The Immortality Game

The steel door slid up again and three more guards entered and took up positions around the room.

“You’re leaving all the other floors defenseless,” Tavik said.

“I don’t give a damn about any other floors right now. This one is all that matters.”

“She took the north lift. If she tries going all the way up, she’ll come out on the floor below us.”

Viktor’s eyes turned blue again. “Perhaps I should send you down to give her a warm reception? Why is your wireless off? I’ve been trying to call you for hours.”

“Didn’t Boris tell you?”

“He told me you ordered him to turn his off. Something about…‌it didn’t make any sense.”

“Zoya has some strange allies,” Tavik said. “A fat American fucker and his father. I have no idea how they’re involved in this except that they want to find the scientists. The father is able to get into your head through the wireless, break right in somehow. Says he can kill you.”

“Kill?”

“I didn’t believe him either. Then he very nearly turned my brain to mush. You wouldn’t believe the pain…” He looked at Viktor’s mask again. “…well, maybe you can, but—”

“I’ve never heard of such a thing being possible,” Viktor said. “We need that kind of technology. The things we could do with it…”

“Yeah, well…”

“This American has been in touch with us. He told us where to find Zoya and led Boris to them. His method for communicating with us was surprising, but at the time he wasn’t in the mood for explaining how he managed it. Just wanted to cut a deal. Next time he calls I’ll insist on a meeting.”

“Good luck with that,” Tavik murmured. “So you want me downstairs?”

“No, stay here,” Viktor said. “I’ll send the war bot.”

Tavik jumped up. “No, boss! We don’t need to kill her. She’s just a girl with a card. Give me a couple guys with stun rifles and—”

“What’s with you?” Viktor said. “Since when have you ever cared how we treated our guests?”

Tavik felt his face flush. “I…‌it’s just…‌well, I like Zoya. We stun her, get the card, there’s no need to off her.”

Viktor laughed. “Our very own Romeo. You think that after everything that’s happened today this girl will have anything to do with you?”

“She’ll come around,” Tavik said. “I’ll tuck her away in a safe house until she sees the light.”

“No!” Viktor’s eyes flashed red. “She’s embarrassed our organization enough. I paid a lot of money for that war bot; I want to see it earn its keep. If she somehow manages to get to us here, then you can try out your fucking stun gun.”

The big guard was back, followed by a hovering chair. Tyoma had been hovering on the edge of sleep until the door hissed open.

“We’re gonna get you out of here,” the guard said. “Boss wants us all upstairs.”

“What for?” Tyoma said. “Has the general come back already?”

“Viktor doesn’t tell me shit. He said get upstairs fast, so that’s what I’m doing.”

“You sure you’re supposed to bring me?”

The guard paused at this as if the thought hadn’t occurred to him. He shook his head. “Didn’t say, but I was told not to let anyone near you. No one took back that order, so you’re coming with me.”

The guard looked at the floating chair and pointed at a spot near Tyoma. “Over here, chair.”

The chair aligned itself next to Tyoma’s gurney.

“All right,” the guard said, “I’m gonna lift you over. Don’t do anything stupid or you’ll lose the other knee.”

“What am I going to do?” Tyoma replied. “I’m sixty-nine years old and I make you nervous?”

“Wise ass. Shut the fuck up.” The guard jammed his arms beneath Tyoma and lifted him with a grunt, then eased him onto the hovering chair. “Right, now follow me, chair.”

The guard got the door open to let the chair slide out into the corridor. “This way.” He pulled a pistol from the inside of his jacket and walked down the hallway in the same direction Tyoma had tried to go earlier. The chair fell into place about two meters behind the man. Tyoma settled deeper into the chair and let his mind wander. Some time passed and the guard said, “Here’s the lift. This’ll be a little tricky. The chair won’t fit in right. I’d take the freight elevator but it doesn’t go all the way up.”

A ping came from the lift and the door slid open. A vast hulk of a man slipped out. “Stop right there!” the guard shouted, leveling his pistol at the huge figure. Then he relaxed and lowered his weapon. “Oh, it’s you, Bunny. Glad to see you. Did Viktor send you?”

The big man—Bunny?— just stood there, but a slender figure pushed around him from the lift and Tyoma recognized Kostya immediately. He grinned and waved.

The guard lifted the pistol again. “Who the fuck are you?”

Kostya held up his hands in a reassuring gesture and then pointed at Tyoma. “I’m one of his colleagues. I’m here to help.”

“Sure, right,” the guard said. “Well, I don’t think we can all fit in the lift. Bunny, you’ll have to carry this guy. I think I can squeeze in with you. The professor here’ll have to wait his turn.”

“Look, we can take him,” Kostya said. “We need to get him to the car.”

“No dice,” the guard said. “Not till the boss says so. We’re going all the way up.”