Zane and Motac are in a desperate situation as the eternals take over Supernova on Twine and prepare to conquer humanity. Not only that, Tink and Zoltan and Mirko are missing in action. Are they all dead? Or worse, are they possessed by the enemy?
Without his friends, Zane must find a solution to the eternal problem before it’s too late. Will humanity fall under the influence of the eternals? Or will Zane and Motac prevail against almost impossible odds? The one advantage they have is their love, for both each other and their friends.
But is that enough?
Zane looked at him intently.
The man added, “Don’t worry, the cat beings known as Tink and Mirko are safe. We organised an ambush, retrieving them from Banshan custody before they were killed.”
He opened his mouth. Again, no sound eventuated except a pained and barely audible moan. With that moan, Zane managed to utter, “M…o…t…a…c?”
Kort shook his head. “Dead, I’m afraid. We can’t take any chances here, Zane, you’ve got to understand that. Humanity is at war and as a result, all eternals, whether in a host or not, are destroyed on sight. Look, some have taken over people I have loved. When it comes down to it, we have to do what we have to do for the greater survival of our species.”
Zane couldn’t help but feel a great loss. Then again, if what the man said was true, why was it Mirko was still alive? He couldn’t live without Zoltan.
“I will leave you to rest, my friend. I’m sure you’ve got many more questions. Besides, Tink wants to see you as soon as you’re on your feet. He’s a mighty fine looking man, that one, and you’re lucky to have his attention, I must say.”
Before Zane could answer, either with a groan or a nod, Kort had left him. A door slammed with a metallic thud.
For the longest time silence, haunting and somewhat scary, was Zane’s only companion as he lay there in the den of the human resistance. Then, from the corner of his eye, he was sure he saw movement in the darkness. Sure, he was on a makeshift bed, dim lights illuminating an otherwise dull and featureless room, but now he was certain he wasn’t alone. Who would be in here with him? And more importantly, why? No one would know he was here, would they?
Zane tried to turn his head, to no avail. Suddenly a shadow came over him.
He gasped.
“Shhh,” a familiar voice said.
When Zane was able to focus his eyes, to his delight it was Motac. “I…I thought you were dead, mate.”
“Takes a lot to kill me, beautiful.” Motac transformed into his more slippery ethereal self. “Let me enter you. I don’t think Kort was telling you the complete truth when he said the surgery was successful. I watched. They were like butchers compared to what I could have done for you if we were together.”
For some strange reason, Zane wasn’t too worried about himself—not since he’d seen Motac, anyway. He blurted, “How did you survive whatever the Banshan had in mind for you after the extraction?”
Motac joined with Zane.
Together they took in a deep breath. Then, in Zane’s mind, he heard the familiar and welcome voice of the man who had become an important part of him. I survived through sheer luck, really.
Tell me about it. I ain’t goin’ anywhere in a hurry, am I?
We need to get to a computer. I think there is more going on here that what Kort has told you.
“You may be right.” Zane got up off the bed he’d found himself on. He ached, but not like before. The sensation was less intense, more like an uncomfortable feeling around his stomach where the knife had pierced him. With each passing second, his discomfort eased. A good ten or fifteen minutes later he was able to walk around the room without too much bother
The humans who tried to repair you sure did wield the laser scalpel like amateurs, Motac said. I’m surprised you’re alive, to be honest.
At that moment, Zane was glad he had Motac. He also understood how Mirko needed Zoltan. Then again, right now he couldn’t think of himself. I just hope Tink and Mirko are all right as Kort claims, buddy.
So do I.
Only one way to find out—they had to get out of here. He went to the only door of the room. Zane tested the handle. It was locked.
“Damn it,” he mumbled.
Looks like the door is encryption coded. Touch the panel, Zane.
He touched the panel. It lit up. On the small screen three icons floated. To him they looked like Roman numerals, but more artistic. And he would have thought being in a human city would mean he could understand the language. Again, he was wrong.
“How do you open it?” Zane asked.
It’s a sequence menu.
“What the fuck is that when it’s at home?”
Touch the numeral five.
When he placed his finger onto the numeral, another menu sprang up. This time a scroll of about a hundred symbols and ciphers appeared. “Looks like we unleashed something crazy here, Motac buddy.”
