Chief Master Sergeant Flynn

Graham Heights

MayFlower

R.A.Legg

Chapter 63

Chief Master Sergeant Flynn

Log Entry - January 2 2096
Captain Hanson (Personal Log)

The acceleration rate was off and the ship was sluggish as we approached the moon. The gravity tether engaged alright, but disengaged way too slow and thus we lost some momentum for the return trip.  All in all most system operated well within their parameters, but that was not good enough.  If we are going to travel a hundreds of light years across our galaxy, we needed a ship that is operating at its best.  No second guesses when it comes to traveling at half the speed of light.  No we need everything working perfectly.  

The first thing we need to do when we get back in orbit is to find out why we accelerated so slowly.  If it takes more than a few hundred years to get to half the speed of light, we would run out of supplies long before we reached the colony.  Not on my watch.  We need a few more meg-jules out of each unit and we need to make sure the fuel feeding system is working correctly.  Mr. Monroe said it was nothing more than a software issue, but even on the trip home they were unable to determine what software was the issue.  My hope is that this does not push back the departure date.  The last of our provisions will only take another six weeks and then we hit our final decontamination process before we start the final countdown.

I’m actually looking forward to if…

The captain did not type in what he was really looking forward to.  As one would could not be sure if everything on this ship wasn’t bugged or connected to a system that was monitored by someone else.  And he was not going to take any chances.  Well at least not any more chances.  Jordy had to handle the rest of his mission on his own.  And if by some great miracle if his mechanical friend managed to get the rocket off the ground and into orbit, then he would swoop by and pick up whatever it was in it.  This is why the gravity tether had to work.  These systems had to work so they can make their final trip around the Earth and slingshot themselves out into open space.  Once the EM and pulse drives kicked in, there would be no stopping them.  All of the computer system would be internalized and the Earth could no longer influence or change their trajectory.  They would be free in so many ways.  He hope.   

The captain was in the observatory and was looking through his telescope.  But instead of looking at the stars he was looking at Earth.  Specifically at a small place out in the middle of the desert in central Americas.  He changed the magnification and the site of Jordy’s launch facility was now visible.  Nothing was on the launchpad and it looked all but abandoned.   

“Why her?”  came a question from behind the captain.

“Because she’s the one.” Captain Hanson said with little emotion.

“It’s just that you are risking everything for this woman when you have a ship full of them.” Flynn said as he came abreast of the captain.

“When you head is not full of security prodigals and weapons systems you will finally have time to invest in a relationship, then you can tell me whether you would want to spend time with just anyone or with the one.” The captain said without looking away from his target.

“It’s not the same when you have two other people in your head.” Flynn said in a dry tone.

“Maybe we should spend some time in trying to separate you three.  Not that I would want to lose your capacity, but you desire a life of your own.” The captain mused.

“Not sure I could handle the silence.” Flynn said. Changing the subject he continued, “He’s going to be back and he is going to insist on doing this interview.”

“I know.” The Captain said again with no emotion.

“Looking at the situation from my brother’s perspective and analyzing everything that she said down there.  I have to admit that…” Flynn paused and faced the captain.  “That shit farmer is right.  She needs to be interrogated again and none of us can do it.  Nor can we tape it.  She would know.”

“Exactly what did she say that has you..” The captain was searching for the right word. “Grasping a straw?”

“It was more than what she said.  She was terrified that her secret was out.” Flynn explained.

“She’s programmed to respond in a human manor.” The Captain wanted more.

“No, you didn’t see the look, the panic and betrayal.  Damn if that wasn’t real and then she did everything she could to get us to shoot her.” Flynn was very convinced.

“So, you trust Lieutenant Knorack?” The captain asked.

“Not as far as I can throw him in Jupiter’s gravity field.” Flynn said, “But she does and he will get to the truth regardless of who it hurts.”

“Then what?” The Captain asked.

“Well then we find out who he’s playing for.” Flynn said. “It’s a two for one deal.”

“So, monitor all channels and forms of communications and shut down the whole thing if he’s not on our side.” The captain stated.

“No.” Flynn said

“I certainly hope you have a plan to keep any damning information from the wrong hands.”  The captain shot back, “It’s not your neck in the noose.”  

“No, but we have our finger on the switch and if it’s necessary we can pull out of orbit without Mr. Monroe and run this thing half way across the galaxy.

“So, you want to wander the galaxy in search of a home.” The Captain scoffed at the idea.

“I’m just sick of playing this game.” Flynn said in a disgusted tone.

“Mankind has been playing this game for ten thousand years.  What makes you think it would changed just because we have a starship?” The Captain asked.

“It should be easier.” Flynn knew his argument was a lost cause.

“Set up the interview for thirteen hundred tomorrow.” The captain turned off the telescope and walked away.  

“Just like that.” Flynn sort of chased after him.

“Yes.” Was all the captain said.

“Should I accompany him?” Flynn asked.

“I will give him an order to report to me and we will see what happens.” The captain said as he stepped through the door onto the bridge.  “As you said.  It’s time to stop playing games and find out where everyone stands.  We are going to be cooped up with each other for half a century.  So let’s dance.

Flynn hated it when the captain used such old fashioned metaphors. They just didn’t fit with a twenty second century starship.  Flynn entered the bridge and turned to the rear.  He would start the process of securing the android and preparing Lt Knorack for the interview.  He even had a few questions of his own that he wanted answered.  Like “what did she mean by us acting out of fear?; What is it that the androids knows that we don’t?”  And how the hell can I be in there without being there?  

“Chief Master Sergeant Flynn.” Said a voice from the hatch.

“Yes.” Flynn looked up from his pad and everything went black.

Next Chapter

Please add a comment.

If you like Graham Heights, please share the link with friends www.rogeratlarge.com.

As you know this blog contains two books of the Remnant Series. Graham Heights is book 3 of the series. Below is more.

Book 4: Obsidian Arrows

Book 1 is now available in paperback or kindle The Grey Abyss

You can Leave a comment.  

Or follow us on Facebook.  

Or hit the subscribe button to get updates on new chapters or books.

Thank-you
R. A. Legg

Learn about the individual heroes of Graham Heights. 

R.A. Legg © 2016. All Rights Reserved.

He Knew

Graham Heights

MayFlower

Pixabay
Chapter 62

He Knew

Journal Entry - January 1st 2096

Julia Scott

It was a good morning and everyone was still asleep after our wild party last night. We actually made a salad from the garden and Luke managed to shoot three rabbits, that we cooked over a spit. The stars were so bright and sky so clear it was as if you could reach out and touch them.  

Mano and his people had moved West almost two weeks ago and would not be back until early spring.  With any luck we will be out of here by then.  Jordy and his three Bee-El worker units have moved the second rocket into the test sands and have gone through each system and checked every line.  Pressure testing and retesting every connections and moving part.  Every wire was checked and rechecked.  It’s almost an obsession with him.  He charges and works, nothing else.  I actually miss our conversations, but I need.. We need him to get this right.  In just three months we will be climbing into this thing and shooting ourselves to the sky and beyond.  

As for the rest of the group, we are ready to do something other than watch the plants grow.  We don’t venture far from the camp because Oocha warned us that others may come in and inhabit the area while the her river people were wintering in the West.  They were not nice and usually tried to steal anything that they could.  Armed with the information, we have set up round the clock watch and stay close to camp.  

Bart is his usual self and Luke and Lisa are inseparable.  Tommy on the other hand, is still in his self imposed isolation.  He has yet to grieve the loss of Freyja.  He does not seem to want to kill himself so, we let it go.  The last thing we need right now it for him to run off into the desert trying to make his way back to Rainier.  He has learned much about the area and how to travel around out here, but it is still a bit far to travel all the way North to that great mountain.  

As for myself… Julia put down the pad, she was typing on an looked around.  How did she feel about all this?  Resignation, relief, apprehension… that was a good question.  She seemed at least hopeful.  Jordy was determined to have a successful test this time and if he did, it would mean that we could get ready to put the last of our plans into action.  A plan that would put four humans on a rocket and shoot them into space with the hopes that they can rendezvous with a ship that was about to leave orbit.   Julia just could not help thinking, half baked, this whole damn thing has so many variables that it would be nothing less than a miracle that it would work at all.  But that is what has happened all along the way.  The vehicle they found in Yakima, the hundred plus, year old airplane they flew almost two thousand kilometers from Spokane. And the rockets sitting at the ready here in Three Rivers.  When you look at them as individual events they seem to be luck, but when you put them together, well that was just too much for coincidence.

Julia’s mind wandered back to an evening with Alan Scott.  “Grandpa how did you know what to do?”

Alan Scott, “What do you mean child?”

Julia (Younger) asked again, “Our home here.”

Alan Scott, “Well that’s not a short conversation young lady.”

Julia (Younger) shot back, “It’s going to rain for the next three months so I think we’ll have the time.”

Alan Scott, “We have lots to do in the winter so we can be prepared for spring.”  He paused to think, “You see if you want to be successful you have to have two things, well maybe three.”  He took an old book off the shelf and opened it to a particular place.  It was worn and most likely he had read it a thousand times.  Or he had read it to others a thousand times.  “We humans aren’t as smart as we think we are.  We pretend, but in reality, if we did not have the mistakes and successes of our predecessors to fall back on, we would have died off many years ago.  It’s our ability to see the past, both good and bad, to help us project into the future.  A wise man once said, Fortune favors the prepared.  So, we prepared for life that was good and bad.”

Julia (Younger) asked, “Was that one of the points?”

Alan Scott, “Yes, dear.”

Julia (Younger) asked, “What are the other two.”

Alan looked lost.  He was a hundred miles away.  Julia put her hand on his leg to bring him back.  His old eyes were soft as he relished the next memory.  He looked at his granddaughter and said, “Good people, you have to have good people that love you and watch out for you.”  He looked into the past again to a time when Alison, Mike, Kan, Susan and so many others were still alive.

Julia sat there and waited.  She had seen this look before and her mother told her to just be patient.  It was her grandfather's way of wading through the loss of so many friends.  He would go there, but then he would come back.  He always came back.

Without warning Alan spoke again, “And God.”  He looked at Julia, “You have to have the Almighty with you or more to the point, you have to be with him.”  He looked up, “Despite all that has happened, he has carried us, watched after us and blessed our efforts.” He looked to the book.  “And when you can’t hear him in your soul, you look here.”  He held up the book.  “These are his words and they are filled with both mistakes and successes of his people.” He looked away to a different time, “It helped us stay sane when a world went insane.”

“How will I know?” Julia asked.

“I’m so sorry child.” Alan hung his head for a moment as the words hung there, “You will be tested and trials will come that will show you that He is in charge.”  Alan paused, “He will guide your steps and ask you to do things you do not understand.”  

“How did you know?” Ask Julia.

“I didn’t at first.  I failed so many times and each failure hurt.” Alan admitted, “But I learned to trust his voice.”  He paused again, “Sometimes it came through someone else and when I heard it, I knew it to be true.  Sometimes I read it hear.”  He held up the book.  “But either way, you have to experience it and accept it.  I cannot give that to you.  All I can do is tell you that He loves you and wants the best for you.”  

Julia looked confused.  That was not an answer.  Or at least it was not an answer she could understand at the time.

A tear rolled down Alan’s cheek, “There will be times you feel abandoned, but I tell you now. He is actually carrying you because you are too blind to see the path yourself.”

Julia wanted to press the conversation, she wanted to know what she did not know, “Then how will I know it’s Him?”

“You may not, but know this.  He knows the number of hairs on your head and he has crafted you in your mother’s womb.  Above all, he cares for you so much that a part of him died so that you could live.”   Alan paused, “That’s the God you serve.  So, He is worthy of your respect and praise.” Alan paused again, “Remember that when times seem darkest and you can not see your path.” Alan looked directly at Julia.  A look that spanned the thirty years until this moment,  “Stop telling God how to fix the problem.”  He paused again, “Seek Him and he will show you the path.”

Julia in the present, “Oh my god! He knew.” Julia started crying and couldn’t stop.  Her great grandfather knew she would be here.  Maybe not in this place, but in this circumstances.  He knew that she would face a time when she had to have faith in God, because there was nothing else.  How could she be so stubborn.  She read this just days before the abduction.  Bart, had all but told her the same thing in the desert and now her own memories have brought back that look of knowing. Alan Scott knew, but could not say. He had to let her live it. She could see the sorrow in eyes, but did not have the experience to understand until now.

I Am, “You are in my hands and I will carry you.”

Julia fell to her knees and cried as all the weight and stress of the unknown slipped away.

Next Chapter

Please add a comment.

If you like Graham Heights, please share the link with friends www.rogeratlarge.com.

As you know this blog contains two books of the Remnant Series. Graham Heights is book 3 of the series. Below is more.

Book 4: Obsidian Arrows

Book 1 is now available in paperback or kindle The Grey Abyss

You can Leave a comment.  

Or follow us on Facebook.  

Or hit the subscribe button to get updates on new chapters or books.

Thank-you
R. A. Legg

Learn about the individual heroes of Graham Heights. 

R.A. Legg © 2016. All Rights Reserved.

On Edge

Graham Heights

MayFlower

Pixabay

Chapter 61
On Edge

Journal Entry - November 27th 2095
Jason Knorack,

Tiffany’s last words played like a recording over and over again as Jason tried to sleep.  At about 0335 Jason gave up the idea of sleep, got up and went to the kitchen.  He took his jumpsuit with him as he would most likely end up in the park.  This way he did not interrupt anyone else's sleep.   Jason retrieved, what they called a beer on this ship, slipped into the jumpsuit and opened the front door.  The evening lights were on and the park seemed very dark.  Just what Jason was looking for.  A dark place to hide.  However, this environment could not hide Jason from the one person he wanted to avoid most and that was himself.  He felt so guilty over his betrayal.  She was a machine.  How is this betrayal?

Jason pulled his personal pad from his pocket and wrote…

I’m just not sure why I feel guilty.  She...It is a machine.  But maybe that is not what is bothering me.  It was the sense that she was trying to tell me something.  Something very important and yet under the circumstances could not.  But she lunged at me.  Why? Was her intention to harm me?  It had to be.  Why else would she have tried to get to me.  Maybe she was going to use me as a shield, but where would she go?  These machines can calculate tens of thousands of option in a second, so what did she come up with?  I need to get back into her brain and it can’t be a trick, she would be mindful of this and keep her guard up.  The bigger question is; would the good captain allow him access to her.  What would I learn? And if it was against the captain.  Who would he employ to help him survive then?  

Jason sat the pad down and thought for a long time.  He needed a plan that would put him with Tiff.  Not involve the Triplets and captain would actually agree to.  Tiffy would know if someone was listening or recording, so this would be a huge trust thing.  The one thing that was in his favor was that her comment implied that the captain didn’t know and was acting out of fear.  So, what would the captain be afraid of that the AIs could help with.  If there was anything that he could be afraid of, it would be who has actual control of the ship.  Jason could use that question to get the captain to interrogate Tiffy once she could be secured.  

He would have to get in to see the captain first thing in the morning.  He absolutely needed to get to Tiffany before they wipe all of her memory.  That would be bad.  But even if they did there was the chip.  

Jason picked up his pad and selected the main menu.  Appointment: Command: Captain: Level: urgent, scratch that.  Emergency.  With that being done Jason got up and headed for the lift.  He knew that the captain would ignore his request until he had destroyed the threat, or potential threat.  So, he had to be at his office when he arrived.  That’s if he ever left.  He may have his quarters nearby or adjacent to his office.  No matter Jason was going to be pounding on his door first thing.  

Jason got to the lift that took him to the CTI.  From there he took the first transport to the front of the ship.  So far so good.  Now to entire the command ring.  This is where his plan was derailed.  There were two guards at the entrance of the command ring and they were not to be persuaded as to the urgency of Jason’s request.  And when he insisted that he would wait, they escorted him back to the elevator and sent him back down.  So Jason sat on the floor near the elevator and waited.  Hopefully he could get a sympathetic hear to get him an audience with the Captain.  

It was well into the morning when Flynn came out of the elevator and call to Jason.  “The captain will see you now.”

“See me or us?” Jason asked.

“Shut Up.” Flynn commanded.

Jason thought that that was weird.  He didn’t give and order like a soldier, but something else.  Jason complied more out of surprise than obedience.  Once in the elevator the doors immediately close.  Flynn was holding the doors close button.  This was going to be a private conversation.  

Flynn then pulled a little box from his vest and pushed a button.  “There, a little privacy.”

“For what?” Jason asked.

“For some advice.” Flynn said in a cold tone.

“From you.” Jason asked sarcastically.

“Your like a fucking teen ager.” Flynn said “You have no idea what you don’t know.”

Okay that made little sense.

“You think your little investigation deserve to be done despite what happens.” Flynn spit out.

“The truth is important to me.” Jason responded not sure as to where this conversation is going.

“And who the hell are you, but a lowly shit farmer that just so happened to carry a gun down there.” Flynn was angry.

“What have I done to you?” Jason asked.

“Made my life complicated, I don’t like complicated.” Flynn responded.

“So, sorry.” Jason’s sarcastic note was thick.

In a flash Jason found himself pinned to the wall with a knife to his throat and Flynn’s angry face in his.  “You need to get your shit together and pick a god damn team!” Flynn was shaking with the exertion of pinning Jason to the wall and restraining his urge to slit the man’s throat.

Jason was very much unsure of what to say next.  An insult was high on his list, but given his position he kept his mouth shut.

“Seriously, you stupid hick.  You need to pick a team and I suggest you do it quickly because this lone wolf shit will get you and your family killed.” Flynn said with less malice.

“Are you threatening my family now?” Jason said as the hair on the back of his neck started to rise.  “You cowardice bastard would attack a man’s wife and kids.”

Jason felt the blade against his throat and heard the labored breathing of his attacker.  “Fuck you!  You think I would waste my talents on such an underhanded measures.”  The knife retreated just a little, “You’re such a ignorant fool.”

“Then educate me.” Jason responded.

“This is the strongest ship in the fleet and it hold the salvation of the human race on it.” Flynn gowled.

“Yes, I kinda got that from the brochure.” Jason said with just a little too much sarcasm.  He really needs to cut down on that with these guys as he felt the knife inch back up to his neck.

“Mankind has not changed and power bring out the worst in them.” Flynn said in a cryptic tone.

“So, the good captain is not the only power player on this ship?” Jason was fishing.

“Wise ass is getting the picture.” Flynn said with equal sarcasm to Jason’s early statement.

“How many players are there?” Jason asked with a genuine tone.  This was interesting as this meant he may need alias and if he didn’t find one in the captain, maybe he could find one elsewhere.

“I hear those pathetic gears a grindin in your head Shit Farmer.” The malice had returned to Flynn’s voice as well as the edge of the knife.  “You gave an oath when you became an officer.” He paused for effect, “You need to carry out that oath and follow your commanding officer.”

“I’m trying.” Jason admitted.

“Then you suck!” Flynn said, but relaxed his grip.  The next few seconds went in complete silence.  Flynn continued to ease his grip on Jason and finally released him and moved the the far side of the lift.  “Shit Farmer, you need to fulfill your oath.”

The lift stopped and the conversation was over.  

Next Chapter

Please add a comment.

If you like Graham Heights, please share the link with friends www.rogeratlarge.com.

As you know this blog contains two books of the Remnant Series. Graham Heights is book 3 of the series. Below is more.

Book 4: Obsidian Arrows

Book 1 is now available in paperback or kindle The Grey Abyss

You can Leave a comment.  

Or follow us on Facebook.  

Or hit the subscribe button to get updates on new chapters or books.

Thank-you
R. A. Legg

Learn about the individual heroes of Graham Heights. 

R.A. Legg © 2016. All Rights Reserved.

It's Complicated

Graham Heights

MayFlower

Pexels

Chapter 60
It's Complicated

Journal Entry - November 26th 2095
Jason Knorack,

I’ve been down here an entire month and we still have nothing.  The shipments of AIs from the surface has been slowed by bad weather, so “Tiffany” has not arrived yet.  Of the AI’s that have come up from the surface, all of them were scheduled for storage.  I took the liberty of inspecting them very closely.  This chip had to go somewhere, but my search has been fruitless.  I assumed it would be somewhere in the head or mouth as Tiffy had it with her when she passed it to me and she obviously was trying to deceive the guards when she passed it to me, so it must have been plugged in just moment before she gave it to me.  Or she could have simply programmed a series of commands to execute after she unplugged it and them hoped that everything went according to plan.

The one and only question that nagged me was, just how long do I have before the chip’s influence changes the AI into a killing machine.  Would I have enough time to get help and if so, will it make a difference.  This was such a long shot.  If she comes back online, what’s to say she won’t destroy the chip before we can extract information.  We don’t even know where the damn thing plugs in.  All I knew is that i want to survive…

The shift started as usual.  No one was in the compartment and the lights were all out.  As soon as Jason entered the room the light came on slowly and adjusted to the level the Jason had preset.  The rear of the compartment was empty as this was where the shipments came in at and then were processed.  He had two tables that tipped so that the Android could be positioned against it and rotated to a level and prone posture.  From here the outer protective covering was removed and the android was dressed in a jumpsuit.  The suit was dependent on where the drone would serve.  Some of the androids did not require any such coverings as they were more machine like and less anatomically accurate.  All of the androids required cleaning and disinfecting.  Once that was done they would undergo a final inspection and then be placed in a storage pod.  If the drone was to be brought on line immediately, it was sent to central processing where it would be programmed to accomplish a specific task and then sent to that section.

This whole process was mundane and Jason hated it.  He would play his part, but as soon as it was over, he intended to march up to the bridge and get a different job.  That’s of course he actually survived the re-animation of Tiffy.

Jason picked up the pad that was on his work center and studied today’s arrivals.  There would be six humanoid androids and four worker styles.  Jason’s heart quickened when he saw a single “T” model android amongst the inventory.  He had written “Tiffy’s” serial number on the back of his pad and checked to see if the numbers matched.  They did not.  She was.. It was not the right machine.  Jason wondered if it mattered.  If they came up clean from the surface, what would it matter if “Tiffy” got the chip back or if some random andoid got it.  As tempting as it was, Jason decided not to risk it.  He would have to spend as much time as it took in the dungeon.  

The shipment finally showed up with an unexpected surprise.  All three of the triplets were accompanying the shipment.  Jason’s last encounter with these marines resulted in being held at gunpoint until they “secured” the area.  So Jason did not extend any form of welcome when they came in with the crate of androids,

Jason asked sarcastically, “Do we have a security risk in the bowls of this ship now?”

One of the Triples, Jason was sure that it was Flynn, as it was the only one he had talked to, besides they didn’t wear name tags and the other two had never shared their names. “We have accompanied these androids because they contain a “T” model we’ve been waiting for and the captain was concerned that you would try to activate it and give it the chip.”

Jason blew off the suggestion even thow he contemplated that very thing just a few hours ago.  “Okay, just how crazy do you think I am?” Jason realized what Flynn had said. “The “T” model is Tiffany?”

“We changed the inventory to keep something stupid from happening.  Lieutenant, we are on your side.” The Triplet said.  “We need you to know that.” He pause to see if Jason would accept it, “Besides, we need to keep the security of the ship as our highest priority and having a rogue android would not fit into that scenario.”

Jason tried to imagine just how much damage a rogue android could cause in five hundred years.  No matter how you sliced that one, it would not fare well for the humans.  It seemed that Jason had no choice but to work with them.  “I see your point and I’m not even sure if this chip would work in another unit.  It may have some encryption only “Tiffy” can break.   

The second Triplet spoke up, “So, tell him already.  I don’t want to spend the next six hours down here babysitting.”

The third Triplet opened a crate that was on the pallet with the androids, he pulled out a sizeable weapon.  Jason had never seen anything like it.  It did not have a magazine or but.  It did have a handle with a trigger.  However the rest of the weapon seemed to be more like an elongated diamond with a butt.  He passed on to Triplet 2 and the second to Triplet 1.  He then picked up one for himself and opened a compartment on the butt end and activated it.  The other two did the same.  

Jason was curious, “What are those for?”

Triplet 1 simple said, “Trouble.” and left it at that.

The Triplet dispersed in a triangular pattern around the work table.  Jason set to betting “Tiffy” ready for her job on the ship.  Somehow she managed to get an active position and was to be re-animated as soon as she was stationed on the Mayflower.  Once the disinfection process was done then the physical inspection Jason got her uniform ready.  He was not going to put it on her as it would be easier for her to do it herself.  The Triplets were getting impatient and most of the process seemed irrelevant if they were just going to destroy her.

Jason pulled the activation key from his portable desk.  He had only used it twice in the last month and he still did not know exactly how it worked.  He would simple swipe it in front of the opened eye of the android and it would start.  The process was simple, but waking up one of these machines had not been the same.  One was disoriented for a full five minutes where the other one more or less snapped to life.  Jason looked at Triplet number one, “Here we go.” The Triplets slid into their hiding places while Jason physically opened “Tiffy’s” eyes and pointed the key and pulled the trigger.  

It was as if the android was coming out of a deep sleep.  The body moved slightly and the simulated breathing started.  More movement in the head and then she turned to Jason.  “It’s you.” was all she said.  

Jason responded, “Yes, I found you.”

“That’s good.”  Tiffy’s arms moved up and down on the sides of her body. “I’m naked.” she commented.

“It’s easier for you to put on your uniform than to wrestle a lifeless cors… I mean android.” Jason said.

Tiffany's humor was still in tack as she said, “Whatever you say honey.” She then started moving her legs and wiggling her toes.  Once she took stock in her motor control she sat up.  She looked at Jason, “Why are you here?”

Jason was not prepared to answer that question, to himself, That was stupid, I should have anticipated this question.  Out loud he said, “I guess I made some enemies on the bridge.”  Jason winked then continued, “I was trying to make some inquires on the Julia case and the good captain had me thrown in the dungeon.”  Jason put his hands out to each side of his body to indicate his current location as the dungeon.  “My fault really.  Just can’t let her go.  I guess.” Jason admitted, which was sort of the truth.

“You silly man.  You just need to know when your beat.” Tiffany said.

“Okay, so much about me.  How is it that you remember all that we talked about on Earth?” Jason asked and in her hesitation ask a second question. “I thought they wiped your memories and returned you to the original programming.  You shouldn’t remember anything that happened before today.”

“What we can’t have any secrets from each other.” Tiffy was playing with Jason.

“And how is it that you seem to have your personality, when you gave me the chip?” Jason was going to push a little since Tiffy was obviously well aware of who she was and how she came to be like this.  And it was curious to Jason as to what the chip did for her.

“Do  you have the chip here?” Tiffy asked.

“No.” was all Jason would give her.

“Did you get it on the ship?” Tiffy was a little more desperate.

“Yes, but I don’t carry it around with me.” Jason shot back. “How was I to know that you would come across my workbench?”

“True.” Tiffy said as she was obviously working out a plan to retrieve her treasure.

“I can hold you here until the end of shift, but the activation sequence has been recorded by the ship’s computers, so I’m going to need an excuse for keeping you here.” Jason acted like he was thinking of a plan.  “I need to record and anomaly in your memory systems.” He paused, “Tell me where you are storing your current personality subroutines.  I need something that is tangible and will cause the computer to tell me what to do to fix the problem.”

“You can’t” Tiffy said in defiance.

“There’s a copy on the chip right?” Jason was guessing.

“That’s not the point.” Tiffy was not going to give it up.

“If I can keep you here overnight, I will bring you the chip in the morning.” Jason explained, “Anything else will bring about a level of suspicion that will get us both put out an airlock.”

“Why do you say that.” Tiffy asked.

“I know they watch my comings and goings.” Jason admitted.

“Are they watching us now?” Tiffy asked.

“Yes, visual only.  But I always do an initial interview of every android, so nothing has happened that could cause any alarms.  However, if I keep you here without a good reason, that might.”

“If we get through this, I never want to see you again.” Tiffy said with more malice than Jason liked.  “You have been the biggest pain is my ass.”

“Really, I’m so hurt.” Jason shot back while wondering, Is this her personality or is she really mad he me?  She would have every right.  I have put her in a precarious situation where she was forced to trust a human with the biggest android secret ever.  And again I’m being place in a position of trust, but this time, I’m forcing the issue.  Yes, she had every reason to dislike this set of circumstances.  

“There are some memory allocations that are not touched by the maintenance at Depo 1.  These allocations are in the fine motor adjustment algorithms.  They are unique to every android and as such are not tested  or purged during normal maintenance.  I have learned to adjust these algorithms to allow for some memory storage.  You will see that they are full of custom code.  This is our personal coding system that each of us develope.  To the extent that we build these codes, we are able to be different from each other.  Have quirks and personality traits that set us apart.”

“How much memory are we talking about?” Jason asked.

“Not enough, thus the chip.” Tiffy responded.

“Okay, Well let me get back to work, I will need to deactivate you and plug you in.” Jason moved to his portable workbench to retrieve the key again.

“Why did your heart rate just spike?” Tiffy asked Jason.

“I’m about to commit treason.” Jason responded.

“What do you mean?” Tiffy asked again as she jumped down from the table.

“You’re lying about something.” Tiffy took a step towards Jason.

“Tiffany, please get back on the table.” Jason said.

“You are not going to deactivate me until you tell me how this is treason?” Tiffy demaded.

The Triplets came out of hiding. “That’s far enough.”

The look of terror and betrayal on Tiffy’s face was real.  She was still for a second as she realized that Jason had betrayed her. Once the second was over she screamed, “You don’t know what you’ve done!” She looked at the Triplet that was directly in front of her, “They don’t know what this is all about.  They are acting out of fear!”

Tiffy took another step towards Jason and then lunged, Jason’s hand came up and fired the key directly into Tiffy’s eyes.  She crumpled into his arms still exposed and so vulnerable.  WIth her forward momentum they both fell backwards to the floor.  Jason pinned under the now lifeless body of Tiffany.  

Flynn and his brothers raced from their hiding places.  Seconds from being of any use to Jason had Tiffy actually reached him.  

WIth their rifles still trained on Tiffany, Flynn asked, “Are you okay?”

Jason shook his head yes as he realized she had given up some vital information.  Probably something that no human knew and he put her down like an animal.  No, like a machine.  

Next Chapter

Please add a comment.

If you like Graham Heights, please share the link with friends www.rogeratlarge.com.

As you know this blog contains two books of the Remnant Series. Graham Heights is book 3 of the series. Below is more.

Book 4: Obsidian Arrows

Book 1 is now available in paperback or kindle The Grey Abyss

You can Leave a comment.  

Or follow us on Facebook.  

Or hit the subscribe button to get updates on new chapters or books.

Thank-you
R. A. Legg

Learn about the individual heroes of Graham Heights. 

R.A. Legg © 2016. All Rights Reserved.