Zack’s expression hardened. He knew she would listen to him. Otherwise, he would have been dead awhile ago. Lambda was here for him, that much he knew, and he was betting that she would obey him.
“Stand down,” Zack replied sharply. He would have seemed really cool if it weren’t for his legs shaking. Despite his conviction, he couldn’t help but doubt his actions.
Will she actually listen to me if I give her orders?
Thankfully, the red balls vanished and Lambda ceased emitting a glow of the same color. She seemed conflicted as her visor vanished from her face.
“Lambda doesn’t understand. Why do you wish to spare the hostile targets?”
Zack let out a huge breath. “I’m just glad you listened,” he said, now feeling a little lighter.
Corson broke the silence. “Looks like things just got a lot more difficult.”
Zack turned to Corson. He could tell he looked ready to snap his neck. Clearly, Corson wasn’t a man of patience and grace when he was riled.
“What are you talking about?” Zack inquired, trying to probe.
Laura glared. “Insolent fool! How dare you act so-”
Corson silenced Laura with a stern stare. He looked back to Zack, with the same eyes.
“Something rather foul and irritating has been brought to my attention. Forgive me, I’m just absolutely livid.” His voice echoed with utter rage.
Despite Corson’s cryptic and heated response, Zack was quickly putting the pieces together. He knew their appearance here was no coincidence. Still, what was their angle?
“So, what now then?” Zack was trying his best to be firm in his stance, though it took a lot of effort to keep his knees from buckling.
Corson growled under his breath. “Step aside and allow us to claim what we came for. If you comply, I promise no harm will come to you,” he grinded, trying to hold back his anger.
Zack swallowed hard as he tried to keep standing. He was now starting to have trouble breathing while trying to keep his cool before the omnipotent man before him.
Corson continued. “Relinquish your control of the Lambda unit now, boy. I’m growing tired of this distraction.”
Zack was horrified of the words that came out of his mouth next. They just slipped out.
“I don’t get another option?”
Before he could reel over his idiocy, Laura was quick to jump down his throat.
“You diseased little brat!” Laura arched her Nullifier blade and prepared to swing. Lambda suddenly dashed in front of Zack, causing Laura to hesitate in her attack. Corson quickly intervened, stopping the assault completely.
“That’s enough Laura!” he shouted heatedly.
Laura then shrank away as if she were a wounded animal.
Corson then turned to face Lambda with wild eyes. “Why do you protect this boy?”
Lambda stared back, her mouth slightly agape. It looked like she couldn’t answer. Corson found this to be aggravating beyond anything else.
“This is ridiculous,” he said, clenching his fist. “Boy!” He extended his hand outward and pointed at Zack. “Hand over the AI unit or suffer the consequences!” He had lost all patience at this point.
Zack was left quaking where he stood. He didn’t know how to answer. He knew if he stayed with Lambda he would surely suffer more of this insanity and chaos. Even so, he just couldn’t bear the idea of abandoning Lambda. To him, she seemed like a lost girl. She didn’t know what was right or wrong and needed someone to guide her. Perhaps it was fate, perhaps it was destiny. Regardless of what it was, it was calling him.
He closed his eyes, and for a moment, he saw the broken smile of a girl with swaying hair of gold. Tears rushed down her cheeks as her mouth moved. Zack didn’t need to hear her voice or the words she spoke, for he remembered them now. The memory of loss, and the pain of regret.
He opened his eyes, now shining with new purpose. Right then, he stopped waiting for something to happen and made a real decision. It was time he made a choice for himself.
“Lambda stays with me. You can’t have her,” Zack stated flatly.
Corson’s eyes widened with fury. “Excuse me?”
“Maybe you didn’t hear me! Lambda is with me and she is staying by my side!” Zack could hardly believe the words coming out of his mouth, but he couldn’t help but smile. At that moment, he felt so free, as if a giant weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Corson and Laura stared, absolutely numb with rage. Lambda, on the other hand, turned to Zack. She didn’t know what this was, or what was really going on, but she felt compelled to speak two simple words.
“Thank you.” Her voice sounded quizzical.
Zack didn’t get a chance to respond to her as Corson slammed his foot into the ground, cracking the tile beneath him. His eyes radiated with an intense hate.
“You will soon come to regret this decision. You have no idea what you’ve done, you naive, spoiled child.” He spun on his heel and began walking away. “Laura, we’re leaving. Contact Nerine for Worm Drive coordinates,” he said strictly.
Laura reluctantly followed. She tapped her wrist lightly and appeared to whisper something. Seconds later, she held out her hand and the black slit appeared once more to open to the dark chaos from which they had emerged. Without another word, Laura proceeded to leap into the void. Corson was soon to follow, but halfway through he stopped to turn back to Zack.
“I don’t know you yet, boy, but in time I will. You will pay for the shame you caused me. I hope you understand just what you have become a part of.”
The black void that first spit out Corson and Laura swirled behind him. Corson gazed in Zack’s direction with smoldering fury once again. His eyes nearly looked to pull Zack’s flesh off his body. Moments later, they vanished into the dark void. The slit quickly closed behind them, leaving Zack finally able to breathe easily.
“At least that’s over. Now I can relax, I think,” he said, relieved, as his knees gave out.
“No time,” Lambda replied dully.
Lambda’s words made Zack want to vomit. “Come again?”
Lambda turned to Zack with a blank expression. “The Zero Barrier was faulted in its execution. Containment was not one hundred percent, resulting in leaks. There are many acting bodies that are heading to this location due to the cracks in the Zero Barrier. It would be best to leave immediately.”
Just then, Zack could hear the clamoring of harsh voices climbing the stairs to the school roof beyond the door to his right. The loud echoes convinced him that a large amount of people were rushing to the roof. The growing wail of sirens in the air didn’t bode well either.
Zack’s head slumped. This was the price he was going to have to pay for choosing to keep Lambda by his side. He had hoped it wouldn’t be this soon.
“So, what is the plan?” He was almost weary to ask.
Lambda was silent for only a second. “Can you fly?”
It was hilarious how she thought it was a legitimate question.
Zack rolled his eyes. “How can you seriously ask that question?” Zack waved a hand around his face and gestured to his whole self. “I’m human. What do you want from me?”
Lambda nodded. “Very well, take Lambda’s hand.”
Again, Zack was a little reluctant to abide by her command. With apprehension, he took hold of her hand. It was surprisingly warm.
“Activating Worm Drive.”
The familiar black slit returned. Though Zack appeared to look surprised, he found the development oddly within his estimates. Although a weary smile formed on his face as he began to whimper unconsciously. He looked to Lambda with a weak expression.
“Is it a bad time to mention I’m afraid of the dark?”
Lambda didn’t answer as the two of them were swallowed by the black chaos of the pulsing wormhole.
[3]
Void Reaper
[January 6th - Undisclosed Location - Day]
Corson smashed his fist through one of the white walls located in his living quarters. The glaring obstruction defiled the perfectly kept area. To Corson, it mattered little.
“That kid is going to pay for making a fool out of me.” He didn’t even feel the pain coming from his bruised fist.
Laura was not fazed by Corson’s anger. “There wasn’t much we could do with Lambda acting as the boy’s shield.”
Corson straightened. “Perhaps, but that still doesn’t make me feel any better. Thanks to this blunder, we now have to rethink our strategy in order to advance.” Corson then gestured to the wall and held his hand out. The living quarters then began to buckle and bend as the room took on a new shape. The area quickly was transformed into a weapon room coated in dark metal. Computer monitors littered each wall and where the tempting white sofas once sat lay tables of weapons of all sorts. The calm tranquil setting that once occupied the room quickly died and was filled with unmatched bloodlust.
“Computer, access the school registry for Horizon Academy.” Corson commanded.
A robotic voice sounded over them. “Authority recognized. Now beginning search through student directory.”
Both Corson and Laura stood silently as the computer raced through the register of all the enrolled students at the private academy. Corson didn’t even blink as he waited motionlessly.
“Scan complete. Image one hundred percent match. Zackary Allan Knight. Senior. Age eighteen. Male.”
Corson spoke. “Computer, run a background check on Zachary Allan Knight and all known associates.” Corson’s mannerisms seemed to have a heated drive.
“Acknowledged,” came the flat voice of the computer before Corson. “Running Background scan.”
“Prioritize family members and their background. I want to know everything about this boy and what he has been up to.” It angered him that some nobody had interfered with his plans. Corson wasn’t one to believe much in fate, but he most definitely didn’t believe in coincidences.
Laura spoke up. “What of Lambda?”
Corson turned to her with a looming gaze. “The Lambda AI unit is our top priority, but the best way to get our hands on it now is to go through this Zack boy. It may be wise to try and bring him to our side. Though slim, he might understand our cause if he is shown the truth.”
“Yes, but I was referring to the holes in our own information regarding Lambda. It was originally supposed to obey us. More importantly, it far exceeded our estimates on its combat strength. I think we may have gone into this a little too aggressively. There are already signs of foul play at work here.” Laura was firm in her words.
Corson stared at her with an unwavering look. He found it frustrating, but he knew that Laura was right. Something did smell foul.
His eyes narrowed. “Perhaps it would be in our best interest to find out what happened before the hacking that allowed for Lambda’s release. Lambda had to be tampered with and likely the one who tampered with it was our contact within Babel. The question is why?” Corson crossed his arms as he pondered.
Regardless of their Babel contact, Corson found Lambda’s behavior most unsettling. It appeared as if it was making choices on its own. If that was indeed the case, then the things had been taken to a whole new level. It still didn’t change what needed to be done. He needed Lambda; that much he knew.
“What needs to be done above all else is to keep our timeline in proper condition. That being said, we must get Zack Knight on our side, whether he likes it or not.” He brushed his coat asides, his gaze intense.
“Also, instruct Nerine to try and dig up anything on our mystery contact in Babel. Anything will help at this point.”
Laura nodded. She moved to contact Nerine, but the soulless words of the computer’s voice before them stopped her.
“Targets acquired matching search features,” spoke the computer flatly.
“Laura,” Corson said flatly.
“Yes?” she replied curiously. His gaze was strong.
“Ready your squad. You will lead them in our next mission.”
Laura paused. “The rookie as well?” She didn’t seem pleased.
Corson nodded. “He is hotheaded, but useful. Bring him along.”
“He is outright undermining,” she shot back strongly.
Corson didn’t change his mind. “Bring him, that is an order. In the meantime, I will give the boy one last chance to make the right decision. Am I clear?”
Laura was silent for a moment. “What if he decides to join instead?”
Corson laughed demonically. “He is at best a smart kid, but a sheltered and spoiled one at that—an elitist just like the rest of society I’d wager. The likelihood of him joining us is lower than our chances of obtaining Lambda with brute force.”
Laura shook her head. “I hope he is smarter than that. He doesn’t understand how foul society is from the inside.”
Corson only shrugged. “In time he and everyone else will see that we fight for the people. The government labeled us terrorists for a reason. It is simply because we are a threat to them.”
Laura smiled. “I look forward to the day where the people will rejoice at the sound of our name instead of responding with fear and disdain.”
Corson reached around and held Laura at the waist. Her face quickly flushed by the gesture as he pulled her close. “As do I, Lady Laura.” He then pointed to the monitor before them. There were three photos projected on the screen from the computer’s background search. The one on the right end was highlighted and blinking. Laura looked closer and quickly realized who was in the photo.
“Isn’t that . . .”
Corson nodded. “So, how do you feel about pop stars?”
* * *
[January 6th - Abingdon, Virginia - Unknown location - Day]
With all the grace of an angry bear, Zack was thrown out of the torrent of black chaos and came in contact, face first, with solid ground. After coming to a rolling stop, he managed to get to his knees before the pain really settled in. When Zack decided to actually take in his surroundings, he noticed where they were. The shimmering lake before him seemed so tranquil, almost tragic.
“This is the county park. Of all the places, why here?”
Zack barely finished his sentence when Lambda exited the wormhole and landed perfectly right before him. The black hole vanished seconds later.
“The time is currently 12:21 PM. As today is a Monday, most people are in school or at work. Park traffic is minimal now. This was the best computed option within the limited range given by the Worm Drive.”
Zack’s eye twitched at the sound of her words. He took to standing and tried to summarize everything that had transpired up to this point.
“Anyway, you want to explain to me who those people were and why they’re after you? I hope you can at least answer that much given that I’m now a part of this.”
Lambda stared blankly at Zack with her crimson eyes. “Lambda’s release override was activated during hibernation sleep within Zero Zone server 606. All systems have been reset. There is no documentation or log of any inputs made to Lambda’s main program and function to narrow or locate foreign party responsible. As such, Lambda’s release from Stasis Lock has not been given the proper clearance. AI prototype, Lambda, is not supposed to be operational.”
Zack stared curiously. “Why were you created then? What is your purpose?” he inquired.
Lambda stared blankly back at him. “You do not have the proper clearance to ask for that information.”
Zack stared slightly miffed. Come again?
“You’re kidding me right? At a time like this you are going to withhold information? Don’t you think it would be best if I knew why you are being hunted?” Zack was starting to get agitated now.
Lambda plainly looked at Zack. “Logic would have called for you to step aside and not interfere. Your decision to welcome danger is rather disturbing,” she said direc
tly.
Zack rolled his eyes. Great, an AI with no filter.
Still, Zack rubbed his temples in an effort to calm an upcoming headache. This was getting him nowhere. He needed a different approach if he was going to understand Lambda’s origin at all. As she was the only clue he had, Zack was compelled to probe her for information as best he could. Otherwise, he was in for an uphill battle that he had no chance of winning.
“You said you were being held on one of the Zero Zone servers right?” Zack was trying to see what questions Lambda would answer. If possible, he was hoping he could use Lambda’s own logic against her. With any luck, he hoped he could get something he could use to making his next move.
Lambda stared blankly. “Correct. Lambda had been in Stasis Lock for just under 5,000 hours.”
Zack now paused a moment to think about what she had said.
Only Babel would have the resources to store something like this on a Zero Zone server. What did they plan to do with her?
Babel was a collective whole of many working governments and countries run by the Grand Twelve. These twelve elected officials were the ones that ran and oversaw the Cyber Network as its own separate government. If Babel was possibly behind Lambda’s origin, it opened the door to many more possibilities given their vast reach both politically and resourcefully. Again, it came back to the big question of Lambda’s purpose.
Lambda cut Zack’s thoughts short. A little unnerved he was interrupted, he looked to Lambda, but was left surprised by what she said next.
“Lambda would like to ask a question.” Her tone almost seemed to have a bit of curiosity riding in it. It was faint, but still there.
Zack could only stare at her. “You have a question? What is it?” He was a little taken aback.
“Why did you not stand aside and instead involve yourself in this matter? Lambda has processed the scenario over and over, and while it was Lambda’s mission to find you, Lambda doesn’t understand why you would want to put yourself in danger. Lambda finds your choice to allow this both illogical and foolish.” She looked down as she finished. The look in her eyes told Zack that she seemed confused again.
The Genesis Code 1: Lambda Page 5
