Dawn of the Void

Chapter 93: Canis

James awoke to the sound of his phone buzzing. Serenity was gone. He rolled over, grimaced, then sat up. Cindy.

Hello?

Good morning! She sounded insanely chipper. Its your 5 a.m. rise and shine call. Are you ready for the apocalypse?

Cindy?

Sorry, sorry, too much caffeine, too much death, too much despair. I think Im starting to become bipolar. Can that happen? Or is it a brain chemistry thing independent of what happens in your life? Doesnt matter! Come on down. Lots to do.

Thanks, he said and hung up. For a moment he just stared out into the pre-dawn gloom. He could feel it, waiting just beyond the curtains in the wings of his mind: so much he could think about, so much heavy shit.

Nope, he said, and just chose to not let those monsters step into the light. Instead he rose, showered, dressed, and emerged into the penthouse suites main living area.

Denzel and Kerim were eating breakfast together at the counter. Denzel was laughing quietly at something while Kerim shook his head, a despairing smile on his lips.

James slowed, paused. Something - oh.

Good morning, he said, grabbing a Manna bread from the basket as he walked by. You guys have a good night?

Kerim froze and he glanced at Denzel, who sat up straight, eyes widening in alarm.

Relax, said James, clapping Denzel on the shoulder as he walked by. Im happy for you guys. Anything that adds to the net joy in this world is a good thing. Im heading down to the ballroom. Wheres everybody?

Everyones sleeping except for Serenity, who went downstairs, said Denzel.

Kimmie emerged from the hallway, a towel around her neck, her pale blonde hair mussed. Hey guys. Morning.

You know what? James considered. Kimmie? Kerim? A moment?

They followed him to the TV area where they sat.

We never had that talk. James leaned forward. And therell never be a good time for it.

Im in, said Kimmie. You dont need to tell me anything.

Let him talk, said Kerim. Go ahead, James.

You replaced two people. Bjrn and Becca. God, that felt like a lifetime ago. Bjrn used his Inspire to try and control people. He wanted to form a new society, one where operators like you and me ruled over the Fabricators. Medieval shit. I told him no, and to never use his powers on us again. Then, a month or so later, he tried to force me to use a Heavenly Assault in battle. Froze me up as I fought him off. I ended up taking a hit to the face that Denzel had to take with Martyrs Cry.

Oh shit, said Kimmie, lifting her hand to her mouth.

I confronted him after the fight and saw that he was completely unrepentant. Saw that he still had that view of wanting to control others, of being in charge. I realized then that I could never trust him, couldnt jail him, and that if I cut him loose hed gather folks around him and cause no end of trouble.

So you killed him, said Kerim softly.

So I killed him, James repeated. Which is why we need to have this talk. I understand if you dont want in, given what I did. Dont answer now. Think about it. Talk with Denzel, who was there, and saw what happened.

Kimmie lowered her hand. But thats not how Inspire is supposed to work. Its meant to be a force for good.

Its why he wasnt as effective as he hoped. He once tried to get Serenity to act against her nature, and she just locked up. Same happened with me, maybe because we both had high Arete. He thought it was mind control, a means to dominate us into doing what he wanted.

Kimmie looked outraged. Thats awful. Its thats awful.

Kerims expression was more inscrutable. You reported this to Hackworth?

Ive got an investigation and possible court martial pending. Yeah. But not today, not this week. James rubbed his hands on his pants. I felt it was necessary. Obviously. But I know how it makes me look. So judge for yourselves. Talk to the others, and then let me know, but try to do it soon. If youre out, well need to find someone else for the Fourth Wave.

James stood, and the other two rose as well.

I dont need to talk to the others, said Kimmie. Im in. I know youre a good man. This Bjrn sounds terrible. If you did it, I trust that you had no other good choice.

Nothings that simple in this world, said James sadly. But thank you, Kimmie.

Kerim looked back at Denzel. Ill think this over. Im inclined to agree with Kimmie, but I will let you know.

Good enough. Thanks for listening. James gave them both a grimace of a smile, stepped around them and strode to the front door. Ill be downstairs.

Kames Jelly rose from where hed been standing immobile on a side table and floated over to where James stood. I can sense something very exciting downstairs.

James paused. Very exciting?

Which means we should go down and not stand here talking about it.

All right, all right. James summoned the elevator, but before he could press the Lobby button, Jelly tapped the first parking level one.

Trust me.

Fine.

The elevator doors opened to reveal the Fabricator floor as before. The same colored lines led away to different areas, and even at this hour the place was alive with industry, the clink and clang of metal being struck by hammers, a variety of different and exotic smells mixing with the old stink of gas and rubber, the lights bright, announcements coming over the intercom system.

Jelly flew straight ahead and James had to break into a run-in order to keep up. The Anima knew where to go: it zipped around corners, flew over startled Fabricators, and out into a new central area whose floor had been removed, making their level a second-floor balcony that wrapped around a sunken chamber.

The space was huge and with no sign of the concrete that had been neatly excised to give access to the floor below.

Jamess gaze was immediately drawn to the massive machine dominating the space.

Holy shit.

Your favorite.

A bipedal robot rose some fifteen feet in height, a mess of support cables lashing it in place. It looked like a sleek, ambulatory tank. Or a gorgeous 1950s Rolls Royce atop a swivel mount pelvis with heavily armored recurved legs beneath it. Everything was gold and burgundy armor plating, gleaming as if lacquered, with rivet bolts along the edges and glossy stainless steel beneath in the form of its skeleton. Pistons, pipes, and a car grill along the front in the shape of a snarling mouth.

Actually.

James blinked and saw it. The front of the upper body was shaped like a wolfs head, the grill its mouth, twin ruby headlamps its eyes, the rest of the tank its massively hunched shoulders and back. Arms extended out on each side like sidecars on a motorbike, of limited mobility but each sported what was clearly a massive weapon of some kind, a pair of huge cannons whose bores were wide enough for James to stick his arm inside. Their barrels were ribbed, their bases complex engines whose purpose escaped him altogether.

Jessica was below, tablet in hand, conferring with a dozen other Fabricators, but some instinct caused her to turn and gaze right up at him.

What the fuck is that? James called down with a helpless smile, a laugh of disbelief bubbling up in his chest.

Canis Bello, she called back. Our first War Hound.

James stepped forward and dropped twelve feet to the floor below, landing easily and gazing up now at the Hound. It towered over him, massive, its burgundy and gold plating easily several inches thick and curved around its shins, its thighs, its hull and arms. It was massive, felt huge, heavy, ponderous.

Terrifying.

Jessica approached. Ive been pushing my people hard. It costs as much as twenty Wings to make, but given what were facing today, it felt right.

Its ready?

We just need the Aeviternum. And no, Im not going to ask operators to spend theirs on it before the fight. Weve unlocked the ability to create Aeviternum batteries. Each can bank up to a hundred points. Ive got nine of them fully charged, and well be infusing the Hound with 729 points shortly.

729?

Nine cubed.

Thats a metric fuck-ton of Aeviternum. James let out a low whistle and studied the Hound. Whatll it be able to do?

Kill demons, mostly, said Jessica, looking up as well. As always, the schematics come with precious little details, but it should give the Nem3s a hell of a headache.

Damn, Jessica. He grinned at her. This is amazing.

Its not active yet. There are some final details well only be able to explore once its activated. For example, the central body has a cavity thats Anima shaped. We dont know what thats about yet, but my guess is thats a means to recharge it once it starts to run low on Aeviternum. Well find out soon.

When are you going to activate it?

In an hour. Were running final diagnostics. Which, given the mystical nature of this construction, means using our Mechanicus to ensure the correct density of the component pieces and that everythings hooked up right. These things make Wings look simple.

Amazing. Can you call me before you wake it up?

Of course. Jessica smiled tiredly. Weve also got more equipment to distribute. Weve got over ten thousand Fabricators working around the clock now. Every day Cindys organizing and implementing new workshops across the city, as well as growing our oversight and command center to orchestrate production. We have over six hundred Wings across the city now. People are unlocking new schematics and items they can produce daily.

James nodded and studied the War Hounds visage. The snarling maw, the deeply inset ruby eyes, the molded crimson and gold head. He couldnt wait to see it activate.

Youre the best, he said.

Serenity told me about what happened. She was here earlier, checking in. Jessicas expression turned to one of concern. Are you doing OK?

She clearly knew it was an impossible question, but he appreciated her asking it regardless. Yeah, he said. Im fine. Ill be back in an hour.

And with that he leaped, grabbed the edge of the first floor, hauled himself up, and made his way back to the elevators.

That Canis Bello was amazing,said Jelly. I want to be one when I grow up.

Youre going to grow?

There was a long pause.

I guess not. But still, I feel a very strong desire to be one.

Me too, bud. Me too.

James made his way to the ballroom. The hotel was alive with activity, and almost everyone recognized him as he went. James nodded to those who called out greetings, gave stiff waves to those who saluted him, and did his level best to get to the ASOCC.

Cindy was using a standing desk, headphones on, grooving as she scrolled through a database. A dozen crushed cans of Red Bull lay around her extra-wide monitor. James tapped her on the shoulder and she whipped around, eyes gleaming, deep lines of exhaustion carved into her face, her hair greasy and pulled back into a small ponytail.

James! Serenity was just here. She told me about Joanna. Im so sorry, but thats war, right? Were not supposed to feel sad for more than, what, ten minutes? Haha, kidding, this is all such a train wreck, but what can you do? Ive already found some replacements for you, but you know what? Thats a tough one to fill. You want Deadeye, I got you, but Remove Fear? Nobody picks that. Not sexy? I dont know. So, slim pickings, but we all need that synergy bonus, right? Right?

Whoa, Cindy. James raised both palms. Take a breath.

Right, yes. She closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, then slowly exhaled for a four count. Then her eyes snapped open and she beamed. There! So much calmer. So, here are the candidates, man, I cant get over how morbid this all is, why dont you take a look and let me know who you want me to call?

James stepped past her to look at the screen. For a moment he couldnt read the names. He saw instead Joanna, her honest, open expression, how shed never ceased to be horrified, never become jaded, how despite her strong physique shed been perhaps the most emotionally vulnerable of them all. The bond shed formed with Olaf, the quiet support shed given the whole team.

Gone.

Sarah, Bjrn, Becca, and now Joanna. Theyd lost almost half of the original Crimson Hydra team. Was he sentencing whomever he picked to a 50% chance of death?

The responsibility was crushing.

Fuck, he whispered, and forced himself to focus on the names. Twenty-seven candidates. Arbitrarily he decided he wanted someone in their 30s, young enough to be spry, old enough to have some life wisdom. Female, to keep the team balanced. That left three candidates.

You know anything about these three?

Cindy peered at the names. Nope.

I dont have time to interview them all. They all here?

Cindy scrolled right along the columns. Nope. Sarah Browns based in the Bronxs recruiting center, Jennifer Williams in Manhattan. Only Miriam Larsons here in Brooklyn.

That makes it simple. Page her for me?

Youll be in the same conference room as last time?

Suddenly the thought of interviewing another person, sizing them up, asking questions, deciding if theyd join his team and probably die was just too much for him. Maybe it was weakness on his part, maybe it was trauma, maybe he was just too god damned tired, but he realized he couldnt do it.

Im going to ask Serenity to do it. Ive got to check in with Hackworth.

Sure thing, boss, said Cindy chirpily. Ill get right on it.

James stepped away and called Serenity.

She answered a few moments later. Morning, sunshine.

Hey. Do me a favor?

Whats up?

I dont have it in me to interview Joannas replacement. You think you can check her out while I talk to Hackworth?

Sure. There was a pause. You doing OK?

James laughed. We all need to come up with a better way of asking that. Because no. But also yes. Yeah, Im fine. Just managing my reserves.

Good to hear. Ill be right down.

James hung up. Kames Jelly was hovering beside him. What?

You look like youre running low on Aeviternum

Ive got all four points.

Not what I mean.

I know. Im fine. This shit takes a toll.

You should try becoming a machine. Makes everything much easier.

Thanks. Ill look into that.

James found Hackworth, but the colonel was too busy working with his command team to do more than greet him. James watched, nonplussed, as Hackworth coordinated with other branches of the military and prepared the whole war machine for the days activities.

James backed away and left him to it. Thank god he wasnt responsible for all that.

Instead, he made his way back down to the parking lot and returned to the double-high construction zone where the War Hound stood.

Fabricators were wheeling in the Aeviternum batteries. They looked like waist-high heat pumps that glowed with a soft golden hue. Even from the floor above their spiritual weight was immense; James could feel on some weird level how they distorted the very fabric of the world, as if each generated its own gravitational pull.

Jessica ran the operation with clear, precise commands. James didnt draw attention to himself, but instead watched as she oversaw the batteries being hooked up to the War Hound, received confirmations from the other War Engineers that the Hound was ready, and then did something with her own Mechanicus that looked important. Everyone watched as she held it before the Hounds gleaming red and gold chest, and then she backed away and nodded.

Were ready. Someone please page James Kelly.

No need. He pushed off the column and stepped into view above them all. Im here.

Jessica flashed him a smile. It was only then that he saw how incredibly nervous she was. Great. Then were ready. Lets power it up and see what it can do.