The Immortal War Read online

  There was also discussion of the creation of a race of immortals on a single planet, yet this was quickly dismissed. That was not the goal of the Aris. If so, then this immortal race would naturally compete with the now-immortal Aris, with a planet of beings dominating the few surviving Aris. What they needed was a single being which they could assimilate.

  In order to do that, the Apex Being would have to be a mutant, a one-of-a-kind creature, and the only way to assure that would be through the rarest of occurrence, the mating of alien species. This was the course chosen so long ago and the one most of the remaining Aris embraced. But not all. Some chose to live out their natural lives, while others continued with the enhancements until even they grew tired.

  As a technician, Kracion had not participated in the decision-making. Rather, he went along with the majority, as was required. He and his kind were offered potential salvation at the end of the experiment, if it was possible. Even the Privileged could not guarantee this, since the final results of the experiment were still unknown.

  Over the eons, Kracion’s frustration, fear and resentment grew stronger. He and his kind were making it possible for the Privileged to fulfill their dreams and ambitions, while dangling a prize before the others, a tantalizing promise that may never be delivered. So he took matters into his own hands.

  Now as he took in this new data, he was in shock. His skin seemed to tingle from the realization that he was about to do what no Aris of his class had ever truly contemplated. Yet there was a complication.

  The procedure for assimilating Lila was a theory, even now. Nunki and the others had never actually done it. They didn’t need to; they had J’nae. This thought frightened Kracion. He would be the first to achieve such a feat, and without the assistance of the Privileged. For only a few times in his long life, Kracion acknowledged the genius of the upper class of Aris. Could he do this on his own?

  He would need to bring over several of his service modules to assist. Even then, they could only do what they have been instructed to do. They could not create on their own.

  Yet he did have Panur. The mutant created J’nae from himself, meaning that the process that had worked on J’nae should work on him. And Nunki chose J’nae over the Apex Being—and with success.

  Kracion began scouring the data files for more details on the procedure—the actual procedure that had taken place within this very room.

  An then he found it. The reference to the quantity of material needed. It was remarkably small. And then he discovered another interesting item.

  Rather than eighteen Aris needing the procedure, only fifteen had actually been converted. Further researched revealed how the Human Adam Cain had killed three of the Privileged at the time he was on Solis. Kracion gasped. Although he resented the Privileged, the idea of killing one was so foreign to his thought process as to be inconceivable. Yet the primitive creature—this animal—had killed three of the surviving Aris. Even with his accelerated thought process, it took a moment for Kracion to recover from the shock.

  But this meant fewer Aris had to be converted. Not only that, but the amount of material from the mutant was far less than he imagined. In fact, he had not thought much on this, since the idea of assimilating a creature other than the Apex Being had never been contemplated.

  A moment later, Kracion was nearly thrown from the chair by the revelation.

  Not all the material had been used. There was a supply still in existence.

  Through mental control, Kracion commanded a panel to open in the metal wall. A shelf slid out…and on it was a small container.

  He rush to the box. There were controls on the exterior which he deftly operated. The lid slid open, revealing an interior divided into a number of small holders for glass containers, all frozen and with a red substance inside. A quick count showed twenty-eight vials, and each holding the essence of the mutant J’nae, in perfect dosage required to give immortality to the mortal.

  Kracion did not rush through his emotions. Instead, he stood staring at the vials, a light cloud of steam rising up from the frozen compartment. The significance of the find was beyond compare. There was not only enough biological material here for him, but for twenty-seven of his brethren. He smirked at the thought, his mind formulating contingencies faster than any computer. The possibilities became apparent.

  Still connected to the computer port, Kracion searched the files until he found what he was looking for. Another chamber beneath an exam table opened. He reverently walked over and removed the item inside and set it gently on the table.

  It was a small mesh device, segmented with a round opening in the center. Kracion turned it over and noticed a series of fine needles extending from the inner surface. On the outer section was a small portal, just large enough for one of the vials containing the red material.

  This was how they did it. This device would fit over the shoulders of the Aris and snap into place around the neck. Then the immortal fluid would be warmed and thawed, before being injected into the body. From here, the liquid would permeate the subject. From the data, it was revealed very little of the immortal essence was required. Each immortal cell would infect the other normal cells around it, transferring the secret of eternal life to the next, and so forth until the entire body was converted. And it wasn’t immortality that was transferred, but the knowledge of spontaneous regeneration.

  As the Aris had debated the various methods of becoming immortal, their primary concern was to remain thinking, feeling flesh and blood creatures. Even having their minds still active within metal shells was possible, yet that would lessen the very essence of life, removing the reason for living. As the discussion progressed, the Privileged decided to first try for a natural form of immortality before surrendering to the artificial means. Kracion was holding in his hands the instrument of natural immortality, and he had the fuel required.

  He looked to the steaming box then back to the lightweight shoulder gear. His heart was pounding, his mind ablaze with possibilities. He placed the apparatus around his neck, feeling the needles penetrate his mortal skin….

  24

  Lila and Panur could hear Kracion approach from the hallway outside. They prepared themselves, morbidly enjoying the moment and the satisfaction they would get from the surprise on Kracion’s face when they stepped beyond the interphase bubbles.

  To their surprise, Kracion was no longer encased in his, overconfident that the mutants were held securely within theirs. He had a particular lift in his step and a thin grin on his lips. He leaned against one of the operating tables and looked at the mutants.

  Panur had decided to make a show of it, rather than a quick strike and kill. He and Lila had been held in captivity by the Aris longer than either had experienced before. It was time to exact some revenge.

  “You look satisfied,” Panur said.

  Kracion cocked his head but said nothing.

  “I suppose you feel in total control and on the verge of a great achievement.”

  “On the verge may not be the proper phrase.”

  Panur grinned. “Then let me rephrase the statement. You were on the verge of a great achievement.”

  The mutant walked forward, penetrating the shimmering blue screen and stepping into the open. Lila followed suit.

  Kracion raised an eyebrow. “Interesting. You have found a way to negate the interphase effect. I am to assume the markings on the corridor walls are from your savior Adam Cain and his friends. Only he would take the risk of coming back here for a second time. My compliments for his tenacity and innovation, as I also offer them to you, Panur, for your creation of J’nae.”

  Confused, the two mutants held back their attack. They were between Kracion and the entry portal, blocking his exit. The Klin guards, seeing Lila and Panur step from within the fields, stood awkwardly outside, their weapons raised.

  “Do not fire,” said Kracion. “You will only feed them energy. Be gone. Return to the ship.” The aliens rushed off, not needin
g to be told twice.

  “Then you accept your fate,” Lila stated.

  Kracion nodded. “Sadly, I do. I am what I am and I must now suffer the consequences.”

  “You should have known your vulnerabilities and planned accordingly,” Panur said.

  “I realize that…and I have. That is why I no longer need the protection of the interphase field and why I have set the station for destruction in mere minutes, denying you the wisdom of the Aris…forever.”

  Both mutants immediately realized the significance of the statement, understanding now Kracion’s unexplained confidence. Nevertheless, they attacked.

  Two mutants against one frail and skinny Aris was no match, whether immortal or not. The bodies came together, tumbling over the table and to the metal deck. Hands gripped Kracion’s neck and squeezed while others pressed his arms to the floor. The Aris didn’t fight back. Instead, he let his eyes roll back in his head, as if in ecstasy. After a moment of futile attacks on his body, he rolled over, dislodging the mutants.

  They came together again, this time with Kracion raising his arms in defense, but only as an experiment. His altered state had not given him any additional strength, so his bones broke and his flesh was frayed, but all were instantly repaired, with no associated pain.

  “So this is what it feels like to be immortal?” Kracion took in a deep, shuddering breath. “It is glorious!”

  Then he let loose with a blast of energy from his hands, using the ancient implants from so long ago. The force threw the mutants across the room, slamming them into the opposite wall. Yet they, too, were unhurt. Instead, their bodies began to glow with the infusion of electricity. They jumped at the Aris again, feeling renewed. It had been a long time since they had jolts of energy.

  The three immortals ended up in a cocoon of white light, with lightning strikes flaring out and crackling against the metal walls of the room. Lila and Panur had Kracion pinned to the floor, even as he shot more energy into the air to be absorbed by the mutants.

  Adam! Lila called out in her mind. Detonate the bombs! Do it now!

  * * *

  Adam was slammed against the wall of the room by the intensity of the thought. It took a moment for him to recover.

  “Are you all right?” Riyad asked, shocked and concerned by the expression on Adam’s face. “What happened?”

  Adam shook his head. “I don’t know. But trigger the bombs!”

  “What?”

  “Do it! It’s what Lila wants.”

  Riyad took up the communication box and pressed the button. The weak electric signal was sent to the matching box, with contacts embedded in the explosive. The room was rocked by the nearby explosion, a thundering that lasted much longer than normal as it reverberated throughout the metal structure of the station.

  Adam, Riyad and Copernicus were in the hallway a moment later, weapons ready, and rushing to the operating room.

  The hallway was filled with black smoke, and metal fragments had been sent skidding down the corridor in both directions. The portal entrance to the assimilation room was now twice the size it had been before and mostly obscured by billowing clouds of smoke. The metal deck, wall and ceiling were deformed like so much tin foil.

  Then a glowing form flew from the smoke and crashed into the wall of the corridor. A moment later, a second object appeared, following the same trajectory. Adam recognized the first radiant form to be that of his naked daughter, now consumed in a halo of white-hot energy. Panur was climbing to his feet as well, his own tiny body naked and aglow.

  Then Kracion stepped through the shattered opening. He was naked as well, his clothing burned off not only from the explosion but also by the energy radiating from every pour of his slender body. He watched the mutants stagger to their feet before glancing down the corridor at Adam and the other two Humans.

  He held his arms out to his sides and let streams of yellow fire flow from his hands. He threw back his head in a sign of passion. “I never imagined it to be so exhilarating!” he yelled. “I can feel eternity…I can feel the invincibility. I will live forever!”

  Adam was having feelings of his own, and just as powerful. Something had gone terribly wrong with the plan. Although Lila and Panur were still alive, the insane Aris was now immortal. The thought scared him beyond comprehension. All he could chant over and over in his mind was: What now? What now?

  Kracion locked his glowing eyes on Adam, who was standing fifty feet away with the other two Humans, uncertain what to do next.

  “Adam Cain! I have learned you killed Aris.” The words echoed off the walls, clear and powerful even through the residual effects of the explosion and the still vibrating walls. “No one has done that within my memory. Are you proud of yourself?”

  Adam didn’t answer. Instead, he looked to Lila and Panur. They weren’t attacking, frozen in their glowing bodies only a few feet from Kracion.

  “I will reserve a special place for my revenge against you,” Kracion continued.

  “Lila, let’s get the hell out of here!” Adam yelled aloud, dispensing with the mental link.

  His daughter looked to him, then back to the Aris. Panur took her by the arm and pulled her away, running toward Adam.

  The approaching heatwave snapped the Humans from their shocked reverie. They turned and ran, putting distance between themselves and the glowing mutants. Lila and Panur understood the danger they posed to the team and stayed back, not moving at anywhere near full speed. Adam glanced back, relieved to see that Kracion wasn’t following.

  They were heading away from the main series of rooms and toward the small elevator that would—hopefully—lead them to the outside. But the three Humans could not possibly share the elevator with the flaming hot mutants.

  Lila linked with his mind. You go first.

  But Kracion isn’t following us.

  No, he is going to his shuttle. He will destroy the station once he is away. You must be gone by then.

  You and Panur have to come with us.

  We will do the best we can.

  How…how did he become immortal?

  There was some of J’nae left by the other Aris. He used that.

  I didn’t see that coming.

  Adam slid up to the elevator door and slid it open. He turned to see the mutants stop a safe distance behind.

  “You go first,” Lila called out. “We will follow.”

  Adam could see the glow had diminished somewhat, but still far from a safe level if they were all to take the small shuttle off the surface. As he and the other two Humans entered the elevator, he fingered his comm, the only one left among the trio.

  “Monty, can you hear me?”

  “Yes,” came the immediate reply. “We’ve been monitoring things in the area. The inter-something-or-another shield dropped a while ago. We were going to move in but we couldn’t get through the screen of Klin ships. But now they’re moving away, forming up to face off against a new Human fleet that just arrived. They’re forming a skirmish line about half-a-light away from the station. Where are you?”

  “We’re heading for the surface. The mutants are following, but they can’t ride in the shuttle with us.”

  “Why not?”

  “They’re too hot. Can you come down and get us?”

  “That’s a possibility. We’ll home in on the shuttle. I should be able to pull its signature out from the other clutter. Will I have room to set down?”

  “Crush the shuttle if you have to. It’s basically worthless anyway.”

  “Thanks,” said Monty Pitts. “It did get your asses to the station.”

  “Don’t be so sensitive.”

  “Sensitive…me?”

  “Seriously, just get your ass down here. The station is about to blow any minute.”

  There was a silence on the line. “And you want me to bring the Sally in? Are you crazy?”

  “Hurry up.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  25

  The three H
umans emerged from the elevator at the same point they’d entered nine hours before. Fortunately, no additional robotic dogs where there to greet them. They stood back and waited, hoping the mutants would only be a minute behind. Five minutes passed before Adam attempted a mind link with Lila.

  We are on the surface, near what appears to be a small shuttle, was her reply.

  How did you get there?

  We don’t know. The elevator door opened and we simply made our way to the surface.

  You came out at another location, Adam thought. We’re on our way. Hopefully we’ll have enough time. Wait there for us. Monty is coming to pick us up.

  Who?

  A friend of ours. You’ll like him…maybe.

  The team rushed off, looking for the rope they would have to climb to reach the higher level. They found it and scurried up. From there it was still a hike along the wide girders and to the support beams they had to climb. Eventually, they made it to the surface and the piles of rocky debris strewn about. Their footprints were prominent in the dust, giving them directions to the landing zone.

  Lila and Panur were still glowing, but not as much. Adam was able to move within ten feet of his daughter.

  “What are we going to do now?” he asked.

  “First we get off the station, then we assess the situation,” Panur snapped. He had a look of frustration on his gray face.

  “But he did it, he’s immortal.”

  “Yes, but just like us, that doesn’t mean he’s invincible. He can be defeated if not killed.”

  A bright light began to grow in the dark sky above the station. Adam locked his attention on it, hoping it was the Mustang Sally and not some Klin ship sent here by the mad Aris. He didn’t think that was the case. From what he saw of Kracion, he was in a zone, reveling in his new state of being, having very little interest in the events around him. That was fortunate. Eventually, he would regain his focus on Adam, the mutants, and even the Milky Way galaxy. But for now he was high on his immortality.