by C. A. Fraser
Nathan Landis sat in his chair looking through the thick window that separated the facility from the sterile room where his transformation would occur. In just a few hours he would be renewed and begin a revolution that would usher humanity to the next step in their evolution.
He smiled as he thought of his new world that would emerge after the Leviathan Strain had completed its task. Rolling back from the window he turned towards the preparation room where the surgical team awaited him. He wondered how the Fore girl had received her guest. He was minutely irritated that he was not the first to receive the strain but its use had been needed.
There was a small tinge of regret for the loss of Curtis Reynolds. The man had been an asset in his time with Landis. Initially he had thought the man was a spy for the NDP but after months of work and several ruses to test his loyalty Landis had finally concluded that Curtis could be trusted. After that Curtis had become more valuable and as it turned out expendable. He hoped the man appreciated what had been done to him but knew he would not. The man’s mind was gone. The level of control the new strain could exhibit was remarkable. It had infected Curtis completely within hours. The quantum then used the strain to turn the man’s emotions against him. It tortured Curtis and then cleared his mind of everything but his anger and pain. The quantum then focused that rage against the Fore’s. It was a fitting revenge and after his enhancement Nathan was eager to know the outcome.
He reached the surgical team and they began to prepare him. As he was moved to the table he smiled. This was the last time he would ever need assistance of this type. He would walk on his own once more. As he lay on the table the surgeon reviewed the procedure for the final time. He knew it well having approved the process himself.
The strain enhancement was nothing like the inferior nanids. It proceeded at a much quicker pace. The nanids enhancement was restrained and proceeded in steps to allow the host to adjust. The strain did not need that. It quickly integrated into the body and allowed the recipient to enjoy the wonders of the technology within hours not weeks. The strain was the superior technology in every way. The results proved out as well.
Test subjects displayed better physical and mental acuity in all testing. Nathan had also been astounded by the healing capabilities of the nanotech. The test subjects had been able to recover from any number of injuries within minutes. Whole body trauma still posed a challenge, as even the strain had its limits but anything short of an explosion should be able to be withstood and recovered from.
The final advantage of the strain was its ability to turn its host into a weapon. There had been a battery of control test that had impressed Nathan but it was the conversion of Curtis that had convinced him. The results of the adaptation had shown Landis that the strain was more than up to the task of shepherding humanity into the future.
Nathan smiled once more as the team wheeled him into the conversion chamber. Soon he would be whole again and able to pursue his destiny. He was thinking of his first action upon wakening when the anesthesiologist pushed the final injection into his IV and Nathan Landis sank slowly into oblivion.
Any enthusiasm Wren had felt for the arrival of the NDP security division was quickly fading. She watched from the window in her father’s office as they quickly went about securing the site. Dark clad officers patrolled the area and several airships were patrolling the immediate area to ensure there were no more agents from Nathan Landis nearby. She frowned at the officer standing passively outside the window of the office. They were treating her and Simon like criminals. They had separated them both into different parts of the house and would not let them have direct contact until they received clearance.
She did not even know if Simon was still under the control of the quantum or what she would do if he was. Asking it to leave did not really seem like an option and she was not sure there was any way to force it out. She shook her head still not believing what she had seen. An AI merging with a human had been a topic of much debate early on and any attempts to do so had quickly been abandoned. It appeared the Quantum’s had the ability to do so and Wren knew it had to be the nanids that enabled it. She knew her father would have the answers and if the quantum did stay in Simon maybe he would know how to remove it. Hopefully he would be able to help Curtis Reynolds with his unknown infection as well.
Her mind turned back to the aftermath of the battle with Curtis. The security team had secured Curtis and then placed him in an emergency containment pod to prevent him from harming himself or others. The nanid reaction was still progressing against whatever he was infected with and he was stable at the moment. Wren wondered again how he had come to be in Nathan Landis’ employ.
She began running possibilities through her head but nothing really made sense. Prior to the attack at the NDP he and Wren had been friends and the possibility of more was beginning to take shape. They had gone out with other friends a few times and it had been obvious that he would like it to be more. She had felt similar but then the attack occurred and everything changed for Wren. Curtis had faded away realizing she had a new focus and there was not a chance at a true relationship. Wren felt sad for the missed opportunity but was surprised that she felt no regret or guilt for the choice she had made. Wren turned from the window and walked to her father’s chair sitting down and leaning forward on the desk.
She felt frustration build at her inability to do anything but wait until the NDP decided what to do. The only saving grace to the whole situation was that SIA was free of the quantum’s influence and the NDP security detail were not aware of the AI. Wren had kept it busy checking on Simon and keeping her up to date on Curtis’ status. They had briefly discussed the quantum’s actions during the attack and whether Simon was lost to them. After that she put the AI to work formulating an escape plan in case they needed to leave before the NDP allowed them to.
Wren leaned back in her father’s chair. They had escorted her to the office after they secured the perimeter and determined her and Simon were unharmed. She had been here since with a guard on the door in addition to the one at the window. With both guards standing alert for external threats she had switched the contents of the box with meaningless things from her father’s office. She was not sure if they would ask for it but did not want to take the chance on the information falling into the wrong hands.
The pictures were safely sealed in her bag disbursed among several she had retrieved from the shelves in the office to mask their meaning. This way it would appear that they are among the mementos she had gathered over the years.
The recording device was another matter. It was not overly large but not small enough to hide easily. She had initially thought to destroy it but could not bring herself to do it. She had finally settled on clipping it to the back of her pants hidden under her shirt since she was fairly certain they would not be searched. Wren closed her eyes concentrating on her next move and where they should go after they were free of the NDP. The adrenaline from their confrontation with Curtis was winding down and she was exhausted.
She had not been there long when should could hear the faint hum of an incoming airship. She quickly went to the window to watch the new arrivals. If the guard next to the window noticed her he gave no indication remaining vigilant for any further threats.
As Wren watched the airship touched down behind the transport her and Simon had arrived in. The side door opened and Wren was caught by surprise when Director Worth stepped out followed closely by Kelly Holt. They were met by the officer running the operation and proceeded toward the house disappearing out of Wren’s sight when they stepped onto the porch. She turned and went to the office door standing just behind the threshold so she could observe them enter the home.
Director Worth was the first through the door. She was a striking woman who appeared to be in her late 40’s but that was the nanids. Wren knew that Candace Worth was as old as her father and had been with the NDP almost as long as he had. Prior to the destruction that took her father from W
ren, Worth had been Deputy Director of the NDP and one of Stephen’s closest advisors. In Wren’s time at the NDP Worth had always been attentive and helpful taking Wren under her wing as much as Stephen had. They had forged a strong friendship that had failed after her father’s disappearance and Worth’s promotion. Worth had tolerated Wren’s theories on her father initially, believing it a part of Wren’s grieving. Eventually it had come to a boiling point when Wren refused to let go of the idea. Harsh words followed by harsher actions had severed any remaining ties they had. The two had not spoken in years.
Worth turned when she saw Wren and strode toward her. Kelly and the lead officer hung back unsure of what would happen next. Wren watched the woman approach. Worth was taller than Wren with cropped hair. She was well muscled and reminded Wren more of a soldier than the brilliant scientist and leader that she really was. She stopped in front of Wren. The guard moved away after a sharp look from Worth. The two women regarded each other measuring their resolve to maintain their longstanding feud.
Worth amazed Wren by quickly moving forward and grabbing her in a tight hug. Wren stood still. She had not expected to be forgiven and then felt a flood of relief at knowing that Worth had never given up on their friendship. Without another thought on the past Wren returned the hug finding solace in the friendship she had thought was lost.
EIGHT
Simon was in a small bedroom at the back of the vacation home. He was sitting on the edge of the bed staring blankly at the wall trying to understand what had happened to him. The battle had been terrifying. The final piece especially so. He now knew it was a quantum that had saved him. He also knew he would never be the same.
The quantum had merged with him in an instant and they were now sharing his body. Simon did not know if this was something that would ever be reversed. The quantum had communicated its intent as it entered him which had made the invasion marginally easier to bear. The effect of it was still unsettling and Simon’s mind and body felt raw and exposed.
After the battle the quantum had not relinquished control of his body until they were in the room and then it had withdrawn. After it had receded Simon’s body had slowly returned to normal until he looked like himself again. His eyes were clear and skin was the dull rust color as always. There were no longer any external indications of the quantum’s influence on Simon. He could still feel it within him though, a savior and invader in turn.
He was not sure what he should do next. He needed to speak with Wren, but not because she would have any answers. He just wanted the comfort of knowing she was by his side while he grappled with this change. Fear wormed its way through him. When the quantum had been in control Simon had receded but could still experience everything that had happened. He could not reconcile himself with what the quantum had done with his body.
There had never been any indication of the abilities the quantum had revealed in Simon. That he was capable of producing nanids that could attack and overcome another being made him want to run screaming off the canyon rim as Curtis had tried. His body and the nanids were strangers to him now. Strangers that brought questions he did not want the answers to.
Simon fell back on the bed pushing all his worries about his body and nanids away and focusing on the real reason for his overwhelming fear.
He was terrified because of how he had felt during the battle when he and the quantum had merged. Simon now faced that experience and the future it held for him. He closed his eyes forcing the thoughts to emerge. His fate was formed and laid bare in front of him. When the quantum had merged with Simon’s mind he had felt complete. Simon knew that meant his entire life had been set for this purpose. He was a vessel for a quantum to exert its influence on the world and humanity.
Simon was trying to come to grips with his thoughts when he felt the quantum come awake inside his mind. It felt like a light pressure, an insistent force sharing the architecture of his mind, as if the quantum was pushing Simon to the side. As soon as it started the pressure was gone and Simon was alone again.
Moments after the stirring he could hear the approach of an airship in the distance. Simon rose and went to the window but could not see anything which meant it was at the front of the house. He waited until he could hear voices in the main room and then went to the door.
The guard that was outside the door stepped to the side as soon as Simon opened it. Simon glanced at him and stepped through making his way to the front of the house. As he stepped into the great room he paused in surprise. Wren and Director Worth were just parting from a brief hug. Simon smiled. He had thought they would never break the dispute between them and was glad to be wrong.
As the two women turned into the room they noticed Simon for the first time. Wren rushed to him relief flooding her face at seeing him as the Simon she had grown accustomed to. Simon grabbed her in a hug happy to finally be with her. His fear was forgotten for the moment and the quantum was quiet. They parted and turned to the others in the room. Kelly Holt stood at the door conversing with the security lead going over something and looking very serious.
“What is going on Kelly?” Simon asked walking up to the woman. Kelly hesitated for a moment and then looked at the three of them and took a breath.
“It is Curtis. He is infected with something we have never seen. It is nothing from the NDP or any known development program.” She paused and looked at Simon. “The weaponized nanids that you emitted have localized and are slowly eliminating it, but Curtis is never going to be the same.” Simon felt dizzy. His body was a weapon? He felt the quantum stir and oddly the presence helped him recover.
Wren cleared her throat holding back tears.
“It is an engineered virus isn’t it?” she asked. Kelly nodded not saying anything. Wren flushed and turned to Worth.
“We need to find Landis! He is out of control and who knows what he is doing with this.”
Worth held up her hand shaking her head. “We are all returning to Washington to ensure you two are safe and then we will determine what to do with Landis.”
Simon watched the exchange wondering what should be done. The airship that brought Curtis had to have been within a few hours of this location so Landis or at least his facility had to be closer to them than Washington. Simon felt the quantum connecting to him gently. It had not directly spoken with him since occupying his mind and it felt strange but familiar. It gave him the location he and Wren needed to go to. Simon turned his attention back to the conversation as it was becoming more heated.
“Candace we have to stop him before it is too late. There is no time to go to Washington. Speak with the domestic military and mobilize to find him!” Wren stated flatly her eyes blazing with determination.
“Wren it is not as easy as that. We have to determine if it is Landis that did this and then approach him. We still have to follow the laws.” The woman replied her calm, even voice obviously annoying Wren.
“We need to go to Cheyenne Mountain.” Simon spoke his voice was steady and did not carry his normal sarcastic tone. All three women turned to him. Worth narrowed her eyes slightly suspicion in her look.
“Simon how do you know of that place?” She asked.
“I know that we need to go there and soon in order to stop what is happening.” He replied feeling the quantum becoming more active. The director of the NDP shook her head and began to speak when Simon felt himself being pulled back as the quantum once more took control of him.
The change was almost instantaneous. His body went rigid the skin tightening on his frame and forming the metallic armor. His eyes changed once more and the entire group froze in awe at the specter before them. From his isolation within his mind Simon could not help but think the quantum knew how to make an entrance. Then the quantum spoke.
“Director Worth you will escort these two to the NDP facility in Cheyenne Mountain immediately. This is needed to prevent an outbreak of the nanotech virus Nathan Landis has designed.” Simon’s voice was the same yet carried a gra
vity that only a massive intelligence could convey. Director Worth blinked and looked to Wren and then Kelly in disbelief.
“Who am I speaking to?” she asked suspicion etched in her face. Simon felt what he assumed was impatience come from the quantum if it could even experience that sensation. The quantum looked at Worth and Simon felt like he could see every detail of the woman. The nanids obviously could enhance his vision as well when controlled by the quantum. He felt like he was looking into Worth instead of at her. The quantum responded to her query in the same unwavering tone.
“You are speaking with ARES, Quantum of Protection and I enact the ODIN protocol.”
Nathan Landis slowly regained awareness. His mind was still cloudy and at first he could not recall how he had gotten there. The cloud began to quickly lift and the memories returned in a rush. He opened his eyes and experienced the first effect of the strains enhancement. His vision was exceedingly sharp. Normal sight was dim and useless when compared to this. Colors were deeper and he suspected he was experiencing a range of light that most humans never had. A smile slowly worked across his face as he tested his new body. He could feel his legs!
