Chapter 19
"Would you like anything else, Zev? Pancakes perhaps," Anna quickly adds.
"Nothing, Doc," Zev says with a smile. "As always, I enjoyed the meal. Thank you for your kindness," he says with another smile and slight nod.
Dishes kathunk together as Anna hurriedly removes them from the table, quickly turning away from her friend -- the lump within her throat growing bigger with each passing second. She could only hope that Zev hasn't sensed just how worried she really was.
With a mighty effort Anna manages, just barely, to keep her emotions under control. "You be careful," Anna quietly says -- her voice threatening to break at any moment. "I want you back here in one piece. Understand?"
"I'll do my best, Doc. You know that I'm going to want some more of your .. home cooking, I believe you call it." Zev smiles at his obviously worried friend.
"Take care," Anna softly says.
"I'll do that, Doc," Zev says with a smile and nod. "I'll see you when I see you."
With the slowest of kreeeeks the rear door opens. "I'm going to have to get that fixed," Anna quietly says.
"I'll be careful, Doc. I promise." With a wink Zev lifts into the early morning air.
A lone figure silently streaks southward toward the dark, churning clouds gathering over Neon City.
Lt. Herald Williams, one of the pilots to chase and ultimately loose an unknown close to Neon City a day, two or three ago, carefully reads the news' article on page two once again -- at last realizing just what he had been after; maybe. According to the article, a woman claimed to have been saved from the Neon City Slasher by a man that could fly. Williams quietly manipulated the paper into a neat, tight roll -- tossing it gently into a nearby, recycling bin. --Kathunk-- He momentarily pauses by the gray bin -- silently contemplating what he had just read. I wonder if she could have been on something during that interview. But still...
He quietly compares what she said had happened with what he had seen on his radar screen. Difficult to believe? -- Absolutely. But he had to admit that what the woman had said could account for the bogie which he had chased the other night. In due course he decides that it would be in his best interest to keep his mouth shut -- leaving the story where it now resided.
Bathed in the earliest of morning light, and buffeted by a storm driven wind from the Atlantic, a solitary figure arrives unnoticed amongst the massive buildings of the great city. Gaining altitude against the strengthening wind the darkened figure climbs higher into the sky. Seconds later he holds his position against the storm winds whipping about the tallest of Neon's buildings.
As per their plan, Zev calmly awaits the HP (holographic projection) which will guide his high speed passes over the city. He believes that, after due consultation with his QI, that the grid which will be laid down should allow QI's scans to cover the entire city -- hopefully locating their target.
"I don't understand it," exclaims QI's obviously frustrated and dejected host. "We've been aaall over this city. And there's no way that that thing could've hidden from your scans. Maybe it's really gone."
"I am afraid that that is most likely an ill conceived assumption, Zev. When it disappeared within the forest I did not detect enough residual energy to indicate an off world transport. I would therefore have to assume that the Vole is still here, and has either found a way to nullify my scans, or is not within the confines of this city at this time."
Zev says nothing -- glumly peering at the vast city which surrounds him.
"If the creature's past activities are any indication, I would strongly suspect that it is most likely still within this general area."
Zev nods in grudging agreement -- dejectedly eyeing the city beneath him once more. "As usual, your reasoning is sound, buddy. Do you have any other ideas," he hopefully asks.
"We could try expanding our search area. But of course that shall take several more hours," QI warns.
"I'm up for that ----- I'm thinking five complete circuits around the city, spaced maybe two miles apart. If we don't locate the Vole after that ... maybe he really has left this area."
"Perhaps. But I would not count on that scenario," replies QI cautiously. "Hmm. For the second time my Host has mentioned that the Vole may have vacated this area. I begin to wonder if he does in fact wish to find this creature. Perhaps his nerve is not as strong as I at first believed it to be."
Leaving his sloping perch behind, Zev floats into the air. Whoosh! The eastern side of the city would be beneath him within seconds now.
"Are you ready, QI?"
"Affirmative, my Host."
Zev turns northward -- envying his QI; for it is he that shall be busy for the next few hours. Flying the proper routes are going to be ---------- borrrrrrrrrrrrrring!
Man o man. QI's got doubts about Zev ... Zevs got doubts about himself. The only one around that's showin any kind o confidence is the Vole -- and that ain't good for anyone. I dunno about you folks, but I'm thinkin that things ain't lookin too good right about now for the home team.
Chapter Twenty
Malevolent, black, cold eyes quietly observe the main ranch compound from the high branches of a massive, nearby pine tree. The creature fights against its natural urge to kill -- remaining where it is; for the one which it seeks has not yet been seen. Besides, killing all of those below could prove to be counterproductive.
The creature reasons that if the Quantum Man lives here among these people he may well have formed some sort of an attachment to them. And if this is indeed the case, then the people below not only can be used to draw him here but also serve as leverage to be used against him.
Unbeknownst to those gathered at the main ranch compound they are an unwitting partner to the Vole's fiendish plan. After a brief moment of silence to remember those of their number which had recently been killed, they all help themselves to BBQ steaks, baked beans and potato salad..........
The color drains from Jackson Hole's face as quickly as water through a massive drain. Trying to act as casual as his trembling body will allow, he slowly turns away, grabbing the back of his chair in a vain attempt to steady himself. He can only hope that the creature doesn't realize that he has seen it.
"Good. One of those below has seen me," the creature thinks with satisfaction. "I shall remain here a while longer, savoring the fear which shall surely grow and spread within them."
"Jackson, what is it," asks an alarmed Anna. "You look as if you've just seen a ghost."
"Don't look behind you, Doc," the ashen faced older man gasps. "Just .. try an act ... natural," he stammers.
"What's wrong,"Anna frantically demands.
Mouth as dry as the desert on a Summer's day, Jackson gathers himself -- trying hard to control the shakes and fear which threaten to overwhelm him. "We've got company," he says, his voice now nothing more than the hoarsest of whispers. "Up in the big pine," he gasps. "It's . it's terrible." Gasp. I've never seen anything like it in my life."
Anna Lewis, shaking and now as pale as her foreman, turns to gaze behind her. Jackson roughly grabs her shoulders -- holding her in place.
"Don't look, Doc," he gasps. "I ah . I . I can't think straight. Ah . how many rifles ya got here?"
Fighting the terror which grips her mind, Anna desperately tries to think -- to fight the fear which threatens to overwhelm her -- to simply remember. "Three -- I think. But they're all inside," she hoarsely replies.
"Loaded?"
"No," she slowly shakes her head -- the fear gripping her almost too much for her to bear.
"All right then," Jackson says -- trying mightily to calm himself... He fails; for his shaking body seems to have a mind of its own. "I ah, I want you to try and stay as calm as you can, honey," he says, knowing full well what he asks will be nigh on impossible. "Get to the house; load those rifles and bring as much ammo as you can out here." Jackson's eyes flick first left and then right. "There," he quietly says. "I figure our best bet is that steel reinforced, concrete shed over there," the older man says with an almost imperceptible nod toward the recently constructed storage building.
With a shaking hand Dr. Lewis pats Jackson on his shoulder and laughs as best she can. With trembling knees which she can only hope don't give way on her, Anna walks, as in a nightmare, toward her home.
With black as ink, cold, hunter/killer eyes, the Vole calmly watches the female as she heads toward the nearby, wooden structure. "Yes," thinks the creature. "Her body language gives her away. She now knows of my presence and is most likely going to retrieve what passes upon this world as weapons. At least their noise should help draw the Quantum Man here." The creature's eyes slide smoothly away from the group. "There, the smaller structure to the right -- upon the boundary of the compound -- most likely reinforced in some manner -- is where they shall take refuge from my coming onslaught."
The Vole calmly watches as the older man begins to circulate amongst the still seated men -- watching with great satisfaction as their body language changes immediately after the older man has moved on to the next person. Naturally, they try to act -- as if nothing is out of the ordinary -- but the Vole can easily see the fear which permeates the very fiber of their being; for it has killed too often; for too many years; to mistake what it sees now.
The killing time rapidly approaches. The Vole must now restrain himself only moments longer; for even as its blood lust grows, it knows that by days end not only will all those below be dead, but the Quantum Man himself, shall no longer be among the living of this world.
Anna rips the three Winchester rifles from the gun rack upon the wall. Using all the will power which she possesses, she forces her pale, shaking hands to load each weapon. More than once the shells which she tries to slide into each rifle slip from her fingers -- flipping, popping loudly upon the wooden floor ..... At last, an eternity it seems, she has them all loaded.
Raked by shaking hands, cartridge boxes fly wildly from their perches -- thumping loudly as they pound the bottom of the canvas bag which Anna has hanging about her shoulder. Her eyes race over the empty shelves. What she carries will either do the job ..... She whirls, frantically racing for the door -- her emotions overwhelming her; for try as she might, she cannot force her legs to slow down as she hurdles through the door, rifles in hand.
Bang!The door slams against the wall of the front porch as Anna bolts from the house -- racing headlong toward the nearby men.
Bang!Dark as night, unblinking eyes watch the female race toward the nearby men. ----- The killing time had finally arrived. Death for those below -- minutes away. A vicious, bloodthirsty smile crosses the Vole's face. The destruction of the Quantum Man begins now.
The massive, three hundred year old pine violently shakes as the Vole launches itself toward the frightened and confused mass below.
Dr. Lewis tosses the first rifle to William Jefferson, a black, tough as nails, retired Marine. After his life in the Corps all that he had wanted was a quiet retirement. Recent events had unfortunately overtaken and all but destroyed that wish.
"Jackson!"
"Got it!"
The bag of spare ammo slides easily from Anna's right shoulder -- Thud.
Cheklack -- Anna smoothly chambers a round as she turns to face the horror before her -- unconsciously closing ranks with her two friends.
Trembling hands close about the rough, canvas straps of the ammo bag. Martin Stickson, the youngest of the ranch hands, pulls the bag from the ground and then forces himself, with a will which he did not know he had, to move and remain close behind Anna and the two armed men.
"The rest of you get over to the shed," screams Anna. "We'll try and hold it here!"
With a loud whump and cloud of dust the Vole lands some thirty or so yards distant, just beyond the tree line.
"The rest of you get over to the shed," screams Anna. "We'll try and hold it here!"
Kablau! Kablau! Kablau!
The crack of exploding shells echo throughout the near-by mountains -- their steel cased rounds sending small puffs of dust erupting from the creature's hide as they slam home.
"I don't get it, Doc," Jefferson angrily exclaims.
"Neither do I, William!" Kablau! It; it doesn't seem as if we can hurt it! It almost seems as if it wants us to shoot it!"
Sensing hesitation within the minds of those which it faces -- something which it cannot tolerate if its plan is to succeed, the Vole decides that a modification of its plan of attack must be made -- even if that means that some of those before it must be killed now, rather than later.
With a speed belying its massive size, the creature races toward a small pickup just to its left. Ssssssscrape! Whoosh! ....
"Watch it!" Yells Jackson.
The small group scatters -- Krrrunch!! Kerrrasch!! Spin!! Roll!! -- barely avoiding the wildly spinning/rolling vehicle.....
"Everyone! Behind us! Get behind us!" Screams Anna with a wave of her left arm ... "Stay behind us!" She yells as she, Jackson Hole and William Jefferson once again bring the muzzle of their rifles to bear on the snarling beast before them.
Kablau! Kablau! Kablau! Kablau!
Round after round, each powerful enough to bring down the largest of animals in the surrounding mountains, find their mark -- to no avail.
Fighting her fear and her racing heart, Anna continues to fire at the creature before her. -- seconds pass -- Tears of frustration, and sadness stream down her face; for she realizes that their best efforts have not been good enough -- that this is the last day that she will ever see her beloved ranch. Their only hope now was Zev, and he was somewhere over Neon City, too far away to do them any good.
The Vole allows a bloodthirsty smile to cross its lips; for it now had what it so desperately wanted; noise. It decides to press its attack -- to ensure that the noise from their weapons would continue. Razor sharp, eight inch claws silently slide into view as the creature moves deliberately toward the horrified group before it.
"Everyone," Anna shouts, "Get to the shed! Get to the shed!"
"Are you people f$^&(# crazy? I ain't gonna git trapped in no shed, I'm outta here," screams a local delivery man.
VIP! Kerack! Two steps later the man falls dead -- victim of a streaking rock to the back of his head.
The shed!! Get to the shed!!!
Zev quietly basks in the late afternoon sun atop Magnificent Towers, Neon Cities' tallest building. Dejectedly he looks westward, toward this world's late afternoon star, bemoaning his bad luck. "Well, if the Vole was here, it's gone now," he says, his voice betraying his inner disappointment. "I couldn't even begin to guess where we should try next, buddy."
"I as well find that I am at a loss to explain why we have been unable to locate the ........"
Zev intently listens -- hearing nothing. As the seconds pass he finds the silence within his mind quite unsettling; for it is as if his QI no longer resided there.
"QI? You still there, buddy," he worriedly asks.
"We need altitude immediately, Zev," QI urges, his voice tinged with worry.
"Whew," Zev breaths a sigh of relief. "I thought that I had lost you there for a minute. What's going....."
"We need more altitude, Zev. Now!!"
Whoosh!!
"Enough," barks QI. "We have achieved sufficient height for my purposes." Zev's headlong rush skyward grinds to an immediate halt. As he fights against the storm driven winds rising from the city beneath him the tension within his mind grows; for the urgency within his QI's voice was unmistakable.
"All right, QI; what's going on," Zev demands.
"An immediate return to the ranch is warranted; for I am detecting the discharge of weapons within its general vicinity. At this time our distance is too great to make any further determinations."
Whoosh! Zev rockets over the concrete giant, northward.
"Are you able to visualize the HP, Zev?"
"I have it," comes his rushed reply. "Adjusting my heading now," he says, the dread within him growing with each passing second. Although the HP isn't very large, given the scale of this presentation, the directional line takes agonizing seconds to crawl across the map ....... at long last it turns orange.
"At this time I can confirm that the origin of the firing is definitely within close proximity to the ranch." Pause. "I now realize why we have not been able to find the Vole within the city, Zev," QI says, his voice oozing with self loathing and dread. "The incident the other day with the rock was no accident. The Vole was testing you ..."
"And I passed ..." Zev grimly says.
"With flying colors. But I find that I must bear some of the responsibility; for I was otherwise occupied during that time period. If I had not been so intent upon my task I would have scanned the creature ... But I failed to be as alert as I should have been. Perhaps we both belong together.
I believe that your attack the other night served to confirm the Vole's suspicions that a Quantum Man might be upon this world. It put two and two together, so to speak, and quickly realized that the ranch of Dr. Lewis was a likely location to begin its search for you."
"Are there any returns indicating that the Vole is near the ranch?"
"At the present time our location is still too distant for any detailed readings. But I shall have a definitive answer for you, one way or the other, shortly."
Zev streaks northeastward toward the cities boundary -- the buildings beneath him blurring into amorphous gray shapes of concrete. As the seconds pass the concrete blur of the city flashes into the distance, giving way to the dark green of the forest. Zev knows that the ranch and his friends are now only moments away.
"I have confirmation. The Vole's ETS is located within the ranch compound ... I believe that it is there seeking you, Zev."
"I am still detecting the discharge of weapons; a situation which I find strange; for I believe that the Vole should have killed those at the ranch by this time."
"It's using the sound of their weapons ... and my friendship with those at the ranch, to draw me there," Zev flatly replies.
"An astute observation, my host. Unfortunately; I find that I must agree with your conclusions, Zev," QI grimly replies.
"And I can guarantee you, its about to get just what it wants; big time."
"Mr. Zypher, you are requested at Cubicle 100, sir," announces the Command Center's address system excitedly.
Zypher's smiling face pops around the cubicle's door frame. "What's shakin, Argon," he asks with a pat on the door frame.
"Stal has finally located the Vole and is closing on its location, sir," reports the tech matter-of-factly. "Do you think he has a chance, sir," asks Argon in a distracted sort of way; for his work load had just increased greatly.
Zypher's smile disappears as quickly as a snowflake on a hot stove -- his face now a mask of intense worry. As he enters the cubicle he sighs deeply with a slow shake of his head. "To be honest with you, son; I dunno. What's his concentration level," he asks with no small amount of trepidation.
"I'm afraid that its only seventy eight percent, sir," replies Argon quietly.
"That's his maximum?!" Zypher asks, the disbelief within his voice evident. "By all that's Holy, I would have sworn that it had to have been more than that," he quietly says -- the worry upon his face and within his voice deepening.
"Yes, sir. I'm afraid that it is, sir. Seventy Eight percent is the Academy's cut-off point. Anything below that and he couldn't have graduated, sir."
"Damn," exclaims Zypher. "I realize that the Ancient One knows a whole hell of a lot more than I do; but sending Stal to that world with that level of concentration may not of have been one of the best moves He's ever made." Zypher worridly shakes his head as the knot within his stomach tightens. "I ah, I honestly don't know if he can beat that f&($%r with that level of concentration, Argon. ..... Butchya gotta give the kid credit. He ain't even thinkin about his concentration levels right about now."
Argon smiles as he cuts Zypher a quick look. "It's all about helping those people that need him, sir."
Zypher nods -- returning Argon's smile with one of his own. "It sure the hell is."
The forest canopy blurs as it hurtles toward him.
"You're giving up an awful lot of altitude and energy, Zev."
"I realize that, QI; but I'm hoping that if we come in just over the tops of these trees we can surprise the thing. With any luck at all we should be able to hit it before it knows we're here."
"A sound strategy; given the fact that the Vole is one, tough muther."
Zev smoothly shallows his screaming dive mere feet above the forest's canopy. "I need to see what's going on at the ranch," he frantically demands.
A ghostly image of the activity at the ranch, replete with directional vectors, fluctuating speed indicators, artificial horizons, etc. floats into existence. Within seconds Zev is horribly aware of why the ranch had grown ominously quiet; for displayed before him was the image of a killing machine of massive bulk ripping and tearing its way through the steel reinforced, concrete shed at the ranch. He could see one person laying on the ground; dead -- someone he didn't recognize. He could only hope that Doc Lewis, Jackson Hole and the others had managed to escape -- fat chance; for the creature's rage was directed at something within the shed that he couldn't see.
"Doctor Lewis and the others are within the smallish structure, Zev."
The report which he had just received from his QI had just confirmed his worse fear. His last bit of hope that his friends had escaped -- crushed from him.
It would not be long now before the Vole managed to tear its way into the shed; for its claws had already ripped and sent flying, massive chunks of concrete and rebar from the building's wall.
"Everyone back," screams Anna with a forceful wave of her hand. "Get as far back as you can! We'll try and hold it as long as possible!"
Quickly pivoting Anna joins Jackson Hole and William Jefferson in front of the small group at the rear of the shed. Focusing, as best her fear would allow, all of her attention on the shed's forward wall, she hears the terrible roaring and the constant, machine-like, ripping, pounding and tearing of what little concrete now separates them from the horror on the other side. "And the guy who sold me this thing said it could stand up to anything," Anna thinks with a fear driven laugh -- most likely the last one she'd ever have.
Although she realizes that their efforts at stopping the thing will most likely end in failure, she silently vows that she will give as many a chance for survival as she can before the monster kills her. "Before the thing kills me? Now that almost sounds abstract, distant somehow. Like I'm watching a movie on demand," she thinks. A smallish piece of reinforced concrete, the first so far, flies into the shed. Anna licks her dry lips as she slowly readies her rifle. "It's close now Martin. You stay close to me, you hear," Anna says. She could only hope that her voice didn't show the fear which threatened to overwhelm her.
"I'll.....I'll try Ma'am."
"Don't try, son. Do it! Understood?"
"Yes, sir, Mr. Jefferson. I will, sir."
"Atta boy," shouts the black man with a strong nod. "We're gonna need that extra ammo pretty f#$@%^ quick."
The sounds of reinforced concrete being ripped, pounded, and torn to bits mix with the creature's earsplitting screams of blood rage to fill the interior of the small shed. The more the Vole rips and tears at the shed the greater its rage becomes until it has all but forgotten its original plan; for now all that it cares about is ripping everyone within the shed apart.
The three who wield the weapons within the shed try as best they can to steady themselves -- no easy task; for even William Jefferson has to fight hard to control his shaking. He is certain that even during his tours in Viet Nam he had never been as scared as his is now.
"Everyone, get ready," Anna yells. "It's coming through! .. It's in....."
WHOOSH!!
In a blur of motion the creature abruptly disappears.
"Wha? What happened, Jackson," Anna stammers.
The dumbfounded older man shakes his head in confusion. "I ah, I dunno, Doc! It looked like .. ahhh .. the thing just flew straight up."
Everyone inches forward . ever . so . slowly. Seconds later several pale, stunned faces appear -- cautiously gazing through the shed's mostly destroyed front wall.
...
Zev streaks in low over the forest canopy. Clearing the tree line he dives for the deck. Fractions of a second later he is once again screaming forward at waist height -- his target clearly visible, ahead and to his right.
Wham!!!
Slamming head long into the Vole's muscular back Zev drives the struggling creature skyward; through the gathering clouds of the approaching storm. ----- But the Vole is a very powerful adversary who quickly recovers from the unexpected attack.
Powerful muscles twist and jerk violently -- fighting against the sudden attack -- ripping their way free of the startled young man's grasp -- sending the killing machine plunging toward the people below.
"I .. I'm sorry, QI; I .. I couldn't hold him, buddy," gasps the shocked young man; for nothing in his experience had prepared him for an adversary with the strength of this creature.
"Don't worry about it; just get after him."
Whoosh!
"You must put aside your fear. You must concentrate. The lives of those below depend on your efforts, Zev."
"I .. understand, buddy." As he races Earthward through the gathering clouds; for the first time Zev truly understands what may be asked of him upon this world. And that he was certain that he would do what was necessary to protect those below.
Argon leans his head outside of his cubicles' doorway. "Mr. Zypher, I need you in here, sir! Stal has just engaged the Vole, sir," the Watch Tech ominously adds.
"Understood," comes the disembodied voice from the massive facility. Seconds later Zypher stands behind Argon's chair. "Contact Teacher Lazarous -- let him know that it's begun," he grimly says.
"Yes sir. And what about Stal's family, sir," Argon asks, his head upturned toward the older man standing just behind his chair.
Zypher quickly ponders the question with a thoughtful rub upon a chin which bears the scars from his distant and dangerous past. "With the work load increasing as it would now, two or three other people would only get in the way, unnecessarily complicating things. On the other hand, Stal was their son long before he had come under my command." "Not at this time, Argon. Just stand ready on that."
"Will do, sir."
Anna and her friends pour out of the ruined shed as ants from a disturbed hill. Looking skyward their brief respite is destroyed -- their horror rekindled; for they see and hear the enraged, roaring Vole, arms and legs flailing, falling towards them.
As Anna hopefully scanned the nearby sky her eyes grew even wider; for streaking after the Vole was a small, maroon clad figure. "Come on, Zev," she thinks. But her elation over seeing her friend was short lived; for the creature, even at the distance of several hundred yards, looked awfully powerful and a great deal larger than her friend.
WHUMP!!
The massive creature slams into the Earth near the stunned group, sending a dust cloud skyward -- stirred by the stiffening breeze. Smallish tremors race from the epicenter of the impact -- shaking the nearby ground.
"That kain't be, Doc. That things a gettin up!!"
"I'm afraid it can, Jimmy. That things not done by a long shot," replies Anna -- her voice filled with dread.
"The Vole has not been damaged significantly by the impact, Zev," warns QI.
"I'll soon fix that!" Zev increases his speed -- hoping to end the conflict quickly with a single, massive blow to his larger opponent.
Whoossssssssssssssh!!
The Vole shakes its massive, tooth filled head -- slowly pushing itself upwards from the smallish crater surrounding it.
Wham!
Zev plows feet first into the creature's massive back -- pounding it into the ground – smashing the breath from its massive chest -- violently throwing Zev to one side of the creature.
"Who the hell is that," exclaims Jackson Hole.
"That's gotta be the same guy who rescued that women I saw on TV! You know; I told ya about him, Jackson. I think she called him; Quantum Man," replies an excited Zim Feldspar.
"He's real??" The flustered, older man blurts out.
"You betcha," shouts an ecstatic, Jimmy Bungalow.
"Quantum Man? Ain't easy to say like, Superman. But. Yeah! Kick that things ass man," screams the ex Marine.
"You tell em, William," yells Bungalow.
Zev attempts to clear his head with a gentle shake. His effort proves to be too little too late.
Wham!
A spray of blood mists the surrounding air as a vicious backhand to the face sends the creature's smaller opponent flying.
Whump!
Zev crashes to Earth -- the taste of fresh blood filling his mouth. He spits -- blood splatters against the nearby dirt. Thankfully his chips are working as they should; for within seconds the jagged cut is closed. Rolling into a crouching position Zev angrily eyes his murderous adversary.
"Ssssso," hisses the Vole. "You are the Quantum Man for this world," its deep voice mocking Zev's efforts so far. "I believe that whoever sent you," the creature jabs its massive forefinger toward Zev, "has made a serious error in judgment. They should have sent someone capable of doing the job here, not the runt of the litter." Snickering laugh.
Ignoring the Vole's taunting, Zev rakes a cloud of dirt into the creature's face -- partially hiding his attack. In a flash he rockets towards the Vole's midsection, a tactic seemingly anticipated by the larger creature; for it easily side steps the attempted attack.
To his credit, Zev anticipates the anticipation of the Vole. Braking instantly as he flashes past the creature he delivers a vicious kick to its back. Realizing that he temporarily has the upper hand against his stumbling opponent, he presses his advantage by reversing his momentum and racing toward his off balance opponent.
The creature counter attacks exactly as expected.
WHUW!!
With a backwards bend, something which would surely have drawn the envy of a contortionist, our hero barely avoids the creature's massive fist as it rips past his upturned face. Once again Zev has gained the precious seconds which he needed.
Wham!
A brutal kick slams into the underside of the creature's jaw -- viciously snapping its head backwards -- sending it reeling.
"All right," yells Jimmy Bungalow with a brutal clap of his hands. "That guy's kicking that thing's ass, Mr. Jefferson."
The assessment of the capabilities of Zev's opponent takes the retired soldier mere seconds. "Maybe Jimmy," he cautiously says. "Before ya get too f%$#@% happy, ya better take a look at that thing's size and strength -- and the way it moves. No; that things one .. tough .. muther, Jimmy. With a lot of skills."
With a loud whump the massive frame of the Vole lands amidst a cloud of dust -- its frantic struggles to regain its balance giving Zev the confidence needed to to press his attack.
His imagined advantage disappears as quickly as it had appeared; for to his dismay the creature easily regains his balance. "And there," Jefferson says with a nod, "ya see what I was talkin about. See how it moves?" The ex Marine slowly shakes his head. "I'm afraid that that man out there may not be doin as well as you think he is, Jimmy."
Too late Zev realizes just how quick and agile the Vole's massive and powerful frame truly is.
With a smooth, quick pivot the creature blends its motion perfectly with its adversary's streaking momentum. One word fills Zev's mind. "Sucker!"
Powerful hands lock about Zev's right arm and leg. Centuries of experience enable the creature to combine his great strength with the speed of his smaller opponent into a spin which Zev cannot overcome.
The world about him blurs into a single mass of brown and green color -- a single bit of red flashing into view as the barn races toward him at sickening speed.
Try as he might his efforts to overcome his momentum and avoid the looming barn are to no avail. Whap! Krack! Pop! Boards splinter; smashed to bits as Zev twists -- cart wheeling his way through the barn's front wall. Fractions of a second later two steel support poles lay snapped and twisted upon the barn's floor. Kerrrak! Smash! -- Wood splinters, exploding outward from the barn's rear wall.
Zev crash/rolls to a stop upon the hard packed ground near the barn's shattered, rear wall. Desperately gasping for breath, he winces against an intense, shooting pain racing from his left side. From his days at the Academy he instantly recognizes the feeling of either cracked or broken ribs. Either way; he knows that he must recover quickly; for the Vole will most certainly waste no time. The creature will be coming for him very soon.
"Concentration level, Argon," anxiously barks Zypher.
"It's dropped. It's now down to seventy five percent, sir" replies Argon apprehensively.
Zypher briefly ponders the report. "That's only four points. Not too bad."
"Do you think he'll recover those lost points, sir?"
"I wish I knew, Argon," cautiously replies Zypher. "But whether he does or not, the kid's giving it one hell of a good try," he says with a nod -- the admiration upon his face apparent. He should've used his shields," he quietly says -- wondering if Stal was indeed the correct choice for such a violent world.
Kathoom! Splinters, planking, whatever was left of the barn's rear wall explodes. Zev throws his hand upwards -- instinctively shielding his eyes from the the remnants of the wall. His worst fear had just been realized; for he stares into the pitiless, blackness of the Vole's eyes.
Forcing himself to his feet as quickly as possible he steadies himself. His chips are indeed working, doing their job -- the pain within his side has been reduced to a manageable level now.
Two energy pulses streak toward the charging Vole -- exploding harmlessly against the charging creature's chest. "Not enough time to focus my mind," Zev angrily berates himself. "Shields are useless -- not enough time for activation. Why didn't I use them earlier? Maybe I was a poor choice after....."
"Argh!"
A jackhammer-like backhand slams into injured ribs -- sending the creature's smaller opponent flying. With a sprawling/ rolling thump, Zev crashes back to Earth in sight of those by the shed ... Fighting the pain raging within his side he slowly forces himself off of the ground.
HAAAAAAROAR !!!! A blood curdling roar tears its way through the surrounding forest. Seconds later the creature charges around the barn's corner -- its murderous eyes locked on its smaller adversary. Zev steadied himself, firming his mental focus for the coming assault. Steadying his ribs with his left arm he raises his right hand, concentrates and fires.
KATHOOM! KATHOOM!
Pulse after burning pulse explodes against the charging behemoth -- to no effect; for the Vole pays no attention to its burned skin -- using the pain to drive it onward -- to just ...keep ... coming.
"He can't stop that thing; can he Doc," asks Jackson Hole -- the disbelief and sorrow within his voice evident.
As the tears begin to stream down Anna's face she slowly shakes her head, choking out her quiet reply. "I don't think so, Jackson." She was watching her friend being pounded to death and there was nothing that she or anyone else could do about it.
In hopes of a quick kill the creature races wildly at his smaller opponent. Zev gathers what strength he could and pivots, slamming his fist into the creatures back -- sending it careening forward out of control. Instead of pursuing his adversary Zev decides to use his brief respite to re-focus his mind.
"I need to see his concentration level," Zypher urgently demands.
Argon's fingers fly over a series of buttons -- each answering his light touch with a quiet pop. "After a low of seventy percent it made a small rebound and is now holding at seventy three point five, sir."
"How is QM Stal doing within this conflict?" Asks a voice within the minds of both men.
"Teacher Lazarous, I'm glad that you could come. Stal is putting up a good fight, sir," replies the Watch Controller, the worry within his voice apparent.
"And his concentration level?"
"It's presently holding at approximately seventy three percent. That's a three percent improvement from a moment ago, sir," replies Zypher in business-like fashion.
The ancient teacher quickly scans what has transpired so far -- his pride at how his young pupil has performed thus far welling up within his heart; for he knows that Zev is trying with every fiber of his being. But given the present situation he cannot afford to be anything but a realist; and as such he knows that his pupil's injuries are beginning to mount. "Mr. Zypher, please ask QM Stal's family to report here," he solemnly says.
The older man grimly nods. "Yes sir," he quietly replies.
The Vole quickly recovers .. and charges. Steadying his throbbing ribs with his left arm, Zev forces himself to wait, ignoring the pounding footsteps of his massive adversary -- intently watching the creature's movements as it hurtles his way.
"Physical condition too degraded for shields -- and my pulses -- useless. I'll have to beat this thing," gasp, beat this thing with one hand and my feet; maybe my knees. He forces himself to wait -- to wait until the creature is almost upon him.
Vipp!!
A massive blur of steel-like muscle and bone rips harmlessly by -- missing the head of the Vole's smaller opponent by fractions of an inch. Countering immediately Zev delivers a powerful kick squarely to the side of the Vole's right knee – the earsplitting roars of pain and rage from the creature's massive chest ripping their way through the surrounding forest.
"That had to have hurt the thing;" Zev's tired mind thinks as he struggles to fill his burning lungs. But then he had never seen, even in his training simulations at the Academy, a creature such as this; for it somehow seemed to use its pain to spur itself on to greater effort.
Showing no sign of its injury, or pain for that matter; the Vole slowly pivots to once again face its opponent -- a vicious, toothy sneer crossing its face. "Not very impressive; young Quantum Man. If I've seen your best, then your life is as good as over." A sneering, mocking laugh assaults Zev's ears. "Why, I haven't even had to use my claws yet." Snicker. Snicker. "But make nooo mistake about it. I am taking a great deal of pleasure slowly pounding the life from your young body."
Zev was a pitiful sight to the small group behind him -- holding his injured ribs with one arm; bent over at the waist, one hand resting on a knee -- gulping as much oxygen as his heaving chest could provide. "If you stop now," gasp, gasp, kaff. "I'll let you leave this world and return home." A guttural, roaring laugh, shakes the Vole's, massive twelve foot frame to its core.
With the gentlest of shakes Zev attempts to clear his head. "What was I thinking," he wonders. "I must have been hit harder than I thought."
The laughter of the massive creature abruptly ends -- replaced with a vicious, toothy sneer as it glares downward at the injured man before him -- its inky, black eyes slowly narrowing to vicious, murderous slits within its massive skull. "Play times over little man. You're brief interval upon this plain of existence is at an end," it growls.
"I'm not finished yet, turkey," Zev spits through clenched teeth as he cautiously advances toward the waiting Vole.
"That's right wimp, come on over here." The Vole motions Zev closer with its two massive hands. "I'm waiting for ya."
Two quick kicks to the Vole's left thigh elicit a howl of pain from the angry beast. The Vole's retaliation -- a fast, ripping fist, finding nothing but air. Zev continues his attack -- driving his right foot into the creature's muscled midsection, driving the gasping animal backwards. Sensing that he has at last managed to hurt the Vole, Zev drives a brutal kick into the monsters lower jaw, snapping its head sharply backwards.
"Looks like he's doin better, Doc." Anna wipes the tears from her face -- nodding hopefully at her old friend; for it did indeed seem that Zev was beginning to make some sort of headway against the creature with his kicks.
"Teacher Lazarous," calls Argon. "I now have Stal's concentration level at sixty eight percent -- a decrease of five percent, sir." Argon ominously reports with a slow, worried shake of his head. "I'm afraid that he's beginning to tire, sir," he warns.
"I understand, Argon. Please keep me informed," comes Lazarous quiet reply.
Moments later the gathered crowd outside of Cubicle 100 silently parts as Zev's family is respectfully ushered into the smallish room. The expressions upon the faces of Zypher and Argon, grim, at best.
"Mr. and Mrs. Stal, Miss. Atir. I'm glad that they were able to find you so quickly."
"What's wrong, Teacher Lazarous?"
"Your son is in a very dangerous situation, Mrs. Stal. For the past forty five minutes or so he has been locked in mortal combat with a creature known as a Vole....."
"I've heard about them," interjects Gath Stal thoughtfully. "But I had always assumed that they were just a legend."
"No, Mr. Stal," replies Lazarous with a shake of his hooded head. "They are not legend. They are indeed quite real. This particular one has been responsible for a great many murders upon the Earth. Zev has been tracking it for some days now and was just able to locate its position less than an hour ago. As soon as was possible he engaged the creature in combat." The pride within Lazarous' heart swells as he continues. "In so doing he was able to prevent the murders of several other people."
"How's my boy doing, Teacher Lazarous," asks an ashen faced Cela Stal.
"He is doing his best, Mrs. Stal," replies Lazarous with a respectful nod. "He is fighting bravely; and although injured and tiring, he continues to engage the creature. But.....I must tell you that his concentration level is falling....." Lazarous gathers his emotions and continues quietly. "And that is never a good sign when faced with an adversary as powerful and vicious as a Vole."
Zev's family understood the implications of what they had just heard. All three hugged each other tightly -- trying to share what strength they had left with one other.
Cela Stal gazes deeply into the featureless face of the man before her. "Does my son have a chance, Teacher Lazarous," she tearfully asks.
"He does, Mrs. Stal. The probability of his success is not great. But he does indeed have a chance."
"Then we would all like to remain," Sel quickly interjects.
"It may not be pleasant, Miss. Atir," warns Lazarous. "Zev is facing an extremely dangerous adversary." The young woman bravely nods. "We understand," she says, the strength within her voice apparent. "We shall not leave him." The three tearfully hug each other once again.
Buoyed by his recent success, Zev intensifies his attack -- kicking as often and with as much force as his damaged body will allow. He is certain that his attacks are beginning to hurt the Vole; for each kick to its body drives the creature further backwards, toward the nearby forest. It is then that he makes a tactical error which would prove to be his undoing in this battle.
Zev realizes that he must press -- must do more; now. He realizes that something is going to have to give, and soon; for he will not be able to keep this pace up for much longer -- the burning fatigue within his legs tell him as much. He believes; whether that belief originates from reason or the fatigue which presently clouds his mind, he is not certain. But he believes that if he could land one, just one, good, hard kick to the creature's jaw, that might; just might give him the advantage which he so desperately needs.
The Vole continues to absorb what punishment his smaller opponent throws its way; for it knows that the attacks of his smaller opponent are no longer causing any substantial damage.
"Yes; if the young fool continues to attack at this pace, he shall tire well before I. Then he shall be mine to kill as slowly as I wish. But I sense.....No, he shall not wait. He shall try for my head, and that shall be his fatal error."
Gathering what little strength he had left, Zev launched himself, feet first, toward the stumbling creature.
"I need his concentration level, Argon," demands Zypher.
"Barely holding at sixty percent, sir. And it appears as if those levels are degrading; minute by minute, sir," reports the Watch Tech dejectedly.
"Damn."
Zev realized what a fool and sucker he had been the instant that he had left the ground; for the Vole had him now, of that he was certain -- he had done exactly what the thing had wanted.
"That's it," William Jefferson quietly says to no on in particular.
A split second after Zev had left the ground the Vole was no longer the stumbling, off balance creature which it had appeared to have been only a second or two ago -- its perfect balance, and quickness once again all too apparent.
The massive creature pivots quickly to its left -- mighty hands powered by steel-like muscles locking the ankle of its smaller adversary into an unbreakable, vise like grip. Zev's desperate kicks at the creature's heavily muscled arm prove ineffective; for as the Vole continues to pivot he can feel himself being violently jerked higher into the air.
The impact between body and ground -- crushing -- pain, the likes of which he has never experienced, explodes from the very core of his being. His lungs burn with each desperate gasp for air -- their blood misting the surrounding air.
The searing pain throughout his badly beaten body is his only awareness now. His vision flickers -- eyes refusing to focus. He believes that he catches the briefest of glimpses of Anna Lewis -- something which he cannot be certain of; for everything has been reduced to a blur.
Cubicle 100 along with the rest of the Command Center is now deathly silent.
"What's his concentration level, Argon," asks the subdued/despondent Watch Controller.
The younger man sadly shakes his head -- his answer barely above a whisper. "Fifty five percent, sir... and declining."
Over and over the Vole slams Zev into the ground with crushing force -- its inhuman glee evident upon its massive face. All of his strength is gone, beaten from him. Zev is now barely conscious, only just able to tell that it is still daylight.
"Levels are now below fifty percent. His chips are beginning to loose their effectiveness, Mr. Zypher."
Zypher tearfully gazes at Zev's parents -- slowly shaking his head. "I know that you want to stay with your son," Zypher quietly says -- barely holding his emotions in check. "But at this point it might be best if you were to leave," he sadly says. "It will only get worse for him now."
Tears pour down the face of Cela Stal. "We.....we will not leave our son, Mr. Zypher," she quietly says, the determination within her voice evident.
Zypher gently pats the woman on her shoulder and smiles weakly. "I didn't think that you would, Ma'am."
"Don't worry Cela, we aren't leaving our son." Zev's parent's and future wife all tearfully hold tightly to each other as they helplessly watch events unfold before them.
"The things killing him, Jackson; we've got to do something," Anna frantically screams -- grabbing her friend's arm in a vise-like grip.
"Ain't much we can do, Doc....." The eyes of the older man flick desperately from the Vole to an older vehicle parked nearby. He turns and sprints toward the house. "I hope your insurance is paid up," he yells over his shoulder.
Vroooooom!
The engine in the old van roars to life.
Jackson .. Nooooooooooo!!!!! Screams Anna.
With the smoothest of grinding sounds Jackson Hole slams the antique into gear -- gunning it toward the Vole's back.
Knowing full well that if he had stood there any longer he couldn't have lived with himself; if in fact he was lucky enough to make it through the rest of the day alive, he knew that he had to do something to try and help his young friend. But suicide? No way. That didn't figure into the equation.
Jackson hastily shoves a crusty old brick from the yard across the accelerator -- slams the door open and then jumps.
Bump. "Uuff."
The older man rolls to safety across the gravel strewn yard with the length of a first down to spare.
Seconds later the racing van plows headlong into the Vole's back.
WHAM!! KARUNCH!!
The impact proves to be nothing but a minor distraction; for the creature easily shoves the crumpled van away, sending it flipping and rolling -- crashing into and then through the wall of the house. Giving no more than a second thought to the attack, the murderous alien turns its attention back to the motionless man laying near its feet.
As the creature raises one of its massive legs it slowly eyes his injured adversary with cold satisfaction. Fractions of a second later the creature sends its foot smashing down upon the man's abdomen. The nearby group hear Zev's final cry of pain - then silence.
"Stal's concentration level has fallen below forty percent. His chips are beginning to display the Nalfin Vargas, Cascade Effect ... That ain't good, sir," reports Argon over his shoulder. "After the NVC Effect begins, specs say that his chips will be completely dead within thirty minutes. Concentration level is now thirty five percent and falling, sir," comes the quiet, dejected report.
Through streaming tears Anna helplessly watches the Vole pick the still body of her friend up -- holding it at arms length. Razor sharp claws from the creature's right hand slowly emerge. As if considering possibilities only it's alien mind could fathom the Vole remains frozen, poised to strike.
Long, agonizing seconds pass. ----- The Vole appears to have at last made its decision; for it seems to relax -- its claws slowly disappearing.
"What's happening, Jackson? Why'd the thing stop?"
"Ain't got no idea, Doc."
Holding its trophy at arm's length, the hulking creature turns ever so slowly to face the small, nearby group. "Your friend shall not die so easily," gloats the vicious creature. "Know this; before I allow his existence to cease, I intend to extend his suffering for many of your hours."
With little effort from its massive arm, no more than a flick really, the Vole sends Zev's limp body tumbling through the air, deep into the surrounding forest. At last the horrible cracking, popping and snapping of distant limbs thankfully ceases. Tears stream from Anna's closed eyes -- her sorrow overwhelming.
"Although the sounds of his agony shall fill your ears, you shall be powerless to help him." The Vole smiles a vicious, toothy smile.
"Wh.....why do you do this?" A sobbing Anna weakly stammers -- her legs threatening to buckle at any second.
"Why do I do this, female? You might as well ask why your birds fly -- or your fish swim. It is my nature," replies the Vole matter-of-factly. "This I have done many times upon countless worlds. You should pray to whatever gods you may have here, that this Quantum Man's death satisfies me; for if it does not, I shall return for everyone here."
"Stal's concentration level is now 30%. 25%. Approaching 20%, sir. Should I withdraw his QI, Mr. Zypher," Argon solemnly asks.
"The QI within the mind of Zev Stal is to remain. He is the one for the Earth," booms a powerful voice within the mind of Lazarous.
"But Ancient One," protests the diminutive Head Master. "The death of his physical body approaches."
"None the less, his QI is to remain. He is the one for the Earth."
.
"I understand, Ancient One," replies Lazarous with a deep, respectful bow. "It shall be as you wish, Sir."
"Yes Argon," replies Zypher sadly. "You may begin the removal process."
"No! There shall be no removal. His QI is to remain," replies Lazarous -- his words filling the minds of those present.
"But sir....." protests the Watch Controller.
"There is no argument, Mr. Zypher."
"As you wish, Teacher Lazarous," replies Zypher -- his eyes briefly locking with those of the Watch Tech in silent disbelief.
"His concentration level continues to fall. 15. 10. 5%. He approaches total concentration loss, sir."
Realizing that their son was approaching his physical death, Zev's family quietly gathers closer together -- preparing themselves for the announcement.
"Mrs. Stal," Zypher begins in his most respectful of voices. "Your son has served with great honor. He shall be remembered.........."
"Ah, Mr. Zypher," Argon whispers. The solemn proceedings cease immediately. "I believe that you had better take a look at this, sir."
A dejected Zypher turns slowly toward the Watch Tech. "Do you see that, sir," Argon asks with a nod toward his intel board.
"Indeed I do," says the older man as he leans closer to the board before him. "Isn't that the same type of mental spiking that we saw before?"
"It is, sir. But its amplitude is different. It seems to be increasing this time, sir."
"Explanation?"
"I have none, sir."
"Teacher Lazarous, would you please take a look at this," asks the puzzled Watch Controller.
A brief moment of observation by the revered teacher follows. "I find that I am not familiar with this particular phenomenon, Mr. Zypher. Has it been witnessed before?"
"Once only, sir." Zypher's gaze returns to the intel board before him. ----- But whatever the hell this is, its amplitude continues to increase," says Zypher quietly -- more to himself than anyone else.
"What's happening, Mr. Zypher," asks Gath Stal -- his eyes traveling across the perplexing jumble of graphs and fluctuating numbers displayed before him upon the Intel Board.
"It's your son's mind, Mr. Stal. We've seen mental spiking throughout his brain once before -- but never like this," Zypher says with a slight shake of his head.
"Cela, Sel," Gath quietly calls. "Come over here and take a look at this."
"What is that, Mr. Stal," asks Sel -- the puzzled sadness within her voice obvious. "What's causing it?" The older man slowly shakes his head. "No one seems to know, honey."
"The amplitude of the spikes are definitely increasing, Mr. Zypher," reports the ever loyal Watch Tech. "Their strength is now two hundred percent above their original baseline ....." The younger man excitedly snaps his head around toward the small group gathered behind him. "His concentration level has now increased to seven percent." Argon quickly regains his no-nonsense-like approach and continues. "That's not a very large increase," warns the Tech. "It may in fact only be the result of some sort of a power surge some where along the network, sir."
Zypher nods and continues to intently study the screen before him. "That's certainly a possibility Argon; but if that's a power surge along the network, it seems to be holding up pretty F*&^%# well."
"That's an improvement. Isn't it, Mr. Zypher," hopefully asks Zev's mother.
"Yes Ma'am, it is. But try not to get your hopes up, Mrs. Stal," he cautions. "The injuries which your son sustained are terrible. So were just going to have to wait and see what these figures really mean, Ma'am."
Countless limbs snap and pop as Zev's limp body crashes toward the forest floor some one hundred feet below.
Whump!
He dares not move; for the pain within his torso is excruciating -- every beat of his heart bringing an almost unbearable pain to his head -- his breathing shallow and irregular -- his surroundings nothing but a dim blur.
Zev's pain filled mind manages to cling to one thing only; his overwhelming desire to help those at the ranch; something which sadly, he was now incapable of doing. He lay still -- blood streaming from his nose and mouth. He knew that his time in this existence was short ..........
It was almost imperceptible; call it the weakest of feelings if you will, but through his pain Zev could sense the ever so slight increase in his focus. Although he found movement to be completely impossible; he was able, with great effort, to force his eyes open.
"I now have Stal's spiking amplitude at three hundred percent above our original baseline -- his concentration levels are hovering at ten percent." Argon shoots Zypher a quick look out of the corner of his eye. "I believe that our theory of a power surge along the network is pretty much out the window, sir."
Zypher quietly nods in agreement and then turns his attention toward Zev's family. "Your son seems to be showing some small signs of improvement, Mrs. Stal. But please try not to get your hopes up too high," implores the older man quickly. "When you combine his physical state with the fact that the Vole will soon be looking for him -- the odds are not in his favor," he says with a worried shake of his head.
"But it's a start. Isn't it, Mr. Zypher?"
"That it is, Ma'am. That. It. Is," replies the Watch Controller with the faintest hint of a smile.
"We have to hold that creature up -- keep it occupied for as long as possible, Jackson," Anna frantically whispers.
"How Doc," asks the older man with a, how'r we going to do that expression and jesture. "We sure as hell can't hurt the thing."
Anna momentarily pauses -- her mind racing through the possibilities. "Maybe -- maybe we can get it talking again."
"Talk," Jackson quietly exclaims. "Ya gotta be kidding me. You can't talk to that thing, Doc. Ya see how much good it did the last time ya tried."
"We'll see," Anna says as she licks her increasingly dry lips. "Besides, what other choices do we have?"
"Fraid I'm all out of em, honey." Jackson says with a resigned shake of his head.
"All right then," Anna nods. "Every minute that we can hold it here helps that man."
"Anna," Jackson pleads. "I'm afraid he's had it, honey. I know how much you wanna help him. I do too. But ya gotta face it; there's just no way in hell that guy could have survived that kinda pounding."
"Maybe so, Jackson. But I'm not going to give up on him just yet," says Anna with a tearful, determined nod.
"Hey you,"shouts the plucky young doctor. Anna can only hope that her overwhelming fear doesn't destroy the determination within her voice. As the massive animal slowly turns to face the small woman that now stands in front of the others, Anna fights with all of her strength and will to keep her knees from buckling.
"What do you wish with me this time, female," spits the obviously annoyed creature. "I have business to conclude out in your forest."
"I, ah," once more Anna fights to control the shaking which threatens to overwhelm her. She steadies herself. "I would like to know why you have taken so many lives here and caused so much sadness among my people."
"Female, I have no interest in your people or their sorrow," the Vole coldly replies. "It is within my nature to kill. That is what I do. I .. enjoy it. I have killed countless times in the past and will continue to do so in the future."
"Stal's mental spiking is presently four hundred percent above our established baseline and increasing. His concentration level has increased to fifteen percent, sir."
The fuzzy, indistinct feeling within his mind is no more. Zev is certain of the change within him, however slight. He dimly knows that his focus, his concentration is slowly returning. As for the why of it, the pain within his head is far too great for contemplation; he simply knows that his concentration is slowly returning.
"Spiking is now five hundred percent above our established baseline and holding. Stal's concentration level seems to be increasing more rapidly now. At the Present time I have it steady at twenty five percent, sir."
Having grown weary of the constant chatter of the female the Vole turns toward the forest. Two more irritating questions assault the creature's ears.
"Why did you choose this world? Why not somewhere else?"
The creature brings its massive frame to a stop -- its body language indicating extreme annoyance. It slowly turns to face Dr. Lewis.
"The reasons for my presence upon your little backwater world are not for you or your kind to know, female. Pray that after I kill your Quantum Man I decide to leave this area and go elsewhere upon this pitiful excuse for a world."
Painful seconds pass. But behind closed eyes Zev can feel his concentration increasing.
Argon shakes his head in puzzled frustration. "This is awfully strange, sir." He lightly touches two buttons; they quietly pop in response to his finger's touch. "Everything checks," he quietly says -- his voice betraying his confusion. "But these readouts can't be correct, Mr. Zypher. His concentration levels are far too low for this to be happening, sir."
"Now is no time for riddles, Argon," Zypher says with an irritated exhale. His eyes quickly scan the intel board before him. "Howz about lettin the rest of us in on what you're seein, Argon. ----- If that's not too much to ask."
"I'm sorry, sir. The aberrant spiking within Stal's brain seems to be steady now, holding at five hundred percent above our baseline. His concentration levels are now steady at twenty eight percent." Argon motions toward the lower right hand corner of the intel board. "There, do you see that, sir?" A puzzled Zypher nods. "Every summary down there seems to indicate that his chips are coming back on line, sir."
"What," snaps Zypher as he takes a closer look at the intel floating before him. "You and I both know that that's impossible, Argon. His chips absolutely cannot come back on line until he achieves a concentration level of at least forty percent."
"I realize that, sir," quietly says the Watch Tech with a deferential nod. "I don't pretend to understand it. And I sure as hell can't explain it, sir. All that I can say is that the info on the Intel Board is correct. His chips are coming back on line, sir."
Not only does Zev realize that his focus is returning, but the familiar surge of power within his body tells him that his chips are once again becoming active. His pain dulled mind can only wonder how his chips are once again coming back on line; for something buried within the mists of his memory tells him that it is far too early for that to be happening. Then again, given his present condition; he wasn't going to complain. ----- Twenty seconds later; all of his chips are back on line and fully active.
The eyes of the able Watch Tech once again sweep across the Intel Board floating before him. "Stal's mental spiking continues to hold at five hundred percent above our established baseline. His concentration level -- thirty five percent. All of his chips appear to be back on line and rapidly increasing in their efficiency, sir," he announces with a disbelieving shake of his head.
Members of the gathering crowd, both planet side QM and Watch Tech alike, quietly exchanged puzzled glances; for they were witnessing events which they knew should not be possible -- should not be taking place.
The mood of everyone within the room, save that of Lazarous, brightens ever so slightly. Deep in thought, the smallish figure moves unnoticed to the room's rear. It is there that he listens, watches, and quietly ponders what the Ancient One had told him about Zev Stal years ago. It was only now that he began to understand what the Old Machine had known for so long. There was something within Stal that was different; and that something made him unique among all Quantum Men, both past and present.
After minutes of deep contemplation Lazarous quietly makes his way toward Argon's station.
"It looks like my son is beginning to recover, Teacher Lazarous."
"Indeed it does, Mrs. Stal," says Lazarous with a bow. "It is as the Ancient One said. Zev Stal, your son, is the one for that world. We can only hope that he has the time that is required ..."
"Stal's concentration level has reached forty percent. All of his chips," Argon quickly scans the large board before him, "are now at one hundred percent efficiency, sir," he quietly reports.
"Are you certain of those figures? That concentration level seems awfully low for his chips to be running at an efficiency of one hundred percent, Argon."
"There is no mistake, Mr. Zypher," replies Argon confidently.
A dim voice calls from the mists of his injured mind. "Your chips are now operating at one hundred percent, Zev."
"That's ... nice," Zev weakly replies as the throbbing within his head and the pain within his body lessens.
He tries to move -- NOT a wise choice; for the pain within his abdomen and his head return with a vengeance. He forces himself to relax, to lay as still as he possibly can to allow his chips to do their repair work. He just hoped that they had the time which they needed.
"His concentration levels are now running at fifty five percent, sir. -- Not bad, considering his physical status at the present time," Argon adds matter-of-factly." The Tech shifts his gaze to a nearby portion of the display. "His chips are....." the dumbfounded Watch Tech quickly re-checks the Intel Screen before him. "His chips are now functioning at ten percent above their design limits, sir."
Zypher flashes his pearly whites in a broad smile. "Imagine that," he flatly says. "This kid of yours seems to have a little something extra, Mr. Stal."
Zev moves oooh so carefully -- gently testing his body. There was pain within his abdomen, but definitely less than moments earlier. His head barely ached now; and with the exception of his abdomen, the pain within the rest of his body has been greatly reduced.
"Concentration levels are now at sixty five and increasing. Mental spiking, constant .. and unchanged. Chips are still operating at ten percent above what the specs say is possible, sir," reports Argon excitedly. The ever vigilant Watch Tech knows that a studied, objective report is what is needed -- is what a dispassionate Tech would give Mr. Zypher. But he could give a Gundum's ass about that right now. Besides; being assigned to Cubicle 100 was as low as they could send him.
Argon was now certain that his earlier doubts about being assigned to the last man in his graduating class were misplaced. No amount of credits could get him to change places with any of the other Watch Techs in the building. Besides, if anyone was displeased with his show of emotion he wouldn't mind telling them just where they could put that displeasure . well . maybe not Mr. Zypher: but anyone else for sure.
He could feel his focus growing, becoming stronger with each passing minute. His chips were definitely earning their pay this day; for each of his movements were now greeted with nothing more than the dullest of aches within his abdomen.
"Spiking remains constant and unchanged. Concentration level is now at seventy five percent -- rapidly approaching his maximum of seventy nine, sir." It was obvious to Argon that the mental spiking which Zev was experiencing was affecting not only his concentration but also the performance of his chips on some as yet to be discovered level. But the why and how of it remained a mystery; for as far as Argon could discern, in New Quantum's massive data base, there ws nothing available that would describe, much less explain, what he was witnessing.
"Will that be enough, Mr. Zypher," comes the hopeful, albeit worried question from Zev's Mother.
"That was his concentration level when he initially engaged the Vole, Mrs. Stal. So right now all that we can do is to wait and see if that level proves to be sufficient."
"Levels now at seventy eight percent, Mr. Zyph.....ah, make that eighty, sir."
"Eighty percent?"
"Make that eighty five percent, sir," Argon replies -- casting an excited eye Zypher's way.
"That's a full seven f&*^%$ points above his best level," a red faced Zypher excitedly exclaims. "Ahh, sorry folks."
"Yes sir it is," replies Argon with a sheepish grin.
"We have nothing further to discuss, female," spits the Vole -- its impatience growing. "I have unfinished business to take care of within your forest." Evil sneer. "I shall make sure that you are able to hear the screams of your Quantum Man before I kill him" The killing machine turns and heads into the forest.
"Damn it," Anna angrily exclaims.
"You held it here as long as you could, Doc. Maybe the extra time helped him," Jackson quietly says.
Anna sadly shakes her head. "He was severely injured, Jackson. I just don't see how a few extra minutes could make that much of a difference."
"Stal's concentration level is now, ninety percent, sir," reports the astounded Watch Tech.
"No sh....."Zypher sheepishly smiles as he glances at the nearby crowd. He silently breaths a sigh of relief. At least he had managed to catch himself this time. He would have to remember that he and Argon were not alone. But it was difficult controlling the rush which he was feeling; for he had not truly felt this way since being transferred from the field. "Control your enthusiasm, Argon," Zypher cautions. But despite the warning, how could he really fault the Watch Tech; for not only he but everyone else present, were witnessing events which had never been seen before -- events which common sense said were impossible. "F^$# it. If they don't like my language they can get the hell outta here."
"If memory serves, the top member of Stal's class was able to achieve a concentration level of ninety three percent. Is that correct, Argon?"
"Sorry for the outburst, sir. I'll try and control my self in the future."
"Fat chance," Zypher thinks with a small; yeah, I really believe that, smile.
A few, light taps upon his armrest, mounted sensor-pad brings a list of names and stats to life upon the intel board before him. "Yes sir. Rogan Zal achieved a level of ninety three percent. But he could only maintain that for approximately ten minutes -- under conditions far less taxing that those which we are presently observing. Stal's concentration level is now at ..... ninety five percent, sir. I realize that you wish me to maintain my composure: but damn, sir; that's outstanding," Argon says with a smile.
Zypher returns the smile with a nod and a toothy grin of his own.
Never before had Zev experienced a concentration level of this magnitude. He quickly found that he indeed liked the feeling.
His chips had done their job as well; for he no longer felt any pain from his previous injuries. Just how those marvels of bio-engineering had managed the feat -- he had no idea. He could only speculate that they had to have been absorbing a great deal more energy from the Plain than he had been led to believe that they could. He heard the Vole's distant bellow of rage as it crashed into the forest looking for him.
"The Vole is closing at two hundred yards, Zev."
"QI! Your back," Zev gleefully shouts within his mind.
"Affirmative, good buddy. But in truth I was with you earlier. I suspect that your previous injuries may have masked that fact from your mind."
"Stal's concentration level --- it's ninety seven percent, sir," gasps the Watch Tech. Argon shakes his head in disbelief. "I've never seen or heard of anything like this, Mr. Zypher."
"Same here, Argon; saaaaaaame here," Zypher replies as his eyes flick over the intel board before them.
"What's happening to our son, Mr. Zypher?"
"I wish I could give you an explanation, Mr. Stal," Zypher apologetically says with the shake of his head. "But to be honest with you, I've never witnessed anything quite like this. I'm afraid that I'm as much in the dark as you are, sir. I just wish....."
Despite Zypher's earlier warning, the situation gets the better of Argon. "Stal's concentration level has reached one hundred percent! And get this, sir; it's still increasing!"
"The Vole was now at a distance of one hundred yards. "It knows where we are," QI ominously warns.
Making no attempt to go around anything, the creature rips and tears its way through the forest toward Zev's position. "The Vole is closing at seventy five yards"
"Mr. Zypher," Argon says -- barely holding his emotions in check. "Stal's concentration; it's; it's way the hell above anything that I've ever seen, sir. I've got 101..102..103...104.....105... 106........One Hundred and Seven percent ..." To Zypher's surprise the Watch Tech had managed, barely, to maintain control of his emotions. "It seems to be holding at 107 now, sir," Argon quickly reports -- his voice tinged with an excitement which Zypher himself feels.
"That's better, Argon," Zypher half heartedly scolds. "I need facts not emotion," he says with a calm which threatens to evaporate any second.
"Yes sir. It's just that, in all of my years as a Tech here, I've never seen anything remotely approaching this, sir."
"That's all right, son," replies Zypher with a muted laugh. "As far as I can tell, no one else, including yours truly, has either."
"The Vole has arrived at Stal's position, sir," Argon ominously reports.
The waiting game which everyone gathered near Cubicle 100 had been enduring had just ended. Zev Stal would either live or die in the next few minutes. It was as simple as that.
"The proximity of the Vole is quite close. Remember those claws," QI quietly whispers.
"I'm ready, buddy," Zev silently replies.
The hulking frame of the Vole towers above the motionless figure upon the ground. The bloody face of the man at its feet and the odd angle at which his right arm is twisted under his back bear mute testimony to the beating which the young man has taken.
"Young wimp, I want your eyes open," snarls the beast. "For the next few hours I wish to see your fear and pain within them." Evil, snickering laugh. "I not only kill quite proficiently," adds the creature, a touch of pride filling its voice, "but I am also very proficient at the application of intense pain for extended periods."
The eyes of the young man flicker open -- his head gingerly rolling upon its left side. "EXCELLENT," snarls the creature. "I am pleased to see that you still live," says the Vole with a satisfied nod of its huge head. "Now; where shall I begin," asks the creature with a thoughtful rub of its massive chin. "Ahhhhh," it says with a nod, "I believe that I shall begin by opening your chest and abdomen one layer of tissue at a time. Of course when I encounter bone," it says in a mocking sort of way, "I shall need to be a bit rougher. I hope that that shall not trouble you -- too much." The Vole's head tilts backwards -- its roars of laughter filling the forest.
"It sounds," sniff, sob, "like that thing's really enjoying itself," a sobbing Anna spits. "Listen .. to that," she stammers as she wipes the small rivulets of tears from her face with shaking hands.
Jackson Hole gently puts his arm about his dear friend's shoulders whilst fighting against the tears within his own eyes; for his emotions, like those of his friend, threaten to overwhelm him at any moment. "Anna," he softly says, "we did everything we could. We just couldn't hurt it," he sadly says.
Zev silently watches as the Vole's face contorts into a hideous, bloodthirsty grin. "It's time for the final act of your life to begin, Quantum Man."
The creature leisurely kneels, drawing its right arm and hand slowly upwards into a position over Zev's chest. Through half closed eyes the young man watches as one of the creature's eight inch, razor sharp claws slides into view. It's massive, teeth filled head bends downward, stopping just inches from Zev's ear. "Your death starts now," it whispers.
Eeeeeeever so slowly, the Vole lowers its huge, clawed hand. "I want to be verrrry careful with you. I do not wish to damage you badly." Once again it leans closer, "at least not for awhile," he whispers into Zev's ear.
In a blur of movement Zev's left hand locks securely about the top of the Vole's right wrist -- bringing its clawed finger to a halt mere inches from his chest. "I don't think so. At least not today, ugly."
The creature throws its head backwards, venting its rage in a massive roar; for it had never experienced, in its many centuries of existence, an event such as this.
HAROARRRRRR!!
"What is this!!!?, it angrily gasps as all of its claws slide into view. "I thought you were....."
"Close to death? Not hardly," Zev hisses through clenched teeth -- his words as hard as steel.
Fractions of a second later Zev has blunted the Vole's second attack. Fighting against the creature's great strength he twists hard on both arms, wrenching its claws skyward.
Finding itself on the defensive for the first time in its life, the Vole recoils, jerking his smaller, would be victim high above his head. Gathering his massive strength he drives Zev ground ward.
"An impact at this speed will most certainly cause you extensive damage, Zev," warns QI.
"Understood," the strain within the voice of QI's host apparent. He gathers himself -- resisting the Vole's attack with his newly found strength. Seconds later he lands softly upon the ground -- his grip upon the Vole's wrists continuing to tighten.
pop, krack, pop.
As the sounds of small pops and cracks begin to emanate from the creature's massive wrists, its actions become increasingly frantic, disjointed as it desperately tries to free itself from its would be victim's, powerful grasp. A massive roar of desperation driven panic fills the surrounding forest. The Vole throws its head back in despair as it makes one last, frantic effort to free its arms ... It fails.
Crack!.......Pop!.......Crunch!
Writhing upon the ground in agony, the Vole cradles its now useless arms against its massive chest -- its powerful cries of rage and anger silenced; for the creature now experiences levels of pain and fear the likes of which it has never known before. With a flash of insight it realizes what each of its almost countless victims must have felt before it had killed them.
"Jackson, do you hear that?" Anna asks -- staring at the dense forest before her.
"Sure do, Doc. What the hell is it?" The older man asks as he scans the forest before him.
I've no idea," Anna replies with a puzzled shake of her head.
"Couldn't be that feller in the reddish suit, could it?"
Anna thoughtfully shakes her head. "Noo. I doubt it, Jackson," she softly says. "From what I could tell it looked as if his injuries were pretty severe ..." Pausing momentarily she attempts to regain control of her emotions. "You heard what that thing said he was going to do. If by some miracle that man's still alive, it'll be just barely," Anna quietly says.
"But in all my years, I ain't never heard nuthin like that," says the older man with the shake of his head. "If I didn't know better, I'd say that things the one that's been hurt pretty bad."
"I don't think that that's possible, Jackson." Anna dejectedly says. "I'm afraid that there isn't much that can hurt that monster."
With a trembling, all but useless hand, the creature slowly reaches toward his side. For the first time Zev sees the smallish box attached to its midsection. --- He instantly recognizes it.
As the shaking hand of the Vole nears the box it flairs brilliantly into nothingness. "No," Zev angrily exclaims. "You're not going use that to get you out of here this time!"
Zev renews his attack, sending punch after thunderous punch into the creature's body -- driving it with unrelenting force back towards the ranch. Desperate to blunt its smaller opponents attack, the Vole tries to use its clawed feet to get at the young man. These attacks prove fruitless as well; for each time the creature strikes, Zev uses his feet and legs to block its attack.
Krakow! Pow! Whump! Crunch!
"What's goin on out there, Doc," Jackson asks, the excitement within his voice obvious. "I ain't never heard nuthin like it. Kinda sounds like a super heavyweight workin on a bag.
For the briefest of moments Anna allows her mind to believe that Zev has recovered -- that he has somehow survived the creature's attack in the forest. The idea disappears almost as quickly as it had appeared; for her years as a physician quickly tell her otherwise. "It couldn't be him. His injuries were just too severe. But those quick, popping sounds -- somehow they just don't fit with a creature that large," Anna thinks as the internal war between her heart and mind rages.
As its cries of pain echo throughout the forest, Zev realizes that the Vole is indeed in deep trouble. And he can almost feel a little sympathy for the thing too..... Almost. What little compassion he can muster up is quickly overwhelmed by the memory of the lives which were cut short, the families that were destroyed and the horrendous pain caused by its actions. "No way," he thinks with determination. The feeling of pity which had been nipping at the edge of his mind is quickly pushed into oblivion.
KRACK! POP!
Lances of searing pain rip their way through the Vole's body -- its howls of agony echoing throughout the nearby forest. Loud pops and gurgles rise from deep within the creature's massive chest, each giving testament to the torment which every breath brings.
Not only does it know that it is going to die, but it also knows, and this is the worst of it as far as the Vole is concerned, the why of it as well. Overconfidence had proven to be its undoing; for it should have ripped this Quantum Man apart when it had had the chance.
As its mind quickly drifted over its past, it receives some little comfort in the knowledge that it had killed many, both here and upon other worlds. It believes with certainty that its name shall be remembered by its race.
A vicious, two punch combination shakes the Vole to its massive core -- the first brutally snapping the Vole's head backwards -- the second smashing its lower jaw hard to the right, leaving it hanging limply at a terrible angle.
Carefully measuring his distance, Zev slowly backs away from his severely injured adversary. With a massive yell, he launches himself toward the staggering animal. Seconds later both feet smash into the Vole's chest -- crushing the air from its already damaged lungs -- sending the creature rocketing through the trees back toward the ranch.
The distant shout of her friend's voice seals the deal as far as Anna is concerned -- her worst fears sadly realized. The thing was doing exactly as it had said that it would. Her head drops weakly to her chest, her tears streaming down her face. There was nothing that she or anyone else could do to help her friend now.
POP! CRACK! SNAP!
The sound of breaking/snapping limbs draw the attention of everyone toward the tops of the nearby trees.
"It's that thing again! It's back," yells one of the men near the rear of the small crowd.
"We gotta get outta here, Doc! It's coming after us," yells a frantic Bill Gold.
True enough, it was the same creature which they had seen before; only different somehow. Everything about it seemed odd. With its arms and legs trailing limply behind, it looked decidedly still, as if it had no strength or control left.
"I don't think so, Bill! Look at it," yells Anna.
Whump!
The Vole smashes to Earth in a limply, rolling heap, just beyond the forest edge.
"It don't look like its moving very good to me. Kinda looks like the things hurt," John Copper cautiously observes.
Dr. Lewis thoughtfully nods in agreement. "So it would appear, John. What do you think, Jackson?"
"It sure looks that way," says the older man with a nod. "But what on this Earth coulda done that," he asks, his face a study in confusion. "The only one around here that seemed like they could hurt that thing was the guy in that suit; and that thing killed him."
"I wouldn't be so certain if I were you, Jackson. Take a look above the trees," Anna screams -- wildly jabbing a finger toward the nearby forest.
"I'll swear and be dammed, Doc. It's that guy," yells an ecstatic Jackson Hole. "But how," he asks, the confusion within his voice and upon his face apparent. "The last time I saw him he was practically dead!" Jackson joyfully lifts Dr. Lewis from the ground, dancing, prancing and bouncing her around the group.
"That's one tough dude, Doc. One tough dude!!"
Anna wiped the tears from her eyes and happily nodded. Zev had somehow managed to survive. Her friend was alive! Hugging Jackson with all of her might she planted a massive, happy kiss on the side of his face.
Zev lands some five yards from the Vole putting himself between it and the small group behind him. Although the creature can see only dimly now, it recognizes who is close to him by the flickering color of his suit. With a tremendous effort the creature forces itself to its feet. It would die upright; facing its opponent, not groveling in the dirt.
Its words were barely audible, muffled with its own blood. "You're.....still .....a.....wimp."
"Maybe so; but you're finished," Zev angrily replies through clenched teeth. "You'll kill no one else. No family upon this world will ever again be destroyed by your actions." Zev slowly extends his right hand .... The slightest of movements draws his attention ----- An atmospheric vortex whirls silently, mere feet from his position.
"What the hell's he waiting on, Anna? What's he lookin at," asks the confused ranch foreman.
Jackson's equally puzzled friend shakes her head. "I dunno, Jackson. I don't see anything over there."
The calmest of voices greets the young man's gaze. "The creature's life is in your hands, Zev. It is for you to decide whether he lives or dies this day."
"Who's there," a puzzled Zev asks.
Silence.
"This creature has killed many upon this world," Zev angrily continues.
"I of course know this," comes the quiet voice once again. "I also know exactly the number that he has killed upon many other worlds; and the almost unbearable sorrow which his actions have caused."
"Then I have no choice except to end his life."
"Of course you do. But it is your choice, young man. However, I have a much different perspective on things than you do."
"I care not for your perspective, whoever you are. All that I know is that this creature has murdered here and it is my job to stop it."
"Of course. But have you not accomplished this?"
"Well, ah," stammers Zev. "I suppose that I have. But I will not release this creature," he hastily adds. "He is a being of terror and murder; end of story."
"That he is. But would it surprise you to learn that there is good buried deep within his heart?"
"Good? In that thing," spits Zev. "If there ever was any good in him it has long since vanished."
"Trust me, young Quantum Man. Good still exists within him; it has just been forgotten, subverted. Hidden from even his knowledge.
Momentary silence.
"I have a knack of somehow rehabbing beings such as this and bringing the good within them to the surface once more. I find the challenge of taking the bad in a situation; or within an individual, if you will, and turning it to good; exhilarating."
"You make this sound like some sort of a game," Zev angrily snaps.
"Believe me, young Quantum Man; a game this is not ," comes the voice's calm albeit stern reply.
"But if I let him go he will most certainly kill again," protests Zev.
"No. I can state with the greatest of confidence that he shall never kill an innocent again."
"And you're so certain of this; are you?"
"I shall see to it personally."
"And if I choose to let him live, just how long with this rehab of yours take?"
"Ohhhhhh I suspect the time frame shall be quite lengthy; for he has a great deal of anger, grief and remorse that must be worked through before he shall once again be permitted to rejoin this reality."
"And then what? He just walks free," Zev angrily snaps.
"All too well do I understand your feelings; for I have seen the type of anger which you harbor longer than you can possibly imagine. Please believe me when I tell you this: once his rehab has been completed, there are worlds which he can actually walk upon as a force for good."
"You're ... kidding me," stammers the shocked young man.
"I do as you say, kid occasionally; but not when dealing with something as serious as this. All that is required of you is that you place the Vole into the vortex which is before you. Of course his fate is in your hands, my young friend."
As Zev weighs his options he looks upon the pitiful creature which can barely stand before him .. Long seconds seemingly pass .. He decides .. His right hand shoots outward -- roughly grasping the creature's chest. "You killed so many -- destroyed countless families," Zev angrily hisses. I'm going to show you more compassion than you deserve."
"What's goin on, Doc," asks a confused Jackson Hole. "He's just standing there, lookin at nothin. Why don't he just kill the thing and get it over with?"
Anna can only shake her head in bewilderment. "I ah, I dunno," she stammers.
Zev's right hand soots outward -- roughly grasping the creature's chest. "You killed so many -- destroyed countless families," Zev angrily hisses. I'm going to show you more compassion than you deserve."
Jerking the creature roughly off of its feet he tosses it into the vortex where it promptly disappears.
"You have chosen wisely, my young friend," says the quiet, loving voice.
"Who are you?"
The vortex dissipates into the air from whence it first emerged.
Seconds later
The slightest of breezes rustles through the quiet of the surrounding forest. Anna and the rest of her friends stare dumbfounded at what has just happened.
Zev turns to face the approaching group.
"Ok. What just happened here," Anna demands.
"The Vole is no longer upon your world, Ma'am. I have been assured that he shall kill no more innocents. As to what happened to him," Zev shrugs, "even I cannot say. All that I know is that he is to be placed into some sort of rehab which is supposed to lead to his being a force for good sometime in the future."
"You're kidding," Anna explodes -- her voice shaking with disgust and anger.
"I assure you; I am not, as you say, kidding."
"But that thing killed two of my friends! And you let him go," Anna angrily exclaims.
"Let's just say that custody was transferred to someone who shall ensure that he never harms an innocent again and can somehow change his inner being and leave it at that. Ma'am; he's gone. He shall never bother you again," Zev softly reassures his friend.
"And you're sure about that, are you," Anna angrily snaps.
Zev momentarily pauses -- considering his friend's question. "I am," he says with a smile and a nod. "And don't ask me to explain how I know; because I can't. I simply know."
"Was the retrieval successful, Ardoran," Vashdon apprehensively asks.
"I am sorry, my Lord Vashdon," replies Ardoron with a deep bow. "But it was not. Your friend disappeared before we were able to achieve mental transfer."
"Explain," Vashdon angrily demands.
An increasingly worried Ardoran continues. "I cannot, my Lord. We were locked upon his consciousness; and then we were not. I cannot explain what happened; just that it did."
An angry Vashdon momentarily pauses -- gathering his emotions. "Leave me. I do not wish you in my presence; for if you were to remain, I may well do something which I shall later regret."
"Yes, my Lord. I am sorry," Ardoran replies as he hastily withdraws from Vashdon's presence.
An elated roar and wild clapping sweep through the Command Center. Everyone within the cramped confines of Cubicle 100 tearfully hug each other.
Zev's family and wife to be hold each other tightly -- tears of joy streaming down their once worried faces. "He did it, Cela. Our son beat that thing."
Cela Stal nods. Her son was alive; and for that she silently thanks The One God of All.
"Sel," exclaims Gath, "I believe that this calls for a family celebration. Would you please join with us in our joy?"
"I shall be honored to do so, Mr. Stal," replies Sel. With a slow shake of her head she continues. "I did not believe that he was going to make it. I thought that I had lost him -- forever."
The voice of Lazarous quietly appears within the minds of those gathered within the smallish room. "I believe that in the future we all must have more confidence in Zev. I was told by a very ancient friend, that Zev was the one for the Earth. I now understand. He is where he belongs."
"Won't you join us in our celebration, Teacher Lazarous," asks Zev's Mother with a smile.
"Thank you no, Mrs. Stal. I am afraid that at this time I have other matters which demand my attention. Another time perhaps."
"You know that you are always welcome in our home, sir. You are as a second father to my son."
The small, hooded figure nods respectfully. "Thank you, Mr. Stal. I am truly honored that your son should consider me as such. And now I must depart. May The One God be with you all," replies the smallish teacher with a deep bow.
"And you as well, Teacher Lazarous."
Amid laughter and much back slapping, the small room finally empties, save Zypher and Argon.
"What a kick ass fight, Argon," Zypher exclaims -- smartly popping a nearby cabinet with his fist. "I've never seen anything like it. How'z about you?"
"Never, sir," says the smiling, ever vigilant Watch Tech.
"I hope you got all of this," Zypher says, the faux menace within his voice apparent. "Ya know, we may have just witnessed the birth of a legend."
A pained expression crosses the young tech's face. "I'm sorry, sir," he says, his voice full of remorse. "But in all of the excitement, I failed to hit record."
"You what," Zypher all but screams. Quickly pulling a smallish hat from his pocket he begins to thoroughly beat Argon about the head and shoulders.
The younger man ducks and covers as best he can. "Take it easy, sir," he begs. "I was only kidding. I got it all! I promise. I got it all, sir!"
"Since I'm in such a good, f%$#^& mood, I'm gonna let that little joke of yours pass, Argon. But don't press it," Zypher snaps with a jab of a finger toward Argon's face.
"Yes, sir."
"Oh," Zypher says -- half turning before he exits. "See if ya can make any sense outta what happened there at the last."
"Will do, sir."
Zev sadly glances toward the dead man lying yards away. "Is everyone else ok," he anxiously asks.
"We are," says Anna with a sad smile and nod. "Thanks to you."
"Who are you and where'd you come from," she asks -- her voice carrying just the right amount of wonder.
Zev smiles, holding up his hands to quiet the group. "My title is that of Quantum Man. I come from a distant world known as New Quantum. I have been assigned to your world to help and protect the people who dwell upon it as best I can."
"That's a pretty tall order, man."
"And your name, sir?"
"William Jefferson," says the black, ex Marine proudly.
"From what little I've experienced of your world, you're dead on, Mr. Jefferson."
Zev gives Anna the slightest of winks. "I suppose all that I can do is just try and do the best that I can. Correct?"
Anna smiles and nods. "I believe that that's about all that anyone can hope to do, Quantum Man."
"And your name, Ma'am?"
"Doctor Anna Lewis."
"Dr. Lewis, I'd like to ask you for a favor, if I may."
"Of course."
"I would like you to let the city know that the Vole no longer poses a danger to the people of Neon. Tell them that it's safe for the city to return to normal now. Can you do that for me?"
"No problem. I'll be glad to let the papers and the television stations know what happened here ASAP. Now just for my own curiosity; are you planning on hanging around this neck of the woods for a while?"
"I believe that we'll be seeing each other from time to time," Zev says with a smiling nod. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've gotta fly." Zev lifts into the air -- momentarily pausing as he looks down upon the small group some yards beneath him. "And that's QM to my friends," he adds with an abbreviated wave. Seconds later his rocketing form is lost to sight over the forest canopy.
"I feel pumped, QI! I've never felt like this before. I feel like I could handle an army of those things," Zev all but shouts.
"Let us not go overboard, Zev," QI calmly cautions. "Even as we speak your concentration levels ... and some sort of ... spiking within your mind which I am as yet unfamiliar with, are rapidly decreasing."
"What, buddy!?"
"Later.
"Mr. Zypher to cubicle 100 please ..."
"What's goin on with Stal now, Argon," Zypher cautiously asks.
"The amplitude of his mental spiking and concentration levels are both dropping like the proverbial rock, sir.
"Interesting," replies Zypher with a thoughtful rub of his chin.
His spiking amplitude has fallen to one hundred percent above our baseline ..... fifty percent above baseline ..... It has now nestled at baseline levels, sir.
"And his concentration levels?"
"Falling just as rapidly, sir. 95%.....90.....85.....80%..... Hmm," muses Argon. "His concentration levels seem to be holding at eighty percent. That's an increase of two percentage points over his previous best, sir."
"Now that's unusual Argon," says Zypher with a nod. "Not unwelcome mind you, just unusual. Butchya know, somethins telling me that we'd better get used to the unusual when it comes to this kid."
"I hear that, sir," replies Argon with a smile and nod.
"QI ... I ah, I don't feel so well, buddy. It almost feels as if my blood sugar ..... just went through the floor," Zev mumbles. With his flight control diminishing about as fast as water runs through a sieve, he fights as best he can to maintain his altitude -- no small task; for the forest beneath him alternately rushes upwards and retreats in yoyo-like fashion, time and again.
" My analysis indicates that your bod has been overloaded and is now beginning to experience intense fatigue as a result of that overload. Unless you wish to spend your recovery time out in these woods, as attractive as they may be; I believe that an immediate return to the ranch, and to your nice, soft bed is warranted. I estimate that for a successful recovery several days of rest and repair shall be required.
"Will ...Will do, QI....." Zev executes a sluggish and unsteady turn as he begins to slowly limp back toward the ranch. "I just hope ... we make it," he says, his voice sounding as tired as he feels... After what seems an eternity of endless minutes in the air, Zev pulls off what can only be called a controlled crash behind the home of Dr. Lewis.
A flash of light.
Seconds later he returns; his shaking, aching body dressed in ordinary clothing. As he gingerly steps through the rear doorway he is immediately intercepted by a greatly relieved Anna Lewis who acts before she thinks.
Launching herself at the darkened figure, she envelops him in the tightest if bear hugs eliciting a deep groan of pain from her friend.
Despite her joy at having her friend survive the Vole's attack, Anna realizes that that victory may have come with a price. She opens her eyes -- immediately releasing her vice-like grip. Stepping backwards she observes Zev as a physician, not as his friend.
After a quick, albeit careful inspection of his face and head, she gently unbuttons his shirt. Despite her years of medical practice her face betrays the shock which she feels; for along with his face and neck, his entire upper body, arms included, are covered in the worst cuts and bruising which she believes she has ever seen upon someone other than those involved in the worst of accidents.
Giving his friend a painful smile, Zev quietly tries to calm her. "Try not to worry, Doc. I'll be fine ... eventually. My chips will be able to repair any injuries . that I have."
Anna momentarily stares deeply into Zev's pain filled eyes -- trying to assess her friend's truthfulness -- whether he would indeed recover without medical treatment of any sort. "Are you certain that there's nothing that I can do for your injuries, Zev?"
"Nothing, Doc," Zev quietly says with a slow shake of his head. "I will recover. But right now I feel awful. If you'll excuse me I've got to get to sleep."
"All right then," Anna says with a nod. "I'll see you later."
Zev gingerly walks/limps passed her toward his room. "Zev," she quietly says. He winces as he slowly turns to face her. "There for a while you looked to be in pretty bad shape. I didn't believe that you were going make it."
A weak smile crosses the face of Anna's friend. "For a while there I didn't think that I was either."
"I'm really glad that your back, Zev. This place just wouldn't have been the same without you."
Zev yawns -- giving his friend another weak smile. He turns and slowly heads to his room for many hours of healing sleep. This place wasn't his home; but with people like Dr. Lewis around, it was the next best thing.
From a darkened corner of Zev's room a dim flicker glows. "Yes sirrrrrre. The Boss is right on target -- no surprise there -- and this young feller ain't no exception to the rule. The Boss knows what He's talking about; as usual. And this youngster's life on this plain of existence is gonna be one; wild; ride. And I'm lookin forward to every bit of it too. "We'll meet later, Zev," the voice quietly concludes. The glow fades returning the room to total darkness.
I hope that you enjoyed the story and will tune in again for the next action packed episode of Quantum Man -- Coming soon to a web page near you.
