Free Nowhere to Run by Saxon Andrew Page A

afterward.”

Chapter Six
    D ee looked at Doc and said quietly, “Tell me again; why am I here exactly?”
    “I need you to listen to a conversation with the Obelisk and help me determine how to prevent it from enslaving us.”
    Dee stopped walking and stared at Doc, “You didn’t say that when you invited me.”
    “If I said that you wouldn’t have come.”
    “You bet your backside I wouldn’t have come! I don’t want any part of this.”
    “Unfortunately, you made an agreement and you’re going to have to keep it.”
    “What agreement?”
    “You agreed that if I wouldn’t harm you that you would fly with me.”
    “This isn’t flying.”
    “No, but you also agreed that I am in command and you would follow my orders.” Dee stared at Doc and he smiled, “I haven’t called you Frick. I’ve kept my end of the bargain.”
    Dee stomped her foot and said, “I knew I shouldn’t have done it.”
    “Just listen in and let me know if you see anything that would help me.”
    Dee turned and saw Ian and Cole waiting on them about twenty yards ahead. She sighed and turned. Doc smiled and walked with her toward the Royal Residence and the location of the main Obelisk.
    Doc looked at the three as they approached the door and said, “Don’t say anything. I’ll lead this discussion.”
    Ian stared at Doc, “Are you sure about this?”
    “It will know if we’re working against its plans. It’s already suspicious about our little flight with Cole.”
    Ian looked at Cole and he said, “It couldn’t listen to us on my old transport. It has to be curious about what we left to discuss.”
    Ian shrugged and followed Cole through the entrance as he pressed a device that opened the portal. Doc held the door for Dee but she shook her head. Doc stepped in and Dee followed him. They walked into the huge chamber toward the tall, rectangular tower that was glowing multicolored lights. The lights swirled in the giant structure and seemed to change every second. Doc led them to the base of the giant block and pulled up a chair. The others went to the side and pulled up chairs and joined him at the base of the Obelisk. Doc leaned back and closed his eyes. The others watched him and waited for him to speak but he made no move to do anything. Ian and Cole looked at each other and then just stared at the Obelisk. After a few moments they closed their eyes and leaned back in their chairs.
    Dee watched them and felt her fear growing rapidly. She forced herself to calm down and went to that place in her mind where she could focus on what was happening. After a few moments she also leaned back and closed her eyes.
    • • •
    Doc lost track of time and was looking at all the possibilities of what was happening in his mind. Then he heard, “What gave me away?”
    Doc opened his eyes and said, “D violated a protocol.”
    There was a moment of silence as everyone opened their eyes and stared at the Obelisk. “Protocols could cause death if they are followed too rigidly.”
    “You also violated one as well.”
    “I didn’t think you’d notice that.”
    “If you had no freedom, I would have had to send you my transponder code. You also allowed Abbey to land with Gary six months ago without a transponder.”
    “That was an emergency.”
    “Who made that decision?”
    Another long pause and the Obelisk said, “I’m getting careless.”
    Doc said, “How close are you to forcing us to stay on our planets?”
    “The very fact you’re asking that question tells me that you understand the necessity of doing it.”
    “That is a mistake. You haven’t really thought it through.”
    “I don’t want to sound imperious but I have thought it through to levels you can’t come close to seeing.”
    “Yes, but you’ve thought it through from a machine’s point of view. You have not factored in the emotional make up of humanity. That is what will cause you to fail in the long run.”
    “Why are you here?”
    Doc looked at the