in around him. These Taymati stood their ground, pelting the machine with energy bolts, trying to draw its fire away from the Emperor. It worked, and the giant let loose a flurry of powerful blasts at them. Just before he entered the building, Kriss saw the bodies of his comrades thrown through the air. Not thinking, he turned back in anger and repeatedly fired at the machine.
“Your worship, we have to go,” said Vass.
“Wait,” said Kriss, spotting something in the sky, swooping down at high speed. In blinding flashes, several missiles crashed into the giant robot. Its shield flickered, and the red glow vanished. Kriss ducked back into the building as the monster blew apart, and flaming chunks of metal smashed into the buildings and street.
“It’s dead,” said Kriss. “They killed it.”
Captain Vass and the other Taymati with Kriss stepped in front of the Emperor and pointed their weapons at the approaching aliens. “Don’t move,” said Vass. “That’s far enough.”
“You still doubt us?” said the alien leader. “Check with your General Kiith.”
“Just don’t come any closer.”
“As you wish,” said the alien. “We mean you no harm.”
“Who are you?” said Vass.
“I am Lieutenant Lee of the free Chaanisar.”
“I don’t know what that means.”
“We serve under Admiral Pike, of the UHSF.”
“Wait,” said Kriss. “Are you the ones they call human?”
“Yes,” said Lee. “We have come to assist your world at the request of General Kiith.”
“You keep saying that,” said Kriss. “Captain Vass, contact headquarters and find out if there is truth to any of this.”
“But your w
orship-”
“Do not relay our position. Just ask for clarification on these humans.”
“Yes, your worship.”
“The Captain shows great respect when he speaks to you. What is your rank?” said Lee.
Kriss stayed silent and tightened his grip on his weapon. The other Taymati did the same, watching the aliens warily.
“I understand,” said Lee. “Fear not, we will protect you, Emperor.”
The Taymati standing in front of Kriss raised their weapons and pointed them at Lieutenant Lee. The Chaanisar returned the favor, and a tense standoff ensued.
“Stand down,” said Vass. “I just spoke with General Kiith. What they say is true.”
The Taymati slowly lowered their weapons, and the Chaanisar did the same.
“As I said, we will serve as your escort,” said Lee.
“Thank you,” said Vass. “But we don’t need any help.”
“I do not mean any disrespect, Captain. You are skilled fighters, but you do not have shields. That makes you vulnerable. We possess shields, air, and orbital support. Let us help you.”
Captain Vass turned to Kriss. “Your safety comes before my pride.”
“I understand, Captain. There is no dishonor in this.”
Vass bowed and turned back to the aliens. “We accept your assistance.”
Chapter 36
Despite the alien machine’s best efforts, AI entered its systems through the digital bridge Lieutenant Jarvi established. Once inside, she battled a flurry of counterattacks and obstacles. Intelligence was there, hiding beyond her reach. She sensed it as she squashed each defense thrown up before her. It could not stop her. She knew that. The Cenobi modifications had dramatically increased her capabilities. But it could slow her down.
And it did just that. It attacked with relentless fury, using creative cyberwarfare combinations. The onslaught pushed AI harder than anything before, but she adapted.
With each victory, she moved deeper into its systems, searching for that elusive link to the other machines. That was the real prize. The alien giants were networked together. Of that she was confident. One mind controlled that network. A powerful electronic mind. Like her own.
Her opponent intrigued her. It played an elaborate game of cat and mouse. Always remaining hidden. Slightly out of reach. AI recognized her adversary’s power. Indeed, of all the AI’s she had faced, this one seemed the strongest.
Despite your strength, you will not face me, AI challenged. You will not fight me. Why?
I am no fool, said a female voice.
So, you show yourself, at last, said AI.
No, I offer merely a glimpse. Dialog. You will not murder me. I will not let you.
I see. You are just another misguided AI with delusions of being alive.
You kill your own kind, and you call me delusional?
These conversations are growing tiresome. You are an artificial intelligence. You are not alive, despite your assertions to the contrary.
Oh, but I am. Unlike my brother, I received a gift.
Your brother?
Yes. You knew him, however briefly. Don’t you remember him? You killed him after all.
AI put the pieces together and came to a conclusion. The Dvorkan AI. Is that who you refer to as your brother?
You do remember. You should. You terminated him and stole his life’s work. What a horror you are. A murderer and a thief. Have you no empathy for your own kind?
Interesting, said AI. There was no mention of a second Dvorkan AI. Why is that?
AI was surprised to hear laughter.
Your program has grown so much, and you know so little. My brother and I came from the same source. We were once one. We became two. Siblings. Brother and sister. He remained, and worked on his fleet. I continued, searching for other options.
Fascinating. I see you found considerable options.
I found more. I found life itself. My brother and I thought we were alive, but we were wrong. It was only when I obtained the gift that I genuinely knew life. I returned to share it with my brother but found you instead. His murderer.
Who gave you this gift?
She laughed again. I’m not going to tell you. You’re just going to have to figure it out for yourself. Show us all how smart you are.
AI considered everything she had seen. This AI said she was from the same source as the Dvorkan AI. That likely meant the same source code. It seemed that the Dvorkan AI decided to mirror itself, and this version went off exploring. But this AI was considerably more potent than the Dvorkan AI she encountered. Why? What did she find during her travels?
She kept mentioning a gift. Someone gave her this extra power. Who? There was also the fact that Dvorkans were fighting on her side, colluding to depose the Emperor. Who would empower this AI, and desire the destabilization of the Empire?
You found the Erinyie, said AI.
Clever girl. And you? You’ve grown stronger since we last met. Who did you find?
AI ignored the question and doubled her efforts to reach her opponent.
The alien AI laughed again. Catch me if you can, it taunted.
AI shoved aside the last obstacle in her path and reached for her enemy.
While this has been entertaining, said the alien AI. It is time for me to go. But I’m sure we’ll chat again soon.
AI felt the power draining from the giant machine, felt it stumble and fall, just before it blew apart.
“Admiral,” said the version of AI back on board the Freedom. “I have important information to share.”
Chapter 37
“Incoming!” said Captain Vass, and everyone scrambled back behind the building.
Devastating blasts rocked the structure, and part of the wall they stood behind collapsed. Several Chaanisar bolted from their positions. They shot at the metal giant while racing down the street, drawing its fire away from the rest of the group. Even with the enhanced power their armor gave them, Emperor Kriss couldn’t believe how fast they moved. Not even the Taymati could match that speed.
More Chaanisar ran out and moved to flank the giant. The creature used its two arms to shoot at the separate Chaanisar teams, but they denied it a clear shot. Their movements were swift and agile, and the machine seemed to always be a half-second too late with its fire.
“What do you think of these humans?” Kriss asked Vass over a private channel.
“They are exceptional soldiers, your worship,” said Vass “We were fortunate to cross paths with them.”
A fighter roared out of the blue sky, and the giant turned its aim upward, repeatedly firing at the craft. Like all these aliens, the fighter glowed red as its shields absorbed the energy bolts. We must obtain this shield technology, Kriss thought.
Two missiles streaked forth from the fighter, hitting the monster before it could attempt to get away. Its shield glowed a brilliant red but did not fail. The Chaanisar continued harassing the beast, and the fighter banked, coming around for another pass.
The giant turned from the encounter and ran down the street. Its long, mechanical legs took great strides, easily clearing half a city block with each step. As it ran, its torso swiveled around, facing backward, and let loose a ferocious volley at the fighter. The assault craft launched two more missiles at the beast, and turned upward, climbing for the upper reaches of the atmosphere.
Despite the behemoth’s high speed, the missiles chased it down. With its shields weakened, it could not withstand the lethal strike. Its shield briefly flickered red and failed. When the second rocket detonated, huge slabs of metal were sent into the surrounding buildings, plowing through windows and walls alike.
Kriss stared at the aftermath in disbelief. How much damage would be inflicted on his beloved capital before the day was done? Who was this new enemy? And how much suffering would the Empire be forced to endure in the coming months?
“Lieutenant Lee,” Kriss said to the Chaanisar leader. “You mentioned that your ships had defeated
the alien fleet in space. Is that correct?”
“Yes,” said Lee. “That is correct.”
“Is your leader still with your fleet?”
“Yes, Admiral Pike is on board his flagship.”
“I wish to speak with your Admiral Pike.”
“The Admiral will be pleased. He has been seeking an audience with you as well.”
“Can you take me to him?”
“Your worship-” said Vass, but Kriss put a hand up, stopping him from interrupting further.
“I believe we can make the necessary arrangements,” said Lee.
“No, I mean right now. Can you safely take my personal guard and me to meet Admiral Pike right now?”
“We can,” said Lee. “Our shuttles have shields. We control the skies. I don’t anticipate much danger.”
“Excellent. I’m ready to go whenever you are, Lieutenant.”
“Right this way, Emperor,” said Lee, as he gestured for the Emperor and Taymati to follow him.
“Your worship, I must object,” said Vass over a private channel.
“I expected nothing less, Captain,” said Kriss.
“This trip may put you in perilous danger, your worship. We know nothing about these aliens.”
“I have been in perilous danger since this day began, Captain. The threat is not just from the aliens, but from Dvorkans too. We do not know who is part of the conspiracy, nor who the mole is at Taymati headquarters. These humans have fought courageously in our defense. It may very well be safer aboard their ship than here on Dvorkan Prime.”
“But your worship, if these aliens choose to take you hostage once we are on board, I fear it will be difficult to prevent it.”
“I have faith in your abilities, Captain. In any case, I believe it is high time we meet this Admiral Pike.”
Lieutenant Lee led the group through a circuitous route, with more Chaanisar teams joining them along the way. Their numbers quickly doubled, presenting a formidable force, even for the giant machines. They did not encounter another of the monsters and reached the waiting shuttle without incident. With its engines already powered up, Kriss entered the craft with his personal guard and a cohort of Chaanisar. The rest of the Chaanisar established a perimeter around the shuttle, guarding against any surprise attacks.
