Ch 14: The Audentia

Bewildered by Grey's behavior, the others make their escape from Castrum with Warden Schmitt's help, chasing after him with the prototype airship known as the Audentia. Will they find Grey in time?

            Alexander rushed to heal Richter’s wound. Gathering EDE, he placed a hand over where Grey had stabbed him, Grey’s blades having evaporated into thin air, and Richter briefly cried out in pain as Alexander’s hand glowed with blue light. Concentrating, Alexander said to him, “Try to relax Colonel. It seems I might actually be able to heal this. Still, I don’t suggest you exert yourself for a while.” Richter didn’t look at him, and as he slowly sat up he said, “I’ll be fine… Thank you.” Alexander could see a look of defeat on Richter’s face as the Colonel finally looked at him and said, “Why help me? Or didn’t you know it was your great and powerful leader who did this to me?” Alexander stood and turned to leave, saying, “I did it because I have no desire to see you die, and…” He looked back at Richter as he added, “Because I know Grey wouldn’t want to have anyone else die here today because of him.” Clenching his fists, Richter angrily said. “Still defending him after everything that’s happened here?! Are you so blinded by loyalty that you can’t see what he is even now?! He’s a monster!” Alexander walked away from Richter towards the hangar door, and as he reached it he stopped and looked back one last time as he said, “None of this would have happened if you hadn’t told him, Colonel. However slim, the chance that his parents were alive gave Grey hope. I know it wasn’t intentional, but when you took that away from him, it pushed him over the edge. I don’t know everything Altera Veritas did to his mind, but I do know that now that he’s lost control again, he may never return to his former self…” As Alexander walked through the hangar door, Richter struggled to get up, shouting, “Come back here! You’re still criminals, and I will not just let you walk out of here!”

            Entering the hangar, Alexander joined the others and said, “So what now? It’s urgent we find him quickly, but I can only wonder where he would have gone…” Still staring off in the direction Grey had gone, Amy said, “I still don’t understand. Why?” Shaking his head, with a look of shame Alexander said, “I’m more to blame than anyone. The trauma of his past had already scarred him so deeply, but maybe I should still have sat down and talked with him about his parents. Jonathan and Samantha took him in and raised him as their own. There was a deep bond between them that transcended his amnesia and lack of memories. Combine such a traumatic loss with all the time he spent alone with it in solitary confinement, and this may be the worst case scenario…” Schmitt turned and pointed at a large airship docked in the hangar as he said, “Not that I don’t feel for him, but seein as we’re in the middle of escaping still, we should really worry bout the kid later. Let’s grab a ship an’ go! We can take that one, she’s called the Audentia! I happen to know how to fly her!” The group moved through the hangar and up onto the catwalk that led to the door of the ship. Looking at the enormous yet sleekly designed craft, its red paint shining in the light of the brightly lit hangar, Amy said, “Ohhhh, this is a really nice airship! Can one person really fly it by themselves?” In wonder, Scott said, “What model is this? I’ve never seen one of these…” Scott had always had an interest in airships, and he was certain this was one of the most advanced he’d ever seen. Grinning ear from ear, Schmitt said, “This here’s the latest command ship model! The prototype of the Animus series, still in the final stages of testing. Well, actually the testing just ended a lil while ago. They shipped her out here to perform the final tests on the new EDE cannons she’s equipped with, out in the mountains where it was safer to be doin weapon testing. Passed with flyin colors!” 

Amy and Scott looked at the ship in awe. However Alexander looked at Schmitt strangely and said, “If this is the latest model Schmitt, how does a prison warden like you know how to fly it?” Schmitt let out a hearty laugh and said, “Can’t slip nothing past ya, can I? Truth is, I only been shown round the controls a bit. I used to be an airship pilot back in the day, and when I saw this beauty come in here I just had to take a tour of her. They figured there weren’t no harm in letting the prison warden look her over, and since then I been itchin to give her a spin!” Alexander eyed him for a moment, then in an uneasy tone asked, “You aren’t helping us get out of here just so you can steal an airship, are you?” For a moment Schmitt was taken aback, but then he let loose his hearty laugh and said, “Oh no, no, don’t get me wrong! I figured we’d be needing a ride to get outta here, so having the opportunity to fly her was a plus, but I got a lot better reason for helpin y’all! Enough chit chat though! Let’s talk in the air!”

            “Nobody is going anywhere! I’m arresting you all for the last time!” shouted Richter from across the hangar. He and some of the prison guards had come rushing through the hangar door, Richter being helped along by one of the guards. Panicking, Schmitt shouted, “Aww hell, everybody onboard! Quick!” He slid a different card key into the interface upon the door of the ship, and the door slid open. Meanwhile the prison guards were rushing towards the catwalk, Richter and his aid trailing behind them. Quickly the group made it inside the airship, and Schmitt quickly closed the door as the guards began to open fire. Rushing up into the ship’s bridge, where there were three seats at different control stations in the front of the bridge along with eight passenger seats to the right of the entrance, Schmitt directed Scott to get in the co-pilot’s seat, which was left of the pilot’s seat down a staircase of just three stairs. The stairs led to small cockpit like area full of switches, gizmos, and all sorts of controls. As Scott got in the chair, Schmitt said, “Now don’t anyone get bent outta shape, but I can’t actually fly this puppy alone! Brigadier General, you’ve just been promoted to Admiral! I’m gonna need you to do a few things here…” As he explained to Scott what he needed to do, outside the ship Colonel Richter was fuming, shouting at the top of his lungs as he said, “I order you all to open this blasted door right now! This ship is property of The Guild Special Forces, and you are not stealing it on my watch!” The guards were straining themselves trying to pry the door open. 

Watching the scene from the bridge window, Alexander said, “Schmitt I hate to rush you, but do you think we could speed things up? I would not underestimate the Colonel’s tenacity. He will find a way to get in here sooner or later.” A moment later Schmitt finished his explanation, and beaming at Scott he said, “Well, ya think you can handle it bub?” Trying to sound confident, Scott said, “Yeah, that seems simple enough…” Quickly running up the stairs, Schmitt hopped into the pilot’s seat and took hold of the control stick, and then he shouted, “Alrighty, you guys grab a seat and hold on tight! It’s SHOWTIME!” He flipped a switch, and with a hum that resonated through the ship, the repulsion engines came to life. Outside, Richter was shouting, “Turn the engines off immediately! Don’t you dare-” He stopped in the middle of his sentence and grabbed hold of the catwalk as the ship lifted off and buffeted him with the force of the air being pushed aside by the repulsion engines. With one more demanding shout, drowned out by the repulsion engines, Richter shouted, “GET BACK HERE!” Yet with powerful force, the engines carried the Audentia out the hangar doors, and it soon sped out of his sight through the skies.

            “I don’t see anything on radar Schmitt. I don’t know why they haven’t pursued us with air cycles or the Campitor, but…it looks like we’re clear.” said Scott from the co-pilot’s seat. At this news, Schmitt laughed heartily and said, “They know there ain’t nothing a ruddy air cycle is gonna do against the Audentia, and at this point the Campitor ain’t gonna catch up either! Congrats folks, you’re the first to ever break out of Castrum!” He looked back and beamed at Amy and Alexander. In relief, Amy said, “Thank goodness…” Adjusting his shades, Alexander stared at Schmitt expectantly and said, “Now that we’re in the clear, I don’t suppose it‘s too much to ask why you’ve done all this for us Schmitt? Not to sound ungrateful, but you‘ve thrown away your career and you status as a law abiding citizen, all to help a group of your own prisoners escape. You must have some reason.” Schmitt was silent for a moment, then he said, “Well ya see, there’s two reasons… Like I told ya before, I’ve taken an interest in you guys. I’m a rather good judge of character, if I do say so myself, and I could tell that kid, along with the rest of ya, were on the level. That kid, I’d heard plenty about this Black Knight, but he really threw me for a loop. Flat out refusing that offer, taking a swing at that weasel Conwell, the way he talked bout what he’d done. I could tell there weren’t no way he was some cold blooded killer…” 

Pausing, Schmitt switched on the auto-pilot system. Jumping up out of the chair, he walked over to look Alexander in the eye. “Course, you’re prolly thinking that’s not a very good reason to be pullin a jailbreak. To be frank, there’ve been plenty of people brought in I could tell were good folks who’d just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. My biggest reason’s is… I got a bit of business with Altera Veritas.” Amy and Scott were both surprised, but Alexander simply said, “Yes, I figured it might be something like that.” Wondering what grudge Schmitt had against Altera Veritas, as she realized a terrible possibility, Amy quickly asked, “Oh no… Don’t tell me you lost someone in the attack on Luminosa too?” Schmitt laughed weakly and said, “No lil’ lady. If that’d been the case, I doubt I coulda kept myself from acting like the Colonel back there.” Turning to stare out the large windows of the bridge, Schmitt said, “There’s a little Sanctuary a ways north of Castrum, out by a beautiful forest, called Lamis. That’s where my little girl lives. Well she ain’t so little anymore, havin a husband and some little ones of her own.” 

His voice becoming tense, Schmitt said, “A week or so ago, I got a message from one of her neighbors, sayin her husband was dead, the house had been burned down, and they couldn’t find my daughter anywhere. Only her little ones were safe. The neighbors heard the ruckus the night it happened and called the police, but by the time they got there the whole place was burnin. The kids got out safe somehow, and when the authorities came, they told em…” It seemed Schmitt was having difficulty continuing, but after a moment he went on to say, “They told em monsters came and took their mommy away…” Taking out his handkerchief, Schmitt blew his nose and tried to collect himself, and Amy turned to Alexander with a shocked expression as she said, “It sounds exactly like when they tried to kidnap me. The monsters they talked about must have been their anomalies!” Alexander nodded, saying, “It’s quite possible…” Schmitt turned to face them as he said with certainty, “It was them, Altera Veritas! I know it! I’ve heard all about their monsters, and when I heard the kid was kidnapped and brainwashed by them, I knew! They wanted her abilities as an energist!”

            Alexander got out of his seat and walked over to the window, seemingly muttering to himself. Eying him curiously, Schmitt said, “What’s he mumblin about?” Realizing Alexander must be talking to Serius, Amy said, “Um, uh… Don’t mind him. So your daughter was an energist Schmitt?” Schmitt folded up his handkerchief and stuck it in his pocket, saying, “Yeah. She weren’t no candidate for the Special Forces or nothing, but she had some talents. Can’t tell ya how interesting it made things bringin her up, but she was always a good kid, wouldn’t trade her for the world!” He frowned a bit as he added, “Makes me sad when I think bout how some folks’ll treat ya just cause you been born special, cause when it comes down to it we’re all really the same on the inside. There’s alotta people that just don’t seem to be able to see that, but when ya watch your kid grow up, spend all those years together an’ all, you come to understand. Some folks are good, an’ some ain’t so good. That’s all it comes down to.” Walking up the steps from the co-pilot’s seat, Scott extended his hand to Schmitt for a handshake and said, “Schmitt, you’re my kinda guy! We could have used someone like you in the Equality of Mankind movement!” The two shook hands, and Schmitt said, “Yeah I’ve heard about the work you’ve done, Matthews. I only wish I coulda helped. I didn’t become a Warden at the number one prison for energists outta love for the job. I took the recommendation to help my little girl with some finances. I’m sure ya’ll know, but in Sanctuaries like Lamis, well… Life can be rough.” 

Her curiosity aroused, Amy asked, “I’ve never lived in a Sanctuary. What’s it like living there?” With a serious expression, Scott said, “I’m sure you know that Sanctuaries are cities where energists who don’t serve in the Special Forces are supposed to live. There are normal people who live there too, usually those down on their luck, who lived there before the events of thirty years ago and can’t afford to move, or who simply don’t care. Unfortunately, whether life is good or bad in a Sanctuary is really up to the people who govern them.” A hint of pride in his tone, Scott added, “Thankfully, I was raised in Aerennis. The Greyson family that governed it, well more precisely Governor Jonathan Greyson, put a lot of effort into making sure education, wages, medical treatment, pretty much anything within his power to control had the same level of availability for energists as for normal people. They stood their ground despite resentment from those who considered energists mutants and freaks, not simply working against those who didn’t agree with them, but working to make them understand that energists are people just like everyone else. Unfortunately, the Governors of most other Sanctuaries aren’t like that at all…” 

Scott shook his head sadly as he continued, “When I went to visit Lamis myself, the level of discrimination was so bad that if you were an energist your wages, job opportunities, everything was limited. Also, with more energists being born over the years, the Sanctuaries are getting overpopulated, and the Council is in a deadlock with themselves in a debate about whether or not to provide funding to expand or create new Sanctuaries. I doubt they’d even consider allowing energists to live in the main cities again…” Schmitt nodded, saying, “Yep. All things considered, it’s obvious the Guild is ignoring the situation even though it’s spiraling towards the point where there’ll be uprisings all over the place sooner or later!”

            Obviously having finished chatting with Serius, Alexander turned to them and said, “The Guild isn’t completely indifferent. Felix, the new Head of The Guild Council who inherited his father’s position a decade ago, has made several minor improvements. At the same time though, The Guild isn’t the least bit concerned if there’s an uprising. They believe that with the Special Forces under their control, they hold all the cards. They have been shaken somewhat by the power and boldness Altera Veritas has displayed, but that unfortunately only makes things worse. Now more than ever, they’re struggling to gather more powerful energists to defeat Altera Veritas. Still, it does little good, having such a limited knowledge of what they’re up against…” Removing his signature shades, Alexander continued, “I’ve already filled Amy in on some of this, but it’s time I explained to Scott some of what’s going on. Schmitt will probably need to hear this as well. What I’m about to tell you, whether you believe me or not, it is the truth.” Schmitt and Scott looked at him in confusion, and with a grin Alexander proceeded to fill them in.

            Scott and Schmitt stared at Alexander for a moment after he had finished his explanation. Scott finally managed to say, “Well it is strange you haven’t aged a day in all the time I’ve known you Alexander, but this is a bit too much…” Laughing, Schmitt said, “A bit?! This here is way out there! Dark gods, champions of light?! Whoo boy Alexander, whatever it is yer drinkin, I wouldn’t mind a swig myself!” Alexander let Schmitt finish laughing, then donned his shades again as he said, “As I said, whether you believe me or not, it is the truth. Now I’m going to discuss something that will interest you as well Amy.” Though she still had trouble accepting Alexander’s story herself, Amy still found herself interested in what he had to say, and she replied, “Me? Well ok, I’m listening.” Smiling to himself, having noticed her interest, Alexander said, “I’m sure you’ve been wondering why Altera Veritas does not, if my story is true, simply conquer the world with their army of darkness. Why all their actions in the past have been random attacks on innocent civilians, skirmishes with the Special Forces, or the kidnappings of certain individuals. Above all, you’re probably wondering why Altera Veritas would be interested in kidnapping you. I had my suspicions, and with his last words Thomas confirmed it for me. They are breaking the seals upon the Nameless One’s power, and in order to do that they need the descendants of the Sages of Light. You Amy, and most likely Schmitt’s daughter as well.” 

Blinking in surprise, Amy thought to herself, “Is he crazy? Me? I hardly have any power at all though!” But as she thought about it for a moment, she recalled the stories her mother used to tell, how odd it was for Alexander to have known her father. Amy remembered what her father had said when he’d introduced Alexander to her, the words ringing in her head clearly, “Amy, this is Alexander. He’s been a family friend of your mother’s since you were little.” Hesitantly, Amy said, “Alexander, it… it can’t be… It’s all nothing but stories!” Alexander grinned slightly, seeming to read her mind almost, and said, “I remember she said she’d been telling you those stories when you couldn’t sleep. Your family is one of the few who have carried down the stories of their ancestors. She struggled to believe the truth as well, as they were merely stories her own mother had told her. I first met your mother after… a friend of mine fell ill. All the doctors we brought to see him could not figure out what was wrong, and hoping the abilities passed down within her family might shed light on what was making him sick, I wrote to her for help. I was actually a bit surprised she came, and even more surprised that it was her husband who proved to have the skill and ability to cure the illness affecting my friend.” 

As Amy sat down and took this all in, Alexander continued, “Alastor is weakened right now, as is the Nameless One, the dark being who is no doubt manipulating his mind. Scrambling to rebuild his forces, he’s been attacking cities with his anomalies in order to turn the dead into more anomalies to bolster his ranks. The fact that he usually leaves the bodies behind must mean he’s collecting essence, souls of the living, to use in some twisted experiment. He’s gathered allies to his side as well, just as he did in the past. Yet despite all the resources at his command, the fact that he came personally once he learned of Grey’s whereabouts confirms something I’d already suspected.” There was certainty in his voice as he said, “Alastor needs Grey. There may be other reasons he desires to control him, but I’m certain the key reason is that he requires Grey’s power to open the Master Seal and fully restore his power. Right now, we must hurry and find Grey before he unleashes his Void Energy again and turns himself into a beacon of EDE that leads Altera Veritas straight to him.”

Reviews

[Ryan Henderson]

Very exciting chapter! I loved how they escaped with the warden, it was truly exhilarating! For some reason, I get the feeling that this is a "steampunk" book. Correct me if I am wrong, but that is the vibe I am getting. Very awesome and original book so far! This chapter had no spelling errors, and it had adequate detail! I love the world building and character building that you do with this book, very lovely indeed! Keep writing!

[KeithKVH]

In a sense you could say it has some aspects of being "steampunk". Technology is advanced, yet keeps with modern or sometimes old world forms and concepts. The concept of airships is something I fell in love with ever since Final Fantasy X, and there was a good amount of what I consider "steampunk" in that.

[Ryan Henderson]

My love for airships comes from guns of Icarus online!