In Chapter 1, John met Snyder, a mysterious policewoman hellbent on destroying him. Snyder is wildly overconfident in herself and made a fatal mistake. Now that John knows who she is, he can destroy her.
Brock Henderson grins as John enters his luxurious corner office. Like John, he has a huge private space at Archon Corporate Headquarters but is hardly ever in it. Aside from board meetings, Brock prefers to work from home; anyone who lived in a fifty-room palace would probably do the same thing. He lives the luxurious lifestyle of the most powerful human being on Earth and looks the part too. Brock is a tall and distinguished-looking man in his 50s, the spitting image of a superman who holds up the world with his pure genius and work ethic.
“The holy man comes down from his mountain!” Brock proclaims.
“I needed some fresh air.” John relaxes on one of the chief executive’s cozy guest chairs.
“You hardly set foot out of your fortress of solitude. Why the sudden interest in what us peasants are doing?”
“Eh, I don’t actually care what you peasants are doing.” John shakes his head. “Where’s the booze?”
“You know where it is, you stupid bastard. It’s not as if I move it around to keep everyone guessing.”
“Well, knowing you, it’s possible. You rearranged the furniture. Again.”
“I have a staff of twenty androids. I have to keep them busy.”
“Oh, I know you keep them busy… very busy.” John opens the liquor cabinet. “You want anything?”
“Hell, why not. I just had one, but who cares! Teleworking has its privileges.”
“So is being the boss. Unless you’re planning on firing yourself.”
“Ha! True!”
“As fun as it is to see your garishly decorated man cave, that’s not the reason I came out from under my rock.” John returns with two drinks in hand.
“I’m crushed. I thought we were friends. So why then?”
“Someone from Homeland Security is making my life difficult.”
“What?” Brock lowers his glass. “Homeland Security sent someone after you? That’s difficult to believe.”
“It is. I was just as surprised as you are. Now I can’t even walk into my own lab at headquarters because it’s bugged.”
“Bugged? You saw them?”
“No, but I know my lab is bugged because of course it is.”
“I’ll have a team go remove them.”
“No, leave them. I have to pretend I don’t know.”
“Political intrigue!” Brock shouts dramatically. “Why do you think Homeland Security has a hard-on for you?”
“I don’t think they do. I think I’m dealing with a loose cannon.”
“Did he give you a name?”
“She.”
“She? That’s unusual.”
“Unusual isn’t the term I would use. More like completely out of her mind. Called herself Snyder.”
“Rank?”
“Refused to say.”
“What did her badge say?”
“Come on, Brock. If you ask the secret police for identification, they laugh at you.”
“True. What did you say her name was?”
“Snyder.”
“Hmm. Doesn’t ring a bell. That’s comforting at least.”
“What are you talking about, Brock? That’s not comforting!”
“Of course it is. If she was someone important, I would know her. That means she’s some low-level nobody.”
“No, that’s not what it means at all! Snyder has been obsessively careful to stay under the radar… until now. Why would she lurk in the shadows for so long, I’m assuming for years, probably her entire career, then inexplicably jump into the open?”
“Don’t keep me in suspense, John. Why?”
“Because whatever Snyder’s goal is, she’s close. She’s initiated the final stage of her plan. Her endgame! And why, for all that is holy, does her endgame involve me? That makes me uncomfortable. She’s also a psychopath, which makes me concerned for my health too.”
“What, do you think she’s some sort of mole for the Resistance? An android rights activist?”
“No, I really don’t. Snyder hates androids.”
“Why would she hate androids? Hating your toaster is just as silly as thinking it has rights.”
“She’s not silly. She’s insane. And extremely dangerous.”
“Oh, John, John, Johnny boy, you’re getting all wrapped around the axle for no reason. She can’t hurt you. Just ignore her. She’s a nobody.”
“Jesus Christ, Brock, don’t you get it? You’re playing right into her hands. We can squash her, but she’s gambling that we won’t because we think she’s a nobody. Snyder came out into the open to do something and is going to do it soon. Whatever it is, it’ll be ugly. That’s why we have to squash her first. Squash her, and squash her right now!”
“Even if she is a threat, how do you plan to squash a secret policeman?”
“Snyder is a horrible bitch who runs around and does whatever the hell she wants. I guarantee you that her superiors hate her guts. Give them an excuse, and they’ll squash her for us. One phone call is all it would take.”
“If that’s all it would take, John, why don’t you make the call? You’re the most famous scientist in existence.”
“Because I said Snyder is insane, not stupid. If I make the call, the secret police will wonder why she was so interested in me. Even after they shit can her, they’ll want to know what she was looking into. They’ll investigate me themselves. Except this time, it’ll be official business. The problem with official business is that Homeland Security cannot be wrong. If a hundred brown shirts swarm my lab, they’ll find something. If they can’t find something, they’ll make up something.”
“Why are you so worried, John? There’s nothing in your lab that Homeland Security would care about.”
“I agree, but Snyder seems to think there is. That’s probably why she’s so brazenly harassing me. She’s confident I won’t call her on it. That’s why I’m not. I have to play it safe. You have to make the call and keep it generic.”
“You’re blowing this way out of proportion. Which scenario sounds more plausible to you? That’s she’s a junior policeman sent to keep an eye on the chief scientist at Archon and got a little carried away… or that she’s Hitler and has declared war on toasters?”
“I’ve met this woman, and you would understand if you met her too, Brock. I have no idea what Snyder is planning, but I do know it’s going to be something psychotic and I’m scared to even contemplate what it might be. Please just get rid of her while you can.”
“Why do you hate this woman so much? You’re acting like she had a bunch of thugs beat the hell out of you.”
“Don’t be silly. This isn’t the Third Reich. But please just get Snyder off my back.”
“John, I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”
“Why? It would be so easy. Snyder is a walking time bomb. But just one little phone call, and this will all be over.”
“I can’t because right now. The government and us are all on the same sheet of music. I can’t rock the boat. I can’t complain about her and find out the hard way she actually is doing her job. And honestly, they probably did send her, considering what’s happening right now.”
“Huh? What’s happening?”
“It’s actually something I needed to talk to you about anyway.”
“What do you mean, Brock?”
“I’m talking about the Resistance.
“The Resistance is a tiny group of stupid activists.” John laughs. “They’re like PETA from the 20th Century, except worse. Animals weren’t people, but at least animals were alive. Ah hell, even tree huggers were smarter than the Resistance. As stupid as those ancient protesters were, they didn’t go around demanding rights for microwave ovens and vacuum cleaners.
“That’s true, John. But there is a minority of people who are getting nervous about androids, and I don’t think they’re stupid for feeling that way. Even as the CEO of Archon, which builds hundreds of thousands of androids every year, I understand the concern. It’s not irrational to worry that mankind is becoming too dependent on technology, and androids might malfunction and start working against us. Those people are being silly and paranoid, but they don’t think androids are actually alive like the Resistance idiots do.”
“It’s still dumb to think androids are going to turn on us.”
“Well, not really when you think about it. People have worried about that for generations. Look at all those movies, like Terminator, about machines going rogue and attacking us. Now here we are today, and there are millions of androids in every industry, workplace, and even our own homes. They could theoretically overthrow us.”
“Alright, Brock, but so what? Toasters have vastly superior numbers, but we don’t worry about that.”
“It’s a small minority, but it’s growing, and those people vote. Anxious voters aren’t good, especially in an election year. There’s a lot of tension. That’s why the Senate Committee of AI Affairs has asked me to cool it with android development.”
“There’s legislation on the table?”
“No. They just asked me, off the record, to step on the brakes a little until the politicians are safe in their seats for another four years. Androids are already good enough. We don’t need better ones, at least for a little while.”
“Tell me this isn’t going where it sounds like it’s going.”
“I’m afraid it is, John, and I’m sorry. No more funding or materials for your research. But I assure you it’s temporary.”
“God damn it, I’m so close!” John raises his voice. “I just need a little more.”
“You’ve been saying that for months. And if you are as close as you say, then it’s even more important to put things on hold. Especially if Homeland Security took the extra step of sending someone to watch and make sure you actually do stop.”
John collapses back in his chair, his mind spinning.
“That’s why I dreaded having this conversation with you, John. I know how passionate you are. It has been an honor to watch Archon grow under my leadership into a mighty leviathan. And you were a part of it, too. I loved to see you grow, learn the ropes, gradually, patiently becoming better, and of course I made sure to give you advice and guidance whenever I could spare the time from my many other burdens making this company the success it is today. And the story has only begun. You have so much more growing to do, and I can’t think of a better place for you to hone your skills than Archon! So please don’t be discouraged. This is temporary. Be patient.”
“I can’t believe this. Who cares about the election? It’s not as if it makes the slightest bit of difference who wins.”
“Maybe not, but staying on good terms with the Senate, and especially Homeland Security, is extremely important.”
“Brock, I feel like there’s more to the story that you’re not telling me about.”
“Yes, there is, John. This goes beyond fear of androids having too much control. A growing number of senators and their constituents feel like Archon itself has too much power. They want to break us up. We have six android factories, and there’s legislation in the backroom to sell four of them off, creating two competing companies.”
“Again, so what? The factories are important, but the tip of the iceberg. We still have the strip mines, mineral harvesters roaming half the continent, railroads, and all the other components of our supply chain that would take me an hour just to list off.”
“That would get auctioned off too, John! These stupid politicians want to carve us up and create whole industries of separate companies dedicated to mining, transportation, and power distribution!”
“Well, I can see why you might be concerned.”
“I’m more than concerned. I built Archon. I built it with my own hands! Without me, Archon would not exist. Then these ignorant bureaucrats have the nerve to suggest that my legacy should be split up and given to people who don’t deserve it. They have the nerve to suggest that in a post-scarcity economy, we should break Archon into smaller corporations so other people have something to do and aren’t bored. It’s outrageous! It’s communism!”
“Well, Brock, you are a great man and the CEO of Archon. You’re extremely busy, and it shows. But please let me just stay busy too.”
“John, actually, there is a new project to keep you busy for a while.”
“Really? What is it?”
“I do want to keep Archon on the cutting edge while also keeping the politicians happy. That’s why I’ve decided to launch a new android program.”
“Oh, I can’t wait to hear what you came up with.”
“Pets! Dogs, cats, hell, fish, whatever comes up in your mind. Those androids would be dumb, harmless, and not doing anything important. Put those on the market, people will love them, and it won’t ruffle any feathers.”
“That’s… fascinating. But I would really much rather focus on my current project.”
“Look, I know how much this blows for you. But if it’s any consolation, I’m going to do my absolute best to keep you comfortable while you’re taking a break. If this… what was her name again?”
“Snyder.”
“If Snyder so much as speaks to you, if she annoys you in any way at all, just say the word. I’ll handle her.”
“Then I’m saying the word now! Get rid of her!”
“No, not that way. I’ll do it my way. It’s just as effective and won’t stomp on anyone’s dick at Homeland Security.”
“What’s your way?”
“If she shows up again, tell me. I have my own eyes and ears in the right places. I’ll reel her in personally. I’ll sit her down on that same chair you’re in now for a little chat. I can be very persuasive, you know. I’ll put her in her place. She’ll know better than to ever bother you, or my company, ever again.”
“I don’t think that conversation would go as well as you think it would.”
“Oh it will. I’ve dealt with the likes of… of…”
“Snyder! I said Snyder! Her name is Snyder! Snyder! Snyder! Do I need to write it down for you?”
“Alright, alright. Snyder. I’ll remember. But if getting her out of your hair is so urgent, fine. I’ll do it right away. I’ll bring her in here, take her over my knee, then kick her out the door with her tail between her legs. I’ll have it done before dinner.”
“No, you’re right, Brock. I’m overreacting. Snyder probably is just a nobody doing her job. She doesn’t matter. But you reeling her in might upset whoever it was who sent her.”
“That’s a good point. I don’t want to upset one of my friends at Homeland Security, and I have many friends there. They would probably be slightly upset that I sent their little girl home crying. But I’m glad you’re not worried about her anymore.”
“It’s been fun as always.” John rises from his chair. “But I do need to get going.”
“Like I said, keep your chin up and ease off on your science project for a little while. And definitely don’t let some silly girl trying to make a name for herself get under your skin.”
“Mind if I have one before I hit the road?” John goes back to the liquor cabinet and pours himself an exceptionally generous shot of brandy.
“Okay, but don’t get pulled over for drunk driving.” Brock chortles.
“Yes, that joke was funny the first 500 times you said it.” John empties the glass in one gulp.
Ian Kummer
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