The Uplift Protocol: Mars Issue 25

 

Issue 25: Beyond The Veil

 

My pipe? I can weave protections around children and adolescents up to a certain point. In adults, my pipe will bring up old memories. This can help some but I find in others it brings pain. But it is pain they might have to face. To heal.—The Piper

Eliza managed to get one grouping closer to the chest. She’s good at controlling her strength but now I see why that would be harder with standard firearms. I'll talk to people in the know to see if we can develop a Captain Cosmos-style ray gun that can withstand those durasteel fingers of hers.—Lorain Lanis

So while Eddie, Paxton, and Glaive were off-world exploring more leads, I got an earful from mother’s House counterparts.  How Y’lansa remains sane is another mystery. Most times I ended up hanging out with the Commons reps. Got to learn what the actual Typherian mindset was. They didn’t blame mom for “going native”.  Most of the Survey Corps was Commons stock.  I was the exception. Along with Diamonds. Most House types wanted to stick closer to their powerbases.—Sleeping in Starlight, a memoir of the 22^nd century

Y’lansas Flagship: T.A.S I’tah

In Orbit around Lunar Point Alpha

June 15^th, 2104

            The iris opened.

Inside: The Lion’s Den.

            Mom rose and walked over to me. Her movements were controlled. Most didn’t realize she was well over 6 months pregnant. That ruse still held. I picked her up and rose halfway from the deck plating. E’ratha of House Cyphuskara scowled. “What kind of infantile games are you pulling J’ino?”  Her ice white irises contrasting with the black. Her blonde hair pulled back into an elaborate ponytail.

            I replied, “What? Don’t you care about your mother?”

            I didn’t add anything else. Grandma Murphy would have my hide if I cursed at X’mil’s primary cousin. They probably still resented mom for sitting on the council that condemned him.

Y’lansa’s expression was cool professionalism.

            E’ratha pointed at me. Her other fist clenched. “You may be that House’s Scion but I will never bow to your whims.”

I smiled sweetly, with full-on Texas charm, “I don’t expect you too darlin’. Americans like a challenge.”

            Dad, in his Judgment persona, let out a laugh.

            Others within the room glared at mom, “Why not reveal the father in all this J’ino?”

            E’ratha’s smug aura floated about like pungent body spray. Skunk intensity. Holding back who our father was irritated them but I got the impression it wasn’t required at this time. For the Houses, the inheritance came via the mother’s bloodline. Except when it came to military matters. That fell to the father’s bloodline. I side-eyed mom. She leaned up and kissed my cheek.

            AH HA!

            So that was the game. It would let Earth be the dominant partner when a MILITARY alliance popped up. Mom winked. Her voice pitched to a level I could hear from. “Right on the money!”

            I answered, “You are not ready.” 

I floated to the situation room. Leaving the rest of them to gawk at the obvious insult I committed. The only thing that kept me from giving them another glance was mom’s sheer level of giddiness. Dad and Dexter fell in behind me. Y’lansa following shortly after. Councilor M’tah and Ithar exiting as well.

Once the doorway sealed completely, Y’lansa slid down the wall, laughing until tears streamed down her face. She waved at me, “That was cathartic. Do it again!” Mom decided that would be a perfect time to take nap. I hoped Paxton and the others were doing as well.

Terran Colony Outpost High Haven

Milky Way Galaxy (4^th Quadrant)

Formerly Markav Hegemony

 

            Glaive sniffed the air. Jonas and Paxton shadowing him. All three cloaked. The terrain was already partially terraformed. Rivers and pine trees gave way to rocky desolate outcroppings. This place had been glassed by Set at one point. Probably in his quest to find the Collective’s homeworld. The Bardaxian head of security paused. The tracking in his suit pinging faintly. Another piece of the puzzle was out in the wastes. Paxton peered into the Weave. While most of it was healing, dark spots clouded his vision, he motioned to the northeast.

            <<That way. The darkest blemish is there.>>

            Jonas gripped his blasters. Reassured by their weight. All three of them were in C.A.P gear once more. Black matted battle suits. Sleek and more deadly than before. Ned Fletcher was a godsend. Incorporating Goldenlight’s upgrades without a second thought. While they didn’t have much in the way of production, what few suits they had right now were situated on the Jupiter Rising. Eliza didn’t know yet but the 30 men and women added to the roster were C.A.P operatives under Micheal Brookes. While he didn’t have certain kinds of access due to his genetics being used as a Chronos cover, he did provide valuable intel on the enemy.

            The ground was dry as a bone as they traveled further out. The dim remains of battle evident by the half-baked rocks and blistered-out skeletons of buildings. Deep ravines exposed underground shelters. Eddie didn’t want to imagine what had gone on as Set assaulted this planet but the results gave him little choice. He would not let this happen to Earth. Or Nola’s people. Glaive came to a halt. Hackles raised. His low growl causing Paxton to crouch. Even while cloaked. Eddie followed suit. A shape moved within the old shelter. A pale scaly yellow hand gripped the warped metal.

            Eye stalks on its mutated head scanned the area.

            What kind of Artock monstrosity was that?!

*****

            Unit 6533 huffed.

Taking in the scents for this sector.

His green forked tongue splattered venom across his jaws.

Starving. He would have eaten Mother’s packages if he could but the warning buzz from his collar forbid it.

Mother needed him to watch and wait. She knew the Humans and Markav re-established a hive further out. He could feel the itch of Light Shaman enchantments around the living domes. He hated that place. It was abhorrent to his kind. He dug deeper into the paneling below him. Mother wanted to plant some children. So he did her bidding. To get back at the ones who gave his dear mother that scar. He was her beloved son. Made from Artock. Mother’s love and teachings. He placed the embryonic sacs within the old gene chambers.

            The next time humans ventured here they would die. No matter what their terraforming did to this once mighty battlefield. He galloped off on all fours. His yellowed scales glittering within the darkness. He did not hide from prey. His croaking echoed across the old facility. He would eat well tonight. His jaws extended akin to what mother called a Snake. The Light Hopper squealed as he ate it all with one mighty flex of his throat.

*****

            Glaive and the others climbed down the precipice. Moving cautiously as to not alert the thing with their movements. They didn’t know how far it could hear and at what ranges so no anti-grav packs for now. If Star could perceive things outside normal bands they didn’t want to risk early discovery. The head of security entered first. His body tense. Even with the protective measures of his Bardaxian/Terran hybrid suit. Battlereadouts ran across his H.U.D. Giving the old facility a silver outline. The enemy’s heartbeat drifting further away.

            No one spoke. Paxton made a motion above his head.

            Eddie saw winged creatures. Patchy fur with two sickly heads.

            Just peachy!

*****

            After three more explosive meetings my mother, father, and Y’lansa entered the airlock to travel back to our shuttle. Jupiter Rising was circling Mercury to get more information caches for Lorain. So I flew the shuttle towards the Moon. It was a Typherian model from mom’s old ship. All white except for the underbelly. That was a dark blue. It was shaped like a bullet. Light, fast, and made for pure speed. Besides we had to keep up the appearances. If I had made a beeline for Jupiter Rising people would wonder. A deep thrum in my chest pulled me towards the old W.A.P moonbase. Memories floated to the surface. I had been here with Paxton.

            Dad helped mom up. We changed into Survey Corp battlesuits.

            I had a feeling it wouldn’t be needed but Y’lansa wanted to keep selling the cover.

Lunar One (Former WAP ICC Section)

The Moon

 

            I poked my head inside first. No footprints!

But I knew for sure that Uncle Paxton and I had been here. I pressed one boot down. The olive carapace left a definitive mark on the plating. A woman walked towards us. She was in an encounter suit that made it clear she was one of Aether’s people. The J’kua. Her golden eyes were rimmed with black. Aether’s people had Light Shamans?! She bowed, pointing to the room behind her. As my father took point he motioned us in after getting a good look at the place. The Ur Stone floated silently at the center of the room.

Reminiscent of my last visit here.

Unlike the Void Walkers Aether’s race was shorter. She stated, “You may call me Greeter. The less we leave an impression outside this room the better!” Five chairs formed around the edge of the Stone. Simple silver floaters. Mom took a moment to examine hers before she finally decided to sit on dad’s lap instead. Greeter didn’t seem to mind. From her emotional aura, she had expected it.

She brought out a small crystal. Its octagon surface clear.

“Aether only told you part of the story. Eliza Murphy, you are a bridge for more than just two races. You will be the avenue to free our people as well. You are the convergence of many factors and outcomes. All towards one goal: Pierce the hide of Unity.”

Images rose from the gemstone.

Aether was running. Dragging Matarn along with him. The first battle! I could see Piper covering their escape. Trying to make up for his past mistakes.

Greeter nodded, “Matarn was also needed. We cannot act out in the open because the Artock plague was specifically made to turn us. To the way of Unity. It is why Artock drones constantly use pirating and raiding. They hope to find us.”

I leaned forward, “I’m gonna get swissed again aren’t I?”

She nodded. “This is mostly for your parents and the linchpin of Typha’s actual military.”

Mom snarled, ‘Then why have Eliza here? I hated doing that to her when it was under Uplift Protocol. I like it even less now!”

 My father replied, “It's because Unity will know the instant she stabs it. All her experience and knowledge.” He had his arms around mom. Knowing she’d be upset.

Greeter’s eyes shot to me, “That is the primary reason. Along with her future self’s wishes but in this case, we also do these things to add mental pitstops within her mind. So she can fight off Unity’s lies when the time comes.”

The crystal hummed. My eyes grew heavy and the curtain call blasted through my brain.

*****

Y’lansa saw the chair cacoon around Eliza. Keeping her upright. She was out cold though. Her eyes closed as if just napping. She added, >>We will make all this count. I swear it to you J’ino.<<

Thomas asked, “So what is it that you want to show us then? If I had to guess you used Eliza to get us here.” The ghostly white J’kua crouched. Offering apologies to the Parents of Convergence. Then drew sigils upon the floor. Asking for protection against evil.

“We do not like this either. But the Protector of All---“ She rested a hand on Eliza’s forehead. Almost reverently. “—demanded this of us.”

Y’lansa offered a hand to Greeter. “Come on. Let’s see what this mirror has in store eh?”

A soft blue mist filled the room as the gemstone relayed the tale.

*****

Matarn heard Pandora keening wildly. The noise made his ears bleed.

Betrayal!

Piper’s song negated part of the effect but he could feel Aether’s limbs bowing under the strain of dragging him away from the battlefield. Pandora screamed, “We cannot win! WE MUST JOIN WITH IT!” He saw tendrils of the great beast encircle the Litari woman. She was fallen. The cracks spread across her skin. Breaking her protective wards. Her soul lost to the corruption. She reached out, using the J’kua device. It was meant to teach. Bringing a person to a realm without time’s long march. Piper bellowed, “Matarn!”

But his song was not strong enough. Matarn’s soul was ripped from his body.

Aether activated his teleporter. Dragging Piper and Matarn’s shell along.

Piper continued to howl, “NO! We must go back!”

            Aether retorted, “We cannot!” His huge black eyes locked onto the floating Colony hub above. To most it looked like a granite stone, inscribed with white and blue sigils. From many races. To obfuscate its true purpose. He placed a teleportation disk upon Matarn’s form. He would have to send the Scolar’s body far from here. Black tendrils formed a few feet away. Pandora was following. He placed another disk upon Piper’s chest, “Flee to the most distant places you can imagine. Pandora must not gain control of the Titans!”

            Matarn’s form shimmered. A bright cone forming around him. Then he blinked from this reality, into another universe entirely. Aether had set it for a world suitable for a being like Matarn. He only hoped that somehow the former Scholar would find a way to endure. Piper reached out, “How will I find you!?”

            Aether replied, “Convergence. Stay alive!”

            Piper shuddered as the teleportation carried him away from Pandora’s mocking laughter.

*****

            Thomas saw the world that the Hanged Man was teleported. It was Earth. It's distant past. He saw as Matarn walked towards the gates of the Golden City. Thought to be a beggar. His eyes wild yet blind. Taken care of by the Sisters of the Sun. He would never age. Never die. His soul was bound to the Learning Box. Greeter added, “Yes. Our greatest teaching tool converted to absolute evil. But Pandora’s box, as it is called, is healed. It serves its original purpose once more.” She drew more sigils upon Eliza’s brow.

            “I leave these callings to you dear Seeker. Find the remaining J’kua.”

            A bright light flashed. J’ino and the others were inside the shuttle once more.

            Jupiter’s soft tones hit their coms, <<Ahh! Welcome back!>>

            Eliza stirred. Her eyes opening to find herself strapped into the shuttle.

            “Did I annoy the House reps enough?”

*****

            Greeter watched.

            Seated in the central hub within the Ur Stone.

            So much was riding on Eliza’s shoulders. She turned to see the Chrono display. Within it, various scenarios played out. They would have to tread lightly. She would need all her capabilities to survive what would happen after injecting Unity with the counterspells, sigils, and all manners of Light Shaman rites. Even now the dragon tattoo on her left arm catalogued them all. From the towering archives aboard Goldenlight to the depths of knowledge from Ta’mathon and all his brethren.

            Every planet and people she visited was recorded. The cheerful aura of Bardax was especially debilitating to the thing that called itself Final Death. No, true obliteration existed beyond Unity. Beyond the Ouroborous Chains. It would not be allowed to reach that far. Only the Weave, the Highest Upon High, knew what lay beyond Death.

            The J’kua had been foolish to even attempt piercing that layer.

            They would atone.

            Eliza would be the bridge to bring about true peace.

Artock Gene Splicing Ruins

Milky Way Galaxy (4^th Quadrant)

Formerly Markav Hegemony

 

            Glaive snarled silently.

            Paxton placed the Angelic counter around that mutated thing’s treasures.

            It would warn the Guardians on Io if these twisted beings ever arose. Murky limbs twitched within the sacs. Reminded Paxton of those old horror vids. He saw Eddie examining a console. It was worn, almost beyond all use, but as he watched. A faint ding hit his H.U.D as Eddie managed to find a hidden kernel of information.

            Draken Nix’s ugly mug filled their helmets.

            “We’ve taken some of the old roads used by those Hegemony ships. Some interesting tech littered about. Haven't found anything about this Gray Herald that Lord Everlasting wants.”

            That was their title for Chronos.

            Draken’s twisted stalks went sideways as he muttered, “Beginning to think this Gray Herald is a myth. But he wants info. Some of the old Markav buckets rusting in space mention a mirror system. Might be FTL. Updating findings.”

            Eddie copied the data. They had more trials to follow.

            Glaive barked. Two quick bursts. They all froze as the yellow-scaled monster circled back round. Its glowing eyes and skin hideous even within this dim cavern structure. It was generating its sickly glow. It tasted the air like a giant snake. Weaving everywhere. Its voice croaked, “Mother will have more children for me. Yes.” It slouched onward. Passing by the three hidden forms of Paxton, Glaive, and Eddie. It didn’t even notice the Angel coins. They would activate when these creatures did.

            The three made their exit after making doubly sure that creature was long out of range.

            Paxton knew that this war would come to the bursting point sooner rather than later.

            He would make damned sure his side had all the winning cards.

The Dust of an Unknown World

Universe of the Void

 

            A gray cloaked figure stood over the sleeping form of Dominion. Hilary Brookes wasn’t much to look at but she would be perfect for his plans. Hated by everyone but she would find all the love she could want with him. His form changed. He peered into what remained of her heart. Drawing out all the desires she ever wanted.

            Perfect.

            She would continue to walk the realms of dead stars.

            Until he needed her.

            He crouched, “Wake up dear one. Time to play!”

            Hilary woke to see an Angle gazing deep into her eyes. His wings gray and tipped with black. Everything she ever wanted spilling out of those gleaming stormy gray orbs. No irises. Just pure ancient power.

 

            She reached out and found her hand was the sun-kissed tan of her human self.

            She rose. “Where have you been?” The question was loaded.

            Set wrapped his arms around her. “Your mind is quiet enough to hear me now child. Walk with me.”

            The Gray Herald danced with the husked warped form of Hilary. Another fly for his web.

            His was the voice of Decay. 

Issue 24: Here

Issue 26: Here