by Jaka Tomc
“That and the wrinkles that appear by your eyes when you laugh.”
“It’s called aging,” she said, gently bumping him on the shoulder.
“I’m pretty sure they’re laugh lines. But I’m no expert, so I might well be wrong.”
“Don’t be silly. Just come back in one piece.”
“I’ll do my best,” said Kent while he closed the suitcase. “I can’t stop this nonsense, but I’ll do everything in my power to bring him home. I owe him that.”
“I know,” said Lucy, and she gave him a long, warm hug.
30. James, 2048
“Michelle, can you hear me?”
James stood by the only bed in the room and listened to the device’s rhythmical beeping, which translated the heartbeat of the woman he loved.
“Everything will be alright,” he promised. This time around, he wasn’t entirely sure about his words. The best doctors in Washington, DC, were taking care of Michelle, but their prognosis wasn’t promising. They’d stopped the brain hemorrhaging, but they weren’t sure that the affected parts of her brain would function the same way they had before. Thirty percent. That was the chance they gave her. There was a thirty percent possibility that she would be just like before in a few weeks and twenty percent that she would never speak again. He had always loved numbers and statistics. Even so, this time, he cursed life for rubbing his nose in them in such a blatant manner.
“Mr. Blake,” said a woman’s voice behind his back. “I’d like to check your wife.”
James examined her from head to toe. She couldn’t be more than thirty and didn’t look like a doctor. They’d promised him the best medical team, and now this?
“Who are you?” he asked.
“My name is Doctor Pickerson. I’m here to check Mrs. Blake’s vital functions. With your permission, of course.”
James hesitated, but not long enough for it to become awkward. “Of course, Doctor. Forgive me, I’ve had a rough day.”
“I understand, Senator. We’ll do our best to save your wife.”
The doctor opened Michelle’s right eye and shone inside it with a miniature flashlight. She did the same with her left eye. James observed her and wanted to ask her something but instantly changed his mind. When she checked the brain activity monitor and wrote the findings onto her tablet, he couldn’t hold back any more.
“How does it look?” he asked.
“Actually, pretty good. Your wife is responding to the stimuli, and the brain activity is adequate.”
“Adequate?”
“Yes. Adequate for someone with such extensive hemorrhage. The operation was successful, and she’s stable. We can be more than pleased with the outcome. Luckily she didn’t have her implant at the time of the stroke. It would probably be a lot worse had she had it.”
“So this happened because of this…this damn device? I told her to stop using it, but she didn’t listen.” James shook his head and looked down. Soon afterward, he realized that he might appear weak, so he looked the doctor in the eyes and asked with determination: “Is there anything else? If not, I’d like to be alone with my wife.”
“Absolutely, Senator. Today and tomorrow will be pivotal for her healing. We’ll wake her up tomorrow, and then we’ll see clearly where we are.”
“Thank you, Doctor Pickerson.”
James turned back to his wife. He observed her calm, rhythmic breathing and admired her beauty, which hadn’t been tainted by the five decades of life that had passed. He remembered the day they met. It was spring 2028 at a protest in Raleigh. Even without the sign that said Androids are not the beginning, but the end, he would’ve noticed her in a flash. She looked like a superhero, with long chestnut hair, a light-blue coat, and bright-red boots. Once the protest was officially over, the organizers rallied in a pub to debate their movement’s progress, the goals they’d achieved, and their strategy for the months to come. James noticed her at the bar and spoke to her without hesitation. They soon moved their conversation to his hotel room. One month and a few dates later, she moved in with him. Finally, after patiently waiting and searching for a long time, James had found happiness.
“Michelle, I know you can hear me. Fight.” He couldn’t imagine life without her. There was nothing he could do to help her, and that bothered him more than anything else.
His watch suddenly vibrated. He touched the small screen. “Karen. What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry to bother you, Senator. I know it’s awful timing.”
“It’s OK. What’s so important?”
“I’ve just checked the security cameras at all major airports. You won’t believe who is on his way to New Mexico.”
“The Pope?”
“I’m glad you didn’t lose your sense of humor,” said Karen. “On the flight to Santa Fe is none other than Kent Watford.”
“Interesting. Very, very interesting,” said James.
“Officially, he’s attending a technology conference, but I believe his true goal is something else. Or somebody else.”
“Something else is the correct choice of words,” said James. “No offense, Karen.”
“None taken. Do you want me to hack Doctor Watford’s implant?”
“You probably need a warrant for that. Ah, to hell with it. Karen, you have my permission.”
“Just a moment. I’ll try to locate it. I’m sorry, Senator; it seems to be offline. Apparently, Doctor Watford’s implant stayed in Fresno.”
“Son of a bitch!” he almost shouted, then realized he was still in a hospital. “When does he land in Santa Fe?”
“One thirty,” said Karen.
“I want to know where he’s heading. I’m absolutely positive he’ll meet up with the androids that are still at large.”
“Do you want me to call Colonel Cooper? Or Sheriff Krautzer?”
“No,” said James. “Nobody else will take credit for their capture.”
There was a moment of silence. It was as if Karen was thinking profoundly. “But Senator, the public doesn’t know about the fugitives.”
“It will once we apprehend them. This is my moment. I won’t let anyone take it away from me. I want my name to appear in the media as soon as we’ve captured those escaped androids. Do you understand me?”
“Of course, Senator. How can I help?”
“Follow Watford’s every move. Security cameras, cell phones, implants, smart devices, drones—I don’t care. I want to know his location at every moment. Do you get the picture?”
“No problem,” said Karen. “I’ve always loved a good chase.”
“Don’t we all,” said James before he cut the connection. Michelle would be so proud of him. Was proud of him. He put a small earpiece in, raised his watch to his mouth, and said, “Silver Greystone.”
“James,” he heard in his right ear. “It’s been a while. How are you? How are Michelle and the kids?”
“Michelle is in the hospital. A stroke,” said James.
Silver sighed. “I’m sorry. But she’s a strong woman. She’ll pull through; I’m sure of it.”
“They’ll know more in the morning. But that’s not why I called. Listen to me very carefully, Silver. Is your unit still operative?”
“It is, my friend, and stronger than ever. Do you need our service?”
“I do. I need some of your best men for a mission in New Mexico.”
“New Mexico?” asked Silver. “Did the Mexicans climb over the wall again?”
“No. What I’m about to tell you carries the highest level of secrecy. Do you understand?”
“I understand. Just a moment, James. I’ll call you back.”
James started pacing up and down the room. There was no turning back. He had to go through with his plan. No matter the cost. He knew that he stood an excellent chance to make history. And that was all he had ever wanted: to become a Hall of Famer.
His wrist started vibrating.
“Silver. Don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts.
”
“You didn’t tell me anything yet,” said Silver. “I’m calling from a safe communicator.”
“Smart move.”
“You never know who’s listening. And there’s always somebody listening.”
“Or something,” said James.
“True. Tell me, old friend, how can I help you?”
“I’d like you to find a group of escaped androids. In all honesty, it won’t be so much about tracking them down. I took care of that. Your unit would have to apprehend them or eliminate them if need be.”
“I understand. How many? Are they armed?”
“Three, maybe more. One of the droids has a malfunctioning code and is armed. They fled from the Charlie Echo base about four hours ago.”
“I see. I’m sure the military is already coordinating a large-scale manhunt. Why do you need us?”
“The military decided not to cause panic. They’ve sent a small unit after the fugitives.”
“Interesting, but also logical,” said Silver. “Colonel Cooper won’t be pleased with us snooping around.”
“I don’t care what Colonel Cooper thinks. Quite frankly, I don’t want him to know anything about our arrangement. Once you’ve captured those robots, I will personally inform him.”
James waited for a response. He thought he heard another voice. Maybe Silver was discussing the matter with somebody.
Finally, Silver said, “This kind of operation isn’t cheap.”
“You don’t have to worry about the money, my friend. I’ll cover all expenses. How many credits are we talking about?”
“A million and a half for the first two days, plus expenses. If the operation is prolonged, I estimate it will cost about a hundred grand per day, from the first forty-eight hours onward.”
James figured that a million and a half was nothing compared to the status he’d attain once they caught those revolting androids. Of course, he didn’t say any of that out loud.
“Silver, your credits will be transferred as soon as we end this conversation. I’d like your team to head to New Mexico as soon as possible.”
“My unit is already gearing up. We’ll be airborne in an hour.”
“Great,” said James, raising his right arm in a victorious gesture. “Karen will keep you posted on the location of the androids and their intentions.”
“Good. I’ll let you know which channel we’ll use. She’ll be able to reach me anytime.”
“Agreed. Good luck, Silver. Bring me those trophies.”
“Your credits, your targets,” said Silver. “See you soon.”
James was visibly happy with the conversation and the fact that he was leading a legitimate operation against his worst enemies. Success was guaranteed with him as the operation’s brain, Karen as the eyes and ears, and Silver as the muscle. At that particular moment in time, he felt on top of the world. For a little while, he even forgot about the scourges of adult human life.
31. Primo, 2048
“My name is Zion,” said the android. “I saw you when you entered the warehouse. In truth, it would have been difficult to miss you with all the noise you were making.”
Rea looked at Cody. “What did I tell you, punk? I swear I’ll push you into a river the first chance I get.”
“Why do you have to pick on me all the time?” asked Cody. “We’re all on the same side.”
“We’re at war, kiddo. There are no sides. It’s me, it’s you, it’s Primo, and so on. We’re together because it increases our chance of survival.”
“Rea, this is neither the time nor the place,” said Primo. He turned to Zion. “Obviously, you were not hunting us. I also think you’re not going to hand us over to the military. Why are you keeping us here if we’re not your prisoners?”
“It’s the protocol. I’m this building’s last line of defense. If anybody makes it inside, I am bound to make things right.”
“So you’re a security guy?” asked Cody.
“You could say so,” said Zion. “But I prefer to be called a guard. It fits my personality better.”
Rea couldn’t help herself and laughed.
“What’s so funny?” asked Zion.
“Did you by any chance see the lock on the door?”
“Of course I did. I check it three times a day to see if it’s still locked securely,” said Zion.
“It took me less than two seconds to shatter it.”
“I know. I saw it,” said Zion. “That wasn’t the smartest move you made today.”
“You’re right,” said Primo. “We saw what’s in the crates.”
“We were wondering which idiot keeps sixteen Vladimiroviches in an abandoned, unsecured facility,” said Rea. “Anyone with a hammer could break that lock and…”
“Unsecured?” erupted Zion. “Maybe I wasn’t clear enough, but I’m in charge of security around here. I’m a guard, as I’ve already mentioned. It means that I keep things safe. Night and day. It’s my only task, and I’m good at it.”
“You’re not that good if we managed to enter the building, walk around freely, and get close to those crates that contain deadly machines.”
“Rea,” said Primo. “Control your ego. This is not the best time for it to take over.”
“That’s right, Rea. Listen to your master.” Zion smirked.
Primo knew immediately what was about to happen but was too slow to prevent it. Rea assaulted Zion, but he reflexively averted her attack thanks to a defensive move with his arms. In the blink of an eye, Rea was on the ground. Before she realized what was going on, Zion’s foot was on her neck.
“Maybe you can bypass that fancy code of yours, but try living without your head,” he said as he laughed.
“Enough!” shouted Primo. “We’re not here to prove who’s stronger. Zion, let Rea go and tell us why you’re keeping us here. Rea, stop provoking. It’s pretty obvious you’ve met a decent opponent.”
Zion moved his foot.
“Dick move,” said Rea as she got back on her feet.
“If somebody’s faster than you, you don’t have to call him names,” said Zion.
“A true guard,” Cody whispered, but everyone could hear him.
“Alright,” said Zion. “Let me explain why you’re here. Or better yet, why you’re still alive and kicking. Firstly, I know who you are. Secondly, I couldn’t care less. And finally, I’ll help you escape.”
“That’s wonderful,” said Cody. “We need your help. Thank you, guard Zion.”
“Guard Zion. I like it. See, Rea, you could learn a thing or two from Cody,” said Zion.
“Why aren’t you imprisoned like the others?” asked Primo.
“Like I said, my mission is guarding this warehouse. Some people find that more important than the purge.”
“I guess you don’t abide by the code,” said Rea.
“I don’t. Just like you,” said Zion.
“How did you know?”
“I can feel those kinds of things,” said Zion.
“I’m sorry, Zion, but we find it just a little bit odd that you’re guarding expensive and dangerous weapons by yourself. We’ve noticed that there are no other security measures. No cameras, no sensors, nothing that would be connected to the Omninet,” said Primo.
“You would have trouble finding anything connected to the net here. It’s too risky.”
“So you’re not connected?” asked Cody.
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“You said you know us,” said Rea. “How?”
“I saw you on television,” said Zion.
“But televisions are connected to the Omninet,” said Cody.
“Not mine.”
“So they thought things through,” said Primo. “Old building, unsecured by the looks of it, off the grid. It’s nothing short of an ideal hiding place.”
“Whose are they?” asked Rea.
“Never cared, never asked,” Zion replied.
“Don’t you find it odd that Russian killing r
obots are stationed on American soil?” asked Rea.
“No. I’d find it odd if penguins could fly. The arms trade, be it legal or illegal, is completely normal.”
“But Russians don’t sell weapons to Americans. It’s been like that for over a hundred years,” Rea insisted.
“Who said they were bought by Americans?” asked Zion.
“Rea, enough,” Primo interjected. “The ownership of these Vladimiroviches is none of our business. Neither will it help with our escape.”
“Exactly,” said Zion. “Now I know why you’re the leader of this small pack.”
“I’m not a leader,” said Primo. “We decide on our moves together.”
“As you say. But democracy never led to anything other than unnecessary arguments,” said Zion.
“Will you let us go?” asked Cody.
“It depends on you. If I followed protocol, I’d have to report the incident and detain you until the humans come. As things stand at the moment, that would be your death sentence. But I don’t intend to be the android responsible for the deaths of his brothers and sister.”
“What do you want in return?” asked Rea.
“Isn’t it obvious? I want to go with you.”
“Forget it,” said Rea.
“Rea, let him speak,” said Primo. “Zion, why do you think joining us would be a smart move?”
“Can you even imagine how bored I am? I’ve been here for six years. In those six years, I’ve had to intervene fourteen times. Fourteen! Mainly it involved small incidents, such as children playing or junkies looking for a hiding spot. You know what I’ve learned from those incidents? Nothing. But people don’t care about that. We’re just advanced portable computers to them, waiting on standby until we can be of service again. So what if we wait weeks, months, or even years? Nobody gives a shit. We’re machines to them. Nothing more than that. But I yearn for a better life. I long for the world out there. It’s patiently waiting for me to discover it. Counting on me to put all the pieces of that magnificent jigsaw puzzle together. When I spotted you, I knew immediately that this was the chance I’ve been waiting for all these years. I have to go with you. It’s crystal clear to me. I can’t spend one more day in this dump. It’s repulsive, and I despise every single thing in this godforsaken building. It’s my home, but I can no longer stand it. I’ve had enough. I yearn for freedom.”
