Willis commented, “That sounds great to me. It gives us some time to make a battle plan. Go get the truck Carl.”
Tommy watched him walk up to the truck and said, “I believe him he wants to be one our side.”
Willis and I both agreed. It was a good thing I didn’t kill him. I kind of like this little nerd.
We heard the truck engine start and saw the head lights come on lighting up the dark rainy night. We stood on the side of the road just under the bridge as Carl pulled up and stopped next to us. As we jumped inside of the truck cab we were shocked to see another man inside driving and Carl was sitting next to him.
Willis pointing his gun at the man’s head asked Carl, “Who the hell is this?”
“He’s ok Willis, please put down your gun. This is my technical aid and driver. His name is Dr. Alvin Sinclair.” Alvin gunned the motor and the big truck leaped forward throwing us all off balance into the back of the cab.
Willis commented, “You didn’t tell us there would be another man.”
“No I didn’t because you guys would want to ask him a lot of questions and we need to get out of here before daylight. Alvin and I have been friends for twenty years. I trust him with my life and so should you. He helped me develop the Units. He does all the actual work … nut and bolt turning and so forth and I am the brains.”
I told both of them, “You guys need to earn trust. Go down 75 until the first U turn. Turn around and go back to the 275 and get on ramp to St. Petersburg.”
Alvin replied, “Yes Sir, that is what I was going to do.”
Alvin was a little skinny bald headed nerd who had on big thick glasses. He was probably 120 pounds soak and wet. He had on the same nice black uniform. He just looked like a sneaky little freak with his long hooked nose and big ears. I wasn’t happy we had another robot nerd with us. It made me uneasy and I have a feeling their background checks will prove them both to be socialists or communists.
Dr. Alvin drove the semi up to the Ranger check point and I told him to stop 50 feet away. It was just turning daylight as Willis and I got out telling the Rangers what we were doing. We advised them that there were 100 BOTs about 5 miles away that had been disabled. Willis advised them to obtain some extra rockets and have a Bradley brought up to the check point for extra security.
We drove away going over the Skyway Bridge and I got on the speaker cell phone to Captain Sessions, “Captain we captured a truck load of ten BOTs and two guys’ who invented them. We’re headed back to Tocabaga now and we’ll be there in 30 minutes. It’s been one hell of a night.”
“Good work Jack, I don’t know how the heck you managed to do that but bring the truck directly to the Fort and park near the Helo area. I’ll be waiting there with a security team.
“Ron told us you were in trouble and we were going to send a rescue team after you today. Who are the two men you captured?”
“The head honcho is Dr. Carl Urban and the other is Dr. Alvin Sinclair, his assistant.
“Captain how are Smith and Tony doing?”
“We sent them to the clinic at SOCOM. They are going to be ok but out of action for a few months.”
Willis spoke up, “Some bad news Captain SFC Dale is KIA. We’ll have to go back and retrieve his body.”
“Sergeant Major I am sorry to hear that. I know he was a good friend of yours. No man gets left behind. We will retrieve his body.”
“Roger that Captain, see you soon.”
We approached the Tocabaga Bridge and stopped next to the Iron Maiden where Captain Riley was standing. She walked over as I jumped out of the truck and said, “Sessions told me you would be coming in a truck of some kind, but this is a big ass truck. What the hell do you have inside Jack?”
“We have a truck load of BOTs and the two men who invented the dam things. Captain Sessions is expecting us.”
“Ok you better get going and tell Sessions I’ll be waiting for him when he gets off duty.”
I climbed back up the ladder into the truck and Alvin commented, “You have some major security here with two Bradleys and one Abrams tank. The RCCD Units don’t stand much of a chance against them in a battle.”
“That’s good to know because we were a little worried if we had enough fire power to knock out the robots. Keep driving straight down this road,” I told him.
Carl answered, “The tanks have more than enough fire power. I told the FPF the Units were meant for police work not combat with the army.”
As we drove into downtown Tocabaga everyone was looking at the big black truck that had the words “Federal Police Force” painted on the side of the trailer. Tommy told Alvin, “Stop here and let me out. Dad I‘ll meet you here later, right now I need a drink, shower, and some rest.”
“Ok Tommy see you later, have a shot of JD for me.”
Tommy jumped out and we continued to Fort Desoto. The security team at the next bridge just waved us pass. As we pulled up to the Helo area Captain Sessions was standing there with 10 Rangers.
I told Alvin and Carl, “Ok guys we’re here, welcome to Fort Desoto everyone out.” We climbed out of the truck and Sessions came walking over with his security detail.
“This is the commanding officer Captain Sessions. Captain Sessions this is Dr. Carl Urban the BOT inventor and Dr. Alvin Sinclair his assistant.”
Sessions didn’t even shake hands but said, “You are both under arrest by order of General Harper, Commander of SOCOM, for acts of treason and conspiracy to over throw the US Constitution.”
Carl yelled, “What do you mean under arrest? We’re on your side now,” as the Rangers grabbed their arms.
“See I told you they would arrest us,” commented Alvin.
Leaning in close to Sessions I whispered, “Captain I think we should have Dr. Urban show us around the inside of the trailer. He has ten robots inside and some other secret equipment. He claims he wants to help us and more or less came along willingly.”
“Ok, guards hold Dr. Sinclair here until we finish checking out this truck. Dr. Urban please show us around inside your trailer.”
We followed Dr. Urban who walked over to the trailer and unlocked the back doors. The inside of the trailer was amazing, it was like a class five clean room, and there were ten Units standing along the walls.
Carl said, “Gentlemen welcome to my home away from home. As you can see here are the ten Units I told you about. They are all disabled at this time. The room in the back is my living quarters. We have various assembly and test equipment which I am sure none of you can understand. Over to the right are five controller stations and each station can control two Units at one time. Please feel free to look around but do not touch anything. I just gave you a gift worth about 50 million dollars.”
I asked, “Dr. Urban where is the Master Kill Switch located and how does it work?” The Master kill switch was my main concern. If we can control the robots we can defeat them with out to much trouble.
“The Master Switch is located in a spot no one would think to look. It is right in front of your eyes but you can’t see it. Anyone want to make a guess where it is?” He walked over to a small speaker sitting on a desk. It was a small computer speaker with a volume control and an on/off button.
Carl looked at us smiling and said, “The blue light shows the speaker is on. The on and off button does not control the speaker, it controls the Units. Look here, the button is clearly in the off position. That means the Units sensors are turned off. The blue light means the Unit sensors are off. If you push the button on then the Units become fully functional and the light goes off. Remember a blue light means sensors are off and no light means the Units are functional. I made it confusing on purpose.
“This is wired to a device that sends out a special UHF (Ultra High Frequency) radio signal from an antenna located on the roof of this trailer. This signal in turn boosts the Units receiver voltage. Putting it simply, inside the Units brain or CPU (Central Processing Unit) is a devise that is a small micro cir
cuit and switch that detects the voltage to all sensors. When a voltage overload is detected it shuts off the power to the sensors.
“Every production RCCD is wired this way. It is my secret safety device. Everyone including Alvin thinks it is a normal system. It would be normal except I can overload the voltage using the radio signal which shuts down the sensors. It only takes an over load of 0.5 volts to turn off the sensors.”
“How come the UHF signal isn’t jammed or blocked like other signals?”
“There is only one frequency that is not jammed by the Units. I designed the system that way.”
“Dr. Urban if we had a powerful transmitter putting out the same UHF signal we would be able to stop the robots anywhere in the USA?”
“In theory Jack that is correct.”
Sessions looked at me and remarked, “Dr. Urban you need to provide us with that frequency so we can stop these Units.”
“I told you, I am on your side and I will do that but first I need something from you.”
Sessions moved closer to Carl, right up to his face and asked, “What do you need Dr. Urban?”
“First of all thank you for asking me. I feel like part of the team, the Ranger team now. Before we discuss what I need I would like to tell you what I could do for you besides giving you the signal frequency. I can teach your men how to operate the Units. I can show them how to repair and fix them. I can do research and development to make new and improved Units, thereby improving the Army.”
“Dr. Urban that sounds very interesting,” remarked Sessions.
“Now as for what I would like, I need your agreement not to arrest Dr. Sinclair or myself for any crimes committed in the past. I request to be the Senior Technical Advisor for the Army. I will lead the R&D and have final say so in any new Unit design.
“I need an annual salary of $500,000 to start. Dr. Sinclair will be my assistant at a salary of $250,000 per year. We require free lodging on Tocabaga and free food. We also require body guards and request Sergeant Major Willis and Jack Gunn be our security team.”
“Well Dr. Urban I need to discuss this with my superiors. I can’t say yes or no at this time. Please give me a few days. While here at Fort Desoto you will have security with you at all times.”
I stated, “Carl you don’t need security on Tocabaga. I can promise you will be totally safe there.”
Sessions advised, “Dr. Urban for today I suggest we put you and Dr. Sinclair in an Officers room for tonight. Maybe tomorrow Jack can find you a nice place on Tocabaga. Today we will bring you lunch and dinner to your room. There will be a security guard posted at your door so if you want to walk around he’ll be with you at all times. How does that sound for now?”
“Ok Captain I am pretty tired and hungry any way. Is there any chance we can have a nice steak for lunch?”
“I’ll try to arrange that for you and Alvin. Now please give me the keys to the truck.” Carl handed over the truck keys without a word. I think he finally realized being a defector is not so easy.
I looked at my watch it was all most noon. I wanted to go home my ass was dragging. I am not as young as Willis or in as good of shape. Going more than one day without sleep takes a toll on your body. I just wanted a drink, shower and some food.
The security guards put the robot boys in separate empty rooms and Sessions, Willis and I went to the Captains office. We told Sessions everything that Carl had told us. We explained how we happened to capture him and Alvin.
Sessions asked me, “Do believe he is on our side?”
“Yes I believe him, but I don’t know about Alvin. We haven’t had a chance to talk to him.”
Sessions suggested, “Why don’t we talk to them separately to check out their stories. You guys take Alvin and I will talk some more to Dr. Urban.”
“Good idea,” replied Willis, to which I also agreed. We went to Alvin’s room and we began to question him. This gave us a way to cross check Carl’s information and find out more about these robot geeks.
The Interrogation of Alvin was recorded as follows.
Question: Who invented the RCCDs?
Answer: Well actually Carl and I both helped to invent the RCCD Units. It was Carl’s idea but I put it all together. I did all the assembly work and wiring. Carl always tries to take all the credit but he’s lost without me.
Question: Why do you want to help us?
Answer: Carl told me I better help him otherwise you were going to kill us. What would you do in my shoes? I had no choice but to agree.
Question: What were the Units originally intended for?
Answer: The Units were intended for police work against criminals, terrorists, and so forth.
Question: What were the Units doing at Ellenton?
Answer: We were told to move the Units to Ellenton for crowd control and illegal possession of weapons. That’s all the FPF told us. They didn’t tell us they were going to kill everyone.
Question: What do you think about the FPF killing all those people?
Answer: I didn’t like it but most of the people carried guns and would not surrender them. Some of them started shooting and then all hell broke out.
Question: What do you think about Executive Order 13603?
Answer: Basically I think it is good to control the population, resources, and eliminate the guns. There are too many guns and that is a big problem. I believe no one has a right to own a gun. Guns kill people.
Question: Do you think the current government lies to the people?
Answer: Yes it does but sometimes lies are necessary to achieve the goals of the state.
Question: What are the goals of the state?
Answer: To have a country where there is true equality. Everyone is the same and everyone makes the same amount of money. As one famous President said “You didn’t make that by yourself, you had help from other people and the government.”
Question: So the government helped you and Carl invent the robots?
Answer: Yes they did in a way. The government provided the funds necessary for our research.
Question: How does the card work?
Answer: The card sends a signal telling the Units you are a friend. The Units have a slot in the back and if you swipe the card the Unit becomes deactivated.
Question: Tell us about signal jamming?
Answer: The Units can jam radio and cell phone communications.
Question: Where are the Masters located?
Answer: The Master Controllers are located somewhere in Washington DC.
Question: How many Units are there at Ellenton?
Answer: There are a total of 300 Units stationed there.
Question: Is there any type of kill switch other than the card?
Answer: As far as I know there is no other device to deactivate the Units.
Question: Do you believe in the US Constitution and Bill of Rights?
Answer: That document is so out dated it bores me. We need to write a new Constitution that reflects the modern times we live in.
Question: Is it all right for the law makers to pass laws that apply to us but they are exempt from the same laws?
Answer: Yes it is all right because they are the ruling party. If you want to be in the ruling party and have privileges then you need to run for office of some kind. Those in power deserve some type of extra compensation.
Questions: Why were you and Dr. Urban at Ellenton?
Answer: Ellenton was the first real field test. We needed to be there to see how the Units performed before the first major offensive action. Normally we would be back at the Research Laboratory.
Question: What do you mean the first major offensive action?
Answer: The first major offensive action is attacking Tocabaga. You didn’t know that?
Question: Where are the robots being manufactured at?
Answer: They are being produced at the old Dali Art Museum in St. Petersburg.
We left Alvin and went to the Captain’s office. He w
as sitting there waiting for us and asked, “What did you find out from Alvin?”
Willis replied, “We found out two major things. First it appears that Dr. Urban is telling the truth as far as we can tell. Secondly it seems that Dr. Sinclair is a true blood Commie. He does not believe in the US Constitution. I think he’s a real danger to our security.
“Sinclair told us that Tocabaga is the major target of the FPF. Carl also told us that.”
“Jack, do you agree with this assessment?”
“Yes Sir I agree with SGM Willis. Alvin is a real Commie. His thinking cannot be changed. It seems Urban saw the light and Alvin didn’t for some reason.”
Sessions told us, “I asked Urban the same questions as you did and he didn’t change his story. So we can only conclude he is telling the truth. However he is an ego maniac and I think he is dangerous. We will need to watch them both closely.
“Gentlemen if the BOTs are disabled I suggest we attack tomorrow at first light. I’ll have Sergeant Cain send a drone to Ellenton to see if these things are moving around. If he confirms no movement then we will attack. We will leave tomorrow at 06:00 hundred hours. You will both ride with Dr. Urban and Dr. Sinclair.”
I had to ask, “Captain why bring along the robot geeks?”
“They can tell us what equipment we should keep.”
Willis asked Captain Sessions, “Sir if I may ask what is your plan?”
“We will take both Bradleys each one loaded with four TALOS warriors. The TALOS warriors will dismount and follow the BFVs (Bradley Fighting Vehicles) as they move forward eliminating the robots. The warriors will literally tear these BOTs apart. I want their heads ripped off and crushed. I want them made into junk so they cannot be used again.
“There will be four Humvees, each with four men, so that means four heavy machine guns. Willis you will be in command of the Hummers. You will split off and attack the work men and trucks using machine guns and rockets. I want you both to make sure the workers are captured or terminated if they put up resistance. You will take along Urban and Sinclair and ask them what equipment they need to keep. Anything we leave behind is to be destroyed. Is that clear?”
THE TOCABAGA CHRONICLES: (BOX SET - PART I - BOOKS #1-5) Page 30
