LIGHTNOVELONLINE Issue 87: Mordred’s Shard
Issue 4: Mordred’s Shard
Highmaker took the shard. Storing it within one of the old mining constructs circling the Oort Cloud. He didn’t want it to make a mess when Mars reformed to a living world once more. J’dax had already informed him of its previous location. It might give us some clues on how the Void Walkers corrupted Markav tech. Along with how they breached our defenses in the first place.—Taleer.
So here we are, parked alongside the spooky old Markav mining complex. A nice little away team adventure. –Jonas “Eddie” Olsten.
The burning question: What wasn’t this Shard made of. Anna had to point that out to us by the way. MVP for that round of “The Jupiter Rising Vs the Cosmos.” Me? Yes. That shard was important but so was Mom. At the time I thought it was 2nd-trimester stress but it was a whole lot more.—Sleeping in Starlight, a memoir of the 22nd century.
The Oort Cloud
Markav Mining Complex
April 12t, 2104
Mom planted her feet on the exterior wall.
We decided it would be best to shuttle our way over. Well with people who couldn’t fly. Dad and I were alright. I noticed she wouldn’t meet my eyes if she could help it. I did a quick probe of the area. Using my sight to dive right through those walls. Nothing but us moving around. I quadruple-checked on the triplets. Mom’s Exo suit was packed to the gills with extra life support. Doc’s special enhancements as well. Nothing would happen to those babies.
The enemy would have to get through me, Dexter, Dad, and the rest of the Golden Redeemers. The roster had grown to include Di’axi, Taleer, Yellow Bullet and that was just the tip of the iceberg. Even Teddy would throw his weight into it. Dad ran a gauntlet over the entry hatch. Sending Anubis in. True to the myths: He could sense death. Or the not quite undead.
*****
Anubis flowed through the metals.
The scent of old death hung in the air.
Scorch marks along the walls indicated a firefight.
No Markav bodies. The Jackel turned his head. His eyes adjusting to the low lights. They gave off a faint green color. He keyed in on the ringing of Mordred’s Shard. It had been moved much deeper into the complex. He retreated. The southern corridors and former miner wing were clear. His ears twitched. A twinge of foreboding ran up his spine. What had happened here? Death surrounded this place.
Encased it.
Anubis exited. Meeting Thomas and the others. He bowed, “The physical reeks of decay. But no bodies remain.”
Dexter grabbed Mom.
>>Go back to Jupiter Rising. Now.<<
She didn’t hesitate.
Usually, mom would balk but this time the absolute weight within my brother’s command prevented any argument. Dexter waved the rest of us forward. Mom sending one last message to me.
>>Be careful. Listen to your brother. To Black.<<
Anubis agreed. <
White’s reverent prayer echoed throughout.
Then she was gone.
My connection to her dulled to the point that I wouldn’t be able to call upon her might within this place. This was the domain of the deceased. The Puzzler floated next to me. Attaching the breaching mod to the ancient airlock. I sent Yellow Bullet back with mom. I knew it was the right decision because his ears perked up and he barked excitedly after her. Bardaxian spacesuits still made me smile. I had a feeling I’d need that memory for a place like this. Dad moved in. Taking point. Dexter next. His white trident reflecting the green glow of the emergency lights. I realized his normal demi suit was gone. The inky black of his Defender armor absorbing the decay of this place. His voice carried over the coms, <
*****
Anna swiveled in her seat within the cockpit of the shuttle. Her face was genuinely troubled. “They wouldn’t let me come along either. Teddy is making some tea and coffee. Mostly as a distraction, I bet. Men get very overprotective when it comes to their wives and babies.”
J’ino eased into one of the crash couches. Minutes ticked by and Teddy entered with Doctor Impossible, Emerald K-9, and a few others. J’ino shivered. The only ones going into that mining complex were her twins, her husband, Puzzler, Arthon, Ritark, and Taleer. They had sent everyone else back. Doc knelt next to J’ino. The reality of the situation hit the Typherian. Eliza was the only woman going in there. Because she was infertile. Whatever resided there couldn’t transform her. Anna saw the devastation play out across J’ino’s features.
Anna didn’t hold back, “Yeah. That place. It has her Keeper fingerprints all over it. The shard was properly contained. By the strength of her conviction alone. That cross burned monster.” Doc sat and wrapped another blanket around J’ino. Making sure to scan everyone, including Anna’s baby, sighing with relief as everything came back normal. The dark seed at the center of that station must be stopped. It was ironic that the song of the shard prevented that place from fully activating. One evil blocking another. The corrupted form of men and women.
Anna wrapped her fingers around her coffee mug, “Even Unity’s forces will consume each other. The shard is odious and evil. But whatever happened within that complex far outstrips it.” McQuire shared a fleeting look with J’ino. Each finally understanding the other.
J’ino saw the horror reflected within Anna’s face. The holo host had finally read the memories and impressions on that glass vial. How fitting it was this primal fear that would bring two vastly different women together. They would never truly be friends. But allies? That was doable. Anna frowned.
“Damn. I wish I could drink right now.”
Teddy, along with everyone else, was armed to the teeth. He passed another coffee with cream and sugar into her hands. His voice broke the tense silence, “Just remember to ease up on the caffeine, don’t want to have our kids addicted already!” She punched him playfully on the shoulder.
“Husband, you better hope they are both boys.”
Even Doc had to smile at that one.
*****
I reached out to Doc as we rested in what remained of an old cafeteria.
>>I’ve never seen my brother this tense. Not since our escape from Unity universe.<<
Her reply was swift, <
Judgment tapped me on the forehead, “Tell your mom we are alright.”
>>Dexter has it all in hand. Arthon even managed to access some old holo records. We are about to look at them. Everyone is Five by Five as they say.<<
Mom’s relief flowed through me, >>Good. I plan on locking your father in our quarters for the next 1000 years.<<
I smiled, >>Bet you some nice hot cocoa that Doc will want me locked up for 2000 years.<<
Doc cut in with, <
Dad smirked as Mom sent him more updates.
Arthon was bent over an old console.
Using his muthra probes to drip-feed some life into the machines.
He waved us forward.
Mining Complex Ki’ten
Main Eating Hall
Date Uknown///Unfurling Files For Comparison
Natet crouched.
How those 4 footed things got this far out into the outer reaches of the Hermegony still baffled the Markav cook. Its whiskers quivered. “Come here you little beastie. A place like this is not fit for you or us. But at least you can go home. We must remain.”
A simple ra’ti.
One of the long-lost animals of their golden worlds.
He still wondered how the Exodus even managed to cross space without using the old pathways. The elders said those had been lost. Only Scholar gates provided any means of making big jumps. So many generations living and dying on those great starships. It was a wonder of a forgotten age.
Their military was in overdrive. The most advanced scout stations had gone dark all at once. Something was coming for them but they had no idea what. He carried the ra’ti to the enviro chambers. Placing it gently in the transport cage. Making sure to fill its water dispenser and food compartments. As he traveled back to the main mess an announcement echoed throughout the mining halls.
<
The marines raced to their gunning stations. While the patrol ships circling the complex shot out, keeping the capital ships in reserve, hoping to get a clear look at the enemy.
*****
My nose bled as we rounded the corner. The main grav lift was open.
Keeper scrawl was etched on each side of the massive doorway.
There were some of the miners! Trapped in amber.
Each running from something. It was no longer in the grav lift.
I examined the next few levels. More people trapped in amber.
Puzzler said, “Just like the real Micheal Brookes.”
As we walked up their eyes followed us. Dexter reached out, “Easy. We will be back for you. Even that little one. We saw what happened. But we must find the Brood Seed at the heart of your old mining operation.”
The cook from the record blinked rapidly.
I added, “Illarium lives. What level did it breach first?”
6 blinks.
Arthon waved towards the shaft, “Main docking ring. If it was an energy eater it might have curled around the main reactor.” My brother frowned.
>>What is it?<<
His reply disturbed me, >>It is an energy eater. We will not find it in the physical. It is within the Weave. It ate….<<
He couldn’t finish the sentence but I knew what he ment. It was loud within his mind.
It had eaten the children first. The babies.
Those innocents that slept within birthing cradles made for a long deep-space voyage.
The Markav had been trying to evacuate so many that they even converted their Industrial hubs into makeshift launch points for more generational ships. No wonder he made sure to send back enough crew to protect Mom and Anna. Or anyone with a functioning womb. As we ventured deeper into the complex I knew why he had sent Doc back as well. This thing ate its victims. But within the Weave? They had been warped into horrors beyond imagining. My brother’s eyes narrowed.
He raised his trident. Forcing open a portal to the Deeper Weave of the Oort Cloud.
“Now you face the wrath of True Death. Demon of the Abyss!”
Taleer and Puzzler opened up with a scorching barrage. Freezing the abominations in their tracks. Their souls crying out for release. The multi-pronged thing writhing at the center of the reactor warbled. Long-fingered hands crawled on the floor. The Weave within this place a wicked mirror of the mining complex. I dived to the side as baby-sized monsters cried after me. Their sounds a complete mockery of the real thing. I whirled in place. Forming a tornado of sound and fury. Sucking in the remaining corrupted constructs. My father muttering shielding spells as the dozens of spikes drove into the ground around me.
Dexter danced around the Brood Seed’s assault. Deflecting its attacks with Black and his trident. Every time one of its limbs brushed up against the white weapon, they disintegrated. It’s pathetic howling rising as he drove through it. Each limb depriving the monster of its stolen energies. Until finally all that was left was a mewling mass of old flesh and bone. Its multitudes of eyes weeping black tears.
“She promised us food. YOU ARE FOOOD!”
Dawnbreaker drove the trident up into the hideous thing’s mouth. Driving the 4 tips of his trident right into its brain. Slaying it before it could foul up the Weave even further. White unfurled from me with a scream of retribution.
The colors of the Weave cleared.
Bits of gold shining through the pieces of red.
White guided the bruised souls of the innocent children, babies, and men towards Black.
Singing the songs of comfort.
Dexter knelt. Reaching out a hand to all who would take it.
One child’s spirit pointed, “You won’t leave him will you?”
I reached out. Feeling the small fingers close around my index finger.
“No, I will find Natet’s friend. I promise.”
The little boy smiled, “Thank you! I will sleep with my sister now.” He took another toddler’s hand and walked towards my brother.
The Markav of this place finally knew freedom.
The Jupiter Rising
Captain’s Quarters
I stared out into the void. Watching the stars twinkle.
We were heading to the closest Scholar/Dweller Gate.
Doc was a warm weight next to me.
Arthon was still pouring over the records of that place.
In all, we had 1,788 Markav passengers aboard.
No children.
There had been no remaining embryos to recover.
Natet had requested to join our crew as a cook. He wanted to see Illarium but wanted to thank us for rescuing him. I granted it. He had decided to name his rat Crumbles. After the discovery of human coffee cake. Arthon had updated me. That facility had originally housed over 1.2 million personnel. The survivors had called the Brood Layer “Child of Chains.” It had been birthed by a Void Walker woman most only new as Nyx.
That creature was somewhere on Earth.
We would find her and stop her.
Doc shivered in her sleep and rolled over. Her hands reaching out for me.
I held her close.
There would be no more lost children.
Not if I had any say about it.
*****
White waited until Eliza finally slept.
The truly evil would always find a way to harm children.
<
Black replied, <
*****
Sister Nyx walked the streets of Illarium.
Humans were a common enough sight here as well.
Both great societies working towards some common sapient goal tied to useless emotion.
The bright innocent laughter of children were a delight to her.
So much potential.
So little time.
She hummed as she walked. Right into the very sacred Blue Temple of Exodus.
She laughed to herself as she saw that old warhorse again. Sul’sandra had failed in protecting her world once. The Keeper smiled to herself as she pictured the look on the old Markav’s face as she took more children. Oh yes.
She would.
In time more little souls for her projects.
But not now. She would move cautiously.
Let the sleepers do the heavy lifting.
She knelt.
Praying for a better tomorrow.
The Jupiter Rising
Bio-Hazard Unit
I placed Mordred’s shard in our highest-level security container.
It was almost as if this area was made for such a thing. Doc ran some more tests on it.
Her voice was faint, “Now all we need is the proper mix of Weave Speaker and Light Shaman mojo. Plus a way to deliver it all at once.”
I nodded, “Arthon discovered that Nyx was the one who developed the Nanites that control the Void Walker sleepers. Maybe if we get some of her instrumentation, we can have Ned Fletcher reverse engineer it.”
She placed the shard in its holding place. Triple sealing it.
“That’s an idea. He is pretty handy in a pinch.”
We exited the chamber.
Doc pulled me along until we were near the mess hall.
Many Markav paused. Raising their left hand into the air. Two fingers out in a salute.
“The Blessings of the Three upon you!”
They were still processing what happened but most were holding it in until later.
To most of them they had been paused for but an instant.
For Natet, he knew the truth. He had a bit of Weave Speaker within him.
So he cooked around the clock. Learning new recipes.
It was his way of coping.
He wanted to be with us when we stopped the Sister. Arthon waved us over to what Arthur dubbed the Round Table of Jupiter. Natet placed another plate of food before Mom. She dug in like she was eating for 10. I scanned my siblings once more. They had elevated metabolisms. A prelude to possible demi ability. Anna perked up, “Whatever spices you are using, keep it up, I haven’t been able to keep much down lately.”
Dad held out a piece of fish to mom. On a fork. She grinned at him and took it.
She hadn’t left his side since we came back aboard.
*****
Dexter made his rounds about Jupiter. Checking all the wards and Weave sigils.
Breathing a sigh of relief.
He would make sure his siblings never felt the cold bite of the Sister.
Unlike Eliza, he remembered every bit of their birth.
His eyes hardened.
That thing would not survive into the next year.
He would cast it into the sun first.