This made his conquest of the ship, necessarily slower, yet he was not unhappy. There had been no real resistance and he was just beginning to wonder whether the rest of his conquest would be as easy, when rounds began to explode against the side of his escape pod.
The Tower
Diadem
Unassigned Space
Viker had not waited for Marius and his creatures to disappear from sight before pushing his squad’s pace. It seemed obvious that whatever Marius had become, was now opposed to Walters, a radical change of opinion which mirrored his complete transformation from man, to something very different. This thing was not like Walters, of that Viker was sure having received a little of Walters’ power himself.
His squad too had needed little encouragement to react with violence, there had been none of the awe they had felt in Walters’ presence, rather an overwhelming urge to remove some undefined threat. It had been an animal reaction, instinctive and Viker knew, one hundred percent right.
With that in mind, he had quickly set a forced pace back towards the lines of battle, the tower instantly forgotten. Although Marius and his followers appeared to have set off in a direction contrary to that of Walters’ troops, Viker was taking nothing for granted. He knew that he would even leave the squad to their own devices, if he felt that they could not keep up, deep down he was convinced that it was extremely important to reach Walters and the others as quickly as possible.
Spiteful Dawn
Diadem
Unassigned Space
Crouched down behind the single seat in the centre of the escape pod, Arshavin cursed his luck. It seemed that whenever he was just beginning to win, along came another gift from the Tauran Adept. He had called back his minions, but was not sure whether they would arrive in time. Peeping out from behind the chair, he saw a gauntleted hand grasp what remained of the hatch and begin to pull. His mewling cry of fear was not worthy of one so ancient or so highly thought as he, but in that moment he feared his own mortality.
The muzzle of a pistol poked through what remained of the hatch, and swept from side to side for a moment, before exploding into action. Rounds ricocheted from the walls, sending shrapnel screaming through the tiny cabin. Arshavin echoed the sound of the shots, his terror overwhelming his sensibility. He felt pieces of metal pierce what was left of his skin and watched his oh so precious bodily fluids leak away. If his robotic servants took much longer, there would be nothing for them to protect!
City Approaches
Diadem
Unassigned Space
Walters could not believe the feeling of power, of domination that the control of that which had been Magos gave him. Robots rolled and stalked by his side, their weapons primed and ready. Raising his arms he felt the Gauss rifle charge and had the undeniable urge to smash and destroy. He felt every movement, each surge of energy and knew that he was losing himself, but did not really regret it.
Then he felt the change, Marius’ birth and Viker’s struggle in his name. An undeniable need drew him in, stopped his dash towards omnipotence and physically halted his forward motion. Twisting, he pointed his primed weapon skywards and fired, his aim fixed on a distant object. The charged projectile flashed away and Walters smiled, at least now Marius would know that he was coming.
Chapter Sixteen
The Tower
Diadem
Unassigned Space
Viker saw the towering monster approach, its long, silvered limbs flashing in the sunlight. The vaguely human shape was destroyed by the obvious weaponry arrayed across its shoulders and chest. By its side rolled and lurched a gaggle of robots exhibiting a deadly and palpable purpose.
Signalling a halt with one arm, Viker made his squad take cover and watched approvingly as they melted into the surrounding terrain. Then he himself hunkered down and waited, the rhythmic pounding of the creature’s feet aiding the countdown to its arrival.
*****
Marius had not flown far; he circled away and returned to the tower once Viker and his team departed. There was an inexplicable pull influenced by the altar-like structure, it promised him some sort of enlightenment and so it was worth the risk. He had left sentries planing the air currents above, as he had spiralled down through the central shaft, alighting once more near the stone throne sat upon the dais. Now he perched on the chair’s back, his claws gripping tightly to the stone, wings folded neatly to his back, and studied the chamber. There was something here he was missing.
City Approaches
Diadem
Unassigned Space
Shan stared intently at the patrolling men, as he studied what appeared to be his obvious escape route. They had continued their silent flight, stopping only to eradicate any perceived threat, which in this case meant three different, yet equally half-asleep soldiers. Now they had reached the perimeter of the vehicle park, in whose centre sat a rather convenient shuttle.
The Tauran was not trustworthy by nature and worse now he felt persecuted. Therefore he looked on the lightly guarded vehicle as a rather unsubtle trap, but was determined to turn the situation to his advantage. He nodded at the other surviving Immortal, who disappeared into the surrounding underbrush. There was a sharp crack and then silence, the man returning shortly afterwards. Not even bothering with the obviously redundant interrogative, Shan half-stood and began his move forward, staying close to the reassuring shadows offered by tree and bush.
His now tame creatures stayed where they were, their spear-like claws and long wings, no use in this silent but dangerous game. Using a number of crates as cover, he approached the front of the shuttle. All that now remained was the short stretch of concrete between his hiding place and the sentry. Two breaths later, the soldier turned as though to speak and Shan leapt, his powered armour boosting him rapidly across the distance.
With no time for finesse, he slammed his right knee into the man’s lower back at the same time as he wrenched his head backwards. There was a satisfying snapping sound and Shan lowered him slowly to the floor. He stood for a moment, but there was no alarm given and so he hurriedly demanded his new followers join him, pushing them inside the body of the craft and palming the key to close the entry hatch.
Once inside, he bundled his way past half-stored boxes, kicking the heavier ones aside and climbed to the pilot’s seat. There was a practiced economy to his movements as he bypassed the normal processes and fired up the engines. A satisfying growl was his response and with no further ado, he grasped the controls, pushed forward the power levers and grunted contentedly as the vessel took, somewhat shakily, to the air.
The Tower
Diadem
Unassigned Space
Marius heard and felt the impact of the Gauss rifle charge as it smashed through the tower’s upper walls in quick succession. The supersonic projectile, fired apparently aimlessly by Walters, had reached its target. Dust and brick particles showered down onto Marius’ bowed head and he screeched in anger. Deep down he knew that Walters had done it to rile him, to send a message of intent. So, he would accept the missive in the context it had been given, but this would not distract him from his search.
Cocking his head on one side, he focussed on the curious murals lining the still brightly lit walls. They depicted some form of flying creature and the tower itself, as well as a conflict between different factions. Some were winged, others on foot or riding in stylised chariots, but the masterful rendition left no doubt as to the intent of those who assailed the tower; its owner’s destruction.
There were further scenes detailing the internment of the flying creatures and then one which showed light radiating from the tower to strike out at its enemies. Here was where his total concentration fell, for he knew that he was missing something. The throne was shown as a burning seat from which someone directed those coruscating energies and Marius knew that this was the only way he could beat Walters. It was here somewhere and he would tear the tower apart, if necessary, in order t
o find it.
*****
Walters felt he was close enough, and although he felt Viker’s presence, he ignored him. He stood, his giant metallic legs spread widely apart and began to cycle through his weapons, in a continuous barrage of sound. First the Gauss rifle, then pulse lasers, a plasma cannon mounted in his other arm and a bevy of short-range missiles. He released them all in what became a gigantic broadside which boiled and raced towards the tower.
Grinning to himself at his cleverness, Walters restarted his forward movement, stopping again after a short while to repeat his aggressive attack, the second bombardment wreaking further damage to the tower’s outer skin. Now they were closer, the robots joined in, their weaponry aimed in a flatter trajectory; their targets the building surrounding the tower. The new Magos wanted nothing between him and his enemy. All obstacles were to be removed.
Spiteful Dawn
Diadem
Unassigned Space
Arshavin’s dual vision dizzied him, as he fought for control of his terror. His bio-robots were close, the tunnel-like sight they gave him, showed them running past broken and twisted enemies, turning the final corner and then entering the launch bay. The Master could feel his other creatures nearby and he tried to disassociate himself a little from his robotic mannequins, in order to direct his laser-carrying friend.
It was difficult to concentrate though, as the gauntleted hand continued to tear at the entrance and pistol rounds to explode haphazardly inside the pod. Not only that, but the constant data stream downloaded to his brain was dangerously dividing his attention.
Cursing his luck, he shut off the gloriously rich vein of information from the ship’s system and focussed only on his own situation. Outside was something, probably an Immortal, that had escaped detection and he needed to neutralise it and quickly. He folded himself into as small a target as possible and closed his eyes, the action at least blocking out one of his many inputs.
City Approaches
Diadem
Unassigned Space
“Sir!” shouted the soldier, breaking James’ concentration.
“Yes!” he snapped, irritated at the interruption, he and his troops were pushing the Tauran forces back, but the outcome was still in the balance, “What is it!”
“Sorry, Sir,” apologised the Trooper, “but they say it’s important!”
Major James turned, now giving the young man his full attention, “Who says it’s important?” and then a little more encouragingly, “spit it out lad, I don’t bite!”
“Y-yes sir,” responded the soldier, remembering the last time he had seen Major James in his full glory, “It’s the rear vehicle park, sir. They say they’ve been attacked, and one of our Shuttles is missing!”
“Why bring this to me?” asked James dangerously, the continued sounds of battle tugging at his attention.
“Reports say that a Tauran was responsible, sir,” insisted the trooper, “and that he’s headed for the fleet above, Sir.”
Now the soldier had James’ attention, the circumstances were strange. It was not unknown for the potential of units behind his lines, but this smacked of a desperate escape attempt, or at least one with purpose.
“Get me Arn,” he snarled, “and quickly!”
The Tower
Diadem
Unassigned Space
More and more debris was falling, almost in a constant stream now, down onto the lower areas of the tower. Marius had called his creatures to him, their vigilance above was pointless now, they knew that their enemy was here and he needed to concentrate on the solution. They had formed an attentively watchful circle and their eyes whirled with a mixture of devotion and barely suppressed rage, as their leader continued to stare unblinkingly at the wall.
In a sudden burst of movement, Marius hopped down from his perch and stalked across to the last part of the design on the wall. One clawed finger gently traced the outline of the throne and then reaching the centre of the symbolic light show, it stopped. Then a clenched fist slammed into the wall once, twice and then again with a subsequent shower of plaster and paint.
Crowing in triumph, Marius saw the lever hidden lever and pulled on it savagely, turning slowly as a grinding, groaning noise came from the dais. The chair itself was flattening to take the form of an inclined couch and the arms were shortening, their stone covering cracking and splintering away, to reveal two rune-covered control panels, on whose faces danced energetic motes of light.
Screaming harshly, Marius half-leapt, half-flew across to what now he knew was a control chair, and settled into it. There was no question of him lying down on the rearranged furniture, rather he sat cross-legged, his hands resting lightly on the control panels.
The knowledge he needed for its activation flowed through him and he flicked his fingers across the runes, now waiting patiently below his hands. Light once more bombarded the chamber, flashing too and fro from one crystal-covered wall to another. He felt the power build and then, when he knew he was ready, he entered a command string, and smiled.
*****
Walters was really enjoying himself, the firepower contained within Arshavin’s construct was awe-inspiring, almost titanic. He had never controlled an engine of war with such destructive powers before and was revelling in the boyish pleasure of each energetic volley. There was also something pleasurable in the demolition of the black tower before him. It offended him at his most primal level and he subconsciously knew that it had to be obliterated and quickly.
As he cycled through yet another volley and watched roiling columns of dust and fire boil away the exterior of the building, he smiled sheepishly to himself. He knew what he was doing was right, but it couldn’t hurt to have a little fun whilst he did so, could it?
*****
Almost casually, Marius sent the concentrated energy beam on its way, Walters’ new toy his priority target. The lance of light tore upwards, flashing close by his creatures and searing flesh by its sheer proximity. Squawking in pain, they shuffled away and began again their stolid regard.
It had travelled three-quarters of the way to the top of the tower when it stopped, its point expanding in a ball of blue-white light. Below, Marius depressed yet another rune and the globular ball of force started to spin. Now it acted like a lens, thin strands of light arcing outwards, the wall shattering at their touch. Another glyph caused more power to be added to the beam and now rays of light smashed their way out of the tower.
Marius stared in fascination at the complex patterns being spun by his creation and his beak-like mouth opened, his raucous cries being echoed by his followers. Their unholy chorus filled the chamber and rose in a crescendo whilst their missiles of light arrowed towards the waiting Walters and his robotic army.
Chapter Seventeen
The Tower
Diadem
Unassigned Space
Walters had been subconsciously waiting for this moment, ever since he had realised that Marius had found the shrine first. Somehow, in burning free the infection, that which resided there had melded with the Eyatolian’s own genetic structure, changing him and making him into something new.
There was a strange kinship between them, a shared birthright that Walters felt in the deepest part of his being. Now he knew why he had raced here, to destroy the tower and everything within it. Well, he had been a little late, but at least he could put that part right. He was still feeling somewhat smug when the first bolt of energy slammed into him, boiling away armour sheathing and exposing the metallic structure beneath. This happened in the time between heart beats, in the moment it took him to shield himself, and he was rightfully shaken.
Beam after stupendous beam smashed against his screens, physically driving him backwards. His robotic followers could not last, the merest touch of the terrific ray of force, volatilising them. With a sharp command, he sent the surviving constructs out of the way and he himself began to fight back.
He did not only cal
l upon the physical weapons residing within that which had been Magos, but also called upon his own reserves. The real difficulty was he need to remain shielded, as Marius’ attack was constant. Therefore he had to resort to brute force, each step forward accompanied by a shot from his projectile weapons, the various mass weapons crashing into the tower and reducing one more part to rubble.
*****
Marius too had sent his beasts away, their flight was a little more risky, as they had to brave not only Walters’ fire, but also the incandescent beams spearing outwards and directed by Marius himself. He knew he could not cease in his attack, a weakening of his onslaught would allow Walters access to him personally and that he felt he would not survive.
Drawing further on his reserves, he increased his barrage of shots, the intensity of the beams melting the brickwork of the tower itself. Whatever Walters did not demolish, Marius took care of.
*****
Viker stared at the results of the vast forces being liberated in front of him. The earth itself boiled as the shields surrounding Walters, sloughed off Marius’ thrusts. Geysers of molten rock puffed skywards, a shimmering heat haze causing the constructs shape to shimmer and shake. Yet somehow, it continued to plod forward, fire spitting out from its good right arm. There appeared little that he could do, this titanic struggle was a full level of comprehension above him.
He needed flesh and bones to fight, or at least something tangible. Starting, he noticed how some of Marius’ creatures had escaped and spiralled haphazardly away from the tower. Grinning to himself, he rose, the squad mimicking him. Here at least was a foe he could fight, and with a peremptory growl he sprang towards them, his men following.
Inner System
Diadem
Unassigned Space