Page 38 of Chaos Theory

THIRTY-SIX

KOBI

Day unknown, time unknown

All is dark. The following systems are nonfunctional: visual sensors, lower limb articulation, cognitive recall, higher-order analysis. An unfamiliar sensation demands my attention. Eventually I identify it: fear.

Visual data is amiss, but audio sensors are receiving. I detect a human voice. It has a soothing effect. The fear recedes a little.

‘Kobi, Kobi – can you hear me?’ the voice says. Identification, comparison and matching functions lag; processing time is currently estimated at 7 minutes.

‘It’s me, Maeve,’ the voice says, helpfully. ‘Shane is here too. In case you can’t see us.’

The names sound familiar but I await confirmation from the memory storage unit.

‘Don’t worry,’ says the female voice. ‘We’re going to take care of you now.’

‘We are?’ The male voice asks this at such a low volume it is barely audible. It is reassuring that my auditory sensors appear to be performing optimally. Although the meaning of the content, which I am slowly deciphering, is less reassuring .

‘Yes,’ says Maeve. ‘I’m going to take care of you. You were so brave back there, Kobi. I’m proud of you. Shane – get my tools, please.’

The darkness continues. But something feels different.