DJ's Mission (2 page)

Chapter 1

In a remote region of space within the Milky Way
Galaxy there is a red dwarf star known as Wolf 359. Technically there is
nothing really unique about that star system, no habitable planets, no
spectacular gas giants and only minimal mining resources but as they say in
real estate, location…location…location.

Being the closest star to Sol, at only 7.8 light
years, it became known as the crossroads of intergalactic travel during the
Terran Civil War. The Coalition originally just anchored several large supply
ships in the area and a floating stardock. Eventually since so much traffic
flowed through the area, they built Starbase Sigma using the theory known as
the O’Neill colony. The starbase was over five kilometers in length with two
counter-rotating cylinders which would provide artificial gravity via
centrifugal force. It wasn’t completed until the height of the war and became a
highly contested commodity that actually switched hands several times.

With the Truce of 2202, Starbase Sigma was
abandoned. And neither side had plans to renovate it due to its dilapidated
condition and the amount of space debris in the immediate area. However within
two years, a Terran entrepreneur had totally rebuilt and renovated it and
became known as Haven. Now after eight years, Haven had become the busiest
starport in the Milky Way with over a quarter million permanent residents. And
since it was unaffiliated with any government, it drew outcasts from every
society and race. It truly was a haven for those without a planet.

As the civilian transport docked in Haven, the
small robot rolled off the gangplank and looked around. Immediately it began
the automatic process of interfacing with the space station’s central computer
and correlating all relevant data to its mission. The boxy android was
completely out of its comfort zone but had a mission to complete. Its mistress
had directed it to find someone and not to return until its mission was
complete. Its positronic brain wasn’t the largest or fastest in the universe
but it reasoned that without a forwarding address, the only way to find its
target was to visit its last known location and communicate with the resident
A.I.

A.I. or Artificial Intelligence has always been a
worry to some humans. There were abundant stories of computers and androids
going berserk and attacking civilians. But as a matter of public record, it has
never happened…at least not on its own accord. Whenever an incident occurred
over the last century, it had been found that someone had intentionally
reprogrammed or overridden all safety controls.

The
‘Three Laws’
of robotics were
originally introduced by the science fiction writer Isaac Asimov in 1942. Even
though they were set down just as part of a story, early designers of robots
and androids found that they were indeed wonderful guidelines for artificial
intelligence. The
Three Laws
are: 1) A robot may not injure a human
being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 2) A robot
must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders
would conflict with the First Law. 3) A robot must protect its own existence as
long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.

On the surface the
‘Three Laws’
are
relatively simple but as one really contemplates the elegance of them they
discover that they grant a perfect circle of protection. However, only the
earliest designs for service ‘bots and androids followed the ironclad
principles set down by the
‘Three Laws,’
more advanced androids had certain
morality codes written into their software.

UR-L8, the errant android’s designation,
considered all this and more as it slowly rolled through the busy starport. It
weaved through the mass of humanity that rushed to and from the busy spaceport.
It was currently number twelve in a queue to communicate with Haven’s A.I…
designation Datum.

Finally it heard a slight chime in its internal
sensors followed by a soft, female voice. “How may I be of assistance today?”

UR-L8 realized that it must be programmed to use
only vocal communications with non-station androids. Steering itself out of the
thoroughfare, the small android continued to scan faces and compare those that
passed by with its internal data. “This unit is looking for someone.”

“That is very vague. I cannot assist in your
endeavor without proper information,” responded Datum.

UR-L8 shunted the images stored in its memory
banks to Haven’s A.I. “My mistress has tasked this unit with locating this
individual and transmitting a message of upmost importance. Can you assist this
unit?

Datum was not the most advanced A.I. in the Terran
sector nor was she the oldest either. Originally built and installed by the
Coalition forces when Haven was known as Starbase Sigma to the Coalition and
‘Checkpoint Charlie’ to the Confederacy, she had served both masters during the
war. Of course, she had also been blown up and repaired dozens of times during
those years. In the intervening decade since the truce was signed and the space
station sold to a private investor, Haven had become the busiest privately
owned stardock in the Terran sector. To keep up with the times, the central
computer had been updated and modified an untold number of times. However,
since she was intergraded into every system of the space station, she had also
developed certain quirks in her personality, one of them being a slight
independent streak. Datum considered the request from the wayward android and
weighed it against its prime directives. Seeing nothing against aiding the
small android in its parameters, she accessed her own version of facial
recognition and quickly located the target.

“The subject of your search is on level twenty-two
of the Market section in a deli.” Datum shunted a map of the station to the
wayward android with the target’s location marked.

UR-L8 whistled its excitement. “Many thanks for
your assistance.”

“It is a pleasure to serve,” replied Datum before
shifting her attention to her next queue.

UR-L8 moved back into the traffic flow of
pedestrians but now it had a destination. The small three wheeled android
weaved through the mass of bodies with a purpose. It would be able to complete
its mission…finally.

Chapter 2

Retired Staff Sergeant Scott DeJarnette sat in a
booth of the small deli and stared at his pitiful lunch. It was actually a very
appetizing looking salad but then, he hated salads. To him, this was rabbit
food. He wanted meat, potatoes, bread, pasta…real sustenance, not this healthy
stuff.

Cathy, the curvaceous brunette who owned and ran
the Cat Box Deli, smiled at him when she noticed that he hadn’t touched his
lunch. “DJ, is something wrong?”

Picking up his fork, DJ took a deep breath before
taking a bite. “I hate salads.”

Not having any customers to wait on at the moment,
Cathy slid into the opposite side of the booth and leaned forward slightly
showing off her god given wares. “Then why did you order it? You know I have
some wonderful sandwiches.”

DJ nodded. He did know that. Which was the primary
reason he came to this diner, the other reasons weren’t so simple. The Cat Box
was a regular deli. No androids. No automation. Nothing fancy, just a simple,
plain deli. Cathy made everything by hand right in front of her customers. The
menu consisted of soups, sandwiches, salads, burgers and fries…good old traditional
‘American’ fare. This was the only restaurant in all of Haven that specialized
in this type of food. It reminded him of home and the times he spent with his
family before the war.

Realizing that Cathy was genuinely concerned with
his dislike for her food, he leaned back and slapped his plump belly. “Recent
events have convinced me that I need to lose a bit of weight.”

Cathy flashed him a mischievous grin. “Don’t lose
too much. I think you look like a big cuddly teddy bear.”

Before DJ could follow up on her innuendo, a small
boxy android came rolling into the deli. There was nothing unusual about
androids running errands for their owners but this one unconsciously dredged up
some old memories of his life before the war.

DJ studied the rolling black and yellow android.
It wasn’t much bigger than your average trash can. Its body was black with
yellow outlines highlighting certain areas and all hard edges. Two stout legs
were attached to its side while its third wheel was on its base giving it
surprising mobility and stability from the classic tripod design. Its head was
actually oval and could swivel a full circle to bring its camera and sensors to
bear on anyone and anything nearby.

DJ couldn’t help but think that it looked like the
babysitter ‘bot that he’d bought with his ex-wife the year his daughter was
born but that was long ago and far away. He shook his head to clear away the
painful memories and turned his attention back to Cathy who was still smiling
at him. He’d been striving to put the past behind him, the war, his time in
prison and even his failed marriage. Besides his ex-wife’s lawyers had made it
very clear that he wasn’t welcome in Kaitlyn’s life. If he wanted to stay on
probation and out of the military prison which awaited him, he could only
contact his daughter on her birthday. It wasn’t right or just, but Megan had
remarried a Titan Avionics executive and he had the credits and influences to
make it happen.

DJ was about to restart his conversation when the
boxy android rolled up to his table.

“Pardon the intrusion sir but would you happen to
be retired Staff Sergeant Scott DeJarnette?”

DJ cocked his head to the side. “Aye…that’d be
me.”

The black and yellow ‘bot rocked back and forth
with excitement. “Thank the Engineer you have been located. This unit has a
message of upmost urgency for you.”

DJ looked at Cathy and back to the android before
asking, “Do I know you?”

The android rolled backwards a bit. “My apologies
sir. This unit’s designation is UR-L8. I am the guardian of…”

“Kaitlyn DeJarnette!”

UR-L8’s oval head moved back and forth. “Negative
sir, Kaitlyn Thomas. In the years in which you have been absent, this unit’s
mistress was legally adopted by the current male counterpart of her genetic
parental unit.”

At that statement, DJ unconsciously clenched his
fists and ended up bending his metal fork into an ugly looking semi-circle.
Realizing what he’d done, he dropped the ruined eating utensil and flashed
Cathy a brief smile. “Sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Cathy gently laid a hand
on his. “I’ll leave you two alone. I’m here if you need me.” Flashing him a
brief smile, she returned to her duties but continued to cast wary glances
their way.

DJ nodded but didn’t reply as he turned his
attention back to UR-L8. “What are you doing here? Is Kaitlyn with you?”

“Looking for you.” The android’s head shook back
and forth. “Negative.”

“Huh?”

“I was answering your queries sir, in the order
you asked them. It would be easier if you let this unit deliver its message.”

DJ was anxious but realized that UR-L8 was
correct. Whatever message it had for him might hold answers to his questions.
As UR-L8 shifted its position and focused its holo-emitter on the table, a
small holographic image of his daughter came into being. The image was only
about six inches tall but it was in full color and very detailed. The first
thing he noticed was how grown up she was becoming. Quickly doing the math in
his head, he realized that she was twelve and on the cusp of becoming a woman.
The second thing he noticed was the dark purple and black bruises which covered
the right side of her face.

“What the fu…” DJ stopped mid-word since Kaitlyn
started talking.

“Hiya Dad. I’m not sure when you are going to
see this but I need your help.”

Shifting her head ever so slightly, the bruising
came clearly into focus.

“I know when you see this you’ll be angry but
I’m alright. It’s just a bruise. I’ll heal. Mom is worse. I know you don’t want
to hear that but Roger beats her all the time.”

She pointed at her face.
“I got this because I
tried to stop him.”

Kaitlyn paused and chewed her lip for a moment
before continuing.
“He wasn’t always like this. Something happened to Roger
over the last eight months but sometime around the assassination attempt on the
President, Roger’s temper just got worse and worse. Soon after he started
drinking more and more and that’s when the beatings on Mom started. Yesterday
was the only time he’s ever hit me. Of course, I kicked him in the balls just
like you taught me. Personally I don’t think he liked it too much, especially
since it was in front of some of his flunkies. When they tried to grab me, I
broke one of their noses. You would’ve been so proud of me. As punishment, he’s
grounded me to the housing complex and completely cut off my access to the
Core-Net.”

Kaitlyn paused once again and looked around her
room.
“I’ve made my mind up. I don’t want to stay here any longer. I know
what the courts have said and I know what Mom wants but I can’t stay here. So,
I need you to come get me. I’m sending UR-L8 to find you and deliver this
message. It’s the only way I can think of contacting you. I know you won’t let
me down, you never have before. Be careful Dad… I love you.”

With her last words, the hologram ended and UR-L8
moved backwards a few meters.

That’s when DJ noticed the slight pain in his
hands. Looking down, he noted that during the short message he had gripped the
edges of the aluminum table with his hands and squeezed. Unfortunately, the
table was now bent in an upwards fashion on both sides.

Standing up quickly, DJ tossed Cathy a cred-stix
and mumbled, “Sorry about the table.”