The Master stepped from a shadow beside the file cabinet and punched his fist through the head of the man standing there. It made the sound of a ripe watermelon dropped onto a sidewalk and happened so quickly that most of the scientists didn’t notice. He bent and lifted the corpse with one hand then tossed it into the middle of the computer lab. Gasps and cries of alarm radiated from its impact like a tidal wave. Every head snapped toward him as he strode forward. They had a right to gaze at him in terror, for he was terror incarnate. As Mr Velius he’d provided them unbelievable riches. Perhaps today he would call in the debt. The scientists fell to their knees as one and remained silent, except for one who wept. Sheep. Even sheep had their purposes.
‘We are displeased with the results of your efforts.’ He wiped bits of bone and brain from his hand onto a jacket hung over the back of a chair. ‘Within the hour you will have an answer as to the closure of the Tear, or each of you will face the same…’ he looked at the body ‘…demotion. Now, back to work.’
They scrambled to their stations and set to the task frantically. One man approached him, eyes downcast. ‘Yes, Glen?’ the Master asked.
‘Mr Velius, it may be helpful if we knew the particulars of the moment.’
In as few words as possible, the Master retold the events.
‘About how much time passed during the crossing, sir?’
‘No more than a couple of minutes.’
Glen pursed his lips and stroked his chin. ‘Let me consult the timeline for the eclipse, sir. I’ll be just a moment.’
The Master waved his hand dismissively, and Glen hustled to his desk and started typing at his computer rapidly. ‘Two minutes, two…sir I think I have it, or believe I do. I don’t know why, but maybe —’
The imbecile. ‘Spit it out, man.’
‘The moon’s shadow first touched the earth at 1:13 our time, starting the event that opened the Tear. Though we believed it would stay open for the whole three hours and twenty minutes, it seems to have ended when the moon’s shadow was fully on the earth.’ He looked up, wide-eyed.
‘How will this knowledge help us?’
‘It may have something to do with the…’ He searched for a way to say it. ‘The in-between nature of that celestial moment. If that’s the case, then at the end of the eclipse, as the shadow leaves the earth, another two-minute window should open. Though I would suggest a watch be kept in case it re-opens afterward.’
The Master looked at the ceiling and sighed. ‘Four minutes is substantially different from nearly four hours, you fool.’
‘Yes, Mr Velius, I’m sorry. We’re working with complete unknowns, sir. However, if my supposition holds true, there will be another brief opportunity.’
He nodded. ‘Then we will make the most of that time. If your theory is correct, we will reward you handsomely. If not, you will join your workmate.’
Glen bowed his head. ‘I understand, Mr Velius.’
The Master stepped into the shadows of an unlit office and onto the ledge of the cavern.
‘My pets!’ his voice rang out. ‘We have succeeded. Your hive mates have crossed and await you.’
A roar of approval and victory reverberated through the tunnels.
‘In a short time, we will send more of you across to join them!’ He raised his arms and let the adoration of the Kafla wash over him for minutes, then turned to those still lined along the path. ‘Heed my words brave ones, here is what you must do…’
A few hours later, the Master appeared again on the cavern ledge. ‘Remember, my pets, move quickly and proceed down the tunnel to the chamber where your kin await.’ He passed through the shadows and took up a place on the small patio in San Diego.
He stood, arms crossed. This had better work, or there would be hell to pay. He sniffed, and a short cackle burst from him. At 4:31 p.m. the Tear opened as predicted. The Kafla moved through with an orderliness that was unusual for them. In the close line, a Hunter stepped on the Warrior’s heel in front of him and went down in a heap. Without missing a stride, a large male picked him up by the loose skin at the back of his neck and tossed him through the opening. The Hunter snarled as he landed but kept moving, under the Master’s piercing gaze. The migration ended with the amputation of a Tracker’s snout. The bulbous black flesh fell to the patio and rolled like a child’s marble.
Eighty-five of the creatures made it through the Tear, joining the three that awaited them. The Kafla’s hive mentality served well as they packed into the truck without complaint. Normally, several fights and dismemberments would have already occurred over territory, but his commandment for calm and silence overrode their instincts.
‘Well done. Just a while longer and we will release you to form your new hive. Until this room opens, you are to remain silent and unmoving.’ He counted heads then counted again. Eighty-nine? Checking off his mental list. Ten Trackers, three Breeders — there were four in the truck. One of them was carrying a brood.
He flicked a finger and the Breeder stood, her eight teats already straining her covering. She would deliver within the week. The Kafla pressed aside, and she came to him then knelt.
‘And where did you come from, our pet?’ He pitched his voice to be buttery smooth.
Her gravelly words, full of hisses, clicks and pops sounded just as smooth to him. ‘I passed the Shroud where others could not, Master.’
‘With a brood in your belly.’ He ticked his tongue. This one had fortitude. He raised his hands beatifically. ‘This stalwart Breeder shall be your Alpha, your Queen.’
As he lowered his arms, the hive hummed acceptance. With that, he descended from the container and gestured. The door rolled shut, locking in place. He stepped from under the tent and went to the cab. ‘Take them to the designated place,’ he said to the driver.
‘Yes, Mr Veluis.’ The man started the engine and drove carefully up the driveway.