Simon focused on the giant minions leading the approaching horde. There were four of them and each were well over ten feet tall with legs and arms bigger than any human in the newly formed camp. They we not well formed like the rest, looking as if they were pieced together to form one beast. As he looked his vision sharpened and he saw the true horror of the behemoths. They were formed of humans and mammals fused together with the Leviathan’s strain. Revulsion coursed through him at the sight of the contorted limbs and bodies twisted to form the giants approaching the settlement. Massive plates of steel wrapped around the shoulders and hips of the creatures protecting where the limbs of the creatures fused to the main body. A thick strain produced armor covered the rest of the body, making them look like giant insects as they drew closer.

  “The Leviathan has been busy,” he thought as he turned his attention to the humans next to him and behind the wall. He could see fear beginning its destructive work on the gathering.

  “Hold steady!” he shouted, hoping his voice would buoy their resolve. The column finally approached the wall spreading out along the widening roadway as their cries and howls called out to the humans, seeking to break them before the battle began. Simon stood silent staring at the gathering. He knew the Leviathan was there. It would reveal itself. The quantum could not pass up the opportunity to tout its accomplishments. It was patterned off its master and would hold true to the pride of Nathan Landis. A moment later Simon was proven horribly right.

  The black mass of bodies parted as a sole figure strode through, moving past the patchwork giants to stand in front of its army. Simon struggled to recognize who he was observing. The man standing across the small gap between the wall Simon stood on and the anxious beasts was a memory of long ago before Simon’s death.

  “Why?” he whispered, looking at the former commander. Maher led the insertion at Rocky Flats where Simon had died. It never occurred to him that the man would have fallen to the Leviathan as well. The man’s composure and control in the face of Landis’ creation helped them hold the threat at bay. Now he was one of the rogue quantum’s minions. Anger flared in Simon and he felt his nanids respond. Armor formed across his body gleaming red as it grew brighter around them. He felt the nanid sword emerge in his right hand as a ball of light emerged in his left. The figure opposite Simon studied him for a moment and then spoke.

  “Simon Fore, I admit I am surprised to see you here,” the man said, pausing for effect. “Death does not seem to hold sway over you.” Simon knew this was not Maher. The voice and cadence of the speech revealed the Leviathan. The quantum had consumed the man turning him into its avatar. Grief tempered his anger.

  “Leviathan, take your horde and leave Seattle,” Simon shouted down to the creature in front of him, raising his sword point to the once human.

  “If you do not, I assure you that death will visit again this day,” he said waiting for the Leviathan’s response. The quantum ignored him and instead swept its gaze across the humans gathered on the wall.

  “Simon, I did not come to exchange threats, but to offer a way to the future to the people of Seattle,” it said smiling up to the humans flanking Simon. The quantum spread its arms as the light of the morning sun rose behind it.

  “I offer not only salvation from this world, but also an opportunity to evolve humanity beyond its current confines. To bring humanity back from the brink of extinction!” it called shifting its eyes from human to human. Simon felt the humans who were gathered around him, shift as Daniel strode through. The old man looked younger to Simon. His age still showed, but Stephen’s nanids had mitigated the effects of it. Daniel’s eye shone with anger as he looked down to the quantum’s avatar below.

  “We do not ask for or need your salvation!” Daniel shouted with his voice steady. Simon looked at the man as he spoke. Daniel reminded him of Candace, in control and prepared to lead his people. Simon knew Daniel would stand against the army below until they were either defeated or he was dead. He turned his attention to the quantum as Daniel spoke once more.

  “Leviathan, leave with your horde or be destroyed.” The words triggered a change in the quantum instantly. Its skin darkened, its body thickening and growing. In an instant the man transformed into an armored beast with a dark fanged mouth and razor-sharp claws.

  “You have chosen death for your people,” it shouted. Its voice was now venomous and guttural. As it turned back to its blackened army, its voice traveled to Simon once more.

  “Simon Fore, I know your father is here. I will take great pleasure in killing you while he watches.”

  Simon felt the rage peak within him. He did not reply. Instead he stepped to the edge of the wall, his arm a blur of red as he threw the glowing ball of nanids at his enemy with all his might. The battle for humanity had begun.

  SIA floated silently in the vacuum of space. The Earth dominated Wren’s mind, her proximity to it allowing her to observe the planet without assistance from her observers. The ship was positioned at the exact point where ISIS’ station had been constructed. Wren felt as if she had returned home, even though the logic of the quantum dismissed the feeling. The familiarity of years won out to the calculations of the artificial intelligence. Wren smiled allowing the feelings generated by the homecoming to linger. She hoped it would be the same on Earth. Doubt edged its way. The Earth was not the same. She knew it. Sensing the end of her brief reprieve Wren turned to the space surrounding the Earth. She checked the progress of the new set of observers she sent. They were all maneuvering into position, she knew that. She kept communication with them offline wanting them to get to their destination before they started broadcasting. Only then would they communicate with her. Minutes passed as she waited. As a quantum she did not grow impatient, but the humanity intertwined within her longed for the wait to end. Soon enough the communications began.

  Wren had timed the observers to wait until the most distant from SIA was in position before activating. Now they all began transmitting at once. She did not observe the Earth but the space around the craft themselves. She knew ODIN’s guard around the planet would activate once the observers were detected. Within moments she saw the dark craft closing on the hundreds of observers around the planet. As a quantum she felt a certain amount of respect for ODIN’s ability to protect the planet. Its use of the humans as its slaves ended that respect though. Wren waited, watching as the craft pulled closer to the observers. Hundreds of the dark vehicles closed on the observers, intent on destroying them. Finally, as the craft drew within striking range of her craft, Wren issued the command.

  “Detonate.” The simple command raced across he connection to the observers. The response was instantaneous. One by one the small observers exploded vaporizing around the dark craft piloted by ODIN’s hunters. Wren smiled as the plan worked flawlessly. She focused SIA’s observations on the closest craft. She had placed radioactive isotopes generated from SIA’s engines in each observer and now ODIN’s guardians were coating themselves in the particulate matter, marking themselves for her to find. As the craft receded, returning closer to Earth to await another threat to their master, Wren turned her attention to the next step in her plan.

  SIA focused on the moon slowly beginning its sweep between the ship and the Earth. From her vantage a sliver of the moon’s surface was lit. The rest was submerged in the deep dark of space. She knew eventually she would only see the dark as the moon imposed itself between SIA and the Earth. She did not wait.

  “SIA, activate the remaining web defenses.” Wren sent the message through the AI without pause. She had lost many observers to ODIN’s treachery and now would bring the battle back to it. The caretaker AI sent the necessary commands while Wren observed the moon. Signals began transmitting back to the ship confirming the machines she had left were indeed still active. More and more connections came on line until there were thousands of AI connected to SIA. She was astounded by the sheer number of machines that were present on the moon. Wren waited until no more signals joined before issuing her command.

  “Seek and destroy,” she said, as she transmitted the signature of SIA’s isotope. The reaction of the machines hidden on the moon was instantaneous. She watched the different feeds provided by SIA intently. The machines that ISIS had left behind were the remnants of the web defense systems intended to keep the complex system protected from attack or damage. Swift and nimble they had also obviously been designed by humans. Subtle signs of their designers were the tubular structure resembling the rockets of human space programs with the propulsion focused on the rear of the craft, while all other functions were at the front. All the craft had a metal skin that gleamed dully in the light of the sun. The propulsion systems were a simple design using thrust as well as energy field manipulation. The thousands of craft, throwing plumes of moon dust into the lunar atmosphere, were nothing like their predecessors. Perfect spheres accelerated away from the surface by the thousands, emerging from the hundreds of craters on the surface. Wren watched the process with muted fascination. The spheres were larger than a human head easily breaking the moon’s weak gravity and turning toward the Earth. She was reminded of a school of fish when the light of the sun hit the spheres as they wove through the vacuum of space. Their surfaces reflected the light much less than their ancestors, the moon dust having scoured the surface of each over the years. As they moved closer to the Earth they accelerated more with each moment. The weaving ceased, as the spheres began to spread throughout the space around the planet. Having received the information on ODIN’s hunters, the AI quickly formulated a solution, breaking into groups to engage the hunters. SIA focused on several but was unable to track all of them. As the craft pulled closer to the Earth, the surface of each opened in varied places. Wren watched multiple appendages appear from the openings. Each had a purpose, some were flexible and tipped with tools, reminding her of the tentacles of an octopus. Others were rigid terminating in various weapons intended to facilitate the purpose of the AI’s existence, which they now executed with deadly intent. The AI would protect the Earth from all threats and any further destruction. ODIN’s hunters had now become the prey.

  SIXTEEN

  Dark blood spattered across the Leviathan’s face as it was knocked back from the blast. It had dodged Simon Fore’s nanid bomb at the last second. Now it stood several feet in front of its army looking at the aftermath of the explosion. The weapon had streaked past it, impacting one of the human converts. Now the creature lay on its back struggling to heal. Blood soaked the horde and area around it. The Leviathan knew it would not heal quickly enough. The human was useless to it now. Ignoring the humans on the wall, it stepped forward covering the distance steadily. It knew it was open to attack, but the humans seemed shocked by the carnage of Simon’s weapon. The Leviathan stood over the once human staring into its gray eyes. It was the mark of the strain and the only path to salvation for the humans. Anger bubbled within the Leviathan as the creature struggled to rise. It knew its fate and was fighting even now. The Leviathan knelt placing its hand on the throat of its creature. The strain responded instantly streaming up its arm and becoming one with its body. Its minion would have screamed had there been lungs left, but Simon Fore had seen to that. The pain came off it in waves. The Leviathan relished the pain allowing it to drive its rage higher. A moment later it was done. The husk that remained was devoid of a life. It rose turning to the humans on the wall allowing the added strength from its charge to further enhance its transformation, growing even more feral and menacing.

  “Kill them all!” it roared, as its gaze shifted to Simon Fore standing stone faced on the wall above it. The horde of creatures responded immediately, surging toward the wall. Screams of rage from its horde were matched by shouts and orders from the humans protecting their settlement. It would make no difference. The Leviathan would have them all. Birds of all shapes began streaming over the wall sweeping down and harassing the humans gathered to protect the wall. Wings beat at the humans while sharp talons and beaks sought eyes and flesh. Two of its giants stomped forward intent on battering down the wall. The other two scooped up smaller members of its army throwing them over the wall to begin its attack inside the confines of the settlement. The humans counter attack was equal in ferocity to its horde. Energy beams tore into the behemoths seeking to bring them down. Projectile weapons of all sorts were impacting its horde, slowing, but not stopping the charge. Simon Fore threw explosive after explosive seeking to disrupt the single mindedness of the Leviathan’s army. It smiled as it watched. The horde would not be stopped. The two giants hit the wall at the same time, the impact sending a shudder through the entire structure. Across the top of the wall, humans fell to their knees as the giants began to tear at the barrier, pounding it again and again with their armored fists. A human male finally lost his balance and toppled off the wall landing between the behemoths, his weapon falling from his grasp from the impact. The Leviathan saw its chance as the survivor turned soldier scrambled to his feet. It became a dark blur streaking toward the man intent on replacing the member it lost. As it approached a matching red blur impacted in front of the man. Rage exploded through it and it moved faster to attack Simon Fore. It was too late. Its long enemy grabbed the startled human and launched himself into the air as the Leviathan’s clawed hands tore through the air he had occupied a moment earlier.

  “No!” It screamed as it watched Simon Fore arch over the wall, with the soldier over his shoulder as he carried him to safety.

  “Destroy them!” It yelled as the rest of its horde surged to the wall. The creatures went mad sensing their master’s blood lust. The birds redoubled their efforts seeking to knock the humans from their perch while all four behemoths battered the wall. Weapons fired again and again as blood ran from its minions. The Leviathan leapt back from the wall looking for weakness but finding none apparent, it began screaming its rage at its minions using the fear of Maher to drive them increasingly mad. The wall shuddered constantly as the horde broke against it again and again. A smile touched its feral features, a mad glee joining its rage. Soon it would breach the wall to the settlement and triumph over the remaining humans.

  The wind streamed past Curtis as he circled above the quickly escalating battle. The temperature was steadily climbing, promising a blistering heat to match the battle below. He could hear the creatures crashing against the wall even this high in the air. The humans returned the creatures fury with a variety of weapons. Projectiles and energy beams drove in the horde again and again. Worry cascaded through him as he watched Simon direct the battle keeping the remaining humans focused despite the hordes attempts to distract and destroy them. As he turned in the air he saw streaks of light leave Simon’s hands impacting the creatures below. Several were knocked back but struggled to their feet returning to the wall despite their wounds. Curtis knew the wall would be breached. It was only a matter of time. More balls of light left Simon’s hand in rapid succession. Their aim was true, and Curtis watched them impact the closest behemoth battering the wall. The nanid formed grenades exploded in rapid succession shaking the wall and surrounding buildings.

  Curtis wheeled closer striving to see if the bombs were successful. The behemoth fell back impacting the ancient street behind with a shattering thud. Several of the Leviathan’s minions were crushed beneath with their howls cut short. Curtis held back any joy at the effectiveness of Simon’s explosives, despite the triumphant shouts from the humans battling below. Instead he focused on the huge creature thrashing on the ground. Dark blood poured from its wounds and Curtis could see the different limbs of the creatures that formed the behemoth writhing around trying to pull them back together and form the behemoth. The howls and cries of the horde continued as the rest relentlessly threw themselves against the wall. Curtis swooped lower watching as the behemoth calmed, the wounds to it myriad parts beginning to heal. Curtis could see Maher striding back and forth behind its horde screaming at the horde, increasing their rage. It gestured toward the behemoth and a dozen sleek skinned creatures roughly the size of a cat broke from the rest racing to the fallen giant. Without pause they threw themselves on the giant their bodies elongating and twisting into the creature to give it new strength. A moment later the behemoth pushed itself upright and lumbered back to the wall. There was no sign of the wounds or the creatures that had sacrificed themselves to the giant.

  Curtis felt revulsion rise in his belly, an acid burn that sent a shiver through his reptilian form. He turned in the air once more rising to observe the battle. He ached to join the battle, but Stephen had instructed him to remain hidden unless he was needed. Simon and the humans below continued to rebuff the scrambling advances of the horde. Explosions and the discharge of weapons shattered the still of the new morning. Curtis turned in the air continuing his invisible circuit of the settlement, keeping a wary eye toward the direction of the battle. As he flew further away from the battle to where the settlement met the waters of the corrupted Sound, the echoes of battle fell away and were replaced by an eerie silence. It was as if the city were holding its breath awaiting the outcome of the battle. He wheeled around heading back in the direction of the battle, his anger rising as the sound of the struggle steadily increased. His eyes scanned the wall looking for weakness. It was holding but he could see more movement where the behemoths were continually battering the makeshift structure. As he scanned the top of the wall several of the Leviathan’s winged minions swept over the wall behind the humans. Alarm ripped through him as he saw the group of corrupt avians spin in the air and streak toward Simon’s exposed back. His friend did not see the threat intent on attacking him.

 

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