The Ghost and the Machine by L B Garrison

Author:L B Garrison [Garrison, L B]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781734107302
Publisher: Leslie B. Garrison
Published: 2020-04-30T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

R

in tracked and categorized every sizable molecule out to the horizon. Her essence filled the Banded Canyon Travel Center, roamed its brick hallways, touched the surrounding woods and tasted the morning sunlight. She focused her attention into a human form and walked the green lawns. The Kinderen hadn’t followed, but it didn’t need to.

As long as one of the nanomechs infecting Mandy remained, the Kinderen knew exactly where she was. It would be another sixteen minutes until Rin could complete the expulsion. The Kinderen would likely attack before then. She would.

Rin closed her eyes as the calls started again. More pleading this time. She would answer, if only she could.

Gravel crunched as the T30 entered the Travel Center parking lot. Its vacuum batteries were nearly depleted, forcing them to recharge. If the schedule held, in two hours they would be in Persephone’s Landing, and soon after Rin would complete the physical isolation of the portion of her mind where Mandy resided—effectively killing her.

Rin hadn’t taken a life outside a simulation since she was seven. Her insides churned. Wasted emotion. Mandy was just an echo, not a real person, and weapons were meant to kill.

The humans headed to the restrooms, while the T30 parked itself by the radiant power station. Mandy walked across the modified grass that never grew, but smelled freshly cut. She wandered rain-darkened paths through terrestrial gardens, touching the flowers and pausing at each historical plaque.

Rin paced, while Mandy found a spot to sit in the shade of a red-leafed giant.

Mandy patted the grass beside her. “Why don’t you sit by me?”

Rin paused. She was not concentrated enough for Mandy to perceive.

Mandy closed her eyes and let her head rest against the scaly tree trunk. “I can feel your tension and it’s giving me the jitters.”

“Fine.” Rin formed an image in a sitting position beside Mandy while she continued to scan. Nothing.

“How long does it take to empty a human anyway?”

Mandy opened her eyes. “What?”

“Nothing.”

A cool breeze rustled scarlet leaves and swayed branches.

“Rin? I was wondering, how did they get here?”

Rin hesitated for a moment. “The Kinderen? It was the final exam. Our small tactical battle group of Mobius ships against an EC main battle fleet of ten thousand AI warships. If we were victorious, our classified program would go into full production. Admiral Pillado would gain rank and prestige.”

“So, I’m some kind of spaceship?”

“A warship. A Shatter-Master class heavy cruiser.”

Mandy stared someplace beyond the woods. “That shadow above the library.”

“Yes. Most of the time I’ve been here, the ship portion of me has been folded into the higher dimensions of the elsewhere. This human-shaped portion is call the avatar. It’s meant to interact with humans, putting them at ease and giving us some connection to people.”

“That’s all kinds of awesome,” Mandy breathed. “I mean, if you think about it.”

“I suppose,” Rin replied.

Mandy shook herself. “Why can’t you see—because it’s normal to you? It’s all you’ve ever been. Sorry. I got sidetracked. So, the battle. It didn’t go so well.

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