Lydon sighed with relief as he and Grant stood before a pair of open giant doors. He had to ask him some questions.
“Hey Grant, have you seen anything sketchy recently?”
“Sketchy? You know what kind of stuff shows up in there right?”
“Well yeah. I mean anything—”
“We got the top brass bringing things down from space. Giant shipments coming in all covered and mysterious. Books, shirts, you know all that good stuff. Even have some of those sick twisted body converts that get dropped off sometimes.”
“I—” Cut off, Grant was bringing the heat.
“Let me tell you it is not pleasant hearing those suckers scream under the crackle of molten lava. Hell, the weirdest thing I saw was a small band of folks bringing in what looked to be something like a-uh a giant beaver. Like why in the world would you do that?”
I have no idea. Would have paid to see this giant beaver though. Lydon thought.
“Just leave them in the water now or bury the poor soul. Pretty weird right?” Grant finished, putting his goggles over his face.
“Yeah, man. That is odd. Weird, but have you seen any discolored things or creatures that do not belong here? Like the Tulere?”
Grant stiffened up and he stammered.
“L-let's keep go-go, going. Let’s walk on and talk about it. You will hear all about it on the way.”
Both of them turned and went into the forge. Inside, the vastness could not be understated. The true size of the forge was that of several cities. Roads inside lead many miles to the other stations and sub divisions. Here, they landed closer to their destination, the giant scrapyard. Towers of concrete buildings crumbled and scattered. Miles of salvage, as far as the eye could see.
Lydon stopped and stuffed his hands into his pockets. The sight of a giant floating magnet on a designated path floated by. Tethered behind it was a giant space shuttle part. It rotated up a small incline behind them and deeper into the forge it went.
One day I would love to ride on one of those. Lydon thought.
Lydon flashed a peace sign and took off to the barricade before the yard.
With a single robotic booth on the side, they stood inside the flashing lights going horizontal side to side. A visage of a shark showed up in front of them and Lydon tried to hide his excitement. Its entire body was made out of copper scraps.
“Welcome! Today we are having a twenty percent discount in honor of the sunken vessel V.L stormwave. Entry free is also waved today. Do you need assistance through the yard?” It asked.
“No, we are good, thank you. Got a spot in mind.” Grant said.
“Okay. If you need anything feel free to connect via your Holoframes and we can assist you. Have a good day!”
“WAIT!” Lydon shouted.
“Yes?” The AI hologram replied.
“Is it possible I can get you in souvenir form? That would be AWESOME!” Lydon said. He went up to the booth with a wild smile. Sunglasses off and teeth flashing off the iron and steel.
“I am glad you enjoy one of our mascots for the yard. Of course! It will cost you five dials.”
“DEAL.” Lydon said. At the top of his lungs. Screws and bolts shook loose, as he slammed his down on the booth.
“Please step over to the booth and pay with your holoframe. It will only take a moment to put together. Anything else?”
“Nope. That is everything!”
“Thank you for your patronage. Happy scavenging!”
The shark turned and swam through the air, its projection fading away. Lydon went over and paid. While he was doing that, the shark began to form inside the booth. Lydon heard and felt the ground shift under his feet. Copper pieces flew up from the bottom and smashed into each other.The inside of the booth briefly changed colors as Lydon’s shark was formed. After the collision was over, it was safe to grab. Taking it in his hands, he treated it like gold.
“Are you happy over there?” said.
“Am I happy? I am THRILLED! Let's go!” Lydon said. His voice reached higher octaves.
Lydon and Grant both pulled out their holoframes. Receiving a message at the same time from Tobias.
“Wow.” Grant said.
“Wow indeed. He is moving fast isn’t he?” Lydon said. Both of them stood there for a moment. Machines much higher above them sawed off steel. That was then shipped off into the heart of the forge. To be melted down. Rust ate over most of this area. The smell of oil and coolant took their nostrils by force.
“Can't blame him. She is pretty.” Grant said.
“Seconded. Tsunami waves huh, odd choice but that is easily doable.” “
Off to the right was an old ship graveyard full of parts. There was some really nice equipment left over from the past battles. Cannons, guns, rations, not to mention the ship parts themselves. Brigadiers often attempted to smuggle parts out of the yard with distractions. Every item inside the scrapyard was traceable when moved. A self containing log of all movements controlled by the AI.
Lydon kept glancing at him every once in a while. He was not working, so why did he have the goggles on? Must be hiding something. Lydon thought.Grant pulled his goggles on tighter as they walked through a hallway of an abandoned twenty story building. Most of this area had been picked clean. Even the tiles on the ground, muddy patches remained. Miles in through a post apocalyptic setting, Grant got excited and surfed down a mud hill. Lydon watched the boulder of a man smoothly sail down.
Lydons feet sank into the mud as he followed after Grant.
What an unlucky step. I hate this place. He thought.
Before them the land was sectioned off into certain pieces. There was a path of old war machine parts. That caught their attention.
“Grant, buddy. You gotta spit it out.” Lydon said. He kept his hands in his pockets. Fidgeting every now and then, as stray machine parts rolled down heaps of salvage.
“What, now? I got no gum.” Grant said.
“What did you see and where? What stymied the hammer.” Lydon said, and quickly shared his story.
“Ok, you win. The first few nights back, I was working here in the forge and I saw something.” Grant said. It was impossible to see his reactions. Goggles blocked the way. Grant had kept a stone face most of the time. Even when he was cracking jokes.
“Very descriptive.” Lydon said.
“I am not done yet. They were short at first, but then the scene dragged out. Something came out of the fiery pit where I was smelting. It had so many limbs, man. I couldn’t count, to keep it short, it grasped me and drug me into its molten pit.” Grant said. His hands shook. As if he had struck an iron forge with no gloves on.
“That sounds like the worst way to go. Luckily I did not get dragged to the gates of hell.” Lyon said.
“It was terrible. Felt myself being turned to ash. Woke up and was fine. All of that fire and pain, quenched in an instant.” Grant said.
“Good god.” Lydon said.
Grant climbed up a tank and dropped inside the hatch. It was missing its treads, wheels and cannon. Lydon kept walking and looked at pieces of airplanes, more tanks, guns and all the usual war toys. At the end some newer technology was sitting in the mud. Most likely from failed vessels for Grayland’s forces. There was plenty here to make something for everyone. It was cool to the touch and was in really good shape.
Lydon caught something out of the corner of his eye, sticking out. He went over to the shape and began to dig. After tossing things aside, he found the top of a scorpion-like tail. The tail alone was about the same height as him. Cold and gray, it remained motionless. It must just have come partly visible in the past few weeks. Lydon dug his hands into the scrap. Dirt, muck and oil covered his hands. Parts and cogs rolled noisily as he cleared the debris. Just as they had spoken about at the station, one of them stood. A giant scorpion. The barb curled over its back. Dark and light bronze etched its body. Its pincers lay dormant to its sides.
Well its eyes are not red. Should be able to break this down for us to use. These suckers must be rather sturdy, To last this long. Lydon thought. He took out his holoframe and summoned his best new best friend. He waved the holoframe over the technology he wanted. It scanned and brought up prices for him. One more scan, over the Idle one. Choosing immediate delivery, Lydon paid five hundred Dials for everything. A complete steal. Giant magnets similar to the one taking the shuttle, descended and attached to his purchases. With no parting words, the magnets speed off to delivery. It would drop them off at his home. A few more pieces would go a long way. Back at the tank Grant's goggles were on his head and he was clearly lost in thought. Lydon came up and poked his bald head. He reached back to swipe it away, but missed.
“Any luck in there? Lydon asked.
“Found a couple of things, no big score yet and you?” Grant replied.
“Heck yeah, I got tons of parts for armor I believe, and an Idle one.” Lydon said.
“Nice got some good stuff wait wha—” Grant said.
“An Idle one? Back here? Are you serious? That can’t be good.”
He jumped to his feet and drew his gloves over his hands tightly. Balled into a fist, he was ready to fight.
“Did not even think about it. If my place gets raised and torn to bits don’t worry. It will be fine. Just make sure to check your notifications for a bill, form me.” Lydon said. His cheeks went up. Mouth opened revealing his teeth.
“You dirty trickster.” Grant said.
“Oh yeah, don't forget to send anything you find to my place.” Lydon said.“
“Are you sure you want to risk bringing it back? What if it wakes up, or I don’t know, leaks poison gas and kills us.” Grant said.
“I should have enough security at home to take it out. If they are even effective..” Lydon said.
“Let’s hope it's slumber is not disturbed then.” Grant said. He pulled himself out of the tank and sat on the edge.
“Sharky will protect us all.” Lydon said.
Lydon watched as he jumped off the tank. Dirt scattered as Grant's boots met the dirt. Bayonets stick out of the ground of all sizes, some chipped, some pristine. Lydon looked at Grant's beaten hands. Torn, burnt, calluses and scars. After spending nearly two decades at the forge, it had worn them down, but he couldn’t stop.
He had apparently enjoyed the work. Although his flesh got seared and the skin stretched and torn. All freak accidents of course. If he was going to lose more than that, he may as well go down swinging. With no specific pieces in mind, Grant decided on getting assortments of random parts. The bayonets, cannon balls, a few swords, guns and parts of a new age bow and arrow.
“What say you a visit to the broken expanse?” Lydon asked somberly.
“If that's what you want bud. We can take a shortcut, just gotta go back up.” Grant said.
“Let's go ahead.” Lydon said.
The two cut through a blown out side of a building near the top and went down a sharp incline. A pair of curious eyes watching them, followed behind. Paws of stealth, Onyx ears perked back swiftly cut down the path of fallen buildings. All the way down the incline there were plenty of things that distracted him. Falling debris from above, to old systems lighting up making a decent amount of noise. Old prototypes of the first human and machine scream out their last dying codes and thoughts into the air. Lydon and Grant froze and so did he. Those screams are wretched and unsettling. Not many ended up here these days. They could have dug their way out of miles and miles of rubble. Just to see the surface and fade. Another omen most certainly.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Lydon adjusted his glasses and spat on the ground.
Damn ghost. He thought. He saw that past leaning buildings, glimpses of water could be seen. Between the small glimpses was a wasteland of ships. The water was shallow and stretched on for who knows how long. Old wood crushed and shattered on the shore. Boats upon boats. An eternal highway jam. Onyx saw something move in one of the boats. A lobster. With a loud snap of wood, he jumped on top. The noise surprised Lydon and Grant once more and they shot around to see what had happened.
All of their eyes meet. Onyx stared at Lydon with the lobster in his mouth.
“Onyx, boy! How in the, what how did you get out here? Tobias is probably looking for you. Oh man, he is going to sock me.” Lydon said.
The lobster flailed, as its tail was currently caught in a slobbering mouth.
“Put the poor fellow down! Right now it really is not edible for you. If you get sick, the blood will be on my hands.” Lydon said. He smacked his hands together and smacked the boat with a hand..
With a whine, Onyx complied and dropped it. Snapping its claws at the fluff ball it hurried back into the water. Onyx looked at Lydon with a guilty face. Grant smirked behind his goggles.
“Did you notice him at all, Grant? When did he get in with us? How?” Lydon said.
”Your guess is as good as mine.” Grant replied.
“Alright stay close, Onyx. We will not be here very long.” Lydon said.
Through piles of driftwood and other floating debris, a wing stuck out. Broken,off in flight it lodged itself in one of the boats. Hulls of space shuttles, formed small pools in the shallows. Lydon ran his hands across faded letters. Ships that looked to have been cut in two. Halves were sticking slowly crumbling to the ground. Giant holes in the sides of them, as forge workers burrowed inside. Most of them simply blasted off, others smaller and just large enough for people to clear. Cargo containers lay stacked neatly. More rusting boats littering the sides. The water beneath their feet slowly rolled with the tides. Taking longer each time, which did feel strange.
In front of them lay another destroyed shuttle, lined with broken seats. Onyx started taking giant leaps, dashing among the mud. A light fog began to roll through the ships.
“Gotta ask Lydon, why did you want to come here?” Grant asked.
“Ah you know, just to take in the sights.” Lydon said. He sat down in one of the broken seats. He leaned back and stared at the sky.
“I Know what you are thinking about, you know that right?” Grant said.
“It must have been amazing up there, thrilling. I am still envious of them getting to see our world from above, or below. Whatever you want to call it.” Lydon said.
“I feel you. What a terrible way to go.” Grant said. He sat down on the opposite side of Lydon.
“Having the vessel explode on re-entry, man…” Grant said. He got lost in the moment. The gray sky above them. Just enough was visible through the forge.
“Bodies being thrown out in all directions, burning up in the atmosphere...” Lydon said. Then fell silent.
“Let’s not think too much about the gruesome details. One of the first groups to inspire us to spread out in the solar system. A giant thank you for all the inspiration.” Grant said.
“That’s why Travelers stairs still remain and are expanded upon. If I had a drink, I would toast to them, but this will do for now.” Lydon said, giving a salute.
Grant followed suit. Lydon stood up. The hand rest broke under his force. Lydon wandered off a little farther. A blueish and silver chain was wrapped around a broken mast. An anchor was at the end of it. The craftsman ship was excellent, as it showed no signs of rusting. How long it was out here was anyone's guess. Or whose was it, for that matter. Why leave it? It could have been an offering, parting gift or maybe even cursed.
Lydon was conflicted but was being drawn into it. He started to unravel it. It was lightweight in his hands. The anchor itself was a sullen gray. A perfect match for the area it resided. Grant had still been awestruck staring up into the clouds. Onyx had an old smoking pipe in his mouth. Lydon smiled but could not be bothered to take it away. The fog picked up its density. That had him worried. The Tulere could be lurking behind the veil. That signaled it was time to leave.
“Hey, boys. Let’s get out of here. Fog’s picking up. We do not want to find ourselves wandering through here.” Lydon said, wrapping the chain and anchor around his wrist. Grant bolted back to reality.
The silent expanse creaked and groaned as the water retreated. Hundreds of tiny feet rose out of the water. Their small eyes focused on them. Slowly following after them with their legs, they merged with the fog.
With the shipyard fading out of view, and passing through the collapsed buildings the fog lessened as they headed for the exit. A group of miners passed them, fully decked out head to toe with pickaxes and drills. A silent acknowledgement between the groups. The booth had a group of people buying some souvenirs.
A bulldozer made its way and passed through. Likely to be doing cleanup, as there was no driver inside. In the car Lydon kicked back and messaged everyone. If they wanted anything customized for tomorrow to drop by soon. His home was not too far from the Air-station. The giant floating like submarines pulled in and docked from a distance.
“Park outside, so the others will know where we are,” Lydon said to the AI.
“YA GOT IT!” The AI replied, setting them down in front of his house.
Most of the lights had been left on. Inside mechanized helpers took care of their purchases from the forge. One of them stepped out of the house. The wooden walls shimmering as it passed. A suit of armor came out to greet them. It had held its helmet in its hands.. Onyx charged right through the light barrier.
“Welcome back Master Lydon.”May I ask what the use for all of this war heavy equipment is?” The machine asked.
“Hey, Toaster, about to get our hands dirty.” Lydon said.
“You, of all people, getting your hands dirty? I just had an electric stroke. At the thought. Believe my nerve endings are shot.”
“Glad you find me so amusing.I am leaving tomorrow after we finish working here. So be sure to look after the place, there's a good chance I may not come back.” Lydon said.
“Well I must say, I will look forward to the potential and do whatever I please. Can transform this vessel into something far greater.” Toaster said. As the suit of armor walked through strands of holographic thread. The others followed.
“Sounds like you are turning into an Empyeral, mate. May have to dissemble you tonight!” Lydon said.
“No. Not that insane. If you do live. You will find out how great I've become.” Toaster said.
Grant tried to follow through, but the threads held him in place.
“Hey, Lydon!” Grant yelled out, stuck in a walking pose.
“Can’t move. Do you mind turning that bloody thing off?”
“My bad, my bad. One second.” Lydon said, spinning some lights at the end of his index finger until they dimmed.
Grant was then able to move through.
“Why do you keep that on? I doubt someone will actually break in now. Grant said.
“You never know. There are still bunches of crazies about.” Lydon said.
Lydon watched his helpers, mainly the flying ones to be sure they were not out of sorts. If they were to lose function while hovering, that would not be ideal. Could make someone blind with their blades.
They all made their way to the next room. Lydon put his holoframe in the charging station. With a soft “click” it scanned itself. No errors were found. It had made its trip back home safely through the airwaves In front of a solid brown wall Lydon said “Hold.”
Just as they entered the home the obstruction in front of them lifted to the ceiling. The next room had to be at least the size of a small warehouse. All the materials from the forge had been placed neatly on a large rectangular table that rose out from the floor. Just enough space for everything. The Idle one was not on the table. He had to adjust angles to see the tail hiding behind a piece of armor. A sigh of relief.
Time to gain a little ground here. We should be able to get some closure for you, Mathias. Lydon thought.
With the holoframe out, images of waves splashed into view. Waves towered menacingly above buildings. Lydon edited the image for just the waves. He scanned over their finds from the forge. Warping out of view, particles went through a camera on the ceiling.
“Engaged for assembly. When ready, select properties and location.” A voice rang from inside the walls.
“This will do just fine.” Lydon said, tapping a black piece of armor.
“Left to right for image position. Hold. Further adjustments need to be made.” He said.
Long arms folded out from above, wires dangling to the sides. They grasped the armor and held it up horizontally to the small camera above, which began to widen. It stretched out to be slightly bigger than selection. With a small focused laser, it began to draw the image on the armor.
“I totally have an idea for my helmet.” Grant said with a big smile.
“Burning axes. With a volcano, smoke rising on both sides.” He approached his welding mask. Gave it a knock for good luck and said-
“Send her on up.”
As the machine worked away, a smaller set of hands snatched the helmet and took it up. A smaller lens this time. Grant assorted the images and sent them through. Going through the same setup, he instructed where to put them.
Tobias had snuck through as the alarms had been turned off. Good thing for he did not feel like being trapped for an unknown amount of time. Quietly watching Lydon’s workers he folded his arms and watched sparks dance.
I hope we are ready for this. Whatever Lydon is able to cook up, better work. If it doesn't and there is a mishap. We will be done for. Tobias thought. He rubbed his ribs and chest. Underneath his skin, it was all bruised and purple. Before he got here, he stopped by the hospital to get checked out. It had not taken long to get seen. He heard some patients talking about how they got sick. One of them had drunk half a glass of water. Before finishing it off, they noticed black specs in their cups. It was like mold, sludgy. Needless to the effects kicked in fast.
In an empty room Tobias sat. It smelled sterile and was recently cleaned. He used the holoframe to list his symptoms on the hospital's website. Doing so would make the queue shorter. He was then instructed to lay down by a voice from within the walls. Suction cups stuck to his back from under the table. They forced him down gently. He had to stay still, as beams of light danced off his chest.
“Spine misalignment and cracked ribs. Starting protocol VI. Before the procedure starts, speak if you have any questions. Advanced machine techniques from Grayland will be used. If you are opposed to these methods, please speak now.” The voice said.
These wings of the hospital are sure advanced. Insmourn must be folding to Graylands technology advancements. Great and helpful as they are, are they the right choice? It is nice to be seen and treated efficiently. I do miss people for these kinds of things. Would assure and comfort us. Instead of the plain facts delivered in an uncaring, cold manner. Tobias though, as he said nothing in reply to the AI.
“Commencing procedure.” The AI said.
Tobias felt the suction cups pull and push on his skin. At first it was slow, until it picked up the pace. That's when the pain kicked in. Unable to move and having to suffer, he felt his spine move. His back cracked as it was pushed back into place. Then something pierce into his skin. These strands, fixing the back, injected steroids into his system. His body briefly lifted off the table, as a shock wave hit his frame. The strands held him firmly in place. Not letting further injury come. This sent the medicine scattered throughout his body. So it was not concentrated in one place.
Then as before, lasers came down from the ceiling. Long thin steel tubes got right up to his stomach. If he could feel anything right now, the touch of cold steel would have tickled. Instead it pressed up against his skin. A smaller laser beamed straight through his body. It started at the lungs first. The laser changed different colors inside his system. Each one sent in different particles to speed up the healing process. It took a little longer the further it went down. Blood had been leaking into the chest cavity. Another laser came down. It sucked out the blood.
Tobias felt the drugs in his system. He felt as if he was floating. The pain was lessening, if not already gone. Instruments retracted and went back into the walls.
“Please stay seated for ten minutes. One of the staff will assist you out. All procedure notes and summary will be uploaded to your medical files with Insmourn Care.” The AI said.
Tobias lied there in a stupor.
Tobias stopped messing with his chest. Better to let it heal than poke around. He took out the dragon hilt given to him. He wanted to know what the sword was made of. The curious green blade that had come out in the library, was currently dormant. Lydons machinery would be able to attach and detach, without destroying it. with. He sent his data and waited holding up the hilt. One of Lydon’s flying helpers came down to take it from him, politely holding out its mechanical claw. Tobias handed it over. It flew up to the top of the camera.
As it was taken, the machine did not respond for several seconds before saying:
“Error. Anomaly detected. Cannot detach material.”
“Error. Anomaly detected. Cannot detach material.”
“Error. Anomaly detected. Cannot detach material.”
The machine spoke. Its long silver claws trying to grasp the hilt.
The walls began to creak as the machine attempted to pry the hilt in two. Black dust poured out from the matching side. The dust circled the hilt, and did not disperse. As if it was guarding the sword.
“What is that thing made of? Oh man, I hope nothing is seriously broken.” Lydon said. He ran over to one of the walls that started to tear open. Sections of wall revealed the studs and wood inside. His head dashed from wall to wall.“
“I wish, that is what you get for convincing my dog to join you.” Tobias said.
“That's messed up, but fair enough.. ONYX?” Where are you? Come on out!” Lydon said.
In prompt fashion, Onyx peeked his head around the corner with a small robotic mouse in his mouth.
“NO! ROBERT! Not you! Who will clean up all the dust on the ground? Drop him boy!” Lydon said, racing over to him. Onyx turned and dashed away.
“That’s my boy. Sabotage complete.” Tobias said.
Lydon ran out of sight to the back.
The black dust had Tobias mesmerized. Like falling snow but in suspension, he thought.
Steel claws began to churn and melt away. The sword dislodged itself and fell straight down. It slid to Tobias feet. He picked it up and ran his fingers across the blade. It had been more solid than before.
Then he was in another place. Perhaps from another time. Fire licked the background of space. A corona filled in the surrounding sight.
Wait. Haven't I seen this before? When I was at Island fresh, when that monster took hold. The black sun, in the middle of the ocean. He thought.
He was in an ocean of stars. Whatever was blocking the sun's light, was not visible. The power of stars waned in and out, as the distant lights dimmed. Heat rushed by him, as his fingers held the hilt. Two long tendrils of shadow, black and gray wove their up sword. Those shapes coalesced and took shape as a dragon. Whiskers touched his face, as smoke blew past his face. Exhaling, the dragon gazed around it. Scales were pitch black and gray.
“Young one from another time…do you know what your fledgling fingers wield?” It said. Wings relaxed to their side.
Tobias lowered his head, looking the blade over.
“Just a parting gift, from my family.” He said.
“You do not lie. That is the truth. I have been held through many throughout time. None have tried to tear me apart in such a manner.” The dragon said.
“I apologize, truly. Wanted to know what the hilt was made of. If it could be replicated or something. Did not know it held a dragon, of all things inside.” Tobias said. His eyes meet the dragon. One eye focused on him. Piercing through his soul.
“No offense taken. Now that I have been brought about from my millennium long slumber. There is work to do.” The dragon said.
“This world has been using pieces of the starlight impact, recklessly. They build and build. This will only hasten the return of the dividers.”
“A divider, what is that? I know Empyreals build from the crater of the impact.” Tobias said.
“Aeon Dividers. A hungering force. Ancient beings, my kind, have been at war with, since the beginning.” The dragon said. Lifting its wings, it drew in a breath. Particles of energy danced in its mouth. Threatening to tear space.
“The ones trying to consume you in the dream. I have seen this as you have held me. Unpleasant.”
Tobias heard his name being called from somewhere in the void.
“It seems we must continue another time.”
Before Tobias could answer, the dragon turned back into shadows and slid down the sword. Once again forming the hilt.