By archangels light, p.50
By Archangel's Light, page 50
Angel's power levels were over one thousand percent above normal. He had more than enough power to keep the portal open for the foreseeable future. His sensors detected incoming enemy fire. He projected an energy field around himself, absorbing or deflecting all the damage. Several shots missed by a wide margin. That's when he discovered a critical error.
The Maltorey ships weren't just aiming at him—they were firing on the portal itself. Based on the fluctuations he received from his sensors, the enemy barrage was having an effect and the portal was destabilizing. Preventing that became critical. The Archangel lashed out, but too many enemies made destroying them all impossible. Going on the offensive wasn't an option. As powerful as he'd become, he had to concentrate on keeping the portal open, and now defending it. The aliens must have received similar data back from their attacks, for they stopped attacking the evacuation ships, accelerated to the gateway, and opened fire. Some shots hit his shields; others were directed at the portal. Each time the portal was hit, it became a little more unstable.
With all the power at his disposal, Angel had to lock in. Maintaining position meant staying too far away to hit anything with his sword. Even directing light slashes toward the enemy wasn't very effective. Two wings were too few to fling fiery darts at all the enemies. But who said he could only have two wings?
It took a bit of concentration, but another pair of wings burst from his back. Then two more, and then two more. By the time he was done, twelve wings of light protruded from his back, fanning out in a circle around his body, each flinging thousands of fiery darts at the enemy. This was effective. Alien ships exploded by the dozens, but still it wasn't enough.
With the portal open, aliens targeted from a distance, staying safe from his wings. He'd have to do a better job of protecting the portal. Copying Delta and Echo's trick, he projected thousands of versions of himself around the region. They looked like versions of him, but were made of light instead of exact replicas. Delta and Echo's decoys lacked substance, while Angel's light-projections could actually damage the enemy. He could sense what they sensed, though not as well as he'd hoped. It was a skill that he'd need to practice to improve.
To top off his defense of the portal, and himself, flying in as close as possible without being pulled into it, and then projected a giant golden ring around it and started it spinning. He created two more rings larger than the first and started them spinning as well. They spun so fast they should be able to deflect any incoming fire. By limiting the incoming fire, he hoped to stabilize the portal. So far, it seemed to be working.
If he'd been having an easy go of it before, that was no longer the case. With the extra wings, light images, and defensive rings, not to mention holding the portal open, he was feeling the strain and the pressure of his monumental task.
Don't worry. You've got this.
The message was from the Photarans, but it had a familiar tone to it. Was Nate communicating with him? How did that work? Where was he?
"Nate?" Angel asked, but there was no answer. He needed to stay focused on the task—no, tasks—at hand.
"Angel, how are you doing, son?" Alpha asked.
"I'm juggling quite a few balls, so to speak," Angel said.
"I can see that. Phoenix One is approaching the portal. What do you need us to do?"
"Bring it in nice and slow. I'll scan for Maltorey, but can't take as long as before."
"What do you have planned?"
"I'm going to extend a light field outward, big enough to engulf the portal. Any ship that passes through on which I don't detect any Maltorey can go through the portal. If I detect any Maltorey, we'll hold back for cleansing."
"Cleansing?"
"No Maltorey can go through the portal. That is absolutely critical."
"On it. Wait! Something—" Alpha's transmission ended abruptly.
"Alpha, what's going on?" Angel extended his sensors to detect what had happened. A giant explosion erupted from the direction of Phoenix One.
"Connie, Bastion? What happened?"
There was no answer. There was no information for what seemed like an eternity. Finally chatter spread on the comms. Phoenix One had been hit, but there was no information on Alpha. An alert flagged an incoming transmission from Connie/Bastion.
"Phoenix One came under heavy fire, but Alpha intercepted the worst of it. The ship wasn't too badly damaged. We're still maintaining our present course."
"What about Alpha?"
"He's gone, Angel. He took a direct hit, but saved the ship. We're the only ones watching over Phoenix One now. Wait—I just got another message. Commanders Dirksen and Heche are moving in to help, but their ships are pretty banged up. I'm not sure how much help they'll be. We need to get through the portal as soon as possible."
"Alpha is gone," Angel said on the Archangel comm channel.
"We know," Bravo said. "We'll miss him."
"Stay focused, everyone," Charlie said. "Especially you, Angel."
"I know. I—" Angel stopped mid-sentence as a flurry of alien fire threatened to overwhelm him and penetrate his defenses. Learning about Alpha had distracted him more than expected. A wave of explosions washed over him and the portal.
The stability of the gateway dropped to twenty-five percent, well below the integrity level that was safe for transit. No! He had to reinforce its integrity. Before he could do anything, the portal twitched and shuttered, ready to dissipate into nothingness. Angel focused on his connection, which almost fried his sensors.
Hold on.
Instead of disintegrating, the portal expanded, becoming fuzzy. Then, without warning, it split apart. Where before one portal existed, now there were three.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
MECHHAVEN
Three separate portals.
All three were smaller than the original and holding at seventy-five percent integrity, the low end of optimal range, but far better than a complete collapse. Angel just had to hold them together long enough for all the vessels to pass through. But that task had become much more complex.
"Connie/Bastion, get Phoenix One here as soon as possible. I don't know how long I can hold this together."
You'll hold as long as you must.
"How am I supposed to maintain focus?" Angel asked the Photarans. "There are too many variables to track and now Alpha is gone!"
Alpha is gone. But you are not.
"He was our leader! How are we supposed to function without him?"
You are the leader. How will everyone function without you?
The Photarans were correct, of course. He was the one who took control of the Rybeth Coalition, not Alpha. Everyone followed him now. Everyone looked to him. In a weird way, Angel had accomplished everything he'd ever dreamed. So much for reality…
"Bravo and Charlie, get Phoenix Two moving. Enemies are closing in."
"Delta and Echo—"
"Yeah, we heard you tell Bravo and Charlie. Which portal are we aiming for? There are three now if you haven't noticed."
Damn, that would make things even more difficult. To the Photarans he asked, "Do they all go to the same place? Or different?"
Different.
"Are they all safe?"
Each location was free of Maltorey when last we checked. Each location has unique bounties and challenges.
"How am I supposed to decide?"
A flood of information assaulted his already saturated systems, causing him to almost lose control of the portals. He tried sorting through all the data but there was too much. If Angel had thought he'd been overwhelmed before, words couldn't describe his current status. It almost didn't matter which portal they went through. Each destination would have an abundance of some resources, lack others, and pose their own challenges. One thing they all had in common was no Maltorey were present, and he'd keep it that way or die trying.
"To all Rybeth Coalition ships! Go through the center portal," Angel said over the comms. If there was no good decision, at least he could focus more of his attention on maintaining and defending only one gateway.
"Nice choice," Bravo said.
"You picked it at random, right?" Charlie asked.
"How'd you guess?"
"It's what we would have done in your situation," Delta said.
"Somebody always has to decide," Echo said. "This time it was you."
"We have to make sure no Maltorey make it through the portals, but especially the center one."
"Don't worry, I plan on killing every single one I see," Bravo said.
"We need to make sure Phoenix One, Two, and Three get through the portal first. After that, I'll keep it open for as long as I can so as many of the latecomers can get through as possible. I'll need your help clearing the ships and preventing any alien craft from slipping by."
"What about us?" Connie/Bastion asked on the general channel.
"Go through with Phoenix One. They might need you on the other side if there's something over there we haven't predicted."
"And the rest of you?"
"We'll be along once we get all the ships through," Angel said.
"Are you sure about that?"
"As sure as I am about anything," Angel said.
"We don't like it," Connie/Bastion said. "But we understand."
Back on the Archangel channel, Delta said, "So it's the ol' AO protocol?"
"AO?" Angel asked.
"Protocol Alpha Omega," Bravo informed.
"Oh yeah, that one," Angel said. "I hope not, but honestly, I don't see any other way."
"It's pretty much what I expected from the moment I heard the Rally Point broadcast," Charlie said.
"Don't worry about it," Delta said. "We all knew it was always a possibility, an occupational hazard, you might say."
"You all sound like a bunch of Arcturans!" Angel said. "Let's not give up just yet."
"Don't worry, we'll do our best," Bravo said.
Reaching deep into the well of energy at his disposal, Angel channeled it into forming defensive rings around each of the gateways. The smaller size of the three portals made them easier to protect, but detecting any Maltorey became essential, whether it be on ships, possessed mechs, or individual aliens themselves. To do so, he projected a sphere of light outward in all directions. The moment any Maltorey entered the sphere, they’d be instantly detected and then Connie/Bastion and the Archangels would fly to the exact location to eradicate the infiltrators. All the while, twelve wings shone brilliantly from his back, blocking incoming fire and counterattacking all enemies.
Angel was using the Lightbringer Protocols more than ever before, accomplishing feats he'd never considered possible. He couldn't explain what was happening, but the more he tapped into the protocols, concern for physical being and sensors faded. Instead, feelings and reactions became supreme. He no longer accessed subroutines; he just reacted.
The Photarans, who'd been a silent presence since Stronghold Prime, only chiming in words of advice here and there, had become a constant hum in the background. Instead of feeling isolated by holding open and defending the gateways, Angel was connected to a much larger universe. It wasn't unpleasant.
When he tried to view himself, he couldn't see the metallic alloys that made up his skin, just light. He was there, but he looked a lot more like Nate Dasher, as the Lightbringer, than he did the other Archangels. He was no longer a mech, but something new. In his old form, completing the multitude of tasks would have been impossible. Had he finally evolved into what the Lightbringer Protocols had always intended?
Phoenix One approached, tilting awkwardly to one side, a result of the damage that Alpha had done his best to mitigate at the cost of his life. The flagship was now flanked by the Robinson and Exodus. Both ships were battered and barely holding together. Getting them through intact remained the hope. They'd been at the forefront of the battle since the beginning. Their survival was a testament to their skilled commanders and crew.
"Commander Drake and Commander Heche," Angel said. "Nice job holding off the Maltorey before help could arrive. Sorry we took so long. I need you to back off Phoenix One a small distance so I can scan each vessel."
"Affirmative," was their reply. They slowed just enough to let Phoenix One lumber forward.
"Connie/Bastion, you better get inside. I'm not sure what the transition will do to unprotected mechs. Better to be safe than sorry."
"Thank you, Angel. For everything," Connie/Bastion said. "I know I've been tough on you."
"I deserved it," Angel said. "Your tough love prepared me for what I'd get from Alpha and my brothers. I wouldn't be who I am today without it."
Words seemed inadequate.
"The scan for Phoenix One is complete. It's clean and can go through now. You're going to be the first ones to start a new and exciting adventure."
"One that you will join us on. Just be sure to slip through before you close the gateways."
"I'll do my best."
The defensive rings around the center portal dropped. His wings took over defensive duty, firing darts and blasts of energy at any Maltorey ships venturing too close.
As Phoenix One was about to enter the portal, another communication came through.
"Angel?" General Dirksen asked.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Thank you for everything."
"It is my duty and my honor."
"Hey, Angel!" Dennis said, taking the comm over from General Dirksen. "Quit being so damned stoic. Do what you have to, then get your ass to the other side."
"I'll do what I must to get as many ships as possible through. Then I'll worry about me."
"You better."
"How's Misty?" Angel asked.
"Not good. For now, she's out cold in a med-pod. She'll have a lot to process when this is all over. Hell, we all will."
"Ajax here! Angel, where do you want the Chimera, Basilisk, and Manticore to fall in?"
"Follow the Robinson and the Exodus."
"Got it. I'll let Nia and Kai know. And take care of yourself, buddy. I hope to see you on the other side."
"You were a great friend from the very beginning. Thank you, Alejandro."
Phoenix One breached the event horizon of the center portal. It slowed for a moment, as if it hit a substance thicker than space, and then in an instant, they were gone. Angel no longer received readouts on the stability of the portal, but he could feel that it was stable. The other two weren't in as good a shape, so he focused on maintaining just the center one. The Robinson, Exodus, Chimera, Basilisk, and Manticore passed their scans and slipped through without incident.
Phoenix Two approached. He followed the same procedure as before. It was clean.
"Bravo, Charlie, this is your last chance. You have a choice. You can hop in the cargo bay and take a ride to a new home, or you can stay on this side with me."
The two Archangels ignored him, left Phoenix Two, and flew to either side of him.
"Like that was ever a question," Bravo said.
"Your fate is ours, brother," Charlie added.
"I appreciate it. I might need some help with traffic control once Phoenix Three goes through. Are you up for that?"
"Phoenix Two, you are clear to enter the portal."
The captain of the ship thanked him and increased speed. There was a brief moment of static on the comms.
"Are we on?" Artie asked.
"Yeah, looks like it," Larry said.
"Angel, can you hear us?"
"I can hear you guys," Angel said. "How'd you get on this channel? I thought they'd have had it all locked down?"
"Oh, that… we've got connections," Artie said.
"Wavelength?"
"Yeah." Artie could tell astonishing tales that stretched the limits of credulity, but he was a horrible liar, so he rarely tried.
"Hey, we just wanted to say thank you for all you've done and all that you're doing."
"The other Archangels, too. But hey, we've got a plan. We're going to help Dennis rebuild The Black Hole on the other side so we can all get together and tell our crazy stories."
"And maybe get a little messed up on some of his concoctions."
"I'd like that," Angel said. Dennis had never figured out how to give him the same buzz that he gave other mechs with his concoctions, but Angel didn't care; it was the camaraderie that was important.
"Then we'll see you soon. Artie and Larry out."
As Phoenix Two continued its approach, Phoenix Three increased speed. If it continued at its present rate, it would collide with Phoenix Two. What the heck were they trying to do? Why couldn't everyone just be patient?
"Delta? Echo? What's going on?"
"I don't know," Delta said. "We've lost comms."
"Phoenix Three, decrease speed before you crash into Phoenix Two!" Angel ordered.
The comm channel with Phoenix Three crackled with activity, but none of it was understandable.
"This is Phoenix Three. We have a bit of a situation."
"Brutus? What's going on?"
"There's been an insurrection. They've captured the bridge."
"What do you mean, an insurrection? Who?"
"Blinding Star, Doomhand, Boomfist, the rest of the Construction Mechs and a few others. There may be an SPDR mech involved… Harbinger?"
"Are you kidding me? Where's Gladius and the other legionnaires?"
"Gladius, Steadfast, and the others are trying to retake the bridge, but so far, no luck."
"What can we do to help?"
"I'm not sure you can do anything unless you can help us retake the bridge."
Phoenix Three increased speed again. As it did, it clipped Phoenix Two, knocking it off course. Phoenix Three turned sharply toward one of the other gateways.
If Maltorey were involved, he could possibly do something. But within moments, he could tell there were no aliens influencing events on that ship, just treachery.
"Do you want us to stop it?" Delta asked.
The ship headed straight for the second portal, which was barely maintaining its integrity. If he tried to collapse it, it might affect the other portals. He couldn't take the risk.
