Episode Two: The Descent
Elsewhere on the Gekko, some of the crew had gathered in the commons. Anemone and Dominic sat on the couch watching a regional news broadcast while Stoner sat at the center table reviewing the latest rayout edition. Matthieu and Hilda walked in while Gidget watched Moondoggie fix the refboard Valkyrie had crashed.
"And we just got this breaking news thanks to our correspondents in Warsaw," the news anchor began, "Sources say the Predgio Tower of Controrado has been accepted into the Moonlight Confederation. If confirmed, Controrado would be the fifty-third tower to defect from the Federation. We have no further details on this breaking story but stay turned to this station for the latest develop-"
Anemone turned off the set and sighed, "Why can't they wait until the official announcement? Anyway, it's pointless until the succession fighting is over. What a bunch of idiots..."
"That's the price we pay for be so inclusive," remarked Matthieu, sitting down near them, "If more people had half-a-brain we wouldn't be dealin' with most of these issues."
"You're one to talk," jabbed Hilda, also sitting, "Though the Federation might just let this one slide."
"That's humanity for you," replied Dominic, "How many centuries have we been around and we're still killing over trivial things? Anyway, Controrado's value is limited so skirmishes may not happen at all."
"You almost gotta give us credit for not killing ourselves off," she sighed.
"Hey Anemone," called Stoner, "Wanna see what'll be on newsstands tomorrow?"
Her eyes lit up as she jumped out of her seat and leaned over his shoulder, "So it's ready!?"
"Yep," he smiled as she took the magazine, "First print copy. I think you'll be pleased with it."
The cover displayed a zoomed photo of her left eye with the title, "Vascud Castrophany".
"Behold the power of a good zoom-lens," smirked Stoner, "I like the way your eye came out."
"It's a decent photo," Anemone agreed, eyeing the cover, "Never been crazy about my eyes; but does the content do this cover justice?"
"It makes a powerful statement," remarked Dominic once she sat back down.
Anemone flipped through the magazine pages to the cover article. The two read intently while Stoner handed Matthieu and Hilda another copy.
"This is good," nodded Dominic after a while, "Seeing as how you compiled in it such a short time."
"I had most of the edition already planned out," explained Stoner, "I was just missing a cover story."
"God, I sound like a complete bitch," remarked Anemone, "Was I really in that bad a mood?"
"Didn't bother to ask," he shrugged, "You were willing to give the interview and I wasn't gonna push the issue. You two had just got back from your reenlistment briefing so..."
She sighed, "Well, at least I was truthful about it. Maybe I need to meditate more."
"Doesn't sound any different from how ya usually are," remarked Matthieu, skimming the article.
Hilda thwacked the back of his head, "Were you born this dumb or do you practice?"
"What was that for?" he protested, cradling the back of his head.
"Exactly," she growled, "Some days you give idiots a bad name."
Anemone just laughed at the sight, "Thank you my dear."
Matthieu only grumbled and snorted.
"Anyone seen Marcus lately?" asked Moondiggie.
"He's in his room," informed Anemone, "Still recovering from Valkyrie's fall; Dr. Mischa's orders."
"Hope they both get better soon," remarked Gidget, "That was too close for comfort."
"What did you need him for anyway?" inquired Dominic.
"Nothing really; just to see if he was up for anything," answered Moondoggie, "Figured we'd get to know him better since we were so busy yesterday. Guess I'll bug him tomorrow."
"Speaking of which," yawned Anemone, "Think I'm gonna turn in early. Good article, Stoner."
He just nodded. She stood up and stretched before walking out. Dominic quickly followed while Moondoggie continued his repairs.
When the door closed, Matthieu smirked, "Pussy whooped..."
Hilda thwacked him again, this time knocking him onto his face.
"Hey, what'd I do now?" he protested again.
"Just shut up and read," she sighed.
Late evening lapsed into late night; but all was not well. Back in Renton's old room, Marcus slept restlessly as a black aura slowly formed around him. Suddenly, his eyes opened, glazed over by a dark haze. Getting up, he grabbed his sunglasses and peered into the hallway. Finding no one about, he cautiously made his way out of the Gekko. He then crossed the tarmac and came upon a transport prop-plane on the other side of the complex. Slightly smaller than the Gekko, it appeared white with a blue hue from the moonlight. Designed for massive loads, the large ship had six turboprops with contra-rotating propellers, reflection skin on its undercarriage and wings, and a split tail. Hearing voices, he discovered the two pilots of the transport drinking coffee next to the retractable stairwell.
"Evenin' blokes," smiled Marcus, rounding the corner and lifting his sunglasses.
"Howdy," smiled one of the pilots, a tall buff man with short brown hair, goatee, and sideburns wearing a blue pilot jumpsuit, "You wouldn't be from that Gekkostate, would ya?"
"True blue mate," he chuckled, though his voice sounded distorted.
"You want some?" asked the other pilot, a taller robust man with a shaved head and auburn beard who wore the same jumpsuit, holding up his coffee mug.
"Not tonight, ta," nodded Marcus respectfully, "So, what you blokes up to?"
"Supposed to unload an archetype for the Tresor boys but we arrived late and only got their new equipment done before they called it a day," the first man replied, "So we're gonna layover and finish up in the morn."
"Good onya mate," he acknowledged, "So, you blokes fancy helpin' me right quick?"
"What's up?" inquired the second pilot.
"Well… need a few thingos needin' to stock the ol' aero with and since I'm the newbie, no one's willin' to help a bloke out," he explained with a shrug.
"Sure; think we can help ya," smiled the first pilot, "We've all been there."
The two finished their coffee before Marcus led them to one of the small personal doors of a nearby hanger. Finding it unlocked, to his surprise, he switched on the lights and discovered a janitorial closet. The two pilots chuckled.
"Well, blokes, shall we give it bash?" he grinned, turning around.
Before they could answer, he grabbed their shoulders and slammed their heads together, knocking both out. He then stuffed them inside and turned off the light.
"Sorry mates, but got somethin' important to do with that archetype," he said, securing the door.
He proceeded back to the transport plane and boarded it. Entering the cockpit, he stared at the controls, which were highlighted by various family pictures from the pilots. After closing his eyes for a moment, Marcus began to operate the controls as if he was an experienced pilot. Powering the turboprops, he readied the craft for flight.
"Delta-Sierra-Cossack to Tower; request departure clearance," he called, imitating the first pilot.
"Copy departure, Delta-Sierra," replied Tower Control, "Thought you boys were in layover."
"Family emergency," explained Marcus, imitating the second pilot, "Even got backhaul!"
"Roger," acknowledged Tower Control, "Delta-Sierra, taxi to runway zero-one-charley."
"Wilco," he accepted, as the first pilot, "Taxi to runway zero-one-charley, Delta-Sierra."
The turboprops whined loudly as the craft slowly moved into position.
"Delta-Sierra-Cossack," radioed Marcus, as the first, "Request heading one-two-four-mark."
"One-two-four-mark, Delta-Sierra," repeated Tower Control, "God's speed and safe flight."
"All the same," he confirmed, as the second pilot, engaging all six engines to full power.
With increasing speed, the transport rolled down the runway and soon took to the sky. With a gentle turn, he headed towards the trapar lay-line. Shortly thereafter, back in the Gekko, Holland groggily walked down the hallways with a very awake Vernon in hand. Coming across Renton's old room, he decided to check in on Marcus. After a couple knocks went unanswered, he shrugged and continued his rove, trying to get his son to sleep. When he finally got to bed, the witching hour had passed. Morning came and progressed slowly and uneventfully until a priority message rang loudly in his room, causing Holland to jump and fall out of bed. Talho and Vernon continued to sleep soundly.
"Yeah, go ahead," he yawned, answering the call while slowing getting to his knees.
"Holland, where's Marcus!?" demanded Dr. Morita angrily.
"Wha...? In his room; why?" he asked with another yawn.
"Think you better double-check that," rebuffed Dr. Morita, "I got two assaulted pilots and a hijacked transport with a stolen archetype inside."
Holland stared vacantly at the monitor for a moment. Racing to the room in his boxers, he found it unoccupied. Fed up, he growled and sighed, resting his head against the wall. A short time later, an emergency all-hands alert sounded while Holland, now fully dressed, stormed down into the bridge.
"Holland, what the hell's going on?" demanded Hap.
"Gidget, get me Dr. Morita!" he growled, sitting in the Captain's chair, "And put us on the P.A."
"Go ahead," she informed after scrambling to her seat.
"Holland, we confirmed his location," announced Dr. Morita over the intercom, "He's heading for the Tian Shan Mountains via the Lay-Line. He'll be in range of the subterranean caverns in a couple hours. Damn; never seen trapars push a craft so far in so little time; better get Gekko airborne fast."
"Right, we'll make a suborbital jump and surprise him," acknowledged Holland, "Gekko out."
"Holland, what's the emergency?" demanded Talho with a cranky Vernon in hand.
"It's Marcus," he replied sternly, "Everyone, listen up! It appears Marcus has hijacked a transport carrier with an archetype inside and is heading towards the Tian Shan Mountains. We don't know what his motivation or intent is. Prepare for trajectory flight."
"What does this mean?" she asked, now shocked, "Why is he doing this?"
"I don't know," he sighed, clenching his fists, "But I intend to find out."
Talho looked down at the floor, confusion and anger in her face. When she looked up, Dominic and Anemone were standing near her with shocked and confused expressions.
"You two best get seated," she sighed, finding her own seat, "We'll be taking the suborbital route."
"I don't get it," remarked Anemone, sitting beside her at the Compac table, "What is he planning?"
"None of us do," Gidget replied disheartened, "But that's what we'll find out, right? …I hope."
The Gekko taxied onto the runway and quickly ascended into the sky. Moondoggie engaged the afterburners and launched the ship into the stratosphere. Soon they entered suborbital flight. During their trip, Dominic retrieved the renegade's backpack. Inside they found a family album, music player and speakers, "Utilitarianism" and another publication entitled "On Liberty", several small maps of various regions including a world map, toiletries, a small first aid kit, and several award metals for lifting competitions. Talho and Anemone browsed the album, finding photos of Marcus and his family during happier times. They also found a few from their own time with Sumner and Ruri. On the last couple pages, there was a set of photos with Gekkostate and the Swallowtails.
"Hey Stoner, when did we ever take a group photo with Marcus?" inquired Talho.
"We haven't," he replied, "Not officially; why?"
"Take a look at this," she said, handing him the album.
Stoner and some others looked at the photos.
"What the...?" though Holland aloud, "Stoner, you take these?"
"Those aren't mine, leader," he denied, "For starters, I'm in some of 'em. The only photos I've taken haven't even been developed yet."
"Wait, I remember this," recalled Matthieu, "There wasn't anyone standing over there. Look at the angle and position; unless I'm crazy."
"You're right," remarked Hilda, "What the hell is going on here?"
"Stranger and stranger still," concluded Stoner, "Guess there's more to him than we thought."
"Anything else of interest in there?" asked Holland.
"Not really," answered Dominic, "Couple of antiquated social books, a few maps, and these metals."
"Metals?" questioned Hilda, "You mean he was competing?"
"Guess so," confirmed Matthieu, looking at one, "Must have really been outta it back then to make it in these events and not realize where or when he was; poor kid."
Talho took back the album while Dominic skimmed through the books. Holland returned to his seat and mulled over the situation as Hilda and Matthieu studied the maps. When most of them were done, Anemone put their items back while listening to a few tracks from the music player. Shortly thereafter, they began descending. It was a clear night over the Tian Shan Mountain Range when the Gekko reentered the atmosphere and headed for the subterranean opening. Scaring and fissures across the mountain range were alight by green glowing scub coral.
Tension ran high as the Gekko, having not detected the transport above ground, banked hard to the right, inverted, and descended into the black hole. As they cleared the entrance tube, the scub coral brightened considerably, causing bioluminescence to flood the cavern; below, the waters, too, glowed from submerged scub coral. Leveling out, the Delta-Sierra-Cossack finally came into view, completing a right-banked turn a couple hundred kilometers to the right and near half in altitude.
"There he is," growled Holland, "Gidget, get me..."
"You're live!" she interrupted.
He smirked briefly, "Marcus! Just what the hell are you up to?"
"Putting right what once went wrong, Boss," he replied before ending the transmission.
While the Gekko came about, the Delta-Sierra began to ascend and head towards the entrance hole.
"Doggie, cut him off!" instructed Holland.
"Holland, think you should see this," advised Hap.
He viewed the feed from a small screen that emerged from the side of the chair on his right.
"We picked up massive tectonic shifts from one of the islands," informed Waz, "And check this out."
The screen split, showing tectonic data on the left and a feed on the right that displayed the remains of TheEND covered with fresh scub coral growths that appeared to be fusing with it.
"What the hell?" Holland huffed.
"Holland!" yelled Ken-Goh.
The Gekko had completed its turn and when the Delta-Sierra opened is rear cargo doors.
"What is he doing?" asked Dominic, looking first at the transport, then Waz's monitor.
Suddenly, the archetype was released into freefall for a short distance before trapar waves caught it and directed its descent towards the remains of TheEND. The crew watched in disbelief.
"Confirmed; trapars wave are manipulating the archetype," informed Waz, "This is not good."
"Does this mean the Coralians are involved?" asked Talho.
"I don't know," Holland snorted, "But I don't like the look of it."
The archetype raced toward the ground. At the last second, the scub coral shot upward and seemed to catch the archetype before immediately merging with it.
"He's-he's trying to-to…" Anemone stuttered, her body quivering in fear, "He-he's com-coming…"
"Holland!" yelled Hap, "The transport's stalling!"
"What!?" he replied as they watch the now vertical Delta-Sierra begin to fall back towards them.
"Doggie, evasive maneuvers!" commanded Talho while everyone braced themselves.
"Like ya gotta tell me!" he sneered, already turning.
The Gekko banked sharply to the left. Meanwhile, a dark figure could be seen jumping from the carrier. Marcus opened his parachute and watched the trapars take a hold of the transport while the Gekko passed below and leveled out. Gekkostate watched in awe as the Delta-Sierra slammed into the remains of TheEND and exploded in a gigantic fireball that engulfed the island.
"Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble," quoted Marcus to the Gekko.
"Marcus, what're you up to?" demanded Talho, taking command while Holland ran towards the hanger.
"Retribution," he replied, using his headset, "And justice; givin' a voice to the voiceless."