The Children of New Earth (21 page)

We continued to bicker amongst ourselves about the pros and cons of staying and leaving when suddenly we were interrupted by an earsplitting buzz from the intercom system. We covered our ears until it stopped, replaced by total silence. We were the only ones in the room, but I could tell the everyone in the Sanctuary was anxiously listening in with us. After a few seconds, we heard a voice, broken up by static.

“This…automated reply…to a transmiss…received…you have conta…Dubai…this is a distress…any survivors…we are in…help…power fai…demons…please…tower…the direc…careful…wait…arrival…over…”

For what seemed like ages there was complete silence. The static died down, and we were speechless. After months of hopeless transmitting, we finally got a reply. Despite the interruptions, we all understood the message well enough. It wasn’t what we expected, but it was something. The hope everyone was looking for had been rekindled. After a moment, Lynn broke the silence.

“Well,
now
I know where we would go.”

Chapter 15

Not long after this message from Dubai’s Sanctuary, Father Cameron called a forum of all Neogens in the base. He was clearly a man that did not believe in strict hierarchies and secret meetings. This was meant to be a democracy, and everyone would have a say in what we decided to do from here.

We gathered in the large hall where we first met the people of the Sanctuary. Except this time, my friends and I were in the crowd, looking up at the platform where Father Cameron, Michael, and Micah were standing.

“I suppose you’re all wondering why I’ve called you here tonight,” Cameron started.

A few laughs could be heard in the crowd. It was only somewhat of a happy occasion but Father Cameron was certainly pleased. I realized that no one really knew how to feel. We had made contact with another Sanctuary, none other than the home of Earth’s Director. This was something that hadn’t been possible for many years. But the message itself was not as optimistic as we had hoped.

I didn’t know about the others, but I was curious about Dubai and was quite set on answering the distress call. It was only a matter of who would go with me and how we’d get there; two very big questions that I hoped would be answered here in the forum.

“We have received a reply from our capital Sanctuary in Dubai,” he continued. “Now, I would say it is our duty to help our allies so that we may bring humanity one step closer to salvation.”

There was a pause, as he let that sink in. He needed people to understand the stakes, but at the same time trusted them to make their own decision.

“But you are not pawns, you are not soldiers following orders,” he said. “You are the new generation of beings on this planet and as such it is only appropriate that you decide your own fate.”

My restlessness getting the best of me, I spoke first.

“Excuse me,” I called out. “How exactly would we get to Dubai? Last I checked, it was a few thousand miles across the ocean.”

“Well, you’ll have to fly,” Cameron answered with a smile.

“I’m not carrying anyone across the Atlantic,” Jared said facetiously.

“Well, this is a military base,” one Neogen called out. “Plenty of aircraft are docked in the lower levels.”

“But it could take a few days to get them up and running,” Micah argued. “Until then, we need something faster.”

“Well, there’s always the airfield,” Raphael suggested.

There was some uneasy shuffling amongst the crowd. I remembered how Micah told me that the airfield was much further inland than anyone had been in a long time. It was the most promising place to find an aircraft, and at the moment it seemed to be our best option.

“Precisely,” Cameron agreed. “The only trouble is getting there and taking off.”

“So basically,” one girl said. “We have to fight an army of Demons, get on a plane, fly to Dubai, find the Sanctuary, and figure out how liberate it from another army of Demons?”

Michael took a step forward. “I’m not gonna lie, this is a dangerous mission. Death is a very real possibility, but in the end the choice is yours.”

Micah then addressed us. “Those of you that wish to join me on a scouting mission to the Sanctuary in Dubai, step forward.”

For several seconds, nobody advanced, though a few people did move to the back. Rachel and Lynn made the first move, jumping up next to Micah. Mark and I followed. Cora hesitated, but bravely stepped up in the end. When Aaron followed her up, she rolled her eyes, but I could swear I saw the hint of a smile. Isaac looked up at us, sighed, then decided to join as well.

“You better not get me killed,” he whispered.

It occurred to me that we were the first to volunteer because we’d been in the outside world the longest. We were most prepared for what was out there, and therefore most confident in returning. I knew from our argument earlier that some of them weren’t keen on leaving. But after the distress call, curiosity and a sense of duty must’ve won out over practicality and survival instincts. Some in the crowd probably felt the same sentiment, given that they eventually stepped forward as well, Raphael being among them. Jared and the two flyers that saved us earlier also flew up to the platform. In the end, we had a force of about twenty Neogens.

“Is that all?” Cameron asked.

There was a pause. Then one Neogen stepped out from the crowd.

“I may not agree with the mission, but I admire your devotion,” he said. “You have my help and the help of those who will join me in helping you get to the airfield.”

There were plenty of shouts agreeing with this. I’d judged them too quickly; even those that did not want to take on the mission were still devoted to the cause. After all, this was their planet too.

The next day, we gathered quietly in the North Hall for the briefing. The auditorium itself was shaped like a circle, with seats lined up at several levels along the walls. In the center was the floor for the speaker, and in the middle of the ring was a shiny, black table. We filed into the hall with all those who volunteered for the mission, as well as a select team of Neogens who were staying but agreed to help us get to the plane. There were about a hundred of us total, a fifth of which would be going all the way to Dubai.

Once we were all gathered, Micah began to speak.

“Alright, given that this is a briefing, let’s make this brief.” She was apparently trying to lighten the mood. “First off, we need code words. Those of you going to Dubai will be called Alpha Team. The rest of you are Beta Team. The reason for this nomenclature is obvious.”

Now Michael stepped in. “Beta Team is primarily composed of support Neogens. We’ve got shields, healing, and some general crowd control.”

Those who were in Beta Team let out a proud cheer.

“Now Alpha Team ,” Micah continued. “You have more offensive capabilities. Your job is to clear as many Demons as necessary on a path to the airfield. You’ll have to use anything you have in your arsenal: fire, wind, water, weapons, whatever. I will take point and lead the charge.”

“Also, very important note to Alpha Team,” Michael said, “your primary goal is to reach the airfield. The aftermath of the battle here at Sanctuary will be our problem to deal with. You do not turn around, and you do not hesitate. We will manage and make sure you have a home to come back to.”

“Brave words, Michael,” Micah said. Once the cheers died down, she then continued to explain the details of the plan. She tapped on the black table to reveal a holographic interface, displaying models of the Sanctuary and surrounding areas. She used it to point out our exits and pathways to the plane. The way out was through underground tunnels leading to the basement of a small house on the surface. From there we’d emerge on ground level and run. Our path was the long road usually used to get in and out of town. But this time, we’d follow it further along until we reached an empty field. Once we made it across this, the plane would be just a quarter mile further.

A horde of Demons would be blocking our every path, and another army would be at our backs. But if everyone did their job right, we’d make it out with minimal casualties. Everyone had been training hard these past few months, and they were all able and willing to fight. This would be the first real-life Demon encounter for most, but I had hope that they would step up to the task.

Michael ran through the responsibilities of each power group. Force fields would divide swarms, making it easier to cut them down. Healers would treat any grievous wounds during the battle and were to be protected vigilantly. There were the super-sense Neogens, like Aaron, who had an augmented sense of sight, sound, smell, or touch. They were assigned a telepath, who reported on details of the battle to the appropriate power group. Super senses determined how many Demons were in a particular area, if someone needed help, our relative positions, and other information to help best coordinate our attack. Flyers like Jared would provide cover fire from the air, as well as provide extract from the fight if signaled by a telepath. All psychokinetics would simply use their abilities to kill in the most efficient way possible. They could mow down Swarms relatively easily but would need to use teamwork to take on the more powerful Demons.

Lynn and Aaron would provide recon and ground support. Cora, with her shield, would act as their assisting telepath. Isaac, to avoid dying on purpose, would simply use a gun. Raphael, to avoid disabling everyone’s power, would do the same. Rachel had her Orb, and being the most powerful telekinetic Neogen I’d ever seen, there was no doubt in my mind she would be one of the few people carrying this fight. I wasn’t the best shot so bullets weren’t really my thing. I opted to use my Void Knife instead. Every Demon had a weakness, and I was confident I’d have all the time in the world to get to it.

“I think that’s everything,” Micah concluded.

“We move out tomorrow at noon by the South Gate,” Michael added. “I have the utmost faith in you all, good luck.”

When the meeting was adjourned, we all left to make our final preparations. Cora headed to the lab, where for the past few months she’d also been working on weapons upgrades. She had just about finished modifying her shield. It was now able to completely absorb immense amounts of damage, and release it on command as a pulse of pure kinetic energy. Also, upon his request, she took Aaron’s airgun and mounted a knife under the barrel, turning it into some kind of gunblade, more suited for close-quarters combat. Lastly, she finished reworking almost all the weapons in the Sanctuary’s arsenal to optimize fire rate, bullet acceleration, reload efficiency, and various other factors. I helped in anyway I could, in addition to working on my own projects.

Most of the others headed to the VRC or training rooms, and some just wanted to rest. I decided to join my friends in one of the arenas. It was a simple, large room with stone walls and a blue mat covering the floor. Weapon racks lined the walls, each holding various practice equipment. Long, wide steps led into the room, and acted as a seating area for spectators.

Aaron and Lynn were sparring using holographically-selective swords. They could strike as hard as they wanted, but the projected blade would only react physically with the other blade. It would simply pass through any other material, organic or otherwise, and sound a buzzer on both hilts, indicating that someone had landed a hit. This would give that person a point, and the first to three hits would be the victor. The two were attacking hard and fast, and it was actually difficult for me to keep up with their movements. Lynn struck with blinding speed, but Aaron was able to react with lighting-fast reflexes and counter-attack with relative ease.

I decided to use my power to more freely observe the fight. At this point, slowing time was as simple as breathing. Walking within feet of the battle, I watched as their hits got slower and softer. Lynn stepped back to analyze her next move. Aaron stood firm and ready to defend, his eyes glowing in their usual intense blue, but with a strange sharpness in them that I’d never seen before. Just then, Lynn stepped forward with a jab. Her blade charged at Aaron’s chest, and to counter, he positioned his sword vertically to meet her’s and pushed it aside. He then swung it back around but she dodged by jumping backward.

I continued to walk in a circle around the two fighter as these quick exchanges continued on for some time. But I was beginning to see some kind of pattern that I couldn't quite explain. Rather than react to Lynn’s attacks, it looked like Aaron already knew what they were going to be. She would begin an uppercut but before she positioned her blade for the swing, Aaron would already have his sword lowered, ready for the block. Instead of waiting to meet the attack, he’d begin his own swing, melding parry and counter into one, swift move. I wondered if this was some extension of his power, telling him how exactly his opponent would act, as well as any potential weaknesses.

After a few minutes for me, and seconds for them, I let time return to normal, and waiting for the two to finish their sparring. It wasn’t long before Aaron finally landed his third hit on Lynn’s shoulder, ending the fight. They retracted their blades and shook hands, acknowledging each other’s performance. Loud applause erupted from the several other Neogens spectating the fight.

“Awesome swordplay guys!” one said.

“Let’s get you two some real blades and you can just take care of this Demon problem for us, eh?”

Then another asked, “Why do you guys practice with swords if guns are more effective?”

“Sword fighting isn’t just about killing,” Lynn said, her breathing slow and steady. “It requires patience, observation, and reaction time, skills that can be used with any weapon in any situation. It’s about learning your opponent's style and adapting quickly to counter it.”

“You’re both trying to stay one or two steps ahead of the other,” Aaron continued, wiping his face with a towel. “Whoever learns faster will be the victor.”

“Speaking of staying a few steps ahead,” I said, “Aaron, did you know how she was going to attack before it actually happened?”

“I’ve noticed the same thing,” Lynn said, putting away her sword.