SHU'KAN Read online

  It was time to go. He took advantage of the flight time to hot dog a little. Taking manual control, he executed a series of loops and turns to see if he still had it. Not as fast as a striker Pod, but still fun, he thought. Pointing the ship home, he settled in for a landing.

  Back on the ground, Admiral McConnel was prepping for another flight. But this time, as a passenger. He’d been tasked to report on the progress of the Reykjavik team. Secretary Sadim wanted to know what their plan of attack was. He wasn’t too excited about going, but orders were orders.

  The Biotech Corporation was proving to be … resourceful. It was more powerful than he imagined. He called in every favor he had trying to dig up dirt on anything, but was getting nothing. No organization was that clandestine and able to stay so hidden without powerful people being involved. It made him nervous. He was putting his neck on the line. He needed some insurance in case things turned sour. He was starting to have doubts. He wasn’t totally unsuccessful, however. An old friend that worked at the U.N. Department of Investigations pieced together some interesting information. They were reasonably sure there was a covert cell operating somewhere in North America. Intercepted transmissions on the Teranet also indicate they may have live Hiver specimens. What they’re doing with them wasn’t certain, but it had the Biotech Corporation written all over it. –And now he was helping them develop a bio weapon. God, what am I getting myself into? He closed his office door and chipped his secretary that he was leaving. At least it was Iceland’s summer season.

  The following morning, Admiral McConnel waited in line to enter the research facility. The security here was level five. And even though he personally supervised all security for the installation, no one passed without being screened at a level five. –Not even him. He surveyed the grounds as he raised his arms to be searched. The entire facility was fenced with double layer twelve foot high fences topped with razor wire. Between the outer fence and the secondary fence were thousands of buried Negrav mines that surrounded the entire building. If anyone was able to penetrate the outer fence, a triggered mine would catapult them hundreds of feet into the air as all gravity would be suddenly ripped from under them. Wherever they landed was irrelevant.

  Beyond the second fence, aerial defenses monitored the skies for any approaching crafts. Automated heat guns looked for any significant changes in temperature that might be a prowler trying to penetrate the facility. Behind that, roaming guards with attack dogs surrounded the building. And the facility itself was layered with biometric checkpoints and com screen surveillance. All this security wasn’t just for research into a bioweapon, Earth Fleet’s covert research and development program was also located here. –But of course, that was classified information. Only a handful of personnel even knew of its existence.

  He moved through the first checkpoint evaluating the security. At the second gate, he was x-rayed and biometrically scanned. Here, anyone below a level five clearance lost chip reception. Dampeners generated a field that encompassed the entire facility. No information in or out. Only one walkway was safe to approach the building. It was marked with boundary markers. Anything outside the boundaries was introduced to the heat guns. He showed his identicard to the door guard then entered the facility. A short walk down a hallway led him to the research lab and the office of Dr. Sue Won. The lab was full of assistants performing the trivial tasks of research. Chemical smells perforated the air. He took a moment to stroll around and poke his nose into their work. He occasionally asked a few questions, but mostly allowed them to continue working. He finished and entered Dr. Won’s office. She probably already knew he was here, but he coughed politely to get her attention.

  ‘General, it’s good to see you again. How was your trip?’

  ‘Uneventful,’ he exhaled. He sat in a chair across from her desk. He allowed her to finish whatever it was that she was doing on her com screen while looking around her office. The walls were lined with shelves loaded with stacks of paper and some old fashioned books. On her desk she had a few family photos that looked outdated even to him. It was obviously an old photo. He looked her over as she turned her attention toward him. She was older now with spots of grey in her hair. Wrinkles were starting to show at the corner of her eyes and forehead. But she was still an attractive woman. ‘Doctor Won, thank you for your time. I’ll try to be as brief as possible.’

  ‘Oh, it’s a good time. We’re winding down for the day. I’ve prepared a full report for you’ she said handing him a dossier. ‘I don’t want to bore you with the details, so I’ll hit the highlights. We’ve come to an impasse. Study of the virus and Hiver carcasses have been going on since the invasion. With the research, we’ve been able to start on a solid base. However, without a live specimen, the chances of developing a bioweapon are negligible. The virus by itself is magnificent in scientific terms but extremely complex. I’ve never seen anything like it. It mutates every time it moves to a new host. To put that in perspective, every single human, and Shu’kan for that matter, if infected, would have completely different strains of the virus.’

  She tilted her chair back and rubbed her eyes. ‘In the aftermath of the invasion, no one thought to try and preserve a live specimen for study. –That’s bad news, General. I’m not sure we can beat this one.’

  He sat hands clasped with his pointer fingers pursed against his lips. ‘We’re not done yet. What if I told you that we have a live one?’ Telling Doctor Won of the specimen found on Mars was a gamble, but there was a lot at stake here. If he kept the specimen, there was no way he could explain where it went or what he did with it. –No. He would give it to her.

  Dr. Won sat on the edge of her chair with a look of astonishment. ‘Are you serious? Where did you find a specimen?’

  ‘We found it on Mars,’ he replied. ‘Admiral Cook, the Commander of what’s left of our fleet, captured. It. –A most difficult task even its weakened state. I’ve arranged for it to be delivered. It’ll be here in ten minutes.’

  Dr. Won was stunned. ‘How did you know we needed it? I thought you came for a briefing?’

  ‘In all honesty, I’ve kept up with your monthly reports to Earth Fleet. Your research is critical and may be mankind’s last chance. –I make it my business to know what you’re doing.’

  ‘Well this certainly changes everything,’ she said. With this specimen and the Shu’kan female scientist, we can hopefully make some progress. Why don’t we go to our receiving dock to look at it?’

  Right on time, a military class Negrav transport requested permission to land inside the Compound. It glided to a soft landing and powered down. A few minutes later, the rear loading hatch opened. Twelve heavily armed soldiers formed two rows on either side of the entrance. A facility work crew slid in a tug bar and pulled a Negrav pallet out. On the pallet, a steel cage with two inch thick steel bars rested. Its occupant was huddled in a small furry ball to one corner. It barely moved as it was slowly escorted toward the research facility. The security detail following alongside kept their heat rifles pointed at the cage. Once it was inside and in the lab, all but three of the soldiers left. They stood waiting for orders as Dr. Won knelt down to get a closer look.

  ‘-Careful doctor. It’s not sedated.’

  As if it understood, it lashed out a spindly leg trying to reach her. She jerked back ending on the floor with her adrenaline rushing.

  ‘Sedatives don’t work on it,’ he added. ‘Don’t let the cage fool you. –legs fully extended, it stands over six feet tall.’

  ‘This is incredible,’ she said dusting off. ‘How did it survive for so long?’

  ‘Based on Admiral Cooks report, we now believe that Mars was attacked shortly after Earth. The Hiver’s apparently left a ship behind while the rest of them made off to Alpha Centauri. We think it was patrolling and observing Earth before finally realizing there was a small colony on Mars. We, of course, didn’t know that, but we suspected as much when communication with Mars was lost. We also think they kept them
out of the colony for a time, but they eventually got in by crashing their ship through the dome.’ He paused and looked at the creature balled up in its corner. ‘After they’d killed all the settlers, they started feeding on the remaining carcasses and then on each other. This one was barely alive when we got there.’

  Dr. Won circled the cage from a distance. ‘So you believe this is the pure blood of the Hiver’s species?’

  ‘It stands to reason,’ he replied. ‘Only Shu’kan and humans have been observed with mutations. This is the only type left.’ He moved around to join her. ‘There’s more. Preliminary exams have indicated it has a double respiratory system. It can survive in an oxygen or carbon dioxide atmosphere. It apparently prefers oxygen, since it has lungs almost twice the size of the lungs it uses while in a carbon dioxide environment. It was breathing the atmosphere of Mars, though not easily because it’s thinner. But, I have no doubt it would have eventually adapted given an adequate food source.’

  ‘By the way,’ Dr. Won interrupted, ‘I’ve already spoken with Shi’la. She seems reluctant to do the work you require, although it may be because she’s still weak. The shedding process the Shu’kan endure is fascinating. I’ve had the skin analyzed and the cellular structure is unique.’ She sighed with the burden of heavy responsibility. ‘Someday I’d like to put further study into it.’

  Admiral McConnel refrained from commenting. He’d allow the Shu’kan the benefit of the doubt. However, he wasn’t above … persuasion if needed. ‘Continue to allow the personnel that I’ve cleared access to the female and Lieutenant Stone.’ He was particularly distressed about holding an Earth Fleet Officer hostage, but there casualties in every war. ‘But under no circumstances are they to know who I am or that I’m ever here. This project has strong benefits to you as well doctor. Just don’t forget.’ He allowed her to dwell on his last statement. Biotech was paying her a fortune also. ‘But if there are any issues, remember who you work for. I’ll deal with any … conflicts.’

  ‘I know where my loyalties lay, Admiral. But it still seems odd to go through all the work faking their demise when they were coming here to begin with.’

  ‘It’s simple doctor. With the U.N.C. believing that they are dead, we now control how your research is managed. If we’re going to crack this problem, then you’ll need the Shu’kan to help you do it. Their understanding of bio technologies is far superior to ours. With her hidden, so is the work she’ll be doing. Secretary Sadim will only know what you or I brief him.’

  While they were talking, another pallet was placed beside the cage. He turned and pointed to it. ‘Here is a month’s worth of raw meat. We’ve only allowed it to feed on four pounds of meat a day. It’s as fresh as we can keep it, but it doesn’t seem to care too much for having its food already dead. That’s why we keep it hungry. I’ve arranged for regular shipments.’

  Dr. Won stared blankly through the cage bars. She was both afraid and curious. This thing could tear her in half; but at the same time, the scientist in her was ready to get to work. ‘I’ll get a blood sample and get it analyzed. Thank you, Admiral. You may have just saved the human race.’

  Well,’ he replied, ‘the saving’s going to be up to you. Just try not to lose it.’

  For once, Brianna was at home. She rubbed her temples in frustration. The Shu’kan was making progress on studying the bioweapon. For the past week, she’d done nothing but pour over data and charts.

  The initial results weren’t looking promising. The Shu’kan insists that the virus is not enough genetic material to mount an effective study to create a counter-virus that would work against Hiver biology. They were going to need more, and Brian Fisher was not a man who suffered excuses. He’d created the Biotech Corporation shortly after the Hiver’s attack. Previously a developer and CEO of a tech company, his personal fortune was limitless.

  She leaned against the arm of the sofa and tried to relax. Her head was pounding and she was in desperate need of a brain dump. She started to chip through the com stations when her doorbell rang. Sighing in frustration, she considered ignoring it, but got up any way. She slid her heat pistol in the back waistband of her pajamas and opened the door.

  ‘Hello, Brianna. May I come in?’

  She unconsciously took a step backwards. Standing in her doorway was Carolina Escobar; if that was her real name. She only made appearances when on personal errands for Mr. Fisher. She’d done a little poking around once and was frightened of what little information she found about Ms. Escobar. During the Dark Period, it was rumored that she worked the underground as an assassin. These days, she was a corporate asset.

  ‘Mr. Fisher sends his regards,’ she began. ‘However, he has some concerns about your … progress?’ She lazily sat on the sofa and scanned her apartment making detailed notes of her surroundings.

  To the layman’s eye, she was talking shop; but Brianna knew better. Even as she bantered, she was assessing the environment. Every good assassin used this technique either to stage a kill, or to expedite a getaway.

  ‘What exactly is the alien doing?’ Carolina asked coolly.

  Brianna forced herself to breathe. Now wasn’t the time to panic. If Mr. Fisher wanted her dead, she would be already. ‘It’s been difficult to make progress while limiting her access to data. To do so, we have to have another scientist with her at all times to prevent her from communicating on the Teranet outside of the facility. But now that she’s setting a routine, we should see some progress.’

  ‘Let’s hope so. Mr. Fisher isn’t pleased.’ Carolina paused for a moment weighing what information to share. She finally decided that Brianna would find out from the Admiral sooner or later, so she forged on. Besides, if the Iceland facility failed, they still had other … options working. ‘Admiral McConnel has arranged for a live specimen to be shipped to your lab.’

  You’ve got a live Hiver?’ Brianna couldn’t believe what she was hearing. ‘You let me straggle along this entire time without it? We could have made that available to the Iceland Facility from the beginning!’

  ‘I didn’t say we had a live one, but I’ll confirm your deduction. We were hoping the virus would be sufficient for you to develop the bioweapon.’

  Brianna felt the cold steel of her heat pistol against her back. She slowly moved to stand in front of Carolina in case she needed to defend herself. The conversation was going well, but she was taking no chances. ‘I’m doing the best I can. The lab is already adequately supplied. Once we get the data and the specimen, moving forward won’t be an issue.’

  Carolina quietly studied her while smiling at the same time. She was beginning to worry that she’d try to shoot her. She slowly rested her hand on her pistol. ‘I’ll pass that information on to the Boss. She rose and walked to leave. ‘Let’s just hope that you don’t disappoint him, Brianna. We both know his toleration for failure. Push the Shu’kan hard. If she refuses, shoot the Lieutenant. If that doesn’t work, then we’ll start with her family. I’ve already tracked the location of her sister. We will do whatever necessary.’ She opened the door and started to leave. ‘-Oh, and you can let go of your pistol,’ she said without turning. ‘I’m not going to kill you. –At least, not yet.’

  The door shut with a click. Brianna hurriedly walked over and turned the bolt. The door had a standard electronic lock that was chip accessible, but she preferred the bolt. It reassured her. Carolina hadn’t told her anything she didn’t already know; besides the live specimen. Her visit was only to motivate her. It was a warning from Mr. Fisher.

  Suddenly, her head was hurting even more. She wasn’t going to get much sleep tonight.

  Chapter Eight

  Kyle McConnel always thought he didn’t fear death, but he was fighting panic. From the corner of his eye, he could see the mower. The mow deck had been removed for maintenance and a new fan blade was leaned against it. He stretched his hand trying to reach it. His fingers brushed it. Almost…got it! His lungs burned and his vision was blurring. He brush
ed it again with his fingers and it fell forward into his hand. He swung it down as hard as he could against the man’s head. A sickening crunch resounded and the pressure around his throat relented. The man fell to the side and spasmed. Blood was spilling down his face even as his eyes rolled back into his head. He twitched once more then was still. The fan blade had split his skull and was wedged in place.

  Kyle closed his eyes and gulped air. His throat ached, but it was good to breathe. He sat up and gently massaged his neck. Crawling over to the man he got a closer look at his face. The dirt and grime made it hard to see in the dim light. He walked to the door and kicked it open. The bright light momentarily hurt his eyes. He looked again at his assailant. ‘Oh my God!’ he whispered to himself. ‘-This can’t –I don’t –Oh, Jesus! Mr. Prevost!’

  Lying dead on his back –fan blade wedged in his skull –was Bill’s Father. He turned and stumbled out of the shed. His stomach turned and he vomited. God forgive me, I killed Bill’s Father! He wiped the bile from his mouth and wished for once his chip implant worked here. Instead, he walked back into the shed and into the back room. The young girl was still unconscious. He took his jacket off, folded it, and put it under her head. ‘I’ll get you help,’ he whispered. ‘Hang on, I’ll be back.’

  Ignoring the pain in his throat, he ran for help.

  Kyle was numb. Four hours had passed since he’d given his statement, and now for the first time, he looked around the police station. Everything was sleek and sheen. Earth Fleet Academy was a U.N.C. priority and that meant everything around it was too.

  The ceilings were high and well lit. Tall ornate pillars were evenly spaced down the entire span of the room. Mobile emitters cleverly hidden on top of cubicle walls blinked randomly linking officers to the Teranet and the endless calls coming into the station. A dull roar of voices consistently droned out every other sound as each officer chipped into the emitters taking or making calls. His head was still hurting and the sound of a hundred conversations wasn’t helping.