Reset - Chapter 2

Chapter 2.

Dr Andrew Kirkwood leaned back against his chair, contemplating his call with Jayne Hover. He didn’t like involving outsiders in matters relating to the reset programme, but the problem of Alec Kestin required specialised help.

Alec Kestin was a problem and he needed to be cleansed, thought Andrew, however every time he thought of Alec, it gave Andrew a cold chill down his spine. 

“This has never happened in all the resets we have done before....” Andrew muttered under his breath. “He just can’t be reset, and thats impossible, it just has to be....” his eyes drifted to the window and the un-expecting world outside, “ everyone has to be reset, if the organisation is to achieve its goal....”  He looked outside. Everyone going about their business, talking to people, making choices everyday. How this will change once the reset programme goes viral. And the best thing about the plan, Andrew thought to himself, was that people will not even realise that they are being controlled, minute by minute, second by second.  And once that had been achieved the organisation can advance the Human race to achieve the ultimate goal.

Andrew’s mind was suddenly brought back to the present when his E.A.R implant began to vibrate.  He saw the callers I.D.  – The Head of the organisation, know only as 5. Andrew accepted the call with a certain amount of trepidation, had 5 somehow found out about  Alec Kestin?

“Dr Kirkwood, can you explain to me why you have just made a call to Jayne Hover? What was the purpose of this call?” 5 demanded in her icy cold tone.

“err... Yes, 5...errr.....I did make that call. We were......we were..... looking at refining the reset procure and Miss Hover has the necessary skills to achieve this....”

There was a long pause, which to Andrew felt like minutes; although in reality it was no more than 10 seconds. Sweat began to drip down Andrew’s forehead, as his office suddenly felt several degrees warmer, no doubt a consequence of the delay in 5’s reply. Why was 5 taking so long to reply? Had she seen through my lies, Andrew considered, in those fleeting seconds.

“Dr Kirkwood, I shall look forward to my next call.” 5 finally replied in an unusually friendly tone, before disconnecting the call before Andrew could reply.  Rather had feel relieved, her tone made Andrew even more nervous. She had to know about Alex, and the issue with his reset. Andrew’s mind was racing as various consequences of failure flashed across his mind.  He had seen at firsthand how the organisation dealt with people who did not achieve their goals.  If they were kind, you would be disposed of quickly, without evening knowing that you had crossed the organisation. There had been many traffic accidents that onlookers thought were incredibly unlucky and a one in a million chance of happening. Behind the accidents thought, had been the hand of the organisation   orchestrating the events. But if you were unlucky, the organisation made sure that you knew you had done a disservice to their goal. One event in particular was etched in Andews’s memory forever.....

 Sarah had been working for the organisation since graduating that had been 10 years ago. She had been recruited straight into the augmented reality division and had been responsible for a major advance that had made the reset programme not just a dream but a reality.  To her  work colleagues she was professional and every fibre of her body was dedicated to the organisation’s goal. But that was before she made her first and sadly her last error...

“Hello Andrew, how are you today?” Sarah asked in her normal cheerful tone. She loved life, and loved her work. The organisation gave her the opportunity to express herself in her research field, and push back the barriers to learning.

“I am fine Sarah, how is your new project coming on?” Andrew replied, generally interested in her work. He admired Sarah, and what she believed in. Sadly, he knew that she did not fully understand how her research was being used by the organisation.  

“Very well thank you. The brain implants are really working. The children are able to now see and hear for the first time in their lives! You should see their faces, as images start to form in their thoughts, its just amazing!” Sarah quickly replied full of excitement.

“Thats really good to hear Sarah. Have you filed a report yet?” Andrew inquired, sharing Sarah’s enthusiasm.

“Arrh, no yet not.” Sarah replied anxiously. “ I am just waiting for the results from a student on their first day at school.”

“At School!” Andrew’s tone suddenly become very serious. “ What do you mean school?” he pressed.

“Well...I took the liberty of implanting one of the children, and then sent him home to see how it worked in the real world, rather than the lab. After all, the school is where it will be used eventually. All the ethical issues have been dealt with.” She replied more confident this time.

“Sarah, our research never leaves the building, unless we are told to do so. Who gave you permission?” Andrew questioned her, searching, no hoping for a suitable answer.

“Sorry, Andrew. I took it on myself to sign the papers. As head of research, it won’t be an issue will it?” Sarah’s eyes fixed into Andrew’s, searching for reassurance that she had not had anything too wrong. 

“Sarah.....” Andrew chose his words carefully. He knew what would happen later today, but did not want Sarah’s last day to be one full of fear. More softly now, he tried to give Sarah the reassurance she wanted. “I’m sure its not an issue I’ll make a phone call and clear it all up. Have you spoken to your daughter lately? What is she – 6 now?”

Sarah’s mood changed once again, as she began to think of her daughter. It had been 2 months since she last saw her. The long shift patterns at the organisation meant she had to leave home, but was due to return tomorrow for her daughter’s 6 birthday. “No no yet. She is 6 tomorrow.” Sarah said brightly.

Andrew’s heart grew heavier. I very much doubted that Sarah would she her daughter again, so he made a decision. “Sarah, look, you have made a fantastic breakthrough. Why not take the afternoon off. Go and pick up your daughter and give her an early birthday present.”

“Really? Are you sure? What about the paperwork?”

“Go ahead. It will all be here tomorrow. Enjoy the break.” And with that, Andrew turned and left for his office and the phone call that he was dreading, leaving Sarah to her work.

Later that day, after picking her daughter from school, Sarah took a moment to reflect on what a lucky day she had just had. Andrew had made the call, and had cleared up her mistake with the bosses. She had been given an early finish, and the look on Lauren’s face when she picked her up from school just melted her heart. God she loved being a mum! Lauren was in the living playing her new doll that Sarah had brought her, just as Andrew suggested, an early birthday present. She had finished wrapping up the rest and they were in a pile in her bedroom, ready for tomorrow.

The door bell rang. Unusual, thought Sarah. We are not expecting anyone.  She walked to the front door and opened it, to be greeted by several official looking men. “Hello can I help you?” Sarah asked.

One of the men replied in a gravelly voice “We have been sent by the organisation Ms Greet. We are here to reallocate her daughter. Please step aside.”

“Sorry...What? Reallocate my daughter!!” Sarah attempted to shut the door, but the men forced their way in. “What are you doing. I’ll call the police, you can’t do this!! LAUREN, RUN TO YOUR ROOM AND LOCK THE DOOR” Sarah now tried to push herself past the men, but one of the men grabbed her and pinned her on the floor.

“Take a long hard look at your daughter Ms Greet. It will be the last thing you’re ever see” The man pinning her down whispered into her eye, as she struggled to free herself.

Two men brought Sarah’s daughter, Lauren, out from her room. Lauren’s eyes were wide with fear, her hands still clutching her new doll that Sarah had given her not 20 minutes ago.  “Say goodbye to your mum Lauren.” One of the men said, as they dragged her screaming past Sarah. Tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. Gripped with fear, she could not speak, but managed to mouth, “I love you Mummy” to Sarah as she was taken to the waiting car outside.

Sarah felt cold, her world was being ripped apart, but she was determined to save her daughter. She let her body go limp. She needed to save her energy, for now was time to learn where they were taking Lauren.

“Ms Greet. The Organisation does not approve of you taking your research and using it without authority. The Organisation takes this matter very seriously. Our goal has to be achieved and no one will stop us.  Your penalty for failure ...... Your daughter will never remember who you are.  And day by day, your memories of her will fade, until nothing remains....” As he finished, the man injected Sarah in the neck and she began to slip into a living nightmare....