One: A Strange Message 02

Chapter 15, Tale One: A Strange Message -- Part 2 storybook

“Sir?” He didn’t fear for his own life. She had become the singular name and the talisman for what had occurred, the role of her friends had been forgotten. It was their new roles as individual leaders that were important, and it was what they were known for. So he understood, but he wished she was here. He often wished for her council, her advice, her inspiration and comfort. Almost six years, and he was still uncomfortable in his leadership position, he suspected that he always would be. She would say that was for the best, he was sure. There had been an election, three years ago now, and he had been confirmed again by a near universal vote, but he wished secretly that they had chosen against him. He hoped that by the next one a suitable replacement could be found and he could step down, but until that happened he would do what he could, as he always did.

“Sir!” Finally he turned, realizing belatedly that they were talking to him. Six years, as well, and he still wasn’t used to being called sir. She would say that was for the best, as well.

“What is it, Sarah?” he asked, as his secretary came up to him.

“It’s your eyebot, sir. There’s something that you need to see. To hear, rather.”

“Ed-E?” he asked, surprised. It wasn’t his, of course, it was hers. She had left it in his care when she had left everything behind, but it was still hers. It had never divulged its secret to her, and her leaving it with him had been a clear sign, even unspoken, that she was forsaking that path, at least for the time, in favor of the needs of their child. An eyebot stood out, anyway, it would be hard not to draw eyes with it floating at her shoulder. It had been helpful to him. He had it upgraded, made it much stronger and more effective without changing its programming, changing its nature. He had made it a good interface for the vast systems under his control, and he knew he could trust it, it gave its help willingly. He could almost understand what it seemed to be saying, as it was chirping away. It was a good, loyal companion, even as a machine. He followed Sarah over to where it was hovering, and as he came closer he heard that it was broadcasting something. He stopped, frowning, and asked: “What is this?”

“It just started a few minutes ago, sir. Suddenly started sending that signal.”

He listened for a moment, the faint words of a repeating message. “The Sierra Madre? Is this a joke?”

“I don’t know, sir. You’ve heard of it, haven’t you?”

“Of course, who hasn’t? An old-world Casino, hidden in the mountains somewhere, surrounded by a toxic cloud. Vast wealth and treasure inside. It’s just a myth, I’m sure, I don’t know if this is something that we should trouble over. Can you shut it off?”

“I’m sure we can, sir, but that’s not the only message. There are two messages, sir, playing right on top of each other. The other is fainter, and you have to listen for it, but it’s there.”

His frown deepened, and he listened, trying to get a glimpse of what she was talking about. All he could hear was static and the words. Like an old commercial, come to the Sierra Madre. He listened harder, trying to block out the words. Then suddenly it clicked into place and he heard it, like the picture of two faces becoming a vase. Two words, repeated over and over again. His stomach lurched, and he felt a tremendous chill on his skin. He stood, stock still, for half a minute at least, his mind whirling.

“Sarah, I have to go, maybe for a long time. Get my things ready.”

“Go?!” She gasped. “But sir, the Conference is the day after tomorrow! You have to be there!”

“Emily can sit in for me, she’s more than capable. I have to go, today. In the hour. Get Emily up here, and get my things ready. I’ll have a message for Veronica and Cass as well. Do it now.” She stared at him, her mouth open.

“I. . . I can. . . uh. . . yes sir, I will. I’ll have Emily come up, and you’ll be ready to go in the hour.” She turned back, to look at Ed-E. “All this for that message? I don’t understand, sir. Is it. . . is it that important?”

He looked at Ed-E, listening to the message. Two words, repeated over and over and over again: “Courier Six.”

“I think that it is, Sarah, I think that it is.” He looked out the window, across the desert and hills towards where she was dwelling in hiding, waiting in exile with their daughter. “More important than anything.”