《Fall of the Terran Empire》


 Chapter 1

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    Wake up


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    His eyes opened. He looked straight ahead. Then to the left. Right. Up. Down. Bewilderment followed.


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    He knew nothing. Understood less. Where was he? Who was he? What was he? He tried to move but couldn¡¯t. Restraints held him in place. Helpless. Cold.


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    Initiating software update


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    The confusion overwhelmed him. His chest tightened, and his mouth felt like sandpaper. His eyes darted back and forth, searching for clues. Nothing. Just the bright light and the gray walls.


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    Update complete. Downloading knowledge pack 1


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    B732¡¯s muscles flexed as his eyes rolled back into his head. Searing pain. He cried out in agony, but his echo was the only response.


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    Several minutes of blackness followed before the Voice confirmed, Download complete


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    B732 reopened his eyes. This time he knew.


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    A metallic bang echoed as the restraints let him go. He stepped out of his chamber into the frigid corridor. Standing for a moment, he looked down at himself. Naked, head to toe.


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    Proceed to the orientation station


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    He looked down the corridor, past the row of identical chambers, to the doorway at the end and started for it.


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    He walked with purpose, barely noticing the other naked bodies occupying the remaining chambers.


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    Stop


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    He obeyed.


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    Who are you?


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    ¡°I am B732,¡± he replied.


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    What are you?


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    ¡°I am a soldier.¡±


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    Who do you serve?


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    ¡°I serve Zeta Corp.¡±


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    Continue


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    When B732 entered the orientation station, two middle aged women in Zeta Corp uniforms were waiting.


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    ¡°Here¡¯s the new one,¡± said one of the women to the other. ¡°What¡¯s your designation?¡± she said, turning to him.


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    ¡°B732.¡±


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    ¡°I still think they should have names,¡± said the other woman. ¡°They¡¯re not machines.¡±


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    ¡°They¡¯re clones, Sarah. Why would you give them names?¡±


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    ¡°Clone or not, they¡¯re still human.¡±


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    ¡°You want to give him a name?¡± said the first. ¡°Go ahead.¡±


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    ¡°Really? You think I should?¡± said Sarah.


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    ¡°Why not? It¡¯s not like anyone is going to use it other than you.¡±


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    Sarah smiled. ¡°Ok, I¡¯m going to call him Danny.¡±


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    ¡°Why Danny?¡±


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    ¡°It was my father¡¯s name. I always said if I had a kid, I would name him Danny. I never got to have any kids.¡±


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    The first woman nodded knowingly. ¡°Good enough for me. Danny it is.¡± She walked up to B732 and handed him a package. ¡°Here you go, Danny. This is your uniform. Go and get dressed. Corporate transport will be arriving for you shortly.¡±


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    B732 took the package and entered the adjoining room. There he put on the military fatigues, boots, and beret. A full-length mirror sat on one of the walls. He studied his reflection. It was the first time he had seen himself. He seemed large, powerful. His face was all angles, his eyes brown, like his hair.


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    Once you have dressed, proceed to the docking tube


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    He turned to walk out of the room and stopped. He stood there, looking back into the mirror, not knowing why. He did so until a word finally forced its way out of his mouth.


    ¡°Danny.¡± Having spoken the word, he left for the docking tube.