A moment later she found herself flying over her opponent, impacting the scaled back of Curtis Reynolds as the Leviathan threw her with her own weapon. The scales across Curtis were slowly turning a muted silver tipped in black. Her mind churned through what could be happening to Curtis, but quickly pushed it aside as she heard the Leviathan rise. Wren recovered leaping from the ground as the Leviathan turned to her. Its smile was wicked. The beast knew they were evenly matched. Its horde had returned, and she would not be able to stop it. Behind it more and more creatures gathered awaiting their masters command.

  “You cannot stop me, Wren Fore!” it yelled as its voice echoed across the abandoned city. Wren knew she would not be able to counter the beast and its minions. She sought a solution and found none available. SIA held nothing she could use. All her drones were still in space seeking the last of ODIN’s fighters. She bent down retrieving her staff, her black eyes revealing the connections the Leviathan had to its horde. Dark red lines writhed across the distance from it to the small army, a large tendril extended from the Leviathan to the south, providing its connection to the quantum computer deep in Cheyenne Mountain.

  “Leviathan, you and your horde will be destroyed today. You will not be allowed to corrupt the Earth any longer!” Wren spoke steadily not yelling, allowing her words to carry their own weight. As she finished she felt the tingle of a connection, its source shocking her. All doubt left her as she faced the dark beasts assembled in front of her. The Leviathan bellowed with rage, her words infuriating the AI. Without any outward indication, it streaked toward her with its minions surging behind it. Wren fell back into a defensive stance with her staff raised and body rigid. She now knew the path to victory and welcomed the Leviathan’s attack.

  The sound of the great metal doors grinding open brought Stephen about, pulling him from the grim task of ensuring the minions of the Leviathan were truly dead. His daggers slightly raised and robes swirling in the gloom, he faced the doors as they parted. The calculations he ran through were on pace which meant that in a short while the Leviathan would be purged from the quantum computer deep in Cheyenne Mountain. The first step in countering the menace was almost complete. Stephen knew that north of them, in the abandoned city of Denver, Curtis and the humans had engaged the Leviathan and its horde of mutated creatures. Stephen knew it was a dangerous gambit. The Leviathan could still prove strong enough without the quantum, but they needed to stop it before it spread beyond their reach. If that happened there would be no hope. ODIN was already a force around the world seeking to bring its own vision of the future to fruition. Stephen refused to think what would happen if both quantums were free to wreak havoc across the planet. Instead he focused on Simon as he approached the doors cautiously.

  Stephen felt guilt filter through him. Simon was his son and Stephen had not been there for him. The boy he rescued all those years ago had stood by Wren through the time Stephen had been gone up until his death. Stephen regretted his choice to stay behind the shield. It had been the correct choice he knew that, but the sacrifice was too much for his family. Natalie was gone, corrupted and killed by ODIN. Wren was beyond them. Now Simon had returned to life and yet Stephen was prepared to ask him to sacrifice that life once again. Stephen’s chest drew tight as the human emotions helped him to maintain his perspective as a quantum. He ran through the possibilities again trying to divine another solution to facing the Leviathan and ODIN. The answer was the same.

  He watched Simon step forward standing at the threshold of the quantum chamber scanning the darkness of the room. Stephen looked beyond his son, trying to penetrate the hidden chamber. It was no use much like divining the future, past a certain point one could not see no matter how hard he tried. Stephen glanced to Simon looking to the man to see if he faired any better. It seemed he had not, Simon raised his hand as an orb of reddish orange nanids materialized in it. The ball began to glow casting its light into the vast chamber. Stephen stepped forward to see what was revealed. Before the light revealed the inside of the chamber a massive tail shot out of the room striking Simon square in his chest, sending the nanid armored man flying into the hallway behind him. Stephen stopped moving, dropping into a defensive crouch. His robes drew protectively around him as he waited. The nanid orb Simon had generated had broken free of the man’s hand and now slowly rolled into the quantum chamber. Stephen waited, allowing it to reveal their adversary. A deep growl rolled out of the room reminding him of the mountain lions that had occupied the Rocky Mountains when he was a child. A chill ran through him as he realized what they were facing. A moment later the ball of nanids was extinguished as an immense clawed paw slammed down on it crushing it into the floor of the chamber.

  Simon landed on the metal floor of the hallway sliding several feet on his back before he stopped. There was a slight pain in his chest where the tail hit. As he rose he glanced down inspecting for damage. His nanids were already reforming the armor where it had bent. Several quills from the beast’s tail clung weakly to the metal of his skin unable to penetrate the thick metal. Simon knew they would carry the strain and if he had been unprotected he would now be in the throes of infection. Irritation passed through him, the entity had distracted him keeping him out of focus. It was gone now as if it knew its mistake and retreated to avoid it again. Simon looked to the chamber. The doors had finally finished their journey and opened completely. His father was crouched staring into the darkness. Simon felt the tingle of connection recognizing it as his father.

  “It is a great cat,” Stephen said, the silent words coming across their connection. A cat? Images of tigers from the jungles of Asia came to his mind. The creature in the chamber was much worse. The strain would guarantee that.

  “It does not matter,” Simon said sensing his father’s caution. Without waiting for a response, he moved forward. As he drew even with his father, he paused. Stephen straightened standing to his full height. Simon watched as the daggers disappeared, the swirling robes drawing tight to his father. The robes ceased their movement snapping in place, forming a metal armor across the man much like Simon’s armor. The green hood formed into a helm as nanids covered his father’s face protecting the man completely. His father turned staring at him. Simon knew he was waiting for him. This was his battle and Stephen would wait for him to lead.

  Simon turned to the chamber, he knew he would not exit this conflict the same. No matter the outcome he would emerge as a different being or not at all. Foreboding filled Simon, the urge to turn and leave followed it. He knew he had to finish what they started, but death was an all too familiar reality for him. The dark thoughts held him in place. Simon faced the grim truth of his past knowing he could not change it. His experiences screamed at him to leave, to find somewhere far from the Leviathan and its strain. Seconds ticked by as he struggled in his mind, agonizing over the choice he faced. He could walk away, possibly dooming humanity to a future with ODIN and the Leviathan, or he could step into the chamber and the uncertain future it held. He took a breath pushing all the doubts and thoughts away. He knew what he had to do. Simon Fore stepped forward striding toward the chamber. His sensed his father step with him, his presence solidifying Simon’s resolve. As they entered a sword formed in each man’s hand, the final implement needed to face the Leviathan’s last guardian. The deep growl turned to a roar of anger as the darkness enveloped the two men concealing their fates much like the monster hidden in the quantum chamber.

  TWENTY-ONE

  Dark blood ran down the red blade’s edge gathering at the blades’ tip before falling to the floor adding to a steadily growing pool of the dark substance. The pool was spreading across the concrete floor of the chamber staining and corrupting the chamber in turn. Simon watched the slow progress of the thick liquid, his eyes filled with regret at the loss of life. He tore his eyes away scanning the chamber for any further threats. Orange light filtered through the chamber from several orbs he had cast while fighting the last defender of the Leviathan. It was empty, the only occupants were him, his father and the now dead beast. His gaze settled on the hulking form where it lay dead, a massive wound in its neck feeding the pool of blood. Blood still ran from the wound, the strain in the body refusing death even with the massive feline’s mind destroyed. Thick black fur covered the brute, a mane of longer hair trailing from its head down the muscled back. Easily double the size of a horse the cat had been a formidable opponent. Claws easily four inches long tipped its paws, their threat only outdone by massive fangs in the creature’s mouth. Simon thought back to the saber tooth cats from millennia ago. This creature would have easily stood against those. His eyes moved to the head where his father’s green sword protruded from the top. The killing stroke had been delivered by Stephen a moment before Simon had sliced the beasts throat wide open.

  Stephen stood silently staring down at the beast. Simon knew his father was monitoring for any sign of reemergence within the beast. The Leviathan strain was incredibly resilient and could recover from the most grievous of wounds. Simon stepped next to his father, gripping the green sword and pulling it free of the head. No words were spoken as he handed the sword to his father, their eyes meeting over the grisly remains. He could see resolve still etched in the features of his father’s face. He glanced at his father checking the man for any wounds. Several deep tears lashed across the armored green chest. The claws of the beast had dug into the armor deeply matching the nanid metal in strength. They had not penetrated from what he could tell. Simon had several wounds across his body as well, but they were healing slowly. Soon there would be no indication they were ever there, as the nanids restored the armored skin perfectly. Simon felt a deep respect for the great beast, it had not relented easily.

  Simon knelt placing his hand over the open wound in the skull, the red nanids streamed from his hand, flowing down into the brain of the cat. The technology would destroy the brain and any chance of the great beast returning to life. Withdrawing his hand Simon straightened to his full height looking at the tower that dominated the middle of the chamber. Dark and lifeless now that the Leviathan’s quantum intelligence had been purged from it, the tower held the final moments of Simon’s renewed life. Simon could feel the gentle push of the entity within his mind as it waited for him. He ignored it focusing on his father.

  “The purge is complete,” he said, his voice ringing through the chamber. His father held his gaze. Stephen’s deep green eyes held sadness and pride in equal measure.

  “What will you do?” Stephen asked, his eyes not wavering. Simon held the gaze a moment longer before answering.

  “I will finish it,” he stated, stepping forward and pulling his father into a fierce hug. Regret at the time lost with Stephen filled him. Even after their reunion there had been little time to reconnect and it felt empty without Wren. Simon wondered where she had gone. He knew she was reunited with ISIS to save humanity but hoped she did not return until the Earth was safe once more. He pulled back from his father, saying nothing further as he turned away moving to the tower. He could hear his father’s footsteps as the man exited the chamber. Simon steadily approached the tower feeling none of the earlier doubts or trepidation. As he drew near he reach up remembering his last visit to the chamber and the location of its entrance. A simple touch opened the metal door revealing the small chamber inside. White light filled the small room revealing it to be in much the same condition as the last time he had visited. The cryochamber lay empty awaiting his return as indicated by the engraved plate on its surface. Simon moved forward, hands touching the control panel mounted to the horizontal machine. The glass lid slid back giving him access to the cushioned bed beneath. Another touch of the controls sealed the tower protecting Simon and the quantum once again. Simon felt the tremors of the great doors to the quantum chamber as they closed, sealing him away from the world outside of the mountain.

  He did not delay settling into the chamber, feeling the tingle of connection as his mind began to sync with the quantum computer. As the glass lid slid over him the chamber sealed, and the connection completed simultaneously. Simon felt his mind being drawn into a vast emptiness. His awareness traveled beyond his body spreading through the quantum. Time ceased as Simon continued to be drawn into the quantum. Soon he felt himself drawing thin and found it hard to focus as the power of the computer overwhelmed him. He sensed the familiarity of the moment, death coming for him again. Simon felt nothing, the weakness stole any emotion. He did not fight it. He was resigned knowing the choice had been his. Something emerged into the computer with him. Simon felt confusion as his mind struggled to understand what was happening. Finally, he recognized the entity from his mind.

  “What is happening?” he thought. The entity surged through the computer wrapping around his consciousness, consolidating it and stopping the pull of the quantum computer. Simon felt his strength return and his mind clear. The entity was all around him protecting him from the void of the empty computer.

  “Together,” came the whisper from the other consciousness protecting him.

  “Who are you?” he asked. The answer came not as words but as fleeting images of machines and human cells. Simon felt bewilderment surge through him as the answer crystallized in his mind. His nanids. A moment later they intermingled as their consciousnesses began spreading into the void of the quantum, the nanid mind protecting Simon from its raw power as he raced into his uncertain future.

  The twisted army, led by the Leviathan, surged toward Wren. She held her ground with Curtis’ bulk blocking any attack from the rear. The howls and screams of the black creatures accompanied their masters’ growl as it approached, the ground shaking with its footsteps. The wall of creatures bristled with fangs and claws all seeking to end her life. Even with their formidable weapons, the creatures gave their master room knowing its power was beyond theirs. The Leviathan’s scaled skin flexed with its movements as it closed on her preparing to strike. Wren waited as its muscled arm raised to strike, the fang filled mouth opened with lust for her blood, its tongue writhing across the wicked teeth. She waited a moment longer, ensuring the Leviathan could not stop its attack. At the last moment Wren leapt into the air using her nanids to generate a field to buoy her higher. As she passed the Leviathan’s clawed hand, she threw the nanid metal staff with all her might. It slammed into the Leviathan’s face striking its distended nose and jaw. The beast howled as it was knocked back into the crush of its horde, kept upright by the maddened creatures. She knew she had done no lasting harm as she slowly began to descend. She had only meant to buy time. A flash of movement behind her revealed the reason.

  Curtis spun to his feet, the battle between the strain and Wren’s silver nanids over, allowing him to enter the fray. His massive jaws spread open as the reptilian head lowered to the ground, aiming at the black creatures closing on him. Wren watched, stunned as nanid fire shot from his mouth streaking into the horde. Howls and screams of blood lust turned to those of terror as the nanids of her brother began their deadly work, burning and charring the creatures while attacking the strain within each. She was glad her nanids had neutralized the attack so quickly. By saving Curtis, she had obtained the plan the humans and her family were attempting to complete. She also knew how to ensure it would not fail.

  The Leviathan leapt into the air arching behind its horde narrowly missing the flames of Curtis Reynolds as he continued to breath fire into the stunned creatures. Wren attacked it, using the nanids to push her forward past the burning creatures facing Curtis. The Leviathan leapt towards her as she landed, its massive hands spread as it attempted to seize her and bury its claws in her flesh. Wren did nothing to halt its approach. The black hands closed about her shoulders its claws scraping across the silver metal. The Leviathan yanked her forward seeking her throat to satisfy its thirst for vengeance. Wren did not give it a chance to close the distance. She slammed into its mind using all the power of ISIS she had within her. The rogue quantum froze, forced to confront her in its own mind. The twisted mind was filled with rage and Wren was reminded of her first encounter with Curtis.

  “This is why he had been so crazed,” she thought. The Leviathan was out of control. All the horrible flaws of its master had culminated into an insane program only concerned with controlling humanity and having its vision complete. No matter the cost.

  “You dare!” the Leviathan bellowed across their connection. It pushed back against her as she sought to drive it from the mind of its host hoping to force it back to the computer in Cheyenne Mountain. If she could do that and her father and brother were successful as Curtis had promised, then the Leviathan would be erased from existence unable to escape again.

  “I will see you destroyed,” she thought pressing forward once again. The Leviathan countered using every bit of remaining power that it could draw from its source in the south. Wren felt herself purged from its mind and quickly began defending herself as the twisted logic of the Leviathan began to filter into her mind. The corruption of its design began burrowing into her mind, seeking to destroy her and seize control of her nanids. Wren felt a slight weakness blur across her mind, making her response sluggish and less effective. The Leviathan’s deranged laughter filled her mind. She knew if her family failed, in minutes she would be consumed. Still she fought, not allowing the Leviathan to take her easily. It raked across her mind trying to break her resolve, but she blocked each new attack seeking to push it out of her mind. The battle seemed to drag on as the quantum connection caused a perceived dilation in time, even though she knew it had only been moments. Again, and again it attacked, and Wren now knew what her brother’s final moments had been like in Rocky Flats. Rage exploded through her at the thought and she renewed her defense refusing to submit. The Leviathan held firm not surrendering any of its foothold in her mind. Wren kept their silent battle at a stalemate not allowing it to progress further. Then it was gone. The Leviathan vanished from her mind in an instant. Wren surged forward reclaiming her mind while surging across the connection. The quantum in Cheyenne Mountain had been purged! The Leviathan was contained in the body in front of her. She had failed to push it back to the computer. Wren tried to push into its mind but found it had somehow blocked her. She attempted again and again but was turned away. It must have been a safety protocol programmed into it to terminate all connections if it were isolated with no escape. Wren realized the danger too late. The connection linking her to the Leviathan shattered freeing it to resume its attack. Wren tried to break free of the monsters grasp but could not.

 

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