Lunch Outside the Solar System

Seventeen

Layla couldn't accept Ariel was a dead human thing called Benthura, an Universal Structure with needs of absorbing a consciousness containing the human history, it was simply too far stretched and way too improbable. On the other hand, Ariel was dealing with her own reality, perhaps as a projected version of Benthura, her true self, a Structure waiting to evolve to become Immovable preserving the memory of the human race.

The sound of Red trying to reconnect with them took them out of their thoughts.

- Sorry ladies, but I needed to confirm some data with you, I need to cross-reference something related to the question about the self-projected being –Red asked while arranging some data screens in front of them at the video feed -, what do you mean as a self-projected being? Is it her who you are referring to? – Red pointed to Ariel.

- What we could infer is that apparently a conscious being can self-project into an induced memory sleep, but it sounds too far stretched and like nothing I've ever heard. It sounds just crazy. - Layla answered Red while holding gently Ariel hands.

- Ok, I get it, just let me add that information, wait a couple of seconds, aaaaaaaand, bingo! – Red exclaimed with joy when some info appeared on her screen-, ok my friends, I have something that might interest you.

By the time Red finished the phrase, Layla noticed again a little flickering in the video transmission but she was more intrigued hearing Red.

- Apparently and according to some very well hidden and secure documents from the Alulim Court, it's possible, but highly improbable, for a sentient consciousness from the outside to project itself into an induced self-aware sleep created with our technology, it would require an immense amount of energy and some kind of evolve state of senses. There is something here that says that it should be living in a perpetual state of inner perception inside a body with no physical senses emulating a state of lucid dreams – Red stopped for a little while trying to understand the last thing she said -, I really don't know what does this means but it's what I've found.

- Thank you Red, I can speak for both of us and we really appreciate what you did, especially putting yourself in danger for us, I owe you a big one. – Layla replied.

- Don't mention it, better yet, I will give you something that might help you much better than all this nonsense, something more real, and for that maybe you can owe me.

- And what would it be? – Layla and Ariel paid attention.

- There is someone after you inside the projection, someone sent by the Alulim Court, they projected someone into your dream and has the directive to find you and kill you, not good news but maybe it would put you on alert.

- That explains Barry, I knew something was wrong was with him, thank you very much Red, I think you helped us more than enough. –Layla thanked her with a sincere smile.

- Thank you very much, Red. – Ariel also thanked Red looking her back strangely with no reaction at all.

- No problem, my pleasure, and I hope I could be of some help; we'll catch up later Layla and have some drinks if you ever come to this side. –Red waved and turned off the video feed.

With all the info provided they returned to the Lunar Equation maybe to unscramble everything and perhaps make some sense of what was happening, but Ariel was already one step ahead of Layla's thinking. When she heard the information from Red, all the strangled pieces of data started to make sense knowing exactly what she needed to do.

They were waiting to be cleaned at the detox chamber before accessing the ship when a green light lit clearing both of them to enter the ship, Layla felt a push and the door shut down behind her, she turned around and there was Ariel looking at her through the little window with a smile on her face, Layla tried to open the door but it was locked from the detox chamber, only the com was on.

- Ariel, what are you doing? Open the door, don't fool around.

- It's Ok Layla, I understood everything and I'm not willing to take your life just because some consciousness needs to evolve in order to preserve the human memory. You need to unplug from this induced sleep and live your life, maybe you could find me, well...my actual reincarnation, maybe this Benthura thing might remember you, but I'm not willing to take your life just to save some memories not being able to create new ones with you. Take care Layla and be safe. I love you. –Smiling to Layla putting her hand on the window.

Ariel pushed the button opening the gates to outer space from the chamber staring at the silent scream from Layla. Her body went floating into the void watching her for the last time feeling the suffocating embrace of space. Layla screamed in a burst of rage feeling a glitch closing her eyes. After a second she opened her eyes founding herself walking again through the corridor about to enter the detox chamber connected to the Lunar Equation. Layla turned around looking for Ariel who was standing next to her.

- What did just happen? – Ariel asked both of them.

- I..I...don't know. –Layla just grabbed her and hugged her as strong as possible.

- I was floating in space, I left you, I killed myself, and when I was choking, I opened my eyes and here we are again.

- I don't know what happened and I don't want to know, but you never dare do that to me again, you hear me? –Layla just slightly hit her in the chest while sobbing.

- I'm sorry Layla but I'm not going to absorb you, I rather die than not being with you.

- Look, I know, I feel the same way Ariel, but there might be something we could do. -Layla kissed her on the lips a little bit too strong for Ariel taste, but she liked it considering the circumstances.

- Ok, I understand and I'm sorry, I'm really sorry- Ariel hugged her and returned the kiss -, so let's go to the ship and we'll figure it out something, I promise I will not do it again.

Safe and inside the ship they poured some coffee into the machine, they went through all the data they already had and something between all the intricate info excelled as a beacon of hope: Barry. They remember Red stating there was someone chasing Layla the same as her, a projected one. Ariel in order to not disappear she needs to absorb someone projected; Ariel could absorb Barry and not Layla, fulfilling her evolution. They thought it worth a tray.

They already knew he was following them and nothing will stop him, it was just a matter of lure him into a place they could hold the advantage, a place where only Layla knew so they could trap him, but one thing was missing, neither knew how Ariel could absorb someone but something appeared in Ariel mind like an alarm when she started thinking about her survival.