Emory and the Phantom

Emory and the Phantom

…………………………At the cusp of disappointment and frustration were the feelings of Emory Kelly as he glanced at the fuel gauge reading “empty” on his transport. The words of the Earth Guild director were almost too much to bear… “How could you have been so careless?”. It was a continuous playback in his head from an earlier meeting. Things were now clear; Earth Guild had been conducting meetings in clandestine. The infrastructure was breaking down and Emory had been called in at the last minute. No briefing, no warning from his relatives on the board, nothing but a single cold statement. The next huddle would be exile and repossession. He had one thought which has been pondering for years. “Why risk my few years left if defeat is eminent?” At that moment rays from the first sunset highlighted the heart-shaped locket around his neck. He thought of selling if on another trip to Frenzy, in his mind it would put and an end to everything. Forgotten was the weight of this burden others called a gem. The Guild had become as emotionless as the Phantoms. Emory thought to himself “No one feels anything anymore”.

………. the familiar repetitive chime went off and a numeric display of profit displayed on Elaine’s tablet. With an endless list of successful businesses, she had invaded and captured another niche’ market. “PROFIT IS AVAILABLE” was the display line and this was traditionally followed by an impulse and a stimulus of satisfaction along with a prompt from her EPR. The prompt would provide a praise reminding her of her brilliance combined with an invitation an investment party. This time was different as Elaine’s EPR had a series of registered body reactions and malfunctions. She had begun to feel ill, and her medical team had not the courage to tell her they had little theory as to what was happening. For Elaine, more profit chimes going off meant more trips to the hospital. At the cusp of physical exhaustion and confusion Elaine had to be briefed on her latest achievement. Red quartz crystal traces had been discovered at the Texas/Mexico border in quantities enough to mine. This was enough to distribute to the elite Phantoms serving as fuel for better EmotionProcessRegualtors (EPRs).

The Heart-shaped locket -the heart of steel, .999 silver locket housing a pure red quartz crystal emitting 575gHz frequency (love vibration)

EarthGuild-127,000 beings possessing the heart of steel lockets, free from The Exchange. The goal is to preserve love and the principles of humanity.

Phantom-most of the known civilization on Earth; humans fused with technology enabling them to navigate through life on Earth under the idea that the implants give better precision and a higher quality of life at the expense of total emotional suppression or the Exchange. This happened after the infrastructure collapse of most Earth governments.

Elaine’s Board of Directors were suspicious of the recent malfunctions and wondered if the information was fraud, was this a test of loyalty? Meetings began in secret without Elaine………….

Emory almost passed an independent fuel merchant. Thank God! He immediately pulled over. The discovery of a second sun visible from Earth was the first on the list of new discoveries 10 years prior. The newly found elements, which could power cars, SUVs, and the newly developed transport were quickly monopolized. Emory began to analyze the fuel merchant. Grasping the locket, he thought “The silver from this alone…minus the necklace could buy four stations like this. But what does it matter, I got one year left anyway? Maybe another vacation. Another trip to “Frenzy”! What happens happens!

The discovery of the second sun led to many global vacation spots, “Frenzy” being the most popular. A consistent sun for monthly intervals resulted in days with no twilight or dusk. Later research proved these areas to be hazardous to anyone visiting them with either cheap or non-radiation implants. Many Phantoms and a few disguised Guild continued to embark on vacation here. Emory Kelly was diagnosed with solar cancer, given 1 year to live.

Elaine, still on her couch, and trying to process the recent EPR malfunctions and uneasiness, popped on the television. Immediately an advertisement for “Frenzy” showed. Elaine made a mental note. “Whatever this place is I will go there….it has to be better than this….”

…………. During his mission Emory fell asleep in his transport, shortly after arriving at the border. Emory was captured. The transport containing information on the Guild, his silver locket, and the location of the new crystals had been confiscated. The Phantoms moved with speed and initially one of the greatest risks to Earth Guild had happened overnight. By protocol, a second Guild was sent as back-up in case the mission failed. The back-up was able to free Emory and together they retrieved Emory’s locket and the transport. The Phantoms were captured, and the memory wiped immediately.

A huddle is called when a Guild presents a risk to all. The meeting is between the accused Guild, the Director, and the Council.

Exile happens if the accused Guild no longer follows the Code. Followed by Repossession where the silver locket taken from the accused Guild and a memory wipe is performed.

The backup Guild who saved Emory was younger and far less experienced. This infuriated Quincy as he knew Emory’s potential. Emory had 2 cousins on the Guild who had recently heard of his changes in performance. Emory had communicated with them less over the years and they felt communication with Emory on Guild matters no longer beneficial. Quincy had noticed certain Guild members were communicating among themselves. Never all his years of service had there he conducted so many clandestine meetings. He placed his hand on his forehead as he slumped in his chair in the committee meeting room. The meeting had been over hours ago, yet he had not moved. Rays from the first sun set caused his heart shaped locket to gleam, he had not looked at it in some time. Then he thought of the last conversation with Emory.

“How could you have been so careless?!” You might has well just handed your locket over to the Phantom. Do you realize your transport has access to most of our systems!” he said to Emory. Emory shook his head and proceeded toward the door, but not before saying “Maybe we should give our lockets to them, for we have slowly turned into them.”

Elaine dozed in an out of sleep. She often thought to herself “is money, profit, and computation all there is?

Elaines’s Board of Directors first noticed issues when profit margins increased an no comments were made by Elaine in the meetings, only simple acknowledgements. The same occurred with the announcement of new acquisitions. In lieu of emotion, responses were often given for a future of profit or an accomplishment. Elaine’s Board had noticed unresponsiveness on many occasions. She had few living relatives, and she often wondered about society.

Technology was readily available through implants and Phantoms valued nothing. Only better technology upgrades to further fuse with a human body. What good are you being devoid of emotion. She thought to herself “I would easily disconnect for only I could dream.”

The Emotional Process Regulator would simulate dreams. True dreaming had been suppressed, but few Phantoms knew this, only the wealthy.

…. During the last meeting Elaine’s Board of Directors reached a conclusion. They would offer Elaine a new EPR unit, the first of its kind (a prototype) if she refused, she would be rendered incapable of operating in her role. Either decision would have her out for 90 days or more, an opportunity for the Board to proceed without her. To make matters worse EPR surgery was rarely performed and did not have a good success rate.

…the email came in on Elaine’s tablet requesting the meeting from the Board. Knowing what they were planning from previous failed attempts she would offer a tentative time, take an emergency medical leave as suggested by her private surgeon, then she was going to “Frenzy”. She had heard about being able to disconnect one’s EPR temporarily from the main grid and found someone who could do it. It has done she thought. I will feel!

Emory had been temporarily relieved of all his assignments due to his last failure. He had just made it home. Taking one last look at it he removed his his heart-shaped locket and headed for the shower. His dog looked at the locket while on the edge of the bed. The dog nudged the locket until it fell into Emory’s backpack that lay bedside. Emory hopped out of the shower. Maxine was looking at him. He gave her a meal and said, “be good lady!” He grabbed his pre-packed bag from bedside, hopped into his transport and set destination for the realm of the second sun. The coordination system displayed the image of Frenzy.

Elaine’s onboard computer alerted her of the approaching “Frenzy” resort and compound. Thinking to herself “This is the best sleep; I have gotten since…”. This thought was interrupted by a glance out the transport window. She had not seen the second sun, only in images and talk from other Phantoms. A perfect star visible and of a beautiful color, almost crimson, sat against a turquoise and green sky. Such beauty, she thought and then the vision became blurry. She felt faint and her EPS was sent signals off like crazy. She panicked and for a moment a sensation she had not known filled her body. She collapsed. Her android navigator retrieved her from the floor and took over the navigation ……….

Emory landed his transport in the safe zone. He quickly shut off the many attempts at hails from the Guild. He had decided to take this trip to the second sun realm with the Guild transport versus his personal one. Naturally, the trip had been picked up on Guild radar, but he was not worried. He would not be leaving the second sun realm even if it meant spending half his time running.

Emory had established connections at Frenzy and could perform EPR disconnection. He accepted a job which would guarantee him enough profit to spend his final days here. He would alert Guild in due time of the locket safely in his apartment. Now where this business owner is, he thought. She is late.

……. Elaine’s transport arrived 15 minutes later. She had been revived by her android and had almost forgotten the previous incident. “We have arrived Ms. Glover, the client is awaiting outside.” The android opened the main door of the transport. A man stood there looking like any normal Phantom, but his posture was different, he carried a small bag.

Emory looked at Elaine. Her hair fell from her EPR face unit almost to the ground, her eyes looked confused but hopeful, but outside of her ambiance he felt something emitting from this Phantom he had not felt since leaving the Guild. “Hello “he stated. “Follow my transport to the East Beach compound and we will begin the procedure”.

After completing the disconnection Emory revived Elaine. His heart rate began to slow in relief as disconnections were risky. She was okay. Elaine opened her eyes, glanced at Emory then looked out the window at the second sun. The sensation she had felt hours ago returned yet this time, the feelings were more intense, and she began to tremble. The operation table began to shake enough for Emory’s bag to fall to the floor. The heart shaped locket rolled out and opened. Elaine stopped trembling. Emory picked up the locket and opened it fully. Pure red quartz crystal shined brightly. Emory removed his disguise and placed the locket back on his neck. He realized he was seeing intense emotion from this Phantom. He grabbed Elaine’s hand, squeezed it, then spoke “Everything will be ok” …………….