Equilibrium: Kassius Kanex, Book 3

By MK Schultz

Experience Kassius Kanex like never before in the epic conclusion.

In anticipation of the arrival of an evil that could rob Kassius Kanex of his power, he must go off-grid, in search of the only hope there is to defeat it.

With the help of his larger-than-life, best friend Rock, the engineers, his faithful pod keepers, a secret-keeping crow and a time-travel-enabling octopus, Kassius Kanex must expand his organization to levels even he did not dream to be possible.

Can the world survive the evil long enough for Kassius to find the only thing powerful enough to stop it? The whole of humanity depends on one thing: EQUILIBRIUM.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9781663226754

MK Schultz

MK Schultz is the Canadian author of The Kassius Kanex trilogy. A father of two young adults, he lives in a wooded area in the outskirts of Ottawa. He and his wife are avid outdoor enthusiasts in all seasons. Although formally educated in Architecture, his true passion is writing. Schultz is currently writing a new, stand-alone novel in a different genre. Learn more at www.mkschultz.com.

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Copyright © 2021 MK Schultz.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-6632-2676-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-2675-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021916991

iUniverse rev. date:  08/23/2021

For Me

"I know what I want

I’ll say what I want

And no one can take it away"

‘Journeyman’ by Iron Maiden

CONTENTS

Prologue

Introduction

Part I

Chapter 1 Deserve’s Got Nuthin’ to do with it.

Chapter 2 Pending Task

Chapter 3 The Interview

Chapter 4 The Task

Chapter 5 The Tech

Part II

Chapter 6 Return to Normalcy

Chapter 7 The Boyfriend

Chapter 8 Security Protocol - Roll of Three

Chapter 9 Security Breach

Chapter 10 The Press Conference

Chapter 11 The Funeral

Chapter 12 The Change

Chapter 13 Phase Two Complete

Chapter 14 The Meeting

Chapter 15 The Dark Matter

Part III

Chapter 16 DADE

Chapter 17 The Set-Up

Chapter 18 The Reign of Dade

Chapter 19 The Reign of Dade - Part II

Part IV

Chapter 20 The Path of The Organization

Chapter 21 The America Pod

Chapter 22 The Mexico Pod

Chapter 23 The Brazil Pod

Chapter 24 The Congo Pod

Chapter 25 The Japan Pod

Chapter 26 The Russia Pod

Chapter 27 The Germany Pod

Part V

Chapter 28 Resurgence

Chapter 29 Stabilization

Chapter 30 Power

Part VI

Chapter 31 The Battle

Part VII

Chapter 32 Restoration

Part VIII

Chapter 33 E Q U I L I B R I U M

PROLOGUE

T wo days had passed since he outstretched his left palm stacked with fruit, in a call of desperation from within a perceived prison that silenced his power and yet also kept it safe until it was time. He remembered that day, and he always would, perceiving the apples and oranges arranged ever so perfectly in his hand as a door to another life; a life that he would look back on one day - a life that would be void of the unnatural one he currently lived. What he didn’t realize at the launch, was how very different his life would become. Such is destiny. It can silently and patiently wait, but it will always manifest when it is time. For Kassius Kanex, it surfaced on October 18, 2016, by way of the fruit pyramid.

Still unaware of what was to come; power, riches, control, an organization and a giant octopus, he uncharacteristically left the office for his early lunch to momentarily distance himself from his job. Free from the prison and yet still tethered to it, he walked to his car in an attempt to discover what he knew he had to do. He drove out to a rural highway and made good time to the French fry stand in a small parking lot just past a farmer’s field which soothed him. There were two, empty picnic tables, and a garbage can nearby. It was a fairly warm day, so he kept the windows down in the car as he parked for lunch.

The fry cook was pleasant and the prices were decent. After a brief interaction, followed by the dumping of some vinegar and salt on the crisp, golden fries, he squeezed the ketchup bottle one last time before walking back to his car. He was now joined by a second car, perhaps equally eager to bask in the freedom of a good, food-truck meal in the outdoors. In spite of this, Kass didn’t feel good because he knew that this small escape was just that; an escape from the reality that he hated - one that he would be required to return to by hour’s end. Soon, he thought. Soon. But for now; for a little bit longer - patience, Kass. Patience.

There were two young men and a girl in the other car, probably just shy of their 20’s. They were young and filled with energy; their futures yet to unfold, Kass thought. They stood around waiting for their food to be ready. They goofed around as they waited like they had bees in their pants. Two seagulls came in for a landing soon after the group settled back in their car, to give the bees a rest, thankfully, Kass thought as he crunched on another delicious, golden fry while he continued to observe anonymously. It was Friday and Kass was enjoying a comforting break from eating healthy all week.

The teenagers in the beat-up Honda had music on now and although it wasn’t too loud, it broke the mood for Kass. He readied himself to leave, but a commotion stalled him for a moment. Several more seagulls had gathered around their car as they tossed food bits out the window. It was harmless at first, but then it changed. The driver of the car coerced some of the birds onto the hood by wagging some fries behind the windshield of their car while the two passengers screeched in amusement.

Kass watched in anger as the teasing continued. The seagull repeatedly slammed its beak into the windshield, believing that it could easily snatch the fries from the hand of the bully. It couldn’t. This continued for several minutes and as it did, Kass became increasingly upset with it all. The laughing and constant movement became so extensive that the car began to shake.

Look at the stupid fuckers! the teen in the back said to the one who did all the taunting. The laughter continued to grow; as did Kass’s anger. On and on this went, as Kass thought about approaching the car to stop it. But what should I do? he thought.

As he pondered this, the frustrated seagull suddenly flew off as though out of fear. Fear from the asshole kids or was it from something else? Kass wondered. It wasn’t from the kids, after all, he discovered. This became evident as an extremely large black crow swooped down and took the place of the frightened seagull. The kids jumped and froze with a bit of a scare at first, until they settled right back into their game of tempting a bird to snatch food through an impenetrable, transparent shield.

The crow was very large; almost magnificent looking, Kass thought. Then a feeling came over Kass. Something he didn’t yet understand or recognize at first. It was a feeling of control. This has to stop now, he thought. As he focused on the crow, he was pleased that it had not yet succumbed to the taunts by slamming its beak into the hard glass. Instead, Kass looked in amazement as it appeared to stare down the kid as the little bastard waved a French fry to and fro behind the glass, inches from the beak of the crow.

Kass felt himself slip into a different train of thought. It was foreign, yet familiar. He focused on the crow and as he did, it turned to him. Then Kass did something which he knew not the source of. He reached deep into his own mind and found a special place; the place that had been dormant inside of him, yet one that he had always somehow known to exist. It resembled what he had felt two days prior when he held the fruit in his palm knowing immediately that a change had come. It felt more like a natural return to what was meant to be - destiny.

The crow turned its head to the sky and let out an echoing ‘kaw’. The kids laughed as the crow looked as though it would attempt to snatch the fry that was tightly held between the thumb and forefinger of the driver. Kass looked on in anger, and in his mind he said, Do it!

Immediately, the crow lunged at the solid glass. The kid did not flinch, because he knew the crow’s attempt would be in vain, with laughter from the others, sure to follow. The crow was so big, the force it would apply in its lunge for the French fry might even break its beak, or so he feared. It didn’t.

Instead, the great crow lunged at, and achieved the impossible; the French fry, which was an inch away (but may as well have been a light-year away) could now be clearly seen in its beak.

But that wasn’t all the crow had taken. The teens let out wails of panicked screams now, in contrast to their previous screeches of delight. Kassius Kanex looked on in amazement and then he grinned at what he saw. The great crow stood magnificently in the centre of the hood and stared at the occupants inside. With its head tilted to the left, it was clear what it had in the grasp of its powerful beak. It was the bully’s forefinger and thumb (all in one piece), along with a good chunk of flesh from his hand. It flew upwards and tossed the appendage to the ground before disappearing into the trees. Then five or six seagulls all dove down to the fingers and fought over them as the teens all continued their cries for help, no doubt while one of them placed a call to 911.

Kass pondered this strange occurrence as he left. How could this have been? It seemed to defy all that he knew.

The events that followed, would quickly make him forget all about it. For Rock and The Engineers were about to enter his life. Afterwards, Orion, the ants, Audrick the crow and Aquarius the octopus would all be known to him not to mention the existence of The Organization and his ability to will, teleport, and travel through time. It all would change very quickly since he made the call - the call of faith from the brandishing of a fruit pyramid - his deliverance to his destiny.

e·qui·lib·ri·um

ē-kwə-ˈli-brē-əm

noun

1. a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced.

2. a state of intellectual or emotional balance.

INTRODUCTION

K assius Kanex, a once seemingly simple man, was anything but. Deep down in the pit of his being, a power that had laid dormant for decades was now awakened. This had always been the plan; or the hope.

After merging his essence with Orion - his previously divided half, he was now fully awakened and ready to assume his rightful place as the founder and leader of The Organization - now with renewed power, greater and with more purpose than ever before.

After Lydia, his most precious treasure, was taken from him on the boat by the Mexican known as Alejandro Flores, the power of Kassius Kanex grew to a new level that could not have been predicted by anyone. This power would serve a new purpose - that which had yet to be made known, but one that destiny had been preparing him for since both of his births.

At the time of Lydia’s death, he knew that there was no way to save her, for the law of the Cosmos did not permit it. He could not accept this, and so he found a way to save her by keeping the truth of her death a secret from all, including himself - all except, that is, for The Great Secret Keeper, Audrick the crow.

As with all remedies, there were side effects. One such side effect, was the emergence of a new evil which would manifest into existence as he banished Lydia’s killer into the deep void within the Cosmos. It was from the void, that this new evil would glean secrets from all time and use it to feed itself, in order to grow into a weapon of revenge, determined to defeat and overtake the one who imprisoned it. This evil fed off members of a sinister cult, until it completely devoured them, and finally increased its power more than tenfold by way of the cosmic energy which rushed past it - cosmic energy from Kassius Kanex as he held the fruit pyramid to begin reclaiming his kingdom.

The story of Kassius Kanex now meets the next phase, his power kept secret for the time being from his family for their safety. He would carry forward under the guise of working for his new best friend, Rock Wayfinder, whose employees consisted of four men who were known as The Engineers.

And so, the saga of Kassius Kanex continues - but to what end? Only time will tell. Buckle up!

Part I

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‘Something’s gotta turn out right…’

‘Got Me Wrong’ by Alice In Chains

1

DESERVE’S GOT NUTHIN’ TO DO WITH IT.

H e had already been awake for several minutes before he heard her voice gently welcome him back into a world that he was beginning to worry about. It was a world of the simple, intermingled with the complex. He was happier than he had ever been and yet more afraid than ever before; not for himself, but for those around him. But for now, he would bask in what currently beckoned him from his rest. She looked at him and smiled, My darling Kass. Are you up?

Yes, my sweet Melina. Yes, I am, and I am ready to take on the whole city; hell, the whole world.

That’s my Kass. Maybe even the whole universe, the way your life has turned since you quit your job to work for Rock. It is truly amazing, Kass - the transformation that has taken place in you.

Oh, Mel, stop. You really think so? he said, as he gazed upon her stunning features that were nothing short of goddess-like.

Yes, Kass, and it makes me so hot for you that I think I will have to keep you detained here.

Shit, honey, what the hell has gotten into you? You aren’t fantasizing about Rock again, are you?

Kassius Kanex, you stop that right now! You’re the only one that has my heart and you know that, so please stop it.

I know, my sweet Mel. I’m just messing with you. Now, get the fuck over here.

Oh, Kass, oh my god, Kass!

That’s right, baby. Now you’re cooking with steam.

Oh, Kass...I...I...gotta have you now. I am yours forever!

Me too baby. Me too.

Melina Kanex made love to the most powerful man in the universe that morning, or at least that’s how she felt about him - albeit totally unaware that this feeling she had - was in fact, accurate.

Where’s Lance and Lydia? Kass asked, as he walked into the shower.

They both left early for work, so it’s just you and me, she said, as she followed him into the shower.

Well then, I guess it’s time for round two then.

Oh, Kass. You are bad.

I love you Melina, and I will never let anything bad ever happen to you, Lance, or Lydia.

Oh, Kass. I love you too.

After a long shower and a short breakfast, Kass left to meet his business partner Rock. There was much to go over, as a new task needed further research, planning and discussion. A plan for all potential outcomes was necessary to be put into motion.

As Kass said his goodbyes to Melina, he drove to the bar to meet Rock. It was close to 9am when he arrived. It was Saturday, but this didn’t matter to Kass, because unlike any other job he had worked in the past, this one was far different. This job was his destiny.

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Hey, Kass man, I got some fresh coffee brewing and a load of info to go over with you. You ready? asked Rock, as he towered over Kass.

Oh yeah, buddy. I sure am.

Ha ha ha ha, you sure sound like it. Bet I have sweet Melina to thank for that mood you’re in.

You would win the bet. But enough small talk, Rock. Let’s get to the meat of this straight away.

You got it, boss...I mean buddy, said Rock.

Ok, so let’s have it, Kass said in response. Did the engineers get the briefing from our last meeting?

Oh yeah, Kass buddy. They sure did, Rock said, as he warmed up their cups with some more java.

Excellent. How quick can you get them over here so they can fill me in on their progress?

Well, you could...I mean, well - I could probably get them to take a detour on an errand that I had them run for me. Could be inside of twenty minutes by my count, upon transmission. Rock looked at Kass and smiled before letting out a bellowing laugh. Sorry, Kass buddy, I just had a déjà vu. It’s crazy how far we’ve come. I mean; one minute you are dropping in to take a gun course and the next, you are the most powerful, fucken being in the world. It’s just - ah man, Kass, I’m sorry. It’s just still hard sometimes for me to swallow, you know?

Hey, Rock, don’t worry buddy. I may be...what you said, but I am also still the other guy that you know too - a regular family man who loves his wife and kids and just wants to have a purpose in life.

Ha ha ha ha, I know man. I think that’s why we are so compatible as friends. People are best not to mess with us, especially fucken you, although in some ways, I may even have it tougher, because I can’t hide my size like you can your power. Must be a relief sometimes, eh Kass?

It can be for sure, Rock, but the knowledge of it never goes away. In some small way, it was easier I think, before I knew. But I would never want to go back buddy - because easier still didn’t stop me from longing and dreaming for the destiny I knew was meant for me.

Holy shit, Kass. That’s fucken deep. Crazy man. Just crazy, Rock said, as he held his phone and hit send."

41492.png

...Notification incoming.

Attention engineers, Mr. Kanex requests your presence immediately at the bar to review progress on the 5G plan. Best hurry.

Rock

...End transmission.

Fuck! said Mac, looking at his phone. We gotta get there, Drew. You better hightail it now. Shane! Set the GPS on the quickest route.

Relax, Mac, said Markus. We’ll get there, ok?

Oh, you better fucken believe we’ll get there. Or our ass is grass, said Mac.

Hey! Come on, Mac. Take it easy man. Mr. K. is a very reasonable man. What has he ever done to make you feel so tightly wounded? asked Drew, as he quickly stopped to back into a small clearing to turn around.

Drew man, it’s not what he has done, it’s what he is capable of doing if one of us sonsabitches doesn’t perform to his expectations.

Ahh, Mac, you are worrying too much, said Shane.

Maybe so, but I have always been on the careful side when it comes to the unknown and luck and the like. Matter of fact, I picked up this sweet rabbit’s foot at the store the other day and it now graces my neck like a fucken gem.

Ha ha ha, you are crazy, Mac, said Drew.

Maybe so, Drew man, but one thing’s for sure. This fucken thing is never leaving my neck on account that I just know something bad would happen if it did.

How the hell do you know that? asked Markus.

Well, let’s just say I feel it in my being, like some sort of lost memory from the past when we were real, soul-bearing humans.

Mac, come on. I believe we still have our souls. They are in there somewhere man. You gotta hold on to the hope, somehow, man, said Drew.

Yeah. I guess so, Drew.

So, what are we going to do about our current task, now that we have left it for a visit with Mr. K.? asked Shane, as he double-checked the settings on the GPS.

No worries, Shane. We can continue right back, albeit a little behind schedule, as soon as we finish our debrief with Mr. K., said Markus. Besides, I’m sure the associates of the former Mr. Moeds can wait another couple of hours before they join him.

Yeah, they can, those fucks, said Mac.

As the four engineers pulled up to Rock’s bar in their new black Suburban, which was almost as cool as Rock’s Hummer, mild anxiety came over a few of them.

Hello, you sonsabitches, said Rock, always knowing how to break the ice in a meeting.

Hi guys. Sorry to drag you here on short notice, said Kass in a concerned tone. It was picked up on by The Engineers and only added confusion to the anxiety that was already settling in on them. Before we start the briefing, we need to clear the air.

Oh fuck, I knew it. I’m so sorry, Mr. K., said Mac.

"Oh, Mac. This is exactly what we need to clear up. I am not a mob boss that is going to suddenly ‘off’ you for bringing me coffee with cream instead of black. Let me make myself perfectly clear. I will never harm you. Instead, I will protect you to the ends of the earth and with the full extent of my power. You have nothing to fear, since I know that your intentions are sincere. I wouldn’t have selected you to serve my organization had I not been certain of this. Now, does this make sense? I think the best way to cut through this nonsense is to cut the formalities; cut the shit, eh, Sherman? I mean Mac. I’m so sorry. You fellas have no idea how tormented I was in the process of salvaging all I could of you on that island. For your pain and your service, know this. I am indebted to you and not the other way around. So please. Do not fear me. Instead, talk to me as you would each other, ok?

Ok, Kass man. Thanks. I think I speak for all of us when I say that this takes a great load off of our minds, said Drew.

Fuck yeah, said Mac. Fuck yeah.

Rock poured four more hot cups of coffee and as Mac loaded his with sugar, Kass began, "Ok fellas, so let’s get started. As you know, I have been very interested in the development of a new technology that China is trying hard to launch in Canada and other countries around the world. The 5G technology is promising for all sorts of applications in cell phone technology and The Organization will use this rare opportunity to further solidify our great power, all while hiding behind the distraction from the attention this will receive from the world.

My keeper of the America Pod has been reporting the resistance of that country in adapting the new technology due to security concerns and rightfully so, as I have already seen the turmoil that will be caused should it be launched. But it doesn’t have to be that way. For although we cannot tamper with the fabric of time, with respect to the lives and deaths of human souls, we can have an effect on events and trigger great change to alter and correct flaws that come to our attention."

As Kass spoke, the four engineers along with Rock sat silently, engrossed with every word he said. It was as though time was standing still.

Kass continued, In two days, the Chinese ambassador to Canada is scheduled to meet with the Premier of Ontario to pitch a 5G deal that would no doubt be fast-tracked through the office of the Prime Minister, should he be convinced of its potential benefit to create new economic opportunity in the rebuild after the shutdowns due to the pandemic. This 5G technology is already in place and all that is needed could be likened to the flip of a switch. Should that switch be activated, all of Canada and any other country that agreed to adopt the technology would be subject to crippling breaches in security, due to the fact that Chinese policies and mandates enable their government access to any information available from private companies in the name of their own national security.

Suddenly, Drew interjected with a look of concern, Excuse me, boss, so why then, would we want this technology to be launched. Wouldn’t it jeopardize the very security of your organization which we serve?

You are correct, Drew. Not only that, I have seen the damage that this technology causes in an alternate timeline - a timeline that does not need to occur at the expense of a much more promising one. That is why I am calling upon you to aid The Organization in stopping the launch.

So, what exactly is this 5G tech? asked Mac.

Well, Mac, it is simply an upgrade to the current 4G cellular networks with enhancements that would give our smart phones and other internet-connected devices a massive upgrade in speed and other capabilities.

So, isn’t that a good thing? Why would we want to interfere? asked Rock. Oh, never mind. Sorry, Kass. You already said that you saw the negative impacts in the alternate timeline. Ok, the question is how do we stop it in this timeline?

Right, Rock. The answer to your question is this. We don’t stop it. Instead, we make it happen, as it was bound to fail, by pushing it back on course, said Kass as the others looked on in disbelief.

What, Kass? Why? asked Rock, while The Engineers all gazed in confusion.

Kass looked up at Rock, took a sip of coffee and continued, All you need to know, for now, is the next task at hand which I will give to you, after The Engineers update me on what I tasked them with. Drew, Shane, Mac and Markus. Have you studied the public area where the press conference is scheduled to be held?

Hell yeah, Mr. K. we did all you said and have a perfect plan to put into motion at the event, said Mac, as the others nodded in agreement.

Excellent. Then we are ready for the next phase. Why don’t we have something to eat before you return to your original task, which I interrupted you from?

Sounds like a plan. I will get Sweetie to whip up her famous eggs Benedict. She should be here any minute now. We are open for brunch at 11am, said Rock.

Oh yeah, can’t wait. That sounds awesome, said Mac. Then we’ll head back to our little visit with those fuckers. They deserve what’s coming to them - for what they done.

Kass looked at Mac and responded to his statement, Hearing you say this reminds me of the movie Unforgiven." Just before Sheriff Little Bill is killed by William Muny, he says, I don’t deserve this; to die like this. I was building a house. Then William just looks him in the eye and scowls before killing him in cold blood as he says, Deserve’s got nuthin’ to do with it. ...BANG

I loved that movie, Kass, but with all due respect, what does he even mean when he says that? asked Mac.

"Well, Mac, what does it really mean to deserve something? I think in the movie, William Muny was referring to his own life and how he probably didn’t deserve all the good things in his life. Things like his wife and kids. I think he was also trying to make a point that our interpretation of justice is irrelevant with respect to the outcome that is already predestined to occur. I also think the message was intended to be broader. My point to you, Mac, is this. I am not sending you to kill the associates of Mr. Moeds because they deserve it. But rather I am sending you because they have to be stopped, and the powers that be in this world are not doing anything about it. The Organization will. So, when those two bastards take their last breath, remember: Deserve’s got nuthin’ to do with it.

Holy shit, Kass. That was fucken deep man, Rock said, as The Engineers all looked on. Good. Sweetie’s here. Time for some food, guys.

For the next hour or so, they ate, they laughed and they enjoyed each other’s company. Their bond was strong, strengthened by all their trials and tribulations together, and when The Engineers left to resume their task, Kass said his goodbyes and drove back home.

2

PENDING TASK

F or the next three days, Kass studied the information The Engineers had gathered on the press conference which would be held following a meeting between the Chinese ambassador and the Canadian Premier. The 5G technology would ultimately go ahead, but not under the proposed plan by the Chinese. This would leave a void that would be ripe for a hijacking. This rejection and abandonment of the proposed technology would be reassigned to the control of The Organization, advancing the communications of the eight pods to new heights.

The planning would continue later that night from the secret pod below the house as soon as everyone was gone to bed. Until then, Kass would take a mental break to barbecue. Tonight’s menu would be simple but tasty. Sausages, with potato salad and sauerkraut, beginning with bacon-wrapped, jalapeno poppers stuffed with cream cheese.

While Kass cooked, he thought deeply about much. He did this even before the discovery of the great power that was held within him for all those years, waiting to once again be. He still worried, as he did before, but only about the safety of his family now. Even with great power, a feeling inside warned him not to become complacent.

Accompanying his worrying, was a new feeling of confidence