“D, could disguise herself and get close to these goons without much fuss,”
“Now that could be our best idea yet, I like it.”
“So the Hybrids stand guard outside Fat Art’s place, we separate them by having Muther hack into their comm system and mimic Fat Art calling them. One goes to answer the boss’s call and D sidles up and whacks the remaining Hybrid with our Glock 34 equipped with the Gemtech suppressor, of course we need to hand load some special ammo, like low velocity heavy 147 grain with the special segmented tips. We don’t want the top of the Hybrids head coming off and making a mess. Uber quiet, uber deadly.”
“And we drag the big ape out of the way and D is waiting when the second Hybrid comes back from the false call and she whacks him too. And we collect that one too.”
“Then we collect Fat Art without any encumbrances.”
“Sweet, I like it,”
“So do I, let’s see if we can get D to buy into a little acting role.” I chuckle.
Back at the ship after a lovely supper we are sprawled in the living room feeling too full and very relaxed, I ask D the question.
“How do you like being a human D, with all the human maintenance things that go along with being one?”
“For the most part I like it; however the stuff that has to be done to maintain a human existence is ridiculously onerous, the time spent sleeping, feeding, voiding, getting pretty, travelling, it is a complete wonder humans get anything at all done. Humans are the most inefficient creatures I have ever seen. Yet having said that to be human is very rewarding in ways that I could not have envisioned when not in a human form.”
“You enjoyed the role as a model in the Beauty and the Beast Fashion Show?”
“Yup, very much, I was surprised how exhilarating it made me feel, I guess that’s what a positive vibe on your ego does for you. It’s very confusing for an AI, but very clear for a human. So I’m fortunate to have experienced it.”
“Would you be interested in another small acting role?”
“Ok fella, where do you think you are trying to lead me, what have you got up your sleeve other than possibly indecent bad thoughts?”
“D, I’m hurt you’re distrustful of me, it’s just a little distraction role that Beast and I would like you to play so that we can ‘take care’ of the two ugly Hybrid dudes that are Fat Art’s bodyguards.”
Beast and I explained what we had in mind and some of the problems that we were facing and why we figured this diversion plan had merit.
“Well boys,” says D. “It seems to me that not only do you want me to distract them, you also want me to shoot them in the face with the silenced 9mm.”
“Yes that’s true D, is that going to be a problem for you?”
“Now listen guys, you are asking D our replicant AI Artilect, around whom our existence and success has been built, to go into the field and be in harm’s way. I don’t like that risk, what happens if something goes wrong and D is hurt or killed?” says Frosty.
“Well we are out a ton of money for the clone body, and have to repeat that whole process, reload D from the mainframe, and possibly have D traumatized by the memory of being killed. I’m not at all sure I would accept that risk.” says Muther
“What do you want me to act like?” asks D.
“We were thinking you could be a very desirable prostitute to distract the Hybrid so you can get close enough to shoot him without being noticed.” I reply.
“Ohh, that does sound exciting, I’d love to dress up as a sleazy whore and flirt with a Hybrid. I promise I’ll be careful.” giggles D.
“Oh for the love of christ you guys, come on, find a different solution.” grumbles Frosty.
“If I may intervene, my research indicates that these particular Hybrids have an unusually vicious reptilian demeanor about them and seem to be quite unpredictable. I think it is important to factor that into the decision process.” offers Poe quietly.
“Aw guys don’t be so possessive and negative. You knew these options were possible when you endorsed a human clone for me to be in.” clucks D. “This is all part of the human experience and the ability of humans to play the roles of other humans. Acting is in itself a learning experience is it not.”
“I suppose so, but I don’t like the idea of having our most valuable asset put in a position of risk. It’s a bad business decision.” grumbles Frosty.
“And I concur with that decision,” adds Muther.
“The Hybrids are very dangerous D. Perhaps too dangerous to thrill seek around.” observes Poe.
“How about ‘calculated business decision’ as opposed to bad? Would you go with that?” xmits Beast.
“No, but you buggers are going to do it anyway aren’t you? God this parenting thing is stressful in ways that I never imagined. Please do not take any unnecessary risks. Do you need me to help?” says Frosty shaking his head.
“Thanks Dad,” chuckles D.
“We are probably ok Frosty but thanks anyway.” I reply.
Well I’ll tell you straight, for a replicant AI Artilect D sure did her homework on how to assemble an ensemble to attract strangers looking for a good time. I never doubted for a moment that her efforts would be anything but outstanding and very thorough, but holy shit brother, I know every inch of this woman intimately and even then she made my mouth water and my tickly parts stir in anticipation. Lots of skin, slinky, very visible with color, style, makeup, attitude, mannerisms, wow, you would never guess it was the same woman that had modeled in the Beauty and the Beast fashion show. D was really enjoying this peculiar trait of humans to act the part of someone they were not. I was concerned that she was not carrying the suppressed 9mm pistol as I could not for the life of me see any place where she had it concealed. It must be tucked up and tight to her back between her shoulder blades, she was walking with her boobs stuck out as much as possible which would have left a little space between her shoulder blades for the suppressed pistol under the little leather vest thingy she was wearing.
I was close by cloaked watching and thinking naughty thoughts. I saw the two Hybrids nudge one another and point in her direction. D made an impression on them as their eyes did not stray far from her. A thought flickered through my mind wondering if somehow D had some form of mind control over them other than her obvious lovely feminine charms and promises of extreme sexual delights.
D reached up and tugged on her right earlobe, which was the signal to me that Muther was hacking a call to the Hybrids and emulating Fat Art’s voice asking for one of them to come to his office. The ugliest Hybrid stiffened and turned toward the office, said something over his shoulder to his partner and marched off down the hall to Fat Arts office. D moved in slinking up to the remaining Hybrid whispering promises to him. As he leaned in close to inhale her perfume she reaches back up under her leather vest, grasps the pistol swings it down, around, up, presses the suppressor under his chin, and shoots him up through the head. Plop, all in one smooth easy motion. An arm maneuver only females used to fastening brassieres can do. The Hybrid dropped straight down in a heap. I was pretty much less than an arm’s length away and grabbed the big armored ape and got him heaved around a corner and out of site and dumped him into a trash dumpster. As I was moving back to get D in line of sight I heard her speaking to the second returning Hybrid about his partner being shy and what she would like to do with him. Them a muffed “whack”.
I take the half dozen steps back around the corner and D is gone!
Chapter 9: Hostage
A cold sweaty shiver grips me, what the fuck?
“D,”
“D, where are you?”
“D, you ok?”
“This is Muther; all I have is blank visuals”
“Fuck, fuck, fuck, Frosty, got your ears up?”
“Go,” says Frosty
“I lost D.”
“Be fucking serious.”
“Fuck man, I am, she was here, now she has disappeared,”
&
nbsp; “Everything was normal, then bang lights out no visual, no nothing,” says Muther. “And I’m too far away for any nanotech data reads. I have nothing.”
“I’m on my way to the control room, stand by.” replies Frosty.
“Hold on, got a visual of D being carried into Fat Art’s office by a Hybrid” says Muther. “Shit, they’re going out the back door,”
“If they get into the maintenance tunnels we’ll never find them,” snaps Frosty.
“Fat Arts office door is carbon fiber re-enforced steel, take forever to burn through it.” I curse
“Beast, get cloaked and get down there as fast as you can, we need your nose to track D.” directs Frosty.
“On my way, be there in minutes,” xmits Beast.
“I have no audio feed from the office camera, so I have no idea what they are doing or where they are going.” says Muther.
“Contact Stevenson and have the trade station locked down ASAP, no ship docks or disembarks, explain why,” orders Frosty.
“Got it,” replies Muther.
“Make sure you guys have your location beacons activated,” directs Frosty. “We need to track you on the station blueprint schematic overlay.”
Beast slides to a stop beside me outside Fat Arts office.
“Muther, can you give me a route to get to Fat Arts office back door?” I ask.
“Visual schematic with route is on your visor now,” replies Muther.
I take the right side of the hallway Beast on the left. We follow the route through the hallways until we arrive at an armored locked door.
“Fat Art’s back door, also armored,” I murmur.
“Anything Beast?” asks Frosty.
“Nothing ...wait ... yes ... faint, but I have a DNA trace, this way,” xmits Beast.
Beast leads the way around the twists and turns as we get closer to the maintenance tunnels, past a junction, left, then right, past a floor to ceiling maintenance panel, then nothing.
“Lost the trace, hold station while I recheck from the junction,” xmits Beast.
“We see your position on the station schematic, you are right against the start of the maintenance tunnels.” says Muther.
“There is no side access either way from our position Muther,” I reply.
“Nothing, the DNA trace stops here at the maintenance panel,” xmits Beast.
“Hold your positions,” says Frosty. “Muther, get Stevenson on line for me please,”
“Stevenson here,”
“Mike we got a problem,” says Frosty.
“Muther filled me in, now listen, this is a very active station and as such I can only delay regular activities a few hours at best, so what do need?” replies Mike.
“Got anyone on staff that knows the maintenance tunnels of level five like the back of their hands,” asks Frosty.
“All handled by mechanical droids,” replies Mike
“Shit,” not what I need.”
“We could ask old Freddie, but he is retired.” adds Mike. “He would know the area if anyone does as he worked building the damn thing and stayed on when it was Military, then retired here when it went private. But his knees are shot and he doesn’t get around well.”
“Where can we find him,” asks Frosty.
“Napping in his cabin, or teasing the stripper girls on level three at the peeler bar called ‘The Station Place.’ I imagine.” replies Mike.
“I’ll meet you there,” says Frosty and breaks the link. “Beast, meet me at The Station Place on level three.”
“Got it boss,” xmits Beast.
I have an idea as to what Frosty is up to, but it will depend on old Freddie.
Chapter 10: Maintenance Tunnels
I hate the waiting, my mind has time to imagine all the horrors of what might be happening to D. Christ how could I have made such a dumb error and let her get captured. What the fuck was I thinking? And dressed like a hooker too. Just what do you think they are going to do with her you stupid useless shithead? And Frosty warned us about this too. But oh fuck no, we are so smart and had it all figured out. Christ if anything happens to her ...I don’t know what I will do. Just like Rachel, when everything is looking wonderful suddenly the sky falls in and everything turns to shit and falls on us. Fuck, fuck, fuck this just cannot happen again....!
I hear galloping and Beast comes tearing around the corner with a terrified old guy in maintenance coveralls riding on his back holding a steel gooseneck crowbar in one hand and hanging on for dear life with the other. Grey wispy hair and grey nose tickler mustache, spectacles with bright intelligent eyes, he’s a slight man with well weathered working hands,
I de-cloak and scare the old geezer even worse.
“Jesus H. Christ who in the hell are you fucking people?” he wheezes.
“You must be Fred,” I say and stick out my hand. “I’m Matt and you already know Beast.”
“How are ya Matt, fuck I gotta drink more, this shit is way beyond three beers.”
“Slip this ear piece and transmitter on Fred and you can chat to Beast too,” I say.
“Hi Fred,” xmits Beast. “How are you enjoying the ride?”
“So far you have about scared the shit out of me Beast,” whines Fred.
“Sorry, we are in a bit of a rush,” xmits Beast.
“Ok let me brief you on what we are up against,” I say. And give Fred the quick five minute overview of the shit we are in.
“By the way, why do you carry the gooseneck crowbar Fred,” I ask.
“Everything in these maintenance tunnels gets stuck from paint, dirt, grease and lord knows what and you always need a crowbar to pry it open, Standard tool for maintenance tunnel workers, even the droids.” replies Fred.
“We lost the DNA trace right here Fred,” xmits Beast.
“What the hell did you lose?” asks Fred.
“We lost the scent of D that Beast was following by his sense of smell.” I explain.
“Damned wonder you got this far as we move the air in these hallways pretty fast to keep a good supply to the open business areas you know,” replies Fred.
“Why did it disappear here Fred,” xmits Beast.
“Ok that’s easy, you are at a gate, we always had so damn much trouble with enough access points into the tunnels that we started hinging these maintenance panels. There are several of these panels on every level. They swing open if you know where the latch is and give you access into the tunnels. Saves you walking forever to get to the designed blueprint entrances. They don’t show on any schematic or blueprints though. Let me have a look see.” says Fred.
He hobbles over to the big maintenance panel and fumbles around below and under a sloping section of the panel. There is a loud clunk and Fred grunts and sticks his gooseneck crowbar in the edge, grunts and swings open the whole floor to ceiling panel. The wiring to the panel is all neatly bundled and routed to the hinge side of the door so in effect there is a standard width door opening available to us.
“Excellent Fred, now if you were going to hideout for a while in these tunnels where would you go?” I ask.
“Well there is a couple of spots where us working boys put up a rest area as it was too damn far to walk out of the tunnels for dinner and coffee. So there are a couple of shelters spots we used. Of course they don’t show on any blueprint either as we would never have been allowed to put them up. So we just went ahead and did it and nobody was the wiser. Made the work go a lot easier too.” he cackles.
“Can you show us the spots?” asks Beast.
“Yup sure can but need to piss first, I only rent beer for a short time nowadays.” he chuckles.
Fred does what he has to do and then saddles back up on Beast’s back.
“Ok guys, I’m set,” he says.
“Are you tracking us Muther?” I ask.
“Got you clear and solid, let’s get this done,” replies Muther.
“Lead the way Fred,” I say. “Just tell Beast what you need him to do, and d
on’t get us into an ambush.”
We set out at a jog, a steady speed eating distance easy to maintain for long periods of time. It’s just a rabbit warren of crisscrossing tunnels in here. How the hell anyone ever found their way around is a mystery to me. It’s a claustrophobic tube, into it are strung pipes, tubes, electrical cabling, steel rotary valves, plumbing, pumps all over hell; it’s like a steel and carbon fiber jungle. Apparently everything is color coded as there are blue pipes, red pipes, green and yellow. Bundles of silver tubing containing electrical service, judging by the junction boxes. Aluminum pipes packed with fiber optic cables, each cable containing hundreds of fiber-optic glass threads. And it is noisy, air whooshing, pumps howling, devices thumping, whining, and panels of lights blinking in some orchestrated harmony of Station operations. We finally get to a T intersection and Fred signals to stop.
“The first shack we built is down that right shaft about fifty yards or so, there is a widening of the tunnel and we built a rest shack on the right had side. It’s about eight by twelve feet.” says Fred.
“You guys tuck yourselves back behind some of the piping and machinery and stay out of site. I’ll go have a quick look see.” I whisper.
“Muther, you still got a tracking lock on us?”
“Sure do, you are way out in the boonies, very close to the external hull.” she replies.
I switch on cloaking and shimmer out of sight and move down the tunnel. Shit, Hybrids, two of the buggers, maybe more, one each side of the shack, and who knows what inside the shack. I can’t get close enough to get a life sign reading of anything in the shack.
“Muther, you getting any scanner reading of the interior of the shack?”
“I have nothing, too much electronic noise to get a reading.”
“What is the proximity of the rest shack to the exterior hull?” inquires Poe.
“Blueprints say twenty feet,” replies Muther.
“I suggest scanning from the exterior of the hull to avoid the electrical noise interference. You should be able to get heat signatures and nanotech scans.” replies Poe softly.
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