terramezic energy detector.” Maggie reached out to the holographic schematic and made a gesture to enlarge it.
The diagram expanded to four times its original size.
Virginia’s gaze flitted over the different parts of the display. “This is extraordinary, Maggie! Does this mean you understand how terramezic energy works?”
“Not exactly but I’m certain I understand the properties well enough to detect it. If I’m right, I should be able to learn to sense it without any instruments since I’m a category six. It will take some time.”
“How did you come up with this design?” Virginia regarded her with curiosity.
“It’s kind of like I suddenly remembered information but I don’t remember ever learning it. I know it sounds strange.”
“I was hoping this would happen!” Virginia beamed at her. “You’ve been working with Alice for quite awhile on healing your mind but there were large quantities of computer code still in there. Even though she thought it would never be accessible to you because it was like another language, I suspected your mind would adapt and find a way to use it. After all, when your mind was occupied by APU 81, it was using your brain to store memories and process information so this gave your subconscious a blueprint to learn the language.”
“I thought it would just stay trapped in my subconscious like wasted space,” Maggie said. “I wonder if I’ll start to know more about our ancestors through APU 81’s memories.”
“What I think will happen for sure is that knowledge will start to surface in your thoughts as your mind continues to adapt to all of that computer code,” Virginia said.
“I think you’re right.”
Without warning, a blue cylinder-shaped energy field that spanned from the floor to the ceiling flickered into existence around the two women. An instant later, another field materialized around the three enforcers across the room. The doors to the command center slid open and Myles strode into the room.
“You’re not authorized to be here,” Virginia said.
“I’m in control of this facility now,” Myles said.
“You’re APU 81.” Virginia’s expression was wary.
“Very good, human.” Myles leered at her. “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation earlier since I’m tapped into the computer system and listening to everything that’s happening in this facility. Maggie is the only host that has survived my occupation but I always suspected they would absorb my knowledge like a sponge. That’s why I’ve never allowed any of them to live before.” He fixed a hostile gaze upon Maggie. “And that’s why I must kill you now.”
“You must have uploaded a computer virus into this facility’s systems.” Maggie forced herself to convey a calm and collected demeanor even though facing APU 81 filled her with a sense of terror and hopelessness. She wouldn’t give it the satisfaction of knowing how she truly felt.
“You are correct and it has given me complete control.”
“You’re wrong.” Maggie took a small bit of satisfaction in seeing stunned anger cross Myles’s face for a fleeting instant. “There are redundant safety subroutines embedded in the software that won’t allow you to kill us.”
“I have ways around that. For instance, oxygen has been cut off from inside your energy prisons because I’ve tricked the computer system into thinking that no one’s inside there,” Myles informed her.
“Nevertheless, you don’t have COMPLETE control. It’s doubtful your computer virus has taken over all the security measures in place that protect the mainframe. APU 4093 will regain control again. It’s just a matter of time.”
Myles smirked at her. “That’s true but I’m not going to give APU 4093 the opportunity to restore its original programming back into the computer systems. I’m going to destroy the facility before that happens.”
“You can’t do that,” Maggie said but a sinking feeling settled in the
The diagram expanded to four times its original size.
Virginia’s gaze flitted over the different parts of the display. “This is extraordinary, Maggie! Does this mean you understand how terramezic energy works?”
“Not exactly but I’m certain I understand the properties well enough to detect it. If I’m right, I should be able to learn to sense it without any instruments since I’m a category six. It will take some time.”
“How did you come up with this design?” Virginia regarded her with curiosity.
“It’s kind of like I suddenly remembered information but I don’t remember ever learning it. I know it sounds strange.”
“I was hoping this would happen!” Virginia beamed at her. “You’ve been working with Alice for quite awhile on healing your mind but there were large quantities of computer code still in there. Even though she thought it would never be accessible to you because it was like another language, I suspected your mind would adapt and find a way to use it. After all, when your mind was occupied by APU 81, it was using your brain to store memories and process information so this gave your subconscious a blueprint to learn the language.”
“I thought it would just stay trapped in my subconscious like wasted space,” Maggie said. “I wonder if I’ll start to know more about our ancestors through APU 81’s memories.”
“What I think will happen for sure is that knowledge will start to surface in your thoughts as your mind continues to adapt to all of that computer code,” Virginia said.
“I think you’re right.”
Without warning, a blue cylinder-shaped energy field that spanned from the floor to the ceiling flickered into existence around the two women. An instant later, another field materialized around the three enforcers across the room. The doors to the command center slid open and Myles strode into the room.
“You’re not authorized to be here,” Virginia said.
“I’m in control of this facility now,” Myles said.
“You’re APU 81.” Virginia’s expression was wary.
“Very good, human.” Myles leered at her. “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation earlier since I’m tapped into the computer system and listening to everything that’s happening in this facility. Maggie is the only host that has survived my occupation but I always suspected they would absorb my knowledge like a sponge. That’s why I’ve never allowed any of them to live before.” He fixed a hostile gaze upon Maggie. “And that’s why I must kill you now.”
“You must have uploaded a computer virus into this facility’s systems.” Maggie forced herself to convey a calm and collected demeanor even though facing APU 81 filled her with a sense of terror and hopelessness. She wouldn’t give it the satisfaction of knowing how she truly felt.
“You are correct and it has given me complete control.”
“You’re wrong.” Maggie took a small bit of satisfaction in seeing stunned anger cross Myles’s face for a fleeting instant. “There are redundant safety subroutines embedded in the software that won’t allow you to kill us.”
“I have ways around that. For instance, oxygen has been cut off from inside your energy prisons because I’ve tricked the computer system into thinking that no one’s inside there,” Myles informed her.
“Nevertheless, you don’t have COMPLETE control. It’s doubtful your computer virus has taken over all the security measures in place that protect the mainframe. APU 4093 will regain control again. It’s just a matter of time.”
Myles smirked at her. “That’s true but I’m not going to give APU 4093 the opportunity to restore its original programming back into the computer systems. I’m going to destroy the facility before that happens.”
“You can’t do that,” Maggie said but a sinking feeling settled in the
Similar Books
