by Mel Todd
The man glanced out the open door and relaxed his tone, changing to something more matter-of-fact.
"Briefing packets have been downloaded to your repositories in your mind. As well as an overview of how to identify Kaylid that may be in animal form or their default form. Note that the nanobots have been upgraded to no longer change animals into Kaylid. That did not work well on other worlds."
A click of shoes from outside stopped at the door, just out of JD's peripheral vision.
"Are they ready to help us get more Kaylid?"
"Yes, Siret. I am going over final plans and skill sets to see if they need anything else to insure success."
"Excellent. You always were a competent Kaylid, Ash. I will make sure your master is aware."
Ash didn't say anything, simply nodding his head while nothing else moved, not even that tail.
There was a sound, maybe a grunt, maybe not, then the steps moved away. Ash reached over and touched something on the table next to him and a shushing sound behind him indicated the door had closed.
"That is a good way to get killed. Star-blasted performing animal that I am."
JD wasn't sure if Ash was talking to them or himself. The being shook himself and refocused on them.
"I'll make this short because even having your consciousnesses here, in these hosts, is dangerous. Your perceptions are altered and they won't notice the time, as they will only remember what is applicable to them, but the risks increase every time."
What?
JD felt everyone snap their attention towards Ash.
The being tapped a few more keys and looked distracted for a minute, the same level of distraction that JD saw on McKenna when Wefor was talking.
"Over the last few weeks you've been tapped for special training." He spoke slowly as if getting updates as he said the words. "This is hidden training and will only activate if certain criteria are met. Note that your commander has not received this training due to the AI. There is no way to hide the downloaded data with the AI present. If the criteria are met all of this will activate in your minds over the next few hours. Prior to that it, will remain blurred and half-memories." His dark eyes tracked over them, and it felt like he lingered on JD. "Maybe we will be lucky, and it will work. Much has been risked for this. I hope your commander is worth the faith you have in her."
JD growled out, "She's trustworthy, with our lives and our souls."
"Good. I'm betting on that. Betting your lives and mine."
Holy shit, that was said out loud.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw the others stiffen as they realized that, and for a split second he thought the connections flickered, but when he focused on his mental switchboard they were all dark.
Ash finished typing on the table and looked up at them.
"I apologize in advance because this is going to hurt, but you will not remember it when you wake up. You will be unable to recall any of this until you need this information. And if you never need it, well, you will be dead. May the stars grant you remember very soon."
With a flourish he slapped the table top and lightning burst across JD's brain.
He woke with a jerk, sitting, panting in the dark, disoriented and trying to grasp what had woken him up, but as he tried to remember it slipped away.
~JD?~ Cass's voice whispered in his head and her arm tightened around him. The solidity of her presence centering him.
~Yeah? Sorry, did I wake you up? I didn't mean to.~ Even his mental voice sounded rough. And it had been a long time since he'd had anyone in his bed. He lay back down, pulling her tight to him, the warmth of her body easing him more than anything else.
~Yes? No? Maybe? I mean you sat up, but did you just, maybe have a dream?~ She sounded as unsure as he felt, and he tilted his head trying to grab on to anything he could remember, but the only thing at his point was the thought he had a headache, but his head didn't hurt.
~I don't know. I thought I did, but I can't pull anything out. It's odd.~ Their conversation was private but he wanted to reach out and touch Toni and Perc and see if they had felt the same thing, but he didn't want to wake them up if they weren't affected.
~Yeah, me too.~ Her thought trailed off and then a weird sensation rippled down. ~Oh, well. It's still early. I'm going back to sleep.~
He glanced at the clock and yawned. ~Yes it is. And I'm enjoying this too much to get up now.~ She laughed and draped her legs over his as they found a comfortable position again. She kissed his chest and made a sleepy sound as he felt her going back to sleep. With a smile, he followed her example, even as a bit of curiosity followed.
What woke me up?
There was no answer, and he let the joy of having her next to him wash away anything else as he went back to sleep.
16
Urban Warfare
Russia, Japan, and Australia have been actively trying to shoot down invaders. But the shuttles are very fast. Our experts tell us their direct drop patterns are harder to target than the normal ballistic arcs that have been standard since the Cold War. That makes it harder to hit, and they move faster than even our fastest fighter jets. This is leaving the bulk of the fighting to people on the ground. China has all but given up all their Shifters from the bulk of shuttles leaving that country. Other countries are fighting much more aggressively. The US leads that effort with military and civilian teams roaming around to help stop the invaders. ~TNN Invasion report
The sharp retort of his M-16 didn't even make him flinch anymore. The recoil had become second nature and the nanobots dimmed his ears as he focused and pulled the trigger, then raised it back up once all the gunfire stopped.
It proved useful and more than a bit disconcerting at times.
~Wefor, how intelligent are these bots? Can they learn?~
[They are smart programs. Repeated actions will cause them to anticipate, though you can always override. But their ultimate goal is to make you the best fighter you can be so those actions will have priority in their programming.] The AI's calm tones didn't do much to soothe his mind.
~So I shouldn't worry they're going to start talking to me?~
An odd pause. [No. However, the nanobots in you have enough commander module programming that it is possible for you to support an AI if you wish.]
~Nope, fine being the only person in my head, thank you very much.~
The AI didn't respond but he swore he felt a whisper of laughter at the back connection.
"Clean up time. Clear the area. Largo, any pings from your onboard computer?" Captain Lawson called out, his voice still low, but all the Kaylid could hear him easily. That much had been beaten into all the human soldiers after the hearing range of the invading Elentrin foot troops had been demonstrated.
"Negative. We're still looking."
A wave of something went through the group. Their hopes faded with every run where nothing happened, and killing was becoming way too easy. They all took care of their own weapons, though Cass remained much happier treating wounds and keeping in touch mentally. Having her safe back at the base was probably sexist, but it made all of them feel better. Knowing that Toni and their kids were safe kept most of them sane. Even so, McKenna just looked grim. Since the death of Caroline she took every person they didn't manage to rescue, every civilian killed, personally. It was killing her. Perc seemed to manage to pull her out of it, and JD couldn't be happier. He didn't think anything had happened between them, but she emerged a bit from her cocoon when he talked to her, so JD would take what he could get. At this point Perc holding her, taking her to bed, doing anything, would receive his full support.
"Report of a shuttle coming down and incoming troops with prisoners. Let's head that direction." They all piled in the HumVee, leaving the Kaylid bodies there. Disposal knew they had a cleanup here. The crematoriums were getting a workout, but they needed to dispose of the bodies as fast as possible. The disposal companies had instructions to call certain numbers if the body shape or style wasn't one li
sted on a specific government website. Scientists were still tracking everything, but once they had one the rest could be cremated.
Burials were reserved for Earthlings. No one wanted to face how many empty caskets there might be if they couldn't figure out a way to stop this incursion.
In the depths of his mind he wondered if they would ever find normal again. And if he could be happy with it. Something in him gloried at the bloodshed, the thrill of the hunt. And he no longer knew how much was him or the nanobots. And worse, he didn't know if he cared anymore.
The dreams had faded, and while it was a relief, it also raised his stress, making him wonder if the person or being sending them had been found. A flicker of something crossed his memory but he couldn't hold on to it. McKenna's dream message about the transmitter had been the last contact they had. And there was still the possibility it was all a huge trap.
And now I'm missing strange programming dreams. This is getting too weird. What's going to be left of any of us by the time this is done?
He shook his head. Thoughts like that were better left for the middle of the night. Thinking them out here would get him killed.
Moving silently, it was getting easier, almost natural, to be in warrior form. He flowed into the truck with McKenna and Perc. The others behind them, not quite as silent, but damn good. They learned quickly.
The days disappeared as they hunted, and the evenings he and Cass spent in a corner together. Just holding each other. Her in human form, it was easier to do her medic stuff with fingers, and he stayed in his warrior. Shifting forms took calories no one could spare. So he held her, his fur keeping her warm as they lived in purgatory, waiting for something to change.
They had found another shuttle and were approaching slowly, when everything snapped into focus as Wefor's strange voice erupted into the mindspace.
[That one. It has been there for five minutes and the transmission was just detected.]
~Finally. Okay. I'm going.~ McKenna stated.
~Not alone you aren't,~ JD growled out the words hearing them echoed in Perc's response.
McKenna turned to glare at them, and he just glared back at her.
No way in hell am I letting her go alone.
She seemed to realize that and turned back to the soldiers.
"I need to go down and inspect that shuttle. It should have what I'm looking for." Her voice calm, but JD could feel the excitement and trepidation washing through the mindspace. The closer they became, the more emotions they could all sense.
The soldiers immediately started packing up, and JD had to resist laughing at McKenna's protests, but the men didn't budge, and she gave up. Time was not on their side.
They exited the building they'd been in, moving slowly, clearing the area. No one wanted a surprise attack, and rushing would get them all killed. They reached the clearing, and JD frowned, looking at the strange silver ship, something itching at the back of his mind.
McKenna and Lawson headed in as JD stood on the base of the ramp watching the surrounding area, his body almost vibrating as he tried to pay attention to everything. Shuttles had taken off without anyone in them before, but they should have enough time to react.
He watched everything around him, his finger twitchy even as he felt Cass riding the back of his mind, her anxiety mixing with Toni's as they all felt the hope and fear. But they all remained silent, even the kids, no one wanting to distract anyone.
"Got it." McKenna and Lawson came tearing out of the shuttle, a strange silvery object in her hand.
"Back to the base, everyone. Double time to the HumVee." Lawson's low sharp voice had them all moving. He'd proved himself to be a good leader in this area, but all the Kaylid still watched McKenna, listening to anything she said.
They climbed back into the vehicle, McKenna grasping the strange silver object with a fierce intensity.
Maybe this is an answer, maybe now we can end this madness? Surely we can figure out how to use this? ‘Cause right now being in Cass's arms would be nice.
That hope and any bit of peace he'd grabbed broke as McKenna called out.
"Lawson," her voice snapped, pulling him out of his thoughts. "Don't take us back. Take us to a big open park."
JD looked at her, but she kept her eyes trained on the object, and every time he started to ask a question, he stopped, not sure if he was missing something.
They hit a large open soccer field and the HumVee fell silent, the noise level letting everyone ask the questions they'd been holding. Including Toni and Cass.
"Okay people, listen up. Here's the story. I got a message that this device could signal some help for us. I have no way of knowing if the person was lying or not. But we can't hold on much longer. Most cities are out of food as the trucks can't run, businesses are shut down. While we might be able to hold them off for a bit longer, the loss of life is going to start rising, and not for reasons of the Elentrin, but food, water, supplies, medicines." Her voice sounded sure as her eyes tracked over them, and JD found himself standing a bit straighter.
"Cities are worst hit, and that's where the Elentrin are concentrating their attacks. They ever figure out how to bottle that pheromone stuff and spray it, we'll fold in a day." Her words didn't waver as she pointed out things JD had been carefully avoiding thinking about.
"And your point?" Lawson directed the question to her, but he kept scanning the area, which reminded JD to do the same. To get shot at this point would be embarrassing.
"That this might be planted by the Elentrin, and I don't want to lead them back to where we're located. But at the same time, it might be the only chance we have. So we can't afford not to try it. I don't want to turn it over because this message was directed at me specifically. I have a feeling whoever or whatever is looking for me. Which means I need to do it, and the longer we wait, the more I'll overthink this." She shrugged and looked around. "At least if I do it here, the only person at risk is me. Everyone else get back in the vehicle and watch me from afar."
The expected argument started up, but it ended with them refusing to leave.
When will she get it? We aren't ever deserting her! Stubborn woman, she needs to trust us, too!
A snort of agreement from the AI made him smile to himself, but he kept his attention on the surroundings. She walked off a bit and did something. Then she stepped back and his attention was drawn to where a flash of light appeared then started to grow.
As the silver portal shimmered into existence, he handed McKenna her gun, and his gun snapped up, focused on it, mentally counting how much ammo he had left and how fast he could reload. If this was an incoming wave he'd do everything to prevent them from getting any further than here. Prove this method wasn't a viable one.
A single figure appeared, and he felt his brain hiccup. Memories that had faded snapped back into existence as he saw the brawny winged form of a warrior Drakyn walk out.
"Is that?" JD asked, his voice speaking without conscious thought. McKenna didn't answer but walked forward to meet the humanoid dragon in the park as he watched. Information sparked in his mind, hovering there ready to explode, but it just sat there waiting, as he watched his best friend talk to the enemy of their enemy. That spark of knowledge brightened, and suddenly information exploded into his mind. He grunted and saw/felt the same in the others as pieces of knowledge, memory, training lost the cloak covering them and resurfaced. But even now he could feel it was only pieces not the whole.
One thought filled the mindspace and he didn't know if he said it or they all did.
~Oh shit, a Wyrm has come to help us. Is this good or bad?~
Story of Ash
Short story in the Kaylid Universe
Mel Todd
Bad Ash Publishing
Atlanta, Georgia
Copyright © 2019 by Melisa Todd
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission.
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Bad Ash Publishing
Powder Springs, GA 30127
www.badashpublishing.com
Publisher's Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author's imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.
Book Layout © 2017 BookDesignTemplates.com
Cover by http://www.ampersandbookcovers.com/
Story of Ash/ Mel Todd -- 1st ed.
ISBN 978-0-0000000-0-0
Life is lived, one second at a time.
Death to my destroyers.
―Ash
Story of Ash
As a child, Ash played with a toy called zigles. The goal was to set up complicated paths and patterns with the small blocks, then knock over the first one and watch them all fall in order. Even adults would have competitions getting more and more extravagant as they increased the complexity of the zigles. He sometimes thought watching planets try to resist the Elentrin felt like that game of zigles. No matter how much they twisted and turned, the planets fell in foreseen patterns. The Drakyn fell before the troops of Kaylid in predictable ways. Planets they harvested didn’t even quibble anymore. The two that were left, though this Earth would make the third. All patterns in the Elentrin plans.
But that is where the zigles analogy fell apart. When it came to this planet, one country or city falling didn’t mean the next fell. Instead they would stop, fight, and win. They were immune to the Glory, which shocked and excited him.
