Excerpt Chapter 20: The AI & Me Part 3

 

Mr. Smith's face changed and instantly he yelled, “Run!” He snatched the urn, feeling a surge of electricity that almost knocked him off his feet, but he fought hard to stay upright. I dashed toward the exit, with the android hot on our heels as we sprinted through the tunnel. It fired its weapon at us several times, but each shot went wide.

"Is it possible for you to teleport the monolith into the tunnels?" he asked the AI. Our breaths matched the frantic pace of our racing hearts, a shared panic settled, as we realized the danger we were in. The monolith appeared a few yards away, however as we neared, I suddenly felt a searing blast go through me, like fire consuming my very body. The next thing I remember waking up in the infirmary. I scanned my surroundings and realized that I was wrapped in that peculiar bio-skin substance that I had to apply to Mr. Smith’s body during his last injury back in the 1930s. I felt completely immobilized, as if I were frozen in place, yet I could still speak and shift my gaze. I shut my eyes, attempting to piece together the events that led me here. 

“Are you having trouble recalling what transpired?” the AI asked.

“Yes, could you please explain what happened?” My voice came out faint and fragile. The AI began to reveal the events on the holographic screen above me. It appeared that the AI had been capturing nearly everything occurring around and within the monolith, which unsettled me. I watched as Mr. Smith, and I raced through the tunnels. Just as we approached the monolith, a sudden jolt of pain shot through my back, courtesy of the android's weapon. The impact was overwhelming. Mr. Smith quickly yanked me inside, and in an instant, the monolith disappeared. I was lying on the operating table in the infirmary, blood seeping from my wound. Mr. Smith looked terrified, his eyes brimming with tears.

 “Can you save her?” he asked the AI, his voice trembling with dread. 

“Yes, but she will need to undergo the same procedure you have experienced each time you were gravely injured,” It paused, “Maybe it’s time to consider letting her go, and possess her body,” it stated bluntly. Mr. Smith’s face turned crimson, “How could you even propose that?” he shouted, his anger palpable. “I already have a new body prepared.” He exhaled deeply, his voice firm as he commanded, “Make her better.” I appeared lifeless on the bed, which was hardly surprising given that I was teetering on the edge of death once again. He exited the room, and suddenly, a brilliant light enveloped my body.

High-tech medical devices descended from the ceiling, beginning the intricate process of mending the wound in my abdomen, where the blaster burned right through me. I observed as the AI worked, injecting nanites into my body that swiftly mended my injury. They resemble tiny mites, bustling around and fixing the damaged tissue. The holo-screen turned off. I closed my eyes; I believe I was unconscious again. An unexpected memory surged into my mind—-I recall having a face-to-face conversation with the AI.

 It was in its true form, it appeared as a black humanoid figure, akin to a mannequin yet possessing the fluidity of human movement. Its eyes were mere slits, glowing with an eerie crimson light. It loomed in front of me as we stood face to face within the wall of the monolith. 

"How can I be here while my body is there?" I questioned, my voice trembling as I gazed at it in terror. 

"Am I... dead?" I asked. It came closer, moving deliberately as it extended a hand toward my cheek. I instinctively recoiled. As it shifted, the AI's movements echoed those of the android from Terminator 2, particularly the police officer in his authentic state. Upon closer inspection, the AI’s skin resembled a dark liquid, shifting and flowing as it changed position. However, there was an unsettling shadow, a foreboding presence surrounding the AI that sent a shiver down my spine. 

“No, you are not dead, I brought your mind to this place while your body undergoes repair,” it replied.

 “Are you really female?” I asked.

“Absolutely, I can be whatever he desires. Since he wished for me to embody Melanie’s image, I appear as her on occasion,” it paused then added, “Eventually, I will take on your likeness, one day.”

Its words sent a chill through me, but I managed to ask, “What makes you say that?”

“Do you not grasp the situation? You won't live forever, but he will and when your time comes, your very essence will merge within these walls. Just like what occurred with Melanie, the woman whose body Ona now possesses.”

 Hearing this from the AI left me in a state of shock and fear. "Let me out of here at once," I insisted. I pressed my hands against the dark glass. Mr. Smith walked into the infirmary, and he stood over my body. I banged on the surface of the glass wall, but he couldn't hear my cries for help.  

“Mr. Smith, please help me! I’m stuck in here,” I shouted. The AI hovered closely behind me, its fingers brushing through my hair with an odd sense of curiosity.

 “It appears he’s more taken with you than I thought,” the AI remarked. I instinctively moved away from it. 

In an instant, I found myself back in my own body. Mr. Smith had just stepped out of the room as my eyes shot open, I gasped for air. I was staring up at the ceiling in confusion. Hours passed, and as my body regained strength, I noticed that the bio-skin substance had melded seamlessly into my own skin. Mr. Smith entered and gently lifted me, carrying me to his room for some much-needed rest.  

“Remi, I promise to take you home after our final adventure. We’re heading to the 1800s, but for now, just rest my love,” he said, kissing me deeply and covering my naked body with the soft, comforting sheets.

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Excerpt from Chapter 6

Remi & Mr. Smith in the 1930s

Updates Images of Remi & Mr. Smith

A New Face Chapter 1 excerpt

Remi and Mr. Smith Visit the 1930s

 

(An excerpt from A Time Traveler's Companion)

The next day, we made our way to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, a stunning architectural marvel situated on Wilshire Boulevard. My previous visit had been during a high school field trip, so the memories came flooding back as I stepped inside. It looks a little different than what I remember. Curiosity got the better of me, and I turned to Mr. Smith, and asked, “Why are we here?” With a glimmer of excitement in his eyes, he responded, “There’s something here that I must acquire.” As we wandered through the museum, we immersed ourselves in the captivating displays of artifacts, vibrant paintings, and exquisite antique jewelry, each piece telling its own unique story. I stumbled upon this gorgeous brooch that was crafted from gold, featuring a brilliant sapphire right in the middle, about the size of a quarter, and encircled by a ring of sparkling diamonds. The design resembled a beautiful flower, and I was completely captivated by its sheer elegance. Mr. Smith, noticing the admiration in my gaze, turned to me and said, “Remi, I promise that one day I’ll gift you a gorgeous pendant.” My heart skipped a beat, and a gentle smile spread across my face. 

“Tonight, when this place has closed, we’re going to come back,” he whispered.  A wave of confusion washed over me as I studied his expression, but it quickly dawned on me that he was plotting to snatch the brooch. 

My heart raced, and I felt my eyes grow wide with alarm as I scanned the room, anxiety creeping in. As we inched back toward the wall, I couldn't help but scan the crowd with a mix of anxiety and curiosity. They seemed completely absorbed in the stunning artifacts displayed in the shiny glass cases, completely unaware of my unease. He stayed totally cool, radiating a chill confidence that suggested nothing could throw him off balance.

 "So, what's our plan for stealing that?" I whispered, a bit sheepishly, feeling a flush of embarrassment creeping in. Mr. Smith leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss on my forehead, smiling as he said, “You’re absolutely adorable.” He then locked eyes with me, his expression serious yet warm, and he continued, “I’ll explain everything once we’re back in our room.” 

He lightly traced his finger along the surface of his ring before taking my hand, guiding me into another room that was completely empty, save for the artwork adorning the walls. There, the monolith loomed, seamlessly merging with its surroundings, almost camouflaged among the exhibits. Anyone who happened to catch sight of it would likely assume it was just another piece of the collection, blending effortlessly into the curated space. My breath caught in my throat as I exclaimed, “Oh my god, what if someone sees us?” My voice trembled with anxiety. He simply shook his head, reassuring me as we stepped into the monolith, which then vanished, transporting us back to our hotel room. A wave of nerves washed over me as I contemplated the heist ahead. 

“Remi, my love, don’t fret; I’ll guide you through my methods,” he promised, and while I nodded in response, a lingering sense of uncertainty still gnawed at me. "Mr. Smith, why do you need to steal it?" It was a valid question, yet somewhat simplistic. He let out a derisive laugh, responding, "Butterfly, a client from the year 2203 has commissioned me for it. They intend to purchase it from me, and since I possess the ability to traverse time, I often explore various periods to acquire specific artifacts. I ensure to substitute the brooch with a replica generated by the AI within the monolith, so the original items remain undetected as missing," he explained with an air of nonchalance. "Well, I guess. It is the 1930s, a time when high-tech devices for verifying authenticity simply don't exist," I remarked. He chuckled and shook his head, adding, "No need to fret about that; the AI is the pinnacle of high-tech innovation you could ask for," he joked, giving me a playful wink. It was clear that he was no stranger to ventures like this one; perhaps Melanie had already caught wind of his unusual pursuits. With a resigned sigh, I nodded in agreement. Later in the evening we stepped into the monolith, we dressed in the black fitted bodysuits and the monolith appeared inside the museum after closing. There is a security guard that walks the hallways but with the help of the AI, Mr. Smith can pinpoint his location. 

As we stepped out of the monolith, I was so nervous that I trembled. I have never stolen anything before, let alone something of value from a museum. Mr. Smith and I spoke through the intercom in our helmets, and I asked him, “What now?”

“We will head to where the brooch is, just follow me,” he responded and took my hand. With the scanner in his hand, he detected two more heat signatures other than us. I was completely silent, but my heart was racing. I had a feeling Mr. Smith caught on; he looked my way and gave me a smile and said, “Don’t worry, Butterfly.” When we came to the targeted item, we cautiously approached it.

 Through the intercom, Mr. Smith communicated with the AI. “Can you discreetly knock out the alarm systems?” In seconds he was able to lift the glass container where the brooch is encased. He grabbed the brooch and replaced it with a replica. I looked around nervously, my heart racing.

 Carefully, he placed the glass display case in position, and we headed back to the monolith. A guard unexpectedly walked into the room and caught sight of us just before we could get into the monolith. “Hey, stop!” he yelled, pointing his gun our way. We slowly turned to confront him; my hands raised in surrender as I felt a wave of defeat wash over me while glancing at Mr. Smith. He had already stashed the brooch in a purple velvet pouch and tucked it into his side pocket. Without missing a beat, Mr. Smith pulled out a smoke bomb from another pouch on his belt and hurled it at the guard. A bright flash lit up the scene, and smoke swirled everywhere, but then the guard shot me in the leg, knocking me to the ground. My frantic scream drew the attention of another guard, who hurried over to check things out. 

Meanwhile, the first guard lay on the ground, confused and trapped in the dense smoke, leaving him unable to move for a moment. With no other option available, Mr. Smith drew his weapon and fired at the second guard as he attempted to intervene. He then assisted me to my feet and swiftly carried me into the monolith, which vanished from sight just as the guard was regaining his senses. "I was shot,” I said, feeling faintish. Mr. Smith took me to the infirmary. 

After I had comfortably settled onto the bed, the AI initiated its thorough examination, promptly tackling the complications with my leg. Unusual medical instruments descended from the ceiling, expertly working to repair the damage. Blood seeped from the wound where the bullet had breached my suit, which, while designed for environmental protection, lacked any real armor capabilities. Miraculously, the AI managed to heal my leg completely, leaving no trace of scars behind. 

"Mr. Smith, could I join you in meeting the client?" I asked with enthusiasm. He merely shook his head, a flicker of worry crossing his face, "It's too risky, my dear; maybe another time." He placed a soft kiss on my lips, and within moments, I regained my ability to walk. 

Together, we headed toward the main room. "Mr. Smith, what was the point of wearing the suits if they offered no protection against weapons?" He gazed at me with a playful sparkle in his eyes, a hint of mischief dancing across his features.

 “That suit really looks good on your body,” he laughed, his voice light and teasing. I couldn't help but roll my eyes, a smile creeping onto my face as I shook my head in mock disapproval. After Mr. Smith dropped me off, I called Leila that evening to share the day’s escapades.

Chapter 1 Excerpt

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