eugenesis-text

Now, with the crowds fully dispersed and only the science teams and the closet necrophiles left, the
arena seemed to be holding its breath. He ducked under a metal cordon and balanced on the rim of the
crater. Charon and Galatea were poking about in the dry slush below.
‘It was one hell of an explosion,’ said Galatea, as if that was what Nightbeat had come to confirm.
‘Seemed to go deep rather than wide, though.’
‘Just as well,’ said Nightbeat, ‘or I’d have four hundred bodies to look for and not just one.’
Charon flipped his visor and squinted at the sky. ‘So what do you think happened to Thunderclash
Surely there should be some trace of him.’
‘You wanted to see me, Nightbeat’ Chromedome walked up, shielding his eyes against the sun. ‘I
think I know what this is about: the security cameras, right’
‘Right. How many were you using’
‘Twelve. And yes, I’ve watched all the footage. There are no clear shots of Thunderclash with
Doubleheader.’
‘Surely one of them picked up something.’
‘They were positioned at roughly equal intervals around the arena and trained on different flashpoints
– areas which Red Alert deemed insecure like the entrance and exit, the stage, the sky. There was no way
we could record every part of the floor simultaneously.’
‘So what footage have you got’
‘Of the explosion Well, all twelve cameras record the flash. One was slagged, three caught part of the
crater. Lots of smoke and flame. Perceptor thinks that the explosion ruptured an underground cable and
triggered a chain reaction.’
Nightbeat picked up a random metal plate. ‘If Thunderclash has been atomised, I can’t work out
how. The explosion wasn’t that powerful. And if he’d simply been blown apart, Galatea’s team would have
found components by now.’
He held up the slab of metal to accentuate his point, and as he did so there was a sudden, soundless
flash on the far wall of the arena: the metal plate was bouncing sunlight to another reflective surface. The
light jumped and shuddered as he moved the plate side to side. Only one angle gave direct flashback.
‘What is it, Nightbeat’
‘Maybe nothing.’ He walked across the arena and began searching for handholds in the wall.
Galatea climbed out of the crater to see Nightbeat scaling the far wall as if escaping a maximumsecurity
compound. ‘Chromedome, what in Prime’s name is he doing’
‘God knows. Go and give him a hand.’
Nightbeat detached the winking object from the ledge, peered awkwardly over his back and
wondered how he would get down with one hand. The answer arrived in the form of Galatea, who had
transformed into jet mode and was hovering within reach. Nightbeat clutched the wobbling wing and was
lowered to safety. Chromedome was waiting.
‘Well What is it’
Nightbeat studied the rectangular object with archaeological care. ‘What do you think it is’
‘Full complement of troops now on board, Lord Xenon. Hyperspatial co-ordinates set, warp thrusters
primed. The Conquest is ready to depart.’
‘Excellent, Quantax.’ Xenon turned to the second colossal screen. ‘What about you, Rodern’
‘Ready and waiting,’ said Rodern from the bridge of the Enslaver. My troops are spoiling for a fight.’
‘Good. They’ll get one. You will both keep me informed of your progress via the subspace link.
Quantax: Sevax, Jolup and Ryknia will act as your lieutenants. They will initiate the second phase once the
planet is secured. Rodern, your troops will bolster the homeworld squads once you have levelled the
fortress. I will then christen the homeworld and load the Cargo. Then As Now, remember’
Quantax stretched to his full height. ‘We shall not fail you, Imperial Majestrix. The future of our race
is assured.’
On the opposite screen, Rodern shook his head in disbelief. ‘Can’t you see he’s being sarcastic,
Xenon’
‘He is being patriotic!’