Hand of God

by Karl Morgan

  She walked over and put her arms around him. “We’ll just play it as it goes, Ted. Second Chance has been giving people hope for a very long time. Can’t we assume for now that this new technology might be good? Adam said that without it, your father would likely be dead already.”

  Ted sighed and then kissed her on the forehead. “I guess you’re right. Diane, I know this sounds morbid, but what do they do with my dad’s body after the procedure?”

  “Well, I haven’t been trained on it, but I assume the remains are buried or cremated, why do you ask?”

  “Do you know if the transference moves the mind from the brain to the artificial brain, or does it make a perfect replica?”

  Diane backed away from Ted with a horrified look on her face, which had become ashen. “Oh my God, Ted, I didn’t think about that. The person could still be alive after the transference. They couldn’t kill them; that would be murder.”

  Ted approached her and put his arms around her. “Diane, let’s forget I brought that up. I’m sure the developers made sure the human brain was emptied by the transference, so it would be dead afterward. Sometimes, I overthink these things.”

  §

  After being castigated by Ted Dixon, Josh could not go back to sleep. He prepared coffee and turned on the television in his hotel room. He closed the door to Shirley’s adjoining room and turned to the news. The picture showed a large meeting room with a circular table in the center where twenty people were sitting. Josh recognized Caliph Ibrahim and Lord Nmanbe sitting in the center of their entourages. A female newscaster spoke, “Today, Lord Nmanbe of the African Empire met with Caliph Ibrahim representing the Western Caliphate to discuss terms of their ceasefire. Both sides have agreed to withdraw to their original borders and to immediately cease hostilities. Later in the day, both leaders made comments to the press.”

  The scene changed to a podium where Nmanbe spoke, “We are pleased with the decision to return to our original borders. The aggression of the Western Caliphate is at an end, and I praise Caliph Ibrahim for his courage and leadership in the matter. We are also pleased that the caliph has offered to assist in the rebuilding of the city of Kano.”

  Now the caliph was standing at the podium. “We are grateful to the Emperor for helping to end this crisis. I am also pleased to announce that the citizens of the Western Caliphate have agreed to join the Central Caliphate. This is a major step toward the day when all of Islam will be united again. Finally, I would like to announce that my friends, Madeleine and Israel Finch, have agreed to supply Second Chance modifications at cost to all those injured during this conflict. Thank you.”

  The picture changed to the newsroom, where the pretty newscaster was smiling into the camera. “On the Asian front, we are getting reports that the Eastern Caliphate’s army is attempting to encircle the Asian Republic’s forces near the Chambal River in the Indian subcontinent. Presidents Carmichael and Becker and Premier Andrade are calling for negotiation and calm. On the domestic front, the FDA has given the approval for human testing of the Second Chance Transference Project. We believe that five subjects will undergo this procedure immediately in the American Republic. Twenty such procedures have already begun in the UASR, where a brain-eating virus has been infecting several people.” Josh turned off the set.

  “A brain-eating virus? That sounds disgusting and horrible,” a shocked Shirley said from the doorway.

  Josh walked over to her and put his arms around her, kissing her lightly on the cheek. “We can’t believe everything we hear, Shirley.”

  “Why would they make up such a thing?”

  “It’s one way to get volunteers for the transference procedure,” Josh noted. “I imagine most people are horrified by the idea of becoming a machine, but if their doctor tells them that their headaches are caused by a fatal virus, chances are they would choose to live.”

  “Josh, I can’t imagine a company like Second Chance would do such a thing.”

  “You’re probably right, Shirley, but remember how much money is involved in modifications. Plus, I didn’t think you were a big fan of Hammond Finch?”

  “That’s true, but tricking someone into become some kind of cyborg seems too sinister even for him.” She cleared her throat and walked over to the bed and sat down. “Josh, I need to tell you something, and I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

  Josh sat next to her and said, “Okay, but I think I know where this is going.”

  “Well, it’s like this, that incident yesterday was pretty outrageous, and I am thrilled you were able to help that man, but I’m beginning to see why Agent Trance did what he did.”

  “Go on.”

  “I just think if you are there, no one will pay any attention to my words. Every invalid and news reporter within a hundred miles will show up for a healing, which is wonderful, but not what I had in mind. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, I do; in fact, I agree with you completely. You know I didn’t plan on that yesterday, but it is true that people will be looking for me now to solve their problems for them. Helping the sick and injured is great, but how long will it be before they start asking me to cure their empty bank accounts, or fix their leaky roofs?”

  “I think you’re underestimating people, Josh. There are always those out to scam someone or take advantage of other people’s generosity, but I think they are a tiny minority.”

  “I hope you’re right, Shirley, but my talents are now splashed all over the place online, so I’m about to get first hand proof.”

  “So, it’s okay that you don’t come to Savannah with the bus today?”

  “Yes. I think I have to start following my own path now, but I really appreciate all you’ve done for me,” he said as he stood up. “You know, I’ve always wanted to visit the Low Country. How about I ride to Savannah with you, and then I’ll take a walk along the coast.”

  “Okay, but that’s a long walk, Josh. Why don’t you take a taxi? Do you have any money at all?”

  “Money is not a problem for me and neither is transportation, as you already know. In fact, never mind the ride. I’ll just go there myself.”

  “Josh, for some reason I’m getting the feeling that I will never see you again.”

  “That’s nonsense, Shirley. I will absolutely see you soon, plus I’ll be keeping an eye on you.”

  §

  After Shirley and her team left the hotel, Josh showered and prepared for his trip. He left his luggage on the bus, since he had no desire to lug it around with him. The few things he needed, he shoved into a backpack. Before he headed out, he looked out the window and noticed a large crowd surrounding the front of the hotel. Several television crews were working the group for human interest stories. This was the last thing he needed today, when all he wanted to do is walk along a beach and be alone with his thoughts. Perhaps he should just think of Charleston and be there. No one here would have any idea where he had gone. He had thrown his pack on his back and was prepared to run away when his phone vibrated in his pocket. He looked at the screen which read “Manny Judah,” so he pressed the connect button. “Mr. Judah, I wanted to thank you for helping me yesterday.”

  “You’re welcome, son, but I didn’t help you at all. It was all you.”

  “But I saw you standing with me when I was trying to help Charlie.”

  “I was only offering moral support, Joshua.”

  “Really? I mean, wow!”

  “Josh, I just wanted to mention that you should not run away from the world. There is too much at stake to be afraid.”

  “Manny, I just need time to think about all of this, and how did you know what I was thinking?”

  “You and I have a strong connection, son, and I’m telling you there’s nothing to think about. Time is running out for this world. Action is required, not contemplation.”

  Josh was in no mood for the discussion, so he disconnected the call and put his phone back in his pocket. He had to find a back way out of the hotel, so he
opened the hotel room door and found Hammond Finch about to knock on it. “Whoa! You scared the heck out of me!”

  “Sorry, Mr. Carpenter, but it couldn’t be helped. That’s quite a fan club you’ve got out there, son.”

  “Yeah, I guess so. What can I do for you, sir?”

  Finch clapped him on the upper arm and Josh felt a sharp sting. “Just rest in peace.”

  “What did you . . .” Josh crumpled to the floor unconscious.

  Two men rushed up and grabbed Josh by the arms and legs and hurried toward a service elevator where Steve Trance was holding the door open. When the elevator arrived on the ground floor, Trance removed his jacket and draped it over Josh’s face, and then the group hurried out a back door, dumping their captive in the back of a white SUV. Finch approached Trance and said, “You know what to do, Steve, right?”

  “Yes, sir, no one will ever find the body.” Finch smiled and walked calmly over to a waiting limousine and climbed in. The others jumped into the SUV and it sped away.

  As the limousine pulled away, Finch’s phone rang, so he pressed the connect button, saying, “Finch here.”

  “What the hell do you think are you doing, Ham?” Armand Sattu asked.

  “Huh, I don’t understand, Armand. What do you think I’m doing?”

  “You are trying to kill Joshua Carpenter, aren’t you?”

  “Not trying, Armand, I have already done it. Tiny needle with a nerve agent administered to him when he least expected it. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

  “Where did you get that idea, Hammond?”

  “Your son, Henri, told me that very specifically. He said we needed to stop Carpenter from interfering with your plans.”

  “Merde! That bastard is ruining everything! I will take care of this myself. Ham, I don’t want you or any of your family talking with Henri again until I tell you.” The line went dead.

  “How odd?” Finch sighed. His driver slammed on the brakes, causing the limousine to swerve off the road onto the soft shoulder. Finch flew forward and hit the back of the front seat and fell to the floor. “Rod, what the hell is going on?”

  “I think you’d better look for yourself, Mr. Finch. I might be losing my mind,” the driver replied.

  Finch pulled himself back to his seat and then opened the door to step out. Standing ten feet in front of the car was a massive beast with coal-black skin, large bat-like wings and an oddly familiar human-looking face. "Call the police, Rod!” Finch shouted.

  “Don’t bother with that, Hammond,” the monster said. “Besides, there is nothing they can do. Come with me.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea, sir,” Rod noted as he stepped out of the car with his pistol aimed at the monster.

  “I think you’re right,” Finch agreed as he pulled his pistol and pointed it at the beast. “You’d better back off or we’ll shoot!”

  “Hammond, my name is Barsat. I want to discuss your relationship with Armand and Henri Sattu. I swear I will not harm you or your driver, who may stay here.”

  “Screw you!” Finch shouted as he and Rod opened fire on the monster and shot until their magazines were spent.

  Barsat smiled and said, “Well, that didn’t accomplish much, did it? Come with me, Hammond.”

  “We’d better make a run for it, Rod,” Finch said as they climbed back in the vehicle. Rod turned the car around and slammed on the accelerator. The engine raced but the car did not move, as Barsat was holding the rear tires a few inches off the ground with his left hand. He used his right hand to rip the front passenger door off and threw it into the roadway. Then he reached inside and grabbed Finch and pulled him out. He dropped the car and it raced away. “Let go of me, you son of a bitch!” Barsat smiled at him, unfolded his wings and then took to the air, holding Finch securely with both arms.

  §

  Ted Dixon and his mother, Louise, were sitting in the hospital waiting room. Bill Dixon had been in surgery for hours now, the first person in the American Republic to undergo the transference procedure. Ted’s anger at Josh had subsided, and he tried to contact him to apologize repeatedly, but the phone was never answered. Then he had called Shirley, who told him about their breakup and Josh’s desire to be alone with his thoughts. Even though that seemed logical, there was still a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that something terribly wrong had happened, and he knew his outburst may have led to the disappearance.

  His phone buzzed, so he pulled it from his pocket and noticed it was John Stanton, his editor, calling. He pressed connect and said, “What’s up, Chief?”

  “How is it going, son?”

  “We’re still here just waiting, boss. Thanks for asking.”

  “Please keep me informed, okay?”

  “Sure thing. Anything else, Chief?”

  “Yeah, but you’re not going to like it. We need to do a story about your father.”

  “Seriously, you’re telling me this right now?”

  “The timing sucks, I know, but he is the first to undergo this procedure in the entire country. That’s news. Of course, all of that is predicated on his full recovery. But it gets worse, Ted. I’m giving the story to Sandi.”

  “But Chief, he is my father! Wouldn’t it be a better angle for me to do it, you know, all in the family?”

  “We thought about that, but we need the story to be focused and impartial. Sandi will interview you and use whatever information you can provide, but it’s her byline.”

  “Okay, I got it, sir.”

  “Ted, we need you back on the Joshua Carpenter story now. Did you see the video feed from Georgia yesterday? Now that’s a big story, and it’s all yours.”

  “Okay, thanks, Chief. I’ll get on it as soon as my dad is stable.”

  “Best of luck to your whole family, Ted. Bye.” The line disconnected and Ted pushed his phone back into his pocket.

  “Don’t worry, Teddy, everything will be okay,” his mother smiled at him softly.

  “Thanks, Mom,” he replied. “I just hope Dad will be well.”

  A door opened and Doctor Adam Smith walked out all smiles. As he approached the Dixons, he said, “The surgery was an amazing success, Mrs. Dixon. The transference is complete!”

  Louise and Ted rose and walked to meet the man. Louise hugged the doctor, saying, “God bless you.”

  “You are both very welcome,” Smith replied. “Frankly, I was surprised that the equipment worked so well. There were no glitches and it went perfectly smoothly. But you do need to know a couple of things before you can see Bill.”

  “What’s wrong now?” Ted asked.

  “Nothing is wrong, believe me,” Smith retorted. “You have to understand that the electronic brain functions differently from a human one, although there are many similarities. A brain holds a huge amount of information that has formed integrated networks and connections over your lifetime. The electronic brain has all that data stored, but it will take a few days for all of the interconnections to regenerate. Therefore, you will notice some things missing from his memory at first. Within three to five days, everything should be back to normal. Most of the surgical time was allowing the basic connections to form. The recovery period will finish that job. Imagine being a baby, and having fifty years of experience and education suddenly pumped into your head. It takes a bit of time for the brain to process it all. That’s it.”

  “When can I see my husband, Doctor Smith?”

  “Right now,” Smith said as he waved his arm at the door, which opened and Bill Dixon walked out.

  Louise ran up to him and threw her arms around his neck, kissing his lips. “How are you feeling, honey?”

  “I feel great, honeybunch,” he said. “Like a new man!” Bill smiled at his son and asked, “What do you think of your old man, Todd?”

  “It’s Ted, Dad.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Teddy. Did Doctor Adams tell you both about the recovery period?”

  Adams put his hand on Ted’s shoulder and noted, �
��That’s exactly right. Some memories may still be in flux. You just have to be patient. If Bill isn’t one hundred percent in five days, we’ll examine him again. You’re all free to go home when you like.”

  “Doctor Adams, if I may be so abrupt, where is my father’s body?”

  “I understand perfectly, Mr. Dixon. In the release that your mother signed, she donated his human body to science. It is part of the standard agreement with Second Chance. They foresaw that patients would not be ready to deal with the elimination of their former bodies, so this release solves that problem.” He walked over to the nurse’s station and grabbed a booklet and returned. Handing the booklet to Ted, he said, “This manual explains everything about the robotic body and the legal agreement with Second Chance. Feel free to keep it.”

  “Does it say anything about eating, Doc, because I’m starving?” Bill asked.

  “Second Chance planned for that as well. The robotic form is fully capable of all normal human functions, and eating does help recharge the system, although at least one night per week, you will need to sleep in a charging station. Call the number on the booklet and they will arrange the installation for you. Take care,” Adams said as he turned and walked away.

  “Let’s get something to eat,” Louise said. “God knows I’ve been in this hospital too long. Where shall we go?”

  Ted felt his phone vibrate and pulled it out. The caller ID showed ‘E. Judah.’ “You guys decide and let me know and I’ll follow you. I have to take this.” He pressed the connect button and said, “Ted Dixon.” His parents waved goodbye and walked out of the room.

  “Mr. Dixon, I am Emmanuel Judah, CEO of the Judah Corporation. How do you do?”

  “I’m fine, sir. How can I help you today?”

  “Ted, if I may call you that, our mutual friend is in dire trouble, and I need you to find and help him.”