Mercury Going Down

by Brambach, C. S.

  She coughed and winced from the pain. I started to feel a little shockey.

  “I didn’t know how to tell her that I was already starting to fall in love with you.” She couldn’t understand how Karen could wonder what it would be like with no guys, meaning me, around. How happy they could be. Just the two of them.

  “I protested. I told her, repeatedly, that I needed good dick. I told her she was lucky to have such a good dick and how lucky she was to be getting good and solidly fucked on such a regular basis. Dave, what with all the chemicals, hasn’t, or hadn’t been all that solid of a fuck the last year or two.”

  “He talked a good game.” I said. She snorted, and then convulsed in pain.

  “Talk is cheap, but a good fucking is priceless. And Dave was cheap.”

  Fonagy burst in then with five agents backing him, stun guns drawn and at the ready.

  I had to get a grip on myself as the Chief bore a striking resemblance to Boris Karloff.

  I put it down to the Imaginex working it magic and rolled with it.

  “Where is she Drew?” He was scanning the room for targets like a hawk looking for

  a rabbit.

  “Long gone Chief.” I almost lost consciousness then. He dropped to a knee and lifted me off my back. I imagined his eyes going wide at the wound in my back. He looked at one of the agents.

  “This area is clear, get that ambulance in here, stat.” He looked down at me.

  “Hang in there Drew, you are gonna be okay.” His eyes locked on the Porters tool twitching in Susan’s chest.

  “Holy shit.” He said.

  “Ever the master of understatement, eh, Chief?” I asked.

  “We better be careful and not move that huh?” He looked at me.

  “No, it’s acting like a cork in the wound. Let the Doc’s deal with it when we get her to the Med Unit.” He looked at Jazz and looked at me with his eyebrows raised.

  “What about her?” He asked.

  “Call Bob Marsh, have him run a diagnostic on her and then dose her up with program repairing nanobots. Make sure he makes a recording of it and tell him to check the recharging system as the point of entry for any viruses.”

  “Check.”

  “Oh.” I felt woozy. “I think you guys need to get me into the tank. Post haste.”

  Which is exactly where they put me.

  11.

  The Jig is Up, Lights Out

  Day 12, 13

  I woke up in the Med Unit. Floating in the tank. Again. I was definitely spending too much time there. It was in danger of becoming a bad habit I just had to break. I had been dreaming of Jazz. She had my dick in her mouth, head resting comfortably on my stomach like she was born, no, made to be there, and maybe she was. I didn’t know.

  Someone was rapping the tank. It was Dr. Wali. He was making the universal ‘call me’ sign with his fingers held to his face. I nodded.

  He called me on my implant.

  “Hello Doc.” I answered.

  “Drew, we just have to stop meeting like this.” He chuckled.

  “Ha, ha. That was so funny Doc, I forgot to laugh.” He waved and smiled. Easy for him to do, he wasn’t floating in a tank of goo.

  “You are one lucky son of a gun. While painful, the stabbing managed to miss any vital arteries. We stitched you up and put you in the tank. You are healing, as you seem to, very rapidly. We should be able to pop you out in another twenty four hours.”

  “How long have I been in here?”

  “Twenty four hours already.”

  “How’s Susan? Is she okay?” He held up a hand, closed his eyes and nodded his head.

  “She is fine. She is in the tank next door. Remarkable that you knew to leave the tool in her heart.” He said, slightly amazed.

  “Well, it stands to reason, ya punch a hole in a container, as soon as you pull the plug out, or the implement that made the hole, the contents leak out.”

  “You are right on the money. It took us almost three hours in surgery to stitch up the damage, and she’ll have to be in the tank for another couple three days, but her prognosis is good. Full recovery. Barring any complications of course. And the jell in the tank should minimize the scarring.”

  “Thanks for a job well done, Doc.”

  “Don’t mention it. Try to get some rest now.”

  “I will, I just need to make one call.”

  “Okay, just keep it short.”

  I called the Chief. He sounded beat and in need of sleep. Something I would have no shortage of the next day or so.

  “Hey Chief. What’s the word?” He grunted.

  “Your Misses is proving to be quite elusive.”

  “She’s much smarter than even I gave her credit for, but there is that fine line between brilliance and insanity, isn’t there?”

  “Shouldn’t you be resting right now?” Just what I needed, another mother.

  “Just wanted to let you know, I’m still too tough to kill. And to see where you were at.”

  “Well, just for your edification, we ran DNA testing on the Porters tool that they pulled out of Susan’s chest and got a hit. The same tool had traces of Hugo Lakshmi’s blood on it. We also raided your domicile and found that Karen had cleaned out some clothes and art supplies, and we found a small puddle of blood and her transducer/tracker in the sink in the bathroom.” I could just see him frown in my minds eye.

  “Which means you can’t lowjack her and find out where she is.”

  “Exactly.” He sounded grim.

  “Just tighten up Security at the Port and tell everyone there to keep their eyeballs peeled.” He snorted.

  “Way ahead of you. Every available agent is cordoning off the Port. In fact, every one is pulling extra shifts in the department till we find her and detain her.”

  I had to wonder. Any one smart enough to figure out a way to download a reprogramming virus into a Robot through it’s recharging system was sneaky enough to evade a police cordon. We had to beat the brush to find her trail and take it from there.

  “We have to beat the brush till we find her trail.”

  “She’s wearing camo covers. Which makes her almost impossible to find over the monitor system.” Great. Camo coveralls were coveralls made of a patterned fabric that rendered the wearer invisible to video monitors, though annoyingly obvious to the eyeballs of living observers.

  “Shit, it just keeps getting better and better, doesn’t it.” I said, not bothering to hide the disgust in my voice.

  “Don’t worry, we’ll get her, you just rest, get well, and if we don’t get her by the time you are out of the tank, well, we can always use your help.”

  “Thanks Chief.” He hung up. I started to doze off when someone appeared outside the tank.

  It was Lynette.

  She was wearing a very tight, very low cut set of bright green coveralls. Looking at her I started to think about baseball so as not to embarrass myself by exhibiting full wood.

  She called me as she leaned against the tank.

  “Oh, Drew, I wanted to be here when you woke up, but I was in checking on Susan. How are you?” The concern in her voice made my heart beat faster.

  “Let’s just say that it’s a good thing you’re not in the tank with me, cause you’d find out in about thirty seconds.” Then I yawned. Long and hard.

  “You are so incorrigibly naughty, and, from the sound of it, sleepy. Rest, I will be here when you come to.” So I did, and she was.

  I was dreaming of Lynette and I, naked on a small, warm, indoor beach under a clear dome. Outside the dome was surrounded by huge trees, redwoods, various pine trees, all under a very light blue sky. The sun looked small and far away, but bright, very bright.

  There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. A huge hawk circled lazily over the trees. We were lying on a large multicolored beach blanket. We were both sporting some well evened tans. Her hair was blonde with light blue streaks in it. I was up on an elbow looking down at her in all her splendor and glory
when she opened her eyes and, spying me looking at her, smiled a smile that lit my world. Then I woke up.

  I was in a bed. No IV’s this time, but the monitor was beeping softly. I looked around the room and found Lynette sitting in a chair, reading an electronic book.

  “Whatcha readin’?” I croaked. My mouth felt like the inside of a wolfes den.

  She looked up and smiled, and putting the book down, she rose and came to the side of the bed. She bent over me and kissed me on the forehead. She handed me a cup of water and said,

  “Here mon cher.” I took the cup and drank greedily. I gestured at the book.

  “Good stuff?” She shook her head.

  “Boring technical stuff, really. Nothing as interesting or fun as your Bukowski, or your Moore, your Huston, or your Palahniuk.” She knew too many of my favorites. Must have been delving into my files. Getting to know the scoop on me. Well she was here, and that was all that mattered. If what she had learned had turned her off, she would have run like hell. Smart girl that she is.

  “Too bad, for me it’s all about the style. If it grabs me. I usually know if I’m gonna like a book by the end of the first line or two. If the guy is any good.”

  “How do you feel?” She asked solicitously.

  “Hungry as hell and in need of coffee.” I reached down and grabbed her ass.

  “And, maybe after a shit, shower and shave, a little lovin’.” She laughed and moved out of my reach with a deft movement. She wagged a finger at me.

  “Maybe after some coffee and a good tooth brushing.” I shook my head.

  “Food first, have to keep up my strength, then the catheter comes out, then the crap, the shower and the shave. Join me for breakfast?” She curtsied and said,

  “Oui.” I hit the call button and ordered up.

  I had just finished the last bite of my omelet when the Chief knocked on the door of the room.

  “Dr. Barber, Drew. How’s our hero feeling today?” He said entering the room.

  “Stiff, but raring to go. Any luck locating the ex?” Lynette’s eyebrows went up.

  “Hey, I can put up with a ton of shit in a relationship, but trying to kill me once, let alone twice? That’s going over the line. I’m kickin’ the crazy bitch to the curb. As soon as she is in custody, I’m callin’ my attorney and getting the marriage ended like a swift chop to the kidney’s.” As if that decision should surprise anybody. I laughed then and was glad to notice no twinges or pains anywhere. So far so good.

  “So, what’s up Chief?” He was shaking his head trying to decide if he should laugh or not and chuckled instead. Looked at me.

  “Well, if you feel up to it, and Doctor Wali will release you, I was wondering if you would come to Central and help us strategize as to where Karen might go to ground. We could use your insights as well Doctor.” Lynette dipped her head once and said,

  “Of course.” I called and had a Med Unit come in and remove the catheter. Doctor Wali showed up as she was finishing and ran the scanner over me.

  “Amazing. You are completely healed. Normally we would expect you to spend another day in the tank, at least, and another two days in bed, but with these results...”

  He shrugged.

  “Well, in that case, Chief, if you can just wait till I get done cleaning up and with the lovely Dr. Barber to assist me, I will be right with you.” I had Lynette help me up and into the bathroom and, after a good dump, a tooth brushing, a wonderful blow job from Lynette, (she wanted to do me before I showered, she liked me a little ripe she said), a good scrub in the shower and a quick shave I put on a clean black set of coveralls. They had grabbed my Porters tool, so I strapped it on. Lynette had brushed her teeth while I was in the shower. As we left the bathroom I thought of the feeling of her mouth on my cock, the sight of her sucking it in, it was like a glimpse of heaven.

  “You swallowed. That makes you an eleven.” She smiled dimples. I didn’t mention that she was actually a twelve. An eleven is a ten that swallows and a twelve is an eleven that takes it in the ass.

  “The protein is good for the complexion.” She replied as we exited the bathroom.

  I waved away the Med Unit that was waiting with my wheelchair. Dr. Wali was talking to the Chief. The Doctor looked at me in askance.

  “I’m sure that Dr. Barber wouldn’t mind pushing me.” I looked at her and she nodded at Dr. Wali.

  “Very well. Please come in tomorrow for a follow up.” I pointed at my ear.

  “Call me. Oh, how’s Susan doing?”

  “She will be in the tank for at least another three to four days.”

  “Cool. If you could have someone call me when she starts to wake up, I’d appreciate it.” He nodded. We left. As soon as we had cleared the Med Center I stood. Looked at the Doc. The Med Unit had followed us to the door.

  “Leave it just inside the door. I’m good to go under my own power.” I felt a little shaky but okay on the whole.

  We arrived at Security and Chief Fonagy’s office to find Bob Marsh waiting for us.

  “Chief, Dr. Barber, Drew. Glad to see you’re okay there, buddy.”

  “Thanks Bob. Glad to still be around to be seen.” He was holding a disc.

  “I’ve the info you wanted on the viral reprogramming that entered Jasmine. You were right on the money Drew. It entered through the recharging circuit. Craziest shit I’ve ever seen.” He gave the disc to Fonagy who proceeded to his desk and popped it into his computer. While the Chief made a call and Lynette studied the map of the city that took up one whole wall of his office Bob continued.

  “Jasmine is up and running again, she wanted me to tell you to call her. We are running some more diagnostics. We want to be doubly sure we have the errant program out of her before we certify her fit to return to service.” I shook his hand.

  “Thanks Bob. You’ve been a big help.”

  “Hey, if you want to put a good word in for me, that would be fine by me.”

  “Will do, Bob, will do.” He turned to Fonagy.

  “Later Chief, Maam.” He nodded to Lynette and turned to leave. The Chief waved at him to wait.

  “Okay, yes sir, I’m on it.” He hung up and stood. He surveyed us all with a cool look.

  “That was the President.” Bob had a look of near awe on his face. Lynette looked attentive. Me? I was nonplussed. I could give a shit. Fire me for all I cared, just as long as you took me off this rock in the process, I would be fine with it after all the shit I had been through.

  “I just sent the info on Bob’s disc to company HQ and the President told me that it is of the utmost importance to keep knowledge of the power system virus secret. None of you is to talk of this to anyone else about this. It is imperative. Understood?” We all nodded.

  “Thanks for your co-operation. See you Bob.” Bob left then, chastened.

  “Why the need for secrecy Chief?” Asked Lynette. He waved her over and started to point at schematics displayed on his personal screen and talking in a hushed voice.

  I called Jazz.

  “Hey honey, how are you doing?” I was concerned. Why had she just locked up?

  “Oh, Drew, it’s so good to hear your voice. I received a command to kill you, and I couldn’t go through with it, I couldn’t implement it. I loved you and that over rode the command. So I just seized up.” That explained it. Which is why Karen had shut her down. Lead, follow or get out of the way.

  “Loved me?” Had they reprogrammed away her feelings for me?

  “I could never be programmed to not love you. I still do.” That was more like it.

  “That’s more like it. Okay, well, you just let them get you fixed up and I’ll talk to Joe Suh about getting title to you.” The Chief was looking at me.

  “Call me when they turn you loose. Bye.” I hung up. The Chief was still talking.

  I had heard him mention backing up what I had found in Fox at least twice.

  “This innovation has military applications in the extreme. Think about it.
Reprogramming the enemies Bots, programming your own Bots from any power recharging station or outlet. And it can be made Bot specific. One program for one particular Bot. Amazing.”

  “Yeah, thank god war is a thing of the past. Cause it would come down to who had the best security systems, the best virus protection in place. Say Chief, do you think you could talk to Joe Suh?” He nodded.

  “About what?”

  “I’d like to have title to Jasmine. As my permanent assistant.”

  “Even after...?” He raised his eyebrows.

  “Yup, even after. She over came her viral reprogramming and spared me. That says something about her.”

  “I can see where you’d think that. I think he will okay your request, once all the tests have been completed and the studies have been done on Jasmine.”

  “That’ll be fine. Huh? What’s up Jake?” Jake had called me. He sounded excited.

  “Hey, if you guys are looking for Karen, I’ve just traced a transmission from the new housing units. Some one just tapped into Pete Simms slush fund and siphoned off a few million credits and transferred them to an account on Luna. She also accessed copies of the timetables for shipping arrivals and departures. What do you want to bet that she is hiding out there just waiting to make a break for it?”

  “Thanks man, I’ll tell the Chief right now, e me the location of the transmission and we’ll head out that way immediately. Say, are you still hiding out?” He laughed.

  “No, once they busted Pete and then Karen, I knew it was safe to go home. Besides, I just had Fox 2 delivered by my uncle. Gotta break her in man.” He snickered in a most lecherous manner.

  “Dude, you are one sick puppy.”

  “Woof, woof!” He said. I hung up. I checked the e and forwarded it to Fonagy.

  “That was Jake, he has a line on Karen, in the new residential district. I just sent it to you Chief.” He tapped his console. Leaned into his mini mic. Looked at us.

  “Makes sense, the monitors haven’t been hooked up yet in the newly completed residential quarters.” He leaned into his small mic. Muttered something.