Cedric was at least glad that the cargo vessel was able to clear all the security stops and checks at every defense stations within the solar system. The solar system is the most secured and protected one in all human occupied space. From the outlying planets, Pluto, Uranus and Neptune, there is a hyperspace screen/dampener that prevents ships traveling in hyperspace from entering the solar system without being stopped. The hyperspace damper will pull the ships out of hyperspace for the thorough security check ups.


So at each planet of the solar system, ships are pulled out of hyperspace to be checked before allowed to move on. So it takes several hyperspace jumps to get to earth. Though there are vessels that can by pass all these stops and security check ups: those with diplomatic cover and military clearance. Cedric could have used a special security clearance to skip all these delays but that will make him noticeable, which he needs to avoid totally. He has to travel as anonymous as possible for him to be successful. Traveling to the solar system is closer if he had come from Nuterra directly but that will make his cover less secure and besides he needed to get that consignment at the Sirius system.


Taking a casual look at the monitor before him that he had vehemently requested for from the captain of the shuttle so he can see whatever is going on outside, he saw the circular defensive platform of the earth’s planetary defense. Ahead of that are some dreadnought ships scattered at various orbits around the earth. A massive shadow that dwarfs all of these is the stationary silhouette of a super dreadnought ship. Lights winking from all its multi-layered decks. The orbital planetary defense platform has numerous docking bays to accommodate the steady space traffic coming into and going out of the planet. A very noticeable thing about it than the hundreds of thousands of pinpoints of lights on it is the hundreds of bristling huge pointed cylinders of various sizes of gun and cannon turrets. Missile platforms are well hidden and can come into full defensive and attack mode in less a second.

Chapter Thirteen

Cedric watched the cabin of the cargo shuttle, vain-lady, as it arrived at the orbital defense station that surrounds earth. The cabin was a short one with seats for less that a score of passengers which are mostly the crew and few others whose cargoes are carried by the shuttle and decided to take the risk of traveling along with them in the shuttle. One disadvantage of it is that cargo liners are among the slowest interstellar vehicles, so traveling in one is a huge chore especially when it is a trip between distant star systems. For Cedric, it wasn’t that bad because he had been taking several connecting space flights to throw off the scents, if any one is snooping behind him.


He had left Omiron 09 taking a fast private transport to the Sirius star systems of Sirius A and B. These are the systems where the administrative seats of the colonies are located, there by making it a hub of activities in all Colonial space. From there he had taken another fast privately rented space yacht to 61 Cygni system, where a consignment was waiting for him. This was the metallic cylinder that contained the inert hydrogen cells encased in an electromagnetic field which he hoped to super heat when it is time for its use. Getting all the clearing documents and manifest needed, he loaded it to the private yacht then headed back to Sirius A system.


There he had ditched the private yacht and sourced for the admin officer that will grant him the official cover for the cargo his is carrying and a new identity, with a qualification in the pharmaceutical field. The admin officer was also able to procured a request form from a company on earth called Health Line Pharmaceuticals (H.E.L.P), a deep front company for Iris System Securities. So this will give Cedric all the security covers he needed. But the documents weren’t authorized from there in other to keep suspicion to the minimum. For the authorized signatory, he will have to take the cargo and documents to another star system. He took a private craft this time provided for him by the admin officer on Sirius A, with the understanding that the vehicle will be destroyed by Cedric after its use.


His destination this time is the Canis Majoris and Minoris star systems. This is another twin star systems similar to the Sirius A and B, but the Canis Majoris runs the best banking system in all the colonies, enough to rival anything the solar system possesses . But Cedric’s destination wasn’t the Majoris but the Minoris, that have planets with sizable industries among them is a thriving Biochemical and genetic engineering industry. This is where Cedric will get the documents signed and authorized so it will look like the cargo was going to earth from here.


Having accomplished that, he activated the self destruct mechanism in the private craft he came with. As it was destroyed in deep space, he booked another flight for Tau ceti system, then from their, rented a cargo space on the vain-lady, cargo shuttle, whose slow traveling speed will take almost thirty seven hours to go from there to earth.

Watching with satisfaction from the bridge of the flagship, Leyland looked impassively as the asteroid appeared to be torn in two them blew up with all the scattering pieces melting and vanishing too.
“Well I’m glad this is all over, at least for this place. Take us to earth, Admiral, the next fire we need to quench is there. “


With partial repairs done on the damaged ships, they were landing in the bow of the flagship. The surviving Destroyers and Lancers, took formation around the flag ship, and one after the other they went into hyperspace.
The space around the destroyed Omiron 09 became empty… almost empty. As on one of the rocks that made up the Iron Belt Cluster, a silvery shape was lying still. It was a mini shuttle, that was for a single passenger. In it is the head of Iris System Securities, who it was assumed died when his super cruiser was destroyed. But Dalmar hasn’t been in the cruiser when it was blown up. He knew that the earth government will want to get him alive so they might hesitate at first before shooting at his attacking cruiser.


But when the warning shots has been fired, Dalmar knew he has to get out of the cruiser. He ordered his crew to continue to pilot the cruiser at the flagship and when close enough should jump to hyperspace. Telling them that the move will destroy the flag ship. While Dalmar has pretend to head for his private quarters in the super cruiser. But his quarters has a secret lift that takes him directly to a hidden mini shuttle he has kept for an emergency escape.


Entering the mini shuttle, he has pulled out of his super cruiser before it was blown to bits. He has piloted the mini shuttle to ride on the explosion and mimic one of the debris then landed on one of the surrounding rocks and waited for the earth government ships to leave before Powering up the mini shuttle and heading for space. The earth government hasn’t won yet. Cedric is on his way to earth to blow up the senate building with all the earth senators within it and take a huge chunk of Geneva’s city population with it.


Still as he piloted the tiny craft through space, what was going through his mind was Alpha project. This is their last fall back effort to counter the increasing threat of the earth government. It’s a pity that Jeffrey has to die inside that rock. Well truth be told, Dalmar didn’t feel any pity at Jeffery’s demise at all, he never really liked him. Well at least a portion of the digitized memories of Nicolas is still with him. That will come in handy when he kick starts the Alpha project. Dalmar plotted the course of the mini shuttle to a point in space far beyond any part touched by human Colonial expansions. Well that is the rendezvous for Alpha project. With a push of the control, the mini shuttle went into hyperspace.

They both laughed at this to the surprise of the bridge attendants who has never remembered anytime they had seen their admiral smile not to talk of laughing. Still they all mind their businesses knowing how important the next event is.
“Ready for the fire works? “ the admiral asked his colleague.
“It’s why I’m here, can’t miss it for anything. “ Leyland replied.
“Ok gunner blow it up. “ Makushiba ordered.


The gunner has been waiting for this opportunity. He had already charged the primary weapon of the flagship to full, which has not been used yet. The full photon cannon, this weapon can fire both a Lance of concentrated energy or a ball of nuclear fusion core, both have the same devastating force. The photon cannon shoots energy beam that is equivalent to the nuclear fusion going on in the heart of a small star. With the lance or beam, it is powerful enough to slice a super dreadnought ship in half. Then the ball of nuclear fusion has the thermonuclear destructive capabilities of a megaton warhead yield. It simply vaporizes its target. That is why this weapon is never authorized to be used in a planet because the beam can cut through a planet’s crust to the core. With a push of the fire button, the cannon fired a pure white beam of concentrated nuclear fusion which hit the asteroid in a mini second. Borrowing through the thick rocks, vaporizing the rocks and hitting the bowels, slashing through the metal support struts.


Within the asteroid, a particular room, that was used as a trap for a data terminal. Where Jade had left with a fire explosion. The room was still filled with dwindling smoke, burnt scorch marks and blown pieces. Among these is the charred remains of Jeffery. The skins were burnt and blackened. The bones that should have been exposed were covered by silver colored liquid which the heat from the fire has melted. The silver colored liquid was the silicon-fibre that covered the erstwhile diseased damage skin tissue.


Just then the liquid silicon-fibre flowed back to the burnt nanobots made bones, then wrapped themselves around it. The fingers of the hand twitched then moved. The head of Jeffery that was burnt badly with skins charred and falling off lifted. He knew he was barely staying alive. Most of his body parts are damaged, even parts of those with the nanobots and silicon-fibre skins are no longer functional.


At least one of his hand was moving and he can still feel sensations from the other one. His mind swoon, nausea threatening to shut his brains down as pains buffeted him from all angles. Though his power chair was no longer of use to bim after he cured himself, he didn’t destroy it. With touch of his wrist control that thankfully, escaped the fire explosion, he called on the chair to come get him. But before he passed into unconscious, he activated an auto preset plan for escape.


The power chair changed shaped, became elongated and in the form of a pod, a medical cube. It rose on anti gravity rings placed below it. Soon it located the stilled body of Jeffery which has passed out. It came close to it, opened itself, landing on the prone body, it encased it, lifting it from the ground and sealing the body in a static environment within it. Following its preset programing, the pod shot out with speed aiming for a maintenance shaft which lead to a small single person flyer-craft with fusion drive capable of limited FTL travel. The craft came on and powered itself following the preset command. It came on, as a little part of the small personal hanger made for it opened. It shot out with a silent thrust out of the asteroid as the photon beam from MMS-Defiant hit the asteroid. As the Omiron 09 blew up and was vaporized, the flyer-craft flew away into space, too small for the scanner to pick up except as a space debris. When it got to a safe distance it shot into hyperspace.

The admiral ordered the cruiser to be taken out. With swift control, the gunner opened one of the missile ports on the ship and with a touched, released two wildfire missiles. The smart targeting on the missiles locked on the coming cruiser that has maintained a steady course without any evasive maneuver what so over despite the locked on warnings. Just then, the twin missiles hammered on the super cruiser and it blew up with a spectacular fireball explosion.


On the airless surface of the asteroid, the four troop carriers have landed and the marines were filing in. Marvel, the Mole and cyborg headed for the Max Neo which has landed too for them to get in. For some unknown reason Jade hadn’t joined the troop carrier but came to the Max Neo to hitch a ride with them. General Leyland was the last to get aboard the troop carrier. But before stepping on the steps leading to the open hatch, he looked up, the helmet faceplate magnification showed him a sudden orange glowed explosion. He was sad that they couldn’t stop the cruiser and arrest Dalmar. Well they did all they could. As he stepped in, the troop carrier lifted from the surface of Omiron 09 to join the other three and Max Neo heading for the flag ship.


After the troop carriers and Max Neo landed on the flagship, the admiral waited for the general to join him at the bridge.
“Seems we failed to capture the target alive. “ the general said sadly as he came into the bridge.
“No way to stop the super cruiser on time nor cripple it. Even if we had shot it with the EN-NG maxi gun to cripple the cruiser, it wouldn’t have helped as the mass of the vessel has already generated a mini gravity pull which is already moving it to our ship even without the aid of a fusion drive, it would have still rammed us. And I don’t want to take the chance of the ship being filled with explosives, making a suicide run at us. A move they have tried earlier on. “
“Well seems we will both take the fall together for this. “ the general told the admiral after listening to him. “If he is pushed to a corner and all these go bad, he may be pressurized to offer us as scapegoats. “

✴ ✴ ✴ ✴ ✴
Admiral Makushiba listened carefully to the voice of general Leyland as he called again from that asteroid. He was happy that the general lived through the skirmish on that rock. Though he had recommended that the general get his troops out of there so the place can be destroyed. This time the general has informed him of a super cruiser leaving the asteroid and heading their way. The cruiser should not be allowed to escape but should be barricaded and made to surrender as much as possible. He said that one of their top target, Dalmar is believed to be in it and the president needs him alive to face trial. Well the fighting over here is finished, all forty ships of the mega corporations were destroyed. Though they have suffered casualties of there own, but he has enough ships to block the escape route of the coming super cruiser.


The person monitoring the scanner reports that the ship just showed up. The admiral ordered the communications operator to create radio contact with the coming cruiser, asking them to stop and prepare to be boarded or be fired upon. The super cruiser did not respond. Makushiba ordered the gunner to fire warning shots. The exploding shells around the super cruiser didn’t deter it from its direct course.
“Sir, “ the scanner and sensor operative called on the admiral’s attention. “The ship is not only refusing to slow down or change course, it has increased its speed and headed for our direction. I believe it intends to either ram us or get close enough to us and then go into hyperspace. The gravity from the space warp at so close a range for hyperspace entry will prove disastrous to this ship. “


The admiral thought for a while. He felt sad that he may not be able to fully carry out the president’s wishes. The president is a good man, as good as politicians go. He knows how important the capture of this man will go a long way to strengthened the president’s hold on political power. At least from the little he knows, the president has been in a state of panic considering the pressure the senate is putting on him. He just needs to score this one big and right. The admiral wished he can give the president that, but that is looking more and more impossible. The only option left for him is to take out that super cruiser. He can always apologize to the chief executive later and tender his resignation if the president feel he has lost confidence in him.

Damibiz:
Dalmar most go downn for good

Lol you think so? Dalmar is much more resourceful than you think.

“Oh sorry to inform you sir, Jeffery is out of the equation, Your spy girl decided to learn the barbecue art by using Jeffery as her first trial. “ Marvel snickered.
“Oh crap.” The general said, shaking his head sadly but a wide smile on his face. “What about Dalmar, any thing. “
“Nada, my guess is he is still alive here somewhere. “ the Mole replied.


“Hopefully we can get him alive. “ Turning to Marvel he continued speaking. “As per the order I just received, Marvel I know your present contract has just elapsed. But the president specifically asked for your help in this, considering your record of successes with this. He will trust no one else. So he ordered that I recruit you again, with an open offer. Ask any price. “
“Any price? “ the Mole grinned as he whispered to Marvel. “Now those are the words I like to hear. Hope we are taking it? “
“Yea, I have to. We still got bills to pay. I’m owing Hardwire for this suit. And I’m backwards on my payment to Dr. Guthrie and the cyborg for helping me build my new quarters. “ With a bored look, Marvel told the general, “Guess I will take it. I want five times of my usual fee. Might as well milk the government for all I can. I’m also charging three times that for expenses. “


“Alright son you got yourself a deal. “
“Sir with the look on your face, it seems I won’t like where this assignment will be taking me. “
“No Marvel, you won’t like it one bit. “ Leyland raised an eyebrow giving Marvel that looked he used to be familiar with back then. “You will be going to earth, with all the restrictions that entails. “
“Damn, “ Marvel groaned, as Jade couldn’t hold back her self as she howled with laughter. A stern look from Leyland made her struggle to control the laughter to low soft giggles.
“Don’t worry Marvel, it will be fun. You have stayed too long away from the mother planet. “


The general was still speaking when a loud pitched whine sounded.
Before any of them can react, a marine sniper came running in, cradling a bulky sniper rifle in his hands.
“Sir, Sir, “ the marine, who was a corporal said, after being winded. “The super cruiser parked at the space ship hanger just lifted and headed out to space. “
“Guess that answered the question of where Dalmar is. “ The general said calling on the marine with the comm unit.

Marvel and the others waited in uncomfortable silence for the general to return. By the time lieutenant McCain was back with those of his team who survived. Two of the majors with Leyland were also present and only a single captain survived out of the four that came out of the troop carriers, the four companies that Leyland has led. He wasn’t surprised seeing the old general still fighting on the front line. He knows the general’s antecedents as a fighting man.



He won’t pass off a chance to lead his men on the front line of battle. That is why he is distinguished among his peers and superiors in the military command of the space marine and earth’s army.
“Any of you by any chance met Mr. Dalmar or Jeffrey? The two major people behind all these? “ Marvel asked the officers generally.
Each of them shook their heads in the negative.


“Don’t worry about Jeffery though, I turned him to a live crispy barbecue. “ Jade said with a smirk plastered on her face.
“That use to be my punchline. “ the Mole whispered to Marvel with his lip grinding shut.
“Well the pretty annoying spy just spoilt your monopoly on it. “ Marvel replied without any real levity. “At times you just had to hate the obnoxious cocky act of that girl. Hard to believe that the self disciplined and professional admiral is her uncle. “
Just then the general walked back in, his worried features stilling clinging to his face. “Got through to the president and the response isn’t nice. He made it clear that we can’t go public with this. The senate are panicky enough already as it is without adding this new Intel into the mix. Besides the president has his political ambition to watch out for too. The line that the president of earth’s government is the most powerful person in the universe is an illusion at best. Two third of earth global senate can veto him at any time. And they retain the power to remove him from office whenever they feel like .


“With this in mind, the president wants us to handle this discreetly without calling the major security agencies into it. He took your suggestion, Marvel, that the Earthwatch should locate those twenty seven men and apprehend them. And he has also ordered that we all withdrew from here and return back to earth to handle this new crisis. Finally the president still maintains that he wants either Dalmar or Jeffrey apprehended alive and unharmed. If we can secure them both, better. Arresting them will spike the president’s appraisal positive ratings high among earth’s senators.”

“What do you think is the best way that the hydrogen cells can be hidden to pass all customs and security checks?”
“The best way I can think of is they can put it up either as a pharmaceutical product or medical research results performed outside the planet and brought back in. “ the cyborg replied Marvel.
The bounty hunter turned to the general, “I think this is where your Earthwatch agents will really come in. They will need to apprehend these twenty seven targets before they are allowed to get to earth and go into hiding. “



Replying the general handed a data cube to the cyborg. “Download the detailed data of those men here and all available records that will make tracking them down possible. “
“How easily will it be while working with orbital and planetary customs, for you to check pharmaceutical products or medical research results coming into the earth planet?”
“That won’t be easy. Thousands of those come to earth daily. “



“Shit general, these guys may actually give you the slip. “
“Yea Marvel. Let me call the president, he will need to hear this. “ Leyland said as he heads out of the room, called on one of the marine carrying a bulky FTL comm unit strapped to his back.
The unit is a very powerful communication device for an almost instant message delivery. But at this time the strength of it won’t be tested as the general will only need to call the flagship hanging high above them. Then a secured link will be established for the general to make a real time holo call to the president. Leyland waited a bit as the communication personnel at the bridge of MMS-Defiant set up the link with earth. The usual multicolored display on the holo screen was up as the various security protocols and clearance were made. It took five whole uncomfortable minutes for the call to finally get through as the worried face of the president appeared on the holo screen.



“Leyland your calls takes priority to me these days. “ The president said. He is in his early fifties, black hair, a long face with well trimmed black mustache and striking blue eyes. “Hope you have good news for me? “
“I’m afraid not sir. “ Leyland’s sober reply seems to hit the president like a wooden bat to the face.
“Alright general, lay it out as it really is. “ the chief executive of the earth government said as he relaxed back on his posh real leather chair.

Leyland ran his fingers through his hair, a little worried and confused. “But I’m sure the electromagnetic field can’t turn ordinary hydrogen cells to super heated ones. “
“No it can’t. “
“So how do they plan super heating the hydrogen cells? “
“All they have to do is locate a power source, like a power junction that provides electricity. They can attach the electromagnetic container to the power junction. Kill its field, then the hydrogen cells will feed from the electric power from the power junction, getting super heated and instantly going critical. A micro yield nuclear explosion. “



With a loud curse , Leyland asked the cyborg with lips trembling. “What is the destructive radius? “
“About four to six kilometer wide radius for the primary explosion. The secondary effects and aftershock will cover up to eleven kilometers. “
“Damn that is like wiping out the whole city of Geneva. “ The general shook his head in disbelief. He knows that compared to a real nuclear explosion, what the cyborg just said is nothing . The problem is the status of the city of Geneva before the earth and solar system, if that city is destroyed, it will be a big blow to earth and the political ramifications will be far wide. Besides the instant death of hundreds of thousands of people that will be killed if Geneva gets destroyed is a lot to swallow.


“How many power junctions are close enough for them to use in achieving their goals effectively? “ Marvel asked.
“From my previous knowledge of that city, twelve of them are possible. But three junctions are within close area of the senate building. One is directly below it. This one will be the most effective and might be their target. “
“Alright cyborg. Any ideas who will be used and if we can still stop them? “
As response the cyborg turned back to the data terminal, plugging into it again and a flat holo display came up showing faces. Marvel came around staring closely at the faces but none of them were familiar.


“Yes it will be impossible to identify them as all their identities have been erased. Syntech performed extensive micro surgeries on all twenty seven of them, that their faces, finger prints, dental shapes, retina and voice patterns have all been changed. They now have different identification. “ The cyborg pulled up another holo sheet with figures that looks like travel points. “At this time they are already on their way to earth if they are not there already. “

Taking a surprise look at Marvel, who had his visor up and his face steering impassively at both of them, as if asking if Marvel knows what the cyborg is hinting on. Marvel shook his head in the negative, as much as the suit helmet will let him.
“I think you should clarify that, Dr. Bryant. “
“What they planned using is super heated hydrogen cells contained within an electromagnetic field.”


With a wiry smile after taking time to make sure he understood the cyborg properly, he said. “That is not a bomb. You can’t get super heated hydrogen in an electromagnetic container, the hydrogen cells will become inert and useless. “
“It means, general Leyland, that you are not up to speed on the modern advancements on thermonuclear fusion dynamics. The electromagnetic field when properly engineered can keep the hydrogen nuclear cells in a state of constant Flux.”


“Ok I get the point. The moment the hydrogen cells get heated up within their container, that means they can explode. But that will make them detectable by satellites, right?”
“Wrong, general Leyland. That is the second reason the hydrogen cells are kept in an electromagnetic field. The field, though, allows the cells to move, will dampen the heat that such movements would have generated. So characteristically, they are not a bomb, so they won’t explode. “


“Alright then if that is the case, how do the hydrogen cells now becomes a threat? “
“Because it’s not the ordinary excited hydrogen cells that really is the problem. Though with the electromagnetic field keeping them in flux, with enough speed, they can explode but it won’t be a significant explosion. Won’t be enough to destroy this whole level. The real threat is that they plan to use super heated hydrogen cells. “

“We should hear from the cyborg. “ Marvel said a little surprised as he saw Jade come in on her own without being with the group he left her with. Her helmet was held by her left arm and her face looked strained as if she had gone through a great ordeal.
“Well what do we have, Dr. Bryant? “ Leyland came closer to the cyborg taking a cursory look at the data terminal.
“Things are much worse than what we thought. “ the cold voice said. “From the data I was able to get, the mega corporations here had a contingency plan, as a last fail safe effort to get back at the earth government. “


“Well that’s not a surprise, it’s what they have all been about. Nothing new in that. “
“General this is nothing like that. They plan to target the senate, all of them. They see the senate as one of their major obstacle. “
Scoffing, the general stood before the cyborg, looking up at him. “We all know that and they have tried several ways to do that in the past, which is not limited to terrorism and propaganda. So they planning something against the senate again is nothing new. “


“This one is general. “ the cyborg insisted. “There will be a general earth senate plenary session few days from now and they plan to hit that. “
“That is a tall dream, doctor. The senate building is heavily guarded. Triple so now after the fiasco with senator Beldwin’s kidnap and a terrorist group taking credit. So the security around the senate building is so tight that a gnat will find it difficult getting in. “ After a little introspection, Leyland asked. “Any idea how they plan to go about that? “
“There are several details in the data I recovered. Though they were not part of the original one stolen from Nuterra, still part of the workings needed to perfect their plan was cued from it. “ The cyborg raised his hand, palm waving at Leyland to allow him finished. “If what is in the data is reliable and not a misleading information to throw us off their tracks , then they have their plans well laid out. “


“I still find it hard to believe that a group of rag tag wild eyes fanatics can get past the security set up of the solar system, then earth and the senate building. That’s really far fetched. “
“General, from what I have seen, they don’t need to penetrate the security of the senate building in other to get at the senate. “
“What do you mean by that? “
“They intend to use a bomb. “
“A bomb?, well reasonable but it won’t work, because of the bomb detectors set up all around the city of Geneva, where the senate building is. Any kind of explosives, in what ever form it is, will be detected by spy satellite from orbit meant for early detection. And these satellites have the ability to remote explode bombs from that distance. Like you know every kind of explosives give off a low level kind of radiation that can be detected if you know what you’re looking for. So explosive, no matter how hidden can’t get even to the city. “


“Hold on, “ this time it was the general raising a retraining palm for the cyborg to hold on. “I know you might be saying that lead made container with the bomb hidden in it can fool a satellite radiation tracking abilities, even the ones that have x-ray capabilities. Well that have been dealt with. Advanced sensors can now pick up traces of radiation, no matter how faint, that are hidden in lead lined containers. “
“I’m quite aware of that. But the bomb they plan to use won’t be a bomb until it’s in place to blow and after it is activated. “

“Hi Mole, hope you didn’t miss me? “
“Nah “ the Mole joked. “Was actually giving these kids a good whooping before you interrupted. “ The Mole was in the middle of a laugh when he remembered something. “ Damn cyborg was in trouble. “ he ran ahead of Marvel into the room where he last saw the cyborg.
Getting into the room, he saw the cyborg just turning away from the terminal, the appendage on his arm connected to the port of the terminal was unhooked and the cyborg looked perfectly OK. Of the floating holographic head of Nicolas, the Mole saw nothing.


“Are you alright cyborg? “ The Mole asked needlessly as Marvel walked in after him. “I saw you earlier screaming and being encased in electric lightning. “
“I’m alright Mole. I fell into a booby trap that was set for me. “ the cyborg electronic voice resonates within the stillness. “It was a virus implanted with the data we came to retrieve. The moment I started downloading, it leeched unto me. But I was finally able to shake it off. “
“Were you able to recover the data, undamaged? “ Marvel asked.
“Yes Marvel I have everything. “
“Good, that means our job here is done, we have won. “
“That’s not totally correct Marvel, we have not won. Things just got worse. “


“What’s that supposed to mean? “ Marvel turned to the cyborg, the AA suit flattening the urgency in his voice.
Before the cyborg can respond, General Leyland’s voice sounded on the comm unit of the suit.
“Marvel, we have cleared most paths along our way, so far we have secured a good point for you to take back to the surface. What’s your status? “
“We are good. Cyborg just informed me that the data retrieval was completely successful. “ taking a while to pause as his helmet covered face turned towards the cyborg. “But the cyborg just informed me now that we might be having a more serious problem.”


“Alright understood. “ The general’s voice crackled. “Just hold on for a while, I will be right over there . I have already ordered the troop carriers to be on their way. “
“So what’s this other problem about? “ Leyland said as he came in to the data terminal room accompanied by the armed members of the marine force recon company. “We already have most of the asteroid covered. The other parts are not necessary and since you have succeeded in recovering the data we came for, all I see is a win all situation. So what’s different? “

The effect was instantaneous as the cyborg uploaded the modified version of the virus. The hologram head of Nicolas seem to open its mouth in a wide silent scream. Then the holographic image sizzled, the edges zigzaging and elongating into asymmetrical proportions. Then with a wide whizz sound the hologram winked out.


The Mole was still staying low behind his cover as the constant firing made it impossible for him to return his own but he was determined to protect the entrance from anyone coming through the door as his eyes were fixed there along with the muzzle of his plasma gun. Just then heavy explosions sounded from outside with the sound of heavy duty rifle fire sound. Then the intensity of the fire hitting his area reduced. He heard cries of dying men outside. His gun poked out of his hiding place, taking a look, he saw someone on the uniform of the asteroid security running towards the door, but he wasn’t looking ahead but behind him firing. The Mole blew him away without a second thought.


The plasma bolt from his gun hit the runner knocking him from his feet and turning the man into blackened human husk. Moving quickly, covering the door with his gun, he came past it and saw fire burning at several points which he suspected will be the explosions points, then dead bodies of those who were shooting at him, they were scattered with their bodies blackened by scorch marks or bleeding from huge bullet holes. Thick smoke from the fires and explosions covered the short passage. Heavy sounds of footsteps got the Mole to turn his attention. Gun posed eyes staring intently, blinking severally to keep the stinging pains of the smoke from the eyelids, the Mole focus on the place the sound came from but didn’t fire immediately because who ever has blown these guys away will most definitely be a friend.
Stepping out of the thick swirling smoke like an ancient demon out of hell, Marvel stepped out in the AA suit carrying both rifle and RPG in his hands.

The recovery on the cyborg was almost instantaneous. The torturing flashes of multi-colored light vanished from his eyes, the heavy pounding in his head stopped and the electric lightning swirling round his metallic body went off. Cyborg flexed his fingers and slowly discovered he has regained back the use of his limbs. Just then his internal monitor told him the data download is now hundred percent completed. Taking a look at the floating holographic head of Nicolas, he saw a look of surprise and worry over it. Some how the digitized personality of the erstwhile head of Trans Terra International knew the virus has failed to fulfill its purpose.


“This is not possible, there is no way you could have survived that viral attack. “ the head said coldly. “In my digitized state I was able to access information that were impossible for me before now. With it, I was able to hack into the process Guthrie had use in creating you. The dynamics and intricacies of your unique working mechanism. The virus was supposed to destroy that bound between your mind and the software controlling your bodily frame. Even if I haven’t detected how Guthrie achieved that, still I can destroy it. The virus was supposed to continue till you are dead. But obviously you survived, that means there is a lot about you that is unknown. “


“Sorry I have to disappoint you, Mr. Nicholas but my job is done here and we have to part ways. “ If he still has all his organic parts, he would have laughed but that didn’t seem possible. “Well don’t feel too depressed. Here let me return back what you sent to me. “
“What do you mean by that? “
“The virus of cause. “ Cyborg replied him. “Well I’m sending it back to you with slight modification to fit your digitized personality. “

As the pains raged on in Dr. Bryant’s mind, his head pounding, his eyes seeing nothing but brilliant flashes of multiple colors that hurt them and sear his mind. His screaming could not stop despite his throat now raw from the extensive strain. The machine logic of the cyborg was however uninfected with the viral attack. Its basic self preservative consciousness noticed the danger the virus posed to the overall system efficiency of the cyborg unit and took adequate counter measures : it went in to the recess part of the cyborg’s memory module to watch the coming attack. It studied the binary sequence of the program and its basic constituents.


While still hidden, the machine logic made several probes at the virus which viciously attacked the probes but could go no further since the virus was specifically programmed to destroy the basic cybernetic-neuro interface between the human mind and the cyborg’s hardware. The machine logic was not part of this, it came into being from the evolution of the growing interfacing between the human mind and the machine frame programs. With the Ion crystal Powering the cyborg, the unknown power source have in a way enhanced the interface, creating an evolved program, distinct from the basic ones that was almost sentient at this stage of its development.


Having studied the working of the virus, the machine logic saw its total makeup and weaknesses. It took a nano seconds to consider the logical benefit of interfering with the virus work and concluded that it is within its self preservation parameters to stop the virus. At this stage, the virus is capable of causing the demise of the human mind controlling the cybernetic unit. If the mind of Dr. Bryant is extinguished at this stage of the machine logic’s evolution, it will cease to exist. As a program it can’t exist outside a circuitry or a hardware unit. Its decision reached, it went ahead and attacked the virus.


All it did was negate its binary sequences. At first reading its working code, pulling the numbers apart and realigning them. Slowly the malware program language was changed. It then stopped being a harmful software to the cyborg. Going further the machine logic made sure the data being downloaded was not damaged but its retrieval process was in progress and almost completed. It also noticed an external connection to the data linkage. A fast nano second speed of investigation showed this external linkage was the catalyst for the activation of the virus. Choices came immediately to the machine logic but before it could choose the consciousness of Dr. Bryant came on strong overriding it. Well the logic went back into the hidden recess, for now its sentience and evolution is not strong enough to over ride the human mind at this stage but with a little more learning and time it will grow more capable. It will wait and bide its time.

The Mole turned briefly when he heard the scream behind him. He saw the cyborg standing still, sparks of electric lightning traversing round his body. Nothing else need to tell the Mole that cyborg was in serious trouble. Initially he thought maybe one of the shots coming from outside may have been lucky to hit him but with closer observation, he noticed there was no impact mark on the cyborg’s body, so that was ruled out.


Then he noticed that the cyborg’s arm was still frozen in place as it was connected to the data terminal. He quickly concluded that the terminal may be booby-trapped, so the problem with cyborg maybe from there. While still watching he noticed a vaguely familiar face on a holographic head image floating over the terminal looking at the cyborg and seeming to gloat over his suffering. He decided to run to the cyborg and sever the connection with the terminal. As he jumped from behind his cover to go to the cyborg, heavy fire came from outside that knocked him down as they hit his body armor . He grimaced in pain as he tried doing a body roll to return fire but it was not possible as the fire coming from outside were too intense and coming from multiple sources. He dived back behind he cover as he tried to return fire, more bolts from lazer rifles and also bullets struck the cover which drove him back down to lie low . He was effectively pinned down.

The drone of the hologram’s voice began to recede in the cyborg’s ears, sound like from a far place as his keen electronic senses were buffeted by sounds like the howling of a wild wind.


“The trap is in the form of a malware program, a virus that is designed to completely erode all the internal working dynamics of your cybernetic frame. There was no way we could infect you with it from any external sources, we believe you may have self defense make up to protect you from that. “ the holographic image of Nicolas continued to speak. “But if you were to take it in your self while connected to any of our systems, well that is a different matter. We tied the virus program to the data you have come for. The virus is to identify any attempt of downloading that data, leech on to the source and tie itself to the data being downloaded then infect the host. So as long as you are downloading that data, the virus will infect you.


“Its work is to first attack all the security defense mechanism you have protecting you. Then destabilize the system that slaves the hardware of your body to the programs running it. It will several all the links, enclosed your working software in a limbo file it will create, then make sure all your hardware functions cease operating. “


As the words were spoken, Dr. Bryant noticed that all sense of connection to his cybernetic limbs were no longer there. It was like only his head and the other living tissue were the things he could feel . The arms and legs with his torso seems not to exist anymore. At this realization, he panicked, because the cybernetic part of him was what is keeping his organic parts alive. With this development, it means the life support system within it keeping him alive will no longer function.


Slowly every part of his body was disconnected from the Ion crystal, their energy source. Just then electrical sparks began to run round the joints and bodily frame of the cyborg. That was when the pain hit him. It was unlike any pain he has ever felt. He remembered when he died, somewhat, the pain has been excruciating. But this was way more than that. He screamed as his mind was what was suffering. It was like the virus traveled through the route of the delicate nerve connection with the circuitry of the neural interface. Pumped in deadly attack at the pain receptors of his brain inducing the highest level of pains his brain can experience.


If he still had control of his limbs, he would have been thrashing about and running around like a deranged man that has lost his mind. As the pains intensified, he could no longer see anything but a whirlpool of kaleidoscope of colors colliding in a maelstrom, his head pounding like an hammer steadily hitting an anvil. His scream could not stop, as his voice shouted till his throat became raw. Unfortunately the connection to any part of the cybernetic make up was cut off. He can’t lift his hand or disconnect the appendage he has connected to the data terminal. As long as it is connected, the virus continues to upload into the cyborg, pushing in different strain of it, causing more damages. Slowly the cyborg’s voice died down, his eyes closed as the living tissues started to succumb to the slow decay of death as a result of the life support in the cyborg shutting down.

“Welcome Dr. Bryant we have been expecting you. “ the holographic head said.
“Mr. Nicholas? This is impossible, you are dead. “ the cyborg looked at the floating hologram with surprise.
“Well the stories about my demise were greatly exaggerated. “ the holo head image was made of red colored light mimicking the facial features Nicolas was known to exhibit in his life time. “ My body may have died but my mind and consciousness live on in this digitized format. With modern science very few things are impossible and their number continues to diminish as time goes by. “


Cyborg’s mind reeled with the possibility of what he was witnessing. Could this be a programmed fake holographic image. Or could someone be speaking but overlaid his image with that of Nicolas. But the possibility or process of digitizing a human mind is impossible. Of course the data the mind contains can be downloaded and stored, which can act like a quasi memory but they don’t have the personality of the deceased. But what cyborg is seeing is a real mind behind the interaction not just a program made of downloaded memories.


“You shouldn’t let the possibility of my existence bother you, there is something else you should get worried about. “
Bryant's mind within the cyborg noticed something odd going on. As he was downloading the data, some alien program appeared to be attracted to the download portal he was hooked up on. That program hooked to his link to the portal and clamp on it tightly.


“I can see that already you have started experiencing the trap that we set up for you. Well it’s like this. When we brought the stolen data here, we created a trap hole in this data terminal that is specifically tailored to destroy you. We isolated this terminal from all other data links in this asteroid to make sure that this is the only place you have to come if you really want to get back that data. “

Alright guys, we are back in business thanks to our able mod, Divepen1 . A little update before supper

Divepen1:
Well, I'm really sorry about your plight but Spambot works automously.
The only help we can render is that immediately you notice your reply button is missing, simply send a message yelling Spambot, we will rectify the problem immediately

Alright. Thanks for your response and help. Ur advice is duly noted

neyohpee:
which kind bot be this wey no want allow person enjoy tori? Apollux, we are with you

It deletes some of my updates and bars me from replying on my thread for around two days.
Maybe if we can mention the mods enough, they will pay attention. So you can help me call on them. They are Obinnau and Divepen1

Hi guys, the spam bot is still on my neck, so I can't update. I have sent an email to the mods here few days ago, no changes yet.
Obinnau, Divepen1 pls can any of you guys help out?

Just then the Mole came into the passage, running. “We have heavy inbound. But I will try to hold them here while you conclude your business. Please be quick about it, I can’t tell how long I can keep them back. Though this looks like a good defensive position. “



The Mole looked around for a good cover, tucked himself behind it, laying out his grenades and extra energy cells for the plasma gun. The cyborg went into the room looking around. The room was basically made of white marble for both ceiling, floor and walls. The lights too was white giving the entire place a white glow on everything. The things that spoil the perfect white color of the place were the data terminal, connected consoles and a solid screen monitor fixed on the wall.



A 3D holo projector was on the terminal but it was off. Without delay cyborg jacked in to the terminal, linking up with the information stratums housed in it . Terabytes after terabytes of data were flowing within the storage space of it. At normal speed, it could have taken cyborg years to shift through the unwanted data to get what he really needed. But since he already has a damaged part of what he was looking for, all he needed to do was to call up data that has identical make up with the damaged one with him. Soon he located what he sort and he went ahead to download it completely. Just then the 3D holo projector on the data terminal came on displaying a fuzzy mixture of multiple colors which later coalesced into a single image : the floating head of Nicolas Lamont Ludwig, ex head of Trans Terra International.

The cyborg silently went ahead, shooting some of the attackers that came out again, taking them down. The Mole fired from his cover taking out the others, while the cyborg went through one of the rooms the attackers came from. Most of them were down unmoving, the others still standing were cut down by precision fire from the cyborg. Still moving forward he took a turn that brought him to a short passage which led to a room with sealed door. It has a plaque on it boldly written “RESTRICTED ACCESS “ . The security system for the door is a keypad for password then a retina scan and facial recognition.



Finally there was the full proof identity code, that is made to recognize anyone attempting to have access down to the unique DNA signature. The Cyborg morphed his arm back into a full hand then got close to the control panel for the door, a delicate appendage came out of it and hooked up with a tiny port holding the visual sensor. Cyborg shift through the security algorithm make-up , interfacing with the binary sequence, convincing the adamant security program to open the door. It refuses at first but cyborg decided to go direct instead of coercing it. He hacked into the command routines and put in the unlocking codes and with a soft click, the door slides open.

Yea I'm still waiting and the problem still seems to be on. It seems if i try updating it gets deleted. Let me try another update tonight and see what happens.

Divepen1 can u please help out on this spam bot thing. I have already sent an email about it.

Hi guys, spam bot is not allowing me to update o. It continues to delete my updates. That is y I could't update since Friday.