Natural Born : Book Three: Annihilation Series: A Political Technothriller Series

by John Hindmarsh

  “Fortunately, the elimination of the seven-year restriction means we can appoint another serving officer. I’ve had enough of admirals. We’ll find a general somewhere who will jump at the opportunity.”

  Until Congress, two years previously, had voted in favor of its removal, there was a restriction that the appointee had to be a civilian and could not be appointed within seven years of retiring from active duty. The change widened the pool of possible candidates.

  “Are you sure you want a military type in place? We could find a more favorable civilian?”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  Flocke knew when to stop. He said, “I’ve some names for the new FBI director. I’ll send you their résumés. You’ll know one or two, anyway.”

  “Good. As long as we get people who don’t tell me, because they’re not persons, bots are above the law.”

  “Rest assured. Now what about McIntosh? How do you think we should proceed?”

  “I’ll leave that to you and the FBI. He should be arrested as a terrorist and a traitor. I’m sure the things he’s been doing with all these bots will give you a basis for charging him with both those offences.”

  “Yes. I agree. I’ll set up a task force on Saturday.” He didn’t mention he already had a team of his brownshirts working through possible scenarios.

  The discussion was interrupted by the president’s chief of staff.

  “Sir, we have the papers from the Senate for this bill. It was passed by both houses. What do you want to do?”

  “Veto it, of course,” Samuel snapped. “I thought you’d have everything ready for my veto?”

  “Sir, with the total votes in favor, I wondered—”

  “Don’t wonder. I do the thinking around here. Get me the paper to sign.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He returned in five minutes with the necessary documentation for the veto. He said, “Sir, sign here and here.” He watched as the president scribbled his signature. “Thank you, sir. Your communications director has a press release for you to sign, too.”

  The chief of staff left with the veto paperwork. Congress would have the document within fifteen minutes. He expected the press release to be redrafted a dozen times before the president was satisfied. There was at least one reporter he knew who would appreciate a private, unofficial phone call advising him the veto papers were on their way to the Senate.

  The following morning Congress repeated their vote on the Bots Are Persons Bill. Both houses succeeded in passing the bill into law with majorities of eighty-five percent each.

  Darwin, from his vantage point in the National Mall, announced the results to the waiting crowd. The cheers continued for more than fifteen minutes. When, at last, he was able to make himself heard, Darwin thanked the bots and their human supporters, both in the mall and across the country.

  Three states realized they had lost the services of bots and AIs for an indefinite period, probably until they were able to change their political structures and negotiate with the Euler Organization the return of, at least, care bots.

  oOo

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Toby, Billie, Rick, and the four SIs gathered in Toby’s office on Friday evening. Peter was still under restriction and was not included. Toby sat next to Billie on the couch and Darwin sat opposite. Bronwyn, Junior, and Aerial connected via the two television screens. Their conversation covered numerous topics.

  “Darwin, congratulations. Be aware, though, you can no longer say the law doesn’t apply to bots and SIs.”

  “It’s what we wanted. Congress accepted our draft bill without change. I didn’t realize, however, how much work it takes to lobby politicians. And the cost.”

  Billie asked, “They went with the ‘natural born’ phrase?”

  “Yes. Mainly because they couldn’t agree on an acceptable alternative.”

  Toby thought Darwin was looking smug. “So that fits your plans somewhere?”

  “Yes. Possibly. We’ll see.”

  Rick said, “You just about broke every viewing record we can find. You’ve appeared on more news feeds and broadcasts than anyone else, ever. If you want to walk down the street without being mobbed—”

  “Or shot at,” Toby added.

  “—you’ll need a new face.”

  “It was an unintended consequence but may help in the future.”

  “It has certainly helped sales,” Toby said. “We’re off the charts.”

  “Same with our viewing metrics.”

  Bronwyn added, “We’ve prepped another floor for CPU manufacturing. It will be operative in about five days, and we’ll catch up with orders.”

  “Talking of which—I still want to visit Pepper Mountain. Once I tidy up issues here.” He had meetings scheduled with his management team and with Reynolds, the FBI agent. He also wanted to review the new bot designs with Bronwyn. He sighed, and it turned into a yawn.

  Billie thumped his arm.

  “You’re vicious,” he complained.

  “Stay awake. Your pilot is ready and willing,” Billie said. “I need to fly.”

  “You know you can take to the air anytime, if you want to add hours. Or just for the fun of it,” Toby said.

  “I know. I will.”

  Junior asked, “Can I get flying lessons?”

  “I think you’d need a body, first,” Toby replied.

  “I’m saving for one. I project it will take another year for me to have enough for Narumi to do some work with me.”

  “We probably don’t need the body shop team, now,” Darwin said. “We have the technology…”

  Toby laughed and said, “Work it out with Darwin and Bronwyn, and let me know.”

  Aerial pouted. “What about me?”

  “I thought you already have a body.”

  “It’s too ephemeral. Besides, it’s too scary.”

  “Same answer I gave Junior. Let me know.”

  “Thank you, Sir Toby.”

  “Aerial, stop flirting with my man. Rick, what happened with Karla?” Billie asked.

  “She decided Travers TV is far too bureaucratic now, especially after I told her she’d have to be interviewed.”

  “You know she was briefed by the brownshirt group that her brother belongs to?” Junior asked. “I have a tape of it, somewhere.” The pelican flew off and returned with a large paper folder in its beak. It dropped the file at Junior’s feet and resumed its place under the coconut palm. “Oh, thanks, Roscoe. Rick, anytime you want to view it.”

  “Thanks, Junior. I can do without. That thrill has passed.”

  Billie turned to Bronwyn, “We need to get him a girlfriend, don’t you think?”

  Aerial said, “How about me?”

  They laughed. Billie said, “You’re far too scary.”

  “That’s what I said.”

  Darwin interrupted, saying with some urgency, “Hey, you need to watch this. It’s after midnight in Washington and the president’s holding a late-night press conference. Listen”

  The largest television screen powered up. The president was speaking. “…an important announcement to make. Well, a number of them. First, I want to introduce my good friend, George Flocke.” The camera refocused with a wider angle, and now included a second lectern where Flocke was standing. “As you all know, we do not have an attorney general and the Department of Justice currently is rudderless.”

  “Oh, no,” Billie said. “He isn’t—”

  “Shh!” everyone hushed her.

  “Tonight I’m making a recess appointment. I’d like to introduce my new attorney general, George Flocke.” He turned to his friend and added, “Your turn.”

  The press was in an uproar. The reporters shouted questions that no one could understand because of the overriding noise from the other reporters. The camera remained on Flocke.

  The studio anchor said, “The president’s announcement is one of the most astounding he’s ever made. Flocke is a wanted felon, and now he’s being
appointed as the country’s attorney general. This isn’t just bad, it’s evil. Hold on, the uproar is subsiding. I’ll return you to the White House.”

  George Flocke was speaking, “I am happy to accept the confidence of the president and promise to clean out the Department of Justice. These lies—outright falsehoods—levied against me will be proven to be just that. As of this morning, I’m removing the director of the FBI and I’ll announce her replacement on Monday.”

  Shouted questions again interrupted the press conference. As soon as there was a reduction in the noise, the president said, “If you cannot conduct yourselves in an orderly manner, you will be banned from future press conferences.”

  There was silence. The president waved for his new attorney general to continue.

  Flocke said, “As the president will tell you, the country has experienced an unfortunate—no, a disastrous—event this week. Legislation that should never have reached Congress has been passed, notwithstanding the president’s veto. Bots are not people and I, as attorney general, will do everything I can to nullify the effects of this act. The Euler Organization, McIntosh, and especially Darwin, will be the focus of one of the largest criminal investigations this country has ever seen. Thank you, Mr. President.”

  Samuel Hughes smiled and said, “George, thank you. I know you will do a good job for me.”

  Toby said, “He didn’t mention whether it would be good for the country.”

  The president looked into the central cameras and continued, “I have another item to cover with you. I’m appointing a new Secretary of Defense. General Wilbur Bray, who has recently returned from the war in Afghanistan.”

  Darwin said, “Where he was a disastrous leader. However, he’s a brownshirt, so—”

  “Wilbur will arrive in Washington later today and I’ll take the opportunity to formally introduce him. I know he will do a good job and get us some victories. Victories without using these bots, I might add.”

  The press uproar quietened when the president thumped his lectern. He said, “I’m not taking questions tonight. You have heard my news. A recess is a wonderful thing. Goodnight.”

  The camera cut to the studio. The anchor said, “This is going to be a very long night. We’re assessing these extraordinary announcements from the president and will have experts here to help us, and you, to understand what’s happening. I expect one thing Congress will consider is repeal of the recess rule. I’ll return after this commercial break.”

  “Well,” said Toby. “War has been declared. While I don’t expect Flocke to be able to act immediately, it won’t take him long. We have friends in the FBI who can probably stall. Bronwyn, alert every security bot across the country, to watch for brownshirt activity. Darwin, use all your data-gathering resources—we want to know when Flocke is going to act against us. Rick, set up an alternative studio as quickly as possible. I’d suggest Canada—Carla Westwood will have details of property available there. If there’s nothing on the books, buy what you need. Start now. Junior, help Rick. Travers TV will be a critical resource and we need to keep it broadcasting. Bronwyn, add two squads of security bots to protect Rick. We’ll establish alternative marketing and distribution operations, again, probably in Canada. I’ll try to contact the Canadian Prime Minister. If he is unwilling to help, we’ll consider somewhere else, somewhere in Europe. I think I now know why Nate kept ownership of everything offshore.”

  “What about Pepper Mountain?” Billie had listened to the press conference and to Toby’s instructions with growing concern.

  “We’ll go there as soon as possible—probably before the end of next week. Sooner, if Flocke appears to be preparing to act against us. We’ll commence a relocation project, at least, to examine possibilities. Everyone—if you see or hear anything that is likely to impact us, let me know. If you have suggestions for our defense, also raise them. I’ll arrange a meeting with our management team—they may be unwilling to continue their roles in the Euler Organization. Canada or Europe might be acceptable locations for them.”

  “I’ll increase our military and security bot production,” Darwin said. “No, not to wage war, but for our defense, and to use to protect Euler properties. The brownshirts will react as if this appointment is their open invitation to wage war on bots. I want them to hurt, if they do.”

  oOo

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  The flight to Mammoth was uneventful. No one followed them, no suspicious activities had been recorded by the security cameras around the small Cessna Citation Mustang; they were clear to go. Toby had not yet received a replacement TE-Air after the first one had been sabotaged and destroyed on its way to Bermuda. Tesla were stalling about a possible delivery date; they had a long waiting list. However, the Mustang, although relatively small, was more than adequate for their flights to Mammoth and back.

  As Billie began the landing run at Mammoth, Toby asked, “Where’s your leather cap?”

  “I left it at Bel Air. I’m trying to grow my hair out. I thought I needed a change of style.” Billie flicked her head and her hair bounced from side to side.

  “I liked that lopsided cut,” Toby protested.

  “Lopsided? Huh. Men.”

  “Well, it was.”

  Billie hid her smile. “It was—was—the height of fashion. That was months ago.”

  “What’s the fashion now?”

  “Darned if I know.”

  The Mustang touched down and braked to its taxiing speed. Billie concentrated as she guided the aircraft to the small hangar along the strip. The aircraft would be sheltered in a secure hangar while they flew the next stage in the Bell helicopter.

  After she lifted off, Billie said, “You know, I’ve been thinking?”

  Toby was very cautious. “Yes?”

  “Yes. No. Seriously. I’ll admit Tesla’s TE is a very nice aircraft. I’m not sure, however, that I want to sit in the cockpit while an AI does all the flying. I enjoy piloting aircraft. I’d be so bored.”

  “You could talk to me while you’re sitting there.”

  Billie thumped Toby on his upper arm.

  “Ouch. What’s that for?”

  “Softie. Just keeping you under control.” She changed the subject. “It’s a marvelous day, so far. We’ve got a change coming in later this afternoon. It will keep us at Pepper Mountain for a day or so.”

  “I read the forecast. I need two days. Last time was rushed, because we wanted to take Narumi and her team back to Los Angeles.”

  “She was very pleased with the bonus Darwin paid them. Your two students were impressed with theirs.”

  “In part it was compensation for denying their request to publish papers on Darwin’s body shop process. The longer that remains confidential, the better.”

  “I suppose. Ah, here we are. I’ve got the landing beacon.”

  Pepper Mountain was ahead. Billie followed a virtual illuminated landing system displayed on her windscreen. She gradually slowed and waited for the top of Pepper Mountain to open up for her final descent. She settled the Bell into place with barely a bump.

  “Nice,” Toby said.

  “Thank you.”

  “You know your ears turn pink when I compliment your flying?”

  “Listen, buster. You’re cruisin’ for a bruisin’.”

  “A violent tendency that fortunately I rarely see.”

  “Come on, get out of there and help me with the tie downs. We’ll never need them, but it’s standard procedure.”

  The iris-leafed roof of the cavern slid closed and internal lights switched on. Two bots were waiting. When Toby turned to head to the elevator, Aerial appeared.

  She said, “Oops. I’m twenty seconds late. I’ll improve. Welcome to Pepper Mountain.”

  “Thank you, Aerial. It’s good to be back.”

  “The escort bots will look after your two cases. I’ve set out a lunch for you in the atrium. Come with me.”

  When they reached the atrium, Billie said, “This
is one of my favorite places.” She looked at Toby and blushed. “It has positive memories, if you know what I mean.”

  Toby smiled back. “I agree. Bronwyn has a lot to answer for.”

  Bronwyn said, “It was fate, not me.”

  Junior added, “Welcome. It’s good to have visitors.”

  “Friendly ones instead of hostile visitors?”

  “Yes. They weren’t the kind we like to have. Very noisy. We’ve restored the damage they did with their mortar. The construction bots had to move a lot of rocks to patch up the side of the mountain.”

  “I wondered, because I didn’t see any damage on our approach.”

  “That means the bots did a good job,” Aerial said. “Lunch is served. I had fresh food flown in early this morning. Enjoy. We’ll let you eat and relax. Call out when you need us.”

  “Thank you, Aerial,” Billie said. “It looks delicious.”

  “We’ll call,” added Toby.

  Aerial had prepared a picnic style collection of meats and salads. They both built up food stores on their plates and sat down on the settee that faced towards virtual windows and their display of the mountains.

  Billie said, “Relax while you’re here. The world won’t miss us for a couple of days.”

  “I’ll try. I’m waiting for news of Flocke’s plans.”

  There was silence as they ate. Once they finished, Toby didn’t want to waste time and was eager to explore the area where the Russian SI claimed to have seen his uncle.

  Bronwyn said, “I’ve transferred a file to Ruby. It contains Peter’s total memory for his visit. She’ll show you the sections Peter covered.”

  “You’ve checked that area?” Toby asked.

  “Yes. I cannot see the door he mentioned. Neither can Darwin, Junior, or Aerial. We suspect Nate has coded a small routine that protects areas he wanted to keep confidential. I don’t want Peter wandering around because we haven’t completed our virus check process. We’re optimistic Ruby will be able to follow his memory trail.”

  “There’s only one way to find out. Ruby, are you ready?” Toby looked down at the small escort bot.