Star Warden 3: CC. Chapter 9

 

Prison Break

Black Maiden island or the Black Maiden is the most infamous of all the Maiden Islands. The entire island is dominated by a prison complex. Known to house unrepentant criminals it has recently become home to those who opposed Falstaff's rule. What most did not know is that it also served as a lab and testing facility for the Domain.

It was well guarded against external attacks or break-in attempts. The added defenses of a combat air patrol and laser turret batteries would repel all but the most determined and well-equipped assault. Thus it would be foolish for the Warden to launch a frontal attack and the all robotic guards made infiltration nigh on impossible. Save by the one back door that not even the Dark Lord was aware of.

A World Mirror in the underground mines of the complex. Used originally to transport new prisoners directly to the mines for work. With King Oberon's knowledge of the mirror code and the use of the Celestial mirror on board the Blackjack. The Star Warden slipped into the prison like a thief in the night.

Josie joined him using her telepathic powers like a sonar device. Searching for the Elder Keeper's thoughts to find him. For the most part that was easy due to the prison complex being automated and patrolled by SWAT-bots. Thanks to the scrambler program passive sensors like cameras would not detect them.

A SWAT-bot using active sensors would detect them immediately.

It was the cells that were truly difficult to navigate. Josie had to filter through the broken and pained thoughts of the prisoners. The utter darkness of the cell block forced Sam to rely on his ears to navigate. Josie had night vision equipment in her suit. If Kaguya accompanied them she could conjure light to relieve his eyes. But the risk of her magic being detected may have blown the mission and let Daimos know they were there.

Stepping lightly across the dark halls making nary a sound, easier for Josie due to her suit's stealth capabilities. They finally arrived at the Elder Keeper's cell. Discovering it through his constant thoughts about his family. Rushing over to the cell they found the Elder Keeper laying down. Dressed similar to his wife but with a lack of facial tattoos.

Merlin unlocked the cell. Using a program similar to the one Peace developed to take over Domain equipment.

"Chronos?"

“Who is there,” the Elder replied.

Sam whispered. “Keep it down. Rhea sent me to rescue you.”

The Keeper's eyes opened in a panic. “No, go save her first. They have her here.”

“Negative, sir. She's back at the monastery. She told me about her vision.”

The Elder's face lit up first in shock, then in understanding, shifting later to an apologetic look. “I'm sorry. I was deceived by that black knight. He used some sort of illusion or holographic technology too advanced for me to notice. I believed my wife was being tortured and I told him about the ring.”

“Let's cross one bridge at a time and get you out. Can you walk?”

“Not quickly.” Sam picked him up and lifted him over his shoulder.

A short beep was all the warning they received before the prison door slammed shut. Steel feet could be heard storming down the corridors. Sam deployed a cyber-field on the bars while Josie downloaded a series of explosives onto the wall, then deployed her own field. The SWAT-bots were caught in the plasma blast when Sam lowered his field.

They fled through the hole in the wall. Jumping from the frying pan into the fire of a running battle across the prison. Josie's equipment was a boon to the Warden as it was able to do what his weapons couldn't. Penetrate a SWAT-bot's armor that wasn't the head. That made things easier but the SWAT-bots leveraged their other advantages. Their numbers and complete knowledge of the prison's layout. Setting up chokepoints and attacking from multiple angles.

Fortunately, the elder's magic got them through the worse of it. Enhancing Merlin's scramble program to make shots veer off course. Targeting computers would malfunction causing friendly fire. One robot even had its legs and arm servos lock up. The magic of Mira while not flashy was always effective.

“May the Maiden of Knowledge guide our steps. Obscure the truth from the eyes of the enemy.”

A group of robots had their optics go dark allowing the three to rush underground into the mines. They did not hesitate to escape back to the monastery via the World Mirror.

******

“Lorcan report,” said Daimos.

“All resistance has been defeated, Dictator, I have just entered the core control room.”

“Make haste. The Star Warden has rescued the Elder Keeper. He will soon be on his way. Secure the ring and ensure the Spellbinder is destroyed.”

“By your command.”

Daimos ended the call and slammed his fist on an armrest. The rebels could use World Mirrors and the Warden had used one right under his proverbial nose. If it wasn't for the fact that Daimos was on guard for certain code fragments. The Elder might have escaped without raising any alarm.

Since that defective piece of equipment known as Peace began infiltrating his network. The Great Dictator had been hard at work developing countermeasures. Countermeasures that improved when he learned that the Warden had taken control of a SWAT-carrier on Ramia. While the code to fool the Elder's cell was different. There was enough of Peace's handiwork and other familiar signs exposing the ruse.

But like many times before Sam once again gave him the slip. Aided this time by one of those uplifted dogs. Frustration bubbled inside his body. Despite all his efforts, his enemies were now working together. The Templars could aid the rebellion on Aetherium and close the technological gap. Worse he still had not discovered the Warden's new power. The power that managed to free Vicious's soul from his grasp. Hopefully, Lorcan would be immune but he could not be sure of it.

If there was one weapon that made Daimos a threat it was information. He could fight with the best of them and if pure skill was lacking. He had enough raw power to overwhelm even the most skilled opponent. But it was information, resources, and planning that gave him the edge over others. The insurgency on Aetherium could never hope to outmuscle him so he always had a clear picture of their capabilities and thus could react accordingly.

Now he was finding himself being corrected at a quickening pace. He kept calm knowing that they lacked the resources to fully exploit those surprises. But with Templar agents on the world and the fact he didn't know how they got on his world, his calm was slowly being eroded. He needed to take some action before another surprise came with a disaster he could not easily bounce back from.

A simple command opened up the files he had taken from the Tuatha archives. If Lorcan failed in his task then the Warden would have a Cosmic Ring. Daimos was sure the ring was left on Aetherium for a reason. If he could find out what that reason was he could either twist it to serve him or destroy it.

“Even with your new power, Samuel. You will not dethrone me.”

******

Chronos and Rhea embraced each other.

“Dear heart. Your vision passed just as you said. My apologies for the lack of faith.”

“I am simply glad to see you are safe from harm.”

Sam interjected. “Listen I'm happy to help reunite a couple. But Daimos already has a head start on the first ring.”

“The Ring is located to a facility off the southern coast of the main island. It is guarded by a protective barrier. Hopefully, it slowed down Lorcan.”

“This Lorcan does he wear a helm with a terrible face,” asked Kaguya.

“Indeed. I believe he wears that helm to hide his true wraith form.”

“A what now?”

“A Wraith is simply a remnant of an individual's soul in the Codex. In ancient texts, a few people preferred to live in digital reality rather than our own. They lost themselves in the process becoming no more than a shadow of life. From what I could sense this Lorcan is something similar.”

“We fought a digital being on Ramia,” Sam said. “If this Lorcan is another one then we have an advantage against it. Thanks for the heads up.”

“Elders!” Shelia's voice rang out as she ran into the room. “Machines on their way. Large force. They have flying machines with them as well!”

“Get everyone to the main building. We're leaving!”

“Leaving?”

“Your warriors won't be able to defeat them. Plus I'm sure that Daimos is attempting to stall us so Lorcan can have more time. Now bring everyone here so we can leave.”

“Yes sir.” Shelia ran off.

“What do you intend to do,” asked Chronos.

“A magic trick.” Sam smiled.

Making a call to Celes, the Blackjack opened up a gateway in the main monastery. The Keepers left with all they could carry. Chronos and Rhea left a defensive ward around the underground entrances. Hoping that the enemy would not discover the Sentinel node hidden beneath.

When the SWAT-bots stormed the main hall their prey was long gone.

Chapter 10

Chapter 8