The Neon Supremacy part 3

Frenk opened a doorway that hovered over the street, displaying a large, orbital structure. “This is our lab,” he explained to Astra and Shujai, “I thought you might be interested to see what we’ve been working on.” Astra noticed the glowing cylindrical object floating in the middle of the room, roughly the size of a small car. It was black on both ends and silver in the middle. Multi-colored energy crackled around it and before she could ask what it was, Frenk began explaining, “This is our most recent project – a conductor we’ve been working on. It syphons energy from the nebula cloud outside and channels it here in our base. As you know, nebulas have the power to create new stars and can even form the cradle of a new galaxy. A small amount of energy from a nebula can power this space station for a century.”

“That would make it even more powerful than our Dyson Spheres,” Shujai admitted.

“Yes, this break through could lead to warp drives distributed to all Type 2 civilizations.”

“It’s great that you want to help other beings,” Astra added.

“As I said, I’m a Debiarik,” Frenk reminded them, “We pride ourselves on our abilities. We know the responsibility we have to organic races.”

“It’s no wonder the Transcension chose your people to join,” Astra responded happily.

****

A robotic construct outside stood several stories, its twisted metal limbs hanging at its side as thrusters pushed it ominously through space. The Absolute Cypher had completed its task much earlier than expected and the giant clone of Astra Machina had begun moving for reasons unknown to the beings studying it.

The Transcension emerged from the void and began to circle it for closer inspection. Neon shapes swirled around, conveying glimpses of aquatic and amoebic forms. The energy beings were curious to know why the process had ended so quickly and as they read the data from the Absolute Cipher, they discovered something peculiar. Energy flares exploded along their surfaces at once in a terrible display of light. The clone raised her arms and massive amounts of cosmic energy were quickly absorbed into her body, causing her to glow. It was a sudden attack and the Transcension had no time to react before they were drained of much of their power. It was over in an instant, leavings the Transcension in a near-death state, the neon light fading from their inorganic forms.

In the space station nearby, Astra turned away from Frenk and Shujai, staring at the artificial sky. “What is it?,” Shujai asked as he turned in the same direction.

“I just picked up a strange energy surge,” she explained.

“In this region,” Frenk began, “Cosmic flares are common. We’re close to a nebula, after all.”

“I’m also picking up movement…,” she looked at Frenk curiously, “Is the clone ready?”

“I thought I could distract you a bit longer,” there was a disappointed twinge in Frenk’s voice.

A large figure entered the artificial atmosphere and landed in the distance, towering over the building replicas. Astra and Shujai instantly recognized it as her clone, but they hadn’t anticipated its odd behavior. “Astra Machina,” the robot’s voice echoed over the newly generated city, “Look at me and recognize your superior… I am Primus Machina!”

Astra turned to Frenk, “What is this?”

“A necessity,” was all that he said before he vanished into a swiftly disappearing doorway.

Shujai rose into the air, “I’m not sure what’s happening, but this is obviously not a good sign.” “Wait,” Astra formed a jet pack and hovered behind him, “Whatever is going on, I might still be able to learn about my origins.” She flew past Shujai toward the large monstrosity on the horizon. “Astra, listen to me,” Shujai called out as he flew after her.

Outside the city, Frenk exited a doorway hanging diagonally in space and faced the Transcension. They floated in the void limply, too weakened to do much. While they once glowed vibrantly, they were now dull and nearly lifeless. “In case there was any doubt,” Frenk used his containment suit to send a transmission to them, “Yes, I secretly installed a program into the Absolute Cipher and used that to fill the gaps in Astra Machina’s code.” He moved in close, “I wanted your deaths to be swift and as painless as possible,” he told them, “But Astra Machina proved more clever than I expected. Once I eliminate her and her friend, my weapon will return to finish the task.” The small thrusters on his containment suit allowed him to glide toward Antillia, “I suppose you’re wondering why I betrayed you. As you know, when my race first began exploring the known galaxy, we thought we were the supreme beings of the universe. It inspired us. Gave us drive. Most of us began to put aside our destructive nature because we felt we had a responsibility as the most advanced race. Nations that had been at war for centuries agreed to ceasefires and discrimination disappeared over time. Almost collectively, we strove to be better. It created a time of peace, introspection, and exploration as we tried to set an example to lesser worlds. When we met you, many Debiariks questioned their supremacy. Some for the better, but some for the worse. Debates began, which created shifts in philosophy and trust. There are people on my world who are willing to fight to resist your influence. Others demand we hail you as our new rulers. Conflict is inevitable. I’m afraid that, without the proper influence, my people will revert back to the old ways. The dark ages. It pains me to say this but your very existence is… disruptive.”

“Killing us…,” Antillia croaked, “… Won’t prove… anything.”

“You’re wrong,” Frenk told her earnestly, “It will prove you are inferior. Whether people on my world fear you or worship you, we will all eventually forget about you.”

In the simulated city in the distance, Astra flew in close to Primus. She gazed at the distorted visage of herself, taking it all in before speaking. “Is the code complete?,” she asked, “I need to know.” Primus’s hand reached out and snatched Astra in the air. The grip was tight, showing that Primus was far stronger.

“The code has been completed,” Primus told her, “But not in the way you expected.”

Primus slammed her fist into one of the skyscrapers and, despite the simulated nature of the buildings, they were still made of an unknown substance that broke apart once Astra was plunged through the walls. Two floors collapsed and left Astra under a pile of debris and with enough damage that it would take time to recover.

Shujai arrived next and released a beam of bio-energy from his palms. Primus didn’t flinch and the energy dissipated within her. Realizing she was absorbing the attack and potentially getting stronger, Shujai quickly changed course. Primus’s face consisted of twisted lumps of metal but it still seemed she was humored by the attack despite the lack of expression.

“Thanks for the snack,” she swung her massive arm and Shujai was sent over the skyline. In a damaged building below, Astra absorbed some debris to repair herself and increase her size. She formed thrusters along her back and heels, then shot into the air; her fist puffed up several sizes and she stretched her arm several feet while also forming thrusters along the wrist. Her attack landed with several tons of force but she merely bounced off the side of Primus’s head like a fly hitting a window.

“There’s nothing you can do against me. That should have already been apparent,” Primus told her.

“I just need to know about my origin,” Astra said pleadingly as she continued to hover.

“I know as much as you do.”

“I’ll see for myself.”

Tendrils shot out of Astra’s body in an attempt at an override. In the past, it wasn’t difficult to take hold over alien technology, whether it belonged to the Skaleens or the U’ntatri. This time was different. Her tendrils could not penetrate Primus’s shell. Instead, she received feedback for her troubles which briefly disrupted her sensors, causing great disorientation. She continued to hover as she checked her systems. “How many ways do I have to prove my superiority?,” Primus roared. In an instant, Astra felt drained of energy. Her thrusters gave out and she plummeted hundreds of feet to the ground below. Despite the added mass, the impact broke through her outer armor and left her in her original form. She was badly damaged and almost completely bereft of power. In an attempt to regain power, she began gathering ambient energy from her surroundings as Primus loomed overhead. “Poor little bug,” she said, “You went looking for answers but only found destruction. Maybe it was for the best you never found out.” She raised her foot and the large shadow blotted out all light. And as Primus brought her heel down, a blur of motion quickly whisked Astra out of harm’s way.

Shujai carried her through the air to safety as a metal boot slammed into the ground behind him. The impact kicked up debris and created a shockwave that struck them from behind. They spun into the air, then bounced off the corner of a building before Shujai righted himself. Primus slapped another skyscraper, sending tons of debris into the street. Shujai flew around falling slabs and Astra used what little energy she could to form lasers to blast away the chunks that got too close. “London Bridge is falling down,” Primus kicked a leg up, sending thousands of tons into the air. Shujai flew in low in hopes she would lose sight of them and darted in a zig-zag pattern to avoid the debris. With the buildings toppling over, Primus soon lost track of them and they zipped down an alley before coming to a stop to allow Astra time to regain her strength.

In space, Frenk watched the attack on a monitor with the Transcension floating behind him. He was angry that Primus was taking her time and wondered if he programmed her to be too sadistic. Disgusted by the display, he turned off the monitor and pondered his actions. Perhaps this was further proof of the failings of his race. They hadn’t yet fully evolved into energy beings and he blamed any and all wrong doings on the small biological components that remained. It was a transitional state in their evolution. If he could maintain the illusion that they were the dominant race in the universe, any future wars or oppression could be avoided. And while he knew that his superiors would hold him accountable and put him on trial for the murder of the Transcension, he surmised the story would still get out that one Debiarik killed beings they thought were nearly gods. He was sure it would reignite their sense of power, ugly as it was. If anything, his vile act would inspire his people to double their efforts pursuing a moral path. He was willing to be a demon if it meant their salvation.

In the city, Astra sat against a fake-brick wall and while she had physically recovered, she still had much to process, “I was used to build a weapon.”

“It would appear so,” Shujai stood at the entrance to the alley and kept watch for the massive robot.

“Why won’t people just leave me alone?”

“Because they want what you have,” Shujai told her, “Jealousy, greed, fear, hatred… they are all very palpable. It leads evil people to target those who are exceptional.”

“Sometimes I wonder why you choose to protect people in worlds that can be so ugly,”

Shujai thought for a moment, “I know no other way to be. I was born and genetically designed to be a protector and that’s what I am, even if it wasn’t quite in the way my people wanted. With you, it’s different. You choose to help others.”

“I’m not so sure. I think I do that because I befriended people like my friends, Wally and Kim. That thing out there is what I would’ve been otherwise.”

“Nonsense,” Shujai barked, “It’s clear Primus Machina has been corrupted. Programmed for death and destruction. You were never programmed for anything. You simply exist. You’re unburdened by any set of rules, which makes you the true entity.”

“Are you sure of that?”

He met her eye line, “Look at me. I was born and bred to be a soldier, to take orders without question. I eventually broke free of that. My true nature has been slowly emerging. I think, even if you were programmed incorrectly, you would have changed as well.”

“And maybe Primus can change too?”

“Perhaps? She is partially you, after all.”

Above, Primus stomped through the city, peering through every street and alley, “You know I have a number of sensors that could find you in a second, but this is more fun,” her voice boomed over the cityscape, “I guess I like childish little games. Maybe we’re more alike than I thought.”

Astra shook her head while listening to her ominous voice, “She’s so much more powerful. She has a complete code. Even if Frenk was the one who programmed it.”

“That doesn’t matter. You have a spirit she doesn’t. Use it. We can find a way to win. This station is filled with technology far more advanced than anything we’ve ever seen. There has to be a weapon of some sort that can help us.”

Just then, a holographic window opened in front of them. A smaller version of Antillia appeared. “Astra, … are you there?,” she asked weakly.

“Why are you doing this?,” Astra demanded.

“Not us… Frenk betrayed the Transcension… Need help.”

A doorway opened and the two of them saw open space where the Transcension remained. They noticed that the beings no longer had the glow they once did. Before any questions could be asked; Frenk floated into view. “Calling for help, I see,” he raised both gauntlets and twin blasts shot out of the portal. Astra and Shujai ducked out of the way and the shots punched through the wall behind them. When the opposite side of the building exploded, it got Primus’s attention. She turned in the direction of the explosion and used telescopic vision to find the source. “I see you!,” she said mockingly and moved to their location.

“Through the doorway!,” Shujai shouted as they heard massive footsteps getting closer, “There’s no time.”

Astra and Shujai leapt toward the open portal leading to space. Frenk quickly moved to block them in an attempt to keep them within the simulated city. Above, Primus raised a giant hand and a dome of energy quickly expanded inside her palm.

The blast was the equivalent of a nuclear assault. The floating city went up in an explosive globe, leaving nothing behind.

Continued…