The Uplift Protocol: In the Beginning

Issue 25: The Blue Thread of Life

My daughter always dismissed my stories. I tried to break through her conditioning but unlike my son, who was a discarded project, the Keeper influence was deeper within her. Not just on a genetic level but spiritual as well. I fear she has no soul.— Alice Haden

Much like Murphy, I can sense when Keeper instrumentation is nearby. My black within black eyes a mark upon my body. My skin an unearthly pale color. Yet my soul remains. Which is more than I can say for my sister. Hilary could have formed a soul. Our father saw to it she never had the chance.—Father Brookes

It all came down to Family. Some, like mine, found secrets to be vital until a certain moment. It was done out of love and a sense of duty. To protect those closest to us. For others? It was a pit that ate them whole.—Sleeping in Starlight, a memoir of the 23rd century (vol 3)

Oregon (Edenverse)

Haden Family Ranch

T-minus 4 days

The ground was barren as Father Brookes walked towards his mother’s home. One of many he reminded himself. A thin trickle of blood ran from his right nostril. He let the droplets fall as he passed under the wards. The house recognized him yet repelled that part of him connected to his father’s people. His temples pounded as he gripped the doorway. He continued onward. Grimacing as cobwebs brushed against his knuckles. He never liked spiders. Reminded him too much of the Breeding Pits. Nyx and Ishtar’s experiments. The only sane thing from his childhood was his mother. That one light in the darkness.

Until Eliza Odessen had found them. There he had seen the power of a Weave Speaker.

Floorboards creaked as he made his way to his mother’s old room.

She had always said, “The truth is under the red line.”

He turned the knob. Within was a single bed. Closet and some dressers.

His forehead burned. Sweat ran down his spine. He lurched to the side. Grabbing the door frame to steady himself. A red beam materialized. Its iris fixated on his chest.

//Access Code Required.//

Brookes paused. His mother’s lullaby coming back to him.

“The stars fall around a pool of gold. Circling through the waves. Lapping upon an endless shore.” The iris expanded.

//Relaying the last message.//

*****

Alice Haden forced herself to sit upright. This recorder would only open for her son. She was certain of it. Unlike Hilary, he had taken to heart everything she had ever talked about. Faith would tie her children to her. No matter what Hilary desired. “Let the artifact stay here. You know the one. It made your nose bleed. No, to find your way, you must go with the Star of the Heavens. It will bear the name of the Dawn.”

She leaned into the pickup screen. Her eyes darting about.

“Follow the marks. Guide them. Trust the Weave.”

She brushed the front of her blouse. The warm metal of the cross warming her palm.

“There they are: standing in a row. One facing the man with no soul. The middle casting no shadow. The last will call to the blood. Dark Pillars.”

*****

Father Brookes watched as the message deleted itself. He ran the message through his head endlessly. Memorizing each word. His mother’s soul was lost in the Dreaming. To find her he would have to join Eliza Murphy on her voyage. Not aboard the Jupiter. He exited the ranch house. Shocked to see his footsteps erased as he crossed back over the threshold. Like he had never been here. The Artock device set his teeth on edge. Blood spilled. Dotting the earth then hissing as it dissipated. The air around him grew cold.

Biting into his bones as he raced down the gravel walkway.

As he entered the grav car a crack of lightning highlighted another shape in the distance.

He slammed his foot down on the accelerator.

Shooting off into the sky.

Knowing that he had made the right choice. The pressure of his sister’s regard lessened.

He had picked this rusted holo trailer on purpose. C.A.P had offered a better vehicle but that would have thrown up alarms. Out here it was remote. Just a collection of farmlands and breadbaskets.

*****

Hilary re-scanned the area. The artifact was still buried where she left it. She’d have to de-list this place from INet. Stupid locals wanted to buy anything these days. Make it into some coffee shop or empty hall of records for demi activity. Even as recluse as this ranch was situated everything on Earth was interconnected thanks to HeroNet and INet. Humanity had spread rapidly. Outpacing others. Even some on the Council of Five.

Hilary frowned, “No chance I can infiltrate Area 51 ever again. Not with the Banner fawning over the place.”

She spat.

The anger burned. Flowing over her breastbone.

Hatred kept her alive. Her father had been a fool to leave this place unattended.

He had hoped to breed an army of hybrids using Alice. Hilary snarled. Her “mother.”

So pious. Empty platitudes to a failed god. A god that had forced mutated monster children upon her. To be used and discarded by a being that had no idea about what actual affection was. It was preposterous. Hilary circled the property once more. Her eyes expanding to the size of Keeper orbs. She frowned as her father’s mental summons reached across the space of stars.

>>The All-Father struck a deal. Lanis will be forced to heal him. I am sending Ishtar to you. We must accelerate the program. Find the Black. I believe he is hiding here. Nyx will stay with the All-Father. To record the data.<<

Hilary smirked. Imagining that horrid mummy entrapping Murphy. Enslaving her.

Her humor died before she could blink.

A blinding white light immobilized her as her father took her from Earth.

*****

Chronos placed the data cube down.

Eyeing his daughter critically. “Your human form is serviceable for now.”

He placed a small egg-shaped sphere behind her right ear. It burrowed its way under her skin. He told Ishtar, “Load her lair up with the materials discussed. It will serve as a proper decoy.”

Nyx bowed and disappeared in a flash of light.

Hilary growled through clenched teeth, “Anything else? Want fries with that Impossible Steak?!”

Chronos tugged at Hilary’s shirt and another egg probe bit into her flesh. “That will not be required.” She howled as the light flowed over her form. Placing her at the very outskirts of some ancient jungle. INet came back online. Her GPS going wild. In giant red letters her H.U.D proclaimed, //Location Unknown//

Her eyes focused. Thoth’s old base. Her memory sharpened. Being dragged by Karvax. Poked, prodded, and laughed at. None of the old Cabal was here. Ishtar moved past her. “Follow.” Her legs moved without her permission.

She seethed.

She would bide her time.

Maybe Lanis would kill the All-Father for her.

It would be a delicious irony.

*****

The room was dark when I flew back in.

Lorain was passed out in the bed. Whatever this project had her doing ran her ragged. I pulled her jacket off and removed her shoes. Her eyelids moved yet she remained asleep. Just outside the triple-layered window was Mercury. C.A.P had a whole ton of stations I had no clue about. I didn’t ask. White’s momentary humor brushing away my worries. Then I noticed it.

Lorain’s bracelet was gone.

She hadn’t removed it ever since our Union ceremony. I checked the Chrono beside the bed. It would be 4 am back in Texas. I changed into my nightshirt and shorts and floated next to Lorain. Waiting for the sun to rise back on Earth. If this mission didn’t allow for us to remain connected I knew Lorain was in the deep end. For the first time in my life, I was genuinely afraid. Not for myself but for Lorain.

Where was she going that she’d have to leave everything behind? Including me.

My mind flashed to that horrid universe where my parents were conquerors. My eyes screwed shut. Remembering the creepy statues that mummy made of my face. Knowing every angle. Would Lorain have to face off against that thing without me?! I knew it was important to join Jacob and Sam. To map out those hidden areas. Father Brooke’s plea ringing in my ears. We had to find his mother.

Shame burned through me. Here I was worrying more about Lorain when other innocent people were on the line. I floated to the top of the habitat shield wall. The metallic surface was a bitter icicle between my shoulder blades.

I rubbed my chin. Watching as Lorain’s chest rose and fell.

The sudden realization nearly made my heart stop.

She’d be behind enemy lines.

*****

J’ino was finishing her 4th cup of coffee when Eliza’s inquiry hit her brain like an arrow. She had prepared for this moment but it still shocked her. The lack of emotion behind the question made J’ino wince. Thomas took one look at his wife and maneuvered his mother into another room. “Ma, let’s get some of those pancakes going!” He was thankful his father was zipping about on the other side of the globe.

Evil never rested but neither did the Golden Bulleteer.

The fewer people that knew the better it would be for Doc.

>>Am I gonna have to ask Mr. McQuire what Lorain’s chances are on this mission?<<

Eliza’s tone wasn’t accusatory.

J’ino sensed the fear just bubbling under the surface. It cut to her heart. This mission would change the course of everything. They had to know what the enemy was planning. Lorain would be able to save billions. Maybe even trillions. She inhaled the last of the java. Marshaling her thoughts. >>Where she is going, they would use that Union piece to hurt you both.<<

*****

I blinked. Rubbing my eyes rapidly. I wouldn’t do it. I wouldn’t break here.

I held back. Projecting hope.

Even as my heart sank. >>At least tell me she won’t be alone.<<

Mom replied immediately, >>Never Alone Space Cadet.<<

I sank into the bed. Taking care not to disturb Lorain.

I wrapped the blanket around us both and prayed.

The Dreaming took me.

Drops echoed off the cave walls.

A warm beam of sunlight made me shield my eyes for a moment.

The fresh smells of earth and wild calls of animals luring me deeper into the vivid greenery around me. A woman turned. Her face was made of marble. Literal marble. She froze. Her arms raised to the sky. Clasped in her hands was a bowl of pewter. From it, water fell and soaked the ground. Words formed.

Shadow wreathed in the void. Litiari yet not. His true shape yet unformed.

Ritark rose from the ground. A blue third eye resting on his forehead.

Trust him. Listen for his call.

That third eye opened. Pulling me under.

The scent of White Lilies following me.

*****

Lorain awoke tangled up in sheets. Along with two arms wrapped solidly around her waist. Eliza’s chin pressed to the top of her head. Lanis relaxed. Ritark’s biosignature a melody within her head. The Litari was still asleep.

There would be no going back now.

She would bring down House Urraden.

One synapse at a time.

*****

Cooper circled. Waiting for Little John to appear. Recent sightings of the Sheriff had the people of London on edge. The air grew fouler by the moment. The Bardaxian’s nose was never wrong. Little John appeared in the alcove above, <> Cooper sprang forward. The doorway gave him little time.

It sealed behind him with a solid thud.

The ancient stone concealing more than just the Iron Line.

The rest of the King’s corgi’s formed a V head of them.

Their ears swiveling for any signs of danger.

The Order would be protected.

Cooper’s scruff stood on end as he took it all in. Every bit of space was packed with dogs. Of every breed and size.

Earth’s dogs were preparing for war.