The Genesis Code 1: Lambda (7 page)

“Targets acquired matching search features,” spoke the computer flatly.

“Laura,” Corson said flatly.

“Yes?” she replied curiously. His gaze was strong.

“Ready your squad. You will lead them in our next mission.”

Laura paused. “The rookie as well?” She didn’t seem pleased.

Corson nodded. “He is hotheaded, but useful. Bring him along.”

“He is outright undermining,” she shot back strongly.

Corson didn’t change his mind. “Bring him, that is an order. In the meantime, I will give the boy one last chance to make the right decision. Am I clear?”

Laura was silent for a moment. “What if he decides to join instead?”

Corson laughed demonically. “He is at best a smart kid, but a sheltered and spoiled one at that—an elitist just like the rest of society I’d wager. The likelihood of him joining us is lower than our chances of obtaining Lambda with brute force.”

Laura shook her head. “I hope he is smarter than that. He doesn’t understand how foul society is from the inside.”

Corson only shrugged. “In time he and everyone else will see that we fight for the people. The government labeled us terrorists for a reason. It is simply because we are a threat to them.”

Laura smiled. “I look forward to the day where the people will rejoice at the sound of our name instead of responding with fear and disdain.”

Corson reached around and held Laura at the waist. Her face quickly flushed by the gesture as he pulled her close. “As do I, Lady Laura.” He then pointed to the monitor before them. There were three photos projected on the screen from the computer’s background search. The one on the right end was highlighted and blinking. Laura looked closer and quickly realized who was in the photo.

“Isn’t that . . .”

Corson nodded. “So, how do you feel about pop stars?”

*
      
*
      
*

[January 6th - Abingdon, Virginia - Unknown location - Day]

With all the grace of an angry bear, Zack was thrown out of the torrent of black chaos and came in contact, face first, with solid ground. After coming to a rolling stop, he managed to get to his knees before the pain really settled in. When Zack decided to actually take in his surroundings, he noticed where they were. The shimmering lake before him seemed so tranquil, almost tragic.

“This is the county park. Of all the places, why here?”

Zack barely finished his sentence when Lambda exited the wormhole and landed perfectly right before him. The black hole vanished seconds later.

“The time is currently 12:21 PM. As today is a Monday, most people are in school or at work. Park traffic is minimal now. This was the best computed option within the limited range given by the Worm Drive.”

Zack’s eye twitched at the sound of her words. He took to standing and tried to summarize everything that had transpired up to this point.

“Anyway, you want to explain to me who those people were and why they’re after you? I hope you can at least answer that much given that I’m now a part of this.”

Lambda stared blankly at Zack with her crimson eyes. “Lambda’s release override was activated during hibernation sleep within Zero Zone server 606. All systems have been reset. There is no documentation or log of any inputs made to Lambda’s main program and function to narrow or locate foreign party responsible. As such, Lambda’s release from Stasis Lock has not been given the proper clearance. AI prototype, Lambda, is not supposed to be operational.”

Zack stared curiously. “Why were you created then? What is your purpose?” he inquired.

Lambda stared blankly back at him. “You do not have the proper clearance to ask for that information.”

Zack stared slightly miffed.
Come again?

“You’re kidding me right? At a time like this you are going to withhold information? Don’t you think it would be best if I knew why you are being hunted?” Zack was starting to get agitated now.

Lambda plainly looked at Zack. “Logic would have called for you to step aside and not interfere. Your decision to welcome danger is rather disturbing,” she said directly.

Zack rolled his eyes.
Great, an AI with no filter.

Still, Zack rubbed his temples in an effort to calm an upcoming headache. This was getting him nowhere. He needed a different approach if he was going to understand Lambda’s origin at all. As she was the only clue he had, Zack was compelled to probe her for information as best he could. Otherwise, he was in for an uphill battle that he had no chance of winning.

“You said you were being held on one of the Zero Zone servers right?” Zack was trying to see what questions Lambda would answer. If possible, he was hoping he could use Lambda’s own logic against her. With any luck, he hoped he could get something he could use to making his next move.

Lambda stared blankly. “Correct. Lambda had been in Stasis Lock for just under 5,000 hours.”

Zack now paused a moment to think about what she had said.

Only Babel would have the resources to store something like this on a Zero Zone server. What did they plan to do with her?

Babel was a collective whole of many working governments and countries run by the Grand Twelve. These twelve elected officials were the ones that ran and oversaw the Cyber Network as its own separate government. If Babel was possibly behind Lambda’s origin, it opened the door to many more possibilities given their vast reach both politically and resourcefully. Again, it came back to the big question of Lambda’s purpose.

Lambda cut Zack’s thoughts short. A little unnerved he was interrupted, he looked to Lambda, but was left surprised by what she said next.

“Lambda would like to ask a question.” Her tone almost seemed to have a bit of curiosity riding in it. It was faint, but still there.

Zack could only stare at her. “You have a question? What is it?” He was a little taken aback.

“Why did you not stand aside and instead involve yourself in this matter? Lambda has processed the scenario over and over, and while it was Lambda’s mission to find you, Lambda doesn’t understand why you would want to put yourself in danger. Lambda finds your choice to allow this both illogical and foolish.” She looked down as she finished. The look in her eyes told Zack that she seemed confused again.

Zack smiled faintly.
She does seem kind of cute when she’s confused.

Zack felt a prick in his chest as he recalled the image of the girl in his memory. Her words were now echoing in his head. He had forgotten that she was crying then.

He then looked at Lambda, a little nervous. “You remind me of . . . someone that was close to me.” His last few words were greatly muffled.

Lambda perked up. “I’m sorry, Lambda didn’t hear the last part of your sentence.”

Zack grumbled. “You remind me of someone that I was very close to.”

Lambda’s eyes widened. Truthfully she hadn’t the slightest idea why Zack was acting in such a strange manner, or why his face was now flushed red. She didn’t quite notice it, but deep down, something stirred within her. She was given knowledge of the human condition and the many expressions and emotions that existed within the human species. She did understand them to a degree, but still had difficulty comprehending such things. They all seemed so foreign and alien to her. If she was right, the emotion that Zack was showing on his face now was called embarrassment, according to her data banks.

She then recalled the words he used. With the speed of lightning, she quickly analyzed his sentences and choice of words. After she processed it all, she could sense the same stirring feeling from before. She placed a hand on her chest and looked at Zack, who continued to stare at the ground rather awkwardly.
Lambda . . . is warm.
The ideas and senses that she was experiencing were all new to her. She wasn’t human, but her physical form was able to express human emotion as allowed by her programming. What Lambda didn’t know was that this privilege was something she was never meant to have.

Zack couldn’t take the silence anymore. “Anyway, we’d best be moving-”

Zack’s Com-Linker on his wrist suddenly began to ring. He looked down at the screen and noted the incoming call was from his mother.

Zack could feel sweat forming on his brow.
How do they always know!?
He quickly answered the call, setting the call to audio only.

“Hello?”

“It’s your mother.”

Zack winced, hoping it to be some glitch. “H-hi mom. To what do I owe the pleasure?” His shaky voice was not convincing.

“School called and said that you vanished after second period this morning. Got an explanation? I do believe we have already had this conversation about skipping school right?” Her voice sounded rigid.

Zack’s face paled.
Did they install a GPS on me or something?!

Regardless, Zack couldn’t bring himself to tell her what was really going on. After all, he never really trusted his parents with sensitive information since they didn’t trust him and always wanted to poke into his business.

Spiteful as it may have seemed, Zack formulated a random excuse to get his mom off his back for the time being. “I-I was feeling rather sick so I went home.”

Silence hung on the line before Zack’s mom responded. “Is that so?”

Zack could hear the probing words as if she was trying to detect his lie. Zack didn’t realize that his palms were starting to sweat heavily.

After an extended period of silence, Zack’s mom spoke again. “Very well. Oh, and before I forget,” she added as if it was more a hassle than anything else. “Do try your best to get to your sister’s concert today. Your father and I aren’t going to be able to make it.”

Zack’s fake smile quickly turned to a scowl. Truthfully, he had completely occupied himself with what was going on now. However, his mom’s dismissing tone reminded him of one of the most hated things his parents did: put their research and jobs before their kids.

“You know, she was really looking forward to you guys being there. What have I told you about making promises you can’t keep?”

Zack wasn’t surprised. He wouldn’t care if his parents completely ignored him. Frankly, he would have welcomed it. However, his little sister was different. It was times like this that his hatred for his mother rose to great levels. She had always been alarmingly cold and dismissing. Even when his sister became the popular star she was today, no congratulations came. It was truly sad.

“You know I’m the one that always has to calm her down over the phone as she cries, right?” Zack’s voice was still filled with contempt.
At least acknowledge that you’re breaking her heart!

Zack’s mother sighed. “She’s a strong girl. She will understand.”

Zack held back his rage as he clenched his fist. “You once had human compassion. I’m sure you
understand
.”

Silence hung on the line for several seconds.

“Just be sure to be there for your sister in our place.”

“I always am,” Zack shot back coldly. A second later, the screen on his wrist vanished.

Lambda leaned around Zack’s shoulder and peered up at him. “Lambda senses elevated blood pressure and high stress levels. Are you overheating?”

Zack ignored her. He just gazed outward at the shimmering lake in hopes that it would soothe his soul a little. It didn’t help much, but it allowed him to at least not have to think for a second. That was, of course until his wrist rang again. Frustrated he answered rudely.

“Anything else you want to point out, mother?”

A dark voice chuckled lightly. “Zackary Allan Knight, I presume?” The voice was deep.

Zack’s body arched. “Who is this!?” He looked down at his wrist and noted the blocked number. Only audio could be heard.

The man on the other line chuckled again. “Come now, boy. Am I really that forgettable?” The man’s voice was calm, but sharp.

Zack felt his body arch. “Corson.”

Zack stood frozen with fear.
He already found out who I am?! He’s good, real good.

“Please excuse my behavior at our last meeting, I’m normally much more composed. If anything, I should be thanking you.”

Zack narrowed his eyes. “How so?”

Corson’s tone changed to a more apologetic one. “No need to be coarse. To have Lambda under your command is impressive. It is a bit of a setback for us of Stigma, but we are willing to offer you a full partnership into our society. We hope you agree-”

“I have no desire to be part of a group of nut jobs that kill innocent people. You’re just bloodthirsty terrorists with a problem with authority.” Zack’s response was heated, but even.

Corson’s tone returned to being dark and grim. “So you feel the way Babel regulates the Network and claims to help those struggling by
relocating
them is fine then?”

Zack scowled. “You think you have some kind of right to disregard the laws and go against the government just because you can’t access the Cyber Network?” Zack tried to sound convincing, but he could hear his own doubt in his tone.

Corson heard the doubt as well. He pounced on the opportunity.

“I’m disappointed in you, Zack. I had hoped someone of your intellect could see much further than what you say. It is clear to me now that you’re just another brainwashed fool.” His voice was menacing.

Zack got a chill. He tried to sound convincing none the less “Everyone is entitled to an opinion, even if it’s wrong,” he replied with a dead expression.

Corson sighed over the line. “I had hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but you leave me no choice. We will be seeing each other soon, Zack. Perhaps when we meet next, you will be
singing
a different tune.”

Zack’s eyes widened. “Wait, you wouldn’t dare-”

The call cut out. Only dead silence hung in empty space.

Lambda inched forward. “Your elevated heartbeat is approaching dangerous levels. Lambda would suggest you-”

“Lambda!” Zack yelled. “How far can you move with your Worm Drive?!”

Startled, Lambda replied quickly. “About thirty miles per jump. Why?”

“Less questions, more action. I need to get to my house right away,” Zack replied, haste marking every word he spoke.