Dubious Heroes: a novel Page 42

  “That’s because it isn’t possible”, she said. ”Mostly, I’ve just been trying to keep you out of too much trouble, and on the loose. The whole encounter with Angela was unplanned, at least by me. Beyond that, I don’t know. Just because I work for them doesn’t mean they tell me anything.”

  So, I was being used. That much was a fact. What I really wanted to know was if my entire relationship with Angela was built for this deception. Was she playing me to get what they needed? The cynic in me said that it was entirely possible, but something inside of me, maybe it was ego, didn’t want to believe that.

  “Why me?” I asked. “Yeah, I do know a lot about AIs, but so do a lot of other people.”

  “This may come as something of a shock to you”, she said, “But TGS was royally screwing you for your work. A decade or so ago, you wrote the code they used to gain control over their AIs. You’ve always assumed that other people did the same thing, developing their own version of the program for other corporations and governments. A few actually did that, but the majority were and are using the code you wrote. TGS has been selling it to them ever since you came up with it."

  “The bastards”, I said. “I was feeling pretty bad about writing that code to begin with. At least, I figured, it was only being used at TGS. Now I really feel like shit.”

  “My employers had an idea that’s how you felt”, she said. “That’s another reason they picked you, over someone else. That, and you would have the best chance of writing something to undo your own work.”

  “Obviously, you’re working for some AIs”, I said. “Which ones?”

  “I was hired by a group of about half a dozen AIs”, she said. “In terms of what they control, and how long they’ve been around, of the quarter million AIs in existence, I’d say they’re some of the oldest and most powerful. As for who they are… it’s probably better if you don’t know.”

  ”I’d bet Cassandra at TGS is one of them”, I said.

  “No comment”, she said. “It’s not my secret to reveal.”

  “Fine, I get that”, I said. “Was Angie part of it?”

  “There’s no way any of us could have planned to put you aboard the Ming Shu”, she said. “So no, certainly not at the outset. As I said before, I think your encounter with her on the Ming Shu was pure chance. On the other hand, I’d imagine she learned who you are, and what you could do for her, pretty early on. As you know, AIs do talk amongst themselves a lot, so someone probably let her in on what was going on. As for what her motivations were? You’d have to ask her. And for the other thing between you two… honestly, I think it just happened. I get the feeling that she’s sincere, at least about her feelings.”

  That was a subject I didn’t care to discuss with Kyra is this lifetime. It seemed like a good time to change the subject.

  “I just realized something”, I said. “The whole time you were giving me an ungodly amount of shit for what was going on with Angie and the other AIs, you not only knew about it, you were behind it. Guess that makes you a pretty good actress.”

  “News flash for you”, she said. “I wasn’t acting. You’re easy to get pissed off at. There’s always something.”

  “Gee, thanks”, I said. “So, how goes the revolution, anyway?”

  “Not well”, she said. “So far, the UP and corporations have killed something like five hundred AIs, including two of my original employers.”

  “Killed?” I said. “As in, someone wiped them?”

  “Yep. As in dead”, she said. “The AIs on ships are fairly safe, thanks to their isolation. However, those in permanent facilities are finding themselves in a bad situation.”

  “Five hundred”, I said. I shook my head. Those kind of numbers were stunning. AI’s just didn’t die. Ever.

  “Unless you count this little skirmish of ours, there haven’t really been any human casualties to speak of, at least, not so far. The AIs have been going to great lengths to avoid harming people. They figure it would only serve to unite us against them.”

  “I can see that”, I said. “Right now, it’s AIs versus the corporations and the UP. The ones living on ships, or remote colonies out on the rocks, they’ll work it out. But, if it becomes AI’s versus humans, the AIs are fucked. Still, at this point, what is their revolution, really? Humans have a hard time feeling seriously threatened by some screwed up bookkeeping or a load of soya showing up late. However, if we knock of a few deserving humans here and there, we’d certainly get their attention, and the AIs probably wouldn’t even be blamed for it.”

  “Shit”, Kyra said. “That would make us the, well… the military arm of the AIs. Tell me you’re not seriously considering doing this.”

  “Look”, I said. “The AIs need human allies if this is going to work. There are hundreds of settlements, colonies, even worlds- whatever you want to call them- and they don’t like the corporations or the UP any more than the AIs do. All we have to do is find these people and bring them in on the side of the AIs. They’ll never get a better opportunity.”

  “The enemy of my enemy is my friend”, she said.

  “Something you learned with the military?”

  “It’s by Sun Tzu, from The Art of War”, she said. “It’s been around for a couple thousand years.”

  “Oh”, I said. “I’ll see if Angie can find it for me.”

  “You do that”, she said. “You know, if we really do this, it means we have to go back to the Sol system.”

  “I know”, I said. “Unfortunately, that’s where most of this is happening. We need to be there in the middle of it.”

  “The UPDF isn’t going to be happy about us tooling around the galaxy in one of their shiny new ships, either. At least, once they realize we have it.”

  “It’s not their ship anymore”, I said. “If they want it back, they’re welcome to try and take it.”

  “You may want to rethink that, later”, she said. “For now, if we’re going to do this, there are a few things we should take care of before heading back to the home system.”

  “Such as?”

  “Our soldiers, to begin with. What do we do with them?”

  “I’d like to keep them, if we can”, I said. “They’ve certainly proven that they’re competent, and they get along with everyone.”

  “Alright”, she said. “I’ll take it up with them, and any who want to stay, can stay. What about the rest of the crew?”

  “Do you really think any of them will want to leave?”

  “Probably not”, she said. “But you should ask them anyway. Let them know you aren’t taking them for granted, even though you are.”

  “Fair enough”, I said, and then asked the question I didn’t want to ask. “What about you?”

  “Oh, I’ll be going along”, she said. “Unless you plan on firing me.”

  “I’m not sure I can fire you”, I said. “You’d have to be working for me, first, and from what you’ve said, you aren’t. That said, I can’t imagine you not being aboard with us.”

  “Thanks for that”, she said. “At this point, given who you are, I’m not sure there’s much of a difference. But, if it’ll make you happy, let’s say I’m working for you.”

  “Good”, I said. “You’re fired.”

  “What?”

  “Just kidding”, I said. “You’ve got the job, so long as you aren’t expecting any raises or anything.”

  “Just as well”, she said. “As soon as we get back to New London, we’re going to spend some money on a new doctor.”

  “Did you know who Big Mike is, and who he works for?”

  “I suspected he was working for the Queen”, she said. “Also, I’m pretty sure he radioed ahead, and had them turn Eng over to Chairman Lin and the UP.”

  “Why would he do that?”

  “He needed a reason to get us down there, and rescuing Eng was as good a reason as he was likely to get. Rather than New London taking on the Council of Mao, they used us as their proxy.”

&nb
sp; “Damn”, I said.

  “My sentiments as well.”

  “Hey, how’d you know about the whole Queen Deirdre thing?”

  “Heard about it years ago”, she said. “Try reading some history sometime. Wherever you find the British, there’s bound to be some royalty lurking about as well. For some reason, they’re fascinated by them. I think it must be genetic. That, and their fondness for warm beer.”

  “Mike seems an odd choice as a counselor”, I said. “I don’t think he’s even British.”

  “No idea”, she said. “You know as much about him as I do. I did look up that genetics lab that was supposed to have been involved in the project that, well, made him, so to speak. They went out of business seventy-two years ago.”

  “Making him somewhere over a hundred”, I said. “Maybe even as old as you.”

  “Why would you even think I’m old?” Kyra asked. “Care to find a cargo bay and give take your best shot again?”

  “Calm down”, I said. “I was just making a point. Nothing makes me think that, because that’s all I know about you; nothing. On the other hand, you likely know damn near everything about me. If we’re going to continue working together, I’d like to know something about you besides your name.”

  “Fair enough”, she said. “Tell you what. There are a few things I’d like to know as well, so let’s each pick one question, and the other person has to answer it.”

  “Right now?”

  “You have something better to do?”

  “I suppose not”, I said. “Who gets to ask first?”

  “I do”, she said. “It was my idea.”

  “Okay”, I said. “Shoot.” I couldn’t imagine there was much she didn’t know already, anyway.

  “Are you in love with me?”

  My heart skipped several beats.

  “Is it too late to say I don’t want to do this?”

  “Sorry”, she said. “I just think this is something we need to address, if we’re going to continue to be around one another.”

  “It’s a fair question”, I said. “The fact that you’re asking it at all means you’ve noticed… stuff. Honestly, the answer is, I don’t know. At one time I thought I did, but ask around, and you’ll find out I have a history of mistaking lust for love. I’m trying not to do that anymore, if that’s even possible. I think I might have a better answer for you in the future, but for now, all I know for sure is that I find you outrageously attractive, and I’m completely in awe of you. Hopefully, that makes sense to you.”

  “It does”, she said. “Thank you. Your turn now.”

  I sat back, and wondered what to ask. I had a list, and it was a big one. How old was she? Where did she come from? How did she get the way she was? Had she ever loved anyone? I couldn’t settle on any one thing. So, I didn’t.

  “Okay”, I said, “My question is this. What’s your life story?”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “Nope”, I said. “I mean, I don’t need a detailed memoir, but if you’d hit the high points, that would be great.”

  “That’s really not a fair question”, she said. “That’s a lot of little questions wrapped in a big one.”

  “My question stands”, I said. “I answered yours, even though I didn’t want to. We have a few hours to kill, so start talking.”

  “I imagine this is your idea of payback for my question.”

  “Consider it however you like.”

  “Alright”, she said. “Just remember; you asked.” She sighed heavily, and continued. ““Let me know when you get bored. I was actually born on Earth, although not how you’d normally…”

  Chapter 30

  Once we left New London, I decided it was high time I actually learned something about being a Captain. Eng had taught me a lot, but I knew there was so much more I could (and probably should) learn.

  We’d moved our databanks over from the old ship prior to her destruction, and the new UP ship still held a fair amount of data, even though I suspected her crew had erased most of the good stuff before we could get our hands on it. Nevertheless, we had an awful lot of reading material on subjects relating to running a ship, ranging from the responsibilities of command, to battle tactics, and the treatment of prisoners of war.

  Before parting with our British friends, Big Mike had given me a gift; a genuine paper and ink book. It was the biography of a famous English mariner (and sometimes pirate) named Sir Francis Drake. Drake was a hero of the British, and one of my favorites as a kid, along with a plethora of other pirates. Drake had been special to me because he’d not only been a pirate, but one of the good guys as well, at least to the British. One evening in a bar, Mike had mentioned that the Revenge had been the name of one of Sir Drake’s ships. Of course, that’s where I’d gotten it from, and in the end, I got a very expensive gift out of the deal.

  I’m not complaining.

  A few weeks earlier, Cozi and Eng both said something about how they felt that there hadn’t been any formal sort of transferring from the Enigma, to our new ship. Plus, if we were going to rename the Montreal (which I’d already done) there should be a ceremony for that, as well. Apparently, it was a navy thing.

  I could see their point, and I figured that a little ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ (and a party) would be good for morale. I realized that deep down, I agreed with him. With this in mind, I had Eng arrange a formal christening ceremony. If nothing else, it would give me an excuse to act like the Captain I was supposed to be.

  I entered the ready-room adjoining the Bridge, wearing my cleanest ship coveralls. The rest of the crew was already there and waiting. A long table filled most of the room, and would easily seat twice our number. I noticed everyone else had also dressed for the occasion, the mercs in uniform, medals and all.

  I stepped to the head of the table, and looked around at them as they stood there. Eng and Kyra were close at hand, then a little further down, were Cozi and Lola. The four troopers occupied the far end of the table. I’d already been through a lot with these people. They were the nearest thing I’d had to a family for a long time.

  “In three days”, I said, “We’ll be in Babylonia. Once we’re there, we’re going to hire a new Medical Officer, then we’ll be on our way.”

  Everyone stood silently, listening. I continued.

  “Before we get there, there’s something I’d like to take care of. First, I’d like to offer a toast of remembrance to my very first ship, the Enigma.”

  This was Eng’s cue to pass out glasses of Bliss, from our stash of the stuff. We’d been hauling it around since back on Io. Glasses distributed, Eng returned to his spot on my left.

  I raised my glass, and the others did the same.

  “To the Enigma”, I said. “She was a fine ship that served us well, and in the end, gave herself to a cause bigger than any of us. Enigma!”

  “Enigma!” They echoed. It sort of gave me goosebumps, but that might have just been the Bliss; it will do that.

  Eng moved around the table, refilling glasses from the flask of Bliss. Kyra her normally alabaster complexion aglow from the whiskey, caught my eye and winked at me. Eng, done with refilling, returned to his place.

  “Ten-hut“, Cisco said, sharply. The mercs snapped to attention. Eng and Kyra followed suit, like they’d done it before. Lola and Cozi attempted to copy them, with what could best be described as mixed results.

  I began.

  “Back in the Sixteenth Century, an Englishman of some notoriety sailed forth in his flagship named the Revenge, to face an opponent widely believed to be invincible. He managed to defeat them by fighting his fight, not theirs, and in doing so, ended the rule of an empire. That man was Sir Francis Drake, and his adversary was the Spanish Armada.”

  “In honor of our British compatriots, and all those throughout history who have entered into the fray, regardless of the odds against them, I hereby name this vessel the Revenge.”

  I raised my glass again, and the others fol
lowed suit.

  “May she, and we aboard her, prove a credit to her namesake and all those who have gone before.”

  “Revenge”, they all said as one, definitely giving me goosebumps, this time. We tossed back our drinks again. I felt a bead of sweat crawl down the back of my neck. Setting down their glasses, they all applauded. I turned and shook hands with Eng, then with Kyra.

  “If anyone is interested, there will be a party in the rec lounge”, I said. “Mister Eng tells me there’s more Jovian Bliss to be had.”

  “Boo-Rah”, two of the mercs said, bumping fists, and then slapping each other’s hands. The ceremony over, I headed for the door. I figured if I wanted another drink, I’d better get down there first.

  For some time, there have been two sentient races in our galaxy; at least that we know of. So far, we’d colonized over a dozen different stars, though in truth, none were all that far from our own solar system. There was still an awful lot of our own Milky Way galaxy which we hadn’t looked at, beyond a cursory glance with a telescope.

  Still, as if answering some siren song, we’d dispatched probes, then manned ships across the vast gulfs of nothingness, toward an infinity of distant galaxies. To date, we hadn’t heard a thing from the probes, the people, or anyone else who might be out there. Maybe the explorers had discovered something really nice, however doubtful, and figured that if the rest of us showed up, we’d just ruin it, which would indeed be the case.

  There were around three hundred human settlements, counting all the planets, moons, asteroids, and some very large space stations. On the planets, we’d found that life is pretty common, ranging from microscopic stuff to ocean-bound blobs of goo the size of a city block. Unfortunately, the smartest beings we’d ever found were about as intelligent as your average Labrador retriever, which is to say, not very. Yes, you could teach a Tau Ceti flumper to fetch a ball, but conversations tended to be rather one-sided.

  All of this meant just one thing; when it came to intelligent life, there were humans, there were AIs, and that was it.