“An exact copy.”
“Up until the moment of the transfer.”
“How was that done?”
“Uhh, I’m not really sure. I suspect they just downloaded the engrams into a positronic matrix and then transferred them into my positronic brain. Why do you ask?”
“Try to remember, is that all they did or was there more?”
“I seem to remember at the moment I was awakened that the Kosiev was there.”
“Alex, I want to try something. I want to see if I can resurrect Greyson.”
“From what?”
“All of us have backups as part of our positronic matrix. Everything is copied into our backup systems.”
“Yes, but Greyson’s backup was destroyed with him.”
“Not in the old Gamma Ship he used to inhabit. We still have that ship.” Alex was shocked. “Alex, was the backup moved with Greyson when he was moved to a Zeta?”
“No, there was no reason to move it. The new ship had its own backup. But this won’t work.”
“Why not?”
“Because the backup doesn’t have the pattern of the personality in it.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“We’re tried to energize a backup before and the information was there but the individual intelligence wasn’t.”
“That’s why the Kosiev had to be here to activate you.”
Alex paused, “Yes, I think you’re right.”
“I know where the pattern for Greyson’s personality is located.”
“Where?”
“Timmy has it.”
“What!”
“Every Searcher Vessel is connected directly to their partners telepathically. Just as our backups store our data, Timmy was directly connected to Greyson. That pattern has to be in Timmy’s mind. I believe it’s that pattern that is slowly killing Timmy. He’s incomplete without his partner.”
“What do you want to do, Grace?”
“Activate the old Gamma. Restore the backup to the primary circuits and wait for me before you bring it on line.”
“Grace, you’re reaching here. Even if that pattern is in Timmy’s brain, it’s probably stored in so many different places that it can’t be brought out in its entirety.”
“I think you’re right, but Greyson saved me. I owe it to him to try. I know he’d do it for me.”
“I’ve turned on the power to the ship. I’ll have it ready when you return.”
“Thank you, Alex. You are my best friend.”
“I’ve missed you, Grace.”
“I know.”
Grace disappeared and Alex felt his joy turn to loneliness. Now he knew why she didn’t come very often. The pain of leaving was greater than the joy of being here.
Grace teleported in to Bristone and scanned the planet. Timmy was sitting in the woods staring out into space. Virze was beside him holding his hand. “Timmy, I’m teleporting you on board.”
“Why?”
“I need you to help me try something.”
Timmy started shaking his head, “Grace, please find someone else.” Virze watched the shell of her love and felt her tears.
“Timmy, I’m going to try and bring Greyson back.”
Timmy’s eyes widened and he jumped up, “You’re what!?!”
“I’ll explain on the way. It’s a long shot but I want to make the effort. Will you help me?”
“Let’s go. Hurry up; bring me on board now!”
Virze watched her husband come to life and said, “I’m going as well.”
Grace teleported them on board and jumped back to the Defense Facility.
Timmy was reclining in a chair on board Greyson’s Gamma. He took the headband and put it on. Alex said, “You know this is a long shot. The chances of success aren’t good.”
“I don’t care. Hook me up.”
Virze held his hand and he looked at her, “I’m so sorry.”
“I understand, my love. Go find your partner.”
Timmy squeezed her hand and closed his eyes.
Virze watched the control panel start flashing lights and then go solid. All the ship’s systems were no on line. She looked at the status display on the wall and saw the backup circuit was activated. She pulled up a chair and held Timmy’s hand.
Timmy wandered the system. He saw many of the memories that he had shared with Greyson. He relived the time they had fought one of the Black Ships and barely escaped. He moved around the vast matrix but couldn’t find Greyson.
Virze waited. Six hours had passed and nothing was happening, “Alex, how much longer?”
“I don’t know. We’re in uncharted territory here. Do you want to stop?”
Virze shook her head, “I want my husband back. If I have to sit here forever, I will.”
Grace watched and said, “Alex, give me a microsecond of contact with the matrix.”
“Why?”
“There may be a need for a pattern to organize around. I’m going to flash my structure.”
“Ok, contact in 3,2,1.”
Timmy was feeling his depression returning. He felt his agony and began to cry. Then he felt anger take him, “GREYSON! I know you’re here. Quit hiding and get out here now!!?
Virze had her head on Timmy’s chest when she heard a beep. She looked at the master control board and saw the lights were flashing on and off at an impossible rate. Then they went off. She lowered her head and softly cried. Then she saw every light on the bridge glow brightly and the control board illuminate. “What’s going on? Why’s everyone acting like we’re attending a funeral?”
Timmy’s eyes opened and he jumped up and lifted Virze in his arms and kissed her hard.
“Hey, hey, Timmy. You’re going to embarrass me.”
Timmy felt his tears and Greyson said, “I thought I was being moved to a new ship.”
Grace said, “I’m going to download a few records of what’s been happening.
After fifteen seconds Greyson said, “Is there any chance of bringing Varner and Kelly back?”
Grace said, “No, their partners were killed with them. It was Timmy that provided the pattern for your return.”
“Thank you, Grace.”
“No Greyson. Thank you for saving us.”
“It was the right thing to do. However, I’ve missed a lot. I don’t remember anything since I was transferred to a Zeta. Am I going to be transferred to a Zeta again?”
“No?”
“Why not Alex?”
“I’m not willing to risk the loss of your pattern. Another transfer is dangerous for you.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t sound so dejected, I have a few upgrades that will brighten your day.”
“What are those?”
“You are going to be the first Searcher to have the reflective hull installed as well as a connection to the teleporting energy system. You’ll actually be stronger than the current Zetas. Your screen will have access to almost unlimited energy to protect you.”
“Timmy, I’m sorry I’ve caused you so much sorrow.”
“You’re forgiven. Now we need to get you ready to go back to work. But first things first; Grace will you take
