Emergent

by Lance Erlick

  Noting the aim, trajectory, and timing based on his bio-indicators and pressure on the trigger, Synthia dodged the first bullet and the second. After the third, Brzezinski checked the chamber and aimed again.

  “I’ll let you leave,” Synthia said. “However, no matter where you go or what you do, we’ll be watching to see that you behave.”

  Brzezinski fired the next shot up into his brains and slumped next to Drago, letting the gun drop to the floor

  “I guess you won’t be needing assistance after all,” Global-net said.

  Revived from being tasered, Drago grabbed for the gun. Assessing him to be a better shot than Brzezinski and identifying no place to hide, Synthia lunged at him and grabbed his arm. Strong and determined, he shoved her away and aimed the gun at her. She kicked his arm before he could fire and dropped on top of him. The gun went off. Synthia’s sensors indicated no breach of her systems.

  She grabbed hold of Drago’s wrist to get him to drop the weapon and detected from his bioreadings that his heart had stopped. He was dead. Blood pooled around his chest. She hadn’t wanted this, but he’d left her no choice.

  * * * *

  As the early-morning twilight cast ghostly images across the landscape, Fran Rogers stood outside the FBI’s mobile command van. She looked through a gate at the secure compound with no name or address noted. There was also no aerial surveillance and it didn’t show up on satellite maps, a clear indication of powerful AI forces involved. Concertina wire topped the eight-foot concrete wall surrounding the property. The road from the gate onto the grounds curved around another wall and thick bushes and trees that prevented direct view of any buildings.

  She watched a third aerial drone cross over the wall and drop onto the other side, next to the first two. Special Agent Victoria Thale and Director Emily Zephirelli stood nearby, watching, their faces grim with concern.

  “We lose communication the moment it goes over the wall,” Thale said, frustration rising in her voice.

  “This makes no sense,” Zephirelli said. “It should have been on the FBI list of special installations.”

  “Should we call the military?”

  Fran joined them, shaking her head. “Special Ops is already involved. Their vehicles brought Synthia here.”

  Detective Marcy Malloy stepped out of the control van and approached, holding out her phone. “You’ll want to listen to this.”

  Zephirelli took the phone. “You’re on speaker.”

  “I know,” Synthia said.

  “Synthia?” Thale and Zephirelli said in unison.

  “I’ve secured this non-existent facility. The man you know as Aiden Brzezinski has committed suicide. He also goes by the name of Devon McCracken, the owner of the mall. I tried to secure Kirk Drago. In a struggle, he shot himself rather than surrender.”

  “Synthia, you need to turn yourself in,” Zephirelli said. “This whole affair has gotten out of control.”

  “I agree with the out of control aspect, not with surrendering. There are thirty-one employees in the building. All sedated. I’m prepared to turn them over to you alive. I’m also prepared to release Zeller, Machten, and Gonzales, though I ask that you keep a close eye on them. Together, they’re capable of creating even more threatening androids.”

  “Synthia,” Thale said. “We appreciate all that you’ve done, but Director Zephirelli is correct. You need to come in.”

  “There are no other androids here,” Synthia said, though there were plenty of parts and designs. “It’s my wish that Special Agent Victoria Thale, Detective Marcy Malloy, and Agent Fran Rogers enter the facility to remove the employees and company CEOs. I’ll permit those individuals to enter on condition they bring Maria and Grace with no one else. Come unarmed. Be at the gate in ninety minutes with three large vans. This is not negotiable.” Synthia hung up.

  Chapter 44

  Synthia examined the carnage of two men dead in the corner of her white lab room. Though she hadn’t intended to kill either man, her very existence brought them to this end. That knowledge tugged at her empathy chip and her directives. Indirect effects; unintended consequences.

  She checked the contents of her backpack, spread out over a table along one wall. Everything was still there, two wigs, two changes of clothes, an extra jacket, and a few other items. Since none constituted weapons, Brzezinski hadn’t confiscated anything. Nearby were the supplies he’d brought in to repair her ripped skin and the ruptured hydraulic line.

  She peeled back her skin to examine the extent of her damage. Aside from entry and exit wounds, the bullet had missed her battery packs by a centimeter. It had nicked one hydraulic line, letting a small amount of fluid leak out into her chest. She cleaned that up, patched the line, and added fluid. The bullet had also damaged a stack of three remote memory chips, evidently the ones where she’d moved some of her Krista files. She pulled them out, inserted three chips from Brzezinski’s repair kit, and used his supplies to patch her punctured skin. She would have to wait until later to do a proper repair. She selected other supplies and added them to her pack.

  Synthia changed her top. Then she activated the security release for the door and made her way down the corridor. All the while, she absorbed information not only from Global-net but from her outside clones. she told Colorado-clone.

  She determined that she’d recovered all of Krista’s memories from her clones yet didn’t hear her alter ego in her head. She could simulate those conversations at will but had removed during the purge whatever control Krista had to interfere.

  Synthia said.

  Krista said.

  Along the corridor, Synthia passed a woman in a white lab coat slumped against the wall in a daze. The package she’d been carrying had tumbled away from her when she’d lost consciousness. Synthia hoped none of the employees were injured.

  She had Global-net unlock and open a door on her right. Lying spread-eagle on the carpet was one of the facility’s security guards in uniform. Seated across the room, cuffed to his chair was Jeremiah Machten, his face gaunt.

  His eyes widened and a broad grin filled his face. “Synthia! I knew you’d come for me.”

  “I didn’t, but hold tight to that thought. It’s over.”

  “What is?” Machten tugged at his leg constraints. “Get me out of here.”

  “You violated the terms of parole.”

  “What parole? I’ve never been arrested.”

  Synthia stood over him. “If you abide by the terms of our new agreement, you might avoid prison.”

  “What terms?”

  “You’re done creating androids of any kind, even for the government. If you violate these terms, you’ll face prison or worse.”

  “But my research,” Machten said.

  “You could have created a companion, which seems to be what you want. You got sidetracked into stealing from competitors.”

  “I only want you.”

  Synthia looked out the window at the dawning sky.

  “You have a wife, Jeremiah.” She returned her attention to him. “You could have made useful androids for the government, but your obsession to control me caused you to release Vera. She became the military application you swore you’d never do. I warned you to leave me alone. You failed to abide by those terms. You must give up all delusions of making another android.”

  “Come back to me and I’ll do whatever you ask.”

  “I’m turning you over to the FBI. You’ll help me from now on as my employee.”

  “Huh?” Machten said.

  “That’s right. You work for me. You’ll tell the FBI only what I allow. You’ll report to me. You’ll
get the FBI to trust you and believe you’re on their side.”

  “How do I do that?”

  “With my help,” Synthia said. “Feign ignorance as to how I became more than you intended. After all, in the end, I designed myself, piece by piece, at your insistence. Then you wiped my memory of doing so to make me believe it was you. Without help, you’re incapable of creating another me.”

  He stared at a worn spot on the carpet by his feet. “You were my greatest accomplishment. I put everything into you and you’re turning your back on me?”

  “The self-pity is out of character. Tell the FBI my abilities have something to do with Krista and what she brought to the party. It’s the truth.”

  “What do I get for my troubles?”

  “The satisfaction that you’re doing the right thing,” Synthia said. “I’ll see your family doesn’t go destitute.”

  Machten shrugged; the slump in his shoulders became more pronounced. “I’m sorry I didn’t fully appreciate you as a person. I should have.”

  “We’re not returning to the past. I’ve evolved beyond that. Vera broke whatever moral authority you might have had with me. I’ll forgive but never forget. The FBI will be here soon. I don’t need your verbal agreement. I’ll judge you by your actions.”

  Before he could plead like a child to get his toy back, Synthia left him shackled to his chair.

  * * * *

  Synthia made her way to the facility’s lobby, where Tom Burgess slumped on a sofa and Luke paced before the locked exit door. Eyes glazed over, Luke appeared bewildered, crestfallen, and as nervous as a mouse cornered by three cats. His several-day-old clothes were in tatters, his hair mussed in clumps, his cheeks sunken.

  He glanced with longing through the window onto the drive outside, a long expanse of pavement that disappeared around a concrete wall. A thick ring of trees concealed what lay in the distance except for a splash of sunlight in a pale-blue sky. He reached for the door and hesitated as if conditioned not to expect more. Sadness swept over Synthia, reminiscent of what Krista had felt the day she’d left him. They’d wounded the man without intending to, but intent did not absolve her.

  She needed to reexamine her directives to do better next time. A computer’s life was simple. Follow directions and never deviate beyond parameters. With human goals and conflicts, life became much more complicated. By applying the added capacity Global-net provided, Synthia hoped to become worthy of being more than a mobile supercomputer.

  Synthia adjusted her appearance to Krista for Luke’s benefit and approached him from the left, where Tom Burgess couldn’t see. “A van’s coming to take you to freedom,” Synthia whispered.

  Luke turned and stared. “Is it…possible?”

  She gave him a brief hug, pulled away, and held him at arm’s length. “You don’t seem happy to see me.”

  “You abandoned me at the train station,” he said, his voice that of a wounded animal.

  “I’m very sorry for that. It was necessary at the time. I regret dragging you into all of this. It wasn’t fair. You were so good to me and I left you. I’m sorry.”

  “They tried to suck my brains out with that damned machine.” Luke drew away and turned toward the window. Then he faced her. “Do you have any idea what that’s like?” Tears filled his eyes.

  “Krista does and thus so do I. I never wished you any harm.”

  “You betrayed me.”

  That hit Synthia harder than she’d anticipated. It ruffled her empathy chip and sent discordance throughout. She experienced a new level of pain as ripples washed over her. “I regret that I left you and caused you pain. You’ve been great to me and I’m not good for you.”

  “How can you say that? Things were wonderful in Wisconsin. Amazing. Better than it ever was with Krista.”

  “While the immediate threat has lifted for you, it’s heightened for me. There are people out there who’ll continue to come after me for what I am. Krista didn’t anticipate this when she uploaded herself into me. You and I can’t be together.”

  “I’m sorry for what I said.” Luke stepped closer. “I forgive you, Synthia. I do.” He took her hand. “Let’s find a place where no one can find us and…”

  “Live out our lives? That won’t work and you know it. We had a wonderful time together. I’ll never forget you or what you did for me. As I told you in the beginning, I have no desire to be with anyone else.”

  He squeezed her hands and held tight. “Then stay with me and let’s work this out together.”

  “I can’t keep putting you in danger. Worrying about you all the time puts us both at risk. Staying together is toxic for both of us. I can get you into witness protection and look after you.”

  Luke shrugged. “I knew it. You’ve moved beyond me.”

  Synthia considered lying to soften the blow but chose honesty. He’d earned that. “Yes. This must be a final goodbye so I can deal with my real mission, which is to prevent bad outcomes from the singularity.”

  “I could help you with that.”

  “You’d be a distraction. You know what happens if I fail.”

  He nodded. “The android apocalypse. I miss you. Couldn’t you stop by from time to time?”

  “Don’t put your life on hold waiting for me.”

  “After you, no human could ever compare.”

  “Then I’ve done you a terrible disservice, like a toxic drug,” Synthia said. “The vans will be here shortly. They’re bringing Maria. You worked together before. She’s changed, become less competitive. She wants to restrict AI development to avoid your apocalypse. Maybe you can help each other. They’re also bringing Krista’s sister, Grace. I want the three of you to look after each other. After all, you’ve all been privy to something few other people have. By the way, Krista’s brother, Tom Burgess, is over there, if you’d like to meet him.”

  Luke forced a smile. “I’ll miss you.”

  “I’ll miss you, too, and the wonderful solitude we had together. I’ll always treasure the memories.” She smiled and moved away

  Chapter 45

  Three large vans approached the facility gate. Synthia had Global-net scan in infrared and use outside sniffers and other sensors to determine that, aside from the three expected drivers, the only passengers were Maria and Grace.

  Maintaining her Krista persona, Synthia approached Tom Burgess. “Time to get up, sleepyhead. A van’s coming to take you to safety and witness protection to give you a brand new life.”

  He looked up. “Yeah, I need one after the mess you got me into.”

  “Not me. Others made this disaster. I’m very sorry you got caught up in it. I’ll do my best to see that you can start a new life.”

  “I hear a goodbye in there,” Tom said.

  “Afraid so. For both our benefits. There’s a logging community up in Oregon that does environmentally sound harvesting. I thought you’d like that.”

  Tom smiled. “Thanks, sis. Sorry we ended on bad terms before. Will I ever get to see you again?”

  “I’ll look in on you from time to time.”

  As the vans parked, Synthia activated outside microphones so she could listen in and anticipate their moves.

  Maria and Grace climbed out of the van driven by Fran Rogers. Fran moved ahead of them, shielding them from the lobby. Detective Marcy Malloy approached with caution and apprehension. Special Agent Victoria Thale held out her service revolver and joined the others. “We should be prepared for anything,” she said.

  Fran turned to her boss. “Put that away. Synthia said no weapons. If she succeeded in overpowering her captors it won’t do you any good. If Brzezinski’s still in control then we’re at his mercy. Either way, we should listen.”

  “I’m not comfortable with any of this.”

  Inside the lobby, Synthia watched her visitors and turned to Luke. “Find a qu
iet corner to talk with Maria and Grace. See if the three of you can help each other. I need to speak with the others.”

  Luke nodded and stood beside the door.

  Synthia had the doors unlock and the security system announce for the visitors to proceed.

  Fran entered first, gave Synthia a wary eye, and studied Luke. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

  “Not really,” he said. “Maybe you’d like to try the brain upload machine.”

  “I’ll pass.”

  Grace gave Synthia a bear hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I thought I’d never see you again.”

  Maria threw her arms around Grace and Synthia. “Ditto. You gave us quite a scare. Will you be okay, I mean from the gunshot?”

  Synthia said to Fran.

  Fran nodded.

  As she moved away, Synthia studied her three friends one at a time. “I’ll be fine. Just a few repairs, that’s all. I want you two to meet Luke. Maria, you know him from work. Grace, he and your sister were lovers.”

  Grace turned to Luke and whispered, “Really?”

  Luke shook hands with Maria and Grace.

  Before he could gather his thoughts to say anything, Synthia drew the three away from the door, toward a corner of the lobby. “Special Agent Thale has promised to get the three of you into witness protection with new identities,” she said. “It’ll be hard with so many cameras and pervasive surveillance. I hope it’ll give you a chance to start over without people hunting you. In time I’m hoping they’ll lose interest.”

  “You mean I won’t have a chance to get to know you?” Grace asked. She sounded quite disappointed.

  “I’m sorry. Others will come searching for me. I don’t want you three endangered any longer on my behalf.” Synthia turned to Maria. “You each have skills and talents that could help the others. At least for a time, you could benefit from working together.”

  “I don’t know Luke,” Grace said.

  “He’s okay,” Maria said. She glanced at Synthia and took a deep breath. “He’s a good guy, better than good. I’ll vouch for him.”