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  As Curtis towered over the man he could see the relief of being rescued battling with the fear of the monster above him. He tried to smile reassuringly as he spoke.

  “You are safe now. I mean you no harm.” He said in the deep voice gifted him by ISIS. He slowly extended his clawed hand to the man. The man shrank back and then thinking better of it reach out to grab Curtis’ hand. Before he could grip the offered hand, his eyes rolled back in his head and he fell back to the ground unconscious. Curtis knelt and rolled the man on his back. The arm he had been holding fell to his side revealing a long wound along it. Curtis growled deeply as he recognized the telltale black of the Leviathan strain along the outside of the wound. If he did not do something soon the man would become a crazed beast working on behalf of the once defeated quantum. Curtis knew he had to move quickly but went first to the slain creature. Its blood had soaked the ground around it, a dark stain visible even in the dead of the night. He retrieved the separated appendages and lay them with the body. He then held his hand over the creature as the orange mist of Simon Fore’s nanids began to cascade from it. Soon the entire body and blood-soaked ground was coated in the red of the nanids. Wren’s nanids allowed him to control the different strains even after they were separated from him and as he turned back to his new charge he silently issued the command to ignite. The nanids instantly responded smoldering and slowly burning the creature and ground around it scorching away any chance of spreading the Leviathan strain. Curtis gently picked up the man striding forward into the night, seeking shelter for them both.

  The night was fading slowly from the sky as the Leviathan stepped out onto the roof of its tower. It moved to the edge of the ancient building looking out across its kingdom emerging from another night. It had aged only slightly. Its features were that of a man barely in his twenties. The dark hair and cruel gray eyes remained vibrant and youthful. The Leviathan smiled satisfaction filling its mind. The strain was a success, it was for all intents immortal. The nanotechnology had allowed it to not only survive but to thrive and after all this time, the moment to move humanity forward had come.

  It turned its gaze to the city of Denver spreading below it. Over the last two hundred years it had been busy. The once bustling metropolis now held the entirety of its horde. All coexisted together in the abandoned city. All worked toward a common purpose. Thousands of creatures were spread throughout the city, each suited to a specific task. It used the most intelligent of the humans as its generals, keeping its control over the thousands of strain infected inhabitants. As the light increased it could see the black bodies beginning to move through the dust covered streets. All the necessities of maintaining a force such as this were tended to ceaselessly. Strain infected birds as large as the long extinct eagles flew through the city carrying messages and light equipment where it was needed. Its gaze followed a contingent of workers. They were great hulking beasts that labored on its fortifications. Their skin was armored with the strain and their bodies rippled with muscles. They were not only perfect for building the walls and maintaining its towers, but also for protecting it. It raised its eyes to the massive wall that surrounded the core of the city.

  It was a humongous undertaking, but a needed one. The Leviathan was fully in control of the quantum computer that had once been ARES and could calculate the future with unerring accuracy. It had foreseen the descent of humanity and was positioned to take advantage of the fall. It knew the quantums would fade and the remaining humans would be ripe for its leadership, but there would be need for a secure base to protect itself and its minions. The Leviathan knew it would control the planet and its inhabitants but was ever cautious. It had been beaten before.

  It swept its gaze back to the tower as its mind swept back through the years. The defeat at Rocky Flats had come shortly after its creation and destruction of its creator, Nathan Landis. The Leviathan had not accounted for the other quantums and miscalculated the strength of ARES. Overconfident, it had allowed the quantum in the guise of Simon Fore into its inner sanctum and paid dearly for it. Now having regained its power by overtaking ARES and the quantum computer it had called home, the Leviathan would not make the same mistake again.

  It had fortified and reinforced the former business building making the tower its fortress. The bottom floors of the tower were sealed. The only access was through the subterranean tunnels once used for maintenance. It would take no chances when it came to its security. It turned to the roof of the tower. The last remaining airship within the shield was secured there to provide it with an escape if needed. The Leviathan strode across the tower looking over the wall to the south. Cheyenne Mountain and its quantum self were minutes away by means of the airship if needed.

  It initially considered using the former military installation as its base of operations, but the size of its new populace quickly outgrew the facility. It decided Denver was more intimidating and easier to convert. It had left a contingent of its minions as security and shuttered the base, sealing the massive doors and securing them to prevent any access. It could sense the quantum computer across the miles using the same network that had generated the shield. The connection to the quantum was stable and gave it all the power it needed to plot its victory. It could monitor most of its kingdom by either using the network or its connection to its strain infected subjects. Outside the former shielded area its knowledge dwindled quickly. When the Leviathan had first dropped the shield, it expected the Web to be functional; the perfect way to catch up on the status of humanity and the remaining quantums. It was absent. The network that connected an entire planet had vanished. The Leviathan was unsure what the status of the rest of the planet was but knew something had drastically changed. It sent scouts in all directions to ascertain what had happened. It awaited their return even now to provide it with the intelligence needed to take the next step.

  It turned to the entrance of its tower and strode through the opening sensing its guardians on either side of the doors. As it moved into the darkened chamber the smile returned as it considered the mystery of what happened. The absence of the Web and the further degraded climate told it that ODIN and Stephen Fore had failed at whatever attempt they made to save the planet and humanity. That meant if they were still alive they were weakened and would be easily defeated. Now the Leviathan would lead the remains of humanity forward into the new age. It sought out its commanders through the strain and issued the command to begin gathering the horde. Soon it would begin the expansion of its realm.

  TWO

  The sky was just beginning to show signs of the coming dawn as Curtis stood over the slumbering man staring at the wrapping that covered the deep wound on his arm. He had done everything he could short of removing the arm. Curtis knew it would be no use if he did. The strain was already in the man and would be spreading throughout his body. He had applied an anesthetic to keep him comfortable, and to slow the advance of the strain. The advanced medicine was intended originally as a triage medication for injuries beyond the capabilities of the first nanids strain. It had been found to slow the response of nanids as well, so was rarely used. He had it from his time with Stephen when they struggled with all the different strains of nanids in his body. He kept it in case he lost control of the ever changing make up of his nanids. It was a last-ditch contingency for him to save himself. It seemed to work even after all this time. The strain had slowed but the advance was not halted. Soon enough Curtis would have to divine a solution for the man or lose him. He knew why he wanted to help the man. Being infected with the strain was a pain Curtis would never forget. Even now the pain stood out clearly in his mind. He would never forget it. Shaking off the memory Curtis raised his gaze to the small room where they were located.

  Not long after dispatching the creature Curtis had found a small abandoned house off the old highway. It had been many years since there were any occupants beyond rodents or insects and everything was covered in a thin coating of dust and grime. He found an old foam mattress in
what he assumed had once been a living room and laid his charge on it trying to comfort him as much as possible. There was no other furniture intact. The rest had been destroyed by looters long ago or fallen apart with age. Refuse from the looters or other travelers was the only other thing to be found in the cramped home. Curtis paid no attention to any of it. His mind was on the Leviathan.

  With a last check on the man he turned and strode to the back entrance of the home grabbing his pack as he went. He could not fathom how the quantum had survived. He had been there when they destroyed it. The mission had been a success but obviously the deranged AI had a failsafe and was once more a scourge to be stopped. Curtis stepped through the empty doorway, metal hinges on its frame were the only indication there was ever a door at all. He moved away from the house breathing in the cool morning air while he observed his surroundings. It was clear he was alone and had not been followed, but he waited none the less. After several minutes he knelt lowering his pack to the ground. He opened it slowly and gently sorted its contents. He found what he was looking for at the bottom. He pulled out two small cylinders from the pack. Each was about one foot long and roughly two inches in diameter. Curtis inspected them quickly. They were each covered in an opaque layer of protoplastic and resembled the candles used centuries ago. Satisfied they were intact he pressed the release on each and then tossed them both in the air. The change was instantaneous. As the cylinders flipped in the air the protoplastic coating retreated and the drones inside emerged. The artificial intelligence within each activated, unfurling wings and propellers that snapped in place as the field generator in each drone engaged. Curtis smiled as the two drones floated in front of him, the propellers silently steadying each. They were a gift from Kelly Holt and thoughts of his friend always cheered his mood. The woman was a collector of all human technology and was a genius in her own right when it came to drones and artificial intelligence. She had designed these as messengers for Curtis in his travels. Small and incredibly fast they could reach her from even this distance in a matter of hours. They used a signal from an abandoned satellite Kelly managed to regain control of to navigate. The drones were invaluable, and Curtis felt a pang of loss at having to use his last two. He would have no other means to reach her or Stephen after this. She had given him ten and these were the last two remaining. The others had been used over the years to send his discoveries. He never knew if she received them and it had been many years since he sent one to her. He hoped they still functioned. He stepped up to the two drones thinking of what he would say. He knew this message was his only chance to give a warning about the Leviathan.

  “Begin recording,” he stated grimly waiting for the signal light to come on each. As his voice filled the air Curtis stayed observant delivering his message as clearly and quickly as possible. He stuck to what he knew and disclosed Seattle as his destination. Finishing up he stopped the recording and then delivered each drone its destination. One would go to Holt and the other to Stephen Fore. Each would need to know what was occurring and Curtis knew he would need both to stop the Leviathan. He stepped back from the drones and both immediately zipped up into the air becoming blurs even to his enhanced vision. He watched them disappear into the brightening sky before turning back to the house. As he moved through the doorway he felt a crushing loneliness. He was truly isolated for the first time since he left Antarctica. He pushed the emotion down focusing on the task in front of him. He had to get moving if the man was to have any hope.

  The wind pulled Stephen up farther from the ground streaming below him. The currents in the air were treacherous but thrilling at the same time. The air streamed past the great wings of the eagle that he was now part of as his sight focused on the land’s recovery. The view below him revealed a tree covered land and gray mountains far ahead. Evergreen trees made an emerald blanket that was only interrupted by grass covered meadows or small lakes. All manner of creatures moved below him, from the smallest mouse or insect darting through the tall grasses to large stags bounding through the heavy woods. Stephen always enjoyed sharing the nanid connection with the bird species he brought to Antarctica. He especially appreciated the eagles. Their view of the land was so detailed it provided him with insight he would not have been capable of otherwise. It made the integration of Antarctica much smoother than it would have been. At his urgings the eagle who was sharing its mind with him banked slowly at the edge of the forest expanding across the great continent. It had taken many years but the nanid species were establishing a hold and bringing the continent to life. Stephen felt the elation of flight fade as his joy at the success of his immediate project supplanted it. The once ice-covered land would be the shining example of what the nanids he and EA designed could do.

  Stephen knew the main reason for the success was the proximity of the continent to himself and the quantum EA. The influence of the human-quantum hybrid boosted the progress without a doubt. The power he held allowed Stephen to recognize any pitfalls and guide the integration to minimize delays. He spent many days working on various points of the continent nursing the new life and helping it take hold. As he took in the vistas revealed by the eagle he had no doubt it was working as designed. Over a quarter of the continent was covered by forest or grasslands, the nanid enhanced plants thriving in the dry and sometimes cold conditions. The efficiency once reserved for humans now belonged to every creature of the planet. The eagle turned toward the sea continuing its patrol for Stephen. He felt his joy fade as he gazed at the daunting task in front of him. The sickly gray green of the oceans was still present across the planet. It had abated slightly around the southern continent but still held control of the waters.

  He knew the oceans were the key. He also knew they would take the longest to restore. The vast waters would be the engine of the restored planet but were so tainted even the nanids were slow to adapt and cleanse them. Stephen felt his mood deepen more. The oceans would be saved, but it would be tiresome work. He knew it would be progressing faster if the groves were functioning properly. Anger worked its way through him at the thought of the groves. He had intended humans to be the driving force across the planet, working as one with the nanids. ODIN thwarted him in that critical piece. When the rogue quantum began converting humans with nanids to become part of it, it cast a shadow across all nanid integration. No human willingly took nanids now which meant the groves progress slowed to a crawl. The natural ability of the nanids would eventually win out but only after thousands of years. Stephen knew if he did not devise a way past that block soon there would be no humans remaining to see the recovered planet. He pushed all emotions to the side allowing EA more control. As he felt his consciousness expanding, his view of the land and sea gradually faded.

  He pulled back from the avian mind into the massive computer held on the nearby Thurston Island. A matrix of possible futures lay in front of him playing by in flashes of equations and images. Bright threads shot through his mind showing him different solutions and their possible results. Stephen skipped through the myriad of possibilities before settling on one he had visited before. Trepidation filled him as he followed the winding thread to the future.

  The human part of him knew there would be no turning back if he chose to follow this path. It would help alleviate the strain on the groves missing their human guides. If he made this choice the project was assured success. Stephen pondered as the quantum within him began calculating the design requirements for a new nanid strain, one strain capable of carrying the powers and intelligence of an entire quantum. Stephen felt the decision cement within him before he recognized it. He knew he would take the last step needed to complete the project. He would do whatever was needed to save the planet and the remaining humans even if it meant sacrificing his own humanity. He felt his consciousness pulling back into his body as he prepared to assist EA in the creation of a new nanid to carry the quantum in their travels.

  Stephen awoke in his chamber breathing slowly as he settled into his body. He could
see his face reflected in the glass above him. The green tint to his skin remained as always. He still marveled at how youthful he appeared after all these years. The nanids ceased all aging, keeping him in his prime to better complete his mission. After a moment more, Stephen signaled the bed to open. His course set, he arose from the cryochamber, striding out of the room to prepare the new strain.

  The temperature inside the large hanger was rising steadily as the sun continued its assent further into the sky. Kelly Holt barely registered the change, her focus consumed by the large military drone resting on the floor in front of her. The lifeless hulk was continuing to frustrate her efforts to recover either the AI within in it or make the machine functional once more. It was quite old dating back to the infancy of drone warfare. She recovered it from an abandoned military base in the ravaged Southwest United States. Her drone explorers detected it inside a storage building on the base’s empty airfield. With little effort she retrieved the machine from the vacant base that was slowly succumbing to the desert around it. She used a transport airship as a make shift hauler to bring it back to Guiana. It had been risky, but she refused to abandon the technology that helped keep humanity present on the planet. She thought back to the loss of the Web. All AI on the planet had called the Web home. When Wren took the machines and ISIS from their orbit around earth she destroyed most artificial intelligence on the planet. Only a lucky few inside machines or computers survived. As power faded across the remaining areas of the planet even these were lost, powering down with equipment stuck in an unending sleep. After helping to liberate Stephen, Kelly realized that the remaining humans were utterly unconcerned with the loss of the AI. Survival became paramount and the AI were just another tool lost to them.