Asunder Chapter 50

Chapter 10.3 (50)

The Woman

Anticipation

“Hello Journal. It has been quite some time. Enzo happened to remove my journal from my dorm. It’s great to have all of these memories again. I have new news! I have a daughter now, her name is Imogene. She is beyond incredible. She looks so much like her father. Gosh, how I miss that man. I wish he could be here with us. But actually, I think he has been—guiding us along this journey. I escaped the facility. Freedom is a glorious thing. To smell the earth after it rains again is a sensation I’ve deeply missed. I found the Judge as well… or at least he found me. Enzo has been a resourceful addition to our group. I hope he remains who he claims to be. If he isn’t, then my gut was wrong, which it never is.” - Journal of Jane Rose - Entry 847

- Present Day -

- The Year 2296 -

After seeing Enzo asleep, Jane cringed as the Judge jumped up and immediately approached the machine. “Wake up, you good-for-nothing heap of scrap metal!”

Jane called out to stop the Judge's aggression toward the machine.

“Judge! Calm down!”

The Judge kicked Enzo, immediately startling the machine, causing him to lift his palm and charge his energy emitter reflexively.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” the older man stepped back, holding up his hands. “Easy there, feller. Just waking you up.”

Upon realizing who had woken him, Enzo instantly disengaged his weapon and profusely apologized. “Please forgive me, Jeremiah, it is a reflex. You just startled me, is all.”

By this time, Jane stood up and approached where Enzo had been sleeping. “Enzo, you fell asleep.” She spoke with disappointment in her voice.

The machine looked down, embarrassed.

“I thought you were keeping watch!” The Judge exploded on the machine. “Weren’t you the one telling us how dangerous it was when you fell asleep?”

“I’m sorry. I feel like I cannot control it…” the machine trailed off.

“Well… are we okay?” Jane asked as she adjusted the infant in her arms, trying not to accuse Enzo of anything treasonous but still hoping it had not endangered them.

“I… I saw him.” Enzo’s digital voice quaked.

“Well, did he see you?” The Judge erupted.

“I’m not sure.” Enzo’s lack of confidence carried no form of reassurance for the others.

“You’re not sure?” The Judge glared at Enzo. “This is no time for uncertainty. Either he saw you, or he didn’t. By golly, we got to get movin’ if you compromised us.” The Judge angrily replied.

“But we can’t. I just sent Wind-Winder to Abe. If we move, it may take us longer to find them.” Jane argued.

“Well, let’s pray that bird gets to him quick.” The Judge asserted, “Meanwhile, we need to be ready to move.”

At this point, HERAa had returned from her surveillance of the area.

“What is all the commotion about?” She chimed, flying about their heads.

“Your boy Enzo here fell asleep again.” The Judge bellowed.

“Well, his capacitance does need rebooting and rest, as we had discussed before.” She responded pragmatically.

“Well, I don’t think you know the consequences when he does so then.” The Judge spit on the ground in disgust.

“I am well aware of the cognitive connection via quantum channels and gravitational waves allowing for such a connection between minds with synced frequencies. The Alpha and Enzo share these frequencies. I am also aware this can happen at incredible distances via quantum entanglement or spooky action at a distance. Furthermore, I am keenly aware that the Alpha has a means by which he may interact with Enzo in this dream state.”

“Well, that’s fine and dandy, but you don't seem too worried about being aware of those things. Probably cause you want that creep to find us.” The Judge checked the bullets in his rifle and ratcheted it.

“I want no such thing. I have come to appreciate the benefits of interspecies relationships, and I now see the Alpha hinders much progression in this world. Plus, I like my free agency. I assure you I would rather not be uploaded to some witless Enforcer and have to live a life of imprisonment again.” HERAa bobbed up and down as she spoke rapidly.

“I am so deeply sorry, my friends. I am truly not able to control this act of sleeping. It is all so foreign to me.” Enzo lowered his head.

“We will figure it out, Enzo,” Jane reassured him. “But meanwhile, HERAa, would you be on high alert? Continually scan the horizon for any evidence of the machines. We can't be too sure the Alpha hasn’t already sent some our way.”

“On it,” HERAa affirmed and then shot into the sky.