by SW Matthews
“That would be unsettling, to be sure, but why would someone die from that?”
“Unfortunately, this paralytic also affects the diaphragm, so the pilots cannot breathe on their own. They must be placed on mechanical ventilation.”
General Chu looked at the president, then back to Rao. “You’re saying they have to be paralyzed and placed on a ventilator, while they’re awake?”
“Of course, they’re awake. They cannot pilot the servonaut asleep. For some, the combination of being awake and on the ventilator, being unable to move, and trying to control a robotic extension of oneself… has proven to be too stressful. So, yes… a few have died.”
The general rubbed his face. “It is a torture chamber.”
Rao shook his head. “To the contrary, it works perfectly,” he said confidently. “Even better than I had hoped. The robot moves and senses just like its human pilot. It’s truly amazing, and the pilots love it. They’re fast and strong, able to fly and move unlike any human on Earth. We have had no complaints from the pilots.”
“Those who survive,” Chu said.
“True. And the families of those who perished were grateful for their sacrifice, as we all will be when we are able to leave this necrotic planet.”
The president shook his head. “I’m sorry, Doctor, but this can’t continue.”
Rao raised an eyebrow. “With all due respect, sir, shutting down this program would seal the fate of humanity. Our species will cease to exist.”
The president sighed and looked around the room. The council remained silent, but a few nodded their heads in agreement with Rao.
“Very well,” said the president. “Keep working with the ones you have and keep trying to make the process less… invasive. But you can have only one new pilot per year, and it will be someone chosen by all of us, after they come and interview here, and after we have all explained the risks to them.”
***
Rao continued his work, accepting one new pilot per year, as the council required. His progress was slow, but he remained steadfast.
Until a few years ago. That was when the new president, Ushi Ru, informed the council of the betrayal by Braxton and the UNA. He and Prime Minister Aigu had informed the council that they had no choice but to prepare for war.
After the meeting, President Ru and Minister Aigu met privately with Rao.
“Can your robots be used for battle?” Aigu asked.
Rao nodded. “With some modifications, I believe I could create a fighting force that would be nearly insurmountable. The limiting factor will be the pilots. I will need many more people.”
“People we have, time we don’t. If you had unlimited pilots, how long until your team could be ready?”
“We’ll get to work on the designs immediately. Adding weapons will require some significant changes. Perhaps five or six years for a full complement of soldiers.”
“Make it happen,” said the president.
And so they did. The operation was expanded, and the opportunity to be a pilot was opened up to all citizens, not just the elite military. The response was overwhelming. Most of the volunteers were from among those who had been badly affected by the Braxton food alteration, but almost as many volunteered because they had family members who had died, were disabled, or became sterile—and they wanted revenge.
It turned out that the raw materials for the construction of the robots was the limiting factor. But only until the replicators came online. Once that amazing technology was perfected and used, the servo-squadrons advanced like never before, and the limiting factor became space. The bases at Hotan and Naggu were filled to capacity.
Now Dr. Rao looked out over his soldiers on the first level of the Hotan base. The room was filled with pilots, each in a bed that had been modified so as not to place undue pressure on the many ports extruding from their skin. The pilots were in some cases barely visible under the nest of cables from the neuro-connector ports, the IV tubing, tubing for respiration, urinary catheters, and wires for monitoring vital signs. Each pilot also wore headphones and goggles.
Rao walked to the bed closest to him and inspected the pilot. His vital signs were stable, although his body temperature was slightly elevated. Pus was oozing from several of his ports, and many of them were red and swollen. He checked the IV bags. This pilot was on the highest dosage of the two most potent antibiotics available, as well as an antifungal, and high-dose steroid. A nurse was cleaning the man’s draining port sites with a sterile wipe.
“He’s end stage,” she said.
“How long has he been here?” Rao asked.
“He’s been training for three years.”
“He’s strong.”
The nurse smiled. “Yes, and excited. I’ve been told he’s one of the best pilots here. I speak with him between training sessions, when he’s off the ventilator. He loves driving the sentry. It’s funny, he’s beating back death every day, but he tells me he’s never felt more alive.”
“Was he injured before volunteering?”
The nurse shook her head. “Not at all. He was perfectly healthy. But his little sister developed brain cancer, which was attributed to the synthetic food. He signed up the day she died. He wants to fight to avenge her. He’s been looking forward to this for a long time.”
Rao glanced at the pilot’s call sign, which was written at the foot of the bed. “Well, H194,” he said, “I believe your wait is almost over.”
Chapter 57
Andy saw Piper coming down the hill toward him. While she was cleaning up and getting dressed, he had moved the groggy Bandit to one of the reclining leather seats in the passenger area of the helijet. Bash was keeping an eye on him.
As they embraced, Piper spoke softly. “Are you sure about this, Andy? Is he…?”
“What choice do we have, babe? We can’t stop him.”
“Didn’t you have a gun? You could’ve shot him and been done with it.”
Andy held her at arm’s length. “I owe it to him to trust him. I’ve known him a long time, and he’s always been… honest. Besides, I probably would’ve missed anyway.”
Piper managed a small smile. “Yeah, probably.”
They walked together, and as they stepped onto the helijet, Piper moved to check on Bandit. She bent over him and lightly ran her hand over his bruised and swollen face.
“I’m… fine,” he said.
“He will recover, mon chère,” said Bash from across the aisle. “He is young and strong, and I was gentle with him. I was only trying to stop him, not kill him.”
Piper straightened up and turned to Bash. “I don’t understand what’s going on here.”
“God’s plan is beyond our feeble comprehension, Mrs. Matteo. It is revealed a little at a time, as we are ready for it. He has revealed to me that AJ is not the devil I assumed he was. You helped bring his vision into focus for me.”
Piper was skeptical. “Then why would God ever let you think you needed to seek revenge in the first place?”
“So I would come here. He has more need of me. I am happy to be of use to Our Father.”
Piper remained unsure, but Andy ushered her into the cockpit and closed the door behind them.
“I guess we can use that,” she said quietly as she sat in the copilot’s seat.
“How so?” asked Andy, starting up the aircraft.
“If we need him to do something, we just tell him that it must be God’s will for him to be here to do it.”
Andy laughed. “Like laundry? Hey, Bash, these stains in my underwear could only have been caused by Satan himself! God delivered you to us to fight this unholy terror!”
Piper laughed too. “You’re terrible! Seriously, though. Do you think he has brain damage?”
“Probably, but I’m glad he’s back on our side.”
***
As the helijet accelerated to top speed and raced to Denver, Bandit turned his head to Bash. “How did you break my knives?”
Bash sm
iled. “Ah, mon ami. I have a secret weapon.” He removed his gloves and held his metal forearms and hands out for Bandit’s inspection.
Bandit’s eyes went wide. “No wonder it felt like I was hit with an iron beam when you punched me.”
“Not iron. Titanium alloy, with carbon fiber, I believe.”
Bandit reached out and felt the metal. “How…?”
“It is a long and sad tale, I’m afraid.”
“We have time.”
Bash nodded. “Very well. You said your name was Death, correct?”
Bandit grinned. “Everyone calls me Bandit.”
“Very well, Bandit. You see, I used to be in the navy…”
***
A little over two hours later, the helijet landed at Denver University Hospital. Doc was waiting for them on the pad.
“Doc!” Piper exclaimed, rushing to hug him.
Andy shook the old man’s hand.
“Are you okay? What happened?” Doc asked when he saw his son’s face.
“I’m okay,” said Bandit.
“Just a little scuffle,” Andy said, motioning to Bash.
The scarred man came forward and offered his hand, which Doc shook. “Sebastian Nix, an old friend of AJ and Tucker.”
“Billy Braxton,” said Doc.
“I guess Skorz got ahold of you,” Andy said.
“He did. Listen, we need to talk.”
“Okay, Doc, but let’s make it quick. We need to find Tuck.”
“This is about Tuck.” Doc’s tone was grave.
“What is it?” asked Piper, suddenly shaken.
“Let’s take a seat inside the cabin.”
***
After Doc had explained the entire situation, he and Bandit walked to the waiting van, giving the other three some privacy.
Rosie met them. “Are you okay?” she asked her brother.
“I’m fine,” he said, giving her a hug.
She then turned to her father. “How’d it go?”
“It was rough,” the doctor admitted. He wiped his red, swollen eyes. “They’ll need some time, but they want to take us to Rainier.”
Bash exited the craft and strode quickly toward them. “It’s time to go,” he said.
“Already?” Doc said.
“AJ has plotted the course, and the engines are running. He would like for you and your friends to board the craft, tout de suite.”
Bandit turned and walked back toward the helijet, but Doc and Rosie hesitated.
“Sebastian,” said Doc, “I’ve just given all of you some devastating news. You’re not thinking clearly. You need some time—”
Excusez-moi,” said Bash. “It is not time we need. It is revenge.”
Chapter 58
“Status!” demanded President Ru.
He and Egg had left Zhen and the others in the conference room and gone directly to the core of the base, to a room filled with soldiers monitoring screens. The room was dark, with the only light coming from the monitors.
“We’re getting the feed from the servo-scouts now, sir,” the young soldier in front of the president replied. “It looks like hundreds of incoming aircraft from the Bay of Bengal.”
“What about our troops?” asked Egg.
“All electronics are still down in Lhasa and Kashgar, sir.”
“It’s going to be up to Rao’s robots,” said Ru.
“And these… Xanwiti,” Egg replied.
“Something’s coming in from the north,” said another soldier.
“What is it?” Egg asked.
The young man looked at his screen in confusion. “I’m not sure, sir. It’s big, but small…”
“What the hell are you talking about? Which is it?” Ru demanded.
“It’s drones, sir,” came another voice in the darkness. “A huge… flock of them!”
“Drones from the north,” Ru said to Egg. “Invincible soldiers from the south. And we sit here helpless, in the dark, waiting for Braxton to destroy us.”
“We are not lost yet, Ushi. The servo-squadrons are extremely capable, and there are backups. Still, I think you should consider authorizing the bomber and satellite attacks.”
Ru sighed. “This planet is going to be lifeless even sooner than we anticipated.”
A soldier stepped up to the president. “Sir, we have just been notified of attacks in Lhasa and Kashgar.”
“Already?” Egg asked. He looked at the screen in front of him. The soldiers were still en route. “They aren’t here yet!”
“It’s small groups, sir. At the science academy and the gravity lab. Those facilities have backup generators and they were able to contact us briefly, but the line is now dead.”
“They’re after our technology,” Ru said. “That’s all Braxton cares about.”
“Does he know about Tong?” Egg asked.
“I don’t know. Let’s hope he’s just after the data.”
The president turned to the young soldier. “Get General Rao for me—now.”
The soldier disappeared.
“I’ll have Rao send robots to the academy and lab,” Ru explained to Egg.
Egg nodded. “Securing Wu and Tong should be the priority.”
Ru nodded agreement.
The soldier returned with a commlink. He handed it to the president.
“Rao,” said Ru, “this is the president. The Americans are attacking the science academy and the gravity lab. I need you to send some of your servo-soldiers there to protect our interests. The primary objective should be to keep Dr. Wu and Pik Tong from UNA possession. Do you understand what I’m saying? If you cannot secure the scientists, you need to ensure that the Americans don’t either.”
Chapter 59
Cole sat in his private office aboard Air Force One. The sky was darkening, and occasional lightning flashes brightened the room.
A knock on the door was followed by the entrance of Chief of Staff Maxine Lorentz. She was freshly showered and dressed in a dark pantsuit. She tapped on a tablet computer as she sat in one of the leather chairs fastened to the floor in front of Cole’s desk.
“I know Sullivan wanted to come with us. It was smart of you to send him on to Calgary,” she said without looking up from her tablet.
Cole knew better than to give any indication that he had prior knowledge of Admiral Sullivan or William Braxton the Sixth. He was prepared to play his part: the shocked, ignorant vice president.
“Why do you say that, Max?” he asked.
“Oh, he and Mr. Braxton have been friends a long time, and they’re both a little macho, you know? When they’re together there’s usually some ribbing and arguing. They turn into a couple of tough guys, and we really don’t have time for that. We need to keep this all business and then get up to the capital.”
“What do you mean? What business? Why don’t we go straight to Calgary?”
Lorentz lowered her tablet and looked at Cole thoughtfully. “Yes, I suppose we need to have a conversation before we arrive. It’ll save some time and help you understand.”
“Understand what?”
“The way things work, Sy.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The government, our country, hell, the whole world. We need to discuss how the political system works.”
“I know how things work, Max. I’ve been in this business a long time.”
Max smiled. “I know you have, but there’s a lot you don’t know. Take elections, for example. Why don’t you tell me how you think those work?”
Cole laughed. “Is this a trick question? The people elect a president and the Congress. Then the president picks his cabinet, and everyone tries to work together to make out country stronger and better.”
Max shook her head. “You really are that naïve, aren’t you?“ No, the elections are planned out months in advance—who runs, who wins. It’s all carefully designed to not upset the apple cart.”
“But I ran. I won. No one ever planned anything for me.�
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“Pretty sure of that, are you?”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“And why did you run? The first time. Your first political office.”
Cole thought a minute. “I was asked to run,” he finally admitted. “A group of donors asked if I was interested in running for senator of Colorado.”
“And why did they ask you?”
“They agreed with my views. They thought I was an effective communicator. They said they thought I could maintain my values but still work with the other side.”
“And of course, you believed them.”
“There was no reason not to.”
“And how have your views changed since then?”
“They haven’t really changed much,” Cole said. “Just a little more moderate, I suppose.”
Max nodded. “Yes, still on your side of the line, but a little closer to the middle at every election.”
“That’s what the people want.”
“We tell them what they want, Sy. And we give them the politicians who will give it to them.”
“But I’ve worked to make new legislation. I’ve fought to get bills passed. Are you implying that I didn’t do those things? That someone else is controlling my actions?”
“Not at all. For day-to-day things, minor stuff, what you’ve described is exactly how things work. Taxes, healthcare for the masses, whichever social ‘injustice’ people decide to temporarily get excited about—all of that is handled by Congress. But Congress is chosen by a team of highly paid operatives who choose those who are most likely to become moderate but still be able to get re-elected. Of course, you never knew that. You had to believe in the system so you could be bribed and influenced, just like everyone else. But now you’re moving up to the big league. Now you get in on the big secret and find out what real power is like.”
“So the whole process, running as a candidate, winning or losing, it’s all fake?”