Weslan herded a small group of dog-like creatures into the experimentation room. He could treat them like pets now that he and all Reed’s soldiers—he now understood their true background—had been sprayed with pheromones.
He shook out some dried meat chunks into the palm of his hand, and waited patiently as the hideous animals helped themselves, before waiting in vain for a scratch behind the ear.
Weslan despised himself for his cowardice. Everyone he had ever respected, his father, his teachers, the vaunted Helvetic technocrats, had lied to him. They had preached to him about the fundamental goodness of man, and that was a lie. They had told him he would be able to influence the people that mattered, or persuade them with reason, and they had lied about that too.
Allana Rayker had slipped past the guardians of Rackeye’s elite, and now she would cut all their throats. The best that any of Weslan’s peers could do was flee the planet, if they got a warning.
He thought about Fayel, from time to time, wondering if Rayker would let her live. Or would she murder her just as brutally as she had Stellan, for no other reason than to watch another part of his mind shatter like fragile crystal? It all came down to her whim.
Weslan left the experiment room, sealing the door behind him. Down the corridor, a few of Reed’s men were preparing a cage containing a giant, bison-like subject, a bull, for the day’s demonstration.
More than anything, Weslan despised the soldiers. Their ‘bravery’ was nothing but vacuous swagger. Whatever pretense of righteousness led them to justify killing innocents was only the product of pure ignorance, or Rayker’s lies. Perhaps, his mind argued, as it sought frantically to find self-justification, they were the real cowards, and he was the brave one. After all, he was at least honest about his helplessness, and his desperation to survive. Wasn’t that what all living things wanted?
Weslan decided that he alone could understand the epiphany he had experienced in the weeks since Stellan’s death. Humans were evil. They would destroy anything good their species created, out of the fear that, someday, they might complete the edifice of civilization and all be held to account. For all the Helvetic League’s noble proclamations about their great society, it was a dream they only loved from a distance. The willingness of their soldiers to work with a monster like Rayker proved that much.
Weslan’s hands trembled as he brought up a data pad from his pocket and checked the parameters of the test.
How could a soul like his find anything positive in life, even if he survived his captivity? That could only be the beginning of ignorance and death. Now, he told himself, he would resolve to have no qualms about the work he was forced to complete. What difference did it make in a universe where morality was nothing more than the opiate of the masses?
He joined Captain Reed, who had been waiting patiently for him in the observation room. Once Weslan had verified his cameras were recording, he pushed a switch to initiate a sample delivery.
The cage was pushed into the cavern, and the smaller creatures stopped what they were doing to focus on it. They began to howl and scream, circling the newcomer, obviously searching for an opportunity to attack.
“I’ve tagged the big one with a target scent, so they see him as their prey,” Weslan explained to Reed, his voice hoarse. His reflection in the mirror that morning had been gaunt and haggard, and he felt like he had aged a few years too many.
Reed only nodded.
“You’ll note that the prey is much too large for them to take down,” Weslan continued calmly, as he pressed another switch.
The cage walls fell away, and the bull remained still, warily eyeing the circling pack. At first, they hesitated, but the more energetic pack leader barked at the others. They charged in, jumping and clawing at their foe.
The bull swatted the smaller attackers away easily. With a swipe of a foreleg, it smashed one into the ground, and bit the creature cleanly in two. The pack cowered back into the corners of the experiment room.
Their enemy charged, and the smaller creatures scattered. They kept their distance from it, circling carefully, watching for vulnerabilities. Occasionally, one would dart closer to test the bull’s reaction.
“We have programmed them to be rewarded by learning experiences,” Weslan continued. “In theory, they should adapt quickly.”
Again, Reed said nothing, and nodded.
Eventually, the pack split into two groups, the first snapping and barking in front of the bull, while the others moved quietly around behind it. With their enemy’s attention drawn away, the second group attacked, and this time they were able to catch the massive beast by surprise. It roared furiously as they swarmed onto its back and clawed its legs. The smaller animals sank their teeth into its throat and limbs as it tried to spin and dislodge them, to no avail. Eventually, the bull managed to kill one of them, ripping the frantic animal away with a strong bite before crushing its spine. But the pack’s jaws did their bloody work, and their victim collapsed onto its flank.
“A successful demonstration,” Weslan concluded, his voice shaking. He was making important strides, and it wouldn’t be long until he could put his own plan in motion. If he could find a way to limit control of the creatures to himself alone, he would be able to turn them on the soldiers.
But until that time he had to maintain the appearance of the obedient worker. “The pack’s adaptability relies on conserving the intelligence of the animals from before they were mutated,” he said. “Without that, they would charge mindlessly to their deaths. A stroke of genius from Madam Rayker.”
Weslan wanted to check Reed’s face to see if he was believed, but to do so would only demonstrate insecurity.
“You have demonstrated both elegant and sophisticated solutions, Weslan,” Reed said. “You obviously have a keen intellect.”
Weslan gave a tight smile. Reed always made sure to avoid any moral implications in his praise, obviously, so he wouldn’t get upset. “I am running short of test subjects. Where is the next batch?”
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Reed shook his head. “Not for a while, I’m afraid.”
“I must have more creatures if I am to make further refinements,” Weslan pleaded. “As you saw, they do not last long…”
“Of course, but there are other priorities for our resources. We expect another batch of animals within a few weeks.”
Weslan looked away. He yawned as exhaustion began to seep behind his eyes, but he shrugged away the feeling. No matter what, he couldn’t stop the work. There was no other way to get himself and the other researchers out of this nightmare.
“If I could work with the transformation device—” he began.
“Out of the question for the time being,” Reed said sternly. “But you’re making important breakthroughs. I’m sure you’ll have a lot of theoretical leads to pursue until we can provide you with more test subjects.”
Weslan nodded and kept his eyes lowered, avoiding Reed’s penetrating gaze. His plans were useless if he couldn’t have access to the control system for the nanite chamber. He had no choice but to try to earn the soldier’s trust. The idea didn’t even bother him. He would suffer any indignity if it gave him the chance to kill them.
Reed mulled his thoughts as he left the experiment room, heading for the engineering workshop. The young biologist had watched with visceral pleasure as his beasts had shown the intelligence needed to tear their larger, stronger foe to pieces. Now Weslan could only be waiting for the smallest opportunity to turn his obedient monsters on Reed and his men. If he were given access to the transformation chamber, he would probably program secret commands into the drone’s nervous systems. Seemingly docile creatures would turn on their masters with a word, or a finger snap.
As he often did when faced with possible conflict, Reed imagined the details of such a scenario while he walked. Three soldiers would be killed immediately—the survivors would have to retreat into the tunnels to use them as chokepoints. He would want to keep plenty of grenades on hand, and perhaps even the missiles could be used in the larger caverns…
Reed snapped himself out of the reverie. The possibility wasn’t worth his time—Weslan was too easy to control. However, the young man’s anger could be turned to Rayker’s advantage. Weslan’s attempts to outwit his captors would doubtless lead to more breakthroughs if they kept dangling hope in front of him. The team’s rapidly expanding army of killing machines, transformed from the vagrants and isolated farmers that Bell had kidnapped, would be continuously improved. Weslan would not get his chance for revenge, but his misguided rage could be exploited for a while longer.
But eventually he would break. A young man, not yet hardened to the cruel reality of his situation would eventually realize he was being manipulated. Once their position on Caldera was unassailable, Reed would have to dispose of him. Rackeye’s Helvetic elites would be outraged by the death of one of their prodigies. But when unstoppable, implacable super soldiers marched through the streets of their city, they would be forced to bend the knee.
The Helvetic Navy would send a fleet, but Caldera’s secret alien bases held weapons of immense destructive power. Rayker would triumph, and there would be a new force in the galaxy; young, energetic, and adaptable.
In the workshop she was working alongside another of their young researchers, Nastia Tatyana, analyzing one of the missiles they had disassembled on a workbench. Nastia was a pragmatic and flexible electronics engineer, who had seemed completely unconcerned when Reed had explained the alien nature of the technology. Indeed, the task positively excited the young woman.
“Here is the interface mechanism,” she said to Rayker as she pointed. “So, I believe these inputs here and here will allow us to attach our own control unit.”
Rayker smiled. “Good. And you have fully mapped the system?”
“Yes,” Nastia continued softly. “A fascinating machine. It uses a combination of radar and image recognition to identify and track its targets with an almost human level of intelligence. Combined with multi-spectral analysis, there is no vehicle that can hide from it, night or day.” She cocked her head. “But we must check carefully for unexpected bugs—it is always the case. I will work on this today.”
“Fantastic,” Rayker said, and patted Nastia on the shoulder. “I won’t waste any more of your time.”
The girl smiled. “It is a pleasure to see your interest in the project, Madam Rayker.”
“Do you think you will be able to instruct the soldiers in its use?”
“Yes. I believe so—if they are attentive.”
Rayker laughed. “They will be, or they will be punished.” She winked as she looked up at Reed.
A flicker of a smile danced across the young researcher’s face.
“That one is a gift,” Rayker said excitedly, as she left the engineering workshop with Reed. “She has even been able to activate the system that allows the seeker head to defeat most stealth technologies, giving us fully capable fire and forget missiles.”
Reed nodded. “I’m sure she is very valuable.”
“We must take her around to the other sites. I don’t believe there is a limit to what she is capable of deciphering. Wherever electrons flow, she can have them dancing on strings like puppets.” Her smile faded, replaced by an expression of concern. “How is Weslan’s project?”
“Progressing well. I suspect that he hopes to achieve total mastery of the drones so he can one day turn them against us.”
Rayker raised an eyebrow. “Yes, I’m sure. Rage is a potent driving force, especially for young men. You are keeping everything he does under close observation?”
“Of course.”
They walked in silence for a moment, then Reed cleared his throat.
Rayker stopped and turned to look at him. “Your men haven’t checked in?” she asked.
Reed shook his head sadly. “It’s been several hours. We must consider the worst-case scenario.”
Rayker looked off into the distance as a deadly calm settled over her. “What were they doing at the university?”
“Somebody was looking for Weslan—somebody who seemed to know a lot about him, and who hopped the security barrier to get in.”
“Who?”
“One of the students identified her as Kayla Barnes; an Academy graduate, apparently.”
Rayker cursed. “That damned Academy has always been a black box. I’ve long suspected that it’s a front for an intelligence operation close to the central committee, but I can’t prove anything.”
She tapped her foot. “I received a call from Cardinal Crayland today. She informed me that she has been successful in pushing Merris out of the Adjudicate’s operations. She also warned me that he retains many of his allies and may be inclined to turn to them.”
Reed crossed his arms. “What do you think he is capable of?”
“A powerful man, angry, betrayed, and humiliated—anything, probably.” Rayker sighed. “We will not long be able to remain here in secret.”
Reed scratched his chin. “We know that Weslan had a relationship with another Academy graduate, but she hasn’t been sighted on Caldera.”
“No, of course, that would be far too obvious. But the Barnes girl won’t be alone—there could be a full operational team snooping around.”
“I will instruct the men to begin preparations for an assault.”
Rayker nodded. “The Rackeye site is the greatest risk. Have your men bury the entrance and retreat inside.”
“They’ll find it, eventually.”
Rayker nodded. “Obviously, so make sure it is well barricaded. Disable the teleportation device remotely.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“And I have no doubt that, with all the disappearances in the region, they will eventually discover this site, too.”
Reed whipped out a tablet and began inspecting the base’s blueprints. “I have a defensive plan ready. Bell’s field team, of course, will stay out amongst the farms, to keep an eye out for anyone sniffing around.”
“Yes,” Rayker said distantly. “I want you to block off all the extraneous corridors between the mountain side doorway and the teleporter. Canalize the route.”
Reed was puzzled. “That isn’t the most defensible area and would bring any assaulters dangerously close to the labs.”
Rayker’s lips twisted into the hint of a smirk. “Defense is not always found in firepower, Reed. Don’t they teach you that in Special Forces training?”