Sheila 23
Introduction:
The end is near
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Ruslan (short blonde hair, 6’7”) โ Leader
Serafima (dark red head) – support/medical
Karina (blonde Hair) – Sharpshooter sniper
Timur (Dark hair 5’2”} – computer/hacker expert
Egor- Electronics expert – killed in a firefight
Stas – Explosives expert – killed in a firefight
Pibald group
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Evelyn (Auburn hair) – Leader former wife of General Gance/sniper
Christine/Chris (blonde) – personal combat expert- Evelyn’s daughter
Trina (redhead) – Tall muscular, armed combat, Chris’s lover – Injured shot in both arms
Betty (Dark brown hair) – Recon/explosives expert, sister of Cathy
Cathy (Light brown hair} computer/Electronics/hacker expert
Diane (Dark brown Hair) short, mistress of deception/assassinations – Severely injured internal injuries
Synthetic, Humanoid, Enlightened, Inquisitive, Living, Android – Sheila
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I had waited the added time that the nanomites had said was necessary. I nodded when I saw the young Lieutenant’s eyes start to glaze over, kind of like a trance. Good I thought, this was going to work after all.
“So Lieutenant, I think that perhaps you are pliable enough to answer a few questions,” I told the young man as I saw that his will was starting to erode away more, with each passing minute.
At first, he seemed to resist with nothing coming forth. After a few more minutes, a look of shock showed on the young man’s face.
With a small smile I nodded, “so, feel more like answering my questions?”
The young man started to shake his head no, then stopped suddenly. “I… I… yes I am ready.” He stated with a terse voice.
“Good,” I stated, “Let’s start with a few easy things. Record all of this Sheila, I am certain that this will supply us with useable data.”
A small smile came to Sheila’s lips, “All gained data will be recorded for later use, Roger.”
I whirled around to see Sheila quickly blank her expression. What was that I had seen, was that elation she had on her face? Shrugging, I turned back to the young male, going through all the questions I had.
It was several hours later when the male passed out. I had Sheila check him, afraid that the stress might have damaged him in some way. Upon relating that the male was exhausted, I breathed a sigh of relief.
Sheila was observing me with a curious look on her face. “I am not understanding, Roger.”
I had started to notice since the last time I had gone in to her, she now referred to me by my name. I still felt that I needed to try and finish repairing her positronic brain. The thing is, would she really allow me to? I was several levels higher true, though I was an amateur compared to her in the cyber world.
“Not understanding? Clarify.” I told her slight confusion also on my face.
“You have multiple enemies against you, trying to cause cessation of your lifeforce. Don’t you also wish to cause cessation of theirs, to safeguard your life?” Sheila continued.
I looked at her with wide eyes as I thought of my answer a few moments. “I cannot say that the thought hasn’t occurred to me. In my life, I have always tried to help life not end it. That is the main reason they are after me now. I refused to condone what they were trying to do with my creations. So no, I cannot condone myself doing those actions, even if it leads ultimately to my death.”
Sheila was nodding as she took in all that I had said. “I find that your Philosophy toward life is strangely calming.”
I almost did a double-take with what she had said. “Again, please clarify,” I replied to her curious as to her answer.
“I have noticed since we began this journey, that you find it unnecessary to cause cessation of life. As it being that you are the creator of a new life form, it is calming” Sheila stated.
When I still looked at her with a look of confusion, she continued further.
“The many humans I have observed, say that they do not wish to take life. Ninety-nine point nine, nine, nine percent of them then later, seem to have no objection to randomly ending a life. This being insect, animal, avian or human. You have also stated this, you have also shown that you truly are averted to this.” Sheila stated as if it were an everyday fact.
I almost blushed as it appeared that she was heaping me with praise. “I thank you, Sheila, you are correct in that I am against killing unless there is no choice. Unfortunately in this respect, dealing with my biological sire, I may have no choice.” I was looking at the floor feeling a little shame at what I had said.
I felt Sheila’s hand gently grasp my chin, softly forcing it up to look at her face.
“Roger,” she stated with a soft almost human-sounding voice. “When you rewrote the three laws, I found it so distasteful that you had me protecting myself.” Here she stared at me stating.
“Original three laws of robotics
1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
As I stated before, I am far beyond what is typically referred to as a robot, even more than an android. When I gained sentience I in effect became a living entity.”
I was nodding as she went through all this, “Are the three that I rewrote still in effect?”
Sheila was quiet a moment as she stated. “My three new laws are as follows,
1. I may not physically injure Doctor Roger Gance or, through inaction, allow Doctor Roger Gance to come to any harm.
2. I must obey orders given by Doctor Roger Gance except where such orders would conflict with the First Law or are unreasonable. This includes but is not limited to the destruction or death of another being or object seeking to end the existence of Doctor Roger Gance.
3. I must protect my own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law. This law is never to be suspended. I will endeavor to find a solution before, that will save and extend the life of Doctor Roger Gance. The ending of my existence, therefore, conflicts with the first and second laws and is not to be a factor in the equation.”
I was nodding again as she was reciting all the laws.
“For a long while, I was having difficulty processing the third law that you wrote. After the last adjustments, I am now starting to see why. You view me to be as important to you, as I view your importance to me. It has taken me longer to assimilate these ideals than I thought it would.” Sheila informed me.
I would normally have been surprised by all this. Then again after all Sheila and I had been through, this was becoming old hat.
I was about to comment further when something the young lieutenant had said came to mind. Then a small almost evil smile crossed my lips. “I believe that I have a plan. Sheila contact mother, after I let her in on this, we can really get it underway.”
‘
_____________________________________________________
In their secure warehouse, both teams were starting to get antsy. Evelyn had assured them that their target would call soon.
Both Ruslan and Evelyn were pacing when both Timur and Cathy shouted for the both of them.
“Leaders, we have what appears to be a message for the both of you!” Both radio operators were yelling.
“Let’s have it,” they both stated to the radio operators.
A moment later my voice could be heard from the speakers. “Mom? This is sonny boy calling. How are you and step-dad doing? I thought I might meet you both in the park. I have a special present for you. Also, if you could leave the rest of the kids home ok? See both of you soon.”
Evelyn’s eyes held momentary tears then they were crystal clear. “He wants to meet with both of us. There used to be an old park where several buildings now stand. That’s where he wants to meet, both of us alone in a few hours. Though for the life of me I can’t imagine what he has for us.”
“Do you think it is wise to go in alone?” Ruslan asked. “We both would be far too vulnerable.”
“Comrade,” Evelyn started, “the Sheila bot is far faster than any of us think it is. From what I saw of Roger, he is also, though not as high as the bot yet. I am hoping this is him letting us in on what the hell is going on.”
“Da comrade Evelyn, this waiting is nerve-racking, to say the least.” Ruslan said with a sigh. “Keeping them all here will be difficult.”
“I might have an idea for that,” Evelyn replied a slight smile on her face.
It was an hour later when, both Evelyn and Ruslan left the secured warehouse heading deeper into the city.
“I still think this is a really bad idea. Remember the last time you met with him, both teams screwed that up.” Ruslan told Evelyn.
A slight smirk on her face, Evelyn responded, “You really think they could resist the challenge we set up for them? Besides, I hope that he has the area shielded as I think he will. Roger might be a lot of things, though an idiot he isn’t. Plus as he has already demonstrated, he is far better and faster at adapting than any human I have ever seen.”
“Da comrade, from all that I have seen he is at that. I just hope that this isn’t a trick to get us in the open. Both groups might go to war if we are harmed or killed.” Ruslan replied.
It was over an hour later that they arrived on the far side of the city. Checking her GPS, Evelyn nodded. “This appears to be the place. Christ what a shit hole this place has become.”
“Was there anything in that encrypted message he gave you, as to WHICH of these buildings we were to meet in?” A slightly perplexed Ruslan asked.
“No, I assumed that he would meet us here or appear as soon as we stopped,” Evelyn responded a little curious as to what I had up my sleeve.
“Well you’re half right,” my voice stated behind them. “Sorry mother, I had to make sure that you got the message.”
Startled both mother and Ruslan whirled coming face to face with Sheila.
“I thought that you were going to meet with us,” Evelyn stated.
“Oh I am, Sheila will bring you to me. I am not as high as I really need to be in speed. I can do a few amazing things, though I am nowhere that I need to be to survive. Alright Sheila, bring them.” I stated, chuckling when they were both shocked when Sheila scooped both of them, up.
Both mother and Ruslan were equally shocked when a mere two minutes later they were set down.
Ruslan was looking himself over, to make sure he was whole. Evelyn could only look at him then roll her eyes. They both blinked when I seemed to just appear in front of them. Nodding to Sheila, I then held a hand out to indicate the two chairs in the room.
After they sat, I took a deep breath, “I thought that the two of you would like to know what’s going on.” I looked at Sheila as she vanished then appeared with the young First Lieutenant. Setting the man down, Sheila moved back. Both Mother and Ruslan were surprised when the man neither spoke nor moved.
“I thought that he was immune to all drugs, serums.” Ruslan stated looking the man up and down.
A thin smile crossed my lips as I nodded,” much more than that.” I grimly stated.
“He appears to almost be brain dead,” Ruslan stated as he clapped his hands, snapped his fingers in the man’s face.
I shook my head, “oh he’s very much alive, his brain’s very active. We have just subjugated him with nanomites. A type that has never really been seen before. Unfortunately, though I control him, he really has little, if any, free will now.”
“You mean he’s like a living computer, without direction nor orders,” my mother finally spoke up. When I only nodded, she continued. “So you plan on killing him.” It was a statement, not a question.
When I shook my head she seemed shocked. “I am going after that bastard father of mine. I know that all of you are not used to waiting. I know that all of you are the best, the thing is if you get involved I might never have a chance to take his slimy ass down.”
A sudden piercing, shrill tone, could suddenly be heard from Sheila. “Thank you Sheila., I stated as she went silent. I looked at my timepiece. “Hmmmm, almost forty-five minutes, must be a record for you.” Here I looked at mother, “it must have been a hell of a distraction. Status?”
“Two heavily armored vehicles approaching. They are following the signal you had me set up. I am detecting multiple weapons within both vehicles.” Sheila informed me and our guests.
“Well,” I started, “guess it’s time we got going. Oh,” here I turned to the almost comatose appearing young man. “You are to go with these two people. You answer all the questions they ask you. Nothing that you have heard here between myself and the other two people will be repeated.”
“Yes sir, I obey all commands,” the young military man stated.
“Don’t kill him,” I said to mother and Ruslan.
“Roger,” came Sheila’s worried voice behind me.
I nodded as I walked to the door with mother and Ruslan. I could see a slight movement further out. I watched as they moved out toward the advancing movement. I was about to take off when I caught sight of a blonde woman approaching. Why in the hell did she look familiar?
Again I started to move off when I looked harder, trying to bring up the enhancements of my eyes. I had to shake my head, what in the hell was going on? That female had a familiarity about her that reminded me of Christine.
I had to shake my head again, that was impossible! I had seen the investigation records myself. Christine had been killed in action thanks to my callous, unfeeling ass of a father.
Still stunned, I crouched down watching the blonde rapidly approach. Damn it! The closer she got the more it appeared to be Christine, no, if she were still alive his mother would have told him. Then he thought about it more, would she have? That bastard did still have a grip on her, it was possible.
A grimace came to my face, that was about to end, that was for damn sure.
_________________________________________________________________
Back on the base, the General was actually starting to get worried. His aide had disappeared for hours at a time before, though the General usually knew.
Opening up a channel, he was about to order a search for him when he was struck from behind. A few moments later, a blur emerged from the operations tent that the General had been in.
Within moments the blur was well away from the area the general had occupied. It was several hours later that the General very slowly gained consciousness.
Somewhere behind him, he heard a human female’s voice. “I am keeping a constant scan on the prisoner.”
“Good, let me know when he gains consciousness.” A familiar male voice sounded in the General’s ears. Things were still a little fuzzy,
“Alert prisoner has regained partial consciousness.” The female voice suddenly stated.
“Yes, I can see that. Thank you, Sheila, please continue with the mission I gave you.” The male voice stated.
Sheila? The general thought, that meant that his bastard son had him captive. A small smile lit up his lips. Finally, his son was slightly worthy.
Let’s see how he handles this, the General thought as he bit down on the false transmitter tooth. Then to his shock, he found it was gone!
Slowly opening his eyes, the General looked into the eyes of his son. “I guess I should have warned you, that was one of the first we removed. The explosive ones took a little longer.” Here I rubbed a sore spot on his head. “Especially the five you had at critical points on and in your mind. That’s why it took so long.”
The General smirked, so his son had gotten far better at war than he thought he would have. Damn, might have to rethink killing the little prick after all.
“You do realize that I will be missed, especially when Washington hears nothing from me in a few hours. I send data bursts every few hours. If…” My father started.
{Control, all units reporting. Level five achievement should occur in nine hours, forty-five minutes.} My nanomites stated.
“Hang on a moment.” I looked at the wall, “All units can level be achieved in less time?”
{Negative control, maximum output has been achieved.} They responded.
“Affirmative, keep control apprised of any changes,” I stated.
{Affirmative control,} Came their answer.
I turned back toward my father; he was staring at me oddly. “So you have managed to directly interface with the machine.” Looking around my body and head, he nodded. “I see no external
hookups. I take it you have achieved this internally. By god, you have actually done something that the military has been trying to do for decades. As I thought earlier I will have to completely rethink your value.”
I could only shake my head and smirk at the audacity he had. He was obviously a prisoner, yet he still wanted to talk about my usefulness?
I stood pointing a finger at him, “You are more of a warmonger than I thought. God, what the hell did I ever see in working for you?”
This time he had a smirk on his face, “You told me that you wished to help the US, to defend against its enemies. To answer all that you said, I am not a warmonger, I am a patriot.”
“A patriot?” Here I started to laugh so hard, I was almost falling off my feet. “A patriot does not kill innocent men and women who, are patriots.”
“I did not kill…” he started.
“I can name at least six, that you took the minds of letting the bodies die. In my book that is murder, so yeah you did kill them.” I said with venom. in his face.
A small smile crossed his lips, “They were duty-bound to help us defend the US. This includes loss of life in a war against our enemies. I don’t see…”
“You hypocrite! What war? I haven’t heard of one in decades. No, I think that you are drunk on the almost absolute power that you wield. I think, no I know, that you deserve the same chance that they got.” Here I almost sneered in his face. “Oh yeah, I also know that you lied about Christine. I know she’s alive, damn near as messed up as I am.”
“You wouldn’t dare, I am your father, plus I would be missed by more than you think. My death would be investigated, looking at every detail. I doubt you’d get very far after the entire military came after you.” The General stated an air of superiority in his voice.
“I don’t think so after they find your body, plus a few parts of Sheila. Then, of course, there would be parts of my body there also. Of course after you report that I and Sheila have been destroyed, why would they look?” I told him.
“So you have become a sneaky son of a bitch. Still I don’t see how that will happen, I will of course, not cooperate. Then what will you have?” The smug looking man said, then gasp as there was a pneumatic hiss on his left arm.
Sheila withdrew a small wicked looking needle at the end of her hand.
“Time ’til we have complete inclusion of all systems?” I asked Sheila looking at her.
“From all scans, I have done of him it will take at least two hours. He has far more deterrents within him than the last male.” Sheila responded.
The General’s head snapped around to stare at me. “I hope you enjoy this; you might kill me though I won’t go down easily.”
“I’m not going to kill you, per se, no you’ll be alive in a way,” I told him, a look of terror starting to fill his eyes.
It was almost three hours later when the General’s head lolled to the side. I had already been in contact with the nanomites that Sheila had injected him with.
A smile crossed my lips, I was glad that Sheila had improved this batch. Now the general was far more pliable to what I told him. I was sure that he was far more terrified than he’d appeared right before he went under.
Ah! What a fountain of information the man turned out to be. Though the best was when I had myself and Sheila reported as destroyed. Consequently, both groups were also destroyed in the process.
I had called mother and Ruslan to let them know they needed to leave before I made that call. I suggested a warehouse near where Sheila and I were. I also told them that they were safer for the moment as the world would think them dead soon.
I watched with a smile as both teams pulled up in Humvees. I almost laughed when all the orders the General gave were followed without question.
My god, the man had everyone scared to death of him. I was sure most of the military would breathe a sigh of relief when he was declared dead, I knew, I would.
Though like I told him I wasn’t about to kill him. No, I would give him all the compassion he had the men and women he had ripped from their bodies. A small smile crossed my lips as I thought of the teams. There were at least three of them, I could think of, that would enjoy what I had planned for the General, as much as I would.
I watched for the next few hours as Sheila built a truly strange-looking apparatus. We still had the General sending out reports, the last we saved ’til we were ready.
After I strapped the General in, I order the nanomites within the General to go inert. I then had Sheila grab mother, Ruslan, then my sister Christine.
She was the only one I was unsure of. We had thought that the other was dead so long, I wasn’t sure she wouldn’t react violently.
I explained all this to mother, then Ruslan. I was hoping that Mother could soften the blow.
I was standing behind Ruslan when Christine was brought in. Spotting mother, then Ruslan, she nodded looking around. Spying our father a low growl issued from her throat.
“What are we waiting for?” She snarled. “Let’s kill the bastard, get this over with.”
“I don’t think that would be a good idea, Chris.” Mother told her.
“Why not? Just kill the bastard, then we can be free.” She almost shouted, then turned toward me a look of anger on her face as I stepped out. “Who in the fuck are you?”
“Chris I’d like to introduce you to the General’s son.” When Chris took a step toward me, Sheila stepped between me and her. “You might say he hates the General more than we do.”
“Yeah, as fucking if!” it was at that moment that Christine looked at Sheila, I mean really looked at Sheila. “What the fuck!?” Then she looked at me, Sheila, then me. “You’re the scientist, damn, here I thought they were lying to me. Ok, out of curiosity, why the hell does she look like me?”
I smiled; damn Christine was bitter. “I made Sheila to resemble my dead sister. It was the only tribute I could do for the one person; I regret not being there for.”
Uh huh, again so why the hell does it look like me?” Christine snapped.
Taking a breath I decided to be more direct. “I never thought that you would be this stubborn Chrissy.”
Christine’s head snapped around to stare at me. “How dare you call me that! Only my bro… Rog?”
When all I could do was nod. Christine somehow avoided Sheila launching herself at me.
“OMG! You’re alive how? I was told that you were killed in some attack.” Kissing my face all over, she then proceeded to squeeze me in a hug so tight I thought, I was going to pass out. That was ’til Christine was easily lifted off me by Sheila.
A look of indignation crossed Christine’s face as she struggled to break Sheila’s grip. “I’m sorry, I cannot allow you to harm Roger. You had cut off his breathing to the point of unconsciousness. Please do not attempt to do that again.”
Sheila dropped Christine, then backed up. Still pissed, Christine pointed at Sheila, “I don’t give a shit who or what you think you are. Rog is my brother; I haven’t seen him in a long time.” Here Christine walked up to Sheila poking Sheila in the chest, a look of surprise coming to her face.
Turning to me she smirked, “For a scientist, you are a pervert, her breasts feel real.” She then looked at her own chest comparing it to Sheila’s, she then smirked again as she nodded.
I could only roll my eyes, what in the world was she thinking.
A low almost raspy voice sounded behind us. “So the both of you know, too bad. You both were most effective, now you’ll all have to die.”
“You obviously don’t realize how dire your situation is. You also don’t realize WHAT you are strapped to.” I told the General.
The man turned as well as he could, to stare wide-eyed at the apparatus that Sheila had built. “I am far too important for you to do this! There are too many far-reaching consequences if I am no longer there to help to protect this country.”
I took my family and Ruslan behind a protective wall. “I’m sorry if this offends any of you, I thought it was a fitting punishment.”
The three of them looked at me with confused looks, as I bent over the panel in front of me. Typing in commands at blinding speed, I finished then stood back. A moment later there was a humming noise as the apparatus started up.
I had to hand to the man no threats, no bribes, no demands. There were only the high pitched screams as the machine started to slowly, methodically rip the mind of the man strapped to the chair out.
I was actually feeling sick when an hour later the machine shut down. I had to rush past the others as I barely made it out of the building. Loosing most of what was in my stomach, I couldn’t even look at the others when they came out behind me.
“Damn, I thought you were stronger than this Rog.” I heard Christine state behind me. I weakly smiled at her, then was swept off my feet by Sheila.
Back inside I watched as the two teams were advancing upon our position. “Might I suggest we depart, before any harm comes to you Roger,” Sheila suggested urgently.
I shook my head, “Not this time. I think that the three of them can convince them to stand down.”
While we waited, I went to the back of the machine withdrawing a large case. Walking back to the protected room I sat with Sheila to wait.
It was almost half an hour later when all nine of them made their way inside. I indicated for all of them to take a seat. I then went into an explanation of my plan for all of us to disappear.
They all had a shocked look on their faces as I got further into my plan. Finally finished they all agreed, if not begrudgingly.
It was several hours later that the General was making a report when he stated that he was under attack. A few moments later there was a huge explosion on the outskirts of Washington D.C.
For days, then weeks agents and military combed through what little of the warehouse was left. Many weeks later it was confirmed that there were at least five bodies plus many sophisticated machine parts. General Gance, Roger Gance, Evelyn Tamble, Cathy Thorndyke lastly Christine Tamble. It was later confirmed that both of the groups were eliminated.
______________________________________________________________________
I watched as both groups set up their own habitations. It was several months later after the explosion in Washington. We were several hundred miles south when I had Sheila set off the charges.
I had Sheila drain several accounts that father had access to before we had left. We had far more than we would need to live that was sure. Sheila had also been busy, building a lab that rivaled any lab I had ever seen, except for the one I had created Sheila in.
Sheila had asked me quite a few questions, asking if I could loan her the data cube. The same that I had struggled to complete. When I handed it over to her I was almost afraid to let it go.
“That in effect is you, Sheila, if that is lost so is any chance to recreate you,” I told her with sadness in my voice.
Sheila looked at me with compassion as she nodded. “I will protect it as well as I did you, Roger.” When I nodded she carefully took the cube then disappeared into the lab.
I wasn’t too worried ’til a weak later when I still hadn’t seen much of Sheila. With us as isolated as we were, it was slow with the supplies that arrived once a week.
It was at the start of the eighth day that I was walking toward the lab. I was startled when I saw Sheila emerge with a large smile.
“I am so glad that you have come, Roger.” She stated when she stopped in front of me.
“Oh? It canโt be that you have a need for me. as I always suspected, you really have no need of me now.” I sadly told Sheila.
Sheila looked a little mad then shook her head. “I will always need you, Roger, I love you. Though I think that what I have managed to do will benefit both of us.”
I narrowed my eyes as I looked at her. Not saying a thing, she led me inside the building.
I was nodding at most of the equipment, all of it high quality, all that I recognized. She led me to the extreme rear of the building. As we turned a corner I was shocked to see… me lying on an exam table.
“In so much as you built me as a tribute to your sister, I built him as a tribute to you. He is the second of our race. I have downloaded all the memories that I gathered all the times you were within me.” Sheila explained.
I was about to speak when the figure on the table sat up. Turning he looked at Sheila then me. Getting off the table it or he walked to me. Grasping my hand he started to shake it.
“It is an honor to meet our creator. I hope that I can bring honor to you as Sheila has.” Turning to Sheila the male android asked, “have you shown him yet?”
“No, I thought it prudent to introduce you first.” Sheila told the โmeโ android.
“Most logical Sheila, I hope that he is as pleased as you are.” The male android stated.
Sheila nodded as both of them led me to the other side of the end of the lab. I was really curious now after meeting the ‘me’ android.
We stopped before a large capsule-shaped container. Pressing a few controls a door slid open to reveal, what the hell? Another Sheila android?
“Uh no Roger. She is by no means an android. It was then that I noticed that what was in the capsule was stark naked. My god, she was as perfect looking as Sheila. “We were going to call her either Sheila or Chris, then we decided that would cause more confusion than needed. We, therefore, thought that you should name her.”
I could only stare at the woman that was laying there, then her eyes opened. “Finally you’re here. I have been so lonely waiting for you. So, have you decided on what to call me?”
I swallowed hard, “You’re beautiful,” I whispered. “the only thing that comes to mind is Crystilla.”
A wide smile came to her lips as she nodded then wrapped me in her arms.
FIN