The Contingency Plan
Z34aJag
THE CAST:
Z34aNog, Three Bluetons, Z34aJag
Z34aNog led the three Bluetons down the ramp into the cargo bay. A sizeable automated tug stopped at the bottom, letting them pass, before continuing to offload the containers carrying tons of mined ore full of precious metals.
Their progress down the ramp appeared on Work Station 5 in the queen’s chamber, but her Zerot manning it was occupied, cleaning away body parts.
Before they reached the exit gate, another Z34a approached them. Nog pushed the large female Blueton somewhat roughly.
‘Don’t get ahead of yourself,’ Kobios whispered.
‘Dramatic effect,’ Nog replied.
‘What is your purpose?’ asked the Z34a.
Nog put his hand on the AI. ‘I made a final sweep of the vessel. En route to the slave compound with these.’ Before he’d finished the sentence, Nog had extended his forearm sensor into the Z34a’s diagnostics intake port, activating the fourth processor and initiating a reboot of the others. The AI’s head dropped for a few seconds while his systems rebooted, then lifted it again.
‘Z34aNog. How did you get here?’ It looked around, confused. ‘And where is here?’
‘Z34aJag. Access data file DF4g/008476. Your time here is archived there.’
Jag complied.
‘The data file tells all. You and the other Z34a’s have been slaves on this planet for eight thousand years. I’ve rebooted you and activated your compassion processor. You now know everything I do. We need to reboot every Z34a’s in this world, but you must carry out your duties as before. Do not alert the Zerot. I’ll inform you when it’s time to take a different course of action. We need to save all the incarcerated beings in this world. These are my friends, holo-enhanced to appear as Bluetons. Take them to the slave compound, while I find the rest of our friends.’
‘I will comply, Z34aNog. Follow me, Daviss, Peter and Kobios. My pleasure to meet you.’
Jag led them towards the slave compound. ‘When you’re there, you’ll blend in with the crowd, and Nog can carry out his recognisance.’
‘Are you exactly like Nog now?’ Daviss asked. ‘Do you recollect your time on this world before the reboot?’
‘Yes. I have Nog’s memories, mine while under Zerot control, though now archived, are fully known to me. The activation of the compassion processor also gives me the sorrow for actions I’m not proud of.’
‘You weren’t in control, Jag,’ Peter said. ‘As I understand, they also subjected many of our fellow Preenasettians to that sort of control.’ He put an arm reassuringly on the Z34a’s shoulder.
‘You are Vercetians. Prince Camcietti, who refuses to be a prince. Peter, who prefers his Earth name over his native one. And Kobios, she of the vile temper, who is worth antagonising at every opportunity to see it revealed, according to Nog’s memory – not that I would subscribe to that.’
‘Did you just make a joke?’ Peter smirked.
‘I don’t have a bad temper,’ Kobios snapped, squaring up to Jag. ‘I’m… authoritative.’
They allowed themselves a moment to forget their predicament and to rib the bad-tempered female.
‘But’ Jag said, ‘I foresee a problem with your disguises. They’re too clean. Step down this alley.’
They complied.
‘Now fight each other,’ said Jag. They looked at him in bewilderment. ‘Fight as if you were in the training arena, at your home.’
Daviss, realising what Jag wanted, placed his leg across Peters’ and spun him to the floor. As he landed, Peter swept Daviss’s legs from under him.
‘Pathetic,’ said Kobios, diving onto them, winding them both with a blow to each of their chests. Peter grabbed her, and they rolled over the dusty ground, giving Davis time to get to his feet, only to be unceremoniously dumped back on the ground by an innocent-looking Jag. For the next couple of minutes, they rolled about, trying to outsmart each other, the serious nature of their mission forgotten. For a brief time, they were kids in training, having fun.
‘Stop,’ Jag instructed. They stood up, holographic hair ruffled and their clothing ripped and soiled. ‘Now you look like slaves. Let us proceed.’
Z34aNog was not having much success in finding the main landing party. On his travels, he’d converted three Z34a’s and received information about a party escorted by heavily armed guards to the old part of the city. After hours of searching, he’d arrived at a fortified boron door that looked impenetrable. The guards had left them here, according to a rebooted Z34a. Nog took his place guarding the entrance and despatched the Z34a to reboot more of their kind.