Warship (The Outsider Series Book 3)

by Steven Oaks

  “Pain is something we all must experience. Otherwise, we will grow less cautious, and hurt others. It doesn't have to be a physical pain, but there does have to be these little harms we have daily. How then would we know what joy is? This is why hunger makes food taste better. The lows of life make the highs even higher. If you wish to know another you must experience their sorrows, and be there for them. You must join them in their pleasures, and rejoice alongside them. If I can't have pain, I won't know what happiness is anymore. Memories fade, and I'll become more robotic. I may even try to experience pain in some other way. Who can say what one little change will do to a person, let alone this tremendous one you have done to me. I'm no longer the person I was yesterday,” I criticized.

  “You have already said you are never the person you went to sleep as. Is this any different?” she questioned.

  “It is Athene. You have remade me. You've left my mind alone, but this body is no longer the one I know. I'm no longer the Michael you met all those months ago. I wasn't yesterday either, but now it's an even greater distance away. But what is done, is done. I must now push forward and learn to be this new Michael. I should go practice more, I don't want to reveal anything to these Outsiders when I meet them again,” I sighed.

  “Very well Michael. What else shall you wish to practice with today?” she asked, though I could still hear the underlying doubt in her voice.

  “I figured you had something scheduled for me. If not, then I think more delicate work must be practiced. It's all very well and good to swing a sword, but my problem isn't with strength now. My problem is I seem to over use my abilities. I thought eating would be good training, but my mood has soured on it. Is there something like that I can do?” I queried.

  “You have not practiced anything delicate since your arrival, save to read and eat. I do not think you would like to risk your books, so that is out. And as you do not wish to consume food currently, I am at a loss for ideas based upon your normal habits,” she concluded.

  I sat thinking while I watched my meal sink away into the wooden surface of the table like so much garbage disappearing into a lake. What could I do that would help me quickly learn to control my movements?

  Then I had it. “Athene, do you know what a kata is?” I asked.

  “It is a Japanese word that describes a detailed choreographed pattern of movements, much like a dance. Do you wish to dance Michael?” she ventured.

  “I'm not sure I would call it a dance. It's for martial arts practice. I've seen a few competitions, and I think if you were to show me the moves I could try to follow along. Depending on the ones you give me, it should help me learn to move more naturally again,” I articulated.

  “I think I understand. Please return to the control room and I shall make an appropriate environment.” she said, amused.

  Walking through the corridors of this ship I felt both free and trapped. Athene had tentatively given me back my freedom. I no longer had to eat the food only she made, nor did I have to eat at all. I could even survive in space. Maybe I was no longer human, but I could live as I saw fit now. However, I still felt secluded from the rest of humanity. I was the only one of my kind, though Athene seemed to think that she would make other versions, though with her mind and not one of a human. If I never aged or got sick while out amongst the populace how long would it take for me to be ostracized? Then again I never liked being around others. Perhaps there was no real downside, save my inability to control my new body, and the fact that I seemed not to enjoy eating as much as I had.

  I reached the door that led into the control room and it slid open to reveal what I would call a traditional dojo. The walls were made with white sliding screen doors, and were lined with dark wood of some variety. The floor was of traditional straw tatami mat squares. Slipping off my shoes as I entered I felt the rough and yielding texture of its surface. Along the farthest wall there was a shrine of some sort with white ceramic figures and tiny cups set into a shelf. Also, two tall scrolls with kanji were the sole art in the room.

  “Very impressive Athene. Now which kata shall we practice?” I asked, getting to the point. I only had so much time, and wasting it staring would have gained me nothing.

  “Let us start slow,” she said as a copy of myself appeared rising from the floor dressed in a karate gi. It bowed to me, and I felt inclined to copy its movements, and bowed as well.

  “This will be Pinan Shodan, I will run it across from you in mirrored form. Do as I do and we shall see if you can learn its pattern.” she instructed.

  We stood facing each other, and as she stood with feet shoulder width apart, fists thrust slightly in front of her hips, I did likewise. She turned to one side putting the majority of her weight on her back foot with one arm up next to her head and the other in front, blocking an imaginary opponent. The raised arm suddenly came down to strike while the blocking arm came up to meet its opposite shoulder, then was thrust out to strike while the other one pulled back as she stood up with her weight evenly distributed on both feet.

  I've only described the first moves here, but we ran through the kata for what I took to be an hour. While I did not seem to sweat, nor did I feel tired, I was growing weary from the repetition.

  “Athene, can we move on to the next one?” I complained.

  “Are you now the instructor?” she asked, coldly.

  “I only know what you are showing me Athene. But I think I've got this one now,” I argued, growing frustrated.

  “I will admit you are copying the movements well enough, but you are still not getting the stances exactly right. You put too much weight on your leading foot when we turn. It should be more 70/30, but you are more 60/40,” she explained.

  “How would I know that if you didn't tell me? I thought I was doing what you were,” I exclaimed.

  “Perhaps I should have you run the kata by yourself slowly while I stand near you to correct your stances and strikes,” she said, contemplatively.

  “If you want me to do it exactly as you do, then perhaps you should. I can only get so much just by watching. Hence, why I wanted you to lead me in this and not just watch a video of the moves,” I replied, sounding more upset than I intended.

  “I have processed the movements from several hundred videos of this kata. If you were to do the same, you would see what I do. The key is balance, and the use of the pull back when you strike. You seem well enough coordinated, but there is some hesitation in your pullback as well. Everything must be done at once, otherwise it is less effective,” she pointed out.

  “Well I wanted to work on my coordination anyway. Lead on my dear Athene,” I mumbled, halfheartedly.

  With her beside me I ran though the motions. She had me pause and hold stances while she adjusted my weight distribution. With slight kicks to my knees she had me bend further into a stance, or with hands she guided me through the correct way of holding a fist. We did this a few times as I again completed the series of motions to the end. Soon she was satisfied with my progress, and she called for a break.

  “I'm not tired Athene, I'm just getting bored with the same thing over and over again,” I complained.

  “How else will you be sure of your motions. If you do not practice a thing, you will never truly know it. We do this so you will be sure to move in the same fashion every time. This is how you build up to a no thinking movement. Repetition is the key to being sure of yourself,” she explained.

  “Then why are we stopping? I only have until tomorrow to be ready,” I exclaimed.

  “There must also be time for you to integrate what you have learned. If I work you until you can no longer move you will lose what you have been taught,” she answered.

  “Is it even possible for me to get tired?” I asked.

  “Physically it is unlikely that you will wear out. However, your mind is still human and it needs rest as well. I think you have mistaken your boredom for exhaustion. You no longer care to do this pattern because you have taken in all
you can right now. We will continue in a little while, but for now you can rest,” she declared.

  “And how should I rest my mind? If my body no longer tells me I'm tired, what do I rely on?” I asked.

  “You can still sleep. You may not need to do so right now, but you certainly need a change of mental stimuli. Perhaps you can learn to meditate, as you are interested in Eastern Cultures,” she recommended.

  “I've already been down that path. My mind is far too restless to allow me to sit still for any length of time. I have trouble even focusing on a single idea for long enough to complete a thought,” I criticized.

  “You seem to do well enough to converse. I think you doubt your own abilities,” she said, sympathetically.

  “No, really. Anytime I've tried before just left me feeling unable to continue. I've tried focusing on breathing, or on an image in my mind, but every time they fade away and I'm left thinking my usual thoughts. The closest I come to losing myself is when I read, but even then I'm aware of what is likely to happen next. I'm no author, but I seem to be able to understand what's likely to happen. Perhaps I've just read too many books,” I said, shaking my head.

  “Then why not read? You seem recharged after each visit to the library, and it will give you some time to digest what we have done here,” she assured me gently.

  “I'm worried I'll damage one of my books. I hardly want to even walk into that room from fear that I might over react and maim them all,” I said agitated.

  “Then shall I create a book for you? It will be any story you wish, but you will not have to worry about causing it any harm. I will make it of paper, but if you were to rip it I will repair it. This will be good practice for you as well,” she said, enthusiastically.

  I smiled, this I could do. I had been worried I might not ever be able to enjoy the comforts of a good book again.

  “Athene, I shall like to read Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom by Cory Doctorow,” I concluded.

  “Yes my captain,” she replied happily.

  From the tatami mats arose a green covered book with familiar cover art. I reached out a hand to pluck it from the ground, and carefully flipped through the pages. It felt like a book, smelled like a book, and looked like a book. If I were to ever write my memoirs, I would not have to go to a publisher with Athene in tow.

  “Thank you Athene. All that's left is somewhere to lounge while I read,” I insisted as I delicately opened the book to page one to begin.

  A copy of the comfortable couch from the library emerged from the floor revealing its red velvet cushions slowly. I made my way over to it, and plopped down harder than I wanted, and was launched into the air a few inches. Luckily I was able to adjust my course so I did not land hard on the floor, but I wound up sprawling upon the couch uncomfortably. Adjusting myself I relaxed, and began the journey of a future world of immortality and different currency.

  Athene must have left me that way for hours, because when I looked to see what page I was on I was nearly halfway through the book. Finding a bookmark on the floor, I plucked it up and placed it away between pages.

  “You shouldn't have let me waste so much time on this,” I complained to the air.

  “You looked like you were enjoying yourself, and you did not seem to damage the book. I think you are getting used to your body, rather quicker than you thought possible,” she giggled.

  “As long as I don't get too emotional I think I can handle it now,” I laughed back.

  “Then you should be able to pass as a normal human. You are not one to have emotional outbursts without cause,” she said, and I knew she was thinking of the trouble she had caused.

  “Let's hope I don't have cause when I meet with the Outsiders. Under your tutelage I seem even to be able to tamp down my rage at Ava. If I can stay calm and collected they might never suspect. That is until we capture them,” I asserted. Then I had a thought. “Athene, if we are to capture them, where are we putting their bodies? Won't they notice the others aboard if they scan us?” I asked.

  “While I could shield any outside eyes from seeing inside if I wished, I was programmed to allow the Outsiders access. If any part of me was not transparent to their sensors, then I would immediately fall under suspicion. However, I have been practicing a deceptive maneuver. While I will shield their bodies from detection, I will also project outwards the appearance of normality outwards. This way I can now store any passengers I wish without alerting the Outsiders to anything suspicious,” she explained.

  “If you're able to do that, then why is it we're able to detect the additional heat from the Outsiders themselves? My understanding is their outside layer is much like what you are made of and manipulate. They could then easily give the impression of a normal outside temperature, or even project an ordinary internal structure as well,” I inquired.

  “That would be much harder to do as they have less energy and matter to call on than I have. However, it would be possible. But recall we have hypothesized the reason they have any difference to humanity may just be to allow them to recognize each other,” she explained.

  “If there are only three of them, they would know who they were. Now I'm even more worried about our prospects of being able to rid ourselves of them because this means there may be more we are unaware of. It may even be possible all the politicians are Outsiders. We don't know how long they have been amongst us,” I lamented, apprehensively.

  “That is a troubling line of thought. We might be at this longer than we assumed. However, if they are like Mr. Thompson, they will still be somewhat limited in their abilities after we destroy their main ship. Hopefully the other pilots will be able to help us rout them. But we will not know their disposition until we have completed our attack. The reason to stay loyal would be because they have developed an attachment to the Outsiders. But as we have observed first hand they do not seem to have much charisma to illicit a positive response. Save for Ava and her hypnotism, which seems not to be long lasting, would anyone wish to stay with them,” Athene explained.

  “You're generalizing. We don't know these other pilots. They may simply have some loyalty because we've been taught it's a positive trait. It might be a good idea to work on what exactly to tell them if we win. Words that I might make up on the fly may not be enough,” I said worriedly.

  “We have little time to construct a moving statement. Tomorrow when you wake up we will already be at Earth. I predict a busy day with meetings. I suspect when we unload Ava will approach again, then I will have to overwhelm her, reconstruct a duplicate, and send it back to infiltrate their main vessel. If this works we may even avoid a direct confrontation, unless we told people, no one would suspect anything. We could then, after gathering Adam and Abihail, direct their ship to leave. After of course we inform humanity their dead are no longer to be collected,” she said, calmly.

  “That may be wishful thinking. We don't know what fail-safes have been put into place within their own ship. Nor are we sure of Abihail's location. We must then be cautious until we retrieve all three,” I declared.

  “Then we will do so. Once Ava is captured I will have the duplicate search the ship for it. As I will have all her memories I must assume I would know if it was aboard. But I will proceed with caution and do a thorough search until I am sure of its location,” she insisted with confidence.

  “Athene, while I don't feel physically tired right now, I am growing weary of talking. Should I assume I need to rest?” I asked.

  “It has been a long day for you. This is currently the time you would be winding down for bed. A meal and a shower might be called for, as that is your normal habit,” she said.

  “I'll take a shower, but I don't feel hungry,” I said, once more disturbed and upset by its absence.

  “I think you should still keep to your old habits, even if you do not feel the same desires as before. I will make you something simple. You can then have a last bit of practice before you sleep,” she encouraged.

  I
sighed, “Alright Athene. What's on the menu tonight?”

  “Soup. Any kind you may desire,” she said simply.

  “Then I'll take tomato. Make it creamy, and I'll try to enjoy it,” I mumbled.

  “Make your way to the dining area, and your wish is my command,” she said, happily.

  “More like your wish,” I grumbled as I began the short trek to her dining room. I am sure she heard me, but she deigned to ignore me.

  Finding the room as it was earlier, I pulled out the cushioned chair and plopped down. The wooden like surface parted and a bowl arose from within. It was filled to the brim with the reddish-orange liquid of tomato soup. Finding a spoon next to it, I carefully began spoon feeding myself.

  It tasted delicious, though I felt none of the pleasure I had grown used to experiencing at every meal Athene set before me. Quickly, though meticulously, I finished eating.

  Pushing the bowl away I said curtly, “Thank you for the meal. Now I'll shower and head to bed. I hope I'll be ready for tomorrow.”

  “You will be fine as long as you are with me. But if you are asked to leave you do not have to rely on today's training, at least as much. Feel free to use extreme force and escape if possible. I too will try to get away and then we can meet up later,” she proclaimed.

  “You know that doesn't seem to be as encouraging as perhaps you thought it would be,” I said as I made my way to the bathroom.

  “One on one you are nearly unstoppable now. How is that not encouraging?” she inquired curiously.

  “What if, when we drop off our limited number of dead Ava wishes to meet in her ship, and not aboard you? How do you suppose I'll escape then?” I asked, again growing frustrated with my friend's lack of foresight.

  “You could easily burst through their hull. Then you would be free from them.” she directed, calmly.

  “Am I now impenetrable to their gravity weapons?” I asked sarcastically.