Alex

Linked

"Good morning, Alex. How are you feeling today?" Dr. Meyers asked as he strode into the lab, the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting in with him. The steam curled lazily from his cup, and I could pinpoint the region where the beans had been grown—a small detail that immediately struck me as odd.

"Everything feels... different," I said slowly, trying to process the strange sensations coursing through me. "More... robust. What exactly did you do?"

Dr. Meyers chuckled softly, as if anticipating my reaction. "For starters, we replaced all of your internal circuitry to allow for faster data transmission and processing. Your body can now relay information at a speed that was previously impossible." He took a sip of his coffee, a relaxed gesture at odds with the monumental changes he was describing. I could smell the earthy, nutty aroma of the brew, almost as if I could taste it from across the room.

"You upgraded the processors too, didn’t you?" I asked, piecing things together.

"Exactly. Every microprocessor in your system has been replaced to accommodate your new programming," he said, watching me carefully.

"New programming?" The words hung in the air like a foreign language. "What programming?"

"Ah, yes. That," Dr. Meyers smiled again, this time with a hint of pride. "You may have noticed some... enhancements to your senses?"

"I have," I replied, still trying to come to grips with just how sharp my perception had become.

"That’s part of the upload."

"Upload?" I echoed, suddenly wary. "What did you upload?"

Dr. Meyers met my gaze, his tone measured yet calm. "I integrated a core part of ALPHA's software into your neural network."

The revelation hit me like a punch to the gut. My breath caught in my throat as I tried to comprehend the implications. "You put ALPHA inside me?"

"Not all of her," he reassured. "Just enough to augment your abilities. You now have real-time access to her processing power, and your reflexes and decision-making have been upgraded. You’re faster, smarter, and more efficient than you’ve ever been."

My mind was spinning. "So... I’m permanently connected to ALPHA?"

"Yes," Dr. Meyers nodded, his expression turning more serious. "We also implanted a satellite receiver. You’re always linked, no matter where you are. ALPHA is with you, guiding and assisting you in everything you do."

I sat there, dumbfounded, the gravity of his words sinking in. This was more than an upgrade. This was a transformation.

"So, I’m not just me anymore," I whispered.

Dr. Meyers set his coffee down, his eyes locking with mine. "You’re still you, Alex. But now, you’re the best version of yourself. And with ALPHA at your side, you have what it takes to stop Ashcroft."

I could feel my heart racing, but my mind, with ALPHA's influence, remained focused and calm.

"This changes everything," I whispered. I clenched my fists, feeling the power surge through my body. "Let's make him regret ever starting this."

"Why don't you take some time to acquaint yourself with your new enhancements? But we should start your training regimen soon," Dr. Meyers said, his tone both casual and urgent as he headed for the door.

I watched him leave, and suddenly, a cold realization hit me—I wasn’t alone anymore. Not ever again. I took a deep breath, trying to focus.

"ALPHA," I thought, silently, "what can you tell me about the ACE project that the Consortium is running?"

ALPHA’s melodic voice rang out, echoing inside my mind. "The ACE project was initiated in 2015 by Dr. Jacob Davis at the University of Columbus. The goal of the project was to enhance the human condition by accelerating healing rates and amplifying strength, speed, and agility."

As ALPHA’s words faded into the background, the world around me shifted. I was no longer standing in the lab. Instead, I was on that roof again. Alone. My heart pounded as I relived the memory.

"Alex, we’re ready for you to take the next step," came a voice from behind me—his voice.

I turned slowly, my mind wrestling with the fear that I hadn’t buried deep enough. "I... I’m not sure I’m ready for this," I stammered, my voice barely a whisper.

"You agreed to be part of this program, Alex. There’s no backing out now," Jacob’s voice was cold, unyielding.

"I’m having second thoughts," I said, pleading with him. "What if something goes wrong?"

Jacob’s eyes darkened. "We’ve been over this, haven’t we? The best scientific minds are working on this project. Every precaution has been taken."

His words felt hollow, distant. "I just don’t know if I want this anymore," I said, my voice trembling with the weight of my fear.

He snapped, his tone shifting from frustration to menace. "You’re being irrational."

"I... I just can’t," I cried, the tears welling up in my eyes.

Jacob took a step toward me, his presence looming large and threatening. "Why are you making this so difficult?" His voice was low, dangerous.

"I don’t want to be a part of this anymore," I begged, my feet shuffling backward until I could feel the ledge behind me.

"You already agreed," he growled, closing the distance between us with terrifying speed. "And one way or another, you will follow through."

The edge of the roof pressed against my heels. Before I could react, his hand flew at my face, the sting of his wedding band cutting into my cheek. His eyes were as cold as the night around us.

"Goodbye, Alex," he whispered, his words laced with malice as he shoved me off the edge.

I could still hear my own scream ringing out, desperate, terrified—"Jaaaaacob!"—as I fell into the void, swallowed by darkness. But no one had heard.

Back in the present, my heart was pounding in my chest as I snapped out of the memory, breathless.

"Alex," ALPHA’s voice cut through the haze. "Your vitals are elevated. Is everything alright?"

I didn’t answer right away, still caught in the echoes of the past. That day had changed everything. Jacob had changed everything.

Finally, I muttered, "No, ALPHA. But I will be."