The Last Good Man by Linda Nagata

Author:Linda Nagata [Nagata, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: near-future science fiction, private military company, Thriller, Artificial intelligence, autonomous robotics, autonomous weapons, high-tech science fiction, Military Science Fiction, military thriller, Robots, Robotics, Science Fiction, Hard Science Fiction
ISBN: 9781937197230
Publisher: Mythic Island Press LLC
Published: 2017-06-01T14:00:00+00:00

Unknown Territory

Fuck with me again and the blade goes in.

Lincoln keeps these words in mind as he steps outside the secure customs area at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, with Miles, True, and Alex a couple of steps behind him. He scans the brightly lit terminal left to right; black and white in his gradient vision, blending into color. Alert but not afraid.

It’s early morning in Manila and the terminal is busy. Passengers from the Seattle flight, most with phones pressed to their ears, move toward the doors, eager to escape after the sixteen-hour flight. Progress is slow. They’re forced to weave through a barrier of tour guides, hotel drivers, and eager families. People begin to notice Lincoln. There are murmurs. Startled eyes fix on his scars. Frank gazes don’t turn away even when he meets them. He doesn’t let the attention rattle him. He stays aloof, on task, surveying the crowd for potential threats.

He’d like to be wearing a MARC visor, running apps to analyze the identity and intent of the faces around him, but the devices are unpopular and unwelcome here. So he relies on his own judgment and experience. He considers the distribution of individuals, their focus, their baggage. He looks past them to consider the traffic outside. None of it registers in his mind as a threat. All appears normal, acceptable.

So far.

“There’s Rey Gabriel,” Miles says.

Lincoln follows his gaze and sees a face, grown familiar during two video calls, moving toward them through the throng. “Got him.”

The leftist writer has spotted them as well. He raises a hand over his head, waving in greeting and calling out, “Welcome to Manila!” in a voice so unrestrained that people turn to look for the source of commotion.

Lincoln had hoped to keep a low profile, to not draw attention. Wishful thinking.

True’s disapproval takes the form of quiet sarcasm. “Hel-lo, world. Here we are.”

It’s been just three days since Miles proposed this trip. Even so, events haven’t moved fast enough to suit True. Lincoln is all too aware she’s been on edge, affected by a paranoid strain of worry that says another day, another hour, could bring on something unforeseen, and she might never get to meet Daniel Ocampo. Alex’s efforts to get her to de-escalate, to relax, just irritate her. It’s unbelievable to Lincoln that, after thirty-plus years of marriage, Alex still hasn’t figured out when to leave her the hell alone. Never, he reminds himself, travel with a married couple.

Miles takes the lead, extending his hand to Rey, who’s agreed to act as their guide and go-between with Daniel Ocampo. “Good to meet you, and thanks again for setting this up.”

Rey Gabriel is a slight, wiry man, wearing a dark-red button-front shirt, worn cargo pants, and battered sandals on his feet. His complexion is dark brown and he’s clean-shaven, but his thick black hair, down over his ears, could use a trim. There’s a cynical edge to his smile that warns Lincoln not to underestimate him.

“I spoke to our friend yesterday,” Rey assures them in excellent English delivered at enthusiastic speed.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.