Attack From The Beyond
Adrian Belfast and his compatriots Ashley and Christopher were mulling about as best they could in this isolated sanctuary, this Merridion holdfast established here on Earth. They were the first to arrive at the complex. Lucas (or Lucalan) had predictably told them not to get too close to anything, at least not yet. And then he hustled off to some hidden vantage point with some of his alien brethren.
The Merridions had created many of these holdfasts throughout the world in case the Aelkighted decided to act hostile towards human beings. There were many Merridions who were stationed throughout Earth’s multitude of nations for innumerable tasks. Right now—as it was explained to the trio—those closest to governments were busying themselves briefing Earthly dignitaries of the threat posed by Aelkightia, and that they—Merridia—were going to assist Earth in its defense . Lucas explained that there were numerous contingency plans for just how to go about revealing this information, and assured Adrian and his companions that everything would work out for the best.
On the outside the Merridion holdfast looked just like your run-of-the-mill depository in any out-the-way-locality, but if you were to step inside it was like you had left the Earthly stratosphere. There were many such devices and equipment strewn about this warehouse-sized structure that left them all wonderstruck.
Exotic machines seemed to drip enough power and intensity that they could implode planets. Colors—such gorgeous colors!—deep yellows, brilliantly bright azures, affectionately vivid violets were spiraling seemingly out of control in one area of the complex, as Merridion scientists kick started an alien apparatus into working order. They caught sight of one corner where this towering metallic configuration was apparently gathering innumerable energies unto itself. It would do so from time to time, and then effectively blink out, like the wheezing of a worn down automobile.
They looked about—all of them—with a sense of reverence for the technological achievement of the Merridions, even if they didn’t have the slightest clue what any of it meant or did. Whatever they were doing, it appeared very important, and Lucas himself said as much.
Christopher and Ashley shadowed Adrian with mouths agape as he accosted one male Merridion who was holding some kind of alien looking device in his hands, which projected multitudinous diagrams before him.
“What—what is all of this?” said Adrian tugging on the blue skinned Merridion’s overcoat. The Merridion looked up from his pocket supercomputer and glanced at the trio most thoroughly.
“I assume your guides haven’t clued you in on any of the details,” he said.
“What details?” said Christopher.
He sighed. “I’ll try to explain it as simply and succinctly as I can. The Aelkighted have just—for all intents and purposes—occupied the homeworld. By now High Commander Xeriot is no doubt headed for Earth with a large gathering of Super Starships housing a vast contingent of Aelkightia’s choice marines, soldiers and air personnel, all a bevy of pernicious butchers capable of sweeping and subduing this planet in less than a fortnight. The Galactic Council sits in their halls and doesn’t stir at even the most glaring provocations, let alone the slights. We Merridions serve as Earth’s guardians, and as guardians we are bound to protect, in whichever way we see fit. Quite simply, we’re recruiting.”
“What do you mean by that?” was Ashley’s reply.
“You three will be among the first of the Earthlings whose DNA will be manipulated in order that you might assist we Merridions in repelling this alien threat. Now, now, there will be none of that. It is a totally harmless procedure and is a science that we have perfected among the infinitude of universal species throughout the ages. There are others of course. All those whom we shuttled to Merridion will be chosen as well, here and at other holdfasts.
“By doing this, we hope to give both you and us a fighting chance against the Aelkighted, who—it is sure—will be expecting a most unprepared planet when they arrive. This—however—will prove most surprising to that nefarious bunch. I am sure you will need some time to digest this new development, so we have prepared a most educational introduction to your new abilities in the holoroom.
“But we must be quick. The Aelkighted according to our sensors are but days away from breaking Earth’s gravitational field. Ah, there are your guides now. Lucalan, would you be so kind as to lead these brave young Earthlings to the holoroom where their minds can be set at ease?” Lucas returned with the retinue of his alien brethren who traveled with the Earthly trio from Merridion and began herding them into the holoroom.
The massive fleet of the Aelkighted armada was lifting itself off of the surface of the Merridion planet, peppering the polluted sky with enough brute force to swallow whole galaxies. If anyone could see Castillia now, they would be aghast: a capital city now devoid of anything considered vegetation, an atmosphere so decrepit it looked as if death had visited ten thousand times over. It was as if Castillia had been inoculated with a host of ecological plagues and disasters. The once beautiful and technologically superior megalopolis now stood in ruin. The end of millennial eras of serenity had arrived here in this peaceful corner of the Tridorian Galaxy. Phase I was just beginning.
Some of the combined empire’s forces would remain behind to safeguard their new trophy possession; coordinate with the homeworld of Aelkightia, and engage any Merridion stragglers. But the rest of their military might were on a new mission, to hunt down those Merridions who fled to the Milky Way galaxy, and were headed to Earth, as protectors and overseers.
High Commander Xeriot, the commander of just this one arm of the multi limbed Aelkighted Empire, watched through the viewing screen as the crown jewel of this advanced fleet (what can be loosely interpreted as ‘The Imperilizer’) moved out of Merridion space, preparing to engage its hyperdrive systems. No one could really say what the Aelkighted looked like, as they were possessors of a rather extraordinary gift, shape shifting. True, to other planets and peoples this would not seem like a gift, not when they could infiltrate your world, learn everything about your multitudes of cultures; become acquainted with your languages, scouting you out for a potential amalgamation. But if you were looking now you might sense beings whose hunger for expansion never truly went away, an aggressive lot, single minded creatures that would not be swayed.
Earth had been in the targeting scope for hundreds of years, but the vexatious Merridions would always get in Aelkightia’s way. They stood for something that the Aelkighted just could not fathom; truth, justice, hope, and peace. But now not only would the Merridions see their home world swallowed up by the Aelkighted, but Earth’s due date was finally here as well. The Supreme One would be thrilled.
“It won’t be too bad,” said Adrian trying to respond comfortingly to a despondent Ashley, taking her hand in his. The Earthly trio had been discussing the introductory hologram which disclosed their abilities for a good forty five minutes. Power shields, psionics, and photon energies would be the order of the day in the face of the Aelkighted onslaught. The Merridions would also increase their capacities for battle strategies and tactics, for soldiering in the field of battle. The Earthly trio would be given qualities that some of Earth’s greatest warriors possessed. Adrian placed his hand on Ashley’s shoulder. “They said they have the technology perfected, so you don’t have to worry about genetic mutations and the like.”
Christopher paced about the room, disquietude marking his deportments. He was African American with dark, curly hair and air of inexperience about him. “My mind is blown,” he said. “You mean to tell me, that they ‘re gonna screw ‘round with my DNA to fight these ET’s, and that I’m gonna be one of the first of millions, maybe even billions, of humans to try to fight off this alien threat?” He engaged himself in a myriad of gesticulations. “It’s mind-blowing!”
“There won’t be billions,” said Lucas, who was the only one of the Merridions who had remained with the trio after they had watched the hologram. “It’s probably more correct to say that there will be tens of thousands.”
“Still,” said Ashley, “this is a lot to take in.” She rose from her position, grappling with the decisions that now stood before her. “Why pick me? I’m not a fighter or warrior. I’m just a young woman who just happened to befriend a Merridion and was shuttled off to some alien world in preparation for a hostile invasion.” She burst out with laughter. “How crazy does that sound? So I have to defend the people that I love, or watch them get overrun by an overly aggressive alien super power? This is hard to digest.”
“That should be our motivation.” began Adrian whose head was bent in reflection. While it certainly appeared an impossible task he seemed to be the only one of the trio who had adopted what the Merridions expected of him. “Try to think on all the good you’d be doing. Consider what lies just beyond the horizon, if you get my drift. If we along with the other selected humans and Merridions can pull this off, then what happens? Perhaps the Galactic Council will see fit to allow us to join. You never know. But of course, there’d be no knowing period if we just stand back and allow the Aelkighted to have their way with our planet.”
“I guess—I guess that makes sense…” said Ashley who was seemingly coming around. Christopher took his seat after much rumination and aired his thoughts.
“I’ve always wanted to—like—get involved in somethin’ special, somethin’ that had a lot of meaning. This could be my special moment, ya know? This could be all our special moments…” Ashley inwardly reflected on Christopher’s musing. They all seemed to be warming up to the idea of having their genes manipulated.
Lucas studied Adrian, Ashley, and Christopher in kind. “Should I tell them that you three are ready?” Adrian glanced at his compatriots tentatively. “Yeah, I think so.” Ashley and Christopher both nodded their assent.
When the time finally came for the Earthlings to have their DNA altered, they were all inside of what could best be described as man sized, multihued test tubes on top of soaring revolving platforms. They were hovering inside of these Merridion mechanical pods, as if balanced on invisible tethers, and the rainbow colors were moving about slowly by degrees, almost hypnotically. There was wildly alien architecture enveloping them on all sides. Alien metals were erected in copious foreign designs, constructs that even the brightest of Earth’s futurists could only dimly hint at.
And yet despite all the apparatuses obviously being extraterrestrial, these exotic super computers, automated cocoons, and otherworldly devices all possessed an undeniable harmony; it was indeed alien and recognized as such, but to the human palate it proved agreeable.
Adrian was installed between both Christopher and Ashley. In mindset, Adrian was deeply situated in wonder at the scientific authority of the Merridions, and he saw that his comrades were as well; that is, until something queer took place.
Merridions hustled about the Merridion complex, appearing to ensure that everything went smoothly. It proved eerie to Adrian, when he considered the totality of events. Adrian began to speculate fretfully why the Merridions were behaving like bees in a beehive. Some Merridions were shouting at their compatriots, others of which were on the brink of unrelenting panic.
He began to contemplate on the environment he was ostensibly now in. What have I gotten myself into? What have I gotten us all into? I told them not to concern themselves over this, and that we’d be fine, and now these Merridions are disintegrating before our very eyes. Isn’t this supposed to be par for the course? They said they had this technology perfected, and yet, there can be no mistaking that they are worried about something. He looked alongside himself at both Ashley and Christopher and saw that they too were expressing apprehensions. Something’s wrong, he thought. Or why else would they be carrying themselves like this?
Then he spun his head towards Lucas (or Lucalan as he was called among his alien brethren) standing just below him and saw calm; a reassuring smile was communicated to him amongst the Merridion chaos. That was enough to steel him, enough to get him through whatever it was that the Merridions were wrestling with. He looked towards his companions and told them that they would make it to the other side of this, they had made the right choice: his friend had intimated as much, and he trusted him. They had been through some peculiar particulars that companions shouldn’t have to face amidst themselves (they were even to the point of enemies once), but those episodes belonged squarely in the past.
Ashley and Christopher steeled themselves as well. Adrian had said what was necessary to tame their tempestuous seas.
A male Merridion began making his ascent up the platform towards the instrument panel. There descended an air of expectancy among all the inhabitants of the Merridion complex. Adrian saw from his high hovering point that other Earthlings assigned to this facility had just finished viewing their own instructional hologram, and were heading to the congested warehouse area.
Merridion incubation tubes beside them also had human beings in them, though (it was true) some of these mechanical pods were empty. Adrian postulated that some of these people may want to await the results before they finally commit themselves to the idea of gene manipulation.
It wouldn’t take long for them to see those results.
The Merridion scientist began to manipulate the alien dashboard. An all-encompassing hum could be heard throughout the alien facility, and the colors on the mechanical pods entered a process of speeding up; slowly at first, but then it eventually took on wildness. The platform; it too began to revolve, and Adrian felt himself being tossed inside of the pod. So many colors danced before Adrian as he floated about. Light began to flash inside of the device. Despite all of this advancing activity, Adrian felt no sense of dizziness. Throughout he perceived that he was experiencing a high like no other, something akin to a sensational euphoria.
Adrian perceived that military stratagems and ideas were being suggested to him, and that he found himself wholeheartedly agreeing with these recommended tactics and principles. As with the color shifting they came on slowly at first, but before long his psyche was being inundated with a whole host of propositions and insinuations, all of which he signed off on.
He felt that he could now do things with his mind that he couldn’t do before. Mental links with others could be made, even from elongated distances. It all seemed to come naturally, as if he could always do these sorts of things, as if everyone should be able to practice abilities such as these.
Then a power shot through him. He couldn’t tell where it came from, but he recognized that some kind of vast energy was just deposited inside him. He believed he could face many an Aelkighted with this newfound strength that coursed through his veins
The Merridion scientist began to power down the gene manipulator; the revolving lessened, the colors swirled about more slowly, and the great hum became a quiet whisper. The mechanical cocoons ejected their inhabitants and they came out transformed. There was nothing different about their personalities, these would remain, but they were now in possession of powers and reasoning stratagems related to the field of battle, the techniques of Earth’s greatest warriors resided within their genes.
Adrian glanced at his compatriots and the other humans as they all gathered themselves about as the process of reorientation was just beginning. The Merridion scientist approached them. It was the same one who communicated to the trio that they would be joining in the fight to defend Earth from the onslaught of the Aelkighted. He pursed his lips and began his inquiry.
“Well? How do you feel?” The trio all glanced at one another, but it was Adrian who spoke. He didn’t say much turning back towards the Merridion scientist, but what he said sufficed.
“When do we face the Aelkighted?”
Clev of the Aelkighted was flipping through three dimensional holograms as High Commander Xeriot and other Aelkightian dignitaries watched on impassionedly. Clev was giving the whole of the High Council of this arm of Aelkightia’s military might an idea of how suitable Earth was for a possible amalgamation. As one of the many chameleons sent to Earth, he possessed knowledge that was valuable to the High Council.
He showed them the many metals that could be harvested, buried beneath the crust and used to construct instruments of ruin by the Aelkighted scientists; he previewed the oceans that could be drained and used to be transformed into Aelkightian liquors and brews, the various races of people that could be shuttled to Aelkightian slave worlds and forced to serve out the rest of their lives in extremity of toil and hardship.
He gave the High Council many glimpses of what Earth was like, and just how remunerative of a world it would become once it had become amalgamated.
“There is no doubt, that strategically, Earth is very suitable for subjugation,” said Clev in the uncanny Aelkighted tongue. “It is situationally close to Neraxis, and in times of great military need would prove a boon and boost to any campaign that we could become engaged in this sector. Certainly the Merridions were not complete fools in choosing Earth for guardianship.”
“Indeed,” said High Commander Xeriot. “That has not been lost on our Supreme Lord. Continue.”
“As you wish,” said Clev. A holovision of Earth’s most destructive weaponry— jet fighters, tanks, and nuclear arsenal was previewed. “The Earthlings do not possess even a modicum of star might so it would be a small matter of overthrowing their governments and civilizations. It would not take much time at all before we have the planet completely subdued. That is the conclusion of my assessment.”
“A grand assessment,” remarked Monfurth, one of the chief aides. “I must say however, it proves far too easy. Why would all of Merridia abandon the homeworld to protect and oversee the guardianship of this planet? What is the Contingent planning? It can’t be this easy!”
“Perhaps,” said High Commander Xeriot, “their love of the Earthlings has blinded them. The Merridions have not thought in their own best interest for quite some time now, since at least the drama that unfolded with Telkwinora.”
“Yes, that would seem to be it,” said another, more assuring aide. “Do not be overly concerned, Monfurth, Earth is all but ours.”
“If that is all,” said High Commander Xeriot, “this conference session is adjourned. I must see the Supreme Lord in regards to our progress in securing Earth.” The aides and informant Clev dismissed on this note, nothing short but the dreams of another colonized world populating their psyches.
They came at them from every corner, crevice, holdfast; laser blasts marred perfect human structures, advanced alien rocketry left tarred, gaping holes in the beautiful landscape, blasts from vaporizers caused those military men and women near them to collapse into nothingness. Through it all, they yet remained, and lived to see another engagement with the Swarm of the Aelkighted. They were those humans who had their genes manipulated, and they stood on the front lines of the war with Aelkightia.
However, this was only a holosimulation. The true terrors and horrors of war had yet to be experienced by these green recruits.
The Merridion scientist called a halt in the action while Lucalan and his alien brethren gathered themselves around their Earthly compatriots.
“Progress,” said the Merridion scientist. “Progress indeed. But I fear we do not have the time needed to prepare you all for what’s coming. I am afraid that you will have to learn in the midst of warfare.”
“How hard can it be,” said Christopher. “I feel like I can take on strings of the Aelkighted at the same time; Chris sezs, let them come. I’ll giv’em somethin they nev’r experienced: the taste of fear.” And as he said this he began a shadow boxing expedition. Adrian, Ashley, and the other humans echoed the same sentiments. Lucas intervened.
“You misunderstand. You are still experiencing the highs of the gene manipulator. It will take much hardening before we see the true extent of your military acumen. In some ways, then, I guess we can say that this upcoming conflict with the Aelkighted will be the catalyst to refine your newfound abilities.”
“Yeah, well…if you say so,” said Christopher.
“How about another round with those Aelkighted scum?” said Ashley. “I feel like taking some of their alien heads off.” The other humans followed through with the same expressions or near expressions. The Merridion scientist sighed.
Just then a Merridion page came hustling inside of the simulator room and whispered something in the Merridion scientists’ ear. Lucas and his alien brethren looked about warily, Adrian noticed with acuity, displaying a small smile on his visage. The page left and Adrian perceived something very near defeat in the Merridion scientists’ mannerisms, though it didn’t make sense to him.
“I have just been informed that the Aelkighted are almost upon us. The Contingent will speak to an assembled force of human and Merridion military before we embark on the operation to salvage Earth. I implore you all to steel yourselves as best you can. Try to shake off some of these lingering effects, and concentrate on the seriousness of your circumstance. Now, follow me. We will be leaving this holdfast immediately, and joining with an arm of Earthly and Merridion militaries.”
The inestimable vastness of the Aelkighted Armada leaped out of hyper-space, Super Star Ships equipped with devastatingly powerful weapons, attack fighters capable of speeds unknown to men, drop ships able to hold thousands of infantry all trailed one another, the blue planet squarely in sight.
But the Merridions were awaiting them. An amalgamated mass of Merridion cruisers and fighters engaged the Aelkighted and the two opposing alien forces became locked in a titanic struggle for the fate of Earth.
These two galactic powers would be warring for an exceedingly long time, it is true; however, this arm of the Aelkighted being such a colossal military force, High Commander Xeriot was able to disengage a great portion of his strength to assault Earth directly, disregarding the Merridion defenses completely.
And so it came to this…
Ser Arfalla Di Hanistallan—the head of the Contingent—had spoken to them all, but that could hardly be enough to fortify these fragile human psyches, surely, even among the most hardened of soldiers. Humanity was in the midst of not just one, but two first contacts. Anything said broadcast to a host of military personnel over encrypted communications by a blue looking Merridion man would not go the required distance to steeling their minds, though it had to be said; and in fact in some ways it was reassuring to know that a technological galactic super power was behind them.
There was not enough time to manipulate the genes of all soldiers, so steps were taken whereby those Merridions who were integrated in the Earthly militaries would equip and train men in the use of Merridion warfare.
The Merridions had also supplied the Earth militaries with heaps and heaps of splendiferous and many sided leafs that helped to calm their minds amongst the monstrous oblivion which stood before them. It would help them to think straight, to concentrate better in the field of war and not so much worry about the fact that they were standing next to alien blue men and a hostile otherworldy invader had arrived. The feeling wouldn’t last forever though and the Merridon supply would at some point be exhausted.
Many people throughout the planet located in the Earthly metropolises were herded into protective sheltering structures, all of which had been evacuated from Castillia when the Aelkighted had zeroed in on the capital city of the Merridion home world. The Merridions had indeed done their best to protect human beings, but they were in reality fighting against time, and time wound inexplicably in the Aelkighted’s favor.
In the duration it took to the subduing of the capital city of Merridion, Castillia, to the galactic battle being waged around Earth, one month had passed. Today would forever be known to those Earthlings who referred back to it as the Attack from the Beyond…
They are carpeting the sky, Adrian thought as he stood below the Aelkighted Swarm with his Earthly brethren Ashley and Christopher. The three of them along with Lucas and a host of Merridion warriors and Earthly soldiers stood in the megalopolis that was Los Angeles, with Merridion weapons at the ready as the opposing fighters slugged it out in the atmosphere. It was—in essence—utter chaos.
Suddenly, one such fighter was blown out of the sky (a fighter of Merridion make) and came crashing down into the tall building of this avenue where the combined warriors were situated. Debris cascaded down among them and Ashley instinctively called upon her newfound abilities and raised her arms creating a transparent energy shield which would protect a host of soldiers. She maintained the shield with ease and then shot the debris high into the sky by expanding the shield exceedingly fast, which propelled the debris to land somewhere safe.
Lucas (who was the commander of this amalgamated human and Merridion force) held her gaze. “Good job,” he said. “We’ll need an amazing amount of outcomes like that if we’re going to get through this…” Ashley looked as if she was steeling herself. They all did, in fact, Adrian realized.
The pandemonium continued above. Adrian was arrested as a mammoth ship was being attacked incessantly by Merridion fighters. It was huge, a gargantuan of construction, blotting out the very light from the sun, and casting a dim shadow on the Earthly and Merridion warriors.
“That’s an Aelkighted drop ship,” said Lucas over the chaotic clangor. “If we can manage to take it out then it would prove a small victory in the coming ground war.” But the thing was so colossal in size, that the sleek Merridion fighters were only scarring the surface of the hull, as pieces of the transport would plummet down to the metropolis. To Adrian it looked as if that hope was about to be extinguished.
The drop ship positioned itself ponderously over a spacious park about distance with the horizon and a plethora of shafts of light continuously streamed out of the bottom of the thing, producing large, hulking creatures outfitted in protective garments and carrying about them weapons that seemed to match their girth. They moved about as one, sweeping the area and advancing towards the human and Merridion positions.
“It begins!” said Lucas. “If you need to, take another one of those calming leafs. We’ll need every head clear as it can possibly get. Follow me and stay alert.” Adrian followed after Lucas, shadowed by Christopher and Ashley. They cut corners as a unit, using the skyscrapers as buffers in case any Aelkighted should catch them unawares. The trio moved about as if they had trained for this mission for years, like they were the top recruits in some secret black ops military task force. It was the effect of the gene manipulator, no doubt, working its refulgent magic as it infused them with all kinds of military peculiars and particulars, those of ancient times and tactics of more modern conflicts. The Merridion scientist had said that they would have to learn in the midst of warfare, and that’s exactly what they were doing.
They came upon a grouping of Aelkighted infantry and let loose the laser fire of their Merridion rifles. The Aelkighted returned fire, lifting their weighty weapons which shot out proton blasts that were strong enough to leave gaping holes in the buildings used for cover. Adrian intuitively threw himself away from a proton blast as it took away a great deal of his hiding place. He reengaged himself back into the devastation that was gathering around him with rapidity.
The Aelkighted saw that they were pushing the Earthlings and Merridions back, and began to show more bravado, advancing and forcing them to retreat even more so.
Proton bursts were coming at them from almost every angle. This didn’t bother Christopher, who was like a madman. He pulled a plasma grenade from out of a looped belt strapped across his shoulders, (ducked and dodged and shimmied and flipped and cartwheeled) to avoid any and all proton bursts and finally sent the plasma grenade hurtling through the air towards congregated Aelkighted. The thing exploded outward, enveloping them in an almost liquid kind of embrace, and when it finally settled those Aelkighted caught in its range were not moving.
The combined militaries of the American government and the Merridions were holding their own against the Aelkighted, despite being vastly outnumbered. Adrian caught snatches of conversation between Lucas and other ranking Merridions amongst the bedlam. While they had lost a good deal of soldiers they were also dealing a blow to the Aelkighted ground force in this quadrant of the metropolis. Both sides had been reinforced (the Aelkighted through the dropship and there were other conflicts throughout the city that had ended well for the Merridions; when that happened, they were resupplied). It was possible that they could make it to the other side of at least this engagement, Lucas acknowledged.
Then something happened. Adrian began to feel a weight imposing its will upon him. He stood near the corner of a skyscraper, leaning against it, using it for cover. The chaos was enmeshed all around him. Some oppressive force was exerting a burdening influence upon his mental processes. He was hemmed in. He appeared to be in a standstill, caught between two opposing unthinkable destinies. It was as if he had caught glance of some nameless horror out of a work of Lovecraft. He placed his hand on his head to steady himself. Why is this happening? I can’t think straight.
“I—can’t make it!” he finally droned as proton bursts speeded past him. Lucas heard him and hustled in his direction.
“Take one of those calming leafs,” he said. “It’s too much to process.” Adrian pulled out one of the many sided and splendiferous leafs from his crisscrossed belt on his body and immediately swallowed one of them. The calming effect it had on his mind was immense and he found that he could go on fighting. Lucas spoke to him.
“Like I said, it’s too much,” he remarked. “We may have conceived of gene manipulation, but even the gene manipulator cannot take into account what is enfolding before us. You three will just have to make do with the calming agents when things get rough.”
“What if we run out?” was Adrian’s reply. Lucas looked nonplussed for a time.
“We’ll just have to worry about that when the time comes.”
Adrian steadied himself, determining not to be overly concerned about possibilities (or were they eventualities?) when they hadn’t gotten here yet. The calming leaf had done its job, he was reoriented for battle.
With this newfound composure Adrian purposed in himself to send as many Aelkighted to meet their Maker as he could manage. Protected through cover, he glanced in the general direction of the enemy. There was a great deal of Aelkighted positioned under the shelter of one skyscraper. A thought occurred to him. If I can do that then…is it possible? He was about to find out.
He concentrated, extending his arm and focusing his energies on the medium sized building. It took everything that was in him and proved a strenuous effort, but supporting beams began to cave in, steel girders went lax and the structure collapsed on the massed Aelkighted, doing away with their concealing place. It fell down sideways like collapsed dominoes, cluttering the far avenue with wreckage, and sending a sustained shiver all throughout the area. This was just too much for the remaining few, who became disoriented after this happening. It didn’t take long for the combined might of Earth and Merridion to eliminate the Aelkighted threat in this city quadrant.
The Earthly soldiers erupted into riotous celebration, ecstatic for what had just transpired. The skies too were clearing up of Merridion and Aelkighted war ships, as only stragglers remained. Ashley and Christopher approached Adrian from concealment, huffing and puffing, at the point of exhaustion.
“You did that?” was Ashley’s reply. It took a while before Adrian could get ahold of himself and even then he was still trying to catch his breath.
“I didn’t think it was possible—a thought just occurred to me—I can’t believe I did that!”
Lucas joined himself to the trio and expressed the side of caution.
“While it was impressive, we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. You will certainly be discovering that you can do more things as the war progresses, but we’re just getting started, there’s no telling how long this conflict will last.” They all nodded their assent. Lucas seemed like he was concentrating on something now, something afar off. He spoke in his alien dialect to it appeared no one. Puzzled expressions populated the trio’s faces, until he finally spoke in English.
“Now that this battle is over, Ser Armanas Delforia Jaltai wishes to confer with me. A hovering transport will take us to the nearest holdfast.” The hovering transport was indeed approaching even as he spoke and the all of them loaded up and left the battlefield.
Those first instances of resistance were always the most fierce, Clev reflected as he observed the defense that had been erected by these Earthlings. He and High Commander
Xeriot were currently watching a holo representation of the battle being waged over California. They’d switch from engagements taking place from city to city, state to state, insuring that things were going effortlessly. The viewing room was filled with holographic images of the Merridion and the Aelkighted crafts (both fighters and star ships) through use of a multitude of camouflaged probes that populated and peppered the expanse of the various battlefields, offering a host of strategic models of the engagements. They were even able to peek in on the progress of the ground war. All of this took place on a sweeping oval dais situated in the very center of the room.
It was true; the Earthlings had been reaping the benefits of some preparatory lessons with Merridia. They were fighting with everything that they knew how; in fact with things that were just coming to them, and yet, it would still prove not to be enough.
High Commander Xeriot would bellow out the name of a city (or sector) and Monfurth would change the holo representation. At this moment they were viewing San Diego. He called for a change in the holo representation to San Francisco. Monfurth obliged and the circumstances of the dais changed to another conflict.
Clev seemed pleased with himself as the observation went on. He was one of the many Aelkighted who had amalgamated themselves into human society so that the Aelkighted could be better ready to subdue Earth. All the work put into mapping the various regions proved immensely valuable, though High Commander Xeriot appeared agitated.
He called for Los Angeles. Monfurth did so, and the representation changed all at once.
“Ground engagements,” said High Commander Xeriot in the alien tongue.
“Ground engagements,” replied Monfurth. The trio observed as one young woman protected her troop from imminent disaster by calling forth a defensive shield which sent debris erupting hundreds of feet into the air and away from them completely.
They continued observing until they watched as a young African American male managed to avoid the proton bursts of their heavy weaponry with an array of acrobatic negotiations and eliminate Aelkighted with a Merridion plasma grenade.
And finally they watched on as one young man bought a building down on top of the heads of Aelkighted infantry, scattering those left remaining and flustering them so to the point that their mindsets became one of mystification, and their spirits sunk, causing them to become expired.
All throughout these blasted encounters (from San Diego, to New York, from New York, to Chicago, from Chicago to Los Angeles) one word was expressed by High Commander Xeriot.
“Merridia--Merridia!--MAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRIDDDDDIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAA!”
He appeared to be incensed, and rightfully so. How dare the Merridions get in the way of the Supreme Ones goals for Earth? How dare they try to thwart his plans? Didn’t they know that Earth was destined to be the next Telkwinora? Hadn’t they seen what happened to their own glorious capital city, Castillia? He turned to Clev, and spoke in the alien language, surprisingly calm despite the previous outburst.
“Clev, it seems our Merridion interlopers have been supplying the Earthlings with weapons and techniques that even we did not know of. They’ve been hiding things from us and the Galactic Council, these Merridions, certain…scientific breakthroughs. It would bring me so much relief if we could discover the secret of whatever it was those humans were engaged in. I want you to bring one of them to our Interrogating Chambers and find out exactly what it is that makes this possible. Understood?”
“I understand completely, High Commander. I will execute your order with swiftness.”
“Good. Now go.” Clev walked towards the exit of the holo representation room. How very exhilarating, a mission. Clev did his best work in the field of espionage; it’s where his true talents came to the fore.
Adrian, Christopher, and Ashley were participating in a discussion with a Merridion scientist over the effects gene manipulation had on their combat abilities as well as the overall progress of the ongoing conflict with the Aelkighted. They were situated at one of the many gargantuan cubic floating facilities that had left the capital city of Merridia (Castillia) when the planet was evacuated. This one hovered commandingly over Southern California, a multi-leveled super structure filled to the brim with humans and the Merridions who served them. Some human beings who were rescued from massed metropolitan cities were milling about in congregated groups and were in states of awestruck wonder at the command and technological might of these Merridions; that they could house as many people as they have and protect them in these giant cubes was astounding, Adrian guessed as to their thought processes as they talked back and forth with Merridion men and women. The remaining soldiers were being instructed in more Merridion weaponry in a fielding area.
No doubt the Aelkighted were reconstituting their forces in this region at this very juncture providing Earth and Merridia with a brief respite (though the battle in the heavenly atmosphere was still raging). This gave the Merridions a chance to coordinate the next phase of Earth’s defense, which is where Lucas was currently, conversing with Ser Armanas Delforia Jaltai about this very issue.
The trio all spoke in excited and engaged tones, thoroughly amazed at the kinds of abilities, military suggestions, and battle strategies granted them because of the gene manipulator. The Merridion scientist who trained them (whose name was Telafar) expostulated on their progress thus far.
“I must say, that I am impressed,” said Telafar. “Even with the benefits of gene manipulation, I did not think that with the advent of an intergalactic invasion that you three would display such adeptness in battle; that learning in the midst of warfare would prove so favorable to our current grim circumstances, but you have surprised me. And in fact, I am hearing of similar accounts amongst the others. I dare say that this will go a long way in staying the hand of the Aelkighted, and it may be the added element that was needed to repel them from this planet.” Adrian and the others were visibly enthused. To hear that actions taken by their own selves could tip the scales in an intergalactic conflict was beyond humbling. Adrian had remarked on this very thing when they were trying to decide whether they should have their genes manipulated. He had said that the possibility of protecting and saving the ones they love should be the impetus for wanting to beat back the Aelkighted.
“Everything just seems to come so easy,” remarked Christopher. “It’s almost like I have a new nature.” The others agreed. It was true, Adrian thought in consideration. When he was fighting he felt like he was infused with so many insinuations and innuendos in terms of target strategies, avoiding enemy fire, and the like; ideas and suggestions that seemed to form from some hidden mental vantage point. While these tactics had presented themselves to a degree while they were training using the holosimulation when war began in truth they came almost unbidden, just about every scenario that arrived was answered by a swift response. The humans seemed to be at the peak of their power on the battlefield, and it showed; all this without even mentioning the mental telepathy, energy projection, and martial and aerial abilities that the three showcased in their own seasons. These separate abilities (said Lucas) would grow as time went by; right now they were in their embryonic stages.
“That’s not to say,” said Telafar, “that we should all be without concerns. The things that are happening to your planet are all real and heavy burdens, and if we did not have on hand the Tiavanna leafs then things would have developed far more differently than they have. It is almost like a weakness. How could we Merridions have foreseen gene manipulation being used in conjunction with an intergalactic invasion? We couldn’t. Anytime we have used it in the past, it was always employed in a time of peace, not war. We have gambled that manipulating the genes of enough humans to aid us to drive back the Aelkighted would increase our chances in saving this planet, and so far, we have been right. But remember, anything can happen in the midst of warfare. Keep that in mind as we formulate new patterns of defense and we should come out victorious against this antagonism.”
The sobering words of Telafar had the trio thinking; especially Adrian who had experienced what it was like to have the calming leaf expire on him. He thought back to those moments when it seemed like some stalking fear was about to seize upon him and rip his very essence apart. So much sorrow and torment enclosed about him that he did not think he would take another step this side of existence. The fear was palpable, like a nameless otherworldly entity about to reveal itself in ways human beings should not have to imagine or even think realizable. He did not want to think about what would happen if that occurred at some critical portion of a battle, or if they all ran out of the Tiavanna leafs. Things could turn the other way very fast if the calming leafs efficacy was exhausted with none to replace them. There was indeed—said Lucas—no telling how long this conflict would last.
They were all of them discussing this potential problem when Lucas returned from his conference with Ser Armanas Delforia Jaltai. The trio earnestly awaited his report.
“I’ve had productive meetings with Merridion battle strategists. It seems we have at the least given the Aelkighted something to consider. They know now that Earth will not be colonized easily, despite this planet being vastly inferior technologically. Gene manipulation was something that did not factor into their military councils, giving us the potential to outfox them in certain situations. We can plan certain contingencies that were not available because of it in the defense of Earth. Lastly, Ser Jaltai believes that the Aelkighted will try to counter our progress with some unforeseen move, and has communicated as much to other war leaders across the globe. Knowing something of the Aelkighted’s mental processes we should continue to be wary as we go along.”
They talked for a little while longer and the trio expressed that they would remain cautious throughout the whole of the ordeal. Lucas revealed the location of their next engagement. “Now that we’ve had a chance to strategize we will be heading to another offensive. Our sensors show that the Aelkighted are massing near Seattle, Washington, some exploratory mission. We will be sent there to send them in retreat. Let’s go.”
Clev was examining portions of battles, the holo representations that took place in Los Angeles inside of his transport. He would zero in on certain distinctions of the engagements that happened in that city. He was particularly drawn towards a unit of Earthly and Merridion fighters who were being led by none other than Lucalan. Before when viewing this representation, it had escaped him somehow, but the Aelkighted could now tell that it was indeed him; and he had immediately decided that the three humans who dealt most effectively with the Aelkighted Brute Force would be the target of his espionage.
He was able to discover their trail using the multitude of invisible probes, and even discovered a secret Merridion holdfast. They had since abandoned that place and were heading in the general direction of one of the areas in the Americas being established for an Aelkighted Stronghold.
It had not taken him long to make his choice. He had viewed other Merridion battle commanders, and varying humans who were picked by Merridia for these experiments. But Clev had a history with Lucalan. Both operated as agents on other planets known to their respective home worlds and governing agencies. And it had been Lucalan who accused Clev before an assemblage of the Galactic Council, remarking on the Aelkighted’s course of actions in Telkwinora. The events that unfolded around Telkwinora were the beginning of the Aelkighted’s drive to unbridled and unchecked expansion, breaking away from the precepts of the Galactic Council. But Aelkightia could conduct themselves this way simply because they were such a galaxy enslaving force. Even the Galactic Council was hesitant in confronting the Aelkighted Ones. The Supreme One had expostulated all-encompassing, galaxy sprawling visions, the Aelkighted people were just following through and playing their parts in that vision.
Clev reflected on all this as he pursued after the advancing Merridion battle ships, drop ships, and fighters. He patched through his communication terminal and got ahold of those commanding Aelkighted gathering in Seattle. Yes, it would be good to thwart the actions of Lucalan, Clev mused.
They were traveling at amazingly inflated speeds, so accelerated that Adrian could not readily discern any landscape below his observation out of his viewing port inside of the Merridion drop ship, it all seemed a continuous streak or blur of a collection of colors. They had to take another one of the Tiavanna calming leafs to steady themselves in the midst of extreme Merridion flight. It proved efficacious and now there was just the wait for the next encounter with the Aelkighted Ones.
In truth, it did not take long for them to reach the outskirts of Seattle, near Port Orchard. The massed assortment of Merridion drop ships, fighters, and star ships began hovering over rural areas, the tall buildings of the city proper positioned in the distance from such a vast height.
As they hovered about waiting on the directive to land and scout for Aelkighted, Adrian was arrested by a singular structure due west of them, a great distance away. He could only discern the thing because it was so large and unyielding.
It was a construct that was jagged at its crown, not yet completed, but there were many sharp protrusions extended at nightmare inducing levels and configurations that human minds were incapable of architecting. It appeared to be made with a kind of dark crystalline substance that Adrian had to confess he never saw of its like before. He found himself not being able to look away from the thing; it seemed there was some strange otherworldly call being sent forth from it, and it spoke to experiences and Aelkighted protocols so foreign to human patterns of thought they could incite madness even in the very watcher. His heart thumped and thudded in the lining of his chest cavity, as that palpable fear was reintroducing itself unto him. Through some unknown reservoir of courage (it may have been the calming leaf imposing its will in his system) he managed to motion to Lucas and the others imploring them to glance outside of his viewing port.
“What—is—THAT?” said Adrian, grabbing ahold of Lucas’ military Merridion apparel and not letting go until he secured a satisfactory response. Ashley and Christopher also walked over towards Adrian’s viewing port and were just as stricken with horror.
“It…appears the Aelkighted have started to build their Interrogating Chambers,” said Lucas with a tinge of dismay. “Whenever they have made their conquest known and have made productive inroads into certain areas like a world’s continents, then they begin erecting these. They are used as a tool to extract and implant information, as the dark crystals mined on various worlds are harnessed in mystifying ways, allowing this. I must say I have no idea how it works. However I was one of the Merridion agents on a planet called Telkwinora when they first started doing this. If only things would have taken a turn for the better then…” Lucas trailed off, lost in his own private thoughts.
“I feel nauseous just looking at the thing,” said Ashley. Adrian placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She met his with hers and they shared a mutual look of encouragement.
“It’s the dark crystals,” said Lucas coming out of his musing. “Faint traces of their power can be felt from far distances. I imagine it gets even worse inside of the Interrogation Chamber.”
The hovering transports began to make their descent.
“In any case,” he continued, “we are landing now and about to begin scouting for Aelkighted. Don’t try anything rash, and stick with a Merridion guide at all times. Now we know that they’ve begun building Interrogation Chambers; however I’m sure that’s not all they have planned. Stay alert.” Lucas seemed to drift off and spoke in the alien language again, presumably to those in high echelon of Merridion command.
The massed dropships lowered onto terra firma and humans and Merridions filed out. The gene manipulated trio shadowed after Lucas, along with an escort of both humans and Merridions.
They were moving about stealthily, Lucas taking point and the trio taking up the middle followed by the escorts. As they progressed, to Adrian it almost felt like he was equipped with some military issue suit out of a work of science fiction, small lettering displaying across his helmet visor cluing him in to his surroundings, such was the effect of the gene manipulator on his nonexistent military acumen.
They came to a rise with a scattering of tree and brush and isolated boulders situated in the area and positioned themselves accordingly. Through scoped binoculars figures garbed in black, roving about like ants in an ant farm could be seen. They were busying themselves constructing the remained of the Interrogation Chamber. Lucas explained that this general area would serve as an Aelkighted Stronghold, somewhat similar to what the Merridions had established with their holdfasts, though vaster in scale and something to be seen openly and not concealed. He motioned for them all to maintain the element of surprise as they advanced on the Aelkighted. Then something happened.
Flying creatures began appearing all around them and at varying intervals, equipped with pulsating weapons and possessing exoskeletons and wings that you could see through. They shrieked and shrieked as they fired pulsar blasts towards the unit. It was a trap!
“Take cover!” cried Lucas. The entire unit seemed to instinctively pivot and positioned itself more securely behind screening areas. The winged Aelkighted continued their assault, hovering and moving about gracefully, and were able to eliminate a slew of Merridion and human attackers. When the pulsars made contact with human or Merridion a loud POP could be heard from vast distances, as if a giant bubble was just burst.
The gene manipulated trio was reacting to all this instinctively. A new power was presenting itself unto them in the midst of battle. Adrian found that he could project a kind of miniature whirlwind from an extended hand, and the others were doing the same. They’d extend their arms in the general direction of the winged Aelkighted and the wind would catch them in an updraft sending some crashing into one another, others of which went careening out of shooting range.
But all this would not be enough. The unit held on as best it could under the surprise attack, but Adrian saw that there were just too many of the winged creatures. This can’t be the end, he thought. It just can’t.
At that moment one of the creatures swooped down and grabbed ahold of Christopher and held him aloft with its clawed feet, digging into his shoulders. The lad was stricken with horror, wailing about and calling for assistance.
“Help!” he cried. “Someone—please!”
Then another swooped down and grabbed ahold of Ashley. She let loose an agitated cry as the Aelkighted creature lifted her off of the surface of the planet, dropping her weapon in the process.
Adrian was at a loss for words for what was happening. He managed to get a scream heard over the chaotic din. “Lucas, what are they…” But he wouldn’t finish that statement. Another winged Aelkighted creature lifted him too off of terra firma and began heading towards the Aelkighted Interrogation Chamber. But Adrian had held on to his weapon, and he managed to fire successive laser blasts at the Aelkighted, killing it in the process and he plummeted into the ground. Lucas advanced towards him with the rest of the unit. Lucas and the others fired shots into the air after the two kidnapped humans and the wing of the one carrying Christopher was singed, the both of them came spiraling towards the ground. But Ashley’s pursuer had gotten too far away. After taking the gene manipulated Ashley the winged Aelkighted dispersed, their job seemingly accomplished.
Lucas lifted Adrian and Christopher off of the ground and inquired after their conditions. After he discovered they were fine he gathered the remaining soldiers and Merridions around him and told them what must be done.
“There’s no way we can leave Ashley alone to be tortured by the Aelkighted. We are going to mount a rescue, we have to help her!”
Adrian remembered what it was that had horrified him so about the Interrogation Chamber and began to imagine that kind of mental mayhem being inflicted upon Ashley and couldn’t bear it.
“My friend…Ashley…”
She awoke inside of a dark chamber, stripped down of her uniform and everything else. She was naked, cold, and alone. She had no inkling as to how much time had passed or where she was or what her captors wanted from her. What happened, she thought. How did I get here? It all seemed a blank at first. Then she remembered fighting the Aelkighted with her companions and being snatched by one of those…creatures.
I’m inside of the Interrogation Chamber!
That is correct said a voice inside of her head as purplish light began to dance off of the dark crystals, illuminating the room to a degree. And you’re going to give us what we want, or there will be consequences.
Suddenly, she could feel a force being exerted over her mind and her will; a twisted presence was making itself known to her. It was as if she could only vaguely discern the outline of some netherworldy creatures which shared the same room with her, their forms only dimly hinted at, that and no more. A new gateway had been opened inside of her mind; glimpses of creeping horrors, shadowed portents stalked past her, intimating dark and malignant intents. Ashley tried to close herself off to it all, but the influence was immense.
I can’t—help you—I don’t know how they did it---leave me alone!
Oh you can help, better than you know and then it laughed, depraved merriment filled the chamber. All of them began to laugh. A wild and wicked cacophony pervaded the compartment.
Please!—Just stop!—I’ll give you what you want—anything—Just—No more!
Clev along with Aelkighted researchers observed with delight to see the progress being made on the subject. They were situated in an adjoining room. They spoke in the Aelkighted tongue.
“It is working,” said one such researcher. “She is ready to begin plunging the depths of her subconscious. We shall see what is that she saw when the Merridions manipulated her DNA and we will have an understanding of the kind of technology that they possess.”
”Good, good,” said Clev. “But we must hurry. The Merridions are already on the advance and will attempt to mount a rescue. When you have delved into her subconscious, report back to me so that I can relay the information to High Commander Xeriot.”
The researchers said that they would do just that and Clev left the facility.
Adrian’s unit had retired to the command ship where they could formulate strategy on how to rescue Ashley. This time he and Christopher would sit inside the war council; Adrian had insisted on this, and Lucas—after briefly considering it—had obliged. It would give the gene manipulated humans a chance to test their military intuition in a tactical vantage point. Adrian just wanted to ensure that the best possible tactic was used in recovering Ashley.
The projected forms of Merridion war leaders were situated throughout the war room, some standing, some speaking, others of which were pacing back and forth. The war room extended in an elongated manner and had what could best be described as glowing and hovering orbs spaced evenly to provide light for the expanse.
After listening to the circumstances faced by other Merridions on the West Coast of the United States and solutions being presented, Lucas was finally able to air his unit’s concern. They spoke in English for the benefit of the humans.
“We are in a bit of a situation,” he said. “The Aelkighted have kidnapped one of our unit; a girl, who was manipulated genetically.” Here there was a pause as Merridion command was allowed to digest this news. A great deal of concern was shown Adrian perceived as he glanced from Merridion to Merridion. Lucas continued. “We cannot leave her to the whims of the Aelkighted. We have no choice but to rescue her.”
“Of course we have no choice,” said one such grizzled and old Merridion veteran communicating through projection. “The girl carries with her secrets that we have been holding back from even the Galactic Council for hundreds of years. If the Aelkighted discover the secret of our gene manipulator then…” He trailed off.
“That’s important,” said Lucas. “But it just would be the right thing to do. We will not abandon our own.”
Christopher actually spoke up. “There is also the problem of this…what do you Merridions call it…Aelkightian Stronghold. We can’t let that remain intact either.” Adrian looked at Christopher as did the other Merridions. He looked abashed. Lucas or Lucalan spoke up.
“The lad is right. There are many rural areas in the West of the United States that the Aelkighted will pillage for slavery if we don’t do something about that Stronghold.”
“The only real question,” said another Merridion through visual projection “is how you are going to go about doing all of this?” Now silence filled the room as the Merridion commanders mulled over what would be the best route to take. A commander that was actually present in the room with them responded.
“First, we penetrate their forces,” he walked over towards a wall computer that could access battle situations. He began manipulating it, moving his hand over certain areas of the screen; the Merridion forces represented in white moved about in mock exercises. “No doubt they have the area well defended by now. We’ll send a contingent of forces to strike the main line of their defenses, here,” he said, as a swath of Merridion colored representations advanced against the Aelkighted bulk of black defenses. “Then, we send supporting units to encircle the area, ensuring that all reinforcements will not make it to the heart of the conflict while we focus our efforts on disposing of the Aelkighted. We go in, rescue the girl, and implode the Stronghold.”
The Merridion commanders considered until the grizzled one finally spoke up. “It is good. Are there any objections?” Silence encapsulated the war room. Adrian felt like he was being impressed to say something, so he spoke up.
“Won’t a plan like this put Ashley in unnecessary danger?” He was met with a contemplative silence. “What if the Aelkighted, not having finished whatever it is they have planned, shuttle her away to a vantage point that none of us know of? Then she’ll be lost, and…and…” He couldn’t contemplate the scenario. It was like the realization of the worst possible outcome was flowering before him, the loss of someone whom he held dear. He didn’t think he could take losing Ashley, not under these circumstances.
“I—see your point,” said the Merridion who was present. “Do you have any suggestions?” Inklings were speaking to Adrian in the deep recesses of his mind and he wholly succumbed.
“We send in a stealthy unit. A small band of soldiers who will rescue Ashley as well as use whatever the implosion thing is you speak of. After it has been communicated that she is safe, and the threat inside is neutralized, then we escape, and bring down the Interrogation Chamber. Then we begin your aforementioned phase, take care of any outside Aelkighted, and eliminate the remaining Stronghold structures.”
The grizzled veteran was the first to speak up. “I must say, we are being repaid enormously for going to the trouble and manipulating Earthlings genes. No doubt the Aelkighted would have taken the poor girl somewhere we couldn’t reach; anything else?”
There was a silence.
“Good. The war council is adjourned.”
She was on her knees now, covering up as best she could despite the circumstances.
They had plunged into the deep recesses of her psyche and recovered much of her memories (though not yet all), and left traces of a paralyzing, slavish fear of the Aelkighted behind. She had lost all track of time; there was no light that greeted her in this compact cell save the glowing embers of the harnessed dark crystals. She rocked back and forth, trying to shield her mind in any way possible from the recollection probes. At least the creatures had retreated…for now. They were all like mental parasites sent to induce inside of her fears she didn’t know human beings were capable of. They toyed with her in ways that defied the realm of human thought; left her sitting there rocking back and forth naked in the dark, humming comforting lullaby’s to herself.
….Hush little baby don’t say a word…mama’s going to buy you a mockingbird….
She did not think it possible to return to the innocent state she possessed before the mind warp. The Aelkighted would swallow the whole world. There was no bargaining with them, not when they had you as a species in their scope.
They had implanted images of worlds long since lost to the Aelkightian Overlords. Species after species made to become subjugate; interstellar traversal for the Aelkighted existed solely to enlarge their sphere of influence, their galactic dominion.
Ashley—more than her human companions—had an idea of what was coming. Earth had just entered into a long and restless nightmare of which there was no waking from…
Using advanced Merridion technology, Adrian, Lucas, and Christopher teleported inside of the Interrogation Chamber. They appeared in a dazzling display of white, pure light, tiny particles enveloping them and swirling upwards. They had Merridion laser guns at the ready as they set about the task to finding Ashley, and a device that would make the Interrogation Chamber extinct.
“She’ll be in one of the holding cells,” said Lucas. “Let’s go. And be careful.” They trailed after him in this paranoid maze, these crisscrossing, honeycomb-inspired pathways, the color of which Adrian couldn’t readily classify. Lucas was equipped with a human genome reader; otherwise they would have no knowledge of where to find her.
They cut a corner and came upon congregated winged Aelkighted. Christopher aimed his weapon when Lucas quickly interceded, placing his hand on the barrel and pushing it downwards.
“We’ll use stealth my friend. Save the fireworks for the end of Act III. Follow me.”
Lucas turned another corner and the others swiftly followed after him, ignoring the winged Aelkighted completely. But they left the implosion device tucked in a corner.
They negotiated a few more divergent aisle ways until they finally came upon the cell division. Lucas quickly rushed towards Ashley’s enclosure and the humans followed. It was barred in by shafts of black light.
“How do we get her out of this?” said Adrian, showing a supreme hesitancy to get near the beams.
“I’ll take care of these bars,” said Lucas. He made his way to an alien looking console and began manipulating it. The shafts blinked out of existence and Ashley raised her head in expectant fear.
“What—who—what is this?”
They were counseled to carry with them a blanket, the Merridions not altogether ignorant of Aelkightian devices. Adrian hustled towards her and pulled it out of his military issue pack and placed it over her shoulders.
“It’s ok now,” said Adrian. “You’re going to be alright.”
“I suspect she’ll need one of these at the start until we can take a look at her.” Lucas handed out to her one of the splendiferous Tiavanna leafs and she took it slowly as if she had forgotten its potency.
“Go ahead. You can swallow it.” She did so, and after brief moments she seemed to be able to recollect her faculties again. She looked at them with recognition and tears in her eyes.
“Adrian? Chris? Lucas?” Adrian cupped her face with his hands and they embraced.
Lucas appeared to be in mental contact with Merridion High Command when the sounds of hustling congregated Aelkighted startled them all. It was Clev and other winged Aelkighted. He spoke commandingly to his troupe in the strange Aelkighted tongue, but then he met eyes with Adrian and a sort of realization of import was established, Adrian thought. He appeared to speak in English only to incite fear in them, Adrian perceived.
“I knew you would try to rescue your laboratory work, Lucalan,” said Clev standing on the other side of the enclosure with Aelkighted weapon in hand, smirking. “You have gifted us with a most incredible knowledge that you can be sure we will explore for eons to come.” Now his smile encompassed the entirety of his face.
“Whatever might happen between now and the end of this, Clev, you at least won’t see its conclusion.” Lucas extracted a pocket supercomputer out of his Merridion apparel and initiated a countdown sequence. A look of consternation appeared on Clev’s face for only a moment, and then it was gone. The humans and Lucas were on their way out too; a flash of brilliantly bright particle light began enveloping them all. Adrian caught glance of an angry Clev gesticulating to his subordinates just before they teleported out of there.
The Earthlings and Lucas had returned to the teleportation room of the Merridion command ship. A couple of female Merridions motioned for Ashley to follow them to the Merridion sanatorium where she could be newly clothed and examined. The effects of the Tiavanna leaf was waning, Adrian could see. She looked back at Adrian concernedly.
“Go ahead. I’ll be right there.”
She followed them. Adrian, Lucas, and Christopher were approached by the Merridion who formulated the battle strategy.
“Has it begun?” said Lucas.
“It’s just starting,” said the ranking Merridion. Lucas motioned towards those who were quickly becoming his brethren in truth.
“Come, let us observe the viewing screen and see the end of this vile Interrogation Chamber.”
Through the viewing screen Adrian could first see that a battle was being waged all around the Interrogation Chamber. However as Adrian stared the more he noticed that a shimmering was enveloping the Chamber. What he would describe as black electricity was moving all about the thing, slowly at first, but then it began to take on wildness. What sounded like a concussive blast was heard, and a great black ball enmeshed itself around the Chamber. It began to fold in on itself, and in the end there was no trace of it left. It was like a miniature black hole was transported from the cosmos and swallowed up the Interrogation Chamber. The screen shifted and other Stronghold structures met similar fates in this general area. Lucas spoke as to the interminableness of what lay before them.
“We’ve repelled the Aelkighted in this area; this is—however—only one Stronghold, we don’t know how many more they have erected, though we are actively searching. The Contingent made a pledge to protect Earthlings, and that’s what we’ll do. But you have to understand that the Aelkighted are extremely aggressive by nature, and will not let up. We may stay their hand, but they will always continue reaching for more dominion.”
Adrian reflected on that statement and realized (perhaps for the first time) just how daunting of a task was before them all.