Chaos Mortalitus (6 page)

"No problem my friend, see you shortly." Kalden says shaking my hand and continuing down the hallway and out of sight.

CHAPTER: 4

REVOLUTION

Flames dance wildly as the fireplace continues burning aboard the U.S.S Solitude, with Jonathan Reynolds sitting silently, staring at the flames consuming the wooden logs. Warmth can be felt against his aged face as he looks on, battle scars from a youth lost in the service of his country. Jonathan is a man with no future and a past he often wishes forgotten, the last phone call made in the direst of situations. His particular branch of government, the highest amongst the world super powers as decisions are made in the mind of a man that knows his life will never be the same.

In that moment when he first saw the pyramid, he knew things would never be the same, how could they? Only one thing matters and that's to make sure no one ever finds out what they've discovered on the ocean surface. A secondary objective has also been ordered; retrieve the object known only by codename, The Payload. Jonathan is notified of an incoming call, one he's been reluctantly waiting for. "You have a call from the President Sir."

"One window Omega, no video please."

A small holographic screen appears in front of the large executive chair as Jonathan's gaze remains on the fire. "No video today Jonathan?" The President asks. "I thought this was more than just a business relationship."

"Not feeling great today Mr. President, if you don't mind Sir."

There is a brief silence between the two men. "Don't worry about it Jonathan. Any word on the Payload?"

"No Sir, not yet. We should be through the encryption sometime this evening Sir. Teams are on standby and ready to retrieve the Payload at a moments notice. Upon retrieval, the Payload will be taken to the Nevada base for further analysis. I'll update you periodically myself Mr. President."

"I need you to understand something. No mistakes can be made on this one Jonathan. We can't let evidence like this fall into any hands other than the United States of America. You have a green light to use all means necessary to recover your directive. Be ready for anything."

"I assure you Mr. President, all resources are being used to recover the Payload Sir."

"I know you'll make us proud old friend. We must know everything we can about this situation. I pray this pyramid isn't a Trojan horse."

"What do we do if it is Mr. President?" Jonathan asks.

"God help us… God help us all."

Opening the door to the rooftop of the gallery, I make my way to the ledge facing the Pacific. From this vantage point my vision stretches miles out to sea as the sun begins a slow descent into the blue abyss. The colors in the sky smear together, reflecting the heavy tint of the indigo ocean glimmer. Pulling a smoke from my pocket, every moment is now a struggle to embrace the visions from earlier today. The clock ticks against me as I stare out toward this horizon once more today, feeling quite small as I scan the world's edge. My eyes skip past a flicker once more, much more distinct to me now then earlier as I pause, my vision locked.

The smoke flows through my nostrils gently tickling my nose as I squint to make out the distant image. Tones of orange and yellow seep into rich purple highlights from the heavens, like a burning sky. The sun having shifted into a flawless glowing ball, edges visible perfectly. Eyes trained to the glow from the Pacific Ocean as something feels terribly wrong and it seems there's nowhere left to run. "Am I losing my mind all together?"

Again, like a thief in the night my vision goes blank and the dark figure returns once more. This time the figure flies through some sort of giant gateway, composed of pure energy. We seem to be instantly surrounded by streams of lightning, stretching out all around us. The colors shift substantially, enhancing their vibrancy against a dark cloudy background. As the colors begin to fade a wind can be felt flowing through my hair, heavier and harder as we accelerate faster and faster. Lifting my head, I realize we are flying toward a giant spacecraft as we continue to push forward.

Speeds I could never define, straight at the massive alien craft as a sense of terror surrounds me, yet I'm paralyzed to do anything but ride this hallucination out. Energy builds from within the cloaked figure and I can feel its power as it channels massive amounts of power. Extending its arms, I see its form warping space as we fly toward this destination still, stead fast. Finally I can make out its arms a bit, seeing what I can only explain as a sort of organic lining to its body. Similar to armor plating yet no visible seams or welds, this is definitely something I've never seen.

A closer look reveals it to be metallic in color, almost biological yet also a mechanical type suit. Suddenly this thing accelerates toward the ship even faster defying every form of logic I know as the ship begins firing some sort of weaponry in our direction.
For some reason the alien ship seems badly damaged already, but I can't imagine why
. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!" I scream to the dark figure, remaining stuck at its side.

"This is my world, they will die for this, all of them!" The dark figure replies. "This is judgment!"

A level of acceleration beyond quantum measure as I feel the ship's hull rip like paper as we pass through it. Feeling the sheer force released as this dark figure rips a hole through the colossal piece of alien machinery, unlike any known to modern man. Explosions quickly engulf us as the fires spread quickly through the already battered vessel. We exit the other side plunging into the earthy terrain below, coming to complete stop on a coastal shoreline somewhere. I look up to find shadowy figures standing over me as I hear an army roar in the distance, with the cloaked creature's eyes still burning through the smoke and dust.

Behind the figure I see the ship we just plunged through explode violently from its fatal wound inflicted by this thing, this monster. "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!?! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!?!"

Standing with a powerful glare, a deafening presence, the dark messenger watches my livid reactions. "Our brothers and sisters of the revolution haven't much time, we must stay our course."

Just then I regain my bearings and I'm back on the roof of the gallery, my chest flexing as I try to catch my breath. I'm must be losing my mind, realizing that I might literally be going crazy, my heart still pounding from this experience I couldn't possibly explain. Staring into the horizon once more with the fading light giving way as darkness begins to roll in. Losing sight of the shinning spot on the horizon, I sit for a moment until a voice from behind me speaks. "Hey you!"

"AHHH, shit!!" I yell out loud stumbling a bit. "Oh God!"

The shadows give way to reveal the face of an angel, a face I know all to well with an image that takes my breath away every time. "Little melodramatic don't ya' think?" Angela says with a laugh.

"Damn it! You scared the crap out of me!" I reply grabbing my chest, trying to calm my nerves.

"Ok, ok, it was just a joke, geez." Angela says. "I think you need a little time off after this, I mean look at you, you're a nervous wreck."

Finally catching my breath I try to force a smile. "You're probably right, I just don't know what's up with me today… I feel so out of it."

"I'm telling you, it's just nerves. So much has been going on lately, but after tonight we can slow things down a bit, after tonight everything will be different." Angela says, reassuring me.

This is something I know to be true, something I feel deep in my heart and it's coming for me. As I begin to teeter at the edge of madness, I feel my stalker, methodical, with all these undying feelings about today, destiny surrounding these ever passing moments.

"Oh by the way, that package from Tyler was at the house when I pulled up. I put it on the coffee table in the living room. It was weird though, no postage or writing on the box. It was just sealed, but I assume it's the package he spoke of. Angela says.

Moment after moment the signs are everywhere and the reminders are endless. This has got to be real, I know who I am, this is happening to me.

"I really think something's wrong Angela. I mean, you don't see the whole thing with Tyler as just a little bit crazy? Five years and now this crazy message, then a box in front of our house,
what's next
?"

"You're reading into all this way to much Ash, you're just an ordinary man sweetheart, I'm sure it's nothing really. Besides, we have more important things to worry about, don't you think?" Angela says rubbing her stomach.

Instantly I'm snapped back to reality, the fact that I'm going to be a father and we're finally starting our family. Suddenly a sense of calm invades who I am as I embrace this new found responsibility. I'm not crazy, my name is Ashton Mortal and I have it together. "You're right babe. You're absolutely right, our son's gonna' need his father to be on point. We definitely have our work cut out for us."

"Son again huh? Always so sure of yourself, aren't you?" She snickers.

"Our son, Seth Daniel Mortal. He will be a great man, I know it." I reply with a sense of pride.

She knew in that moment that no response was needed, for fate had intervened and Angela Mortal would have a son, Seth, his name. "Sounds pretty good daddy."

"I just have a feeling about it, I know it's the way it should be. Today is the first day for the three of us."

Holding my wife upon the rooftop as the glistening sparkle of infinity slowly creeps in, two hours from opening night, two hours from destiny, this day lived as a lifetime. I see my future in our embrace and for her I would do anything, just one more glance and I remember, for her
I'll face whatever may find me
. "Your parents are early, I think your mom is worried about you a little bit, she said something about talking to you earlier today. They're both downstairs helping with last minute preparations. Kaldens running around down there too." Angela says.

"Ok, I'll be down in a sec babe, just gonna' enjoy the breeze a bit longer."

"See you inside, don't take forever! We love you." She replies rubbing her stomach again.

"I love you both more than anything in the whole universe and I hear it's a pretty big place."

Angela kisses me on the rooftop and the mood is perfect as she stares back into my eyes then turning to head back inside, walking slowly as our fingertips pull apart. My view is once again fixed on the horizon as I've realized so many things today, yet still I feel no closer to the truth in the back of my mind. I am a man, a painter, soon to be father and a husband. Through all these chaotic events today my inner peace has found turmoil, but these responsibilities are my only focus. I am a strange variety, but one thing I know I am not in the face of these mysterious events, is a madman.

I clear my thoughts out on the rooftop and turn to head inside, for the clock is ticking and I have an art show to put on. Walking downstairs, I make my way down the hallway with the dark tile from earlier. From the silence of the rooftop, to the steadily growing hum of people and things moving about, working, talking and living their precious lives. Passing multiple people as I exit the long corridor back to the front of the building, I first head into the Skamar & Mortal Art Company exhibit, displaying our works together. These paintings were available for purchase but they have all been presold before opening day due to high demand.

This exhibit showcases the differences in work style and technique between my partner and I. We are truly blessed with the response to our projects and the eagerness to own our visions of art. I come to a stop in front of piece done by Kalden, a calm landscape. Kalden's landscapes paint a vivid picture of the place dreams come from, tiny visions of perfection. "How's everything looking Ashton?" A familiar voice asks from behind me.

"It's definitely a workable piece. With a little one on one, this guy could have a strong shot at becoming something amazing." I reply with a hint of sarcasm.

"Well I'm sure he appreciates your opinion."

Turning my focus away from the painting I see a figure I trust with my life, the man who above all had a hand in shaping what I am today. His strengths have been passed to me, his kindness helped quarrels my dramas, and into the very depths of hell I would stand at his side. As I face Kalden a smile breaks across my face and he extends his hand toward mine. A humble man as I embrace him he offers a subtle bow once again, yet time and time again we crack jokes on each other. Back to back no matter what, a bond exists between Kalden and I that words simply weren't designed for. Two opposites, different sides of the spectrum united in a common vision of art. "Every time I see this piece it's like the first time all over again."

"Thank you my friend, I've finally thought of a name for it. I will call it Awake. What do you think?" Kalden asks.

Staring at the beautiful piece I ponder. "I think it's perfect, you can really feel its presence."

The painting is an acrylic work, a tree, very curvy hanging from the side of a mountaintop. Isolated high in the sky, firm roots allowing the best view imaginable. Thick layers of paint create surreal textures that offer intense realism. Heavy cloud cover gives the river in the distance a faint glimmer. Awake is a title that fits this particular piece perfectly, the finishing touch. "Good choice, as always Kalden."