-67-

  Maddox used the bulkhead to struggle up until he stood, leaning against it. “I touched you.”

  The Eye of Helion stopped in midair. Did it brighten? It was difficult to tell.

  “I touched you in order to bring you back into operation,” Maddox said.

  A pale beam ejected from the crystal, shining against Maddox’s forehead. The captain stood there as if dumbfounded.

  “Stop that!” Mara shouted, as she raised her hands.

  The beam ceased. The Eye seemed to regard her, although it didn’t move in any way.

  Mara dropped her hands down to her sides.

  “Captain Maddox is unharmed,” the Eye said in a high-pitched, warbling voice. “I needed a point of reference. Now, after scanning his mentality, I have it. Why shouldn’t I destroy you, Maddox? Touching me as you did was illegal in the extreme.”

  “I met a different Eye of Helion off-planet.” Maddox didn’t feel any worse for the mind scan, if that was what it had been. “The off-world Eye told me about this place. I believe it told me so I could find and rescue you.”

  “Why would the other Eye do this?”

  “I’m sure you’re a better judge of that than me. My guess… So, you could awake enough to return to Helion.”

  The Eye bobbed up and down in the air. “Helion, sweet crystals of Helion, how I long for thee—it has been ages since I left home.”

  “The other Eye gave me an image of Helion and its position in this spiral arm,” Maddox said. “Later, I’ll share that with you so you can find your way home.”

  “Why should I believe you?”

  “Because I need your help,” Maddox said. “I’m bargaining for it and am willing to give help to you in return.”

  “You wish to make a bargain with me?”

  “That’s what I said.”

  The Eye hovered in one place again. “The Triad is long dead. They tricked me.”

  “I thought so,” Maddox said. “We slew the Triad that had tricked the off-world Eye.”

  “I saw that in your mind. May I say, you have a many-layered intellect? That is unusual in a humanoid like you. What accounts for it?”

  “We can talk about that later. First, we should seal the bargain.”

  “If I agree to this, what would be the next step?”

  Maddox talked fast, conserving strength by continuing to lean against the bulkhead. This just might work after all. An Eye of Helion could do things others could not. It probably wouldn’t be enough to get him home to Earth. It might not be enough to deal with the approaching assault vessels of Leviathan. But maybe it would be enough to get out of this damned sinkhole and the mid-world desert.

  “Yes,” the Eye said at least. “I will provisionally agree. Let us proceed with the next phase of the operation.”

  ***

  Mara carried the Eye of Helion by using her telekinetic power to keep it from touching her flesh. In that way, the Eye didn’t have to use any its power to continue to levitate.

  “You see,” the Eye of Helion said, “too much expenditure on my part, even at this low wattage, might trickle down to the one below. We of Helion are antithetical to those who are below. We were early creations, as far as we have been able to tell, as they were early creations also. They did not like the way of things and started their war against the Creator and creation almost immediately.”

  “That’s interesting of course,” Maddox said. “But sticking to the point at hand will be more germane to our mutual survival.”

  “I suppose you have a point,” the Eye said.

  They’d been walking as a group, having left the shuttle and now examining the various pieces of equipment in the vast chamber.

  The Eye noticed power outlets, indicating them. “Ah, if you could hook up and turn on that generator over there, I could reenergize myself faster and more efficiently.”

  They hooked up the generator. It had a heavy power cord. And they set the Eye upon it. Dravek threw the switch. The generator shook and whined. Soon, flows of power surged in growing bolts. The generator kept pulsating, increasing its charges. The Eye sucked each electrical discharge into itself. The floating crystal brightened at each intake.

  Ophir with his surviving Honey Man approached them. “What you’re doing is madness. The Eye is an alien construct and likely means to attack us once it’s fully charged.”

  “Quite the opposite,” Maddox said. “It’s our only ticket out of here.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “I’ll let actions do the talking. Will you trust us in this, Gallant Ophir?”

  Ophir blinked repeatedly, his face sweaty and as he bit his lower lip. “Do you swear to allow me the grav tank and its munitions?”

  “Absolutely,” Maddox said.

  “I’ll take your word for it, as I hope you’re a man of honor.”

  “Noted and appreciated,” Maddox said. “I, too, trust you regarding your given word once we return to the Highlands.”

  Ophir nodded curtly.

  Then they waited, everyone anxious about the outcome. How much time could they afford to waste while the Eye powered up?

  A half hour passed.

  “My grav tank is full,” Ophir informed Maddox. He and his man had been carting items into it. “I’m ready to leave.”

  “How will you get the tank to the bottom of the sinkhole?” Maddox asked.

  Ophir pointed across the chamber. “There’s a large cargo hatch in back. I checked. It’s open. I’ll drive the tank through to wherever it leads.”

  That seemed reasonable enough. Still—Maddox glanced at the Eye sucking down bolts of energy. He motioned to Dravek and Mara. “Shut down the generator. Bring the Eye to me. It’s time to decide our next move.”

  Dravek did as ordered.

  The Eye complained when the generator wound down, saying it needed more.

  “The captain would like a word with you,” Mara said.

  “Oh?” the Eye said. “In that case, will you carry me?”

  “With honor,” Mara said.

  Using her telekinetic power, she brought the Eye to where the others gathered, keeping it hovering just above her outstretched hand.

  “Eye of Helion,” Maddox said. “Can you teleport us out of here to the surface?”

  “Theoretically I can,” the Eye said. “However, such a discharge of my power might awaken…it below.”

  Maddox scowled. “If it awakens, all we’ve done will be for naught. Gath will be at its mercy. Do you know if Leviathan is connected or allied to those who are like the one below?”

  “I do not perceive that to be the case,” the Eye said. “I’m sure those of Leviathan fear the ones that is represented by it below.”

  Maddox found that interesting and hopeful. Maybe instead of having a war against Leviathan, Star Watch should seek an alliance with them predicated against any surviving Yon Soths. He doubted those of Leviathan would think that way, though.

  “So, how do we get out of here?” Maddox asked.

  “Describe the situation in detail,” the Eye said. “I may see a solution that has escaped you.”

  That seemed reasonable. So, each of them in turn told the Eye what they knew. It hovered above Mara’s hand, absorbing the knowledge.

  “Tell me about the rest of the planet,” the Eye said.

  Maddox, Ophir, and finally Mara did so.

  Afterward, they waited as the Eye pondered the possibilities.

  Maddox checked his chronometer. Time was ticking. They needed to get on with it.

  “I may have a solution,” the Eye said at last. “You spoke about Grandma Julia sending ballistic missiles. Do these missiles have cobalt-enhanced warheads?”

  “Thermonuclear warheads,” Ophir said.

  “That isn’t ideal, but it should be enough. Have Grandma launch the missiles at these coordinates.” The Eye gave them in terms of Gath latitude and longitude. “Those coordinates will place the detonations around the sinkhole in a wide circumference. The warheads should destroy the effective mind-fusion and fighting Metamorphs. Thus, they will no longer bar our way from here.”

  “I can’t reach Grandma by comm from down here,” Ophir said. “Communications with the Highlands have been cut off.”

  The Eye fell silent until at last it said, “I will show you some equipment that might solve our dilemma.”

  Soon, Ophir was at an underground comm station as Mara worked the console. On the third try, they reached Highland GHQ. Shortly after that, Grandma Julia appeared on the screen.

  There was some fuzziness and crackling. “Ophir, my director tells me this is a strange frequency you’re using,” Julia said. “What is the cause of that?”

  “We’re deep underground in the mid-world desert,” Ophir said. “We’ve broken through into the main weapon vault. We’ve reached the weapon site in other words.”

  “Then you’ve succeeded?”

  “I have a grav tank,” Ophir said.

  “That’s the super weapon you’re bringing home?” Julia asked. “Isn’t there anything else you could find better than that?”

  “The shuttles down here aren’t operative. The grav tank is and it’s huge. It has superior armor and cannon, and it has grav-repellers. If we can manufacture these—”

  “I’m disappointed in you,” Julia said, interrupting. “We expended two dirigibles for a lousy tank?”

  “I’ve studied the legion armories,” Ophir said. “They have nothing like this tank. Believe me, it’s a game changer for us.”

  On the screen, Grandma Julia appeared dubious.

  “Tell her,” Maddox urged from the side.

  Ophir stood taller and seemed to gather his resolve. “Grandma, it’s doubtful we can leave the sinkhole unless you launch ballistic missiles at precise coordinates?”

  Julia scowled and shook her head. “This is a farce then and your tank a joke. You want me to provide the weapon, so you won’t have to commit suicide. You lack the courage to take care of this yourself.”

  “No, no, it’s nothing like that,” Ophir said. “Our enemies surround the outer sinkhole on the surface. Some of the enemies have created a telepathic mind fusion. They’re a growing menace to everyone on the planet. The missiles will wipe out most of them and give us in the Highlands time to prepare for their inevitable resurgence.”

  “I’m dubious about all of this,” Julia said. “If your grav tank is so wonderful, use it to kill these desert marauders. What else could you bring home?”

  “I’ve packed the tank with every interesting weapon I could find.”

  Julia shrugged with indifference.

  From out of sight to Julia on the screen, Maddox yanked off his shirt and whispered to Ophir.

  “Grandma,” Ophir said, “I’ve also taken Captain Maddox prisoner.”

  The last Honey Man clutched Maddox, pushing him before the screen. Black and blue bruises covered his torso. The captain also kept his hands behind his back as if they were manacled.

  “My, my,” Julia said, “did he attempt treachery against you?”

  “He did,” Ophir said. “By doing that, he forced me to subdue him. I’ve taught him several bitter lessons already. Look at me, prisoner.”

  Maddox would not.

  “He’s still disobedient,” Julia said.

  “It only appears that way,” Ophir said. “I’ve driven all pretenses from him. I believe he fears to look upon my greatness or possibly fear of you has bewildered and confused him.”

  Julia studied a contrite-looking, head-bowed Maddox. “Yes,” she said. “You’re correct in believing I have a few lessons I wish to give the once haughty captain. For that, you must escape the sinkhole and desert. And who knows, maybe this grav tank will prove useful after all. I’ll have my commanders launch the missiles immediately.”

  “It might be better, Grandma, if you launched in two hours and fifty-two minutes,” Ophir said.

  “You’re coordinating your efforts, are you?” Julia asked.

  “Yes, Grandma,” Ophir said.

  “Very well, so it shall be done.” Soon after that, Julia cut the connection.

  -68-

  Less than an hour later in the Highlands of the South Pole region, the commander of a ballistic missile silo received orders from Grandma Julia. Shofet Zadoury had countersigned the orders, making them official.

  The commander checked the codes. They were in order. He had his men input the coordinates into the simulator. Several tests confirmed that the projected flight paths would achieve their function.

  The commander now had his men input the coordinates into the actual missiles. The silo team made the adjustments, cleared the launch sites and finally signaled that everything was ready to go.

  The commander began to watch the clock. Exactly eighty-nine minutes and forty-two seconds later, the first gigantic booster ignited. The great missile left its silo and lofted toward the cloudy heavens.

  These were old-style chemically fueled rockets, using solid fuel propellant.

  After the first missile rose into the air, with its fiery tail still visible to those on the ground, the other two rockets launched as well.

  All three began the journey that would take them in a parabolic trajectory to the coordinates provided by Grandma Julia. First, they would reach low orbital space before beginning their flight down to the middle planet desert.

  Meanwhile, around the mid-desert, kilometer-wide sinkhole, as the sun sank below the horizon, Metamorphs stirred. They came out of their hastily but deeply dug holes. The vast majority were thickly muscled, leathery-skinned fighters with assault rifles, machine guns and crew-served artillery. The rest were two-brained Metamorphs, part of the Yun mind fusion. It had grown stronger during this time as other two-brained gestalt-oriented Metamorphs joined in telepathic linkage. At last, the lines of mind-fusion communication hummed as before the mind blast last night.

  As the terrible day’s heat began its first slow dissipation, the Yun mind fusion communicated amongst itself. It waited for the enemy to show themselves so they could attack.

  The gestalt-fusion intellect knew the sinkhole led to the glorious one, the god of the underworld. It also knew that from the sinkhole arose from time to time new and dangerous thoughts and new two-brained Yun. The new ones were always more powerful than the old.

  The Yun gestalt knew its mental strength was growing. It was ready to hit those who had slaughtered so many fighters last night. There had been war in the desert. Far too many Metamorph fighters were dead. But the larders had grown with new meat that had dropped from the sky. Even now, some of the most resistant new meat was strapped to boards as feeding tubes were thrust past their clicking, resisting teeth and down their throats.

  The handlers laughed at such vain efforts. The new meat would be fattened with the oily and nutritious gruel. In a month or two, there would be a grand feast. The Yun would come from everywhere. They’d watch the chefs cook the living meat and delight in the hopelessness and despair of the meat.

  The despair particularly was a garnish of delight. It oiled the mind-fusion feasters like almost nothing else. As the meat screamed, the Yun would hum a chorus. It was the Song of Conquest detailing Metamorph obstinacy and certainty of victory. They would prevail and spread throughout the rest of the planet.

  The Song of Conquest explained that they would no longer be outcasts living in the wretchedly hot deserts or sleeping in holes like beasts. In the days of victory, they would live in the mansions built by those they had eaten. According to the song, they would know great feasting as they took hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions of captives. They would choose the very fattest and start new herds of feast meat. In the days of paradise, they would only take the young and fatten them until they were a delectable delight. The Song of Conquest envisioned a new time for Gath, a time of plenty indeed.

  It was all part of the great plan: to spread and grow. The Yun mind fusion realized it would become smarter and more cunning with time and expansion.

  Perhaps it flailed about at times, attempting to gain greater coherence. The song told how the gestalt would finally gain the power needed to awaken the great god below that swam in slumber.

  The Yun knew, as Maddox and the others could not, that it was not an easy thing to awaken a Yon Soth when it was deep in slumber.

  That was the secret reason why the dreaming god propelled them, adding knowledge and insights to the collective Yun fusion.

  Maybe they had lost many fighters last night. Stronger and better fighters would replace those. The artificers deep in the sinkhole would no doubt take some of the weapons removed from the meat and study them. Then, the scientists below would give the Yun even better weapons.

  The Yun mind fusion was restricted for now. It understood that it lacked the strength to pierce the mental shield of the laboratories below. The Yun didn’t know part of the protection was to allow the scientists to work in peace. The other thing was practice. When the mind fusion could finally pierce the telepathic block over the deep labs, it would have gained the strength to awaken the great god that had given it reality.

  On that glorious day, the dark god would arise and link with others of its kind in the universe. Then the Yun would grow in power and understanding as it served the new greatness.

  As the Yun fusion contemplated these things, waiting for the enemy to appear out of the sinkhole, it noticed a glint of light high up in the heavens.

  That was interesting and beautiful. Wait. Could that be an enemy rocket? Yes, yes, it was an enemy attack.

  At a thought from the Yun fusion, counter batteries fired from hidden sites in the desert. Before, the batteries had brought down two dirigibles.

  Rockets also rose from secret desert silos, heading into the heavens.

  The Yun fusion wasn’t sure the rockets would reach the warhead in time. Maybe it needed to do this directly.

  Suiting thought to action, the gestalt cast its mental strength upward, doing so with terrible urgency.

  The glittering warhead had become brighter as it came down from the heavens.