The air was still, empty, bereft of a
single sound or movement. Nothing was there, nothing. Or was there? Look closer;
enhance your view on the empty space of apparently bare air. Enhance again and
again, until you pass the possible magnifications of technology, and experience
the incredible.
The patch of
air is now a great mass of atoms and molecules of oxygen, alone each one would
be an insignificant bauble, but together, they form a great writhing mass of
life.
But now,
enhance again into that mass, now you can see clearly each individual atom, in
fact two specs of life joined and wriggling, suspended before you. The proton
and neutron, the two aspects of the oxygen molecule. And, surrounding it, an
ever turning infinity symbol of electrons; a path of energy revolving around
the atom and completing the seemingly insignificant spec of atom.
Our
path takes us in closer to the electron revolving around the joined proton and
neutron. Science has made it out that the electron is merely another aspect of
the atom, just another spoke in the wheel. But we know better, don’t we. There
is in fact something else in the electron, something incredible, something
amazing, something; supernatural. Something called, the Atom Guard.
***
The electron belt warped and twisted, as a seeming unrest
started in its innards, something was coming, or more than something. Suddenly,
a speck of energy popped out of the electron. Insignificant in its stature; but
more than that in itself. Suddenly the speck bulged and warped, until three
figures composed entirely of electron fields were left hovering in the space
beside the electron belt. The Atom Guards of sector 15743866; Rad Preventers,
and overall protectors of the Molecular Structure.
One of the
figures floated farther from the belt then the others. He was a tall
individual, with fully matured electron arms, legs and head. His eyes were twin
matrixes of swirling light, like all Atom citizens. And, also like all Atom
citizens, he had the power to form objects from electron tissue. Cadford was
his name, and he was heading this mission, having been promoted to squad leader
of the sector watch earlier.
He turned and
spoke to his companions. Actually, he didn’t really speak to them; the citizens
unfortunately did not include that in their fortes. But instead they
communicate through their consciousnesses, sending messages silently from one
to the other. They could even broadcast it to a large group of citizens if need
be.
Are all squad participants fully charged and prepared for patrol? He thought, sending it to both of his
comrades. They replied individually.
Yes, Cadford, I’m fully operational. How
about you? Moda replied, the smaller member of the group.
Cadford would
have ground his teeth if he’d had any. Moda,
please! We are on a covert patrol here, unnecessary conversation is strictly
prohibited.
Moda’s face
seemed to smile, but you could never be sure with her. Shaking his head Cadford
swiveled to the third occupant of the patrol. And you, Jekk? Are you fully prepared for the mission?
Jekk
nodded curtly. He was undoubtedly, the complete opposite of Moda; Mr.
By-the-book, through and through. He never took a molecule castoff break
without explicit permission.
Alright then, thought Cadford. Let’s get this started. According to our
companions in sector 15743869, several Atom refugees have alerted them that the
Pestilence has taken seven more Atom Colonies, and most of the inhabitance has
fallen.
Jekk
and Moda hissed in outrage. The Pestilence is, strictly speaking, the bane of
the Atom Guard. They are a cult of fallen citizens who have informed the
sectors worldwide that they plan to use their fallen abilities to warp Atom
colonies into Radiation blots. For you see, normal Atom citizens possess the
ability to construct objects from electron belts and fields. But the abilities
of a fallen Atom citizen are much more sinister.
They possess
the ability to create a solution that can interact with Atoms and cause them to
go haywire, until they slowly become larger and more potent until they finally
transform into Radiation.
After this alert was realized, the Atom Guard
was founded. Its sole purpose is to protect the Atom colonies and sectors from
the audacity of the Pestilence. But lately, the effort has been almost
disbanded in the ensuing spree of fallen Atoms. But the Guard still works
tirelessly against the Pestilence, determined to stop their evil.
Cadford nodded understandingly at the
gesticulations of his comrades. I
understand your outrage, people. But what’s done is done. The only thing we can
do is to protect our own sector from the Pestilence, because from what I’ve
heard of the directory of the current Pestilence sightings, their heading this
way. And we very well may be in for some action any time now. Now, let’s get on with the patrol.
Cadford turned from his comrades, and
raised his arm. It glowed brightly for a second, and then a snaking cord of
whirling electrons spun out from his hands, until it created a whirling vortex
of swirling electron belts. And then it died away, the molecules spun back into
his arm, leaving in his hand a short, curved weapon with a corkscrew nozzle. If
set off, it was capable of firing condensed energy at high rates of speed.
Moda and Jekk did the same. Moda
fashioned herself a long saber and Jekk soon held a long buzzing rod with
outlets at each end crackling with condensed atomic energy. As they followed
Cadford away from their Atom, they thought restlessly. I hope some Pestilence guys attack Moda thought rebelliously. Then I’d show them what an Atom Guard could
do she growled, stabbing her saber into the air meaningfully.
Jekk nodded in
spite of himself. Aye, they’d find out
what we were made of. Cadford was still in front of them, glancing around,
scrutinizing every Atom that passed them by something seemed wrong. He didn’t
know what, but he had always prided himself on his soldier’s sense, and it was
buzzing furiously.
Deciding to
act, he came to a halt, holding up a closed fist. Moda and Jekk had been so
immersed in their conversation that they nearly merged with Cadford as they
flew up behind him.
Hold it!
He thought urgently.
What’s up? Thought Jekk, hovering away
from Cadford and shaking a few stray molecules off his arm. Something’s not right, Cadford thought
back. Something feels, out of place
somehow.
Come off it! Moda thought bracingly. It’s just that—
And then it
happened. Faster than any of them could react, three oval black pods swerved out
from behind two Atoms and began sending condensed black matter whizzing
everywhere.
Evasive manu-!- Jekk’s suggestion was
cut off when a speeding pestilence clipped his side and sent him spinning.
Judging from his groans, he had minutes left before he fell. For you see, the
black pods were of course agents of the Pestilence attempting to overrun the
sector.
Cadford swore
violently, by the atomic structure of
horse-poo! And sped toward the falling figure of Jekk. But he was soon cut
off by a Pestilence pod which had targeted him. Backup! I need backup! This is Cadford, on patrol on the west side of
the colony. Pestilence pods everywhere! I repeat!
But he
couldn’t repeat, a swath of pestilence blots were spinning toward him, and he
had to dive out of their trajectory to avoid being hit. He looked around
frantically for Moda. He saw her finally, surrounded by the two other pods and
protecting herself with a large construct shield.
Cadford sped
to her aid, the third pod closely following. Dodging several more shots from
the pod following him he raised his weapon and sent three charges into the
closest pod. All three found their target, and then the pod exploded in a
spectacular lightshow, sending gluon-shrapnel everywhere.
Using the
confusion to his advantage, Cadford quickly constructed a brick wall and sent
it flying toward the pod behind him. Not listening for contact, he swerved
around the second pod and stopped beside Moda.
You okay? He thought, while fending off
several pestilence blots. Fine she
thought. But Jekk doesn’t look so good. She
pointed to the attacking pod. Sure enough, hovering beside it, his body a
sickly gray yellow tinge, was Jekk. He grinned down at us.
Hoo boy. He changed faster than I thought
I thought. He’ll be a definite problem. Moda
nodded. Then constructed a grenade and hurled it at him. He scowled and whacked
it away with his staff. You’ll have to
try harder than that, Atom Guard he thought; his signature now much more
grating.
The pod beside
him suddenly popped open and a Fallen floated out. He had the look of a veteran
Pestilence, and his words confirmed this. Surrender,
Atom Guards; you have no chance against us. I am Captain Lorz, join us and you
will prosper.
Cadford glared
at him. He knew he should hate all Pestilences, but this one seemed especially
unlikable. You can shove your request
somewhere painful, Pest. You can kill us two, but not all of us.
Lorz smiled. I was hoping you’d say that, forward! At
his command, several more pods sped out from behind other Atoms. Obviously,
this had been a very well laid trap.
Begin turning the Atoms, I shall deal with these two Lorz thought almost contemptuously.
The other pods turned to an individual Atom, and then there was a buzzing
sound, and then black coiled of matter spun out of them and connected to the
Atom. Its surface warped and jumped, then slowly, it began darkening, turning
sickly.
NO!! Moda raged. Creating two sabers,
she flew at Lorz, maddened by rage. Lorz raised his arms, and from his pod flew
a score a fallen ones. They grabbed her roughly, and however much she wriggled
they held her fast. Then one of them sent a coil of black matter into her
matter, and it immediately began contaminating her system. She thrashed for a
moment, and then went limp.
With a loud WHOOM Cadford’s bolt of electron
matter crashed into the ranks of fallen. The spun away like nine pins, many
with smoking, ragged holes in their chests and limbs. He flew quickly to her.
Lorz was a ways away, having been also hit by the blast, but he was coming
fast, so Cadford would have to work fast. He constructed a knife and quickly
slashed through the coil of darkness still attached to her. She slumped into
his arms, and he flew slowly but surely away from the scene.
She needed a
regeneration chamber fast. But before Cadford could do any more then lay her on
a quickly constructed cot. Lorz hit him like a bolt of lightning. They spun
away from Moda, who had not moved.
Cadford had a grip on Lorz’s jaw, but he gripped his shoulders tightly
and was kicking him mercilessly in the stomach.
You die now, Atom Guard! He grunted,
breaking away, and constructing an evil looking contraption. No, Cadford thought. You do. And then with a spurt of energy
he did not know was in him. He flew forward and broke off the contraption from
Lorz’s arms used it to whack him into the Atom’s Electron belt that we had been
battling close to.
He stayed in
sight for a second, struggling with the current, and then, with a wail, he
dispersed into gray matter and was whipped away by the ever turning current of
the belt. Cadford hovered there for a second, shocked at what he’d done. Then
he shook himself and shot away from the Atom. Weaving through the close cropped
Atoms until he reached Moda, who had started to drift.
Thinking fast,
he carried her quickly over to the closest Atom, and slipped her gently into
the Electron current. I’ll be back he
thought. Then turned and flew towards the contaminating Pest pods. Moda would
be safe in the Electron belt. Though it wasn’t her own she would remain there
until picked up in a cryogenic slumber. Wiping this from his mind he
concentrated on the job ahead. Constructing a buzz saw and grasping it in his
right hand, he set to work.
Weaving under
and behind several pods, he finally reached Lorz’s open pod. Dispersing the
buzz saw, he came to rest on the controls. This was definitely a crazy idea,
but it might just work. Cadford closed the pod, and grabbed the first thing
that came to hand, something that looked like a joystick. Turning it, he
started off an unfinished Hologram game. Shaking his head he reached for
another stick. That turned out to be a Sustenance Stick. Finally he found the
real joystick and took the pod into a quick turn.
Right in front
of Cadford was the line of Pests. Anger boiled up in his mind. They were
contaminating his sector, his home. The place he’d loved, the place he’d lived
in for so long. The place he’d been unable to protect.
He jammed down
the joystick, and the pod leapt forward. It crashed into the first pod, and it
crumpled before the reinforced hull of Cadford’s stolen pod. It dropped away
and out of sight, taking its coil of black matter with it. Cadford turned the
pod again and sent it crashing again into another pod.
He repeated
this again, all down the line, and again and again, and again and again, until nothing was left. He opened
the pod and floated out. Fortunately, they hadn’t gotten far before he’d
arrived. And he might even be able to patch it up before the backup arrived. A
glow of pride spread through his body. He’d succeeded. He’d protected his
sector, he’d defeated the enemy. He had done his duty; the duty, of the Atom
Guard.
END
