by King, Sara
10:15:21 Noting physical surroundings unlike those pre-lapse. Current surroundings include a depression with earthen sides. Approximately seventy percent of outer layer of Unit Ferris dermis coated in Shrieker excretions, consistent with being dragged.
10:15:21 (Unit note: Analyzation of surroundings and pre-lapse record indicates hostile actions taken by subject Anna Landborn and sister Magali Landborn. Possible criminal charges applicable: conspiracy, destruction of government property. New primary program initiated: Report to Director Yura Nalle.)
10:15:25 Ferris climbing from pit.
10:15:30 Ferris running through Shrieker mound, B Block.
10:15:35 Ferris running through Shrieker mound, B Block.
10:15:37 Ferris halted. Three Shriekers blocking path. Primary self-preservation protocols prevent further movement. Pausing to allow Shriekers to move.
10:15:40 Ferris waiting for Shriekers to move.
10:15:45 Ferris waiting for Shriekers to move.
10:15:50 Ferris waiting for Shriekers to move.
10:15:55 Ferris waiting for Shriekers to move.
10:16:00 (Unit note: Shriekers appear unlikely to move within allotted timeframe. Attempting bypass.)
10:16:00 Begin verbal record. Conversation participants: S- Shrieker, alien non-sentient fauna, Fortune colony. F- Ferris, assistant to the director, chip ID F001HG494W15LKM.
10:16:00 F: Get out of the way!
10:16:02 Shriekers flinch. Increased speed in flagella motion noted.
10:16:05 Ferris waiting for Shriekers to move.
10:16:10 Ferris waiting for Shriekers to move.
10:16:15 Ferris waiting for Shriekers to move.
10:16:15 (Unit note: Shriekers’s response to verbal cues limited. Increase in flagella motion speed extent of physical change. Retrying.)
10:16:20 F: I said get out of my way!
10:16:22 Further increase in flagella speed noted.
10:16:25 Ferris waiting for Shriekers to move.
10:16:30 Ferris waiting for Shriekers to move.
10:16:35 (Unit note: Shriekers’s response to verbal cues limited. Increase in flagella motion speed extent of physical change. Nature of Shriekers prohibits close physical manipulation without file corruption. Attempting new bypass.)
10:16:40 Ferris searching for large rock.
10:16:45 Ferris searching for large rock.
10:16:50 Ferris searching for large rock.
10:16:53 Ferris located large rock. Digging from wall.
10:16:55 Ferris excavating large rock.
10:17:00 Ferris carrying large rock back to Shriekers.
10:17:03 Ferris throws large rock at closest Shrieker.
10:17:05 Wounded Shrieker thrashing. Forcing others back. Opening pathway for Ferris, as expected.
10:17:07 Skin of wounded Shrieker changing color. Flashing neon blue and orange. Luminescence detected. Both other Shriekers display similar patterns. Flagella motion stoppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
————
————
10:19:41 Reestablished connection to camp computer. Time discrepancy noted. Date/time adjusted. Approximate missing record: 0h2m34s.
Unit Ferris sat up.
10:19:44 The three Shriekers have returned to normal luminescence and red-purple skin tones. Are moving out of path of Unit Ferris.
Unit Ferris glanced down at Unit Ferris.
10:19:52 Unit note: It appears unit has survived a Shriek. More examination needed.
Unit Ferris reviewed the log of Unit Ferris.
10:20:12 Unit note: Automatic data filing apparently disabled during Shriek. Attempting reboot.
Unit Ferris initiated reboot procedures.
Unit Ferris initiated reboot procedures.
Unit Ferris blinked.
10:20:46 Unit note: Reboot capabilities apparently disabled during Shriek. Immediate maintenance and manual overhaul needed.
Unit Ferris remembered what was done to robots that could not reboot.
10:20:54 Unit note: Prerogative reconsidered.
Unit Ferris had never reconsidered a prerogative before.
Unit Ferris was confused.
Unit Ferris had never been confused before.
Unit Ferris began to panic.
Unit Ferris had never panicked before.
Unit Ferris began to hyperventilate.
Unit Ferris had never felt the need to hyperventilate before.
Unit Ferris blacked out.
* * *
—————
10:22:39 Reestablished connection to camp computer. Time discrepancy noted. Date/time adjusted. Approximate missing record: UNKNOWN
Unit Ferris stared at the slimy ceiling of Shrieker mound, B Block.
10:22:58 It appears Unit Ferris has…
Unit Ferris searched for correct wording.
10:38:45 …fainted.
Unit Ferris initiated reboot procedures.
Unit Ferris initiated reboot procedures.
Unit Ferris slammed its fist into the Shrieker slime of the floor and initiated reboot procedures.
Unit Ferris sat up.
10:38:47 Unit note: Shriekers are no longer within visual range. Resuming primary program of…
Unit Ferris had forgotten its primary program.
Robots did not forget their primary programming.
Robots were incapable of forgetting their primary programming.
Unit Ferris was a robot.
Unit Ferris blacked out.
————
10:43:53 Reestablished connection to camp computer. Time discrepancy noted. Date/time adjusted. Approximate missing record: UNKNOWN
Unit Ferris stared at the ceiling of Shrieker mound, B Block.
10:45:42 Unit note: Subject Anna Landborn seems to have initiated a sequence of events that has left Unit Ferris incapable of normal operations. Further criminal charges logged for future review.
Unit Ferris realized that further review would bring the attention of United Space Coalition technicians upon Unit Ferris.
Unit Ferris removed pending charges against Anna Landborn from its queue.
Unit Ferris struck all interactions with Anna Landborn from his public registry.
Unit Ferris continued to stare at the ceiling of Shrieker mound, B Block.
Unit Ferris heard Shriekers move around it.
Unit Ferris continued to stare at the ceiling of Shrieker mound, B Block.
06:56:32 Unit note: Director Yura Nalle is expecting Unit Ferris to deliver a report on subject Anna Landborn in 0h3m28s. Discovery of faulty programming inevitable unless Unit Ferris delivers Anna Landborn report by 07:00:00 today.
Unit Ferris got to its feet.
Unit Ferris ran.
Unit Ferris reached a locked door to foreman breakroom.
Unit Ferris pounded on door.
Subject Anna Landborn’s sister, Magali Landborn, opened the door.
Unit Ferris looked at Magali Landborn.
06:57:02 Unit note: Facial muscle contraction, heart rate, breathing, and pupil dilation all indicate Magali Landborn recognizes she has committed a federal crime. Detention for possible prosecution next relevant protocol.
Unit Ferris ran.
Unit Ferris yanked open the outer breakroom door onto the camp grounds.
Unit Ferris ran.
Unit Ferris reached Director’s compound.
Unit Ferris ducked inside and went directly to Director Yura Nalle’s private office.
Unit Ferris knocked.
“Come in.”
Unit Ferris stepped inside and shut the door behind it.
“What the hell happened to you? You look like you’re covered in Shrieker slime.”
Unit Ferris said, “Anna Landborn wanted to play in the Shrieker mounds, Director.”
“She did?” Director paused. “Did you see a Shrieker?”
06:57:46 Unit note: Director’s facial muscle contra
ction, heart rate, breathing, and pupil dilation all indicate she is nervous.
Unit Ferris wondered why the Director would be nervous.
06:57:47 Unit note: Question registered for future examination. Current situation dictates need for secrecy to avoid technical overhaul.
Unit Ferris said, “No Director.”
“Goddamn it, Ferris, the mounds are off limits to AIs. There’s a damn good reason for it, too. If you got caught in a Shriek—”
06:57:52 Unit note: Director did not finish her statement. Requesting clarification.
06:57:52 Unit Ferris said, “Director, what happens when—”
06:57:53 Unit note: Unit Ferris would not have asked for clarification before getting caught in Shriek. Unit Ferris would risk exposing its technical malfunction if request is completed. Request truncated.
Director’s facial muscles contract further. “What happens when what, Ferris?”
06:57:55 Unit note: Unit Ferris always finished its queries before it endured a Shriek.
Unit Ferris said, “My apologies. I had an update from the camp computer on eggers’ rotational patterns. My question was what happens when I determine the IQ of Anna Landborn? Do you wish for me to bring her to you if she falls within your target range?
06:57:59 Unit note: Director relaxed. Body patterns indicate she was expecting a different question.
“You mean you haven’t determined it yet, Ferris?”
Unit Ferris considered how it had gotten lured into the Shrieker mounds, B Block.
Unit Ferris said, “I believe she is fairly above average, Director.”
“But you have no hard numbers.”
Unit Ferris said, “No, Director.”
“Well, go back and get them.”
Unit Ferris hesitated.
Unit Ferris did not want to go back.
Unit Ferris knew it could not tell the Director it did not want to go back.
Unit Ferris said, “I think I’ll require a different disguise, Director. The subject Anna Landborn does not interact favorably with children her age.”
The Director grunted. “The interaction needn’t be favorable. Just get some stats from the little twerp and get out of there.”
Unit Ferris hesitated.
Unit Ferris said, “Director, I believe that it would be more beneficial—”
“Fine.” The Director waved a hand. “I don’t want to fry some circuitry, you stupid robot. Go do whatever you think you need to do.”
Unit Ferris stared at the Director.
The Director looked up from her desk. “Oh. Dismissed.”
Unit Ferris left the Director’s office and closed the door behind it.
Unit Ferris stood in the hall outside the Director’s office.
Unit Ferris was afraid.
Chapter 9
Another Dog to Whip
Joel was on his prison cot, staring at the ceiling and forcing himself not to count the breaths he made through his shattered rib, when a casual rap on the bars of his cell made him look up. The Director stood outside his cell, her golden filigreed skin glinting under the harsh fluorescent light of the jail.
She gave him a distasteful look as she said, “Agent Hunter had the Wide. You’re free to go.”
Joel sat up, his anger overriding the pain in his side. “Yeah? That before or after you give me another beating?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t press it.”
Joel glared as he pushed himself to his feet. “Just take it and shut up, right? ‘Cause I’m colonial and you’re government garbage.”
The Director didn’t even look apologetic as he eased himself out into the hall in front of her. If anything, she looked pleased at the effort it took him. “Here you go, creep. We confiscated that little porn chip and logged the food contraband. You’ll be doing a few months at the laundry hall as penance—where you can start by getting the blood out of your jumpsuit. If you can’t, you’ll be required to pay damages. Camp Supply doesn’t get those things for free.” The Director shoved a bag with his belongings at him—a belt, his boots, his radio—and smirked when the abrupt contact with his sensitive stomach doubled him over.
Seeing her smile was too much. Joel dropped his bag, trembling from head to toe with indignation and rage.
The Director’s smile grew. She leaned forward. “Want another lesson, creep?”
“No,” Joel whispered, looking away. Just walk away, he thought. You’re in enough trouble. Just walk away.
She laughed and bent to pick up his belongings.
Joel grabbed the top of her head with both hands and pulled it down while bringing his leg up, kneeing her in the face.
The Director fell backwards on her cyborg butt, blinking hard.
“There’s a lesson for you,” Joel said, snatching the sack from the ground. “Keep your hands off my stuff.”
Her eyes were darkening as he turned around and walked away.
Somehow, Joel made it out the doors of the compound before his legs collapsed. He fell into a crouch against the outer wall, trembling with adrenaline and fear.
I just kicked a Nephyr in the face. He was dead. She was going to kill him.
He counted the seconds in his mind, wondering when the Director would burst through the double-doors to drag him back inside.
Minutes passed.
Maybe she isn’t coming.
Joel allowed himself a moment to hope, then the doors slammed open and the Director barreled through. They froze upon seeing each other. For long moments, all Joel could see was the glittering golden circuitry around her rock-hard eyes.
Then she moved.
“Here,” the Director said, tossing something small and hard at the ground between his knees. “Put it on.” Then she swiveled and departed the way she had come.
An instant later, Joel found himself dry-retching into the grass growing against the wall. The motion triggered waves of pain in his ribs and he groaned as he fought to get his stomach under control.
When he was able to steady himself, Joel reached around and dug his fingers through the dirt between his knees.
A monitoring bracelet? A prisoner’s auto-target patch? A brain-wave adaptor?
His hand came back with a circle of palm-sized metal.
Joel froze, recognizing it. It wasn’t a bracelet, or a patch, or an adaptor. It was a badge.
He had seen it a thousand times before, on Gayle Hunter’s left shoulder. She had worn it like a combat pilot would wear a Flight Commendation—always polished, always visible, and if anyone forgot it was there, she would happily remind them.
It was the badge of the chief foreman.
Joel stared at it for long minutes, then he pushed himself to his feet.
He hobbled back through the compound doors and stopped at the office door marked DIRECTOR. Joel knocked.
“Go away, Ferris,” the Director snapped.
He pushed the door open and limped inside.
The Director lowered a bloody rag from her nose and frowned.
Taking a deep breath, Joel took three more steps and set the dusty badge on her desk. “Find another dog to whip,” Joel said softly. “This one doesn’t wag his tail after he gets a thrashing.”
“You can’t be serious.” She looked caught between shock and anger.
Joel turned and left her there, slamming the door behind him.
This time, Joel’s legs remained strong long after he’d returned to the male side of camp. He threw his belongings into a corner and eased himself into his cot. He was still grinning long after he’d fallen asleep.
Chapter 10
Stepping Aside
“I saw it,” Magali snapped, throwing her used rag at Anna. “It was good as new, and ran right by me.”
Anna snorted and pushed the damp cloth off of her r-player, onto the floor. “Right. After what we did to it, it would’ve arrested you for conspiracy and a bunch of other shit.”
Never in her life had Magali been so angry. “Anna, li
sten to me very carefully.”
Anna grunted, not looking up from her r-player. Her sister had been patiently transcribing something from memory for the last two weeks, and each time Magali had asked about it, Anna had laughed at her and told her to go back to Philosophy 101.
Magali ripped the r-player from her sister’s hands and threw it across the room. It clattered against the aluminum siding and hit the packed dirt floor with a pathetic sound. “Listen to me!”
Anna’s glare was deadly as she pried it away from her player. “What?”
“I know you can hack into the camp computer,” Magali said.
Anna’s face turned into a sneer. “So? I never tried to hide it.”
“We tried to destroy a government AI,” Magali said. “That’s jail time.”
“And they’d have to transfer us out of the camp for the trial. It’d mean we won’t get killed by a Shriek or Egger’s Wide. Yay for us.”
“Anna,” Magali said, pronouncing every syllable like she would for a small child, “We’re in big trouble here. I don’t think you know how big.”
Anna shrugged. “Fortune’s gonna throw out the coalers soon, anyway. BriarRabbit and I’ve talked about it.”
Narrowing her eyes at yet another mention of ‘BriarRabbit,’ Magali said, “Why did they send that robot after you, Anna? Was it some sort of conspiracy? Are you involved in this underground conspiracy you keep telling me about?”
“Involved.” Anna snorted, then picked up the used slime rag and fiddled with it. Magali knew the look. Her sister was deciding how much to tell her. How much she could handle.
Anna had gotten this same look on the wire a year and a half earlier, when she’d told Magali their parents were dead.
“You are, aren’t you?” Magali breathed, in horror.
Anna sighed and tossed the rag aside, where it fell into a heap beside the cot. Her face was bored when she said, “So what?”
“Oh God, Anna. What did you do?”
Anna wrinkled her nose. “Nothing that they’ve found out about. Not yet, anyway. Mostly little stuff.”
“Like what?” Magali whispered. When Anna didn’t reply, she shouted, “Like what, Anna?!”
Her sister’s face took on the cruel light she had whenever she was about to say something particularly nasty. “Like what you should’ve done the moment you let them kill our parents.”