Chapter 7
The guardian of factory 419 was quite an impressive creature, both for what it was and for where it lived. Smaller parasites of its type simply couldn't abide the cold temperatures of the mountains; the ice-cold lakes underneath were only marginally warmer, allowing for only the hardiest of sea creatures to live there. Your average invertebrate parasites simply weren't supposed to exist in such an environment. The guardian was not your average parasitic invertebrate, however. It had the appearance of a gigantic leech, brown with black spots covering its large body, and a sucker the size of a car on its head.
It had long ago been captured by the servants of the Crimson King, and had in the beginning lived in comfort within the moat of the Crimson King's castle, feasting on the bodies of those unfortunate enough to be in the King's bad graces. Those days didn't last, however, as the King had found even more entertaining pets. The guardian was sent to factory 419, an essential cog in the Crimson King's army, to serve as the guardian of the doors underneath the facility. The machinery of the facility kept the caves below the doors totally flooded, while enough moisture was present in the lower levels to sustain the leech for hours at a time. The place was almost exclusively manned by droids, droids that of course lacked the warm flesh the guardian craved. Intruders were few and far between, so it relied on the robots to give it food when there was no intruder to draw into the enormous suction cup. HK-47's rampage in the upper levels had either destroyed or de-activated all the droids within the facility (except the medical droids), and so the guardian had gone sometime now without sustenance.
Squirming blindly in the darkness, the guardian felt itself slowly starving, the cold of the underground pools piercing its rubbery flesh. The pain of its hunger was overwhelming, and so when it smelled the blood of living creatures descending into its lair, it practically launched itself through the dark water. Flexing its rubbery body, it squeezed through crevices and hallways, its hunger filling every fabric of its being.
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The doors underneath the factory were very much like the doors Raven and CJ had used to enter this world, large, with brass ornamentation and elaborate carvings. The doors showed no signs of disrepair, even as the atmosphere became more and more moist as they descended.
"An infinite number of worlds, each as strange and unique as the last." Raven mused to herself, watching the doors go by as HK led them down corridor after corridor. Their was no uniformity to the levels, some seemed gigantic, containing thousands of doors, with hallways that stretched as far as the eye could see. Others may only have a handful of doors, but required navigation of traps and dead-ends to arrive at them. Without HK the going would have been extremely slow, and even with the droid leading the way, CJ had nearly fallen in to several traps, including one pit that seemed to go on forever. CJ had stepped on the trap door, and had only been saved by Raven, who leapt forward and grabbed him as he fell. A piece of plaster fell regardless, and it was some time before the group heard a soft splash echo up the shaft.
They were still moving fairly quickly, descending level by level towards the eighty-eighth basement level. The rather conspicuous re-occurrence of the number eight was something she was beginning to become aware of, and she began to feel that it too was a message from the tower, one that would be worked out in time.
It was when they had reached the eightieth level that the surroundings started to change. The corridors had always been fairly wide, but now they were gigantic, the vaulted ceiling high above them. There was an incredibly awful smell, reminding Raven of rotten meat. These lower levels were also very damp, nearly four inches of standing water was at their feet, sloshing loudly as they walked. The corridor was long too, as Raven figured they had walked nearly a mile when they arrived at a fork in the corridor, both paths stretching into the darkness.
"Statement: It would seem the computer floor plans for this level are erroneous." HK said, coming to a stop in front of the fork. "The outline clearly shows one single corridor leading straight to the next staircase. It also shows doors along both sides of the corridor, yet the doors end where the separate paths begin."
"I knew it wouldn't be this easy." CJ grumbled, squinting first down the right then left corridors. "Can your sensors tell us anything, HK?"
"Mystified reply: My sensors are currently being scrambled by a strange magnetic field, master. The field's source is unknown. Only my visual and auditory functions are unaffected."
"So you're as blind as us then?" Raven said in disgust. "What we need to…"
She was cut off as the quiet dripping of the corridor gave way to a loud, frantic sloshing, like a storm out at sea.
HK reacted first, whipping his rifle up and firing the weapon on full auto into the darkness behind them. A loud squirming sound could be heard now, and with a slither, the truly grotesque sight of the guardian was caught in HK's beam of light.
The thing lunged, heedless of the bullets striking it. Raven sent a barrier of energy, and the guardian was held back for a moment, pushing its body against the barrier. CJ tried to transform, failed, and then smacked HK on the shoulder.
"Raven, which way?" CJ shouted once the droid stopped firing.
"I can sense something down the left path, but I can't tell what it is!" Raven shouted back.
"Left it is!" CJ pulled the revolver and made a lunge for the left corridor. It was at this instant that the leech broke free of Raven's constraints with a horrid squishing sound. It slithered forward, and in an instant was between Raven and the rest of the group. Raven sent a hail of bricks and debris at the monster, most of which bounced off the rubbery hide. Some did penetrate, and a black liquid oozed from the wounds. The guardian was insane with hunger now, and the small injuries didn't bother it. It threw its head against the ceiling, causing the brittle foundation of the floor above to collapse, burying the corridor. HK and CJ made a break for the right path, arriving just ahead of the guardian. Raven ran down the left path, redirecting some of the debris towards their enemy.
Suddenly, Raven was alone. The path back was blocked, and from the sound of it, the leech was caving in the right passage as well. She flew down the corridor, looking for a passage that might connect to the other hallway. As she went forward, she became aware of something calling her name. It was soft voice, barley audible above the sounds of destruction next door. It was the same voice of the rose she had dreamed of at the tears of ice. She flew faster, the hallway whipping by. At last she reached the end, a single doorway with a familiar symbol carved into it. The symbol bled, and emitted a red glow, radiating evil. Raven looked over her shoulder. She could no longer make out the sounds of battle. She couldn't leave them! CJ didn't have his powers back yet! And that droid was an unproven ally. She was about to start back when the voice spoke again, clearer this time.
"All will be well. I need you, Raven. They shall persevere. Please hurry, Raven I need you. It is dark here. I need you to take me away…" The voice was like the song of the tower, enchanting, irresistible. She turned back towards the door, hoping beyond hope that her friend would be all right. She had to trust the tower. She gripped the handle, and ignoring the slight pain that shot up her arm, opened the door and stepped through.
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"Raven!" CJ yelled, his voice lost by the sound of collapsing supports. "Raven, where are you?" He shrugged off HK's grip on his shoulder, and tried to head back. The leech surged forward, pining CJ under its sticky black flesh.
The thing wasn't intelligent, but it could sense which of its prey was the weakest. The thing had targeted CJ from the first, and now the human was almost his. A simple flex, and the man below it would be mashed into paste. It preferred eating its victim's whole, but right now it would take what it could get.
CJ jammed the revolver into the leech's underbelly and fired, cursing loudly. At point blank range the bullets penetrated, if only a little ways, and brackish liquid oozed out. The leech reared up, ready to crush the thing that had stung it, but HK was faster, he grabbed CJ by the wrist and pulled him out from under the guardian. The two broke into a run, HK firing his assault rifle back at the creature.
Until now the leech had ignored HK, knowing from experience that the metal ones provided no sustenance. But now it had been robbed of its meal, and all that got in its way would be crushed.
CJ tried to focus, feeding his anger, trying to provoke the Weretiger into manifestation. But like an engine that just wouldn't start, CJ could feel the ignition just out of grasp. Turning into the Weretiger was kind of like falling asleep, the harder you tried to make it happen, the less chance you had of succeeding. The problem was if he didn't transform, he and HK were going to be in some serious trouble. Nothing seemed to shake the tiger out of its sleep.
He let his mind drift back, browsing over the events of his life, trying to find an event that would awaken the beast. He found it. They had spent over two months in this strange world, and yet the day the adder had attacked Raven was still imprinted on his mind. The stream of venom, Raven's gurgling cry as she fell. Deep within him, the red eyes snapped open.
CJ wheeled, and in an instant the Weretiger was there, his teeth gleaming in the dim light.
"When I pin it, unleash hell." He hissed at HK, then let loose a horrifying roar.
The guardian of factory 419 was taken aback to say the least. It had grown used to its prey running in terror, so the last thing it expected was its foe to turn, then charge it head on. The creature reared, uncertain how to meet this change in tactics, and so it was undone. The claws of the Weretiger ripped open the black membrane, releasing the brackish liquid. The thing couldn't howl of course, but it did fight back, trying to engulf the Weretiger in its enormous suction cup. The leech couldn't hold on, however, as the Weretiger turned, wrenching himself free. The Weretiger swung himself onto the back of the leech, placing his paws at either end of the suction cup, stretching it open.
"Now!" He roared, using his immense strength to hold down the struggling creature.
HK didn't need any more incitement than that. He stuck the barrel of his assault rifle directly into the things sucker, and then held down the trigger. The tough outside of the leech could easily withstand bullets. The soft insides, however, were a different matter. The bullets shredded the leech, perforating everything to the mid section. Brown and black goop began to spurt out of the suction cup, and with a shudder, the guardian of factory 419 perished.
"Exclamation: Well done, master. I must admit that I had begun to have reservations about your abilities; however, you have shown yourself quite capable for meatbag… I mean, organic."
The Weretiger hadn't been this tired in some time. He had forced onto the stage, and it would take rest to replenish his power. He transformed, and in an instant, CJ stood where the Weretiger had been.
"Raven!" He yelled into the darkness. He had suspected it before, but now he knew. She was his muse, and he couldn't lose her now.
"We have to find her, dammit!" He turned on his heel and began running down the hall; the light clank of metal on metal told him that HK was not far behind. Still tired from the battle, CJ wasn't able to go far before he had to take a break. He slumped against the wall of the corridor, breathing heavily.
"Exclamation: It would seem you have found a door, master!" HK said, nodding at the wall behind CJ.
CJ struggled to his feet, and turned to face the wall. In the dim light it was nearly impossible to see the outline of a door that had obviously seen little use over the years. A strange crust covered most of it, settin it apart from the pristine doors above, and making it blend into the rest of the corridor. The glint of brass caught his eye, and with a shaky hand, CJ reached up and wiped the faceplate on the door. "The Empress" it read.
"We picked a hell of a time to be split up." CJ said to himself, cursing the dead leech down the hall yet again. He had little doubt that this portal led to the fourth and final member of their little group, and that meant someone was going to have to go through this door. He thought about sending HK, but the battledroid's less than politic nature might not make him the wisest choice.
"HK?"
"Reply: Yes master?"
"I need you to look for Raven for me."
"Excited reply: Does this mean that you have changed your mi…"
"No. I just need you to find her and bring her here, all right? I have to go through this door and meet with someone, and I need you two to meet me when I get back."
"Resignation: Very well, master. I shall endeavor to fulfill your request."
"Thank you." CJ rolled his eyes and reached for the doorknob. "Oh, and HK? Don't kill anything unless you have to."
"Weary resignation: Yes master."
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The eyes of the Crimson Lady glowed in the dim hallway.
"Their ka-tet hath split." She practically purred at Ash. "Your time hath come. Enter yon doorway and face thy enemy. The fourth member of their ka-tet must die before she can join them." She indicated a door with a jut of her chin.
Raw power emanated from the soldier who had once been known as Ash. "And the tiger?" he asked, the question filled with a bloodthirsty desire.
She raised an eyebrow, causing the red symbol on her forehead to pulse in time with her heartbeat. "You may test your skills against him. If he is found wanting…" She left the sentence unfinished.
A vicious smile split Ash's lips, and he bowed low. He pulled the indicated door open, and passed through.
The Crimson Lady ignored his departure. She felt the soul of Raven being born away into the darkness. The tower had spoken to the wench. Called out to her. The Lady desired to walk that path herself, to watch the todash demons tear her asunder. But just as she thought of it, it sent a shiver down her spine. She would never willingly go back to that hell. The girl knew not what she faced.
She turned as if to leave, and then let her eyes regard the red battledroid as it began to sweep the corridor. Better to tie all loose ends at once. She smiled, and then faded into the darkness.
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CJ closed his eyes as he passed through the doorway, trying to get a feeling as to what it was like to pass between worlds. He had the sensation of stepping on something solid, a metallic clank meeting his ears as he passed fully through the doorway.
"Welcome to Elicoor II orbiting incarceration facility." A very pleasant female voice said, coming through an intercom above him. "All visitors must be pre-approved by the office of the warden before any visitation may take place." CJ found himself standing on the deck of some kind of space station. To his right was a window that looked out over a limitless star field, a single green/blue planet just below eye level. He was alone in the room, and the words "Visitor Observation Deck" were printed in several languages (including English thank God), above the window.
The female voice continued. "Visitors are allowed in sections A4 through H7. We regret to inform you that only minimum-security inmates are allowed visitors. All maximum-security inmates may be spoken to through closed circuit video communication. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please reference the visitor's datapad located to the right of the main entrance. We hope you enjoy your visit to the Elicoor II orbiting incarceration facility."
He was still alone in the room, and he guessed that the automated voice only chimed in when it sensed someone in the room. It was easily the cleanest prison he had been in, but then again they probably had armies of robots dedicated to scrubbing every last inch of the place. CJ looked out the window, taking in the incredible view below the space station. He cast his gaze left then right, observing the prison stretching off for a good distance in both directions.
"Now what am I supposed to do?" He asked himself, continuing to look out the window. He didn't even bother asking himself if the person he was looking for was an inmate, he didn't have to. He thought about Raven, hoping she was doing all right by herself.
"Probably better off." He muttered. He had his own thing to take care of. He had a feeling this was going to get messy. But just how messy could he let things get? He couldn't bring himself to hurt any of the guards in the prison, and they weren't likely to just hand over a potentially dangerous inmate to someone that had no record of even arriving. He glanced down the corridor he had appeared from and wasn't surprised to see no evidence of a door or anything that could possibly lead back to the factory. The only way out was through. He sighed, uncrossed his arms, and then walked over to the small computer terminal.
He was wondering how to activate it when the same female voice from the intercom spoke again, this time from the small console.
"Do you have an inquiry?" It asked helpfully.
"Err… yeah, um," CJ had to think what question he wanted to ask first. "So, how many cons do you have here?" he asked finally.
"This facility currently contains five hundred and twenty-one inmates." CJ took note of the number, but tried not to read too much into the fact that the three digits added together equaled eight. The computer continued. "We house three hundred and seventy three minimum security inmates, and one hundred and forty maximum security inmates."
CJ was no math wiz, but that didn't sound quite right. Going over the problem confirmed his suspicion.
"That leaves eight unaccounted for." He told the computer. "What's the deal?"
"There are eight 'specialty' prisoners that require additional measures of incarceration. These inmates are not counted toward the total of maximum-security inmates."
"Could you show me the profile of specialty inmate number eight, please?" He had little doubt it was the one he was looking for.
"I am indeed sorry, sir. Due to the volatile nature of these inmates only those with administrative level access are allowed to view their profiles."
Perfect. Just when that chattering kill-machine would have been useful, he's God knows where.
"Umm… I am an administrator." He said at last.
"Enter password, please."
"The Empress." He said without hesitation.
"Password accepted. Displaying desired data."
The name and picture that appeared on the small screen made CJ do a double take. This just kept getting better and better. Why did it have to be her? While he didn't want to hurt any of the guards, this particular person would have no problem in blasting them into dust. Hell, she'd probably blast him the second he opened her cell. He didn't have time to worry about that stuff now. With administrator privileges he could see a mini-map of the station, a map that showed the teams of guards sweeping the hallways. He was going to have to think of some way to convince her to trust him on the way to her cell. He committed what he could of the map to memory, including the best route to his target's cell he picked a visitor ID badge out of a slot on the terminal, pinning it to his jacket. He was about to set off when he felt the revolver thump against his side.
"Going to be hard to seem like a normal visitor carrying this around." He said aloud, and unbuckled the gun belt. He looped it around his left shoulder and right underarm, an old trick he had seen in westerns. With his coat now totally concealing the weapon, he set off.
He began jogging through the corridors, mindful of the cellblock numbers that swept past him. "I should at least try and get to her cell without being noticed." He said to himself as he ran. He didn't know what kind of advanced surveillance system this place had, but he didn't doubt that it would have him pegged the second he passed into the cellblock that had been marked on the map as 'restricted.'
He had to admit this facility was pretty impressive. Granted, he hadn't been on many space stations before, but those he had been on weren't nearly as well maintained as this one. The walls and floors were buffed to a mirror sheen, and he could see himself in the reflection. He took note of the cell doors as they passed. No simple bars here. The doors were like portals that were nearly a foot thick, and he guessed that the doors on the 'specialty' cells would be even more imposing.
He tried to picture in his head the movements of the guards as he went along. Even though he would no doubt appear as a normal visitor, he simply wouldn't be able to hold up to any real questioning. Despite his caution, he twice nearly ran head long into guard patrols. The guards themselves became more imposing as he neared the restricted section. The few he had caught glimpses of up until that point wore simple olive drab uniforms. These guys were dressed in full red and black power armor, the faces hidden behind helmets that covered the entire head. Instead of the small caliber pistols the others had, these guys carried fully automatic pulse rifles. The kind used by military assault squads.
He reached the restricted area, took a deep breath, and then jogged through. There was no alarm or other warning, but he couldn't count on such obvious signs. He ran at top speed to the eighth door at the very end of the hall, and then paused as he reached for the door control. Should he go in there as the Weretiger? That would probably only provoke her. Would she even listen to what he had to say? That depended on whether or not she recognized him right away in his human form. When someone was imprisoned, they would not usually attack someone who promised to help them get out. Usually. Either way, he couldn't waste any more time. He opened the door, walked down a long, narrow hallway, and then opened a second door. Unable to help himself, he called out as he entered. "Hey Blackfire! It's your parole officer. I've got some good news."
