Wired.
© Tim Barker
(26/9/00)
3777 words
First to go was the security camera. One carefully aimed discharge from both sawn-off barrels. Fireworks announced commencement of the worst atrocity in this previously quiet Northern English provincial town. The perpetrator moved quickly, turning to face the counter assistant only to find no one there. Leaning over the till Todd looked down to see a young man with snakes coiling and writhing from his head. In utter disgust Todd loaded another two cartridges, pulled back the barrels and blew the reptiles to pieces. Wiping the blood from his eyes Todd fumbled around in his pockets for more justice. Reload and stalk. The few inhabitants of the labyrinth were screaming uncontrollably. Todd located the first behind a stack of baked beans. On the floor tomato juice mingled with human fluids. The third deviant proved more elusive. It took two attempts to reduce their legs to a mangled mess. The third blast put them out of their misery. The final Succubi was a female of the species. She screamed unintelligible garbage, no doubt attempting to beguile him. He silenced her incantations with a cleansing shot to the torso. In the calm aftermath of his vengeance Todd dropped his pacifier and made a calculated withdrawal to the waiting cool night air.
Todd was seeking revenge on a cruel world. He dreamt of walking the Earth, gathering numerous weapons of mass destruction and annihilating the deviants. As he tossed and turned in his sweat-soaked bed he envisaged going forth on his divine mission to rid the planet of all its problems. But hot on his heels a monster raged and bawled, trying to swerve him from his God-given path. Then he suddenly awoke.
“Police ! Open the door. We know you’re in there ! Come out with your hands up !”
Shit, Todd thought, Beelzebub has come to claim my soul !
“Police ! Stand clear ! We’re coming in !”
There was an enormous thud at the door, then another one, followed by the forced entry of the demons from Hell.
“Leave me alone !” Todd cried out. “You’ll never take me alive !” He reached for his piece under the pillow. Immediately he felt intense pain from his legs. He looked down and beheld a bloody mess. Then the pain overcame him and he succumbed to the waiting unconsciousness.
When Todd came round he found himself in complete darkness. He yelled. Instantly, light filled the room. He seemed to be in a pit of some Alien construction. There were no windows and seemingly no doors. White padding covered every surface. Then the voice of the devil echoed deep within his pounding skull.
“You in there ! Just take it easy and you’ll be OK. You’re in a secure detention unit. You’re under arrest for multiple homicides. You have the right to remain silent but anything you do say will be taken down and used in evidence ! If you cannot afford a lawyer one will be appointed for you. Do you understand your rights ?”
“Fuck you Satan ! You and your hounds can go back to hell !”
There was a silence, which seemed like an eternity. The lights were turned off and Todd was left to lie in complete darkness with nothing but his thoughts to keep him company. He knew their game though: threaten him and try to intimidate him then when his defences were low strike to the very heart of his psyche by invasive mind control. He bit firmly on his tongue to keep his senses at full alert, the pain providing a barrier to their intrusions. Before long the light returned and Todd heard a different voice.
“Hello ? My name is Doctor Bevin.” Another Succubi, Todd thought. “How are you Mr. Bellamy ? I’ve been asked to talk to you by the police. I am not with them. I’m here to help you. I’m going to come in to see to your wounds. You have been shot and need urgent medical attention.”
“Be gone maggot !” Todd exclaimed.
The door opened. Todd tried to get up but the pain from his legs drove him back to the floor. Through his clouded vision Todd could make out the form of numerous creatures, all set on devouring him. One of them held something in the air whilst the others pinned him to the ground. Then he felt a sharp pain in his upper left arm as some kind of mind-control drug was force fed into his blood stream. The demons continued to hold him, preventing all movement. Slowly he felt a numbness permeate his body which had no choice but to relax as clouds of pacifism drifted over him and he again succumbed to darkness.
* * * * * *
“Keep a careful eye on his vital signs. I want to know if his heart begins to slow down. And keep that anaesthetic flowing. I don’t want him waking up in the middle of the operation. Cranial saw.”
The nurse passed Professor Manion a medieval looking torture instrument. High above in the observation lounge earnest faces looked on in expectation as Todd’s skull was skilfully removed revealing the red-brown organ which was to be the beneficiary of the most up-to-date technological solution to his anti-social psychoses.
“OK. Pass me the first probe.” The Professor announced.
The nurse removed the probe from it’s protective sheath of anti-static plastic and handed it to the surgeon.
“Here we go. Are you getting this Dr. Bishop ?” He asked of one of the observers.
“Yes Professor. It all looks good from here.” Came the reply.
“OK, we’re going in.”
The Professor slowly inserted the probe into Todd’s cerebellum skilfully following the schematic on his Head Mounted Display. As the probe pierced the matter Todd’s left leg jerked in the air but this caused no alarm in the gathered throng. Instead they continued unabashed, remaining totally professionally collected. The crowd in the gallery looked on in earnest as probe after probe was meticulously placed into various parts of the brain. They surveyed their instruments spread out like an aircraft’s cockpit all around them.
“How’s it looking Dr. Bishop ?” The Professor enquired.
“It all seems to be going fine from here Professor. The main board is communicating successfully with all the probes, performing diagnostic checks at the moment and integrating each new probe as it’s inserted. When you’ve inserted that last probe I think it’s time to position it.”
“OK, here we go, the last probe...voila. OK, now for the controller. Nurse pass me the black box.”
The nurse passed the Professor a discrete electronic component that would be the driving force behind the probe’s functionality. The professor took the skull then secured the device with tiny pins to it’s inside. Once the controller was firmly in place the Professor placed the skull back onto Todd’s head leaving his understudy to complete the operation.
“How are the vital signs looking ?” The Professor asked of his assistant.
“Totally normal, not one deviation.”
“Good. It’s all yours Dr. Bishop.”
“Thanks.”
Dr. Bevin had been thoughtfully watching the entire operation on the monitors in the surgery’s anteroom. She had been the one to recommend to the courts that Todd have corrective surgery but this is not what she had in mind. She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of mutant cyber creature they had created this day. As she drove home after the operation the implications of the groundbreaking surgery played on her mind. She had too many questions. Was Todd still responsible for his actions if the surgery proved unsuccessful ? How invasive should The State be ? Was he even human anymore ? She felt the first pangs of guilt as she realised that she had helped to change the life of a fellow human being even though that human being was dysfunctional. But who were they to say what functional really meant ? And could a computer be entrusted to ensure a human displayed acceptable behaviour ?
* * * * * *
Todd awoke, a new man. At least part man although he, as yet, had no conception of his new-found implants. Instead, he felt as if he was awaking from a dreadful nightmare of immense proportions. He dragged fragments of recollections from the depths of his memories as if trawling for shoals of sea-born bounty but finding just the odd assorted vestige of sea-life. An image of scattered bodily fluids here, a feeling of utter helplessness there and all around like the stitching in some cosmic tapestry was a determination that drove meaning into his very existence. He couldn’t, however, pinpoint the precise nature of this determination, it was as if that part of his psyche remained off-bounds to his introspective foraging. He looked around, vaguely remembering that he had been pinned down and force-fed drugs. He couldn’t recall exactly why this was but he was obviously now in a hospital of some kind. Turning his head to the left he beheld a drip feeding into the main artery in his arm and straining to look down he could see that electrodes had been strapped to his chest. He figured he’d been involved in some kind of nasty accident then felt lucky to be alive.
Just then an entourage of the hospital staff came through the door. As they entered he thought he saw policemen standing on the outside. He had no idea why they were there.
“Ah ! Mr. Bellamy ! How are you feeling today ?”
Todd opened his mouth to speak but found himself unable to form a coherent sentence.
“Well. Am I. You ?” Is all he could manage, with great effort.
“Don’t mind about your speech abilities right now Mr. Bellamy. It will come back to you in time. You have had some major surgery. We’re so pleased you’re alive. My name is Professor Manion. Myself and my staff will ensure that you make a full recovery from your ordeal. You are in the best hands in the world for your kind of illness. Just be patient and we’ll have you right as rain in no time !”
“Police ?” Todd questioned, miserably gesturing with his right index finger towards the door.
“Oh, don’t worry about them Mr. Bellamy. They’re for your protection. A lot of people will want to meet you now. You’ve made the headlines !” The Professor enthused.
Todd’s bemusement was conveyed by his furrowed brow and frown. He didn’t feel like he wanted to be at all popular. He just wanted to get out of this hospital and back to the seclusion of his bed-sit. To lead a normal life away from prying eyes. He knew he was going to need a lot of patience. Maybe it was a good idea to have the Police guard.
“This is Nurse Brown. She’ll take care of your hourly needs. Don’t worry, I’ll be keeping a close eye on you. As soon as you’re feeling able I’ll arrange for you to meet Dr. Bishop. He’s a very important part of your aftercare now. I’m sure you’ll get along just fine.” Suggested the Professor.
For the first time in a long time Todd felt a dormant sensation creep through his body and overcome his consciousness. As a result he smiled.
“Good ! Then it’s settled. As soon as you begin to get, err, back...to normal...hmm...” The Professor said thoughtfully. “I’ll arrange for you to meet Dr. Bishop. Good. I’ll leave you in the capable hands of Nurse Brown now then. Goodbye for now.”
For the second time in his New Life Todd smiled again. He felt more at ease with his temporary home for the moment. He knew that he’d eventually get better and soon came to the realisation that compliance would expedite his eventual release. Days and nights merged into a vacuous continuum as Todd succumbed to the professional care of Nurse Brown and her team until the day came when Professor Manion declared that Todd was ready to meet with Dr. Bishop. He had eagerly awaited for this meeting as he hoped to find the truth behind his predicament. Whenever he had asked the Nurses they had avoided his gaze or cunningly changed the subject. He knew that a great deal was purposefully being withheld from him. He wanted nothing but the truth. He was sure that Dr. Bishop held the key.
* * * * * *
The day started like any other he could remember. Nurse Brown was drawing back the curtains, allowing a bright sun to permeate his inner sanctum.
“Good Morning Mr. Bellamy ! How are we today ?”
“Good Nurse, and you ?”
“Oh, just fine. I hear you’re ready to meet Dr. Bishop today ? Hmmm ?” Enquired Nurse Brown.
“Yes, that’s right. What do you know about him ? You must know what he specialises in ?” Todd teased.
“I may do but I don’t want to spoil the surprise ! Now you get on with your breakfast then we can bathe you and dress you for your meeting. I’m sure Dr. Bishop will answer all your questions.”
“OK Nurse Coy !” Todd joked.
As Nurse Brown walked towards the door she turned her head to look at Todd over her glasses then left. After the junior nurses had cleared up the breakfast dishes and bathed and dressed Todd a rather sombre-looking tall man entered Todd’s room. If he didn’t know better he would have thought this earnest man had come to take his measurements. As it was the man introduced himself as Dr. Bishop. He subsequently cut right to the chase, explaining the intricacies of Todd’s illness and the nature of the technological cure implanted in his brain.
“So, there you have it Mr. Bellamy. You are the very latest in biotechnology, living proof that cybernetics has advanced to such a level that the brain is no longer an unmapped territory but a charted control system that can be modified accordingly. Your disease was not treatable by conventional means which would have meant spending the rest of your life in secure mental health units. None of us wanted that so we have offered you an alternative.” The Doctor explained. “What do you think ?”
“You tell me !” Todd quipped. “It is strange to think I have a computer in my brain but I guess it’s no different from wearing a digital watch or a pacemaker or a hearing aid. I don’t know. Am I still human ?” Todd asked of Dr. Bishop in all seriousness.
“Of course you’re human. Some may even argue that you have climbed the next rung on the evolutionary ladder. You could be post-human...” The Doctor ventured.
“Hmm...I can see why I’ve made the papers. What do the religious folk think of your exploits ?”
“Pah, what do they know ? We’re talking about a major advancement in Science here, maybe akin to the first moon landing or the mapping of the human genome. Pah, bloody religious zealots will never understand.” The Doctor volunteered.
“Well, I think religion still plays an important role in society. I seem to remember being a Catholic but I guess it did me no good, just fuelled my psychoses from what you say.” Todd reflected.
“My point exactly. Science is hard, trusted fact. Religion is superstition heaped upon fairytales and legends. It no longer has a place in a technological society. God, the Holy Spirit, the Soul, it’s all hogwash as far as I’m concerned. Good riddance.” The Doctor orated.
“So, if you control my controller which, in turn, controls my brain then are you controlling me Dr. Bishop ?” Todd philosophically enquired.
“Well, I guess at some level we are but don’t let that worry you unnecessarily. Everyone’s controlled be it by prescribed medication, social mores or simply your boss at work. We only have access to parts of your brain remember, not the whole gamut of thought processes. We’re only interested in communicating with your diseased brain, those electrodes have been carefully targeted. Our base station in our lab will monitor activity only in those specific areas then affect the necessary chemical rebalance before your behaviour deteriorates. You’re much more of a free man than you would be in those inhuman secure units !”
“I guess you’re right Dr. Bishop. Thank you. So I’ll be free to go home soon then ?” Todd asked hopefully.
“You will. At first we’ll have you down at the lab regularly for diagnostic checks. If all goes well then you’ll subsequently just have to come in, say, every six months. Your unit will run untouched for the rest of you natural life.” The Doctor answered.
“Thank God for small mercies.” Todd muttered.
“You don’t have to thank God Mr. Bellamy.” Dr Bishop stated flatly.
Todd was released from hospital the very next day. He had been allocated a room in a halfway home not far from his old bed-sit, which he’d lost while being in hospital. He was glad in a way, it signified a shining new start in his recently tainted life. Within a few months he managed to find work as a landscape gardener’s assistant. Dr. Bishop and his team were satisfied with his progress and had arranged his next appointment in six months time. Miraculously, given his recent past history, Todd felt like any other citizen at large in the whole wide world. But buried deep in a dark corner of his psyche an ember obstinately glowed.
* * * * * *
It started with a nervous tick of his left eye. Todd was aware of this indiscretion but put it down to stress at work. They were running over time on an important job for a prominent local businessman. His boss had stressed the need to finish this job promptly as a bonus would have been paid but now this wasn’t looking likely and he was taking it out on Todd. After a few days of teasing and being the butt of numerous jokes Todd snapped. At some point the balance tipped in his mind which seemed to be too much for his enhanced brain to cope with. It was like a switch was flicked and the trip refused to blow. He made it through the day but when he got home the scheming commenced. He had made the excuse of feeling “a little under the weather” to his boss and that he would probably take the next day off work. His boss wasn’t best pleased but Todd no longer cared.
That night Todd hatched a plan to send parcel bombs to all of the people who had been secretly controlling him in the town. The Mayor, the Police Chief, the Council members, anyone in a prominent position who had been directly responsible for the manipulation of his most trusted thoughts would be getting a surprise packet in the post. Including, most importantly, Dr. Bishop at the laboratory. Todd worked all through the night. He used his landlady’s computer to download schematics off the Internet then made a list of his requirements, most of which could be purchased locally. Then he planned his movements for the following day so as to go unnoticed about his nefarious deeds.
With an itinerary in mind and names and addresses of recipients, he stole out of his accommodation in the dead of the night in order to trek to the quarry out of town. Once there he was able to break into a Portacabin serving as an office then grabbed every set of keys he could lay his hands on. Through trial and error he eventually found the key to the explosives store, obtaining all his pockets could hold of the industrial strength explosive. The sinners would suffer and retribution would be his !
For twenty-four hours Todd dedicated himself to his onerous task but he knew that the Lord was on his side and that he was walking in the path of the righteous, discarding souls tainted by Beelzebub himself. Towards the end of the next day Todd had assembled fourteen explosive devices and deposited them at various post-boxes around town. He knew that during his normal working day tomorrow his justice would be served, cleansing the town he paradoxically loved so much.
* * * * * *
Todd carried out his normal duties the following day at work but burning at the back of his mind were his plans for that very special day. The chain of events began by Todd would again send a shock wave through the sleepy town.
It was lunchtime. Todd was idly chatting with Dan, his boss.
“Well, never mind Dan, we’ll only be a couple of days over. We’ve done a good job after all. Something we can be proud of.” Todd said reassuringly.
“Pride doesn’t come into it. We’ve got to earn a living out of this man ! You work hard, I’ll give you that but, I need you to work harder. If we’re offered a bonus again we’ve got to make sure we’re on time. This just isn’t good enough.” Dan stated.
“I’m sorry Dan.” Dan’s remonstrations were all Todd could take. He grabbed for a garden fork thrust into the ground. Before he knew it Dan was the proud recipient of five feet of chicory protruding from his chest. He fell instantly. On a roll, Todd made for the pneumatic drill at the other end of the garden where they had been digging up the remains of an old foundation. He held the drill horizontally with the bit next to his scalp then pressed ‘on’. With one smash of the drill Todd escaped the long arms of his controllers.
* * * * * *
The technician couldn’t understand what had happened. He picked up a telephone to call Dr. Bishop, thinking he should see this for himself, but at that precise moment an explosion emanated from an upper floor. Unperturbed, the technician dialled Dr. Bishop’s extension but it was dead.
There were numerous explosions all over town during that day. Prominent people were injured, maimed or killed. Eventually the Police were able to patch together the itinerary of their chief suspect, Todd Bellamy. But Todd had escaped their justice, finding his own quiet space in the turmoil that had surrounded his life.
The town’s newspaper had a field day of the events leading with a story entitled “Soul Salvation”. Doctor Bevin read the story with utter disbelief and horror, knowing that she had found the answer to her questions.