Part 13 (An Unforseen Betrayal): Recap
From ICO North Headquarters, Benedikt Inhumos swirled around in his 50th floor office chair and faced the window. The console flashed green until his enormous eyes behind the mask locked onto the reflection.
Finding the four consumed him. He bolted from the chair and rushed toward the hidden vault behind the office wall. The opening responded to code embedded in his palm.
There waiting to receive him pulsing was the Silver Coin hanging in front of a portal. The gateway to Omicron Vorsey Planet 9. After reaching Earth, Benedikt applied a simpler name his crew and inner circle humans on board with his mission could adapt to: ICO Bridge Planet 9.
Benedikt stepped through.
On the other side lay Planet 9, a carbon planet in a small solar system with three other planets, had deteriorated drastically since his departure fifty years ago. Now almost devoid of life, a dark atmosphere descended. Decay pounced upon his nostrils, and devastation shrouded his gaze.
Waiting to greet him was Zolgroth, the Supreme Cigol leader. In their language, Benedikt spoke quickly, reassuring him of the breakthrough.
Over six foot, Zolgro sat steely but elegantly, unimpressed at the report. His enormous vacant eyes shuttered rapidly as his two protracted arms gripped the silver throne. Zolgroth's thin mouth and nose, typical of their mammal race, quivered. His long ears hung to his broad chest, covering small horns that extended to his back. Smooth skin, though very thick and strong rose slightly from beneath covered short hairs as if agitated. What Benedikt feared most was his color change in skin from a mixture of black and orange to gray. Benedikt peered at his leader's long, thin tail as it swelled and moved rapidly behind the throne. I must tread carefully my next words.
"Fifty years wasted on that insignificant planet. Your extension has reached its limit. Recall our replacements. The planet's species has rejected your method. Infiltration was unsuccessful," the leader commanded disapprovingly.
"A hasty decision, Supreme Leader. The timeline is but a fraction in terms of assimilation we've used in other galaxies. Besides, there's been a major development."
"We can't risk exposure. Eliminate the planet. "My decision is final," the Supreme Leader issued."
Benedikt shrank back. So close to finding the mutation. He'd no choice but to deliver a deep bow of acceptance and return.
Viktor's eyes were shut; but his mind was wide open as he slumped over his desk. Replaying Alexis' announcement, "Loomey, you've been promoted", and Loomey's eagerness to accept as he spoke with headquarters stabbed at his heart.
Disappointed, Yes. Unexpected, No. He waited until the room cleared.
He opened his eyes slowly, shaking off grogginess. Doing so directed his gaze toward the looming figure on the far wall. The Silver Coin. It stared back, crystal clear as if pulsing with the souls of millions encapsulated. Underneath the accompanying silver chain, the words "Pendant of Eternal Life or Perpetual Dread...Your Choice".
It was late summer when Viktor Popov stepped outside the Research Center. Sensing a break in the weather, he pulled his jacket up around his neck. Smirking, he could relate to the nickname, Silver Otherworld Watchtower. He dared not turn. The guards were watching.
Interdisciplinary Consortium Orbit's (ICO) Research Center. Located in the northernmost part of the hemisphere where coldest, it was mockingly called the "Silver Otherworld Watchtower". The central hub of all activity for molecular diagnostics. Although, citizens suspected cloned humans were manufactured beyond those walls.
"I hope it's not too late. I'll focus on headquarters in due time. Something isn't right with Benedikt." Sensing a change of loyalty in his supervisor, he reached deep into his lab coat and felt the object that would prevent their heinous plans from materializing. Good thing I acted on my suspicions about Alexis and Loomey.
They may have the male human. But without his correct formula, they'll never have the capability to reproduce the strain. Not without his female counterpart. Viktor turned and headed away from the watchtower toward his vehicle. Plans formulated as he neared the gate.
Two miles from the compound, results of his report surfaced as he remembered the start of his research.
Thirty years ago there were four. Two mating pairs. Shipped from ICO Bridge Planet 9, derailment at the extraction point separated the four experimental subjects. Instead of mating with their assigned counterpart to produce the virus, the female subjects disobeyed the ICO's directive.
The result. A mutated strain of the virus in the general population. But who and where?
Now, Part 14: (Genome of the Amos Hybrid Paradox)
Amos Goodall sat dejected in the black military vehicle. Facing him was his younger sister, Annetta and her husband, Julius with worried expressions lining their brows. Benetiz and the rest exchanged bewildered glances.
Small slits in the moving armored cell afforded little opportunity to gauge their route or intended location. To distract from his impending incarceration, Amos counted patrol cars with screaming sirens and flashing red lights rushing past every five minutes.
"Wonder what's the commotion for? Cunnelda's caught us, so something else is amiss," Annetta surmised, intensely curious.
An unusual sight that caught Amos' attention cruised alongside the military vehicle. A car without sirens and flashing lights meant someone in authority. Ordinary citizens were restricted from movement on that stretch of road under the recent travel ban and curfew. Amos had no idea who the individual in the unmarked vehicle was and how that person's life would intertwine with his.
It had been a year since Viktor Popov, senior researcher, ventured from ICO's Research Center compound. Living quarters at the Watchtower within the complex provided ample amenities.
Viktor studied the transport vehicle having no clue the person he'd been searching for this past twenty years was traveling the same road. Instantly, a dose of something unwelcome blasted his nostril.
But it was more than that. The rush of air across the highway carried the aroma of iron and burnt plastic. Ash, fine as powdered bone, coated the cracked asphalt of what used to be Route 89, creating a desolate, gray, and white landscape. Viktor kept his hands steady, shook off the odor, then closed the vent.
Before he had time to analyze the smell, the armored vehicle flipped and landed on its side. Briefly, he spied the opposite side of the road. An emblem from the special unit team from ICO North Headquarters employed by Benedikt Inhumos.
Apparently, Benedikt had isolated and identified the transport that carried Amos. Alexis and Loomey. His notes. They're Benedikt's puppets. And I've led them straight to Amos, he fumed.
But why kill those inside? Unless...they already suspected.
Instantly, a blinding, violet-white beam of concentrated light pierced the evening gloom, cutting through the rear armored vehicle like a hot needle through wax. The explosion of metal showered the road in sparks and molten steel. Sliding a few inches down the road through the ash, the armored cell came to rest of its side.
Viktor braked hard, his car swerving to avoid hitting the transport.
"Dammit! they've killed Amos" he hissed, hands shaking. Through his rear-view camera, he eyed the prison transport smoking, its side sheared open. Several prisoners quickly piled out, stepping over those injured or dead.
He spun the wheel, accelerating hard, not away from the fight, but toward the wreckage. As he reached the smoke, he threw open the doors.
Pulling the first man hanging halfway out, he'd no idea he'd just rescued the human hybrid he'd been searching for. Amos Goodall.
Dazed and confused, Amos rose, unaware of what just occurred. He recovered quickly, fighting Viktor off thinking, he'd been sent by his older sister, Cunnelda.
Viktor quickly reached into his pock and retrieved the scanner. The vehicle's interior registered normal thermal signatures. Then, he scanned Amos. The device returned a high-energy signature. Before he could speak, Annetta, Julius, and Benetiz rushed to Amos' side, tackling Viktor.
"Please, I'm not here to harm Amos. My name is Viktor Popov, an ICO research scientist searching for the truth. If you all want to live, get in now.
But before they could escape, Julius heard humming overhead. His military experience knew a serious threat had arrived. He pushed Viktor aside, certain he'd no expertise in military combat. Amos and Annetta hid behind him.
"Get to the car, quickly." Julius ordered. His eyes then scoured the cracked asphalt as two soldiers approached, their weapons aimed at him. Behind them a drone's shadow came into focus. Grabbing a piece of the torn metal from the transport, he rushed toward them, breathing in ragged gasps. Surmising the metal was of the same material, he held it high, deflecting the drone's beam, thereby redirecting it back toward them. Bursting into flames the drone fell from the sky.
Next, the soldiers. His expertise in hand combat defeated the soldiers. Successful, he raced back toward Viktor's car.
While Julius was busy with ICO, Benetiz rushed injured prisoners toward the woods, then scrambled back. Both Julius and Benetiz jumped inside.
Viktor veered off the road into the thick brush, fleeing from a now hostile Benedikt whose mission had clearly taken a detour just in time before his reinforcements arrived.
Annetta glanced back, watching ICO soldiers fade behind them, then clutched her brother's arm. His skin shimmered with a faint, metallic sheen before she brushed the smoldering ash from it.
"Amos isn't injured too badly," she reported from the backseat.
"That's enough for now," Viktor replied tersely, only mildly concerned.
"Where are you taking us?" Benetiz queried, not familiar with the area after sundown.
"I've a small, secluded secured warehouse facility two clicks west." Viktor killed the lights before stopping. All exited the car and moved cautiously toward the building. Viktor entered a passcode to gain access.
A petite, comely woman cautiously opened the make-shift laboratory door. "You're late, Viktor. I was beginning to worry."
"The detainment was worth my effort. We'll discuss this more, Vera. Meet Amos Goodall."
[to be continued]
This Chapter 14 of the story series was inspired by a writing prompt in the Worldbuilding Community - Moon Prison Worldbuilding Prompt #1062 - Moon Prison; together with
Freewriting Community Prompts:
5 March 2026, Freewriters Community Daily Writing Prompt Day 3033: domination of a very tiny world;
4 March 2026, Freewriters Community Daily Writing Prompt Day 3032: a dose of something unwelcome;
18 December 2024, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2590: fragment of life
28 January 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2630: implication
26 January 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2628: kick him harder
29 January 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2631: discuss this more
4 february 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2637: mysterious clinic
5 february 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2638: Did you authorise this?
20 february 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2653: survival of the richest
If you'd like to return to the beginning of my series, here are the previous parts:
Part 9: (Uninvited Guests At the Rebellion)
Part 10 (The Unexpected Confrontation)
Part 12: (One In A Hundred Million)
Part 13 (An Unforseen Betrayal)
Good luck everyone with whatever your endeavors.
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SOURCES:
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g) "Flames." What is Apophysis 2.09. https://flam3.com/
1 What is Stable Diffusion? StarryAI.Com. Online at: https://starryai.com/stable-diffusion