me.” I said as a tear filled my left eye. “This is not who you really are, you have a disease and need help…”
“A disease… ha, ha, ha… that’s what they told you. My friend, this is the way life is meant to be lived. Join me, Lucas… experience the power of LYCCYX.” His eyes grew larger and more convincing as he spoke.
“What about those creatures, the hybrids? You think what you’re doing to them is okay? And the cloning… are you out of your mind?!” I asked emphatically, my Mk5 now aimed at his chest.
“We…? You mean you… and the United Continents... you guys sold out to AMC years ago. We merely discovered and activated what was already here. This is the true mission and purpose of the Haven Project – to perfect humanity and unleash our full potential.” he asserted as he lifted his massive claws in a show of strength.
“What are you talking about?” I asked as I stepped down from the table. I glanced toward the door knowing that time was running out.
“Put down your weapon and come over here. I’ve found all the classified records; there is much you need to know.” He sounded very convincing but then again… I was talking to a seven foot tall werewolf. Talk about sensory overload; I chose to doubt everything at this point.
He slowly turned toward the monitor as if to look up the records. I lowered my Mk5 and moved closer. Just then, he wheeled around holding an antique 1911 .45 pistol. A deafening blast and a blinding flash came from the muzzle. I felt all the breath leave my lungs as I fell backward to the floor. Just before everything went dark I watched Stephan lurch toward the door and heard a distinct “ZEET!” sound.
The Inscription
I woke up staring at the acoustic tile ceiling above my bed; I was back in the hospital.
“He’s waking up.” I recognized the voice of my good friend and comrade Birmingham Baaz.
“Baaz… what happened?” I asked.
“That silly coin of yours saved your life. Is that the same one you picked up that day you and John were scouting on quadrant 4? He asked as he handed me the circular piece of bright golden alloy. There was a slight dent on the side without an inscription. This thing had to be more than just pure gold. Now it was more than just a coin, it stopped a .45 caliber bullet – it was a miracle.
I looked up toward the door which was now opening. My girlfriend Kate along with Mark Dyas and Bill Pope walked in. A sudden warmth filled my heart that I had not felt in many months.
“Kate!” I exclaimed as she embraced me and kissed my neck. I kissed her lips and knew once and for all that she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I looked into her big blue eyes and told her I loved her.
“Mark! Bill! I’m so glad to see you guys!” I hugged both of them as they made their way to my hospital bed. I felt a sharp pain in my chest from the blunt force trauma where the coin stopped the bullet. I looked down to see a horrific bruise that looked like a bit like a solar eclipse.
“The doctor says you have a cracked rib and one heck of a bruise but that you are going to be just fine.” Baaz said.
Pure elation and gratitude filled my heart. I was alive and wanted so bad to ask Kate to marry me straightaway. Thanks to that coin that I found half-buried in the lunar dirt, I was alive.
I looked down at it again and flipped it over to read the inscription once more.
“Pope saved your life, you know.” Baaz reported. “He shot Stephan with a stun pulse and carried you out of there.”
“Bill, thank you so much!” I said as I turned toward him.
“You’re welcome, Captain. You would’ve done the same for any of us.” He replied. “I took a look at the coin after we got you aboard the Lander. Would you like to know what the inscription says?
“You bet I would! Is it some magical incantation?” I asked as I handed him the coin.
“Better than that, it’s Ancient Hebrew. It’s a blessing that has been around for thousands of years. My parents used to speak it over me every night before I went to bed. It goes like this:
The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. – Numbers 6:24-26”
“That’s beautiful.” Kate said.
I was speechless. Perhaps we aren’t alone in the universe. Someone somewhere was obviously looking out for me that day. Thankfulness and peace filled my soul. I would never look at things the same way again. If we are truly created for a purpose I now knew mine: I had to get back to LB127 and bring liberty to the captives… to the Hyans and Hybrids. They, just like we humans, deserve the chance to be free.
The Challenge
Time was running out. By now, the survivors aboard LB127 were in the second stage of LYCCYX. Fortunately, Rikes and Lawrence were able to rescue two dozen women and children and left a few crates of STRIPES with the men who chose to stay behind and fight. A number of them wanted nothing to do with Stephan’s delusions. A small band of humans, now freed from the grip of LYCCYX began plans for an insurrection.
The Asteroid Mining Corporation, having recently acquired a greater portion of the lunar landmass, continues to capture and mine near-earth asteroids and build their assets. They issued a statement denying all knowledge of the underground cloning, BioHybrid, and weapons facilities located deep beneath LB127. It appears they are on the same side they have always been on – their own. Rumor has it they are secretly aiding Stephan’s efforts to expand LB127.
The UCM’s Space Expeditionary Force has been “officially” disbanded. It was the only way we could continue our mission out from under the watchful eye of AMC. We are currently in the planning stages of our next move. Now that an encrypted communications channel has been set up between our team and the Resistance aboard LB127 it will be much easier to coordinate our efforts. We will be utilizing the now mundane commercial space tourism industry to gain access to the moon.
The battle for the future of humanity is brewing. Stephan must be planning his revenge and it is only a matter of time before he strikes. Today, however, I am getting married to the love of my life Katherine “Kate” Jenkins. My best friends and family are all waiting outside. I take one last look in the mirror…
“You can do this, Xander…” I assure myself. “You are a Captain, after all.”
This concludes
LYCCYX
Episode 1 – The Declaration
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