Solomon's Arrow

by J. Dalton Jennings

  “I’m positive,” Ogeto lied. The tone of her voice held a hint of confusion, making her sound even more believable.

  No wonder she’s so good at poker, thought Jeremy.

  The acolyte’s eyes lost focus momentarily. “The Lord has contacted the Prime Keeper and informed her of the situation. I am told that she is on her way. You may wait inside her office until her arrival.”

  With a slight hiss, the door slid open. Affecting a casual attitude, Ogeto thanked the acolyte for her help and entered ahead of Jeremy. The instant they were alone, Jeremy’s movements went into overdrive. With Ogeto standing guard at the door, he yanked his SID from his pocket and programmed it to search Morvan Godley’s computer for the most recent files pertaining to Admiral Axelrod. Three files popped up, none of which were encrypted. While downloading, he accessed her medical file and scanned its contents. Much of the file was difficult to understand, except for one treatment, the one he was hoping not to find. During her abdominal surgery, an alternate procedure was performed. The admiral’s brain had received a complete neurological scan, after which a computer program conditioned it to accept implanted suggestions. Dr. Levin was right: the admiral had been brainwashed.

  An auxiliary file relating to the conditioning process was attached to the surgical section. Jeremy tried to open it, but the file was encrypted. Cursing softly, he closed the entire medical file and sent it directly to Floyd Sullivant. He’d barely finished slipping his SID into his pocket when the Prime Keeper entered the room. She wore a transparent blue shift that barely covered her tall, stick-thin body. Like before, her long, auburn hair was braided and hung down her skeletal back. When Jeremy saw her previously, she’d been smiling—this time she was not. Her pointed chin was jutting out as she looked down her long, sharp nose. The hard edge to her eye gave the appearance of a raptor, poised to strike.

  Morvan Godley’s intense gaze settled on Jeremy as she circled behind her desk and placed a thin, claw-like hand on the back of her chair. “I was informed that we have an appointment,” she purred, her eyes boring into him. “There was a misunderstanding, Keeper Godley,” stated Jeremy. “We came here to request a meeting with you, not that a meeting was already scheduled. I realize you’re very busy; therefore, we won’t take up much of your time. The ensign and I were hoping that you could put us in touch with the head of security. New Terra has a highly efficient security operation, and we’d like to put in an application for transfer,” Jeremy lied. “But, if you don’t have the time, we’ll under—”

  “Nonsense,” Morvan Godley cut in. “I can certainly spare the time for two industrious young people, such as you.” The smile on her virtually nonexistent lips was anything but reflected in her dark, hooded eyes. “In fact, if a meeting with security is what you want, I can arrange that for you now.”

  Her office door slid open and in rushed four Minders, their stun-batons pointing directly at Jeremy and Ogeto.

  “What’s the meaning of this, Keeper Godley?” Jeremy demanded. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Ensign Ogeto back away from the door, her palm resting on the butt of her weapon.

  “Do you think me a fool, young man?” Morvan Godley hissed, gritting her teeth. “You didn’t come here looking for a job. You came here hoping to steal information.”

  Jeremy affected an air of outrage. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. When Admiral Axelrod hears of this, she’ll—”

  “She’ll do nothing, as you already know,” Morvan Godley smirked. With a flick of her wrist at the four Minders, she said, “Take them to the Room of Atonement. After a few hours in there, they’ll provide us with enough information to prove a charge of espionage against them and everyone else involved in this scurrilous undertaking.”

  “But—”

  She cut Jeremy off. “One more word and you’ll be dragged out of here instead of leaving under your own power.”

  The Minders, silent as always, motioned for Jeremy and Ogeto to move toward the exit. Not seeing any way around the situation, Jeremy exchanged glances with Ogeto, who nodded sharply. The calculating look in her eye told Jeremy that she would not give in without a fight. The group exited the room, which was located at the far end of the Basilica, and walked across the imposing interior of the cathedral-like structure.

  Being a tech guy, and unskilled in hand-to-hand combat, Jeremy decided to let Ogeto initiate their escape, should there be one. Halfway across the Basilica, he was beginning to wonder if she was waiting on him to act, when she stumbled—or so he thought. With a very feminine cry of distress, Ogeto appeared to fall to her knees. Instead of doing so, she landed acrobatically on one hand, whipped her legs around, and took the feet out from under the nearest guard.

  This was Jeremy’s cue. Instinct, together with what he remembered from combat training, took over. He gave the closest Minder—her attention diverted by Ogeto’s sudden move—a swift kick in the kneecap. As her leg bent backward, she screamed in pain and collapsed to the floor. Lashing out, Jeremy punched the next closest Minder in the face then turned to see if Ogeto needed any assistance. She was on her feet, holding a confiscated stun-baton. Her right foot flashed out, knocking the fourth Minder’s stun-baton from her hand. The spiky-haired woman was taken by surprise; she then assumed a defensive crouch, her eyes burning with anger.

  Morvan Godley began yelling for reinforcements. The onlookers glanced around, but none came to her aid. The Minder Jeremy punched in the face was still on her knees. He took a step forward, keeping the fourth Minder’s attention split between him and Ogeto. Meanwhile, Ogeto was trying to activate the stun-baton, but nothing happened.

  “It must be keyed to each guard’s biometric signature,” she barked.

  Judging by the self-satisfied smirk on the fourth Minder’s lips, Jeremy knew she was correct. He focused on Morvan Godley, planning to use her as a hostage. She shuffled backward, eyes wide with fear. The fourth Minder quickly stepped between her and Jeremy—resolved to protect the Prime Keeper with her life, if needed.

  Sensing danger, Jeremy whirled around. The Minder he punched in the face was nearly upon him. Dodging to one side, he used a judo move he’d learned in the navy. Grabbing the Minder by the arm, he flipped her over his shoulder. With a yelp of pain, she slammed to the floor on her back.

  “Let’s get the fuck out of here!” he shouted.

  With Ogeto following close behind, Jeremy took off running toward the foldway. Looking over his shoulder, he fully expected to see the last unharmed guard hot on their heels, but she was instead helping the woman he’d thrown to the floor return to her feet. The kneecapped guard was still lying on her side holding her leg, moaning in pain. Morvan Godley stared after them, her thin, hawk-like face twisted with rage.

  As the foldway drew near, the two raced past a frightened acolyte, who did nothing to try and stop their escape. Jeremy yanked his SID out of his pocket and quickly found the code he planned to program into the foldway. His fingers flew over the buttons, the final entry being the number of people accessing the foldway. He and Ogeto waited for the foldway to activate. “Dammit! I should’ve used another code,” he swore. It was taking too long. Glancing over his shoulder, he noticed the two guards huddled near the Prime Keeper. They listened closely to her instructions, nodded, then turned and took off running toward him and Ogeto.

  “Shit!” He was beginning to think he had another fight on his hands.

  “Come on, come on, come on!” Ogeto yelled. “Open up, damn you!”

  As if on command, the foldway came to life, revealing their destination. Stepping hurriedly onto a street, the two spun around and looked behind them as the foldway morphed back to its inactive state. Their pursuers were furious as they pulled up, the interior of the foldway fading to black.

  “Let’s move,” Jeremy barked. They didn’t have much time before their pursuers discovered the coordinates they used to escape. Looking down the street, he saw the same bistro where he and Ogeto met not ten minutes earlie
r. A few of the same patrons were still sitting on the portico, finishing their lunch. He headed in the opposite direction. “We need to get out of here and—fast.”

  •

  Sitting beside Floyd Sullivant on a bench in Calvary Park, Richard leaned over to better see the security officer’s SID view screen. Jeremy Fletcher was speaking, his face showing the strain he was under …

  “I think they spotted us just as we rounded the last corner, sir.”

  “Dammit!” Floyd cursed. “Hurry to the nearest foldway and come straight to Calvary Park. We’ll be waiting for you in front of the central fountain. You’ll know where it is by looking for a thirty-foot spire with a light on top—the spire is part of the fountain.”

  “Aye, sir,” Jeremy said as his image disappeared.

  Richard was not happy. “What were you thinking, Lieutenant? Now we’re in deep shit!”

  “The data Fletcher downloaded will explain everything.” Floyd held out his SID.

  Richard stood from the bench and looked down at the device. “If I examine that data, I’ll be complicit in your act of espionage, Lieutenant. I’m sorry, but—”

  “The admiral’s been compromised,” Floyd rumbled angrily. Rising to his feet, he pushed the SID Richard’s way. “Take it, Commander—you must read the bloody file. In fact, you must read two files, starting with the one marked Nanobot intelligence controls city.”

  “What the hell?” Was he hearing correctly? “Explain yourself, Lieutenant.”

  Floyd swallowed. “Apparently the, um … I must say, Commander—it’s best that you read the file for yourself. You won’t believe it otherwise.”

  Gritting his teeth, Richard snatched the device from Floyd’s hand and opened the impossibly titled file. Before he made it halfway through, his mouth was hanging open. “Good god!” The situation was even worse than the file’s title suggested. If something wasn’t done to stop it, the nanobotic AI would sweep through the universe, destroying everything in its wake. After closing the file, he stood in shock for a moment before opening the admiral’s medical file. When he was through reading, he closed his eyes and held the SID out for Floyd to take. It felt as if someone had taken a sledgehammer to his gut. “I’m … I’m open to suggestions, Lieutenant.”

  “First of all,” Floyd grumbled, “we and our surviving mates need to somehow get the hell out of the city.” He received a puzzled frown from Richard. “I know, I know, the shuttle is back onboard the Arrow. I’m still working out that kink, but it’s better than being trapped here. If we don’t leave, we’ll be arrested in short order. The second part of the plan you won’t like nearly as much, but it must be done.”

  •

  The pain … is easing …

  •

  Grabbing hold of Ogeto’s hand, Jeremy pulled her into an immaculately clean alleyway. “We should double back,” he wheezed, gasping for breath. Sprinting ahead of him, Ogeto came to a stop at the end of the alley and held up her hand.

  Jeremy shook his head as he came to a halt. He wasn’t a fool. He didn’t need her telling him to not rush blindly into the street.

  Ogeto poked her head out of the shadows and looked both ways. “I thought we were on our way to Calvary Park?”

  “We are,” he grunted. “It’s just that … ah hell, Janelle, all the buildings are starting to look the same, and with no sun in the sky, I can’t tell east from west in this damned city.”

  Over the past five minutes they’d managed to elude their pursuers; however, everyone else they’d encountered stared at them like they were two-headed freaks. The street they exited was lined with apartment complexes. People were gathering on stoops and peering out doorways, all watching the two fugitives with keen interest. Moments before fleeing down the alleyway, they’d seen a small group of short, stocky men—obviously workers—descend a stoop and head their way. Jeremy glanced behind him. The five were standing at the far end of the alleyway, staring blankly at him and Ogeto. It would’ve been less creepy had they been whispering to one another or looking at him and Ogeto with a hint of expression on their faces. Instead, they stood there, unmoving, expressionless to a fault.

  “I think I remember where the bistro’s located,” he said, keeping a close eye on the other end of the alleyway. He’d not seen a single foldway since leaving the area with the cozy little eating establishment. He was rapidly becoming disheartened. “It’s only a couple of streets over. They’re probably still looking for us in that amusement park we cut through.”

  Not long after exiting the street containing the bistro, they’d encountered what looked like an amusement park filled with all sorts of odd activities. An eight-woman band had been playing a set of unusual instruments at the far end of the park and, despite a few surprised glances from the audience members, the two wove their way through the crowd, managing to use the commotion to cover their escape.

  “We know there’s a foldway near the bistro,” he continued. “I just hope those spike-haired security bitches haven’t guessed we’re doubling back. If they do, we’re screwed.”

  Giving the workers one last look, he motioned to Ogeto and set off down a street containing a number of small shops. The scattered customers entering and leaving the businesses stopped what they were doing and stared, their eyes blank and unfocused. Spooked, the two entered the first alleyway they came to and sped to the other end. Peering cautiously out, they were relieved to see the bistro a short distance away. The foldway was on the opposite side of the bistro. It was being used by two young women, walking hand-in-hand, who were in the process of entering the foldway. Thankfully, not a single Minder was in sight.

  Taking Ogeto’s hand in his, Jeremy exited the alleyway and began walking casually down the street. At first nobody seemed to notice, but as they passed by the bistro, all heads turned to stare. The two picked up their pace. Letting go of Ogeto’s hand, Jeremy slipped his SID out of his pocket and quickly accessed the coordinates to Calvary Park.

  “Hurry!” Ogeto yelped, pulling at Jeremy’s arm. Her eyes were fixed on two security officers who’d entered the street from an alleyway located thirty yards in front of them.

  The two broke into a run, pushing aside a middle-aged woman with bright red hair who was walking in the direction of the foldway.

  The security officers turned, saw them, and began to run their way.

  Jeremy came to a stumbling halt in front of the foldway and, as quickly as possible, punched in the numbers. He prayed the foldway had not been activated by someone else in the city.

  The two Minders were fast approaching their position.

  The foldway shimmered and the two saw what looked like a park on the other side.

  Jeremy and Ogeto leapt through the foldway. Offering a sigh of relief as it closed behind him, Jeremy scanned his surroundings for the lighted spire where they were supposed to rendezvous with Lt. Sullivant and Commander Allison.

  The view began to waver. Suddenly, they were standing in a large, white, empty room.

  A silky voice said, “Welcome to the Room of Atonement.”

  26

  The plate of food sat untouched by Mona’s bedside. She was much too distraught to eat. Her mind ricocheted from worry over the remaining ground crew’s fate to horror that a malevolent AI was controlling New Terra to grief over the death of her friend, Solomon Chavez. When the door to her cell slid open without warning, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

  “Good afternoon, Dr. Levin.” Admiral Axelrod entered the cell wearing a hard-eyed scowl on her broad, blocky face.

  “Is it? Is it, really?” Mona grunted.

  The admiral motioned to the shovel-jawed guard beside her. Placing her hands behind her back, she said, “You will hand over your work-tablet and your PID to the guard, Dr. Levin.”

  “What? But why?”

  “Your decryption services are no longer required,” the admiral flatly stated. “As such, there is no reason why a prisoner should be in possession of electronic communicatio
n devices.”

  “But what if—”

  “As I said,” the admiral pressed, “your services are no longer required. Please hand over the devices, or I will be forced to revoke your HV privileges.”

  Mona heaved an exasperated sigh as she surrendered her PID and tablet to the guard.

  “Thank you for being so cooperative,” the admiral said, a note of sarcasm in her voice. “Keep this up, and you’ll make a fine addition to New Terran society.”

  With a derisive snort, Mona lay back on her cot. “I don’t think your mechanical overlord will want me for a servant.”

  The admiral continued, seeming not to register her comment. “Your PID will be returned upon your release, Dr. Levin. Until then, have a pleasant stay in the brig. I hear that our selection of romantic comedies are quite impressive.”

  Instead of replying, Mona placed her hands behind her head and looked up at the ceiling. The admiral shrugged, turned on her heel, and with guard in tow, exited the cramped cell.

  Mona lay there humming Row, Row, Row Your Boat for a good two minutes before sitting up and swinging her legs over the side of the cot. “Computer—institute emergency voice command: Levin, Alpha, Theta, Zeta, Beta, Delta, Epsilon, One, Dash, Omega, Dash, One.”

  “Vocal pattern recognition software acknowledges Dr. Mona Levin’s identity and institutes emergency protocol: Levin, Alpha, Theta, Zeta, Beta, Delta, Epsilon, One, Dash, Omega, Dash, One,” replied the ship’s computer.

  Mona stood and crossed the room. Directly beneath the HV screen, the bottom two wall tiles slid forward, forming a set of steps. While this took place, the HV screen protruded from the wall one inch before gliding soundlessly to one side, revealing a hidden alcove.

  Climbing the steps, she reached inside the alcove and removed a cloned copy of her PID, which she’d hidden in case of emergency. She hadn’t expected the emergency to be so dramatic, but she had expected to be thrown in the brig after being discovered as a stowaway. She’d spend a fortune in bribes to not only have her cryotank built but to also have the brig engineered to facilitate her escape—if needed.