La Novels
Chapter 64
Chapter 64: Resistance Begins
Philip and Amanda were met with the anarchy of Philadelphia’s changed skyline as a sobering reminder of the extraterrestrial peril they were facing.NôvelDrama.Org content rights.
They stood momentarily, overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation. Philip knew, though, they couldn’t afford to lose time. “We need to move,” he said out of sudden clarity. ” This place is not safe.” Amanda nodded while her analytical mind already considered their next action. “Where else is it? The city is devastated. Philip looked about and saw the fearful crowds and the bizarre, mathematical anomalies drifting negatively above.
He noticed a familiar construction few blocks away: one of Waller Communications’ satellite offices. He gestured for “there.” “It’s not far and should have things we could use.” As they negotiated the busy streets, Philip gripped closely to Amelia’s sketchbook. It gave him a concrete link to her and a reminder of what he was battling for.
Most of the office building they arrived at was deserted. Philip arrived to see a number of anxious staff members gathered in the foyer staring up with a mix of terror and optimism. “Mr. Wallace!” One of them called out in tears. “What’m going on outside?” Aware that his next words would decide how the matter turned out, Philip inhaled deeply. “Something outside our present understanding.
Still, we are not caving in. We will be responding. His positive attitude appeared to boost the group. Amanda came forward, resolute on her face. “We have to compile facts and tools. Whose side we are on?” A small gathering of people moved ahead, among them Dr. Reeves, who seemed to have come from the facility here. Philip had a great respect for these courageous folks. “Okay,” he answered, stepping in to take accountability. “How about we go to the floor dedicated for leaders? We may have our headquarters there. As Philip took the elevator toward the top, his thoughts flew.
They could not possibly defend themselves against an intelligence so far beyond human understanding. Still, he knew they had to try as he glanced at the resolved countenances all about him. Outside was anarchy, a far cry from the executive floor.
Given the alien threat, its high-tech tools and gleaming surfaces seemed almost shockingly natural. Philip started right immediately. “Tell us further about this thing, Dr. Reeves. Any weaknesses we could target?” The researcher shook his head, disappointment obvious all around.
Never seen something like this before. It is, fundamentally, godlike in its capacity to control matter and energy.” The room became weighted with silence at these remarks. Philip wouldn’t let suffering hold ground. “Your likes of God must have restrictions.
Nothing is absolutely impervious.” Amanda made some noise as she was tapping away at a workstation. “I’ve worked out how to get some of our satellite data. Though it seems to be concentrated in Philadelphia, the phenomena is fast expanding.”
She opened a map on the huge screen that took front stage on one wall. Spreading like a virus, the red spots pointed to the impacted places. “We want to contain it,” Philip remarked, focusing intensely on the guide. ” Disconnect it from whatever it is consuming as energy or fuel.” Dr. Reeves nodded with purpose. “On the off chance that we could detach the first place of sign, we could maybe upset its association with our existence.” Philip started to shiver strangely as they looked at predicted systems. He gasped when he laid his still-in-hand sketchbook on top.
The pages had a faint glimmer and throbbing in strange rhythm. He opened the book carefully. Inside Amelia’s familiar sketches had evolved. When he stared straight at the complex patterns created by the lines-which seemed to move and change-his eyes stung. “What does it imply?” Amanda asked as she peered over his shoulder. Confused, Philip shook his head. “I’m not sure exactly, but I think Amelia is trying to reach out to us.
Around he gathered the gathering as he set the sketchbook on a nearby table. The undulating lines they watched began to outline clearly identifiable forms – rudimentary graphs of the outsider patterns they had seen elsewhere. Dr. Reeves bent in, his logical curiosity overriding his fear. “Wonderful. Perhaps the book serves as a sort of extension between our life and whichever location Amelia is imprisoned in.” Philip was completely full of hope. “Could we perhaps use this at any moment? Find a way to get her back under control, or at least understand what we are fighting against?” The building rocked violently before anyone could respond.
They could see one of the floating mathematical contradictions approaching outside the windows. “We really want to move,” Philip remarked cynically. “Get as many as possible of supplies. We are not able to stay here. Philip carefully closed the sketchbook as the assembly gathered to compile hardware and knowledge drives, noticing that the glitter faded as he closed it as such. As he tightly tucked it into his jacket, he felt as though he was carrying a bit of Amelia.
They down the final flight of stairs, the sound of cracking glass and bending metal resonating from a higher location. Whatever it was, it was ruckling the top stories of the edifice. As they came onto the street, they were met by an absolutely chaotic scene.
The drifting strangeness had grown larger, its pulsating light casting a ghastly glow over the frightened assembly. Amanda cried, “We need somewhere safe,” above the background noise. “Some location we can set up legitimate guards and move with our investigation.” His mind flew while Philip nodded. Then it hit him. “The last bunker!” During the Virus War, my dad had an aftermath coverage job. Not that close here is it.
Philip couldn’t get rid of the feeling that they were being watched as they cleaned their way through the city, dodging waste and helping others they could. not only by the clear presence of aliens overhead but also by something less visible. Arriving at the fortification’s entrance, they hid under a legitimate place of business. In the belief that the decades-old system would still be in use, Philip turned in the access code. The heavy doors slid open with a moan of fighting metal.
The assembly surged inside, Philip elevating the rear. As he was ready to close the door, he noticed something that made his blood stop cold. Among the chaos there stood someone that looked to be Amelia. Its behaviors, though, were wrong-too flexible and exact. It turned its head and fixed Philip, then smiled in a different way than Amelia would have. Heart pounding, Philip shut the door. He turned to see the others, whose looks combined weariness with resolve. Aiming to keep his voice steady, he said, “Alright.” “Let’s get right to business. We have a planet to save.
Philip couldn’t get rid of the image of that not-Amelia from his imagination as they set up their equipment in the barely illuminated refuge. Anything it was, he knew it would follow them.
Along with opposition, a race against time had started. They had to come up with a plan for revenge, Amelia’s rescue, and defense of humanity from a menace hardly understood.
Opening the sketchbook once more, Philip saw the lines flow and change. Amelia was trying to help them somewhere in this bewildering web of reality. He just prayed they could understand her signals before it was too late. Philip felt the weight of obligation choosing his shoulders while the others worked about him discussing approaches and looking at data.
He was no more only a rich commercialist. Now he oversaw what might be the last hope left for mankind. The bunker’s outdated lights flickering created broad shadows across the hall. Philip almost could see the forms of the alien geometries currently ruling the heavens above in those shadows. Shivering, he asked how long their subterensive refuge would stay secure. Dr. Reeves closed in, his expression solemn.
“Mr. Waller, I have been reviewing the data we were able to rescue. I believe I have an idea regarding the nature of our problem. Philip leaned in looking for any material that would provide them a benefit. “What did you discover?” Dr. claims, “It’s not just one entity”. Reeves said in a subdued voice. “I think we are seeing a beehive of collective intelligence made of many tiny brains.” This has startling effects. Philip’s brain whirled, trying to control how might effect their opposing efforts.
A loud bang shook the fortification before he could reply. Everybody stopped, gaze fixated on the designated entrance. One more bang, more powerful this time. There was an attempt in entrance.