Minus A Conscience: Volume 2

By Angus H Day

"A personality per day keeps the assassins at bay." One of many quotations embossed along the walls of the secretive 'Next You' Intelligence Division Operators academy on Cassius. Every government needs operators and they promise awesome compensation. They can because they normally don't have to pay. Diego Martin goes on a mission for the Interstellar Alliance and holds them accountable for their rewards program in ways they never imagined, in Minus a Conscience, a Next You novel.
What Am I and Fractionation Nation pickup where volume one leaves off. Resisting the conquest of another species while simultaneously spreading to another arm of the galaxy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Angus H Day
• Release date: Dec 14, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310453144

Angus H Day

I'm married, father of two fine children and I have made Fort Collins Colorado my home. Currently I work as a manufacturing chemist in the pharmaceutical industry, swim and write science fiction.

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Copyright 2013 Angus H. Day

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover Illustration Copyright © 2013 by Belinda Pepper

I want to thank my wife, Cheryl Elaine Day, for believing in my ability to do anything I put my mind toward. I feel I only have that ability because of your love and support. I thank my parents for encouraging me to stay with reading while they were alive, and my seventh grade English teacher Mrs. Prescott, who helped me discover that a novel was not an intimidating thing. Every day when I get ready for the non-writing aspects of my life, I can see some influence of my therapy on another person and it doesn't seem all bad. Enjoy.

What Am I

Fractionation Nation

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What Am I?

1: Alive or dead?

2: Train the mind and your ass might follow.

3: Multitasking

4: Opening up a new business

5: Salesmanship

6: Mowing the lawn

7: Assembling the Image.

8: Planting and Harvesting

9: Big bad ass space battle

10: Picking up the pieces.

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Chapter 1: Alive or Dead.

Ronnie Rockman had been placed in a stasis chamber so that Guild Mother Vemric could take the full measure of his life force. I stood near the chamber seeing this but thinking of other matters. Where am I supposed to be? I saw Sarah in the corner with her face in her hands, a Ceffyl Dwr I thought I knew at one time was trying to console her though mainly I sensed he wanted her to leave so he could go back about his business. I was drawn to a door that I hadn’t noticed when I had first entered the room. It was in a very odd place, half obscured by the medical machines catering to the needs of Ronnie Rockman. My feet were moving and I couldn’t remember making the decision to go let alone go silently as my passage made no sound. What I could see of my body passed though the blocking machinery and went through the door into a room without other doors. Scratch that, upon turning around I realized the room now had no doors and even the corners were becoming blurred in my mind. There was no singular light source just aura emanating from the walls, ceiling and floor.

Not knowing the passage of time I felt like I had only arrived when a voice startled me out of my contemplation.

Are you ready to speak with me or do you need more…reflection? A female voice coming out of a demure woman of medium height with brown hair, green eyes and a warm smile. The voice was very familiar though I couldn’t quite place it and I must have smiled in return. You seem pleased, do you like the form I’ve taken? I took it with you in mind and you are the only being to ever see me in this way?

How can that be? Do not all that die see you or someone like you? I’m dead right?

She sighed with a smile and pleasantly cut to the chase It’s me, R’strelta.

Oh. So what now?

We talk some, interact in this place. I call it the room of decisions. When ever one of mine has passed…I give them time here to help decide what they want to do and more to the point what I can help them achieve. There is no rush and some are in no hurry to rejoin the physical plane. R’strelta came close to me and pulled me into her arms. You have left your body behind DMAD and I acknowledge your tears. Feel free to shed them or not because I love you and accept you.

Wow, she is really good at this because I didn’t realize that I was crying. I returned the embrace and sobbed like a baby in her arms not even noticing that we were now entwined on a sofa. Her right arm around me her left was gently stroking the back of my head as she whispered comforting words into my ears that eventually caused me to stop the shaking I hadn’t noticed until it was gone. She kissed me and I felt a warmth grow in my body from my core outward to the point that I held her in a passionate embrace though we stopped at sharing warmth.

I can’t stay here.

You could but it wouldn’t be a good idea DMAD. It really is not in your nature.

I cupped the side of her soft face with my hand and looked her directly in the eyes as I asked Options?

A multitude. Oddly enough the manner of your…passing has opened up more than usual.

Yes, that’s nice. Hello, dead mortal here. Want to clue me in on the ‘usual’ and build from there?

R’strelta laughed warmly leaning in to plant another passionate kiss before pulling back and stating Usual would be a fork in the path. Recycle into a new body-avatar or release into the cosmos.

Does release mean ascend to another plane?

Eventually but most that take that option hang around and mess with whatever they can affect before getting bored enough to move on. I don’t really know what goes on higher up because I’ve never met any returnees.

Okay, does that mean some have? Returned?

Yes but they always seem to seek out sentients that they knew when they were physical. They seem to fixate on single beings.

Ah. Well you know that I’ve jumped avatars several times so I think I know about that option. You have something specific in mind for me?

R’strelta pulled away and a chair I hadn’t seen supported her sitting form. I was still lying on the sofa and decided to sit up to regard the now frowning woman. Why do you cling to the notion that someone else still has any right to dictate your future? She was frowning at me, not angry just an expression I took to mean concern. Whether the emotion was for her plans or my welfare as a being was still in limbo.

I thought about her question momentarily before answering I haven’t known any other situations. My existence has always been for someone else’s agenda.

Was the Second Chance chapter for someone else? I didn’t tell you to do that.

That was for Sarah. She was without anyone but me after the episode leading to her becoming an avatar being. That Griegos puppet clone gutted her to get at me. So I felt that us having a mission to fulfill would help her and…I love her.

I see now. Look you have a unique chance here.

Yeah, I get it. Take an avatar or ascend.

No you don’t get it.

I looked at her like she was trying to convince me that an apple was an orange. I’m going to be quiet and listen while you run over all my options. Does that work for you?

R’strelta was wearing a jumpsuit that fit rather snuggly and she chose that moment to change which leg was crossed over which as she sat in the chair. My mind definitely went places that qualify as distracting and she smiled. Thought that might be your reset button. There is no reason why I can’t have some enjoyment while we do this is there?

R’strelta, for some reason even without a body I’m really becoming aroused by you and I know for a fact, from experience, that I make poor decisions when so affected. I stood up and moved next to her kneeling next to her chair on the floor, my hands flat on the top of her left thigh. Can you give me the short version of the list and we’ll recreate as I relax around my options? I moved my right hand up to where her left nipple strained against the fabric of her jumpsuit letting my thumb brush against her. I could see her pupils dilate slightly as her lips parted for a gentle exhale.

I’m good with that. Third option, you remember the other two right?

Absolutely. What is option number three?

Your passing occurred while you were traversing that gravitational riptide. It resulted in your essence being…fractionated.

My thumb stopped it’s motion for a moment while I contemplated the meaning of her words. You realize that my schooling was truncated due to the fact that I was created to be an assassin so what might you mean by that comment.

Where once there was one DMAD, now there are many. And they are all here at the moment. With this she brushed her right index finger down my nose smiling.

That doesn’t sound good. Shouldn’t I be really confused with a lot of conflicting voices going on in my head at the moment?

Maybe if your personality had split but that is not what has happened. You are many and one at the same time. I can sense this because of your rhythm before and your rhythm after. The one before was strong and had clearly defined waves. Now the amplification of your life rhythm is increased ten times and the noise is down by the same factor.

You are going to have to help me again because I’m not getting that this gives me another option.

You remember the Griegos and Mortens that were attacking you on Second Chance?

I shuddered Yes that was fucking creepy and is absolutely off the option menu.

R’strelta laughed Those were not in harmony DMAD. They were all clones and had no way to effectively coordinate or communicate with each other. They were just sent off with all the same directives.

And the difference…?

You could be in many places at once as one being.

R’strelta, having been a Ceffyl Dwr for all of her existence was having fun exploring sexuality with me as a humanoid. She started out populating the decision room with odd bits of furniture and images gleaned from my memory but by the end of the week we were having full fantasy meetings in castles, space ships, in water, on beds and my favorite in atmospheric free-fall with a parachute. Only in fantasy could orgasm coincide with a pilot chute catching. I had almost forgotten that there was a decision to be made until R’strelta allowed me to share her vision of Sarah sitting, looking out the terminal window on Vemric. Her eyes were focused on nowhere though there were discolored tracks marking the trails of tears that kept pouring from them. People kept approaching asking if they could help her and were turned away. She had no bags.

My heart was virtual but it was breaking. Do I have to make all the parts decisions at once?

R’strelta What? No, of course not. Sorry, guess I didn’t cover that. What are you thinking?

You mean you don’t know?

I observe certain lines DMAD. You may not believe it but I have feelings for you also. I’m not sure what your concept of love means but…anyway, no I don’t know.

Right. I want an Alfie to be with her R’strelta.

You should probably not let her in on your new…situation then.

Why? Oh. Yeah, hadn’t thought of that.

R’strelta laughed I may be Ceffyl Dwr but I know about jealousy. Maybe some blocks are in order.

Sarah?

Sarah turned her head to see who had spoken to her but there was no one else in the terminal. Once Ronnie Rockman had been delivered and DMAD's lifeless avatar corpse hurried away everyone had mainly kept their distance from her except for the occasional check in from the terminal personnel who would ask inane pseudo concern questions. ‘Would you like something to eat? Have you drank anything? Shall we call a taxi to get you a room?’ All of these she just responded to by turning her head away and dismissing the people by non-interaction. Mostly it worked. As she was turning her head back to the view of the mountain that was Vortriga she heard the voice again.

Sarah? Will you speak with me?

This time she only turned her head halfway to the door before she made the connection and paused considering before she answered Yes R’strelta.

That is good. You’ve ignored my previous attempts.

Sarah strained trying to remember. What attempts?

I’ve tried to speak with you over twenty times since you arrived, using sequestrated avatars of course to deflect the notion that you might be talking to yourself.

So that’s what all those people were trying to do. Or R’strelta. She shrugged. You have me now. I’m listening.

DMADs not dead. I have him.

It’s been a week, why didn’t you or your minions say so? This last came out as a mental screech of anguish.

DMAD needed to work through the shock of dying.

Yes, I remember that from my own passing. But I was with him.

I know. He didn’t realize he was dead and he had no way to get to you before his essence left his body.

I…it doesn’t matter I guess. What do I do now?

You be strong for him. He’s coming back for you. He love’s you.

Sarah couldn’t even mentally form sentences at this point as she collapsed on the floor of the terminal sobbing into her forearms as she curled into a ball of helplessness.

Okay then, be strong after a good crying release. After what he’s been through you better at least smile when you see him.

Sarah pulled herself together at this and asked How long until…?

Will now do? I could come back.

Sarah launched herself off of the floor in one motion smothering DMADs lips with hers and falling back to the floor. There was no separating them for an hour and then it was only due to a terminal employee dropping a piece of metal making the clattering noise of a loud band cymbal. Realizing that both of them had been brazenly copulating in half dress in a public place for an hour sobered them up with laughter. Re arranging their dress and making an exit they found their way to the shuttle they had arrived in and resumed the reunion for half a day before speaking more than two sentences. If they had still been non-avatar beings they would have required skin rejuve nanites to repair all the sexual friction damage they did to each other. Quite the disaster greeted the youngish looking man who knocked on the door of the shuttle before entering in a very stylish business suit.

DMAD answered Yes, what do you want?

The young man smiled and regarded him with a confused expression Are you DMAD?

I am called that. And you?

The young man shrugged I guess I’m the new Ronnie Rockman.

Silence gripped the three as Sarah found clothes for both her lovely body and my newly minted one.

What..are we to do for you? I asked as the realization that Ronnie was at least an investor of the new CDIA and the Second Chance hover-car business.

With a casual smirk to his face Ronnie asked if we would dine with him in an hour and he would pitch his ideas afterward. We agreed and saw him out.

The meal was waiting for us as we entered a conference room that Ronnie had secured. My body only needed food like any other, for daily maintenance of the organic components and cycling of cells. The core of my avatar like any other from Next You or R’strelta harvested its main power by nanites splitting dark matter. That being the reality didn’t change the fact that I liked to eat and all sentients enjoy some form of consumption. The first course of the meal was laid out with salads made from Naif seaweed, hydroponically grown Earth vegetables and Riosian fruits. Along side the salad assortment was a plate with a pate. I looked up to Ronnie as he reached to take a spoon of it.

What is the pate made from Ronnie?

Something called Skimmer fish I’m told.

Ah. That has an enzyme that forms a neural toxin in humans and Ceffyl Dwr if not prepared right. Really want to risk it?

Ronnie looked at me kind of alarmed then he smiled once he realized what I was doing. Does that matter to avatar housed beings? I’m going to go with, no risk at all thank you very much.

Sarah and I laughed at his recovery a bit before he joined in loosening up. We took our loaded plates and moved to a side table that might have been set in originally for conference support people or…snacks.

Ronnie It is nice to start getting used to moving around again without pain. I haven’t had a life of excessive wear and my family legacy had prevented me from going without medical attention when needed. That being said eventually even the pampered run out of fuel.

I’m glad you are feeling better and enjoying the body. There are different kinds of stress in life and I suspect even the pampered are not totally exempt. I think that will be the last time I would like to consider the…pampered if you don’t mind.

Ronnie chuckled Me too. So that brings us to a point of…business. I think I’m your newest agent-volunteer.

I was trying to bite into a Riosian nectar apple and his distracting announcement caused a chunk of it to shoot past my teeth and hit Sarah on her left temple. She smiled though she didn’t laugh as she turned her head to view me full on. What an interesting phenomenon. Was that your opening volley? Oh-oh.

No dear Sarah it was an accident I assure you. Please power down.

Sarah As you say…dear. Not good. I put my plate down on the table to forestall any further mishaps while I considered what Ronnie had just said.

Ronnie, you’ve donated pretty much all of your wealth to help form the CDIA and get your new lease on life. Why not enjoy it and go have another life?

Ronnie Thought we were done talking about pampered things. I’ve had that life and I’ve managed to succeed in a lot of things that have led me here. My choice is to not be pampered and to use my life experience to help. I’ve reached a point where that attracts me young man.

Sarah snickered at this and I quieted her with an annoyed look.

Well that covers desire. We really need to address skill set. What kind of agent do you believe you will be?

Ronnie What ever kind of agent is required.

Right answer. Now how do we get you there?

Sarah Is it really that hard a leap DMAD? Remember where you found me?

I was quiet for a few moments And I remember how I almost lost you when that clone of Griegos… I stopped and looked to Sarah.

Sarah And I you when that accident just happened. Give him a chance DMAD, he could actually probably make something happen with his connections, but he’s asking you.

I looked back to Ronnie who had set his plate down and his face was turning a different shade almost green. You just had to go for the pate didn’t you. Your avatar will occasionally give you a feeling of being sick when you do something…not-smart. The benefit or curse is you won’t die from it. Ronnie's color returned to tan and he smiled again.

Ronnie Well at least it was short lived. On the other point, I’m prepared to undergo whatever training and alterations that have to happen to make me effective for the organization. I will tell you that R’strelta has already assigned me a mission or task really. She wants me to keep Rockman construction open on Mars and have me move into low cost housing developments. Yes, not fully sure why yet but I’m sure it will become apparent at some point.

That’s interesting. When do you have to leave to make that happen?

Ronnie Two more days here then I go back to work. By the way, that business will be providing most of the operating funds for the CDIA through your hover-car business. She’s given me detailed coordinates of places on Mars for the developments. Weird.

That doesn’t give us much time to train you up.

Ronnie I’m open to ideas.

I have one. We all looked around the room and spotted the stealthy intruder at the same time. A brunette of middling height with excellent balance to her human features and a glow emanating from her slightly olive toned skin which paled in comparison to the radiance of her smile both from her lips and her green eyes. She moved over to Ronnie who stood taking her hand to buss it with his lips. I merely shook it when offered, painfully aware that Sarah was casting glances toward my crotch to determine if she should be jealous or not. Sarah, not to worry. I have commitment to another.

Sarah’s eyes widened and I thought her mouth would fall open but she spoke instead R’strelta? Is that really you?

R’strelta I keep an avatar of every species we interact with just so that I can set them at ease during certain negotiations.

Sarah Wow. That is an awesome ride.

That caught me off guard and I began to laugh. A moment later Ronnie got it also and began having trouble containing his snickering. We were both greeted with the cold stare of disgust from ladies. That doused it.

R’strelta, you decided you had an idea to suggest?

R’strelta Yes. You have a unique quality about you that would enable you to get Ronnie up to snuff in short order. Maybe you should consider this…option. As a high level businessman and a mover in the IA Ronnie should really be part of your plans. Also he wants to be involved in the worst way. Maybe someday he will confide his motivations to you if he feels he can without judgment.

Staring straight into R’stelta’s eyes I knew she was admonishing me, but what grabbed my attention was her allusions. Thankfully she had phrased that so that I didn’t have to do much explaining. I looked back to Ronnie who was looking expectantly in our direction.

You’ll need to spend those two days in a virtual training framework with me driving you. You ready for that?

Ronnie swallowed Not getting any younger here.

R’strelta smiled Actually you have. DMAD, will you do this? Again she was alluding to my new nature.

"I will with your help but we, you and I, will have to agree on the details. Shall we meet in an hour?’

R’strelta Make it two. Sarah, DMAD will be asleep for a couple of days so if you could avail yourself of him…

Sarah Ooh, stop right there. I’m not a guy, I clued in when you said he had two hours. He’ll be ready. Come on DMAD. I have plans for you.

Really?

Sarah My needs first! We ran laughing back to our quarters and explored all of each other repeatedly for the next two hours. The curve of her thighs to her perky ass kept me awake while she sated herself running her hands up and down my body and tonguing my nipples. There was no down time though I fell into a semblance of sleep with her legs draped over me and my manhood deeply held in the warm reaches of her nethers. Somehow during that period our bodies released each other because they possessed more intelligence than our hedonistic hormone flooded brains. I woke with a start and realized that Sarah was on the other side of the room wearing a shirt and smiling though she had a frown.

Did I do something…off-putting?

She laughed a bit Not during sex or our brief nap. I was just returning from freshening up and you were speaking in your sleep.

What did I say? Something about wanting to couple with you every hour for the remainder of my existence I hope.

Sarah shrugged I don’t know, it was in a language I’ve never heard before and didn’t know you knew it.

I sat up and moved to get dressed then thought better of it and headed for the shower. I paused next to Sarah and made a big show of sniffing her neck followed by a taste as I dragged my tongue from her collarbone to her ear making her giggle. I intend to un-freshen you so you might as well come along. I was hard again before we reached the bathroom door and I stepped over her discarded shirt. Closing the door while I watched Sarah bend over to operate the heated water controls didn’t cool me off one bit as I moved up behind her rubbing my hands along her sides with the tip of my member pressing gently against the lips of her sex. Sarah turned her head with her eyes half closed and pushed back onto me causing me to roll my head back and enjoy her heat. Raising waist height to a bar that was bolted to the wall she began to rhythmically thrust her channel back and forth across me. Her moans increased in volume and intensity with the heat from our joined bodies sending us over the edge together. It was a good thing the shower was ready as we moved in and soaped each other, taking care of each other. My mind went back to what she had said when I had awoken.

Getting dressed I noticed that a light was on the room controller console. I touched the button next to the light.

"DMAD, this is Ronnie. Just letting you know that R’strelta has me all prepped for our…ordeal in the avatar recovery room whenever you are ready. She just left a few moments ago muttering to herself about recessive