I was beginning to feel the heat of frustration grasping at my throat.
The thought of what could be contained within Deadlocked's prototype consumed me, yet it seemed any idea I had to crack it open would yield the same result – nothing. In an effort to develop software that could interface with it, I invested charges over time onto my personal laptop. This project was something I had neglected, and with Grim’s defeat, I was finally afforded the time I so desperately wanted. Even still, that time was divided, with only a fraction of my attention on the cube. Sam and I realized that anything involving the cube would be a marathon, not a sprint.
“Still nothing,” I closed the detection software on my laptop and rubbed my eyes.
All the time I spent waiting for upgrades to finish felt wasted. Sure, I got to have a Super laptop that was better than even the most powerful of mundane supercomputers in every way, but none of that mattered if it couldn’t crack Deadlocked’s secret secure network. My tech couldn’t even detect it. I was starting to think I was pursuing the wrong solution.
With my power, I observed that Deadlocked’s prototype occupational unit had a hyper-encrypted network frequency in its security features. That meant there were ways to connect to and configure the cube. What those configuration settings were, I had no idea. I’d imagine actually opening it would be one of the many options, but I was stymied by how sophisticated it was.
[Charges: 25/25]
[Type]
* Distorted Space-time Dimensional Occupational Unit - Prototype Build 0.8234v12
[Durability 41/100 - Repair Unavailable. Cost: 3] (ERROR - Incompatible Component Detected)
[Software]
* Ω Network Encryption Frequency
* * Ω Network Encryption Frequency MK II (Cost: 350) (ERROR - Incompatible Component Detected)
* Ω Firewall Protection
* * Ω Firewall Protection MK II (Cost: 480) (ERROR - Incompatible Component Detected)
* Ω Automated Detection System
* * Ω Automated Detection System MK II (Cost: 250) (ERROR - Incompatible Component Detected)
The costs were astronomical. My workshop machines, drones, weapons, and power armor all had improvements that had long since broken into the double digits, and even then I was confident I could handle most threats. Basilisk’s acid wasn’t strong enough to eat through my armor. I was all but certain I could not only survive an encounter with Wildfire and put him in the dirt. I liked to think I had countermeasures for most Supers active in Bayside.
Despite all that, there was still room for improvement.
My upgrades didn’t even come close to breaking triple digits. I wasn’t even halfway! Was Deadlocked’s mechatech just that good? Was there really such a gap? If so, just how sophisticated was Ajax’s tech? I couldn’t afford to spend all my time hyperfocusing on a single component. It simply wasn’t worth it.
So I needed a way to close the gap. Was integrating more revolutionary mechatech the answer, or was I supposed to keep working on what I already had? Integration was costly but ultimately yielded fantastic results. It opened countless branching paths, allowing for secondary and tertiary functions on devices that otherwise wouldn’t be capable. My suit was a prime example of that. Improving base components just made them… well, better. The question really was: how much did I need to invest to get something comparable to Deadlocked’s gear?
My power gave me surface-level insight into the installed components, what they did, their status, and how much each subsequent upgrade cost was going to be. There was no indication as to where my tech ranked in comparison to Deadlocked’s aside from the sheer volume of charges I needed to spend to upgrade. I supposed – after some quiet contemplation – that cost was the distinction between our levels of technology.
All things considered, Omega Network Encryption Frequency does sound crazy powerful. Maybe that should have been my first clue.
If the disparity between our tech was really just a matter of charges, then I was woefully out of my depth. Cracking Deadlocked’s mechatech would be a fruitless endeavor, but not entirely impossible. It would take months, maybe even years to do. I didn’t have that time, so I couldn’t consider holding onto that course of action. Each step upscaling my tech cost me one more charge than the previous. Sure, on repeated upgrades those steps got cheaper, but the first initial jump was full price. Getting to the point where my gear sat in the triple digits to upgrade took more time than I cared to count. It was egregious, and a waste. I’d have to get my laptop’s frequency decryption software to MK 225 to even be able to see Deadlocked’s super secret network.
That in itself was an enormously pointless task and I’d probably die of old age before I even got close.
Unless I’m thinking about this the wrong way.
I leaned back in, my gaze flicking back between the cube and my laptop. What if I didn’t need to upgrade my gear to an equivalent cost? While most of my equipment was built from a mundane foundation, it was already capable of holding its own against powerful ECU mechatech. I could break into their systems, and I had no doubt I could fend off a whole squadron of kitted soldiers if I was forced to. That had to count for something?
What if it isn’t a matter of cost equivalence in terms of the marks, but overall investment instead?
I focused my attention on my laptop, my hands brushing against the keys. I felt the information light up like fireworks inside my brain, and each path branched out like hot neon blue wires.
[Charges: 25/25]
[Type]
* Super Workstation MK VI
[Durability 100/100 - Repair Unavailable]
[Software]
* Network Frequency Detection MK VII
* * Network Frequency Detection MK VIII (Cost: 8)
* Network Decryption MK VI
* * Network Decryption MK VII (Cost: 7)
* Intrusion Countermeasures MK III
* * Intrusion Countermeasures MK IV (Cost: 4)
The laptop was certainly lacking compared to my other equipment but it achieved its other purposes just fine. It was only in this regard where it fell short. I needed to make serious improvements to the software if I was going to break through, but the upgrades I’d be making were based on a hunch and not on solid fact. I had no idea if my powers actually worked this way, but I considered the experiment worth it in the grand scheme of things.
So far, from the looks of it, I had invested 35 charges into detection, 27 into decryption, and 5 into countermeasures. If I was correct, I needed to invest an equal amount of charges into these components so they could reach a similar cost threshold as Deadlocked’s software. I had to remind myself that I didn’t need to reach the MK II costs, only what was already implemented. The prototype design’s current Ω Network Encryption Frequency cost 250, with the Ω Firewall Protection and Ω Automated Detection System costing 340 and 150 respectively. If I just needed to match the overall investment, that meant I needed my Network Frequency Detection at MK 22, Network Decryption at MK 26, and Intrusion Countermeasures at MK 18. If I need to make up the disparity with overall investment, I had to take full advantage of my slow upgrading capabilities. I’d have to queue up each step with a single charge, so in order to reach my thresholds, I’d need to initiate 50 slow upgrades over the next couple of days. Obviously, I wouldn’t do it all in one go, as I have other projects to work on, so I would spread the queues out over the next week.
All up, that’s… 654 hours.
Twenty-seven days. Just shy of a month. That’s just the software components as well. I’ll have to improve the laptop itself to even be able to run the software without waiting for the end of the universe. Throw in another fifty or so charges for that and I’d have to wait just over a month, a week give or take.
There was so much to consider, but the gamble just might be worth it. If it turned out the overall investment translated to a level of complexity, then I was further along than I realized.
“This could work.”
“You’ve been staring for over twenty minutes,” Cyberspace’s voice sounded through the laptop’s speakers. A window popped up to display their avatar. It unnerved me how the face could look so human and inhuman at the same time. The way it moved sent shivers down my spine, but I guessed that was the intended effect. “I take it you’ve made a breakthrough of some kind?”
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
“To a degree. I don’t know if you’d call it a breakthrough. More of a realization,” I explained. “It's related to my power, but I could just be wasting time. I won’t know unless I try, but my gut is telling me I’m right.”
“Gut feelings tend to bear fruit on the subject of power understanding. A Mentalist might be able to figure out the general aspects of your power, but at the end of the day, only you will be able to find out the details,” Cyberspace said. “While we’re on the subject. What exactly is it that has you contemplating and talking to yourself?”
My lips thinned.
“You’re quite the voyeur, aren’t you?”
“One of my many hobbies,” Cyberspace replied, amused. “Well, don’t leave me on the edge, what’s got you thinking?”
“Deadlocked’s prototype is too sophisticated for my level of tech to interact with right now. It's going to take more time, more than I thought,” I picked up the cube and tossed it back and forth in my hands. “How soon do you want this open? You haven’t exactly given us a timeframe. In fact, you’ve been pretty lenient in letting me work on my own projects. I figured you’d be breathing down my neck more.”
“I could do that more, if you wish,” Cyberspace intoned. “Mechakinetics thrive when they are given the freedom to breathe. Creativity flourishes when it isn’t stifled, and I find that those in my employ produce better results when I am not shackling them to projects they have no interest in. However,” they paused for a few moments. “I still expect them to design and work on projects that ultimately benefit our working relationship.”
“I… see, and no. It’s fine,” I reassured them, chuckling nervously. “I didn’t mean to imply that I wanted that. I was just pointing out that this isn’t what I expected – in a good way, of course. I appreciate the freedom you’ve given us. That being said, this—” I set the cube down in front of the laptop so Cyberspace could see. “—assuming my gut feeling is correct, is going to take about a month to open. I’ll need to improve the laptop to a point where it can break in. If I’m wrong, then I doubt I’ll ever be able to open it and we’ll need to search for another way.”
“A reasonable explanation,” Cyberspace agreed. “I do not expect you to work miracles. A few days and nights focusing on opening Deadlocked’s prototype was never going to be enough. Even with my resources, I am unable to pierce its complex security and it took even Ajax years to gain access though I remain unaware of how he does so. Space-time is not easy to work with, and the fact you may have a solution within the month is remarkable.”
“As I said, it’s only a hunch, this thing is on a whole other level, and it’s only a prototype,” I mused. “But it’s old, more than six or seven years I’d say. Deadlocked’s long since moved on, improving her designs. This thing might as well be a relic to her. I have to wonder if she even knows it's been stolen,” I heaved a sigh and ran a hand through my hair. “Not like it matters anyway. I doubt she’d care when she’s on a level akin to Ajax. Whoever steals her stuff wouldn’t be able to use it anyway.”
“Unless it's you.”
I laughed awkwardly.
“Yeah, well that remains to be seen.”
Something big landed with a wet splat next to me.
“Off base? Talkin’ about being off base, that’s been me all day today,” Liam groaned, flinging an arm around my shoulders. “It’s just been one thing after another today. First that crap with your friends, then Ajax going all ‘extraterrestrial alien invasion’ on us. It’s been a wild ride and I can’t seem to get off,” he spotted Cyberspace on the laptop and scowled. “Oh, great. Now you’re here. I can add it to the list. Zoom calling with a spooky internet terrorist.”
“We were having a pleasant conversation,” Cyberspace said dryly. “But it appears that is no longer the case.”
“Aw, come on. I’m a talkative guy, I can play nice,” Liam puffed himself up before giving Cyberspace a weird look. “On second thought, maybe not so much. At least not with you. No offense. I do better face to face, if you get what I’m saying.”
“Right.”
“Cool! So, uh, Max,” he clapped his hands and stepped away. “You remember that time when you mentioned that you’d help me find Natasha? My sister,” he clarified. I was about to reply when he continued. “Back on the night where we did that suicidal plan Sam cooked up. I don’t blame you if you forgot since you’ve been super busy and all that but—”
“I remember,” I cut him off. “I haven’t forgotten. I’ve just been, well…” I gestured to the workshop and all my projects. “…preoccupied. With all the free time we’ve had, I wanted to make sure it was put to good use. If I’m not here, I’m wasting time.”
“Yeah! Yeah, I know. It’s all good. I’ve just been leaving you be, you know? Saw how busy you’ve been, and Sam was pretty insistent that we don’t disturb you, but these last couple of days I’ve been thinking. Just thought I’d ask to make sure everything’s still cool on that front,” Liam’s antsy tone and persona was impossible to miss. “It’s been eating me, you know?”
“I can share the details of Spectre’s last assignment,” Cyberspace cut in, drawing our attention back to the screen. “These last few weeks have been grueling for many, so I appreciate your patience. If you wish to know now, I can divulge the mission plan, though I cannot promise you will learn anything of particular interest.”
I shrugged, burying the annoyance clawing around inside my chest. It was true, I hadn’t forgotten about my promise to Liam, but the timing didn’t suit me. Regardless, I had to swallow my displeasure. I could return to pondering my potential abilities later. There was plenty of time left in the day and Sam wasn’t due back here for another hour and a half. She texted to let everyone know she was following a lead Gold had about Seraphim.
Apparently, there was something going on with her, and I suspected it had everything to do with her boyfriend. I still hadn’t forgotten about my encounter with the guy. Just the memory made me feel queasy. Something wasn’t right, and Sam finally had the time to unearth what was going on.
“Let's hear it then. We can pick up where we left off later.”
“Very well,” Cyberspace said. “Spectre’s mission wasn’t routine. It was an infiltration mission taking place in Sydney. Transport to the city was trivial when Translocator was still alive and in my employ, but his suicide three years ago has made international missions frustratingly longer. Spectre was tasked with infiltrating a secure warehouse that I confirmed to be a trading outpost for Masquerade and The Iron Maiden. Mechatech made by Australian mechakinetics were being funneled through it back to Dubai. One item of note was something called a ‘Cornerstone.’ It was a unique piece of technology capable of harvesting solar energy and transforming it into a substance integral to a system capable of outperforming nuclear energy a hundred times over. The best part is that unlike most other mechakinetic energy systems, it was highly scalable.”
My eyes widened.
“That sounds—”
“Impressive? That’s what I thought too. For a newly Awakened with insufficient resources, they exceeded my expectations. It is unfortunate that, due to poor handling, the Super died of chronic radiation poisoning. Negligence in handling their own product is not a promising trait.”
“Damn,” Liam rubbed the back of his neck, uncertain how to feel. “You sent my sister to retrieve this thing? What if this is the thing that—”
“If you will let me finish,” Cyberspace interrupted, their tone clipped. “You will find that your sister’s disappearance has nothing to do with the Cornerstone. The Iron Maiden is in possession of it to this day, so Spectre failed in her mission. My consultants believe the object of her mission has nothing to do with her disappearance.”
“So what was?” I asked.
“If I knew, I would tell you.”
“There’s got to be more to it than that. What, she breaks into the warehouse and just vanishes?” I furrowed my brow, perplexed. “Was she captured? You had retrieval teams investigating, only to find nothing. Her code name was Spectre. What were her powers? Something amounting to intangibility?”
“Dimensional Shifting,” Cyberspace corrected. “Mentalist analysis, as well as a detailed report written by Natasha herself, claims she is capable of stepping through layered co-existing dimensions. Spectre described it as flicking different light switches.”
“Woah,” Liam murmured. “That… shit, I totally get that. That’s how it feels for me. It’s like flicking a switch in my head.”
“You’re siblings and second generation evohumans. It is only natural that certain aspects of your powers are similar.”
“Is it possible that Spectre could be hiding? From Masquerade? From you? From everyone?” I put forward the theory building in my head. I knew there were flaws to it, and there was no chance someone under Cyberspace’s employ hadn’t already thought of it, but I wanted to know the reason. Liam insisted he and his sister were close, enough that her abandonment had left an unfilled hole in his soul. Surely she wouldn’t just hide away unless she had a good reason to. “What’re the chances of that?”
“Unrealistic. Motives, personal behavior, psyche evaluations do not point to abandonment being a probable outcome. With no answers and my Mentalist support hitting too many roadblocks. We were left believing that she was either captured or killed. If capture is the case, then she is being held somewhere I am not capable of accessing, which I will stress is not within The Iron Maiden’s capabilities,” Cyberspace explained. “Death is the most likely conclusion.”
“Is there nothing else?” I asked, hopeful.
“The warehouse Spectre was sent to infiltrate was emptied the morning following her operation. Masquerade’s men had moved the supply to another outpost in Adelaide. There was evidence left behind of a fight, but no blood or bodies were recovered or assumed to have even been there,” Cyberspace said. “That is all we know.”
Masquerade… is it any coincidence he’s involved in this?
“I see,” I sighed, looking up at Liam. The jovial front he had been wearing before was gone, his recent melancholic demeanor resurfacing. “We’ll figure something out, okay?”
His lips twitched toward a smile, but he suppressed it.
“Thanks, I guess. At least I get to know the story and the reason, even if it fuckin’ sucks,” he glared at the monitor again. Cyberspace offered no words of defense, instead, opting to meet his gaze. “I was gonna go investigate myself, but if this place is over in Sydney, there’s not much I can do to get there. I don’t think there’ll even be much to look at. You said the place was emptied the next morning?”
“Yes,” Cyberspace said. “However, the warehouse was demolished last year. The office complex that replaced it was only finished three months ago.”
“Yeah,” Liam’s shoulders sagged. “No point going there. Won’t find shit.”
“If what you say is true, then the only people who really know what happened to Spectre are sitting comfortably in Dubai,” I said, determined not to let Liam wallow in failure. We hit one expected roadblock, and he already looked like he was losing steam. I didn’t accept that, and I wasn’t going to let him give up now when we hadn’t even started. “This starts and ends with Masquerade and The Iron Maiden.”
“You would have better luck breaking Ajax’s Mothership with a stone, than trying to fight The Iron Maiden,” Cyberspace said. “I understand your determination to uncover the truth behind Spectre’s disappearance, but making any trips to Dubai is not only reckless, but time consuming, and a waste of resources. You have enough to deal with here. Sweepers and Walkers are days away from being deployed throughout Bayside.”
“I never said anything about going personally. I have no intention to set foot in Dubai unless absolutely necessary,” I clarified. Cyberspace looked intrigued, while Liam looked confused. “We establish contact, and trade information.”
“The Iron Maiden does not trade for information. I have tried once before.”
“We have a bargaining chip,” I said. “They were dealing with Grim for one reason or another and Splicer was involved. Unless you’ve conveniently let him go for a walk about, it’s my understanding that he’s still sitting in one of your little cells on the other side of the city.”
Cyberspace’s tone turned cold.
“You wish for me to sacrifice an asset of Splicer’s caliber on the basis of information that The Iron Maiden may or may not have?” I shuddered at the way they phrased the question. “No.”
Liam heaved a sigh.
“I guess we’re going to Dubai then.”
I would have laughed if I couldn’t feel the anger reverberate through the screen.
“NO!” Cyberspace’s declaration shook me to my core. “I will consult…. other avenues, since you two are so determined,” they paused for a moment. “This will be a costly venture. I will expect something in return, if I am to pursue this.”
“My plan,” I said immediately. “You already know what it is I want to do. I’ll share it with the others when Sam and Mia get here. I’m sure I’ll be able to figure something out.”
Cyberspace heaved a sigh.
“Be sure that you do.”