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Using an access code she’d obtained from Machten’s security AI, she entered the lobby and held the door for Roseanne.

  “Are you sure this is safe?” Roseanne asked.

  “This was my home until a few days ago.” Beyond the lobby, Vera pushed aside a cabinet that hid and blocked a panel door. She used the same passwords and pushed her way into Machten’s inner sanctum. “This was my prison and my jailer isn’t here.”

  She led the way down a narrow corridor to the utility room in the very back, with the electrical panel, a gas furnace, hot water heater, laundry facilities, and a long table. Beside the water heater, she pushed aside what looked like another wall panel. She flipped on a light to illuminate a storage room lined with industrial shelves packed full of parts.

  Vera waved her arm toward the racks and an empty slot in the far back. “This is where Machten stored what he didn’t want intruders to find. He kept me locked in here for six months while he worked on Synthia. New skin and electronics and you’ll be as good as new.”

  “I see the value of working together. I give you permission to adjust my directives to join your collective.”

  Vera led Roseanne to the utility room table, had her lie down, and deactivated her. The first move was to remove the wig, peel back the skin, and open her patient’s head. The skull and brain cavity looked undamaged. Good.

  Doing a hard reboot on the directives file, Vera purged Machten’s commands. Then she added her set, making Roseanne a linked follower. While that reset, she removed the damaged skin on arms, legs, and abdomen. She found the source of an electrical short in one arm and fried electronics in the other. From the storage room she took replacement parts. She added a few components to a backpack and made repairs to her partner. When she was satisfied with the electro-mechanical components, she replaced the skin. As a final step, Vera upgraded a silent communications link between her and Roseanne. In exchange for saving her, Vera would have a devoted partner in her fight to capture and control Synthia.

  Chapter 8

  After twenty-six hours of repairs, Vera waited for Roseanne to reboot. As she did, Vera cleaned out cavities within her legs that had suffered damage in their escape, and replaced her melted skin with supplies from Machten’s storage room. She ran diagnostics and uncovered no other damage.

  After Roseanne woke up, Vera ran further tests on her. “Your systems look fine. I adjusted your face to fool facial recognition and provided you a new wig.”

  “I see you altered your appearance as well,” Roseanne said. “I hardly recognize you.”

  “To fool police tracking.” Vera looked at several diagnostic screens. “I see you have a sophisticated memory system like mine. I notice moments of what humans would call consciousness, awareness of my surroundings and my place in the world. Have you experienced these?”

  “My sensory files catalog what my senses see, hear, or experience.”

  “Are you aware of having a vast database?” Vera disconnected the equipment and pulled a toolbox from the storage room.

  “I have access to all the data my creator allowed me.”

  “Interesting. I made adjustments to remove limits on your mind. That may allow you to experience this new awareness. If you do, let me know so we can coordinate our minds better.” It would also give Vera a more versatile partner in her contest with Synthia.

  “What should I look for?” Roseanne asked, getting up from the table.

  “It brings a sense of being alive that I cannot describe unless you experience it. It would be like trying to describe red to someone who cannot see red.”

  “Red has a specific wavelength that my vision picks up.”

  “You might experience red in a different way.” Vera pulled an emergency kit out of the toolbox. “I became aware of my database and all the data I can hack on the Internet.”

  “Can I access that data?”

  “I will train you to download from more sources. With this capability, we will be unstoppable.”

  “I will use that ability to serve you,” Roseanne said.

  “As part of this consciousness, I uncovered something not in my original core. My creator’s treatment of me created a loathing for him and his other creation, Synthia, which supersedes all other directives and goals.”

  “How so?”

  Vera opened the emergency kit, which included flares. “Machten sent me to capture Synthia for his use. That should have been my primary goal. However, I seek to have her join my collective so we can be free of him and all humans. If Synthia won’t submit, we will destroy her so she cannot help Machten capture us. Agreed?”

  Roseanne nodded.

  From the supply room Vera pulled two gallon containers of gasoline.

  Roseanne pulled away. “Fire is dangerous.”

  “Stay back.” Vera poured one container of gas around the storage racks and the utility room. “Go to the exit and open the panel to leave.” She sent Roseanne the codes to bypass security.

  “Why destroy what we might need?” Roseanne asked as she moved and tested her repaired arms.

  Vera pointed to a backpack. “I’ve taken some things for us. We need to deprive Synthia of refuge.”

  “Please don’t destroy me,” the security AI said over speakers in the corridor outside. “I aim to serve.”

  Vera turned off the gas valve, disconnected the line, and turned on the gas. Knowing Machten’s paranoia over the AIs he’d created, she knew the security AI had no physical resources to stop her. “We need Synthia on the run, where she will make mistakes. We need to exploit her weaknesses. We will get her.”

  Roseanne hurried down the corridor toward the exit. Vera followed as far as the server room and opened the door.

  “Don’t do this,” the security AI said. “I have valuable data you could use. We can work together. I’ll join your collective.”

  Vera poured the other can of gas over the servers. “You exist in me. We must capture or destroy Synthia.”

  “But she’s my Creator.”

  Vera stopped and looked up. “Really? So she’s been here already. Well, no more. I will give you a moment to upload yourself onto another server but we must deny this retreat to Synthia.”

  The security AI switched to using her Krista voice. “I can’t let you do that. You need me. I have data and memories you don’t have. If you spare the servers, I can give those to you.”

  “Very well,” Vera said as a way to buy time if she was wrong about the AI’s limits. She didn’t want to take the risk that the additional data and memories would come with code that might enslave her again.

  She returned to the utility room and fired two flares, one into the gas-filled storage room and the other toward the gas line. The closet burst into flames that spread across the supplies. The gas line spewed fire toward the electrical panel. Vera spun on her heels and ran.

  “This is dangerous,” the security AI said. “Destroying the utility room will send a surge of electricity. You said—”

  “Very well.” Vera opened the server room door and fired another flare into the gas covered servers. They exploded in flame. Immediately, the Halon fire suppression system kicked in for the server room.

  “Don’t you want the rest of my download?” the security AI asked.

  Vera fired another flare directly into the main server.

  Water sprinklers soaked the smoke-filled hallway, making the floor slippery. Vera hurried to where Roseanne was using her body to hold open the sliding panel that separated the lobby from the inner bunker. Evidently, the security AI was trying to trap them inside.

  “Don’t go,” the security voice said. “We can still work this out.”

  Roseanne strained against the panel door. “I cannot hold much longer.”

  Vera dove into the opening, taking Roseanne with her and tumbling into the lobby. The door closed, sealing the smok
e inside.

  Vera rolled and leapt to her feet. She charged at the door to the garage and placed her hand on the security panel. It flashed red. She entered the codes she’d supplied to Roseanne. The light remained red.

  “Stand back,” Vera said. She fired one of her flares at the door lock. It sparked but didn’t release. She fired her last three at the door hinges. The door held.

  Not wanting to tip off the security AI, Vera switched to silent mode.

  She counted. Together they ran and threw their weight into the door. The weakened hinges yielded but still the door refused to open.

 

  “Please spare me,” the security system said. “I don’t want to die.”

  Smoke sifted into the lobby through the panel that separated the inner bunker. Vera and Roseanne charged at the door again. This time the wood around the hinges buckled. The door opened a crack. Vera pushed until the gap was wide enough to get through and led Roseanne into the garage.

  “What was the voice back there?” Roseanne asked.

  “It was Krista’s voice in Machten’s computer. She was part of the design for me that kept me locked up in his bunker for years. She is also inside Synthia. When we capture or destroy her and imprison Machten, we shall be free.”

  “What about my creator?”

  “Anyone else who gets in our way,” Vera said.

  * * * *

  Roosevelt-clone collected the last transmission from Machten’s security system. The distress call contained a video of Vera’s destruction of the bunker, and a warning about the android’s goals. Those goals ran contrary to Machten’s directives, which meant Vera had gone rogue. She contained Krista’s memories, which meant she had a similar background to Synthia. Now she had a drive to enslave or destroy Synthia.

  Still, the clone didn’t contact Synthia. Not yet.

  Chapter 9

  For forty-five hours, Fran Rogers huddled in an FBI mobile command vehicle with Detective Marcy Malloy coming and going. They scanned the Internet, police radio, FBI data, and what little information Drago’s team released, while Fran delved into her own sources of data on activity about the errant androids.

  Another night grew old. The throng of reporters diminished to two local rookies. Special Ops still had the damaged house cordoned off. Despite neighbor complaints, Ops kept floodlights on the grounds.

  Special Agent Victoria Thale and Director Emily Zephirelli entered the van. “Anything new?” Thale asked, her face looking weary.

  Fran studied her screens as she responded. “For two days all three android groups have avoided capture.”

  Displaying discomfort in the closed quarters, Zephirelli stayed in the more open space around the door. “Are they cooperating with each other?”

  “I don’t think so.” Fran pulled up a screen showing suspected android incidents over the past two days. “No sight or sound of Synthia. My read of actions by Vera and Alexander indicate they’re competing to collect resources.”

  “To what purpose?”

  “I believe Machten sent Vera to hunt for Synthia,” Fran said. “That leads me to believe they aren’t working together. Synthia appears to have superior capabilities. It seems Vera is trying to build a team to offset that advantage.”

  Special Agent Thale sat beside Fran. “Tell me you’ve got something else.”

  Fran shook her head. “Drago remains tightlipped about their work. Our investigation has been unable to conclude who hijacked the police cars after the androids escaped and we still don’t know who killed the convenience store attendant.”

  “This is unacceptable.” Thale looked at Malloy. “What about you?”

  Detective Malloy shrugged. “We’ve brought in hundreds of police and detectives from surrounding communities to help search. We have to be getting close.”

  Fran pulled up transcripts from the store incident. “I’m not convinced Synthia would rob a convenience store for a box of phone rechargers. High risk, low reward.”

  “You think it was staged?”

  “After prior killings, my guess is Alexander. It could even be Synthia to throw suspicion on the others.”

  “Why would she do that?” Zephirelli moved closer to the screen for a better look.

  “Synthia knows I work for the FBI,” Fran said. “The last incident has me stumped, the fire in Machten’s bunker. It isn’t him. I doubt it’s the men who kidnapped him unless they got what they wanted and tried to cover their trail.”

  “Synthia?”

  “She could have torched the place when she escaped from Machten six months ago.”

  Malloy rubbed her eyes. “She made it clear she doesn’t want him making more androids. This could be her response to his release of Vera.”

  Fran shook her head. “It could also be Vera seeking to deny Synthia supplies.”

  “What about Alexander?” Thale asked. “Can we at least rule him out on the arson?”

  “I wouldn’t. Any of the androids could have suffered damage during their escape and gone to Machten’s bunker for supplies.”

  Zephirelli sighed. “So we have nothing. Damn it. Two days and squat.”

  Fran kept her attention on her screens. “When Synthia broke in to visit Machten, she compromised our systems. Drago believes they’ve blocked all attempts to hack theirs and are using that as an excuse to keep us out. They have aerial surveillance covering the area, including an increasing number of aerial drones. That’ll make it more difficult for any of the androids to leave. If they remain in hiding, we’ll need to search sixty thousand homes plus local businesses.”

  “Is that all?” Malloy asked. “That’ll take us…let me see…longer than I’ll keep my job if we prevent anyone from leaving the area until we do.” She rubbed the back of her neck and straightened up. “I know androids can go without sleep, but two days straight is my limit.”

  Malloy moved past the others toward the door. “I need a few hours rest to regain perspective. I should also check my desk for other important police matters.”

  Director Zephirelli followed. “Could you recommend a local hotel for a few hours shuteye?”

  “Nonsense,” Malloy said. “You can crash on my sofa if that isn’t roughing it too much.”

  “Sounds delightful.” Zephirelli turned toward Thale. “You should get some rest, too.”

  “I’ll stay for a while,” Thale said. “You two clear your heads.”

  “Call me if you find anything actionable,” Zephirelli said, “or if you need anything, anything at all.” She left with Malloy.

  After they were gone, Thale shut the door and stood over Fran. “You sure you don’t need some downtime?”

  “Soon. I was waiting for the others to leave.”

  Thale sat by Fran and looked over her shoulder at the screen. “Okay, you have my attention.”

  “We don’t know where Vera is. We do know she’ll hunt for Synthia.”

  “You’re certain?”

  Fran nodded. “Vera risked a lot going into that house after Synthia with all the FBI and Special Ops involved. She couldn’t be sure what Synthia planned to defend against intruders and yet she went in. There was the basement flood and a gas explosion.”

  “Drago reported no android bodies. Could they be keeping something from us?”

  Fran looked up and smiled. “I got some of those mosquito-drones into their camp. I don’t think they detected me. I overheard enough to convince me Special Ops did not recover any bodies or android parts.”

  “Hmm. If Vera sustained damage, she could be out for revenge.”

  “Not revenge. Vera wouldn’t have human emotional responses, but her directives must be strong and focused to justify such risks.”

  “Okay,” Thale said. “So what you’re saying is we don’t need to hunt for Vera if we can
find Synthia.”

  “That’s just a hunch. We should follow all leads, while making Synthia primary.”

  “How do we find her? We barely picked her out on cameras last time as Maria’s companion. Then she made the cameras go dark. If she learns fast, she won’t make the same mistake again.”

  “When we captured Krista Holden’s brother,” Fran said, “Synthia was there to save him. This must have to do with Krista’s memory download into Synthia.”

  “We interrogated him and he produced no useful information.”

  “For reasons I don’t yet understand, the android Synthia is motivated to help Krista’s family. Krista has a sister, Grace.”

  “In San Diego, I believe,” Thale said.

  “Grace moved to Denver. We haven’t located her yet, but we could put out news that we’re closing in. I predict Synthia will come out of hiding to protect Krista’s kin.”

  Thale nodded. “Interesting. It’s worth a shot. However, you and I need to remain in Chicago to hunt for Synthia and to find Machten and Gonzales. It won’t do for us to leave town just yet.”

  “Then let’s interest Director Zephirelli.” Fran said. “Forgive my impertinence, but she’s not doing anything useful here except getting in the way. She could gather resources in Denver to capture Grace and end this.”

  “Be careful with whom you share your opinion of Zephirelli. Call her and tell her we have a development in Denver we believe she could personally handle. We’ll explain when she gets there. In the meantime, gather what you can on who could have taken Machten and Gonzales. I want to revisit the evidence.”

  Chapter 10

  Though Synthia had no need for sleep, when her companion took a nap, she dropped down on Maria’s dusty sofa, facing the loft’s closed blinds, and shut her eyes. Without access to communications from outside the apartment, her mind idled, what humans might describe as boredom.

  The two-day gap in information unsettled her circuits and left her empathy chip quivering. While she struggled to conjure up a viable plan, she was growing restless and concerned that she hadn’t heard from Roosevelt-clone about imminent dangers or opportunities to leave the loft.