In which Reese, a space fugitive, stumbles upon the lone planet of Aurora, and a mysterious man by the name of Harold Finch offers him refuge.
Ascent of the Machines, Part I
Planet Aurora, 2798
"Finch, is it?" Reese closes his eyes for a moment, then, "You are not on the Intergalactic Registry."
"Nor will you find me in any other database," The oddly dressed man named Finch says. "Mr - ?"
"Lieutenant Reese, " Reese replies absently while giving the man a once over. "John Reese."
"Well, Mr. Reese," Finch makes a point not to use his military honorific as he turned slowly, "There is nothing for you here. You should return to Terra One, or wherever it is you came from."
"Scouting remote places of the galaxy is also a part of my mission," Reese says. "This planet have a name?"
Finch appears reluctant to give that piece of information. "I named it Aurora."
"Aurora," Reese repeats. He refrains from passing judgement on the name. "How many inhabitants are on this planet?"
"One," Finch says.
Reese's eyebrows nearly shoot through the atmosphere. "Back on Terra One people would call this solitary confinement," he says. "I suppose you have a reason?"
"I do," Finch replies slowly, "But I wasn't aware I needed one."
Reese ponders this for a moment and concedes. He tries a bit of humour instead. "So this, uh," he gestures towards the glasses and the waistcoat, "Some kind of vintage style you like?"
"I'm a very private person, Lieutenant," Finch says, ignoring his comment and punctuating each word with a stare. "Is there anything else?"
"Right," Reese says, feeling a little sheepish. "Well, I was going to scout the rest of the A3-J6 nebula -"
"There's nothing here," Finch says dismissively. "Only Aurora."
"The nearest supply star being -"
"NYC17," Finch replies. "Two days journey."
Which is really far. "I see," Reese says. "Well, I need the information uplinked to the server. Think you can plug me into your Mains?"
The look on Finch's face makes it apparent that the man does not think it's a good idea, but he relents anyway. Reese grins as he closes his eyes.
INITIATING UPLINK...
NEW USER IDENTIFIED...
Reese, John
TEMPORARY PASSWORD CREATED ******
Welcome to Aurora, Mr. Reese.
Wow. This is more sophisticated than most of the Mains I've seen on Terra One.
Thank you. Here is the information package you requested.
UPLINKING ...15%
I'll also need a comprehensive overview of Aurora's earth composition, mineral content, rare metals, the works.
UPLINKING ...32%
While we are at it, could you possibly zap a map of the nearest route to NYC17?
UPLINKING NYC17-ROUTE... 67%
Great. Maybe some water and bread for the lone traveler?
Goodbye, Mr. Reese.
UPLINK COMPLETED...
DISCONNECTED FROM AURORA.
Despite his best intentions, Reese finds himself on the outer ring of Aurora again in just three months time.
"What is it this time, Mr. Reese?" Finch asks exasperatedly.
"I was moored near Terra Three," Reese says. "There was an unaccounted warp, I fell into it."
"You are lost," Finch says in disbelief. "And you ended up here by chance?"
"As fate would have it," Reese says airily. "How's your solitary confinement?"
"No longer solitary," Finch replies, annoyed. "What is it that you need? Water? Bread?" Reese can almost hear the sarcasm drip. He grins.
"A tour of Aurora would be nice," he says. "May I come in?"
THREAT DETECTED...
INTERGALACTIC FLEET FIVE, UNIT THREE IDENTIFIED...
ETA 35 MINS...
INCOMING MESSAGE:
Wanted: Reese, John, Male Earthian, last spotted near Terra Three. Space fugitive, former assassin, armed and highly dangerous. Please report to IG Fleet 5 Commander Snow with information.
REPLY?
N _
They stare at each other for a few minutes.
"What did you do?" Finch asks finally, "Blow up Ordos?"
"Something like that," Reese says dismissively.
"To evoke the wrath of Mark Snow," Finch says, contemplative, "That's very impressive."
Reese's mouth twitch. "I'm glad you find that amusing. I guess I'll be going now," he says, betraying no emotion as he closes his eyes. " Sorry to have bothered you, Mr. Finch."
"Wait," Finch calls after him. Reese pauses and opens his eyes again. Finch is peering at him oddly. "Didn't you want a tour of Aurora?"
Reese blinks. "I'm a fugitive," he reminds Finch, softly.
"So I heard," Finch says.
"Former assassin."
"Former."
"Armed and highly dangerous," Reese presses, amused now.
"I'd like to see you try and break Aurora's firewall by yourself," Finch replies, calmly. "Are you going to come in, or are you waiting for a reunion with Commander Snow?"
Reese opens his mouth and closes it again, breaking into a slow smile. "You looked me up," he says, more amazement than accusation. "You know who I am."
Finch peers at him. "Would you prefer if I didn't?"
Reese grins as the firewall is lowered line by line.
INITIATING UPLINK...
USER SELECTED BY ADMIN: REESE, JOHN
PASSWORD ***********
Welcome to Aurora, Mr. Reese.
You kept my temporary ID, Finch?
No, I recreated one. Amongst others.
Others?
Watch.
TRESLINK INITIATED... DOWNLOADING 89%
Message to IG Fleet 5, Commander Snow: No sign of fugitive. Most recent visitor: Warren, John. Biometrics submitted for inspection.
MESSAGE RECEIVED... ACCEPTED
IG FLEET 5 ALTERING COURSE... THREAT RELIEVED.
You do realise you just committed a felony.
A simple thank you would have sufficed, Mr. Reese.
Where are we going?
Control, Mr. Reese.
CARBON FORMING INITIATED... PHYSICAL TRANSFER COMPLETE.
Reese opens his eyes and sees something he has only ever seen in historical documentaries: a library. Winding stairs, then shelves and shelves of books lined the walls, its end nowhere in sight. He doesn't realise he is holding his breath until Finch taps him lightly on the shoulder.
Reese looks around to find Finch smiling, the keenly blue eyes softening by a fraction.
"Follow me," Finch says, and John does; it changes his life.
