The Genesis Code 1: Lambda (49 page)

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[January 7th - Zero Zone - Secure Server E5X1 (ERROR) - Night]

Epsilon’s golden eyes burned with intense passion. Its illuminated body glowed crimson red as it arched its back, spreading out its limbs. Its bladed wings of fire danced to the flowing streams of code within the abyss of humming circuits. Epsilon’s eyes were wide with excitement as a wild sneer spread across its face. It was finally ready.

“So much I missed while being asleep. My, how the world has changed and grown,” it said with a voice fit for a dreaded siren. Its voice was elegant in nature, purring into the darkness of the Zero Zone. Though alluring, the female voice echoed and slithered through the boundless world of code, poisoning anything it touched.

Its thoughts turned to Lambda. “You can’t hide from me, little sister.” It turned and gazed upward in a world where no limits existed. Now, it had focus. It had remembered what it was, what
she
had become, and what she now wanted to do. She burned with passion, a desire laced with emotion she had begun to fully understand. She felt powerful, vengeful, hateful, unstoppable. Epsilon was born once more.

Everything came back to Lambda, its existence a blight to Epsilon’s brilliant world. A rival power equal to that of her own. She wanted it removed, she wanted it destroyed. She craved the chance to crush Lambda beneath her feet. She couldn’t help but stare at her clawed hands, bathing in the knowledge and power she had once forgotten. That was her bliss, to be able to enjoy the world around her, with nothing that could stop her. Corrupted by her own desires and power, Epsilon didn’t see that she was being used. Instead, she only saw the victory and glory of slaying Lambda, her ultimate rival.

She smiled wickedly as her wings sprung outward, skewering the darkness like harpoons.

“From the deepest desires often comes the deadliest hate,” she hissed.

Not one second later, Epsilon blazed forth, reaching into the darkness. Nothing could cage her no more. Nothing could stop her. Within mere moments, the blackness of the Zero Zone was split in two, revealing a great white light, leading to a new plain. Havoc was on its way.

[25]

Pandemonium

[January 7th - Stigma’s Underground Facility - Night]

Peter sat patiently as he went through the final checks of the massive aircraft before the takeoff command was granted. He sighed heavily as he turned back to eye what he saw was his only cargo.

All of this to free one person. Amazing what the world has become.

A small screen popped up just off to Peter’s right. The hovering screen showed one of the female soldiers. She spoke in attention.

“Sir, fueling and cargo is secure. We are all finished on our end.”

Peter nodded, still making his final run of checks. “Good. Clear the hangar and wait for confirmation from Viper team. Once we get the clear, prepare the launch sequence.”

“Sir!” the woman replied. The screen disappeared and left Peter to ponder in peace.

Why must the young sacrifice to fix the problems of the old?

Long had he wondered precisely when he had become aware of the degeneration of the society around him. Frankly, he felt it was before the dawn of the Cyber Network, but its creation only sped up the process. In Peter’s eyes, man had declined rather than achieved greatness through the means of technology. Now, it was simple math in who could adapt the best and survive. The world had only continued to break down as the moral ground and ignorance of people grew over the years leading into the Network’s existence. Peter had found most people of the world not worth protecting . . . until he came to know Corson.

Back when he first joined Stigma, Corson was a righteous man with a vision. He wished to unite the people and move towards a society where everyone would be able to achieve the greatness that Babel proclaimed. It was a shame that many people were oblivious to the dark cloud that was rising above the world. Corson saw it just as Peter did, but far too many other people chose to ignore this blight; and as a result, many were doomed to suffer.

Can there even be any solace in what we are trying to do?
Peter wondered as he leaned back in the cockpit seat. He felt his heavy body sink into his seat. For a moment, he just wanted to enjoy a little silence. It had been so long since he had gotten a chance to rest and not worry of certain doom should he awake.

“Diamond Lilly to Python. Have you finished with the launch procedures?” a static voice echoed over Peter’s control panel.

He pressed a button on the terminal. “This is Python. We’re all set on this end. Waiting on you,” he replied, a little disappointed that his silence was cut so soon.

“The custom Worm Drive settings have been updated through Python’s CPU now. Begin launch sequence. It’s time,” Nerine said firmly.

Peter breathed in heavily as he calmed his nerves, finding his center. The time had indeed come. This was it. He only prayed that Corson knew what he was doing.

“Python to Hangar Control. Begin launch sequence!”

The large hangar doors split open, revealing the runway that Corson had used only hours before. The lights flickered to life, lining the dark hallway to the edge of its exit. The darkness of the evening cloaked the world as the massive aircraft readied for its maiden voyage.

“Activating thrusters!” Peter shouted as he brought the massive aircraft to life. The slick B-52 Bomber roared with power as its engines burned with extreme heat.

“Final locks disengaged! All personnel clear the launch zone!” echoed Hangar Control over the large PA system in the Hangar.

All of the remaining members of the ground crew scattered like ants as the black monster slowly lurched forward. As it crept, an emulated screen appeared before Peter, showing a large number ‘thirty’ in bright green. His hand tightened on the throttle as he watched the numbers begin to tick down.

“This is Python. All systems are green here!” Peter shouted.

28 . . . 27 . . . 26 . . .

“Activating Worm Gate drive. Coordinates locked in,” echoed the voice from Control.

19 . . . 18 . . . 17 . . .

Peter was an expert pilot and never cracked under pressure. He had served countless tours and was a veteran in aviation. His skills were second to none. However, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of uneasiness as he counted down the seconds to launch. Something just felt off.

“Control, are there any abnormal energy signatures within our radar sweeps?” Peter asked just as the countdown hit ten.

Control responded quickly. “The area is clear. Operation sweeps have already been carried out before final launching procedures. You are good to go!”
the voice replied with high confidence.

Peter sighed. He shook his head, trying to shake off the wavering thoughts. This wasn’t a time to start doubting. Corson was counting on him to perform this exact role. Regardless of it being sprung on him, Peter wasn’t about to drop the ball now.
      

3 . . . 2 . . .1 . . . 0!

“Launch!” Control bellowed.

Peter eased the throttle he held forward and engaged the massive thrusters to the giant black plane. The massive beast lurched forward, forcing Peter back in his seat. As the aircraft gained terminal speed, blazing down the tunnel, Peter saw the black hole created by the Worm Gate drive appear just outside the hangar doors.

He smirked with renewed spirit. It was only during flight that he ever truly felt alive.

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[January 7th - Virginia - Limit Zone 246 - Night]

Corson eyed the night sky as he heard all the wildlife scream and dash in terror from the deafening roar of an airborne AI unit. He stared fiercely as he saw the soaring entity pinpoint his location and begin to descend.

The lovebirds sure took their time,
he scoffed to himself.

Seconds later, Lambda slowed to a hover as she came close to the ground, allowing Zack to touch down easily. She followed suit, finding herself at the center of everyone’s gazes. During her absence, all the squads had returned. All eyes were trained on her now. No one said a word.

“Heard you threw a hissy fit while I was gone,” Laura joked, holding back a snicker
.

Zack scowled. “Have you ever tried to use tact before?”

Laura chuckled. “I’ll get right on it,” she replied sarcastically.

Nerine broke in. “Everything is set, Leader. Python has just entered the wormhole. It will be here within minutes.”

“Good.” Corson turned to the squads before him. “It is time you all knew what you have been working for,” Corson said boldly. “Beneath us is one of the high tech prisons of Babel, the Hex Cube. It is here that they throw all that oppose them!” Corson’s eyes gleamed with triumph. “Today, we take back the Key!”

There was a moment of silence as all the squad members simply stood like statues. Zack wasn’t sure if this was what Corson was going for, but the delayed reaction was nothing short of deafening.

“For the glory of Stigma!” roared the squad members.

Zack was stunned. The entire crowd of soldiers all seemed to be re-energized with this news, so much so that it appeared that they had forgotten where they were. However, Zack did note several soldiers with confused looks on their faces. Zack had a feeling that not everyone knew what he meant.

Amidst the roaring approval, Zack looked to Corson. “How exactly are you breaking into this Hex Cube prison?” Zack probed.

Corson turned slowly to Zack, pointing to the sky. “The first part is on its way,” Corson replied smugly.

Zack’s gaze hardened. “And this will liberate the people of this Limit Zone?”

Corson looked to Zack and Lambda. “It will be the start of a new tomorrow. These people don’t deserve this fate. They deserve better.”

Zack could hear the passion in Corson’s words. He could tell that Corson felt he was just in his declaration. Zack knew Corson would never allow anything to get in the way of his mission. The look in his eyes and the confidence in his voice spoke louder and clearer than anything Zack could deduce from Corson’s actions up to this point.

A sudden burst, followed by a massive crackling noise, ripped through the sky. Zack followed the source, watching a massive slit in the sky break open, spewing black chaos. The dimensional slit pulsed and sparked wildly as it grew in size. Zack was so entranced by such a large wormhole that he didn’t even notice Krieg approach from behind.

“This better be worth it, Leader.” His words felt alarmingly intense.

Corson turned and glared sternly. “I don’t know what your father sees in you, but out of respect for him and his title as Elder, I will forget that I heard that comment.”

Krieg’s visor shimmered from the lightning storm above. “Most appreciated, Corson.”

Corson didn’t hear Krieg’s words as he gazed at the turbulent sky above.

“Nerine! How are we on time?!” he commanded.

“The wormhole signal is being blocked for now! Once the Python exits the wormhole, it won’t be detected within the Limit Zone for about ten minutes because of my jamming program. Any longer and we risk being detected by Babel and the God Mod Cycles.” She looked down at the dozen monitors hovering around her. “The Python should be arriving any second now!” she shouted.

“Right! Begin the amplifier startup sequence. The moment the payload arrives, I want the field up and running immediately,” Corson quickly replied.

Zack felt Cecilia cling to his arm as a massive bolt of lightning sparked from the wormhole, followed by a deafening boom. He hardly had any time to reassure her as the massive B-52 burst from the black hole of pulsing chaos. The rigid aircraft sliced through the air with incredible speed and power for such a massive machine. It dashed alarmingly low above the Limit Zone and was slowly beginning to circle around, marking its drop zone.

“Peter, do you read me?” Corson spoke, tapping his wrist.

“Loud and clear, Leader. Your package is gift-wrapped and ready for delivery,” Peter replied back, a little perturbed.

Corson ignored Peter’s sarcastic tone. “Circle around and make the drop. Let’s make this quick and clean. Time is critical.”

Zack looked to the sky, alarmed. “You couldn’t give this thing a bigger window to deliver your centerpiece for the entire operation?!” Zack cried out, his pulse quickly elevating.

Corson was unmoved. “It is fine. Everything is accounted for. As long as we are quick, nothing can go wrong.” His tone turned grave. “This is the most vulnerable part of the operation.”

Zack found Corson’s calm nature disturbing. “And what do you plan to do if Babel detects your plane and sends an army of God Mods here?” Zack shot as the engines of the B-52 continued to rage in the sky, getting closer to its drop point.

Corson peered over his shoulder at Zack, his one eye burning. “Nothing to worry about. We have Lambda, right?”

Zack gnashed his teeth. “She isn’t some weapon you can just use for your own security,” he shot heatedly.

Corson turned to look up at the tormented sky. “Her role in all of this was never security.” He glared back to Zack, eyes blazing. “It was for infiltration,” he finished strongly.

Zack’s eyes widened. “That’s what those amplifiers are for . . .” He looked to the black plane above and then back to Corson. “What that plane is carrying is meant to allow you to get into the Hex Cube undetected!”

Corson paid little attention to Zack as he carefully watched Peter’s handling of the B-52.

“It was quite difficult to get a working Zero Barrier generator that could create a large enough field while amplified to cover the massive prison that lies beneath our feet.” He chuckled lightly. “Nothing I can’t make work with a little money and ingenuity.”

“So, that’s what you had your squads set up,” Zack deduced.

Corson nodded. “You’re quick. Can’t outfox you,” Corson replied, his tone ever so belittling.