Eden Restored Ch 01

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Being dead isn't really that bad. It's not particularly good, either. To be precise, it's neither. Being a proud man of science, I never bought into the idea of heaven, hell, or purgatory. But there was a part of me that still wondered, with everything we don't know about the universe, if the soul survived death. The idea that something as complex and wondrous as consciousness could just disappear seemed to defy logic. It's not hope; it is common sense.

So when, through the darkness, I began to experience something akin to melodious vibrations, my inquisitive nature peaked. Everything was a haze in that moment - I had no past that I could recall, and my present was a complete mystery. All I knew was that I was experiencing auditory stimulation and I had no idea what that even was. My brain -

wait, what is that and how do I know it

- felt like it was processing information through a thick, pea soup fog. The vibrations began to take on a familiar rhythm that I recognized somehow.

A flash of understanding came to me in that moment - the vibrations are sounds! And not just any mundane sounds either, but voices!

Voices? Is that what they are called?

I had no idea how I knew these things, but I was absolutely certain that these sounds were coming from people just like me.

I'm a person? Of course I am!

Very slowly, I was able to make out distinct words bouncing all around me, muffled as they may be.

"... heart rate..."

"... how did... and... long... effects"

"... no tissue damage... may have... too long though"

"... hope she's okay"

I heard two distinct voices, I was certain of it. Judging from the bits I was able to discern, they were having a conversation. The first was quite professional, almost procedural in tone and tenor. The second was far more casual with a very obvious quality of excitement and exuberance. Despite the personal chasm between the two, they shared a very obvious similar quality: they were both female voices.

The fog in my mind gradually began to lift and snippets of memories darted through my head like lightning bolts. A college. A classroom. A dark room. Freezing to death. A beautiful topless woman.

Jasmine

Everything came crashing back to me in a wave and panic took the place of curiosity.

What the fuck happened? Did I die? Where am I?

The very last image I could remember was that cold metal door that secured my fate as an icicle for the very short remainder of my life. And then nothing. But now I heard people talking and I was starting to make out exactly what they were saying. Everything was still pitch black, but their voices were now echoing through my skull with precision.

"I cannot guarantee this will even work. The ice in which she was encased is unlike anything we have encountered. There's something else contained within it, a compound. It's impossible to accurately date the specimen," the professional voice said.

"But you can bring her back, right? You said you could!" shouted the excited voice. "And stop calling her a

specimen

. She's a person!"

"I am unsure. The spec-...

she

has been frozen far longer than any other subject that has been successfully revived by a magnitude of at least eight. There are no guarantees here, especially with the limited equipment on board."

"Please do what you can. This is important! Really important!"

Is this some sort of hallucination?

The fog had lifted from my mind just enough to begin questioning my perception and lucidity. Consciousness was my only sense at this point; any sense of a corporeal existence seemed much too far beyond my grasp.

Is there a movie playing? Maybe I fell asleep and all of this has been a nightmare. If I could... just... open... my eyes. Hell, how do these things work again? What muscle do I move? This used to just... work.

Try as I might, my eyelids remained closed. That is, until a bolt of sensation shot through my core in an instant, immediately bathing everything in piercing white.

"She moved! Did you see that?" the excited voice exclaimed.

"We have consistent vitals. Body temperature is steadily rising, brain function is reporting normal," informed the professional voice. "Although, I have never seen activity like this before. There's nothing like it in the MT index."

Searing pain coursed through every fiber of my being in that moment. It was like every nerve ending in my body was firing at the same time, almost performing some sort of self-test to determine if they were operational. Then, just as quickly, the pain disappeared, replaced by tingling all over my body. The blinding white that engulfed me slowly gave way to colors, shapes, and textures. Then more clarity followed; objects became visible like I was looking through saran wrap smeared with petroleum jelly. I blinked once, then a second time. Considering my previous limitations, I marveled at this mundane improvement in my abilities. More details emerged slowly and very soon I found myself staring at a glowing orb recessed into a metal plate.

Shit, that almost looks like the ceiling in an operating room... wait, what in the FUCK?

My neck craned up in a jolt, sending waves of pain into my head and shoulders. I cried out, my voice seeming foreign to my own ears momentarily.

"Easy, your muscles have not been utilized in a long while," said the knowledgeable voice. "Here, this should help."

I heard a few low electronic beeps, then all of the pain dissipated, replaced by a feeling bordering on euphoria. With my senses gradually becoming clearer, I tested my neck once again, relieved to discover there was nothing unpleasant when I lifted my head to appraise my situation.

I was greeted with a scene vastly different from my icy tomb, finding that I was reclined on some sort of steel table at a forty-five-degree angle. There were computers and machinery on either side of me, though unlike anything I had ever seen. The room was like some science fiction set piece that would have been perfectly at home in any of the Star Trek movies. I would have focused more on my surroundings if not for the far more interesting sights in front of me.

"Yes! It worked! You're awake!" squealed a young girl standing to my right. "You are A-mazing, Madison! Oh, we are going to have so much fun! What can you tell me... "

"Lizzy, please, your excitement could startle her," stated a dark-haired woman directly in front of me, interrupting the other. "And please, have some respect in front of others. It's Dr. Ross."

Okay, I must be dreaming. No way is this happening.

I shook my head from side to side, hardly believing the scene in front of me. The dark-haired woman, apparently named Dr. Ross, was observing me from behind a console where she stood. Her eyes roamed over me with curiosity behind wire-framed glasses, an expression of interest playing at the corners of her mouth and brow. Now that my vision had cleared, it was obvious she was a doctor; or, at least, a porn star roleplaying as a doctor. Her curvaceous frame adorned a skin-tight black jumpsuit, topped with a lab coat hanging open to reveal her ample cleavage. And, to complete the package, black heels or boots, though in truth it looked like a combination of the two.

"You mustn't move too quickly, your equilibrium is very likely not balanced right now," Dr. Ross said, glancing down at a keypad and tapping furiously. "I really don't know if there will be any side effects from your reanimation. This is the first time a procedure was performed under these...," she paused, before meeting my gaze. "Unique circumstances."

"You worry too much. Look, she's fine!" Lizzy interjected, turning to me with an excited smile. "Aren't you? Fine, I mean?"

My attention shifted to the girl that the good doctor called Lizzy. She looked to be about my age, maybe a bit younger, but that could have been attributed to her small frame and pink hair. BRIGHT pink hair. Her petite frame was practically bouncing and vibrating with restrained energy as she looked me up and down. Unlike the doctor, her appearance seemed far more normal to me, at least for a college student. She wore a multicolored jacket atop a black tank top, her small but perky breasts giving some dimension to her torso. As she swayed from side to side, her plaid skirt followed her movements and drew my attention to her legs, donned in fishnets and knee-high black boots. Her attire looked like she ran through an alternative, punk, emo, and goth closet and picked items at random. "I'm sorry, you're still getting your bearings," she said, more to herself than me.

"Wha..." my voice caught in my throat as I tried to speak, setting off a coughing fit immediately.

"Take it easy. Clear your throat and take a few deep breaths. The mucus in your sinuses and throat may still be thawing," stated Dr. Ross, tossing a concerned look in my direction. I cleared my throat as she instructed, tasting ice as I did so.

Why would I have mucus that was thawing?

"What's going on?" I finally spat out, my voice feeling far too loud. "Where the hell am I? Who are you people?"

Lizzy looked to Dr. Ross with a confused expression. "Why is her voice so deep? You didn't mess her up, did you?"

The doctor shook her head, swiping screens left and right in front of her with her fingers. "Everything looks normal. It could be a side effect off the reanimation process, but it could also be her natural voice."

"Whoa, slow down. What's all this talk about

reanimation

?" The fog that shrouded my thoughts suddenly lifted as I became aware of the meaning behind these women's words for the first time.

Dr. Ross strode over to my side, her hips swaying in perfect rhythm thanks to her heels. She took my hand in hers as she attempted to give me an expression of concern and empathy.

It almost seems natural. Almost, but not quite, as if she's treading on uncharted territory.

Her flesh felt warm against mine, and for a moment I let all of my apprehension melt away; but that was short lived.

"I need you to listen to me carefully," she began. Lizzy has joined her on my other side, her expression wide-eyed and worried as she looked between the doctor and I but remained silent. "You have been cryogenically frozen for... a very long time. I cannot determine precisely how long due to a compound in the frost that covered your body. I was not even certain we could properly reanimate you; this particular procedure was theoretical, at best, until now. But all of your vitals are strong and, aside from a few peculiarities, I can say you are perfectly healthy with a good deal of certainty."

I could feel my eyes widen and my jaw clench.

Did she just say I was fucking FROZEN? How is that even... oh no.

"

THIS WILL BE YOUR TOMB, YOU SICK MOTHERFUCKER!"

Jasmine's words echoed in my mind as I recalled the deadly cold creeping over me.

That... that BITCH! She killed me! Or at least she tried to, but I must be the human equivalent of a cockroach or a Twinkie. When I find her, she's dead. Or at least I'm going to press charges. Good luck graduating while you're rotting in jail, you cunt.

Through my haze of rage, my surroundings stirred another question, one that was already being answered by Dr. Ross.

"The year is 3251. You are aboard the scouting vessel

Eclipse

on course to rendezvous with an outpost located in the orbit of Mars." Her words registered with me immediately and a fresh panic set root in my veins. My eyes darted between her and Lizzy, desperately hoping someone would crack a smile and explain that this was all a joke. Instead, there was silence.

"Wha... What?! I've been frozen for over twelve hundred fucking years?! How is that even possible?!" A small part of my brain registered that the person responsible for my current condition must have perished long ago.

At least I never have to see that psycho again. I hope she died alone. Preferably in a frozen tundra

. Beside me, both women now matched my shocked expression, though Lizzy's was an expression of absolute wonderment.

"No... way! There is no way that you're from the twenty-first century! That's... that's..."

"Unprecedented," finished the doctor, her eyebrows arched in surprise. "If what you say is true, then you are far older than even I estimated. Humans have been successfully reanimated from cryogenic preservation of a few centuries in controlled experiments, but this," she said, shaking her head in disbelief. "This is remarkable."

Lizzy stuck her tongue out at the good doctor, clearly disapproving of her assessment. "You're missing the scoop here! She was frozen before the A-Cull, before any of it!" Her face turned towards mine with pure, unabashed glee radiating from her face. "What was it like? Did you have a job? What was the ocean like? Did you know any royalty?" Her questions flew from her mouth like a machine gun, or like someone with ADHD doing coke Tony Montana style. Then her eyes widened and she began bouncing from foot to foot with excitement. "Were you MARRIED?! Were you ENGAGED?! KIDS?! TELL ME TELL ME TELL ME!"

"I... uh... hold on... slow down," I stammered, my mind reeling from her avalanche of questions.

Jesus Christ, what is her problem? A few minutes ago I couldn't even remember who I am and now she wants me to give her a rundown of my entire life.

"Look, I'm having a hard time processing all of this right now. Can I just rest and compose my thoughts?" Lizzy's face dropped, a faint blush painting her cheeks. She opened her mouth to presumably apologize, but the doctor spoke up first.

"That is an agreeable idea. There is an extensive battery of tests I wish to perform, now knowing the general age of your body. If you wish, I can give you a sedative for the next few weeks..."

Weeks? Oh hell no.

I shot to my feet before Dr. Ross could finish her sentence... and then consequentially face planted on the cold steel floor. Fresh pain seared through my cheek where it connected, a trickle of blood flowing from my nose and pooling on the immaculate metal. "Oh!" exclaimed Lizzy, her small frame dipping by my side and taking hold of my arm. "Be careful!"

Dr. Ross shook her head slowly, an amused grin forming at the corner of her mouth. "Your motor functions will take a short while to return completely. In the meantime, I advise you to refrain from making any sudden movements or exerting yourself with unnecessary activities." She motioned towards the table behind me. "Now, if you will please return to your former position, I can begin my work."

I shook my head through gritted teeth as Lizzy helped me to my feet, my legs trembling as I stood with my arm draped around her shoulders. "Not a chance," I stated, looking upwards under my eyelids. "Look, I appreciate everything you've done for me. Namely, bringing me back from the dead. And I get that you need to run more tests on me. But that's a tomorrow problem. Right now, I just want to lie down in a bed, reflect on my life choices and get something to eat."

"You can't eat right now. There is no set time for consumption of food following reanimation, but textbooks generally suggest waiting an hour for every year in cryostasis," said the doctor matter-of-factly. My expression remained stoic as I stared at her, waiting for a punchline or, at the very least, a dawning realization of what her conclusion implied. But it was Lizzy, still supporting my weight, who spoke up following a few moments of counting on her fingers.

"So you can eat in just under two months," she announced to me cheerily, a pleased smile plastered on her face. I looked between her and the doctor, clearly expressing that I was not amused.

Let's see who is going to add this up first.

Not surprisingly, Dr. Ross was the one to respond. "Let's just call it twenty-four hours, shall we?" she suggested, her eyebrow arched. A gloved hand reached up to rub her temple. "Very well. I shall allow you to rest. But you need to be back in the Medbay first thing tomorrow morning. You are the most important discovery of the millennium and you are absolutely invaluable. Do well to make sure you have no further... accidents." She punctuated this last statement with a motion to my bloody nose. I brought a sleeved wrist to it as she continued. "Elizabeth, please find an available bunk in one of the crewmember's quarters for our guest."

"Mine!" Lizzy suggested loudly. "My top bunk is empty. She can stay with me." I turned my head towards the petite girl supporting me.

Oh no. I sense a long night of questioning in my future.

"Stay with you? Are you sure you're... responsible enough in case I have an emergency or something?

Lizzy's brow furrows at my question. "I'm nineteen years old and in charge of this whole ship, I'll have you know," she says, obviously hurt by my insinuation. "I'm the sole engineer for the

Eclipse

and I've kept the engines purring without any problems. I think I can handle one thawed popsicle." She poked me in my ribs with a playful a nudge.

"Very well," said Dr. Ross, nodding. "Just be back here tomorrow after you rest. I'll check in on you both periodically." Her eyes narrowed at me a bit, her head cocked slightly at an angle. "There's something different about you besides your odd appearance. I look forward to examining your samples further."

As Lizzy helped me hobble from the Medbay, I fire back over my shoulder, "Believe it or not, that may be the nicest thing a woman has ever said to me." I jumped a bit and temporarily lost my footing as the Medbay doors closed behind us. Lizzy giggled at my reaction, clearly amused at my surprise.

"This has to seem so new and scary to you," she mused. "I mean, there's probably nothing that will be familiar to you at all. No family, no friends..." As she trailed off, her head turned towards mine with an apologetic look. "Sorry! I was just thinking out loud. But everything is going to be okay. In fact, it will be great! I promise!" She gave my cheek an affectionate squeeze. "And I was wrong, you have the best friend anyone could ever hope for: me! We're going to have so much fun together, just wait and see."

She seems obnoxious and eager, but friendly enough. I should probably be glad that such a friendly person is here for me right now. And quite cute at that.

As I examined the young woman's face, I nearly tripped over my feet when she came to an abrupt stop. "I bet you've never even seen space before, huh? Check it out." I lifted my gaze to the direction she motioned, a large glass window to our left side. Laid out before me were a sea of stars, far denser than anything I had seen on Earth. But the most impressive sight was of the Moon, taking up a full quarter of the window pane. I was close enough to make out the craters and geography of the surface, and I even thought I observed a few domes trailing an exceptionally large trench. My breath caught in my throat, the enormity of my situation and the sheer beauty of it all frightening and overwhelming me.

"It's... It's real," I stuttered. "Holy shit, I'm on a spaceship."

Lizzy chuckled and flashed me a knowing smile. "I can't imagine what it must be like for you. Seeing all this for the first time. It probably seems like something from Asimov." Her eyes locked to mine, searching for my recognition.

"You know Isaac Asimov?" I asked, taken aback.

A girl that is familiar with science fiction? And the classics, at that? Somebody pinch me

.

"Sure, I love him," she answered, enthusiasm filling her voice. "I love everything from your time. I read every book I can get my hands on, which is not easy, believe me. Come on, I'll show you my collection." Reluctantly, I allow her to lead me away from the observation window, the Moon disappearing from view.