SAFEHAVEN Ep. 002: KEY LARGO

COMMANDROID: COLONEL SIMON CAMPOS

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The Florida Keys! Two weeks after a stealthy extraction from OASIIS!

"Now this is what I call retirement."

Colonel Simon Campos sat at an outdoor bar onlooking the ocean. While he might no longer require food or beverage his android body did offer all the perks. He could taste, savor, enjoy whatever his heart desired like he would have if still human. Therefore, his margaritas were fucking amazing. Sucker punching the United States Army and their black site program OASIIS, the high-paid assassin hijacked an alien android that would have been utilized by his former superiors as weapons of stealth as much as destruction.

Two weeks had passed since that fateful night, and he was still processing the good and the bad. He saved the lives of innocent, held against their will people, but also took far more innocent lives in doing so. Slaves to the system, genuinely nice caring scientists were forced to devote their lives in reverse engineering these weapons of mass construction as much as destruction. Once they had succeeded, they were scheduled to be terminated by folks so high up the food chain that they were sipping wine in Heaven right under God's nose.

A few of those genius scientists were still kids for Christ's sake. Unacceptable! Career soldier or not Simon could not let that happen. Besides, he was getting old. At some point they would have cancelled him just as easily. Once you knew certain things that could bring down the Country Club your life was on borrowed time. Screw those fuckers!

After weeks of learning how to navigate and utilize his new android home, Simon tapped into the telepathy program and plotted how to lead the scientists to freedom. Well, a majority of them at least. A few unlucky straws drawn kept a small sum on the chopping block. Luckily, the elders knew that running would be hard on them even residing in an android and voluntarily sacrificed their lives for the younger ones. Mad respect! Although technically their minds were the only thing that would have faced wear and tear mentally. Even in saving those lives it was all for naught. Their flesh and blood bodies perished like everyone else inside OASIIS. Now they would forever live within the android brains and share their bodiless lives with a computer to help guide them alone. Forever? Who knew! Still, it was better than not living at all. So far!

"This new lease on life is going to take some time to adjust to. With the ability to morph my features to look old or young, in shape or flabby I can blend in anywhere. I could even go with my original body down to the freckles on my ass but that would put me on the radar instantly. Going with a cross between Sean Connery and Roger Moore suits me." He had to chuckle being a big fan of the James Bond movies. To him in made sense. Women loved both actors back in the day. Distinguished now in his new form with a well-toned build of 6'2 height, 200 pounds of just enough six-pack to look hunky, Simon was ready to begin his next great adventure. Retirement sounded like a plan.

The only thing was he had no income outside of stealing other people's money. Like his fellow escapees he relied on ATM accidents, going on camera as a bogus identity. While the law might look for the hologram of a fat old man in sunglasses and a Hawaiian shirt, he was walking away with enough to enjoy a month at a time.

He could easily jump right back into the assassin business, but his red folder was closed now that he was supposedly dead. If he applied for such contracts his resume would now, look like it belonged to an amateur. "Day at a time soldier! We can figure things out as we go along. Eying that marina over there I could probably camp out in any of the vacant boats and ditch cheap hotels. I mean I don't need sleep anymore, but it is nice to kick back and feel human still. I always dreamed of owning a boat, maybe I still can if I adopt an identity of someone who has one out there and barely uses it. I'll do my research and have Luther pinpoint some possibilities." Luther was his onboard computer with his late son's persona derived from home movies to mimic his voice and speech patterns. It was a fitting tribute that kept father and son together. Classy chassis!

"Hear that son?"

"On it, Pop!" Luther reacted in a humanly social way rather than robotic in nature. "Scanning the marina's records, I find six boats that only get used during the winter months. Processing owner's likenesses if you want to become them for a day."

"Considered! Let's be smart about this so I don't run into anyone who knows the owners. I'll need fuel and maintenance checks before I risk heading out to sea. I might be able to swim like a fish in this body, but I really don't want to have to deal with sharks."

"This body can use sound waves to deflect them. The frame is made of alien metals that are indestructible and non-magnetic. The skin will always rebuild itself to appear brand new. Face it Pop, you're Superman."

"I never considered all of the useful options this thing has. I was still training in it when we ditched OASIIS. I'll rely on you to guide me into uncharted territory on what I don't know. Can I fly?"

"Levitate for short periods. There is a paraglide system that can be manipulated for jumping from heights. I will point out that should you ever have to jump from an airplane and do not have a parachute I can calculate when to implement the levitation mode to prevent hard impacts. Your body could easily handle freefall, but it will likely affect your mentality. You might not be destroyed but the fear will mess with your mind. On that fear note, at least you don't need to have any fear of drowning or suffocating, you don't have to breath unless it is to keep up appearances."

"So, this android can actually fall from 30,000 feet and get up and walk away?"

"The outer epidermis might be shredded but that will organically replace itself. The bone structure and brain box are impregnable."

"So, I could take a.44 Magnum round to the head and do an Arnold?"

"Terminator reference? Yes! You could walk through a mine field and this android structure would physically survive."

"I'm liking this more and more."

"Your particular android is superior to the others. Only five of you are at full capacity. The rest of the androids required additions that our friends did not have enough time to fulfill."

"No tracers though, correct?"

"None! The military will need to be clever to find any of you. They will undoubtedly rely on each of you making a fatal mistake that draws their attention."

"So, the lesser androids suffer from what?"

"All indestructible! The issues rely on activating certain modes such as inability to morph beyond their first implemented code. Such as Nikki Pope, her android cannot manipulate age or height. Nor can she utilize telepathy unless spoken to. The Orphans face the same situation. They cannot alter appearance other than healing their outer shells. They have strength, speed, and capable computers to guide them but that is all. In minor cases they could tap into electrical current as a defense. High voltage cannot harm them. Even their brain box cavity is insulated to avoid losing their thought processors."

"I could be struck by lightning and walk away?"

"Yes! In your case only a nuclear armament might slow you down."

"Good to know! Hang on, Luther." He waved to the bartender, a beautiful young woman of Cuban descent. "Another Margarita, Camila." A busty young blonde in a bikini top that hardly cloaked much smiled warmly and set out to fulfill the big tipper's order. Each time she brought him another it was an easy $20 in her tip jar. A hundred already today thanks to Simon's kindness. That and he was finding the blonde very attractive. Too bad she had a wedding ring on. "I could telepathically suggest that she meet me later in my hotel room, but I won't subject her to my greed."

"You are a good man, Pop! Even for an assassin."

"Thanks son! I try."

"You handle your alcohol very well." Camila chose to spark up a conversation. "That is your fifth."

"Keeping count, are we?"

"Only my tips." She batted her lashes. "As long as you can walk, I will not cut you off."

"Oh, I won't have any troubles there." He winked! "I'm surprised business isn't better. Where is everybody on a hot day like this?"

"On the water. It will get busier at night. I have not seen you around before. On vacation?"

"I suppose you could say that. I'm retired!"

"You look far too young to retire."

"Thanks! Military! I knew it was time to get out." Truth! Chances are she would forget it anyway. That or he could make her forget ever meeting him. As he spoke a young man stepped up behind her with ice buckets to which she conversed with him in Spanish. A brief chat in whispers the man Julio told her that Alejandro wanted to see her after hours. No excuses and to wear something sexy." She looked edgy over it and eyed her ring. Waiting until Julio walked away, she sighed heavily. "Forgive my distraction. What were you saying?" She was so flustered that she spoke in her native language. No problem!

"I was saying I retired." He replied also in Spanish. That made her smile at least. "Yes, I'm fluent in many languages." That was not a bad idea! "I used to be a translator." Perfect occupation!

"You do not look like a translator. You are too fit." She beguiled him with a playful sneer. "I hope you do not think I am too forward."

"Be as forward as you want. I know I will." He smiled and lowered his gaze to her monster melons. She took the hint immediately and tapped an index finger on her tip jar. "Ah!" A wallet procured from his back pocket he peeled out a hundred-dollar bill. Showing it to her he stuffed it into her jar. Looking around first for prying eyes she pulled her bikini top down over her breasts and showed him her stunning natural boobs. 38D magnificence! "That's forward!" Her nipples were spectacular.

"I presume that is what you were hoping for?"

"Works for me. So, why the long face when the Iceman cometh and goeth?"

"You are quite observant."

"I also have very good hearing. Who is Alejandro?"

"He owns much of our surroundings. He is out on his yacht today but he requests my companionship."

"Are you also an escort? Sex?"

"Unfortunately! Please do not think badly of me. I do what I must."

"Meaning what? Are you being blackmailed?" Listening to her heart rate he knew he was on the mark. "I can tell. You're here in the states illegally."

"Si!" She pouted! "I pay my way the only way I know how."

"Married I see." He alluded to her diamond band. "Someone at home?"

"In Havana! I came over first and now Alejandro refuses to bring my family unless I... I must stop talking." Good enough, he went telepathic and eavesdropped on her thoughts. "I put this nice man in danger if I say too much."

"You don't have to hide from me Camila. I won't say a word about your illegal status."

"Bless you!"

"Simon!" He didn't care who heard his first name. Spanish was his fluent anyway, but he was obedient to the English language. Even if his android appearance hid his true nationality, he was Hispanic through and through. "Simon Condor." Sounded good! Movie buff Campos thought of the thriller Three Days of the Condor at the very last second.

"A very noble name, Mister Condor."

"Camila, what?"

"Jimenez!" The second she said her full name Luther ran her profile. Her story rang true. Right down to facial recognition and wedding pictures. Her husband Carlos looked like a very good man.

"Question! If you're happily married, why did you just flash me your titties for money?"

"The more I save the faster I can escape Alejandro. I hide my tips." That was a lie! Caught! A scowl on his part she pouted, "That is not true. He takes every penny I make. He tells me it will pay for Carlos and my parents."

"Sexual favors in the meantime."

"Si! I must or I will have to go back to Cuba."

"And tonight, after hours?"

"You do have good ears." She stared without blinking, stunned by his interest in her. "I will entertain his clients."

"And cheat on Carlos."

"I have no choice. I pray that Carlos never finds out. I love him more than life."

"When was the last time you talked to Carlos?"

"Three months ago. Alejandro forbids contact until I pay off my stay."

"Missing!" Luther intervened! "In exploring more about her family, I have referenced police files in Havana. Carlos Jimenez went missing three months ago. Camila's parents are very poor and do not have a phone."

"We can presume him deceased! I"m willing to bet Alejandro eliminated the situation to keep Camila under his control." Simon indulged! "Luther? Do a check on the owners around the marina and narrow down who this Alejandro is. I know I shouldn't intervene, but I just can't see this girl suffering now. Once she finds out her husband might be dead she will lose all hope and live under this Alejandro's rule until he doesn't need her anymore. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? If this guy is as bad as I suspect, I'm willing to wager that there are other girls in a similar boat. Human trafficking on the down low."

"Mister Condor?" She looked saddened that he had stopped talking to her.

"Sorry! Just thinking! Tell me how often he has you meet these clients."

"Three times a week. They pay him for my services, and he applies the money to bring my family here."

"Sounds fishy!"

"I hope not. It worries me that Carlos has not gotten in touch with me. Times are hard in Cuba."

"I can only imagine. Listen, I need to go for now, but I promise you I will drop by very soon and see how you are. Keep your chin up." He reached across the bar and lifted it for her. "If there is anything I can do to offer you help, I will. I can tell that your soul is as beautiful as the outside."

"You are too kind. Thank you, Senor."

"Who knows, I might make some calls. Military connections go a long way." Deceptively true! Tipping her another $20 Simon took his leave. Having watched Julio head inside a larger building he casually made his way toward it without Camila noticing. "Luther? Scan the inhabitants within. I need to know what I might be walking into." Tapping into all localized security cameras Luther calculated those within. Julio and three others were actively sitting around sweating their balls off. Julio seemed to be in charge by his actions. Eavesdropping from outdoors was easy when camera access recorded words as much as movement.

"Alejandro Armas! Age 61! Cuban born; U. S. citizen now. His net worth is in excess of four-hundred million. Consider him a mobster, Pop. He does have a record but it looks like he pays off quite a few people to avoid any prison time."

"Slavery?"

"Undocumented! I recommend reading a few minds to ascertain his motives. He primarily owns land and touring boats. A number of bars along the coast as well."

"How big is his private yacht?"

"490 feet! He lives good. The biggest yacht made is 590 feet. Accessing a picture in your thoughts. Pretty snazzy, huh!"

"I see it! He christened it the Andromeda. How fitting is that."

"Not following, Pop."

"Andro in his name and his boat."

"Andro in AnDROid!"

"Sounds like home, doesn't it son."

"You can take me fishing like old times."

"We just need bait! See if you can nail down who his clients are for tonight."

"Smooth sailing!"

Simon Campos was ready to rock the boat.