Immortal Death (Kieran Grey Psionic Hunter Book 3)

by Fivecoat, R. B.

  She lowered her eyes and nodded. “Yes, but only your eye and the interface it needs to talk to your brain.”

  “I wasn’t really human before, now I’m even less so. . . . It’s okay. Thank you for taking care of me Emmy. What about Tanaka?”

  “He’s fine. He stopped by earlier to check on you. And, he brought the flowers on the table for you.”

  Emmy pointed at the coffee table in front of the TV and the excessively large bouquet of roses. That was sweet of him. The two-timing bastard. I felt great relief that he was alright, even though I was going to give him a piece of my mind for sleeping with Ren the day after he slept with me.

  “You should know. Cassie hasn’t left your side. Even when you were being operated on, she was right there holding your hand. The medical staff had to work around her. No one could get her to leave you for anything. She wore herself out worrying about you.”

  “Poor kid. I should do something for her to thank her.”

  “We’ll think of something. After surgery, Vicki started your healing. She managed to heal most of the cuts completely, and between her and the nanites and our medics, your skull was rebuilt. That hit should have killed you. . . .”

  “I tried to block it with my shields, but they didn’t stop it. They weren’t strong enough.”

  “Maybe not, but they did slow it down enough to keep you alive. That thing ripped out Tanaka’s throat in one swipe. Not even Marsala could do that.”

  “Yea, and there are eight others just like him out there. Nine immortal super-killer psychos.”

  “You did save two lives though. He had two more children as victims in that bedroom. You interrupted him before he killed them. They are under guard at the hospital. The older boy lost his hand, but the doctors think they can reattach it. The younger boy was just scared out of his mind. Both boys said that the man breathed out some puke-green smoke on them. The smoke paralyzed them. They couldn’t move or talk, but they could see, hear, and worst of all, feel everything. The older boy said that he felt everything as his hand was systematically removed piece by piece. The doctors were amazed. They said that the precision that was used in the removal was better than they could even do, and that allowed them to put the hand back together.

  “I can’t imagine being frozen like that while someone cut you into pieces. We got a sample of the kids’ blood, and are working to make an antidote for the paralysis gas. The kids were unfrozen about five hours after being rescued. We think it was because they were moved to a place with clean air.”

  “Immortal or not, we have to destroy them.”

  “Yes. Unfortunately, even though you saved two lives, the thing killed four others in his escape.”

  “Three of them were police officers, the other was a civilian. Are you ready for a chair yet?” Ren pushed a wheelchair in from the dining room. I looked at her face, it was stained with the mascara that had run while she had been crying. She caught me looking.

  “I guess waterproof isn’t the same as tear proof,” she said absentmindedly rubbing her cheeks.

  They both helped lift me into the wheelchair. As long as I didn’t twist my head around to look too fast, I was fine being wheeled around. We moved into the kitchen. Emmy made tea.

  “Where’s Mary?”

  “Oh, she felt so bad about leaving her date yesterday that she went out again tonight. She just felt sick about leaving you yesterday that she didn’t enjoy herself. She was doing better today though. Did you really tell her to bring her date here to use her room if she wanted to have sex?”

  “Yeah. I figured that she would probably do it one way or another, so better that she did it somewhere where she was safe and clean. Her bedroom would be better than cramped up in the backseat of a car in a dark alley somewhere. Besides, she is basically an adult, and it is her room after all.”

  “Christ, I wish Mother would have been that understanding and open when we were growing up. I wouldn’t have had to sneak out so often, and it would’ve saved me from having the seatbelt imprinted on my butt all the time.”

  We all had a laugh. Then Emmy left to check on Cassie. Ren fidgeted a second then broke down crying.

  “I’m so sorry Kieran! I never meant to sleep with Tanaka.”

  Shit. I had actually forgot about that for a second.

  “Ren it–”

  “–please just listen. Last week when I was in L.A. for that conference, I ran into Tanaka at the police station. Since neither of us knew anyone else in town, we went out to dinner together. I wanted to give him a chance, since Vicki didn’t exactly hate him anymore. We ended up back at my hotel playing cards, drinking beer, and talking about everything. One thing led to another, and we ended up spending the rest of the week together in bed.

  “I told you that when I touched him it was like white noise. Well, I only know one other person that makes me feel like that. Mirabel is a psionic null, her presence cancels out other’s psionic powers. Having her around gave me a chance to be normal. I never had to worry about getting a memory residue from anything I touched. I begged her to move in with me, but she had a boyfriend. She did make me a deal though. About every three months she visits for a day or two. We go to the spa, and shopping. It’s the only time my mind isn’t assaulted by my surroundings. She turned it into business, charging psionics for her presence so that they can be normal for a little while. She even offered to be in the room with me so that I could have normal sex for once, as long as she wasn’t directly involved. But, I never took that offer, I just couldn’t see myself having sex with an audience.

  “Tanaka’s touch is just like being near Mirabel. My mind is clearer, I can think and dream what I want, not what others have. It’s freedom to me. Freedom from everyone else’s minds. It was so good to be with someone. I hadn’t felt the touch of another for months, and that was only a conservative massage. I got caught up in the moment, and never thought about anyone but myself. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not like you stole him form me. We hadn’t been together then. In fact, we only hooked up the first time the other day. If anything, I helped him cheat on you. I was jealous, I don’t know why. I love Tanaka, but I’m not in love with him. At least I don’t think I am. I-I don’t know. I need time to figure out what I am.”

  “I’m not sure I love him either. Mostly I was after the comfort of the white noise, I think.”

  “I may be able to help you with that,” Emmy offered when she returned to the kitchen. “The medicine I gave you should last a few more hours. Do you feel up to a short road trip? There is something I want to show you.”

  “What about staying in bed and healing up?”

  “We shouldn’t be gone more than an hour. You should be okay ’til then. You two Ren. It’s important, and I think you will like what you see.”

  “Uh, alright.”

  Chapter 11

  I woke up being wheeled down an octagonal hall in the Archives. I looked around and didn’t recognize where exactly we were though. Almost all of the halls looked alike unless you knew what you were looking at. Emmy was leading the way while Ren pushed me.

  “Have a good nap?” Ren asked leaning over the chair.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to doze off. What’d I miss?”

  “Nothing yet.”

  “We’re here,” Emmy announced making a grand presentation of the door in front of us.

  “I. R. D.?” I read the letters off the door.

  “Information Resources Division. This is where the mainframe computers control the networks.”

  She swiped her card through the slot, and the door cycled open. The chamber was larger than any other I had seen in the Archives yet. Easily larger than a professional football stadium. There was a central core of oversized computer monitors stretching from the deep well in the center of the floor clear up to the ceiling. Surrounding the core were dozens of rows after rows of people working at computer stations.

  “My god, how many people are in here?”

&nb
sp; “There are over two thousand units working at any given moment. With the capability of housing double that.”

  “Two thousand people?! I didn’t think there were that many people working in the entire Archives.”

  Emmy chuckled. “I said units, not people. The three of us are the only humans in here. Everyone else is a robot.”

  “Bullshit!”

  “Honest. You wanted me to look into the secretary dolls Tanaka mentioned. Well, here they are. Robots made to look like, and interact with humans. Anyone look familiar?” she asked as we walked around the big room between two rows.

  I glanced up at the faces, or should I say face. They all looked exactly like Julie to me. Thousands of Julie-bots. Interesting, and creepy.

  “They’re all Julie? I thought Julie was just a computer generated image.”

  “So did I, but nope, she is quite real. Each one is a fully interactive, independent robot capable of almost any order you give it. Except that they have no genitalia, only the deluxe models have the plumbing for sex. Also, not all of them are Julie. Look closely. There are actually five different types of girl in here. There are also male versions working in other rooms.”

  “This is amazing, and weird,” Ren whispered.

  “You like that, wait ‘til you see what’s next.”

  * * *

  I could hear Arkon’s voice down the hall. He had someone in his room. The door opened as we approached. Ren wheeled me in right behind Emmy, and then stopped to gasp at the dragon and his guest.

  “Good evening Ladies! I am so pleased to see you returning to health Kieran. Allow me to introduce Romeo, he is one of the research techs working on the robotics projects.” Arkon’s voice echoed in the room.

  “Huh?” Ren looked puzzled.

  Standing beside a table in the middle of the room next to Arkon was a large gorilla, a gorilla in a pinstriped suit and glasses. It smiled and grunted at us with a salute. Then a few seconds later, it broke down laughing.

  “Oh if you could see your faces now. Humans do love the grunting gorilla trick.”

  “THE MONKEY TALKS?!?!” Ren shrieked.

  “GOOORRRRIIIILLLAAA, not monkey. Please do not equate my intelligence to theirs. It’s demeaning, Detective Michaels.”

  Romeo walked up and shook Emmy’s hand. She smiled and pointed at him.

  “He is what I wanted you to see.”

  “You wanted to show us a talking gorilla wearing a suit?” I was confused.

  “Amazing aren’t I? Before you ask, I will explain. I am the first of my kind. The first cyborg gorilla. The cybernetic implants allow me to talk in your language, among other things.”

  “On Friday, Arkon introduced me to Romeo. I explained our situations to him, and he has a few solutions.” Emmy was smiling proud of herself.

  “I even have solutions to new problems. Come, let us begin.”

  He waved us over to the table he had been at earlier. The metal table was empty. We all just stood around it and stared at each other. Actually the others stood, Arkon was laying against the wall, and I was stuck in the wheelchair. The service door opened, and in walked a robot. It looked like a robotic version of a human skeleton, all pipes, motors, and wires. It carried a box and placed it on the table.

  “You like? Ishikawa industries are going to start selling this model to the public later this month. It costs about an average years wages, but it will save employers a mint in the long run. Cheap effective labor. The world will change forever by the end of the month. Of course as a tax write-off and a PR gig, they will donate a number of units to local hospitals, schools, police department, and the city. Everyone can now have his or her own robot assistant. The advanced units that can pass for humans will not be sold yet, until the market opens up for them. Anyway, take a look at this. It is sure to be the hottest seller for Christmas this year.”

  The gorilla picked up a teddy bear out of the box. He placed it on the table. It was a cute bear, but nothing that neat.

  “And?” I finally asked.

  “Watch.”

  The bear started to move. Slowly it stood up and walked around the table on its own. Then it looked at me.

  “Hello there. Do you need a friend? Would you like me to tell you a story?” the bear spoke in a soft gentle voice.

  “Cool. A talking, walking teddy. Neat toy.”

  “Exactly. It can keep watch over the kids, interact with them, tell them stories, keep them out of trouble, call for emergency services if necessary, and he is cuddly cute to boot. I expect these to sell by the millions. But, that’s not why you are here. This was designed for your housekeeper Mary.”

  Out of the box, the gorilla lifted a large teardrop shaped shoulder bag. It was formed to ride on the back off one shoulder. He placed it on the table. I couldn’t contain a sigh.

  So what, it’s just a bag, right? I own like fifty of ‘em.

  As soon as I thought it, the top flap of the bag opened on its own. A red glowing eye inside a metal frame peaked out of the open flap. The eye telescoped up a full two feet above the bag on a metallic chord and looked around before shrinking back to only a few inches. With a light hum the bag lifted off the table a few inches. Then four robotic legs extended out of the bottom to hold up the purse. It clanked a little as it walked around the table.

  “A complete AI guardian, disguised as a common purse. It has full communication capabilities as well as formidable defenses. Observe,” he said pointing at the purse.

  A panel opened exposing a Gatling gun almost exactly like my assault rifles. Six barrels surrounding a center one. On the other side of the bag, another panel opened to show the handle of a pulse gun next to a small packet of papers.

  “The outer barrels fire ripper rounds, it holds one hundred rounds inside. The center barrel is a built in pulse gun. As you can see, there is also a compartment for a standard Mark II pulse gun in the back, easily accessible for a cross draw while being worn. The purse is totally an independent system with auto targeting. It will only attack if Mary’s life is directly threatened. Portable peace of mind. As for licensing, these papers should cover it. It can also hold up to four textbooks inside. Next we have a tiny delight for you Detective.”

  This time he pulled a doll out of the box. It was a little four-inch-tall female police officer with big pigtails on an oversized head. It looked like a cartoon character.

  “How adorable!” Ren cooed, leaning down and smoothing her hair out of her eyes again so she could get a better look at the doll. “It looks just like the little chibi characters from those Japanese cartoons Tanaka likes. And look at that cute little police uniform, with the hat, and the nightstick, oooh and tiny handcuffs too? This is simply precious.”

  I had never seen Ren react like that to anything. It was a frightening sight. But I had to admit, the doll was cute beyond all reason. The huge eyes on the doll opened and it smiled. It took three steps and stopped. The face went all serious and it pointed its nightstick at us like a gun.

  “STAWP! I am a pawlice awfficer!” it said all serious in a high-pitched little girl’s voice.

  Ren squealed, actually squealed. “Oh my god! How perfect!”

  “Take off your gloves and pick her up,” Emmy nudged Ren.

  Ren removed her glove and hesitated, and then she scooped up the tiny policewoman. Her face went from shock to adoration. She hugged the doll to her like a child.

  “White noise, just like Tanaka!”

  “I thought it might. Detective, you can keep her with you. She will fit in your pocket, and you can use her anytime you need a break from your abilities. She is also a fully functional computer. Lift up on the edge of her hat,” Romeo said pointing at the hat’s edge.

  Ren flipped it up with her finger. Inside the hat was a narrow cord and a number of attachments.

  “With those she should be able to plug into a number of computers and other electronics. She is also able to communicate by infrared remote. Here is her operating manual. She has
too many features to go over right now, but let me tell you about this one. In her right arm is a pulse gun. The arm straightens and the palm opens up for the barrel. Now, she only has two shots, but they will recharge in time. She could save your life in a pinch.”

  The manual was a four-inch thick binder filled to the point of bursting of full sized pages.

  That is going to be some boring reading.

  Romeo reached back into the box and pulled out another doll. It was slightly larger than the last one, by about an inch, and it was dressed like a nurse, complete with an oversized syringe sans needle. The doll moved like the last one. It walked around then stopped in a suggestive pose with the syringe on its hip.

  “I’m a nurse, and it’s time fawr yawer shawt!” she said sounding much like the other one.

  “Adorable, is that one for Vicki?”

  “Yes actually, it is. The largest difference of the two dolls is that the nurse has a pulse gun with two shots in each arm. We could do that with the larger size, but she is not as portable as the other one.”

  “Romeo, why do they talk like that?” I asked poking at the nurse doll.

  “Because it makes them cuter of course. Now let’s move on to Cassie’s.”

  I placed the tiny nurse in my lap. She sat there looking around without moving more than her head and eyes. It was surprising how light she was. I expected Romeo to pull out a doll dressed like a student or something; instead he pulled out a pink volleyball.

  “Huh? Why not another doll? And what good is a volleyball?”

  “Ye of little faith. Catch.”

  He gently tossed me the ball. It felt like any regular volleyball. Then it moved. I felt something inside shake, and the panels of the ball retracted leaving a floating sphere with huge eyes in its place.

  “Woa! Hey that’s neat.”

  “Isn’t it? It holds some of the most advanced AI we have developed. As well as defenses. Concealed in these two panels are Gatling guns like the purse has. One on each side, giving the unit a total of two hundred ripper rounds. It is hover technology based so it had no need for taking up so much computing space on movement. It can lift over five hundred pounds unassisted. It can also fly up to two hundred miles per hour. While hidden in ball mode it is entirely undetectable, even by x-ray. No one would really think twice about a girl her age carrying around a ball.”