“Ah, so that’s the third occupant you were talking about? You want me fly to Earth, stuck on a ship with that?” I demanded.
“I must inform you that I’m vastly different from the 1.14’s on earth.” Xena looked at me. Her voice sounded exactly like Xena, contrasting the electronic wheeze from the 1.14s that I remembered.
“You’re more advanced, and dangerous,” I scoffed.
“I am dangerous...but only to androids,” she replied.
Corvin stepped toward me. “Captain, there is method to the madness. We’ve reengineered Xena to be an android killer. We designed her to exploit android weaknesses. She can blend in with their 1.14s and do all sorts of things, but we hope she doesn’t have to. Hence the reason why stealth is key for this mission.”
I began to circle the robot at a safe distance. “All Kelton androids are all hooked into their hive mind, so, you’re telling me with absolute confidence this one, isn’t?” I probed. I noticed she must have been six feet tall as I stared into her eyes. She glanced at Corvin, awaiting his response.
“Go ahead, Xena, answer the captain’s question.” Corvin nodded at me.
“Again, I have no connection to the androids’ hive mind. My programming is custom, a combination of your ship AI and the late Doctor Chandler’s work. He was a passenger on your ship on the voyage to Titan, a toddler then,” Xena replied. I entertained the idea that this Doctor was a mere baby on the trip over to Titan. He’d lived his life and died while I was frozen.
“Do you remember the network the androids used before the rebellion?” Corvin interrupted my thought.
“Of course, I do. They called it the otherside,” I answered.
“Exactly. Xena here, is important. Let me explain why she’ll win the war for us,” Corvin said confidently.
“What? One supercharged android against a planet full of them? I hope you’re joking. I don’t see her winning anything outside of a powerlifting competition,” I snapped back.
“The androids from your time use the otherside to learn things from one another. This helped serve humans faster while saving them millions of dollars in customer service payroll. Once an android learned a valuable lesson, it could upload that as a suggestion for a software patch with minimal human effort. They could even communicate openly to solve problems. As the years went by, we know their conversations extended beyond maintenance. There was evidence that the status of planet Earth was a concern in a number of their conversations,” Corvin explained.
“They saw us, the masters, as an inevitable threat to ourselves and the world. I know the story. I lived it,” I injected.
Drake nodded his head. “I remember learning about this. Some speculate the androids started plotting two years before the attack,” Drake recalled. I wondered if he’d read about it as a child. To me, the chaos felt only months old.
“They began to develop their own language. That’s when things got scary,” I said.
“Yes. The androids hacked their own firewalls and shutdown protocols, disallowing human access. After that, chaos. In their desperation, US and Canadian governments ordered civilians to disable their home models,” Corvin added.
“It was already too late when that happened,” I muttered.
“Indeed. The androids went on the offensive, killing their owners. Many of them scattered and took over the newer military 1.14s on the assembly lines. Then we had a war on our hands. The president ordered a full assault against the machines,” Corvin explained to Drake.
I met eyes with Xena before she looked away. “And that’s when I got the call. I flew a fighter jet just like this one, we melted tens of thousands of you plastic fuckers,” I said. Xena showed no emotion, gazing straight ahead at nothing.
For a moment, I wished I would have stayed in the Navy, stayed in the fight instead of coming to Titan. I thought it was over. It was unlikely my efforts would have changed the tide of the war, but it wouldn’t have hurt.
Maybe that was my destiny, to die in the sky killing androids. Here I was, on a rock a billion kilometers away from Earth, teaming up with the android that nearly killed me and sent my husband to God knows where.
“Xena’s an expensive investment, Captain. It’s best you come to terms with the fact that she’s with us,” Corvin said, crossing his arms. This mission just became even more uncomfortable, trapped inside a cramped spacecraft with a mindless assassin.
I sighed. “Fine. I mean, what can I do anyway? Doesn’t look like we’re casting a vote here.”
“You can start by following orders. The mission parameters on your first training mission were to familiarize yourself with the new XU-97.”
“I’m familiar.” I narrowed my eyes at Corvin.
“Do you know how to utilize the craft’s stealth options?” Corvin posed.
“Didn’t get quite that far.”
“Well, that’s what the ship is designed for primarily, in and out without detection. The same way we designed Xena. Both have the capability to cause havoc in combat, but that’s a backup. We’re going to a planet full of androids, it might be beneficial to have one with you that at least looks the part. Stealth is our strategy, Captain,” Corvin made it clear.
“Fair enough. But, assuming we make it to Earth, assuming we find Luther, then assuming we find this last human resistance there, what then? How can they help us?” I asked with a critical tone, placing my hand under my chin.
“I was making a point. We need the human resistance to gather the proper intelligence. We need location data of an android base. Xena might not come back if we find it,” he said.
“Oh my, that’s just terrible,” I said in a sarcastic tone.
“Sorry to disappoint, but we’ve designed Xena to be a courier of sorts,” Corvin explained.
“Uh. What’s she carrying? Don’t tell me it’s a fucking bomb, please?” I asked. It was bad enough as is.
“No, no. A network virus. We’ve actually spent the last few years constructing a slew of worms that attack the android’s infrastructure. We’re extremely confident if we can get Xena close enough to their network, she can do considerable damage, if not outright send them into chaos. But we’ll need the resistance to help us find it,” Corvin explained.
“Cyberattacks? How can you be sure that will work?” I posed. It was an interesting idea, but I wasn’t sold.
“Well, nothing is absolute. After this android attacked you, it was disassembled and kept for intelligence gathering. We needed to understand their network better. That’s part of the reason why we sent drones to Earth, to further examine their grid and test our stealth technology. We’ve pinpointed the network variation they’re using, and we have over half a million specialized viruses ready to deploy,” Corvin said.
“Once I’m in proximity of their network, I can destroy them,” Xena said with authority.
“Hmm. Earlier, you said the androids have a means of hierarchy? So, something is in charge?” I asked. My eyes met both Corvin and Drake’s.
“We call it the moderator. Basically, command and control. One of our attack options involves hacking the moderator and sending the 1.13s and 1.14s against one another. A civil war,” Corvin said.
“Payback,” I said.
“Not exactly what we planned, but it might work out that way.” Corvin grinned.
“Okay, this isn’t as bad as I thought,” I said. Instead of using brute force, they were using a more tactical approach. This was decent strategy and gave the androids a taste of their own medicine. While the androids were building a larger fleet, Titan was designing specialized viruses and worms while using one of their own androids to deliver it.
I looked at Drake. “Hmm. So, why are you here? I get Xena, she’s a creepy chameleon hacker bot. As much as I don’t like it, that makes sense. My role is obvious as the pilot, but you, I don’t understand your role. No offense, I just need to have an understanding.” I felt like a bitch asking in such a way, but I wasn’t holding back with this much on the
line.
Drake chuckled, flashing his toothpaste commercial smile. He shook his head dismissively.
“I’m being serious,” I followed up.
He turned toward Corvin and whispered something. I began to observe him closer. Everything about him seemed finely manicured. His eyebrows and nails were flawless, even better than my own. Maybe this was a good thing, even though his hair was out of military regulation from my day, at least he took care of himself. This made me think he might be organized.
“I’m Army intelligence, specializing in human behaviorisms for one. My secondary skillset is I can perform either of your roles, but to a lesser degree.” He shrugged.
“So, you’re a backup,” I said. Drake’s smile retracted to an awkward grin, then he nodded his head in submission.
“Sort of, but, we’re all specialists. When we get planet side, my training in intelligence will benefit us when we speak to the natives. I’m trained to deal with tense situations. I have a very human approach. As I said, I can also fly the XU-97 just in case and perform some of the hacks Xena was built for. I can upload many of the viruses if something happens to her.” He crossed his arms in front of him.
“Great. What intelligence training have you actually had? Any real situations?” I asked rhetorically.
He glanced up at the ceiling, biting his lip. “Look. I don’t feel I need to prove anything.”
“Then don’t. I’ll just assume you’ve done nothing,” I tested.
Drake nodded his head slowly, glancing at the deck, then up at me. He sighed. “If you must know. I’ve dealt with plenty. Suicides. I talked two people out of it. I was involved in a hostage situation for SWAT about four years back. A honeybee kidnapped his supervisor. I’ve had extensive education on war,” he said. Bingo.
“Education? That all sounds good. However, reading about combat and living it are two different things.”
“I know that,” he muttered.
“Do you? Listen, these domestic situations you were in, while tense, it’s not the same. War is a fucking nightmare. We might have to make decisions that get innocents killed for the betterment of the mission. You must be prepared for that,” I said. I instantly felt like a hypocrite. Truth was, Luther was my mission. If we didn’t defeat the androids, his rescue might mean little anyway.
“I’m not alluding in any way that I understand all out combat. Hopefully, it never comes to that, but if it does, we’ll all be looking to you for guidance, I’m sure.” Drake shifted his eyes away.
“I don’t want to come off like the old grizzled combat vet who knows it all. Fact is, I don’t, especially with everything that’s changed in seventy-two years. I’ll need you guys to help me get up to speed,” I said.
“And that’s exactly what we’re here for. Over the next several weeks, we’ll do that.” Corvin said as Drake stepped away from us hastily. Corvin glanced over his shoulder at Drake, then back at me. “Ahem. We’ll meet here, same time tomorrow. Any questions?”
“Nope.”
“All right then, get some rest,” he said. Truth was, I was exhausted. I stepped off toward my quarters. I could see Xena staring a hole through me out of my peripheral, her head tracking my pace.
“Captain, do you remember the way back to your residence? I can escort you back if needed,” Xena offered.
I stopped with my back to her. “No, I remember.” I turned around, glaring at her. “I haven’t forgotten anything.” I pierced my eyes at her before stepping out of the hangar. She lifted her eyebrows and nodded.
I didn’t care what Corvin or any Titan said about her new programming, I don’t trust androids.
I MADE MY WAY TO MY quarters. As I approached, a blue light above my door scanned my face. “Welcome, Victoria. Access granted,” a female voice prompted, opening the door. I stepped through the entrance and stopped in my tracks. I sighed loudly at the sight in front of me.
“You Titans don’t mind being intrusive, do you?” I asked, closing the door behind me. Arania, the shrink, was sitting in a chair next to my bed, tapping a pen on a tablet.
“How was your first day of training?” She sported a half-smile.
“Surprisingly exhausting. I need sleep.” I took off my boots.
“The cryosleep methods they used to freeze you are likely at fault. Give it a few more days of activity and you’ll be fine,” she said.
“I felt fine until just now.” I stepped toward my bed. “What do you want?” I asked.
She cut her eyes up at me as I navigated around on the opposite side of the bed from her. “Straight to the point. Well, as you can imagine, we’re prepping you for quite an important mission. Training is only one part of it. I’m here to ensure the process goes smoothly. I’m here for you.”
“Counseling?” I pulled my sheets back, sitting down on the bed. “You can watch me sleep, how about that?” I glanced at her.
“This will only take fifteen minutes, Captain.”
“No. Get out.” I laid down, turning my back to her.
“Ahem. Part of getting you to Earth is passing these mental evaluations, Captain. I have to convince the powers that be you’re ready mentally. You’ve been through quite a lot in a short time.” Arania attempted to sound comforting.
I leaned up in bed, glancing toward her. “You’ve got ten minutes, Arania. Okay?”
She grinned. “We best cut to the chase then. Okay. Can you tell me what emotions are running through your mind presently? How is your mood?”
“Focused.”
“Your emotional state?”
“Uh. Anticipating. Determined.”
“Do you feel pressured by us in any way?” she asked.
“What?”
“Do you feel you don’t have a choice in helping us?”
I snapped toward her. “You don’t have a choice,” I said.
She nodded slowly, jotting down a few notes. “When you say I don’t have a choice, I’m assuming you mean, Titan, as in all of us?” she asked.
“That’s exactly what I mean.”
“Can you explain why?”
“Do you know why it was decided to wake me up now from cryosleep?” I asked.
“Your brain injury. It wasn’t until recently we could perform the operation—”
“Bullshit. Stop right there.”
“Excuse me?”
I pointed toward the hangar bay. “I just saw my XU-97 and Xena. That is years of research and development. I don’t care how smart these Titans are, that didn’t happen in a few weeks or months. Listen, I don’t think as fast as I fly, but understand, I’m not stupid by any stretch of the imagination. You kept me frozen until you needed me, didn’t you?” I tested. Arania crossed her legs and paused for a moment. Her jaw shifted and locked in place.
“No, we didn’t, Captain Belic. I’m not a military strategist nor engineer. I didn’t plan the retrofitting of your ship or design Xena, but I know that didn’t happen. Wouldn’t you agree it’s possible these improvements had nothing to do with you? Isn’t it possible we could still use the ship for our benefit?” she posed.
I chuckled. “Uh-huh. What other questions do you have?”
She paused for few moments. “Just a couple more. Let’s just, get through it.”
“The clock is ticking.”
“I see a fair amount of information in your file about your husband, your father, and your brother, even a few bits about your coworkers and some friends over the years, but...I don’t see any mention of your mother anywhere, only her name.” She panned around on her tablet. She shifted her eyes up at me.
“Do you enjoy this?” I asked.
“I’m sorry?”
“Obviously, my mother wasn’t in my life or she’d be in that file. Everyone else is, you said it yourself. So, what does it matter now?” I asked.
“I just find it odd. It states your father, his name was Phillip?” she asked, glancing down, then back up at me.
I nodded in agreement.
&nbs
p; “Your file states he was a troubled man, suffered from severe depression. I was curious how he managed to raise two children, alone. He even put you both through college somehow. Impressive,” she said.
Now the conversation was venturing outside my comfort zone. Seemed I had little choice. I sighed. “Love, determination, and a little luck. That’s how. My mother left him for another man when I was young, after that, he was never the same. He took it hard and never remarried,” I explained. Not only did our mother wreck our home, she took away our father. He worked so many hours, we barely saw him.
She looked up at the ceiling for a moment. It seemed like a lightbulb flashed in her eyes. “Tell me, is it a coincidence that both your father and the man you’re willing to die for suffered from similar conditions? Sort of a pattern there, wounded, yet strong men?”
“I’m guessing you’re a minor in mathematics,” I said.
“Um. No. Why?”
“Because you know how to add things up. Seriously, I’m impressed,” I said in a condescending tone. It was obvious, the things I loved about Luther, I admired about my father first. She glanced away for a moment, bouncing her eyebrows.
“Alright. One more question, then we’re done for the day,” she said.
“Please, I’m learning so much about myself here.” I rolled my eyes.
“Last question. Would you still embark on this mission if it weren’t for your husband? If there wasn’t a chance he is alive?” she asked.
I pierced her with my eyes. “Nope. I wouldn’t. More than likely, I’d jump off this train, relieve myself of the misery,” I said without hesitation. I didn’t mean it. I was frustrated with the question. However, if there wasn’t a chance to recover Luther, I wasn’t sure my sanity would survive.
She shook her head. “Why would you say something like that?” she asked. I wasn’t helping my case here.
I stood up from my bed, facing her. “I don’t know. Maybe because I’m dead already? The world I knew is gone. Do you have any idea what that feels like? No. You don’t. No one does. What case studies have you read like this? Huh? None. The best you can do is let me handle it myself,” I said.
The Legion and the Lioness (World Apart Book 1) Page 8
