Superego-Fathom by Frank J. Fleming

Author:Frank J. Fleming [Fleming, Frank J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: A&A, cyberpunk, genetics, humor, libertarian, SF, space opera
ISBN: 9780978683238
Google: i0eSzQEACAAJ
Amazon: 0978683234
Publisher: NTM PUB
Published: 2020-05-15T16:13:08+00:00

CHAPTER 17

I tensed at a sudden movement toward me.

Sylvia glared at me. “I’m adjusting your suit.” She turned to Diane. “You’re his girlfriend. You make him look presentable.”

The four of us stood alone in a tram as it flew through the air toward our destination.

“I’m fine,” I told Sylvia, and then looked at Diane for confirmation. She gave me a slight smile and a thumbs-up.

Sylvia stepped back, beside Wade. “This is a stupid plan.”

Wade sighed. “As you’ve already said. But let’s make it work.” The tram descended to the earth and soon came to a stop in an underground station. We walked up another well-lit stairway until we exited into a field in the open air. There were many people there — mainly Dallians but also several humans — most of them moving toward what looked like a dense cluster of trees but on closer inspection was a building. Light shone through gaps in the trees that were actually windows, and at the base of the trees was an opening, which was the main entrance to the building.

Inside looked like a regular building with white walls. Just inside the door was a checkpoint where everyone entering was scanned for weapons. Armed security stood by — rough-looking Dallians. These were Baixas syndicate operatives. No police here. Only the guns of thugs controlled this place.

We passed through the scan without triggering any alarms, as we had ditched our weapons before coming here. This wouldn’t hinder me, but I wondered how the others would deal with starting out unarmed. I was counting on them, which felt odd. We stepped off to the side before entering the conference hall. “You all ready for this?” I asked.

“Are you?” Sylvia rejoined.

“You’re counting on these people, and they are counting on you,” Dip said. “You should give them some encouragement.”

I looked at Diane. I could tell she was nervous. She was a very brave woman used to combat, so I figured this was something other than fear. Maybe it was anxiety over the possibility of killing again. She wanted to get away from that, I believed, but so far had not been successful.

Wade and Sylvia looked a little nervous as well, but that seemed more attributable to a person they didn’t trust leading them into a dangerous situation unarmed. And unlike with Diane, I truly couldn’t care less whether they lived or died, beyond how useful they were to me. But for personal growth, I knew Diane thought I needed to learn to care about other people, too. This didn’t seem the time to make that much effort, but I decided to heed Dip’s advice.

“I know this isn’t the best plan you’ve ever heard,” I said, “but I truly believe it’s our best option. I’ll do my best here, and I need you all to back me up.”

Diane just smiled and nodded at me.

“I want to see this work,” Wade said.

“And if it fails, it won’t be because of our lack of effort,” Sylvia added. She did not like me, but I couldn’t fault her much for that.

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