Noir, City Shrouded By Darkness Read online

  "Why are you here?" She snarled, impatient to leave and agitated at the accusations. "What do you want?"

  "What do I want?" The Rogue turned to the warehouse and moved its hand and caressed the handle of the Bowie. "I want to kill Pandora." Disappointed, it said, "But it seems the T-3s will beat me to her." The Rogue turned to Kim. "You know they have been acting strangely lately. But then, what does a Rogue know." It moved from the car and walked a couple of paces away from her. "Well, be seeing you. I am too depressed to watch the outcome of this battle. Pandora does not have a chance." The Rogue took off running and soon disappeared from sight.

  She slid into the seat of her car, took one more look at Etna Toys, started up the engine, and pulled away. "Finally, I’m rid of this Katharine mess." She drove for twenty minutes, getting some distance between herself and the warehouse. She pulled over, anxious to look at the Music Box. Kim removed it from her pocket, held it in her palm, and examined it. Some of Kat's dried blood covered the top.

  Kim thought, "Okay, mom. Why did you want me to get this thing? Father said it's a data storage unit." She turned it over and over, studying it. "So how does it work? What kind of information is on it?" Kim thought how badly she missed her mother and how she would make whoever took her away from her pay dearly. "Will it tell me who murdered you?" She opened the lid, and Unfinished Melody played.

  She closed it and turned it over, examining every side again. "Nothing," Kim said. "There’s nothing." She stared at the Music Box. "Now what am I suppose to do? How am I to find your murderer? I don't even know where to start." She whispered, "Mom, I..."

  A hum emanated from it, and two tiny squares on each end of the Music Box glowed blue. The light radiated through the metal surface. Kim examined each square then placed her thumb and index finger over them. It vibrated, and a 3-D image of her mother's head and shoulders materialized above the lid.

  The hologram spoke, "Voice identity confirmed as Kimberly Griffin. Data storage unit activated." The hologram blinked a couple of times, and she glanced around as if awakening from a deep sleep. The hologram scanned Kim and stated, "Kimmie, if you are viewing this, I am probably dead. There are so many things I want to tell you, but now isn’t the time. I hope, no I pray, not too much time has passed. There is something you must do. You are so young, eighteen."

  "You’re two decades too late," Kim said as she ran her hand through the image. "I’m sorry it took me so long to come across the photo."

  "Two decades have passed? This does change things." The hologram paused, processing the information. "It may be too late then."

  Surprised, she lifted the Music Box. "You can hear me?"

  "Yes, I am programed to interact."

  A child like joy spread across Kim's face. "I have so many questions, but you said too late. Too late for what?"

  "First promise me you will do this thing. Do this thing for your mother." The hologram added as an after thought, "It will be dangerous."

  She chuckled, thinking of her years as a Life Closer and glanced at the gun she’d laid on the passenger seat. "I think I can handle dangerous."

  "Then all I need to hear is that you promise, and I will tell you."

  Kim said eagerly, "I promise."

  "Theresa hates giving this task to you, but there is no one else she can trust." The hologram looked worried. "Theresa had made so many enemies in and out of the corporation." The hologram raked her bangs out of her eyes. "As Project Manager of Research and Development, Theresa was privy to many projects in other departments. You may not remember, but one unspeakable one caught her attention. It involved children, and she tried to put a stop to it. Now, you must take up where she failed." The hologram's image flickered. "I don’t know how you will find her, but there is this girl..." The hologram paused. "Well, she would be a woman now. Her name is Katharine."

  A bad feeling came over Kim as she gasped and murmured, "Hades... No... It can’t be."

  The hologram continued. "You must save her from them. The only other thing I can tell you is the project name she is under."

  In disbelief, Kim put one hand to her temple and said, "Don’t tell me. Pandora."

  The hologram replied, "Yes, but how did you know?"

  "Let’s say I’ve encountered her."

  A beeping alarm went off, and the hologram said, "Someone is monitoring this transmission." She turned her head as if looking outside. "I must terminate communication."

  "Wait!" Kim said. "I have so many questions. Who killed my mom?"

  "There are many possible suspects, but that isn’t important right now. You must save Katharine. Save her. She’s the Key." The hologram stared right at Kim. "You will not be able to activate this unit until it is safe. Find her." Her image disappeared.

  "Key to what?! Wait!" Kim shook the Music Box. "Tell me!" She slammed her fist on the steering wheel. "Why couldn’t you tell me?" She leaned back in her seat, staring at the ceiling. "I can’t believe this! For Ares’ sake! What’s with my luck?!"

  She envisioned herself back at Etna. "Hey Katharine. Umm, sorry I shot you in the shoulder." Kim forced a smile. "Funny thing... I... Ah..." She chuckled. "Have come back to save you." The awkward scene faded in her mind. "Who’s the idiot now?" She threw her hands up. "What am I going to say?" She rubbed her temple as she stared at the Music Box, opened it, and Unfinished Melody played. “I am turning out to be a stalker. For Ares' sake...” She took a deep breath. "I guess I’ll have to swallow my pride and go get Katharine. That’s if she isn’t dead." Kim cursed, "Hades! What if she's dead?" She panicked. "What will I do?" She quickly placed the Music Box in her glove compartment and started the car. "What kind of messed up world have I stumbled into? I’m a Closer for Ares’ sake!" She made a U turn and floored the pedal, heading back to Etna Toys. "When did saving people enter my job description?"

  Chapter Twenty-six

  A New Development

  6:22 P.M...

  Minutes before Kim arrived in the car to take the Music Box away from Kat...

  Peters and Maxwell went over data from the latest Un-Men trial. Peters stepped from the van to the sidewalk and stretched. The two S.C.Ms. looked over as he exited. They nodded to him and went about their guard duty. He raked his fingers through his unkempt black hair. He glanced up at the barriercumulus ever entombing the mega-city and remembered when he was a kid over thirty years ago.

  “If I close my eyes,” he thought. “I can still see it. The sun shining on Noir.”

  He removed his glasses, rubbed his tired eyes, and said, "I’ve been thinking."

  Inside the van...

  Maxwell turned from the table. "What’s that?"

  "The T-3s and the Rogue, what if you were right? What if they do have a ghost in the machine?" Peters rubbed his palms together as the air grew chilly then put his hands in his lab coat pockets. "What if they are evolving? Becoming self aware?"

  Maxwell chuckled. "You’re kidding, right?" He joined him on the sidewalk. "You’ve been reading those old Science Fiction books again. You need to invest your money in better things. Like the Corporate Senate says, novels will rot your brain. Why do you think they banned them in the first place?"

  Peters said, "Please, don’t even get me started on the book ban. I mean, what’s wrong with stories?" The rumble of engines distracted him, and he turned, glancing behind them. "Who’s this?"

  Three vans drove down the street and stopped a short distance behind the two already parked at the curb.

  "What are they doing here?" Peters wondered aloud as he moved to the end of their van. "We never requested a third batch of Un-Men." He waved over the two S.C.Ms. and ordered them, "Go talk to the driver. See why they’re here."

  The S.C.Ms. headed for the first vehicle.

  "I thought we were the only team working today." Maxwell glanced at the driver’s side of the first van, but only saw his own reflection in the tinted glass.

  "What?" Peters asked as he reviewed his notes.

  "I sai
d, I thought we were the only team working today."

  "We are." Peters glanced at the S.C.Ms.

  "I know." Maxwell started to go back into the van. "That was a statement not a question."

  The first S.C.M. adjusted his assault rifle's strap that rested on his shoulder, glanced at the second S.C.M. to make sure the other soldier had his back, and tapped the driver’s window. The S.C.M. motioned with his finger. "Roll down your window."

  There was no response.

  "Did you hear me?" the first S.C.M. questioned. "I said..."

  The electric window hummed as it lowered, then a man with a pale face turned his head and stared at the soldier. His light blue eyes looked unreal. "Hey there gov."

  "You aren’t supposed to be here." The first S.C.M. pointed toward the techs. "A team is already in place."

  The driver tilted his head. "Are you sure? I’m pretty... pretty... sure we are to be here, puppet."

  "Puppet?" The first S.C.M. looked at the driver oddly, then he and the other soldier removed their assault rifles.

  "Yes. Pretty puppets." The driver lifted a gun and fired three shots at the soldiers, killing the first S.C.M.

  The second S.C.M. stumbled back, nicked in the neck, raised his FAMAS, and opened fire on the driver, shouting, "He’s a T-3!"

  Maxwell and Peters dove to the ground, hearing the gun fire.

  "Who are they shooting at?" Maxwell shouted, covering his head with his hands.

  "I don’t know!" Afraid, Peters didn’t look up.

  The T-3 got out of the vehicle, walked to the soldier, shot him in the stomach, and grabbed the man by the throat. With one quick turn, it broke the S.C.M.’s neck and dropped his limp body to the road.

  The techs heard no more gunfire, so Maxwell scrambled along the sidewalk to the back of the van, and looked around the vehicle’s tire. He saw the T-3.

  "I don’t believe it," Maxwell whispered back to his partner. "The Un-Man is wearing contacts to hide its eyes. It was smart enough to hide its identity." He started back. "We’ve got to get out of here." He looked to Peters, who was frozen in fear. "Did you hear me?! Get in the van!" Maxwell shouted as he ran to the passenger’s side, got in, tossed himself to the driver’s seat, and started up the vehicle. He threw the gear shift to D just as Peters jumped in the back through the sliding door.

  The vehicle peeled off.

  Eleven more T-3s unloaded from the vans. In unison, the twelve marched past the sidewalk in three lines and halted. They stared at Etna Toys as they stated, “Preparing to engage main target.”

  Peters closed the side door. "What just happened?" He moved over and held on to the bolted table as computers and equipment moved across it. "A T-3 killed two of our soldiers."

  Maxwell wiped sweat from his head. "Are they pursuing?"

  "No." Peters caught one last glimpse of the area before their van turned a corner. "They’re staring at the warehouse. I think they’re going after Pandora."

  "Why?" After making the turn, Maxwell floored the pedal, and the van sped off. "And how did they get out of the Factory?" He dreaded the answer. "Peters, get up here! Radio in and see what you can find out."

  Peters took the seat beside him. He grabbed the mic and pressed the side button. "Factory, this is Tech One-eleven. We have a situation. Please respond."

  He released the button, and static returned his request.

  Peters repeated the frantic call. "Factory, this is Tech One-eleven. Please respond." He turned to Maxwell. "I don’t like this one bit."

  "Keep calling." Maxwell said hopeful, "Someone will pick up."

  "Factory, this is Tech One-eleven. Please respond."

  Static.

  "Factory, this is Tech One-eleven. Please respond."

  Static.

  "Factory, this is Tech One-eleven. Please respond..."

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Take The Project

  6:34 P.M...

  Hellenistic Sector, Industrial Vicinage...

  At Etna Toys...

  Two blocks away from the four remaining vans and in the safety of an alley, Argus monitored the new development with the T-3s through binoculars. He witnessed them killing the S.C.Ms. and the techs fleeing the scene. He touched his earpiece. "Patch me immediately to the Council."

  The Chamber...

  A female supervisor transferred the call to an intercom in the center of the table. Once she finished, she stated, "Go ahead. You're patched in."

  "Council, Argus here. A dozen T-3s arrived and took out two Factory soldiers. They're now moving on the warehouse."

  Mr. Morta said, "It would seem the Factory has lost control of their Un-Men. I wonder..."

  Ms. Nona turned to him. "Wonder about what?"

  "What is the T-3s' true purpose?" Mr. Morta questioned. "I have a feeling there is more to their arrival than merely taking out Pandora. Perhaps they have another agenda."

  Mr. Decuma asked, "Should we act?"

  "Not yet, but make the preparations. For now, we will do what we do best. Watch." Mr. Morta turned to the supervisor. "Inform Argus..."

  Gunfire came over the intercom and interrupted him.

  "Two T-3s have moved on my position!" Argus shouted over the intercom. "Returning fire!" More gun blast erupted. "I’ve been hit in the leg. Retreating! I'll..."

  White noise replaced his voice.

  "Communication has been severed," the supervisor reported. "I'll attempt to reestablish." She turned to them with a look of worry. "My attempt failed."

  Mr. Morta stood, turned his back on the other two members, contemplated the situation, and faced them. "I am afraid everything has changed. The T-3s do have another agenda. We need to act. Get me the commander of our S.C.Ms."

  Inside Etna Toys...

  Kat leaned against the cold concrete wall, staring at the 9 mm round Kim placed on the floor. She pressed against the bullet wound in her shoulder as blood trickled down her left side. A fluorescent light flickered overhead as her hot breath steamed in the chilly air. Fifteen minutes had passed since the sixth hour tolled and since Kim left with the Music Box. Kat felt empty and distraught without the calming Unfinished Melody. She shivered, growing colder. Kat wasn't sure if she was cold because of the weather or from the blood loss.

  lub-DUB... lub-DUB...

  Everything within her screamed for her to flee so Kat pushed herself up the wall and slowly started for the side door. Two T-3s entered and blocked her escape. She turned for the front door, but it was too late. Within seconds, a dozen T-3s marched in and surrounded her. Kat stood there exhausted and weak, waiting for their next move. She glanced at the Ravlek Vest lying on the table some distance from her.

  "I'm defenseless," Kat thought as she shivered uncontrollably. "So what are they waiting for? Why don't they end this? Why don't they just kill me?!"

  "Pretty puppet!" the dozen T-3s shouted, slowly raised their guns, and aimed at her.

  Their fiery crimson dot-light blinked as they communicated with each other and with those who were elsewhere. The T-3s could think and act as one without the Factory.

  The Team Leader (the one with the blue contacts) stated, "Pandora acquired."

  Kat tensed. "I'm so scared." She closed her eyes.

  "Secondary objective completed.” The Team Leader ordered, “Disable Pandora."

  Two T-3s stepped forward. One lifted its hand and backhanded her, knocking her across the room. Kat landed on a tarp covering empty boxes near the front door. Dust flew up and filled her lungs along with the smell of cardboard. The two T-3s separated and came at her from different directions, expecting a fight from her. One inadvertently kicked the round that had been lying on the floor, and the bullet bounced and rolled to her. She lay there stunned and dazed, but managed the strength to apply pressure to her wound.

  The first T-3 to arrive by her side paused, noticing the blood. It grabbed her hand, lifted it, and saw the bullet hole. It placed its finger in the wound, and she cried out. The T-3 examined the blood
on its nail and turned to the Team Leader.

  "Pandora is disabled. Proceed with termination?"

  "No," the Team Leader answered. "Hold. We will take her back to the Factory. Perhaps we will learn some valuable information from her." It walked to the elevator. "The rest of you proceed with the first objective." It pointed. "Open those doors."

  Three of them moved forward and stopped, hearing the elevator activate. Within a minute, the elevator came to a halt, and the doors opened. Five pairs of eyes glowed yellow within the dark cab, and the unknown creatures growled. Five K-99s leaped at a T-3, and the elevator closed. An early model of bio-mecha, these mechanical creatures resembled Irish Wolfhounds down to the steel-gray wavy fur. The K-99s bit and clawed at the Un-Man till one of them ripped off its head.

  "Take them out!" the Team Leader ordered, aiming its weapon.

  The T-3s opened fire, destroying two of the K-99s. The remaining three K-99s formed a line, and their backs opened, revealing a machine gun. The K-99s fired and filled the large room with the roar of bullets and gun blast. Both the T-3s and K-99s continued shooting. The K-99s barrage took down three of the T-3s before being destroyed themselves. The K-99s collapsed to the floor as sparks burst from their furry bodies. The warehouse fell silent as smoke from gunpowder rose in the air like a grayish-white cloud.

  "Open those doors," the Team Leader commanded.

  Four T-3s moved forward as a shrilling whistle emanated from a K-99, and its body glowed.

  "What is this?" the Team Leader questioned, hearing the sound. It recognized the noise and commanded, "Fall back!"

  The T-3s fled as the K-99 exploded, knocking all of them to the floor. The Team Leader stood and looked over the others. The four whom it sent to open the doors were damaged. Three of them were completely destroyed and lay in pieces as the fourth, with its legs blown off, pulled itself across the floor.

  "You two." The Team Leader moved to Pandora and motioned to the T-3s guarding her. "Join the other, then you three open that elevator."