Reanimated_Terminal Misery

by Jon State

  “Thank you, Lincoln." He knew the numbers man would not understand, espcially if he was not in on Ben's understanding of the gifts that were gradually evolving among some of the colonists. "I think this was premeditated. I think the Alphas let the creature in. Some guards may have also known about it—like Manas for instance—who if I recall correctly guarded the stairwell adjacent to the med tent. I think you would do anything to keep our people from becoming a threat, but not to the aliens you assume guide this world, but to you and your ambition,” Dr. Spencer said, stopping before Ben and, upon seeing the outrage in Ben's eyes added, "We are not your playthings, Ben. Unlike the pliable pups, you surround yourself with." He saw Ben's eyes turn stone black. "What was that? I didn’t hear you?” Dr. Spencer placed his hands over his ears in a mock gesture.

  Nor Ben or the Council members said a word. Lincoln stared blankly at his compatriots. Ben finally inclined his head. “Can you read minds, Spence?” he said, daring a side glance to Ruby, but she remained silent.

  Dr. Spencer noticed something else in the Councilwoman’s features—uncertainty. "Well, Ben, what do you think? These are your words. Perhaps we should ask the expert on the subject of reading minds.” He turned to Councilwoman Ruby and smiled.

  “What game are you playing at, Doctor?" she said, raising her chin.

  Dr. Spencer fought to keep his face expressionless. He strode back to his friends. He leaned in and whispered “Raw2, game r=move+chide,” in Mathew’s ear. He nodded and laughed vigorously.

  Malica tried to hide her bafflement, having clearly heard what he’d said.

  The doctor put away his smile and turned his gaze to Ruby. He saw her lower lip quiver ever so slightly, and then she abruptly leaned closer to Ben and whispered into his ear.

  Dr. Spencer walked over to his group, and they whispered as a group ‘Raw2, game r=move+chide. To Malica he whispered, “What did she say?”

  “She said, ‘I can't read him, he must be one of us,’ Malica whispered, but tried to smile as if telling a joke.

  Dr. Spencer laughed along with Malica, who had finally caught on. He turned to Ruby and wrote what Malica had told him.

  “Let’s see if I can read your mind, Ruby.” He ambled back to Lincoln, who seemed ready to shatter like a thin vase on a vice. “If I may trouble you once more, Lincoln,” he said, handing over the sheet of paper.

  Lincoln Barns took it as if the thing were on fire. “It reads, ‘I can't read him; he must be one of us.”

  “So, dear Ruby—you can read minds?” he told her, noticing the murmuring from the other Council members. Good, they didn’t know, Dr. Spencer thought triumphantly.

  “So do you, Doctor," she shot back.

  “I’m afraid I have to disappoint you, Councilor.”

  Ruby’s eyes widened. “I can read you now,” she slipped and covered her mouth.

  “I recited code, and I knew Mathew understood the code and played along, while you didn't know what I said. I suspected something was wrong. I mean, you and Ben anticipated us during the Constitution meeting, then again at our get-together. Who knows how long this has been going on? Anyway, now I know how Ben did it, you were reading our minds.

  “How did you hear what I said?”

  “I put an amplifier under the rail as I passed you and Ben. He approached the two wide-eyed councilors and removed the small device. He handed it back to Mathew. “Thanks. It came in handy.” He lied since they had been unable make the earpiece work. I knew you'd get nervous and would want Ben to know you could not read my thoughts.”

  "You tricked me," Ruby slipped up once more and peered over her glasses at her surprised colleagues.

  Lt. Pierce stood. The light above made his eye sockets darken, “There is much to be revealed, honorable Council members. A few of my men and I nearly lost our lives. I will not see any citizen—or my men—put in harm’s way due to your lust for power. We are here to repopulate New Earth. We are here for freedom. We are here to protect each other. We are not here to be pawns, and this goes for the guards and the Alpha units. We need to have an open session to reveal who has powers and how we are to deal with this," Lt. Pierce said.

  The room grew steadily louder.

  He turned to Dr. Spencer. “I believe the Council has been compromised. Will you require us to take Councilwoman Ruby into custody.”

  “Yes, unless there are any objections, from the Council?” he said, his eyes sweeping across the representatives, ending with Ben’s flushed expression. Dr. Spencer nodded, and Corporal Stevens and Gonzales walked a humbled Ruby to the door.

  “Don’t read my ‘cabeza’ lady," Gonzales said, giving her a stern glare.

  ************************************

  Much later, while most Terranova slept, two men sat across from each other at a table. They had used a series of metals and plastics to form a giant cocoon of sorts that covered the small room they occupied.

  “Will this be enough to keep this meeting secret?” Ben said, feeling the metal and thick plastic with his fingers.

  "I'm here at your request and only because you reminded me that we were once friends. As far as this device functioning properly--I can't give any assurances. The brain uses electrical waves to emit its pulses from neuron to neuron. I can only theorize the device can scramble any attempt to reach our thoughts, and it’s thick enough to muffle our voice from long range hearing. I suppose if we have more folks like Ruby, then there will be time to test it in the future, especially since she said 'he's like us,' implying that she knew of other gifted. In any case, I selected zinc, aluminum, copper, and lead. Once a current is applied, it should create a strong magnetic field, at least around our immediate area. The thick plastic should muffle our voices from anyone with distant hearing," Dr. Spencer said, his eyes riveted to Ben's, wishing Aron were here to spy into Ben's thoughts and reveal any elaborate schemes. Dr. Spencer made some final adjustments. “Ready?”

  “Is this going to feel weird?”

  Dr. Spencer eyed the contraption above him. "You won't feel a thing." Dr. Spencer tapped a light button on his floating screen, and they heard a light hum settle around them. I hope I don’t burn the met tent.

  “Good, then let’s talk,” Ben said, pushing a pad towards Dr. Spencer.

  Dr. Spencer glanced at it and immediately went pale.

  Chapter 49

  Contrivance

  Terranova, USC

  August 16, 4067

  “Increase joules to the jumpsuit,” Harmon Deloria said through his shielded mask.

  His assistant did so. The red suit shot blue electrical tendrils, creating an electrical curtain.

  “Test output,” Harmon said, his voice muffled, but calm.

  The assistant held out a long metal-tipped shank, his hand hesitating, but then tightening around the plastic handle. He touched the stiff cloth-like material with the tip. A brilliant white light exploded, sending the assistant’s hand aside, the rod flung away from his grip. It rattled on the hard geo-f floor, the tip a volcanic blaze.

  “What readings did we acquire?” Dr. Harmon asked impatiently.

  “32 amps delivered, Doctor.”

  “Check my vitals and organs,” Harmon asked, still not moving.

  “No sing of spastic reactions. Did you feel anything?”

  “The reaction startled me, but otherwise, I didn’t feel a thing,” Harmon said, his voice pitching towards excitement. He felt the need to tell the world he’d succeeded in making the ultimate armor against predators. He knew others were working secretly on this quandary, too. Some citizens in Terranova agreed with the Council’s determination to sequester the city from the horrible world beyond the wall. Dr. Harmon had never heard anything more unintelligent or cowardly. This was a scientist’s wet dream come true—a wondrous new world full of scientific enigmas—and everyone wanted to run and hide.

  Lately, his mind had expanded, opening avenues he’d never fancied. He read books ravenously and fast, thanks to his own p
ersonal stash. This fantastic drive propelled him into action. He bounced from one idea to the next. He worked on real solutions to their dilemma: repellent weapons, nutritional additives, and structural soundness, all while creating his electrical jumpsuit.

  “You do know we still need to perform a field test?”

  “Yes,” he said, powering down the suit.

  “Will you reveal the project now?” his assistant said, excitedly.

  “No.” Harmon unbuckled his mask and removed it to reveal his pointy nose, hazel eyes, and cropped blond hair. "I will find a way to test it beyond the wall first.” He examined the mask’s perspiration bulb, which transferred his sweat safely under the suit but away from the current. His perspiration kept his body cool under the dense layers.

  “They will let you leave but not return.” his assistant said, holding up a hand in warning.

  “I know a way, but it’s so secret I cannot even reveal it to you, my trusted friend.”

  ***********************************

  “No surveillance device can detect you, and we will perform the test safely away from the wall, Kaya,” Dr. Harmon whispered.

  “You remember how I found out about my ability?” The light caressed her dark skin, her ebony eyes staring blankly at the ground.

  “Of course, honey,” he said, reaching for her hand as she disappeared. Harmon watched his arm be swallowed up by the room. "When you become fearful like right now, you become invisible. We met and resolved to deal with your gift discreetly, right?” he said, unable to see Kaya.

  They reappeared, and she said,” I trust you, but one mistake and we will be exiled from Terranova unless we find a way to stand together. I mean, all those us, then the council will have to listen." Light glistened from her moist eyes.

  “We will not get caught. Your invisibility will ensure that.” Harmon sighed holding her at arm's length.

  "Very well, but after this is over, and they accept your creation…” She swallowed as if something large had caught in her throat. "I will reveal my secret after we find those like us so we can speak as one. I'm so tired of hiding it from them. Everyone is confined to the city walls, but they are free to come and go within it. I am a prisoner to this dreadful tent,” she said, her eyes shifting from side to side like those of a trapped animals.

  He reached for her. She slid into his arm, and he squeezed her tight, caressing her cheek as he did so. “You know I’m just as ready as you are, but we need to see if the Council will consider being tolerant. I’ll present the jumpsuit first, that should give us an idea. Humans fear what they cannot understand, and fear will prove destructive in their hands.”

  “The Council is corrupt. We can still seek Dr. Spencer and Dr. Malica's assistance.

  “Absolutely not,” Harmon said, releasing her gently. He held her chin up to meet his gaze. “Those two are outnumbered. Ten Council members against two are never fair odds.”

  ***********************************

  Kaya wore jeans and a canvas shirt with four pockets, where she’d stored dry fruit packets and two small water flasks. She eyed Harmon with unsure eyes as she bound her dark hair in a pigtail.

  "How are you fairing?" Harmon asked. He wore the red suit, and the helmet hung limply behind his neck like a severed member.

  “Other than the desire to vomit on you, I feel pretty messed up,” she said, allowing her lips to curl into a nervous smile.

  “That’s better, but next time I want to see all your pearly whites—you have the most gorgeous smile this side of heaven,” he said, giving her a peck on the lips. “Let’s go, before we both get cold feet.”

  She reached for him, and they disappeared.

  Passed the open field, before arriving at the wall, they spotted an Alpha scampering above a half-finished scaffolding, which would be used to create a permanent parapet for observation and defense.

  They stopped near the wall’s perimeter and kept an eye on another Alpha until it disappeared behind a watchtower, then they climbed the wide, steep, angled stairs side-by-side. Kaya held on to Harmon’s pinkie. The climb was awkward for her, but Harmon let her lead so he could maintain contact with her. Their moves had to be measured since the Alpha's sensitive instruments could detect small unnatural vibrations.

  They hunkered down in a corner where he discovered a blind spot, as much from the surveillance cams as from the Alphas. Harmon slid the backpack off and removed a metal device shaped like an F. He clamped one end to the thick wall and tightened the vice-like end. The suit had sewn plastic insulated metal rings. Harmon linked the loops with a stout rope, then linked the cord up into the lift mechanism on the backpack he’d placed on the parapet’s ledge. He ran the line into the pulley on the extended F hook and down to the other end of the backpack. Then he secured the straps across his chest and went over the wall, hanging comfortably.

  Kaya held on to his arm, and no one saw the big man climb into space. Working under the spell of invisibility was tricky, but they had grown used to noticing the shimmer the cloaked state produced.

  They had practiced this excursion a dozen times, but Kaya’s stress levels were at their zenith. She held on tighter and closed her eyes as she slid down his back, wrapping her legs tightly around his waist.

  Harmon reached for the trigger switch that hung from the backpack like a tail. He tugged on the rope and began their descent.

  Once down and clear of the wall, they walked hand in hand, dodging limbs and oblivious roots. A few times they stopped to allow scurrying plants or large insects by.

  “From what you have told me, you would’ve never attempted such acrobats back on Old Earth.”

  “I know, but so much has changed.” He smiled to himself.

  “You said you feel smarter, and you are, but I can't tell what you're doing half the time. It seems your always busy creating new things," Kaya said, trying to take her mind off the stunning but dangerous landscape.

  “I didn’t want to overwhelm you with all the details, but take into account the device that lowered us to safety; it took me two days to design and create. Smart is one thing, but having the hands for such work is just as important, and I now have them. Add to this strength. I can do a hundred pushups in two minutes and pull-ups with one hand. My hairline’s thicker, too. This is an evolution of unprecedented proportions, and these simple minded people want to stop it. I want what's best for our people. I would never put anyone in jeopardy, but I, as well as you, understand how it feels to be locked up. I went to prison once, and I will never forget the experience. Observe the land, Kaya. What happened to this land is happening to us. That is not a bad thing. There is nothing to fear, and much to gain from discovering our place among it. One day, we will even have no need for such devices as this electrical suit,” Harmon said, adding, “Before this, I was an introvert and a fragile man, always cooped up in a lab. Hell, I was the wimpiest kid in all my PE classes. All these muscles you’re fond off nearly burst overnight. I’ve been working out to keep my strength because, when I was a kid, I’d stuff towels in my long-sleeve shirt and pretend I was stronger than the bullies in school,” he said, a little louder than he intended.

  Some plants grew still, and others slid away from the alien sounds.

  “You haven’t told me that story. As for these abilities—you mean they’re like the plant’s gift of movement?”

  "Indeed, but the squeamish Council is convinced the aliens are to blame," Harmon said, shaking his invisible head.

  “Is this far enough?” Kaya asked.

  “Yes, I’ll try it on those large oaks.”

  Kaya stared at the trees compassionately. “Will they be harmed?”

  Harmon released her hand. “No, my dear. I’m mostly concerned with our welfare. It would take many charges to put down a large tree, especially when they can displace the electrical current through their roots. Some limbs may die, but they can grow more. This suit, much like nature, tells other creatures that I’m too much trouble to eat or
attack, somewhat like an electric eel’s warning to predators. The electric eel can—or rather could—release up to six hundred volts of electricity in one burst. Nature has their defense mechanisms, and we need to develop ours. Once a predator feels our thorns, in a manner of speaking, the next time they come across us they will steer clear." Harmon smiled before donning his mask and started towards the trees.

  "How can I help if you're in trouble?" she said, reaching out to him.

  “Go back. Two tugs and the pack will reel you up,” he said, waving a finger at her.

  “Please be careful. I love you,” she said, making herself become solid for a moment in order to blow him a kiss. I will race toward him if he is in trouble and hide him, whether he likes it or not. I am not leaving him, she thought.

  “Have faith. Mother will protect me.”

  She watched him leave, curling her hands into tight fists.

  Harmon examined the oblivious trees. They shuffled as if to form a defensive half circle. Most creatures sense fear in other animals, and he was sure these plants did also. They stopped as he came closer to their roots. Their movement became erratic, possibly a warning. Their branches rose, their roots dug into the soil for leverage, and their angle favored their footing, like a boxer ready for a fight.

  Harmon knew the suit’s layered Kevlar and mesh would protect him from some blows, but he wasn’t sure how hard the trees would strike.

  He continued, despite the menace. Something struck his back nearly knocking him off his feet. The shock repelled the blow and set the attacking root afire. The tree stabbed the injured appendage into the ground, squirming away from the thing that had caused it pain. The other trees moved away. The ground shook at their retreat.

  Despite the ache in his back, Harmon moved ahead, passing both trees and circling back for Kaya. The injured tree cowered back further. I hope they're not vengeful like people, he thought, refraining from breaking into a sprint. The trees didn’t follow.