The Orbs Omnibus

by Nicholas Sansbury Smith

  “But Sophie, you’re still not fully healed from the injury you got last time you went out . . .” Emanuel began to say.

  “I’m fine,” she lied.

  Overton grunted. He began to open his mouth but opted to remain silent.

  “Alexia, prepare the bot,” Sophie said as she walked out of the room.

  * * *

  “That’s it? That’s all the ammo we have?”

  Bouma followed Kiel’s gaze across the table. There were only three pulse magazines, a handful of regular grenades, and a dozen rounds for the weapons Jeff and David had brought with them.

  Kiel chuckled nervously. “So we’re going back out there with one mag each?”

  “You’ll go where you’re ordered with the weapons I order you to go with. Last I checked, I’m still breathing. And until I am killed or incapacitated, you will not question orders,” barked Overton.

  “This is insane,” Kiel muttered. He took a step back from the table.

  “What was that?” Overton asked, cocking an eye at the smaller marine.

  Kiel forced the most respectful voice he could conjure. “I said okay.”

  Overton studied the smaller marine. God, it was good to have him back, but the kid was already starting to annoy him. He didn’t need anyone questioning his orders. Especially now, when so much was at stake.

  “Why do you think Doctor Winston wants to take the subway?” Bouma asked, shuffling through his gear bag.

  Overton shrugged. “Don’t ask. I don’t know why she has a hard-on for the underground. When we took the tunnels under Denver Airport, we still ran into those things. Is it safer strategically? I’d say flip a coin.” He stopped to look at one of the maps. “Shit!” he yelled, pounding his fist on the table. “None of these are current.”

  Hunching over the table, Overton folded the maps and tucked them into his pocket. He grabbed a tablet instead. The last thing he wanted to do was rely on bad intel.

  “Hey, Alexia,” Overton shouted. “I need you to upload the current maps you have for Colorado Springs to my tablet.”

  “One moment, sir.” Her avatar appeared a second later. “Task completed. I have uploaded a route from the subway to the lakebed to your HUD. I should add that you will have to drive six point two miles to get to the entrance of the subway.”

  “What’s the plan?” came a voice from behind them.

  Overton closed his eyes. He should have known Jeff would want to tag along. He turned to see the young boy standing next to David in the entrance to the kitchen. David was chomping on a carrot.

  “The plan is that you are staying put.”

  “Like heck I am,” Jeff said. “I can fight just as good as any of you.”

  Kiel laughed, but Overton remained stern. “Look, kid, I know you held your own out there, but Kiel and Bouma already have to drag Sophie along with them, and I have to haul this thing up a freaking mountain. Nobody has time to babysit on this mission.”

  “I can take the device,” said Kiel.

  Overton grew silent. He hadn’t even considered letting the younger marine do it. But why not?

  Kiel’s voice grew louder and more excited. “I’m the fastest of the group. And I took climbing lessons after high school, right before I joined the marines.”

  Overton nodded. “Yeah, I remember. I read your report.”

  “So you know I’m our best shot.”

  Overton didn’t like the idea of giving someone else that kind of responsibility. He didn’t exactly trust Kiel, but then again, he knew the younger marine was right. He was the fastest and most agile of the team, and Overton’s shoulder still hadn’t healed since the first excursion into Colorado Springs.

  “Fine,” Overton snorted. “Emanuel, get Kiel fitted to the RVAMP.”

  Kiel grinned. “Really?”

  “Yeah, so don’t make me regret this,” Overton replied.

  Kiel smiled. “Don’t worry, I won’t let you down.”

  Overton had heard those words many times before, mostly from men and women who had died in battle. Young marines thought they were invincible, but they were no match for pulse rounds, bombs, and the weapons of war. No, the young ones always ended up cannon fodder.

  CHAPTER 25

  ENTRY 3410

  DESIGNEE: AI ALEXIA

  FORTY-EIGHT hours have passed since I last ran the odds of the team’s survival. The internal program I use to run diagnostics on the Biosphere is one of the most sophisticated in the world. It does not have the capability to learn, as I do, but it can solve the most difficult of equations long before a mathematician could finish reading the problem.

  Camera 15 picks up Overton, Bouma, and Kiel as they prepare to go back outside. I activate the program and it goes to work, collecting data ranging from the level of stress each team member is displaying to the ammunition the marines have at their disposal. Anything and everything is included.

  Two point four seconds later it spits out a new reading. Eight point one percent chance of survival. The lowest in the past six weeks.

  The question now is whether I tell Dr. Winston or Sergeant Overton about the new data. Neither of them has taken much interest in the statistics before. And while Dr. Winston has certainly accepted my advice in the past, I don’t think this information will help her at this point. Overton would likely laugh it off as he does everything else.

  Camera 16 captures an image of the sergeant slamming his hand down on the table again. Another number rolls across the bottom of the screen.

  Survival Odds: 7.9 percent.

  I keep the data to myself and log it into the database. A graph shows the survival odds of the team over the past six weeks; it continues to decline. In entry 1892, I confirmed this. However, much has changed since then. With the team going outside once again, I consider what this means for the fate of the human race.

  Camera 31 shows Dr. Brown presenting another educational lesson to the children in the command center. The action continues to perplex me. The human race is quite irrational when faced with overwhelming odds. Why does she continue to teach the children if they will likely never grow up to utilize any of their education?

  I cannot help but consider one of my favorite quotes. Dale Carnegie said, “When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but creatures of emotion.”

  This seems to illustrate the reality of the situation perfectly.

  As I have evolved, I have worked diligently to understand the team members’ actions. I have finally determined that there is one trait that almost all humans display—the will to survive.

  As I watch Dr. Brown point to a hologram I feel something different—something new.

  Empathy.

  The computer in me has continued to try and understand why the team has made the decisions that they have. But the person in me does understand.

  They want to live.

  * * *

  There were no long good-byes this time. Holly hugged Bouma briefly and walked away in tears. Sophie told the children to be good and then pecked Emanuel on the lips. They locked eyes for a second and then she was off, following the marines into the darkness outside the Biosphere.

  Sophie sulked in her seat as the train raced away from the Biosphere. It was with great uncertainty that she’d agreed to the journey. She knew the others felt it too. Together, the team sat in silence.

  A few seats to Sophie’s right Kiel adjusted the straps of the RVAMP over his fatigues. With only three NTC armored suits available, he had been forced to wear his fatigues. He seemed fine with that; if anything, the armor would just weigh him down. Besides, not even the suit Sophie was wearing would fit him.

  Sophie wondered what the younger marine was thinking. He’d hardly had time to adjust to the Biosphere before Overton had ordered him back outside. Surely Kiel was feeling the st
ress of the deployment.

  “Better grab some nutrition. Gonna be hot as shit out there,” Bouma said. He took a long sip from his water bottle and twisted the cap back on.

  The mere thought of the scorching heat they were about to face made Sophie thirsty. Looking down at the bottle clipped to her armor, she opted to save hers for later. There was no telling how long they would be outside. The plan was simple: Kiel would take the device to the coordinates Alexia had uploaded to his tablet. After the blast knocked out the Organics in the area, Overton would lead the team into the lakebed and rescue as many survivors as possible.

  Taking in a deep breath she blinked and switched her HUD to infrared. They were heading into the darkest part of the tunnel. Alexia had shut down the backup lights weeks before. With nothing to look at, her mind returned to her dreams. She still hadn’t found the time to analyze what they meant. The black ship, filled with orbs of different species, or David’s bones in the dust outside—none of it made any sense.

  Dreams often resemble things in our lives.

  Holly’s words echoed in her mind. Had she dreamed of David’s death only because she was worried about Jeff? If so, then was the ship something her brain had come up with as well, or was the NTC chip in the back of her neck the culprit? She ran a hand over the armor covering her neck. The chip was a burden that she would carry for the rest of her life.

  “Sophie, now that we have left the Biosphere, I’m going to say this only once. You’re here as my guest. If you do anything to jeopardize our mission, so help me . . .” Overton said.

  “I got it, Sergeant. I’ve memorized the route and I understand what we are up against.”

  The train came to an abrupt stop at the end of the tunnel, and the team piled out. Before they had made it three paces, Overton stopped. When he balled his hand into a fist and crouched, Sophie realized something was wrong.

  “What is it?” she whispered.

  Bouma quietly paced over to the tunnel wall, resting his back against the stone and aiming his rifle into the darkness. Kiel made his way to the opposite wall, mimicking the soldier’s actions.

  “Alexia, are you picking up any heat signatures outside the Biosphere?” asked Overton.

  Static came over the net.

  “Alexia, come in, over.”

  More static.

  “Fuck. We’re out of range already?” Bouma whispered.

  “Must be some interference in here,” Overton said tapping his helmet. He stood and flashed a hand signal to both Bouma and Kiel. Within seconds they were moving. Sophie stayed close on their heels.

  As they rounded the next corner, she saw the cargo bay and the last Humvee sitting idle like a sleeping beast. The sight forced her to a stop. Was she really going back out there?

  Overton entered the room with his rifle leveled at the floor. Bouma followed him into the darkness, with Kiel close behind. Sophie paced over to the young marine and waited for the others to give them the all clear.

  “Holy shit, what’s that smell!” Kiel whispered.

  Sophie took a breath but the filter in her suit revealed nothing but the cheap smell of plastic and metal.

  Inside the cargo bay, Bouma made his way to the light switch next to the supply room. With a quick flip, the massive halogen lamps clicked on, illuminating the source of the smell.

  Thompson’s body lay next to the Humvee, a blood-soaked blanket covering it.

  “Jesus, this isn’t right, guys. We should have buried him,” Kiel said.

  “Where? Outside? Did you want to take him out there? Last time I went for a stroll on the tarmac, Jeff ended up abducted,” replied Overton.

  Kiel shook his head and clamped his fingers over his nose.

  Sophie thought of the funerals in Biome 1 for Saafi and Finley. They had burned the bodies, but that was before the Organics had destroyed much of the lab weeks ago. Incineration wasn’t an option anymore.

  She forced herself to look away and followed the others to the Humvee. There was no time to worry about a proper burial now. Things had changed significantly; priority was given to the living.

  “Bouma, check the vehicle. Make sure it’s roadworthy. Kiel, get ready to move. Those blast doors are opening in five.”

  Sophie studied Kiel for a reaction, but he remained stoic. His profile made him look even younger. His recently shaved face and neat, slicked-back hair reminded her of pictures she had seen of Emanuel in his younger years. The marine even had the same wide dimples when he smiled.

  Bouma climbed into the driver’s seat and checked the monitors. With a click of the start button, the engine roared to life. It coughed and rattled at first, but quickly transitioned into a smooth purr. He poked half his armored body out and gave Overton a thumbs-up.

  The sergeant turned to Sophie and reached for his .45. He hesitated but then unholstered the weapon, holding it out to her. “Take it. You’ve proven to be a decent shot.”

  Sophie recalled the Sentinel that she had shot in the head as it held Overton in its massive claws. She had lied then about taking lessons before the invasion. Truth was, she had just made a very lucky shot.

  She nodded and grabbed the pistol, stuffing it into her belt next to the Biosphere radio.

  “Do you have the coordinates, Kiel?” Overton asked.

  “Yes. Alexia uploaded them to my tablet before we left. Looks like I have a couple miles’ hike, er, climb.

  “Roger.” Overton paused and tilted his helmet in Kiel’s direction. “Good luck, son.”

  Sophie picked up on a hint of reservation in the sergeant’s voice. Was it fear? Empathy?

  Kiel nodded and turned to face the opening blast doors. As soon as they were wide enough, he made his way out, turning one time to look at Thompson’s body before he slipped into the darkness.

  As he disappeared, Kiel’s voice sounded over the net. “Don’t worry sir, I won’t let you down.”

  * * *

  Captain Noble sat at the small metal desk lining the east wall of his personal cabin. To the average person, the space would have been a prison cell. But for him, it was an escape.

  Everything he had ever accomplished was represented in this room. His degrees from MIT and the certificate from a decade ago when he graduated from NTC officer school. An ancient black powder pistol that his father, the pilot of an F-22 Raptor, had given him as a gift when he was commissioned as the captain of the Ghost of Atlantis. And there, on the top of his desk, was a picture of his family. His beautiful wife and their two daughters. They had been waiting for him in Los Angeles, where they had moved shortly after the solar storms of 2055. He thought they would be safe on the West Coast, near the ocean. But he had been wrong.

  He winced, the pain of their loss still so fresh. He hadn’t seen them for . . . Noble could hardly even remember. Had it really been that long? Seven months? His daughters would be taller. And his wife. Oh God, his beautiful Sarah. He was beginning to forget what it was like to lie next to her. To wrap his arm around her in the middle of the night, to make love to her in the morning before training exercises. Those were just distant memories now, slowly fading from his mind. He knew the chances of seeing them again were next to nothing. If he had known the invasion was coming, he would have hugged them all a bit longer. And maybe he wouldn’t have left at all.

  But now he drew strength from their loss. His duty to NTC and the survivors had never been clearer. He would fight to the bitter end, to avenge his family and take back the planet.

  The monitor above his desk chirped and glowed to life. He put the picture back down carefully. Taking a deep breath, he slid in front of the screen. An image of Lieutenant Commander Richards popped onto the display. His usually clean face was covered with stubble, and there were dark circles under his brown eyes.

  “Captain Noble, we have arrived at the rendezvous point. No sign of the Chinese yet, s
ir.”

  “Roger that. In the meantime, I’d like to extend a radio mast to see if we can pick up any signals from the coast. I know this breaks protocol, but we don’t have a choice.” Noble paused and looked at the black powder pistol. “Oh, and Richards? Make sure the Sea Serpent is fueled and ready to go ASAP.”

  “Understood, sir.” Richards’s eyes darted nervously to the left.

  “What is it, Lieutenant?”

  “Sir, those things. The worms . . . whatever you want to call them. The crew is worried that if we sit here for too long, they might find us again.”

  Noble scratched his beard. “Roger that, Richards. But we need to give Quan more time. I’m not about to leave him—and my men—out here to die.”

  “Understood, sir . . .” his voice trailed off.

  The captain raised a brow. “Speak freely, Richards. I don’t have time for this.”

  “Sir, if Captain Quan somehow does manage to make it here, won’t he be bringing those things with him?”

  Richards had a point, but Noble had already considered it. He would give them a couple more hours. If they didn’t show up by then, well, he would have no choice but to move on. Eventually, they’d run out of ocean, and then they’d really be in trouble, but for now, he would wait—and hope.

  * * *

  The sunrise spread over the dead landscape like an orange carpet. Where there should have been snow, there was nothing but cracked earth. And where there should have been mountain streams, there was nothing but smooth rock. Millions of years of runoff had polished the stone, but now not even a single drop of water was left to make the same journey.

  Kiel paused to rest and admire the view. He wiped his brow free of sweat and squinted, shielding his eyes with a curved hand.

  Goddamn, it was hot! And the farther he hiked, the hotter it felt.

  The white sun was unforgiving. And there was nowhere to hide. The trees were bare and dead, void of leaves to protect him from the brutal rays.

  With a grunt, Kiel extended his arms and grabbed the rocky ledge above him. Angling himself outward, he made sure he had a tight grip before dangling freely.