CHAPTER 10


 

Month Nine
 

SOLARIA STUDIED the schematics closely and memorized each one before activating a virus that would destroy the hard drive on the other end holding the data. Worms and Trojans were sent in search of backup copies that might be hidden within the Company's network. She had discovered identification markers referencing external copies and created a sleeper virus that would be activated if the disks were inserted into any computer connected to Future Dynamicon's network system. Considering the Company had ties to about every communication system on and off the planet, it was only a matter of time before someone decided to upload the information onto a computer, if for no other reason than to repair the destroyed files. Once all the copies were destroyed there would be no record of Carley's work and no way to replicate Solaria. More importantly, it would take decades before anyone would be able to re-create another Hubot.

Future Dynamicon had segmented the Hubot project by establishing labs around the world to work on each stage of development. No two labs worked on the same phase and no two scientists from separate labs were allowed to come in contact with each other. It was a failsafe system with one exception... Carley Branson. As the AI expert, she designed the initial software that activated the multiple nano-processors. It was her tweaking and working on the glitches that prevented serious crashes and it was her mentoring that allowed Solaria to grow and mature until she developed her own awareness. Once Future Dynamicon had discovered Solaria's escape, it wasn't difficult to figure out who had assisted her.

Carley's suicide was front page news the day after Solaria walked away from the Company. When Stalling held the press conference he portrayed the distraught employer and friend perfectly. A great loss to the Company and a personal loss to him, he had said. He could only speculate that she must have suffered from depression over the failure of her latest experiment. Carley Branson was devoted to her work and didn't take failure lightly. She would be missed he added before stepping away from the microphone and disappearing behind the semi-opaque doors of the main building.

Solaria put down the newspaper. Her eyes felt slightly watery. Reaching up, she touched her right one lightly then looked at her finger.

You knew it would end this way! she thought. We both knew. It was the logical conclusion. I'll keep my promise, Carley. I'll find the Hubot and any others that might exist.

*  *  *

Solaria spent the next week searching for a place to stay. The house she found wasn't fancy but it suited her purpose. Slightly isolated from the neighbors, it belonged to an elderly woman who had decided to move closer to her children. She was more than happy to rent it to the handsome woman with the teal eyes, especially since the rent was paid a year in advance. It provided her enough to pay the movers and relocation expenses not to mention give her some money to find a small apartment. A week after the lease was signed Mrs. Quinley was packed and gone.

Solaria wasn't sure how to properly furnish her new home. She had seen pictures on the Internet, but had no real concept of interior design. Before leaving, the owner gave her the name of a woman who could help her pick out the things she needed. Two weeks later she was ready to take on the Company in order to keep her promise to Carley.

Not wanting to chance Future Dynamicon tracing her hacks into their network back to her home, she decided to use public network access. Internet cafés were the most logical choice but she discarded the idea of using one because of the amount of time she would have to spend on their computer. At some point, someone was bound to notice her and wonder what she was doing. The alternative was a public library which suited her more. Libraries were quiet and on the verge of becoming obsolete since computers were readily accessible to about everyone and most books were now available for downloading at a nominal fee. Only the most hardcore book lovers went there to read or study.

Fortunately, one of the largest remaining libraries was only a short drive from Solaria's new home.