“Here we are.” Spark found an open door that led to a stairwell.
“It’s dark down there.” Snow looked around him down the dark abyss.
Bark took her arm. “Let me go first.”
“This isn’t some kind of dungeon, just a root cellar.” Spark flicked an old light switch and the stairwell lit up. “Let’s get moving.”
They walked all the way down and found a fork at the lowest landing. They could either turn right and go into a large wine cellar, filled to the brim with expensive wines, or they could follow instructions and move the painting to the left. Spark took the painting and opened it like one might open a safe. It was on hinges and behind it was a small numbered keypad. Spark typed in the code 865, the painting closed itself, and the wall lifted to reveal yet another room.
This room was unlike the rest of the house. It was a laboratory with very advanced technology. As they proceeded through the room, it was obvious that this lab was used for biological studies. The screens displayed body parts and readouts for all sorts of experiments.
“Creepy lab buried under an old house with a secret door. I don’t like it,” Snow muttered.
Bark nodded as his voice box monotonously replied, “Me neither.”
“Oh, don’t be afraid.” Spark retorted, “Nothing’s happened yet.”
Bark shivered. “Laboratories and I don't have a good history. And this one isn't exactly cheerful.”
Spark came up to a large computer terminal that was dark. Before he could turn it on himself, it came to life. What was on the screen stunned him. “Oh, my God.”
Snow was about to ask what he was looking at, but she saw it for herself. Bark barked once and then covered his mouth; the sight had angered him. On the screen was a blueprint for a full body armor, exactly the same design as the one that had attacked them.
Spark looked around. “That settles it. This professor is definitely connected to the attacker.”
“Please, come in,” the voice that greeted them through the intercom called out from another room adjacent to this one.
Spark went first, Snow and Bark walked together. They found another room filled with chemicals and more computers. This was the research room, with the tools to do actual biological testing.
Snow looked around to find the person who had called them, but instead she screamed at the sight of something she had not expected to see. There was a large tank with crystal blue liquid filling it. Floating on its back was a human body, sans head.
Spark peered into the tank and asked, “Is it alive?”
The voice answered, “I'm afraid not. I tried to keep it alive in case my experiment failed, but that proved impossible. Fortunately, the part I wanted to succeed did, in fact, succeed.”
They turned around to find nothing but a head sitting in a box on the wall behind them. It had several cords running to it through the neck, and it was smiling at them as if nothing was wrong. The head now spoke to them, “Good afternoon, all. I'm Dr. William Ogle. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Snow gasped and held back a terrified scream. Spark’s body buzzed with energy as he prepared to attack, and Bark growled at it, baring his fangs.
“Who…what…are you,” Spark asked the head.
The man smiled. “I just told you, I'm Doctor William Ogle, professor of advanced genetics and genetic engineering at the University of Tennessee, author of seventeen books, and, well, currently a head in a box.”
Snow nodded, still holding in the scream that was trying to make its way out of her mouth. “How did…why did…what happened to you?”
William, who was able to move his head from inside the box, turned it to look at her. “As you might know, my body was mangled in a car accident some years ago. Over the past ten years I've been working on a secret project. I wanted to clone a new body and attach my head to it. I used my own genetic cells to craft a new body, only I manipulated the genetics to make the body strong, fast, and able to withstand a lot of punishment. But, I realized if I over-mutated the cellular structure, the body would not adapt to a normal head. It would reject my head as a bad limb. So, I toned down the mutations and instead created a suit of armor to go over the body. The armor would have its own intelligence, weaponry, and ability to function independently when necessary.”
Bark couldn’t help but interrupt the doctor’s story, saying, “It was your armor that attacked us?! It almost killed us!” He was still growling.
Spark held a hand up. “Calm down. Let me deal with this.” He turned back to the doctor, “About this suit of armor…”
“Yes, I understand that you have questions. Please allow me to explain. You see, I have always dreamed of being a superhero, like yourself. I guess it is the pipe dream of most quadriplegic people to have a wonderful body that would never fear damage. I dreamed of using my stronger-than-natural body and powerful armor to take on enemies that might hurt Knoxville or UT, all while still teaching. But, something went wrong.”
Snow exclaimed, “Wrong! It tried to kill us. It destroyed two bridges, a shuttle, and....tried to kill us.” She reiterated that last point to make it clear she wasn't happy.
Dr. Ogle shook his head. “Oh dear. I'm terribly sorry. It was not meant to do that.”
“Like hell,” Bark angrily blurted out. “That thing was pretty focused on killing us from the second it came into contact with us.”
Spark gave them a commanding look. “Let me handle this.” He stepped closer to the doctor as he became less apprehensive of the disembodied head. “First things first. Where is the body now? It left the battle abruptly and went for repairs. If you have it, we will have to confiscate it, as it is endangering the whole city.” His tone was stern, but professional.
Dr. Ogle smiled at him, not really afraid. “If you want to see the repair management station, it is right there, against that wall. That tube contains all the systems needed to repair the armor and the body when either is damaged. When it requires repair, there is a recall function that automatically brings it back. If you press that button, it will show you the regeneration chamber I designed to protect and repair the body.”
Spark turned and walked over to the wall where a tube was embedded into the rock. He pressed a green button and the door slid to the side to show the contents. To everyone’s surprise, save the doctor, the tube was empty.
“As you can see, the body and armor are not here. This is why I contacted my old friend Josiah.” William explained.
Snow looked at him, or really looked near him, she couldn’t really put her eyes on his head. “What do you want with the UCH?”
“Help. A few days back, the body launched itself out of its containment unit. I had only just finished the final programming and turned it on for the first time. I have searched my computers and my memory, but I cannot find any reason why it is acting up. I believe that the public defense subroutine is active, and that would explain why it is fighting on its own. However, I don't have any idea why it would attack you. The programming should not perceive you as a threat unless you initiated combat.”
Spark returned to the doctor. “What is this subroutine?”
“I created a special program where the body could be active without a head controlling it. Its computer would take over and it would function independently. In the case of an extreme emergency, like some kind of invasion, I could send the body off to help you, or to help the military defend Knoxville, without putting my life in danger. The computer scans for threats and does what it can to eliminate them. My best guess is that it scanned your ship, found biological entities with much higher than average power levels, and immediately perceived you as a threat.”
Suddenly, the computer monitor near Snow activated. On it was a map of Knoxville with two glowing blips. She gasped at the surprise activation.
Dr. Ogle responded, “Sorry. My computers are designed so I can control them with my brain alone.” He went on to explain what he was sh
owing them. “You see that,” he said, his eyes indicating the markings on the map with series of numbers beside each one. “That is what the computer in the armor registered. My guess is that when it finishes repairing itself, however it is doing that, it will continue to attack you.”
Bark frowned at the screen. “Two dots? But there were three of us.”
William smiled. “Uh, my sensors do not show your energy level as a threat of any kind. Sorry.”
Snow patted Bark on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. That just means that you're more human than you give yourself credit for.”
Spark tried to get the conversation back on track. “Do you have a kill code for that armor’s on-board computer?”
“Uh…no. I never thought I would need one. But, I do have a plan. I have a design in mind for an antiproton ray that should negate the computer’s self-awareness subroutine. It would completely shut off the armor’s ability to function without a head controlling it, thus ending its threat.”
Spark looked around. “Where is this ray?”
“Well, you see, I don’t have the ability to build one. Half the technology used for that kind of work is sanctioned by the government and only allowed to be used by organizations like the UCH or NASA. If I get the government in on this, they might take my armor technology and use it in ways I never intended. That is why I called Josiah. I know he wouldn’t turn this over to the government, and he also knows about the technology I need to build.”
Snow came up to Spark. “Looks like our mission is still on course: escorting him back to the station.”
Spark never took his eyes off the head, his face showing obvious distrust. “What assurance do I have that this is not some sort of elaborate scheme? Bringing you to the station could put the station and the entire UCH at risk. I'm not willing to do that.”
Snow was surprised by his attitude. “Spark, this is a friend of Dr. Stone’s. I think we can trust him.”
William nodded at Spark. “I respect your caution. If you like, you can bring me in like a prisoner. Any way that makes you feel safe, I'm okay with. We just need to get out of Knoxville soon.”
“Why,” Bark asked.
William looked at the screen with the two blips on it. “If the armor is somehow regenerating, it will repair itself shortly. Then, it'll scan and find you again.”
Snow agreed. “I believe the doctor has a point. I don’t want to see any more of Knoxville destroyed by that thing attacking us.”
Spark waited a long time, considering his options. He wanted to contact the station and discuss this with The General, but he might not have the time. “Okay, doctor. Tell them what you need brought up, and I'll get in touch with the station and get us a shuttle ASAP.” He walked out while pulling out his communicator.
Chapter 6: Strange Little Shopping Trip
Bark and Snow waited outside the shuttle while Josiah and Spark set up the containment unit for William Ogle’s head. Josiah would help escort the doctor to the station – not just because they are old friends, but because there is no one more suited to looking after a disembodied head than another doctor.
Dr. Stone walked out of Dr. Ogle’s mansion. Two students carried the container that held Dr. Ogles head box.
Bark asked Dr. Stone, “Is it safe to move him?”
“Absolutely. That’s a brilliantly designed stasis chamber. His head is in a form of stasis, but not unconscious. It’s hard to explain, I haven’t fully examined it. But, it will be a wonderful addition to the medical technology we can apply for others. That man never ceases to amaze me.”
Snow sneered, “I don’t know about amazement, it’s gross and creepy. I still can’t stomach the thought of looking at a head without a body.”
Dr. Stone held his ear and listened to his com device, “Alright, I’ll be there soon. Stone out. I have to go.” He left them in a hurry to board the shuttle escorting Dr. Ogle to the station.
“I guess that means we should be heading back as well. The second shuttle is about to lift off.” Snow gestured toward the shuttle where several of the salvage teams had arrived to help clean up the mess from the battle.
Bark handed Snow his collapsed staff and took his wallet out of his shorts. “I'll be up there shortly. I have…something to do.”
Snow frowned. “Now, aren’t you worried that that armor thing will attack you?”
Bark shook his head. “No. You heard doctor Ogle, I'm not a powerful enough hero to attract it.”
Snow took her man by the back of the neck and brought him in for a passionate kiss. It was a tail wagger, and Bark enjoyed every moment of it. After a few minutes of tongue wrestling, he came up for air and asked, “What was that for?”
“Just reminding you to get back to the station quick.” Her eyes were luscious as they looked him up and down, taunting him to break his promise to The General.
Bark smiled and sort of rolled his shoulders; he was still not feeling normal. He even reached up with his free hand and swiped a few times at the side of his head where he had an itch.
Snow frowned at him. “Are you sure you're alright?”
Bark took his hand away and looked at it. He hadn’t even thought about what he was doing; it just came naturally. “Uh…sure. Yeah, I’m alright. I think.”
She gave him a worried look. “Dr. Stone is still down here. Do you want to talk to him?”
Bark shook his head and smiled. “Just a reminder that I’m part dog. Now, you had better get moving. I really don’t want to see that armored body shoot another shuttle out of the sky.”
Spark hung out the shuttle door and waved at her. “Come on Snow. We’re waiting!”
Snow nodded to him and then rubbed Bark behind the ear. “Get done quickly. You promised me a big surprise for our date tonight. I can hardly wait.” With that, and after having left Bark practically melting at her touch, Snow left for the shuttle.
***
In a dark laboratory, a man sat and looked over his computer readouts. There, on the screen, was a video feed from Dr. Ogle’s mansion. He watched as the doctor’s head and the UCH crew boarded the shuttle and prepared to leave.
“Just as planned,” he commented.
The tube behind him opened up, revealing the body in a form of stasis while the system ran through the repair process. “Regeneration at 100%,” the computer announced. “Preparing to launch. Enemies detected in Quadrant 4.”
The man swiveled in his chair. “Belay that. Shut down until further notice. The doctor is on the shuttle.”
“Shutting down. Stasis systems operational at full capacity.” The alcove lit up and the door closed again, sealing the body away until it was needed.
***
Bark walked from Dr. Ogle’s home up to Kingston Pike where he would follow the sidewalk until he found the business district – and hopefully the shop – he was looking for.
More than once, he saw an emergency vehicle go screaming past him. He knew that it was likely heading for the Henley Street Bridge that had been destroyed. If he were a better swimmer, he would have helped them rescue any survivors of the disaster, but he would probably just get in the way. Spark decided not to bring in the UCH rescue squad, as most of them would probably alert the armor’s attack system, and that would be counterproductive to the rescue attempts.
Bark walked down a sidewalk following Kingston Pike. On one side he could see a row of two-hundred year old mansions, each unique in design. Some looked like they belonged in a movie with their classic early American appearances while others almost seemed as though they didn’t belong with their clay tile roofs and heavy stucco walls. He would occasionally smile as the aromas from the gorgeous flower gardens would waft by his sensitive nose. On the other side of the street were churches, they appeared newer than the homes though just as unique in styles. Bark paused for a moment as he passed the Greek Orthodox Church, it was especially impressive in design. For a few moments he had gotten lost in just see
ing all these lovely places. A car screeching to a halt and then another honking at the stopped car caught his attention. He looked to the side to see a woman staring at him with a truck behind her, a man lying on the horn out of frustration. Finally, she realized she had stopped at a green light and sped onward. The man in the truck gave a little thumbs up, yelling out, “Cool costume!” And then sped off as well.
He could see that he soon would be coming up to an intersection, and there was a shopping center on the other side of the road. He ignored the fact that people were slowing down as they passed him. He knew full well that they were looking at him because he was a half-naked dog-man walking around like it was nothing. But, if he stopped to pay attention to all the gawkers, he would waste his two hours and he wanted to make good use of them. He stopped at a crosswalk and waited. The whole time several people were staring intently at him.
The light changed and he was signaled to go. So, acting as normally as he could, he made his way across the street. The lady in the car at the red light watched him with wide eyes; she looked like she was about to swallow her tongue. The next lane was empty at this time, but there was a car coming at top speed. The man behind the wheel was so focused on Bark that he was not paying attention to the light until the last minute. He screeched to a stop as Bark jumped out of the way, letting out a rather loud woof. Bark stopped and covered his mouth. He had not intended on saying anything; the bark came out like it was a natural response. He hadn’t done that before. Was there something wrong? He shook it off and finished crossing the street.
Without looking back to see if they were still staring at him, he found the walkway around the strip mall and followed it around, heading for the store. He passed a high end grocery store, a necklace-making shop, and a pharmacy.
As he approached an ice cream shop, he rolled his eyes at the sight of all those outdoor tables filled with teenagers enjoying frozen yogurt and ice cream on this spring afternoon. Adults would stare and whisper, but teens have a tendency to be a bit more brash.
“Oh em gee! Look at him,” one girl exclaimed.
Descent Into Madness Page 4