Since I saw how destroyed his body was from starvation, I had to learn how to get my community actual food instead of the chemically enhanced pseudo-food they experimented on us with stocked in our grocery stores. I had to go to the public data archive building to learn the workings of programming through some free simulator courses.
“I was taught the bare basics of J-Cell, but through my community’s underground resistance, I learned how to hack the system. I was able to reroute real food shipments to us through cyber drones. Then, to avoid discovery, I wiped the drone’s signatures from the digi-records.”
“You were an authentic tech-ripper!” Kayleigh was amazed at her journey. “What did you do with the drones?”
“Nobody wanted to go on Outback runs with all the Black Tiger snakes and King Cobras slithering about, so we reprogrammed them as a local food delivery service.
Everything was working until the Program changed the tide with the extinction event a few years ago. All the food transports stopped.
We had no idea until the borgeys infiltrated our community. They killed all of my family, but since I was underground, I escaped.
The resistance fought a good fight, but when I was the last survivor, I hid.
Later, the borgeys built a new facility to make more of them. I was caught and ran through the process. When my flaws were discovered, they tried to scrap me. Again, I got away.
Now I’m sitting here having other people hating me because I look like what they’ve been fighting all this time. Reality has a harsh irony.”
Gaia walked to her tearing face and gave her a hug.
“We had no idea your life was that tumultuous. And I thought my brother being a Butt-head was the worst at that time. I don’t think any of us has had it that bad.”
“We’re teens, Gaia,” Linda said. “And growing up in Maine is a little better than a government-mandated project dwelling in Victoria Australia. Aside from the extinction attempt, what other hardship did you experience?” She went to them both to add to the hug.
Kayleigh went to them all to do a group hug.
“Now we know, and anybody treating you like you don’t belong will get a mouthful from all of us,” Kayleigh said.
Alikira felt better. The closeness helped.
“Thank you all for listening and not judging.”
“We’re all friends,” Gaia said. “Friends don’t judge.”
Steve went to the lavatory the floor below to relieve himself. As he was finishing, another group of 3 Neo-Khaos soldiers from a different squad came in.
“I can’t believe that bitch put us in jail.”
“What did you expect from a borgey? That metal makeshift monster’s job is designed to disrupt us.”
“Why is Sledge letting that thing have its way with us?”
“He’s kissing Cole’s butt because they’re tight.”
Steve heard enough. He walked to one of them and punched him in the face.
Then he jumped on his fallen body.
“Do you slow fools have any Idea what Di did for us?! You’re too stupid to even have the right thoughts in your microscopic minds! She’s NOT a borgey, idiot! Apologize right now!
The other two were surprised Steve just went commando on Jeff. They stood back because Steve was always the big one.
Carlos came in to see Steve about to administer some bodily harm to Jeff and grabbed his arms.
“Calm down, Steve! This isn’t the way to win people over! Beating them into agreement has never worked, ever!”
“I can’t stand these ‘know-it-alls’ who don’t know nuthin’! They’re doggin’ Di, Cole, and Sledge!” Steve yelled. “Get it through your thick skulls, they’re on OUR SIDE!”
The other Neo-Khaos put up their hands.
“Hey, we thought she was just a filthy borgey screwing with our leaders. We didn’t know Steve would go all mercenary on Jeff!”
“Jeff talked about my squad mates, and yes! Di’s one of my squad mates!” Steve yelled in Jeff’s frightened face. “She went through darkness ever since they tried to make her a borgey to just throw her away because she wasn’t ‘perfect’! Now, she has to deal with people who think she’s a borgey when she’s the farthest thing from a human killing robot! When all of you realize she’s trying to help us, maybe then you’ll respect her!”
Steve stood and released Jeff. He adjusted his Magrupt’s shoulder holster and walked out of the lavatory.
Carlos picked up Jeff.
“If you don’t want to see Steve lose it again, tell your friends. Di’s not a borgey, she’s a borgey killer.”
As Jeff and his other squad members nodded, Carlos left to catch up to Steve.
As Steve was storming off, Carlos caught up to him.
“Hey, buddy! Calm down!”
“I can’t even pee without listening to this Di being a borgey bull! I’m just ticked at all these people!”
Carlos stopped him.
“Remember when you thought the same way they did when we rescued Cole? They are just like you were.”
“Cole taught me to trust no one. When I saw Di the first time I didn’t trust her. Since I got to know her and realized she hated borgeys as much as I do, I accepted her. Yeah, I wanted to cut her off at first, but I got to know her. The other squads never even tried to get to know her. Now, they’re spewing hate towards her without any validity or proof! I admit I’m hardcore, but at least I listen and don’t go the confirmation bias route.”
Carlos thought about what Steve said. The only reason Steve didn’t want to blank her was that he got to know her.
“I hafta ask Cole do they have an auditorium here. I think I know how to reach everyone on a mass scale.”
Chip knew he had to coerce Alikira into delving into the Program’s logic core once more. Since he saw her paralyzing fear first hand, he knew how impossible the request would be.
“How am I going to ask Di for another mission into the logic core to change it when I know how psychologically damaging round one was for her?” he asked Cole.
“She’s a little older than you and way younger than me,” Cole said. “I’m completely out of the loop on this one. Ask Linda for some help.”
“Where is she?”
“She’s comforting Alikira with Gaia and Kayleigh. You might want to wait. They’re doing that female bonding thing. We aren’t allowed.”
“I guess she could help. Talking to ladies isn’t really my ‘strong point’.”
“Linda straightened out my leadership methods. That’s why I’m not in there messing everything up now.”
“I’ll just pull her away and ask her quietly.” Chip went 2 cells over.
The ladies were sitting in a circle listening to Kayleigh.
“That Liham is an egg head. I just Morsed him your schematic make-up, and he upgraded our Magrupts to counter those new borgeys. I think brains are sexy.”
“You’re Jenny’s girlfriend. Isn’t male admiration a violation for you?”
“I can say his brain is sexy, Linda. That doesn’t mean I want to bed him.”
Chip felt good about interrupting because Kayleigh said brains were sexy.
“Excuse me, ladies. Can I grab Linda for a quick split?”
Linda saw Chip and he looked serious.
“I’ll be back in a sec. Chip looks desperate.” She stood and went to Chip.
“Where’s the fire?”
“Let’s go to the next cell over. I really need a favor.”
They went to the adjacent cell.
“Why does it look like you’re about to fight an army of borgeys with a half-eaten protein pack?”
“It’s about as serious. I need Di to re-enter the logic core to spike the Program, and I don’t know how to ask.”
“We just calmed her down, and now you want her to go back in there? Are you cracked?!”
“Unfortunately, Di is the only one who can do it. I wouldn’t ask i
f it could be done any other way. I was present when she freaked in there.”
“I’m good, but I’m not a magician, Chip. She will never go back by herself. The security makes her freeze. We’ll be discovered again, and we just moved here.”
Chip thought about it.
“Are you afraid of roaches?”
“They’re just annoying bugs that don’t scare me, why?”
“You just said she’ll never go back alone. What if she had a friend for back-up? Do you think she’ll go then?”
“I’m not in her mind, Chip. It won’t make any difference and motivational speaking goes only so far.”
“Just one question. If you could, would you join her?”
“Of course I would, but how am I going to join her?”
Chip smiled and kissed her on the cheek.
“Don’t worry about the technics. Just remember, I’m a transiton.”
Chip asked her to ask Alikira and went to his makeshift lab.
Linda had to ask. It was the central component to their resistance. She walked back.
“What did Chip want?” Gaia asked.
“He wanted me to do something he’s too scared to do.”
“Chip’s a tech geek. What was it? Did he have to talk to a woman? Kayleigh joked.
“You don’t know how right you are,” Linda said, “Alikira, we need your mental tech-ripper skills just one more time.”
Alikira’s color drained from her face.
“There’s no way I’m going back in there! I would be useless if I even tried!”
“We’re friends, right? You do trust me?”
“Out of all the hate, I know you’re a real friend.”
“What if we went in together? Would that influence your decision?”
“You need to know the course Chip re-engineers, but you can’t just join me.”
“If I could, would you go? Remember, the fate of humanity balances on your decision.”
“How are you going to join me? You don’t have borgey mind implants.”
“I have no idea. That’s Chip’s department. I just need your answer.” Linda was earnest.
Alikira did want to stop this war. She knew she couldn’t do it if she cowered away. It was bootstrap time.
“If Chip can engineer a joining share with you, then I’ll go.”
Linda smiled.
Give Chip some time and when he’s ready, let’s kick some Program butt!”
Chip had to engineer a symbiosis program. He swabbed both their cheeks to create a stem cell mind link meshing primer. The process took longer in the prison medical facility, but he finally got it.
Linda had to learn the new route along with Alikira. It felt quicker for Alikira because she had a ‘study buddy’. It took a month for the first leg, but at least Carlos and Steve were able to correct everyone’s attitude about Alikira. The exit leg became simpler to accomplish.
Carlos and Steve walked into Cole’s cell.
“Is there an auditorium in here?” Carlos asked.
Cole was surprised.
“There’s one on the ground floor in the back of this prison. Why? Are you guys putting on a play to ease the tension?”
“We just need a podium and a working microphone. I don’t want Steve to strain his voice.”
“Why would I be on stage straining my voice?” Steve asked.
Carlos turned to him.
“Why, you’re going to put on a show, Hardcore.” Carlos smiled. “You remember what you just told me not three minutes ago? Use that same passion and fury to tell everyone else the same thing. I believed it, so should they.”
Cole looked at Steve.
“What did you tell Carlos that got his ears so perked?”
“I just told him why I was kicking Jeff’s ass in the bathroom. Now, I know I shouldn’t fight, but he was doggin’ you, Di, and Sledge. I had to retaliate.”
“Fighting for our squad is no big deal,” Cole said. “What did you tell Carlos, exactly?”
“I just told him I finally learned what Di went through, and finally trusted her. You told me to trust no one.”
“How can he not see the gravity of his words?” Carlos asked. “And coming from the camp’s brute is all the more poignant.”
“Sometimes, Steve thinks on accident,” Cole said. “I’ll see if the microphones are working.”
Carlos and Steve walked to their cell.
“What was all that?”
“During interviews, I had to prove I was a qualified pilot. No transport company wanted to hire a rookie teenager. The way I got around their prejudice was to dazzle their minds with my knowledge. I’m not saying you need to know Di’s inner workings, but you’re an expert about knowing her. Tell the other Neo-Khaos squads that honestly. Sometimes words influence way more than fists.”
Steve understood and thought of what he wanted to say.
“I was never a public speaker. I used to move construction equipment from the ground to the higher girders.”
“Public speaking is just you talking to me enhanced. Just focus on Linda or Chip. Talk to them and block the rest out,” Carlos said.
“What should I say?” Steve felt nervous.
“Just tell them the same thing you told me. They’ll listen, trust me.”
“So, just talk to Linda, Chip, or Gaia. What if I’m not loud enough?”
“Cole’s checking the microphones, so I’m sure he’s checking the amps. We’ll make you loud enough,” Carlos said. “Am I sensing fear in our brute?”
“Shut up, Carlos! I’ve deactivated an entire regiment of borgeys on half a charge! Taking to the ignorant doesn’t scare me!”
Carlos punched him in the arm lightly.
“When you’re talking to those ignorant people, use that fire. Feels kinda good, changing minds without beating them into submission, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah, and words are easier on my knuckles,” Steve said.
“Let’s see if everything’s working and then alert the troops,” Carlos said as they went to the ground floor.
They walked to the auditorium to see Cole saying tests in the microphone.
“Cole is quick. It’s working. Let’s do an all call to have them gather for your speech.”
“I think Chip said we could do that in the correctional officer’s surveillance booth,” Steve said.
“Let’s go,” Carlos said. “Show me the way.”
They went a floor up to the C. O. station to call everyone. Chip told Alikira to hang back because he felt it was about her. He and Linda joined Gaia and Kayleigh. They went to the front of the crowd gathering.
“You ready? Cole asked Steve.
“All I have to do is tell them Di is one of us.” As the sweat cambered off his brow, he took a big breath. “I can do this.”
“If you can’t, I get to call you a pussy and you can’t hit me,” Carlos joshed.
“When I can do it, I get to hit you.” Steve was triggered and punched his hand. “Never challenge a brute.”
As Steve walked to the podium, Cole put his hand on Carlos.
“I feel sorry for your chest. He stopped being nervous the second you challenged him.”
“I didn’t challenge him, I was motivating him!”
“Yeah,” Cole smiled. “Tell that to your chest.”
Steve stood in front of the crowd. He saw Gaia and began.
“Alright, everybody. Quiet down, this is important!”
The feedback from the amp announced him annoyingly louder than his first sentences, and everyone’s attention focused on him. Cole turned down the amplifier and gave him a thumbs up to continue.
“Sorry about that. Technical difficulties. It’s our first time. Give us a break.
Most of you know me as the psycho borgey deactivator. You know I never play with suspicious variables. If there is any hint of a threat to us, I shoot first.
The only one who could redirect my acti
on is my squad leader, Cole Rann. He’s the only reason I didn’t blank Alikira the first time I saw her shining in the sunlight.
Yeah, she looked like a borgey. I personally thought Cole lost it in Australia. I mean, how can he bring a damned borgey on the plane to have it find out our secret location? Something was wrong about that picture.”
All the squads had sparing confirmation murmurs coming from the crowd.
“I truly despise borgeys! Those things kill us without conscience. That’s why I EMP those hunks ‘o junk when I see them.” The crowd got pumped with a bevy of rights, yeahs, and kill ‘ems. Then when the crowd was in full agreement, Steve shocked them.
Alikira feels the same way we do. Those borgeys killed her entire family and tried to make her one of them. I would be seething too.
She has one main problem. You all think she’s a borgey. Don’t be ashamed, so did I. We call Alikira Di for her dioptric wiring, but since she escaped before they programmed her to kill us, she’s still human. Through talking to her and watching her actions, I’m actually glad I didn’t deactivate her. I found she’s human. Talk to her for once. I think you’ll agree.”
The crowd became quiet. They had to contemplate what their famed borgey killer said to them.
“My Magrupt was low on charge,” a woman from Team Radon began to speak. “Alikira used her finger USB to charge it without question. She gave it back and wasn’t scared I would just blank her.”
“She picked up a refrigerator so I could change out the motor and rewire the outlet plug,” another said.
“She’s still controlling borgeys to fight for us.”
“As you can see,” Steve said. “She helps us in more ways than one, but you still think she’s a borgey. Chip corrected me when I called her that. She’s not a borgey, she’s a cybernetic unit favoring heavily on the human side. I wasn’t accepted by my old friends because I thought getting a personal assistant was useless for an assister. You might not be jacked in for different reasons, but didn’t you feel like an outcast? Di’s feeling the exact same way you did. The sad part is the rejection is coming from the once rejected. Think about it.”
Cyber Thought Police Page 7
