Tears of mirth rolled down Joshua Drake’s cheeks as he yanked the heavy length of cord back and forth. Before him, only several feet away, a snarling, spitting, five hundred pound cyclone of claws, fangs and bristle was doing its best to tear the offering to shreds.
Howling with glee, Joshua cried, “There’s a good lad! Go on, then. Bite it! Fight it! Teach it some respect!”
To the horror of some of the new arrivals looking on, the diminutive adolescent then took a running dive into the fray. Within moments, he had disappeared, swallowed into a whirling dervish of slashing talons and snapping incisors.
The cacophony of roaring and growling cut off, and suddenly, everything went still. In the ensuing silence, the form of the youngster could be seen, lying atop a very broad, furry spotted stomach. Two huge paws—far bigger than the boy’s skull—held him firmly in place, while massive jaws chewed on his throat, neck and the crown of his head. Remarkably, the child’s only injuries were a reddening of the skin around his exposed face and arms.
Joshua reached up and began scratching behind one of the beast’s ears. The massive creature beneath him closed its corresponding eye, bared its teeth in a lopsided grin and flopped heavily onto its side. As the deep and resonant rumbling of its pleasure grew louder and louder, so did the child’s laughter. Soon, their disparate vocalizations had woven together, swelling in the ether to form a crude form of harmonic union.
“Takes your breath away, doesn’t it?”
“Huh?” replied Sam Lee, one of the latest technical specialists to arrive on Kalliste. Morbidly fascinated by the interaction between teenager and predator, he had to drag his gaze away from the spectacle before him. Turning to the voice, he mumbled, “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
Waving toward the unbelievably playful Veran, Deputy Marshal Anatt Yasin repeated, “That! After your welcome briefing, it must take your breath away to discover these beasts can actually bond to humans like this. String has been the boy’s pet for over five years now.”
“Pet!” Gasped the startled scientist. “That thing is a pet?”
“Oh yes. And guard dog too . . . of sorts. Just wait until you see what the Adjutant Marshal has! Although I’d highly recommend you not go sticking your hand—or any other body part you value, for that matter—anywhere near the Quincha’s mouth. You’ll likely never see it again.”
Several bystanders who had overheard the conversation started to back away dubiously, unsure as to whether the Guardian commander was joking or not. Anatt herself tried to keep a straight face. She managed rather well until she made the mistake of glancing back toward the unrehearsed entertainment.
Joshua had managed to free himself and stand up. Having placed one of his hands into the bulbous thigh pocket of his combat trousers, he was now jumping from side to side and backward and forward, while jerking his elbow in the opposite direction every time he moved. As he did so, he hissed a series of challenges.
“Where is it? What is it?”
“Seek it out! Chomp it to bits!”
The huge predator looked like an overinflated kitten on steroids: eyes black as pitch; paws stretched out wide in front of it; backside high and proud; tail stiff as a flag; fur charged with static. String trembled on the verge of executing a killer pounce in response to every twitch Joshua made.
The scene was . . . ridiculous!
Exercising supreme self-control, Anatt called out, “Josh! When you’ve finished getting reacquainted, haul your ass over to my office. Find Bex and bring her along as well. We’ve got to go through the details of your survival training program before the next batch of arrivals get here. And don’t be too long, I’ve also got to find time to say goodbye to Naomi. She’s leaving on the Damocles within the hour.”
Will do! Joshua replied, not shifting his attention from the canny hunter in front of him, who had just launched itself into the air.
From the telepathic emanations flying to and fro between them, Anatt could discern String had tired of waiting for his master to remove his hand and show him what was in his pocket. Now he was going to do it for him.
That’ll hurt, she mused. Lucky for him String loves him so much? Ah yes. . .
That thought jogged her memory regarding an important issue: Oh, and Josh. Make sure you explain to String that your survival training week is just that. An opportunity to show us how your skills have progressed. He is not—under any circumstances—to follow you. Nor can he hunt for you . . . Is that clear?
Of course! Joshua replied indignantly.
I know you’ve been apart for a while. But it’s only going to be for seven days, so you won’t die! Then you’ll have the whole of summer to enjoy before you have to return for Induction. Okay?
No problem!
Anatt gave an inward sigh of satisfaction as she saw Joshua call a halt to the games.
The moment he squatted down in a cross-legged position, the cat to follow suit. In String’s case, he sat bolt upright, like a giant version of an Egyptian hieroglyph, staring at his master. Anatt couldn’t help but smile as she noticed the similar pose each adopted, with their heads kinked over to the same side.
A mental conversation was obviously underway.
Good lads! She thought.
Seeing the interaction between the pair reminded Anatt of the warm affections of her own pet Guppa, Felix. I think I’ll go find him, and see what he’s left in my boots for me today!
*
Andrew and Victoria crossed the geodesic boundary at a rush, eager to see why their father had called them all the way out here, to the one place in the entire universe that now filled them with pangs of regret.
Adam had been spending longer and longer away from his duties over the past five years, preparing for his transubstantiation. To help facilitate the change into another creation entirely, it had been necessary to construct a cosmic gravity well; a dark matter artifice that would reproduce the exact conditions experienced by a super massive giant star during its death throes.
No easy feat.
But ease of transition didn’t come into it, for Adam was aware that to stand any chance of taking his oldest friend’s place as the anchor to this galaxy, he would need to build up an excess of power and sufficient elemental density to guarantee the subsequent mass-to-speed-of-collapse compression ratio curved spacetime enough to spawn a fully-fledged rotating black hole.
Andrew and Victoria had been intrigued by his work. However, having been forced to shoulder the increasing burden of their father’s chaotic schedule, they rarely had the time to intrude on what he had come to view as his private sanctum.
Regardless, all such things were forgotten the moment the twins coalesced.
Adam was waiting for them. All fourteen feet of him in overwhelmingly glorious brilliance. But he wasn’t alone!
Their excitement gave way to alarm.
What the hell? Andrew automatically began scanning their father’s companions. Five transcended beings he had never met before.
His immediate impression was of a variance that somehow tasted at odds with the usual energies generated by higher intellects: Do you see that, Vic? They’re not . . . they’re not actually ascendant!
Troubled, Andrew glided in front of his sister and glanced toward his father. The fact Adam was completely at ease in the company of these mysterious strangers did little to calm his nerves. Victoria must have felt the same, for her screens slammed into place.
Ignoring their reactions, the quintet gravitated forward, clearly impatient to make their acquaintance.
Cautiously, the entities reached out, their queries remaining both guarded and yet insistent. Andrew tensed slightly as gentle probes flowed around the extremities of his form. Using his passive compliance as an impetus, they moved onto Victoria.
When no objections were forthcoming, those probes became more daring and personal, almost enthusiastic in their seeming desire to uncover and examine new and vital stimuli.
Father! Andrew called out, boldly, keeping his tone level: Who are your friends? And without being rude . . . what are they?
The mental overlay of a warm and loving smile filled the twins’ perceptions.
You tell me, son, Adam replied, simultaneously signaling for forbearance from the unknown group: What do you think they are?
Andrew studied his father’s associates again, and discerned the presence of his mystery watcher. Helloooo? So what’s the connection?
Keeping his discovery to himself, he reflexively projected benevolence and reassurance their way before increasing the refinement of his interrogation: Please excuse me. I mean no harm. It’s just that I’ve never met anyone like you before.
As he spoke, Andrew reached out surreptitiously to link with his sister so she could share in his analysis.
Each of the five entities was possessed of a similar potency. Instead of being roughly humanoid in shape, they flared and arced through myriad abstract shapes and designs. Intuition told him that this was completely normal for them, and that they were used to adopting whatever configuration suited their purpose at any given time.
Their substance was also confounding. Between ten to eleven feet in height, width or circumference—dependent upon their mood—their astral brilliance did not seem to match their potential. What was more, they radiated an otherworldly, semi-translucent composition, as if none of them truly belong in this reality.
To Andrew’s senses, it appeared as if they were somehow mere representations of what they once were; shadows of their former selves who now epitomized an unnaturally modified structure.
For a second time, Andrew received an inkling they had somehow descended into their present constitution as opposed to ascending into it.
Unbidden, a flash of insight sharpened his acuity. A thrill surged through his complexus, staining his nimbus scarlet.
What? What’s wrong? Victoria demanded, forming an instant screen about them. The subspace medium thrummed as she began drawing energy.
Andrew rushed to cool her ardor: No harm, sis! No harm. Hang on a second . . . I’ve got a hunch.
Addressing the entities, he asked a question that aptly certified his suspicions: Have any of you ever worn human form?
Sentiments of fellowship, and the delight of long-held secrets uncovered pattered around him like raindrops through a canopy of thick foliage. The refreshing shower was drowned out almost immediately by a stronger wave of heartfelt approval from his father.
One of the egos trilled: I tried it once. . .
Andrew received a hit regarding a masculine identity: Aslan-di’el.
. . .It was most . . . edifying. But very restrictive. I don’t know how you manage to endure such a limited biological template.
Moving closer, Aslan-di’el breathed: But then again, I perceive it is part of who you are. And what makes you so unique. Yes?
The blatant examination continued unabashed, despite Victoria’s increasing attempts to hold it at bay. Somehow, the intuitive, and nonthreatening fascination of all five entities combined aided them in disarming most of her defenses.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Andy? She gasped: How are they doing that?
Aslan-di’el moved to placate them both: Forgive our audaciousness, but we have never met individuals with such unusual complexi. You should not exist. Yet, here you are!
Sending to his sister along her intimate mode, Andrew advised: Drop your shields, Vic. Just relax and let them in to take a look.
To Aslan-di’el, he replied: Shouldn’t exist? That’s a bit rich, coming from a real life angel in the flesh . . . or should I say, in the essence?
Former angel, Aslan-di’el emphasized, a tinge of regret clouding his glittering overlay: I do not deserve such a designation now. My former prestige among the Lower Echelon was forsaken when I became tainted by Tartarus.
The Fallen crowded around, their eagerness giving way to rare excitement as they realized the incongruous pair before them was granting unprecedented access.
Submitting to the imposition, Victoria glanced Andrew’s way. In turn, Andrew looked to his father for advice as to how best deal with the situation.
Adam radiated patience. They complied.
The process was surprisingly invasive, and soon, they felt as if every facet of their lives and existence had been picked out and held up to scrutiny.
Nevertheless, the experience appeared to be a two-way thing. In no time at all, the twins had discovered all they needed to know about Aslan-di’el, Gaia-le’el, Gazad-riel, Ocean-az’el, and Olinda.
It was an astounding revelation.
Although darkened, the group retained many memories of the higher realm. An existence that was so vast, and so exceedingly different, that neither Andrew nor Victoria were equipped to fully understand what they saw. Living, breathing paradoxes they may be, but the twins had been born human before maturing into their exalted hybrid states. Therefore, they had no point of reference upon which to make sense of many of the visions they were privileged to partake in.
Even so, not everything remained beyond their comprehension.
Through the Fallen, Andrew and Victoria were able to distinguish who these creatures had been and what they were capable of in their natural condition. Miraculously, they had also beheld the grandeur of their father, and witnessed for the first time the astounding role he played as part of the Celestial Host.
Calmly, Adam said: You begin to understand, at last, why I must return. Not only does that sphere call to the very core of my soul, but every second I’m away, the risk I represent increases. For this realm and all life in it! If I succumb to darkness, the end of all things may yet occur.
Father! They gasped in unison.
Speaking directly to the Fallen, Adam said: Have you measured them?
Ocean-az’el brightened in response: As eldest of the five, I stand as spokesperson. They have indeed been assessed, Sachael-Za-Ad’hem. Though still adolescents, we find them adequate. We are prepared to follow where they lead. Upon maturation, Andrew will provide the bridge to Unification, as foreseen.
As foreseen. Adam intoned.
Sachael-Za-Ad’hem? Victoria quizzed.
A name, title and designation I bore a very long time ago, my Daughter. And one I hope to be worthy of again one day.
Andrew was choc full of questions. Heroically, he managed to strangle most of them down: So you did anticipate our existence all those eons ago? The influence we would exert? The difference our lives would bring to the outworking of your purposes?
Actually, Son, no! Adam replied: As I’ve mentioned to you both previously, you were a complete surprise. A blessing that caught us all off guard. We were Fallen. Alien to this level of existence despite the changes wrought upon us. Physical conception should not have been possible. Think about it! Could you imagine what would happen if fallen angels were allowed to engender a super race?
So, what was it you foresaw so clearly?
Unification! For some reason, that particular probability strand outshone all the others. I didn’t understand why until your mother fell pregnant. Your existence had been closed to me until the moment of your conception. Only then was the full majesty of your influence revealed, for something never before comprehended had been produced. A gift that bridged the divide between worlds! Between realms! You were to be a conduit in the service of the Prime Causality to His eternal praise.
Adam’s explanation only caused further confusion.
Victoria pressed for clarification: But what is Unification? You’ve only ever alluded to it before. What is it exactly?
So quietly, his answer verged on silence, Adam replied: It is a symposium of the Most High with His creation. The present realization of the future’s past. A Diaspora of purity to the furthest reaches of the cosmos. . .
Then to everyone present, he continued more loudly: The rest will be revealed when the time is right. To divulge such matters now, and without the proper precautions would involve too great a risk.
Indicating the gathered Fallen, he expounded: My kindred have each been entrusted with a portion of the causational probability matrix—a theotet—that will eventually engender the final phase of maturation. When the time comes, look to them. Their combined wisdom and guidance will provide you with the final key. Act decisively, for humankind will be counting on you!
Despite the stabilizing influence of their link, the twins were left floundering.
Even so, Andrew retained the presence of mind to detect a subtle undertone in his father’s thoughts: You speak as if you’ll be leaving us soon?
I will be. Adam affirmed: And here’s the rub. I can’t tell you exactly when that will be. For all my precognitive finesse, I . . . I find my destiny growing more and more. . .
What? Tell us!
. . .The closer I step to destiny’s door, the more insubstantial my future becomes.
The twins strengthened the bond meshing them together, desperate not to let their emotions run away with them.
Noting their discomfort, Gaia-le’el was spurred to offer a welcome distraction: If I may? I am the entity whose construct you so recently visited. I understand you were moved by the tranquility of its nature?
Yes we were, Victoria responded, answering for both Andrew and herself: It was an amazing feat. You must be very proud.
Gaia-le’el glowed a vibrant peachy-burgundy color at the compliment: You are most kind. It provides much satisfaction, knowing I support the future goals Sachael-Za-Ad’hem has . . . er, Adam, has foreseen. However, it is a work in progress. I have two other systems that are much closer to maturation. They would provide a welcome respite from your concerns while you come to terms with the implications of these latest . . . I believe you use the term, bombshells?
Thank you, Victoria replied: That would be wonderful. I think we’ll both need time to adjust to all . . . all this!
That is good. Perhaps I could also persuade you to travel there by the ethodesic tau network your brother espied? We constructed it shortly after our arrival on this plane. It is an exhilarating way to travel the intergalactic medium, for it removes the necessity for continued concentration and allows time for personal reflection. You will discover the process to be a little slower than teleportation, but really, who cares when there is no requirement to rush?
Taking their reticence as a sign to proceed, Gaia-le’el summoned an inlet tributary. Then, after enfolding the traumatized siblings within the weave of her ancient nexus, she ushered them gently toward the entrance: Allow me to be your guide as we journey ahead and prepare a welcome. The others will follow shortly. Though keen to build a rapport, they wish to ensure you are both afforded a period of personal reflection to absorb the implications of what you have been told.
Recovering from his shock, Andrew’s retort was a little sharper than he’d have liked: Thank you, Gaia-le’el. That’s very kind. But to be honest, I don’t think an eternity of reflection would help us prepare adequately for what we’ve got to deal with!
*
In truth, the act of translocation was over almost as soon as it began. And yet for the travelers, that instant seemed to stretch on for an eternity.
One second, they had been rushing toward the shimmering gray curtain of the gateway, and the next, a multicolored void folded in on them from a million different points of the compass at once. Reality spun on a dime, and then a disconcerting feeling of being stretched and contracted at the same time catapulted them forward across the event horizon.
The pain of a thousand needles exploding behind their eyeballs signaled the moment they crossed between thresholds. A fresh blinding light sent their senses reeling despite the protective filters. Before they could recover, each soul experienced the sensation of a swarm of insects skittering across their skin. Then it was over.
A better sense of perspective returned as the imposing bulk of Kalliste blocked out the nearby star’s intensity. Only then did the passengers aboard the G.S.S. Damocles start to relax, their temporary discomfort all but forgotten.
The contrast was startling.
As the craft decelerated, the bright disc of a nearby heavenly body curved toward them as if on a collision course. Its minty-silver whorls clashed starkly with the clouds still visible along the horizon of the planet below. Veering away at the last moment, the Damocles swept in the direction of a huge facility, cunningly positioned between the orbits of Kalliste’s two moons.
Nicknamed the Gauntlet, Star Base Solaris 1, did indeed look like a heraldic hand, looming out of the darkness to snatch at unwary travelers and drag them away into the depths of space. As they bore down on it, passengers craned their necks out of the viewports to see if the fingers of that armored glove might actually move to snare them as they came to a stop between two of the outstretched digits.
Of course, they didn’t. The only sign of activity came from duel bubble pods placed atop stanchions positioned at the extremity of each spoke. Glowing faintly, those bubbles emitted hazy tractors beams which latched onto the ship and slowly—inch by torturous inch—maneuvered the Damocles into her berth. Once frozen in position, telescopic airlock ports extended from the base to form a hard seal.
The captain’s voice issued from overhead speakers. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are now completing the docking procedure with Solaris One. Please remain seated until the red lights above your seats have been extinguished. This will signify that a mutual gravity field has been established and that it is safe to proceed. Also, I would ask you to remember, ambient conditions aboard the star base are similar to those found on Kalliste itself. Barometric pressure will be almost half as much as you are used to, and the variant mix of atmospheric gases may cause some of you to become a little nauseous to begin with. If you experience any discomfort, please ensure to notify your section heads. Thank you for flying aboard the Damocles. Enjoy your stay.”
No sooner had the announcement ended, than the red lights went out and the cabin interior exploded into a frenzy of activity as the new arrivals rushed to collect their belongings. All that is, except for three!
Lei Yeung made a show of appearing frail, keeping his head bowed and gaze averted. Nonetheless, his mind was much more active, and engaged in tense conversation: What can you sense?
His female companion replied first: The old shards are close by. Although the newer ones overshadow their potential by several orders of magnitude, I retain sufficient familiarity with them to be able to home-in on their precise locations.
And?
Esther concentrated, closing her eyes to the other passengers as if she too was struggling to deal with a headache. A heartbeat later, a grin broke her countenance.
Aaand? Yeung repeated.
One is being kept planet-side. It looks as if they’re preparing to incorporate it into their local travel pad network, much as we did on old Kalliste.
What about its counterpart?
Oh, that’s much closer, my friend. Turning in her seat until she faced toward the central hub of the base, Esther continued: It’s about half a mile that way! She focused more precisely, adding: And judging from all the activity down by the core, it will shortly form an essential part of Solaris One’s defensive grid.
Addressing their final traveling companion, Yeung asked: Simon?
Simon Cooper blinked as if waking from a nap, shook his head, then delivered his summary: There are only five entities we need to worry about. One will be leaving shortly when this vessel completes its return voyage. The timing of our arrival is fortuitous. The hour of her expansion draws near. Just as well! She holds a . . . a most dreadful capacity. Thankfully, that will be one less hurdle to overcome when our schemes manifest. . .
. . .From what I can determine, another one is newly transcended, though she is remarkably stable for a newborn. No doubt, we have our nemeses’ arcane machinations to thank for that! She’s in the planetary mesosphere as we speak, employing her elemental alpha attributes to assist in ongoing atmospheric modifications.
Who are the others? Yeung pressed.
Those damned kids and the bitch from hell!
Yeung stifled a snigger at the rather apt description of the Deputy Marshal: Their presence here is unfortunate, but don’t worry. From what Jose has told us, the children will be otherwise engaged when we first get down there, due to their preparations for the forthcoming semester at the Academy. With all the coming and going that will necessitate, they will be separated for most of the time and out of our hair. But, if an opportunity presents itself, you might need to consider the boy. His perceptiveness displays a highly developed precognitive sensitivity. Such ability must not be allowed to mature. Agreed?
Agreed! Simon and Esther confirmed in unison.
That only leaves the Hell-Queen! She is someone we must tiptoe very carefully around. Providentially, your new psi-dents appear to be effective, otherwise I have no doubt we’d have all been fried where we sit. I will be keeping Her Highness busy, don’t you worry. My VIP status allows me to make a nuisance of myself, so I’ll demand quite a lot of her attention over the next week, to ensure she’s in totally the wrong place at exactly the right time. Both of you should be able to complete your assigned tasks with the minimum of fuss.
So, you don’t envisage any of the transcended clowns presenting a problem? Esther inquired: Despite the upgrades added to their psyches.
No! Our countermeasures are proving more than up to the task. In any event, I had the foresight to list you as Yeung Tec CEOs from different divisions. You are both established scientists and renowned experts in your fields. As such, that will grant you a great deal of flexibility to move around here unencumbered by protocol. If you see an area you’d like to offer your particular expertise on, I’m sure it will be gratefully received by Guardian and civilian staff alike. Especially the normals! Although, if I may suggest? Simon, concentrate your particular efforts ground-side. You’re a known shape-shifter, so no one will bat an eyelid if you want to disappear off to study the wildlife. It will afford an excellent opportunity to dispose of the child.
Esther. You might like to offer your skills with the installation of the new defensive grid? No doubt some will view that as . . . unusual. So be helpful—very helpful where the civilian staff are concerned. If they see you as a problem fixer, word will soon spread and our hosts will be more inclined to accept your kind suggestions in other areas.
Sounds like a plan! She chirped merrily.
Just then, a Guardian Master entered the compartment and walked along the aisle toward them. “Is everything alright? Most of the other passengers have left and I noticed you were still in your seats.”
“Perfectly alright, young fellow,” Yeung replied, waving away the Guardian’s query. “I’m just an old man who forgets that, sometimes, I need to take it easy. The experience of such a big jump made me feel rather unsettled for a while there, but my aides have fixed me up quite nicely.”
The Guardian’s eyes narrowed: Ah, you’re Lei Yeung, the philanthropist! Welcome to Kalliste and Solaris One. Your reputation precedes you. Once you’ve settled in, Deputy Marshal Yasin has extended an invitation to dine with her tonight. Nodding toward Simon and Esther, he added: Your assistants included. She would be fascinated to see what you think of the place, and open to any ideas that might improve efficiency.
Rolling his eyes, the Guardian joked: She sooo loves her efficiency!
So I have heard, Yeung replied, smiling: A woman after my own heart! Please inform your Deputy Marshal we look forward to meeting with her later tonight. But first, would you be so kind as to direct us where to go?
Certainly! Follow me, and I’ll take you to your rooms personally. Glancing back, the Guardian added: Tell you what! I’m off duty in an hour. If you fancy an unofficial tour of the base before dinner, just give me a call, and I’ll show you around.
Yeung struggled to keep a straight face: You know, we just might take you up on that offer . . . If we’re not too tired of course.