by A. Yber
I nodded. Despondent. Feeling the weight of my decision.
“Splitting up is not a solution,” he continued, “as if I would ever leave you. If we stay together, it may fool them to think I chased after you, and was still following orders. I might have some influence then, to at least intercede on your behalf. To find a solution that could make both sides happy.”
“How much time do we have, before they find us?”
“I would say about fifteen minutes.”
We ducked into darkened warehouse. The air was hot, and I smelled a mixture of old engine grease and sawdust.
“Are you sure there is no way we can escape them?” I asked.
Zach lit a lantern, and he began to pace, his voice echoing in the empty space.
“We could stay on the run. But we could never stop to rest. I have been running different scenarios through my mind, calculating all probabilities, and possible solutions…that’s one other thing I forgot to mention, in how we differ from humans. Our brains compute a lot quicker.”
“Oh, you think so, do you?” I tried to lighten the mood, hoping to get a smile out of Zach. “And what have you come up with?”
“So far, nothing. But I can’t give up, Melanie. Not yet.”
“Zach, I want you to be truthful. If you try to make a deal with them…intercede for me…what exactly, would you be asking for?
“To take your DNA for replication, and then let you go free. Let us be together.”
“And what are the chances, that they will agree to that?”
He didn’t answer.
“They won’t agree to let me go, will they?”
He shook his head.
“And humanity would still be sacrificed for their souls.”
“Yes.”
“Look, I appreciate what you are trying to do, but I think we may just need to accept that there is no way out. And we don’t have time to come up with a plan. If there even is one. Maybe we just need to take these last minutes together, and say our goodbyes to each other. It may be all we have left.”
Looking defeated, he reached out, to pull me to him. I guess that was his way of agreeing, there was no solution.
It was hopeless.
We held each other quietly, for several minutes. My breathing calm, but tears were streaming down my face. He eased back, his hands cradling my face, and wiped the tears with his thumbs. Then bent to kiss me. It was long and desperate. Like it was our last kiss, and it probably was. I could taste the saltiness of my tears on his lips.
He pulled away.
“They are close now. I suggest we go outside, and make this easier.”
“Okay.”
We were in agreement. Let’s get this over with.
Out front, it was quiet. Except for the buzzing of a single security light. Flickering on and off. Its strobe effect, giving an ominous feeling, to an already tense situation.
We stood in silence, seeing approaching lights, at the entrance to the drive.
Zach began to pace back and forth, dragging both of his hands through his hair. He had a look of pain on his face.
Me - I couldn’t seem to stop crying.
It’s time. I can do this…
“Zach, my headaches are back. I haven’t told anyone. And worse, than before.”
No time for doubts. It is now or never, before I lose my nerve. And I’m not going to spend my last moments, thinking about what could have been.
“I wanted out of this failing body, anyway.”
He answered me, distracted with the approaching headlights, “What do you mean?”
But it was too late. Minutes ago, I had taken the lighter fluid out of my bag and poured it over me. Flicked the lighter. Holding it to my clothes.
The flames were already blazing.
Zach screamed.
“Melanie, what have you done?”
His eyes searched desperately, for a way to douse the fire. But it was already consuming me.
My world was burning up, and me with it. I wanted to spare him the horror of watching this, but I had no choice.
I held my palm up to him, and shouted, “It’s too late! I have to destroy my DNA! Even if I fail, I have to at least try to save my people,” I could barely get out the words. Could no longer see him.
It became impossible to speak, then, as I started to cough from the smoke. I screamed, as the nightmare of flames engulfed me, scorching my skin…the searing pain…and then… there was no pain, and my body collapsed.
Chapter Eleven
Zach
I stared, in agony, wanting to stop her, but helpless to do anything but respect her request.
She needed to do this!
I understood. But all I could do was scream, over and over, my throat raw.
“No! No! Melanie!”
And then I heard her.
“It’s okay. I’m here!”
Her voice was in my head.
Wait…Why was I hearing her, in my thoughts?
“Wow, I think I actually did it!”
Melanie!
She did it…
“You soul jumped!”
It wasn’t a question.
“How is that possible?”
“I don’t know! All I could think of, was that I wanted to be with you. To be happy. And the next thing I knew, I was hearing your thoughts, and your screams, not from my own ears, but from here. Where you are. Observing my body, burning through your eyes.”
“Oh my God. Melanie! I thought I had lost you! I didn’t know what I was going to do. I never want to feel that again!”
“You can’t lose me, now. We are joined. I feel it! My cancer was coming back. I needed out of my body. This was the only solution. Now we can be together, forever, this way. I love you, Zach.”
“I love you too! It’s why I ran with you. But I let you down. I couldn’t find a way to save us.”
“This is the way. I am an eternal soul. You are joined with that soul, now. And souls have free will. Zach, pull your Killswitch.”
Paul DDS0004 stepped out of the air vehicle, and stared in shock at the burnt ash remains of what was left of Melanie’s body. Next to her, was the inert body of Zach. He was dead. No doubt about it. Two backpacks lay on the ground, next to them.
Looks like they were on the run, together.
Paul turned to his assistant, Jay-Willem1122.
“Keep this quiet, for now. I don’t want to report anything, until we know more.”
Jay gave a single nod, to affirm he understood his orders.
“Search the backpacks, to see if you can find anything helpful. Then make this mess disappear. I’m going after the sister. We cannot go back empty-handed.”
“She killed herself. Lit her body on fire.” He listened, as a voice responded through his earpiece, then replied, “They are here too, but no one saw me. I will find the sister, and report back.”
A bright light above me, was beaming so intensely, I could feel its heat on my face.
Squinting in protest, I opened my eyes.
I was lying on a cot, in an unfamiliar room. With bars on one of the walls, and shiny metal. Very stark and sterile. It appeared to be some sort of prison cell.
Where am I?
I checked my body…hands…everything appeared fine.
But something was wrong. I could feel it. I just couldn’t remember.
And where is Zach?
Appendix I
FROM THE CY-BOT INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL:
Physical Similarities & Differences to Humans:
Cy-Bots are human-like, in appearance, each one unique, in a specific series. They are comprised of an integumentary system, that secretes sweat. The skin, or “Skyn™”, is made of Carbonex™, which makes it very durable and does not age. Hair on the head and body, functions as antennae, to alert of encroaching danger. A circulatory system is running throughout, with blood pumped through an artificial heart. Artificial lungs take in air, to simulate breathing. The skeletal structure is m
ade of a magnesium alloy, which is the world’s strongest lightweight and magnetic metal, mixed with Carbonex. It is heavier than human bone, but lighter than other metallic hardware. Neurological pathways are present, but do not register pain. Procreation is not possible. A digestive and excretory system is not necessary, as Cy-Bots do not require food, to function. Re-charging is auto-facilitated through wifi transmission. The muscular system can supply unlimited strength, as needed for any particular job. Programmed consciousness is developed through a series of photographic pictures, accumulating in the robotic brain. It is a series of repeated responses to input, which creates movement and reasoning. (See Psychological Similarities & Differences.) The Cy-Bot does not need sleep, and therefore can alert the occupants of the home, to any after-hour emergencies, or threats. Cy-Bot devices require updates, and regular check-ins, to ensure all parts are in working order.
Psychological Similarities & Differences to Humans:
Cy-Bot units possess human-like emotional reactions, and can formulate emotional tones, into their words and facial expressions. These are responses to stimuli. Robotic entities do not feel emotional pain, so their expressions are not to be construed as genuine human emotion. Their choice of verbiage is similar, and up-to-date with human vernacular, with use of idioms and slang, to a limited degree. They can speak any human language, past or present, upon request.
Humans are triggered by pain, or pleasure. A human baby feels hunger pain, so it cries. If it is caressed, or fed, it relaxes. When a baby feels pleasure, it smiles or laughs. Joy is a natural human emotion. For a Cy-Bot, emotions are programmed reactions. This is achieved, through a comparison of something routine, to something out of the ordinary. Do not mistake these emotions, for real expressions of feelings. Everything in a Cy-Bot makeup, is reactionary, and response-based. There is no complex emotional analysis, outside of their programming.
Appendix II
The world is run by the New World Order (NWO), made up of government and corporate elites, controlling all aspects of society. Many conspiracy theorists believe the letters NWO are deliberate. The rearrangement of the letters is OWN and NOW. And most humans are NOW OWNED under this control, though they perceive themselves to be free.
Twenty years ago, billionaire Ian Must had launched dangerous satellites into space, to beam a higher broadband for cell phones, but public outrage and rebellion had forced a shut down. The satellites were discovered to be high-tech energy warfare devices.
Drones no longer delivered to homes, as the public, which was much more rebellious fifteen years ago, decided they didn’t like something that could be used as a weapon, delivering products to their front door. All audio search devices, such as Elexian were removed, as well, because the public believed these were spy devices. However, when household robots were offered, the populace was falling all over themselves, to get in line for their own Cy-Bot. It’s one thing to be spied on. It’s another, when the spying device also cooks, cleans and takes out the trash. Now, owning one, is no longer an option…
NWO Decree:
All homes are to be occupied with cyber units, known as Cy-Bots (Cy-Bot HH, “Cy-Bot HouseHold”), by order of the NWO governing body. They are for human benefit, leased through taxation. Cy-Bot units are programmed for household chores, only. Anything forced, outside of that scope, is strictly forbidden, and your privilege of use will be permanently revoked. Deliberate damage to a machine, is punishable by law.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A. Yber has always loved reading sci-fi, paranormal and metaphysical subjects since early childhood. In addition to her fiction series, she has authored several non-fiction works, and loves connecting with her readers.
In her spare time, she enjoys water skiing, playing golf, nature walks, conspiracy theories, reading books and petting her two kitties.
If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review here.
Join Anmarie on her Facebook Group: Babes & Bots!
Website: ayberauthor.com
Sign up here, for updates on future releases in the Soul Jumper Series.
SNEAK PEAK – Book 2 of the exciting Soul Jumper Series- Resurrection
One sister searching for the other. The other no longer human.
NORA…
The year is 2050 and Nora Freeman was on her way home like every other Monday night from a study session with her best friend Ned. Only to find a dark house, a desperate note from her sister Melanie and a menacing stranger watching her from the street. Terrified for her sister and now herself she must make a decision quickly.
Knowing she must find Melanie she slips out of the house unseen. Heading to an abandoned dance hall Nora encounters her crush Exetor - Melanie’s ex-boyfriend - who is also on the run. But betrayal is around the corner and she is forced to be something she is not to ensure Melanie’s safety.
But her plan backfires and Nora is taken prisoner aboard a spaceship where she becomes lost in a strange world alien to her own. And with only a devastatingly attractive enemy to turn to, her foolish heart threatens to be her downfall in a fight for her life.
MELANIE…
Melanie wakes up confused finding herself in a holding cell. Until the memories flood back and she realizes she is in different body similar to her old one. And a prisoner of a hidden enemy who wants her soul which holds the key to their devious plans of destroying the human race.
Still reeling from the shock Melanie weighs her options. But when the identity of her captors is revealed her jailor is the last person she expected to betray her. The news hits hard, and she must take action immediately to free herself.
But more pieces of the puzzle fall into place when she learns her father is being held in the same facility and needs rescued. As the lies continue to pile up Melanie realizes not everything is as it appears to be, and the fight for humanity’s survival has only just begun.
Chapter One
Nora
“The human race is losing its connection to the biological. The soil. The trees. Our bodies. And is being swallowed whole, by the empty promises of a cold, soulless, technological nightmare.”
“You are such a jerk-…what is going on?”
“Come on, Nora you know you love me.”
“No seriously, Ned, I mean what is going on?”
He pulled his AV – Air Vehicle - up to the curb, in front of my house.
My pitch dark house.
I pointed to the blackened windows. “Why are all the lights out?” I asked. “It’s only nine o’clock.”
“Maybe your sister went out for the night.”
“Then why is the AV still here?” I nodded in the direction of our AV, parked in the driveway.
“I don’t know. Maybe Melanie decided to go to bed early.”
I glared at him. Even though he was my best friend, sometimes he really got on my nerves.
“Ned, she and I have an agreement from...you know…from when Dad left.” I could feel my face turning red. “It’s stupid, but we…or rather she…always turns the porch light on, as soon as it gets dark. Like, leaving it on, in case Dad ever comes back. It makes her feel some kind of false hope, but I don’t fight her on it. And it became dark, over an hour ago.”
I reasoned with myself, that if someone had picked her up, she would have turned the light on when she left. I thought about my sister. Between us, she had gotten all the looks. Tall and willowy, with a beautiful oval face, blue eyes and perfect features.
I was shorter, with large brown eyes, and not nearly as kind-hearted. My skin was darker. Not sure of our genealogy, as everyone was a mix, these days. You had a baby, it was a lottery on what they would look like…black, white, yellow, red…a blending of many. The good thing was, that racism had become a thing of the past.
“Well she forgot the light, for once,” Ned suggested.
“Okay, then what about Zach? He is a house robot. They never go to bed, and he knows I haven’t come home, yet.”
