Inside the Communication Center

Sargent Kyle Kelly's momentous frame nearly fills the door frame itself of the Communication Center as he walks through it. He leads the way with Devin Richardson eclipsed by his body tagging along behind him. Among the sea of computer technicians, Enrique and Theresa look up dumbfounded from their computer stations as the two enter. On the west wall are giant flat screens, which display live feed from several scenes around Paradise Island, a few from Mission Bay, and fewer still from downtown San Deigo. A large window stretching 12 feet long displays only dark shadows with hints of the sharp edges of machinery behind the thick glass. In the center of the room rises a clear white cylinder, which balances what appears to a large, ornate diamond on top. It seems out of place, like something belonging in a jewelry store and not a military computer communications center.

"This is our communication center. You've met Enrique and Theresa, of course," Kyle says flatly.

Theresa stands awkwardly. Enrique rolls his chair out from his cubical wall.

"Showing him around the la casa, hey Sarge? How's the ole' noggin, big guy?"

"Better. Thanks for asking! I thought I better get the blood moving."

"Good idea, 'migo!"

Kyle escorts Devin to the metal door at the south end of the window leading to the garage and turns the lights on inside unraveling the mystery of shadows behind the machinery. He stops short of taking him deep inside. Enrique, head down, follows in behind them. The smell of oil and cleaning fluid taints the air but isn't overbearing with the huge size of the garage.

"This is the garage, more or less. You have your air bikes over there on the east side, like the ones you two knuckleheads rode in on. We have a few space pods in the mix that can deceive most of the link scanners."

Devin manages to make out that the pods were like the ones everyday people were traveling in sky traffic lanes when they were on the run, but these were a bit more roughed up. He could only see the backsides of their egg-shaped heads, looking like retired seats from some old amusement park ride.

"Things have changed since you last been awake. Once you enter city limits, you are linked and traced. If you have no chip that can be linked to, then you are red-flagged immediately and taken out. This is why it was very risky for Enrique to bring you here without a chip." Enrique pressed his lips together refraining from an argument stirring just behind them.

"So how do you get around it?" Devin asks.

"Forged identity chips. It was really only a matter of time before they would start tracking everyone anyway. Those who were truly woke saw it coming as soon as your company put the System in motion." Kyle scowls. His head twists slightly as if a snake twisted around his spine and when he recenters it with a crack, he walks up into Devin's personal space causing him to lean back slightly, "What were you thinking when you created a system that could violate and take away every protection we had anyway?"

Devin steps back holding a hand up, "What I was a part of creating was not to infringe on privacy or protections. It was to give everyone accessibility, security-"

"Twenty years in cryogenic sleep and you still sound like a politician and a businessman," he smirks, "Look, Mr. Richardson. This is a Resistance Army covering the whole of North America. Our aim is to take down the very system you helped to create. I need to know that I can trust you and I don't right now."

"Take down the System? Once it's been implemented..." Devin shakes his head, placing his hands on his hips in dismay, "you can't just 'take it down."

"You are the System's co-creator."

"More like Co-designer."

"Alright, fuck. Co-designer then! Either way, you know inside details that we don't. You can get us the access we don't have right now."

Devin chuckles scratching his hair, "Do you see where my status as co-designer got me? I barely made out alive! Whatever has been done with the System since I've been imprisoned has made it... something I don't recognize."

"But, you are alive! No one has faced the eye of that storm and come out alive except you! Plus, you would have a whole army behind you now. Our army!"

"I'm not sure any of us knows what we are up against here! If it is true, what you all are saying, that the system has gone rogue and is self-aware. I'm could only be here to-"

"Yes, why are you here?"

Devin takes a breath, trying to hold back the rush of anger from having his words cut off. "Look, I get you have all this self-righteous anger toward me, and honestly, I don't care," Devin leans in pointing a finger, "but I didn't create what you see out there. That is not the system I intended. Look, I just want to get to my wife, and child, okay? I don't care about your grand mission! Anyone's grand life mission. Not till I find my wife."

Kyle stares back grinding his teeth and Devin glares back in return. Enrique looks on the whole scene like it is a wrestling match of the minds. Kyle thrusts out an arm pointing southward. Devin and Enrique look toward the south and back at Kyle who is red-faced, his lips twitching, waiting for a response.

"Over there, are our terrain vehicles. Diggers. The front them have a sharp edge tool that can dig through rock, dirt, and other shit in seconds. It will get you almost anywhere you want to go off grid." Kyle stomps past the two of them and slaps down the light switch, holding the door open reluctantly waiting for the other two to walk through. Devin walks through with his face flushed red. Kyle lets the door slam shut and begins to head slowly toward the door to re-lock it.

"Enrique tell our legend here what our rules are about the vehicles."

"Use 'em and get locked up indefinitely, unless you have permission," the young Mexican smirks and shrugs.

"Simple enough to remember," Devin mutters.

"I can't have anyone going rogue on me, Mr. Richardson. Legend or no legend. Trust is earned and you haven't earned-"

Devin walks up and past the Sargant, "You've made yourself abundantly clear that you don't trust me." As Kate is just entering, she attempts to greet Devin who is too angry to see her as he storms out. She looks back surprised and then at Kyle's anger-ridden face reading the lines in his furrowed brow and red tainted cheeks.

Devin practically punches the button that opens the door to his room and sits down on the bed. He looks around the room anxiously and then with arms on his knees puts his head into the palms of his hands. It feels like the damn walls are closing in. I gotta get out of this compound. This just isn't going to work... me and this Resistance Army just aren't.. Eyes closed, he vividly remembers the day when the authorities arrest him and take Login out of his car to arrest him. Cindy and Login's daughter Kate watch with looks of horror from the front door.

"Honey? What is happening?" cries Cindy.

"Don't worry! I will get this worked out. This is a mistake. Just hang tight!" Devin shouts to her while the police are pushing his head into a vehicle.

"Watch Kate for me? Call my wife?" Login hollers to her

"Yes, Login, I will," replies Cindy

That was the last day he saw his wife, and the last day Kate saw her father. His head lifts up. Maybe there was a way he could get Kate to help him get out of here. I just need to remember what they did to Login and we could kill two birds with one stone. Get my wife and daughter, and find Login.., that is, if he is still alive.

Hallway Moments Later--

Kyle and Kate walk away from the Communication Center as other staff workers pass by sporadically.

"You are being too hard on him. Give him a bit more credit, Kyle."

"I don't trust him," Kyle replies puffing out his chest, "and I don't imagine part of your rush for us to get along is that he could lead to your father's whereabouts? I'm not going to coddle him."

"I know you want him combat-ready, but he isn't ready. You can't make him ready for something he isn't. You certainly aren't going to win him over this way!"

Kyle steps ahead of her and stands in front of her, "Then, you make him ready! This is war Kate. The game has changed if we get him on our side. We'll have an edge."

"Everything is a damn war game with you, but you forget the causalities--even when it's on your own side of the battle!"

Kate maneuvers her way around Kyle's large body and walks on. Kyle remains stoically silent. No one spoke to him the way Kate did. No one had the guts. It made his blood so hot that it burned his veins, but he also admired her for it. If he was honest, it also turned him on. These days, as the battles intensify, he has to use fear and discipline in order to keep the compound from falling apart. Friendships are hard to keep. Romance is non-existent. But, he has hope that when this is all over, he may show her a different side of himself.

She is the caregiver and doesn't have a clue what it is like playing your pieces in the war game. To lead like he does, you have to play your feelings and moves close to your chest. She detests so the rules of war so much. No one wants the role of leader, but everyone is so willing to judge every move you make as one. Who would sign up for that? He sure didn't. He had reached this level of command only by a successive series of deaths of other commanders, and he never wanted a whole army's worth of lives placed in his hands. People imagine because of the tough talk coming out of his mouth, that he sees this as some game he is playing with people's lives. No, it's a torment. A sadistic puzzle and if I have a choice that didn't involve the fate of the world, I would choose not to play, he thought to himself. The faces of people who have died haunt his dreams pop up in shadows around corners or in the reflections of mirrors when his eyes get unfocused for just a brief second. A second too long. But, maybe one day he could make her understand. One day maybe he could show her his true heart. The day when his heart isn't completely signed over to the Resistance Army.

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FITNESS CENTER-NEXT DAY

Kyle leans on the door frame watching Kate put Devin Richardson to work on his physical therapy routine. Devin looks over briefly at the Sargeant who has half a smile on his face as he groans while collapsing from doing planks.

"I think our onlooker over there is enjoying watching me getting tortured," Devin replies.

"You have no idea," Kyle snickers.

"You're next if you aren't careful," Kate says whipping her hair back as she types something into her electronic chart.

"Is this punishment you are giving me because I told you I can't yet remember what happened the day your father disappeared?"

"Stop being such a baby. I have to make sure you are progressing in your muscle strength." She smiles but then looks concerned as a soldier enters the room and addresses Kyle.

"Sir, you and Mr. Richardson are being summoned to the Communication Center right away. General Forsyth is pinging in for a conference call."

Kyle's face goes pale. "General Forsyth? Mr. Richardson, follow me. You can have him back shortly, Kate." Kate throws up her hands subtly and watches in frustration as they walk off.

This was beginning to feel like a terrible cat and mouse game to her. Devin Richardson had literally been delivered to the compound like a gift in the mail. After years of absolute dead silence as to her father's whereabouts, she had given up hope. However, not all hope. She tucked away a memory. It was there as a young child playing at the Richardson's home when the authorities came and arrested Devin and her father. She was but a child but not too young to forget the last day she had seen her dad. Something that is traumatic never leaves you. She had to rely on the comfort of Mrs. Cindy Richardson who was clearly shaken herself but did her best to console her even amidst her own fears and agony.

Now, it was like an old wound being teased or tormented all over again. After decades of being put off by what was clearly a humanoid version of Devin Richardson and with Cindy Richardson who swore allegiance to him, here was the "real" Devin Richardson? A new twist no one had been expecting, not even the System itself got a handle on him before he had escaped its grip. The one man with the clue as to where her father is, and she has yet to get anything from him. Maybe it is time to be a little less subtle and get a moment alone with him. Things are bubbling up around here. Something is going to pop, and it isn't going to be pretty. I have to get him alone and find out what he knows before things get out of hand.

The Communication Center

Kyle and the soldiers briskly walk in with Devin following suit. Most of the Communication is empty this is the evening shift, but those who are left are standing around anxiously waiting for their arrival. The lights are low and the room is mostly lit by the television screens projecting off the walls and a illuminated border of blue light that trails around both ceiling and the bottom of the walls framing the room.

"Enrique, give me the low down before I take this call."

"You're not going to like it...remember your Catholic upbringing on forgiveness?"

"Enrique now is not the time for humor or your religious appeals." Kyle then notices on the large screens different news stories showing images of Enrique on a bike with a person in the back seat. He walks closer to the screens. Enrique starts mumbling something in Spanish and Theresa walks over to put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. On one of the screens the caption reads "Resistance Captures Legendary Devin Richardson or Is It A Hoax?" Kyle's eyes start darting all over the screens looking closer at the rider and one shot shows clearly a side view of Devin Richardson on the bike.

"Someone turn the volume up on screen 3! Now!"

A young man by the name of Tom hops over to a device.

"Thank you, Tom."

"The infamous Resistor, Enriques Gonzales was seen again after a short hiatus escaping authorities a month earlier. It appears from the footage that we have, he was possibly carrying the legendary developer of the System, Devin Richardson, also former chair and businessman of the New Society. But there is speculation if this was him or a hoax...well...wait...we are getting something right now...let's go to that....live at the home of the Richardson's! It appears it may have been a hoax. Let's hear from them," the reporter exclaims excitedly.

The screen cuts to the lawn of a two-shaded light brown home with off white pillars holding up the front portico of this mansion-sized home. The grass color is more teal green than real green. A humanoid version of Devin Richardson appears on the screen grinning like a cat who ate a mouse. This humanoid version of Devin Richardson has a white gleaming smile revealing whitening laser treatments that reflect the camera lights. His hair is grayer, and his face has a few more lines but he looks tougher. Like a retired Sargeant, he stands tall and stiff with a crew cut in camouflage with a strand of metals hanging off him. He holds his wife Cindy tightly by his side as though someone from the camera crew may try to kidnap her. She too is older, and greyer, but her eyes look unalarmed, and they rest admirably on her husband's face he speaks to the cameras.

"Well, there can't be two of me now, can there? I don't think my wife here could tolerate it," he laughs as do some of the reporters. Cindy simply smiles and that warms the real Devin's heart. God, have I missed that smile, he thought to himself holding back tears. The humanoid Richardson kisses Cindy on the cheek and Devin's smile quickly turns sour and his color turns a shade of pale.

"This appears to be a hoax," the fake Devin Richardson continues, "Another feeble plot of the Resistance Army. I am sure the authorities within the System will now be able to trace this and find their next compound, that's my hope. If that's the case, this could unravel a chain of events that would undo the Resistance for good."

The reporter comes back on the screen, "System authorities want us to assure Californian citizens that security measures are being put in place in case of a new attack within the San Deigo and its out-laying areas."

The picture then cuts to a screen of a tall man standing at a podium with thick, curly white hair and thick, dark-framed glasses balanced by a long nose.

"Leonard!" Devin mutters drawing closer to the screen.

"You know him?" asks Kyle.

"Yeah, he was my business partner...it's coming back."

"Good, the whole day isn't lost then," Kyle mumbles.

On the bottom of the screen reads the words, "Leonard Bloomfield, CEO New Society Systems"

"The last few days have been increasing in mysterious activity and sabotage by the Resistance forces. This is not limited to the San Deigo area. All citizens must at this time remain on high alert and be ready for wartime procedures. We are at a critical point of removing the Resistance forces from power entirely. This was a key misstep that may open doors for us. Time will tell. Be alert and be vigilant."

"Okay, shut that shit off," Kyle waves his hands turning away, "shut it off!" He paces around the center room with hands around back. "War...we don't have the numbers for a war at this compound... God damn it, Enrique!" Enrique who was standing sits back down into his cubicle.

"Get over here and get the General on the comm. He's waited long enough. We gotta face the music now. For Christ's sakes!"

Like a dog with his tail between his leg, muttering things softly in Spanish, Enrique then asks, "Now sir?"

"Yes, now," Kyle replies adjusting his collar.

Enrique presses in on the sides of the diamond-like figure and then walks quickly back to his side of the work area as a holographic image of General Forsyth is displayed. He is 60 years old with the mixed look of an eagle and that of a proper English gentleman. His hair shows no sign of aging, black, and is slicked back like he just stepped out of the shower. When he realizes he is on the line, he whips off his wire glasses and begins looking around the room with a serious expression.

"General Forsyth, welcome. How can I be of service, sir?" Kyle announces.

"You can start by telling who it is you have in your possession and why that blasted Mexican of yours is in your trouble again?"

"General, let me assure you, we have the real Devin Richardson. There appears to be a humanoid one out at his residence. I was waiting to-"

"Waiting? Waiting for the System Authorities to dig you out and blast that compound to kingdom come?"

"No, sir I-"

"This is all over their media now. I have every branch in our forces calling me up. We are at our most vulnerable and you decide to do what? Wait to give me the information I would need?"

Kyle takes a deep breath before responding. "I wanted to be able to give you a full report, sir. An accurate one. I wasn't' sure I could trust him."

Growling, "I don't give a jack squat if you feel you can trust him as much as your own mother, you bring these matters straight to me! I can't wrap my mind around the mentality of this compound right now." He grips his forehead turning away and then turns back with a defeated look. "This compound better dig in and dig itself in deep. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry probe they have is going to be searching for you now. We are all at risk. God only knows how much tracer footage they have on them."

"Yes, sir!"

Devin Richardson and the General lock eyes.

"So, it appears we have found each other Mr. Richardson."

"He's been in cryogenic sleep for twenty years now, sir," interjected Kyle, "Someone wanted him out of the picture."

The General's eyes squinted as he paused, perplexed, "Well, yes for now they wanted him out of the picture. If it was permanent, they would have killed him immediately. They were saving him for a later date." The General's ghostly image circles around Devin who looks uncomfortable. "Why did you escape, Mr. Richardson? This was your creation, after all."

"Well, I wasn't actually put up in a 5-star hotel suite. I made a contingency plan to wake myself up. I just need to remember why."

"Are you going to be working with us or against us, Mr. Richardson. That's what we really need to know here."

Devin feels all eyes on him, and you can hear a pin drop in the room. Of course, he is against a system that has gone rogue and taken over society to do ill. He just hasn't been out in society fully yet to know what all those proposed ills are. Good could be called bad and bad good by any side. One bad sign surely is being put in a cryogenic prison of sorts, then ripped out and left for dead, and the double they have in his place. Definitely not good signs.

Nevertheless, something doesn't feel right about this Resistance Army either, he thought in his gut. It isn't like he feels doing cartwheels around all the promises they want him to make around teaming up with them. Nevertheless, he knows what he has to say, and in a large sense, it is true. He would have to do something to at least take down parts of the system that had become corrupted until he finds out more.

"I am definitely willing to talk about what I can do to-"

"Great! Sargent Kelly, your task is to get him remembering quick. He's been in the deep recesses of the System's brain cloud. He has critical intel waiting to be accessed. I want daily reports. I'll work on my end to get him transferred to us eventually once he begins remembering more. We need to make sure some of this news dies down, and we see less probe activity before we transport him also."

As the General turns to approach the diamond topped cylinder, Devin goes to approach him, but Kyle grabs him by the shoulder and squeezes it to stop him. The General turns back around.

"I want you to turn your virtual com links open only to Central Command. We must keep this compound secure and keep everyone from getting too confused. As for you, Mr. Richardson, if you will truly support the Resistance, it will be a good day for the world and a great day for humanity."

The General's image sucks in as though being pulled in from a vacuum inside the diamond and disappears. Everyone's shoulders that had risen up to almost their ears, lower in relief. Kyle swallows hard and turns to leave.

"You heard him. Secure the com-link."

The Richardson Home

The humanoid version of Devin Richardson lays in his bed with his hands behind his head while Cindy Richardson fixes herself up in the bathroom wearing a blue nightgown.

"Honey, you've been in there forever. Are you ever coming to bed?"

Cindy turns out the bathroom light and leans on the door frame. Devin, the humanoid, rolls on his side and smiles at her.

"You look gorgeous, dear."

"Why thank you," she smiles blushing slightly, and makes her way over to her side of the bed trying to hide that the compliment almost made her cry. She sits on her side of the bed wiping the last bit of hand cream off her hands and stares out the window. The humanoid waits for her turn around but her back remains a cold wall-a sign of a problem.

"Cindy, I wanted to ask you. This whole 'double' me thing isn't troubling you too deeply, is it?" She turns and shakes her head, no. "Because I know you had told me about a reoccurring dream of their being two of me and then this...so I can understand if--"

She crawled into bed and scoots herself up into his arms. She lays her head on his chest quietly.

"Oh, it is bothering you. I understand."

Cindy spoke down toward his lower chest shyly, "I just don't want another nightmare. When I saw that on the news...it was like it became real. I know it's silly."

Devin looked down at her and pulled her away, "No, you listen. It is not silly. Not silly in the least. This was a crime, first of all. A violation of our privacy." He embraced her harder. His head turned to a drink on the nightstand next to him. "Here sit up with me, honey. I made this for you. It will help you sleep better." He gently helped the two sit up in bed and cupped the drink in his and her hands. As she drank it, she paused and looked him in the eyes.

"Go on finish it, babe, I promise that by the morning, you'll forget any of this ever happened."