The Genesis Code 1: Lambda (3 page)

David shook his head with a condescending grin. “So you think the state of the world is fine with the split between those of the Cyber Network and those against it?”

Zack’s thoughts returned briefly to the news report he was watching before he left. He shook his head. He didn’t want to deal with this so early in the morning. David was very adamant about the issue that was becoming quite the talk as of the last few years. Ever since the creation of the Cyber Network, the virtual world, there had been friction in how it could affect life. It wasn’t that much different from the creation of the Internet in some ways. Granted, there were some
glaring
differences, which stirred up a lot of controversy. In the beginning, it appeared that the process and assimilation was going well for society, and it was coping well with the quantum leap in technology. Still, people forget and things change; but not always for the better.

“Do you know that the average employer requires people to have access to the Cyber Network in order to be hired?”

Apparently, David wasn’t letting it go.

Zack sighed. “Isn’t that fine? More and more businesses are moving onto the Network nowadays, so isn’t that to be expected?”

David became a little angered by Zack’s uninterested manner.”What of the people that can’t afford to own a Network Account, or the medical procedures associated with it? Because they can’t get a job due to all the employers making it required to have these accounts, how can they pay the cost? Are you saying that they deserve to suffer because the government basically has a monopoly?”

Zack groaned. Society had become divided due to the emergence of the Cyber Network. Those who did use it considered themselves elitists, while those who couldn’t gain access to it were considered lower class, unable to move with the times. The split in society was indeed a glaring issue that was a problem. Zack understood this, but even so, it didn’t affect him directly. He’d rather not be a part of the issue as to keep away from conflict. Causing conflict never seemed to yield favorable results, or at least that was how he felt from past experience. Still, that being said, Zack decided to just humor David with his little debate. It would make the walk to school seem less painful as his thoughts wouldn’t gravitate to the messages sent by his parents.

“Technology makes a quantum leap every few decades. It just so happens that this leap has made it more difficult for people to keep up with the advancement. I’m sure that-”

“Do you think that the government using armed forces to stop protests marks the march of a better tomorrow?” David was starting to get really into it now.

Zack rolled his eyes again. “Surely, it isn’t good, but it’s not like it hasn’t happened in the past. It also doesn’t help those who you claim are in need to resort to looting and violence instead of just getting an account so they can get a job. Instead, they band together and cause chaos. It is only natural that the government sends armed forces to stop them.”

David jumped in with a counterargument. “The means to get your first account is a ridiculous screening process that takes almost a month to complete. Not to mention the fact that they take your background into account and your past employment. Practically anyone without a job is almost always turned down. That also doesn’t include the preregistration fees and monthly bills that are required to own an account, and I’m not even going to touch on how much it costs to have the chips installed in the brain,” David enthusiastically added.

Zack tried to drown him out by thinking about something else, regretting his decision to humor his large friend. Too bad all he had to go on was the bitter resentment he had for his parents and the cold. He glanced over to David, noticing that he was still talking. With a shrug, he kept an open ear as they continued to walk.

“When you are jobless and have barely enough money to get food, who can afford getting a Network Account? Welfare and other programs that existed before the Network’s birth haven’t been updated to handle this new era. There is hardly any aid or systems in place to ease people that are having trouble keeping up with the changing society. On top of that, the ones that do supposedly exist are riddled with controversy, or are humored to be urban legends. That basis there is not right.”

Zack let out a sigh. Truthfully, he had no idea what it was like to be of the lower class. He wasn’t an elitist, but he had always had access to the Network. It was hard to argue his points when he really had no right given how he had no idea what it was like to live life any other way.

“Isn’t that why the Network government, Babel, was created? Our government and world leaders all joined together with Babel to ensure an easier integration, yes?” Zack was hardly paying attention at this point. He knew that David just felt like ranting at this point.

“Babel and the government like to paint a lovely picture of the world, but only cater to those who can afford to keep up with the changing times. The people who are pushed away soon become desperate. Babel needs to learn to help these people before it’s too late.”

Zack now felt like interjecting. “And that is where all these rebels come in? It is because of people like them that we have a curfew you know.”

David smiled. “Aw, the rebels. Society has become so divided now that small factions have started forming all around the world. Just today there was a riot that took place in New York, if I’m not mistaken.”

Zack nodded. “That’s right. I only caught the tail end of the report before I left. It would appear that the riots and outbreaks are occurring more and more.”

David’s face turned stern. “The actions of older rebel groups is the reason the number of riots continue to grow. They set the precedent, and people follow in their footsteps. As a result, people become corrupted, and the pure intentions of the others are ruined.”

Zack agreed. He didn’t like those who created conflict in such a manner. There had to be a better solution. He just couldn’t understand the people that acted like renegades. The news and the government labeled them as terrorists, and to be fair, they seemed like it. They would cause havoc and even death during their raids and attacks. It sickened Zack. What was worse was how they tried to justify their actions. The act alone made him gag.

“Those who kill innocent people in the name of any cause are murderers in my book,” Zack said strongly.

David played off the comment. “Perhaps, but these are the people who have been pushed into a corner. They feel they have nothing left to lose. Now, they think they should simply take what they can’t get.”

Zack shook his head. “That’s wrong. They taint the good will of those who don’t resort to violence.”

“So does that mean you agree with what I’m doing, and now will come with me?” David’
s grin was obnoxiously large.

      
Zack just threw his hands up in the air and admitted defeat. “You win, all right? Are you happy now?”

David smirked. “I always can count on you to humor me.”

Zack stared blankly back at David. “You’re lucky I listen to you at all.”

David only smirked as they both just continued to walk in silence.

Minutes later, Zack and David arrived at the large academy that was their high school. The building stood four stories, with an outside area on the roof that was accessible to students. The building itself took up a solid thirty thousand square feet and could easily be mistaken for a mansion of sort. The leafless trees around the building didn’t help its appearance, but during the summer, the lush green did give the school a certain shine. Now it looked more like a prison in the eyes of Zack.

“Keep your eye on the prize, man. We graduate in June. That has to account for something, right?”

Zack sighed. “I suppose. Wouldn’t hurt to have something interesting happen here for once, though. I’m starting to tire of living life like it’s a chore.”

“The most popular idol in the country coming to sing at our Winter Ball wasn’t good enough for you?”

“Did you forget that she happens to be my younger sister?” Zack’s expression was filled with a mix of emotion, composed mainly of irritation.

David’s expression quickly turned bleak. “Right . . . my bad.”

Zack shrugged. Both said no more as they crossed over toward the large building. Neither of them knew that today was the last normal day of their lives.

*
      
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[January 6th - Cyber Space (Zero Zone) - Day]

The chaotic darkness of cyberspace was a wave of pulsing energy. Lights streaked by with veracity as a powerful force raced through the Zero Zone. Its direction was uncertain, but its purpose was well defined.

“Seeking access point, Route 49, Block 27. Sector 73 blocked. Recalculating for optimal route.”

The voice was cold, mechanical, but fueled with purpose. The lights continued to dart and fly past the massive force racing through the chaos. Billions of Yoda bytes processed at the speed of light as the invisible entity continued to rush through the shadows of the neverending darkness.

“Access point found. Origin unknown. Unregistered. Stabilizing . . . preparing for upload.”

The lights began to slow and flicker. The speed of the force soon came to a halt. All was suddenly quiet once more. The lights within the chaos would only streak in jagged angles allowing the glowing circuits to shine, breaking the darkness momentarily. With each streak of light, something could be seen in the darkness. At first glance, it appeared to be just an abnormality, a void in the digital space. With a closer look, a humanoid figure could be seen. The black figure stood stationary within the silent chaos. Another streak lit the darkness and caught the glimpse of something swaying. It appeared to mimic a distortion in the Zero Zone, but with greater focus, it seemed like black silk, blowing silently within cyber space.

The figure reached into the darkness with its slender arms. Sparks then lit from its fingertips as the Zero Zone burst with light.

“Preparations complete. Link established. Upload commencing.”

*
      
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[January 6th - Washington D.C. - Cyber Research Plant - Day]

Dr. Richard stood dumbstruck at the giant screen before him. A mixed look of fear and astonishment was written all over his face. A dozen computer terminals were being occupied by several Tech Agents as they blazed over their keyboards. The transparent keys lit the people’s faces a fluorescent teal color as their fingers dashed with all the speed that was humanely possible.

The door behind Richard slid aside to produce a woman donning the same attire as he. Her long, strawberry blonde hair waved as she brushed it behind her back. Had she actually used makeup to cover the bags under her eyes, she would have looked to be in her twenties.

Richard’s expression eased a bit when his eyes met hers. “Not like you to be late. Did you just wake up?”

Richard’s joke fell on deaf ears as the woman brushed him aside. “I don’t have time for your idiotic prattle.” She turned her attention to the people before her as she stared at the giant screen. Her eyes fixed on the current blinking dot at the center of the monitor.

“Have we found Lambda yet?”

“We have,” responded one of the Tech Agents. “It appears that it has managed to find an unregistered device for an Exit Port. We need to go through several back doors to gain access to a portable device, and cut it off from the all potential servers. Its age isn’t helping our endeavor.”

Richard stepped forward. “Where and what is the Exit Port?”

“Washington County. Abingdon. The device seems to be an old smartphone, manufacturing date: 2011.”

Richard turned to the woman now staring at the screen with unwavering eyes. “What is our move, Karen?”

Karen didn’t take long to give a reply. Her tone felt alarmingly calm and collective. “Alert the Core HQ. Inform them that we have located the Corruption.”

“Understood,” came the resounding reply of all Tech Agents. Richard, on the other hand, was the only one not too keen on the decision.

“What are you thinking?! If you alert the Core HQ, they will surely assign the World Moderators, and we both know what that means. The Director would-”

“The Director already gave me clearance.”

Richard stood frozen.

“We must contain Lambda at all costs. That is our number one priority.” Karen didn’t break her gaze. She was like a statue, cold and unmoving.

Richard’s eye twitched. “And what happens when the God Mods materialize into the physical world to capture the Lambda unit? Those things are just mindless AI with ruthless killing intent towards anything labeled as a Corruption.”

Richard didn’t have much time to recover as what Karen said next rattled him far worse.

“Class ‘S’ God Mods shouldn’t have a problem sealing Lambda’s movements quickly. Class ‘S’ is normally only used for military operation in Cyber Warfare and stealth operations, but with this, the collateral damage should be minimal.” Karen’s voice was cold and calculating.

Richard took a step back. He was shaking. “The Last Class ‘S’ God Mod AI that was deployed took out an entire city Mainframe in under a minute, plunging the city into widespread chaos. You sent one of those monsters to retrieve the Lambda unit?”

Karen turned to her husband. Her eyes almost seemed hollow. “No. I sent five.”

*
      
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[January 6th - Abingdon, Virginia - Horizon Academy - School Rooftop - Day]

Zack laid spread eagle on the concrete floor of the school rooftop just staring at the sky. The lack of clouds always made him feel relaxed as he could just gaze into the open blue. There was just something majestic about the open sky that brought him peace. To him, it just felt like a giant canvas that he could do anything with.

This was his favorite pastime while in between classes. Such tranquility was soon completely ruined by the sudden blaring of music in Zack’s pocket. With aggravation plaguing his face, Zack reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. The phone seemed to be skipping all over his library of music and couldn’t decide what song to play without him touching it at all. It was the price he paid for having something with such an old manufacture date.