S02-E02 VOCAL DISRUPTION
INT. RETROGRADE SERVER CONTROL ROOM
(CHEN, ZED)
CHEN
Private, I think we have to be
cautious on this search, Ms ANGEL
and Ms. MAY where quite adamant
that there are multiple dangers to
this operation.
ZED
I certainly agree on that one Sir.
Look, Sargent, really, can we drop
the formalities, (pause) sir. If we
are going to work on this closely,
as colleagues, equals, lets treat
this like a research project, all
this protocol really slows us down.
CHEN
Well, OK but, only when we are in
private. Look ZED, I actually agree
with you, but RUDI's big on
protocol, and we don't want to get
her annoyed with you again. ZED its
just words, right.
ZED
Yep, with you on that one bro! OK,
so where shall we start.
CHEN
Hmm, let me think. OK I'm just
spouting out loud here. Throwing
some idea's around. Firstly we need
to set up our VPN. Then we set up
multiple cutouts, which we can
shift dynamically. Once we have
that structure setup, we load some
local A.I's acting as remote agents
to run the searches. That should
remove most of the issues around
the light speed delays. The really
important aspect, is to spend the
time on our search parameters, to
get them absolutely right. Once we
send out the bots, we don't want to
have to keep tweaking them waiting
for the delays each time.
ZED
Sounds like a good plan. Say you
have missed the really important
first step.
Chips and beer, thats the most
important programming task.
CHEN
I'll get that order in right away
solder. (laughing)
INT. RETROGRADE ALEX & SHARROW ROOMS
(ALEX, SHARROW, SOPHIE)
DOORBELL
SOPHIE
Hi, youse, how are you.
SHARROW
I hi, SOPHIE, how you going.
SOPHIE
I'm good, say I heard about your
story, its all over the Cherries,
so romantic and exciting. You guys
are like sooo, old, but soo, cool
with it. I love you guys.
SHARROW
Well strangely enough, we love you
back, so there!
SOPHIE
I'm soo, excited, we are going to
have a great time, RUDI, has
ordered me to get you on the
teenager program. Its going to be
mega, fun. I have organised,
clothes, hair, and cool music and
guess what tonight we even have a
pool party.
SHARROW
A pool party! Are we allowed to be
out after ten pm? I thought we were
in detention?
SOPHIE
Not any more, it's mandated. In
fact you have been ordered to get
drunk and generally let you hair
down.
SHARROW
Well, sign me up solder, for this
army, I'm game.
SOPHIE
I have been ordered to make you
walk, talk and be totally cool,
like todays teenagers!
ALEX
Oh heaven help us!
SOPHIE
We've got no time for the long face
Ms ALEX, we've got things to do, so
get up off the bed, theres a robo
cab downstairs with the meter
ticking.
INT. ELECTRIC SOUK WINDLOW TECHNICAL
(ALEX, BEIN-BOT, PERVIS, PERVIS (IMPLANT TECH), SALES-BOT,
SHARROW, SOPHIE)
SHARROW
SOPHIE why are we down at the
electric souk, it doesn't sound
like the sort of place cool starts
to happen.
SOPHIE
Well, yes, and no, RUDI says we
need to tech you up, you need some
nanonics, otherwise you'll never
pass. The old engrams don't really
work that well, and those old
didactics are just rubbish really.
You need to get some of the modern
stuff.
SHARROW
So, SOPHIE does everyone have an
implant nowadays?
SOPHIE
Oh, no only about twenty percent,
there are a few religious groups
who ban them. Most older people
don't like the idea. The majority
of folks have the very cheap units
with just basic communications and
a security layer, actually very
similar to the one you currently
have.
SHARROW
So, how does that work, wouldn't
not having an implant disadvantage
someone?
SOPHIE
Well, yes but also not a lot of
people work in the service and
creative industries, so isolation
sometimes helps with that. To much
social networking numbs the brain.
Group think doesn't usually lead to
great art. They are mainly used by
the military or the business elite,
or the rich of course.
SHARROW
OH, I thought they were more
common!
SOPHIE
Well, their use is slowly growing,
but they are very complex. You are
very lucky, the ones you are going
to get are worth at least two years
average salary and thats for the
base model.
ALEX
Well, I don't feel lucky, it feels
creepy.
SOPHIE
(Laughing) ALEX, I do believe
you're scared!
ALEX
Of course I'm scared, having
something poke around in my brain,
urgh, gives my the shivers.
SOPHIE
Well, I'm afraid you're going to
need them. You can't be a member of
the Cherries without a set. It's a
massive perk of the job actually.
So your getting some top spec.
XALONES. We even bought some
additional plug-ins for you, CHEN
has them back at base, but thats
next weeks work. RUDI has extended
a line of credit, you're going to
get command level. We have to get
you compatible for technical
mercenary situations. The RCBS has
got a contract at Windlow
Technical. We used to do some
business with QUERESMA's, but after
the last few weeks its temporarily
closed.
(Girly voice)
We're going to see my friend
'Peter', who coincidentally is a
dish, and get him to do what he
does best.
ALEX
Oh, my God, now I'm plain
terrified! What happens if I pee
in my pants.
SOPHIE
Well you'll just get a wet arse
then won't you. Richard will mop
it up and change your nappies!
(laughter)
OK, we are here!
TAXI ELECTRO
DOOR OPENING.
BEIN-BOT
Welcome to Windlow Technical.
SOPHIE
OK, rust for brains, cut the crap
you old bucket, and accept this
code and this code.
BEIN-BOT
Bleep, Ohhhh. Bleep Ohhh, access to
floor two alpha granted, please go
in.
SOPHIE
They get so boring, don't they?
SHARROW
Well, I guess so, just part of the
robotic furniture. We didn't have
them when we were growing up. There
were real human spruking, and real
doormen.
SOPHIE
Wow, you are joking, real people
used to stand outside opening
doors, wow, thats so, (pause)
primitive. Hell you guys really
are from the stone age(pause).
Now, Richard, is a real dish, have
a look at his eyes, they are quite
blue. I secretly call him Dune Boy.
I really want to see his sand worm.
SHARROW
SOPHIE really!
SOPHIE
I know yeh, I'm so bad! (Giggle)
Oh, hello machine, we have an
appointment at implants.
SALES-BOT
Yes miss I have already registered,
please go through.
HISS OF
HERMETICALLY
SEAL DOOR.
PERVIS
Ah, hello welcome to, oh hello
ladies, oh, don't I know you,
weren't you at that concert last
week?
SOPHIE
You mean the 'Deadhead Reunion
tour' Really! You mean you like
them too?
PERVIS
Well, kind of, its not my top band,
I'm more into the Fontinal Highway,
its a little more laid back. Though
I'm not saying I hate them.
SOPHIE
Yah, I'm not really a deadhead,
been sliding away for some time,
You know, (laughter). Now I really
think we should get some implant
time and compare bands. Say, it's
Richard isn't it?
PERVIS
Yes, and your SOPHIE right?
SOPHIE
Oh, Richard, you remembered, me.
PERVIS
Well, you're kinda hard to forget.
ALEX
Hmmm, excuse me, sorry to
interrupt. I believe you have some
tech for us.
SOPHIE stares at ALEX with a glare
PERVIS
Yes, OK, yes, well, its your lucky
day, ladies, we have some really
sweet deals at the moment, on the
SERVOMACS 19/50's, if thats a
little rich for you, I'd recommend
the PRESPAC 10's a good basic
setup, not glitchy and a low price,
we will throw in five free NOS
Logic 5000 packs.
SOPHIE
(Interrupting, in a serious and
quite voice) Richard we're from the
Royal and Cherries, we have a pre
order reservation, we are not
looking to purchase civilian units.
PERVIS
Oh OK, let me see. Oh wow, thats
Tech Merc. level. Wow, OK, I'm just
checking one out from secure
storage. It'll just take a few
minutes.
(Pause - slightly
difficult) )
Um, Coffee anyone?
SOPHIE
I'll have one please, thank you
Richard.
PERVIS
So which person is the intended
recipient of the implant?
SOPHIE
Richard we need two, these two
ladies are both receiving. I
already am fully implanted with the
same nanonics.
(Batting of eyelids)
PERVIS
OH, wow, totally tooled. Ahem,
sooo, I'll just get another,
(Bleep) OK the first implant has
arrived. Who want's to go first.
ALEX
SHARROW you said you were keen.
I'll just hold back for a second.
SHARROW glares at ALEX
SHARROW
Yes, my colleague here is of a
nervous disposition.
Whispers to ALEX as she passes to go to the chair.
SHARROW
Wimp!
ALEX
Wimp yourself, I don't want my
brain ending up like scrambled
eggs.
PERVIS
(Slightly flustered) Right, ahh, Ok
Please Miss if you would like to
lay face down on the chairs please.
Yes. Just rest your head in the
slight depression. Yes thats good,
I have to ask this, I will need to
see a proof of age.
SOPHIE
Oh Richard, don't be a silly puss,
they're both old enough, they just
look young for their age. (Pause)
I've just datavised their idents
from the Cherries.
PERVIS
Yes, yes, I've got that now. OK,
good that is all in order. Now
please just relax. I see Miss, you
already have a small implant. I'm
just going to scan and activate
withdrawal, could you send me the
NOS codes. Withdrawal is going to
take a few minutes.
ALEX
So whats this NOS number you keep
mentioning?
PERVIS
Oh, that stands for Neural
Operating System, the number is the
versioning. Came out in sixty one
and it was flakey, believe me, but
over the years they have fixed the
bugs, and now its as smooth as
silk. All implant's come with a
code, can't do anything without
that code. I'll explain later.
ALEX
Are there any dangers with this
stuff?
PERVIS
What do you mean dangers?
ALEX
Well, could a robot take over your
brain or something.
PERVIS
I'm sorry, you do realise this
setup you getting is the most
complex and expensive with rock
solid security. It's top end
military specification, totally
hardened. There is zero chance of
sequestration, or being overheard,
all comms channels have double two
fifty six bit key encryption.
SHARROW
So how do we know how to operate
it?
PERVIS
Oh, thats no problem whilst the
initial install is occurring, we
will run the free operating
didactic, takes about ten minutes
or so.
ALEX
So what exactly happens here, I'm a
little nervous?
PERVIS
So whilst we wait, for your
friend's withdrawal to finalise, we
can be implanting you. If you
could get up on the implant chair
please. Look, this is perfectly
routine. We place the implant at
the back of the head, we do a quick
NMR scan first. We then activate
with a code, then millions of
carbon nano tube, microfibrils move
out through the skin and into your
brain. A skin seal is established,
then they extrude the implant from
its case and position it, just
below the base of the skull. Its
fast and totally sterile. Its been
around for years. Oh, you're
looking slightly queazy there Miss.
ALEX
I really think I need be somewhere
else.
SOPHIE
(Frustrated voice) Oh my god you
two, relax, ALEX, get in the chair.
Richard, how many do you do a week?
PERVIS
Well, this weeks been a little
slack but about fifteen a day.
SOPHIE
See its, (pause)'like falling off a
log'. I think thats the old phrase
you would have used, at least thats
what wikispacia tells me. Now RUDI
says you're getting implants, so
you're getting on the couch. Guys,
be grateful that they are the best
tech, seriously this is costing
some coin. RUDI wouldn't do it,
unless she really believed in you.
SHARROW
So what about the one I already
have implanted?
PERVIS
Oh, thats coming out now, in fact I
have initiated withdrawal, it will
take about ten minutes. It's really
a very basic unit Miss, a little
cheap really, no real hardened
security. Its probably good that
you're swapping it out. Now Miss,
ah, SHARROW was it?
SHARROW
Yes that right.
PERVIS
Miss SHARROW, you may experience
momentary small sensations, its
perfectly normal. I am required by
law to get you both to inspect the
new implants and the seals before
we proceed. What model of implant
will they be receiving, please
confirm?
SOPHIE
We are requesting XALONE 40-70's or
better. With software release NOS
V23.02 please. We need the normal
additional RCBS, interface packs as
well, with the additional memory
package.
ALEX
Sounds impressive.
SOPHIE
Sure are, top of the range, or as
GANDER says, (Gander voice)
'reassuringly expensive' and I
already have some great plugins
lined up for both of you (pause).
You know, we need a celebration,
its a big day, the first day of
implantation, requires a drink.
SHARROW
Hay, I'm no back birth, I had
implants.
SOPHIE
Say, you getting with the lingo.
Yes you had an 'implant' but it was
really just a dumb terminal. Now
these bad boys are, going really
tool you up, you'll be smoking hot.
The boys will be all over you!
ALEX
Well, I'm nervous. You OK SHAS, it
hasn't sucked your brain out has
it?
SHARROW
Yes I think can feel something,
uggh, daisy, daisy, uggh!
ALEX
What the hell, you OK?
SHARROW
Relax, just kidding, its an old
joke!
PERVIS
OK, all done, with the withdrawal.
Now this might sting a little, I'm
just going to numb the implant area
a little and swab. Miss ALEX
please, if you could stop fidgeting
and also lay down, please relax,
whilst I deal with Miss SHARROW
SOUNDS OF
MEDICAL
INSTRUMENTS IN A
TRAY
PERVIS
Now by law I have to read this
statement, so please listen and
acknowledge verbally.
(Reading legal statement
voice)
BLEEP
PERVIS
Neural nanonics connect directly
into your brains, Ms. Angel and Ms
May, if someone changes the
filaments or subverts the NOS codes
they could get into your memories
and/or manipulate your body like a
puppet. These seals guarantee new
sets have not been pre-manipulated,
please acknowledge verbally.
SHARROW
OK I see the seals are intact.
PERVIS
You too please Ms. May, please
check the seals.
ALEX
Yes I confirm they are intact.
PERVIS
Very good, XALONE Corporation
guarantees that with these sealed
units, you have a guarantee that
their designs will not sequestrate
you.
BLEEP
(Legal voice ends)
Sorry don't mean to scare you but
its the standard speech, have to do
it, if anything happened the
business would be shut down and
much worse.
ALEX
What about our sequestrated brains.
SOPHIE
You two don't even have a clue how
I'm going to sequestrate your
horrible wardrobe, thats what you
should be worried about.
SHARROW
Shall I put her over my knee, or
would you like the pleasure?
ALEX
Yep over your knee but I'm
definitely going to help with the
spanking!
PERVIS
OK, for the record this is Implant
technician license 57298,
implantation at 13:30 hours on the
26-12-2075 activation of two Xalone
40-75's, serial numbers 23-5672 and
23-5673, tag record alpha code
93428-Activation. (Pause) OK folks
you may feel a very slight sting,
thats perfectly normal, please do
not touch the implant injectors.
SHARROW
Oh OK, feels a bit cold.
PERVIS
Yes miss, please just stay still
for a moment longer.
SLIGHT CLICK AND
HIS AS THE CASE
FALLS OFF
PERVIS
Great that went very well. How are
you over here, miss.
ALEX
Copacetic!
PERVIS
Sorry?
ALEX
Sigh! It's a New York word, I'm
good, just get on with it.
SLIGHT CLICK AND
HIS AS THE CASE
FALLS OFF FOR
THE SECOND TIME
PERVIS
OK now I'm going to run the
operating didactics whilst
implantation takes place. These are
standard. New plug-ins come with
their own supplemental fleks. This
will tell you how to use the basic
services. Now they also come with
first time access codes,
specifically two for each set. They
allow you to activate the nanonics.
After that you change the setting
just be thinking about the new
codes you want.
Even if someone, got hold of this
flek afterwards, it wouldn't do
them any good as you will have
changed the access codes as soon as
the implants become ready, won't
you?
ALEX
(Sarcastic voice) Yes of course.
SHARROW
Yes Richard we will, and I will
make sure my colleague does the
same.
PERVIS
So just to reiterate, I can't state
this enough, you must change the
codes immediately after activation,
never give the codes away even to
your best friend or companion, or
anyone, OK. Please look into the
glowing green light, you will get a
warning flash, it works in pulses,
you see green , then violet for
about ten seconds or so, this will
repeat for up to eight or nine
times. Please try not to blink.
SHARROW
You mean thats it, thats all we
need to do to learn how to use
these things.
PERVIS
Yep, not so bad is it.
SHARROW
You mean this is all people have to
do the learning for anything
nowadays.
PERVIS
You got it.
ALEX
Wow, so all those hours on book
work SHAS, not needed any more.
SHARROW
Geese, that's amazing, but what do
the kids do, are there any schools
here?
SOPHIE
Oh, yes there are 'experience'
clubs, you need to cement the
didactics after implantation, use
the knowledge or lose the
knowledge, those neurones need to
be stroked, but no learning by
repetition or study and all that.
Musical instruments need practice
too.
PERVIS
Miss, I'm surprised you don't know
that, did you not use didactics?
SOPHIE
Oh, they have been out in the outer
belt, not so advanced out in that
dusky dark and cold.
PERVIS
Really, how strange!
SHARROW
Sometimes I just get a sense of
drowning, we are so out of our
depth here.
PERVIS
Ah, Oh, sorry Miss. New London is
kinda frantic.
SOPHIE
Well, I'm going to bring you both
up to the surface, (pause) of the
pool party! Thats what I do!
(giggle)
ALEX
Wow, do me a favour, just let me
drown please. Richard, what happens
now, the lights stopped flashing.
PERVIS
Well the implants take 24 hours to
bed in and activate, so in the mean
time, lets go next door to select
the plug-ins.
SOPHIE
OK, no need, Richard, I have I
full set of totally groovalicious
selections back at base. Now thank
you so much Richard, how much will
that be.
(More batting of eyelids) OK, I
have just authorised transfer. See
you later!
(giggling)
SOUND OF DOOR
CLOSING, THEN
STREET NOISES
SHARROW
SOPHIE, you're a giant tease, that
poor boy.
SOPHIE
I know, I can't help it if I'm just
sooo, charming and sexy. (laughing)
ALEX
Well, we should be just charming
and sexy now too, now we are
'tooled' up?
SOPHIE
Not yet, (BC street voice) back off
bewitch, he's my man, my implants
are all over him yah! (Laughing)
Anyway we've got to get you some
clothes and get that horrible hair
cut.
ALEX
That's what I was worrying about.
SOPHIE
Yep, and guess who's going to be at
the party tonight, with his
swimming trunks off, whoo!
INT. BIOLOGY LAB N.L. UNIVERSITY
BRIMLOW
Well that is very interesting, very
interesting indeed, quite unusual.
ALEX
What's unusual is that I survived
last night. Doc, please look I'm
inspecting the 'condition, of my
condition' over here, we had a
really 'heavy' night, so take it
slow and go real easy on us, OK?
BRIMLOW
Ahem, well, let me see. I'm looking
at the high resolution NMR and you
appear to have a couple of enlarged
lymph nodes.
There is a dark mass in one of
them. Of course it might just be
cancer but I think we are dealing
with something more serious.
ALEX
More serious than cancer, give me a
break, I'm still suffering from a
does of SOPHIE. Say it's not those
implants we got yesterday is it?
BRIMLOW
You mean those Xalones, no
(laughing) not at all, we can
filter neural nanonics out very
easily, everyone has them nowadays.
No, its this, look you can see them
here, I'm talking about this mass
here, oh and by the way it's, not a
cancer.
ALEX
So what makes you think its really
abnormal?
BRIMLOW
Well, your colleague over here has
exactly the same mass in her lymph
glands as well. In exactly the same
place, they are just like another
set of hidden biological implants,
but of a more subtle nature, more
organic. Other than that everything
else appears exactly as a late
teenager. I think we need to look
at some lymph fluid under the
microscope.
BODECKER
Doctor I'll prepare the nano
extractor.
SHARROW
Oh, I don't like the sound of that
at all. Doc, will it be painful.
ALEX
(Sigh) I hope it's not going to be
as painful as my headache!
BRIMLOW
No you won't feel a thing, at least
if you stay still.
SHARROW
Great. ALEX do you want to do this
first, after all I went first
yesterday.
SHARROW cast a furious glance at ALEX
ALEX
Thanks SHAS! You turncoat!
SHARROW
Only fair, my friend!
BODECKER
So it will be two nano probes then
doctor, we'll need more than one
sample.
BRIMLOW
Yes indeed, Doctor. If you please.
TIME PASSING
SOUNDS THEN
SOUNDS OF TECH
AND MEDICAL
STUFF
BODECKER
Oh, that is extraordinary, oh well.
Hum, if you could please go through
into that room and put on those,
isolation suits please.
ALEX
Doc, whats up?
BRIMLOW
Just a precaution, we don't think
it's an issue but we have to be
sure, something is happening with
Miss SHARROW
This section only to be used if Cecilia cannot commit to
SHARROW
SHARROW
Doctor's I'm feeling dizzy.
BODECKER
Isolation quickly, I think we may
have triggered something.
SHARROW
Arrgh, I can't see clearly, arghhh!
SOUND OF BODY
COLLAPSING
ALEX
What, have you done, you bastards!
BODECKER
Nothing we did nothing, I put a
small electrical charge through the
probe, look quick get her up on the
bench. Oh her temperature is very
high, she's burning up.
BRIMLOW
I'll get the scanner, we need to
see what is happening.
ALEX
Urghh! Wow she is hot.
BRIMLOW
I can see some small changes around
the throat area, near where the
probe was in contact.
ALEX
SHAS, wake up, wake up, are you OK
BRIMLOW
Her temperature is dropping slowly,
I think the changes are slowing
too.
SHARROW
Arghhh! Arghh! (Coughing)
TRANSITION OF
SHARROWS VOICE
SHARROW
Oh, Alex, what the hell, why do I
sound so weird. Whats going on.
BODECKER
(Phew) Sorry, Miss, that was
startled me, Miss I think we
inadvertently triggered some
reaction, my apologies. It's
stopped now, it was completely
unintended.
BRIMLOW
Look, I think it would be best for
everyone if you both get into those
isolation suits, and get in the
isolation room please. At least
until we complete our monitoring
and testing.
ALEX
Doc OK, but what do you think
happened.
BRIMLOW
OK, well we have found some
particles in your lymphatic system
that shouldn't be there, it's
likely to be a reaction of those
particles to our probe. We can't
actually image them with this
simple optical microscope, so we
are going to move to the electron
quantum tunnelling microscope, we
need to fully resolve those dark
masses, but its in another
building. We need to confirm what I
think these dark masses are. Dr
would you mind if I go next door
and examine these samples whilst
you look after our patients.
BODECKER
OF course, no problem Doctor.
SHARROW
OK, shit, I just got used to my new
young voice. Doc, will it change
back?
BRIMLOW
We don't know at all, these
particles are very unknown, we are
in new territory. The only good
news is we don't think they are
infectious in the normal state.
SHARROW
Oh, why's that?
BRIMLOW
Well, if they are what we think
then, if you had been infectious we
would all have them by now.
ALEX
Oh, why does my head hurt?
INT. RETROGRADE - C&C PRESENTION SUITE 1
SHARROW
(Whispered to ALEX) I'm not sure I
want to hear what these guys have
to say.
ALEX
(Whispered) Yeh, I'm alternatively
fascinated and repelled at the same
time.
RUDI
SHARROW, what's happened to your
voice?
ALEX
Our friend Dr BODECKER 'fixed' it.
He nearly killer her.
SHARROW
I think you might be exaggerating a
little there ALEX.
ALEX
I don't think so, he said he
started to trigger a change.
RUDI
Well I'm going to ask him what
happened! Dr BODECKER, what did
you do to SHARROW?
BODECKER
Oh, ah, I can assure you it was not
intentional, I was using the electo
probe and it triggered something.
RUDI
Well, I would appreciate it if you
don't do that agin please. Now will
she get better?
BODECKER
Oh, I don't actually know at all
Colonel. Look I think we should
explain more and then it might be
clearer.
RUDI
OK, but this better be good.
DESK BELL
RUDI
Okay lets settle down please, Dr's
BODECKER and BRINLOW are here from
the university to present their
preliminary findings on their
examination of Ms MAY and ANGEL.
Please welcome them to the
regiment.
LUKE WARM
CLAPPING
RUDI
Doctors, if you could keep this as
non technical as possible please.
Can we please have the presentation
graphics, and lets get this up on
the forward screens. If you could
datavise the files please.
BODECKER
Yes certainly marm. There they are.
RUDI
Thank you.
BODECKER
OK lets proceed. We initially
conducted, a high resolution NMR
scan, using the large magnet at the
university. It's some 20 Tesla's,
so it allows very fine details, far
more than the normal medical scans.
It produced these images. Now one
area is of particular interest.
This is marked B. This second set
of images is that zone magnified.
Now do you see that dark mass?
RUDI
Yes, we can see it, but what is it.
BRIMLOW
Well, that was the big question we
were trying to answer. Both
'candidates' exhibited the same
shadow, very mysterious. I have to
say we were quite excited.
ALEX
Yes, so excited they put us in
hermetic suits in a hermetic room.
All very viral and changed
SHARROW's voice permanently.
BRIMLOW
Yes, well ahem, precautions were
necessary. Anyway we then decided
we needed to obtain a micro biopsy,
using our self guiding micro
tubules.
ALEX
Yes they certainly did, and it made
my eyes water.
RUDI
Quite, yes, hmmm, it does sounds
nasty!
SHARROW
You really don't want to know. The
details will make your eyes water
too!
BODECKER
Its really quite routine nowadays.
BRIMLOW
Yes well, anyway we obtained
sufficient samples and then decided
to proceed to the electro quantum
needle probe.
GANDER
Are you two alright, that sounds
even worse.
ALEX
Sure, we screamed for hours, the
straps on the table managed to stop
us tearing at our wounds.
GANDER
Really, SLIM sounds right up your
street!
SLIM
Actually I do my work quietly.
ALEX
No, GANDER, of course not! Actually
we had a little nap in those suits
and these guys went away for a
couple of hours.
SHARROW
I was trying to clear my throat.
ALEX
It, was a horrible sound.
BRIMLOW
If we could move on please. So the
electro quantum needle probe is a
type of microscope, we had to
perform, lattice, quantum,
chromodynamics.
RUDI
Ahumm!
BRIMLOW
Ah, yes well, we had to read the
shape of the molecules in that
mass. It turned out to be designed,
the mass of molecules are a careful
constructed machine.
Its a high molecular weight nano
machine working from bioengineered
molecules. Now we are still
performing analysis, of course, its
extremely difficult to unpick and
reverse engineer. You are looking
at years of work for a team of
biologists. The embedded code set
will take even longer.
RUDI
Can we get to the point please
doctor?
BRIMLOW
Yes, Ok. Now we know from our
'subjects' experience, that some
form of very early, but powerful
anti senescence technology was
deployed. Our guess, and it is only
speculation at this stage, is that
nano-machinery was installed and
was then used to rewrite the
genetic code back to a 'golden
archetype'. All the accumulated
errors at a cellular level, were
undone. This would be a continuous
process. In other words these two
will not age from their current
state. The nano machines control
the vital chemical area's of the
brain and generates their own
overarching 'body manager suite'.
GANDER
Kockovaltua!
BODECKER
Precisely Gospondin! The nano
machines are about five times
larger than the smaller viruses but
much more complex. They work
together and there are many
different types of molecule. The
issue is that it is extremely
effective, but unstable. That's
why Ms MAY's voice changed, because
a small electric shock interrupted
the signalling back channels. The
molecules then start reforming on
their own, back to another
phenotype. We are still conducting
analysis of course. I do not think
this could have been synthesised in
the mid twenties its just not
feasible.
RUDI
So were did it come from.
BRIMLOW
We, (pause) have no idea. Suffice
to say I am convinced, they could
not have been synthesised by the
then current public domain
technology. The basic molecules
appear to be denser than the
typical virus, fewer spikes, but
they do all have two key pillars.
We surmise that they move around
the body sending messages to the
bodies we see in each cell.
SHARROW
So you are saying that we have been
altered at cellular level and that
any electric shock can change us?
BRIMLOW
Yes exactly Ms MAY. Doctor BODECKER
you are the cellular expert, if you
could elaborate please.
BODECKER
Yes thank you Doctor. Well if you
examine diagram A, you see the dark
mass here. These would normally be
the Mitochondria. These have been
altered, as have the Nucleus and
its rough endoplasmic reticulum.
These structures are quite
different. We have a whole team of
PhD's looking at these as we speak,
quite amazing really. I am
confident we will be able to
produce some ground breaking papers
from this research.
GANDER
Now hold on Doctor, there will be
no publishing of any papers until
we say. We need to synchronise any
information release with a security
campaign.
SHARROW
So what do you think all this
machinery does, its clearly not an
evolved structure.
BODECKER
Yes, very good question. We think
that it adapts to the host, and we
say host because its really like
some form of parasite, in that it
has a signalling back channel,
seperate from the normal endocrine
pathways. We think that perhaps
messages are sent from those
enlarged lymph masses, which we
speculate may be the central
processing structures. These in
turn get signalling from this. Oh
new slide please.
ALEX
What the hells that.
BODECKER
Its a picture of your brain stem.
SHARROW
So you found it then.
BODECKER
Ahhhh, yes of course, so you see
this small mass here. Yes it sits
at the juncture of the SMA, PMA and
M1 regions.
SHARROW
So in the motor cortex area, what
the hell.
BODECKER
Yes well done Ms MAY.
SHARROW
Actually its Doctor MAY I have a
PhD in microbiology.
BODECKER
Oh, yes well, then you understand
all of this.
ALEX
So in my non doctoral terms, then,
we have a modified motor and immune
system. Why does this mean we're
set back to being spotty teenagers.
Are we like this forever?
BODECKER
Forever is a long time Ms ANGEL, a
very long time. We believe you will
have enhanced longevity.
However, all machinery wears down
eventually, its just
thermodynamics, it just depends how
good the error correction is. Of
course ageing is not just about the
DNA, there are functional issues
such as senescent cells and other
'bio garbage' which also need to be
removed.
BRIMLOW
Yes you will just live a lot longer
than normal folks who have not had
anti-senescent treatments, but that
in itself is not that remarkable.
Anti Senescence regimens are now
becoming available more widely than
ever.
BODECKER
There has to be some signal channel
between the lymph nodes and every
cell, we suspect dual or triple
proteinic markers, in the lymphatic
fluids. Of course how all this
works is a mute point and one that
we will only work out after some
significant research. The
literature records that early anti
senescent treatments have had sub
optimal outcomes in the past.
ALEX
I don't much like the sound of
that. Can we get rid of this thing
Doc?
BODECKER
I ah, well I don't think so, its in
every cell. It's now as much a
part of you as your mitochondria.
Suffice to say, your not really
fully human anymore.
GANDER
Well, 'human' is a loose term
nowadays anyway, all these
'technical mercenaries', with body
replacement parts, not to mention
the brain implants. We are slowly
becoming cyborgs anyway.
BODECKER
Well, again with much speculation
on my part, we think this was
probably a weaponised, dark
project, perhaps within a large
pharmaceutical combine.
They will of course be fifteen
years ahead of the public domain.
We did a scan of published
literature, which I have datavised
over to you, it might help in
targeting the monsters who did
this.
RUDI
Why do you say monsters Doctor? In
a way, it did save these two from
death.
BODECKER
Yes, but at what cost?
ALEX
Look, death is very terminal, so
any solution must be a step up,
surely.
BODECKER
Yes, but what if the cost is worse
than death.
ALEX
What could be worse than death,
Doctor.
BODECKER
Oh, many things actually, many
things.
ALEX
Great! Just great, look my dark
masses are rebelling and merging
with my light masses. SHARROW you
got something to stop this
headache.
END