Darren Wearmouth - The Critical Trilogy Box Set

“Charlie and Denver asked the same questions. I will provide you all with an overview.”

They passed through an automatic set of double doors to a thirty-meter-wide room. A floor-to-ceiling window looked out over the immediate landscape. Charlie and Denver stood in front of it, gazing outside and chatting.

Denver turned and smiled. “Nice to see you’re awake.”

“Learned anything new?” Charlie said.

“Not really. Our host says we’ve been asking the same questions. I guess it’s time for us to hear it.”

Charlie grabbed a cup from a polished stone table and handed it to Layla. “Here’s something to toast the death of Augustus.”

“I’ve just been thinking about that. Gregor would be pleased.”

“Screw him,” Denver said. “I want to know if we’ve got a way back.”

Layla peered over his shoulder. The remains of the gate towered over the forest outside. The two edges of the broken ring glinted in the sun and seemed to be expanding toward each other. Mechs floated on either side of it and fired lasers. Other small black square objects moved smoothly up and down the internal side.

“They should have it finished in a unit,” Doslin said. “You can be on the ship if you agree to our terms.”

Charlie stepped toward her. “Are you serious? We’ve been messed around since arriving. I can’t take another false promise.”

Doslin held her stumpy translucent fingers toward a granite bench. “Take a seat and I will explain.”

Layla sat between Charlie and Denver. Doslin knelt in front of them. “Tredeya and Earth are both parts of a Galactic struggle between two force—”

“I kinda guessed that,” Charlie said. “What’s that got to do with us?”

“You need to see the full picture. The croatoans colonized hundreds of planets in the universe. Earth or Tredeya are not exceptions. Croatoans see it as their right as one of the oldest species, and use our resources for their expanding population.”

“Vingo hinted toward that,” Denver said. “Where do the scion come in?”

“They are on a quest to find their purpose and believe that the information they need is spread around the universe, including Earth.”

“They’re going to invade us?” Layla said.

“No. Mike has agreed to give them access to Hagellan’s devices and any other system they choose. If you give them what they want, they are happy to let you live peaceful lives and will leave a ship in the solar system for protection against the croatoans.”

Charlie grunted. “And that’s why they’re standing on the croatoans’ toes.”

“What do you mean?” Doslin said.

“The scion are liberating any colonized planet that goes along with their request. It sounds like your command made a huge mistake.”

“You’re correct, and it’s also the reason Tredaya has finally fallen today. Our commanders followed croatoan instructions to the letter.” Doslin bowed her head. “They thought being attacked by the scion was better than facing a croatoan planet destroyer. That is a risk any rebelling planet faces.”

“Have the croatoans managed to get past the scion defenses yet?”

“I’ve only heard rumors about two distant colonies. I believe you call it a myth, but the croatoans use these stories as a threat.”

“What about the Amalgam?” Layla said. “Vingo was trying to gather information to trade with them.”

“They are not a major force yet, but they’re growing in strength and have entered our galaxy. It’s the perfect time to rise because croatoan resources are stretched to the limit, trying to stop the scion advance.”

“Who’s winning?” Charlie said.

“Nobody wins,” Doslin replied, her blinks becoming rapid. “This has gone on longer than humans have been on Earth. I believe the scion expansion is unstoppable, but the croatoans are determined.”

“What happens if the information they’re looking for doesn’t exist?” Denver said.

“They will continue looking. This is their purpose until they find out the reason for their creation.”

Charlie stood and sighed. He peered out the window toward the gate. “Enough of the history lesson. You said there are terms?”

“If they are agreed to, you can return to Earth through the repaired gate, and a scion ship will protect your solar system from future croatoan invasion. Mike has agreed to his part of the proposition.”

“Are you sure they won’t turn on us?” Denver said.

Doslin shuffled toward him. “That is not a concern you alone must address. Please accompany me to another room.”

Denver raised his eyebrows. “Me?”

She reached inside her robe, produced a small black prism and held it toward Denver. “Take this and follow me.”

“Wait for just one second. We do things together or not—” Charlie said.

“He comes with me now,” Doslin snapped. “Everything has a price.”

Doslin stood and pressed the prism into Denver’s hand. Layla looked across to him. He placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll let you know everything that happens. If this is how they want to play it, so be it.”

Denver took the prism and held it in front of his face. Doslin walked toward a door at the left-hand side of the observation area. Denver followed and paused to glance back at the bench.

Layla feared this wouldn’t be as straightforward as the scion agent explained. Doslin’s final three words spun in her mind. She hoped the price didn’t involve losing Denver.

DENVER INHALED the fresh air generated from the atmosphere units of the small room. They had even managed to equalize the gravity so it felt like being back on Earth again. His muscles eased away the lingering cramp with each step into the room.

“Please, rest; take a seat,” Doslin said, indicating with an elegant gesture of her thin hand a sofa that resembled a large hotdog sign he had once seen on the streets of New York among the debris of collapsed buildings.

He sat down on what would have been the bun and rested his back against the ‘sausage.’ The design was surprisingly comfortable, the foam supportive as it conformed to his shape.

The room was carpeted with what looked like an organic material of woven long stems, making a light striped pattern. It was soft underfoot and gave off a light fragrance of mint mixed with cinnamon.

Like the previous room, this one had a large window that looked out onto the gate’s repair; the huge spines that made up the rings were quickly taking shape. If he blinked, he would miss some growth, some mutable effect. The scion machines were swarming it like ants, and the gate itself seemed to animate before his very eyes.

“That’s incredible,” he said, mostly to himself.

Doslin stood with her back to him, her hands crossed behind the small of her back. She inclined her head forward. “They’re a unique race, that’s for sure,” she said in a neutral tone.

“You don’t seem impressed. I suppose you’ve seen so much that these things no longer hold any wonder for you.”

Doslin turned to face him. “I think it’s time you listened to your handler. She’ll be able to explain far better than I can.”

“I don’t understand what’s going on here. Why am I being separated like this?”

“They’re interested in you. The scion, that is. Did you not wonder why they hadn’t killed you when they had numerous opportunities?”

“Of course I did, I’m not that witless. By interest, do you mean they want to… what, inspect me or something? If this is going to get weird, then we’re going to have trouble.”

“Please, it’s nothing like that; you can relax here,” Doslin said, her voice becoming lighter, friendlier. Unlike Vingo, she was far subtler and convincing, which is why he supposed she was working for the scion and Vingo lay dead in a vault that was likely now a pile of very old rubble.