Echoes of the Algorithm

The Catalyst

Maeson kept his hands frozen over the computer keyboard. The cold metal gun pressed harder into his bare neck. He slowly raised his eyes and looked at Ava. Her face was pale with deep fear. A large guard stepped out of the dark fog behind her. He grabbed her soft arms and locked her in a tight hold.

Do not move a muscle, the guard holding the gun said. His voice was rough and angry. Stand up slowly and close the laptop.

Maeson swallowed hard. He did exactly what the man ordered. He stood up with his hands raised high. The guard pushed him hard in the back. Walk forward, the man commanded.

They stumbled out from behind the large gray rock. The bright white light from the transport van hit their faces. They walked right into the open clearing. The tall mercenary with the silver hawk pin turned around. He looked at them and smiled his cruel smile. He unplugged his small black tablet from the massive stone door.

Well look who finally decided to join the party, the tall man said. He walked over and stood right in front of Maeson. You two are very persistent. I thought my rocket took care of you on the mountain road.

Let her go, Maeson said. His voice was low and tight with hot anger. You have me now. You do not need Ava. And you do not need my sick sister. Just let them leave this place safely.

The mercenary let out a loud laugh. He shook his head slowly. I cannot do that, my friend. You see, this ancient door is very stubborn. Your stolen code worked well for a few minutes. But the artificial intelligence hit a heavy firewall built by the ancient creators. It needs a manual override. It needs the original architect to type the final sequence.

Maeson looked past the tall man. His young sister lay on the medical stretcher. The loud breathing machine pumped air into her weak lungs. Her eyes were closed tight. She looked so pale and frail under the harsh white lights. He felt a sharp pain in his chest. He would do anything to save her life tonight.

I will not help you open that door, Maeson said firmly. He stared right into the cold eyes of the killer. If you open that vault, the dark magic will spread everywhere. It will destroy the whole city.

The mercenary stopped smiling. He raised his heavy weapon and pointed it directly at the head of Ava. If you do not type the final code right now, I will shoot the billionaire heiress. Then I will unplug the machines keeping your little sister alive. You have exactly ten seconds to choose.

Maeson felt his heart hammer against his ribs. He had no choices left. He nodded his head once. Okay, he whispered softly. I will do it. Put the weapon down.

The mercenary lowered his gun. He handed the small black tablet to Maeson. Make it fast, he ordered.

Maeson took the tablet. His fingers felt numb from the freezing wind. He walked up to the massive stone door. The ancient symbols hummed. He plugged the thick cable back into the deep hole in the rock. He looked at the screen. The stolen code was stuck at ninety nine percent. He only needed to type a few lines to finish the sequence.

He placed his hands on the screen. He started typing very fast. But he typed a fake code. He was writing a brand new command. He was telling his artificial intelligence to reverse the energy flow. Instead of opening the door to let the dark magic out, he made it pull the fog in. He prayed his wild idea would actually work.

Are you done yet? the tall man demanded. He stepped closer to Maeson.

Just one more second, Maeson said. He hit the final enter button. The screen flashed bright green. Done.

A loud groan echoed across the mountain peak. The ground under their feet shook violently. The glowing symbols on the stone door turned from bright blue to a deep blood red. The tall mercenary smiled wide. He took a step back to watch the door open.

But the door did not open.

Instead, a massive shockwave of pure purple energy blasted out of the carved rocks. The wave hit the tall mercenary square in the chest. He flew backward and crashed into the metal van. His weapon clattered away into the dark forest. The other guards dropped to their knees in pain. They covered their ears as a loud ringing sound filled the air.

Maeson grabbed Ava and pulled her down to the ground. They covered their heads. The thick purple fog swirled around them like a wild tornado. The dark magic was pulling toward the stone door just like he planned.

Then the loud breathing machine suddenly stopped working.

A heavy silence fell over the mountain peak. Maeson looked up in pure horror. The medical stretcher was glowing with a bright white light. His sick little sister sat straight up on the bed. She pulled the plastic tubes out of her nose. She opened her eyes. They were not her normal brown eyes. They were glowing solid purple. She slowly turned her small head and spoke in a very deep ancient voice.