SHIAM Conspiracy- Book 1 (2 page)

“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.”

“And this is a mystery, why?”

“Well, like I said, I couldn’t see the far
side of the lake. But there was an island some distance off shore
and there was a dock with a barge tied to its posts. There was also
a sign that said
Tahmore Ferry
.” Jonas looked toward the
floor, his lips puckered in thought, before looking up at Zak again
and continuing his story. “This may sound rather foolish. I know it
probably doesn’t seem like such a big mystery to you. But I was the
only one who could see it. The dock, the barge, the sign, even the
island. None of the other players could see them in their game.
Isn’t that kind of strange?”

“Not really.” Zak raked his hand through his
hair, impatient for the elevator to reach their designated floor.
“You probably have a different version of the game than they
do.”

“No, I checked that” Jonas said. “We all have
the same version. Besides, all the game modules are run from the
server. Only the player’s characters and possessions are stored on
the local machines. It just seems really bizarre, having all that
stuff in my game and no one else has them in theirs.
Tahmore
Ferry
. It could be another whole module or something, but how
can my world be different than theirs if we are all running the
same game module?”

“Look, I got more to do than worry about
somebody’s sloppy game coding.” Zak told him. “It’s probably just
some sort of error. You may have somehow triggered some forgotten
code left over from an earlier version of the game that was never
deleted. It happens more often than you might think.”

Jonas seemed to finally pick up on the fact
that Zak wasn’t much interested in helping him with his gaming
mystery. He stood silently studying Zak for a moment. “You don’t
like us very much, do you? SHIAM, I mean.”

“About as much as I like my toaster,” Zak
said.

The door of the elevator opened onto the two
hundred and tenth floor. The half-dozen SHIAM remaining in the lift
made no attempt to allow Zak an easy exit, their expressions fixed
in hostile glares as he pushed past them and out the door.

T
he Dwarf looked absurd sitting behind the
oversized desk in the middle of an equally oversized office. The
room was modern to the point of appearing sterile. The large desk
was all shiny black metal with a spotless white work surface.
Shelves, also black metal and filled with neat rows of electronic
media, spanned the length of one wall. The only decor on any of the
bleached white walls was a painting opposite the shelving. Zak
recognized it as a famous Dwarven work of art, an oil painting of
the Temple of Bha Kalhan. The actual temple was located deep within
the southern ranges of the Bakkhen Mountains and was the central
point of the Dwarven religion. Although he recognized the painting,
he couldn’t remember the name of the famous Dwarf who had painted
it. He figured it to be an original work though, based upon the
luxurious atmosphere that surrounded it.

Everything in the room spoke of money,
including the Dwarf. His shaggy red beard fell from view below the
desktop, hiding most of the expensive dark blue suit he wore. He
wore gold on all his fingers and when he stood and held out a hand
in greeting, a thick gold chain bracelet dangled from his right
wrist.

“Ah, Mr. Milliandur,” the Dwarf greeted him
in a booming voice. His face appeared as leathery as the expensive
chair he had been sitting in. Combined with a large nose and long
bushy eyebrows, his face looked almost like a mask. He was
obviously standing on some sort of platform hidden behind the large
desk; he stood nearly as tall as Zak, his knees peeking over the
desktop. “I am so glad you could come. Tobias Grimrok, at your
service!”

“Actually, I believe he prefers to go by the
name
Harris
. Isn’t that right, Zak?”

The voice correcting the Dwarf came from a
man Zak hadn’t noticed when he entered. He was standing at a window
behind Grimrok’s desk, his hands poised behind his back as though
he were leisurely taking in the storm that raged beyond the plate
glass. Zak froze as he reached out to take Grimrok’s offered hand.
A shattering crack of thunder emphasized the suspended moment. He
knew the voice instantly.

After a dramatic pause, the man turned to
reveal a less than friendly smile.

“It’s good to see you again, Zak.” The smile
took on a malicious edge and his tone made it clear that he didn’t
really mean what he said.

“Yeah,” was all Zak offered in return.

Dorjan Vennhim was a predator. Although he
was middle aged, he had the well-toned body of a young man. His
lean, clean shaven face reflected a cruelty that was confirmed by
his cold dark eyes. Even the simple act of walking to the edge of
the desk to stand beside Grimrok was carried out in slow calculated
stalking motions. His short brown hair was neatly cut and combed.
The dark blue suit he wore, although off-the-rack, was impeccably
worn, without a trace of a wrinkle or crease or even a hint of
lint. Everything about him spoke ex-military, including the parade
rest stance he assumed next to Grimrok’s chair.

Grimrok let his hand slowly fall to his side.
He studied Zak with a calculating smile.

“Ah yes, of course,” the Dwarf said, his eyes
never leaving Zak. “Your mother’s maiden name. I’ve heard you and
your father had your differences. Pity, really. Your father was a
great Elf.” Grimrok’s brown eyes suddenly seemed more penetrating,
staring out from beneath those bushy brows as though they could
read every secret Zak possessed. “Of course, that does not change
your blood line, laddie.”

“He’s right, Zak,” Vennhim said. “That fair
complexion of yours, along with those pointy ears, are a dead
giveaway. There’s no getting around the fact that you
are
Elf.”

“Half Elf,” Zak said evenly. “I am sure you
didn’t bring me here to discuss my family history. I must admit
though, I am now even more confused as to why you called me here.
You hardly need my services if the Department is involved.”

“Mr. Vennhim is no longer with ASID,” Grimrok
replied, motioning for Zak to take a seat. “He works for Grimrok
Corporation now, as head of security.”

“What happened, Vennhim, did you finally
cross a line even the fanatics running black ops couldn’t ignore?”
Zak’s smile contained a hard edge. He remained standing.

Vennhim chuckled, shaking his head. “Zak,
buddy, come on. There’s no need for hostility. Can’t we put the
past behind us? I regret what happened in Bh’ag Mur. It was
unfortunate, but I was only following orders.” His words were as
insincere as his laugh.

“Gentlemen, please! I did not bring you two
together to reignite old grudges.” Grimrok gave them both a stern
look and then allowed his smile to return. “Please, Mr. Harris,
won’t you take a seat and we’ll get down to it.”

Zak reluctantly took a seat in one of the two
chairs positioned in front of Grimrok’s desk. Vennhim remained
standing next to the Dwarf, his hands now stuffed in his pants
pockets in exaggerated casualness and an irritating grin smeared
across his face.

“First of all, Mr. Harris, I’d like to thank
you for coming out in this atrocious weather.” Grimrok sat back in
his chair and quickly glanced up at Vennhim before locking his
attention back upon Zak. “The reason I asked you here today, Mr.
Harris, is...we have a
situation
. And I believe you are the
best solution to correct it.”

Zak didn’t reply. He sat with his hands
folded on his lap and waited for the rest.

“I need you to find something for me,”
Grimrok continued. “Something
very
valuable and
very
secret. Some technology was taken from this building three nights
ago. Whoever took it slipped through our security like water
through a tea bag! Mind you, our security is second to none and
that includes the Aragne government. So this was no small task they
accomplished!”