Black stared at one vehicle in particular, a dark cylinder that could have been a submarine. But no, those engines were designed for flight. This was an airship.
"I thought you brought me along as your shooter," Black said.
Laura smirked.
"I heard a rumor that the same cybernetics that connect to that fancy gun of yours also lets you interface with other technology," she said.
It was Black's turn to raise an eyebrow.
"Maybe," he said.
"Well, some of these machines respond to telepathic control," Laura said. "But a bunch of them need a cybernetic interface to operate. I was thinking you might want to give it a shot."
Black looked around at the huge warehouse full of oddities, some clearly weapons of war, others more elegant, indiscernible in design.
"Beats shooting people," he said.
Chapter 34:
Welcome home, flyboy
Billy woke in a bed he wasn't familiar with, staring into tubes of light turned dim. He moved a little, shifting his shoulders, feeling pain across his whole body. Nothing broken, he thought. Just tired. Beat. One big bruise.
Dude? He thought.
Good to have you back, the symbiote said.
How long was I out?
About one hundred and fifty thousand miles, give or take, Dude said. You didn't miss much.
Billy squirmed, the bed creaked beneath him. He blinked his eyes a few times until he could focus on something: Titus, in human form, sitting in a chair with his feet up, a comic book in his hands. The werewolf folded the comic and set it aside.
"Welcome back, flyboy," Titus said. "Rough trip?"
"Ugh," Billy moaned. "Where am I?"
"Jane brought you to the Tower," Titus said. "She figured Neal would know what to do more than anyone at a regular hospital."
"Why would I need a hospital?"
"Because you fell out of the sky and passed out," Titus said. "Jane caught me?" Billy said.
"Yep," Titus said. "She's probably never going to let you forget it, either."
Billy waved a hand dismissively.
"We do that. It's our thing."
"What?" Jane said, entering the room.
Billy noticed she was wearing sweatpants and carrying his dog. She plopped Watson on the bed and the terrier licked his nose and eyes.
"Nice pants," he said. "Easy buddy. Watch the mouth."
"At least I'm wearing pants," Jane said.
This was the awkward point. Beneath the blankets, Billy wasn't wearing any clothes.
"How did this happen?" he said.
"You and I shall never, ever speak about who got you into that hospital bed," Titus said. "We're never going to acknowledge it. I've seen things…"
"Stop," Billy said.
Jane pulled up a chair and sat down.
"You up for talking about what you found out there?" she asked.
"I was until you guys pointed out I'm not wearing pants," Billy said.
"You're not wearing any pants?" a new voice said.
It took Billy a moment to realize who it was.
"Oh come on," Billy said, seeing Bedlam framed in the doorway.
"Good to see you too, flyboy," Bedlam said. She leaned against the wall and crossed her arms.
"Is everyone going to come into my room?" he asked.
"Emily for some reason thought we should get you a pizza, so she's stepped out," Jane said.
"And Kate's doing something at the Labyrinth," Titus said. Jane gave him a puzzled look. "She didn't say."
"And your friend the alien is resting," Jane said.
"Dude is right here," Billy said, tapping his head.
"The other one who crashed. His name is Seng, by the way," Jane said.
"And why's Bedlam here?" Billy said. "Not that it isn't… wonderful to see you. You're always welcome, but I mean you weren't here when I left and…"
"I'm want to help," Bedlam said. "Heard you guys needed a bruiser."
"Well," Billy said, smiling awkwardly at the cyborg, "It's good to see you again."
"So what you got for us?" Jane said. "I hate to be pushy—"
"—But we're running short on time," Titus said. "While you were gone we rooted out a few spies for the Nemesis fleet."
Billy nodded.
"Doesn't surprise me," he said. "They're close. They're in the solar system. I have no idea how long—"
Less than a week, Dude said.
"Okay, Dude says they're less than a week away," Billy said.
"What about numbers?" Jane asked. "Did you get a solid count of how many ships we're talking about?"
"A lot," Billy said.
"Is that a metric or an Imperial measurement?" Bedlam asked.
Billy pointed at her. "It's more than a Smoot," he said.
Three seed ships. One brain ship. At least a dozen independently controlled cruisers. Unsure how many attack ships and fighters, Dude said.
"Three seed ships. One brain ship. At least a dozen independently controlled cruisers. Unsure how many attack ships and fighters," Billy repeated exactly.
"So Dude counted and you didn't?" Titus said.
Billy shrugged.
Thanks? He thought, silently.
I knew you weren't going to do it, Dude said. One of us had to take responsibility.
"It would be helpful if we knew what those ships were capable of," Jane said.
I can help explain, if you think you can translate, Dude said.
"I can talk us through it," Billy said.
"Good," Jane said.
"Also, I met Horizon out there!" Billy said.
"Horizon as in the other Luminae guy who used to be on Doc's team?" Titus said.
"Yeah!" Billy said. "He's kind of nuts. Long story."
Jane smiled and touched his shoulder.
"It's good to have you back," she said. "We thought we lost you."
"Really?" Billy said.
"I had complete faith you'd make it back," Titus said.
"Thanks," he said.
"Just kidding—totally thought the aliens got you," the werewolf said, bursting into laughter. He stood up and tossed a pile of clothes onto the bed. "We'll let you get back on your feet."
Billy nodded in thanks and watched his friends shuffle out of the room. The dog stayed with him, curled up at his side. Billy scratched behind his ear.
"Hey Billy," Jane said, standing by the door after Titus and Bedlam had left.
"Yeah?"
"What are the chances they'll talk with us?" she asked. "Do you think we can find a peaceful solution?"
Billy grimaced and looked at the dog. He thought about the relentlessness of the larval creatures that had attacked him near the moon; of the brutality of the attack fighters Suresh had saved him from.
"I don't think so," he said. Nerves crept through his guts. He felt terrible saying it out loud—especially to Jane—who Billy knew abhorred destruction when a better solution could be found. "I'm sorry."
She dipped her chin, acknowledging what he said.
"I thought so," she said. "We'll be in the command center when you're feeling up to it."
"Okay," Billy said. He watched her leave and the door closing behind her.
What do you think, Dude? Has anyone ever made peace with these things? He thought.
Billy Case, before we met the Nemesis, my people were harbingers of peace. In the history of our existence we parlayed for peace and for hundreds of years tried to make them stop. We never made war.
So that's a 'no', Billy thought soberly.
One can always try again, Dude said. If one is optimistic.
Chapter 35:
I'd like to try
Kate walked onto the landing platform the Indestructibles used as their aerial front door to the Tower. Jane stood alone near the edge and looked out across the cityscape. Her hair flamed in the early morning sunlight, at odds with the ruined uniform she hadn't bothered changing out of and her borrowed sweatpants. Still,
Kate thought, while standing there in her bare feet and pajamas, she looked more like a superhero than any of the rest of them.
"You look like you're thinking bad thoughts," Kate said.
Weariness settled into the corners of Jane's eyes.
"I have a stupid idea. Nobody's going to like it," Jane said.
"You'll do it anyway," Kate said.
"Will I?"
"Yes," Kate said. "Whatever it is, you should do it."
"You don't even know what it is."
"Your worst decisions are better than our best decisions," Kate said.
"I want to try to talk to them," Jane said. "I want to find a solution that doesn't involve us going to war."
"That's a terrible idea," Kate said.
"I know."
"Jane, as far as we know, they have no interest in talking. They're just looking at our planet as a meal."
"I know," Jane repeated. "It seems so wasteful. People will die."
Kate paused for a moment thinking, then inhaled sharply. "You know what I would do?" she said.
Jane raised an eyebrow. "Do I want to?"
"I wouldn't offer them peace," Kate said. "I'd walk in and state their terms for surrender."
"And you said my idea was terrible," Jane said.
"No," Kate said, holding up a finger. "To ask for peace is to appear weak. But if you were to walk in and tell them that going to war with us is the worst possible thing they could do—if you said in no uncertain terms that we will be the end of them if they try…"
"You're telling me I should bluff," Jane said.
Kate's mouth broke into a grin.
"It's not bluffing if you believe it," Kate said.
"You're really insane, aren't you?" Jane said.
Kate shrugged and handed Jane a tablet she'd been holding. On the screen was a map.
"What's this?" Jane said.
"Remember how Titus told us another signal was sent during our fight with those ships yesterday?"
Jane rubbed her eyes, the gesture almost an exact replica of Doc's habit when he was tired.
"That was yesterday?" she said. "Yeah, I remember."
"Neal snagged it. It took him time to decode it, but he figured things out," Kate said.
"Coordinates," Jane said.
Kate gestured to the screen.
"Something is there," Kate said. "Has to be."
"We should go check it out," Jane said.
Kate shook her head. "Let me go in quiet," she said. "Maybe we can catch them by surprise."
Jane gave her an indignant look.
"Are you saying Emily and I aren't quiet?"
"Your hair's on fire."
"I'm kidding," Jane said. "Okay. Yeah. Not alone though?"
"I'll bring Titus," Kate said.
"And Bedlam."
Kate could tell Jane expected her to protest, but it made sense—if things went poorly, it'd be good to have the extra pair of fighting hands available.
"Sure. If she's willing," Kate said. "I'd like to leave immediately."
Jane returned her gaze to the City.
"Billy says they're less than a week away," she said. "Sooner is better."
Jane handed the tablet back to Kate and wrinkled her nose.
"I really feel like I have no idea what we're doing," Jane said. "Do you know where Doc went?"
"I saw Emily. She said he went to get us some help," Kate said.
"Help," Jane said. "Who's left to call?"
Kate shrugged. She turned to leave, but stopped herself.
"Don't go flying off to try to be an ambassador for the entire planet without speaking with him first," Kate said.
"Doc'll say no," Jane said. "You think it's a stupid idea?"
Kate pursed her lips and looked away.
"At this point, all that remain are stupid ideas," she said. "Just be careful."
"You too."
Chapter 36:
Where we come from
Billy couldn't tell if Dude's powers helped him recover faster from his injuries or if he was just incredibly bored, but it didn't take long for him to drag himself out of bed and go wandering. The clothes Titus left him were ridiculously comfortable after having spent several days in his uniform.
"No wonder he wears yoga pants and a hoodie all the time," Billy said.
We can always change our uniform choice, Dude said. You were the one who wanted to look like a comic book character.
Billy shuffled down the hallway, his legs unexpectedly stiff and uncertain. Confused at first, until he realized he hadn't walked for several days. His limbs weren't used to bearing his own weight. His powers righted his internal compass and strengthened his balance.
"Thanks, Dude," he said, knowing the alien was working to get him back to a hundred percent as each new little weird problem arose.
This is what we do, Dude said. When my previous hosts and I traveled between worlds, I'd need to help them adjust for different gravity or atmosphere so they can breathe. Let me do my job.
"I appreciate it," Billy said.
I don't think you've ever said that before, Dude said.
"Don't get used to it," Billy said.
Billy stopped by one of the other quasi-hospital rooms, somewhat amazed how little time they'd spent in this part of the Tower. The interior of the place was so irrationally big, he thought. There were days he was convinced it was twice as large inside than out.
He peeked into a room and saw Seng, the other Luminae host, sitting on the bed, eyes closed as if asleep.
Then Billy edged out quietly, afraid he'd wake him.
"Come back, young one," Seng said in a strangely echoing voice. Billy wondered if that was the way his voice box was designed, or if the echo was some side effect of having his own Luminae translate his words into English for him.
"Didn't want to disturb you," Billy said.
"It's never a disturbance to speak with one of my brothers," the alien said. He opened his eyes and gestured for Billy to come forward.
"I'm... glad you made it," Billy said. "I was worried the crash killed you."
"I'm sure you've noticed we're a little more difficult to kill than most," Seng said. "You went to meet the Nemesis fleet. Tell me what you saw."
Billy described the dark, bug-like ships, the chase, the encounter with Suresh.
"So our other brother still lives," Seng said. "He no longer speaks to any of us."
"Did he talk to you before?" Billy said. "I've never had a conversation with another one of our kind."
"Sometimes we leave our worlds, the ones we're supposed to protect," Seng said. "He's not the first of us to give up hope. Believe it or not, your species is not the first to drive a Luminae to despair."
"We seem to be pretty good in that role," Billy said.
Seng shrugged.
"I haven't been here long," he said. "So I can't say. But usually when we have to move on—whether the world is destroyed or it simply can't be saved—we do reach out. Your Luminae wouldn't have needed to talk to his brothers if he felt secure here."
I did feel we were secure, Dude said. I'm unhappy with myself for not anticipating this invasion sooner.
Billy mentioned his encounter with the egg-thing near the moon, describing the fight and how he escaped. "What was that thing?"
"Sometimes, the Nemesis identify a world to consume and then send scouts. These scouts often bring eggs. The first round of warriors for the battle ahead," Seng said.
"Did I… I mean, were they babies? They hatched in front of me. Did I kill a bunch of babies?"
Seng shook his head. The human gesture seemed creepy and out of place on him.
"You shouldn't feel guilty about anything you do to defend your home, but you're young, and you haven't lost a world yet," Seng said. "So I understand. But the… you call them parasites?"
"The grabby things. Yeah."
"The parasites are an extension of the consciousness of the mind-ship," Seng said. "To kill one is…"<
br />
Seng held out his hand and wiggled his fingers.
"To chop off a digit. You aren't ending a life. You're simply maiming a threat."
"Not super reassuring," Billy said.
"You chop off a finger from a monster who can regrow its hand whenever it wants to," Seng said.
"That's disgusting," Billy said.
Seng shrugged again.
"I apologize for my lack of manners. I don't know your language customs. My companion can only translate my words for me," Seng said.
Billy threw up his hands. "No need to apologize. I've heard worse," he said.
Billy peered at the alien's face, saw the old scars there, wounds that his Luminae hadn't been able to heal.
"You came here to warn us," Billy said. "But where were you before? What happened?"
Seng remained silent for a long moment, almost as if he hadn't heard Billy's question. Billy could tell, that the alien was having a conversation with his own symbiote. Were they getting their stories straight? Figuring out a lie? Determining their own truth?
"We couldn't save my home world," Seng said finally. "We did our best. But the Nemesis proved to be too much."
Billy felt his chest constrict, a cold fear seeped up the back of his neck and down his limbs.
"They destroyed your world," he said.
Seng's voice grew quiet as he spoke next. Sometimes, he paused to say things in another language, some dialect that sounded like water rushing over sand.
"Our world was just the kind they like best," Seng said. "An ocean world. A well cared for world. The Nemesis like blue worlds. Ones teaming with life for them to consume."
"You fought back?" Billy said.
"We tried," Seng said. "But… it was never a military world. And not aimed toward the stars. We tried to warn them. That we were too happy. Too complacent. Your world, is it an angry place?"
Billy almost laughed. He would have cracked if his mind wasn't reeling from the image of an entire world eaten alive by that fleet he'd seen.
"We've got some anger issues," Billy said instead.
"Good," Seng said. "I thought our hope would have saved us, but I think it only made us unprepared. Perhaps your world will be able to harness your anger. If you can use it like a weapon…"
"Most times we use it on each other," Billy admitted. "We're good at that."
Like A Comet: The Indestructibles Book 4 Page 18
