CHAPTER 34

  "Take a look to the sky just before you die

  It's the last time you will

  Blackened roar, massive roar fills the crumbling sky

  Shattered goal fills his soul with a ruthless cry

  Stranger now are his eyes to this mystery

  Hears the silence so loud

  Crack of dawn, all is gone except the will to be

  Now they see what will be, blinded eyes to see"

  -Metallica

  ...

  Carl was eating a breakfast burrito and watching "Bertie's house", there was something about the show he couldnt get enough of.

  His cell phone buzzed.

  Screen said it was Royles.

  "Hello?"

  "I need you to come to my office Carl."

  "Sure. Be there in a minute."

  "Thank you."

  Carl ended the call and jumped up to go get dressed. It was 9:40 in the morning on a saturday and he wasn't scheduled for anything. There was no urgency in Royles voice though.

  He pulled on the grey BDUs with the D7 insignia on the shoulders...just in case it was official business.

  He knocked lightly on Royles office door.

  "Enter."

  A man in a black uniform, very similar to Carls, with a D7 patch on the shoulder stood in front of Royles desk. He had a jetpack strapped to his back.

  A rift explorer?

  "Carl, this is Michael. He says his boss talked to you about exchanging tech and information."

  Carl looked at the man for a moment, then it hit him.

  "Yes sir. This is the D7 I told you about in rift 204."

  Royles reached into a drawer in his desk and retrieved the visitor badge Carl had brought back. He threw it on the desk.

  "Thats the one! So, you guys wanting to work together?"

  Michael looked from Royles to Carl.

  "Yes. My boss said he saw something in Mr. Maitland. He is open to forming an alliance between our worlds."

  "Thats excellent! I have no doubt this will be beneficial for us both. What do you think boss?"

  Royles was studying Michael's uniform.

  "I'll have to run it up chain of command, but this is exactly what this program is designed for. Diplomacy between rifts. I have no doubt it will be approved."

  Carl grinned.

  "So where do we start? Is there..."

  The rift alarm began blaring.

  Michael looked back at Royles.

  "Is that your rift alarm? It sounds like ours."

  Royles didnt respond, he was bringing up the rift room camera. He flipped the switch for audio. Carl was trying to see the screen and Royles turned it so they could all see it. Michael leaned in.

  "What the hell is that?"

  Carl shook his head.

  "Never seen that species."

  He spoke into the silver bracelet he wore.

  "Nano, Royles office please."

  The alien was speaking in its language and staring into the camera. It was humanoid, with light grey skin and a flat nose with two slits for nostrils. Its eyes appeared to be mostly black ringed in white.

  Nano entered the office. Carl touched the back of the armor, it opened and he stepped in.

  "Whoa...our side doesn't have that level of tech."

  Carl's helmet snapped back.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  "Neither does this side...I'm not from here originally."

  "Clearly."

  "Nano, search the languages you downloaded from that translator we got back in...uh, rift seven I think it was."

  "I have it Carl."

  A small piece of nanomaterial moved up his neck and into his ear.

  "...cowards! Come out and fight! I demand a challenger!"

  Carl pointed at the intercom snd looked at Royles.

  "May I?"

  Royles nodded and stepped to the side.

  Carl pressed the button.

  "Can you understand me?"

  "Yes."

  "Why are you here?"

  "I witnessed a warrior in armor fly through your doorway. We challenge all warriors for the right to their planet."

  "The right to our planet? You want to invade us?"

  "If you are weak, yes. We will spread our seed, make it a worthy planet."

  Carl let go and looked at Royles.

  "Spread their seed? Fucking gross."

  He pressed the button.

  "There is only one of you. This planet has billions."

  "Then send me your greatest warrior. This is a challenge!"

  Carl sighed and let go of the button.

  "It can never be something simple like a bake-off or who's better at chess...noooo, its gotta be trial by combat. Goddammit."

  His eyes met Royles.

  "I'll handle this sir."

  "I can't ask you to risk your..."

  "You dont have to. This is my home. I will protect it at all costs. You know that."

  "Yes. Do you need anything?"

  "Just a bit of luck."

  "Good luck."

  "Thank you sir."

  Carl was about to walk out but Michael stopped him.

  "That things at least eight feet tall...are you sure this is a good idea?"

  Carl smiled.

  "Nope."

  The creature was pounding on the vault door when Carl got to the rift room. He gave the camera a thumbs up and Royles opened the vault door.

  Carl was face to face with the tall alien, his shoulders and arms were pure muscle under the grey skin. Carl was beginning to wonder if this was a really bad idea.

  "We do this off world. No damage to this facility."

  "We have an arena."

  "Of course you do...lead the way."

  The alien jumped through the rift and Carl followed.

  They went through the aliens rift, and came out into another type of rift room. This one guarded by two grey-skins holding spears. As soon as they were through, a massive metal door slammed down in front of the rift.

  He was trapped here.

  His insides were vibrating with adrenaline and fear.

  "Follow me."

  The alien flew out a door, the rift was high in the sky and they had built a tower up to and around it. Carl looked down at a stone city. Dwellings were made from stacked grey stone blocks. The city was devoid of color, grey seemed to be their favorite hue. In the distance he saw what looked similar to Rome's great coliseum. This one was more oval shaped and had a tower in the center with a large flat square atop the tower. They dropped down onto the raised platform, tall metal rods stood in each corner. The alien that had brought him knelt and bowed his head to a panel of five grey-skins that were elevated above the rest of the coliseums seating.

  "Masters. I bring you a warrior from doorway Zeta-13."

  The alien stood and flew away. Carl was left staring at the five.

  The center alien spoke first.

  "What is your name?"

  "You can call me the Sentinel. What are your names?"

  "I am Lothos, to my left is Batty, and Wulfgar. To my right is Xehanort and Hitcher."

  Carl nodded at each one.

  "Do you know why you are here?"

  "To defend my world from you."

  "This is our way. We find the weakest worlds and make them stronger. Soon every world will be stronger because of us. It is for the good of the universe."

  "We don't need your strength."

  "So your world is not weak?"

  "No."

  "We shall see. Are you prepared to fight?"

  "I am."

  "Good. There are rules. We are bound by honor. All fights must be equal. You are allowed a weapon as long as the other combatant has a similar weapon. You may wear your armor. Every fight is to the death. Do you understand these rules?"

  "I do."

  "And will you choose a weapon?"

  "I dont need a weapon."

  "You were scanned upon entry, your armor is powered, does it contain weapons?"

  "It does. I will remove the power source."

  Nano pushed the power source to the surface of the armor and Carl held up the small glowing blue disc.

  "The box!"

  The alien that had brought him flew back to the platform holding a large box with a display on top.

  "This box is made to open for only the person who places their weapons in it. A warriors weapons are sacred. They will not be touched. Please place your unarmored hand on the top of the box."

  Carl placed his hand on the display screen and it scanned his hand. The box hissed open. He placed his power source, his desert eagle and the four extra magazines in the box. It closed, the seam in the metal completely disappearing.

  "Are you ready to begin?"

  "No. In my culture, before battle we meditate..."

  >What are you doing Carl?

  >hush Nano, trust me.

  "...you say you are honorable. Will you allow me a couple minutes?"

  "Yes, that is acceptable."

  Carl turned his back to the five aliens and sat down cross-legged. His hands on his knees. His helmet snapped shut.

  "Alright listen Nano. This is going to be a performance. I can't have them threatening our world, we need to put on a show of absolute domination. I have the strength, I need your speed. Can you do that?"

  "Of course Carl."

  "Good, because im going to do it without the armor."

  "That is inadvisable Carl."

  "Yeah, probably, but this is more about perception than actual strength. They know nothing about my race. Lets make them afraid. Just keep quiet and follow my lead ok?"

  "I will Carl."

  "Thanks buddy."

  Carl stood up and turned toward the five.

  "Armor off."

  His armor receded into his skin. He unbuttoned his shirt slowly. The aliens were scrutinizing his every move. He removed his shirt, folded it and set it on the bio-encoded weapon box. The air was cool on his bare chest.

  "Send your champion."

  One of the five, Wulfgar stood and jumped to the platform. He was covered in scars, his right arm a mechanical prosthetic. His body rippled with muscle, his steel armor scarred and worn from use.

  "You aren't wearing your armor?"

  "Don't need it."

  "Oh, but you do."

  "We shall see."

  Lothos stood.

  "Are the challengers ready?"

  They both nodded.

  "Remove the box."

  The alien picked up the box and flew off. An orange hard light wall appeared between the metal rods, trapping them on the platform.

  "Begin!"

  Carl didnt move, only stared stonefaced at the creature in front of him.

  The alien threw a punch.

  Nano made his arm move in a blur and Carl caught the punch, he was surprised. For all their posturing about strength, the champion was quite weak compared to Carl. His fear began to dissipate.

  He twisted the fist down, forcing Wulfgar to his knees. Carl looked up at the five, at Lothos, the one who seemed to be in charge. The mechanical hand whined as Wulfgar tried to pull free. Carl flattened his hand and made a chopping motion through Wulfgars neck. The head fell to the platform and Carl stepped back.

  "That was a good warmup. Please send your real champion now."

  The four remaining looked at each other.

  They whispered and mumbled amongst themselves.

  "We...will send another warrior if you want. You have won though."

  "I am ready for another."

  >Carl, you are pushing your luck.

  >Trust me. I need them too afraid to ever go near our rift again.

  Batty stood. A defiant look on his face.

  "I will fight."

  Carl sneered.

  "Then you too will die."

  The defiance drained from the aliens face.

  "I will give you an advantage. One arm behind my back."

  Batty pressed a button, the hard light wall disappeared, and he jumped to the platform.

  He lunged forward at Carl, Carl leaned back as Batty went flying by. The alien threw a punch, Carl tilted his head, dodging the punch. He threw another and another and another punch. Carl was dancing to the side, ducking and dodging. The alien couldnt touch him. Carl shoved his fist into Batty's chest grabbed the creatures spine and pulled it out threw his chest. He fell to the platform in a bloody heap. The crowd gasped collectively, the coliseum was dead silent.

  "I am disappointed. I was promised a challenge."

  Lothos was looking about in a panic, his hands trembling.

  Lothos hit a button and the orange hard light walls appeared around Carl.

  Hitcher jumped to his feet.

  "Lothos! This is dishonorable!"

  Xehanort was on his feet now.

  "What is the meaning of this?"

  Lothos ignored them.

  "You are trapped, the rift is locked. Tell us the source of your power."

  "Understand something, I am not trapped. I shall leave when I'm ready. Where will you flee?"

  >Nano, make the armor scary...all black with a skull faceplate and burning red eyes. Lets really drive it home that humans are dangerous.

  >Of course Carl

  Carl slammed his fist into the floor of the platform and the stone structure crumbled beneath him. The armor formed around him, red eyes glowing in the skull faceplate. He floated nearer to the remaining three.

  "You claimed you were honorable. You have shown you are not."

  He flew forward and slammed his fists down on on the stone table the five had sat at. It shattered as the remaining three tried to flee. Carl grabbed Xehanort and Hitcher and smashed their heads together killing them both instantly. He flew towards Lothos who was on the ground backing away, whimpering in terror. Carl put the skull faceplate right up to Lothos face.

  "You are small and weak. You have no honor. Return my weapon."

  Lothos, swallowed and pointed to the box.

  Carl flew over and placed his hand on the box, the lid hissed open. He retrieved his power source and weapon, he stuck the mags to his waist. The armor receded and he slowly put his shirt on, one button at a time. His eyes never leaving Lothos.

  "When you speak of this day, speak of your warriors courage. Honor them. Tell your people you were bested and I will tell mine of Lothos the coward."

  >can you amplify my voice Nano?

  >Yes Carl.

  He flew up high above the coliseum, looking down at Lothos and all the onlookers.

  "THIS IS YOUR ONLY WARNING. ATTEMPT TO MAKE CONTACT WITH MY WORLD AGAIN AND I WILL RETURN WITH MORE LIKE ME!"

  His voice echoed across the stone city, every eye was turned to the armored nightmare floating above them.

  Carl turned and flew back up to the rift. The door was still blocking it. He slammed his fist through the metal and pulled, the metal screeched as it tore free. He threw it behind him and flew through the rift.

  He stayed quiet as he headed towards his home. He entered the rift room, his "scary" armor receding.

  Carl dropped to the floor, his heart pounding. He had tried very hard to exude confidence, to act as if he was a god looking down on ants. His hands shook as he stood up.

  He waved at the cameras.

  The vault door opened.

  Royles came running to the rift room.

  "Are you ok?"

  Carl exhaled.

  "I'm fine."

  "What happened?"

  "I sent a very clear message."

  "Are we safe?"

  "Yes Sir."