The Golden Circuit (The Smith Chronicles) (18 page)

09:03 - Monday, July 30, 2187 (TAPCON Towers, Muhaze, Tapi-36)

“So, Miss Smith. Here we are. A glorious view, is it not?”

Mikita and David Sempre were in his office at the top of TAPCON Towers. Sempre was gesticulating at Muhaze and generally showing off in front of his new protégé.

“Yes, Mr. Sempre, a trul
y majestic sight,” said Mikita. She could not believe she was standing there, exchanging idle chit-chat with the TAPCON boss - but, her decision was made. She’d see this through to the end, whatever the outcome.

One of Sempre’s many faults was that he denied that he could ever be wrong. Mikita was still an unknown to him, but there was none of this ‘should I trust her, should I not?’ business. She’d been a Primo for many years and, now that they had seen her ability with the Golden Circuit, he simply had to have her working for him. There were no two ways about it. He demanded it, in blindness to any consequences.
And there will be no consequences!
he insisted to himself.

“The commissioning process is complete. You will be pleased to know that
there will be no more painful tests. Not now that you have agreed to work for me. Unless, that is, you decide to change your mind at any point in the future, then we will have to review things,” he said, stroking his fat chin. “Now, this episode with our Mr. Jones. A most unfortunate incident, that. But I’m willing to overlook certain things in return for your cooperation and service; for your dedication to my conglomerate. You see, I need to discuss something with you of great importance. Something you did when you were in Room 77. Mr. Quince and Miss Mitchell have informed me that during the sound test you seemed to undergo some kind of… how should I put it… ‘transition’? They told me that you appeared to tap into the Golden Circuit. Is this true? Do you possess the skills to access the Golden Circuit, Miss Smith? Are you a ‘conductor’?”

He looked at her with a wild, penetrating gaze. What was she going to say?
Sempre knew! She couldn’t cover it up.

“Yes, sir. But I don’t know how to control it, Mr. Sempre,” said Mikita, trying in vain to put him off.

“Yes. And you have been visited by the Guardians, as well, I gather?”

Mikita looked stunned. A bead of sweat broke out on her upper lip.
How did he know that?

“The footage from Lojikaal Parc, you see, and the rather ‘interesting’ artillery you were carrying?” he said, as if he'd just read her mind.

“Yes, Mr. Sempre, I see.”

“So, how many of them were there… two?”

“Two, sir. Yes.”

Sempre paused for thought. He looked at Mikita and dreamed of conquered lands and vanquished planets throughout the entire Michael 6 Quadrant. After several seconds, he shook himself free of his delusions and said: “As far as I know, we have never had a Golden Circuit conductor on Tapi-36. You are the first one I have ever come across. Not many people
even know of this ‘talent’, Miss Smith, never mind actually believe in it. To most of us it is but a fairytale, a myth. But Miss Quince and Mr. Mitchell have always propounded its existence, despite my own natural suspicions. And now, here you are, about to enlist with TAPCON. Indeed, it is remarkable… You are aware, Miss Smith, that this is a lifetime agreement?”

“Yes, I am fully aware of that, sir. I have decided TAPCON is where my future lies,”
fibbed Mikita. “I was a Primo, and now I want to prove myself worthy of that great honour, Mr. Sempre.”

“Good. That
is
good! Well then, you will need to sign here.” Sempre produced a document from behind his back and let her use his favourite pen.

Mikita, didn't think twice. She signed the contract - and joined Janeee in hoping for a miracle.

“Excellent, Miss Smith. Now, to business,” he said, putting the document into a folder on his desk. “Normally, you would have a period of training given over to your induction. But you seem to be capable enough around firearms and I have a pressing problem that only you can solve for me. I want you to go to Kloq-888. I want you to meet with Jon-7 and make sure that he knows that he is a necessary part of my plans. That he remains valuable to TAPCON and that I still his support his… efforts.”

He said this last as if he was getting a tooth extracted. But Sempre knew he'd gone too far during their video-link and he was having to backtrack.

“I want you to butter him up for me, as it were. Make him feel good about himself. Dissuade him from attacking Muhaze full bore. Can you do this, Miss Smith?”

“Of course, Mr. Se
mpre, but I thought the Froome carried out their attacks on their own? Independently from TAPCON. How can I stop them from carrying out their raids?”

“Miss Smith. You must realise
that the Froome and TAPCON, we have a certain ‘arrangement’. Do you understand me?”

“Oh, I see,” said Mikita. Of course she did, she'd always suspected it.

“Good. And he appears to have an interest in you... personally. So, I’m sure that you will not have much trouble with him.”

‘
Personally?’
thought Mikita.
How could Jon-7 be interested in me?

“You leave on the Argon in a little under three hours. I would send you separately, on a different starship, but times are hard. Anyway, good luck, Miss Smith. I will be watching your progress very closely. When you arrive back I want to know more about this ‘Golden Circuit’, yes?

“Yes, sir. Of course, Mr. Sempre.”

At that moment two TTF agents came in. Two women not much older than Mikita. They escorted her out of the building and into a waiting TAPCON vehicle that drove her out to the airbase.

It had been many years since she was last
at the airfield - many lonely years. But she put those memories aside as they dressed her, fixed her hair and refreshed her bandage.

She was briefed with her job description re: Jon-7, and also on the background of the Argon mission in general - the crew disobeying orders, finding the NIT. And how the Codes would be attacked during the hand over of Zanthu and Spoolu.

Mikita was horrified.

She was not told about Plan B. It wasn’t necessary. She would be on Kloq-888 by then.

Had she done the right thing?

On meeting Sempre, she'd thought that he was even more of a lunatic than she'd initially figured, and very unpredictable with it. She wished she could contact Janeee and tell her everything. Janeee would be able to tell her what to do.

She needed to keep her act up, not let her guard down for a moment, and hold on tight. This was going to be a very bumpy ride.

11:48 - Monday, July 30, 2187 (Starship Argon, Muhaze Airbase, Tapi-36)

In place of Flying Officer Cox, Sempre had sent
two androids, Shannon and Soupy.

Shannon was a beautiful (on the outside), flame-haired droid, while Soupy was tall and dark-haired, with eyes that showed no recognisable feeling: cold, blank and machine-like - they seemed
to follow you around the room. Both robots had been specially developed for missions such as this.

In comparison to real humans, their personalities were not what you would consider
‘pleasant’. Their lack of a soul, or any distant attachment to a mammalian spinal cortex, rendered them… well,
alien
to homo sapiens. Built by humans, yet without the most important part of a human - the spirit: intangible, immeasurable and unduplicable.

The androids had made it clear to the crew that they were there to ensure the smooth running of the handover between the Codes and the Argon
. And also to make sure that everyone on the Argon obeyed Sempre’s orders and carried out their duties appropriately.

But, really, they were there to see to it that the Codes got blasted to smithereens.

As a result of the andys presence, emotions were running high on board. All of the crew’s family members were being closely watched by TTF surveillance teams. One false move, from any member of the crew, and Sempre would kill them all. The Argonauts had no room for manoeuvre.

Spoolu was still in Medical. She was now stable, but there was no significant improvement to her condition. Zanthu was pleased to get back to her side in the Med Lab. He was in complete innocence of what was about to befall himself and his people. He knew nothing of Sempre’s plans, the NITs, or that the crew were now, in effect, his enemies.

TAPCON Agent Mikita Smith walked slowly up the passenger steps at the side of the Starship Argon. She was dressed in full uniform and carrying a black briefcase containing regulation issue equipment. She felt safe that Jameson and the others did not know anything about the recent events that had unfolded in her life, they’d not actually been in Muhaze when everything had
began. They’d also been held in secure rooms, without screens, for the past 12 hours.

She wonder
ed how the crew would react to her. They would certainly see her as a potential threat, and, though she longed to tell them she was on their side, Mikita could not jeopardise what she'd already gained by blowing her cover and risking the lives of the crew and their loved ones. She also knew the androids would chew her up and spit her out should she decide to defect.

Mikita arrived at the entry hatch of the starship
. There to meet her was Lead-Out.

“Hello, ma’am. You must be Agent Smith?” she said.

“Yes, I am Agent Smith, yes,” said Mikita, trying to hide her disbelief at her new title.

“Well
, it’s good to have you onboard, ma’am. I’m Lead-Out… Corporal Lead-Out, ma’am.”

“Hello, Corporal. And thank you for meeting me.”

“A pleasure, ma’am. We have orders to take you to Kloq-888, to meet with Jon-7, is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s correct, we’re drawing up a peace agreement.”

“Oh, I see.”

Mikita tested the water. “
It would seem that Jon-7 is up to his old tricks again... Have you caught any of the coverage on The Zip? About the Froome’s threats, I mean?”

“We’ve not seen The Zip for the past few days
, ma’am. We’ve been under house arrest.”

“Oh, yes, so have… I mean, that’s probably a good thing, judging by wh
at they’ve been saying about the situation.”

Lead-Out grimaced. “Well, welcome aboard, anyway. Though I should warn you, TAPCON have put so much firepower on here that if you lit a match we’d all go up like New Year’s Eve in a fireworks store.
But come and meet Captain Jameson and the crew. You’ll only be with us a short while, but you may as well get to know everyone.”

Mikita nodded “Thank you, Corporal,” she said,
as she took a final deep breath - and entered the Argon.

The Crew’s response to her was just as Mikita had expected, ranging from the merely polite to the profoundly disinterested. However, when she got to Zanthu, the reaction was very different.

“Hello, Miss Smith. It is very nice to meet you,”
he said, bowing slightly.

Mikita gave away her thoughts immediately, as she blushed a bright crimson. Zanthu noticed this and smiled at her.

Oh, drain me, he knows. He knows I like him.

This was no time for Mikita to get distracted, to let her emotions govern her actions.

“Um, and you, too… Zanthu,” she said, and blushed even more. “It’s a pleasure,” she managed.
Oh, boy, one winner after another.

The crew were watching the two of them while they
stood staring at each other. Ω winked at Gadget and made a kissing motion with his lips. Gadget nodded his head with a smirk.

“The pleasure
… is all mine,” said Zanthu.

Mikita had to look away, she was so embarrassed by the exchange.

“Good,” said Jameson, breaking the awkwardness that was hanging around the room. “Well, Miss Smith, it’s good to have you onboard, even if it is only briefly.”

Mikita hadn’t seen his expression, but Jameson was looking at
her like he’d seen a spectre. He fought his feelings down, and said: “We leave in just under an hour, so I’d be grateful if everyone could make their final checks, particularly the munitions. I realise that this mission is not one that we want to carry out. But, dammit, David Sempre has us in a stranglehold, that’s for sure.”

Shannon the android looked sideways at Soupy and frowned. His eyes replied, flickering
a look that said:
‘Don’t worry, I’m ready to shut down any signs of rebellion’
.

Jameson could feel their antagonism, but ignored it. They were on his ship now.

“Captain Jameson,” said Shannon. “Please do not present your personal opinion so bluntly to the crew. It would not go down well in our report to Mr. Sempre, now would it, sir?”

He relented. “Yeah, OK, Shannon. I hear you. Now, if any of you need to talk about anything, my door is always open. I will do my best to help. Let’s just get on and
get it over with as best we can and think about the consequences later. Any questions?”

The crew were silent. They were dealing with their own predicament in their own way, each in their own private hell.

“OK. We leave in half an hour. Miss Smith, can I have a word, please”

“Yes, Captain Jameson, of course.”

The crew left to prepare their stations as Mikita walked across the bridge to the Captain. Something about this gentleman was familiar. She'd felt that before, when he was on The Zip, but in the flesh, the recognition was stronger. Like there was a more personal link.

Jameson found himself staring at her.
Could it be…?
He shook himself out of it and said: “Miss Smith, I would ask you to be very aware of the crew and their predicament. This is a dangerous mission, for all of us. You may or may not be aware of the situation, but I would ask you to remain neutral in respect to your station.”
It could be her…

“Yes, of course, sir. I will, thank you.”

“And good luck with your own mission, when it arrives.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Miss Smith?”

Mikita turned around. It was Zanthu.

Oh
, fire!
“Yes. Yes, Zanthu?”

Jameson excused himself.

“Miss Smith, I would like to show you Spoolu, my muidog. Would you care to accompany me to Medical?”

Mikita
found, to her surprise, that she couldn’t say no to Zanthu - looking like he did, so unusual, so exotically attractive. “Yes, I would love see Spoolu. Of course, yes. Yes, please.” Mikita cringed at her stumbling reply.
What a dolt you are, Mikita!

Zanthu held out his hand, which she accepted
, hesitantly, and together they walked to Sub-Section 1 and the Med Lab. Zanthu led the way - and the conversation.

“Soon I will be with my people again. I am so excited to see them. I should never have remained on Baal-500 without their permission. It was a mistake that I will pay dearly for upon my return. But
our Linked ones, they were in such distress.”

“Yes, it is a terrible thing that has happened on Baal-500, Zanthu. I’m so sorry for you and your animals.”

“Thank you, Miss Smith.”

“I had a pet once. When I was little. My dog, Marta. She got hit by an overland shuttle right outside our house. By the time we found her, it was too late. We couldn’t save her.”

“I can imagine your pain, Miss Smith. This is something that we share.” There was an awkward silence as neither knew what to say next. Luckily they were arriving at the lab.

“There she is. There is my Spoolu,” said Zanthu, pointing to
the Med Lab table system. “Dr. Gössner is doing her best for her. She is a very good woman. She is very clever.”

Mikita had never seen a muidog in the flesh. The long neck and coarse reddish-brown hair of the dog made it look
odd. Its tail was long and bushy, like an Earth-based horse, and it had large floppy ears and big paws - but there was something inherently appealing about the breed. Its parts on their own didn't make much sense, but, when looked at as a whole, it was quite a beautiful creature.

Mikita
realised Zanthu was looking at her. She could feel the heat of his gaze on her face and her heart started to pound. She took a sidelong glance at him. He was smiling. She smiled back.
Oh, Mikita, you are in trouble, now. Big trouble.

Dr. Gössner had come over to greet them. “Spoolu has shown some signs of improvement over the past few hours
, Zanthu. I thought you should know that. Things are looking a bit more positive.”

“It must be because Miss Smith has arrived on the Argon, Doctor. She has brought a healing spirit with her. I can see it. I can feel it.” Then quietly: “My brother, Leylaan, has this skill too, Dr. Gössner.”

“Oh. That’s good,” said Tina. “Every little bit will help, Zanthu.” Tina smiled at Mikita.

Mikita looked shocked, real
ising what Zanthu had just said!
He can see it? The Golden Circuit? Oh, drain me! Can that be true?

“Yes, every little bit will help, you are quite right, Doctor.” Zanthu turned back to Mikita. “Please. Touch Spoolu, Miss Smith.”

“No, I… No, I’d better not. She’s not very well. I mean, what about germs? No, I couldn’t possibly put Spoolu at risk.”

“Please
? For me?” said Zanthu, touching her shoulder.

How could she refuse him, when he said ‘for me’ like that? In that voice.

Mikita stretched out her arm, ready to lay a hand on Spoolu’s belly. She hoped nothing would happen; that the Golden Circuit would stay away this time. How she wanted to heal Spoolu, for Zanthu’s sake. But she dare not try anything. The Circuit was so dangerous, anything could happen. She could end up doing more harm than good, perhaps even killing the muidog.

“Agent Smith!”

Mikita started suddenly and quickly took her hand away from Spoolu’s body.

Hellius was standing in the lab doorway, filling it with his bulk. “Agent Smith. Mr. Sempre is requesting you on a link. You may take the call in the Meeting Room, ma’am,” said the
large, crew-cut Sergeant.

“You’d better go,” said Tina. “David Sempre doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

“Yes, I’d better,” said Mikita, relieved. “Sorry Zanthu. Maybe we can do this later?”

“Yes, Miss Smith. Later. I will look forward to it,” he
replied, looking deep into Mikita’s eyes.

Mikita left with Hellius for the Meeting Room. She was glad to get out of there. The feelings she had for Zanthu and the complete and utter embarrassment of the situation were too much for her. She made a promise to herself that
, despite her feelings for Zanthu, she would try and steer clear of him while she was onboard.

Arriving at the Meeting Room, Mikita found the two androids waiting for her.

“Ah, Agent Smith. You are here - at last,” said Soupy, condescendingly. “Shannon, please engage the link to TAPCON Towers.”

Shannon typed something into her hand-held and the Meeting Room screen came up on the face of Ulysses Flugg. Mikita noticed what a nervous little man he was - his furtive eyes darting about.

“Good afternoon, Shannon, Soupy, Agent Smith - I am putting you through to Mr. Sempre.” He pressed a button somewhere off screen and the link dissolved into Sempre’s office, their faces cross-fading on the
viewer. For a second, they melded into one, making them look like a single, bad-tempered, fidgeting marmot.