I Am Automaton 2: Kafka Rising Read online

  What if the application of this technology was broader in its intent? The purpose of the infantry drones was to clear an objective. She took this assumption to its furthest conclusion: what if the objective was more than just a cave or a terrorist bunker? What if it was entire nations and eventually continents?

  A chill went down Fiona’s spine, and she began to wonder if using the technology to begin with was a mistake. She was haunted by what she saw on that screen and, for some strange reason, she felt that it was looking back at her.

  This was, of course, ridiculous. The monitor was a one-way output apparatus, but its image on screen left an indelible mark on her that was terrifying.

  She wasn’t sure how she was going to convey this in her report to Betancourt, and she wasn’t sure he would even care. He would be more interested in studying the connection, which at the moment, kept Carl alive. She just wondered at what cost in the long run.

  Chapter 4

  Security Council Chamber

  United Nations Conference Building

  09:09 HRS

  “Colonel Betancourt, I understand that you are now overseeing the Infantry Drone Program under the oversight of General Ramses.”

  “That is correct, Inspector General.”

  “Then perhaps you can elaborate on the nature of these drones, and how they are not a violation of the Geneva Code regarding the use of Biological or Chemical Weapons.”

  Betancourt looked at Ramses, who nodded, and then began to address the assembly of fifteen nations. “Well, the infantry drones do not fall under the category of biological weapons, as they are not biological.”

  Asad Javaherian, the representative from Iran, was glancing over a report through reading glasses. “In your report, it appears that these drones were created using the Tutsi-Hutu Virus.”

  “That is correct,” Betancourt stated.

  “Viruses are, by definition, biological, yes?” Javaherian prodded.

  “That is correct. But the end product, after the virus has died from a lack of live tissue, is an undead drone.”

  “Undead? Define undead, Colonel,” said Secretary General Ellis.

  “Undead, as in not alive, yet not dead.”

  “Secretary General,” blurted Javaherian with an obvious tone of irritation, “this is exactly the type of semantic gymnastics we have come to expect from the United States.”

  There were murmurs of agreement from Hsin Shen and Gregor Vasiliev of China and Russia respectively.

  “The drones are not alive. They do not exhibit consciousness or cognitive ability as living humans would. There are no vitals…no pulse, respiration,” Betancourt continued.

  “Yet, they move and they eat,” challenged Vasiliev. “If they are not alive, then why do they need to eat?”

  “The drones have a condition known as Kluver Bucy Syndrome,” General Ramses interjected. “It is a condition that makes them hyper oral and hyper aggressive.”

  “Yes, this Kluver Bucy Syndrome…how can dead men be afflicted with a syndrome?” Javaherian asked.

  “Once again, Mr. Javaherian, they are not dead. They are undead,” stated Betancourt.

  “And what is the nature of this undead state, if you please?” asked Secretary General Ellis.

  Ramses took this one. “It is a reanimation of a body and it’s tissues as the by-product of exposure to the THV virus. Reanimation is defined as autonomous movement of muscle tissue.”

  “And could this state indeed be called life?” Shen asked.

  “Once again, not without vitals,” Ramses responded.

  “What about the transmission of the virus through bites? Isn’t that a delivery mechanism for the virus?” Vasiliev asked, switching to a new line of attack.

  “The THV virus expires at reanimation, Mr. Vasiliev,” Betancourt answered. “The THV virus that is transmitted is not active, much like an influenza vaccine.”

  “But exposure to this inactive form of the virus can result in the death and reanimation of the bitten,” Vasiliev continued.

  “That is correct,” said Betancourt.

  “So then, this does indeed fall under the category of biological weapons, Secretary General,” said Javaherian with exaggerated outrage. “Once you get past all of these semantic distractions, we are left with a biological agent delivered through undead means. The delivery itself is irrelevant. What matters is that the agent is biological in nature.”

  “But that is not how the drones are used, Secretary General. Their primary purpose is not to deliver the agent to convert targets into additional drones. The purpose is to neutralize them,” explained Betancourt.

  “But if some of your targets are converted through exposure to the inactive form of THV, that would be advantageous to you, yes?” said Vasiliev.

  “Actually, it wouldn’t,” said Betancourt. “These drones are controlled through amygdala implants. Any targets turned in the field would not be subject to these kinds of controls and would therefore be a liability, as they were in Xcaret, Mexico. We lost an entire platoon that way. But, there are frequent hiccups when new technology is first implemented.”

  “Yes, according to your report, the botched operation in Xcaret, Mexico was quite the hiccup,” commented Ellis.

  “The only casualties in that operation were army, Secretary General,” said Betancourt. “No civilians were harmed.”

  Ellis was glancing at the report. “There was one survivor. The one the press calls the Man from Tora Bora.”

  “Yes, sir,” answered Betancourt.

  “It says in your report that he can coordinate the drones through what is assumed to be a telepathic mechanism.”

  “The precise mechanism is yet unknown, sir. We believe it to be the byproduct of an inoperable brain tumor,” explained Betancourt.

  “If he can control the drones due to a brain tumor, then the weapon is biological,” interjected Javaherian eagerly.

  “First, there is no conclusive evidence that the tumor is the cause of the link,” argued Ramses. “Second, telepathy is psychological, not biological.”

  “We are now splitting hairs,” said Vasiliev.

  “This is a great deal of power in the hands of one man that isn’t even understood,” said Ellis frowning. “What safety measures do you have in place?”

  “We are working on measures, Secretary General,” said Ramses. “But with all due respect, that is an internal matter. I thought we were here to discuss the infantry drones.”

  “I would like to discuss the targets of these drones and how these targets are neutralized.” said Vasiliev. “They are eaten alive, yes? Not very humane.”

  “They are absolutely humane, Mr. Vasiliev, because they can infiltrate inaccessible terrain and spare countless American lives in the process,” retorted Samuel Bixby, the American representative. “In war, soldiers are shot, stabbed, blown up…is that humane?”

  “What I am more interested in,” interrupted the Secretary General, “is how these drones are used. Some would say that your activities in Afghanistan and Pakistan are unsanctioned acts of aggression.”

  “It was a response to the OIL attacks on U.S. soil, as well as their involvement with the drug-running activities of the Navajas cartel in Mexico,” explained Bixby.

  “Pakistan has no problem with the United States’ activities within our borders or their enforcement of our boundaries with Afghanistan,” said Imran Mahmood of Pakistan.

  “Nor does Mexico have a problem with their activities in conjunction with our government,” added Roberto Achai of Mexico.

  “Wasn’t it the American involvement in your cartel problems that resulted in your military running security for the cartels rather than stamping them out?” said Agathe Marchal of France reproachfully.

  “And isn’t it your country’s financial involvement in the Middle East the reason why we have an OIL presence in Europe, Madame Marchal?” answered Achai.

  Secretary General Ellis banged his gavel before Marchal could respon
d, “Enough. I want order.” The room settled down. “The question is whether or not these drones constitute a biological weapon, and if they were then used in an act of unwarranted aggression.”

  “Well I think that these drones are an abomination and demonstrate just how low the United States will sink to rattle its saber,” blared Javaherian. “Dead or undead, these monsters are the results of obvious experimentation, much like the Nazi doctors of World War II.”

  “As indicated in the report,” Ramses declared, “the donor bodies were obtained from death row inmates—”

  “And some from political prisoners in your Guantanamo Bay facility,” Javaherian added.

  “Who are convicted terrorists and enemies of the State, as processed by our justice system and none of your affair,” Ramses added. “Their bodies used after-the-fact to fight the very organizations that they represented in life that murder around the globe. Secretary General, our judicial system is not under investigation here—”

  “Frankly, I am concerned that this technology is only in the hands of one power,” Vasiliev said. “What about the rest of us?”

  “Some of the nations at this table have nuclear capability,” said Bixby, “I don’t see any of you relinquishing it to those who do not.”

  “But in this case, the United States is the only one who has this technology,” Vasiliev replied. “And might I remind you that, like in the case of these drones, the United States is the only nation ever to have used the atom bomb, and without consequence may I add.”

  “We rebuilt Japan,” said Bixby, “and as a result, it is a major economic power.”

  “Was,” taunted Marchal from France.

  “So, are you saying that these undead drones will be a tool for nation building?” asked Vasiliev. “And how does the United States decide who gets to be rebuilt?”

  “As far as I know, we haven’t tried to rebuild Afghanistan, Pakistan, or Mexico—all locations where the drones have been applied,” answered Betancourt. “All locations where we were tracking the Order for International Liberation. The drones are designed to go where our men cannot, to pursue OIL. They save American lives.”

  “And what about your nation’s tendency to destabilize dictatorships it finds unpalatable?” asked Javaherian. “Who is next?”

  “Our objective is not to topple regimes,” said Ramses. “It is to hunt down and kill terrorists. If you are not involved in terrorism, then you have nothing to hide, Mr. Javaherian.”

  “Secretary General Ellis,” said Javaherian throwing his hands up in indignation, “will you allow the United States to make veiled threats at this meeting against fellow Security Council members?”

  “I didn’t hear a threat,” stated Ramses. He turned to Betancourt, “Did you hear a threat?”

  “No, sir. I heard a promise…to wipe out OIL.”

  “I would like to hear more about the origin of this THV virus,” said Ellis.

  “With all due respect, we are not at liberty to discuss that, Secretary General.”

  “It will be difficult to determine the nature of this virus and its effects if we cannot know where it comes from,” said Ellis.

  “I am afraid that I cannot discuss that matter further,” insisted General Ramses. “All I can say is that the drones are not biological. They are reanimated necrotic.”

  “I guess the question is whether or not there is a ghost in the machine,” said Ellis. “These drones may not have vitals or show consciousness in the traditional sense, but they move with purpose. They are not random.”

  “Now you’re getting into metaphysics, Secretary General,” pointed out Ramses, “which is not the focus of this group. These drones are merely tools. Equipment, if you will.”

  “I have heard enough,” announced Secretary General Ellis. “We will deliberate on whether or not this undead state falls within the parameters of either biological or chemical weaponry. I am afraid that there are no precedents on this matter. General Ramses, Colonel Betancourt, I thank you for your testimony and now excuse you from the proceedings while we deliberate on these matters.”

  Ramses and Betancourt stepped out of the crucible and into the hallway and entered a separate room. There was a small table with a pitcher of water, glasses, and six chairs. Neither man sat.

  “It was a mistake to let Iran into the Security Council,” said Betancourt with exasperation, thankful to be out of the pressure cooker. “They are often the instigators of trouble, and they have no place on the council.”

  “Their inclusion was good PR for the council, so it didn’t look biased.”

  Betancourt sucked his teeth at this.

  “Hey, they’re better than North Korea or Afghanistan,” Ramses added. “Besides, we have our allies in that room.

  “But we also have plenty of detractors in there, Colonel. France is in bed financially with OIL, and Russia is noncommittal which makes them a threat. And wait until they all find out that Carl Birdsall was reinstated.”

  Betancourt raised his right forefinger to his temple thoughtfully. “He was court marshaled for his lapse in judgment, and consequently demoted. His involvement in neutralizing some traitors within the Program…within our military was a hell of a mitigating factor. And there’s another, sir, discovered by our intelligence officer, which suggests that Sergeant Birdsall was not operating under his own volition. But he now has an AI chip in his head that we can activate at any time and from any distance via satellite. If he were to get out of hand, he could be taken out with the push of a button.”

  “Good. We need to take precautions, especially now.”

  “Besides,” Betancourt added, “this program just altered the war on terror. No other nation in that room is equipped to handle the Order for International Liberation. As always, we alone bear the responsibility of cleaning up their mess.”

  Ramses chortled, “While it’s true the UN hasn’t been much of a help in the past, they usually stay out of our way.”

  “I hope you’re right, sir.”

  “Besides, this technology is just the beginning. There is also the related technology regarding intelligence gathering. It has applications for the field as well as a home. Imagine every home, every office being fitted with the therapeutic ambiance program. Under the Second Patriot Act, it’s all legal and would provide unprecedented surveillance.”

  “And what about our intelligence officer’s concerns?” Betancourt broached.

  “What, about the original author of the technology?”

  Betancourt nodded.

  “There is no evidence that there is something else out there using the technology to watch us,” said Ramses. “And until there is, the development of this technology will continue. With all of its applications, we’d be foolish not to. As far as we know, no one else has anything even close to it. It’s a gift.”

  “But sir, there’s that saying about looking a gift horse in the mouth. There’s that image that she saw during her assessment.”

  Ramses waved his hand dismissively, “A random image, the equivalent of a brain fart, an artifact of some perverse fantasy of his.”

  “I hope you’re right, sir.”

  “Please, Colonel, don’t tell me you’re spooked, too.”

  “No, sir. Of course not.”

  About two hours later, there was a knock at the door. Betancourt answered it. It was Bixby.

  “They’ve come to a decision.”

  Betancourt looked at Ramses, who nodded in response. They both followed Bixby back into chambers.

  After they took their seats, Secretary General Ellis spoke. “We, as a council, have come to a decision after much deliberation.”

  Betancourt looked around the table. Vasiliev looked sullen and Javaherian looked livid. This was heartening.

  “We have concluded,” Ellis continued, “that the Infantry Drone Program does not violate the biological weapons clause of the Geneva Code and, regarding the activities of the program in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the United Stat
es acted appropriately in response to attacks on its soil by the Order for International Liberation.”

  However, Betancourt noticed that Bixby didn’t look satisfied either.

  “In addition,” Ellis continued, “it is the concern of the council that the infantry drones have the potential of being used aggressively in a manner unsanctioned by this council and its members. Therefore, it is the strong recommendation of this council that the United States use the drones strictly for matters of defense only, or face sanctions imposed by members of this council.”

  Betancourt and Ramses looked at each other. Defense? What was that supposed to mean, that the United States was to maintain a standing militia of zombies to defend against invasion from Canada?

  “The objections,” Ellis continued, “of the representatives of Iran, China, and Russia are duly noted and will be recorded in the minutes. This investigation regarding the American infantry drone program is closed, and this meeting is adjourned.

  For weeks after, there were shockwaves in the international press. England, Canada, Australia, Italy, and Japan reported the story in a favorable light. North Korea, Al Jazeera, and the French and Russian media condemned the program as American imperialism at its worst, calling it an atrocity against human rights. They blasted the UN Security Council’s decision not to call for its termination and accused the UN of being a puppet of the United States.

  The House of Representatives Oversight Committee was compelled to launch an investigation into the ID Program. However, as it was directed by Arnold Wilkins, a conservative from Iowa, it was pro forma. No wrongdoing was found, and no funds were redirected.

  The American mainstream media was a bit more critical, calling the program expensive and unmanageable. There were calls from the Left for the criminal prosecution of now Sergeant Carl Birdsall. The talk radio circuit deemed the program a prime example of American exceptionalism and hailed Carl as a hero and true patriot. The nation was yet again polarized, with some positing the truth to be somewhere in between.