Salvage-5: Revelations: Eye's Wide Shut, #2

By Brian K. Larson

After awakening, he exited the core to what is referred to as Alpha-reality. Learning his team were the ones that created the computer complex, saving humanity from being destroyed from an impending asteroid impact. The asteroid caused a massive atomic storm, wiping out most of humanity. The only way to survive was to enter cryogenic stasis, where only their minds lived within the CARS programming.

Now, the Colonel needs to return to the core to reveal to the others where they really are.
Will Tucker convince the others they are living out their lives in a computer simulation?
Ride along with our whiskey drinking, cigar smoking, no nonsense hero to find out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brian K. Larson
• Release date: Aug 6, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224474769

Brian K. Larson

Brian was born and raised in Seattle in 1959. He grew up in the town of Mount Lake Terrace, a small suburb north of the city. Brian, being the youngest, had two siblings, his eldest brother, Mike and sister, Pam. School was challenging, as Brian suffers with Dyslexia, a learning disability that affects 1 in 15 Americans. That didn't stop Brian. He was named "bookworm" in school because he always had his nose in a book. Brian received his MBA in 2010 in Business, now writes for fun, living his lifelong dream of writing science fiction books. He enjoys his off time, with his seventh grade sweetheart, Diana Rose now for going on sixteen years. She has been by his side and continues to supports his writing. Brian says that without her encouragement, his dream would never have become a reality. They now live in Marysville, Washington, and enjoy three wonderful kids and eight grandchildren. They range from newborn to thirteen, and he says they are so special and great to have around. It is Brian's hope that through his writing he will fill hearts with joy to readers all over the world, sparking their imaginations.

Book preview

Prologue

PUNCHING THE ENTER key resulted in Tucker’s world dissolving and Eva vanishing.

Tucker found himself in a pool of green thick water, he held his breath as he pulled a facemask off. Water gurgled and bubbled as the chamber he floated in splashed out from beneath him.

Falling through a hole in the bottom chamber, water splashed over him as he landed on the ground, on his hands and knees. Tucker coughed out the green liquid that filled his lungs before throwing himself backward on his knees and taking in a breath of air.

Sitting on his knees, Tucker shook his head and slowly looked up and around him.

He slowly stood to his feet and gazed at the sight before him. Dozens of chambers lined the cavernous room above his head. Seeing only so far from the dim illumination, he realized where he was.

Daaamn, Tucker whispered, then coughed more green liquid. Wiping his lips, he continued, I remember. I remember everything, just like Eva said I would.

Tucker stood, naked from being in his compartment, knowing it was him that put everyone in these chambers. He remembered doing this in order to survive the meteor strike.

It’s always been my job. I’m the caretaker. I always have been.

Tucker shivered in his nakedness as he gazed above his head, There’s Cassi’s tank. This one is Cavin’s, Tucker pointed, then continued, They’re all here.

Still shivering, Tucker looked around as far as he could see into the darkness, There’s gotta be a control room or something down here somewhere.

He began walking in the darkness, still glancing above his head at the hundreds, maybe even thousands of tanks containing one human each. All of them were hardwired with a facemask for breathing the strange green liquid and all were floating in the same strange substance.

This technology is something else, Tucker said to himself, I know I remember making this and putting everyone in these chambers, but I honestly don’t remember how I did this or why, exactly.

Tucker paused, still walking naked and shivering, he continued, I mean, I’m good, but I’m not smart like Buster or Calvin. They had to have been involved with developing this tech. Right?

A dim illumination shone off in the darkness as Tucker’s eye caught the light, That’s gotta be something. Maybe there’s a computer console I can tap into and get all my answers.

Tucker picked up his pace to the illumination and was quickly rewarded with a door and a window that was the source of the light.

Tucker picked up his pace to the illumination and was quickly rewarded with a door and a window that was the source of the light.

Pulling the door open revealed a large room full of computer racks and all types of equipment. Every device had a function with various flashing light patterns and clicking relays.

Seeing a desk with a terminal, Tucker sat down in front of the screen, cracked his knuckles before beginning to type on the keyboard.

Well, what do we have here? Tucker whispered quietly to himself, It would appear this is an interface to this complex. I see an entire file system, then he paused before continuing, Wait—what’s this?

Pressing a few commands, the screen popped up an image of himself speaking directly into the camera, That’s me! What am I saying? Tucker reached to turn up the volume.

The voice was Tuckers, in sync with the image displayed and said, So, you’re here again, are ya’. That’s right, ol’ Tucker; it’s me. If you’re watching this video, that means you have exited the computer core and are experiencing temporary amnesia. That’s perfectly normal after waking up from the fake reality that I put you all into. I know, I know, Tucker motioned with his hands in front of the camera, You have lots of questions. But for now. You just pause this recording and get some clothes on because this facility can be quite drafty. You’ll find something to put on in the next room. Go ahead, now. Pause this recording and get dressed. Then, come back and continue listening and you’ll find out everything you need to know.

Tucker paused the recording and stood from the chair. Looking around, he spotted the exit to the complex he was in and began making his way there. Quickly entering the next room, Tucker found the wardrobe room.

After toweling off, he quickly found a locker of clothes, Ah, this is my size pants. And this shirt; perfect. Now some socks and shoes. Maybe that nice jacket over here, Tucker said to himself, You know, like I said, it is a drafty place, after all. Now, the only thing missing is one of my fine cigars and a lighter.

Rifling through a few cabinets, his face lit up brightly as he rewarded himself with an entire box of cigars, Ooo, one of the best and that’s my lighter, Tucker pointed before grabbing his possession.

Holding his lighter up, he flicked it on. The flame displayed like a dancing ballerina caused by the gentle breeze within the complex. Then, he began pulling on the end of a new cigar, licking the flame into the fresh cigar, quickly filling the room with his plume.

Ahhhh—Now, that’s much better!

Puffing on his freshly lit cigar, Tucker returned to the computer console and sat down before pressing the play button still hovering on center screen.

Ah, Tucker’s image said, then continued, I see you’re finally back. All dressed and puffing on one of our fine ones, I’m sure.

Hey, Tucker held his cigar and pointed to the screen. This fella’s the real deal.

Okay, now that you’ve given me kudos, let’s get started, shall we?

Yes, let’s, Tucker answered.

You’re here because you figured out that you’ve been living in a fake reality.

Yeah, it was. But how can I be certain this one isn’t just as fake as the last couple of realities? Tucker asked.

The recorded Tucker seemed to pause, as if he waited to listen to Tucker’s question, then continued, I know, you’re asking how we can really know this is the real reality and not another fake program created by Buster Clark and Calvin Jones?

Hey, you know I was going to ask that!

Yes, I did know, the recorded Tucker voiced, It’s because we’ve done this countless times over the many eons of time, the recording looked up and to his right into the air. Then shot his glance straight into the camera and shouted, "Because this is Alpha-reality. It’s here with everyone else that we were able to save! You just have ta’ take my word for it."

Take my word— Um, no.

Take my word— Um, no, the recorded Tucker mocked in unison, It’s all because you lie. Sometimes—I mean, sometimes, you must. Any hooo, you’ll have to go see for yourself, Tucker. Then you’ll believe me, the recorded Tucker held up the palm of his hand, Wait! Don’t go anywhere just yet! I have to tell you what I gotta learn ya’, before you go climbing the ladder to the surface! You can’t just go up and open the hatch. Not until you run the test in the lab room—but I’ll get to that in a sec.

Tucker settled back down in his seat as he continued listening to himself on the recording, Okay, okay. Learn me.

"So, to begin with. It was your plan, Tuck. You saved all you could, you did. No really. Listen, there really is a Buster Clark, child prodigy and Calvin Jones, computer programmer and technical guru go-to guy."

So, they built this from my idea? Is that what you’re telling me?

Yes, that exactly right, Tuck, the voice on the recording confirmed, then once again continued, Listen, Tuck. We’re never gonna get through this if you keep interrupting me. Good. Now just sit there and here me out.

Tucker puffed on his cigar, sat back and nodded, Go ahead, my man; I’m all ears."

Good, the recording added. "Planet Earth was struck by a massive asteroid. Same size that wiped out the dinosaurs causing our last ice-age; but I digress. The thing hit in the center of the Atlantic Ocean, causing a massive atomic storm. A storm like we’ve never seen. Though most of humanity survived the initial asteroid strike, the massive storm that followed blocked out the entire sun, sending Earth into a nuclear-like winter. After the first six months, the food supply chain ran out and production was impossible without light and heat from our sun. The great famine took hold before year one was over, killing most of us off. With only a couple hundred thousand survivors left of humanity, something had to be done, drastically, before the rest of humanity would be wiped out altogether.

Mining operations were already producing resources on the Complete Self-contained Mining Operations in the asteroid belt. You remember the CSMO’s, right? Right, the recording quickly answered, then again continued, You used some of this tech in this complex, actually. It was a brilliant idea, said Buster Clark. He began expounding on your idea to put everyone in suspended animation using that CSMO technology. Then, Calvin Jones heard about the project and with his recent discoveries in biochip programming, we all could live out our reality inside of a computer core. We’d be safe from any of the elements, our bodies perfectly preserved to continue living, without the need for food, in cryogenic suspension. Doctor Rhodes even helped with the cryogenic technology using a very special enzyme that was created. This kept the body in suspension but the brain active, so living inside the computer reality, using the biochip installed in each of us, the recorded Tucker paused, Go ahead, feel your neck. You’ve got one. We’ve all got one. It’s the only way we can interface with the computer core and that reality.

Tucker placed his cigar at the corner of his mouth before feeling the nape of his neck, Well, I’ll be damned. I’m chipped!

See? The recorded Tucker grinned, I told ya’. You just have ta’ believe me. Any hooo, the main thing to know is that it worked. We’ve been preserved for countless eons. It’s only now that things are going to get interesting. I know, I know, you can’t wait to hear this one, right?

Yeah, ya’ got me, Tucker smiled back at the recording.

Well, there are actually two points of interest. Number one, planet Earth is all healed up. That’s right, all that toxic air and obstruction from the sun is gone. The planet has thawed out enough to sustain life again. And that bring us to point number two. Which is a bit of a bummer.

Oh boy, here we go—

The computer core has built in software that runs in a crypto format behind the reality core programming. It was designed by Mister Clark to reset us if we accidentally discovered our reality ain’t our reality. These seeker subroutines flash around and are constantly monitoring all activity within the core. If anyone discovers where they are, then it’s a good possibility they will discover how to manipulate the core programming and how to exit. That’s when the seeker programs come after you. They attack and will take you out. You’re dead. Well, you’re dead until the program restarts and runs from the beginning again. We will live again, but without any of our new found knowledge.

Let me guess, Tucker said, puffing twice on his cigar, There’s a glitch in the matrix.

There is a glitch and it’s the part of the core programming that isn’t running properly. It isn’t recognizing, from the sensor network on the surface, that it’s time to wake everyone up. And the only way to fix it is to reprogram the computer core and in order to do that, Buster and Calvin are needed. You can’t get to Buster or Calvin inside the computer core from here, to make them aware; they must discover it for themselves. But as soon as they do, the seeker comes and take them out. Then, we have to wait for the program to end before it will restart, giving us the ability to try again.

So, how many times have we tried, already?

We’ve tried a few dozen, maybe sixty seventy times?

And each time, we have to wait for the program to end?

No, not anymore, Tucker laughed and then pointed at the camera, I knew you would go there. Yeah, a couple of times ago, we were able to get Buster to write you some code. Frankly, it was a miracle that I remembered. That code allows you to reset the core program to any point you need. But the code was messed up on the memory part. You don’t always remember everything, especially when you exit for another go of it. The memory loss here is temporary and lasts only a of couple days. Inside the core, you might never remember what you’re doing there and will just go along with the program, as that’s how it was designed.

What happens then?

That’s when another part of Buster’s code kicks in and breaks your connection. You die. Everyone around you sees you die and then you’re here, being purged from the cryogenic tank.

And so, that’s why I’m here now—

Right, Tucker. Only this time, you exited on your own. That memory will return. For now. You said you needed proof. Well, proof you should see. Go to the room on the opposite side from where you got dressed. Inside that room is a lab with some very fancy equipment. Go to the wall with the ascending ladder. The instructions are on the wall for the other tests, but this one is the only one you need to know about, for now. Push the red button one time and if the light turns green, you can climb the ladder and open the hatch for a breath of really fresh air. But you’ll see that there’s nothing left of our last society other than broken down and over-grown buildings that remain standing from the asteroid strike. But if the light is amber or red, do not open the hatch! If you do, you’ll flood this complex with deadly radiation.

What was the light the last time? Tucker asked.

—Amber is the only color we’ve seen, answered the recorded Tucker, as if on cue.

Okay. Okay, I’ll go check it out.

Tucker paused the recording and a short time later he found the wall with the red button and depressed it with his fist.

This’ll be interesting—

The light flickered amber twice before it flickered green, then amber, then stayed green.

Well, well. Looks like it’s my lucky day.

Tucker planted his cigar to his teeth once more before he climbed the black ladder, hand over hand and foot over foot until he reached a platform several floors above the ground.

Examining the hatch, he began turning the lock wheel. With a groan of metal fatigue, the hatch cranked open letting sunlight inside the complex for the first time in many