The Beam: Season Three Read online

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Previously On The Beam ...

  Episode 13

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Episode 14

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Episode 15

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Episode 16

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Episode 17

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Episode 18

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Shit From Brains

  Learn the Story Behind the Beam

  Thanks for Reading!

  About the Authors

  THE BEAM: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON

  by Sean Platt &

  Johnny B. Truant

  Copyright © 2015 by Sean Platt & Johnny B. Truant. All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events, or locales is purely coincidental.

  Reproduction in whole or part of this publication without express written consent is strictly prohibited. The authors greatly appreciate you taking the time to read our work. Please consider leaving a review wherever you bought the book, or telling your friends about it, to help us spread the word.

  Thank you for supporting our work.

  To our readers

  Who encouraged us to listen to our muses

  and write in whichever genres spoke to us.

  Previously On The Beam ...

  Previously, in The Beam: Season 2…

  ISAAC AND NATASHA RYAN

  Natasha and Isaac are at war with each other. With Natasha scheming to shift to Enterprise, complete with a shameless media blitz and a comeback concert, Isaac pleads with her to reconsider her grand and humiliating defection. True to form, Natasha loves making her ineffectual husband squirm and spin out of control.

  Desperate for help with his out-of-control wife, Isaac turns to his brother, Micah, asking him to convince Natasha to tone down her Shift, insisting her plans are a knock to both Enterprise and Directorate. Micah ridicules his brother and details the many ways he’s been controlling their joint world, including starting a previous riot at Natasha’s ill-fated Aphora concert. Realizing the truth in Micah’s words, Isaac loathes his station, blaming himself for being inferior to everyone else. Desperate to turn the press (and public opinion) against Natasha, Isaac reaches out to heavyweight Aidan Purcell. Like Micah before him, Aiden lectures Isaac, telling him that there is no Enterprise versus Directorate and belittling him for not being able to control either his wife or his own floundering career. Isaac insists that Natasha is only changing parties to feed her own ego and to further emasculate him in very public fashion. Purcell finally acquiesces, giving Isaac permission to sabotage his wife’s concert, with the caveat that should things go wrong, the blame belongs to Isaac alone.

  As Natasha takes the stage, a group of terrorists barges in and knocks out a cluster of the audience with slumberguns. They announce themselves as the shadowy collective Null and begin to describe how individual parties don’t matter —that the disturbing truth is that it’s the rich like Natasha against the poor like them. The assault quickly escalates, and just when everything seems it’s at its worst, Natasha is saved by a scheming Isaac.

  And for a moment, they’re happy; they’re a loving couple again. But the future will irrevocably change them forever.

  NICOLAI COSTA

  Nicolai is off-Beam, arguing with Kai about what they should do next after Doc Stahl’s disappearance, when Micah arrives at his apartment wanting to know why Nicolai has gone dark. But Micah has ulterior motives. He’s also come to let Nicolai know, without explicitly saying so, that he knows Nicolai and Kai are scheming against him. After Micah leaves, Kai and Nicolai argue about the best course of action, finally deciding that Nicolai should talk to Rachel Ryan and try to mine some answers directly from her while Kai gets what she can from Isaac.

  Nicolai visits Rachel and tells her his story, which she already knows. Rachel praises him for battle testing his late father’s hovertech and says that she’d never stand in the way of Nicolai’s ascension into the elite. Nicolai grants an interview to the author Sterling Gibson and tells him about his time crossing Europe and how he should have died, wondering out loud if it perhaps wasn’t skill that got him through. Nicolai feels that his ample good fortune, his survival, was all by design. Others knew he was coming. As Nicolai leaves, Sterling tells him that he knows someone who may be useful to Nicolai in his quest to embarrass the powers that be: intrepid underground reporter Sam Dial.

  SAM DIAL

  Sam is increasingly disturbed by what he’s learning about the elusive Beau Monde and how this elite faction manipulates society for its own ends. And he zeroes in on Nicolai, thinking this insider might hold the key to cracking open the secrets he’s long worked to expose.

  With Shift swiftly approaching, Sam notices some definite patterns in the society at large, irrespective of Enterprise or Directorate. He wonders if it really matters who wins. He calls out to the Null masses, asking for help in disrupting Shift. He turns to fellow Null members Integer7 and n33t for help, pinging them endlessly with requests for information and help with his plans.

  Integer7 even
tually answers Sam, demanding a rapid conversation, where he insists that Sam disclose what he knows. Sam sheepishly reveals what he knows about Nicolai and the upcoming Shift, but Integer7 is dismissive, saying that this is not new information. Sam says that Shift must be stopped. Integer7 laughs this off, saying that Shift is unstoppable. Back in his apartment, Sam gets another message from n33t, stating that all may not be what is seems with Integer7. Sam tries to dismiss what he can't answer and reiterates that the masses must be mobilized by any means necessary. n33t says that she'll do whatever she can.

  After the Primes Statements conclude at the White House, Sam is devastated by what he perceives as a total lack of support from his allies. Having made grand promises on the Null forums, he’s now afraid that the collective will bring him down, and threats pour in from the anonymous group, along with demands that Sam prove his worth.

  Sam is more terrified than ever.

  KAI DREYFUS

  Kai hacks her way into Isaac’s place, looking for evidence of the Beau Monde that she longs to join. She finds herself surprisingly angry at all of their opulence and leaves, craving what they have.

  After deciding that she’s worked too long for Micah, with her mentor failing to deliver on his many promises, Kai forces her way past Micah’s secretary to meet with him. She details everything that he’s promised but has yet to deliver, seething from his many lies and constant misdirections, lashing out and allowing her emotions to claim her.

  Micah assures Kai that her advancement into the Beau Monde is nearing, but that he can’t yet give her what she’s owed. Kai surprises Micah by insisting that Nicolai should ascend to Beau Monde, too. Micah suggests that one final job might get Kai exactly what she wants: killing Rachel Ryan.

  KATE RIGBY

  Doc, now in hiding as Kate, is on a moon run hoping to smuggle some Lunis back to Earth. But on her way off the satellite she’s pulled aside for inspection. Resigned to her fate, Kate follows the inspector where he tests her for dust before demanding that she strip. Despite her protests, the inspector doesn't waver. Instead, he threatens her with a heavy prison sentence and offers her an unsavory chance at escape. Kate won’t stand for it, so she elbows him in the nose, killing the man with little effort. Then, with a bit of nanobot assistance, she erases all records of her detention then flees the holding room and ditches her shuttle on the way to Earth.

  Back home, Kate tells her boss, Jimmy, that she’s lost the entire shipment of Lunis. She vows to make things right, but Jimmy is furious. The Organa desperately needs the shipment.

  They meet up with Jimmy’s boss and Doc’s old friend, Omar Jones. Despite her trepidation, Kate knows that a working relationship with Omar is the only thing that makes sense. Omar lulls her into a sense of security until he manages to trick Kate into a very Doc-like response. Her cover is blown.

  MICAH RYAN

  Micah visits Nicolai to see why his new man is offline. He trashes his brother, saying that Isaac was foolish not to allow Nicolai into his confidence. After explaining the chain of events that led the Ryans to Nicolai, Micah hypothesizes that his experience created a more robust AI.

  After they debate history, ownership, theft, and what’s next for their work together in Enterprise, Micah visits his mother. Rachel thanks him for the visit and asks if he’s been in touch with his brother. It’s rare for them to discuss family, but Rachel seems concerned for Isaac. She threatens to void Isaac’s shares of the family business and implores Micah to rein in Natasha.

  Micah insists that he has matters well in hand and can step in when needed. Rachel then drops a final bombshell by asking Micah to bid Kai well. He wonders how she even knows her.

  Later, at the White House, Presidents Reese and Carter deliver their Prime Statements. Carter claims that the nation should be focusing on similarities between the parties rather than their differences. He says that unity is preferred. Necessary. Required. The time has come to join as one behind Project Mindbender. Micah is dumbfounded.

  DOMINIC LONG

  Dominic is sent racing back to the Organa village after his interrogation by Austin Smith, reeling from the knowledge that Leo once led a deadly domestic terrorist group.

  Dom checks his messages. He finds two from Omar saying the latest shipment was a bust and that the backup supply would have to last longer than they expected even though the entire village is already hurting. Dominic also learns that things aren't any better back home: Riots are erupting as Shift approaches. His time in the village needs to be quick.

  Dominic checks in with Leo and breaks the news that the Lunis shipment won’t be arriving any time soon. Leo is clearly panicked and snaps at Dominic’s apology. He’s distraught, wondering what will happen when the village runs dry. Dominic suggests that Leo take control of his village. He tosses his former teacher a gun on his way out as a last-ditch effort for Leo to protect himself should things go completely awry.

  Dominic meets Omar, Kate, and Jimmy. Dominic and Kate feel each other out; both have plenty to lose and a desire to keep what they have. Omar tells Dominic stories from his time spent as a prisoner in Flat 4 and about the powerful man he met there: Craig Braemon. Omar has a plan involving Craig that will keep them all thriving — if Dominic can help Kate get in front of the Beau Monde. Kate pushes back, saying that she doesn’t want to be the bait in Omar’s scheme. But with no other choice, Dominic agrees.

  LEAH

  Leah visits a cleaned-up Crumb, who now wants to be known as Steve. His memories are hard to reclaim, but his preternatural grasp of The Beam continues to bloom. She asks him what’s next. Steve says that once he’s regained his strength, he’ll return to Organa. Leah says they’ll protect him if he goes back now, but Steve reminds her that he can’t be hidden and that he’s sure they already know where he’s hiding.

  Leah is getting multiple pings from fellow Null member Shadow and feels desperate to find a place where she can connect, so on horseback she heads two hours to a place with a definite connection.

  She reads multiple posts from Shadow, sent to her online persona, n33t. But what Leah reads doesn’t sit well. She can’t trust him enough to meet in person, so Leah sends him a noncommittal ping. He wants to discuss Nicolai Costa, but she has no idea who this man could be. She presses Shadow for more information, and he sends a self-destructing note about Beau Monde and the need to talk.

  She’s willing to consider a deeper conversation but doesn’t want to risk Shadow getting information about her. She worries that it might be a setup and refuses despite her feelings of urgency.

  Back in her DZ apartment, Leah immerses herself in The Beam. Inside, she finds the residue left by Shadow. His insecurities. His id. His psyche. She sees him as almost noble — very different than what she sees and feels about Integer7. She looks deeper for Costa and eventually finds him. He’s a man more advanced and yet more primitive than any others in the NAU. She sees that he’s closest to Kai and Doc. But also close to many with Beau Monde Beam identifiers. As she tries to manipulate the AI into revealing exactly who — and what — the Beau Monde is, she sees that Rachel Ryan's ID is different, too. But how, and why?

  Leah plays with the sequence and discovers that it’s a Beau Monde ID, but more. A circle within a circle within a circle. Somehow, Rachel's ID is enough to be all things to all people. The woman can open anything. Get past anyone. She wonders if there are others like her.

  Leah continues to hack her way looking for more IDs like Rachel’s. IDs that gain entry into this secret club. Private. Certainly exclusive. But not unique. A single word emerges: Panel.

  LEO BOOKER

  Leo discusses his past with Dominic while suffering from withdrawal, eventually admitting to his past with Gaia’s Hammer. Dom wants to know if history will repeat itself, and though Leo tries to quell his friend’s anxiety, it’s clear that Dom doesn’t fully believe him. Leo explains how he was exiled into a teaching life and that he never lied to Dominic, just withheld some critical details.
r />   After Dominic leaves, Leo confesses to Leah. She describes what she believes The Beam’s inner core is becoming. They discuss the impending doom of their Lunis shortage and the disaster awaiting once the village learns of the dead supply.

  Leo gathers the Organa and admits to what everyone knew was coming. He announces to the Organa that even though the news is bad, Leo is out to protect the Organa.

  Leo makes a blunt announcement: Moondust is running low. He asks the crowd to think about who they are and why they are here in the mountains. It can’t be just for the drugs. The crowd demands specifics. Questions snowball. Anxiety boils over into rage. When Leo tries to diffuse their panic and anger, he’s forced to admit that the reserves are down to a few days and that outside the compound, Lunis will be difficult to find.

  Fighting erupts, and the knowledge that Leo has sole access to the reserve causes them to collectively surge. The crowd pins him, and he resists defending himself further.

  While Leo is pinned down, NAU Agent Austin Smith arrives and arrests the village.

  STEPHEN YORK

  York spends more time with SerenityBlue, still perplexed that he sees her differently than both Leo and Leah. He’s unable to explain what he’s seeing in words.

  Serenity tells York that they were searching for people like him. She asks him to stay longer, but he insists that he wants to leave. Serenity offers to help and asks Stephen some basic questions to hopefully unlock his ability to describe the half memories that continue to haunt him.

  Thinking back to his past, York remembers an exclusive group of people that Noah used to keep hidden. These people were well known, even to an isolated York. He wonders why these people would gather together. Politics, sex, industry, and technology aligning motives against the broader society. But he can’t seem to solve the troubling riddle.