Children of the Virus

44: The Countdown

Toshiro's body was rigid as he sat in the plush leather chair, the eerie glow of the command center casting shadows around him. He desperately tried to still his shaking fingers, but they quivered with nervous energy, his mind racing with fear and anticipation. Despite the biting cold outside, sweat dripped down his forehead as he faced Hugh, the class 9 superintelligence of the Rebellion. Only a day had passed since Toshiro had persuaded the rebels to embrace his daring strategy.

He addressed the AI with a resolve that belied his inner turmoil. "Hugh, I want you to download Ravenna's mind into mine," Toshiro said, his voice steady despite the racing of his heart. "The world champion speed skater—I need her skills."

"Understood, Toshiro," came Hugh's response, devoid of emotion yet resonating deeply within Toshiro's thoughts. "Initiating the transfer now." The command was simple, the implications monumental, marking the beginning of an audacious plan to meld his inner resolve with a new and unparalleled mastery.

A sensation like the onset of hypothermia crept up Toshiro's spine, yet it was counterbalanced by an inner warmth spreading through his chest—a duality that spoke of data streams intertwining with physical form. Toshiro closed his eyes, images of Ravenna gliding over ice with unnatural grace flooding his mind—her memories, her instincts, now becoming part of his own cognitive fabric.

"Is it working?" he asked, as Ravenna's competitions played out behind his eyelids.

"Transfer is at 40%, Toshiro," Hugh intoned. "I will complete it in a few minutes."

Suddenly, Simone burst through the door, her presence a stark contrast to the stillness of the room. "I've secured the buses!" she announced, her voice a mix of triumph and urgency.

"Great work, Simone," Toshiro said through gritted teeth as the download continued. His muscles twitched as he tried to ground himself to the present, Ravenna's adrenaline-fueled victories threatening to overwhelm his senses.

"We've selected the drivers," Simone continued, pacing with fervent energy. "Koda is outfitting each bus with a 'false back.'"

"Perfect. That'll let us hide our rebel fighters and munitions as we cross the border into Lebanon," Toshiro managed. "I knew we could count on Koda."

Simone's gaze was sharp and insistent. "Come see it, Toshiro," she said. "Each wall is a masterstroke of camouflage, melding seamlessly with the bus interior. Zo's goons won't suspect a thing."

"Just give me a minute...I'm almost done here." His hands clenched into fists, bracing for the final surge of Ravenna's essence to cement itself within him.

"Time is precious, Toshiro. We can't waste a single moment if we want to save those poor kids." Simone's voice held an edge of desperation, mirroring the stakes of their mission.

Hugh's voice cut through the tension. "95% complete."

"Nearly there," Toshiro murmured. He could feel the power and grace of Ravenna's skill set coursing through him. He'd never experienced anything like it.

"I've completed the transfer. You are now a world-class speed skater," Hugh declared, the finality in his tone signaling the end of the process.

"Thank you, Hugh." Toshiro opened his eyes, the vividness of Ravenna's experiences now inseparable from his own reality. Disconnecting from the superintelligence, he stood up with a newfound confidence in his legs. "Alright, Simone, let's go see those buses."

***

As dawn's first light crept into the room, Karl's fingers danced across the holographic keyboard with a rhythm that commanded the room's attention. Sweat beaded on his forehead, a testament to the pressure they were all facing. Toshiro watched him from the corner, impressed by his unwavering focus.