by J M Guillen
You do have the whitest name on earth. She considered for a moment. Maybe Johnson or Smith would be whiter. Should I start calling you Mike Johnson?
You said you’d call me ‘Michael’ if I got us out of a certain scrape? I raised an eyebrow at her.
I don’t remember that. She seemed to consider for a moment. I may have been under duress.
I notice your skin condition has cleared up. I gestured at her forehead. It’s impressive that you went through so much trouble to look nice for me.
Wow. Just wow. Sofia chuckled and held up both hands in surrender. Okay then.
At that moment, the second door opened. In strode the young Mandarin Designate I’d dealt with on several of my dossiers. As always, she appeared crisp and professional. Her dark hair had been pulled back in a neat bun, and her thin-rimmed glasses perched perfectly on her nose. As she walked, her high heels clicked loudly on the floor.
Behind her, my favorite Caduceus Asset strolled into the room.
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Designate Ling sent a general link and nodded toward the table. Take a seat. We have quite a bit to discuss.
I hope none of this is about the dress code, I sent to Wyatt alone. I’d hate to see you get sent home.
I bet it’s not. My friend scowled at me as he sat down.
Yeah?
Too much weird for me. I’ve got a feeling that we’re about to be neck deep in horseshit.
I hated to admit it, but the hillbilly just might be right.
2
The Designate wasted no time with pleasantries. As soon as the five of us sat, she stepped to the terminal orb. She placed her palm on its surface and began to link.
A momentary perusal of your ancillary Crown systems will reveal several integral processes of your personal holography are currently offline. This is expected and will continue to be so for— she paused there and turned her head to Rachel.
Two hours five minutes, as near as I can figure. Rachel gave a shrug. Difficult to say.
She’s right. Numerics flitted across the surface of Wyatt’s oculus as he delved into his personal system. I barely have the bandwidth to send and receive links.
What with all the porn, I linked to him alone.
It’s just how things are. Rachel shrugged. Several systems are offline. Nothing for it.
I ran the Adjunct, I offered. Mine was still active, at least.
Several of you should be in torpor right now, the Designate continued. However we are currently on a fixed timeline.
“You’re making Crown alterations.” Wyatt said. “That’s my guess.”
Yes, Ling responded.
What updates are taking place? I linked.
You are receiving new protocols to a significant portion of the firmware that drives your integral holotecture, the Designate answered. The update is being applied to Facility Liaison 702 as well.
That guy? I linked my best friend. Again?
Demetrius isn’t all that bad. Wyatt shook his head as he linked to me. I think you’re just jealous because his suits look better than yours.
You’re. Wearing. Overalls.
This is due to a ground-level alteration in the basic operations of a Facility cadre, Designate Ling continued. You five, along with Liaison Stone, are to be the vanguard of a new modality. It is intended to streamline Facility response to large-scale Irrational events.
A question? Anya actually raised her hand a little bit, something I found endearing. Does this update to our holotecture hinder porting this dossier via packet?
That’s an affirmative, Rachel poked in. It’s why we have to be all chatty about it. Your receptive helix alone is pulling 89.01% of your Crown resources. Almost overtasked.
I have a question too. Wyatt nodded at the Designate. Does this new modality standardize Assets into permanent cadres? Is that why we’re all grouped up?
This is an experimental modal, the Designate clarified. But yes. This alteration is classified as the Citadel Initiative. For the time being, the five of you and Liaison Stone are the first permanent Facility cadre.
So I’ll always work with… Sofia gave me a sharp smile and continued, these particular Assets?
That is affirmative. The Designate stepped back over to the terminal orb and made two quick touches upon it before she turned back to us. This Facility substation has been retooled for your specific use. It is now reclassified as the Citadel. Your personal white rooms have all been geared to open conduits to this location.
Neat. I glanced around the table. But why? You said something about a fixed timeline?
I did. The Designate scanned the table. Is everyone familiar with the Facility concept of a cascading error?
A cascading error refers to an anomaly within the system. Sofia stretched and leaned back in her chair. It happens when one thing goes wrong that leads to another, which leads to another. She gave me a catty glance. Kind of like when Bishop goes on dossier.
She’s not wrong, Wyatt linked to me.
Since Dossier I63-1998, the Designates have tracked over one hundred events worldwide that have been related to the events in the Mojave Desert.
Over a hundred? I sat back, a bit stunned. All connected to, what, the Vyriim?
The agents of Dhire Lith, in one form or another, the Designate confirmed. Servitors of Aberration 45171R.
You suggest a parallel between a cascading error in the system, and events involving Dhire Lith, Anya observed.
Yes, the Designate agreed. Often, these are small things, such as smuggling operations or reconnaissance into Rationality. Other times, however, these are acts of sabotage and war.
Like Substation 306.. Wyatt nodded to himself..
Didn’t they kidnap captain pretty boy here? Sofia jerked her chin at me.
That was his girlfriend. Wyatt leaned toward her, as if to whisper a confidence in her ear. They had domestic issues.
This is the reason for the Citadel Initiative. The Designate paused, glanced down at the tablet she held and then back to us. The Facility is experimenting with new solutions to a terminal class of problems that seem to continually grow in new and unexpected ways.
So we’re like a specialized team? Wyatt asked.
Across Rationality, most incidents that require our attention are still quite small. The Designate paused for a moment. Most of our incursions are simple things. They typically involve a young person accidentally discovering Irrational capabilities or a creature that is left over from an earlier age.
Correct. Anya nodded. On the average, a dossier is marked as complete in less than three hours.
Yet within the past five years or so, this has begun to change. Those typical assignments still exist, but more and more we find we must send Assets on longer excursions.
Are all of them related to Aberration 45171R? Anya asked.
No. Ling nodded toward the Preceptor. It’s simply a fact that longer, more dangerous dossiers are becoming more common, and the Facility seeks a solution.
I couldn’t help but think of one of the last conversations I’d ever had with Gideon.
“As of now, you and your cadre know more about this situation than any other Assets, so you will likely be assigned any special ops regarding them.”
“Roger that.” I chuckled ruefully. “Sounds fun.”
“Not fun.” Gideon ran his hand through his hair. “Designate Ling has put forth the concept of creating a Facility segment specifically for dealing with this situation and others like it.”
“So ‘special ops’ might mean ‘permanent assignment’?”
Gideon touched one finger to his nose and winked.
I’ve been to more otherworldly topias in the last five years than the rest of my career combined, Wyatt grumbled. Honestly, I blame this jackass. He hooked a thumb at me.
I thought the Vyriim had pulled back? I turned toward Anya. Wasn’t that right? Their incursions halted after our little party in Dhire Lith?
The nature of those incu
rsions simply changed, the Designate explained. They began to act far more secretively and moved through agents rather than taking action directly.
You’re talking about Sadhana. Wyatt sat back and crossed his arms over his huge barrel chest. That fucking Drażeri was with them, at the end.
In The Spire. I furrowed my brow. At the time, the Drażeri agent had seemed bizarre. He was the last thing I expected to encounter.
Correct. It is currently believed that if Sadhana is not completely controlled by Aberration 45171R, then it is merely a matter of time, the Designate acknowledged.
So that’s the point of the firmware? Rachel asked. We’re to be assigned a specific location with everyone queued into its systems?
Affirmative, the Designate agreed. The formation of the Citadel Initiative has been in the works for a few months now. Unfortunately, due to recent events, some changes in personnel had to be initiated.
Gideon, I realized, with a start. Before we lost him, you intended Asset DuMarque to lead the team.
Gideon DuMarque was an exemplary Asset. The events at The Spire showed his capability with the Catalyst packet.
They did at that, I linked thoughtfully. Catalyst happened to be a tough packet to equip. It granted the Asset some Designate level controls over Facility tech, while allowing the user to coordinate teams of Assets.
The original intention was for DuMarque to be the Catalyst for the team, while Bishop was to be appointed permanent Alpha-in-the-Field. She paused. In the past, these two have functioned well, complementing each other’s natural talents.
Bishop? Sofia seemed a touch confused.
With current Asset allocations, it has been decided I will be the Designate in Charge in place of Catalyst DuMarque.
What? Wyatt exclaimed, stunned.
I will be the Designate in Charge, she repeated. I will coordinate your activities and communicate with Facility Prime.
No. No, no, no. Sofia waved one hand. That wasn’t what officer overalls here was saying.
HA! I sent to Wyatt. The link felt clunky, heavy in my mind.
Bishop is the Alpha? Sofia continued.
We’re all going to die. Rachel sunk her head to the desk. I don’t think they make enough viral mecha to fix this.
There are circumstances you have not been privy to prior to today. The Designate raised one hand. These factors colored our decision-making when it came to the formation of this group.
It’s that they’re all reptilians. Wyatt sent to everyone in the room except for the Designate. I knew it all along.
Anya shot him a glare.
The events that took place in Dossier I63-1998 and Dossier K91-1998 have handed us a unique opportunity regarding Michael Bishop. As you may remember, much of his spine and holotecture required refitting at the end of those assignments.
Oh, I remember, Rachel groused.
To this day, Asset 108 is in possession of neural structures that are unique among humans, not to mention among Facility Assets. These structures provide us with an advantage we believe Aberration 45171R does not know exists.
It’s because your brain is diseased, Wyatt linked to me alone. You’re getting a promotion because your brain is diseased.
You’re talking about— Rachel gestured to the back of her head—his neural pathways. They’re all wonky. She stared at me. Seriously dude, it’s a nightmare putting you back together.
The specific neural structures of Asset 108 are a unique weapon against Aberration 45171R, the Designate acknowledged. With these modifications, he may receive their telepathic communications within his receptive helix.
So like getting a link? From Squiggly? Wyatt sat back, thoughtful. That’s a handy thing.
They just needed an excuse to notice my excellence, I linked to Wyatt and Sofia. I noticed again how heavy the link felt, how difficult it was while my system updated.
This advantage has been explored for some time now, Ling continued. We may need to facilitate this possibility with specialized viral mecha. The consequence is that 108’s neural network cannot be readily repaired. We are uncertain which portion of his structures is most vital to this receptive helix.
Cannot. Be. Repaired, Rachel linked to me alone.
For this reason., little action has been taken regarding either the manifesting aberration or his ongoing acrophobia.
HA! Wyatt linked to the other Assets and me. Acrophobia. Knew it.
I am not afraid of heights. I crossed my arms. That would be stupid. I blinked as I sent the link. It felt sluggish in my mind.
“My head hurts.” I sank my head into my hands. “Rachel, is it possible we’re pushing the receptive helix too much by linking during the updates?”
“It is.” Rachel glanced down at her interface and made some adjustments. “And we are.” She turned from me to the Designate. “Can we speak out loud? There’s really no reason we should add an extra load on Crown resources.”
“I’m good with chatting.” Wyatt leaned back.
“Our data is incomplete.” The Designate gazed at each of us. “We know portions of 108’s brain functions differently than typical human physiology. All we can do is continue research.”
“So fancy pants here is Project Alpha because he has an inhuman brain?” Wyatt chuckled.
“There’s more complexity to the situation than that. Asset 108 also worked very closely with Gideon DuMarque, and we hoped to leverage this mentorship.”
“That at least makes some sense,” Sofia said.
“Yeah.” I faintly smiled.
“If it were not for the fact that our time frames have become so narrow, the Designates might consider reallocating resources. In the moment, we will proceed with the team that we have been constructing. However, regardless of your opinions regarding Michael Bishop and his leadership capabilities, there is another quality we haven’t yet discussed.”
I love it when they talk about my quality, I linked the group, and then squinted in discomfort against the effort.
“Asset 108 has, on multiple occasions, endured situations far outside what Facility protocols were designed to encompass.” The Designate paused as her gaze swept over us. “In these situations, his willingness to step outside the bounds of protocol has proven most efficacious. It is believed that, with guidance, this trait can be used to outmaneuver 45171R.”
“And because you’re crazy.” Wyatt shot me a grin. “You got an inhuman brain and you’re crazy.”
“You’re just jealous because no one likes your overalls,” I sneered.
“Everyone loves my overalls,” Wyatt said loftily. “I’ll buy you a pair. They’ll look great when you go on dates.”
“There is more to discuss,” the Designate interjected. “If the gentlemen can be silent for a few moments?”
HA! Sofia linked, even though I saw the slight discomfort on her face. Gentlemen.
“They really can’t,” Rachel opined.
I rolled my eyes and ignored her. Wyatt snickered but then then turned his attention to the Designate.
The Designate, for her part, continued on.
I faced her, like a good little silent gentleman.
3
“This dossier is highly irregular.” The Designate fiddled with her glasses for a moment. “Even without initiation of the new initiative and recent personnel losses, we expect the unfolding events would tax your resources.”
“Unfolding?” I questioned. “This is about the timeframe you discussed earlier.”
“Indeed. The last thirty-six hours have been utterly unlike anything the Facility has experienced in the last hundred years, and we are scrambling all sectors in our attempt to moderate the disruption.”
“What’s been happening?” Sofia sat forward and rested her elbows on the table. “Aside from the fact that we apparently lost an Asset?”
“I was on dossier with Gideon, just yesterday,” I explained. “He… He didn’t make it back. I couldn’t… I couldn’t do anything.”
&nb
sp; Sofia glanced down and took a breath.
“One of the primary difficulties encountered on that excursion was the lack of reliable telemetry,” the Designate smoothly interjected. “A situation that, unfortunately, has only grown worse.”
Long-range telemetry has been down, world-wide for twenty-two hours, Anya linked.
“We’re fucking blind?” Wyatt practically spat. “Worldwide?”
“We have sweeper teams, Preceptor class Assets, who have set up short-range telemetric resonators.” The Designate paused. “The true cause of the outage is undetermined.”
“It’s like those snarls,” I muttered thoughtfully, then addressed Anya. “Right? Like the telemetric snarls we found in Tokyo.”
In function, but not in form. She gave a tiny shrug. No telemetric snarls exist now. Yet we can discern no source, no locus for the disturbance.
“Unless a Preceptor is onsite, we are completely in the dark. Without readings of worldwide ambient Rationality, the Facility has strengthened the Principle Facets in an attempt to bolster Hyper-Rationality and axiomatic obduracy.”
“So we are fucking blind,” Wyatt repeated. “It might as well be 1960.”
“It is difficult to believe that this situation is a coincidence. When compared with other events of the last thirty-six hours, things become clear.” The Designate turned quickly and stepped over to the terminal orb. She traced her fingers along it for a moment and then nodded once, satisfied.
“Why thirty-six hours?” I scratched my head. “Because of… of Gideon?”
“After a fashion, your assignment in the Pacific Northwest is tied directly to these events.” The Designate traced her fingers along the underside of the orb, and one of the screens flickered to cerulean life. “Before we lost telemetry entirely, we pulled some images from the ARC-scans. This is what we discovered in Washington.”
The screen flickered again, sullenly, and then resolved into a sharp picture. It showed a woman, carrying one of the amphorae Gideon and I had discovered.
“What is it?” Wyatt screwed up his face.
These items were used by parties unknown to summon aberrations on Michael’s last dossier. They called an amphibious creature, one that spread pestilence, Anya linked.