The Keystone was ahead. Priest and Gi secured the perimeter as I approached. An invisible energy prickled my skin as I reached out. The thing was a rock, just a fucking rock. Even though I recognized it instantly, it was nothing special. Still, it was heavier than it looked.

  Roughly nine inches across and three inches deep with a small hole in the middle as if it slipped over something. The hole didn’t pass all the way through, and every outer surface was carved into strange symbols on four concentric rows.

  "It's a rock."

  The others looked at me, then at the thing I was holding.

  "Let's get the fuck out of here."

  Our success was short-lived. Alarms blared to life. I knew we needed to move. Now.

  CHAPTER

  SIXTY

  "I think we got their attention."

  Back on the surface, Koog had the Decimator up and moving, albeit like a drunk two-year-old.

  "Ada, kill those alarms." We now knew the security alarms activated long-absent defensive intrusion systems. We were relatively safe, unless The Order was storing more surprises here. I doubted that since they were also using this place for staging and supplies.

  "Okay, the Decimator rebooted into an operating system I'd never seen before," Koog began.

  I stood watching the monitor as Koog pulled up the live video feed from the supply shuttle we had rigged with the pregnant Furies. The image was grainy at first, but soon resolved into a clear high-def view of the shuttle interior. Makeshift restraints and sealed tubes lined the walls, containing the hulking, twisted forms of the Furies.

  Even in stasis, their corded muscles occasionally flexed and strained against the bonds. Watching them, I was reminded of wild predators temporarily caged, awaiting the moment they would be set loose. Which was exactly what we had planned for them.

  The shuttle docked with a heavy clank of metal on metal, connecting to what must have been an orbital station. For a moment, nothing happened, the Furies were still trapped in their tubes. Then a series of muffled explosions sounded as the charges we had planted went off, breaching the tubes.

  The shuttle interior flooded with pale amniotic fluid as the first of the Furies lurched free of its ruptured tube. It braced its clawed hands against the walls, thick tendrils of drool spilling from its fanged maw as its head swiveled, scenting prey. Then, it threw back its head and let out an earsplitting chuttering cough I knew too well.

  The sound triggered the other Furies to life. They tore free of their cracked tubes in a frenzy, barreling towards the shuttle door. It was already lowering but buckled under the onslaught of their combined strength, groaning open just as the screaming started from the supply station side.

  One after another, the nightmarish creatures flooded through the door and out of view. But we could hear the chaos they unleashed, the shrieks of the doomed station crew mingling with feral roars and the wet ripping sounds of flesh being torn.

  It was a slaughter, just as we had intended. The Furies would destroy everyone and everything aboard that station. And with the shuttle still attached, they would have no escape. We had effectively turned them into a self-contained kill squad, eliminating a crucial Order supply depot and hopefully, my nemesis, Hinge.

  It was ruthless, but necessary. The Order had to be stopped, no matter the cost. I only hoped we could find and end them before the Furies finished off what remained of humanity along with them.

  This was just the opening salvo in a war I aimed to finish.

  CHAPTER

  SIXTY-ONE

  Captain Packer skillfully navigated us towards northern France. The craft, designed primarily for vertical deployment and space operations, was less suited for extended atmospheric travel. Throughout the journey from Spain to France, the cabin was filled with an incessant bone numbing pain, a reminder that we were pushing the craft beyond its intended purpose. The ride was jarring and unsteady, each of us bracing against the turbulence that rattled through the TriCraft's frame.

  As we descended nearly straight down, the French countryside unfolded beneath us, a tranquil expanse of green fields and quaint villages that stood in stark contrast to the chaotic battlegrounds we had left behind. Packer guided the craft to a secluded landing zone, nestled in a grove that provided cover from any unwanted attention.

  The hatch lowered with a hiss, revealing Voss standing outside, waiting for us. She was not alone; arrayed behind her were about a dozen women, each exuding a sense of calm determination and strength. Their attire was a mix of tactical gear and personal armor, and their postures spoke of training and discipline. I correctly assumed they were all Sisters of Light, Voss's clandestine group known for their prowess in both combat and espionage.

  Voss stepped forward as we disembarked, her gaze meeting mine. There was a moment of silent communication, an understanding between two leaders who had seen more than their share of battles. Then, breaking the tension, she stepped in and embraced me, a rare show of public emotion that spoke volumes of our shared history.

  As she pulled back, my eyes fell on Lux, who had been standing quietly by her side. My expression softened as I knelt down to his level, offering a gentle smile. "Hey, kid. I almost didn't recognize you out of your armor." I pulled him into my arms.

  "I keep it close," he said, pointing to a wagon nearby with the armor stacked on top. He was proud of being part of my team. The armor which had been shiny and new a few weeks ago, now looked like it had been through the fires of hell…which it had.

  "You got him?"

  I nodded, "I got Carlson, but I let one get away…maybe."

  After a moment of heavy silence, Voss reached out and touched my damaged arm, her fingers brushing over the spot where my battlesuit had seared into my skin. She hugged me again and offered a small kiss, "Maybe that will help with the pain," she said softly.

  Priest, who had been unloading gear from the TriCraft, overheard our exchange and couldn’t resist adding his two cents worth to lighten the mood. "That's nothing, Voss. You should have seen what he did to Wyoming," he joked, referring to our recent escape from the Yellowstone eruption.

  A faint smile cracked Voss's somber expression, a brief respite from the weight of the conversation. It was a much-needed moment of levity in the midst of the grim realities we were facing.

  As we gathered our gear and prepared to join forces with Voss and her Sisters, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. Here, in this quiet part of France, we were regrouping, gathering our strength for the battles to come. Voss and I had a complicated history, but I damn sure wanted to be on the same side as her when it came down to it.

  "Is Eira here?" I asked, concerned.

  "She is, and she isn't," Voss answered. "You need to see her, I guess?"

  I nodded. "Also…"

  "I know," Voss cut me off. "She's waiting for you in the command tent.”

  "Joe." She took my hand in hers. "I'm sorry about Carol, but I'm glad you are here." Pulling me away from the others, Dami kissed me long and deep, reigniting fires I'd tried my best to forget about. Tried and failed.

  Lumia waited for me in the center of the tent. Her presence seemed to fill the space. No one else was in the room, her daughter had left me at the entrance, shaking her head.

  "You accomplished your mission."

  It was not a question. I simply nodded.

  Wordlessly, I reached into my pack and withdrew the Keystone, the artifact we'd recovered in the desert. Lumia's gaze fixed on it with an intensity that made me tighten my grip. I hesitated, still unsure of her motives. She seemed to sense my wariness.

  "Be at ease, Joseph. We fight the same enemy." Her voice was rich and melodic.

  I stepped forward and offered her the Keystone. She accepted it with reverence, turning it over in her hands.

  "This is a significant victory against The Order." Lumia's tone held a note of satisfaction. "Without this, their mad scheme cannot reach fruition."

  I felt a swell of accomplishment, but also curiosity. "Just what is The Order trying to accomplish?"

  Lumia's expression darkened. "They seek to awaken an ancient and terrible power. A device left by the ones who came before, which they believe will elevate humanity to a new age."

  She shook her head. "Fools. They understand nothing of its true purpose or capabilities."

  I felt a chill at her ominous words. Lumia fixed me with an intense gaze. "What they are building was designed for only one end—the annihilation of all life on Earth."

  My eyes widened at the revelation. Lumia continued, "We must stop The Order before they doom us all. Let’s destroy this thing they are building.”

  I swallowed hard, mind racing to process her warning. The Order's madness ran deeper than even I'd realized.

  Lumia stood, tucking the Keystone into a hidden space inside her flowing robes. "You should rest now, Joseph. A great battle still lies ahead."

  I nodded slowly, shaken by the new knowledge but also galvanized for the fight to come. We would stop The Order, no matter the cost.

  Humanity's survival depended on it.

  EPILOGUE

  The dust settled around me, grains dancing in the beam of a dying sun. It was a moment of stillness, the kind that feels out of place amidst the chaos we'd been wading through for what seemed like an eternity. My fingers ran over the scarred surface of my arm, the skin rough and unfamiliar—a testament to a battle won but not without cost.

  Riker's words echoed in my head, a haunting refrain that refused to be silenced. ‘You must fight this battle alone,’ he'd said. He was part Native American, proud, and strong, and in his last moments, he'd shown the heart of a soldier who could outshine us all. I considered Carol again, her life forfeited in this war. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the weight of their hope for me in this journey.

  My reverie was broken by Voss' approach. Her footsteps were silent, but her presence was as commanding as ever. She stood before me, her eyes searching mine for something I wasn’t sure I had left to give.

  "Come with me," she said simply. No explanations offered or needed. I followed her through the maze of our makeshift camp until we reached Eira—the WitchWalker, as some called her. The girl was an enigma wrapped in silence, her nonverbal cues often saying more than words ever could.

  She looked up as we approached and did something unexpected—she embraced me. Her arms were thin but strong around me, and there was an urgency to her gesture that transcended my understanding. Her eyes looked down, and her touch was gentle on my burned arm, a softness against the rough patchwork of healing flesh.

  The pain flared briefly under her fingers before subsiding into something akin to peace. She pulled back slightly and then placed her hand on my head with deliberate care.

  "They are in here, too," she said, her voice clear and strangely melodic—a stark contrast to her usual silence.

  Her words sent a shiver down my spine. "They" could mean anything—The Order's remnants within us, Riker's unfulfilled dreams, or maybe even echoes of Carol's sacrifice.

  Eira looked into my eyes with an intensity that held me captive. She saw something there—something I couldn’t—and it scared me more than any enemy I'd faced on the battlefield. She smiled, and I realized whatever it was, I could deal with it.

  The battle to save humanity...it wasn’t just out there in the wastelands or lurking in the shadowy corridors of The Order's facilities; it was inside us, too—a fight against the darkness that sought to take root in our souls.

  I needed answers, but they would have to wait. The immediate concern was Eira's revelation—what did she sense inside me? And what did it mean for our fight?

  I glanced at Voss, searching for some sign of understanding in her face, but she remained unreadable as ever—a skill she'd perfected over time.

  Eira reached back to my face and gently closed my eyes.

  "Eira," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "What is it?"

  She reached out and took my hand. Her touch was warm and gentle. Inside my head I heard her clearly. "I know," she said. "I know what happened."

  Her words startled me. "What do you know?" I asked.

  "I know what protecting me cost you. I know you have touched the darkness, but you are not alone."

  I opened my eyes and stared at her, speechless. How could she know these things?

  "I can see it," she said, as if reading my thoughts. "I can see the pain in your heart."

  "They are in here, too," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

  I looked at her in confusion. "Who is in here?"

  I felt more than saw the answer. My eyes teared up, overwhelmed by her message. I could feel their presence, a faint but undeniable warmth in my chest.

  "Thank you," I said, my voice trembling. "Thank you for giving me this."

  Eira smiled again.

  I stood up and turned to leave. "Eira," I said, "you are in here, too."

  I left with Voss, unsure as to what had just happened.

  "Is she alright?" she asked.

  I nodded. "Yes," I said. "She's fine."

  Voss looked at me for a moment, her expression unreadable. "I'm glad," she said. "She's a special girl."

  I turned and walked away, my mind racing. Eira's words had given me hope, a glimmer of light in the darkness. I knew then that I wasn’t alone. My friends were with me, and together, we would find Hinge. I’d love to think the monsters tore him to shreds, but part of me felt that he was still out there. We needed to find him and stop The Order's unthinkable plans.

  I nodded and followed Voss back toward camp without another word. There were plans to make and defenses to shore up—there always were when you were fighting a war—but Riker’s warning and Eira’s mysterious words would be with me every step of the way. Lumia was right—I must be more.

  They were reminders that this war wasn’t just fought on battlegrounds littered with debris and echoes of gunfire; it was fought within each one of us—against despair, against surrendering to darkness.

  And so, we fight on because that’s what soldiers do—we fight until there’s nothing left or until we’ve won. And even then...maybe we just keep fighting still because it’s all we know how to do.

  Right now, I need to go find my dog.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  JK Franks is the popular author of numerous post-apocalyptic and near-future techno-thriller novels. He is an admitted tech geek, science nerd, cyclist, and storyteller. JK Franks' world was formed by a childhood growing up during the Space Age when he developed a love for books. He became an avid student of history and science and a regular reader of everything from reference books to dusty, old biographies. Once he discovered science fiction, he never looked back.

  His work is mostly near-future thrillers, characterized by meticulous research, hard science, and a gritty, seldom-matched realism. “I hate stupid characters,” states Franks. “Or even worse, smart characters, acting stupid.” All of his work combines his passion for hard science fiction, well-crafted characters, and superb storytelling.

  No matter where he is or what's going on, Franks tries his best to set aside time every day to answer emails and messages from readers. You can visit him on the web at www.jkfranks.com. Please subscribe to his newsletter for updates, promotions, and giveaways. You can also find the author on Facebook or email him directly at media@jkfranks.com.

  OTHER BOOKS BY JK FRANKS

  The Catalyst Series

  Book 1: Downward Cycle

  Life in a remote, oceanfront town spirals downward after a massive solar flare causes a global blackout. But the loss of electrical power is just the first of the problems facing the survivors in the chaos that follows. Is this how the world ends?

  Book 2: Kingdoms of Sorrow

  With civilization in ruins, individuals band together to survive and build a new society. The threats are both grave and numerous—surely too many for a small group to weather. This is a harrowing story of survival following the collapse of the planet’s electrical grids.

  Book 3: American Exodus

  This companion story to the Catalyst series follows one man’s struggle to get back home after the collapse. No supplies, no idea of the hardships to come; how can he possibly survive the journey? Even if he survives, can he adapt to this new reality?

  Book 4: Ghost Country

  Since the solar superstorm and CME almost two years before, the Gulf Coast town of Harris Springs, Mississippi, has suffered from gang attacks, famine, and hurricanes and has battled a crusading army of religious zealots. Now, they face their greatest challenge: outsmarting a tyrannical president and escaping an approaching pandemic.

  Cade Rearden Thrillers

  Book 1: State of Chaos

  He’s exhausted and brutally traumatized. Now, Spec-Ops Captain Cade Rearden must finally listen to the voices in his head…or everyone on Earth may die. If you like near-future technology, complex heroes, and high-octane action, then you’ll love JK Franks’ explosive new adventure.

  Book 2: Midnight Zone

  Nightmares are real in the cold, dark waters of the deep. National Security Agent Cade Rearden is used to secrets. Assigned to protect the ultra-dark-ops organization known as The Cove Project, he grapples with his role of defending a country still in crisis after a deadly super AI has devastated much of the U.S.

  But when part of his team mysteriously disappears beneath the idyllic waters of the Caribbean, Cade finds himself thrust into a web of lies and mystery, at the heart of which lies an eons-old secret that somebody will kill to protect. Grappling with his inner demons and struggling to locate his friends, Cade stumbles upon a government cover-up…and terrifying creatures, hidden miles beneath the surface of the ocean.