The Virtual Man [The Virtual Reality 1] (Siren Publishing Classic) (12 page)

“Yes, that doesn’t make much sense either.” Tiana paused, tilting her chin and furrowing her brow as she thought.

She is so cute
, Derek thought.
I wonder if she does that when she’s analyzing a complex engineering problem
.

“Unless, that is, the goal was to frame you, rather than making a profit.”

“Frame me? Why?”

“Perhaps to get you out of the way? Clearly, no one in your company profited by your professional demise, since it is no longer in business. Are there any competitors who will benefit from you being in prison and the failure of your company?”

“No, at least not in the short run. The home holographic chamber market has gone into a recession. People are afraid to bring an artificial intelligence ‘creature,’ for lack of a better word, into their homes. The prevalent opinion is that the chamber’s computer could spy, blackmail and potentially even physically harm a home’s occupants. It would be like allowing a perfect stranger to live in your home with you.”

“Okay, let’s assume that nobody profited from your conviction and explore another possibility. Why would anybody want to neutralize you? You are, after all, one of the galaxy’s most prominent and, might I add, sexiest scientists,” she added in an attempt to lighten the mood.

“You mean, besides every other scientist in the universe who failed to qualify for the ‘sexiest scientist’ title?”

“Now don’t go inflating that fat head of yours, Mr. Hart. What were you working on at the time you were framed?”

“I was just working on improvements on the home holographic chamber. Nothing terribly earth-shattering. However, now that I think about it, there was a contract we had just landed that I hadn’t started working on yet. I was planning on using some of the concepts from the home-based unit to create an even smaller holographic projector, one about the size of a man’s watch, with limited functionality, specifically that of generating a holographic person. Think of it, this holographic person could move about freely without being limited to the confines of a holographic chamber. They could be used as maids, gardeners and so forth, and at the end of the day, turned off and the watch-sized device stored on a shelf.”

“Interesting. Perhaps someone didn’t want you working on that project.”

“Who? The maids’ union?”

“I’m serious, Derek. Just think about it.”

“Sorry. Let’s get back to you, though. Why would anyone want to kill you? What are
you
working on?”

“Well, my stop is the last stop for this starship. I am heading for Earth’s Magellan Outpost, where I’ll be heading up a project to build a space station.”

“Who would benefit from the station not being built? What’s the station’s purpose?”

“Well, supposedly it is to be used for scientific research. I’ve looked at some preliminary plans and I have to admit that there are some inconsistencies between its stated use and the layout of the facilities.”

Derek straightened. His career in holography had taught him that where inconsistencies existed the potential for disaster followed closely behind.

“What do you mean by inconsistencies?”

“Well, for one thing, it’s sorely lacking in lab space. One would think that at a scientific space station, lab space would be plentiful. In addition, for a space station of its size, it is sorely lacking in dormitory space, bathrooms and waste facilities as well as recreational space. I had been so self-absorbed by the overwhelming nature of my personal problems that I didn’t question the design. My job, after all, is to build it, not design it.”

“Okay, why would anyone build the largest research facility in space and barely put any scientists in it? Computers and robots have their place, but artificial intelligence is not advanced enough for frontline scientific research yet.”

“That’s a good question. Can you hook me up with one of your ‘back door’ connections to the galactic-net?”

“Sure,” he smiled wickedly, “if my mistress would be kind enough to allow me to have computer access without beating me or hanging me from the ceiling.”

“Mistress … Mistress Tiana …” she pondered. “You have to admit, it does have a nice ring to it.”

Derek’s mind wandered as he considered the possibilities. Tiana didn’t give him a chance to respond.

“You can have computer access back, but I am making no promises with regards to not beating you,” she said with a grin even more wicked than his.

“Computer, restore computer privileges to Derek Hart using his voice as the security code.”

“Derek Hart,” he stated for the computer’s benefit.

“Access for Derek Hart has been reestablished,” responded the computer in its usual smooth tone.

“Computer, materialize console.” Without wasting a minute, Derek established the connection, this time routing it through the communication systems of two other ships in the vicinity, making it even harder to trace both its origin and destination.

“What are you going to look for?” he asked as he turned the console over to her.

“I think I’ll start by doing a little checking on our client, the Galactic Science Foundation. It doesn’t make any sense for them to build the odd design they commissioned Interstellar to build. They’re smarter than that.”

“Just remember the old saying, ‘follow the money’.”

Tiana stretched out on the couch under Derek’s detailed scrutiny. Her dress rode up her legs as she relaxed, leaned her head back into her arms and prepared for the search. The soft white skin of her delectable thighs and recently pedicured little feet stood out in stark contrast to the dark green velvet of the plush couch. Derek sat on the other arm of the couch’s ‘L,’ taking in the view and hoping the dress would ride just a little higher. He wondered what kind of panties she was wearing today. Now that she knew he wasn’t an AI, his voyeuristic privileges would probably be seriously curtailed.

“Computer,” she began, totally focused on her task, “Access Interstellar Engineering’s accounting database and identify the bank and account number from which payment is received for the Omicron quadrant space station project.”

“Please enter security code,” the monotone voice returned.

“Voice recognition confirmed,” the computer acknowledged. “Sol Savings and Loan, account number 5529289302787.”

Tiana turned to Derek. “Can you get me into the Sol Savings and Loan central computer system?”

* * * *

Derek’s fingers glided across the console’s keyboard for just a few seconds. “Okay, we’re in.”

Damn, he’s good
, she thought.
I wonder what he’s like … never mind. Focus, Tiana, focus …

“Computer, provide me with the name and location of the account holder for the previously selected bank account number.”

“Galactic Science Foundation, Pluto Outpost.”

“I thought they were headquartered on Mars?” Derek questioned.

“They are, but they do have field offices throughout our solar system. Computer, please identify any deposit patterns within the selected account that match up with the payments made thus far from the selected account to Interstellar Engineering.”

The computer barely broke a sweat before returning a response.

“Each time a payment is made to Interstellar Engineering from the selected account, three deposits from three different banks are received into the selected account totaling the amount of the payment issued to Interstellar Engineering.”

“The source of the money appears to be outside the GSF,” Derek extrapolated, turning his attention to the computer. “Computer, are these deposits received before or after payment to Interstellar is issued and is there any pattern to the amounts deposited?”

“The pattern is random in both cases.”

This time it was Tiana’s turn to interpret the computer’s response. “That means that in each case there are three deposits of varying amounts deposited into the GSF’s account when a payment is issued to Interstellar. When added, in every case, all three total the single payment issued. To further remove attention to these deposits, their timing is random. The plot thickens. Computer, identify from which banks the previously selected deposits are initiated.”

“In each combination of three deposits the same three banking institutions are always used: First Intergalactic Bank, Mars Trust Bank and Mother Earth Savings and Loan.”

“Derek, let’s make your job a little more challenging this time. Can you get us into the Galactic Reserve Bank?”

Derek’s skilled hands glided across the console’s keyboard performing their magic. Minutes later, they were in.

“Computer, who are the account holders and where are they located?”

“The identity of the account holders on all three of these accounts is classified. All three of these accounts were opened from the Pluto Outpost.”

“Pluto is starting to become a recurring theme? What’s on Pluto?” Derek asked.

“Well,” Tiana hesitated, wondering if she should really share what she knew. “I have visited Pluto before. A few years ago, when I was working on a top secret weapons project for the Galactic Alliance. It is not common knowledge, and I could probably go to jail for telling you this, but the Alliance has an intelligence office in orbit around Pluto that, if asked, they would claim does not exist. Based on the information we have just gathered, it would seem that the space station is likely being financed with military money, not GSF money. Pair that with the fact that its design does not really complement its supposed function, and it becomes painfully obvious that the station I’m supposed to build is actually some kind of military facility. My guess is that I would have eventually been given just enough information to ensure the job got done right, but there’s no telling.”

“So, if we follow this new train of reasoning, who would benefit from your demise?”

“If I had turned down this assignment, then Interstellar would have had to hire someone from the outside, with the appropriate skills and security clearance. We have no one else in our office with the background to handle a project of this size and complexity. Our competitors might have benefited, assuming they had the right personnel on board, or—” she stopped, deep in thought.

“Or perhaps an enemy of the Galactic Alliance.”

“That would certainly add another level of complexity to this situation.”

“Computer, access my professional files and cross-reference them with the top names in nanotechnology construction within the last five years and get me a list of those nano engineers whose backgrounds would be suitable to manage the construction of a space station the size of a small town.”

The computer quickly returned an answer. “There are six engineers in the galaxy with the experience and qualifications to lead such a project. They are Cecily Binghamton, Tiana Weiss, Claire Lawrence, Ofelia Reinhardt, Benjamin Murray and Tom Houser.”

Tiana felt like she had been kicked in the gut.

“Tom Houser? The ex-husband from hell? The biggest thing he’s ever built was a doll house. Don’t get me wrong, Derek, he’s smart, but he lacks the experience I was fortunate to get early in my career. That was one of our many problems. He was always jealous of my success. Computer, list out the three largest projects Tom Weiss has managed during his career.”

“In order of magnitude, Tom Weiss has been the Principal on Franklin Station in the Omicron quadrant, Excalibur Station in the Omicron quadrant and New Sioux City in the Omicron quadrant.”

Tiana’s mind was spinning out of control.

“I was married to Tom his entire career. He didn’t do any of those jobs. He would have had to be on site for long periods of time and he was never gone from home for more than a couple of weeks at a time. That information is wrong.”

“Computer, where are the six engineers you listed at this time?”

“Cecily Binghamton is deceased, Tiana Weiss is on this ship, Claire Lawrence is deceased, Ofelia Reinhardt is deceased, Benjamin Murray is deceased and Tom Houser is on Arcadia 10.”

“I guess that explains why he couldn’t make our court date, but what the hell is he doing on Arcadia 10? That’s our next port of call.”

“Tiana, let’s think this through”, Derek suggested, grasping his head as if he were trying to keep all the information his brain was processing from leaking out. “All the qualified engineers are dead except for you and your ex-husband and we know someone wants you to join the list of corpses.”

Derek took a moment, stood up and stretched. Looking up at the ceiling reminded him of ‘Play Time With Tiana’. He quickly sat down.

“We also know that even though Earth’s population database lists your husband as being qualified, he really is not. Why would anyone alter the database to make Tom appear qualified and kill off all the truly qualified people?”

“Well, the obvious possibility is that someone wants to ensure that Tom is considered for the job. But why? He wouldn’t be able to lead such a complex project. The nanobots involved in such construction are very sensitive. The slightest deviation in their instructions and we could wind up building a useless blob of metal. Nanoconstruction is a very precise science, and it’s not for all nano-engineers.”

“Let’s get even more creative. Computer, list other research and development firms that have been paid out of the GSF account that also show the same pattern of deposits from the selected three accounts as Interstellar Engineering.”

“There are four other firms whose payments follow the established pattern. These are Bowman and Grier, the Bradford Group, Holographic Dreams, Inc. and Moon Machines, Inc.”

Tiana saw Derek’s face turn a ghastly shade of white.

“What’s wrong?”

“Holographic Dreams, Inc. is the company I was part owner in. I was also in charge of the research and development group. Computer, what was Holographic Dreams paid for with these monies?”

“The invoice states that it was a down-payment on the ‘portable people’ project.”

“Derek, was that the new project you were about to start working on?”

“Yes, and now that I think about it, it was a GSF project.”

“What if you were framed to keep you from working on the project?”