10 Minute Tales

Mar 10

The landing was delayed once again. Sentinel opened communication; the name alone was enough to put them on edge.

"I apologise for the delay for your landing." his monotone voice offered. Even Error took a step back, wary. "I have been instructed to grant you lowest priority."

"Of course." Queenson huffed. "Got a landing spot outside the biodome?"

"No viable landing sights have been identified outside of the dome. Please wait in the queue; you shall be processed as soon as I am able."

"Sure. Error, kill the feed."

"Acknowledged." Error nodded. Sentinel's voice cut to silence mid-protest.

"Outside the dome." Queenson repeated. "Anywhere flat enough to land the ship, preferably near an airlock."

"Scanning." Error's eyes dimmed a little as she started her scan.

"Okay, so we land in the middle of nowhere, then what?" Alyssa asked.

"I arm up. You three hide, stay safe until I bring the president in."

"How are you going to get arms if you can't even enter the security station?"

"Whoa, hold on, you're not planning on doing this alone, are you?"

"It's me the president wants. You two hide, he'll let you off the hook."

"No! I'm sorry, sir, but I can't...!"

"You can and you will. You're still recovering, aren't you? From that gene therapy?" Alyssa started to object, but fell silent quickly.

"I... yeah, but... you can't just..."

"I'm not asking." Queenson stared at her. "You will hide, and when it's safe you will recover. That is an order."

"Can-can-can I be of assistance, inspector?"

"Not if you can't defend yourself. Avo, you got anything to help with that?"

"Well, uh..." Avo considered. "I could maybe throw something together? It wouldn't be major, but..."

"Perhaps I can be of assistance." A new voice commented. Alyssa and Avo turned to look at the door, startled, but Queenson recognised it immediately. Abe. "While such an advanced intelligence is beyond my typical experience, I am certain I can aid her to-"

"No. Nu-uh, no way, not happening." Avo suddenly objected. "Who the hell are you?!"

"I am Abraham Yanni. You might have heard of me." Avo's angry face quickly paled, going silent.

"You... you're Abe...?"

"Ah, you have heard of me." Abe smiled.

"... don't do it to Error." Queenson decided. Abe's smile faded. "Error, how close are we to landing?"

"I have identified five viable landing sites based on previously-determined parameters."

"Pick whichever's closest. We'll need to upgrade Aurora."

"A weaponized artificial intelligence?" Abe grinned smugly. "My, my, and here I thought that was highly illegal."

"I'll pay the cost either way." Queenson frowned. "Better to protect everybody else, right?"

"A noble sacrifice, then." Abe nodded. "Very well, I can see you are determined enough. After this, however, I shall require one favour, to be re-"

"Yeah, yeah, to be repaid at an unknown date, I've heard this before." Queenson rolled his eyes before locking them with Abe's. "We have a deal?"

"Yes, we have a deal."

"This is insane!" Alyssa objected, grabbing his arm. "You're talking disgrace, you're talking prison, probably Sinis...!"

"I know. Like I said, I'm gonna do what must be done."

"I can't let you! I'm sure there's-"

"Enough!" Queenson yelled, silencing them all. "... when I signed on, I promised to protect the people of this dome, no matter what. Never thought it'd go this far, no, but here we are. Now are you gonna let me do my job, or do I have to bring you in for obstruction of justice?"

"Wha-? Obstruction of..." Alyssa murmured, disbelieving.

"Alyssa... you're the best I have on this force, and the only one I'll trust. Don't let me down, I'll do my damnedest not to let you down." Alyssa fell silent. Queenson's determination wasn't going to be swayed today, and by tomorrow it may already be too late. "Abe, what's the plan?"

"We shall retreat to a stronghold I have. The upgrade I plan should take little more than a day or two."

"Remember, every day, another death."

"I am aware, but unless you want this Aurora flawed, it will take that long."

"Alright, alright." Queenson huffed. The shuttle shuddered as Error landed it, disconnecting from the console. "Remember, Avo, Alyssa, you two hide. Wait until it's safe."

"How will we know?" Avo asked, still shaking slightly.

"I'll come tell you."