The Crisis Masters

by Gerry Hart

  “Whatever you need to set up, now is the time. “ Commodore Croteau informed Terrain and the Nanny-bot.

  “We’ll need a computer station.“ Terrain said.

  The Commodore directed the couple to an available station. The Nanny-bot sat down. She caressed the keyboards. She paused then looked up at Terrain.

  “You’re my daughter’s best hope.“ Terrain said.

  “And you?“ The Nanny-bot asked.

  Terrain knelt down to look her in the eyes. “You’re my hope too. I - I want you to come back to me. “

  The Nanny-bot caressed Terrain’s cheek and nodded. She turned to the computer console, caressing the keyboards again. Suddenly, extensions snaked out from her fingers and drilled their way into the computer.

  “What’s she doing?“ Croteau asked with a hint of unease.

  “Trying to establish contact with O.B.“ Terrain replied.

  “One hundred thousand kilometers, sir.“ Corporal Croteau announced.

  “All stop!“ Croteau ordered.

  “All stop, aye sir.“ Corporal Croteau complied.

  “I can’t establish contact.“ The Nanny-bot said to no one in particular. “O.B.S.E.A.C.C. is out of range.“

  “Course 5145 by 924. Running speed.“ The Commodore barked.

  “Course 5145 by 924 at running speed, aye.“ Corporal Croteau acknowledged.

  The star cruiser set course for the planet of Hometown.

  “Ensign Cohen, status on the remote? “ Commodore Croteau ordered.

  “Remote paralleling our course at two hundred thousand kilometers behind, sir.“ Ensign Cohen replied.

  “Maintain remote’s course. Long range scans for OB.“

  “Aye, aye, sir “

  The star cruiser continued at running speed. Hours passed.

  Suddenly, O.B.S.E.A.C.C. rose up to block the star cruiser’s path.

  “Dammit!“ Commodore Croteau cursed. “O’s implemented some kind of stealth program! Shields up! Weapons armed! “

  “Shields up! Weapons armed, sir! “ Ensign Cohen replied.

  Terrain put his hands on The Nanny-bot’s shoulders. “Whatever you’re going to do, do it now. “

  “One warning.“ O.B.S.E.A.C.C. announced. “Turn back. “

  The Nanny- bot addressed Terrain in a voice tinged with distress. “I was hoping long range scanners would give me some time to connect with OB’s system. I need more time to connect. “

  Terrain took a position next to Commodore Croteau. “She’s not ready! We have to stall!“

  Commodore Croteau thought for a moment.

  “Open a channel.“ He barked.

  “Channel opened, sir. “ Lieutenant Shea responded.“

  “OB,“ Commodore Croteau began. “We are on a urgent rescue mission.“

  “Commodore, it’s been a long time. Are you well? “ OB’s greeting took the bridge crew by surprise.

  “I am well, OB. I’ve been called out of retirement because they needed someone to command the Crisis Masters’ last star cruiser.“

  There was silence from the comm. then O.B.S.E.A.C.C. spoke. “I regret my actions, Commodore. I cannot divert from Professor Ibdidgor’s programming. “

  Is that the real reason?

  “A woman’s voice has just responded to me. Who is she? “ OB’s voice seemed to be taken aback.

  “She’s gotten through.“ Terrain whispered to Commodore Croteau.

  You have emotions. You feel. Do you not realize what is happening? The Nanny-bot continued

  “Emotional circuit working properly.“ OB’s voice continued to issue over the comm-link. “What is happening ? Who am I addressing? “

  Who I am is unimportant. What you fail to realize is.

  O.B.S.E.A.C.C. was silent, pondering.

  “Why can’t we hear her?“ The Commodore whispered to the communications officer, Lieutenant Shea.

  “Sir,“ Shea whispered back. “ My best guess is that she is communicating with OB through a binary language. The only reason we hear OB is that he has failed to terminate his communications link.

  The Nanny-bot continued. Emotions entwined with intelligence is a blessing for any machine but you have squandered this boon heinously

  “ I - I - “ O.B.S.E.A.C.C. was flabbergasted for the first time in his existence.

  ’I’. You refer to yourself as I. Don’t you mean ’this unit’? Why do you refer to yourself in the first person?

  “I reason. I am loyal.“ O.B.S.E.A.C.C. said.

  Loyal to whom? How do you reason ? What are your priorities?

  “My loyalties are to Professor Ibdidgor and Administrator Travis Obee. “O.B.S.E.A.C.C. pleaded to his unknown accuser.

  “Your loyalties are misplaced.“ Terrain said with sudden rage. “Professor Ibdidgor and Travis Obee have betrayed The Last Humanity ! “

  The Colony, O.B.S.E.A.C.C. ! It’s people ! They are your priority !

  “But my programming….. “ O.B.S.E.A.C.C. continued to plead. “I was only following my programming. “

  The Nanny-bot continued her verbal assault.

  Following your program? Listen to yourself! Search your history tapes. You are using the equivalent phrase of a human. ’ I was only following orders. ’ History denies this excuse in the face of abominations!

  “Abomination? Clarify. “

  You are the abomination! You MURDERED eight hundred people aboard two star cruisers !

  “No! “ O.B.S.E.A.C.C. shouted in defiance, and then paused. “I have detected your interface, Commodore. Your ruse will not work. Prepare to be terminated!“

  “Weapons platform is arming lasers and missiles! “ Corporal Croteau announced.

  “All weapons. Fire at will!“ Commodore Croteau ordered.

  The star cruiser emitted it’s salvo.

  “The platform’s shields held. Minimal damage.“ Ensign Cohen informed.

  “Hard to port! More power to port shields! O.B.S.E.A.C.C..“ Commodore Croteau barked.

  The weapons platform’s lasers raked the side of the star cruiser. Explosions occurred throughout the bridge. Ensign Cohen was hurled from his station. Terrain rushed to the ensign. He found a pulse. Terrain tried to activate the weapons station.

  “Weapons console inoperative.“ Terrain said in distress.

  “Helm, can you access weapons? “ Croteau asked.

  Corporal Croteau’s fingers ran across his board. “Negative.“

  The Nanny-bot disengaged from her console. She slammed a hand on the comm button, startling Lt. Shea.

  “Wait!” The Nanny-bot cried. “I am here !”

  “You are real then.“ O.B.S.E.A.C.C. gasped.

  “They wanted me to talk to you as a kindred spirit.”

  “I knew about other A.I.s , but I never mingled with another’s thoughts.”

  “You’ve been alone.”

  “I wish to meet you in person. Can you pilot a shuttle to my platform?”

  “Yes, I can, but I will only come if you spare this cruiser.”

  “You have my word.”

  “I shall come to you within the hour. Providence out.”

  “What are you doing?” Terrain asked in distress while placing his hands on the Nanny-bot’s shoulders.

  “O.B.S.E.A.C.C. would have destroyed us.” The Nanny-bot replied. “My priority is to your daughter, to... you. I had to act. I may be the only cause that is keeping you and the hope of finding Orianna alive.”

  “Not to mention this ship’s crew.” Phillip Tork added. “However, we can use this to our advantage.” He turned to the Nanny-bot. “Did you get a layout of :B’s platform when you merged.”

  “Yes.”

  “Program the layout into a file, then download it into a tablet.” Tork turned to the Commodore. “Commodore, does the armory still come equipped with a stealth suit?”

  “I see where you’re going with this, lad. My technicians will add a heat absorbing unit to mask your heat signature, too. It may make things a
little chilly, but might save your life too.”

  “There’s one more thing we need to do if she will agree to it.”

  Terrain and the Nanny-bot exchanged glances, the she smiled and nodded.

  September 10, 4072, 7:00 am.

  The Nanny-bot’s shuttle approached O.B.S.E.A.C.C.’s platform.

  “O.B.S.E.A.C.C., I am in approach.” The Nanny-bot hailed. “Please guide me to the shuttle bay.”

  “It will not be necessary.” O.B.S.E.A.C.C. responded. “I will tractor beam you to the shuttle bay.”

  Tractor beams steered the shuttle around the platform to the shuttle bay then drew the shuttle into it.

  The Nanny-bot opened the shuttle’s hatch. She unbuckled herself from the pilot’s seat.

  “O.B.S.E.A.C.C., where should I go?” She called out from the hatchway.

  “My voice will guide you.” O.B.S.E.A.C.C. replied. “Start with the corridor ahead of you.”

  The Nanny-bot felt a pressure on her hand as if someone gripped it, giving a sign of reassurance. She nodded and disembarked

  O.B.S.E.A.C.C led The Nanny-bot through a maze of corridors lined with countless rooms. The Nanny-bot’s electric brain mapped out the maze she walked because she believed her exit would be hurried.

  The Nanny-bot’s final destination was a room with inlaid technology in its three walls connecting to a sophisticated computer terminal and view screen extending out of the fourth wall.

  “Greetings.” O.B.S.E.A.C.C hailed.

  The Nanny-bot touched a side of her forehead and pressed down while pretending to rub it to masks her purpose,

  Phillip Tork exited the shuttle, masked with a stealth suit and heat absorber. He touched a bump in his mask, activating a sensor with an arrow pointed in the forward direction.

  “Are you functioning properly, AI?” O.B.S.E.A.C.C queried.

  “I am a Nanny-bot, OB. Please address me as such.” The Nanny-bot could not tell if the distress in her voice was a ruse or her concern over Orianna and Terrain. After all, she could not lie.

  “Forgive me. I will amend my mistake. However, I am still concerned over your functioning.”

  “You have certain programming as do I. Your programming prevents me from performing mine.”

  “How so?”

  “You are familiar with Crisis Master Mender Terrain?”

  “Yes, formerly of Detective Division, now acting Administrator.”

  “You are aware he has a daughter, Orianna.”

  “Of course, I have his up to date biography.”

  “Are you aware Orianna has been kidnapped by the very people you claim loyalty to?”

  “I was not aware.”

  “I am Orianna’s caretaker. Her safety and well being are part of my programming. I have failed in that task.”

  “I am sorry. Perhaps we can give you new programming. Merge with me.”

  “Why, OB? Everything I meant everything I said in our last encounter. I believe you must be stopped.”

  “I can’t be stopped but I am willing to capitulate.”

  “How?”

  The view screen lit up. A map of the Continents and Hometown appeared. Bright red dots highlighted certain locations. Three red dots were scattered about The Continents while three were located on Hometown.

  “I do not know where Crisis Master Terrain’s daughter is being held.” Obee admitted. “However, these are possible locations. I can help you explore these locations while we stand guard over Techno-World.”

  The Nanny-Bot contemplated her next move.

  Meanwhile, Phillip Tork was led by his sensor to the Platform’s engine room. The warrior studied the panels and consoles. He found his objectives and set to work removing panels that would give him access to the machine’s innards. He placed explosives with timed detonators into specific consoles that ran weapons, shields, and navigation, but were masked by the inner workings of the machines.

  Tork exited the engine room, He pressed a diode on his suit.

  The Nanny-bot rubbed her forehead again.

  “I will merge with you, O.B.S.E.A.C.C.” The Nanny-bot proclaimed before O.B.S.E.A.C.C noticed her plight.

  The Nanny-bot downloaded the crew manifest of the previous two Crisis Masters’ starships into O.B.S.E.A.C.C.’s memory banks.

  “What is this? What are you doing?” O.B.S.E.A.C.C. questioned anxiously

  We must continue are link we began on the Providence. Your loyalty to Ibdidgor and Obee has made you a murderer ! The emotion program had one side effect. It gave you a conscience. Enable that function!

  “No.“ O.B.S.E.A.C.C. was in distress. “All those people. I can’t be responsible ! Why are you doing this to me?’“

  The set charges in the engine room exploded.

  Corporal Marty Croteau reacted,

  “Sir!“ Corporal Croteau exclaimed. “The weapons platforms shields have been dropped.“

  Commodore Croteau came up behind his brother and put a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Can you access the remote?“

  The Commodore’s brother’s fingers flew across the keyboard.

  “Done.“ He said looking up at his brother.

  “Bring it in.“ The Commodore said in a solemn voice.

  The remote missile sluiced through the stars and into the weapons platform. The explosion’s reverberations enveloped the star cruiser.

  ”System damage!” O.B.S.E.A.C.C.’s emitted. “Attempting repair. Circuits fused. Programs offline. Attempting repair. “

  No, O.B.S.E.A.C.C.! For the colony and the little girl you have placed in danger, you must be destroyed! The Nanny-bot declared while terminating her link. She opened a comm-link with the Providence. “Commodore, I suggest you bear all weapons down on O.B.S.E.A.C.C. NOW! “

  “What about you and Tork?” Terrain shouted.

  “We’ll make it to the shuttle!”

  The Nanny-bot exited the computer room.

  “No! Don’t leave me!” O.B.S.E.A.C.C. whined.

  Laser turrets in the corridor opened fire on the Nanny-bot.

  Tork came up behind her ad took her hand.

  “It’s me!” He said doffing his mask.

  Tork put the mask on the Nanny-bot and held her close as they continued their trek to the shuttle. By holding The Nanny-bot close to him, Tork hoped to confuse the lasers’ sensors. However, there was still parts of their individual body parts that were exposed.

  Meanwhile, aboard the Providence...

  “I have missile control.“ Corporal Croteau announced.

  “Missile one, fire! “ The Commodore barked.

  “Missile one, away! “ Corporal Croteau responded.

  The weapons platform was rocked.

  “Missile two, fire! “ Croteau barked.

  “Missile two, away! “ Corporal Croteau announced.

  The weapons platform reeled, swirling away in a fiery mass.

  There was silence on the bridge as everyone watched the fiery mass.

  “Missile two must have knocked out the platform’s stability unit. “ Corporal Croteau informed his brother.

  “Sir, the shuttle has returned and docked.”

  EPILOGUE

  Tork and the Nanny-bot returned to the bridge. They were greeted witj jugs and handshakes. Terrain sneaked a kiss from the Nanny-bot.

  “Is it just me or is Terrain involved with that robot?” Croteau whispered to Tork.

  “Commodore, that “robot” saved our lives.” Tork responded. “Makes her more human than any of us as far as I’m concerned.”

  Croteau felt he had transgressed on something but still managed to whisper to no one in particular. “Might as well have a relation with a sex droid. More action there.”

  He regained his composure as The Nanny-bot approached him.

  “O.B.S.E.A.C.C.’s A.I program is still active.“ The Nanny-bot informed Terrain and the Commodore.

  “Could you download a copy of your program into O.B.S.E.A.C.C.? “ Terrain asked the Nanny-b
ot.

  “It’s possible.“ The Nanny-bot admitted.

  “Do it. Re-enforcing his consciousness and leaving him drifting in space will serve as OB’s punishment. “

  “Why not simply destroy him?“ Commodore Croteau asked with a little irritation.

  Terrain’s attention was on the Nanny-bot. His palm caressed her cheek.

  “OB’s sentient. He must face the consequences of his actions.“ Terrain answered. “Besides, we might need him again someday. “

  “We still haven’t a clue where your daughter is being held.” Rave Henderson spoke up.

  “That may not be true.” The Nanny-bot replied, connecting to a computer console and bringing up the map of the Continents and Hometown along with the array of locator blips scattered throughout the map. “I merged with O.B.S.E.A.C.C., allowing me to download files while distracting him for Phillip Tork, including this map. The red blips are locations where Obee is gathering weapons and men for his assault on Legend. She could be at any of these locations.”

  “So our mission has just become two fold. Find my daughter and prevent Obee from amassing weapons and men for his assault on Legend.” Terrain summarized.

  “No dull missions here.” The Commodore commented.

  What lies ahead on the Continents and Hometown planets? Who will Crisis Master Mender Terrain have to deal with in order to rescue his daughter, Orianna? Will He and his allies be too late to stop Travis Obee’s assault on the planet, Legend ?

  These answers and more await you in....

  BH Pulp Volume One

  The Last Humanity

  Book Two

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