The Uplift Protocol: Hidden Legacies Issue 16

 

Issue 16: History Forgotten

 

            “Keep your lies hollow faced trickster. God walks in between those low spaces. Warding my soul against evil. The Light will reveal all darkness. With no place to hide. By the Sword of C’alain will our World be healed.”—Light Sage Record of the Exodus.

            We cannot alert the homeworld but we can allow the Star-Spangled Banner to dock. Please help us. The corruption is spreading. The dark consumes, poisoned barbs layered on discordant notes. The song is pale fire.—Forger Recording, 10 mins before official docking of Joint Earth-Typherian Deligation

            In retrospect, I should have realized sooner. There were hardly any Forger battleships or civilian traffic. Yes, they would have cleared some flight paths due to my status with Earth and Typha but according to Nola, it was because she didn’t think to suspect Dark Shaman warding so soon. Meant that Unity had more than a foothold in the Weave Space around the planet. If it wasn’t for what my father and Dexter were up to, we might have lost the whole Hab Ring that day. Along with part of the planet. Not physically. Their souls. Consumed by the ghostly fire of decay.—Sleeping In Starlight, a memoir of the 22^nd century

Forger Hab Ring “Flowing River.”

Inner Docking Bay

 

            Ul’mati swayed.

            His outer tan carapace, really 4 layers of plating, scorched. Bits of yellowed blood splattering on the ground as he worked feverishly at the boundary.

Dismantling another ward.

His 6 red eyes focused on the figures arrayed before him. As the barrier fell he collapsed. Expecting to hit the deck plating. But a combined yellow and green light levitated him to the center of the group. His back 6 legs trembled as he used the last of his strength to remain conscious. A burst of golden light pulsed throughout his torn body. Clarity returned to his wounded mind.

Healer. Friends.

The commander had wanted him down here. He was one of the few remaining Light Walkers. “They have taken the whole Ring. The military will cleanse the ring from the system if we do not….” He was unable to finish the thought. So many innocents would perish.

Star shouted into the vast space, “The Wall Endures!”  The Puzzler readied his duel rayguns. He wondered why she was provoking them this soon.

Voices murmured, “It crumbles. We have the song. You will not save anyone False Light of Lies!”

Ul’mati warbled, the universal translation matrix resting upon his head, relating the proper signals to the humanoids. Star didn’t need it but readied a small silver ball in each hand. Her head was tilted to the side. Much like the 4 Bardaxians with her. Listening. The smallest of them barking, <<Many limbs come our way!>>

Waiting.

Star’s gaze shot to the levels above their heads.

“When I throw these, form energy shields. Outer layer: Yellow. Mid: Green. With Omega innermost.”

Affirmative barks resounded. The white and tan Bardaxian remarked, <<How can I help?!>> She never took her eyes from the upper tiers. Her voice soft, “ Float along the Water.” The little one spun in 3 tight circles. <<Ok! I have the pattern!>>

            Ul’mati groaned. “They are lost! The song…” He curled into a tight circle. Valkyrie, Sparta, and the rest of the Defenders raised their energy shields around the group as entities in the shape of Forgers entered the docking area. Their eyes milky white. Eliza hurled the silver balls into the mass of bodies. A radiant explosion of light burst forth. Cleansing the lower half of the Hab Ring. She thanked Ned Fletcher for his hard work. These would counteract the pollution. One Forger croaked out, “Dark Walkers, within the Recess of Will.” Star pulled the old matriarch to the side, voice crackling with command.

            “Doc, give them some pills. Get Ul’mati to his feet. Have him remain here.”

            Lorain’s power flowed over the Light Walker. He rose to his feet. Or rather segments. His voice was rich. Chanting rapidly, “I hear the Highest Walker and obey!” He marveled at how Star was able to save the enthralled Forgers. The Banner handed him one of the silver spheres. Its cleansing sigils rippled.

            “A gift from fellow light shamans. You will never stand alone.”

            His six eyes widened as he perceived beyond the Veil of Dreams. The White shimmered.

            He bowed, “The Highest has blessed me. I will not forget Seeker.”

            Eliza turned on her heel and strode forward. “We need to get to the environmental section as well. Manipulate your salve into an aerosol setup. Then prime it to go off when we get to the epicenter of Dark Walkers. I have more Fletcher specials for them!”

            Ned had dubbed the cleansing bombs as “Heaven’s Judgement.”

            Eliza considered them a godsend because it brought Unity-infected individuals back from the brink. Provided they got to people in time. She downloaded a map of the hab ring. J’ino readied her sidearms. “Mr. Olsten, if you could take point. Ill have Sparta and Cooper watch our backs.” Eddie grinned, “Sensible!”

            His old demi suit had seen more upgrades but he knew where his best talents would kick in. Shooting baddies and finding the hidden gems. He brought up the holo map as well. Pointing at a level in between Enviro and Maintenance. “We will find more there. Those Light Walkers have a good defense but let's even the odds!”

Arcway (Forger Weave Space)

Central Node

Standby for Reconnection To Eden Network

            Dexter Murphy aka Dawnbreaker hurled his white trident. It impacted the throat of the Unity Dragon mid-fire sacs. Lighting up the spaces around them with an eerie green light. Black sprang forth. Clawing at the monster’s eyes. His jaws sinking deep into the right orb. A wet crunch let Dexter know that his ally had found the right mark. His father, clothed in his demi uniform, brought his Ta’mathon bracers forward. Crossing his arms before him.

            Chanting. Glimmering white seals floated in the air around him.

            “By the Lines of Light and Fate: Burn!”

            The patterns entered the warped black body of the dragon. It bellowed. Black Ichor cascading from its mouth. Isis and the Golden City Defenders manifested. Each assuming a defensive position around Thomas. His father waved Dexter forward. “I'll handle the bits of Living Stone. You punch through that mainline!”

            Dexter grinned, his gray eyes blazing, “So Judged.” He pulled his trident from the dragon’s carcass. Flying straight towards the wiggling mass of Artock defenders. SO this is where most of them had gone. Called back to defend the Arcways. He bellowed a warcry and hit the mainline with a thundering crack. Sending bodies flying away from the central access point. The Arcway Tower sputtered in response. Its cylinder shape opening to reveal the receiving signals from Black.

            Thomas and Ta’mathon shouted, “By the Lines of Earth and Heaven: Bursting Flame of Ra.” A carpet inferno swept outward. Blazing through the hulks of Living Stone. Thomas reminded himself to thank Aether later. Being able to use his powers no matter where he was in Edenverse was a great boon.

            A mellow voice echoed, <<Initiating reboot of Forger Arcway Facility. Please stand by.>>

            As they took more Arcway nodes and added them into Eden’s systems, they had more intelligence and awareness to act in the defense of the Weave,  akin to the Markav Collective ships. Goldenlight had been quite pleased by the Network's progress. “The Arcways are cousins to use. Older than my civilization. Thought to be the Firstborn of AI kind. Aware of the Weave’s Design. That is what the Council of Elders believes.”

            Dexter kicked the leading Artock in the stomach. Gripping the implants on both sides of its head. “Nighty night!” He reached through the flesh with his matter manipulation. Removing the controller chips. The artock masses fell silent. It would have been easier to use his plasma hands and just nip the problem in the bud but Eliza wanted to analyze these guys to find their true homeworld. So into the stasis fridge, they went. Most of the Artock would be beyond saving, Dexter was sure of it, but his sister was the optimist.

            Humanity had an artificial asteroid field called the Elysian Plains. Many Unity infected were housed there. In various states of cold freeze aka cryo suspension. Well beyond any civilized area or known regions of space. They had to be housed a certain level of space apart as well. So they couldn’t network together and call out to Unity. Humanity wasn’t foolish though. Each asteroid was armed to detonate, vaporizing everything in case of a containment breach. But some part of these souls might remain. It wasn’t just wishful thinking on Eliza’s part. White perceived all threads of Life, no matter how remote.

            Thomas unsheathed his khopesh. Its metal rippling with enchantments. He hacked at the remaining Living Stone skeletons. Their hollowed sockets dripping black ichor onto the ground. The pulses from the Arcway grew as both men cleared out the enemy. Thomas sent a coded signal to J’ino through their wedding bands. Eliza would have to move quickly!

Hab Ring

Dark Warren

 

            I flowed through the Dreaming.

            Their dark enchantments bouncing off me. The power rebounding.

            One squealed in pain as the force of the magic sent him flying against the wall.

            He lay inert. His six eyes closed forever.

I saw the last 2 remaining Dark Walkers as wispy smoke reflected with pale green flecks. Doc and her fellow Defenders had made short work of the other 3. Ul’mati’s other Light Walker friends joining us on this final assault. This place was holy once.

Doc’s healing salve already working on the remaining population within the Hab Ring.

I didn’t know how many were left. My full concentration was on the totem behind the Dark Walkers. It was as tall as me. Solid 7 feet. Rattling with metal chains. The vibration twisting around my chest. Nola dragged Doc back.

 Lorain protested, “I can handle it!”

Nola shouted at Eddie, “Where?” He pointed, “12 o’clock!”

I charged the totem. Forcing the Dark Walkers to focus the brunt of their attack on me.

Blackened vines shot forth. Entwining themselves around my arms and legs. I spun in place. Kicking up a whirlwind. The remaining Dark Walkers bellowing as they dived for cover. Getting whacked by their totem wouldn’t be pleasant. My demi suit popped up a notification.

///Suit integrity down by 12%. Administering shock wave.///

Lighting crackled through the vines. The smell of burning wood filled the Warren.

That was what the Forgers called their prayer spaces aboard ships or hab rings. They would bring a piece of the homeworld with them. I shouted, “THERE!”

*****

            Eddie found himself stabilized by a burst of emerald energy cementing him to the floor. He aimed. Seeing the horrid lidless eyeball emerging from the center of the totem. “Peek a boo!” He fired into its petrified flesh. A shriveled thing it was. Reminded him of beef jerky. He wouldn’t think about bacon for the moment. It would upset Cooper. The german shepherd barked rapidly. >>The Green will not fall!<< He dug his black paws into the metal. Sending chains of green towards the creature. Striking it solidly in the iris before it responded with a bolt of purple rays. The beams struck Cooper’s outer defenses. Valkyrie bounded over to him. Adding her energy to his.

Her hulking Dire Wolf form absorbing additional blows. While Sparta continued to shield J’ino and Nola. Valkyrie howled, her white fur splashed with red as her Green Defender plates failed near her left flank.

*****

            I dived through the Dreaming.

Grasping the eye while I was phased within the half-hidden reality. A cacophony of voices tore at my eardrums, “We see you, Seeker. C’alain’s blood will not avail you! Your mastery is weak!” The Dark Walkers raised their ritual knives. I braced myself. Sticky wetness dribbled through my fingers. That disabled the thing’s beam ability. I knew because Val and Cooper were charging. Everything unfurling in slow motion. An explosive crack of shots reverberated. Mom and Eddie were unloading on the remaining corruption within the Warren.

*****

            J’ino seethed, “Nobody touches my kids.”

The Dark Walker’s tan splotched head exploded into very minuscule pieces as the enraged mother ended the thread of fate for one enemy. She shifted her HUD over to the other combatant but Jonas already had that one downed. The knife-wielding hand vaporized as Eliza reemerged from that blurred state of movement. Not super speed but what Thomas said was a lost Arcane martial art. Eliza was still a novice with it. Only given the basics while she had trained in the Tower. J’ino would always call it that. Eddie fired a barrage of ice beams into the remaining center mass of the Forger. Landing a roundhouse kick as he closed in. Frozen parts flying in many directions.

            “Sorry Star, we can’t save all of them.”

*****

            My palm burned where I had squashed the beam sac of the Eye. I barely managed to stop myself from leaning forward. Covering it by floating a few inches off the ground. Mom and Doc noticed anyway. Eddie’s head was on a swivel. Casing the Warrens for any other hidden traps or secrets. I replied, “I know. But I’ll keep trying.” A wave of cool relief hit my left leg. Where the knife had buried itself in the meat of my thigh. Magic was one of my actual weaknesses. My Banner suit concentrated most of its vital protections towards my torso and head. I waved Lorain over to our allies, “Fix them up first.” I added after she glared at me, “Please?”

            Her icy stare relented as she noticed Val hobbling a bit. Bardaxians first was my motto.

            Mom widened the tear in my suit leg. I grinned, “Thanks!” She gave me parent glare number 47. “You aren’t out of this yet young lady.” At least it wasn’t my full name. I wisely focused on examining the room as well.

*****

            Nola hid a grin as her husband approached. He whispered, “She’s gonna get it later. Mark my words.” The priestess understood why. So much was riding on Eliza. Her family and friends wanted to protect her. Even though she was immune to most things. Conventionally. But it ran deeper. They had seen the lost innocence within the gaze of Ur-Eliza. Nola, above all else, understood that. She would miss this version of Eliza. One that was more carefree. But with the knowledge, she would establish the Cosmic Council. The Weave had shown Nola this. Not even Anna knew. Nola was the head priestess of her people. Which gave her a few extra skills that many weren’t aware of. She dared not even tell Eddie. He suspected some things but was wise enough to trust her.

            Implicitly.

            She rose on her tiptoes and bestowed a well-received peck on the cheek. “Indeed.” He winked. His face that wonderful combination of eagerness and watchful. She linked an arm through his offered arm,” Let’s go link up with Ul’mati. I’m thinking this place will need a few more doses of Doc’s salve before the day is over!”

*****

            Mom and Doc kept up that double glare. Not allowing me to walk on the injured leg. So I floated between them. Shaking hand to well…hand limbs of Forgers clustered around all of us. What a start to the delegation process. I checked my internal Chrono. It was still the 27^th of August. A Friday.

            Mondays still held the most unfortunate slot.

            But who knows? With my luck the whole week would be loaded.

            Mom kicked me in the rump. Careful to move Old Glory out of the way.

            “Eliza Elizabeth Murphy!”

            Oh boy.

            “Yes, mama?”

            “Next time, try dodging. Please?”

            I replied, “But if I did that one of them might have thrown the knives your way.”

            I didn’t want anyone else getting hurt.

I was the shield. Doing what came naturally.

Mom sighed, “I know Space Cadet.” She gave me a half hug as we rejoined Ul’mati.

The Forger began, “I wish to join your crew. I must learn from my fellow Light Shaman/Walkers!”

Jupiter piped in, <<I have already accepted his request Captain. Per your usual recruitment abilities.>>

Progress!

 

Issue 15: Here

Issue 17: Here