Kharon Chapter 37
Luke sits stewing in his room when a knock is heard at the door. He gets up and opens it and sneers, “You have some fucking gaul.” He turns and walks back to his bed as Kiarah enters his room.
“We need to talk.”
“What I need is you out of my life. I thought you had nothing to live for?”
“Nothing but vengeance.”
“Your vengeful streak is going to get me killed or arrested again and I ain’t interested in either.”
“I knew the three of you were strong enough to survive the Sloons.”
“We nearly didn’t.”
“But you did.”
“You can have your fucking ship and do whatever the fuck you want with it. Shove it up your ass for all I care. I just want off the damn thing.”
“If that’s what you wish I’ll dock at the next island.”
“Yea. That’s what I wish.” Luke walks to the door of the bedroom and opens it and then pauses at the doorway. “And for once I want to see one of my wishes come true.” With that Luke leaves the bedroom slamming the door behind him.
Kharon Chapter 38
Night has fallen on another day as the Kharon continues to sail the seas and Kiarah is once more at the controls on the bridge. She is steering the Kharon towards a dimly lit island in the distance. Simone comes bursting into the bridge looking uncharacteristically concerned and disheveled. “Whoa whoa turn this ship around right now. We’re heading right for The Colony.”
“Luke has requested we dock at the next island we come to. He no longer wishes to be on this ship.”
“Your damn right”, says Luke appearing on the bridge. “This is Kiarah’s ship. Kiarah’s crew. I got my own stars to follow. I’m through being someone’s puppet!”
“What the fuck are you thinking docking at The Colony! We can’t get off here!”
“Why not?”, asks Kiarah.
“Relax I’ll be off this ship and you can sail on your merry way before they realize the infamous pirate Simone was ever here, not that they probably even care. Then I’ll hitch a ride on the next merchant ship that comes through.”
Simone wrests the controls from Kiarah and tries turning the ship around. “No, we can’t dock here! We have to go to the next island.”
“What is your fucking problem?”
No sooner has Luke uttered this question then Simone’s skin begins glowing a vibrant shade of orange. “No! Dammit it’s too late!”
Kiarah and Luke both stare at a defeated looking Simone. “Wait a minute. You’re from The Colony?”
Kharon Chapter 39
Emma lounges in her bedroom with Sparky. Suddenly Sparky begins to growl. Emma sits up alert and then hears banging outside her door. She opens the door and sees a swarm of robots going down the hall. She follows them to the bridge where even more robots are all surrounding Simone who stands with head bowed and an orange glow coming from her. “What’s going on here?”, yells Jacob showing up on the bridge.
The robots then all state in unison, “Simone Jaquinon you have left the colony 1,983 cycles ago without authorization and we must escort you to the upload support offices immediately without delay.”
“I don’t understand what’s going on?”
“The Colony never lets any of their own leave”, says Jacob.
“Apparently Simone managed to escape despite their policies. They detected her when we sailed past and now they're going to reconnect her", answers Kiarah.
“Reconnect?”
“Everyone on The Colony lives in life support pods while they jack into a virtual world where everyone interacts”, Jacob explains.
Simone continues to wear a far off expression as she is silently led away by the robots.
“Why isn’t she fighting them?”
“No point. They internally tag their own. I’ve no idea how she managed to escape in the first place", explains Jacob
One robot hangs back and approaches the rest of the crew and states, “Are you all here to join the colony?”
Kiarah stabs the robot with a sharp bone implement and it shorts out and falls to the ground. Kiarah then walks back to the controls. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Wait! What are you doing? We can’t just leave her.”
Luke slowly shakes his head while looking at Emma. “What happened to that stone cold femme fatale that I met in lock-up.”
Emma shoots Luke a look to kill. “Those people were assholes. Simone isn’t.”
“She did save our asses back with the Sloons", says Jacob.
Luke turns on Jacob. “Oh don’t you fucking start! Since when have you ever stuck your neck out for anyone.”
“Hey! There were plenty of times when you were…forget it.”
“No, what?”
“Just forget it.”
"I'm helping Simone. She earned my loyalty", says Emma defiantly.
“I have not been wronged by this island and none of you are my tribe. But if you are so determined I will give you one cycle before I sail away.”
“Fuck it. I’m getting my things and hitching a ride on another ship.”
Emma picks up Sparky and hands him to Kiarah. “Just promise me you will keep Sparky safe and give him a good home if I don’t come back. Please.”
“He aided me in settling a vendetta so I will honor your request.”
“Thank you.” Emma then grabs Jacob’s hand and begins to run off the bridge dragging a reluctant Jacob behind her.
“Um…I’m not so sure I….” But Jacob’s protests go unheeded.
Kharon Chapter 40
Simone is led by robots into a sterile metal facility with endless rows of pods. As she walks along the rows you can see that each pod has a person inside it. When she reaches an empty pod the robots make her lie down inside the pod. The robots then state in their monotone voice, “Please prepare for your re-uploading. You will be restored to The Colony as you were upon your last log in.”
The robots then begin to attach various cables and electrodes up to Simone who is passive about the whole procedure. She then chokes and gags as a feeding tube is shoved down her throat. An IV is inserted into her arm and she loses consciousness. The robots finish hooking her up to the pod and begin inputing commands and flipping switches to the console next to it.
Simone awakes wearing a glistening one piece silver jumpsuit. She stands amidst a multi-colored shimmering cityscape full of colorful people. Each person is viewing a screen in front of them. The screens all show different things. Some show games, others show articles, others have another person conversing on it, ect. There are even some people looking at a recording of themselves. A few people are plugging into stations located at various intervals in the city. Once plugged in their suits change to another vibrant color and delighted the people then detach and continue on their way. Above each person is another screen that reveals stats and information regarding each individual including a popularity gauge. On the screen above Simone her popularity gauge is nearly at 0%. Simone glumly sits down on the curb with her head in her hands as people walk past her.
No comments:
Post a Comment