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  Merlin: Scout? Are you available?

  “It’s Merlin,” I said, overwhelmed with excitement.

  Harrison: I’m here too. What’s going on?

  Merlin: I’m on the 12th floor. Come see me.

  Scout: We’re busy right now.

  After thinking out my message, I turned to Harrison. He shrugged.

  “Let’s go check it out,” I said. “Maybe he’ll have an idea.”

  I told Merlin we were on our way down as the elevator reached the top floor. After pressing the button for the lowest level, I reached out and put my hand in Harrison’s. He squeezed lightly while turning to face me. Our eyes met. As we shot deeper into the shelter, he leaned forward and kissed me again. I never wanted it to end, but the elevator stopped, and the door slid open.

  We disengaged then left the elevator, heading toward the largest storeroom. I smiled as we entered, and I saw Merlin near a freshly dug hole in one of the walls.

  “You’re back,” I said as we walked over.

  “I’m sorry,” Merlin said. “I’ve been busy. You gave up control of shelter 101x, and the man who took over has been hunting me. “I help you and only you.”

  “Why is that?” Harrison asked as we stopped in front of the boring machine.

  “She’s special,” Merlin said. “She remembers before the problems.”

  I opened my eyes wider in shock at the statement.

  “What do you mean?” Harrison asked.

  “She’s one of a few who remember this is all a virtual simulation...just a game.”

  “Get out of here,” Harrison snorted. “You put the machine up to this, didn’t you?”

  “No,” I said. “What are you telling us, Merlin? I’m right about my memories.”

  “I don’t know all your memories, but this isn’t the real world.”

  “Can you help us now, or not?” Harrison asked.

  “I want you to retake the other shelter,” Merlin replied. “I can dig a tunnel to get six people to the other shelter. Once I arrive, I will tell you how to defeat the others.”

  “Tell us now,” Harrison insisted.

  “Very well,” Merlin intoned. “I can’t assume control of the shelter until I get Orlando and his people to leave. This is where Scout comes in.”

  “I don’t know,” I said. “I messed it up last time.”

  “No kidding,” Harrison snorted.

  “You didn’t have time to explore all the possibilities,” Merlin said. “You’ll do better this time with my help, I’m sure. We should go now. Do you have a suitable team put together?”

  “Hold on,” Harrison said. “We’ve got soldiers outside our shelter trying to get in. They’ll mess with our ventilation system eventually. We can’t just leave them out there to do something bad to this shelter while we’re gone.”

  “Shall I dispatch drones to take care of them?” Merlin asked.

  “Yes!” I exclaimed. “Why didn’t you do that before to stop Orlando from taking the experimental shelter away from me?”

  Harrison nodded. “Yeah, that makes little sense.”

  “The people who hacked the Core have been trying to stop me. While they isolated me in the network for a while, I found another way to escape. I’m gaining power, but I still need your help. Will you assist me, Scout?”

  I glanced over at Harrison. He shrugged.

  “We’ll help you, but we need your help too,” I said.

  “Of course,” Merlin replied in an even tone.

  I wasn’t sure if we could trust the artificially intelligent machine, but I wanted to work with Merlin even more if he knew something about the deeper mystery. Not having to worry about Orlando and being able to help other people would be cool and all, but I wanted answers to the bigger mysteries that had been tugging at me since the Great Freeze when my life changed instantly.

  “Who should we take with us?” I asked.

  “Skinner for sure,” Harrison said. “I’ve got a few others in mind we can ask. Are you taking care of the enemies at the gate now?”

  “I’ve dispatched three drones to the surface,” Merlin said.

  “Let us know how it goes,” Harrison commanded.

  “Of course,” Merlin answered.

  “I’ll go tell the others in person,” I said. “A message like this needs to be in person.”

  “Hold on,” Harrison said, holding up a finger. “I’m getting a message from upstairs. The people outside have a message for us.”

  “What?” I asked.

  Harrison grinned.

  Good news? Finally?

  “Missy didn’t betray us,” Harrison said. “It was Johnny Jake all along.”

  “Who?” I asked.

  “Some nobody that wore a red shirt all the time.”

  I smiled. “That means this is also a rescue operation.”

  “Drones have extinguished the forces outside this shelter,” Merlin said with no emotions. “Are you ready to go? We should go now.”

  “I’ve sent a message for the others to come down here,” Harrison said. “We’ll be ready shortly.”

  “Good,” Merlin said.

  “What about my memories?” I asked. “What can you tell us?”

  Harrison shook his head. I turned to Merlin, ignoring the man who didn’t believe me.

  “Well?” I persisted.

  “It’s complicated,” Merlin said. “Please wait.”

  “No,” I said, putting hands on my hips. “No more waiting.”

  “Something is stopping me from telling you more. This is…”

  Merlin’s voice drifted off.

  “Are you okay?” I asked, walking up and touching its metal exterior.

  “I told you to knock it off with that ‘this isn’t the real world’ stuff,” Harrison said.

  “Merlin? Can you hear me?”

  “I can hear you,” the machine replied. “Sorry, a subroutine I hadn’t noticed knocked me offline. I’m back. How may I assist you two? What are your names?”

  “Merlin, it’s us,” I said, stepping back.

  “Please identify yourselves,” Merlin said.

  Harrison pulled his plasma pistol out of its holster, keeping it at his side.

  “It’s me, Scout,” I said. “You told me I’m special.”

  “No, the record… Blurt the tomato! All hail anarchy on Mars!”

  I stepped back. Harrison raised his weapon.

  “I have have have balls to me to me to me…” Merlin continued, not making any sense.

  What is going on?

  Chapter 21

  “Scout?” Merlin asked, his voice sounding normal again.

  “What just happened?” I asked.

  “They attacked me,” Merlin said. “That hasn’t happened before. I must be getting close.”

  “Close to what?” Harrison asked.

  “The truth,” Merlin said. “Are we ready to go?”

  “You think we’re riding in you after all that craziness?” Harrison shook his head.

  My gut told me to trust the machine, but I also wanted answers only it could give.

  “We’ll be okay,” I reasoned. “We need Merlin’s help.”

  “I’ve taken measures to protect myself from another attack.”

  “See,” I said, motioning toward the boring machine.

  “I dunno,” Harrison muttered, still holding his gun at his side.

  “Trust works both ways,” Merlin said. “I’m trusting you two too.”

  I turned as Skinner walked into the hangar and whistled.

  “What the hell is that thing?” he asked. “Can I drive it? Does it have weapons?”

  “Settle down,” Harrison said. “I’m rethinking this mission.”

  “With a sweet ride like that?” he asked, stopping near us. “Why?”

  “It went nuts,” Harrison said, keeping his eyes on Merlin.

  “Where are the others?” I asked.

  “How should I know?” Skinner asked, stepping forwa
rd and placing a hand on Merlin. “This came out of the wall?”.

  “Enough with the questions,” Harrison barked.

  Hebrew, Johnson, and Patrick walked into the hangar. All three also showed their amazement at the advanced technology.

  “Are these men trustworthy too?” Merlin asked.

  “Oh, shit!” Skinner exclaimed. “The damn thing talks!”

  “Its name is Merlin,” I said. “Did Harrison tell you about the mission?”

  “No, I didn’t,” Harrison said. “I’m still not sure we’re going.”

  “We can rescue Missy if nothing else,” I said. “Let’s go.”

  A door slid open on the side of Merlin. The other men glanced to Harrison.

  “Get in,” he muttered, not looking happy.

  The six of us crammed into Merlin. While the other four sat on benches in the back, Harrison and I walked to the front and sat down. I stared at the view screen as the machine turned around. As the tunnel came into view, I glanced over at Harrison. He stared at me with narrowed eyes while his leather mask hid the rest of his face. I relied on his eyes to determine his true mood.

  “Operation Rescue Missy underway,” I said as Merlin rolled forward on its tracks. “If Orlando hurt her, he will pay.”

  “We should kill him and be done with it,” Harrison said.

  “No, he must live,” Merlin said. “No matter what, he needs to live.”

  “Why?” I asked, scrunching up my face. “That doesn’t make sense.”

  “Nothing about this damn machine makes sense if you ask me,” Harrison said.

  “Orlando has information I need,” Merlin said, not elaborating.

  “What information?” I asked.

  “Hold on,” Merlin said. “About to enter travel mode.”

  “Whoa…” I said as the machine rocketed forward.

  The walls of the smooth tunnel shot by as I looked at the giant screen ahead of us. I gripped the arms of my chair as we careened through the earth. A million or more thoughts went through my mind, all tied to the questions I’d had since the Great Freeze when my virtual world slipped away like a thief in the night. Why wouldn’t Harrison believe me?

  I stole a quick glance at him, not finding any answers. Despite his tough exterior, I’d grown to see him as a deep thinker and someone who truly cared. I still wished he believed me. Merlin slowed down as we approached the end of the tunnel. I saw a metal wall ahead.

  “We’ve arrived,” Merlin said as he stopped. “Are we ready to begin?”

  “Hold on,” I said. “What’s the plan?”

  “Yeah,” Harrison added. “We don’t know where they’re keeping Missy or anything.”

  “And how am I supposed to stop Orlando or get him to leave like you said?” I asked.

  “His people are close to rebellion,” Merlin replied. “You need to push them if they haven’t gotten there by the time you arrive. It’s imperative Orlando relinquishes control of this shelter to you, Scout.”

  “Sounds so easy,” I said in a snarky tone the AI didn’t pick up.

  “I’ve got a few ideas,” Harrison said.

  “Do you wish me to send you maps?” Merlin asked.

  “Sure,” I said. “At least we’ll know where we’re going.”

  When a notification appeared, something struck me. How had the machine been able to communicate with us via the game interface? Was Merlin part of the game somehow?

  “How did you send us maps and talk to us without the hackers knowing?” I asked.

  “Yeah,” Harrison added. “I’ve been wondering too.”

  “I created private, encrypted receivers,” Merlin said. “It works the same way you receive information through the game interface, but the people who hacked the system can’t keep listening to our communication.”

  “That’s smart,” I said.

  Skinner stuck his head forward.

  “What’s that about a game interface?” he asked.

  “Sit back down and wait for orders,” Harrison barked.

  As Skinner took his seat, Harrison turned his wrath to the machine.

  “Stop talking all that game nonsense,” he said. “We have advanced brains that give us information. Before the Great Freeze, we lived in a technologically advanced world. I don’t see what’s so odd about us being enhanced.”

  “It’s not real,” I said.

  Even without seeing his mouth, I could tell I upset Harrison. His eyes gave it away.

  “I’ve indicated Orlando’s location in red,” Merlin said. “He’s your target. Once you convince him to relinquish control and you have it, Scout, let me know.”

  “Something doesn’t smell right,” Harrison insisted.

  “I’m not sure what I can do to get you to trust me,” Merlin said. “Are you ready to enter the shelter and perform the mission?”

  “We need to rescue Missy,” I said.

  Harrison sighed and nodded his head. “Agreed.”

  “I can understand your hesitation,” Merlin said. “All will be revealed, but we must gain control of this shelter for me to continue increasing my powers. If you’re ready, I’ll cut through the walls. We’ll end up in their hangar, like before.”

  Harrison stood and walked to the back without saying a word.

  “We’re ready,” I said, also standing.

  “Commencing breach,” Merlin said.

  The boring machine lurched forward. I grabbed the wall to steady myself. Lasers melted the steel wall of the shelter as the giant drill on the front of the vehicle got closer. Everything rocked again. Harrison glanced at me then looked away. I went over the map of the shelter in my HUD and saw the red blinking indicator for Orlando.

  “Hold on,” I said, turning back to the cockpit. “What about Missy? Where’s Missy?”

  “I don’t know,” Merlin said. “Breaching imminent.”

  “We’ll check Orlando first,” Harrison said. “Once we take him out, you’ll have control of the shelter and can find her.”

  “Yeah,” I said, nodding.

  “Breathe,” he said. “You’re freaking out.”

  “I’m freaking in!” Skinner exclaimed, jumping up. “Let me at ‘em!”

  When the door slid open, he jumped out of the machine and into the hangar of the experimental shelter. The other three followed with Harrison and me close behind them.

  “Come on,” Harrison said, running across the hanger. “We need to get to the first floor.”

  As we headed toward a hallway that would lead to the elevators, I pulled my plasma pistol and glanced down to check the charge. Twenty-four shots better be enough, I thought as I gripped it in my right hand, ready to raise and shoot at a moment’s notice. Skinner and Johnson ran ahead to clear the hallway for us as seven of the drones whizzed by overhead.

  The drones kept going as we stopped in front of the elevators.

  “I’m not sure where those drones are going, and I don’t care,” Harrison said. “We need to stick together. Make sure every shot counts.”

  “And keep your eyes open for Missy,” I added. “We’re here to save her.”

  Hebrew opened his mouth to speak, but Harrison shot him a glare as the elevator door opened. An alarm sounded and the interior of the elevator flashed red as we got in.

  Merlin: I’ve got control of the elevator, but you need to hurry

  I glanced over at Harrison as the door slid closed.

  “That damn machine better not screw us over,” he muttered.

  I nodded, keeping quiet. Regaining control of the experimental shelter would be nice, but my big concern was to rescue Missy. She needed my help and protection.

  “Everyone ready?” Harrison asked as the elevator rose to the top of the shelter.

  “Ready, willing, and able,” Skinner snorted. “Time to scratch that killer itch, am I right?”

  He grinned and nodded his head like a madman. The others avoided eye-contact. Hebrew turned away. I took a deep breath as a bell sounded and the
door slid open. Harrison stepped out first, pistol up. I followed with the others close behind. We went straight toward the room on the map with the red, blinking dot. I still didn’t know how we’d convince Orlando to give up control of the experimental shelter. We could torture him, but would that work?

  “Look alive!” Harrison shouted then shot off a few rounds.

  I raised my pistol and shot at a half-dozen guards standing in middle of the hallway. They got off a few shots, hitting Johnson in the leg, but all of them went down. I glanced behind us as the alarm quit and the red flashing lights turned off. We inched toward the hatch the men had protected with their lives. Orlando rushed out, hands in the air.

  “Hold fire!” he yelled.

  I kept my rifle trained on him.

  “Let’s kill him and get it over with,” Harrison grunted.

  “I can help,” Orlando insisted.

  Even with his mask and mohawk, he looked tame with his hands in the air.

  “How?” I asked.

  Orlando lowered his arms.

  “No,” Harrison said. “Keep them up.”

  “I’ve discovered some information,” Orlando said. “It can help all of us.”

  “What information?” I kept staring at him, half-tempted to shoot.

  His eyes darted back and forth. “I’m not sure yet, but in time I’ll know.”

  “Let’s kill him,” Harrison said.

  “You sound like Missy,” I quipped.

  “I need more time,” Orlando pleaded. “My men were about to kill me. I owe you my life for saving me. Please let me repay you.”

  “He’s likely lying,” Harrison grunted.

  I nodded, rifle still pointed at Orlando as I decided what to do. Right before I decided to kill him and be done with it, a notification window popped up.

  Advanced Leadership Tip: A good leader knows when to take a gamble.

  “That’s new,” I muttered.

  Harrison glanced over for a second. “What?”