by J. M. Preiss
A flashing dot appeared in Colorado, deep in the continental divide. After a few moments, the map zoomed in on the dot and took the form of a profile map. The entrance to the facility was in a mountain side.
“Because of the increase in security, a frontal incursion into the facility is deemed ill advised. To attempt a frontal assault, a minimum of four units is required.”
A blue beam fanned out and flashed through the room.
“A single unit is detected.”
Mason and Jacob glanced at each other. Mason raised an eyebrow, and Jacob shrugged in response.
“Insufficient units available for primary assault. Insufficient units for secondary assault. Accessing tertiary insertion profile.”
The map flickered through multiple iterations before settling for a version that showed a highlighted path from above the facility.
“Insertion profile identified. Assessment shows twenty-five percent chance of completion. Recommend mission abort.”
“Charming,” Mason mumbled.
“System override accepted.”
A second image coalesced as the first shrank. It showed a top-down aerial view of the facility. A yellow box enclosed an outcropping of rock.
“Facility exhaust system provides access to primary systems. Insertion via this location will allow unit to enter power supply system. Primary and secondary systems are located within the indicated section.”
A series of rooms lit up.
“Severing power supply will activate emergency reserves located within the incubation and node chambers.”
“I don’t like the sound of that,” Mason mumbled.
Jacob shushed him.
“Emergency reserves must be disabled prior to activation of implosion charges. Due to advanced nature of the reserve systems, the use of null generators is authorized. Reminder: null generators have a minimum safe radius of ten meters. Power supply allows for five minutes of operation before depletion.”
The maps were replaced by three-dimensional representations of equipment.
“Authorized equipment is available in stowage. The unit should equip itself with a mark two encounter suit, a plasma accelerator with power cells, four null generators, and two implosion charges.”
The ship lurched, causing everything to rattle.
“Landing zone is now in range. The unit is advised to be cautious. Potential for unquantifiable assets is non-insignificant. Briefing ends.”
The map disappeared, plunging the cabin into momentary darkness before red lighting flashed on. With a sudden jolt, everything shook. The only sound was a subdued hum. A light on the forward wall turned from red to green. Jacob started pulling equipment from the netting in the center.
“So who is the unit?” Mason asked as he helped get the equipment.
“I guess you,” Jacob replied. “You have the cybernetics.”
“Fair enough. Hey,” Mason stopped. “See any guns or suits? This stuff is simply the explosives and basic tools.”
“No, I,” Jacob looked around. “Over there.”
Mason walked to where Jacob had pointed. Pulling a small lever, he opened the equipment locker. He whistled.
“This is tech that I have never seen,” Mason said.
In the locker, there were rigid suits of armor that were of completely unknown design. The helmets were fully enclosed with a large opaque faceplate. Various pieces of what had to be some kind of imaging technology were built in to the unused surfaces. There were grooves all over. The chest piece was robust and looked solid. What had to be thick armor plating was fixed on every vulnerable surface. There were more grooves present.
“Look at this. Full, rigid suit of armor. I wasn’t aware this stuff existed outside of medieval times.”
Jacob walked over.
“The people in my unit talked about what-if’s,” Jacob said. “But we never heard of any ever being made. It was thought to be too restrictive.”
“Well, it would seem our new commander deems it prudent.”
They each grabbed a set of armor, but as they reached for them, a light flashed and the armor lurched forward on its stand.
“Rotate and assume stand by posture,” a mechanical voice said.
Mason and Jacob glanced at each other before turning around. Letting their arms hang at their side, they waited.
Robotic arms grabbed their forearms. The gloves were placed onto their hands where they automatically sized themselves for a snug fit, like a second skin. Next, each foot was lifted in succession, their boots removed, and the armored boots fitted. Once again, they automatically sized to give the best fit. The robotic arms worked silently as they attached the lower legs, the upper legs, the forearms, and the upper arms.
“Preparing final attachment, assume wider stance.”
Mason and Jacob shuffled their feet wider apart. The armor was much heavier than it looked.
The robotic arms reached around and attached armor that went from groin to waist.
“Lower assembly completed. Locking armor.”
Mason and Jacob felt the armor on their lower body lock up, and it became more bearable to stand.
The arms then raised their arms out straight to their sides. They saw the interior front of the chest piece as it was lowered in to place. The two pieces sandwiched together on either side of their torsos, and there was a mechanical screwing sound as it sucked together.
“Upper assembly completed. Lower and upper connections established.”
The helmets were lowered on to Mason and Jacob’s heads. There was a loud click, pop, and the light susurrus of air flowing into the helmet.
“Initiating startup,” a voice said in Jacob’s ear.
“Reactor: online. Sensors: online. Armor: online. Shields: online. AI: online. All systems nominal.”
The HUD snapped to life in front of Jacob. A cacophony of data assaulted his senses before it quickly shut off.
“Sorry,” a feminine voice said.
The voice sounded like it came from inside his head.
“That’s because it did,” the voice said.
Peculiar, Jacob thought.
“I guess so,” the voice said. “B-. The general thought you might have issues with integration.”
“Integration?” Jacob asked out loud.
“Yes, integration. Namely, the addition of myself into your brain.”
Jacob went to shake his head, but the armor was still locked.
“Precaution until the integration is complete.”
“So you are -.”
“In your mind? Yes. Spoken language is totally unnecessary to communicate with you. We speak - well seem to speak - with an audible voice so as to assist you. Easier to comprehend. We found that not using audible language could increase the risk for psychosis.”
“Charming,” Jacob muttered. “So what do I call you?”
“I’ve not put much thought into that,” the voice said quietly.
“You need a name,” Jacob said.
“Sara. I like that,” Sara said.
“So do I,” Jacob agreed.
“I know. You suggested it.”
“I didn’t -.”
“You don’t have to,” Sara said.
“That’ll take some getting used to.”
“That is what we have been told.”
“You live in my brain? What are you?” Jacob worked his mouth.
“My sister and I are artificial intelligences,” Sara explained.
“Jacob,” Mason said. “Why do I have somebody in my head?”
Chapter VI
Jacob stretched as he felt his armor unlock. It had felt heavy earlier, but now, it felt like he was wearing nothing.
“Interesting,” he said.
“Wonder how far ahead this stuff is compared to our level,” Mason mused.
“A lot,” Jacob answered. “We could probably make the armor, but we definitely don’t have the tech for our companions.”
“I like that descripti
on,” Sara said. “Very apt.”
Mason mumbled something to himself, and he stayed quiet for a moment afterwards.
“Really going to take some getting used to,” Mason finally said out loud. “I don’t even like listening to my thoughts, and now I have something else in there with them.”
“No disagreement here,” Jacob said.
“You actually like it,” quipped Sara.
Like is a luxury I no longer have, Jacob thought.
Sara didn’t respond.
“So,” Mason said into the silence. “What now?”
“We finish getting equipped and start the mission. You grab the explosives. I’ll grab us the guns.”
A nearby panel slid open to reveal a set of rifles and pistols.
“Having been briefed on the weapons you are familiar with, I can safely say that these are far more potent than those,” Sara explained.
How so, Jacob wondered. He was still having issues switching to internal dialogue with an external sounding voice.
“Sorry,” apologized Sara. “You’ll get accustomed to it. Anyways, the rifle you will be using is the PR-8. This rifle is a fully capable, non-telescoping personal assault weapon. It is capable of taking on a large number of targets. It’ll have some issues with heavily armored targets; however, it will deliver a much heavier punch than the laser rifles you used before.”
“These rifles should do well, Mason,” Jacob said out loud. “I just hope that we don’t have to use them.”
“You do,” Mason stated in a deadpan voice. “Well, I guess there is a first time for everything. I’ll tell you what I want. I want to actually use the damn things. That should help me feel better, right?”
Jacob shook his head.
“No guarantees, but I guess it can’t hurt. We’re out numbered here, though, so keep that in mind. I don’t want to get pinned down and in a shooting war if we can avoid it.”
“I’m not unstable,” Mason mumbled.
“I think that his AI is giving him some issues,” Sara said with a concerned tone. “Maybe the integration didn’t go as planned. We can always –“
Don’t, Jacob thought. Just don’t worry about him. He’s been like this since I first met him.
“What happened to him?” Sara asked.
Aside from nearly dying? He lost his family because of the laws and the contract that was signed on his behalf. Nothing he could’ve done, but it still has taken its toll. If I could feel for him, I would.
“That’s horrible,” Sara said. “Why would he lose his family? What kind of laws?”
I thought you were an AI. Shouldn’t you have information regarding everything?
“Far from it, but I can understand the misconception.” Sara sighed. “My programming only goes as far as military applications and anything closely related to it. If I wanted to know anything else, I’d have to learn it just like you or Mason, and I’m unable to do anything without a vessel. I was only just activated moments before integration. It frustrates me more than you know.”
Jacob physically nodded in understanding.
“You ready for this, Mason?” he asked.
“I suppose,” Mason responded after a moment. “Any idea how hard this will be?”
“Hard,” Sara said.
“Hard, apparently,” Jacob answered. “So says my companion, anyways.”
“Yeah,” Mason agreed. “That’s what mine said as well. I’m not going to be able to get used to this. I already told you, I don’t like having to listen to my own thoughts.”
“I assure you, we are very useful,” Sara said.
Do you know what your purpose is? Jacob posed in his head.
“To assist you on this mission. Beyond that, I don’t know. I guess I’m in the dark like you are.”
“I think our companions have just as many questions as we do, Jacob,” Mason said. “I really want to know what this Darkness is.”
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Sara offered.
“I’ll be content with just knowing who we’re actually working for right now,” Jacob stated. “Maybe if we were able to get an idea as to what side of things we were on, we’d be better able to attack the situation.”
Jacob shrugged, rolled his shoulders a few times to get a feel for the armor’s mobility, and grabbed the rifles. He handed one to Mason as he walked over to him. Mason whistled.
“Just looking at these things gives me the shivers.” Mason was quiet for a moment. “Apparently, the shivers that I felt were the suit adjusting and getting more in-tune with myself. Whatever.”
Jacob activated his rifle and was pleased to see it sync up with the helmet to give a real-time aiming assist. Deactivating and attaching it to the front of his armor, he let it hang while he thought about what all they were doing.
Any suggestions? Jacob asked.
“Only that which was in the briefing,” Sara answered. “We enter through ventilation up here in the extreme top of the facility. We should be able to go straight into the power generation room from here.”
Something was bothering Jacob about the plan, but he couldn’t quite place it.
“You think it’s a trap,” Sara filled in for him.
Useful. You can figure out my worries for me, Jacob thought.
“More or less,” she responded. “Looking over the data more, I have to agree with your assessment. Infiltration seems too easy. Why would they have an unguarded ventilation shaft that leads directly into the facility? Security is supposed to be heightened.”
So why would they leave this one shaft open to insertion?
“Trap,” Sara answered.
“Think it’s a trap?” Jacob asked out loud.
“What? Why would it be a trap?” Mason asked as he cocked his head to one side. “The briefing computer itself said this is the only way in. I don’t know why it would want us to be captured.”
“Plans within plans,” Jacob said. “We don’t have all of the information, and we’re being told to march. What if being captured is part of a bigger plan?”
Mason was quiet as he thought over what Jacob had said.
“What bigger plan?” Sara asked Jacob. “We have a mission that we need to complete. We should complete it.”
“You don’t want more information? None of this is sitting wrong with you?” Jacob threw out.
“Information is always nice, but we have a mission. We need to complete that mission. That is my programming.”
“To hell with your programming,” Jacob shouted.
“Everything okay over there,” Mason asked.
“What?” Jacob responded as he snapped out of his reverie.
“You’re shouting,” Mason said.
“Wait, am I?”
Jacob stood there dumbfounded. He felt actual anger for the first time in what felt like ages. Emotions were bubbling up from deep where he kept them.
This is your doing, he thought as he calmed himself down.
“Yes, it is,” Sara responded. “I can see that your lack of emotions is affecting your judgment. You feel no pride.”
I don’t need pride to complete my mission. Pride is an emotion. Emotions are weakness, Jacob said into his mind.
Sara was quiet in response.
“Jacob?”
“I’m fine, Mason,” Jacob said as he waved in the air before letting his hand drop back down beside himself. “Anyways, this is a trap. What’s the best way to deal with a trap?”
“Spring it,” Mason responded.
“Exactly.”
“Wait, what are you planning?” Sara asked.
You’re in my head. You should know, Jacob replied in thought.
“You’re -.” Sara paused for a moment. “You’re actively blocking me. How?”
Doesn’t matter. Any way we can get an explosive down the shaft without having to go down there?
“Yes, I can program a drone to deliver a package into the heart of the facility,” she responded.
Do it.
>
“Mason,” Jacob said.
“Yo.”
“How do you feel about sending our friends a present?”
“I like that idea. How?” Mason asked.
“My companion says she can program a drone to deliver a charge into the facility. I’m thinking we send in a large charge, sit back, and wait to see what happens. I’d almost bet an alarm goes off when we open the grating up here,” Jacob explained.
“Sounds about right to me,” Mason responded. “Okay, I’m onboard. I’ll ready the charge. You ready the drone.”
“The drones are kept in that locker,” Sara said as a locker lit up on Jacob’s periphery.
Are you altering my vision?
“No. Because of the nature of the suit, I am able to interface with its systems to give you a more enhanced sense of awareness. There are sensors and pieces of hardware that allow me to expand upon what you are already capable of,” she explained.
Intriguing, Jacob thought.
He walked over to the locker and accessed it. Inside was a set of small ovoid objects. They were completely smooth.
“Grab one and hold if in front of yourself,” he was instructed.
Following orders, he grabbed the drone and held it in both hands. Lights flashed across its surface, and it began to unfold. It appeared to use technology similar to what Jacob was familiar with.
“These drones are all-purpose reconnaissance drones. Given the proper commands, it can construct any required tool inside itself using a personal replicator. This makes it highly versatile. It also uses a simple reactionless drive that allows it to hover and maneuver in ways that the drones you are used to cannot. It will be a simple matter to program it to carry the explosive device into the facility.”
Sara started to hum to herself as the drone morphed to unspoken commands. By the time it was finished, it had transformed from a simple ovoid structure to a machine with a location that perfectly matched the dimensions of the explosive device.
“Looks like the drone is done,” Jacob spoke into the helmet microphone.
“Payload prepped,” Mason responded. “What do you think the odds are that this will reach the core?”
“Intel says that it should be able to go in without being accosted,” Sara answered to Jacob.