Adam didnt even notice he was off the ground. He climbed higher and faster, watching without feeling as cities, villages, forests, and even mountains burned, as rivers vaporized and boiled from the high temperatures. He saw dozens, hundreds of the same uncompromisingly destructive fire clots and a mysterious emerald glow in the spaces between them. The Earth seemed to be gone. Now it was sick, but no longer with the presence of life on it, but on the contrary with its death, its absence.
Hey, are you okay? A familiar male voice sounded from somewhere far away.
Instantly, everything was gone, switched like a channel on an ancient television. Adam saw the hallway, the floor and the walls again. He turned his head at the sound and saw Audley leaning over him.
Ill call the medics,» he said. How are you feeling?
No need for medics,» Adam replied in a shaky voice. I think its a side effect of the neural interface,» he added immediately, gradually regaining consciousness. Im sorry you had to witness that. I didnt realize it could be so serious.
When did you use it?
Before we met. Im sorry. Im fine. Really, dont worry. Ill get help myself.
Audley stared incredulously, but then straightened up and asked in a different tone.
Can you walk?
Yes, of course.
Adam rose to his feet. He felt no physical discomfort now. His head didnt ache, his body was full of energy. It was as it should be, but the feelings damn them! They continued to rage inside, interfering with his thinking, nullifying his attempts to appear normal.
The drive to the lobby passed in complete silence. Adam did his best to keep his cool. In his mind he berated himself for daring to use the neurointerface, knowing that it was damaged. That could have ended badly at all. He had to finish his business with Robert and then go through a recovery course. If hed just done poorly on a medical test before, and had taken the matter less than seriously, now, faced with the real consequences, he felt fear. If something like this happened again, it was far from certain that his nervous system would hold up. And then everything would come to an end. Even if he didnt die, he would be an invalid for life, unable to do anything, and that was frightening.
Yes Robert broke the silence as they entered the vaults of the lobby dome. Stop using the neural interface. I know it saves a lot of time, but in our reality, should we be rushing? It would be a shame if one of these toys took everything away from you.
Youre certainly right,» Adam agreed. Again, I apologize for this awkwardness. Its embarrassing, really.
Forget it. Get well. But remember, Ill see you tomorrow.
Yes, of course,» Adam nodded.
Dead or alive!
Alive, I hope. Im very intrigued by you.
Both of them laughed. One, not a natural, working laugh, the other, just as unfairly, overpowering the storm of emotion that still lingered inside.
No sooner had Robert left the walls of the Center than a vibration pierced his hand a ringing.
Did he leave? How did it go? Agatha was excited.
It went well, but he twisted my arms. Ill have to go to his office with a prototype. He promised to sign a contract for three hundred thousand units, Adam exhaled and added a little more quietly, Agatha, can I come up and talk to you if I have a minute?
Uh, sure. Come on in and tell me all about it. Three hundred thousand is even more than we expected, well done! The director replied briefly, and ended the call.
The door to Agathas office was ajar so that snippets of the newscast could still be heard from the hallway:
«Panic attacks day» so dubbed this day by medics and scientists all over the world. Hundreds of thousands of cases of uncontrollable visions have been recorded in the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance and the Federation of Independent States. Victims claim to have seen the end of the world associated with the use of weapons of mass destruction. The heart is racing. Against the background of these events, a number of non-profit associations have already become active, demanding the complete destruction of old stockpiles of nuclear weapons and the closure of all nuclear facilities. Spontaneous rallies have begun in many cities. We have North Atlantic Alliance spokesman Major Arthur Kirk live with us:
We cant give an explanation for these strange visions,» came a stern commanding voice. Im getting data from scientists. They attribute this phenomenon to unusual activity on the Sun. The only thing we can assure you of is that there can be no military action using the old nuclear arsenal.
A janitorial robot ran down the corridor, catching Adam, who had been listening to the majors statements, off guard. He recoiled, whispered a curse, and then glanced back at the doorway where Arthur Kirks speech was coming from.
I have already spoken with my counterpart in the Federation of Independent States, the major continued. We have once again confirmed all agreements under the treaty on the storage and use of nuclear weapons. We have been living in peace and harmony for more than thirty years, and there is no reason for either our side or the government of the Federation of Independent States to start hostilities.
I havent had faith in politicians for a long time. It came from my father. When he watched the news, he always scolded them, calling them bums and freeloaders. Adam didnt think of them as such, but he had no faith in their words.
We ask the public to take todays events calmly and let the scientists figure it all out,» the speakers continued. I can also confirm that todays phenomenon affected only citizens of the North Atlantic Alliance and the Federation of Independent States.
«Interesting, us and the FNG people are affected by the sun, but the others arent? Its all nonsense,» the thoughts rang in the head.
Well keep you informed and make all the necessary checks to get to the bottom of this and make a clear assessment of todays events,» Kirk promised confidently, setting the record straight.
Adam knocked on the office door and opened it ajar. The director was sitting at her desk, reviewing the vision recordings already available online. The images were familiar: the explosion, the flames destroying everything around them, and the ashes left by the wave that had passed.
Thats news to me! I thought it was my neural interface playing tricks on me,» Adam said as he slowly approached the screen with pictures of the victims memories.
Did you get it too? Agatha asked anxiously.
Yeah, the moment I walked Robert out. Must have blacked out for a couple of seconds. Its all very strange.
The principal frowned and shook her head:
Look, go home, get some rest. I dont know what any of this means, and you have to close Audleys contract tomorrow. Get two vials for the Capsule from the warehouse. For yourself and your wife, just in case. If theyre not better by tonight, I suggest you use them. Tell them I asked for them. Recuperate and close the R.G.I. issue tomorrow, thats the main thing.
Agatha, if its not a non-interface, Im totally fine!
The principal was adamant.
Go and do as I say. She turned off the videotape, stood up, came closer and added more gently, Well talk about the results tomorrow. Meanwhile, get some treatment. I cant risk my lead engineer.
The journey home was not a quick one. Thousands of cars and other vehicles were slowly making their way through the city streets in a single stream. There was a buzzing noise all around. The whistling of electric motors, the shouts of outraged people wanting to get away faster, and the panicked roar of the crowd, invisible and scattered everywhere.
Chapter 3: Prisoner of the Desert
«Memento mori,» the inscription above the entrance to the massive old cathedral, was the only thing I could make out. The sun was blinding his eyes, scorching his flesh, wanting to squeeze every drop out of his still-living body. The wanderers skillfully made bionic prosthetic arms were bound, his legs, deprived of strength, refused to move, but the discharges of the stun gun and the encouraging shouts of the cassock-clad pursuers forced him to take another painful step.
The entrance archway was left behind. The thick stone walls kept the desired coolness perfectly. The prisoners body reacted immediately. A shiver ran through him, his eyes opened and looked up languidly. Beneath the high vault of the dome there were puffs of smoke from hundreds of lamps and thousands of candles. Their scent, sweet but not cloying, tickled the sense of smell, stupefying, making him see images and pictures that did not really exist in the rays of the sun, breaking through the murky multicolored stained glass.
The captive was so weak that he could no longer walk on his own. His legs had collapsed, but he did not fall, having been picked up by two pairs of strong arms. Now he was dragged across the cold stone floor like a sack of something of little value, and carelessly dumped at the altar, as if to confirm this comparison. With a groan, the captive leaned on his mechanical prosthetics and looked in front of him. Behind the massive golden altar stood a man in red religious robes his captor and the hated enemy he wanted to destroy. There was no strength now to even stand up. Fate had turned its back on the captive. He had come into the desert with a small band, driven by pride and belief in his own omnipotence, and now all his men were dead. Only he was left, barely alive, barely breathing, but still unbroken.
The clergyman closed the scripture with the big «V» on the cover and leaned over.
The wisdom of the prudent is to know his way; the folly of the foolish is to wander in all things,» said the old man in a hoarse voice, leaning toward the half-living mans ear.
He continued to stare in front of him, not showing any emotion. Noticing this, the priest continued.
You are Marcus the Armless, leader of the godless Capers, your name is known in many parts of the new world, you are often spoken of on the sidelines of New Babylon. Have you been so foolish as to go after my death on your own and without an army? I had a better opinion of you, but now I see that you are no different from other ignorant men who would die for prejudice. Youve been here almost a month,» he went on to say. All your friends have long ago learned the truth, joined the Order, and now carry its banner with honor and dignity. We are here to save people,» the Bishop added a little more gently, with feigned concern. We give their lives meaning. Despite your past deeds and terrible desires, I truly believe that your life has meaning too. I will help your lost soul and save it.
The captive couldnt help himself and, coughing, laughed.
Youre nothing but a fantasist, a psycho in bling,» he said with dry throat. You cant help my soul. You cant help yourself. Youre right, I am Marcus Armless, and Im not spoken of for nothing, you foolish pawn Stephany. Your order will fall because theres nothing behind it but words. Your goddess is fiction, and the one who allowed me to rise is real. So laugh at me all you want. It wont change the future. Ill predict it for you, though I dont usually do that. Come here, bend over a little lower. You dont want to? Well, then Ill tell you, for all your wingmen to hear, youre gonna die and Im gonna live. And thats not gonna change. We all serve someone, and every service has a price. Your price is a fat belly and a bunch of idiots around you believing your every word, and mine is the flesh and soul you care so much about. But, know this, you give as much as you get in return. You havent sacrificed anything, youve only taken. But dont worry about that, Franco. Your goddess couldnt have given you anything if youd sacrificed everything you had. You know why? Because shes Stefanias idea. Veritas is a fairy tale for pathetic, battered and broken people.
Heresy! The Bishop couldnt help himself. How dare you defame the name of the great Goddess in her temple!
Oh, spare me your stupidity and shoot me in the head. Youd be a bad name to besmirch.
Franco slapped his palm on the altar irritably, but immediately pulled himself together and, adjusting his cassock, replied:
Youre incorrigible, Armless. You lack the wisdom to admit defeat. Goddess knows I meant well. I forgive your rash words, for you know not what you say. But Veritas sees everything. After this worldly life comes eternal life, and your suffering will be eternal, for no ones prayers can save a sinner from just punishment. You will work out your sins by becoming part of the corps of the Knower. And know this, Franco leaned toward the prisoner again, I will rejoice when I see you obey my commands without thought,» he whispered, then straightened up and waved to his escorts. The initiation ritual will take place today! he said loudly. Prepare yourselves, brothers and sisters, for on this day the legend of the godless world will become part of our sacred circle for the glory of the goddess and the truth that she brings with her!
Marcus was lifted from the cold floor and dragged back to the cell that had become his prison. As they dragged him, he laughed. He was gaunt, his face gaunt, his muscles withered, but his faith was strong.
You hear that, Franco?! he shouted, his throat tearing up. Youre dead and thats not going to change! You are a slave to Stefanias fairy tales, and I am a free privateer! Capers serve no one! We pay blood for blood and death for death! You dont understand this, you fat bastard, but a free man cant be forced to sell his freedom, he can only be killed!
The gates of the temple slammed shut. The dry air filled his lungs again, tickled his throat again, causing nauseating coughing fits. Marcus was dragged down a long path with no shadow, a twisted kind of revenge of men incapable of decisive action. At the end he was thrown to the floor of the cell. The massive door rattled, the old electronic locks came into motion and closed, leaving him alone.
The dungeon was not as cool as the cathedral, but it was much better than the blazing sun. He had not been fed for more than twenty-four hours and was tied to a pole in the middle of the square. What the fiends had tried to do to break his spirit, but he was more than just a man. He was still Marcus Armless, the great leader of the Capers, destined to become the most powerful ruler of the survivors of the Day of Reset. He tried not to think about the initiation rite into the Corps of the Cognizers. He knew it was impossible to resist the rite, but deep down he felt confident of a better future. Marcus crawled to the bowl of murky liquid and emptied it greedily.
The initiation rite of the Order of Truth was nothing more than a spectacle built around zombifying people with psychotropic drugs. In this way, the Order added to its ranks those who were needed, but refused to share beliefs in the goddess voluntarily. The Order was a large and powerful organization with a center in the mysterious city of New Babylon. The sermons of its leader, St. Mark Stephany, echoed through the communication channels every day, easily instilling faith in the downtrodden minds of the survivors. Stephany promised everyone and anyone peace, food and shelter, salvation of the soul and, of course, the protection of the Goddess of Truth Veritas. Because of these broadcasts, tens of thousands of people, full of hope, were rushing to New Babylon.