“Nobody else here can use that machine anyway.” Drake said, not even bothering to turn and face the king. “We’ll find another way.”

  “Thank you for your help, Celestia.” Al said as he turned to follow Drake. “I hope we see you again, under better circumstances, of course.”

  “As do I.” Celestia said.

  Without another word, Al turned and followed Drake.

  Chapter 29: Drake

  The infirmary door slid open.

  Drake stirred, awoken by the sudden flood of light.

  He’d fallen asleep sitting by Angela’s bed.

  Angela still didn’t move.

  One of Ryker’s messengers entered the room.

  “King Ryker requests your presence.” The messenger said.

  “Come back later.” Drake said.

  “He says it’s urgent.” The messenger said.

  “It’d better be.” Drake said as he stood and walked out the door, looking back at Angela’s motionless body before making the walk to the command bridge.

  “Drake.” Ryker said as Drake entered. “I understand you don’t want to use the memory machine again. But we need your help or more people will die.”

  “What do you want me to do?” Drake barked.

  “We need to get the book out of the library.” Ryker said.

  “If you send somebody there,” Drake said. “They’ll die. There’s no way to get past the Nightmares for long enough to locate the book. And even if you found it, they won’t be able to get off the planet.”

  “I want you to see something.” Ryker said. “We received this transmission from 169.”

  Ryker nodded to one of his men. The man pushed a button on his computer and 169 appeared on the screen.

  “King Ryker.” He said. “As you know, I am the one responsible for the destruction of New Earth. I have the power to destroy as many of your planets as I choose. I will obliterate one per week, starting two days from now, until you surrender to the Mystics. You’ve lost this war King Ryker; how many more of your people die before you realize that is up to you.”

  “You’re right.” Drake said as the message shut off. “We have to kill him. I can get into that library, find the answer and use Vhy’ Rai to get off.”

  “I have a better idea.” Ryker said. “This ship is equipped for extraction from a quarantined planet. We’ll send you down in a small ship. It can fly high enough into the atmosphere before the engines shut off that we’ll be able to retrieve it. We should be able to do the same thing with a small bomber. It’ll drop bombs on the other side of the city as a distraction. You’ll be able search the library undisturbed.”

  “You’ve obviously thought this through.” Drake replied.

  “When can you be ready?” Ryker asked.

  “Right now.” Drake said. “Set a course for Rabbit’s Foot.”

  “I’m going with you when you go down.” Vahn said, stepping out of the corner of the room.

  “No, you’re not.” Drake said.

  “You need an experienced fighter to keep watch for you while you search for the book.” Vahn said. “I’m the best man for the job, and you know it.”

  “Fine.” Drake growled. “But if you fall behind, you’re getting left behind.”

  “Fine with me.” Vahn said. “I won’t let you down again.”

  ************************************

  Vahn double-checked the frequency on his radio then stepped slowly into the small ship the King had given for him and Drake to use.

  “Ready to go?” Drake’s voice came from inside of the ship.

  “Yeah,” Vahn said, walking into the small cockpit area where Drake was already sitting. “Let’s do this.”

  “Good.” Drake said, pushing the button on the console to shut the door, and then pulling up a microphone to his mouth. “Euismod is ready for take off. Request permission to begin operation.”

  “Permission granted.” A voice responded over the ship’s radio.

  Drake released the docking clamps and flew out of the landing hangar onboard the Basileus, and out toward Rabbit’s Foot.

  “Are you really ready for this?” Vahn said turning toward Drake. “You don’t seem like yourself.”

  “Being myself.” Drake replied, “Is what made me leave 169 alive to kill all of those people, and it’s what got Angela hurt. I’m not the person we need for this mission, so right now I have to be someone else.”

  “That might not be the best attitude to have, Drake. Indecisiveness will get you killed in a dangerous situation. You don’t have to be exactly who you were, but you’d better figure out who you are now, or we’re both going to be in danger.”

  “Thanks for the lecture.” Drake said. “Just watch my back and let me know when the Nightmares come back and we’ll be fine.”

  Vahn didn’t push anymore. After seeing the memories from Drake’s childhood, he realized the fact that Drake didn’t have a major psychological disorder was a miracle. He could deal with these mood swings for now.

  “The bombing has commenced.” A voice spoke through the radio.

  “Good.” Drake replied through his microphone. “We’re going in for a landing.”

  The Euismod touched down on the top of one of the library’s towers.

  Drake and Vahn lept out of it and headed down the stairs toward the main library.

  “Watch my back while I search these shelves.” Drake said as he ran down the aisle looking over book covers as he went.

  Vahn could hear the bombs exploding in the streets just a few miles away, followed by the continuous screams of the angry Nightmares.

  It appeared, at least for now; none of them had stayed behind in the library.

  “It’s not in this aisle.” Drake said. “I’m moving to the next one.”

  Vahn shifted over to watch over the next aisle of bookshelves, but once again found it free of Nightmares.

  Vahn’s radio crackled to life.

  “They didn’t all take the bait.” said a voice from the other end of the radio. “You’ve got about fifteen of them headed your way.”

  “Did you hear that, Drake?” Vahn yelled.

  “Yeah.” Drake replied. “I’ve only ever seen them try to come in the front door. Go watch that. When you see them getting close we’ll run back to the ship.”

  “I’m on it.” Vahn said as he ran toward the main entrance.

  The Nightmares were nowhere in sight.

  “Mayday!” A voice crackled through Vahn’s radio. “We’re going down!”

  Vahn looked up to see the huge bomber ship spiraling out of control, falling toward the library.

  “Time to go!” Vahn yelled.

  But it was too late.

  Stained glass and ancient bricks came raining down as the bomber smashed through the wall.

  Vahn dove under a nearby table hoping it would offer him some kind of shelter although he doubted it would help much if the roof came down.

  Luckily, it held.

  But it wouldn’t stay up for long. The crash had left a massive hole in the wall, and lit several of the books on the shelves on fire.

  Vahn looked at the wreckage of the ship, there were people coming out of it.

  Vahn moved forward instinctively ready to help the survivors escape the flaming wreckage.

  Drake grabbed Vahn’s arm, stopping him before he could get too close.

  “Those aren’t people.” Drake said.

  Vahn stared at the men climbing from the wreckage.

  He could see the spikes protruding from them.

  “Nightmares.” He said under his breath.

  “Follow me.” Drake said, kicking aside a nearby table, opening a hatch in the floor, and sliding down the ladder.

  Vahn followed behind him, closing the hatch behind him before climbing down the ladder.

  At the bottom of the ladder was a large steel box. The walls must have been at least three feet thick.

  It had a slit in the door to look outside and a ventilation shaft coming out the top.

  There was nothing inside except for two beds and several shelves with canned food and water on them.

  “Get in.” Drake said. Vahn ran in without question and Drake shut the door behind him.

  “How are we getting out of here?” Vahn asked.

  “I don’t know.” Drake said. “Our best shot is to wait this out. Once the library burns away the Nightmares should leave. If our ship is still intact we’ll get out of here the same way we planned before.”

  “And what if the Nightmares realize we’re down here?” Vahn asked.

  “Then we’ll sit here and while they break down the door and kill us.” Drake replied. “So let’s pray they don’t find us.”

  Moments later, the loud metal clanging of the upstairs hatch being smashed in let them know that Drake’s plan wasn’t going to work. The Nightmares were coming.

  Vahn did a quick assessment of their situation and realized Drake was right. They had no options. They were both going to die.

  “Drake.” He said. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault.” Drake said. “It’s not like you could have predicted the Nightmares could actually bring down the bomber. Even I didn’t see that one coming.”

  “Not about that.” Vahn said. “You lived here for years, just waiting for me to save you, and I never came.”

  “You really think right now is the best time to talk about this?” Drake said.

  “Drake,” Vahn replied. “This might be the only chance we ever get to talk about it.”

  Metallic clangs rang through the room as the Nightmares pounded on the door to the panic room.

  “Then you’d better talk fast.” Drake said. “It’ll only take them about ten minutes to get through the door.”

  “Dad sent me into hiding with Uncle Asher.” Vahn said. “He told me if Rabbit’s Foot fell I would need to tell Asher you were here so he could come and save you. But Asher had no interest in saving you. He wanted you dead so he could be king.

  “There were probably better solutions, but I was only nine. I called the human government and told them where Asher was hiding. They captured him, and they granted me citizenship. But I couldn’t get around this planet’s quarantine. I tried, Drake. But there was no way for me to save you.”

  Drake paused for a moment looking at Vahn.

  “So you saved me.” He said slowly.

  “I didn’t know what you were going through here. Can you ever forgive me?”

  Drake paused again before answering.

  “Do you think forgiveness really exists?” Drake asked.

  “Of course it does.” Vahn said. “There’s nothing in this world that can’t be made right if you’re willing to do what it takes.”

  “I’ve killed thousands of people, Vahn.” Drake said. “How do I make that right?”

  The nightmare screaming outside the door grew louder.

  “You’re risking your life right now to save billions. That’s got to count for something.” Vahn said.

  “It’s not enough.” Drake said. “Just trying doesn’t do anything.”

  “It’ll have to be enough. You said it yourself before we came here. There’s no way to kill the Nightmares. And I doubt they’ll spare us, the only thing they don’t tear apart is each other.”

  Drake raised his head.

  “That’s it, Vahn!” He exclaimed. “They don’t fight each other, I’ve always known that, but I never stopped to think about why.”

  “Probably because they know they can’t kill each other.” Vahn said.

  “Or it’s because they know they can.”

  “That seems like a stretch Drake. Besides, even if that was true, how would we turn them against each other? It would take a miracle.”

  “I’m really lucky.” Drake said. “Miracles are daily occurrences for me.”

  Drake handed his revolver over to Vahn.

  “Hold this.” He said. “I should be able to control it for about three minutes, so after that time, throw the revolver out the front slit in the door.”

  “That doesn’t make any sense?” Vahn said, bewildered by Drake’s sudden attitude change.

  “Just do it.” Drake said climbing into the air vent.

  “This won’t work!” Vahn yelled out. “That vent lets out above the Nightmares. What do you think you’ll get from this?”

  “It’ll only be a start.” Drake said as he finished his climb into the vent. “But hopefully, forgiveness.”

  Vahn ran to the door and tried his best to see through the slit.

  Vahn gasped as Drake dropped into the middle of the twenty Nightmares swarming the door.

  Drake moved like lightning, almost as fast as the Nightmares, and his attacks were coordinated and precise.

  But no matter how fast he moved, the Nightmares healed instantly from their wounds.

  Drake brought down his sword, severing the arm of a Nightmare.

  The arm fell to the ground and started dissolving, returning to its original place attached to the Nightmare’s shoulder.

  But before it could fully disintegrate, while simultaneously using his sword to block one of the clawed hands of an attacking Nightmare, Drake grabbed the severed arm from the floor and rammed the elbow spike through another Nightmare’s throat.

  The wound didn’t heal.

  The Nightmare fell to the ground and twitched for a moment before lying still.

  “Nineteen to go!” Drake yelled out.

  A powerful swing from a Nightmare knocked Drake’s sword from his hand.

  Drake brought his hand up quickly to the Nightmare’s throat and, digging his fingernails into its skin, tore the creature’s windpipe free from its neck.

  Vahn waited for the creature to heal, but it lay dead on the floor.

  How could that be? The Nightmares could kill each other, but Drake shouldn’t have been able to.

  Vahn suddenly remembered what Drake had explained about soul anchors.

  That’s why he left his revolver behind.

  Vahn looked at Drake’s blood drenched hand.

  Where there used to be fingernails there was now a row of sharp claws. Drake’s skin was getting darker, his hair was falling out, and his eyes were now completely black.

  Spikes sprouted from his back, arms, legs, feet, and even his forehead as he spun around ramming his clawed hand through another Nightmare’s eyes, and then pulled his arm out forcefully, ramming the new spike, still growing from his elbow, into another Nightmare’s mouth and through its skull.

  Within the three minute time-span Drake had promised, all the Nightmares lay dead on the floor, and Drake stood before him transformed into one of the monsters he’d just slain.

  Vahn moved to throw the revolver out the door, but Drake slammed his massive arm against the door first, breaking it free from its hinges and knocking Vahn to the floor along with it.

  Vahn scrambled back up to his feet searching for a place to run.

  Drake unhinged his jaw and screamed as he plunged his clawed hand through Vahn’s stomach.

  The revolver slipped from Vahn’s hand as he coughed out blood and fell to the floor.

  The huge Nightmare snatched the revolver from the ground, pulling it close to its chest.

  Drake’s features slowly returned, revealing the look of horror on his face.

  Vahn’s vision faded to blackness before he could say a word.

  Chapter 30: Drake

  Massive cables towed the Euismod from the ruined atmosphere of Rabbit’s Foot and into the hangar of Basillius.

  Drake leapt out before it came to a complete stop, carrying Vahn’s motionless body.

  “I need a doctor now!” He yelled out.

  Various workers came running out, but all they did was watch Drake carry Vahn to the medical bay.

  The doctors pushed him away as soon as he arrived and rushed Vahn in for emergency surgery.

  Drake stood by and watched as they took his body into the operating room, leaving Drake standing there alone, with his clothes shredded, and covered in blood that didn’t belong to him.

  “I won’t let this all be in vain.” Drake said to himself. “I’ll stop 169. Now I know how to kill him.”

  Without bothering to change his clothes or even wash away the blood, Drake marched to the command bridge.

  “Ryker.” He said as he burst through the door. The others on the bridge gasped at his appearance, but Ryker remained calm and collected.

  “Did you get the book?” Ryker asked.

  “No.” Drake said, “But I found out how to stop 169.”

  Without saying another word, Drake walked over to the communications panel and searched through the message history.

  “What are you doing?” Ryker asked.

  “Calling 169.” Drake said. “I’m going to bribe him.”

  “Drake, I’m surprised to hear from you.” 169 said as his face appeared on the screen. “You look terrible.”

  “Likewise.” Drake said, “Has it been too long since your last fix?”

  “I beg your pardon.” 169 said.

  “It took me a while to figure you out,” Drake said, “but you’re actually a simple guy. You’re just trying to survive. You agreed to do all of this so that Dathan would pay you the euphodine you need to stay alive.”

  “Truly, your deductive reasoning knows no rival.” 169 said sarcastically.

  “The thing I didn’t get until now.” Drake said. “Is why you still followed Dathan’s plan after you gained your immortality. If you were immortal why would you need the euphodine?”

  “Am I supposed to be surprised that you’re too much of a buffoon to understand my current motivations?” 169 said.

  “First off.” Drake said. “I’m the one who gives sarcastic comments, so stop stealing my thunder. Second, I know your motivations. Taboo users can be killed by the Khryary. But they can also be killed by somebody who committed the same taboo as them. Without euphodine, your body is killing itself. You’ll still die if you don’t get it.”

  “I’m waiting for you to get to the point.” 169 replied.

  “My point is that Dathan is out of euphodine, because I stole it. I have enough to keep you alive for the next five-hundred years.”