The Athena Operation (16 page)

CHAPTER 27: THE ATHENA

OPERATION

They entered the gigantic room and were immediately taken aback. A red carpet led them around a corner, where they entered what seemed like a throne room. The carpet and floor followed a circular pattern, and just outside the carpet, a glass floor led up the walls and into the ceiling. They could see out into space in almost every direction. Seythra lined the outside of the carpet, armed with guns and spear-like weapons.

Just past the circular carpet, elongated stairs led up to a three-chair seat that was behind a desk with a video screen. At the top of the stairs, sitting in the seats, were two men. One was a human with graying hair, and the other was an othal who looked similar to Drever, minus the battle scars and with darker skin.

Zane smiled. “Welcome. My name is Zane Silver, and this is my partner, Aven Sabu. You’ve officially stepped foot inside Trini 5010. Not many can say that.” He stood up. “I’m sure you have many questions.”

“I’m not interested in asking any questions,” Seraph said. “I’m here to put a stop to the seythra. I have no business with you.”

Aven whispered to his partner. “Zane, tread carefully. They’re just like I said.” Aven stood.

Zane held up a hand and turned to Seraph. “Your business is with us. The seythra are part of a mission we are spearheading. It’s called the Athena Operation. What the seythra are doing serves a purpose; it’s not mindless killing.” Zane took a few steps down toward the group.

Ret shook his head. “Could’ve fooled me. Slaughtering innocents seems pretty fucking mindless. Not exactly strategic.”

“I assure you, there was a purpose,” Zane said. “Here we are, fifteen days after the initial attack. Everything you’ve witnessed was phase one. We now enter phase two.” Zane continued down the stairs.

Drever scoffed. “Well then do you mind telling us what this fuckin’ operation is about?”

“The Athena Operation is, quite simply, a cleansing,” Zane said. “A purging, if you will. The universe, and all the galaxies that encompass it, is destroying itself. Each planet suffers extreme economic stratification. The well off do not even bat an eye at the poor. The homeless are left for dead. Poverty levels have risen drastically, as have crime rates. Governments throughout the universe operate on corrupt systems that benefit only themselves. These systems are sickening. We intend to build a universe wherein such selfishness is non-existent. It will be a cooperative society in which we use only the most worthy people to fuel our rebirth. We are, in every essence, wiping the slate clean and reforming the entire universe.” Zane came face to face with the group. “And we intend to start with you.

“You four and the two who left are the first that caught our eye. You severely damaged us. You took out the Baryon and have destroyed countless seythra. We want you to join our new empire, to relish in the glory we will restore to the universe, to help lead us to a brighter future! This is our rebirth. Did you ever think we would get a second chance?”

“What about the seythra?” Drever asked. “What's their part in all this?”

“The seythra, ah yes. They mean more to this than you can possibly realize. Forty percent of the seythra now have chips inside their brains. The chip allows us to unlock potential we hadn’t thought possible. Take the neural augmentations that can stimulate you, make you ‘more productive’. Now pretend that actually works. These chips transform the seythra into brutal warriors. Their thinking is sharper; They can even communicate without speaking. Their aggression doubles. Direct control can be assumed by myself or by higher ranking military officials. It took decades to perfect such technology. Aven’s grandfather began the process. I only wish we could have initialized it sooner.” Zane walked around the room, touching each seythra as he passed it.

“And all of the seythra just agreed to this plan?” Ret asked. “How the fuck is that possible?”

“It’s true, many fought against it,” Zane said. “Some we regretfully killed in the beginning. But now, we leave them to die if they cannot become worthy in the way you four have. Make no mistake, most of the seythra are in this willingly. Seventy-three percent of their species back us. They wish for a brighter future, nothing more. They do not kill without remorse.”

Seraph still wasn’t sold. “How the fuck did you convince them to do this?”

“It was them who came to us. Aven’s grandfather founded Trini 5010 to be a world of change, and the seythra had agreed to join him. I believe you know Lahen?” Zane smiled. “Yes, it was one of your beloved Confederate Chamber who started the seythra movement. He came to us, and then convinced most of his people to join. Lahen, along with Aven and myself, will lead the world to the salvation it so greatly needs. The seythra believe in this cause just as much as we do. Decades later, most stand by their initial promise. Nobody knew it would come to this, but your worlds are falling. The damage our seythra have done does not even begin to compare to the horrors your governments have committed.”

“So this is a world without poverty, without traditional government, without selfishness . . . but it's lead by you two and Lahen? You three hold supreme authority? How the fuck is that any different than our Confederate Chamber?” Seraph asked.

Zane's eyes grew tense. “Your Chamber failed on every front they tried to aid. The universe despises them, and Lahen saw this. Our rule is not that of supreme authority, only those who wish to guide the universe to salvation.”

Seraph shook his head. “You've convinced yourself you're not seizing power. You've blinded yourself to the fact that you're going to be dictators to inhabitants who fear you!”

“Zane, they clearly won't listen,” Aven shouted.

“Just a moment, Aven.” Zane turned back to the group, and motioned to the area behind them. “Ah, I believe you've already met our Titan.”

There was a loud thump behind them, and the entire group turned to see the large, white seythra that they’d encountered on the Baryon walking toward them.

Zane gestured to the seythra. “He is our latest, most advanced project. He is practically invincible. He isn’t self-aware, however. He’s entirely a machine, a fully capable AI. Created only for combat situations.” Zane nodded to Ret.

Ret moved forward. “What is the point of all of this? Kill to get people to fear you, rebuild society in your image, what’s different? The same fucking thing will happen!”

Zane shook his head. “Not quite. For one, our new universe won’t have the setup this one does. Lahen, Aven and I will make any and all decisions regarding major universe changes. But just because we hold ultimate authority does not mean we'll just make decisions based on our best interests.” Zane glared at Seraph. “Anything less is passed down to our advisors. Each of you could be an advisor for a different galaxy. We won’t have a numerous military, nor much of a political system. We and our advisors are the end all be all. We'll utilize individual skills to build cooperative societies on each world. We'll use the resources and create a self-sustaining living environment where we each contribute in whatever way we can. Look at what your group did on Jhalin. Your Commander was out, yet you hunted, you found water, you organized. You survived. We will all work together; there will be no individual agendas. And above all, we will take care of our fellow brother. We will lend a hand, and make sure everyone is taken care of.”

Drever scoffed. “You can’t just convince everyone to join you. You’ve murdered their families. They’ll never follow you just because you say you can promise a better world.”

“That is where we will offer them a choice,” Zane said. “Should they not want to join us-”

A gunshot exploded and a bullet ripped through Zane’s stomach. He looked down and saw blood blooming all over his white suit. He turned to see Aven standing behind him, pistol aimed. Zane fell forward and crumpled to the ground.

Aven shook his head and began walking down the stairs. Below him, Zane thrashed and cried out in pain.

Aven knelt down next to Zane and chuckled. “Zane, I truly appreciate all of your efforts, and you’re to be commended. But your work here is done. Lahen and I send our regards.”

Aven stared up at the group. He looked manic. “Now, where were we? Should they not want to join, they’ll be exiled to Earth. If they come back, we will kill them. Simple as that. They’re either with us or they’re not, and if they do not wish to see this universe saved, they do not deserve to live among us. I present the four of you with that very choice. What will it be?” Aven looked each of them over.

Ret chuckled. “You just killed your partner, and we’re supposed to trust you? We’re supposed to believe you’re advocating a world of peace?”

Aven shook his head. “Don’t mind that. Zane’s death has been a long time coming. I think you’ll find Lahen and I have a far better grasp of what this universe needs. Zane was far too optimistic, too hopeful. He could never do the dirty work. He was right about one thing, though. You four are capable. You say you want to save the universe. This is your chance. Are you willing to take it?

Vinnor stepped forward and nodded to Aven. “I am.”

Aven nodded back. “Very well. Good choice.” Aven ushered Vinnor closer. As Aven extended his arm for a handshake, Vinnor yanked his knife from its sheath and jammed it into Aven’s shoulder.

Aven shrieked and fell back. Seraph and Ret pulled their guns immediately and opened fire on the seythra. Drever charged the Titan and tackled it to the ground.

Vinnor wrestled with Aven, but the othal got the better of the doctor and wound up on top of him. Aven sent a hard right into Vinnor's face and reached for his pistol. Seraph came from behind and smashed the stock of his rifle into Aven’s face. Several seythra filed into the room from the main door. Seraph took cover behind the stairs and fired round after round into the crowd.

Drever got to his feet and raised his rifle. He shot two seythra before turning back to the Titan. The Titan was faster. It rushed at Drever and slammed him into the wall. The gun fell from Drever’s hand.

“Seraph, Ret, get the fuck out of here! I’ve got these assholes!” Drever shoved the Titan off of him and slammed the butt of his rifle into the Titan's temple.

“He’s right, we have to get out of here!” Ret shouted as he emptied his magazine into a seythra.

Seraph didn’t want to admit it, but they were right. He popped out of cover and took down three more seythra. The mass of soldiers had thinned out and the main doorway was clear. Seraph knew this was their chance.

“We’ve got to move!” Seraph yelled. Ret and Vinnor jumped up and ran for the door on his command.

“Go, I’ll catch up!” Drever shouted. “Get the fuck out of here, Seraph!”

Seraph hesitated for a moment, then ran toward the exit behind Ret and Vinnor.

Drever smashed his fist into the Titan’s face and dragged him to the middle of the room. Two mangled seythra closed in on Drever. He spun around and fired two clean shots, one into each seythra’s forehead.

The Titan shot up and grabbed Drever. It smashed Drever’s head into the glass wall until blood poured from Drever’s nose. As the Titan went for another hit, Drever slammed his elbow into the Titan’s nose.

The Titan pulled a blade from its holster and made to stab Drever in the chest. Drever grabbed the Titan’s wrist and kicked the machine to the floor. Drever raised his gun and fired three shots into the Titan’s stomach. A moment later, a bullet ran straight through Drever’s right elbow and he fell to the ground. He rolled over and saw Aven advancing on him, revolver in hand.

Aven turned to the Titan. “That’s enough. Go get the others. Kill them all.”

The Titan rose to his feet and staggered out of the room.

Aven stood over Drever and smiled. “Got any last words?”

Drever waited until Aven was close enough, and then he lashed out with his knife. Aven dodged Drever by a hair. He grunted and slammed his foot into Drever’s injured elbow. Drever cried out and tried to get to his feet. Aven raised his gun and took out both of Drever’s kneecaps. Drever howled and fell back. Aven advanced, gun raised. Drever dragged himself across the floor, trying to move away. Aven kicked Drever over onto his stomach and pinned Drever's good arm to the floor. Aven pulled a dagger from his belt. He jammed it into Drever’s good eye. Drever unleashed an ear splitting scream. He thrashed under Aven’s grip, but he was too weak to break free.

“Listen,” Aven said. “You, and your little group, you never made any real progress. I don’t need the fucking Baryon. I never did. You’ll be the first lesson for them, for everyone who tries to fight. Do not fucking interfere with me.”

Aven pulled the dagger from Drever’s eye and slid it across Drever’s throat. Drever gagged as blood filled his mouth. He choked and twitched for a moment, then fell still. Aven stood up, satisfied with his work, and headed for the door.

**

Seraph, Vinnor, and Ret regrouped outside the room. “Okay. We have to hurry,” Seraph said. “We don’t have much time before another army comes marching down that hall. We need to get rid of Aven. It doesn’t matter how many seythra we kill; this won’t stop if Aven is still alive. I think I have a plan. Follow me.”

Aven wandered through the halls casually, revolver in one hand. That fucking doctor had cut him decently enough, and the pain annoyed him. He turned a corner and spotted a thin blood trail leading into one of the rooms.