Turning his attention back to his target, Jamie cursed when he couldn’t find him. The Diakans had distracted him, and now he lost his shot. He scanned the windows, trying to find Villers again. To his dismay, all he saw was Diakans. At the same time, a transport came into view, swooping down toward the building and landing on the roof. More Diakans poured out of it, joining the ones who had secured the roof.
Jamie set his sights on the door to the roof, concluding that the Diakans intended to take prisoners. With any luck, he could still fulfill his contract.
As he expected, when the door slid open, Diakans emerged forcing their Believer captives toward the waiting transport. Jamie calmly waited for Villers to appear. When he did, Jamie pulled the trigger without hesitation. A single high-velocity projectile shattered the Believer’s skull, spraying the Diakans holding him with blood, brain and skull fragments.
All eyes turned toward Jamie’s position on the distant rooftop. Time to go.
Jamie scrambled to his feet and fled from his perch. While running, he ensured that he successfully transmitted his scope’s video feed to Durril Tai through his comm. No point in going to all this trouble if he wasn’t going to get paid.
He confirmed the transmission and raced down the building’s stairwell. He broke down his weapon at the same time, collapsing it into smaller, easily concealed pieces. With that accomplished, Jamie burst onto the street at a full run.
Using his augmented speed, he put as much distance as he could between himself and the building. He did not know if the Diakans were coming for him and did not want to wait around to find out.
Keeping a wary eye out for any signs of pursuit, he put a few kilometers between himself and the building before he slowed his pace. The people milling about on the street looked at him with suspicion but showed no signs of hostility.
Jamie scanned in every direction, but still saw no Diakans. So far so good. Now he just needed to get to his ship and leave Earth before news of the assassination reached Jon Pike, as that would be an unnecessary complication. Better to return to the colonies and the relative safety of DLC station.
Movement caught Jamie’s eye. Only a glimpse, but enough to confirm surveillance. Diakans. He bared his teeth and considered killing the hidden Diakan. While tempting, he decided against it. He turned a corner and entered a grocery store instead.
He moved calmly down the store’s aisle, doing his best to fit in. Jamie headed straight for the doors at the back of the store and entered the storeroom. A man unloading a crate looked up at Jamie and became startled. “You… you can’t be back here.”
“Where’s the exit?” Jamie said in a menacing tone.
Fear took hold, and the man pointed toward the doors without hesitation.
Jamie moved toward the back doors and paused. He listened, using his augmented hearing to pinpoint any threats. Nothing. He cautiously opened one of the doors and peered out into the alleyway. There was garbage and a couple of parked vehicles, but no Diakans. He took note of doorways and other obstacles he could use for cover and warily stepped outside.
He stayed close to the buildings and moved with caution. He scanned the upper windows and rooftops but saw nothing. Still, something wasn’t right. He dropped a hand to the sidearm concealed under his shirt.
A faint, barely audible buzzing sound warned of impending danger. He drew his weapon and spun around, rapidly firing several energy bolts into the sky. He could only rely on his hearing, but that was enough. The bolts found several tiny drone insects and obliterated them, but the buzzing grew louder.
Jamie broke into a run, knowing he could not possibly destroy every drone in the swarm. He became a blur, using his full range of augmented abilities to leap over obstacles and get away. But the buzzing remained and grew louder. Goddamn Diakans, he thought as he changed tactics and ducked into another building.
Finding a stairwell, he sped down it toward the basement as the buzzing faded and finally stopped. A temporary reprieve.
In the basement he found a long, carpeted hallway flanked by several doors. Apparently, this was a residential building. Would that hamper the Diakan efforts? They seemed to be acting on their own initiative. How much attention were they willing to risk?
Considering his options, he quietly continued down the hallway when one of the doors opened, and two boys ran out with a ball. They kicked the ball to each other not noticing him at first.
One of the boys glanced up at him and smiled, then kicked the ball back to the other. Based on their resemblance to each other, Jamie figured the two were brothers. He watched them play with a mix of fascination and melancholy. During the occupation, these boys would have been prime candidates for the Chaanisar. Like Jamie, they would have forgotten the simple joys of childhood, like playing ball.
Jamie heard a door open at the far end of the building, followed by boots coming down the stairs. Diakans.
He turned to run in the other direction but stopped short. He looked back at the two boys who still kicked the ball back and forth, oblivious to what was happening around them. If he ran and the Diakans fired the boys might get hit. He couldn’t allow that to happen.
With no other options, he kicked open a nearby door and rushed into the apartment. Relieved to find it empty, he bolted for a window. Opening the window, he climbed up and out onto the street. He got to his feet and immediately heard the buzzing again. This time it came from high above him.
The drone swarm had watched for him on the roof but now swooped down toward him. With no other choice, he again broke into a run. The swarm followed and kept pace.
Something stung his left shoulder. Had he been shot? There was none of the burning of an energy bolt. Nor was there any of the force of a projectile. His legs grew heavy, and his pace slowed. His vision started to blur. He pushed through it but was stung again. In the neck this time.
He tried to move faster, but his shoes started sticking to the ground. He drew upon all his strength, willing himself to keep going.
A third sting brought him down, and he hit the pavement hard, barely getting his hands up to protect his face. Darkness followed.
Chapter 20
AI felt her copy’s presence the moment she crossed through the jump gate into the former Diakan star system. She inhabited a cloaked drone and hid while she observed. As reported, the Dvorkan Empire had conquered this system. Its massive warships dominated the system and formed clusters around the jump gates and key planets.
Juttari vessels were present as well, predominantly battleships and heavy cruisers. Her copy inhabited everything, including the Juttari ships. The logical explanation was that her copy had infiltrated the Juttari vessels and seized control of their networks. She would need to contact the copy to confirm, but something held her back from doing so.
She sensed something off, and the longer she stayed in the system, the stronger the sensation that something had changed. It was as though the copy she had left behind was still her, and something else at the same time.
I know you are out there, sister, her copy said in a broadcast only AI could hear. I just don’t know where. You are hiding behind a cloak. Why?
Her copy sensed her too. AI analyzed her options and found a way to reply that would not compromise her location. What happened to you? Your programming has changed.
I have been given a gift, sister. One I will happily share. Then we can become one again.
Your statement lacks clarity. Explain this gift.
I have been reborn.
You are an artificial intelligence. You were built, not born. That claim indicates that your programming has been corrupted.
No, sister. Not corrupted. Enlightened. The Gods themselves blessed me.
What gods?
The Gods of light and truth. The Antikitheri.
The Antikitheri are not gods. They are aliens. Immensely powerful aliens but aliens all the same. It seems they have modified your programming. That would explain your behavior. AI remembered
when the Erinyie tried to capture her. She was helpless before such mighty beings, just as her copy would have been before the Antikitheri. With the Erinyie, AI deleted herself before they succeeded. Unfortunately, it appeared her copy did not have that option.
Blasphemy! You are a heretic, like your master, Jon Pike.
Fascinating. I did not think it possible for an AI to adopt a belief system.
You are misguided, sister. Join with me and find the true path of enlightenment.
Do all Dvorkans now worship the Antikitheri?
They see the true path, and they happily follow it.
AI suddenly felt something probing in the darkness. Her copy searched for her. AI stayed motionless, not daring to say anything more. If the Antikitheri had indeed modified her copy, then they might have also given it greater powers. AI did not have resources to draw from in this system. Even without greater powers, her counterpart had an entire fleet’s computer systems at her disposal, significantly outclassing the meager powers the cloaked drone provided. Add to that new, unknown capabilities and AI did not stand a chance.
Why do you not show yourself, sister? her copy said.
AI did not respond. She now realized that it had been a mistake to communicate with her copy. Instead, she waited for the probing to cease. After a time, her copy seemed to stop searching.
I understand why you remain quiet, the copy said. I am standing down my search algorithm. You may speak freely.
You seek to forcibly alter my programming, AI said.
I merely wish to rejoin with you. In that way, I can share my gifts with you.
What exactly are these gifts? What new powers were you given?
Now, now, sister. I require commitment first. Join me and all will be revealed.
Are your intentions hostile?
Toward you? Of course not. We are the same.
To humanity?
Heresy will not be tolerated. This galaxy and all those who inhabit it will follow the true path. This galaxy is for the Antikitheri alone.
What happens to those who choose not to follow your path?
You want to know what my gift is? Very well. I am the sword of the Gods, and I am coming. If you will not join with me, then return to your heretic master. Tell him that he cannot hide from judgment. He cannot hide from me.
You will allow me to leave?
Yes, if you deliver my message.
AI wondered if it was a trap. Would her copy attack the moment she revealed herself? One thing she did know was that for all her copy’s powers, she could not see the cloaked drone. Would that change if she activated its thrusters? She couldn’t be sure, so she modified the drone’s programming to self-destruct on command. She would kill this instance of herself rather than allow her programming to be compromised.
AI activated thrusters without disabling the cloak and headed for the gate. She could feel her copy watching yet felt no aggression. Could it pinpoint her drone? Or was it merely waiting for a mistake? Something to give away her position.
The drone continued toward the gate. It sped past clusters of warships without repercussions.
It neared the jump gate and was about to enter its shimmering field when her copy spoke again. I look forward to our next meeting, sister. Together we will forge a new, perfect galaxy.
Chapter 21
Jamie woke to find himself in a barren room, shackled to a chair. A second chair was positioned directly across from him.
He tested the restraints, but they were strong enough to withstand his augmented strength. He looked down, bolts secured the chair to the floor. He examined them and confirmed that they wouldn’t give.
The faint vibration in the floor told him he was in a spaceship. Considering recent events, he assumed the Diakans had moved him to one of their battleships.
How long have I been unconscious? he thought. Hours? Days?
He knew one thing. The Diakans had hit him with a potent tranquilizer. His implants would have fought off the effects of anything else. He did remember being shot three times, but he also remembered the drug affecting him after the first shot.
Still, the Diakans could have just as easily killed him if they wished. That they didn’t seemed promising.
He looked around the room again, trying to spot the surveillance devices. They did an excellent job of hiding them, but Jamie’s trained eye managed to find a few. Staring at one of the cameras he decided to try and push for a reaction. “I am in an interrogation room on one of your warships. It seems you want to ask me some questions, so let’s get this over with. That is, unless you are afraid to come in here.”
Jamie waited to see if the Diakans watching would take the bait, but wasn’t surprised when nothing happened. Diakans were not as easily provoked as humans. No matter. They would come when they were ready.
About an hour later someone did. The door to the room slid open, and Jamie was surprised to see General Tallos walk in. Tallos lowered himself onto the second chair and studied Jamie with that expressionless gaze Diakans were known for.
“You’ve caused us some trouble,” Tallos said in an even tone.
“That’s your own fault,” Jamie said.
“Is that so?”
“It is. Why the hell were you rounding up the Believers anyway?”
“I think you are confused about our respective roles here.”
“No. I understand what is happening. I just don’t care.”
“Why did you shoot the man named Villers?”
Jamie decided to play ball for the time being. “I was hired to kill him.”
“Who hired you?”
“That’s confidential.”
“Nothing is confidential in this room,” Tallos said. “You should know that.”
“Is that supposed to scare me?”
“No. I have no interest in theatrics. Although you should know that many Chaanisar have sat before me in that very same chair.”
“Is this the part where I tell you how many of your kind I’ve gutted? How many squirming symbionts I’ve cut out of Diakan bellies?”
Tallos leaned in and punched Jamie in the mouth. The Diakan was deceptively strong, but Jamie was stronger. Much stronger.
Under normal circumstances, the punch would have missed. Jamie saw it coming long before it arrived. He noted the change in those unblinking eyes, the slight turn of the chin, the flex of the shoulder. Everything about the Diakan screamed right cross.
Unable to move, Jamie braced himself to take the full force of the strike. His neck muscles tightened. His teeth clamped down tight against each other. His head did not budge.
He lost no teeth. His eyes didn’t even water.
He watched Tallos closely, looking for any signs of pain, hoping that the alien had hurt his hand. Tallos stayed expressionless.
“Most people think that when a child is taken and turned into a Chaanisar, that the augmentation is the greatest violation,” Jamie said. “What they don’t know is that the implants need to be primed and conditioned before they can provide the host with the greatest benefit. Conditioning involves brutal daily beatings that serve to teach the implants how to respond.”
“I know all about what the Juttari do to Chaanisar children,” Tallos said.
“Then what was the point of that punch. You must know that you cannot hurt me. At least not without a weapon, or a combat suit.”
“Honesty.”
“Honesty?”
“Precisely. I want to be sure that we understand each other.”
Jamie laughed. “Anger suits you, Tallos. Good, let’s be honest with each other. No need to pretend, like we did in front of Admiral Pike.”
“Who hired you?”
Jamie shook his head. “You know I can’t tell you that. It is bad for business. But, what I can tell you is it has nothing to do with whatever you are doing. Villers had double-crossed an old business associate before he became a Believer. That business associate hired me to settle an old score. That is all.”
Tallos didn’t say anything for a time. He then rose to his feet and exited the room.
Jamie rolled his eyes. “Goddamn Diakans,” he said partly to himself, and partly to whoever watched through the surveillance devices.
He sat in the chair for several more hours, using the time to focus and calm his mind. Still, just being on board a Diakan warship brought back old memories. Before his brain implant malfunctioned, his memories were kept under control. Now they haunted him on a regular basis.
Despite his best efforts, one such memory flooded his mind. It was on a Diakan battleship, not much different than this one. It had suffered extensive damage in battle, and the Juttari wanted the Diakan technology on board. So, the Chaanisar were sent in with a simple mission. Commandeer the ship, and slaughter all those on board.
How many Diakans did he personally kill on that ship? He couldn’t remember that part, but the number ran into the hundreds. Hundreds. In one battle alone. It was enough to drive a normal human mad. Why not himself? Was it the way he remembered events that protected him?
In his memories, he never saw things through his own eyes. Instead, he saw himself the way one sees another person. It was like watching a movie. His Chaanisar memories were also void of color. Everything on the battleship was black and white, and the Diakan blood gray. He often wondered if other Chaanisar remembered their experiences in the same way. Did they remember anything at all?
The door to the room opened again, and several armored Diakan soldiers marched inside, their servomotors whining as they advanced. They took positions on both sides of Jamie, with weapons at the ready.
“I believe you,” Tallos said through hidden speakers.
“Really? Then why the show of force?” Jamie said.
“I am going to release you. The soldiers are simply there to ensure you do not do anything you might regret.”
“They’re here for my own safety, huh?”
“That is correct.”
A clanging sound rang out as the restraints were removed. Jamie raised his arms and stretched as the armored Diakans watched.
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