Prisoner of the Mind (Project Archon Book 1)

by Kal Spriggs

  As she led him through the crowd, her hand in his, he felt like he had made the right one.

  ***

  “Thank you, Spencer,” a tall, reddish-blonde haired man said. He patted an even taller black man on the shoulder. “I'm glad you were able to arrange all this for me.”

  “It's nothing, that's what friends do for one another,” Spencer said. The man's eyes went to where Shaden and Moira stood. “Ah, your guest. I think I'll leave you to your business.

  Spencer Penwaithe, he thought to himself. At once he was overwhelmed with information. The man acted as the financier for the Provisional Colonial Republic Army. He had fingers in everything, from smuggling people to drugs to weapons. He even, on occasion, sold information to Amalgamated Worlds Military Forces. Shaden knew the man's hobbies, knew his birthday, he even knew which hand he used to draw his antique ivory-grip Walther PPK pistol.

  The information overload was so much that Shaden froze. When he finally came back to himself, Spencer Penwaithe had already disappeared into the crowd.

  “Well,” the other man said and Shaden's eyes snapped to him.

  This time Shaden managed to moderate the flow of information and remain aware of his surroundings. “Pleased to meet you, Shaden,” Thomas Kaid said. He orchestrated the assault on the convoy at Alpha Seven, where some fifteen thousand Amalgamated Worlds personnel were killed when their transports came under fire. “I understand that I have you to thank for my daughter's safe return,” Kaid said with a friendly smile. “Come, walk with me.”

  He took Shaden by the arm and led him to a set of double doors. Over his shoulder, Kaid said, “Moira, you should go get Alex. Hedden will tell you where to bring him.”

  Shaden shot a glance over his shoulder and saw Moira nod. He didn't miss the look of worry in her eyes. This is not good, he thought. Yet his internal monologue about the man he walked with didn't stop. It seemed that his mental programming included dossiers for the most dangerous threats to Amalgamated Worlds.

  He was born on Clifden, he thought, the only child of David Kaid, a wealthy entrepreneur who built up a small mercantile empire that spanned several systems. Thomas Kaid had taken the family business over, which later proved valuable when he joined the nascent rebellion against Amalgamated Worlds.

  He married once, his wife Rebecca gave birth to five children. She was killed in a bungled operation by an InSec team sent to intimidate Kaid to support Amalgamated Worlds. After that, he had turned his considerable resources and intellect against Amalgamated Worlds.

  Kaid had practically founded of the Provisional Colonial Republic Army. He had used his contacts and resources to supply ships, weapons, and people to fight Amalgamated Worlds in dozens of systems... and he had done it out of a measure of vengeance.

  They passed through the double doors and into a garden, of sorts. Shaden looked around and saw that the plants and trees were green and lush despite the cold season. He looked up and saw a glass roof and stars. The doors closed behind them and the noise of the ballroom cut off. The transition left him feeling uneasy.

  “Now,” Kaid said as they walked. “My daughter Moira paints an interesting picture of what happened when you saved her.”

  “Oh?” Shaden asked.

  “Yes...” Kaid gave a wave at the area, “Very heroic… selfless, even. If I didn't know her better, I might even say she was somewhat enamored of her rescuer.”

  Shaden blinked at that. He didn't really know what to say. The very idea that the fierce, beautiful woman might like him struck him as absurd.

  “Now,” Thomas Kaid said, “Unlike most people, I don't really care that you are a psychic, though I'd suggest you don't try anything on me. In fact, I'm rather certain that Moira is strong-willed enough to resist your influence when it comes down to it.”

  “I have no intention of trying anything on her or you,” Shaden said. For that matter, he had little intentions of using telepathy or empathy against anyone. It felt wrong, somehow, at least when the other person wasn't willing.

  “Good,” Kaid said and he began to walk the path through the garden. Despite the fact that he no longer held Shaden's arm, he felt compelled to follow. Something about the man's personality simply pulled him along. “Now then,” Thomas Kaid said, “I would like you to understand something about me.”

  “My wife and I had five children,” Thomas Kaid said. “While I loved them all very deeply, I wanted to see them make something of themselves... on their own. I wanted them to be tough, reliable, and able to take care of themselves. I was a loving father, but I disciplined them, and when they fell down and scratched their knees, I shook my head and waited until they stopped crying, stood up, and took off running again.”

  Shaden didn't know how to respond to that, so he just kept silent.

  They came to one wall of the garden and then turned. Kaid walked to stand before a small, backlit ornamental pond in which brightly hued fish swam. “When they were grown, I told them that my heir would be the one who showed the most initiative, the greatest strength, and so on. I told them that they would have to make names for themselves. I told them that they should not count on me to bail them out of trouble, especially if they failed.”

  They stood in front of the pond in silence. Shaden pondered what his host had said... and what it meant with what had happened to Bernard.

  “My oldest son, Patrick, died four years ago. He was shot as he attempted to escape from a failed drug exchange. My oldest daughter crashed while carrying a cargo of food to a starving colony.” He waited a moment. “Victor, my oldest living heir now owns and operates a simple diner on Mars. He has a wife and three children; they want nothing to do with me. And then there were my two youngest: Bernard and Moira.”

  Kaid snorted. “Bernard was a fool, but he was a charismatic and clever fool. He had any number of swindles and deals going at a time. Twice he even managed to swindle me out of money. His operations always cost more than what he got out of them, however. He once spent fifteen million to rob a bank. He only received a paltry five million from that job; nevertheless, he could always get investors, always find people willing to work for him. Bernard was a people person… until someone killed him three days ago.”

  Thomas Kaid continued staring at the pool for a moment. “And then there’s Moira, the youngest, always following her elders, always a part of their plans. Whenever they have success: she is always a part. Whenever there is failure: she is separate. She is like a lion cub, cute, adorable, and born with sharp teeth and claws. She attaches herself to the ascendant, and cuts herself loose when they lose momentum.”

  Kaid turned to look at Shaden. “And she has attached herself to you.” The man smiled a cold smile. “As I said, I never bailed one of my children out, sink or swim. That was the end. I never avenged Patrick; I didn’t send a food run out to supply the colony Alicia died for. Whoever killed Bernard will not follow him to the grave for that sin.” His smile went tight, “But, I would prefer for the actual tale of my son’s stupidity and error to remain unknown. I don’t want to hear it now, nor to ever hear it from a drunk in a bar, understood?”

  “Yes,” Shaden answered solemnly.

  Kaid nodded, then turned and began to walk through the garden once again. “So, there remains another problem. Last night the Amalgamated Worlds government decided to attack a Colonial business arrangement. That will not go unpunished.” They stopped and in a moment, Moira and a young man with a handful of papers entered the garden, led by Hedden.

  “Moira, your brother stole Alex away from this house only two weeks ago. He planned to sell him for a goodly sum, from what my agent told me. What was your part in this?” Kaid asked sharply.

  Moira didn’t cringe, “I convinced Alex that it would be a good idea. I accompanied him to the transfer site and when the payoff turned into a trap, I brought Alex and the man who saved both of us here to you.”

  “Which was foolish of you,” Kaid said. “If I had the heart, I would have killed
you for the betrayal. Alex Agathan is a very valuable resource which you stole from me. If you were anyone else, I'd have you shot and buried in this lovely garden.”

  Shaden went cold at the polite, calm words.

  “As it is,” Thomas Kaid said, “I haven't the willpower for that. I wanted Alex for a very specific purpose and your interference destroyed that opportunity. Because of that, I will not have you under my roof anymore. For your betrayal of my trust, I'm banishing you.”

  Moira's face went pale, “Father...”

  “I am not finished,” Kaid's voice went hard as iron. He turned to face Alex, “You. You wanted to be free of Amalgamated Worlds. I made that happen. In an exercise that cost me considerable money and the lives of several of my best men, I got you out of the high security laboratory where Amalgamated Worlds would have worked you until you died. In return for that, you left me as soon as another offer came up.”

  “I...” Alex stared at Thomas Kaid with shock, “I'm sorry, I...”

  “I'm banishing you, too,” Kaid said. “In fact, I'm also giving orders to my people that if they see you again, they are to kill you. Since I understand that the Bureau of Internal Security has similar kill on sight orders for you, I rather think you should find someplace very secure to hide.”

  Kaid turned back to Shaden. “Now, while I've no grudge against you, I owe you next to nothing. You saved the life of my daughter, but she has betrayed me. Since neither she nor Alex have anywhere else to go, I'd recommend that you all make plans together.”

  His gaze went back to Moira. “Oh… the prisoners you brought with you are awake. I trust you to dispose of them in an appropriate manner. They're in the guest house, you know the way.” Moira and Alex departed without a word.

  Thomas Kaid snapped his fingers and Hedden stepped forward and passed him a small metal box. Kaid held the box for a long moment and looked up at Shaden. “This, young man, presents me with something of a conflict.”

  He met Shaden's gaze, “Three years ago, you came to me and asked for a very specific task to be done... and you paid me very well for it. This is the product of that task... and in your instructions to me, you told me that you would have no memory of our previous meeting.”

  Shaden's blood went cold at that.

  “The box has an extremely complex mechanical lock, whose eight digit combination is known to no one who still lives and can only be opened from the inside,” Thomas Kaid gave a slight smile, “Since you're a psychic, that part at least, I'm certain you can manage.”

  He held out the box. “Any attempt to force the lock or any wrong combination will cause the kilogram of high explosives built into the case to detonate, destroying the contents and killing whoever tried it. Any attempt to rupture the box will trigger anti-tampering measures and will cause the kilogram of high explosives to detonate. As part of our agreement, I'm to allow you to ask one question and one question only. Don't waste it.”

  Shaden took the box from the other man's hands. He had dozens of questions he wanted to ask. Why had John Mira come to Thomas Kaid? What had he considered so valuable... and how was Shaden supposed to open it? Was this some kind of joke? What could be so valuable to have such protections... yet that John Mira was so willing to destroy if the wrong person tried to open it?

  “How much did he pay you?” Shaden finally asked. Any other question, he figured, either Thomas Kaid wouldn't know the answer or he wouldn't tell him if he did.

  “Eight hundred and fifty million,” Kaid replied. “Believe me, it was worth every penny, so be certain you are really sure you can open it before you try.”

  ***

  Chapter 21

  Mercy is something it seems that I picked up on my own. I can’t see how my creators could see any worth in it. Maybe some basic decency remains even after they stripped everything else away… or maybe the suffering I’ve experienced just gives me some empathy for those in need.

  --Memoirs of Shaden Mira

  Power is the mantle of a great man. Looking back in history, it is the conquerors and statesmen who history remembers. While leadership is a heady power, it barely compares with the power of the human mind. Imagine if Einstein had been able to apply his knowledge and understanding of physics upon the real world? Imagine if he could crack atoms with nothing more than the power of his mind?

  --Dr. Jonathan Halving, Project Archon Notes.

  Shaden hefted the box as he stepped out of the garden and back into the ballroom.

  “Shaden?” Moira asked, “Look, I know you don't owe me anything, but I was wondering...”

  He looked up as Moira spoke. She stood there in her green dress, her expression crestfallen, her eyes red as if she had to fight back tears. Her brother tried to kill her and now her father's banished her, Shaden thought.

  “Yeah, if you need someplace to go,” Shaden said, “I haven't got much, but you can stay with me.”

  “Thanks,” she said. “Um, would that invitation include Alex? He's...” she shrugged, “well, his situation is my fault.”

  Shaden gave a shrug, “I suppose.” His mother's apartment would be crowded, but he thought they could work out something. If nothing else, maybe they could get this weapon designer a ticket out to the colonies. Although, he admitted to himself, with InSec and the colonials after him, he probably wouldn't last long.

  Moira noticed the box in his hands. “What's that?” she asked.

  “A puzzle,” Shaden answered. He passed it over to her. “Apparently, someone paid your father nearly a billion dollars for whatever it is.”

  Moira stared at him, “Nearly a billion...” she looked down at it, “I've got a cutting saw with my stuff...”

  “No!” Shaden snatched it out of her hands. “It's got a kilogram of explosives inside, anti-tamper sensors... from what your father said, anything but the right combination would set it off.”

  Moira took a couple steps back. “Um, maybe we should put it someplace out of the way?”

  Shaden shook his head. “Maybe. I don't know. There are too many puzzles, too few answers right now.” He sighed, “Your father mentioned some prisoners?”

  “Yeah,” Moira nodded. “I went to search the rubble after they dropped the bomb. You know, looking for anything valuable,” she said it offhand, as if anyone would run into a recently bombed building for something of marginal value. “I found a couple of the commandos still alive. I think they are from the team that came in after you, since they were underneath the truck that the other psychic threw.” She gave a grim smile, “That is the only reason they're still alive.” She continued, “I brought them back here because I thought my father might see some value in interrogating them. Since he doesn't...” she gave a slight shrug, “well, then I'll have to make them go away.”

  “No!” Shaden snapped.

  Some of the party-goers gave him odd looks and he realized he had spoken too loudly. “No,” he dropped his voice. “We're not killing them unless we have no other options. Don't forget, they opened fire on the InSec team; they might be allies.”

  Moira's eyebrows went up and she gave Shaden a doubting look, “As much as I'd like to think that... no, they're Amalgamated Worlds personnel. The fact that I'm a Colonial means they wouldn't trust me anyway.”

  “I'll talk to them,” Shaden said.

  “You?” Moira said. “Look, from what I saw, they came in there hunting you. What makes you think they wouldn't attack you on sight?”

  “I'll try to be convincing,” Shaden rolled his eyes.

  “You'll need a pretty damned good argument–”

  “I'm a psychic, remember?” Shaden shot her a lock.

  “Oh,” Moira said, “right.” Her eyes went narrow, “Say... you wouldn't happen to know how to play poker, would you? Atlantic City is only a few hours’ drive away...”

  ***

  The guest house wasn't nearly as ostentatious as the rest of the place. In fact, the basement was rather more prison-like, to include a pair of armed guard
s who glared at Shaden with suspicion.

  “Look,” Moira snapped. “I told you this before. These are my prisoners. My father told me to take care of them... so you two just,” she waved a hand, “get lost.”

  “Mister Kaid told us to guard the prisoners,” the first one said.

  “Look,” Moira said, “go ahead, call my father and see what he has to say!”

  The two men looked at each other. They were both big, muscular men, but Shaden had the feeling that neither of them were particularly bright. Then again, you didn't have to be smart to guard a door. At last, the first one said, “We'll let you in, but we're not leaving.”

  “Fine,” Moira said. “Whatever.” She led Shaden past the two men and to a row of reinforced steel doors. “I'd hoped these goons wouldn't be the ones he picked,” she said in a low voice. “They're some of his most loyal guards... but they're too stupid to talk into anything, it's like they barely understand English...”

  She sighed as they came to the end of the corridor. “Okay,” she said. “The one on the right had Staff Sergeant rank. I think she's Amalgamated Worlds Military, rather than one of the police or security bureaus. The one on the left had no ID at all that I could find. He's pretty badly injured. Hedden says he'll live, but the way the truck mashed his legs, he's not going to walk again any time soon. Broke both his femurs. Clean break, though, and no signs of infection… so he should live.”

  Shaden winced at that. “What about the woman?”

  “She’s got a couple of cracked ribs and a dislocated shoulder. Both of them concussed,” Moira shrugged. “Look, if you don't want to do this, I can take care of them...”

  “No,” Shaden said. He didn't know who these people were, but he didn't want them killed out of hand. That Moira seemed willing to do it so readily made him uncomfortable in the extreme. He just wished he knew whether his hesitancy was born of his own moral convictions or the loyalty that Amalgamated Worlds had tried to program into him.