The Relics- The Keystone Trilogy - Part 1

by Michael K. Damron

  Bridgett gave her a solemn, tearful look, saying nothing.

  “Alexie, I don’t want you to have to see this! Stay back!” said John.

  The medics, who were leaning over, simultaneously shifted upright and began shaking their heads.

  “It’s too late, sir . . . he’s gone,” one of them said.

  As they moved away, Alexie’s line of sight caught a glimpse of what she feared most. On the ground, lifeless and cold, was Jack’s body. She fell to her knees as Bridgett ran to her and hugged her tight. Butch and the twins soon entered the room, giving an audible gasp when they saw the scene before them. Alexie became inconsolable as Garnet and Ferra ran to join Bridgett in comforting her. The others in the room could do nothing more in the moment than succumb to the shock and despair that came with being exposed to such a tragedy.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  HARNESSING INFINITE POSSIBILITIES

  Alexie’s friends implored her to stay behind while John and Richard went with the medics as they moved Jack’s covered body upstairs, but their words went unheeded. She followed close behind the gurney until it was parked in its final position a short distance from where Marcel rested. The other Searchers came into the ward through the stairwell door and gathered close to mourn the loss of their friend. As they stood there, after a short time, Marcel began to regain consciousness.

  “G-guys? Am I really back at the facility?” he said, wincing in pain.

  Some of the Searchers reflexively shouted his name in surprise when hearing his voice and, in response, ran to his bedside.

  “I’m so glad you’re with us again,” said John.

  “It’s true,” said Bridgett. “You arrived in pretty bad shape.”

  “How did I get here? Did you rescue me and Jack from the rogues?”

  Marcel could see the tension from his question begin to reveal itself on the faces of those around him. He locked eyes with Alexie, who couldn’t help but fix her gaze on Jack’s body. His attention became drawn to the same spot.

  “Is that . . . Did they . . .”

  “You were lucky to survive the rogues’ torture,” said John. “But Jack . . . They must have known about his potential and put an end to him before he could become a problem.”

  Marcel couldn’t believe it. “No. No! He was fine. I remember him being okay before blacking out. Those damned rogues are monsters. They ripped the exo from my body. I’ve never felt anything more excruciating.”

  “How did they do it? I didn’t think it would be possible without killing the person it was attached to,” said Richard.

  “It was some kind of gadget—a handheld piece of tech that forcibly extracted the exo.”

  “A device they made themselves?”

  “I guess so,” said Marcel. “They may be more clever than we thought. Who knows what else they could surprise us with? We need to act fast and put an end to them. I don’t want what happened to me or Jack happen to anyone else. I still can’t believe the rogues killed him. We have to stop them!”

  “All in due time,” said John. “We won’t let them get away with what they’ve done, but—”

  “No buts!” Marcel interjected, swinging his legs to the side of the hospital bed, looking as if he were going to spring up. “The rogues went from being a nuisance to an actual threat. We have to retaliate! If not for my sake, then for Jack’s.”

  “Marcel, lay back down, you need to continue recovering,” said John.

  “Recover! Have you seen my back! I’m in severe pain. What I need is another exo to replace my old one so I can help with the fight against the rogues.”

  “In due time, Marcel,” said John.

  “Will you just shut up,” said Alexie, her voice cutting through the conversation. “Don’t claim going after the rogues is for Jack’s sake. You want revenge for what they did to you, no matter the cost. We’ve already lost Jack and his father. How many more Searcher lives are you willing to sacrifice to get your vengeance?”

  Her intense eyes gave Marcel pause, causing him to fall silent. She looked at Jack’s sheet-covered body once more before walking away.

  “She’ll realize soon that retaliation is necessary,” said Marcel.

  “No, she needs time,” said Bridgett. “She was traumatized when she saw Jack’s body. We all were, but especially her. Just . . . keep recovering and try to not stick your foot in your mouth around Alexie.”

  Bridgett and the twins also exited the floor, leaving John and the remaining Searcher men behind.

  “I didn’t mean to upset anyone,” said Marcel.

  “I know you didn’t,” said Butch. “We also want you back in action.”

  “We’ll get started thinking on what to do next right away,” said Richard.

  “In the meantime, Marcel, you must be hungry,” said John.

  “Starving, actually,” he responded.

  “I’ll bring you up something from the kitchen. Richard, Butch, stay and talk with him if you don’t mind. When I come back, I’d like to know how things transpired in the Catacombs that led to your capture. Any new information could be crucial in planning our next move.”

  Jack became confused for a moment as he opened his eyes the next morning. He wondered if everything that happened to him was a dream. When he saw his surroundings and noticed the scar on his forearm where the rogues removed his citizen chip, he began coming back to reality. While he rubbed his eyes and prepared to get out of bed, another telepathic message from Alexie connected with his mind.

  Jack! I can’t believe it! Did my cognitive link actually reach you? I miss you too!

  He was elated to hear from her again and amazed they were able to communicate over such a vast distance. Before leaving the room and starting his day, he took the time to focus and respond to Alexie’s message.

  I plan to see you and the other Searchers again soon. I don’t know when, but I’m trying my best. And I heard the rogues gave Marcel back to you. I’m sorry he was returned in such a rough state. I did my best to keep him from getting hurt. Please don’t worry about me. I’m doing okay. I hope you are too.

  Jack finally stood to his feet and walked from the house to the garden. Thoughts of everything that happened the day before still ricocheted around his head. He found the garden to be the one peaceful oasis in the midst of the turmoil around him. As he approached the first footbridge, Jack saw Takeru standing near the stream edge with a woman at his side. They watched as the bear form of Takeru’s familiar played near the water’s edge.

  “Ah, Jack, it’s a beautiful morning today,” he said. “I hope you slept well. This lovely woman is my wife, Kanna. I don’t believe the two of you have gotten the chance to formerly meet.”

  “I’ve heard much about you,” said Kanna. “Lovely to meet you.”

  “You as well. So, Takeru and Kanna, what do you make of all this? How were you convinced to help with the cause and become a rogue?”

  “A ‘rogue’ is simply your word—the Searchers’ word—for describing what we are,” said Takeru. “You can call us that, but we consider ourselves benevolent actors. Our goal is to prevent a reprobate like the Archon from using the relics for evil intentions. For me, the journey began when Mark found my genetic information in a database and saw that I’d be a perfect candidate for joining his movement and become part of the resistance. I was skeptical at first, so I declined the invitation until I did my own research. You see, the land we’re currently standing on is my family’s estate, one that has been passed down for generations. I was once privy to the inner workings of the elite class—those who run the government at the highest level. After talking to various friends I still have connections with, I found out that Mark’s claims about this Archon character and his Polemarchs were, in fact, part of a truth that’s been purposely hidden from the general public. After talking with Kanna, we decided to give asylum to Mark and anyone else who was to help put an end to the Archon’s plans. I soon decided to integrate with an exo and train with Mark a
nd your father. It wasn’t long before I discovered the power these ancient relics possess. They’re incredible, and need to be wielded by those with only good intentions. I believe everything happens for a reason, which is why my purpose in joining Mark’s resistance could very well be to help put an end to the Archon’s evil scheme.”

  “It seems to have been an interesting series of events that led you here,” said Jack.

  “Indeed, it has,” said Takeru.

  “Speaking of the relics being wielded by someone with good intentions, I’m worried we’ll have to go against Rakiten at some point. I’ve seen a small portion of his power, and I believe he could be a real threat. As far as I know, he’s had an exo attached to him longer than anyone else.”

  “I echo your worry,” said Takeru. “I think Rakiten is who we should fear most. But if we can take him out, the Archon will be left exposed.”

  “You boys are always speaking of these great trials you’ll have to go through with the enemy,” said Kanna. “I don’t like hearing about it, not one bit. I’m worried great harm will come to you.”

  “Kanna, please, you know what could happen if we idly stood by and did nothing.”

  “I know, Takeru,” she said, furrowing her brow. “I just don’t want to lose you or see any of our new friends come to harm.”

  “Me either, dear,” said Takeru.

  The voice of John suddenly called out from several meters behind them.

  “There you are, Jack. Let’s get you inside so we can have some breakfast together. I have a lot to show you today, so an early start would be good.”

  “And so it begins,” said Takeru, patting Jack on the shoulder. “From what I’ve been told, I don’t think it’ll take long to get you up to speed.”

  “Thank you,” said Jack. “It was nice talking with you and your wife.”

  “The pleasure has been ours, Jack,” said Kanna.

  Jack walked over to his father, who ushered him inside the house.

  “Well, Son, what do you say, some breakfast sounds good, doesn’t it?”

  “Yeah, it does,” said Jack. “What do you have to eat around here?”

  “Eat here? Oh, no, it’s been too long since I’ve been able to sit and talk with you. We’re going out for breakfast.”

  “Out! Shouldn’t we be keeping ourselves hidden away?”

  “From most places, yes,” said James. “But there’s a few locations that’s so remote, they’re pretty safe bets.”

  James pulled a warp crystal from one of his coat pockets and wrapped his arm around Jack. With the crystal pointed downward, a portal opened beneath them and they fell through. As they were ejected from the portal at the crystal’s anchor point, James helped keep his son upright so he didn’t fall on the cold ground.

  “Geez, Dad, a little warning next time would be nice. Where are we, anyway?”

  “We’re at the backside of Niilo’s Place in Finland, a great restaurant and bar. Nigel and I take some of the others here for a good meal from time to time.”

  The two of them walked inside and were seated with their breakfast orders promptly taken. Their drinks came fast to the table while they waited on the food to be prepared.

  “So, my boy, I see you ordered a coffee,” said James.

  “Yeah, I enjoy having one every now and then.”

  “Now, it’s conceivable that different versions of you in other realities ordered a variety of different drinks, wouldn’t you agree?”

  “Um, sure, I’d say the odds would be very good in a multi-reality scenario,” said Jack.

  “Here’s the kicker: the exo you’re wearing allows you access to all of those realities and switch things in one reality for another.”

  “Come again?” said Jack, not quite understanding what his father was trying to say.

  James held up his orange juice in front of Jack and, in an instant, transformed it into a hot cup of coffee.

  “What! How? Where did that come from? Another reality!” said Jack.

  “That’s right. To put it simply, another version of me ordered coffee while I had orange juice in this reality. Now I have his drink and he has mine.”

  “But . . . wouldn’t he try to switch the drink back with you?” said Jack, still amazed at what he saw.

  “Yes, most likely,” said James. “The thing is, if he were to grab a coffee again from another reality, his exo would pull the drink from an infinity of other realities where I ordered coffee. The odds of him succeeding with switching the orange juice I gave him back for his exact cup of coffee would be slim to none.”

  “Okay, I’m grasping what you’re saying, Dad. But what if the other James didn’t have an exo or know anything about this stuff? He’d think he was going insane.”

  “You’d be right, if that was the case. But think about it for a second. The only way I’d be having breakfast right here, at this moment, in Finland of all places, is if I was also having breakfast with another version of you, which means I traveled there via a warp crystal and exo abilities.”

  “It seems like a bit of a calculated gamble,” said Jack.

  “That’s true, which is why you should only do reality switching or transitioning when you deem it absolutely necessary. It’s not something to trifle with.”

  “Is transitioning the same as the switching you just showed me?” said Jack.

  “No it’s . . . a bit more involved.”

  James had to pause the conversation as their waitress brought the food to the table. Her face contorted into a confused expression when she saw two coffees on the table.

  “If you need anything else, please let me know,” she said before walking away.

  “How is a transition more involved?” said Jack.

  “It’s more involved because you are literally traveling to another reality when you do it. You’re stepping out of the one you occupy and entering a new one where another version of yourself may exist,” said James.

  “I would think doing that could be dangerous.”

  “It most definitely could be,” said James. “When you step into a parallel reality, after a short time, you can feel something deep inside yourself that reminds you you’re not in your home reality. It’s a kind of tingling feeling. Also, there’s always some differences in other realities you step into that you can’t plan or account for. It could literally be anything from how people pay for things to the way they dress and even some of the slang they use.”

  “How long is it before you start to have the strange feeling you’re talking about? Hours?” said Jack.

  “Sometimes days, other times minutes. We don’t yet know what causes the fluctuations, but you’ll feel it deep down when you step into another reality.”

  “I see,” said Jack. “I mean, I guess I see. As far as switching goes, how can you make something change to something else in an instant? Do you see all options at once and the pick and choose what you want?”

  “Oh, goodness no, Son. The infinite number of choices would be too much to deal with. Your exo does all the work for you. If you focus and physically touch what you want to change, then think of what you’d rather have in its place, your exo will make the switch happen if another version of you in a parallel reality chose what you’re looking for.”

  “Ah, I think I’m starting to understand,” said Jack, picking at his breakfast food.

  James could see the sorrow still lingering on his son’s face, which concerned him.

  “Okay, Jack, I have an idea.”

  He touched both of their coffees and converted them into mimosas. James handed one to Jack and they brought the glasses together so a clinking sound emitted, as if they were toasting to something.

  “Son, I’d like to apologize for not being around as much as some of your friends’ dads were. I was always wrapped up in my work, even before the whole crazy relics and Searcher division stuff started happening. I had no idea things would become as insane as they have, but I’m glad you, your mother, and I are all
back together again.”

  “Thanks, Dad,” said Jack, clinking his glass against his father’s once more and taking a drink. “This is the first time we’ve ever drank together, you know.”

  “Is it really the first time? We didn’t do this when you came of age?”

  “Afraid not. You were busy, but said you’d make it up to me. Better late than never,” he said, downing the rest of his mimosa.

  “I really am sorry,” said James. “Is there anything else I can answer for you—anything you’re still curious about?”

  “How long will it take for me to learn how to do what you just showed me with the reality switching and transitioning and whatnot?”

  “I’m glad you asked, Jack,” he said, beginning to fish around in his coat pockets until he pulled out a small cylinder with a needle and safety tip attached. “This is a syringe filled with a special serum, developed from a recipe we found with the help of Wren and Freya. To put it simply, after the substance within circulates through your body, it will allow you to gain access to some of your exo’s untapped, raw power.”

  “. . . You want to inject me with a serum? That sounds sketchy as hell,” said Jack.

  “I know, I know, normally I’d say don’t put a mysterious substance in your body, but this helps your mind reach the right headspace to delve deeper into the exo’s capabilities.”

  Jack shifted his gaze in silence from the syringe to his father’s eyes, not knowing what to do. The waitress came back to the table to take the cups and plates away. For a brief moment, she paused to look at the new glasses that replaced the coffee mugs she swore were originally there.

  “Don’t worry, miss,” said James. “You’re doing fine. I’m going to leave you a nice tip.”

  “Th-th-thank you, sir,” she said, stacking everything together and making a quick stride to the kitchen.

  “We should continue our conversation outside,” said James, leaving cash to pay for the meal.

  They walked a short distance away to a long bench and sat down, Jack leaving plenty of space between him and his father.