Jas awoke to the sound of his phone buzzing. Serenity was gone. He rolled over, grimaced, then sat up. Cindy.
Hello?
Good morning! She sounded insanely chipper. Its your 5 a.m. rise and shine call. Are you ready for the apocalypse?
Cindy?
Sorry, sorry, too much caffeine, too much death, too much despair. I think Im starting to beco bipolar. Can that happen? Or is it a brain chemistry thing independent of what happens in your life? Doesnt matter! Co on down. Lots to do.
Thanks, he said and hung up. For a mont he just stared out into the pre-dawn gloom. He could feel it, waiting just beyond the curtains in the wings of his mind: so much he could think about, so much heavy shit.
Nope, he said, and just chose to not let those monsters step into the light. Instead he rose, showered, dressed, and erged into the penthouse suites main living area.
Denzel and Kerim were eating breakfast together at the counter. Denzel was laughing quietly at sothing while Kerim shook his head, a despairing smile on his lips.
Jas slowed, paused. Sothing - oh.
Good morning, he said, grabbing a Manna bread from the basket as he walked by. You guys have a good night?
Kerim froze and he glanced at Denzel, who sat up straight, eyes widening in alarm.
Relax, said Jas, clapping Denzel on the shoulder as he walked by. Im happy for you guys. Anything that adds to the net joy in this world is a good thing. Im heading down to the ballroom. Wheres everybody?
Everyones sleeping except for Serenity, who went downstairs, said Denzel.
Kimmie erged from the hallway, a towel around her neck, her pale blonde hair mussed. Hey guys. Morning.
You know what? Jas considered. Kimmie? Kerim? A mont?
They followed him to the TV area where they sat.
We never had that talk. Jas leaned forward. And therell never be a good ti for it.
Im in, said Kimmie. You dont need to tell anything.
Let him talk, said Kerim. Go ahead, Jas.
You replaced two people. Bjrn and Becca. God, that felt like a lifeti ago. Bjrn used his Inspire to try and control people. He wanted to form a new society, one where operators like you and ruled over the Fabricators. dieval shit. I told him no, and to never use his powers on us again. Then, a month or so later, he tried to force to use a Heavenly Assault in battle. Froze up as I fought him off. I ended up taking a hit to the face that Denzel had to take with Martyrs Cry.
Oh shit, said Kimmie, lifting her hand to her mouth.
I confronted him after the fight and saw that he was completely unrepentant. Saw that he still had that view of wanting to control others, of being in charge. I realized then that I could never trust him, couldnt jail him, and that if I cut him loose hed gather folks around him and cause no end of trouble.
So you killed him, said Kerim softly.
So I killed him, Jas repeated. Which is why we need to have this talk. I understand if you dont want in, given what I did. Dont answer now. Think about it. Talk with Denzel, who was there, and saw what happened.
Kimmie lowered her hand. But thats not how Inspire is supposed to work. Its ant to be a force for good.
Its why he wasnt as effective as he hoped. He once tried to get Serenity to act against her nature, and she just locked up. Sa happened with , maybe because we both had high Arete. He thought it was mind control, a ans to dominate us into doing what he wanted.
Kimmie looked outraged. Thats awful. Its thats awful.
Kerims expression was more inscrutable. You reported this to Hackworth?
Ive got an investigation and possible court martial pending. Yeah. But not today, not this week. Jas rubbed his hands on his pants. I felt it was necessary. Obviously. But I know how it makes look. So judge for yourselves. Talk to the others, and then let know, but try to do it soon. If youre out, well need to find soone else for the Fourth Wave.
Jas stood, and the other two rose as well.
I dont need to talk to the others, said Kimmie. Im in. I know youre a good man. This Bjrn sounds terrible. If you did it, I trust that you had no other good choice.
Nothings that simple in this world, said Jas sadly. But thank you, Kimmie.
Kerim looked back at Denzel. Ill think this over. Im inclined to agree with Kimmie, but I will let you know.
Good enough. Thanks for listening. Jas gave them both a grimace of a smile, stepped around them and strode to the front door. Ill be downstairs.
Kas Jelly rose from where hed been standing immobile on a side table and floated over to where Jas stood. I can sense sothing very exciting downstairs.
Jas paused. Very exciting?
Which ans we should go down and not stand here talking about it.
All right, all right. Jas summoned the elevator, but before he could press the Lobby button, Jelly tapped the first parking level one.
Trust .
Fine.
The elevator doors opened to reveal the Fabricator floor as before. The sa colored lines led away to different areas, and even at this hour the place was alive with industry, the clink and clang of tal being struck by hamrs, a variety of different and exotic slls mixing with the old stink of gas and rubber, the lights bright, announcents coming over the intercom system.
Jelly flew straight ahead and Jas had to break into a run-in order to keep up. The Anima knew where to go: it zipped around corners, flew over startled Fabricators, and out into a new central area whose floor had been removed, making their level a second-floor balcony that wrapped around a sunken chamber.
The space was huge and with no sign of the concrete that had been neatly excised to give access to the floor below.
Jass gaze was imdiately drawn to the massive machine dominating the space.
Holy shit.
Your favorite.
A bipedal robot rose so fifteen feet in height, a ss of support cables lashing it in place. It looked like a sleek, ambulatory tank. Or a gorgeous 1950s Rolls Royce atop a swivel mount pelvis with heavily armored recurved legs beneath it. Everything was gold and burgundy armor plating, gleaming as if lacquered, with rivet bolts along the edges and glossy stainless steel beneath in the form of its skeleton. Pistons, pipes, and a car grill along the front in the shape of a snarling mouth.
Actually.
Jas blinked and saw it. The front of the upper body was shaped like a wolfs head, the grill its mouth, twin ruby headlamps its eyes, the rest of the tank its massively hunched shoulders and back. Arms extended out on each side like sidecars on a motorbike, of limited mobility but each sported what was clearly a massive weapon of so kind, a pair of huge cannons whose bores were wide enough for Jas to stick his arm inside. Their barrels were ribbed, their bases complex engines whose purpose escaped him altogether.
Jessica was below, tablet in hand, conferring with a dozen other Fabricators, but so instinct caused her to turn and gaze right up at him.
What the fuck is that? Jas called down with a helpless smile, a laugh of disbelief bubbling up in his chest.
Canis Bello, she called back. Our first War Hound.
Jas stepped forward and dropped twelve feet to the floor below, landing easily and gazing up now at the Hound. It towered over him, massive, its burgundy and gold plating easily several inches thick and curved around its shins, its thighs, its hull and arms. It was massive, felt huge, heavy, ponderous.
Terrifying.
Jessica approached. Ive been pushing my people hard. It costs as much as twenty Wings to make, but given what were facing today, it felt right.
Its ready?
We just need the Aeviternum. And no, Im not going to ask operators to spend theirs on it before the fight. Weve unlocked the ability to create Aeviternum batteries. Each can bank up to a hundred points. Ive got nine of them fully charged, and well be infusing the Hound with 729 points shortly.
729?
Nine cubed.
Thats a tric fuck-ton of Aeviternum. Jas let out a low whistle and studied the Hound. Whatll it be able to do?
Kill demons, mostly, said Jessica, looking up as well. As always, the schematics co with precious little details, but it should give the Nem3s a hell of a headache.
Damn, Jessica. He grinned at her. This is amazing.
Its not active yet. There are so final details well only be able to explore once its activated. For example, the central body has a cavity thats Anima shaped. We dont know what thats about yet, but my guess is thats a ans to recharge it once it starts to run low on Aeviternum. Well find out soon.
When are you going to activate it?
In an hour. Were running final diagnostics. Which, given the mystical nature of this construction, ans using our chanicus to ensure the correct density of the component pieces and that everythings hooked up right. These things make Wings look simple.
Amazing. Can you call before you wake it up?
Of course. Jessica smiled tiredly. Weve also got more equipnt to distribute. Weve got over ten thousand Fabricators working around the clock now. Every day Cindys organizing and implenting new workshops across the city, as well as growing our oversight and command center to orchestrate production. We have over six hundred Wings across the city now. People are unlocking new schematics and items they can produce daily.
Jas nodded and studied the War Hounds visage. The snarling maw, the deeply inset ruby eyes, the molded crimson and gold head. He couldnt wait to see it activate.
Youre the best, he said.
Serenity told about what happened. She was here earlier, checking in. Jessicas expression turned to one of concern. Are you doing OK?
She clearly knew it was an impossible question, but he appreciated her asking it regardless. Yeah, he said. Im fine. Ill be back in an hour.
And with that he leaped, grabbed the edge of the first floor, hauled himself up, and made his way back to the elevators.
That Canis Bello was amazing,said Jelly. I want to be one when I grow up.
Youre going to grow?
There was a long pause.
I guess not. But still, I feel a very strong desire to be one.
too, bud. too.
Jas made his way to the ballroom. The hotel was alive with activity, and almost everyone recognized him as he went. Jas nodded to those who called out greetings, gave stiff waves to those who saluted him, and did his level best to get to the ASOCC.
Cindy was using a standing desk, headphones on, grooving as she scrolled through a database. A dozen crushed cans of Red Bull lay around her extra-wide monitor. Jas tapped her on the shoulder and she whipped around, eyes gleaming, deep lines of exhaustion carved into her face, her hair greasy and pulled back into a small ponytail.
Jas! Serenity was just here. She told about Joanna. Im so sorry, but thats war, right? Were not supposed to feel sad for more than, what, ten minutes? Haha, kidding, this is all such a train wreck, but what can you do? Ive already found so replacents for you, but you know what? Thats a tough one to fill. You want Deadeye, I got you, but Remove Fear? Nobody picks that. Not sexy? I dont know. So, slim pickings, but we all need that synergy bonus, right? Right?
Whoa, Cindy. Jas raised both palms. Take a breath.
Right, yes. She closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, then slowly exhaled for a four count. Then her eyes snapped open and she bead. There! So much calr. So, here are the candidates, man, I cant get over how morbid this all is, why dont you take a look and let know who you want to call?
Jas stepped past her to look at the screen. For a mont he couldnt read the nas. He saw instead Joanna, her honest, open expression, how shed never ceased to be horrified, never beco jaded, how despite her strong physique shed been perhaps the most emotionally vulnerable of them all. The bond shed ford with Olaf, the quiet support shed given the whole team.
Gone.
Sarah, Bjrn, Becca, and now Joanna. Theyd lost almost half of the original Crimson Hydra team. Was he sentencing whover he picked to a 50% chance of death?
The responsibility was crushing.
Fuck, he whispered, and forced himself to focus on the nas. Twenty-seven candidates. Arbitrarily he decided he wanted soone in their 30s, young enough to be spry, old enough to have so life wisdom. Female, to keep the team balanced. That left three candidates.
You know anything about these three?
Cindy peered at the nas. Nope.
I dont have ti to interview them all. They all here?
Cindy scrolled right along the columns. Nope. Sarah Browns based in the Bronxs recruiting center, Jennifer Williams in Manhattan. Only Miriam Larsons here in Brooklyn.
That makes it simple. Page her for ?
Youll be in the sa conference room as last ti?
Suddenly the thought of interviewing another person, sizing them up, asking questions, deciding if theyd join his team and probably die was just too much for him. Maybe it was weakness on his part, maybe it was trauma, maybe he was just too god damned tired, but he realized he couldnt do it.
Im going to ask Serenity to do it. Ive got to check in with Hackworth.
Sure thing, boss, said Cindy chirpily. Ill get right on it.
Jas stepped away and called Serenity.
She answered a few monts later. Morning, sunshine.
Hey. Do a favor?
Whats up?
I dont have it in to interview Joannas replacent. You think you can check her out while I talk to Hackworth?
Sure. There was a pause. You doing OK?
Jas laughed. We all need to co up with a better way of asking that. Because no. But also yes. Yeah, Im fine. Just managing my reserves.
Good to hear. Ill be right down.
Jas hung up. Kas Jelly was hovering beside him. What?
You look like youre running low on Aeviternum
Ive got all four points.
Not what I an.
I know. Im fine. This shit takes a toll.
You should try becoming a machine. Makes everything much easier.
Thanks. Ill look into that.
Jas found Hackworth, but the colonel was too busy working with his command team to do more than greet him. Jas watched, nonplussed, as Hackworth coordinated with other branches of the military and prepared the whole war machine for the days activities.
Jas backed away and left him to it. Thank god he wasnt responsible for all that.
Instead, he made his way back down to the parking lot and returned to the double-high construction zone where the War Hound stood.
Fabricators were wheeling in the Aeviternum batteries. They looked like waist-high heat pumps that glowed with a soft golden hue. Even from the floor above their spiritual weight was imnse; Jas could feel on so weird level how they distorted the very fabric of the world, as if each generated its own gravitational pull.
Jessica ran the operation with clear, precise commands. Jas didnt draw attention to himself, but instead watched as she oversaw the batteries being hooked up to the War Hound, received confirmations from the other War Engineers that the Hound was ready, and then did sothing with her own chanicus that looked important. Everyone watched as she held it before the Hounds gleaming red and gold chest, and then she backed away and nodded.
Were ready. Soone please page Jas Kelly.
No need. He pushed off the column and stepped into view above them all. Im here.
Jessica flashed him a smile. It was only then that he saw how incredibly nervous she was. Great. Then were ready. Lets power it up and see what it can do.
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