Nero's Laboratory

Episode 6 ~ One Star at a Time

It was a quiet morning, Jazz and Cay sat at the table in awkward silence. With every bite of his breakfast Cay stared across the table, trying to read what was on his mind, but it was impossible to read a face that displayed no emotion. Jazz finally noticed what he thought to be strange behavior from the young man and raised the question.
"Can I ask why you are staring?"
"What?" Cay was taken aback. "I'm not staring."
"You kind of are." Nero intervened from the desk across from them.
"Okay, it's just, you said you wanted to be human. Or like an android. And you were gonna do it. Become a totally different person. All because you wanted to be with this girl. Scarlet?"
"Is that hard to believe?"
"No, I believe it. I just didn't know it was... possible."
"Oh it is, but the procedure is a lengthy process with many risks." Nero said.
"So once they have a real body they can feel things like the rest of us?"
"To an extent, yes. Over time with science, we've advanced greatly with replicative technology. Functions of a regular human - Sleeping and eating, most importantly - chemistry. Having the ability to feel and act with real emotions. Happiness, sadness, fear, compassion...love. It's what makes us who we are." Nero looked at Jazz. "Of course with an android it's different. In their head, the mind drive and the 'replicated' brain are intertwined and coexist. With replication and even the finest work of neuromorphic science, it lacks the complexity of a real brain. And with that there are risks as well."
"What if they used a real brain, like from a human who couldn't use theirs any more?"
"Transplantation is rare, but it's been done. Whichever method is used, there are possible negative effects regardless. Sometimes the mind drive and the brain aren't able to communicate or willing to work with each other. Other times, the recipient is simply unable to handle the transition. Being subjected to the hormonal and chemical processes of the body is incredibly strenuous, and sometimes unsuccessful. This can lead to psychosis or other issues of function between the two minds."
"I'm aware of the risks, Maximus. However, despite it all, I know it's a chance worth taking if it means I get to have a real life.
"You really loved this girl, huh?" Cay asked.
"I wanted to. I still want to. If only I knew it wasn't too late. To be able to feel what you feel is truly a gift." Jazz looked at the young man with envy, the green of his lens glowing a bit brighter.
"Well I think you're brave for trying. I don't know what happened to you, but we'll help you find Scarlet and make things right again. Promise."
"Oh, we will find her." Nero said. "Only a matter of running her face through an identification system. We shall look into that while Cay is on his excursion with his lady friend."
"I'd hardly say we're friends, professor."
"Right. Why else would you agree to cross Iridian with a girl you met less than two weeks ago?" He remarked sarcastically.
"I see your point. But I'm just helping cuz' it's the right thing to do if I'm partly to blame for the mess. And more importantly it helps me learn more about Serus. I was doing my research and it turns out Iridian is like twenty times the size of Sersha. And since there aren't many roads outside of civilized areas, a lot of folks get around through the treetops. Says there's bridges connected between villages and other places. So that's pretty neat, huh?"
"Very. I believe that some of the settlers in Iridan have been around for more than forty five years. Not too long after humans began inhabiting the planet."
"When did humans get to Serus?"
"I believe in the last quarter of the twenty-first century, humans made expeditions to the foreign planet, and after enough time, around 2086, we began to settle. So about sixty years now."
"Crazy how far it's come in only half a century."
"Determination and creativity is how Serus has flourished so well. Some of the greatest minds I know helped bring this place up. And there is so much more you've yet to see."
"When you first came here, did you find it overwhelming?"
"Of course. You know I was right around your age when my father brought me to Serus-9. About twenty five years ago. He started this laboratory himself. My mother was working as an agricultural scientist on a farming planet not too far. When I finally stepped away from the lab to see the world for myself I had the same feeling. Everything was changing so much so quickly. Nations from different parts of the galaxy united here and worked together to build a place that was for everybody. To this day the world is constantly in motion, as if it never sleeps. I believe they used to say that about New York City."
"I guess when you look at it like that it's pretty cool. Constant evolution."
"It really is."
Cay was surprised he was still adjusting to his new life and his surroundings.  Nothing had ever happened in the twenty years he spent in his previous home. Now in a place where there was something new every single day. It gave him that tightness in his chest if he thought about it too much. Why was that a feeling at all? He stood up from the table with his plate and walked over to the sink to wash it clean, trying to clear his mind and refresh himself.
"Are you expecting this girl to arrive soon, Cay?"
"I think so. She messaged me a little while ago and said she'd be here in like an hour."
"I think it's very nice what you're doing." Jazz said. "Maximus told me your efforts of wanting to help this girl you hardly know anything about."
"Well when you put it like that."
"It's a good thing." Nero assured him. " That's the attitude of a future Ranger."
Of course Cay felt like he was on the right track, but naturally, a part of him questioned the girl. What was she about? Through all that they're doing, what was her motive? He didn't have much time to think about that as there was a knock at the laboratory door before it slid open a moment later. She stepped in awkwardly and stood in front of the doorway as if waiting for an invitation.
"Greetings. Come on in, dear." Nero gestured with a wave.
"Thanks. She walked through the lab and met Nero halfway to shake his hand.
"Sorry, I don't think I really introduced myself last time."
"Astrid. I'm Maxmus Nerosa. We've heard much about you already."
"You have?" She glanced over at Cay standing behind them who appeared flustered, but she seemed to find it amusing.
"The last few months have been kinda stressful, I don't mean it to be rude or dismissive."
"Do not apologize, miss. I understand completely. You kids have a lot going on these days."
She looked over at Jazz who was sitting at the table, staring at her the whole time.
"Hi, I don't think we met."
"Hello. Everyone seems to call me by my shorter name, Jazz. Pleasure to meet you. This is exciting. I've missed meeting new people."
"Oh yeah, Jazz was kind of dead for like eight years. We just brought him back a few days ago."
"Seriously? That is so cool. You're like a real life zombie. Without the eating human flesh part."
"That's what I said. Well, I said Frankenstein but same thing."
"Who's frankenstein?"
"You don't know Frankenstein?"
"He's the one who runs around with the chainsaw, right?"
Cay looked at her wide eyed in disbelief.
"I'm messing with you. Boy, you're pretty gullible. Of course I know Frankenstein, I don't live underground."
Even when she teased him, he was impressed with her knowledge of cinema from two centuries ago. A small detail that made him smile.
"I suppose we should go over our plan before we set out for this, huh?" He said.
"Yeah. I brought us some supplies that'll be pretty useful."
She dropped her bag from her shoulder and placed it on the kitchen table to search through.
The first thing she removed was a shiny silver can of deodorizing spray.
"This'll cover our scent. Some of the bugs are attracted to humans and we don't wanna be swarmed."
The next few things she pulled out were a paper map, a compass, and a small spherical glass ball with a purple liquid inside.
"The map is' cuz after a certain point it can be hard to get a signal even on the most powerful devices. Or in case you break it, never know."
"What's this?" Cay picked up the sphere that fit in the palm of his hand.
"Ah yes, this one's my favorite. Flora pod. It's the exact opposite of the spray. See, some of the plants can be kinda aggressive, so if you're ever stuck in a bad situation they explode on impact and spread a powerful cloud of fumes to deter them."
"Yes, some of the plant life in Iridian have olfactory senses like other animals, but are incredibly sensitive to them." Nero added.
"What happens if we breathe this in?"
"Nothing bad really, as long as you don't stand in it for more than a few seconds..."
"Good to know. I got a few things myself, enough to be prepared for anything. Let me grab my bag from my room quick."
Cay moved with haste to his room and left them to talk for a minute.
"Can I ask you something, professor?"
"Anything."
"It's not that I don't appreciate it, but why is Cay helping me? You must know him pretty well, does he have a motive?"
"I haven't known him much longer than you have, but in the short time we've spent together I've seen how special he is. Dedicated.. He sees everything with fresh eyes and cares for those around him. Especially those he may have hurt..."
"Oh. I don't hate him for what happened. I mean I was mad at first, I just...it's hard to believe anything isn't too good to be true these days."
"I understand. I don't know your experiences, but I do know that if there's anyone to place your trust in, it's this young man. He's got a goal he's trying to reach as well. Something you both seem to have in common."
"I guess we do."
"Perhaps on the way you two can stop at the new Crater Shack they opened on Route 60." Mira appeared on the large monitor to join. "I hear they have great food."
"And that's Mira."
"Oh, hi. Nice to meet you." She looked at the screen.
"You as well, we've heard so much about Cay's new friend."
"Sweet nebulon, please stop." Cay walked back out with his bag, even more embarrassed than he was five minutes ago.
"This is what I got."
He zipped open his bag to lay the contents out on the table. First was a hand held torch, then a flashlight, a small canister of lighter fluid, and a thick rope of twenty feet.
"The professor fixed me with this plasma torch, and the rest of this stuff I found in the storage room. You got a lotta useful things, professor."
"I've always had a bad habit of letting go of anything that may be of use, and having a room stocked full of supplies is a reassurance."
"I guess after 20 years of not throwin' anything away you'd have a pretty good stash. I packed a patch up kit and some rations as well. Never know, could get lost in the woods and end up needin' to survive off nuts and berries until we find our way back to civilization."
"Now you're just talking crazy." Astrid rolled her eyes. "Between the two of us this'll be enough to leave with."
"You said we gotta stop at the edge of the forest, right?"
"It's too dense to get through all that with a vehicle. Most of the roads are overgrown like he said before, but some we can follow on foot."
"You know it pretty well, Iridian?"
Not at all. I saw it once years ago, but hardly a visit."
"We'll figure it out."
"Right. So when can we head out then?"
"The professors gonna help Jazz get some more answers on his case, so we're good to go anytime i think?"
"Yes, of course. We got things covered here, Cay. You two go and find what you need and we shall do the same, but please do be careful and watch your back."
"Always."
Astrid looked concerned as if she'd forgotten something back at home.
"Can you give me a minute? Gotta make a quick call before we go."
"Yeah, totally. Gonna grab a couple more things and I'll meet you at the Drifter, yeah?"
"Okay. see you out there."
She walked out of the lab and let the cool desert air clear her mind before she reached for the Geodek in her pocket and made a call. Instead of making a call via hologram she held it up to her ear wanting to keep the conversation quiet. A couple rings later a voice answered.
"Yeah?" Her mother responded.
"Mom, look, I gotta take care of something with a friend so i'll be gone for a day or two-"
She said but  got no reply. On the other end music was blasting over several voices in the background and Astrid realized she was hardly listening.
"Where is it this time? NanoClub or Rubys?"
"Neither. Me and the girls are up on 53rd. VIP in the villa."
"How did you get invited to a function in Seneca?"
"Oh Astrid, I have a life. I put myself out there and I meet people. So these things happen. That's what grown ups do."
Grown ups party at 10:30 in the morning?"
Her mother scoffed through the phone like she'd heard something offensive.
"Grown ups don't isolate themselves in their room and shut everyone out so they can feel sorry for themselves. You need to get a life, Astrid."
"I need to get a life?"
"Like everybody else. Nobody likes a downer."
"Yeah, right. I'll just move on. Get over it."
"Exactly." Frustrated beyond words, she kept composure and knew there was no point in arguing when it was as good as talking to a wall. She cleared her throat and collected herself. "Good talk, mom."
She ended the call and her eyes welled up, then The door slid open and Cay walked out, tossing his heavy pack into the Drifter. He turned to her and immediately noticed her eyes.
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing. Just another great chat with my lovely mother."
"You wanna talk about it?"
"No. We're burning daylight, let's go."
Cay looked at the morning horizon.
"It's 11:30, but sure."
Cay noticed on the side of the lab there was a blue neutron motorcycle. With fat tired and low suspension, probably very fast he thought.
"That yours? It's nice."
"Oh yeah. Picked it up at a scrapyard a couple years back. Works good for how old it is."
He started up the Drifter and set the coordinates. North east about eighty five miles. Across the desert. Through the northern ridge of Sersha forest and through the grasslands, until reaching the edge of Iridian. 
"See you got a radio. No seats though." She smiled.
"This thing'll be upgraded soon enough. There's the driver seat, but I usually stand, if you wanna take it."
"Sure. She sat herself on what was left of the torn leather seat and leaned back against the side of the drivers compartment next to the radio. She tuned to different stations and found a station - SXM.
"That last song was 'One More Night'. Next up, I wish I'd heard this one sooner, I think the rest of you will like it if you haven't heard. Here is 'Lying Eyes'.
The thrusters blasted and the engine shook and they were off. After a minute Astrid had her head in her hand, leaning against the front console next to the radio speaker. The girl looked like she was at peace.
"Imagine that." She seemed pleased about something.
"What?"
"After so much time, centuries, people manage to find more music everyday. It's really nice."
"Yeah. It is." Cay watched her, enjoying the smile this music put on her face. He opened his mouth to say something but held himself back and decided to enjoy the drive quietly.