Chapter Nine: Obsessions
The lights on the board blinked rapidly as data streamed into the system. Several screens opened, displaying the information. At the top of the main screen was the word: Model-1. Suddenly, the computer's toneless voice filled the room.
ANIMATION PROCESS PROGRESSING WITHIN NORMAL PARAMETERS.
Slowly and cautiously, awareness began to shape the world. Threads of consciousness laced through a void, weaving what would become the fabric of the soul. This was the mapping of the human spirit. This was Creation, the power of God in the hands of mere mortals.
Suspended in fluid in the center of the glass womb was a Realian. The first of its kind. The result of a lifetime of research into the mysteries of the universe... research that was the obsession of one man. Joachim Mizrahi. Brilliant scientist. Visionary. A leader in his field and a well-respected doctor. He was a saviour to some. To others, a madman. Another Frankenstein trying to reach beyond the limitations of humanity. Trying to touch the divine without ascending to heaven.
As the doctor monitored the Realian's life signs from across the room, a boy of twelve stood before the chamber, transfixed by the expression on the Realian's face. It was his first time witnessing the animation process used to breathe life into an otherwise empty shell. He was struck by how real the Realian appeared. She seemed like a real human child, not something synthesized from organic materials.
A shiver of anticipation ran down his spine as he watched her sleeping face. She looked so peaceful. So tiny and fragile. He grew excited thinking about the moment when she would finally open her eyes. What would he say to her, he wondered. What would his first words be to a pure and innocent being? He amused himself by thinking that she was an angel they accidentally lured away from another realm and was now bound by the flesh to their world.
A voice disturbed him from his daydream. He turned around to see his mentor flash him an annoyed look and ducked his head in embarrassment. He hadn't mean to get distracted from his work.
You're my assistant, aren't you? asked the doctor gruffly.
The boy jumped slightly and nodded.
Well, then, get over to the computer and assist me!
Yes, sir! he replied, scurrying to his computer station.
Begin integrating the Y-data, the doctor ordered.
Yes, sir. Beginning integration of Y-data now. Estimated time till completion: 23 hours, 12 minutes and 15 seconds.
Good. Keep monitoring. I want to be notified about even the slightest fluctuation in her vital signs. This is the most advanced Realian I've ever created. Although she may be able to handle physical stress better than you or I, her psyche is as fragile as glass. One slip and her mind will shatter. There is no recovering from such a mistake. Results that are less than perfect are unacceptable. Do you understand?
Yes, doctor.
Mizrahi wandered from his station to the glass chamber in the center of the room and peered long and hard at the sleeping form. The boy watched him out of the corner of his eye, both intimidated and fascinated by the older man.
Have I done it? he heard the doctor ask in hushed tones. Have I found the key to unlocking the secrets of the universe?
Mizrahi stepped back and took in the full scale of what he was trying to accomplish. He was in a contemplative mood at the moment. The solemn expression on his face made him appear years older than he actually was, but there was a shrewd intelligence in his unwavering stare that did not dull.
In a heartbeat, the look in those eyes could turn from cool and composed to intense and feverish. Even his wife never truly felt comfortable in his presence. He was an idealistic man, full of optimism and a crushing conviction that what he was doing was for the good of humankind. Suddenly, he spoke, in a deep, resonant voice that he often used to inspire and sway non-believers to his cause.
The life in this world flows like stagnant waters, he began. The passage of time has weakened our spirits. We were once a proud and noble species, masters of God's living creatures and the keepers of paradise, but the genetic code which separated us from the animals has been diluted through the millennia. Now we are just like them, guided by the instinct to survive, to perpetuate the species... even when the womb of our species is barren and can no longer carry the seeds of our kind. We've been trying to extend the boundaries of our existence by creating artificial life forms in our image... but our efforts are the last, desperate acts of fools who know the end is near. We cannot endure without a new source of power to sustain us. The human civilization will come to an end unless we find the key.
Mizrahi paused and faced his assistant. There was a hard edge to his voice when he spoke again. It was the conviction of his actions that he was trying to convey to the boy who was still too young to understand mortality and the complex nature of the universe around him.
The answer lies in the soul, he stated in a tone which left no room for argument. I've spent my entire life trying to discern the composition of the soul. I've glimpsed only a fraction of real truth through the eyes of the unfettered mind, both human and Realian. The patients in the facility who come to me looking for a cure... if only they knew what a gift it was to see what they see.... Their eyes... are windows into a higher plane. They can see beyond the fabric of our existence because their minds aren't tied to our world. This unseen universe... this is where we will find the soul. Yes, it's real. The soul is living energy in it's purest form.
Mizrahi smiled, baring a row of white teeth like a wolf about to pounce on his prey.
Everyone else has failed to re-vitalize the human species. Do you know why?
The boy shook his head, a little afraid of the predatory look on his mentor's face.
It's because they're trying to rebuild the human form through physical means. Genetics is not the answer. This is why I will succeed where everyone has failed. How can you fortify the body when the spirit is weak? It's the spirit that drives the body. I am going to introduce this pure, living energy into the human species. This is what is going to sustain humankind in the future. Then, we will become a proud and noble race once again.
He took a step around the glass chamber and looked up into the child's face.
Will you lead us to into the future, my dear? Will you be the Eve of the new human race... the daughter of angels and men...
He touched the glass lightly before folding his hands behind his back and walking away with the rest of his thoughts unspoken. Before he disappeared out the door, the boy noticed a smile on the doctor's face. It was the first time he had ever seen Mizrahi genuinely happy, but he supposed the doctor had good reason to feel a little satisfied at the moment. After years of painstaking research, he was less than 24 hours away from being vindicated. Everyone who had laughed at him and called his theories crazy would have to admit they were wrong.
Despite the brilliance of Mizrahi's research, the boy felt uneasy about the end results of their experiment. Although he was only twelve, he was a genius in his own right. Yet, many of the things the doctor had said made little sense to him.
Perhaps, he was too young to understand and maybe his own ideas about the Realian were a little naive, but he could not see her as the saviour of humankind. He had no doubt that she was special... that she was alive and had a soul, but what Mizrahi intended for her seemed like a wild dream to him. One that could not possibly come true.
Making a face, the boy tried to push all worries out of his mind. He tilted his head and stared at the floating form in front of him.
Tomorrow you will wake up. What do I say to you? Hello? How are you? What will be the first thought you have when you open your eyes? I can't wait to meet you... Shion.
What is it! What's happened?
I don't know, the boy replied.
The doctor rushed over and pushed him aside.
I don't understand. She's not accepting the data. He pounded the control panel angrily. Why! Why is this happening? he growled.
said the boy, getting nervous. His eyes were glued to the second screen. She's minutes away from collapsing. Her entire system will shut down if we don't do something.
snapped Mizrahi. She rejected the data. Her system is dysfunctional. What good is she to me now?
But doctor--
Mizrahi moaned, slumping into a chair and running his hands through his hair. Why? The conditions were all perfect...
Doctor! She will die if we don't--
The boy bit his lip. His eyes nearly bulged from their sockets in anger. The computer's voice suddenly sounded overhead, interrupting their argument.
WARNING. SYSTEM CRASH IN 3 MINUTES AND 14 SECONDS. DAMAGE TO THE CEREBRAL CORTEX IS IRREVERSIBLE AFTER THIS POINT.
Without a second thought, the boy reached over and called up several screens.
What the hell do you think you're doing! Mizrahi yelled, rising out of the chair to loom over his assistant.
I'm saving her! shouted the boy, keying in commands to disengage the program from the Realian's system.
he hissed.
I don't care! cried the boy, clenching his fist on the control panel. I want to save her!
Mizrahi stared at his assistant in complete and utter bewilderment. It was not like the boy to go against his orders and throw out all reasoning. The logical step when an experiment failed was to abort and try again. Tears began forming in the corners of the boy's eyes as he stood defiantly in front of his mentor. His lip curled in disdain.
Fine. Do what you want, he answered, turning his back to the boy. But you will have to deal with the consequences alone.
Thank you, doctor!
He snorted and watched silently as the boy worked furiously to shut down each link that connected the Realian's mind to their computer system. Secretly, he didn't believe the boy could pull it off and hoped the failure would teach him a valuable lesson.
Tense seconds ticked by. The computer continued to countdown the minutes. The alarm continued to beep. He stood by, unmoved by the frantic struggles of his assistant.
Suddenly, the alarm stopped beeping. A silence filled the room. The doctor looked down at the boy, his expression revealing nothing. His assistant was bowed over the control panel, his small chest heaving and his eyes shut tight. Unshed tears still clung to his dark lashes.
Mizrahi looked at the main screen and snorted. The display was normal. All traces of red had been successfully removed.
Looks like you did it, he said, sighing heavily. he muttered before turning away and leaving the lab.
After hearing the doors close, the boy opened his eyes and lifted his head. The Realian was still floating in her glass cage as if nothing had happened. He let out a long sigh and fell back into a chair.
I'm glad, he said, resting his forehead on the desk top and closing his eyes. You're all right.
They had gone over the experiment with a fine tooth comb, but there were no explanations as to why she had refused the data they were downloading into her system. The Y-data was incomplete and there was no way to re-establish the connection and continue the download.
He sighed again as he checked Shion's vital signs. Everything seemed normal. Guilt gnawed at him. Maybe he should have listened to the doctor. Just when he was beginning to lose hope, he noticed her lips twitch. A smile spread across his face.
Hello. Hello, can you hear me?
Another twitch. Was it just a reaction of her nervous system, or could she really understand him?
I don't know what's going to happen, but I'll take care of you, Shion.
There was no further response.
He sighed and pressed a switch next to him, shutting the panel over the maintenance bed. He would return tomorrow and the day after tomorrow and the next day after that. The doctor was wrong to abandon her. She would wake up one day. He was sure of it.
Excuse me, said the man. I didn't see you there.
The man nodded and stepped past him, continuing on his way down the hall and around the corner. There was a peaceful expression on his face and his steps were light as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Ah, the doctor has been waiting for those.
He turned to face the woman in the doorway, handing his data tablet to her.
Who was that man?
You mean, Mr. Uzuki? His wife was just transferred to the facility.
He looked away in surprise. Another patient? That was the second transfer they had received that week.
What's wrong? You look a little down today.
It's nothing, Feb. I'm a little tired, is all.
How... is she?
No change.
Maybe tomorrow.
he answered, smiling and waving good bye. I'll be in the lab...
Please get some rest, called Febronia from the doorway.
He gave her a careless nod and went on his way. Mr. Uzuki was forgotten until he began to see the man almost every day at the facility. From Febronia, he discovered that Uzuki's wife was in the intermediate stages of an unknown neurological disease. The doctor had placed her in the highest level care unit with the other patients in her condition. Febronia seemed to have a soft spot for the gentleman, which prompted him to ask why she felt so much sympathy for Uzuki and not the others.
I feel sorry for him, because I can see in his eyes how much he loves his wife. He's here every day until visiting hours are over. The poor man... he will never give up until she is well again.
He remembered her words with a sad smile and hoped that Uzuki's wife would get well, but from what he had seen of Mizrahi's research, the likelihood of that happening was slim to none. The thought depressed him. Was he just like Uzuki? Was he waiting for Shion to wake up when there was very little hope?
Where's the doctor?
I'm heading there now, she replied.
I just got your message. Is it serious?
Febronia remained silent, brushing past him and leading the way.
She is his only child, was all the Realian had to say.
They rushed through the halls, turning the corner and continuing towards the elevators. The boy flashed the Realian a confused look.
This is the way to the lab, he said.
She nodded. He took her there... to keep her close...
When they finally reached the lab, they found Mizrahi standing over a bed that had been wheeled in. They approached the bed warily, careful not to disturb the doctor from his thoughts. Mizrahi had barely moved since they spotted him. They both knew his volatile nature and didn't wish to be caught in the path of his anger, so they remained silent.
As they drew closer, they could see a small figure lying on the bed. Looking past the doctor, they could see the girl's pale face. Her dark eyes seemed to soak up all the warmth in the room. They had seen that expression many times before, but the affect of seeing it now on her face shocked them into speechlessness.
Sakura Mizrahi. Would she end up like the other patients in the facility? Would she slowly lose herself to darkness and become nothing more than a shell? Suddenly, the doctor lifted his head and looked in their direction.
Bleary eyes full of resentment pinned them to the spot. Mizrahi hollered at them to leave him alone. They flinched and hesitated. Mizrahi shouted again. Febronia tugged at the boy's elbow, urging them to leave the lab. As they went, they could hear the doctor's wretched wails fill the room and fade away as the doors closed behind them.
What will you do, asked Febronia.
The boy crossed his arms in front of him and leaned against the wall.
This is not good, Feb. Not good at all. He's lost it. I have to find a way to get Shion out of here. I don't know what the doctor will do...
She nodded. I may have an idea...
You're finally awake. It's time... for you to join the real world. I think you know there's a place for you now. You were just waiting, weren't you? Until everything was ready. I promised I would take care of you, Shion... I found you a home. You'll have your own family to look after you now. I can't... I can't be with you all the time, but I'll still watch out for you...
He stood back and hung his head.
The Realian nodded at his side.
This is Febronia. She'll take you to your new home.
He watched the Realian step forward and brush the hair out of the girl's eyes. Once he was satisfied that she would be all right in Febronia's care, he turned to leave. At the door, he paused and looked over his shoulder.
Be happy, Shion.
One day, we will meet again.
someone shouted behind him. He turned around. The new lab assistant is waiting in your office. He nodded and passed the maintenance bed in the center of the room, pausing to touch the closed panel and say good morning as he always did each day. If any of his employees thought it strange, they said nothing.
She was sitting in front of his desk with her back to him when he entered. The sound of the doors brought her attention around. She turned her head and their eyes met. Clear and green. Just as he remembered. She stood and extended her hand.
Shion Uzuki, she said, smiling warmly. He took her hand and shook, marveling at how soft her skin felt.
I know who you are, he replied, feeling a smile tug at his lips. I know all about you, Shion.
She tilted her head in confusion. His smile widened.
I was the one who recommended you for this project.
she said, a little surprised.
Welcome to Vector. My name is Kevin...
A/N:
next chapter: Shion finally remembers everything, but what does that mean for the people around her?