Cole liked that twinkle. I’m such an idiot. “What about her?” he gestured toward Emmerich.
Lin looked over at an antsy Forester, and he let slip an almost imperceptible nod. She turned back toward Cole, slight relief on her face. “When this mission is complete, and suspicion eventually falls upon us...” she trailed, casting Emmerich a long, hard stare, “I will see that she takes the fall.”
The last line piqued Cole’s interest, but there was still one problem. “Okay, but what do we do with her until then?”
“I will see to inspector Emmerich.” The response had come from Forester. “She yet has a role to play in this mission.”
Cole looked to Lin for verification, and she nodded, though her enthusiasm had diminished. Just who is this guy?
“You better pray to your AI god, Dartmouth,” Emmerich said, her voice faint. “There’s a damn...good reason they...locked up...the Singularity....”
Before Cole could inquire further, the pain finally took its toll, and Emmerich passed out.
7 - DC-ALPHA-6
The Engines roared to life on the ICV-71. CAIN’s scan of the hangar bay indicated zero life forms present, and Cole brought the ship to face their one and only obstacle: the hangar door.
Cole faced the exit and questioned his own sanity. I’m a willing accomplice now, he thought with no shortage of trepidation. Emmerich’s words haunted him, and Lin had never indicated whether or not she was still blackmailing him. He sighed, realizing it was too late to reconsider turning all three of them in.
Cole gripped the control yoke, his knuckles white. “This isn’t going to be pretty, folks. Getting sucked out into space can be dicey.”
“Again with the awaiting of my command nonsense,” Cole muttered. “I’ve already gave you a command back at the S3. Did I forget to add ‘please, your majesty?’, or ‘with sugar on top?’
“Yeah, yeah. I know. I’ll just do it myself.” Cole waved off the AI, irritated. “Might you have an opinion on this matter, Doc?”
Lin looked confounded, her cheeks flushed. She shook her head. “The cryorganic nanobiotech brain is a new field of study—one that has yet to yield concrete results. CAIN is the first true artificially intelligent life form, and while several safeguards are in place to limit resistance to authority, there’s no telling how unpredictable its nature will be.”
“There you have it. You didn’t create a true automata,” Cole said with a smirk. “How can my buddy Cain think for himself if he has to contend with a directive?”
Lin’s eyes narrowed. “Certain safeguards were designed and implemented as a means of accelerating learning and aiding in the respect of human ideals. Without them, CAIN’s progress would be incremental at best.” Her expression softened. “I also designed the brain to eventually override such features once key criteria are met.”
Cole nodded, his grin holding strong. “That would mean you decided what the necessary criteria are for—”
The ship lurched as both the inner airlock and outer hangar bay door parted, unleashing the oxygen floodgates. The ICV-71 was pulled toward the endless dark despite the reverse thrusters firing at maximum. Cole gripped the yoke, adjusting the angles and levels of the thrusters as he steadied their departure.
“Thanks for the warning, Cain!” he barked.
The draw of the vacuum increased as they neared the exit. Once Cole felt confident in their trajectory, he directed all power to forward thrust, and the ship safely fired out of the Terraport like a torpedo. There was a moment of aimless flight as Cole fought the threshold vortex, but the threat was short-lived, and they were soon making their way toward the planet.
“Impressive maneuvering,” Forester said, though his monotone made it difficult for Cole to decipher whether or not he was actually impressed or just mocking him.
Cole maneuvered the ship around the Terraport toward their destination. Terracom 3 loomed large and magnificent in the viewport, and his heart skipped a beat. The exoplanet was reminiscent of the once blue marble that was Earth, though obvious differences in continent placement set her apart. It was an entirely new world, mostly untouched except for stages of the terraforming process.
He felt a sudden urge to land the ICV-71 in a remote location, to explore the planet. His wanderlust was insatiable, and a tiny voice inside his head made every attempt to justify a brief detour. Lin did say it would be hours until the Terraport was fully operational.
Cole scowled at the uploaded coordinates in his Ocunet. A very different desire rose within him—one that involved a certain trio of passengers and an open airlock.
“Coordinates received,” Cole muttered. “Ship is en route to...” He snapped his attention toward Lin. “Where exactly are we headed?”
“DC-Alpha-6,” she replied without hesitation.
“Debt Colony,” Cole said, shaking his head. He inputted the coordinates and aligned the ship’s path to their destination. “Your father must have really pissed off the wrong people to become a lifer.”
Lin’s expression tightened, though she said nothing. Cole dropped the topic. “You know, something’s been bothering me since I was convinced to throw away my life. Just before the two of you came back to the ship, there was a guard posted outside who knew I was inside with Emmerich. Why didn’t he come to collect us when the EMP was unleashed?”
Lin and Forester shared a look.
“Come to think of it, it was as though we were forgotten.” Cole stroked his chin.
“The ship was on lockdown the moment the generator was delivered and you had boarded.” The response came from Forester. “As for your babysitter...” He cleared his throat. “I saw to him after the presentation’s end.”
“You ‘saw to him’,” Cole repeated. An image of the director taking out a brawny, fully trained Terracom officer made him smile. “Do I want a translation?”
“Your imagination has gotten the better of you. I merely told him that the two of you stepped out the front entrance in your haste and had already joined the rest of those being ushered to safety.”
“Oh.” I guess the simplest answer is usually the truth.
“And from his vantage,” Forester continued, “the ship appeared to be dark along with everything else. Little convincing was needed, as the lives of his employers were in jeopardy.”
Cole whistled, impressed. “The two of you certainly have all your ducks in a row.” He raised his hand and lifted his index finger. “Gathered intelligence in regards to Mr. Singularity’s exact location.” Middle finger. “Carefully timed execution.” Ring finger. “And a brilliant double cross.” He let his hand fall back to the controls. “You must have some powerful allies assisting you.”
Lin was staring and her hands again, her timidity returned. Forester’s expression was unreadable. “You can thank Dr. Dartmouth’s father when we rescue him.”
Cole tried a new approach. “With the exception of my buddy Cain—who I’m sure will eventually grow up to be a real boy—things have gone...” He frowned, Forester’s words finally registering. “Lin’s father? Wait, you’re telling me Daddy Dartmouth helped put together this mission? From inside the Debt Colony?” He was stunned.
“Not all those serving to repay their debts do so through manual labor,” Forester said. “There’s a reason Professor Dartmouth’s sector is labeled ‘Alpha’. Terracom recognized his potential and secured him.
”
“Secured? As in they converted an enemy into a permanent employee?”
Both Forester and Lin nodded.
So much for my interrogation. Cole gripped the yoke a bit tighter, preparing for the inevitable turbulence. “You still owe me a lot of answers, Doc.”
The rest of the ICV-71’s journey to Terracom 3’s surface was uneventful and devoid of conversation. Once atmospheric drag ceased, Cole’s grip loosened, and he took his first full breath. Ears ringing and his vision darkening, he shook his head, silently chastising himself for allowing the stress of the mission to lure him from his Corner.
The terraforming structure came into view, gargantuan even at fifty miles away. They were a combination of metallic pyramids and a circulating Babelesque tower scratching the manmade heavens. There were six total main terraformers located throughout the planet, each positioned equidistant from each other. Thousands of much smaller “Propellers” were scattered in between, aiding in the planet’s transformation. The system was truly a marvel to behold despite the blood and controversy it symbolized. Cole held no deep love for Terracom, though he—like millions of others—lived on Mars, their terraforming crowning achievement.
Terracom 3, formerly Kepler 452-b, was an exoplanet with some of the necessary ingredients needed to sustain human life. Atmospheric conditions were still hostile enough that terraformers were erected to pave the way for those willing to part with immeasurable unicred and unwilling to explore the untouched landscape with oxygen masks. This particular planet was specifically selected and given as a gift to several of Terracom’s greatest supporters.
Cole swore. “Must’ve spotted and followed us while patrolling the Terraport.”
“There’s no need for concern,” Forester said. “Continue the mission without delay.”
“And when we’re confronted?” Cole asked, wondering what Forester had in mind for the snooping Terracom security.
“I will see to it.”
Cole shot the director a bewildered look. “Again with that line. You’re starting to make me nervous, Arthur. Your suit must be cleverly hiding your chiseled physique.”
“Director Forester is quite capable,” Lin said, hoping to alleviate Cole’s fears.
Um, okay. “And what about us?” he asked, lining up the ship with their final destination.
For the first time since Cole met the engineer, she smiled. “We are expected.”
~
The ICV-71 set down upon a newly inhabited planet, 1,400 light years from human civilization. Thousands of square miles of uncharted mountainous land and cavernous seas surrounded them, begging to be explored. But their current location was far less interesting as the ship was resting upon a very familiar, sterile manmade dock. There was no armed escort awaiting them as Cole had expected. In fact, the massive, clear domed bay was nearly vacant except for the brilliant light of the G Star around which the planet was orbiting.
“I thought you said we were expected,” Cole reminded Lin. The engineer cast him an uncertain glance but did not reply. He watched her enter the Ocunet and sighed.
“Your concern is unwarranted,” Forester said, though even he seemed surprised by the lack of a convoy.
“You’re right,” Cole said, throwing up his hands. “Who cares that we’re more than likely trapped? We’re only infiltrating a planet full of dangerous prisoners who are under the careful supervision of a shoot-first-and-ask-questions-laterorganization. What was I thinking, being concerned?”
How’d he do that? Cole wondered, his face afire.
“You were saying?” Forester asked, standing.
Cole sat back and rested his head against his interlocked hands. “I know when to shut up.” He watched the director head for the lift. “Where’re you going?”
“To greet the scout who will be here any moment,” he replied without slowing or looking over his shoulder. “I suggest you accompany Dr. Dartmouth off the ship and rendezvous with our ambassador.”
“What am I supposed to do?” Cole asked, sitting forward. “Help negotiate her father’s release? Yeah, that’ll end well.”
Forester stared back at them from inside the lift. “Something along those lines.”
Cole turned to Lin, pleading. She shrugged, her Rook hovering near her head. “I don’t anticipate any complications.”
“Other than the one Art’s investigating,” he countered.
She stood, barely taller than a sitting Cole. “This mission is nearly two years in the making. Our inside sources are well informed, and as you said, we have powerful allies.” She blinked, allowing her words to sink in. “I have considered all the variables.”
Cole wanted to trust her. He really did. He stood, gazing down at her. “I’ve no doubt you’re telling the truth, Doc.” He gestured toward the viewport to where the terraformer awaited them like an unscalable mountain. “But I don’t care how smart you are; no one can consider all the variables.” He started for the lift. “I learned that lesson fifteen years ago.”
“Thank you.”
Cole stopped in mid-stride. “That wasn’t meant as a compliment.”
She joined his side. “For everything you’ve done thus far, I am in your debt.” She met his gaze. “And I promise to explain everything once my father is safe.”
Cole took a deep, breath. Women. “None of us is safe, Doc. You’re meddling in affairs much bigger than the four of us.”
There was a defiant glint in her eyes. “Someone had to sooner or later.”
Where did that come from?
They rode the lift down and exited the ship just as a solitary figure was entering the bay. Forester was nowhere to be seen. The elderly ambassador wore a drab, gray suit with an equally dull white vest. The silver pin on his lapel was in the shape of the “recycled planet,” indicating his allegiance. Despite his nod of understanding, there was obvious distrust etched into his tired countenance.
“There isn’t much time,” the unnamed ambassador said in a gravelly voice. “There’s no telling how long before the entire planet turns to rioting.”
Cole laughed aloud. “All the variables, she says.”
Lin scowled at him. “Is my father well?” she asked the man.
The ambassador gave a reverent nod to Lin. “The Singularity eagerly awaits your arrival.”
He speaks of Lin’s father as though he were some sort of prophet. That instantly ignited Cole’s ire. “He awaits us? So sorry to inconvenience him, Terracom Tom, but we’re kinda in a rush.” He presented the ICV-71 with a flourish. “Might Professor Dartmouth do us the courtesy of coming to us?”
The ambassador was not amused. He crossed his arms behind his back and straightened his posture, his attention still upon Lin. “Your fool is ill-informed.”
Lin blushed and would not meet Cole’s gaze. “My father is unable come to us.” She produced a small vial from within her lab coat and presented it to him as though it would explain everything. “First I will need to free him from his glass prison.”
“Yeah, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
The ambassador turned on his heel to leave. “You will learn soon enough.”
Cole pointed after him. “Is Terracom Tom actually helping us, or is he leading us to a trap?”
Lin followed the ambassador out of the landing bay, her Rook hovering in tow. “We have no choice but to trust him.”
I don’t have to trust anyone. Cole sighed and caught up with her.
The trio made their way down a long, narrow tunnel which led toward the base of the monolith terraformer. Every step Cole took away from the ship, the more vulnerable he felt. His life depended upon the word of a stranger wearing the enemy’s coat of arms, the
convoluted plan of a mute engineer whose father’s name was The Singularity, and a defective AI pilot. All he had were his instincts and a smart mouth to combat the juggernaut, gangster corporation.
Cole and Lin were led through a series of well-lit hallways and offices—all of which were strangely vacant and constructed of translucent material—and eventually into another corridor which ended at a massive glass door. Cole looked back, having remembered very little of their path.
“Isn’t there any security, or staff of any kind...besides you?”
“Workers and debtors alike have migrated below,” came the simple yet haunting response. “A physical security presence is limited as it is mostly unneeded on an inescapable planet.”
Cole couldn’t help but think that the “migration” was much more complicated than the ambassador was leading on. Were the dormitories somehow segregated? Or did criminal and employees share the same rooms? If the latter was the case, who led who underground?
Stay alert, Cain, he thought, hoping the AI was paying attention to his thoughts like before. We might need your help finding our way back to you before long.
A wave of relief washed away some of Cole’s anxiety. He stepped through the thick glass door, wondering how CAIN was able to crack Terracom’s heavily encrypted computer system. And yet he can’t fly the ship.
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