Mobius (13 page)

“‘Innovation in the face of adversity’ is my motto,” said Vega. “I’ll take humans to a new level of perfection.”

“More! More! More!” screamed Allienora unexpectedly. “Why must we keep wanting more? The stars! Immortality! How far must we go to find happiness? The void cannot be filled if nothing fits!”

Allienora’s statement struck a chord in me. Even in this moment of peril, I couldn’t help but wonder about her. It was a strange declaration coming from her.

What void is she talking about?

“Calm yourselves,” said Vega. “I must confirm you’re both healthy before I can put the automated surgeon to work.” He indicated a complex yet barbaric mechanism hanging from the ceiling. Its robotic metal arms were equipped with an assortment of surgical tools stained with dried blood.

“Let’s have a look at these synthetic eyes of yours.” Vega, still wearing his ocular headset, replaced the eyepiece with a different one, and then peered into my eyes. “What’s this? These aren’t mere ocular implants, but rather some sort of advanced bio-machinery—organic lenses, molecular circuitry, and...” Vega adjusted his eyepiece. “...it appears they obtain power by drawing chemical energy from your body. I suspect this is the reason for your pale complexion. What’s the function of these amazing eyes? What do you see with them?”

“Your ugly face,” I said.

Vega looked up euphorically. “On this day, I’m overwhelmed by wonders. This technology will definitely advance my work by quantum leaps.” Vega’s enthusiasm faded. “Who are you people? You’re not the usual bottom feeders that Neeble catches from the lower slums.”

“We’re merely travelers,” I said. “We lost our way in the chaos of the descending Obelisk.”

“No! There’s more to the two of you.” Vega cradled Allienora’s chin in his hand, turning her head from side to side, inspecting her. “It can’t be you. It’s impossible. Yet, here you are, Prime Minister Allienora Chang, before my very eyes.”

Vega gestured to a giant view-panel that simultaneously displayed twenty news broadcasts, all covering the one hundred and twelve Obelisks that had descended across the globe. “It’s only logical you’re responsible for this amazing occurrence. This is surely the Earth government working some master plan on its helpless sheep. You’ve already herded us into these claustrophobic MegaCities as if to quarantine a plague. What’s next for the underlings of Earth?” Vega smacked Allienora in the face. “Tell me! What’s this monstrosity outside my window?”

“Why would I tell you anything?” she said. “You’re nothing but a kidnapper, a murderer, and a lunatic.”

Vega moved toward me with a sinister grin. “If you don’t tell me, Prime Minister, I’ll have to use tactics of persuasion. Does this man mean anything to you?” He touched a control panel on the side of the metal table, causing me to be sucked down harder. The increase in gravity began crushing my body.

I won’t let this worm see weakness in me.

“Have you ever seen a person’s lungs implode under extreme gravity?” said Vega. “It’s very gruesome. The best part isn’t the chest caving in, it’s the beautifully terrible expression on the victim’s face as they try to draw an impossible breath.”

“Please!” cried Allienora. “We know nothing of the Obelisks.”

“Ridiculous! Do you think I’m stupid?” Vega increased my gravity restraint.

I flexed every muscle in my body, struggling for each breath.

“From the depths of my heart,” said Allienora, “I swear it’s the truth. Please, don’t harm him.”

“Then why were you roaming the lower slums?”

“We were forced to abandon our transport ship, and sought refuge from the Obelisk. Please, stop this! You should release us now, before the rescue team locates us and discovers your illegal acts. You’d be crazy to think no one’s looking for the Prime Minister of Earth.”

Vega reduced the intensity of my gravity restraint and began pacing back and forth.

I took a deep breath and then carefully inspected the room.
What can I do? How can I stop this? Think, damn it. Think.
Nothing obvious came to light—until I noticed my vial of amber narcotic, which showed as a bulge in my pocket. I wondered if Vega was so completely delusional that he’d believe anything to attain his dream of immortality.

I set a plan into motion by defying the gravity restraint; my heavy hand moved with obvious intent to hide the telltale bulge of the vial.

Vega noticed my stray hand and jumped to my side. “What have we here! Do you think you can hide something from
me
,
Vega the Great?” Vega plunged a long-fingered hand into my pocket and revealed the vial. “What’s this liquid?”

“Nothing,” I said.

“You can’t fool me!” cried Vega. “I’ll find out its purpose, one way or another. I’ll implement the basest of tortures. I’ll flush your intestines with flesh-eating nanites. I’ll make you scream!”

I sighed heavily. “You’re right. I can’t fool you, Vega. It’s ironic that the formula we’re transporting should fall into
your
hands, an innovator of longevity.”

Vega raised an eyebrow of suspicion. “Moments ago, you called me a hack and a lunatic.”

“Hollow words,” I said. “We feared the threat of your great intellect on our mission and the formula. You’re known throughout many circles of scientists and scholars, and are considered a formidable competitor in the race for longevity.”

“Well... I... I didn’t realize my work had leaked out to such elite scientific circles. What’s this formula in my possession?”

“My colleagues and I call it the ‘Elixir of Life.’”

Vega’s eyes opened wide. “Intriguing.”

“One drop into your eye will grant you eternal life. However, beware—eternal life can be an arduous existence. I advise profound contemplation.”

“I’m not a coward. I can handle anything set before me.” Vega opened the dropper and peered at the amber fluid with greedy eyes. “Just one drop, you say?”

“Just one,” I cautioned.

It was a wicked measure, but I saw no other way. I had been taking the narcotic for close to eighty years, during which time I slowly increased the concentration. Its potency would kill Vega instantly.

Vega slowly moved the dropper to his eye. Before a drop was released, and Vega’s own self-infliction of death carried out, the window providing the view of the Obelisk melted away like wax, and with the in-rushing wind came the Fume’s two minions, propelled by anti-gravity belts. They wore black-scaled battle garb and carried plasma guns at the ready.

Neeble, who had been hovering over Allienora, scurried to a dark corner of the workroom.

“What’s this!” screamed Vega. “Why do you come into my home and threaten me with weapons? What’s your business with me?”

“Our business lies on your tables, you fuck,” said one of the minions. “Do you know who you’re holding prisoner?”

“They’re not my prisoners. They’re my guests. This is Allienora Chang and her escort, or someone of that sort.”

“You’re half right,” said the other minion. “Look closely and you’ll recognize the great scientist Theron Mobius. He and the prime minister are traitors. We’re here to detain them.”

Vega focused on me. “My God, you
are
Theron Mobius. I didn’t recognize you with your bio-electric eyes.” Vega turned to the minions. “Theron Mobius, a traitor? Lies!”

“They’re responsible for the destruction of the Brahman Station.”

“We’re innocent,” I said to Vega. “They only want the Elixir of Life.”

The minions seemed confused by my statement. One declared, “Your cries of innocence are useless, Mr. Mobius! You’re coming with us.”

I looked desperately to Vega.

Vega resealed the vial of amber narcotic and guarded it with two hands. “Jabberwocky!” he yelled, causing force fields to fall from the ceiling like curtains of energy. The minions were trapped in a grid of cells. “As you can see, I’m in charge now. Don’t fire your weapons. The resonances of these force fields cause a nasty ricochet.” Vega glared at the two minions demonically, teeth grinding, nostrils flaring. “Your intrusion into my home was a mistake. I’ll deal with you two momentarily.”

Vega, able to pass freely through the force fields, moved to my side. “Forgive my conduct, Mr. Mobius. Your work, despite its recent setback, has taught me that anything can be achieved if a man puts his heart into it. Your life has inspired me to continue my work despite all obstacles. If I had recognized you, I wouldn’t have acted with such disrespect. I’m at your service, my friend.” He disengaged the gravity restraint, releasing me from my invisible bonds.

I was stunned by Vega’s change of heart, but quickly utilized it. “You’re forgiven, Vega. I can’t hold a grudge against such a dedicated innovator, so much like myself.”

Vega stuttered from excitement. “I too have always thought we were alike, cut from the same cloth and all.”

“I must be honest with you, Vega,” I said.

“How so?”

“Had I known earlier of our impending friendship, I would’ve never misled you to believe that the Elixir of Life was complete. The formula, as it is, has many dangerous side effects. I can’t allow my new friend to be put in danger. I promise to send you the formula once it’s safe.”

“You’re as kind a gentleman as I had imagined,” said Vega. “Do you need me to do anything for you?”

“Take care of these animals who have desecrated your home. Also, may I have back the defective Elixir of Life?”

“As you wish, Theron Mobius.” Vega hesitantly returned the vial to me. “You and Allienora Chang are now free to move through the force fields.”

“The Master will find you, Mr. Mobius,” said a minion. “You’re no match for the Master.”

“Is this the same master who sent you two idiots to retrieve me?” I turned away from the minions and attended Allienora, helping her from the table.

Allienora looked around. “You’ve done the impossible, Theron.”

“It was pure luck.”

She smiled at me.

She thinks differently of me now,
I thought.
If only we weren’t in this mess.

I took her hand. “Let’s get out of here.”

While I retrieved our anti-gravity belts and plasma gun, Vega dealt with the Fume’s minions. “Neeble, engage the automated surgeon.”

“As you say, Brother.”

“We’re going to have fun with these two fellows.” Vega turned to me with a look of genuine madness. “We’ve been having great success with the brain’s sustained consciousness in a state... devoid of body.”

Was I really going to let him torture these men? I looked to the minions, paused, and then to Vega. “Good luck.”

I took Allienora’s hand and we soared through the window, into the MegaCity, toward our destination.

Our destination was at the opposite end of the MegaCity. We flew fast and watched as the people below were given to madness. Fires emanated from many windows of the high-rises and looting could be seen on the promenades of multi-leveled habitats. Murder, rape, and violence raged across the MegaCity.

“It’s sad,” I said. “When death descends upon us, and terror, like an incurable disease, rules the actions of men, only then can we truly see the ugly potential of the human condition.”

Allienora shook her head in similar dismay. “I wonder if humankind will ever be better.”

“Who knows?”

We at last reached the coordinates, arriving at the peak of a great tower. We set down on a narrow ledge. Our foothold would have proven unsteady if not for our anti-gravity belts, which provided stability against the heavy winds.

“There’s nothing here,” said Allienora. “Did they tell you what we’re looking for, Theron?”

“They told me nothing,” I said, admiring Allienora. It looked like she was having fun. And why wouldn’t she be? She probably had never known such adventure, then again, neither had I. I smiled and then walked along the perimeter of the conical spire, which tapered up to a pin-head.

“Are you sure these are the coordinates?” she asked.

“Yes. Latitude, longitude, and altitude are precisely as I was told.”

“Here!” she called. “There’s a recess leading inside.” She stepped into the opening, but was stopped by an invisible barrier. “There’s a force field blocking the passage.”