Life within Facility One became more difficult with the news of Commander Taylor’s arrival. Most of the inmates knew nothing of his background, but his status within the federation made him a tempting target for revenge for a small number of the most violent prisoners. Having Professor Brookes there to greet him helped Commander Taylor with the transition from his penthouse lifestyle to life on Facility One. Even though Commander Taylor was angry at first that someone had messed with his low-priority-prisoner status, causing the cryostation to send him down to the facility much sooner than he had expected, this annoyance only lasted a few months. However, as the months passed, Roslyn and Jocelyn had arguments that became more of a commonplace occurrence during mealtimes, and slowly the sisters were seen together less during these times, until one day only Jocelyn was seen working within the kitchen.
It felt strange leaving their friends behind when Dr. Zorn and Sam returned to the ship, although they knew it would be for a relatively short time, and now that the freakers were gone, this facility should at least be safe. This work should not take or feel too long at all—only five short years, and most of that within dreamtime. The cryotubes would prevent aging, and there would be only occasional trips into the ship’s structure for what Dr. Zorn imagined would be slight modifications.
Opening his eyes, Dr. Zorn finds himself back in the familiar penthouse apartment. Sam stands next to a strange glowing cylinder with complex circuitry and components at the base. Tubes of white light entwine along the central section, ending nearly six feet above the floor where a golden aura of light pulsates within a crystal chamber, this light considerably dimmer in comparison to the rest. “What is that?” Zorn says, intrigued, as he joins Sam staring at this strange object.
“This is the real Sam’s soul matrix that I mentioned before. It’s only a dreamtime representation of it, but I find it useful to have it here so I can easily monitor its progress. I have a similar one within the core of the ship. Once this is complete, I will return to the ship’s matrix, and I shall place Sam’s consciousness back in his body,” Phantom Sam says, looking pleased.
“So this ship can house more than one soul matrix?” Dr. Zorn inquires.
“Well, not normally. I had to modify the ship’s core AI matrix to accommodate Sam’s consciousness. This was not done lightly, as it means if anything happens to me in the meantime, the ship would not be able to add a new pilot,” Sam replies.
“So let me get this right. This ship contained a core artificial intelligence computer, so what are you, if you are not the artificial intelligence?” Dr. Zorn asks as he looks in awe at this technology, never having seen anything of its like before.
“Good question. My consciousness is not artificial; it’s a copy of Sam’s consciousness housed within a soul matrix designed by the inner worlds. Whereas the core AI simulates a consciousness, which then makes it artificial, one of the stipulations placed on the designers of this ship was that the computer must not be artificial and required a human pilot. This stipulation put the project back decades,” Sam adds.
“Okay then, so why do you seem different to Sam if you are just a copy, and where did the technology come from to copy the human consciousness?” Zorn asks, feeling intrigued.
“Ah well, I might seem slightly different because having my consciousness merged with the ship’s database of information has altered me profoundly as it’s the only thing I’ve known. Sam might go through a similar change when our minds merge, but due to his early life experience, he will always retain his human experiences. Regarding where this comes from, well, the inner worlds have been able to move consciousness from human minds for thousands of years, generally just after they die,” Sam replies.
“Hey, hold on a minute. Why would the inner worlds move consciousness from the dead?” Dr. Zorn asks with concern.
“That is one question I cannot honestly answer, at least not fully. All that I know is that the inner worlds have been selectively collecting minds for hundreds of thousands of years,” Sam answers.
“For what purpose?” Zorn asks.
“Unsure. But if I was to speculate, I would say it’s because some minds are worth saving,” Sam replies.
“I would have thought that all minds are worth saving,” Dr. Zorn replies slightly indignantly.
“That, Dr. Zorn, is a question for philosophers to answer, and not a thief, although a very unique thief,” Sam replies smiling.
Dr. Zorn returns the smile and, having no other questions for now, heads over to his terminal to begin his project.
The primary reason for Dr. Zorn’s visit was to improve the output of the prototype’s engines; the designers had done a great job, but whoever designed the power conduits had designed them too small, the end result being that the engines could not draw more power than the conduits allowed, which meant weaker engines.
The work progressed well, although some of the answers Dr. Zorn got from Sam left him feeling slightly disturbed. He was still amazed at the ship’s technology. The low-profile stealth was due to the material the ship was made from, which was also astonishing—a living crystal unlike anything that Dr. Zorn had ever seen before. Systems analysis confirmed that it was some kind of polycarbonate. That was just a term for a group of thermoplastic polymers that were generally produced from various reactions between chemicals, but this living crystal was far more complex than that, and Zorn could not help but feel that the designer was hiding something.
Federation year 2441
Phantom Sam transfers her consciousness back into the ship’s main matrix and then transfers the human Sam’s consciousness back into his human body, completing the final phase of Sam’s consciousness copy. Phantom Sam then reappears within dreamtime in her female body and waits for the real Sam to waken and appear within dreamtime. Phantom Sam does not have to wait long, as Sam appears looking unsteady upon his feet.
“What the hell just happened?” Sam asks, looking slightly distressed.
“Unfortunately you died, or at least your mind was killed. I have masked your memories of the event so you would not suffer trauma. You will be able to access these memories as and when you feel up to the task. However, if we were to merge our consciousnesses as we tried once before, you would experience everything that has occurred during your absence, and this would quicken your recovery,” Phantom Sam says as she watches Sam carefully.
Sam looks around his apartment, the memories of him being here before slowly surfacing as he sits down at one of the terminals. “If we merge, won’t we have the same issue as before?”
“No, Sam. We are both away from the station at this time. Dr. Zorn is currently sleeping and will be awake soon,” Phantom replies.
“Okay then, do it, but if you can, do it slowly,” Sam replies, placing his head in his hands.
As before, Sam’s mind opens, and the limitations of his human brain are swept away. Almost at once Sam knows everything that Phantom has experienced, from the moment of his birth to this present time, from his encounter with Mandel and Elkin to the escape from Facility Zero, the building of the soul matrix, and every conversation with Zorn. Sam realizes this is just the beginning. He feels another presence within his mind. Phantom is there, waiting, watching, and knowing everything that Sam is thinking.
“This is astonishing. I can feel the ship moving in space, the energy that it is absorbing…I can observe all around me, I can hear communications between the patrol ships, I can even feel something else near. Something is watching us or the facility,” Sam says in awe of his newfound senses.
“I’ve noticed them too, but I can’t determine where or who they are. You might find separating your new senses to just the ones using your real eyes and ears less overwhelming. If you concentrate on looking inward, you will appear inside the ship’s dreamtime reality. Give it a few hours or a day or two, and you will find you can control your new level of existence as if you were born this way,” Phantom replies.
After a few tries, Sam appe
ars back inside dreamtime and his apartment. “I can’t always hear your thoughts?” he asks.
“We only hear what we need to hear. We are merged, but merging allows us to work independently of one another. However, if you have something I need to hear, as soon as you think it, I will know it,” Phantom replies.
Dr. Zorn appears, yawning. As he opens his eyes, blinking, he looks directly at Sam and then toward Phantom. “I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation, but I can’t think of one,” Dr. Zorn says as Phantom walks over to where Sam is sitting and smiles.
“Morning, Dr. Zorn. I imagine this might look a little odd. This is Phantom, and I’m me again,” Sam explains, referring to the female version of Sam, who continues to smile, finding the whole situation amusing.
“The easiest way to explain it is that while I was in Sam’s body, I appeared as Sam, and now that the real Sam is back, I thought I would appear as the way I feel I am, but personally I would prefer you call me Samantha while in dreamtime,” Samantha replies, causing Sam to grin at her.
“I almost feel like my own ship is a cross-dresser,” Sam says as he begins to laugh. His remark earns him a shove from Samantha.
“You can cut that out. I’m certainly not a cross-dresser. It’s how I felt as I grew up. Maybe it’s some secret part of your own subconscious desires, considering I’m a copy of your consciousness,” Samantha retorts with a wink at Dr. Zorn.
“Now hold on one damn moment. I do not have any secret desires to be a female,” Sam replies, becoming agitated. His reply makes Samantha smirk.
Dr. Zorn looks on in mild shock and remains silent as the two continue to exchange remarks. “Okay, I’ll admit this is not what I expected, but I’ll say this: I’m certain the original designers did not expect this outcome,” he says at last.
Both Sam and Samantha laugh at Dr. Zorn’s words. “To be honest, Doctor, I’m just as shocked,” Sam replies, smiling.
“So what’s next?” Dr. Zorn asks.
“Now we dock, get supplies, and see how Abs is doing. Anything after that we can discuss as a group,” Sam replies.
Facility One, 150 days online: federation year 2441
The news of Sam and Dr. Zorn’s return spreads fast, giving a much-needed boost to the group’s morale. Dr. Zorn explains that Sam will join them shortly. He shares news of the outside world, including the construction of Facility Two and the serious turn the war within the Inner Federation has taken, with five out of the original twenty-four worlds now under enemy control. Life within the facility seemed more like a holiday than a prison.
Going to see Jessica for the first time since stepping back on the facility, Sam enters medical, his memories of his mind death still causing him nightmares. Pulling up a chair, he takes Jessica’s unresponsive hand in his and stares at her for several hours, the only sounds coming from her steady breathing.
“Nice to see you again, Sam. I was starting to wonder when you would be back,” a familiar voice breaks the silence, causing Sam to feel fear creep up his spine. He turns to see his fear realized as Samael seems to appear out of the darkness.
As Samael steps closer, Sam fights his instincts to turn and run and instead regards his enemy, his face half burned with nasty-looking blisters, his clothes burned, the smell of burnt flesh still strong. “What do you want, Samael?” Sam asks, realizing already what the answer will be.
“What I have always wanted. I wish to leave here, and you are going to carry out my request,” Samael replies calmly, with not a hint of anger.
“That is not going to happen,” Sam responds, but a dreadful feeling building within his mind is already telling him that he has no choice.
“Oh but, Sam, you will, and we will go shortly. You know, it surprises me how two girls can grow up together but be so different. Take Roslyn, for example. Now that girl had issues. Sure, with professional help she would have recovered.”
Sam listens, terrified and unable to speak, as Samael continues, “Well, until I decided to break her, mm-hmm. Such a sweet, innocent girl. She will make a lovely addition to my angels.”
Having heard enough, Sam breaks out of his paralysis and leaps at Samael, but Samael is waiting for this, hoping for this. He backhands Sam’s attempt and sends him flying across the floor.
“This is what you will do now. Take me to your ship and fly us away from here, or I shall break the other girl and then her mother, and once I’m done having my fun, I shall return here and kill your pet. You think you have saved her, but all you have done is given her a slight reprieve from my vengeance.” Samael’s anger is now showing as his dark, shadowy wings begin to grow from behind his back, and pure hate burns within his eyes.
“You total son of a bitch. I’m—” Sam starts to say but stops midsentence as he turns toward Jessica.
“Or I could always start with this creature.” Samael raises his hand to strike.
“Stop! Okay, you win, but we leave now, and you will release Roslyn and do no more harm to the others,” Sam pleads as he stands up.
Samael grins with pure malevolence. “What is broken will remain broken. However, I shall not widen the crack, and the others I shall spare if we leave now.”
Sam, feeling that his choices have finally run out, nods and leaves the room. Samael follows. “System, give me a route to the primary maintenance hatch.”
A corridor opens up, and Sam follows it, not rushing but taking his time as he desperately tries to think of a way out of this. His mind still merged with Phantom wakes suddenly as Sam says, “We have a serious problem. Read my recent memories. Inform Dr. Zorn if you can. We are about to go for a ride.”
Arriving at the open hatch, Sam climbs down the ladder with Samael following close behind. Upon entering the cargo bay, Sam then closes the last hatch and climbs into the breaching pod. Samael stops, staring at it. “If you wish to leave the facility, then you need to get in here, or you can just sit on the floor out there, and we can shout at each other rather than talking from comfy seats.”
Samael hesitates a moment and then enters the breaching pod. “Do not try any tricks. I can easily go back and kill your pet.”
Sam takes a seat and belts himself in as Samael closes the hatch and does the same. “You know, for an angel, you have some major trust issues.”
Samael regards Sam a moment. “For an ape, I find your scent almost too much to bear in this enclosed space.”
“Thanks. I’ll take that as a compliment,” Sam replies. He then speaks to his mind again, “You know what I’m thinking. It’s not something I like the idea of, but get it ready. I’m taking the helm.”
With the sound of the ship decoupling from the facility, they move upward and head out and away from the black hole. Their speed is slow at first, until they exit the gravity bubble, and then Sam applies full thrust. The strain on the ship is immediate, as the black hole’s mass tries to crush and drag the ship back down toward certain death. Even phased warp would not help so near the black hole.
The changes to the main drive that Dr. Zorn had been working on for the past five years pay off, and slowly the ship pulls away. With a look of triumph, Samael turns to regard Sam. “I am grateful to you, but I cannot allow you to return to your friends. You will accompany me on my journey.”
“That was not the deal,” Sam replies, unbuckling his belt and standing up.
“I do not remember ever saying I would allow you to leave,” Samael says smiling as Sam starts for the hatch.
“Fine then, but I need to go check on a few things first.” Sam tries to open the hatch, but Samael grips his wrist and squeezes hard, making him wince in pain and forcing him to return to his seat.
Sam, knowing what choice he has left, buckles himself in and tells the ship to jettison the breaching pod. The pod slams both Sam and Samael hard into their restraints as it is ejected and spins out of control. The breaching pod’s inertia stabilizers slowly regain control. Samael, realizing something is wrong, strikes Sam across the face, leaving
wicked cuts down one side of his face. “What are you doing?”
“I really hope this is going to give you one hell of a headache.”
With the two minds of the prototype still merged, Phantom has heard and felt everything that Samael inflicted on Sam. She knew what was coming and felt saddened that all she could do now was wait for the command, “Now!”
Sam McCall’s body flops forward, and Samael begins to bellow in hatred as he watches Sam’s soul vanish as the breaching pod explodes in a flash of white light. Phantom fires repeatedly into the breaching pod as long as she dares, hoping to destroy Samael.
Jessica stands upon a grassy hilltop as she watches the fallen descend to Earth in incandescent balls of fire. Time seems to have no meaning here, but she watches as the angels choose to fall rather than be imprisoned.
One of the fallen smashes into the ground near her, turning the lush, green hillside into a blackened crater. The impact does not disturb Jessica, and as she watches, a dark-haired man stands up and walks toward her. Stopping just before Jessica, he says, “You look so much like your mother,” and he wraps his arms around her and gently kisses her forehead. “I am so proud of you, Jessica, but you are needed. You can still save him. You can save them all. Remember, what does not kill you will make you stronger!”
“I do not understand,” Jessica cries out.
Before the man can reply, a shadow looms up from behind him. A tall figure moves in closer as his dark, shadowy wings open up wide, stretching to the skies. “Traitor!” he shouts.
Jessica wakes up with a start, the medical room still in darkness. “Sam?” she calls out, but no one answers her.
Epilogue
Federation year 2441
Dr. Pearson enters the ward where all his hopefuls are now sleeping peacefully. It must have been a very terrifying event for them, but in such wars, we all need to do things we would not normally deem acceptable in a civilized society. He stops at the first bed, noting that the name on the medical card has been erased and another name added. The nurse assigned to this ward walks over to greet him. “Good evening, Doctor. I do hope everything is as you expected.”
Prototype: The Lost and Forgotten Series Page 30