The Sentient: Battlefield Mind

By Lucas Gorton McIntire

It's been two years since the Great Basin Desert incident. Sorvan is dead, and thirty years of classified underground government research has been made public. After witnessing the amount of power released from the twin's first physical contact, compelled by fear, nearly every country in the world is racing to develop anti-sentient technology. Yet at the same time, the US has vowed to protect the Sentients so long as they refrain from drawing attention to themselves, and Tabatha makes good on her promise to keep Sarah in line.

Tabatha, however, has to contend with not only Sarah's varying personalities but her own fallacies as well; her inability to have children. Her desire for normalcy and a family ends up affecting how she interacts with Sarah, viewing her more as a daughter than a sister. But when Sarah has had enough, her alternate personality, Twenty-Four, is released and, with it, a rage that engulfs the entire city of another country.

The US is then forced into attempting to take them out. Well aware of the Sentients' destructive capabilities, the administration then enlists the assistance of an unassuming individual who's developed the technology to incapacitate them. However, this individual may have more nefarious reasons for helping to bring down the Sentients.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098072827

Book preview

1

Personality Test

Come find me, Tabatha, come find me, echoed the voice like that of an innocent child. Bouts of giggles accompanied the short playful phrases as Tabatha walked the nonsensical empty halls, entering and exiting rooms that seemed to have no rhyme or reason as they shifted direction and changed in appearance at every turn while searching for the origin of the voice. Tabatha, Tabatha, come find me…

Tabatha then woke to Sarah’s lightly grinning face just inches away from hers as they laid facing each other on their sides, Tabatha wrapped up in a comforter and Sarah on top of the remaining thread count. It was morning and the birds were singing in the rays of light as the sun began peeking over the hillside of Tabatha’s island house. A breeze carried the cool Atlantic air through Tabatha’s bedroom windows. She rarely closed the windows, resulting in her waking almost every morning wrapped up in her comforter like that of a caterpillar in a cocoon.

The two of them, of course, looked virtually identical. Sarah’s hair was no longer a trip hazard as it was now a lot shorter, similar to Tabatha’s but with more curls in it. The most remarkable feature they now shared, however, was the vaguely observable illumination of particulates continuously circulating throughout their physical forms. The sister’s close proximity to each other over the last two years allowed for their kinetic bond to stabilize their unique molecular cohesion in a way that accounted for the anomalous visual phenomenon of their flesh. This amazing effect, however, dissipated as great distances separated them, leaving them to lean on their basic uniquely individual potentials.

Sarah, Tabatha simply said. "I wish you’d let me wake up before you start my day off with hallucinations."

I’m sorry. Sarah lipped while her voice projected into Tabatha’s mind. I just wanted to play.

Tabatha brightly smiled at her. I know. She then ran her fingers over the side of Sarah’s face. The circulating particulates became more active and prominent upon their physical contact. Tabatha then playfully tapped the tip of her nose to which Sarah squinted and silently giggled. I’m a little teapot…. Tabatha sang, revealing why she was never asked to join the church choir.

Short and stout. Sarah added, again psychically while lipping the words—the infamous children’s rhyme was employed to determine which version of Sarah was present during any given time. Sarah then sat up on the bed. Here is my handle and here is my spout, she continued while enacting the rest of the rhyme to the humor of Tabatha.

"Ha ha ha, at least you’re not the despotic Sarah this morning," Tabatha added.

Nope. Sarah again lipped as the vocals projected into Tabatha’s mind.

Where’s your voice box? Tabatha asked, in reference to the collar-like device that was invented by Christian, which allowed Sarah to speak audibly.

In my bedroom.

Don’t you think you should be wearing it?

Sarah nodded.

Tabatha then smelled something less than pleasant. On second thought, you better take a shower first, sis.

Okay. Sarah again psychically responded, then hustled out of Tabatha’s room.

Tabatha then laid back, placing her hand where her husband should have been, but wasn’t. He better be making breakfast. Tabatha sat up in the bed, looked over toward the nightstand where a framed picture of her mother stood on top. Good morning, Mom, she said, then kissed the tip of her fingers, and touched her fingers to the picture before getting out of the bed.

Downstairs, Christian was making breakfast. Sarah walked into the large kitchen dressed in a white ankle-length skirt, a black long-sleeved blouse, and this time, wearing her voice box, which wrapped around her neck like a collar. Though it was a mechanical device, its stainless steel skin presented it as a piece of ultra-modern jewelry. Lastly, her hair was slightly damp from getting out of the shower. She sat down at the peninsula opposite to where Christian was mixing, prepping, and cooking. A plate of fried eggs, bacon, and chocolate chip pancakes were placed in front of her. A small bowl of fruit and a glass of milk was next to it.

Good morning, Sarah, Christian said, putting another plate of eggs and pancakes together.

Good morning, Sarah replied audibly with the help of her voice box accompanied by a smile, then began eating.

You look pretty today.

Thank you, she again responded with her cheeks bulging. Christian laughed silently at the sight.

Minutes later, Tabatha walked into the kitchen after having taken a shower herself. She walked up to Christian, they kissed, then she sat down next to Sarah who, by this time, was almost finished eating. Tabatha observed Sarah lightly pecking the air a few times, mimicking Tabatha and Christian’s peck on the lips. Sarah didn’t fully understand what the action meant having absolutely no concept of romantic affection. Tabatha lightly smiled, then watched Sarah shove the last bite of pancake in her mouth. Christian put a plate of food in front of Tabatha, and she began eating.

I’m going to go watch cartoons, Sarah said.

Wash your face and brush your teeth first, Tabatha responded as a mother would.

Okay, Sarah then got up and left the kitchen.

You know, you can’t keep doing that, Christian responded to Tabatha’s parental-like reactions to Sarah.

She needs to learn good hygiene.

Ha ha! Like sister like sister, Christian responded sarcastically to which Tabatha picked up a spoon and pointed it at him, saying, I will stab you with this.

But seriously, you tell her to do everything. When to go to bed, when to eat, how to brush her hair, what to wear, and on and on… Christian reminded her. It’s not beneficial to her cognitive development.

But you said she’s going to be stuck with the mind of a child the rest of her life.

"She grew up in isolation, so her neuropathways never had a chance to mature through normal social behavior practices, specifically life experiences and modeling. So, yes, it’s going to be very difficult for her to develop, mentally into an adult. But she’s doing very well in our sessions, he explained. And bringing the Reeds and Naomi and Jason out every other week has been beneficial to her social skills in general. Although you really need to get her off this island, even if it’s just a couple times a month," he encouraged Tabatha, whose face became slightly downcast.

I did once, remember?

"Yeah, once, months ago." Tabatha stopped eating and stared at the last bit of food on her plate.

But— Christian grabbed and held Tabatha’s hand. I know the real reason why you treat her like that.

Tabatha then looked into Christian’s eyes, and a tear ran down her face. You’re right. It’s just not fair though.

"David Glessinjer looked into every possible way we could have children, you know that. But we also agreed that it’s probably better for everyone if there were no more like us," he reminded Tabatha, to which she nodded.

So…how’s your father doing? Tabatha changed the subject. She then got up and took her plate to the sink.

He’s doing really well. He’s still working at the grocery store down the block from his apartment. He’s head cashier now. I’m going to take him to a movie this weekend.

Nice…

After their conversation, they meandered toward the study where Sarah went to watch cartoons earlier. Walking into the study, they found the screen that should be playing cartoons, playing, instead, a news report on escalating violence in the Middle East. Sarah stood upright in the middle of the room zoned into the broadcast. Christian and Tabatha glanced at each other. Tabatha then pulled out her tiara and placed it on her forehead, then walked up next to Sarah. Tabatha turned off the TV function of the digital window which then matched the rest of the transparent panes revealing the outdoors. Sarah continued staring at the window where the news broadcast had been playing.

I’m a little teapot, Tabatha said softly. No answer. "Twenty-

Four?"

Sarah turned and glanced at Tabatha then looked back at the window. "So, Twenty-Four, how are you feeling today?"

We could stop it, Sarah as Twenty-Four responded in the same simple articulation.

Yeah, we probably could, Tabatha agreed.

So why don’t we?

"Like I’ve told you before, we can’t always interfere with the consequences that the world dishes out on itself."

"Are you sure you just don’t want to leave your precious little island? Twenty-Four antagonized. Tabatha took in the statement and its relevancy. We’re better than them," she further added.

Why are we better?

Because we’re—

Let me guess—gods, little itty-bitty gods, Tabatha insultingly interrupted her. "And you think you’re a god because of what? Oh, that’s right, you can burn things? As you can see, they can burn things down too. I’d say even better than you. Twenty-Four scowled at the comment. At least I can walk on water," Tabatha added.

Twenty-Four then stepped out in front of Tabatha. Her scowl left and a simple grin appeared.

You don’t have to be afraid of me, Twenty-Four then said.

You think I’m afraid of you?

Uh-huh, because I can get in here, Twenty-Four placed her index finger on Tabatha’s temple. That’s a pretty tiara, sister, she gently flicked the metal band of the tiara curving around her forehead, then whispered, too bad you won’t play with me without it.

But I know what you want to play.

I just want you to know me, Twenty-Four responded.

You want to psychologically torture me. Not happening, kid.

I wish you died!

Then you would most likely be dead too, Tabatha explained.

Exactly!

Okay, this conversation is over. I’m a little teapot, Tabatha said, having tired of the irrational dialogue with Sarah’s alternate personality. Twenty-Four cringed at the phrase.

Why can’t I stay?

Because you’re a jerk, Tabatha replied. I’m a little teapot, Tabatha repeated.

Twenty-Four again cringed with a little more intensity.

"She’s just a child!"

You’d be surprised what you can learn from children. Maybe you should get to know her, Tabatha again responded.

Ha ha ha, that explains the TV shows you watch. Mommy’s and daddies and all the children, Twenty-Four further antagonized Tabatha.

I’m a little teapot!

"I hate you! You’re a horrible sister! And I hate Sarah!"

"Hate me all you want, but you and Sarah are the same person. Duh! Tabatha shouted back. I’m a little teapot!" she repeated.

Twenty-Four buckled over. Where’s your handle, Sarah? After dropping to the floor and thrashing around a few times, she became motionless. Then as if waking from a nap, she stretched and rubbed her eyes.

Here’s my handle. Sarah yawned, making a handle with her arm. That wasn’t a very long nap.

Too long if you ask me. I thought you were going to watch cartoons?

I was, but it changed, she explained.

Christian, I thought you said she was getting better, Tabatha inquired of her husband.

"Sarah’s getting better. Twenty-Four doesn’t come out much in our sessions. Though the last couple times that she has, she seemed to be making some progress as well. Interestingly, Twenty-Four seems to have more individuality than Sarah. But nothing she exhibits as a whole line up with any personality disorders documented in my DSM manuals."

If you say so, Tabatha replied, then helped Sarah off the floor. Though I never did put a lot of stock in psychology to begin with.

I know, but some of it is helpful. Besides, she didn’t threaten your life or threaten to burn down the house this time. I’d say that’s progress, Christian added, attempting to put a positive spin on the situation.

Then Seryph interjected into the conversation. Incoming transmission from the Central Intelligence Agency.

Reject it! Tabatha un-hesitantly responded.

Transmission rejected.

That’s the second time this week they tried contacting you, Christian reminded her.

Yeah, they’ll get over it.

*****

That afternoon, the three of them were watching Wild Kingdom on the Discovery Channel. Sarah is always enthralled with the many animals they document. During their time watching the episode, Tabatha began receiving thought transmissions off the coast of the island. She sprung off the couch and to the windows where she spotted two helicopters approaching in the distance.

Due to the past military exploitation of the twins, their location was kept classified from every governmental department except for the Central Intelligence Agency for the explicit purpose of monitoring Sarah. She was still considered a possible national security threat due to her potential mixed with her dual-personality profile. But even so, Sarah wasn’t a complete deterrent from an occasional attempt to enlist the twins for help with a military operation. However, the answer was always a profound negative.

*****

You know, you guys could’ve called first, Tabatha began her complaint in the presence of the CIA officials.

We did call, they replied. You rejected it.

Well, that should have given you a clue then.

We understand, Tabatha. You don’t want to get involved, but the Department of Defense is in dire straits at the moment. They explained the situation with the help of visual aids, including satellite images of the devastation being caused in the Middle East. Sorvan’s weapons are all over. The military was successful in eliminating targets in Iran and North Korea that were in the process of assembling their weapons by way of airstrikes. But Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Syria were successful in assembling their arsenals. The Lebanese began attacking Israel sixteen hours ago. Egypt and US forces are fighting with the Israeli military to combat the offensive.

Excuse me, sir, another official interjected after receiving a call. We just got word that Syria rebels just began attacking turkey, and Saudi Arabia just hit Iraq. The acting secretary of defense believes it’s all part of a coordinated assault.

No! We can’t get involved. I mean, my sister’s just a child, the officials looked at Sarah who undoubtedly looks like an adult, not to mention looks just like Tabatha.

Tabatha, we’re pleading with you. Nothing we nor our allies possess, technologically wise, can deflect the type of projectiles these weapons produce, and there are thousands of them out there, they continued.

They’ll eventually run out of the fuel used in the firing mechanism for these machines then they’ll be useless, Tabatha explained.

We thought the same thing. However, we now have estimated that their stockpiles of these energy capacitors or whatever they’re called, are far greater than our initial estimations suggested. They’re not going to run out anytime soon, another officer responded. We lost two squadrons of F-22s within minutes of entering the conflict. We have the most advanced military on the globe yet no one has technology like this.

Except you, another officer added.

Me? Tabatha responded. What do I have that can combat these things?

The Zenith is far superior to anything militarily we or any other nation possess. Its stealth capabilities are unmatched, and with its nearly autonomous AI operating system, its precision during engagement is, well…

Just awesome! another officer interjected.

"That’s one way to