Artifact: Domino Series, #10

By A. Nation

Three hundred years after the Advent of the Robots, Charlie Dane salvages the wreckage of a lost space shuttle. Now, the owners will stop at nothing to take it back.

After dealing with the owner's android, the asteroid belt, Charlie found incriminating evidence that could put him in harms way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A. Nation
• Release date: Nov 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223859031

A. Nation

I have always enjoyed reading science fiction and mysteries because I am interested in future science and puzzle solving. I write about stories of the future that mimic today's social issues. Issues such as greed, retribution, prejudice, political corruption, and what the future could become are some of the concepts I use to illustrate a moral result.What motivates me? A story I may read in the newspaper, political idiocy, a situation that happened in history, or just anything that I can twist the perspective around. I travel the west with my husband and read about the small towns of the USA as we drive through them.

Book preview

ARTIFACT

Transgressions Exposed

––––––––

Domino Saga 10

All rights reserved

Copyright © 2022

ESIN:  9798223859031

A. Nation

Copyright

A. Nation Books

Yuma, Arizona

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

By your payment of the required fees, you cannot transfer any part of this text into any form.

Copyright © 2022

Published 2023

Artwork by Nancy Gordon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher.

By your payment of the required fees, you cannot transfer any part of this text into any form.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1 - 2432

Chapter 2 – Bad News

Chapter 3 - Charlie & Samantha

Chapter 4 - Collusion

Chapter 5 – Locked inside

Chapter 6 – Search Party

Chapter 7 - Samantha

Chapter 8 - Rayburn

Chapter 9 – Jonathon Onboard

Chapter 10 - Acquisition

Chapter 11 – Stocking the Shuttle

Chapter 12 – Take Off

Chapter 13 – A Call from Earth

Chapter 14 - Breakdown

Chapter 15 – Moving

Chapter 16 – Send Off

Chapter 17 – The Chase

Chapter 18 - Landing

Chapter 19 - Investigation

Chapter 20 – The Asteroid Belt

Chapter 21 – Two Ramons

Chapter 22 - Salvage

Chapter 23 – Hiding the Artifact

Chapter 24 – Mike Has Questions

Chapter 25 – Samantha & Jonathon

Chapter 26 – Nathan and Charlie

Chapter 27 – Nightly Visit

Chapter 28 - Investigation

Chapter 29 – Search Parties

Chapter 30 - Hijacked

Chapter 31 – Alex Blackhawk

Chapter 32 – Charlie’s Plan

Chapter 33 – Death in the Desert

Chapter 34 – Alex Blackhawk

Chapter 35 – Charlie Makes a Demand

Chapter 36 - Assessment

Chapter 37 - Return

Chapter 38 - Ransacked

Chapter 39 - Lunchtime

Chapter 40 - Examination

Chapter 41 – Charlie and Rosorio

Chapter 42 – The Ring

Chapter 43 - Olivia

Chapter 44 – Tying Loose Ends

Chapter 45 - Parting

About the Author

Books by A. Nation

Prologue

Sometimes the past catches up with us. Items we vested many hours, expertise, or sentiment in, we soon forget. Then a flicker of memory brings all of it back into our lives. This story touches an ancestor’s misdeeds, greed, and disregard for human life.

Chapter 1 - 2432

A private meeting took place in one of the VIP rooms on the Moon’s orbiting station. At one side of the room, a wet bar and leather chairs decorated the area. The rich financier, Rosorio Egroeg leaned forward, tapping his foot. His son, Adrian rubbed a spot on his chin while their mining manager, Matt Mathews scrolled through his work etablet.

Rosorio wasn’t in the mood for their excuses why they were banned from Mars for a year. What were you two thinking? Rosorio shouted, gripping the arms of his chair. Matt, Adrian, you could have handled this better.

It’s not Matt’s fault. I wanted that canyon dig, Adrian replied. If it wasn’t for that snoopy girl—

Don’t give me your excuses, Rosorio said, pointing his finger. Your incompetence kicked you off Mars. It’s a good thing your sister, Samantha, was able to take over.

Rosorio, a formable man of wide girth, grew impatient when others failed at their tasks. And yet he spent time in prison for manipulating governments.

Sir, may I make a suggestion? Matt said, leaning forward, as he set his etablet to his side in the chair. His smooth black hair curved behind his ears.

I’m not happy with you either, the older man grunted. But go ahead. I’m listening.

Sam may not be able to handle everything. We need someone we can trust to keep an eye on her.

Like who? Rosorio asked, tapping his fingers on the arm of his chair. The amber waves in his hair shook every time he shouted.

Her friend, Jonathon Carrie?

I’ll ask, but he may not want to leave his antique businesses on Earth.

Ramon, Rosario’s valet, walked toward them, holding a tray of coffee mugs. The android set the tray on the table between the men and stepped away for further instructions.

Or there’s Ramon here, Rosorio said, gesturing toward his valet.

Is this the original one that was booted off Mars? Adrian asked, brushing lint from his pants leg.

No, this is an updated version I acquired from our Singapore office, Ramon290. This one would be unbiased in dealing with my daughter.

And the original is where? Adrian asked, reaching for a covered hot cup.

He’s helping Matt here on the Moon, Rosario said, shifting his frame in the chair. I’d like someone else she doesn’t know to keep tabs on her.

I’d feel better if Jonathon could help us, Matt said, grasping the closest mug.

True, and I wish Simon Heathrow was available, Adrian said, scratching a spot on his curly blond head. He knew androids well. But last I heard, he was still in prison.

Rosorio took a sip from his covered cup.

Can either of you think of anyone else involved with electronics that would not be connected to our companies? he asked.

Matt looked at Adrian and then focused on Rosorio. There might be one. I don’t know him personally and it’s been a while since I ran into him, Matt said, setting his cup on the tray.

In what capacity? Rosorio asked.

He worked for the power company when the grid was first set up on the Moon and this station, Matt explained. I met him at a dinner party a few years ago. He seemed organized and knowledgeable about the power systems we have here.

Do you think we can trust him? Rosorio asked. I mean to do the work and keep quiet about our dealings?

Since I don’t know him well, I’m not sure, but he seemed a straight focus kind of guy.

Have I met him? Adrian asked. What’s his name?

I don’t know if you have. His name is Richard Rayburn.

Hmph, I’ve never heard of him, Rosorio muttered, drinking the last of his coffee.

That could be a good thing. Maybe we should see if Jonathon is available first, Adrian said as he swirled the remaining liquid in his cup. Then we can investigate whether this Rayburn fellow would want to work for us or not.

Yes, with the money we’ll offer him, he should, Rosorio said. In the meantime, you two check out that area on the other side of this moon. Maybe you’ll find water there. Rosorio said, grinning.

Matt rose from his chair, ignoring Rosorio’s remark. I’ll give Rayburn a call and see what he says.

Rosario nodded. He and his son watched their mining manager turn and leave the room. Ramon approached the two men to remove the coffee pot and tray.

Adrian stared at the android as it left them. Father, why are all of our personal valets named Ramon?

I haven’t told you about him, have I? his father asked.

No.

Ramon is a legacy from our great grandfather four times. Since we have an hour before I catch my ship, I’ll tell you a sad story.

2109 – A.D.

Throughout the twenty-first century, several lightweight rockets flew further into the solar system, gathering visual and mineral data. Morgan Nole, one of the richest men on Earth, tested and developed several rockets with payloads to Earth’s space station and Mars. Now he was looking for another way to investigate the asteroid belt and Jupiter’s moons. He contacted the best in the field of robotic systems and androids. The Egroeg Industry’s Robotic Division.

Edwin Egroeg, owner and SEO of Egroeg Industries met Morgan at a space conference where they sat for hours, talking about their goals and projects. The two collaborated and agreed to create specialized satellites for study and building beyond Mars.

In the next couple of years, Egroeg Industries collected data on minerals, ice, and gassy asteroids for twenty years with several other spaceships until one day, their first probe, Di-A-MND, stopped transmitting. Edwin, now in his fifties contacted Morgan at the Nole Launch Station in Virginia.

Morgan, this is Edwin Egroeg. Can you contact the space probe, Di-A-MND?

No, I have my people working on it, but the last transmission is garbled. I hate to say this, but we think the ship crashed or landed on one of the asteroids, Morgan said. Until I know more, we’ll keep looking.

All right, keep me up to date, Edwin replied, twisting his pen between his fingers. How are the other samplers doing?

So far, they are operating well, Morgan said. The avoidance systems placed in the probes dodged the smaller asteroids, but there isn’t a guarantee they can bypass the large rocky material in the belt.

Keep looking for the missing ship. How many do we have there now?

"Twelve. If we determine Di-A-MND is gone for good, we’ll send up another to continue its work. Are you all right with that expense?"

Yes, go ahead, Edwin said. If you can’t locate it, I’ll consider the probe a casualty of the business. Thank you.

Edwin frowned. He had a special payload on that ship. If anyone found it—well they won’t, he thought. The less that is known about Di-A-MND, the better.

As Edwin disconnected his call, his manservant entered, carrying a pot of coffee and a cup on a silver platter. He watched as Alfred set the tray on a small table. The valet poured a cup of the steaming black brew and added two cubes of sugar.

Here you are sir, Alfred said, handing Edwin the filled cup.

Thank you, Edwin said, receiving the hot mug. Alfred, how long have you worked for my family?

Let me see, I think it’s going on fifteen years, sir.

Edwin paused for a moment and sipped his coffee. He set the cup on the saucer and looked at his loyal servant. Amazing. Where does the time go? You are excused, Alfred.

Yes, sir, Alfred said. He nodded a short bow and left the room.

A knock rapped at the door. Edwin’s son, Ramon, walked in. He was close to twenty-eight and in charge of several robotic operations in the west.

Are you busy? Ramon asked.

Edwin admired his son’s dark curly hair and thin stature. Not for you. Come in. Did you just return from our warehouse in Denver?

That I did. The robotic systems are developing well. We have orders coming in from NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Guiana Space Centre.

Wonderful. Will you oversee those projects? Edwin asked.

Yes. In fact, I’m leaving tonight for Guiana, Ramon said. You should come with me.

Thank you, but I have other matters I need to attend, Edwin said. Let me know when you arrive.

Oh, and Francie took mom to Paris to celebrate her birthday, Ramon said about his sister. Maybe I’ll catch up with them there.

Maybe I will too.

Talk to you later, Ramon said, waving as he left the office.

Edwin rang for Alfred. When the servant entered, Edwin rose from his chair. Alfred, contact our travel bureau and order a plane to Paris.

Yes, sir, Alfred said and backed out of the room.

That afternoon, Edwin, his valet, and several members of his business entourage boarded the Egroeg private jet for Paris. He was happy all his family could come together. He noted it had been a while since they attended a family gathering.

As soon as Edwin entered his suite on the plane, a steward poked his head inside.

Sir, we will take off in twenty minutes, he said. Be sure to buckle in as we will climb to the edge of Earth’s exosphere where the gravity is nonexistant.

Thank you, Roberts. I will, Edwin said.

Would you like something from the galley once we’re airborne?

Yes, coffee and a muffin will do just fine. Oh, Roberts, will you patch me to my wife’s private line once we are in the air?

Yes, Sir.

After the steward left, Edwin picked up one of the magazine tablets on robotics. His son’s photo smiled back at him, holding their latest invention. He placed the other readers in their carousel holder.

He settled into his leather chair and snapped the safety buckle closed. He reached for the ereader, relaxed, and read the article about his son’s accomplishments.

Twenty-five minutes passed when he heard the jet engines roar beneath him. He placed his earphones over his head and turned on his playlist from Mozart to Bach.

As he dozed, Roberts entered, holding a tray of refreshments and a cell phone. Edwin opened his eyes and removed his earphones.

Sorry to disturb you, Sir, but I have your wife on the phone.

Thank you, Edwin said, removing the device from the tray. Bring me some water, please.

Yes, sir. We will climb into the upper atmosphere soon. The captain will let us know.

As Roberts left the suite, Edwin answered the cell phone.

Hello, June? Yes, I’m coming to join you. Have you contacted Ramon? That’s all right. He left last night. Yes, it will be nice to have us all together. Love you, bye, he said, disconnecting the call.

Chapter 2 – Bad News

Edwin’s jet flew higher, reaching Earth’s upper atmosphere. In two hours, the super jet flew over the Atlantic Ocean. Once it descended toward France, Roberts reminded him to buckle the safety strap tight. His jet landed at the Charles de Gaulle Airport without a single bump. Edwin unbuckled from his chair.

Roberts arrived at the doorway. Alfred stood with a few others, waiting for their employer. Edwin stepped ahead of his entourage as they exited the plane. Roberts followed them with Alfred in the rear, towing the luggage on a cart.

After embarking, they met with the limousine at the bottom of the jetway stairs. Edwin climbed into the rear of the lead car. All three glossy black vehicles drove off the tarmac.

Edwin’s drivers weaved through Paris, passed the Arc de Triumphed, and pulled alongside the curb at the Versailles Hotel. As he and the others climbed the hotel steps, his wife and daughter met him on the upper landing. June wore a conservative black and white dress with a black waist jacket while Francie, his daughter, sported a yellow silk top and black slacks. Even though both were blond, Francie darken her shoulder-length hair to a jet black.

Oh, it’s so good to see you, June said, taking his arm in hers.

He hugged and kissed his wife before addressing his daughter. And how is my girl? he asked.

His daughter, Francie, smiled and returned his embrace.

They walked arm in arm into the hotel while his entourage gathered suitcases and collected key cards to their rooms from the concierge. When Edwin and his family strolled into the hotel restaurant, the maître d' greeted them and guided the family to their favorite table near a large window overlooking the city.

So, have you heard from Ramon? Edwin asked his wife.

No, we haven’t, June said, sitting. Was he supposed to call us?

When the waiter arrived, Francie, now eighteen, ordered wine to celebrate her mother’s birthday.

I’m sure he’s on his way, Edwin said. He might be out of range.

The server returned with a wine bottle. He uncorked the bottle and poured the red wine into everyone’s goblet.

Let’s toast to Mom, Dad, Francie said, raising her glass.

—-

Their dinner of salmon and pasta mixed with an exchange of family memories created a joyous birthday.

Here comes the maître d', Mom. I’ve ordered you a chocolate flambé.

Oh, Francie, you are thoughtful. He looks serious, doesn’t he? I hope they are not out of chocolate, she said with a giggle.

The maître d's deadpan face belied his intent as he stepped closer to the family.

I’m sorry, Sir, he said, bending closer.

What, no flambé? Edwin asked, smiling.

Sir, I’m sorry to bring you this, the maître d' stretched his hand out, holding a white slip of paper.

What is this? Edwin asked, taking the folded sheet from the maître d's hand.

As the waiter tipped a short bow, he backed away from the table. Edwin frowned as he unfolded the message. He read every word and read it again.

No, no, this can’t be, he groaned.

What is it, Dear? his wife asked, leaning toward him.

Edwin grasped his shaking head.

Daddy, Francie said. She removed the note from his hand.

After she read the communique, her eyes teared.

What is it, Darling? her mother asked. Would someone please tell me what happened?

Edwin grabbed his wife’s hand but couldn’t speak.

Mom, Francie said, Ramon has been in an accident.

June stared at her daughter and glanced back at Edwin. What kind of accident? Is he okay? Let me see that note.

Here, read it for yourself, Francie said.

After June examined the sheet of paper, she looked at Edwin's drawn expression. There has to be a mistake. Edwin?

He gazed at her worried expression and raised a glass of water to his lips. After a couple of swallows, he rose from his chair.

I will call and make sure this is for real, he murmured. I’ll meet you two in our room.

His face pinched with the agony of discovering the truth, he turned and retreated from the restaurant. His heart felt heavier than ever as he walked into the lobby.

After several phone calls and a transfer to Gianna, Edwin returned to his wife in their hotel suite.

When he opened his hotel door, he saw June and Francie standing near the king-size bed. They stared at him in anticipation.

I’m sorry, but Ramon did die in a plane accident. They are searching the grounds now for his body, he wrapped his arms around his weeping wife and daughter. His tears glistened on his cheeks.

—-

In the coming days, the crash investigators never did locate his son’s remains. As time went on, the Egroeg family, struggling with their loss, tried to fill their lives with activities after the tragedy.

A few weeks later Edwin poured himself into his work. He couldn’t face his wife and daughter every day with the awful memory of his son’s death. He decided it was best to rent a small apartment near his office in town. His daughter, Francie, left home to work in her father’s insurance company, and Edwin’s wife sought solace in her charities.

This morning, after he studied production reports from the southern branch, his engineer rapped on his office door.

Edwin glanced toward the man and beckoned him to enter. Nelson, come in. What’s the update on building the androids for our suppliers?

Good. They are functioning as we expected, they move just like a human would, Jake Nelson said, sitting in a chair by the desk. We can send the first batch to Mars as soon as Morgan Nole can take them on one of his space crafts toward the planet.

Did safety inspections clear them?

Yes, since they weren’t going to Mars, the ships were cleared.

What about our domestic endeavors? Edwin asked.

Our customers are interested, but I have received a few negative reports.

Are the robots not working well?

It’s not that, Sir. The customers are scared of blank robot faces. We have a prototype ready to display but without a face. As a result, we halted production. Should I contact a facial constructionist from Hollywood?

Edwin glanced over Nelson’s report. You are telling me we need a face on these machines?

Yes, Sir. People want to relate to them. It’s not like a car, although it is an appliance.

I see. Edwin’s eye caught the framed picture of his deceased son on his desk. The kind smiling face who would never see life again made him think about Nelson’s problem. He turned the photo around toward his engineer.

Use this face, he said in a low hush.

Your son? Are you sure, Sir?

Yes, and name it Ramon. After the customer agrees to the unit, bring the display android back to me. You can put any face you want on the others.

Yes, Sir, Nelson said, rising. I’ll get right on it."

Present Time – 2432 A.D.

Rosorio finished telling his family story and drank the rest of his coffee. He set his cup on the silver tray and leaned into his cushion chair.

Adrian looked toward his father, taking in this tale. I had no idea, he said. Why hadn’t you told me this before?

It never seemed important or the right time to discuss this with you. You were in school while I was away most of the time on business, Rosorio said, clearing his throat. What is important now is we must reclaim our ship from the asteroid belt and bring it here to the Moon.

Why not Earth to our warehouse in Denver or Phoenix?

It’s complicated. Earth might not authorize my request, Rosorio said, shifting his girth in his chair. I’d rather we bring it to the Moon.

Let me see, 2094, wasn’t that about the time of the Robot Wars on Mars? Adrian asked. I remember my college instructor briefed us on the problems.

Yes, but this ship had nothing to do with that, Rosorio scoffed, waving his hand. When we hear from Matt on this Rayburn fellow, I want you to file salvage rights.

Yes, Sir, Adrian replied. We’re holding the next cargo ship for a few days until we know if he’s going or not.

Don’t wait too long, Samantha is messaging me every day about drill heads and other supplies. I’ll have a special package on board.

Should I know what it is? Adrian asked, leaning closer.

"No, this doesn’t