Lair by Carl Stubblefield (recommended reading TXT) 📕

impressive in different ways. He could tell that the decor was from what he had seen in movies from the late Fifties or Sixties, but they housed screens and panels that he doubted existed in that time frame. The ball floated toward a control area and rested in a receptacle above a main console, which flickered to life. He saw the screens wink on and run through some boot sequence as it checked systems and loaded files. Gus meandered to the window and looked out. They appeared to be similar to the oval windows Gus had seen before, but that area must be lower and on the other side of the structure.

“Sir, if you are ready, we can continue…” the steward invited. His voice seemed to be British to Gus’ mind, and he wondered how Nick and this A.I. would get along. Also, he wondered how such a small little thing could speak with enough volume to hear, until he realized that it was communicating through the nanite connection in his ears.

“Do you understand verbal commands?” Gus inquired aloud.

“Yes, the system has a sample of your voiceprint and will respond to commands to a limited extent. I see you have not unlocked Administrative access at this time. Perhaps later. Until then I will be happy to assist you with whatever I can.”

The blue orb floated again and went around a couple consoles to hover at a panel with multiple sockets and slots. “When you and Methiochos are ready, have him use this panel to scan his handprint. A DNA sample will be taken at that time as well. This being done, he can unlock Admin access and designate your proper level of clearance. Please familiarize yourself with the controls.”

Gus looked at the array of panels and scanners. Along one wall, he could see monitors displaying views of the island springing to life. Another bank showed various scans and the lifeforms entering and exiting a certain area. Yet another was labeled facility management. Gus looked at the different menus on this screen and began to see that the manor was much bigger than he had initially thought. There were all types of specialized structures in the building, from labs, to manufacturing, and even training facilities. All of them were grayed out except for some basic systems. When Nick came back online, he would have to investigate further.

Wanting to experiment more with the control schemes, but not wanting to commit to anything without Nick’s advice, he resisted the urge to explore and change settings. His mind was getting foggy from the late hour and his eyes began to feel dry and itchy. Gus still felt tired even though he had been unconscious much more than normal lately. He began to worry about how he would be able to function if this weariness became worse. Maybe his Nth were offline right now as well? Or had limited function without Nick’s organization? Or if he had a concussion from when the creature had thrown him. Weren’t you supposed to avoid sleeping in cases like that? Before he could wind himself up with worry, he found himself asking Stuart something, almost unbidden.

“I think I’m done here. Could you show me somewhere I can sleep?”

“Certainly. I will show you to one of the executive suites.” The blue ball lifted out of its resting spot and floated toward the elevator.

At the same time they were headed to the master suite, forces were mobilizing elsewhere on the island.

###!###

The time had come. The being that the Dark Nth called The One began sending out mental commands to his minions. There were many different types, and it took some doing to keep them fed and maintained. Fortunately, he had retained some abilities from the life before which allowed him to take care of his brood. Unfortunately, as he became more aware, he recalled that he could create no new minions to bolster his ranks—if any were lost, they were gone, and if there was anything that angered The One, it was the loss of power in any form. So much had been lost. But The One had fought, and he had created a bulwark to limit the control the Dark Nth could place on him. Finally, he could reclaim what was his.

Chapter Fifteen

Building, a Mystery

Day 4 11:05 PM

10:13:31 remaining

Dark memories faded in and out of the life before. This was not how things should be. The transport. The attack. The crash. Barred and corralled by his own creation.

Many things had been lost; the anger and focus had been refined and made it easier to resist the Dark Nth’s probing attempts to ‘correct’ him. He had never needed anyone to guide him in the past. He did not need it now. Revenge would be had.

This was not chance; he had been sabotaged. So much time had passed. But he would find all the corrupted branches, teeming with rot. They would be burned. Then the trunk. Then the roots, if any remained. The Dark whispered to him.

At first, he refused to believe, but there was no other way. Betrayal. Covetousness and avarice. Jealousy. So petty. But The One could be petty too. They would see what they had wrought. How did the Dark know so much? Ebb and flow. Preparations had been made. Then improved. Could the Dark be trusted? But it knew. It gave but did not ask. That was different. Now was the time to move. The One sent the Slow out first. They would clear the path. They were the least valuable and hardest to control. He could feel the tendrils of connectedness finally unwinding after years of being huddled in a tight knotted mass. If these perished, it would be less he would have to feed. Contempt. They depended on him from the life before, they depended on him now. Parasites. But necessary. Or not. Time would tell. The One had waited so long. He would wait no more.

###!###

Gus awoke and sat up. Sleeping in a