The Phoenix Project by Kris Powers

Author:Kris Powers
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-04-16T23:00:00+00:00

Peter was busy recalibrating one of the warhead’s numerous power relays in a continued attempt to bring the machine to life. His earpiece beeped the unique signal indicating his true superiors needed him. He looked up to a worker nearby who was also working on the malfunctioning system.

“I’m getting a private message. I’ll need to take it in my quarters.”

“Anything serious?”

“No, just a sick relative. I’ll take my break early and answer it just in case,” Peter said. The mechanic nodded and took his place at the relay station.

Peter walked at a quick pace to the lift and descended down several floors to the crew quarters beneath the dome. Once he arrived, he unlocked the voice print to his terminal and switched to an encrypted channel. Alexander’s irritated expression filled much of the screen.

“You took your time.”

“I can’t sit in my quarters all day waiting for your calls, you know,” Peter said.

“No matter, I have new orders for you.”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“The particle warhead you’re working on,” Alexander said.

“Yes?” Peter asked now that his interest was kindled.

“I want you to plant a lock command in it.”

“Be more specific, that could mean anything,” Peter said.

“I want you to reprogram the computer with a planted command that would deny everyone access, except for you.”

“Well, it is my baby.”

“What?” Alexander asked with a squint of his white eyes.

“Nothing, sure “lock” command, got it.”

“That easy? No complaints, no “Why am I going out of my way” arguments?”

“Why am I going out of my way?”

“Always a smart ass,” Alexander replied, “but you are being unusually cooperative, Peter. Is there something I should know?”

“You’re a subservient whelp.”

“Pot calling the kettle black. Alliance use of this weapon must be avoided at all costs, understood?” Alexander asked.

“Understood.”

Alexander deactivated the screen. Peter continued to stare at the black screen even after Alexander’s image disappeared from it. A blank stare occupied his face while he considered what his orders meant.

Might the Council use the weapon through his control?

His control.

The idea of such a massive and formidable device with a planted control like this was staggering for him. The computer controlling the warhead was on an isolated system to prevent any outside attempts at what he was just ordered to do. The command interface had a double redundancy in its command codes so that at least three senior level officers had to be present in order to activate it. The idea was that no one person should have control over that much destructive power.

He had access to that computer right now.

After he was finished he would have the ability to level the surface of the planet with a single command. The idea brought a shiver of exhilaration up his back, and a slow megalomaniacal smile spread across his face. A disturbing thought forced the smile away. He would have that kind of power if they could get that great creation to finally breathe.

Peter left his quarters with a firm determination to redouble his efforts.

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