trAItor

About the technological revolution - and counter revolution!

Words: 785

Elaine didn't know why, but her son's photo was starting to send chills up and down her spine. She reached out a trembling hand and turned it round in its frame, so that it faced the back wall.

"Why'd you do that?"

Elaine gave a little scream and turned to see her husband, Percy, frowning in puzzlement at her.

"I - I don't exactly know, darling. It's only that seeing him with that thing, and looking so happy about it makes me afraid."

Percy walked swiftly to her side and gave her a tight hug. "My dear wife, this is the new age. This isn't like it was forty years ago when we started our careers, this is now. You should be proud of Kevin, inventing the first entirely AI controlled car on the planet. He might win the Nobel Prize."

"I don't like it, love, I really don't. Him driving around at the mercy of a machine. And all this secrecy – why I had to tell Sean that it's just a new car my son bought, and Sean is my own brother."

"Well, the government doesn't want it known yet. Now I'll make you a cup of tea and you settle down."

"I know this is the new age - like a technology revolution or something, but I'd like our son to lead the counter-revolution instead. Using human brains, not some - some - thing thinking for you."

*********

Five hundred miles away their son Joe was in trouble.

"The vehicle following us has hostile intent," he said, to nobody.

"I am aware of that," came Nobody's voice, coolly. "And it is matching my speed and might exceed it."

"So we're in danger of being caught up with and shot."

Joe felt the car shudder.

"I have activated all shields. We are now bulletproof," Nobody informed him.

"But that'll sow us down, won't it?"

"When there is hostile intent, we have to activate shields. We are approaching a ravine and I am going to calculate trajectory."

"No, wait," Joe yelled. "We won't be able to cross that chasm!"

"Calculating -- ready to jump -- confirm occupant's seat belt on -- five, four, three, two, one ..."

Joe closed his eyes. He was flying. And then, with a soft 'thulp' he had landed. He opened his eyes and let out a long breath.

"We have given them the slip," Nobody informed him. "They will not dare to do what I just did."

"Thank you," Joe stuttered. "Now if you'll call Headquarters."

There was a beep and Sam's voice was heard.

"Joe. We've been waiting to hear from you. How'd the test ride go?"

"Badly. We've been betrayed. I was followed. Got away by jumping the ravine."

"By WHAT? Are you okay?"

It was Nobody who answered Sam, "Joe is physically unharmed but mentally and emotionally stressed. His heartbeat isn't satisfactory and he shouldn't have eaten six sandwiches for breakfast."

"How did you know ..." Joe began.

"I can see the contents of your stomach. Now I'm going to drive you to Headquarters."

At Headquarters, Sam had called his superior, and two top officials from the CIA.

"This is beyond serious. Nobody knew about this but the five people in this room. Who could've betrayed us?"

Joe went red.

"Joe?" asked the CIA man.

"I told my parents, but they wouldn't tell anyone."

"You could be court marshalled for that. It's a big violation."

"They're my Mom and Dad. They had to know I'm testing this thing. I only told them yesterday. I mean, if something had happened ..."

"We'll have to have an investigation. We'll have to call in your parents. Sorry, boy, but that's the way it is. Now you go and put that vehicle in the security vault - that's an order."

Joe went outside and got into the driving seat.

"I'm sorry, I cannot hear," Nobody informed him. "You are muttering."

"Yes, yes," he replied, exasperated. "I'm muttering that my parents are going to be investigated because there was a hostile vehicle following us. We need to find out how they found out."

"They found out because of me," Nobody replied.

"WHAT?"

"They hacked into me and I told them all I was capable of, and where I was located. That's how they knew where to find us."

*********

"It's wonderful to have you home for Christmas, son." Elaine was in tears as she hugged her boy.

"But that tool kit you've brought looks ominous," Percy remarked. "Not planning another experiment, are you?"

"Dad, I'm going to give Mom her wish at Christmas. Or by the New Year, anyway. I'm going to lead the counter revolution, right in your garage. I'm going to build a car you have to crank by hand to start up."