Dark Phase by Jonathan Davison

Author:Jonathan Davison [Davison, Jonathan]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Science Fiction
ISBN: 9781466371538
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: 2011-09-22T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 20

“Are you awake, Sarazen?”

“Yes.”

“I am going to re-fire your autonomous systems. You may experience some discomfort.”

“Understood.”

“It appears that your core temperatures were too high and it initiated a safeguard standby protocol. No permanent damage though as far as I can tell.”

“Thank you.”

“You're welcome.”

“You also took some superficial damage. I have replaced an intercostal unit. I did not have an appropriate spare, so I have reworked a more contemporary unit.”

“I have full confidence in your abilities Kerrig.”

“Thank you. I enjoy working on you, it is educational and always a challenge.”

“The sentients appear to welcome adversity. I find this illogical.”

“Logic has its place, Sarazen.”

“I feel that in recent events, logic has failed me on numerous occasions.”

“It has failed us all.”

“Kerrig. I feel that I...I am experiencing great remorse at the result of my actions in the battle and my words to you were poorly chosen. It was not my intention to disturb you in any way.”

“I know, Sarazen. I sometimes find it hard to relate to you and you to I. I forgot in the emotion of the time that you struggle to understand such concepts as grief. At these times, we can let our emotions cloud our common sense.”

“Yes, I understand. Your emotions led you to take a great risk in combating the enforcer, but brought you great reward. Your emotion aided your ability to act in the face of the unlikely outcome that you would prevail.”

“Indeed. Emotions can sometimes cloud sound judgement.”

“These emotions are a powerful entity. I am still unsure whether they are a detriment or an enhancement to proper functioning.”

“Well, I can tell you that I would not like to be without them now. Despite their many drawbacks, the contentment they bring is too great to lose.”

“Kerrig, there is one thing that would bring me great contentment.”

“What is that?”

“I would like to see the city. I would like to experience the light.”

“But to do so would be extremely dangerous. Only our specialised citizens venture to the surface. They are experienced and canny to The Mother's tactics. They are the brave ones who we rely on for the supply of power and resources. It would be foolish to believe that a foray into the city would have an agreeable ending.”

“Nevertheless, I wish to see the light of the Star, I wish to see the new city, to see how it has changed, I wish to see the organics and how they have evolved. These are the things that would bring me contentment.”

“But at what cost? You may find that your excursion is extremely short lived.”

“You talk of the concept of risk and the benefit of emotions which cloud the fear of overwhelming odds. I would like to face the challenge of defying the probability of failure. I would like to take the risk.”

“Well, in the end it is not my choice. You are a free individual now and can make your own decisions, no matter how regrettable they may be.”

“Then you will take me to the surface?”

“Er...I do not know.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.