NOVEL WEB Issue 14: The Prodigy
Issue 14: The Prodigy
Humanity is an interesting mix. Have one human in the room and you an encyclopedia of opinions. Have a group of them: A symphony. A Planet’s Worth: An Ocean. I’d say they are, at the minimum, worthy of Protected status. Granted their history is filled with a multitude of things that argue for and against Uplift Protocol but haven’t we all stepped along that path? Each of our planets had our trials and tribulations. None of us is perfect. It would be a pity to exclude humanity. Their songs would only enrich our own. An empty Universe is no life to live at all. -J’ino Ayeer, Typherian Ambassador to U’tasa Sector, Assigned: Earth (Area 51 Archives)
In the earliest days of space flight, the world looked up in wonder, imagining themselves upon the shores of the Lunar surface, then the rusted plains of Mars, to the grit and toil of Ganymede. Through the mighty rings of Saturn. Beyond the lonely vigil of Pluto. Mankind is filled with wanderers. Wanders we must remain. Our Home will still call to us, no matter how long the cosmic sea reaches.- Fredrick Marshall, 54th President of the United States of America.
Even now, I consider it a wonder that we kept my secret so long. The ability to see the Keepers, no matter what mask they wore. It’s the reason why Chronos threatened me that day with the tears remark, he thought his cover was still intact. That I was only seeing non-descript G-men. That I couldn’t understand their befouled language. It’s no wonder Mr. Apple stayed incognito as well. Understanding came much later. As for Agent Hilary Brookes, well that lady needed more help then I could ever give her. Either as myself or the Star-Spangled Banner. Some Keeper experiments defied their underlining nature. She embraced it. -Sleeping in Starlight, a memoir of the 22nd century
North Ashbury, FBI HQ
USA (Texas)
Date Redacted
Agent Hilary Brookes paced about the small chamber. Her gaze kept wandering to the clock mounted upon the wall. Her black hair pulled back into a severe braid. Her deep brown eyes, nearly black some would say, locked onto hour hand.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Her lip pulled back into a sneer. Only insects would think of things in brief pitiable moments. She had work to do. Though none of these neanderthals would understand the importance. She was the chosen of God. Even more so then the monstrosities called demis. Relics of a bygone era. Especially ones like the Golden Bulleteer and his hapless team. Mavericks. More like Morons. They held Earth back. After another 12 minutes of fuming an aide finally came in. “The Director will see you now.”
She shoved the underling out of the way. Her sharp heels made no sound on the carpeted floor as she strode confidently down the hallway. Heavy wooden doors opened to reveal the Bureau's regional director. His stark white hair was at odds with his bushy black mustache. “Sit.” His tone brooked no arguments. She complied. Inwardly seething at this tiny insignificant man. If her father was here, he would be nothing but dust, so she merely plastered a smile on her face.
The director lighted his cigar. His gaze locked onto Hilary. What he saw within her scared him. She moved as a woman should but there was no fire there. No hope or even what he could charitably call a soul. No one has lasted more than 2 months as her partner. He would have fired her long ago but someone in Washington wanted her to remain. The best he could do was this. “Agent, there is a new project in the works. You have been chosen to represent the FBI within its hallowed halls. Be grateful.” He handed the missive to her and sent her packing.
It was as if the clouds had finally broken and light returned to the HQ. He felt a momentary stab of guilt at pawning her off on some unsuspecting Terran Alliance Eggheads but at the same time, the stormy cloud of sheer insolence was gone.
Good riddance.
Area 51, Situation Room
Earth (US Facility, Groom Lake)
Date Redacted
So this was the main room. Plain. Non-descript and boring. Lovely. She ran her hands along the wall. Something pricked her fingers. She hissed in pain, bringing her palm to her face, seeing nothing but perfect skin.
She glared balefully at the concrete. Fine.
Was this the best the T.A. could build? Ridiculous. If she was in charge, they would have been far beyond Alpha Centuri by now, claiming their legacy as a universal power. She grabbed a coffee from the table and sat in one of the chairs. What the hell was this place supposed to be anyway? A bed and breakfast? She smothered her face into a mask of neutrality as a soldier came into the room. His patchwork indicated he was a Colonel in the US Army.
*****
Ritark let out a massive string of chirps and barks. He didn’t like that lady putting her ugly sausage fingers on his viewing screen. His mother coalesced around him. Clicking at him in admonishment. “Little one, not all humans are such as that one. See? Look at the readouts on that taller fellow over there.”
Two golden orbs fixated on the other human.
The various displays along the walls manifested. Endless lines of data but the most important: He was married to J’ino?! He let out a few contented whistles. “Mama! So why don’t they examine the Sphere on the main floor?”
*****
Hilary managed to summon a facsimile of a smile as the US President and other officials filed into the room. One of them came over to shake Thomas Murphy’s hand, “HA! Congratulations on the recent wedding celebrations. I hope your wife doesn’t mind us stealing you away ever so often!”
The Agent mentally rolled her eyes. Get on with it you fools. Why am I here?
*****
J’ino let out a peal of laughter behind the viewing barrier. From the tilt of his head, Thomas could feel it through their rings, his smile could light up the very stars themselves. “Thank you Madame Secretary. I do believe I have quite the catch this time around. You could say she’s out of this world!”
This got a good-natured chuckle throughout the room. Save for one person. Based on the reaction of the Litari, it would appear this individual was dour at best. How could one planet produce people like Thomas and his parents but on the other hand, have people like the FBI mood killer? Ul’rek, the Forger Ambassador poked his head into J’ino’s compartment. “Lady Ayeer! The council offerers you greetings.”
He was easily 15 feet tall. His gray-brown outer carapace showing the marks of many years. Even among long-lived societies. His 7 red eyes blinked in rapid succession. Indicating excitement. He brought forth one claw, within it was a mirror orb, which was often used to record more than just visuals. “Long life to you and your new mate.”
*****
Brookes cleared her throat, “SO why are we here?” From the tone, everyone else could tell just how caustic she was. The type of woman no one would invite anywhere except out of a sense of duty or pity. Thomas waved over to the President. The older statesmen swerved his chair to face her, “This facility is highly advanced. Many different cutting edge projects happen here but the most important is this: The Voyager probes found some else out there. This facility also doubles as an intergalactic hub of sorts.”
Hilary laughed, a short biting sound that could curdle milk, “Well if they come in peace, where the hell are they? I don’t see any little green men here.” Murphy shot Brookes a look that could charitably be called sympathetic. “We’ve only decoded some of the opening greetings, as it could be called, this room is a focal point. It’s not like they are going to open the tech welcoming mat to us. Like vetting someone to serve in the armed forces or space, we are under a sort of advisory/testing period.”
When she sneered at him, he continued,
“Look, lady, it would be like giving a 5-year-old a fusion bomb. Do you want us to have high-level tech when we are barely mastering interstellar travel? And that’s due to the Dweller gates. Of which, we have only scratched the surface of.”
She arched one perfectly manicured black brow, “Oh really. Do the poor little dears think humanity is going to go on some sort of holy quest to cleanse the galaxy? We have everything we could ever need. Even useless demis.” Lt. Commander Lanis twitched at that statement. She pipped in with a response of her own, “Oh! You mean useless demis like me who can translate things almost instantly, provided I have enough data?” Heads whipped around. Some held their breath as the two women eyed each other like dueling hyenas.
*****
J’ino let out a mad cackle. That Lanis had quite the fire to her. Reminded her a bit of her mother. Whatever may happen, she was glad this planet had many more people of Thomas’ pov rather than Hilary's. By the Rulers, how insufferable. She brought up the data file on the Agent. Her eyes grew wide. Even a lemon was sweeter than this woman. She would fit in just fine with her father’s Advisor. She sent a message to Thomas:
//I bet she can’t even see the Sphere can she?//
//Thomas: Nope. Sadly most here can’t. I think our side of the complex has too many specialists. They only see what’s in front and not around them. It's not bad for some projects but it wouldn’t work out for them in Osiris.//
J’ino stretched her legs out. Getting more comfortable in her lounge chair. This was going to be a long process. But at least Thomas was here to make it fun. She batted her eyes at him as he snorted into his mug of coffee.
//So now I have my wife sizing me up like a piece of meat huh? Just you wait till we get home. I’ll put you through your paces.//
//I so do love promises.//
He sent various images within the rings that made J’ino blush.
//You naughty man.//
Thomas merely turned to face Lanis as she was passing out updates to the rest of the staff. More reports of Dweller artifacts littering the Sol system. J’ino perked up at that. At least this way the Science Division would get off her back about the Scholar Angle. Lately, they had proven to be more than zealous in the acquirement of such things. Since Earth was under observation, they weren’t allowed to claim anything in Terran Space.
Her father’s quest worried her. He kept sending private missives in a coded language only known to their family.
Don’t give them the information. Give them these instead.
She held up the data crystal with the loaded information. Normally she didn’t care much for any kind of politics but her father rarely did things without reason. So for now she would comply. Besides she didn’t have much love for how cold some communities viewed non-lifted civilizations.
Brookes Residence
Earth (Location Unknown)
Date Redacted
Micheal Brookes twitched as his daughter crossed the threshold. He could sense the various echoes of Typherian and Litari scanning resonances on her. Luckily for her, she wouldn’t show up as one of his kind to their tech. In this war, one must have proper agents. He gave his daughter a polite greeting as she approached. Everything about her was perfect. She gave him a formal bow in return.
“Father, those people are idiots. As I was sitting in that facility, the other entities were as shimmers to me. I don’t think most in that place can even see that.” He silenced her with a thought.
“Here child, take this. But only use it when I say.”
He handed her a set of silver disks. She slipped them into her coat pocket. “Of course father. As Unity wills it.”
*****
Hilary paced throughout the house. How to undermind the influence of those damnable shimmers? She knew in the depths of her soul that they were here to conquer Earth. To make humanity some sort of stepping stone. She would not allow that. Humanity was its own master. Even Unity will bow to them. Her smile turned ugly. Her eyes darkening to a near pitch black. Even her father will bow to her. The Universe would be her playground. Everyone would regret the day they shoved her off or dismissed her as a mere nuisance. All she would need is a foundation to build from. Or steal.
Her coms chirped incessantly in her ear. She answered with a clipped tone, “Yes?” The voice on the other end was feminine but masked, “You wish to command Unity? Perhaps a bargain can be struck. My master knows many things. Meet us here.”
The coordinates flashed 3 times then dissipated in a jumble of symbology.
Brookes slipped out the door.
*****
Medusa gave her brother and Thoth a gleeful hiss. “Chronos’ little prize took our bait. How shall we proceed with this madness?”
Brookes Residence
Earth (Location Unknown)
Date Redacted
Hilary Bookes kept analyzing the blood sample. A new kind of Paragon Demi had entered the battlefield. The Star-Spangled Banner. A sickening name. Patriots were the worst. Old fashioned and gullible. But that demi had a secret. It wasn’t completely human. It was part of something else. Something from that Area 51 complex. An interloper meant to breed with humanity, to make them obsolete. Terran scanners weren’t good enough to fully analyze the material but it did showcase something important. The Banner was weak to magic. Earth magic. Human magic. Not the strange symbols of the Atlantian Muthra.
No, she was weak and pathetic. Someone like Sir Avalon could wipe the floor with her. All Brookes would have to do is acquire some magic of her own. The Medusa was an interesting woman. Her main Achilles heel was Thoth. The Brother could be controlled by keeping the Sister in check. They thought they were using her to get to Father. Well, get in line you pricks. She was here first. She would win. Hilary Bookes had a mission. To protect Earth. Humanity was far more valuable than all of these imposters. The blood in the sample suddenly sparked, dissipating into the air like it never existed. She blinked in astonishment. What the hell?
She threw everything off the table, screaming in rage and frustration, “DAMN YOU! I WILL DESTROY ALL OF YOU!”
*****
Mr. Apple tapped the sample once more. Extremely glad that Chronos wasn’t here at this time. It was a gamble but the Tormented One must not know the full truth. Let them all play their little games. The day that Eliza Murphy truly awakened was the day the real battle for the Multiverse began.
Area 51, Situation Room
Earth (US Facility, Groom Lake)
Date Redacted
I looked around. My father was reclining in one of the chairs around the hardwood table. I had my NASA cap, the very same one from my long-ago birthday affixed to my head. Black flight jacket and jeans. Even down to my brown work boots. My senses were on fire. So much to take in at this room. Part of me wanted to go back up to the main floor to examine that Sphere. Why everyone walked past it was beyond me. The ginormous thing took up half the area. Shimmering with all sorts of colors.
“General Marshmellow Man.”
“Hey, Space Cadet!”
“Guess who’s gonna get to fly the next best thing in Space? The Director of NASA just told me before I got here! I’m gonna have my space ship.”
Gen. Murphy gave me a hearty salute with his mug.
“There ya go kiddo! Knew you had it in you!” He winked.
A burst of emotions echoed throughout the room. Foremost was a wave of joy. I approached the walls. Running my hand alongside all the panels around the room. An interesting sensation ran up my spine. Every bit of my sight said this was concrete but my empathetic radar was going off the charts. There was more here than a simple meeting chamber. I gazed up at the ceiling.
I kept staring. Was it singing to me?
Until a hand touched my shoulder. I turned and looked down. My nose started to bleed slightly. Short cropped black hair. In a style even I found less than stellar. Why did people shave their hair to the side like that? Her brown eyes were colder than the Antarctic. But the most distressing of all, a slight obsidian blemish on her aura indicated the worst. I relayed a message to my ring:
//Huston, we have a problem.//
*****
J’ino eyed the FBI agent with renewed anger. So this was one of the Keeper Pawns. Made a sick amount of sense. She watched as Eliza sat down next to her father. He gave her some napkins. Sending out alerts to his wife. She remembered what the Scholar had said. About not being ready. For now, she would tell her daughter to exercise extreme caution. When the time came, J’ino Ayeer vowed that the wrath of the whole Multiverse would come down on that Agent’s head. If anyone in this world hurt her daughter, there would be a consequence beyond all reckoning.
*****
Hilary Brookes smirked as Eliza Murphy was dabbing her nose. That’s what made it into the NASAs premiere space flight program nowadays? Guess the General was more impotent then she thought. She brought up a medical scanner. Bringing up her palm to cover some snorted laughter. 50 years ago, someone with heart and spine issues wouldn’t be issued any kind of space license. Rejuvenation shots from her T.A. medical officer, Lt. Lorain Lanis, allowed Murphy to enter a cockpit.
“Nice to see NASA lowering its standards.” Her fingers twitched. Relishing in the uneasy silence that came over the room. Eliza heaved a sigh then gave the agent a rueful grin, “Guess I can count my blessings ma’am. I was born just in time to see the Universe. It’s a wonderful thing and I am grateful to be here. Want some more coffee? I'll brew a fresh pot!” Bookes could tell the rest of the sheep in the area were propping up Murphy. Giving her all the praise for being ever so brave despite her physical downfalls. Rubbish!
*****
I rubbed my temples. The absolute rage emanating off that woman was giving me a headache. I’ve seen people at the end of their rope, but never anything like this, while the rest of the committee was steadfastly ignoring her. That must hurt. To be surrounded but completely alone and cut off. At least I had my family, friends, and various Bardiaxians that I knew loved me. Agent Hilary Brookes was a textbook example of “World's Most Ineligible Bachelorette.” In a world filled with pro-long, that was even more potently felt.
Even with the Keeper blood within her, how anyone could turn out that way spoke volumes of her upbringing. Who could be that heartless to raise a child to this point? Her aura bled with self-loathing. The only time she felt truly happy was when everyone else was miserable.
I grabbed for a cup of water.
Some aspirin.
I felt some pulses from the ring mom gave me. The pain behind my eyes receded. My empathetic walls came up with a slam. The sheer relief brought tears to my eyes. My father gave me a gentle pat on the back. Plus a steaming mug of tea. Orange pekoe from the aroma. I cracked my eyes open to see everyone with various levels of alarm on their faces. “It's alright. If you look at my file, I have some low-level empathy abilities. Nothing to scream to the Legion home about but it comes in handy.”
Their auras calm down after that.
I can see that I’ll have quite the journey ahead. To me, it was all worth it. I had a crew, a ship, a purpose. What else could one want in life?
*****
Hilary fumed in silence. What gave them the right to give that cripple a pass? She was defective! A throwback to when cancer killed people. With the way NASA fawned over her, she must have been born with that silver spoon, poor little army brat. Let’s send her to space! Brookes continued to glare. Her body language screaming “Stay the fuck away from me.” She was the next stage in human evolution. The Murphy types of the World would burn or get out of her way.
Humanity first. No propped up relic like the Banner would stop her either. She would make her mark on the Stars. Even if they bled.