This is a fan translation of Line of Dreams (Линия грёз) by the Russian science fiction and fantasy author Sergei Lukyanenko. The novel can be considered a fan fiction of the original Master of Orion game.
Chapter 2
Kay was resurrected with the clear thought that he wouldn't forgive Curtis for this death. It wasn't because of the pain; after all, an algopistol killed much more painfully, as it was supposed to. But this death was revolting. Revolting… and well-played.
"Name?" a soft female voice asked.
This is my first aTan…
"Huh? Where am I?" Kay started shifting on the replicator disk, so familiar and encouragingly hard. The screen on the wall displayed "Incedios".
"Everything is all right, mister. You're alive. What is your name?"
"Kay… Kay Ovald. Where am I?
"Citizenship?"
"Endoria. I'm a citizen of Endoria, and I demand… is this aTan?"
"Yes. You've been saved. You have been granted a new life. Tell me your code."
She was very patient, this old woman with a young face. Kay told her the code. He noticed he was naked and was flushed with embarrassment. He put on the free aTan-provided clothes, which were only good enough to mop floors with. Then he exclaimed, "Oh God, my son! He's dead!"
"Arthur Ovald is here, nearby," the woman said calmingly. "Both of you have been brought back to life."
Kay blossomed into a smile and spoke in a half-whisper, "This aTan thing has turned out to be a good investment! Right?"
"We hope to be your continuing partners." The happiness on the woman's face seemed almost genuine. Behind Kay, the doctor on duty quietly stepped away into the corner, hiding a syringe with a sedative in his fist.
"You're holding up pretty well for a first-timer," the woman noted.
Idiot…
"It's not so easy to knock us Ovalds off our feet," Kay reassured her. "Miss, may I see my son?"
She hesitated, "According to our rules… what am I talking about?.. Follow me.
"Can you please tell me where we have ended up?"
"Incedios."
"I've heard something…"
"Yes, our planet has been in the news lately. Right here, Mr. Ovald. Go inside."
Arthur was sitting on the edge of the replicator. He had already put on the provided pants and was preparing to do the same with the t-shirt. Based on his sluggish movements, the doctor had ended up doing his job here.
Was he merely playing, or had he really panicked?
"That old bastard Curtis wasn't lying in his commercials!" Kay shouted. "Arthur, we're alive!"
Arthur Curtis raised his eyes. He didn't get younger, at least younger enough to be noticeable. But the similarity in appearance to the boy who had killed Kay on Kailis dissipated slightly.
"Father," he spoke, his voice breaking.
"My boy…" Kay picked Arthur up.
Unexpectedly, Curtis Jr. chose that moment to begin to cry.
Even standing with a kid in his arms and wish half-closed eyes, Kay continued to monitor his surroundings. There were about seven people in the room, probably the entire shift personnel. Two women in white jumpsuits – replicator operators, two men in dark green scrubs – doctors. A young being of indeterminate sex, tanned and golden-haired, probably a girl. Two very tough-looking men – guards.
aTan employees had come for moral satisfaction.
Yes, from their viewpoint, it had to look very touching. A smug provincial merchant and his teenage son. They had just barely signed the immortality contract and then ended up being killed in an accident.
Hip-hip hooray!
Who slandered aTan? Ordinary people, the backbone of the Empire, rose from the ashes to a new life! Only the most dangerous criminals were unable to use aTan. Work for immortality, work for yourself, work for Curtis van Curtis!
Only three galactic races had access to aTan. And only humans hadn't placed any restrictions on immortality. Pay and live…
Suddenly, for a brief elusive moment, Kay Altos saw himself through the eyes of the aTan people. He saw a man who had gotten lucky. He saw a stodgy merchant who had softened upon seeing his resurrected son.
At that moment, Kay was happy for himself.
The young being walked up to them and said in a velvety voice, "I am the company's thanatologist. Please allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your first aTan and give you a few recommendations."
Kay nodded. Arthur continued to hang off him, his hands gripping him.
"You have a right to a full day of recreational activities. I recommend that you make use of our services. Remember, within the walls of a company facility, you possess a temporary aTan. Rest up and think about the possibility of renewing your immortality."
Kay nodded obediently.
"The shop and the bar are at your service. Do you have aTan credit?"
"Yes, my card… But it's still there!"
"Don't worry, we'll give you a new one."
The young being lowered its voice, "We are prepared to offer you any service that might help you overcome your stress."
Kay indicated Arthur with his eyes. The thanatologist of indeterminate sex nodded in understanding.
"Do we have your permission to put information about you into our newspapers? An incredible case…"
"Dad, we shouldn't, Mom will worry!" Arthur said, his speech slurred.
"You're right, we shouldn't." Kay expressed lively alarm.
"As you wish." The thanatologist was amiability itself. "If you want to talk to someone, tell about what happened, take a load off your chest, then I am at your service."
"Yeah… This damned interphaser. It's got this focusing field, which prevents delta-space from appearing within the ship. Maybe because it's too old, or it was a glitch in the program, but the field started to jump…"
The thanatologist's face waned.