I am Automaton 3: Shadow of the Automaton

by Edward P. Cardillo

  “What are you doing?” asked Ehsan.

  “After I go, you follow me,” instructed Kojic.

  “Follow you where?”

  Kojic did not answer him. He undid his seatbelt, and he pulled himself up and out of the window in a single deft move. The wind was blowing through his hair as Adnon gained on the rear vehicle.

  Kojic pulled himself up, clutching the top rim of the car window and resting his feeton the bottom rim, and he swung himself onto the car hood still clutching the top rim of the passenger side window with his left hand.

  He heard Ehsan swear out loud, but he ignored the remark and turned around on the hood to face the upcoming back end of the Humvee. He waved for Adnon to pull closer.

  Kojic saw inside the Humvee that he had been noticed, and the soldiers were talking to each other frantically. They were raising their weapons as a voice came over a bullhorn.

  You, behind us. Back off or we’ll use deadly force.

  But it was too late. Kojic had leapt from the hood of the Mustang to the back of the Humvee and was pulling himself onto the roof.

  The Humvee began to swerve as Kojic steadied himself on top. They swerved a little too close to the left flank of the reverse vee.

  Perfect.

  Kojic jumped from the rear Humvee as bullets tore through the roof and landed onto the back of the left flank vehicle. He pulled himself up to the roof as he heard Ehsan shoot out the back tires of the rear vehicle.

  As he tried to steady himself atop the flanking vehicle, it began to swerve away from the ASV, but it slammed into the Mustang. Adnon was trying his best to keep it in place as Ehsan joined Kojic on the roof of the vehicle, leaping like a panther from one tree branch to another.

  Kojic pointed to the ASV and leapt onto it as Adnon careened the Humvee into the rear left panel of the ASV. Ehsan followed as the Humvee popped up onto the right side of the Mustang, crushing it, and using the Mustang as a ramp flipped over on its side.

  The Humvee rolled over and over behind them on the road and Kojic knew—no felt—that Adnon was all right. He felt a quickening of pulses inside the ASV and he grabbed on as the gun turret swiveled around, taking Ehsan off guard.

  Ehsan slid off the side of the turret but grabbed firmly onto the barrel. Unable to get a clear shot, the turret continued to swivel around so that Ehsan was hanging in front of the driver.

  A voice inside Kojic’s head—that of the doppelgänger now within him—told him to pull out his mini-com. He held it up to his eye and a code uploaded onto the device. He then initiated the code and the digi-lock to the hatch disengaged.

  Kojic felt a quickening from somewhere in front, and he looked up in time to see Assistant Director Wolff leaping onto the ASV, morphing in midair into a four-eyed beast, and landing with a thud.

  His gripped Kojic’s hand holding the mini-com and crushed it inside Kojic’s grip with his own. “What are you doing here?” he growled.

  However, before Kojic could answer, Ehsan hoisted himself back up onto the top of the ASV and the gun turret swiveled around, knocking both Wolff and Kojic off balance. The top hatch opened as a soldier emerged with a handgun.

  Gunfire erupted from the front two flanking Humvees and the rear right flanking Humvee as soldiers hung out of the windows. The bullets hit Wolff, Kojic, and Ehsan like a barrage of bee stings, causing them to stagger around the turret like drunkards. The soldier in the hatch took aim at Kojic but was knocked off balance from inside and fell back into the ASV.

  Suddenly, all six tires of the ASV screeched to a halt, sending Wolff and Ehsan flying forward, but Kojic grabbed Ehsan by the wrist. The three Humvees in front skidded sideways to stop about one hundred feet in front of them, as did the two rear Humvees about as many feet behind them.

  Kojic swung open the hatch, and he and Ehsan dropped inside. They each grabbed a soldier as Peter yelled, “Don’t hurt them!”

  They shot Peter a quick glance, bearing their fangs, and slammed the soldier’s heads into the inside wall of the ASV, knocking them unconscious.

  The driver tried to draw on them, but Ehsan crushed his gun hand and slammed his head into the top of the ASV. Gunfire erupted outside as they lit Wolff up like a Christmas tree.

  “Major, don’t,” Betancourt warned.

  “They’re not here to kill us,” said Peter with a certainty that even he couldn’t understand.

  “That’s right,” said Kojic. “How did you know?”

  “They’re firing on the beast,” said Ehsan. “We need to get out of here.” They heard footsteps on the roof.

  “Close the hatch,” ordered Peter.

  Kojic nodded and re-engaged the digi-lock. There was pounding on metal from above and voices shouting to open the hatch.

  “Free me,” said Peter.

  Kojic nodded and cut the ties that bound Peter’s wrists. Peter stood up and took the knife from Kojic, freeing Betancourt.

  Outside the soldiers fired at Wolff in beast form, but he only snarled and howled, refusing to go down. Suddenly, the ASV’s loudspeaker blared.

  Step away from the animal, form a wide perimeter, 30-foot spread.

  Recognizing military commands the soldiers outside backed away. The gun turret wheeled around and took aim at Wolff, who struggled to his feet, his chest heaving.

  There was a loud bang, and a projectile took Wolff’s head clear of his shoulders. Blood erupted from the open neck as his body fell limp to the pavement.

  There were cheers and then someone asked where the other two assailants were. There was another boom as one of the now empty Humvees blasted off the ground, rolling over and over down the highway.

  The path cleared, the ASV began to pull away, the soldiers on top hanging on tight. The top hatch opened and Betancourt popped up pointing an assault rifle at the hangers on.

  “Sorry, fellas. This party’s by invitation only. No crashers.”

  They looked at him, incredulous, but he gestured with the barrel of his rifle to jump off. They looked at each other, one soldier shrugged, and they all jumped off the top of the moving ASV.

  Betancourt climbed on top for a better look and saw them rolling on the pavement. He got back inside and sealed the hatch. The turret swiveled around and fired at the other two Humvees in front as the MP’s took cover on the side of the road.

  The ASV picked up speed and tore down the highway.

  “We have to get off,” said Betancourt. “They’ll be sending air support and we’re sitting ducks on here.”

  “I have an idea,” said Peter.

  He pulled off at Kerrville, and it wasn’t long before he found a wooded area away from any traffic and residences. He pulled under a thick group of trees and turned off the ASV. Elicia was rubbing her wrists, tender from the tight plastic ties, and Brittany was crouching behind her little sister nervously eyeing their new guests.

  “This should shield us from air support,” said Peter. The radio went wild as search parties combed the area for them.

  “Why did you rescue us?” asked Betancourt.

  Kojic ignored him and addressed Peter. “You are Kafka’s brother, yes?”

  Peter looked at Betancourt uncertainly and then nodded his head. “Yes, I am.”

  “You are like us?”

  “If you mean a piece of shit terrorist, then no. I am not.”

  “I mean you are infected,” said Kojic.

  “Yes, but I think you already know that. You are too, and your friend here.”

  Ehsan shot him a sharp glance.

  “That is correct,” said Kojic. “Before you were captured, what were you doing?”

  “We are not at liberty to say,” said Betancourt.

  Kojic shook his head in frustration, as if he wasn’t being understood. “Were you trying to stop Kafka?”

  “Yes. We were,” replied Peter.

  “Don’t tell them anything,” said Betancourt. “They’re with him.”

  “If they were with my brother, they would’ve kill
ed us already,” said Peter. “They sure as shit wouldn’t have tried to rescue us. Kafka put us in this situation, remember?”

  “That is correct,” said Kojic. “We are not with Kafka. Not anymore. We need your help.”

  “And what makes you think we’ll want to help you?” snapped Betancourt.

  “Because we know that Kafka plans to infect the entire country,” interjected Ehsan.

  “So isn’t that a part of your jihad?” Elicia asked. “Isn’t that what you want?”

  “No,” said Kojic shaking his head. “It is not.”

  “That’s because he plans on infecting all of OIL, too,” said Peter. “What, no ultimate sacrifice for the jihad?”

  “Kafka is waging an entirely different jihad than we are,” said Ehsan. “His is against all of the planet.”

  “Yours might as well be, too,” said Elicia. “You’re against everyone who isn’t you.”

  “You misunderstand,” said Kojic. “We will fight, and we are prepared to kill for our Cause, but we prefer assimilation.”

  Peter chortled at Kojic’s explanation. “Isn’t that what Kafka wants? Full conversion. A zero-sum war. Our losses are his gain. Victory through attrition in our ranks and conversion to his.”

  “We don’t want to turn everyone into zombies,” said Kojic.

  “No, you just expect blind disobedience to your Law,” said Elicia.

  Ehsan appealed to Elicia. “Someone like you should understand. You are called a terrorist for fighting for what you believe in.”

  “I am not a terrorist,” she corrected, “and someone like me—a woman—would be treated like a second class citizen or an animal under your Law. So you’re barking up the wrong tree.”

  “Without splitting hairs, here,” said Peter, “it sounds like you want to help us stop Kafka. My question is: why us?”

  “We tried to appeal to our OIL brothers,” said Kojic. “We explained everything, and they saw it for themselves, but they are misguided and don’t fully understand our enemy.”

  “So you’re saying that they’re not going to help you.”

  “They think they’re helping,” said Ehsan. “They’re attacking Kafka at his lair as we speak.”

  “They’re walking into a trap,” said Peter.

  “Exactly. You know your brother. His is very cunning. The only chance we have is to get to the master RGT apparatus first and destroy it.”

  Peter and Betancourt exchanged knowing looks.

  “So it appears we aren’t the only ones who came to this conclusion,” said Betancourt. “The question is, do we align ourselves with terrorists?”

  “Hey,” said Elicia as she examined the instrumentation onboard the ASV, “this vehicle is loaded with some pretty sophisticated equipment, and it’s a rolling internet hotspot.”

  “An armored rolling internet hotspot,” Betancourt corrected smiling. “Will this equipment be what you need?”

  Elicia’s eyes were wide with excitement. She looked like a kid in a candy store. “It’s exactly what I need, and because it’s a vehicle, we can stay mobile. It’ll make us harder to track.”

  “So what’s it going to be?” asked Peter.

  Betancourt pondered the possibilities for a moment. “Okay, we’ll play ball. We ride to Nevada and intercept Kafka. Brittany will stay behind and drive around the desert in circles while Tronika here does her thing.”

  “No,” said Peter. “You stay behind with them. They’ll need protection in case they catch some heat.”

  “Major, I don’t think that you should be alone with…”

  Peter knew where he was going. “It’s all right. We three are the best equipped for dealing with Kafka. No offense, sir, but you’ll only be a liability. With the three of us and our enhanced abilities, I really think we stand a chance.”

  However, Peter could read Betancourt’s mind. Thanks to the serum, Peter didn’t have the same level of ability as the other two. They were somewhere between Peter and Kafka in power. If they decided to turn on him…

  “I’ll just need you to delay him,” said Elicia. “He won’t see me coming. Once I unleash my virus into the mobile operating system and firmware, his whole viral distribution mechanism will be toast.”

  “Fighting fire with fire,” said Betancourt.

  “Virus with virus,” corrected Elicia.

  “What’s the fastest way to get to Nevada?” asked Peter.

  “By train would be quickest,” said Betancourt. “Your men’s attack on Kafka’s lair should buy us some time. Plus we’re a little closer than he is.”

  “It’ll buy us time if he’s still there,” said Ehsan. “He might already be on the move.”

  “All right,” said Peter. “Let’s get moving,” he said to Kojic and Ehsan.”

  “What about Adnon?” Ehsan asked Kojic.

  Kojic smiled weakly. “If I know cowardly little Adnon, he’s already on his way to Mexico.”

  Ehsan frowned and nodded his agreement.

  Betancourt looked at Peter. “I’ll have my connections wire some funds to your phone so you can purchase a train ticket. It’ll get you into Nevada, but it won’t get you close. You’ll have to improvise once you’re in state.”

  “I don’t think Amtrak runs that way. We’ll have to hotwire a car,” said Peter.

  “You won’t have to,” said Elicia. “I’ll send you ignition codes depending on the make and model of the car.”

  “Won’t that be dangerous with Kafka running around transmitting his virus?”

  “He’ll be heading to Nevada like you and out of range to get me,” said Elicia. “I should be fine.”

  Peter looked at Betancourt. “Find some deserted area to drive around in circles. With Wolff out of the picture, maybe the NSA won’t be on your back now. Keep the girls safe. I have to take Elicia out if we survive this.”

  Elicia looked up, startled, her pulse quickening. Then she smiled. “Be careful, Peter.”

  “I’m with two terrorists headed to Area 51 to try to kill my half-alien brother and prevent a zombie apocalypse. What could possibly go wrong?”

  He smirked and then climbed out of the ASV with his new partners.

  Chapter 15

  Outside Kafka’s Lair

  16:01HRS

  Bushaj pinged his rooftop snipers on either side of the building, as he demanded radio silence. He, Murati, and their assault team crept along the side of the building. While Murati worked on breaching the side entrance, Bushaj walked all the way back to the fenced in back area.

  It was empty. Completely empty. No shadowy figures lumbering about. He began to question his men’s account, attributing their hyperbole to the mystique that surrounded this Kafka.

  He rejoined the team just as Murati breached the side door. Murati gave the thumbs up.

  “Camaj, come in,” said Bushaj into his mini-com.

  “Camaj, here.”

  “Did you scan the building?”

  “I only pick up one life form with a strange signature.”

  “That’s him,” said Murati.

  “Standby,” said Bushaj into his mini-com.

  “Standing by,” replied Camaj, who waved to them from the rooftop opposite them.

  “Marco, did you do your scan?”

  “Yes. I’m only picking up one strange signature.”

  Murati nodded.

  “Good, stand by,” said Bushaj.

  “Standing by.”

  “All right. He’s in there all alone. He’s one man. Let’s make him pay for what he did to our brothers.”

  Everyone nodded silently. They all raised their automatic assault rifles and filed into the old factory building. Bushaj whispered a prayer to Allah and brought up the rear.

  They crossed a dark stairwell, passing a small security camera mounted overhead, and filed into a long, dark corridor. They followed the corridors, working their way deeper into the interior of the building towards the factory floor at its center.

  Murati pe
eked through the window in the door to the factory floor, checking for movement. “It’s deserted.”

  Bushaj jerked his head to the side and put up a finger to shush Murati. He heard the echo of footsteps.

  Lots of footsteps coming in their direction.

  He pointed his index finger in the air and made a circular motion, and the team began to spread out, going away from the factory floor.

  Murati went down a hall to the left with two others and listened intently for the source of the shuffling footsteps. They rounded a corner and heard the shuffling getting louder. Murati put up his hand and made a fist, signaling for the other two men to stop.

  They waited, Murati down on one knee, rifles aimed at whatever was going to be coming. He nearly slipped and pulled the trigger when he heard one of the others screaming in terror from some other corridor. There was gunfire.

  About a dozen bumbling silhouettes spilled into the end of the hallway hissing and growling, swiping their hands in the air as if trying to grasp them from afar.

  “What the hell…” muttered Murati.

  As if they heard him, the figures picked up pace and were growling as they lurched towards them. As they got close, their ghoulish features were revealed under the staccato lighting of the overhead fluorescent lights.

  “Fire!” Murati commanded, and the hallway erupted into gunfire, the muzzle flashes creating a strobe effect. The bullets sank into the lumbering bodies, but it only slowed them down.

  Horrified, Murati signaled for them to retreat. They ran backward, tripping over each other, as they unloaded on the tide of undead coming down the corridor.

  They rounded the corner from whence they came and backtracked to the area outside the factory floor. That was where they found the others firing wildly down the other corridors.

  “It was a trap!” shouted Bushaj, panicked.

  No shit, thought Murati, who continued to fire at his band of zombie pursuers. He regretted ever doubting Kojic, and he regretted even more that Kojic’s sorry ass wasn’t there to share his fate.

  “Onto the factory floor!” shouted Bushaj, and the group retreated inside. “Lock the doors!”