Chapter 6 Road To New Exodus

Joanna

July 23rd, 2017

12:20 PM

Meridian Prime, Meridian Prime

High Rent District

"Her resistance to the micro-surgeon needles was unsurprisingly unlimited," said Apollo.

Alkaline and I were discussing Alex's interrogation results with Apollo in an office of the Admin building. What was left of it that is. The answers we got from Alex were simple.

"The cousin of the traveler tells some interesting stories of her journey competing with the likes of yourselves," he continued. "They seemed to have no troubles whatsoever collecting the Eternity Shards themselves. They just had more trouble keeping them out of Ares's fingers."

"And where did they find the Time Shard?" I asked. "A smaller island off the coast of this one. Protected by our deserter Chronos. Who lent Max the shard himself in her care."

"Still doesn't answer where Max has gone if she's still alive out there," said Alkaline.

"Alex tells me she and Max were on their way to New Exodus in search of the Ark of Genesis," said Apollo. "If that's where we must go to find the ark ourselves, that's where we should be."

"Did she mention any names about the other person Max is with now from the reports we got?" I wondered.

"I'm glad you asked. I did too. Our captive spoke of two names. Rachel Amber and Chloe Price. If you're familiar with those identities?"

"I am. In fact, our men spotted Chloe back in Rome when I confronted Max. I almost regret not taking her in for insurance but Ares told us to leave her be when we got the opportunity. At least we now have Alex to play that role."

Then someone came barging into the room. Ares and his two other Dark Order minions Nemesis and Thanatos. It was now Ares's turn to talk.

"Have we found answers out of Alex Caulfield?" Ares asked.

"We have one minor lead, sire," said Apollo. "From Alex's interrogation, she and Max were off to New Exodus to get to the ark. Right before Alkaline's men ambushed the two. We also have another individual that has joined Max's opposition. One by the names of either Chloe Price or Rachel Amber."

"I know those names. The Mind Shard allowed me to see their faces with Max's memory I had capsuled with that shard. I have yet to meet both Rachel and Chloe and if anyone of them is with Max at this moment, they all must be stopped."

"I have some men searching the north side of the island for the ark," said Elias. "Should I inform them of Max's destination?"

"No need," said Ares. "If they get there, tell them that's where Max will be. Have your men search every corner of New Exodus for the Ark of Genesis when they arrive. I will send Nemesis and Thanatos out to dispose of the traveler and her companion. Joanna, Elias, and Apollo come with me to New Exodus individually."

"Ares, if I may," I said. "Perhaps we should bring Alex and that rebel fighter with us? Maybe Alex could show us the way to New Exodus if she knew the way with Max?"

"It might make sense to bring Alex along," said Elias. "But Dhaled? I'll see him in hell."

"We can find a place to kill them both when we have to unless you just kill Dhaled now and Alex later when ready. Apollo, should you have an opinion?"

"I may vouch for Lady Joanna, sire," said Apollo. "The resistance colonel may no longer be much use to us but Alex can."

"Take both prisoners with us," ordered Ares. "Alex will lead us to New Exodus while we can deal with the colonel later. Nemesis, Thanatos, you both know what to do."

"It will be done, sire," said Nemesis. "We will not fail you."

Cayce

July 23rd, 2017

12:15 PM

Meridian Prime

Meridian Falls

David had taken Kristine and me up to higher ground over a waterfall where the ground was rocky. The sight of the falls itself escalated to more falls on even higher ground and since we were still located near the shore where we dropped down, it made the view even prettier overlooking the Mediterranean sea while standing on a rocky platform where a river was falling.

We also get a sight of a strange mountain with a curved peak at the top. It made me feel uneasy staring at it for whatever reason compared to glancing at the distance of the ocean.

"Some view, isn't it?" I asked Kristine.

"Yep," she answered. "Just like Arcadia Bay back home. That lighthouse view if you've ever been there."

"Sure have. At least once or twice when I attended Blackwell. And to think Oregon was the edge of the world."

We hear engines humming in the air. It sounded like a plane engine. Then we spot a seaplane flying in the distance in front of us. Hovering over the ocean flying around the arc of the island.

"What is that?" Kristine wondered.

"Commander, look," I pointed. "It's a plane. Doesn't look like it's from ConDef though. What do you make of it?"

"This is Commander David Madsen of the North American Chrysalis Branch," said David on his radio. "Identify yourself on that plane."

"This Bryan Caulfield," a voice responded. "This is my plane. Am I disturbing more Chrysalis turf?"

"David Madsen?" A female voice "Is that you?! This is Rachel. Rachel Amber? I can't believe it's you!"

"Rachel?!" I snapped joyfully on the radio. "Holy shit. This is Cayce. Cayce Foley. Remember me?!"

"Cayce?! Jesus Christ, what a small world this is! What are you doing here?"

"Aren't we all asking the same question, Rachel," said David. "I assume you got yourself mixed into Max's secret mission and went with Chloe to find her as well?"

"I sure did. I'm with Frank and Max's uncle Bryan right now to help."

"Max's uncle?"

"This is Bryan. I am her uncle. I gave Chloe and friends a ride over here to rescue Max and my daughter Alex. Max's cousin."

"A cousin too?" David thought. "Hold on, you're the ones Ryan brought up. I met your brother. Max's father. He spoke of your falling out from before. I've heard about your history."

"I think you've heard plenty," said Max's uncle named Bryan. "We could see you three hanging out on those falls. Chloe mentioned you being her step-dad and your role in Chrysalis. I assume you're all here for the same reason if I'm right."

"We are. You wouldn't happen to know where Max and Chloe are now, do you?"

"I just contacted them minutes ago warning them about ConDef enforcing themselves north of the island. Chloe and Max are safe for now but Alex got herself captured by the enemy. As of now your step-daughter and Max are head for an abandoned colony called New Exodus. I bet that's where Alex and ConDef are headed too."

"Copy that. None of us are leaving this island without them anyway. If you have anything to report, be sure to use this channel. And be sure to look out a Chrysalis chopper we rode on that's running reconnaissance of the island as well. We'll inform our pilot of your presence."

"As you wish, Commander. Over and out."

"Wait, David," said Rachel. "I have something to say to Cayce. May I?"

"You may," replied.

"I'm glad we got to speak again, Cayce. Long-time no see."

"It's nice to hear your voice too, Rach," I said. "I'm glad I got to rescue your father back in San Fran. He sends his regards."

"I appreciate it. Rachel out."

"So now we have other family members of Max to worry about too," said Kristine. "He said it was her cousin, right?"

"One thing's for sure is that it won't be easy rescuing this Alex girl related to Max if she's being held hostage by ConDef," said David. "Let's hope the same doesn't happen to Max herself nor Chloe. Lynch to you read me? We've got a situation."

"All ears, David," responded Lynch. "What's up?"

"Sounds like we've got civilians on this island accompanying Max. Flying a G-21 Seaplane. If you spot it, do not engage. They're related or friends of our mission."

"Copy that, Commander. I'll mark it as friendly if I see it. Lynch out."

"So, what's our next stop, David?" I asked.

"New Exodus," said David. "Wherever that is, it's north of this island as Max's uncle mentioned. Let's keep it moving."

Chloe

July 23rd, 2017

12:14 PM

Meridian Rainforest

Meridian Rivers

On the way forward to New Exodus, Max and I were marching our way near the river we escaped from to get there. We could see the bridge that was out thanks to the dead weight of our car from where we walked. Maybe that could slow down some ConDef who haven't made it north yet. Too bad most of them are gonna get to New Exodus by car and not by foot. My feet were gonna murder me as they did on the hike to our camping trip Dad took us on a decade ago.

"At least we're on the right side of the river now," said Max.

"Yeah," I said. "That woulda been bad."

On the right side of the river, I see some kind of opening upstream where we can proceed to New Exodus. If it takes us there.

"I see an opening up there," I said.

"Good call," said Max. "Now, how do we get up there?"

The only way we were getting up there was by doing more climbing over higher ledges and mantling on higher ground. In doing so, it made me wonder how Ezra's people were able to travel around the island? It must've been easier for them a hundred years before since the bridges were more stable and the buildings were more intact. The more I thought about, the more curious I was about the island.

"Ezra sure picked a gorgeous island," I said.

"Well, maybe we can come back here on vacation, huh?" Max thought.

"Yeah, maybe."

After more climbing and making it inside the opening, we were in for a dreadful welcome with a pile of bodies that have been deceased for a century. Catching eyes on the carnage of skeletal remains stacked around like a giant hive.

"Whoa," said Max.

"Oh, yikes," I said.

"Well, judging by the clothes…they're colonists. Maybe it was a fight?"

"No, I – I don't think so. Look how they're arranged."

"Yeah, you're right. They're stacked. Or just shoved against the walls."

"They were already dead when they were brought here. This is a mass grave, Max."

Past the opening, our road to New Exodus was getting even deadlier. We now had to feast our eyes on a bunch of spiked cages with skeletal corpses inside. We looked at one in particular with a sign written: TRAITOR on it. All of them were branded with the "traitor" sign. Could this explain the bodies from before?

"Hello," said Max.

"Who is this…?" I wondered.

"Well, look at the sign. 'Traitor'. It's one of the rebels."

"That's a bad way to die. Here's another one."

The gibbet cage I looked at could be used to climb higher ground. Max and I walked around a more elevator platform to jump onto the cage and climb over. Max went first. I went second.

"Sorry, buddy," said Max taking her turn to climb. "No disrespect."

Note: So, as you can tell, it's taking a bit longer for me to write and post these chapters due to finals as well as playing Death Stranding, The Outer Worlds, Jedi: Fallen Order, and Knights Of The Old Republic for the first time. Also replaying Mass Effect and The Walking Dead too. Not to mention I'm rewatching every Star Wars film in the Skywalker saga and anthology films before The Rise Of Skywalker hits theaters. A lot of responsibilities to take on as a college student that reduces my time in writing and entertainment. The sooner my semester ends, the better.

As always, until next time, stay tuned and gold!

P.S. Got Disney+ and The Mandalorian is such a badass Star Wars show! Also binging Star Wars Rebels for the first time too. You all have a happy Thanksgiving for those celebrating too. And I will be playing the final episode of Life Is Strange 2 when it's out. I know what to do.