Free Titan Six by Christopher Forrest Page B

cognitive functions.  They’re simply guards and little else.
    “The cube is a different story.  It’s also composed of DNA-infused metal-organic compounds, but as sophisticated as its technology is, it wasn’t designed to think.  Various parts of the cube can communicate with each other the way cells in a plant or the human body can communicate.  It’s a marvelous organic machine — and very much alive — but one that is under the control of human intelligence at present.  What its intended function was when it was constructed eons ago is unknown at this time.”
    “Why does it appear hostile?” asked DJ.
    “That’s a matter of perception,” Ambergris stated.  “It would not have been regarded as menacing to its builders thousands of years ago, who knew its function and could doubtlessly have accessed it without the harmful side effects experienced by us.  Think of it like this: Titan Six are ants crawling around the inside of an enormous machine, such as a computer.”
    “But what do we make of the Sents?” asked Caine.  “Guards are always posted for reasons of security.”
    “The most likely possibility is that they’re guarding something quite unique and valuable apart from the technology itself.”
    “The more we learn,” said DJ, “the more complex this entire mission becomes.”
    Ambergris nodded.  “That’s the way it is with all knowledge.  The more you know, the more questions are generated.  As Alexander Pope said, ‘A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.  Drink deep or taste not the Pierian spring.’”
    “Well spoken, Joshua,” Caine said.  “You’ve pretty much summarized Titan Global’s mission: to explore the limits of knowledge.  Unfortunately, Titan Six has drunk about as deeply as is possible.  They’ve stumbled into the ultimate puzzle, and I intend to get them out safely.”
    There was renewed silence in the Ops Center.

Titan Six
The Cube beneath Mount Elbert
     
    “Titan Six,” said Touchdown, “there’s a room guarded by eight commandos one level down.  Must be something important there.  Up two levels is a room with three human life forms — probably the three men we saw on the video broadcast — guarded by ten commandos.”
    Portals began appearing and disappearing in the left wall.
    “Where do these lead, Ops?” asked Hawkeye.
    “Most lead to the outer wall and would take you out of the cube,” replied Touchdown.  “You’d slide right into a dark, rocky chamber.  One, however, leads down to a hallway outside of the room guarded by the eight commandos.”
    “It’s a crapshoot,” said Tank.  “We jump into the wrong one and we’re out of the ballgame.”
    “Tell me whenever the right one appears,” said Aiko.  “I have an idea.”
    “Okay,” said Touchdown.  “The correct portal is . . . now!”
    The portals kept appearing and disappearing in different sections of the wall.  They stayed open no longer than ten seconds.”
    “Get ready to jump on my command,” Aiko said, glancing at Hawkeye quickly for permission to give the order.
    Hawkeye nodded his assent.  “Make it fast when the time comes, everybody,” Hawkeye said.  “I don’t want the wall closing around a leg.  Everybody bunch up and get ready to dive through when Saturo gives the word.”
    Aiko’s lips moved silently.  She was counting.
    “Prime numbers again,” she said.  “The correct portal appears every ninth time.  Three . . . five . . . seven . . . jump!”
    Shooter and Gator dove first, followed by Tank and Aiko.  Hawkeye threw his body into the portal at the last second.  He could feel the elastic wall scrape against the bottom of his combat boot as it closed.
    “We’re sliding down a tube!” Hawkeye exclaimed.
    “You’re going to have to rock and roll as soon as you exit,” Touchdown warned.  “Those guards won’t be far away.”
    Titan Six, gliding rapidly but smoothly through the tube, grabbed their weapons.
    “Exiting . . .