_____________________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Otherworld <> Chapter 5 The Enola Gay Copyright 1992 Bryce Koike _____________________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Any comments, criticisms, opinions, etc, are welcome. I can be reached on Internet as: bkoike@sdcc13.ucsd.edu or mage@netlink.cts.com -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- "Why do the nations so furiously rage together, why do the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His anointed." (Psalm II 1-2) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Date: September 8, 1992 Location: Hayward, California Otherworld Time: 8:25 pm I had no wish to shock the boy's companions and so I activated my camouflage. I would become one with the night. How simply he had pierced through my subterfuge. And the way he could talk to my mind and fill me with such a feeling of peace! Certainly he could be a dangerous element. To him I might reveal myself but to his companions I will not. In that way I will create my own hold over him. If his friends do not believe him, he cannot mount any group resistance against me. Such power in a little boy! The Combine should be told of this. If only I could know where I am. Hunger began to rise in my stomach. In the back of my mind I allowed the correct drugs to infect my system and reduce it. Carefully I must administer my drugs for once they were gone synthesization of new ones would be long and arduous. And for now I must keep up with the boy and his group! There would be a food storage area nearby as is so common with these cities. There I will find food if it has not already gone rotten and maggot-ridden. My hunger was yet another of my failings. The path has few, if any, allowances for such short-comings. I am shamed. But even the most holy had to eat. My fasting had gone on for far too long. The mechanids were already bringing back important information. Books and films were just a few of them. The books were illegible for the Quunan Mur could not understand the language. The films were not watchable for the equipment to view them had not yet arrived. But the pictures taught much about the world. They were a military-oriented race. Perhaps obsessed would be a better description. Their technology, as had already been determined, was far below that of the Quunan Mur, but they were advanced enough to have developed nuclear weaponry. The information was not yet enough. The Quunan Mur were patient, though. They knew they could wait. And they knew that their profile on this planet must be kept low for there was no telling as to what may have come with them through the realities. Many hoped that the Eternals would be here for then the malfunction of the ROX would not have been for naught. The itch to rid the realities of the threat which faced it was nearly unbearable. Until then they had to gather resources, weaponry, and energy. Tracy yawned and grimaced at the bad taste in her mouth. She had forgotten to brush her teeth again. Something that had been a simple habit at home had become a bother and discomfort here. There was something about the sun that seemed so wonderfully bright and kind. Glancing at her watch she noticed how late it was. Strange that Matt wouldn't be up yet! A mischievous smile on her face, Tracy snuck to Matt's door and carefully turned the knob. As she peered in she noticed that his bed had already been made. Perhaps he had gotten up and gone for a walk? She pushed the door open further and cried out when she saw Matt sprawled on the floor next to the window. "Vince!" she screamed. "Vince come here!" And then she threw the door open and rushed into the room. His skin was cold, but that was more from the open window than anything else. She breathed a sigh of relief when she realized that there was still a strong pulse raging through his body. "Matt, Matt, what happened?" she babbled. He did not wake to her shakes or cries. Vince knelt down beside her. "Oh boy," he said. "He's alive?" Nodding, Tracy said, "He was just lying on the floor. Oh god, Vince, what's happening?" "I don't know, Tracy. I'll go get some smelling salts." Vince returned with a small first aid kit. He fumbled at it for a moment before giving it to Tracy. "Sorry," he said. "I'm no good to you right now, am I?" She looked at him for a while and then nodded. She popped open the lid and pulled out a small paper cylinder. Snapping it in half, she got a whiff of the vapor and wrinkled her nose. She passed it under Matt's nose once, twice, and then he started coughing. When he finally managed to get the awful smell out of his nose Matt looked up into Tracy's eyes. "I saw him," he said. Matt's eyes raged with a fire. "I saw him, Tracy! And he's not from this world!" The lord recoiled in horror. "I will NOT have my genes altered, slug!" he cried. "But, lord, your offspring will be smarter, stronger-" "Eeyaugh! Begone, pestulent beast and infect my person no more!" With that the Slool emissary bowed and left with confusion on his face. Diplomat Ecee-Rushe bowed. "Lord, you must be forgiving. They have no understanding of breeding rights." The lord nodded. "I know their ignorance and it is better that way, but such perversions!" He shuddered. "Such abilities should not be in the hands of any race." Advisor Sala stepped forward. "Lord," he said, "we must not lose sight of the fact that this genetic breeding is what will bring forth our great warbeasts. And do we not ourselves utilize a form of genetic engineering in our selective breeding tactics?" "That is DIFFERENT, Sala. Specified interbreeding is handled to keep the ranks of our species in line. While certainly we value the seed of valuable individuals in our societies, we do not breed to bring about specific traits in our individuals!" "But, lord-" "Sala, enough. I am not in a mood conducive to such banter." "Was the vivisection unpleasant last night, lord? You appeared to enjoy it with great zest." The lord waved his hand. "Yes, Sala, I was entertained last night. Indeed, the reaction of the human male was most amusing. Do all humans possess the ability to empty their stomachs so?" "Indeed, lord. It is a method of cleansing when food does not please them, I believe." "How interesting. And what about their other companions, the ones who are being followed by our skulk?" Potas-Trool stepped forward. "Lord, they have passed beyond our sphere of influence. Their vehicle travels much faster than our skulks move and we dare not broadcast our location by use of flight units." "Hmm. I do not like this. What have you made from the manlings' maps?" Potas-Trool bade his companion to join him. "We have spent a long time in investigating these maps, lord. The manlings possess a great network of roads and cities. Considering how nearby four groups of manlings have passed by, I would venture to guess that we exist near a major trading path of some sort. We must make a greater effort to reduce our visibility, perhaps to even using skulks to do day work." "Diplomat!" cried the lord. "That is unthinkable. How do you think the Mindover will react? Certainly they will not be pleased to being reduced to worker labor! No, no, that is unthinkable. If necessary we will conduct our work covertly at night, but we will not reduce the Mindover to rude labor." "Yes, lord, as you command. But even so we will soon have to locate a new center for our operations. These buildings cannot hide out activity for long and if manling traffic increases any more, we may start attracting attention." "So be it, then, diplomat Potas-Trool. You will form a small squad to explore the region and locate for us a probable base. It would be preferable to find some sort of military base, but anything will do. It will have to be large enough to house most of our operations and yet capable of concealing us. These huge buildings so cluttered with windows which we have seen will do us no good. You understand, diplomat?" "Lord, I understand completely." "Excellent. I hope to hear of an acceptable location within ten days." "Who'd you see, Matt? Who?" Tracy cradled him in her arms. "I don't understand. What'd he do to you?" "He's . . . I don't know. But he's from another world, Tracy!" Matt carefully sat up. "He told me his name. He said that he's Jiro Mitsuo. He belongs to a group he called the Combined Alliances." "Yeah? So where is he?" "I dunno, Jan. After he said that I started to feel so tired, I- I couldn't keep to my feet. I guess he took off after that. But Jan, he's from another world! That means that there might be other people from other worlds here. That- that means that I might be right about the aliens!" "Whoa! Hold it right there!" said Vince. He held his hands in the classic time-out gesture. "You're telling me that there's other people from other worlds here. I mean, that you're SURE about this?" "Vince, as sure as I'm here, I mean it. I SAW him." "So then why the hell didn't he come see us, man?" "I don't know, Vince. Hell, maybe he got scared or something. This is getting to be too much to handle. Jeezus, other realities, Vince. He might be from our future!" Tracy put her arms on Matt's shoulders and gently pressed him against the wall. "Matt," she said, "we found you lying on the ground with the window wide open. Now I don't know what to think about this guy from our future or wherever he is, but you're not alright." "Tracy . . ." "No, listen to me, Matt! Your bad dreams, you headaches, and now this! There's something really wrong with you and I think we should be worrying more about that than whoever might be running around here." He shook his head. "Tracy, it was just stress. C'mon, I'm going to be okay." No, he could not tell her about his powers. But how did they drain him so much? Tracy shook him gently. "No, Matt, you're not okay. You passed out on the floor! Come on, Matt, don't play games with your body! You need some rest and we need to try to find out what's going on inside of you." Matt gave a little snort. "Tracy, don't fool yourself. You're no more a doctor than I'm a politician. Look, I agree with you that I need some rest, but I don't think you're going to find any answers as to what's happening to me in that medical manual I picked up from the library." Stalemate. Tracy stared at him for a while and then gave in. "Okay, okay. But dammit, Matt, you get some rest! You know you need it. We all could use some rest. Alright?" He nodded. "Okay, Tracy. Want to carry me to my bed?" He flashed a smile. "Jerk. Get into bed yourself. Anything you want?" "No, I've got all the books I'm interested in." "Okay, Matt. C'mon, Vince. Let's go." Tracy gently closed the door behind her and gave it an extra tug to make sure the door was shut properly. She traded worried glances with Vince. "I don't like this," she told him. "Me neither," admitted Vince. He dropped onto the couch, pushing aside the blankets Tracy had been using. "So what's the prognosis, doc? Is he totally nutso?" "Vince, I don't know. He might be telling the truth." "Whoa! You telling me you believe him? All that stuff about alien invaders and shit?" "Well . . . I mean, look around. Is this the Earth we're familiar with? And Matt's right about that guy we found yesterday. Either there's some crazed killer loose or there's some pretty twisted aliens. And something scared him enough to freak him out yesterday." "Yeah, well, so maybe there is a crackpot loose. But does that really mean there's aliens and all this crap? How come he's the only guy who sees 'em? Tracy?" She looked out the window. "Vince, I've got to tell you something," she said. Turning back to face him, she gave a small shudder. "I've not been totally truthful with you. I've been thinking about what you said about there being no secrets among us. Well, I think Matt's holding back. Now I'm going to keep my side of the bargain. "I think Matt might be right. About there being aliens or at least something really weird going on. And I'll tell you why." "Lord Geentung-Potas-Albon-Llurisa," rumbled the thick Eternal who promptly bowed. "Lord Braht-Bel-Moegam-Wulis. Please, be seated," crooned the lord in lord's tongue. Lord Braht was leader of his entire battle company and certainly the most important member of his command. Braht gestured to the spiny member of the imperial guard who knelt beside him. "I present my lieutenant, Moksa-Dwulan. His lord was killed in the Bhokasha battles and I inherited his squad under royalty rights." "Rise up, Moksa-Dwulan. You are welcome upon my premesis." Lord Geentung rose from his chair at the end of the table. Around it sat advisors and diplomats of the two lords as well as five representatives of the battle company. "Welcome to our first council of war. Advisor Sala, will you address issue one?" His robes flowing about his body, Sala rose from his chair. "First on our agenda is location of a suitable center of operations. Our present location is becoming too small to house our numbers and we are not yet strong enough to present a suitable front against any would-be invaders. I believe that the Warlord has something to say on this matter." Braht bowed his head. "Indeed, I do," he replied. Standing, he spread out his thick bony fingers. "Moving our operations elsewhere will present great logistical problems, especially if our new center is not nearby. I suggest breeding new lords and promoting present lords to control of separate control groups spread throughout this city. In this manner we can increase our size and yet keep hidden. We have the Mindovers to keep our numbers in contact and at night will be able to go about covert operations without the knowledge of others." Diplomat Ecee-Rushe stood. "Warlord, I disagree. We have already gathered a sufficient amount of Presence to move major Units to any location. The others will have to make a great trek, that is true, but our movements can be swift and our response to violence can be final. To spread out in this city will invite only a greater chance for discovery. Already a manling has found out about our existance. What if more come?" Braht snorted. "You suggest we waste our precious Presence on a mere troop movement, Ecee-Ruse? I consider that an absolute waste of resources. No, I think that my plan is by far superior. Even your logistics have estimated that we will have a sizable war troop within months. And surely you have not forgotten the rest of our scattered war group? They may have already met with some resistance. And that boy is but an anomaly among his people. You yourself have said that. What is it you fear in this city?" "Lord, I fear nothing in this city," answered Ecee-Rushe and then he sat. His feelers and antennae curled and whipped about as he thought. Lord Geentung waved a hand. "Lord Braht, you have brought up an interesting solution to our problem. Certainly by extending ourselves through this city we will gain a greater sphere of influence which will prove useful in netting manlings and their ilk. It is certain that by spreading through the city we will reduce our strength in any one place, but such sacrifices may have to be made. My suggestion is that if within ten days we are unable to locate a suitable center of operations, we will then separate our operations. I see this as being necessary one way or another. We are unsure about our presence here and the strength of any possible opposition. It would be best to exercise the greatest of caution in this matter." Lord Braft bowed his head in acknowledgement. "This, Lord Geentung, is acceptable. Diplomat Ecee-Rushe, do you and your partner accept this?" The two nodded. "Advisor Sala?" called out Lord Geentung. "Have you anything to say?" "Lord, I do not." "Then on to our next piece. Sala?" "Second on our agenda is our efforts with the Slool to gain control of the technology of this planet. As such, I wish to present to you something that is known as Video. This is a coupling of visual imagery with sound and voice." Four Slool wheeled out a television attached to a VCR. They activated a portable generator outside the room. The smell of gasoline quietly wafted in. Braht scratched at his nose in irritation. "Advisor Sala, what is the point of this?" Sala smiled and waved his feelers. "Lord, please allow me to continue. This video will give us an example of some of the powers of the weapons the people of this planet possess. And it will work to support how necessary it is for us to gain access -- sole access -- to these weapons. Observe." Carefully one of the Slool placed a cassette into the VCR. It had been very difficult to determine how to operate such objects, but pictures and other illustrations in books had proved extremely useful. Two units had been destroyed accidentally in experiments. The third didn't work. The forth did and it provided a great insight into the world of which Otherworld is a shadow. A darkened night formed on the television. The Eternals leaned forward in amusement and interest. The leader of the Slool group stepped forward. "What you view," he said, "is a night scene of a series of islands. What you are about to see is the use of a weapon known as a bomb. This is the most precious weapon known to these people and it dwarfs all other weapons created by them. The bomb is dropped from a flying unit or is actually capable of self-propelled flight. Observe." All is quiet except for the movements of those in the room. And then a flash and a growing bubble of intense light. None in the room fail to recognize the growing explosion. Lord Braht nearly fell out of his chair in fear. He gibbered madly in primal as his aides rushed to put him back in his chair. "This weapon," continued the Slool, "is capable of completely destroying a city such as the one we are in now. It also has a secondary effect which is known as radiation poisoning. Even those who are not caught in the explosion will receive large amounts of this radiation and will die in hours, days, or weeks depending on how much they receive. In addition, radiation is carried up into the sky by the dirt and debris caught in the explosion and is carried for many miles where it will finally come down in rain, snow, and the winds. There it will poison others and possibly kill them." "Slool!" cried out Lord Geentung. "Slool, this is what we fight? How long have these people had control over these weapons?" The Slool shrugged. "It seems that they have had them for an extended period of time, lord. I would expect no less than thirty of their years and probably more." Geentung slammed a fist onto the table. "We must have absolute control over these weapons," he muttered. "We MUST!" "It could have been some guy," Vince said. "Without his headlights? Vince, look at me. I'm being serious. This weird car passed by us that night on the 5 and it didn't have any headlights on. I'm not joking." Vince looked out the window. "You never told anyone? Not Matt? Not Chris or Jan?" "No." "Mm." He massaged his eyebrows. "Tracy, don't you realize how different this makes everything? Not only are we not alone, but there's some really weird things going on in this world. And I think we've already come to a consensus that this isn't Earth or at least not the one we know." "Yes. I'm sorry." She looked down into her lap. "But can't you understand? I wanted everything to be alright between us. I didn't want us to fight and . . . All I wanted was for things to be alright." "I gotta think, Tracy. I don't know if you're going to tell Matt, but I think it would be a good idea. Right now you've got him thinking that he's absolutely crazy. I'm going to take Matt's car and pick up some stuff that we're running low on. Things aren't alright, Tracy. You knew that the day Chris and Jan left. I don't know what's going on in this world, but right now I'm really afraid. Um, here." He reached behind himself and pulled out Matt's gun. "You keep this and don't let Matt get his hands on it," he told her. "I've got the shotgun in the car and that should be good enough. If I'm not back in an hour, you'll know that something happened to me." "Okay, Vince. Be careful." "Yeah, yeah I will." He closed the door behind himself. "This is crazy," he whispered. "This is just too crazy." Getting into Matt's car he pulled the shotgun out from under the passenger seat and placed it next to him. Looking up toward the ceiling, Matt said, "I saw you. You are real. Who are you, Jiro? What do you want?" He clenched his fists. "What is this power growing inside of me?" "What are you doing to my mind?" He would have to be careful with his power in the future. To drain himself like that was far too dangerous. And what about the headaches? He shuddered. Nothing kept them away. He rolled over in the bed and picked up his dictator. "September," he said into it, "the ninth. Tracy and Vince had to wake me up after my meeting with the stranger. It seems that I had used up too much of my own strength. I must remember to control myself. This power that's growing in me is frightening. Yet, I'm also very excited by it. This is what I've been longing for, something that would make me important to the world, important to the people of the world. Who was that stranger? And where did he come from? Is he an enemy? He didn't feel like the creature he had met that afternoon. It was evil, pure evil. The other seemed . . . like a man. Not good, not evil. Like Vince and Jan. Like normal people. "Has this power always been within me? Was it awakened by our transfer to this strange world? Is it genetic? So many questions without any answers. I fear for our lives and yet Tracy and Vince don't believe me. I can feel their disbelief. But in Tracy I can feel something else. I dare not push into her mind further. I have no wish to betray her trust in me. And I know that I trust her. "I miss my mother. I miss my house and my music. I miss school. The fast-food place in the mall. My other friends. I miss Chris and Jan, wherever they are. Television, electricity, warm baths. I . . ." His voice trailed off. He stopped the tape and placed it and the dictator back into his daypack. He pulled the covers around himself, smothering his body to his chin. Squeezing his eyes shut he tried to push the feelings away. He thought of Tracy and how she had held him that first night they had come to this place. He wanted her to hold him. But it was only himself in the room, alone. Alone with a single blanket for warmth. He curled into a ball and wrapped his arms around himself. He prayed for night to come. For sleep to come and take away the nightmares. To just be a child and not have to worry about being an adult. "Mother," he whispered, but no one was there to answer him.