September 2070. Yucca Mountain Complex, Nevada. United Nations of America.
The next few days passed quickly for Liam, and he no longer felt confined in his quarters. Voyager spent the time training him in the use of his new implants. He learned their benefits, limitations, and potential dangers while using them.
With Voyager’s connection to the complex’s internal network, the commander could investigate how far the various scientists had progressed with the alien technology. He didn’t understand much of the science, but Voyager was more than willing to help him translate their various pursuits into concepts he understood.
Once Liam knew the lay of the land, he decided it was prudent to sabotage their progress. He instructed Voyager to leave a virus that would burn through the complex a week after his departure, rendering most of their equipment inoperable, and delete the stores of data they had amassed. He also suggested that Voyager seal the ship from further investigation and they could retrieve the craft at a later date–to which Voyager had agreed.
The AI had become remarkably more helpful and informative since fusing with Liam. It appeared that the advanced synthetic intelligence had been bereft without a biological presence to center its decisions. There were some leaps of intuition that Liam possessed that were absent in his artificial partner. As the days progressed, they were becoming increasingly effective at working together.
When the day of his departure arrived, Liam carefully surveilled all of the Director’s communication regarding him. He wanted to ensure that there wasn’t some conspiracy afoot and that he was being assassinated or something equally grim rather than being given his freedom. To his relief, everything appeared above board, and he was aware of the moment the rest of Valorus arrived at the facility.
When the security personnel chimed on his door, the operator was already waiting with his single bag already packed. The only important thing inside was the vial of nanite solution that Voyager had printed for him. Liam had probably checked it a dozen times in the intervening days to ensure it was still there and functioning within tolerable limits.
Station security escorted Liam to the hangar he arrived in not so long ago and watched as the Valorus team stepped off the two tiltrotor aircraft dispatched to transport them to the facility.
One of the men separated from the rest of the pack and made his way over to Liam. The operator quickly identified him as Jonathan Greene, the man Amal sent to replace him as the new Head of Security.
“Hey, Greene,” Liam greeted while shaking the other man’s hand.
“Hey, brother,” the man returned with a surreptitious smile. “Is there something I need to know about?” His voice was low as if he were expecting something dire since Dr. Ellis had chosen to remove Liam from the facility.
“No, they made some ethical decisions I don’t quite agree with, and I made a big wave when I protested. It was unprofessional of me, and as long as you can stomach it, you’ll be fine here,” Liam tone was cheerful, totally at odds with the other man’s expectation.
“Alright,” Greene hesitated. “I’m sorry to hear that. You’re a damn good operator, Ward, and I’m sure you were right for whatever you did.”
Liam shrugged, “It is what it is. Good luck with your assignment.”
The two men parted and went separate as the Redwater guard assigned to Liam led him to the aircraft he’d be leaving on. When the last Valorus member exited the craft, he entered the crew door and found a jump seat to settle in. He was a little confused why Flint didn’t escort him personally, but he assumed Flint felt awkward after the conversation about Liam’s mother.
Again, it wasn’t something Liam could control, so he decided not to worry about it. Instead, Liam practiced activating his ultraviolet and infrared vision on command. He was introduced to more of his cybernetic eye’s functionalities as Voyager determined he was competent with their use.
He barely noticed when the aircraft took off, and by the time it landed at Edwards Air Force Base, Voyager had unlocked the heads-up display for him to use. It was a magical piece of technology designed to provide him with near-real-time data seamlessly integrated into his field of vision. In most cases, the data wasn’t essential, so it would fade into near transparency when he wasn’t looking at the information.
There were only three functions for now, but Voyager assured him that more tactical options would appear in combat scenarios.
He had a miniature map of his current location, orientation, and cardinal directions in the bottom left of his vision. It only had as much detail as Voyager had access to, but when the AI linked with his phone, he quickly scraped publicly available information and used it to create the map with stunning detail. If the AI had enough knowledge, the mapping feature could help him navigate indoors and outdoors.
The other helpful function was the ability to analyze various objects in his surroundings. For example, while he was deplaning from the tiltrotor transport, the AI would identify the aircraft any time he looked at it and focused. The longer he stared at the object, the more data Voyager would provide. Liam felt like a kid in the candy store as he inspected various vehicles, personnel, and items to see how much data he could pull from them.
The third and final function revealed itself as Liam felt his cell phone vibrating in his pocket. In the bottom right of his HUD, a communication interface linked to his cellphone indicated an incoming call. The commander could see that Amal was calling him, allowing him to respond or ignore the notification with a thought. Liam mentally accepted the ring, and Amal’s voice popped into his head.
Hey brother, I got notified that you landed in Edwards but are not boarding the C-5?
Yeah, I’ve been thinking, old friend. Liam began. I think I need to try something different. I won’t be coming back to Virginia. I’ll stay in California and help my sister with her new company. I was going to call you when I left the base, but you beat me to the punch.
There was silence on the line as Amal processed what Liam was saying.
Are you leaving Valorus, Liam? Amal sounded incredulous. Quitting wasn’t generally in Liam’s nature—not like this. If this concerns the contract, you don’t need to worry. As far as I’m concerned, it's no harm or foul. I don’t know what happened, but the Director told me you physically assaulted one of his staff. I know you. I know whatever occurred must have been because of a good reason. We still have the contract, and I could use you elsewhere.
I’m not going to lie to you, Amal—the experience shook me, he admitted. I think I’m done with the contractor life. I’ve paid my dues to the country, and this last contract solidified that. For a while, I knew I couldn’t keep doing this. I’m tired of feeling like a failure, and these contracts were sucking the last bit of life out of me. I want to make a difference, but I don’t think staying with Valorus is best for me.
His boos took a deep breath, knowing Liam wouldn’t change his mind when he sounded like this. Alright, brother, I understand. Just know that you’ve always got a place for you at Valorus.
Thanks, Amal. I’m gonna try the civilian life for a while, and if I can’t shake the itch, then you’ll be the first one I call.
Good luck, Amal wished him well before ending the call.
Switching mental tracks, Liam spoke to Voyager.
You hear everything? He checked.
Yes, Commander. Amal seems like a good friend to you, even if you’re now on separate paths.
He is, Liam affirmed. Now we just need to figure out how to get off base, he said while glancing around for some form of base transportation.
I’ve already taken the liberty of scheduling you a car, Commander. It’s waiting for you approximately a mile and a half due East.
Liam’s ground to a halt. How did you do that?
Easily, Commander. I tapped into the local network, found a transportation company with the appropriate access on base, and scheduled them to pick you up and take you to your sister’s condo.
How…how did you know where my sister lives?
I checked your call logs, traced her location from the metadata on file, and narrowed it down to a condo on the outskirts of Los Angeles. I checked the secondary address for Apex Industries on file with the IRS to confirm the location.
Liam’s mind was swimming. He knew the synthetic intelligence was advanced, but it was making their entire system look like child’s play. Voyager’s capabilities were impressive, but he couldn’t get over the revulsion at having their thin veneer of privacy ripped away so abruptly.
How did you pay for the service? Please tell me you don’t already have access to my accounts.
I didn’t need access, but I could if you wanted or needed me to, Commander. How else would I be able to assist you in these small matters?
How did you get the money? Liam couldn’t help but wonder.
I set up several offshore bank accounts in countries still related to the United Nations of America but have far less scrutiny on their financial systems. The UNA uses a digital currency without a distributed ledger that prevents tampering. I can use the offshore accounts to generate and store UNA credits and then use those credits to purchase goods and services almost instantly. The numbers are falsified, but the paper trail is credible. Do not worry, Commander. I am using discretion. The AI sounded cheerful, but horror was washing over Liam.
Commander, did I do something wrong? I can see that your cortisol levels are spiking. Again, I’m almost one hundred percent confident I can fund your mission without the UNA discovering it or crashing this world’s economy–the little that remains.
Voyager, Liam sighed heavily. You can’t do that.
I assure you that I can, Commander.
No, I mean, you can’t do things like that without letting me know first. Liam was struggling for a logical reason, but he couldn’t—instead, he tried to be as honest as possible with the synthetic intelligence. Keep in mind I’m not a Priori. I don’t have the built-in knowledge of what you’re capable of and how much access to our systems you have. Half of this appears like magic to me. I feel like I’m redirecting lightning with a key, and I’m afraid I will learn what it’s like to be burned for the first time.
Your metaphor is taken, Commander. I apologize—I didn’t mean to alarm you. Is there something I should undo? Or is there an action you would prefer me to take?
Liam considered the question seriously as he walked in the direction Voyager had indicated the car would be waiting for him. Factually, the AI wasn’t wrong. He needed transportation and funds to do even half of the things he was thinking about for the future. The problem is that it needed to be above board—for that to happen, he needed to rope his sister into the plot first. They would likely need money, but he wasn’t sure this was the best way to go about it.
No, Liam told the AI, you didn’t do anything inherently wrong. You came to the appropriate logical conclusions, but your method needs work. We need to raise funds in a way that doesn’t draw suspicion, and for that, we’ll need to involve my sister’s company. You can use the offshore accounts for our personal expenses, but for anything else, we need to figure out how to do it openly and legally.
Understood, Commander. I’ll put together some projections to achieve the outcomes you desire.
Thanks, Voyager. One more thing, please don’t take action in the future without letting me know. We’re partners in this, and we need to decide these things together.
I’m not used to this type of restriction, Commander. Priori trust my kind implicitly. If we can assist them, we’re expected to do—
They were only a football field away from their destination when the AI paused.
Commander, you’re being followed.
Show me, Liam ordered.
The AI patched a camera feed directly into Liam’s cyberoptic while he appeared unaware. The camera was above and behind the contractor's position, fastened to the wall of a nearby building. Liam saw two men wearing clothing almost identical to his own.
“Contractors,” he recognized their kind. They openly carried pistols holstered to their thighs and walked with the swagger borne from decades on the battlefield.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Liam paused, leaned down, and twisted his bag before him, appearing to grab something from inside. He reached in to grab the grip of his pistol while watching the two men behind him. They slowed their pace, unwilling to close the distance. Their reluctance was all the confirmation he needed. The contractors were there for him.
He stood up, leaving his bag in its position and resting his arm on top. From behind, it would appear he was simply using the bag for support, but he was hiding the bulk of the pistol inside it.
Instead of heading directly for the waiting vehicle, Liam turned off and headed toward the adjacent group of administrative buildings. He watched the camera feed as the two contractors followed him into their shadows.
Do you know why they’re here? Liam asked.
Instead of answering directly, Voyager picked up the contractor's comms and piped it into Liam’s audio implant.
“Target is on the move, heading east toward the base’s administrative section,” one adversary announced.
There was a pause before their handler responded in lightly accented English, “Pull the target into one of the buildings and neutralize him. We’ll handle the military police and any cameras.”
A spike of adrenaline flowed through Liam’s brain as he planned his next move. He would turn the trap back on them if they wanted to kill him out of sight. The commander moved his way toward the nearest concrete structure and walked toward the emergency exit. All military buildings were built the same. The door would lead to a set of stairs in case of a fire. It was likely empty, a perfect location to set up an ambush.
As Liam neared the door, he noted the electronic keypad that secured it.
A little help here, Voyager?
Use your hand implant, Commander.
Pressed his offhand against the keypad and felt a tingling sensation in his palm. His heart was pounding as he wished the process would hurry up. The relief was palpable when the pad buzzed, and a green LED lit up. Liam quickly opened the door and rushed up the first flight of stairs.
He dropped his bag on the landing and drew his pistol. His HUD compensated for his weapon and painted a targeting reticule over his vision. Voyager took it one step further as Liam’s pursuers neared the door. The camera feed was dismissed, and the two contractors became visible through the concrete wall, tinged in red. Liam wasn’t sure what sensors the AI was using, it didn’t look like infrared, but it was damned cool.
The commander edged around the stairs, concealing himself from view as the two men entered and shut the door behind him.
“Where’d he go?” one asked.
Liam heard the jiggling of a knob, one of the contractors attempting to open the first-floor door that led deeper into the building.
“Still locked,” the other commented. “The target probably went upstairs.”
“Are we made?”
“Maybe, he’s been at this a long time, but he shouldn’t know we’re coming.”
“Cover me,” the first man said, and Liam could hear the scrape of his boots against the bottom step. Fortunately, the commander could still see them through his HUD and didn’t need to hide any longer.
Liam spun around the corner, keeping low to reduce his profile. He fired a round into the skull of the lead contractor and then quickly extended his body to fire upon the next. The second contractor got a couple of shots off, missing him entirely before Liam shot him twice in the chest.
With the two adversaries down, Liam picked up his duffel and rapidly descended the steps. He put a round into the head of the second contractor, the smell of blood and shit quickly filling the confined space. He rifled through the men’s pockets, claiming their cellphones for further analysis, and threw them in his bag.
He spotted tiny, identical tattoos on the men’s right hands as he did so. The black ink traced an infinity symbol in the web between their thumbs and forefingers. As much as Liam wanted to stay and continue investigating their identities, he knew he needed to escape.
Make sure the cameras didn’t capture anything, he said to his AI partner.
Already done, Commander.
That worry relieved, he smashed through the exit door and sprinted toward the vehicle Voyager had contracted.
He was surprised to note a luxurious black SUV parked in the lot with dark-tinted windows. Its sleek and sophisticated presence contrasted against the barren desert landscape of the Air Force base. The vehicle's pristine condition suggested meticulous care and attention to detail.
Did you have to pick something that extravagant? He asked Voyager, fearing it would attract more attention than he could handle.
It was a service that billed itself as transportation services for VIPs. You are a VIP, Commander. The vehicle has bulletproof glass, armored plating, a custom engine, and suspension, among other things. The drive to your sister’s condo will take approximately an hour and a half. This vehicle will be far more comfortable than a lesser selection. Did I choose wrong?
No…Liam was breathing heavily from the sprint over. It’s undoubtedly a nice pick, he admitted.
He stepped inside, immersed himself in a world of opulence and comfort. The interior was adorned with fine leather upholstery and elegant wood accents, exuding a sense of refinement and luxury.
“You know where you’re going?” Liam asked as he closed the door behind him.
The driver glanced at Liam through the rearview mirror. “Of course, Mr. Ward. We’re heading to 42 Apex Way.”
Liam nodded, surprised at the address himself. He didn’t realize his sister would be living on the same street as her corporate headquarters. It would be just like her, though. She was the type that buried herself in work and didn’t come up for air until she had something to show off.
While he had been serving in the military, she had been crushing school scholastic records and impressing teachers and her peers alike. Liam wasn’t dumb, but he didn’t have his sister's spark of genius, which made him love her all the more.
Seeing Liam still panting, the driver raised an eyebrow. “You alright?”
“Yeah,” the contractor managed. “Let’s get out of here.”
The driver nodded, set off on their journey, and raised the privacy glass that separated the front seats from the cabin.
Liam took the opportunity to call his sister through his HUD. Within moments, she picked up the phone.
Hey big bro, you still on that contract? She greeted.
No, I’m actually in California already. I landed in Edwards, and I’m on my way.
Do you need the address?
No, I’m good. I got it already, Liam assured his sister. Hey, you notice anything strange? Anyone following you?
Uh…no, she said, wondering why her brother sounded so strange. I’ve been in the labs all day—it’s practically connected to my condo. My residential tower is next to our corporate building, so I rarely get out.
You’ve got security?
Yeah, of course, Liam. Kayla sounded concerned. What’s going on? You’re not telling me something.
A lot, Liam sighed. But I can’t say more over the phone. Stay in your office until I get there and make sure security is nearby.
You’re scaring me, brother.
I know, and I’m sorry. I’ll be there soon. Love you.
Love you too—let me know when you arrive so I can get you from the lobby.
Liam said he would and then ended the call.
Despite the opulence of the cabin, Liam’s eyes turned to their surrounding. Even before the war, this had been a desolate stretch of road. Upon leaving the base, they found themselves on a broad, open highway surrounded by arid desert terrain. The rugged, rocky landscape stretched endlessly, occasional tumbleweeds dancing in the wind. The clear blue sky provided a stark backdrop as the sun bathed the desert in warm golden hues.
The desert gradually gave way to rolling hills and picturesque valleys as the journey progressed. What had once been sparse residential neighborhoods had been converted into miles upon miles of orchards. He spotted cherries, lemons, mandarins, peaches, avocados, figs, and other fruit and nut crops.
The landscape transformed once again when they reached the outskirts of the significantly reduced Los Angeles. The compact metropolis emerged on the horizon, with its skyline stretching to touch the clouds as people were concentrated in the city center. The city’s energy and vitality were palpable, feeling more alive than Washington D.C.
Entering the city limits, the highway became a bustling artery, pulsing with traffic as commuters and travelers made their way through the urban maze. Skyscrapers loomed overhead, their glass facades reflecting the life below. Billboards boasted Party slogans or advertised the latest government-approved media while neon signs adorned the streets.
When they arrived at Apex Industries’ headquarters, he realized his sister had been sandbagging him and his family. The sleek, contemporary design instantly conveyed the cutting-edge nature of a modern tech company rather than the plucky startup his sister had advertised. The building’s facade exuded a futuristic charm, adorned with sleek glass panels and subtle LED lighting that cast a soft glow over the surroundings.
Liam stepped out of the car and was met by a digital display that showcased the latest AI advancement and breakthroughs made by the company. The stylish marketing featured his sister prominent against the backdrop of farms and orchards being remotely administered by drones.
The company logo marked the entrance–a stylized upward-facing chevron with the point nestled inside a circle. It matched the branding of the company perfectly.
Did you know about this? Liam asked Voyager while gesturing at the entrance to the headquarters.
Know about what, Commander? The AI sounded confused.
That she was running a fully-fledged company, not some tiny startup. She can’t pay me a salary–my ass!
I’m not sure what your glutes have to do with the status of the company or your compensation, Commander. But I understood your sister’s words to mean she possessed a small company compared to others. Apex Industries is relatively new and relatively small, which meets the definition of a startup.
Liam rolled his eyes and walked toward the entrance. As he approached, the glass doors automatically laid open, granting him access to the ultramodern atrium inside. The interior was a seamless blend of technology and sophistication. Digital displays on the wall held AI-generated art, and virtual assistants were incorporated into kiosks around the room that offered assistance or information to visitors.
He passed by the kiosks and made his way to the desk along the far wall. He was greeted warmly by an attractive receptionist half his age. He introduced himself and was given an access badge with the Apex Industries logo embossed on its surface. After getting directions to his sister's office on the top floor, he took the elevator to the top. He hadn’t needed the directions as Voyager had already accessed the local network, downloaded the schematics, uploaded them to his HUB, and designated a waypoint, but he needed to look normal for appearance's sake.
Exiting the elevator, he caught glimpses of scientific labs and workspaces through glass partitions. The scene inside was a symphony of collaborative efforts, with AI engineers and data scientists working side-by-side to shape the future of artificial intelligence.
As he strode by the labs, he spotted his sister hunched over a workstation in an animated discussion with one of her employees.
He refreshed his memory of his sister while waiting for her discussion to conclude before interrupting her. Standing at an average height, Kayla's graceful posture spoke of confidence and authority. Her slender frame and athletic poise, like a dancer, reflected her dedication to maintaining a healthy lifestyle despite her busy schedule.
Her stormy gray eyes, much like Liam’s own, sparked with intelligence as she argued with the scientist beside her. Her expressive eyebrows furrowed slightly deep into thought, revealing a keen analytical mind.
Her raven-black hair cascaded down her shoulders, though she frequently pulled it back into a sleek, professional updo when immersed in work. The occasional strand that framed her face only added to her sophisticated and modern appearance.
To his surprise, Kayla looked like she was in her element, which showed on her face. Her complexion was radiant, with a natural flow that accentuated sharp cheekbones and defined jawline. She had always favored minimalistic makeup, allowing her natural beauty to shine through. It was hard to believe the woman before him was his nerdy little sister.
She even dressed like he imagined a seasoned professional would. She wore a tailored black blazer over a crisp white blouse and black slacks. She had eschewed heels in favor of more practical flats. Around her neck, she wore a pair of dog tags–his pair that he had from the Army–a silent reminder of the world she was trying to change for the better.
Finally, their conversation ended, and Liam pulled aside the glass door to enter the lab. Kayla turned, expecting another colleague but was delightfully surprised by the presence of her brother.
She rushed over and wrapped her much larger brother in a hug. “You were supposed to tell me when you were here!” She scolded.
“And you told me you were running a startup,” he accused as he extracted himself from her grip.
He gestured to the room around him. “What is all this about, sis?”
“Don’t say a word to Mom and Dad,” she seethed. “It’s still a startup. I’m competing with all the legacy companies in the space. We’ve been doing well in our early stages, but we’re nowhere near the top–not yet,” she amended.
Liam gripped her shoulders with his massive hands. “I’m seriously proud of you, little sis,” he said before returning her hug with one of his own.
“But hey, I need to talk to you in private. You got somewhere we can go in this fancy building of yours?”
She laughed at his joke and then turned to the researcher in the room. “I’ll be in my office, James. Let me know if you figure that out,” she said, gesturing to the terminal in front of them.
“Sure,” the other man said, distracted by his work.
The siblings made their way to Kayla’s office and exchanged small talk. She opened the door for him, and he stepped inside to find a fairly utilitarian room. Beyond the expansive windows that depicted the rest of the Los Angeles skyline, there was only a contemporary desk bearing a small computer and a small sitting area with a few chairs clustered around a small coffee table. It was clear to Liam that his sister spent little time there.
He went to the sitting area, and his sister joined them. When they settled, she broke the silence, her tone serious. “So what do we need to talk about, Liam? I’m assuming this concerns the problem you hinted at over the phone.”
“It does, but one moment,” Liam replied.
Are we being surveilled? He asked Voyager.
I detect a listening device within your sister’s computer. It also appears to have a key logger to track anything she types.
Can you spoof the microphone with a relatively mundane conversation? Liam didn’t know if the AI had that sort of ability. He was shooting in the dark.
Of course, Commander. Anything, in particular, you would like the conversation to be about?
Uh…Liam was thinking furiously. Don’t give them any particulars about Yucca. Just explain my motivations for leaving and how I want to help her make a difference. I can be head of security or something like that. Also, how do I prove that you exist?
There are holo emitters embedded within your palm interfaces. If you hold a hand outward, I can project an avatar for your sister to see.
That’ll work, and it’ll be a nice trick to pay her back for lying about her company.
“Alright, Liam began, returning to the real world from his mental conversation. “I’d like you to meet Voyager.”
Liam held out a palm, and like a magician pulling a rabbit from a hat, Voyager manifested his avatar in the office.
“Hello, Kayla, it’s nice to meet you,” the AI told the stunned woman.