Writers Tab - hey guys I've never really written anything before so this first chapter is going to be super rough. so please help me out by leaving comments and even mailing me suggestions. i am more then happy to re-wright this chapter a hindered time until it is near perfect.
Date – 23 October 3057Location - Biretor system: Asteroid Belt one: Asteroid Station EverhallFinally today, the day I've been waiting for. I turn 20 Years old. and by human standards it means i become a full adult.
When people turned 20 years of age they are allowed to get a brain augmentation chip placed into there heads unlocking a unique ability.
While getting a brain augmentation chip the chip also comes with an empty Artificial Intelligence Matrix placed in the center of the augmentation chip.
As i sit here and record this into my journal i can't help but feel butterflies float in my stomach. with knowing that the implantation of the implant
would cause me great pain i was happy and afraid at the same time.
I currently live inside of a large asteroid with my mother and several million other people. our asteroid colony specializes in the mining and refinement
of semi-rare and common ores that are gathered from the local asteroid belt. our asteroid belt is in a solar system known as Biretor that is
3.9 AU from earth or roughly 5 weeks using a Warp-Drive. With our system so close to earth special doctors would come to do the implantation surgery, about once every 45 days.
I've just become lucky that my birthday falls on such a day.
I've been waiting for this day for about 6 years after i decided that i would take the mind augment that allows for control of the microscopic electrons that are all around
my body. with this augmentation i can create a strong personal force field or after years of training a small sized force field that can be used to protect my allies or even to boost a ship's own shields.
After watching a battle between 2 large armada that were fighting over the small dwarf planet of Pluto in the sol system i decided that the Electron Control augmentation was for me. so that i could help prevent the losses of life, for when a ship's shields fail and vent all the air and people into the cold hard vacuum of space.
“Max you ready to get going?” A stern but gentle voice asked me from the other side of my bedroom door. I turn my head to toward the door and reply.
“Almost mom, give me 5 minutes and i'll be ready.” I return my gaze back on the blue hologram that is projected in front of me. This hologram displayed my personal journal.the projection came from hologram project that was sitting on my desk but the physical hard drive for the journal was inside of a secret compartment of the band that was wrapped around my left bicep.
Pushing back my chair i stand up,looking at the clock on the desk i see the time is currently 0619 hours.and i still didn't have any pants on. I frown at this proceed to the laundry basket sitting next to the door. Reaching in i grab a pair of black jeans and a blue t shirt. I sniff both articles of clothing to make sure they didn't smell before assuming they are clean.i put both on the pants and the shirt on and open the door from my bedroom. As i open the door i can smell freshly baked bread, i walk out of my room closing the door behind me heading to the kitchen looking forward to the simple but delicious breakfast.
“Ah good you're dressed. Quickly sit down and eat up for we leave soon for the medical office.” My mother tells me as i sit down at the table. Looking down i see a plat the size of my head with 4 large pieces of toast on it. Each piece of toast had a yellow slime on it indicating she had already put honey on each slice. I smile at this for it wasn't often she would go through such lengths to make a nice breakfast.
After 6 minutes of stuffing my face with the sweetened bread my plate was cleared and i was full. Raising my voice i announce “ Mom i'm done. Are you ready?”
“What are you talking about I've been waiting on you this whole time.” Was her reply from the living room as she watched the daily news channel.
I hear the living room go silent as she turned off the TV so i got up and placed my plate in the sink to be washed. Mom came walking into the room wearing a bright yellow flower printed summer dress with a light knitted long sleeve over coat.
I follow her as she exits the apartment we live in. looking up i can see the artificial sun above our heads that doubles as a the asteroids fusion power core. Feeling it warmth i couldn't help but notice the cool air that was blowing around us. The stations AI was using the asteroids ventilation systems to keep the temp inside the station 65 degrees fahrenheit to offset the heat that the sun puts out.
The inside of the asteroid was hollowed out in the shape of an oval sphere. The asteroid was broken down into 40 sectors and each one having its own gravity generator to counter the gravitational pull of the sun.
We currently live in sector 28 close to sector 32. My mother works in sector 32 as a metal purity specialist. Her job was to make sure that all the metal produced from the smelters had little or no defects in it. Once she approves it, the metal is then shipped off to sector 40 for storage until it's needed.
Walking down the alleyway from our apartment to the main street took us less than 15 minutes.following the main street we quickly reach the sectors open market area. This area also doubles as the sectors town hall, that is used to settle the problems that come up to time within the sector. As we reach the market area a large cluster of people could already been seen.
My mother stops walking as she see the group of people and turns to me.
“You ready? Go stand over there with the others and wait for your name to be called. I'll see you in a few days.” She says as she give me a quick hug. I noticed the tears in her eyes, noticing this i decided to put on a brave front for her.
With the biggest smile i could muster. “See you soon.”
She pull away from me and starts to walk back down the main street to our apartment again.
With the back to me i allow the smile to drop from my face to be replaced with a grin. This is it. In a few hours i will have a augmentation and an AI of my own. Just the first step to my future plan.
Walking forward i reach the back of the group and look around for anyone i knew. After 30 seconds i noticed one of the girls i had math class with so i decided to approach. As i near i can see the worry in her crystal blue eyes.
“Hey Alyssa” i call out with a slight wavy of my arm.
She starts turning her head left and right looking for where her name came from before she notices me. A slight smile appears on her lips and the worry in her eyes was replaced with excitement from something to distract her from what soon to come. With The smile she looked quite pretty With her medium length brown hair that stopped at her shoulder blades, she fit the kind of women i would like to date but sadly i was to shy during school to ask her out, and ,missed my chance.she is already taken but at least i worked up my courage to become friends with her.
“Max how are you doing?haven't seen you since we graduated in May.”
“I'm good . I've been doing research on the augmentation i want and seeing what i would need to do to get a job on a star ship as a shield engineer. What about you? Have you picked you augment?”
“Yes i'm going to go with Robotic processing”
A frown appeared on my face showing her that i didn't understand what this augmentation dose. She see the look on my face and quickly gives me an explanation
“Its an augment that allows me to think faster. Kinda like turning my head into a supercomputer. With this augment i can remotely control several androids or become a pilot of a ship.”
“That's awesome. I never thought about doing that. Do you already have a job lined up after you get done with the implantation?” I ask her
“Yes and no. after i finish creating my AI i need to go take a test on my capabilities and see if i'm more suited for piloting a ship or the overseeing of drones.Depending on the results i have a small list of companies that will hire me.”
“Nice. your lucky, i think i might have to join the navy or keep hunting for a private company to hire me.”
“The navy would be good for you. Help you get over that shyness of yours” she says while winking at me.
I can feel the heat building in my ears and cheeks as i turn a bright red. Looking anywhere but at her my eyes shoot across the crowd. While looking away i see 10 people approaching the group. 6 women and 4 men. Each one was wearing white lab coat showing that they were scientists or doctors.
The 10 people stand before us and the lady in the middle of the group steps forwards and yells.
“Good morning ladies and gentlemen. My name is Doctor Noonan and today you all are here to get your Augmentation and AIs. Each doctor here will step forward and call out a list of names. Please step forward and stand behind the doctor in a single file line when your name is called. Should your name not be called please don't panic, we ask that you wait until each doctors has finished calling out their list of names. When that over we will ask you for your name and assign you a doctor. If you have any questions please wait to ask them until you have boarded the shuttle.”
As soon as she gets done talking she starts to call out names. She announced 15 people's names. Each person walked forward with stiff movements and a strong determination in there hearts.
After the doctor called her 15 people out the male doctor on her left stepped forward and started calling out his list of names. After calling out 8 names he calls out Alyssa’s name.she looks at me “see you later, remember to let me know how your job hunt goes.”she says as she walks forward.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
One after another each doctor steps forward and calls out there list. When the 7th doctor steps forward she looks on her paper and calls out “MAX BLACK”.
Finally my name is called. My heart rate shoots through the roof. Looking around to make sure no one else was moving to make sure i really did hear my name,. I silently step forward to stand silently behind the doctor and close my eyes to try and calm down.
After 15 minutes all the doctors had step forward and called out there list. I opened my eyes looking at where the group use to be, only to see a young looking lady standing there. Her eyes were red from the constant stream of tears that are coming out. Her short blond hair is also messy from her fidgeting with it.
Doctor Noona Steps forward while asking “what is your name and current age as of today?”
“Uh uh my name is Rebecca Stimer and i am currently 19 and will be 20 in a week.” The young lady stammers out.
Shaking her head in a slight nod “i'm sorry but only those who are over 20 years of age or older may get the operation done.” Says Noona
“Come on Nonna in less than 7 days she will be 20. Why make her wait an extra 5 weeks to get the implant when she's already here?” Says the doctor that called my name.
“Fine if only if you take her into your group Erica.” Shot back Dr. Noona
“Okay deal.” turning to face Rebecca “My name is Dr. Erica so please step over here and follow me to our shuttle.”
As she says this she turns around and start walking away from us to the far side of the market area. I quickly start following her. After a 5 minute walk around the market area we get to another wide road leaving the market. As we walk down this road i can see what was a large opened area that was fenced off with signs on it saying PARKING ONLY.
Walking into the parking lot there can been seen 10 large shuttles with a big red cross on them, showing they were medical shuttles. Each shuttle were identical 20 feet long 15 feet wide and 9 feet tall. The shuttles looked like loafs of bread that you would see at the local store.
When we got to the shuttle on the far left Dr. Erica put her hand up to a panel and a hissing sound could be heard as the entire side of the shuttle lifted up on a set of hinges. Inside of the shuttle there was 2 rows of seats with there being 12 seats in a row. To the left of the seats there a closed door that leads to the cockpit of the shuttle.
“Please pick a seat and strap in. after everyone's in the hatch will close and we will lift off. We are heading to sector one to get your augmentations and AI completed. During the flight if you have any questions please voice them at that time. For once we land you will be asked for the augment you want and be put to sleep so the operation can be performed.” Dr. Erica said to us as she stepped inside the ship.
As she finished speaking everyone looked at the seat and stepped forward to claim their own. I walked to the second row and sat down in the end seat before anyone else could. Everyone else found their seats and started to buckle themselves in. i started to do the same when i notice that Rebecca was standing next to me looking at me.
“Hmm do you need something?” I ask her politely.
“Can i sit next to you?” She asks me with a quiet voice.
“Yea sure, since no one else is sitting there.” Pulling my legs in as close as i can my my chair to help clear the path way for her to walk by.
Erica sits down and buckles in. the hatch to the shuttle is closing and here i am sitting next to a decently nice looking lady, Looking down so that i don't keep staring at her i can smell her perfume.oranges with the hint of vanilla, such a strong smell i couldn't help but enjoy it.
The shuttle starts taking off and i can hear a buzz as people start to talk with each other. None of them asked a question to Dr. Erica, but i guess that's to be expected since all of us knew what was going to happen next. It was to taught to everyone in their final days in school so we could decide if we want to get the operation done or not. Some people don't, and those people tend to pick simple jobs like shopkeepers or laborers in the factories
With a crackle the shuttle's inter comm came on “One minute until touch down. Please prepare to exit the shuttle.”.
After the announcement the chatter inside picked up and people were getting excited to get the procedure done with. The minute felt like an hour. As i was thinking that the shuttle landed and the side hatch opened up. Blinding white light flooded into the shuttle as the hatch opened up all the way. Looking out of the hatch i can see what looked like a operation room there are 20 tables in the single room. Each table was rectangular with a U shaped headrest.
Dr. Erica steps out and turns to face us. “ please exit the shuttle watching you step. As you can see there are 20 tables in the room. If you look on the floor in front of each bed you will see a number. Please go to the bed that corresponds to the order that i called you in. Max you are at table one and Rebecca you are on table 16. If you don't remember the order that you were called in please ask me. Does everyone understand?”
Shifting my gaze to look at my bed , the first thing i notice is there a man standing next to the table. glancing at him i guess he's in his late 20’s to early 30’s, with his short cropped black hair and greenish eye he looked energetic. Turning my attention back to Dr. Noona she was waving her hands at us in a shooing gesture. Taking the hint i start walking to my table. As i approach the energetic doctor approached me.
Reaching out with his right hand “hello. My name is Shane Stockton. I will be your nurse for this operation.”
Quickly taking his hand i shake it, while squeezing his hand tightly. Mother always told me that if a man had a weak handshake then he's not worth dirt he's made of.
As i listen to him i become confused. Nurse. Where's the doctor. Are they really going to let an untrained nurse mess with the insides of my head?the confusion must have reached my eyes for he quickly stammered an explanation.
“Please don't be confused. I'm not the one that's going to me playing tetris with your brain. The implantation is an automated process. I'm just here to give you the anesthesia and stick you with a few nettles so that you don't die during the operation.”
During his explanation a wicked smile appeared on his face. Now instead of being confused i was worried. Who the hell would let this nut job become a nurse. I've seen a better bedside manners from a 12 year old girl as she watched her mom slowly die from radiation poisoning.
Closing my eyes i start to breath slowly to steady my nerves. Doing this a for a few seconds i build up enough courage to open my eyes. “ Okay let's get this over with” i tell him as i start to climb onto the bed.
“Well aren't you an impatient. Since you're in such a rush to get you brain turned into a game board what augmentation are you going for? If you haven't decided i can you the 10 most commonly picked augments.” Says nurse Stockton, clearly irritated that i shut down his chance to make any more jokes.
“No need i have already decided to go with Electron Control.” I reply bluntly, with the hope i didn't open any doors for him to crack another joke.
Nodding his head nurse Stockton starts to go over the operation.
“Okay very well. Now that i have the type of augment you want, i will explain what's going to happen. You are going to lay down on the bed with you head resting on the funny shaped pillow. Then i'm going to stab you with a nettle in your right arm and you're going to fall into a slight coma. After that i will enter the type of augment you want into the computer that's built into the bed. Next a bunch of robotic arms and other things will come out from under your head rest and start messing your your head and install the implant. During that time i will watch your vitals closely making sure nothing goes wrong and set in if something does. You will be kept in the coma for 6 days as a quick healing foam is placed over the implant and the surrounding skin. When you wake up you will feel like your head is exploding as your mind will not be use to the add on inside of your head. I will give you some med and send you sorry butt off to go make your AI. you get all that or do you want me to explain it slower for you.”
Rolling my eyes i lay my head on the funny shaped pillow. Thinking over what he said made me remember that there's one thing in this world i fear more than spiders and that's nettles. And for this fool be talk so happily about poking me with them didn't help lower my heart rate.
A dull pain was felt in my arm but as quickly as i felt it it was gone. And before i even noticed things started to slip away. Why was i so worried? Did i just feel something? Wait whats going on again? As then even these thoughts started to slip away. And then there was nothing. An eternal void of nothing.
I was unaware of this at the time but i wasn't the only one having a similar conversation with a nurse. As the conversations ended and everyone was put under the nurses left the room, not forgetting to turn out the lights. Having done this operation a hundred time they didn't fear anything going wrong.
As they exit the room Dr. Noona bumps into Nurse Stockton and whispers in his ear so only he could hear. “ want to go have quickie before we go to get dinner?”
“I don't know about you but i love to have my dessert before my main course. “
Stockton replies with a sly grin.