Only Human (Themis Files #3)(34)

—Some good things, actually, but once in a while some pretty bad things too.

—Like what?

—Oh, I don’t know. Man-made plants invading the ocean floor. Killer bees.

—We made the killer bees?

—We did. They were supposed to make more honey.

—That’s crazy. I hate bees. Still, you can understand why I don’t find that particularly reassuring.

—I suppose if I were in your shoes, if I hadn’t seen what I’ve seen, I’d be skeptical too.

—I knew you’d understand. I feel like we have a connection, you and I. Don’t you? We’re roughly the same age. We could be like sisters. Oh, wouldn’t that be fun?

— …

—OK, maybe not sisters, but you know, friends! We could talk, we could help each other. I sound superneedy now, don’t I? But that’s what friends do, right? They help each other? I’m sure you could use a friend.

—I have a friend. You have him locked in the room next door.

—Speaking of, I’m sure you know Vincent’s been … reluctant to help us with Themis.

—He’ll never go around the world scaring people for you if that’s what you have in mind.

—Scaring people? Why do you always assume the worst? Oh, and while we’re at it. Why does everyone keep saying I have you locked in? The doors aren’t locked. They’re not! You make me sound like Cruella De Vil. I’m not chasing puppies to make fur coats. I just … I just want everyone to get along. Where was I? Oh yeah, Vincent. It’s like you said, he doesn’t want to help.

—I don’t want to help you either.

—Well … We can work on your motivation later. I’d really like you to help me find another pilot. Make me a test or something, like that crazy doctor did for the Americans. ’Cause, you know, I had a bunch of pilots, and now I don’t. But we’ll get to that later. My point is I kind of need his help now, today.

—Why now?

—I’m glad you asked. The thing is, your government—the United States government—they’re not happy that you’re here. They probably think you’re prisoners, but that’s not the point. They’re mostly unhappy that Themis is here. Really unhappy, like superpissed. They asked us to give her up. You too. They asked nicely at first, but now … Not so much.

—Why not just turn us over to them?

—You’re funny. I like you. That’s just … not gonna happen. They’ll, my bosses, they’ll retire you before they turn you over.

—You mean they’ll kill us.

—Retire sounds so much better. But yes, you’re not alive anymore afterwards. I’m not sure what we’ll do about Themis, though. We can’t shoot her. We’re not giving her away either. You see where this is going, don’t you? Every submarine we have is already approaching the US coast. The Chinese sent out their whole fleet yesterday. They might bump into American subs on the way there because the US also deployed everything they have six hours ago. Funny how everything happens underwater now.

—Why is that?

—We can’t send troops anywhere; Lapetus would get rid of them in seconds. The only things we have that it can’t touch are subs. The problem is subs are only good for one thing. They’re not superintimidating because no one can see them, so for them to be a good deterrent, the other side kinda has to believe you’re willing to push that launch button.

—Are you?

—Oh yes. We’re all in, as they say! Do they? Say that? I don’t play cards … See, if you’re not willing to launch those missiles but the other side thinks you are, you’re fine. The worst? The worst is if you are willing to strike but the other side thinks you’re not. Guess what situation we’re in now? This isn’t gonna end well. You think: Yay! The US is here to save me! Then you get shot in the head. Then … then it’s raining nuclear warheads. Poof! Just like that. Bad day all over.

—I don’t know what I’m supposed to say. I don’t know how to stop this.

—I do! I think I do. No, I really do. But I’ll need your help to convince Vincent …





FILE NO. 2127


MISSION LOG—CAPT. BODIE HOUGH AND LT. BARBARA BALL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, MECHA DIVISION


Location: Aboard Lapetus, Musk? Naval Base. Near Stockholm, Sweden


—Two robots, Barbara. We’re gonna have two robots. You know what that means, right?

—I’m not so sure they’re just gonna hand over Themis, Captain.

—They better if they don’t want to get blown to … whatever it is we do to things. You didn’t answer my question.

—What was the question again?

—Do you know what that means? Two robots. It means twice the missions. No taking turns. No more sitting in our room while Benson and Smith get to have all the fun.

—All the fun?

—They’re the only ones who got shot at. Our guys always surrender. What’s taking so long?

—They’re changing some bolts on our leg. There’s time.

—Two minutes. Which one would you like?

—Which what?

—If we get assigned to a robot all the time, which one would you like?