The Golden Circuit (The Smith Chronicles)

by John K. Irvine

  The androids had made it clear to the crew that they were there to ensure the smooth running of the handover between the Codes and the Argon. And also to make sure that everyone on the Argon obeyed Sempre’s orders and carried out their duties appropriately.

  But, really, they were there to see to it that the Codes got blasted to smithereens.

  As a result of the andys presence, emotions were running high on board. All of the crew’s family members were being closely watched by TTF surveillance teams. One false move, from any member of the crew, and Sempre would kill them all. The Argonauts had no room for manoeuvre.

  Spoolu was still in Medical. She was now stable, but there was no significant improvement to her condition. Zanthu was pleased to get back to her side in the Med Lab. He was in complete innocence of what was about to befall himself and his people. He knew nothing of Sempre’s plans, the NITs, or that the crew were now, in effect, his enemies.

  TAPCON Agent Mikita Smith walked slowly up the passenger steps at the side of the Starship Argon. She was dressed in full uniform and carrying a black briefcase containing regulation issue equipment. She felt safe that Jameson and the others did not know anything about the recent events that had unfolded in her life, they’d not actually been in Muhaze when everything had began. They’d also been held in secure rooms, without screens, for the past 12 hours.

  She wondered how the crew would react to her. They would certainly see her as a potential threat, and, though she longed to tell them she was on their side, Mikita could not jeopardise what she'd already gained by blowing her cover and risking the lives of the crew and their loved ones. She also knew the androids would chew her up and spit her out should she decide to defect.

  Mikita arrived at the entry hatch of the starship. There to meet her was Lead-Out.

  “Hello, ma’am. You must be Agent Smith?” she said.

  “Yes, I am Agent Smith, yes,” said Mikita, trying to hide her disbelief at her new title.

  “Well, it’s good to have you onboard, ma’am. I’m Lead-Out… Corporal Lead-Out, ma’am.”

  “Hello, Corporal. And thank you for meeting me.”

  “A pleasure, ma’am. We have orders to take you to Kloq-888, to meet with Jon-7, is that correct?”

  “Yes, that’s correct, we’re drawing up a peace agreement.”

  “Oh, I see.”

  Mikita tested the water. “It would seem that Jon-7 is up to his old tricks again... Have you caught any of the coverage on The Zip? About the Froome’s threats, I mean?”

  “We’ve not seen The Zip for the past few days, ma’am. We’ve been under house arrest.”

  “Oh, yes, so have… I mean, that’s probably a good thing, judging by what they’ve been saying about the situation.”

  Lead-Out grimaced. “Well, welcome aboard, anyway. Though I should warn you, TAPCON have put so much firepower on here that if you lit a match we’d all go up like New Year’s Eve in a fireworks store. But come and meet Captain Jameson and the crew. You’ll only be with us a short while, but you may as well get to know everyone.”

  Mikita nodded “Thank you, Corporal,” she said, as she took a final deep breath - and entered the Argon.

  The Crew’s response to her was just as Mikita had expected, ranging from the merely polite to the profoundly disinterested. However, when she got to Zanthu, the reaction was very different.

  “Hello, Miss Smith. It is very nice to meet you,” he said, bowing slightly.

  Mikita gave away her thoughts immediately, as she blushed a bright crimson. Zanthu noticed this and smiled at her.

  Oh, drain me, he knows. He knows I like him.

  This was no time for Mikita to get distracted, to let her emotions govern her actions.

  “Um, and you, too… Zanthu,” she said, and blushed even more. “It’s a pleasure,” she managed. Oh, boy, one winner after another.

  The crew were watching the two of them while they stood staring at each other. Ω winked at Gadget and made a kissing motion with his lips. Gadget nodded his head with a smirk.

  “The pleasure… is all mine,” said Zanthu.

  Mikita had to look away, she was so embarrassed by the exchange.

  “Good,” said Jameson, breaking the awkwardness that was hanging around the room. “Well, Miss Smith, it’s good to have you onboard, even if it is only briefly.”

  Mikita hadn’t seen his expression, but Jameson was looking at her like he’d seen a spectre. He fought his feelings down, and said: “We leave in just under an hour, so I’d be grateful if everyone could make their final checks, particularly the munitions. I realise that this mission is not one that we want to carry out. But, dammit, David Sempre has us in a stranglehold, that’s for sure.”

  Shannon the android looked sideways at Soupy and frowned. His eyes replied, flickering a look that said: ‘Don’t worry, I’m ready to shut down any signs of rebellion’.

  Jameson could feel their antagonism, but ignored it. They were on his ship now.

  “Captain Jameson,” said Shannon. “Please do not present your personal opinion so bluntly to the crew. It would not go down well in our report to Mr. Sempre, now would it, sir?”

  He relented. “Yeah, OK, Shannon. I hear you. Now, if any of you need to talk about anything, my door is always open. I will do my best to help. Let’s just get on and get it over with as best we can and think about the consequences later. Any questions?”

  The crew were silent. They were dealing with their own predicament in their own way, each in their own private hell.

  “OK. We leave in half an hour. Miss Smith, can I have a word, please”

  “Yes, Captain Jameson, of course.”

  The crew left to prepare their stations as Mikita walked across the bridge to the Captain. Something about this gentleman was familiar. She'd felt that before, when he was on The Zip, but in the flesh, the recognition was stronger. Like there was a more personal link.

  Jameson found himself staring at her. Could it be…? He shook himself out of it and said: “Miss Smith, I would ask you to be very aware of the crew and their predicament. This is a dangerous mission, for all of us. You may or may not be aware of the situation, but I would ask you to remain neutral in respect to your station.” It could be her…

  “Yes, of course, sir. I will, thank you.”

  “And good luck with your own mission, when it arrives.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “Miss Smith?”

  Mikita turned around. It was Zanthu.

  Oh, fire! “Yes. Yes, Zanthu?”

  Jameson excused himself.

  “Miss Smith, I would like to show you Spoolu, my muidog. Would you care to accompany me to Medical?”

  Mikita found, to her surprise, that she couldn’t say no to Zanthu - looking like he did, so unusual, so exotically attractive. “Yes, I would love see Spoolu. Of course, yes. Yes, please.” Mikita cringed at her stumbling reply. What a dolt you are, Mikita!

  Zanthu held out his hand, which she accepted, hesitantly, and together they walked to Sub-Section 1 and the Med Lab. Zanthu led the way - and the conversation.

  “Soon I will be with my people again. I am so excited to see them. I should never have remained on Baal-500 without their permission. It was a mistake that I will pay dearly for upon my return. But our Linked ones, they were in such distress.”

  “Yes, it is a terrible thing that has happened on Baal-500, Zanthu. I’m so sorry for you and your animals.”

  “Thank you, Miss Smith.”

  “I had a pet once. When I was little. My dog, Marta. She got hit by an overland shuttle right outside our house. By the time we found her, it was too late. We couldn’t save her.”

  “I can imagine your pain, Miss Smith. This is something that we share.” There was an awkward silence as neither knew what to say next. Luckily they were arriving at the lab.

  “There she is. There is my Spoolu,” said Zanthu, pointing to the Med Lab table system. “Dr. Gössner is doing her best for
her. She is a very good woman. She is very clever.”

  Mikita had never seen a muidog in the flesh. The long neck and coarse reddish-brown hair of the dog made it look odd. Its tail was long and bushy, like an Earth-based horse, and it had large floppy ears and big paws - but there was something inherently appealing about the breed. Its parts on their own didn't make much sense, but, when looked at as a whole, it was quite a beautiful creature.

  Mikita realised Zanthu was looking at her. She could feel the heat of his gaze on her face and her heart started to pound. She took a sidelong glance at him. He was smiling. She smiled back. Oh, Mikita, you are in trouble, now. Big trouble.

  Dr. Gössner had come over to greet them. “Spoolu has shown some signs of improvement over the past few hours, Zanthu. I thought you should know that. Things are looking a bit more positive.”

  “It must be because Miss Smith has arrived on the Argon, Doctor. She has brought a healing spirit with her. I can see it. I can feel it.” Then quietly: “My brother, Leylaan, has this skill too, Dr. Gössner.”

  “Oh. That’s good,” said Tina. “Every little bit will help, Zanthu.” Tina smiled at Mikita.

  Mikita looked shocked, realising what Zanthu had just said! He can see it? The Golden Circuit? Oh, drain me! Can that be true?

  “Yes, every little bit will help, you are quite right, Doctor.” Zanthu turned back to Mikita. “Please. Touch Spoolu, Miss Smith.”

  “No, I… No, I’d better not. She’s not very well. I mean, what about germs? No, I couldn’t possibly put Spoolu at risk.”

  “Please? For me?” said Zanthu, touching her shoulder.

  How could she refuse him, when he said ‘for me’ like that? In that voice.

  Mikita stretched out her arm, ready to lay a hand on Spoolu’s belly. She hoped nothing would happen; that the Golden Circuit would stay away this time. How she wanted to heal Spoolu, for Zanthu’s sake. But she dare not try anything. The Circuit was so dangerous, anything could happen. She could end up doing more harm than good, perhaps even killing the muidog.

  “Agent Smith!”

  Mikita started suddenly and quickly took her hand away from Spoolu’s body.

  Hellius was standing in the lab doorway, filling it with his bulk. “Agent Smith. Mr. Sempre is requesting you on a link. You may take the call in the Meeting Room, ma’am,” said the large, crew-cut Sergeant.

  “You’d better go,” said Tina. “David Sempre doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

  “Yes, I’d better,” said Mikita, relieved. “Sorry Zanthu. Maybe we can do this later?”

  “Yes, Miss Smith. Later. I will look forward to it,” he replied, looking deep into Mikita’s eyes.

  Mikita left with Hellius for the Meeting Room. She was glad to get out of there. The feelings she had for Zanthu and the complete and utter embarrassment of the situation were too much for her. She made a promise to herself that, despite her feelings for Zanthu, she would try and steer clear of him while she was onboard.

  Arriving at the Meeting Room, Mikita found the two androids waiting for her.

  “Ah, Agent Smith. You are here - at last,” said Soupy, condescendingly. “Shannon, please engage the link to TAPCON Towers.”

  Shannon typed something into her hand-held and the Meeting Room screen came up on the face of Ulysses Flugg. Mikita noticed what a nervous little man he was - his furtive eyes darting about.

  “Good afternoon, Shannon, Soupy, Agent Smith - I am putting you through to Mr. Sempre.” He pressed a button somewhere off screen and the link dissolved into Sempre’s office, their faces cross-fading on the viewer. For a second, they melded into one, making them look like a single, bad-tempered, fidgeting marmot.

  “Hello, colleagues,” said the TAPCON chief, in his official tone. “As my only trustworthy contacts aboard the Argon, I do not need to tell you that I am expecting you all to notify me of any inconsistencies in approach from Captain Jameson and the crew. Anything unusual, no matter how trivial, must be reported back to me without delay. Agent Smith, please send your message using the hand-held contained in your TAPCON briefcase. I trust your own mission will be successful and I look forward to your safe return. For Shannon and Soupy, a small footnote. Should Plan A be unsuccessful, please make sure that the code youth and his dog do not come back with you to Muhaze. Obviously, I won’t need to remind you that Plan B will take care of this for you.”

  Sempre smiled.

  Shannon and Soupy looked at each other and grinned back like a pair of demented Beelzebubs. They were going to enjoy themselves on this mission – well, as much as any non-human, synthetic organism could actually enjoy themselves.

  Mikita shuddered as Sempre’s face left the screen. Plan B? What the fire is Plan B? And he said ‘make sure they don’t come back’. That would mean… Oh, fire, he’s going to have Zanthu and Spoolu killed - by the androids! While I’m on Kloq-888! She was stunned. “Shannon? What is Plan B?” asked Mikita, nonchalantly.

  “Why, it is simple, Agent Smith. Plan B is what we do if Plan A does not work.”

  “Yes, I know that,” said Mikita, suddenly exasperated. “But what does it involve? Killing innocent people and animals?”

  “Plan B is classified information,” said Soupy, emphatically. “It is not part of your briefing, Agent Smith.”

  “Well, obviously!” Mikita let fly. “If it was, I wouldn’t have asked you, would I?”

  “Do I detect a certain hostility toward Mr. Sempre’s instructions?” asked Shannon.

  Mikita had to smooth over this, quickly: “No, um, no. I just thought it was something I should be aware of, that’s all.”

  “Well. You are wrong. You do not need to know the particulars of Plan B,” affirmed Soupy. “It does not concern you. Good day, Agent Smith.”

  Shannon and Soupy were staring at her, motionless. They were expecting her to leave the Stateroom.

  Mikita got up abruptly, and left.

  Shannon’s eyes followed her out. “She is too inquisitive, that human.”

  “I agree,” said Soupy. “But she will be gone, soon.”

  “But not gone for good, unfortunately.”

  “Indeed, Shannon,” said Soupy. “Perhaps we will need to address that fact as a matter of some urgency.”

  Chapter 26

  14:03 - Monday, July 30, 2187 (Kasturba, Muhaze, Tapi-36)

  Janeee had gathered PASIV at an old disused warehouse located at a business park in Kasturba, on the west side of Muhaze, Arrondissement 20.

  There were many similar dark and anonymous buildings around here, as much of this area was suffering from the savage cuts and money shortages that currently blighted industries on Tapi-36.

  The planet was reliant on its Earth funding, so that when things were bad on Earth, it followed that Tapi-36 mimicked those hard times. Earth was still following its aggressive capitalist agenda that had so crippled the planet in the early 21st century. It had never learned its lesson during those economically stricken years and the global trend continued down the road of boom and bust. Disappointingly, greed was still rife on the little, marmolean ball.

  Today, Janeee was anxious about the next stage of her plan. PASIV needed to do something concrete to help Mikita and here she was, going out on a limb for her ideals. But she had a trick up her sleeve.

  All of PASIV’s 63 members were there. It was a sizeable group for something of this kind, given the conservative culture of Muhaze itself. But Janeee thought that even if she added an extra zero onto the total, it would still be too small for what she had in mind.

  “Thank you all for coming here today,” she said, standing at a lectern specially erected for the speeches. “As you know, our comrade, Mikita Smith, is being held prisoner by TAPCON. Let me begin by saying that I refuse to believe that she is guilty of the crimes she has been charged with, and I would hope that you think the same?”

  There was a strong, well-voiced show of support – her members were behind Janeee 100%.

  “Go
od, I am glad to hear it. Clearly we are agreed that PASIV must do something to help comrade Smith. And so, to that end, here is my idea. At 12 noon tomorrow, we will take over The Zip!”

  The PASIVs erupted in a shocked jangle of sound.

  Janeee ignored it, and carried on.

  “We will commandeer the main Zip station and broadcast to Tapi-36 ourselves. I plan to reveal some hard facts about TAPCON that will bring Muhazians out of their homes and onto the streets, starting a revolution of mind and body in the Tapian populace. Together we will take over TAPCON and free the people of this planet from the evil grip of David Sempre!”

  “But how exactly do we get into The Zip, Janeee?” asked Franz Welland, Janeee’s first member of PASIV. “It’s maintained by TAPCON guards, is it not?”

  “Mutant guards, aren’t they, Franz?”

  “Uh, yes, I think that’s correct.”

  Janeee smiled. She was about to play her trump card - and she knew it was an ace. “Ladies and gentlemen of PASIV allow me to introduce to you… Dr. Harry Tamashito, a TAPCON scientist.”

  The PASIV members let loose a barrage of noise - hostile, most of it - as Tamashito entered the hall and approached the stand.

  “No, please. People of PASIV, please! I must ask for quiet! Listen to what the doctor has to say!” implored Janeee.

  The commotion simmered to a dissonant babble.

  “Dr. Tamashito has come here at great personal risk, both to himself and his family, who are being held hostage on Reis-91. Now, let him speak.”

  The room fell silent.

  “Thank you, everyone. Doctor? Please? If you would?”

  Tamashito began to talk, his voice, soft and characterful, yet imbued with pain and endured experience, and soon the PASIV group was listening intently.

  He told them how he’d contacted Janeee last night asking for their help, that he was Mikita’s cryonics teacher, that he knew of her involvement with PASIV and that he believed he’d let her down in some way (though he gave no details). This last was the reason he was here - to ‘make amends’. How could I do those things to that poor girl. I will redeem myself, Mikita. I promise you.