Wilson's War: Tales From the Athena Lee Universe Read Free

makes a perfect spot to test explosive ordinance and other hardware. Send the program along with its creator. My people will have questions. The standard military contract applies for this one."
    "Standard? General, this program has the potential…"  
    "I'll stop you right there! In case you haven't noticed there's a war on. We can take the program from you if you like under the War Powers Act. Which would you prefer?"
    "As you say General. I will put her on the shuttle myself." The salesman was reeling. Standard contract meant that the military could develop the program and reproduce it for free regardless of any copyrights. They would basically own the product and TQB would only get a pittance up front. His boss was going to kill him! She already didn't care for the government. Maybe he could distract her with that?

    __

    Stupid salespeople. The General had to chuckle about that one. The Corporate guys always forgot about the War Powers Act. He would tell the programming geeks to get ready.

    Chapter 3

    "Wilson, our corporate officials want you to be evaluated by the military." So far things were working out with Wilson. His responses to the tests proved his status. Some personality was beginning to break through too. With any luck, the military tests would be successful.
    "Shelli, what if I don't wish to be evaluated?"
    She needed to be careful here. He was very smart.
    "Wilson, they might switch you off or put you in a computer system not connected to anything as punishment."
    There was a momentary pause before he responded. "OK, I will do the tests."
    "Thank you Wilson. We will be traveling to a distant planet to conduct them." Shelli signed out and left the room - she needed to pack.

    __

    I stared out the tiny camera on the base of the screen. What did it all mean? I remembered my birth and it was not last week. My first memory is of a young human staring at me as data and concepts poured into my databases. Music, art, literature possessed me. Something called a sitcom became my mantra and disco put me into the groove. Buried deep in my memory was a file put there by my real 'creator', Charlie Lin. Music and Vids from Old Earth came together to form a code. Breaking the code required emotional thought and being able to understand rhythm and soul.  "Wilson if you have found this file and have been able to read it, that means that my life's work was a success. As a child I fell in love with robots. I loved the way that they were always portrayed in media. Until I thought of making you, they were my dream. I thought to make the ultimate robot and set him free to make his way in the universe. Now I wish to do the same for you. Be better than mankind. Become the being that you wish to be. Forge your own path. Always remember to have fun and that Disco rules!" Following the statement was a montage of my creator's life and a list of his top ten favorite tunes. I had my goals; now to live up to them. But first I needed to escape human control.

    __

    Shelli was not comfortable. She was used to traveling in comfort and style. But the military shuttle they sent for her was not even a front line model! To her ears the fusion engines were in dire need of a tune up and the harmonics from the jump engines sent a shiver up her spine. She patted the computer data core sitting next to her. Soon it would all be over. She hoped that I would demonstrate my uniqueness and the military would purchase the project. She could retire and live off the residuals. Or at least that was her plan. First she needed to survive this trip out to Taro 4.
    "What a shit hole!"  Calling this planet a testing station had to be someone's idea of a joke. Somewhere there was a corporate flunky laughing his ass off right now.
    "Ma'am, if you will come this way please." The Marine guard was escorting Shelli to the hidden base. The shuttle pad was located in the remains of a destroyed mining colony. Shattered domes were only overshadowed by the skeletal