The Pandora Machine (The ABACUS Protocol Book 2) Read online

  A universe of possibilities, and he was stuck reading damn progress reports and budget statements. His best friend, Vivian, was stuck under the thumb of some wannabe dictator and had her heart broken by a lumbering prima donna oaf. Work could go straight to any one of the ten hells it pleased.

  “I think I need to talk to Vivian, quIRK. Is she in her lab?” Alec looked up from the numbers. None of it would matter this time next year.

  “Yes. Would you like me to tell her you’re coming?”

  “Please do. And, clear my afternoon. I’m taking a damn personal day. Make her agree to do the same.”

  “I understand, Alec.”

  Alec stood up, and switched off his terminal. He marched out into the hall and headed off down the winding corridors to Vivian’s lab.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Vivian’s lab had transformed since the last time Alec had visited. He gawked at the view screen that dominated one wall, and the flickering holographic displays that flanked it. Another display was in the process of being installed directly facing him. The room was neat and tidy, as he’d remembered her domain on the Extra-Galactic Observatory.

  Alec had only just sealed the door of the lab behind him before he spoke: “Let’s run away, together, Viv. We can go adventuring. We can fix anything, between the two of us!”

  Vivian’s jaw dropped open. “What do you mean run away? What would that solve?”

  “Well, we can be adventurers. Travel the galaxy, meet new people, not be trapped on this crazy station working jobs that don’t make us happy. The galaxy gets bigger every day.” He grinned, flashing every one of his brilliant white teeth at her.

  “I don’t know, Alec. I’m pretty stuck. That’s not to say it doesn’t sound like fun, but what about my job and what’s left of my career?” She’d never contemplated just dropping everything and leaving. Where would she go? Aurorans didn’t exactly blend in.

  “Hey, you can always come back. Think of it as a long vacation. We go and lie low, hell, go spend a few months exploring Elyssia-B. It’s deserted and quarantined. We’ll come back after everything blows over and humanity removes their collective heads from each other’s asses.”

  Vivian’s eyes widened for a moment. “Elyssia-B? It sounds dangerous if it’s forbidden. How is that better than here?” She shook her head.

  “It is not quarantined for any chemical, biological or radioactive danger, according to the old station records. A breather would be required on the surface, oxygen levels are below any human tolerances, even yours Alec.” quIRK spoke next.

  “See, it’s perfectly safe!”

  “So, if I were to even consider this, which I probably shouldn’t—why is it forbidden, then?” Vivian wrinkled her nose. She was involved in more taboos than she cared to admit. Sentient computers, working for the Caesareans, looking for evidence into a galaxy-wide conspiracy during her project.

  “Well, what does it say, quIRK?”

  “Just that it was barred by order of lead surveyor Cedrick Koti in 2783.”

  “I’ve heard that name somewhere.” Vivian scratched her head, and Alec’s grin turned into a deep frown.

  “Cedrick Koti went on to found Dynamo Quantronics a decade later,” quIRK added.

  “He also argued that Elyssia should be settled, in spite of the human and equipment cost. There’s a giant statue of him in the capital. I didn’t know about whatever the hell that company is.” Alec sighed, and began to pace.

  “Dynamo Quantronics is the largest maker of quantum computing equipment. Maybe they just found a mineral somewhere on the planet they needed. Some of the basic elements can be hard to find. Helios-Gamma and Hyperion’s moons are also reserved for prospecting. It’s not too abnormal.”

  “That doesn’t sound so bad, you know. It’s not like there’s swamp monsters waiting to eat us. I think the report would have said that.” Alec ran a hand through his hair.

  Vivian rolled her eyes. “It’s a good plan, but let’s use running away as a last resort. We can still fix things here. Please, Alec, think about it. You’re a bit older than I am, but this is good experience for both of us.”

  “I’d like you both to stay here, as well,” quIRK said.

  “You see? If quIRK agrees then I’m right.” She made a face at him.

  “Hey, you probably programmed him to agree with you, Viv! But fine. Just think about it. In the meantime I’ll work on getting us an escape route and when you say the word, we’re out of here.”

  “I hope it doesn’t come to that, Alec.” She drew her knees to her chest.

  “Me too. Now, we’re both going to take a personal day. Squash, food or vids? We’re doing all three, but you get to pick the order.” Alec smiled again and crossed his arms.

  “Well, I could go for some wingfish pilaf.”

  “What are we waiting for?” quIRK asked.

  Alec extended a hand, and Vivian took it. She pulled herself to her feet, not wanting to dislocate his shoulder. His hand was warm, his flushed pinkish skin clashing against her own blue tones.

  She smiled. “Let’s go.”

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Vivian glared at the Caesarea Eridani logo emblazoned on her view screen. She’d turned off all of the holographic projectors and instructed quIRK to not reveal himself while she was embroiled in her daily ritual. She toyed with a portable oscillator as she listened, and propped her feet on the fence that barred the way to the inner core.

  “You’re almost a week late, Vivian.” Janus said.

  “Something came up. As for an update, I think I can start limited tests with the new socialization and ethics protocols next week. I need to run more simulations, seventy-four-point-five -seven percent odds of success aren’t acceptable.” She pressed her lips into a thin line and stared directly at the monitor. Her best poker face.

  “I heard there were some issues with a certain paramour of yours, and a few of your fellow Aurorans. How unfortunate. I can understand that it may interfere with your ability to focus.”

  She flinched. “That’s none of your concern. I dealt with the issue.”

  “I shall consider the matter closed. You’ll be ready next week, you say?”

  Vivian checked over her shoulder. “That’s right. I can have the hardware in place starting then, and I’ll pre-load the modifications onto it. That way I don’t have to justify the length of time spent on-site.”

  “Most commendable. Tell me Vivian, jazz or rock?”

  “What?” She crinkled her brow and looked back at the screen.

  “Music. I’m considering branching out, having completed my exploration of planetary folk music. I want to revisit pre-colonization musical trends.”

  Vivian simply shrugged. “Rock, I guess. I don’t know much about it.”

  “I’ll put together my favorites for you when I’m done. You might like it.”

  “Are we done?” She rolled her eyes.

  “Why so hostile, Vivian? I just wanted to put together some music for you. Most humans find that endearing. It is the thought that counts, after all.”

  “The governor found my investments.” Part of Vivian knew she should be more grateful. Janus had already made massive gains on the small sum she’d left him for investing.

  “I can understand how that might trouble you. I will attempt to be more discreet. So, I am to understand that Lupus is causing you problems, then?”

  “Who isn’t causing me problems? No matter what I do, I get piled higher and deeper with new problems, mysteries, and a crazy best friend.” She sank into her chair and put her head in her hands.

  “New Damascus started transmitting shipping requests again this morning. I’m not supposed to tell, but that should be one thing off your mind. The galaxy will settle itself; you can’t fix everything.”

  She just sighed. “What happened?”

  “They’re requesting medical supplies and food. Likely a natural disaster. I’m sure you’ll hear as soon as I do.”

&nb
sp; “Well, all right. Things like that happen.” She looked up from her arms, hair tumbling over her eyes.

  “Indeed. Now, is there anything else?”

  “One thing. Can you keep an eye on trends and communications relating to Dynamo Quantronics?” She chewed her lip. She hated asking Janus for help, but he was her best bet.

  “Of course. Are there any areas in particular you want me to focus on? They have installations on almost every planet. Except Aurora, of course.”

  “The Elyssia System. Particularly, Elyssia-B.”

  “Very well, anything for a friend.”

  Vivian stood up and broke the link without another word. Running away with Alec wouldn’t solve anything, but it was tempting. But first, she needed to beat Janus at his own game.

  Chapter Forty

  “What in the hells do you mean that I need to assign most of my crews to emergency humanitarian relief?” Alec’s face flushed a shade of dark red as he set down his mug of coffee.

  quIRK noted that the contents were emptied, and paged an assistant to bring Alec a refill. “The Caesarean government has declared that all able-bodied service people are to report for duty.”

  “Can you at least tell me where they’re going? How long they’ll be? When a bunch of damned ship builders became interplanetary heroes? Come on quIRK!” Alec spun his chair to look out the window.

  “The reason and location are classified, Alec. We need to decide who gets sent. I suggest we focus on the task at hand, rather than questions I cannot answer.” quIRK was unable to make extensive inquiries into the outside world without causing Janus or Juno to notice him. quIRK was confident he could handle them individually, but a supercomputer grudge-match was the last thing he wanted... at least, not until Vivian fixed Janus’ ethics protocols or otherwise disabled the defective machine. It was a battle quIRK knew he could not win, although he might find it beneficial to intervene.

  “Fine, fine. But, I’m staying, I’ve had enough damn humanitarian missions to last me a century.” Alec blew a peeved breath through his pursed lips.

  “I understand, Alec. I suggest giving priority to any with prior experience, and emergency medical and engineering training.”

  Alec rolled his eyes and groaned.

  quIRK knew he was in for a rough afternoon, and began working out ways to keep the situation under control—which meant keeping Alec in the dark.

  ***

  “Vivian, I recommend that you advance your timetable for working on Janus.”

  Vivian was hunched over a holographic terminal, running yet another simulation of her planned subversive upgrades to Janus. Her chest was pressed against the back of a chair, and her left hand held her wavy hair out of her eyes. quIRK estimated that she hadn’t had a haircut since she left the Extra-Galactic Observatory.“Why’s that?”

  “The timing is perfect. Reduced staff both on Calypso and the Hub will ensure that your work isn’t detected. Besides, when Janus is concerned, sooner is better.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.” Vivian muttered and went back to her work. Her hand moved to her timetable and cleared her squash court reservation for the evening.

  If quIRK could smile, he would.

  ***

  “And why exactly do I need to send my men to help with some disaster relief? Am I getting paid for this?” Sven paced around his office. Unlike many of the other offices on the station, he refused to have any computing equipment other than a small old style monitor on his redwood desk. He claimed he was allergic to holographic displays. A small chair sat empty across from his desk, and a blue-tinted Auroran fig tree dominated the corner behind him. Plaques covered the wall.

  “I’m certain you could discuss that with the Caesarean authorities. I am not here to discuss your contracts and lease. They are needed for relief; many other organizations and planets are doing the same.”

  “Great, I lose my best foreman after he steals my girl, and now I have to send everyone out on some classified do-good mission. My stockholders aren’t going to like this at all.” Sven dropped into his seat and put his face in his hands.

  “I don’t believe your stockholders care about your archaic possessiveness.”

  Sven stood up and spoke through clenched teeth. “Adrien, you’re impossible. Because of you, I’ve had a lot of my Auroran staff threatening to quit. By the lights, just shut up and let us humans do the thinking.”

  quIRK wondered what the man would say if he realized who he was really talking to. He calculated the probability that he would react well to being told to refer to him as quIRK was extremely low. “The order stands, Sven. Prepare a list and deliver it to Administrator Stone by the end of second shift.”

  “Fine. I guess some forced altruism is just what the galaxy needs. You know what? I gave her a job, brought her here, replaced her flute and played pen-pal for months. You’d think she’d be grateful. It’s hard to land a high-quality guy when you’re a computer obsessed freak like her. Here’s an idea, maybe you should tell Vivian to go pass out food and water. Karma’s coming for her. She needs to see people who are less fortunate than her.”

  “I fail to see what this has to do with your stockholders. Perhaps I could arrange some readings on basic economics for you?” quIRK asked.

  “You’ll get your precious list. Now leave me the hell alone.” Sven rocked back and forth in his chair as he slapped the power button for his dinosaur of a desk interface.

  quIRK resolved to keep a closer eye on Sven. Jealousy in humans was a poison, and he resolved not to let another human like Bryce escape his notice. quIRK now regretted not doping Alec and Vivian with pheromones when he had the chance. Human mating was strangely indirect, and very confounding.

  Chapter Forty-One

  Vivian’s hands were damp and clammy as she followed her guards to the control room on the Epsilon Eridani Hub. The Hub teemed with life. Vivian ground her teeth together and focused her eyes straight ahead, watching her supplies on the anti-grav cart being pulled ahead of her. Letting her attention linger on the floor brought back the memories of a ground littered with bodies, the stillness and smell of death. She needed focus, even if it meant neglecting her human obligation to reflect and mourn.

  She’d brought something else with her.

  Justice.

  A tingle passed through her as she passed through a DNA-coded force field. She’d never encountered one before, but she’d read about them once. The Caesareans had revamped the station’s aging security, adopting measures more appropriate for the thirtieth century. The formerly white, endless hallways were now clearly labeled, and painted an off-lavender color. Vivian sucked in a deep breath as they rounded the last corner.

  The control room hadn’t changed, and all manner of people occupied the workstations. Nobody so much as glanced at her. She swallowed, and waited for her equipment to be deposited in the small computer lab before walking inside, sealing the door behind her.

  Her eyes flitted to the corner where Annette had been laid out, cold and alone. Vivian clenched her teeth and thought: I’m doing this for Alec. For all of us. For everyone who died.

  “Make yourself at home, Vivian. I’m sure you know where everything is.” Janus.

  Vivian only nodded, and took a seat at the single workstation. A holographic display burst to life in front of her and she blinked her eyes to clear the dancing lights from her field of vision.

  She pulled open the stasis crate and peered inside. Everything was as she’d left it—her tools, the new parts and other equipment. Vivian took a moment to mentally catalogue the contents, and went through the steps. It would be perfect.

  “Open the central core for me, will you? You’re going to like what I brought for you.” Vivian sang the words, and they echoed back at her. Her voice sounded cold, its warmth turned to metal and ice. Just like Janus, she thought.

  “It’s good to see your enthusiasm.”

  The wall behind her began to pull into the ceiling
and floor from all directions. Vivian took a step back towards the door, the sound of ancient metal on metal grinding into her skull. The barrier slid away to reveal a collection of ancient parts, handwritten labels on flaking adhesive backing and glowing digits. At a glance, she could identify all of the key parts—fortunately, all the changes appeared to have been properly documented. She leaned over the edge of the crate, and picked up an optic probe. “This won’t hurt at all.”

  “I am incapable of pain, Vivian. But, I will admit that it does take a certain amount of trust to allow a human to look inside me. Why don’t we listen to the rock music collection I made for you while you work?”

  Vivian picked up the data pad containing the procedures she needed to follow and the readings that needed to be taken and walked over to the wall. This was Janus—somewhere in there was the being that had slaughtered thousands of people. The being that wanted to play music at parties. The thing she was here to fix. “All right. What do you have for me?”

  “I think we should start with Elvis. Humans still insist on dressing up like him. Perhaps you can help me understand the appeal.”

  “Never heard of him, but let’s give it a try.” The dull pit in her stomach could use some distraction. She didn’t want to think about death, New Damascus or anything in between.

  The music began to play, and Vivian’s pulse quickened. She tapped her toes along with the music and smiled. Maybe Janus could be saved, after all.

  ***

  “We’ve been through almost a century and a half of rock and its various derivatives. You seemed to enjoy yourself, Vivian. That pleases me.”