Golden Heart

Dear Eddie,

If you are seeing this, it has been my misfortune that I must leave you now, but I rejoice in the life I once lived.

I leave you with my greatest achievement, my Golden Heart. It is an information drive that contains my life’s work and all of my research. Unfortunately, I will not be able to see the fruits of my labor, but I do believe that I have discovered the cure.

It is up to you now, my dear boy. There is a research facility at Mount Zion Headquarters. Take it there. The scientists and researchers will help you with our cause and hopefully end this plague that we have been stricken with. Do not tell anyone of your plans and remember to always trust your instincts. You are the last hope for humanity.

The recording stopped. That was it. The last message from Dr. Mann. All those years working for him and he left me this with one last request. Sitting in contemplation, I noticed how remarkable it looked. It was heart shaped and made of real gold. He wore it all the time and said it was his prized possession.

As I began to pack the equipment for the trip, our humanoid robot appeared.

“Where are you headed to Master Edward?” K-T inquired. K-T to me had a feminine nature about them, however I’ve learned to see them androgynously.

“I am going to Mount Zion.” I replied.

"You are going to complete my father’s mission?”

“Yes,” I said frankly.

“Well, I must go with you. Father has programmed me to fulfill this final task.”

“No chance,” I interjected. “You will only hold me back. I do these things alone.”

As I packed, K-T approached closer and played a hologram that caught my attention.

“Here is a data map of nearly every square foot from here to Zion,” K-T revealed. “I spent these past years collecting intelligence. You need me, Master Edward. I was designed for this.”

I took a deep breath and processed it for a moment. K-T was right.

...

I started the next day at 0600 and prepared the rest of the equipment. I also sent a message to Viktor, one of Dr. Mann’s longtime colleagues and old mentor of mine. I didn’t tell K-T this because Dr. Mann specified not to involve anyone. However, I needed his help. Getting into Zion is difficult and he was well connected.

“Let’s go!” I barked at my counterpart.

“Certainly Master Edward,” responded K-T.

As I looked out, I saw the snow packed peaks with the sun creeping over the summit. That was our compass. I clutched the golden heart locket chained around my neck and tucked it underneath my shirt. I ensured my mask was properly set. With all things secured and in sight, I took the first step.



…

We embarked towards the mountain with the discretion of K-T’s mapping system, taking a small break at an industrial village in order to retrieve supplies. Having K-T around drew too much attention, however they can bear plenty of the load. We quickly left the ghostly village and it was eerie as people peered through the shadows. Near its edge, we witnessed a family getting robbed by a gang of militants. They didn’t notice us as we stealthily dispersed. When the sound of gunshots echoed, I made a conscious effort and kept my sights locked on the mission.

“Today we trekked 35.2 miles. At this rate, reaching the base of Mount Zion requires 3 days,” K-T detailed while we approached a secluded rock formation to rest for the night. I set up camp and removed my mask while drinking the fresh air of the countryside.

“What’s our situation from here?” I asked the robot.

“There are several towns between us. As we get closer, the presence of rebel forces increases near the base of the mountain,” declared K-T.

“Copy.”

As night approached, I started a campfire and grabbed a can of food. Sardines. They were delicious. As I ate, there grew a tranquil serenity as we sat amongst the stars.

“Master Edwards, do you miss Father?” K-T broke the silence. I looked at the robot intently, surprised by the depth of their question.

“Yes,” I replied softly. “Dr. Mann kept me alive throughout these years. Gave me a sense of purpose.”

“Did you enjoy working for him?” K-T further inquired.

“It was my mission. It didn’t matter whether I liked it or not,” I added.

After the conversation, I laid down to view the night sky. These were the same stars I watched during my tours when war was simpler. Calm nights like these were always a blessing. With curiosity, I observed the locket from my chest. Upon tinkering, it opened. A picture with a little girl revealed itself with the name “Katy” engraved on the metal. Being too tired for further inquiry, I put it away as the heavens hypnotize my eyes to slowly shut.

“There are hostiles in the area,” my counterpart retorted as I snapped back into reality. We covered the fire and we were engulfed in complete darkness.

The sound of engines roared from the distance. My heart sunk when the group of vehicles stopped nearby. I ordered K-T to hide as insurgents disembarked their vehicles.

“Over there!” I heard. My anxiety grew as they covered the ground between us. When I heard the canines barking, I knew I could not escape so I revealed myself before they could reach me.

“Put your hands where we can see them,” a man shouted while I hastily comply. “Get on your knees,” He continued.

Eventually the rest of the group approached and surrounded me. I was at their mercy.

“Spread out,” one of them communicated. “Cordon the area,” he stated followed by pointing the barrel of a gun towards my head.

“Where is the robot?” the insurgent threatened as he pressed the cold steel against my skull.

“What robot?” I feigned.

“The robot!” he screamed amid striking me to the ground. Eating dirt, I heard footsteps approaching.

“Negative findings sir,” a female insurgent spoke sternly. “He probably doesn’t have it.”

The man replied, “Poor guy. Waste of freaking time.” He placed a foot on my skull and addressed the group, “Alright, scavenge the area and we’ll call it a night.”

The insurgents pillaged through my camp while I was under the careful surveillance of their domesticated wolf. I felt my heart ripped out when they found the gold locket and took it from my chest. Sequentially, I received a strike that rendered me unconscious.

...

The next morning, I wake up to the robot at my side. I felt irritated by their presence.

“Good mor--,” said the robot before cutting them off.

“Enough,” I groaned. “I knew you would attract a lot of attention. And guess what? You brought over a whole armada!”

“I know,” K-T replied, showing a touch of human emotion. “I am very sorry Master Edward.” I took a moment to recoup and I secured a deep breath.

“Okay,” I stated. “We have to find the locket. I know who can help us. But we have to do things my way.”

“But I—-.” K-T tried to interject.

“Look. Dr. Mann was a great scientist but this is mission ops,” I expressed. “This is MY world.”

After brief calculations, they agreed. “Okay Master Edward. We do it your way.”

…

After I disclosed my initial contact with Viktor, we made a call using K-T’s communication system. The robot was reluctant at first but I reassured them of Viktor’s long standing association with us. During the call, we explained to Viktor our situation and he gave us coordinates to his facility.

“I will keep a lookout for any intel,” he said during our call. “In the meantime, stay vigilant. I will await your arrival.”

Viktor resided in Zeta at the base of the mountain. He has a long history of government affiliated operations and I worked under him during my service. He recommended me to Dr. Mann and I ensured his safety throughout the years while he researched the cure for the Red Virus.

After, K-T briefed a situation report. Apparently, Zeta was a rebel stronghold for the Covenant of Raiders. They operated in the shadows and were a highly trained militia consisting of many prior service members. Accordingly, Zeta was a port between Zion Headquarters and the rest of the republic, at least what was left of it.

Once we reached Zeta, I noticed it was unusually active. At a glance, it was easy to distinguish who the rebels were and who was foreign, including us. We drew a lot of attention so we quickly moved towards the coordinates but were confronted by a rebel.

“Come with me,” he ordered. “Viktor awaits you.” I sensed danger but decided to act against my instincts. We complied and sure enough it lead us to Viktor’s whereabouts.

“Took you long enough, soldier, “ Viktor greeted me with a smirk.

“It’s good to see you, sir,” I replied professionally.

“And you,” He addressed K-T. “Dr. Mann’s prized possession. Good to have you both on board.”

“Likewise Colonel,” I stated.

“Please, that’s an old title,” he cringed. “Just call me Viktor.”

“Roger,” I reported. “Anyways, is there any word on the locket?”

Viktor furrowed his brow. “Yes,” he said sternly. “According to reports, the rebel convoy who stole from you is en route towards Zelot.”

“For goodness sake!” I howled frantically. “Zelot is leagues away.”

“Don’t worry,” Viktor assured. “We have vehicles and associates at your disposal.”

“Excellent,” I alleviated. “Let’s move.”

“Affirmative,” Viktor supported.

“Master Edward,” inserted K-T.

“What is it K-T?” I questioned annoyingly.

“That won’t be necessary,” they expressed.

“What do you mean?” I inquired.

“I have something to show you,” the robot added. Then, the panel from their chest propped open showing a remarkable beating heart with golden circuitry. I was astonished.

“Explain,” I questioned. Unexpectedly, Viktor started clapping his hands.

“This,” Viktor interjected enthusiastically. “Is the one of a kind biological computer designed by Dr. Mann.”

I gave K-T a perplexed look. “Is this true?” I asked. Revealing her inner human, she nodded in approval.

“Dr. Mann was my colleague,” Viktor continued. “When his daughter Katy was dying, he transformed her heart and placed it inside this machine. He called it the "Golden Heart” and it is a hard drive that contains every scientific research known to man, including the cure. He was a lunatic but this was his greatest achievement.”

Bewildered, I asked, “What about the locket?”

“You mean this?” Viktor smirked while exhibiting the opened gold locket that revealed Katy’s image. “It’s just a locket,” he jested while it crashed to the floor. I froze when he subsequently lifted his foot and crushed it. Suddenly, the door slid open and it brought in additional footsteps.

“Ahh,” Viktor saluted. “Our associates are here.”

Immediately, I shifted towards the insurgents who emerged. I was afflicted because I recognized that it was the same rebels who raided me.

“No!” I lamented. Boom. Suddenly, I slowly fell to my knees as an unseen object penetrated my chest. Simultaneously, K-T spasmed as I witnessed their golden heart being forcefully pulled out by Viktor’s bare hands. I struggled to breathe.

“Why?” I managed to faintly utter as he inched closer to my face.

“The Red Virus was the greatest thing to ever happen,” He proudly stated. “The Covenant flourishes and the cure threatens our existence.”

Over my lifeless body, he crushed the Golden Heart with a jarring grip. The residue melted over me as Viktor addressed the rebels, “Clean up this mess.”

In that moment, K-T and I laid together motionless. Drifting away, I reconciled that the virus finally infected us. It was not the disease, but its result that finally delivered us to our end.