"Assignment 2398" by Travis L

Assignment 2398

Date: 14 April 48 (Post Machina)

Time: 23:47
Location: Memphis, TN, Continental American Regime

            The earpiece implanted by the biotechnician rang loud and clear. His voice sounded desensitized, like always. “Miss Cassandra, please remember there is a 96% chance that you will be injured if not dead – do be careful.”

            “Anton, you underestimate your abilities,” my enhanced voice reverberated atop the buildings of Memphis. I walked across the reinforced bars of the crane in which I had positioned myself, with every step giving a soft clank. The three lithium-ion rings on my right hand glowed faintly, charging the surrounding air. They held pressurized wire with a silver tip, packed with enough voltage to paralyze and cripple a large Western lowland gorilla. “I will do things my own way,” I said with a disarming smile.  “After all, I was created only by the best.”

Dr. Anton was repeatedly concerned every mission. The valued possessions that allowed him to get so far in life could be destroyed every test run. Worst of all, the inner workings that powered each movement, would be deciphered and modified.

My face had locked up from the repulsive thought. The night was cold and my heating systems had gone into high gear. The Internal Monologue Mechanism for Engineered Robotic Species (IMMERSe) created by the doctor provided me with the task. “Collect the cores hidden inside the bodies of the Lifeless. Approximately two hours until arrival, Cassandra.” Arriving early was an important social etiquette.

Making use of time, I began to sharpen the blades that were once lower legs. They were made of manganese steel alloy with synthetic diamond to power each cut. The weight of the edges were sustained with high tension springs and twisted carbon fiber, providing extra strength and durability. There was no need for muscles if machinery can do the work for you. I remained standing on the crane – sitting would consume energy.

Date: 15 April 48 P.M. – Tax Day

Time: 01:57

            My enthusiasm for this assignment was already gone. “Approximately three minutes until arrival, Cassandra.” The heating system functioned well, with a smooth axe kick showing no signs of locking up. I tied my hair up and engaged myself from STANDBY to PURSUIT. Elegance is important, but function must come first. Customized shielding kept the hair behind the ears, for the likely chance that the hair tie would come undone.

            On cue, a trail of black sedans sped past the crane. “They are heading approximately towards the direction of The Pyramid of Mercatorum, Cassandra.” The Pyramid of Traders was commonplace for business with the Dependencies of New America. It’s heavily regulated – but nothing stopped brokers from paying through bribes and the favor of an unexpected death ray.

            The streets were empty for the upcoming event in the southeast part of town, perfect for the black market. It was Tax Day, when everyone celebrated the advancements of the world Post Machina, following the creation of cutting-edge artificial intelligence. The Lifeless creators of A.I. suffered unimaginable deaths, foolishly believing higher intelligence would follow treaties and laws established on . Anton is one of the few Lifeless in hiding, sending cyborgs such as me to fulfill necessary duties. Reproduction was prevented by surgical removal of gametes in the XX. In the XY, the reproductive organs were cut.

            I headed towards the direction of the Pyramid on rooftops, with pistons powering every leap. Lunging 50ft at a time allowed me to outpace the cars, which moved like rooks on a chessboard. There were five vehicles, four of which held an accompanying Lifeless and mercenary. The vehicle in the center drove the Imperator with four Cores, removed from the Lifeless. He was undoubtedly on the way to meet the Tax Collector. Those Cores were poached from the European Bastion, the alliance of Lifeless in the Dependencies of New America. They had to be retrieved for Anton’s projects.

            Dropping from the last building, the blade surged through the asphalt, forming a large crack. I could feel the strain on the leading left leg, which suffered the impact of 200,000 Joules, as much as a moving vehicle, but training with the rest of Anton’s creations prepared me for such a fall. I headed inside and made my way to the stairs. The Pyramid had many levels, perfect for vertical free running.

Time: 02:09

Location: The Pyramid, Memphis, TN

            “Approximately 500 meters until arrival, Cassandra.”

            …

            “Approximately 300 meters until arrival, Cassandra.”

…

            “Approximately 100 meters until arrival, Cassandra.”

            ...

            How IMMERSive. From the stairwell, I could hear three pairs of footsteps climbing into the elevator which made their way upwards. Two mercenaries were put on guard; one with a third mechanical arm which held death rays and another with a large steel fist with knuckles that substituted as death rays.

I jumped into the entrance hall and threw a hook kick and punch, energized by the rings which shot waves of electricity down the steel blade into the nape of the walking tripod, short circuiting and beheading. The juggernaut turned and threw a fierce looking punch at the still charged leg, easily ending its warranty.

Anton’s voice rang through the earpiece again, “Cassandra! Abort the mission, now!” There was fear in his command, and I was about to find out why. A heavy force pushed down on my chest, making it hard to breathe. It became hazy and dim – I was on the ground, unable to lift my legs. Gravity was being distorted and broke the communication device. The pistons could hardly maintain the pressure and the springs had been broken. A dented head belonging to the Imperator rolled from the elevator. The connections were stripped and held an orange glow … a forceful ignition.

 The Collector stood before the entrance. “His parts served his purpose, and so will yours.”