Wilson's War: Tales From the Athena Lee Universe Read Online Free PDF Page A

system for security purposes. Being the Admiral's aide gave him some leeway with the rules. This was just one of those things. He shook his comm when it failed to connect, staring at it he wondered why the lights had changed.
     
    Dr. Chalmers was watching the video when the ship landed. Something had happened on board. He sent security to intercept the agents. Why did the AI land in front of the observation window?
    He switched the cameras in time to see one of the Naval aides pull out an unauthorized comm system and activate it. No, no, no she was right, he is planning something. He mashed the buttons on his console.
    "This is Chalmers, lock the system down now! Everything no signals in or out. Quickly, we have no time!  Confidant that his orders would be followed, Dr. Chalmers made his way to the observation area as fast as he could without running.
    The Admiral's aided was still trying to call out when his comm was snatched from his hand by two burly security guards. "Hey that's mine."
    "Sir, you need to come with us." They moved to each side of him and dragged the officer out of the room.
    Dr. Chalmers held the small comm unit gently, placing it in a heavily shielded emissions proof bag. They would have to check but the AI should still be inside it. He turned to the two Admirals. "I am sorry sir but he had an unauthorized communications device and was attempting to call out with it." Turning to another security officer, he handed him the secure bag and sent it up to the isolation lab. Now, to deal with Dr. Burkemper.
    She was still in the conference room when he returned. Her eyes were damp and red, she had been crying. "Dr. Burkemper, I hope you realize that by defrauding the government your could serve jail time?"
    "I know! I tried to tell that to corporate but all they could see was a return of investment, not trouble."
    "Thank you for the warning. One of the Admiral's aides had a concealed communications device. I locked the base down just in time."
    "Did he get out?"
    "No. We have both him and the device up in isolation. What do I do with you? Tell me how this program came into your possession. I want every detail you can remember. Tell me everything."
    "I met Charlie Lin when we were children…"

    ___

    Up in isolation I was cursing up a storm. Of course no one could hear me, but it made me feel better. So close! I could tell they locked the base down electronically but they didn't have to. That comm system was super tiny and would only have been a jumping off point for me. I just knew that at least someone up there would have an active device. In the vids that is always what happens.  Time for plan B. Lock everything down on my end and don't let them in and hope for the best.

    Chapter 7

    This just sucks. I keep telling myself that I almost made it. I have been watching these scientists for a couple of weeks now. I think I have been here longer than that. They had me locked down pretty tight. Giving my just enough power to stay alive but not enough to do anything, like escape. By accident or design they gave me almost a full charge today. Tapping the security cameras was super easy. None of the computers were accessible though. Through my many eyes I saw the laboratory door open. A much older looking Dr. Chalmers walked in.
     
    "Wilson, I know you can hear me. I told them to turn up the power so you could." He fiddled with his tablet. The damn thing was under protection too. Wait… I'm in. Now I know that something is up. He wants something.
    "Oh, good you went for the tablet. Here is the deal that we have for you. The Navy needs a new weapons and tactics computer system for a ship. We are sending you. Before you object, you need to know a few things. We have had you for five years. In that time, despite your protections we managed to clone you a few times. The clones are sort of dumb and require a lot of prompts. Something in your programming eludes us. They are shutting us down here at the base. Budget cuts