From the journal of Dusk.
Dated Mars time Deimos 31st, 1999th cycle.
I know I haven’t been keeping up with my daily journals as I’d like to, yet my reasoning is due to my business, and the general livelihood of the village. We’ve all been incredibly busy over the past few months that even daily breaks to add entries into my journals have had to take a back-seat until now.
Just when I thought all hope was lost, Ravage came through for us in such a monumental way.
It seems like ages ago that Ravage revealed to us the existence of the icy-cold water supply, miles under our village. For many an age, we had been reliant on the power source as a means of survival. I didn’t realise until now that as much as it had provided us with continued existence, it had also been a crutch to our daily lives.
We had become so dependant on this one machine to see us through each year that we, and I in particular, hadn’t thought ahead to our future.
With Hath-Seth always in the back of our minds, and with the war continuing on for the sake of our survival, I thank God once again that Ravage made this discovery. Especially at this time in our history, when our population is at its lowest, and all hope seemed lost.
Now since this discovery, it seems our whole infrastructure has changed, and what hasn’t changed soon will. No longer are we completely reliant on the power source to run our heating and cooling system. We no longer look to it to grow our crops. Crops which were regularly under assault by Hath-Seth’s Dwellers.
Ravage’s men, whom he has revealed were known on Earth as Mutriods, have played a huge part in the infrastructure of our society. Whereas it seemed Dr. Tewantin has augmented these men into monsters, Ravage has formed a united team who have used their muscles, backbones, sheer hard work, and various abilities to great use. In no time at all, our village appears back up on its feet.
For the first time in a very, very long time I feel confident that our future looks bright.
I can tell Ravage’s anger still plays on his mind. The introduction of his men onto the battlefield, by the unexpected hand of Dr. Tewantin, was a great shock.
I just know Ravage has a plan in his mind, not only for Hath-Seth but also for Dr. Tewantin. If only the Doctor would show his face out in public again.
Igor runs the Doctor’s day-to-day requirements, and for nearly a month now he hasn’t come out from behind his laboratory doors.
When the final battle comes into play, I have grave misgivings to our resident Doctor, and if his intentions truly are the best of intentions for our society.
Just what is the Doctor cooking up behind those doors? I know it plays in the back of my mind, and I only wonder at just what it’s doing to Ravage.
I know the final battle is very soon. I just pray that all our hard work is not for naught, and that we can continue down this road Ravage has put us on.
End journal
***
The more I think about it, the more I’m surprised how far I’ve come here on Mars since Dusk pulled me from the medic-tubes. Since Dr. Tewantin changed me into the hunk of man-thing-creature I see in the mirror each morning.
How so much has changed.
I thought it was Hath-Seth who was the enemy here. Not only does he want the eradication of the Martian population, but he also wants to return to Earth, to do the same thing over again.
I didn’t ask too much questions about the how and way Hath-Seth has it in for Earth. Frankly, I don’t want to know. I’m not less of a man in thinking it frightens me how similar Hath-Seth and I are in motives.
Thank shock though I want to help these Martians survive. I guess that’s me in a nut shell: no matter the planet, I’m always wanting its continued survival.
This makes me worried about Dr. Tewantin’s actions. I’ve turned his resurrection of my men into a plus. A huge plus, actually. But his disappearance from the public has me wondering just what he is up to.
I realize now that the Doctor has gone too far this time. He cannot continue to meddle in people’s lives for his own amusement. He hides behind the shroud of good intentions but I know all this, all these experiments, and purely for his own sick pleasure.
Before leaving the village alone I pulled one of my men aside and have put into place an action which will see Dr. Tewantin is watched over at every single hour of the day and night. I’m not going to have the insane actions of one man, or one Martian, jeopardize all that Dusk has put into place here.
***
I’m seconds away from coming down on top of Hath-Seth’s lair, and my head’s not in the game. Come on Ravage, think straight for once!
I peer around the rocky corner and see Hath-Seth once more. It’s been ages since we last tussled, and I’m still surprised at the sheer size of the creature. I’m big, but Hath-Seth could really give me a run for my money.
I watch his lord over his men like the God he thinks he is. Suddenly though he ushers them away. There’s so many of them however that it’s not a quick thing to go. I wonder just what he’s up to here.
“I can sense your vibrations, Ravage,” I hear him say. Uh oh. “Come out from there and face me once again.”
I do as he says, slowly making my way further into his home. “What have you got planned, Hath-Seth?”
“To the point now, aren’t we?”
“I don’t have time for your games anymore.”
“Don’t be a fool. You’ll give me as much time as is required.”
“You sound so sure of yourself Hath-Seth, but you still haven’t answered my question.” I coil down into a crouch. “What have you got planned?”
“I could say the same thing to you, Ravage.” I’m taken aback.
“What do you know?” I utter.
“More than you know, you pathetic man.”
I’m not sure whether to believe him or not, yet decide to play his bluff. “You know Hath-Seth, since we last fought a lot has changed. Not just for me but also for Dusk and the rebels. We knew why your men attacked us that day. We knew you were spying on us.”
Hath-Seth begins slivering in my direction. This nugget of information has really got his attention, “Is that so?”
“You know Hath-Seth, we don’t need that power source anymore.” I coil downwards even further, never taking my eyes off of him, “You can have it if you really wanted.”
“You realise you’ve just surrendered in a war which has gone on for longer than you could have possibly imagined, right?” Hath-Seth greedily smiles. “Countless dead on both sides.”
“I understand your excitement here,” I laugh.
“You would sacrifice the Rebels on this whim? You’ve just condemned them to a hell they never imagined. Not only am I going to kill you, and these men, I’m also going to destroy your precious Dusk.” The mention of her name in such a fashion surprises me. I never thought of her as much of a woman before.
“As I said, Hath-Seth, that power source is all yours. You just have to get through me first!”
Hath-Seth is on top of me before I realize it, and I curse myself in forgotten his speed. Thankfully, I lash out and graze the side of his lip. My claws dig in and I rend the flesh away.
Hath-Seth keeps moving, to the left of me in one quick motion. I lower my body in on itself as a means of protection as Hath-Seth’s body slams mine up against the cave wall. The force of the impact is so great that I can feel the back wall give way under the pressure. I try not to dwell on it, but my body doesn’t hold up too well to this pressure.
Hath-Seth gives way as he continues to move. This gives me a chance to catch my breath as I uncoil and rebound towards him for another attack.
I sink my teeth in as well as the horns on my chin. Anything to hold on to him as he continues to move around the room. I can hear his cries of pain and anger and I refuse to let go. I push my hooves into his body and suddenly my claws give way to a gush of blood. It envelops my hands and forearms and I take a sick pleasure in hearing him scream.
Unexpectedly Hath-Seth’s tail comes out of nowhere and throws me back towards the corridor I entered from. I have little time to coil my body up, and it smashes into the wall. I’m hurt, badly, but so is Hath-Seth.
“You’re going to have to do better than that, Hath-Seth.”
“I’ve only just begun.”
“Good, because you have a chase on your hands now.” Even movement is agony, but I take off down the corridor on my way to where I need Hath-Seth to follow. I know he’s hurting from the injuries, and I’m thankful for it. It feels like I won’t have to sacrifice my men after all.
***
I make it to the destination by the skin of my teeth. A few times Hath-Seth was on to me, but I suspect his injuries were graver than he let on.
Since I discovered the well of water, we had done immense things with the site. Not only had we bored into the water, tapping its incredible power, but we had also smoothed out a grand section of the landscape to become a huge bowl, the diameter of which even now astounds me. I’m amazed we got the construction completed in time, and now that Hath-Seth is quite literally on my tail, everything is falling into place.
I pivot to face Hath-Seth, and sure enough he is right behind me, his face all blooded and sore from our battle. I’m not faring too well myself. My side is busted and spewing blood. I hide it well.
“What have we here?” Hath-Seth questions.
“A little surprise.” I stand my ground. “I’m stop right there if I were you.”
No sooner had I said that than both my Mutriods and Dusk’s Rebels surround the bowl with Hath-Seth and I on the rim. The sheer number of our army dwarfs the two of us. “As you can see, Hath-Seth, we have you surrounded.”
“I wouldn’t say that just yet.” Hath-Seth smiles, and I hear a mighty rush of noise. The Dwellers surround our army two to one, yet again.
I don’t dwell on the numbers and shout for the battle to begin. It does, in earnest. I am smashing into Hath-Seth within seconds, and all around me I hear the sound of battle once again, but this time it’s different. It’s more savage. There’s finality about it I can’t quite put my finger on.
Hath-Seth is at my side, and I have my claws dug into him. I look up to see Dusk running towards us. I sink my teeth into Hath-Seth’s skin and he throws me loose in a death-roll. Luckily I’m not crashed by the weight of the creature.
Dusk kneels down towards me and helps me up. “We got here as fast as we could.”
“I don’t think it matters much. We’re surrounded by two many Dwellers.”
“Have faith, Ravage. I’m sure we’ll endure.” Dusk takes off and unloads a round of bullets into Dwellers from all sides. In the chaos I can’t see where Hath-Seth has got to, but I can hear my men fighting for their lives.
In frustration I take out as many Dwellers as I can. Each swipe of my claws takes down more and more of them, but it doesn’t feel enough.
“This isn’t the time for it Ravage, but I really want to thank you for this,” Dusk shouts in my direction.
“We’re getting slaughtered here!”
“We wouldn’t have gotten this far if it wasn’t for you!” Dusk faces me with her battle-ravaged eyes looking up at me. She has sweat beading down her brow and still she manages to look every bit the woman that deep down she truly is.
We lock in an embrace which strategically is suicide. It doesn’t matter anymore. The few fleeting seconds we share together is all I need to realise my true calling.
I pull away. “I’m sorry Dusk. I can’t. My love is for another.”
“Tiana,” Dusk replies softly. “She’s been dead a long time.”
“I know. That doesn’t matter to me.” I look down in frustration and feel the tug of Dwellers on my back. Soon enough their numbers will be great enough to take me down.
“I see,” Dusk continues. I can see Hath-Seth again, coming up behind her. “Okay, then…”
I knock the Dwellers off of my back and to the ground. Their bodies become a bloody pulp, which is fitting as I see my Mutriods doing the same to the swarms their dealing with. I look over to Dusk whose eyes have rolled back inside her head. I have little understanding of what is happening to her and stand transfixed as it happens right before me.
From out of no where a gust of wind enters the battle field, Hath-Seth still on his murderous rush towards us. Dusk’s body begins to flake and peel away. Her skin shrivels up, yet I don’t feel she’s dying.
Her arms are stretched out wide as her body suddenly explodes into a red sandy mist. I see her look at me one last time, and I thank her with my eyes.
The mist hangs in the air with a supernatural essence about it. Without warning, the red mist shifts suddenly towards Hath-Seth, getting in his eyes, nose, and mouth. He has little defense against this attack and is stopped in his tracks.
I seize this opportunity and pounce on Hath-Seth’s tail, holding on for dear life. I can feel the weight of my body is too great for his tail end, particularly at this point in time. I suspect he doesn’t even notice me, as he is gagging up sand and dirt in an effort just to breathe.
With all my strength, I push Hath-Seth to the middle of the bowl we have created. In the centre is the well of water. I need to get him there.
My injuries are great, however, and even in his confused state, it’s taken all my strength.
Over the sound of battle I hear Dusk’s abandoned comm-link blare to life. There’s no mistaking the voice at the other end is anyone other than Dr. Tewantin, “Dusk, are you there? Can you read me?”
I stand my ground as hard as I can as I continue to listen, Hath-Seth wriggling in pain in my arms. “Listen, I’ve finally finished Project Secondary. It should be on its way to you in a matter of seconds. For what it’s worth, Dusk, I’m sorry.”
I have little understanding to Dr. Tewantin’s meaning until I see at the crest of the bowl five burly red-headed monsters standing, ready to fight.
I have to take another look, but it’s clear to me what has happened here. Dr. Tewantin has been in hiding all this time as he’s cloned me. Five times over.
“This is too much!” I scream in a mad outrage. The five beings suddenly look over in my direction and I see one pointing towards me. This causes them to commence a mad sprint forward.
I get one arm free and manage to pick up the comm-link, activating it angrily. “Tewantin! This is Ravage. You’re dead, you hear me? Dead!”
“Eh, Ravage? My God…”
I don’t give him another chance to defend himself. “You had no right to do this. I’m through with you. When I get back there, I will make you suffer!” I bust the comm-link into tiny pieces under the force of my claws.
By now my five clones are with me, grabbing onto Hath-Seth and holding him down.
“Quick! I need him over here! Push!” I command, and without question they get into action. Despite the numbers of Dwellers against us, these clones follow my order.
I will not fail them.
I get a better hold on to Hath-Seth’s body, this time facing him eye-to-eye. He looks at me with defiance, and with all my force I deliver pound after pound of head butt at him. Each collision sends shockwaves through his body.
The armour surrounding my forehead has split completely off, and the skin underneath is exposed to the elements.
“Let us go!” I growl at my clones. They are not to follow us any further.
This means little to me as before I realise both Hath-Seth and I hit the freezing cold water underground.
I hold on for all I’m worth, for as long as I can.
I feel Hath-Seth go into another death-roll, and hear him scream in pain in the water. I let go of him and hear him no more.
The coldness of the water hits me suddenly and I cannot move. I watch the water around me blacken my vision.
I feel no more.
***
From the journal of Dusk.
Dated Mars time Deimos 32nd, 1999th cycle.
Relayed via comm-link to Shuttle Langkowski Snowbird
For what it’s worth, Ravage, I’m sorry.
You’re probably wondering just “what the shock is going on here,” aren’t you? Haha.
After the dust literally settled on that battlefield, and all the dead were counted up, we actually didn’t do too badly, militarily speaking.
In actual fact, once you did away with Hath-Seth, the Dwellers laid down their arms. Pretty much straight away.
I’m sure you’re also wondering just what happened to me. Well, I’m not known for giving away all of my secrets, am I? What I did on the battlefield was something I’ve always known I’ve been able to do since puberty. From my years in the service I learned to adapt this talent and use it against my enemy.
I hadn’t used it in sometime, but even in the back of my mind I always knew I was going to use it against Hath-Seth.
Now, just to let you rest easy, Hath-Seth has finally been killed. By your hand.
You’re currently being shuttled back to Earth by use of the Langkowski Snowbird. Igor and your Mutroids reconfigured the power source into a one-man space shuttle. The launch was a complete success. You’re currently in suspended animation.
You’re being relayed this journal via the onboard computers.
Whilst we waited for your body to heal the community decided it best to send you back to Earth. Mars can truly know peace now after so many years of conflict. In your heart you know and you’ll agree you’re a warrior. From our memory scans of you, you still have a lot of hatred inside you. Especially for Doom. So we’re giving you this chance to see through this hatred, and for you to confront Doom once and for all.
Of course I wish you all the best of luck.
Now, at the end of the battle, one of your Mutroid men dove into the water to retrieve your body. He stated his body was immune to the cold and thankfully he was not wrong. Whilst down there he also saw Hath-Seth’s frozen body. It was encased in ice, so I don’t think he’s going anywhere anytime soon.
Once you return to Earth and are revived from suspended animation, you will notice that we’ve once again augmented your body.
I know you hate Dr. Tewantin, but he agreed as part of his plea bargain to give you your human body back. He mentioned he’s included a few optional extras for you, if you choose to use them.
Over the next few months I will relay instructions on how to activate and use them, of course.
I know you were unaware of Dr. Tewantin’s actions; we all were. The cloning process is illegal on Mars, so I can guarantee you the Doctor is facing some serious jail time over his actions.
Whilst I can understand them, I cannot condone them.
Your clones, whilst been put though an artificial aging process, are still very much young pups. I’ve taken them under my wing and I promise you I will look after them as if they were my own.
The same can be said for your men. You’ve done a wonderful thing, training them the way you did. They’ve adapted to life on Mars like no other species I’ve seen before. I’m sure they will be very happy here.
In closing, I hope for you all the happiness back on Earth. I hope you take from Mars a sense of accomplishment. Honestly, if it wasn’t for you I can easily say we would not have survived Hath-Seth’s reign of terror.
So for that I thank you Paul-Phillip Ravage.
Godspeed.
End journal
***
END OF BOOK SIX
Dated Mars time Deimos 31st, 1999th cycle.
I know I haven’t been keeping up with my daily journals as I’d like to, yet my reasoning is due to my business, and the general livelihood of the village. We’ve all been incredibly busy over the past few months that even daily breaks to add entries into my journals have had to take a back-seat until now.
Just when I thought all hope was lost, Ravage came through for us in such a monumental way.
It seems like ages ago that Ravage revealed to us the existence of the icy-cold water supply, miles under our village. For many an age, we had been reliant on the power source as a means of survival. I didn’t realise until now that as much as it had provided us with continued existence, it had also been a crutch to our daily lives.
We had become so dependant on this one machine to see us through each year that we, and I in particular, hadn’t thought ahead to our future.
With Hath-Seth always in the back of our minds, and with the war continuing on for the sake of our survival, I thank God once again that Ravage made this discovery. Especially at this time in our history, when our population is at its lowest, and all hope seemed lost.
Now since this discovery, it seems our whole infrastructure has changed, and what hasn’t changed soon will. No longer are we completely reliant on the power source to run our heating and cooling system. We no longer look to it to grow our crops. Crops which were regularly under assault by Hath-Seth’s Dwellers.
Ravage’s men, whom he has revealed were known on Earth as Mutriods, have played a huge part in the infrastructure of our society. Whereas it seemed Dr. Tewantin has augmented these men into monsters, Ravage has formed a united team who have used their muscles, backbones, sheer hard work, and various abilities to great use. In no time at all, our village appears back up on its feet.
For the first time in a very, very long time I feel confident that our future looks bright.
I can tell Ravage’s anger still plays on his mind. The introduction of his men onto the battlefield, by the unexpected hand of Dr. Tewantin, was a great shock.
I just know Ravage has a plan in his mind, not only for Hath-Seth but also for Dr. Tewantin. If only the Doctor would show his face out in public again.
Igor runs the Doctor’s day-to-day requirements, and for nearly a month now he hasn’t come out from behind his laboratory doors.
When the final battle comes into play, I have grave misgivings to our resident Doctor, and if his intentions truly are the best of intentions for our society.
Just what is the Doctor cooking up behind those doors? I know it plays in the back of my mind, and I only wonder at just what it’s doing to Ravage.
I know the final battle is very soon. I just pray that all our hard work is not for naught, and that we can continue down this road Ravage has put us on.
End journal
***
The more I think about it, the more I’m surprised how far I’ve come here on Mars since Dusk pulled me from the medic-tubes. Since Dr. Tewantin changed me into the hunk of man-thing-creature I see in the mirror each morning.
How so much has changed.
I thought it was Hath-Seth who was the enemy here. Not only does he want the eradication of the Martian population, but he also wants to return to Earth, to do the same thing over again.
I didn’t ask too much questions about the how and way Hath-Seth has it in for Earth. Frankly, I don’t want to know. I’m not less of a man in thinking it frightens me how similar Hath-Seth and I are in motives.
Thank shock though I want to help these Martians survive. I guess that’s me in a nut shell: no matter the planet, I’m always wanting its continued survival.
This makes me worried about Dr. Tewantin’s actions. I’ve turned his resurrection of my men into a plus. A huge plus, actually. But his disappearance from the public has me wondering just what he is up to.
I realize now that the Doctor has gone too far this time. He cannot continue to meddle in people’s lives for his own amusement. He hides behind the shroud of good intentions but I know all this, all these experiments, and purely for his own sick pleasure.
Before leaving the village alone I pulled one of my men aside and have put into place an action which will see Dr. Tewantin is watched over at every single hour of the day and night. I’m not going to have the insane actions of one man, or one Martian, jeopardize all that Dusk has put into place here.
***
I’m seconds away from coming down on top of Hath-Seth’s lair, and my head’s not in the game. Come on Ravage, think straight for once!
I peer around the rocky corner and see Hath-Seth once more. It’s been ages since we last tussled, and I’m still surprised at the sheer size of the creature. I’m big, but Hath-Seth could really give me a run for my money.
I watch his lord over his men like the God he thinks he is. Suddenly though he ushers them away. There’s so many of them however that it’s not a quick thing to go. I wonder just what he’s up to here.
“I can sense your vibrations, Ravage,” I hear him say. Uh oh. “Come out from there and face me once again.”
I do as he says, slowly making my way further into his home. “What have you got planned, Hath-Seth?”
“To the point now, aren’t we?”
“I don’t have time for your games anymore.”
“Don’t be a fool. You’ll give me as much time as is required.”
“You sound so sure of yourself Hath-Seth, but you still haven’t answered my question.” I coil down into a crouch. “What have you got planned?”
“I could say the same thing to you, Ravage.” I’m taken aback.
“What do you know?” I utter.
“More than you know, you pathetic man.”
I’m not sure whether to believe him or not, yet decide to play his bluff. “You know Hath-Seth, since we last fought a lot has changed. Not just for me but also for Dusk and the rebels. We knew why your men attacked us that day. We knew you were spying on us.”
Hath-Seth begins slivering in my direction. This nugget of information has really got his attention, “Is that so?”
“You know Hath-Seth, we don’t need that power source anymore.” I coil downwards even further, never taking my eyes off of him, “You can have it if you really wanted.”
“You realise you’ve just surrendered in a war which has gone on for longer than you could have possibly imagined, right?” Hath-Seth greedily smiles. “Countless dead on both sides.”
“I understand your excitement here,” I laugh.
“You would sacrifice the Rebels on this whim? You’ve just condemned them to a hell they never imagined. Not only am I going to kill you, and these men, I’m also going to destroy your precious Dusk.” The mention of her name in such a fashion surprises me. I never thought of her as much of a woman before.
“As I said, Hath-Seth, that power source is all yours. You just have to get through me first!”
Hath-Seth is on top of me before I realize it, and I curse myself in forgotten his speed. Thankfully, I lash out and graze the side of his lip. My claws dig in and I rend the flesh away.
Hath-Seth keeps moving, to the left of me in one quick motion. I lower my body in on itself as a means of protection as Hath-Seth’s body slams mine up against the cave wall. The force of the impact is so great that I can feel the back wall give way under the pressure. I try not to dwell on it, but my body doesn’t hold up too well to this pressure.
Hath-Seth gives way as he continues to move. This gives me a chance to catch my breath as I uncoil and rebound towards him for another attack.
I sink my teeth in as well as the horns on my chin. Anything to hold on to him as he continues to move around the room. I can hear his cries of pain and anger and I refuse to let go. I push my hooves into his body and suddenly my claws give way to a gush of blood. It envelops my hands and forearms and I take a sick pleasure in hearing him scream.
Unexpectedly Hath-Seth’s tail comes out of nowhere and throws me back towards the corridor I entered from. I have little time to coil my body up, and it smashes into the wall. I’m hurt, badly, but so is Hath-Seth.
“You’re going to have to do better than that, Hath-Seth.”
“I’ve only just begun.”
“Good, because you have a chase on your hands now.” Even movement is agony, but I take off down the corridor on my way to where I need Hath-Seth to follow. I know he’s hurting from the injuries, and I’m thankful for it. It feels like I won’t have to sacrifice my men after all.
***
I make it to the destination by the skin of my teeth. A few times Hath-Seth was on to me, but I suspect his injuries were graver than he let on.
Since I discovered the well of water, we had done immense things with the site. Not only had we bored into the water, tapping its incredible power, but we had also smoothed out a grand section of the landscape to become a huge bowl, the diameter of which even now astounds me. I’m amazed we got the construction completed in time, and now that Hath-Seth is quite literally on my tail, everything is falling into place.
I pivot to face Hath-Seth, and sure enough he is right behind me, his face all blooded and sore from our battle. I’m not faring too well myself. My side is busted and spewing blood. I hide it well.
“What have we here?” Hath-Seth questions.
“A little surprise.” I stand my ground. “I’m stop right there if I were you.”
No sooner had I said that than both my Mutriods and Dusk’s Rebels surround the bowl with Hath-Seth and I on the rim. The sheer number of our army dwarfs the two of us. “As you can see, Hath-Seth, we have you surrounded.”
“I wouldn’t say that just yet.” Hath-Seth smiles, and I hear a mighty rush of noise. The Dwellers surround our army two to one, yet again.
I don’t dwell on the numbers and shout for the battle to begin. It does, in earnest. I am smashing into Hath-Seth within seconds, and all around me I hear the sound of battle once again, but this time it’s different. It’s more savage. There’s finality about it I can’t quite put my finger on.
Hath-Seth is at my side, and I have my claws dug into him. I look up to see Dusk running towards us. I sink my teeth into Hath-Seth’s skin and he throws me loose in a death-roll. Luckily I’m not crashed by the weight of the creature.
Dusk kneels down towards me and helps me up. “We got here as fast as we could.”
“I don’t think it matters much. We’re surrounded by two many Dwellers.”
“Have faith, Ravage. I’m sure we’ll endure.” Dusk takes off and unloads a round of bullets into Dwellers from all sides. In the chaos I can’t see where Hath-Seth has got to, but I can hear my men fighting for their lives.
In frustration I take out as many Dwellers as I can. Each swipe of my claws takes down more and more of them, but it doesn’t feel enough.
“This isn’t the time for it Ravage, but I really want to thank you for this,” Dusk shouts in my direction.
“We’re getting slaughtered here!”
“We wouldn’t have gotten this far if it wasn’t for you!” Dusk faces me with her battle-ravaged eyes looking up at me. She has sweat beading down her brow and still she manages to look every bit the woman that deep down she truly is.
We lock in an embrace which strategically is suicide. It doesn’t matter anymore. The few fleeting seconds we share together is all I need to realise my true calling.
I pull away. “I’m sorry Dusk. I can’t. My love is for another.”
“Tiana,” Dusk replies softly. “She’s been dead a long time.”
“I know. That doesn’t matter to me.” I look down in frustration and feel the tug of Dwellers on my back. Soon enough their numbers will be great enough to take me down.
“I see,” Dusk continues. I can see Hath-Seth again, coming up behind her. “Okay, then…”
I knock the Dwellers off of my back and to the ground. Their bodies become a bloody pulp, which is fitting as I see my Mutriods doing the same to the swarms their dealing with. I look over to Dusk whose eyes have rolled back inside her head. I have little understanding of what is happening to her and stand transfixed as it happens right before me.
From out of no where a gust of wind enters the battle field, Hath-Seth still on his murderous rush towards us. Dusk’s body begins to flake and peel away. Her skin shrivels up, yet I don’t feel she’s dying.
Her arms are stretched out wide as her body suddenly explodes into a red sandy mist. I see her look at me one last time, and I thank her with my eyes.
The mist hangs in the air with a supernatural essence about it. Without warning, the red mist shifts suddenly towards Hath-Seth, getting in his eyes, nose, and mouth. He has little defense against this attack and is stopped in his tracks.
I seize this opportunity and pounce on Hath-Seth’s tail, holding on for dear life. I can feel the weight of my body is too great for his tail end, particularly at this point in time. I suspect he doesn’t even notice me, as he is gagging up sand and dirt in an effort just to breathe.
With all my strength, I push Hath-Seth to the middle of the bowl we have created. In the centre is the well of water. I need to get him there.
My injuries are great, however, and even in his confused state, it’s taken all my strength.
Over the sound of battle I hear Dusk’s abandoned comm-link blare to life. There’s no mistaking the voice at the other end is anyone other than Dr. Tewantin, “Dusk, are you there? Can you read me?”
I stand my ground as hard as I can as I continue to listen, Hath-Seth wriggling in pain in my arms. “Listen, I’ve finally finished Project Secondary. It should be on its way to you in a matter of seconds. For what it’s worth, Dusk, I’m sorry.”
I have little understanding to Dr. Tewantin’s meaning until I see at the crest of the bowl five burly red-headed monsters standing, ready to fight.
I have to take another look, but it’s clear to me what has happened here. Dr. Tewantin has been in hiding all this time as he’s cloned me. Five times over.
“This is too much!” I scream in a mad outrage. The five beings suddenly look over in my direction and I see one pointing towards me. This causes them to commence a mad sprint forward.
I get one arm free and manage to pick up the comm-link, activating it angrily. “Tewantin! This is Ravage. You’re dead, you hear me? Dead!”
“Eh, Ravage? My God…”
I don’t give him another chance to defend himself. “You had no right to do this. I’m through with you. When I get back there, I will make you suffer!” I bust the comm-link into tiny pieces under the force of my claws.
By now my five clones are with me, grabbing onto Hath-Seth and holding him down.
“Quick! I need him over here! Push!” I command, and without question they get into action. Despite the numbers of Dwellers against us, these clones follow my order.
I will not fail them.
I get a better hold on to Hath-Seth’s body, this time facing him eye-to-eye. He looks at me with defiance, and with all my force I deliver pound after pound of head butt at him. Each collision sends shockwaves through his body.
The armour surrounding my forehead has split completely off, and the skin underneath is exposed to the elements.
“Let us go!” I growl at my clones. They are not to follow us any further.
This means little to me as before I realise both Hath-Seth and I hit the freezing cold water underground.
I hold on for all I’m worth, for as long as I can.
I feel Hath-Seth go into another death-roll, and hear him scream in pain in the water. I let go of him and hear him no more.
The coldness of the water hits me suddenly and I cannot move. I watch the water around me blacken my vision.
I feel no more.
***
From the journal of Dusk.
Dated Mars time Deimos 32nd, 1999th cycle.
Relayed via comm-link to Shuttle Langkowski Snowbird
For what it’s worth, Ravage, I’m sorry.
You’re probably wondering just “what the shock is going on here,” aren’t you? Haha.
After the dust literally settled on that battlefield, and all the dead were counted up, we actually didn’t do too badly, militarily speaking.
In actual fact, once you did away with Hath-Seth, the Dwellers laid down their arms. Pretty much straight away.
I’m sure you’re also wondering just what happened to me. Well, I’m not known for giving away all of my secrets, am I? What I did on the battlefield was something I’ve always known I’ve been able to do since puberty. From my years in the service I learned to adapt this talent and use it against my enemy.
I hadn’t used it in sometime, but even in the back of my mind I always knew I was going to use it against Hath-Seth.
Now, just to let you rest easy, Hath-Seth has finally been killed. By your hand.
You’re currently being shuttled back to Earth by use of the Langkowski Snowbird. Igor and your Mutroids reconfigured the power source into a one-man space shuttle. The launch was a complete success. You’re currently in suspended animation.
You’re being relayed this journal via the onboard computers.
Whilst we waited for your body to heal the community decided it best to send you back to Earth. Mars can truly know peace now after so many years of conflict. In your heart you know and you’ll agree you’re a warrior. From our memory scans of you, you still have a lot of hatred inside you. Especially for Doom. So we’re giving you this chance to see through this hatred, and for you to confront Doom once and for all.
Of course I wish you all the best of luck.
Now, at the end of the battle, one of your Mutroid men dove into the water to retrieve your body. He stated his body was immune to the cold and thankfully he was not wrong. Whilst down there he also saw Hath-Seth’s frozen body. It was encased in ice, so I don’t think he’s going anywhere anytime soon.
Once you return to Earth and are revived from suspended animation, you will notice that we’ve once again augmented your body.
I know you hate Dr. Tewantin, but he agreed as part of his plea bargain to give you your human body back. He mentioned he’s included a few optional extras for you, if you choose to use them.
Over the next few months I will relay instructions on how to activate and use them, of course.
I know you were unaware of Dr. Tewantin’s actions; we all were. The cloning process is illegal on Mars, so I can guarantee you the Doctor is facing some serious jail time over his actions.
Whilst I can understand them, I cannot condone them.
Your clones, whilst been put though an artificial aging process, are still very much young pups. I’ve taken them under my wing and I promise you I will look after them as if they were my own.
The same can be said for your men. You’ve done a wonderful thing, training them the way you did. They’ve adapted to life on Mars like no other species I’ve seen before. I’m sure they will be very happy here.
In closing, I hope for you all the happiness back on Earth. I hope you take from Mars a sense of accomplishment. Honestly, if it wasn’t for you I can easily say we would not have survived Hath-Seth’s reign of terror.
So for that I thank you Paul-Phillip Ravage.
Godspeed.
End journal
***
END OF BOOK SIX