Engine of Creation: The Complete Series

By Frank Carey

After saving Earth from a biological weapon in the 21st century, Detective Gabriel Adon wakes up 200 years later in the laboratory of a mad scientist bent on world domination. To this end, she has implanted nanorobots that turn Gabe into a walking, talking, superweapon known as a stryker. Dr. Zoe Muntz's plans are disrupted by her equally mad brother Josiah who borrows Gabe and tasks him to find an Engine of Creation with which to save a universe he once destroyed.

These are the adventures of Gabe Adon, the original stryker, as he searches for the Engine of Creation while stopping Zoe Muntz before she can carry out her nefarious plans.

This anthology contains all 6 books in this series:
Weapon
Rescuer
Engine
Return
Orta
Convergence

• Language: English
• Publisher: Frank Carey
• Release date: Sep 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393299455

Frank Carey

Frank Carey has been formally writing and publishing works of science fiction since late 2013. Over the years prior, he had dabbled in various forms of writing including haiku poetry, but that all changed when he and his wife, Jo, decided to try their hand at writing and self-publishing. Since then, he has written and published a collection of flash fiction and short stories, two anthologies, a pentalogy, and a trilogy. All his work, to date, has been in the science fiction genre. Most of his stories take place about two centuries in the future when Earth joins the League of Planetary Systems. Many of his protagonists are strong females. He is an inveterate pantser who believes the story will go where the story wants to go. Frank’s background includes degrees in physics and extensive work as a scientific programmer and technologist.

Book preview

WEAPON

CHAPTER ONE

It was hot in the city today, and Gabe was worried the hemi under the hood would overheat if he had to wait much longer. After a quick look around, he tapped his hearing aid.

Sitrep, a voice said in his ear.

The morons are late. Anything I should know about?

We know they're inside the complex, but have lost them in the basement.

Basement? The damn safe is on the 14th floor. What the hell is in the basement?

Wait one... Shit! Gabe, get the hell out of there... they've... F-35... nuke... Gabe's blood froze at the mention of nukes. He frantically tapped the aid. Sydney? Sydney? Say again after 'there.'

The car doors opened just as the sound of jets reverberated off the walls. The morons had returned and not empty handed.

Where the hell are the jewels? he yelled as the jets got closer.

Change of plans. We need to go, now! The moron in the passenger seat ordered from behind the barrel of a Glock 9mm.

The jet sound grew louder.

Gabe punched it, unleashing 1,000 scared and angry horses onto the streets of New York. He saw the glint of sunlight reflecting off the wings of an F-35 as it banked in front and above them.

His passengers were pushed into their seats by over 3-G's of force as Gabe tried to get the hell out of Dodge. He saw another glint through the side-view mirror. He glanced out the back window, then stopped when he saw the box they had brought. It was a security box plastered with Biohazard stickers and several skull and crossbones decals. One label made him exclaim, Jimbo, what the hell have you done?

Be quiet and drive, or you may not like the alternative.

Jimbo, listen to me very carefully. My name is Detective Inspector Gabriel Adon, and I'm an agent of the United States Police Force. My assignment was to find the people behind the diamond heist.

All three morons pulled out weapons and aimed them at Gabe. Gabe pressed harder on the accelerator pedal as he got onto a freeway out of town. Shoot me and we all die.

Why are you telling us this? Jimbo asked.

That case you have contains philogistan, the deadliest substance on this planet. One drop can kill the population of New York. I'm guessing there's a lot more than a drop in that case.

It contains a flask with 350 ml. We have a customer willing to pay us $1,000,000 per milliliter for it. Now, you help us and we'll cut you in on a piece.

Right. We both know I'm dead the moment we stop, Gabe thought. He looked in his side view and saw the two planes lining up for a shot. He wished them luck.

Don't worry about those two, Gabe, Jimbo said just before both aircraft turned into balls of flame and debris. Our buyers have their own air force.

Gabe fought back panic by checking the gauges on the dash. Oil pressure, electrical, engine temp, fuel... he thought to himself. Fuel... He remembered the report he read on this shit. It was temperature sensitive. Take it above a few hundred degrees and it breaks down into harmless byproducts. He needed heat... He looked out the windshield and saw what he needed. Ahead, parked at the rest stop, were three tanker trucks, each emblazoned with the signage of the state's largest chain of gas stations. He had three chances that at least one was full of the flammable liquid. If he was wrong, at least they were out of the city. He surreptitiously armed the nitrous oxide system.

Jimbo, is there any way I can talk you...

Melvin! What the hell are you doing? Jimbo yelled at the moron carrying the case.

Boss, I just wanted to see what was inside. I never saw a million bucks before.

Instinctively, Gabe reached up and hit the recirc button, sealing the interior of the car from the outside.

You moron!

You see, it wasn't just Gabe being snarky.

Shut that damn thing before you kill us all.

Too late. The cover opened and fell to floor, cracking open upon impact with a seatbelt mount. The four occupants began to die.

Horribly.

As his flesh dissolved, Gabe activated both the primary and secondary NOS. The engine exploded, but not before accelerating the vehicle to over 250 mph. The flaming wreckage impacted the first tanker and didn't stop until it passed through the third one. The fireball was observed from a lander on the moon. Somehow, Gabe was thrown clear. He lived just long enough to see the car, and its deadly cargo, melt into a puddle beneath the remains of the third tanker.

###

The Area 51 medical section was in a controlled uproar as the contaminated body of DI Gabriel Adon was brought in by jet medivac.

Get him into one of those cryotubes and set it to deep chill, the doctor said as Gabe was wheeled by in his isolation unit.

How is he? Conrad Curtis, Director of Area 51, asked as he ran up with his assistant, Gretchen Morris, in tow.

Dead, the doctor said.

What about the philogistan?

Destroyed, the head of security said as he followed everyone into the preparation room.

Why are we storing his body if he's dead? Gretchen asked.

The doctor stepped back as the techs transferred the body to the cryotube. Because he's not fully dead, just mostly dead."

Oh, here's a thought, why don't you make sense? Conrad suggested.

Detective Inspector Adon survived a 250-mph collision with three tankers filled with aviation gasoline followed by being thrown 50 yards from the impact site. Despite having third and fourth-degree burns over 99% of his body and a total lack of life signs, we are still detecting brain wave activity like that of someone in a deep sleep. In other words, he's almost dead.

Can we revive him?

Hmmmm, with 99% of his body burned and most of his organs gone, what would we revive? Maybe your Nordican friends have a few spare bodies lying around?

Gretchen walked up to the tube and looked inside at the ruined body. Is it true that the case had been opened?

One of the Nordican chase craft detected a release of the material. It seems that Detective Inspector Adon may have saved the planet and six-billion people.

And we can't even let him die an honorable death. Why are we doing this to him?

He is the only living being to survive being exposed to philogistan. We need to find out why, Conrad explained.

So, we take a hero and turn him into a lab rat.

In a nutshell. Since being smuggled onto the planet by that race of centaurs, philogistan is an imminent danger to this planet. DI Adon swore to serve and protect. He is doing that with whatever life he has left.

Gretchen kissed the window, then placed her hand on it as a way of saying goodbye. I really hate this job.

Conrad gave her a hug before leading her out of the room, sealing the door behind them.

CHAPTER TWO

Over two hundred years later, in orbit around a white dwarf sun...

The Cube is a vast storehouse of things unknown and things dangerous. Artifacts from around the galaxy could be found in the warehouse-sized rooms known as the tombs. Zoe and her Erdexi friend, Towsand, stood in one of these rooms, examining an Earth artifact from days long past.

It's fully operational, even after all these years? she asked while running her hand along its smooth surface. Though its surface was at room temperature, it felt cold to her.

Yes, fully functional. They added a microfusion power supply about a century ago. It has operated flawlessly since then.

And he lives?

Yes. All indications are that he is living out some kind of life even though he's cryofrozen. I've read the reports. There is no explanation. Somehow, time progresses for a man for whom time has ceased. He handed his companion a dossier. This is everything.

She took the proffered folder and thumbed through it. She shook her head and hummed as she read. Detective Inspector Gabriel Adon, Savior of New York. This one will do nicely. He refuses to die.

Perhaps he seeks confirmation that his mission was fulfilled.

Perhaps. Perhaps he has the heart of a Tyen. Are you sure he's human? Zoe asked.

Absolutely. He lived before any League race visited his world.

Even the Alue? What planet wasn't visited by the Alue? Or the Nordicans for that matter?

No, his genetics are pure. He is more human than any you can find in modern time.

Perfect. She handed him a metallic bar. Your commission plus 25% tip. You have done well.

Two large individuals emerged from a nearby airlock and walked over to where Zoe and Towsand were standing. Mistress? one asked. Towsand didn't recognize their species.

Take this one inside and connect it to ship's power. We will be leaving shortly.

Yes, mistress! the other being said as it and its companion wheeled the tube away.

She turned to Towsand and shook his hand. Let me know if you find any more treasures.

Yes, Doctor, I will. I will never understand the Tralaskan mindset. She's fawning over a meatsicle for heaven's sake. Waiting for the airlock to seal, he walked out of the tomb while whistling a jaunty tune.

###

Gabe dunked his head below the pond's surface. Revived by the shock of cold, he pulled his head back, spraying the air around him with water. Every muscle in his body hurt, but it still felt good to be alive. He stood and saw the other students around him, each deeply bowing in his direction. Reflexively, he returned the gesture, unsure why this great honor had been bestowed upon him.

Walk with me, Gabriel, Sensei said as he stood behind the young detective.

Yes, Sensei, Gabriel replied as he fell in beside the wizened teacher.

They walked in silence for a time, listening to the bird song around them.

Gabriel, do you know what I am?

You are Sensei, my mentor, my teacher, my guide.

But do you know what I am?

I thought you were human...

No, I am not human. When I was born, humans did not exist yet. I am older than your sun, moon, or Earth. I am what your kind call an elemental.

I thought elementals were the stuff of movies, Sensei.

Hollywood has ruined you. No, elementals exist. We teach the destined.

Destined? Destined for what?

"I do not know. I only know that your training is complete. In a few moments, you will be returned to your world where you will fulfill your destiny.

Will I see you again?

Perhaps. Now go, young Gabriel, and finish what you have started.

Gabriel bowed as the universe around him blinked.

CHAPTER THREE

Beep...Beep...Beep...Beep...

We have heartbeat... Core temperature is rising... Nervous systems is online... A tech called out from the monitoring system.

Brain activity?

Still sleeping.

Good. Let him sleep. Increase oxygen flow. Prepare phase two injections, Zoe ordered.

Ready.

Inject!

Core temperature rising. Cellular activity increasing. Threshold!

Prepare nanorobots.

Online! Ready!

Inject!

Millions of microscopic robots flooded into Gabe's system. In minutes, they were standing-by at sites throughout his bloodstream.

Status?

In position... Ready!

Activate! Zoe ordered.

Gabe's back arched as the millions of tiny robots got to work rebuilding his body. But this wasn't just a rebuild. It was a repurpose as the tiny bots installed the complete options package.

It's up to the bots now, she said as she stripped off her gloves. Everyone out. Increase glucose and saline flow, then set the room to 100% O2 for the next 72 hours. Monitor all parameters, and let me know of any deviations. She walked out of the room, leaving her staff to carry out her orders.

Things can change quickly in 48 hours. Zoe and her assistants were summoned to the hyperbaric room containing Gabriel. When they arrived, they found rotating beacons, strobes, and alarms alerting the staff that a catastrophe had just occurred.

Shut those damn things off, and tell me what's going on, she demanded.

One by one the alarms were silenced. A tech holding a clipboard briefed Zoe. Doctor, we've lost all telemetry from Gabriel. If we believe the displays, he has suddenly died... She stopped when Zoe tore the clipboard from her hands.

After a quick read, she thrust it back into the tech’s hands. It must be a malfunction. No one has life signs instantly go to zero. Even if he exploded, there would be residual signs. Oh, and the room is back to normal oxygen. She looked at the monitors. When did they die?

At the same time, ma'am. We lost everything from security feeds to life signs. We even lost the room's environmental sensors.

All because he died? Have I hired nothing but morons? Open the damn door.

We tried, Doctor. Something is blocking it...

Zoe became surprisingly calm. Have you tried opening the blinds? You know, the ones sandwiched in the middle of this BIG GLASS WINDOW? she yelled while tapping on the armored glass. Before she could continue, something returned the knock from the other side.

Every guard present raised their weapons and set them to full power. Every one of them had dealt with one or more of Zoe's creations, so they wanted to be prepared for anything.

Open the blind! she ordered.

A tech reached down and activated the retractor. The blind rose to reveal a fully healed Gabriel wearing jeans, cowboy boots, and a hoodie. He stared at them, but said nothing.

The senior staff stared back in amazement while security tried to set their weapons one click past max.

Amazing. He went from charcoal briquette to normal human in 48 hours.

Where did the clothes come from? one of assistants asked.

He obviously grew them, Zoe replied. She reached down and tapped the intercom switch. Gabriel? Is that you?

I am Stryker-1 Identify yourself or be destroyed. He extended a fist and aimed it at Zoe.

The guards took two steps back. Not one placed him or herself between Zoe and Gabriel.

I am Dr. Zoe Muntz, codename Mother. Safe word: Pistachio.

Gabriel lowered his arm and relaxed his fist. Mother. Safe word accepted. Awaiting command.

Open door.

Gabriel tore the door off its hinges. After gently leaning it against the wall, he stepped outside. He stood there, waiting like a compressed spring.

Gabriel, she said to her creation. How do you feel?

Non-sequitur. I feel nothing.

Zoe smiled, then took him by the hand and led him out of the room, much to the relief of every member of her security force.

CHAPTER FOUR

Zoe tapped the stylus against her teeth while staring at the test results. Computer, Recheck these results.

Working... Results are accurate.

There was a knock at the office door. Come!

The door opened followed by a man.

Josiah! she said as she ran around the desk to hug her brother. What brings you to my humble lab?

I wanted to tell you in person.

Tell me what?

That damnable clone, Atmar, vaporized me.

She punched him. Are you sure?

OK, he shot a remote-controlled clone. Look, something happened, and I just needed to see a friendly face.

Sit! Tell your big sister what happened.

Long story short, I destroyed a universe.

What?

I miscalculated and sent a planetoid into the Grange universe. The incursion of that much mass turned the entire verse into a sea of plasma. It'll have a big bang in about three million years.

You never do anything small, do you?

Funny.

So, what now? The League thinks you dead.

I think I can fix the Grange universe.

OK, let me get a flashlight.

A flashlight? For what?

To help you find your mind, which you have obviously lost.

I'm not kidding. I've found a device which can fix everything. It's on a moon orbiting the outer gas giant in the Ventosian star system. The ancient race that created it calls it an 'Engine of Creation.'

Then go and activate it.

It needs a key, and the key is in parts...

And the parts are strewn over the whole damn League. You know, you could just go and run a bed and breakfast on Mt. Fire.

Look, I've tracked the missing pieces down to archaeological digs on these planets. He handed her a list. I just need to borrow a ship and a couple of your new cyborgs.

She looked at the list, then handed it back to him. Why? Why go to all this trouble?

"I don't like failure, and I don't like the fact that Harmon—sorry, Ambassador Irithyl—called me out on it. He knew what happened the instant he looked in the Grange universe, yet it took me months to confirm his calculations.

This is an ego thing, isn't it? You had me worried there for a moment. I thought you had suddenly grown a heart. I can't promise anything, but I'll see what I can do. Now, feel like giving me a hand with something simple?

Sure. What's up?

You mentioned my cyborgs. I have a new line of them called the strykers. Stryker-1 is the prototype. He's based on a cop who died in New York in 2025, so he's uncontaminated by alien blood. The problem is his reaction times. She brought up the report so he could see it on the screen.

He gave a low whistle. Did the computer check the veracity of these results?

Yes. They're completely accurate.

His response times are off the hook. Hand me the keyboard, please.

She picked it up and gave it to him. He pounded out commands. How long since the initial injection of bots?

It's been 72-hours. He woke up early, so we pushed the testing forward.

Wait a minute. You put him against a Katalan Fight Master and he lived?

The exercise ended in a draw. Master Trem is convinced that Gabe is easily a sub-master, a degree which normally requires 40 years of immersion training.

Josiah flipped back a couple pages. But he was 40 when he died.

And there is no record of him ever being trained in any martial art of any kind.

Then how is this possible?

Zoe chewed on her stylus. Since being interred in the cryotube, Gabe has exhibited brainwave activity.

You're kidding, right? What would a corpsicle dream of?

I don't know.

Have you asked him?

She nodded. He cocks his head, but says nothing.

Josiah returned to the test results. He knows a total of eight martial arts styles, his reflexes are off the charts, and he professes to remember nothing of his past. More page shuffling. He hasn't tried morphing yet. Does he know he can change his form?

I haven't informed him.

So, what's the problem?

Doesn't this worry you? she said while pointing to part of the report referring to the skills assessment.

No. Just make sure you can afford to lose anything you throw up against him.

She tapped her teeth.

What next, sister of mine?

"Field operation, but first, I want to introduce him to his Alue copilot.

You're teaming him with an Alue? What happened to my racist-to-the-core sister? What have you done with her?

Funny. I am not a racist. I just believe that pure Tralaskans are the true rulers of this League and should be recognized as such. The other races have their place in our society. Anyway, wasn't it you who helped the Alue cross over to this universe?

An act that got me killed. Where is this operation taking place?

Ventos Prime. There's a research lab that is working on a very special substance which I have not been able to get my hands on. The op is a simple snatch and grab.

Who are you sending?

A team of paramilitary mercs on loan from Segue Six. They'll go in, secure the facility, grab the material, then get out before Royal Security can scramble an EMEF team.

Josiah bristled at the mention of the elite Elf Marine Expeditionary Force, Ventos Prime's answer to the French Foreign Legion on Earth. It was the EMEF, and it's General Marta McMurphy, who thwarted his plans for Tralaskan domination of the League. Sister, you are playing with fire.

Zoe shrugged. The merc team cannot be traced back to me.

What about Gabriel?

He's a prototype. I have others in cold storage.

Josiah suddenly felt an emotion he had not felt in over half a century—regret. He realized that he felt the same way she did, that only he and his precious Tralaskans meant anything. He thought about the Grange universe and felt remorse. He never felt remorse. Ever, at least until now. I know an Alue who would be perfect to pair with Gabriel.

I have Alue...

I spent time with them, lived with them, hell, I almost conquered this universe for them. Look, just talk to her.

What's her name?

Siv. She's good.

I'll talk to her, but I won't promise anything. Now, about your borgs.

Forget I asked. I've got a better idea. Do you have someplace where I can make a secure call?

Yeah. Make a left, go down the hall three doors, then left. The room is marked 'Comm Shack.'

You are such a romantic.

He got up, gave her a hug, then went to find the Comm Shack.

CHAPTER FIVE

You've disturbed the Siv. It better be important.

Hey, Siv, it's Josiah. I've got a job for you.

Oh my God, I'm talking to a ghost. Boss, I don't know if they told you, but you're dead. Your molecules are coating the walls of a room back in the Alue universe. I want you to know that I cried at your funeral.

Someone threw me a funeral?

I did. It was sweet. I had a candle...

I need your help, Siv.

What did you say?

I need your help...

A flash of light announced the arrival of Siv after she used the communications link to travel to Josiah's location. What have they done to you?

What are you talking about?

You're nice. You asked me for my help? You didn't yell at me for the funeral joke. Who the hell are you, and what did you do with Josiah Muntz?

Siv, I've done a lot of bad things to people. Hell, the worst being I didn't see them as people. I didn't even see you as a person.

She slid over a chair and sat down in front of him. She took his hand and asked, When did this realization hit you?

He explained about the conversation he just had with his sister. I saw myself in her, and it scared me. He looked up at her. What have I done?

She saw fear and remorse in his gaze. By the holy caverns of Alue, you're not kidding. This is for real.

He nodded. Look, I think I can save the Grange universe and get Gabriel away from Zoe. She's using him as a pawn in some mad game of hers, and from what I read of his dossier, he should be given a hero's funeral, not turned into a lab rat or a chess piece.

Josiah, what do you want to do exactly?

He explained his plan as her huge, black, almond-shaped eyes got impossibly large.

###

Josiah and Siv walked into Zoe's office. Zoe, this is Siv. Siv, this is Dr. Zoe Muntz. She runs this place.

Siv extended her hand, then slowly withdrew it when Zoe just stared at her. Look, Boss Lady, I don't bite, I promise.

Do you have any problems killing sapients?

Thinking quickly, Siv replied, No, no qualms.

What about your partner? Can you kill him if he goes rogue?

Oh yeah, in half-a-heartbeat.

Good. My brother vouches for you, so you're in. Screw with me and you will die by my hand, capisce?

Sì, dottore, capisco, she replied in flawless Italian.

Follow me, Zoe said as she walked out the door.

With a final glance at Josiah, Siv followed.

###

The three entered a nondescript room containing a human male surrounded by six, heavily-armed guards. The human watched them with an unblinking stare.

Wait a minute, Siv said as she stopped and stared at Gabriel. Alue do not invade living beings, especially humans. It's a rule.

He's not human; he's a cyborg. You are going to invade, as you put it, his cybernetic systems and cohabitate with what's left of his human side. You might be a little lonely because we don't think there's much of him left. Zoe missed the intense look of disgust Gabriel had given her. Tel, is he connected to the network?

Yes, ma'am. Full duplex, one terabit per second.

Zoe looked at Siv. Why are you still here?

Siv disappeared in a flash of light. Immediately, Gabe's body straightened up.

She's inside, Tel reported.

We'll give her a few minutes to find him, Zoe said.

They waited for something to happen.

###

Siv arrived in Gabe's brain and found Gabe standing in the center of a control room while encased in a glowing field of some type. Standing next to him was a wizened human who was watching her. It took you long enough, he said.

Excuse me? I just got here a few minutes ago. Who the hell are you?

Call me Sensei. Now, if you don't mind, I have a school to attend to.

Now wait just a damned minute...

Gabe will explain. Bye, he said before disappearing in a flash of light. Gabe's field took that moment to collapse...

What the hell are you? he asked Siv as he stumbled backwards. And where the hell am I?

Hi, my name is Siv. I'm what you'd call an Alue, and we're in your brain, she said while pushing him aside to access the secondary bridge control panel. Now, I hate to do this, but I'm going to have to reconnect you to yourself, so you've got to play along. She brought up an image of Zoe and Josiah standing in front of him. The woman is Zoe Muntz, and the guy is Josiah Muntz, her brother. Now, she thinks she has programmed you to call her Mother, and you refer to yourself as Stryker-1.

Huh?

Just play along. I'll fill you in as we go.

Fill me in how?

Through the sub-audible communications system. You'll see.

###

Mistress! I just detected a shift in Stryker-1's brainwaves, a tech reported from the nearby control room.

Explain!

They bobbled.

Excuse me?

For a moment, there were two sets of brain waves superimposed on one another, then one set... left.

Was it the Alue? she said with a glance at her brother.

No ma'am. The Alue's brain wave pattern is solid and separate from Stryker-1.

###

Gabe found himself in a room, surrounded by guards. The first person he saw was Zoe, so he scanned her and saw fear and loathing in her biometric readouts. She might as well have been wearing a Bigot sign around her neck. In the space of nanoseconds, he somehow brought up her dossier, then that of her brother, Josiah, who was standing next to her. His biometrics read fear. He scanned the others and determined they were mercenaries—guns for hire—like the ones he dealt with as part of his USPF work. Then it dawned on him, he was reading their life signs. He could tell the charge state of their weapons. He could see room temperature, air pressure, humidity, current running through cables in the walls.

Welcome to your new life, DI Adon. Can I call you Gabe? Zoe said. When she got no response from him, she said, Forgive me. Status report, Stryker-1...

CHAPTER SIX