by Jeff Walsh
“Once the system has confirmed all requirements I'll be notified and return,” she said to Marcus. “I'll escort your friend to a physical work terminal where he can monitor your vitals during the process, as well as search for your friends beyond Volja. I'll be back in a moment,” she finished.
Marcus turned and saw a reclining seat materialize. He turned and sat. With a final deep breath he closed his eyes.
Omnis and Kora made their way toward the door of the room.
“This way Mr. Zept,” Kora said as she opened the brass doors once more. Omnis noticed immediately that the door did not lead back into the hallway from whence they came. They stepped through the doorway and into a much different room. Screens and monitors, work stations and consoles of every kind, were placed everywhere.
“This is Volja's operation center known as Leitorgia,” Kora said. “From here you can monitor any section of space across the universe.”
“Kora,” Omnis said. “If Volja is as all knowing as you say, I assume it identified who Marcus and I were the moment we entered your space?”
“Of course,” Kora said. “But Volja does not presume such informality. Volja must be invited to call you by your identification, or that which you refer to as your name.”
“Of course,” Omins said. “It's a sign of great respect. Tell me, does Volja perceive intention?”
“Indeed,” Kora said. “However, in Volja's current malfunctioning state it cannot perceive positive or negative actions. At the moment Volja is what most species would call, emotionless.”
“Wonderful,” Omnis said. “Out of respect to Volja, you no longer need to refer to me as the human knew me.”
“Of course,” Kora said. “How should Volja refer to you?”
“By what name does Volja know me?” Omnis said.
“Volja's system identifies you as Captain Vex Draughn,” Kora said. “Leader of the Attillian empire, executive command of the vessel Starfaller, and a now fully authorized companion of Marcus Linas.”
“Good, now, if you don't mind, please re-confirm that the human has granted me full access to this planet's entire system.”
“Affirmative.”
“Perfect,” Vex said. “Now, direct me to a terminal where I can begin my work.”
Chapter 23
Marcus' eyes opened and the white light of the room flooded them. As he sat upright his mind felt foggy. The brightness of the room caused his eyes to burn; he squeezed them shut and rubbed at them. They watered slightly and as he wiped away the tears he could feel the memories of what just took place race away from his mind.
After a deep breath Marcus opened his eyes once more and looked around the room; nothing had changed but it all felt slightly different.
“How long have I...” Marcus muttered to himself realizing that he'd lost all track of time.
The creak of the brass doors opening broke Marcus from his thoughts.
“I'm glad to see you awake,” Kora said as she entered the room. “I trust that the process was pleasant?”
“Yeah.” Marcus said as he watched her stride across the room. “It was fine, just like you said, it's just...” Marcus paused a moment. His mind was blank.
“Worry not,” Kora said with a reassuring tone as she walked toward him. “The process of being scanned can, and often does, leave the subject with a momentary lapse in memory.”
“Momentary lapse in memory?” Marcus asked. “You never said anything about a...”
“I apologize for not divulging this information initially, it was unintentional,” Kora answered. “The deep meditative state ensured your safety while you interfaced with Volja. Due to this small amount of contact with Volja, for your protection, the specifics of the interaction have been temporarily restrained in your mind. As your consciousness clears, so will your memory of the events. This temporary memory lapse gives your mind time to processes its interaction with Volja in a safe way.”
“So, wait,” Marcus said. He removed the cranial device, slid from the reclining chair, and walked to Kora. “Are you saying that Volja is controlling my memory?”
“Affirmative,” Kora answered. “The process by which Volja can affect an individual's mind is similar to the technology known as the Psionic Link Network, where information can be psionically delivered and removed. As I understand it, you are familiar with the PLN, which is why I didn't feel the need to explain the temporary memory loss.”
Marcus rubbed at his face. The very idea of things coming and going from his mind creeped him out. Although, everyone else in space seemed to be fine with it.
“Okay,” Marcus said dismissively. “I've done the scan. So now what?”
“It displeases me to tell you this,” Kora said. “But unfortunately, due to your current mental capacity, a full ekklisian link will not be possible with Volja.”
“Are you serious?” Marcus blurted out. “I've been laying in this room getting my memory messed with, for what, nothing?”
“Unfortunately, affirmative,” Kora said. “As a full ekklisian process would kill you; there is nothing you can do.”
“You don't understand Kora,” Marcus said. “I need Volja's help, and you're telling me Volja needs mine. There aren't a lot of options here. I'm the only human, or 'species 042' available. There has to be something we can do.”
“I am afraid there are no other options,” Kora said. “With Volja's systems malfunctioning, retrieval of another 042 is impossible. Thus, with the time remaining, Volja's systems cannot be repaired.”
“What do you mean, time remaining?” Marcus asked.
“A program has been initiated within Volja's system,” Kora answered. “It is currently searching out and deleting all process and operations files. Because of this action, Volja will cease to exist in an estimated thirty Earth minutes.”
“Cease to exist,” Marcus. “Volja is dying?”
“Affirmative,” Kora said. “Due to the deletion of operations and process files Volja's life will cease shortly.”
“Why don't you just shutdown this program?” Marcus blurted out.
“Due to Volja's malfunction all system safety protocols are offline,” Kora answered. “I am unable to cease the programs operations.”
“I don't understand; Volja is a is a living creature,” Marcus said. “Some sort of ancient planet person, not some computer. How is a program killing it?”
“Volja is both technological and biological,” Kora answered. “One does not exists without the other. This newly installed program is currently seeking out all life functions of Volja and corrupting them. Without an ekklesian interface, Voljas system protection protocols cannot be brought online.”
“Newly installed program?” Marcus said.
“Affirmative,” Kora answered. “Executable file 'Phyzzer' was uploaded into Volja's system from the control center roughly twenty-six minutes ago,” Kora answered.
“Uploaded, how?” Marcus asked. But he didn't need to hear the answer. There was only one other person on the planet besides himself.
“Your companion, Omnis Zept, also known as Vex Draughn, installed and executed the file, releasing it into the central hub.”
Marcus' eyes widened. His chest felt tight.
“Vex Draughn,” Marcus said. “Omnis...he's...” Marcus could barely push the words out.
“I do apologize sir,” Kora asked. “It appears as though you were unaware of the duality of your companion's assigned title. Had I sensed the deception, I would have informed you immediately. I offer my greatest apologies, sir.”
“No,” Marcus uttered. “Don't, please don't.” Marcus paused. “Don't apologize.”
“I can't believe I've done this,” he muttered. “I brought him here. He's been lying since the beginning and I just ate it up.”
Marcus stood silent for a moment. The thoughts of every interaction with Omnis, Vex, flooded his mind.
He looked to Kora. “You have to stop him,” he said to her.
“I
cannot,” she said. “He was confirmed as an authorized user of Volja's control center...”
“I don't care what I said earlier,” Marcus yelled out, interrupting Kora. “Please Kora, you have to stop him.”
“My ability to rescind privileges was one of the first corrupted commands,” Kora said. “I am no longer able to access many of my former operations of Volja.”
Marcus fell to his knees. His hands curled into fists and he slumped forward resting his weight on them.
“We have to stop him,” Marcus whispered out. “There has to be a way to stop this. My friends, my wife, they were counting on me. Kora please, they are going to die unless we do something. You have to stop this from happening.”
“Volja must enter into a full systems reboot,” Kora said. “If that were to take place, all corrupted files would be restored. All system safety protocols would be activated. This would satisfy your request, but unfortunately, it is not possible at this time.”
Marcus breathed deep. His mind cleared of all but one thought: Genny.
The memory of when they first met washed over his mind. Then came the thoughts of their first date. Marcus remembered what it felt like to clutch her hand into his. The thought of seeing her in her wedding dress came next. Tears rolled down his face. A single image froze in his mind, the greatest memory he had of Genny. It was her smile. It was everything to Marcus. But on that day, her smile meant so much more. Within her smile Marcus found both hope and joy. On that special day it inched across her face and displayed every ounce of love she had for him. And in this moment, as Vex was killing Volja, Marcus allowed the thought of Genny's smile to fill his mind as he remembered uttering the words, “I do.”
Kora looked at Marcus as he sat slumped forward on the floor. She said nothing and did nothing.
“I'm sorry Kora,” Marcus said. “I brought Vex here. This is my fault. I never want to see people as they are. I always want to see the good; I always think people are better than they are. I'm a fool, and always have been. I was a fool back home, and now I'm a fool in space.”
With those words, Genny's smile vanished from his mind. In its place came the memories of having lost everything he and Genny saved. He'd given them everything. He'd invested all they had into their scheme. It was one of the most elaborate ruses ever devised, the news agencies reported. Millions upon millions of dollars were scammed from hundreds of thousands of people. But Marcus was the poster boy for the fallout.
News reports, blogs, podcasts, vlogs, every social media site, everyone it seemed, focused in on the genius teacher who was tricked into losing everything. The words “sucker” and “chump” flashed through Marcus' mind. The humiliation of it all crushed him, but Genny stood strong. She defended her husband. She dared to point to all the other people who'd been lured in, but the media didn't care. Marcus was a famous scholar, and he was exposed.
And now, here he was again.
Only, it wasn't just him. Now, due to his foolishness everyone was exposed. Taam and Bartl built their plan around him. Genny and Anthony's lives were depending on Marcus' success. And the worst part, none them ever hinted at the thought that he might not be able to pull it off. No one ever questioned whether or not he'd succeed. They'd given him their full confidence, and once more he'd failed. He'd failed her, and this time Genny was going to die.
Unless he did something.
Marcus stood and wiped at his face. He looked to Kora who in return was staring him in the eyes.
“You said that Volja can repair itself if it were able to enter into a full ekklisian and reboot,” Marcus said. “If that happens everything will be safe?”
“Affirmative,” Kora answered.
“That means Vex, the Attillians, no one will be able to come here and steal whatever it is they're after, correct?” Marcus asked.
“Affirmative,” Kora answered.
“And if this ekklisian thing works,” Marcus said. “Can Volja get my friends to safety? Can Volja pull my friends off the Starfaller and down to the surface?”
“Affirmative,” Kora responded.
“And they won't be warped off to some place?” Marcus asked. “Kora, I need to know they'll be safe.”
“Affirmative,” Kora said.
“Good,” Marcus responded. “Then I don't care about dying. Hook me up to Volja and save everyone else.”
҉
“As you can see from our scan,” Tira said. “Captain Vex has infiltrated Volja using your human.” Tira stood, confidence glaring in his posture. Arrogance and bravado resounded in his voice.
Anthony looked around the bridge of the Starfaller. Dozens of armed soldiers stood by, weapons at the ready. He and the others had been ushered up against the back wall and surrounded. There was no place to run, no place to hide. But in all of this, it was Commander Tira's smug expression and cadence that built up a seething defiance deep inside Anthony.
“Our captain intercepted your companion sometime ago,” Tira said. “It wasn't even difficult to track him down and gain his trust. Once you abandoned him to your escape pod and sent him on his way what did you expect? All he had by his side was your now destroyed AI companion Alvin.”
Bartl clenched his teeth and Tira let out a laugh.
Tira peered at Bartl, a wide smile stretching across the Attillian commander's face. “It brought me real joy to watch Alvin be destroyed,” Tira said to Bartl. “After all the instances where your precious AI helped you escape Prime Command. After all the trouble you've caused the Attillian empire using that thing, did you really think we would ignore him?” Tira stepped forward and bent down slightly to allow himself to be face to face with Bartl. “In truth, that was the defining moment for me. I always knew we'd bring the great Heezarians to their knees. But when we issued the order to have those scavs destroy the pod, I knew the chase was over. The destruction of your precious AI marked the beginning of your end. And I take deep joy in the fact that I've been here to see it all.”
Bartl stood unmoving, his face frozen with not a hint of emotion. He stared Tira in the eyes, and Tira stared back and chuckled. After a few moments, Tira stood upright and strolled back toward the captain's chair.
“You've lost Heezarians,” he said. “As we all knew you would. You believed yourselves to be limitless. As though your precious cause would continue to provide some miraculous protection against us and Prime Command. But, it's not just us you face. You stood against the betterment of the Core. And when you did that, there was only one outcome. It was always going to end this way. The Core would capture the two of you. You'd be beaten, flaunted for your crimes in front of the public, then erased from existence to show all that no one stands superior. And by this time next cycle, your names will be nothing more than warnings, stories told of how no one, no one, stands against the Core.
“It is however,” Tira paused a moment. “Unfortunate, that you brought innocents into your fray.” Tira looked to Anthony and Genny. “You two, and your friend on the surface, have been lead to believe we are a cold and ruthless people,” Tira said. “But allow me to demonstrate our truest nature. Once the captain confirms we are able to enter atmo,” Tira turned and looked to Starfaller's display screen. “We'll reunite you with your lost friend and return you to your planet.”
Anthony and Genny glanced at each other. Tira turned back toward them, his sinister and arrogant smile was wider still.
“The two of you are nothing but simple Class A lifeforms,” Tira said. “Killing you, as we are going to do to the Heezarians, would be akin to killing children...no, that's not quite right. I would be more like slaughtering soft, fragile, harmless, insignificant animals. The reports across the Core will tell of how the Heezarians lied to you in order to gain your trust. The story of how you were tricked and taken into space against your wishes will run on every news network. Every word across the freenet will talk about your release and safe return home, all provided by the Core. It will solidify the Prime Emperor in his position for cycle
s to come. Your deliverance will be celebrated not just across the Core, but across the universe.”
“You're going to use us as political grandstanding,” Anthony said. “We're puppets for your show. You're going to use us to gain support for what comes next.”
“Indeed,” Tira said. “The technology upon Volja is unlike anything else in the universe. And with it, Prime Command will sweep through the galaxy with a swiftness. They will stand victorious above all who oppose. The dream of a unified universe will finally be achieved. And we will be at the head of it all. With Volja at our command, the Core and their Prime Command, dare I say everyone, will be at our submission. The universe will be safe under the watchful eye of the great Attillian empire.”
“Safe,” Taam said with a chuckle. “That's the feeling I get as I look around this room. Who wouldn't feel safe with all the soldiers and guns nearby.”
“Your words attempt to bait me into action,” Tira said. “But I don't play your games. And make no mistake, these soldiers are not here for your protection. While I do despise you, I am not ignorant of your abilities.”
“You know it's funny,” Anthony said. “Your dearly departed Halen said similar things to us. And look how that turned out; we escaped and his ship blew up.”
“Be a real shame if that happened again,” Genny muttered.
“Indeed,” Tira said. “Which is why my soldiers have been given a kill order should any of you even hint at an attempt to escape. Sir Halen enjoyed playing his little mind games, and as you said, look where that got him.”
Bartl smirked.
“So, what?” Anthony said. “Now you just hold us here at gun point until your captain sends word that he's taken over Volja?”
“If you'd prefer,” Tira said. “You can wait in a cell.”
Anthony said nothing.
“I thought not.” Tira said with a smug look on his face.
