DOOMSDAY SUMMONING
Part Four
My mind went blank—as if I'd been struck by a sledgehammer.
Lucian Holt's arrest was the biggest story of the moment. Using my press credentials, I managed to secure two minutes of interview time—because there were so many journalists lined up for access, they had to take numbers. In the visiting room of the detention center, I saw him again. Gone was his former commanding presence; he wore a dark blue prison uniform and handcuffs, his gaze downcast and dim. But when he looked up and saw it was me, his eyes brightened in an instant.
"You came," he said, visibly moved.
I cleared my throat and pretended to take notes. "I have a question for the interview—"
"They understand nothing," Lucian Holt cut in, as if racing against the clock. "This is the most magnificent experiment in human history. It spans three great disciplines: celestial mechanics, human consciousness studies, and quantum mechanics. If this experiment succeeds, it will build a bridge between Buddhism and modern physics, and may even become the foundation of a grand unified theory! It thoroughly proves the critical role of intention in the architecture of the cosmos—if this experiment succeeds, humanity will enter a new world."
"A new world? Your new world is built on everyone's sacrifice? The price is far too high."
"The old order must be broken for a new order to sprout from the ruins. I am rescuing the suffering from the mire—haven't you seen how wretched their lives are?"
I had no rebuttal.
"There is no destruction without rebirth. Life and civilization are a cycle." His fervor suddenly deflated. He murmured, "What a pity—now everything is ruined. There was a traitor in the organization. We came so close, only to fail at the final step."
"Is it really all over?" I couldn't accept it.
"No—just a little more. The very last little bit... As long as someone still summons, there's still hope. Icarus's orbit has already reached the critical point..." He reached out his handcuffed hand, trying to grasp mine. Just then, the bell rang—visiting time was over. He stood, turned, and was escorted out by two armed guards.
The iron door clanged shut.
It seemed to seal off an entire world.
By the time I returned to my neighborhood, it was deep into the night. The streets were pitch black; only Zhongmin Pharmacy still had its lights on. I walked in, and the boss looked startled for a moment, then resumed his tragic expression. "Yongsheng, did you hear? The organization is finished. There was a traitor among us."
"I know." I nodded. "That traitor—that was you."
The boss put on an expression of pure bewilderment. "Yongsheng, are you out of your mind?"
"I'm not crazy. You're just too transparent." I said coolly, "The organization has been destroyed. You've lost your value as the middleman for contact. So why are you still open this late?" I pointed at his shelves. "You've stocked up on a lot of new medicine—all for treating whatever epidemic is going around right now. Looks like you've really settled into your role as a proper pharmacy owner."
"Heh. Heh heh." He shook his head, forcing out several bitter laughs.
"Why? Why did you do it?" I pressed him.
"People die for wealth, birds die for food. Yongsheng, don't blame me. A couple days ago I got notice—this shop is being demolished, and I'm getting a big compensation payout. I'll finally have money—more than I could spend in a lifetime. So I can't let that comet crash down."
"You betrayed the organization... for a demolition compensation payout?"
"It sounds absurd to you, I know. But to me, this is the most important thing in life. The world bustles for profit, hustles for gain—it's been that way since the dawn of civilization. You're right—the compensation matters more to me than Icarus, a hundred times over."
"Then prepare to pay the price!"
The pharmacy door was kicked open. Vivian burst in, a gun in her hand.
The boss's face drained of color. He was paralyzed with terror. I sensed disaster—instinctively, I lunged toward Vivian. A deafening bang—the gunshot exploded beside my ear. I felt something punch clean through my abdomen.
"Get the fuck out of here—run!" I used every ounce of strength to shout at the pharmacy boss. He cast a terrified glance at me and fled through the back door.
Vivian froze. She'd lost all composure after accidentally shooting me. A moment later, she burst into sobs: "Why did you save him?"
"No more sacrifices. We've paid enough." My voice was barely a thread of breath.
Vivian pressed frantically against my belly, but fresh blood kept seeping through her fingers in a steady stream. "Yongsheng, hold on—I'll get you to the hospital!"
"No!" I seized her hand. "Don't take me to the hospital. The boss definitely called the police by now—my identity is exposed. If I go to a hospital, they'll lock me up. Take me... somewhere else."
"Where do you want to go?" Vivian wiped at her tears.
"Signal Mountain. I want to see Icarus one last time."
"Okay—Signal Mountain!" Vivian seemed to suddenly remember something. "Icarus-3's orbit has reached the critical point. Just a tiny bit more intention could push it over the edge. Come on, we'll perform the final summoning!"
The late-night streets were empty and silent. The Yamaha roared like a wild horse thundering across the plains. I had no strength left; I clung to Vivian, her waist so soft against me. The fierce wind whipped her hair, and the strands brushed gently against my face.
When we reached Signal Mountain, I raised my head and saw Icarus-3's trailing tail still wavering against the night sky—like a firework frozen in time. It was so close, it felt as though I could reach out and touch it.
Vivian clasped my hand. "Let's begin the summoning now. Look how close it is—even with just the two of us, it will definitely sense us."
I said, "Vivian, let's not summon it anymore."
"You don't believe in our intention?"
"No. I don't want Icarus to descend anymore."
"Why?" Vivian said, startled.
"Because I've found someone I love. And I want her to live."
"Yongsheng, you—"
"Remember what you told me? Water knows the answer. All things can sense intention. If even a comet can feel my intention—can't you feel it?"
Vivian went still.
Then, suddenly, she threw her arms around me and wept—tears tumbling down like pearls with a snapped string. My blood kept flowing, my body growing cold, yet I could feel her warmth radiating against me, burning.
I lifted my head and watched Icarus's trailing tail begin to dissolve.
With the last of my strength, I pulled Vivian close and held her tight.
"Goodbye," I whispered.