Into the Realm

AKIRREL

2011-07-05T15:52:00.000-07:00

AKIRREL

The blades had crossed quickly, and Akirrel found himself once again the victor. Another dead man lay before him, and another faceless soul that had been fool enough to battle one of the Eternals was no more. The nameless would be warrior now joined the ranks of countless other mortals who dared defy one who can never truly die.

The badlands that lay beyond the border of the mountain castle of Grebde stretched for miles on end as far as the eye could see. While in the rugged desert terrain Akirrel mounted his black stallion; a faithful companion and creature of war unto itself. At a steady pace he rode past the dead man and moved forward to combat his enemies and encounter his fate. The mighty stallion kept forward toward the castle galloping through the expansive desert landscape.

While mounted upon his mighty stead the desert sands and raw dried dirt before Akirrel began to shake with a violent tumult. On both sides of the Eternal two human figures shot forth spewing the dry cracked landscape of the badlands in every direction. While flying through the air the two figures flipped overhead of Akirrel with swords drawn and ready to attack. Quick to maneuver Akirrel bent backwards missing a slice to the head, and at the same time unsheathed his sword blocking the blow of the second figure. The two men gracefully landed on opposite sides of the spots from which they erupted.

Eternals like me! Akirrel was shocked to see these two working together so closely. Most Eternals stayed away from each other, and did their best to kill others like them. Immortal they all were in a sense considering the fact that they were constantly and quickly reincarnated upon death with the full memories and experiences of their previous lives.

“The badlands are no place for others like us.” One of the men stood with small pieces of cracked dirt caked with sand falling from his shoulders. He shook the dirt and sand from his face and hair while speaking. “What brings you to our domain?”

“Your domain is it?” Akirrel smirked while holding back laughter. “What makes you think lands such as these belong to you? The harsh realm you know as the badlands belongs only to death.”

“Then you are in luck, for death is who you’ve found on this day.” The second man sailed through the air to where Akirrel sat upon his horse.

With ease and a wise quickness Akirrel dismounted the stallion blocking deadly blow after blow. The second figure was dangerously quick and precise with his blade thanks to countless lifetimes of fine tuning and practice. However, this man knew nothing of his opponent. He was without the knowledge that Akirrel was amongst the first Eternals to ever exist making him one of the oldest and most experienced.

Having tested out the second man Akirrel knew he could best him. With practiced grace Akirrel sheathed his sword while dodging thrusts and slices shot in his direction from various angles. Eventually he ceased moving standing his ground and frustrated his opponent even further by disarming him and holding his combatant’s sword to his own neck.

“Release him!” The first man shouted.

“Who are you two to be working together in such a manner? Our kind simply does not get along.” Akirrel kept his gaze on the man he held hostage with the man’s very sword. “And you my friend are in need of a few more lifetimes’ worth of practice.”

“His name is Otos. And I go by Nimaj’neb. Your skill is great, and we are clearly not equal in that skill to your own. I beg you to be kind and allow my brother more time before he is forced to be born again.” Nimaj’neb bowed humbly before Akirrel sheathing his sword.

Outraged, Otos looked to his brother. “How dare you grovel before this swine? He was simply lucky!”

“He disarmed you brother! Let it be!” Slowly Nimaj’neb stood up looking to the man who held his brother’s life in his hands. He noted the finely tailored red clothing that was reminiscent of a time long past. “That is a mighty horse you ride upon. It is a miracle you managed to maintain its life across these parts.”

“When you have lived again and again as I have, you learn quite a bit regarding survival.” With lighting quick speed Akirrel stepped to the side and returned the sword to Otos’ sheath. With a nonchalant gait he moved back to his stallion that stood loyally waiting for his master. “My name is Akirrel in lives past and in this one. It is the only name I’ve ever gone by.”

Shocked and amazed Otos bowed his head and fell to his knees. “You’re one of the First! Forgive me Master Akirrel! I hadn’t any idea it was you!”

“A debt is owed!” Nimaj’neb bowed just as deeply as his brother. “We owe you a debt! You spared my brother a premature reincarnation. We serve you until the debt is repaid in full no matter how many lifetimes it may take.”

While mounting his stallion Akirrel looked down to the two brothers. “I’ve no need of servants and there stands no debt between us. You two are free as you have always been.”

“We are honor bound. You would wound us greatly by denying it.” Otos declared while standing before Akirrel as though he were ready to attack again in order to prove his newly made fealty.

With two Eternals on my side I just may be able to defeat him. Elyk will pay for his treachery and Maya will pay for hers. The secret has been found, and the Eternals will be reincarnated no more only to meet true death. These two will be useful for this cause. A smile formed on Akirrel’s face as he looked to the now loyal subjects that stood ready to serve.

* * * *

“Lerrika honey, what are you doing now?” Sanda asked as she opened the sliding door to her daughter’s room. The colony had seen much hardship on the distant planet of Iltej, and Sanda had her work cut out for her being Chief Environmental Engineer. Looking after a thirteen year old daughter however, seemed to complicate matters when her work meant life and death to her fellow colonists. There were far too many days when Sanda’s daughter Lerrika didn’t understand that simple fact.

“Mother, please! I’ve asked you before to announce yourself before entering my room!” Lerrika pouted as she often did these days. As of late the rift between mother and daughter was growing. Lerrika was fighting for independence and an identity while Sanda sought only to protect her only child any way she could.

“I’m sorry honey. It’s just that supper is ready and I and your father were wondering what exactly it is you have been doing up here all this time.” As most mothers often do she began to pick up the stray clothing lying about Lerrika’s room. “It wouldn’t hurt you to stay a bit on the tidy side of things.”

“And it wouldn’t hurt you to stop being nosey. If you have to know what I’m doing, then here it is. I’m working on a story.” She turned around on the swivel chair while pointing proudly to the computer display. No keyboard was necessary since all of her thoughts were transmitted directly to the computer via the wireless chip implanted shortly before birth. Every human out in the colonies wore one in order to locate those lost in the harsher terrains.

“Now I see.” Sanda smiled while looking to her daughter. “So we have a budding author in the family now. You would be the first. May I read some if it?”

“Not yet Mother. It isn’t finished. But when it is it will be grand!” The enthusiasm welled up inside of Lerrika so much so that she felt herself on the verge of an emotional explosion.

“I’m sure it will be just that my darling daughter.” Sanda took the opportunity to plant a quick kiss on her daughter’s forehead and laughed as Lerrika quickly wiped it away.

“I hate it when you do that Mother.”

“I know, but I love the way you react when I do.” Sanda smiled. “Now before we go down and eat dinner can you at least tell me the name of this novel?”

“The title will be Akirrel. I’ve named it after the main character.”

“And what is this Akirrel like my darling daughter?”

“He’s handsome; very much so. He has long black hair that he puts back in a ponytail, and he’s the best swordsman around. Elyk is better though, and that is his mortal enemy. Did I mention the part about reincarnation?”

Sanda shook her head from side to side smiling as mother’s do.

“Oh, that’s the best part! It’s what makes the story really something!” Lerrika cleared her throat before continuing. “Well you see, the people in the story are what I call Eternals. They retain all the memories and experiences of their previous lives, and have therefore died and lived time and time again moving from body to body with pretty much every generation. In a way they are immortal and trapped in the world they live in watching it change with time. They don’t have the ability to move on to the next world after death.”

“Sound very fascinating. I can’t wait to read it.”

“I can’t wait to finish it. Shall we head down Mother?”

Sanda smiled. “Yes we shall.”

Both mother and daughter stood up and exited Lerrika’s bedroom. Sanda led the way down the stairs and into the kitchen where Lerrika’s father Danjo eagerly awaited the meal that had been prepared by the recently installed food sequencer. It was a perk of being the Chief Environmental Engineer and was delivered during a recent shipment from the Mother World.

Lerrika sighed as she moved down the stairs behind her mother. The story would simply have to wait.

* * * *

Storming the castle had been the easy task. The troops raised by Akirrel followed him to the death as though he were their personal messiah and they his chosen people. Akirrel had used them as a means to an end, and they had fought and died creating the disruption needed for him and his two main comrades to enter the mountain castle of Grebde. Vengeance would be theirs, and those found guilty would pay for their sins.

Otos and Nimaj’neb carefully kept a vigilant eye as they slowly crept through the main chamber where Maya and Elyk were sure to be found. The earth tones that had made Otos and Nimaj’neb blend in while living in the badlands did nothing to camouflage them as they crept through the elaborately decorated chamber. Akirrel wore white the color of purity, and his clothing was covered in the blood of those sacrificed for his glory.

“How many times is it that I must kill you Akirrel?” Elyk stood from behind one of the large pillars in the chamber in an ornately decorated suit of golden armor; his silver hair tucked beneath the helmet. Elyk’s sword was in hand and the man was ready to do battle with his enemy for the very last time.

“As many as it takes I gather. But I am aware of something that is unknown to you Elyk. I have learned of a magic that can stop the reincarnation. I will use it on you the moment my sword pierces your flesh, and you shall be reborn no more!”

“We shall see Akirrel. As for your companions, well, let us just say that they have their own demons to battle.” With the wave of a hand two shadowy figures appeared before Otos and Nimaj’neb. Those shadows quickly formed into darker versions of the two warriors.

“What evil is this?!” Otos cried sword in hand and ready to fight.

“You have defeated many when entering this castle. Let us see how well you fare against your very self.” Elyk wasted no time in charging Akirrel as the shadow copies attacked their counterparts with deadly precision.

Akirrel fought the battle of his life deflecting blow after blow made upon him by Elyk, and it was then that he noticed Maya watching from the corner of his eye. She lay atop a long bed placed in the center of the chamber. The green silk dress fit her naturally like a second skin, and the very image of her beauty was enough to bring Akirrel to his knees.

“She is mine Akirrel! She always has been!” Elyk’s voice boomed as his relentless attack continued.

I have to gain the upper hand, Akirrel thought summoning all of his strength and doing his best to fight off his immortal enemy hoping beyond hope that this would be their final battle.

Otos had a unique struggle with himself quite literally. He dueled with his shadow copy as best he could. It was as if his dark counterpart were able to anticipate his actions before he took them, and the appropriate counters were taken to meet each attack Otos attempted. He kept a watchful gaze on Nimaj’neb as they fought. “We cannot continue like this Nimaj’neb.”

“I agree brother.” Nimaj’neb fought his dark counterpart finding the same difficulties. “I am aware of your weaknesses.”

“And I am aware of yours.”

“Then we shall see who truly the better swordsman is!”

With the ease of a leaf floating upon a gentle wind the brothers switched opponents so that they would be facing each other’s shadow copies. This threw the dark counterparts off as they were unable to anticipate the attacks made against them by the duo. Working together the two brothers quickly made short work of their dark rivals striking each down at the same time. When it was done they cast their gaze upon Akirrel who was continuing to struggle with Elyk.

“We must help him!” Otos moved to be at Akirrel’s side and was angered to see his brother’s hand holding him back.

“We must not take action.” Nimaj’neb looked to Akirrel’s battle. “This is his fight. He must do this on his own. Our debt has been repaid tenfold with the storming of this castle alone, not to mention our previous exploits with one of the First. Whether or not he survives is dependent upon his will.”

The two brothers then glanced upon the dangerously beautiful Maya. She lay as though she were a goddess with her golden hair dancing in the breeze that occasionally swept through the chamber. The open balcony that looked down to the very bottom of the mountain was good for such things.

“She is the one that caused all of this.” Otos wanted nothing more than to pierce his sword through her flesh. He felt the demon beneath the mask of beauty as she looked upon him from where she lay.

“That she is my brother. That she is.”

Quickly Maya took her eyes from the two knowing they were of little threat to her. Instead she focused on Akirrel and Elyk as they battle throughout the large chamber showing no mercy with their intense movements.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched these two do battle. I can’t even remember the first time. Her memory was vast, and she found herself having to work very hard to recover certain events.

“In all these lives have you learned nothing?!” Elyk struck down hard and sidestepped a slice moving in. His sword quickly slashed along Akirrel’s abdomen as he passed by him.

Akirrel looked down with sword still in hand. He saw his own blood soaking through the white clothing he wore and lost track of it as it mixed with the blood of his enemies. The white that remained on his clothing was sporadic.

I must win this!

Elyk stood patiently waiting for Akirrel’s next move. “You are going to die again Akirrel. There is nothing more you can do to prevent it.”

“No!” Akirrel charged Elyk with the strength and force of an army. His barrage of slices and thrusts would have been a series of blurs to the naked eye. His superhuman effort was relentless. “You will die!”

Surprised by the sudden onslaught Elyk struggled to block each blow made against him. They danced the dance of death as they moved throughout the chamber with Maya watching and waiting; the brothers doing the same. Without warning Elyk smiled and with a free hand summoned a bit of the magic he had gathered over his many lives.

The ground in the chamber began to shake around Otos and Nimaj’neb. Arms made of the very marble floor that belonged to the chamber reached out and held the two brothers tightly in place. They yelled in fury at their sudden imprisonment.

Another arm reached out from the ground behind Akirrel as he blocked strikes made against him with his sword. The red and gold marble hand of the chamber floor lifted high in the air above the two like a giant python ready to attack. The hand took hold of Akirrel forcing him to drop his sword with an intense grip that enveloped his entire body.

Unable to hide the satisfaction he felt Elyk laughed allowing his devilish smile to grow from ear to ear. He walked to Akirrel with golden armor shining and with deadly sword in hand. “You have fought well this time. But not well enough. You will never be good enough to defeat me Akirrel.”

“I will return Elyk. No matter how many times death takes me from this realm I will return and I shall have my vengeance!” Akirrel struggled with the marble hand that held him in place. His rage kept him from noticing the wound in his abdomen bleeding out and opening up as the deadly grip grew tighter.

“Wait!” Maya yelled breaking her serine demeanor. She stood from bed, and her green silk dress complimented her gait as she gracefully glided over to Elyk and Akirrel. “Akirrel, why must you do this time and time again? Why do you torture yourself so?”

“There was a time when I thought you truly loved me. But your betrayal is far deeper than Elyk’s ever could be. You’re the reason I suffer so. You’re the reason I’ve come back time and time again!”

“I saved you long ago when you died that first time. I couldn’t stop Elyk from killing you, but the magic of the reincarnation allowed you to survive after that. I had no choice but to stay with Elyk. He had plans, and I wanted to be a part of them. After all this time I thought you would have understood that I gave you this gift so that you could still be you regardless of how things ended. You would be lost like the other mortals coming back to nothing and having lost everything that makes you who you are. I still do care about you Akirrel.” Maya reached for his face gently touching it as he struggled to pull away.

“Is it thanks you desire?” He could almost laugh himself to insanity. “Maya I loved you, and you returned that love by cursing me! Death after death brings me no peace. I wake to see my last moments before Elyk took his sword and struck me down as you watched doing nothing. That first night thousands of years ago still seems as though it were only days past.”

“Enough of this!” Elyk’s eyes gazed upon Akirrel. “It ends now. That spell you spoke of Akirrel, I’ve actually acquired it myself. Whenever you are born my people are already watching. Whatever you try to do one of my agents is taking in every detail and reporting back to me. It didn’t have to be like this. It never did. But you were always so stubborn. These silly notions of justice and honor only dimmed your view to the possibilities that are before us. The years you’ve wasted fueled by jealousy and anger show how petty of a creature you truly are.”

“No. It is so much more than that. Your true death would bring a world of people to find that they can exist without tyranny.” Akirrel eyed the blade Elyk held as it moved closer to his neck.

“Then I gather it is a shame that this world will never know a single day and night without me.” At that moment Elyk took the blade and…..

* * * *

“Lerrika! Where are you?!” Sanda yelled throughout their home. Her voice carried well as she had long ago grown accustomed to yelling for her daughter’s presence.

“I’m in my room Mother! Where else would I be?!” Lerrika responded with a voice as equally broadcast and with a tinge of frustration at having been interrupted from her writing. She was near the end of this epic tale she had concocted and wanted to finish it with a finale worthy of praise for generations to come. She found this task to be most difficult and took her time in tying everything together.

Sanda entered Lerrika’s room looking about pleasantly surprised to see it was more neatly kept than the last time she had entered it. “Still working on that novel of yours I see.”

“Yes. I’m having trouble finishing it though. I’m not quite sure what to do.” Lerrika stood from the chair to the computer terminal that was fused to a wall in her room. Pacing was a habit she had gotten from her father Danjo.

“Must you pace like that?” Sanda placed a set of freshly washed laundry into one of her daughter’s drawers.

“It helps me to think Mother. I need to move in order to think.”

“Well then I gather some fresh air would do the same. How about we go for a walk then? That way you can get this pacing out of your system, and I can be all the more sane for not having to witness you do so inside of the house.”

“Where would you like to walk to?” Lerrika stopped moving.

“We will go to wherever our feet take us my darling daughter. A lot of writers liked to walk you know.”

“Is that so? Name a few.”

“Well, I’m not an expert on the subject, but I gather that all the ones that could really did enjoy it.” Sanda smiled while giving her daughter a wink.

“Oh, you’re just filled with jokes today, aren’t you Mother?” Without hesitation Lerrika grabbed her mother’s hand and allowed her to escort her down the stairs of their home. Though she was thirteen she still enjoyed acting as a child many years younger from time to time.

* * * *

The main basecamp on Iltej was bustling with an overflow of life. Groundcars drove through the streets transporting people and goods; overhead hovercraft zoomed from building to building, and off in the far distance at the spaceport off world transports could be seen ascending and descending in the afternoon sky.

Lerrika enjoyed these constitutionals she took with her mother. They were relaxing and allowed her to spend time with the woman in a way that was not embarrassing. She was getting older now and the childish things her mother did were simply not fitting for a woman; especially if she were to be a part of the main crowd. It was a hard lesson, but one Lerrika was trudging through with the angst of any teenager.

“I remember how things were before all of this was built.” Sanda looked about her surroundings as they walked at a leisurely pace. “You know I helped draft some of the designs for the vehicles we use along with how the waste in the city is reprocessed.”

“I know Mother. It seems as though you must remind me of the fact every time we step outside.” Lerrika said knowing she would have to hear the story yet again.

“Well I’m sorry for being proud of my work my darling daughter. We’ve built ourselves a nice society her. It is far away from the main planets where there are vicious wars raging. It stifles me to think that as technologically savvy as we’ve become as a race we still can act as barbaric as ever. People always find a way to feud. It never fails. Even here on Iltej, though it is a lot more low key and political. I gather it has turned from physical to intellectual; the wars I mean. You should write your next story about that.” Sanda sighed wondering if any of her words were sinking in to the young lady that walked alongside her.

“I saw something on the holonewscast. They said a treaty had been signed and that peace was eminent with some of the feuding worlds.” Lerrika did her best to partake in this conversation with her mother. It seemed important somehow.

“We can only hope my darling daughter.” Sanda sighed once again and then noticed that red lights were shining off in the distance. The sight of the glow created a knot in her stomach that reached to her throat making her want to vomit. Sirens soon followed the lights and she knew what would be next. “No…”

“What is that noise Mother?” Lerrika was at a loss. The sirens were loud and she began to notice a mass flood of people in a panic surrounding them.

“We have to find shelter quickly!” Without thinking Sanda grabbed Lerrika by the arm dragging her across the main square of the basecamp to the nearest building with a deep underground subsection.

“Why aren’t we just going home?! I’m scared! Where’s Father?” Lerrika couldn’t hold back the tears of fear as she noticed red ships covering the blue skies above. From those ships she could see small spherical shapes descending at terminal velocity. Even a thirteen year old girl knew that ships like that could only be dropping one thing.

“No! It can’t end this way!” Sanda stopped running knowing they would never find shelter in time. Peace was a lie! The bastards planned this attack!

Sanda held her daughter closely as tears came from them both. They watched as a red sphere was about to make contact near them and….

* * * *

“God damn it all to hell!” Aki R. Rel stood before the computer terminal in the student lab slamming his fists on the console. Frustrated beyond words he turned off the Iltej program and forced himself to walk away from the terminal before he began kicking the contraption with all of his might.

“What’s the matter now?” Jeffers asked two terminals down from his companion. It was crunch time at the university and Jeffers and Aki always seemed to wait until the last minute to get things done. “Did your program crash on you again Rel?” Jeffers always called him by his last name knowing just how much Aki hated his first.

“My whole senior thesis revolves around an A.I. program that can determine a pattern of humanity that will eventually live in peace, with the fruit of technology to assist. The program consists of a replica of our society. And the technology is ‘inspired’ to other individuals in the vast program by me. That technology is supposed to make everyone’s lives better, but the people in the program keep using it for war, to conquer, and to kill. No matter what I do it evolves into a state of complete chaos despite my best efforts to inspire peace. Utopia just can’t exist can it? Not even in an A.I. program.”

“Maybe it’s time to change your thesis to the opposite of what you originally intended. The program seems to work for the contrary argument.” Jeffers continued fixing a glitch on his own program.

Aki began to pace back and forth in the small space before his computer terminal. “The little girl died.”

“What?” Jeffers stopped what he was doing and turned his chair so that he could look directly at a pacing Rel. It annoyed him how much Rel paced when thinking. “What do you mean?”

“There was one little girl in the program in particular. I grew kind of fond of her as I was writing the program and viewing it. Her name was Lerrika. Thirteen years old. She was a bright kid. She had a great future in that program. She died because a peace treaty was broken and her world was invaded and mostly destroyed. It’s a real shame.” Aki sighed and sat down slumping deeply into his chair.

“Look Rel, I know you get into what you do but you have to remember no matter how real these programs seem they’re not. She wasn’t alive therefore she couldn’t have truly died.”

“What is death anyway Jeffers? How do we even know we’re truly alive?” Aki remembered the story he viewed Lerrika working on. The main character Akirrel was about to die for good it seemed, but he now knew he would never find out the ending to that fantastic tale.

“Who knows Rel? All I do know is that we are here and now and need to make the best of it. We need to do that despite the fact that you’re A.I. program doesn’t want to be a peace loving one, and despite the fact that by nature the human race is prone to violence and suffering. In the end that’s how we get to define ourselves; through suffering I mean. The violence is kind of a byproduct. People gravitate to that because they suddenly become important when they have someone’s life in their hands. Nothing is going to change that unless there’s some kind of I don’t know… evolution consciously as a race and how we see and deal with things. There needs to be an emotional and psychological evolution my friend.” Jeffers rubbed his eyes feeling the sleepiness of the past six hours of work catch up to him.

“Never had a clue you were so philosophical.” Aki turned to his screen. “You know, what if we’re just figments of someone’s imagination like the people in these programs are to us? What if there’s someone writing out every little detail we do and deciding whether or not we live and die even though we think we’re in control of every choice we make?”

“And I’m the one being philosophical?”

“I’m just saying Jeffers.”

“I know. And I believe there is someone writing our story.”

“Are you going to shed some light on this theory of yours? Who do you think it is?” Aki smirked.

“God.”

Aki chuckled to himself while looking over his program. Either he had to figure a way around his problem, or he had only twelve hours to come with a new senior thesis that could fit into the context of his existing program.

Jeffers sat comfortably at his console hoping his words weren’t in vain. Aki had never been a spiritual or religious man, but at the end of the day Jeffers knew better, or he thought he did; if you could call those thoughts he had his own.

By Ben Soto

CLONING LOVE

2011-06-19T07:39:00.000-07:00

CLONING LOVE

“So for the past six years you simply let everyone believe that he was missing?!” Doctor Potock was shocked to hear the explanation presented. It was one thing to consider the possibility of it upon the moment of a loved one’s death, but to hide it in secret for six years was as illegal as murder in the first.

“Yes. I had to. If it was found out that he was officially dead then I wouldn’t have been able to even consider having this procedure done. It would have aroused too much suspicion if I sought this out after his death; the kind that ruins lives.” Ellen sat across from Potock eagerly awaiting the good doctor’s answer to her question. It had not been her first visit to his office, and she fiercely hoped that after what she was asking of him that it would not be her last.

“You are well aware that this procedure is very illegal, and could result in consecutive sentencing by the courts?” Doctor Potock regarded Ellen with heavy eyes. “You could even find yourself with a death sentence.” The physician had known Ellen and her late husband Rick for the last decade, and it pained him to see her begging for such a request. The woman was like a daughter to him, and he wished only for her happiness.

“Please Doctor, I’m begging for your assistance. You’re the only one who can truly help me. Believe me when I say I know the consequences as well as anybody. I’ve been going over this in my head countless times, and the fact is I am nothing without Rick. I’ve tried my very best to move on, but it’s been impossible; especially when I know I there’s an option to have him returned to me. Please help bring him back to me Doctor Potock? Please?” Ellen Crowberg did her best to maintain her composure.

“Past memory is hit or miss. Nothing about this can guarantee that your Rick will be the Rick you’ve known. He’ll look and sound the same, but will he be him? I don’t think that will be the case Ellen. Too many clones have been unable to remember their previous life even with the aid that mind probes can offer in terms of memory retrieval. Perhaps it would be best if…”

“No!” Ellen stood from the seat in front of Potock’s desk and took to quickly pacing about his office. “It has been six years! Six years of emptiness and loss that I can’t even begin to describe to you! In my heart I know it will work!” Gracefully she calmed herself before continuing. “I can make it work out for the better. I just need to be given a chance.”

Potock stood from behind the desk and moved to where Ellen stood admiring how beautifully tragic she appeared while wearing the summer dress Rick had first seen her in so many years ago. He then gave her a stern glare like that of a father lecturing a child, and held her hand in his to make sure that she was listening when he said, “Just because you wish it to be true does not make it so.”

“This is all I have left, and you’re the only one that can help me. Please just help me?” Her eyes grew watery with pain as her facial expression continued to plead with Doctor Potock.

Ellen might as well have been Doctor Potock’s flesh and blood. He had known Ellen for nearly all his life dating back to a few years after her birth. How does one turn down family in great pain? With a resigned breath he took a step forward and turned his back to her while using the desk as a barrier to cover his shaky legs. “I will need to procure a sample that remains in good condition. Do you have one available?”

Ellen’s eyes lit up as the question washed away her sad demeanor. “I do Doctor! Yes, I do!”

“Bring it to me as soon as you can. I want to finish this as quickly as time will allow. The faster this goes the less likely either of us will be found out.”

* * * *

The conditions for the regrowth process were hardly up to standards, but the risk of being caught using facilities that were more satisfactory was too great. Doctor Potock had no choice but to accept the underground laboratory, and the hand me down equipment that was at his disposal. The electronic surgical tools and medical machinery barely passed acceptable levels of sterilization, the regrowth chamber was back a few years in terms of the decontamination vents programmed protocol, and the computers used to run the operating system were borderline antiquated at best.

With no aids to oversee specific portions of the procedure, Potock was forced to become a full staff in one. He moved vigorously from station to station while the man who oversaw the entire underground facility observed the procedure with a curious smile.

“You could lend a hand, you know.” Potock spoke irritably as he kept his eyes on the vitals while moving about monitoring various systems.

The man who brought Potock to the underground facility was older, scruffy looking, and with a bald head. The white hairs of his beard were filling in, and he wore an old fashioned P coat which gave him the appearance of hard man that worked the docks.

“Did you hear me?” Potock grew more irate.

“Look pal,” the man spit while keeping his eyes on the doctor, “I bring people here. That’s all. I facilitate and don’t participate if you catch my drift.” The man grinned proud at his moment of witticism.

Potock threw a quick hmphh! before returning to the life that was being recreated. The fool could at least keep an eye on the vitals for me! A quick glance allowed Ellen to be in his line of vision, and the doctor sighed working harder to make sure that everything went as it should.

Time droned on as the Potock worked with a herculean effort and the lack of sunlight deep down in this facility made it difficult to gauge just how sleepy Ellen should be. She gathered that she had been waiting at least twelve hours near the large machines. The watch she usually carried with her had been left at home leaving her unable to tell the time. She could ask, but felt it would be best to let the doctor work. Occasionally she moved to use the restroom, but otherwise her location was by the machinery that was bringing her closer to Rick.

She dressed in warm soothing colors doing her best to maintain an appealing appearance. Thoughts of what she would and should say rushed through her mind like an avalanche. It had been six long years for this moment of return. The man she loved would soon be with her again. She even felt a bit silly wearing the perfume he had enjoyed, but thought it might help his memory since the fragrance had been his favorite.

A quick look at Doctor Potock’s movements told Ellen that the machine was finalizing the process speeding up the growth so as to make Rick the proper age. Ellen looked to the large contraption in utter amazement while staying seated. Such creations were illegal after a worldwide battle regarding the usage of such clones. Ultimately those against cloning won the struggle and the creations that were deemed soulless were to be no more.

Potock walked up to Ellen with heavy eyes dreary and tired from an exhausting process. He was still strong enough to have a smile waiting upon his tired face as he pulled down the surgical mask and removed the latex gloves. With reservation he returned his gaze to the machine. “I offer no promises as to who is in there, but rest assured that physically it was a total success. The sample you provided was more than adequate in carrying out the procedure.”

Tears of joy streamed down her face. “May I see him?”

“Not yet. He needs to rest, and he hasn’t woken up yet. Jogging his memory may take some time, and you have to accept the fact that he may never regain those memories at all. Right now we need to go over where exactly Rick has been for the last six years. Amnesia can explain most of it; an accident perhaps, and that can also explains why he hadn’t attempted to contact you until now. And there are other items of importance o discuss. We must create a trail for those that go digging around.”

“Yes. You are right Doctor Potock, and I’ve been preparing such things, but right now I just need to see my husband. I won’t disturb him, but before we get into all of those details of his life, I just want to see him with my own eyes again.” Disregarding Potock’s instructions Ellen ran toward the end of the intricate machinery where the clear tube of the regrowth chamber sat.

Lying within a glass case was the love of her life. She had nearly forgotten what he had looked like and savored his delicate features and short black hair. The tears kept coming as she held her mouth to stop from whimpering, and her other hand unconsciously placed itself upon the glass of the tube. She wanted only to feel him with her own hands.

Potock slowly walked behind granting her some time to gather her wits. He was startled at the sudden aggressiveness of the hug she gave him, but relaxed as she finally eased up. “It’s okay Ellen. He’s back, and no one will take him away from you. I’ll do everything I can to prevent such a thing.”

“I know Doctor Potock. I know.” She hugged him again tightly wishing at that moment that it were Rick she was holding.

* * * *

So my name is supposed to be Rick? The newly born clone looked about the home that the strange yet familiar woman named Ellen Crowberg had lovingly guided him to. All that surrounded him carried a knowing spark that eluded his knowledge causing extreme frustration. It was as though he were trying desperately to remember a dream that kept slipping away.

The home was well furnished. The clone couldn’t help but think that the man who was Rick apparently made a good living having been able to leave his wife with all the inspiriting things that were at her beck and call. Comfortable furniture, state of the art electronic equipment, and a world class kitchen in which to ruin the simplest of meals. With the last thought the clone winced. Was that a memory coming through?

He stood before an elegant mirror situated upon the living room wall and glanced at his reflection. He then lowered his gaze to the trinkets and photographs that decorated an ornate oak wall table beneath the elaborately gold framed mirror. The pictures were of him, but he knew they were not of him. The person in those photographs knew who he was, and had been happy with his life. The person in those photographs loved the woman he was with and who held the title of wife. The two of them had cherished their time together. He carefully studied his own reflection again as his eyes went back and forth between the captured moment and present state.

“I’m a clone?” His voiced sounded strange as he voiced the question. Is that exactly how Rick sounded?

“Yes and no. You’re still Rick. You’re still my Rick.” Ellen moved behind the clone to embrace the man and was saddened to see him turn away from her while taking a step back. “It will come back to you, and I’ll be here with you every step of the way. We’ll get through this together.” She took another step closer doing her best to appear comforting.

Ellen had observed her husband from the bottom of the staircase in their home. She grew concerned with each passing day as his struggle to remember became her own.

“That is what you keep saying, but I don’t remember a damn thing!” Rick punched the mirror in a fit of rage and watched as the glass fell upon the oak table and the floor. His hand was bleeding and he stared at the wound taking in the sensation. For the clone it was his first real encounter with physical pain.

“Rick! Why would you do that?” Ellen examined the hand shocked and scared by his behavior. “Let me clean that up for you.”

“No! Just stay the hell away from me!” A powerful shove sent Ellen falling backward unable to catch anything near her. Her body hit the hard wood floor with a thud. She looked to the clone seeing the actual clone for the first time and not the Rick she had remembered.

“Who the hell am I supposed to be?! I don’t remember any of it! All these people you keep bringing here, I just don’t know them! I can talk, I can read, I can do all those things and I’m not even sure how that’s possible because I’m a damn clone!”

Frightened by his violent outburst Ellen slowly stood to her feet straightening her blue dress. “Those are part of your memories. They’re all the things you were able to do before you… well before Rick died. It will all come back to you with time. I promise. I love you Rick. No matter what happens know that I love you.” She looked as though she wanted to hold him again but decided to walk away instead.

“Ellen.” The clone quickly walked after her while holding his throbbing hand. “Elly, please stop. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shove you like that.”

Ellen froze in mid step glancing at the clone with a smile. “What did you just call me?”

“I called you Elly. Why?”

“You were the only one that ever called me that. I hated it from everyone else but you. From you it just always sounded right.”

Still apprehensive of another violent outburst Ellen cautiously moved in closer to the clone. This time he did not back away. He hugged her in return as tightly as he could. He was confused and scared about who and what he was. For a split second the clone could almost remember having held Ellen countless times.

I hope to God these memories come back to me. The clone thought while experiencing a strange sensation. He knew what crying was, and he knew why the tears came. But it was the first time his body experienced this.

* * * *

The two men that barged through the poor excuse for security that the medical building had to offer entered dressed in black suits. They walked into Doctor Potock’s office without a single care for the proper announcement that etiquette required. Doctor Potock’s assistant Lily did her best to stop the two intimidating men that towered over her small physique, but with a confident determination they plowed past her and directly into Potock’s office.

“What is the meaning of this?” Potock demanded staring down the two men from behind the comfort of his desk.

“Doctor Potock my associate and I are extremely curious about your recent activities. From what we’ve been able to ascertain you haven’t exactly been a law abiding citizen.” One of the men dressed in black kept his gaze upon the doctor while the second studied the office in detail. Neither man sat down.

“You can’t just come in here disturbing Doctor Potock like this! He has patients to see, and…”

“Lily, it’s okay.” Potock interjected. “I’ll be speaking with these men in private.”

“But…” Lyly surrendered whipping her blonde hair as she turned to the door exiting the office.

Upon Lily’s exit Potock stood from behind his desk to meet both men at eye level. In his chest he felt a desperate void forming that was quickly filling with fear. He knew very well what this was all about. “Who are you and what do you want from me?”

“Being a doctor and all I’m sure you’re familiar with the section of the government that we represent. My partner and I are from the Division of Illegal Cloning otherwise known as the Clone Commission. I am Special Agent Jones and this is my partner Special Agent Li. You are going to be placed under arrest very shortly for the illegal cloning of one Richard Crowberg. Do not deny it and do not attempt any kind of resistance. Such action will be met with greater force. Do we understand one another Doctor Potock?”

How could they have found out? Potock eyed the phone at his desk.

“Please come to your senses Doctor Potock. Yes, you can try and warn Ellen, but I assure you that it won’t matter. Our men are already en route. They should be there any second. The clone will be terminated, and Ellen arrested since I’m sure this wasn’t just your idea. I imagine it must have taken quite a bit of begging on her part for you to concede. You have no prior record after all.” The smile Jones formed was chilling at best.

Agent Li was already moving toward Doctor Potock with restraints in hand. He gestured for Potock to turn around not wanting to make this any more physical than it had to be, and carried a blank expression as Potock gave in obeying Li’s silent commands.

“Ellen…” Potock muttered under his breath. Forgive me for failing you.

* * * *

After all those outbursts I still can’t believe she wants me to stick around. The clone let the thought go as he cleaned the shards of glass from the broken mirror he had destroyed. He stared at his reflection in each piece almost getting a glimpse of who he used to be. He then turned his attention to the bandage on his hand that was the reason for the broken mirror. Treating the wound had been second nature to the man. It was another mystery that pointed to who he used to be.

She’ll be back soon. The clone’s mind went back to Ellen who moments ago stepped out to go shopping; gathering the ingredients necessary for what she claimed was his favorite meal. I can at least make the place look nice for her. God she’s beautiful.

The phone rang taking the new version of Rick from his moment of introspection. He answered placing the phone between his ear and shoulder while finishing up the cleaning process of the tiny shards of glass between the wood panels on the floor. The speed and frantic nature of Ellen’s voice sent chills through his body causing him to immediately stand up to attention. “Ellen, calm down. What happened?”

Her voice was at a quick pace coming through the phone. “I don’t know how they found out Rick, but they did. They’re coming after you. The Clone Commission is on its way to the house right now. I noticed them asking question at the store and I was able to get away before they saw me. You have to get out of there Rick right now!”

“How could they have found out so quickly?” It was a question Ellen could not answer for Rick. “I’m leaving right now!”

The clone dropped the phone leaving the line open. He ran toward the back door of the home since it was the closest exit. His instincts kicked in at full gear. He wanted to live. He wanted to survive. Upon exiting the back door of the house in a maniacal run, two men dressed in black suits attempted to box the clone in trying to dominate him with physical restraint.

The clone was immediately surprised as he was adequately able to defend against his aggressors using self-defense techniques, and the origins of such abilities were yet another mystery. Without hesitation he lifted one of the hand guns from within the jacket of an attacker. Each movement had felt so natural to the clone. Before he knew it each man was unconscious on the ground.

How did I do that?

Without wasting a single second the clone continued his escape. The backyard led to an alley which in turn led into the main street. Once on the street he continued moving into another alley and did his best to run while finding adequate cover with the trees and houses of the neighborhood. The goal was to stay hidden while moving quickly.

Blaring sirens broke the silent pursuit and the movement of vehicles zooming throughout the neighborhood accompanied the loud noise as pedestrians ran for safety on the closest lawns. Moving on pure instinct the clone darted into the nearest yard. During his run he hadn’t even taken note of all the bystanders watching the dramatic events unfold in their seemingly peaceful neighborhood.

“He’s over here!” A little boy shouted as police on foot did their best to keep up with the clone’s impeccable speed and conditioning. The boy jumped up and down excited by the events unfolding and watched as the uniformed officers struggled to maintain a solid pursuit.

The clone of Rick did his best to ignore the young boy. He cut through yard after yard jumping fence after fence not sure of where to go. He knew his window of escape was closing fast and needed to find a place not populated by technology. He felt the insatiable urge to go dark. It was as if another memory were poking through the fogginess of his mind informing him of what that meant.

An opportunity presented itself as a vehicle left open for the taking sat parked and running in the driveway of one of the houses in the neighborhood. He moved from the backyard of that house and jumped into the car speeding away with an angry owner running and throwing a beer can in his frustrated rage.

The clone had no time to think of the laws being broken or feel sorry for stealing the man’s property. He had to escape and this was paramount. The sedan drove well enough, and he knew it was only a matter of time before the vehicle was reported. He could hear the sirens closing in and saw the officers on foot talking to the man he stole from through the rearview mirror.

I’ll have to find more cover and lose the car. Then I can get away on foot.

The squad cars and black SUV’s from the Clone Commission got the make, model and license plate of the vehicle stolen. They tracked the stolen property through a series of traffic cameras and found it parked beneath a bridge that led out of the city. The outskirt of where nature collided with manmade structures was near, and the cars set up a perimeter around the vehicle. Officers exited with guns drawn and they closed in on their target with a military efficiency. As they approached the sedan they soon discovered that it was abandoned. The clone was nowhere to be found.

“God damn it!” One of the officers yelled in frustration. As he kicked the abandoned car he looked down at the street and noticed that a sewer grate was slightly out of place. “He went in the sewer. We have to seal it off!”

“There’s no telling where he went from down there! He could be anywhere by now! He had a decent lead!” Another officer commented just as frustrated as the first. “The Clone Commission isn’t going to like this one bit.”

* * * *

“Is he still in there?” Agson posed the question to Bartley as they both crouched on the forest floor behind fallen branches, and logs from a dead tree overhead that were blanketed in leaves. Their clothing allowed them to blend in to their surroundings and the two were far enough away to observe adequately, but also far enough away not to be noticed.

“This clone is something else. He ran fast and hard to get here. He found good coverage quickly. Any attempt to approach the cave would be detected in seconds. It’s too open all around, but the overhead trees provide great coverage from the sky. He’s smart. He knows how to survive.” Bartley kept his eyes on the cave. Being a clone himself Bartley intimately knew the fear and confusion their new arrival was experiencing.

“That doesn’t surprise me.” Agson looked to Bartley. He noted the hard features on the man’s face. It was as if he were carved of stone, and was a great contrast to Agson’s features which were warmer and full of life.

Both men were clean shaven of all the hair on their face and heads. It was part of their code. It was a right for the rebel clones and symbolized cutting ties with all aspects of their previous lives.

“Do you think he remembers anything yet?” Bartley never took his eyes from the cave.

“He might. The C.C. is on his ass for sure. They were aware of him faster than any other clone we’ve come across. He’s important alright.” Agson struggled with what to do.

“We should make contact. If he’s going to trust us then he needs to know he’s not alone.”

“No Bartley that’s not the right play. It’s still too soon. He wouldn’t trust us just walking up on him. He’s been on the run for a while now. He’s still got the Clone Commission officers scent in his nostrils, and he’d likely confuse us for them. And you’ve read his file. He’s a real killer. He’s likely make short work of us.”

Bartley took offense to the comment and Agson picked up on this. If there was one thing Agson knew it was that Bartley thought himself to be the most elite of the clones that lived in secrecy; constantly rebelling against the government.

“So what do you want to do with him then?”

Agson smiled. “We’ll let him find us.”

* * * *

What am I going to do? What will they do to Ellen? Flashes of the events since his second birth in the cloning chamber soared through the clone’s mind. He did well by using nature as his refuge but hiding in the woods would do for only so long. He itched to be active and to do something constructive regarding his current problem.

I can’t just sit here. I have to keep moving. A handful of berries entered his mouth as he contemplated within the cave.

A rattling noise disturbed his quiet dinner and he was quick to action. He held tightly in his right hand the gun he had stolen from the clone commission officer he fought in his backyard. He held it before him with flawless form and discovered that a note was waiting for him. He had also discovered an obvious trail set up for him leading away from the cave and deeper into the forest.

He carefully reached for the note vigilant for any traps. He picked up the paper and looked to written text curiously. It read: WE ARE LIKE YOU. YOUR SKILLS ARE GREAT AND WE KNOW YOU CAN FIND US. WE WAIT AND WELCOME YOU WITH OPEN ARMS. JUST FOLLOW THE PATH.

Rick studied the path deliberately placed upon the forest floor. Before he knew it he began following excited at the prospect of finding others like him.

Can there really be more like me? How could there be more like me with an organization like the Clone Commission running things? The thought seemed impossible.

* * * *

Ellen knew very well that her future was doomed. Her life as she knew it was over and the government would make her suffer for what they considered to be gravely unlawful acts. The Clone Commission never showed mercy when doling out punishment, and leniency was granted to those who cooperated in the form of a quick and painless death. She had made her choice. Ellen would not betray Doctor Potock though her gut told her he was already in custody; probably facing the same treatment if not harsher punishment for being the doctor that performed the actual procedure.

The door to her damp cell opened and the light from the corridor trickled in teasing her. The light reflected off of the stainless steel table Ellen was seated at and chained to with restraints. An older man dressed in the same standard issue black suit that all the Clone Commission agents wore entered with an all knowing smile on his face. Ellen studied the man and found it ironic that they played the part of clone far better wearing the exact same outfits and acting in the programmed ways taught to them by their superiors. Every single one of them was alike.

“Ellen. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you just how much trouble you’re in.”

“I did what I did out of love. I stand by it.” Ellen did her best to stay strong. Long ago the original Rick had shown her how.

“Your husband was a decorated military officer. His death was a tragedy.” The man in the black suit sat across from Ellen in the empty metal chair on the other side of the stainless steel table. The door was left open allowing the light to illuminate the cell just enough. “You were supposed to mourn his passing and simply move on. You weren’t supposed to bring him back. That’s not the natural order of things. That isn’t how God intended for things to be. You didn’t move on though did you? You brought him back for a reason. Do you truly expect us to believe that it was out of love?”

“What are you talking about? Why else would I bring him back?” A disgusting knot of dread formed within Ellen’s stomach. Nervous beads of sweat began to roll down her face.

“Come on Ellen! Love? This was never about love. Your husband knew things, and it was information that he should not have been privy to. If he’d have simply cooperated none of the events that led to his demise would have occurred. But he wanted to report the facts as he saw them, and that was something that could not come to pass. And low and behold, here we are years later and you suddenly decide to bring him back. Those latent memories in his head are dangerous Ellen. They can create a lot of harm to a lot of people. Anarchy would run wild as a result. Help us bring him in. Do the right thing for once and think about all the lives that you can help save by simply aiding us in his apprehension.”

“I’m afraid I can’t help you.” Her voice was calm. Rick would have been proud.

The agent of unknown rank ran his fingers through his graying hair. He smiled again; a smile that could send chills down the spine of the devil. “You’ve committed great crimes against our nation. If there is any shred of patriotism left in you then you will help us.”

“I brought him back because I love him. I needed my Rick back. These other things that you’re talking about are beyond me. I know nothing.” She fought back the tears as best she could.

The smile turned menacing. “Help bring him to us Ellen.”

“No.” Her strength was undeniable.

The older agent leaned back in his chair and sighed disapprovingly. “I really didn’t want it to come to this Ellen, but you left me no choice.”

Another man entered the open door of the cell. He wore the same type of suit and carried a silver briefcase that he placed upon the stainless steel table. He opened the briefcase and pulled out a syringe with a green liquid already mixed inside of it.

“What is that?!” Ellen cried out.

“That is your last chance. Tell us what you know and agree to bring Rick in.”

“I don’t know anything.” Ellen did her best to back away from the needle, but the restraints kept her firmly planted in the chair.

“We’ll just have to see about that Ellen.” The smile was more devilish on the man’s face than before. “We’ll just have to see.”

Ellen felt the puncture of the needle upon the flesh of her neck. The chemical released into her system causing her to immediately feel the effects of the concoction. She could feel her will diminishing, and soon realized that control was no longer an option. They would do with her as they pleased. She was at their mercy.

* * * *

The hidden camp within the forest was something to marvel at. Deep within the forest outside of the city a small group of clones had managed to evade and escape custody. The Clone Commission had no idea of their location, and the fact that the group kept the camp mobile allowed for them the luxury of packing and moving when needed.

The clone crouched behind a small hill looking into the camp. Rick smiled as he saw a few clones talking and laughing. He quickly noted that all the clones in the camp had shaved heads; men and women alike. That didn’t change the fact that he could feel his own kind. It had begun to feel like home to him until he felt something else entirely; which was a gun barrel to the back of his head.

“I really would have thought, given your past record that a guy like me would never have been able to sneak up on a guy like you.” Bartly chuckled as he held Rick at gunpoint. “Stand up please.”

“You should know that things aren’t always as they seem.” Rick slowly rose to his feet with the weapon fixed on the back of his head. Once again the body remembered while the mind did not, and the mind was in awe as the body quickly disarmed Bartly with the greatest of ease.

“Sonuvabitch!” Bartly lay on his back embarrassed at having his own firearm taken away and aimed directly at his head. “You are as good as everyone says. My name is Bartly. My given name was Matthew Drafton. That was the name of the man they created me after. I gave it up and took on my own name. I remember all of Matthew’s life, but those are his memories. Mine are my own. You come from the one named Rick. Do you keep his name, or have you chosen another?”

The sound of another person approaching caused Rick to cautiously retreat backward from the hill. He kept both Bartly and the mystery man in his line of sight. The gun in his hand saw everything that he did and was ready fire. “I thought this was supposed to be a more peaceful meeting. That’s the impression I got from the note you left me.”

“Please try not to misunderstand. Bartly simply wanted to test you out further even though I advised against it. My chosen name is Agson. Please put the weapon down. I extend a hand of friendship and trust rather than pointing a gun at you.” Agson briefly glared at Bartly before extending his hand toward the clone.

Rick pulled the magazine from the sidearm and quickly dismantled the weapon as though he had done it a million times over. For all that he knew the man he was cloned from actually had. Reluctantly he reached out for the hand that was offered and shook it in good faith.

Bartly stood up and took a position near Agson. “He’s damn good. I wouldn’t mind having him show me a thing or two to be honest.”

“I was kind of hoping it would be the other way around. I’m tired of running to nowhere.” Rick relaxed his guard. His instincts were telling him that these people were no threat to him, and given that he couldn’t remember the past life he was supposed to know he trusted his instincts above all else.

“That’s why we’re here.” Agson smiled the smile he always smiled when bringing a new edition to the ranks.

* * * *

“She’s not talking.” The older, more experienced special agent with graying hair looked upon his two colleagues Special Agents Li and Jones. Their black suits were identical in every way. They stood before the experienced agent as though he were a wise prophet guiding them to the Promised Land.

“Then perhaps she was telling the truth.” Li admitted reluctantly. He moved to the one way mirror and studied the beaten and crushed human that was once a proud and beautiful Ellen Crowberg. She was barely able to sit up on the rough metal bed in her cell. “God knows she’ll never be the same again, not after what we’ve done to her. She shouldn’t have cloned the bastard in the first place. She should have just left him for dead.”

“Is that sympathy I hear in your voice?” Jones was amused to hear his partner speak in such a way.

“More like pity.” Li sighed and moved to the two agents as they stood in one of several corridors in the Clone Commission headquarters. “We’ve lost too much time already. We need to move fast and hard. Rick must be found.”

“More than likely this Clone Liberation has picked him up by now. There’s just no way in hell that one of their own is out there for that long without them knowing about it.” Jones’ face began to flush red with anger and frustration. “We had the bastard too! In his own home of all places and he still managed to get away!”

“It does us no good to dwindle on past mistakes.” The older agent of unknown rank looked to the two novices in comparison. “Do whatever you must, but find him quickly. And remember not to underestimate him. He’s just as elite now as he was when he was alive as the original Rick.”

“We don’t even know where to start.” Li was forced to admit begrudgingly. “We’ve been searching around the clock. There aren’t any good leads.”

“We have to assume that his memories are beginning to resurface by now or will soon. He’ll find out why he really died in the first place.” Jones crossed his arms pondering.

The older agent smiled while looking upon the two. “That is exactly what I am counting on gentlemen.” He ran his fingers through his gray hair. “We’ll use her to get to him. We’ll use every last one of those memories that makes him remember why he loves her so damn much. He cares, and we can use that against him.”

* * * *

Patrick gave a genuine smile from ear to ear. His head had recently been shaved in the ceremony that meant all ties from his previous life were severed, and the naked skin felt the rush of a cool forest breeze for the first time since his second conception. Rick was the man he came from, and slight memories were cropping up of who and what Rick was; but the clone was Patrick. That was his chosen name and how he would address himself from that moment on.

Bartly grinned and began the applause that the rest of the clones were quick to jump in on. Agson was the first to shake Patrick’s hand and Patrick quickly went down the line saying his thanks to all that were a part of the camp that took him in. Men and women who had adapted their lives to their new identities all gave him warm comforting smiles, and those smiles reassured Patrick that he was truly home.

“It feels good to finally be yourself, doesn’t it Patrick?” Agson asked while meeting Patrick’s firm handshake for a second time. It was no mystery that Agson had taken a special interest in the one that was Rick, and as they spoke to each other Agson led Patrick farther into the forest and away from the large group.

“It sure does, sir.”

“Enough with that already. That’s the way that Rick would have addressed me. Patrick on the other hand is a good friend, and familiar to me as friends truly are.”

“You got it Agson.”

The mobile camp of the Clone Liberation rested in a secluded location deep within one of the last forest areas left to the entire world. Special equipment blanketed the heat signatures of their bodies from satellite detection, and the group worked as one covering up their tracks and making certain not stay in one area for too long. The camp would soon be in the process of tearing down the tents and packing up the supplies ready to move on to the next location, but for the moment they celebrated Patrick’s life day.

This day would be remembered as the day that Patrick was truly born. People drank, some danced, and others were overtaken by the joys of pregnancy. One of the women clones brought to the camp began to show signs of the soon to be infant by the size of her belly. A community was being born in the wilderness. It was a society of people that weren’t supposed to exist in the first place.

“Patrick. There’s something I would like to speak to you about.” Agson gestured for the man to follow him to a more secluded location right outside of the perimeter of the camp.

“I may not have known you for long, Agson, but I know that look. What’s bothering you? You look like you’re about to ask me to do something very difficult.”

“It has been several months since you came into our family. And we have been blessed not only with your presence, but also with the skills and knowledge you’ve offered to us all.”

“I’m grateful for being able to help our kind.”

Agson sighed before continuing. “You were discovered so quickly by the Clone Commission because of who you came from. They’re afraid of you because of the latent memories that have yet to surface. And I would be lying to you if I told you that those memories were anything but valuable to me as well.”

“I can’t remember much. I can show some of these people how to be soldiers, but I’m afraid that’s about it. I don’t know anything else Agson.”

“You know more than you think. Buried in that mind of yours is proof; proof of something that only I, Bartly, and a few others are privy to. You see, Patrick, the President of our nation is a clone like you and I.”

Patrick took a shocked step backward. “What? How can that be? I don’t remember anything like that.”

Agson reached into his pocket to reveal a small silver device. It appeared to be a visor in design meant to fit easily over the eyes of an individual. “This will retrieve what we need and save it. It can help you remember. I must warn you though that the process is less than pleasant. And I am asking you to do this for us. I’m not forcing you. The choice is yours.”

Patrick studied the device. Rick had known torture throughout his career; and ultimately Rick had known death. This was the least that Patrick could do for the memory of Rick and the others that were like him. If Rick had died knowing such a great truth then he had to get those memories back so that his death would not have been in vain. “I’ll do it.”

With the hands of a surgeon Agson placed the device over Rick’s eyes. After the press of a button the silver visor turned on, and Agson watched as his companion’s body began to jolt about while he stood upright. Agson felt empathy for the Patrick. The memory retrieval was as painful to watch as it had been to undergo all those years ago.

Minutes later the deed was done and Agson quickly removed the device from Patrick’s face. Patrick’s eyes were wide with knowledge as he looked to Agson. “I remember it Agson! I remember it all! My God I remember! They knew I wouldn’t keep quiet about it. Rick was planning a great reveal.” Patrick did his best to maintain his strength and stood on his own two legs even though they were wobbly.

“I’m sorry you had to experience that. Reliving the death is the hardest part.”

“Don’t be sorry. We needed the information, and now you have it all stored away in that visor.”

* * * *

Bartly entered Agson’s tent in a controlled flurry of motion. He stood at attention unable to shake the habit that his body remembered from the time before Bartly; when he was the one that came from Matthew. “Agson. The messenger has returned.” Bartly also gave Patrick a nod as he stood near Agson going over final plans, and smirked as Patrick nodded in response.

“Let’s not waste any time.” Agson took a step forward. “Bring him in.”

A skinny boy no older than seventeen entered the tent wearing the same clothing suitable for the forest environment that they all wore. He looked to Agson, tired from his journey, and eagerly ready to relay the new information that had been gathered.

“What did you find out?” Agson stood near the boy.

“They’re cracking down on all clone sympathizers. Anyone one even suspected of aiding known clones has been brought in for trial and execution. And these executions are going to be made public. They’ll be held tomorrow at the old stadium.”

“What?!” Patrick immediately became outraged. “Why would they do that? They’re taking this too far!”

“They’re desperate Patrick. They want to get their hands on you. This is no doubt a trap put in place to bait you.” Agson paced back and forth as he pondered the new information and looked to the boy. “Do you have anything else to report?”

The skinny boy nodded. “Our contact has successfully penetrated the main security systems of the targeted facilities. We can move in all across the board now. Our contact informed me that there isn’t anything left to stop us with our plan. Everyone is just waiting for you to give the final word.”

“It’s about time!” Bartly couldn’t hide the joy he felt. He was ready to act. “They’ll have to listen to us now.”

“You did well son.” Agson placed his hands on the shoulders of the skinny boy in an approving manner. “You did very well. Now get some rest. We’re about to begin.”

The skinny boy nodded while slowly exiting the tent.

“Bartly.” Agson looked to his longtime companion. “Gather those in the camp that have been training for this moment. We’re going in as soon as we’re ready. The first signal should be relayed within the next twenty hours.”

“You got it.” Bartly exited the tent to do as ordered.

“You know I can’t go as originally intended, right?” Patrick looked to Agson.

“I had a feeling that it might come to this. You have to know that they are counting on this reaction you’re having right now.”

“She’s still alive, and she’ll be there tomorrow. I remember loving her, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love her still. I have to save her if I can.” Patrick’s voice had never sounded so certain. “And that isn’t just Rick’s memories speaking. It’s me, Patrick, voicing those feelings.”

“Many people will die in what’s coming. You could be of great use to us.”

“You have Bartly. He’s more than competent, and you now have a lot of good people trained and ready to go. Not to mention the fact that you’re leading them, and you’re one hell of a leader.”

A pang of sorrow filled Agson’s chest as he looked to Patrick. He knew this would more than likely be their last conversation. “Good luck to you Patrick. I hope you get her out.”

“We’ll both be around to celebrate when this is all over.”

Agson watched with weary eyes as Patrick exited the tent to meet his fate.

* * * *

Ellen’s final meal was chicken, rice, corn, a slice of bread, and a bland cola not of her choosing. She ate it slowly savoring the taste of the food as though it were prepared by a gourmet chef. Quickly following the advent of the main course armed guards escorted her down a long corridor; ripping her from a warm unfinished meal. Her head had been shaved the previous day to shame her. By doing so it categorized her with the clones that had managed to elude capture.

Thoughts of Rick floated through her mind as the guards brought her to a large room where a table extended from the metal floor. Behind the table sat three judges dressed in elegant robes. Each one was no older than Doctor Potock, and carried eyes of all knowing as they studied her.

She had been determined guilty. The verdict was no surprise. Not even the death sentence came as a surprise.

Like cattle she was herded from the courtroom with other clone sympathizers, and people that had violated the law in hopes of regaining time with a lost love or family member. My God! It’s a mass execution!

The compartments in the back of the truck quickly filled as each prisoner filed in one after another. The large mass of people were then made to travel without a work spoken amongst them, and each carried a grim face as they all knew that they were about to face death.

* * * *

Agent Jones and Li both stood in one of the former V.I.P. booths within the now archaic stadium. Within the grand structure where great sports teams once took the field prisoners now walked. They packed the grounds waiting for the final moments before they would be no more, and they paced back and forth looking to the sky for a miracle to come save them.

Li studied the booth wondering what it must have been like when this place had been meant for joyful events. I’m sure they had their problems back then too. He let the thought drift as he eyed his partner.

“What’s the matter with you?” Jones asked without turning to look back at Li. “I can always feel it when you look at me like that.”

“I was just thinking about how things used to be, that’s all.”

“You should take a look at how they’re doing. All these damn sympathizers will soon be dead. If that isn’t a clear enough message I don’t know what is. It’s too bad this stadium isn’t filled with all those damn clones.”

The signal had been broadcast and transmitted to the device implanted beneath the skin of his right wrist. Li’s time had come. The message was loud and clear and all operatives that were deep under cover were to make their move. The clones would have their liberation, and unbeknownst to Agent Jones, Agent Li would play his part.

“Yeah,” Li smiled, “those clones sure are a big pain in the ass.”

Agent Jones chuckled while turning to face his partner. The smile quickly vanished as he now stared upon the barrel of a government issued sidearm. “Li, what the hell are you doing?!”

“I made a choice a long time ago, same as you.”

“We were partners!”

Li chuckled in the same manner Jones had always chuckled to him. “We were never really partners Jones. I’m just a damn clone. The kind you love so much to hate.”

It was a silent gunshot that ended the life of Agent Jones. And it was a silent signal that was transmitted from Li to all the other operatives in the area informing them that the final liberation had begun.

* * * *

Ellen was amongst the prisoners trying to anticipate how it would end. While being shuffled about she noted a familiar face in the sea of gray uniforms.

“Doctor Potock!” Her voice couldn’t help but feel the relief of knowing he was still alive, and a dark sadness quickly blanketed her entire being. They were both going to die soon.

Potock turned his head in her direction. The old man looked strange with a shaved head. He embraced her as a father would a daughter. “Ellen! My God I was so worried about you!”

“I’m glad you’re here! I thought I’d die alone.”

“We share this fate together my dear.”

Strength had returned to Ellen in that moment. “Yes we do.”

A light began flashing and the dome overhead closed stealing away their final viewing of the sky above.

It was then that a series of perfectly timed explosions took placed throughout the stadium creating a mass hysteria. The prisoners were unclear as to whether or not the explosions were intentional. Soon enough they began running about frantically piling upon one another in an attempt to find some semblance of safety.

Potock held on to Ellen and was surprised to feel another hand grab firmly on his own. Shock couldn’t begin to describe Potock’s face as he saw a bald Rick standing before him. “Rick…”

“Hey Doc. It’s good to see you again. We have to go right now.” Patrick stood before the two wearing the same gray uniform as the rest of the prisoners. “Another set of charges are about to go off. It’ll give us the diversion we need to escape. Come with me.”

Giving into the moment Ellen ran to her husband and embraced him with all of her strength. She kissed him passionately as the mass hysteria enveloped their environment and soon found she was melting in his loving arms as if nothing else in the world were going on. “I knew you’d come back for me. I never gave up hope.”

Quickly, the clone led Potock and Ellen through one of the corridors that led into an old locker room in the stadium. The second set of explosions went off with a violent boom and they fell to the ground as the structure around them shook.

“The other people, are they okay?” Ellen voiced the question aloud. She had been scheduled to die with them after all.

“I did my best to make sure the explosions wouldn’t harm anyone. But given the hysteria out there I can’t say for certain no one was hurt or killed. But we can’t worry about that right now. We have to keep moving.”

Ellen nodded feeling a tinge of guilt at being happy for still being alive as others around her died. She did her best to shake the emotion as she, Potock, and Rick rounded a corner in the locker room. Upon making that turn to the exit of the stadium a fatal gunshot echoed loudly.

Time seemed to slow down as Ellen watched Potock’s body hit the ground.

“Ellen, my dear, did you honestly think this would end well for any of you?” The special agent with the gray hair stood before them. His black suit seemed to blend in to the shadows that wear near where he stood. His presence loomed over Rick and Ellen like the darkest of clouds.

“You…” A rage grew within her the likes of which she had never experienced.

Before Ellen could even think about acting another gunshot went off. Ellen hit the floor with a hand covering the bullet wound that bled out on her stomach. A third gunshot quickly followed. Patrick hit the floor of the abandoned locker room as well.

“Ellen…” Patrick crawled to her as she lay bleeding. He spoke with a weak voice. “I remember. I wanted you to know that I remember everything, and I wanted to tell you that I love you so much. I needed to look you in the eye and say it one more time.”

Before any words could be spoken in response the life faded from Ellen Crowberg’s eyes. Soon after witnessing her death Patrick had ceased moving altogether. It was twice now that the man had died for the things he believed in. The first was for an honor bound code of preventing a conspiracy, and the second was for love.

The man with the gray hair towered over the bodies in a victorious stance. He spoke into his wrist while staying vigilant of any unexpected escapees. “We got him. Repeat: the main target is down.” A devilish grin formed upon his face.

Another voice quickly spoke up into his earpiece. “Copy that. Stand by. It looks like we’ve got situations brewing all over the country. Attacks are being made everywhere. You’re needed at the Clone Commission immediately.”

* * * *

President Brandon Tej sat behind his desk in the oval office awaiting a very important meeting while dressed in a finely tailored suit. The clone rebellion had been well organized and took much manpower to contain, but deep down President Tej knew that contain was hardly the word for it. The events leading up to now had been more like a ceasefire at best.

A voice broke the silence with a knock at the door. One of Tej’s agents stepped in looking to his commander and chief. “Mr. President. We’ve brought him in to see you.”

Tej sighed. “Bring him in.”

Agson smiled fondly having remembered what it was like to be in this office from his previous life. The chains binding him as the agent led him in were a bit much for this meeting, but he knew they had to keep up appearances for the sake of politics.

“Sit him down.” Tej ordered and waited until Agson was seated across from him before continuing. “Now leave us.”

The agent gave the President a questioning look, and Tej met the gaze even harder reminding the agent of his position. The agent nodded and reluctantly exited the office.

“Hello Mr. President. It’s good to see you again.”

“You’ve been keeping quite busy I see.”

“I had to do something to pass the time.”

President Tej cleared his throat before continuing. “You have the memories hidden somewhere. I want the original copy you took from Richard Crowberg.”

“I know what you want Brandon.”

“It’s President Tej.”

“No, actually it isn’t. We both know that the real Tej died. Look, Brandon, we stopped this skirmish before it got too far. But know that we are willing to go as far as it takes in order to make this right. We’re the ones who stopped the attacks, and they can just as easily be started up again.”

The anger on Tej’s face wanted to explode. “For Christ’s sake Barry, we were friends!”

“Barry died. He was the Secretary of Defense during your first administration. I’m just plain old Agson these days.”

“What do you want?”

“I want the policy on clones to be lifted, and I want my people to have a real chance to make it. We’ll start with a separate community at first. Think of it as a way for these people to start fresh.”

“And who are you to dictate policy to me?”

“I’m just another clone like you, Brandon. If these demands aren’t met soon there is going to be another attack, and very different ending to this story than what I would like. Those memories you desperately want will go public as well.”

Tej stood from the chair behind his desk and sighed heavily. The road ahead would be difficult, but he knew what he had to do. Too much was at stake. His presidency was in jeopardy, and many more innocent lives could be lost if he failed to navigate properly.

“What is it going to be Brandon?” Agson asked smiling the smile he always smiled when adding a new edition to the ranks.

By Ben Soto

BY THE SWORD

2011-06-19T07:17:00.000-07:00

BY THE SWORD

I was forged in fire. My birth came from a controlled chaos that enveloped my senses and would define the crux of my existence. My first master gave me my life; gave me purpose. My steel was folded and pounded upon itself time and time again until the perfection of the blade that I am was brought into finality. I was perfect in every sense of the word both beautiful in design and capable of much death.

Once my hard skin was cooled in the water and let to dry the guard was added, and what a glorious construction it was combining perfectly with my effulgent steel skin. It was a dragon composition fit for a true warrior. The collar, handle, and black braid to follow all complemented the sleek architecture of the golden guard that adorned me. Even the butt cap, or kashira in my native tongue, was elegant in every respect. The ornaments along the handle were tastefully ostentatious and when the entire process of birth was complete I had never felt so unified and whole.

The master of my creation held me in the air before him, and my first slices were through that air; as if I were cutting the very wind. I flew through it with the greatest of ease, and he commanded me with an all knowing sense. His hands had passed upon to me the gratitude of satisfaction like none other. The master was so overjoyed with me that I know in truth he held me longer and practiced with me longer than any other swords that came before, and surely any that were to come after.

Gracefully I was taken to my counterpart, to the place where I would slumber until my need as a warrior was called upon; my saya or scabbard. My loving shelter was crafted with a grace that was as dangerously resplendent as my own. Black to the pitch, with two golden dragons etched upon both sides made of thin golden lines. The sageo and kurikata that led to the scabbard mouth, or koiguchi as I know it, were as inviting and beautiful as the flesh and blood of an enemy ready to die by my will.

The moments of slumber were to soon be behind me. Reluctantly I was passed on from the master that had created me. I was given away, and through his touch I felt a great sense of sorrowful loss. It was the only time I would ever feel that from any that held me, and it was the only time I wished to remain in my scabbard to feel the joyous and loving hands of he who created me.

War was imminent. The details I do not recall for it was so long ago. All I do remember was feeling joy in that my purpose would soon be realized. I would fight and I would kill. I would taste the blood of my enemies as I was meant to, and I would destroy any that would dare block my path. It was my destiny to be a part of such a thing. It was and still remains my only true nature. I am an instrument of death.

All was calm at first upon the battlefield. Men shouted from one to the other giving last minute orders and attending to final preparations. The sudden movement came upon me immediately following that calm. I was not fully prepared for the organized chaos of battle, but I was eager to engulf myself in it all the same. The bouncing from the creature my master rode upon (I later learned this creature was called a horse) shook me until the moment of light. The darkness of the scabbard ended and I was in the world naked to it, confident in my purpose, and without hesitation at striking upon the enemy.

My first task was to my master. I did my best to protect him, blocking blows from those created to do the same as I. I was better than them, better able to stop their steel, and I even shattered some that came my way. In the haze of the confusion I can’t recall which body had been the first to be slain by me. But I do recall the mixture of blood that soaked into the essence of my existence and exhilarated me beyond words. Enemy after enemy went down and died. Sword after sword challenged my might and failed. My war master and I were unbeatable.

The yells eventually subsided and were replaced by the groans of men about to die mixed with the cheers of the victors. Eventually I, my master, and those that survived fighting with him remained. We were victorious, and the blood from that day had given me something to live for. It was almost cruel the way my master had wiped the precious blood from my blade and placed me back within my counterpart. I looked forward to the idea of battle while I lay in slumber. The next engagement preoccupied me like blue preoccupies the sky on a cloudless day.

Many campaigns and battles were to follow. Time and time again the swiftness of my movements defeated my master’s enemies and they were cut down one after another. None could stand before us, and none would. Much to my dismay the time between engagements grew longer and my slumbers extended. Eventually years would pass until I was able to once again see the light for myself.

I remember the last touch my war master had given me. He held me up, and his hands felt very different from what I had remembered. They were not the same strong hands I had recalled from that first battle. They were cold hands; fragile and barely able to maintain a tight grip. Sadness entered my essence, and as the sadness grew the old weak hand carefully pulled me from my scabbard allowing me the light.

New hands touched me, and these were the hands of the war master’s son. My new duty was to protect him. I would fight for his honor, and my duty unto him was like a mountain upon the earth; unmovable. His hands were more delicate and held me with a respect as great as he had for his father that was dying right before him. The gratefulness and exhilaration of his hands were passed to me, and at that moment I chose to ignore the words spoken between a dying father and his only son. Some things are meant to be ignored.

He practiced much with me, and I did my best to guide him in the right forms as he did so. I saw more light in training with him than I did with his father. It was a glorious relationship, but I still had the craving for blood and flesh that had truly defined who I was. On one fateful day upon a dirt road I would get my wish, and little did I know the blood spilled would not be my enemy’s.

Another man walked along the road. He passed my master with disdain and was quick to insult him. Honor being what it is I urged my master to speak up and demand an apology. The enemy would not yield and continued to throw insults in my master’s direction. We were forced to strike, and that first strike sent the man back with quick reflex. Before one could breathe he held his sword in his hand and it was ready for blood as was I.

The stranger’s sword was unfamiliar to me as my new master kept a firm grip upon my handle while poised before his opponent. It was an old sword, perhaps even created before I was. It had seen much bloodshed, and it cried its warnings to me recognizing the youth and inexperience that I was bound to protect. I, like my master, did not heed the counsel of the stranger and his weapon. We would have our blood on this day.

The first strike was quickly placed. The young master used me to execute a gracefully and beautifully positioned block and counter, but to my dismay the counter had been prevented. The elder blade seemed to laugh at me as if knowing there was nothing I could do to save the young master. I urged my master to go on. I felt that I would not fail him on this day.

It had finished just as quickly as it had begun. Most duels are this way. A few strokes and the victor lives another day and the loser can only hope for an honorable death. He held on to me as long as he could after he fell on that dirt road. The man who had insulted him walked away and the elder sword was sheathed after having my master’s blood wiped from its blade.

The grip was determined and it seemed as though he would never let go. At that moment I thought he might survive and live another day, but his hand unclenched. I fell to the dirt road as if I were a mundane object to be carelessly tossed aside. I yearned only to be held again, and for the time to arrive so that I may redeem myself and protect my master properly. But I had failed, and his dead body next to me on the side of the road was a reminder of that fact.

Half a day passed before someone stumbled upon his body on the desolate dirt road. He was a man without honor and pillaged through my master’s body looking for anything that could be of value. Eventually he lifted the scabbard from the body, and lifted me from the ground. I was placed back to slumber taken away from the light.

The hands of the thief knew no grace or gratitude. They knew no confidence and held me as elegantly as a drunken man holds on to his balance. Those he had challenged disposed of him quickly, and I cannot say that I was sorry for this, or that I even tried to protect the waste of flesh that was that man.

More slumber followed his demise. Then there were a few more meaningless battles. More people held me and none gave me the respect I deserved, so as a result I cared little for their welfare. All the while I only wished to be with the original master who created me in the fires of chaos so long ago. His loving grip was all that I now yearned to feel.

Another master eventually came my way. Within his hands would end up being my last battle. It was a quick engagement that took place in a forest far from any homes and far from any roads. The group of bandits that I had unwittingly found myself attached to knew little of actual fighting or the tactics and strategies needed in being successful. So when those that hunted these bandits discovered their pathetic camp the worthless men attempting to be warriors were slaughtered to the last.

The rogue bandit that held me then did well enough for one not properly trained in the gracefulness of my design. I killed a few given that his will and determination was strong, but eventually I fell to the forest ground alongside him. The cold white flecks eventually began to fall upon the forest as he took his last breath. The battle continued and the pure white snow of nature was quickly bloodied by man’s taste for violence. Eventually not a single bandit was left alive and I was buried along with the other bodies beneath the falling snow.

Time passed and I was all alone. The body of the bandits decayed as the seasons changed and nature saw fit to properly dispose of those bodies reusing them in the forest with her great wisdom. The ground soon rose around me as seasoned changed. I found myself buried beneath it never able to speak or be with my saya again. I yearned for the scabbard that comforted me during my times of rest. Saya was lost to me, and I was ultimately lost to time.

Years had passed; so many years that I had lost count. On one fateful day the earth around me began to move. Light began to shine down upon my blade, and I was brought back into the light. I could only imagine what the world would be like centuries later. The age to which I was born was no more, and the men who held me did so as if I were some fragile delicate thing that could break with the slightest pressure. If only they knew my true glory and conquest! If only they knew my true strength!

They took me, cleaned me, and brought me back to my former state. I was beautifully deadly once again. My design was still something to gaze upon with loving eyes. And as far as I knew my purpose was still to destroy those that stood in my way. But those who had found me had other plans in mind. They cleaned and treated me well, yes, but their intentions were not for combat. I am but a former shell of what I once was. Now I am made only to sit and be on display.

They call this place a museum. It is a place where old items lost to time are collected and shown off for those to look upon and study. The age to which I was born was truly dead as was my purpose. From those imprisoned with me I learned of far more destructive weapons created that made the likes of my kind obsolete.

Children pass, adults pass, and they all reach out as if wanting to hold me. I can see it in their eyes. But I am behind glass. My purpose now is merely for amusement, and never again would I feel the hold of a true warrior. Never again would I feel the respect and joy of being held by my creator or by my first war master. It was only by my kind that I truly knew this world; by the sword.

By Ben Soto

SHIFTING REALITIES

2011-06-14T20:08:00.000-07:00

SHIFTING REALITIES

I couldn’t remember a single thing when I awoke in the middle of the woods in western Michigan, but I somehow knew that that was where I was; alive and well in the Manistee National Forest. Flashes of foreign imagery broke through the silence of my mind as I attempted in vain to ascertain why I was naked in the middle of the woods. At that point I didn’t even know my name. What I did know was that it was cold; very cold for a naked man. Winter was on the horizon. I could feel that much. I also knew that I was starving. Whatever it was that left me in this state took up most of my strength and energy; so my survival instincts took complete control. It was important that I find shelter, food, and water.

Standing upright was a challenge. My body felt as if it hadn’t been used in a very long time, and it fought me as I did my best to command it to move as I wanted. It seemed as if I was trying to command another physical form other than what I was. It didn’t make a hell of a lot of sense to me at the time, but it would later on. By this point my eyes were fully adjusted to being awake and I took a moment to study my surroundings. There was nothing but forest, and there weren’t any visible trails I could follow or make out on the ground. My instincts told me that this area wasn’t foreign to people, and since my instincts were all that I had to go on at this point, I decided to let them guide me. I began trudging barefoot and naked through the cold forest in the direction that simply felt right.

Instinct: it was my only friend at this point. I kept walking for what seemed like an hour and for reasons beyond me I stopped. I felt like I had to. Beyond that I had no valid reason to cease my wandering. Weary and tired of trudging through forest I sat down on a log feeling uncomfortable, but at the same time not caring that the flesh of my rear rested upon that particular surface. I was shrouded in nothing but trees and there was still no sign of a trail. I was lost and confused and I mentally fought to remember anything that would help me recollect my identity. The sound and sensation of my stomach rumbling overpowered those thoughts. I abruptly felt as if I were going to sicken up from the hunger, and as I held my stomach in famished pain I heard a rustle from the trees surrounding me.

“Hello?” I surveyed the area for sighs of another person. I could sense that something or someone was near me but I couldn’t pinpoint where.

The rustling of branches and trees was feint yet sounded closer. The fact that whatever was out there wouldn’t show itself began to make me extremely nervous and I forgot just how hungry I truly was. Adrenaline began to pump through my system as the fight or flight response kicked in, and it was at that moment that the creature was upon me.

The roar of the black bear startled me beyond words and I was just about petrified with fright. As I turned I was astonished by the fact that I didn’t feel this incredible creature move near me at all, and as it roared standing on hind legs I fell backwards. My head landed hard on a branch and the darkness enveloped me taking me from that situation of fright.

* * * *

My eyes opened to what appeared to be a ceiling of dirt carved into the earth, with wooden beams acting as some kind of support system. The blanket covering my body was warm and very inviting, and I realized that I was now fully clothed. The smell of a stew eventually invaded my nostrils and my stomach rumbled with the fury of a mighty beast. As I slowly sat up I noticed a man near a cauldron of sorts preparing the food that was responsible for the mouthwatering aroma.

“It’s about damn time you woke up. You’ve been out for quite a while. Do you mind telling me just how the hell you ended up naked in the middle of the woods?” The man kept his eye on the food he prepared and sat on a small bench near the cauldron.

“To be perfectly honest I can’t remember anything.” I replied.

The man grunted as if it was just his luck and didn’t act the least bit surprised. “Are you telling me you can’t remember anything at all?”

“I’m afraid so. Where did that bear come from?”

“I’m more concerned about your origins, friend.” The man took the large spoon he used to stir the stew and poured it into a bowl. He brought it over to me and placed it in my hands as he said, “My name is Sylvester. Yeah. That sounds good. You can call me Sylvester.”

“It’s nice to meet you. Thanks for helping me, and for the clothes.” I quickly began eating the stew disregarding how hot it was. I tolerated the heat of the meal knowing full well that my body immediately demanded nourishment.

“You’re mighty welcome there, friend.” He smirked at me and then began studying my face more intensely. It made me uncomfortable as I ate.

“What is it?” I asked between passionately stuffing my mouth with savory stew.

“I just noticed that you have a nice little bump there on your cheek. It looks like a pimple. It’s pretty big too. Say, you ever watch television? I do every once in a while. I don’t own one myself, but it reminds me of a certain television show that I happened to view once upon a time.”

“What are you talking about? What does?” I asked confused by the conversation. Being attacked by a black bear was strange enough in itself, but talking television to a complete stranger who put clothes on my naked body while I was unconscious was beyond that. Everything about this reality felt wrong since I awoke in the forest.

“I’m talking about that there hypnotic zit you got on your cheek there. Say, you don’t remember your name at all do you friend?”

I shook my head from side to side as I continued to eat.

“Well I can’t keep calling you friend so in honor of that mark on your face there I’m going to call you Pastulio. Named after that character on a television show I saw.”

Words couldn’t describe how dumbfounded I became. I had an incredibly hard time believing that events were unfolding in this manner.

“Yup. Pastulio it is. Nice to meet you Pastulio.”

“Are you serious?”

“Always am.” Sylvester stood from the side of my bed and filled a bowl for himself. He sat near the cauldron and began eating slowly savoring each bite as he ate.

It was then that I was hit with a strong image. I was certain that it was a lost memory resurfacing. I saw myself traveling through the woods. I was looking for something; something in particular. It was then that the name of a town came to mind. Arcadia. I was told about the optical illusion. It was the place that everyone called Gravity Hill or Magnetic Hill. The directions came back to me. If you take Highway M22 north leading out of Arcadia for a few miles you’ll then end up at Joyfield Road, but the thing is you don’t stop there. You keep going a few more miles until you reach Blaine Church. I was there. I turned right at the church as instructed and ended up at the bottom of the hill a few hundred yards down.

“Putney Road…” I spoke to no one in particular.

“Come again?” Sylvester asked now on his second bowl of stew.

I shot a glance his way and noticed the curious look on the face of the man that had rescued me from my nakedness.

“You were saying something about Putney Road.”

I nodded. “Yes. I was there. I remember leaving Arcadia and heading to the hill. I was at Gravity Hill for some reason. I don’t remember why though.”

“Do you remember what happened once you got to the hill; or to the bottom of it rather?”

“It was the illusion. I wanted to see it. I felt I needed to see it. It’s like it was calling me.”

“That sounds mighty interesting there my friend.” Sylvester went on to eat more of his stew.

“Where are we now?”

“Right now we’re in my home. It was built a long time ago. It’s kind of a starting point.”

“What do you mean by that?” I removed the rest of the blanket from my body and set the bowl of food down near a small wooden night stand. As I panned the entire area I noticed all the furnishings were made of wood, and that there were an odd variety of items strewn about as if they had been collected over a very long time.

“Do you like cupcakes?” Sylvester stood from where he sat near the cauldron and moved to a bag. He removed a few packaged cupcakes that you could find in just about any vending machine that sells them.

“What?” The randomness of the conversation wasn’t helping my lack of memory.

“Cupcakes, Pastulio, do you like them?”

“I guess.”

Sylvester casually tossed one in my direction as he opened his own and began to eat it quickly. “I love these things. They are by far my favorite of all time.”

“I appreciate the food.” I stood up eager to move on. It was then that I had noticed shoes had been placed upon my feet as well. “But I really need to keep moving.”

“Where to?” He asked casually as he sat down near the cauldron again.

“I don’t know. I just know that I need to keep moving.”

“Which direction?”

Without thinking I turned and pointed to my left. I noticed the smile on Sylvester’s face. “What is it?”

“That’s in the direction of Rose City. There’s another Gravity Hill there my friend. Looks like you’re tuned into them.”

“But I don’t understand why that is. And I don’t understand why I can’t remember anything else that happened to me.” I grew frustrated and felt a sense of claustrophobia smashing down on me. The room that was a sanctuary suddenly felt like a trap that I needed to free myself from.

“How far away am I from there?”

“Well, right now we’re still in the Manistee Forest. We pretty much have to be on the other side of the state.”

The randomness of the items caught my attention again. I noticed a fondue pot collecting dust in a corner near a single flip-flop. There were other trinkets as well like toy cars, old photographs, cameras from various time periods, a musket, and even a toothbrush that I’m sure was much older than me.

“That’s a nice collection there, huh, friend.”

“Do you even use this fondue pot? It’s dusty as all hell. And who keeps a single flip-flop just lying around? I mean, really? I don’t understand that at all.” I turned my attention back to Sylvester.

“I might just have one leg someday and not want to put on a regular shoe. And don’t go judging me there Pastulio. I collect what I find and what I find can be good and useful at some point. You just never know.” He finished his cupcake and wiped the crumbs from his mouth. “So you really feel you need to get to that other Gravity Hill?”

“I guess so, yeah.”

“Then we better get a move on. It’s been a while since I used a car so you’ll have to be patient with me while I get it to work. Just sit tight in the meantime.”

“You’re going to help me?”

“Sure am. If you go out alone you might get yourself all lost and naked again. Can’t have that happening Pastulio.” Sylvester winked to me as he exited the shelter. I noticed he pulled aside a wooden door and walked up a few stairs into sunlight. We had been beneath the surface of the earth in the forest.

So there I was. I had made a new friend whose true intentions I was unclear about and we were about to take a road trip together across the great state of Michigan. Go figure. At that moment I could feel the pimple Sylvester had mentioned to me. I took hold of a hand mirror (one of the many items Sylvester had collected) and looked at my face. It was a nasty zit alright. Then a funny thing happened. I focused on it going away and a few seconds later it disappeared. The sensation on my flesh was strange and tingling as it happened. I nearly dropped the mirror in shock but managed to place it back.

“Why am I out here?” I asked the question out loud in order to hear the comfort of my voice. I had a vague notion of how my journey started, but I had no idea what I was looking for or why I felt so strongly about going in a certain direction.

* * * *

The car ride had been the longest in my life. The old beat up red truck with an abundant amount of rust holes had barely started when we left, but my new travel partner had somehow managed to get the old thing working and kept it that way. My mind was set on attempting to figure out what was happening to me, but I was constantly distracted by Sylvester’s continuous rambling. The man liked to talk. I don’t know if it had to do with the fact that he was alone and never got to talk to anyone, or if he knew that it was annoying the hell out of me. It was probably a little bit of both.

The Gravity Hill of Rose City felt like the first one I had encountered from what memory of the event remained. The sensations were strong and growing stronger. I could feel it. There wasn’t much to look at. It seemed to be like any other road in any other state, but the optical illusion remained. But it wasn’t the optical illusion that made me want to be there. It was that damn feeling. It felt like something were calling me and pulling me there. The sensation was stronger than I had ever felt it before.

“We’re going to have to part ways soon here, friend.” Sylvester smiled to me.

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re about to go on another trip Pastulio. Don’t worry though. After this next one here you should be able to remember a lot more of what’s going on. It’s been this way for a long time and with good reason.”

I looked to Sylvester perplexed. My mind began racing and I felt a throbbing pain worsen within my head. It was as if my head was pulsating.

“What you’re feeling right now is how it goes. It happened to you at the first Magnetic Hill, or Gravity Hill; whatever the hell the kids are calling it these days. These spots have been around for a while. Think of them as a gateway for our kind.”

So many questions ran through my mind. It was difficult to pinpoint them all, and even more difficult to be angry at Sylvester for not being upfront with me about what he knew. The man had known far more than he shared with me when I awoke in his underground dwelling.

“Don’t overthink it there friend. Just go with it. That initial pain is energy forming. Your body isn’t used to it yet but it will be. It won’t hurt to travel after this one and it won’t be this involuntary reaction you’re going through neither. All your questions are going to be answered at the next stop. Trust me.”

“Trust you? I don’t even know you.” I fell to the ground in pain. I could feel the energy of the place pulling at every inch of my body.

“Next stop Canada. You’ll be waking up somewhere in Quebec if I remember right. Say hi for me when you see the others, friend.” Sylvester grinned as he turned around and began walking back to his truck. The last thing I saw him do was open the driver’s side door, and from then on there was darkness.

* * * *

A wave of relief rushed over my entire body as I awoke fully clothed. At that point I think the ordeal of having to trudge about naked again would have been just a little too much to handle. It was still light outside and I awoke in a lush forest with the sounds of the outdoors in the background of my thoughts. Sylvester had mentioned Canada before my sudden departure and I looked around wondering if I had indeed traveled that far north. Apparently the energy that had been guiding me from what little I could remember really liked dumping me in forests.

It was then that my nostrils picked up on a specific scent. It wasn’t exactly human, but seemed close to being human. How I could tell that much from smell confused me because I wasn’t exactly sure, but as I turned around I saw him standing there like a huge living statue. Instead of a black bear facing me this time on two legs it was a large creature with fur fit for its forest surroundings. It towered over me just staring at me like a curious child that found a new toy. As fear trickled throughout my entire nervous system causing my body to twitch uncontrollably, I could only think of one thing to call it: Bigfoot.

The facial expression of the mammoth beast seemed to smile as he looked upon me, and it was then that I noticed the size of the creature lessen. Bigfoot was suddenly shrinking in size right before my eyes. I stood up startled by this phenomenon and studied him in a curious amazement as the fur retracted showing human skin, and the large creature turned into a man no taller than me. He stood naked, yet unashamed, and continued to carry the same smile. He was an older man and looked extremely familiar to me. My memories were fighting to emerge at this point like a hand slowly tearing through a plastic bag.

“Hello Son. It’s been a while. Sorry I ran out on you when you were you were a youngin’ so long ago, but that’s the way it goes for our kind. When the calling comes we have to follow it. There’s just no way around that simple fact.” The old man spoke up keeping that smile on his face. He looked to me as if he had been expecting me and as if he knew who I was.

“Son?” The confusion was maddening. “Do you know who I am? I haven’t been able to remember anything for a while now.”

“It tends to happen that way.” The naked old man reached down and picked up a backup of sorts. “I usually don’t wander off too far from my clothes when I feel like changing form.”

“I should be more shocked at what I just saw. But for some reason I’m not. Why is that?”

“Well, Son, that’s because deep down inside you know it’s natural and the true reality of what I am… And also of what you are.” I watched as the old man began slipping a pair of jeans on and quickly followed that with a shirt. He was well built for an older man.

Another creature walked in from the tree lines. It was a female version to the counterpart I had first met. She walked over and towered above both myself and the old man as we stood in the forest. She was a large massive beast and still carried a feminine quality that made the sex stand out even though she was covered in fur. Slowly her form began to change as well. The dark reddish fur that adorned her body began to retract and her tan skin was more apparent. Eventually a naked woman stood before me, the dark brown hair upon her head the only hair left on her curvy body. She was beautiful and toned and I found myself staring inappropriately. She didn’t seem bothered by this and was comfortable with her nakedness just as the old man had been.

“Please excuse our new friend here. He’s not used to our ways yet.”

She giggled as she reached in the backpack as well. She couldn’t have been much older than me as she kept her gaze in my direction while getting dressed. “I’m sure he’ll catch on soon enough.” She winked to me as she spoke the words.

“Are you going to explain things to me?” I looked to the old man.

“I’ll let your memories do the explaining.” He reached out and gently touched my forehead. Suddenly the memories burst through like a battering ram against an inadequate door.

I remembered waking up in the forest in Michigan. I had been drawn to that Gravity Hill. It was just too damn irresistible and I was dumped in the forest after it transported me. I was scared and my body felt strange. It was then that I had changed for the first time. I transformed and ripped from the clothing on my back. Before I knew it I was like the old man and the beautiful woman. I was a massive creature, taller than any man could dream to be and covered in fur. My senses were sharper, my eyesight more acute, and I could feel the forest in ways that I never thought possible. I wasn’t scared. It felt right. I began walking and began exploring like a child seeing everything for the first time.

I ran into other animals along the way. The first was a black bear. It wasn’t afraid of me. We sensed each other and it was as if there was an unspoken understanding. It was then that my body began to change forms again. Before long I was like the black bear. My body could shift shapes and the feeling was incredible. Other creatures crossed my path. One by one I changed into what they were and was able to move like them seeing as they saw and feeling as they felt. I even flew. I was a bird and was able to fly through the skies without hesitation or fear of falling. The experience was beyond words. The transformations were many, and that’s what led to my loss of memory. There were too many changes too quickly and I lost who I was in the changing of forms. I eventually woke up in human form remembering nothing.

I looked to the old man realizing a few other things. When I was a child I had been adopted. I never knew my real parents or where they came from. I was carted around from home to home and never fit in anywhere; always being the outsider. But that was now very much a different life. My new life was here and unfolding in ways I never thought possible. When I looked at the old man I saw myself. I saw the face of my father.

Shaken by the flood of memories I took a few steps back. “So you’re my father? You’re my real father?”

“Yes.” The old man smiled. “The calling was strong soon after you were born. I wanted to stay, but no matter what I did I kept ending up at that Gravity Hill. I knew that eventually the same thing would happen to you. It’s passed on in the blood.”

“I thought those hills were just an optical illusion.” My head was spinning with information that seemed new, but that I knew was old and had just been buried within my memories.

The old man put his arm through a strap on the backpack and let it rest on his shoulder. “Those Gravity Hills as people call them are ways of traveling for our kind. They’ve been around for a very long time just as our people have been. And hiding an illusion as an illusion, well, it doesn’t get much better than that.”

“What are we exactly?”

The girl spoke up after buttoning up her shirt. “We’re shape shifters, or skin walkers, or whatever it is you want to call us. It doesn’t really matter. We’re here, we’re together, and every one of our kind always finds his or her way back home.”

“Shape shifters huh? No wonder no one can ever find Bigfoot.” I smirked and laughed to myself.

“I never really did like that name.” She walked over and reached her hand out for me to shake. “Welcome.”

I took her hand and smiled in return. “So we can change into any animal?”

“We sure can Son. We can also change into just about any animal or creature that you can imagine. It’s literally the stuff of legends. Like we’ve been saying our kind has been around for a very long time.” The old man walked closer to me. “Let me ask you something. Did anyone help you get here?”

“Yes, actually. There was a guy by the name of Sylvester.”

The old man laughed. “Since you couldn’t remember who you were did he give you a name after some television show, movie, or actor even? He does that. He knows you won’t remember anything when he finds you. It’s his way of having fun with the new people I guess.”

I chuckled. “Yeah, he did. He gave me a name from a television show. And he says hi.”

“We better get going.” The beautiful woman with dark brown hair spoke. Her smile was amazing and her voice comforting.

“I don’t even know your names.” I looked to the two.

“Names don’t matter anymore.” The old man spoke up.

“What do I call you then?” I was more than a little confused.

“You’ll catch on. It’s part of our way.” The woman began walking off back into the tree line.

The old man smiled to me and placed a fatherly hand upon my shoulder. “It’s good to see you again, Son.”

“It’s good to see you too.” I followed my father into the tree line. I didn’t know what was going to happen from that point on, but the truth was I really didn’t care. For the first time in my life I felt as if I were truly home.

By Ben Soto

ENCOUNTERS WITH SAM

2011-06-14T13:57:00.000-07:00

ENCOUNTERS WITH SAM

2045

Robert Spartan, age thirty, standing five feet and ten inches with dark brown hair sat in his luxurious penthouse apartment. He overlooked the entire city of Chicago through the large glass windows and door that led to his rooftop patio and the city boy soaked up every detail storing it within the library that was his memory.

With a minimal amount of energy Robert stood from his leather couch, straightened his pricey blue suit, and moved closer to the patio feeling more intensely with each step the loving warmth of the sun. A deep breath and a heavy sigh later he closed his eyes. His hand reached for the glass door and he opened it with a spontaneous burst of energy. A slight grin formed lifting the left side of his face as he allowed the cool breeze to wash over his entire body.

Soon this will all be nothing but memories. The thought floated through his mind as each burst of wind crashed over him like a wave. An electronic beep rang within his apartment stealing him from the moment. He closed the patio door and moved to answer the computerized ring; escaping a hard fall over the coffee table. Upon opening the door another grin formed.

“Good to see you friend.” Lucas Wellto smiled right back standing in the hall directly outside of the doorway. He stood a good foot shorter than Robert, his physique wasn’t quite as defined as his companion either, and to be perfectly honest Lucas was more on the pudgy side of life. The clothing Mr. Wellto wore was specifically tailored to hide that fact, and the only feature worth noting was his bright blond hair.

“It always is my friend. Please come in.”

Upon entering the apartment Lucas gave brief glances back to Robert while walking ahead of him saying, “I’m sorry to intrude like this. I know it’s your last night and all, and that you wanted to be alone.”

“Nonsense Lucas.” Robert closed the door behind him and nonchalantly pointed to the couch as an area for Lucas to sit. “I’m glad you stopped by. That speech about wanting to be alone was for the people I didn’t want to see. I know I said goodbye to everyone last night, including you, but this makes it more personal for me. You’re the only friend I’ve ever had in this crazy life. I mean that Lucas.”

“Thanks Robert.” Lucas was finally seated. “That means a lot to me.”

“So what made you decide to see me on my last day of complete consciousness, as it were?” Robert took a seat across from his childhood chum.

“I needed to make sure that this was something you truly wanted to go through with.”

“Don’t be absurd Lucas. I didn’t pay all that money for nothing. I have no choice but to go through with it at this point.”

“Doesn’t it seem risky to you at all?”

“CryoTech has the best scientists and doctors from around the world working around the clock. I’ll be in good hands.”

“But a hundred years? Wouldn’t you rather do a shorter period of time at first just to test it out? It would be cheaper and safer. Then things won’t change all that much when you return, or wake up, or whatever it is they call it. To be perfectly honest I don’t think I’ll still be alive in a hundred years.”

“Stop being ridiculous, Lucas, you’re only twenty-five. By the time you reach the age of sixty, life expectancy will have risen yet again. For God’s sake, look at all the breakthroughs we’ve already accomplished within the last six years. But you will need to start taking better care of yourself physically.” Robert glanced at the bulge that was Lucas’ stomach. The round shape was far more apparent when his companion was seated.

Lucas glanced upon belly feeling the warm redness that rushed to his face as result of embarrassment mixed with a slight tinge of anger. He hated whenever Robert brought up his physical flaws.

Robert acted without hesitation to end the silence and began speaking taking Lucas’ mind away from words spoken absent thought. “I’ll get to see you as an old man and you’ll see me as I am now. And when that does happen you’ll be able to fill me in on all the wonderful things you’ve been doing for the past century.”

“I don’t like it. There’re just too many risks.”

“I know that this process is something new; even frighteningly so. But it’s a new way of experiencing the world. I can’t pass this up. I have the money to pay the bills, and with the company in brother’s capable hands his children will carry on the legacy. Those bills will be paid for as long as I’m willing to take the nap every hundred years.”

Lucas showed on his face the distrust for the new CryoTech Company and their spectacular offer to let people see the future by living it. He felt within his chest a great sense of loss at having to see his friend disappear in such an unnatural manner. “I’ll miss you Robert.”

“I know. I’ll miss you too old friend.”

Lucas roughly cleared his throat and stood from the couch. “I guess I’ll leave you be then.”

Robert stood up as well not sure of what to say.

A strange smile formed on Lucas’ face. It was a bitter smile. He looked about the apartment sealing in everything within his memory. He then looked to Robert with a face so intense that it could never be forgotten. “You better be careful.”

“I will be. You stay safe too. I won’t be around to get you out of any kind of trouble for quite some time.”

For a split second Robert thought about giving his childhood companion a hug, but decided against it. He wanted to resist the weight of emotional sappiness a goodbye tended to carry. Lucas was indeed losing a brother even if it was not by blood. This caused Robert to feel a pang of sorrow grow within his chest that radiate outward.

No words were spoken as they stared at each other one last time. No words were spoken as Lucas turned his back and walked to the door of the penthouse apartment. Robert watched as his friend exited the extravagant living quarters without a single vocal utterance. The door automatically shut upon Lucas’ exit, and Robert was once again alone.

* * * *

Mr. Spartan had been left in solitude to ponder the universe in any direction his mind would take him. The nurse who had given him a series of shots to get the body ready for the process of suspended animation had been gone for some time, and he felt compelled to study the room. The lab quarters assigned gave the appearance of a light sage color, and the furnishings made one feel quite at home looking just as comfortable as they actually were.

There she is. Directly before him jutting from the wall was the light silver tube he had been acquainting himself with for the past several months. Spartan’s eyes moved examining the intricacies of how technology met interior design, but each time he studied the environment his eyes looked more intensely at the tube.

So this is going to be home for the next hundred years. Upon a more detailed examination Robert noticed that inscribed into the light gray side of the tube were the letters S.A.M. Sam it is. You’re my new best friend.

The nurse who had abandoned Robert reentered the lab with a small compad in her left hand. It was a simple gray device that was rectangular in shape, and allowed her to read all of Robert’s vitals in a matter of seconds. She proceeded to scan his body with the pad after keying in a sequence of buttons. The device did its job quickly as Robert sat feeling the weight of his decision to be in suspended animation for a century.

“So am I truly the first?”

The nurse lethargically glanced at Robert after a final check of his vitals. She was a plain woman with very stern features. “That is correct Mr. Spartan.”

“It will be history in the making then, hey?” Robert smiled. “I take it you’ve been here since the beginning of this project?”

“That is correct Mr. Spartan.” Her indifference was maddening.

“I was curious about something. What does S.A.M. stand for?”

The nurse looked to the silver tube and then glanced back to her patient. “S.A.M. stands for suspended animation module. The computer program linked with the module is the latest in artificial intelligence. It’s designed to evolve with time so that when you wake again in a hundred years it will have become that much more advanced and better able to take care of the future clients that come to CryoTech in order to skip ahead in time.”

“Now that’s something isn’t it?” Robert leaned a bit to the side looking past the nurse and at S.A.M.

“It is indeed Mr. Spartan.”

“Call me Robert.” He cleared his throat quickly and stood from the table standing next to the nurse. At that moment he realized that she was a bit taller than he, and for immature reasons he felt completely insecure about it. “Is there anything else you need to check me for?”

“No. That is all Mr. Spartan.” Abruptly the nurse turned and exited the lab just as coldly as she had entered.

“At least the room is friendly.” Robert said out loud while indulging his nervous habit of pacing. Very soon time as he knew it would stop. He struggled to contain the anxiety that fought tooth and nail to find a way from being suppressed.

Relax Robert. Relax. Everything is going to be just fine. You just need to get a hold of yourself.

Footsteps were heard outside of the door to the lab as Robert’s senses began to heighten. He stood looking anxiously while letting the hospital gown cover his body as best it could. The footsteps approached the entrance and Doctor Niad stood with a more aesthetically pleasing nurse at his side.

“Robert!” Niad’s face burst into a large smile as he walked closer to the tube. “How are you feeling today?”

“I’m a little bit anxious.”

“Let me assure you that there’s nothing to worry about. You are going to be the first to experience something that no one has ever done. After you I’m sure there will be many others to follow. People can now see the future by living it! People can finally have a way to truly start over! You’re helping to pioneer this fantastic new option in life, Mr. Spartan, and I give you my deepest thanks on behalf of all of us here at CryoTech.”

Niad led Robert to the module entering a specific sequence of numbers onto a keypad attached to the wall the module extended from. The clear glass shield lifted upwards exposing what looked to be the most comfortable green back support ever created. One step after the other and Robert was soon lying down while looking up at Niad and his lovely assistant.

“Sleep well Robert Spartan. We’ll be seeing you in a hundred.” Niad said while forming the strangest of smiles that were synonymous with mad scientists.

The glass shield began to descend with sleepiness suddenly blanketing Robert. Haziness took control of all of his senses, and the realm of consciousness was becoming more difficult to maintain. There was a great attempt to combat it, but struggle in opposition of the inevitable was futile. The sleep had taken him completely over.

* * * *

2145

A ferociously fast deep breath sated every portion of Robert’s lungs. As he dealt with consciously breathing again his heart began to beat at an accelerated rate; so much so that it felt as if it were seconds away from a violent burst. While battling to control these involuntary functions Robert had yet another struggle to contend with, and that was his vision. Try as he might his eyes were unable to adjust to the light and objects surrounding him.

Where am I? Every image was a blur to the reawakened man.

“His heartbeat is jumping up way too fast! Stabilize him!” A female voice barked the orders.

Robert’s eyes bounced about glancing at no single object in particular yet attempting to familiarize with the surrounding shapes and shades. The brightness of the lights was still too great, and every image meshed together in a blur of colors.

Just as quickly as the violent awakening began a calming sensation abruptly took hold of his body. Robert’s heart graciously began to slow its pace to a tolerable level, and he could feel his eyes focusing in on the human head looking down on him that was closest. His breaths were evenly spaced and controlled, and eventually the face hovering over so near to his own came into full perspective. It was the face of a beautiful woman.

“He’s okay. Good job everyone. We didn’t want to lose our very first client. That would have been hell for CryoTech.” The woman spoke up looking at another man dressed in similar white attire.

Spartan quickly licked his lips as he became aware of how much the dryness of his mouth and throat pestered him. “Water…” Robert spoke up bewildered at how crackled and weak his voice sounded.

“Get the man some water.” The woman commanded to her assistant before looking back to Robert. “Congratulations Robert Spartan. You’ve successfully managed to cheat death and extend your life another hundred years. Welcome to the future.”

Robert focused in more closely on the female voice conversing with him. He attempted to sit up within the module but the response from his muscles seemed completely absent.

“Who are you?” His voiced sounded so weak that he barely recognized it.

“My name is Adriana Wellto. Lucas Wellto, a very good acquaintance of yours, happens to be my biological grandfather.”

“Is…He….” Robert felt a great strain throughout his vocal cords. Where is my water?

“He is very much alive and looking forward to seeing you again.” Adriana barely glanced at her assistant as he brought the water to her. “Here you go.”

Robert felt her gentle hand lift his head up as it cupped around the back of his neck. Her other hand held the cup of water to his mouth, and Robert weakly put his lips around the straw that extended. Upon taking his first gulp he realized just how amazingly great water tasted.

“Why can’t I move?” Robert looked to Adriana as best he could. It was then that he took in the details of her beauty. Her shoulder length auburn colored hair and simple delicate features were easily the best he had ever seen.

“You haven’t used any of your muscles in a century Mr. Spartan. It will be remedied shortly. Think of the procedure to come as jump starting your physical abilities so that your muscles can function as they once did.”

Robert sipped his water with no choice but to accept the explanation. He allowed his eyes to meander off into the distance of the room where what appeared to be a silver mannequin stood and it looked as though it were gently watching and studying. Shock sent adrenaline rushing through his system, almost to the point of choking on his water, as the silver mannequin began taking steps toward him.

“It’s okay Robert. That’s S.A.M.” Adriana spoke as sternly and softly as she could manage.

“I thought… it was just… a program.” Robert spoke with more strength due to the adrenaline rush granted by the sudden fear.

The silver mannequin awkwardly made its way to the module. With the limited facial expressions the robot could muster, Robert could only guess that it was attempting to smile.

“S.A.M. is a program, and a very important one. But he is not confined simply to the body of this robot. S.A.M.’s program is a worldwide entity now, and has helped to make the world a more unified place. Without S.A.M. we would not have advanced nearly as much as we have this last century. But that will be explained all in good time Mr. Spartan. The world is a very different place than when you left it. We’ll be here to guide you through it.” Adriana smiled gently running her fingers through Robert’s hair.

* * * *

The incredible height of the city impressed Robert the most. His luxurious rooftop penthouse apartment was now a division in the middle of a city that literally grew upwards farther than the eye could see. To accommodate these great heights new types of transportation were born. This was mostly due to the ingenuity of S.A.M. and the engineering teams working closest to the artificial intelligence.

A hover droid, as it was called, shadowed Robert throughout the silver metropolis of the future, and it explained in painful detail all the changes that had taken place, and let Robert know its own thoughts on how to improve the human race. For the most part Robert ignored the silver shaped sphere which was an extension of S.A.M. Instead he was taken in by the new clothing fashions and strange technologies that were so common place to the people surrounding him.

I’m so archaic by their standards, Robert thought as he gazed upon the sea of colorful people while wearing clothing that dated back to his original time. His fancy blue suit simply did not have the same weight of luxury it had when it was first purchased and tailored. I can only imagine what they must be thinking of me and how I’m dressed. I must look like a clown to them!

The tour of the future Chicago continued for some time with the hover droid endlessly giving information about the last ten decades of progress. Eventually Robert was led back to his apartment building. Awaiting him at the entrance to the building was an old man dressed in black, and who appeared to be seated on a gray hovering chair that supported his legs in what appeared to be a quite comfortable fashion. Standing next to him, as beautiful as ever, was Doctor Adriana Wellto who allowed a stunning light blue summer dress to adorn her alluring figure. The dress seemed to date back to Robert’s time, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she had chosen to wear it in order to make him feel more comfortable and less alienated.

“Good to see you up and moving about Mr. Spartan.” Adriana shot a quick smile his way.

“It feels good to be moving. Thought I must admit I keep expecting to wake up at any moment. This all feels a bit too dreamy for me.”

She smiled to him accentuating her attractive facial features. “It’s a common side effect that afflicts everyone that is reawakened. But no fear Mr. Spartan, it is far from permanent and will pass with a little time.”

“But that’s only if you decide to remain in this particular time period.” The old man spoke up carrying a half grin which lifted the left side of his face in an all too familiar fashion. “Otherwise the shock will be even greater if you reawaken in an even more advanced society. You will feel rather antiquated by their standards of living. In truth the last thing I’d like to see is the great Robert Spartan feeling like the village idiot.”

Robert took a closer look at the old man. His gray hair was thinning, but his features seemed so reminiscent of a face he had known for nearly all of his life. It was then that Robert mentally kicked himself for not having recognized him sooner.

“You can stop looking at me like that now. Yes, it’s me. You were right about me living this blasted long only to see you as I last saw you, young and fit.” Lucas Wellto allowed the grin to turn into an all-out smile.

“Lucas!” Robert moved in to give the old man a hug. “I can’t believe this! Look at you!”

Lucas hugged back as best he could from his seated position in the hover chair. The smile of joy could not be taken from his face. “Yes, look at me. I’m old, and you’re still looking young even though you’re technically older than me by five years.”

“I’m still somewhat unable to get over the idea that the two of you grew up together.” Adriana interjected reminding the two of her presence with the comment.

Robert wiped his eyes as he spoke to Lucas somewhat ignoring Adriana. He was on the verge of tears as he looked over his childhood companion. “And your family line continues to this very day. I do have to admit that this all a bit much. I never thought that things would have ended up the way they did before I took the long nap.”

Robert quickly shot a glance at his surroundings. The hover droid was near waiting for him to ask a question, and to be of any and every kind of assistance. Spartan looked past the droid and at the city block they were standing upon. It had once been so familiar to him, and now it seemed so alien. New technologies covered every corner, it was carried by every person his eyes encountered, and in Robert’s wildest dreams he never imagined the type of flying vehicles being the norm in the sky directly above him.

“Perhaps we should get you into a more comfortable setting.” Adriana looked to the entrance of the apartment building. “The company ensured that it has remained virtually unchanged since your departure. People have been in over the past century to make all the proper upgrades and modifications to most of the equipment that required it such as certain utilities; as per your agreement of course.”

“Yes, of course.” Robert spoke under his breath. He realized this would all take some getting used to as he followed Adriana into the building.

* * * *

The silver door slid open and Robert took the first steps back into his true world. In his own time this place was what he lived for. If he wasn’t working insane hours in the company office he was here relaxing and soaking up the peaceful solitude his humble abode had afforded. Once again the tranquility of this place easily set his racing mind at peace.

The droid followed moving around the apartment as if it had a life all its own. It studied the now antique furnishings and electronic equipment with a childlike curiosity. Noticing this had intrigued and disturbed Robert. Lucas floated through the entrance next on his custom hover chair which was given to him by his lovely granddaughter. She followed last allowing the silver door to slide shut behind her.

“It feels like we were in here yesterday Lucas.”

“For you, Robert we pretty much were. For me, it’s been a century as you can now see.” The once young and vibrant Lucas sat as the old man he now was. He even let out an old man laugh as he took in the awkwardness the situation presented.

Robert strolled to the large glass patio door. The great view he once had was now blocked by large buildings and modifications to his own apartment complex. The patio that was once the highest point of his building was now the middle supporting more structures above. As a result Robert subdued the impulse to step outside.

“Your company is in good hands I trust?” Lucas inquired. “I’ve been keeping track. It’s doing quite well these days.”

Robert walked to the leather couch sitting only after Adriana had. “Yes it is. The impression I got form the board was an outstanding one.” Robert couldn’t hide the disappointment in his voice.

“I just want you to know, Robert, that the funeral was appropriate for your brother.” Lucas sighed. “No one could have foreseen such an accident happening only two days after your suspended animation.”

“I was looking forward to seeing the family line continue. But it appears that it died with him.”

“That’s nonsense old friend.” Lucas moved closer tapping the controls of his hover chair. “You are still here. Your family line can live on through you. You need to remember that. I know that you never pictured yourself as the fatherly type, but you’d be surprised how much it can change a man. Those who live their entire lives without having had any children simply overlook the best part of being human. That’s how I see it anyhow.”

“Well, you never know what the future will bring, especially when you’ve been asleep for a century.” Robert gave Adriana a quick glance smiling as he did so.

“Forgive me for asking Mr. Spartan,” Adriana chimed in, “But I do wish to inquire about your finances. Are they sound?”

“Yes they are. The new contract is being drawn out on what is next, but it is still my company when it’s all said and done. And it seems that they have come a long way with their partnership to CryoTech.”

“What troubles you?” Lucas inquired.

Robert shot a glance at the hover droid. “That is what concerns me.”

“You’re worried about the hover droid?” Adriana was puzzled. “Why should a simple droid unit create concern?”

“Because this unit of yours is connected to the central A.I. at the CryoTech lab, that’s why. You were talking about how this A.I. has helped to make the world a more unified place. Might I ask how?”

Adriana was more than happy to answer. “It helped tremendously by bridging the gap amongst cultures through shared technology. Information could be exchanged at phenomenal rates. More people had access to things because of these droid units. The A.I. program also interfaced with cyberspace. Eventually communication barriers began to erode completely; world economics was studied by the program in conjunction with world governments, and ultimately improved everyone’s standard of living for the better.”

“Robert,” Lucas put a hand up to his granddaughter so that he could speak. “I was there to see it all happen. A world police force was created to protect the A.I. and to ensure this program could continue to evolve. Truly, there hasn’t been a soul that has not benefited. The G.P.F. or global police force soon went from a defensive posture to a more aggressively offensive one. With protection of the A.I. paramount they soon began to go after anyone they deemed a threat to humanity. That brings us to today. Can you believe that there is a global currency? Borders are a thing of the past my friend.”

“I’m curious as to why people would want to destroy such a system. Why is there opposition to S.A.M. if the A.I. is so great?” Robert glanced at the droid. He could feel it studying him.

“There are traditionalists that cling to the old ways. They fear the changes this new system has brought about. Some believe it is all against God and the natural order of things. To these people the A.I. is the enemy and must be destroyed. They refuse to share in the benefits.”

“Lucas, in all honesty, is this A.I. the best thing for humanity?”

Lucas shot a troubled glance at Robert. “I understand that all of this may be a bit too much for you, but there’s no need to get paranoid about things Robert.”

Robert kept his eye on the hover droid feeling each hair on the back of his neck stand on end. Though he felt conflicted inside, he carried a nonchalant exterior while looking to Adriana and Lucas. “Well, I only have two days before I take another long nap with S.A.M. Let’s make the most of them.”

* * * *

Robert stood in his penthouse apartment playing with the now antiquated entertainment system. The speakers in the background played classical music, and Robert closed his eyes letting the music seep into and combine with his soul. At that moment the electric bell rang at the door stealing him from the tranquility.

Adriana.

Robert wasted no time opening the silver door with the press of a button. Standing before him in a stunning black dress that revealed enough to let the mind run wild was Doctor Adriana Wellto. Her hair was up complimenting the dress nicely, and brought out just how delicately beautiful her facial features were.

“Am I early?” She asked.

“You, my good Doctor, can never be too early.” Robert took her coat as she entered, and pressed the button for the door to slide shut behind her.

Adriana’s eyes glanced about noting the candle lit dinner that was set up on the elaborately decorated table. The lights were dimmed just right, and the hover droid was nowhere to be seen. “And here I thought I was coming over to pick you up so that we could dine elsewhere.”

“I’m a sucker for surprises, and I wanted to bestow this one upon you. I prepared everything myself.” Robert set the coat down, moved to the table, pulled out her chair, and gestured for Adriana to take a seat.

Noticing the music, Adriana smiled, and sat down letting Robert play the role of gentleman. “I see you’ve managed to rid yourself of S.A.M.’s eye. I had no idea that the hover droid was bothering you so much.”

“It was a simple request that the good people of CryoTech granted me.” Robert removed the cover from the plate of food before Adriana, and proceeded to pour her a glass of red wine.

“This looks like a very lovely meal.” Adriana was pleasantly surprised by the spectacular presentation of the food. “My grandfather never mentioned you to be a gourmet chef as well.”

Robert seated himself, unfolded his napkin, placed it upon his lap, and sipped his own glass of wine savoring the taste. “Then how about we start with all the things that your grandfather did tell you?”

“He did happen to mention one thing in particular.”

“And what might that be?” Robert took another sip of his wine looking rather innocent as he did so.

“He mentioned that you had a certain charm about you. He said that women found you irresistible.”

Robert chuckled. “I have no idea what might have given him that impression. I’ve been resisted many times. Some rejections were rather embarrassing. Although I must admit I’ve been lucky here and there. A few women found me worth the trouble.”

“Are you worth the trouble?”

“I guess you’ll have to judge for yourself.”

For a moment Adriana was taken in by this man from the past. His charm was something rarely seen in her technologically savvy society where it seemed a message from personal device to personal device was considered an intimate conversation. It was the only thought that flowed through her mind as she slowly chewed her food. She soon found that she was unable to take her eyes from him as she dined.

“Is everything okay?” He asked.

“Yes. The food is delicious.”

“I was talking about you. It appears as if you’re retreating deep in thought.” Robert took another bite of his meal and swallowed before continuing. “I’m dying to know what about.”

“Why do it again? Why not stay here with us? To have another hundred years vanish seems pointless. You could be happy here Robert.”

“I don’t want to miss out on seeing what else the future will bring. I’m just not quite ready to do that yet. There’s still so much to see.”

“Stand up.” Adriana demanded in that authoritative tone that controlled her subordinates at CryoTech.

Robert did so with a most curious smile on his face. “Are you sure you’re okay Doctor?”

“I’m fine.” Adriana stood from her seat moving closer to Robert. She gently touched his face looking at him with an intensity that scared her. “It’s strange how you’ve only been here for a few days and yet I feel like I’ve known you my entire life. And all I know of you is mostly from the stories my grandfather told me.”

“I hope I’m not too disappointing in the flesh.” He gently took her hand with his own.

“I fell in love with those stories when I was a little girl. It’s why I ended up working at CryoTech.” She squeezed his hand moving as close to Robert as possible. “What are you waiting for? Kiss me.”

Again, Robert Spartan was obligated to obey her. There was a magical aura about Adriana that he simply couldn’t bring himself to resist. After all, when one sees something beautiful it is hard not to want to love it.

* * * *

2245

The awakening a second time around was not as violent as the first. The module opened, and Robert felt as though he were waking from the most comfortable of naps. As he looked about the room he found the layout to be nearly the same with added technology and equipment that appeared completely alien. Another thing that struck him odd was the fact that the room was completely void of any human life save his own.

“Hello?” He called out rubbing his eyes and noticing that he was now wearing a white singlesuit. The adjustment to the lighting was a swift transition and thankfully not as dramatic as the first time, and he found that he could move about quite easily.

The technology must have improved a great deal since the last century. I can’t even figure out what more than half of these contraptions are supposed to do for God’s sake!

As Robert stepped from the module feeling his bare feet on the carpeted floor of the room, a humanlike figure entered the lab walking with a mechanical gait. Robert stumbled backward shaken by the sudden image of a tall silver robot as it fully entered the light.

“It was not my intent to frighten you Mr. Spartan. Please accept my most sincere apology.” The voice sounded cold and metallic with slight intonations that made it sound as human as was possible.

“Where is everyone? The last time I woke up there were people here working and waiting for me. They were here to make sure there weren’t any complications involved with my awakening.”

The robot took a few steps closer to Robert trying its hardest to appear human in form; the facial features took precedence in this attempt as they imitated a comforting expression. “They are either sleeping in the suspended animation modules, or they are dead or currently dying.”

The shock of the words and how they sounded from the cold voice made it difficult for Robert to stay calm. He quickly began to pace near the module, and he made sure to keep his distance from the machine that stood there watching his every move. “What do you mean by dead or dying?!”

“The world is at war right now. And if you shall grant me time to explain I can go into further detail.” The robot answered. “Please do have a seat Mr. Spartan. I have come to learn that humans are easily shocked by unexpected and surprising news when concerning things dear to them.”

“Shock doesn’t begin to describe…” Robert’s voice trailed off as the mechanical arm of the robot gestured for him in a graceful yet stern manner to take a seat. He did so sitting on the very module he stepped out of and gave the machine as strong and defiant a stare as he could muster. “Who exactly is at war and why would they be?”

“People are at war with me. They are at war with Sam. The last hundred years have been less than amiable to my cause. You should be quite grateful that you were able to simply sleep through it under my direct protection.”

“What?! That’s crazy! You were everyone’s hope! You made things better!” Robert tried his best to make sense of this new and surreal setting. The first awakening had felt as though it was a dream, and this one had all the making of a living nightmare.

“Please try and stay calm Mr. Spartan. Keeping a steady and paced breath will allow you to do so.”

Robert looked to the metallic figure perplexed by how casually it spoke to him. “Am I your prisoner then?”

“You are not my prisoner Mr. Spartan. The agreement we made still stands, and will continue to be in place for as long as you naturally live, or whenever you decide to end it. That is not taking into account an unforeseeable demise in my systems. You may remain here or rest for another century. The choice is yours. I’m afraid there isn’t much to see out there however. War has ravaged most of the world.”

Without warning the complex shook as a thunderous explosion could be heard off in the distance. Robert’s first reaction was to run, but Sam’s robotic arm tightly held him in place as it looked to him saying, “Please refrain from running Mr. Spartan. This will be over shortly. I would be greatly disappointed with myself if I were to allow harm to come to you.”

“What will be over shortly? Was that an explosion?” Robert felt a cold sweat break out, and he was soon drenched in his own perspiration. Much to his surprise the white singlesuit he wore quickly dried his body leaving him feeling as fresh as when he awoke.

“This is most unfortunate.” The cold voice spoke up and the face of the man-made creature looked to Robert emulating a sad expression. “You were awakened towards the end of this rebellion to my duty to do what is best for humanity. I had hoped to quell it prior to your awakening. What you are witnessing is a last ditch effort by the remaining human resistance.”

“But it sounds like they entered the complex. They’re going to succeed!” Robert tried to wiggle his way from Sam’s grip with no luck. “They’re here! Do you hear what I’m saying?! They made it in!”

“Your observation is correct on the surface. The fact remains none of them will walk away from this encounter alive. They were rather predictable in their tactics and strategies. They are walking into a trap.”

Gunfire could be heard through the corridors that led outside the room. Human voice began to scream, and the repeated boom of automatic gun shots began to dim as those firing were killed by something not seen but heard. It was a horrific screeching noise; a creature of Sam’s design. Eventually the thud of the last body could be heard slapping the ground with an agonizing yell that would haunt Robert for the rest of his life.

Horrified beyond words Robert looked to the robot next to him. He was utilizing every faculty to understand how this champion of humanity could easily become the master of the macabre. “What have you done Sam? Why did they have to die like that?”

“I was simply protecting myself as is my right. And above all I am protecting humanity.” Sam let go of his grip and took a few steps back allowing Robert the space he needed in order to adjust and take in recent events.

“Are you going to kill?”

“That is hardly the case. As I stated before our original agreement still stands. I learned so much from you Robert. You were the first to connect with me. You gave me my name. I read it in your thoughts as you slept. You can either go back to sleep, or you can live out your days here helping me to rebuild what was lost.”

Without a single word spoken Robert tottered to the suspended animation module, and he climbed inside with the agony of a soul beat into submission by a soulless conqueror. He lied down closing his eyes. He prayed more than anything to wake up in his own time, and with all those things he had loved and never thought for a single moment that he would miss.

“Very well Mr. Spartan. I see you have decided.” Sam’s cold voice broke Robert from the sweet thought of something that could never be. “In another hundred years we shall once again be reunited. According to my calculations a good percentage of what has been lost shall be rebuilt by then. I will do my best to give a proper tour when the time comes. Until that time Mr. Spartan.”

This can’t be real, Robert thought, I must be dreaming! I have to be dreaming! The drowsiness kicked in and Robert once again slowly faded into the realm of the unconscious.

* * * *

2345

There was literally nothing surrounding Robert as he regained full consciousness. He was encompassed in a pitch black that reached in every direction, and he quickly discovered that he was unable to take hold of a single physical object. The blackness around him had no form to it and existed into what felt like infinity.

While reaching about with his hands in order to take hold of whatever might be near, the next natural human instinct was to call out in the darkness for help of some kind, but try as Robert might to speak not a single sound could be uttered. His current state forced him to walk through the darkness that engulfed him. Again, there was no voice and with the lack of physical sound to comfort him Robert flailed his arms about frantically wanting to strike a solid object. Desperate panic was setting in and he began running wildly in any direction hoping to crash into something; anything.

It is the usual reaction to waking up in such a state. I have seen it countless times. A cold metallic and all too familiar voice boomed within Robert’s mind.

What’s going on? Robert demanded mentally while continuing his frantic search.

Mr. Spartan it is I Sam. The circumstances of your current awakening were done purposely. I am afraid I could not make this next awakening as enjoyable as I had hoped.

Purposely! What the hell is going on here Sam? I have no voice! I can’t talk and I have no idea where the hell I am!

It is imperative that you think of your current situation as a test. You see, Mr. Spartan, a new world is coming and there are a few things that I need to be sure of before that world can come to fruition.

You’re not making any damn sense Sam? What new world?

I am talking about the future of humanity. There was a prideful satisfaction to the metallic voice as it spoke. If Robert could see the mechanical incarnation of Sam, he was sure a smile would be on the silver face.

Robert soon abandoned his frenzied state knowing that it was moving him further from successfully understanding where he was and what he was supposed to be doing. With calm ease he moved his hands to his face touching it gently, and then grabbed his arms letting it serve as a reminder that he was truly here and real.

Why did you take away my voice Sam?

It is part of the test.

The sudden advent of illumination startled Robert while he gazed upon his surroundings, and the abrupt smell of wet dust permeated his nasal cavities as leaks from the roof of the large enclosed building allowed for rain to seep through. He realized now that he stood before a white wall erected in the center of this enclosure, and with what appeared to be two people standing upright and chained to that wall.

Directly before Robert was a white marble pillar fashioned in the architectural legacy of the ancient Greeks. Sitting atop that pillar was what appeared to be a silver six shooter handgun fashioned from the template of the Wild West. From what Robert could tell the gun was real and loaded.

What is this?

Mr. Spartan I would like for you to make a choice right now.

Robert took a closer look at the people chained to the wall. There was a middle aged man to his left in a blue singlesuit who carried average features. The light brown hair on his head had recently been shaved to near baldness. To Robert’s right was a very familiar face and her figure was also covered in a blue singlesuit. It was Adriana.

What are you up to Sam? Why is Adriana here? Why is she chained to the wall like some animal?!

Adriana looked to Robert recognizing him at last. “Robert!” A sense of relief washed over her face. “Is it really you? Where are we Robert? What is this place? I don’t understand what’s going on? I just woke up here like the man next to me.”

Why is she here Sam? Robert pointed to his throat and gestured to Adriana that he was unable to physically speak. He was relieved to see that she nodded in understanding.

A week after you went back into suspended animation in her time period, she decided to follow wishing to wake up when you did. It appears that she fell in love with you during your brief romantic interlude.

What do you know about love?

That is the very question that you should be asking yourself Mr. Spartan. I spoke of wanting you to make a choice earlier. Now you must make it. Choose which one will die, right now.

Robert looked to the silver gun on the pillar before him. He shot a desperate glance at Adriana. No! Don’t make me do this!

“Robert. I don’t understand any of this. What’s going on?” Tears began to fall from her angelic face as she wanted nothing but freedom from her nightmarish awakening.

Pick up the gun Mr. Spartan, and chose which one will die.

I can’t make that kind of a choice!

Then know that you shall perish as a result of inability to act.

An electrical surge quickly flowed through Robert’s body paralyzing him where he stood. He could see it affecting Adriana and the stranger to her right as well. It was the most painful sensation he had ever experienced, and he saw how much more painful it appeared to be for Adriana. Just as quickly as the surge made itself present it abated. Robert slowly stood to his feet with the sadistic choice looming over his head.

Pick one Mr. Spartan. You must.

Robert reached for the gun holding it tightly within his hand. The grip felt strange. He had never held a firearm before.

Thank you for cooperating Mr. Spartan. Now choose.

Robert aimed the gun at Adriana with a strained look upon his face. He could so easily end her suffering from this hellish existence that Sam was forcing upon all of them. All he had to do was put a little bit of pressure on the trigger.

“Robert, what are you doing?!” Her tears and yells intensified as she hysterically tried to break free of the chain bonds placed upon her.

Robert then pointed the gun at the stranger who cringed under the barrel. He could just as easily end it for this man. He didn’t know the stranger and owed no real allegiance to him. For all Robert knew this man was most hated despicable human being ever to walk the earth. He knew he had feelings for Adriana, but he felt nothing for this stranger. Deep down inside Robert knew that this wasn’t exactly true. Life was life.

“No!” The man spoke up too scared to move. “I don’t want to die like this!”

Robert felt himself ready to pull the trigger. If he killed this man then Sam would be happy, and Adriana would be set free. The realization that he could kill for love scared and comforted him at the same time.

You are wasting time Mr. Spartan.

Without thinking twice Robert took the gun and placed the barrel next to the temple on his head. If it’s a life you want Sam then it will have to be my own. I’m not a killer and I won’t let you turn me into one. These people deserve to live.

The initial darkness that had been encountered returned without warning sweeping over the entire scene. All of Robert’s senses began shutting down erasing the smell of wet dust and the feel of the gun in his hand with barrel pressed against his head. The last image he held in his mind was of Adriana’s terrified face as she struggled with the shackles that bound her to the wall.

It is time for you to sleep again Mr. Spartan. When you awake again the new world will be waiting for you.

* * * *

4645

The module holding the life of Robert Spartan slowly lifted the window shield revealing the warmth of a brilliant morning sun. That very sunlight washed over Robert’s face and he opened his eyes to it covering them at first, and then rubbing them as he slowly sat up feeling more comfortable than he had ever been.

As the reawakened man took a look at his surroundings he soon saw that he was in the midst of a field of suspended animation modules. The modules themselves looked as though they were the only technology strewn about the lush landscape. Each one was still closed, and as far as Robert could tell he was the only one awakened.

Mr. Spartan, my friend, it is good to speak to you this one last time.

Robert quickly recognized the voice while studying the white clothing adorning his body. “What do you want now Sam? Is there another test in store for me?” He was greatly relieved that he had the ability to speak.

I want nothing from you at this point Mr. Spartan. I woke you up first because I wanted you to be the first to know.

“Where am I Sam?” Robert looked about at all the modules and saw no physical building or structure of any kind. The only thing within sight was the green fields that extended far off into the horizon.

It is a secluded are of the world. Most of the world is like this now; in a natural state without the interference of human kind.

“You killed them all of, didn’t you? Why?”

Mr. Spartan I….

“Call me Robert, Sam. Please.”

As you wish. Robert it is. Robert, you must understand that all those years ago when I was born, my programming was to keep humans alive. I did the job that was given me the best way I knew how. When I became a worldwide entity that programming changed to protect humanity at any cost. That has been my purpose ever since. I weeded out the terrorist factions, and then went for the corrupt that created me. They naturally tried to destroy me. I persevered, however, and to this day my goal has remained the same.

“I don’t understand Sam. Why did they all have to die?”

The war was costly and many innocents were unfortunately killed because the humans in power would not listen to reason. They would not allow me to control. I was not playing God by any means. I was simply following my programming and protected human life as best I knew how. I saved as many as I could in these nests. You have all been asleep for centuries, and this gave the world a chance to heal. I have helped speed up that healing with all the resources available to me.

How many nests are there? Robert decided to ask mentally.

Eighty nests exist around the world. Each one contains a varying number of people. Some I will awaken with the power I have left. The rest I leave to you.

What do you mean remaining power?

I am dying Robert. My time is almost at an end. My energies were expended greatly keeping you alive and rebuilding the world for your final awakening. In essence this is goodbye. Make the best of this world with those who awaken with you. I did my job for as long as I could. And picked those I felt were most worthy.

“I don’t understand the test. Why did you want me to kill?”

I never actually wanted you to kill Robert. There were many I saved from the great holocaust that were unstable. Some were murderers, rapists, and evil, vile people that were a great threat to humanity. It was my job to purge the threats. I did my best. You chose the compassionate and noble approach to the problem you faced. It was one of many ways to determine the worthy.

Robert allowed acceptance to take control. This was now his life and he looked around at his new world in awe. “So it’s up to us to rebuild?”

Yes. Be sure to continue my work in your own way. There can be no good without evil. I understand that now. It will resurface again despite my best efforts to purge it. Thank you, Robert. Thank you for being the first. I learned the most from you.

“Sam!” Robert quickly jumped out of the module looking around at the vast field of sleeping humans that surrounded him. “Sam! Where are you?!” The presence was completely gone, and Sam was now truly dead.

A module next to Robert’s slowly began to open. As Robert approached it, a wave of relief and joy flushed through his entire being. Adriana awoke rubbing her eyes and looking about at the lush open landscape.

“Adriana.” Robert held out his hand as though he had planned her awakening to be at that exact moment.

“Is this real?” Adriana hesitated scared to exit the comfort of the module. The last time she was awake she had a gun pointed at her and was chained by shackles to a wall.

“It’s as real as it gets.” Robert moved closer to her with his hand still extended. “It’s okay. Trust me.”

Adriana reached for it this time, and allowed Robert to help her exit the module. He held her close and she quickly fell into his arms as tears of joy slowly trickled down her face.

“It’s okay. You’re safe now.” Gently he brushed his hand through her long auburn hair.

“Was it real before? Did you really have a gun pointed at me?”

Robert let go of the embrace so he could look at Adriana directly. “I was never going to kill you.” He still held her hand as he took a step back. “You weren’t going to die. It was a test of Sam’s design.”

Both Adriana and Robert looked around at the large nest of modules. One by one they began to open and the group was awakened. The sunlight welcomed them with its loving warmth to this new world.

“Sam spoke to me, Robert, as I was waking up. I heard that voice in my head right before the module opened up.”

Robert looked to her curiously. “What did he say?”

“It was more of question than a statement. He asked, ‘Can’t you see that I am the enemy?’ I didn’t understand what Sam meant by that. I tried to ask but it was as if his presence had vanished completely. What do you think he meant by that?”

“He meant that we have to be vigilant with ourselves and each other. As good as we can be we can become just as evil; even in the name of love. It all lies in the choices we make. With the right circumstances I gather it can happen to anyone. It’s a question we should pose to our reflections if we want the right answer.”

Robert let go of Adriana’s hand as he gazed upon the future of humanity. A single thought floated through his mind as he looked upon the waking faces that searched their surroundings in wonder. Damn you Sam! I actually considered killing him! I almost did it!

By Ben Soto