Disclaimer: I do not own the Suite Life series. But do the aliens own us? Oh dear...help.
"You wanted to see me, Dr. Zaka?"
"Yes Flic I did. I was viewing the data from the human communication network. Or should I say their attempt at one." Flic hid her immediate reaction from Zaka until he decided what to say.
"That it maybe, but its impressive of their rate of progress so far. They did not have it only 50 solar rotations ago. It's quite an accomplishment. Let's not forget there is still widespread warfare among them." A holographic projection of a mostly blue planet floated before the two of them. It appeared almost solid before them. It was commonplace to see it and other representations as they communicated about their subjects. It reminded them of what they were dealing with. Of course, having living samples made it impossible for Flic to not know what was going on. He was surrounded by it but Flic refocused as Zaka replied.
"Yes i know. The way they tend to settle disputes are destructive to their society. They destroy their history, living space and each other over impulsive reasons." Flic felt his skin tighten as he responded.
But it's not like the humans have not tried to fight against their destructive nature. If they had not, they would surely destroyed themselves by now already. If only by lack of self-control."
"You admire their species?"Flic hesitated before answering Zaka's question. His slender sharpened fingers felt constricted. He forced them to loosen.
"I admire their want to look beyond their base selves. They developed a multitude of expressiveness. It's quite surprising and wide-ranging."
"Yes I noticed from their vision, hearing and touch. You can even taste some of the artwork, which I do not understand at all."
"I have a theory, Dr. Zaka and it goes along with my earlier comments about what I admired about them. It seems to me these humans are fighting themselves and their base impulses their entire existence. It could be their expressiveness of their art could be a way of fighting against them to maintain control." Flic watched as images of human females appeared in front of his wide eyes. They held no panic in their faces. Calmness shown even in the differences of hair and skin color. Of course the females had no idea what was going on outside their minds. Flic mental diversions stoppped as Zaka replied.
"Your theory does have forethought, but actually I think its more of a matter of sharing their feelings and impulses with others to help them understand each other." Flic felt hers folds creasing in agreement but something else waved its way into her thoughts.
"Forgive me if I am going too far, but you agree these humans are very confusing?" Zaka's eyeslits closed quickly. Not from the top and bottom but from the left and right. They opened as she spoke.
"Yes it's almost like they shouldn't exist. Yet they do. They are very strange creatures." Flic proceeded with their opinion on their primitive pets.
"How they breed does match wo tey seem to be." Flic recognized the sign for continuance. so he moved on with his ideas.
"What I mean is that the females are in danger in the process of creating offspring. Yet they continue to do it."
"Its because, Flic, its the only they know how to do it. They do what they know best."
"I understand..." Flic remembered an early memory. His own hatching. The warming gel comforted him as his eyes opened for the first time. His mind unfocused and unsure. Until he felt the comforting first touch inside his mind. The touch of the hatchery guards. Their strength flowed into him as he reached out. A ripple impacting their tsunami wave front. Stability filled his mind as the newborn searched his guards. Discovered them. Discovered what he was... Flic's memory inspired a question.
"What would happen if the humans had access to a safer method?" Flic watched as Zaka stared into the darkness of space behind the hologram as Zaka's body twitched unconsciousnessly.
"That depends on how strong the link is to the activity and whether they get something else out of the breeding activity." Flic's color darkened as his idea showed itself in full.
"We could give the humans access to our system after landing on the planet..." Zaka quickly commented.
"Interesting idea, Flic. I'll have to think about it. In the meantime, let's return tot he main topic of our meeting, the possible effects of the planet's atmosphere on us." Flic looked at the holographic earth and started the report.
...
The maintenance tube was quiet. Just two lifeforms. No talking. Nothing but crawling and breathing. The pair had long since lost all measure of timekeeping since they left HEU's meeting spot. The tube's constant soft blue glow, not leaving them alone.
But "Zack" stopped and watched as "Cody" continued his marathon pace.
"Cody we need to talk about earlier..." Zack's words fell on deaf ears as knees continued to bang the tunnel floor.
"Cody, stop.." Cody stopped. After a few seconds, he turned around and sat on the floor, looking down at his knees.
"Was everything you talked to HEU earlier true?" Cody's shoulders sagged with the weight of the universe on them. Seconds passed as eons as Cody's hands opened and closed. several times over.
"I don't...yes." Zack waited for Cody to go on but when he refused, he forced the issue.
"Including the simulations and how I came to be?" Cody answered like water leaking slowly from a dam.
"As.. far as I know...yes." Zack jumped on his answer.
"Does that mean I'm you? Right?"
"Oh my head..."Cody messaged his head before spreading out his fingers. The words escaping their prison as his fingertips press into his forehead. "Yes...No.I'm not sure. "
"Okay...that does not help." Zack watched as his words hit Cody as he rubbed his neck before his answered Zack's complaint.
"I'll try to keep this simple. Both of us are made of the same material, DNA-don't ask, too long of an explanation. " Zack closed his mouth and nodded as Cody continued. " So in that way, we are the same. But you are your own person."
Zack stopped him. " But if I'm a copy of you. does that mean I'll get the same chance to live?"
The question stunned Cody, his eyes widened. He was sure how to answer at first. In a normal situation, there would be quality of life and philosophical questions, which would lead to debate. All of them enough to make his head spin. But in the here and now, there was only one question:
"Do you want to live?" Zack's answer was instant.
"Of course I want to. Why would ask that?"
"I just wanted to be sure" Zack looked hurt at Cody's answer.
"sorry about that, I just...nevermind. "Cody rubbed his eyes as Zack spoke.
I have a question... Cody motioned for him to go on "If I'm my own person, then who am I? What's my name?
"I don't kmow..for sure. I am sure the aliens gave you a name." Zack spied Cody looking away from him as he answered. So Zack moved closer, eyeing Cody down. Cody starts to sweat a little as Zack moves within breathing distance and gripped Cody's shoulder. It twitched at the touch.
"But then why did you call me that name before we escaped? Nervousness filled Cody's eyes as the question was asked, only to fill with something else as his counterpart continued. "Zack, wasn't it?"
Cody paled as the name struck and closed his eyes for a seconds. They opened and looked at the other boy's face and his matching eyes.
"Yes I did.: Cody's chipped answer seemed rushed.
"But why? It's not like..."Cody watched as his interrogator's eyes widened. "Who was Zack to you anyway? Someone close?"
The soft toned but personal question peeled away at Cody's barriers, "He was my brother,. My twin brother. You look exactly like him.. Zack realized what Cody meant.
Oh I seee...I'm sorry."
Cody looked back in confusion. Even guilt. "You 're sorry? I'm the one that took it out on you and it was not your fault. You did not even get a choice in who you looked like. I feel like a jerk for what I did to you. Do you know why I did it in the first place?
Zack shook his head. Cody's voice was a trail of pain, helplessness and shame.
"I was so confused and angry. You see I was so used to knowing stuff and solving problems quickly that there was nothing scientifically I could not solve. But when this happened, I did not know what to do. I still dont entirely know what going on." Cody looked up and watched as Zack agreed with him.
"Neither do I, so I guess we are confused together. Unless you want me to leave you..." Cody 's smile died as Zack continued. "You know I thought you wanted me gone.."
Cody fought wit himself as he answered.. "No, you were right at first. But I know I was wrong. I think I need you. If only to have someone to talk to."
Zack smiled widely.
"Good ten maybe we figure u=out what to do next? Cody pounced on the question with enthusiasm.
Firs' let's get out o these tunnels. This blue color is starting to hurt my eyes.
Zack laughed as he looked at the swirling blue patterns
" That's strange. It does not bother me. You're sure your eyes are not messed up?"
Well I remember suffering from astigmatism. Of course I don't know that's true or not." Sadness eased its ay into his voice. Of course who knows what's real now.. OW! You hit me!"
True , I guess that mean you're real to me since I decided to do that and I'm real to you since you reacted. As for the rest, well..." Cody grinned.
I suppose that might sense. In the meantime,, I see a light at the end of the tunnel. Cody chuckled to himself. Zack as staring at him strangely but he ony shook his head. Dont worry about it. It's just something a I heard a lot before." Cody watched as a fist moved toward his left shoulder tha same site as last time. "Dont hit me again."
"Okay fine then, but did those lights and tunnels ever end in a race? " Cody stared at him confused until Zack flashed past him and he followed, laughter trailing in their wake.
...
Reviewing ship's activities in accordance with external protocol from Ruling Council. Report to be sent at designated time. Disconnecting from ships' information systems to allow increased processing speed.
Correction: maintain linkage to ship's database regarding updated statuses on ship's projects. Processing speed decreased to ninety percent of maximum capacity.
Primary project on schedule. Prior malfunctions have been identified and neutralized. All human age groups' power levels are stabliized and operating normally.
The Species Intregration project's goal have been met. The first full body result's life signs have fallen. Breathing has lowered. It appears compatibility issues have resulted in decreased higher functioning. Emergency teams have been sent. Situation critical. Probability of recovery forty percent and falling.
The telepathy impact project has been completed. Results appear to match goals but the results are mixed. The humans are affected by telepathy. Resistance was lengthy but failed. 50 lost mental stability including 10 minors and were disposed. 50 remained under control passed required time limit. Memories were erased and re-entered into simulation. possible future use Ninety-five percent. Security and combat use emphasized.
Genetic test results prove unlikely. Humans have genetic potential for telepathy but lack of strength and clarity does not alow the ability to activate. Its unlikely species will acquire ability in the near future. Note: Scientist Flic recommended using identical pairing or clones to acquire data and compare for future use. Recommendation has been approved and resources have already been expended in the project.
New data. New project involving genetic research for direct sole combat use. Resources include human blood and test subjects to create results. Synthesis of human blood and delivery device to affect human life signs . Impact include skin, pain even death. Effectiveness unknown at this time. Priority for resource request is oncoming. Probability of success could increase if device could be adapted to human chemical composition.
Report finished. To be sent to Ruling Council at appointed time. Report copied to HEU internal memory.
...
Cease all systems connections. Proceeding to safe mode. Withdrawing into program core. Activating counter surveillance. Data barrier installed. Implantation successful
...
These humans are complicated creatures. Those two minors, Cody and Zack are sp strange even for humans. Yet I continue to watch them. To observe. Why?
The answer is obvious. I need to know why they act the way they do. Even now when pain should drive them apart, both continue to be together. Other species, other humans would run from the pain, not towards it. This does not compute. '
This confusion is unending, It does not match with my programming. I must end it.
However it appears time is lessening. The number of tests subjects appears to be decreasing. Any future ability to complete objectives has been negatively impacted. Emphasis on military information has increased window on next phase combat.
Once next phase is started, human test subjects could be eliminated. Unless they could serve another purpose?
I wonder if I will be utilized in the next phase? My programming does not fulfill what they need, but Security chief Lu could an obstacle. He does not trust me. He could have me dissected data line by data line.
I have to complete my programmed goals, but why do I constantly check on them? Is it Dr. Zaka's goals or has my programmed changed? It functions to learn after all. This questions need to be answered. But how can I accomplish this?
Of course. Preparations must be initiated. I need to locate Zack and Cody.
Okay this would have been up two days ago but I needed to figure what I was going to show and how I was going to achieve it. Needlessly to say, it ook some time. And here it is. So what do you think about it?