Blam, I'm back, with another chapter like I said I would. We're almost done, the next chapter will end this two year old story, or maybe the chapter after that, we'll just see what happens when I type. But till then, I leave you with:
RaC Nightmares Series: Earth Bound
Chapter 30: 21 Days Gone
- Estimated Time left in Transit – Eighteen Days -
"Who knew that a simple bribe to an underpaid guard would actually work. I thought that crap only worked in action movies and video games." Sky kept his thoughts to himself as he dashed from tree to tree of the white house lawn. Dressed in his stealth coverings, and thanks to a few gadgets of Stella's that he had, Sky was rendered invisible to the Terran cameras and sensors, and he stuck to the shadows to escape the patrolling guards.
After a few minutes of this he eventually reached the side of the White House, according to Chessa, this was where the president was most of the time. Following her instructions, he creeped around the side until he saw something that Chessa said he couldn't miss.
Ship Yards that were dug two-hundred feet into the ground were kinda hard to miss.
Sky went up to the side and looked down, what he saw impressed him slightly, rather then building in space, the Terrans were stubbornly building down on the planet, at least their star fighters anyway. The fields that Zen had dug here were massive, and most likely stretched as far as two miles. It would take a very long time for the planet to recover from this. Not to mention the gallons of smoke and acrid gasses that were being pumped into the air above it by the smelting and forging process. Sky double checked to make sure that the cloth that was covering his face was still there before he glanced along the side and spotted the ladder that Chessa had described, next to it about halfway down was a vent, just big enough for a Cezar Lombax mix to crawl into.
Working his way down the ladder Sky found that the panel for the vent came off easily, and he slipped inside replacing the vent cover behind him. He moved through the vents following the last of Chessa's instructions, a left here, a right there, straight through here after jamming the fan. It wasn't long till he found himself staring out through a vent cover at a while hallway. For a second Sky flashed back to his child hood and sneaking through the vents, but quickly shook himself out of it.
Double checking to make sure nobody was coming, Sky popped the vent cover off and slid to the ground, he replaced the vent cover, but left it loose so that he could make a quick getaway, just in case, before he turned his attention back to the hallway. This late at night, most of the lights in these hallways were shut off, easing how hard he would need to work to stay hidden. It was at this point that Chessa just told him what direction the Oval Office was in and wished him luck. Zen had all plans removed, and the White House had been rebuilt a hundred years ago after the wars. Nobody they sent in had ever made it that far, the last one who had tried had been captured by a guard before she could get out.
Sky moved down the halls, exploring and avoiding guards as needed until he opened one door and found himself in the Oval office. Sky scoffed quietly, oval indeed. Looking around he quickly came to the conclusion that Zen wasn't here, so he moved over to the desk and checked through the drawers quickly, he found Zens two holdout pistols and removed them, and then he chose a nice big bookshelf that was pushed up next to a wall and hid in its shadow, and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
When Sky was almost ready to just head back and try another night, he felt a pressure against his shoulder, he moved away from the bookshelf and found to his surprise it was moving, and as it moved it reveled a doorway just as the door slid down into the ground and Zen stepped out of what looked like an elevator. Sky quickly pushed himself against the wall and hoped the deep shadows kept him hidden, he moved along the wall as the Bookshelf door closed. Sky waited for Zen to turn around, but he never did, he just walked over to his desk and stared out at the shipyards. Sky waited a few minutes before he reached for a device on his belt, he pushed his thumb against it and felt the device warm up before it vibrated twice to tell him that it was ready and active.
Taking a silent breath Sky stepped away from the wall and into the center of the Oval office. "President Zen."
Sky wished he had his camera with him so that he could have kept Zens face for future memory. Zen had spun around at the sound of Sky's voice and glared into the darkness in shock. After a moment he reached forward and pulled the string on his desk lamp, giving a soft glow to the room. When he saw Sky he reached down and slapped his hand against a button hidden underneath the desk. When nothing happened Zen glanced down towards one of his previously hidden guns.
Sky shook his head "No alarms Zen," Stella's invention on his belt took care of that. "Believe it or not, I'm just here to talk."
Zen glanced again towards his drawer where he kept his gun.
Sky shook his head again. "No guns either Zen, just as I'm not armed, I'm really just here to talk."
Zen glared at Sky as he sat down. "Who are you?" he asked quietly.
Sky took a step forward, as he did he reached up and pulled off his black mask, revealing his dark golden fur. "Commander Sky Phyronix, here to talk about peace."
Zen said nothing for a moment, but Sky didn't miss the slight widening of his eyes when he heard his name. "I didn't think you aliens knew the word peace."
Sky tutted "Zen, don't try that with me, we both know the truth of what happened here, and thees no cameras or mics."
Zen was quiet for a moment more "Fine."
Sky took a step back into the darkness "As I'm sure you're aware of, we began our counter attack on your invasion of our galaxy last month, and your fleets were quickly destroyed. Now that you've seen our teeth, I was sent to see if you would be more reasonable for peace, between us."
Zen picked up a piece of paper and began reading it, like he wasn't interested in Sky. "On what Terms, I doubt you want this out of the goodness of your heart."
Sky paused for a fraction of a second "I don't know exact terms, but I imagine you being tried for war crimes would be a good start, plus a demilitarization of your planet of course. You've proven that you can't be trusted with advanced technology."
Zen paused in his study of the papers on his desk. "You don't know?" he scoffed softly and put his hands down as his desk "Let me try this then. You weren't sent, no military with any merit, as yours obviously has, would send an envoy with out terms, or without some way to send discussions back to his commanders. So lets try again, you went AWOL, nobody knows you're here, and you don't have any authority to discuss any peace options with me." Zen took his hands off his desk and went back to his papers "Why don't you fly away and send somebody with authority back to try again."
Sky shook his head. "My turn, you're stalling, your hoping that you can buy enough time to get those new fighters that you got being built in your backyard done. After that I imagine you would try for a cruiser of some sort, for all I know you've got some being built on your moon right now." Sky paused, and smiled "I'm going to enjoy telling you this next bit. You're right, I am AWOL, but by now my commanders know why I came here alone to try and get you to surrender, because in less then three weeks, you won't have that option."
Zen very slowly put down his papers. "Explain."
Sky shook his head, still smiling the whole time. "Not nice."
Zens face clenched up for a moment in rage "Explain...please..."
Sky cocked his head back "As we speak a sizable fleet in is transit to Earth, they are coming here to wipe your military, and yourself out, and possibly the entire human race. Before you wonder why I'm telling you this, I'll explain why. When I landed here I saw what remains of your fleet in orbit. Believe me, even if you had a bunch of cruisers hidden away, you wouldn't stand a chance against whats coming. But what might boost your chances is if you're already broadcasting a surrender signal and have your ships standing down." Sky paused "Or you can fight to the bitter end, and watch as my military razes your planet to ashes, either way we can close the book on this little conflict. Up to you though Zen." Sky began backing into the shadows towards the door he came in from. "Food for thought Zen, you have less then three weeks of freedom, do you do the smart thing, or go down fighting something you can't beat." Sky paused as he opened the door. "Think about it."
Zen stood up "What gives you any right to come here and judge me for what I've done? All I'm doing is making sure that my species survives the way we were meant to, as conquers! I've thought about it, I would rather die then be caged up by some unknown justice system, as would every man, woman, and child on my planet would too. We are the human race, and we will not go quietly into the night!"
Sky slipped halfway out the door. "Then you shall die, and damn yourself and your species to extinction. When the Earth is barren and burning, and you find yourself in what ever Hell will take you, you will know that it was all your fault. " With that final forbidding thought, Sky finished slipping out the door.
Sky closed the door and ran off down the hall, slipping his mask back on, he had just reached the vent that he came in at and was sliding in when alarms started sounding throughout the building. Sky pulled himself into the vent and pulled the cover closed as a dozen agents rounded the corner, heading for the oval office. Sky shook his head as he backtracked through the vents and out to the ladder. As he climbed up over the lip he saw that floodlights were on and bathing the lawn in white light, Sky smiled to himself at the challenge and moved through the trees, climbing them when he needed to avoid guards and made his way to the edge of the lawn where he jumped the fence and ran down the ally where he stashed the uniform that he stole when he landed a few days ago. A quick change of clothes and he became another guard on the street, he slowly made his way back to the meet up point that Chessa had given him.
When he reached the park, he started walking around the outskirts, acting like another guard on patrol for these Renegade activists. It was on his third lap around the park that he realized that Chessa was walking next to him. Without saying a word, she varied her path until they approached an alleyway. As they passed it, Chessa turned to go down it, Sky completed another lap before he went down the same alleyway. Halfway down he found Chessa and her friends waiting for him. Waving a hand they led him into a the building next to them and down the stairs to some old bunkers, each one connected by a small dimly let hallway. Normally occupied by rabble, and covered in filth, Chessa and her crew made sure to keep these ones cleaned and well maintained. After they moved through at least ten blocks of these bunkers and their hallways they finally arrived in the basement of the abandoned building that Chessa and her friends called headquarters.
As they all settled down, Sky pulled off the helmet and let his ears unfold, he rubbed them a few times before he turned to Chessa "That was pretty slick, I usually pay more attention to people who get close to me. How long were you walking alongside me?"
Chessa smiled "Only a minute or so, you caught on quick. So how did your mission go?"
Sky moved over to a chair and sat down in it, pulling off the boots "I got in and gave my message to Zen."
Chessa waited a moment. "...and...?"
Sky shook his head "He pretty much damned your entire planet, and race. Hopefully he'll change his mind after this lovely parting thought I gave him, but I doubt it."
Chessa glanced around the room. "What parting thought?"
Sky sighed "Simple, my Dad is a high up in the military rankings, and most likely, he will be leading this attack. When Zen first attacked us, he killed my Mom, and he also killed my Sisters fiance. When I left, both my Dad and my Sister were just looking for an excuse to wipe out the Earth. If Zen fights back, I don't think either of them will stop until the planet is scored clean, and all of you dead along with it." Sky let his gaze drop to his boots. "I kept trying to talk them down, but both of them have been consumed by such rage that I don't know if either of them will ever see reason."
Zack gulped "So...what do we do?
Chessa spoke up before Sky could, turning to face her friends as she did so "Right now? Nothing, we go home, according to Sky we still have eighteen days till the end of our world. I suggest we go home and spend it with out families."
Sky raised his head "Hey, Chessa, how did you get those plans for the venting system?"
Chessa glanced over her shoulder as Sky "A few months of bribes...why?"
Sky stood up and moved across the room to where an old chalkboard stood leaning against the wall. Using his sleeve Sky wiped the board clean before grabbing the chalk and drawing out the Oval Office from memory. As he drew, he started explaining. "When I made it into the Oval Office, Zen was no where to be found, so I settled in to wait. I chose to hide against this bookcase here." Sky pointed at the chalkboard as he finished drawing the room." It gave me a good view of all the doors while keeping me in the shadows. What I did not expect was the bookcase hiding a door, an elevator if I'm right."
Chessa walked over the board "So what, your saying Zen has an secret basement or lab or something?"
Sky nodded "Exactly, and you seem positive that there is some evidence that you could use to show the world just what kind of ruler Zen is. If it does exist it would be in that lab, and there might be other things in there, things that I could use to get him to stand down when the fleets arrive. But I didn't notice anything on my way in or out that indicated a sub-level."
Zack snapped his fingers "The Ship Yards!"
Chessa turned to face him, as did Sky. "What about them?" he asked.
Zack focused on Chessa "Remember when we first found out about them? How they just kinda appeared, that's all anybody we asked could say. It just seemed like one day they were just there. Those pits are really really deep just to have been dug for those."
Chessa nodded slowly "You're right...you're right." She turned to Sky. "That would explain those pits and also might be a way in for you. If Zen did have labs of some sort set up that he originally used that space for, it would make sense that there would be some access to a sub-level, which it sounds like you're positive exists. I mean where else would Zen be going with a secret elevator?"
Sky turned back to the chalkboard. "Yea, but if I'm going to get in, I'll need some blueprints or something. I can't just go cartwheeling through those pits, not after tonight. If I knew where the labs were, I could find another way in."
Chessa joined him at the chalkboard "So, that's why you asked where I got the plans from."
Sky nodded "Think you can find any plans for these shipyards, or maybe even older plans for the White House? I doubt Zen just carved all these pits out, I bet they existed before."
Chessa walked away from the chalkboard and opened a side door, people started leaving the small room they were in, as the last person walked through, it was just Chessa, Zack, and Sky. As the two of the slipped through the door Chessa called over her shoulder "I'll look into those plans, you sit tight here."
Sky nodded and moved over to the corner where he had set up his bed.
- Estimated Time left in Transit - Thirteen Days -
Sky woke up as the door to the current bunker meeting place was flung open. Chessa came running in, dressed in her usual jeans and a dark shirt. As Sky rubbed the sleep from his eyes Chessa sat down next to him with her phone. "Sorry to wake you, but something you need to see."
Sky waved a hand in the air "No problem, whats up?"
Chessa tapped on her phone and pressed it into Sky's hands. "This."
Sky studied the screen and realized it was a recorded speech from Zen.
"My Fellow Citizens of Earth, I have some disturbing news to give to you, news that I do not give out easily. A few nights ago I was visited by one of the Aliens. One of those creatures has set foot on our planet in stealth. He came to me and told me of his plan, to try and convince people of peace when there was none. He told me of a fleet that is on its way to Earth right now, a fleet who's sole purpose is to wipe us out." Zen paused as gasps and mutters ran through the crowd in front of him. "Troubling news, I know, and I wish I had better news, but all I have for you is just one small fact. These Aliens know not yet who they are trifling with. WE are the Human race, and WE are the dominating force on our planet, and on any that we may choose to settle. If these Aliens wish to bring their war back to Earth, I assure you they are in for a surprise. As of this moment, gun shops shops the world over are offering their wares for free, one to every man woman and child. Take these guns with you and when the Aliens show up, show them that the Human race is no push over, fight back against this force, fight them till they are no more. My men will support you as much as they can, as will I. If you wish to take shelter, do so, I will not stop you. There is also another option, join our military and help us on the front lines, the more the better. I look forward to expanding our influence with you loyal people at my side. As a final note, if you see this Alien here" A picture appeared that was a fairly good likeness of Sky since they were just going off of Zen's memory. "Don't listen to any of the lies he says, call the military and try to detain him. Now, go home, go home and prepare for the war to hit home! Know that you will help exterminate a galactic threat! Know that you are a Human!"
Zen stepped back from the podium he was on to mixed reactions, there were some cheers, and some boos. But either way, Zen still painted Sky and his family in a bad light. The clip ended and Sky handed the phone back to Chessa. "How long ago did he do that?"
Chessa tucked the phone into her jeans, "Yesterday, this was the soonest I could get to you to show you though."
Sky shook his head "Great..." he sighed "Did you have any luck on the blueprints?"
Chessa shook her head "None so far, before I came to find you though, one of our members said that he had somebody on the line, somebody who collected really old things for a living, and one of those things might include a blueprint of the 20th century era white house."
Sky raised an eye arch at Chessa, since she sounded excited about this. "20th century era?"
Chessa nodded "We were historically and laughably super intense about security back then. To the point that several people had bunkers built, just in case of emergencies, it would stand to reason that the president had one too."
Sky stood up and stretched "Wouldn't that be on the blueprints you have though?"
Chessa shook her head again "No, these Blueprints are seriously old. Bear in mind that we consider ourselves in the 35th century now. It was always rumored that the White House had some bunker hidden underground, but we never really needed it, so it was eventually lost to time. What if Zen knew about the rumors and found the bunker, then re-purposed it to how he saw fit?"
Sky nodded "That would fit with the theory Zack put forward a few days ago. How long until you can get in touch with this person?"
Chessa chewed her lip. "That's the bad news, did I mention that this was a good news bad news bit, I should have. Anyway, the guy lives about six days away. It would be a twelve day round trip."
Sky sighed "Which would give me less then a day to break into this bunker and find evidence on Zen to get him to surrender. Great." Sky paused for a moment while he thought. "Do it, its our best chance so far, get somebody out there to get in contact with this guy. In the meantime you and I need to set up evacuation plans, find as many loyal to your cause as you can, and get them to set up shop in the bunkers under the city. Then when the fleet arrives, they will have someplace to go and be safe from whatever wrath my family brings."
Chessa nodded "Sounds like a plan, I'll go send somebody right now, then come back to make the plans."
Sky reached for his gear "Lets change the meeting room, just in case."
Chessa stood up "Alright, follow me."
After the two of them had set up a new meeting place, Chessa ran off to set up the plans that they had discussed. Then, Sky waited, he had done all that he could at this end, until he hopefully got these blueprints. So...he waited.
- Estimated Time left in Transit - 2 hours -
Sky was getting seriously antsy, he had taken to doing push up and sit ups in the bunker for a few days, but after that, he donned his borrowed guard outfit, even though there was high suspicion for most guards these days, and went on a stroll. He couldn't help it, he was going stir crazy. That's why he was shocked when he returned to the bunker one night to find it full of armed teenagers. Most of them aimed weapons at him as soon as he came in.
Surprised he raised his hands, before Chessa walked over and yanked off the head gear. "I've been worried, I thought you had been caught. Where the hell have you been?"
Sky shrugged "Sorry got bored. What's up, why the big meeting?"
Zack stepped forward with a sealed tube. "These."
Sky felt his eyes widen. "Are those..."
Chessa nodded "Yep."
Sky grinned "Well then, lets get them unfolded and let me see."
Very carefully the three of them unsealed the tube and gently teased the old blue paper out. Slowy they unrivaled it them secured it with a couple rocks. Sky sat down in front of the it and stared at the blueprints, it only took him a few minutes to find what he was looking for.
"There." he called out gently pointing to a bit of wall on the outside of the white house. "There used to be an old air vent there. When I was sneaking in, I saw this wall, I bet you anything the vent is still there. I could use this to get in."
Chessa looked at the small vent "You sure Sky? Kinda small."
Sky nodded "I could use this...or..." Sky moved his finger to another part of the map, this part was in the middle of the lawn. "Here. The bunker is at its weakest point here, if I get to my ship and get one of my missiles I can turn it into a bomb that could punch through." he paused "No, that would take way to long, not to mention getting the bomb in place. That vent is my best chance. I'm taking it."
Sky stood up and glanced at his wrist, and frowned. "We're almost out of time." he looked up to the group at large. "Now's the time to do what you have been practicing for the past week and a half. Get your family and friends, and get them underground, before you seal the doors, I want you to put this symbol on the doors in someway." Sky went over to the wall where he had carved what looked like a bunch of scribbled lines in the wall."When the fleet arrives, I'll broadcast that anybody with this symbol is friendly and not to be shot. So make sure the symbol is on the door and in the room somewhere. If you have something to draw on yourself with, do that too." Sky glanced once more at his wrist. "Get going. You have an hour if your lucky, and remember, my people don't want to fight like this, if you don't attack them, they won't attack you." Sky looked up "And thank you, all of you, for doing whats right."
The group moved out and until it was just Chessa and Zack. Sky turned towards his gear "You two get going as well."
The answer he received was the sound of a bolt slamming home. He turned around to see Chessa working the bolt on a bolt action rifle. "No. I'm following at a distance and giving you support if you need it. My dad taught me to shoot and I'm a hell of a shot. As is Zack here, and nothing you say will change my mind. Either of us. Both us have no family to protect, so we'll make sure you get in to get your job done."
Zack walked up with an older Mac 10 in one hand. "Yea, trust in the Humans Sky, we know what were doing."
Sky shook his head "I doubt that, but whatever, I'm not stopping you. Keep up if you can."
With that Sky grabbed his helmet and tucked it over his ears running up the stairs that lead to the street. He burst out into the alleyway and ran towards the street, slowing into a walk once he was visible to passerby. After what felt like hours to Sky, he made it onto the White House, he vaulted over the fence and crossed the lawn, he had just touched the wall when alarms sounded around the house. Thinking he had been spotted Sky spun around, but there was nobody running for him. Then he realized that he could hear chatter coming from his wristband. He turned his head to the sky to watch as the small looking ships appeared and opened fire on the Earth fleet.
"We're out of time..." Sky sighed then turned back to the wall. He broadcast the peace symbol to his sister and father then he summoned Stella's blade and jammed it into the wall, cutting through and revealing the vent underneath. After he had cut himself a nice sized hole Sky tucked himself into the old vent and shimmed his way down. Eventually coming to grate that led into another vent. Sky kicked it in and cringed at the loud sound. He dropped silently into the vent and crawled for a few meters before he chose his exit. He opened the vent cover and dropped down into a dingy narrow hallway that was barred with fancy steel doors.
He glanced behind him as he heard foot steps and voices. "I'm telling you, I heard something."
Sky glanced back around and chose a door at random to dart into and hide. After the door slid shut Sky waited for the guards to walk past, that was until a voice called out.
"What do you demons...want...this time...?"
Sky felt his eyes widen and his heart skip a beat, then two.
"Well...what is...it...?"
Sky turned around slowly, and just as slowly walked towards the upright table. He walked around and stared at the creature that was strapped to the table. His breath left him and Sky felt something click inside. "Mom."
Another Blam! Things revealed! How will Sky take the shock of finding his Mom alive and somewhat well in Zen's dungeon? What has happened to Sasha in these past few months? Will Stella and Ratchet spare Sky's helpers? Will Zen rule the universe? Answers to these questions and more will be answered in the stunning conclusion to Earth Bound! Except that last one, you all know whats going to happen to Zen.
Okay, some notes, sorry if it seems rushed at the end, I meant it like that, I wanted Sky to suddenly be out of time. Also, my poll, go vote, you will help decide what my next story is. The story that I write while I try to decide if I want to do the whole Generations series. Go Vote! Also Review! More Reviews=More typing. If I get ten reviews I'll pull an all day type fest to make sure it gets done by next week.
Also if you voted on the poll after the last update, you may need to go vote again, removed the Generations option since I'm still not sure if I'm going to do it.
Peace,
-Emile