The Genesis Code 1: Lambda by Robert E. Parkin

pulsing wormhole.

 
     
    [3]
    Void Reaper
     
     
     
     
     
     
    [January 6th - Undisclosed Location - Day]
    Corson smashed his fist through one of the white walls located in his living quarters. The glaring obstruction defiled the perfectly kept area. To Corson, it mattered little.
    “That kid is going to pay for making a fool out of me.” He didn’t even feel the pain coming from his bruised fist.
    Laura was not fazed by Corson’s anger. “There wasn’t much we could do with Lambda acting as the boy’s shield.”
    Corson straightened. “Perhaps, but that still doesn’t make me feel any better. Thanks to this blunder, we now have to rethink our strategy in order to advance.” Corson then gestured to the wall and held his hand out. The living quarters then began to buckle and bend as the room took on a new shape. The area quickly was transformed into a weapon room coated in dark metal. Computer monitors littered each wall and where the tempting white sofas once sat lay tables of weapons of all sorts. The calm tranquil setting that once occupied the room quickly died and was filled with unmatched bloodlust.
    “Computer, access the school registry for Horizon Academy.” Corson commanded.
    A robotic voice sounded over them. “Authority recognized. Now beginning search through student directory.”
    Both Corson and Laura stood silently as the computer raced through the register of all the enrolled students at the private academy. Corson didn’t even blink as he waited motionlessly.
    “Scan complete. Image one hundred percent match. Zackary Allan Knight. Senior. Age eighteen. Male.”
           Corson spoke. “Computer, run a background check on Zachary Allan Knight and all known associates.” Corson’s mannerisms seemed to have a heated drive.
    “Acknowledged,” came the flat voice of the computer before Corson. “Running Background scan.”
    “Prioritize family members and their background. I want to know everything about this boy and what he has been up to.” It angered him that some nobody had interfered with his plans. Corson wasn’t one to believe much in fate, but he most definitely didn’ t believe in coincidences.
    Laura spoke up. “What of Lambda?”
    Corson turned to her with a looming gaze. “The Lambda AI unit is our top priority, but the best way to get our hands on it now is to go through this Zack boy. It may be wise to try and bring him to our side. Though slim, he might understand our cause if he is shown the truth.”
    “Yes, but I was referring to the holes in our own information regarding Lambda. It was originally supposed to obey us. More importantly, it far exceeded our estimates on its combat strength. I think we may have gone into this a little too aggressively. There are already signs of foul play at work here.” Laura was firm in her words.
    Corson stared at her with an unwavering look. He found it frustrating, but he knew that Laura was right. Something did smell foul.
    His eyes narrowed. “Perhaps it would be in our best interest to find out what happened before the hacking that allowed for Lambda’s release. Lambda had to be tampered with and likely the one who tampered with it was our contact within Babel. The question is why?” Corson crossed his arms as he pondered.
    Regardless of their Babel contact, Corson found Lambda’s behavior most unsettling. It appeared as if it was making choices on its own. If that was indeed the case, then the things had been taken to a whole new level. It still didn’t change what needed to be done. He needed Lambda; that much he knew.
    “What needs to be done above all else is to keep our timeline in proper condition. That being said, we must get Zack Knight on our side, whether he likes it or not.” He brushed his coat asides, his gaze intense.
    “Also, instruct Nerine to try and dig up anything on our mystery contact in Babel. Anything will help at this point.”
    Laura nodded. She moved to contact Nerine, but the soulless