Kira

Chapter 3: The councils meeting

Chapter 3: The councils meeting

Elsewhere, in an undisclosed location, deep underground, the council was meeting. A virtual holo table was in the center showing the city in a wire-frame. It spun slowly as one of council members inputted a command. Diagrams of the EMP explosion and power grid failure were shown in vivid detail. Following this, the simulation records were visualized as the millions of inhabitants of the city were cut from the simulations at once. Several red dots were seen as well each representing a death. Around 200,000 people died, leaving their minds stuck inside the simulation forever.

"New York City, as you can see, has gone off the grid completely. The servers hosting trillions of terabytes for the simulation were hit. The backups are being loaded as we speak, but will take some time to fully restore access. Power is expected to be restored partially within the hour to the emergency centers but for the main public, it could be weeks before a full restoration. We are still looking into who is responsible and our best Travelers are working as we speak." Gregory said with a blunt but factual attitude.

"As for the newest Traveler, Kira." He went on. "She has been taken into medical custody and is being watched closely. She's alive, but is in a deep coma, according to early reports. Several of our top agents are keeping a close eye on the situation. I vote to enact Decree 87 Section B immediately and give our teams unrestricted access to the situation in the interest of restoring the Simulations quickly as possible and keeping the public from becoming aware of Kira's condition."

Another hologram image came into view. The image filled the table of Kira laying on a table with a virtual diagram of her internal organs, brain activity, and vital signs shown hovering above her body as doctors studied the results. The nanites within her body have completely bonded like never before, merging with every fiber of her being. The reports coming off her mental link were insane. The speed and amount of data being downloaded and uploaded into her mind was just impossible. Whatever was happening to her in the simulation was unprecedented.

"We all understand the need to keep this all secret."Nicole spoke after reviewing the feed. " Decree 87 section B would allow us to contain Kira's situation but at what cost? On top of that we have more important things than the new traveler's medical condition." She punched something into the machine and a new image appeared.

Now a digital reconstruction of Johnathan's last moments before the EMP appeared. "Reports show an unregistered vehicle approaching and from eye witness reports the kidnappers van has been seen before in other kidnappings. I have a team looking into it but until the Simulation is restored we have to rely on old fashion methods. See if we can find any retired agents familiar with this kind of work and put them on it." Nicole crossed her arms "Any problems with this?"

"This situation is bad but nothing we can not manage." Everyone then looked at the newcomer, a gray-haired man, with deference. "First, we must get a handle on this panic. Restore what we can and move on from there. We will set up emergency care stations throughout the city and state. The people must keep their faith in us. Without the simulation being online, this task will be especially difficult, but again, nothing we cannot manage. I will visit Kira this evening. Call a press conference later. Now get to work." Said the grey haired man as he lit a cigar.

After he spoke they all went their separate ways except for Nathaniel, a tall blond man. He waited in the conference room and went to pour a strong drink until it was only him and Director Stephens left.

"You realize this plan of yours has gotten out of control? Just a rudimentary glance over these reports show damages going beyond billions maybe even into trillions of credits." Nathaniel stated as he poured himself a glass of liquor.

Director Stephens sat down, running his fingers over his simulation implants. A moment of silence passed between the two of them.

"I know the numbers and I know the cost is going to be high. We will handle this however the chips fall. Alex wanted Kira alone and we had to comply. We both know there is no arguing with Alex. He promised us everything will work out in the end." The director said but his voice wasn't as confident as before.

Nathaniel rolled his eyes, "You put too much faith into that... thing. Granted, it has on many occasions it saved all of our asses. But I don't get why we have to hide the details from the rest of the council? Especially now when the whole world will be looking at us." He took a long drink, gazing steadily at Stephens.

"Because if they knew we were involved in any of this, it would mean our jobs at the very least. Alex is the only reason the simulation ever works. His technology is leagues beyond anything mankind has ever created. We both know the simulation is so much more than just a virtual system to control the world. It's a vast universe that can't be explained and we are able to tap into a trillionth of a percent of it. If this gets leaked to the press. More than our jobs will be on the line. Who knows how the world would take it. On top of that, Johnathon would become a liability."

"At least he won't be a problem anymore." They both looked at each other and laughed. "Alex is nothing if not thorough." The director stated as they left the conference room.

...

Johnathan's eyes slowly opened but all he could see was darkness. A black bag covered his face. He realized he was handcuffed to a thick metal pole behind his back. His body ached, especially his ribs so he sat still.

"Whoever's there, let me go and I promise you, I'll pay whatever you want." No answer came back and he started to shiver. He repeated himself louder when cold water began to flood the chamber.

He gasped as the icy water reached his legs. It was so cold skin became numb immediately.

"Help! Someone, anyone help!" He began screaming. The water continued to flood the chamber until it was up to its neck. The cold, blood loss, and exhaustion caused John to black out.

A doctor wrote notes on his condition and monitored his vitals as he prepared a table for surgery.

When Johnathon began to wake the second time, he was blinded by a bright white light above his head. There were hushed voices on the other side of the room.

"He's ready for the Experiment. The tests all came back normal, and I'm confident it will work this time."

"You better be right, because your life, your wife's life, and your children's lives are all on the line, if you fail us. The board wants results and you don't want to disappoint them." Footsteps could be heard, and then a door closing.

A man softly sighed as he approached John. John pretended to be asleep as the man checked his pulse and vitals.

"This will all be over soon." He picked up a scalpel and turned a knob. Drugs flooded John's body and he began to fall asleep for real as he felt an odd pressure in his eyes.

The surgeon planted microchips in Johnathan's eyes, ears, and brain. Then he replaced his standard simulation chip with a specially programmed one.

When the procedure was completed, the surgeon wrapped Johnathan's head and arms in heavy bandages. Looking over his work; he shook in horror at what he had done. He questioned the whole thing, but at least for now his family was safe. He washed his hands and silently prayed for his family's protection and the poor man he had just operated on. Johnathon's unconscious body laid on the table as his team carefully removed him and took him upstairs to the hospital wing for intensive care.

Reports about how he was mugged and attacked by a mob at the blackout was placed on his file.