Brilliant Man/Vir Clarissimus (Latin)

Chapter 8 The Forest in the Dark

Maudeline placed her conniving cargo in Pluto's palm. About two-thirds the diameter of the Moon, she was an unquestionable candidate for another Jovian satellite. Of course, this was theoretical, with both planets posted at a four billion mile distance from each other.

"Dr. Zed!" cried associate Adams, "I've got pressing news! The team is now able to track where our friends are. Somehow-somewhere along the way, they acquired a Hirashita Z, a model created by your company and therefore with GPS and navigational readings we can use. They are indeed headed for the onyx oil; they remain in Junction Zone, Pluto, and are dug right through Hades's Graveyard."

Reaching out his hand for the television remote, Zed was met with a pang from his intoxication, so he waved the task off to an associate scientist by his side. "Mr. 0-9. Send Thomas another dash instructing him that he'll be aiding us in our race for the oil. His intelligence will give me useful insight into whether I must consider optimizing the plans in terms of information.. or force."

Within just six hours, Pluto would break into a might, atmospheric development, one hinting at the greasy, earthy floor that awaited.

The same minute Maudeline touched the floor, she shut off hundreds of functions, saving these for later energy. Zed went and pooped, brushed his teeth, suited up, then finally stepped foot out of Maudeline after nearly two years of travel. His lab of suited cronies trailed behind.

Rusted machines, crusty dunes, and undead were present throughout Pluto. Zed sighed, his nose wrinkling at the electric, detritus stench of sour alcohol on his tongue. Calling Thomas from his smartwatch, Zed was greeted by a palm-sized, holographic, glitching alien-face. He updated him on their environment.

During the trip, they had one surprise encounter. Cadaverous, chalk features were scrawled onto the zombie's face, a potato-skin blackboard. Its deceased face slumped, jaw was dislocated, dandelion teeth poked out, and eye sockets rocked like pendulums. Associate Glen approached it, backing away from its slightest groan. Zed turned from this to his watch notifications; some days, he felt, their presence merely added to his aloneness.

~

A hush grew amongst the computer drones. Then Thomas sent Zed a text, prompting him to follow up through video. Reverting his original video-call settings released a Pandora's box of snapping, crackling, and popping from Thomas's end like cereal. This left Zed no choice but to mute his device again. Then, after navigating a series of commands, he selected a 'CALL' icon, Thomas appearing shortly as his holographic view-window expanded.

He retained most of his composure from their last chat, the only real change being a new suit; albeit changing from matte-black to beige, the same crisp details from before were transferred here. His beaky, skittish eyes locked on Zed's, however, his mind centered only on rest.

"Gosh.. Zed!" he croaked. "Why call me so late?" The remaining light in his expression faded. "Ah... I see. An executive of yours sent for me, am I right?"

Zed glared at him. "Quiet, Tom. It's hit me that you have intelligence on our competition which I suspect you keep behind closed doors. Admit it! All this time you've known where Ozwald and Alicia are, don't you? Spill it now or I'll have a hitman up your Jovian shins by the end of this ca--"

Thomas coughed loudly, crying, "Zed! Shut up.. don't tell me you're on Pluto!" he stopped a triumphant cough-wheeze. "Sir, that's the Arcadian realm. Ozwald and Alicia are right below! Right now their searching for the oil; this is the perfect time to strike!"

Zed sat himself against a slanted trash pile. He raked his brain, trying to make sense of all this information. "Slow down, Thomas.. You say our company is.. below us. Like underground? So if I started digging into the ground I'd find them? That's nonsens--.... Oh.. I get it! Atlantis is right below our feet! Yes, that makes sense!" Zed began giggling deliriously, switching off his watch then bolting after his crew.

"You guys! Search for the best digging machines in Maudeline; gather up all her finest. Come on.. hurry, now!" Zed's thirty-or-so person crew of scientists piled into the ship, coming back out minutes later with big, wonderful machines. Once everything was set up, the lively clockwork of drills, picks, and hands dug into the ground.

~

Zed's entrance was like Satan tempting Eve into eating from the Tree. Their positions were once set, predictable.. as good always prevails against evil. Now, however, the plot between Martians and Madmen was thickening. These next hundred meters would determine the fate of humanity.