D'mok Revival: The Nukari Invasion Anthology

by Michael Zummo

  Speru howled, and his silvery D’mok shield burned with brilliance as it grew threefold.

  “Boy,” Naijen said, his voice weaker than Speru had ever heard from the big warrior.

  * * * * *

  Speru darted forward toward Cerna.

  “Boy … Speru!” Naijen strained out.

  The silvery light of his field quickly eroded as he drew closer to Cerna. His power flooded into her. She shrieked as her form shattered, transformed into a being of pure energy. The more she drained from him, the more he tried to give. He saw her cosmic eyes gaze back at him. She was beautiful, the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Shimmering wings of the purest light unfolded as his power permeated her.

  His skin felt on fire. No, like a thousand razorblades ripping into his body. The closer he drew, the harder it was for him to even think. His body shuddered as he pushed harder. He fought the darkness trying to take him. He howled madly with one final push. Then Cerna exploded with his power.

  * * * * *

  “Speru!” Naijen yelled, reaching out.

  Speru’s body disappeared as it collided with the transformed Cerna. A torrent of uncontrolled power flooded forward. The orbiting spheres of light launched like buckshot, riddling the creature, as the main torrent punched a gigantic hole cleanly through. Its guts splattering out its back, the tentacles became deathly still.

  Naijen could only stare in shock. Where did Speru go? What happened to him? All he could see was the power flowing within the transformed Cerna. A muddy-blue glow beyond her demanded his attention. It started on the beast around where Decreta was contained, but quickly spread across its entire body. In a flash, a radiant azure blue shield formed around the creature as it started moving again. The holes across its body began to sizzle, and then slowly close. Even the massive tunnels through its body were healing.

  The transformed Cerna reached her hand toward the beast, allowing the energies within her to gather. A massive blast surged forth and smashed against the beast’s shield. Naijen watched in disbelief as it withstood the attack. The other D’mok Warriors scattered to avoid the resulting splash of power.

  As the blast continued, he saw the beast’s tentacles shudder. In moments, a few of them began to ooze red, then explode. It couldn’t maintain both healing and defense at the same time. Despite his body’s complaints, Naijen looked for his Skar.

  “Easy, I need more time,” Cogeni said.

  “No. It dies … now.”

  Naijen tried to shove Cogeni away, but didn’t have the strength to do so. The beast let loose an unearthly howl as a red light built up on its skin. A wave of energy blasted forth that eradicated the beast’s own shield and easily dispersed Cerna’s attack. As the wave washed over her, in a flash she returned to her normal form. Speru floated unconscious next to her. Naijen gasped, wanting to fly to Speru, but was still held firm by the ancient relic wielded by Cogeni. As the wave washed over him and Cogeni, the warm, healing feeling disappeared. Naijen looked up and saw a confused and panicked expression on Cogeni’s face.

  * * * * *

  “I can’t summon another creature!” Dane snarled, still trying.

  Mencari looked across his team. Something was very wrong. All around him, the signs of their abilities were eradicated. Even Ichini had reverted to its cute and fairly harmless form. It felt similar to the nullification effect by those four women back on Speru’s world that took his abilities. Yet, his team’s golden fields still protected them from space, so their abilities weren’t entirely stifled.

  Only Kiyanna still smiled, pelting the creature with her gun, blowing chunks from its body. “Weapons work fine!”

  A flap of skin opened on the beast, releasing a fountain of goo along with a motionless Decreta. The beast itself was barely moving. Perhaps the nullification skill inflicted internal damage to it? With Decreta clear, at least now they didn’t have to worry about holding back.

  “Toriko, blast it!” Mencari yelled.

  The guns of her ship’s robot form lit up, pocking the beast. A fevered yell drew Mencari’s attention to Naijen, who’d finally managed to grab his blade and dive unsteadily toward the creature. He plunged into the hole Cerna had blasted through it, gutting the beast from the inside out. Naijen screamed in a vengeful bloodlust as he shredded the now-helpless beast. In moments, it was over.

  Mencari flew to Cerna, who was cradling Speru. As Naijen approached, he saw Speru’s hand move slightly, and said, “The kid’s alive! He’s—”

  An ominous shadow cast across the group. A gigantic ship supported by hordes of Nukari beasts and formations of battleships started to emerge through the gateway. Layered plates covered the hull, conjuring images of a metal pangolin in Mencari’s mind. Long tusks on either side added to the rabid and fierce look of the ship. A massive opening from its front bow glowed a hellish red as smaller cannons came to life, firing a devastating barrage into the allied fleet. Mencari felt the shock from moon-sized blasts that erupted from the ship’s main cannons. The vicious attack immediately began shredding their forces.

  * * * * *

  “We’ll keep everything off you,” Anrik barked through the communicator. “Take down that ring!”

  Fighting panic and rising despair, Mencari said, “Toriko, Kiyanna, Seigie—I need options.”

  A space around them filled with static energy as the Coalition ships concentrated their fire on the monstrous Nukari vessel. Far more damage was done to the ships and space station than the main enemy ship. The resulting debris struck the shielding around the gateway. Sections of the protective barrier flickered.

  “Looks like it can’t handle that many impact points. We need to concentrate fire now!” Toriko said, setting her barrel guns on the shield.

  With their D’mok skills unresponsive, they had only the combined force of their remaining weapons. Mencari set his hand blaster to the highest setting and fired. A single hexagon flared, then shattered.

  “Keep going!” Mencari yelled. He felt his strength and D’mok abilities returning, but not fast enough. All around him, the others began to glow as their power returned. He scanned across them, considering their options. Cerna was still too weak to concentrate their power. Naijen and Speru were too hurt, and Cogeni was busily trying to heal them both. They only had a fraction of their usual power at hand. He motioned the others to gather.

  “One blast together … now!” he shouted.

  Blasts blazed through the gap and hit the ring directly. Each held their attacks as long as they could. When it was done, they had only eroded the structure slightly.

  “We can’t do it without the others!” Allia cried.

  Katen drew golden ingots from his pocket and pelted the structure. After a moment’s glow, they swelled, only to rip off some surface plating.

  Reality was painful, but without Speru or Cerna it was impossible. They had no choice now. “Fall back,” Mencari ordered, flying to Speru and helping him retreat. Cogeni helped Naijen, Allia helped Speru, and Ichini snagged Cerna. “We have to fall back!”

  * * * * *

  We can’t run now or we’ll be running forever—again.

  History was repeating before her very eyes. The Nukari were rolling right over them, and they were about to flee. Back then, Seigie was too young to understand the cost for running. But now she did, and she wasn’t interested in returning to her life hiding in a cave, waiting to turn into a solid block of crystal.

  Her new family was flying swiftly away from her. This time it was she who would stay and fight. She recalled what D’mok had done back on her homeworld, and what Osuto did at that Nukari station, and then what she was able to manifest in her own lab.

  Yes, there is a way.

  She took Toriko’s device off her shoulder, which had tempered her crystal plague. Reaching into her pocket, she grabbed a handful of diamond dust and sprinkled it around her, hoping to deflect any incoming laser fire. Pain surged through her as she powered up. The device had done its job too
well. She had forgotten how much it hurt without it. There was no stopping now. She simply had to endure it.

  The searing sensation conjured images of her world burning, memories of those she loved dying of disease while she carried on, each burial of her many children. Her pain dredged up her deep hatred and revulsion for the Nukari. This wasn’t how she wanted it to end, in anger and hatred. She’d learned there was so much more than empty revenge. Her biological family, most of it, had escaped her homeworld alive; she discovered direct ancestors proving her people carried on. And she had rediscovered the meaning of life with Mencari and the others.

  She felt the presence, the essence, of her companions next to her, even Nikko and Osuto who were light-years away. Each radiated a power that was comforting, bathing her in healing rays. Her soul reached out and touched the others.

  Lend me your power, she pleaded.

  Warmth replaced the pain as she felt her body crystallizing.

  We will stop the Nukari together.

  The charka stones embedded into her body illuminated with a fiery brilliance as power flooded into her.

  * * * * *

  “What’s going on?” Nikko said, rushing to the medical readouts. Osuto’s heart monitor began skipping irregularly. “Oh Demas!”

  Lend me your power.

  Nikko looked about, confused. The monitor before her remained elevated, but evened out. She gasped as a feeling of pure elation washed over her.

  We will stop the Nukari together.

  She found herself drawn to the window, gazing past the boulders of the asteroid base into deep space.

  * * * * *

  “How will we stop them?” Mencari brooded, leading the others back to the allied ships. His brow furrowed. Something wasn’t right. His chest tightened, and his breathing became erratic.

  Lend me your power.

  The intensity of the feeling became soothing and comforting. He turned, intending to find Cogeni’s healing hands at work. Instead he saw a powerful glow radiating from where they had fled. What was that? He scanned his gaze across the team. One person was missing.

  We will stop the Nukari together.

  The voice in his mind was clear.

  “Seigie!” he cried.

  His body washed with golden light.

  “Seigie!” he screamed, streaking back the way they came. The others cried out as he barreled through the center of their formation.

  Goodbye.

  The light before him strobed every color of the rainbow before unleashing a massive explosion. The exposed section of ring vaporized, and the shockwave turned the battle debris into deadly shrapnel.

  Despite Mencari’s speed, he was swept up in the wave and thrown uncontrollably into space. As he recovered, he watched space around the gateway distort. The portal connecting the two regions of space strained before flickering and disappearing in a pulse of energy. The two asteroids connected to the ring exploded from the feedback.

  The goliath of a ship continued forward a few more seconds. Where the portal had collapsed was exposed decking. The ship had been sliced in two. The lights on the bow flickered and died. It listed sharply as people, materials and fuels were caught in the explosive decompression that ensued.

  The allied fleet, though damaged by the debris, continued to unload on the Nukari vessel. It careened uncontrollably forward into the Nukari space station. In a final, brilliant explosion, the craft and station erupted into a massive ball of fire.

  Mencari’s eyes beaded in horror. His head shook in disbelief.

  * * * * *

  “Did they ram their own gate or something?” Dane snipped, rubbing her head.

  Allia looked around and spotted Mencari floating some distance away, staring into space. What was he doing? Moments before he was yelling Seigie’s name, and now … where was she anyway? She was the only other one not with them. Maybe she was hurt? She and Ichini looked frantically around. Then those odd phrases echoed in her mind.

  Lend me your power…. We will stop the Nukari together…. Goodbye.

  Allia’s eyes fell on Mencari, who was rushing their way. No, it can’t be. She wouldn’t have. She couldn’t have!

  The closer Mencari drew, the more Allia shook. Ichini began to howl as Allia streaked toward her leader.

  “Rhysus … she didn’t … tell me she didn’t!”

  The answer was in his eyes.

  * * * * *

  I must be strong. Mencari choked back his own agony, forcing his focus to the chaotic movement of the remaining ships and debris. “We can’t stay, we have to fall back.”

  “She’s …” Allia was unable to control her sobs. Naijen floated behind her; his arms wrapped around her, hugging tightly. He spoke for the first time without sarcasm, but reverence.

  “She went out a warrior. But we gotta keep moving.”

  “Yeah, I didn’t sign up to die out here!” Dane said as she darted around flying debris.

  Rage flared within Mencari. He had to let it go, for now. He had to get everyone who was left to safety.

  “Seigie blew the gateway,” Kiyanna snarled to Dane.

  “She did? One heck of a light show.” Dane looked back. “For being so slow, she packs a punch! She needs to catch up.”

  Mencari swallowed hard. Dane didn’t realize what really happened. No matter. There were wounded among them, and much more to do yet. “Let’s move.”

  * * * * *

  Dane slowed as the others burst forward. “You’re not going to leave her are you?”

  No one answered. Instead they continued helping one another back toward the fleet. They’re really leaving her? She looked back into the debris, set on waiting for Seigie. At the rate the others were moving, a gap rapidly widened between them.

  Where is she? How could they do that to her?

  Dane couldn’t believe how unappreciative they were. It looked bad, really bad, and somehow Seigie had turned the tide. The horrific explosion replayed in her mind. She recalled the fierceness of the blast, the intense flames and massive debris.

  Lend me your power. We will stop the Nukari together. Goodbye.

  What was that anyway? The more it replayed in her mind, the clearer the voice became. Seigie’s voice.

  Wait … that wasn’t some random stray thought. Again she recalled the explosion. Goodbye.

  Her eyes grew large with realization. What an idiot she was! She must have sounded like a fool. She looked back into the debris.

  Seigie blew the gateway, Kiyanna had said. There was no way she could have survived that blast. Dane recalled Seigie’s stony face, and stared a moment into the debris field, then headed somberly back toward the others.

  CHAPTER 15:

  Pleasant Dreams

  “Well done, Rhysus,” Eyani said in greeting his team when they returned to the flagship. A nod was all he could muster. The hooting and hollering of celebration rang through the corridors. He didn’t feel like partying. He wasn’t even sure what he felt, besides numb. His thoughts always returned to Seigie.

  Something inside pushed him to see the silver lining. It was a major victory. The central Nukari hub was obliterated, and with it their connection to whatever backup forces were coming through. Toriko’s team had hacked into the Nukari data core and refreshed Datochn’s information. Naijen and Anrik’s teams held the Nukari forces. Things went nearly according to plan. Nearly.

  He should have been prepared for a loss in his ranks. In fact, there most likely should have been more lost. Yet Mencari, like his teammates, was struggling with Seigie’s. Perhaps that was the difference between theory and practice. One can know the risks, know how to act, but when it comes time to logically deal with something like this, the heart gets in the way, keeps us Human.

  Anrik, Eyani, and a handful of Nomads extended their condolences. It was nice to see so many knew and cared for her. Did Seigie even know how many people cared?

  “Copies of Datochn’s Nukari data have been transmitted to our allies for anal
ysis,” Eyani said. “The fleet will be breaking up shortly. Until we’re ready to strike again, we’re safer decentralized.”

  Mencari nodded, stomach still knotted. Things were far from over. Nukari and their supporters were everywhere. Today was an important step, but only a first. He needed to review the Nukari data, find something to keep their edge, information to root out the remaining Nukari forces.

  The room spun. But not now.

  “You’re not looking so good,” Eyani said, grabbing his arm and leading him to a chair. “Stay here, I’ll be right back.”

  He propped his head against the wall and closed his eyes. An echo from the past, something Seigie said when they first met, rang through his mind.

  I swore I’d give my life to protect the people I love. This is my fight.

  His body shuddered as darkness claimed him.

  * * * * *

  “Happy with yourself?” the boy with the green eyes chided from the darkness. All Mencari could see was a ghostly outline of his first son floating in a black void. “You’ve killed another one of your family. It’s a talent.”

  Mencari tried to float closer to the boy, but the closer he moved, the farther the boy drifted away. “You’re not getting near me.”

  “Eisah,” he called out, as the boy phased into nothingness.

  A stony path formed beneath his feet. A skipping Allia materialized ahead of him. With a giggle, she dashed forward and called back, “Come on! Everyone is waiting!”

  Tiny pinpricks of light flooded the darkness, creating a sea of stars. His feet began kicking up tiny pebbles and dust, and a soft light appeared just ahead. As he passed through it, the path elongated before him. It wound like a snake, then jutted upward. A grassy hillside sprawled out from it, covered with wildflowers and ancient trees. In the distance tall wild grasses danced in spirals as they burst from newly laid ground. A gentle breeze blew by, whistling across the meadow sanctuary that blossomed before him.