Veiled Designs: Age of Expansion - A Kurtherian Gambit Series (Uprise Saga Book 3) Read online

  Ava’s heart skipped a beat. “Did you say an AI, sir? Not an EI?” Luke had already suggested that option to her after she returned from Nezar, but she hadn’t yet given it proper consideration.

  “I did. We found a recently evolved AI who seems like she’d be a perfect fit for your present situation.”

  Sharing my head with someone else… Ava took a slow breath. “Do I have time to think about it?” she asked.

  “We’ll need to know before we depart for Gidyon,” Widmore replied. “You can have an hour.”

  “And if I don’t want to move forward with the procedure?” Ava questioned.

  “Then we’d have a discussion,” Kurtz stated.

  They either convince me, or reevaluate my role on the mission. Ava took a slow breath. “Yes, sir, I’ll let you know.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  As soon as she was dismissed, Ava sent Luke a message to meet at her quarters.

  They’d had little alone time since she returned from Nezar, so the notion of heading out to Gidyon so soon didn’t thrill her. However, she wouldn’t rest easy until she was certain the alien threat had been neutralized. In the meantime, she could use a sounding board for the decision about getting an AI.

  Luke was waiting outside her door when she arrived. “Hey,” he greeted.

  “Hey. You made it here fast.”

  “I was already on my way back from the lab.” He looked her over. “You’re going to Gidyon, aren’t you?”

  She nodded. “Order just came down.”

  He sighed. “All right.”

  Ava opened the door and stepped inside. “I feel like I just got back.”

  “Because you pretty much did.”

  “True.” She grabbed her travel bag from its storage cubby and tossed it on the bed. “I swear, things normally aren’t like this.”

  “The part about evil aliens threatening to destroy the galaxy, or you traveling a lot?”

  Ava thought about it. “Okay, so maybe both of those things happen more often than I realized. I guess I’m just not used to leaving someone when I go on a mission.”

  Luke sat down on the edge of the bed to watch her pack. “We have plenty of time to figure things out. I had no expectations when I took this job. You have a career and a life here independent of me.”

  “How are you so damn nice and understanding?”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Is that a bad thing?”

  “No.” She grabbed a pile of underwear from a drawer and dropped it in her bag. “Just, it’s like you’re not even human.”

  “Well, I am half Torcellan,” he pointed out with a hint of sarcasm.

  “Even they aren’t that levelheaded all the time.”

  “Okay, fine, you want to know my secret?”

  Ava paused her packing. “Please, enlighten me.”

  Luke propped his hands behind him on the bed. “When everything went down on Coraxa, my entire life was turned upside down. You came back into the picture, I realized that what I thought was my dream job was in fact a corporation controlled by evil aliens, and I discovered my sister had been intending to assassinate a president. Oh, and I strangled a vampire… and then watched while you smashed her head.”

  “Yeah, that was a thing.”

  “Needless to say, it was a pretty rough few days,” Luke continued. “As I was processing all of it afterward, I realized that I didn’t completely lose my shit. Freaking out at any number of times during those events would have been tantamount to death, so I stuck it out. And, I made it out okay. That got me thinking, maybe it wasn’t productive to get upset about a lot of the little things that happen on a day-to-day basis.”

  Ava cast him a sidelong glance. “Are you suggesting that you decided to not let anything get to you when you came here?”

  “Not exactly,” he clarified, sitting upright. “More like, I decided from now on, every time I feel myself getting worried or angry, I ask myself if having a gut reaction will help the situation. Sometimes, that adrenaline rush is just what’s needed—like when I was down on Coraxa getting the equipment out of the lab, and we were attacked. But getting upset when you have to go off and do your job? That doesn’t help either of us. I’d rather enjoy the time we do get to spend together.”

  “I can totally tell that this is scientist-you applying logic to real life, but you’re right.”

  “I feel like I should get a recording of those last two words being spoken in that order.”

  Ava rolled her eyes. “I admit when I’m wrong.”

  “You do.” Luke beckoned her, and she sat down next to him on the bed. He took her hands in his. “But in this case, it’s not a matter of correctness. I just don’t see the point in spending energy getting upset about circumstances that won’t change no matter what I do.”

  “I could use some more of that attitude myself. There’s been a lot to come to terms with.”

  Luke caught her gaze. “And we can help each other with that.”

  She squeezed his hand and leaned her head on his shoulder. “I’m really happy to have your freaky Zen-ness.”

  “Always.” He kissed her forehead.

  Ava pulled away. “There’s something else. Before we go to Gidyon, they want me to get an AI.”

  Luke’s eyes widened. “An AI? That’s quite a step.”

  “Yeah.” She frowned. “I know you’d suggested an EI already, and there are definitely merits to a pairing. It’s just a little different when it’s a formal request.”

  “They’re not forcing you, are they?”

  “No, they’d never violate autonomy like that. It’s more of a ‘highly encourage’ kind of scenario. But, if I don’t want to, I could see my position on my team being reevaluated.”

  He searched her eyes. “How do you feel about it?”

  She shrugged. “I’ve spent a lot of time being in other people’s heads. It’s strange to think of someone being in mine.”

  “Don’t do anything that makes you uncomfortable.”

  “That’s not my hesitation. The tech is totally standard.”

  “Then, what?” Luke asked with concern in his voice.

  Ava searched for the right words. “What if the AI discovers that the nanocytes have done something else to me that other tests haven’t shown?”

  “Blissful ignorance doesn’t solve problems.”

  “But that’s so much easier!” Ava cracked a smile.

  Luke squeezed her hand. “If it does discover something, then I’ll do whatever I can to help you find a solution to that, too.”

  She sighed. “Not getting the upgrade would just be delaying the inevitable.”

  “I think that’s the right call, for what it’s worth.”

  Ava nodded. “Well, I guess I have a visit with the Pod Doc coming up. I should finish packing so I can get down there.”

  “Of course. I’ll just sit here and silently judge your lack of folding technique.”

  She gave Luke a playful shove as she walked toward her dresser, and he caught her hand on the backswing.

  He drew her back to stand in front of him while he remained seated on the bed. “Look, joking aside, I know we’re still figuring each other out again. We spent a decade apart, and even now you’re going through some major transitions—first the nanocytes, and soon you’ll have a new AI to get to know. As tempting as it is to pick up right where we left off, we’re not the same people we were when we were a couple before.”

  Ava placed her hands on his shoulders. “I like the first impression of the new you as much as the old one, and I want to see where this can go.”

  “I’d like that, too.”

  She gave him a quick kiss. “But right now, I really do need to pack.”

  “I know. I’ll leave you to it.” He started to get up.

  “Stay. Keep me company,” she told him, resuming her packing.

  Luke settled back on the bed. “Do you think you’ll find that world you saw in your vision?”

  Ava glanced a
t him over her shoulder. “If we do, I’m worried what might be on the surface.”

  “It goes without saying, but be careful.”

  “I will.”

  * * *

  Rebuilding the Nezaran government was proving even more difficult than it sounded on paper. As Karen Carter reviewed the latest report about the government officials who had been under alien telepathic influence, she was reminded just how large the job ahead would be.

  She sighed and spun around in her office chair to look out the window at the Alucian capital city. I’ll never be able to take care of everything from here.

  Mid-morning sun bathed the glass buildings in a warm glow. The city had become her home, despite the roundabout way she’d come to serve the world. Even with her continued ties to Nezar and Coraxa, her first duty going forward had to be to Alucia.

  In that capacity, it was critical that she help restore stability to the Alaxar Trinary. Following the Nezaran chancellor’s untimely death, the power vacuum introduced opportunity for the wrong people to force their way to the top. President Connors of Alucia was counting on her to make sure that didn’t happen. But sitting in an office a world away didn’t give a great deal of control.

  Karen rose from her desk. I know what I have to do, but going back there…

  Nezar had become a place of bad memories. Her years in school while in her early-twenties had been what any young person would wish for, but her involvement in the dark dealings of the subverted Nezaran government, and its secret manipulations of the Sovereign activists, had forever changed her impressions of the world. Even though this was her opportunity to rebuild, part of her was afraid of how much more unpleasantness would be uncovered and further taint what few positive memories she did have there.

  She released a long breath and paced in front of the window. As difficult as it was to face, her concern was an asset. In fact, the very reason Connors suggested she work on the rebuilding was because she was sensitive about what might be uncovered. She knew the full story of what had happened with the alien subversion, and how embedded that treachery had been. Few others would be able to evaluate the present circumstances within the appropriate context.

  “Worrying about what I might find won’t help anyone,” she muttered to herself.

  With a heavy sigh, she trudged to the door.

  President Connors’ office was two floors above her own. The elevator deposited her in the reception area.

  Behind the reception desk, Leon smiled at her. “Finally decided you need to go in person?” the young Torcellan asked.

  Karen tilted her head. “How did you know?”

  “After what little I saw when things went down earlier, it doesn’t take much extrapolation.”

  “Good point. Is Connors free?”

  “Should be wrapping up a call any minute,” Leon replied. “I’ll let you know.”

  Karen took a seat in one of the waiting chairs at the center of the lobby, using the time to create a mental packing list for her upcoming journey. She’d have to dig through her closet for some lighter-weight dress clothes, for sure.

  After five minutes, Leon gave her the go-ahead to enter the president’s office.

  “Good morning, sir,” Karen greeted as she opened the door.

  “How are you doing, Karen?” President Connors was standing behind his desk while reading from a tablet. He glanced up when she approached the desk.

  “Fine, sir. I’ve reviewed the present state of affairs on Nezar, and I think it’s prudent for me to go in person.”

  He nodded. “I thought that might eventually be the case.”

  She smiled. “It seems like since I officially became your press secretary, I’ve done almost everything but that job.”

  “I think you’ve written a speech or two,” Connors replied with a smirk.

  “Well, I do need to justify my employment,” she chuckled. “At any rate, I’d like to go to Nezar so I can really dig into things.”

  “I anticipated that when I suggested you work on this. It’s what we need to solidify the relationship with the new leadership, whoever that may be.”

  “More than that, I’m hoping to do some recon,” Karen continued.

  “Regarding what?”

  “The ancillary government activities. I’ve seen a handful of reports containing conflicting information about production, with no clear trail for where the materials went.”

  Connors gave her a questioning look. “Trade with Alucia and Coraxa?”

  “Not enough to account for it,” she replied.

  “Another question for others to answer on our behalf.” Connors sat down in the swivel chair behind his desk.

  Karen raised an eyebrow and took a seat in one of the two guest chairs across from him. “Have you heard from the FDG?”

  “Yes, but they’ve given no indication of specific action items. However, now that Colonel Kurtz is himself again, I’ve been assured that all future matters regarding this situation will be dealt with swiftly and decisively.”

  “That sounds more like it.”

  He nodded. “Music to my ears.”

  “Anything else you’d like me to be on the lookout for while I’m on Nezar?” Karen asked.

  Connors turned serious. “Anything that could be a threat to us, present or future. If they have a secret militia stashed away somewhere, I’d rather know about it now than find out when they send a landing party to Alucia.”

  “Consider it done, sir.”

  He nodded. “Safe travels. You’ll have a job waiting for you when you return.”

  Karen smiled. “I won’t hold my breath for it to be the same one.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  Colonel Tyson Kurtz wasn’t particularly fond of interruptions, but he couldn’t ignore a call from the Alucian president. With a sigh, he activated the call on his office desk’s main monitor.

  “Hello, Mister President, what can I do for you?”

  “I’m sorry to interrupt,” Connors said, smoothing back his fair hair. There was a slight flush to his face, highlighting his violet eyes. “I wanted to give you an update on our rebuilding efforts.”

  “Yes, I’ve been meaning to check in with you. How are things progressing?”

  The president smiled. “Karen is in the thick of it now. Again, I can’t thank you enough for stepping in to help on Nezar before.”

  Kurtz held back a scowl. “We would have moved in regardless. As I explained, we were only delayed in acting because of my… condition.”

  “Forgive me, I should have asked how you’re doing.”

  “Good as new,” Kurtz replied. It was close enough to the truth to share with an acquaintance.

  But, if he was being honest, it would take time to get over his experience—the feeling of being trapped inside himself. The alien, Nox, had been able to exert a level of control that no being should have over another. Kurtz had never given up, but he’d certainly seen the potential for a dark outcome that he wasn’t eager to encounter again.

  “Glad to hear you’re well,” the president continued. “I know you’re busy, so I won’t pester you with more pleasantries. The reason for my call is to let you know that we’ve reached out to Nezar to engage in political talks.”

  “Glad to hear it, but you’re not beholden to keep the FDG apprised of your activities.” Kurtz folded his hands on his desktop.

  “Of course, but I thought it would be relevant to inform you, because we have certain suspicions we hope to either confirm or refute through the investigation.”

  “Which are?”

  “That Nezar had been producing more than the system used. Official records can’t account for the discrepancy.”

  Kurtz’s brow furrowed. “Where do you suspect it went?”

  “Toward some secret activity that the alien controlling Chancellor Heizberg was up to,” the president replied. “If that proves to be the case, we’ll need outside assistance to determine what those materials were used for, and if there�
��s an ongoing threat.”

  If I had to guess, that material ended up in Gidyon. Kurtz nodded. “Thank you for the heads up. We’ll be standing by for your findings.”

  “Take care.” The president ended the call.

  Kurtz leaned back in his chair. If they were building something, their supply from Nezar has now been cut off. That might not matter if the project was already complete, or if they were just getting started. But if a project was near completion, and they were committed to seeing it through… They’re trapped now, and might be all the more aggressive to make sure that happens.

  He released a slow breath. Whatever Ava’s team was up against, it was going to be a revealing expedition.

  * * *

  The Pod Doc looked like entirely too simple a device from the outside, considering everything it could do. Ava took a calming breath while she waited for Doctor Dwyer’s instructions.

  I’m still going to be me. This’ll just give me someone to talk to when I’m bored, Ava tried to assure herself.

  Standard procedure or not, it was still unnerving to think about a new consciousness coming into her mind. She’d still be able to have private thoughts, but not like she could before. Having a constant companion would take some getting used to.

  “The procedure will only take about ten minutes,” Doctor Dwyer explained. “We’ll upgrade your existing communication chip and make sure the AI won’t have any conflicts with your nanocytes.”

  “Will the Pod Doc even know what to do with this modified tech?”

  “It’s a highly adaptable system,” he assured her. “Are you ready?”

  She nodded.

  “Please undress and climb inside.” He drew a privacy curtain across the area.

  Ava took a deep breath in a vain attempt to calm her nerves, and stripped off her shipsuit. Once naked, she quickly climbed into the Pod Doc to avoid standing on the cold, metal floor.

  As she reclined inside, the space seemed much more like a coffin than a sophisticated medical device. What am I so worried about? It’s strange that I don’t have an upgrade already, not that I’m getting one now. An AI is just an evolved EI, and a lot of people have those. She focused on her breathing.