The Genesis Code 1: Lambda (26 page)

Marcus continued to sweat. Frankly, he couldn’t believe how fast Babel found out about his digging. He had barely gotten into his car after his meeting with Margret before he was snatched. He had been apprehensive since the very moment he learned of the name Rachiel and most of the information surrounding Project Lambda. Something just didn’t sit right with him. His instincts were telling him then to dig no further, yet he persisted. Now, his ignorance and pride was on the brink of possibly costing him his life.

Dead Eye tittered. “You will be free to go, after I ascertain that you haven’t shared this information with anyone else. I’m afraid what you snooped into is an interest I must protect,” he sneered.

Marcus felt his sweat turn cold as he tried to hide his worry. He couldn’t allow him to find out that Margret knew everything he was able to find as well. However, the only way he was going to save face, was to ensure that Dead Eye thought he was the only person that knew what he learned. It was the only way to save Margret.

“Your silence isn’t very amusing anymore,” Dead Eye groaned.

Marcus remained dead silent. He wouldn’
t say a word. She was safe, as long as he kept his mouth shut.

Dead Eye approached Marcus slowly with his hands in his pockets now. His uniform rustled as he fidgeted his hands anxiously. The look on his face was now of intrigue.

“Shall we play a game, then?”

Marcus stared blankly, ignoring the creeping fear he felt.

Dead Eye pursed his lips. “So boring . . . anyway,” he said as he directed the attention to his hands by rustling them in his pockets once more. “What will you choose, left or right?”

Marcus remained stiff and mute.

Dead Eye sighed heavily. “Left it is!” He pulled his left hand up and revealed a small blue ball. Perplexed, Marcus gave way and spoke.

“I don’t want any.”

Dead Eye’s mouth formed a fiendish sneer. “Maybe not you, but how about your client, Margret Powers?”

Marcus’ heart skipped a beat.
How can he know?!

As if reading Marcus’ mind, Dead Eye leaned in close and hissed.

“A little shadow at my shoulder told me.”

*
      
*
      
*

[January 7th - Abingdon, Virginia - County Park - Night]

Zack felt so tired. It felt like he hadn’t slept in days. His mind was a torrent of scenarios and calculations that didn’t make sense to him anymore. His fatigue was literally making him feel sick.

I’m only human . . .

Zack’s gaze fell to Lambda. She sat next to him with her arms hugging her knees. She seemed to be staring deeply at the shimmering water, reflecting the dawning sun. He found her strong gaze matched with her feminine stance bewitching, but also beautiful.

He recalled the words they exchanged not too long ago and couldn’t help but smile.

Lambda’s eyes wandered and noticed Zack’s stare. A strange, hazy sensation came over her that made her body tingle. She quickly averted her eyes. She didn’t understand how her face felt so inflamed.

“Perhaps a power nap could focus my thoughts better,” he said, exasperated.

There was no use faking it. He was exhausted. His vision was starting to blur, and he felt lightheaded. In his current state, Zack was useless. He wasn’t going to save his sister the way he was now.

Zack turned to Lambda, but found no other words to say.

Lambda simply nodded in agreement to Zack’s idea, but kept her face mostly hidden in her knees. Unknown to Zack, Lambda had barely heard him. For her, ever since their conversation, it felt like she had unlocked something inside her and it was all she could think about. It was like a dam had burst within her and she was being overrun with so many different feelings. Her body was reacting more strongly now, causing her physical being to project and display all emotional inputs and outputs. It was almost like she was being upgraded. Although, at the same time it felt like she was being overloaded.

“Say, Zack . . . do I seem different to you?” Lambda asked rather precariously.

Zack noted her lack of speech in the third person. He didn’t realize it made him smile.

“Honestly,” he said casually as he fell back on the cool grass. “Compared to when I first met you, you’ve really thawed out.”

Lambda looked in Zack’s direction. Her face lost the flaming sensation from before and she seemed to have gathered the will to survey Zack’s calm face. She had never seen him so tranquil and content, which in its self alarmed her, given their current state. Everything leading up to this point had Zack on edge all the time. He hardly smiled at all. To see him just lie next to her felt so unreal.

“Zack, don’t you think this is unwise? There are many variables that we should con-”

“Fatigue is a mortal’s enemy, Lambda.”

Zack felt his words were too harsh and followed up quickly.

“Don’t worry. I just need to rest my eyes. After that, I should be raring to go,” he added briskly, but with a unsure grin.

Lambda listened intently to Zack’s words. He made a solid point, despite the given plight they faced. She was indeed a program, and as such, she didn’t have to worry about sleep and fatigue. She was designed to never need such things. She was the perfect AI program. It made her a little frustrated that she didn’t fully consider Zack’s position.

“Sorry, I guess I don’t fully understand the human body’s limitations,” Lambda muttered.

Zack rolled onto his side and faced Lambda. “You understand very well. Your ability to know and learn is unparalleled. Without knowing it, you are trying to deny your core programming and allow yourself to embrace these new changes you are experiencing. That part of you makes you more human than you think.”

Lambda’s eyes grew as she stared down at Zack. Her red eyes glowed with a sense of realization and happiness. She could feel it within her chest. A warm feeling; a nurturing feeling. There was something in how Zack’s words touched her, and how his expression looked. Instantly, she knew this feeling was different than the others thus far.

What is this? Could this possibly be the feeling of happiness? No, that isn’t right . . .

Happiness felt different. It was similar, but yet different all together. How could such an emotion exist? It puzzled her. She knew Zack’s words made her pleased, even happy. Why couldn’t she fully grasp it’s meaning?

“Zack . . .” Lambda held a hand to her chest. “Why do I know how to feel?”

A little taken aback by the question. Zack scratched his head as he searched for an answer. He was nearly asleep as he carried the conversation. Still, Lambda’s question rang true in his mind.

“You feel . . . because you were given the freedom to learn.”

Lambda found the answer confusing. “If so, why?”

Zack didn’t have an answer for her. The purpose of her creation was a mystery to him. All he knew was that Lambda reminded him of the AI he created.

It was at that point that an odd cord was struck inside Zack. He couldn’t control himself as he answered Lambda’s question without realizing it.

“Because you are Rachiel . . . “ Zack trailed off awkwardly.

Zack’s eyes burst open the second he came to realize he spoke out loud. He turned hesitantly to Lambda, unsure how to cover up what he said. What he saw made his heart skip a beat.

Lambda’s body looked to turn solid as her eyes burned stark mad. Zack’s bewildered look didn’t bother her at that moment. She only focused on how Zack called her this
Rachiel
. She had felt similar sensations within her when she heard the name in passing. The feelings were in the form of pricks in her chest, like needles. However, it was different this time. The more she thought about Rachiel and what it meant to Zack, the more her body burned. She couldn’t place it, but hearing this name irritated her.

Zack finally managed to get out a word. “L-Lambda?”

Lambda’s stormy stare suddenly softened, as if she just broke out of a trance. “Yes?”

Zack felt concerned, worry now covering his face.

“Is something wrong?” Lambda asked innocently, unaware of the expression she wore just seconds before.

Zack fumbled for words. “N-no, it’s nothing. I guess I really must be tired,” he managed with a weary laugh.

Lambda broke eye contact and stared at the ground.

“I see . . . then perhaps, could you answer one last question for me?”

As Lambda asked, Zack noted her clenched fists. They were shaking slightly, as if she was trying not to make it obvious. She even had a wavering tone that made Zack uneasy.

Is she . . .
Zack couldn’t complete his thought. He had no idea what darkness he had awoken deep within Lambda as he waited with baited breath to hear what she wanted to know.

Lambda peered down at him, her eyes glowing like rubies. “Zack . . . why do I remind you of this Rachiel?”

*
      
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[January 13th, 2022 - (Past) - Cyber Network - Common Zone 67 - Day]

Zack could hear an annoying hum in his ears that blocked out all sound. He could barely see as he tried to find his footing after being thrown back by the giant lightning bolt that devastated the terrain of the Common Zone server. Despite his shaky legs, he was able to at least get to his knees and prop himself up. With great effort, he tried to make out the shape at the center of the crater of destruction. With a few shakes of his head, he was able to regain most of his vision, only to gaze upon a new horror.

“C-Corson! What are you doing here?!” bellowed Overseer. She was shaking all over from a mixture of fear and anger.

Corson leered in their direction. He ignored their inquiry and began scanning his surroundings. Overseer didn’t take too well to the silent treatment.

“I said, what are you doing here, Cor-”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t care for useless questions,” Corson interrupted with a calm voice and ruthless glare.

Overseer was taken aback with the intimidating presence before her. “I thought Stigma and Babel signed a non-aggression act? You are not to interfere with our business. In return, you are allowed to-”

Corson silenced her with a dismissing wave of his hand. His eyes fell upon his target as Overseer stood in stunned fury.

“My business and your business are often the same.” He turned to face Overseer. His eyes were menacing. “Now, if you wish to see another sunrise, be a lovely couple of dogs and
leave
.”

All three of the armored assailants stood frozen as Corson’s words dug deep into their ears. His voice was so low and hostile in how he spoke that it vibrated in their craniums. He meant to kill. Neither of the them had ever seen such raw intimidation outside their master. It was horrifying.

Zack by this time had finally gotten his bearings and was able to clearly see what was in front of him. His hearing was still a bit muffled, but he was able to get most of what was said between the intimidating people before him. His whole body froze as Corson faced his direction.

Corson began to approach Zack. Each step sent chills down Zack’s body as the imposing man in black drew closer to him. He wanted to get out of the way, but like a deer staring down at its own demise, he could only stare back at the blazing eyes of the masked man.

Corson stopped just short of Zack and peered into him. “Do I frighten you, boy?”

Zack couldn’t muster a response.

Corson didn’t wait for Zack’s reply as his powerful eyes fell to the girl just beyond Zack. She still laid motionless on the ground. Without another word, he brushed by Zack and made his way to the girl.

As Corson knelt down before her limp body, Foresight’s ear began to explode with chatter and static. He quickly adjusted his volume as he tried to make out the words coming through his com.

“Th- . . . is- . . . Cor-. . . HQ-. . . Dea- . . . Eye- . . . Withdraw-”

Foresight didn’t need to hear anymore. With just a glance to his left, Clairvoyance nodded and vanished within a dark slit generated behind him. Foresight soon turned to Overseer.

“Our presence is no longer needed. We are instructed to withdraw.”

Overseer’s head whipped towards Foresight unnaturally. He didn’t need to see her face to know she was enraged.

“What?! I’m not leaving until I attain my target!”

“But Overseer, our master is-”

“I don’t care! This was my hunt, my mission! I refuse to allow this man to take my prize after all this!”

Overseer held her hand into the air. Several blue rings appeared and created a black funnel several feet into the air. From the funnel a large handgun dropped from the sky and landed in Overseer’s open palm. The weapon lit up crimson upon her grabbing the device and began to vibrate loudly. She aimed the device towards Corson.

“Step away from the girl, Corson! She is coming with me!”

Foresight shook his head in disapproval. His attention quickly fell upon Corson as he took to standing. He turned slowly to face them with his metallic claws clenched tightly.

“It appears you dogs need new obedience training. Allow me to teach you something then.”

      
Zack had never seen anything like it. Corson appeared to be simply standing, but looked to shudder to the point of almost blurring. In all but a second he was upon Overseer and Foresight, closing nearly thirty meters like it was nothing. The two victims could only stare horrified as Corson palmed their faces with his menacing claws. He only spoke one word.

“Weak.”

What came next could only be described as brutal. With the force of a nuclear warhead, Corson smashed the two into the ground. The massive shockwave rocketed across the area as the ground quaked where Corson made his devastating attack. The ground just seemed to shake for what seemed like an eternity as Corson allowed himself to be consumed by smoke and debris.

Zack stared in horror and envy. The display of power was extraordinary. The man before him was a force to be reckoned with. He had the power to move mountains. A power Zack wished he had as well.

The dust began to settle. Emerging from the crater, Corson strode toward Zack. His masked face conveyed nothing, but his posture and intense eyes were enough to make Zack nearly soil himself.