A group of bounty hunters are searching for some of renegade androids that have been on the run since the android recall.They soon discover that their ship mysteriously crashes in a desert planet and immediately set out to that destination. The desert planet hosts the Communcations Center, a base for all communication throughout the galaxy and beyond. Cursed with harsh weather conditions,things get hairer once Uembert, director of the Communications Center,sends a team to investigate the ship that has crashed nearby. What they find is something unimaginable and could mean the difference between life and death...
Section 1: The Sulaco (Ejection)
The stars glitter dimly in the deep depths of space. They're endless in their beauty. External...Time has preserved them in this manner. Nurturing them as a mother would to her infant. Soothing them with the comforts of silence. Bringing out the magic they have and revealing it for all to see...
In the midst of all this tortuous magnificence comes a disturbance. A vast ship creeps quietly about, much as the chilling breeze of the winds come nighttime. It floats lifelessly and somewhat distracts the scenery unpleasantly with a stench of death. If Evil had a home, then for certain this ship would be its humble chambers. Not a speck of light can be found here. Not the sweet tastes of Happiness. Not even the fruits of Prosperity. There is only this empty void... filled with only the profound presence of wickedness and terror, obvious to the naked eye.
From within the ship's womb, the aliens prepare for the beginning of the end. They have for over hundreds of years. Preparing and strategizing the perfect plan in order to preserve what's left of them and their object of devotion. Their reason for existing. Their Queen.
Another species has threatened to exterminate their entire existence. And they are filled with an overwhelming sense of curiosity and strive for power. The aliens had to fight and dominate them when the opportunity presented itself. After all, they had to protect their Queen from any potential danger.
They wanted to take her away from them so that she'd be used for their own needs. The aliens couldn't allow that to happen. For without her they are nothing. Their survival depends on her. No... they couldn't.
So now they prepare. They prepare for the great battle to come. Only one task is needed to be done before they can set out to glorify their endless love for their Queen. Only one task is needed to be taken before humanity can feel their wrath and almighty power. And then humanity will know what pure and undeniable devotion is. And then it will be all over for that race and onto the next who share the same ambitions and desires. The aliens will fight them, too... and they will win.
The aliens have learned from their mistakes. They've also learned a few advantages to assure them their victory. They've traveled far to look for that advantage. An advantage that has gifted them with the ability, though limited, to manifest their two creations who are more useful and vital than they'd like to admit.
Many of the aliens stare patiently at their creations with a hint of curiosity. Some, too prejudiced to accept them as a part of their race and purpose. They look away from them in disgrace while others carefully study them for any signs of treason. Indeed, their creations share their same goals and ambitions. And yet, treating them as one of their own is a task. After all, there is the question that haunts each and every alien each time they happen to look at them: Can their creations take a life of their own?
-His name was Hicks-
Once upon a time, a frail, young boy grew up with the motivation of becoming more than was expected of him. His entire family shared a military background. From the Coast Guard to the Air Force. None of them, however, joined the United States Colonial Marine Corps since it was considered "grunt work." The young boy saw it as more than that and chose to pursue it. He had something to prove. Not only to his family but, most importantly, to himself.
So he worked hard and built up his scrawny body frame. At 18, he enlisted into the USCMC.
When he graduated from training camp, he was given a shotgun that had existed since the Vietnam War and had since been passed down from generation to generation within the family tree.
As he adapted to military life, he quickly earned the respect from his fellow marines and the rank of Corporal. He was known as the silent and deadly type, which he'd humorously laugh at the description from time to time. He was reliable to a task and listened carefully before making a suggestion, decision, or judgement. When he made a promise, he kept it at all costs.
Dwayne Hicks was the perfect soldier.
The image that resembles that man's face so long ago is at a loss as he prepares to eject the small vessel, the Our Lady Swan, from the mother ship, the Sulaco. The Sulaco begins to count down the final minute for descent. In the meantime, the imposter of Hicks waits with a thousand thoughts erupting in his mind.
His task is simple. His goal is simple. The part he is to play in the aliens' grand scheme is simple. So why does he feel that it's difficult to accomplish? Why does he feel so distant and distracted from them? Surely, there must be a logical explanation for this. But once he discovers the root to his problem, he abruptly shuts it out.
This hasn't been the first time that 'root' has emerged during his deep thoughts. It's been popping up more and more often with every passing day. Stubborn as ever. As if to have his undivided attention, in which case he refuses to give it the satisfaction. By giving in to it, he feels uncomfortable and insecure. Something he can't afford.
He needs to stay focused and functional for the sake of the Queen who's still vulnerable right now. He can't afford to wander off in the abyss he's so long retreated from. He needs to be alert. Just one more task before their race can be victorious. Just one more... and then it'll be all over. And perhaps these thoughts as well, he hopes.
Hicks turns his head and observes the little girl named Newt, who's gently stroking one of the aliens' long and glossy mechanical heads. Apparently the alien is young and naïve, since it's freely interacting with Newt. But as another alien turns its head in its direction, telepathically sending a meaningful message with the use of its tail that acts as a transmitter, the young alien turns away from Newt. It returns to its own kind.
"You're so picky!" exclaims Newt happily and giggles. She sits at the vessel's co-pilot seat, child-like. She turns her attention to Hicks and blows him a kiss. She giggles once again as it's demonstrated out of mockery and not affection.
She looks six, no, seven years old, Hicks thinks to himself. Her features are beautiful. Almost like a porcelain's doll. I wonder if Hicks looked like that when he was young?
Hicks looks away from Newt, a bit confused. He wonders how he can think the way he thinks since he's not real. Or isn't he?
They are the aliens' creations. Summoned to carry out their plans of taking care of the human race once and for all. It is their destiny. Yet their entire existence didn't solely depend on them alone. It depended on something else. Something more powerful...
The five sacred Temples of Eliearsha.
Hardly any other species, including humanity, has heard of these Temples of Eliearsha, which means, "power" to the alien race that founded them. They had hoped to unite all races together with peace as their common cause. Unfortunately, they died. As well as their dream...
Many of the species that have heard of these temples either think they're rumors created by imaginative beings. Or more commonly, thinks Hicks, died trying to find them. The chances of finding even one of the five temples are slim. That, and the fact that the race has to be telepathic to "see" them. The Temples of Eliearsha were scattered throughout all the universes and beyond to prevent any one single race from finding them all and, possibly, dominating other species with that advantage.
There are five sacred Temples and only three that Hicks can recall: The Temple of Knowledge (where all the answers of the universes can be found), The Temple of Immortality, and The Temple of Manifestation.
Indeed, Hicks continues to wonder, these temples exist since I live.
The aliens discovered the Temple of Manifestation, a place where one can think of an image and bring it to life, and created Hicks and Newt. The aliens could've manifested more, but with every wish or desire one must be careful. As the old saying goes: "Be careful for what you wish for. It might come true." That was the thing that the aliens considered with great caution. The more wishes made the more problems that might arise so, like the intelligent species they were, they limited their manifestations.
The aliens could have manifested one single warrior with great strength and power. But what would happen if it turned against them? That was why they chose human beings; so if ever they turned on them, then they would be able to put an end to their existence. Nevertheless, thinks Hicks, they still fear us...
"Attention all personnel," the Sulaco's artificial female voice announces, "there is T-minus 30 seconds for unidentified vessel to depart. Repeat..."
"Unidentified vessel," whispers Hicks softly to himself and looks down a bit, trying hard not to remember the past.
The unidentified ship the Sulaco is referring to is the Our Lady Swan, a vessel once owned by a group of mercenaries who were all androids as well. Androids who went scavenging for the Sulaco in hopes to become rich beyond their dreams. When they discovered that all it contained were false promises and instead a living nightmare, they wanted to retreat... but it was too late. The aliens had overtaken them the same way they did to the ones before them. And the ones before those people. And it was all with the help of Hicks. That was three months ago.
Regina... better not think of her, Hicks tells himself uncomfortably and grimaces. He learned to keep the past in the past a long time ago. He had only one concern now and that was reserved for the Queen. But sometimes, when the darkness swallowed him in his sleep and he could feel the small gushes of wind spray on his body, he'd listen to their cries. He'd even have the nerve to ask for forgiveness... but in return, he'd hear nothing. And learn that he has awakened to another day of serving the Queen and only her alone. Everything else is nothing. That was his purpose. That was his destiny.
The Sulaco's computer counts down the final second and Hicks dispatches the Our Lady Swan from the Sulaco. He can feel a huge force jump from his head and into the pit of his stomach as the power of non-gravity gives way. The ship trembles and Hicks punches in a couple of the vessel's control buttons to adjust and maneuver a bit to fight back.
The aliens remain content in the meantime, waiting and watching Hicks battle the ship's oppositions and obstacles. Some still observing him for the sake of noting anything treacherous. So far, they find none. And so far, the Queen is pleased as she transmits a message to each of her children from the Sulaco. Including to Hicks and Newt who can sense her presence in their minds.
She sends her love to them all and wants them to honor her by completing this final task. The aliens transmit back with equal devotion and eagerness each of their inspirations, heightened now that the Queen has sent her condolences.
The telepathic wave surges across Hicks's being. It is a sensation unlike any other. It can't even be described with words. It's powerful and meaningful. The message sent to him, and to him alone, is intense.
She tells him his mission must be completed. If he succeeds, then he will join her and share her command over her children. His companions will no longer treat him indifferently, which she is fully aware of, but as an equal. They will prosper together and they will conquer as it was meant to be.
"I will," Hicks mutters quietly with his eyes closed, the moment still profound. And, then, a second later, she fades away from him. Hicks exhales, almost saddened by the fact that she has left him. She is gone...
As Hicks comes back to reality, he realizes the Queen is now sending Newt a personal message as well by the way she looks. Her bird-like eyes are wide open and alert as she listens to the Queen. She nods her head and slowly turns to face Hicks. She continues to listen, but abruptly laughs. She then delivers an evil smile at Hicks and says, "If he does, then I will." The transmission ends.
Hicks looks at the child curiously. Yet he knows well to mind his own business. A personal message from the Queen isn't meant to be shared among others unless instructed to do so. Otherwise it is a disgrace to her, and the penalty of such an act means to be placed as an outcast. For all of them, death is better to endure than that treatment. Hicks begins to concentrate on the piloting as the result of curiosity will lead to that eventually.
It's funny that his ability of flying doesn't stem from the real Hicks but, rather, from Ripley's memories which enable him to do many things.
Ellen Ripley was the greatest adversary their kind had encountered. Not because of her smartness and strength, but because of something else... Hicks frowns and looks blank for a moment.
He could never find that word that made Ripley different and powerful. Perhaps it is because it's the same word he himself is searching and longing for. A word that helps defines a living being and the foundation of their strengths. A single word that makes a person more than just another creation.
He's been obsessed with finding this particular word for a long time and so far, he hasn't discovered it. He came close to it, however, when he decided to do research on the original Hicks, another obsession of his, but has failed to comprehend it with merely a picture and some simple words describing that man long ago. Why is it so hard? Why this need to discover this word? Most importantly, why is it so vital for him to know and understand it?
The ship makes a hard jerk abruptly that makes him lose concentration on that last question. As he does, he senses someone watching over him with predator eyes. Newt. She's been eyeing him for awhile, carefully observing him in her silence as well as noting each detail. She smiles.
I'd best keep my thoughts mute, Hicks tells himself. She can see right through them. I doubt my thoughts will be amusing to her and may even be considered treacherous even though I don't intend them to be. I serve my Queen after all. I shouldn't even be conceiving these wonders in the first place. Curiosity is what killed many before. It killed the cat... it killed Regina...
"It sure did, didn't it Hicksy!" Newt abruptly laughs, referring to his last thought. Hicks stiffens. Newt points at his head and says in a sinister voice, "I'd be very careful about the topics you're pondering about in that big head of yours. It'll get you in trouble, Hicksy, and I doubt that they'll find them amusing." She points towards the aliens who are all watching the two now.
"Is that a gesture of concern for me, kid," Hicks asks evenly but lightly, "or a warning?"
"Maybe it's of both," Newt replies quietly and shuts her eyes to take a nap.
Hicks doesn't consider Newt's response. For if he did, he'd be doing the opposite of what Newt told him not to do right now. Then the spit will hit the fan for him and the aliens, who are patiently waiting for a slight crack of betrayal in the fortress he's built around himself, will pounce on him the moment they verify their suspicions. No. He won't give them their satisfaction.
Perhaps it's Ripley's memories deflecting his mind? Maybe that's why he's having such a tough time. After all, her memories or, to be more precise, her clone's are his memories.
It has been that way since Ripley's DNA bonded with the alien inside her when the scientists cloned her to retrieve the Queen. That Queen died along with her children after Ripley, an android named Annalee Call, and some others, had successfully survived and destroyed the vessel the aliens lay in.
This event and the resurrection of Ripley have concerned this Queen since the news came abroad. This is why the final task must be taken to assure their victory. However, Hicks has to wonder if they know her thoughts, then she must know theirs. Will this mission be enough to stop her?
Hicks and even Newt know the answer to that question, but refuse to acknowledge it to each other for some odd reason. In fact, if anyone should know Ripley's memories better than herself, it'd have to be them.
When the aliens had created Hicks and Newt, with images that came directly from Ripley's thoughts, they knew they had to raise them to be 'human beings' since their missions would involve them interacting with many of them. That, and to understand things only a human would know that an alien couldn't possibly comprehend.
The aliens implanted the two with Ripley's memories. Afterwards, they allowed their creations to take it from there and use those thoughts to learn more about humanity... especially their downfalls. They wanted them to adjust to this new lifestyle while still remaining loyal to the Queen, in which case, the aliens still question each day.
Whatever Ripley loved or hated, the aliens know. The Queen knows. But most importantly, Hicks knows. Not only that, but understands too. Her thoughts, which are freely revealed among the aliens, may be a mystery but not to Hicks. Newt would know too, if only the aliens had given her as much of Ripley's memories to her as they did to him. But they chose Hicks as the 'presenter' and therefore equipped him with as much human information they could put into him in order to make him more authentic. More closer to the real Hicks.
Those humans that have heard about the real Hicks's death have also heard that it was a rumor should they get suspicious of him. That gave him an opening and an opportunity to make up any story he liked.
For instance, he could say he survived the crash but had amnesia and was kept in the cryotube for so long until recently. He told that story to the first people who discovered the Sulaco and knew well about the incident on LV426.
Or he could also say he was a ghost looking for a way out of his misery. Like he told Regina...
If Ripley's memories can enable him to fly this ship, then why not have those as the reason why he feels the way he feels, too?
The ship trembles again and Hicks struggles a bit with the controls. He peers outside through a window and sees a planet below. Their destination. It should take about forty-five minutes to get there if he continues to go through this course. He can cut that time by shifting the Our Lady Swan two degrees to the left and increasing the acceleration by 2 knots. He starts punching the numbers into the computer to make such a change. The ship responds and, with great effort, begins adjusting itself to meet Hicks's standards.
In the meantime, Hicks continues in his deep thoughts. He wonders about his own being. In many ways, he's like a ghost. He has the ability to become transparent at his own will. And he is able to touch through telekinesis, which is how he is able to touch the computer and all the objects around him. It used to take great effort to do such a thing, but as the days follow, it gets less complicated. As if he is becoming more... real...
Yes, it is impossible for that to happen, but the Temples' powers are also as unpredictable as he is at times. They have a tendency of introducing rude awakenings along the way. Is that what he is to the aliens? A rude awakening? He can certainly understand why they think that of him since curiosity and other emotions are getting more intense for him.
A red light in the controls suddenly beeps to life. Hicks immediately requests information from the computer to determine what the problem is. Nearby, Newt wakes up and looks at Hicks, alert as usual.
"What's wrong, Hicksy?"
"This bucket's falling apart, that's what, kid. Apparently, my repairs to this ship weren't enough," Hicks responds slightly tensed, "I think we're going down."
One of the aliens peeps its head besides Hicks and hisses lethally while whipping its tail wildly. Its mouth opens, which reveals another set of teeth, as it notices the red light. The alien's mouth ejects the second pair of teeth towards Hicks, missing him by only one inch as a warning to him. In a flash, the alien retreats from Hicks's presence and rejoins its clan, displeased.
Hicks curses under his breath just as the unstable ship jerks hard again. He thought he fixed up every single damage that was inflicted to this ship 3 months ago. Damage that was inflicted by him, if memory serves correct.
That 3 months ago, he had to prevent the crew from escaping so the Queen could have them. She ordered him to destroy the Our Lady Swan and so he did. He did his part so well that fixing the vessel seemed nearly impossible to do. Now he wishes that were otherwise as more red lights come to life across the panels around him. Newt looks at Hicks concerned.
"We should've kept one of the other ships as a back-up," she says and looks wide-eyed at the red blinking lights.
Hicks nods slightly as she's referring to the vessels of the people who've also visited the Sulaco before the androids did. Those people became hosts to the Queen in order to multiply the aliens' numbers. That was Hicks's first mission: to make human contact so they'd get on board for impregnation. It didn't matter how he did it, just as long as he did.
They ejected all their ships out to space afterwards and kept their cargo and supplies. The ejected vessels contained many aliens that stowed on board and were launched to highly over-populated colonies. There, the aliens would ambush those colonists and take over if all went well. That was the Queen's strategy, to win the small battles first before moving on to the big war. So far, it's working.
"Attention all personnel," an auto-voice suddenly echoes throughout the ship's interior. "Vessel's status is unstable... Engine One is now inoperative... Energy is now reduced to 87% and still declining... There are high levels of carbon dioxide entering atmosphere..."
The auto-voice continues reporting the ship's condition to the occupants. None of it is good news.
Taking the Our Lady Swan was a bad idea, Hicks thinks to himself.
Their mission is quite simple, yet getting there is the hard part. They needed a vessel to go in since the Sulaco was already auto-piloting to Earth for the takeover. Nothing could change its course. Not without the assistance of an android who would be the only one capable of that. There are none available. They're all dead.
A huge electric spark suddenly appears at the computer panel in front of Hicks and he flinches backwards in reaction. To his horror, the spark begins a fire and he immediately unbuckles his safety belt to find a fire extinguisher. Just as he does, the small fire widens and spreads quickly onto the other control panels, roaring like a lion. More alarms scream.
"Hicks, do something!" Newt yells when she retreats from her seat as the fire reaches her. She stares at him crazily, mouth parted, eyes twitching hysterically.
Hicks looks at her absently. He then looks at the aliens who are moving all over the place and hissing about. Too much, he thinks, too many problems arising at the same time... What would he do?
"Attention," the auto voice says over the alarms and red flickering lights, "Engines One and Three are inoperative... Energy is now down to 51% and rapidly declining..."
"What are we going to do, Hicks?" Newt asks lethally as she stares hard at him. Hicks could see how her expression has changed from concern to frustration. Most likely, not from the situation... but from his thoughts.
-His name was Hicks-
He closes his eyes for a moment, pondering over that thought, but then opens them a second later with a new perspective in him now. Calmly, he collects himself and sets out to find the fire extinguisher to put out the fire. Or at least a part of it. When he discovers its whereabouts, he activates it on a single computer panel that has yet to be thoroughly burnt. He might as well not even consider the other computers an option since the fire has done its damage already. Hicks should make use of the one partially burnt, then sit back and let them all fry.
Once the computer panel is free of the fire, he immediately begins to reset new coordinates for the ship to, for the most part, get them down to the planet. They still have enough energy to do that. The other problems will have to wait or, better yet, be ignored for the time being. Getting down is his first priority.
He waits for the ship to adjust to the numbers he inputs into the computer. In a moment they do.
The Our Lady Swan soars like a comet as soon as it hits the planet's atmosphere. In his non-transparent form, Hicks could feel the intense heat pervading over his body. In a way, he's glad he can feel such sensations. They make him feel real. Just a couple of minutes and he will know whether his efforts are in vain or not. If they're alive once the ship lands, then they will continue on their task with a hidden piece of gratitude towards him. However, if not, then it may cause problems once the Sulaco reaches Earth for the Great War and he will, ultimately, be no more.
The cockpit rumbles against the force of gravity and each of the ship's passengers wait for the outcome.
Newt grabs hold of a low beam to maintain her balance in the meantime. She disappears from Hicks's sight as the fire's smoke invades the entire cockpit. Though the smoke doesn't affect him breathing-wise, it does affect his eyesight.
A few more minutes are all Hicks needs to determine whether he's disgraced the Queen or not. He can sense her presence with them now as she, too, anxiously waits for the results... just a few more minutes...
The smoke surrounds Hicks and becomes unbearable to endure. The room seems to spin around him as he tries to find something to support him. It seems claustrophobic, here, which makes him uncomfortable and irritated. Just a few more minutes that seem to be like an eternity before he can know the truth. However, as he waits he soon discovers that the outcome will not reveal itself to him. As the ship embraces itself for impact, his body slams hard against a wall that knocks him to the floor abusively. The Queen's presence is the last thing he can see before his world turns into an abrupt, shallow darkness...
Section 2: The Communication's Center
Tarker is a space trucker who loves his job and takes it seriously. He has no family since many of them have either passed away or refuse to speak with him because of the profession he's chosen to pursue. Nevertheless, he thinks of them everyday with such devotion and affection that is expected from a son. He respects them, regardless of their opinions and frustration towards him.
A mid-aged man, he's the type of fellow that a girl should bring home and introduce to her parents. He's light-hearted and passionate. Even a charmer with the ladies. However, he's also a weird guy, too, according to the folks who have had the pleasure of making his acquaintance.
He's colorful, but strange. Funny, but dull. Passionate, yet unsentimental. He is a walking collage filled with many ironies and contradictions. Even his clothes justify that statement. Still, he cares nothing of these descriptions of him. After all, why make something over nothing?
Tarker turns the knob on his radio and picks up an oldies station filled with rap, disco, and some country music. Whatever happened to that good ol' fashioned rock 'n roll, he asks himself humorously and hums a beat to a song that relates to that question. It was one of his grandpa's favorites. He scratches the back of his greasy, black hair, remembering the great memories he had with him.
At the same time, Tarker continues to scope for the perfect place to land his small ship on as he hovers over the area.
Today's shipment is the usual: food, supplies, and a set of robots to help with construction. The place, the Communications Center, which is located in the middle of a desert. Actually, the whole entire planet is one big desert with the exception of some small colonies located far and wide away from each other. Once every month he - and he alone - drops by to give them their cargo and leaves on the same day to go to another destination. Today, however, he's going to make an exception. Not only because he's got two days of R & R right now, but because he's so tired and can't withstand another second out in space.
Fourteen days of delivering cargo non-stop doesn't exactly work well with the human body. When it wants its well-deserved rest, you'd best give it just that or else it'll do it for you, Tarker thinks tiredly. He nods to himself.
He twitches a bit in his seat, seeing that the space in the cockpit is so cramped. In fact, the vessel was designed for one person only. Some greedy corporate scum wanted to save credits in order for it to be used for his ticket to a tropical cruise down to Paradise City. What a jerk he must be. Tarker sighs.
About 15 minutes later, Tarker discovers the right spot to set his ship down on and smiles devilishly. Mainly because the area is restricted due to the fact that it's near the Communications Center's huge generator. He doesn't care.
Whatever his ship wants, it gets. It's been that way since he first set foot on it. In many ways, they are bonded. They can understand each other in more ways than only one. Heck, he understands them more than a woman! Ah, women... they're so unpredictable... he should know.
He takes care of his ship and has developed several defenses should a person choose to be brave enough to steal it. He has a small tracking device, which is located at his belt, and has inputted 'blocks' into the computer system in order to prevent skilled hackers or mercenaries from outsmarting the identification test. He still plans to upgrade this since one can never be too sure. And lastly, he has cameras located throughout the entire ship to observe each of its sectors with the use of his portable mini-cam displayer.
Tarker finally begins to land the vessel. A few specific gestures and couple flips of switches above him help begin the sequence of landing. Years over years of experience have enabled him to do this, much as a reaction than a chore. With passion and appreciation that comes from those years, he tenderly lands the ship on the ground. Perfection, he thinks to himself, perfection...
The Communications Center is like a zoo, filled with several people and activities all occurring at the same time - from the people busily running to a specific place, to the people constructing this small, but vital colony.
The Communications Center is the most essential asset to communications all over. Not only on Earth, which now solely depends on it since it did away with the satellites long ago, but with other planets and colonies as well. Without the Center, not a single transmission or broadcast can be sent. Cooking dinner would be nearly impossible to do as its kitchen appliances depend on the electric waves that the Center is equipped with. Computers, too, would be useless, since the use of cords and plugs are gone now. Without the Center, humanity might as well collapse. It'd make the Y2K bug controversy that was in the 21st century look like a joke.
As the result of the great amount of dependency it receives day in and day out, the small colony is expanding itself to better serve the people. The construction should be done sometime this year, but that's provided if there aren't any delays. Many of which are caused by desert storms.
Usually these desert storms appear every 2 weeks and last for 3 days. They then disappear as soon as they've arrived. Sometimes, very rarely, they pause for awhile and then continue on their rampage. The damages they inflict make several people consider other places to move the Communications Center to. However, that would mean a 2-year delay from all communications, which nobody can afford since two colonies are declaring war on each other now due to differences. In addition, this planet is the only one with better electrical waves than any other and, as an outcome, better and faster results.
Indeed, keeping up with the Center, especially if you're one of the ones in charge of it, is extremely difficult due to all the conditions surrounding it. This is why the Director appears tense every time a person approaches him. Especially when that person has bad news to give him.
His name is Uembert. He is the Director of the Center and if there's one thing that he hates, it's unexpected surprises. He even hates it more when that unexpected surprise causes problems, be it now or in the future. Today is no different. He sits in his cushy, large chair in his office and waits impatiently. He even begins to chew on the eraser of his pencil, an annoying habit of his.
There's been so much going on, especially now that a signal, which appeared over four hours ago, has mysteriously vanished. Is this good news, or bad news, thinks Uembert.
Uembert waits for about 20 minutes until his assistant, a young, redheaded woman named Birdie comes in with news concerning this matter. She gives him an easy smile as the doorlock (an electronic door) closes behind her. Birdie has a couple of sheets of transparent paper under her left arm. In her right hand, a cup of steaming coffee. She hands it over to Uembert and takes a seat from a table nearby and places it right across him.
"Thanks," Uembert mutters uncomfortably and takes a sip of the coffee.
"No problem," she replies softly from across his desk and smiles again. She hesitates before saying another word.
Uembert sets down the cup, looks outside a window located on the left side of the room and observes the construction employees and robots steadily developing a skeleton for the expansion of the Center. In a low voice, he says, "We're behind 2 months and another storm will be hitting us in, what, four days?"
"Five," corrects Birdie softly.
Uembert continues, more frustrated.
"That'll mean another delay. And soon after that, another. And after that one another... why can't life give me some slack here!"
Birdie waits for a minute before responding to him. When she does, her voice is timid and quiet.
"You're still ticked off that Mom and Dad are getting that divorce..."
Uembert immediately looks at her hard, but refuses to say the first thing that comes into mind. Birdie tries to smile to comfort him, but it's not working.
"Look, Uembert... I know it's hard to take in... I mean, we always thought they'd be different from other parents... but they're human too... They don't..."
"Can you change the subject?" Uembert cuts her off. "In fact, tell me about that signal 4 hours ago."
Birdie looks at him for a long time. When she finally sees that her brother has no desire to further discuss the divorce issue, she pulls out the transparent papers from under her arm and places them in front of him. She knows that the divorce will no longer be in their conversations anytime soon, mainly because he never liked to face problems head on. He preferred to keep his distance from it and avoid it as much as possible, regardless of the consequences. She only wishes that that could change. Otherwise, he's going to live a life full of pain and misery should he even decide to take part in it in the first place.
She takes out one of the transparent papers which, Uembert comes to realize, is a photograph.
"This is what the Visual Link got as it entered our atmosphere," she says professionally and hands it over to him.
Uembert takes the picture and carefully examines it. The image looks blurry and distorted. He squints his eyes at the photo as if that will help make out the object. Lost, he asks, "What is it?"
"A vessel," she replies simply and takes out another sheet from the small stack of papers. Later she adds, "Or what's left of it, at least."
"Oh." Uembert tosses the paper back on the stack. He looks puzzled. "Is it one of ours?"
"No," she answers. Birdie smirks. "But speaking about ships, that Tarker fellow, landed at the restricted area... again. I think somebody's gotta talk to him or I'm gonna..."
"Is he here with the new shipment of my Model 641 robots?" he asks while ignoring what she just said. "We need them here fast to make up for the time we're going to lose for the storm."
"Yes..."she says irritably. "He's here... And on his way to see you right now, as a matter of fact... You think you can talk to him about the 'parking the ship where it doesn't belong' business?"
"Stop griping about the man... He brings us our supplies on time, doesn't he?" Uembert snaps. "Heck, he's the only person that gets the job done at all, which is the least I can say about some people here."
Uembert looks at Birdie. He continues.
"Anyway, tell me more about the vessel."
Birdie looks over the paper she's currently holding and then gives it to her brother very shortly.
"There's not much to say about it. There's no code that our computers can detect, which means that it's wired."
"Wired?"
"Um, stolen ship," defines Birdie. In a low and timid voice again she adds, "It's most likely a pirate ship."
Uembert stares at Birdie hard before angrily throwing the paper onto the floor.
"Well, that's just great! Just peachy!" he exclaims hysterically, "First I've got a construction delay because of some stupid accident two days ago! Then this desert storm coming to kiss everything I work so hard on away! And now I've got mercenaries who, for all I know, plan to take over my Center!"
"I don't think so," Birdie mutters quietly, seeing how the news is really giving her brother a migraine headache.
"And why not?! Why 'don't you think so'?!"
"Because, I think they're dead..."
Just then the doorlock opens and a tall, rugged looking man comes in.
"Hi-ya, Uembert!" he greets the director happily with his country accent.
He walks over to give him a hearty pat on the back. Uembert flinches in his chair as he does. He stares up at the hyper man indifferently.
"Hello, Tarker," Uembert replies coolly and gestures towards his sister, "Birdie, won't you greet Mr. Tarker?"
Birdie slowly stands up from her seat and extends her hand for a handshake. Tarker gently takes it and kisses the back of her hand instead of shaking it. Birdie blushes, but conceals it immediately by sitting back down.
"Why don't you pull up a chair?" Uembert gestures towards the same table where Birdie took one of the chairs from.
"Naw, ah prefer standin' if ya don't mind, Uembert."
Tarker walks over to Birdie and stands close to her. He gives her a charming smile and winks at her once when she looks up at him. She exhales deeply and starts to look through the window in search for a distraction.
"So I take it that my robots I requested are here, right?" Uembert asks Tarker easily and drinks a bit more of his coffee. He looks more comfortable now. Perhaps because Tarker, a dependable man, has done his part once again.
"Yes, sir! They're currently being loaded 'n all..." he hesitates and looks uncomfortable. "So..."
"So?" Uembert asks after seeing that Tarker wants to say something else.
"Uembert..." he chuckles a bit timidly, "ah came here ta see if ya could... Ah wus wonderin' if ya could let me stay here for a couple of days. Two days at the most."
"Absolutely not!" Birdie suddenly injects in a bit of shock. She looks at Uembert for back up on her say. She finds none.
"Of course you can. Shame on you, Birdie, for being rude," Uembert says. He slyly grins at Birdie and then looks at Tarker. "You've earned it. In fact, I was just talking to Birdie here, and saying how dependable you are. Weren't we, sis?"
Birdie glares coldly at her brother. Tarker doesn't notice.
"Well, thank ya, Uembert." Tarker smiles and walks over to him to give him a farewell handshake. He says, "Ah'm awfully sorry 'bout requestin' this from ya... 'S jus' that ah haven't gotten a day's rest since that war goin' on an' all. Ah wouldn't ask this if ah didn' need it so badly, sir."
"No need to explain anything to me, Tarker." Uembert shakes his hand and adds, "Birdie and I've gotta talk about some business here. But once we're done, I'm sure Birdie can find you a nice, cozy place for you to rest."
"Excuse me?!" she asks bewilderedly.
"Sure you can, Birdie." He looks at Tarker then, "she's had one too many beers last night so that's why she's acting like this. Please excuse her."
"Oh, no need to..." Tarker looks at Birdie. "It was nice meetin' ya, Birdie. Ah must confess, though, that you're name really sounds as beautiful as ya look, surga."
Tarker waves bye to her. She doesn't wave back, however, as she can't seem to feel her body anymore. It's somehow gone numb. He exits.
Once Birdie collects herself, she turns to Uembert and says sarcastically, "Well, that's just great! Why don't you sell me to him while you're at it! And you didn't even tell him about the parking business too!"
"You like him, Birdie. Get over it. Besides, it's not like it's going to work out between the two of you anyway."
Birdie's eyes turn soft. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"What it means, sis," he begins to explain, "is that there's no such thing as a long-lasting relationship anymore. There's also no such thing as real love. So don't be surprised if you find yourself sitting alone in your room wondering where the love went between you and your lover. My opinion, play around with him because that's all people seem to do these days. Might as well enjoy it before it's too late."
Birdie feels depressed that her brother feels that way.
"Now... where were you? Oh yes, you said about the crew possibly being dead. Why do you suppose that to be true?"
Birdie tries to find another sheet of paper among the stack once again to give him his answer. Uembert gets up from his chair impatiently.
"Don't bother. Just tell me what you have to say. I don't have all day for you to be searching for that piece of paper that you can do without. And besides, I've got to set up a meeting at the main complex about the delays as well as preparations for that storm coming."
"Okay," injects Birdie slowly and starts, "well, our computers weren't getting any live readouts once it crashed. It did say something about 'unrecognizable elements' inside the ship, but that's probably from it carrying cargo beyond its comprehension."
"Hmmm..." Uembert sits back at his chair, thinking. Afterwards, he asks, "Do you know where this ship crashed at?"
"Yes. About one hundred miles from here."
"Whoa! That's far! That'll take about a day to get to it."
"What do you mean?" Birdie leans forward from her chair, "Are you considering putting together an investigation team to check it out?"
Uembert takes a moment before answering her question. Afterwards, however, he nods.
"Are you serious?! That could be dangerous!"
"Which is why we need to get to them first before they can get to us. We need to hit them hard and fast. I will not have this Center potentially endangered by a group of morons."
Birdie considers that. She finally agrees with a nod. "I'll gather a team right away."
The room's intercom suddenly beeps, indicating an incoming message. A heavy voice comes through that's familiar to both Uembert and Birdie.
"Uembert!" the voice yells through the intercom, a bit concerned.
"What is it, Amder?" Uembert asks the man who's second in charge of the Center.
"There's an incoming transmission for you, sir. It's pretty serious, so you'd better be here in the Communications Link room."
About 10 minutes later, Uembert and Birdie are sitting at a long table with a huge screen in front of them. Beside the screen is a small control panel next to a card reader that serves for identification. Amder, a medium-sized, well-built black man, enters the room and pulls out a card from his dirty blue jacket. He inserts it into the card reader and the screen turns on.
Uembert immediately knew this guy was sort of 'loose' and a bit tough from the first time he met him. Even his workers refer to him as 'the cool guy'. From the way he talks to the way he walks, Amder gives people the impression that his confidence and abilities are well-defined and without limits. He listens to everyone and when he talks, folks listen. If someone has a problem with him, then he'd set him or her straight.
Amder prefers to keep busy, too, rather than sit at his desk all day like Uembert does. He likes to be active. Uembert is grateful that he has Amder on his team and willing to take the dirt when he doesn't want to. Sometimes Uembert finds himself saying that he'd rather have Amder do it than him.
Uembert looks around the Communications Link room for a moment and remembers his younger days when he was just a technician. He was eager to work at that time and met the high expectations of his bosses. He had success written in his eyes, according to what many said about him.
As Uembert observes his surroundings, which are filled with surveillance cameras and machinery that makes the room so cramped, he realizes that they remind him on his first day at work. The day his parents gave him a surprise visit.
He remembers it as if it were only yesterday. His mother wore a red dress with flowers embodied everywhere on it. Meanwhile, his father, a handsome, dashing fellow, was dressed in a black suit that seemed to perfectly signify his intelligence and beauty. Indeed, his parents matched together like Adam and Eve.
Both of them displayed their love for their children and to each other. And in that lifetime, Uembert thought his parents found that undeniable, profound love that everyone was searching for. He thought his parents were special... Most of his friends, relatives, and workers had divorces or separations. Or, more commonly, bound to get one. It either came from differences or they simply fell out of love. His parents didn't seem to have any problems...
What is love, Uembert wonders in despair. Does anybody in this entire human race know what it really is? Or is this some sick joke? A prank?
"Uembert?"
Uembert looks up, immediately distracted and realizes that both Birdie and Amder are waiting for him. A bit embarrassed, he asks, "Um, yes, what is it?"
"Transmission, Uembert," Amder says and points at the huge screen which is now displaying a muscular man with a goatee who's looking directly at Uembert in a bit of a frown.
"I'm sorry." Uembert apologizes and gets up to walk over to the screen. "I was a bit... occupied... Anyway, what is your business here?"
The man scratches the back of his shaved head that still manages to show small stubs of hair, and clears his throat. He takes a second to gather his thoughts while a voice, out of view, tells him something. He nods to the unseen person and puts his attention back on Uembert. He finally begins to address his issue to Uembert.
"I belong to the ABHs, which means 'Android Bounty Hunters'. My name is Jackal, by the way, and I apologize for taking up your time right now. I know you're busy so I'll make this very brief."
Birdie and Amder look at each other in concern after seeing that it's an ABH with a message that must be really important. The ABHs are just as insane as the Marines, with the exceptions that they hunt androids and work directly for all five Presidents. No one would dare to be on bad terms with them.
The ABHs have been hunting androids since the time of the Recall. The recall came once the new model of androids, which were constructed by other artificial persons, developed 'human' reactions and thoughts. They no longer accepted themselves as slaves, but as individuals. The public was uncomfortable with this and feared that the new revolution of models would strike at the human race rebelliously. Especially from those who bled red - than the standard white - blood. The United Presidents of the States and Colonies decided to take action for the sake of the public and ordered a recall, as well as the destruction of all android factories. However, some few androids had escaped this unfortunate event and thus, the ABH was born.
The ABH usually consists of personnel who share a military background. However, there have been rumors that it ranges also from former soldiers to mercenaries to convicts. The founders of the ABH deny these controversies and insist that the group is made up of well-qualified and suitable members. Nevertheless, people like Birdie and Amder think otherwise.
"I understand that you picked up a signal on your radar about 4 hours ago, yes?" Jackal asks.
"Yes, we did," Uembert turns towards Birdie, "Why don't you explain it to him since you know more about it than me?"
Birdie hesitates first but she nods and replies, "Okay."
She walks over to her brother and stands right next to him in front of the transmitter screen. She begins to explain the events which Jackal requests about.
"Um, yes, about four hours ago, our Visual Link got an image of an incoming object entering our atmosphere which, I soon realized, was a ship. According to our photo relays, the vessel is critically damaged with no living beings indicated in our scanners. It landed about one hundred miles from here."
"You have photos of it?" Jackal asks immediately, "Can you fax them over to us? We're gonna need those pictures."
"Uh, yes I can, but..."Uembert cuts Birdie off before she can mention anything else.
"Just what the heck is all this about?" he asks very straightforward.
"That's on a need-to-know basis," Jackal replies simply.
"Bull! I've got delays up to my head here! We're 2 months off of schedule and a desert storm's coming our way in five days from now! I demand answers or I'll have a word with your authorities personally!"
"Cool it, boss. Talking like that won't get us those answers," Amder inserts gently and turns his attention to Jackal. "But Uembert is right, Mr. Jackal. There're a lot of hairy things going down, really bad things to be more specific. The last thing we need is another problem in our hands right now. So if it ain't much trouble, can you give us as much info you can give us so we won't be getting any... 'unexpected' surprises?"
"I can't give you the whole enchilada," answers Jackal bluntly.
"We don't expect you to. Just give us something. Either so we can prepare ourselves for the worse, or blow it off if it ain't much to worry about. That's all we need."
Amder, Uembert, and Birdie wait for Jackal's reply. Uembert is also a bit impressed by Amder's persuasive words.
Jackal considers Amder's request for a long time and then he nods.
"Like I said, I can't give you the whole enchilada, but here goes. First of all, you can blow this business off and not lose any sleep over this. Don't be alarmed about the androids. They can't hurt humans since it's in their programs not to. Don't think that they're going to crash at your place and raise Hell from below. Okay? Anyway, the ship's stolen, if you haven't already realized that by now with your code detectors... We think that some of the androids that have escaped from the recall might've been on board that ship. That's as much as I can tell you."
The room is quiet.
"Can I have a moment with Uembert and Amder alone, please, Mr. Jackal?" Birdie suddenly asks and gestures for the two men to join her at the corner of the room, away from the transmitter screen. They comply.
"So I guess that's what the computer meant by saying 'unrecognizable elements' inside the ship, right? It was probably referring to the androids. What do you guys think?" Birdie asks in a whisper and looks back at Jackal who seems curious about their conversation.
"I think he's lying," Uembert inserts coldly. "All computers would recognize an android, present in a ship or not. He's holding something back... 'Don't be alarmed about the androids', huh? I wouldn't bet my life on that."
"So what do you plan to do Uembert?" inquires Birdie.
"What do I plan to do?" he begins. "I'll tell you what I plan to do... I plan to send a team with heavy artillery out and destroy whatever the hell survived that crash! That's what I plan to do. That make sense?"
"Wait a minute, wait a minute," Amder protests. "We can't just... seek and destroy. We ain't the Marines, Uembert! We're workers trying to earn a decent living. And you're over here talking about 'Rambo: Thirst for Revenge' action, or something around that order! Get a grip on yourself! Let's check out what else this guy has to say, okay?"
"No! It's not 'okay'! I've worked too hard to pull this Center together, and now for this to stick its ugly head from my rear?! I don't think so."
"Listen to Amder, Uembert," Birdie says. "He's right. Let's just... check this guy out first and then we'll decide what to do."
"Listen to him, Birdie, instead of your own flesh and blood, why don't you!"
"C'mon, Uembert, I just don't want this to splatter all over your face if things aren't as simple as you think them to be. We've gotta be careful, we're dealing with ABHs."
"I don't care if they're Godzilla, I am not going to sit back and wait for these killer androids to reach us! I'm not! They've killed humans before, you know! They have! They're unpredictable and ruthless and deserve to get what's coming!"
"Cool it, man," Amder says. "Just cool it... Let's see what he has to say and if you're unsatisfied, then we'll take action. Agreeable to you?"
Uembert looks at Amder for a long time. Then at Birdie whose face is filled with concern. Finally after a long agonizing and difficult moment, he agrees.
"Just one thing I don't like..."he warns. "That's all I need... one thing..."
"Fine by me," Amder implies gratefully. "Now let's talk to Godzilla right now before he shoves a firebolt up our rears."
The three return to the front side of the room where the transmitter screen's at, and give Jackal their attention once again. Uembert appears calmer than before and Jackal looks at the three in a curious expression.
"Hope you all enjoyed your conversation back there," Jackal suddenly grins. "Must've been one helluva gossip, I can imagine."
"What do you want from us?" Uembert asks, very straightforward.
"Nothing..." Jackal's grin widens, "... if only to tell you guys to stay away from the ship. Meaning, no 'Rambo' stunts, as Amder just told you all right now."
"You were hearing us!" Uembert exclaims angrily.
"Well, it's kind of hard not to hear you all, especially when you're equipped with the advanced technology like I have. I can hear everything from here. Even the mice that are gnawing inside your walls, Mr. Uembert."
The three are silent.
"Let's get to the point, gentlemen and gentlewoman. My people are headed your way to retain whatever androids that might have survived the crash. If you want us out of your hair pronto, then I suggest you stay out of our way and cooperate with us in any manner we see fit. Those androids belong to the government and, should you decide to take action against them, then you will all be in deep. And when I mean 'deep', I mean deep. Is this a clear understanding between us now?"
"With crystal clarity, Mr. Jackal," Uembert answers through gritted teeth.
"Excellent. Then we'll be arriving in 3 days from now, so be prepared."
"But what if those androids begin to attack us?" Birdie asks hard.
"We'll see you in 3 days," Jackal simply says, while ignoring Birdie's question. He adds, "Godzilla signing off."
The transmission ends.
"Well, that's just great!" Birdie begins.
"What are we going to do now, boss?" asks Amder.
"You mean, if I'm just going to sit here and wait for those jerks, Amder? Is that what you're asking?" Uembert slowly shakes his head, "I don't think so. Birdie... proceed with my plan."
"But the ABHs... ?"
"I don't care about them! This effects us all and if we sit here like ducks, waiting for those Terminator wannabees to come here, then we might as well put our heads between our legs and kiss our behinds goodbye! You get what I'm saying now?"
"Okay..."Birdie replies uneasily and exits the room afterwards.
Amder is about to follow her, but Uembert tells him to wait.
"I want you to find Mr. Tarker, our space trucker, and give him a resting place before you help Birdie. Also, what kind of convincing story can you think of to explain to those jerks why all the androids are gone for good after we're through with them?"
"Why not just say they all didn't make it from the crash? We can easily burn the ones we shoot down, too," Amder states as a matter-of-fact.
"Excellent. Report back to me once you and Birdie group together an investigation team. Put Crean as commander, too. He's really good."
"Yes, sir," Amder says and begins to leave. However, as he reaches the doorlock, he turns around to face Uembert. He asks in a low voice, "Do you think that there's a risk in what we're doing? Besides the ABHs?"
Uembert smiles at his companion, "No. Of course not. We're already in deep. How bad can it get?"
Section 3: The Android Bounty Hunters
The corridors seem long and forever as Jackal walks towards the conference room where the rest of the ABHs are. He observes the scenery in a bit of amusement. After all, it's his first day as the commanding hunter of this bunch, if such a thing even existed. Indeed, getting in the ABH alone was pretty much of a tough time for him. And now he has to play the part of a leader. Great...
Thinking back in his younger days, however, he can see why he's the leader of this outfit. His instincts and skills have existed since his youth, which he grins even now at the remembrance. When the ABH took a good look at him as well as his 'resume', they couldn't resist. His resume was simply one of a kind... His grin widens.
He wonders what will become of the ABH once they've found and retained all the missing androids. Will they be just another team that was respected at first, but then forgotten the next instant? Will their operations cease all together?
Jackal thinks about this for a long time. However, he comes to remember that the bounty hunters have always existed. The Government of the Colonies and States just never thought about making them a group and informing them of their specific missions until now. In this case, the escaped androids.
The ABH was founded since the government knew bounty hunters could get the job done a lot faster than the typical soldier ever could. A bounty hunter was simply blessed with more predatory skills. The developers of the ABH wanted to have hunters of all aspects grouped together and to search for the missing androids since the recall. So far more than half of the artificial persons has been retrieved.
While a group of Android Bounty Hunters could work together, they can also work solo if they choose to do so. If a member of the ABH finds the 'trophy' before his or her group, then the reward money is given to that person alone. On the other hand, should the group work together, the reward is doubled and split among them. Whether the hunter believes this decision is good or bad is his or her judgement to make.
Ah, the life of an ABH, thinks Jackal. No... the Android Bounty Hunters might change its name to 'Bounty Hunters' after we complete our mission, but the team as well as its operations won't disappear. If anything, we'll prosper.
A doorlock opens and he enters it. He could hear the hushed tones of many conversations nearby as he walks further down the hallway. He approaches another doorlock and hesitates before activating it. He reserves that moment to absorb his surroundings, thinking how strange it is for him to be a part of a team that shares his same ambitions and motivations. It's been such a long time that he's felt that way, sharing his desires and interests with people who fully understand them, regardless of their differences. With people who, if anything, encourage him to pursue those things he loves. Indeed, it has been a long time since he's felt this way with people and even with himself.
Jackal pushes the doorlock's button and a gush of cool wind breezes across his face. As he's invited to the room, he notices that it's filled with people who have different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. These are the same people he just thought about a second ago.
Jackal's new to this group. Their previous leader is missing or rumored to have died, which makes him his replacement. How long will he command over them, he does not know. Nor cares to. He prefers living in the present than in the future or past. That's just the way he is.
He studies the group. They're all conversing with each other around a huge, circular table, which is located in the middle of the conference room. He pauses before introducing himself to them and talking about their mission. He, instead, listens to a conversation that is currently going on.
"I think that humanity has the right to do what we please," a skinny and late-forties man named Faber mentions. He sips a bit of his hot tea that he has in front of him.
"I have to agree with Faber on that," a fellow ABH named Ary comments, and chews her gum. "Space's the limit for us. Used to be the sky, though."
"Thank you, Miss Ary," Faber says. "I can see that you're as intelligent as I am and are very enlightened by serious issues such as this. Indeed, they're so few of us." Faber smiles at Ary.
"You're only saying that, Faber, because she agrees with you," Beal, Ary's 'boyfriend' spouts out loud and chuckles softly at Ary. She responds with a bubble gum smack.
"And you don't?" Faber asks patiently as he sets his cup of tea down and waits for Beal's reply.
"To some extent, old man, but not with everything."
"Then ask yourself these questions, you imbecile, why would God grant us with so much knowledge if only to have us not use it in the first place? Why give us this hunger to search through the galaxy and beyond at all, if not to fulfill our desires whether they be beneficial or for education, to say the least. Why grant curiosity to us as well... if only to discover who and what we are?"
"Why ask 'why?' Try Bud Dry," Troll, the group's pest, inserts humorously as he refers to an old beer commercial from way back when and laughs at his own joke.
Nobody joins him. Even Faber looks at him as if he were watching some huge, mutated rodent right before his eyes.
Troll delivers a coy smile nonetheless, and says, "Seriously, dude, take it easy. You're acting like a Puritan or cult leader or somethin'. Like if all this matters. And besides, we're bounty hunters, not your lecture class or peasants or whatever you think we are to you. Chill out."
"Listen, 'dude'," Faber mocks Troll, "I'll have you know that everything I say matters. But I don't suppose you can understand that since you were most likely dropped and banged on that hollow head of yours during infancy which explains your 72 intelligence rate."
"Whatever, old man." Troll smirks, but Faber ignores him.
"So," Faber starts to say, "before I was rudely interrupted, the reason why I say humanity has the right to do whatever we please is because it connects with our androids."
"In what way?" Ritz, from the corner of the room, suddenly asks. He rests lazily against the wall, which is a habit of his when he's awfully tired and can't find something to shoot at. Though Troll is somewhat tempting...
"In the way that our androids have every right to live. We created them and so therefore they should live. We can do whatever we please just as long as we nurture our products everyday. The androids are like babies, you must help and be with them. The recall shouldn't have ever come. If only a few people had the nerve for finishing out what they started and sticking to it through thick and thin, then the androids would be all right. It's not their fault for the recall; it was those morons that caused it to happen. They didn't care about them, only their money."
"And the fact that you lost your job because of the recall since you were an android manufacturer has nothing to do with this? Right?" asks a coy Troll.
Faber stares right at him. "While that fact does play a part for my opposition on the recall, the truth is I care for these androids. And that's why I pursued my job as a manufacturer. It placed me closer to God or at least to His ability to create...You can't imagine the sensation of creating a life with your own bare hands. Not for a man, at least. A woman has that special gift that a man doesn't. He will never know. He's only an ingredient while the woman is its foundation. This is why I am a hunter... because those androids are my foundation. I don't hunt them to make trophies out of them; I hunt them to save them. In fact, I'd rather they be hunted by me than by any of you."
"Oh, Faber," injects Troll sarcastically, "you're breaking my heart, dude."
"At least I have a heart to begin with, which is the least I can say for you," snaps Faber back, "I'll make sure my androids are found by me... they all have a right to live."
"And what of those androids that serve as imposters, Faber?" a soft, delicate, female voice suddenly asks from behind Faber, "What of those?"
Faber turns slowly around and smiles at the small, frail woman with cropped black hair he sees before him. In a soft, tender tone, he says, "Hello, Call. Nice of you to finally join us. I was beginning to get worried, my dear."
Everyone knows that Annalee Call used to be an android manufacturer just like Faber was. They also knew she wasn't fired but quit, once she discovered that one of the android developers, who had an obsession with her, duplicated her features onto an android. The developer was also an android.
The android broke into Call's apartment one night and threatened to kill her if she did not love him back. Lucky for her, she had a gun and defended herself. That was before the recall came. Since then, Call has been weary of all androids alike, and would prefer their heads on a platter than freely interacting with their 'victims'.
To make matters worse, there've been a lot of rumors circulating around her 'imposter'. She escaped the recall and went on to assassinate some woman. Call doesn't know who that woman is or was, but the fact that her imposter is capable of killing grants her the strength to find and put an end to her, once and for all. Maybe not today or tomorrow, or even this year, but one day...
"You didn't answer my question," Call tells Faber. She takes a seat near him on the table and with her pitch black eyes, waits for him to respond. After a while, he finally does.
"I doubt my answer will amuse you to the extent of you converting your prejudice against the androids, which you are entitled to, to my perspective. Therefore I won't answer your question, Call. Won't you have some hot tea with me though, darling?"
"No, thank you," she says simply and looks around. "Where's our new leader?"
"Here," Jackal inserts, still near the conference room's entrance doorlock.
Everyone stares at him as he walks towards them.
"I thought I should give you some slack before introducing myself and giving you all the info on the ship."
The group looks at him with a blank expression, not sure whether to treat him with respect or treat him like dirt. Call is the only one, however, who's more interested in what he has to say than how he says it.
Her huge and beautiful eyes lock into his, giving him her undivided attention regardless of him being a complete stranger to her. He could be a murderer and she'd still give him her ears. Still, he knows that there's more there than meets the eye. She may look innocent and somewhat vulnerable, but that could be the part she plays to conceal her true colors. She's no sucker, that's for sure, Jackal thinks to himself before talking to the group.
"My name's Jackal and I am the Leader's replacement. I feel pretty bad with what happened to him... "
"We don't," Ritz cuts him off. "We hate him. He tried to get all the androids to himself by 'pretending' that he was one to begin with. He wanted to get close to them. They're the same androids that we're tracking down, or so I've heard."
"Yeah," Troll agrees and chuckles, "Too bad the S.O.B. didn't realize that his 'plan' would backfire and winded up getting killed by one of those androids."
"That's just a speculation, little boys and girls," injects Faber, "Nobody knows what really happened to him. The Leader could very well be missing... "
Troll stares at Faber both skeptically and humorously. "You're kidding, right? For three months? Missing? I doubt that! And if he is 'missing', let's make a stop at Paradise City since that'd mean he got the androids and his credits and that's where we'll see him, most likely. Then we won't even need to make this trip, amigo."
"Amen to that, brother," Ritz replies.
"And just how does anybody know about this?" Faber asks a bit nerved. "In fact, how did these speculations start in the first place?"
"Some woman sent a transmission out to space. She mentioned androids as well as the Leader," Ary answers voluntarily and smacks her gum.
"And where's that transmission at?" Troll asks curiously.
"Well, it don't take a genius, Troll, to figure out that the government, our own top boss, have their sweaty palms on it and are giving us that 'need-to-know' B.S.," Ary says sarcastically.
"Sheesh, woman, don't bite my head off," Troll mutters quietly to himself. "Sheesh... "
"What else was on the transmission, Ary?" Faber asks, still not convinced.
"For one thing, a name... 'Regina'."
"'Regina'?" Jackal asks, suddenly interested.
"Yeah. I don't know much, only that this Regina woman sent a transmission about the Leader and some other stuff that's caused quite a fuss during these past months at the White House. What I want to know is how'd she know about the Leader and the androids? And why send a transmission rather than an SOS since I heard she mentioned that she was in danger? It's as if she didn't care if she lived or not... No's one found her yet."
"Maybe she was a girlfriend of the Leader's and just broke up with him?" inserts Troll stupidly. "Many women don't care if they die or they swear that they will after breakups, you know."
Again... nobody laughs. Troll blushes in a bit of embarrassment.
"How do you know so much about this 'story', Ary?" Faber asks.
"Well... I get around."
"You mean, 'sleep around'," Troll mutters quietly to himself again.
"What was that, boy?" Beal overhears.
"Nothin'. Mind your own business, dude."
"Do you know anything about this subject, Jackal?" asks Call finally. "There've been more stories than facts or hard evidence."
Jackal looks at her for a moment, then shrugs.
"Listen, guys," Jackal decides to switch the subject. "You can continue on the 'Where's Waldo' search later on, but in the meantime, there's the situation I must address to you all before we can hit the freezers or cryotubes or bed chambers or whatever you call it today."
"'Today'?" Troll asks amusingly, "You sound like you've been missing since the Stone Age, amigo, and have just recently waken up and realized that you're in the future."
"Look! I don't have much time for this! Okay? So, let me have my say and I'll leave you all alone!"
"I think he likes us," Troll murmurs to himself.
"C'mon, guys," Call says. "Let's give Jackal our attention. Some of his info might be useful."
She turns to Jackal: "Do they know that we're coming?"
"They're setting up the red carpet even as we speak," he answers. "But I think we need to move fast. Not only because of the desert storm set to make a touchdown in 5 days from now, but because of the colonists down at the Communications Center. They're thinking of destroying the androids that have landed at their backyard themselves since they fear them."
"Those imbeciles!" Faber yells frustratingly. "So blind and stupid!"
"Typical townspeople," injects Trol. "... without the fire torches this time around."
The doorlock opens and two other ABHs, one a female named Hatch and another, a male named Kake, enter. Kake carries a couple of transparent papers in one of his hands.
"Are you the Leader's replacement?" he asks Jackal in his extremely deep voice.
"Yes, I am. My name's Jackal."
"Here. These are some of the photos faxed from one of the colonists down at the Communications Center."
He hands them over to Jackal and the two hunters take a seat.
"Um, 'Jackal', right?" Hatch asks suddenly as she seats herself.
"Yes?" he answers as he observes the photos just given to him. He looks disappointed.
"The others are in the Weaponry Room, checking out the weapons and seeing if they're okay, sir," Hatch informs, "so they won't be able to come to this meeting."
Jackal looks up from the photos to Hatch, "Then, I suggest you pass down my info since it's vital."
"Yes, sir."
"Thanks... anyway, people," he addresses once again to the group. "Like I said, those colonists are out for blood. Of course... none of that will matter if a picture really is worth a thousand words."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Faber asks a bit tensed.
"Take a look at the ship's condition as it's entering the planet's atmosphere," Jackal says and gives Call the photos to pass around.
"What's the ship's name?" inquires Ritz before being given one of the photos. Once he sees it, he exclaims, "Whoof! Oh, man! Look at that baby burn!"
"Our Lady Swan," Jackal answers shortly.
Jackal takes awhile for the group to see the photos before continuing. He can see Faber's lost expression in his face as he stares at the photos in horror. Faber slowly shakes his head in disbelief.
"It's hard to believe anything survived that crash," Jackal says. "But enough of this. Let's get down to business, people. Like I also said before, there's going to be a desert storm coming. So once we've discovered the whereabouts of the androids or the truth, we've gotta split really fast. Any questions?"
"Are we still going in blind?" Call asks. "We weren't given a lot of info on the androids themselves since it's on a need-to-know basis bull. We were only given the fact that the Leader was with them before he came up missing and that they're wanted mercenaries. Do you have any of their names or faces?"
Jackal doesn't say anything at first, but shakes his head. "Sorry, but I'm just as blind as you all are. If the surviving androids sneaked into the Center, then we're going to be looking for a needle in a haystack since they look human. That's why I was given this by the top boss before coming here."
He reveals a small, cylinder gadget from his black leather jacket's pocket. He later says, "This is what the manufacturers designed for us. It isn't much, but it'll do. You see, it tests and detects, with fast and better results, whether the person has human or non-human blood. However, you have to take the blood sample from the person to determine which is what. Like I said, it isn't much but, at least, it's something."
"Great," mumbles Beal, "... looks like we're gonna have to rely on our detective skills... again."
Jackal pauses to see if anyone has anymore questions. No one does.
"All right... everything's been said and you all know where you stand. Let's get ready to hit the freezers since we won't be there until 4 days from now. Not unless you guys can do without it?"
"Yeah, man. We can do without it," replies Ritz. "I don't like the idea of me being a Popsicle and having a strong urge to use the restroom once I wake up."
"I agree with Ritz, dude," Troll echoes. "I feel terrible once I get up. Yeah, it stops your aging and all, but I'm still in my prime! And plus, I feel nauseated."
"Now you know how I feel every time I see you Troll," Ary injects humorously and this time, everyone laughs.
"Whatever... "Troll mumbles and exits the room. Others follow.
Jackal is about to, too, until a hand reaches from behind him and touches his shoulders. He turns around and sees Call.
"Um, listen," she says uncomfortably. "I hope you don't mind, but I think that I'll be sleeping in the freezer."
"Oh?" Jackal asks curiously. "Why, may I ask?"
Call's head tilts downwards a bit. She's at a lost for words. When she decides to face him, there's fear and uncertainty in her eyes. She tells Jackal, "I think I prefer sleeping in the freezer since I sleep better. I don't get much... nightmares. When I'm there, I feel like the... world can't touch."
She softly chuckles and shakes her head a bit in embarrassment. "I'm sorry. I know I must sound like a dork or something... "
"No," Jackal replies gently. "You don't. If sleeping in the freezer makes you sleep better, then by all means, do that." He warmly smiles at her.
"Thanks," she smiles back and leaves shortly.
Jackal watches her go.
Two hours later, Annalee Call is asleep with the comforts of silence and warmth. They welcome her the moment she slumbers. As usual, Call is right. There aren't any nightmares, only the sweetness of the dreams that comes to her randomly. She smiles in her sleep, grasping the surreal surroundings and events that occur in her dreams amazingly. The dream is fast and filled with glorious wonders. Some of it based on her memories, as others are a collage of emotions symbolized as objects or situations. Time does not exist here. Nor does a speck of reality. She is grateful for that.
Call stirs a bit in her cryotube, watching her own personal movie behind closed lids. It's so beautiful... so wonderful... Oh, the brilliance of the mind! It's capable of doing more than just collecting and categorizing. It delivers more. It delivers dreams, emotions, and abilities beyond anyone's domain. It makes each person unique and grants them a single word that helps defines them as a living being and the foundation of their strengths. A single word that makes a person more than just another being created.
Call's calm expression drastically changes into a frown. Her eyes twitch continuously behind closed lids as her pleasant movie has now taken a U-turn into the worse. The figure, the one that has visited every night once she shuts her eyes and enters this world, now haunts her again. And not only that, but in the only place Call finds sanctuary in.
The figure chases after her and she runs. In her dream, it catches up to her and digs its razor sharp fingernails into her hair and twists her body around to come face to face. A sickening sound is heard as the intruder's nails rip a part of Call's flesh and causes a thick crimson fluid to flow down her face like water. Call's eyes widen in terror as the face she sees is her imposter's... covered with blood. Her blood.
The imposter throws her down to the floor and Call screams. But in her dreams, nobody can hear them. And as she yells for help once her imposter begins to strangle her to death, she now knows that whatever she does, wherever she goes, she'll never be free of her grasp...