A struggling city
I didn’t feel like writing for a while there. But now here’s a story…
…’cause FUCK hurricanes.
Damn it. This thing is ballooning outward. Must... streamline...
Ah, to hell with that. A toast to unfocused storytelling...
Bottoms up!
CONFRONTATION
Part 1 of 3
The moon shown brightly over the wide expanse of the Valley of Lost History. In the clearing in front of the Colony walls, the churning masses of dinosaurs pressed toward the entrances. Along the outer perimeter of the mixed-species herd the giant sauropods thundered and bellowed, keeping the meager human forces outside the Colony pushed back toward the forest where predators lay in wait. High above the treeline, a massive silhouette soared toward the Colony walls. The Skybax rushed over the open plains as the dinosaurs below screamed out alarm calls. Suddenly a cloud of pterosaurs erupted from the forest below and gave chase. But the Skybax had a strong lead, and they were slow to close the gap. Doctor Curare bent low over the creature’s back as they flew above the chaos of the Colony. He watched the raids of the dinosaurs filtering through the Colony, and spotted the first columns of violet ooze jet upwards as the Weeping announced itself to the weakened city. He scanned the Colony rapidly, trying to formulate a plan. Then he saw it. Not an object, but a pattern. The pattern.
The dinosaurs were attacking in coordinated patterns aimed at weakening specific regions of the Colony defense. Curare watched as mixed groups would gather at a particular spot and wait, almost seeming to stand guard of the position. As he watched, they would radiate away from a single spot, wreaking havoc and causing commotion. The Colonists would be drawn away from the spot. At least one dinosaur would stay at the gathering place, often hidden, keeping vigil. Curare could now see that the focal points were arranged in a jagged yet definite line, leading directly from the entrance gate towards… Mount Jennifer. He was trying to piece it together when he heard the deafening screech behind him. He turned to see a pterodactyl snatched out of the sky behind them by a thin tendril of the Weeping, which dragged the struggling animal into the pool of darkness below. The pterosaurs had gained on the Skybax because of the extra weight, and would soon intercept them. Curare gave a sharp whistle and the Skybax banked hard. A graceful Rhamphorhyncus moved to intercept, its needle-like teeth glistening in the moonlight. Curare patted the Skybax twice on its back. “Adios, amigo.”
Doctor Curare drew his coiled blacksnake whip and slipped off the large pterosaur’s back as the smaller reptile moved in close. He snapped the tongue of the whip out and it wrapped around the animal’s neck. Curare plummeted toward the ground with the little beast in tow. He dove sharply to pass between two tall buildings and vanished into the deep shadows between them. His form rippled and he vanished from sight into the wall of the building, never striking the ground. The flying reptile was dazed when it struck the ground but was not killed. The tension from the whip above slowed its fall just enough. Almost immediately, deep violet tendrils emerged from cracks in the pavements and storm drains, seeking the offering of weakness. A formless shadow billowed outward from the nearby wall and the whiplash cracked. The tendrils paused for a moment, waving slowly as if to test the air for the scent of danger. The whip was suddenly traced in bright green as it sailed through the air and sliced through several of the tendrils. The violet ooze withdrew quickly, although a rumble began to grow underneath the street’s surface. Curare emerged out of shadow and walked to the fallen pterosaur.
“It is not your time, pajarito.” Curare said as he picked the animal up, placed a translucent patch on its leg, and pinched the base of the neck. The animal awoke struggling and shrieking, and he released it. It flew down an alley and disappeared. Curare watched the tag readout on his wristcom and smiled faintly. He glanced to the side as he saw a steady stream of ooze issuing from the nearby storm drain and coalescing into a growing column. More of the ooze was flowing down adjacent alleyways and passages, surrounding him. He cocked his head to the side and walked to the wall of the nearest building. His body and cloak began to melt into the darkened surface as he spoke grimly. “Hasta tarde… Demonio.”
______________________________________
It took a few moments for either of them to hear the soft beeping coming from Ocelot’s pack. Mariposa and the single remaining Scout both heard it and the Scout alerted Ocelot. It was the Aztechnology satellite beacon.
“Que extraño,” Ocelot muttered. “We must have left the Valley without noticing.”
“We were approaching the perimeter earlier. The shield must be minimal for leaving, and we didn’t notice.” Kiyagi looked dubious at his own words, and the Scout interjected.
“Señor, this forest is muy viejo. Ah, here is el bosque normal.” They were at the edge of a tract of typical Venezuelan jungle, rising in the distance at the foot of one of the massive tepui. They had left the Valley, although they could see the ancient forest behind them.
“The pods are just over that rise,” said Ocelot. “Let’s contact Aztech Temple Prime and get exact positions for Bandito and Flamenca. We can’t get a reading from here, so they must have gotten a good head start.”
Kiyagi picked up the receiver and sent out a hailing frequency to the satellite in range. A message appeared on the LCD screen: SELVA1: INPUT AUDIO. There was a hum on his wrist comlink.
“SELVA1: Locate targets JF and Flamenca. Provide location name and distance from our current position. Provide ETA for Aztech pods and upload navigation route. Reply.”
There was a pause from the other end as computations were made and the target signals were relayed. There was a hum and a beep followed by a pleasant voice.
“Response: distance between unmapped central Guianan Shield territory and Caracas is 400 kilometers. Pod ETA: 1.5 hours.”
Kiyagi glanced across at Ocelot and mouthed, unmapped?.
“We have maps for the entire continent on file. It doesn’t make sense,” said Ocelot with a frown. Kiyagi spoke into his comlink.
“SELVA1: Verify current position from database maps.”
“Current position not on file. Tepui system on record replaced by forest tracts and expansive valley with single high peak. No record of large settlement at base. Majority of lifeforms match archival records of Mesozoic fauna.”
There was a moment of prolonged silence among the Aztechnology crew. Ocelot finally burst into a string of obscenities. Kiyagi spoke more calmly, wincing from the combination of Ocelot’s shouting and the pain streaking through his body.
“We have to find out who else can see this. The Aztech satellites have enhanced capabilities that others might not have.”
“Are you joking with me? How can you be calm when the Valley is visible to the outside world? This is completely fucked.”
“SELVA1: Identify other satellite systems with capability to detect novel anomaly.”
There was a pause as the central computer checked the databanks. “Response: Minimal remaining mystic shielding limits potential viewers...”
“Thank Chac for backup systems,” muttered Ocelot darkly.
“...Candidates include Interest regional ops and central banks; Techyoto Asia and City Centers; Invisible College subsidiaries; Man of Mystery, Inc.; European Consortium. Majority of conventional satellite arrays will not detect anomaly; however shields are weakening.
“Shit. Shit. SELVA1: How soon will the Valley ... uh, the anomaly... be visible to all known satellite systems?”
“Mystic shielding will disintegrate completely within 4 days.”
Ocelot looked shell-shocked for a moment, then spoke to Kiyagi. “We have a window of time, then, yes?”
“To avoid public detection? Yes. But the Interest knows.”
“They knew already, right? They got to Bandito and took Flamenca. Somehow they knew.”
“But Techyoto...” Ocelot watched Kiyagi’s face darken and his fists clench. “They have protocols they will follow. They will take steps.”
“Kiyagi, you must use your knowledge against them. If you know their next course of action, we may be able to settle this thing without a catastrophe. The Doctor helped you wrestle free from their grasp. He showed you a better path. Now you can help him and us with what you know.”
“And when we need his help, where is he? He’s obsessed with this Valley, Gata. And that woman he told us about. Alita. He made her a promise, and now we’re expendable. Flamenca has to wait for his attention, even though the Interest has her as their prisoner. Even Bandito, his companion and kindred spirit, must endure the unspeakable while he tries to expand his empire.”
“Callate, cabron! He fights to protect his land and to defend Aztechnology. We are with him until the end. And right now we have our mission. We will save the lives of our compadres while he fights against the enemies of this land. So get in your pod and shut the fuck up. I’m still quicker than you on the draw.”
Kiyagi managed a quick smile as he switched off the comlink and limped toward his pod with an Anaconda Guard as copilot. Ocelot’s spirit never faltered, and her loyalty was keen. He started up the hydraulic turbines that kicked in with a whisper. He never saw the focused look he received from Mariposa, studying every detail of his tired face.
______________________________________
The deep violet ooze swept through the alleys of the once-glorious Colony. Shafts of the glistening oil burst from the cobblestone streets and from within the darkened buildings. A roof exploded outward as a new column of towering ooze rose high above the cityscape. A group of people climbed a fire escape staircase as the street below was flooded with a violet torrent. They rested on the third floor landing. The window above them suddenly exploded outward as a Velociraptor was thrown out like a ragdoll and disappeared into the murky depths below. An amorphous mass of ooze slicked out of the window and began moving downward toward the group.
“Come on!” shouted Alita as she climbed into the window next to them. She had to get to the Council and warn them. They could at least stop the feeding of the Weeping with the dead dinosaurs. If the magic of the Sunstones was used to trap and restrain the dinosaurs…
She skidded to a halt at the building’s staircase. A wavering column of the ichorous monstrosity extended through the central space. The other people looked with frightened eyes back to the fire escape, where creeping tendrils were searching for them along the metal banisters and creeping through the window.
“I ain’t goin’ out like this!” A man started running down the stairs, followed by his young daughter. Alita shouted for him to stop, but it was too late. Slender, dark tendrils extended from the large column with frightening speed and wrapped around their arms and waists. The two unfortunate souls were easily lifted and slammed into the oozing column, where they were swiftly digested.
Alita turned in horror and ran down a side hallway. She saw a room marked “Fire Defense” and slammed through the door. A large spool of fire hose was up on the wall, and she grabbed the end and yanked hard, the hose falling to the floor in large loops. She picked up the metal nozzle, backed up, and hurled it through the window. The hose snaked through the air before striking the ground below with a loud clang. The street below was still clear. Alita looped the hoze around the spool and knotted it. She helped a young man grab hold of the hose and climb down. She reached for the next Colonist in line when the floor simply collapsed and the terrified stranger fell into darkness. Alita threw herself out the window and clutched at the rope. She slid down, her hands burning, and the dark purple ooze followed her, slipping down the hose surface. She struck the pavement hard and rolled as a pool of slime gathered at the base of the building. She ran as fast as she could toward the Grand Chamber building…
Three minutes later, Alita Muldoon strode past the guards at their posts at the doors of the Grand Chamber and swept into the huge room. The High Council was still in emergency session, the red light strips in the walls flashing at even intervals. There was tense debate about what positions required the highest level of security, which ceased as the normally timid Alita Muldoon stormed up to the Council bench.
“It’s here.”
“We have been discussing the invasion, Lady Muldoon. Your remarks can wait, and your tone…” The Trans-Veldt Matriarchy tech addressed her haughtily.
“Not the dinosaurs, you crystalline bitch. The Weeping is here, and we’re serving it a damned feast.” At this outcry the massive insectoid Councilor Tarsala rose to its feet, and even the enraged Alita took a step back and cringed, awaiting judgement. The mandibles and labial palps of the creature snapped and vibrated as the electronic translation units kicked in.
“Representative Muldoon is truthful. Priorities must be changed. Target: Weeping will be difficult. Requesting input from Internal Affairs Division. Muldoon: Speak.”
“Ladies and gentlemen… and Councilor Tarsala, sir… our lethal force against the dinosaur invasion is providing our ancient enemy with great power. I believe that it has remained hidden below our feet, and now it has awakened with hunger anew…”
“We are not here for your speculation,” the samurai councilor spoke abruptly and drew many looks from the Council. He looked at the alarmed faces of the other Council members and paused for a moment. “Nevertheless, you may continue.”
“Thank you, sir. The Weeping will grow in power and expand its reach as long as it has death to feed it. I have seen it attack living humans and dinosaurs, so it is strong. But we cannot continue to feed it by killing off the invading animals.”
Cammy Devereaux stood and was acknowledged. “It is possible that Representative Muldoon has a conflict of interest in this matter as head of the Trainers, but I believe her. This matter requires drastic action. Do you have a suggestion as to our next move?”
“Lady Devereaux, I suggest that the Colony defensive against the dinosaurs uses the powers of the Sunstones.”
There was a long pause and considerable muttering among the Council members. Cammy Devereaux herself considered this very carefully. The Sunstones provided the basis for the defense of the Snowflake Rift against all invaders, be they from this or other realms. The Rift was one of the primary gates to the Bleed, and the Heroditus Club saw the defense of such multiverse gates as their top priorities. But if the power of the Sunstones was not used and the Weeping gained the upper hand…
“After careful consideration, and as the Representative of the Heroditus Club in the absence of Lord Gryphon,” Cammy Devereaux swallowed hard, “I authorize the use of the Sunstone Powers to defend against the dinosaur invasion and the Weeping… if it will help. Councilor Tarsala, can you orchestrate a plan for the Colony mages and transfer Sunstone Powers?”
The giant insectoid stood tall, its wings spreading out. It let out a low whirring call, and the translators switched on.
“It is duty. It will be… pleasure.” With that, the creature moved with inhuman speed out of the Grand Chamber, two guards sprinting after. Alita Muldoon stood once more.
“The attack forces of the Marlborough Squadron must be called off, unless they can deploy nonlethal weaponry or can help in the attacks against the Weeping. Now, with your consent, I must take my leave, to search for my father.” The Council members nodded and Alita Muldoon rushed out the double doors. Cammy Devereaux walked to the radio console. The hailing signal lit up before she got there, and the voice of Guy Gibson came over the speakers.
“This is Sky Commodore Gibson calling High Council. Request Devereaux.” Cammy Devereaux picked up the receiver and responded.
“We read you, Gibson.”
“I’ve got some real bad news out here, Cam.”
“Let me guess: the Weeping is back.” There was a long pause from the other end.
“Well, I suppose that caps it for 20 Questions. Any suggestions?”
“Alita came back. She saw the Beast first and proposed that you either deploy nonlethals or switch your target to the Weeping. Was the Marlborough Offensive useful in the original battle against the Weeping?”
“Well, we did some damage, but we had plenty of help. The Layla was in full effect and we had Legends among our ranks.”
“Well, we don’t now. Do your level best against the Weeping. We’re deploying the Mage force with Sunstone powers against the dinosaurs to avoid feeding the Weeping further. Copy?”
“Copy that. But we’re gonna have a hell of a time making a difference unless you got the goddamn Layla hidden up your skirt!”
“That son of a bitch.” Devereaux glared angrily at the radio, then broke into a wide grin. “Hey, Gibson. Can you fly the Laslo?” There was a moment of stunned silence from the other end.
“That old hunk of junk? Christ, I’ll have to run diagnostics.”
“Use CLIO. Run Churchill 5.0. Password: tommygun. And get back to me. Fast.”
“Keep your pantyhose on. Gibson out.”
Cammy Devereaux began to walk away from the communication console when a second hailing frequency sounded. This was situated above a small LCD screen, and represented the emergency contact link to the Heroditus Club HQ. There hadn’t been a message sent through this channel since she first learned of Lord Gryphon’s fate, and Devereaux pressed the activation key with apprehension. There was a short message broadcast on the screen, and a security camera feed directly from the central HQ offices. Cammy Devereaux’s face fell like a stone as she watched the images and read the shocking message. She looked in horror at the other Council members, trying in vain to speak. She reached for the console’s counter to steady herself and missed. She collapsed to the cold floor unconscious.
Visibility Rising…
More to follow, kids.
My sleeves are rolled up. Are yours?
…’cause FUCK hurricanes.
Damn it. This thing is ballooning outward. Must... streamline...
Ah, to hell with that. A toast to unfocused storytelling...
Bottoms up!
CONFRONTATION
Part 1 of 3
The moon shown brightly over the wide expanse of the Valley of Lost History. In the clearing in front of the Colony walls, the churning masses of dinosaurs pressed toward the entrances. Along the outer perimeter of the mixed-species herd the giant sauropods thundered and bellowed, keeping the meager human forces outside the Colony pushed back toward the forest where predators lay in wait. High above the treeline, a massive silhouette soared toward the Colony walls. The Skybax rushed over the open plains as the dinosaurs below screamed out alarm calls. Suddenly a cloud of pterosaurs erupted from the forest below and gave chase. But the Skybax had a strong lead, and they were slow to close the gap. Doctor Curare bent low over the creature’s back as they flew above the chaos of the Colony. He watched the raids of the dinosaurs filtering through the Colony, and spotted the first columns of violet ooze jet upwards as the Weeping announced itself to the weakened city. He scanned the Colony rapidly, trying to formulate a plan. Then he saw it. Not an object, but a pattern. The pattern.
The dinosaurs were attacking in coordinated patterns aimed at weakening specific regions of the Colony defense. Curare watched as mixed groups would gather at a particular spot and wait, almost seeming to stand guard of the position. As he watched, they would radiate away from a single spot, wreaking havoc and causing commotion. The Colonists would be drawn away from the spot. At least one dinosaur would stay at the gathering place, often hidden, keeping vigil. Curare could now see that the focal points were arranged in a jagged yet definite line, leading directly from the entrance gate towards… Mount Jennifer. He was trying to piece it together when he heard the deafening screech behind him. He turned to see a pterodactyl snatched out of the sky behind them by a thin tendril of the Weeping, which dragged the struggling animal into the pool of darkness below. The pterosaurs had gained on the Skybax because of the extra weight, and would soon intercept them. Curare gave a sharp whistle and the Skybax banked hard. A graceful Rhamphorhyncus moved to intercept, its needle-like teeth glistening in the moonlight. Curare patted the Skybax twice on its back. “Adios, amigo.”
Doctor Curare drew his coiled blacksnake whip and slipped off the large pterosaur’s back as the smaller reptile moved in close. He snapped the tongue of the whip out and it wrapped around the animal’s neck. Curare plummeted toward the ground with the little beast in tow. He dove sharply to pass between two tall buildings and vanished into the deep shadows between them. His form rippled and he vanished from sight into the wall of the building, never striking the ground. The flying reptile was dazed when it struck the ground but was not killed. The tension from the whip above slowed its fall just enough. Almost immediately, deep violet tendrils emerged from cracks in the pavements and storm drains, seeking the offering of weakness. A formless shadow billowed outward from the nearby wall and the whiplash cracked. The tendrils paused for a moment, waving slowly as if to test the air for the scent of danger. The whip was suddenly traced in bright green as it sailed through the air and sliced through several of the tendrils. The violet ooze withdrew quickly, although a rumble began to grow underneath the street’s surface. Curare emerged out of shadow and walked to the fallen pterosaur.
“It is not your time, pajarito.” Curare said as he picked the animal up, placed a translucent patch on its leg, and pinched the base of the neck. The animal awoke struggling and shrieking, and he released it. It flew down an alley and disappeared. Curare watched the tag readout on his wristcom and smiled faintly. He glanced to the side as he saw a steady stream of ooze issuing from the nearby storm drain and coalescing into a growing column. More of the ooze was flowing down adjacent alleyways and passages, surrounding him. He cocked his head to the side and walked to the wall of the nearest building. His body and cloak began to melt into the darkened surface as he spoke grimly. “Hasta tarde… Demonio.”
______________________________________
It took a few moments for either of them to hear the soft beeping coming from Ocelot’s pack. Mariposa and the single remaining Scout both heard it and the Scout alerted Ocelot. It was the Aztechnology satellite beacon.
“Que extraño,” Ocelot muttered. “We must have left the Valley without noticing.”
“We were approaching the perimeter earlier. The shield must be minimal for leaving, and we didn’t notice.” Kiyagi looked dubious at his own words, and the Scout interjected.
“Señor, this forest is muy viejo. Ah, here is el bosque normal.” They were at the edge of a tract of typical Venezuelan jungle, rising in the distance at the foot of one of the massive tepui. They had left the Valley, although they could see the ancient forest behind them.
“The pods are just over that rise,” said Ocelot. “Let’s contact Aztech Temple Prime and get exact positions for Bandito and Flamenca. We can’t get a reading from here, so they must have gotten a good head start.”
Kiyagi picked up the receiver and sent out a hailing frequency to the satellite in range. A message appeared on the LCD screen: SELVA1: INPUT AUDIO. There was a hum on his wrist comlink.
“SELVA1: Locate targets JF and Flamenca. Provide location name and distance from our current position. Provide ETA for Aztech pods and upload navigation route. Reply.”
There was a pause from the other end as computations were made and the target signals were relayed. There was a hum and a beep followed by a pleasant voice.
“Response: distance between unmapped central Guianan Shield territory and Caracas is 400 kilometers. Pod ETA: 1.5 hours.”
Kiyagi glanced across at Ocelot and mouthed, unmapped?.
“We have maps for the entire continent on file. It doesn’t make sense,” said Ocelot with a frown. Kiyagi spoke into his comlink.
“SELVA1: Verify current position from database maps.”
“Current position not on file. Tepui system on record replaced by forest tracts and expansive valley with single high peak. No record of large settlement at base. Majority of lifeforms match archival records of Mesozoic fauna.”
There was a moment of prolonged silence among the Aztechnology crew. Ocelot finally burst into a string of obscenities. Kiyagi spoke more calmly, wincing from the combination of Ocelot’s shouting and the pain streaking through his body.
“We have to find out who else can see this. The Aztech satellites have enhanced capabilities that others might not have.”
“Are you joking with me? How can you be calm when the Valley is visible to the outside world? This is completely fucked.”
“SELVA1: Identify other satellite systems with capability to detect novel anomaly.”
There was a pause as the central computer checked the databanks. “Response: Minimal remaining mystic shielding limits potential viewers...”
“Thank Chac for backup systems,” muttered Ocelot darkly.
“...Candidates include Interest regional ops and central banks; Techyoto Asia and City Centers; Invisible College subsidiaries; Man of Mystery, Inc.; European Consortium. Majority of conventional satellite arrays will not detect anomaly; however shields are weakening.
“Shit. Shit. SELVA1: How soon will the Valley ... uh, the anomaly... be visible to all known satellite systems?”
“Mystic shielding will disintegrate completely within 4 days.”
Ocelot looked shell-shocked for a moment, then spoke to Kiyagi. “We have a window of time, then, yes?”
“To avoid public detection? Yes. But the Interest knows.”
“They knew already, right? They got to Bandito and took Flamenca. Somehow they knew.”
“But Techyoto...” Ocelot watched Kiyagi’s face darken and his fists clench. “They have protocols they will follow. They will take steps.”
“Kiyagi, you must use your knowledge against them. If you know their next course of action, we may be able to settle this thing without a catastrophe. The Doctor helped you wrestle free from their grasp. He showed you a better path. Now you can help him and us with what you know.”
“And when we need his help, where is he? He’s obsessed with this Valley, Gata. And that woman he told us about. Alita. He made her a promise, and now we’re expendable. Flamenca has to wait for his attention, even though the Interest has her as their prisoner. Even Bandito, his companion and kindred spirit, must endure the unspeakable while he tries to expand his empire.”
“Callate, cabron! He fights to protect his land and to defend Aztechnology. We are with him until the end. And right now we have our mission. We will save the lives of our compadres while he fights against the enemies of this land. So get in your pod and shut the fuck up. I’m still quicker than you on the draw.”
Kiyagi managed a quick smile as he switched off the comlink and limped toward his pod with an Anaconda Guard as copilot. Ocelot’s spirit never faltered, and her loyalty was keen. He started up the hydraulic turbines that kicked in with a whisper. He never saw the focused look he received from Mariposa, studying every detail of his tired face.
______________________________________
The deep violet ooze swept through the alleys of the once-glorious Colony. Shafts of the glistening oil burst from the cobblestone streets and from within the darkened buildings. A roof exploded outward as a new column of towering ooze rose high above the cityscape. A group of people climbed a fire escape staircase as the street below was flooded with a violet torrent. They rested on the third floor landing. The window above them suddenly exploded outward as a Velociraptor was thrown out like a ragdoll and disappeared into the murky depths below. An amorphous mass of ooze slicked out of the window and began moving downward toward the group.
“Come on!” shouted Alita as she climbed into the window next to them. She had to get to the Council and warn them. They could at least stop the feeding of the Weeping with the dead dinosaurs. If the magic of the Sunstones was used to trap and restrain the dinosaurs…
She skidded to a halt at the building’s staircase. A wavering column of the ichorous monstrosity extended through the central space. The other people looked with frightened eyes back to the fire escape, where creeping tendrils were searching for them along the metal banisters and creeping through the window.
“I ain’t goin’ out like this!” A man started running down the stairs, followed by his young daughter. Alita shouted for him to stop, but it was too late. Slender, dark tendrils extended from the large column with frightening speed and wrapped around their arms and waists. The two unfortunate souls were easily lifted and slammed into the oozing column, where they were swiftly digested.
Alita turned in horror and ran down a side hallway. She saw a room marked “Fire Defense” and slammed through the door. A large spool of fire hose was up on the wall, and she grabbed the end and yanked hard, the hose falling to the floor in large loops. She picked up the metal nozzle, backed up, and hurled it through the window. The hose snaked through the air before striking the ground below with a loud clang. The street below was still clear. Alita looped the hoze around the spool and knotted it. She helped a young man grab hold of the hose and climb down. She reached for the next Colonist in line when the floor simply collapsed and the terrified stranger fell into darkness. Alita threw herself out the window and clutched at the rope. She slid down, her hands burning, and the dark purple ooze followed her, slipping down the hose surface. She struck the pavement hard and rolled as a pool of slime gathered at the base of the building. She ran as fast as she could toward the Grand Chamber building…
Three minutes later, Alita Muldoon strode past the guards at their posts at the doors of the Grand Chamber and swept into the huge room. The High Council was still in emergency session, the red light strips in the walls flashing at even intervals. There was tense debate about what positions required the highest level of security, which ceased as the normally timid Alita Muldoon stormed up to the Council bench.
“It’s here.”
“We have been discussing the invasion, Lady Muldoon. Your remarks can wait, and your tone…” The Trans-Veldt Matriarchy tech addressed her haughtily.
“Not the dinosaurs, you crystalline bitch. The Weeping is here, and we’re serving it a damned feast.” At this outcry the massive insectoid Councilor Tarsala rose to its feet, and even the enraged Alita took a step back and cringed, awaiting judgement. The mandibles and labial palps of the creature snapped and vibrated as the electronic translation units kicked in.
“Representative Muldoon is truthful. Priorities must be changed. Target: Weeping will be difficult. Requesting input from Internal Affairs Division. Muldoon: Speak.”
“Ladies and gentlemen… and Councilor Tarsala, sir… our lethal force against the dinosaur invasion is providing our ancient enemy with great power. I believe that it has remained hidden below our feet, and now it has awakened with hunger anew…”
“We are not here for your speculation,” the samurai councilor spoke abruptly and drew many looks from the Council. He looked at the alarmed faces of the other Council members and paused for a moment. “Nevertheless, you may continue.”
“Thank you, sir. The Weeping will grow in power and expand its reach as long as it has death to feed it. I have seen it attack living humans and dinosaurs, so it is strong. But we cannot continue to feed it by killing off the invading animals.”
Cammy Devereaux stood and was acknowledged. “It is possible that Representative Muldoon has a conflict of interest in this matter as head of the Trainers, but I believe her. This matter requires drastic action. Do you have a suggestion as to our next move?”
“Lady Devereaux, I suggest that the Colony defensive against the dinosaurs uses the powers of the Sunstones.”
There was a long pause and considerable muttering among the Council members. Cammy Devereaux herself considered this very carefully. The Sunstones provided the basis for the defense of the Snowflake Rift against all invaders, be they from this or other realms. The Rift was one of the primary gates to the Bleed, and the Heroditus Club saw the defense of such multiverse gates as their top priorities. But if the power of the Sunstones was not used and the Weeping gained the upper hand…
“After careful consideration, and as the Representative of the Heroditus Club in the absence of Lord Gryphon,” Cammy Devereaux swallowed hard, “I authorize the use of the Sunstone Powers to defend against the dinosaur invasion and the Weeping… if it will help. Councilor Tarsala, can you orchestrate a plan for the Colony mages and transfer Sunstone Powers?”
The giant insectoid stood tall, its wings spreading out. It let out a low whirring call, and the translators switched on.
“It is duty. It will be… pleasure.” With that, the creature moved with inhuman speed out of the Grand Chamber, two guards sprinting after. Alita Muldoon stood once more.
“The attack forces of the Marlborough Squadron must be called off, unless they can deploy nonlethal weaponry or can help in the attacks against the Weeping. Now, with your consent, I must take my leave, to search for my father.” The Council members nodded and Alita Muldoon rushed out the double doors. Cammy Devereaux walked to the radio console. The hailing signal lit up before she got there, and the voice of Guy Gibson came over the speakers.
“This is Sky Commodore Gibson calling High Council. Request Devereaux.” Cammy Devereaux picked up the receiver and responded.
“We read you, Gibson.”
“I’ve got some real bad news out here, Cam.”
“Let me guess: the Weeping is back.” There was a long pause from the other end.
“Well, I suppose that caps it for 20 Questions. Any suggestions?”
“Alita came back. She saw the Beast first and proposed that you either deploy nonlethals or switch your target to the Weeping. Was the Marlborough Offensive useful in the original battle against the Weeping?”
“Well, we did some damage, but we had plenty of help. The Layla was in full effect and we had Legends among our ranks.”
“Well, we don’t now. Do your level best against the Weeping. We’re deploying the Mage force with Sunstone powers against the dinosaurs to avoid feeding the Weeping further. Copy?”
“Copy that. But we’re gonna have a hell of a time making a difference unless you got the goddamn Layla hidden up your skirt!”
“That son of a bitch.” Devereaux glared angrily at the radio, then broke into a wide grin. “Hey, Gibson. Can you fly the Laslo?” There was a moment of stunned silence from the other end.
“That old hunk of junk? Christ, I’ll have to run diagnostics.”
“Use CLIO. Run Churchill 5.0. Password: tommygun. And get back to me. Fast.”
“Keep your pantyhose on. Gibson out.”
Cammy Devereaux began to walk away from the communication console when a second hailing frequency sounded. This was situated above a small LCD screen, and represented the emergency contact link to the Heroditus Club HQ. There hadn’t been a message sent through this channel since she first learned of Lord Gryphon’s fate, and Devereaux pressed the activation key with apprehension. There was a short message broadcast on the screen, and a security camera feed directly from the central HQ offices. Cammy Devereaux’s face fell like a stone as she watched the images and read the shocking message. She looked in horror at the other Council members, trying in vain to speak. She reached for the console’s counter to steady herself and missed. She collapsed to the cold floor unconscious.
Visibility Rising…
More to follow, kids.
My sleeves are rolled up. Are yours?