Awakening

by Hayden Pearton

  *

  Alza had run through a large, metal door located in a small break between the rows of pods. It too bore an inscribed plaque, which in this case read, “GESTATION CHAMBER 001”. When Barsch reached the door, he stopped. Did he really want to know what was behind it? Was he ready to find out the truth? Still unsure, Barsch hesitantly stepped forward, as the heavy door slid away without a sound, revealing an unexpected sight.

  The room was small, and completely white. The white floor led into the white walls which in turn fused with the white ceiling, creating an image of seamlessness. In the centre of the room was a single, large pod. It too was filled with nothing but violet liquid, but it was the name on the pod which made it infinitely more unique than any of those outside.

  Barsch could not help but read the name out loud, shaking visibly as he did so, “ALZA00971.”

  “Yes.”

  Barsch jumped backwards, surprised by how close the voice had been. A few feet away, Alza stood, watching the bubbling tank with expressionless eyes. Beside her was a small desk, upon which there was an old-fashioned keyboard and a thin monitor. There were words on the monitor, which read, “Begin playback of Diary of Development, Y/N?”

  There was a sudden movement by the doorway, alerting Barsch to the arrival of Kingston and Maloch. Together, the four of them stood in silence, each pondering the meaning of the pod. Finally, Alza turned to her three fellow travellers and said, “I have to know.”

  Barsch looked at her, and all thought of disagreeing died within him. He could have told her that it would not change anything, or that it did not matter who she had been, but he knew that anything he said would not make a difference. Alza had come so far, and done so much, all in the faint hope that she might find out the truth of her past. He could not even think of denying her that, not now.

  “I know.” What else could he say?

  Together, the four of them crowded around the monitor, each trying to avoid the others eyes. They had been through so much together, and yet, at that moment, they had never been further apart. Alza sat in the chair, her knees shaking too much to be of any use in holding her up. “Finally,” she thought, “I will know the truth.”

  With a trembling hand, she reached forward, and pressed the 'Y' key. Almost immediately, a video began to play, a video which would forever change their lives...