"I'm not a fool... and neither are you," she said and turned to walk away. Waves of frustration flowed from the alley. Tomorrow would be interesting.
CHAPTER 4
Orders
AFTER TWO DAYS of surveillance, Major Simpson had all the proof he needed to deactivate Primeris. Locating her hadn't been difficult. Her debriefings provided enough information to find her.
Cranley was right about you, he thought as he watched a young woman follow Primeris to the alley and say something. Even though Primeris was cloaked, he was able to track her movements thanks to the detection equipment developed by the unit's science department. The small screen identified electron waves bending around unseen objects. Simpson couldn't help but find it funny that the government had spent billions creating the cloak only to develop the technology to neutralize it. For covert military application, the device was useless. Not my problem. Shit, where'd you go? The tracker was no longer picking up Primeris' signal. Tapping on the screen, he powered the device down and then restarted it, hoping it was only a glitch. Distracted, Simpson wasn't aware Primeris was standing next to him until he looked up.
Fuck! His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed nervously. Flipping the lid shut, he pocketed the device and glanced nervously up and down the street to see if anyone had noticed them.
"Primeris," he said. "It's good to see you."
"Major Simpson, what are you doing here?" she asked.
"Straight to the point as always, I see. The colonel asked me to check on you. He's concerned about you."
"Colonel Cranley has no feelings for me. His only concern is the mission."
"Well, yes. Still, you're a vital part of the unit. We don't want anything happening to you... which brings me back to why I'm here. Cranley wants you to report to Diagnostics for some system checks. You're long overdue."
"He thinks I'm malfunctioning."
"Of course not. He only wants to be sure you're operating at optimum efficiency. For your own good, Primeris."
"I'm working at ninety-eight percent efficiency."
"There, you see! You need a little tweaking," he said, relieved that he had something to grab onto.
"It's impossible to achieve one-hundred percent, Major Simpson. Your scientists managed a ninety-six point three. I did the tweaking necessary to raise it to ninety-eight."
Not good! he thought. The last thing we need is machines playing around with their own programs.
"Oh, well... Ummm... Still, it's an order. Just report to the Diagnostic Unit tomorrow. I'm sure you'll pass the examination."
"What about my assignment?"
"We'll see. If everything turns out normal, there's no reason not to return you to duty. Now, update me on the specifics here and then return to headquarters for a complete debriefing. The sooner you do what you have to, the sooner you can report back for duty."
* * *
Primeris had never been removed from a mission. The ramifications of failure meant reprogramming and memory wipes — a total loss of identity, something she wasn't willing to sacrifice. It wasn't rational. She knew a system check would confirm her programs were functioning properly. Whether the colonel would be satisfied was another issue. Briefing Simpson on what she knew, Primeris deliberately left out the details about the woman who had followed her to the alley.
I'll decide what to do with her, Primeris thought.
* * *
Major Simpson watched Primeris get into her car and leave. With her out of the way, he could carry out his own plan. The two civilians needed to be interrogated and he was just the person who could do it.
Book III
Perfect Future
CHAPTER 1
Captured
COLONEL CRANLEY entered the interrogation room, glanced at the two women sitting in the chairs, and frowned. He hadn't expected to see anyone but the librarian, who he recognized from a surveillance snapshot. Motioning the Major over, his voice lowered to barely a whisper.
"Who's she?" he demanded, motioning toward Chantelle with his head.
"I don't know yet, but she knows Primeris and may also know about the cloak," Simpson replied.
"How the hell can she know about the cloak?"
Simpson shrugged. "Maybe she works for another branch of the government. All I know is: I saw her follow Primeris while she was cloaked. And she spoke to her."
"She spoke to Primeris? What did she say? What did Primeris say?"
"Primeris didn't say anything. This woman's exact words were, 'I'm not a fool... and neither are you.'"
"What the hell does that mean?" Cranley demanded.
"Beats me. I decided to bring her in, just to be safe. Intelligence is trying to find out who she is."
"Did you ask her?"
"Of course. She calls herself Chantelle, but refuses to give her last name and denies any knowledge of the cloak or Primeris."
"You asked her about the cloak? You actually mentioned the cloak?"
"How else could I find out what she knew?" Simpson asked, looking uncomfortable.
Cranley shook his head. Fucking idiot!
"Well she certainly knows about it now, if she didn't then. Did you happen to consider the woman may have been talking to herself?"
Simpson stiffened slightly.
"I'm not an idiot, Colonel. I know what I saw and the Audiosenser will confirm what I told you she said. She knows about more than she's saying."
"Alright! Find out who she is. With our resources that shouldn't be difficult. In the meantime, we'll focus on the librarian. She shouldn't be too difficult to crack." Turning to Jain, he circled her chair like a cat sizing up a mouse. "I'm sure you're wondering what this is about, Ms. Plaine," he said.
"You're damn right I am. This is kidnapping and totally illegal."
Colonel Cranley laughed. Civilians were so predictable.
"Please, Ms. Plaine. Nothing we do is illegal when national security is involved. I believe you have vital information that will help us recover some government property that's gone... well, let's say astray. Once we have it back, you can go home."
"I don't know what you're talking about. What property?"
"Ms. Plaine, don't play me for a fool. You know who I'm talking about."
"Who? I thought you said it was property you lost," Jain said. "Not that it makes any difference. I haven't a clue as to who or what you're talking about and I sure as hell haven't taken anything belonging to the government."
"Of course not. No one's accusing you of that. Perhaps I've misstated things," the colonel said, not wanting to give too much away if she didn't know about the Hubots. "You know how the military is. We think of everyone who works for the government as property. What I meant was, we're trying to find someone who has taken an unauthorized leave. It's vital that we get in contact with her. I believe you may know her."
"I know a lot of military people, Captain."
"It's Colonel. I'd have thought you knew better, Miss Plaine. Librarians are normally well-educated people."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you." Jain's sarcasm was unmistakable. "My expertise is limited to the Dewey Decimal."
Colonel Cranley was quickly losing patience. He didn't like being mocked, especially by civilians.
"You know, Miss Plaine, I'm trying to be nice to you. Apparently you don't appreciate my efforts, so let's stop playing games. Where is Solaria?"
"Solaria? Solaria who?" Jain asked, making eye contact with Cranley.
"That's not your concern."
"Then why ask me about her? Does she come to the library? What does she look like? And why would you think I'd know her?"
"You tell me," Cranley countered.
"This is ridiculous. I don't know anyone named Solaria and you won't give me any information about her. At least tell me her last name — I can check the library's registry. You certainly didn't have to go to this much trouble for that. A simple call would have sufficed."
Cranley's eyes narrowed with barely suppresse
d anger. He suspected Jain was playing games with him.
You must think I'm a fool, lady.
"Listen! Why not make this easy on yourself? If not for you, then for her," he said, motioning suggestively toward the other woman. "No one wants to hurt you. Just tell me what you know."
"I already told you I don't know her."
Sighing, the colonel signaled one of the uniformed men forward.
"I don't think you realize the seriousness of this situation. It's critical we retrieve our property," he said and turned to the soldier. "You know what to do, Corporal Isaac."
Isaac saluted and then grinned. Leaning down, he backhanded Jain across her right cheek, snapping her head to the left.
"Listen, fatty, Colonel Cranley asked you a question. He's a lot nicer than me."
Tears streamed down Jain's face. "I... I don't know..." Her voice trembled from the pain.
"You're lying! Tell us what we want to know and it'll go a lot easier on you," Isaac threatened.
Jain shook her head.
"You think you're tough, eh?" The soldier leaned closer, his face barely six inches from her own. His grin turned into a smug smile. "Good! I like tough broads, even fat ones. Maybe once we're finished here, we can spend a little time together. Would you like that?"
When Jain refused to answer him, he frowned.
"Sure you would. Ugly women are grateful for a little dick."
"Most women seem to prefer big ones," Jane said sarcastically.
Straightening angrily, Isaac backhanded Jain harder, snapping her head again to the left. She groaned as blood trickled from a split in her lower lip.
"You have a smart mouth. I know the perfect way to shut it up." To emphasize his meaning, Isaac grabbed his crotch and tugged on it suggestively.
"Corporal!" Colonel Cranley barked. "We're here for information, not to satisfy your damn libido."
"Yes, sir!" he replied, glancing at the colonel apologetically. "Sorry. Lady, just tell us where the Hubot is," Isaac said, turning back to Jain.
"What... What's a Hubot? I don't know anything about... about a Hubot. I'm just a librarian."
"Yeah, and I'm the fuckin' President," he replied.
Jain swallowed the bloody saliva that was pooling in her mouth. She could feel the warm fluid trickling down her chin.
This isn't like the movies. The thought made her laugh, a nervous reaction to the pain and fear she was feeling.
The soldier's eyes widened in surprise and then narrowed angrily.
"You think this is fuckin' funny, bitch?" he screamed. Making a fist, he slammed it against her left jaw. Jain slumped forward, unconscious.
"That's enough," Cranley ordered, grabbing the soldier's collar and yanking him backward. "She can't answer questions like that, you idiot. Wake her up." Turning to the other woman, he pointed at Jain. "If you don't want to end up like her, tell me what I want to know. Then you both can go home and we can all forget this ever happened."
* * *
Chantelle felt Jain's pain. Every blow was an assault on her own senses. The guards had taken extra precautions to make sure Chantelle was properly secured. She had disabled three soldiers during her capture. Two were hospitalized, one with a broken arm, the other with a dislocated knee. The third suffered a sprained shoulder. Her kidnappers had paid dearly before she was finally subdued by three others.
Healers understood the human body better than the best medical scientists in the world. Every Sister was schooled in anatomy as well as healing. Because they were solitary most of the time, self-defense was critical to their survival. Traveling alone was too dangerous to rely on the good will of others. Chantelle hadn't exactly excelled in martial arts, but she was better than many of her Sisters... and her Sisters were better than most experts.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said. "What's a Hubot?" Chantelle knew there was no way they would be released after this. The military wouldn't take a chance of either women talking.
"What is it with you two? You both have been under surveillance for awhile. We know Ms. Plaine has been in communication with Solaria, and you were caught with her."
"Her meaning Solaria, or her being Ms. Plaine?" Chantelle asked.
Shaking his head, Cranley shoved his hands into his pant pockets.
"This is becoming tedious. You don't strike me as a stupid person, so stop the act. We both know if you had been with Solaria, we'd have her now. Where is she?"
"I can't speak for Ms. Plaine, Colonel. Only myself, and I don't know anyone named Solaria," Chantelle replied calmly. "I've only talked to Ms. Plaine once, while I was out walking. We exchanged a casual greeting. Nothing more. If you've been watching us, you know that already."
Frustrated, Cranley's jaw muscles flexed as he ground his teeth. A satisfied feeling swept over Chantelle. His arrogance was irritating. Irritating. There's a thought. She and Jain were probably going to be killed and she thought he was irritating.
CHAPTER 2
The First Mistake
INWARDLY, COLONEL Cranley was fuming. The woman had called his bluff. She was proving more difficult than he had anticipated. His chief intelligence officer had interrupted the interrogation to tell him that Chantelle was one of the invisible people. No records of her existed in any database, including the foreign ones SU33 had access to. His suspicions were now confirmed. Chantelle was a government agent and probably looking for Solaria also. If another ops department captured Solaria, Special Unit 33 would lose its advantage.
I knew Future Dynamicon's security was crap. After this is all over, I'm going to make sure they lose their contracts and clearance.
"Who do you work for?" Cranley demanded, leaning toward Chantelle threateningly. "What agency?"
"I don't work for any agencies," Chantelle replied calmly.
"That's bullshit! There's no record of you anywhere. Nothing! No one is that anonymous. Only a government has the ability to make people invisible. You're either one of ours or you work for someone else."
"Probably just a computer glitch. As you say, no one is that anonymous," Chantelle said.
Straightening, Colonel Cranley glanced at Jain, who was still unconscious.
"Maybe I'm going about this wrong," he said. "You're obviously well-trained; better than we thought. No civilian is this good." Turning to Isaac, Cranley motioned him out of the room. Saluting, Isaac left. "I had hoped you would be more cooperative, but no matter. There are always other ways to extract information."
* * *
Twenty minutes later, Primeris walked into the interrogation room, dressed in dark brown slacks and an orange long-sleeved shirt. Except for a slight narrowing of the eyes, she gave no indication of her surprise at seeing Chantelle and Jain.
"You ignored my recommendation, Colonel Cranley. Bringing these women here was unwise. The librarian is known by too many people. They'll question her disappearance," Primeris said.
"I don't give a fuck who knows her. Since when have we let civilians stop us from doing our job? Besides, you should have had the information by now."
"Only two weeks have passed since I started the surveillance. You should have let me finish my assignment." Turning to Major Simpson, she stared at him for several seconds. When he glanced away, she finally spoke. "You said you were only going to observe them. Did something change or were you lying?"
"Are you questioning my authority, Primeris?"
"No, Major, only your judgment and your word. Your actions are irresponsible and have compromised this mission. Had you been patient, I would have successfully completed the mission without any harm coming to these civilians. Now you have no choice but to terminate them."
Major Simpson stiffened.
"You know, Primeris," Cranley interjected. "If I didn't know you were a machine, I'd swear you were getting soft. The loss of a few civilians is acceptable collateral damage. When we're finished here, report to your AI programmer for a complete evaluation. Your effectiveness as an operative is
becoming questionable."
"My effectiveness has been undermined by Major Simpson's incompetence. If he abducted these women outside of Ms. Plaine's residence, someone may have witnessed the event."
"Do you think I'm an idiot?" Major Simpson demanded, angrily. "No one was on the street when we took them."
"Can you swear positively that no one was looking out a window somewhere?"
"Well, uhh..."
"Are you aware there are video cameras at three intersections running parallel and perpendicular to Ms. Plaine's condo and at least twenty-three businesses who have surveillance equipment within six square blocks surrounding her complex?" Primeris continued. "When her disappearance is noticed, the authorities will review all of them."
"They won't see anything out of the ordinary. Our vehicles are unmarked."
"But have government license plates."
"Registered to one of the more mundane bureaucracies," Simpson said.
"Traceable to SU33, if someone is good enough to hack our system... and Solaria is better than good."
Major Simpson laughed.
"No one is that good, even her."
"She is," Primeris said, matter-of-factly.
"Enough!" Colonel Cranley ordered. Glancing at his watch, he swore under his breath. "I have a meeting with the chiefs in forty minutes. Afterward, I'll be back. In the meantime, do your fucking job... And Primeris, if you can't, Major Simpson will. Major, you are to make sure she performs her duties satisfactorily. If she doesn't, deactivate her, by any means necessary. Understood? The last thing I need is for another fuckin' machine to screw up my plans."
"Yes, sir!"
Satisfied that he had made his point, Cranley left the room. His superiors were demanding an explanation as to why it was taking so long to capture the Hubots.
I can blame Simpson and Primeris for all of this. Nobody likes him anyway, and I've been telling them for a long time machines can't be trusted, especially when it comes to dealing with their own kind.
Future Perfect - S2 Page 10