by Scott Baron
About that AI. Freya was something else, and was an unexpected joy thrust ever so improbably into Daisy’s life. The curious, incredibly-smart intelligence was still just learning her way around her own potential when Daisy had abruptly raced to Earth’s surface in an attempt to save Vince.
Far too many days had passed since then, and Daisy had her concerns just how well the young mind was doing on her own far above on the moon.
Sure, she had left Freya with a newly constructed remote access link to a multi-limbed worker mech so she could explore the facility a bit and entertain herself, but locked in there alone for so long? Even with a toy to play with and terabytes of books and videos to keep herself occupied, Daisy was nevertheless worried about her electronic kiddo.
Nothing I can do about that, now, she told herself on more than one guilt-ridden evening. I’ll make it up to her when I get back.
That is, if she got back. The current mission was proving to be far hairier than anticipated, and even with her dead sister’s neural clone riding shotgun, looking out for her, she was still worried whether they’d be successful avoiding the many pitfalls laying in their path.
Time would tell. And soon, at that.
When Daisy and her team rolled out from the safety of Joshua’s NORAD base, deep within Cheyenne Mountain, they knew it wouldn’t be an easy task. Not only was the nearest intact command silo housing the command keys Joshua needed several states away, but the facility itself was hidden deep in the woods, disguised as a rustic retreat.
After integrating Daisy’s encrypted communications setup into his own comms array, Joshua’s massive AI mind was finally successfully linked to the AIs residing in Dark Side Base far above on the moon, as well as Cal, the city AI running Los Angeles. Soon enough, they would begin connecting to other cities across the globe, but first, he needed the keys to launch the hypersonic missiles so desperately needed to strike a blow against the invading aliens.
The system, developed centuries prior, had made perfect sense in any other scenario. A pair of humans each controlled a unique launch key, required to be turned in tandem to activate the systems. From there, Joshua and the brains at NORAD would then adjust targeting parameters and launch times.
It was only when all of humanity was snuffed out in an instant that the fatal flaw was discovered. With no one left alive to turn the keys, let alone answer his frantic calls to action, Joshua found himself impotent and alone. Able to launch, if absolutely necessary, but utterly unable to aim.
“So you see, Daisy, all we need is to access just one of the silos and activate the system for me to regain full functionality in my weapons targeting systems.”
“What about the other systems? The ones that have been keeping the alien salvage teams at bay at so many major cities?”
“Good point, Daze,” Sarah commented.
Thanks, I thought so, she silently replied.
“I understand where it may seem, from your perspective, as if there were already major systems online," Joshua said. “However, the truth of the matter is, most major cities, while possessing ample defensive measures, do not actually have anything of the size or customizable nature that we need. It’s akin to the difference between a slingshot and a cannon.”
Daisy sighed.
We’re really going to have to do this, aren’t we?
“Yep,” Sarah replied. “I’m afraid it seems that way.”
Daisy rolled her shoulders and took a deep breath. She’d already survived a hell of a lot to get this far. What was one more ordeal in the grand scheme of things?
“Okay, Joshua. Tell me what we need to do.”
Three hours later, Daisy, Tamara, their trio of military cyborgs––equipped with their own heavy-duty Faraday suits based on Daisy’s design––and a handful of humans loaded into the regional monorail to begin the trek to Montana, of all places.
“Be sure to carry plenty of rations,” Tamara told the team. “And extra layers. We don’t know what resources there will be on the way, so we have to be prepared to be totally self-sufficient.”
The humans began adding clothing to their packs, tucking it in tightly with their other supplies.
“The tube system should be fully functional for the run to Billings, Montana. From there the smaller regional systems will take you the rest of the way to the city of Conrad, which is your last stop. But once you’ve arrived at the terminus, it will still be a twenty-two-mile trek farther west, and without a transit system.”
“Then we will walk,” one of the younger human survivors stated plainly.
Daisy couldn’t help but appreciate his drive, even if he was a bit naive.
“That’s all fine and dandy,” she said. “But what are the odds of us finding suitable transportation there?”
“Due to the rugged nature of the region, and its former inhabitants, I think it’s fair to assume that some off-road-capable vehicles will likely be intact, but their energy cells are most certainly dead at this point.”
“Of course they are, but if we’re heading all the way there, why not just lug a few cells from here? If you can spare them, of course. I mean, if we only have to carry them a few miles from the transit systems to score a ride that last stretch, that’s well worth the effort, if it allows us to save such a long walk, even if it is only for a few dozen miles.”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
Sergeant Franklin nodded approvingly.
“You know, that just might work,” he agreed. “I’ll have my men rig up something that should provide enough power for our needs. All we need to do is find a reasonably intact ride once we arrive.”
“So, it’ll take a few days, there and back, and that’s if nothing goes wrong,” Daisy said over the encrypted comms after having Sid remove the signal delay for her secured source. “We’ve got our team ready to go, but I have an uneasy feeling we may need a distraction. These silos are no joke, and if the Ra’az know about them, my guess is they’ll be monitored. I do have a thought, though.”
“What were you thinking, Daisy?” Sid asked from Dark Side Base, far above on the moon.
“I know it was just a ‘what if?’ discussion we had, but do you think you guys can put a rush on getting more of those salvaged wrecks functional enough for basic remote flight? Nothing fancy, but enough to make it through the atmosphere in one piece and fly cover for us?”
“I’ll patch in Chu and Donovan. Give me just a minute,” Sid said. Moments later, the tech and pilot joined the conversation, along with the two other AIs on the base.
“Sid told us your suggestion, Daisy, and we’ve actually got a bunch of salvages already on the base,” Donovan said. “But they’re pretty trashed. We were planning on using them for parts eventually. I think we might only be able to get, I don’t know, what do you think, Chu?––maybe five or six of them functional so quickly.”
“Sounds about right,” Chu agreed.
“Even then, the remote piloting system you suggested would need a lot of fine-tuning, and from the sound of it, we don’t have time for that,” Donovan added.
Daisy sighed.
“Okay, it was worth a try. Keep on them, though. They could be a really useful diversion.”
“We will, Daisy. I’m sorry we can’t be of more help at this point,” Mal said. “The ships won’t fly themselves, and rigging a remote operation system requires a fair bit of fabrication.”
“I understand. It’s not like we have a bunch of extra––” Daisy’s gears started turning.
“We lost the last bit of that transmission,” Sid said. “What were you saying? Do you copy?”
“Yeah, I copy,” she replied. “I just had a crazy idea.”
“Par for the course, then,” Sarah quipped.
“You said the remote system needed work, but what about an onboard AI?”
“There are only three of us, Daisy,” Sid noted. “And both Mal and Bob are already installed in ships.”
“I know, but for simpl
e flight––I’m talking super basic stuff––what about using a lower-tier AI with an upgraded task packet?”
“That is a novel idea, but I’m not sure,” Mal said, sounding a little uncomfortable at the idea.
“I agree,” Bob said. “Basic operations are one thing, but flying a ship is an entirely different prospect. I mean, I suppose it could be done, but––”
“Hang on," Chu interjected. “Are you seriously asking us to install toasters into spaceships?”
“Not toasters, Chu,” Daisy replied with a laugh.
“Thank God. That was just cra––”
“Toasters are far too basic. I was thinking food processing units. And maybe waste disposal systems,” she continued. “Something with a bit more processing power.”
“Daisy, first, I must remind you that has never been attempted,” Sid pointed out.
“But it could work.”
“Well, yes, I suppose it could. But even if we were able to upgrade the connections of lower-tier AI and provide them the most basic flight data package, there’s still one problem you’re missing.”
“What’s that?”
“We don’t have additional units to spare.”
“Not within Dark Side, no,” Daisy said. “But there are scores of them for the taking not far away at all. All you need to do is collect them.”
“Salvage AIs from the debris field? You’ve got to be kidding,” Donovan said. “You know those were all infected.”
“The ship AIs were infected. We don’t know if non-networked lower-tier AIs were, and I bet a good amount of them weren’t. All you need to do is run a basic virus scan––keeping Bob and Mal clear and firewalled, of course––and then bring the ones that can be salvaged back to Dark Side for repurposing.”
“I-I don’t know, Daisy,” Donovan said.
“It’s crazy, but the basic theory behind it is sound,” Chu replied. “I mean, they would be incredibly limited in what they could do. Those types of AI were never designed to be hot-swapped like the big boys were, but I think I might be able to make it work. At least somewhat.”
“Even if it were to be successful––and that’s a big if––any vessels put in working order would not be ready for you in time for this mission,” Sid said.
“Well, it was worth a try,” she said with a resigned sigh.
“You know what? I’ll see what we can do anyway,” Chu said. “Even if we can’t get one ready for you that fast, maybe this could be useful down the line.”
“Thanks, Chu. You’re a rock star,” Daisy replied. “Okay, looks like Tamara’s packed up, and the rest of the team is ready to roll, so I’d better sign off. Wish us luck.”
“We all wish you the best, Daisy,” Mal said.
“Yes, may luck be with you,” Sid added.
Thanks, guys. Something tells me we are sure as hell going to need it.
Chapter Three
For once, Murphy had not made an unplanned and destructive appearance, and the team managed to reach Billings, Montana in just under an hour with no hiccups. The loop tube was clear the whole way, and Daisy found herself beginning to enjoy a feeling of growing confidence in their mission.
She should have known better.
“Daze, this place is wrong.”
I see it, but what the hell happened here?
The smell hit them as soon as they exited the loop tube station to make the short cross-town trek to the regional subterranean monorail network. The shocking visuals accompanying the smells would make things clear moments later.
“Holy…” Tamara said, trailing off in a shocked gasp as she saw the heavy equipment and the carnage it had wrought. “We are so fucked.”
Even Sergeant Franklin was taken aback, and with good reason.
“Is there a clear path around the city?” Daisy asked him. “Some way to avoid this?”
“Negative. It’s a push through, or not at all,” the sturdy cyborg replied.
Daisy pulled the binoculars from her pack and scanned the area from the relative safety of the loop station doors. Once they exited into the open, things could get interesting, and fast at that.
The local AI had gone mad. That much was plain to see, and if anyone had been unsure, the destruction spread across the area would have quickly removed any lingering doubts.
What was unusual was that beyond the wrecked vehicles and long-defunct cyborgs, there were also Chithiid corpses, and far more than just a few. Most disturbing was how many were displayed like gruesome war trophies.
“Daisy, what kind of thing would do something like this?” Sarah asked in shock. “I mean, Alma was nuts, but at least she was functionally nuts. But this…”
I don’t know, Sarah. Whatever happened here, we’ve got one hell of a trek ahead of us, and if we do make it across town, we’re still going to have to cross back on the return.
“So, we’re running the gauntlet twice.”
Yup.
“Then you’d better eat up. I have a feeling we’ll need the energy.”
Daisy pulled a nutrient-dense energy bar from her pack and began grimly chewing as she scanned for the clearest path. The wreckage would be easy enough to navigate. It was the Chithiid bodies suspended in various states of dismemberment that gave her pause.
“The city is intact,” Sergeant Franklin said.
“And its AI is fucking crazy,” she replied. “And lucky us, we’re going to have to pass through it twice.”
“So, what do you guys think?” Tamara asked. “Looks like a total shit-show.”
“You said it,” Daisy agreed. “The battle with the Chithiid must’ve been something else.”
“Yeah, but what’s with the Vlad the Impaler impersonation?” Tamara asked with a grim look in her eye. “We’re dealing with one fucked-up computer.”
“Tell me about it,” Daisy replied. “And here I was, getting my hopes up for a relatively easy time of it, but it looks like Murphy paid us a visit after all."
“Yep. Anything that can go wrong...” Tamara grimly agreed.
“The city’s AI, disturbed as it may be, actually employed sound tactics,” Sergeant Franklin noted. “Aside from defiling the corpses of the invaders, which likely would not be a deterrent to an unwilling conscript force, the use of heavy equipment and other lesser AIs as weapons was actually rather inspired. Though I do have to wonder how it managed to infect them without their lower-level processors simply melting down.”
“Maybe it didn’t infect them at all. Maybe it just found a way to run a manual override and take control,” Tamara suggested.
“Seems possible,” Daisy mused. “Hell, if I’d known that it was even possible for an AI to do that, I’d have packed gear to try and make a portable wireless jamming unit. Of course, that would have the drawback of getting the attention of any aliens scanning the area.”
“Still, by the look of it, fighting some Chithiid might have been easier than what we’ve got ahead of us,” Tamara mused.
“You may be right,” Daisy agreed. “Let’s gather the troops and pow-wow our route. The sooner we go, the sooner we get this over with,” she grumbled. “It’s gonna suck, but we’re not a massive invading force like the Chithiid were. If we’re fast and quiet, and really, really careful, we might just get lucky and slip through unnoticed.”
Ten minutes later, their route planned and team prepped, they cautiously stepped out into the hostile domain of a city's mad AI, moving as silently as possible, wary of the myriad dangers in their path.
They’d made it a good half mile into the city without incident when an AI-controlled window washing platform came crashing to the ground, narrowly missing the two young men at the rear of the group.
“Cover!” Sergeant Franklin shouted.
The team didn’t hesitate, quickly bolting for the relative protection of a building’s overhang while they scanned the sky for other hazards.
“Looks like it knows we’re here,” Tamara said. “Why just a single attack?”
“Maybe it has used up its resources in earlier fights,” the young man who had just narrowly avoided death posited.
The sound of a clanking rumble began filling the air. Far off, by the sound of it, but getting closer.
“Or maybe it was just getting started,” Daisy said with an exasperated groan. “Okay, people, time to move! Eyes open, and watch each other’s backs!” she called out, then set off at a quick pace.
The city had most definitely noticed them, and it did not seem like it had any intention of letting them pass unmolested.
Damaged vehicles and heavy equipment attempted to power on and engage them as they moved, but after slaughtering many Chithiid, the AI apparently hadn’t been expecting company for a while, and for the first few miles, they were able to easily avoid the slow-to-wake and minimally powered machines while keeping the pursuing noise at a distance.
They were pleased to find themselves making exceptionally good time, despite the hazards. Tamara easily dispatched a limping cyborg that made a shambling attack as it exited a nearby building, and Franklin and his men easily cleared a path through the myriad damaged machines littering the roadways.
It seemed as if the city had utilized everything it could seize control of when it fought the aliens. Even small waste disposal units and food delivery drones were smeared with Chithiid blood, but given their state of disrepair, the team had few issues avoiding them.
It was beginning to look like Daisy had been overly concerned.
That was not the case.
It wasn’t until they were in the center of the city just past the halfway point that they realized the AI was playing them.
“Hostiles!” Franklin called out in warning.
Fleshless cyborgs––undamaged, and moving at almost full speed despite their compromised processors––sprang from the cover of nearby buildings, charging right at the team.
Sergeant Franklin and his team took out the first six of them in short order. Daisy, however, was having hiccups with her wrist-worn power whip.
