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part #3 of The Quantum Wars Series
They finally emerged from the forest into a small clearing dominated by a cave like structure that had clearly been an airship at one point. Candace’s mind settled on the only chance of success she could see. She stared at Curtis Reynolds as he approached the ship, her mind churning through the possibilities. The vessel was covered by vines and grasses and would clearly never fly again, having embedded itself into the ground and integrated completely into the landscape. Sadness filled her as she watched Curtis gently place Owen into the ship. Tears came unbidden to her as he rose stepping back from the chamber.
She glanced at Simon where he stood watching nearby. His red skin gleamed dully in the darkness, his face somber. Candace did not know how she could ask him to do more than he already had done for humanity. All she knew was he could be their only chance of truly stopping the Leviathan.
ELEVEN
Rage. Unbridled rage. Curtis had given in completely to the frustration and anger he endured for so long. Now he was tearing through the thick forest surrounding the nanid reaction chamber. The nanid strains were responding to his emotion transforming him into the feral beast his rage demanded. Muscles rippled across his scale covered skin and the thick mane on his head spread down across his shoulders as he broke through the underbrush of the forest as if it were twigs. His thoughts streamed all his failures feeding the rage, which pushed the transformation even further. His face took on the features of a beast as his body continued to grow shifting him farther and farther from his humanity. He had failed so many. He could not stop the Leviathan. He could not protect Wren. There was no way to defeat ODIN. All his failures culminated with his inability to save Owen. Grief wormed its way through the rage tempering his transformation. His pace slowed slightly as he thought of the man’s fate.
Owen was doomed to death or eternal sleep. The AI in the grove could not stop the advance of the strain. Kelly’s last solution was deep stasis until they could get access to the needed technology and even then, that would only slow the advance of the strain. Eventually the man would succumb to the technology and become another of the Leviathan’s minions. Anger surged through him again bringing him to a halt as the nanids began the final step of his conversion. Pain tore through him and he fell to his knees, his hands digging into the soft soil of the forest floor. A great roar was torn from him as his body shifted further. His neck elongated, and his head shifted forward, forming a great snout between two ivory reptilian eyes with flecks of silver and red.
Curtis felt fear for the first time since losing control. The nanid strains had taken over the reaction and he no longer controlled it. He roared again as they continued. He felt fire in his throat as the silver of Wren’s nanids coated his scales. He felt his body growing exponentially heavier with each passing moment. The Leviathan strain isolated to his clawed feet and hands forming long, razor tipped talons. He looked at his hands and saw scaled feet where they had once been. He turned his head, swiveling it around on the elongated neck as he took in the full scope of his transformation. Under the silver scales he could see the white and red of ODIN’S and ARES’ nanids on his skin. A silver tail had emerged from his hind quarters providing balance as well as an added means of protection. It was tipped with a black barb gleaming like his claws. He could see the buds of wings forming on his shoulders and the top of his head was growing heavier as sleek horns slowly emerged. Curtis’ mind spun back to his encounter with ISIS on the station two centuries before. The quantum had done this to him. Confusion and grief overwhelmed him, as he fell to the earth, his heavy body landing with a shudder as his emergence continued.
Curtis remained conscious as the conversion slowly finished. Time ceased. His only focus was on his slowly changing body. Finally, the pain subsided as the conversion completed and he could feel the power of his new body surging through him. Slowly he rose testing his limits. His senses overwhelmed him as he adjusted to his body. His sight was forever altered. He could see with ease in the dull gray of fading night. The lighting of the forest around him indicated several hours had passed since his conversion began. He felt as if he had been there for days. His thoughts were disturbed as he realized he could sense the presence of life around him.
He could not see it, but his mind recognized the subtle energy released by Stephen Fore’s nanids as they worked to restore the planet. Curtis lost himself in the currents of the forest, feeling it soothe his frayed body and mind. Slowly he recognized other entities in the waking forest. The AI, Kelly and Candace were distinct signatures of energy in the field. With a mild shock he sensed the presence of Simon standing mere feet away from him. Curtis slowly turned his body struggling to adjust to the size of his new frame.
“Simon?” he queried, then stopped short. His voice was gone replaced by one that was smooth, deep and powerful. He could sense the fear and awe coming off Simon in waves. The red metal of the man’s skin stood out sharply to Curtis as he took a step forward.
“How?” Simon asked, wonder crossing his face as he stared at his companion. Curtis shook his body and his scales rattled as he lowered his head down to Simon. His new wings spread and then tucked back snugly on his sides as his reptilian eyes held the red of Simon’s eyes.
“It was ISIS. The quantum did this long ago,” he rumbled, his voice echoing through the forest. Curtis rose back to his full height. He marveled at his transformation while at the same time feeling a subtle grief at the loss of his humanity. He did not know if he would ever return to his original form. He was well over ten feet tall at his front shoulders and his body extended over thirty feet from head to tail. He felt a deep laugh form as he stared at Simon below him. It was cut short by a scream from the grove in the distance.
Alarm sped through Curtis as he crashed through the forest toward the grove. The trees and brush fell before his bulk unable to withstand the power and strength of his new body. Simon was a red streak in front of him. With a thought Curtis tried to turn invisible and was surprised when his form faded from view. Anger ran through him once more. It was no longer the uncontrolled rage, but the tempered anger of vengeance. As they pushed faster another scream tore through the predawn gloom. Curtis felt powerful as he followed Simon through the newly formed forest to help their friends.
The forest streamed by Simon as he shot toward the grove’s center. The scream was Kelly’s voice and it shocked him almost as much Curtis’ transformation had. Adrenaline was surging through his system as he drew closer to the grove, the crashing of Curtis growing farther behind. His friend had turned into something he could only describe as a dragon. The scaled behemoth held none of what Curtis once was. Simon could not understand how the man had lasted so many years on his own but could now see it was less Curtis and more the nanid strains that had sustained him. Whatever ISIS had done so long ago had preserved the man and kept him sane. Simon burst through the final barrier of trees into the heart of the grove pushing his musings to the side. Kelly was on her knees holding her head, tears falling freely from her eyes. They shimmered with nanids as they fell, Simon’s enhanced eyes picked out the faint radiance given off by the technology. Candace stood over her protectively holding the lone energy rifle they brought with them. Simon closed the final distance between them ignoring the crashing of Curtis drawing closer. Stopping he scanned the area looking for something out of place before turning to Candace.
“What happened?” he asked. Worth began to speak, but the grove’s AI answered for her.
“The grove is under attack by the Leviathan. Kelly Holt’s drones have been disabled,” it stated placing the message in their minds. As it finished the grove’s defenses begin to cycle on. Small drones streamed by the hundreds from the former airship while turrets arose around the perimeter. The AI would defend the ship and the nanid reaction chamber at all cost. Its programming from Stephen bypassed the normal prohibition on attacking humans. As the turrets locked in place and began scanning the area, Curtis burst into the grove, his invisibility dropping as he saw no threat. Simon saw Candace and Kelly both gape at the reptilian form striding toward them. Kelly stood, and her tears slowed as the man turned dragon approached.
“Curtis?” she asked with a sob still in her throat. Curtis dipped his head to her and she touched his scaled cheek, the green of her nanids contrasting sharply with the silver scales. His reptilian eyes softened as he saw her tears. A howl erupted from the perimeter of the forest surrounding them. Simon spun around, prepared to fend off an attack when the turret nearest them opened fire. A flare of light drove back the night as the beam sliced through the air into one of the Leviathan’s minions inside the cover of the forest. A pained scream followed the fading light and Simon turned seeking other attackers. All he saw besides the forest was a lightening of the sky in the east as the day approached once more.
“We have to go,” he said, turning to his companions. He turned in the direction of the ship and began striding toward the forest. Curtis did not move.
“What about Owen?” His voice rumbled. The doors to the converted airship slid close protecting the sickened man lying in the stasis chamber.
“I will care for him,” the AI replied, the closing of the doors not allowing argument. Curtis wheeled away with the ground trembling as he moved to the edge of the forest.
“I will be above you,” the beast whispered into Simon’s mind. The connection to his friend appeared instantly and felt oddly familiar, as if he were communicating with Wren after the nanids altered her. Simon nodded as Curtis launched his new body into the air, a slight shimmer running across the silver scales as the nanids helped his new form rise into the air, with his great wings buffeting the ground below. The reptilian form of Curtis disappeared, his cloak hiding him from view as he rose into the quickly brightening sky. Simon turned to his two remaining companions. Kelly had recovered from the loss of her drones and was gathering the last of what they had brought. Candace stood ready. Her thin frame belied the strength the woman had nurtured over the years spent in isolation.
“Follow me. We go slow and keep as low as possible,” Simon said turning, in the direction of the ship. “Hopefully the forest will allow us to get to the ship unseen.” He finished walking quietly toward the edge of the evergreens surrounding them. As he stepped under their cover, the red sword he had never used but somehow knew how to wield, grew in his right hand. A ball of nanids gathered in his left hand as memories of his first confrontation with the Leviathan passed as silent ghosts in his mind. He hoped to not use any of it and escape the creatures of the Leviathan without confrontation. Candace and Kelly followed silently, both moving cautiously as the gloom of the early morning forest surrounded them. The buzz of the grove AI’s drones was a constant noise echoing off the trees and multiplying, thus making it impossible to distinguish one sound from another. Simon appreciated the cover while simultaneously cursing it. He would have little warning if they crossed the path of the Leviathan’s hunters. In the distance he heard the discharge of the grove’s defense turret finding a target once more. No sound followed, and Simon hoped it found its mark. As they moved deeper into the grove Curtis’ silent whisper intruded in his mind.
“Go left.” Simon turned to the left moving more urgently sensing the unseen threat Curtis was helping them avoid. Kelly followed him, her eyes focused on the forest around them scanning for any hint of trouble. Candace was only steps behind with the energy rifle held ready in case they encountered one of the beasts. They had moved in the new direction for several minutes when a howl erupted from the forest behind them. Simon spun expecting an attack when Curtis’ voice stopped him.
“Turn back to the right and keep going.” The howl came again, and Simon could hear the crashing of bodies not far behind. The sound of the drones rose markedly, and dozens zipped past them toward their pursuer. Each gleamed dully in the light and Simon realized they were armed with an array of weapons meant to protect the grove. Simon turned and began moving back toward the airship. Moments later a pained scream came from the forest as the swarm of drones found what they sought. Several more cries followed each sounding more panicked than the previous, then no sound emerged from the lightening forest. Simon could already feel the heat of the day coming despite the cover the trees provided.
“Run!” Curtis’ thought broke across his mind and Simon complied instantly. He broke into a light run knowing he would outdistance Worth in a moment. He glanced back to see the two women keeping pace with him. The forest grew thinner as the green of the grove grew brighter while the sun continued to rise. Simon felt hope spread in a flush across his chest. He readied himself as they burst into the open land on the border of the forest. Kelly’s airship crouched on the ground in front of them. His hope died as a large group of the Leviathan’s creatures streamed around the airship barring their path. More and more came and soon over fifty of the strain infected beasts were closing on them, slowly forming a half moon to ensnare their prey. Howls and shrieks arose as the lust for their prey rose in the creatures. Simon was shocked by the threat closing in on them. The beasts were not just infected humans, but all manner of mammals and birds. As he watched their movement he knew they were no less deadly than their human counterparts. Fear began to worm it way through him as he heard the forest on both sides of their small group erupt, several of the Leviathan’s hunters springing the final trap. Simon felt his armor tighten on his frame preparing for battle. The ball of nanids in his hand began glowing fiercely as he glanced toward Kelly and Candace. Candace had the rifle shouldered slowly scanning for the first to fall. He was surprised at Kelly. The woman had grown thinner, the nanids Stephen had given her responding to the threat. Her tall frame grew more feral and her hands slowly grew long green tipped claws. The gleam of anger was bright in her eyes as he saw her gaze settle on the drones littered around the airship. His attention flipped back to the approaching horde as they went silent. A large hulking beast stepped forward. Simon recognized it as once having been a human, twisted with thick, black plates of armor for skin. A dark slit of a mouth crossed its jagged face as it stopped, glaring at Simon. The creature resembled an enormous insect and Simon felt the instinctual dread that comes with the unfamiliar.
“Simon Fore, we recognize you from long ago,” it spoke, its voice grating across the distance between them, as its gray eyes bore in him. “Our master will be pleased.” A cruel smile twisted its features even further. Before it could continue, the ground erupted in front of it, a deafening roar shaking the line of dark creatures. The insect creature’s chest opened, several large gashes forming as Curtis dropped his cloak revealing his presence. His dark talons completed their progress across the creature throwing it back into its brethren.
“You will find it difficult to return to you master!” the dragon roared as he paced back to his companions, muscles working under his scaled hide. Hesitation passed through the monsters as Curtis stood protectively in front of his companions. Simon felt hope rise again matching the ascent of the sun. They might be able to stand against the horde of creatures. He could see several looking around, the fear of the massive creature in front of them urging them to flee.
“Hold!” the graveled voice of the creature brought its minions to heel. It stood striding back in front of its charges. The gashes on its chest were quickly closing.
“You will not stop the Leviathan, beast! Nothing can stand in our master’s way.” As it finished, the horde all around them surged forward as one, shrieking and howling with their shared rage. Simon threw the nanid charged grenade at the closest hunter detonating as it impacted the creature. The light and sound of the explosion did not stop the rush and he drew closer to Kelly and Candace. Candace was firing into the surging creatures picking targets to disrupt the charge and slow the beasts. Kelly snarled at the approaching horde and Simon could see drops of a green substance dripping from her newly generated claws. He did not know what it was but surly it would not be pleasant. Curtis spun lowering his head, a deep growl issuing from his fanged mouth. His tail whipped viciously in front of him, the dark barb seeking a target. The creatures continued closing their fear replaced by blood lust and the thirst to please their master. Simon prepared another globe and stepped beside Curtis as he prepared to fight to the death. Before he could step any closer to the horde, the ground in a circle around the four companions exploded from a series of impacts. Simon recoiled thinking they were under an attack from the horde but recovered when none came. As the dust of the impact settled, a line of green skinned warriors encircled his small group separating and protecting them from the horde just feet away. Nothing stirred on the dry land bordering the grove. The horde looked confused and unsettled while Curtis, Kelly and Candace looked just as surprised as Simon felt. As he watched the warriors became less and less opaque taking on the glossy look of clear glass. The fast climbing sun glinted off their surface creating green waves on the ground and the dark creatures in front of the glass warriors. The lead minion growled impatiently, frustrated at the continued impediments.
“Attack!” it screamed, surging forward once again. The horde reacted instantly closing on the warriors. The glass men exploded outward. Simon pulled back attempting to cover Candace. There was no need. The shards and needles drove into the horde all around them inflicting thousands of wounds in a moment. As he watched the dark creatures stumble to a halt, the shards and needles dissolved in their wounds. Each creature became stiff as the green shards turned into nanids destroying the strain. As the nanids destroyed the Leviathan’s nanotechnology, the bodies of the creatures crystallized where they stood. Soon the horde was a grizzly display of disfigured monsters slowly turning to stone. A green blur emerged from the forest streaking toward the stone horde with a grace that Simon recognized only a quantum could possess. It flowed across the ground striking the horde and shattering each, one by one bringing their tortured existence to an end. The few creatures that had escaped the explosion of glass attempted to flee but the haze of green quickly caught and dispatched them without hindrance, smoothly gliding to each as they sought to escape, and ending their life in a sweep of emerald green. After the last of the stone monstrosities were destroyed, the green wave turned back to Simon’s small group streaking toward them stopping just a few feet in front of them. Simon gaped unable to move or speak. His mind spun as he stared into the blazing green eyes of the man in front of him. Simon took stock of the newcomer not really believing what he was seeing. Long, green robes surrounded the man and Simon felt as if they were alive, seeming to flow around their rescuer endlessly. Simon returned his gaze to the face. The green eyes held him waiting patiently. A smile of joy and relief came to Simon’s face as he stared in the face of Stephen Fore. His father had saved them.
