Spatial Manipulation System

Chapter 15 - Hunted

Somewhere in the stratosphere, in a clear region with seemingly nothing, was the gentle hum of idling engines. Occasionally, a faint energy pulsed through open space, faintly highlighting the form of a large spaceship.

Within this stealth ship, hovering silently was a hub of activity imperceptible to any external vision.

"Report summary," a stern voice asked, sounding almost like the faint hum from a broken machine.

"20 minutes ago, our terminals lost connection with two systems," a reply came from a flower-shaped figure crawling on vines back and forth through a small room.

"How does that happen?" the machine-like voice came again, this time from a small device in the middle of the room.

The cylindrical device sat on the glimmering glass floor almost like an empty tin can.

"Their hosts must have found a way off the planet."

There was no further question or acknowledgement from the tincan, so the plant-like figure continued.

"Since reconnecting with our terminals, we have lost all trojans hidden within the systems. We have no means to remotely restrict or control them and can only observe"

The plant-shaped figure stopped moving and stood in the middle of the room,, studying the tincan for a response.

"Need I remind you of the value of these systems? We know nothing about their functionality or associated risks, now you are telling me that we've lost two of them?"

"I will send a few Sentinels to recover the systems," the plant creature quickly responded.

There was silence from the tincan for a while before a command came through.

"Reports from the Central Hub indicate that Systems cannot be separated from hosts after integration. The infection of Planet X195 has exceeded all estimated parameters. Trial 195HS had failed. Withdraw!"

"The Systems?"

"Are of unknown origin and may have affected the infection spread in X195, focus on the infection, dump all systems on the planet, and withdraw to Hub Dora."

And then there was silence. . .

Back in the bunker, Dave, Hei Yu, and Suzanne were together in the large hangar space as they said goodbye to each other.

"Will you be okay?" Dave asked as he observed his mother's wrinkles. For the first time in a very long time, he could see exhaustion on her face.

"Just bring me my girls," Suzanne replied with a weak smile, and she held onto Dave in a warm hug.

They pulled apart, and she turned to Hei Yu, who stood back watching silently.

"I hope you find what you are looking for," she said softly to Hei Yu, who bowed in response.

A few minutes later, Dave and Hei Yu found themselves once again in the wild.

"It's quieter now, there's not much insect chirping," Hei Yu commented as they observed the area.

Dave considered for a moment as he took a skeptical look around.

"So that's how they noticed us," he offhandedly pointed at a camera above the bunker entrance.

Hei Yu glanced up and noticed the camera before shaking her head.

"The car is still intact. I already sent a message to Celine. Let's go."

Dave followed, and they zoomed off back the way they came.

..........

The road back was not as peaceful as they had anticipated. Encounters with mutant beasts were more frequent, and Dave learned the restrictions of his ability.

While Spatial Blade ignored all kinds of defence since it cut through space itself, the area around stronger organisms had a stronger and more dense magnetic field, which restricted his manipulation. He learned that the hard way when he tried to teleport behind a mutated bear and got stuck in the space fold.

For some reason, while physically weaker and still operating only on animal instinct, mutated animals had a denser magnetic field compared to the giant creature they fought the night before.

Once again, they found themselves escaping more than they could fight, and the car could not hold up on the journey. At this point, they were halfway to Dave's house and still a little distance from the open field where the plane would land.

"We don't have long." Hei Yu glanced back, her red hair tied into a bun behind her as she bandaged a wound on her arm. Fortunately, it wasn't a bite.

Before her, Dave sat on a log of wood, tying around a deep gash in his leg to stop blood flow.

"Are you immune to the infection?" Hei Yu asked with concern as she observed his wound. He had gotten it from one of those bizarre creatures.

"I guess we'll find out soon," Dave replied with a groan as she grabbed the strap from his hand and tied them tighter together.

"These things are worse than zombies, and they are getting stronger. We have to get out of here soon," Hei Yu said. Rising, she slung her new rifle, which she got from Uncle Mike, over her shoulder and took Dave's arm over her neck.

"I'm going to try something," Dave warned, and in the next moment, to both their amazement, the scene around them folded and rushed backwards as their bodies floated through collapsing space.

"Ugh," Dave suddenly groaned,, and they were ejected out of that space.

"Dave!" Hei Yu exclaimed and rushed to hold his head from hitting the ground. She quickly zipped down his jacket and noticed all his wounds had expanded and were bleeding freely.

"Goddamnit! Teleportation worsens your wounds!" She exclaimed in frustration, but before she could attend to him, there was a growl behind her.

Reacting swiftly, she rolled and fluidly pulled a gun out of her shoe, which she aimed and fired twice behind her.

Her attacker, a mutated wolf, deftly sidestepped twice, avoiding both shots and keeping low as it approached Dave in swift but calculated steps.

"Fu*k you!" Hei Yu cursed. She picked up a few stones and threw them at the enclosing wolf, then drew her rifle and fired a short burst at the wolf.

Whimper!

The wolf exclaimed, much like a hurt dog, as bullets sank into its shoulder and neck.

It swiftly turned around to run, but then Hei Yu focused and fired two shots into the back of its head.

Letting out an unnaturally loud yelp, the wolf collapsed.

Without checking for the mutant crystal, Hei Yu rushed to Dave.

"Done, I shouldn't bleed as much anymore," Dave said as soon as she reached him. While she had been fighting the wolf, he was dressing his wounds.

"It doesn't matter, we are both soaked with blood. They can track the smell. There's certainly a big pack somewhere close." Hei Yu shook her head and urgently helped Dave back to his feet.

Because of his mutation, he had confidently been the main fighter during the first part of their trip, and that came with the consequences they now had to endure.

"Overconfidence sure does kill," Dave groaned as he hurried off with Hei Yu's support.

"Just need to get to the plane," Hei Yu smiled to encourage him.

"That's two teleportation distances," Dave shook his head.

"One just might kill you. Last I checked, you still need blood like the rest of us." Hei Yu side-eyed him, not disguising her annoyance at his unfunny joke.