Page 6 of Cyborg's Tether
“Shutdown sequence initiated,” said Dr. Vex with a note of relief. “Containment field is stabilizing at eighteen percent.”
For a moment, the room was silent save for the hum of machinery and the ragged breathing of its occupants. Then, slowly, the emergency lights faded, replaced by the normal illumination of the control room.
“We did it,” said Amaya. She turned to Xavier, clearly awed and curious. “I’ve never seen a cyborg like you before. Are you a new prototype?”
He hesitated, unsure how to respond. His conversion was still so recent, and he was still grappling with his new identity. “I am...unique,” he finally said. “My conversion was completed mere hours ago.”
Amaya’s eyes lit up with interest. “Fascinating. I’d love to run some diagnostics on your systems. The integration of organic and synthetic components at that level could revolutionize our understanding of cyborg physiology.”
Before Xavier could respond, Dr. Vex intervened. “I think we’ve all had enough excitement for one day,” she said firmly. “Xavier needs time to adjust to his new form before we subject him to any further tests.” She shook her head, but her tone was gentle. “There’s a reason we retrieve data from their processing cores after integration and don’t subject them to interference and monitoring. It’s a delicate process that requires his focus, energy, and strength.”
Amaya looked chastened but nodded in agreement. “Of course, you’re right. I got carried away. It’s just...well, I’ve never seen anyone like him before.” She eyed him in a way that seemed to be prompted by more than scientific curiosity. “It’s clear he...you were a fine specimen of humanity before the conversion, Xavier.”
Xavier found himself intrigued by Amaya’s enthusiasm, despite his lingering uncertainties about his new form, and his face heated as he battled an inexplicable blush. There was something refreshing about her straightforward curiosity, unmarred by the fear or suspicion he had expected to face as a cyborg. “Perhaps,” he said carefully, “Once things have settled, we could discuss my conversion process. Your expertise might be valuable in helping me understand these changes.”
She was practically glowing as she beamed at him, and for a moment, he had a strange flutter in his organic components—a sensation he couldn’t quite categorize. It seemed familiar, but he couldn’t locate a memory to help him identify what it was.
“I’d like that,” she said. “Maybe you could tell me about your experiences as a warrior pre cyber-conversion. I’ve always been fascinated by combat tactics, even if I’m more comfortable with circuitry than weapons.”
He frowned. “I currently have large gaps in my memory. I recall tactics and battle strategies but not necessarily personal memories of being in battle.”
She looked sympathetic. “I’ve heard that happens a lot. Perhaps everything will return in a few days.”
“I can only hope.”
“You retain you knowledge of battle because it’s implanted into your cybernetic cortex,” said Dr. Vex. “All data and knowledge you’ll need as a cyborg is automatically integrated into your processors.”
He nodded, still wishing to recall personal memories for himself.
As they began to discuss the cleanup and investigation that would need to follow this incident, Xavier found himself watching Amaya with growing interest. He was drawn to her and not just because of her inquisitive nature and bright mind. Something intangible about her was mesmerizing in a way he couldn’t fully understand or articulate without all his memories. He’d probably experienced something similar before, but without being able to recall that, it was like stumbling around in the dark.
Chapter 3—Amaya
DESPITE THE EARLY-MORNINGcoaching with Dr. Vex, now that it was time to present her report, Amaya stood stiffly in front of the holographic display, her throat dry and her fingers hovering awkwardly over her datapad. The room was filled with senior techs, engineers, and a few military officials, all watching her with varying degrees of expectation. Xavier was there too, having been appointed to the task force at Dr. Vex’s request, due to him having the latest neuronal models in his circuitry. He was currently the most advanced cyborg in the facility.
Dr. Vex had prepared her for this, but now, under the weight of their eyes, her carefully rehearsed words seemed to evaporate. It was like this every time she tried to speak, especially to a gathering. “So... um, the malfunctions are... happening because...” She cleared her throat, trying to keep the words from tangling somewhere between her brain and her mouth. Her datapad blinked at her impatiently, the data waiting for her to explain it, but her mind was scrambling to catch up.
“Because of what?” prompted one of the military officers, his impatience barely masked.
Amaya fumbled, scrolling through the data on her pad, desperate for the explanation she knew was there but was suddenly elusive. “It’s the neural pathways. They’re... misfiring? No—uh, sorry—they’re sending... wrong signals... due to pressure... and, um, feedback loops.”
Her explanation faltered. The blank stares from the group did nothing to help. Dr. Vex stood off to the side, concern etched across her features but offering no interruption. This was Amaya’s time to present, and no one would rescue her from it.
One of the lead techs, an older man with graying temples, raised a hand. “Feedback loops? Can you be more specific? What kind of pressure? And which signals are misfiring?”
Amaya’s mind raced. “Well... the... neural relays are... fragile, and when they encounter, uh, disruptions... they sort of, um, send signals back and forth... instead of...” She was sinking. “Instead of stabilizing. And that causes...”
Dr. Vex winced. Even Xavier’s expression showed some confusion.
Someone at the back of the room muttered, “This isn’t making any sense.”
Amaya’s face flushed. She pressed a button on her datapad, bringing up an image of the neural relays, but instead of clarifying her point, the complex web of connections only seemed to confuse the room more. The diagrams were detailed—overly detailed—without a clear breakdown to simplify the problem for her audience.
One of the engineers crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair. “You’re saying the problem is with the neural pathways, but you haven’t explained how or why it’s happening. Are you suggesting it’s a design flaw?”
“No. Not... exactly.” She stumbled again. “I mean, the relays—there’s a problem with the way they interact with the sensory network. It’s, uh...causing confusion in the cyborg’s system.”
“What confusion? Specific examples?”