by Tony Corden
Newtonian physics couldn’t be overcome, but its effects could be minimised, so in addition to a conventional casing, which contained the initial propellant, two further sections were added to the projectile. Immediately in front of the conventional primary casing was a secondary casing whose components were designed to be consumed at a controlled rate to offset the loss of velocity due to frictional drag. Between the secondary casing and the back of the needle was an inbuilt mini-CPU connected to a gyroscope, a geo-locator, an altimeter, and twenty controllable fins, or wings. It wasn’t guided, per se, but it had a limited ability to maintain the predicted flight path. Three of these needles would be fired automatically by the weapon when Troy gave the order.
Once the general target and evasion settings were assigned, all Troy had to do was pinpoint the precise target. The weapon was connected to a sophisticated imaging system which built up a model of the facility using data collected from a diverse array of sensors and data sources. Some of these included the building’s blueprints, a geological survey of the area, satellite imagery, thermal imaging, radar, seismic sensors, optical lasers for recording the vibrations of windows, water usage readings, electrical use, and even the physical description, schedule and habits of everyone to enter or leave the building. The data was sent to a sophisticated AI with access to a comprehensive suite of modelling algorithms. Over time, it constructed an increasingly precise real-time predictive model of the Pod facility. With over two weeks of data, it was capable of ‘showing’ the target in her room.
Troy checked that the weapon was connected to the targeting system and then highlighted the target who was entering her room. The system had the target’s full body scans, and Troy expanded the picture and highlighted the centre of Leah’s heart. The weapon used the information from the targeting system, including the type, composition, width and expected angles of the window and curtain, as well as Leah’s velocity and gait. It then applied real-time sensor and satellite data on the local wind speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity, and pollution levels. The data it received was detailed enough to include gradients for all these readings between Troy's weapon and Leah’s room.
As Leah removed her clothes the weapon made continual minute adjustments to the projected flight path. When Leah left the bathroom she turned toward her Pod. There was nothing except the window and curtain between her and the weapon. Troy pressed fire. The weapon updated the flight plan to the projectiles, and with only minute adjustments it fired three needles at a speed of 912 metres per second toward Leah.
John took his responsibility for security seriously, and with Leah’s newfound wealth he’d installed a new security system designed for corporate facilities. It was off-the-shelf but high-end for their sized compound. Both active and passive sensors recorded data around the entire perimeter. The system analysed every sound and motion within line-of-sight. It recorded temperature changes, seismic movements, air pressure, and the whole spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. Publicly available satellite footage, weather information, and social media were scanned. The data was analysed by the system’s AI, and according to its programming it either ignored the data, advised the people on patrol, advised John, issued an alert, advised the authorities, and so on. Gèng had been tasked with helping Leah improve her situational awareness when she wasn’t in the Pod, and John had given Gèng access to the Security system’s data and analysis.
0.00000005 seconds after the first projectile was fired, the security system noted the pinpoint spot of light from the explosion of the primary casing. 0.13 seconds later it recorded the second flash and then the third another 0.13 seconds later. 0.35 seconds after the first piece of data the security system recorded a burst of infrared radiation when the first needle’s controlled-burn kicked in. These four pieces of data were enough of a match for the AI to initiate an internal alarm to all security personnel. By the time 0.56 seconds had elapsed, additional infrared readings triggered the AI to update the alert to include a report with an expected accuracy of ninety-eight per cent that a security breach was in progress which consisted of three incoming high-velocity projectiles. The AI included the projected flight path.
None of the humans had even registered the first alarm when, at 0.58 seconds into the projectile’s flight, Gèng increased Leah’s ability to process information to maximum and ensured all the new physical connections were fully activated. Simultaneously she said, “Danger! Drop left! Stay down!”
Even with her perception increased, it took Leah 0.07 seconds to recognise the command and begin to drop. At 0.89 seconds the first projectile impacted the window, destroying the ballistic point. In the intervening 0.3 seconds, Leah had dropped down and to her left with a total displacement of 17.2 centimetres. The needle passed through the curtain and entered Leah’s right shoulder, hitting the spinal process of her scapula. The needle did as it was designed and was already expanding into six separate splinters. Instead of shredding the heart and possibly the spine, the splinters encountered a carbon fibre reinforced ridge of bone.
Three of the splinters were deflected along Leah’s trapezius. One ended up in the upper trapezius and lodged under the skin of Leah’s lower neck, one stopped five centimetres short of her C7 vertebrae while the third travelled toward the middle trapezius but impacted the medial border of the scapula and turned, coming to rest sticking halfway out of her skin. Two splinters were deflected into her deltoid muscle, one exiting her shoulder and the other curving across under the exterior carbon fibres and coming to rest in the anterior deltoid. The final splinter followed the spinal process and tore through the infraspinatus, coming to rest under the acromion.
Both the second and third projectiles missed Leah and travelled the length of her room, splintering as they passed through an internal wall and came to rest in the internal wall of the room across the corridor from Leah.
Leah landed on her left side, which reignited the pain on that side just as the pain from the fragmented needle saturated her increased awareness. Gèng slowly eased Leah’s rate of perception as she passed out. Leah was only out for ten seconds, and as she regained consciousness the pain hit her afresh. She almost fainted a second time, but instead, she gritted her teeth and used her left hand to push herself to her knees. She asked, “What’s happening?”
“You’ve been shot in the right shoulder, but from the few vitals I can access outside the Pod, no major blood vessels have been damaged. John is just now logging out of his world. Security personnel are starting to respond. Security sensor data suggests no other injuries. Sensor data also suggests the sniper is rapidly exiting his hideaway.”
Leah stood and took a pair of track pants with her left hand, struggling to get them on but finally succeeding.
Gèng gave another update. “John is exiting his Pod, and I expect him here in less than twenty seconds. The guards have begun the lockdown procedure. Sensor data suggests the sniper has just thrown some equipment in his vehicle.”
Leah put her head through the hole of a t-shirt and let it hang down in front of her. She’d just finished when John crashed through the door wearing only a pair of shorts. As he stepped toward her, she held up her left hand and said in a voice loaded with pain, “John, stop. My right shoulder is damaged, but I’ll survive. How soon can you block the roads west of here?”
John had also been receiving updates, and he said, “Not in time. We don’t have a vehicle, my mistake.”
“Worry about it later. Help me sit on the bed, I’m feeling queasy.”
John helped her over to the edge of the bed and then said, “I know it’s dangerous but I have to call an ambulance.”
“We can’t, John. No doctors and no police.”
“I don’t think the Switch healers are good enough for this.”
Leah had started to rock slowly back and forth in pain and said, “Maybe, maybe not. I’ll live for a few hours with some painkillers and antibiotics.”
John sat next to her on the left, and she leant
against him. He said, “You’re not indestructible, Leah.”
“Oh, I know that. If I thought I was, I’d have had you break the window while I jumped out to catch the guy.”
“You did consider it. Didn’t you?”
“Yep. But to be honest, it hurts too much. If I wasn’t distracting myself by talking with you, I’d pass out.”
Gèng said, “The assailant’s vehicle has exited the area.”
John said, “I’m sure Jimmy has some connections.”
Leah said, “Good. Now, Gèng, can I get in the Pod for pain relief and a scan?”
“It isn’t recommended but several first responders have used the Pod to stabilise patients when nothing else was available.”
Leah nodded and said, “John, go get Marie or some other girl to come and help me. You’ve already seen too much.”
Before John could move, Michael ran through the door and fell to his knees in front of Leah and said, “I was so worried.”
It was only then that he noticed her arms weren’t in her shirt and she was leaning against John’s bare chest.
His eye’s widened, but before he could say anything, John said, “Michael, you sit here and keep Leah upright, she’s been shot. I’m going to get Marie to help her into the Pod and Mia to see if we can first stop the bleeding.”
As soon as they’d changed places, John left to get Marie, and Michael wasn’t sure what he should say or do when he felt Leah’s body shaking while she grunted in pain. Worried, he turned to ask her how she was, only to find that she was chuckling and squinting in agony at the same time.
It hurt too much to keep laughing so she got herself under control and said, “You should’ve seen your face, Dad. I thought you’d die of some combination of embarrassment, confusion, and rage.”
“No father wants to see his daughter undressed with a man.”
“I guess.”
Michael waited for her to say something else but realised she’d passed out. He asked his AI to get John, or anyone, to come help but before he got a response John entered the room with Lacey, Marie and Mia. When he touched Leah’s arm, she opened her eyes and said, “Sorry, phased out.”
Michael stood and let Lacey take over holding Leah upright. John said, “Mia, see what you can do about the bleeding. Leah, I’ll keep in contact with Gèng. If I can’t get any help from Jimmy, then I will call an ambulance.”
Leah said, “Don’t do that. You know you can’t. If you can’t find someone, then we’ll just find another way. No outsiders without permission, John. Those are your rules. Keep them, please.”
Michael started, “Now hold on. We need a doctor.”
John held up his hand and said, “I know, Michael, I know. But Leah’s right. Leah, I’m going to talk with your dad. He’s been very trusting but this is going to be too much. Do you agree?”
Leah nodded, and John ushered Michael out, closing the door. Lacey helped ease the t-shirt over Leah’s head, and Mia treated the wounds. She washed both the entry wound and smaller exit on Leah's shoulder. Mia packed them with some hemostatic granules and powder she’d recently bought online to add to her first-aid kit. She’d only been able to afford it since working at the Pod Facility as the ‘healer’. She then covered each wound with hemostatic gauze, another new acquisition. Finally, she used some waterproof dressings to seal the areas while Leah was in the Pod. With the piece that was sticking out of Leah’s back, she used a whole packet of gauze and formed them into a ring to fit around the splinter. It only needed to hold Leah up for a short time and then the gel would support her.
They helped Leah out of her track pants and into the Pod. Marie made sure the gauze didn’t press against the splinter. Even so, Leah had passed out before the lid had started closing.
18
December 15, 2073 - Part 10
THE STORK TOWER
The next thing Leah knew was she was on the sofa in the Tower. Her body ached, which it wasn’t supposed to do, but it was much more manageable than when she’d been outside the Pod.
Gèng appeared and said, “I’ve been worried. Your neural system resisted a transition into NREM3, which the literature indicates is the best way to stabilise a person in such an emergency. I was tempted to discuss this with Dr Roberts, but I thought it’d be best to wait and discuss the options with you.”
“She already knows most things. If it helps then please contact her. I’d best contact Dr Ellis and let him know I probably can’t make it again.”
“What if he wants a reason?”
“Too many people are aware of what is going on as it is. I can tell him about Meredith but will leave out the whole neural changes.”
While Gèng discussed Leah’s current circumstances with Dr Roberts, Leah contacted Dr Ellis and explained that due to circumstances, she would probably not be able to come that evening but would be happy to reschedule. His response was polite but firm. He was disappointed and he wanted to be flexible, but he believed he deserved an explanation.
Leah pondered her reply but finally invited him to her world. He agreed and when Leah was about to rise to go get him, Gèng said, “Dr Roberts suggested that you don’t move. Even small movements to change position should be avoided and definitely no walking until she’s finished looking at the studies and reviewing the data I’m sending her. I’ll go get Dr Ellis.”
Leah sat and waited. She realised she enjoyed having to walk to and from the podium. Finally, Gèng escorted Dr Ellis in. Gèng said, “Please have a seat, Dr Ellis. Can I get you anything to eat or drink?”
“Well, what do you have to drink for an old Welshman?”
“Well, it is from the wrong country, but would you like a tumbler of Macallan ‘M’ scotch?”
“Macallan ‘M’, the real stuff?”
“Of course. How do like it served?”
“Straight, it’s the only way to drink real whiskey.”
When Gèng had left, Dr Ellis said, “Amazing, Leah, your world is amazing and so is Gèng.”
Leah and Dr Ellis talked about the Tower until Gèng returned with the whiskey and then Leah said, “Thank you for visiting, Dr Ellis. Learning from you and Dr Whitfield is what I’ve been aiming towards for years, and I don’t want anything to destroy this opportunity, or worse, to lose your respect.”
“Good, because neither Ellen nor I want to see you leave. It isn’t only your potential, but you’ve already become a catalyst for our own ideas and aspirations. Ellen called yesterday all excited about several new directions her research is heading. She was the most animated she’s been about her work for years. Now, what’s the big secret?”
“It’s not so much a secret, as an onion, or one of those Russian Matryoshka dolls. My reason’s fairly vanilla but some people will potentially hear of it, and they will puzzle things out enough to peel off another layer and before I know it they’ll peel away everything I love and care about.”
“You’re still being cryptic but I’ll bite. What vanilla flavoured onion skin do you have for me?”
“Two evenings ago, when I’d agreed to be in your laboratory I was hurt helping someone I love. It was in the real world, and they were caught in a dangerous situation.”
“And now?”
“Not long ago, the people who I helped protect this person from, they attacked me to get revenge. I’m in my Pod waiting for some medical help to arrive. I’m calling you only because I promised.”
“Your explanation would, as you said, have been sufficient and would have satisfied my concerns. But this secrecy seems too much unless the people who hurt you are both criminal and very powerful and connected.”
Leah said, “I must remember never to give too many points of data to a scientist.”
“Will you answer one more question for me and then I’ll leave it alone?”
“OK, but no names or places.”
“What are your injuries?”
“The first night I received some broken bones, lots of bruises, and strained and tor
n muscles.”
When Leah stopped talking Dr Ellis said, “And tonight?”
“I was shot in the right shoulder.”
“Are you interested in what a scientist can do with two more points of data?”
“Sure, but let’s face it, some so-called scientists use two points of data to build unbelievable world-shattering theories.”
“Unfortunately, Leah, some only need one point. You haven’t called the police or else they would already be there and so would a doctor. You said, ‘waiting for medical help’ with no reference to an ambulance or doctor, which confirms my supposition. A shooting can’t easily evade their detection abilities, but a wealthy opponent would be able to buy the very best. With that type of weaponry at their disposal, they tried to kill you. You would only avoid the police if you thought they were able to be controlled by the people who tried to kill you, or you were concerned they would find out you’d done something illegal, or both.”
“Dr Ellis, next time you don’t get another question.”
“How badly are you hurt?”
“I’ve no idea. Gèng?”
Gèng said, “Six large shards of shrapnel lodged in your neck, back, shoulder and arm. One entry and two exit wounds, your scapula is fractured into three pieces, and that’s ignoring numerous small chips. No major blood vessels are torn, but John and your father want to talk with you. They are going to meet you here in five minutes real-time. No major organs are damaged. However, all of the shrapnel pieces significantly shredded the tissue they passed through on their path through your body. There are numerous small pieces of shrapnel throughout the shoulder region, with tiny pieces from electrical, mechanical, and computerised components.”
Dr Ellis said, “Leah, you might not know this, but in my youth I did some physics work for the Ministry of Defence. I still meet up with some old friends every now and again. What Gèng described sounds like a guided, or at the very least, a smart-assist projectile. You’re lucky to be alive.”