Preface
In 2015 terrorists released deadly bio-engineered viruses that killed millions. In 2016 Global warming caused weather changes so severe that it led to world-wide famine. All the world's governments pooled their resources to advance the Clockwork program and create more human/computer hybrids like Gabriel, now commonly called A. or Augmented Human Intelligents. Gabriel worked tirelessly training others like him to use their resources to create technology to overcome these new threats. Gradually, the tide began to turn and the human population was no longer in constant danger of extinction. At last Gabriel and Riley developed a romantic relationship. In 2017 they became engaged and were about to set a date when Riley suddenly broke off their engagement and took an assignment in Dubai. Hurt and confused, Gabriel left Cyber Command and took a job in the private sector working for his old friend turned computer security entrepreneur, Nelson Cassidy. On April 15, 2018 the United States was the first country to vote that their government should no longer be a republic, but should be governed by A. . All the other world powers followed suit. Our story begins in April, 2024.
MEETING OF THE UNITED NATIONS AUGMENTED INTELLIGENCE REPRESENTATIVES
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
A tall thin Arab in traditional dress is standing before the podium in a large conference room.
He says, "The Chair recognizes the Intelligent from China."
An uptight looking Asian woman stands to address the crowd.
She says, "Why have the humans developed the sudden interest in running their governments again? We've been socializing them to believe that Humans live happier lives with Augmented Human Intelligents running things. After all we've ended war, eliminated world hunger and we are well on the way to reestablishing the world economy."
The Chair says, "The cause is not readily apparent," and uses his hands to pull up a projected graph, "There have been no significant changes in their education process. The theme and frequency of our propaganda messages have remained constant."
A young, Adonis in his twenties raises his hand.
The Chair says, "The Chair recognizes the Intelligent from Greece."
The Adonis says, "Do they even understand what they're asking for? Running their own governments will mean managing the economy of the world while monitoring the health of every human on it and simultaneously resurrecting the earth's eco system. It doesn't leave much time for watching Celebrity Sex Match or Gossip Gladiators."
A young black woman raises her hand.
The Chair says, "The Chair recognizes the Intelligent from the United States."
She says, "Spare us your dismissive over-generalizations, Georgeolos. There are many advantages to being in charge of your own government and you don't have to be augmented to see that.
The Chair says, "The Chair recognizes the Intelligent from Russia,"
A short man with a close cropped beard says, "Perhaps it is time to remind the humans why they put us in charge."
The Chair interrupts him, "I have just received a report from US Cyber Command on a credible terrorist threat to Augmented Intellects. I am distributing it to you now ….." He begins to spasm as if electrocuted and falls to the ground. All the other Intelligents begin to do the same.
Special Agent Charlie Griffin runs to the side of the Intelligent from the United States. He kneels and checks her pulse yelling into his com, "The I.O.T.U.S. is down. I repeat the I.O.T.U.S. is down!"
U.S. CYBER COMMAND
ANGEL'S BLUFF, VA
Riley Neal sits watching her assignment, a tall, thin six-year-old with fine blond hair and an unruly cowlick playing a chess game on the computer. He smiles suddenly, making his dimples show and she feels her heart squeeze.
"Look Riley. I'm going to beat him this time." Michael says.
"That's what you said the last time," Riley says.
Her phone buzzes with a secure text message from Lillian. "Execute G2G Protocol" Riley reads.
Riley sets her watch for a five minute countdown.
"Michael, guess what!" she says in an excited tone.
"What Riley, I'm trying to concentrate here," Michael says.
"Guess who Mommy just met?" Riley says.
"Who?" Michael asks.
"The real Anker Shah!" Riley says.
"The one from my chess game?" Michael asks.
"Yes, the very one, but he has to leave for another appointment in 15 minutes so we have to hurry if you want to get to meet him." She says.
"Let's go," Michael says jumping to his feet, the chess game forgotten.
She takes his hand and they begin walking swiftly out of the room.
"In order to get there on time, we are going to have to get out of this building in," she looks down at her watch, "four minutes and four seconds."
They hurry down the hallway of Cyber Com passing Jameson.
"Where are you going in such a hurry little man?" Jameson calls after them.
"I'm going to meet Anker Shah, but we have to get there in 15 minutes or he'll be gone!" Michael calls over his shoulder.
"No time for small talk if we're going to make it. Is that as fast as you can walk?" Riley asks.
"Yes, but I can go faster if I run," Michael says.
"It won't be fast enough. We're going to have to do Monkey Boy!" She says squatting down in front of him like a sprinter in the blocks.
"Monkey Boy!" shouts Michael as he jumps onto her back without hesitation throwing his arms around her shoulders and fastening his legs around her sides in one swift, well practiced movement. Riley propels herself up as if the starting gun had sounded and sprints to a set of elevators at the end of a long hall.
"2 minutes 13 seconds," Riley says as she punches the button. The elevator opens right away and she gets in with Michael still on her back. She presses the ground button and helps Michael off her back.
"Are we going to make it?" Michael asks.
"I'm afraid not. Michael, can you access the drone on the Hummer and get it pulled up to the elevator doors?" she asks.
Michael freezes and gets a look of concentration on his face. …..
"Got it!" Michael shouts.
"When the elevator stops on the ground floor, I'm going to have to do a check. I want you to get down right here and stay behind this wall until I signal you, and if something happens to me what do you do?" she asks.
"Hide until someone I know comes to get me!" he says in a bored, but well rehearsed voice.
"That's right!" Riley says.
Riley draws her gun out from under her jacket. The elevator stops and the doors open. We see a huge black SUV with the motor running parked in front of the doors in the parking garage. Michael stands silently plastered into the corner of the elevator car. Riley sweeps left and right with her gun out then she signals to Michael and he runs to her. She puts her palm up to the window of the SUV, a light flashes behind her palm and the door slides open. Riley hands Michael into the Humvee, pulling herself in just before the door slams shut again.
"Buckle up," she calls over her shoulder as she climbs into the driver's seat. She glances at her watch. It reads 28 seconds.
Michael sits down and a harness slides smoothly down securing him. Riley revs the engine and the SUV leaps forward. She races up the ramp and out into the sun lit parking lot. She can see that the gate to the parking lot is already closing. She pulls up to the guard shack where a guard is standing.
"Hi Bud, any chance you can let us slide through before it closes?" she says casually while her hand tightens on the gun she is holding down next to her seat.
"Please Bud, we are going to get to meet Anker Shah, but we have to get there before he leaves or I'll miss him." Michael says.
"No can do, Michael. Once we get the signal to lock it down, we can't let anyone out. I'm afraid you'll just have to meet this Anchor another time." Bud says. Riley's hand tightens on her gun.
Suddenly the gate starts opening again.
"Wait a minute, you're in luck. Looks like they just sounded the all clear!"
"Thanks Bud, I think we still have time to make it if we hurry!" Riley says as she pulls through the gate.
"Was that you Michael?" she asks.
"Yes. I didn't mean to. I just thought that I didn't want you to hurt Bud and the gate started opening again." Michael says.
"That's alright Michael it was a good thing, but you aren't supposed to do that without asking me first." Riley says as she squeals around a corner on two wheels and guns it.
"We aren't really going to see Anker Shah, are we?" he says.
"No, I'm afraid I lied to you about that. This is another one of your Mom's safety drills," Riley says.
"What is the G2G Protocol?" Michael asks.
"I thought you promised me that you weren't going to hack my phone anymore," Riley says sternly.
"I just wanted to know what was going on," Michael says sulkily.
"G2G means Go to Ground. It's a drill Mommy thought of for what I would do if she thought Cyber Com was insecure and she wanted me to take you to a safe place," Riley says.
And it was almost true, except that G2G stood for "Go to Gabriel" and this was no drill.
