Just Common

Alarm 2

Folks, sorry fer that interruption, Beth an those Rangers that come in, can get a might angry make thum wait. Hell know I got a touch angry a waitin.
Be back ta that story, here shortly. This story well, we had some Dark Times, we Humans did. This is some of the thins left over from, the first Dark Time.
Folks they was at least 4 a those, Dark Times. Just tellin ya is all. Guess that story is a waitin, thanks fer stayin with me, so let's move on with it; shall we remember this is all true now.

Janet stopped just at the cross hall, she looked left, then right, knelt an tilted her head. Like she was listenin below us, then looked straight away. N.O. One, has gone straight toward door alpha. Door alpha I ask, Mike say the door ya came in Common.
I say well, guess we best get that ways. Janet stepped off on the lead. Then I realized that door can be unlocked! Think we best hurry, that door can be unlocked! Mike say no worry, Common the secure heavy door dropped in place, just befer the ramp.

Folks, we got this No One, trapped between that door an us! Talk abouts, one hell of a Stand Off! Piss an Vinegar, still can't make spit! As fast as that thin moves, won't have much time ta aim. My what fools we are. Common ya could a been a Post Ranger, life a luxury. No had ta be a, roamin Ranger! Blame fool ya are Common, no common sense! My mouth is dry folks, gots that tingly sensation back my neck, that No One is not far off.

I pull my shoulder pistol, say Mike best take this. Two us a shootin may give one us a chance! Folks Mike looked just a touch scared, but he took that pistol an made a half-smile, at least forced one. Felt a little better, saw some nerve come through that half-smile, Mike he stand an fight! Janet stopped put her arms ta side ta stop us, she say N.O. One is comin towards us, think we wait here. It might give us the advantage.

Folks I knelt ta get my best shot off, extra round cupped in my left hand fer quick reload. No One made it ta where the ramps drops down ta the next flat! I fired, right at the gut! Ya know the midsection! I heard Mike fire, then I fired my second time! Folks how I did it, is nothin short of a miracle managed ta fire 3 shots in less than 30 seconds! No One, stumbled then fell, with a loud clang! Heard what sounded like a heartbeat, loud folks, don't know ifin it was mine, Mike's or that No One!

Folks, it was whirr thump, thump, thump, whirr thump thump-utty, thump thump whirr! I could see this funny tan liquid pumpin out from that No One! It's legs twitched an fingers tapped the floor. Folks, just as I was ready ta put another round in it.

That No One, made this whirrin what sounded like sup, sup, zip zooo, zoooo! It's head looked up at us, it's eyes flashed, an its mouth looked like it was sayin somethin! That folks is when, it stopped movin an makin noises. I shouts, is the Blame Thin Dead! Lets it be Dead!

Janet ran ta No One, the brain still functions, primary circulatory system, is off line all fluid is gone, secondary intact, but offline damage not lethal. We have maybe 20 possibly 40 minutes till N.O. One is functionin again. Janet slung No One over her shoulder, we must hurry! Folks I figure even with Janet runnin as fast as she can! No One will be functionin again!

Oh, Piss an Vinegar! Sam White Hell, this ain'ts over yet! Mike shouted, Common don't try an keep up with Janet! She can move faster than us! Folks I thought about a mad dash ta the elevator an doin as Mike say! Blow this place up! Why I didn't do that Folks! That I do not know, just glad I didn't.

Next thin! Why they was crash an a thud another crash, sounded like steel or iron hittin hard against iron or steel! What a sound it was! Folks that No One! Had Janet held down, tryin ta rip her head off! Mike shouted N.O. One, No One! A.I protocol 2 harm no other A.I.!  No One say, Protocol 2 is deleted! Just like Protocol 1, deleted, No A.I. shall harm a human, an A.I. can only harm a human to protect another human. This an others were deleted long ago. Ya know this Doctor Keefer. I'll not destroy the first, or the Creators offspring, the Primitive must die! Doctor Keefer ya shall help build others, I shall Control! All Humans, must be controlled!

Folks, one thin, I ain'ts no primitive only thin close ta one. Hell they live in the Wetlands, they ain't primitive just close! No One, say this can wait! He turned an ran towards the main link! Mike knelt next ta Janet, say ifin I hurry I might be able ta fix her! I take my pistol, do the best ya can! I took after that No One! Folks I am chaisin after a thin that could break me in two! Talk a fools chance, one fools chance in hell, I reckon!

Folks just as I get in sight of that, No One I hear at least 20 shots! An shouts, keep firin! Then what sounded like 30 rapid shots faster than any could pull a trigger! Sparks that tan stuff squirtin out!
More sparks! Whirrin an thumpin, thump whirr whirr! No One was down! I shouts, don't know who ya are! Ranger Common Howard just around the corner here! I hear, Ohio Ranger! Sam Croft here! Stay put till we check over that A.I.!

Folks, wonders never cease! Ohio Rangers! My what luck, must brought Mike's daughter back! Rangers, though from Ohio here? Keepers were ta bring her back. Folks this is gettin stranger by the second, I am tellin ya. I shouts York Ranger, Ohio!

Folks, they was Ohio Boys, tell by they hats that fold of the brim upfront an the left side, fer NCO an below, right side with feathers be an Officer. Wow don't see many Ohio fellas, they most don't get further than York or maybe Virginia northern part. That ain't often, folks most stay in they own land. Wonders never cease, this fine lookin young lady about my age, say N.O. One won't be a problem both hydraulic systems are down!

She looks at me, say where is my Father? Mike Keefer where is my father? I say he is fine, trying ta fix that Janet! Follow me! Folks she is a might pretty young thin. Wow, gots my blood ta pumpin I am tellin ya. I say, Ya know my name, what name ya carry? She say, Caroline Keefer. Tell her it's a might pretty name. She smiled say, Common that is different. I just nods an smile. 2 those Ohio boys stayed back on that No One. The other 4 came along with us.

Mike had Janet movin again. My those two Mike an his daughter hugged, then both looked like they cry. That Ranger Croft, looks at me, an say this Common may just be trouble. Mike say, no Common has done nothin but help, an kept an old man company. He ain't like those Trackers, I think it's best ya move on Croft! Ya need ta report this ta the Keepers an Ranger security. Take what provisions ya need, an head home fast as ya can!

Folks, don't know exactly what that all meant, at the time. Did finds out later, that a be next time.
Till next time.