Horseplay

by Cam Daly

  If she had to move fast enough for the boots to come loose, no observer would be “casual.”

  #

  Connor was packing the quadcopter control tablet back in the mostly empty case when someone else loomed over him. He squinted against the rising sun and realized it was Farley Ormlan. He got to his feet and faced the man.

  “Mr. James? I need to have a word with you.” The Homeland Security agent wasn’t as short as he had seemed to be, it was just that all the agents had looked diminutive with DeVries standing amongst them.

  The Lieutenant and the other men with him were watching Farley closely, seemingly unsure why he had approached Connor. “A word with me? About the copter?”

  Farley looked down at the mostly empty carrying case as if he had already forgotten about it. “That? No.” He looked around at the other men. “In private, if you would.”

  Connor didn’t see any sign of support from the policemen, then shrugged. “Uhh, sure. Where?”

  He hadn’t realized that Farley had his phone in his hand until the man brought it up, listened to someone for a moment then thanked them and hung up. “Let’s go for a walk.” When Connor started to close the case, Farley turned to the Lieutenant. “Can you have someone transport this for Mr. James?” The officer nodded mutely.

  Farley ushered Connor away from the group with his free hand. “This way, please.”

  Connor realized it was the opposite direction from where DeVries had gone a minute earlier. “What’s this about?”

  “Just keep walking. I was just talking to someone from your office.” He looked back over his shoulder towards the other Homeland Security agents and VSE guards. “Apparently, yesterday you told them that you wanted to be assigned to any case that involved VSE?”

  “Yeah, I thought that-“

  “Weren’t you told very clearly in your meeting with Director Maxwell and Senator Ormlan that Homeland Security was investigating the theft? That you should leave everything to us?”

  Connor wasn’t sure of the exact wording, but that seemed pretty close to what he had been told. He suspected it would be a bad idea to argue the exact semantics of his request to his boss. “I thought that I might be able to help, since I know about the, you-know-what’s.” He hoped that the next question would not be about Kery. He hadn’t told anyone about her.

  They had walked far enough along the perimeter of the fence that the police and fire commanders weren’t visible. Farley looked back every few seconds, though. “Your presence here could lead to undesirable complications. You’re going to get a call in the next few minutes that places you on administrative leave for two weeks.”

  “What? That’s not fair at all. I didn’t-“

  Farley held up a hand. Connor stopped his protests. The agent didn’t move or say anything, he just stared at Connor for a few seconds.

  “A car is just about here.” He pointed behind Connor to just past the growing row of news vans and satellite trucks. “Get in it, go home and pack a bag. Get off the grid for a week or two. For your own good.” He gave Connor a smirk, turned and walked away. “Trust me.”

  “Why?”

  “That’s always the real question, isn’t it?”

  #

  “The Observatory has a clear view of the car Connor is in. It’s heading west, generally towards his residence. Dove should stay with the four Tumorish.” Shadow was giving Keryapt updates as she drove the three kilometers from the safe house back towards the waterfront area she had barely escaped from that morning. Her generic white SUV was nowhere near as fast as her top running speed, but it would be dangerous to charge in openly on foot. She drove at twice the speed limit but did her best to obey human traffic laws.

  “Okay.”

  “DeVries is walking away from the Tumorish. They stood around for a bit then got back in their vehicle. I wonder why they were there.”

  “I don’t know. They were clearly sent there by the Craven to do…something. DeVries convinced them - or their master - not to do whatever it was, maybe at Farley’s request? Could there be a group of humans allied with the Craven?”

  “The humans might think so.”

  “So, do we have tracking on where they came from, or if there are any signs of additional units?” The Tumorish were not to be underestimated, however raw these ones might be.

  “I’ve backtracked them from Observatory footage to a Caltrans equipment depot five minutes from you. No sign of any more activity there.”

  “Umm. Okay. I’ll send Hawk to scout it out.” The Active dispatched her offensive remote.

  “Keryapt, you sound distracted. Is something else…”

  Kery reverted to the Stage, trying to get there before Shadow noticed. But she was already there, staring at her accusingly. “What is this?”

  A video file was being streamed to Kery’s visual system. It was an episode of her past exploits.

  “That? That’s nothing.” The video showed something large and dark rolling past the camera, then Keryapt chasing after it. Her body had four arms and each carried a weapon.

  “You’re watching yourself fight a Craven? Has it been so long that you forgot?”

  “Don’t ask that-”

  The Planning Stage strobed blue and gold and a calm male voice sounded. “Active and Shadow, stand by for Admiralty connection.”

  In the real world Kery cursed, pulled into a vacant parking spot and shifted her sensorium fully back to the Planning Stage. The Admiralty summons was not something she could choose to ignore.

  The avatar of the Admiralty, clad in a stylized version of the gold and blue vacuum armor which had been used for thousands of years before Activation was discovered, was not recognizable as any particular personage that Keryapt knew. Behind him, the walls of the Planning Stage had become partially transparent and the background changed to show the entirety of Fleet Four. A million ships were somehow all depicted there, detail on each becoming apparent if Keryapt looked at each one for more than an instant. It was a dizzying reminder of the authority represented by this one form.

  “We are aware of the latest developments on your Labworld. Evidence suggests the Craven have managed to adapt the Tumorish for humanity. Furthermore, your predecessor might be alive.” The voice of the Admiralty avatar was a rich baritone which echoed slightly each time it finished speaking.

  Keryapt recognized the pause as a question mark. “We believe that's a possibility. The overt actions of our enemy lead us to believe that some sort of major operation is under way, but their objectives are unknown to us.”

  “Speculate.”

  Kery had no idea. That’s why she had been watching the video. “If they abducted Mezerello intentionally, it's unclear why the Craven would use her and the locally constructed units against us instead of the Tumorish or other weapons. Her verbalizations during our encounter didn’t seem like cries for help.”

  “Agreed. It is quite unfortunate that you were not able to secure her cranial pod during your encounter.” Keryapt unconsciously hung her head in a human expression of shame. “What could motivate their actions?”

  Keryapt looked to Shadow. She knew more about this Labworld, but her response showed that she wasn’t any more certain than her Active. “Human technology has progressed down a somewhat unusual path, with intense focus on electromagnetic computing. Some subtle mistakes in their scientific history have led them to certain incorrect assumptions and now they are building upon those mistakes. There isn’t anything we know of here to suggest the imminent arrival of any technological or scientific advancement. And the Craven certainly wouldn’t be interested in human art or social developments.”

  She paused. Keryapt gave her the moment. “That leaves two options. They are after something that another race left here - from off world or a prior species - or something that another race has here now. We don’t have any indications that the former might be true, but there's one clear possibility for the latter.”

  She turned and looked a
t Keryapt. “They might be after you.”

  “Me? I wasn’t even here when things started. That’s ridiculous.”

  “But you were nearby. No one in Fleet Four would give information to a Craven, but they could have used intermediaries. Killing or capturing you would be a huge achievement for one of them. You must be worth a thousand years.”

  The Craven economy was based on allowed years of life. It was flattering, in a way, when she thought about the possibility that this was all an elaborate trap for her. Even if Fleet Four forgot about her some day, the Craven wouldn’t. Not after what she had done to them. “But that wouldn’t explain them sending more ships into the system. If they had a plan already in place then they wouldn’t need reinforcements.”

  Both women were silent. The Admiralty didn’t speculate further along that line. “The situation there is clearly more significant than previously suspected. What resources do you need?”

  Keryapt spoke before Shadow could give a more restrained response. “Reinforcements of our own. The closest full task force, redirected here at maximum speed.” 64 ships. “Permission to fabricate an equivalent-tech combat body without usual Labworld restrictions.” A cutting edge machine of war, designed without heed of material cost or concern of losing it to the enemy. “And a full Labworld staff cohort.” A quadrupling of the team dedicated to backing her up.

  Shadow’s eyes were wide at the scope of Keryapt’s request.

  The Admiralty, as befit the controlling power of a billion sentients, didn’t show any sign of surprise. “A two-hand squadron will be dispatched.”

  Eight ships. It would take them weeks to arrive, but would almost certainly outnumber and outgun anything hiding in the system currently.

  “Give us your requirements for the new body.”

  Keryapt was keenly aware of the latest concepts from Fleet Four’s top designers. She produced a list she had already crafted of desired features, knowing the Admiralty would adapt them with the knowledge of usual Craven weaponry and tactics.

  “Your pairing here is highly unusual. We do not usually allow any social contact between Active and Shadow, let alone a direct familial connection. But Keryapt Zess was the only Active available.”

  The commanding figure turned to face Shadow. “The burden of command grows exponentially with the size of your team. We will find out soon enough if you can manage them and oversee your mother’s actions at the same time. We assume the rest of your team is still unaware of your relationship?”

  “Yes”

  “We expect you to keep that secret.”

  It turned back to Keryapt.

  “As to your request for a new body…”

  A pattern of lines converged in the air, forming a humanoid shape, and data began to appear around it. Despite Keryapt’s experience as an Active, she couldn’t help but feel a moment of awe at the display of power. Barely a minute had passed since she submitted her request, and already the Admiralty had selected a design from the various manufacturers in Fleet Four.

  “This...this is…” She couldn’t even finish her sentence as she got close enough to read details. Her eyes danced across the display. Shadow turned to see what the Active was unable to bring herself to say.

  “That is the latest unrestricted design for atmospheric engagements from Advanced Perfection. The Paleon line has its place in undercover and stealth operations on low to mid tech Labworlds, but AP will optimize this body for exotech opponents. With our permission. It will take your Factory approximately two local days to fabricate it, depending on the exact payload.”

  Keryapt studied the predicted performance levels of the sleek thing she might soon occupy. It would never pass for human, but at the point she needed something this amazingly fast and powerful she wouldn’t need to. Some details on its exact performance and weaponry were not yet finalized, and she realized the Admiralty would be focusing more time and attention on this before it was done. It would be the most advanced body she had ever worn.

  She realized something was missing. She stopped her detailed review and looked around the data display. “What’s it called?”

  “You know of Advanced Perfection’s penchant for understatement. They call it ‘Horseplay’.” It took a second for Keryapt to translate and understand the name, then couldn’t stop herself from laughing out loud.

  “I can’t wait to try it on.”

  “You will get your chance soon enough. We believe that there is a small but non-trivial chance that events on your Labworld could reach a significant nexus in the next few local hours or days. The staffing cohort will be assembled from other Labworld teams which can spare them and assigned to your Shadow in the next few minutes, for use as you see fit.”

  Shadow was clearly reeling under the changes being wrought. Keryapt felt a little sorry for her, but the opportunity for her daughter to lead a team of this size was a huge step for her career. If she could handle it.

  “Your next actions should be to prepare for a conflict with Craven forces, determine where their Tumorish are being created and eliminate them before the Craven allow them to spread. One of your technicians is working on a design for a communications harness which can be made from readily available human materials. Keryapt should assemble that in case you can retrieve Mezerello’s cranial pod.”

  Keryapt answered for both of them.

  “Understood.”

  She couldn’t remember ever being this excited before.

  CHAPTER 6

  “Crap. I just realized I need to stop by work before home. Can you head downtown?” Connor gave the driver the address for the new Forensic Division offices. He knew his boss would be there and the loss of the quadcopter would be best handled in person before he went out of town. If he did. He didn’t exactly have a lot of money sitting around, or anyone to visit nearby.

  He was daydreaming about going on vacation with Kery Lee when the police cruiser squawked at them. Startled, he looked back and realized it was directly behind them with its lights on but no siren. His driver seemed surprised as well. “What the hell, man? I didn’t do nothing. You saw that, right? I didn’t do nothing!”

  “What? Oh, yeah. We were just driving.” He hadn’t really been paying attention. “You were just driving normally, right?”

  Traffic was light in the business district on Sundays and today was no exception.The driver ignored the question as he pulled over right next to the Transbay Transit Center. Connor could see a number of people moving around inside, heading to trains or buses to take them somewhere else for the holidays.

  Two officers climbed out of the cruiser. Both were white, one a little taller and more athletic looking than the other. He didn’t recognize either one. He didn’t plan to intervene on the driver’s behalf, since he hadn’t actually been paying attention to what was going on.

  The officers moved along either side of the car then stopped next to the passenger doors. Connor was starting to wonder what the driver had done when the taller one on the curb side leaned down and opened the passenger door.

  “Mr. James?” He had “Briggs” on his name tag, and his hand was conspicuously on his holstered weapon.

  “Yes, officer? Can I help you with something?” He knew that in New York the police couldn’t search him or have him get out without probable cause, but he wasn’t sure about the law in California.

  Briggs made a waving motion.

  Connor looked at the driver, who stared unhelpfully back at him, then slid out of the car. “What’s this about?”

  Briggs didn’t reply but closed the door behind Connor. His partner, “Davies,” thumped the top of the car and it sped off like a rabbit.

  Briggs held a finger to his ear, probably listening to someone watching through the camera array clipped to the side of his glasses. “Uh huh. Okay.” He lowered his hand and turned his focus back to Connor. “You are going to need to come with us, Mr. James.”

  “Look, officers. I think there has been some kind of misunderstand
ing. I’m a contractor with the Forensics Unit, and I was just heading into the office.”

  Davies joined Briggs and Connor at the curb. “Heading into the office.” He blinked a few times but didn’t continue.

  “Umm...yeah. I can just walk from here, if that’s okay.” Connor tentatively moved away from the two men. They pivoted to track him.

  “Let’s just go to our vehicle for a minute, Mr. James.”

  Connor sighed and walked towards it, wondering if this was some sort of retribution for leaving the Dogpatch site without telling the Lieutenant.

  The sidewalk was largely vacant, and he wished he was inside the Transit Center with the crowds. For a second he felt like a poor child looking in toy store windows at Christmas time.

  The two men ushered him along. He noticed their car had K-9 markings on its rear.

  “Where’s your dog?”

  Davies replied immediately. “We are eternal. Dogs don’t like us. He is gone.”

  Connor froze. The two men stopped behind him.

  “Dammit, Davies, you are raw.” Connor turned enough to see Briggs reach into his jacket.

  Filled with a premonition that something extremely bad was about to happen, Connor bolted. He heard a quiet cough and felt a pinch in his shoulder as he shoved through the Transit Center door, into the crowd. After a moment’s hesitation, the pair of officers followed.

  He raced past booths and ticket kiosks of various travel services, looking back quickly to see the two men entering through the same doors as he had. They didn’t seem to spot him right away in the crowd and he tried to stay somewhat low as he ran. There weren’t enough people to cover him indefinitely.

  He passed an escalator up to the bus level and realized they wouldn’t be able to see him on it from the sides. He ran up it in a crouch.

  He was nearly to the next level when he heard a shout from below. Davies had run past the escalator when Briggs saw Connor. As he left their line of sight he could see Briggs’ hand at his ear again, reporting back to whoever watched through the camera.

  The bus level was only sparsely occupied, but another stairway just ahead promised access to the rooftop garden level. Connor ran up and hoped that there would be a hiding place.