《Chimaera by ZeroX》 Setting the Scene - A Mortals Struggle + Prologue Part 1 - A Fools Dream Setting the Scene - A Mortal''s Struggle Man arrives with nothing and leaves with nothing. This is the one thing that cannot be changed, no matter what is thrown at this problem. But what if the length of stay could be extended. How is the question that has been on every person''s mind at one time; How to lengthens one time on this planet. In ages past, the people tried many things such as alchemy, sacrificial rituals and even pseudo-magic to gain everlasting life, but to no avail. People therefore realised that it was impossible to go against the nature of life and death and started to invest in safety and medicine to prevent death. And so time passed, centuries and centuries of advancements in medicine, technology and economy. However the foolish never gave up and instead of investing in the normal they still pursued their dream of everlasting life, wasting endless time, resources and generations. Prologue Part One: A Fool¡¯s Legacy Date: 08/07/1977 Location: London, England In a certain boardroom an organization was having a meeting that would shape the coming century and give society the advancements they need to become the golden age of technology. At the head of the table sat Arthur Hames, the current head of Hames family and Ouroboros organization. He was a man that was slightly past his prime with a head of blonde hair and small goatee. His features were sharp and gave him a look of wisdom and arrogance. "Generations have passed and we have yet to achieve a break through in any of our main projects. Where as other project such as Jekyll or Ripper gave some useful results, they are not what this organization was created for." Arthur''s aged voice spoke out from his seat at the head of the board room. His dull blue eyes swept across the room looking at the various figures sat at this table. "In my generation I do not foresee any major breakthroughs in the main project. And this is not to insult or look down on any of your work. It is just a genuine insight in to the task at hand. Our organisation is and always will be at the center of any of major advancement toward society and private usage, but I believe that the coming generation will have a higher rate of success towards our goal. What we need to do is set the foundations for the future and believe that they will surpass and succeed where we are unable to." He continued showing a slightly disappointed but satisfied look. "In this room are the greatest minds in the fields that we have deem to be necessary to achieve our ancestors dream. But I believe it is time we branch out and look in to other avenues of advancement that could coincide with project Everlast." He looked at his peers giving a slight pause to catch his breath. "We are now going to be living in the era of technology and from what I have seen that computers and the such can do, I believe that they could help with the memory loss from cryogenics and even support out biologics by giving us much clearer information to use." Arthur spoke high-lighting his plans for the future with slight exasperation. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. "As such I believe it is time we welcome this new age by investing in computers. And it has come to light that after the war our Cheshire site has just been used as either storage or support for other projects. This is where we should set the base of operations for our new computer sciences department. Are there any objections?" Arthur concluded and gave a questioning look to his peers. The room went silent for a brief moment before another gentleman spoke up. He was a little plump but he was still average between his peer and he had a more scholarly look than Arthur. "Chief, I can understand where you are coming from and I personally feel this is the best step for our future advancement; but I do not believe that we could support this new department if it is only for research. I hope the Chief won¡¯t mind my opinion but I feel that this will take more capital, than its worth to start up." The gentleman reasoned hesitantly, with his old friend. Arthur while giving his own reasons and benefits, looked down to a report he had received earlier. "Christoph, I can see where you are coming from but there''s a flaw in your reasoning. I won''t be creating this department solely for research. It will be used to sell our products as well as a information hub and collective for all our intelligence. I believe the U.S. government have been researching on some sort of communication between to machines over a long distance." (A little fact courtesy of Wikipedia. In the 1960''s the internet was being researched by the US government as a means of communication. It wasn''t until the late 1980''s that the first web browser was created.) Christoph, the gentleman who raised the question, went silent while he processed the information given by Arthur. After a moment a new light shined in his eyes as he saw the possibilities in his head. "Do you mean we would be able to send documents between departments faster than via courier? He questioned still a little sceptical of what he was being told. Arthur amusingly sighs at his friend. "Old friend, what you thought is correct but is not all as we can even access specialised software." He answered looking as the bemused expression on Christoph''s face turn into an exited one. "Now are there any other question?" Arthur asked giving a meaningful look across the room and seeing that there was no further inquiries he continued. "As this is a new department and it is for the future generation I only see it fit that my son take on the role as department head. This way he can get the experience he''ll need for when he takes over but also he has studied intensely on the subject so he''ll know more that any of us. And as if not obvious already, each of your opinions in this new investment matters and I''m sure that Harold will appreciate the support and advise. He''s always been a bit of an introvert." Arthur concluded the meeting with this statement and then left the other members of the meeting to their own vices. ''I know he''ll be fine and he needs this so he can prove himself. I know that child has always thought that I do not approve but I hope he will see this gesture as some sort of closure'' Arthur thought to himself as he walks out the room and towards his office. Prologue Part Two: A Sons Responsibility and Genius Wish Prologue Part Two: A Son''s Responsibility and Genius'' Wish Date: 18/10/2015 Location: Cheshire Country Side, England In the office of Harold Hames, a TV is switched on to a news channel. The reporter was showcasing the various advancement in the technological sector. "We are currently in an age where technology is advancing at a fast pace. Although the current state of affairs in the world is something to worry about, we can only look at the future and pray for a solution that will better mankind and end the suffering of the innocent." The reporter stated, as she solemnly prayed for the future. "Now, we have a great show ahead of us with an in depth segment on one of the leading companies in the tech world. The Ouroboros Company and their latest product the Helm." As the reporter continued talking she was placed on mute by Harold, who ruffled his graying hair. ''Finally we can start on our more important projects now that the Helm has been unveiled. Project Chimaera has been waiting for this moment to finally shine.'' He mused to himself in deep thought. It has been many years since his now late Father had passed the reigns of the organization on to him. And he in turn had strived to reach greater heights than his predecessor. In his control the organization has flourished in way that were not possible with the technology he has at hand now. Even though he has been successful in his many ventures, Harold never thought he was better than any of his forefathers as he knew they would be able to do the same, were they given similar situations and tools. He in fact, more than others, knew his Father could do better than him if he was still here. Harold was now 73 years old and he knew he had limited time on this planet, but like his forefathers he tried hard to prolong this time. Although he was not able to do this in the physical sense, his greatest achievement was Project Chimaera. This project was in simplicity a virtual reality which only allowed one way access. He had created a system that could store the information in one''s mind as data. While this in itself was revolutionary it was not his end goal. ''It seems like my Father I will be unable to see the fruition of our ancestor''s long held dream. But at least I know that my contribution can help with the memories part of our problem'' Harold concluded in his head as he reached for his phone and called his assistant. "James, it''s time to start the final checks on Chimaera. Now the spy and such who have been keeping checks on us will register it as a game software for the Helm and not what it really is." He spoke through the phone with slight relief and excitement. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Date: 05/12/2015 Location: Room 786, Private Ward, Royal Hospital of London, London, England Rays of light started to peak through the cracks in the blinds as the sun rose, illuminating the room inside. On the bed was a young man, no older than 20, covered in the bedspread and laying with his head rested back softly on the cushion. His face was not visible, it was covered in a sleek jet black helmet. This was a Helm, and it was slowly whirring as to show it is in use. Near the front of the bed was a patient file with the name Daniel Fount written in bold font. The door creaked open as the nurse that was in charge of the man supposedly called Daniel Fount, shuffled in. As she walked in the sensors spurred the lights on. She walked over to the young man and pressed the call button on the Helm. "Daniel, it''s time for your medication." She called out in her soothing and homely voice. As if waiting for her call the Helm powered down and from under it a weak voice called out. "Maddy, could you please remove the Helm for me?" The voice asked. Maddy then elevated the bed to 45 degree angle and helped the young man out of the Helm gently. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. "Daniel. I know you enjoy the freedom of movement in their but please make sure to get some sleep as that could help." She advised slightly worried for his health as she removed the Helm. "I know Maddy but there''s just so much I can do in there, where as here I can only re-read books I''ve already read" Daniel exclaimed as he was freed. His sickly pale complexion and his contrasting black hair came into view as he looked up to Maddy. "I understand that, I''ve been with you most of your life and I more than any understand that; but there has to be some time for rest as well" Maddy countered as she stared into his emerald eyes. Maddy had been with Daniel roughly 10 years and this is the most enthusiastic she had seen all that time. "What am I to do with you, boy." She sighed. As she reached over to the bedside to get his medication and pour him some water. "Maddy, This is the only thing that father has ever brought me in all these years and I think he knows I don''t have long left so this was him giving me my final wish" he sighed and shook his head slightly. "I know you don''t like me talking this way, but I can feel it a lot stronger now than before. That little niggle that used to be there previously has numbed my whole body, neck down and you should know I''m already more proficient in medicine than most the doctors in this hospital so I know what comes next." Daniel felt a tear run down his cheek and neck, his eyes dimmed a little as the reality of his word had started to sink in. Maddy stared at him for a while not breaking eye contact before she reached up and gently caressed his cheek, giving him a warm fuzzy feeling. "You can''t give up hope. You¡¯re the closest thing I''ve got to a son and I don''t want to see you this way, you¡¯re the only family I''ve got left." Maddy begged as her voice quivered from holding back her tears. As she recalled how she had lost her husband and unborn child in a car accident 15 years ago. The hole in her heart was filled when she met Daniel, she saw her unborn child in him and gave him the motherly attention he needed that was missing his whole life as his Mother had passed in childbirth. He had no memory of his mother and he barely had any interaction with his Father because their marriage was for political interests and in the eyes of his Father he was an unwanted burden. "Maddy, I know you treated me that way and I have always tried to return that as best I can but I need you to know this because I don''t think Father will care enough to pry himself away from his new wife and kids. " he stated starting with a gentle expression before letting it turn in a grimace for a slight moment. "As such I want you to know, no matter what happens I was happy, here with you. And although I don''t believe in any god or karma, if I am reborn I hope that I have you as my mother" He finished making a silent pray to whatever entities ears it fell on so that his wish would come true. "I, I don¡¯t, please Daniel don''t do this. Not now, we still have plenty of time. I don''t want this to happen." Maddie sobbed, no longer able to control her feelings she sits on the bed next to him unable to bear the pain and fear of losing him. "Maddy, Don¡¯t cry please. I am happy and even if I never got to see my mother, I know what a mother''s love can feel like and I don¡¯t want anything else." Daniel consoled her as he closed his eyes and made a decision. "Maddie, please call Mr Hames for me. I want to accept his proposal." The light in his eyes had changed. He was no longer hesitant or lost and he gave Maddy a last gentle smile as a final farewell. Later that day Harold Hames came to visit this young man................. Sorry was slightly delayed on this chapter. How do you like it so far and how is my writing style. I''m not too confident with this style so a little pointers would be helpful. Next Chapter this week end possibly Many Thanks ZeroX