Attack From The Beyond (3) But all this would not be enough. The unit held on as best it could under the surprise attack, but Adrian saw that there were just too many of the winged creatures. This can’t be the end, he thought. It just can’t. At that moment one of the creatures swooped down and grabbed ahold of Christopher and held him aloft with its clawed feet, digging into his shoulders. The lad was stricken with horror, wailing about and calling for assistance. “Help!” he cried. “Someone—please!” Then another swooped down and grabbed ahold of Ashley. She let loose an agitated cry as the Aelkighted creature lifted her off of the surface of the planet, dropping her weapon in the process. Adrian was at a loss for words for what was happening. He managed to get a scream heard over the chaotic din. “Lucas, what are they…” But he wouldn’t finish that statement. Another winged Aelkighted creature lifted him too off of terra firma and began heading towards the Aelkighted Interrogation Chamber. But Adrian had held on to his weapon, and he managed to fire successive laser blasts at the Aelkighted, killing it in the process and he plummeted into the ground. Lucas advanced towards him with the rest of the unit. Lucas and the others fired shots into the air after the two kidnapped humans and the wing of the one carrying Christopher was singed, the both of them came spiraling towards the ground. But Ashley’s pursuer had gotten too far away. After taking the gene manipulated Ashley the winged Aelkighted dispersed, their job seemingly accomplished. Lucas lifted Adrian and Christopher off of the ground and inquired after their conditions. After he discovered they were fine he gathered the remaining soldiers and Merridions around him and told them what must be done. “There’s no way we can leave Ashley alone to be tortured by the Aelkighted. We are going to mount a rescue, we have to help her!” Adrian remembered what it was that had horrified him so about the Interrogation Chamber and began to imagine that kind of mental mayhem being inflicted upon Ashley and couldn’t bear it. “My friend…Ashley…” She awoke inside of a dark chamber, stripped down of her uniform and everything else. She was naked, cold, and alone. She had no inkling as to how much time had passed or where she was or what her captors wanted from her. What happened, she thought. How did I get here? It all seemed a blank at first. Then she remembered fighting the Aelkighted with her companions and being snatched by one of those…creatures. I’m inside of the Interrogation Chamber! That is correct said a voice inside of her head as purplish light began to dance off of the dark crystals, illuminating the room to a degree. And you’re going to give us what we want, or there will be consequences. Suddenly, she could feel a force being exerted over her mind and her will; a twisted presence was making itself known to her. It was as if she could only vaguely discern the outline of some netherworldy creatures which shared the same room with her, their forms only dimly hinted at, that and no more. A new gateway had been opened inside of her mind; glimpses of creeping horrors, shadowed portents stalked past her, intimating dark and malignant intents. Ashley tried to close herself off to it all, but the influence was immense. I can’t—help you—I don’t know how they did it---leave me alone! Oh you can help, better than you know and then it laughed, depraved merriment filled the chamber. All of them began to laugh. A wild and wicked cacophony pervaded the compartment. Please!—Just stop!—I’ll give you what you want—anything—Just—No more! Clev along with Aelkighted researchers observed with delight to see the progress being made on the subject. They were situated in an adjoining room. They spoke in the Aelkighted tongue. “It is working,” said one such researcher. “She is ready to begin plunging the depths of her subconscious. We shall see what is that she saw when the Merridions manipulated her DNA and we will have an understanding of the kind of technology that they possess.” ”Good, good,” said Clev. “But we must hurry. The Merridions are already on the advance and will attempt to mount a rescue. When you have delved into her subconscious, report back to me so that I can relay the information to High Commander Xeriot.” The researchers said that they would do just that and Clev left the facility. Adrian’s unit had retired to the command ship where they could formulate strategy on how to rescue Ashley. This time he and Christopher would sit inside the war council; Adrian had insisted on this, and Lucas—after briefly considering it—had obliged. It would give the gene manipulated humans a chance to test their military intuition in a tactical vantage point. Adrian just wanted to ensure that the best possible tactic was used in recovering Ashley. The projected forms of Merridion war leaders were situated throughout the war room, some standing, some speaking, others of which were pacing back and forth. The war room extended in an elongated manner and had what could best be described as glowing and hovering orbs spaced evenly to provide light for the expanse. After listening to the circumstances faced by other Merridions on the West Coast of the United States and solutions being presented, Lucas was finally able to air his unit’s concern. They spoke in English for the benefit of the humans. “We are in a bit of a situation,” he said. “The Aelkighted have kidnapped one of our unit; a girl, who was manipulated genetically.” Here there was a pause as Merridion command was allowed to digest this news. A great deal of concern was shown Adrian perceived as he glanced from Merridion to Merridion. Lucas continued. “We cannot leave her to the whims of the Aelkighted. We have no choice but to rescue her.” “Of course we have no choice,” said one such grizzled and old Merridion veteran communicating through projection. “The girl carries with her secrets that we have been holding back from even the Galactic Council for hundreds of years. If the Aelkighted discover the secret of our gene manipulator then…” He trailed off. “That’s important,” said Lucas. “But it just would be the right thing to do. We will not abandon our own.” Christopher actually spoke up. “There is also the problem of this…what do you Merridions call it…Aelkightian Stronghold. We can’t let that remain intact either.” Adrian looked at Christopher as did the other Merridions. He looked abashed. Lucas or Lucalan spoke up. “The lad is right. There are many rural areas in the West of the United States that the Aelkighted will pillage for slavery if we don’t do something about that Stronghold.” “The only real question,” said another Merridion through visual projection “is how you are going to go about doing all of this?” Now silence filled the room as the Merridion commanders mulled over what would be the best route to take. A commander that was actually present in the room with them responded. “First, we penetrate their forces,” he walked over towards a wall computer that could access battle situations. He began manipulating it, moving his hand over certain areas of the screen; the Merridion forces represented in white moved about in mock exercises. “No doubt they have the area well defended by now. We’ll send a contingent of forces to strike the main line of their defenses, here,” he said, as a swath of Merridion colored representations advanced against the Aelkighted bulk of black defenses. “Then, we send supporting units to encircle the area, ensuring that all reinforcements will not make it to the heart of the conflict while we focus our efforts on disposing of the Aelkighted. We go in, rescue the girl, and implode the Stronghold.” The Merridion commanders considered until the grizzled one finally spoke up. “It is good. Are there any objections?” Silence encapsulated the war room. Adrian felt like he was being impressed to say something, so he spoke up. “Won’t a plan like this put Ashley in unnecessary danger?” He was met with a contemplative silence. “What if the Aelkighted, not having finished whatever it is they have planned, shuttle her away to a vantage point that none of us know of? Then she’ll be lost, and…and…” He couldn’t contemplate the scenario. It was like the realization of the worst possible outcome was flowering before him, the loss of someone whom he held dear. He didn’t think he could take losing Ashley, not under these circumstances. “I—see your point,” said the Merridion who was present. “Do you have any suggestions?” Inklings were speaking to Adrian in the deep recesses of his mind and he wholly succumbed. “We send in a stealthy unit. A small band of soldiers who will rescue Ashley as well as use whatever the implosion thing is you speak of. After it has been communicated that she is safe, and the threat inside is neutralized, then we escape, and bring down the Interrogation Chamber. Then we begin your aforementioned phase, take care of any outside Aelkighted, and eliminate the remaining Stronghold structures.” The grizzled veteran was the first to speak up. “I must say, we are being repaid enormously for going to the trouble and manipulating Earthlings genes. No doubt the Aelkighted would have taken the poor girl somewhere we couldn’t reach; anything else?” There was a silence. “Good. The war council is adjourned.” She was on her knees now, covering up as best she could despite the circumstances. They had plunged into the deep recesses of her psyche and recovered much of her memories (though not yet all), and left traces of a paralyzing, slavish fear of the Aelkighted behind. She had lost all track of time; there was no light that greeted her in this compact cell save the glowing embers of the harnessed dark crystals. She rocked back and forth, trying to shield her mind in any way possible from the recollection probes. At least the creatures had retreated…for now. They were all like mental parasites sent to induce inside of her fears she didn’t know human beings were capable of. They toyed with her in ways that defied the realm of human thought; left her sitting there rocking back and forth naked in the dark, humming comforting lullaby’s to herself. ….Hush little baby don’t say a word…mama’s going to buy you a mockingbird…. She did not think it possible to return to the innocent state she possessed before the mind warp. The Aelkighted would swallow the whole world. There was no bargaining with them, not when they had you as a species in their scope. They had implanted images of worlds long since lost to the Aelkightian Overlords. Species after species made to become subjugate; interstellar traversal for the Aelkighted existed solely to enlarge their sphere of influence, their galactic dominion. Ashley—more than her human companions—had an idea of what was coming. Earth had just entered into a long and restless nightmare of which there was no waking from… Using advanced Merridion technology, Adrian, Lucas, and Christopher teleported inside of the Interrogation Chamber. They appeared in a dazzling display of white, pure light, tiny particles enveloping them and swirling upwards. They had Merridion laser guns at the ready as they set about the task to finding Ashley, and a device that would make the Interrogation Chamber extinct. “She’ll be in one of the holding cells,” said Lucas. “Let’s go. And be careful.” They trailed after him in this paranoid maze, these crisscrossing, honeycomb-inspired pathways, the color of which Adrian couldn’t readily classify. Lucas was equipped with a human genome reader; otherwise they would have no knowledge of where to find her. They cut a corner and came upon congregated winged Aelkighted. Christopher aimed his weapon when Lucas quickly interceded, placing his hand on the barrel and pushing it downwards. “We’ll use stealth my friend. Save the fireworks for the end of Act III. Follow me.” Lucas turned another corner and the others swiftly followed after him, ignoring the winged Aelkighted completely. But they left the implosion device tucked in a corner. They negotiated a few more divergent aisle ways until they finally came upon the cell division. Lucas quickly rushed towards Ashley’s enclosure and the humans followed. It was barred in by shafts of black light. “How do we get her out of this?” said Adrian, showing a supreme hesitancy to get near the beams. “I’ll take care of these bars,” said Lucas. He made his way to an alien looking console and began manipulating it. The shafts blinked out of existence and Ashley raised her head in expectant fear. “What—who—what is this?” They were counseled to carry with them a blanket, the Merridions not altogether ignorant of Aelkightian devices. Adrian hustled towards her and pulled it out of his military issue pack and placed it over her shoulders. “It’s ok now,” said Adrian. “You’re going to be alright.” “I suspect she’ll need one of these at the start until we can take a look at her.” Lucas handed out to her one of the splendiferous Tiavanna leafs and she took it slowly as if she had forgotten its potency. “Go ahead. You can swallow it.” She did so, and after brief moments she seemed to be able to recollect her faculties again. She looked at them with recognition and tears in her eyes. “Adrian? Chris? Lucas?” Adrian cupped her face with his hands and they embraced. Lucas appeared to be in mental contact with Merridion High Command when the sounds of hustling congregated Aelkighted startled them all. It was Clev and other winged Aelkighted. He spoke commandingly to his troupe in the strange Aelkighted tongue, but then he met eyes with Adrian and a sort of realization of import was established, Adrian thought. He appeared to speak in English only to incite fear in them, Adrian perceived. “I knew you would try to rescue your laboratory work, Lucalan,” said Clev standing on the other side of the enclosure with Aelkighted weapon in hand, smirking. “You have gifted us with a most incredible knowledge that you can be sure we will explore for eons to come.” Now his smile encompassed the entirety of his face. “Whatever might happen between now and the end of this, Clev, you at least won’t see its conclusion.” Lucas extracted a pocket supercomputer out of his Merridion apparel and initiated a countdown sequence. A look of consternation appeared on Clev’s face for only a moment, and then it was gone. The humans and Lucas were on their way out too; a flash of brilliantly bright particle light began enveloping them all. Adrian caught glance of an angry Clev gesticulating to his subordinates just before they teleported out of there. The Earthlings and Lucas had returned to the teleportation room of the Merridion command ship. A couple of female Merridions motioned for Ashley to follow them to the Merridion sanatorium where she could be newly clothed and examined. The effects of the Tiavanna leaf was waning, Adrian could see. She looked back at Adrian concernedly. “Go ahead. I’ll be right there.” She followed them. Adrian, Lucas, and Christopher were approached by the Merridion who formulated the battle strategy. “Has it begun?” said Lucas. “It’s just starting,” said the ranking Merridion. Lucas motioned towards those who were quickly becoming his brethren in truth. “Come, let us observe the viewing screen and see the end of this vile Interrogation Chamber.” Through the viewing screen Adrian could first see that a battle was being waged all around the Interrogation Chamber. However as Adrian stared the more he noticed that a shimmering was enveloping the Chamber. What he would describe as black electricity was moving all about the thing, slowly at first, but then it began to take on wildness. What sounded like a concussive blast was heard, and a great black ball enmeshed itself around the Chamber. It began to fold in on itself, and in the end there was no trace of it left. It was like a miniature black hole was transported from the cosmos and swallowed up the Interrogation Chamber. The screen shifted and other Stronghold structures met similar fates in this general area. Lucas spoke as to the interminableness of what lay before them. “We’ve repelled the Aelkighted in this area; this is—however—only one Stronghold, we don’t know how many more they have erected, though we are actively searching. The Contingent made a pledge to protect Earthlings, and that’s what we’ll do. But you have to understand that the Aelkighted are extremely aggressive by nature, and will not let up. We may stay their hand, but they will always continue reaching for more dominion.” Adrian reflected on that statement and realized (perhaps for the first time) just how daunting of a task was before them all.
Copyright © 2011 Michael Harris |