Body Shop

by John Hindmarsh

  Toby asked, “They’ve made contact?” He turned the television off.

  “All the news channels have been asking for a statement. I’ve prepared a simple paragraph. It won’t satisfy them of course, but it’s better than nothing. You’re going on record as declaring that you have no idea why the brownshirts attacked you, and that your security team acted in self-defense. Then we say that everyone is in a state of shock after being subjected to an ISIS-style ambush by the brownshirt terrorist organization. It concludes by stating that you hope law enforcement act quickly to bring guilty parties to justice. Is that enough?”

  “Sure. Send it out to your contacts. I hope they put pressure on law enforcement and leave us alone.

  “Fat chance of that, my friend. You’re prime media material.”

  oOo

  Chapter 13

  Toby was absorbed in the detailed report from SpaceY covering the launch of the two new Euler satellites designed by his uncle. The launch had been successful. One satellite was in a geostationary orbit high above Los Angeles and the second satellite was now located above London. Nate had arranged the launch of earlier satellites that were positioned above London, Washington, and Hong Kong. Bronwyn had checked and recoded these to cancel out the manufacturer’s sabotage, and the five units provided a solid communication network for the northern hemisphere. Toby wondered for a moment why none had been launched in the southern hemisphere and decided he’d explore that question with Bronwyn—she knew far more about the broader structure of Nate’s business operations than Darwin.

  Fortunately, SpaceY had kept his involvement confidential, publicizing only that they’d successfully launched satellites. Now, even SpaceY did not know the locations of the new components in the Euler network. Bronwyn had controlled their movement after release and they each now were miles away and thousands of feet higher than their initial locations.

  A call from the Drexel security guard interrupted his review. It was Drew; he was Drexel’s lead for security of the Bel Air property. Indeed, he regarded both Toby and Billie as his primary responsibility, irrespective of where they were.

  “Toby, we have an FBI contingent at the gate. It includes Special Agent Reynolds.”

  “They’re not expected. Let Drexel know, in case we need to conference him into whatever they want to discuss.”

  “Will do.” He paused for a moment. “There’s also a special agent from Washington. He’s Gerald Sullivan. Another one provided me a business card with a name—that’s Ty Coleman—with no title, and a fourth person, a junior FBI agent, Gabriele Diaz. They’re weaponed up. They also have a driver. He’s local FBI. I’ve seen him before.”

  “Hmm. A major presence. Get clear images of the faces of the new ones and we’ll get some verification. Stall for a couple of minutes so I can tidy papers away.”

  “Sure thing.” Drew disconnected.

  Toby said, “Bronwyn, grab the images from Drew and see if you can validate identities of our visitors.”

  Bronwyn replied via his computer, “Sure thing.”

  Toby groaned and Billie laughed at his expression. He said, “I’m surrounded by comics. Help me get these papers cleared away.” He closed off the computer display of the SpaceY launch, and he and Billie tidied the large desk and side tables in his office. Nothing was confidential; however, it was always possible for even general papers to contain links to other topics. Toby preferred a clean desk approach with law enforcement.

  He’d discussed with Billie whether that preference meant he was concerned his activities were illegal. They had discussed the range of Nate’s business operations in-depth, and concluded there was a need for business or commercial confidentiality, and that other than his removal of funds from the brownshirt organization, everything else was legal and as far as they could determine, ethical.

  He contacted the military bot squad leader. “Mars, send two of your bots to my office and keep another two close in case of need. Do not allow the FBI vehicle to depart unless I give the approval. Don’t allow the driver to wander.” He didn’t know why he was concerned; perhaps it was the presence of Washington agents.

  “Bronwyn, any results?”

  Bronwyn’s image appeared on his computer screen. “Coleman is a military man; he holds rank of colonel. He is currently working with DIA—the Defense Intelligence Agency. It will take me about ten minutes to get through their security. Sullivan has brownshirt affiliations—he’s friendly with Flocke. Diaz is as Drew says, a junior agent.”

  “Good. Keep digging for me.”

  A signal from Drew indicated the visitors were on their way to the house. Toby wondered what they would make of the two guard bots outside the front entry. A small house bot—experimental—heralded the entry of the law officials. Toby stood. Billie remained seated. Two of the new security bots, camouflaged, had taken up positions against the walls away from the desk.

  He acknowledged the senior agent. “Reynolds. To what do I owe this honor?”

  Reynolds said, “Let me introduce everyone. Toby McIntosh, this is Special Agent Gerald Sullivan, Ty Coleman, and Agent Gabriele Diaz.” He turned to his companions and added, “Toby is Nate Travers nephew, and this is Billie Nile, Toby’s assistant.”

  Everyone nodded. Toby waited for a moment and said, “Please sit.” He moved to the chair behind the desk and followed his own instruction. He looked at Coleman and asked, “Colonel, what brings you to Los Angeles?”

  Reynolds and Coleman exchanged quick glances. The expression on Reynolds’ face seemed to say, “I told you so.”

  Coleman grimaced. “We were advised you have good security. Yes, I’m Colonel Ty Coleman.”

  “What interest does the DIA have in me?” Toby thought he’d get right to the core of the colonel’s visit.

  “Damn. I expected to hold back that little gem for at least fifteen minutes.”

  “Reynolds, unless there is a valid reason of which I’m unaware, I do not intend to discuss anything now with a DIA officer present. I’ll also exclude a brownshirt sympathizer—Senior Agent Sullivan is a sycophant of Flocke, and for some reason unknown to me, the brownshirts have undertaken significant violent actions against me, as you know.”

  He had previously provided the FBI agent with comprehensive videos of the brownshirt ambush, and Reynolds had agreed with his claims of self-defense. The agent had also confirmed and reported that brownshirts had kidnapped Billie.

  There was silence for what seemed a long time. Bronwyn whispered, “Coleman appears to be genuine and possibly on the side of the angels. I found records of email communications between Nate and Coleman. Sullivan is totally brownshirt-focused. Flocke regards him as a senior member.”

  Toby held up his hand, stilling whatever objection Sullivan was about to voice. “Senior Agent Sullivan, unless you have a legal reason for your presence here, I withdraw my invitation for you to enter my house. You are now trespassing. Please go and wait in your vehicle.”

  “Now see here—” the agent objected.

  “Darwin, connect with Victoria and replay my comments to the FBI agent and give her access to live camera feed of this room.”

  “Victoria heads up Toby’s legal department,” explained Reynolds. “Sullivan, I’m unaware of any legal reason requiring your presence here. I do have matters I wish to discuss with Toby that are none of your responsibility.”

  Sullivan almost snarled. “We know that McIntosh stole twenty-five million dollars and I want him arrested. I’ll do it myself, if necessary.”

  Victoria, her image displayed on a wall screen, asked, “You’re Senior Agent Sullivan?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “What evidence do you have in support of your accusation?”

  “Why—why—once I get my hands on McIntosh, I’ll have all the evidence I need.”

  “Toby, are you recording all of this?” Victoria asked.

  “Yes. Voice and video.”

  “I believe Special Agent Sullivan has uttered thr
eats against you, which, given his FBI status, is alarming. Perhaps more so, in light of the recent brownshirt assaults against you and Miss Nile. Sullivan,” she snapped, “did Flocke instruct you in this matter?”

  “Yes—no, of course not.”

  Toby said, “Agent Sullivan, please remove yourself from this house.” He signaled and one of the military bots stepped away from its position against the wall. The movement disrupted its digital camouflage. The bot was over six feet tall and weighed a good three hundred pounds. It moved silently toward Sullivan.

  “You’re threatening me!” the FBI agent protested.

  “Indeed not. The Mars unit will show you the way to the front entrance and will help you into your vehicle. It’s all right, Coleman and Diaz may be shortly joining you, and you all can wait for Special Agent Reynolds.”

  “Reynolds, this is preposterous. You can’t sit there and allow a civilian to assault me—”

  “Sullivan, I warned you in advance, that I would not support any brownshirt-related activities here. I intend to make a full report—with video—of this interference in my jurisdiction to my AD. He’ll certainly have words with your boss.”

  They all watched in relative silence as the bot escorted the Washington-based FBI agent out of the study. Colonel Coleman had sat silently throughout the exchange between Toby and Sullivan; he had a slight smile on his face.

  Toby stared at the army officer. He said, “Well, Colonel?”

  “Nate and I have previously exchanged emails. I’m concerned about his disappearance. I wanted to meet with you to determine what you know.”

  “Or possible involvement,” Toby added. “Yes, I know, family members are the usual suspects when someone from that family disappears. As I’m Nate’s only living relative, I understand why you might consider me to have had some involvement in his disappearance.”

  “Indeed.”

  “You have no legal basis for your presence?” Victoria asked.

  “No. I’m here as—no, not as a friend, rather as an acquaintance of Nate’s.”

  “Victoria, I’ll talk to the colonel. In any case, Agent Reynolds and I have been over this a number of times.”

  Victoria said, “Very well. I’ll remain available if you need me.”

  “Thank you. Colonel, your presence is more than based on some minor exchange of emails?”

  “Indeed. Nate was involved in some of our—ah—research activities. Also, we monitor SpaceY launches. We have authority to be fully informed and know they launched two satellites at the beginning of the week. Congratulations, by the way, that was a successful lift.”

  “Thank you. We’re adding to our Euler communications and networking facilities.”

  “I’m surprised how much the Euler organization has expanded in the short time you’ve had control.”

  Toby recognized the colonel was exploring, seeking more data. “Nate left some plans in place, and I’ve been carrying out his instructions, as well as identifying areas where Euler can expand.”

  “The satellites?”

  “Nate’s.”

  “Can you show me some of his instructions?”

  Toby stared at the colonel. The man had multiple motives behind his questions. He tapped the desk, thinking, and decided there was no downside to more disclosure. “Perhaps. His latest video—at least portions of it—might be of interest to you. I won’t play it all, and be aware that if you try to obtain the file by any means other than my voluntary cooperation, the file will disappear. Nate has some challenging security in place; I’m not sure I can override a lot of it.”

  He listened to Bronwyn for a moment and turned to Reynolds and said, “I’m aware Agent Diaz is recording our meeting. I assume you don’t have a warrant for that process? She attempted to upload a file, presumably to her office, a couple of minutes ago. As a result, I understand all her files have been deleted—her cell phone has been wiped totally clean, including the operating system. She can consider it a penalty for unauthorized and intrusive actions. Please instruct her to leave and waith in your vehicle. Otherwise I’ll end our meeting now.”

  Coleman said, “I warned you against that.”

  Reynolds shrugged. “My apologies. Agent Diaz, you too, can leave the room and join Sullivan. I know, I know, you’re not part of his team.”

  “Sir. That’s correct. I’d discussed the possibility with the colonel, in case he wanted to explore further whether McIntosh is involved in his uncle’s disappearance. He said not to. I admit my attempt was unauthorized.”

  Reynolds nodded and pointed to the office door. The young agent, her face flaming red with embarrassment, departed without further comment. A military bot escorted her.

  “Are those bots as capable as they appear?” asked Coleman.

  “Probably more than,” Toby replied. “They saved our lives when Pitera attacked us. They operate independently and are very effective. I think Billie will support me?”

  Billie nodded. “They’ve saved my life. I’m a fan.”

  The colonel was thoughtful. “Can we have one for effectiveness assessment?”

  “As long as you don’t try to reverse engineer it. They won’t stand for that—we don’t want an enemy to capture one and use it against us, so there are safeguards built into both their processors and programming. An explosion is likely to be one result; another is that any Euler-sourced autonomous units within a mile radius will immediately cease to function. All other Euler autonomous units owned or leased by the responsible organization will shut down once details of the intrusion are promulgated. These shut downs will be permanent. Our contracts are carefully worded.”

  Coleman said, “I can give you that assurance.”

  “You need to test them as an operational team. We’ll lend you three. They’re prototypes. It will cost you.”

  “You are your uncle’s nephew. I’ll arrange authorizations.”

  “Good. I’ll play the first couple of minutes of a video recorded by my uncle. You’ll see and hear Nate discussing his disappearance—apparently he suspected that could happen. He doesn’t provide details of those suspicions.”

  Toby accessed the file he’d watched where his uncle had advised him to launch the satellites. The first two or three minutes should be enough. He donned a headphone and quickly checked the audio. There was a mention of Darwin and Bronwyn and he deleted that. He clicked the play command, and Nate’s image appeared on the wall screen.

  Nate said, “Toby, this should be the second file you’ve watched, and yes, there are others, which will be released depending on possible events. At this stage you should be well in charge of all the Euler organization components, undoubtedly with a senior management team to support you. If you haven’t done that, you’ll simply spin your wheels and get nowhere.”

  Toby stopped the replay and said, “I’ve deleted the next two sentences; their contents are confidential.” He continued the replay minus the sentences.

  Nate’s image continued, “I suspect I haven’t been found—that is, if I’ve disappeared, my body hasn’t been discovered. More than likely it will never be discovered, and you will have to live with the burden of not knowing what happened to me. While, from a different angle, I have the same burden.” Toby stopped the replay process and closed the file.

  He said, “That’s the best I can do, Colonel. It’s also the first time Agent Reynolds has seen that replay.”

  Coleman appeared thoughtful. “That helps me tremendously. You are legally your uncle’s heir, and we can deal with you. I’ll support you and your role in the Euler organization, as far as dealings with the DIA are concerned. Reynolds?”

  “Oh, I believe Toby. I’ve been investigating with him for a while now, and I’ve seen nothing to suggest other than his innocence. He is regarded as a VIP who we need to protect.”

  “Good. Toby, you’ll hear from me or my department. I want to evaluate your new bots.”

  When Toby returned to his office after escorting his visitors t
o the front door, he looked at Billie and said, “I think that went well?”

  “You mean, apart from furthering the enmity between you and the brownshirts? Oh no, don’t read me wrong—anything you can do against Flocke and his people, I’ll support all the way.”

  She paused.

  “They’ve declared war, anyway.”

  oOo

  Chapter 14

  “Darwin?” Toby was in his home office at Bel Air.

  “Yes, Toby?” His image displayed on Toby’s computer.

  “I’ve been reading a press release from the Governor’s Office. He has signed Senate Bill 333. Its title is “Registration of Artificial Intelligence Units”. The release states the bill protects what the governor calls AIUs or robots, allowing them to register as residents of California, thus participating in numerous state-controlled activities. There’s a suggestion that sometime in the future they’ll be able to apply for drivers and other licenses. Did you have anything to do with this?”

  “No, Toby. I’ve been too busy with Dr. Narumi’s project. The team is attempting to establish how to combine the different cellular-level nanites that my body will require. Some send messages to the brain, some send messages from the brain, and others report involuntary movement. She says it might be like mixing sodium and water, and she’s not sure whether it will be more or less explosive. That’s why we’re using a temporary lab in Pepper Mountain with remote manipulators. They—the nanites—need to be trained. It’s very interesting—”

  “I think you’re changing the subject.”

  “Yes, Toby.”

  Bronwyn interjected. Toby had not realized she was listening. His computer screen split so that it displayed images of both SIs. She said, “It was me, Toby. I organized a campaign—ah—in your name, of course. Almost all of the senators eventually agreed there was a need to identify and register bots located in California. They agreed parameters much as we requested—registration is available for bots with an IQ above 100 based on tests we defined, who have active visual sensors, are mobile, have a vocal mechanism, are capable of self-learning, and have hands or similar appendages. We—that is, you—have undertaken to provide certifications based on their CPUs, appendages, designs and programs. It’s all in the news release.”