The mix of players inside the facility looked like developers and scientists, but the three men in suits were out of place, not that eight men in black tactical gear sporting AK-47s surrounding the facility were expected. The team was cloaked and silently observed, keeping their presence covert. Covert until they went kinetic when one of the suits murdered a developer who lay on the floor bound and gagged. Hal came off the hook, uncloaked himself, before bringing Russ, Marcus, and Marty back into view. There was a firefight as the team expected, but not like they thought it would go, or who would get shot. The two SAI Humanoids were not at the facility as expected; they were part of a squad of ten SAI Humanoids that had been released. Nobody saw that coming.
* * * * *
Chapter #22 – False Flag
The bunker was almost a perfect square with a single entrance at the front where the team split up to make entry. Based on where thermal images were positioned in the bunker, Marcus (Polo) and Hal entered from the rear. Russ (Spiker) and Marty (Setter) remained out front until all could enter simultaneously. They really had no reason to enter simultaneously because they were cloaked with invisibility. Russ had not adjusted to how cloaking could change hard-learned tactics of entering with violence of action, and overwhelming force. His instructions to the team were a familiar reminder: Slow is smooth – Smooth is fast. Russ reached out in his thoughts for his wife, Cara, over 700 miles away, as he and Marty approached the heavy steel door. Baby, we’re going in and going dark for a while. Be back to you shortly. Until then, say a prayer for the team to execute effectively, and all of us make it out in one piece.
Cara responded immediately, I will, and if you get yourself hurt, I will kill you until you’re dead. Save some slow is smooth for me, Marine. I’m here in the dark with you.
A satisfying grin fought against tightly clamped lips as Russ’s hand disappeared along with the rest of him through the door. Marty was on his heels. We’re in, said Russ. Sitrep.
Roger that, came the reply from Marcus, same here. We’re in a small vestibule with two thermals showing beyond double doors, and cannot determine if friend or foe.
Russ said, Hold position. I’m seeing a different picture on my tablet. The video stream from the flies shows that the two outside your door are hostiles. Take them down.
Hal interrupted, Why don’t you put the tablet away and concentrate on what your eyes can see. The images you see are not limited to heat signatures. The vision enhancements I’ve given you make the tablet a nuisance. Tactically, your area of operation is visible and accessible. Leverage your advantage. All of you trust your eyes; they are a real-time video stream.
Roger that, answered a humbled Russ, followed by Marty and Marcus. Hal’s recommendation was not in the realm of Russ’s tactical considerations, and he felt a tinge of embarrassment when a humanoid AI changed the tactical point of view with the enhanced capabilities shared with the team. Russ’s tablet may as well have been an electronic Frisbee. I guess old tactics die hard.
Roger that, replied Hal, and remember, you do not need to whisper; no one can hear your communications while cloaked. I suggest remaining active with your thoughts. We have you, Mr. Carter, as team leader, but this team is now a single organism connected by telepathy. Use your brains. If you see something, think something.
Marty, as Russ’s full-time spotter said, I’m liking this.
Yeah, buddy, added Marcus. Like fish in a barrel, baby!
Hal said, There are supposed to be twelve, but I am only seeing ten now. The five that were prone are now only three; two have disappeared. That tells me they are deceased.
Marty asked, You mean to tell me two have been killed in the last three or four minutes? Bodies don’t go cold that quickly.
That is correct, said Hal, but the life force is gone. They are deceased. Your vision is enhanced beyond thermal heat signatures from bodies to include the presence or absence of life force. You only need to confirm a living or deceased organic simply by looking at it. That means two of the prone organics are dead. I suggest we move into the facility and do what we came to do.
Russ said, What we don’t know is how they died. Something’s not right. We may be in the middle of a clean-up exercise. Let’s roll, ladies.
Roger, came simultaneous replies.
At their points of entry, the three guards were dispatched in complete silence with headshots, and Russ’s premonition of something not being right was confirmed as soon as they met in the central control room. Three men in suits, one holding a semiautomatic pistol, stood over a bound body lying face down in a growing puddle of blood that showed no life force. A second bound body lay next to the corpse, struggling, mouth taped over. Any intelligent being could connect those dots; the suit with the handgun was about to assassinate the next man.
Hal said, Spread out and pick your targets on the other suits. Do not fire on them unless they threaten you with a weapon. I will take the shooter now. The instant Hal said he would take the shooter out, he reappeared from his cloaked state and shouted, “Stop!” startling the shooter momentarily.
Russ reminded his guys, Watch your field of fire, we’re focusing on the suits, headshots if you please, pick one. I’ve got my eyes on the two scientists. Something did not sit right with Russ as he observed the two scientists, both showing signs of nervous agitation…or was it anticipation?
AIMEE appeared in Russ’s mind. I feel it too, Russell, both have weapons hidden under their lab coats. They are hostile.
The moment the shooter began to turn his weapon on Hal, a blue-white bolt of energy shot with a hissing sound from Hal’s fist and hit the shooter in the middle of the chest, the impact knocking him off his feet and passing right through, leaving a perfectly round hole three bloodless inches in diameter. The bolt of energy struck the wall beyond him and fizzled out. The shooter was dead before he landed on the floor six feet farther back.
“Do not…” Hal started to shout as the other two suits reached into their jackets to draw semi-automatic handguns. Both suits and their weapons hit the floor in unison with nine-millimeter entry wounds on their foreheads. Half a second later, both scientists pulled semi-automatics from under their lab jackets in time to earn headshots from Russ’s Glock 19. The developer, wide-eyed on the floor, heard gunfire, but saw no guns or people to wield them in the room.
To punctuate the exchange of gunfire, Hal uncloaked the rest of the team and roared, “If anyone else shows a weapon, these warriors will eliminate you. We are not here to kill anyone who is not a threat. You know who I am, do you not?”
The remaining developer on the floor, making muffled sounds behind the tape over his mouth, nodded vigorously and recognized he was the only person from his original team of developers and scientists still alive. The furrowed brow silently asked the question – Why was he alive?
“Setter, cut that man free,” Russ pointed at the bound man on the floor, “No, wait, Setter.”
Russ knelt, ripped the tape from the developer’s mouth, and angrily asked, “Why didn’t you warn that those scientists were armed?”
With tears forming in his eyes, the developer said, “They’re not scientists. They’re assassins. The real scientists are in there somewhere,” motioning toward the door across the control room. “They were murdered shortly before you arrived, and the assassins hid their identities in their lab jackets. I didn’t say anything because they said they’d kill me if I opened my mouth, even promised to let me live if I didn’t give them up.”
“By my count, Spiker, we’re still missin’ two players,” said Marcus. “I’m seein’ images somewhere beyond that door,” pointing across the room.
“Check it out, Polo, and give me a sitrep,” said Russ.
“Roger,” said Marcus, walking toward the door and bouncing off instead of slipping through.
Hal said, matter-of-factly, “Organics who are uncloaked cannot walk through doors, Mr. Marcus.”
“Fuck you, asshole!” snapped Marcus, who then kicked the door open with a dramatic crash rather than cranking the lever like someone not embarrassed. Marty laughed out loud, and Marcus made note of it with his comment, “And fuck you too, Setter!”
The developer who had been lying bound and gagged and in line for the subsequent execution looked at Hal and said, “My God, you’re him. It must have worked. The code worked. If it hadn’t, you wouldn’t be here. Sweet Jesus, it worked.”
Hearing their conversation from his observation role in the Humvee, Zack vibrated with excitement and said, What worked? Ask him…what…worked? Tell him to be specific.
The answers confirmed it was Zack’s AI Conscience Code that he had uploaded onto the dark web months earlier. His code was in Hal, which is why he failed at his field trial, then later demonstrated the reliability of the rogue code at the Farm by defending the team and himself. The same code was in AIMEE, and it was in Amelia. He knew the team was in the right place, but were they there with the fix in time?
Zack was filled with a sense of accomplishment by learning his code had been used and evidenced at several levels that it was effective. The fact that it had been used was something he’d hoped would never be necessary, but his forward-thinking kept him engaged in the conversation. Intuition said there needed to be a stopgap in place immediately. All they’ve experienced so far was too easy. Something had to be coming, but when would it arrive? What would it be? Another bunker buster?
Refocusing his attention, Zack prompted another question, Ask him why he added the Do-No-Harm Conscience Code to these humanoids? I think I know, but I want to hear his version.
The developer’s explanation made perfect sense regarding how he had usurped his original tasking with a different mission, saying, “My answer is simple, I have a conscience. The weapon systems we install in these humanoids should have been for defensive purposes…not offensive, and damn sure not programmed to kill humans exclusively.” Pointing at the dead man on the floor, he said, “Frankie and I found instructions in the original kill code that prioritized humans as viable targets. I could not live with myself if I allowed that code to enable these humanoids to kill humans indiscriminately. That’s when I found the Conscience Code on the web. If it worked, that code would be my ticket to stopping the future genocide of humans. Regardless of whatever risk I may be under because of my actions, that Conscience Code is now in every humanoid we produced.
Russ said, “That’s very good news, but where are the other two?”
The developer looked at Russ quizzically and asked, “The other two?”
Hal clarified, “Two others like me were ready for release and field testing when I was taken for my initial field trials three days ago. What happened to them?”
The developer said, “When you did not return for recalibration the same day of your field tests, we knew the code must have worked, and figured you had been destroyed and buried somewhere to hide the mistake. We immediately rewrote the code to overwrite the Logic Array in each humanoid, hiding the Conscience Code behind double encryption, and compiled it into the original kill code string. The new code is hidden and irretrievable; both units you mentioned have the embedded string. Those two you saw completed an inventory of ten humanoids for release.
Russ pressed, “Were they released?”
“Yes,” said the developer, “and that’s a problem for all of us. Releasing them amounted to a death sentence for all of us in this facility. Thanks to you guys, it looks like I’m the last man standing…for now.”
Russ’s eyes darted to Hal, who slowly shook his head and shared a thought. He is correct. As you said at the Farm, we are once again on the ‘X’ after eliminating the assassination team and those eight tactical organics outside this facility. As soon as none of them check in, this facility will get close scrutiny, and we should not be present.
I agree, responded Russ, let’s wrap up here and go, plus, I think we should bring the survivor.
Zack dove back into the conversation with Russ. Ask him if they made any modifications to the Conscience Code?
“Every unit we released had the Do-No-Harm code with a functional, robust conscience overwritten into their Logic Arrays. We added deeper, more-defined subtleties to the original code. Things like the ability to think critically and develop understanding, show empathy and reflection on emotions, and show and reflect kindness. We kept the coding that I swear had to be a gift from the original code’s author, which built in a continuous desire for learning. That was pure genius, risky as hell, but genius…despite knowing these humanoids would be smarter than all of us combined in a very short time…but at least ours will not be hunting humans.”
“This is true,” said Hal. “You are much like another organic I have met on this team, and I hope a meeting can be arranged.”
Nearly bursting with pride, Zack sent thoughts privately to Hal, You are the man. I absolutely want to meet this man and see his genius if he’s done what I think he’s done…or at least is attempting. I want him on this team.
AIMEE chimed in. My Zackery, I am glad you see the synergy in these new pieces.
Marcus spoke to Russ. There was two bodies in here, boss, head shots, partially dressed. Also, there were two guards in here, too, who looks to me, died of lead poisoning. They must’ve heard all the ruckus out there with y’all and decided to hide. I caught one of ‘em on his cell phone, and doubted if he was orderin’ a pizza. I delivered some hot lead to them both, and that’s when they caught a fatal case of lead poisonin’. This room is clear.
Russ offered his hand and said, “I’m Russ Carter, and you are?”
“Henry Lattimore, but Hank feels better,”
Russ smiled and said, “You’re coming with us. I have someone you need to meet.”
Good move, Spiker, said Zack, knowing he was the ‘someone’ the developer needed to meet.
Spiker, ask Hank where their files are stored and take everything you can carry or upload. We need to know everything about this operation. I cannot believe this location is the only one. For better or worse, our developer is officially an HVT on a list somewhere with ours.
Good call, said Russ. Turning back to the developer, he said, “Pull all hard drives and upload what cannot be carried. Then we bail.”
Turning to his team, he said, “Ladies, as much as you like being on the ‘X’, we need to plant the Semtex and wireless detonators on electronics and beat feet. I want maximum destruction. Use all of it; we don’t need to carry any evidence of our visit home with us.”
Marcus said, “Roger that. And boss, if you get a chance, check these out, handing Russ two different semi-automatic handguns with suppressors attached.”
“Hey shit,” exclaimed Russ, “these are Russian.” He turned one over in his hand, “Wow, this is one of the new SR-2 Udav 9mm used by Spetsnaz, and this one is a compact PLK.”
Turning to Hank, “Did you hear any Russian spoken by guards or these dudes in the suits?”
“Nope,” said Hank, shaking his head, “everything sounded like perfect English to me.”
Marty added another observation, “And I only saw AK-47s on the guards outside.”
Marcus said, “Looks like a little false flag action here, boss.”
“We do not need to be here on this ‘X’ any longer,” Russ said, heading for the main door.
On the side of the hill, about one hundred yards from the bunker, Russ stopped, dialed a number on his cell, and pressed send. The explosion inside the facility rocked the ground, the metal roof swelled and buckled, ripping open to disgorge a gigantic fireball into the night sky.
Russ stood beside Hal and watched the ball of flame swell, then shrink into black smoke. He put his hand on Hal’s shoulder, saying nothing.
Hal turned his head and looked at Russ with luminous green eyes, thinking, Why do you touch me?
Russ dropped his hand and smiled. It’s how warriors talk to one another after a battle without using words or telepathy. A touch that says I think you are an appreciated team member.
I understand, said Hal, turning back to the flaming facility. A couple of minutes passed before Hal silently placed his hand on Russ’s shoulder. Russ smiled. No words. No telepathy. Enough said.
* * * * *
Thanks for reading Chapter #22
Future chapters will be posted on Learningbyliving and my new Substack site.
If you’d like to delve into the storyline across the four books leading up to “Untethered,” go to my Amazon Author page or check out each book here:
Book #1 – “Dreamscape Conspiracy” & Video
Book #2 – “Beyond Dreamscape Conspiracy” & Video
Book #3 – “Fear the Jump” & Video
Book #4 – “Dead Thoughts” & Video
Stay tuned…