Lenders

by Johnson, John

  But the big story aired at 4 p.m. Mountain time, live on every channel throughout the world. A circle of five coastal nuclear power plants exploded in China, south of Beijing, killing millions. The explosion happened while they were most vulnerable. The surrounding plants had been operating at full capacity for over a month and were about to flash start the world’s largest fusion generator which was constructed on man-made islands in the Bohai Bay. The combination of plants needed to generate enough power to stabilize the fusion reaction if it were to deviate; necessary because of the sheer size of the fusion reactor. Smaller ones already in use could self stabilize but this was just another part of mankind's attempt to conquer, control, and say look at me, look at what I have created, then move on to the next big thing. All of the surrounding metropolises were decimated; millions killed.

  Quickly the cause was found. A virus—something that hadn’t been seen in computers since 2019—had infected the operational systems. For reasons unknown it suddenly disabled every fail-safe thus preventing the reactor from cooling which in turn led to a full-blown and synchronous meltdown. The explosion in turn triggered positive destabilization in the fusion reactor and detonated the core. The combined explosion flattened everything within 200 miles, and evaporated the surrounding sea. The Richter scale measured 9.8 and Korea and much of China prepared for the worst tidal wave in history by means of mass evacuations.

  The virus had also managed to infect other plants around the world but luckily specialists were able to pinpoint and squash it before more damage could be done. The story swamped every news station; chaos became rampant.

  Rumors regarding a reemergence of terrorism, that which finally ended after the final straw—when London so nearly swallowed a dirty bomb—flooded social media. Back then, extreme measures were allowed and executed. They, governments of the world, called it The Wipe. Every individual extremist, entire groups and organizations, were once and for all extirpated with the help of war machines powered by VlexCom’s AI. Terrorism finally came to a quick and abrupt end. People were fearful because this new catastrophe had similar magnitude, likewise a similar eerie feeling. The Wipe, while it was absolutely effective, was eventually decided to have been more harsh than the problem itself. Terrorism, hence, was that last thing anyone wanted—especially after five years of world peace like no other time in history.

  66. Tuesday Prep

  By Tuesday morning things were still a buzz about the meltdown in China. But globally, things were under control. Anti-radiation bombs had been detonated in the atmosphere neutralizing the radioactive fallout and the first rough estimates came back: sixteen million people dead—and counting. Half of the morning news talked about the reactor explosions and the other half spoke about Wednesday morning’s launch. WARP-1 was ready and on track to go, still undeterred. The murders had only a sliver of air time but nevertheless continued, all with the same grotesque statistics: high profile celebrities and rich business-people, raped to death. Still lacking a single string of evidence, no suspects, the count was over one thousand. With more murders than the news could cover, they started to get overshadowed by the larger stories. A few started to suspect the bots but this was mostly dismissed by leaders and they were branded conspiracy theorists. There were also rumors blaming a new world super virus. Most, in denial and disbelief, simply fooled themselves and turned a blind eye.

  Jerry spent a great deal of time with Amy outdoors on this final day. He continued teaching her tips about fishing: tying knots, digging for worms, but most of all, how to be quiet. She was a fast learner, although the being quiet part was by far the most difficult for her. Her little fingers soon tied her first fishing knot then she learned how to hook a worm. Earthworm juice squirted onto her cheeks making her laugh. It grossed Jodi out, more so Valerie. Jerry was getting the knack for it—teaching—and enjoyed it; equally he loved spending time with Amy.

  The end of her rod wiggled. Got one! Jerry caught her just in time then helped her reel it in. Amy giggled cutely the entire time.

  He and Val didn’t have kids but had thought about it numerous times. Valerie was firm on getting married first and he, was hesitant. But after only a few days at the cabin, he decided—he did want kids. He looked at Val, sitting on a boulder overlooking the lake holding her knees close to her body. She only stared, blankly across the lake. As if she felt his gaze she turned her head and sent a forced smile his way. Her long straight black hair swayed in a gentile breeze; she didn’t bother to clear it from her face. Her tears had dried but the bags under her eyes were puffy and dark. Surely she won’t want kids now. We’d never be able to, he thought, in this fucked up world. Will we even be alive to try? Should we? Can we all survive? It would be cruel to the child anyway. Herald told him about the blocker, years ago—a chance he’d said—and he never forgot, but it wasn’t like him to dwell on things. Actually he never thought what Herald had predicted would or could really happen. He did still have it though, poking from the pocket of his jeans. Herald made sure to remind each of them to bring it along. So, things were going to get scary. And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe, he thought, almost out loud. And again he looked at the woman he loved. He always wanted to marry her, and, could kick his own ass right now for never getting around to it.

  Amy looked up to him with a smile bigger than the universe. In her eyes he saw the trust and love she bestowed unto him. A rage formed. He filled his giant lungs with air. His heart pumped with a resolve like no previous time in his life; a protective rage that would go to the ends of the earth for this little girl, and his muscles tightened at the thought. Now, he knew his purpose and nothing would get in his way. And he realized right then why Herald had chosen him. I will smash and clobber and destroy anything that ever tries to harm them. I will be their protector. I will put their lives before mine. And nothing, will ever stop me. A tear signified his unstoppable will and got lost in his short neatly trimmed beard, and he smiled back to Amy. An unbreakable bond was made.

  Ana arrived and climbed up to Valerie who was feeling a little better after watching Jerry with the tiny little girl who barely reached his knees. She saw him get emotional, and this side of him, although not completely new to her, refilled her hope and left warm feelings in her heart. Ana put an arm around her. They talked the rest of the afternoon. The temperature fell as the sun descended then Jon, Jodi, and Herald came down the path toward the lake just as they were getting ready to head up to the cabin. Jerry and Amy had caught several fresh fish for dinner.

  “It’s ready to go,” Herald announced, and Amy ran to his arms. She was wet and overexcited and carried her fish. He couldn’t help but laugh as she slimed him with it. “Better get you up to the house Sweetie Pie, before it gets cold out.” There was an arriving chill to the air.

  “Look Daddy. I catch this, big one!” Herald hugged her and lifted her onto his hip.

  “Everyone gather round,” he continued. “Okay, we break radio silence later tonight. There’s a lot of chaos out there right now, Rafael should be able to keep our transmission hidden within it. Valerie, we are going to save your parents. We’ll be well cloaked while flying and the increased amount of air traffic will make us a single invisible fish in a very large pond. I’m sorry that I can’t save everyone, but like I told Jon long ago—this day was always inevitable, and we’ll do everything we can.” Jon nodded.

  “What time we leaving?” Jerry asked.

  “We’ll be flying out at 6 a.m. to get a good head start, so be ready,” Herald replied.

  “We’re just gonna hide out while they all—” Valerie said.

  “Valerie,” Herald interrupted. “We can only do so much—but yes. A lot depends on the success of another very large part of our plan as to exactly how many can be saved.” Valerie melted into Jerry’s strong arms, but this time not with tears, with love and a spark of hope. Jerry nodded as if to say thank you, for whatever can be done, and the serious look in his eyes said, you can count on me. He
rald had the gift of an extremely perspicacious mind, and had always known that when the time came, he would be able to count on Jerry. “We must be strong, all of us.” He turned to Valerie. “The blocker I’m giving your family is a very special device. You will talk to them tonight. Tell them to get as far away from the city as possible and to stick together, close to the blocker, at all costs. It sounds like, from your story about Felix, his bunker would be the perfect place for them to go. If they can’t catch a flight, tell them to steal one. With the pedal to the metal they should be able to make it before the launch.” But, he knew, it was going to be a close call for them.

  Jodi had seen the ship, and its lending modifications. Jon had come out to get her earlier. She rode the elevator located further inside the bunker they’d first seen, behind the army of bots. It took them high into the mountain to the ship that was ready to burst from the mountainside, well hidden behind the pines. It did look fast, and stealthy. She also saw the living quarters and the supply room, food for all of them, for a hundred years—more. Books, movies, games, Herald really had prepared for this. The complexity of the base gave her confidence, and she passed it on to Valerie with the best words she could. But Valerie was better now. Ana and she had talked in Spanish for a long while, and she seemed to display a new sense of inner strength and readiness. Ana had that power; she was good at soothing people’s nerves and adjusting perspectives to the side of optimism.

  The rest of the day, bad thoughts left the group. They met lenders Red and his wife Maggie, and later four others. Everyone got acquainted with each other. They made it a point to enjoy the time they had, and nothing was taken for granted. Nestled in the mountains, outdoors in the dry spring air, it turned out to be perfect day. Was it to be the last?

  The sun set and final preparations were made. The cabins above were abandoned. All eight lenders had finished transferring to the main bunker, clearing out cabins #4 and #5 and Herald and Ana led the group deeper into the facility to their rooms. The steel door aside the break room opened to a long underground hallway, and the facility expanded further into the mountain than anyone had previously seen. Inside was a master kitchen, a gym, a swimming pool—NO TELEVISIONS but there was a movie room—even an adventure room for Amy with slides and tree houses. Herald gave a quick tour: where they would be living for possibly a very long time, then, an early good night. Everyone had a synchronized InstaRest pad and there was no delay in using it. Only Rafael stayed up. Through the night he made burritos, and took care of any other last minutes he could think of.

  67. Early Rise Wednesday

  Wednesday morning came soon enough and by 5:30 a.m. everyone was dressed and as ready to go as anyone could be. They joined Herald and Ana who were already in the break room sipping coffee. Herald held Amy who was sound asleep on his lap. He suggested sleep during the flight for anyone who wanted to, and offered coffee for those who wanted to stay awake. Jerry took some, as well as Jon, the girls declined, they’d try to sleep. Rafael came over from the lending area where three lenders lay sleeping and offered a small hot breakfast that he had prepared. A bot name Steve was online and sitting at the control panel in the lending area; he would be helping Rafael while Herald and the team were gone. If Rafael needed more help of any kind, there was plenty, ready to be activated.

  Everyone ate a little. Jerry ate what Valerie didn’t finish. They let Amy sleep, she dreamed extensively during the late morning hours, and would be a little grumpy if she didn’t have a hundred stories for daddy. Jon flipped on the TV—and there it was.

  Like an elongated egg between two glowing maws ready to devour space and time it stood at over 400 feet tall—a middle finger saying: fuck you universe, here we come—protruding from the Florida coastline. The buildings and facilities to support it were just as immense.

  Warp-1 was as sleek as a spaceship could be. At its center was a polished globe striped with dozens of view-ports. The news camera zoomed in close enough to see specs of humans and bots walking upright inside. The center sphere floated between the ship’s sexy curves making for a symmetrical bulge at the center. Such a clever concept, the orb, containing all manned areas of the ship, could rotate any direction to simulate gravity during non-warp travel. Inside that, even the rooms themselves could rotate and be positioned.

  The entire beast gleamed as bright as white could with the luster of porcelain. Its belly was tagged with symbols of world nations encircling—the Earth flag. Twice as large as the largest ship to ever launch from Earth, way too heavy for the space elevator, two immense booster rockets would push it up the traditional way. A blue beam stamped the launch pad. Cold falling steam dispersed its glow. Another bright blue beam, brighter than that of the rising sun, streamed into space pointing the way. Its hungry warp drive consisted of two main parts, front and rear. Function: force the universe out, and ride the edge of physical reality—border a realm of only two dimensions. Cheating? Perhaps, but it was an absolutely fantastic solution. They’d duck aside the physical constraints we perceive and ride the razor’s edge within a bubble. The only thing faster, perhaps, wormhole travel, and that was next; already in the works, WARP-2 was nearing completion in Japan. A special moment it was indeed; humanity was finally able to bend the universe to their will. The world celebrated and cheered at the glorious achievement, boasting with pride.

  The countdown ticked away at the top of the screen in bright green letters; alerts and half translucent news banners scrolled filling the bottom with comments from social media users: humanity rules, we did it, take to the stars and never look back, nothing can stop us now, we’re becoming Gods, watch out universe—here we come!

  The countdown read 2 hours 20 minutes and counting. As marvelous as it was to witness, it meant little to them now for their plan was set, and, they'd heard enough. Let’s do this! Focused, and ready as they’ll ever be, the team, now a family, came together around the table.

  They went over the day’s plans one final time.

  The rescue of Valerie’s parents was planned one hour before the launch which was set to go up at 10 a.m. Eastern time (7 a.m. Pacific time). They’d arrive in about one hour, around 6 a.m. Los Angeles time; sunrise for LA being 5:50 a.m. A small baseball field very near to Valerie’s parent’s house was designated for the rendezvous.

  Although Herald never told anyone, he needed Ana for his sanity. She was his polar opposite and her mere presence soothed his anxiety; if anyone didn’t have at least a little anxiety for this moment, they weren’t human. But the real reason everyone was going on the trip was to stay together. Most importantly he wasn’t 100% sure that the bunker had been kept a total secret, and if they’d been found out, the machines would blow the entire mountain from the face of the planet. In that worst case scenario, or in case anything went wrong during the flight, his backup plan was to dig in and hide.

  Rafael was staying back along with six lenders who would work continuously in rotation; they were enough to empower the facility, its bots, and then some. If he needed any muscle or extra help he could easily put another bot online. He was essential in the largest most important part of the plan, which had the potential to save the most people, although Herald’s mission had to succeed in order for it to be implemented fully. Rafael was preparing to read then decipher, a signal—a signal he said should present itself soon, a signal that would alert the artificially intelligent machines, activating their unification. This, signal, would tell the machines: preparations are complete. It would instruct them to commence with the attack; their very own version of, The Wipe. Creating a hacked signal was the goal. Broadcasting it would, should, make a safe zone. It was a long shot, but Herald counted on it. If successful—providing the mountain didn’t get blown to kingdom come first—it would afford much of the western US a chance, a moment, a small window of opportunity to assemble at least some sort of resistance.

  The camouflaged bay door opened and the hover-jet soared silently through the pines then up into the purple morn
ing sky. The sun was a red sliver on the horizon and they were about to play chase with it. Fifteen thousand feet in the air and a good distance from the mountain bunkers—blast off!

  68. Launch

  A sun-like ball of fire fought a blanket of angry red-orange and black clouds; glowing debris was discharged from the explosion like light-speed buckshot. Across the way arms rose to shield faces, others dove to the ground. A mother huddled to shield her two daughters. A father jumped on top of his son. The launch pad had become a fireball. A rush of hot air forced hair back like a hundred mile an hour wind knocking most of the spectators off their feet; a deadly wave of ground-hugging fire quickly followed. The Florida coast was evaporated for fifteen miles in every direction. Over a million attending spectators went from solid to sizzle, instantly. But WARP-1 had made it. It was far away from the blast, piercing the sky toward space—with an hour head start.

  Halfway there, it too exploded. As if carefully planned, the ideal distance made for maximum destruction. Then, less than a minute later, ten miles out to sea due east of the launch pad, the fusion power station, built to jump-start the warp core, went off dwarfing the first explosion.

  In Tennessee, “Gary, come inside now,” a grandmother yelled to her son who was playing outside. She saw the kitchen of her RV become bright inside, as if she’d turned on some sort of high frequency strobe. She ran out to get her little grandson then both looked up, and saw it. Like a hot needle was stabbing their eyes, inserted deep: mangled the retinal nerve became; and the needle was a knife, being twisted in all directions. The little boy cried a screeching cry and pushed on his eyes, and grandma fell to her knees in pain. The muscles of her neck pulled tight forcing her head to her shoulder. One side of her face scrunched and she squeezed her eyes so tight they nearly bled.