Decay

By Mark Lingane

Book two of the Tesla saga. Awarded runner-up in the 2014 SPR Full Moon Science Fiction Awards.

When friends fail and cities fall, when enemies grow stronger by taking everything that is treasured by the inhabitants of the Steam Academy, what is left for them to do?

Strike back!

The city is being rebuilt, but nothing is the same. This fortress of science—the last sanctuary against the marauding cyborg forces sweeping the land—is being distorted by a flood of refugees seeking protection inside the city walls.

The land changes, power corrupts, and the enemy becomes harder to identify.

Risking everything against betrayal’s cruel bite, Sebastian and Melanie embark on a mission against the cyborg enemy. A mission that takes them into the heart of enemy territory, the Hive itself, where they face their darkest fears and risk losing every- thing that’s important to them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Insync Holdings
• Release date: Apr 25, 2014
• ISBN: 9780992377991

Mark Lingane

Mark was first published at the ripe old age of eight, when a local newspaper published his review of Disney on Ice. The next time his name was in print was a life time later at the age of fifteen, when a national magazine ran his review of the Commodore 64. It was downhill from there, picking up a weekly column in the Sunday Times which funded a rather noncommittal path through university, studying a wide range of topics from Robotics, Anthropology, Philosophy.Computer Science, Psychology.In fact so many subjects were studied he was eligible for graduation at the end of his second year, based purely on attendance.He finally left and joined the corporate world before realizing work isn't that much fun, and going back to study. Further writing followed with regular columns for various technology magazines and newspapers around the country. Then as the reality of permanent food and shelter began to bare its teeth, another attempt at the corporate world beckoned as a technical writer, which turned out okay. Shifting from technology companies to resource companies provided the opportunity to travel and live in some desolate and exotic locations where the locals don't like you much.In 2011, he decided that these shells of books that had been lying around for the last twenty years needed to be finished or burnt. Since no matches were at hand, he finished them and has been releasing them at a consistent rate since.He's not sure if any of them are any good, but did his best and was relieved to see them out the door, much like a teenager who has overstayed their welcome.

Book preview

I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and what thou seest, write in a book …

I know you’re there, said the guard. The darkness engulfed the shadows, leaving nothing but blackness, complete and eternal.

This is a trap. He tried to summon courage into his voice. We’re prepared, and we’ve been waiting for you.

A thin red beam of light burst from the corner of the room. It zeroed in on the guard with deadly precision. The guard gasped.

Out of the shadows stepped a slight figure, a solitary figure, a recognizable figure. The red beam was emanating from a helmet strapped to the figure’s head. It cast an eerie demonic glow over the wearer’s face.

A trap, said the figure. I’d been counting on it.

You! said the guard. But why?

There was no response, only the click-click-click of the pistol as it emptied its contents, leaving only the smell of flint and damp.

CHAPTER 1

Sebastian aimed his rifle, and his target swung into focus down the long barrel. The sun glinted off the bronzed metal blemished with heat spots; the reflections danced around his face. He took a couple of slow breaths, steadied his nerves and squeezed the trigger. In his mind the lead cyborg died a grizzly and painful death as the bullet pierced his heart.

In reality the bullet sailed through the air and missed the can perched on top of a rock—stand-in for an invading cyborg army—by some considerable distance.

Isaac lowered the binoculars and handed them to Sebastian. He shook his head. The wind instantly blew sand into his eyes.

Sebastian handed Isaac a rag he had tucked away in his tunic. Take this, it’s very nearly clean.

Isaac groped for the material, clasping it then rubbing it across his eyes. He slid his own goggles down over his eyes. The sun rose behind them, spreading bright, early-morning light; the dark lenses instantly transformed the sunlight into twilight.

Isaac repositioned his rifle and settled it into his shoulder. A lone cloud drifted across the sky and momentarily concealed the sun. The deceptive shadows disappeared in the temporary gloom and he took the opportunity to establish a clear target. He took a couple of quick breaths, held then pulled the trigger.

The gas chamber latch at the front of the rifle snipped open and the gas expanded, blasting the small bullet out into the desert. It hit the base of the can, knocking it spinning into the air and leaving a significant splash of water over the rock surface.

Good shot, Sebastian said, dropping the small set of binoculars and aimed his own water rifle for another attempt.

He pulled his goggles tight as the wind picked up, blustering the sands into whatever crevice they could find. He pulled back on the large brass lever that was attached to the bulbous chamber comprising most of the rifle. Gas hissed from the large cylinder on his back and pumped hydrogen into the rifle chamber. He waited for the hiss to stop. Aiming a little higher than previously, he steadied and prepared to pull the trigger.

Much to everyone’s amazement, including his own, several months previously Isaac had had an idea. He had toiled in the city forge, pounding away on fine metal using his hereditary blacksmith’s artisan skills until he had crafted a weapon of such deadly intent that it instantly misfired, extinguished the furnace fire and blew the roof off the small building.

During many previous trials and observations, it had been discovered that a well-placed blast of water had a debilitating effect on the cyborgs. It didn’t kill them, but it did render them inert, leaving them staggering around like zombies.

Isaac had wanted to be the first to fight back against the cyborgs using cutting-edge technology and ideas. After his third attempt, and with some well-received advice from Albert, head of the Physics and Wild Hair Department, the weapon finally worked. It wasn’t lethal, but it worked. It was the only weapon the authorities allowed Isaac to carry, and the first to inflict pain on someone other than him.

Isaac and Sebastian were perched on top of a large rocky outcrop. This was one of their favorite places to hang out. It was secluded and within the radius of the permitted area. Some devious mind had worked out a distance-measuring device that could detect if its wearer had ventured too far from the Steam Academy’s tesla towers. If the signal became too weak, the device tripped and a loud siren sounded, triggering the launch of flying search-and-rescue automatons to track down the missing person or persons.

The official term was missing person but those who wore the proximity devices felt more like prisoners.

Isaac bumped Sebastian and his shot went wide.

Hey! I was definitely going to hit the target that time. You ruined it.

Sorry, it was a twitch. Does that mean I’m still leading five to one? Isaac raised his rifle and took aim.

I never said anything about counting.

You did when it was one to zero in your favor.

I was joking.

Isaac lowered his rifle and stared out at the infinite horizon. The occasional cloud drifted across the impossible expanse of blue sky. The air was still, and the ground cool. Nothing moved.

It’s quiet out here today, he said. I thought Melanie might have come with us.

Sebastian sighed. It felt like an age since they had all ventured out together. He missed Melanie. He especially missed her fury when they got into a tight spot. But he had to admit that times had changed, and so had the people. The city had become a depressing place of desperate survival. They were at war and they were losing. The Academy command was escalating younger and more inexperienced people up the ranks to cope with the constant skirmishes.

She was given her own detail last week, he said.

… Melanie stepped forward, saluted and received a bright gold band to wrap around her arm. The surrounding officers applauded and saluted back …

No way!

Sebastian picked up a small rock and rolled it down the steep slope in front of them. He watched it tumble all the way to the bottom, then bounce off into the sands. Yes, way. They seem to think she’s capable of leading a bunch of big tough guys around. As if they’d listen to her.

… Melanie kicked into the air and wrapped her arm around the tall, well-muscled soldier’s head. He cried out in pain as they both tumbled to the ground. She twisted, brought her pistol around and aimed it at his ear. They remained locked in position until he weakly nodded. She got up and threw him a rag to wipe away his tears …

She’s gone soft anyway, Sebastian said. All she ever talks about at night is Gavin. It’s getting really boring. She’s probably sitting by the river right now making daisy chains.

… Melanie, with her face smeared with blood and grease and her hair flowing behind her, charged forward into the cyborg pack, roaring as she fired both pistols. Smoke billowed over her and the cyborgs fell like skittle pins …

Isaac nodded. Soft. Maybe it’s just a phase she’s going through. Something’ll happen and she’ll come back and join the gang.

The gang being you and me. Sebastian rolled over onto his back and gazed up at the sky. His tunic crumpled against the rock.

Yup.

Sebastian sighed. It’s not much of a gang, more like a couple of outcasts.

Speak for yourself. I’ve got heaps of friends.

Imaginary ones don’t count. Sebastian rolled back onto his front. His clothes were completely covered with dust. Your turn.

Isaac sighted along the barrel, took a deep breath, and paused. He looked over at Sebastian, who was staring intently through the binoculars at the target, willing Isaac to miss.

I can feel a breeze, Isaac said. ‘It’s like a breeze in my head."

CHAPTER 2

Sebastian sat up abruptly. You can sense it too? Good, you’re improving. Can you tell the direction of the electromagnetic field?

Is it over to the left? Isaac pointed vaguely to the horizon.

Not bad, can you tell the number?

Isaac shook his head.

There are about three marching across, just behind the outcrop, moving to the north. They’re going slowly.

What should we do?

Sebastian shrugged. I doubt they know we’re here. We could let them go, like we’ve been told, and keep safe. Or we could risk certain death and land in so much trouble we could wash our hair in it.

The two looked at each other. The answer didn’t need to be voiced. It had been a tough year, with everyone having to be more responsible and sensible in the wake of the cyborg attacks.

They made their way down from the outcrop’s peak to a hidden pocket where they could get a clearer view out over the plains. Sebastian raised the binoculars and peered around a large boulder. The images danced around in his vision until he could focus in on his target. Black shapes flashed past, and he swept the binoculars back and forth until he found them again. He pulled focus and the image clarified into cyborgs marching through the sands, slowed by the softness of the light grains.

Three targets confirmed, about two hundred yards away, he hissed.

How close can we get before they see us?

Dunno. Maybe a hundred yards. Those new devices they’ve got are more sensitive to hostile targets surrounding them. It’s a true fact. He nodded in agreement with himself. Of course there could be a dragon way above us that’s already told them where we are.

Dragon! Isaac’s gaze shot upwards.

Don’t panic. You’d see the shadow first. Then you’d die.

You’re full of optimism.

Just being a realist. He turned to face Isaac and leaned against the immense rock behind them.

Do we take the bikes? Isaac said.

They’d hear us coming a mile away on those. Best way is to run.

Even on stealth?

An excellent idea, with only two minor problems. Sebastian held up his first finger. One, the bikes have no stealth. He held up his second finger. And two, the bikes have no stealth. I realize that technically it’s the same problem repeated, but it’s so significant I thought I’d mention it twice.

You’re so funny. Isaac gave him a sneer. Anyway, I’ve heard that before. Ace says it all the time. So, do we have some kind of invisibility cloak we can use to mask our approach?

Sebastian gave him a look of disbelief.

No? How about some special device that allows us to control time. Slow it down so we get there in half a second.

Sebastian gave him a look of disbelief.

So what do we do?

We run fast, Sebastian replied.

Isaac groaned. I hate running.

Me, too. We wait for them to go past then come in from behind.

Yeah, I can’t see them expecting that. Isaac rolled his eyes. You know, when it comes to planning you definitely fall into the less-is-more category.

You might want to tie up that stupid cape.

Isaac clutched at his cape. No way. It looks totally cool when I’m on the bike.

Sebastian turned around and got ready to move. Yeah, as long as it doesn’t get caught up in the back wheel.

They crept around to the other side of the outcrop and watched the black-clad cyborgs move past.

Ready? Sebastian said.

You know this is insane.

Just run as fast as you can. When they turn, drop and fire.

They prepared their water rifles, took a couple of deep breaths to steady their nerves and sprinted over the sands in the direction of the skynet of cyborgs. Sebastian soon surged ahead of Isaac. His legs stretched out and he sprang across the hot sands with gazelle-like strides. The skynet marched on, oblivious to the approach and impending attack.

They were within one hundred yards of the cyborgs when the familiar alarm went off. As one unit, the three cyborgs turned in their direction.

Down! shouted Sebastian.

They dropped onto their stomachs, launching a wave of sand forward. They targeted and fired. Both missed.

Isaac aimed and took another shot, directly impacting one cyborg hand holding a control device. Instantly, the cyborg froze. The other two fired back in response. The beams came in low, narrowly missing both boys as they rolled desperately out of the way.

Sebastian leapt up and tried to move closer, running in a zigzag pattern.

Isaac took another shot but missed.

Both remaining cyborgs turned to face Sebastian. He shuddered to a halt then let loose an electromagnetic wave. He was worried that he wasn’t close enough, but to his surprise the wave was powerful enough to cause a ripple in the sand in front of him that blasted into the cyborgs.

The cyborgs stood motionless, their electronic systems disabled.

Both boys remained still, waiting for the dust to settle, watching to confirm that the cyborgs were inert.

After what felt like an eternity, Sebastian exhaled. I think we’re okay, he shouted, waving Isaac forward.

I’m glad it went as planned, shouted Isaac.

Sebastian jogged toward the skynet. Let’s check them out.

Isaac ran up to him, breathing heavily. You’re getting pretty fast at running. Not as fast as me, of course. But fast anyway.

Sebastian could never gauge how long cyborgs would remain like this. Usually they would work out that they needed to return to base, and perhaps fire at anything they didn’t recognize, but the time they took to do this was different for each group.

Sebastian and Isaac ducked around the stationary forms, more abstract works of art than unrelenting death machines.

When you’re this close to them they almost look human. Isaac stood a few inches away from one cyborg, letting his eyes rove over the semi-familiar features. He could be an ordinary person with bits of metal stuck in him. If I pushed him, would he fall over?

On the arm of the cyborg, lights flickered. The constant green glow that outlined the more recent cyborgs’ black armor turned red. The cyborg twitched and quickly raised his arm.

Turning away at that moment, Isaac caught the movement out of the corner of his eye. Before he could understand what he was doing, he felt a wave roll out from his mind. The cyborg froze momentarily.

Sebastian wheeled around and unleashed a wave so powerful the cyborg staggered back, collapsing to the ground. Blue lightning arced over the body and it went limp.

There’s a lot I don’t like about what just happened, Sebastian said.

He came back on line quicker than the others, that’s all.

No, he restarted himself. His device found a way to combat the water attack. I don’t like that at all.

Neither do I. It took me ages to make those rifles. And it cost me my eyebrows.

Suddenly a loud wailing erupted from their wrists.

Isaac sighed. Oh, great, I didn’t realize we were so close to the perimeter.

They sat down heavily in the sand and waited for security to arrive.

CHAPTER 3

Nikola strode over the cobblestones to the low stone building, strategically placed in the town center opposite the administration tower. Both buildings faced onto the city square, home to the mighty statue of Joshua Richards, founder of the Steam Academy. The statue cast a long shadow over the stones, which reached the door of the low building.

Nikola blinked as the shadow slipped briefly over his face, to be replaced by the dazzling brightness of the sun. Bright spots appeared in his eyes, floating in small circles, and he rested against the stone wall. Sweat formed on his brow. He extracted a handkerchief and tapped it around his face to absorb the moisture. His dark uniform soaked up the heat like a sponge. The brass trimming around the hem was hot to the touch.

He took a deep breath and ran his hands over the series of decorative cogs displayed next to the door, pressing a disguised button that allowed him to push through the doors into the cool dark inside.

Down in the darkness, dark deeds were being done.

Nikola’s face was blank as he took one of the gas lamps and clambered down the narrow, slippery staircase.

The temperature difference between the outside and inside kept condensation on the walls, which were covered in a slimy, dark green-gray fungus. Normally the walls were scraped clean once a year, but because of the current contents of the building no one other than the important three had been allowed into the interior. Moss had begun to grow over the steps.

Nikola felt like he was crawling down the throat of some terrible creature.

At the base of the stairs was a T-junction. Both passages led off to the mighty hydro-electricity generators that used the underground river to power the city’s defenses.

He glanced down each passageway then at the wall straight ahead. He tapped a series of beats on the rock, then counted under his breath, then repeated the sequence in reverse. The distant sound of metal banging against stone echoed, and then came the sound of both grinding together. The stones rolled away revealing a long, dark corridor. He raised the lantern and gazed into the darkness.

The emptiness of the passage ahead sucked all noise inside, and only a tight ring of eerie light illuminated the immediate ground in front of him. Occasional wisps of light, hot breeze blew past him, much like the breath of a sleeping monster, carrying the stench of decay.

He made his way along the passage until the light from the lantern was suddenly drawn away. A void opened up ahead of him and he was left with the lantern, which illuminated nothing but his own quiet form. He waited until his eyes adjusted to the subterranean gloom.

There was a golden glow so soft it melted into the background, barely illuminating the hunched figure in the chair in front of Nikola. The man was looking at something off in the darkness. Something in the darkness looked back.

As Nikola entered the cave, the hunched figure furtively watched his approach. The eyes were dark.

Nikola, you look pale. I hope everything is all right. The voice was dry and hollow, almost unrecognizable.

I’m fine, although it amazes me how you see anything in this gloom. Nikola placed the lantern in an alcove hollowed out of the rock on one side of the entrance and pulled a rusty lever. He wiped the flecks of old metal off his hand onto his tunic, and made his way over to the figure.

Your eyes become accustomed to the darkness, the figure mumbled.

The cave became bathed in a soft glow as the lighting system flared up. Various lamps secured into the walls and connected by a complex series of pipes brightened, and the glow slowly spread and filled the cave with light.

The man quickly slapped his hand over his eyes.

Oliver, have you been here all night again? Nikola sighed and waited until the teacher’s vision slowly acclimatized to the brightness.

Oliver looked unshaven and dirty. His normally well-manicured fingernails were black and bruised like he had been digging. His hair was greasy and fell forward onto his face, partially hiding his dark, heavy eyes. He turned once again and looked into the darkness.

Nikola could now see the creature chained to the wall. Tell me something, he said.

They are intriguing, Oliver said.

They are dangerous. Don’t forget what they’ve done. Tell me something that will allow us to kill them. He noticed that his voice had risen. He calmed himself.

It would be remiss not to mention that they had their reasons, Oliver said. That we have learned.

We’re not after coexistence, redemption, or any higher ambition. They had their chance for those philosophical attainments when we held out our hand before. They live for war and death. They breathe deceit and distraction.

Nikola took a moment to quell a cough before deciding to curb his anger. He refocused on the reason for his visit. He pointed into the dark and glared at the sinister shadows.

Find out what you can and then dispose of it. I have enough troubles dealing with these petty attacks. It concerns me that they have someone on the inside who gnaws away at our defenses like some deranged rat.

I take it your idea for the trap didn't work.

Nikola sighed. No. They wandered in knowing we would be there, waiting, and still they came, as brazen as the daylight. The sabotage, like all the others, was only minor, but this costs us and delays our plans. It humiliates us and makes us look incompetent in the eyes of the people. It also makes me wonder what their potential is, and if they can do serious harm. We have a traitor. We must find whoever it is and deal with them. He sighed and looked forlorn. I lost a good young man. It’s the first time the traitor has killed. It concerns me deeply.

It’s obvious it was a trap.

Yes, yet the perpetrator still went ahead. Nikola shook his head. Why?

Maybe to show they were not afraid.

They knew we were waiting yet they chose to dance around us, flaunting their ability and our weakness.

I wouldn’t necessarily describe it that way. Oliver took his eyes off the captive and stared at Nikola. That's why we need this man. He’ll eventually crack and tell us what we need to know.

Time’s running out. I’ve spoken to Number Two. If you have nothing by the end of the week then we kill it.

"It’s a him."

"It has killed many of our people. Their kind nearly obliterated us from the surface of the planet. The cost of interacting with them has been great."

Oliver turned away from Nikola and again focused his attention on the figure, which was nothing more than a silhouette. It takes time, he said. They speak a different and complex dialect that’s difficult to unravel.

The dark figure murmured.

Nikola nodded toward the figure. That’s why we have you on it, Oliver. You’ve traveled. You should have an ear for languages and dialects.

This is far more difficult. They use similar words but they have different meanings. The information is there but it’s a garbled code. I need more time.

I’ll speak with Number Two, but don’t expect a reprieve. Get me a result. I’m relying on you.

Nikola turned away and mopped his brow. Even in the cool air he was sweating. He made his way back up the stairs, supporting himself against the slimy walls.

Once out of the building he walked awkwardly across the square back to his office. He struggled up the narrow corridor, resting frequently to recover his breath, until he managed to round the staircase to his landing. He collapsed against the doorframe as he fumbled to extract his keys. They slipped from his grasp and tumbled toward the floor.

A familiar hand appeared from behind him and caught the keys just as they touched the stone floor.

Number Two? Nikola whispered.

Number Two helped Nikola stand upright and led him into his office, then laid him down on the long sofa and took down a bottle from one of the many identical shelves. Nikola struggled with the lid, his weak hands trembling, before he managed to open it