by C. A. Fraser
It had been on the ground just long enough for the squad to disembark and offload the cargo including the tactical nuclear weapon. The pilot had then quickly ascended leaving the group to commence their mission.
The same process was occurring at several points around the facility. The squad Simon was with was responsible for infiltrating the facility and stopping Landis but that was only one piece. Power, communications, and security systems all had to be secured and used to help the mission. They could not allow Nathan Landis any advantage.
As equally important were the squads responsible for containment. The mission would be a wasted effort if they did not keep the strain here.
Military drones had established a perimeter around the facility. The AI controlling the drones provided a continual stream of intelligence.
The drones also were to provide protection to the humans as they proceeded with the mission. Several military security drones spun above the squad prepared to intervene at any indication of a threat.
Simon turned to where the squad was quickly preparing the weapon for transport. He was surprised by the size of the weapon. He was not sure what he had expected but it was in a protoplastic container that was easily carried by two of the squad members. He observed the two men quickly secure the weapon to a small field generator that suspended it above the ground allowing them move it easily with minimal disturbance to the weapon.
He turned to watch the rest of the squad. Maher was quickly organizing NDP and military alike preparing to move within moments. Four of the squad were already functioning as guards while the final preparations were made. Each of them were battle hardened and the elite of Maher’s squad. Simon knew they would function as scouts with the drones ensuring the way was clear.
He was shocked by the variety of weapons present. Clearly the NDP and military were both unclear as to what would be the most effective so had opted for a healthy mix. Modern day energy and sound based weapons were present with older tech including flame and projectile weapons. Simon hoped that they all proved effective.
Feeling uneasy around all the weapons Simon turned his attention to Curtis. He swept the group looking for the hulking bulk and could not see him. Alarm rang through him. Had Curtis changed his mind and left them? The mission could prove difficult without him especially if they had to depart from the plan and access the facility from a different way. It could prove disastrous. Simon felt his connection to Wren pulse and he stopped his search.
“Curtis is with you, Simon.” Wren said her communication felt weaker. The distance was obviously affecting their link. The news assuaged his fears about Curtis. Simon realized Wren must have established a connection with Curtis as well. He wondered what else her newly discovered abilities allowed her to do.
His mind turned back to Curtis. The man had turned invisible but was there. Simon felt his nerves settle. Having someone familiar with him helped blunt the sting of Wren’s absence. Maher made the signal for the team to begin the infiltration and the squad began approaching the facility buildings several hundred yards away.
The four scouts moved out in front progressing quickly while securing the route to the main facility. The squad moved cautiously behind allowing the scouts to ensure a safe path. It spread into a simple formation with the military bringing up the front and rear and the NDP members sandwiched between them. The nuclear weapon was ferried behind the NDP team by the two military tenders. Simon followed behind the weapon holding his thoughts tightly and focusing on the area around them trying to sense any threat. The mission to stop Nathan Landis and his nanotech strain had begun.
THIRTEEN
Stephen Fore stood in the underground chamber that served as the nerve center for his efforts to restore the Earth. Here he monitored the various activities occurring in the isolated project. It had been a protracted effort that had required unique sacrifices by many. Some were not even aware of the sacrifice. He shook his head turning away from the myriad readouts and monitors walking slowly into the adjacent room.
The project was a success. If he could implement it globally it would pull the planet and humanity back from the brink of extinction.
He moved into the room where the reason for his success was housed. To save the planet he and ODIN had determined there needed to be an enhancement of all species and fauna on the planet not just humans. Humans had enhanced themselves to ensure their survival with no thought as to how to heal the planet.
The change they had begun here was going to give the planet the same edge humans had. Stephen had developed an adaptable nanid strain that could be used across all the various inhabitants of the planet. It would bring back species long driven extinct by man’s activities on the planet and save the few remaining.
Stephen glanced around the chamber as he entered. It was lit with a soft green as were all chambers in the project. This nanid strain responded positively to the green spectrum of light. He had made it the predominant spectrum to encourage the viability of the strain.
Large production lines spread throughout the chamber with everything needed to produce the earth’s nanids at large scale when the project was ready. It was all automated and tended by project AI and required no human interaction to proceed.
He moved through the chamber thinking of the reaction taking place on the island above him. Already there was a forest beginning to cover the island and the few species that he had enhanced with nanids were tolerating the environment and nanids with ease.
It had not always been successful. He had been met with years of failure. Over and over again he had seen the nanids rejected. ODIN had been unable to help in any meaningful way. The quantum’s resources had been consumed with keeping the project isolated and safe from the rest of the world. It had to maintain a massive containment and camouflage across several hundred miles to keep the project protected. This meant the quantum could maintain basic communications with Stephen but could not support him outside of that.
Stephen had finally been forced to make a choice that led to his current status.
When the project had initially begun there were many layers of redundancy put in place. Multiple sources of power generation, communication, and various other resources were meticulously planned out. This included an additional quantum in case ODIN were compromised or ceased to function. The quantum was not activated and was to only be brought online if ODIN were lost. After years of frustration and failure with little to no support from ODIN Stephen had activated the quantum. He had seen no other way to complete the project. The new quantum had quickly filled the gap and its additional resources had given Stephen a much needed boost. Stephen had named the quantum EA. Where there had been frustration he now saw small gains begin. The project was slowly moving forward.
However, Stephen had unwittingly created his current prison. ODIN had responded to the activation with a complete isolation protocol. No communications were permitted and any attempt to leave the island was prevented by the same field meant to protect the project. Stephen’s various attempts at communication with ODIN were ignored by the quantum and eventually he had given up and focused on developing his new strain.
His rapport with EA quickly increased and they made great strides with the nanid strain. Together they developed a method of control using the quantum communications field to control the reaction and integration of the nanids. This increased the speed of integration and effectively eliminated rejection. The project had finally been successful and then testing had begun in earnest.
The surface of the island had always been the intended test area for the project. It was off the coast of Antarctica and when there had been huge ice sheets across the vast continent the island had been connected to it. Once called Thurston Island after a long dead supporter of early expeditions to the frozen wasteland now it did not exist according to official records in every database still active in the world. With all the ice gone due to the changing climate it had been the perfect place to put the project.
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sp; An overwhelmed and distracted world cared little for what happened on the continent. Even though it was much warmer than it had been Antarctica was still a veritable desert with little precipitation and stagnant weather patterns. Nothing about it appealed to habitation by an already struggling humanity. This was perfect for Stephen to proceed with the project. The island now stood as proof of his work and its ability to return the earth to its prior state.
The last phase of the project had been more difficult to complete for Stephen. Human integration was needed to ensure balance in the system. Stephen was the only human within the project and would have to hand over control to EA. They had worked together for years integrating various species so it was not technical proficiency that gave Stephen pause. It all came down to trusting the massive AI and coping with the loss of autonomy.
EA had proposed a solution and it had opened doors Stephen never imagined existed. EA had merged their intelligences and now they existed together in Stephen and the quantum. Stephen saw things from all possible outcomes and beginnings now. His perception was expanded exponentially and he knew that they would need to escape ODIN’s prison soon to save the planet.
Stephen and EA proceeded with the nanid integration as quickly as possible. It was a success with Stephen/EA having the means to protect their body and also implement nanid integration directly if needed. There was also a connection to the other nanid enhanced species that allowed them to experience events occurring all over the island. Stephen knew there was more the nanids were capable of but time was short. They would not be able to test all aspects of the new nanid strain.
He reached the entry to the next room. It was the chamber that housed EA and his interface with ODIN. He needed to speak with ODIN to convince it to remove the prison it had in place. The message he had received from Tim Reed made it imperative the project move forward as quickly as possible. The old cell technology was the only warning Stephen had for events outside since ODIN had found his communication bypass. Stephen felt frustration bubble within in him.
Nathan Landis. The man did not know when to quit. Now he had unleashed a threat to the entire population and world. Stephen felt powerless despite his connection with EA. He knew Wren was safe but Simon was headed to the facility with the NDP to try and stop Landis. He did not think they would be successful. Landis was out of control and if he had a quantum at his disposal it was much worse.
Stephen moved to the interface panel where he had connected with ODIN many times. He placed his hand on the surface to identify himself and waited for the quantum to respond. Nothing. Stephen tried again with the same result. He stepped back wishing he could make the quantum respond. EA surfaced in his mind providing stability but also a suggestion.
“Send her to ISIS.” The quantum communicated. Stephen knew this was the only option remaining if ODIN would not respond. With a sigh he stepped away from the panel and moved to the massive cooling tower that also housed his personal items. Stepping inside he quickly found the old pager he used as his lifeline to Tim Reed sending the instructions to his friend before he lost his nerve.
After he was done Stephen slumped into a nearby chair with his head in his hands. His new link with EA did little to temper the grief he felt as yet another loss was inflicted upon him.
Curtis could not believe how quickly they had infiltrated the building. The squad was already standing outside the freight elevator that led to the rear of the quantum chamber in the underground facility. The massive doors were as imposing as the first time he had seen them. This was how all the equipment for the quantum had been taken into the facility and would now give them access to stop Nathan Landis. Curtis reviewed their progress so far in his head.
He had gone invisible prior to exiting the transport and stayed close to Simon once they started moving toward the facility. The progress went quickly with nothing impeding the squad. There were no signs of Landis or the infected as they ventured deeper into the compound. Curtis had watched the scouts and drones clear the way and felt a growing unease with the lack of resistance. The squad traveled past several out buildings stopping each time to clear them before proceeding. As the buildings were cleared they were sealed to secure their route out of the facility when the operation was complete.
Curtis was impressed with Maher and his soldiers. The group had obviously drilled to the point that infiltrations like this were second nature. The added presence of the NDP did not move them off plan at all. For their part the NDP security team stayed alert and assisted as needed but did not interfere. They were aware of the order of things and seemed content to allow the military to take point. Simon was accorded a place in the group but seemed withdrawn to Curtis.
He knew it was hard for Wren and Simon to be separated and hoped the distraction did not keep Simon from acting if they needed him. Curtis watched Simon closely for any sign of hesitance but saw none as they continued deeper into the facility. As he was shadowing Simon they came to the rear entrance of the building that hid Nathan Landis’ secret nanotech factory. The power had not been restored and the squad stopped to coordinate the next step of the operation while waiting for the other squad to secure the facility’s power supply.
He followed Simon as the man drifted to the windows of the building. It appeared to be a normal office building nothing particularly impressive just offices and conference rooms. The only other difference was scattered laboratories throughout the building.
The rooms were all dark but you could see signs of struggle in almost every office and laboratory space. Desks and chairs were on their sides and the rooms contents strewn throughout. Some windows were cracked but none were broken out and the doors to the rooms seemed undamaged. Dark smudges were present in almost every room as well and he stepped closer as he saw Simon trying to determine what they were. They were on the walls and floors with some even on the ceiling. The power came on in that moment and the answer was revealed. Blood. The dried blood of the facilities occupants was a grim reminder of why they were there. What bothered him the most, and was still pressing on him while he stood near Simon as Maher secured the elevator, was the absence of any bodies living or dead.
It was as if the entire compound was abandoned and Curtis worried that they were too late and Landis had already unleashed his plague upon the world. All intelligence indicated otherwise and he avoided thinking about what they would find in the levels below ground.
As he watched Maher and his detail finish the adjustments that would lock out the elevators controls Curtis buried his worries and focused on the reason he was here. He had initially only sought revenge on the man who had destroyed his life, but Wren had changed that. He had never refused her anything and her acceptance of him despite his changes reinforced that. When she had asked him to protect and help Simon he had readily agreed. Now he was bound to Simon and the mission. He knew she had saved him. Otherwise he would have sought out Landis and probably died trying to exact his revenge.
Curtis shifted his gaze back to the elevator as Maher stepped back and his team formed a perimeter around the doors. Each had their weapon trained on the door ready to fire if ordered to. Maher manipulated the small tablet he had linked to the elevator controls and the doors began to open revealing the interior of the massive elevator. Curtis shook his head. The elevator was empty like everything else in the facility. Maher stepped forward surveying the space.
“Secure it.” He said. Curtis observed the man and saw his own thoughts mirrored in him. Maher was concerned with the lack of any resistance as well. Curtis moved to the elevator careful to stay clear of the soldiers. He did not want anyone to know exactly where he was. He preferred to keep the element of surprise on his side. He peered in the large machine. It was little more than a large cage surrounded by the metal walls of the shaft. He knew it functioned using the field technology present in most modern day applications and was reinforced with cabling and motors in case the field technology failed.
Curtis watched Maher’s scouts
inspect the elevator and silently slipped into the space after they cleared it. He moved to the back and then using his strain enhanced limbs grabbed the steel grating that made up the ceiling and lifted himself clear of the squad as Maher loaded the elevator. He used his clawed feet to grasp the grate as well and held himself horizontal to the ceiling. As he looked down the squad began boarding the elevator.
The nuclear weapon and it tenders went first followed by Simon and the NDP team. The military boarded last forming the same perimeter around the doors as before. The drones entered one coming so close to Curtis he had to flatten himself against the cold steel of the ceiling to avoid discovery. There were four of them and the buzz of their engines filled the space bouncing off the metal walls. Curtis wondered if they could detect him and quickly concluded they probably did but knew he was cleared to be on the mission so ignored him.
He felt the elevator begin to move and turned his attention to their descent as his chest tightened with the dread of what they were going to encounter.
