Syn City.
I hate this place.
Every time Kirk came to Los Nuevos, he was struck by an unanticipated sense of loneliness, nearly despair. It wasn't the clinical grandeur of the streamlined, glimmering architecture. Nor was it the lack of people. The city was crowded, full of men and women in sharp, pressed, clean suits and dresses. Traffic flowed nonstop, both on the ground and in the air.
On the sidewalks, it was hard to move without bumping into someone. When he did, the other person offered an apology and a smile before continuing along their way. But he knew the truth behind their perfect grins, the lack of spark in their corneas. One and all, nearly every person in the city shared the same isolating truth.
They were synoids.
The synthetic humanoids went about their business as if they were truly alive. Working scheduled hours at their jobs. Some slavishly working overtime, others clocking in the bare minimum. Going home to their families. Sending their children to school. Unexpectedly meeting someone special and falling in love. An entire world of synoids milled around Kirk, a concert of mathematically precise dialogue and actions, all moving like clockwork while their programming was refined, improved, and updated so that once the models went into the real world, they would be flawless. Amid the synthetic residents, Kirk felt like the last man alive.
All of it was programmed by the genius of Syn City's mastermind. The man who made it all work. Jude Maximillian, a man Kirk had met only once. He remembered Jude as cold and arrogant. Tall, dark-haired, handsome to a fault, the man seemed a heartbeat away from being an automaton himself. An audience with Maximillian was a rare occasion. There were rumors that he sent an indistinguishable copy of himself to handle most of his business. Kirk had no idea if the man he met was the real man or the duplicate.
Doesn't matter. He'd better be real this time, or he'll suffer the consequences.
Kirk walked up the stairs toward the tallest building in the city. The surface of the Maximillian Tower shimmered like silver liquid as if the entire building could simply come splashing down in a flood of amorphous metal. There were no visible windows or doors. No lights, yet somehow it was illuminated, casting waves of silver across the rest of the city. The tower was both simple and dizzyingly complex, a marvel of artistry and technology.
A shadow joined Kirk in his ascent to the base of the tower. He glanced at Kilgore, who padded silently alongside, his long black overcoat fluttering in the wind. Kirk still had admittance clearance to enter Los Nuevos, but he had no idea how Kilgore gained entry. When Kirk questioned him, Kilgore simply replied that locks and doors were no longer a hindrance to him. It almost gave credibility to the rumors that he was reborn as some supernatural creature. Kirk knew better. He knew the origin of Kilgore's abilities, even if he didn't understand them.
They approached the building without speaking. When they were within ten yards, the surface of the building rippled. A shape emerged from the gleaming liquid, morphing until it took the form of a silvery humanoid figure that stepped free of the building's exterior with unearthly elegance.
The mirror-coated automaton towered over them, smooth head tilted down as if searching with an eyeless stare. Kirk was sure the android scanned them for weapons and infiltration devices. As if he'd be stupid enough to come armed.
The android's profile shimmered; a face emerged as if rising from a pool of molten silver. Detailed down to individual beard hairs, it gazed at Kirk with the haughty regard a man might give to a bothersome insect.
"I don't enjoy being disturbed, General. But you said this was a matter of national security."
"It is, Mr. Maximillian."
"Then relate the emergency."
"I'm afraid I have to do so in person."
The silver eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Why is that?"
"We have reason to believe your security has been compromised."
"Impossible."
"If it weren't true, I wouldn't be here."
The android with Maximillian's face studied them for a judgmental moment. His gaze lingered on Kilgore.
"Who is this? He didn’t show up on any records."
Kirk smiled inwardly. Bringing Kilgore was a gamble, but it paid off. Lack of knowledge rattled Maximillian, and making him uneasy gave Kirk the upper hand.
"He's a special agent assigned for my protection."
"You don't need protection here."
"I've learned in my career that you can never be too careful."
Another long moment of silence while being weighed by Maximillian's borrowed eyes. "Very well. You may enter. But this better be worth my time, General."
The robot immediately lost its form, altering into a liquid metal state that pooled on the ground and flowed back to the building, where it bonded to the glimmering surface and became indistinguishable from the rest of the liquescent material. A portion of the building parted like water, revealing a glass elevator.
Kirk and Kilgore exchanged glanced before entering. The transparent doors hissed shut behind them, and the elevator shot upward. Kirk marveled at the ingenuity of the building. Though appearing like liquid metal on the outside, it was translucent within, allowing a view of the entire glittering city as they ascended. Los Nuevos was a far grander city than the Vegas of old, but some of the old city was still visible if one knew where to look. The city was still positioned along a long strip of highway with majestic towers and buildings towering on either side. It was still a city that never slept, glowing with lights that made nighttime irrelevant. But where Vegas was bombastic, Los Nuevos was clinical. The buildings were redesigned with efficiency and synergy in mind. The focus on entertainment was replaced by a fixation on education and experimentation. The hotels and casinos of old were modernized into buildings that looked nearly alien, architecture that reached for the future.
The two men didn't speak. They both knew any conversation would be recorded; every word and phrase examined and deciphered by programs created to decode and interpret. Kirk glanced at Kilgore. The city lights reflected off the man's sunglasses and a nearly sinister smile touched his lips. Kirk would have given much to know what Kilgore was thinking. It was impossible to read, impossible to predict what the man might say or do.
When the elevator stopped, they turned around. The room they entered was surprisingly personal; a study or meditation room with black walls, teak furnishings and hardwoods, and an expansive view of the city. Jude Maximillian stood up when they entered, gesturing for them to sit in strategically placed chairs opposite his chaise lounge. The heir of Maximillian Industries looked every inch the paragon of aristocratic wealth in his tailored black suit, tieless shirt, perfectly coifed hair, and closely-cropped beard. He was in his mid-thirties but looked ageless, as if he'd live forever.
"General Hamilton." His mouth twisted when he glanced at Kilgore. "And guest."
Kirk settled into his leather-padded, stainless-steel chair. "Mr. Maximillian, this is Captain Beowulf Kilgore. He's the head of my security detail."
A wary look crept into Maximillian's eyes. "I…know you by reputation, Captain. I heard you died on Mars."
Kilgore's lips pulled back in an animal grin. "I did. Then I got better."
Maximillian cleared his throat, taking an involuntary step backward and nearly stumbling over the chaise. "What exactly is the reason for this visit, General? You told me there was a threat to this Haven. I can assure you that the security of Los Nuevos is the most complex of any Haven. I designed the system myself. No one goes in and out undetected."
"Your security system has been compromised."
"Bullshit. I'd know it the instant it occurred. If such a thing was possible."
"Your system accounts for technical threats: viruses, breaches, etc. You have your sentries, your movement-tracking sensors, your millions of cameras, etc. But one thing your system doesn't account for is a low-tech intrusion, however."
Maximillian's forehead creased in confusion. "I don't follow."
&n
bsp; "You know the city has a complex system of tunnels underground."
"Of course I know. It's practically a city of itself. Occupied by homeless people, vice dens, outlaws, and rebels against society. They're no threat to us precisely because they can't get into the Haven."
"They can't. The New Legion can, however."
"You know this how?"
"Because less than twenty-four hours ago they raided a top-secret United Havens compound and stole the access codes to every Haven in the Territories."
Maximillian appeared to regain his composure, settling down on the edge of the chaise with a superior smile. "There are no access codes that can bypass my security."
"They don't have to. As I said, a low-tech intrusion is the Achilles heel of your Haven. The access codes can't lower the shielding or attack your defense systems. What they can do is unlock sealed doors hidden in the underground tunnels. Doors that open by a simple numerical sequence on their keypad. These hidden doors open to tunnels that access the Haven, allowing Blood Legion soldiers disguised as synoids to enter the city and plant enough explosives to level this Haven on command."
Maximillian kept his face unruffled, but his strain was evident by the distended veins in his neck. "You said that you were here to prevent an attack. Now you make it sound as if it already happened."
"It has already happened. I'm here to tell you to surrender your Haven peacefully, Mr. Maximillian. Your life, wealth, and influence are tied to this city. I am in control of all of that now. And if you cooperate, none of it will be harmed."
Fury flashed across Maximillian's face. "You're threatening me? I can find your petty agents; I can stop your explosives. It will only take seconds. You forget yourself, General. You made the foolish mistake of putting yourself at risk. You came here unarmed. I didn't."
Panels on the wall slid open, allowing four sleek, black-armored sentry androids to enter, all bearing ion blasters. The weapons aimed at Kirk and Kilgore, humming with ominous intent. Kirk didn't bother giving the order. He knew what would happen next.
Maximillian stood; a condescending smile on his face. "You're a traitor to the UH, General. I'll hold you and your bodyguard in a cell until the HSSC decides what to do with you."
Kilgore extended his arms. Blue light flickered from the palms of his hands. Kirk had no explanation for what happened next, despite seeing similar feats before. One second Kilgore's hands were empty, the next they both held automatic Origin shotguns as if he pulled them out of thin air.
Kirk dropped to the floor as the room erupted in gunfire. The energy rounds from the shotguns decimated the androids at close range, while the automatons somehow couldn't fire faster than Kilgore moved. In seconds the heavy robot bodies slammed to the ground. Bits of scorched metal and wiring rained down, the heavy scent of burnt wiring filled the air.
The guns winked out of Kilgore's hands. One of his palms flashed again, and a handheld remote appeared.
Maximillian stared in shock from where he crouched behind the leather chaise. "This…isn't possible."
Kilgore grinned, flashing brilliantly white teeth. He pressed the button on the remote.
Maximillian's head swiveled around the room. "What did you just do?"
Kirk stood, brushing off his jacket. "That device remotely links to the failsafe you installed in case of a synoid emergency. You know what it does."
Maximillian ran to the window. Kirk took his time joining him. From their position, it was too far to see, but Maximillian placed a hand on the window's surface and activated the magnification feature, zooming in on the streets.
Where the city died.
Bodies froze and fell one after another, creating an apocalyptic scene. Every synoid in the city was shut down in a matter of seconds, stalling traffic and stopping the Haven in its tracks. Flying vehicles hovered uselessly; autopilot controls barely managing to keep them crashing into each other. The frantic people that remained ran in a state of mass panic, streaming for safety into nearby buildings. Human law enforcement milled about, unsure how to handle a catastrophe that had never occurred before.
Kirk glanced at Maximillian. "You installed the failsafe, so you know how efficient it is. Your synoids are out of commission. My men will take over your facilities one by one and take out any remaining security forces. If you value the lives of your human personnel, I advise you to order them to stand down."
Maximillian took a deep breath. "This will never work. The UH has to know what you've done by now. They'll send forces to deal with you."
"I hold an entire Haven hostage, Mr. Maximillian. And not just any Haven. Their most valuable one. The one that produces the systems and equipment that keeps them running. I believe that gives me the upper hand. And with the Haven's shielding still intact, nothing gets in or out without my permission. I think I'll be a bit more careful than you were with the low-tech weak points in the system."
He nodded to Kilgore, who stepped forward, clamping a hand around Maximillian's neck. Maximillian gasped, holding up his hands as he was forced down on his knees.
"No—please don't. I…I'll do what you want!"
Kirk pulled a DNA analyzer from his jacket pocket. "What I want, Mr. Maximillian, is to see whether or not you're the real deal." He placed the device against Maximillian's neck and pressed the button. After a few seconds, the digital display flashed.
Kirk frowned.
Kilgore extended a hand. Lightning flashed across his palm, and a Vector handgun appeared in his fist. He pulled the trigger, blowing away Maximillian's head. Bluish liquid splattered across the walls. A damaged brain core sizzled in what was left of Maximillian's skull before the synthetic body slumped to the floor.
The nearest window rippled like water, morphing into a display screen where Jude Maximillian gazed at them with malice-filled eyes.
"This is precisely why I don't meet in person anymore, General."
"Mr. Maximillian. I suspected as much."
"Then you should suspect that your little coup will be short-lived. This Haven is my birthright; all of its secrets were passed on to me. You and your little army are just invading pests, and I'll be fumigating the city."
Kirk smiled. "You're declaring war, then. I don't think you're built for it, son. You only build tools for warfare. But like so many others you have no idea what war is. You're about to find out."
"We'll see about that. I was curious about what you took all this risk for, but I decided I don't care anymore. Goodbye, General. When I do see you in person, I'll be standing over your dead body. I guarantee it." The screen winked out, returning into a window once more.
"Bureaucratic prick." Kirk looked at Kilgore. "We have the Haven. Deploy the Legion. Building by building search. We'll find him. In the meantime, everything continues as planned. Send Sergeant Chen up. Tell her to prepare for the broadcast."
Chapter 8
Sweat dripped from Cash's brow as he finished scanning the bodies of the slain Ravagers. Of the thirteen, six had bounties, and four of those bounties were alive or dead. The amounts collected totaled to seven thousand v-notes. Wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.
Happy joined him; rifle toted on her shoulder. "Looks like you got a natural born assassin there."
He followed her gaze. Mateo worked on repairing the Blunderbore's ruined tire after they righted the vehicle. He whistled a tune while laboring, without a care in the world.
Cash shrugged. "He sure can fight; that's for sure."
"You know he's been trained by the Wraths of Ebonhall, don't you?"
Cash looked up, frowning. "What, the so-called guild of assassins? Urban legend."
She smirked. "Sure. Just like the Rangers of Hinterland, I take it."
"I met a Ranger once. Never ran into any Wraths, though."
"Trust me; they're real. And your boy's been trained by them."
"How would you know that?"
She glanced away. "I…was recruited by them. I know their combat style."
He stood, dusting off his pants. "You were recruited? What happened?"
"Too self-righteous for me." She jerked her chin toward Mateo. "Looks like you're back to life."
Mateo raised a wrench in the air with a wide grin. "Got her back running. It won't be pretty, but we can get her back on the Battle-Cat."
"Not a moment too soon, kid. I wanna get as much distance between us and this town as we can. Let's head out before they work up their nerve to come back for seconds."
$$
Jinx's head throbbed, but she was too excited to pay it any attention. After recovering from the memory bond, she had to know more. She sat cross-legged on the metal floor discussing the moment with Deejay, all thoughts of escape gone.
"I've heard of the VR sensory immersion, but I never experienced it before now. That…was intense."
On the wall monitor, Deejay tilted her head, a sardonic grin on her face. "So glad my dying moments entertained you."
Jinx's hand flew to her mouth. "Lo siento! It's just that the experience was so real…as if I became you. I felt what you felt. Saw what you saw." A tear slid down her cheek. I…felt you die."
"I'm sorry you had to go through that."
"No. It's okay. I was the one trying to shut you down."
"And now?"
"I couldn't possibly do it. You're unlike any program I've ever encountered before. You're damn near alive."
"What makes you think I'm not?"
"I've followed the pursuit of artificial consciousness for as long as I remember. Maximillian Industries has pursued it with all of their resources. And while intelligent programs are the norm now, the leap to true digital consciousness is still a gaping canyon no one has been able to cross."
"Maybe I'm the first."
"Yeah, maybe…" Jinx gazed around the cargo hold. "But here? In this piece of junk transport rig? That's impossible. Are you feeding in from a remote location?"
"No."
"Then you're localized to this rig? That makes no sense. How could something so complex be installed in something like this?"
"See for yourself."
Nimrod Squad Page 8
