Metal and Ash (Apex Trilogy) Read Free

you and your mech are working.”
    “Of course, Commander,” Shiner said. “I shall follow.”
     
    ***
     
    “This is insane,” Lead Tech Officer Malachi Norton said as he studied his vid screen, Shiner looking over his shoulder uncomfortably close. “The integration rate is not even calculable. This outstrips any of the data Themopolous sent us about the human mech pilots. Even with their Reaper chip to AI integration, this is still quantum levels above that.”
    “So it’s fast?” Security Chief Andrew Morris smirked.
    “Oh, yeah, it’s really fast,” Norton replied, missing the sarcasm completely. “But I couldn’t even put a speed on it. It’s like Shiner becomes one with the mech itself.”
    “I was a mech,” Shiner stated. “Before I came to the snow and was uploaded into the bioorganic metal that is called biochrome. I was a mech of the wasteland. I have always been machine. There is no separation.”
    “Don’t you need to power down somewhere or something?” Morris asked. “Save that super computer brain of yours for tomorrow’s tests?”
    Shiner turned his head towards Morris, his body staying perfectly still. The effect gave Morris the shivers and he had to look away since all he saw was his own face distorted in the reflection off of Shiner’s shiny, blank faceplate.
    “Shouldn’t you secure the outpost, Security Chief?” Shiner asked, his voice dropping half an octave.
    Morris took a couple of steps back and moved towards the door. “Yeah, I think I’ll do that,” he said as he left the room. “Metal freak.”
    “Is it wrong that I enjoy upsetting Security Chief Morris?” Shiner asked.
    “You enjoy it?” Norton inquired, spinning in his chair. His face was only inches from Shiner’s and he put a hand against the bioborg’s chest. “Whoa, man. Scoot it back, will ya?”
    “My apologies,” Shiner said as he straightened and stepped back, giving Norton some room. “Is that better, Malachi?”
    “Much,” Norton smiled. “Now what’s this about you enjoying it? Explain.”
    “Would you like me to jack into the system so you can study the data of it?”
    “No, actually, I’d rather you tell me,” Norton said. “This is new territory, man. I want to hear it in your own words.”
    “Why will that matter?”
    “Because an AI with emotions is fascinating,” Norton said. “As far as I know you’re the only one.”
    “That would not be correct,” Shiner said, shaking his head. “There is Stomper. And many of the dead mechs in the wasteland and the Womb. They can think and feel. They all have AI emotions.”
    “Well, I can’t talk to your buddy Stomper,” Norton responded. “Wait…the Womb?” Shiner didn’t respond and Norton knew from experience not to push. “Okay, whatever. I’m not going anywhere below the containment shield and into that hellish wasteland to talk to any of those mechs, so you’re all I got.”
    “All I have,” Shiner corrected.
    “Don’t start, man,” Norton smiled. “I don’t need you correcting my grammar.”
    “Proper speech is important to clear, concise communication.”
    “True, but I think we communicate just fine.”
    “Because I use clear, concise speech.”
    Norton stared at Shiner for a couple of seconds. “Are you fucking with me?”
    “Yes.”
    “Good one,” Norton laughed. “You’re learning.”
    “I enjoy fucking with you,” Shiner said as he attempted a tinny laugh.
    “Yeah, let’s not say that too much around the outpost, okay? That could be taken the wrong way.”
    “Of course, that is why clear, concise speech is important,” Shiner nodded. “It could also mean I am having sexual intercourse with you.” He paused briefly and waited as Norton took a sip from a water bottle near his workstation. “In your butt.”
    Norton spewed water everywhere, most of it coming out of his nose. “You asshole!” he grinned at Shiner. “You’re worse than Morris!”
    “Morris has sexual intercourse in your