“Now do you believe me?” said Daniel, as they opened a door each and swung inside.
Jones started the engine and flicked it into reverse. With one arm around Daniel’s seat he backed up onto the road. “Like I said before Daniel - if you’re right, I’m in the wrong car.”
Chapter 10
Before Daniel could say anything he was flung back in his seat as Jones floored the gas pedal. The creature was in Daniels wing mirror but they were soon putting distance between it and themselves.
Jones picked up the radio, “Get me Captain Crees.”
The detective kept looking in the rear view mirror; when he was satisfied he slowed the car down.
A voice, emotionless and commanding, came back through the radio. “Crees, here. What’s up Jones?”
“Sir, I think I know where this thing is headed.”
“What?”
Jones looked at Daniel. “You’re going to have to trust me, sir.”
“What do you need?” said Crees.
Jones peered through the windscreen at a road sign as they passed. “The robot’s next move will be to go to Lakeside, in the north valley. How quickly can you get guys up there?”
“I don’t know, maybe fifteen minutes. But there’s nothing there but dirt. What makes you so sure that’s where it’s headed?”
Jones spun the car right in an arc and slammed on the brakes clawing up white clouds of dust.
The car was now facing back to town. The robot was walking toward them, dead on.
As he spoke into the radio Jones focused intently on the road ahead. “I’m not one hundred per cent certain yet,” he said, “but I think I have its target in my car.”
“Target?” The voice on the other end of the radio sounded startled.
“Just get as many people as you can and we’ll meet you there.”
“Jones, are you sure about this? The military have tagged it, we have it on a screen here and the thing’s headed south.”
“What are you doing?” said Daniel.
“Hold on now,” said Jones, and then his foot thumped the floor. The acceleration sent them both back into their seats and the robot was suddenly rushing towards them.
“Wait!” said Daniel. But before he could get whatever he was going to say out of his mouth they were swerving around the robot both inside being sent one way and then the other. The things arms lashed out and it took a chunk out of one of the taillights but they sped past and didn’t stop.
Turning in his seat Daniel could see the robot turn and start to follow them but it quickly got smaller and smaller. Jones scrutinised carefully in the mirror before he was satisfied enough to slow down again.
The radio crunched into life. “It’s just changed course. It’s heading north. Hold tight. We’ll meet you there.”
Jones tossed the radio onto the floor and swerved the car onto the highway; after ten minutes they were out in the rocky open country heading north. What little light the moon offered cast huge shadows from the crags around them.
“Okay, Daniel,” said Jones. “I want answers. Who the hell are you?”
“I don’t know what you mean?”
“Don’t bullshit me now! What the hell is going on?”
“I don’t know.”
Jones had taken his eyes off the road and was glaring. “You must know something. Who are you?”
“I don’t know anything about it. You have to believe me!”
Jones slammed on the breaks and the car lurched forward. Daniel was still rocking in his seat when the detective turned on him. “You think I’m stupid?”
Daniel shook his head, his mouth slightly open, words sitting somewhere at the back of his throat with a growing lump.
“Get out,” said Jones.
“What?”
“Get out of my car!”
Daniel slowly undid his seatbelt with shaking hands. Jones stood up and looked at him across the roof. They were in the middle of nowhere; all Daniel could see was a straight road stretching away in either direction into darkness.
Jones looked at his watch. “We’ve got about twenty minutes before it catches us, Daniel. The rest of the army will be here shortly after that. If you have any desire to stay out of harm’s way I advise you to tell me anything you know and if I think you’re lying, I’m going to leave you here.”
Daniel looked at Jones hopelessly, “Please.”
“Please nothing!” Jones had opened his coat up and his side arm was visible between the jacket and his shirt.
“I’ve never been in trouble. Never even had a parking ticket. I’ve never done anything wrong!”
Daniel started gasping for breath. As he steadied himself on the car he looked at Jones again with tears in his eyes. Jones was breathing slow and steady, his gaze burning through Daniel. His chest was heaving up and down. Was he holding back his temper? About to pull out his pistol?
Daniel felt a shudder underneath the car, a slow growing pulse along the metal. Then, from above, came a noise. It was a helicopter. They both looked up. It was approaching from over a hill behind them and starting to descend. At the last second it pulled its nose up, blowing a great cloud of dust across Daniel and Jones.
It was a large, military machine. The engine continued to snarl, it wasn’t stopping for long. The door slid open and a smart dressed man with glasses and curly black hair took one step out.
“Hello, Daniel. Detective.”
Jones raised a hand, shielding his eyes from the dust. “Who are you?”
“I’m Toby. Would you mind accompanying me and my friends?”
“Where?” said Daniel.
“Somewhere I can protect you,” said Toby, above the drone of the blades, “Somewhere we’ll have time to think and talk. Please.”
It wasn’t much of a choice. Jones looked at him; the anger had passed. But now the cop had another reason to be suspicious. Jones nodded his head toward the helicopter, “At least you’ll be safe, come on.”
The cop took him by the arm and they approached the chopper, heads bowed. They got inside and Toby strapped them in and placed helmets on them. Next to him sat a soldier with a rifle. Toby gave a signal and the helicopter lurched up into the air sending Daniel’s stomach somewhere near his ankles. Once they got up and straightened out he leaned across. “Who are you?”
Toby looked back, confused for a second, and then smiled. Leaning in he flicked a switch on the side of the helmet. A small hiss signalled the radio headset had been turned on. “Better?” said Toby.
Daniel nodded. “I suppose you want to know who I am?” said Toby. He nodded again.
Toby sat back. “I work for the interests of our country and by our country, I mean its people. People like you Daniel; I’m here to help.”
“Where are we going?” said Jones.
Toby regarded the detective, for a moment an emotion crossed his face, but Daniel couldn’t tell what it was. The smile quickly returned. “We’re heading to an army base. About 100 kilometres away. You’ll be safe and we’ll have some time to talk about all of this.”
Something about the way in which he spoke put Daniel at ease. His voice was calming, but not condescending. His eyes were lively and bright, his teeth perfect and white and the smile soft and gentle.
“We just have one slight detour on the way."
“Detour?” said Jones.
Toby flicked a switch on the side of his helmet. “This is Sierra Charlie Five requesting clearance for ‘End Zone,’ over.”
Daniel heard a voice respond at the other end. “Roger Sierra Charlie Five, you are cleared for ‘End Zone.’”
“We’re going to pay a visit to our little friend, Daniel. But don’t worry, you’ll be quite safe.”
The helicopter lurched to the side squashing Jones into Daniel’s torso and just as he thought they must be about to nosedive the chopper righted itself and slowed down. Toby, who wasn’t even wearing a harness, just seemed to ride with the movements as if they were the most na
tural thing on earth.
Once the manoeuvre was over Toby sidled up to the window and looked down. “There he is,” he said, beckoning Daniel and Jones over.
Daniel leaned forward but was immediately pulled back by the harness. As he stretched his neck up to see over the window he could make out a flat space. The moonlight caught dust that was whipping past the windows and it seemed they were now hovering a few hundred feet up in the air. Then he saw it; the metal glinting, the movement regimented.
“I have a little theory I’d like to put to the test,” said Toby.
The robot was walking toward the helicopter. At this distance it was hard to tell how fast it was closing but Daniel guessed a few minutes and it would be underneath and then what? Could it fly? Would it shoot at them?
“You must be wondering what will happen when it reaches us, right?” said Toby. “Me too.”
“What if it attacks?” said Jones, making the soldier next to Toby shift in his seat.
“My guess is if it had the capability to attack with some form of projectile it would have done so already. Toby shook his head, “No, what it wants is in here.” He pointed at Daniel.
“Why does it want me?” Daniel was still staring out of the window at the thing as it made its way along the floor; it looked small from up here, like a child’s toy.
“I don’t know, Daniel. But at this stage, we need to find out as much about its capabilities as possible. We need to understand how it works.”
“You think it’s a machine?” said Jones.
“Most definitely, Detective Jones,” said Toby, as he signalled the pilot. “And certainly not one from this planet.”
The helicopter started to descend; Daniel noticed it first in his stomach before slowly the landscape rose into view through the window. As they hit the ground the whole cabin wobbled and then Toby stood up, opened the door and leapt out. He still had his helmet on and his voice came through the headsets.
“Okay, take her up.”
The chopper climbed back up about fifty feet. Daniel looked through the window as Toby motioned in the air and the pilot backed off. “Daniel, can you still hear me?”
“Yes, what are you doing?”
“Nothing,” said Toby, “I’m going to do absolutely nothing.”
Toby was stood on the spot he’d jumped out at; the wind from the helicopter creating a tornado around him. He was right in the middle now between them and the robot.
“Nothing?” said Jones. He looked at Daniel with concern in his eyes.
The robot was closer now, less than a hundred metres away from Toby. But was it walking toward him or the helicopter? Daniel couldn’t tell, he felt another lurch in his stomach, but this was nothing to do with the movement in the air.
“That’s right, detective. I’m just going to stand here and see if our friend walks on by.”
The robot was now only yards away from Toby. He was clearly the target or right in its path. Either way something or someone would have to give.
“Here we go,” said Toby, his voice reaching a high roll. Daniel looked at the soldier in the cabin; he was clutching his rifle and looking out of the window too.
“What if it attacks?” he said.
The robot was steps away; one, two, three –Daniel found himself holding his breath as it reached Toby and…it walked straight past him, brushing him aside. Toby was knocked to the floor but unharmed. He rolled up immediately and started to follow it.
“Did you see that? It’s not interested!” said Toby, before fist-pumping the air.
The soldier changed the grip on his rifle and brought it around. The robot was walking straight toward the helicopter; Toby, eagerly, stepping behind.
“Jesus,” said Jones, “Get us out of here!”
“Maintain your altitude, captain,” said Toby. Daniel wasn’t sure he could tell through the headset, but did he sound excited?
The robot was nearby now, yards away and as it arrived directly underneath them it disappeared from view beneath the window.
For a few moments all three in the cabin sat in silence sharing ‘what now?’ glances. Finally, Toby’s voice came over the headsets again.
“Fascinating. Gentlemen, you really should see this.”
Daniel craned forward and reached for the door handle, but something pulled him back. It was Jones. “Wait.” He gently pushed Daniel back into his seat, before shifting up to the door. He pressed his face against the glass and then slid it back with force. He held on to the handle, the roar of the blades now deafening them all and the powerful down force sending wind, dust and dirt into the small cabin. Looking below his eyes widened.
“Good god,” he said.
Daniel shifted over to lean out, the harness still keeping him hooked into the chopper. He felt the soldier’s arm on his shoulder as he craned over to take a look too.
Beneath them stood the creature. Its arms outstretched toward them, its face staring straight at them. It was motionless, yearning for what was above. Toby was walking around it fascinated, looking underneath the arms and even touching its body.
“Remarkable,” said Toby’s voice. “Gentlemen, can you see this?” He looked up.
Daniel gazed back down at it. Was it a machine? A robot? It looked so alive. They were about fifty feet above it, hovering dead centre.
“What does this mean?” he said, almost to no one.
“I’m not quite sure, Daniel,” said Toby. He was touching the metal of its head now, stroking it almost. Daniel saw him look at his fingers.
He started to walk away from it, backwards, not taking his eyes off it. “I’m going to walk north, about a click. Come pick me up when I tell you.” The pilot confirmed his understanding and they watched Toby make his way across the dust.
The three in the helicopter all stayed near the door looking down. The moon cast a long black shadow behind the robot. It didn’t move an inch. Finally, Jones slammed the door shut startling Daniel and the soldier.
“Come on,” he said, “get strapped in.” The detective looked across, his eyes looking for a response; Daniel nodded and clipped his seatbelt.
After a while Toby’s voice came through the headsets ordering the pilot to come and get him. The chopper leaned one way and then the other as it set off. Through the opposite window they saw the robot turn around and start to walk toward them, following once more; by now it was surrounded by police squad cars and another helicopter was tracking it with a spotlight.
They touched down briefly, long enough for Toby to climb on board and give the signal before they were up and away again. This time a lot higher and the robot and its entourage got smaller and smaller until they were a distant dot of light.
“This is all very peculiar,” said Toby.
“No shit,” said Jones.
Toby acted like he hadn’t heard. “I think we need to get you somewhere safe Daniel and take a look at our options.”
Chapter 11
As the chopper put down, Daniel could see soldiers scattering around a base and what looked like the officer in charge head up to the landing pad. There were two armed soldiers with him and he was ushering instructions as he held his hat against the blizzard from the blades.
Toby pulled open the door and held it back against the maelstrom before Daniel managed to jump out, Jones followed and the three men headed up a ramp to where a general and his men awaited.
“I want these men detained!” said the general.
“Yes, sir.”
As the two soldiers approached Toby stepped forward, his arm outstretched, his other hand producing his wallet before they could even raise their guns.
“Good evening, General Stagg.” Toby offered his hand and the general, confused, took it.
“Good evening.” He paused’ looked Toby up and down before waving his men’s guns away, “And who might you be?”
“Toby.” The teeth shined like icicles and the wallet dangled open right in front of the general’s eyes.
The general looked at the contents. “I haven’t seen one of those in a long time.”
Toby placed the wallet back into his jacket with a swift movement, rather like a magician pocketing a silk. “We’re still around.” The tone of the whole conversation changed and the general seemed to be more at ease or at least satisfied - for now.
“What can I do for you?” He turned and strode back towards the centre of the base; a collection of tents and vehicles. Daniel picked up his pace to join him and Toby. Jones followed cautiously, his eyes darting around and taking in every detail
“How long have we got till it gets here?” said Toby.
The general was looking over his shoulder at Daniel. They walked into a tent and gathered around a table; surrounding them various officers perused screens and documents. “This him?” the general said to Toby.
Toby tapped his forehead, “I’m so sorry. Yes, General Stagg, this is Daniel.”
“Hello,” said Daniel, sheepishly.
“And who’s this?” The general indicated Jones who walked through the door and started dusting himself down.
As Jones looked up Daniel sensed he wasn’t too impressed with the general’s tone. “Detective Jones. Daniel is in my custody.” The general looked at Toby who shrugged.
“Well thank you, Detective Jones.” He made the word ‘detective’ drag on and on. “We’ll take it from here. I’ll see you’re escorted back to your station.”
“The hell you will. Daniel is in my custody, you can’t just – “
The general bellowed. “Guard. Escort this man to the outer perimeter.”
“Wait!” Everyone turned to look at Daniel. His eyes caught those of Jones and they shared a look.
“I want him to stay,” said Daniel.
Everybody looked at everybody else. Finally, Toby spoke. “If it makes you feel better, Daniel, of course Detective Jones can stay.” His voice was soft and soothing, the words whispering like bamboo in a breeze.
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