Bombardier - The Complete Trilogy

by SD Tanner

  “Wake him up.”

  Where the technician had only briefly glanced at him when he walked into the room, now she turned in surprise. “What?”

  “Wake him up.”

  Giving the male technician a nervous look, she said, “I…I don’t think we’re allowed to do that.”

  Being cross-questioned by an uninformed and replaceable technician irritated him more than it should have. “I am him and I’m ordering you to wake him up.”

  The other technician spoke in a soft and controlled voice. “If we wake him then he might not survive being put under again. According to the medical files, he was very fragile due to extreme old age. You could kill him.”

  Feeling his jaw tighten, an uncontrolled spark of rage fired through him. “I don’t have to explain anything to you. I am Dunk, so wake him up and do it now.”

  After sharing another worried look, the other technician shrugged. “Yes, sir.”

  While they tapped the control panels, he found several chairs in the office next to the room. Dragging two across the floor, he placed them next to the chamber facing one another. Sitting in one, he crossed his arms over his chest, allowing his chin to sink down.

  Although his clone had never been reasonable, he’d never been violent. If he didn’t understand why he was acting this way, how could he stop him? Had something gone wrong with the cloning or was Dunk Two just a chip off the old block? He didn’t want to kill anyone, much less his brother. Competing voices in his head argued both sides of the equation. Dunk Two was only trying to protect Earth, so why was he resisting. Ark Three was defending people in his own way and maybe he was right. Perhaps Ark Three was too soft. Maybe Dunk Two was being too aggressive.

  While he sat deep in thought, it took the technicians an hour to reanimate what was effectively a corpse. As he sat watching the chamber, the technicians had removed the cover, revealing a thin and frail body inside. Studying the naked body, he noted the deep wrinkles covering every inch of him. Dunk looked as if he’d been deflated, leaving only flattened and sagging skin. Eventually his eyes fluttered open, but unlike a true newborn, his first breath was shallow and shaky.

  As the technicians helped him to sit, he blearily looked around the room until he saw him in the chair. “Dunk Two?”

  “No, I’m Dunk Three.”

  The female technician was helping him from the chamber, wrapping a soft robe around his thin body. With a shaking hand, he grasped hers as she helped him to the chair opposite his.

  “Why am I awake?” Holding a cup of warm liquid to his lips, she gently guided it to his mouth. “Stop fussing, woman.” After taking a sip from the cup, Dunk eyed him curiously. “Well?”

  “Dunk Two has started a war.”

  “With one of the Arks.”

  “Ark Three and how do you know that?”

  Dunk took a sip of his warm drink. “We never get along.”

  “Did you kill the first Ark?” Dunk nodded, taking another sip from the cup. “Why?”

  “He’s dangerous.”

  “How?”

  “People follow him.”

  “Why’s that dangerous?”

  “He wants to save everyone.” Seeing his puzzled expression, Dunk handed the now empty cup to the technician, leaning forward as he did. “I’m not saying he’s a bad man because he isn’t, but he thinks the world is for everyone and that it should be shared equally.”

  “And it can’t be?”

  “No, in life there are always winners and losers. For some to win, some must lose. Ark never could accept that. Altruism was his only real flaw. It made him dangerous.”

  “What did he do?”

  “Nothing because I didn’t implement my plan until after he was dead.”

  “How do you know he wouldn’t have agreed?”

  His question made Dunk chuckle. “What’s your problem with Ark Three?”

  “I don’t have a problem with him, but Dunk Two does. He rescued several aliens from CaliTech, but he didn’t bomb the main buildings and kill us when he could have.”

  “Where is he now?”

  “Dunk Two used his implanted chip to find him in space. He tried to kill him and failed.”

  “What’s Ark Three doing?”

  “We don’t know, but he has an army of Boms and possibly superior tech.”

  Dunk snorted softly. “He was always good at enlisting others.”

  “Is that why you killed his grandfather?”

  Leaning back into his chair, Dunk suddenly looked tired and sad. “I wasted my health and my youth.” When he said nothing, Dunk leaned forward again, staring at him intently. “Learn from my mistakes. Our madness is like a bell curve. We start out sane, go crazy, and then straighten up with age.” Pointing a trembling bony finger at him, he nodded. “You’re still young so you haven’t reached your full crazy yet.”

  His heart sank and his gut churned. “We’re crazy?”

  Raising his hands, Dunk shook his head. “No, no, no. Crazy people don’t get better without meds. We’re just intense. Overly focused. Too driven. We think we know more than we do.” Wincing at his own words, Dunk slowly tipped his head from side to side. “We grow out of it, but…we can do some damage until we do.”

  “Is that what you call killing Ark? Damage?”

  Dunk’s mouth pulled downward, showing a detached concern. “Well, it wasn’t constructive, was it?”

  “What am I supposed to do about Dunk Two? He’s killing everyone. Our own citizens, renegades, and Ark Three’s people.”

  Pursing his lips, Dunk shrugged. “Well, if I was you I’d kill him.” Smiling benignly, he chuckled. “You are me so you already know what to do.”

  Studying his deeply lined face and cold eyes, he realized Dunk was no saner than Dunk Two. Both men thought nothing of taking a life, even if it was one of their own. Where he’d hoped for answers, all he’d uncovered was another problem. Both Dunk and Dunk Two were crazy.

  “I don’t want to kill Ark Three. Give me another option.”

  Sighing as if bored, Dunk’s wrinkled mouth twisted unhappily. “You woke me up to answer such an easy question.” Looking at the empty chamber, he sighed again. “I guess Dunk Two hasn’t found a cure for old age.”

  “He’s not even looking.” Shaking his head, he rolled his eyes. “I don’t know why you thought he would.”

  Dunk’s thin hand shook as he waved it dismissively. “I didn’t think he would, but dying is…like losing control. Dying inside of the chamber is like falling asleep.”

  “You didn’t answer my question.”

  Studying him with a detached air, he leaned forward. “We’re the complete opposite to Ark. He’s altruistic and we’re cynical. He makes emotional decisions and we make intellectual ones. He thinks everyone can be a winner and we know there must always be losers. He can get people to follow him, whereas we can only control them.”

  “What’s your point?”

  Pointing a finger at him, his mouth twisted with a cynical smile. “Either you and the latest Ark need to get closer to the middle or you’ll have to kill him.” His smile widened. “Of course, you can’t get close to anyone. Your disorder won’t let you.”

  “What disorder?”

  “Some people would call it narcissism, but when you’re always the smartest person in the room by a quantum leap, your superiority is a fact.”

  “You think I’ll kill Ark because I think I’m superior to him.”

  “It’s either that or you’ll have to kill Dunk Two.” Shrugging, he added, “Either one will do.”

  “Why do say that?”

  “If you kill Dunk Two then you’ll take over from him. If you kill Ark Three then another will be created and the team goes on.”

  “Which means no matter what I do, you still rule.”

  Dunk tilted his head, giving him a smug grin. “I didn’t expect Dunk Two to cure old age so I covered my bases. One way or another I continue to rule, even after I’m dead.”

>   “You’re a bit of a jerk.”

  This time Dunk gave a barking laugh that ended in a coughing fit. Rushing to his side, the technician gently wiped tears from his eyes. “Right back atcha, clone boy.”

  Looking across at the technician, he flicked his head at the chamber. “Put him back under.”

  When she gave Dunk a worried look, he merely nodded at her. “Put me back.”

  After removing his robe and gently wiping his frail body, the technicians helped Dunk back into the chamber. Once sealed, it would fill with a fluid that kept his body and brain animated. While the technicians monitored screens, the lid eased over Dunk creating a tube shaped coffin. Peering at his pale face through the square glass, a thick fluid was already slowly edging up the sides of his head. Once his face was covered, he was already asleep.

  Sounding relieved, the female technician said, “He’s stable.”

  “Is he under again?”

  “Yes.”

  Walking to the screen where she was standing, he studied the image of Dunk inside of the chamber. His eyes were closed and thin hair floated outward from his head. Having only ever lived inside of his own head, he hadn’t realized he was insane. Seeing his mind playing out in others identical to himself made it undeniably true. In talking to his creator, he’d learned there was no hope for any of the Dunks. What was he supposed to do? Should he kill Dunk? If he did that then he would have to kill Dunk Two. Should he destroy all evidence of their DNA, including himself? If his future was to become a ruthless despot then maybe he should, but knowing his insane mind was destined to rule the universe didn’t mean he wanted to die.

  Not for the first time since Ark Three had left, he wanted to talk to him. They might be diametrically opposed, but he trusted his brother more than he did himself.

  CHAPTER TEN:

  Resistance is Fruitful

  (Granger)

  “Move!”

  The Navigator in the red and white helmet was shouting at them to get out of the truck. Grabbing Joan by the arm, he pulled her onto the road until she was standing beside him. While holding his son, he looked at the low, white rectangular buildings. He was back at the Navigator barracks in CaliTech. Some of the squat rows of buildings showed burn marks from Ark Three’s attack, otherwise nothing much had changed.

  Expecting to be taken to the windowless prison next to the barracks, he was surprised when they were marched along the road towards the main buildings.

  “Where are we going?”

  Neither of the two Navigators walking with them replied, but continued trudging in their solid way towards the taller buildings. Other than stepping aside to let them pass, no one paid much attention to two men and a woman being frog-marched along the road.

  His new friend called Tod was nodding at each Navigator walking past them. “What are you doing?”

  “Being friendly,” he declared loudly.

  Tod had told him a wild tale about the dissention in the ranks of Navigators. He had been a Navigator, vocally disagreeing with CaliTech and the Guild. After busting him down from Sergeant to Specialist, they’d finally given him a dishonorable discharge, threatening to execute him if he didn’t shut up. No threat was enough to gag him and he’d returned to civilian life, forming a clan calling themselves the “Freedom Fighters”. Upon enquiring about its membership, it was largely composed of rebellious teenagers with no fighting skills. Undeterred, Tod was taking them into the forest and teaching them to shoot. He supposed the movement could eventually go somewhere, but he was a long way from offering effective resistance.

  Reaching a doorway to a five-story building, the painted sign on the wall inside of the entrance identified it as the medical facility. “What are we doing here?”

  The Navigators had flicked up their faceplates, revealing one was an older man in his forties and the other a younger one in his twenties.

  Pushing him towards another door next to the entrance, the older one muttered, “Passing the buck.”

  Inside of the next room was a tired looking woman sitting behind a desk. Sighing as she saw the five of them walking in, she asked, “What’s the problem?”

  The older of the two Navigators pulled off his helmet, showing a bald head slick with sweat. “Chips aren’t working on ‘em.”

  “Then take them to registration.”

  Beaming what he assumed was meant to be a friendly smile, the older Navigator said, “C’mon, I’ve been outside the wire all day.” Grabbing him roughly by the arm, he flicked back his jacket, showing the damp head of his drowsy son. “This one’s got a baby with him.”

  Stretching her neck to see him, the woman’s face softened. Hoping to rid himself of the Navigator guard, he peeled back his jacket, showing Charlie’s chubby hand clutching at his shirt. “His name’s Charlie. His Mom was killed and now he’s sick.” Without meaning to, his voice took on a begging tone. “Please help him.”

  Finally standing, the woman walked around the desk, reaching out her arms as if to take him. He didn’t want to hand him to her, but at least they were in a medical center. With some reluctance, he gently lifted his son up. Instead of taking him, she placed the back of her hand against his forehead and then his chest.

  “He has a fever.” Gently tapping his cheek, she then stroked his small hands. “He’s not responsive either.” Leaning into him, she turned his head towards her. “Open your eyes, sweetheart.”

  Unhappy at being prodded by a stranger, his son’s bottom lip fell forward and he whimpered. Squeezing his body a little tighter, he whispered, “It’s alright, Charlie.”

  Straightening, the woman turned to the Navigators who were watching Charlie. “Follow me.”

  Walking briskly to the next door, she ran her wrist across the scanner. Following her through the door, he found himself at another entrance, only this one led to several corridors with rooms on each side. Every room had a glass wall with a plain door. Briskly walking to the reception desk, the woman nodded to the person behind it.

  “I have a sick child.” Picking up a hand held scanner, she ran it across Charlie. “He isn’t chipped.” She pulled a pen shaped unit from the scanner, holding it against Charlie’s arm.

  Abruptly pulling away, he asked, “What are you doing?”

  “They can’t treat him without a chip, so I’m putting in a temporary one.” Looking him directly in the eyes, she said, “I assume he’s never been tested.” When he didn’t answer, her eyes softened again. “I can give him temporary clearance to get medical treatment, but after that they will test him…unless he’s gone before then.”

  Her point was well made. She would make sure he got the treatment he needed, but then he had to get his son out. If he tested positive for enemy DNA then they would dump him back into the outlands. If he didn’t then he would be fostered by one of the families in the city.

  Gently handing his son into her waiting arms, he nodded gratefully. “Thank you.”

  The Navigators had turned to leave only now she called them back. “Take them to registration.”

  Although he was leaving Charlie in the best possible place, he was reluctant to go. It was only when the older Navigator stood between him and the woman that he was forced to walk back through the doorway. Leaving the medical building, the older Navigator tiredly pointed towards another building in the compound. “Registration.”

  Of the three of them, he was the least likely to leave that building alive. Neither Joan nor Tod had any enemy DNA, but the same couldn’t be said of him. The Navigators might not know it, but they were leading him to his executioner. His son was as safe as he could make him for now. If he walked into the next building, he would have no chance of retrieving him before they tested his DNA.

  Glancing around the area, there were one person transports riding along the narrow roads. Between the buildings were flat areas of grass with a few scattered trees. He was now closer to the main entrance into CaliTech than the Navigator barracks at the rear. If he used the people walkin
g around the compound as cover, he might make it to the main gate. It was long shot, but long was all he had.

  Tensing, he waited until the group of people walking along the path were less than three yards away. All were wearing the grey one-piece suit of government workers, only some had insignia indicating their rank. Spotting a smaller woman in the group, she had an eagle badge on her suit, indicating she was higher ranked. Knowing his Navigator guard would be wary of shooting a senior government official, she became his target. As they walked towards one another, the party of ten people split into two groups allowing them to walk through the middle. Not appearing to pay any attention, they continued talking to one another as they marched between them. The small woman was to his left. As he passed her, he pushed himself into the group, grabbing her by one slender arm.

  Sharply yanking her arm, he pulled her along. “Run!”

  After tripping slightly, she regained her feet. “Let me go!”

  “Can’t.”

  Behind him, all he heard was the older Navigator cursing and then nothing. Jogging along the side of a building, he pulled the woman with him. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?”

  “Main gate.”

  “With me as a hostage?”

  Pulling her towards the back of the building, he peered around the corner. There was another grey colored building next to it with a rear entrance.

  The woman was pulling against him, so he swung her wide, throwing her off balance again. Yanking her into his body, he said, “My son is in the medical center. If I die then so does he. I have to get out of here.”

  Her eyes narrowed and then she shook her head. “You’ll never make it through the main entrance, not even with me as a hostage. I’m not that important.”

  “Give me another option.”

  This time the woman pulled him with her, heading towards the rear of the building next to theirs. Voices could be heard shouting. Drawing closer to the side of the building, she whispered hoarsely, “This way.”