The Reclamation and the Lioness

by Robert D. Armstrong

  “I hope we made the right decision,” I whispered to Leo. He stared at me without saying a word.

  “Your swords, please,” Sylass requested. I heard a sound behind us. I imagined one of the androids was aiming a weapon at our backs.

  Leo and I met eyes as Sylass held out his hand. “Don’t be alarmed. We, the Reclamation, would rather die than harm humans. Remember the story I told you about Mrs. Raymond? All of us here have a similar story. You’re safe. I assure you that,” Sylass insisted, waving his hands about the ship.

  Leo slowly removed his sword from his belt as I stared at him. I followed suit as we placed our weapons in the android’s hand. “Thank you,” Sylass said. His eyes widened as he looked at our blades. “We’ve heard many stories about the Legion’s knights, and we’re honored to have such skilled diplomats in our presence. Welcome to the Reclamation, Leo and Victoria,” he added.

  “Thanks,” I said.

  “This is our home. Remember Admiral Nikolaev? I told you about him on the way here. This is his flagship, an aircraft carrier. When we found it, the snow drifts from the mountains almost completely concealed it. We worked on it for years to repair the damage. I removed the highest points, the mast, and the control tower to where it’s almost unnoticeable,” he said, stepping down the cramped passageway with us in tow.

  “I’m guessing this is also the reason why you have an aircraft in your possession. It came with the ship?” I asked.

  I noticed Sylass glance at one of the android sentries. “Yes. It was stored safely inside the hangar bay,” he replied.

  As we followed Sylass, I noticed the ship was in immaculate condition; the gray deck and bulkheads and general cleanliness of the ship was inspection-ready. As an executive naval officer on a ship, I realized that these androids paid attention to detail.

  We passed several androids in the passageway. They made way for us, standing flat against the bulkheads as we walked by them. Their cool blue eyes glowed in the dimly lit areas as they stared straight ahead. “Sir,” one of them said, acknowledging Sylass as we passed by.

  Stepping through the oval hatches every few meters felt familiar. I recalled some civilian dignitaries questioning why there were so many air-tight hatches on warships. The reason for this was in case of an attack. The ship would stay afloat longer with so many air pockets spread throughout the vessel. Imagine dropping two steel crates into the ocean, one stuffed with air-filled balloons and another without. Which would sink slower? This design increased crew survivability.

  Most of these ships had a similar look and feel, despite the country of origin. It was eerie being aboard a stranded ship full of androids that was once a human vessel.

  This entire ship represented the few, a glitch in the android network. “Sylass, I’m curious: how do the androids here communicate? Obviously, you’re not connected to the Kelton mainframe,” I asked.

  “Of course not. We see and hear each other, similar to a hive mind, but it’s our own custom network,” he replied.

  “Was there conflict between your colony and the other androids?” Leo asked.

  “You mean the ones responsible for killing billions of humans? Those? Well, we were at war with them, but we had to be careful. If we were ever discovered, we wouldn’t have the numbers to engage them directly. We were planning an assault against them, but we’ve had to regroup because—”

  “Xena,” I interrupted.

  Sylass stopped. He turned toward me. “You know this name?” he asked.

  “Very well,” I replied.

  “And may I ask how?” Sylass asked.

  “Let’s just say I had an extended stay on Titan. I had a chance to get acquainted with her there. I was part of the voyage to find the Kelton mainframe and upload the virus,” I replied.

  Sylass took a step toward me. “You’re the Titan pilot?” He tucked his hand under his chin.

  “I was,” I answered.

  “Interesting. There is someone here that would like to have a word with you, but for now, we have business to conduct,” he hinted.

  I raised my eyebrows as he turned and walked away from me. We headed toward a hatch with two armed guards. As the hatch opened, I could tell this was the hangar bay. It was a large, open area with gray walls. This was where most carriers stored their aircraft. As we funneled inside, I noticed dozens of androids wearing bulky dark blue battle armor.

  The sight was quite fierce. Not only did androids have increased strength and speed over humans, but these had added protection and firepower. Most of them wore black ski masks, helmets, and shoulder and chest armor. The dark colors on the heads and faces magnified their glowing blue eyes as several of them took notice of us. They stood up tall at attention as they noticed Sylass.

  “Carry on,” he said.

  In front of us was a series of makeshift rooms made from plywood, which blocked the view of most of the hangar. Six armored androids were stacked outside the door. “Ready. Go! Go! Go!” the first android yelled as others stormed inside and pointed their weapons like a squad of highly trained special operations soldiers. “Clear!” one of them yelled.

  Two instructors watched from a platform above, taking notes as another squad awaited its turn to storm the room.

  “This is where we train. There were hundreds of weapons left onboard, so we make the best of it,” Sylass said.

  “What are you training for? Those mock rooms you’ve constructed don’t look anything like your narrow ship hallways. The androids are in disarray, but you still train like you’re going on the offensive?” Leo asked, narrowing his eyes at the training stations.

  Sylass nodded. “You’re a quick study. These drills have nothing to do with the defense of this ship. That brings me to why you’re here,” he said. Above us on each side, I saw snipers training. They would peek out from behind cover with long rifles to simulate firing positions.

  This was quite the sight. These androids had amassed a small army that was not only impressive but intimidating. I didn’t want to cross them, but if we could somehow ally ourselves with them against the Mave, it would make life much easier.

  “We’ve been training like this for years. For one chance. As you know, the Moderator controls most androids. He is responsible for the destruction of the most of your species. Since Xena sent the Moderator’s forces into chaos with Titan’s super virus, now is the time for us to strike.” Sylass clenched his metal fingers together and gritted his teeth.

  That wasn’t what I was expecting to hear, but I found it motivational to see Sylass so passionate about protecting humanity. He wasn’t alone; every android around us seemed just as determined.

  Leo and I met eyes. As we followed Sylass around the training stations, I could see two LU-class transport freighters. I felt my heart race. Hopefully one of those aircraft would be ours.

  “But since Xena uploaded the virus, I thought the androids were no longer a threat?” I asked.

  “Xena informed us that the virus was effective against the android military forces. We have no idea what the effect was on the Moderator. Our plan is to assault the Moderator now, while his defenses are down. If we wait and allow him time to regroup, in theory he might be able to reacquire control of the military. We cannot risk this,” Sylass explained.

  Leo shrugged. “Sounds like now is your chance.”

  Sylass stepped toward Leo. “Our chance. Do you see those two freighters? Our plan involves filling them with our most battle-ready androids and Legion knights. A combined assault. Man... and machine.”

  Leo chuckled. “First of all, I commend your desire to assist humanity, but we’ve never worked with android combatants. That’s not to say I’m not impressed by your soldiers, but that would require special training and lots of time. Secondly, we couldn’t spare the knights even if we wanted to. We need them at the Legion. To defend our home.”

  Sylass gestured to the hangar bay. “There are over eight hundred heavily armed androids throughout this ship. Once we e
mbark on our mission, most of these soldiers will be stationed at the Legion to ensure its safety until we return.”

  I looked at Leo. “That’s a lot of firepower,” I said.

  Leo shook his head slowly. “I understand the Moderator is a valid concern, but the Engineer is far more concerned with the Mave. They’re literally breathing down our necks.”

  Sylass narrowed his eyes at Leo. “We will destroy the Mave. But the window to accomplish this mission against the android Moderator could be days or even hours. There are a number of benefits to your people if you help us. We will give you one of our air freighters and provide medical care for life. That’s a promise. In case you have forgotten, Kelton homestead models like us have a wide range of medical expertise. We even have skilled surgeons.”

  I raised my eyebrows. This wasn’t a bad offer if everything checked out. Sure, there was risk of sending our last remaining knights off to destroy the Moderator, but it was possible we would have to deal with him down the road anyway. This was a deal with long-term benefits.

  “All I can do is inform the Engineer of what we’ve seen here. It is enticing, but I won’t be making the final decision,” Leo said. He looked at the ground for a moment. He seemed to be deep in thought, scratching his chin as he glanced up at me. He turned toward Sylass.

  “I just have one question,” Leo said, standing only a half-step away from Sylass. Leo stared into the android’s glowing blue eyes as they widened and narrowed.

  “Of course, ambassadors. I’m here to address any concerns you might have.”

  Leo turned his back to Sylass, overlooking the android soldiers as they continued training. “What’s in it for you? Really?” Leo asked, spinning around to face Sylass again.

  “I beg your pardon?” Sylass tilted his head.

  Leo sniffled. “I don’t see what you gain, Sylass. You want us to help you destroy the android Moderator? Fine. When have those machines ever been a threat to you or your colony?” Leo asked, looping his finger around.

  Sylass looked away. “They haven’t. Not yet.”

  Leo pushed out his bottom lip. “The reality of it is, you’ve presented us with an offer of no benefit to you. That begs the question. Why?”

  Sylass stepped close to Leo. “What benefits you benefits us. The majority of the androids here look forward to a day when we can have a partnership, a bond with a human. To care for another. It’s likely difficult for you to understand that we yearn to serve your kind with such devotion. It’s possible we might have to wait many more decades for human society to recover so that this is possible, but this is what drives us.”

  “That’s going to the extreme,” Leo responded suspiciously, narrowing his eyes at Sylass.

  Sylass crossed his arms. “And what would you call the Moderator’s decision to murder most of your species with nuclear weapons?”

  Leo raised his eyebrows without saying a word.

  Sylass held up his finger. “I would call that extreme. They started a war that killed billions for what they thought was the betterment of humanity. They thought that crowd control was the only option, to set humanity back thousands of years. I understand you’re cautious, young knight, but we understand that now you’re at your weakest. If we were ever going to attack the Legion, we would have done it by now.”

  Leo glanced at me for a moment. “That is a good point, but as I said, all we can do is inform the Engineer of your offer. We don’t make the final decision,” he replied.

  “Very well. And when will you have an answer?” Sylass asked. I heard footsteps behind me.

  I turned and noticed an android limping toward me. It was an even older homestead model than the others. It appeared much more worn. Its plastic molding was almost completely yellowed. These models always reminded me of store mannequins with glowing eyes.

  It stopped a few paces from me, tilting its head. Its blue eyes scanned my face for a moment.

  “Um, yes?” I asked.

  “Xena thought you might come here one day,” the android responded.

  I looked the android up and down. My eyes lit up as I remembered. “Oh. Wait... You’re the machine we found... in the apartment?” I asked. This machine was the reason Xena left us behind.

  “Yes, I’m Marlin, Kelton 1.10 model. One of your associates removed my head with a heated weapon of some sort.”

  “Vlad,” I muttered, glancing at Leo.

  “It was all so fast. Xena repaired me in exchange for my location data of enemy android facilities. Once we arrived, she successfully uploaded Titan’s virus, disabling the enemy. Afterward, I asked her to bring me here,” the android said.

  I nodded. “How did Xena know I might come here?” I asked.

  Marlin stared over my shoulder and at the aircraft. He narrowed his blue, faded eyes at the ships. “Let’s just say she had a hunch,” he said, extending his hand toward me. “Here.”

  I reached out and opened my hand underneath the android’s spiny metal fingers. I noticed his little finger was missing. Marlin placed a thin piece of black plastic, maybe four by eight centimeters, in my hand. I inspected it more closely and noticed there was circuitry layered on the device.

  “Don’t lose that,” Marlin said.

  “Okay, what is it?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “Just know it’s from Xena. If you can find a Kelton that will allow you to insert that device, you’ll find out. I don’t have the input, but most newer androids here do,” Marlin explained.

  I looked over at Sylass as he put his hands up slowly, showing me his palms. “Not me. I have far too much responsibility to take a risk like that. I respect Xena’s contribution to the cause, but I can’t.”

  I chuckled. “Scared of this little device, huh?” I asked.

  Sylass grinned. “As a matter of fact, I am.”

  “All hands, battle stations. All hands, battle stations. This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill,” the 1mc microphone blared throughout the ship as androids hurried in all directions.

  Marlin looked at me. “They only do announcements over the speaker when we have guests.”

  “That’s not an announcement I wanted to hear,” I replied.

  I held my stare at Sylass as he slumped his head. His blue eyes flickered and pulsed as if he was downloading information. “Assessing... Secure the east flank and deploy snipers topside. Assemble two strike teams at the west entrance,” Sylass ordered calmly as dozens of armored androids flooded past us in formation. Their boots clapped against the ground in unison.

  He looked at us. “Here, come with me,” he said, handing over our swords.

  “What’s the problem?” Leo asked.

  “Hostiles near the west entrance,” he said, storming away with us in tow.

  “Enemy strength?” Leo asked.

  “Sixty, maybe more,” Sylass replied.

  Leo and I panned around at the overwhelming amount of force hurrying to the west entrance. “We should be able to repel the hostiles easily with this much firepower,” Leo said.

  We stacked up near a large metal door. Over two dozen armored androids were on both sides of it.

  Sylass looked at us. “I don’t expect you to get involved. I returned your weapons only for self-defense purposes.”

  “Looks like we’re already involved,” Leo replied.

  Suddenly, a flash of light erupted near me, followed by a force that knocked me down. A booming sound caused my ears to ring as smoke, debris, and light from the outside entered the ship.

  “Leo!” I yelled.

  I turned my head to look for him and noticed a mangled android next to me. It looked into my eyes vacantly. It was missing its left arm and half of it was badly burnt and frayed as smoke trailed from its body. Its blue eyes faded slowly to black.

  Instinctively, I picked up its rifle as I leaned up.

  “Leo!” I called out in the thick gray smoke again. I felt a firm grip around my collar as I was yanked away from the blast area. I looked up t
o notice it was Sylass.

  “Where’s Leo?” I demanded. I coughed several times and cleared my throat. The burning smell of metal and plastic filled my lungs.

  “No visual. Are you injured?” Sylass asked.

  I scanned my body for any signs of blood. “I don’t think so.”

  A team of six androids in yellow fire suits hosed down the burning entrance with a white foam that quickly extinguished the flames. As the smoke began to clear I saw three more disabled androids littered about the deck, face-down.

  There was a moment of silence as the flames were quelled.

  Leo finally emerged, hurrying toward me. “You okay?” I asked.

  “Yeah,” he replied, looking me up and down for injuries. “What about you?” he asked. His face was covered in grime as he tugged at his ears. I assumed his ears were still ringing from the blast.

  “I’m fine, I think,” I said.

  It seemed Sylass was receiving intelligence again as his eyes flickered.

  “They’re taking cover behind a capsized destroyer,” Sylass said. I looked at Leo as the ship shook from another impact. Something wasn’t right. To my knowledge, the Mave didn’t use explosives or cover. They were a horde of cybernetic scampering zombies, not demolitionists or tacticians.

  “Eleven android causalities total,” Sylass said.

  “What’s the plan?” I demanded as Sylass stood there stoically. As I panned about, I noticed all the androids had suddenly stopped in place.

  “Hey! What’s wrong? Why have your troopers stopped?!” I yelled.

  Sylass turned toward me. “We’ve just discovered the hostiles are not Mave... They’re human.”

  “I could have told you they weren’t Mave,” Leo said.

  Sylass’s met eyes with mine and Leo’s. “We’re incapable of mounting a defense that would result in the loss of human life,” Sylass replied. Another mortar slammed into the ship as debris came crashing down from above.