Lunar Laboratory
30 Jun 2023 403 readers Score 9.1 (12 votes) PDF Mobi ePub Txt
“Of course, Assistant T4, add it to my schedule.”
“I’ll get right on that,” Assistant T4, Dolores to her friends, smacked her gum in her mouth as she continued to study her well-manicured fingernails.
The pneumatic sliding doors opened in front of Keyon as he passed through the halls. All the security features were linked to facial recognition and in the more secure sections by retinal scanning. He almost didn’t notice the security measures any longer since he had access to the entire facility. He knew exactly the right time to look up and in which direction to catch any retinal scans.
“Alright,” Keyon spoke as he entered his first subject’s room, “Subject 127, describe the condition of your wellbeing.”
“My name is Doug,” the big man spoke in a deep voice from the recliner he was laid back in. He appeared not to have shaved for several days, there was food on his clothing from eating in a reclined position, and the scent in the room indicated body odor. Keyon diligently documented these findings on his Datatablet.
“Please, let’s keep this professional, Subject 127. No common names are utilized in the facility. As always you may refer to me as Head Researcher or my designation Researcher B1.”
“For the love of Pizza Steve,” Subject 127 swore, “You, researchers, need to pull the sticks out your ass!”
Keyon documented that Subject 127 remained disgruntled and unhappy. Perhaps increased releases of dopamine and serotonin could alter his deteriorating mental condition.
“Why you so stuck on that device?” Doug grumbled, “You’ve not helped me at all, just locked me in this room with reruns of a show that I don’t like. What sort of plot has a dog fighting crime with the Intergalactic Crime Bureau? Plus, I can tell they swap out the dogs all the time… it’s like they’re not even trying.”
“Research shows that ‘Intergalactdog’ is a calming and mindless viewing experience, generally uplifting in its approach to justice and upholding values that appeal to the vox populi. Also, the dog or dogs, is or are, generally considered cute.”
“I can’t stand talking to you,” Doug growled, “Or have you talk over me.”
“I assure you, Subject 127” Keyon made eye contact with Subject 127 for the first time and immediately regretted it, “We will adjust your dosages and we will monitor your progress on our next encounter.”
“Same shit, different horse,” Doug made crude gestures simulating human defecation. Keyon documented these responses and left the room.
Keyon took a moment to remove a personal air refresher from his lab uniform and spray it into the corridor where he was immediately able to imagine a flower covered mountain valley with a small stream running nearby. The scents of this surreal oasis in the sterile laboratory corridor caused him to emit an audible sigh of relief.
“Ooooo,” a woman called out loudly, dragging Keyon roughly back to reality, “That’s a good one!”
“Ah,” Keyon looked at the disheveled older woman, “Researcher C5, I enjoy it also.”
Keyon placed the small bottle back in his pocket.
“It is an early prototype from the eighth floor.”
“Perks of the job, I suppose,” Researcher C5 guffawed and elbowed Keyon conspiratorially.
“You have struck me in an unprofessional manor,” Keyon placed both hands up in a placating, defensive posture, “Please report to Section 13 for reconditioning and training.”
“Yea, yea,” Researcher C5 shook her head in disapproval and her gray hair fell into her face a little, “Before I report, I came to tell you to visit Subject 135.”
Keyon briefly reviewed his Datatablet.
“Subject 135 is not on my scheduled list for examination.”
“Trust me…” Researcher C5 urged, “You are going to want to make it a priority.”
“I will take your suggestion to deviate from the normal scheduled events under advisement.”
Keyon of course continued to focus solely on his Datatablet and only visited the subjects indicated, in the order they were assigned. There was no time in a single day for delay or he could end up grossly behind on his work. Schedules and routines were in place to provide structure and eliminate potential stressors in the work environment. If the artificial intelligence, commonly referred to as SPORK, wanted him to visit Subject 135, it would have been added to the schedule accordingly.
SPORK operated on the latest technology and regulated almost every aspect of Lunar society. The few communities that still refused to adopt a SPORK-centric system were generally considered of questionable morality and generally unsafe. SPORK, like all good tools, would live far beyond the limits of a single human lifespan, it would grow and evolve for generations to come.
When lunch rolled around, Keyon made his way to the lowest section of the building where the cafeteria was maintained. There was a selection of artificially processed and restructured plankto-algae, but Keyon had brought his own food from home. He’d managed to get his hand on a real chicken about two weeks ago and was still able to get a few slices. He bit into his bland sandwich and enjoyed his meal at a table in peace. Other researchers knew not to sit with the head researcher during lunch.
As Keyon was getting up from his meal his datatablet as well as the security systems in the building began to blare, indicating a containment breach. Keyon pulled the breach up on his tablet and discovered it was in the room of none other than Subject 135.
Keyon moved swiftly through the halls as the lower wall lighting flashed red in Section 5. Overhead, the alarm system continued to announce “Breach in Section 5, Containment Room 7. Lockdown protocols in place”.
In the hall was the crumpled pneumatic metal door to room 7. Keyon examined that the door had sustained multiple strikes from a blunt object until it has been broken from its track. This feat was not possible for normal human strength. Keyon peered around into the room and saw that all the furniture had been upended and the walls scratched and clawed.
Keyon immediately activated several security drones in Section 5. The hovering drones would easily pursue and latch themselves on to any escapee before wrapping them in a restraining carbon nanofiber. While detecting the tracking signal of Subject 135, Keyon realized the blinking red light was coming from inside room 7. He crossed the threshold and moved to the restroom to discover the bloody tracking device in the sink.
“SPORK report: Escaped Subject 135 potentially dangerous, human security proceed with caution.”
“Please confirm: Subject 135 is a danger to itself or others, use of force is authorized?” the datatablet spoke in a calming robotic voice.
“Confirmed,” Keyon responded and placed his finger on the device’s fingerprint reader.
Keyon retraced his steps out of the room, with the new knowledge that the subject could be bleeding he scanned the hall outside and discovered several drops on the pristine white floor. He waited for two security guards that came running and they set off down the corridor pursuing the blood trail.
Keyon had not felt worried or afraid in a long time, but the unfamiliar and uncomfortable feeling was like a void in his stomach. The situation also brought with it an adrenaline-fueled euphoria that was focusing and enhancing Keyon’s reflexes. In many ways, it felt good, which seemed wrong. This new self-discovery only added to Keyon’s anxieties.
As they turned a corner, they finally discovered their target. Subject 135 was totally naked while thrashing around in the hall, his arms already restrained against his side by carbon nanofibers. The drones had done their work impeccably and it would be simple for human security to take over.
“Move him to Isolation Room 1,” Keyon informed the guards. Keyon fumbled with his datatablet as he watched Subject 135. Maybe it was still the adrenaline, but Subject 135 stirred more new feelings inside of him. Watching the very muscular form as it strained against the carbon nanofibers, the body glistening with sweat from the effort. The subject’s flaccid penis had a pleasing shape and Keyon wondered how large it was while erect.
Shaking his head to clear the distractions, Keyon deactivated the security system.
“SPORK report: Section 5 security breach resolved. Subject 135 has been detained and will be remanded to Isolation Room 1.”
The low red emergency lights immediately switched back to their soft white and the blaring alarm stopped sounding overhead. Keyon breathed a sigh of relief, but he was still shaking with excitement.