The Uplift Protocol: Mars Issue 7

 

Issue 7: Deals in the Dark

 

            The greatest trick Set ever pulled was denying my people their Light Shamans. X’mil has taken the path of a Dark Shaman. Out of resentment for the Ayeer. Excellent. I must have more tools if I am to overtake that Throne Matrix. With it, I will banish Unity and become the leader the Ascendancy needs.—All-Father, Patriarch of House Urraden

            Now I see the true value of the Artock. I know I am being used but Earth was boring. Thoth had small dreams. The All-Father? He wants to put Typha to the torch and reform it. Me? I am along for the mayhem. The women of House Urraden are randy things. Just my type. Striker Nix is but a footnote. He just doesn’t realize it yet.—Karvax

            Like the Golden Redeemers, eventually, our adversaries would form into a cohesive dark reflection. Unlike the Cabal, held together by desperation, this new wave of Villains would eventually call themselves the Cosmic Hand of Order. Ironic. The order of Death and Destruction is more like it. But the people would have a beacon within Earth to rally to. Even the Commons would find solace in it. Knowing that Dexter and I would spearhead the assault on the Unity Dragon’s dwelling within the Weave of Typha. My other home would not be shrouded in darkness forever.—Sleeping In Starlight, a memoir of the 22^nd century.

 

New Ashbury, Texas

Shipping District

April 21^st, 2104

           

 

            Paxton hit the pavement as blaster fire pinged overhead. Jonas was in his Terran Alliance urban uniform. Which had some basic protections. Gunmetal gray under armor with a white outer layer. He motioned to Horus. The F.R.A.M  floated overhead. Marking all the targets for his friends. He saw Arthon in Jupiter Rising security gear. For this operation, they wouldn’t be in demi mode. Police probes called out warnings above the criminals. The familiar crack within the atmosphere signaled the arrival of the Star-Spangled Banner. Old Glory flashed between the criminals.

            The one lone female thug shouted, “Oh great!”

            Star’s icy breath hit the ground. Two gunmen activated the simple antigrav boots they had. The other ten went sprawling. Eddie aimed. The beam struck true. Shattering the enhanced knee implant in the woman’s leg. The force of the shot sent her crashing to the ground. Sheer amazement etched on her features. Star picked up the leg. Her gray-black gaze sharpening. A faint ticking….

            She hurled herself skyward. Passing by the hab rings and the moon within seconds.

            It wasn’t a massive bomb. It would have done more damage to the lady thug’s friends.

            Where were all these crazies coming from?

*****

            Sister Nyx observed the experiment. Hijacking the traffic system sensors. It didn’t give the best view of the battle but it did give her information. Ways she could use Star’s “noble” demeanor. Would this demi freak choose to save a child vs a baby? The Keeper would relish the answer. Nyx wanted the mother. Tech and armor may hide it but Nyx was bred to find children and babies. The Typherian ambassador was quite fertile. With excellent material. The material she had nearly harvested 30 years ago. Material that was flying around ever so majestically.

            She would have a 2^nd shot at acquiring the power of the Infinite.

            She hummed a lullaby she learned while on Earth.

            Hush, little baby, don't say a word, Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird.

If that mockingbird won't sing, Mama's going to buy you a diamond ring.

If that diamond ring turns brass, Mama's going to buy you a looking glass.

*****

            I examined the remains of the leg implant.

            Standard illegal packages. Mid-level stuff. As Uncle Paxton would say.

            No, they were just a distraction. Or a test. Knowing Keepers it was always some sort of variables and constants setup.

            My coms buzzed, <<C.A.P wants you to investigate some signals from the Old Markav sector. Please stand by.>>

            I sent Paxton a message.

            ///I’ll keep my eyes peeled. Getting sent downrange.///

*****                                                                                                                                                                      

 

 

            Paxton motioned to Eddie, “Let’s move out.”

            Horus buzzed, ((I have found some odd readings at these coordinates!))

           

Downtown New Ashbury

Dr. Evenhalls Pedatricics for Demi Testing

           

            Argus Paxton swore.

            Eddie ran a background check. There were 1,723 new hires to the place within the last month alone. Mainly because its main corporation umbrella was a subsidiary of 7 different pharmaceutical companies. They had offices and practices on all the mid-stage Terran Alliance colonies. A perfect cover for a Keeper wanting to know some basics for demi genetics. Natet placed his palm on the signage on the windows.

            Markav travelers weren't an unusual sight on Earth now. One nurse exited the sliding doors. Greeting the Jupiter Rising’s cook.

            “Hello! Did you need some vaccinations or genetic profiling today? With the Alliance’s new contracts with the Hermogony, we can offer a wide range of services!”

            The medical community had exploded since the rebirth of Mars.

            Finding new ways to cure cryostasis paralysis. Even reverse some Artock implants forced upon formerly enslaved populations. Humanity’s outgoing nature provided even more opportunities to reverse the damage done to other Council Races. This was not lost on those infected by the Lying House. Already the pirates were ramping up their hit and run assaults on Terran Alliance holdings. Most attacks never breached outer defenses. That didn’t make the TA brass feel any better though. Natet smiled, “Yes! May I see your service packages?” His yellow face was lined with old cycle Light Shaman ink markings.

            The nurse smiled, transferring the information to the Markav’s H.U.D.

            “Enjoy your stay on Earth!”

            Paxton gathered everyone up to have some lunch by the open-air market a few blocks away. Time to see what that Keeper was cooking up. Once they all pulled up chairs the brown-haired detective asked Natet, “Get any readings?”

            The Markav Light Shaman shuddered. Placing his hands on the warm table surface.

            “Yes, she has been there. Not recently. “

            He clutched the amulet of the Three around his neck. One part female Markav, the other Male. With a star in the background for the cosmos. His eyes closed. Remembering the faint indicators of Dark Shaman rites fading from that place. He continued. His tone worried.

“She uses the face of a friend to get in close to people. Not to steal children or babies just yet. She is fishing. Very cautious. If we bring Anna a sample of something she touched here we could get more information.”

Paxton lit a cigarette. It's smoke curling from the corners of his mouth.

He glanced at the Pediatrics hospital building.

His Nephilim senses tingling. What he had thought was Truth sense was far more.

A bit different from Eliza’s Throne Sight but he could see the patterns.

This place wasn’t the heart of her operations. But it was one of her nets.

Arthon twitched, Sul’s image lighting up behind his eyes.

<<Star is going to be busy for a bit. But I gave her some of our Light Shaman texts to examine. Even those without a direct connection can place makers to assist. Keep me updated!>>

<<Of course ma’am. We have found traces of the Sister. You might want to add Natet’s updates. He has some lost knowledge for Light Shamans.>>

He added Natet to the channel, the cook’s green within green eyes widened, <<Honor upon you Guardian. I will update Star with our old rites. Many caches upon our old colonies.>>

            Sul’s gaze warmed at the old title. She cut the connection.

            Paxton turned to Eddie, “Alright, I want you to go in with Natet. I’ll go with Arthon. That way we have all sorts of sensory areas overlapping.

*****

            As they walked the halls of the main foyer, Natet chanted under his breath. Letting the power of his faith, amulet, and rites guide him. Most Light Shamans had their tools blessed by the Weave itself. Dark echoes scratched at the corners of his mind. Her footsteps giving off a spark of decay. Foul and desiccated.  The sign read: Newborn Receiving.  Eddie’s sight ignited. Bits of purple danced around the room. There was something important here. He and the Markav entered. Parents cooed over their babies.

            A willowy middle-aged man in a doctor’s coat  approached, “Can I help you?”

Eddie held out his Terran Alliance military ID, “Hi! I’m with the journo division of the TA. They have me researching more into demis. Those who care for them. Any of these kids develop anything early? Not for military purposes. They want to know if anyone’s an Early Bloomer. Even more so than Star.”

The doctor relaxed, “So far we haven’t seen anything demi wise in anyone younger than 6. Star is a rare case of course. She still holds the record at 10 for displaying more than one power simultaneously!”  He held out his hand for Natet. The Markav shook the offered hand. “May the Three bless this place. I am learning about the differences between human child-raising and my peoples!”

It was true. He wanted to learn.

This echoed within his amulet.

The Doctor had been extremely startled by the Sister. Even if his conscious mind didn’t recognize it.

Natet asked, “In our children, some develop as Speakers or Shamans as early as 5 of your years!”  As the doctor and cook talked, Eddie went about the room. Asking questions of the happy parents. He would write the article. But this let him examine the incubators and cribs closely. That’s what his site had keyed in on. One place was empty. Nearly neglected. Eddie ran his hands over this crib. Bile turning his stomach. His senses were screaming. This had been tampered with. He com’d Horus, <<Run a scan here please.>>

Horus replied,  ((Unknown markings detected. I cannot read more than that. It is highly likely this container is rigged.))

            The doctor came over, “Ahh that. We cordoned it off. Some sort of tech malfunction. Frankly, this unit gives me the creeps. Like that one nurse. Mrs. Nightengale.” Eddie saw Natet’s eyes glaze over as he kept chanting. He knew because he saw the star symbol on the amulet shift.

            <<Horus is right. It is rigged to send a signal if anyone tampers with it. Dark Shaman markings on the underside of the unit. The words Hidden, Blood, Bone, and Unity are inscribed. Anna can give more information.>>

            Eddie said, “Doc. Gonna be honest with you.”

            The Doctor’s eyes locked onto the young officer, “Of course.”

            “Make sure no one uses that crib. Don’t move it but place a security field around it. We have to stop some Dark Shaman activity.” Eddie noticed the pediatrician pull out his necklace. The Dharma Wheel of Life. The relief was overwhelming. His voice caught.

“May I become at all times, both now and forever
A protector for those without protection
A guide for those who have lost their way
A ship for those with oceans to cross
A bridge for those with rivers to cross
A sanctuary for those in danger
A lamp for those without light
A place of refuge for those who lack shelter
And a servant to all in need.”

            The doctor wasn’t a light shaman but his faith was a bright beacon.

            Natet smiled, “Peace to you human brother. We will stop them.”

*****

Paxton rested his head against the wall. The prayers of Natet and the doctor echoing throughout the hospital. They had found a threat. His blood boiled. There was something else just as foul. Arthon cloaked various wards around the building. Ritark flowing through the floors and corners. Helping them place counter symbols to the rot. Just enough to block the Sister’s signals. Whatever Eddie had found must remain “functional”. Otherwise, they risked alerting her to their chase.

            He rubbed his eyes as pain cascaded throughout his body.

            It wasn’t in the physical.

            Paxton entered one of the bathroom stalls.

            Using the mirror as a conduit.

            In the realm of the Weave. Paxton snarled. His blood boiling at the sight of that taint. The demon rolled about. Crawling from room to room. Its pale flesh was etched with soot and grime. Sunken pale green orbs twitching as it snuffed the ground. Its limbs rubbed against the walls of the Dreaming. That place between reality and the Weave.

            It plucked at the bedding. Its long fingers leaving behind a thick viscous liquid.

Scaring the children and babies even if they didn’t know why. Leeching off their dreams and happy thoughts. He reached through the mirror. Burning the symbol for Cleansing Fire into its flesh. It bellowed. Finding no enemy. Not at first. Paxton called out to Sir Avalon and Dr. Zanzibar.

            Sir Avalon replied, <<We hear you brother.>>

            The world shifted as Zanzibar entered the realm of the Weave.

            He shouted, “Grant me O Lord thy protection and in protection, strength!”

            Zanzibar swung his staff. Its bright golden glow cooking the Unity monster's flesh. Ash filled the air as Sir Avalon pierced it from the side. Sending his lighting through his golden trident. Paxton entered through the Mirror as the demon hissed, “Weave Poxxed Servant!”

 

 

            He took out his lighter, “Begone from this Coil, Demon!”

            His eyes glowed pure white for a split second as the monster collapsed into a pile of ash.

            His blood silent once more.

            No more bad dreams.

*****

            In the physical realm, the building tremored, the light vibrations only perceived by a few within its walls. The doctor breathed deeply, “I can’t put my finger on it but it's like the sun has come out once more.”

            Jonas “Eddie” Olsten crossed himself.

            He only hoped that they could find this evil Sister before it was too late.

Former Hegemony World Valkura

Utasa Sector (Milky Way Galaxy)

           

I picked up the discarded amulet of the Three.

            This world was still.

            White’s memories of this place overlaying the landscape.

            These Markav hadn’t been able to escape to their Cradle.

            Yet a signal remained. A holo memorandum at the heart of this silent metropolis.

            A Warning.

            “Cleanse the Arc Points. The Path of Ancients hides the Dark Mirror.”

            White growled, that great tiger form materializing before me. Her third eye wide.       Her tail twitched. She paced back and forth. Her whole body tensed. “The underbelly hides her. We must reclaim these places.”

            I crouched, feeling the pressure build as I skyrocketed to the heavens. Below me, I could see the sigil burned into the landscape of the planet. Set had left a message: “I will take all your Shamans and bind them to my cause. The Twin Suns shall rule the corpse of the Multiverse.”

            White’s power grew within me. I opened a portal to the Weave. A giant ashen snake uncoiled. Striking at me with its fangs. I dodged it. Finding the corrupted heart beating within it. I hurled my spear. It drove deep within. Piercing the putrid thing with all my might. It’s death rattle releasing this planet. Pockets of green sprouted across the surface. There would be light here once more. The sound of laughter. Hope everlasting.

            Bits of blue flashed near the outer edges of this sol system.

            More colony fleets of Bardaxians, Humans, and Markav arrived.

The Ur-Stone thrummed within, <<We will plant more people. Those without a universe to call their own.>>

            Set underestimated everyone.

            That would prove his undoing.

Issue 6: Here

Issue 8: Here