Blue-eyed Miracle - 9. Echoes

Day 30

The place is damp and dark.

I’m walking through an aisle but I can barely see a thing. Humidity levels seem off scale and I feel my clothes stick to my body from the perspiration. There’s a faint sound in the air, like that of whispers overlapping. Far in the distance I can see light, so I walk in that direction.

As I approach the brightness, the murmurs in the environment seem to become louder, but I can’t make out what they’re saying. The light hurts my eyes as I cross the threshold and it takes my eyes some seconds to adjust.

I’m in a lab. Before me, there’s all sort of medical equipment. The room looks ancient, as if it had been built ages ago. Most of the equipment looks rusty. The chorus of whispers becomes clearer to my ears now and it’s like a thousand voices calling for me.

I turn around. There’s a tank before me. It looks like a coffin standing upright and resting over a metal long base. Inside, there’s a humanoid creature whose features I cannot make out floating in a sort of blue colloidal liquid. There’s a series of cables attached to different parts of his body, wrists, ankles, and navel. The thickest and largest of the cables seems to be attached to his nape.

I come close to the tank. The murmurs become louder as I approach it. It’s a slender male creature—naked, no sign of body hair anywhere. His skin is pale with a slightly gray quality to it, though it might well be the fluid in which he floats.

‘Help me!’ the voices echo inside my head with such intensity it starts to ache.

I place my hands over the tank’s crystal wall and I feel a sort of shock as an image of The Messiah flashes before my eyes. The creature opens his eyes abruptly.

They are eyes of the brightest blue. I’ve only seen them one place before.

“Robbi!” he shouts in my head.

I wake up soaked in my own sweat. My heart is beating fast and I feel my pulse in my temples. I have to find answers to my questions or I will certainly lose my mind.

I turn over trying to sleep again, but I already know it’s going to be a very long night. I suddenly feel Chris’ arm wrap around my waist.

“Are you alright, Robbi?”

“Am I dreaming?” I ask him.

“You know you are, sillyhead,” he says and giggles.

I turn around so we’re facing each other.

“What secrets are you hiding, baby boy?” I ask him as I smile.

“You love me, don’t you, Robbi?”

“You know I do.”

“Then be patient,” he says and then kisses me.

I close my eyes and hold him close to me as we kiss. It’s good to feel the warmth of his body against mine and the sweet flavor of his lips.

When I open my eyes, he’s gone, but an echo of his voice lingers in my head saying ‘Then be patient’.

***************

I’m just finishing lunch in one of the small tables of the mess hall, when Jay approaches me.

“Hey Sergeant!” he says and smiles.

“Jay!” I say wiping my mouth with the napkin, “What’s up?”

“I got some news for you, would you drop by the engine room as soon as you have some free time?”

“Jay, it’s not like I have a thousand things to do just now, so, if you have the time, we could talk now.”

“Okido. Follow me then.”

We walk towards the engine room mostly in silence. Jay seems to be in a rush and I’m eager to hear what he has to say. It doesn’t take more than five minutes for us to reach the place and, just as we come in, he walks towards the computer we found on The Messiah.

He pulls a stool out of nowhere.

“Please, have a seat,” he says and I comply.

“Is it good news?” I ask nervously.

“Not really,” he says, “See I’ve been trying to work on decrypting the information. However, I have tried several programs which vary cryptographic algorithms.”

“And …?”

“It took me some time to recognize the fact that this is not a normal encryption code.”

“How so?”

“Regular encryption codes are usually worked manually through encryption software, so anyone with the necessary skill can break the code through a series of procedures which involve the tryout of cryptographic variables.”

“And this code?”

“It seems to me it was hardware encrypted.”

“I don’t understand,” I confess.

“The level of sophistication of the technology involved in here exceeds my area of expertise. I believe a hardware key was used to encrypt all messages in this computer unit.”

“I don’t think I’m following you.”

“I’m sorry,” he says, “I sometimes forget not everyone is an engineer.

I have a couple of encryption hardware keys but neither of them is compatible with this computer’s ports.”

“How many ports does it have?”

“Only these two,” he says pointing behind the space where the item slides back.

One of the ports has a very familiar shape. I take the necklace from which Chris’ key hangs and give it to Jay.

“Might this be it?”

“Oh shit! Yes, maybe.”

Jay takes the object in his hand and inserts it in one of the ports. He tries to open one of the files and a message appears.

Accessing decryption code …

“This might take some minutes,” he says.

I nod and patiently wait. A new message appears.

Decryption code verified. Loading message.

“I think this is ready for you, Sergeant,” Jay says smiling.

“Thank you, Jay. I’ll take it to my quarters if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all, Sergeant.”

I take the item and go back to my quarters. I can hardly wait.

***************

I sit in front of the computer and start on the first file, the one that Jay has already opened for me.

Personal Log. 06.17.328

It would be an unfortunate happenstance if my husband were to find out about my affiliation with the Phinarae. He’s not meant to know.

I know he’d be debating himself on whether to tell on me. I couldn’t blame him if it happened. After all, he loves me truly, but he’s also a rather devoted police officer for The Core.

If only I could tell him the truth. When I was assigned I did not believe I would fall in love. But I did.

For now, the matter at hand is one of Paramount importance. I have to protect the true nature of my son. I have to act rather quickly.

I can’t risk Chris. I have to protect him, both as a mother and as a Confederated officer.

End of log.

I close the file and tap on the new one. The message on the encryption code appears again. A couple of minutes later the new file opens.

Personal Log. 06.18.328

Finding a droid artisan was not an easy task, especially because I have to hide my plan from both The Core and my people.

The man in question said he’d have the droid ready by the end of the week. In the meantime, I have told my husband I’ll be taking Chris on a vacation. Chris has always wanted to see the Cetian Aquatic Amusement Park in Isten Baba. Summer is a great opportunity, and only a month from now, I’ve told him.

Once I have the droid, I will have to make him interact with my son. He has to be a convincing decoy.

My handler seems rather disquieted by the fact that I’ll be going on vacation. I have the feeling he suspects something.

Time is of the essence.

End of log.

The door chime sounds as I’m finishing the second log file. I stand from my place and open the door. Jay is there standing.

“Yes, Jay?”

“Hi, Sergeant. Just letting you know we’re going back to The Messiah in about thirty minutes. Captain Bristow wanted to know whether you’ll be joining us.”

“I’m … I don’t think so, Jay,” I tell him honestly, “I’m going over the files on the briefcase right now ….”

“Oh! Okay! I’ll let the Captain know then. Thanks!”

He turns around and walks towards the door. When he’s by the door frame he turns to face me.

“Might be a good idea to take your time, Sergeant. You never know whether you’ll find what you want to find.”

He walks out of the room and I’m left there ruminating over what he’s said. What if he’s right? What if I don’t find what I want to find? What if what I find is a horrible truth?

I’m in no condition to deal with disappointment. But I tell myself I’m not losing my mind, not after having found Hermes. The letter is also proof that I’m not crazy. Those should be enough.

I go back to the computer and tap on a new file. The file opens a couple of minutes after the decryption process.

Personal Log. 07.26.328

Tsuni has sent an encrypted message. My people know about Chris.

It was a matter of time before my handler found out the truth about me and my son. The Messiah, the cruiser where I took off, has been inflitrated by a Phinaran agent.

Since I knew about him, I knew this was over. Being an Itsemur, a member of the Phinaran kamikaze agent circle, he’ll be willing to give up his own life if need be.

I will try my best to neutralize him. It’s good that most passengers have now left.

I’m glad I got Hermes, since it’s a fact my handler has sent an Itsemur to neutralize Chris.

I don’t know how much they actually know.

End of log.

****************

Personal Log. 07.24.328

We’ve crash landed on this lost unidentified world.

I’ve called Tsuni and placed Protocol A3 in effect. My son has to be protected.

I have neutralized the Itsemur, but not a moment too soon. Upon neutralizing him, I found out he’s released a viral agent on board. Nothing to be done, we’re all going to die.

Tsuni has made sure Chris’ homing beacon is unlinked from Hermes. We can’t risk detection.

I’m given Hermes my personal files and the decryption key.

I wish there were more I could do for my son, but I can’t. All my hopes are placed on Tsuni and Hermes.

God help us all.

End of log.

****************

Personal Log. 07.31.328

This virus is a fast murderer, but fortunately painless. One good trait of the Phinaran: never cause unnecessary pain.

Tsuni has sent images of Chris in protective custody. It’s not what I had in mind, but it’s better than ceased and murdered for dissection.

He will be leaving the Phinaran Homeworld with Chris, but he hasn’t disclosed his destination. It’s not safe.

Once they are, he’ll link Chris’ homing beacon again.

I’m at peace with myself.

End of log.

****************

Day 31

The last log entry didn’t tell me anything at all regarding Chris’s whereabouts, and my only possibility of knowing his last location lies within the inert body of Hermes. I wonder why he wouldn’t have told me about the homing beacon, knowing how desperate I am for finding Chris.

I talked to Captain Bristow this morning about the new piece of information regarding Hermes and the android was moved to The Persephone this noon. Jay has been working in trying to find the homing beacon so we can pinpoint Chris’ last known location.

He said it is very possible that Hermes did not know he shared a linked homing beacon with Chris, and that could be the reason he failed to tell me. He said he’ll be working on possible ways to get the information.

Captain Bristow has informed me we’ll be taking off the planet as soon as dusk falls.

As of now, it seems there isn’t much I can do but wait.

****************

It’s dinner time and I’ve decided to break my isolation. I’ve taken a shower and I’m now on my way to the mess hall. I think a little bit of interaction might be beneficial.

I have barely left my room when I run into Jay.

“Hey, Sergeant! Up for dinner?”

“Yeah, I’m actually on my way to the mess hall.”

“Let’s walk together then.”

I nod and we carry on.

“So,” he says.

“So?” I ask.

“I’ve been wanting to ask you some questions, Sergeant, but I can’t help feeling like I’m intruding.”

“Be my guest.”

“This mission you’ve launched yourself into … this hasn’t been a cheap enterprise. I … um …”

“You want to know why?”

“Out of curiosity, I guess.”

“I’ve asked myself the same question over and over,” I tell him as we move an inter-deck ladder up.

“And?” he asks genuinely curious.

“I am deeply in love.”

He sighs and says nothing. We go one more inter-deck ladder up and reach deck 1. The door to the mess hall is right in front of us.

“Good evening, everyone,” I say and smile.

They all nod and smile.

“Would you care to join us, Sergeant?” Captain Bristow asks.

“Yes, Captain, thank you.”

“Then by all means,” Captain Bristow says.

As the meal progresses, I realize these people are just amazing. I can tell they’ve been together for a very long time and the general feel is that of family. I find the short time the meal takes comforting.

At 2100 hours I’m back in my quarters.

It’s been a long day and I honestly don’t feel like doing anything else but resting.

I take a hot shower and go on to bed.

***************

Day 32

It’s 0200 in the morning when my ICD wakes me up.

I tap the button.

“Yes?”

“Sergeant,” Jay says, “I’m sorry to have woken you, but there’s something you need to see just now.”

“Let me put on a shirt and pants,” I say, “I’ll join you in the engine room.”

“Good. Jay out.”

I walk out of my quarters and to the engine room. I imagine something relevant has come up for Jay to wake me up at this time of the morning.

When I enter the engine room, the first thing I see is Hermes sitting down in front of Jay’s console. And Jay’s fingers flying over the keyboard.

“Hermes?” I ask not believing my eyes.

“No, Robbi,” he says, “It’s me, Chris.”

I fail to react at the revelation.

“I needed to bring Hermes alive so you could pinpoint my location.”

“How …?”

“There’s no time, Robbi. Taking over Hermes’ body is a very extenuating process.”

“I’ve got the location!” Jay shouts.

I get to Chris just in time to hold Hermes’ body as it goes limp. The android is still dead.

“How did it happen?” I ask Jay.

“I was working on a way to activate the homing beacon when his eyes snapped open. I thought I had somehow brought him back to life. But when he started speaking … I noticed it wasn’t the android.”

“Is there an explanation to it?” I ask.

“There must be, but I’ve never heard of a living being taking over an artificial body.”

“Neither have I.”

“Sergeant,” he says, “There’s no human being who can do such a thing.”

“What are you saying?”

“Whatever Chris is, I don’t think he’s human. See this on the map?”

I look at what Jay points in his star chart.

“Yes.”

“That’s his location. That’s a three-day trip from our current position traversing two launch holes. Your man is three systems away and he managed to interface and take control of a Link-7 android.”

I don’t say anything. I don’t know what to say.

“Sergeant?”

“I … How soon can we move to Chris’ location?”

“I need to inform the Captain. But Sergeant?”

“Yes?”

“It’s a hot zone. Awfully close to Athruvian soil.”

“Okay.”

“I guess we better get some sleep, Sergeant. I think tomorrow’s gonna be a very long day.”

“I agree. Thanks, Jay.”

“Don’t mention it.”

I leave the engine room and walk back to my quarters. My mind goes back to what has just happened and I do agree with Jay, there’s no way a human being could achieve what we’ve just witnessed.

What if Chris is not human but something else? What if he’s been put away because of his own nature? His mother did talk about him as a top secret in her logs, as something that needed to be kept a secret. She mentioned that she needed to protect her son from her handler.

If he’s been able to interface with a droid, that would somehow explain his ability to reach out to me when I was in a coma, but then again, that’s not something a human could achieve.

I’m trying to sleep, but I can’t. There are so many questions in my head I see the minutes pass by in the electronic clock as I keep on trying to sleep. Finally I fall sleep. My mind does not want to think anymore.