by Isaac Hooke
Just when he couldn't take it anymore, the water level went down. He knew because his head felt suddenly cold and exposed. He kicked his way to the surface and as the cold air struck his face he inhaled deeply. He opened his eyes at that point; they burned, so he quickly closed the lids. His head bobbed up and down, repeatedly striking the concrete. He didn't care. He was alive.
Slowly the water level continued to cede and he tried to open his eyes again. It took some effort, and much wiping, and several tears, but finally he blinked his way through the burn. And that's when he realized his goggles had been swept away, too, and he could no longer see.
"Sarella?" Hoodwink said. "Skull-faced man?"
Sarella's voice echoed beside him. "We're here."
Hoodwink exhaled in relief. "I don't suppose either of you have a spare pair of goggles?"
"I lost my own," Sarella said.
"I still have mine," Skull told them. "No spares."
"Now do you believe that I'm on your side?" Hoodwink said.
"Maybe." Skull didn't sound convinced.
When the water had gone down enough to walk on the catwalk, the three of them interlocked hands and Skull led them through the sewers without further incident. Eventually they climbed another ladder and emerged into the basement of a partially lit home or shop.
"Where are we?" Hoodwink asked.
"You're in one of our safe houses," Skull told him. He still wore his sonar goggles, which made the skull on his mask appear bug-eyed. The effect was somewhat comical. "A shop."
"It's not connected to the alleyway we used to get here?" Hoodwink asked.
"No," Skull said. "This place is far away from there. I suspect the alleyway you used to get here is compromised. In any case, Sarella will take care of you. She knows this place."
Skull began to descend the hole in the floor that led to the sewers.
"Wait," Hoodwink said. "What about my plan?"
"As I said before," Skull told him. "I must take this up with the others. We will let you know."
He lifted the sewer cover into place and vanished.
"So are we supposed to wait here until he gets back or something?" Hoodwink said. "Because we obviously can't go outside. The robots will be patrolling the streets, looking for us, they will. They'll scan our biometrics."
"Not if we have these." Sarella made her way to a series of old-style computer terminals and opened a drawer, producing two aReals. "They've been reprogrammed to send false biometric information to the computer systems, and hence the Shell. While we can alter the face data we send back, unfortunately we haven't been able to disable the microphone, or alter the voice data. So you and I will still have to be careful of what we say when wearing the devices. Try to deepen your voice. And call me Matilda or something when you wear it."
"The aReal you left at the apartment, it had false biometric information, too?"
"It did," Sarella agreed. "But I can't use that profile anymore, of course. It's tainted, associated with you."
"Wait, we used to go on excursions without our aReals from time to time," Hoodwink said. "And the robots scanned your body on several occasions. The Shell would have known you weren't a surrogate those times."
"Yes," Sarella said. "But it would have also assumed I was merely some human toy you had acquired."
"Wouldn't it realize that your face remained the same between profiles, when its robots scanned you with and without your aReal?"
"I told you, we can alter the faces on the aReals. It would have simply assumed you lived with a surrogate, but occasionally went on dalliances with a human mistress."
Hoodwink reluctantly accepted the aReal, which was powered off. No battery, probably. So he didn't have to fear that the Shell was listening in at the current moment. "I don't suppose we can hack these aReals and turn off tracking entirely?"
"We can, but we haven't been able to figure out how to turn off the auto-patching. As soon as we disable tracking, the aReal automatically downloads a fresh patch that restores that ability. We'll have to rely on the fake profiles instead. That and of course removing the batteries when we want to go incognito. Anyway, it's time we caught up on some sleep. It's what, four a.m. now?" She beckoned toward a couple of mats that were set up against one wall. "That's our bed for the night. Tomorrow morning we'll head to one of the apartments assigned to the owners of these aReals. We can't return to your place any more, obviously. Or mine."
"No," Hoodwink agreed. He lay on the bed and closed his eyes. Though he was exhausted, it was a few hours before sleep took him.
The next morning Hoodwink stared at the small, coin-like magnesium-ion battery that powered his aReal.
"I don't understand," Hoodwink told her. "Won't any robots we pass simply check our actual biometrics? How are we going to escape notice?"
"For speed reasons, it's faster to rely on the data from the aReals. If they wanted to scan our actual biometrics, the robots would have to make us stand still for a full minute while they checked us out at close range. The surrogates would complain to the Shell in droves if they were forced to do that sixty times during a simple stroll."
"Why don't we just hide out here for a few days?" Hoodwink asked.
"Because, the rebel bastards forgot to restock the fridge."
"Let's take a path through the sewers then, like your friend? Even though the smell is nauseating, I'd rather go down there than back on the streets, I would."
"Yes, well," Sarella said. "The place is probably crawling with robots by now."
"Good point." Hoodwink sighed. "The streets it is. We're just two innocent surrogates making our way home." He slid the battery into the requisite slot on the aReal and the device powered on. "I'm hungry, Matilda," he said, making an effort to deepen his voice.
"Let's go eat then," Sarella said, her own voice rather shrill.
On the streets, the robots were obviously on high alert. Every mechanical soldier they passed paused to scan the biometric information from their aReals, but thankfully the machines all moved on before attempting a more detailed scan. Quadcopters flew low overhead, but no alarms were raised. The biometric tags were working.
For the moment.
The pair reached the apartment following the "home" icon that was overlaid on the street maps of their aReals. Inside, they found a man unconscious on the bed. He had a total parenteral feed connected intravenously to the crook of one arm, with a urinary catheter and rectal tube linking him to some kind of excretion collection machine, so he obviously wasn't a real human being, but rather a bio-engineered shell awaiting a Satori's consciousness. Hoodwink and Sarella locked the body in the washroom along with the feed and collector.
Hoodwink had expected the relationship to be over after all the lies Sarella had told, but surprisingly he found that he could not hate her, not when she looked at him with those caring, tender eyes. They made reconciliatory love that first night, and every night thereafter. Maybe she was still manipulating him. He didn't care.
A few days later Sarella and Hoodwink decided to check the dark web forum for messages. However, they didn't want to risk doing it from their aReals.
Since the patrol activity had calmed down by then, they were able to make their way toward the safe house relatively easily. It was broad daylight, so when they neared an alley next to the appropriate shop, they began to act promiscuously and, kissing frantically, pulled each other into the shadows of the alleyway as if impatient to make love.
They entered the shop via a backdoor and went directly to the basement. Sarella checked for signs that the sewer entrance had been tampered with, but she seemed satisfied that it had been left untouched. She sat down at one of the old-style terminals and connected to the Internet via Roq.
After opening up the account inbox, she turned toward Hoodwink. "The rebels have agreed to help."
"Good," Hoodwink said. "Transmit the magnetic shielding spec, and all my other modifications."
She nodded. "Transmitting now. I still
don't know how you remembered all that stuff."
"I'm a Satori living in a human body," Hoodwink said. "I have a quadmind."
"Yes, but at the moment you have only two hemispheres."
"It takes focus," Hoodwink said. "To access the higher memories. Sometimes I can't do it. But on a good day... well, let's just say today was a very good day."
"It's done," Sarella said. "Now we just have to see what they come up with."
24
The piano black SUV arrived at their new apartment a week later. The day before, Hoodwink had spotted fresh daisies planted in the garden at the front of the building. Sarella had told him the flowers were a sign from the rebels, letting them know that the time for action had come. She'd warned him to be on the lookout for the arrival of a transport the next morning.
Hoodwink and Sarella had kept a low profile the entire previous week, remaining holed up inside the apartment, ordering food online. They waited until the delivery drones were long gone before opening the door to retrieve their items.
"They're here." Hoodwink replaced the curtain. He had been waiting by the window all morning.
Sarella nodded. She sat calmly by the table, sipping cardamom-spiced black tea. She took one last drink and then set the cup aside. "Let's go."
"I was expecting a flyer," Hoodwink said.
"A SUV is less conspicuous," Sarella said. "It'll be easier to lose the drones. And besides, it'll look like we're going on a day trip."
"It'll take longer..." Hoodwink protested.
"Which would you prefer," Sarella said. "Speed, or safety?"
He grudgingly admitted that safety was preferred.
"Good. Then grab your stuff, and let's go."
He retrieved his backpack, which was full of camping gear, and then replaced the battery in his aReal and put it on. Sarella did likewise.
"It's time to go camping, dear!" Sarella said in that high-pitched affectation.
They proceeded downstairs to the SUV, loaded their gear in the cargo area, then took a seat in the back.
"Good morning Skakes," Sarella told the driver.
That was a fake alias, of course, likely for the benefit of the aReals.
"Morning Matilda," the driver said. Hoodwink recognized the voice of Skull. It sounded a little forced, and raspier, again probably for the aReals. The man's angular, weathered face spoke of a hard life. He had an ugly scar above his right eyebrow. It looked like something caused by a knife, or a robot's pincer. He hadn't shaved in a few days, judging from the thick salt-and-pepper stubble on his face. His hair was buzz cut to almost the same length as the stubble, with a bald area on top.
The man riding shotgun merely waved two fingers in greeting. He was middle-aged, too, though he wore his hair long and greasy. He had just as much stubble as the driver. He, too, had a scar, though his was a long line above the chin.
The driver put the SUV into gear and accelerated. It was obvious the self-driving controls of the car had been disabled, perhaps permanently.
The four of them remained absolutely silent during the drive. Well, everyone except for shotgun man, who thrummed his fingers on the dashboard in an annoying, staccato rhythm.
Though Hoodwink was nervous as hell about what was to come, he couldn't help but turn to Sarella and mock dance to the rhythm. She covered her lips, struggling to contain her laughter.
The driver finally snapped. "Would you quit that?"
"Okay okay," shotgun man said, apparently chastened.
A few minutes later he started up again.
The driver clenched his jaw but said nothing.
The SUV passed the guard robots on street corners and on patrol. Surveillance drones flew overhead. None of them stopped the vehicle.
Since traffic was nonexistent, and the passengers encountered no resistance from the machines, the group made good time to the outskirts of the city. The driver turned onto the main highway and proceeded due west.
When the SUV was several miles outside the city, the driver announced in a rasping voice: "I'm getting some kind of interference in my aReal. What about you guys?"
"Me too," Hoodwink playacted. The others echoed his answer.
The driver flicked a switch on the dashboard, and a green light activated above it.
The passengers removed their aReals and ejected the small disk batteries.
The driver swerved the vehicle slightly as he worked on disabling his own aReal.
"Here, let me do it," Sarella told him.
"I got it," the driver said. He lifted the disk battery over his shoulder to show her, then flipped it into the cup holder in the center console.
"Should we toss them entirely?" Hoodwink asked, rolling down his window to do just that.
"No," the driver said. His voice was no longer raspy. "The Satori can't track us through the aReals, not without the batteries. We've run tests. Might as well hang on to them in case we need to fool the machines again."
The man riding shotgun abruptly turned around. "I'm Blake." He extended a hand.
Hoodwink shook it. "Hoodwink."
"Odd name," Blake said.
"No odder than Blake." Hoodwink turned toward the driver. "And what should I call you?"
"Call me Skull," the man said.
Hoodwink nodded toward the green light on the dashboard, though Skull probably didn't see the gesture. "What did flipping that switch do?"
"Activates a little something I installed in the vehicle," Skull explained. "Severs its connection to the Internet."
Every car, truck, SUV or flyer in the city was a so-called smart vehicle: Internet connected. Just another way for the Shell to track those living in its domain.
Blake abruptly leaned into the back area. He carried some sort of handheld scanning device that he pointed at Hoodwink's body.
"What are you doing?" Hoodwink asked the man, who slowly tilted the device as if running some invisible beam over Hoodwink's body.
Hoodwink glanced at Sarella.
"He's just checking you for weapons or bugs," she reassured him. "It's harmless."
"Can you turn to the side a bit?" Blake swiveled one finger.
Hoodwink sighed, then unbuckled his seatbelt and rolled to the left.
"Now the other way," Blake said.
Scowling, Hoodwink complied.
Blake sat back in his seat. "He's clean."
Outraged, Hoodwink buckled his seatbelt and crossed his arms to hide his slightly shaking hands. Good old human adrenalin.
Blake opened an old-style laptop on his legs. He lowered the window and the rapid inflow of air sent his locks flying backward. He placed a thick, square-like antenna on the hood and the mounting magnets underneath the device took hold.
He promptly closed the window and typed a few commands.
"We've got two quadcopters following us," Blake announced.
"All right," Skull said. "Time for some misdirection."
A turnoff appeared, then another, but Skull ignored them both, continuing on the main highway.
The road soon became cluttered with debris. Skull had to swerve by blast craters, large potholes, and abandoned cars. Several of the vehicles displayed signs of damage, and many were burned-out husks of steel.
"The robot clean-up crews never bothered to come out this far," Blake explained to Hoodwink.
"I know," Hoodwink said. "I've gone on a few wilderness excursions myself."
Skull pulled up behind a vehicle.
"Okay, take them out," Skull told Blake.
"Hand me the large case, would you?" Blake asked Hoodwink. He nodded toward the rear cargo area.
Hoodwink retrieved the first case he saw in the cargo compartment. "This one?"
"No, the large one," Blake said.
Hoodwink grabbed the other case. It was unwieldy, and Sarella had to help him pass it to the front.
Blake went outside and set the case on the ground. He opened it and retrieved a large weapon with a thick barrel. It reminded Hoodwink a li
ttle of a recoilless rifle, or perhaps a mortar launcher. Copper coils spiraled around the barrel underneath the muzzle.
Blake unfolded a tripod connected to the base of the weapon, and then balanced the device on the ground. Then he sat in the car and launched an application on his laptop.
The skyward-pointing barrel of the weapon abruptly swiveled in place and the coils flashed red. The barrel tilted to the left and the copper glowed again.
"Got 'em," Blake announced.
Hoodwink glanced out the window, searching the sky, but didn't see anything. Then a quadcopter crashed to the ground a few feet beside the SUV, littering the asphalt with debris. Another one dropped into the field beside the road.
"Did you like that?" Blake flashed Hoodwink a toothy grin, revealing a gold cap. "Their parachutes didn't even have a chance to deploy."
"Let's go let's go!" Skull said.
"Shit." Blake ran outside and refolded the tripod, then shoved the weapon into the case. He threw it to Hoodwink in the back and before Blake closed the door Skull was already turning around, tires squealing.
Sarella helped Hoodwink stuff the case into the rear cargo area behind the seats.
As Skull raced back down the highway in the opposite direction, Hoodwink watched the sky carefully, looking for signs that other drones had found them. Blake meanwhile kept his eyes glued to the laptop.
Skull took one of the turnoffs he had previously ignored and floored the accelerator. The trees there grew right up to the edge of the highway. Skull was forced to slow down when the clutter of abandoned vehicles became too thick.
After several tense minutes, Skull pulled up behind a big-wheeled off-roader that had been parked at the shoulder underneath the expansive branches of an oak tree. It had forty-five inch wheels, a mechanical winch, and a vehicle snorkel protruding from the hood.
