Page 28

It shall be done, the Osiris answered.

And just as that green light on the Hive became blinding, the Osiris’ main weapon--a golden beam of light--struck that light. There was an explosion. A silent one, but Jack watched as the Hive was consumed by its own weapon backfiring. He saw the outer hull being eaten away and a massive hole punched into the Hive’s very center. The golden beam of the Osiris’ main weapon then sliced through the Hive, cutting it into two parts that slowly, and silently, drifted away from one another.

The Hive was dead.

“You did it,” Diane gasped. “Jack, you did it.”

He could see electrical sparks arcing all around her. Sweat and soot stained her face. But she was smiling. And alive. Alive.

“I am looking forward to discovering the truth about humanity, Flight Commander Parker,” Matzen said, and the man was smiling broadly this time.

“Can’t wait to tell you all about us,” Jack said, running a shaking hand through sweat-slicked hair.

He heard shouts of joy from Dai and Bob in Engineering over the comm as the two danced in front of the screen.

“Osiris, let everyone know it’s over,” Jack said. “For now, anyways.”

I have done so, Flight Commander Parker, the Osiris said.

“Good. Do we have communication back with the planet?” Jack asked, realizing that they likely did. “Is Jace--”

The Osiris’ words jumped across the screen interrupting him as if the AI had screamed, The Pilot is in danger.

Focus

Earlier in the Control Room of the Moturin Compound in Ylore, Haseon…

Jace felt Amana’s hands on his shoulders. She was shaking him, trying to wake him, but even now that he knew she was trying to get his attention he couldn’t react. Other than a sliver of his consciousness that remained in his body, the rest had been spread out. Most of it in the murderball that was Gehenna, not to mention guiding Thammah to the second to last Khul. He had almost forgotten his physical form--which was worrisome--until she started shaking him.

“Is he unconscious?” Thadden asked, hawking over him, and putting a hand on his brow as if checking for a fever.

But Jace knew his temperature was low, not high. Not because he was sick.

“I don’t think so. His eyes are moving like ours do in REM sleep,” Amana said, but then her head snapped over her shoulder towards the Control Room’s door.

Every single person with a weapon in that room was facing it, weapons drawn, as the door shuddered. Something was trying to get inside. Jace looked through the cameras in the hallway and saw the Omull leaning one of its shoulders against the door, using all of its weight, to try and break through. But the door was holding, only creaking slightly.

Okay, big boy, we just need to delay and keep you out there until the cavalry arrives, Jace thought.

He looked for a shield to bring down on the door, but he realized that this room was not Altaeth make. The Thaf’ell had crafted it themselves, dividing up a much larger space. So, contrary to what the Thaf’ell had thought, this was not the strongest location in the Compound, but the weakest. He called to his AI friends to see if they couldn’t assist in some way, but anything they offered would take more time than they had.

I really should have checked this place out before I collapsed here, Gehenna, he told her.

It’s going to be okay, Jace! We’re coming! She reminded him

He tried to impart that to Amana and Thadden, but his mouth remained still and no words came out. This wasn’t permanent or any real problem. But to restart his body fully, he would need to focus on it. Yet he couldn’t right now. He was zeroed in on getting the Gehenna murderball to the Control Room as quickly as possible. He could destroy the Omull in seconds with no danger to himself or anyone else.

The walls whirled by as Gehenna sped down them. Stairs were not as quick. He cursed when they had to unfold from the ball form to climb up them.

Oh, no, Jace! Gehenna cried. We’re wounded!

He already knew what she was talking about. Her right claw leg was smoking. The Khul blood was affecting not the calcanth but the wiring. That leg was malfunctioning every time she tried to extend it and put her weight on it. Her leg continued to jam as she tried to walk up the stairs. They were just two floors and half a hallway away! But they might as well have been on another planet at this rate.

He thought he heard another groan from the door. Was the door to the Control Room bowing inwards? Why yes, yes, it was.

Damnit! Really? We’re so close to ending this and it all might go to Hell!

Gehenna attempted to lever up another stair but the leg snapped and she nearly fell backwards.