The IX (48 page)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Second Thoughts

Mohammed began to relax. Although the battle was still underway, the tide had turned and the Horde attack appeared to be petering out.

Thank God Jake Rixton had the foresight to follow his gut feeling. If he hadn’t suggested sending the drones out to check along the route, it could have been much worse.

Mohammed zoomed in on the exchange. From above, the scene appeared to be punctuated by angry sparks and violent blooms of light. Bodies and debris littered the ground, but now that Wilson Smith and Tiberius Tacitus had rallied the troops, the only casualties appeared to be those belonging to the enemy. Fresh craters scarred the site of each explosion; they increased by the second.

Whoever had the idea to coordinate their assault with assistance from the flyers is a bloody genius. The combined challenge appears to overwhelm Controller defenses.

He looked again.
But not on every occasion. Hmm. I wonder if that’s anything to do with the intelligence Mark Stevens put in? He said there was a noticeable difference in the flames of their crowns. It seemed to correspond to their presence, or energy quotient. If that correlates to strength, then it tends to confirm his theory of a definite rank structure.

As an analytical man with a keen mind, Mohammed could only nod his head in appreciation.
Brilliant tactics the Horde used. Protected by their shields, the Masters hit first, and targeted the convoy. They took out the lead and midway skidder and killed their crews. Then, having instilled panic and confusion, they unleashed their cannon fodder, and set about picking off any leaders they could find. Astounding.

He scrutinized the console next to him. The live-time link was constantly updated as the names of casualties streamed in. It made unpleasant reading.

Glancing back at the tactical display, Mohammed saw that the next wave of flyers were still ten or eleven minutes out. Equipped with micro-gravity mines, they would make all the difference.

But they’re still a long way off.

He had an idea. Standing, he caught the attention of the duty communications operator, Serena Taylor.

“Serena, patch me through to the
Arch of Winter
. Quick as you can.”

His main monitor wavered, and the face of Ephraim Miller appeared. “Ephraim, how goes it up there? Enjoying the view?”

“I haven’t really had time for it yet, Mohammed. We’ve been working round the clock, trying to establish an acceptable network between our systems and the onboard AI program, Serovai. Although she’s recognized us as ‘friends-not-foe,’ her inbuilt safety protocols are preventing a full system power up. Brent and Asa are communicating with her now, via mind-mesh interface, but even with the Architect to back them up, it’s slow going. I’ll be glad when the Shilette Abyss crew finally returns. I’m going to ask you to send that computer expert up to assist us. What’s her name? Sebbi Fary?”

“Sebbi Farah,” Mohammed corrected, “and she’s not here yet. The mining team ran into a hitch, which is why I’m contacting you. We need your help.”

“That’s unfortunate. In what way?”

“They were ambushed by a contingent of Horde Masters. And before you say it, I know. We hardly see sight nor sound of them for years, and now a whole bunch of them lead a surprise attack. Anyway, our lads and lasses have managed to hold their own, especially against the run-of-the-mill variety we’re used to, but they could do with a hand to send the Controllers packing. A squadron of flyers equipped with micro-gravity mines is on the way there as we speak, but they’re still ten minutes out. That’s far too long. I was hoping you could use the
Arch of Winter
’s transporter system to lock onto the drones and push them along a bit. What do you think?”

“Good idea. I’ll speak with Serovai and see what I can do.”

Ephraim moved out of picture.

While he waited, Mohammed turned back to study the casualty list. The computer was dividing the inventory into three columns. Those who were dead, critically injured, or receiving treatment. Skimming through the growing number of fatalities, he recognized too many people he knew well, and was forced to bite back his anger.

Come on. Hurry up!

Ephraim’s visage reappeared.

“Good news. Although temperamental, Serovai won’t dither when she recognizes a true enemy. She has released targeting scanner locks and is awaiting the rough coordinates for transport.”

“Hang on a second . . . .” Mohammed checked the tactical map once more. “The drones will be easily recognizable to her as they’re equipped with Ardenese transponders. If she focuses her efforts on an area roughly twenty-five to thirty miles southeast of Rhomane’s starport, she should pick them up. They are to be jumped to this
location.” Mohammed sent a twelve-digit grid reference. “Ask her to act quickly. Time is of the essence.”

He turned from the monitor. “Serena? Link us in to the lead flyer of the backup pod. I want to see what’s happening.”

“On it, Boss.”

The main wall-screen burst to life, showing a rapidly rolling vista of hills and valleys from a height of about two hundred feet. Before it, looming ever closer, a dark splotch signified the presence of distant forests. The signal abruptly broke off. The monitor went blank, and the sound of static filled the control room with a deafening hiss.

Moments later, the connection was reestablished. A picture resolved into the stark contrast of a wide asphalt road randomly dotted with people and vehicles, bordered by scrubland on both sides.

The alpha flyer came to an immediate halt while its onboard computer reassessed its new position. The edge of the screen turned red and a filter rolled into place across the camera. A series of cryptic commands scrolled down one side of the readout as the lead drone distinguished human friendlies from Horde targets. Within seconds, it started issuing orders for an attack. A multitude of dark shapes dropped from the sky and began bombing runs.

Within the control room, everything went quiet.

Sporadic gunfire continued to zing about at ground zero as the Masters reluctantly retreated. As yet, no one in the human cavalcade had realized a fresh wave of support was descending from above.

That abruptly changed.

From Mohammed’s perspective, the panorama fractured inward at multiple points, as if a smattering of raindrops had been sprayed across the flyer’s lens. Those Bosses closest to the deformities were seized by opposing tidal forces, and were mercilessly stretched and compressed in rapid succession.

Black voids bloomed into view at the exact center of every anomaly, quickly followed by a wash of spiraling vortexes.

Blazing flares marked the departure of a number of the more alert Masters. Several others were not so fortunate. Too late, they summoned their portals to escape. The conflicting gravities generated by the quantum mines prevented the gateways from stabilizing. Unable to find a proper anchor in spacetime, the rifts shredded, adding their potential to an already volatile mix.

For a brief moment, the wildly contorting creatures were captured in photonegative agony, caught between reality and oblivion. Then their thresholds were ripped apart, and they exploded in a flash of blinding light.

A series of inverse shockwaves slammed together. Swelling, they intensified into a glowing maelstrom before refracting away in a secondary blast. Dirt, scrub, and a number of smaller objects could be seen billowing outward. Everyone within a quarter mile radius was swatted to the floor, as if felled by a massive sucker punch. Nearby trees swayed under the influence of hurricane-force winds, only to snap back moments later as air rushed in to fill the vacuum created by the explosion.

An eerie calm descended.

“Did you see that, Ephraim?” Mohammed asked.

“Yes! Yes, I did. And I really don’t know how to respond.”

“You don’t have to. I’m the one who has to think of something appropriate to say. Although once we discover the full cost of today’s opening gambit by our fiery friends, the commander’s bound to want my head on a pike.”

Mohammed sighed deeply before continuing. “But do express my thanks to Serovai. Her assistance was most timely, and gratefully received.” He was drawn to the casualty list once more. “Actually, seeing as she’s in a good mood, would you mind asking her if she’s willing to transport a medical relief crew out on site? We’ve got people injured out there. Dead and dying. Time is of the essence.”

“Of course I will. Anything to help . . . Oh!”

“What?”

“It would appear Serovai automatically linked in to our command system when she transferred the flyers. She’s been listening in, and has already assessed the situation. This is her recommended response.”

Ephraim transferred the AI’s suggestions to Mohammed’s desk. “When your teams are ready, she’ll begin transporting them out to the highway.”

“Thank you, Ephraim. That’ll be all.”

Stunned, Mohammed activated the report and perused its contents.

She’s a lot more proactive than the Architect. I wonder why that is?

He yelled, “Serena. I’m sending you a list of protocols to be implemented immediately. Patch through to the
Arch of Winter
’s AI program and initiate the deployment, will you? Doctor Solram is to be beeped, and is to oversee the disposition of her emergency triage unit. Notify Sub Commander De Lacey she’s in overall command of the recovery itself. Oh, and alert Lieutenant McDonald, too. His team is always good in a crisis and can provide cover until the area has been cleared. Apologize to everyone on my behalf for my absence. I’m stuck here, delivering bad news.”

With that, Mohammed turned his attention to a growing list of pain.

Incident Command System — Mass Casualty Index — Report Form ARC-SeT-1

Citizens currently confirmed as deceased:

Adam Wainwright (Mil-Sergeant)

Amelius Tacitus (Mil-Decarus)

Amrita Bahlrati (Civ-Medic)

Andrew Palmer (Civ-Mech)

Anthony Bragg (Civ-Sci)

Claudius Vergilius (Mil-Optio)

Cora Vasquez (Civ-Sci)

Drusus Valerus (Mil-Leg)

Edward Black (Civ-Mtc)

Joseph Black (Mil-Trooper)

Leonard Tam (Civ-Eng)

Lucius Flavius (Mil-Leg)

Matthew Keegan (Civ-Sci)

Publius Martialis (Mil-Decarus)

Quintus Fabius (Mil-Leg)

Samuel Buchanan (Mil-Trooper)

Shuji Tadako (Civ-Sci)

Stefan Hollander (Civ-Driver)

Terri Hollander (Civ-Driver)

Thomas Grahame (Mil-Trooper)

Tiberius Cenus (Tesserarius)

Zebedee Jones (Mil-Trooper)

Awaiting further command entry . . .

Hold.

Incoming data . . .

*

Angule’s essence flickered between deepest violet and midnight blue, a sure sign he teetered on the verge of cataclysmic expression. Exercising heroic self-control, he managed to strengthen his matrix and swallow down the boiling energies that seethed for release.

Why was I not kept abreast of this development? I am the Prime Catalyct of the Unium. Planning and strategy fall to me.

That, I cannot say, Battlemaster,
Lega’trix Saffir replied:
But from what I surmised, it was not a deliberate slight. Circumstance itself may have conspired against us.

Explain.

You know how Vetis has surrounded himself with lackeys. They plot. They counsel. Bolstering each other’s spirits as they feast on their vanities. By all accounts, it was a chance encounter by
Tribunus Desh that led to the confrontation. As everyone is aware, she is sensitive to the tones emitted by the bane-metal. She was simply engaged in an orbital of the vext network when she perceived a threat to our codex. Although distant, it tugged at the fringes of her capacity. She went to investigate. From the boasting Vetis and his cabal are currently spreading, Desh discovered a caravan of humans on the main road near to the borders of the green expanse. One of their traveling craft appeared disabled, and its shields had weakened while they undertook repairs. It was full of . . . what do the humans call it? Iron ore. Instead of attacking, she expressed supreme restraint and thought to notify Imperator Vetis. It was he who gathered all available Trianium from the spaceport, and together with those of his faction who were present, Vetis sped to intercept the convoy as it returned to the city. Obviously, because of the danger to our codex, he ensured his Lega’trexii and Tribuni led the assault before unleashing the children of the third tier.

Angule’s ire began to cool.
So we are not suspected?

No, Catalyct. We remain free of taint.

And yet, I sensed discordance among the vitality lattices. Has Lord Vetis tarnished his
character by sufferance of loss?

I am afraid so. It has now been confirmed a costly tragedy befell us. Not only were Tribuni Desh and Cayyem lost to the eternal tranquility of night, but Lega’trix Jahi fell along with them. I fear the Cataract of Lost Hopes will resound to the song of mourning for many cycles.