The Fredorian Destiny: Book 2 of the Evaran Chronicles
Page 29
“So Sanjay has been lurking in us since his death?” asked Emily.
“Yes, and it is about at the threshold where it will try to merge with the host’s behavior. At that point, it would be permanent.”
Jay snorted. “Fuck that shit!”
Dr. Snowden shook his head. “So the fear, spicy food cravings, and all that stuff popping into our heads was Sanjay.”
“For the most part, yes. His consciousness acted like a second processing unit for your mind. You will retain the knowledge, just not the associated behavior.”
Jay tapped his arm. “Let’s get this shit rolling, then!”
Evaran nodded and gestured for Jay to take a seat next to the table. After Jay was seated, Evaran attached a band around Jay’s arm. The band was hooked up to the device by a tube. Evaran interacted with the device, which lit up. After a few moments, it shut off.
“Feeling a bit light-headed,” said Jay.
“That is expected. The nanobots had become a part of your body. The ones that were free floating have been removed. The others will be flushed out of your system in the next few days.”
Jay laughed. “You mean my crap’s gonna be shiny?”
Evaran tilted his head. “Something like that.” He took the band off Jay’s arm and then gestured for him to get off the chair. He gestured for Dr. Snowden to take a seat. After Dr. Snowden sat on the chair, Evaran attached the band, then interacted with the device. It lit up, and then after a few moments, it shut off. He removed the band.
Dr. Snowden stood up and put his hand on his stomach. “Ugh, feel nauseous.”
“That too will pass,” said Evaran. “Emily, do you want the nanobots completely removed, or just the consciousness?”
Emily pursed her lips and glanced at Dr. Snowden. “Just the consciousness removed. I see the value in having the nanobots now after this last adventure.”
Evaran nodded. “Take a seat, then.”
Emily sat on the chair.
Evaran put the band on her arm and interacted with the device. It lit up and shut down after a few moments like with Dr. Snowden and Jay. He removed the band. “You should all be feeling normal in a few days. Sanjay’s consciousness is now residing on Jay’s old nanobots in this device. It will deteriorate rapidly.”
“Sanjay is going to die again?” asked Jay.
“It’s technically not Sanjay in the flesh-and-blood sense, but an echo of who he was. I am going to tie it out to the holo room and guide him to his final moments.”
Emily drew her lips flat. “So he will be going back into a virtual simulation.”
Dr. Snowden narrowed his eyes. “Almost a reverse of our awakening.”
Evaran picked up the device. “I will be back.”
“Wait a minute, man. I think we should see this. We can at least honor him by being present,” said Jay.
Evaran paused and tilted his head. “Very well. Follow me.”
They followed Evaran as he exited the medical lab and entered the holo room.
Evaran set the device on the ground, then pressed a few buttons on his ARI. “I have set each of you as a noninteracting entity. He will not be able to see you.”
Emily grabbed Dr. Snowden’s arm as the room changed into the medical lab. She inhaled sharply and her eyes misted when Sanjay appeared, lying on one of the slabs, with Evaran standing next to him.
Sanjay’s eyes opened, and he squinted several times. He caught sight of Evaran and sat up. He took a deep breath. “Evaran. What happened?”
Evaran nodded. “You got knocked out, but we were able to make it to my ship.”
Sanjay looked around. “It’s very cool-looking.” He narrowed his eyes. “Where’re the others? Did they make it too?”
“Yes. I have taken them to Earth already.”
“Good. I really liked Dr. Snowden. I think we would be great friends.”
Dr. Snowden’s throat tightened as he drew his lips flat.
“I think Emily and Jay will be good friends too. They were a bit rough on me, but I deserved it,” said Sanjay. “Jay was trying to tell me something, but I don’t remember.”
“He was apologizing for snapping at you.”
“Oh,” said Sanjay, bobbing his head. “He didn’t have to do that. He is a good man, I can tell. He protects others.”
Jay rolled his head back and forth while running a hand through his hair. He clenched his jaw.
Sanjay squinted and took a deep breath. “Feel a bit odd.”
“It will pass. The Torvatta is by your car now.”
The environment changed. Sanjay was dressed and standing by his car. Evaran stood a bit off to the side.
Sanjay looked around for a moment and scanned the environment while shaking his head. He exhaled through his mouth. “Can’t even remember getting here. I hope this isn’t permanent.”
“You will be fine in a few days. I will come to visit you in three months from this date. We can then catch up, and if you have any issues or questions, we can address them then.”
Sanjay nodded. “I’d like that. Looking forward to seeing the others.”
“Give it three months so I can make sure they are okay first. We can all meet up afterward.”
“Okay,” said Sanjay as he shook Evaran’s hand. He got in his car.
The environment changed. It showed Sanjay driving his car and then parking in front of a house. He ran up to the door and rang the doorbell. A middle-aged Indian man opened the door. Sanjay rushed forward and hugged the startled man. “Dad!”
“Son? Is everything okay?” asked Sanjay's Dad.
“It is now,” said Sanjay as he cried into his dad’s shoulder.
Tears ran down Emily’s face as her lips drew down.
“Ahh shit, man,” said Jay as he ran his hands over his mouth. He rubbed his wet eyes with his forearm.
The environment changed again, showing Sanjay and his family at the dinner table, laughing and having a good time. The environment changed again, showing Sanjay playing peekaboo with a little girl in the living room.
Dr. Snowden took off his glasses and rubbed his puffy eyes as his chest tightened.
The environment changed to a college building with steps on the outside. Evaran sat on the steps as Sanjay sat next to him.
“I was wondering what time you would come,” said Sanjay as he sat next to Evaran. He squinted and then took a deep breath. “Been having a hard time focusing. I don’t think I’m getting better.”
“Give it time,” said Evaran.
Sanjay nodded. “So tired.” His breathing went ragged as he leaned against Evaran’s arm. “Feel like I could just … pass out.”
“I will be here for you as long as you need me,” said Evaran, putting an arm around Sanjay.
Jay shuddered as tears streamed down his face.
Sanjay smiled. “Thanks. I owe you.” He began to fade, then dissipated into a cloud of nanobots.
The environment changed back to its default white walls and flooring.
Dr. Snowden trembled as he put his right hand on his forehead. Emily put her shaking arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest. Her breathing went haphazard as she let loose a river of tears. Jay walked over and hugged them both.
Evaran, with narrowed eyes and lips drawn flat, walked up and put his arms around Dr. Snowden, Emily, and Jay.
I hope you enjoyed the second book in the Evaran Chronicles! It was a joy to to detail Dr. Snowden and Emily”s first voluntary adventure with Evaran. If you liked the book, and have the time and inclination, a review would go a long way in helping out this new indie author. If you do submit a review, I’ll put in a word to Evaran to give you a tour of the Torvatta! Want to be notified about new book releases? If so, you can sign up below.
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I will only send you email about new book releases, major updates, and the occasional newsletter. I dislike getting spammed, so I will use this sparingly to keep you in the loop. Treat others how
you want to be treated and all that.
I have been dreaming about fictional worlds since I was a kid. I devoured anything related to fantasy and science fiction. I developed a setting over the last twenty years and struggled to find a medium I could express it in. Several years ago I discovered I enjoyed writing. It is a passion of mine now, and exploring my setting with it has been an awesome journey.
I work in the information technology field and have my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in it. It has helped me to shape some of the concepts I write about. I also enjoy keeping up on futurology and science in general.
I live in central Ohio and enjoy walking, reading, gaming, learning, listening to music, and trying to keep up on my never-ending list of TV shows and movies to watch. If you want to contact me, you can do so on my website at
www.AdairHart.com
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To my grandparents, who taught me anything is possible and to believe in myself
This was a fantastic journey for me, but I wouldn’t be here without the help of others. I would like to thank the following people, in no particular order
My great editor, Laura Petrella, for once again being the great person she is. She continues to impress me with her ability to find things I missed and shape what I want to say. She is an exceptional mentor that has helped me to grow as a writer, and I treasure her help.
My cover artist, Tom Edwards (tomedwardsconcepts@gmail.com), for doing yet another beautiful cover. He took the concept of the Torvatta flying into a galactic cultural exhibition event on Kreagus and knocked it out of the park. The man is an art wizard!
My proofreading service, Red Adept Publishing, for providing an excellent service in a short amount of time
My family and friends who helped encourage me along the way.
My formatter and interior designer, Colleen Sheehan (www.wdrbookdesign.com), for once again making my book interior look awesome!
You can see all the books in the Evaran Chronicles at
www.AdairHart.com/Books/Books.aspx
Below are the books in the series (Prequel is available for purchase and is also free to mailing list subscribers):