War Machines: An alien-invasion novel

1

A New World

The two birds sliced through the mist with dogged urgency. They weren't supposed to be in a rush, but then again, unlike humans, machines don't procrastinate. The wind slapped their titanium bodies side to side as every gust tested their resolve. Whenever the elements tried to sway them from their path, Recon, the navigator bot, adjusted his thrusters and muscled his way back on course. Scout, the smaller of the two, didn't have to do much as he sat mounted on top of Recon.

Beads of moisture raced down the conjoined brothers’ matted black bodies as they penetrated the ocean of fog and approached the island of Chisil. Out of the white emerged a flock of tufted puffins charging towards the machines at fifty miles an hour. Recon found his five-foot-wide circular body too rigid to maneuver on a dime, but the puffins were young and agile. In a split second, the puffins twisted, turned and ducked, avoiding any collision. With their elaborate face masks and receding calls, the puffins mocked the machines as the last one of their kind flew past. The bots continued on course towards their mission, deeper into the endless milky white that surrounded Chisil.

Resting somewhere in the middle of Russia and Alaska, the island of Chisil is among the most remote places on Earth. Unpredictable weather and frequent storms also make it one of the most hostile. But the most remarkable feature of the island is the volcano, Chisil. Chisil: to scatter – that's what the native Alaskan Aleuts had named it after witnessing the power of the devastation it was capable of unleashing. Once roaring, the volcano would chisil its spew far and wide. For now, all six thousand feet of it was silent as Recon banked around it towards the mission's predetermined coordinates.

He initiated descent some three miles east of the volcano as the faint glimpse of a fern-cloaked hill came into Recon’s view. He hovered over a spot and double-checked the position. His onboard cameras scanned the rocky surface below as he zeroed in. With the coordinates confirmed, a small surveillance camera ejected from a side hatch and flew away. Recon shook as a metal arm unfolded from his underside, the end of which expanded, exposing an array of high-intensity lasers mounted along a disc. The arm inched closer to the surface while the bots maintained their position in the air. The lasers fired in three second bursts, rotating every now and then, hunting for adjacent virgin spots. A dozen bursts later, the disc collapsed into its original fitting, and the arm retracted.

He flew higher and once at the right height Recon opened a hatch and aimed down at the center of the area around which the lasers had cut. He shot a projectile and gained even more altitude. The bots waited as the moments stretched.

Suddenly, it exploded.

Their bodies rattled as the canister that Recon detonated flung debris in all directions. He stabilized himself as his sensors recovered. With the soft breeze scattering the dust, the bots set their sights at the new opening they had just created into the world below.

With a single command, Scout came to life and separated himself from Recon's back. He circled around and scanned the area as he tried to get his own bearings. He took his sweet time staring at the opening before descending.

As Scout approached the darkness, he turned around and looked up. He could still make out Recon's silhouette through the fog much higher up in the sky. The two machines peered deep into each other's eyes as the gentle breeze let them converse in silence. If there was any lack of resolve in Scout's commitment towards his creators’ mission, he didn't show. He just wanted to extend the moment, as he knew he would never see Recon again.

Soon, it was time. Scout knew he had to go.

His creators had given him everything. They gave him a life, made him alive. It was because of them he was more than just the sum of his components. Now, it was his turn to do his part, to make their effort worthwhile. He knew he had to pay back his debt of life. To do something for those who had done something for him. To do something for those who had done everything for him, no matter the personal sacrifice.

Scout turned towards the opening and powered up his energy-hungry lights. They illuminated the edge of darkness and sent a shaft deep into the unknown world below. He began his final descent, gently.

Just a few inches from darkness, he once again turned around and looked up. Recon still watched over him. The limited depth and nuance of circuitry and code couldn't prevent him from feeling as he did. One of those uneasy feelings one gets when coming face to face with the unknown. He wondered if Recon would miss him? He knew he wasn't looking for any sympathy. It was futile. He knew Recon loved him but was as much bound by duty as he was. Both followers of the same code but bearers of different destinies. Scout understood Recon's coldness. How feelings would dull his resolve. But for Scout himself, emotions were what drove him.

They exchanged a few more precious thoughts, for the very last time.

The motors whirred as Scout turned. His lights illuminated the darkness as he passed through into the unknown world below.

2

A Glimpse

Myra squinted her big brown eyes and leaned towards the computer screen in front of her. Scanning detail in every inch of the dark, fast-moving images had started to strain her, but she knew she didn't want to miss it. Even at full brightness, there were instances where she barely made out anything. Only an occasional static interruption reminded her to correct the slouched posture that kept creeping in, uninvited. She didn't keep herself fit with all that forced cardio over the years only to end up bent.

The chair next to her creaked as Eustace shifted his weight and continued staring at the same screen as her, trying to pick up anything Myra may have missed. Both wore black V-neck t-shirts with 'X-corp' printed on them. A third chair lay empty nearby in front of another screen showing the same dim images.

There was almost a sense of friendly competition as both wanted to be the first to spot it, if it were to ever happen. An eerie silence lingered in the small makeshift control room except for the sounds of their breaths intermixed with those of computer fans and hums. Occasionally, the whole room rattled and reminded them where they were, but most things were already secured. They weren't moving anywhere.

The transmission interrupted again as Scout ventured deeper into the cave system and beamed more of the hidden world live. At roughly the size and shape of an office printer, Scout packed an impressive array of instruments within his rigid body. But more than half of his weight was batteries. It had to be. It was crucial that he lasted for as long as possible into his mission. The smart energy-saving design enabled him to first land, observe and scan, and then fly forward, as opposed to being continuously airborne.

Toggle thermal, Eustace pressed the talk switch and spoke into the mic next to the keyboard.

Scout obeyed and beamed thermal images as he turned and scanned the large opening in the cave that he sat in.

Eustace studied the almost mono-color heat map that was now up on Myra's monitor. Nothing... Switch to IR and investigate port side.

Scout retracted the landing pod and made his way towards a passageway deeper into the cave system. As he squeezed through a narrow gap, a larger opening was revealed in the images.

The lava tube, as Eustace liked to call these underground caves, extended for what seemed like an eternity in front of Scout. The tunnels were adorned with ancient jagged lava formations and the IR images accented each peak and crevice, making them more pronounced.

Eustace leaned in to take a closer look at the different layers of deposits on the cave walls that the IR images now made visible. That's how high the previous lavas must have flowed, he explained.

Something caught Myra's attention. What are those? She pointed at the screen.

Scout pivoted to inspect the formations hanging from the ceiling that she had mentioned. Myra leaned in as she studied a cluster that transfixed her.

Eustace began explaining, shark tooth stalactites... Over time as lava dripped from the ceiling and the flow rose from the bottom, it formed those... Quite magical, right?

More like teeth waiting for their next meal... You're brave, Scout. I could never go down there. Myra thought as she continued nodding and studying the stalactites.

Check starboard side, Eustace spoke into the mic.

Scout pivoted and began scanning to his right.

Toggle cameras.

Scout toggled between IR, thermal and night vision one by one. He then cycled back to default color mode and turned on his lights. The beams penetrated deep into the darkness of the lava tube.

Turn 'em off! Eustace said as something caught his attention.

Scout obeyed, reverting back to IR and awaited further instructions.

Myra pulled her chair away as she noticed Eustace leaning even closer. He was now mere inches from her screen. She stared at his salt-and-pepper hair while his head blocked her view. What is it?

Eustace leaned towards the mic. Check that puddle straight ahead.

Scout flew over promptly and stared down at a puddle of water in a small opening on one of the cave walls.

A puddle? Myra asked.

Most likely dripping rainwater or moisture from above. There could be many more of these. Even passageways to the ocean... Take a temperature reading, Eustace spoke into the mic without looking back at Myra.

Scout shot a laser beam into the pool and instantly got the reading of 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hot!

Eustace just nodded. Zoom in.

Scout zoomed in, but all that the images revealed was calm, still water.

Perform a sample analysis.

A small door on Scout's underside slid open and a tubular arm extended out, at the end of which were two pincher-like attachments. The bottom had a mini collection disc and the top a powerful analyzer camera. Scout extracted a sample, blasted his lights and let the camera see. Eustace centered himself in front of the monitor as the image gradually came into focus.

Myra scooted over and went to the second monitor. She leaned in close as the image adjusted one more time and then, she saw them. Unbelievable, she thought as her eyes widened ever so slightly and she took in the whole picture that had filled her screen.

Unaware of being observed, a swarm of tiny tadpole-like critters swam frantically in the puddle. Twisting, turning and rolling, they did what they were supposed to be doing at their age.

Magical... indeed, Myra thought.

Eustace's lips parted ever so slightly as he stayed transfixed on the motion of the shoal. Once again, complete silence lingered in the room except for the fans and hums. He looked at Myra. There was a sparkle in her eye. She put her hand over his and let out an awkward smile as she turned away. I'm not gonna cry.

She looked back at Eustace and thought she saw a tear rolling down his cheek. She moved over and hugged him, tight. None of them spoke. They just remained embraced.

Suddenly, Eustace broke free and got up, Tag this hole and tell him to continue searching. Frank! he yelled on his walkie as he exited the control room.

Yes, father, Myra said to the empty door. She turned around and stared at the charged up little swimmers.

So full of life... alive. I'm happy when you're happy, Dad!

She began reaching for the talk switch when suddenly she yanked her hand back and sprung up like a spooked cat. Her heart raced, and eyes scanned the already familiar room as if she had never been there before.

Dad!... Dad! Her words traveled beyond the control room, but she didn't hear anything back. She unclipped the walkie from her waist and pressed the switch. Barry, come in.

Myra!

Barry! can you come to the control room?

Yes, but not right now. I'm calibrating the printers.

Forget the printers, can you come here right now? Please.

You guys found something?

Barry! There's a huge spider on my keyboard.

Oh come on. It’s just a spider. Just move it.

Can you come, please?

I gotta take care of this calibration. It’s a mess. I can-.

Fine!

Myra!... Myra, Barry continued. She didn't reply and clipped the walkie to her waist.

She inched back towards the door all the while keeping her gaze transfixed at the dark and slender body of the four-inch-long spider. Its far-reaching legs clutched few of the keys as it rested on the keyboard, next to the mic.

Myra looked up briefly at the screen and saw the same image of the tiny critters, floating around with youthful zeal. She knew Scout was awaiting further instructions.

She looked back down. The spider was still there, motionless as a rock. Myra felt a sudden wave of energy rushing through her as she noticed goosebumps all along her body. Still, she couldn't resist staring at the arachnid's fine pointy legs and black sacks. However many eyes the long legs must have had, Myra knew a few of them were watching her. The thought made her breathing heavier and labored when suddenly, the whole place rattled.

The monster began crawling.

Myra sprung out of the control room and slid the door shut with a loud clank.

3

Incoming

The Polar Explorer cruised comfortably at ten knots as it cut its way through the chilly waters of the north Pacific. Its 250-foot-long body, with the hull painted blue and the rest white, blended seamlessly with the frigid melting landscape that surrounded it. A few arctic gulls circled above the decks waiting for any discarded scraps of food.

At the bridge, the young Officer of the Watch kept one hand on the wheel and other close to the throttle as the lookout next to him scanned far into the distance for rogue floating masses of ice. Their periodic adjustment kept the behemoth on course.

In a side room, the second mate perused the navigation charts and weather reports that lay in front of him. A buzzing caught his attention and moments later the printer spat out a new document. He finished his task then attended to it.

His gaze deepened as he studied every detail. The paper and the information both were still warm to the touch. He referenced it regularly as he verified a few websites on his computer.

Captain Emerson, come in, he spoke into his walkie, then waited. His eyes still fixated on the paper.

Captain, come in.

He rolled his chair out of the small office and peeked into the bridge.

Where's the captain? he asked the Officer of the Watch.

The Officer shrugged.

Maybe the helipad, the lookout said.

The second mate got up and felt all four pounds of the bright red jacket he pulled from the side closet. He put it on, tucked the paper in, zipped it up and stormed out the bridge.

He hugged the rusty old railing as he navigated his way out onto the deck. The metal may have been showing its age, but he knew it was there should he needed it. The frigid wind forced his hood on as he wondered when they would finally be through the corridor of ice. He couldn't wait to get to warmer waters. The icy corridor now stretched to only a fraction of the size compared to what it had been when he first joined the fleet of the Polar Explorer. With the unpredictable climate pattern altering the natural weather cycles of many parts of the planet, he knew that warmer waters wouldn't be more than a few hundred miles away. He ducked as he climbed up and down through a network of side stairs, all taking him closer to the stern.

As he reached the final small set of frozen metal stairs, he looked up once again at the towering hangar that rose in front of him. Painted dark under its shadow, the second mate just stood there and gazed for a few moments. No matter how many times he had seen it, the hangar’s sight always left him in awe. In his seven years of work onboard the Polar Explorer, he had never seen anything this great being commissioned or carried onboard the vessel on its numerous voyages around the globe. A few meters ahead, he caught the silhouette of a few men in the distance, their red jackets barely visible through the haze.

If Captain Emerson hadn't inserted the gel height risers in his boots that day, the second mate could have easily missed him, but his salt-and-pepper crew cut confirmed the identity. The Captain stood alongside his first mate and searched for something in the sky through his binoculars. It was an almost futile exercise as the mist kept forcing them to play visibility games.

The second mate finally reached the stern. Captain, you gotta see this, he blubbered as he unzipped his jacket and handed over the document.

Captain Emerson's gaze deepened as he studied the paper. He looked up at the second mate, who was almost out of breath and then at his first mate. Before he could say anything, a loud engine sound from behind commanded their attention.

Recon slowed down as he approached the Polar Explorer and with the finesse of an expertly orchestrated ballet, he made a gentle, effortless, graceful landing on the sign with a big yellow H and a circle around it.

4

The Briefing

Myra watched Eustace as he plugged the projector cable to his laptop. He worked back and forth between the computer and the screen behind him, shaking the wire, unplugging then replugging.

Did you check the screen share settings?

Ah! Of course.

The chairs in the hall were starting to fill as Eustace continued tinkering. The area was compact but could still comfortably seat a dozen people. Eustace didn't need room for that many. His team only had nine. The small folding chairs were lined in a U-shaped pattern around the edges with a couple in the middle. Myra glanced over the settings as the picture still wasn't up.

On Eustace's side sat an attentive man with a big round face, straight posture, an immaculately clean crew cut, and equally neat X-corp T-shirt and military-style cargo pants. Younger than Eustace but older than most X-corp engineers, Frank prided himself for being in better shape than most around him. The days he didn't work out were the days he hated life, and he didn't enjoy hating life for too long. Frank took in the energy as murmurs began filling the hall. A bottle of Krug stood firmly near his foot.

The hall had a few oval windows but late evening provided zero visibility outside to the sea. The warm lights reflected off the dark wood and made everyone feel welcome. Finally, Eustace managed to get the picture to the screen. Someone in the room started cheering, others joined in.

Is that everybody? Eustace asked.

Where's Barry? someone said.

Eustace looked around, Yeah, we're missing Barry. He yanked the walkie from his belt. Barry, report to the dungeon, immediately. I repeat, report to the dungeon!

Everyone chuckled, except Hunter, who sat motionless, making people next to him aware of his short, loud breaths.

Many members of Eustace's team still couldn't get used to the humor-filled style that he ran X-corp with. But they all appreciated whenever it provided some relief from their almost always serious nature of the work.

Working for X-corp was a paradox. On one hand, the employees were doing the most ambitious, challenging and potentially dangerous work of their lives and on the other, they were having a field day out in the open world, having fun soaking up the beauty of nature. Most of them loved it, most of the time.

Suddenly, the small wooden hall door slid open, and Barry walked in. He was instantly met with friendly stares. He scanned the room without holding eye contact for too long, then nudged the door shut behind him.

Sorry guys, I was working the printers. There's a—

Do it after you see this. Eustace interrupted him.

Barry remained by the door, looking for a chair. He spotted one in the middle of the group, decided to stay put.

Before starting the video, Eustace took off his glasses and looked at the whole team sitting in front of him. They started cheering, he returned a generous smile back.

Thank you... thank you.

The team cheered and applauded even more.

I just want to thank each and every one of you for your invaluable contribution to our mission. Today, we implemented Phase One, and I'm astonished how lucky we were.

The video! someone said.

Yes, yes, in a second... I want to take a moment and acknowledge the fact that this journey has been difficult for all of us. To reach even here has taken years of hard work and sacrifice. All of you have paid a high price for this mission. You've been away from your families and accepted the dangers that our mission brings.

Every pause he took allowed the dead silence to spread across the hall. All eyes were glued on him as his tone drew them closer, almost magically, to his words. Perhaps this was the same quality that had inspired many of them to have agreed to be a part of the Chisil mission.

Oftentimes the first breakthrough is the hardest to achieve, and it seems we are headed in the right direction. I know you guys are excited, but just remember the complexity of our mission, and that it gets harder from here on out. It'll require us to be on our best game all the time. Chisil is a remote and hostile place, and we don't want to be spending any extra time there than necessary. Not with such a large setup and under our particular situation with the government. So, I trust all of you will utilize each and every moment that we'll be allowed. I know our stay is not welcome, but this mission is important for all of us, and we must continue forward with the full resolve in our beliefs and why we chose this project in the first place. He took a brief pause as his thoughts drifted. He restrained his emotions then continued. Finding those amphibians is the only way to save Chisil. The world will not come together to protect what it doesn't know exists. It'll be an honor to discover a new species. We found the babies, and if anything Phase One has taught us is that there is hope that we'll find the adults. I know they are down there... they have to be... It's an opportunity of a lifetime.

They know about all this, Dad! Please don't get emotional. They just want the video! Myra thought as she tapped her foot. She took a deep breath in. Dad, I think everyone is waiting for the video.

Eustace gave her a smile then hit play, and some of the video that Scout had beamed earlier appeared on the screen. The team cheered and watched intently as Eustace explained different features of the cave and various types of lava formations.

Suddenly, silence spread across the hall once again. Everyone had their undivided attention towards the screen. It was as if the whole team had fallen into a deep trance. There was no need for words. The fact that they were watching never-before-seen living things gave them goosebumps. Someone broke the trance as others followed with applause and cheering. Some couldn't control their emotions. Being so far away from home had an amplified effect on each peak and valley their mission brought. Each victory or setback in this remote environment was more pronounced, and a few of them actually relished the heightened doze. Myra looked around as some let their emotions show while others exercised restraint. She looked up at Eustace, who was still mesmerized by the critters on the screen. He turned around towards the team.

Let's give a round of applause for Frank. Without his precise planning and logistics, we would still be tightening bolts and screws in LA.

The team burst into applause.

"Not to forget Barry... our analog computer! Always on top of all of the software. The Bug Man!"

Myra shook her head. Again? Why do you always pick on Barry, Dad?

Eustace's style at times bordered towards what some would call unprofessional, but the whole crew had gotten accustomed and smoothly transitioned to a more casual work culture once they joined X-corp.

Hunter! I'm still not sure how you taught the bots to communicate so well. You're like their mother. A few chuckled as more applause followed. Everyone except Barry turned towards Hunter who nodded with a restrained smile. As big a smile as he could muster without aggravating his left shoulder which he had sprained in a recent fall. Each nod sent vibrations down his bulk, rattling the potbelly that he had worked so hard to earn.

And finally, Myra. The AI should have been listening to Barry and Hunter more, but they all are in love with her. Without her emotional support, this mission wouldn't have been possible. She binds us all! He took a deep breath as he stared at his daughter. Her faith in me has driven us all to the far end of the world.

The team applauded once again, all focusing on Myra. Come on, Dad! That's a little too much. She returned a soft smile back to Eustace then looked away.

Eustace glanced at his wristwatch. "In thirty-six hours, we'll be landing. Myra, Frank, Barry and Hunter, I want you guys on the prep ASAP. We only have one chance at this. I want everyone to get plenty of rest now. As little as you need. I don't wanna see anyone half-awake washed aboard or dropped from the side of the Explorer while running around. And those of you who aren't coming with us, we'll miss you, but you guys will miss all the fun!... No, really, we'll miss yo—"

A sharp knock interrupted his speech. A few members of the team turned back towards the door. Barry took a moment then slid it open a foot.

Captain! Barry said