Monster by Patrick F. Johnson

Author:Patrick F. Johnson [Johnson, Patrick F.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-01-22T22:00:00+00:00

* * *

“He isn't seriously going, is he?” Michelle asked as they all sat in stunned silence, watching the feed that Phildan was able to patch into. A remote on the shelf was providing the perfect vantage point for them to view the bar.

“He should take those guys out,” Potts said. “We can figure the rest out later.”

“Damon,” Robert said, “Frank doesn't want to kill that human. Didn't you hear him? He's a slave. By going, Frank believes he is saving Earth, again. I bet that once he gets to wherever they're taking him, he'll find a way to neutralize the threat.”

“It won't be that easy,” Pock interrupted. “The Gotes aren't like anything he's faced before.”

“You weren't here for the Mingrein invasion,” Chavez countered. “I would never bet against Frank.”

“I ain't doubting his abilities,” Pock continued. “What I'm really saying is, he's going to need some help.”

“I'm having trouble reaching Main Ship,” Phildan said.

“Did the Gotes do something to the signal?” Dave asked.

“I do not believe they have those capabilities,” Phildan replied. “The computational systems are acting, what is the word? Glitchy.”

“What are they working on up there?” Dave asked. “Gladys isn't going to be very happy when she finds out about this.” Dave looked around to see everyone's face. Potts and Chavez had their game faces on. Robert had a grave expression and Michelle looked confused. Denise was quietly sobbing into her hands. Nera looked as if she was ready to kill. Phildan was poking away at his data pad. “We need to figure out where they're taking him, and then we'll bust him out.” He looked the other way to see Hiro standing with his arms crossed, clearly lost in thought. Pock was taking a long drink from a bottle of rum.

“Gladys is moving Constanthos into her human body,” Robert said.

“Who?” Dave asked.

“Constanthos is an artificial intelligence that emerged sometime ago in the computational systems on Main Ship,” Phildan answered. “Gladys built a body for her to bring her existence into compliance.”

“You lost me,” Dave admitted.

“She's been saving our asses this whole time,” Robert declared. “Gladys told me that she, herself, can only control one or two orbs at a time. Whenever you see a swarm of them, that is Connie.”

“Yeah, she totally saved our asses,” Chavez said.

“She really upped her game at Lian,” Robert said. “Artificial intelligence is illegal, so they're giving her a body. It's never been done before. I have a feeling that Frank and his exploits are becoming more and more high-profile in the galaxy, so Gladys had to act.”

“Talk about bad timing,” Pock added.

“Why is artificial intelligence illegal?” Potts asked.

“They have been the cause of the destruction of at least three civilizations,” Phildan answered. “But Constanthos is delightful.” He was still punching away at his data pad. “I'm not getting anywhere with this from here. We need to dock with Main Ship.”

Michelle looked up at Robert with a concerned look. “We're going into outer space?”

“It'll be okay, baby,” he replied and kissed her forehead.

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