Kyber Path: Journey of Enlightenment

By D. Thomas Svenson

The Kray Allegiance has prided itself on its technology, with special emphasis on the protective structure known as the Barrier. Aylon Jonas, an engineer on the Barrier, experiences a terrible event that takes his right arm in return for unlocking his ability to connect with core powers of the universe. This newfound ability puts him center stage as tensions rise with the creation of Kybernetic Upgrades.

For the first time in the Kray’s history, technology threatens to split the nation apart in civil war. Aylon and Ran Bowman find themselves caught in the middle of the biggest struggle in Krayian history. One is tasked with silencing the disturbers, while the other is asked to lead them. To make matters worse, the legendary Klyde Bokye is brought in to make sure things go as planned.

With both sides seeking to outsmart the other, attention is turned to the one-armed man. Will Aylon use his power to bring peace to the Allegiance or instigate a war that could mean the end of his nation? Can Ran do what’s right under his scrutiny? Most importantly, can either of them stop the conflict before it’s too late?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Apr 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9781663237842

D. Thomas Svenson

Born in a small town but raised in the city, D. Thomas Svenson saw the ups and downs of both worlds. Upon returning from a two-year church mission, he discovered his love for writing. After successfully creating a universe in his head, he set out to put it on paper.

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Copyright © 2022 D. Thomas Svenson.

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ISBN: 978-1-6632-3785-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-3784-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022906595

iUniverse rev. date:  04/26/2022

CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1     The Barrier

Chapter 2     News

Chapter 3     Vision

Chapter 4     Seeing

Chapter 5     Run In

Chapter 6     Fugitive

Chapter 7     Dr. Kyber

Chapter 8     Reflection

Chapter 9     Interest

Chapter 10   Files

Chapter 11   Operation

Chapter 12   Thoughts

Chapter 13   Missing

Chapter 14   Doubts

Chapter 15   Action

Chapter 16   Searching

Chapter 17   Accused

Chapter 18   Surrounded

Chapter 19   Escape

Chapter 20   Tracking

Chapter 21   Chase

Chapter 22   Struggle

Chapter 23   Dream

Chapter 24   Consequences

Chapter 25   Offer

Chapter 26   Take Off

Chapter 27   The Beginning

PROLOGUE

Dr. Kyber was working on his Records Log 27. He hunched over a table full of pictures and diagrams featuring robotic limbs. He’d scrawled notes across all of them save one. It contained a rough drawing of a figure standing amongst the stars. Behind the figure, three lines crossed one another while a circle and triangle encircled them. This particular picture had come to him in a dream after his latest attempt to converse with the Knowledge Alomental the night before. The symbols represented the three Alomentals, but the figure was someone Kyber had never seen before. He had been able to gain the person’s name and purpose but nothing else. He could only assume the person would be of some use once he was able to make a connection.

Everything is almost ready! Kyber exclaimed.

It had taken him long nights and earnest study, but he had finally found the information needed to complete his Kybernetic prototype. Dr. Kyber’s plans to release Kybernetics could go on ahead of schedule. Despite this joyous occasion, Dr. Kyber couldn’t shake off the feeling that the Alomentals were not happy with the way he had acquired the information. That was assuming the three controlling powers of the universe could feel at all.

At that thought, Kyber chuckled to himself and grabbed the recorder from the desk. He walked over to the window on the opposite side of the room. He looked out over Unay, the capital city of the Kray Alliance. Kyber’s gaze rested on the silhouette of massive wall protruding out of the ocean at the edge of the city. The massive structure stretched for miles in either direction. It was a symbol of the powerful technology the Kray possessed. The crossing support beams of the structure and the advanced repulsion emitters were nothing compared to Kybernetics, however. The wall was just a building, after all, meant to protect the city. Once the final stages were complete, Kybernetics would change the Kray Alliance as a whole, protecting a nation. He would help the Krayian people to evolve.

A knock on the door interrupted Dr. Kyber’s concentration.

Dr. Kyber, came the voice of his assistant, Dr. Tildan.

What is it, Dr. Tildan?

There are some men here looking to talk with you, Dr. Tildan replied.

Tell them to come back later. I am busy.

The door swung open, and a man in a long trench coat and wide-brimmed hat entered. Dr. Tildan was pushed inside as two other men entered the room.

I don’t take no for an answer, old friend, the man said as he took his hat off.

Kyber’s smile disappeared as he said, Dr. Tildan, you can take the rest of the day off.

Come on now, Mr. Bokye said, flashing a sly grin. I don’t get a nice hello?

As the kind of person you are, you shouldn’t be admitted onto the premises, Kyber replied.

The kind of person I am? Mr. Bokye asked, holding his hands up in surrender. What do you mean?

Don’t try to hide your evil intentions, Dr. Kyber responded. You are here because you want something, so what is it?

Mr. Bokye slowly walked over to the table and scanned the papers. Grabbing one of the illuminators, he held it up like a trophy.

You know how it is said there must be balance in all things? Mr. Bokye said, twisting the illuminator in his hand. Well, balance doesn’t get me what I want.

And let me guess. You want—power? Dr. Kyber asked.

Oh, not just any power, my dear friend. I want the power contained through the Knowledge Alomental. Mr. Bokye grinned.

I have no idea what you are talking about, Dr. Kyber replied.

Don’t be coy with me, Kyber. You may not have told your lovely assistant how you conduct your personal studies, but I know you have a connection with an Alomental.

You’re a lunatic!

Come on, Kyber, Mr. Bokye said. I see you as a man with a mind able to invent things that make the impossible possible. I would think such name calling beneath you.

And I once saw you as a respectable man, Dr. Kyber replied. Now you walk around with your chin held high in pride while you push others out of your way.

Dr. Kyber, I only push those who purposefully stand in my way, and as much as I am loving this little back and forth, I really must know more about this Alomental you chat with.

And you think I will just hand it to you?

Oh no. You would never just give it to me. But I am pretty sure I can persuade you otherwise. Bokye said as he began grabbing papers off the desk.

Hey! Leave my research alone. All of this is sanctioned material under the Kray Alliance research laws as decreed by the head officials of government! It is my research and government protected!

Good thing the government doesn’t know I am here, Mr. Bokye responded as he tore a stack of papers in half and threw the pieces on the ground. You two start bagging the rest. If he won’t talk, maybe his notes can give us something.

Dr. Kyber lunged forward to stop the men. Bokye grabbed Dr. Kyber and threw him against the wall. The impact knocked the air out of his lungs, and he collapsed to the floor

Come on, Kyber. You should know by now that I always get what I want, Mr. Bokye said with a sly smile. If you would just work with me, there would be no need for such actions.

Sir, look at this, one of the men said.

Mr. Bokye walked over to where the man stood holding one of the papers from the desk. He grabbed the paper and examined it. What’s this? Mr. Bokye said as he turned to face Dr. Kyber. It seems out of place among the rest of your diagrams.

I am not going to help you with anything, Dr. Kyber said. He groaned.

Wrong answer, Mr. Bokye said. I was honestly hoping we could avoid having to resort to beating answers out of you.

No amount of pain will ever change my mind, Dr. Kyber responded, slowly rising to his feet.

I didn’t say anything about changing your mind, my friend. Mr. Bokye chuckled. But I do have a neat trick that enables me to see into someone’s mind. Care to see?

Mr. Bokye advanced, quickly closing the distance between them. Dr. Kyber noticed a purple glow in Bokye’s eyes. Bokye reached out to grab Kyber’s head, but Kyber smacked the hand away. Mr. Bokye furrowed his brow as he reached out again. Kyber again knocked the hand away and attempted to run past him. His attempt at escaping was halted as Bokye swiped his legs out from under him. Kyber crashed to the floor, the wind knocked out of him for a second time. Mr. Bokye reach down and grabbed him by the chin, raising Kyber’s head up to look at him. I always get what I want.

Dark purple tendrils flowed out of Bokye’s forearm and slithered towards Kyber’s head. As the first one made contact with his forehead, Kyber experienced a burst of fiery pain. As more tendrils inserted themselves into his temple, the pain increased. Suddenly the fiery pain stopped and was replaced with a feeling of extreme pressure. The pressure then reversed, and Kyber’s head felt as if it was going to explode. Numbness soon followed as the world around him went black.

CHAPTER 1

THE BARRIER

A ylon watched as dark clouds drifted slowly across the sky covering the city of Unay in a dark shadow. The Grey Ocean lay before him like an endless expanse of colourless desert. Behind him was the city, a place forever changing as technology advanced. Such technological advancements had captured his curiosity from an early age. This curiosity had led to him into an engineering program and secured his role in society as a repairman and engineer. Aylon stood atop the most recent technological breakthrough known as the barrier. Metal crossbeams embedded in the ocean floor supported the structure as it ran along the coastline seemingly forever.

Even with his height of five foot ten, he felt dwarfed by the height of the massive structure as it reached towards the sky. The cool wind tossed his wild brown hair. The faint hum of repulsion emitters could be heard as the building stood as an almost magical barrier against the elements of nature. He had worked on the barrier from its very beginning. He hadn’t been part of the workforce that had built it, but he had been first in line when the maintenance jobs opened up. He had immediately been assigned to one of the thirty maintenance crews in charge of keeping the barrier in good working condition. Some thought of him as one of the best repairmen ever hired. Although he loved the job, Aylon found the most joy from staring at the dark grey water and its accompanying weather whenever he had time to spare. The weather usually brought the same grey clouds, but on the odd occasion, Aylon had seen hints of blue and orange among the grey.

The current incoming storm looked as if it might be one of those occasions. An eerie purple glow emanated from the ever-darkening clouds. Although seeing the colour wasn’t anything new, Aylon couldn’t suppress the uneasiness growing inside him. Despite the fact that he had worked through multiple storms during which a single mistake could have sent him to an early grave, he had never been scared of any of them. This storm, with its rolling black clouds and occasional lightning, was striking a nerve none of the others had. It was mesmerizing and terrifying at the same time.

Mr. Jonas! Yevet Skleen, his team leader, yelled. Get inside before the storm hits!

What?

Stop your daydreaming and get inside! Yevet replied. I’ve got to brief the team!

Despite Yevet’s harsh tone, Aylon shrugged and stepped away from the edge where he had stood as he observed the storm. He took one last look at the horizon before following Yevet through one of the many roof entrances located along the top of the barrier. He closed the heavy hatch behind him and double checked to make sure that it had properly sealed. With the wind left behind, he made the long descent to the bottom floor of the barrier, entering one of the long corridors that stretched along the massive structure. Continuing to follow Yevet, he walked past steaming pipes and smaller corridors that lined the metal hallway. At the end of each of these smaller corridors they passed, there was a service hatch used to access the outside when repairs were necessary. He had been assigned to work at one of these hatches today with his best friend Tekz and a new hire named Garrut. Aylon chuckled to himself as he thought of how the name Garrut sounded like a new hire. Chances are he was going to be scared out of his mind.

He soon found himself with his fellow crew members of maintenance crew 8B who had gathered in sensor room G3 for an emergency shift meeting. The sensor room housed screens and lights that displayed the health of each sensor along section G3 of the barrier. Similar rooms were located in each section of the barrier to allow an effective watch over the entire structure. In each room there were narrow platforms that stretched across the length of the room; they were fitted with seats for the technicians who were tasked with watching the screens for signs of needed repairs.

Aylon watched Yevet step onto one of the platforms and lean down to one of the technicians before turning to the thirty crew members who all stood waiting for her to speak. All right! Listen up! Yevet shouted, her voice echoing of the metal walls. I know it’s late and you all dread working the bottom of the barrier. You all know about the coming storm and the danger involved with working during just such a storm, but if any of you wimp out, you can consider yourselves out of a job! You signed up for this, and I expect top-quality repairs and good response time from each of you!

Aylon noticed a few people shuffle their feet while a couple others looked down at the floor. He remembered his first day working through a big storm. He could never forget the uneasy feeling combined with the stress. He had grown past it and stood resolute as Yevet continued her speech. I do not want a single sensor unanswered! If one goes off, I want you out there getting it up and running again like your life depends on it! Because, ultimately, it does!

The storm had grown since the crew had gathered, and screens were showing signs of swirling clouds and heavy wind. Aylon overheard a technician offer a quick, whispered comment to Yevet: Looks like a class-X gyrating storm.

Yevet sighed. Best hope these workmen can make quick repairs.

Soon the sound of heavy rain could be heard ringing down the long corridors of the barrier. The ominous sound caused a few workers besides Aylon to glance around as if looking for a demon in the room as Yevet went through the safety inspection with the group. All right. You know what you’re good at. Get to your stations! Yevet ordered as she finished the inspections

With his proton welder hanging from his side and his radio secured to his vest, Aylon gathered with his repair group companions who were waiting by the door. Aylon’s more average frame was small compared to that of his best friend Tekz. Tekz stood at six two, and her muscular frame caused a lot of turned heads. Combine that with her light-blue skin, which was unusual for a Krayian, and it was impossible to lose her in a crowd. Garrut stood nervously rocking from side to side. His stocky build and five four height made him look like a dwarf. With hair down to his shoulders and a scraggly beard, his dwarf-like resemblance was uncanny. His shifty black eyes darted back and forth while he shuffled his feet.

Don’t lose your crap yet, Tekz said to the trembling Garrut as Aylon got within earshot We’ve got outside watch today, she continued as the three of them went through the door and headed towards one of the service hatches.

This storm is going to bring trouble, Aylon commented as they walked down the corridor.

W-what d-do you me-mean by that? stuttered Garrut.

He means it’s going to be a bumpy ride. Tekz chuckled as they reached the service hatch.

It is a big storm, Aylon confirmed. But don’t worry. We will be all right.

Garrut continued to fidget with his beard as they waited.

You will be fine, said Aylon, trying to comfort Garrut.

S-s-o how long have you two known each o-other? Garrut asked.

It has been about five six years, Aylon replied.

Ya, I remember how you almost fell off the roof at the racetrack during our time working with city development. Tekz laughed.

Ya. Let’s not talk about that, Aylon responded.

Suddenly they heard a thump on the outside wall. As they looked at each other, they heard another thump louder than the first.

What was that? Tekz asked as she moved closer to the hatch.

I wish I knew, Aylon replied, leaning against the hatch.

Tekz grinned and looked at Garrut. Could have been a Taywak.

Aylon doubted Tekz was being serious. The large carnivorous sea creatures always hung around the base of the barrier, but they never attacked. Besides, Taywaks mainly ate small fish and any low-flying birds they were able to snatch in their beak-shaped jaws. The only time a Taywak would attack was when a Krayian fisherman got too close or made the animal feel threatened. But it was rare for one to spring an unwarranted attack.

Garrut shuffled his feet as he said, I overheard one of the guys talk about Taywak attacks on my way here on the underground transport. Are they really that d-dangerous?

Come on, Garrut, Tekz replied. They rarely grow to the length of five four, or was it five six?

Garrut’s grey skin went almost completely white.

All right. Let’s not torment the new guy to the point where he quits before the week’s over, Aylon interrupted. Taywaks are merely territorial—

Aylon got no further as something collided into the barrier causing the entire structure to shake and him to stumble. The light above the door started flashing as the rumble from the hit echoed down the hall. A loud siren started to blare signifying that an urgent repair was needed to a major system.

All right, boys. It’s showtime! Tekz shouted as she pulled the lever that unlatched the door and pushed the heavy door open.

As the door opened, it revealed a sea thrown in disarray from heavy rain and wind. Thick black clouds completely covered the sky, and that same ominous dark purple glow had intensified. It was the same storm Aylon had been watching only an hour earlier, only it was like nothing Aylon had ever seen before. His earlier comment about a big storm was proven to be an understatement.

Tekz surged forward through the open hatch leading the way with Aylon and Garrut following behind. With the ocean only twelve feet below, they stepped out onto the walkway that ran along the outside wall.

Looks like the repulsion field is down! Aylon yelled over the wind. The primary emitter must be out!

How do you know that? Garrut asked as the wind threw his hair into his face.

Normally, if the primary emitter is working, the field blocks out most of the wind! Your hair is telling the whole story! Tekz shouted back at him.

At this point, their radios buzzed on, and they heard a technician on the other side. Proceed forward and get to the primary emitter, came the technician’s voice. "We need you three to fix it immediately! If