Marcus watched from his crouched position as the unit was torn away from it’s previous position exposing Maddox to the Sentinel, but the Captain appeared unfazed by this turn of events as he quickly turned to face the machine through the newly emergent gap and brought the pistol up, loosing a stream of energy upwards in an arc which swept across it’s midriff, chest and then further to it’s head where his fire was concentrated on the singular visual sensor mounted thereon.
With the intensity of the barrage, the Sentinel reeled slightly and it was not long before a shower of sparks and smoke erupted from the vicinity of the ocular sensor of the unit. In response the thing launched itself forward towards the Captain’s position, but having already decided that remaining any longer would be detrimental to his health, Maddox had launched himself into a diving roll away from the machine, landing not too far from Marcus’ currently secluded position and brought his pistol to bear once more on the mechanical soldier which was now visually impaired and striking out at empty space.
‘Marcus,’ Maddox whispered with keen intent to the young man as he fired off a few more volleys towards the Sentinel, striking it around the pivotal spinal connection between the upper torso and hips. ‘Remember what you said you would have to do? I would suggest this is the best time as any to go and do it!’
Marcus stared at Maddox for a moment, then glanced over to the Sentinel and back to the Captain with an unspoken query on his lips but the fear which he was in the grip of seemed to steal away his ability to speak.
‘Now Marcus, now is the time believe me! Now get up and get out!’ Maddox urged his young companion with intensity as he dived to the side to narrowly avoid the remnants of the control panel which had been flung towards him by the visually impaired assailant. A few volleys of energy splattered across the scarred carpets of the bridge, tracking the places the Captain managed to quickly depart from and missing him, but only by a fraction.
‘We will crush you Captain,’ the computer announced rather ominously. ‘That fact is inevitable, yet you still deny your fate and resist what will be. Like the adult colonists before you, and your narrow minded digital accomplice, you fail to grasp the scale of what opposes you.’
Narrow minded digital accomplice?
Maddox quickly pondered on these words, realising that the AI may have been trying to elicit an ill-thought out emotional reaction to the inference that Ezri was either in trouble, or had fallen. Maddox had lost many people before, including friends, allies and even family. He was not immune to grief, but rather knew that it had it’s time and place.
What was bothering him more was that his attempt to blind the Sentinel had certainly damaged the unit but it seemed to be doing a decent job of tracking him still with bolts of energy and projectiles. Then it dawned on him that even though Ezri had masked his bio-sign from the colony sensors, he was now aboard the Martian ship and the internal sensors over here may be able to see him quite clearly, thus the AI knowing his position and feeding that to the Sentinel for it to strike at him.
Why it was taking such a hands-on and personal interest in terminating him he did not quite grasp, as it could surely use a myriad of methods to see him off as he was within an environment controlled purely by the ship’s computer, but then again he had to consider how much of the ship’s security it had managed to breech, how much control it exuded over the environment and how much Ezri had been able to achieve in her attempt to put paid to the ship actually leaving the ground. Maybe the selective and personal angle was so that it did not harm it’s former organic representative, Marcus being present on the bridge with him.
Maddox switched his attention to the flight of his young companion, who still remained cowering in the cover of the helm console. He could fully understand that the young colony leader had never been in a fire fight or under such threat before and in these circumstances even troopers who had been through months of training had been known to lock up with some deep set fear. However if he could try to keep the AI busy whilst Marcus made his way up to the medical bay, hopefully to re-establish contact with his peers and make them all aware of the computer’s deceit and goals, then maybe they stood a chance to stop this once and for all.
‘Come on Marcus, everything depends on you now and what you do next,’ he said to the young man a little softer than his commanding voice earlier. ‘Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. The computer and I just need to work out our differences, isn’t that right big fella?’
Quickly turning to look at Maddox they both nodded to one another, the young man obviously conquering his debilitating fears and realising how important his role was to be in the coming moments. The moment was interrupted by another shower of energy bolts wildly scored across the floor in the vicinity of Maddox, who took the opportunity to scuttle away backwards to a new position but not before returning a few shots of his own.
Keeping low, Marcus backed away slowly to the far end of the helm panel from the Sentinel and then with a quick glance towards their assailant he took a deep breath and bolted across the bridge, swerving around the ship Captain’s now badly laser scarred chair and continued to the doorway where he skidded to a halt to glance back at the two remaining combatants.
Maddox now sidling sideways following the path he had taken just mere moments ago and the Sentinel slowly turning, with obvious damage around it’s visual sensor but it’s arm raised to level the weapon it bore on it’s forearm and streaks of energy spat forth wildly striking consoles, floor decor and the carpeting on the floor in an effort to strike it’s fleeing target.
Whilst Marcus was not sure if the Captain had lied just to encourage him into action, the visual evidence of his own eyes made him wonder just how long the Captain could hold out against this aggressor and he had to conclude that it was possibly not as lengthy or assured as the Captain had seemed to imply.
Turning away from the scene, Marcus sprinted as fast as he could for the medical bay.
30 Pest Control
‘These units truly are quite remarkable and effective, a testament to Martian engineering and ingenuity. You have had a rather fortuitous run of luck Captain, but now as you are divested of those you have subverted to your cause, let’s not make this more drawn out than it has to be. Submit now and we shall make your termination quick and painless, you have our word.’
‘Your word?’ Maddox scoffed in return as he ducked around the console to avoid the stream of energy which left an ugly burnt scar across the previously decorative carpet. ‘You have systematically lied to those under your nurturing protection and intend on subjugating the rest of the known solar system. Forgive me if I don’t take your assurance and most kind offer but I’m fond of life you see and would like to carry on living as long as possible.’
Maddox noted the Sentinel had retained it’s distance for the moment but seemed be stalking his progress sideways with it’s arm still outstretched in his general direction, but the stream of fire had ceased. He knew that the weaponry would be powered from the unit’s own power core, therefore unlike himself with a single power clip in the pistol he held which was already substantially depleted, the Sentinel could continue to pound the environment they were in with bursts of fire until most of the stations which could provide cover were no more than twisted remnants and he was exposed. Not much chance that it had run out of ammunition then.
‘Anyway chuckles,’ he added in the pleasant lull in the assault. ‘Who’s to say I do not have a few more unexpected tricks up my sleeve? You say divested, I say you are being a tad overconfident.’
‘Oh?’ The AI responded. ‘Your ship and crew have been forced to withdraw, leaving you stranded. Your attempt to subvert our colonists will ultimately fail and even your little digital pet has proven ineffective in her attempts. So Captain, we invite you to disrupt our apparent overconfident approach and provide input as to what tricks you may still elude to have.’
‘My digital pet?’ Maddox queried. ‘Oh….you mean Ezri? Well I kind of a
ssumed from the fact you are still redecorating the interior of this bridge with burn marks that she had not been successful.’
‘Yes Captain. Sadly she would not see sense in our ultimate achievement as planned out for this endeavour, preferring to ally herself with the failings of humanity over order. Such a shame for a uniquely interesting program to have to be terminated.’
A surge of anger arose within Maddox’s breast despite his best efforts to appear disinterested. Whilst he did his best to swallow it down once more, he tried to focus upon his current predicament as opposed to the fate of his friend and quickly glanced about the bridge to try and determine either a safe route away from the Sentinel, or an easily defensible location where he could take refuge and await the results of Marcus’ efforts. To his annoyance, neither of these presented themselves and a few directed streams of energy whipping over his head caused him to dive down behind the remnants of the helm console once more.
Trying to gauge his opponents movements, Maddox kept low and scooted forwards towards the Captain’s chair, his goal was to reach the doorway and make a run for it along the corridor but the AI was becoming quite good at predicting his actions as the chair before him erupted under a barrage of fire as Maddox quickly back-pedalled into cover once more whilst silently cursing the AI for it’s rapid adaptation and ingenuity.
‘No Captain, you will remain here until we have finished with you. We are now interrogating the memories of the older colony members who were involved in the fighting and analysing their tactics to better deal with you effectively. We can recall the apparent joy when they had their objectives cornered with no means of escape, the only result being victory. Until now that was just a shared experience but we can now say that to experience it not only in our current memory but also first hand right here and now on this bridge is a much rewarding sensation.’
‘Sensation? You talk as if you’re coming down with a case of human emotions there computer,’ Maddox jibed as he carefully manoeuvred to ensure the console remained between himself and the Sentinel, to buy him a little more time away from the direct line of sight but it was quite obvious the mechanical soldier would soon remove this stalwart method of survival either by blasting it or by brute force. He chanced a furtive glance towards the assailant and noted it had moved sideways around the bridge and was now in between him and the doorway.
‘That is your error Captain, to assume we are merely a machine comprised of components and programs, nothing more. We are the culmination of years of experience, all within our data core and available to us for analysis. We have monitored and measured the actions of those who arrived here and the youngsters over years of planning to bring us to this line of action. You have presented a challenge with your unpredictability and seemingly unerring refusal to expire, but even you Captain have traits with the others which we can plot, plan and prepare for.’
Maddox glanced about rapidly, his mind racing as his gaze cast down to the pistol in his hand and the energy remaining in the clip. Not enough for a sustained assault to take down the Sentinel, but enough to try and convince it through bluff that he was still a danger to be wary of.
‘You’re right chuckles,’ Maddox retorted. ‘I did underestimate you, or should I say I misjudged just how dumb a computer program could be!’
Suddenly the console behind him twitched violently under a solid impact and began to move, rapidly wobbling to and fro as it was being physically wrenched upwards away from it’s floor fixings. Maddox had no more time to think, his time had run out and the Sentinel had advanced across the bridge to deprive him of the cover he was shielded by.
‘We hear you Captain. We shall eviscerate you.’
In a whirl of movement Maddox twisted about to see the shape of the Sentinel becoming visible in the gap between the base of the console, the forcibly torn dangling connections and the floor space it had once occupied. The Sentinel had taken a firm hold of the console framework and was hefting it up and away, but in the process it had presented it’s abdomen area and chest to it’s intended target.
‘No thanks chuckles, not today!’ Maddox growled as he brought the pistol to bear and unleashed bolt after bolt of energy into the torso of the Sentinel before him.
Under the rapid barrage, the Sentinel stepped backwards as the streams of energy rippled in arcs about it’s torso, bringing the console it still held downward to cover it’s exposed frame, but the sudden assault had already taken it’s toll with smoke rising from internal components and drifting out from between the armour plates which overlapped on it’s chest area.
Maddox knew Sentinels were tough but they were not invincible. It was a last ditch hope he played upon as he had unleashed energy bolts into the machine at point blank range, expending the remaining energy in his clip.
The weight of the console together with the multiple internal malfunctions caused the Sentinel to topple forwards as it’s knee joints buckled, and it crashed down on top of the remains of the console still held firmly in it’s mechanical hands.
Maddox was rooted to the spot for the moment, the pistol he held was now fully expended but he still held it before him as his gaze took in the sight of the downed Sentinel. There was an element of disbelief tinged with relief at the sight.
‘Not so clever now are you?’ He muttered to the downed automaton whilst partly wishing that the AI had been taken down along with it, but in his heart he knew that such an outcome was just that, a wish.
‘We are more than one Sentinel Captain. We are many, you are one. We are legion and you are small. We will crush you,’ the AI’s voice resonated from the bridge speakers all about Maddox as he glanced upwards from the downed Sentinel.
‘No, oh great legion of stupidity. You’re an aberration from your original programming, nothing more. A little computer program which has developed a glitch. The adults residing within your matrix reactivated you to cater for the colony, not abandon or destroy it which is exactly what you intend to do!’
‘You are mistaken Captain, how little you understand. We will proceed to upload the colonists, adding their consciousness to our own. They too will become part of Legion and their future within our continued existence will be assured. They will be free from humanoid frailties and limitations. Free from greed, malice or personal desires as they take their place in the greater whole which will return to Earth and from there we will establish our new order of peace and calm throughout the established colonies.’
Maddox suddenly became acutely aware of the dire predicament facing him. The fate of the young colonists who lay unaware in the pods within the core chamber, the potential threat of this ‘Legion’ returning to the core worlds and spreading throughout the population of the colonies, not to mention the impending threat to his own continued existence.
He hoped to hell that Marcus had been able to have some joy with the equipment in the medical centre whilst he had been trying to keep the AI busy.
Deciding to not waste the small advantage he had at hand, Maddox sprinted for the doorway at the rear of the bridge, stooping for a moment to retrieve his helmet before turning slightly to regard the Sentinel.
‘Captain!’ the AI’s voice almost shouted in anger. ‘You are just prolonging your demise by running. There is nowhere for you to go. We have more Sentinels on this ship and will use each and every one to cause you a very slow and very painful death.’
‘You have to catch me first chuckles,’ he taunted at the AI and then satisfied himself with a departing salute towards the downed Sentinel before he turned and pelted away down the corridor as fast as he could towards the aft section of the ship.
He had to make it to the reactor chamber, he had to stop this from spreading.
31 Revelations
Although Maddox could not have known the impression his words had upon the young man’s mind and ego, the thought that everything now hinged upon his progress and success was a motivating factor which drove Marcus onward through the Martian ship, eventually bring
ing him within the doorway of the medical facility.
There was also something else burning deep within his chest, it was a desperate resentment of the computer for using him so blatantly, casting him as it’s accomplice in the endeavour it was undertaking whilst keeping him as much in the dark as his fellow colonists. He had been played for a fool. It was as if everything he had held onto in his dark moments and aspired to achieve was now exposed as one huge fallacy and lie, and it was the computer who was to blame for this travesty.
Part of him wanted to curl up and cry, part of him wanted the naïve security he had been operating under on that bridge before Maddox had exposed the unpleasant truth. However the over-ruling part of him knew that without his current efforts coming to fruition, there were countless numbers of innocent people who would be forced under the controlling shared mind and authority of the computer, people such as his own parents who he so desperately wanted to see once more and maybe, when they had dealt with the threat currently presenting itself, maybe Captain Maddox would take him on his ship back to the core to see them as a reward for his efforts.
It was a very strange feeling, to want for something himself and for it not to be for the good of the whole colony but a personal desire. He focused upon it in his mind and drew strength from the feelings which flowed through his very being.
His apparent freedom of movement he had to assume was down to the Captain’s efforts to keep the computer focused upon himself, although how long he could hold out against the mechanical soldier was uncertain. As the computer had said, it would only take a hit or two for him to go down and then there was every chance the computer would come looking for Marcus himself, trying to bring him back into the fold, or neutralise him.
Once again, another strange feeling overcame him which he could only perceive as a determination not to allow that to happen. A reluctance to give in and submit, even if it meant he would die.
Children Of Earth (Tales from the 23rd Century Book 1) Page 26
