Smoke, Baby! pg.28

I was ushered into a quiet room. There was a comfortable looking chair with several extensions and appliances around it. My attendant gestured toward the chair and I sat down.  Fasteners and wires were attached to my body. A conical shaped glass screen dropped into view. The chair could be adjusted to move and I was lying on my back with feet in the air above my head. I was now lying on my stomach with my face close to the ground. The conical screen flickered on and I was in another realm. I was lying on the ground in a lush tropical forest. I got up to stand in awe of majestic trees and greenery. Life echoed around me. Flick. Now, I was swimming. Everywhere I moved my head, underwater magic followed.  The wires attached to my skin gave the sensation of water.  My limbs felt slow and cool.  I found the surface and started to swim up. Flick. Suddenly I was falling. The spinning earth below me. Above me. Beside me. Below me. Above me. Spinning around me. Spinning below me. I was spinning. Out of control, and hurtling down. I knew it was a simulation, but it was enough to fool my senses. More fucking vomit. I swallowed most of it back down. I could see a red light alert through the transparent screen on their admin console. Screw this. Biomechanics failed me, but they did not own me. Not this time. I fought to regain control as my cyber-gauges steadied. The world stopped spinning.  I could see the land below with its features and details getting clearer. The noisy air cold and harsh as I continued to free fall. I saw no real purpose of this exercise so I decided to play in it awhile. I made myself thin and streamline and darted down. Gaining speed. The details clearer. More speed still. The ground below approached me with a roar.  I felt compressed and taut. My ears were whistling. The ground was seconds away. If I die… does my body die when my mind dies? I didn’t know the answer. I arched my spine like a deep water dive. And I glided above the surface of the land. It was a simulator, I reminded myself. I could do anything. But what if I had impacted? Flick. And all was black. Dark and black. I felt heavy and damp. I had all senses except sight. I laid back and floated for awhile. This was fun. The acid burned the back of my throat, and coated my mouth.  No simulator could rid me of the taste. So now what? When did I get so arrogant, I wondered. The sensation of needles pierced my skin. Was this real or simulation? Fuck, fuck, fuck!! I tried to brush my arms and legs free, but I was getting tangled in all of the wires. I just wanted the lights to turn on.

And so they did.

Every one froze and looked stunned. My attendant kept tapping on his screen interface. There was some sort of malfunction. The lights were not meant to turn on quite yet.

Welcome Aboard! Pg. 27

The rest of the room was concealed in the dark by two-way mirrors. I was in awe. Technology like I have never seen.  Interactive plasma. Holograms. Scanners gathering my biometric data and posting it as bar graphs and neural flow charts.  My composition as a pie chart.  My brain activity mapped as ocean waves in a box, ebbing and flowing and over-lapping. My essence as a statistical probability, neatly swirling in colour.  I could see the reflection off of the two-way mirrors .  Someone said: “We are running some batch tests to see if you are able to endure the procedure and training.   …so far, so good.”  I didn’t really notice, but the slime had dried rather quickly leaving scales and flaky patches on my skin and clothes. The flakes were easy to dust off of my clothes but the stuff on my skin was harder to peel away.  I left it as it was. “All clear, stand by!” said another voice as blasts of citrus smelling vapour clouded the room.  I inhaled deeply. As I did, I noticed my holograms slowly changing colours. Displays were blinking red.  I felt faint.  And it all went black.

An attendant poked his head into my room.  He asked how I was feeling as I was still rousing myself from slumber. I had no idea how long I had been sleeping. He proceeded to give me a quick tour of my room regardless of my full attention. There was a locker with clothes for me and various other personal effects.  When I got changed, he would be waiting outside my room to give me a tour of the facility.

S5 – That was my room number.  An electronic plasma display was under the number. I noticed it indicated that I had vacated my room as I was leaving.

My white clothing was personally tailored and fit incredibly well.  There was a number on the left sleeve as well as various information above the right breast pocket.  It was all in white except for the black number on my left sleeve. White on white. Like a precise lab experiment.

I felt strangely aware of everything around me.  Painfully so. Every smell, colour, sound, motion… whatever… had so much more significance. More detail. More information. I could feel it so much more.  I could feel the attendant’s anxiety.  I could smell his apprehension. But I could not care any less.  Something changed.  I have heard about it, but I did not truly believe it until now.

“What virus did they infect me with?” I asked, acutely aware of the new parasite within me.  He turned on his heel immediately to confront me face to face.

“So it begins? We will start the training immediately.” He smirked, but his eyes betrayed him. He was terrified. He called down somewhere to announce our arrival. I followed him not like protocol, but like a predator. I was the one smirking.

Gabriel felt cold. I was aware of her material presence unlike anything I could remember.  She felt cold, archaic and detached; a paper weight in my mind. I did not feel her will, just the device.  Empty and cold. I felt excited and hot.  Fear smelled so good.

Down and Out and Under Pg. 26

“This is necessary to enter our facility,”  said my keepers voice. And jets turned on hosing me down with a thick, warm liquid.  I was completely covered with a pink slime that smelled of peroxide.  The room continued to fill up.  It was now waist deep.  ”Relax, and breathe,” he said. “Remember how to breathe.” The fluid was up to my neck.  I had felt strangely calm.  If this was how I was going to die, so be it.  I was not feeling any panic.  I was surprised that I could open my eyes comfortably in the liquid, but I still held my breath.  I took one last gulp of air and then the room was full. And just like a toilet, the bottom opened and down I went.  Down through tubes of dark slides. The friction was warming any skin that made contact on the way down.  I was picking up speed.  My heart started to flutter.  Gabriel informed me that all contact with the surface was lost.  We were going deep under the city. I was spewed out the end of the tunnel into another bright room, this one square. All of the liquid was gone.  3 people, dressed in white, with various instruments were visible behind a pane of transparent illuminated information screens.  ”Glad you could make it.” said a gruff masculine voice through a microphone.  The logos on the equipment was all Corporate.  Did Miko know about this? Where were the others?  I was deep within the belly of the beast. The light at the end of this tunnel seemed like a sick joke.  Heaven wouldn’t hear me from down here.  I was in the enemies hands. What did they want from me?

http://www.myspace.com/theshondes

Will This Hurt? (Graphic Content) Pg. 25

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opf2T2JHS4c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR67JZRJGYM

(Warning  - the videos  are graphic)

And I waited. I could hear the wailing above.  Pleading.  Desperate. Slaughtered.  They were dying as I stood by.  Saved. Was my life worth more than theirs? Was I worth saving? …a criminal like me? I stood in my wet putrid clothes without even daring to shiver from either cold or smell. It was only beginning. Pleading.  Desperate.  Slaughtered. One by one, they fell in the dark. Each one with a thud against cold unforgiving ground that echoed through my bright white chamber, as I silently stood by.  Saved. I should be up there dying with them. Their cries slowly faded under the grind of machines; I stood until I heard no more, I remained.  Saved. That is when I noticed, I had been crying.  Not for them, but for me. There was no joy in this.

You are Here Pg. 24

The din from street level rattled the space I found myself in.  This is happening. This is happening now. The dreams.… The visions….  All I knew, and all I had done, had led me to this moment.  Fate had led me half way; luck had played her part, but all along I always knew. It would be true: one day the sky would fall just as the prophesy foretold, just like my dreams. But my dreams ended where I currently found myself.  From here on I was unscripted.  Nothing would be familiar except Gabriel. Where ever I go, there I am; and I find myself here and now. I opened my eyes wide pulled myself up onto my feet. Let the test begin. I am so fucking ready to find out what I am made from.  I was one of the chosen ones.

Let The Bodies Hit the Floor Pg. 23

The carnage continued. The culling of the populace was like nothing I had seen. I felt a shiver run through my spine so, I immediately thrust both of my hands in my pockets as a reflex like when I get cold. What was this? I pull out a neatly folded piece of paper to reveal a crisp colour image of an iris. Miko must have slipped it in my pocket when she hugged me! I scanned the horizon for a glimpse of her, but seen nothing. I retrieve my water canteen and moisten the back of the image. No sooner had I finished that an iris scanner approached me. I held my breath as I let the image get scanned. Time slowed to an eternity. I could feel every pulse ripple through my veins. Verified! The scanner reported as it moved on. I fell to my knees. “Get up!” commanded Gabriel, “Get up!” Hearing her again startled me and I instinctively rose back onto my feet. Disoriented, I stumbled around trying to get my bearings. The entrance to the Stronghold must be here. But where? I had tripped over some refuse and fell head first into a putrid puddle of stench that seemed to flow from an unidentified source. I continued to slip down the muddy path and under some crates. The slope continued and I had found myself tumbling and sliding into the dark, rank unknown. I landed with a thud on top of a circular cold metal door. A smaller metal door opened “And the word is?” inquired the deep, rumbling voice behind it. I gave the password and the hatch opened from under me. I found myself landing on the floor of a small blinding, bright vestibule. “We have been expecting you!” said the same voice, much to my delight.  I laid there a moment, covered in rancid grime. Breathing. Just breathing. I closed my eyes. One more honey bee comes home.

Rise of the Vonnegut Hero Pg. 22

The Inspectors coverage of the city did not go unheeded. The outcry of citizens combined to form a constant roar replacing the regular hum of the city’s electric ads and info boards. With all forms of electronic communication suspended, there was little choice remaining but to congregate into the streets to yell and shout in protest. This was going to be messy. One-quarter of the city’s population worked for the Factory meant there was one-quarter of the city suiting up in riot gear fulfilling the obligated military duty. The other portions of the city would be the citizens of all other castes: from the bottom – the unregistered citizens, slaves, and scavengers; the corporate office drones all the way up to the social infrastructure technicians and architects – the elites. Obviously the repressed bottom of the social hierarchy of mere registered citizens outnumbered the ones who either represented the State or a Megacorporation near the apex; and that same large bottom portion was incensed and had gathered into the night. Helicopters and other remote-operated flying crafts were dispatched to warn citizens to return to their homes. Dire consequences would result from civil unrest. Martial Law meant that anyone would be killed without hesitation regardless if they were on corporate or state land. Anyone not in their homes would be trespassing and shot on site. But the crowd had kept gathering. The Patrols were temporarily holding their fire. Gabriel informed me that the Patrols were about to broadcast a message from the newly elected President. That was the reason behind the “hold-fire” command. Both the advert and info boards flickered back on to display a white glow. I started to run towards the Stronghold entrance as the mob of people doubled and continued to grow. The tension in the air was thick. The hair on my body was standing up. Something was going to start tonight. I did not dare stop to observe. I kept moving as fast as I could through the throng of furious citizens. Gabriel kept quiet. I found her silence unnerving. I knew the best route to the Stronghold as I knew a memory. Everything seemed familiar. The roar of the crowd was hushed as everyone tried to listen to the simultaneous broadcast from the President that had begun. I was half paying attention to the announcement when I heard again: “Now is the time and we are the ones we have been waiting for….” Tomas’ message! That was part of the communication from the holographic messenger! My feet kept moving forward in automatic rhythm as I was in disbelief. I tried to focus on the remainder of the President’s speech. “… liberties have been compromised as a result of excessive corporate power.” He said as the crowd responded with a half hearted-cheer: “ Citizens, come, as a nation, we must right the balance of power. Your struggles, our struggles, have not been in vain. Peace and stability are forthcoming but we must be patient as we solve the difficult problems. Save your frustrations. Return to your homes. Justice is coming.” The President finished. I admit that I was swayed by the elegant confidence I had just witnessed. The crowd began to cheer as the electric boards blinked off. But not all castes had been satisfied. As many citizens returned home, many more shrieked “What about us?” They did not have a home to return to. Iris scanning checkpoints had been dispatched and were quietly gathering information. Could there be so many unregistered citizens? As the scanners continued to identify citizens, those that resisted were immediately shot as were the unregistered ones. The Patrols had received a new command!  Panic erupted as everyone began to flee the induced chaos. Death to the hopeless and marginalized: the weakest link was being purged from society only to bolster it.  Was this justice? “Gabriel help!” I pleaded. I was at the Stronghold checkpoint, navigating the unfolding terror but, I could not see the entrance. “How do I get in? Gabriel….?!?

Pg. 21 Meet the Anarchists

We were on a hill. As far as I could see, the molten city lights poured over the landscape. This glow could be seen from space. There were no stars in the sky, with the exception of Venus. Or the other planets that pop in on occasion to check up on us; the planets would not abandon us like the natural stars did. Maybe it was decided for us, against us, not to wish upon a star.

I do not remember the last time I saw a sky full of natural stars.
We had built our own. And our stars observed us. We could watch each other if we wanted to. Satellite images were so precise, I took cover, afraid to look up any longer. Every one making their way to the Stronghold looked me up, down and over as they were leaving past me. I could feel their suspicion too. I stood there, calmly, when she came to find me. I knew she would. If she was honest and trustworthy, I did not yet know.
“Do you have a name?” I inquired.
“Miko.” She replied tersely.
I felt pressed and unconnected. She was holding something back. I was waiting for her to continue but she just glared at me, expecting me to ask something more.
“Can you imagine a city free from authority?” She spat out. “A city, where citizen can do as they please, free from laws, restraints and conditions. And free from the power that abuses.”

“Yes of course!” I answered meekly. “But not without order and reasonable laws to guide us….” My voice trailed off, for some reason, feeling embarrassed. I regained my composure and continued. “Abuse will always arise from absolute control. If there are no laws in place, the strongest of us will rise up to enforce their own laws by physical strength. It is a natural animal order. If we are not to be viewed as savage animals then, we need to form basic laws to protect the meek and innocent.” I suddenly shuddered when I thought of what her involvement for change may have done to provoke the Patrols to decimate the Street Market District. The Market was the farthest thing from corporate rule and now it is gone: another small liberty stolen from us. Gabriel snapped my thoughts back to focus on the moment. I should mind how I point the finger of blame, for it was only in the recent past that I would have fulfilled my duty to destroy the Market. I am also guilty. The commands I obeyed was as savage as any. The ruling Corporatocracy showed no mercy to those who opposed the Laws.

“That name you mentioned… Gabriel? Whose name is it?” She caught me off guard with her question.
“It belonged to the voice I know. I still hear it in my head.” I answered honestly without revealing anything more. It was not a lie if I kept it to myself.
“It has been a long journey for you but, it is just beginning. Be strong. Meet you at the gates.” She gave me a hug. “My brother Ryuu is waiting for me.”

She ran off leaving me alone with our artificial stars.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporatocracy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchy

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=_HqvE6uye1Y

Death of a Honey Bee Pg. 20

I was half dreaming, half feverish when my thoughts were about Death. What is it about Death? Millenia of Death and humanity were no closer to understanding if there was more to it. Is there an afterlife? My deceased husk was worthless. We bury them just like we bury garbage. That bothered me. My rebel husk was just as worthless as the other 12,542,777,937 registered husks on this planet. It was the essence that was important. But what was the essence without the worthless physical husk? The essence is incapable of influence and change in the tangible world. What are thoughts without action? I was changing. I was understanding things I never dared think of before. Gabriel has lead me here. Perhaps life is not cheap. I was beginning to feel like I had a purpose. Like a Honey Bee. Even a single Honey Bee would be missed. Who would tend to the flowers?
The truck jostled me awake. I was damp from sweat. I do not know how long I had been sleeping. We were still in the city. The truck came to a grinding halt with the squeal of metal grinding against metal.
“We walk from here!” commanded a voice.
I grabbed the flask of water with me as I eased myself up to my feet.
“Break up into single individuals or pairs at most. No one takes the same path. Be aware, be on guard and be discreet” He continued. He gave us the co-ordinates of the entrance to the underground stronghold. Gabriel had noted the position and that it was about a two hour walk. He then gave us the secret code to gain entrance to the first security clearance. We would wait there until everyone was accounted for. The Death of a Honey Bee would be noticed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey_bee
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information-theoretic_death

Wait and See Pg. 19

Cyberware allows the flow of information directly from one’s brain to an external computer. I felt suspicious. Has she been reprogrammed? Who is she allied with? How can she be trustworthy? All it takes is one virus to go undetected and hijack her memories. Her DNA even. The mitochondria of her cells can be reprogrammed to act as the architect of the virus pleases. One virus to change who she is; what she feels; what she fights for, what she believes. Those who control the past, control the future. My fate was in her hands.

“They are sealing the city,” I mumbled. “There will be a checkpoint if we continue on this route. We must detour on a new heading.” I had allowed Gabriel to show me this information despite the tremors and pain.
“We need only to detour past that checkpoint. We are headed out of the city but not how you think we are.” She leaned closer to me and whispered. “We are headed underground. There are old tunnels that the resistance have reclaimed and rebuilt to lead out of the city. The tunnels are deep under the city. GPS and other satellite signals cannot penetrate that far down. We are untraceable. Can you tell us the safe route to get to our entrance?”
I gave her the route. “Rest now.” She hushed. I felt uncertain about her but, it was hard to keep my eyes open any longer. There was nothing else I could do but rest.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simulated_reality
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endosymbiotic_theory
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitochondrion