Waves: The Collapsing Universe

by Thomas Edward Savage

  “Thank you.” Henry replied with a nod. “All of your help has been great, and after everything that happened in the center of the universe we need some good luck.”

  Dutch nodded. “I heard of the plan to sabotage you. I heard of a grand plan to forge credentials and they spent a fortune to do it.”

  “We found her.” Chalice admitted. “The traitor has been dealt with.”

  “Her?” Dutch asked. “There were two…a man and a woman.”

  Before Chalice or anyone could say anything or ask anything a gunshot went off. Chalice slumped forward onto the group as Nari and Henry turned to see Kuromoto standing with a gun pointed at Nari.

  “I suppose the time for subterfuge is over.” Kuromoto replied as the group of armed guards ran around the vehicle and surrounded the group. Though this does seem an advantageous time.”

  “Who are you?” Henry asked. “Who are you really I mean?”

  “I believe many people call me the Revolutionary.” Kuromoto revealed. “That is the only question I will answer for now. Later…you will be the one answering the questions…every one I will ever ask.”

  -

  Eleven

  The Prototype craft flew over the frozen terrain of Titan. The vessel was eagerly recovered by Kuromoto and Henry struggled to reconcile everything that Kuromoto has said and tried to figure out what was manipulation and what was not.

  The pilot gave a warning that they were approaching the site and Kuromoto got to work. He had his guards standing at the ready to enforce his will and demanded that the others get dressed in environment suits.

  “Where we are going is not protected by an environmental dome.” Kuromoto said with a smile. “So, put these on unless you would like to take a lovely walk through methane with a minus fifty temperatures.”

  Henry sighed and started to put on the suit, Dutch and Nari doing the same. He looked back at Kuromoto as he worked on it. “I presume that makes it harder to find the fact it is not under a dome.”

  “Such an obvious question from one so brilliant.” Kuromoto replied. “I presume that you already know the answer.”

  “So, that story about the soldiers and the relief convoy?” Henry asked. “Was it even true?”

  “Of course, it was.” Kuromoto replied. “But it did not instill on me the same message you were lead to believe. I was indeed there and saw the worst of humanity. I saw what happened after those who should serve the people failed to do so. At first, I felt guilty, and when the stars opened to humanity I fled the earth to search for my soul. However, you know what I soon found out. It was not the choices made, it was not the trigger pulled, it was the fact that people needed someone to keep them on the right track and it was not hope or imagination that would lead them…it was a power that was incorruptible and unwavering. I saw what those who could not hold onto the power to maintain the people…and I decided that I would become that power.

  “But you hurt and kill.” Henry replied. “You are no protector of the people.”

  “Did you not order one of your soldiers to shoot Reila…sorry I mean Izari.” Kuromoto continued. “For those on the ship that you considered the greater good. For the prosperity and freedom that I knew that some deserved I realized that others would have to be sacrificed.”

  “So, what is your plan then?” Henry asked. “If you managed to get the map or get from me the information you need. What is your endgame? Riches? Unlimited power?”

  “All of the above?” Kuromoto asked. “Or is that entirely too vague? Basically, I am the antithesis to you. You and Dr. Winter found the greatest gift to humanity since a Neanderthal figured out how to use fire. You just discovered it and handed it over to the masses for free.”

  “Such is what we knew humanity deserved.” Henry said defiantly. “We wanted to end greed.”

  “But you really didn’t end anything.” Kuromoto corrected. “Greed is as much a part of all of us than happiness or sadness. You did not eliminate greed you just made us have to search for other things to covet. You cannot kill greed and the first step to realizing what is best for humanity is to accept that. If you cannot destroy a thing the only other option is to control it. Imagine what you could have done if you horded the technology more than you did. You made it worth gaining and dealt it out in small doses to only those that were worthy. You would know who the greedy ones were and who the strongest were to grasp it.”

  “I find it ironic that you could suggest I be freer with my discoveries.” Henry replied. “For one so upset about the parts that I hold back.”

  “The map is just the tip of the iceberg.” Kuromoto explained. “It is the icing on the cake that you could have hidden from the hungry. Though since you have made it so secretive you have done well for me. You will tell me how to make a new map and I will then destroy the ones that are already out there. I will make what you so freely made and make it finite.”

  “You will put us back to the pitiful state we were in but decades ago.” Dutch said in outrage. “You are going to.”

  “That reminds me.” Kuromoto said as he pointed a gun at Dutch and pulled the trigger, exploding his head against the inner side of the ship and causing the body to fall to the floor.

  “Why did you do that?” Henry demanded. “That was completely unnecessary.”

  “Not really.” Kuromoto replied. “He was quite valuable to me and I killed him to show you that no matter your debates it is all pointless. I killed an asset to myself just to show you how far I am willing to go. Imagine how much I would hesitate to kill someone that I didn’t need.”

  Kuromoto slowly pointed the gun to Nari, aiming for her head in what would be a kill shot.

  “No please!” Henry pleaded. “Don’t do it.”

  “See?” Kuromoto asked as he lowered his gun. “I so simply showed you that I will stop at nothing to accomplish my goals at the same time in showing you where your line is. Now I will not need to remind you what will happen if you defy me.”

  “I will not defy you.” Henry replied in a defeated tone.

  A soldier walked in from the front of the ship to speak with Kuromoto. “Sir we will approach the site in five minutes. There is a massive storm coming in and it should ground all of our assets within two hours.”

  “Can we launch to search for the Endeavor?” Kuromoto asked.

  “I fear there is not time.” The soldier replied. “Most of our assets are with the ships at site B. We will not be able to move until after the storm.”

  “So be it.” Kuromoto replied. “They do not know we have Henry yet and will still be trying to decipher my virus. They have no idea how bad it is and we will have ample time to find them and capture the ship while they are jumping through hoops.”

  Henry did not say anything, he had been outmaneuvered and knew that he literally could not and would not go as far as that man to get what he wants. All he could do was wait and hope for an opening that he could exploit. Moments later the ship landed and the group, now adorned in environmental suits departed the ship. The short walk from the ship to the facility was difficult as strong winds and freezing rain stung at them. The storm was only starting to grow in intensity and Henry imagined it would grow much worse before it grew better. As they got into the facility, Henry and the others slid the mask of their environment suits back as the door cycled the environment.

  “Take Henry to the lab and have him set with a tracking device.” Kuromoto ordered. “Take the girl to a holding cell for now. We will figure out how best to use her later. I will go talk communications technician and see if we can’t get a bead on our little orbiting treasure while we are forced to wait.

  The group split up and Henry was marched to a small lab deep in the compound. He made a note of a diagram on the wall, struggling to memorize things if he had a chance to exploit it. The guard stepped back as a man in a lab coat came forward.

  “I would say it is a pleasure to meet you.” The doctor said with a grin. “But given the circumstances I w
ould imagine the pleasure is only mine.”

  “An understatement.” Henry replied. “To be sure.”

  “Well, let us get this over with.” The doctor replied. “I am going to use a device to implant a chip into your skull. It will make you all but invisible to any scanning equipment then ours…and gives us abilities to…motivate you.”

  “Get it over with.” Henry replied. “I have already lost pretty much everything today.”

  “You would be surprised.” The doctor replied as he fitted a nozzle over Henry’s face. “This will knock you out.”

  Henry looked down and noticed a nozzle near his hand that could switch the output of the gas. He quickly switched to regular oxygen from the sleep agent. However, he played the part, going limp and then lying down on the cot as if he were put out.

  “It is quite a shame really.” The doctor stood up and walked over to another table. “He is the greatest mind in the universe and we are going to sue him to make a map. Such a waste.”

  “We do as we are told.” The soldier replied. “What now?”

  “What is your rush?” The doctor asked. “He will be out for hours.”

  “I was hoping to get to site B before the storm hits.” The soldier replied. “I got a woman there.”

  “A man to my own heart.” The doctor replied. “Let’s check the storm…I too would like to be out of here before it fits.”

  Henry opened one eye, confirming that the two men indeed walked away and put his back to him. He silently slid out of the bed and made his way out to the back of the lab. He thought back to his observation on how the facility was laid out and came up with a plan. He knew that labs such as this one had quarantine seals and if he could get out and engage it he could trap the doctor and the guard inside. Henry slowly made his way around the lab equipment, careful not to alert the other two men. There was a control panel across the room and it cloud be used to set a timer to lock down the room.

  Henry managed to get to the control pad and had to decide how to set it. He was about ten feet from the door and needed to get to it, open it and close it behind him in time for it to lock. He began to hit the buttons but something he did not anticipate happened…the buttons had key tones. The beeping immediately alerted the doctor and guard who sprung who immediately turned to look right at Henry. Henry hastily punched in ten seconds and ran across the room. He could hear the men moving to intercept. He grabbed the door, ripped it and slammed it shut as the lock whirled into place. He hastily moved over to an outside console, realising at any moment he could sound an alarm. It would take far too long to get into the system so he did something that would buy him time. He turned on the com for priority, broke the mic and locked it in. For the next twenty minutes, all coms were jammed in the facility.

  The soldier began to shoot at the quarantine door, causing massive cracks and indicating it was very much not built to withstand it. Henry just turned and ran, realizing whatever tactic he would use against the solider was not where he was. He rounded a corner fast and saw a vent above, he worked fast, pushing a chair over to the vent and climbed up on it. He struggled to remove the vent as he heard the soldier force the heavy door open and give chase. Henry managed to rip the cover off of the vent and hastily climbed inside. He began to crawl, moving slowly but remembering he saw some sort monitoring room at the other end as depicted on the map. He wondered if the soldier was bold enough to follow him into the vent but as a banging sound could be heard behind him he got his answer. Henry began to crawl faster, knowing that at any moment he could expect to be grabbed and he would not be able to effectively fight the man in close quarters. He pushed open the vent, climbing out and falling into the monitoring room.

  Henry knew that he would have but a few seconds to protect himself from his pursuer. He shook off the fall and grabbed the vent cover. He put it back in place and worked as fast as he could, pushing a large shelf in front of the vent and blocking it off. Even with the greater strength of the soldier they would not have the leverage to move the grate and the shelf. Henry sighed in relief, taking only a moment as he had much more work to do.

  Henry took a deep breath and focused herself on the task at hand. He needed to take stock of things and see what his next steps would be. After doublechecking that the room was secure, he went to the monitors and began to scan the facility. There were not as many guards as the facility likely usually held but due to the storm and the operations there were mostly just the soldiers that Kuromoto had brought. He had been lucky when he made his mad dash that he did not provoke anyone else. Henry pulled up the camera by the control room and saw that there appeared to be no one there. The storm seemed to be growing by the second and Kuromoto seemed to be focusing on preparing for it. Henry decided that one way or another he had to get to the control room, that was the only place where there might be some way to fix the jump drive and cripple the operation. He then searched for the cell with Nari and found it, unguarded but locked. It seemed that they had decided that she would be of little use and importance, she was still even wearing her environment suit.

  Henry knew he could not contact her directly through the jammed come but took out his personal communicator. He hoped that Kuromoto had not thought to search her in his haste. Henry sighed in relief as she answered.

  “We don’t have much time.” Henry said hastily. “I think I can get the cell to open from here. I need you to carefully go back the way you came, avoid the guards and get to the prototype ship and dock it to the control tower.”

  “Understood.” Nari responded. “You get this door open and you can count on the ship being there.”

  Henry smiled, breaking into the controls and opening the door. As he saw Nari start her journey, he realised that he had better get back to his own. He could hear the guard struggling to go back and knew that he would not have much time. He pulled up the cameras to his possible routes to the bridge but found non-particularly doable, guards were between him and his destination on all routes. Though he was confident with Nari’s ability to get past guards, he was not so sure about his own. He spotted an outside airlock door and figured out something else of an ideal path, and more of the only one he had.

  Henry slowly opened the door, after being convinced there were no guards he crossed over to an auxiliary door that lead to the roof. If he could not go through the base he would go over it.

  He cycled the small airlock and began his climb. It was not a hard climb out of the stairwell and onto the roof. Henry was greeted by strong winds and a spray of liquid methane rain. The weather seemed to be rapidly deteriorating and it gave him little time to do what he needed to do and make it back to the safety with Nari. As he moved across the roof he realised that this plan was not without its own unique dangers. Adding to the wind and the water was the fact that the roof was not exactly designed to be walked on, it was slick with ice and a misplaced step could easily leave Henry thrown over the side to a large crevasse at the far side of the compound. As he got within sight of the control room he saw a gap between the roof he was on and the one to the control room. It was only a five-foot jump but with the conditions it was much further. There was really no where to climb down and nothing to make a bridge with…he would have to jump.

  Henry looked back and saw a pair of the soldiers coming up and spotting him on the roof. He had been lucky that his actions were mostly unnoticed but his luck was now seemingly at an end. If he was going to make the jump he would have one shot and if he missed he would fall two stories to the ground below. Henry backed up, giving himself a bit of a run at it. His heart raced and he struggled to keep the alternatives out of his head. Henry ran, desperate to gain enough speed and made the jump. Just as he thought he had failed, his feet hit the other side and he tumbled onto the roof of the control room. He looked back just in time to see the pursuing soldiers attempt the jump, both missing it and falling the ground below. Henry picked himself up, going to the vent so he could get into the control room and hopefully fix this w
hole mess.

  He went through the airlock and went to the controls. He stated sealing off emergency bulkheads and locking down the facility as best he could. He brought up the computer, linking into the main systems. Henry took a tablet out of his suit that he hastily hid while Kuromoto was monologuing and began to patch it into the system. He searched for information, discovering that there was actually a powerful wave reactor within the facility and part of the pirate’s base of power. It did not take him long to locate the file on the jump virus and download it.

  Henry thought of Chalice, Dutch and all the people that Kuromoto had hurt and decided that the facility was too dangerous and accessed the reactor that powered it. He set it to power up and overload. The area was remote so the explosion would not hurt anyone in the colonies but bury the site and the cripple site B so they could never be used to hurt anyone else. He set the computer to it’s tasks and locked it so even if they retook the control room that it could not be stopped. He went back to the roof and was relieved to see the ship waiting. He went in through the mini airlock, finding Nari alone and at the controls.

  “Are you ready?” Nari asked as she looked at the controls. “We have to move now and hopefully get ahead of this storm a bit before we can attempt to break atmosphere.

  Henry nodded. “I got what I need and this facility is about to be no more. Punch it.”

  “Will do.” Nari replied. “Strap in though, this is going to get rough.”

  “I bet” Henry said with a smile as he strapped in. “Let’s do this.

  Nari manipulated the controls, gaining height from the control room and starting to move. She brought up telemetry and none of it looked good. Even Henry, with his rather limited understanding of piloting controls could see the conditions were less than ideal. Soon a bright flash went off behind them as the building went up, a cascade explosion that only the fastest ships could hope to outrun. Nari primed the engine, getting as much speed as she could but not overtaxing the engines with the initial push. She was not gaining altitude, instead focusing on pure horizontal speed to stay one step ahead of the explosion.