"Kent Duffy. Media pass validated," declared the cheerful artificial voice from the card scanner.

A humaniform series 5 security construct returned Kent's ID card and gestured toward the elevator banks. "You are free to proceed to the 31st floor, Mr. Duffy. The conference is already in progress."

Kent took the plastic sliver and did as instructed. He glanced back at the security checkpoint where the eight constructs guarded their post with no more acknowledgment of the little man. Their disinterest gave Kent a small measure of comfort. An unremarkable man draws little attention.

He walked to the elevator keypad, and punched 3 and 1. Two-foot high numbers appeared on the wall in front of him before being swept aside by the word ALERT in equal proportions. The lights of the elevator bank flashed a harsh red.

Kent tensed.

Everything hinged on him reaching the conference. Hundreds of training hours had gone into planning his insertion into the building. If he were caught, it would've all been for nothing.

A low feature facial display, Low-Face as it was called by the younger generation, replaced the letters. The Low-Face was a blue oblong shape with a mane of hair two shades darker. Nose and mouth were minimal representations, but the eyes were large and expressive with long red lashes. Blake-1290-West, the building's female AI, glared at Kent.

"Mr. Duffy, the elevator will be delayed pending a security issue." Her voice, like most Artificial Intelligences, was compiled from audio recordings of a 21st century actress whose name eluded poor Kent Duffy.

"Ummm, is there a problem?"

Kent's mind raced through a dozen contingency plans, while struggling to fight the urge to grip his hidden sidearm. The state of the art weapon had been custom made to confound modern sensors and appear as a much lower yield gun. It would ravage flesh, synthetic and natural. Unfortunately, the kinetic rounds would merely scratch the chassis of a series 5.

"Please remain still, Mr. Duffy. The situation will be amended posthaste."

Kent's eyes darted towards the building exit. There was no way to get to the doors without a shootout or hostages. Eight security constructs, optimized for subdual and detainment. They would never let Kent escape.

He turned back to the building's low-face and was startled. A series 5 security construct stood in front of him. Instinct screamed for Kent to run, but fear rooted him in place.

"Are you well, Mr. Duffy?" asked the building A.I.. "Your heart rate has spiked."

"I... I'm fine!"

"If you are not well, I can have medical assistance here in 4.5 standard minutes."

"No... seriously. Everything is great! I'm fine. All fine."

The series 5 cocked its head to the side, studying him.

Keep calm, keep calm, keep calm. Kent repeated in his mind.

The machine reached forward and handed Mr. Duffy his overcoat.

"You forgot your coat, Mr. Duffy," said the machine.

"My coat?" Kent squeaked. He looked from constrict to the face on the wall. Kent forced a smile. "Thank you," he said, taking the coat.

"You are very welcome," replied the building intelligence. The low-face slid to the right and vanished, and replaced the face on the face-plate of the security construct. "You are perspiring a great deal. Are you sure you do not need assistance?"

"Uh, I'm fine, thank you. Everything's fine. A-okay," Kent stammered.

Kent willed the sweat to stop and learned a vital lesson. Trying to stop sweating was a great way to sweat more.

"Does the temperature need to be adjusted? I am currently running at optimum temperatures designated by company guidelines for all five of the sentient species currently present within my facility."

Kent mopped his brow.

"I assure you, there is no problem."

A Canamarian woman walked over to the keypad and selected her floor. Impossibly tall with tawny fur and yellow eyes, she wore a smart business suit and carried a small briefcase. The woman sniffed the air around the elevator bank before turning towards Kent. A low growl escaped her vulpine muzzle.

Kent yelped.

Her expression softened and she covered her face.

"I am so sorry," she said, her accent nearly smothering the words.

"No offense taken," Kent replied with the only Canamarian phrase he knew.

Only a week ago he'd watched a PR vid about the cultural difference between the bear-like species and humans. Most of it went over his head, but one of the things that stood out was the Canamarian habit of growling to express simple questions. Most humans immediately grew defensive at the sound of a growling alien, but often it was the equivalent of a curious nod.

The look of embarrassment melted away from her features. Kent gave her a genuine smile, finally relaxing for the first time since entering the building.

"I'm Kent."

"Uhh, I am Ty'sha. Hello in this morning." She put a lot of effort into her enunciation. "You smell like... how do you say? Fear. You stink of fear," she said with an apologetic smile.

Kent reflexively sniffed his underarms.

"Mr. Duffy, I have found your behavior peculiar," Blake-1290-West explained as her low-face returned to the wall. "I have begun recording for later analysis. We Blake Corporation buildings strive to constantly improve our customer service and will do our best to better serve you in the future."

"Please don't do that!" Kent blurted before he could stop himself.

"No need to worry, Mr. Duffy. The analysis will only take a moment. Done. I have shared my findings with the other buildings in my network."

Kent felt like he was sinking. The plan called for anonymity, instead he'd made a scene.

With a chime, the elevator arrived and the door slid open. Ty'sha entered and after a moment's hesitation Kent followed.

"On behalf of the Blake Corporation, have a great day. I hope you feel better, Mr. Duffy" Blake-1290-West said as the door closed.

Ty'sha watched Kent with an awkward smile on her face. Kent Duffy wore his own nervous smile as he moved to the corner of the elevator and tried to be invisible.

Keep calm. Focus.

He wasn't born Kent Duffy. He'd been born Wilson Nova_1103, a clone citizen created for 20 years of manual labor in the mines on the outer rim of The Milky Way. When his tenure ended he was released to find his own way in the vast universe. Five years of training and two decades of hard labor as a Wilson Nova, and suddenly he was alone and without purpose. It didn't take The Free Labor Movement long to find him. They gave him food, shelter, and family. In return all they asked was for him to stop being Wilson. They needed him to become Kent.

Kent was a man on a mission.

The next time the elevator chimed, the door opened upon a grand conference room. 600 attendees listened to CEO Angelique Farnsworth, the most powerful woman in the Earth Conglomerate and de facto leader of humanity, address the known universe. Delegates from the Combine of Galactic Governors, high ranking shareholders of the EC, and content producers from every major media outlet listened intently as the leader of the human race celebrated a 50 year milestone in human history.

"Some historians call it the first dark age of human space colonization... or third, depending on the circle of thought you observe." The crowd laughed on cue, and The CEO's rehearsed chortle was broadcast across known space. "I say it was the end of humanity's adolescence and the beginning of our collective adulthood. Earth's 500 strongest companies had just bound together and solved all of the planet's financial woes. Earth had been purchased, repackaged, and trademarked. It was time for stability to be exported to the colonies, but many weren't ready for this bold new business model. Many were afraid. They saw a hostile takeover, but Earth Conglomerate saw a chance at re-branding as a species."

Angelique paused for dramatic effect.

Ty'sha exited with a chuff and moved into the crowd. Kent nodded and did the same.

"Tragically, War was inevitable," the CEO continued, "but from the gross loss of life a shining new path of growth and prosperity was forged for mankind. One no longer stained by pointless squabbles or derailed by the petty bickering of warring nations, but guided by the clear and unbiased vision of a united board of directors with a vision for humanity. It was under that grand vision that we stretched further into the stars than ever before, and that is where we made First Contact."

The aspect of the wide room shifted. Holographic projectors and VR simulators remade the room's angular dimensions, removing ceiling and walls and breaking the smooth floor layout. Mood setting music filled the room, creating a sense of vastness. The assemblage was transported to the broken surface of Vulcana. Kent recognized it from the history vids. The barren world was originally a trash planet used by the colonies to dispose of debris marked for future value. Back then it was labeled Dump 3022. Before the viewer's eyes a crew of labor clones; genetic cousins of the industry standard Wilson Nova genetic line; met a Va Pu explorer named Arhunkv-T.

Amid the oohs and ahhs, Kent made his way through the crowd and the simulated broken landscape to a position overlooking the CEO. Beside him were a popular Wide-Net reporter and an old man wearing an EC military full dress uniform decorated in medals. Just below them was Hunter Tibalt, the Vice President of the Human-Extraterrestrial Relations Division. On Tibalt's arm was a tall Felarnian woman in a flowing gown. She was lithe with reddish fur and white stripes. Her face reminded Kent of a hunting cat. He recognized her from the eZines, her newly released movie topped the charts in Felarnian and Human space.

The crowd cheered as projections of those pioneering laborers crossed the room in low gravity hops until they stood before the CEO. She bowed low and they returned her salute in kind. The air shimmered behind Mrs. Farnsworth and a six-foot pink cube of gelatin materialized, in a rush of air. The crowd gasped, then clapped with exuberance. This was no projection, but the real Arhunkv-T. Kent found himself caught up in the excitement. He wasn't merely watching a history vid, but stood in the presence of an important historical figure.

The Va Pu were capable of traversing immeasurable distances of space through pure thought. No other sentient race could emulate their feat through technology or other means. They could travel wherever they wished in a proverbial blink of an eye. The jiggling cube before them was the first alien humankind had ever seen.

Kent appreciated his first glimpse of a Va Pu in the flesh, as it were, but his attention quickly returned to Angelique Farnsworth... and his mission. Again his hand tingled with the need to grip his pistol. He thought of the familiar texture and weight of the weapon. Practice made him capable of firing accurately with either hand. In moments Kent would become what the Free Labor Movement made him, a hero to the cause.

An assassin.

Unidentified User: Kent, do you read me?

The words scrolled across Kent's optical lenses, appearing at the top of his vision. He breathed a sigh of relief. Those five words reminded him he wasn't alone. The FLM was with him. He blinked twice in quick succession as an affirmative.

Unidentified User: Are you in position?

Two blinks.

Unidentified User: Do you have a clear line of fire on the target?

Two blinks.

Unidentified User: It is imperative you wait until the target begins her breakdown of budget cuts and layoffs.

Kent knew the plan. He would wait until the CEO mentioned the proposed cuts to The Labor Division's post contract funds. Then he'd fire twice at her chest. If he could manage he'd get closer and follow-up with a third shot at her brain. Her death would be a blow to the conglomerate, and a rallying cry to all of the labor unions. She wanted to take away benefits from laborers who'd dedicated decades of their lives to the company. Kent may have started his life as a clone, but he understood injustice, even if those benefits he fought for didn't apply to his kind. He was no longer a Wilson Nova, he was Kent Duffy, and Kent Duffy cared about the cause.

"Truth. The Va Pu were filled with doubt introducing the universe to your filthy species," Arhunkv-T expressed with characteristic Va Pu bluntness. "Doubts persist for many Va Pu. The Va Pu majority believes the original decision was the correct decision. Humans are useful and entertaining."

Angelique clapped, a look of enjoyment plastered onto her face. The attendees followed her lead.

"Thank you, Arty."

"False. The correct pronunciation is Arhunkv-T. Your filthy species must work on your auditory sensors. Your inability to hear the intricacies of the Va Pu language is disappointing."

"My apologies, Arty." Kent was no linguist, but it sounded like the CEO and the alien were pronouncing the name the same way.

"Truth. Disappointment continues."

The Felarnian actress chuckled into her drink, and whispered something into Mr. Tibalt's ear which made him choke on his own. Kent took a deep breath and looked around the room. Felarnia, Canamar, and Raiel were represented by ambassadors from their embassies on Earth Prime. Kent thought he even saw a traveler from The Silent Worlds among the attendees. He shuddered at the sight of the short hunched shadow of a man surrounded by gentle grey mist. They were more alien than the enigmatic Va Pu.

Drones buzzed around the room, some controlled remotely others controlled by attendees in the room. Two series 4 war constructs stood at the windows on the opposite end of the room, scanning the skyline and the streets below. A moderate level of security just as The FLM's intel suggested. Everything was in place.

Unidentified User: Luck be with you, Kent. Power to The Workers, and Long Live The Free Labor Movement.

Kent blinked twice, but what he wanted to do was see his friends one more time. Seth was their leader. He'd found Wilson Nova_1103 outside the Labor Authority Office begging for work. Karen was the one who taught Wilson how to read and write. She'd helped him wear the clothes of Kent Duffy, and eventually assume Kent's life. Bruce taught him how to shoot, and took him on trips to conglomerate installations to observe how EC military personnel and constructs operated. All were his teachers, all unanimously chose him for this mission. He owed them much, and at that moment Kent wished he'd told them how important they were to him before he'd left.

"... and with Arty's help the Earth Conglomerate will begin construction of a mining facility and accompanying refinery on Vasteen Punishar!"

The gathered shareholders clapped and cheered at the mention of new profits. Va Pu space was a market the EC had been hitherto unable to penetrate. So to the money men Farnsworth's news was celebration worthy. Others were less enthused. The Raiel were the only other species allowed to operate within Va Pu space, despite strong efforts by The Felarnians and The Xnea Xnarn. The delegates from The Combine recognized the announcement for what it truly was, a political maneuver by the EC. To Kent it was all a bit too complicated.

"Truth. The filth of humanity is welcomed by the Vasteen Hexagon," Arhunkv-T declared with a magnanimous jiggle.

Farnsworth took another deep bow to the applause of the spectators.

A flash outside activated the auto-tinting function of the conference room's wall to ceiling windows. Fire and debris rose into the air, crowned by black smoke. The war constructs switched into combat readiness a second before the entire building shook. Glasses of champagne and trays of food toppled to the floor as did those attendees perched precariously on narrow footwear. The simulated landscape vanished, and the mood music silenced. Soft lighting turned red and klaxons blared throughout the complex.

Copies of Blake-1290-West's Low-Face appeared in dozens of window panes.

"Attention; A street level explosion has impacted my lower floors and the southbound roadway. A casualty assessment is currently underway and emergency responders are en-route to this location." The AI smiled it's pixellated smile. "Please remain calm. My structural integrity has not been compromised."

Another explosion rocked the complex, shattering windows, and blowing Kent off his feet.

For a time, Kent's world was one of darkness and silence. A steady deafening tone dragged him out of unconsciousness. Kent opened his eyes to a scene of carnage. All around him were people screaming, people crying, people bleeding, people dying.

The Wide-Net reporter lay beside him, much of her face a blackened death mask. The EC veteran fared much worse. Kent pushed himself to his feet. Bodies were strewn everywhere. The lighting had failed and the only illumination came in through the broken windows. One of the war constructs lay in a heap of slag. The other fired salvo after salvo of laser rounds into the street below. A group of Executive Service Agents surrounded the CEO, escorting her to the emergency exit.

Kent's mind raced. His window of opportunity was slipping away in the chaos. The FLM needed the attack to be public, and Kent needed a clear shot. Neither would be possible once Angelique Farnsworth reached the exit. Kent had to act.

He toggled the safety. Holding his pistol close to his side, he followed the CEO and her entourage across the room. A cube of melting pink ice rested at the center of the room where a presentation had been held less than ten minutes prior. Kent picked his way through the survivors.

"Truth... filthy and barbaric species..." Arty bitterly expelled.

He hurried past a pair of reporters trying to resuscitate a Felarnian ambassador.

Someone called his name. Kent looked toward the sound, her canamarian accent distorted by the ringing in his ears. He almost moved past her, but he couldn't ignore the plea in her yellow eyes. They'd ridden the elevator together. Ty'sha's pantsuit was stained with blood, some of it was hers and some wasn't. She tried in vain to push off of the wall but her legs wouldn't hold her weight. Her eyes implored him, calling to a part of Kent buried deep.

He'd spent twenty years mining on the outer rim where regulations were lax and accidents were plentiful. He'd witnessed scores of his fellow Nova clones, with faces that looked just like his, die because preventive assistance was not cost effective. Kent Duffy was there to kill The CEO of The EC, but Wilson Nova_1103 couldn't leave people to die.

Angelique Farnsworth was airlifted to safety from the roof of an EC facility under terrorist attack.

A man who'd once been a clone saved a dozen people.

A/N: Its hard to fight who you are no matter how much training you take to be someone else. Kent... I mean Wilson is in for quite the adventure and so are you. Thanks for reading. Please like and comment.

L.M.