Until the End: The Creation of Jack

By E.B. Dawson

After the Mechs are neutralized in a devastating battle, Logan and Druce consider changing their priorities as they rebuild their lives. But the emotional and physical trauma of recent events begins to catch up with Logan, and she starts to fear that her final battle will be to maintain her own sanity. 

The team is broken and breaking more. While some fight to bring back what was lost, others seem to be compromising what they believe. In the face of an uncertain future, each one of them will have to decide what choices they want to define them in the end.

Will Logan be left to fight the greatest battle of her life alone?

• Language: English
• Publisher: E.B. Dawson
• Release date: Jun 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386216575

E.B. Dawson

E.B. Dawson was born out of time. Raised in the remote regions of a developing nation, traveling to America was as good as traveling thirty years into the future. So, it’s really no wonder that she writes science fiction and fantasy. Her stories acknowledge darkness, but empower and encourage people to keep on fighting, no matter how difficult their circumstances may be. And as an avid philosopher, she infuses her work with Socratic questions. When not writing, she tries to make a difference in the world by showing love and compassion to those most broken.

Book preview

Prologue

Jesse Stevens' eyes slowly opened in a world of darkness. Everything was deathly quiet. Something was wrong, but for a second she couldn't figure out what. Why was everything so incredibly quiet? She pulled herself to a sitting position and was rewarded with an intense throbbing in her head.

Her stomach clenched. She wasn't in the ship. There would have been a slight vibration in the floor. Earth? At the thought a stream of images sparked.

They had come to find and stop Logan.

The pain in Jesse's head began to ease, allowing her to think more clearly. She remembered getting off the ship and confronting Logan and the others in the bowels of that warehouse. Something had happened then that none of them had expected. Why had they retreated?

Max Gaubert and his human purists had shown up.

She was piecing together the action now. She and June had followed Logan into that lab where she was trying to recreate the wormhole. They had confronted her. Anger surged inside Jesse at the thought of Logan's smug face, but another thought quickly replaced it: June.

Her sister wouldn't have left her if she had had any other choice. What had Logan done? Had she taken her? Jesse began groping her way along the floor. She needed to find a light source. She fumbled her way over to the control panel and then to the edge of the room and began resetting the circuits. It took her five panels before a handful of lights began flickering to life. It wasn't difficult to see why. Half of the chamber was caved in. Her eyes scoped the room. There was the horseshoe-shaped device that had created the wormhole. Twenty feet from it, not far from where she had been lying, was a motionless figure.

Jesse's heart constricted. For a second, denial insisted that it might not be June. It didn't take long to cross the room and see the truth. She collapsed to the floor and grabbed hold of her sister's face.

June? She searched desperately for any sign of movement. Wake up. Please wake up. Jesse brushed the hair out of her sister's face. June, you promised— Jesse's voice caught in her throat. She reached a trembling finger to feel June's pulse, already knowing what she would find.

June had been dead for hours. She had left again, without saying goodbye. Jesse placed her sister's head in her lap and clutched it tightly as waves of panic assaulted her. This wasn't supposed to happen. Grief assaulted her with such violent force that it took her breath away and left her gasping. She recoiled desperately, searching for some sort of emotional lifeline. It couldn't end this way. It didn't make sense. She needed to go backwards and figure out some sort of equation that would end in a different solution. She needed to fix this.

Her mind worked frantically, ignoring the quiet internal whisper that said she needed to accept that her sister was dead. Every problem had a solution. She was good at solving problems. Right now this equation ended in loneliness, pain, and gaping loss. It was unacceptable. She would figure out a different solution. Her mind landed on the answer with sudden certainty.

This was all Logan's fault.

Logan had killed her. Jesse would make her pay. And then she would finish what her sister had started.

A Mech stepped out of the shadows, as if on cue, making Jesse jump.

We will help you. No voice had spoken and yet the words registered clearly in Jesse's mind. She reached up to touch the implant embedded in her temple. June had always talked about being able to communicate with the Mechs without words. Jesse had never understood what she meant until now. She suddenly felt an incredible sense of calm wash over her. She wasn't alone.

Logan stumbled out of the burning city and onto the waiting ship, holding tightly to Veronica's arm. Sutton had disabled her ocular upgrade, leaving her completely in the dark. She reached out mentally for Wolf and found him easily enough, but it would take some time to readjust to seeing the world from eighteen inches off the floor again.

At first all she saw was legs. Everybody seemed to have somewhere to go and something to do, except her. She fumbled her way to Druce's stretcher and took his hand.

...hazmat team is going to meet us at dock, Ueberroth was saying, and we all need to be scrubbed.

The ship shuddered beneath them and Logan swayed on her feet as they pushed through the atmosphere. Images of the nuclear devastation flashed in front of her and she gripped Druce's hand more tightly.

Logan, Veronica said, Tyler's on the line—he's got the military leaders of multiple countries asking how to deal with the Mechs.

I'll take that call, Sutton said gently. Logan's got enough to deal with.

Logan grabbed Sutton's arm with sudden urgency. I left Jesse and June unconscious in the lab. Someone has to go back for them.

All right, he said. Just as soon as we get Fin some help.

She took a deep breath and nodded. All around her the voices kept talking. All she could think about was how cold Druce's hand felt. That hand had helped her through her darkest days, but it couldn't help her now.

Eventually the ship stopped moving. More people came on board—people in suits with lots of equipment. Their ship had taken off before nuclear fallout reached them, but no one was taking any chances. They wheeled Druce away. Small tents were set up and everyone on board stripped down and scrubbed themselves clean. Their old clothes were burned and they were provided with new ones. Logan never remembered much of the process afterwards. All she knew was she needed to get back to Druce.

Seg 1 was in chaos, and the medical ward wasn't much better off. Medical evacuations had been arriving since the first Mech attack. Druce was wheeled straight into surgery, leaving Logan in a crowded waiting room. She sat very still, staring at the floor with her elbows on her knees. Somewhere nearby a baby was screaming.

A memory flashed in Logan's mind: a house on a hill by the sea with three curly haired children. She had created that vision after her head injury. Druce had promised that they could build a life together that was just as good. Then she had been pulled across the rift and fused with smart metal. Even now she could hear the rhythmic ticking of her metallic heart, and Druce—Druce might not even live through the day. Hot tears coursed down Logan's cheeks.

Sutton knelt beside her and put a hand on her back. She didn't remember seeing him enter the waiting room.

I sent a drone down into the lab. There was no sign of Jesse or June. They must have found their own way out.

Logan nodded.

Lud, Hakuba, and I are going to help hunt down the Mechs, he said.

I should go with you, she said half-heartedly.

No, he replied firmly. You should stay here. We'll call you if we need help.

She nodded.

Finamore's gonna pull through, he said. You'll see. He kissed her on the forehead and left.

He was quickly replaced by Veronica. She sat primly on the edge of her seat, oddly still and quiet. For a woman who was always multi-tasking, she seemed remarkably focused on the floor. Logan did not acknowledge her presence. Her fingers tapped out a restless rhythm on the side of her leg. Neither of them moved until Ueb appeared hours later.

He's stable. They're moving him to a room and you can see him.

Logan turned and sobbed into Veronica's shoulder. Veronica held her tightly until the tears diminished, then walked her down the hallway to Druce's room. Logan pulled a chair up to Druce's bed, laid her head beside his limp hand and slept.

1

Rubble

Logan sat in Druce's hospital room, her sightless eyes staring straight in front of her. Wolf crouched at her feet, keeping a close eye on Druce and providing her with a wireless visual feed, her only means of sight.

It had been almost two days since Druce's surgery. The collapse of the lab ceiling had nearly killed him. His ribcage had been crushed by rubble, fracturing twelve ribs and puncturing his lung. A shaft of rebar had pierced through his torso, just above the hip and below his ribs, puncturing his intestine. His left hip was shattered along with several of his lumbar vertebrae. The doctors had stabilized him, but even so there were several hours where his readings didn't look good.

Logan's injuries were much more minimal. She wouldn't let anyone touch her except Erik Ueberroth. He patched her up gently and then took her readings. They both knew he needed to establish a new normal for her after the havoc the smart metal had wreaked on her body. She could think about that after Druce woke up. When Druce had finally come out of the danger zone and settled into a restful sleep, she had allowed herself to doze off and on. It was impossible for her to fully rest.

Someone entered the room. Wolf's gaze flicked toward the door, but Logan did not move.

Veronica Trench set a tray on the bedside table and rolled it towards Logan. You need to eat.

Logan clasped Druce's hand. Erik thinks he might wake up soon.

Good, Veronica said. He always takes my side.

Logan ignored the bait, her face as somber as ever. I'm not hungry. She didn't tell Veronica that she liked the hunger pangs. They were an active argument against the metallic clicking of her heart, a reminder that she hadn't completely lost her humanity.

I don't believe you, Veronica said.

Logan did not answer. She felt a sudden pressure against her hand and her shoulders straightened. Druce's eyebrows twitched and then his eyelids slowly fluttered open. Logan clasped his hand more firmly and moved to sit on the edge of his bed, then turned her head towards Veronica. Get Erik.

Logan heard Veronica leave, but kept Wolf's attention fixed on Druce as he stirred. His eyes wandered in confusion for a moment before they looked just past Wolf and anchored on her face. She smiled. He squeezed her hand in response. Tears sprang to her eyes unexpectedly, slipping down her face and landing on his hospital gown. For once it felt good to cry, as if some of the pressure in her chest had finally found a release.

I thought maybe you weren't coming back this time, she whispered.

He opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words came out. The pressure on her hand increased. He squeezed his eyes shut and a tear slipped out the corner.

You're gonna be okay, Druce, she said.

His lips began to tremble. He kept his eyes tightly closed, holding Logan's hand as if it was a lifeline.

A doctor bustled into the room, closely followed by Erik Ueberroth, who hung back with Veronica Trench. The doctor worked around Logan, taking Druce's readings, checking his pupil dilation and other reflexes.

He was an older man, with white hair, youthful eyes, and a manner that suggested that he was too old to be surprised by much anymore. He seemed unperturbed by Wolf or Logan, and attended Druce with an easy confidence.

You're a mite beat up, young man, he said. Whatever you did, I don't recommend you do it again.

I can't feel my legs, Druce said.

Hmm. The doctor moved to the foot of the bed and pulled back the sheet. Let's see if we can't help you out. Keep your eyes on the ceiling, if you would, and you let me know when you feel the touch of my pen.

Logan kept Wolf's gaze fixed on Druce's face. Moments passed, but he did not speak. She recognized the expression on his face as he waited to feel the pressure of the doctor's pen. It was his battle face—the look he wore when he hoped for a different outcome, but already knew the truth. Her heart broke for him as the silence stretched on.

His eyes lit up suddenly. There!

Can you tell me where I am pressing?

Right foot, pinky toe.

And now?

The next toe over.

And now?

The ball of the foot.

Fantastic! The doctor exclaimed, beaming. We know that you are not completely paralyzed from the waist down! You may gain more sensation over the next few weeks. It should give your physical therapist a great deal to work with.

Druce swallowed. I felt nothing in my left foot.

No, you did not. But you may tomorrow.

Druce pressed his lips together in dissatisfaction. Logan could not entirely blame him, but it foreshadowed what the next few months might look like. Sutton's words echoed in her head: Finamore's gonna need you to help him work through this. A pang of guilt shot through her. A nuclear bomb had detonated in California, multiple Mechs were wreaking havoc on Earth at this moment, and yet her chief concern was Druce's physical therapy.

What's the next step? Druce asked.

Right now we need to get you stronger so we can start talking about surgery.

What's the damage? Druce asked.

At the very least, we'll need to reconstruct your hip and lumbar vertebrae. After that I can't be certain. It depends on how much feeling and movement you regain. I'd like to assure you that robotic prosthetics are available. One way or another, we'll get you walking again. But I won't lie to you. You have a difficult recovery ahead of you.

Druce took a deep breath then instantly regretted it as pain flooded his system and he nearly choked coughing.

The doctor frowned for the first time and his voice dropped. How're your pain levels, Mr. Finamore? I can increase your dosage.

Druce barely even hesitated. I'd appreciate that, he whispered.

I'll have the nurse in here in a minute. I'll be back to check on you this evening. Don't hesitate to call me. He turned, nodded at Erik and Veronica, and left the room.

No one spoke for a minute. Druce's eyes turned to Logan.

Veronica? Druce asked.

Yes? She stepped forward eagerly.

Has she been sleeping? His eyes were still on Logan.

Not nearly enough, Veronica replied in a satisfied tone. She's barely eaten anything either.

Go get some rest, Druce whispered to Logan. Erik will stay with me.

I can sleep here, she protested.

Just a couple hours, he insisted. I'm not going anywhere.

She kissed him. I'll be back.

Logan stood and followed Veronica out the door, but she had little intention of sleeping. Have you heard from Sutton? She asked Veronica as soon as they were out of earshot.

Last I heard they were in Chicago, Veronica answered.

How long ago was that? Logan asked sharply.

Veronica hesitated. Almost six hours.

I should have gone with them.

Don't be ridiculous—

Jack!

Wolf swiveled his head sharply left. John Sutton, James Ludlum, and Hakuba Saito were approaching down the hallway. Relief washed over Logan.

I thought you were hunting a Mech in Chicago.

We were, Sutton said, coming to stand in front of her. Until it fell off the grid.

What?

It must have learned to shield itself somehow, Hakuba said. We cannot pick it up on our sensors. We searched for two hours to no avail. It seems to have ceased its attack and gone into hiding.

Logan frowned.

How's Fin? Sutton asked.

He woke up, Logan said. She fumbled over her next words. "He hasn't lost all feeling in his legs."

That's good, Sutton jumped in quickly.

Yeah, she said. He's gonna be okay. Listen, these things can't have just disappeared. Maybe, because of my connection with them, I can find a way to track them.

Sutton and Hakuba exchanged glances.

We had the same thought, Sutton said.

Veronica crossed her arms.

Logan turned to her. I'll be back in eight hours—ten tops. You call me if anything changes before then.

2

Mech Hunt

Sutton's ship pulled out of Seg 1 with smooth precision. The earth hung in front of them and, for a brief moment, Segments 2, 3, and 4 could be seen to the left and right of it. Station 2 must be directly behind the planet. Logan visualized the earth how it used to be—a blue and green orb with clear skies and no mechanical chains hovering around its throat. A second later she saw Earth from the alternate reality, stripped and scarred, the only hope for humanity buried deep beneath its surface. Reality flickered back into focus. She took a deep breath. Druce was gonna get back on his feet, the world wasn't burning yet, and she wasn't ready to surrender.

We got any chatter on the others? she asked.

No, Ludlum replied. We've got no other readings either.

Show me where it was last sighted. She pressed a hand to her ear. Trench, what's the latest word from Pratchett?

He, Sylvia, and Matthew are on their way to Seg 1 now.

You'll make sure they have everything they need?

Have I ever told you that you get bossy when you're stressed out? Veronica asked.

Logan knit her brows together. The silence hung heavy over the line.

Be careful, Logan. I don't want to have to explain why you're not here when Druce wakes up again.

Logan licked her lips. Veronica, promise me—

I've checked in on Gregson, Veronica interrupted. He seems pretty restless so I'm going to put him to work. You just make sure you look after John and the others.

Veronica disconnected. Wolf turned to Sutton.

So, it's John now, is it? The corner of Logan's mouth turned up.

A curious expression crossed his face. That is my name, isn't it?

How far gone are you? she asked.

I don't know what you're talking about. He rubbed his nose and rose to leave the cockpit.

Ludlum glanced sideways at Logan with a twinkle in his eye. If it were a bullet, he'd be dead.

I always knew she was lethal, Logan mumbled as she followed Sutton to the cargo bay.

That's why you like her, Sutton called over his shoulder.

Yeah, I'm always attracted to the lethal ones, which is how we're gonna find this Mech.

Hakuba, who had followed them, eyed them both patiently. If the Mechs can go undetected then we have a significant problem on our hands, he said.

Logan licked her lips. Any change in behavior is a bad sign, she agreed without missing a beat.

They were all connected by a hyperlink on the other side, right? Sutton asked.

Yeah, and I severed it.

So what's been motivating them on this side without the collective?

Well, Logan checked the magazine on her firearm before clipping it into place on her vest, I had hoped it was just survival instinct.

But going dark shows a change in strategy, Hakuba rejoined, and the fact that they did it at the same time shows cooperation.

Logan's expression was hard and cold. Let's find this thing. Then maybe we can get some answers.

The shuttle touched down with a gentle shudder.

Ludlum joined them from the cockpit. We better make this fast. I didn't exactly get permission to land here.

Logan grunted. They've got their hands full on the West Coast. What do you think they'll actually do?

Well, that all depends on whose desk the report lands, Ludlum said.

We've still got a few friends in U.S. Gov, Logan said. If I know Trench, she'll be working to cover our backs. Wolf looked pointedly at Sutton.

Hakuba was waiting patiently at the shuttle door, his phasic sword—able to pierce any substance by rapidly shifting phase—strapped firmly to his back, a submachine gun secured to his vest, as a backup. Logan was geared similarly with the addition of a handgun strapped to her thigh. In place of swords, Ludlum was packing a grenade launcher and Sutton had a sniper rifle. They filed out of the ship and did a quick survey of the area.

Ludlum had landed them in West Englewood, about eight miles from downtown Chicago. There was an unnatural hush on the neighborhood. No pedestrians on the streets. Only a few cars here and there. Logan's sharp eyes quickly picked out the path of the Mech they were hunting, but there was other debris littering sections of the streets and sidewalks, hinting at hasty evacuations by the residents.

Sutton seemed to read her mind. Not sure where they think is safe, he muttered.

Many of them are trying to get off the planet, Hakuba said. The Demons have not shown the ability for space travel in this reality.

Not yet, Logan said ominously.

They headed in the wake of destruction from the Mech, Ludlum in the lead. The other three remained silent, eyes and ears scanning the landscape of buildings around them. Wolf trotted closely beside Logan, occasionally advancing up to ten feet from her to give her a different perspective.

Ahead of them, Ludlum approached a wall that had been shattered in half, crouching behind it suddenly. Logan, Sutton, and Hakuba immediately matched his crouch, crawling up swiftly behind him.

He nodded his head over the wall. That's where it was last spotted.

Wolf's infrared sensors activated and Logan immediately understood why Ludlum was being cautious. The place was swarming with military.

I don't suppose they want any help, Sutton muttered. Are we on their naughty or nice list, Jack?

It's so hard to keep track, she replied. I'm pretty sure Tyler still pulls weight in the U.S. Military, but it could take hours to get validation from him.

All these guys will see is four civilians with military grade weapons, Ludlum