by L T Anderson
“Dion.”
The bullet from Raymond’s 9mm slammed into Krystal’s form-fitting helmet, ricocheted up into the I-beam rafters and clinked off the steel ceiling before falling to the floor at Pops’s feet.
Krystal spun toward Raymond, simultaneously rotating both rifles vertically around her back. She stopped the movement on the upswing, both barrels pointed at Raymond’s chest, her fingers resting on the triggers.
Pops glared at Raymond. “I oughta shove that pistol up your ass.”
Winter glanced at Ryker. He held both hands out, palms down. Be cool, he mouthed.
Jasper and Lace slid slowly off the workbench.
Dion stepped between Jimbo and Raymond. “Put it away, Ray,” he said. “Now.”
“Dion, we got a man down in the field out there,” Pops said. “Krystal says he’s alive.”
“Where abouts?” Dion said.
“About two hundred yards northeast from the walk-through,” Krystal said. “Right next to Zane’s vehicle.”
Ryker’s eyes widened. “It’s not Zane, is it?”
“No. I talked to the guy. I don’t know him.”
Dion looked at Jasper.
“I’m on it,” Jasper said. He grabbed his leather jacket from the vise on the workbench. “I’ll need some help, Lace.”
“Good idea,” Dion said. “Take whoever you need from the compound and get that guy back here. On your way out, tell Margot to form a search team. We need to scour the battlefield for survivors.” He looked at Krystal. “Now that it’s safe to go out there.”
Raymond stepped aside as Jasper and Lace headed for the door. Jasper held the door for Lace and turned back to Dion. “For the record, don’t hold the meeting for me and Lace.” He glanced at Krystal, then Raymond. “We both vote to let her back in with us.”
Chapter 6
The Appointment
Two hours after Levi lifted the high-security alert, citizens of the Underground had resumed most of their normal activities. Maintenance technicians busied themselves placing new electronic signs and billboards throughout the City, announcing the leadership’s newest initiative. Strategy from the Changers’ governmental marketing arm dictated the advertising go up before the official announcement. Building curiosity and excitement was key to Levi’s plan to obtain universal buy-in from the Changers’ population.
The technicians worked in groups of four to eight, as determined by the size of the sign. In the main thoroughfare on Level One, a small group of Changers stood watching the construction of a large electronic billboard. A safety buffer of bright orange stanchions and warning tape gave the eight technicians room to work unmolested by lookie-loos. The billboard depicted a well-dressed young couple in their early twenties standing next to a late-model electric sports car. The background of the picture changed continuously from city to country to poolside.
A young woman hung on the arm of her boyfriend. “Wow,” she said, pointing at the sign. “If those are Chybrids, they sure look different.”
“Yeah,” the boyfriend replied. “They look absolutely human.”
Three teenage girls crowded in to the front of the group. “That guy’s hot. Look at those ripples.”
“Not like your boyfriend couldn’t change to make himself look that way,” her friend said. Then she giggled. “If you had a boyfriend!”
“This is a far cry from the beasts that destroyed the Punks,” a woman at the back of the crowd said.
“From what I heard, the Punks weren’t destroyed,” a man replied.
The woman looked down her nose at the man. “Our leadership knows what they’re doing. Destroyed doesn’t have to mean disappeared. The Punks are out of commission. That’s all that matters.”
“Hey lady,” the boyfriend said. “If you’re so smart, what’s SOUL stand for?”
“Yeah,” his girlfriend agreed. “What’s a SOUL Chybrid?”
The woman turned to leave. “You’ll find out soon enough, kids. Have fun drooling on the sign. For me, I can’t wait to see the real thing.”
Two stainless-steel doors swished quietly closed behind Levi when he reentered the main executive conference room in the Underground. “Greetings again, everyone. My apologies for being fashionably late.” He sat down and poured water from a pitcher into his monogrammed wineglass. “But it’s better you wait on me than vice versa. I trust you all enjoyed the brunch served by our master chefs.”
The Changers’ department heads occupied twelve seats around the shiny black table. Silver Long was noticeably absent. Levi smiled broadly and addressed the attendees. “As all of you should know by now, our lopsided treaty with the Punks has come to an end. The Chybrid project was successful in destroying the Punks’ mighty military machine, thus humiliating the Punks emotionally and spiritually. Their days are numbered, and they have nothing in their arsenal with which to retaliate. They are down, and now is the time to kick them.”
A mild applause from the group accompanied smiles and nods. Levi held up a hand, both to accept the credit and squelch the clatter.
“Before we discuss our next phase of dominance and independence, I’m sure some of you have noticed we have some new faces here. Allow me to make some introductions.” Levi motioned to his right. “Here is a face to which you will all become accustomed. She is the new head of security and will assume the role of my right-hand person. I want to be clear, she and her two assistants have my utmost trust and confidence. Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you, Angelica DeMone.”
Angelica pushed her chair back and stood to address the Changers. Her presence was commanding. Shoulder-length dark brown hair complemented her black formfitting pantsuit, while her ebony eyes displayed a friendly sparkle.
She smiled. “Leader, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for the warm welcome. As the new security chief, I am here to guarantee you will not witness the same disgraceful performance from this department to which our people were subjected under the previous management. As you might imagine, necessity dictates changes, not only within this department, but in all departments. I will address these changes with some of you individually. Others I will discuss in this meeting.” She glanced at Levi. “Thank you, sir.”
“Thank you, Ms. DeMone,” Levi said as Angelica took her seat. “Seated next to Ms. DeMone are two of her most trusted aides, whom I will introduce shortly. Additionally, as you no doubt have observed, we have another new member of our team. Outside of Ms. DeMone and myself, this person is not familiar to anyone here. Because Dr. Felix Yaz has become unreliable—” Levi held up a finger. “Let me rephrase. Because Dr. Felix Yaz has become a liability, we have found it necessary to replace him.”
A thick fog of silence engulfed the room. Department heads and military leaders exchanged glances but avoided locking eyes with anyone in the room. The silence settled over the table and pressed down on the attendees like a migraine. Felix had been highly regarded as a modern day Einstein. Each person in the room felt the weight of the statement. If Felix was out, anyone was expendable.
Levi raised an eyebrow. “I can see I have struck a nerve. At this time, I am beyond explaining my decisions. This is a new chapter, a new beginning for the Changers. It is a new world, my friends. You will either join us, or be left behind.”
He stood and turned to his left. “With that, please indulge me to introduce the new Minister of Research and Development, Dr. Xander Rasmus.”
Angelica joined Levi in starting the applause for Dr. Rasmus. The others around the table nodded and clapped dutifully.
Levi motioned to the doctor’s left. “Dr. Rasmus has added two members to his elite scientific research and development staff.”
Dr. Rasmus stood and placed his hands behind his back. His custom-fit dark blue three-piece suit was the antithesis of the bedraggled khakis and lab coat worn by Dr. Felix Yaz. His black slicked-back hair reflected the ceiling lights and clung to his skull like a formfitting cap. He scanned t
he attendees, nodded twice, and sat back down.
Levi smiled broadly and glanced at Angelica. “Let’s get down to business, shall we?”
“Yes, let’s.” Angelica glanced at an electronic tablet in front of her. “Before we address the top security plans, I’d like to announce a few minor personnel changes.” She looked up. “Ivan Duncan and Marvellus Macey?”
Ivan and Marvellus raised their hands.
“You two are out.”
The two distinguished scientists exchanged glances. “But—” Ivan began.
Marvellus appealed to Levi. “Leader, you approved this?”
Levi leaned forward. “I believe everyone in the room heard the same three words I did from Ms. DeMone. You. Are. Out.”
Angelica stared emotionless at the two. The sparkle in her eyes was gone. “Security, please remove these men from the room.”
Levi sat back and clasped his hands behind his head.
The two security guards at the conference room door swiftly moved behind Ivan and Marvellus.
“All right!” Ivan said, standing.
The two moved toward the exit, and the doors swished open. Marvellus stepped into the war room outside.
Ivan stopped at the door and pivoted to face Levi, Angelica and Dr. Rasmus. Involved in quiet conversation, none of the three watched Ivan and Marvellus. Ivan turned and stepped across the threshold, and the doors closed quietly behind him.
Levi rubbed his hands together and smiled as he looked around the conference table. “I must say I am pleased and enthusiastic about our new team. We have assembled the new best of the best. Welcome, all of you, to the circle of the most elite team in the history of our organization. We are on the cusp of something most special.” He sipped his water, just enough to wet his lips. “Now, are there any questions before we get started?”
“There’s an empty chair,” Xander said, motioning across the table.
Levi’s smile faded ever so slightly. “Yes, that is for Mr. John Logan. I’m so very anxious for our new team to come together. Mr. Logan is our top field commander. My understanding is he is on his way back from Tremayne as we speak.”
“And his role is?” Xander asked.
“Commander Logan has just completed a successful six-month mission as a spy for our organization. He infiltrated the Punks, evaded their identification system and led a successful demoralization campaign. He faced extreme odds and performed in an exemplary manner for the Changers. He has been inside the city of Tremayne for the last forty-eight hours and should be with us shortly.”
Dr. Rasmus remained emotionless. “And his role for this campaign is?”
Levi held up his hand. “It would not be appropriate to discuss in detail an absent team member’s assignment at this time. I will brief you all on his role momentarily, Doctor.” He looked around the table. “Are there any other questions before we begin?”
Without a word, everyone looked at Levi.
“All right, then,” he said, clapping his hands together once. “I must commend the artist who devised the images for the new billboards around the city. I noticed on my way to this meeting that our corporate marketing team has worked overtime to complete the new campaign.”
The head of marketing smiled and nodded. “Thank you, sir. And yes, we have worked overtime. At no additional expense to the organization, of course,” he added.
“Well, the images are splendid,” Levi said. He turned to Dr. Rasmus. “Are the images an accurate depiction of the new SOUL Chybrids?”
“They are not an artist’s rendition. They are actual photos of the new SOUL Chybrids,” Xander said.
“Even better,” Levi said. “And they are currently disposed to our target location, correct, Doctor?”
Xander made a weak attempt to hide his elation. “At this time they have been deployed to the City of Tremayne, sir.”
“Excellent.” Levi folded his hands and placed them on the table. “Team, unbeknown to Dr. Felix Yaz, the defector, I enlisted the services of Dr. Rasmus to improve upon our Chybrids. The new SOUL Chybrid is an exact replica of human perfection. There is not a flaw, a blemish, a hair or pore out of place on this magnificent AI specimen.”
“What’s the purpose of this, Leader?” a uniformed officer asked. “And what does the SOUL part mean?”
“I’m glad you asked. First, let me give credit where credit is due.” Levi gestured toward Xander. “The development of the new SOUL Chybrid has been expertly guided by our own Dr. Rasmus from the project’s inception.”
Xander nodded once to the group.
“First of all, Mr. Logan will be intimately involved with the SOUL Chybrid program and its deployment. We will discuss timing and strategy when he arrives. Secondly, the prefix has been attached for two very specific reasons. SOUL Chybrid serves to distinguish the new breed from the previous. The label ‘SOUL’ is an acronym, which stands for Specter of Ultimate Life. There is much to be gained from a proper name, team. When the effect of the SOUL Chybrid is realized in the city of Tremayne, I expect the very sound will strike fear into the hearts of the Punks. The SOUL Chybrid marks the beginning of the end for the Punks, and the birth of the Changers’ global breeding farms.”
Chapter 7
About Felix
Dr. Felix Yaz tapped a small control panel on top of the sleek black desk in his private library. A six-inch-tall holographic image of Silver Long appeared on the desktop. He tapped another key on the panel to answer the call. “Greetings, Ms. Long.”
“Yaz, where are you? My locator can’t get a lock.”
“I’m comfy and cozy in a safe place,” Felix said. “Who wants to know?”
“I do. Did you know Levi demoted me?”
Felix reclined in his plush office chair and placed his hands in his lap. He raised an eyebrow. “And you imagine I would know such a thing? I myself am now in our leader’s outer circle, so to speak.”
The hologram of Silver paced back and forth within the confines of the display. “So what are we going to do?” she asked, stopping momentarily.
“I wasn’t aware there was a we between you and me,” Felix said.
Silver turned to face the doctor. “There has to be. Levi’s bringing in others to take our places. There’s strength in numbers. We need to team up, starting with you and me.”
“That’s an interesting proposition, Ms. Long. I have done well all these years as a team of one.” He interlocked his fingers behind his head and closed his eyes. “What might you bring to this new team?”
“Do I really have to answer that?” Silver asked. “You know I have intimate knowledge of this entire organization.”
“As do I,” Felix said, his eyes still closed.
“Dammit, Yaz! No one, not even you, knows Levi like I do. We’d make a great team.”
Felix took a deep breath and exhaled. “Hmm. You haven’t convinced me.”
“Look, Doctor. That, that…wench he brought in to replace me must be stopped. Did you know the first thing she did was fire Duncan and Macey?”
Felix’s eyes shot open. He stared at the ceiling.
Silver pointed at Felix. “Ha! You didn’t know that, did you?”
A soft female voice sounded on a ceiling speaker in Felix’s library. “Security Team One, the subject has been located on the seventh level, sector one. Coordinates have been dispatched to your mobiles. Please respond immediately.”
“I heard that,” Silver said. “You are the subject, Doctor. You’d best move.”
“I’m not there, Long. As always, you underestimate me.”
“Where the hell are you, Yaz?”
“That isn’t information I’m inclined to provide you.” Felix sat forward. “Tell me more about the disposition of Duncan and Macey.”
Silver chuckled. “Oh, no. This is a two-way street. You want anything from me, you meet me someplace where we can talk in person.”
“I am somewhat concerned r
egarding the fate of Ivan and Marvellus. Is your tracking circuit still active?” Felix asked.
“Of course it is.”
“We can’t meet unless you disable it.”
“How the hell am I supposed to do that? Dig it out of my neck with a steak knife?”
Felix swiveled in his chair and opened a large drawer in a cabinet behind him. “I have a device that will facilitate the disabling of the GPS circuit in your chip.”
“So how do I get it if you don’t tell me where you are?”
“I’m going to leave it someplace in the city where it will be accessible to you. Then I’ll message your cell with the location.”
Silver threw her arms up. “Fine, Yaz. And how do I use it?”
“I’ll set the parameters. You will need to take the device and press it against your neck where your chip was implanted. When the device is firmly in place, press the power button.”
Silver smiled. “Seriously? That’s it?”
Felix held up a finger. “Sounds simple, but it will be mildly uncomfortable when the device powers on.”
“Fine. Just do it, then message me. And do it fast.”
“Goodbye, Ms. Long.”
“But—”
Felix pressed the disconnect on the holophone.
Ivan and Marvellus sat at a table in the center of the Executive Dining Room on Level Seven. A black-tuxedoed waiter wiped the small round electric-blue tabletop.
“Have you decided?” the waiter asked as he tucked the cleaning cloth into a back pocket.
“I’ll have the usual,” Ivan said, looking at Marvellus.
“Me, too.”
The waiter bowed, hands behind his back. “I’m sorry, gentlemen. “The ‘usuals’ are reserved in the database for senior personnel. We have been informed you are no longer ranked as seniors. Your information has been wiped from our database.”
The two exchanged glances. “Okay, then,” Ivan said. “I’ll have a chicken Caesar salad—heavy on the dressing—one slice of garlic bread and ice water.”
Marvellus shook his head slowly and refused to look at the waiter. “Give me the personal-size veggie pizza, a side salad with ranch and a diet soda.”
