Hiyas...
OK - I posted the beginning of this Fic at the end of last year, I've
gotten a bit more done, so I'm asking for some C&C...
FREEDOM
A BGC FANFIC
by
Brett Handy
Sylvie shook herself and looked around the room, she was
lying on her back, a bank of monitors hovering over her. She
tried to rise, but found herself strapped to the table,
suddenly a harsh light caused her to close her eyes, or risk
damage to her optic circuits.
"This one will be perfect", said a harsh voice, from
beyond the light, "Prepare her immediately".
"Sir", another voice answered, "I don't believe that
using another 33-S would be a good idea...".
The first voice sighed, "Manta, you've read the
specifications", it argued, a little more gently, "Can you
suggest another Boomer that would be better suited to this
project".
"Well, as a matter of fact..", the voice now known as
Manta began to respond.
"NO!", the first voice cut him off, "We will not discuss
this further, follow my orders!".
A door hissed shut and the bright light was suddenly gone
from Sylvie's eyes, she finally got a look around the room.
She was in one of the Bio-Labs that dotted the outer zones of
Genaros, the large window on one side of the room looked out
upon the Earth.
"I'm sorry", came the second voice, from beside her ear.
Sylvie startled quickly turned, only to find herself
staring into a blue-green set of eyes. Pausing for a moment,
she took in the fact that the man belonging to those eyes was
about the most perfect that she had ever seen. His hair was a
striking white (not blond, but a pale white) and it hung down
to his shoulders, tied back in a ponytail. He was wearing a
med-tech's uniform and smiled sadly at her.
"Your designation is 'Sylvie'?", he asked, punching a
code into the keypad that Sylvie assumed unlocked the
restraints.
"That's my *name*", she replied, staring straight ahead.
"Of course", he said gently, stepping back as she sat up.
Now that she was sitting up she could see that he stood
about six foot tall. "Who are you?", she asked, "And how did
I here?".
The man gestured for her to take a seat, "It will all
become clear in time", he replied.
Sylvie, not really known what else to do, sat down,
noticing absently that her seat afforded her a beautiful view
of Northern Europe. "Can you tell me why I'm here?", she
asked.
The man nodded, "To answer your first question", he said,
"I'm called Manta and the reason why your here is that Genom
Industries needs you for an important project".
Sylvie nodded, she knew Genom, after all, it was the
company that constructed her. Then she realised that
something was missing, "Where are my memories?", she asked.
Manta sighed, "I'm afraid that they were erased", he said
sadly.
Sylvie surged to her feet, "What do you mean 'erased'???
What happened to me?", she asked.
Manta gestured again for her to sit, "It's a long story",
he said, "To summarise, about ten years ago you were
deactivated and put into storage, at that time, all your
memory files were purged".
"Why?", Sylvie asked desperately, "I don't even know
myself anymore".
She began sobbing silently, Manta stood and placed a hand
on her shoulder, "It doesn't matter what you were", he said
gently, "It's what you do with your life that counts".
"Life?", Sylvie asked, blinking back her tears, "I'm a
Boomer".
Manta nodded, "Your a 33-S model", he said, "Which means
that part of you is living, besides whoever said that life is
judged on weather or not someone can bleed is a fool".
Sylvie nodded and wiped her eyes, "Thank you", she
replied, "Why are you being so nice to me?".
Manta shrugged and took his hand from her shoulder, "It
doesn't cost me anything to be nice", he replied, turning to
the door, "Now let's go and meet your new friends".
******
Anri sat talking to Meg, Lou and Nam, they had just
finished cleaning up their quarters, Manta had informed them
that he was bringing the next candidate down to meet them.
Nam was lounging on her bed, brushing her long black
hair, "I don't see why we had to clean", she grumbled.
Anri smiled, "Nam, we want to make a good impression",
she replied.
Lou and Meg, were sitting playing a game called, 'Poker',
Manta had taught them the game a few weeks ago and they had
become hooked, "I still don't see why one of us can't use the
damn thing", Lou argued with Meg.
Meg carefully arranged the cards in her hand, "Manta
already explained that none of us had the right personality
program", she said, discarding three of her hand.
"Manta, this and Manta that", Lou pouted dealing out
three cards to her opponent, "I still don't see why we have to
listen to him".
Meg laid he cards on the table, "Full house", she
replied, "And the reason we listen to him is because he's the
only one that treats us like we were human".
"And the fact that he's so cute", she added, after
scraping up her winnings.
Anri giggled, "I'll second that", she said, "he *is*
cute".
Nam nodded, "I agree", she said, shaking out her hair.
Lou grumbled, "Alright, I agree", she said, "But should
that really make a difference to *us*".
Anri sighed, "Well, I guess that our designer decided
that we should have an appreciation for the male form", she
said.
Nam nodded again, "It's a pity whoever it was decided to
give us feelings as well", she said.
The four friends looked up as the chime to their quarters
rang out, "It has to be Manta", Anri guessed.
"Of course it's him", Lou said sarcastically, "He's the
only one who actually knocks".
A moment later the door opened and Manta stepped in,
followed by the newest member of their little group, "This is
Sylvie", Manta said, introducing her.
Sylvie looked at each of them closely, "Are you all...",
she began.
Meg nodded, "We are all Boomers", she replied, "Like
you".
Manta nodded, "I'm sure that they ladies will fill you in
on what you need to know", he said, "Now I must attend to
other duties".
Sylvie looked a little nervous, "But you still haven't
told me why I'm here", she said, to his retreating figure.
Manta smiled, "I'm afraid that if I remain much longer,
your reputations might become a little tarnished", he replied,
walking from the room.
Sylvie looked after his retreating figure and then turned
back to the four women in front of her, "Is he for real", she
asked, "I may not have my memory but his behaviour seems a bit
a-typical".
Meg shrugged, "You get use to it", she said, "At least he
can control himself, the other technicians are a different
matter".
Anri nodded, "Your lucky he was around when you were
revived", she said, "Some of the other men around here are not
so 'gentlemanly'".
******
"Hey look at the new toy!", called one leering
technician.
"She makes me wish I weren't married", commented another.
"Hey, what difference does that make?", laughed a third,
"It's not like she's was a *real* woman".
Sylvie had been prepared for this kind of reaction from
the human workers. The other four had told her not to expect
any form of courtesy unless Manta was around. She set her jaw
and followed Anri down the long corridor, linking the living
area with the experimental weapons wing.
A pair of C-55 class Boomers guarded the access way, but
stepped aside after only a momentary glance at her ID card.
She passed through an airlock and was scanned for weapons
before being allowed to board one of the hovercars that
provided the main transport into and out of the labs.
"Don't worry about it", Anri said, "one of Manta's
favourite quotes is 'empty vessels make the most noise'".
Sylvie nodded and turned to watch the lights stream past
the car, they travelled for nearly four kilometres before the
car stopped and the computer informed them to exit. Anri lead
Sylvie through another series of checks and into the main lab.
Already seated in front of a terminal was Manta, he adjusted a
few more settings before turning and greeting the two with a
smile.
"Good morning", he said, "I've been waiting for you".
Anri nodded and took what was obviously her accustomed
place in front of a terminal. Sylvie seemed taken aback, "You
let Anri operate the computer?", she asked, astounded.
Manta nodded, "Her reaction time is much faster than a
human technician", he said and then gave Anri and little
smiled, "And she's a lot more pleasant to be around". Anri
giggled slightly and then turned her attention fully to the
work in front of her.
Sylvie looked around, curious as to why they would want
*her* to be here. "Follow me, please", Manta said, moving
towards one of the heavy blast doors.
Anri turned and gave her an encouraging smile, so Sylvie
allowed Manta to lead her into the next chamber, what she saw
next astounded her, arranged around the room were coils of
optical cable, all hooked into what looked like a clam-shaped
chair. "This is the neural link and monitor that I've been
designing", Manta said proudly, "The original design was made
by the famous Dr Stingray nearly twenty years ago, he was
attempting to imprint memories and personalities into a
computer, with some success".
He signalled to Anri, who was observing them from the
control room and a moment later the cables sprang to life,
pulses of light travelling backwards and forwards. Sylvie
lost herself to the patterns for a moment and then pulled
herself back to reality when she noticed Manta staring at her
intently.
"What?", she asked nervously.
Manta shook his head and smiled, "Oh... never mind, you
just reminded me of someone, that's all", he explained.
He walked up to the chair and patted it, gesturing for
her to take a seat, "This is why your here", he explained.
"What does it do?", she asked, again trying to fathom the
optical bursts inside the multitude of cables.
"It converts neural impulses into electrical pulses,
which will provide instructions for a computer", he explained.
"But...", Sylvie began.
Manta held up his hands, "Yes, I know that it's already
been done", he said, "But never at the level we are attempting
here, if this works a human will be able to completely control
an artificial robot, as if they were wearing it like a
powersuit".
Sylvie was slightly taken aback by his enthusiasm, "I was
going to say: 'I'm a Boomer, not a human", she explained.
Manta nodded, "Well the 33-S's main processor is the
second closest match for the human brain that we have", he
said, "So it makes testing and control over the experiments
much more precise".
Sylvie smiled, "Yes, humans do have trouble with
control", she said.
Manta grinned, "Well in this case it's a matter for the
Boomers showing the humans how to do things", he said, turning
and walking back to the control room.
"One question!", Sylvie said, before he left, "Why are we
in the maximum security section?".
Manta grimaced, "Well Genom insists that if the
technology were to fall into the wrong hands it *could* be
perverted into a horrible weapon", he said, "Besides, Mr Mason
insisted that this be kept a secret".
"Mr Mason?", Sylvie asked.
"I guess you could call him our boss", Manta replied, he
then pushed the door close button, "We'll talk later".
Sylvie turned and took a seat in the strange chair, "At
least it's comfortable", she thought to herself. Then she
began to follow the instructions that Anri called out.
******
Manta sighed and leaned back into his chair, trying to
relax. "I'm not asking", said Quincy's voice over the vid-
phone, "I'm telling you, the project is now terminated, you
will turn over all your research and equipment to Weapons
Research and Development staff".
"But Mason told me..", Manta began.
"Mason is dead!", Quincy said, "and as far as I'm
concerned this little 'black project' of his died with him".
"But sir", Manta said desperately, "This technology could
lead to untold opportunities, not just new weapons".
"Good", said Quincy, "You can detail that in your report
to R&D, that will be all".
The vid-phone went blank, as blank as Manta felt inside.
This was nearly five years of his life, wasted, going to be
perverted into some horrible weapon. Manta stood and walked
over to the window, deep-down he had known that this day would
come. He knew that for all of Mason's protestations that it
would never be used as a weapon, that was exactly what his
research was destined for.
"Not this time", he muttered. Standing and walking over
to the computer terminal he began scanning through all the
documents, carefully reading and deleting each one. Weapons
Research would find little of interest in the datafiles.
He realised something, "How did Quincy know my research
was going on?", he muttered, "If Mason had it listed as a
'black project' no one but him should have known about it..
unless". He thought for a moment before using his override
code to access the Weapon's Division files.
It took a bit of searching and hacking, but eventually he
found what he had been looking for, a file labelled 'D.D.
Battlemover' contained almost all of his project's technical
information.
He smashed a fist into the screen, shattering it
completely, "NO!, NOT AGAIN", he fumed. The Battlemover
looked like a nightmare, a walking death-machine, and it was
all controlled by *his* neural interface.
******
The door to the girl's quarters opened, and much to their
surprise Manta entered without knocking. "What's wrong?",
asked Meg curiously, noticing the large bag he was carrying,
apparently without effort.
He flung the bag down onto the floor, unzipping it, the
five girls gasped as they saw it was full of weapons, "What
are you doing?", Anri asked, dumbfounded.
"It's what *we* are doing", Manta replied, throwing Anri
a sub-machine gun.
She caught it by reflex, "Why do we need guns?", she
asked.
Sylvie frowned, "What's happened?", she asked.
Manta sighed and stopped handing out the guns, turning,
he walked to the one, small window, looking out at the
distorted view of Earth. "You five are all Boomers that have
special personality programs", he said, "You are unique among
your kind, because you can think and feel".
He turned to face them, his usually blue eyes, a deep
shade of green, "You can love and hate, you can think and
dream and most importantly you can need", he said, "Nearly
Twenty years ago a man named 'Stingray' had a vision of the
future that included a new race, helping humanity to the
farthest reaches of our world and beyond".
He paused and looked at each of them, "Do you know why
the 33-S was discontinued?", he asked. They shook their
heads, never having been told why they had been deactivated.
"Because you were too close to being human", he stated.
Anri blinked, "But... I thought that we..", she began.
"That the 33-S had a fatal design floor that rendered it
a possible harm to humans", Manta recited in a flat tone,
"BULLSHIT, the reason was that you were a free-thinking Boomer
and that was something the Genom didn't want, they've only
made that mistake once since".
Sylvie frowned, "So it's all been a lie then?", she said
quietly, "We *really* do have feelings that aren't just
'programmed responses'?".
Manta smiled, "What do you think *human* feelings are?",
he asked, "Why do you think I needed a 33-S to test my neural
link", he explained, "There was only one other Boomer that
could think for itself and Mason wouldn't let me use him".
"So what do we do now?", Lou asked.
Manta shrugged, "The project has been cancelled and I'm
afraid that Genom will want you all shut down", he said, and
then he smiled grimly, "They'll probably want to shut *me*
down too".
Meg stood, cocking her gun, "We won't let that happen
Manta", she said defiantly.
Lou nodded, "They'll have to kill us all first", she
said.
Manta smiled, "Thank you all", he said, "but I think it's
more important that *you* all get away from here".
The five girls exchanged looks of disbelief, "Your not
going to come with us?", Sylvie asked quietly.
He shook his head, "I have to make sure that my work
isn't turned into a horrible weapon", he replied.
Sylvie smiled, "We'll come and help then", she declared,
the other four echoed her.
Manta shook his head, "You all have to try for freedom",
he said, "I can't have you risking yourselves for me".
Sylvie smiled, "We are free", she said, "And *I* freely
choose to help you".
Anri nodded, "Me too!".
She was echoed a moment later by Nam and Lou. Only Meg
remained silent, waiting till the other's looked at her
curiously, "Only kidding!", she said, smiling.
Manta shook his head, "Alright then, here's what we'll
do....", he began. It was decided that Nam and Manta would
secure the shuttle for them to escape in, while at the same
time, getting the 'Battlemover' - so at least they had
something to defend themselves with if something went wrong.
Sylvie, Anri, Meg and Lou would destroy the prototype neural
link and all the data in the lab.
Manta sighed and turned to leave, a hand caught his
shoulder, "Why are you doing this?", Sylvie asked, "I mean
helping five 'rouge' Boomers to escape, destroying years of
research and hijacking a shuttle".
Manta gave her a little smile, "Remember when I said that
there was only one other 'free thinking' Boomer?", he asked,
at her nod he grinned, "Well, you're looking at him".
******
A silence greeted his last statement, he turned to look
at them, "You're a Boomer?", Anri asked in a small voice.
Manta nodded, "I was to be the first in a series of
combat Boomers", he explained, "But during my design, Mason
decided to use some of the neural signatures that Dr Stingray
left behind, I think he was attempting to duplicate the some
of the Doctor's creativity and his logical side".
"Unfortunately it had some side effects", Manta
continued, "I a few of the Doctor's memories, experiences and
feelings, but I also got his morality and sense of duty,
something that wasn't wanted".
Manta sighed, "So the project was shut down, I was about
to be terminated when Mason decided to keep me around,
apparently he decided that I could be of some use in the
research field", he said, "So most of my combat software and
hardware was replaced and I was sent up here".
They five girls looked at him with disbelief, "What?", he
asked, "Still don't believe me?". He grinned at them and then
his eyes darkened to a shade of red. He stopped it when he
was how much it upset them. "Sorry", he muttered, turning for
the door.
Lou, who had raised her gun in reflex, lowered it slowly,
"Why are you telling us all this?", she asked softly.
"You asked", Manta replied shortly, "Besides, you deserve
to know the truth".
The five 33-S' looked at each other and then Sylvie
nodded to Manta, "That doesn't change anything", she said,
placing a hand on his shoulder, "You've always been our friend
and always will be".
Manta looked at them gratefully, "Well if we're going to
get out of here we had better get moving", he said, gesturing
for Sylvie to grab one of the guns.
The six friends headed out into the labyrinth-like
corridors of Genaros. Manta nodded to the four who would be
destroying the fruits of all his efforts for the last few
years, "Good luck", he said.
Meg smiled, "You too Manta", she said, impulsively giving
him a kiss on the cheek.
Manta blushed, "I'll see you in half an hour at the
shuttle pad", he stuttered slightly. The girls laughed at his
reaction and piled into the hovercar, speeding off.
******
"How come you got to kiss Manta?", Lou asked sourly as
they sped through the station.
Meg shrugged, "I thought of it first", she replied, then
she looked at her friend, "Why?? Jealous??".
Lou huffed and placed her feet on the dashboard, "Damn
right I'm jealous!", she said.
Sylvie and Anri laughed from the back seat and Lou spared
them a withering glance, "What are you two laughing at?", she
asked.
Sylvie grinned, "Well jealousy is an *emotion*", she
said, "I guess that's one more proof that we are as human as
the next person".
Anri tapped her on the shoulder, "Don't forget that the
next person was Manta", she said, laughing.
Sylvie gave Anri a speculative glance, "Oh and he didn't
fool you?", she asked.
The hovercar stopped just outside Manta's research lab
and the four girls moved quickly inside. "Here we go!", Meg
said, pulling the pin on a grenade.
******
Nam watched her friends drive off, wondering if she'd
ever see them again. "Come on", Manta said to her, "We'd
better get moving too".
Manta led her to a hovercycle and jumped on, gesturing
for her to climb on behind him. She gingerly sat on the cycle
and grasped at Manta's back reflexively as the bike shot off
the floor.
"Not so tight", Manta said, wincing slightly at her grip.
Nam relaxed slightly and just enjoyed the ride. They
came to rest just outside the high-security section, Manta
getting off and indicating that Nam should leave her rifle
here.
"Trust me", he said, "I can get us past these guys".
Nam nodded and the two of them walked to the door. A C-
55 Boomer was standing guard and challenged them at their
approach, "Identify yourselves and your purpose here!", it
ordered.
Manta held up a small id-card, "Dr Manta, here to turn
over research data, by order of the chairman", he said.
The Boomer nodded, "Please scan your ID for
authorisation", it said, indicating a small swipe pad.
Manta nodded and walked up beside the Boomer. Just as he
was about to scan the card, he suddenly shot out a hand and
grabbed the Boomer. An arc of blue-white energy played across
the two of them. The Boomer was caught in a shower of
lightning that seemed to swim over it's surface, as if
searching for an entrance. The Boomer provided one by opening
the access to it's laser. Instantly the energy surged into
the helpless C-55, shorting circuits and blowing chips.
The metal monstrosity fell to the ground, to all
appearances dead. Manta released it as it fell and stretched
his hand, blowing on it softly, "Hmmm, worked just like it was
suppose to", he said. Then noticing Nam's expression he
smiled, "I said that they removed *most* of my combat
hardware".
Nam nodded and grabbed her rifle from the bike. Manta
fiddled with the door for a few minutes and it opened without
setting off any alarms. The two ran into the labs, searching
for the DD-Battlemover.
"You there! HALT!!", came a shouted order.
Nam saw two human guards running towards them and raised
her gun, "NO!", Manta said, slapping it away and stepping in
front of her. He raised his hand at the two guards and a bolt
of energy caught one in the chest, blowing him from his feet
and into unconsciousness. Needless to say the second guard
opened up with his rifle, filling the corridor with hot lead.
Manta stood unconcerned in the midst of it and simply raised
his hand again. A moment later the bullets stopped and the
second guard lay on the ground unconscious.
Nam grabbed Manta by the shoulder and turned him around,
"What are you doing?", she demanded. Then she gasped as she
noticed that Manta had been hit several times by the bullets
and had the holes to prove it. Manta dropped to his knees and
Nam crouched beside him, "Are you alright", she asked.
Manta nodded and opened the front of his shirt to examine
himself. The impact marks from the high-calibre rounds were
gradually healing themselves and a few moments later a half-
dozen rounds lay on the floor in front of him. He stood, "I
couldn't be sure that they hadn't replaced the self-repair
circuits", he explained.
Nam helped him to his feet, "Why didn't you just let me
shoot them?", she asked.
"Because one thing that I've learned is the value of all
life", he explained, "Their lives are just as important as
ours".
Nam frowned, "They don't see it that way", she pointed
out.
Manta nodded, "Does that mean we should ignore it?", he
asked.
Nam shook her head, "Alright, so long as you don't get
yourself killed", she said.
The two of them located the Battlemover quickly and Manta
sighed, "To think that this is what Genom has become", he
said, rubbing a hand over the death machine.
"Was it ever any different?", Nam asked, climbing into
the pilot's seat.
Manta nodded, "Once, a long time ago, Genom was the
driving force behind so many good and noble causes it would
have amazed you", he said.
Nam looked at him quizzically, "It amazes me to hear the
words 'good' and 'noble' used in the same sentence as
'Genom'", she said.
Suddenly alarms began sounding and an explosion echoed
through the station, "Must be the girls", Manta noted. Nam
nodded and finished the power-up sequence, "Climb on", she
said.
Manta shook his head, "I've still got to destroy the data
here", he said.
Nam nodded, "Simple", she said, raising the DD's
autocannon.
"NO!", Manta shouted, "I've got to destroy all the data
in the files, destroying the *equipment* won't do it".
Nam lowered the gun, "Well hurry up about it", she said.
"I think you'd better get over to the shuttle bay", he
suggested, "The other girls will be there soon and the shuttle
should be ready to go".
Nam nodded and then looked serious, "You'd better show up
for departure", she ordered, "I'm not sure how the other's
feel, but I'd rather not have to leave without you".
******
Manta looked down at the stubborn terminal in front of
him and frowned thoughtfully, "Won't let me access hey?", he
mused.
Opening a small compartment on his arm, he drew out a
small cable. "Let's see you ignore me now", he said
confidently as he plugged directly into the computer. Manta's
mind raced out along the circuits, searching for the data he
had to destroy. Blasting along he easily overcame the first
security measures and proceeded to erase much of the test data
that the DD's designers had accumulated.
Manta obliterated ever trace of the project he could
find, hurrying through the mainframe. He vaguely noticed an
explosion in the physical world, but was occupied with
overcoming the third level of Genom's internal security.
"What the hell are you doing?!?", came a startled voice
intruding on his concentration.
Manta raised one arm and blasted the technician into
unconsciousness, then set about resuming his data search.
Something strange was happening, the system seemed to become
sluggish for several nanoseconds, but then it resumed normal
function. Manta ignored the strange slowdown and continued
his work.
"YOU!", came an startled voice, "What are *you* doing in
here?".
Manta was shocked to find that the voice had come from
within Genom's mainframe and not from the physical world. His
electronic form looked up and saw a strange figure observing
him. "Who are you?", Manta asked in amazement.
The figure frowned at him, "*You* should know me better
than most", he observed, "What is it that you do here?".
Manta looked around nervously, "I'm destroying all
records of a horrible new weapon Genom was developing", he
replied.
The man nodded, "I wish that I would have had the same
opportunity", he said sadly, "But things didn't work out that
way".
Manta couldn't shake the idea that he *knew* this person,
"If you would help me...", he began.
The man shook his head, "I cannot do any more than tell
you that a great storm is coming", he said, "And *you* must
weather it my friend".
Manta frowned and finished deleting the last data, "If
you cannot give me more than that, I'd better be going", he
said, "The girls need me".
The old man smiled, "Remember that it is freedom that you
seek", he said, before vanishing into the passing electrons.
Manta shook himself and unplugged from the computer. A
rumbling sound met his ears and he glanced out a window to see
a shuttle blasting it's way down towards the earth. Manta
smiled at the thought of the girls winning their freedom. He
moved quickly from the R&D section and into the main station,
pretending to be just another technician.
A squad of security guards raced past him on their way to
the facility and Manta made way for them to pass, "I saw them
heading into 'G' sector", he shouted to the running men.
One gave him a quick salute and the squad headed off in
the wrong direction. Manta smiled and continued to the
shuttle area to find it surrounded by C-55's and guards. He
tapped one on the shoulder, "What happened?", he asked.
The guard noticed the security pass on Manta's collar and
saluted, "Well sir", he said respectfully, "It appears that
several of the 33S-model Boomers had a major malfunction and
attempted to escape the station".
Manta nodded, "How many got away?", he asked, feeling a
chill.
The guard shrugged, "Only two", he said, "and then one of
them was wounded".
Manta felt a ten ton weight drop on his chest, "Three
were killed?", he asked in a weak voice.
The guard looked at him, concerned, "That's right, they
were killed when the shuttle lifted off".
Manta leant against the wall in shock, "No...", he said
quietly.
"Are you alright sir?", the guard asked quickly.
Manta nodded, "I'm just shocked", he whispered.
"Do you need some help?", he said, placing a hand on
Manta's shoulder.
Manta shook his head and stood up, shaking the hand off,
"I'm fine", he said, "Thank you for the information".
The guard nodded, "You're welcome sir", he said, turning
back to where the rest of his squad was in deep discussion.
******
Sylvie was desperately trying to keep the shuttle from
breaking up as it entered the earth's atmosphere. She looked
over to her one remaining friend, who was resting quietly in
the co-pilot's chair.
She forced the shuttle into landing on the Island of
Japan, Manta had always told her that was where the Boomers
had originated. "Manta", she said quietly, "Where are you?".
Anri whimpered in pain and Sylvie used one hand to help
her into a more comfortable position, "Come on there", she
said reassuringly, "We'll be alright".
Anri raised her teary face, "B... But the others", she
said brokenly, "Meg, Lou, Nam.. they're gone".
Sylvie felt tears in her own eyes and blinked them back,
"Then we can do our best for them by winning our freedom", she
said firmly, "That's what they would have wanted.... so would
Manta".
Anri nodded and then coughed weakly, she had been hurt
during their destruction of the Lab and had lost quite a bit
of blood. She'd need replacement bloody soon or she'd stop
functioning. Sylvie knew what she had to do after they landed
and she regretted it.
******
Manta returned to his room, it wouldn't take security
long to go over the memory records of the C-55 Boomer that
he'd overloaded. Wiping his eyes he made his way over to a
wall safe. Giving an unlock code to the computer, the safe
hissed as the seals were broken. Some kind of inert gas
slowly flowed outwards and across the floor. Manta reached
inside and pulled out the components, the gas was to keep them
from degrading over the years. He looked at them and shook
his head, "I had hoped you were part of my past forever", he
sighed, "But I can see that I was wrong".
Removing his clothing, Manta carefully carried the varied
components over to his workbench. He picked up a scalpel and
carefully cut the skin on his shoulder, ignoring the small
pain that it caused. Removing the skin he found the release
pin and pulled it. His arm immediately went stiff and then
detached from his body, thumping hollowly on the metal deck.
Picking up his old arm component he locked it in place
carefully. Gently he pushed the edges of skin together until
they met in a nearly invisible scar, which would fade with
time. Testing the arm he nodded in satisfaction and moved
onto replacing his legs.
******
The Head of Security on Genaros, Mr Abdul Hornain had
begun his career as a guard in one of Genom's oil refineries,
during the early days of the mid-east wars. His no nonsense
approach and good judgement had meant quick promotion and
after only a year with Genom, he had been place in charge of
security for all oil plants in the region. This led to a
sharp decrease in security breaches and a sharp increase in
the number of people shot trying to enter Genom's facilities.
"What do you mean 'You don't know what to make of it'?",
he asked one of his officers.
"Sir, I can't find anything indicating external damage",
he explained, "But 90% of all it's internal processors have
been burnt out". The two men were discussing the dead C-55
Boomer that was lying on the table in front of them.
Abdul nodded, "Did you recover it's memory record?", he
asked.
The technician nodded, "I'll play it back on the centre
screen", he said, indicating a monitor.
Abdul watched as two figures rode up on a hoverbike, he
recognised one as being one of the 33-S models that had been
terminated, but he didn't recognise the other. He watched as
the man identified himself as 'Dr Manta' and then proceeded to
short-circuit the Boomer with a touch of his hand.
Abdul nodded, "Bring up his file on my monitor", he
ordered.
"Nothing unusual here", he said, examining the file
carefully. Then he noticed that there was a small section at
the bottom that indicated that further access was restricted
to level 1 security or above. Not wanting to send any
security teams in without knowing the full story he entered
his access code. After reading several screens he leaned back
in his chair, "Holy Shit!", he muttered.
The Technician glanced up, "Sir, do we send in our teams
yet?", he asked.
Abdul bit his lower lip for a moment, "No", he said, "I
want you to round up some C-55's and that last Doberman".
"What?", the Technician looked confused, "There's only
one of him..".
"Follow my orders!", Abdul snapped, "And evacuate all
humans from every section in habitat block 1". His men began
rapidly following his orders and Abdul scratched his chin
nervously, "Get me the Chairman, now!", he ordered.
A few moment's later Quincy's face appeared on Abdul's
monitor, "This had better be good!", Quincy warned.
Abdul gave him a wan look, "Sir, what do you know about a
project codenamed 'Manta-001'?", he asked.
******
Manta had just finished locking the last part of his
external armour into place when the lights in his quarters
went out. He snapped the faceplate down and turned on his
infrared systems, "Took them long enough", he murmured.
The door was blown in a second later and a Doberman
forced itself through the narrow doorway. Manta grimaced, he
hadn't expected that they'd send such heavy firepower against
him right away. Raising his right arm pointed his finger at
the approaching Boomer. The finger shot off of the hand and
accelerated towards the Boomer. In mid-flight the shell that
looked like a finger split off, revealing a dart-like
projectile.
Manta nodded in satisfaction as a new finger snapped out
of his hand, replacing the one he'd fired. The small
projectile impacted into the Boomer's chest. The Doberman's
systems registered no significant damage so it continued
forward, spraying gunfire at it's target.
Rolling to one side, Manta ran straight at the wall,
impacting the metal with a horrible screeching and groaning
sound. In a few moments he'd forced his way through the
bulkhead and was out into the corridor. Racing down the
hallway he was relieved to note that all personnel had been
evacuated, "That'll make things easier", he observed. Ducking
another cannon shot from the Doberman, he rounded a corner,
only to be confronted by a pair of C-55's. Not slowing, he
raised his left hand and sent out a high-level Electro-
magnetic Pulse. One Boomer dropped to the ground, it's
circuits fried. Ramming into the other, Manta engaged a pair
of thrusters that had been installed in his legs. The Boomer
impacted into the wall at high-speed.
Unfortunately, while Manta was strong, it wasn't enough
to seriously damage the Boomer, which proceeded to throw Manta
across the corridor. Shaking his head, Manta quickly dodged
as it opened up with it's laser. He avoided the beam, but
tripped on the body of the other C-55.
Sensing victory, the C-55 stood over Manta and opened
it's mouth. A moment later, several hundred high-calibre
rounds impacted into the C-55's back. The armour-piercing
ammunition easily ripped apart the C-55, and it thudded to the
ground.
Manta stood up and looked down the corridor, the Doberman
that had been chasing him was walking slowly towards him. It
stopped ten feet up the corridor, "I am Special Invasive
Projectile, model 0001", it announced, "What are your
instructions?".
Manta grinned, his finger projectiles were actually the
transport for a series of invasive programs. After impact,
the projectile drills into it's target and interfaces with the
Boomer's logic centres. Now what was he going to do with a
Doberman?
******
"SIR!", shouted a panicking security officer, "We've just
lost another four C-55s!".
Abdul nodded impassively, "And nothing from the
Doberman?", he asked.
"No sir", a Technician replied, "Nothing in almost twenty
minutes".
Abdul had lost nearly half his C-55s to this crazed
Boomer, that represented the bulk of his Boomer forces. "I'm
not loosing the station!", he announced.
Everyone looked confused until Abdul walked up to the
emergency jettison controls, "By my rights as Head of Security
I herby declare that habitation block 1 is a threat to the
rest of this station", he stated. Entering a security code he
began the ejection sequence.
The whole station felt the blast as the main habitation
module was ejected. Lifting away from the station it floated
out into a higher orbit. The Station's defense lasers began
firing as soon as it was clear, ripping huge holes in the
module. Finally it passed out of range and disappeared over
the horizon, just another piece of space junk.
******
Author's Notes:
This is a story that I've been working on for a while now
(when I've found the time..) - it got a good reaction when I
put out a small part of it at the end of last year. I've done
a little more work and I've got more of an idea of where the
story is going, so any comments would be appreciated.
-----Brett
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Address: darkwnd@sv.net.au WWW page: http://www.sv.net.au/~darkwnd
Spock: Sir, what these people are saying is logical; If we use up a
finite resource, logic dictates that eventually all
resources will be exhausted and the resulting calamity
will expunge all life forms...
Kirk: Meaning???
Spock: We're rooted....
-----Fast Forward (1989)
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