contain the knowledge of the imposters whose minds have controlled this society since the beginning. If we lose them, we lose the imposters. Any questions?" No one offered an answer. "Let's go."
Dirk closed the door and sat back down in the waiting area.
"What are we supposed to do?" Seven asked.
Jenn was lying on the floor, staring up at the ceiling.
"Nothing. There's nothing we can do."
"We have to be able to do something."
"You can take a nap." Jenn said. "I'm being honest when I say there's nothing you can do."
"That just means you're being lazy."
"I'm always lazy. Didn't I already explain that to you?" Jenn said. She closed her eyes. "Well, if you're not taking a nap, I am."
"Jenn, what can I do to help?" Seven asked again. Jenn didn't respond. "What if I do just lay down and accept whatever comes?"
"Then you'd be a wise little girl."
"I’m not little."
"So says the one whose very existence was determined by the whim of another."
"That's not my fault."
"If you keep acting like it is then it's always going to be your fault."
Seven was silent. "What's it like to be born?"
Jenn shrugged, sat for a second, and then laughed. "How should I know?"
"You were there weren't you?"
"That doesn't mean I actually remember it. Do you remember when you were created?"
"Yes."
"Well, that's because you were designed to remember."
Seven frowned. "True."
"On the other hand we, as organics, were never given that freedom. It's to our advantage however since were allowed our freedom in a more general sense."
"Such as?"
"Learning what it means to live."
"Not true. I've had plenty of time to learn. Just because I was born with more understanding than you doesn't mean I don’t have to learn what it means to live."
"Ugh. It doesn’t even matter. It's all theory anyway." Jenn waved Seven off. "I'm taking a nap. You can stand there if you want to but, I suggest you do the same."
Seven folded her arms before nodding to herself. She sat down next to Jenn before easing back. "Have a good nap I guess." Seven said. Jenn just grunted.
Dale found himself sitting at a table. Seven was sitting across from him.
"So, let me get this straight. I'm actually inside a projection of the universe as it was when I went in, right?"
"Yes."
Dale stirred the drink he'd set on the table. "So how come you know that?"
"Well, I was constructed by the most omnipotent computer at the time of the coup. If you can understand, he left me with everything he knew and, one of the things he shared with me was how to tell when you're in a simulation."
"Doesn't that disturb you to know you're actually a projection of someone else? To know you don't actually exist?"
"Please don't say that Dale. This is hard enough for me as it is."
Dale sighed. "I'm sorry."
Seven pondered her thoughts for a moment. "I've told you before that I'm still a person even though I'd been made a reality on a simple whim. I still feel like a real person even now."
"I guess you're just as real as Seven was."
Seven laughed. "Well, no matter what, you're going to have to deal with me one way or another. So I guess we might as well make our relationship count while we've got each other."
Dale laughed too. "You know what?"
"What?"
"We should just get married."
"What?" Seven smiled. "You know that's not even a real thing."
"Sure it is. If I'm really in this simulation like you're saying I am then, I might as well act like this is my real life. Because, this is probably where I'm going to be for the rest of my life anyway."
Seven expression changed to one of confusion, "Dale, to be honest, I don't know if that's something I should do."
"Why not?"
"Let’s just say that, theoretically, you get out somehow. What am I going to say when you tell me that you've already married me? I mean, really it's not a big deal but, I wouldn't react the same way you think I would. It hurts to think I'm just a picture in your head."
"Can't you find a way to know what happened in this world? Isn't it possible to know the same way you knew when the computer made you the way you are?"
Seven looked upset. "I don't know. Technology has advanced way beyond what we used to have. I'm not sure if we have it now. At least, I'm not sure we had it then. The brain is a complicated thing. It can be designed, but it must not be tampered with. At least, that's what we've decided as a society. That's why the organics don't have the same ways of thinking that we do. They could if they wanted to learn how but, honestly I don't think that's what they want. The whole 'living for eternity' is scary enough as it is. I don't think they want to go much further than that."
"So what? Does that mean this conversation will never have happened?"
"No, it happened. But it's not happening in the world. It's happening in your mind. But the computer can read the events that take place and convert them into external recordings. The technology used is much the same as the particle resonance technology. The only difference is it analyzes the data before moving it to the memory server."
"So you can just watch the recordings?"
"Probably." Seven looked sheepish. "But, to be honest I'd rather not watch myself. It's kind of embarrassing for me if you can understand that."
"I understand. Do you think it's worth being embarrassed to know the truth?"
"Sometimes I wonder. But, if it's something you want me to know then, yes. I will watch the recordings."
"Well, that's settled." Dale said. "We're getting hitched."
"Wait, that's not the conclusion you were supposed to come to."
"You can tell me all about how I should've waited when we're married."
"No. Dale. I'm letting you know this is the wrong thing to do. There's so much more to life than getting married, even if you've found the right person."
"So what then? What am I supposed to do with myself? I literally cannot accomplish anything in this world. It doesn't exist."
"Then choose to become someone better. Choose to be someone I can look up to so, when the time comes, you can make everything perfect between us. That's what I've decided to become in this world. That's what I'll be for you."
Dale looked distraught. "What do you mean?"
"I'm not engaging in a romantic relationship with you until you learn what it means to treat women with respect."
"I tell you how much I love you. Isn't that enough?"
Seven laughed. "If that were true, there would be no broken relationships. No, an expression of love is something that occurs once an act of love has been committed. You can't say you've earned the money until you've done the job, right? Love is the same way. Get over it and get moving." Seven pursed her lips. "It's actually quite simple. The only thing that changes is the order."
"So how does that even work?"
"Just... Do something for me and, once I'm happy, tell me how much you love me."
Dale sighed. "I'll be right back." He stood up and walked back to the eating area of their small apartment. He sifted through the contents of a drawer and picked something out. He came back and sat across from Seven. "So, how's this. I picked them up from a local jeweler." He led up a set of bracelets. Seven's eyes lit up. "My intention was to present them at a more romantic time but, I want you to have them since you're here."
"Oh Dale, they're wonderful." She took them from him and gently slid them over her wrists. She held her arms up to better see them in the light.
"I just thought it would suit you to have some jewelry is all. You don't have any."
Seven laughed. "Thank you. To be honest though, I've never liked Jewelry." Dale looked saddened by this. "But, I will wear them. They'll remind me of you."
"Why not let ME remind me o
f you?" He laughed.
"Well, you'll always be around no matter what. But kindness is often forgotten in times of trouble. These will be my grounding rods for the tough times."
Dale seemed sobered by this. "So when you're upset with me, it will be all you can do to keep from seeking other ways of feeling important and loved?"
"All women need love and attention. Sometimes though, the only way to remember what we're worth is by putting our feelings and emotions into the past. The present can't always bring us happiness."
Dale thought about that for a moment. "I really do love you Seven. At the end of the day, I'll always remember how much I love you."
Seven sighed. "I know."
Dirk had been surprised when the invaders told him he was allowed to go free. But, there had been something at the back of his mind, telling him to share a few things that had been bothering him. He'd approached one of the invaders and explained the circumstances of the man named Dale, as well as the woman named Jenn whom he'd let free. The invader had taken a few notes and moved on but, Dirk had felt better after letting his position be known.
After, he'd taken a ride back to the prison facility where Kane was waiting.
Dirk lowered the ramp of the ship.
"You know how many vegetables they've got lying around in their prison rooms?" Kane asked, boarding the ramp.
"No idea. Somewhere in the thousands?" Dirk responded.
"Try millions." Kane said. "They've got enough people down there to colonize an entire planet."
"Well, what do you expect? Apparently, the Overseers have quietly been mopping up any resistance under false pretenses. Does it surprise you that so many figured out what was really going on?"
"Eh, not really. I gather that guy you were talking about, whatever his name was, is going to be released soon."
"I think