The Mind Traps Within
By: Kat
Prologue-Deadly HorizonsJuly 23, 2127
"We're gonna be late! It's almost time!"
"Aw, shut yo' hole. We know that already."
The first speaker huffed in response.
"He-ey! Glitch's touching me!"
"Oh shut up Jonathan. I wouldn't wanna touch you anyway." Glitch wrinkled his nose in disgust. "You're full of icky germs."
"Nuh-uh!"
"Uh-huh!"
"Nuh-uh!!"
"Believe what you will, but I stand behind my decision."
Jonathan was about to retaliate with one or two colorful obscenities when he was cut off.
"This would be a perfect example of "some alcohol will screw ya, and too much will either make ya dead or irreversibly psychotic." Look at yourselves! Yer arguing about cooties for chrissakes!"
At that moment, both offenders slowly faced each other. Understanding shown on their faces like a light from above as their eyes widened.
Dorn smacked his hand into his forehead.
"Oh dear god, what'd I say?"
Glitch's face transformed into a snarl of triumph, while Jonathan's had the opposite effect. He backed into his corner of seat cushion, looking like a deer caught in the headlights of an incoming eighteen-wheeler.
"Jonathan's got COOTIES!!!"
"N-n-n-n-no! I can't!"
"So that'd explain why the guy can't get a date!" guffawed Aero.
The since quiet Desiree spoke up.
"How much did they have? I haven't seen anyone this bad since," she paused. "Well, ever."
"Yeah, I know. That was one great party!" exclaimed Aero. He nudged the droopy-eyed Krystyn.
"Hey there, you awake?"
"Mmm? Yah, that was a good party. Heh, I remember my 21st birthday. So many cherished memories…" she dropped off.
"Oh, we are so screwed," muttered Desiree. "Now this."
Desiree squatted down and set her hands on the other woman's shoulders. Her voice took on the tone from one of the famous "mother to daughter" conversations.
"Krystyn, honey? Stay with me now. Sorry to burst your bubble, but um… That was your party. You know, the one we just came from?"
"Damn straight!" And with that, her head hit the window of their bus with a resounding thud.
"Hey, she's out cold."
"Oh really Sherlock? Brilliant deduction!"
"Gimme a break!"
"Shut up, please," requested Desiree. Closing her eyes, she massaged her temples with the tips of her fingers.
"Oh god. What a mess," she mumbled.
She and her colleagues had been called to an emergency meeting at the lab. They had all been caught in the middle of Krystyn's 21st birthday party, which of course, accounted for Krystyn, Glitch, and Jonathan's tipsiness. They had no choice but to pack up and go, leaving the now hostless celebration. Of course, no one noticed or cared. All they were worried about was a full punch bowl.
Sighing, Desiree opened her eyes with no great ease.
"Can't we just, I don't know, leave them on the bus?"
A glance up toward the hoverbus driver gave an immediate "no" to that one. Smiling, Desiree gave him a look of sympathy. He stared at her in his rearview mirror, shot a look that told her she was insane, and never took his eyes off the road again.
She slumped in her seat. Might as well do a quick check on everyone's status. Although unofficial, she considered herself the leader of their happy little group
"O-kay," she breathed.
Dorn looked very angry at the world right now, with his arms crossing his chest. Glitch and Jonathan were still in argument about the fact of the latter having "cooties."
"And I thought that went out years ago along with Etch-A-Sketches," Desiree murmured.
Aero was staring out the opposite window, obviously disgusted with the turn of events. Desiree wasn't sure if it was because of the disturbing behavior of their comrades, or their having to leave the party.
Krystyn was slumped with her head resting on Aero's shoulder, still completely dead to the world.
"Hmm," breathed Desiree. "That's ev-Wait a minute!"
Mentally, she chided herself for the mistake. There was one more-Biome hadn't spoken a word through their whole little charade. Even before looking at him, she knew what he'd be doing. Normally, he would be sitting with a blank look, think about only god knew what.
Now, she thought. Let's see if I win the prize. Turning her head towards the back of the bus, Desiree caught sight of her target.
Score. Her guess was right on the money. Time to find out what's going on in his head.
"Hey Biome," she called quietly. No answer.
"Yo Biome!" she tried again, calling more forcefully
"Huhm?"
"I dunno if you noticed our situation, but…" She left the statement hanging.
Biome's head swiveled, scanning the bus interior with attention to detail. He raised his eyebrows in response.
"Yes, this is some situation, all right," he conceded.
"What do we do?"
"All we can hope for is they behave themselves once we reach the lab."
Well, at least he knew where they were headed.
"I guess you're right. If we had enough time, we could have dropped them off…" But that wouldn't work. They could say that the three of them were sick, but one, that was a dang big coincidence, and two, Claytrall had already seen them today, all with clean bills of health.
Claytrall. The most respected scientist to walk the halls of the laboratory. That was, except for the one in charge of the facility itself. That went without saying.
Claytrall was the leader of their little "project" and it was a great honor to be working with him. He wasn't a specialist in any particular subject. He didn't need to be. Simply speaking, the guy was a genius. And simply speaking…
Desiree didn't trust him. Not fully, anyway. He acted kind of oddly, but she supposed that might be normal for a genius. One thing was certainly true, though. He was shielding himself. And from what, she didn't know. But whatever fact she tried to attribute it to, she couldn't get rid of the feeling. It made no sense, but emotions and "feelings" rarely did.
"Ah well," sighed Desiree. No use thinking about it now. Glancing out the window, she caught sight of a familiar neighborhood. Almost there.
Turning back to her thoughts, she hoped her little addition to the project went unnoticed. If Claytrall found out, or anyone else for that matter, they would believe she didn't trust the supervisor's judgment-which could have disastrous results. Hmm. I wonder why Claytrall didn't think of it himself.
Desiree realized that they were only a few blocks from the lab. She hoped they weren't too late. That might not look too good on the record. She could just see it now.
Tardy to Emergency Meeting Due to Overindulgence of Spiked Fruit Punch.
No, that wouldn't be good at all.
Especially for the top research team.
No. Dr. Doppler wouldn't like that at all.
**********
Claytrall checked his internal chronometer. They were late. Good, he thought. I'm running a bit behind myself.
He quickly strode to the nearest computer console and tapped in a series of commands.
Accessing…WARNING: Activation of Trigger Program SUBRESLT will overwrite actual data upload. Continue? Yes.
Would you like to view total COMMAND sequence?Might as well make sure everything was correct. Didn't want any slip-ups.
Yes.
Upon access of SCANVIR Program, commands shall be rerouted to CLAYSYN, subsequently activating T.Program SUBRESLT. Overwrite of current data upload will be imminent. Once task goals are achieved, all attached files will be wiped from Mainframe. Satisfactory?
Claytrall hesitated for the slightest of moments, but finalized the sequence. Collapsing into the closest chair, he heaved a sigh of relief, finally letting himself relax.
Done. I'm finally done.
The hardest part was over. Everything after this would seem simple in comparison. Transport would begin early tomorrow.
Leaning back, Claytrall let out another sigh. For now, all he had to do was wait.
**********
Supporting Krystyn with her shoulder, Desiree was the last to step off the bus. Turning, she began to address the driver.
"Hey, tha-," was as far as she got when the door slid shut in her face. The bus then shot off into the quiet of night.
"Oh well. No tip for him then," she sighed. "Time to get down to business."
Desiree strode with conviction to the front of the group and faced them all. A steely glint flashed in her eyes.
"O-kay! Listen up. We're about to enter the most respected lab in the country, hell, probably even the world. Let me make this clear. I want no less than the best from you, and for those of you who had too much punch, well," she narrowed her eyes at the accused three. "Just be quiet and behave yourselves."
'"Yes ma'am," saluted Dorn jokingly.
"Let's just get inside."
The pack of young scientists made their way to the entrance. Desiree then slid her keycard in the entry slot.
"Desiree Ambyule. Welcome," chirped a pleasant female voice as the door's seals separated and opened.
They all stepped inside and were then momentarily met by George, a microfusion specialist.
"Hey guys. Whoa, what happened?" he gasped in response at the trio.
"One too many dips into the happy punch bowl of life and late night parties," responded Desiree.
"Oh… I see," George mused with brows raised. "So what are you guys doing here this late? Oh wait, lemme guess." He held up a hand. "It has something to do with whatever's in basement floor three, huh?"
Desiree appeared surprised. "How'd you know?"
"Well, considering that floor has been put on "restricted" status for quite a while, rumors have been floating here and there about what's down there. Everything from weapons research to mutated bunnies. Though I have no idea what good mutated bunnies would do." He scratched his head.
"Also, considering how often you guys are together all the time, and two, no one ever sees you around inside except to get some java led to guessing. Put two and two together…" he stopped. "Well, you get the picture."
"So much for security," Dorn rolled his eyes.
"Dangit!" Desiree exclaimed looking at her watch. "We're late! Sorry, George, we gotta go!"
She grabbed Krystyn by the arm as they started past George.
"Any chance telling me what's up?"
"Even if we could, we don't have much of a clue ourselves!" called Desiree over her shoulder.
"Good luck then!" George called as the seven entered the lift.
"Thanks. We'll be needing it," Desiree muttered as the lift door shut.
**********
"You're late," stated Claytrall dryly.
Desiree and company stepped out of the lift. All of them fidgeted in one way or the other. The first chewed her lip in response.
"Sorry, sir. We, erm, got held up."
Claytrall shook his head.
"No need to explain. It was a late call, I'll admit. Hmm, it's almost midnight," he said to no one in particular.
"Well, let's get moving then. Please, sit down."
Desiree grabbed a chair and sat Krystyn down, who then fell back asleep. She shook Krystyn on the shoulders.
"Stay awake, Krysty. This is important."
"Oh, okay," she murmured.
Grabbing a chair for herself, Desiree plunked down. She caught a glimpse of Aero separating Jonathan and Glitch's chairs a few feet apart, while Dorn and Biome took their seats quietly.
Once they were all seated, Claytrall nodded and began.
"A short while ago, I got a communication. It seems that our project is running a bit slower than intended. So in light of this, I opted to conduct the final test a bit sooner. If this is satisfactory, I wish to start now."
As they all stood up, Desiree looked at Claytrall quizzically.
"Are we ready? I think we have the necessary components completed, but…" she looked skeptical.
"No worries, Ms. Ambyule. I have all of the equipment set up. I am assured that we are ready for this. All we need to do is conduct the test. Oh, and I also took the liberty of conducting the checklist."
"Sounds good to me," agreed Biome.
"All righty then. Let's see if all this work was put to good use," grinned Dorn.
"Okay. The capsule containment field is working, correct?"
"Yes, but we all know that hasn't stopped it before."
"Still… Well, the seals are in place? …Wait. Why am I asking? Sorry, sir. I know you already completed the checklist."
Desiree's cheeks reddened slightly.
"No harm done. You can't be too careful."
She inwardly gave a sigh of relief.
"Thank you sir."
"Is the pathogen secure?"
"Affirmative."
"Activate the scanner."
"Done."
"Are the reading accurate?"
"Seems like it. No abnormalities."
"All right. Entering final phase."
"Initiate pathogen transferal."
"Scanners are picking up readings from pathogen."
"Keep transferring."
"I'm getting increased readings!"
"That's normal. Continue."
Desiree's eyes were wide in anticipation accompanied with fear as she gazed at the scanner readout. If this worked, they may have just as well hit gold. But if they failed, tons of money, supplies, and resources could metaphorically "go down the drain."
"Come on, come on!" she whispered.
"We should see results at any moment," murmured Claytrall.
A pause and then-
"Wait! I've got something on the scanner! The pathogen has stopped spreading! It-it's disappearing! Ten percent, twenty, forty, seventy-five-it's all gone! Just like the Sims!"
Cheers erupted throughout the room.
"Woo-hoo!"
"We did it!!"
"Pah-tay!!!"
Desiree couldn't believe it. It worked! She looked at Claytrall, and not surprisingly, he was only giving a reserved smile. She almost told him to perk up, but remembered who it was in time.
"Congratulations, everyone. Our project was a success. This is spectacular," he applauded.
"Should we report our findings immediately?"
"No, let us wait until tomorrow." Claytrall paused.
"Actually, it seems it already is. Let's all get some rest and meet back here at 1100 hours. Then we can let the world know."
"Oooooh! This is SO cool!" squealed the finally awake and vibrant Krystyn.
"Wow! The sleepin' beauty is awake. Amazing!"
"How couldn't I be? This is great!"
"Looks like someone won't be needing to sleep tonight," said Dorn. "But these two sure will." He jerked his thumb at Jonathan and Glitch who were sitting half awake, their bodies slumped in their seats. "Looks like it's time for that cure for the "cooties."
"Cooties?" Claytrall looked mildly amused.
"Uh, long story doc. Well, looks like I'm gonna get some rest done." Dorn stretched out. "I'm a bit tired myself."
"Good idea there. I'll be heading out myself," agreed Desiree. "I must say it's been an eventful night."
"Then it's settled. You've all been a great asset to this project. Thank you for a job well done. Now, let's-"
That was as far as Claytrall got before all hell broke loose.
**********
*ALERT! ALERT! ALL PERSONNEL EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY! ALERT!*
"What in God's name is that?!" yelled Glitch.
The alarm seemed to have an instant effect on both Jonathan and Glitch. An adrenaline rush seemed to surge through them.
"Shee-it!" exclaimed Aero.
Claytrall's mask of calm seemed slightly broken.
No! Not now! This isn't the time! Why? Something must have happened. Claytrall's mind was in turmoil.
"THAT is the Maverick alarm, my colleagues," he warned.
"WHAT? No frackin' way! There hasn't been a major attack for nearly three years!"
"It seems our luck has run out."
"Oh gawd, oh gawd, oh gawd," chanted a hyperventilating Krystyn.
"Oh NO," Jonathan gasped.
"I suggest we leave quickly. Krystyn. Jonathan. Desiree. Leave now. You are most vulnerable. I'll be needing help from your other colleagues."
A flash of something went across Desiree's face.
"But Claytrall, I-"
"No buts. Go. Try and find the Hunters and take refuge with them. More than likely, they will be here soon enough."
All three of the humans' faces were troubled.
"Then we wish you luck. Try and make it out alive, please," pleaded Desiree.
"Go."
And with that, the trio ran for the elevator.
"Good luck," whispered Desiree.
And again, the lift doors closed.
**********
"All right. We need to get our "projects" out NOW. Hook up the warp generators."
"Sir?"
"Do it."
"Why do you need our help?"
"Simple. I need extra pairs of hands. Biome, make sure the pathogen is still contained. Dorn, grab yourself a weapon from that storage locker over there and keep your eyes trained on the door. Glitch, make sure the projects are ready for warping. And Aero. I want you to hook up the warp generators."
All of them went to work on their assignments and were finished within a minute.
"Aero, are systems running at peak efficiency?"
"Yeah."
"I'm uploading warp data to the generators… Done."
"What are you going to do?"
Claytrall walked slowly to the back of the lab. He began to speak with his back to the rest of the scientists.
"Once again, a simple explanation. I'm warping the projects out of here to a safer environment."
"Like where?! We have no idea what's going on outside the lab!"
"Don't worry about that."
"Dang! I'm reading Mavs coming in. They're within 200 yards of our position. You better hurry it up!" exclaimed Dorn.
Claytrall turned to face the group with a solemn expression.
"It's been wonderful working with you all, and I hope to see you again very soon."
"The heck you mean?!"
"Huh?"
"But now it's time. A bit earlier than expected but everything should work out."
And then Claytrall's mask shattered completely.
"Sayonara, my colleagues," he growled.
Gone was the mask of professionalism and cool calmness, and in its place seemed to be an exact opposite.
"This is messed! I don't know what's going on!"
Claytrall just smiled darkly as he flew up in a white beam of light with two companions into oblivion.
**********
"Yaaaaahhh! What are we going to do?"
"Guys, think! Just warp out! It's not that hard!" yelled Biome.
"Good idea. I'm tapping in… NOW!"
Nothing happened.
"We're locked OUT! Claytrall, whoever that was, must have done it!"
"Dang it guys! The Mavs are within 75 yards from our position!"
"This is it. Dorn, grab us some weapons."
Dorn solemnly went to the locker and took three more plasma rifles and tossed them at him comrades.
"This may be the last time we see each other, so here goes. I'm really gonna miss you guys! Let's do this now, even if we don't win. It's better than just sitting and waiting for something to happen. Let's go down fighting!"
"Yeah!"
"Let's do it!
"THEY'RE HERE!" came a startling cry.
Just then, the door buckled from an outside force.
And uttering the final words to be heard from their human companions, they raised their rifles.
"Good luck…" breathed Biome.
It started.
**********
"Damn it," muttered Claytrall.
The projects were nowhere to be found.
"The Mavericks must have put up a warp scrambler field around the entire complex!"
Warp scrambler fields only worked on large areas-at least a two-kilometer radius. It changed the destination implied in the warp code to a random location somewhere within the field. It was good for getting the jump on your attacker.
"Why'd they have to get smart NOW?" he growled. "Why wasn't I warned?!"
"All that, WASTED!"
He picked up incoming signals. Friend or foe, he wasn't sure.
"Screw this!" He took off in a run away from the complex. Claytrall had only managed to land a quarter of a mile away from his original position.
Checking his scanner, he saw the signals were increasing in speed and were heading in his direction.
"This is futile," he spat. He stopped running at stood completely still.
"Come and get me, whoever you are. I'm done."
**********
"Move, MOVE!" screamed Desiree.
She, Krystyn, and Jonathan were running. Running to what, they didn't know. She just prayed they'd run into some friendly faces. It might be stupid, but it was better than waiting to be slaughtered.
Desiree was in the lead, while Jonathan was running in the rear.
"Do you WANT them to catch us?!"
Plasma fire flashed to their right.
"This way!" If there were two opposing forces, one of them had to be friendly.
A scream sounded behind Desiree. She whipped around with lightning agility.
Standing in front of Jonathan was a dark figure. Jonathan just stood with a look of terror plastered across his face.
"Didn't your mother tell you to stay inside at night?" it rasped.
And with that, it shot a large ball of white-hot plasma at Jonathan, who became nothing more than ash.
"Oh dear lord," whispered Desiree in shock.
"Who's next?" it seemed to grin.
Krystyn and Desiree took off at a run.
It made a clicking sound with its tongue. This definitely had to be one of the more advanced Mavericks.
"You can't run, and are fools for doing so," it warned. It shot a pellet of plasma at Krystyn who immediately crumpled to the ground. The Maverick then proceeded to dash in front of Desiree, who pulled out and ignited a glowing deep purple saber.
"Your turn, honey."
"At least give me a fighting chance!" she pleaded. Gimme a chance…
It stood for a moment, pondering this.
"Fine. This should be fun." It tossed her a beam saber that it had been holding. Desiree switched it on and swung it through the air in a lazy arc, getting the feel for it.
"Let's play!" it bellowed.
It whipped out another concealed saber and brought it down hard, which Desiree then blocked with her own parry. She twisted her body and brought the saber down so that it would hit the Mavericks midsection, but it dashed out of the way. It tried to sideswipe her with another swing, but she stopped it with a down-slash from her saber. Her strength was wavering as the Maverick slowly was pushing the saber nearer to her body. She had one card left.
Desiree quickly stepped to the right, putting her opponent off balance and shot at it with amazing speed, slamming the Maverick to the ground with her shoulder.
"What-? How-? …You have dash thrusters?! Then-"
"Got that right, buster," she said as she brought the blade down, thus ending the Mavericks life. She stood in silence as the cool night air whipped her hair 'round.
"Got that right."
Nearby shouts caught her attention, and prayed that it wasn't more Mavericks. Two figures appeared out of the darkness.
"Hey-Whoa momma! We're Hunters. We're here to help!"
Desiree realized she still had the beam saber lit. Quickly, she switched it off.
"Sorry 'bout that. Thank god you weren't Mavericks!"
Desiree took a silent look at her colleagues', her FRIENDS' bodies, one nothing more than dust on the breeze.
"Forgive me. I couldn't stop it…" she pleaded quietly.
One of the Hunters cast a look over Desiree's shoulder.
"Holy-! Did you do that?!"
"Huh?" Desiree turned her preoccupied thoughts to the two Hunters.
"Oh. Uh, yeah. I don't really want to talk about it."
One of the two Hunters whistled.
"That's a heck of a job you did there. That was one of the more advanced Mavs. I'm surprised you were able to slag it."
Desiree closed her eyes.
"I want to…to make them pay for what they've done."
"We could definitely use some more help in the Hunters…"
"Yeah… I'll think about it."
"Let's go. Don't wanna get caught sittin' here like ducks out of water."
With one last glance at her friends, who five minutes ago had been live and vibrant people, she started off with the two Hunters into new unknowns.
Goodbye…New beginnings were upon her.
**********
Half a kilometer away…"Hey, come take a look at this!"
"What? We're supposed to be scouting for Mavericks!"
"This is way better than any Maverick!"
"Oh hold on!"
The second speaker hiked up the hill.
"What-Holy heck?! What is that doing here?"
"I don't know… Let's warp back to base and have Blaze and Cain take a look."
"I agree… But do you think they'll be angry? I mean, we'll kind of have left our posts."
"Don't worry 'bout that. I have a feeling this is more important than what we're doing right now."
What could be more important than scouting for Mavericks in a major attack? Oh well. I'll just have to trust him.
"I hope you're right."
"I said, don't worry about it! Warp to base immediately! I'll grab the package."
"Roger!"
Two blazes of light shot up, holding a find that could very well open another chapter in the Hunters' Saga.