EHuman Dawn (26 page)

“Exactly! And when we discovered this, it was only a matter of time before we invented the MindScrape procedure, which is really very simple. Before I Jumped, an electromagnetic scanner read the contents of my etheric body. Since the data was stored in wave form it was analog in format, just like human voice. The data had to be digitized, which was done using a simple digital signaling processing algorithm. The results were transferred to my eHuman database and software was written for Neuro to decode this data and allow my Lux to access it as memory.”

“And what about the fact that memory often lingered after the initial Jump?” Dawn asked.

“The original etheric body of the human remained measurable for about three days after the heart of flesh body stopped. It would weaken at constant rate until it disappeared entirely. The eHuman body was able to tune into the frequency of the old etheric body, but usually with errors. No one was completely clear-headed after a Jump. And once the original etheric signal was gone, so were the memories written in that electromagnetic field,” Edgar Prince explained.

“Who qualified for a MindScrape procedure before a Jump?” Adam challenged.

“All of those who invested in the Dawn Project. Consider it a perk for those who joined our cause,” Edgar Prince explained, turning his gaze to Dawn, “Please don’t be mad at me, Dawn. The technology didn’t exist at the time of your Jump. Being first has it’s disadvantages, my dear.”

“But once you had the technology, you didn’t share it with everyone?” Dawn cried.

“No. Why would we want everyone to recall who they really were? Better to leave them in the dark, and program them to forget the entire 100,000 year experiment of carbon based humanity. Only those who needed to remember, got to remember.”

“You mean that the global elite of the time were offered the chance to join you and remain powerful with their memories intact, or Jump with the masses and forget that they and their riches had ever even existed!” Adam accused.

“Yes. Basically everyone on this island, as well as the seventy WG members.”

Adam glared at his father through narrowed eyes. He felt the anger rising within him. How dare this man take human history away from the people? How dare he remove their link to their past, the very origin of their being?

“Why?” he cried out, unable to fathom what greed and insanity would compel Edgar to play God in this way. “Why would you do such a thing? What gives you the power to take away everyone’s memories of life in the flesh but your own? Why should yours have been saved?”

“Because my story is the only one that really matters, Elijah,” Edgar said, patiently, “I’m the one who created eHumanity. Therefore I’m the one who must know himself. The rest of you know yourselves through me. My gift of technology is your gift of immortality. Isn’t that enough?”

“You greedy bastard!” Adam exclaimed, unable to stop the rant forming at his lips, “Your generosity? Ha!”

Edgar looked at his son intently. A cruel smirk formed upon his lips.

Adam knew he’d said too much.

Adam
, Dawn TeleSpoke,
Stop now
.

But he’s cut us off from our source!
Adam replied,
All of us! And worse, it’s a game to him!

Stop now!
Dawn answered firmly.

“Really Elijah, let it go,” Dawn said out loud, “Now isn’t the time to rehash decisions made two hundred years ago, is it? Sit back down and let’s enjoy your father’s company. I’m sure this isn’t how you intended our first family meeting to turn out, is it Edgar?”

Edgar shook his head slightly at Dawn’s remark, but kept his gaze upon his son.

“It really is a shame that you were so impudent with me, Elijah,” he said in a honeyed voice, “Your life would have been so much better as my son, the heir to a dynasty, rather than a lowly Newsreel reporter in a useless Province.”

“No one can be an heir in an immortal world,” Adam snapped in spite of himself.

Edgar Prince chose to ignore the outburst.

“It matters not,” he said, “I’m a forgiving father, Elijah. Tonight we’ll celebrate your return home with dancing, music, and good company. You’ll come to the ballroom at 7 o’clock sharp to meet my friends and colleagues. Everyone of importance will be there. In the meantime, Chester,” he gestured his head to a bald eBot that stood in the doorway, “will bring you to your suite, where you’ll find many beautiful things to wear tonight.”

Dawn and Adam rose from the couch while Edgar Prince and Oksana strode to the doorway and made to leave the room.

“By the way,” Edgar called over his shoulder as he exited, “Feel free to leave your energy packs with Chester. I would like to take a peek at the technology. Besides, you won’t need them here in my home, which is your home now as well. You’ve been granted access to recharge on my private network.”

He left the room, taking Oksana by the hand and leading her down the carpeted hall to his recharge room. After his successful reunion with his son, he needed a little pick-me-up of the
sort that only Oksana could provide. Even the World Leader’s Pleasure Zone enhancements paled in comparison. Oksana was a very special member of his harem.

“I think that went very well, didn’t it my dear?” he crooned.

“I thought Elijah was a bit out of line,” she answered, trying to show disdain for the handsome guest and please her master.

Edgar laughed, “His outburst was most telling.”

“Why do you say that, Edgar?”

“I now know the answer to why Dawn and Elijah have returned.”

“And what’s that Edgar?”

“Revenge.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

“What the hell is that?” Origen hissed as he scanned the horizon with his enhanced vision application.

The city of New Omaha had been built in the center of an enormous prairie, allowing him a clear view of the horizon in all directions, which was beginning to darken. No matter which direction Origen looked, a storm seemed to be brewing.

At least Origen hoped it was a storm. Tornadoes were known to hit the area during hot summer nights. Yet something deep within Origen told him the approaching clouds signaled a different kind of doom.

“Cane!” he called out while pointing to gathering gloom, “Do you see the horizon?”

“Affirmative, Master Origen!” the red-haired warrior answered quickly.

“Send out your scouts in all directions to determine its nature!” Origen commanded.

“Yes, Master Origen!” Cane replied.

Origen turned to look at the visuals on his command center to view the situation at the other Resistance-controlled cities around the world.

The same storm seemed to be encircling them all.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Adam and Dawn spent the rest of the day exploring the Prince estate. Everything was stunning—from the luxurious recharge rooms filled with elegant shoes, clothing, and jewelry, to Edgar Prince’s own private harbor where his three yachts were anchored. The lovers observed the leaders of the world frolic and play in the pools, on the golf courses and in the various private rooms of pleasure. Edgar had given all of the Guardian Networks executives the day off, demanding they enjoy his estate in honor of the return of his son. Neither Adam nor Dawn said much to the eHumans indulging in Edgar’s delights. The inhabitants of New Caledonia stared odiously as the couple walked by, making it very clear that they were not at all at ease with their presence. The people were afraid. Adam could feel it. Tension was building in the air, and it made Adam wary.

Edgar stayed away from the couple, choosing instead to spend the day at sea. He preferred the solace that his boats brought him. Normally he’d sail with just a few eBots and perhaps a lover or two, but this time he’d chosen Morgan to join him. The man needed to be educated on the situation at hand.

“Well, what do you think?” Edgar asked his second in command, as he reclined comfortably in a striped chaise lounge chair on the deck. Morgan sat beside him, nervously tapping his fingertips upon his armrest.

“Of what?” he replied casually.

“Of Elijah, of course,” Edgar drawled, “My son. I wondered what you thought about his return.”

“Yes, well, that’s a trick question Edgar. I don’t quite understand what you’re doing, allowing him and Dawn to come to the island. Is this really a joyful reunion? Or is something else stirring in that head of yours?”

Edgar smiled. It was nice when Morgan showed a little spirit.

“It does seem unlikely that he would return after all these long centuries,” Edgar agreed, “But return he has. You want to know why I allowed him on the island? Because I’m curious, and I wanted Dawn back. Allowing them safe passage to the island gave me two gifts at once.”

“Yes, but now that they’re here, what do you plan to do with them?” Morgan asked.

“Throw a party of course. The prodigal son deserves to have the fatted calf killed in his name, doesn’t he?” Edgar replied with a slight chuckle.

“And who might the fatted calf be in this case Edgar?” Morgan challenged him.

Ah, the man could think after all.

“That depends on how the night goes,” Edgar replied, “And what Elijah and his lover reveal. Why do you think they wanted to come here, Morgan?”

“To spy on you. That’s obvious.”

“But if I never let them leave, what would be the point? They can’t share their information with anyone.”

“True, but then why else would Dawn leave her post?”

“She says it’s because her lover longed to return to me and she didn’t want to leave his side. She went through so much to find him, you know.”

“Yes, the story is quite touching,” Morgan replied, brushing his hand through the air to show his disdain, “You’ve told me this already, Edgar. I don’t believe them. Something else is going on.”

“I agree. But it pains me that you haven’t found the answer yet.”

Morgan hesitated for a moment, considering the accusation deeply.

“I’m sorry, sir?”

“You, Morgan. I’d expect that after two centuries of my company, you’d be more clever.”

Morgan stared at his master, hating him more with each moment and wishing that he could jump off the island and into any other eHuman body. Just for once, he’d love the freedom that being a member of the masses provided—to be hidden from Edgar Prince’s ever-reaching gaze.

“Revenge, Morgan,” Edgar drawled, knowing exactly what the man had thought, “Revenge is why they’re here.”

“Ah, yes,” Morgan agreed, ashamed that he hadn’t thought of it, “If that’s the case, then what are you going to do?”

“Do you think there is any risk having them here on the island?” Edgar challenged.

“Off the top of my head, no. Everything on the island is monitored. There’s no place that is private. Nor is there any possibility that they were followed here. Our surveillance would detect any aircraft or vessels from miles away. And as you’ve already mentioned, they’ll never be able to leave and bring information to the Resistance, so anything they discover about us dies with them. It’s also impossible for them to transfer data to the Resistance or make any contact. The system would alert the Guardians.”

“I agree, Morgan. There’s no risk. Which is why I allowed them safe passage.”

“But Edgar, it’s unlike you to simply enjoy another’s company without testing them first. I assume you have some sort of test planned?”

Edgar began to laugh while patting Morgan on the back.

“You know me so very well! Of course I have a test planned. It’s going to be spectacular, indeed.”

“I assume it has something to do with the impending attacks on the Resistance-controlled cities?”

“Yes,” Edgar replied, throwing back his head and turning his face to the sun, “It most certainly does.”

From the shore, Adam and Dawn stood hand in hand on the docks, gazing out at the silhouette the sailboat made against the bright sun now beginning to set into the western sea. They knew Edgar was out there, most likely plotting against them.

“We need to be ready for anything,” Dawn said tersely.

Adam nodded, staring wistfully out to sea. He was drawn to Edgar’s fleet, wanting nothing more than to take a boat and sail off with Dawn. But they’d never get far. Edgar’s minions would discover them.

“In the video Dr. Neville made of me, I mentioned that I took to the seas for a year after I lost you,” Adam began, a tight feeling beginning to build within his torso, “I often wonder where I went. Whom did I meet? What did I see?”

Dawn squeezed his hand gently. “I can only imagine,” she replied softly.

“And what did I do during the six years after I ran away from Edgar? What promises did I make before I Jumped?”

“I’ve wondered that as well Adam. I think you were with the ‘Pro-Deathers’ as Edgar calls them,” she answered.

“What makes you think that?”

“Because if you were mad at your father, that’s the group you would have aligned with. They were the ones fighting against the Great Shift. You would have brought them information in order to help them. I’m sure of it.”

“Well, a lot of good that did They’re all dead.”

“I don’t think so, Adam,” Dawn replied with a look of seriousness on her face.

“What do you mean?”

“I think some of them lived. They must have.”

“Humans?”

She nodded.

He wasn’t sure what to make of it. Dawn had long considered herself responsible for the death of so many during the Great Shift. Perhaps believing that some had survived was a way of making herself feel better? It seemed unlikely that any human life existed, other than in eHuman form, but Adam wasn’t about to argue with her.

He turned and looked out to the sea again, noting that Edgar’s boat was getting closer.

“He’s returning,” he whispered in disgust.

Dawn nodded, the setting sun cast an amber glow across her beautiful face, bronzing her like a statue. They watched the red disk gently descend with each moment into the vast ocean that surrounded the island, while Edgar’s sailboat slowly returned to the docks on which they stood. He’d arrive at the slip within minutes.

At that moment, all things became crystal clear within Adam’s mind.

Tonight was the night.