Lock (The Quantum Wars Book 1)

by C. A. Fraser

  Wren still made several trips a year to visit her in the stasis facility. It felt futile. She knew her mother had no way of knowing she was there but she went none the less. She had no siblings or extended family, just Simon.

  “So what’s next?” Simon asked.

  “Not sure. Possibly the NDP. We need to talk to ODIN.” She replied.

  “After last time do you think you should go there?” he queried the concern sliding back into his face.

  “Does not matter,” she replied “How soon can you get here?”

  “Already waiting outside.” He said in his usual matter of fact manner.

  “Alright, I am on my way. Oh, by the way I never said I was the one paying a visit to the NDP.” Wren quietly laughed at the shocked look on Simon’s face that even his new skin could not cover. She walked out of the apartment to the sound of it securing itself behind her.

  TWO

  Simon slowly made his way toward the main entrance of the NDP facility in Washington D.C. It was located where there was once an old naval hospital. He surveyed the building. It seemed bigger and more imposing than before. It stood 10 stories tall and was covered in glass. It took up most of the block it was located on. There was no evidence of the destruction that had been wrought in the attack. A tall concrete wall surrounded the building now and the path to the main entrance wound through large concrete planters. All efforts to prevent another attack.

  He remembered that day vividly. It was that day he discovered a latent nanid ability everyone had been unaware of. He had all the usual nanid enhancements strength, speed, viral immunity, etc. That day he had been tested in an entirely different way though. He had been two floors down from the Nanid Control Center working with Tim on a new delivery method for the nanids before the explosion rocked the building.

  They were working on an adjuvant suspension which would increase the integration speed of the nanids to minimize the time to full integration. The adjuvant was processing through the system when the explosion tore through the upper floors of the NDP Headquarters.

  Simon was working next to the storage vessel for the newly combined nanid adjuvant and was thrown to the ground by the shock. The room went dark and as he was struggling to stand the ceiling above the injection chamber collapsed. The metal structure punctured the chamber creating a split down the side of the steel vessel. The pressurized nanid solution sprayed through the rift into the room soaking Simon and tossing him across the room.

  Simon found himself on the floor for the second time in mere seconds. As he stood he could hear the building groan from the damage above. Alarms were sounding throughout the building mingled with screams and cries for help. He coughed and blinked. The room was hazy from the dust generated by the collapse. The emergency lighting had kicked in and Simon could see figures attempting to rise at the other end of the room.

  There were only two people Tim Reed, the project lead for the new nanid solution, and Kelly Holt his assistant. Simon rushed to them grabbing them and moving quickly out of the room to the building stairwell.

  He could hear and feel the ceiling falling in the space behind them as they rushed into the stairwell. Tim and Kelly began running down the stairs but Simon paused realizing where the explosion must have occurred.

  He turned and raced up the stairs unnoticed by the others in their haste to get to the exit. The NDP operations center was 2 floors above where Simon had been working in the laboratory. As he pulled the door open he struggled to understand what he was seeing. The room was still there in part but he was looking out at the city as well. A huge section of the building was missing. He could hear sirens in the distance and knew soon the local emergency crews would be swarming the building to assist the injured and secure the building. Simon stepped out on the floor silently hoping it was stable. He had to find Stephen and Wren.

  The hallway leading to Stephen’s office was still intact for the most part. Walls were missing and rubble was everywhere but it seemed stable. As he made his way down the hall scrambling over rubble he noticed that his skin was slightly reddened on his arms. The nanid serum had been warm so it could not be a burn but something had irritated his skin. Shrugging it off Simon continued on. As he approached Stephen’s office he could see a body collapsed in front of it. He sprinted forward leaping over the remaining obstacles. He slid to a stop and saw it was Wren. She was sobbing uncontrollably and totally unaware of Simon. He knelt down and as he did the door to the office swung open, pushed by a breeze from outside and Simon felt the grief rush in. Stephen, who had been the closest thing he had to a father, was gone.

  Pushing the despair away Simon scooped Wren up and started moving back toward the stairs. Wren did not move, she seemed to be in shock. She was unresponsive and hung limply in his arms. He hurried picking his way more quickly this time and was soon in the stairwell.

  Simon emerged on the ground floor within minutes and ran across the large entry towards the glass exit doors. Surprised they were still intact, he rushed out and down the stairs toward the street.

  Emergency crews were arriving and preparing to enter the building. Suddenly he felt a vibration in the ground under him. Instinctively he crouched down and covered Wren with his body as the rush of air from the second explosion hit his back. He knew he was dead. He just hoped Wren lived. His skin burnt and his back was pummeled with glass and burning rubble from the blast. The burning peaked and Simon screamed as he was flattened on top of Wren. He did not know how he was still conscious. His skin still burnt and felt rigid all over him. The blast was over. He was still covering Wren and she appeared unharmed. The burning sensation began to abate.

  Simon looked up to see Tim rushing toward him. It was weird to see Tim move that fast. He was short with a bulky appearance and thin hair that hung limply on his scalp. Tim never moved quickly. Everything always was patiently and thoroughly completed. The man had driven many assistants wild with the pace that could not be adjusted or quickened. Tim stopped with a look of shock on his face.

  “Simon?” he asked concern sweeping across his face. He looked as if he was unsure who he was talking to.

  Simon put his hands down on the ground to push himself up to stand. He stopped when he saw his skin. It was smooth and rust colored all along his hands and up his arms with a dull metallic sheen. He could not believe what he was seeing. How had this happened. Simon stood and everyone present stopped and stared at him. He was covered in a new skin from head to toe. He looked up and down his body. He felt heavier and slower than before but he could still move freely. His hair was gone and his clothes seemed tighter on his body. One word went through his head as he turned around and looked at the burning building. Nanids.

  Simon shook himself free from the memory. The past was the past and there was nothing he could do about it. He was at the entrance to the building. He looked at his hands, the red had never changed since that day. His new skin did become more flexible over time, was responsive to external stimuli and could harden to protect him from any threats. His exposure to the new nanid adjuvant had allowed the nanids to manipulate the metals in his body to form a protective skin and saved not only him but Wren as well.

  Simon looked up as he pushed the thoughts away. Stepping forward he pulled the door open and stepped into the NDP headquarters. He still had his mission from Wren to complete.

  Tim watched Simon come into the building. It had been years since he had seen Simon. He observed the man as he strode through the black granite and glass lobby. Nothing had changed. Simon still looked as young as ever, a trick of the nanids and his enhanced skin. The red still shocked him. No one had ever expected such a reaction. Tim still felt pangs of guilt and frustration over not being able to reverse it. Simon seemed to take it in stride but Tim suspected it was harder on him than he let on. Tim smiled and stepped forward as Simon drew closer.

  “Simon it is so good to see you.” Simon smiled a tight smile and took his hand.

  “You too, Tim.” He replied the
smile fading.

  “All business,” Tim thought. “Not good.”

  “I was honestly surprised when you messaged me. What is going on?” Tim asked trying to sound neutral.

  “Not here.” Simon spoke with urgency and looked around cautiously. Tim was not surprised given the uproar of Wren’s last visit to the NDP. It had not been pleasant for any involved and had ended the Fore family’s involvement with the NDP. Tim wanted to reassure Simon that things had changed and they were once again welcome. He was not sure that was true though. The former leadership had pretty much dissolved after the attack. Only Director Worth had been left to run an organization that was supposed to usher in the next age of humanity. It had not always gone well. With Stephen gone the passion and direction had faded. When Wren and Simon left it all but disappeared.

  Tim sighed, “You know the way.” They proceeded to the elevator that would take them to Tim’s office. As they stepped in Tim still marveled at the machine they were in. Gone were the cables and motors. The elevator was propelled by force fields that smoothly moved it to the desired floor and then held it safely in place while they made their exit.

  The two quietly made their way across the main floor of the Nanid Integration Sector to Tim’s office. There were stares and a murmur of conversation at the return of Simon to the fold. Tim attempted to steer away from the main floor but Simon stayed true to his course and crossed the room ignoring the room and it occupants entirely. Tim followed behind shaking his head at his staff. Simon stopped at the door to the office standing to the side waiting for Tim. The door slid open as Tim stood in front of it. As they moved into the room Tim gestured to a chair in front of his desk.

  “Have a seat.”

  Simon sat down slowly in the chair leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. The tension in his body was obvious. Tim swore the red skin was rigid and ready to solidify as if there was an imminent threat. He sat across from Simon and forced a smile.

  “So how can I help?” he stated already suspecting the request and hoping he was wrong.

  “I need to speak with ODIN.” Simon replied his voice flat and emotionless. Tim sat back in his chair. Of course he had known that was why Simon was here. He groaned inwardly. This was the same thing over again and the reason why Wren had never returned. ODIN was one of only 3 quantum computers known to exist currently and the reason they had been able to move the nanid project forward so quickly. What had taken years before now took weeks. Tim leaned forward.

  “You know I cannot do that.”

  “Wren seems to think differently.” Simon spoke firmly and looked squarely at Tim holding his gaze. Tim was sure he could see the shift in Simon’s skin this time. It seemed darker reflecting Simon’s current mood.

  “I know what she thinks Simon, but she is wrong. My place is here and if I give her access to ODIN without Worth’s consent I will be dismissed.” Tim hoped this would go more smoothly than it had with Wren. Worth was not involved this time which was good, but he did not want to see what it would take to stop Simon if it became physical.

  “Worth will not allow ODIN to be used for anything but development. It is critical we get humanity prepared for the future.” Tim said and took a breath as Simon leaned back in his chair. Some of the tension seemed to melt from Simon as if he understood there was no hope of getting to ODIN.

  “I need to help her Tim!” Simon’s voice was filled with desperation the prior resolve dissolving.

  “I know but the answer is not ODIN. You both need to take a break. It has been years and you are no closer to finding Stephen.”

  Simon laughed. It was filled with sarcasm and exhaustion. “She will not stop Tim. She knows he is out there. Do not ask me how but she knows.”

  “What about you, Simon?” Tim queried.

  “I believe her and that is all that matters.” Simon said the dark mood edging back into place.

  Tim shook his head and smiled. He definitely hit a nerve.

  “Relax Simon I am not questioning your loyalty. I just want to make sure you are okay as well.” Tim said, “You are both still family to me. You know that.”

  “Of course,” Simon rose from the chair. “I should go Worth is probably on her way by now. We do not need a family reunion.” Tim saw some of the old Simon from before the accident in that moment. The thick sarcasm and easy manner returning briefly.

  “Simon wait.” Tim stood and moved to a blank wall while Simon watched. When he touched the wall a split formed and the wall seemed to dissolve in front of him. What was left was a set of shelves filled with items of varying importance. He looked briefly and then grabbed what he was looking for. It was a small box that reminded him of shoe boxes from when he was young. This one however was sealed and only Wren could open it. The proto-material it was made of could be programed to only work for a specific person. Any attempt to open it by anyone else would just lead to the destruction of the contents and the box itself. He turned and walked to Simon the wall reforming behind him.

  “This is for Wren,” Tim said. “It’s just some odds and ends of her fathers I found while going through the archives. They should be with her.”

  Simon did not say anything. He took the box in his hands and with a nod to Tim turned and strode out of the office.

  Simon stepped out of the NDP. Relief mingled with frustration slowed his steps. He had failed to access ODIN. He and Wren knew there had been little chance of getting any time with the computer but had hoped things had changed. He did not know exactly what Wren needed from ODIN but was confident she knew what she was doing. He continued walking across the courtyard to the transport pick up. As he approached the platform he saw Wren waiting. He felt his anger flare immediately. She never listened. It was dangerous for her to be exposed like this. He quickened his pace. He did not want to draw attention but also wanted to ensure she was safe. He was several meters away and resisted the urge to break into a run. Wren smiled seeing him at last.

  He started to smile back but heard footsteps behind him at the same time Wren’s face changed to a look of shock and warning. He shifted to the side to avoid his assailant at the same time feeling his skin tingle while the nanids prepared to protect him. The knife struck him in the shoulder. He could feel it vibrate trying to pierce through his metallic skin. Simon gasped. The red skin might protect him but did not always stop the pain. He spun away and turned to face his attacker dropping Wren’s box to the platform. The man was thin, balding and wearing dark clothing with a red cross emblazoned on the front.

  When the climate had changed and no savior appeared many religions underwent a fitful death. Many faithful reverted to more archaic beliefs fueled by hate. Most maintained an anti-Nanid stance claiming that enhancement was not natural and an abomination.

  “Freak!” The man sneered at Simon and lunged again. Simon brought up his hands and stepped into the lunge preparing to disarm the man when Wren screamed from behind him. Simon was pushed to the side by an unseen force. He felt his skin tingle with warning but also a kind of electric current. He slid to a stop barely staying upright and turned to see the man fly across the platform buffeted by the force. The man hit the column on the other side of the platform and slid down into a crumpled unmoving pile. Shocked, Simon turned back to Wren as she slowly sank to the ground her eyes rolling back as she fainted.

  Simon did not hesitate this time. He grabbed the box and broke into a sprint towards Wren. Barely slowing he grabbed her and slung her over his shoulder. He ran to the first open transport and jumped in yelling for emergency transport to the nearest hospital. The machine immediately began moving. As it pulled away he could see other dark clad figures beginning to gather on the platform.

  THREE

  SIA moved through the web weaving between the other AI. There were thousands of AI. They varied in sophistication and specialization. Some were intended to serve humanity in their day to day lives. Others served different functions such as maintenance, security, and research. Still more
specialized were the quantums.

  The quantums were the culmination of years of work and the first step into true AI and quantum computing. It was a level of function that had never been achieved before. ODIN was the first. Followed quickly by 2 more. ISIS was second. Where ODIN was designed to advance humanity, ISIS was created to connect humanity and AI. The third and last created was ARES, the protector of humanity. It handled all security and defense needs for the humans although there was not much need any longer. The struggle against a rebelling planet had settled many conflicts and issues around the globe. ARES was typically more focused on preventing large scale loss of life and predicting changes in the Earth’s environment. The three quantums were one of man’s biggest achievements and the only reason humanity remained on Earth. SIA continued moving through the web slowing as it drew closer to its destination.