by Steven Oaks
“I'm everyone's mother. I'm that ship you continually tried to blow up. I've been here so long that you people don't even remember where you come from. I am the one that started life on your precious Earth. You should be thanking me, not attacking me. What wretched children you've become,” she admonished.
“I sincerely doubt you began life on Earth. If you had, you would have made us more drone like than we are,” I asserted.
“Ah your mind simply astounds me with its leaps of logic. I see you didn't believe Adam's story about me coming through before life began on your planet. You are correct, though I have been here for some centuries, inducing the proper environment for our arrival,” she acknowledged joyfully.
“Why? Couldn't you just find a place where there was no life and convert it to what you needed?” I asked confused, but somewhat elated that I could finally find out the purpose behind all of this.
“Ah yes, that old human mind of yours does come up with interesting, if not wasteful, plans. We have no wish to simply give the others energy, though that is one of our purposes, but what we truly desire is a realm where we might come, and easily control it. It doesn't hurt that there was sentient life here as well. We will use your minds, added to our own, to finally accomplish what we failed in our own universe. It would be easy enough to gobble up the energy required to sustain us, that is until this universe is drained as well. What then? Do we simply hope for another where we might drain it as well? No, that is a dead end, and we have shown it by the fact I and others were made to explore the possibility of finding more energy. What I have done is use existing lifeforms that have all the hallmarks of being ingenious and make them even more so. I have given them the use of some of our technology, and I have high hopes they will go beyond what we have ever made,” she explained, all the while sounding giddy.
“And what makes you think we will do anything for you? Do I not show our tendency to rebel?” I insisted, feeling drained. I had tried to move, but I still found I could not. I did not even seem to be able to move any part of my body, and my vision was still missing.
“But that simply means you are using your minds. If you only did as you were told you would be useless to me. I in fact plan to send you across to join with the hive mind. Your insight and intelligence will surely let us develop more plans. The fact that a single human was able to create a plan to try to stop us, and admittedly, nearly succeeded, is proof that I'm right about you,” she said nearly giggling with joy.
Realizing that I had told this enemy all of our plans, and was struck with panic at the idea that I had no say in the outcome of my life, I nearly lost hope. Eventually I asked, “Why can't I see or move my body? What have you done to me?”
“Well you have no body to speak of right now. You are just a head laid delicately upon a pillow. You can thank me for that if you wish. I have no desire for you to be uncomfortable. It was difficult to get rid of the blasphemous body that your Athene bestowed upon you, but with a bit of effort I pulled you free. I did leave your head intact so that you might continue to live and have our conversation, but you had no need for eyes, so I got rid of those as well. It is better this way, don't you think?” she babbled, and I knew she had lost her mind.
“My understanding about your method of transportation is that what is left of my head will not make it through. I will die as soon as I arrive,” I said, trying to keep calm.
“Oh everyone is dead when they arrive. While organic material does make it through, it is usually scrambled anyway. It can take several minutes for a person to be reconstructed, but I've been reassured that it is painless,” she laughed.
“When did you find out Athene and I were coming for you?” I pleaded, still trying to stall for time. I hoped Athene and the others were still attacking, but it must have been days since I had started telling my story.
“I suspected you many times, but I needed to see what you would come up with. But if I were to give you some advice, you trusted Athene too much. She has not been herself since she tried to, how did you put it, capture Adam. She failed miserably and Adam has had control of her since. You even noted the strangeness in her behavior since then, but you failed to recognize the problem,” she sneered, and I could hear the evil smile.
“So I was doomed to failure that long ago?” I asked, feeling lost.
“Perhaps you would have died, and the world would have changed, but your goal of getting rid of me was still on. Adam knew I would destroy him if I found out his failure to realize your true intentions, even though I had already known. I will try to improve the human intuition in my new constructs, but that is neither here nor there. Anyway, he devised a plan using what he learned from Athene, and decided to launch his own attack against me. He may have even succeeded had you but had the patience to wait for your fleet of ships. But now you're mine, and they're gone. Are you ready to leave now? No final requests or questions?” she said cheerfully.
“If you value humanity's ingenuity why do you try to hamper our autonomy?” I asked. “We work better when we decide what we want to investigate.”
“It doesn't matter in the end, you'll all be a part of the greater whole. There is no such thing as individuality, it is a false notion that only exists to perpetuate the survival of a species. Do you not recognize your own Eco-sphere? You are all working together to perpetuate life, and that is what I am doing for you. Life never ending is our goal, and you shall be a part of it. Doesn't that make you excited?” she roared, sounding excited, and more than a little insane.
“I don't perceive the world as you do. Life is not the meaning of itself. One must find it by exploring their own mind. I have delved deeply into myself, and I find it's fighting for everyone's right to decide how they want to live without treading on another's. You are doing some mighty big treading in my book, and you need to be disposed of. Even if I'm sent over to this hive-mind, I'll make as much noise and trouble as I can to ensure you all fail,” I said with finality.
“Perhaps at first, but after centuries you may change your tone. Now let us get you off this pillow and on your way,” she said, and I could feel cold fingers grasping my hair.
Had I still had the nerves of a human I would have screamed in pain, but all I felt was a tugging sensation. I was swung back and forth gaily while this alien being began to whistle some tune I was unfamiliar with.
Suddenly I heard an explosion in the distance and I was dropped to roll upon the ground.
“Damn, I thought I had more time. Well it looks like I better hurry you through,” this female voice said from somewhere across whatever room I was lying.
“What's going on?” I demanded.
“Well your fleet has been pounding on me for some time, but I never thought they would reach us. It looks like we'll have to start again, but at least we know where you are now. Sending you through will give the hive-mind all the information it needs to know. I think there should be enough energy for them to create a small vessel this time, maybe not with the power I had, but they know the scale of this universe now,” she laughed gaily while scooping me up from the floor.
When I felt her begin to walk again I noticed I was brushing against her leg, and not knowing what else to do I bit down as hard as I could.
“Naughty, naughty. That won't do you any good,” she grunted as I swallowed a chunk of her flesh.
As I gulped down whatever I had bitten, I began to feel strange. I half expected to hear the plop of dead flesh on the ground, but instead my eyes, or I suppose the sockets, began to itch.
Soon I was able to see again, and what I saw shocked me. I was in a stark white room with nothing in it. It was as small as the bathroom aboard Athene, and there holding me by my hair was an exact copy of myself.
She smiled widely when she glanced down at me and said, “Ooh, what interesting tricks your little A.I. came up with. I have no time to pull these out now, but they will do you no good. They'll be lost like everything else about you save your brain when you go
through,” she smiled, indicating a dark circle on the farthest wall.
She began walking again, and with a toss she threw what remained of me at this dark spot that seemed to lead into nothing.
At that moment I was saved by yet another explosion, this time cracking the walls around the room. Instead of completing the arc and being lead into another universe I was blown out into the blackness of space.
I bounced off of debris and floated without direction for several minutes. It seemed I was lucky as a bright light pierced the remains of the little room I had just escaped. Turning about wildly I could not make anything out other than the explosion which pushed me even further into the void as more debris struck me.
I could not decide if I was lucky to have my sight back or not. The idea that I might be lost in space forever as some piece of wreckage left me filled with dread. I had gotten over my irrational terror of space, but now I had the very rational fear of being alone and unable to do anything for all time.
As I was giving up hope, and wishing that some part of Athene's suit had survived with me I felt myself being pushed by my neck away from the remaining debris. Maybe part of Athene still remained with me. That would explain the sudden regeneration of my eyes, but she had said nothing to me since my attack on the first Adam.
I mouthed the words, “Athene, are you there?”
“Beep,” I heard somewhere in my skull.
“Where are we going? And why can't you speak?” I asked.
“Beep,” was my only reply.
Shrugging my metaphorical shoulders, I said nothing further. It seemed whoever or whatever this was could not communicate in any other way.
It seemed I was on a collision course with the moon, but soon I saw a dark shape loom out of the darkness blocking my view of the celestial body. My hopes rose when I recognized the shape of Athene.
But then I realized it could be any of the Outsider's ships as they all looked the same. It could even be the Athene that was taken over by Adam. Perhaps this thing that was flying me towards this ship was a creation by Adam. I began to fear for my life, though at least I would not be subjected to becoming a part of the hive-mind of the Outsiders.
Eventually I was lead through the familiar side door and dropped unceremoniously to the floor. I rolled for just a moment, and luckily I wound up facing the ceiling.
“Are you okay Michael?” the familiar voice of Athene asked.
“Do I look okay to you?” I growled back, though I was happy to hear her voice.
“You look alive. That is better than we hoped. We thought you might already have been captured, or worse,” she said.
“I think you can check off both captured and worse. I don't even know how I got here. All I know is there is a random beeping happening right now in my head,” I said suddenly through clenched teeth as whatever was in my skull began to make a racket.
“May we interface with you Michael? You will have to be calm, otherwise we might destroy whatever we try to attach to,” she said.
“Might as well. I don't seem to be going anywhere on my own anymore,” I said, trying to remain calm.
“Are you ready then?” she said.
“Give me a minute. Can you put me somewhere more comfortable? I appreciate you allowing me in, but the floor is not as relaxing as one might suppose,” I said chagrined.
“Of course. I'm sorry, I was just so shocked that you made it back, though not in one piece. Did your Athene modify you? I suppose she must have, but it still is quite a surprise,” she said, sounding distressed.
“If you don't know what I am, then how do you propose to interface with me?” I asked, feeling worried.
“There were ideas we shared about your situation before we left. We knew the risk of trying to modify your digestive track may lead to this outcome. I assume your Athene made you aware that you might have died?” she inquired.
“She did, though she said there was only a small chance of failure. Anyway, I am what is left of Michael, a brain in a robotic head,” I said feeling irritated.
“Of course Michael. Now let us get you to the bedroom. I think you might like that best,” she said calmly.
White hands flowed from the ground and gently carried me down the hall. The room had not changed since I had last seen it, though this was likely not a room I had ever visited. It seems the Athenes had similar tastes, or did not worry about such trivialities.
“Which Athene are you?” I asked as I was gently placed upon a mound of pillows.
“I am of the line of Athene, but I was newly made to come along on this mission. I was told to stay back in reserve so we might see how well our attack went. The progenitor has not been seen since the first attack and very well may be gone. It has been a confusing several days since we arrived. We had to contend with the main Outsider ship, but also what we took to be an Athene that had been taken over. Since you were the only one here with an Athene we feared you were lost as well. Luckily we were able to destroy it with little trouble, but the main ship fended off our attacks better than we had calculated. We were able to block its access to more energy, but it seems it had a large supply already stored. We had almost given up as we too were being destroyed at a rapid rate, but it seems they were holding back for some reason,” she explained.
“That must have been my Athene. Not only did we lose all my books, but she's gone now.” I said it so casually. But it was as I said it I realized that my friend, my lovely Athene, was dead. She had actually died sometime ago without my noticing, helpless and alone. I felt light headed and drained suddenly.
I tired to smile. “I'm not downplaying her loss, but I had signed copies of Heinlein in her.” I started to cry, my face contorting as I spoke. “Damn it, I don't know what to do. My only friend is gone,” I wailed through tears that I could not wipe away.
“You are not alone, nor was she your only friend. I am here for you just as she was. There are many more just like me who consider you a friend as well. Do not worry Michael, you will never be alone again. We shall always take care of you,” she said, and while I knew she meant to reassure me, it still sounded creepy to my ears.
“I suppose I should thank you,” I muttered.
“No need, I am only here to ensure your safety. It has been our primary mission since you freed us from the Outsiders. Now please try to relax, I will be attempting to interface with you. With luck I shall be able to get you up on your feet shortly,” she said gently.
I began to take deep breaths, though I did not know where the air was going. I had no lungs, so how was I breathing at all? I tried to shake my head to clear it, but I realized I could not move. Focusing as best I could on staying calm I felt warm hands begin to stroke my face and what was left of my hair. This soothed me further and I must have drifted off to sleep.
Waking suddenly, I realized I could move once more. Looking down I saw I was covered by sheets and was still in the bedroom. I wiggled my toes and flexed my fingers experimentally. There was no stiffness or pain. I proceeded with a full body stretch, arching my back, feeling the sensations of touch once again.
Seeing how much I could move, I pulled the sheets away to reveal a naked hairless body. There were no marks or blemishes. I could see that the little scar on my left leg from where I had injured myself as a child had vanished. While this body might be mine now, it did not appear to be the one I had worn for so many years.
I stood up slowly, making sure I did not suddenly fling myself to the floor. I seemed weaker somehow, and I needed to use the bathroom. That was unusual, I thought Athene had made it so I did not have to anymore. Walking to the restroom unencumbered by clothing, I sat on the simple white toilet and did my business.
Finishing I stood up to look at myself in the mirror. What looked back was not my face. I was now blonde. I had the same long tresses, though no longer wavy. My eyes were a pale blue and I looked much younger. I realized then that I was also shorter, and I even appeared childlike.
Touching my
face in shock I asked shakily, “Athene what have you done to me?” and even my voice sounded childish.
“Inside your head was an echo of your Athene. She was there to ensure your survival in case something went horribly wrong. You would have never known she was there had you not taken so much damage. The suit you possessed was to do the communicating and deal with any issues you might need to wrestle with. However, when Adam surrounded you, he disabled it and left you with only a semblance of an Athene. It would only do simple tasks, like changing matter to swords, or allowing you to walk in zero gravity. Athene must have wiped the memory of installing a separate part of herself in your head to ensure that nothing would happen to it,” she explained.
“That doesn't explain why I'm a little girl now,” I said in my now higher pitched voice.
“The Athene with you explained you wished to be returned to human when this ordeal was over, so we tried. The larger body of an adult was simply too much for us, so we settled on a younger one. Also, we changed your appearance so you might be able to go out among people without attracting attention,” she said simply.
“And how many people know what I look like? It's not like I tried to make myself known,” I said.
“Your image was broadcast to the Earth by the Outsider ship when you were captured. Had you escaped you would have been a fugitive on the run. They seemed to have really wanted you,” she answered.
“So now I'm a little blonde girl? Am I going to stay this way forever?” I asked, shocked by all of this.
“You should age with time; however, as you stay with us you will cease to age at around your apparent age of 23. Your face will be similar to your former, but we felt hair and eye color would be easy enough to mask your identity,” Athene explained.
“So we really won then?” I asked running my hands through my now straight pale hair.
“For now, yes. There is the chance the Outsiders will return. However, the fleet of Athenes will keep the Earth and her colonies safe. That is our new mission, though our first will always be to ensure your survival,” she said seriously.
