Chapter 14 - Mind Transfer
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
Abraham Lincoln 16th president of US (1809 - 1865)
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Jason awoke in the middle of the sleep cycle hearing his father cry out in his sleep. "Daddy, Daddy are you having a bad dream? Wake-up, Daddy."
Kal-El was startled awake by Jason's voice, "ahh uh sorry, I'm sorry Jason. Yes, I sometimes have bad dreams too. Thank you for waking me."
"Daddy, when are we going home? I really miss Mommy and Kala. It's hard to be brave when I miss them so much."
"I know Jason. I miss them too, but I'm afraid it is going to be a while longer before we can go home. We're going to a different place right now, Mer Kaper and Srnken's home. Then we may be there for a few days before heading back to Earth."
"Why can't we just go back without them? I wanta go home now." Jason was trying to keep his chin from quivering and the tears from spilling from his eyes but it was turning into a losing battle.
"I want to go home now too, but it is not in my control. We just have to make the best of what's happening Jason. It may get worse before it gets better. They may even separate us soon. If that happens Mer Kaper and Srnken have promised me they'll take care of you."
"Daddy, I don't want to be sep-rated…" the tears were now falling freely down his cheeks, he had completely lost control of his quivering chin.
"I don't want it either but I may not be able to stop it from happening. Even if we are separated and you don't see me for awhile, nothing will stop me from trying to get us home. So remember, it's alright to be scared but don't let the fear take over your senses. You need to be as brave as you can and do what Mer Kaper and Srnken tell you. Don't trust anyone else though." He hated being so honest with Jason but felt it better to start preparing him in case the worse happened.
"Ok Daddy, I'll try my bestest."
The next day was spent much as the day before with Kal-El and Srnken again plotting and going over details of what to do or expect in the coming days. That night Kal-El again spoke with Jason about being brave and trusting only Mer Kaper and Srnken.
The next morning they were only one day from Trpria. Just after Mer Kaper and Srnken arrived as the child Der Malen, Der Motin appeared. "Lord Arnken is demanding your presence immediately Lord Kal-El. Please come with me." Two Trprian guards were waiting outside near the still open doorway.
Kal-El looked to Mer Kaper and Der Malen wanting to gage their reaction. From the shocked look on their faces they were unmistakably upset with the manner of the sudden request. It had been anticipated that Lord Arnken would request to see Kal-El but this was evidently not as they had expected. Kal-El turned from them to Jason seated at the table and spoke calmly and quietly to him. "Remember what I told you."
Jason went white as the color drained from his small face, tears starting to fall. "I'll try Daddy."
As Der Motin moved close to Kal-El taking his arm as if to escort him out of the room he whispered so the guards couldn't hear. "Lord Arnken is on a rampage. I tried to calm him but he is determined to do the transfer today."
Kal-El jerked his head to look directly at Der Motin as his mouth dropped open at the realization of what was about to happen. He couldn't help but wonder if this had been his plan all along. Mer Kaper had her hand over her mouth and tears were forming in her eyes as she held onto Srnken's hand who still appeared to be the child Der Malen.
As Der Motin pulled on his arm Kal-El looked into their eyes finding them still trust worthy. "Take care of my son. Remember you promised to get him back to his mother if I don't return."
No one said a word as they walked from Kal-El's suite to Lord Arnken's chambers near the tip of the ship. Kal-El was attempting to summon what resources he had available. He was going over in his head how he could evade the coming event or survive if it was inevitable.
They entered the chambers to find Lord Arnken in a large wheel chair like carriage breathing with some difficulty. He had taken a turn for the worse and had been advised there was no time to waste in performing the transfer.
My Lord Arnken, Lord Kal-El has not healed properly. Evidently the sun lamps did not perform as we had expected and in his current condition he might not survive the 'training'. He needs to regain his strength by being exposed to true sunlight as we near Trpria. Can you not wait one more day to allow this? Surely you want a strong healthy vessel."
Taking a cue, Kal-El backed away, "Vessel, what do you mean vessel, Am I not to become Lord in my own right?" The guards grabbed hold of his arms bringing him back into place as he struggled to be free of them.
Ignoring Kal-El, Lord Arnken answered Der Motin. "That is indeed unfortunate, I would have preferred the vessel healthy but alas, my doctors say I may not survive another 24 hours. The transfer must be completed as soon as possible. We can always heal the body afterwards."
Intensifying his struggles, Kal-El protested, "Wait, I don't like the sound of this. You're talking like I am nothing but a body to inhabit. That is not what I was told!"
"Lord Arnken replied matter of fact, "It is unfortunate, you are such a specimen. It would be interesting to have you join us, but it is not likely to be the case. Even a mind and soul such as yours could not expect to join with ours. Guards take him to the training chamber. I will be there once he is prepared."
Kal-El took one final look at Der Motin before he was dragged away. Der Motin's eyes expressed real pain and sorrow.
Kal-El was back in the room where he had first awakened on the ship. He realized he was strapped to the same table where they had performed the memory transfer that same day. He began going over in his head all that Srnken had said about what to expect in the process and what he had done to survive. He was finding it very difficult to stay calm but realized it was imperative if he wanted any chance of winning the fight that was about to come. He started by consciously controlling his breathing.
Der Motin entered the room and bent down speaking softly. "Jason is safe, he won't be found. Is there anything I can do to help you through this process?"
Kal-El swallowed hard, "No, I'm on my own now." He closed his eyes and went back to concentrating on controlling his breathing. Der Motin moved back as an unseen man placed monitors on Kal-El's neck and chest around the bandages covering his still visible burns. Then the same man placed a helmet over his head.
Kal-El retreated into the darkness, he heard what was happening around him but he was removed from it, distancing himself, isolating his being. He heard a door open and a table wheeled in then soon after there was a hot sensation in his mind as he felt he was not alone. Srnken was right, he too would have described the feeling as very like a searing snake winding around his mind as he felt an unwelcome threatening presence. He retreated farther inward closing his mind off to a point where he was out of reach of whatever was happening around him. It was as if time had stopped or moved on without him, it didn't matter. He felt warm and safe content to remain there uncaring, unaware and unreachable.
Lord Arnken's second in command Der Lroden paced the floor waiting the results of the transfer. As it finished the Doctor, Der Preden came out and gave a report. "Lord Arnken has ascended to Lord Kal-El. Lord Kal-El appears to be doing well he is resting comfortably and should awaken shortly."
"What! You told me neither would survive. What if Lord Kal-El discoverers we purposefully weakened Lord Arnken forcing the early transfer. You imbecile, what went wrong?"
"It appears we misjudged Lord Kal-El, he did not fight the transfer as expected. Perhaps he was too weak and just gave up. Had he fought they both would surely have died. We must accept the new Lord and hope he does not discover our duplicity."
Unknown to Der Lroden and Der Preden, Der Motin was nearby listening to their every word determined to make sure Lord Kal-El did learn of their plot. He was going to make sure that they would pay for bringing about the early transfer that had circumvented his own benevolent plot.
A short time later as Lord Kal-El became fully conscious Der Motin entered bowing. Hoping against hope to find some part at least of his friend, he spoke. "I am at you continued service Lord Kal-El. What is your wish?"
"I wish to not be in such pain. How did he manage to move about with these wounds? The pain is intolerable. Arrange to have me moved back to my chambers. I also wish to be notified as soon as we are within range of Sirius. You did say it would heal this vessel did you not?"
Sighing deeply feeling his friend was indeed lost, "Yes, my Lord. As soon as we are within range you will be made aware. Something has come to my attention. I overheard Der Lroden and Der Preden after the transfer. They had not expected you to survive. I believe from what I heard that perhaps they did something to bring about the necessity for the early transfer. He bowed again. Lord Kal-El, I am forever at your service and as such I thought you should know your Doctor and second in command were plotting against you."
"They will be taken care of. Your continued service is to be rewarded Der Motin. Now leave me but send in my guards."
"Yes my Lord."
Hearing nothing of his friend in Lord Kal-El he left the room sending in the guards as he waited momentarily before going on his way. He overhead Lord Kal-El ask if the child had been found yet. The guard's response was that it was as if he had vanished from the ship but the search would continue.
Der Motin smiled inwardly, at least there is that, the child is safe.
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The next morning as the ship approached Trpria and Sirius came into range Der Motin went to Lord Kal-El and woke him. "Lord Kal-El as you requested, we are now in range of Sirius. The shielding has been reduced and should be of your liking."
Lord Kal-El rose from the bed as if in great pain and moved to the viewing alcove. Feeling the warmth on his face he smiled. "Yes this is good. I am starting to feel the pain leave me already." He closed his eyes as he raised his arms drinking in the warm feeling as if a man dying of thirst.
Der Motin watched for any sign of change, was his friend still there waiting to surface? Lord Kal-El opened his eyes as he looked towards the controls, "Remove the shielding entirely, I want more power, I want it all, no restraints."
"But Lord Kal-El, it could be too much, it is unknown…"
"I said, have the shielding removed, NOW! Do not make me ask again."
"Yes my Lord." He opened the control panel and dropped the shielding on the window in it's entirety as he continued to watch well away from the now blinding light.
Lord Kal-El once again closed his eyes and rolled his head back as if in sheer ecstasy. "I have never felt anything so miraculous. I feel I could conquer the universe single handedly."
Finally he had enough and turned from the window. Der Motin quickly reapplied the shielding. As the window went dim he realized Lord Kal-El was himself glowing. When he opened his eyes they appeared as glowing white fires.
Der Motin inhaled sharply in fear. But Lord Kal-El just stood in place for several minutes as if contemplating. "I wish to begin with Earth. Turn the ship around. It is time to finish the job we started."
"But Lord Kal-El, we need to …."
"Did you not hear Lord Kal-El? I said turn the ship around, NOW! We return to Earth!"
"Yes my Lord" Der Motin said backing out of the room bowing now fearing the worse.
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Author notes:
Aaaaaacccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
And you thought the android was BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You like angst well you got it! Hee hee hee hee hee (evil laugh)
Help me I think I may have gone to the dark side.
I told you this was going to be a fast wild ride...we are now in freefall. Hold on folks. More curves are a coming!
Hope you don't lose your lunch! Hee hee
Next Chapter - Lord Kal-El Coming soon