Chaos Cipher

by Den Harrington

  -80-

  The bronze sun was at its lowest point on the horizon by the time confirmation of Serat’s defeat had reached Shield of Spheres HQs. One of the V-TOLs leading the way towards the frozen desert crater, had confirmed satellite visuals of the impact zone and detected the strange reflection of ice there. Accompanied by two Nova Storm models, they set down on the cold sands and as the side doors slid open, dozens of troops unloaded.

  Adamoss stepped out of the V-TOL to look around at the environment, his complex artificial feet spreading over the ice with a crunch. Faint wisps of snowflakes sailed around them while troops marched through the snow to secure areas for scientists. Chief Claudia Noble had to see it for herself. She could hardly believe the desert had been turned to ice, even just a small fraction of it. Hundreds of small drones fluttered around the site, collecting data and zipping back and forth from recharge stations on the V-TOLs. Claudia Noble followed Adamoss and asked for analysis data, her long white coat draping behind her as she trudged in the frost and verglas.

  ‘What kind of power system is that?’ she asked.

  ‘A crystal lattice,’ said Adamoss. ‘A more detailed analysis is still needed. However, it looks like the freezing process is an emergency fail safe to prevent the Spydrone’s power core from destabilising. The crystal is like plutonium, only instead of perpetually burning, it seems to have a propensity toward constant growth. It is from this unexplored process, that the reactor extracts energy. The crystal’s growth is tempered only by the super cold temperature kept at a billionth of a degree. Nothing like this power unit has been documented before.’

  ‘I want to find out what the hell Ampotech are up to,’ she simmered. ‘Such a crystal could decompose at a frightening rate and level cities, if not worse. That kind of power output is insane. What the hell were they thinking? Is the crystal stable now?’

  ‘Of course,’ Adamoss assured, ‘the fail safe freezing process dropped the whole area to almost absolute zero. The Spydrone’s shut-down sequence protects the crystal’s destabilisation and isolates it into a freezing bath. However, I recommend permanently isolating the reactor deep under-ground.’

  ‘I think our new recruits of The Griffin’s Claw will come in handy for a mission to Cygnus.’ Claudia said. ‘Dig up some dirt on Ampotech’s secretive technologies. This kind of thing can’t go unregulated, especially if it’s a threat to the Atominii.’

  They scaled the frozen mounds beneath the huge Xenotech machine, now a large ice sculpture, hanging tentacles like white fingers of ice stalactites jutting down around the space between its legs. Adamoss found the body of Raven Protos solidified in ice, his gauntlet still reaching for the sky, where he lay on his back looking up at the damaged machine above him. Adamoss analysed all of this and then looked over to Claudia. She was gazing down at the frozen shell of Malik Serat. The Chrononaut was down on his knees, his face twisted into a silent scream, wild hair frozen as stiff as steel needles.

  ‘Did you recover the Hypermekhos key?’ she asked the android.

  ‘So far nothing’s turned up,’ he replied. ‘But I’ll make sure I keep looking until it’s found.’

  ‘Serat could have been humanity’s saviour,’ said Claudia Noble. ‘Give a man the power of a god and the means to believe it, he’ll go utterly insane.’

  ‘Ma’am, Raven forced the question, but what is a god to a non-believer?’ Adamoss asked sincerely, as he stared around the glacial crater. Claudia put her hands deep in her pockets and stared a while longer.

  ‘His unwitting subject,’ she answered.

  ‘I sense a cadence of admiration,’ Adamoss noticed.

  ‘His brother was a genius, lost to greed. Malik also a daring thinker, lost to the corruption of power. Why are the greatest among us also the craziest?’ she pondered aloud before walking away, back towards her ship.

  ‘I believe the idea of greatness to be something of a human preference,’ said the android who watched her leave. ‘If I may add, the greatest scientist of our century Willow Kruger ahd views very different from those of the Serat family.’

  ‘Hmmm,’ she managed phlegmatically, ‘Keep me updated, I’ve plans for what’s left of Malik Serat.’

  ‘Do you intend on reviving him?’ Adamoss called as she gained more distance. She didn’t need to shout her answer, the android’s hearing was superbly attuned.

  ‘High glucose levels…he’s been frozen before. He isn’t dead. We can revive those memories, finish what Vance Serat started and try mapping the Chaos Cipher. As for my ulterior reasons, Malik is a being who has gone beyond our dimensions, piloted a machine that could change the way we utilise space travel and even momentarily brought the world to its knees.’ she smiled expectantly, pulling up her collar against the cold air. ‘It’s in the better interest of our defence to know our enemy. He could be useful. Besides, even if we do not find this Hypermekhos key in the desert…down in the ocean there’s still one more Spydrone…hence one more key.’

  Adamoss watched her tread through the wet mud and sand back towards her ship, coat flagging in the dusty wind.

  -81-

  Edge Fenris sat smoking heavily as he stared out at the cloudy and pale sky. With a military green combat helmet lodged on his head and a pair of binoculars, he occupied his evening looking for SkyLarks at the top of Hangar 15 where since the fire a large hole now made most of the above visible.

  Below, Laux had been working on some restoration repairs and hundreds of students shifted to and fro, shipping new equipment and resources into the place, and a whole rattling and banging and cacophony was bustling in the area.

  ‘SHUT UP!’ Fenris shouted back to them, while Laux shouted direction on where he wanted new items and equipment to be placed. Edge Fenris had been watching the Lewis family home. He kept a stalwart eye on things, careful about Berengar’s activities. He’d heard some activity on the makeshift radio Aldous Laux had put together out of magnets and an old automotive battery. The radio was squeaking and squabbling with static and Edge put his feet down off of it and listened, trying to catch something above the din of repairs and banging.

  ‘Laux! LAUX GET UP HERE!’

  Laux tripped over a wire as he hurried from the labs and hopscotched for balance before ascending the ladder to Edge’s burned out observatory. He kicked the deckchair away and passed Laux the radio.

  ‘Voices,’ he told him, ‘you won’t believe who it is.’

  Laux listened closely, his eyes staring ahead in concentration and he made out the voice on the other end.

  ‘Repeat, this is Gustav Rutland of the Eagle away team on the Perigrussia Skybus, requesting to land. Come in Cerise Timbers, Kyo is coming home, repeat, Kyo is coming home.’

  ‘Gracious Atomagod!’ he exclaimed, juggling the radio into Edge Fenris’ arms.

  ‘What does this mean?’ Fenris demanded. ‘Were they captured? Is this a trade off or something? That bastard Krupin’s coming back here, isn’t he?’

  ‘We have to be ready!’ Laux shouted, running for the ladder. ‘We need to join the assembly on the air zone!’

  *

  As the Perigrussia Skybus descended for a steady landing in East B’One, a congregation of familiar faces awaited them. Several members of the Eagle and Otter military from the garrison waited with weapons at the ready. Enaya had joined some of the local air zone technicians and various others aware of the situation. As the belly of the Skybus opened up Kyo and Pania were first out of the ship and they met a delighted wave of cheer and celebration. Enaya ran towards them and threw her arms around them both, kissing their cheeks with joy.

  Laux and Edge came hurrying onto the air zone. The professor still had the radio slung over his shoulder, while Edge carried the battery under his arm, arguing over who was running the slowest.

  ‘There you are, you little scamp!’ Edge smiled, throwing his steely arm around Kyo and messing his hair.

  ‘Kyo!’ Laux shouted, circling him with an analytical eye and looking i
nto the boy’s pupils carefully for any signs of unusual activity. ‘Those nanomes didn’t mess you up too much, did they? You should be able to access your natural capacity now, I’m only sorry that the pill forced the change to happen faster than usual. Normally, those things only occur in Olympians during their mid-teens and I would have preferred a less forced reaction but given the situation of your dilemma…’

  ‘Laux, it’s okay.’ Kyo assured irritably.

  The enthusiasm of the crowd began to dwindle as Gus and Artex led Hattle Lewis down the ramp and onto the asphalt. He looked around at the jovial faces and didn’t bother to return the joy.

  ‘You’ve some explaining to do,’ Enaya said mirthlessly. ‘Where’s your father?’

  ‘You don’t have to worry about him,’ Hattle promised, grinding his teeth, he spoke with a bitter hiss. ‘He’s dead.’

  Enaya was taken aback by the news and wasn’t quite sure how to respond.

  ‘He screwed up,’ Artex decided to say.

  ‘You’re damn right, he did,’ Edge Fenris snapped. ‘The arrogant shit-for-brains tried to kill me. And I still need to get you back for that, you little ass-hat!’

  And Artex quickly pulled Hattle back from reaching for Fenris as Laux made the same effort with his friend.

  ‘Easy!’ Artex shouted, pushing Hattle away. ‘You better tone that temper, kid.’ He reminded. ‘You’ve not many allies here and unless you learn to start fitting in.’

  ‘I don’t need anyone.’ Hattle seethed.

  ‘I like the lone wolf attitude,’ Edge Fenris teased. ‘That’s the kind of attitude that gets you killed, believe me. Keep it up.’

  ‘I don’t agree with Edge Fenris on much,’ Artex added, ‘but he’s right here. You’re going to need time to get your head together. In the meantime…when you’re ready…we’ll be here. So, cool it.’

  Hattle stared at Kyo for a moment and the gene-freak dared to say something now that he was with all his companions.

  ‘I know it wasn’t all you,’ he uttered. He wanted to tell Hattle that he was sorry for his loss, but he was too sorry enough for his own. If it wasn’t for Hattle, his parents would still be home, safe. Because of him and his father, Pierce, they were now missing.

  ‘-but I think your father dug his own grave.’ Kyo added, unable to help himself.

  Artex kept his arm extended as a barrier between Hattle and the others and the young boxer could only listen. Artex turned his ear to Kyo however, with a sort of knowing glare that forewarned him.

  ‘Alright,’ he said, ‘you’ve said your peace…’

  ‘No!’ Kyo pressed, ‘He was a shitty guy, Hattle. He got my family killed.’

  ‘Cool it!’ Artex snapped.

  ‘We’re looking for them, Kyo,’ Enaya promised. ‘We won’t give up until they are home.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter,’ Kyo sighed with a vague expression. ‘None of it matters now. This whole place is a lie.’

  ‘Hey,’ Pania said softly, trying to counsel him, but he pulled away fast.

  ‘Don’t tell me you don’t see it!’ Kyo roared angrily.

  ‘Kid, I know you’re upset but…’

  ‘Those Blue Lycans out there are working for the Titans.’ Kyo interrupted Gus, and all accountable listened as he let out what was on his mind. ‘A-and I worked it out! That thing th-that monster told me some things I didn’t want to believe. This city…everything we’ve accomplished is just a big fat lie! We’re just a petri-dish for growing things. And soon we’re going to end up just like the other cities…just-lu-like Onyx Waters. They’re going to come here and take everything and just send it back out and circulate it into the hardlands – just hand it out to gangs and people like Krupin. We’re a joke!’

  Enaya looked hurt the most by what she’d heard, but the pain was on all of them. He’d said all he needed to, and walked hurriedly away from them, leaving an uncomfortable silence as Pania gave chase.

  ‘He’s not exactly wrong,’ said Gus, eventually. ‘Those Titans have been playing us for a long time. It’s about time we test our metal. Upgrade the city for a better defence for when those things come knocking.’

  ‘Then, we look for our allies,’ said Artex. ‘We can gather people from the Kazakhstan Confederalism.’

  ‘That’s not going to cut it.’ Edge Fenris shook his head. ‘If the Atominii are coming, they’ll kill you without human resources. They’ll send in their machines. It’ll be a bad day for us the day they come.’

  ‘Talon’s Bay,’ Enaya suddenly uttered, and once more they listened. ‘From the Alaskan hardlands, Talon’s Bay could be our last hope. But we need to reach out to them carefully. They are not exactly our allies but it’s our best chance. It’s up to all of us now, we need to work together.’

  Scowling, Hattle had watched the gene-freak slip away into the distance, until at last he turned to Artex.

  ‘Where’s Berengar?’ Hattle said.

  ‘Oh you won’t be seeing him either,’ Enaya said dryly, overhearing the question. ‘Berengar was exiled from East B’One. He’s training with another Bear faction in the South end of the city. They were reluctant to take him in; his actions while you’ve been gone were less than acceptable.’ She walked past Hattle with a mean spirited expression and motioned to leave the air zone with a now drifting and muttering crowd.

  ‘I can guess you’re not the kind for friendly advice,’ Artex told Hattle, standing at his side now. ‘Come see me at the barracks, when you’re ready to keep up your boxing.’

  Hattle looked at him suspiciously but the mercenary showed no sign of humour or irony in his tone.

  ‘Health is therapy,’ he told him. ‘Keep up your fighting talents. You know where to find me.’

  High above the gully and ravine sides of the mountains Cedalion sailed, diving leisurely on the altitudinal winds. She passed into the woodlands almost a day behind the Perigrussia Skybus, stopping only to occasionally hunt. In Cerise Timbers the fields below were busy with activity, of people hoeing and tilling the land, or makeshift hand tractors carting up and down the furrows and vertical strips. She watched an assembly of children following their mentors into the forest, there to document the wilderness. And Cedalion perched upon the highest tree to look out on the curving city dome, allowing Artex a moment’s peace, as he shared in the tranquillity of the natural vistas.

  -82-

  Ethan pulled the peak of his baseball cap down over his brow as he checked the last of the Obsiduranium inventory. He looked back at Kelly with a faded humour and tired eyes, watching the machines outside unloading the shuttle’s cargo bay. His solenoid boots thumped lightly around the magnetic track as he observed the unloading process through one of the station’s observation windows.

  ‘There you are,’ said Kelly approaching from one of the personnel conduits. ‘I’ve been looking for you.’

  ‘Look out there,’ he pointed, ‘fifteen Obsiduranium edge drills being unpacked and delivered to our financer by a Shield of Spheres courier. They’ll get there in two days, late but intact, as promised. The alloy is spent, though.’

  ‘All of it?’ she asked.

  ‘Most of it,’ Ethan said. ‘We used up a great deal of it in overmass while pulling away from Omicron.’

  ‘Will they still be able to perform the dig?’

  ‘It’s possible,’ said Ethan. ‘They already got a good way toward the aquifer. In my opinion, it will be enough. I think our financer will be pissed, however, that he won’t have enough Obsiduranium left to sell on after the dig is done. But screw it…our part is finished.’

  ‘We can kiss goodbye to our debts,’ she added. ‘You’re working for Shield of Spheres now.’

  ‘No,’ Ethan smiled vaguely. ‘I’m not.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I’m done with this crap,’ he nodded out to The Griffin’s Claw. ‘I’m cutting ties. My service was to The Griffin’s Claw only. Now the mission is over, I’m collecting my severance package and claiming freedom all
for the price of a quick memory screening.’

  ‘Where will you go?’

  ‘I’m getting back to the Atominii,’ he sighed wearily. ‘I’m plugging in and living out the rest of my days in comfort.’

  ‘Wow,’ she admonished with surprise. ‘Well, then…we’ll miss you.’

  ‘No you won’t,’ Ethan scoffed as they shook hands.

  ‘You saved our lives,’ she reminded him, ‘you really made a difference here. If there’s anything you ever need…’

  ‘It’s been a crazy ride, Miss Banner.’ He chuckled.

  ‘Have you told the others?’

  ‘No way,’ Ethan shook his head. ‘I hate goodbyes.’

  As it happened so did Kelly.

  ‘I heard you guys are going to Cygnus?’ he said. ‘You’ll get some first class training from the Shield of Spheres, I’ve no doubt. What are you doing out there, do you know yet?’

  ‘I don’t know much about it yet,’ Kelly claimed with an offhanded shrug. ‘But the little I do know, is that we’re investigating a weapons manufacturer that supplies Shield of Spheres weapons and tech division. It’ll be a clash of interests.’

  Ethan looked back out of the window at The Griffin’s Claw for one last time and smiled with some pre-nostalgic comfort.