by David Tucker
Genesis thought he was getting used to being shocked, but no.
“What! You won’t be able to speak to me anymore? How the hell will that work?”
Me’lina sounded a little forlorn. “Unfortunately, after this conversation I’ll be spread completely back into your nanos and DNA. Thus I’ll become a living part of your body and you will be in direct control of the entire Apocalypse armour – which means accordingly, I will no longer be able to communicate with you and neither shall I need to. My function will be purely re-routed to respond to your body’s commands. I will literally become absorbed by the armour. This was the only way I could fool it, into this state we are in. This by the by, will be a much more efficient way for you and me to operate and the only way possible for me to continue to exist.
“But that’s not the only reason I must necessitate these changes. The unknown portion of the injection somehow has the ability to control you. I don’t know how and I can’t allow such an atrocity. By me joining your entity, the foreign compound won’t be able to navigate our joint systems. I will block it as it becomes confused in our tangle of conditions, and so it will never have control over my host again. Not full control, as it once did anyhow.”
Her voice changed, “Of course, no thanks are required, this serves us both, you will be enhanced and I will be able to continue, and that is all.”
Genesis was reeling – first the loss of Aspire, and now this, changing him, his AI leaving him, after their many long years together. Genesis couldn’t believe she was being so cavalier.
“This is a lot to take in … how are so certain, how are you able to know so much. And Me’lina, don’t get too emotional”, he half-heartedly joked, “is there anything else I should know about this … change? I’m, I’m not really sure what to say, are you sure this is the only—”
“The only. But we don’t have time to waste on sentimentality, know this must be done and that in essence I’ll still be with you, as I said, that need be all.” She didn’t pause as she brushed over the matter.
“Please let me continue as just being here is taxing me greatly, and I’ve little time to fill you in, so please finish your questions.”
Genesis tried to keep his mind on task, struggling to keep up as he thought of things he might need to know before she left. In the rush, he could only think of one.
“Okay, well … at least tell me where the slath spit we are and where we are heading. I’m assuming you’re still in control of the ship? Actually I’m assuming we are still on the ship?”
“That’s correct, at the moment we’re heading towards the liaison planet, Gomorrah. A diplomatic council is being held in several hours between all faction heirs of the SED and world leaders. Officials from the Way of the Sacred and religious and delegates will also be present. You have orders to attend, first thing upon touchdown.
“A council session via holo-net between the SINAI and any Sacred delegates present on Gomorrah will be in session and a secure level of the SINAI Affiliate Building has been vacated. Official attire is to be worn, with your ranks being fully restored for the occasion.
“I am unaware of any traps, but I would certainly have your guard up, I doubt Interfere Division will be satisfied with the religion’s account of the matter and there is a long way between here and the safety of Gomorrah.”
This prompted his next question. “And what is to become of Aspire? Is she going to be salvaged by the SED?”
“No after we exit, which will be when I’ve finished bringing you out of stasis, we are to exit in our own ship, awaiting pickup by Pegasus. Immediately upon departure Aspire is to be set on automated pilot into the nearest sun of Gomorrah, no trace of her is to be left, just like the Ple’stone. Officially she will have been vaporised as stated in her report—”
Genesis felt, with surprise, his fingers becoming distantly aware. Me’lina answered his internal question.
“That’s right Genesis you’ll be out of Cryo within the next few hours. Congratulations, although you didn’t see it, you just survived one of the greatest threats on your life.”
With the words trailing in his mind and with great physical effort, Genesis slightly cracked open his eyes. Through the mist, and after almost a full minute, he adjusted to seeing light for the first time in three weeks. He squinted as his breathing kicked in to the sound of automated oxygen processors – clicking on and off repeatedly. He had survived stasis, something an Immortal was never supposed to do, not like this anyhow.
After a few more seconds, he blinked away the blurriness as mist wavered in front of his Cryo-tube, and for a brief second he glimpsed a clear view of the room outside. He immediately noticed the blood splattered over the top portion of the flexi glass – his training forcing him to see this first – and slumped with her back against his tube, was a young female; a small bullet hole through her head giving her condition away. An old style pistol lay at her side with her hands still clutched around its grip — his eyes shot open as he noticed what was in her other hand.
The dead body’s free hand, gripped into an iron fist, held Katana across her lap, gleaming dully! Genesis stared fixated and befuddled. He dragged his eyes from his beloved weapon to glance at the body, attired in internal security uniform, her soft skin pressed up against the glass. Apart from the dried bloodstain, she looked undamaged, yet her still form was as frozen as his had been.
Even though Me’lina was struggling to remain, and their time being short, he asked, desperate for information, “Me’lina who is that? And why has she got Katana? Why does she look familiar?”
Me’lina replied softly, as if she knew the woman.
“That is Captain Tessa Scarlett. She was the last human survivor aboard Aspire. She lasted three full days while I tried to keep her safe, being hunted all the while.
“She led the team trying to make their way to your stasis. Unfortunately they were cut off and over several hours hunted down and systematically slaughtered before they could activate your cool-down cycle. In desperation, Tessa – being stalked by many Fallen – made it to you, sealing herself in. But she was too late, the Fallen were already tearing down the door.
“Realising her fate, and not wanting to risk your life, with her remaining bullet she self-terminated. In this final mission she’d managed to secure Katana and was adamant on returning it to you so you could protect them. But in the end she knew she had to make this sacrifice.”
The mist gathered and swallowed up the view of the security officer’s final moment. Genesis was left in saddened meditation as he continued dwelling on the loss of Aspire and waited for his body to finish re-animating. Me’lina’s voice chirped one last time, leaving him not even time to respond as she faded from him.
“I’m sorry Genesis I must leave now. Goodbye, I can no longer sustain myself within this form … I will—”
And just like that his companion for decades was gone. He felt the strange sensation as his mind emptied. No Me’lina, no second personality. He was truly alone, and it felt deafeningly silent again, threatening his sanity.
Genesis burnt attachment from his mind and, as his upbringing afforded, made the emotion dissipate, as though they were merely deceased companions. This was the only way he knew he could deal with such monumental loss.
He shut his eyes, becoming tranquil in faraway meditation, as he awaited the completion of the cool-down cycle. He had much to dwell upon, and no time for such feelings, not in his life, not if he was to remain sane or in control of his situation.
The events of the past few weeks told him something was coming, something tidal and something that would make his individual struggles petty. It was all for a reason, it was all far too sequential not to be, and he had to be in control, at least of himself, if he was to be prepared.
Continued in Part 2
the Battle Throughout
Written
by David Tucker
is - the Battle Within (Pillars of Creation Book 1)