“Fusion… nuclear fusion cells. Those things in there would need vast amounts of power. Where’s the power coming from? Hey, I’m just joining the dots here, I could be wrong.” Barnes paused, then continued, “For years people said it was impossible, but once the government cracked artificial intelligence a lot of the old problems melted away and advances were made, crazy advances.” Barnes pointed at the window, “Those mechs in there and those weaponized alphas in that lab are the result of AI.”
Knowledge is power—
Mercy placed her hand on the glass, “Forget god, once you’ve got AI on your side you’re the winner.”
In AI we trust—
Mercy frowned.
Don’t say it Rose, don’t say it—
Rose raised her face to the ceiling, “An army of weaponized alphas, drones… giant robots. Constantine’s fucked, we’re fucked, everything’s—” Rose shook her head and fell silent.
Fucked—
Chapter 10
The Approach
Mercy moved on, up the corridor. They passed a section of flickering strip lights which made her blink.
Shit, stupid headache starting again—
They passed a series of electronically locked doors. Mercy frowned.
He’s not here, he’s not here. Mitchell would have a security detail outside his quarters. Goddammit, what if he’s not here?
They rounded a corner, an air vent hummed softly overhead. The smell of cooking filled the corridor.
We must be nearing the kitchens, my sense of direction’s not failed me yet—
Mercy turned to check with Barnes. He was holding his compass, he nodded at her.
OK, so we’ve left the lab area, we’re in the kitchen area. The next stop should be the sleeping quarters, barracks and hopefully the President’s quarters will be in the mix somewhere—
Mercy came to a junction and paused. A green stripe ran along the corridor wall on the right. The lighting in the new area was different. In addition to the floor lighting, back-lit ceiling panels let out a diffused glow onto the corridor below.
New lighting? Green stripe? Come on, come on, let’s end it—
Mercy gripped her HK45. A trickle of sweat ran down her upper lip. She brushed a wayward strand of hair from her face.
Alone, alone. I’ve never felt so alone. God Flynn. I know you’re dead. Maybe I’ll be with you soon after all. It won’t be so bad. We won’t have to wake up to this shit every day—
Mercy clenched her teeth and turned the corner into a new corridor. She had gone thirty feet when a grey haired woman in a white lab coat emerged from a door ahead.
You’ve got this. Own it. Bluff it to the hilt—
“Halt. Show me your ID,” Mercy demanded.
The woman blinked, surprised. “What the hell? Don’t you know who I am? Get out of my way—”
Mercy blocked the woman and brought her pistol up. “New orders ma’am, tightened security from the top down. Show me your ID please—”
The woman glanced up the corridor, her face flushed. “This is ridiculous. Mitchell’s getting more paranoid by the day. He’s got us working nineteen hour shifts, people get tired and miss things. It’s intolerable, this is how mistakes are made.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out an ID card attached to an electronic key card.
Mercy took the cards and examined them. “You know you should be using the lanyard to wear these around your neck. ID is to be visible at all times.”
The woman’s face crumpled and her irritation was replaced by fear. “Look, I’m sorry. You’re not going to report me, are you? You’re right officer, security is paramount. You’re doing your job. I understand. It won’t happen again.” She held out her hand for the ID card.
Mercy read the biometric ID card: PROFESSOR MAXINE VAN VAERENBERG; IN-VIVO CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR IMAGING LABORATORY.
Mitchell’s near. Her body language. She just gave the game away. He’s close. I know it—
“Right Professor, you’re coming with us,” Mercy said. She grabbed the woman and spun her around, restraining her in an arm lock. She pressed her pistol to the woman’s head and kept her voice low, “If you scream or make any noise I’ll put a bullet in your brain. Got it?”
The woman’s legs buckled and she started shaking. She nodded, making a supressed choking sound. A trickle of urine ran down her leg to the floor.
Sorry bitch, but this is the way it has to be—
“On me,” Mercy said to Rose and Barnes.
“Affirmative,” Barnes growled.
“Roger that,” Rose added.
Breathe—
Mercy shoved the professor down the corridor.
Human shield, it’s where we’re at. Well, there’s a first time for everything I guess—
The professor stopped in her tracks, fifty feet from the next junction. “The President’s quarters are around that corner. He’s got armed guards out front 24/7. They’ll shoot first if you pitch up like this.”
“Good intel,” Mercy hissed back. “So, we’re gonna do it differently. You’re going to go in first. You’ll do all the talking. Make up some science shit, something urgent that you have to talk to Mitchell about. Don’t take no for an answer. And know this, I’ll be right up your ass and if you try and warn them… you’ll be the first to stop a bullet. Understand?”
The professor nodded and let out a strange whimper.
“Pull your shit together, do as I say and you’ll be fine, got it?” Mercy softened her tone but tightened her grip on the professor’s arm. “When we reach that corner I’m gonna let you go. Keep walking towards them. Don’t stop. Keep talking, all the way. Here’s your ID back, wear it. Let’s go—”
The professor took the ID card and put the lanyard around her neck. They moved forwards and reached the corner. Mercy released her prisoner, the professor straightened her clothes and took a deep breath. Mercy jabbed her with the HK45. The professor winced then walked around the corner. Two armed NSA guards stood outside a set of electronically locked doors at the end of a thirty foot corridor. They stiffened as the professor, Mercy, Rose and Barnes advanced down the corridor.
“I’ve got to see the President,” the professor said, her voice
