Page 1 of The Perfect Gift

Chapter One

A maze of crates provides hiding spots in the dimly lit warehouse, the perfect training ground for my Robotic Ultra Functional Utility Specialists, aka RUFUS…

Aka, autonomous robotic dogs.

The Guardians murdered my word for the dog-like robots. It’s a RUFUS, and when we’re talking about more than one, it should be RUFUSes, but the Guardians call them Rufi, and I’m done with trying to correct them.

Anticipation flares within me, but it’s not just the thrill of the upcoming exercise that’s got my stomach doing flips. I’ve been feeling nauseous and dizzy for a while now.

I know what it could mean, and I’m not ready to face it.

Not yet.

We’re using the Rufi more and more during our hostage rescue missions. It allows greater adaptability and enhances the Guardians’ capabilities in the field. With a few taps on my tablet, I dispatch the Rufi into the hidden corners of the mocked-up maze. Their sleek black bodies trot with quiet efficiency as they slink into the shadows.

“Assets in position. Heat sensors online. Prepare to engage.” I let the Guardians participating in this training exercise know we’re about ready to begin the scenario.

The Guardians, their faces set with stern concentration, flex their fingers over their weapons, anticipation fizzing in the air.

“Remember, non-lethal force only. The goal is hostage extraction, not a body count.” I flash a small, proud smile.

These Guardians are former special forces, the cream of the crop, and my task is to ensure they remain so. Today, we pit Charlie team against Delta team.

Charlie plays the role of hostage rescue.

Delta gets to be the bad guy.

The first feed from the Rufi pops up on my screen, granting me a bird’s eye view of the warehouse, like looking through the eyes of a hawk soaring above its hunting ground.

“Hostiles approaching from the northeast corner,” I announce at the beginning of the training simulation, my voice steady. “Go, go, go!”

At my command, the Guardians explode into action.

Charlie team disperses, dodging behind crates and leaping atop stacks, their bodies coiling and uncoiling with the fluidity of seasoned warriors. Every move is honed to lethal precision, a deadly dance choreographed in real time.

I guide them with the Rufi’s intel, providing live updates of potential threats and unmarked routes that feed directly into their visors’ Heads Up Display, or HUDs.

In the blink of an eye, the warehouse transforms into a battleground. Ethan Blackwood, Charlie One and leader of that team, swings out from behind a crate, his rubber bullets zing through the air and slam into the first hostile, Mac, Delta-Two. The impact sends him sprawling backward, his weapon skitters away.

Hank, Charlie Two, pounces next, leaping from the heights with aerial grace. He lands behind Jenny, Delta-One, delivering a swift strike to her legs, sending her crashing to the cold concrete floor. Hank discharges his weapon, taking Jenny out before she can react.

The rest of the team executes similar tactics, each movement expertly honed, reflecting years of training. It’s a lethal ballet, choreographed to neutralize and disarm, not to kill.

Charlie team’s efficiency in eliminating the threat is a sight to behold. It’s a testament to their training, their commitment, and the invaluable support provided by the Rufi. Not that Delta team isn’t a force of nature themselves. They just didn’t have Rufi on their side. This is what we’re testing. What happens when we take the might of Guardian Hostage Rescue Specialists and integrate it with the Rufi.

I can tell you what they become.

They become unstoppable.

Delta team doesn’t stand a chance against the combined force of Charlie team and the Rufi. Within minutes, they’re disabled and neutralized.

“Hostiles disabled. Hostage secured,” Ethan reports, his words echoing through the now silent warehouse. Both teams regroup, their breaths heavy but their spirits high.

The Rufi whir as they return to their crates. Their mission is complete, but the technical team, my team, will spend hours going over the robots’ performance. I can’t help but swell with pride. My technical is top-notch, and this proves it.

“Great work, Charlie team. That’s a wrap for today. Meet back here in an hour for debrief.” I’m already moving into debrief mode, thinking about what I’ll say and what we can improve on for next time. This exercise is a win for Guardian HRS as a whole.

Charlie and Delta teams emerge from the warehouse, all smiles and high fives, and I head out to meet them. Suddenly, a wave of dizziness hits me, and I stagger. Nausea bubbles up again, stronger this time. It’s getting harder to deny the truth.

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