by Eric Warren
“Blu—”
“It’s fine. Really, let’s just go. We need to get back underground.” She walked down to the next landing, but Arista remained rooted to the spot. Blu turned, staring at her. “What?”
“Did you know David is my father too? In my world. He’s my biological father.”
Blu’s eyebrows formed a v. “What?”
“Except over there, he wasn’t a very nice person. He didn’t treat me well. Instead, he was too focused on his work. He would do anything to complete his projects. Even if it meant threatening my life.”
“Is she telling the truth?” Blu asked, her gaze focused over Arista’s head. But she didn’t turn around to see Frees’ confirmation. She didn’t need to. The evidence was plain on Blu’s face. “So…what does that mean?”
“It means the universe can be a cruel bastard sometimes,” Arista said. “When we first got here, I thought your dad was the same way. I’m not sure I think that anymore.”
“What’s your point?”
“That people can change. And not everyone is the same. I didn’t always used to think that way. There was a time when I treated humans badly. I don’t want you to think that’s who I am anymore. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I know it’s no consolation and I have no excuse for it. I just hope you can forgive me.”
“Does that include you?” Blu asked.
Arista glanced up. “What?”
“You said people can change. Does that mean you can too?”
Only now did she realize she was a different person. Back in Chicago when the humans had been destroying the Peacekeepers and the husks alike she’d been ready to kill them all. But then there had been Byron. And after that she met Jessika. And everything changed. Wasn’t the case she was pleading to Blu the very same one Frees had pleaded to her on multiple occasions? That she wasn’t the killer she thought she was? She could change and be whomever she wanted to be, regardless of what had happened in her past?
“I guess…I can,” she said.
“Arista…I know you’re not that person,” Blu replied. “We haven’t known each other for a long time but I already know that. You’re someone who cares deeply about the people she loves. And will do anything to protect them. It’s not hard to see.”
“Despite everything I’ve done?” she asked, trying not to let her emotions overwhelm her
“Because of everything you’ve done,” Frees replied. He came down and sat beside her on the step.
Blu took a few steps toward them. “You should listen to him. You’re the reason I got to meet my first real AI. And you warned us about Echo, then you saved my life. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I feel like I should be the one thanking you,” she replied. “Food. Shelter. Help with our goals. You and your dad…you’re…”
“Decent human beings?”
“Yeah. Yeah, you are.”
Blu smirked. “So, does this mean we’re like…sisters in a way?”
“That’s how I see it.”
Blu launched herself at Arista, enveloping her in a hug, despite the awkward positioning. Arista had to stabilize herself to keep from falling back against the stairs. Carefully she wrapped her arms back around Blu.
“I’ve always wanted you,” Blu said. “A sister I mean.”
Arista didn’t know what to say. She just squeezed tighter.
“Awww,” Frees said, only slight mocking in his voice.
Blu pulled away and Arista promptly smacked Frees on the arm. “Don’t ruin the moment, you ass. I don’t get to have them often.”
He only grinned and stood. “We need to get going. If Echo called the police they won’t be far.”
“Then by all means, lead the way,” she said, over-emphasizing the words and indicating he should go first. Blu shot her a quick grin as they followed him down the remaining flights of stairs.
“I think it would be helpful if you told me everything you know about Charlie,” Blu said. “Starting from the beginning.”
THIRTY
“SO, CHARLIE HAD THE ABILITY TO MOVE to and from any husk he wanted. As long as it wasn’t autonomous,” Blu said.
They hadn’t even bothered returning to the street. Instead, they’d explored the lower levels of the building, finding a parking garage underneath which led even further down into access tunnels below the building. Arista wished she could have downloaded a schematic from somewhere but until she could modify the Device to accept the inputs from this world’s network, its connections were useless.
Still, it didn’t keep her from drawing a mental map in case they ever needed it again.
“We think it was because of the nature of the AI interface,” Arista said, following behind Frees with Blu right beside her. “Because he couldn’t speak, interact, or interface with any humans, he had the ability to move into an avatar. We saw the same thing with Hogo-Sha in Japan. I assume Trymian is identical as well. But he somehow found a way to inhabit Frees without him knowing.”
“I think it was a desperate last-minute move,” Frees said. “I was unconscious, you were in the process of destroying his body, he had nowhere else to go.”
“Then we should assume he’ll try the same thing, if he wants to get back to the other side. He’ll need some kind of interface to transfer his consciousness into a body. I think the only way he got out of Frees was because I physically had Frees hooked up to the network. He’s going to need a hard connection, he won’t just be able to will himself into a new body.”
“At least that’s good news,” Arista said. “Because it will take him time. To build not only a body but the interface as well.”
“But if he’s got Echo,” Frees reminded them, “she could put everything together quickly.”
Arista wiped beads of sweat from her brow. There was little airflow in these tunnels and the cloak was only becoming warmer. She wanted to toss it away but if they needed to return to the surface they’d need the disguise. “Tell me how that key works. Why didn’t Echo use it on Frees?”
“From what I know about it, it isn’t designed to be used in that way. I told you, it’s a failsafe. So, if machines do begin taking over, it can be deployed and shut them all down at once.”
“It’s obvious why she’d want something like that,” Frees said. “It would end the war. And without Hogo-sha to temper Charlie she must have made an agreement with him. A cease-fire of sorts.”
“Which apparently includes me as payment,” Arista said.
“Just so I understand,” Blu said. “Echo has the key; she and Charlie go back together. And then she shuts down all the machines? Except for Charlie? Why would he want that?”
“They’re not that different, are they?” Arista asked, only now realizing how aligned their goals truly were. If they were members of the same species they would probably be strong allies. “Charlie wants all the autonomous machines returned to husks. He wants to control them, to continue the experiment.”
“The one Frees has been fighting against,” Blu said.
“Exactly. And Echo wants them all returned to husks so they won’t attack any humans. She’s planning to abandon the colony, which means she’ll want somewhere for humans to settle. And it’s either going to have to be North or South America because that is the entirety of Charlie’s territory. Though I suppose with Hogo-sha gone, he could take over all the sectors he used to control.”
“And Trymian?” Frees asked.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Charlie had decided to kill him himself. Or at least using his own machines. Charlie would have total control of the machine population. The same for Echo of the humans.”
“But they’d all be slaves,” Blu said.
“The machines? Yes. Definitely. The humans…I can’t say. I don’t know Echo’s motives once they get out of the colony.”
Frees reached a T-junction. “Which way?”
The compass in Arista’s Device told her they’d been moving in a south/southeast direction. Which was the way back to David. “Ta
ke a right,” she said, guessing. If it didn’t turn out they’d just turn around and come back.
“How long are we going to stay down here?” Frees asked. “We could have been back to the subway station by now.”
“I’m trying to put as much distance between us and her as possible,” Arista said. She knew time was short, but it wouldn’t do them any good if they were arrested. They hadn’t heard anyone behind them which meant if someone was looking for them, they were probably getting frustrated.
“There used to be a time when tunnels like this would reduce you to tears,” Frees said.
Arista glanced at Blu. “I guess it’s not so scary anymore,” she said, smiling.
Blu returned the smile, but was deep in thought. “I think what we need to do is pit them against each other. If we can convince one the other is lying to them, what little power they have will fracture.”
“And how do we do that?” Frees asked.
She ran her hand down the side of the wall, her fingers brushing against the semi-porous surface. “You said something about a machine afterlife?” Blu asked. “What was that about?”
“You mean the Collective Consciousness?” Frees said. “It’s where our minds are uploaded when our bodies wear out. It was designed to add our collective experiences together to form a better understanding of the universe.” He paused. “But when everyone experiences the same thing over and over again, how are they supposed to change and add to it? Charlie is sending people to rewrite what is already written. That’s why I fight so hard for my peoples’ freedom. Because their lives won’t matter otherwise. In this life or the next.”
“How does it work?” Blu asked. “Is it like a database?”
“Well…in a way. It’s a massive data drive, but it isn’t housed by one server. It’s held by the collective computing power of all the machines in the world.”
“And if someone had the means to shut all those machines down at once?” Blu asked.
“The collective consciousness would disappear. It would be lost,” Frees replied. “You think Echo might use the key to destroy the machine afterlife?”
Blu shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. But all we have to do is convince Charlie that’s her plan.” She turned to Arista. “Would that do it?”
Arista had been listening with interest the entire time. It was a brilliant plan. “Oh, definitely,” she said. “But we’ll need a backup too.”
“There’s more light ahead,” Frees said.
As he said it a maglev train rushed by the opening, blowing wind back into their tunnel, knocking Arista back so far she had to hold on to the side of the old brick wall to keep from falling off her feet. Within seconds the train was gone.
“I guess we have our answer,” Frees said.
“That was one of the nicer ones,” Arista said. “Not one of the trains that goes outside of the island. Which means we’re not on the ‘A’ line.”
“We still might be,” Blu said. “Multiple trains run on those lines. They aren’t exclusive.”
Arista turned to her. “Do you still have your interface?” Blu nodded. “Can you use it to tell how far we are from your dad? Frees is right, we don’t need to be wandering down here forever.”
They approached the exit to the tunnel as Blu fetched the interface from under her cloak. The door had been knocked to the side, and no one had ever repaired it.
“I can’t get a connection this far down,” Blu said. “We’ll have to get to the closest station. See where we are.”
Arista looked down both ends of the maglev tunnel. They looked identical with only small red lights every eight feet illuminating the darkness. The walls were solid here. She tapped Frees on the shoulder. “Next train that comes through, look for its letter and color if you can see it.”
“Don’t worry, I can see it,” he replied, standing in the middle of the tracks.
“Frees…” Arista warned.
“What? I can be fast.”
She shook her head and pulled Blu back into the tunnel they’d come from. “Is he really that fast?” Blu asked. “Those trains can move close to ninety miles per hour.”
“If he’s not, I’m not rebuilding him,” Arista replied under her breath. The ground under their feet rumbled. “Get ready!” she yelled at him.
“You think I can’t hear that?” he yelled back, keeping his eyes directly ahead of him.
“How does he know which way—?” Blu began to ask but was cut off by the sound of a thunderstorm crashing through the tunnel. Lights appeared on Frees’ back. He turned and jumped at the exact same time, diving forward as the train barreled past him. Arista couldn’t tell how close it had been as he smashed right into her, knocking her back with him landing on top of her.
“Hello,” he said as the train passed.
“Get. Off.” His weight was immense and if he stayed on any longer, he’d crack her rib.
Frees rolled off, standing then helping her up.
“So?” Blu asked. “What was it?”
“M line, orange,” Frees replied.
“That means we’re either close to 42nd or 34th street,” Blu replied. “I think. Which also means we’re nowhere close. We need to get above ground. It will take another hour to navigate the tunnels to get back to Dad.”
“Agreed,” Arista said, taking a left. “Let’s just hope we’re closer to 34th street, it’s further away from where we started. The police shouldn’t be looking that far. Or if they are they’re too spread out to do anything about us. But once we get up there, we have to act like sponsored again.” She turned to Blu. “Is that thing completely cut off?”
“Until we get higher where I can get a signal.”
“As soon as you do, let your dad know we’re on the way back. Ask him if he knows of anyplace Charlie might try to build himself a body or some other vessel that could take him across the gate. Somewhere he could interface and transfer himself into a mobile unit.”
“A mobile unit,” she said, tapping her chin with one finger. “I know what I would do. I’d download myself into the onboard computer of a vehicle. Why bother with building a body when there’s already one built for you?”
Arista stopped short. “You know, I think that’s not a bad idea. And what would be the most effective body to download yourself into?”
“If you know you might have to face hostile forces,” Frees added. “I’d get one with speed and armor.”
“A police vehicle.” Blu and Frees nodded at the same time. “Can you break into the police system? Isolate all the cars yourself?” Arista asked Blu.
She shook her head. “It’s a high-security system. I’d need to be in the building. And even then, I’d need an encryption key. Only officers have those.”
She pointed at Blu with her polymorphic hand. “As soon as we get up there get your dad to contact Jennings. Tell him to isolate all the police cars in his precinct from the network. Have your dad make up something, like a virus threat. All the cars in the city will have to be shut down.”
Blu nodded, working on her interface as they trotted. “Preparing the message now.”
“Lights!” Frees said. He pulled Arista back against the wall, holding her and Blu as flat as he could. The floor rumbled under them. “Let’s hope no one has their hand out the window.”
This time Arista caught a glance of the letter as the train sped toward them. The updraft created by the motion in the small tunnel would have been enough to pick her up off her feet had Frees not been holding them both down. It was gone in less than two seconds.
“Let’s hurry up,” Arista said, breathless. “I don’t want to be down here any longer than necessary.”
THIRTY-ONE
AS SOON AS THEY EXITED THE SUBWAY it started pouring rain, drenching their cloaks. The fabric was heavy on her shoulders and she wished she could fling it off. If Charlie found a way to transfer himself into a vehicle or some other movable device, they had less time than she’d anticipated. Why had she assumed he�
��d build himself a body? Why wouldn’t he take the path of least resistance?
“Did you send the message?” she whispered as they made their way down the streets, hoods up and heads down.
“Yes,” Blu whispered back, but Arista could barely hear her. The pounding of the rain on the concrete and pavement almost drowned her out. The good news was she knew where they were now, and the maps she’d been building since they’d arrived had begun to line up. It didn’t hurt that New York was a very easy city to navigate. Streets south to north, Avenues east to west. It couldn’t be simpler. They only had nine blocks before they reached the original subway entrance they’d come through when they left David. And so far what few police they had seen hadn’t been paying them any attention.
The only problem was with the rain the streets were emptying.
Just like in Chicago. Before we found Byron.
Arista wasn’t sure if she liked rain or not, it always felt like a bad omen. She wished she’d made Frees give back the weapon she’d stolen from the guard, but he was just as capable—if not more so—than she was. He could probably react faster, though she’d managed to surprise herself with her speed back in the tower. Somehow, she’d moved fast enough to stop a bullet and she didn’t even know how she’d done it. She could only assume she’d already been reaching for Blu and had managed to move to just the right position.
But it was also worrisome, because though she’d intended to kill those guards, she hadn’t been able to. Or she’d been so nervous her aim was off, but that wasn’t likely. Not with her machine arm solid as a rock and her Device-assisted targeting system. So what had stopped her?
“Guys,” Frees said, the word urgent. Arista glanced up to see a police cruiser turn the corner and head down the street toward them.
“Shit,” Arista said. “Next building you see duck into it. Keep your head down.” She leveled her gaze just enough so she could still see the cruiser and she hoped her face was obscured by shadow and the falling rain. She had to be soaked through to the skin but it actually felt good considering how hot she’d been under the cloak.