SHIAM Conspiracy- Book 1 Read online

  SHIAM Conspiracy- Book 1

  Title Page

  Prologue

  About the Author

  SHIAM CONSPIRACY

  BOOK 1

  By Joseph Heck

  © Copyright 2014 Joseph Heck

  All Rights Reserved

  Published: 29th April 2014

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may be given away and shared with other people. This is BOOK 1 of the Amoco Loch series, SHIAM Conspiracy. BOOK 2 is now available at your favorite online bookstore.

  All characters, names, places and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, locals or events is purely coincidental.

  To Cheri, who believed in me even when I didn’t, and to Kala and Kode, who showed me magic does exist.

  Table of Content

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Book 2

  About the Author

  Prologue

  The old woman came awake with a start.

  She breathed in heavy gasps of humid night air, her flesh chilled to her aged bones even though her bed clothes were damp with sweat from the heat of the night. She struggled to a sitting position, the springs of her narrow bed complaining along with her stiff joints.

  Darkness wrapped itself around her, the small room she called her own suddenly feeling much too close.

  She sat there attempting to regain her senses as well as her composure. The words that had come to her in her dream still echoed within her mind. The words were crystal clear, though the meaning behind them was not.

  Ruby red digits glowed from the nightstand next her. Only three hours into a new day. Much too early for him to be up and about.

  Should she wake him, she wondered. Though she did not understand the words, perhaps he would.

  She crawled slowly from her bed, though she had no desire to do so. She dressed as quickly as she could without turning on a light. When she stepped into the hall the dim illumination there was sufficient for her to find her way to his room. After knocking softly at the door, she waited for it to open.

  “Marta.” He spoke softly, his expression still sleepy.

  “I am sorry to disturb you,” the old woman apologized. “I would not have if it wasn’t important.”

  “Of course,” he said. “Come in.”

  1

  The rain felt more wrong than wet.

  Zak Harris cursed as he stepped from the taxi. He had no idea what it was that was wrong about the weather, but he did know that he didn’t want to be out in it. The gusting wind blew needle-like pellets of water at him, nearly knocking him back into the vehicle. He struggled to regain his balance and forced the taxi door closed behind him. He swore again. He would have preferred to drive himself. Then he could have parked in the underground and avoided this weather altogether. But Jacob Bowers, the only mechanic Zak trusted, had not returned his Subana Sport Classic from its latest round of repairs.

  After three days of dark turbulent weather, most of the residents of the city of Sol Kappur had taken refuge indoors. Weather experts were only now admitting, although somewhat reluctantly, that they were perplexed over the incessant storm which had settled over the city. Atmospheric conditions were all wrong to create such a weather event. It had originally begun as an ominous black smudge in the sky over the east bank of the Serpent River. Since then the storm continued to grow, its circumference now encompassing the entire city.

  The deserted city streets seemed strange to Zak. This was the heart of the Aragne Commonwealth. Most of the mega-giants of the nation’s corporate community were located here, housed within towering architecture that flaunted money and power. The multilevel walkways of the city were normally overflowing with pedestrians rushing from one place to another with urgent intent. The city streets were usually choked with streams of anti-grav vehicles, stacked one above the other at the various fly zone levels as they weaved their way through the maze of colossal buildings. The city traffic was usually a mass of organized chaos. But now the walkways were practically deserted and only the ground level streets were open to the scattering of traffic travelling in this weather.

  Lightning slashed through the blackness overhead, quickly followed by an angry rumbling of thunder. Zak was drenched before he made it halfway to the double glass doors of the Grimrok Building. Even among the city’s corporate goliaths, the Grimrok Building loomed with intimidating predominance. Occupying a full square block, it rose up like a monument to free enterprise, a tower of black gloss marble and symmetrically spaced bands of plate glass rising up into the heavens. The upper stories of the building had been swallowed up by the ominous clouds that had seized the city, but artificial light continued to shine through the lower bands of windows like beacons of defiance toward the dark weather outside.

  Zak pushed his way through the ornate glass and brass doors of the building into the foyer. His clothes were so wet that water immediately began to pool on the polished marble floor as he stood inspecting the room. The area was isolated from the main lobby by a wall of thick smoked glass. A matching glass security door inlaid into the center of the wall restricted further access to the building without proper security clearance. The glass of both wall and door was so dark that only hints of shadows could be seen beyond, like ghostly apparitions wandering aimlessly in a void. A large sign next to the entrance door notified visitors that this was a high security building.

  “Attention!” A pleasant feminine voice spoke from invisible speakers. “This is a public service announcement. Federal regulations require that you be notified prior to being subjected to any public service paranormal occurrence. Due to inclement weather, the Insta-dry Forty-five magical spell will be activated under Federal Permit Number 213522-47. If you object to the use of this magic, please state your objection now. Do you wish the Insta-dry Forty-five spell to be invoked?”

  Zak was sufficiently soaked to be glad of the drying spell and responded in kind.

  “Very well, Insta-dry Forty-five is now activated.”

  True to its name, the spell instantly dried Zak and his clothes. There was no sensation of warm air, or heat, or any other detectable occurrence from the spell, although Zak had detected the spell itself even before the public service announcement. The ability to detect magic was a natural talent he possessed, although his skill could be somewhat inconsistent at times. He took full advantage of the ability when it was to his benefit and when it actually worked, but he was not particularly proud of the bloodline that had provided him with the ability.

  “Please remain motionless during our security system scan.”

  Zak did as the voice instructed.

  “Thank you, Mr. Harris. Your appointment with Mr. Grimrok is on schedule. Please enter through the security door and proceed to the reception desk in order to obtain your visitor’s pass. Enjoy your visit to Grimrok Corporation and have a nice day.”

  Wit
h a loud click the heavy dark-glass door swung open.

  Zak stepped into a whirlwind of commotion. The cavernous lobby was amazingly crowded and he couldn’t help but wonder about the number of employees who actually worked at Grimrok. What had appeared as aimless ghostly wanderings when seen through the smoky glass from the entrance was now transformed into the daily routine of corporate hustle. The marble, glass and brass motif of the outer building was continued inside. Black marble walls enclosed the lobby, relieved by rich brass trim and dark mirrored windows that allowed light in without providing a view out. Because of the gloom of the day, the overhead lights supplemented the filtered light from the windows with bright white illumination, creating dynamic reflections of the beehive activity coursing over the highly polished charcoal marble floor. On the far side of the room three hallways led into the heart of the building separated by swinging polished brass and glass doors. Zak found both the building and the atmosphere to be overdone and pretentious.

  But after all, this was corporate society, where three-piece suits and extravagant expense accounts ruled the day. In this place it was Zak - with his worn corduroy sports jacket, black T-shirt, jeans and running shoes - who was the odd man out. He was not one to be intimidated easily, however, and it would take more than a room full of suits to do it. Particularly when nearly all of these people scurrying around the lavish hall weren’t even alive!

  It wasn’t so much the way they looked that told Zak they weren’t living beings; SHIAM were designed to look as Human as...well, Humans. But Zak was not quite completely Human himself. His senses worked beyond normal Human senses, giving him a distinct edge. He verified that all the security personnel were SHIAM as he made his way toward the information counter in the middle of the lobby. He really didn’t need his special senses to assess the company’s personnel though. Grimrok Corporation actually boasted the fact that the entire staff, with the exception of a handful of regular personnel and top management, was all SHIAM.

  Simulated Human Intelligence Anatomic Module...that’s what the acronym actually stood for. In layman’s terms, android. The SHIAM were only one of Grimrok’s latest technological successes, although no doubt the most controversial. Tobias Grimrok had made his wealth providing for the military, primarily in weapons and combat support equipment. Zak figured the SHIAM had originally been slated for the military as well, but the United World Federation put a damper on that plan. At least for the time being. They had added android technology to their world-wide prohibited weapons list. It was probably only a temporary setback for Grimrok, though. The world governing body had never gained the complete backing of the various nations of the globe and so its power was definitely finite. It was only a matter of time before one country or another would choose to ignore the ban on designated weapon types. When that happened, all bets would be off.

  In the meantime the SHIAM androids were classified as domestic products by Grimrok. Not that the ordinary consumer could ever afford one of these high priced units. Those SHIAM units that had been sold to date had been purchased primarily by wealthy corporations looking to replace what they considered as an overpaid work force. This fact had done nothing to make the SHIAM any more endearing to the general public. And besides taking jobs away from people in an ever-shrinking work force, the fact that these machines so perfectly emulated living, breathing Humans was just down right spooky.

  “I have an appointment with Tobias Grimrok,” Zak said to the SHIAM security guard at the desk.

  It looked as Human as they came, early twenties, dark hair and probably handsome from a female’s point of view. The name tag on its blue uniform shirt read Jonas. Giving these androids Human names seemed just plain wrong to Zak. The SHIAM unit seemed distracted, a blank expression on its face as it gazed off into space. Zak waited for a response, but none came. The unit stood frozen behind the desk, a blank expression on its synthetic face. There was no indication that the thing was switched off or otherwise not working. Zak’s impatience picked at his temper.

  “Hey, circuit head! Anybody home?”

  “There’s no need to be rude, Mr. Harris.”

  The voice came from over Zak’s right shoulder...a husky feminine voice. He turned in anticipation, but anticipation turned to disappointment. Instead of a female, a female version of the SHIAM was looking back at him.

  “I’m Tabitha Rose, Mr. Harris,” she said, extending her hand. She was obviously Grimrok material. She wore a white full length lab coat, opened down the front to reveal a white blouse with starched collar and a knee-length dark blue skirt. She had been built to appear attractive. Her finely shaped face was complimented by chestnut hair that gently brushed her shoulders and her brown eyes mimicked awareness. She possessed beauty, but in a rather intellectual and nondescript way. A man would find her pleasing to look at. But later, alone in his own bed, it would not be her face that shaped the fantasies of his dreams.

  Zak stared at her without taking the offered hand.

  “I’m sorry,” The guard interrupted, suddenly stammering with what resembled embarrassment. “You are Mr. Harris. I will take you to see Mr. Grimrok immediately.”

  “Jonas, what were you told about playing VR games during working hours!” Tabitha Rose admonished the other SHIAM.

  “I am sorry, Dr. Rose,” Jonas said. “I will not allow it to happen again.”

  “Doctor?” Zak didn’t attempt to hide the animosity in his voice. “Grimrok gives you machines names and titles?”

  “Actually no, he does not.” The android answered curtly. “Mr. Grimrok allows each of us to choose our own name when we are activated. As far as my title...I happen to have earned a doctorate in Bio-Chemical Engineering.”

  “By earned, I take it you mean programmed,” Zak said as he visually scanned the lobby. “It must be nice to be able to build your own work force. Spend a little on juice for recharging rather than having to shell out wages on the real thing.”

  “We are not merely a work force,” Dr. Rose said, now appearing more openly annoyed with Zak’s attitude. “We at Grimrok Corporation are a part of a dynamic social development project specifically designed for the advancement of the SHIAM personality. We encourage the development of social skills and individual growth. And as far as our names are concerned, we are simply following the conventions of your society. Would you perhaps prefer reciting a long alpha-numerical serial number instead?”

  Zak chose not to answer.

  Anger seemed to cloud the attractive features of the android’s face, but cleared almost as quickly as it had appeared.

  “Jonas will show you to Mr. Grimrok’s office,” she said turning away from Zak. As an afterthought she turned toward the other SHIAM. “And, Jonas, no more Warriors and Wizards on company time.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Jonas replied meekly. He handed a visitor’s badge to Zak and then slid a digital registry pad in front of him. “You’ll have to sign in, please Mr. Harris.”

  Jonas led Zak across the glossy marble floor and through one of the brass doors that led deeper into the building. “You specialize in network security, is that correct?”

  “Yep.”

  “Excellent.” The SHIAM had turned and was walking sideways as he continued talking at the same time. He reminded Zak of a young boy leading him down the corridor with an overabundance of childish enthusiasm. “I wonder if you could help me with a problem I’m having.”

  “I don’t do freebies, Bud.”

  “The name is Jonas, sir, not Bud.” The SHIAM continued on. “And no, of course not. I don’t expect you to do any actual work. I only want your opinion.”

  “Shoot.”

  “What?” Jonas looked puzzled, and then giggled with embarrassment. “Oh, yes, of course. An expression for go ahead or continue.”

  They stopped at a bank of elevators. Several SHIAM units were also waiting for a lift to arrive. It was uncomfortable to be around so many life-like machines. Zak kept the group in his peripheral.

 
“I am playing this cool VR role playing game called Warriors and Wizards. I’m afraid that was what I was doing when you came in, although I’m not supposed to play during working hours...”

  “Yeah,” Zak interrupted. “I got that part while I was standing there waiting for you.”

  “About that,” Jonas said with a sheepish expression on his face. “I’m really sorry. As I said, I am not supposed to be playing during working hours, but I just enjoy the game so much that I can’t help myself at times. It’s so cool to go back to the days of old, a time when men settled their differences with swords and...”

  “You’re beginning to sound like a commercial,” Zak said impatiently. “Are you going to get to the point anytime soon?”

  He noted a sudden unfriendliness that came over the group next to him. Their previously curious stares now transformed into something only a shade less than hostile. Evidently, these machines were sensitive to Human attitudes toward their kind. As the elevator doors opened and they all stepped into the car, Zak became more tense and alert. He prepared for trouble, just in case there was any sudden overt action from the group.

  “Oh yes, sorry.” Jonas continued on without any indication that he’d noticed the sudden chill from his counterparts. “I do get carried away at times. I know I also tend to talk too much on occasion. Anyway, the game is a network game that’s interactive across Comm Net. I play with people from all over the world. It really is quite enjoyable meeting players from such varied backgrounds...

  “There I go again, off on another tangent. Anyway, back to the point. A few weeks ago I was on an expedition with several of my fellow players. We were travelling through a new territory. You know, in the virtual world, when we came to a lake. It was really strange. The lake was huge, or at least I think it was a lake. I couldn’t see the far shore. Neither could any of my companions. I suppose it could have been an ocean.”