Burnt Ice (36 page)

‘So at the refinery base.’ said
the major, ’on the one small planet that has reasonable air in this star
system, there may be a rogue AI.’

‘Shit, that’s not good. It
appears this info was intended to get to us, but it’s been blocked by the Games
Board.’

‘Why would they do that?’ Fritz
asked.

‘You can never trust them.’ said
Marko. ‘They are always playing a game somewhere that will end up as good AV
for them and not necessarily the participants.’

Everyone nodded.

‘Our first mission now that we’re
home.’ said Harry.

‘OK. Good work, Nail, Flint and
Glint.’ said the major. ‘People, you all know what to do. We meet again in
twelve hours. Get the information. I’ll see if
Basalt
can be ready in
that time, though I doubt it. Last time I looked, the antimatter system hadn’t
been entirely reinstalled. So we’re officially back in business, eh? Right, off
we go then.’

~ * ~

They
started the delicate task of gathering information without tipping off anyone
who knew something they were not supposed to know. Jan had her own secure
network and with Ernst’s assistance found who she needed to speak with to learn
what was happening at the automated mine and foundry on the planet sunwards of
the station’s orbit. Harry sought out his most trusted old colleagues,
discreetly asking some questions. Meanwhile, the major had a quiet discussion
with his intel superior on station, and Marko had the terrible threesome
prowling around, gleaning whatever small amounts of information could be had.
Nail was an effective intelligence operative, just as they had designed him.
But Fritz just did his magic and came back with the real information.

‘Right.’ said the major. ‘Let’s
collate this lot. Topaz, what can you tell us?’

‘The mine and foundry is on a
type five planet. The facility was established thirty-five standard years ago
to mine, refine and smelt titanium and chromium. The planet is stable with
little water, a hot climate and spartan, breathable air but needing
augmentation for you biologicals. Microbial life in the atmosphere, but no
concerns for us there, either. No native life forms known, but large colonies
of snakes, reptiles and insects established on the planet hundreds of years
back to safeguard their gene pools — none of our other planets wanted them.’

‘Vegetation?’ the major wondered
aloud.

‘Sparse, low vegetation, most
introduced for the same reasons as the fauna. There is a weapons testing range
close by the refinery. This would be a legitimate cover for our having a look. Here
are all the schematics. Large engineering and maintenance facilities, plus
barracks for attending human engineers. You will note that the entire base is
networked with positive-pressure covered ways and buildings. I expect this is
to keep the planet’s sand and dust out of the facilities.’

‘Straightforward, eh?’ asked
Marko.

‘Not at all, Marko.’ said Topaz. ‘The
rogue AI in question is still producing material, which is then catapulted into
orbit, but has recently renamed himself 27. He insists that this is a prime
number and has created a maths equation, which is gibberish, to prove his
point. He requested an interview with members of the Games Board, stating that
he had a most interesting story to tell. The Games Board responded with a
standard crew of a director and monitors, plus crew. They’re either being held
hostage, or have been destroyed. No information is forthcoming from the Games
Board. They’ve denied they had a crew on the planet. But that response is
standard for them anyway as they will deal with any threat themselves. Fritz’s
information shows that a single frigate-sized ship on a black operation was in
the system twenty days ago. It arrived, but nothing further has been seen or
heard of it. I believe that it was a Games Board unit. From your feeds it seems
that everyone is just waiting, keeping very quiet. Further information is that
Games Board enforcers may be en route. Major Longbow’s superior wants it sorted
before they arrive.’

‘Not surprised.’ said Jan.

‘They want minimum disturbance to
the operation.’ said Topaz. ‘Fritz’s info also shows that the station AIs are
concerned that this is a new virus, or maybe an experiment of unknown source,
gone wrong, with regards to 27. Installation AI types are normally very stable.
The good aspects of this are that the AI concerned does not have weapons
knowledge as part of his core, only knowledge of mining and foundry operations.
I note also that
Basalt
will not be available any earlier than
originally anticipated.’

‘Right.’ said the major. ‘So,
Jan. How many of those fourteen-mil rifles do you have?’

Jan held up four fingers.

‘Four! Why aren’t I surprised?
OK, good! Get as many cartridges as you can.’

‘Rounds, boss.’ said Jan.

‘OK, rounds. Get as many as you
can. Given their size they should be called artillery shells. Marko, get as
many projectiles as you can for Glint. We need a cover story. Harry, book that
firing range and also advise the Games Board that we’re test firing a
high-class archaic weapon, if they’re interested. I’ll request a lift from the
Haulers’ Collective to get this lander down there. Jan, sort provisions for six
days. We have to be back in that time to take
Basalt
out for trials, so
this shouldn’t arouse suspicion. Actually, Harry, advise the armoury that we’ll
also be testing the diamond ammunition, so we can take our heavy gear as well.
OK. Fritz, have you sorted aerial delivery for that electronic control system
you discussed with me? No. Bugger, that would’ve been useful. Sort it out,
people. Marko, take this lander over to
Basalt
and grab all our kit, and
load up on fruit while you’re at it.’

~ * ~

Two

‘Carrier
19 Rose Foxtrot.
This is Major Longbow of the lander
Basalt 1.
We are coming up on your
starboard side. Please advise optimum docking position.’

‘Hello, major. Don’t get many
hitchhikers in system. Makes a pleasant change. Schematic sent. Dock when you’re
ready.’

Harry flew the lander to within a
hundred metres of the huge carrier, then allowed the automated system from the
carrier to take the lander in under the locking grapples. It was no-nonsense,
industrial-grade equipment. Everyone winced when the locks pulled the ship hard
against the side.

‘Welcome aboard,
Basalt
crew. Are there any compatible AIs on board? It’s always a pleasure to meet new
minds.’

~ * ~

High
above the lander, on the bridge of the Hauler
Carrier 19 Rose Foxtrot,
Daisuke Suzuki and his companion, Wardah, watched the screens and could see the
crew of the lander.

‘So, this is the most interesting
Michael Longbow and his crew,
Rose
?’ Daisuke said to the carrier’s AI.

‘Yes, Daisuke. Willie der Boltz’s
twin brother. Fascinating, is it not? Willie knows of Michael and makes sure
that he wants for nothing, but as far as we know, Michael does
not
know
that he even has a brother, let alone an identical twin. Certainly there are
members of the Administration hierarchy who also know of the connection.
Michael is a most intriguing fellow, with a crew of whom many good things are
expected.’

Are we inviting them on board?’
Wardah asked.

‘No, not at this time,’ Daisuke
replied. ‘Maybe in the far future, when their destiny becomes more apparent to
them. Until then we shall observe — and keep them breathing in spite of themselves.’

‘A pity. I should like to meet
them, especially Harry Stevens and Marko Spitz. And the ACEs are exquisite! The
spider type, in particular, is very well done. I see also what you mean about
the cat! That would be a dangerous unit to have prowling around and there is
tech I do not recognise.’

‘One day, Wardah, one day you
will meet them. And you have nothing to fear from any of them. I would suggest
that the Angel has made certain of that. The one I want to meet is the creature
called Glint. I foresee great things for that one.’

~ * ~

For
the next sixteen standard hours Ernst, Topaz and AI 19 of
Rose Foxtrot
conversed, swapping lies about the mere humans, trading information and keeping
themselves amused. The vessels jumped twice, then decelerated into orbit around
the target planet.
Basalt’s
lander dropped away from the carrier and
parked itself in geosynchronous orbit above the vast mining operation. The
carrier above them lifted further into orbit, then released a dozen large
industrial manoeuvring drones. They fanned out to gather thousands of tonnes of
the metal ingots that drifted in a precise orbit.

Major Longbow hailed the
planetary base. ‘Planetary AI 27, this is the lander
Basalt 1.
We are
engineers testing personal weapons. I assume you have been advised of our visit
and intentions.’

‘This is 27, Major Longbow of
Basalt
1.
I know exactly who you and your crew are and I am also aware of your
intentions. Proceed as per your plan. Perhaps we could meet for discussions of
mutual interest when you have landed. These are my coordinates, as indicated
with this message. I also thank you for calling me by my chosen name. The
engineering station insists on calling me by my former title, which annoys me.’

‘You are welcome, 27. Yes, we
should meet. Thank you for your invitation.’

They entered the atmosphere under
power and with AG. It was a leisurely descent, but as no one trusted 27, they
were all in partially sealed combat suits. The major had the pilot’s seat with
Harry at his side.

‘Coming up on the
ten-thousand-metre mark. Start passive sensoring, Fritz. I can see the landing
zones for the weapons range. Jan, open comms with 27 please.’

‘27, this is
Basalt 1’s
commander. I do not see a designated landing pad at your location. Please
advise.’

‘Stand by,
Basalt 1.’

‘We’re being painted!’ Jan
exclaimed.

There was a terrific concussion
as the starboard exterior of the fuselage blew apart, taking with it the lander’s
main rotaries and plasma cannons. Their face shields instantly slammed shut and
sealed, as the atmospheric pressure in the lander dropped away through the hull
breaches. A split-second later the port side was also hit, stripping away the
other weapons.

‘Sound off!’

Everyone loudly spoke their
names, as the major and Harry worked desperately hard to control the tumbling
lander. Marko, as flight engineer, shunted maximum power to the AG units as
they gained control, only to have the main fuel tanks shot away as well.

‘Marko, jettison the remaining
fuel. We’re on fire! Shit, the bastard is still smacking us. Jan, what the fuck’s
he using?’

‘Reworked mining laser, sir. Big
power, precise control. He doesn’t want to kill us, just muck us about
horribly.’

‘Marko, I can’t see Flint!’

‘Shit. He’s climbed out through
the starboard hull breach. I can’t get one of the fuel tank valves to open. He’s
doing it for us.’

There was another heavy
concussion as the starboard fuel tank blew up, shoving the lander right over
onto its back. A large piece of shrapnel scythed through a hull breach and sliced
into Harry’s seat, punching through his suit and imbedding itself into his
neck. He screamed and slumped slightly forwards as far as the spike of metal
would allow him. The major managed to wrestle the lander back on an even keel.
They fluttered down, the badly damaged craft barely under control.

‘Find me a big building to crash
into guys — as far as possible away from where 27’s control building is. We’ve
only got a couple of minutes before total system failure.’