The Genesis Code 1: Lambda by Robert E. Parkin Page A

words of the computer’s voice before them stopped her.
    “Targets acquired matching search features,” spoke the computer flatly.
    “Laura,” Corson said flatly.
    “Yes?” she replied curiously. His gaze was strong.
    “Ready your squad. You will lead them in our next mission.”
    Laura paused. “The rookie as well?” She didn’t seem pleased.
    Corson nodded. “He is hotheaded, but useful. Bring him along.”
    “He is outright undermining,” she shot back strongly.
    Corson didn’t change his mind. “Bring him, that is an order. In the meantime, I will give the boy one last chance to make the right decision. Am I clear?”
    Laura was silent for a moment. “What if he decides to join instead?”
    Corson laughed demonically. “He is at best a smart kid, but a sheltered and spoiled one at that—an elitist just like the rest of society I’d wager. The likelihood of him joining us is lower than our chances of obtaining Lambda with brute force.”
    Laura shook her head. “I hope he is smarter than that. He doesn’t understand how foul society is from the inside.”
    Corson only shrugged. “In time he and everyone else will see that we fight for the people. The government labeled us terrorists for a reason. It is simply because we are a threat to them.”
    Laura smiled. “I look forward to the day where the people will rejoice at the sound of our name instead of responding with fear and disdain.”
    Corson reached around and held Laura at the waist. Her face quickly flushed by the gesture as he pulled her close. “As do I, Lady Laura.” He then pointed to the monitor before them. There were three photos projected on the screen from the computer’s background search. The one on the right end was highlighted and blinking. Laura looked closer and quickly realized who was in the photo.
    “Isn’t that . . .”
    Corson nodded. “So, how do you feel about pop stars?”
     
    *        *        *
     
    [January 6th - Abingdon, Virginia - Unknown location - Day]
    With all the grace of an angry bear, Zack was thrown out of the torrent of black chaos and came in contact, face first, with solid ground. After coming to a rolling stop, he managed to get to his knees before the pain really settled in. When Zack decided to actually take in his surroundings, he noticed where they were. The shimmering lake before him seemed so tranquil, almost tragic.
    “This is the county park. Of all the places, why here?”
    Zack barely finished his sentence when Lambda exited the wormhole and landed perfectly right before him. The black hole vanished seconds later.
    “The time is currently 12:21 PM. As today is a Monday, most people are in school or at work. Park traffic is minimal now. This was the best computed option within the limited range given by the Worm Drive.”
    Zack’s eye twitched at the sound of her words. He took to standing and tried to summarize everything that had transpired up to this point.
    “Anyway, you want to explain to me who those people were and why they’re after you? I hope you can at least answer that much given that I’m now a part of this.”
    Lambda stared blankly at Zack with her crimson eyes. “Lambda’s release override was activated during hibernation sleep within Zero Zone server 606. All systems have been reset. There is no documentation or log of any inputs made to Lambda’s main program and function to narrow or locate foreign party responsible. As such, Lambda’s release from Stasis Lock has not been given the proper clearance. AI prototype, Lambda, is not supposed to be operational.”
    Zack stared curiously. “Why were you created then? What is your purpose?” he inquired.
    Lambda stared blankly back at him. “You do not have the proper clearance to ask for that information.”
    Zack stared slightly miffed. Come again?
    “You’re kidding me right? At a time like this you are going to withhold information? Don’t you think it would be best if I knew why you are being