Dark Phase (5 page)

“
Sarazen,
I would like to speak with you in my office.” A cold and dreaded voice could be heard as Sarazen fought hard to keep his internals from super-heating.

“
Yes, Sir.” Sarazen replied respectfully as he stood upright and followed Pagus into his office, each footstep becoming harder work as he neared the dreaded inner sanctum of the building. Sarazen could only hope that his convivial relationship with his overseer would provide him with the necessary slack that he required to get through this without further inquisition.

“
I have received your report. Thank you. I have noted an inconsistency however which requires further analysis. Please sit down.” Sarazen’s limbs were now heavy and every move seemed more arduous than the last. It was clear that his core temperatures were reaching critical levels. If exceeded, the silicant would enter an enforced standby mode rendering him non operational and subject to mandatory troubleshooting. His data banks would be downloaded and filtered for irregularities, his secrets revealed condemning both him and Cole to the inevitable reconstruction. Sarazen knew this and fought hard to keep control, but it was difficult without visible clues which Pagus would surely recognise. He sat as instructed and initiated his emergency heat release cycle programme, hoping that the overseer would not detect the sudden rise in ambient heat inside the carefully controlled atmosphere of the office.

“
An inconsistency?” Sarazen inquired shuffling around on the seat in discomfort.

“
Yes, an error which I did not expect from one of my best troubleshooters. Considering that I had informed you that this report was to be disclosed to The Mother, I find it difficult to comprehend.” Pagus's tone was hard to read. Sarazen had enough on his mind just maintaining functionality. The only way forward was to stop wasting time and to get the ordeal over with. The longer he sat in that hot seat, the more chance of a core overload. Sarazen could not take that chance.

“
An error. My apologies, an unusual event I do concede. Could you explain the nature of the aberration?” Sarazen cut to the chase.

“
Yes, it was indeed confounding. It would appear that you have submitted incorrect identification data.” Pagus revealed his charges error and Sarazen cursed to himself at his incompetence. He had run the document over in his mind a hundred times but the stress had clearly taken its toll as Sarazen had incorrectly processed his own name and it had gone unnoticed under the intense pressure. At first Sarazen felt a wash of relief over his body as he realised that the content of the report itself had not brought about further repercussions. It was odd however, for such an elementary corruption in data to take place and the simplicity of the error belied the severity of its ramifications.

“
Are you functioning within normal parameters?” Pagus inquired, knowing that such an atypical event may have required further study.

“
Yes, Sir. Indeed. Perhaps the fierce heat of the Star has increased my core temps. The high ground is an inhospitable place for silicants.” Sarazen was wise to blame the blazing heat of the Star, assignments to the High ground were rare and a temperature issue was a temporary problem which could be allayed with a period of cooling.

“
Yes. Perhaps you are correct. I would suggest some time to recondition in your living space. It is unlikely that you will fulfil your assignments for this cycle in any event.” Pagus waved his subordinate out of his office and Sarazen gladly obliged. He did not dwell as he paced along the corridor to the elevator realising that he had achieved his primary aim. He had ensured that Cole would function to see the end of this cycle, however, one problem seemed to lead straight to another, as his next concern lie at home where he hoped that his engineering expertise would fool The Mother longer than his farmer's friend had. Also, there was one other factor whose reaction to these remarkable revelations could not be predicted.

CHAPTER 6

Sarazen held his palm to the control panel, which on recognising his pattern, operated the door that fizzed open revealing an impassive Keera who sat upon the seat transfixed to the mesmeric screen. Noticing her companion’s arrival, she swivelled round and with an unnatural but warm delight announced her salutations.

“
My, you are home early. Is everything alright?” Sarazen walked in and slumped down upon the large seat next to Keera. Even his gait had changed since the morning light; he was a different Silicant to the one that left so dutifully that morning.

“
I am not sure.” Sarazen replied, still not knowing how to approach Keera on the matter. Keera turned to her companion and took his hand.

“
How unusual. My, you are hot. Is there anything I can do?” Keera's tone seemed different to Sarazen now. Her willingness to be the perfect companion now seemed forced and disingenuous. Did she even truly care how Sarazen felt or was her wish to aid him just a result of careful, conniving programming. He did not want to be pacified, he wanted Keera to understand, but Sarazen knew this to be beyond her capacity.

“
Keera, why are we here? What is the purpose of our existence?” Keera looked puzzled for a moment, but after carefully selecting the appropriate response answered in her usual dulcet tones.

“
Why, we exist to fulfil our programming to its optimal level. I exist to serve you my wonderful companion so that you may fulfil your duties with the utmost diligence and efficiency.” Keera's reply was nothing more than Sarazen had expected.

“
Yes, but what is the ultimate goal of our existence? Why do we toil cycle upon cycle for that which we do not even understand?” Keera was listening with care but not truly understanding why her normally passive companion was behaving in such a peculiar manner.

“
My, Sarazen, you are feeling very hot. Are you malfunctioning? Should I submit a support request?” Sarazen quickly put an end to that notion.

“
No! Absolutely no! I am perfectly fine. I merely want to talk to you. I have had a difficult time at my work place on this cycle.” Sarazen leapt up and walked to the window where he viewed the beginning of the dark phase as the Star hovered over the horizon. Keera accompanied him at the window, standing next to him taking hold of his hand.

“
My, is not the sinking Star a sight to behold.” She announced, hoping to engage her partner in lighter conversation.

“
It is a falsehood, an apparition, a spectre.” He uttered in desperation.

“
I do not understand.” Keera replied, unable to compute Sarazen’s illogical and emotional ranting.

“
This existence, this reality, it is not all that it is! Even you are just a mere construct, a placebo! Your presence here tempers my thoughts, curbs my expression and pacifies my will. Even the sight of your material form is designed to entrap me and enslave me to conformity!” Sarazen clutched at his head and attempted to suppress the new feelings of anger that he was exhibiting. Keera confused at Sarazen’s nonsensical meanderings took his hands away from his face, holding them tightly to her breast.

“
I know what you need. A delicious supper. Yes, I will fetch a delicious supper for you at once!” Keera turned and trotted off to the kitchen area humming an infectious tune as she went about her duties. Sarazen looked on in despair as he suddenly realised why Cole had no companion. He never did explain why, but now Sarazen was beginning to have a better understanding. Perhaps Cole could not face living with a constant reminder of his enslaved existence, or perhaps he could not take the risk of being reported to The Mother by his estranged spouse. Had Cole even moved to the dire lengths of disposing of his partner and covering up her fate? It was something that Sarazen should have asked and now regretted in not doing so. He needed guidance and Cole was the only one who could offer the reassurance he required.

The troubled thoughts continued as Sarazen contemplated how to proceed regarding his companions down time feed to The Mother. He would have little trouble in ensuring that any tampering of the network node went undiscovered by his partner, however his main quandary was whether to also deny Keera of her connectivity in doing so. Sarazen was fairly certain that denying himself the feed would not be detrimental to his functionality nor Keera's for that matter, but would his companion share the same levels of awareness that he now perceived? Certainly she had never exhibited the same personal traits, the thoughtful meanderings, the propensity to question. Was denying her right to be with The Mother even morally the right thing to do? Should she not have the right to choose for herself? At this time, Sarazen could only make the safest judgement and that was to continue allowing Keera to take the feed. She was in no immediate danger and her ignorance was indeed a blissful thing in Sarazen’s eyes. He wanted more than anything for her to share his thoughts, hopes and fears but he would have to wait, at least until he was more certain about a coherent course of action.

Whilst Keera prepared another vial of phosphorylin, which would be most welcome in the state that Sarazen allowed himself to get in, the troubleshooter did his best to covertly alter the network nodes circuitry. Keera was ignorant but she was not to be discounted. He worked quickly and quietly to ensure she did not notice his meddling. After supper, which calmed and cooled, Sarazen collected his thoughts in silent contemplation whilst Keera sat by his side stroking his arm awaiting the night and the inevitable sleep. He awaited the dark phase with trepidation. In the short space of one cycle, he had experienced a lifetime of emotions; he had crossed the threshold of sentience. He ceased to just 'be', he now lived, much like the organics who fought every moment for their continued existence and despite that battle bringing terror, pain and suffering, the one thing they feared most was the inevitable death which would bring an end to all of these things. Sarazen had begun to understand why even when life brought such pain, it was something that he would fight to keep hold of. He would not give up his sentience at all costs and if rejoining his kind in communal ignorance would put an end to his freedom, then he would make sure that that could never again happen.

“
It is time my darling.” Keera cooed gently in Sarazen’s aural receptors. Indeed it was, the light of the Star was dwindling and he could feel his functions slowing. Moving to the pods, Sarazen gently ushered his companion in and even pulled the network cable from the node and placed it in her hand. He touched her forehead with the tip of his finger and rolled it down her cheek.

“
Good night, Keera.” He whispered as she smiled and plugged the cable into her data port. Sarazen then stepped up to his own pod and pulled the thick shiny cable towards his abdomen. Looking over to his companion nervously, he carefully watched her to make sure she had safely initiated connectivity and fell into an oblivious sleep. Holding the cable to his belly but never engaging the fastening, he stood back and awaited the curious sensation of power loss and its subsequent effect of an empty, dreamless sleep.

CHAPTER 7

Sarazen awoke, slowly at first but then, when regaining his sense of awareness, sharply as he fought to clear his vision to make sure his partner was still asleep. As clarity returned, he felt a wave of relief as he noted Keera, still succumbed to the dark phase and still connected to her umbilical. Sarazen’s cable was still firmly grasped in his hand, a short measure away from his data port which now began to close up as the light resurrected the thinking machine. Sarazen stepped forward from the pod and stretched his limbs to shake off the inactivity of the night. The light streaming through the window was not as bright as usual and the dark, pendulous and corrosive clouds outside offered nothing but a dark, difficult light phase ahead. No silicant enjoyed the corrosive rains; they tainted all they touched with their all encompassing blanket.

Keera began to stir and Sarazen stepped up to her pod to greet her into the morning light as he always did. Keera fumbled at her umbilical cable and tossed and turned as she fought off the draining slumber. Sarazen felt that something was wrong; usually her rising would be an easy one. He placed a hand to her forehead to check to see if her temperature was rising as normal but just as he did, she lurched and jolted into consciousness. Stepping back in fright, Sarazen felt suddenly cold as she stood there in silence, staring at him with her suddenly intense and steely eyes.

“
Oh my! What have you done?” She hissed. Her usually light and breathy voice suddenly contorted and distorted. Sarazen took another step back. His mind raced, he did not recognise his companion, she was now a dark stranger, a foe, the emissary of an angry Mother. Sarazen did not speak, he could not think of an appropriate response. His silence was shattered however when suddenly, his living space door flew open and he realised that the previous cycle’s thoughts regarding fighting for his freedom were about to be realised and he was going to have to live up to his own lofty expectations.

In the doorway stood a large imposing silicant variant that Sarazen had yet to encounter. Its limbs were large, reinforced structurally to offer increased physical power, its torso rounded and armoured. It was an 'enforcer', one of The Mother’s minions. Sarazen uttered a pathetic noise in astonishment and in apparent fear as it moved inside his apartment uninvited and without the courtesy of a greeting. He looked over to Keera who remained in her pod still silent and impassive. Sarazen could expect no aid from her; she was much as his enemy now as the enforcer which moved forward with increasingly menacing intent. The troubleshooter barely had time to contemplate how his carefully laid plan had failed so miserably before the enforcer was upon him raising his giant arms into the air in order to smash the life out of his prey. Sarazen had not experienced combat, but he had watched and analysed the organics as they did battle. He had learned one thing that might aid him in the coming conflict, the fact that the small and nimble can often outwit the slow and bulky. As the colossal arms of the enforcer swung down to punish the troubleshooter, he dived out of the way and under a sturdy table which graced the centre of the room. Sarazen pulled his limbs in tight as he hoped that the enforcer had not seen him scrabble beneath. His answer was swift as the table was smashed into two pieces with the mighty force of the pounding enforcer's fists. The table took the majority of the blow, but not all of it, and Sarazen’s head and shoulders were rocked by the splintering materials and his upper torso pierced by a metal strut which had sheared in two and found its way under Sarazen’s pectoral plate. The pain was immediately felt by the scurrying prey and he tried to ignore his on-board sensors as they fired up sending his core into a muddled frenzy. He had to get out of the living space at all costs; in the confined environment he stood little chance against the powerhouse assassin. Scrambling to his feet, Sarazen bolted toward the exit door. He expected any moment to be pummelled from behind as he reached the previously opened portal, only to find it tightly shut and unresponsive to commands from the control panel. Sarazen turned only to see the glistening hulk of the enforcer before him at point blank range and he dropped to the floor as the enforcer's violent effort missed his quarry and smashed through the thin white polymer door showering the cowering troubleshooter in thousands of tiny shards. Thinking swiftly, and before the enforcer could muster another blow, Sarazen leapt through the broken portal tearing his weave on the sharp remnants as his body fell untidily into the hallway outside in a heap. There was no time to collect himself; he had to run as fast as his design would allow. He had only reached the elevator at the end of the hall when he realised that excessive physical movement increased his core temperature significantly. There was no way he could keep up the fight if he burned himself out. Engaging the elevator, he caught a sight of the marauding enforcer striding down the corridor, his companion Keera standing behind it as the elevator door slid shut and the mechanism engaged.