Spiritus ex Machina: Three Ghosts in the Machine, #2

By G. Allen Wilbanks and Black Hare Press

Alexander Devin's life is about to change.

Pulled from the edge of death, he wakes to find his mind has been preserved in a new body, a mechanical body that will never know pain, illness, or old age. But it is much more than that.

Zander's mind has been downloaded into the Spector, an experimental, self-aware, long-distance star ship. For now, he is little more than an observer on board, a ghost in the machine. One day, if he can prove himself, he may be allowed full control over the ship. If not, he will be turned off and condemned to the Nothing.

Zander will do anything to avoid the Nothing.

A science fiction thriller from G. Allen Wilbanks.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Black Hare Press
• Release date: Sep 18, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201896744

Book preview

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G. ALLEN WILBANKS

THREE GHOSTS IN THE MACHINE #2

MORE FROM G. ALLEN WILBANKS

THREE GHOSTS IN THE MACHINE

THEY

SPIRITUS EX MACHINA

WE WHO SLEEP

SPIRITUS EX MACHINA title is

Copyright © 2021 G. Allen Wilbanks

First published in Australia in September 2021

by Black Hare Press

The author retains the copyright of the works featured in this publication.

All characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this production may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher and copyright owner.

Edited by D. Kershaw

Formatting by Ben Thomas

Cover design by Dawn Burdett

Twitter: @BlackHarePress

Facebook: BlackHarePress

Website: www.BlackHarePress.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ABOUT THE PUBLISHER

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CHAPTER ONE

Zander woke to pervasive darkness. He called out, disoriented and frightened by his inability to see his surroundings. Despite his efforts, he made no sound. He shouted again, but still only a perfect silence reigned. Blind and deaf, he began to panic. He tried to run, to move, but felt no sensation where his limbs should have been.

A click and small hiss of static shattered the quiet, breaking the void of silence consuming Zander. The noise was slight, but where there had been absolutely nothing before, the tiny intrusion was a welcome symphony of sound.

Zander? Can you hear me?

I hear you, but I can’t see anything. Zander’s own voice sounded odd to him; hollow and echoing, like he was speaking into a metal can.

I know. That’s on purpose. I don’t want to introduce too much stimulus all at once, it might be overwhelming. For now, you can hear my voice and that needs to be enough. Try to relax.

Relax? Zander laughed, though he found nothing funny about his situation. I can’t see or feel anything. What happened to me?

The procedure was a complete success, Zander. You are perfectly safe.

Procedure? What procedure?

The disembodied voice did not respond for a moment.

The procedure you requested, of course. You don’t remember? No matter. I’m sure it will all come back to you in time. For now, what is the last thing you recall before you woke up here?

Zander tried to ignore the discomfort of his surroundings, or lack of them, and focused on his memories. He knew his name, even before the doctor said it to him. He was thirty-seven years old, just under six-feet tall, and... Wait a minute! Doctor? How did he know the voice speaking to him was a doctor?

I know you, Zander said. "Don’t I? You’re a doctor. You’re my doctor. I was sick."

Yes, Zander. You were sick, the voice confirmed.

Your name is Doctor... Doctor...

Martin Grausam.

Right! Doctor Grausam! I remember you. I was sick, and you were going to help me. I-I was dying... I was dying, and you said you couldn’t fix me.

Correct. The virus in your body was breaking down your organs too quickly for us to stop it. That’s why you agreed to let us attempt this procedure.

Did I die? Zander asked, but realised the foolishness of the question as soon as he uttered it. No, I’m still here. I’m talking to you. So, what did you do? I...I can’t remember...

Then he did remember. He remembered everything. Recollection lit up his mind like a nova consuming a solar system as all his thoughts and memories fell back into place with disturbing clarity. Dr Grausam