Birth Of A Goddess Page 3

  Novia held her arms out, allowing them to sense the surroundings like Li during night-sight. There was movement not far from the entrance but Novia was unsure what she was seeing.

  “The night-sight is much clearer when not wearing your wrap,” Li's familiar voice filtered through the brush as she approached.

  “I have not mastered staying warm without my winter wrap,” Novia defended. “Nor have I conquered my sense of modesty.”

  “Modesty is only insecurity without a purpose,” Li argued.

  “Well, my winter wrap serves both purposes,” Novia concluded.

  “Both?” Li asked as she stepped through the heavy brush into the entrance.

  Novia handed Li her winter wrap. “Warmth and security.” Novia ended the debate. Both women chuckled at their banter. “I will assume your meeting with the howlers was successful?”

  “Night-singers,” Li corrected. “They do not just make noise. When you sense their thoughts and intentions within the sounds, you come to understand the songs they sing are quite beautiful.”

  “Okay--night-singers. You came to an understanding?”

  “We had a positive exchange--yes,” Li said as she redressed. She turned and stared out the entry a moment--an action not missed by Novia.

  “Problem?”

  “I don't know,” Li said with reserved concern. “I sensed something while I was out there earlier.”

  “Longtail? Long Claw?” Novia wondered.

  “No--something--not of this Earth.”

  “Corporate?” Novia felt concerned. “It has been many Luna'Rai since the last sighting.”

  Li took a long breath. “I think--possibly--Cain.”

  “He's here?” Novia tried to look past Li and out the entry, as though she might see Cain right there.

  “I don't think so. I saw a dark mass--”

  “We've talked about the teachings of rogue spirits,” Novia said. “Some are just lost spirits, nothing to be afraid of.”

  “I had a sense of familiarity with this one. I believe this was a manifestation of Cain--he's getting stronger. He is trying to reach me through any means possible.”

  “We'll consult the rings and--”

  “I don't believe the rings will have anything that will help now. I just have to be more vigilant--watchful, for as long as I can.”

  “Then what?” Novia felt compelled to ask. “Even the guardian trainers have said you have mastered all of the defensive training they have to offer--”

  “Then I will do what will be necessary to protect the Clans--”

  “What--leave?”

  “If that is what is needed-- yes I will leave.”

  “You can't be serious--”

  “To protect all here, all those I keep dear to me, all those I love--I will do whatever necessary to keep you all safe.”

  Novia grasped Li by the forearm. “WE--we will protect everyone! I will not let you face that monster on your own.”

  Li reached over with a gentle stroke and wiped away the moisture tracing down Novia's cheek. “Please promise me--promise you will let go when the time has come?”

  “If it means at the cost of your life--I don't know that I can make that promise.”

  “I need you to trust me--I will not allow Cain to harm the clans; I will not allow Cain to harm you again. There may come a time I will need to face him--”

  “And do what?”

  “I don't know. I just need to try to be ready for when that time comes,” Li glanced out the entry.

  *** “Where is Presley1477--” Kutch stopped, not catching himself in time.

  “Troy!” Alex scolded.

  “I know, I know. I'm sorry. It's only been a few weeks since all the changes--I just slipped up for a second. It still feels strange not calling them by their Elv--”

  “Careful!”

  “--OTHER names,” Kutch continued with more care.

  “You've got to be more careful...you can never be sure where there might be audio sensors. The new security scanning protocols are tuned for those words and phrases,” Alex reminded Kutch. She gave the landing platform another hard examination and proximity scan. “Troy said he will be here.”

  ::The local Corporate security team for the production line we vacated, has just been notified of the

  unauthorized entry use by two line operators. I surmise that report would be about us,:: Sid announced.

  ::I believe you would be correct, Sid,:: Kutch assured. “Well Johan didn't take long to report our hasty exit,” Kutch relayed.

  “I know, I heard Sid too,” Alex said under her breath. She didn't want to admit it, but she was becoming concerned as well. Standing out in the open on a landing platform waiting for a ride out with a Corporate security team arriving soon, did not produce the most comfortable feeling.

  “How much longer do we wait?” Kutch felt the need to ask.

  “Hang on, I'm getting a secure inbound,” Alex whispered.

  “I'm not getting any--”

  Alex held her hand up. “Troy has been rerouted. He's not going to be able to meet us here at this point. Apparently our hasty exit has caused several alerts, he's not able to get any closer than level 15. We'll have to try to reach him.”

  Kutch looked across the hundred-meter-wide landing platform to the large-level indicator placard--Level 4,568. The artificial planet was just over seven thousand kilometers in diameter, pocked with thousands of flight channels to the interior, several going all the way to the power core. Kutch stepped to the edge of the platform and glanced up. This cavernous flight channel was several kilometers in diameter and leading up to the surface levels seemed to simply disappear into the distance. The channel was filled with various craft, moving in what, Kutch felt was a chaotic and unruly manner. When he looked down, he guessed there were only a couple thousand levels before reaching the immense power core comprising the vast center of the artificial planet. Kutch gave Alex a serious look of disbelief. “You are joking--”

  “We need to hurry, he's not sure how long he can wait there for us,” Alex advised.

  ::Sid, where's the closest lift?::

  ::All lift activity has been suspended on this production quadrant,:: Sid announced.

  “Plunkgrease!”

  “Agreed,” Alex huffed. “Tactical has found the closest lift to our left in the next production quadrant, only six kilometers over.”

  “There are too many people back on the main corridor, I don't think that would be a good idea.”

  “That's why we're going to head straight over.” Alex pointed across the platform to a narrow ledge leading out along the outer edge.

  “Now I KNOW you're joking!”

  “That will be our best and quickest route over. Besides, there will be nobody to bother us.”

  “For good reason!” Kutch protested. He leaned out once more to see the ledge followed along the main structure, outlining the flight channel, only a meter wide, with no safety rail. “There's--what, three hundred meters between levels, and easily a couple thousand levels down--”

  Alex interrupted.“Only fourteen hundred and thirtytwo levels down to the power core.”

  “I seriously doubt that ledge was designed for foot traffic,” Kutch continued his argument.

  Alex stopped and gave the look that Kutch hated. That was the look that ended arguments, and not in his favor. “NO! No you don't--not the look! You don't get to use that here!” Kutch protested.

  ::I have intercepted another security alert. A Corporate security team is on their way to this platform,:: Sid reported.

  ::ETA?::

  ::Three minutes.:: Kutch noted Sid's concerned tone.

  Alex pursed her lips and raised a brow, asserting further that this argument was now, indeed, over.

  “The ledge it is,” Kutch sighed.

  *** A small portion of the very dark and quiet Delphinus Prime Station flickered back to life as the transport pad reactivated. The first of the five member Corporate Security team,
Ensign Polk, took a step off the transport pad, and made an immediate recovery of his footing from the unexpected slick, dark brown-red fluid covering the decking. He guided the rest of his new team off the pad with care as they each appeared and stepped onto the coated flooring of the darkened facility.

  “Hydraulics?” Polk asked after a few minutes, giving his team members some time to adjust and get their bearings.

  “My sensor readings are coming back with a biofluid signature,” the first member announced with some concern.

  “Officer Ked, that analysis would seem off point. The amount of fluid covering the decking here, and further down the passageways would be far more biofluid than reasonably possible,” Polk admonished his young team member. Ensign Polk had been a Corporate Security Officer for nearly a hundred years, passed up for promotion on many occasions. This command would be his best opportunity to rectify that problem in his slow moving career. He was determined to lead his team to great distinction.

  “That's what MY sensor readings are indicating,” another officer announced.

  “Me too.”

  “Yeah, me too,” the final two female officers followed.

  Polk sighed. This new team placed in his command was straight out of the training simulators, only a few months at best. Polk made a mental note with his AI to reserve further training upon their return, then pulled out his own external proximity scanner. He scowled at his own scanner results--biofluids.

  “I'm not getting any toxicity levels,” Officer Ked reported as he tried to keep his balance on the slippery deck.

  “Officers Mica, Ked, Nico and Riel--front and center. Equipment check. This can't be correct--there must be another explanation,” Polk ordered with his best official tone as team lead.

  “Diagnostics clear,” Nico answered first, attempting to demonstrate her competence.

  “Mica?” Polk asked.

  “Clear.”

  “Ked.”

  “Clear.”

  “Riel?”

  “Uh--” Riel paused rechecking one more time to be sure. The rest of the team rolled their eyes at his response.“Clear--sir.”

  Polk too, reran the diagnostics on his external proximity scanner. All was clear. This was not making any sense. However, one other point had come to Polk's direct realization--there did not appear to be anyone on board the station.

  ::Everyone must have evacuated this portion of the station,:: Tia4, Polk's AI appraised.

  ::Check station systems, all internal communications channels,:: Polk ordered.

  ::No response,:: Tia4 reported.

  “Sir?” Ked asked unsure what their orders were.

  “At ease team--at ease.”

  ::Station roster numbers?::

  ::Twenty-two hundred and fifty-three registered and in transit personnel, along with thirty-four hundred and fifteen station AI's and system programs at the time of the signal loss,:: Tia4 reported.

  Polk looked around the transport pad receiving area. ::This facility should be packed with people,::Polk surmised. “Attention team, split up and begin a stationwide personnel search.”

  “Yes, SIR,” they all returned in unison.

  “Sir, who are we searching for?” Mica asked.

  “Anyone,” Polk answered.

  “YES, SIR,” they all sounded off in unison once more, before each turning toward a different passageway out of the receiving room.

  ::Shall I prepare a report?:: Tia4 asked.

  ::Not yet. I would like to have a few more details to actually report first.::

  “Sir!” Ked sounded off first, not getting very far away. “I may have found something.” The rest of the team followed Polk. Ked was pointing to a pile of material in a dark corner of the receiving area. “My sensor says more biomaterials,” Ked reported.

  Polk pulled his proximity scanner out.

  ::Bio based calcium, and various tissues including hair,:: Tia4 analyzed. Everyone else was getting his or her own read-out and analysis as well.

  Mica was the first, stepping away and spewing the contents of her stomach across the decking in churning agony. Ked followed, with at least an attempt to hold it in, only to have his stomach contents spill out over his hands and down the front of his jumper uniform. Nico and Riel turned away also losing the their last meal.

  ::These are non-contained human bio remains,:: Tia4 announced cold. Polk fought hard the urge churning in his own stomach, but eventually lost the battle just like everyone else on his team.

  ::There are not enough materials here to account for all of the missing personnel,:: Tia4 calculated.

  Polk coughed up more stomach content and spit it out. “Team, hold yourselves together. We still have many missing or unaccounted-for personnel on this station somewhere--continue the search and report all anomalies and findings immediately!”

  *** Ten meters onto the ledge was a stanchion that nearly blocked the way. With a little effort they were able to squeeze by, stepping around with extreme caution, holding tight, to keep from dropping off.

  ::Can you see how much further?:: Kutch asked, regaining surer footing just past the stanchion.

  ::A long way.::Alex's tone left Kutch's mouth dry. ::Stay still, be quiet!:: Alex hushed over the channel.

  Kutch stopped moving. He could hear the muffled security team just on the other side of the stanchion on the flight deck platform.

  ::Can you hear them? I don't want to take a chance with a tap,:: Alex asked holding still on the ledge. A larger craft cruised headed up only a few meters away. The rush of air that followed jostled them both hard. Kutch was able to grab a part of the stanchion and Alex took hold of Kutch's long coat until the air settled again.

  ::I think they are saying something about--'nobody would be crazy enough to go out on the ledge!'::

  ::Ha--ha...:: Alex replied.

  ::No really, I think I heard them say something about a support request.:: Kutch said, trying to listen from around the stanchion.

  ::Are they leaving?::

  ::I don't think so--no, someone said they'll wait for backup before continuing the search.::

  Even through all the craft noise in the cavernous flight channel, Kutch could hear Alex's sigh, although he wasn't sure if it was because of the close call eluding the security team, or because she and Kutch would have to continue across the ledge.

  ::Then we continue--the operational lift is still several thousand meters away,::Alex said, giving Kutch a gentle tug to follow.

  The bulkhead where the ledge was attached offered a few hand-holds in the form of various odd structures and components, as the air currents from passing craft provided a continuous hazardous buffeting. Kutch followed Alex along the way, taking care to not look down over the ledge and focusing on his steps and hand-holds. There was no missing Alex's sudden stop at another stanchion, nor the extreme rushing noise coming from just past her.

  ::What's wrong?:: Kutch asked.

  ::A ventilation port.::

  ::So? Does that mean we'll get some fresh air?::

  ::Sure, I'm guessing at roughly two or three thousand KPI!::

  “Plunkgrease!”

  Alex turned back toward Kutch. “My thoughts exactly!” Alex yelled over the noise level.

  ::Any way around it?::

  Alex examined the bulkhead structure up and around, then peeked as far as she dare over the edge of the ledge below. ::No.::

  ::So we go back?::

  ::No.::

  Kutch gave Alex a hard glare, but she wasn't looking. “THEN WHAT?” Kutch yelled hard, just as the noise dissipated.

  “We cross when the shutters are closed, like they are now,” Alex explained.

  “WELL--how long are they closed for?”

  “THAT--is a very good question.”

  ::I have found the specifications for this ventilation system,::Alex’s logistics AI announced. Alex opened the channels to Kutch as well.

  ::Can they be shut down?:: Kutch asked.

  ::Excellent
question,::Alex offered.

  ::Not without severely compromising several support systems within this planetary quadrant,:: the logistics AI reported.

  ::Define 'severely compromise,'::Alex requested. Kutch gave her a scowl, shaking his head.

  ::The back-pressure if not released in a timely manner would blowout the superstructure within a four hundred meter radius, thus weakening the--::

  Kutch interrupted the logistics AI. ::We don't want to do that!::

  ::However, the ventilation system is on a timer,::

  Alex’s tactical AI reported.

  ::Can you find out the timing sequence?:: Kutch asked. ::Again--excellent question,:: Alex replied. Kutch

  wasn't sure if she was being sarcastic or not.

  ::Obtaining the sequence now,:: the logistics AI

  answered. Kutch felt a vibration from the bulkhead and

  the ledge, then a sudden increase in the sound of air

  rushing by--the ventilation system had opened already. ::The ventilation system cycles open for ten minutes,

  then cycles closed for thirty seconds to backfill several inline components, before cycling open again,:: the logistics

  AI reported.

  ::There!:: Kutch answered. ::We just wait again and

  cross when the ventilation is closed.::

  Alex gave a heavy sigh, and shoved Kutch next to the

  stanchion so he could see beyond. The ventilation port

  was forty meters tall and one hundred meters wide, with

  three sets of double-support stanchions spaced evenly

  across. They would have to maneuver around these

  obstacles on the narrow ledge.

  “Plunkgrease!”

  *** There was an eerie stillness--even with various station lighting and operations coming back on line. The absence of a couple thousand personnel bustling about was unnerving. Polk found a passage not soaked in biofluids and decided to investigate the possibilities of survivors to whatever this horrific event could have been. Even more horrific was the absence of cocoons to contain the human biomatter and fluids that were being found. Tia4 presented images from a Corporate Security case file from several fiscal years earlier of several unsolved incidents at Arcquius Resort. The bodies in those cases were still intact--unlike the evidence apparent here.