“Okay, we surrender,” Zack said holding his hands up.
Lambda reeled, looking to Zack utterly perplexed.
The knight seemed to ease up, removing his hand from the black hole before him.
“I’m glad you have seen reason. Now, order the Lambda unit to-”
“Lambda, now!” Zack bellowed.
Lambda didn’t even process Zack’s words of surrender as she responded flawlessly. With swift procession, she elbowed the silver knight in the chest, and followed up with a soaring kick that sent the warrior propelling into Zack’s house. Zack could hear the knight smash through the building and crash out the other side, causing the house to buckle and fall due to the massive damage sustained by Lambda’s attack.
Lambda turned to Zack. “Target has suffered non lethal blows. Lambda will now finish-”
“That won’t be necessary. We can’t have you blowing stuff up and alerting the whole county of our presence,” Zack interrupted forcefully.
Lambda didn’t seem pleased. “This choice of action could prove hazardous later-”
Zack became agitated. “I don’t have time to explain to you why killing people is wrong,” he spoke firmly. “Now, if we want to beat Corson to Cecilia, we need to move now!”
Lambda sensed a strange tremor running up and down her body as she gaped at Zack. She wasn’t sure if she was fond of it, but found herself compelled to obey. There was something in Zack’s eyes that seemed to alert her to not push the issue further. Instinctively, she listened, and said no more.
“Lambda still needs the location to the-”
A massive explosion erupted just beyond Zack’s crumbled home. He could almost feel the pressure and wrath coming from the given direction.
“No time! Just take us to one of locations you have set in your history!”
Lambda responded quickly and grabbed hold of Zack as they leapt into the darkness of the wormhole. Zack couldn’t help but look behind him as the slit in space began to close and noted the silver knight bolting toward the receding wormhole. His inflamed eyes glowed a bright orange as the lightning bolt on his face radiated like magma. Zack averted his eyes in fear as the slit shut just before the knight reached its opening.
Way too close for comfort.
* * *
Ares slammed his fist into the ground. The area he stood in smoldered as if hit by a comet. He tapped his helmet lightly.
“It’s Ares. The boy escaped through the Lambda unit’s Worm Drive. I’m unable to pursue.”
The words of Dead Eye rang into his ear. They throbbed with a sickly sensation. “I had predicted as much,” Dead Eye uttered, sounding almost uninterested.
“My apologies. I was caught off guard-”
“Survey the area. The AI unit has a limit in distance it can go with its Worm Drive.”
Ares then heard laughter on the line.
“It’s now a race!” Dead Eye howled with enthusiasm.
Ares didn’t understand. “What do you-”
“You or the Void Reapers. Which one will claim the prize first?!”
Ares was rendered speechless as he mulled over the calamity that was to come.
[11]
Willpower
[January 7th - Washington DC - Cyber Research Plant - Day]
Charles tapped his fingers on his fluorescent tablet. The illuminated device stared back at him with several open files. The other members of his council waited anxiously.
Charles ceased his rhythmic beating as he reached to his template and pulled up a number dial screen. He blazed a combination in with his limber fingers and within seconds, all the templates before the members turned bright red. Charles noted their sudden change of mood.
“W-what is this?!”
Charles didn’t falter. “Exactly what you see. It has been decided that in the event of complications, the backup plan is to have Number 5, Project Epsilon, ready for deployment.”
The dark room was silent for several uninterrupted moments.
“T-this must be a joke right? Epsilon can’t be used!”
Charles’ gaze was crushing. “It is our job to reprogram the Epsilon unit and have it ready as a last resort. Those are the orders made by the Board and enforced by Babel.”
The members of Charles’ council all began to chatter widely.
“But why Epsilon? We have other AI that are being kept in stasis lock. We can use them-”
“They are either unprepared to handle Lambda, or are defective. The Lambda unit is learning quickly. We need to match that.”
The chatter started to seem more hysteric.
“B-but the very reason Epsilon was caged was because it became self-aware to the point that we couldn’t control it. Surely you don’t expect us to-”
Charles was becoming annoyed now. “Epsilon’s adaptability matched with its power, far outclasses all the AI’s that have been created up to this point, arguably even Lambda’s. Why do you think all the others up to Lambda have been failures?” Charles didn’t give the men time to answer. “It’s simple, because none of them came even close to the potential displayed by Project Epsilon.”
The chatter died down. At the very sight of Charles, all the men cowered before his presence. Still, they persisted on the matter.
“What can we do to ensure Epsilon’s obedience?”
Charles smirked. “First, we must fine-tune its programming and limit its ability to think on its own. We will need to be in complete control. The second, we must have a fail-safe in place to ensure that Epsilon is unable to disobey us even if it becomes self aware again. If we can complete these two things, then the control of Number 5 is assured.”
Not everyone agreed with his confidence.
“Who will oversee the programming of the Epsilon unit?”
Charles smiled widely. “Why, none other than its creator . . Dr. Karen Knight.”
* * *
Margret marched with heated purpose as she rounded the corners of the research lab. Her mind was firing on all cylinders as she ran through her head exactly how she wanted to play her hand. She didn’t have all the pieces yet, but she had great confidence that her current plan could shed some light on the given situation, and perhaps reveal a few mysteries within.
Margret stopped in front of one of the many steel doors within the research lab and flashed her ID card across the translucent pad to the door’s right. The door sprang open seconds later and allowed Margret to enter Karen’s private quarters. What she found on the other side of the door was rather surprising.
“I figured you would be showing up sooner or later, Margret.”
Margret didn’t like the tone used by her friend, but she did her best to ignore it as she entered the quarters, dimly lit by several monitors around the room.
“Then you are aware of why I’m here?”
Karen smiled. “Of course. It was only a matter of time before you came to me and probed for some information. I know how that head of yours works.”
Margret found her attitude unusually prophetic. She sounds too confident.
“Well, get on with it,” she uttered, now sounding bored.
Margret dismissed her obnoxious manner once more and tried to remain on task.
“It was you that came to me first, warning me of Project Lambda and informing me of your son’s involvement. There are some things that don’t quite add up,” she noted with a lumbering emphasis.
Karen turned in her chair to face Margret. Her expression was now dim and blank. “And?” she replied numbly.
Margret paused. Karen seemed too blasé given her involvement in the matter.
“Karen, aren’t you concerned for your son?” she asked with a worried suspicion.
Karen’s eyes barely flickered. “He’s a strong kid. I’m sure he will pull through.”
Margret started to feel anger rise in her. She knew Karen had moments where she seemed almost heartless. Even so, Karen j
ust seemed so ruthless in how she spoke.
“Karen, when you brought me into the fold like this, you must have known I would come to you directly. Everything seems to be coming back to your son. Why are-”
“Are you going to get to the point, Margret?” Karen interrupted rudely.
Margret’s eyes grew with irritation. “What aren’t you telling me, Karen?”
Karen stared darkly toward Margret. “Nothing you can’t find out on your own.”
Karen left the edge of her desk and strode with livid steps past Margret. She opened the door to her quarters and stepped out into the brightly lit hallway of white. Margret spun around quickly as she followed her out.
“I’m trying to help, Karen. Why bring me into this only to shut me out?” Her voice was mixed with concern and anger.
Karen ignored the question and walked away, not once turning to Margret.
Margret’s fury peaked as she watched Karen leave.
“Karen!” she yelled. “Why is your son involved with Lambda!? Who is Rachiel?!”
Karen stopped. She turned her head slowly and stared back at Margret with cold eyes, replying in a harsh whisper:
“All returns to the Alpha.”
Margret was left a little surprised by Karen’s words. She didn’t get another word out of her as she marched away without a second glance.
Margret clenched her fist. What is going on?
Suddenly, a firm hand grasped Margret’s shoulder. With the power of a bear, Margret grabbed the hand and flipped the unknown entity behind her over her shoulder. The man came crashing down with the force of a train on the metal tile, knocking the wind right out of him. When Margret’s senses came back to her, she stared in disbelief as she took in the sight of the man she had just laid on the ground.
“Rich?!”
Richard coughed as all the air in this lungs had left him upon impact.
“Glad to see you, too.” He stifled a cough. “Haven’t gotten rusty I see,” he managed.
Margret didn’t waste another second as she brought Richard to standing. The look of embarrassment on her face was the least of her worries.
“I don’t know why I did that, Rich. I’m sorry,” apologized Margret as she held her head in shame.
Richard waved his hand, dismissing the apology. “Don’t be. If anything, I should apologize. I didn’t mean to startle you like that.”
Margret’s thoughts were still jumbled at the moment, but Richard quickly focused them as he revealed that he wasn’t just passing through.
“I see you have seen the other Karen as of late.”
Margret stared with tense eyes at Richard.
“What is wrong with her? She seems so focused to the point that nothing fazes her. It’s troubling,” Margret said, almost disturbed.
Richard nodded his head. “Agreed. It has only gotten worse since Lambda’s escape.”
“How long has she been like this?” Margret asked, uncertainty lingering at the end of her sentence.
Richard could hear the distress in Margret’s words. It hurt him deeply to see her in such a state. He knew he owed Margret the knowledge he had of Karen and the change in her behavior. That much she deserved.
“Frankly, signs began after her mother’s death years before. Her mother’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease took a toll on her and our marriage.” Richard’s face grew bleak. “However, it became more frequent with the AI projects, especially after Epsilon. It has caused a lot of turbulence in our relationship, but more notably on our kids.”
Margret peered deep into Richard’s eyes as he spoke. She was looking for that glimmer of a soul that she couldn’t see in Karen’s eyes when she had her last words with her. To her relief, she saw a deep compassion residing in Richard’s pupils, which quivered with worry. That was all Margret needed to see to know that he was being sincere.
Margret spoke once her mind was made up. “She confided in me, asking me for help given your son’s involvement in the Lambda case. However, she is treating me as if I’m pestering. I don’t understand what she is trying to do.”
Richard’s expression turned coarse. “Has she said anything to you?”
Margret was a little taken aback by the sudden question, but answered promptly.
“She left me hanging like she always does, but it seemed far more cryptic and foreboding than usual.”
Richard shook his head in disappointment. “Her behavior leading up to Lambda’s escape didn’t set off any flags. However . . .” Richard trailed off a bit. “She seems even more disconnected with how our children are involved in this. The way she has been downplaying it is just cruel.”
Margret’s eyes were now locked with Richard’s. She was completely drawn in.
“What do you know?” she asked, intrigue riding every word.
Richard didn’t waste a breath. “I know it was Karen who helped Lambda break out. I knew it the moment I saw that my son was with the Lambda unit.”
Margret seemed perplexed. “Does anyone else know?”
Richard shook his head. “I’m sure Karen is aware that I know, but I would wager she has calculated that I wouldn’t give her up so quickly. Before that, I want to know what she is planning.”
“Do you think Epsilon is part of it?” Margret asked in a whisper.
Richard didn’t seem sure. “She seemed rather riled at the news of Epsilon. My guess is that she wasn’t planning on that.” His posture turned firm. “That part worries me.”
“What do you mean?” Margret inquired unsure of Richard’s hard tone.
“She has a rather scary ability to plan several moves ahead.”
Silence hung in the hall with the two of them for a moment. Both seemed to be deep in thought.
“Rich, maybe you could shed some light on Karen’s words for me.”
Richard’s eyes widened with curiosity.
Margret looked up at him intently. “What do you make of, ‘All returns to the Alpha’?” Margret said, her voice barely a murmur.
Richard’s eyes quivered ever so slightly.
Margret pounced on the venerability, forgetting herself as she saw a chance to get more answers. “Do you know what she is talking about?”
Richard averted his gaze from her. “I expected this would come up. It was only a matter of time, I suppose.”
Margret’s expression intensified. “So you do know. Does it have anything to do with someone called Rachiel?” she inquired with a calculating stare.
Richard let out a deep sigh. “I really didn’t want to open old wounds, but I guess you leave me no choice.”
Margret’s ears perked in excitement.
Richard cleared his throat. “Rachiel is the original, the Alpha. It has served as the base blueprint for all the AI programs.”
Margret reeled. “Why haven’t I been informed of this?!” interjected Margret heatedly.
Why was I left out of the loop of something so important?
Richard shattered her thoughts.
“Not even the Director knows about the origins of the AI projects. He was presented with a task to gather superior minds here and begin research on new types of AI programs for the Network, to be overseen by Babel. I’m sure he knows nothing more about this than you do.”
Margret was irate. “Then how do you and Karen know about the Alpha and Rachiel?”
Richard’s face almost turned to stone. “Because my son created it.”
* * *
[January 7th - Abingdon, Virginia - County Park - Day]
Zack couldn’t get himself under control. He had been pacing back and forth for nearly an hour since Lambda transported them to the their current location. He had become so restless and cold that he didn’t know what course of action was best as he paced back and forth along the edge of the county park’s lake. The knowledge that the silver assailant from the Network and the Void Reapers were hunting him and Lambda was only making Zack’s abili
ty to make a decision that much harder. The calm water looking back up at him from the lake didn’t do him any justice either. If anything, it only served as a reminder of how far he was from finding his center.
“Might Lambda suggest a course of action?” Lambda openly said.
Zack groaned. “By all means,” he said with his hands in the air. “Tell me, what can we do with the most elite assassins of the Network after us?” His sarcastic tone was reaching critical levels.
Lambda seemed confused. “Was that question rhetorical?”
Zack rolled his eyes, ignoring Lambda. He returned to his thoughts, still without a clue of how to proceed past the current point they were stuck at. No matter what angle he thought of, it all led to him bringing his sister into danger.
Lambda eyed Zack intently. For some reason she found his expression profound and strong. The way he looked when he thought so deeply and intently was mesmerizing. Perhaps it was his eyes, or maybe the way his lips pursed when he didn’t speak for lengthy periods of time. All in all, gazing at him enveloped her with a warmth she couldn’t place. Was it admiration? Idolization? Pride? Frankly, she didn’t know. All she did know was that it was a pleasant notion. That alone put to rest her suspicions and made her smile.
Zack looked to Lambda, but the expression on her face quickly derailed any thought that was collected up to that point.
“How can you smile right now?”
Lambda sensed a prick in her chest. Zack’s tone suddenly made her feel awkward. She was confused, her expression geared toward one of fondness and admiration. Zack twisting her emotions around caused an unrest in her like she had never felt before. It pulled on her chest and made it difficult for her to process words to counter Zack’s misunderstanding.
Zack held a hand to his face. The look on Lambda’s face was full of hurt and confusion. He felt ashamed for lashing out. After all, it was he who brought this upon himself, not Lambda.
The Genesis Code 1: Lambda Page 17