Bethany Anne pointed out a blue-smeared device that looked as though its primary function was to mince whatever was put into it. What the fuck is that? And where are all the Ooken?
Michael glanced at the arched passageways leading off from the back of the lab, then at Bethany Anne. I don’t sense any active Ooken, just the mind I felt when we were outside.
Bethany Anne stepped lightly around a workbench, her Jean Dukes raised and ready. There’s more than one mind down there, and we’ve found the source of TOM’s freakout. She pointed to the darkened arch in the center of the wall. Can you feel the barrier across that passage?
Michael nodded, moving closer to investigate the invisible barrier. I can, and my guess is that we will find the prisoners on the other side. What do TOM and ADAM have to say about it, now that we are here?
>>I say it’s interesting. The arch has what I can only describe as a curtain of nanocytes suspended across it. <<
Bethany Anne raised an eyebrow. Can we pass through the nano-curtain?
TOM spluttered incoherently for a moment.
>>I wouldn’t recommend it,<< ADAM advised. >>The nanocytes are programmed to consume everything except Ooken DNA.<<
Bethany Anne shuddered at the thought of that grizzly end. Okay, so we skip through the Etheric, no getting eaten alive by nanocytes.
Not an option, TOM cut in. The curtain is active in the Etheric as well. It looks like they weren’t taking any chances.
Bethany Anne growled softly. So how do we get through?
Michael turned back from his inspection. We could always force an Ooken to let us through.
There aren’t any around, Bethany Anne reminded him. She looked toward the exit. We'll have to go back to the nearest tower.
We will have to split up, Michael told her. I only saw one guard on each level.
Bethany Anne pressed her lips together. Want to bet I can get back here with my Ooken before you get back with yours?
Michael broke into a grin. Why would I do that when it’s a sure bet I’ll win? His armor sagged as he Mysted out of it and was gone before Bethany Anne could say a word.
Bethany Anne grumbled as she made her way to the nearest tower. Cheat all you like. It’s not going to help you.
Are you sure about that? Michael inquired. I have my prize in sight.
Bethany Anne pressed herself into the shadows cast by the foundations and created a small ball of light over her palm. Mmhmm. She added a couple of touches to the energy construct while she listened for the slap-slap of slithering tentacles above that indicated a passing guard.
Hearing the sound she was waiting for, Bethany Anne released the energy ball to float up toward the first level. You’d better do more than look, then. I have mine.
The Ooken trilled curiously when the twinkling light appeared before it.
Bethany Anne made her bait hover just beyond the edge of the walkway, paying attention to the Ooken’s proximity through her connection to the energy ball while she created another ball of energy to stun it with.
She made the energy ball twinkle invitingly. Here, Ooken Ooken Ooken. Come and get the shiny…
The Ooken’s chin jutted over the edge, the tentacles around its mouth writhing to taste the air around the mysterious light source. It turned its head from side to side, its pupils dilating and expanding as the ball danced for it.
Bethany Anne flicked her fingers and the energy ball exploded into a sonic wave, preventing the Ooken from calling the hive mind for help. She released the other energy ball at the same time with the intention of landing it on the Ooken’s jaw.
However, the Ooken jerked its head back when the bait exploded, and the second energy ball shattered the crystal above its head instead.
Fuckdammit!
A failure is still an attempt, Michael told her lightly.
The Ooken screeched, clawing at its head in a vain attempt to dislodge the ringing in its skull.
Don’t say another fucking word, Bethany Anne retorted as the Ooken screeched in distress.
I hadn’t intended to, Michael assured her. However, my Ooken is about to pass out from lack of oxygen so you might want to get a move on.
Bethany Anne laughed. Nice trick, Mysting into its lungs. You do know that they can breathe through their suckers?
I do, and I’m having the damndest time keeping them all covered.
Bethany Anne's right hand found the hilt of her katana as she formed another energy ball in her left. Okayyy, so being fancy wasn’t the way to go. I can admit when I’m wrong.
Michael feigned surprise. You can?
Bethany Anne's mouth twitched as she left the cover of the foundation. A lesser woman would be annoyed by that and make you sleep on the couch tonight.
My love, you could never be a lesser anything, Michael assured her.
Bethany Anne chuckled in Michael’s mind. Being smooth isn’t likely to get you out of the doghouse, but I can understand why you might be confused since I’m so rarely wrong. Consider yourself forgiven.
Michael’s laughter cut off suddenly, replaced by a soft curse. Consider yourself a distraction. I just killed my Ooken.
Bethany Anne wound up for the jump. That’s priceless! Exactly what you get for being so big-headed. Got to go. What she didn’t tell Michael was that the Ooken had spotted her. Good luck finding another one and getting back to the curtain before I do.
The Ooken screeched and lunged from the walkway above, wrapping its tail tentacle around a protrusion in the crystal. It came at Bethany Anne tentacles-first, all three rows of razor-sharp teeth in its mouth dripping toxin-laden saliva and alien bacteria.
Bethany Anne had no intention whatsoever of getting bitten, either by those teeth or the ones lining its suckers. She dropped into a roll, turning as she came to her feet to fend off the attack with an upswing and a practiced flick of her left wrist to release the energy ball.
The Ooken screeched and retracted its tentacles when her katana sheared the tip from the largest. The crystal creaked under the pressure but did not give as the Ooken put its full weight on its tail, turning its body from side to side to ascertain the damage the energy ball had done.
It screeched again and swung around for another attack.
Bethany Anne pulled six sparks of energy, forming arrowheads from them as they hurtled toward the Ooken flying toward her. She was rewarded with a pained screech and a shower of dust when one of the energy darts passed right through the Ooken’s tail, shattering the opalescent crystal it was gripping with the thick tentacle.
The Ooken plummeted toward her, spraying the ground with thick, dark blood from the stump where its tail had been a few seconds previously. It struggled to get to its feet, its claws scrabbling uselessly against the slick crystal.
Bethany Anne avoided the blood as she walked the three steps to the crumpled heap of Ooken. It stirred as she bent to pick it up, stilling again when she punched it in the head.
She gripped the Ooken by the nest of small, tender tentacles around its mouth and the two large ones protruding from its back, then hoisted it over her shoulders before leaving the tower.
Michael was nowhere to be seen when Bethany Anne arrived at the nano-curtain with her get-out-of-instant-death-free card over her shoulder.
His armor sat empty ten feet from the archway.
Bethany Anne dropped the unconscious Ooken to the floor. Looks like victory is mine.
Michael strode into the lab dragging a fifteen-foot Ooken, its tentacles trailing behind him like a grotesque wedding train. His shirt was torn, revealing drying blood from freshly healed injuries. You made the better choice. Adapting to the situation turned out to be somewhat challenging.
Bethany Anne looked at Michael’s barely-breathing Ooken. How many did you kill before you managed to knock this one out?
Three, Michael admitted. He nodded at the smaller Ooken by Bethany Anne’s feet. Nice catch.
Bethany Anne raised an eyebrow. What’s that guys are alw
ays saying about size not mattering?
Michael shrugged his Ooken onto the floor. I wouldn’t care to comment on matters that don’t concern me. He knelt by his Ooken and placed a hand on its forehead ridges.
Bethany Anne stood guard, watching for the slightest twitch from the two Ooken. Do you need them awake for this?
Michael shook his head. No, since they can't fight us if they don’t know we’re in there. He was quiet for a moment while he and TOM rummaged through the Ooken’s mind.
Well? Bethany Anne asked when Michael looked up again.
It’s simpler than I expected. If our Ooken go through first, the curtain will read us as prisoners and refrain from attacking our DNA.
Prisoners? Bethany Anne narrowed her eyes, wishing the Ooken before her weren’t vital to the rescue. The fuckers are keeping more than the Collective down there? I know we can’t kill them, but do they have to be conscious, or will carrying them ahead of us work?
Michael closed his eyes, concentrating on finding the information in the Ooken’ heads. I can’t be certain.
An alarm began to shriek, followed by another.
The alarm may not be for us, Michael speculated. It could be that the fleet has arrived.
Bethany Anne and Michael shared a glance as the first two alarms were joined by a whole chorus of blaring klaxons. There’s only one way to find out. I don’t want to be here if the Ooken have worked out where we are. There are prisoners to be freed before we can destroy this fucking abomination.
The ground beneath their feet shook.
I’m going to say that’s the fleet knocking to come in. Bethany Anne bent to pick up her Ooken from the floor but paused when the platform shuddered from the force of another impact on the shields. Wait, I want to talk to Alexis and Gabriel before we go.
Michael nodded. Can you reach them from this far away?
Bethany Anne raised an eyebrow as she searched for her children’s minds. I grew them cell by cell inside my body. I can reach them from wherever I am.
Alexis was the first to answer. Hi, Mom! Did you and Dad win already?
Bethany Anne chuckled. Not yet, sweetheart. The fleet has just arrived, we think.
Gabriel spoke over Bethany Anne. Are you and Dad in trouble?
Your father and I are fine, Bethany Anne assured them. We found some prisoners who need to be rescued. I just wanted to hear your voices before we help them.
Tell the children I love them, Michael cut in. I can barely hear them.
Your father sends his love too.
I can hear him just fine, Alexis replied.
Bethany Anne narrowed her eyes at the distant note in her daughter’s voice. I hope you’re not trying to read my mind right now, Alexis.
Gabriel chipped in, distracting her for the moment. Hurry up and kick the Ooken’ asses, Mom! Aunt Tabbie’s going to kill us all with her boot camp.
Bethany Anne raised an eyebrow. We will. You can think about your forfeit for that poor language when your father and I get home.
Mooooom!
Bethany Anne smirked at Gabriel's groan. You’ve had this coming for a long time, son. Get creative or suffer the consequences, and don’t say I never warned you about payback all the times you took joy in my slip-ups.
Alexis snickered as Gabriel continued to grumble.
The ground shook under Bethany Anne's feet again. We have to go. I love you both, and we’ll be home soon.
She dropped the link and looked at Michael with concern. That link was between the children and me. How could Alexis hear you?
I heard her too. Michael pressed his lips together. It’s not surprising that she would be a natural amplifier since her mental abilities have always been a challenge for us to restrain. The question is, what did she see? He picked up his Ooken. The sooner we’re home, the sooner I can relax.
Bethany Anne shook her head at the idea of Michael relaxing as she adjusted her hold on her Ooken so it was in an upright position. Don’t worry, Gabriel and Alexis are safe on Devon. Tabitha won’t let them out of her sight.
Devon, First City, The Hexagon
Gabriel spoke first when Bethany Anne dropped the link. That was weird. Why would Mom call us out of the blue like that?
Alexis didn’t reply.
Gabriel touched her arm. Alexis? What’s wrong, are you okay?
Alexis glanced at Tabitha, who was waving them back to class. I saw where they are in Mom’s mind. The Ooken… There’s so many of them. I don’t want to go back to class, Gabriel.
Gabriel’s brow furrowed. One minute. He ran over to Tabitha, returning a moment later. I told her you were upset by Mom’s call. She said to get some rest and feel better.
Trey had paused in his kata when Alexis broke away. Gabriel gave him a thumbs-up and wrapped his arm around Alexis’ shoulders. “Come on, I’ll take you back to the ship.”
Alexis nodded glumly, allowing Gabriel to steer her out of the training area. That’s a good idea, but I can take myself, thanks.
Gabriel waited until they were out of sight before speaking again. We’re not going back to the ship so you can rest. We’re going to go help Mom and Dad.
Alexis shrugged off Gabriel’s arm. Are you crazy? She looked at her brother as though he were a Coke short of a six-pack. We can’t go tearing off to who-knows-where! I’m worried, but I know Mom and Dad have it handled.
Gabriel raised an eyebrow. Why else did Mom call us? Trust me, when we get to Mom and Dad, they’ll be glad to see us. All we have to do is persuade Izanami to take the ship out.
You have a point. Alexis sighed, seeing endless crystal towers again when she closed her eyes. Okay, I’m in.
That’s the spirit, Gabriel replied, making the turn for the elevator down to the underground hangar.
Are you sure we’re ready for this? Alexis fretted as they stood under the camera to be identified by Winstanley. It’s not training or the game. It’s a real war.
Sure I’m sure, Gabriel told her. The elevator arrived at their floor and he stepped in, looking back at Alexis. All we do is train, so we’re ready. We’ve got our armor, and it’s virtually Ooken-proof.
Okay… Alexis led them out into the hangar when the elevator doors opened again. Mom and Dad will be mad we snuck out, but if there are as many Ooken as you say, they really might need us as backup.
Gabriel leaned over Alexis’ shoulder to look in on her holo as they walked into the brightly-lit underground space. Look, I don’t like sneaking around any more than you do. If it helps, pretend we’re doing it as a covert ops assignment. Call Izanami, and follow my lead.
They paused for a moment while Alexis tapped her wrist holo to open a video link to the ship. Gabriel flashed a subdued grin when the AI’s avatar appeared above the screen in miniature. “Hey, it’s the prettiest, most deadly AI in the fleet.”
Izanami arched an eyebrow. “What mischief are you two up to this time?”
Gabriel smiled disarmingly. “No mischief. We’re on our way to the ship to pick up our armor.”
Alexis nodded. “Can you get the crates out of storage, please?”
Izanami tilted her head. “Your battle armor?”
“Yes, please,” Gabriel answered.
Alexis smiled. “Thank you, Izanami.” She grabbed Gabriel by the sleeve the instant the tiny hologram vanished. What’s your play here? she demanded. I’m not taking another step until you tell me how you intend to get Izanami to take us to the Ooken planet.
Gabriel grinned. Relax, all we have to do is talk about how many Ooken there are and how concerned we are for Mom’s safety. Izanami is imprinted on Mom now, and she will get so angry that she’ll forget we’re onboard and tear off to her rescue.
Alexis rolled her eyes at how pleased with himself Gabriel sounded. It’s not the worst plan. Izanami is very protective of Mom. She began tapping on her wrist holo again.
Gabriel shuffled on the spot. What are you doing? We need to get going.
Just a second…aaand�
��done. You’ll thank me, I promise. Alexis set off across the hangar. Come on, then. We haven’t got all day.
Gabriel narrowed his eyes at his sister. What did you do?
Alexis grinned. I got something from network command to help us. I have a better idea than trying to lie to Izanami.
I didn’t say we should lie to her, Gabriel protested. What do you think we should go with?
Um, how about the truth? Alexis dropped the grin when they neared the ship and she spotted the ramp descending in preparation for their arrival. There’s no need for deception. Well, not a lot of deception. Maybe an exaggeration to smooth the way, but nothing that will get us in trouble. It’s for a good reason, and besides, what you’re planning is much, much worse.
Gabriel shrugged. Fine, but if you think either of us is getting out of this without being punished, you’re kidding yourself.
Alexis snorted. Want to bet? We’re both going to be in a world of hurt when it’s over. I’m relying on Mom and Dad being so mad at you for stealing the ship that when they decide to cut their losses and kill one of us as an object lesson, I get to live.
That’s never going to happen, Gabriel shot back. You know I’m the favorite. I just want you to know that when Mom finally settles on somewhere to live, I’ll really enjoy having all that space to myself.
Alexis snickered and punched her brother in the arm. Yeah, right. You’d be so lost without me it would be tragic to watch.
They mounted the ramp and headed straight to the armory, where Izanami’s avatar waited for them at the door. “I did not realize you had full-contact combat on your schedule today,” she remarked.
Alexis looked up at Izanami with wide eyes. “We don’t. Can you keep a secret?”
Izanami’s aura flickered. “That would depend on whether the secret being kept would result in someone being harmed.”
Alexis shook her head. “No, nothing like that. I broke the rules about spying, and I wish I hadn’t.”
Izanami tilted her head. “I am not surprised, child. I will hear your secret.”
Alexis’ bottom lip trembled slightly. “Mom called us, and I peeked and saw where she and Dad are. She said that they’re fine, but I know they’re in trouble. Then I hacked network command to find out what’s really happening out there. It’s bad, Izanami.”
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