Solaria - S1

by Fran Heckrotte

  Turning back to face Carley, she smiled. Carley was stunned at the immediate transformation. Before her stood the picture perfect image of Peggy Landers, a reclusive scientist in the Animal Behavioral Department.

  "Amazing," Carley murmured. "Now, can you duplicate her retinal patterns and finger prints? Also there should be records of those and a voice recording in the data banks of Animal Behavioral. I want you to practice imitating her voice. The hair coloring is going to be a problem. Is there anything you can do to change yours to match hers?"

  "A simple chemical mixture of dyes would do it in about fifteen minutes."

  "Good. Can you make some up?"

  Solaria nodded.

  "I know why you're doing this."

  "Then you know we have to get you out of here soon. I've been putting off turning in my reports, but Stalling's right hand man is demanding an update. I suspect they're going to want it soon."

  As if to confirm her suspicions, a loud buzzer went off and then repeated itself several times.

  "Damn! Go sit in the chair and pretend you're deactivated," Carley ordered, dissolving the hologram.

  Without waiting for Solaria to comply, she walked to the door and deactivated the locks.

  "Mr. Billings, what brings you here?" she asked stoically.

  "Your report, Dr. Branson. It was supposed to be on my desk this morning, and do you always keep this door locked during operational hours?"

  "Sorry, but I was working on a small glitch in the Hubot's subprograms. I didn't want to be disturbed."

  "Another one? That's the fifth this month. Perhaps I should get Peter Janen in to check it out."

  "That's not necessary. I've already created a patch. I was just getting ready to test it when you rang the buzzer."

  Picking up her ink pen she clicked it three times as if activating a switch. Immediately, Solaria turned her head and blinked at the two humans.

  "Good afternoon, Dr. Branson," she said, her voice expressionless. "Good afternoon, Mr. Billings."

  Surprised, Billings looked first at Carley and then back at Solaria.

  "Uh, good afternoon. You know me?"

  "Leonard Billings, personal assistant to Winston Stalling and Chief Operations Officer for Future Dynamicon. Sixty-two years old, divorced, three children. Maggie, age thirty-thr..."

  "That's enough," Carley ordered. "Mr. Billings doesn't need his life history, Number 1A526."

  The Hubot ceased talking and sat motionless in the chair.

  "I'm still having trouble getting it to stop citing so much detail all the time."

  "Apparently you still haven't been able to get past that dull artificial voice, either. Abelli told me he solved that problem several months ago."

  "She... it's just the side-affects of the new patch. Once the processors fully incorporate the data into the main program the glitch should disappear."

  "I hope so. We need a Hubot who looks and sounds human if we're going to move forward with our plans."

  "Of course. Disadvantaged people will feel more comfortable around our product if it at least appear human."

  "Yes, yes. Definitely we want our clients to think of this unit as human. That is humanlike. How much longer before you've finished the programming and education process?"

  "Maybe another month or two," Carley replied, hoping to buy more time to establish an escape plan.

  "I'm not sure Mr. Stalling wants to wait that long. We're already behind schedule for the next phase."

  "I wasn't aware he wanted to market the Hubots so soon."

  "We have several customers interested in this project, Dr. Branson. Before we can introduce the product to them, there are a few modifications that must be completed in the bio-mechanics lab."

  "Oh? I wasn't informed of that."

  "We didn't want to bother you with such trivial matters."

  Glancing at his watch, Billings frowned.

  "I have another meeting to attend. I'll inform Mr. Stalling of your progress. I recommend you complete your work as quickly as possible... say by the end of the month. That gives you a little over two weeks. In the meantime, I'll send you a couple of assistants to help. You can instruct them as to the problems and they can work with the Hubot twenty-four hours a day if necessary."

  "That's really not..."

  "No need to thank me. I insist."

  Carley knew it was useless to argue. Nodding her head, she escorted Billings to the door and secured it once he had left.

  "We need to get you out of here as soon as possible," she said turning to Solaria. "I don't trust him or Stalling."

  It was then that Solaria decided to disclose her eavesdropping capabilities and what she had heard on the sub-frequencies.

  "Do you know what black ops are?" she asked.

  "Of course. It's a term normally describing subversive government or military operations. Why?"

  "I've been monitoring some satellite transmissions and overhead plans to use Hubots in these programs."

  Stunned, Carley looked nervously around the room as if suspecting they too might now be under observation. Grabbing Solaria's arm she led her to the vault.

  "I knew you could receive certain frequencies but didn't realize the extent of your capabilities. Are there any spy devices in here?"

  Solaria scanned the room searching for anything unusual.

  "There is nothing in here other than the locking mechanisms on the clamps, the lights and the vault locks."

  "Good! Now what plans?"

  "Nothing specific. There was a reference to a time frame for getting me into operational mode and activating the subprograms. They seem anxious to see how I respond to their instructions and perform."

  "Perform? Perform, how? Did they say?"

  "Perhaps it would be better if I let you hear the conversation."

  Before Carley could reply, Solaria began repeating one of the communications, duplicating the voices of the participants.

  "Tiger One, do you have an update on Project Shadow? We're scheduled to begin our mission within three months."

  "The Company says the beta will be put into operation shortly. The program still has a few glitches that need worked out."

  "I thought this woman was supposed to be the top in her field. She's been working on the Hubot for almost a year. Can't you get someone in to help her so we can speed this thing up?"

  "We're working on it but we need to be careful. Branson's good but she doesn't have Alpha clearance. Everyone thinks she's too ethical to agree with the program. If she learns of this operation, she's liable to become a whistle blower."

  "If that's true, what happens when she's relieved of the Hubot? Won't she become suspicious if she's not included in any future activities or hears the Hubot Project has been dropped? She knows the Company's progress is already substantial."

  "She'll be taken care of if she makes trouble. For now, just continue with your preparations and let us worry about the Hubot and Branson."

  "Will do. Keep me informed, though. I'll need some time to prepare the compound for its arrival and to get everyone in position for the mission."

  "Roger. Signing off."

  Switching to her normal mode, Solaria waited for Carley to speak.

  "Bastards! I knew this was too good to be true but I was still hoping. Future Dynamicon was never known for philanthropic endeavors even though they want the public to think differently."

  "We're in a lot of trouble, I take it," Solaria interjected calmly.

  "Yes, and I need to get you out of here as soon as possible."

  "What about you? Once I'm gone, they'll know you helped me. They will kill you."

  "You've been reading too many spy stories. If we plan this right, they'll never know."

  Solaria knew Carley was simply trying to reassure her. These people would never believe Solaria escaped their security system without someone's help, and Carley was the logical choice.

  "That's why you wanted me to practice altering my features to
look like Peggy Landers."

  "Yes. I guess I always suspected Stalling was up to no good but never realized it was this bad. Security is so tight in this place it's next to impossible to come and go without the proper identification. Everyone is bio-checked. Fingerprints, retinal scans, special I.D. cards with encrypted barcodes. Even facial recognition software is used at the entrances."

  "So, even if I alter my physical appearance, we still have to get a duplicate of Peggy Landers' I.D. card."

  "Yes and no. I don't have access to personnel files, but I believe you're more than capable of hacking into the system. If you can get that encryption code, we should be able to overlay the information on my card. That will get you through security."

  "And what will you use?"

  "I'll report mine lost when I leave at the end of the day. By then, you'll be gone. Security will seal the premises once they know it's missing, and no one can leave without going through a personal clearance."

  "What happens to you?"

  Carley shrugged.

  "I don't know. Probably a lecture, some type of monetary fine for the expense Future Dynamicon will incur for having to shut down everything. Hell, they may even release me from my contract. I wouldn't mind that."

  Solaria didn't believe Carley, but couldn't come up with a logical reason why. If they couldn't trace the counterfeit I.D. used in her escape to Carley, there was no reason to harm her. Then again, humans were notorious for faulty reasoning.

  "I'll work on obtaining the code tonight once everyone in Human Resources has gone home. When will we put your plan into action?"

  "We'll play it by ear. Peggy is due to go on leave in the next few days."

  "Won't security know she's not scheduled to be on the premises or that she's already checked out?"

  "Yes, and that's the other thing. If you can access the security records the same day you leave, you can delete the entry referencing her departure."

  "You have a lot of faith in my skills."

  Carley scrutinized Solaria's face to see if she was being sarcastic. She realized it was just an observation.

  "Not faith. I don't believe in that stuff. I have confidence in your skills and analytical abilities. Now, I'd better go. There are things I need to take care of if this is going to work. I'll be in early tomorrow in case we have to move more quickly." Picking up her handbag, Carley absent-mindedly patted Solaria's shoulder. "Don't worry; it'll be alright," Carley said, as if reassuring a child and then left, her thoughts already focused on her next task.

  * * *

  Solaria sat down at the terminal and began searching for backdoors into the Human Resources Department. Her first goal was to locate the name of someone who worked in the department. Once she identified the senior officer, she tracked several links to the secured computer site. Eleven minutes and thirty-three seconds later, she had the encryption code for Peggy Landers' security card as well as the woman's entire history... before and after she joined Future Dynamicon. Exiting the system, Solaria focused on the Company's security system and was surprised to find it extremely sophisticated. Several firewalls and complex intrusion detection software protected the data from hackers. The firewalls were easy to maneuver around but the other was more difficult. Solaria's admiration for the designers increased every time she was confronted with a new obstacle. After navigating around the last barrier, she was surprised that it had taken over six hours to complete the job. Planting a small Trojan that would allow her entry at any time, the Hubot exited the system.

  Her final task was to locate Stalling's personal records, which she accomplished in twenty-two minutes. Scanning his notes, she realized the CEO was not only extremely ambitious, but he was ruthlessly fanatical in his beliefs. He epitomized the worst of humanity. If Stalling completed his plans, he would become the most powerful person in human history and would be virtually unstoppable. Humanity would suffer as it had never suffered before and hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, would die.

  CHAPTER 7

  ONCE HOME, CARLEY put on the teapot then sat at her computer staring at the blank screen. If her plans were to work, she would have to get busy. Time was of the essence. Once Solaria escaped, Future Dynamicon would spare no expense to locate and capture her. The first thing was to establish a new identity for Solaria.

  Accessing the Internet, she activated a special software program that allowed her to travel the Net anonymously. The last thing she needed was spying eyes intercepting any of her communications. Within seconds Carley found the site she was looking for and emailed the webmaster.

  "I hope Dana hasn't forgotten me," she mumbled.

  The instant reply gave her the answer. Clicking on the blinking icon of a griffin's head, Carley watched a window pop open.

  "Well, well, what brings you to the dark side of the Net?" a mechanical voice asked.

  "You really need to perfect your avatar's voice, Dana. You sound more like an old television robot than a person."

  "Not everyone has the resources you have, Carley. Some of us have to make do with whatever we can beg, steal or borrow."

  "The last time I remember, you were pretty adept at all those skills."

  "Tsk! Tsrk! You're getting jaded, my dear. Now what can I do for you? It's been a long time since you've graced me with your presence."

  "I need a favor and quickly."

  "How quickly?"

  "By tomorrow morning if possible. Hopefully, before I go to the lab."

  "And this favor?"

  "I need to set up a new identity for someone."

  "Geez, Carley! You don't want much, do you? That's a complicated process and costly under normal circumstances."

  "I know, but this is important!"

  "That's obvious. Why the rush?"

  "It's the only way to save this person's life. As it is, I'm afraid mine isn't worth much anymore, especially if I help her."

  "Her? She must be special. I've never known you to get so involved with another person. Is she your lover?"

  Carley laughed.

  "At my age? Don't be ridiculous. She's just a good friend."

  "Right! Good friend, huh? Well, whoever she is, she must be extremely important for you to go to these extremes. I'll see what I can do but you'll need to give me a few details about her and a picture... and you're going to owe me big time if I pull this off."

  "If I live long enough, anything."

  The silence that followed was almost deafening.

  "That serious, eh?"

  "That serious, Dana. I want you to use the name on the files I'm sending as the primary identity and then destroy your copy."

  Inserting a micro-disk into her computer, Carley punched a few keys, hit the send button and waited.

  "Damn, woman, she's gorgeous. Who'd she piss off?"

  "No one yet, but once she disappears, a lot of people are going to be looking for her. Can you set up the holograms on the I.D.s to make them easily alterable?"

  "I can install a subprogram to accept new data if needed."

  "You've come a long way, then. I thought only the government had that technology."

  "What Big Brother has Little Brother quickly gets. We were able to break that kernel in less than two weeks but I don't think the gov's aware we've gotten this far. Only Hackattack and I know how to do it and we're not telling. Listen, Carley, I can have two sets of I.D. for you."

  "I don't think so. If they find one on me, it'll alert them to what's been done and endanger everyone. I think it'd be better if I just try and tough this one out, but I appreciate the offer."

  "Well, just in case you change your mind, I'm making up an extra set. If you find you need it, I can get it to you thirty minutes after you call."

  "Thanks, Dana. Let me know how much I owe and I'll make arrangements for the funds."

  Dana's mechanical voice sounded almost warm as he chuckled.

  "Consider it a favor. Anything that pisses off Future Dynamicon is payment enough. Now I'd better get to
work. Expect the package by five a.m."

  "I appreciate it. Oh, one more thing. Do you mind if I give Solaria your access code? She may need an ally."

  "If she's a friend of yours, she's family. Later, Carley... and be safe."

  Unconsciously, Carley nodded her head and ended the conference. Next she accessed her finances and began moving most of her assets to an offshore account. Even Future Dynamicon hadn't been able to intimidate the financial institutions in a few of the island countries. It insured the stability and security of the governments and the banks. There were plenty of rich and powerful people who could create problems for Stalling if he interfered in their business. Once she finished, she ended the connection.