spirit, and he already knew that ancient Egypt possessed many markers that had to hail from an earlier civilization. It all made sense. Ka had been created by whoever or whatever the Builders were. Isis, the Mother, had somehow met Ka. Possibly right after the brief memory she’d shared with him. He’d witnessed her discovery of the First Ark, and it was quite possible that she’d met Ka inside.
He didn’t let that derail him, though. As momentous as this new information was, he still needed to know who had intentionally cut this place off, and why. “So you helped Isis create the deathless. Why did that block the Builders and their progeny from using the Arks?”
“Isis used the Primary Access Key to modify each of the Arks as they were discovered,” Ka explained. “She created secondary access keys like the one you possess. Prior to the creation of these keys anyone could use an Ark. Once the keys were created they became the only method to control the Arks. Since the keys are bonded to your DNA only a hominid with the mutagen Isis and I engineered can control an Ark. This prohibits the Builders or the progeny from seizing control.”
Blair had about fifty million questions. Why would Ka help humans take control of the Arks? Why did it seem to be working against its creators? He stifled that line of logic, focusing on the current problem. “So if the Builders didn’t sever the conduit, then who did? And why?”
“The identity of the saboteur is unknown,” Ka said, heaving a very human sigh. “As for motive, there can be only one. They sought the destruction of the Nexus.”
“You’ve been here monitoring things the entire time?” he asked.
“I have only been in the Nexus for a very brief interval,” Ka said, cocking its head. “I returned mere hours ago, as soon as I sensed the flow of power from your Ark. Before that I’d been shunted to the Ark on the continent south of yours, colloquially called the Mother’s Ark.”
“Did you meet the Mother?” Blair asked, shooting to his feet.
“Assuredly,” Ka said, nodding rapidly.
“And?” Blair asked.
“And what?” Ka asked, blinking rapidly. Another head cock.
“And what did the two of you discuss? When was this? Is she all right?” Blair asked, all in a rush. This thing was maddening to deal with, like a computer program. It took exacting precision to talk to, and he’d never had the patience to do that. Not with computers anyway. What he wouldn’t give to have Trevor back here, even for five minutes.
“We discussed little, unfortunately. Her Ark was also out of power, and I could not sustain myself there. I was shunted into backup systems until I was able to manifest here,” Ka explained. “Our brief conversation occurred approximately seventeen days ago. At that time she appeared in perfect health.”
“Okay,” Blair said, beginning to pace. He studied the hieroglyphs lining the walls. Part of him wanted to begin recording them, but he knew there were more important things to deal with. “Let’s focus on creating this conduit, then. Is there any way for me to automate the flow of energy from my Ark, so this place doesn’t collapse? How can I do that if I can’t return there?”
“Yes, such a feat is possible. I can guide you through the proper sequence, though you will need to grant me access to the systems in the Ark of the Redwood,” Ka explained.
Blair hesitated. This thing seemed benevolent, but could it be trusted?
“Before you decide, you should know that you are no longer alone in the Nexus.”
Chapter 12- Set
Set swept into the central chamber, backhanding a demon that got too close. The blow shattered its horned face, sending the ebony creature sprawling to the floor near one of the lesser obelisks. Other demons took note, pouncing on their doomed companion the moment they were certain Set wouldn’t visit the same fate upon them. He smiled grimly behind his dark armor, pleased at the palpable aura of
He didn’t let that derail him, though. As momentous as this new information was, he still needed to know who had intentionally cut this place off, and why. “So you helped Isis create the deathless. Why did that block the Builders and their progeny from using the Arks?”
“Isis used the Primary Access Key to modify each of the Arks as they were discovered,” Ka explained. “She created secondary access keys like the one you possess. Prior to the creation of these keys anyone could use an Ark. Once the keys were created they became the only method to control the Arks. Since the keys are bonded to your DNA only a hominid with the mutagen Isis and I engineered can control an Ark. This prohibits the Builders or the progeny from seizing control.”
Blair had about fifty million questions. Why would Ka help humans take control of the Arks? Why did it seem to be working against its creators? He stifled that line of logic, focusing on the current problem. “So if the Builders didn’t sever the conduit, then who did? And why?”
“The identity of the saboteur is unknown,” Ka said, heaving a very human sigh. “As for motive, there can be only one. They sought the destruction of the Nexus.”
“You’ve been here monitoring things the entire time?” he asked.
“I have only been in the Nexus for a very brief interval,” Ka said, cocking its head. “I returned mere hours ago, as soon as I sensed the flow of power from your Ark. Before that I’d been shunted to the Ark on the continent south of yours, colloquially called the Mother’s Ark.”
“Did you meet the Mother?” Blair asked, shooting to his feet.
“Assuredly,” Ka said, nodding rapidly.
“And?” Blair asked.
“And what?” Ka asked, blinking rapidly. Another head cock.
“And what did the two of you discuss? When was this? Is she all right?” Blair asked, all in a rush. This thing was maddening to deal with, like a computer program. It took exacting precision to talk to, and he’d never had the patience to do that. Not with computers anyway. What he wouldn’t give to have Trevor back here, even for five minutes.
“We discussed little, unfortunately. Her Ark was also out of power, and I could not sustain myself there. I was shunted into backup systems until I was able to manifest here,” Ka explained. “Our brief conversation occurred approximately seventeen days ago. At that time she appeared in perfect health.”
“Okay,” Blair said, beginning to pace. He studied the hieroglyphs lining the walls. Part of him wanted to begin recording them, but he knew there were more important things to deal with. “Let’s focus on creating this conduit, then. Is there any way for me to automate the flow of energy from my Ark, so this place doesn’t collapse? How can I do that if I can’t return there?”
“Yes, such a feat is possible. I can guide you through the proper sequence, though you will need to grant me access to the systems in the Ark of the Redwood,” Ka explained.
Blair hesitated. This thing seemed benevolent, but could it be trusted?
“Before you decide, you should know that you are no longer alone in the Nexus.”
Chapter 12- Set
Set swept into the central chamber, backhanding a demon that got too close. The blow shattered its horned face, sending the ebony creature sprawling to the floor near one of the lesser obelisks. Other demons took note, pouncing on their doomed companion the moment they were certain Set wouldn’t visit the same fate upon them. He smiled grimly behind his dark armor, pleased at the palpable aura of
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