David Robbins - Houston Run

A bright red pinpoint of light appeared in the center of the Clarke Model 2001 Computer, the navigational console for the Klinecraft Hover jet.

One hundred miles and closing, AS-1 announced. He occupied the middle seat in front of the control console, his seven-foot frame erect in his chair, his blue orbs scanning the digital display above the red light.

Ready for target identification and isolation, IM-97 declared from his cushioned green seat to the right of AS-1.

In the contoured chair to the left, OV-3 flicked a silver toggle switch on the large console and a square screen before him brightened. His right hand moved across a bank of typing keys below the seven-inch-wide screen, his fingers stabbing individual letters with astonishing rapidity.

ACTIVATED flashed onto the screen in black block letters.

OV-3 typed his request into the computer. As a last-minute addition to the retrieval crew, he wanted to review the target data once again.

SUBJECT: BLADE, the Clarke responded at the top of the screen, and immediately the display filled with the subjects background and peripheral data. OV-3 scanned the material.

Blade is the current head of the Warriors, the elite combat unit responsible for the security of the Home and the preservation of the Family. (Correlation: see Family & Home.) He is believed to be responsible for terminating the Doktor. Intelligence also indicates Blade terminated Samuel II. Recent activites include confrontations with the Technics in Chicago, and with the Soviets in Philadelphia. This subject is considered to be extremely dangerous.

While all of the Warriors are known to be skilled fighters, many have specialized in certain weapons. Blade is an expert with knives, particularly the large type referred to as the Bowie knife. He invariably carries two such knives, in addition to whatever other arms he might require for missions outside the Home. Intelligence has confirmed his use of a Commando Arms Carbine on several occasions.

Physical Characteristics: Intelligence has not acquired a photograph, and the following is based on personal descriptions. Height: approaching seven feet. Weight: estimated between 220-260. Build: exceptionally strong biological organism. Described as all muscle from head to toe by one witness. Hair: dark. Worn medium length. Eyes: gray. Distinguishing marks: none known. Marital status: married to Family member named Jenny. One son, Gabriel.

END OF REPORT.

OV-3 pursed his thin lips. The file on Blade was unusually thin. His hands raced over the keys, accessing the correlative material.

SUBJECT: FAMILY.

The Family resides in a walled compound in northwestern Minnesota.

(Correlation: see Home.) Androxia has not established diplomatic relations with the Family. Evolutionary Scale Rating; 4. Industry: none.

The Familys economy is broadly communal. Stewardship is vested in the oldest members, designated as Elders. These Elders are responsible for the Familys educational system and for formulating formal Family policy.

One Family member is chosen as Leader of the entire Family. Exact Family membership is unknown, but Intelligence believes that it is less than one hundred. Children are reared in close-knit family units. The Family is socially primitive and scientifically ignorant.

History: Little is known. Most members are believed to he the descendents of a survivalist group.

Disposition: Primator has decreed their eventual subjugation and assimilation into the genetically controlled work pool once Androxia has assumed ascendancy. Rectification will be necessary. The Family is known to believe in the fallacious concept of love, and actively promotes belief in a non-existent Spirit source and sustainer. END OF REPORT.

OV-3 read the last section twice. Such degenerates deserved to be exterminated. Why would Primator deal so mercifully with these biological organisms? The genetics might be useful for menial functions, but otherwise they were hopeless. He stared at the monitor. The information on the Family as a whole, like that on Blade, was singularly sparse. He decided to punch up the report on the Home, and promptly did so.

SUBJECT: THE HOME.

The Home is a thirty-acre walled compound in northwestern Minnesota, near Lake Bronson State Park. Exact date of construction is unknown, but it is believed to have been built over one hundred years ago, just prior to the outbreak of World War III. The compound is surrounded by 20-foot-high brick walls. An interior moat provides additional protection from potentially hostile forces. Entrance is afforded by a drawbridge situated in the middle of the west wall. The eastern half of the compound is maintained in a natural state or utilized for agricultural purposes. The western half is devoted to socialization. Intelligence has not mapped the interior.

The Home is defended by 12 to 15 (estimates vary) Warriors. These Warriors are highly trained professionals. They are divided into Triads.

Known Triads: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Omega. There may be more.

Known Warriors: Blade, Hickok, Geronimo, and Yama. (Correlation: see individual Warriors.)

Disposition: Primator has decreed destruction after subjugation of occupants. Prominence Rating: 0.

END OF REPORT.

OV-3 glanced at AS-1. Intelligence has not compiled an adequate file on our target, he stated.

AS-1, his attention on the 2001 console, nodded. Did you view the data on the Home? he asked.

Affirmative, OV-3 replied.

And did you note the Prominence Rating? AS-1 inquired.

A zero, OV-3 noted.

Which explains our lack of information, AS-1 said. The Family is so low on the list, they were deemed inconsequential. Intelligence has been concentrating on the primaries, on the Technics, the Soviets, and the Civilized Zone.

I understand that, OV-3 commented. I do not understand why we are expending precious fuel to fly to a small, inconsequential outpost merely to retrieve one organism.

Primator wants this organism, AS-1 mentioned.

Did Primator elaborate on his rationale? OV-3 asked.

No, AS-1 responded.

I can supply a secondary reason, IM-97 chimed in.

What is it? OV-3 questioned.

Clarissa, IM-97 revealed.

OV-3 gazed out the canopy of the Klinecraft Hoverjet at the stars in the night sky. Most odd, he remarked. What does Clarissa want with this organism?

AS-1 shook his head. I was not told.

Nor was I, IM-97 said. But I do know Clarissa petitioned Primator for the organism, and Primator assented.

AS-1 leaned over the console. Initiate target identification and isolation, he ordered.

Engaged, IM-97 said, and pressed a white button near his right hand.

A small screen, laced with an overlaid grid, hummed and glowed with a diffuse pink light.

AS-1 studied the digital display above the red light. Ten miles to target, he informed the others.

What if this Blade resists? OV-3 inquired.

We take him alive, AS-1 said. Primator was specific in his instructions. Any harm to the organism will result in dismantlement.

And if the other Warriors interfere? OV-3 probed.

Any intervention is to be summarily negated, AS-1 stated.

Understood, OV-3 said.

Commencing deceleration, AS-1 declared.

The Klinecraft Hoverjet slowed to a mere fraction of its cruising speed.

Two miles to target, AS-1 told them.

OV-3 reached over and depressed a brown lever. External lights extinguished.

Activating Stealth Mode, AS-1 stated, and punched a black button. In the Stealth Mode, the Hoverjets engine operated with a muted whine detectable for a range of only 25 yards.

IM-97 peered at the illuminated grid. The Burroughs Infra-Sensor Module, an optional attachment on the 2001 Computer, required several minutes to attain peak functional capability. He rested his hands on a pair of knobs below the grid, waiting for the word from AS-1.