Extracted - Part 7

[Sthurmovik]

Part 7!

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"What would you nice folks like to order," the bartender asked after Serena, Lupa and Lars walked up to the bar in New Beginnings.

"I'll try a glass of your Akvavit there and I'd also like a pint of the double IPA for the Captain."

"Gin and tonic please," said Lupa.

"Long Island Iced Tea," stated Serena as the bartender's eyes fell on her. He made a bit of a face, but soon got to work on it.

"You're starting things off a bit heavy Serena," remarked Lupa.

"You know the drinking game, besides I judge realities based on their ability to produce America's most complicated cocktail."

"Well, try to keep yourself in check. We only have the one wheelchair."

Serena wandered off by herself taking a seat at an empty table while the rest of her group sat closer to the bar. Lupa knew better than to question Serena's need for occasional quiet time and from a tactical point of view the Colonel wanted to scope out the room. Therefore it came as a surprise when Lt. Atherton sat down right in front of her.

"Hey there, mind if I join you? You sort of had a staring contest going on there so I figured you could use the company."

"Sure, go right ahead," said Serena, adjusting her seat so that she could continue to see the door.

"Wow, I knew you two were going to be trouble the moment I saw you'd blown a hole in processing unit #3," Atherton casually remarked.

"Excuse me?" said Serena.

"Oh, well I mean the council has been shitting themselves ever since you six showed up. There's never been anyone like you folks before," said Atherton, lowering her voice to swear. "Rumor is they want to shut down all inbound portals until they can figure out what to do."

"Why are you telling me all this," asked Serena suspiciously.

"Why not? You're citizens of Sanctuary now too. Might as well keep you informed of the situation especially since I'd love to have you work with me once you get all nice and settled in."

Serena chuckled as she took a sip of her drink, "Work with you? Yeah, sure, why not."

Atherton leaned in close to Serena. "You've got to tell me. What is your friend to turn into something like that? When we looked over her old body the design was certainly unique, but the tech was nothing we hadn't seen before and certainly nothing to explain why the extraction process went so haywire."

"Like I tried to tell that Lomez guy Fiona didn't convert nor was she built. She was born biologically in a VR world called the Interlink. Extractor tech tends to freak out when it tries to work its magic on such lifeforms," Serena answered as plainly as possible, continuing to drink.

"And there are more like her?"

"Trillions would be a gross underestimation not to mention an equal number from another decidedly less friendly virtual ecosystem. They were the ones that were chasing us when we happened upon your little honey pot."

The Lieutenant was silent for a moment. "I guess this place wasn't exactly built with novel forms of life in mind. Forgetting about what happened to your tiger friend I was surprised large scale civilizations of the type you claim to be from could have advanced to such a state without descending into chaos."

"I don’t know what to say besides that it’s a big multiverse out there. Say, what part of the Network do you hail from anyway?" Serena asked.

"Oh, I was born and raised here in Sanctuary. I guess the only stories and history I have access to come from newcomers."

Serena nodded, mindful of Lupa's admonition not to go around trying to shake things up. "The Network is a pretty rough place so I can see the reason for pessimism towards the outside world. Perhaps one day my people can clean it up."

"Lomez said that's what the Founders who built the Network wanted, to clean up the multiverse, but they got old, ascended to another plane of existence or something. There's only so much time and patience and an infinite number of realities. You'll have to forgive him if he seems inflexible, but Lomez is old school. Before he found this place he had been all over and I don't think he was very impressed by what passed as "progress". However, most here agree that keeping Sanctuary safe and viable is worth the occasional inconvenience."

"Speaking of inconvenience I don't suppose you have any scotch lying about. If not I'll probably have to experiment with whatever is on hand," said Serena staring into her rapidly diminishing glass of tea.

Blair laughed. "Nah, we don't get imports like that, but you'll find that Sanctuary has more than enough local versions of everything. Hey, are you going to want to eat something? They make a mean Sheppard's Pie here."

"Good point, I guess this body needs fuel other than ethanol and since our good friend Lomez is treating," remarked Serena leaning back to catch the attention of the wait staff.

"I wanted to thank you for being so understanding about this. The portal administrators call newcomers from outside our target demographics "bycatch" and such arrivals can tend to be a bit of trouble before finally settling down. Sanctuary is supposed to be a destination, not a prison so none of the staff likes dealing with people that might see themselves as somehow being punished or confined. Honestly, if you just give it a chance I'm sure you'll fit right in just like all the others before you," Atherton said with sincerity.

Additional drinks soon arrived and Serena continued to make small talk with the Lieutenant, occasionally inserting questions about security procedures and staffing levels. However as the drinks piled up Serena's ability to run her James Bond playbook rapidly diminished until the point she looked up from her empty plate to see Lupa sitting across from her. The bar was almost empty. Some of the remaining patrons were heading for the door. Serena's head twisted about, her face looking confused.

"Earth to Major Tom," prodded Lupa, "I saw you sitting over here by yourself just staring at your plate for the last half hour. How much have you had to drink?"

"Enough…"

"Are you going to need help getting back?"

Serena nodded pouring the remainder of her last drink into a to go cup before Lupa and Lars helped Serena up to her feet.

"You know getting drunk with you used to be fun. Ooph, at least your human body is lighter," Lupa grumbled.

"A lot of things used to be fun," Serena replied as she worked to put one foot in front of the other.

"Hey Captain," Lupa called over to Dunn as he stood at the bar trying to order some ice cream for Bea, "we're going to head back and put the Colonel to bed."

"Go right ahead, I'll be around in a little bit."

Unnoticed by anyone Bea sat at the table intently watching the minute disturbances on the surface of a glass of water. Moving her head in closer a smile crept upon her face as she solved the puzzle and whispered a single word.

"Trouble…"

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Serena awoke as her body hit the floor, her most recent sleep troubles sending her careening off the bed with her body tangled up in the sweat-soaked sheet. Managing to free herself she looked out of her window at the pitch black night, her biologic clock not yet adjusted to the longer day/night cycles of whatever planet Sanctuary had taken for its own. Her buzz having been long since burned away by her increased metabolism Serena threw on her boots, but didn't bother with anything more than her skintight black armor. Once sufficiently dressed Serena walked into the hallway, down to the kitchen and, after gulping down a few glasses of water, stepped out into the cool night air. She half expected to be accosted by whatever night patrol was assigned to keep her and her team from getting up to no good, but instead encountered no one as she walked back to the bar. The lights were off and the door was of course locked, but one of the clerestory windows looking out onto the patio was still tilted in the open position and it didn't take a being of Serena’s athleticism much time to scurry her way inside. Heading right for the top shelf she quickly located a promising 15 year old single barrel bottle of whatever and after picking up a glass and a few chilled stones she sat herself down by one of the windows, looking off into the night.

"Having trouble sleeping?" emerged the voice from the darkness.

"I figured you'd show up," said Serena sipping her whisky.

"You could just come by my office, I have an open door policy," said Lomez as he sat across from Serena pouring a shot of the liquid into his own glass. "You know I've run into people like you before."

"Have you now."

"Of course, in and amongst our usual fare of abused refugees and insane 5000 year old androids commanding all in earshot to bow down before them we get the occasional explorer or lost soul. Maybe they're out to make a difference or perhaps they are only out for themselves, but they see life as a game and they are forever chasing a high score."

Serena didn't respond, continuing to sip her drink and look out the window.

"The problem is that the game is a fools' errand. They're practically immortal, centuries old and stuck in a never ending loop. Of course when we take that all away from them they complain like you wouldn't believe, but given time they all come around and thank me for saving them from a meaningless existence."

"If you're looking to be cynical about things I could say that you're simply swapping one meaningless life for another," said Serena, shifting in her chair. "Look at this place. It's just a fancy retirement community where people can circle the drain until they die."

"Well tell me what was so good about your life that made it any better. Conquering new worlds, expanding your empire, gaining more wealth, more resources… What did it get you? Without your robot body you're just a depressed alcoholic. In Sanctuary we win the game by refusing to play it. Live how you want to live. Die the way you want to die. We may not reach for the brass ring, but we'll still be here making baskets and growing heirloom apples long after your Federation has collapsed into anarchy."

Serena stared into the amber liquid in her glass, trying not to listen to Lomez's words which cut through her like an arctic wind. Part of her wanted to rise to the defense of progress, the linear flow of time from the beginning to some ultimate achievement, but she knew that she would stand no chance against his strong convictions. It stood to reason that Lomez had probably had such arguments hundreds of times before.

"Like I said before I'm not here to argue with you, but it will be easier when you accept the fact that nobody leaves sanctuary. I've gone and taken the liberty of scheduling you in a group therapy session. As you might guess our councilors and techniques are some of the best anywhere. I urge you to take advantage of them before your behaviors become any more self destructive."

Draining his glass Lomez got and put his glass back on the bar.

"Remember to close the door behind you when you're ready to leave."

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“Hold on!” Fiona cried after the wolf as it vanished into another thicket of evergreens, “I can’t move as fast as you through these trees.”

//”Humph, not my fault you doubled in size Fluffy. Try just showing those trees whose boss.”
The sound of cracking branches filled the air as Fiona bowled through the last stand of thin white barked trees and onto the large rock strewn clearing that ran along the base of the ridgeline. //”This location should afford us adequate privacy from the prying eyes of the welcome center. Are you ready to begin your training?” the unusually large wolf thought at the gargantuan blue tiger.

“I hope you’re happy, my fur is an absolute mess. It took me an hour to get it combed out this morning and now it looks like I wasted my time,” Fiona grumped.

//”As nice as these people are I wouldn’t want to test their reaction to you developing your super powers.”

“That reminds me, if I’m going to be a superhero I should probably pick a more appropriate name than “Fluffy” which, by the way, is a term I do not remember sanctioning in the first place,” said Fiona glaring at the wolf.

//”According to several popular movie and book series anger can help motivate your powers so Fluffy you stay until you can demonstrate some mastery,” said Lupa as she ran circles around the clearing to make sure they weren’t being surveilled.

“Joy. Alright, so what do you want me to do?”

//“Don’t blow yourself up. Don’t blow me up.”

“Don’t throw the sarcastic wolf in a lake.”

//”Four legs or two I’m still your advisor.”

“If this works I want elective credit.”

//”Deal, now, see that rock there that’s about the size of a trash can?”

“The one with the flat top?”

//“No, the other one, about five feet to the left.”

“Yeah, got it, what do you want me to do?”

//”Well try to lift it.”

“Um, ok,” Fiona replied, staring at the rock and furrowing her furry brow.
After about a minute of nothing happening Lupa padded up to Fiona’s leg.

//”How about you try picturing the effect you want, or just thinking of a desired action and willing it to happen.”

“Lift! Lift you stupid rock!”

//”Think, THINK, of the action you want and try pointing your hand, that might focus whatever energy you’re marshalling. “

Fiona tried again and much to her surprise the rock began to wobble.

“Did you see that?! Look! I did something!”

//”Very good, try again with a bit more focus this time.”

Fiona raised her arm again and focused on the rock, willing it to lift off the ground. Once again it began to wobble before suddenly shooting up into the air and quickly becoming a small black speck against the bright blue sky.

“Blast off!" Fiona shouted triumphantly.

//“Run!” Lupa barked.

“What?”

//”RUN!”

Lupa took off along the rocky slope with Fiona close on her heels. Despite her large size Fiona had retained an impressive running speed and soon both had put significant distance between themselves and the rock’s point of departure.

//”Down!” Lupa thought-cried as the wolf hunkered down under a shallow rock overhang with Fiona following suit as best she could.

“Can you tell me why we just did that?”

Suddenly A loud crash reverberated across the field as lethal fragments of rock sprayed in all directions, a bowling ball sized piece tumbling end over end not 10 feet from where the pair was taking cover.

//"What goes up must come down," stated Lupa. "Next time why don't you try throwing the rocks away from us?"

"Will do," Fiona replied now feeling both foolish and exhausted after launching a half ton boulder a thousand feet in the air. "Oooo, I'm feeling a little dizzy here."

//"We should probably take a break then. Consume some of the energy drinks and protein beverages you brought to regain your strength."

Clambering back to her feet Fiona dusted herself off and went into her bag for both a recovery beverage and one of the standard issue Sanctuary tablets, which in her oversized paws looked laughably small.

"Hey look, I've got net out here," Fiona remarked as she sat back on her haunches quaffing the first bottle of energy drink in one gulp.

Lupa padded up and sniffed at the device in Fiona's hands. //"Um, I think that pad is mine."

Fiona looked at it for a moment then before moving to put it back in her bag. "Why so it is. I see that nose of yours can't miss a thing."

//"Quick question, how did you unlock it?"

Fiona blinked again and then turned to Lupa with a baffled expression on her face.

"I…I don't know."

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The late day sun had turned the forested hillside orange the dangerously clever dire wolf stalker her prey, a single human dressed in Sanctuary attire, sitting alone on a rocky outcrop that overlooked the valley. The wolf had picked up her sent some distance away and tracked it to this location. Moving with all possible stealth, just a few inches at a time the wolf drew closer and closer to the unsuspecting human, ready to pounce.

"Give it up Lupa, I know you're there," said Serena, not even bothering to turn around as she poured another ounce of dark amber whisky into her glass.

Lupa let out a whine and padded up to sit down next to her friend.

//"How on earth did you detect me?" complained Lupa, a bit miffed that over an hour of painstaking effort had been for naught.

"Not telling, but what's really going to piss you off is that I might just say that from time to time in the off chance that you might actually be getting ready to pounce me and you just gave yourself away," said Serena smiling.

//"Oh! You little…" snarled Lupa knowing that the thought would gnaw at her for the rest of the evening.

Serena reached over and began to gently rub Lupa between the ears. "So, how did things go with Fiona?"

//"Pretty reasonably considering that I have no idea what I am doing and am just making everything up as I go. Already I'd give her a B minus for skill, but her endurance is more like a D. Even basic tricks take a lot out of her. We experimented with some recovery formulas, but they didn't make a huge difference over short periods of time. So what did you do with your time?"

Serena sighed before answering. "I ran into Lomez again last night and despite my best efforts he kind of got to me. I guess you don't get to be in charge of a place like this without some degree of charisma. Anyway despite my better judgment I kinda took him up on his offer of group therapy sessions."

//"That sounds great!" said Lupa, perking up her ears. //"I could tell something's been different with you since you showed up on 537 and I'm glad you're getting help. Not sure how much I should condone you sneaking out to drink though. I think you might have a bit of a problem," she continued, nosing the glass in Serena's hand.

"Oh, no, I wasn't trying to sneak away, just looking to be alone with my thoughts. They offered me some medication, but I'm not touching meds in this place. I asked around during the session and they don't make any bones about their more advanced "rehabilitation" techniques that include neural-restructuring and selective memory blocking. At least I can trust self-medication."

Lupa laid her head in Serna's lap. //"So what did Lomez say to you that at least partially changed your mind?"

Serena was silent for a minute or two before answering and even then her voice was softer and less confident than usual. "I guess he just made me think about what my goals were and what my end game was. Do I just keep on going until I wind up getting killed on a mission or do I wind up going insane who knows how many centuries in the future. Sanctuary may look like a cop out, but by restricting choices of its citizens it makes them happier overall. If I'm not getting what I need in my regular life…"

//"Serena! Surely you're not actually considering staying here," said Lupa, her voice betraying a sense of deep shock at this sudden revelation.

"If the schedule hadn’t gotten fucked up and Skie had been on this mission instead of me you would have been home yesterday. Not only are Neos immune to extractor fields he could have just magiced open a portal as a means to escape. What the hell use am I when that's the competition?" Serena went quiet again as she drained the liquid from her glass. "I'm not the Serena you knew anymore Lupa. Back when I was a jumble of AI code I could just click Ignore and everything was fine. Now I can try to ignore stuff, but it doesn't work. Things just get worse and worse for me."

//"No you're not the same person Serena, you're better. Skie isn't a better leader than you. He's not a better tactician or strategist. What good are Skie's party tricks today if we had been killed or captured by the Unity yesterday?"

Lupa paused a moment to let her words sink in.

//"I think you're chasing the past because it was easier for you, it was what you knew how to deal with. I'm sure that if on my 400th birthday you turned me into a robot or a human or a male, with no chance to turn back I'd be pretty bummed as well, but the first part of the adaptation process is acceptance. You've fallen for Lomez's false dichotomy between running off the rails and puttering around in a nice safe circle. Sure imperfect decision making and fuzzy emotions are challenging, but the Serena Hanford I know wouldn't run off to some engineered petting zoo to avoid them."

Serena leaned over, silently hugging the oversized novelty wolf and gently running her fingers through the wolf's thick, soft pelt. There was no need for her to say anything as her body language and presence revealed more at that point that her words ever could. The sun was just about to drop below the ridge on the other side of the valley when Lupa slowly pulled herself free.

//"Come on, we should go before it gets dark out."

"One second, someone seems to have sent me a whole bunch of messages," grumbled Serena as she accessed her tablet. "You know to know what else is challenging, having to remember to check this crap instead of just being aware of things. I wonder if this place is down with more limited cyber enhancement. Ah, looks like messages from Lars. Something about a new newcomer…" suddenly Serena's face went white. "Oh dear…that's….ouch."

Lupa looked up at her quizzically and Serena angled the tablet over showing a traumatized human woman wrapped in a blanked being lead into the medical facility by a team of security personnel. Those parts of her body that could be seen were completely covered by red and blue blood.

//"Oh my…"

"If you’re missing a shoe," said Serena. "I believe it just dropped."

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