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Counter Earth Chronicles - Fallen Empire

Chapter 86: TWO

Dark times had befallen the colony. We have faced crises before- food, clothing, water shortages, the monster invasion, my departure and return but facing our own extinction really put a damper on everyone's mood.

The leadership enacted new rules- everyone in the colony was to carry a weapon at all times. All residents were required to live in groups of two or more. No person was to live by themselves. A similar policy was enacted for those guarding the city. All warriors were to be fully clothed top to bottom with no portion of their body exposed. They were also required to work in pairs. That rule didn't go over too well considering there was a clothing shortage and some of our warriors (a werewolf in particular and two barbarians,) were very comfortable wearing modest clothing or next to nothing at all.

It signaled to every member of the colony be they human, beastial, hybrid, monster or something in between that the end was coming. We all kind of knew how it was going to happen we just didn't know when and it was driving some crazy. Countless times I heard “I wonder what it will be like being a walker? Or I just wish the walkers would get it over with instead of torturing us!"

A week had past since Ruth Ann reunited with her husband. The only thing that had been annihilated was our colony's morale but it did make me hug my friends and family a lot more knowing that the inevitable was coming. But the entity was taking its time getting around to the inevitable.

Day 194 (1:34 PM Community Garden)

“So you dreamed that we all became Others big brother?"

“How did it happen?" Yogi asked.

“It was Lea." She snuck into the city somehow and then took her time turning everyone into believers, saving Shakara for last. The entity told me that if I wanted her, Lea and my mistress to remain in my life- I would be its submissive, obedient lap dog."

“Wow." Corbin and Yogi said in unison.

“I walked to the front door of our home. Opened it and saw the rest of the colony staring back at me- possessed. It broke my heart."

“I still don't know why the leadership just doesn't abandon the city?" Yogi said as he watered some growing potatoes.

“You mean become nomads like Naka and his bunch?" The little mongoose boy said checking on some growing carrots.

“Yeah." Came the reply.

“Because it is dangerous out there- not only do you have the walkers around, there are monsters and the KLIS to deal with as well. They tried to take a few 'souvenirs' from the nomadic colony the last time I visited."

“So Lady Barq, Lady Ursa and Commander Rhinox think we have a better chance staying where we are and defending our home- fiercely?" Yogi asked.

I nodded.

“Then how do you explain our exotic guard this afternoon?" Corbin asked.

“They are short on guards today since they are now devoting two warriors per shift." I said attaching a stick to some growing tomatoes for support.

*I am happy to help out. However, this task would be easier if the prototype still had an operational surveillance probe.*

“Yeah, don't remind me Overwatch that disappeared when Dawn did." I said.

“You still miss her Corbin?" Yogi asked his roommate.

“Every day." The little mongoose boy said.

“How are you two doing together?" I asked candidly.

“Corbin is the bestest best roommate ever and he doesn't tease me for being an exotic manufactured toy like Zhade did."

“That is because you are not. Say, what is that sound?!" The little mongoose said jumping.

“Summer breeze on the trees." I responded looking at the wonder of nature all around us. “Well, with the exception of the red sky."

*There doesn't appear to be any disturbances in the immediate area. Please continue your gardening activities.*

“It would help immensely if we had additional staffing." I added.

“Wasn't miss Una supposed to be joining us?" Corbin asked.

*One moment, checking. No miss Una is taking the day off.*

“Probably exhaustion from being the Lost City's Other detector." I responded.

“I am kind of tired of being tested every time I re-enter the city as well." Yogi acknowledged.

“Or being closely watched when I eat or relieve myself." Corbin added blushing.

“That is because Others don't eat or go to the bathroom." The young yeti replied.

“Can you even be turned into an Other Yogi?" I asked.

“I don't want to find out." Was his innocent reply. “So we were the only gardeners scheduled today Overwatch?"

*You are all that there is. The rest are…..*

“The rest are what Overwatch?" The young yeti asked the automated assistant.

The manufactured toy did not receive a verbal response but a physical one as the blue prototype powered on.

“Overwatch do you detect something?" Corbin asked.

Again there was no response, but the side-pods retracted.

“Overwatch is there something wrong?" I asked looking at my little brother and his roommate.

The two boys shared glances with me. We dropped our tools and ran toward the blue coupe arriving at the driver side and passenger side respectively.

“I think it is about to drive off!" Yogi said.

“But why?" The little mongoose asked.

“We better go too. Otherwise we will be unprotected." I said opening the dome. Corbin, Yogi and I had just enough time to jump in before the hover vehicle departed speeding off.

“Whoa!! So fast!!" Yogi shouted as the blue prototype took to the sky.

“Overwatch release control of the prototype to me." I ordered.

My command was ignored.

“Overwatch land the prototype now." The mongoose boy said.

Similarity he was ignored too.

“Overwatch what is wrong?" Yogi asked. The manufactured monster's request was ignored.

“Ok, plan B." I grabbed the steering wheel trying to force the hover vehicle to turn around.

*Not authorized.* A computerized voice that did not sound familiar said.

“Let me try something." Corbin said activating the co-pilot monitor and keyboard. As they emerged from the glovebox he started typing. “No good, I am locked out."

“How is this happening?" Yogi asked.

I thought for a minute.

“It is Claudius, he did this!!!"

“Say what?" The yeti and the mongoose sharing the passenger seat said in unison.

“He was running ops in the prototype and must have made some more changes during our last mission."

“You mean summoning our hover vehicle for most likely nefarious purposes?" Yogi asked.

“You are learning quick little yeti." I responded.

“So what can we do?" Corbin asked.

“Nothing. I can't even contact the colony for help. It looks like we are going for a ride boys."

We traveled southeast for about two hours arriving at a bizarre stone forest; slender narrow rock formations reaching for the sky as far as the eye could see.

“Whoa, spooky." Corbin commented looking out of the window.

“I have never seen anything like it. Jagged metal rocks everywhere." Yogi commented. “How long have they been here?"

“Overwatch? That's right, the automated assistant is not listening to us."

The prototype set down on a narrow platform adjacent to a familiar amphibian.

“I wasn't anticipating company!" Mr. Price exclaimed as we surrounded him.

“Hey fish face." I said aiming the tip of my grappling hook at him. Corbin had his boomerang in paw while Yogi collected a pile of stones ready to throw if needed.

“Is that anyway to great your old friend Claudius?" He asked us.

“You sir are devious, manipulative and very unpredictable." I responded. “Now what did you do to the blue coupe?"

The amphibian was wearing an geologist outfit camo shorts, brown shirt, hat, backpack and a water canteen.

“Nothing, now the on board computer however let's just say I added a “summon feature."

“Wow, that is ingenious." Corbin said looking back at the hover vehicle and then the interloper.

“I just forgot to account for the fact that some beast may be in it."

“Claudius that prototype is one of the pillars of our colony's defense especially now!" I shouted.

“Yes, yes- I heard the briefing from Devon. Some idiot in your colony turned over a heartbroken woman to her possessed lover exposing your secret hideout's location and thus dooming you all."

“Yeah that is the long or short of it." Yogi said.

“And what do we have here?" The amphibian said strolling up to the young yeti. “My my my my my another manufactured monster!!!"

Yogi was very uncomfortable as the fish guy studied his white fur, large hands, feet, teeth right down to his beady eyes.

“A sentient toy!! With a circulatory system, digestive system! How advanced! Oh I would love to get my paws on you!!! What corporation created you? Do you eat and if so what do you eat? Do you poop and if so how large is it?"

The yeti blushed.

“He is quite sensitive about such things mister." The mongoose boy said.

“And who do we have here?"

“Corbin Mongoose. My little brother Claudius." I said still pointing my weapon at him.

“Oh yes, I think I heard about you- you are that kid whose family was slaughtered by rebels at that museum."

“Yes." The mongoose said gritting his teeth.

“Well I am sorry for your loss boy, there were some wicked individuals in the previous civilization."

“Claudius why did you steal the prototype?" I said to him.

“A side project I have been working on since the loss of my beloved Ida."

“More like rejection." I said to the amphibian. “Remember she said she enjoyed being an Other and living in her new master's tranquil society."

“I seem to recall that your loved ones made the same choice as well boy." The fish guy said turning his attention from Yogi to me. “If I don't succeed in my efforts today well your little colony will become an adjunct of the Diamond City."

“Mr. Claudius what happened to your separator, you know that weapon I heard only works for five minutes and thirty seconds?" The manufactured monster asked.

“I have been refining it."

“Let me guess it works for 12 minutes now." The little mongoose boy scoffed.

“Nine actually." Fish face countered. “Anyway I will return your hover vehicle when I am finished."

“Claudius you are being evasive and devious." I said eyeing him carefully. “I thought we were allies?"

“So how is Rumble- that magnificent escaped lab creature of yours?" He countered evading the question.

“Honorary beastial." Corbin countered.

“He thrives." I replied.

“Now who is being evasive?" Mr. Price said.

“He is becoming more and more like a civilized beastial everyday, relishes that he isn't imprisoned in a lab being dissected and loves his human." The little mongoose boy added.

“Now can we have full disclosure sir?" Yogi asked.

“Do you know what that even means little yeti?" Fish face asked as he looked at the grim faces staring him back. “I am trying to find another way to combat the entity."

“I am doubtful of that." I frowned.

“Yes, I know Mr. Winter I have heard of beings with far advanced technologies trying to confront the destroyer of the empire and failing but for the sake of all that what we hold dear, I have try."

“He sounds very noble." Yogi giggled.

“Look your blue coupe has some amazing upgrades that will make my search easier. That is why I borrowed it."

“And how would you know that?" The little mongoose asked.

“I took an extensive inventory during the previous mission."

“Claudius the prototype's weapons are to defend ourselves against the darkness once they are gone, they are gone." I pleaded.

“Isn't that why organic weaponry was introduced to augment and replace the missiles, and grenades that vehicle houses? I will need only a small portion of your armory in my quest. I could also use some assistants." He said smiling.

“Devon and Jessie refused to help you didn't they?" I asked eyeing him down.

“They called my quest a fool's errand."

“Sidebar." Corbin said.

So the three of us conferred as the amphibian sat down in the cockpit.

“What do you think?" The manufactured monster said.

“He is up to something." My little brother added.

“I will give back the prototype when I am finished." Claudius yelled.

“And remove your modifications?" I asked.

“Then we have a deal?" He shouted from the cockpit of the blue coupe. “Corbin with me."

“And what about us?" I asked.

“I will need you for manual labor."

*The rest are resting.* The automated assistant said picking up the conversation it was having with us back at the community garden without missing a beat. *Say where are we?*

“Good day computer."

*Mr. Price what are you doing here?*

“He is working on a side project to fight back against the entity." Corbin announced from the passenger seat. “He would like us to assist."

“Computer given our present location we will need to carve a pathway to the center of the stone forest here."

“Claudius why can't we fly over?"

“There is no place to land if we did my boy there is dense rock."

“Oh." The little mongoose said.

“Computer we are going to use the laser system to carve our way forward- literally. You are to calculate where to cut. Corbin you aim. I will fire and the boys out there will remove the debris. With a little teamwork I will get what I want, and you will get what you want."

*Side-pods engaged.*

*Laser system engaged.*

*ZAP*

*CRUNCH*

And so Yogi and I assisted the amphibian with his secretive mission.

“Is it safe?" The manufactured monster asked me after watching rocks fall from a stone column.

I looked up. “It appears steady. Let's clear the debris below."

It was back breaking work removing rocks, boulders and whatever was cut so that we could advance deeper and deeper into the stone forest. In a weird way it was like playing a life size version of Jenga.

By the end of the day we were only about 1/4 of the way in and 3/4 away from our destination by my own estimation.

“Claudius can we call it a day?"

“Why?"

“The sun is going down and we haven't had a bite to eat since morning." The mongoose copilot added.

“We can knock off for the night." The amphibian said.

“Great we can go home and resume in the morning then?" Yogi asked.

“Only partially right, there is no going home until the mission is complete- but we will resume in the morning."

“Um what are we going to do for food?" I asked.

*whump*

“Here, from my personal supply." Fish face replied presenting his backpack.

“Wow, rations." Corbin said.

“It is nourishment whether you are a carnivore, herbivore or omnivore now eat then we will bed down for the night."

Claudius and Corbin took the cockpit while Yogi and I took the trunk of the blue coupe.

“Overwatch can you contact the lost city?"

*Negative Mr. Winter we are too far outside of communication range.*

“Damn. Hey Yogi are you still awake?"

“Yeah Alex."

“I have a project for you."

“Really?"

“Claudius seems to have taken a liking to you. We can use that to our advantage. Get close and find out what we are helping him try to find and for what purpose."

“Right."

And so Corbin, Yogi, myself settled down down for the night with the rouge scientist.

Day 195 (3:16 AM The Stone Forest)

“Hmm... the penis is a little large and there are no testicles." Mr. Price said feeling up the sleeping yeti's groin. “Wait, that makes sense."

*YAWN* “What makes sense? Eeeyahh!!!! Mr. Claudius how long were you standing there watching me and Alex?"

“Actually only you little yeti." Fish face said.

“Um, thank you?" Yogi said at the unexpected interloper.

“It is a shame we are so far from my lab. I would love to study you for a long, long, long time."

“That doesn't sound like it would be fun. However, if you have any questions I will try my best to answer them." The manufactured monster said smiling.

“What is your perception of reality? What about good or evil? How do you determine what is right from wrong?" Claudius asked grasping Yogi's right hand. “What is your favorite food? What about your favorite drink? What do you like to do for fun? What was your first thought when you were given life? How many friends do you have? Who do you consider your friends? Can I have fur sample and a urine sample and a stool sample? Are you capable of growing? What about aging?"

“Um....." The yeti said becoming overwhelmed.

“Right. You are going to be awhile." I said leaving the trunk of the blue coupe. “Quite a while."

I walked around to the driver side of the hover vehicle and sat down in the driver seat. That was when I noticed that Corbin was typing on the copilot monitor and keyboard.

“Claudius wake you big brother?"

“Yeah he is interviewing our yeti."

“Will he be okay?"

“I think so, Claudius does not have the means to dissect him here. Besides he needs strong arms to remove the rubble as we work our way toward the interior of the forest. Say, what are you doing up at this hour?"

“Doing a little fact checking. Alex we made more progress than we thought- we are about 3/4 of the way to whatever is in the center of the stone forest."

“Really?" I asked the little mongoose boy.

“I am thinking about doing a little exploratory surgery want to come along?"

“Is it safe?"

“There doesn't appear to be any night creatures about, and we are far from the former empire." My little brother said.

“And Claudius?"

“You said it yourself he is preoccupied with Yogi. But in case he decides to check on us...." Corbin said hitting the return button on the keyboard.

The holo-projector was engaged. It displayed two images of myself and the little mongoose sleeping where we were seated inside the cockpit of the vehicle.

Corbin and I grabbed our weapons and few glow sticks and walked the trail we had earlier physically carved inside the stone forest.

“I thought this place was eerie during the day. It is another thing at night."

“Are you sensing anything big brother?" The little boy asked me.

“No."

“Then let's go a little further."

As we did we started noticing markings on the stones.

“I didn't notice that before." I said studying a boulder.

“These aren't markings Alex, they are words. Some form of ancient text."

“Corbin can you make any sense of this?" I said holding my glowstick up to what looked like a bunch of scribblings with an odd picture here or there.

“They bear a resemblance to some of the wording in the lost city and the sister site the professor was looking for but no."

“Well this is as far as we went yesterday." I said as we arrived at a large stone obelisk.

“There is more writing on this one right here." The mongoose said.

I shined my light on it. “No these are images."

We stared for a time at a particular one that showed some type of creature- roundish torso, arms and legs with two dots on its chest but no head, rising from the ground.

“What are these squiggly lines around it?" Corbin asked.

“Release me..."

“Did you say something big brother?"

“No. I thought you did!"

“Release me..."

“That was a voice! A disembodied voice!!!" The little mongoose said as his fur bristled.

(Weird, I didn't sense anything.)

“We are leaving now." I said grabbing his paw and running.

“Where do you think it came from?"

“Don't know and I don't care. In my experience hearing voices at remote isolated locations begging to be set free is never ever good."

Day 195 (Continued 7:44 AM)

“Good morning general staff!" The amphibian said giving us our morning rations. “Today we are going finish our task and punch through to the center of the stone forest!"

“Yay." Corbin and I said collectively.

“And when that task is accomplished you will relinquish control of Overwatch?" I asked eyeing him carefully.

“Yes, yes but of course!" He said adjusting his geologist hat. “Alright let's bring it."

Corbin, Yogi and I watched as fish face enthusiastically leaped inside the blue coupe and powered it on.

“Coming Corbin?"

“Yeah." The little mongoose said.

“You are unnaturally quiet this morning Yogi. Did you find out anything from our captor? Yogi?"

“Alex, he did some things to me that I didn't know could be done to anyone!" The manufactured monster said quivering. “I understand now why we can't let him near Rumble."

I placed my hand on his shoulder.

“What did you do while I was being 'explored?'

“Corbin and I double checked our work from the day before and heard a eerie voice. It was begging to be set free."

“That doesn't sound good."

“It never does. Yogi whatever is in the center of that forest we can't let out."

“What are we going to do Alex?" He said nervously.

“I don't know."

And so work resumed. Overwatch calculated the best locations to cut, Corbin aimed, Claudius fired and Yogi and I cleared the debris very scared at what we might find at the conclusion of our labors.

We worked for hours finally reaching a stone obelisk that stood slightly taller than the rest of the rock around it.

“The laser system is not working." The rogue scientist said.

*I believe it is because the stone is petrified Mr. Price.*

“Phew I said looking at my hauling companion."

“There has to be a way...." Claudius said pressing a few buttons on the weapons menu.

*Tunnel missile engaged.*

*Grenade launcher engaged.*

“Ack!!!" I yelled pulling Yogi out of the way. “Hey!!! We have no way of replacing those armaments once they are exhausted you know!" I shouted.

*CHA-BOOM*

“And it is done." The fish guy said exiting the prototype.

“Alex, Yogi get back! Corbin shouted."

“Overwatch, relinquish control back to my young charges and engage the deflector." Claudius said as the stone obelisk toppled over.

*Acknowledged.*

The surrounding area was splashed with dust from explosion. After the dust, the ground started shaking.

“A counter earthquake?! Claudius what did you do?" Corbin asked.

“What needed to be done." Was the cryptic answer.

Corbin, Yogi and I observed the ground where the petrified tower was standing open and a bizarre creature clawed its way to the surface. The being was yellowish brown, it had a humanoid looking body with no neck. It's head was a circle with no nose, two flat ears, oval mouth with sharp teeth and one single eye- a large single eye. It stood about four and a half feet tall.

“Free at last!! Free at last!!! To whom do I thank for my emancipation?"

“Overwatch disengage the deflector." The amphibian said stepping forward. “That would be me sir."

“You have my gratitude."

“So what are your plans now homunculus?" Mr. Price asked.

(Homunculus?!)

!!!

“Yogi let's get back in the hover vehicle! Now!" I whispered.

“Complete and total domination of all." The creature said.

Fish face walked up to the creature looking him up and down as if to say really?

“Yes, yes, it has been a horrid millennial and a half." The creature said as it squatted and refocused its energy. “One moment." and then it grew and grew and grew and grew and grew. “That's better."

*OH MY. It must be at least 25 feet tall.* The automated assistant stated.

“Overwatch deflectors to maximum." The little mongoose boy said.

“Please take me with you!!!" The amphibian pleaded to the creature it had just freed from its imprisonment.

“Oh?" The being said looking down at the amphibian who had dropped to all fours and appeared to be worshipping it.

“You did say I had you gratitude." Mr. Price said.

“ Very well." The creature said plucking Claudius up from the ground in its hand.

“By the way, there is somethings you should know..." The rogue scientist started to say to the creature.

“We should leave now!" I shouted.

“Yogi what are you doing?" Corbin asked the quivering yeti.

“Trying very hard not to pee myself."

“There there it is ok, a partial ally of ours only released an unholy thing that is quite possibly very evil that had been imprisoned for a long time at a undisclosed location on the planet that is all." The mongoose boy said trying to comfort his roommate.

“Not helping!" Yogi said holding his genitals.

!!!

“Overwatch get us out of here now!!" I shouted as an explosion came from the direction of Claudius and the homunculus.

We were caught in the shockwave and blown miles to the southwest the prototype spinning like a top through the air.

I tried to grab the wheel and regain control but it wasn't happening.

“Passive restraints!" The little mongoose boy shouted.

*We are going down! Impact imminent!*

*THOOM!!!!*

“That wasn't so bad." Yogi said.

“Status?" The little mongoose boy asked.

“That was some shockwave. If not for the deflector system we would be in so many pieces."

“The force of that explosion was extreme we were catapulted 89 miles to the south." Corbin said looking at the readout on the copilot monitor.

*We are in the wilderness somewhere between World four and World Two. What was that shockwave?*

“I think I have something." The little mongoose boy said typing on the copilot keyboard."

“Yes?" I asked him.

“The front mounted camera caught this as we were blasting off."

“Corbin put in on the main monitor." I ordered.

“I can't make it out." The manufactured monster said.

*It looks like the creature Claudius released replicated itself. See the first is creature is on the left and there is a second on the right following.*

Alex Winter July 22nd, YOE 34