The Other Side of Beyond, page 12
part #2 of Mitch Mythic Series
“So we just stand here? What happens if this blows up?” General Vargas asked.
“If this thing blows up then there really won’t be anywhere to run, but I assure youit is stable,” Gerald said. “Adams, let’s begin the demonstration.”
“Understood, sir,” Adams said and he spoke into a microphone. One of the people inside the container took a small cube out of a case and placed it into a housing chamber at the top of the coil of copper. They gave a thumbs up to Adams and they all exited the chamber.
Adams pressed a few buttons on the console in front of him and then stepped back. He nodded at Gerald to indicate all was ready and then a slow hum filled the room. SoHee could see flashes of electricity around the copper coil. The hum rose in pitch and a ball of electricity formed in front of the coil. After a few seconds a beam began to emit from the copper and it shot into the metal panels. SoHee covered here eyes as a bright light was reflected back off of the panels. She lifted her arm away from her face and saw that there was a ball of electricity hovering in front of the stack of panels. The beam continued to grow and is it did the ball of energy began to widen. A deep black circle appeared in the centre of the ball and it began to expand, forcing the electromagnetic energy outward.
“The ‘push’ created by the coil combined with the inReal device has pushed against the dark energy present here to create what we like to call an open passage,” Gerald said.
“Where the hell does it go?” Vargas asked.
“We have no idea. We’ve sent probes through but we haven't received any type of signal, unfortunately. We were also unable to establish a passage over a long enough period to be able to retrieve a signal,” Gerald said. As he spoke the beam fluttered several times and it began to recede. The circle of electricity collapsed in on itself and the black circle disappeared.
“We’ll isn’t that just dandy. You made a wormhole that nobody can go through unless they're suicidal,” General Vargas said. “The only people who are gonna use these things are people hell bent on destroying the world.”
“Exactly sir,” Gerald said. “The terrorists who created the wormhole in that cavern may have those thoughts and feelings, but we can’t be certain until we’ve apprehended them.”
“How do propose we do that? You’ve already said you can’t maintain the passageway. If anybody goes in they sure as hell aren’t coming back,” Captain Vargas said.
“An excellent point, Sir.” Gerald said. “We are in the early stages of understanding this phenomenon but we have a few aces up our sleeves, so to speak.”
“Go on,” General Vargas said.
“The location of the latest incident has proven to be an ideal location to establish a permanent link but we’ll need to upgrade our charge,” Gerald said.
“I can make that happen, but if anybody goes through that thing how do you plan on bringing them back?” General Vargas asked.
“That is where our young friend from Korea comes into play,” Gerald said looking at SoHee. She immediately began to blush as she noticed that all eyes were on her again.
“What do you want me to do?” She asked.
“We want you to do what you do best, Miss science,” Gerald said. “As I told you earlier, we’ve got a clone of your specimen sitting next door. Wouldn’t you like an opportunity to study the incredible phenomenon you uncovered last year?”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
MITCH CAME TO the edge of the container beside Drak and looked out. An immense chasm spread out in front of them and thousands of identical green containers were stacked upon each other in every imaginable way. Mitch was instantly reminded of a beehive in the way the containers were stacked together. Hovering vehicles of different shapes and sizes moved around in an orderly chaos. Containers were brought in and taken away seemingly at random.
“Are we prisoners or are we lunch?” Mitch wondered aloud.
“Not sure, but not good whatever it is,” Drak said.
“Wow, you really nailed it on the head there,” Mitch said. “I’m not sure if I’m hallucinating or I’ve completely lost my mind. It’s probably both. I must be having a schizophrenic breakdown and I’m hallucinating an alternative universe. It’s either that or we died back there in the explosion and now we’re in hell,” Mitch said as he sat down in a huff.
“Or it’s real and this really happening,” Drak said as he sat down opposite Mitch with his back to the wall of the container.
“You know what, you’re probably right and that’s the worst part. If I’d gone schizo at least I could get some pills to make me better,” Mitch said as he took off his shoes and shook out some rocks. “Now we get to find out what it’s like to be eaten alive by some hive creatures in another dimension, oh joy.”
“Hey, snap out of it. We not dead yet,” Drak shouted at Mitch. “You think I want to be here? Stop blaming me for what happened and we figure out way to get out.”
“What do you mean stop blaming you? This is all your fault. If not for you, none of this would’ve happened. Those guys knew everything about you. You must have been dealing with some dodgy people on the internet to get all that equipment you had in that cavern,” Mitch said as he glared at Drak.
“You think I’m that stupid?” Drak shot back. “I never talk with those people before,” Drak said.
“But they used your algorithm to obtain their inReal device. So your plan to free the people backfired didn’t it. All you did was go and create a bunch of dangerous cyberterrorists. They used you to get what they wanted and now we’re all about to get chopped up and eaten by cyborgs,” Mitch said as he shoved his shoe back onto his foot.
“You so negative,” Drak shouted back. “I’m mad as you are that we here. I only want to go home, help my people. Humans are not worth saving. Before, I think you can be allies, but now I know, you can’t be trusted. Humans are dangerous and selfish just like masters. If I not come to you, you probably all slaves now,” Drak said.
“That’s not what I meant. I’m sorry I said that,” Mitch said.
“Doesn’t matter. Already done. You only care about yourself. Never put others before you. Most important thing in whole Universe is Mitch Mythic. All you want to do is go off and play hockey at Boston. None of it matters if you not free,” Drak said.
“I’m really sorry man. I didn’t mean it that way. I’m just frustrated and angry is all,” Mitch said.
“How you think I feel?” Drak said. “I’m angry and scared too, but I don’t give up hope. I find a way out of this, figure it out. You go ahead and quit, but not me.”
“Why are you always so goddamn sensible?” Mitch said. “I can’t even feel sorry for myself for one-second.”
“That’s just like you, always feeling sorry for yourself,” Drak replied. “You must know one thing.”
“What’s that?” Mitch said looking up at Drak.
“There is no destiny, no plan,” Drak replied. “Universe is chaos, no point in making sense of it.”
“I hear that,” Mitch said. “That’s all this has been, nothing but chaos.”
“But that not all, we have power to change everything. I have hope that I can make change and that keeps me going, even here in this prison.”
“Well, I’ll see it when I believe it. Unless you can hope us out the door it looks like we’re stuck here until they put us on the menu,” Mitch said as he leaned his head back against the wall.
“We have no idea why we here or what they want from us,” Drak said. “We must wait and see what happens. We not dead yet so there’s always a chance. I not give up.”
“Don’t you get tired of being the rational one?” Mitch asked. “Don’t you ever get down about anything? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you not positive.”
“Is that bad thing?” Drak asked.
“Maybe, I don’t know. It just can’t believe that nothing ever gets you down,” Mitch said.
“I get down all the time,” Drak said. “My entire life has been down. I was born a slave, the bottom of the bottom. All my people have is hope, a hope for a better life, a hope for freedom. Nothing is worse than being slave. Life is horrible, but all slaves hope that they someday be free. So yes, I positive even when everything seems lost, because that’s only way I can be and only way I need to be.”
“Wow, you really know how to push the buttons. You should have been a self help guru, you would’ve made a fortune,” Mitch said and he was shocked when a smile crossed his lips.
“Well, maybe somebody listen to me, not like you. It’s like playing guitar to ox speaking with you,” Drak said.
“What? Where did you hear that?” Mitch asked.
“I read it in phrase book. People not say that?” Drak asked.
“No, but it’s pretty funny,” Mitch said and he rolled over on his side and laughed out loud. “Oh my god, this is insanity,”
“Yes, it is but so is everything else,” Drak said and his grin returned. “It’s all chaos and destruction. Nothing is permanent and everything changes. Planets die and new universes are formed all the time. Only thing that can be controlled is self. Emotions can easily overtake, but mind is dominant, use mind to keep emotions in check and balance returns. If emotions take over we lose control and make mistakes.”
“You just keep pumping it out,” Mitch said as he rolled over onto his back. “I’m lost in the multiverse with a prophet from another realm and we’re about to be eaten alive. ”
“Maybe, but you know that I right,” Drak said.
“Yes, and why is it that is always the case,” Mitch asked. “As hard as I try your positivity always shoots through everything.”
“Like you said, I prophet right?” Drak said. Mitch felt his blood pressure rise as the all too familiar grin spread across his friends face.
“Somebody get me out of here,” Mitch shouted into the ceiling.
It appeared that his prayers were answered as a small craft flown by one of the big eyed people shot towards the cell and hovered momentarily in front of the opening. A large fork like extension shot out of the craft and it’s four prongs spread apart vertically and horizontally. The prongs inserted themselves into some unseen sockets and Mitch heard a locking sound behind his head. He and Drak both jumped to their feet to see what was happening but as they did the pilot of the craft hit a button on the console and the rolling metallic door shuttered in an instant, plunging the container into darkness once again.
“Well, is everything lost yet?” Mitch asked in the dark.
“It never lost until it is,” Drak said again.
“I can’t believe that I am laughing right now,” Mitch said as a humming sound could be heard outside of the container.
“Laugh or cry, changes nothing,” Drak said. “Keep your head up and be ready. We not dead yet.”
“Yeah, Yeah, the infinite wisdom of the universe. All is not lost and don’t give up hope” Mitch said. “I hope that my death isn’t too painful and hopefully they eat us after they kill us.”
“You are impossible,” Drak said as the whirring sound accelerated. “Attitude like that is what gets you killed.”
The humming sound slowed and Mitch felt his stomach jump into his chest. He and Drak both fell over as the container dropped rapidly. Mitch got back to his knees and tried to comprehend what was happening. They heard a sound of metal scrapping against stone followed by a soft thud as the prongs disconnected from the container. The humming sound intensified for a moment and rapidly faded away. They sat in the darkness for a moment and everything seemed deathly still. The entrance of the container rumbled open and Mitch covered his eyes as an intense light blasted down on them. Two big eyed people came stepped into the container and grabbed them with their staffs. Mitch immediately felt his body go limp. He was hoisted up into the air and out of the container.
They were brought out into a large open area. More containers were stacked along either side and Mitch could see strange creatures lurking within. As they were brought past one container, something tried to leap out at them, but it was abruptly stopped by the green translucent barrier. Mitch heard a howl of pain as the animal retreated back into the darkness. They were carted onto a larger raft attended by several more of the bug eyed people. They all watched silently as he and Drak were loaded into the receptacles at the rear of the craft. Several more containers were loaded onto the deck and a large group of the bug eyed people climbed on board. One of the people banged their staff on the deck. The raft elevated rapidly and began to maneuver through the chasm. The passage narrowed and they entered into a tunnel similar to the one they had come through when they were first brought inside.
A metallic doorway at the end of the tunnel retracted as the craft approached and they entered into another immense chamber. The green containers were nowhere to be seen. The entire space was filled with long clear tubes and machines that seemed to be operational. The sounds of equipment moving filled the air and glowing, oblong shapes were pumped through the tubes, they looked like giant eggs. Above them, Mitch could see the shapes emerging from the tubes and mechanical arms transported them to waiting receptacles in the ceiling where they joined thousands more of the glowing shapes. The glow cast by the shapes cast a soft light down upon the machinery. They rocketed past several series of tubes and as they rounded a corner a towering stack of equipment stood before them and at it’s centre was another giant black stone similar to the one had Mitch seen earlier. Its core glowed rhythmically, in sync with the machines.
The craft rose up as at it moved towards the giant stone. Mitch could see a large deck beneath the stone and a squadron of the bug eyed people had assembled in anticipation of their arrival. On both sides of the deck several rows of the odd looking people stood motionless, holding their staffs. The craft slowly lowered down onto the deck. Mitch could see the stone above them like some distant mountain peak. They were hoisted out of the receptacles and brought toward a set of wide stairs that led to another deck. Their handlers climbed up the stairs and stepped forward onto the platform and stopped. Mitch could see a series of pipes and tubes connected to a round, metallic chamber that stood at the opposite end of the platform directly beneath the glowing stone.
Behind him Mitch could hear the sounds of marching feet as the bug eyed people assembled in a new formation behind them. The entire chamber seemed to grow silent, above them the stone continued to throb. The sound of steam escaping pipes caught Mitch’s attention and he saw the tubes connected to the chamber had begun to extract themselves from their sockets and retreat into the metal casing above. As the tubes receded several black appendages extended out of the chamber and they curved down and connected with the deck. More steam shot out of the chamber and it suddenly raised itself off of the platform and rose up above them and began to walk spider like towards where Mitch and Drak were held.
The bug eyed people behind Mitch and Drak began a buzzing chant. The walking chamber moved to the centre of the platform and more of the bug eyed people brought the containers that had been sitting on the craft and stacked them on both sides of the round chamber. A series of metallic plates lined with rivets made up the body of the chamber. They shifted and flexed with the chambers movement.
Mitch felt spams of panic and anxiety ripping through his heart and mind. The buzzing chant intensified and the pounding staffs picked up their pace. One of the containers opened without warning and a fierce looking beast with an enormous spiked head and an arched back charged out of the black opening. Its brown skin rippled along its massive spiked shoulders as it charged forward. It let out a terrific, echoing roar and pounded the deck, sending a shockwave that vibrated Mitch’s receptacle. The chamber seemed to whirl in the direction of the beast and it spider legs repositioned themselves. The hulking creature saw the chamber and it charged forward. It raised it’s massive arms to strike the hull of the chamber, but it was pierced in the back by one of the spider legs, another leg impaled the monster’s head and it hollered and went limp. Its torso slid off of the legs and fell to the platform. Two more of the containers were opened and a pair of the same giant creatures charged at the chamber. Mitch felt his heart racing as he watched the carnage unfolding.
The large chamber moved back quickly and managed to avoid the onslaught. The bottom plate of the chamber retracted and what appeared to be a spinning blade dropped out of the opening. The spider legs crouched down and Mitch was shocked as it leapt into the air and came down directly on top of one of the monsters. The creature swung up but its arm was sliced off at the shoulder and it screamed as one the chamber’s legs stabbed into its skull, driving it into the deck. The second beast had become wary of the chamber now and it stalked to its right as the spider legs repositioned themselves to take down the beast. The creature dodged a strike from one of the spider legs and it turned quickly in the opposite direction and smashed into the leg to its right. The leg buckled and snapped and the chamber dipped for a moment, but the blade extension tore into the leg of the beast and it shrieked in pain. It turned to strike, but it was decapitated by the blade. Its body fell to the deck with a thud while its giant head bounced across the platform and stopped before Mitch’s receptacle. Its dead eyes stared at Mitch and its mouth hung open revealing a ferocious set of teeth and blue spiked tongue.
