Enhanced

by Ben Brown

  “You bastard, you’ll pay for that! He was my brother!” He was so close that when he screamed the blood and spit from his mouth hit Zac in the face. But Zac didn’t feel panicked — his heart rate was steady, and he knew his next move.

  Zac turned from the window and took a half a dozen steps back. Then he turned and launched out through the glass. The man below looked up, but had no time to react. Zac landed on him feet first, driving him into the ground. It took Zac a few seconds to get to his feet. He was covered in blood but very little of it was his own. He began to hobble up the street. The four-story jump had hurt, but not seriously.

  He began to wonder when the simulation would end, when from behind him, he heard the screeching of tires. He turned to see an old beat up VW flying towards him. You’ve got to be kidding! The woman he had left at the dumpster was driving the car, and it was almost on him.

  Without thinking Zac turned to face the speeding vehicle. He jumped, hitting the bonnet of the car with his right foot. He rotated through the air, his feet pointing skywards. As he looked down at the roof of the car, he aimed the gun, which he still held in his right hand, and fired two shots. A split second later, he landed at the rear of the car, just in time to watch it slam into a wall and burst into flames. Then the whole scene disappeared and Doc’s voice boomed out again.

  “The simulation is over and your scores are off the scale! Your reaction times are well above anything we have seen before.” Doc seemed excited. Zac, disturbed by what he had just done, had trouble matching his enthusiasm.

  “Get me out of here,” he muttered as he started to shake. “I need to talk!”

  He was totally fatigued.

  4

  Zac, Lea, and Doc sat around a small table in the facilities kitchen. It was just after 8 pm. None of them had spoken since the simulation hours earlier. Zac sat quietly eating; occasionally he looked up at either Doc or Lea.

  His mind was full of the things he had done, and the things he would need to do. He felt as if he would explode. Yet, for some reason he couldn’t find the words to describe his internal struggle. He desperately wanted to explain how he felt, but it seemed his trials in the simulator had rendered him mute.

  Finally, Skinner broke the silence. “Zac, you seemed shaken after the simulation. I know it can be ha …”

  Zac slammed his hand down on the table, cracking its thin veneer. Both Lea and Doc jumped in their seats, shocked by his sudden outburst. Zac was angry, upset and scared.

  “Is that what I’ll need to do? Kill people? I thought we were going to help them. How is killing them helping? Why did I find it so easy to kill? It didn’t bother me that they would die. Was it just because I knew they weren’t real? Or, has my enhancement changed me in some way?”

  Doc took his time to respond, choosing his words carefully.

  “The assailants in the simulation are accurate models of subjects that we know to exist. The behavior exhibited by the representations is correct within the scenario set out in the simulation. Many of the subjects that you will come into contact with are beyond help. Lethal force may be your only course of action. Telling you otherwise would be counterproductive. In addition to this, I need to reinforce this fact — your enhancements did not make you kill those people. You did it to survive.”

  Zac looked at Lea. His anger had subsided somewhat, but he still felt used. “What the hell did he just say? I didn’t understand a word of that. Why can’t he just talk like a normal human being, instead of a damn robot?”

  Lea frowned. “I think what Doc is trying to say is, sometimes you will have to kill. None of us want that, but it is a part of what we have to do. He’s trying to be honest with you, Zac, that’s all.”

  Doc had a bemused look on his face. “I thought I made that clear in my last statement. None the less, your actions were well measured and controlled. At no point did you allow your fear or anger to overwhelm you. You did no more than needed, which is commendable.”

  Lea nodded. “Zac, those people were trying to kill you. You reacted to save your life, and you only killed those who left you no other option. For instance, you could’ve killed the boy, but you didn’t. You could’ve killed both men in the hallway, but you didn’t. That’s the difference between Dominic’s people and us. They always want to kill. It seems to be a driving force within them. It makes them dangerous beyond belief.”

  Doc nodded. “The people you will be hunting will kill anyone who gets in their way, or even on a whim. Dominic has implanted them with code and nanites that makes violence a pleasure for them. The drive for violence would be as strong as the drive to reproduce. They cannot control it. However, some of them may not be beyond our help. I believe that the time between their implantation and contact with us is critical. If we catch them soon enough, all may not be lost. Maybe we could even reverse the process by destroying their nanites. In fact, some of his subjects may be inherently good. However, their bodies simply cannot compete with his nanites, so they lose themselves to his will. I think that once the nanites are gone, no matter how long it’s been since the implantation, those subjects will return to normal.

  “You see, Zac, it takes a long time for the nanites to completely and irrevocably rewrite a subject’s D.N.A. In some cases, if the subject is exceptionally strong, it could take upwards of a year.”

  Zac nodded vaguely as he stared at his food. “Maybe, Doc, but will I have the time to tell if we can help them or not? If someone has a gun pointed at your head, you don’t have time to ask too many questions. Anyway, I still felt like I wasn’t in control. It felt more as if it was all instinct.”

  Doc nodded. “It was mostly instinct. You need to realize that the code I have unlocked is ancient, prehistoric even. It predates humanity. The code, I believe, was intended to keep its possessor alive. It gives the possessor the ability to evaluate situations, and then react accordingly. It is the ultimate survival instinct. You were in control, more in control than you have ever been before. When you disabled the lad you checked to see that he was okay, which shows you could switch on and off.”

  “Maybe that’s true, but I’m not so sure.”

  “Zac, I know this is hard,” said Lea, “but I was watching you. You reacted with a measure of control that can only be explained by your compassion. You did no more than you needed to. I’ve seen these guys we’re going after in action. They’re brutal and sadistic. They keep people alive to just to enjoy the pain they’re inflicting. Some of these guys are real animals. You need to be ready for that, or you will get killed.”

  Doc spoke again. “Your reactions in there were like nothing we have ever seen. You moved with such speed our cameras could hardly catch you. As for that jump out of the window, we have never seen any subject survive a jump like that. According to our readouts, you didn’t even reach your full potential.”

  Zac looked up at them both in amazement, and finally smiled. The two had reassured him a great deal, and he felt far more comfortable with what lay ahead. “Okay, you’re right. I was great! Now have you got any beer?”

  Lea smiled, went to the fridge, and returned with three Coronas.

  “The thing is — I don’t want what I did in there to become normal. I want to help, if I can. I know that force may be the only option in most cases, but I hope it won’t be every case.”

  Doc seemed pleased. “I have been working on a gun for you both. It is something new — it fires conventional munitions, as you would expect, but it can also fire tranquillizers. With a flick of a button, you can choose a high-powered tranquillizer instead of a bullet. The tranquillizers’ strength can also be adjusted, so it can be used on unenhanced targets too. This gives you the choice of using lethal force or not. The handgun has a range of half a mile, so the recoil is immense. It would break the arm of any normal person, so be prepared.”

  Zac nodded. “Good, that’s what I want, options. So, what’s next?”

  Doc wiped his mouth and headed for a computer. He clicked the
mouse and a large screen kicked into life. “As you know, you are subject number eight. Dominic, Lea, and Ian were the first three. There are another four subjects out there working on our behalf. The identity of these four is known to me and no one else. You will only be told who they are if and when needed.”

  Zac nodded as Doc went on.

  “These subjects are nowhere near as powerful as you and Lea, so they will only be used to find other subjects and to do the footwork in the hunt for Dominic. These people will not be put at risk.”

  “That’s clear, but do you have any leads on Dominic?” Zac asked.

  “Yes, the day after tomorrow he is due to meet with his money man in New York. At this point, we do not know where exactly, but you and Lea are heading over there anyway. You should arrive before the scheduled meeting. I hope you may have up to twenty-four hours to track him down.

  “I will be implanting a GPS tracking and communication device into both of your necks. You will be able to communicate with each other, and back here to base.”

  A schematic of the device instantly popped up on the screen. As the image rotated Doc continued his briefing.

  “I will be able to send you encrypted data through the device, which will download into the iPhones you will be issued. You will also be equipped with a data extraction device. With it, you will be able to extract data from almost any computer. It can be up linked through the devices in your necks, which will transmit the data back here. In addition, Lea will carry a medi-pack, which of course I have designed. The pack contains some very advanced medical know-how. Hopefully you won’t need it, but if you do, it should keep you alive until further medical help can be found. You will both be issued credit cards and cash, to cover any expense you may incur.

  “Dominic’s people will try to stop you at any cost. You must try to keep any confrontations away from civilians. In the past, Dominic’s subjects have used civilians as shields and much worse. Any questions?”

  Lea and Zac looked at each other. Both shook their heads.

  “Good, then let’s get ready and head to the airport.”

  Nine hours later, Zac and Lea landed at New York’s J.F.K airport. They’d flown first class and slept the whole way. Several men in dark suits took them from the plane, avoiding the airport security. The men then put them in a yellow cab. One of the men explained that the cab would be the least conspicuous way for them to get around. He then wished them good luck and sent them on their way. The cabbie dropped the two at Times Square; it seemed as good a place as any to start.

  As soon as they were out of the cab, Zac activated his implant by pressing on the side of his neck. “Doc, are you there, can you hear me?”

  “Yes, Zac, I hear you. I have some info on Dominic’s location. I’ll send the data now. Good hunting.”

  Both iPhones beeped, indicating an email had arrived. Zac and Lea studied the data.

  “Not much help is it?” Lea stared at her iPhone. “The meeting will take place at a landmark. Hell, New York is full of landmarks. We’re standing in one right now.” She looked around, scanning the crowds of people surrounding them.

  Zac nodded in agreement. “We need to find a tourism booth. It’s summer so everywhere should be open. If we get one of those city guide pamphlets, it might help. You know Dominic, where do you think he would pick?”

  “Well, I don’t think he would choose one of the obvious places. The Empire State building or the Statue of Liberty would be far too mundane for him. Apart from that I don’t have a clue.” She scowled. “I think you’re right though, we need to find some information about what’s here, because I have no idea. This is my first time in the Big Apple.”

  “I’ve always wanted to come to New York, you know. It’s been a dream of mine. Now I’m here, I can’t quite come to grips with things.” Zac started to shake his head in disbelief. “Anyway, we need to find that guidebook. Let’s find a news stand.”

  The two walked around for a while, looking for some place that sold the booklet. Finally they found one called A Guide to New York. Zac paid for the guide and the two headed to a nearby diner for a coffee while they planned their next move.

  “God, where do we start? Look at all these places. What kind of place would attract him? Almost everywhere in New York is iconic.” Lea sipped on her coffee.

  “Doc said that Dominic is suffering from megalomania. We should factor that into our decision-making. Perhaps somewhere that would appeal to his delusions of grandeur?” Zac suggested as he flicked through the pages.

  A tall, heavily made-up waitress walked over to their table. “Would you like a top-off, sweetie?”

  “Yes please,” Zac replied.

  “You two here on vacation — no wait, I know — it’s your honeymoon.”

  Zac looked at Lea and smiled. “Yeah, we got married two days ago at Niagara Falls. We wanted to see New York City before we headed back to the UK. I think it’s one of the most romantic cities in the world, don’t you?”

  Lea quickly put her hands under the table so the waitress wouldn’t notice the absence of a wedding ring.

  “I sure do, sweet cheeks, especially around Valentine’s. You two lovebirds really should try and get back for that. My hubby Herb, he proposed to me at the top of the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day. It was just like that Cary Grant movie. You know, the one with Deborah Kerr? So romantic.”

  She stared off into space for a second. A slight smile grew on her face as she continued. “Plus the sightseeing is the best in the world. New York has it all. I’ve lived here my whole life, but I still love to see the sights.”

  The waitress was staring again, this time out of the window, an absent look on her face. The coffee pot in her hand started to tip. Its rich dark contents crept closer to spilling. Lea and Zac looked at each other and smiled with amusement.

  “Ellis Island is my favorite. I go there every year. That little Island helped shape this country. Did you know, all the …”

  “Ellis Island? What’s that?” Zac cut the waitress off, which seemed to snatch her out of her daydream. A small amount of coffee slopped onto the dirty floor as she jerked her hand straight. “I’ve never heard of it.”

  She looked at him, somewhat insulted by his ignorance.

  “That’s where all the immigrants from around the world came through to enter New York and the U.S.A. It closed in 1924 after processing over twelve million immigrants.”

  Zac smiled at her, impressed by her knowledge.

  “Ellis Island will go straight to the top of our list, thank you.”

  She smiled back at him, pleased by his sudden interest.

  “You’re welcome sweetie. Now would you like some apple pie? It’s on the house for the newlyweds.”

  “That would be lovely,” Lea said as the waitress poured two fresh cups of coffee, then headed off to fetch the apple pie.

  “So we’re Mr. & Mrs. Thomas now. You’d better get me a ring.”

  “Sure, honey, but let’s have the apple pie first!” Zac said with a grin. “What do you think about this Ellis Island? Sound promising?” He flicked through the guidebook to see what information he could find.

  “Here we go. It says, ‘Ellis Island is a small Island in New York Harbor, located in the upper bay, just off the New Jersey coast, within the shadow of the Statue of Liberty.’ It goes on to say that, ‘Descendants of the immigrants that passed through the Island account for almost half of the American people.’” Zac looked at Lea as he finished.

  She raised her eyebrows and nodded. “It’s surrounded by water, so he would be able to see anyone who was coming for him. I think it would appeal to his ego. He sees himself as someone who will change history. It seems Ellis Island has certainly played its part in history. We may as well take a look; after all, we don’t have any other leads. How do we get there?”

  Zac looked back at the guidebook. “It says you can catch a ferry from a place called Battery Park, between 9 am and 5 pm. I think we should
catch a cab and head over there now.”

  Lea nodded her agreement. “As soon as we’ve had our pie. I’m starving.”

  The pie arrived, and it was fabulous. Both enjoyed the short interlude of normality as they ate in silence. They paid the bill and left the diner.

  Lea headed to the curb. Looking up and down the street, she waved her hand in the air and shouted, “Taxi!”

  The taxi ride was all Zac had imagined it would be. He and Lea stared from the windows, taking in all the amazing sights as the driver babbled on in a thick New York accent.

  When they pulled up at Battery Park, the driver leaned over his seat to look at them both. “That’ll be twenty-five bucks, Mac.”

  Lea handed over thirty, “Keep the change.”

  He touched his brow with one finger, in a salute of appreciation.

  The ferry to the Island was just as enthralling as the taxi ride. The view of the Statue of Liberty was breath-taking. After a short trip, the ferry began to dock at Ellis Island.

  Lea looked at Zac. “By the time we’ve had a look around this place, we won’t have the time to try anywhere else. I hope we’re right.”

  Zac tore his gaze from the island and turned to her.

  “Can’t you feel them? There’s more than one of his subjects already on the Island. I’ve been sensing them for about five minutes.”

  “I can’t feel anything yet.” Lea shook her head. “Most subjects need to be within a hundred feet of each other to get any kind of sensation. How many are there, do you think?”

  “I’m not sure — at least three, but maybe more. I don’t know if any of them are Dominic. Do you think Dominic could be here already?”

  “It’s possible; the times we were given were very broad. He could be here waiting for his moneyman to turn up, and he could have a number of bodyguards with him. If that’s the case, then he must be able to sense us. This will get messy if we’re not careful.”

  Zac nodded grimly as they headed off the ferry in the direction of the former Immigration Station, Main Building. As the two walked, the sensation of the others became almost overwhelming. Zac stopped and looked around. He knew things were going to turn bad.