Ever-Life the Two Book Set: The C.P.T Incident and Time Trust

by Andrew Sarkady

  Bellos helped Angie up and they stood together, staring at Carla.

  “Now; you need to be strong, and open minded.”

  Angie took a breath. “Why; what now?”

  Dr. B. went to the cabinet and took a bathrobe out, which he kept for his wife. He turned, looked at Angie and they both watched Carla, as he spoke one word into the Knofer, “Employ.”

  The holographic image became fleshy. The light disappeared from the floor and the body slowly lowered onto the carpet. Carla Bellos stood before them, firmly. At first, she moved ever so slightly; and then, she blinked and looked at Dr. B.

  “Hello, Darling,”

  Carla leaned in and embraced Bellos.

  “Hi babe, here; put this around you. I brought someone to see you; look.”

  Carla turned and saw Angie. After several blinks, she recognized her daughter. She held out her arms and laughed, “Oh my heavens…” The two reached for each other.

  “Mom?”

  “Angela? Oh my baby; how wonderful to see you…My goodness, how you’ve grown.”

  They hugged tightly. “Oh Mom…It is you.”

  Then, she turned to Bellos.

  “Dad, how can this be? This is too much for any girl.”

  Angie stood back and held her breath.

  “It’s all right,” Carla said. “I am here, just in a different way. I am still Mom. I can’t be exactly like you and Dad anymore…Mathew, please.”

  “Angie, Mom is real; but, in a different way. It’s similar to the principles regarding clones. From our research, we are able to create solid holograms; each similar to a clone, but with synthetic DNA. In your Mom’s case, I then programmed most of your mother’s memories into the holographic data; but I have been limited. She can function in every respect, up to the degree we have programmed. The important thing right now is that you two can reacquaint and be together; but Mom can only do so many things. Honey, we can talk about this; and a lot more, later, if that’s okay. Right now, you two should enjoy the moment. I have to go, to a short important meeting. You stay here with Mom; and I’ll be back in about ten minutes?”

  Bellos kissed Carla and left the room. The two girls went to the couch, by the window. Angie sat down, having an overwhelming feeling of joyful excitement and disbelief.

  “Mom, I’m a nurse, and understand medical technology; but I can’t believe this.”

  “I know, Honey; your Dad explained everything to me, some time ago; so, I know what you mean.”

  “You feel real; like me; like anyone else, and you sound like Mom; I just; oh my, it’s so good to see you.”

  Bellos left the room, and refocused on the morgue murders; work demanded it. He walked to the front door and opened it. Chief of Security Dave Marshall stood before him.

  “Dave, come in; sit down.”

  “Sir, we caught the men who did it.”

  “Good; were they Brock’s?”

  “Yes, their communications are primitive. We traced contacts to Rash InVoy, his chief of staff, and Archur Smythe, InVoy’s hatchet man. He made the call from Istanbul, Turkey. The whole thing went down within 15-minutes. If we had more time…”

  “Dave, that’s not the point and you know it.”

  “Yes, I know. We are examining the room now. The Carrier- Unit malfunctioned from the bullets. We think it died.”

  “What?”

  “I know; I thought they only died from sunlight, right?”

  Bellos squinted and tilted his head, “Or apparently something else…”

  “Ever-Life is searching all databanks and testing a four-foot square wall section, struck by bullets. At this point, we don’t have answers.”

  “All right, nothing else we can do, until we get results. Keep me posted. Make sure Ever-life gets all necessary DNA data for processing Dr. Richard and Rachel?”

  “Yes Sir; one other thing; young Sheldon is in ER-1.”

  “Hmm, good, that’s convenient; deliver him to Carrier Unit-17. We will all be leaving from there. Thanks, Dave.”

  “I am sorry about this.”

  “I know. Tell the police I will be available to interview tomorrow…Oh, and Dave, tell Barb Sawyer to go home. We won’t meet now, until I get back.”

  They shook hands; and then, Bellos went back to his office to see Angie and Carla.

  “Hi you two; I’m sorry, I had to leave.”

  “That’s okay, Luv. We had a wonderful time; didn’t we sweetie?”

  “All this is wonderful; I just need a little time to adjust,” Angie said.

  Bellos kidded, “Your Mother and I understand. After tonight, I’m surprised you haven’t fainted by now.”

  “Listen, you two; I do hate to break this up, truly; but, Angie, you and I have several things we have to do. We have to go.”

  “No…” Carla reacted, “not yet; please Mathew; it’s too soon?”

  “I’m sorry, Honey; it is necessary; only for a short time; I promise.”

  After a few seconds, Carla looked at her daughter and said sadly, “Yes, right, we will be together soon. I Love you.”

  “Yes, remember; it is just a little different, that’s all.”

  Carla looked at Angie.

  “Give us a hug, baby.”

  Angie leapt into her mother’s arms and they held tightly to one another. Then Carla gently pushed her daughter back, and whispered, “Bye, you two.”

  She stood up straight, with tears in her eyes, and said, “End program.”

  Her image pulsated, blinked; and, suddenly, she was gone. Bellos took Angie in his arms.

  “I know this is difficult. I know this morning has been too much for anyone. But, Angie, you are not just anyone. I believe you can handle all this. There are changes coming, fast; and I promise, you are a big part of them. You WILL be with your mom again, very soon.”

  “I hope so.”

  Then with a smile, she stepped back again.

  “Okay, what’s next, Pop?”

  “Have you got the book, you brought in?”

  “Right here…”

  “Come on, then; we go.”

  They both walked out of the room and back into the elevator by the front door. Bellos spoke with conviction, “Down-red 6, stat…”

  The elevator pressurized and fell fast, down below the hospital some 1300 feet.

  Within ten seconds, the door opened; and they walked out into a lighted, rock wall corridor. Once again, Angie stared at everything.

  “Dad, where are we, some Wonderland?”

  Bellos chuckled, “Interesting you say that; I have always thought so. This way; follow me.”

  They walked through the hallway quickly, passing five numbered doors. Bellos opened the sixth, which had number 17 on it. They stepped into an empty white comfortably lit room.

  “Honey, this is the inside of a Carrier-Unit. Remember repeating words in the elevator before?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, now your voice print is part of a very special data base; and, consequently, in rooms like this, you have authority to request most anything you want. So, don’t be bashful or afraid to ask for what you want; within reason, of course.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  Bellos waved his arm out, “I mean like a chair.”

  He said it; and, immediately, a high back, cushioned chair appeared.

  “Table, with hors d’oeuvre.”

  One dining table and chair appeared, with a large plate of various appetizers.

  “Standard programming is Victorian style furniture. You will learn as you go. You try.”

  Angie said, “Lobster dinner, with Asparagus, baked potato and Champagne.”

  A feast appeared, on the table.

  “Try not to get caught up in it, too much, all right?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Bellos turned, as if he were speaking to the walls.

  “Please provide a couch, fireplace, tables, lamps, and 60-inch wall monitor. Decorate walls in style of Bellos
house-1017.”

  Angie watched the room lighting pulse for a second; and then, just like magic, everything Bellos requested appeared, out of nowhere, neatly positioned around the room.

  “Oh my God!”

  “Yeah; rather nifty; isn’t it?”

  “Nifty…Please?”

  “Yes, nifty…Obviously, I am sort of stuck on Victorian Santa chairs and fireplaces. You practice…Decide what you like. Just remember; if you abuse the Unit, it will cease to function. Honey, I have to go, for just a little while. Try and relax. Is the drink helping the body shock?”

  “Yes, I feel better.”

  “Good.”

  Then he turned to walk out and heard, “Dad, wait, you can’t leave without telling me what a…Unit is; Carrier-Unit, right?”

  Bellos stopped, and did a double take. He turned around and took a breath himself.

  “You are right. Sit a minute. I do have a bit more to say.”

  He scratched his head and looked at her, lovingly.

  “Do you remember in the nurses’ lounge; how I acted?”

  “Yes, I was hurt; shocked, really.”

  “I am sorry for that. I didn’t think you were going to be so upset at what you saw. After all, you are a nurse”

  “What did I see?”

  “You saw something wonderful; but yes, scary; especially if you are not prepared.”

  “I feel safe now. Tell me.”

  Bellos leaned back in the chair.

  “As I started to tell you before; some years ago, I was recruited by an organization, a medical research organization. The organization is a subterranean culture of people, who base their lives on healthcare research and well-being. They have lived deep beneath Earth’s surface, for centuries; much longer really; but, the point is, they-we, have made unbelievable medical discoveries; discoveries that far surpass anything mankind has done up on the surface.”

  “Like what.”

  “Like; ‘how to bring a person to life’, for example”

  “You mean, Dr. Sheldon, don’t you?”

  “Yes; and very soon, your Mom, I hope. Dr. Sheldon discovered a serum, a formula. It’s a bit complicated.”

  Angie sat up straight and attentive.

  “So; frankenstein?”

  “Far from it; however, we have not been able to duplicate the formula, completely. But, we are working on it, as we speak. Anyway, his serum can only survive and will only react correctly, in a special catalyst bath. That catalyst has a formula too, and only exists, in its raw state, within a single primary source, a person, who contains a very special DNA mix.”

  “Okay, so the combination of serum and catalyst bath can bring dead people back to life. I get it.”

  “Well, it’s not just that. Follow me on this one point, please. I am referring only to the catalyst bath, here.”

  “Fine, go on.”

  “So far, within all the known gene banks, our family, Bellos/Esposito, has the only DNA structural combination to make the bath. It’s one of the reasons they recruited me, my DNA…And it has been passed on, to certain genetic relatives…”

  “Your genes?”

  “…More specifically, in this case; regarding the catalyst bath, you-your genes.”

  “What?”

  “Angie; you alone; you are the only person who has the genetic carrier proteins in the raw state; in the right sequence combinations. You carry the bath that will insure Dr Sheldon’s serum will live long enough to re inject into a patient.”

  Angie sat still, staring blankly, for a moment. She furrowed her brow, rolled her eyes a bit and looked around the room, trying to focus.

  “So, what are you saying, exactly?”

  Bellos pulled his chair close to her and took her hands. But just as he was about to speak again, Angie blurted out, “Dad, did you know I was kidnapped tonight?”

  “No…When?”

  “Earlier, after Ralph and I got caught in the elevator.”

  “Jesus; I was the one who authorized the Elevator-Unit to take you out. I thought you would be safer.”

  “We made it to a road; and then, a van came. There were men with black hoods. They took me, drugged me and left me on Mrs. Sheldon’s doorstep. She and I talked, and we took Dr. Jack’s manuscript to the morgue. Dad, Dr. Richard injected Dr.. Sheldon with the vial you gave me; and he woke up.”

  “I expected that; but that particular Dr. Sheldon was a duplicate body, developed with a process called transtosis…It takes more explanation. We don’t have time right now. That book describes everything, including how we do it. We can reanimate cells; grow organs; even grow complete bodies. Unfortunately, however, the memory/personality of the patient is temporary. We keep the duplicates comfortable and normal, with periodic non-invasive procedures.”

  “That must be the wine Dr. Richard gave him, right?”

  “Yes; I’m sorry about all this, Kiddo, dumping it on you like this.”

  “It’s okay; I’m a nurse, remember. But, look at this on my neck. It is a needle mark?”

  Bellos studied the tiny dot. Then, he rolled his eyes, stood up and paced.

  “They kidnapped you, to try and get the catalyst bath. They are making more vials. The shelf life of the serum is too short to study.”

  “So, I am in danger…”

  “Not until they realize your neck was the wrong extraction point.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Bellos stopped pacing and looked at her. He snapped his fingers, as if a light bulb turned on.

  “Jesus, we have a traitor in our midst. They know you are the bath, and that means they know this-Ever-Life; us.”

  “Ever-Life; I like it.”

  “We have to get the serum vials back, before they mix the wrong catalyst; unless, of course, they redid the chemistry already? Angie, I know all this is shocking-the morgue, focus ward. But, I will make this all right. I’m going to bring you into my world, unless you are too exhausted.”

  “Dad; I think I’m already in your world.”

  “I trust you with everything. Are you hungry?”

  “Yes.”

  “ Let’s get you refreshed, and something to eat. You can’t afford to go into shock, anytime in the near future.”

  Bellos grabbed his Knofer,

  “Authorization Bellos GGM-TBN-010…Allow Angie Bellos complete access within any Carrier-Unit17; authorization Bellos 010-TBN2 …And activate defensive posture 001 to protect her.”

  Here, Angie; take this. If you get lost and can’t find anyone, just speak into it saying ‘directions’ to where ever you want to go. It will show you the way.”

  “I don’t think I’m going to wander off. Anyway, I am tired and hungry.”

  “Yes, well as I said; order anything and there is a bath area, around the corner there. I have to go now, for a short time. I will be back very soon. Meanwhile, you can freshen up and enjoy whatever you like. After that, I’m going to send you on a learning effort. You are going on a tour, and witness exactly how we do what I described. I want you to see and learn Ever-Life. You will experience the duplication process and understand what I just told you.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’m going to save what we have started, and begin beating the bad guys. I will be back by the time you get ready.”

  Chapter 20

  Unit # 17

  Angela Bellos sat in Unit-17 on lower level six, below Andrews Hospital. She waited for her father and a journey she couldn’t imagine. There was a knock on the door, and a guard walked in.

  “Hello, Ms. Angie, are you all right?”

  “Yes fine; just waiting.”

  “I see. The doctor asked me to bring you company. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Well, I can’t imagine many more surprises. Sure; that’s fine.”

  The guard turned, motioned; and, in walked a young man, slowly, with his face down. Angie studied him for a few seconds; and then, he looked at her.

  “Ms. Angie, th
is is Brian. Brian, be nice. Ms. Angie has had an evening to match yours…Ms., the doctor said he will be here shortly.”

  “Thank you.”

  Angie stood, squinted, and then said, “Brian; Brian Sheldon? Is that you?”

  Brian looked perplexed, until he took a moment to examine her face.

  “My God; Angie Esposito. What the heck! I haven’t seen you since…”

  “The party week; going to college…”

  “Was that it? Jesus; that was years ago.”

  They both held out their hands to each other. Brian smiled and said, “You are the last person I thought of seeing today.”

  “Why are you here?”

  “I really don’t know, to tell you the truth. The cops were in the hospital, when I got there. They ended up interrogating me; then, they locked me in a room, in the ER. They said my dad was killed. Maybe they think I’m involved; a suspect or something. For God’s sake, I just wanted to find my boss; and, all of a sudden, I murdered one of my parents.”

  Angie paced, went to the couch a few feet away, and sat down for a minute.

  “Brian, I am so sorry. I wish I had better news. This has been the strangest night of my life. I am the one, who was monitoring your dad on ‘focus ward’.”

  “Focus ward; I was there; just a while ago. No one mentioned your name. I was there with my boss, Marion Brock. We met Barb Sawyer. Do you know her?”

  “Sure; my dad said that she relieved me.”

  “Your Dad? I thought you lived alone, after your Mom died.”

  “I did, for a while. Dr Bellos did so much for me. I never understood it all, until tonight. He is my father.”

  Brian sat, speechless, beside her, as the door opened again; and in walked Dr. Bellos.

  “Hi Sweetie…” They hugged. “You look refreshed.”

  “I took a shower, and had a bite to eat.”

  “Good…”

  Then, Bellos turned to Brian and extended his hand.

  “Hello young man. It’s been a while.”

  “Yes; hi Doc…Please, tell me; what’s going on. They told me Dad is dead.”

  “I know Brain; but that is just not true. Everything is going to be fine.”

  Brian looked confused, while Bellos turned to Angie again.