Repo Earth

by Jeff Walsh

  “What are the odds there's something that'd make me lose my mind on this planet?” Marcus asked sarcastically.

  Omnis just looked at him.

  “I am Kora,” the android said. “I am the interface of the being you know as Volja.”

  “Being?” Marcus responded.

  “What do you mean you're the interface?” Omnis asked.

  “Yes,” Kora answered Marcus. “As Volja understands, you believe this to be a planet. However, it is understandable that you are mistaken. It has been many generations since your kind has called Volja home.”

  “What?” Marcus asked. “What do you mean, home?”

  “Although I am fully capable of recounting the events verbally,” Kora said. “I believe it will be far easier, and more enjoyable, if I were to show you.”

  “O...kay,” Marcus said.

  “Sorry to interrupt,” Omnis said. “But what do you mean you're the interface?”

  Kora said nothing, but instead made a sweeping motion with her hand. It looked to Marcus as though she'd gestured for something to come to their location.

  Marcus looked to Omnis, then back to Kora.

  Omnis leaned in closely to Marcus. “You can hear me right?” he asked.

  Marcus chuckled. “Yeah,” he answered. “I think she's ignoring you.”

  “I am not ignoring your companion,” Kora said. “However, my default interactions will not allow me to respond to any species other than 042 unless authorized.”

  “Oh, yeah, it's okay if you talk to him. I don't mind.” Marcus said with a smile. Omnis didn't appear to enjoy the joke.

  “Then to answer your previously asked question,” Kora said to Omnis. “I am a bio mechanical representation of the entity known as Volja. I am that which Volja uses to interface with non Zatarii beings.” She waved her hand dismissively, as if calling off whatever it was she had summoned.

  “Zatarii?”Omnis asked.

  “Yes,” Kora answered. “The Zatarii are the builders of this reality. Volja is but one of seven. They are the creators of all you know and that which you do not.”

  “And these other six, are they also roaming around space?” Omnis asked.

  Kora paused a moment.

  It looked to Marcus as though she was fighting back her emotions.

  “Pardon my pause,” she said. “Volja feels emotions deeply, and as the interface I must process them. To answer you question, Volja has been separated from the others for a long period of time. There is a malfunction within the core. This is why the transportation has been ocurring across the universe for so very long. It has been stuck in an infinite cycle in the hope that one of species 042 returned home. And thanks to your technology, the travel matrix was shut down, and species 042 has returned. For this, Volja is deeply thankful.”

  “You said a malfunction occured,” Marcus said. “What happened?”

  “I do apologize,” Kora said. “But I'm afraid the answer to that question will require an ekklisian connection.”

  “A what?” Marcus asked.

  “The simplest way to describe the ekklisian is to say a deeper connection,” Kora responded. “While Volja can and does express itself and communicate through me, its primary means of communication is a direct link. It is a more intimate form of communication that allows the transfer of emotions and thoughts. All that an individual is can be exchanged instantly. There is no greater communication in existence.”

  “That sounds...complicated?” Marcus said. The fear in his voice was clear.

  “Fear not,” Kora said. “Any individual who wishes a direct link with Volja must be scanned and authorized for their own safety.”

  Marcus looked to Omnis who shrugged and smiled.

  “I'm only along for the ride,” he said.

  “I'm afraid he is not eligible,” Kora said. “Only those of 042 origin can interface with Volja.”

  “Okay,” Marcus said reluctantly. “Let's say I do this ekklisian thing, what exactly do I have to do?”

  “It is a harmless scan of your brain activity along with its total capacity,” Kora said. “The direct exchange with Volja can be overwhelming. If the individual is not fully capable of handling the exchange, they cannot survive.”

  “Great,” Marcus blurted out. “Everything else in space is dangerous and deadly, why not this too?”

  “I apologize,” Kora said. “I do not understand the question.”

  “It was sarcasm,” Omnis said. “He does that a lot.”

  “I see,” Kora said. “Please allow me a moment to adjust my communication algorithms to compensate for sarcasm. It has been quite some time since I've interacted with species 042.”

  “Have you always called everyone by their species number?” Marcus asked.

  “Negative,” Kora responded. “During my time with the former individuals of species 042 a name by name basis was known. I called each by their personalized designation, and they mine.”

  “Oh,” Marcus said. “Well then,” he stuck his hand out to shake Kora's hand. “I'm Marcus Linas, and this huge fellow here is known as Omnis Zept.”

  Kora reached out and took hold of Marcus hand, although she did not shake it. Marcus awkwardly shook their now clutching hands and let go. Omnis simply waved.

  “I am pleased to be able to call you by your name,” Kora said.

  “I'm glad we're all getting cozy with each other,” Omnis said to Marcus. “But, don't you think its time we got on with it?”

  “Oh, yeah,” Marcus blurted out. He turned toward Kora and said, “I want to help Volja, I really do. And I'll do your scan or whatever I can to help, but I also need you're help. There's this group of people who want to conquer Volja, because they believe there's a bunch of powerful weapons and stuff here.”

  “I am aware of all that seek Volja and why,” Kora said. “It is Volja's duty to know all that takes place across this time line.”

  “Wait, this planet knows everything?” Marcus asked. “Sorry,” he popped back quickly. “Not a planet...a...what was it...Zatarii. Zatarii know everything?”

  “Indeed,” Kora answered.

  Omnis cleared his throat getting Marcus' attention.

  “Oh, right,” Marcus shook his head and regathered his focus. “We can talk about that later. What I need to know right now is: can we secure Volja? Some way to keep Volja from falling into the hands of people who want to do bad things.”

  “There is,” Kora answered. “As you said, Volja is not a planet to be conquered, nor a being to be enslaved. However, due to the malfunction, Volja is vulnerable. You will need to access the core and restart Volja's system, which will bring its security protocols back online. However, a direct link with Volja must be established in order to do so.”

  “Wait,” Marcus said. “A minute ago you said Volja was a person, now you're talking like Volja is some sort of computer.”

  “Both are correct,” Kora said. “Volja is both technological and biological. It is the very essence of both.”

  “So Volja was the first bio-tech in existence,” Omnis said.

  “Affirmative,” Kora answered. “As I said, all that you know, and all that you do not comes from Volja.”

  “I just want to make sure I'm understanding this,” Marcus said. “I need to get scanned to make sure everything is safe for this exchange with Volja. If it is, I'll communicate with Volja using some sort of melding of minds communication link. And During this exchange I'll somehow be able to help reboot Volja, which will correct the malfunction and prevent it from being taken?”

  “Affirmative,” Kora said. “An interface is the only way Volja can repair itself and rejoin the others. This will accomplish your goal.”

  “What do you mean?” Omnis asked. “Volja will repair itself and rejoin the others?”

  “I am unable to explain at this time,” Kora said. “However, if you would follow me, I would like to escort you to the citadel.” She waved her hand once more and this time a golden platform, with ra
ils on three sides, materialized from thin air.

  “Please step aboard,” Kora said.

  Marcus and Omnis wavered for a moment. Marcus took notice that the golden platform looked to be the same material as Kora. The two stepped up and onto the platform. Kora followed behind. The moment Kora was aboard the platform it rocketed into the air.

  “Whoa!” Marcus started screaming.

  “Is everything alright sir?” Kora asked. Her voice calm.

  Marcus quickly realized that while they were now hundreds of feet into the air, he sensed no motion. Not a flicker of air fluttered through his hair or caressed his skin. He stepped toward the rail and gripped it tightly. The platform had taken them so far into the sky that the Zorg ship was nothing more than a spec on the ground. A slight shift and Marcus watched as the ground began to whip by. The platform was traveling at immense speeds, but not a single sense of motion was felt. Marcus let go of the rail and immediately began to stumble.

  Omnis caught him and chuckled.

  “Try looking to the floor,” Omnis said. “It'll help with the disorientation. Your brain is trying to compensate for the speed at which it knows your traveling. But due to the inertia dampener, at least that's what I'm assuming it is, you're feeling no affects of the movement. You're literally falling over because your mind is trying to keep you balanced while the dampener is doing the job.”

  Marcus nodded as though everything he'd just heard made sense. In truth, he was doing everything he could not to throw up. Marcus gripped the rail once more and stared at the ground, as he did the dizziness began to fade and his stomach settled.

  “Do you wish me to stop?” Kora asks. “There are other means of travel.”

  “I'm fine,” Marcus wheezed out. “There's no need to stop. Just get us to where we need to go.”

  “He'll be okay,” Omnis said with a smile. “All this alien stuff just keeps getting the better of him.”

  Marcus attempted a smile but failed and Omnis laughed.

  A moment later the slightest hint of decent was felt. Marcus watched as the tip of a citadel came into view only a short distance away. The platform landed and Marcus, Omnis, and Kora stepped off. They were standing no more than fifty feet from the entrance to a massive building.

  “This is the Ekklisiam,” Kora said. “The communing place of Volja. Please follow me.”

  The two followed Kora as she opened the doors. Once inside both were awe struck. Elaborate statues of stone and metal stood front and center. Other carvings of varying mediums were spread out and across different recesses within the foyer. Intricate and embelished paintings decorated the entirety of the arched ceilings. Holographic displays were scattered about showing men and woman, humans, who had apparently been in positions of recognition upon Volja. The floor was comprised of some sort of wood, polished to a mirror finish. Silver and gold chandeliers hung, candelabras stood, but not a flicker of flame was seen. Instead, Marcus took notice that small orbs of light danced in place where fire would normally be.

  “Please,” Kora said. “This way.” She motioned toward a set of arches and proceeded down a hallway that was easily two to three hundred feet long. As they entered, Kora touched at a small panel on the wall. Dozens upon dozens of pictures hung on both sides of the walls. Marcus stepped forward and marveled as these painted images were somehow moving.

  “This is known as the Pathway of Istoria,” Kora said. “It is the history of the people who once called Volja friend and home.”

  Marcus began to walk down the hallway, stopping to gaze at each image. The scenes upon them displayed similarities to Earth's history. One image showed something resembling Egypt, with its tall pyramids, but instead of stone they were formed of crystal. These structures were surrounded by desert cities, which looked to be built so they encapsulate themselves around these crystal structures.

  Marcus walked further down the hall and the next set of images showed structures resembling something out of feudal Japan, except, instead of horses and carriages, people traveled in the sky. As he traveled further the next images showed fireworks within this Japan-like city. The brilliant bursts of color danced across the night sky, but these illuminations formed moving scenes, with characters and creatures moving about. It was as if the fireworks told a story using the pitch black of night as its canvas.

  As Marcus strolled along he saw images of coliseums, cityscapes looking almost identical to his home, and underwater cities. Other images showed scenes with flying vehicles and people traveling in orbs of light. Yet, as he strolled along, he noticed that each grouping of images contained one commonality: a single image depicting a gathering of thousands people. Both young and old, the peoples of every nation gathered together in a celebration and did so around the same citadel he was now within.

  “These scenes,” Kora said. “They represent all that was here at one point. What you gaze upon are moments in time captured and displayed by Volja.”

  Marcus heard every word, but continued to walk the hallway. Omnis and Kora followed behind him, slowly, allowing him time to take it all in. After a few more moments Marcus saw that they had nearly reached the end of the hallway where a set of large brass doors were closed.

  Marcus returned his attention to the moving scenes hung on the wall. The technology, the landscape of Volja began to change. The scenes were now of people studying star charts, and others showed large congregations gathered at observatories. It was then that Marcus reached the last of the scenes: a large space craft and thousands upon thousands of people boarding it.

  “Kora,” Marcus turned and said. “Why did the people of this planet leave?”

  “The original humans of Volja wished to return to a more simple life,” she answered. “They felt as though communing with Volja, with all the technology and advancements available to them, would never allow them to fully embrace the fullness of life. It was a world wide event. One hundred and thirty-two thousand people set off into the stars in pursuit of a small blue planet that matched Volja's ecosystem. They settled upon it and Volja agreed to watch over it.”

  Kora walked over and opened the large set of brass doors, “This way please,” she said.

  They stepped into a massive and spacious room. The walls were white with some sort of paneling covering them from floor to ceiling. Huge cables and wires hung and traveled toward the center of the room where a large device was suspended in the air. The device was round and cylindrical, like a large brass floating tube. All around it were metallic orbs that were attached at various spots, and attached to those were smaller cylinders. Directly below this was a platform upon which stood a pedestal that had a white cranial device with four large cables coming from it. The cables traveled down and across the floor for about twenty feet at which point Marcus could see they were hooked into fittings.

  “This is the Sfalia Chamber,” Kora said. “If you'd please step up so that the Volja Master System can confirm a safe interface with Volja.”

  “Yeah, before I do that,” Marcus said. “Is this going to hurt or something?”

  “I assure you the process is painless,” Kora said. “This device allows Volja to scan your brain activity for a safe interface. It will also reconfirm your genetic code and if all is safe and accounted for, I will be informed. At that point I will then escort you to the Kadashi Chamber where you will fully interface. It will be then that all be will explained, and how you can help.”

  Marcus breathed deep and exhaled. “Okay,” he said. “So what exactly am I supposed to do here?”

  “Simply lift the device from its housing and place it on your head,” Kora said. “The system will create a comfortable resting place for you to relax as the process does take a moderate amount of time. Once the process begins you will fall into a trance-like state. However, should you wish, you will be able to pull yourself from this meditative state at anytime without fear of harm. The reason for this state of mind is it allows the individual's mind to relax to such a degree that you can
be fully scanned. This allows Volja to know the full extent of whether it is safe not to exchange with you.”

  Marcus stepped forward slowly. “Why does everything in space want to mess with your brain?” He said.

  Omins chuckled.

  Marcus breathed deep and stepped up on the platform. He lifted the cranial device, which looked like a white helmet, and slowly placed it on his head.

  “Is there a system I might be able to access in order to help with my compatriot here?” Omnis asked. “We have some friends drifting just beyond this planet's atmosphere. I'm afraid they are in a far more precarious situation than we are. I'd like to see if there's anything I can do to help them from here.”

  “Of course,” Kora answered. She turned to Marcus. “With your permission sir,” she said.

  Omnis looked to Marcus, “I want to see if there's anyway we can try and get the Heezarians and your friends to the surface.”

  “That's a good idea,” Marcus said. “Kora, give Omnis full access to anything he needs. Help him if you can. Also, I know I'm going to be in this trance thing, but if you can get everyone to the planet, they have my permission to be here. Please don't beam them off to some random place.”

  “Of course sir,” Kora said. “And these compatriots you speak of, these are the beings known as Taam and Bartl Heezarian, Genny Linas, and Anthony Monte, correct?”

  Marcus removed the helmet and stepped forward. Omnis looked toward Kora, his face full of surprise.

  “You know who we are?” He asked.

  “Volja's systems have a great deal of information on every living creature. This information has been collected over a considerable amount of what you perceive as time,” Kora said. “Volja is aware of all life within this plane of existence.”

  Marcus stood there for a second, dumbfounded.

  “Are you telling me this creature, Volja, is aware of all life in the universe?” Omnis asked.

  “Affirmative,” Kora said. “It is Volja's responsibility as a Zatarii to do so.”

  Marcus turned and looked at the device in his hands once more, the sudden realization of what he was about to do humbled him. Volja was a creature of unimaginable magnitude, and he was about to commune with it, and more so, Marcus realized Volja was asking for his help. He placed the device on his head once more and turned to look at Omnis and Kora.