The Adam Code Back to Eden

Jack lit his cigarette and breathed it in its warm, comforting flavor. He remembered all the reports from Neuro-cake heads NTT users who fried their brains from a neurotransmitter overload. Illegal NTT was killing many and addiction was on the rise. It was a nasty death. The user would foam at the mouth from epileptic seizures and, go into convulsions then finally death. These kids didn’t care. They were all Eurotrash and their parents before they came to the UCOA after the fall of nations and the war that decimated the land. They were all sent to the only place left on the earth, Megacity. Anyone from Europe who was sucking off the cities monthly stipend. They didn’t care where they ended up every night, and most were hooked on any kind of drug they could get their hands on. They were megacities trash, hence the word Eurotrash. Jack knew many people that had been accepted to megacity who were from those areas. Somehow the name stuck and so did the stigma. He waited for the traffic to change. A Lander (car) splashed water on him as it passed by.

“Son of a bitch!”

He shined his phone on the Lander, and their TPS ID came up. He wrote a citation and sent it to the lucky occupants of the vehicle.

“Asshole!”

Jack wiped himself off and continued on. Jack

Realized tonight’s fuck up was with one of the largest suppliers of NTT in the whole city and would cost him and The UCOA time and more units. Pasn`e and Siri were his only connection inside that world, and that was now all blown to hell. He had worked on those connections for at least three months. He was supposed to get the goods, and the supplier’s name and the UCOA would take it from there. Jack’s mind went back to the moment when Pasn`e told him, (all is not what it seems.)

(They only appointed him to this case. Because some elitist kids were killed a few months ago. Poor Rich kids. A muscle in his jaw twitched as he gripped his black bag. (Even being a cop he could be mugged or killed for having this much NTT on him.) He was vigilant and kept his eyes on his urban surroundings.

Jack figured it was the last bit of NTT messing with him. His stomach was speaking to him, growling and it was time for synthshi. Jack hadn’t eaten for 10 hours, and hunger was setting in.He walked into the restaurant. A Geisha hologram appeared before him. “Ne Hoa Ma Welcome to Pei’s place, Dining in or taking out?”

“Dining in.”

The hologram paused a second then responded.

“Your voice has been recognized as Jack Marlow.”

“Yep, That’s me.”

A few moments Pei walked out from the back.

“Lieutenant Marlow, how good to see you again. Same table?”

Jack nodded, and Pei directed him to his usual table.

Pei spoke in Chinese to of the Waiters then smiled and bowed to Jack.

“We always take care of the UCOA’s finest. If you need anything, please let me or my staff know.”

Jack sat down placing the bag beside him. He rearranged his shoulder holster for comfort.

Jack thought to himself. (If only this booth were a memory pad (bed)

He rubbed his hands over his eyes. He lit a cig and watched people walking by on the streets from the adjacent window.

Jack loved the place, he was fond of synthshi, and the Pe Long brothers were the best in the Numar district. Many cultures in Megacity kept their traditions, but everything had a new twist to it. Like if one had taken a traditional food and skewed, twisted it a bit to meet up with modern times. There was an enormous lit dragon that stretched across the walls of the restaurant. At the mouth of the massive creature was a fortune cookie. Jack looked at his phone and admired the symbol etched on the back. It was a double headed eagle with its wings spread out. Under the eagle, eight connecting rings joined in a circle. Jack was playing with then placed the device on the table beside him. Tracing the day’s events carefully through his mind. Why would the Lieutenant just call him off the case like that? Jack looked back at his watch. The eagle gleamed when the light hit the emblem at the right angle. It represented his whole life and his beliefs. All nicely etched out on the back of his watch. Megacity was built at an alarming speed. There were districts twelve to be exact, and within those districts there were sectors. He looked at his wrist device as light blue indicators were continuously running analysis and in limited contact with Circa his PAV. It was connected to the Hub of the entire city. It precisely and accurately did scans of the area using facial/ voice recognition and also acted as a handy weapon. Jack looked out the window. Tons of people always headed to their destinations, and small hover food carts and small shops darted the outside landscaping. There were large ads were being displayed on one of the buildings, and then UCOA typical propaganda would start playing. Jack knew the UCOA was utilizing certain vibrations that calmed the masses. The vibrations synced with the natural occurring vibration in a human being’s natural MRS (Magnetic resonance signature), acted as a control mechanism being used on the unknowing public. He learned on the force, recalling that two hundred years before. Country’s sprayed the skies with mind numbing agents which eventually caused neurological problems and even cancer. Jack had an uncanny ability to remember the smallest amount of detail, and he would always be thinking three steps ahead of any situation. Jack sipped his hot tea and mentally transported his thoughts to his training days. He remembered word for word what the teacher was pumping into the young cadets at the time.

Every nation that survived was there. After the fall of America in 2125, England, France, China, Russia, Japan, and all third world countries, eight of the largest corporations in the world remained. They joined together to create the UCOA. Jack thought of his childhood and how his parents took him to see the ancient ones before the great decimation. After the fall of the major economic foundations, there was a complete economic shutdown all over the world. Eventually, a new currency, UNITS, was adopted by a governing body based on the eight major corporations in the world. Every corporate entity during the fall of governments had vast resources like gold, silver, platinum, diamonds, and other commodities. The old governments were replaced by an oligarchy; the President was now called the ‘Administrator.’ The eight corporations each had their own contribution to the building of the UCOA. Applon used its resources with technology, infrastructure, and restructuring the Internet, now called the Hub. Vortex implemented medicines and technologies for disease control. A Russian company named Habtec was influential in building structures, road bridges, and waste management. The others were vital for production and scientific research, weapons manufacturing/defense, and developmental products. These eight companies had deep pockets and were critical in conception and development of the Megacity with 300 million inhabitants. These companies were Applon, Vortex, Habtec, Prescott, Numerec, Falco, De’ Corin and Cemcho. He took another sip of tea. Sure there were actually more corp entities in the beginning. Applon either bought them all out or joined forces with the other seven corp’s to destroy the other competition. They joined forces and voted in the CEOs. These eight CEO’s voted in 12 delegates from the 12 districts. Eventually, the citizens assembled and protested the eight CEO’s conceded and voted one to rule over the 12. This became an oligarchy based government. By 2150 They Elected a government based on the votes from all the districts, but somehow we seem to stay with the current Administrator for ten ten years now.

They made new laws and controlled the grid which they eventually called the Hub. Jack was dipping his synthshi in the green liquid and chewed, savoring every bite. His eyes glazed over as he recalled the series of events that brought him to this moment.

He finished his meal and grabbed his jacket. Jack looked at the time, 1:00 am. Nothing ever closed in Megacity.

The lights of the city all were changing in unison, and he was headed back to corporate headquarters. Jack wasn’t innocent, and like most wild youth, he had his share of fun. He drew the line at drugs killing innocents. Sure, some gave you a great hangover once you stopped. It in no way would kill you. Jack was always walking, and he was always used to being in crowds moving like a snake through the city. People always selling things and streets always filled with crime, drugs, and corruption. Humans never seem to free themselves from that world. He would always pass synthetic prostitutes being displayed in the window in front of him. Droids were mostly used by two groups. The rich as for personal help or the UCOA inspected brothels. The NHHA (No Human Harmed Act of 2150) prevented those synthiods from taking his job. Soon after They weren’t allowed in any military or any type of industry jobs. Each synthoid had a scan code on the back of each Synthoid’s neck and left arm. The synthoids were required to tell a human their make, model, and their owner’s establishment before transferring units into legal sexual commerce. Some guys on the force swore by them. Jack preferred the real thing. Sure, they felt warm, and their skin was like a that of their counterpart. But, they were made of artificial skin and working parts. But, A robot all the same.

One of the synthiods approached Jack.

“I’m Riva, syntech, number RP714-317, owner the Relax Pad.” She reached out to Jack as he was passing by.

“These girls are the best in Numar district. Come in and relax chat, have a drink.”

Her voice was sweet and charming. Jack kept walking.

“Not tonight, tempting but I’ll pass.”

Jack looked on as two girls were leaving the bar. Jack thought to himself.

(now, those two on the other hand.)

Jack soon found his way to ATM (Air Transport Mobile Unit). He looked up and saw a steady stream of vehicles passing the buildings that lit up the night sky.

Jack surveyed the area around him. He found the ATM Air Transport Mobile Unit. He moved his phone over the scanner that blocked the entrance. The door opened, and the voice sounded, “Thank you, citizen Marlow.”

Within minutes the Air Transport Mobile waiting center. Lights started to flash, and a female voice came over the speaker.

“Stand back and wait for the doors to fully open and the ATM to come to a complete stop.” The announcement finished.

“Welcome citizen Marlow.” The ATM program was reading his TPS ID.

Jack puffed on his vapor and barked out a command, “corporate police headquarters, CCU.” He looked out the window and was watching the horizon and the massive walls, separating them from a world of chaos and destruction. Jack knew the stories he heard as a child. Past the dome was nothing. 300 million citizens were the last survivors, displaced and hungry. The rest of the world, the Deadlands, were annihilated by the great decimation, Tidal waves, and a massive polar shift. In the end, the remaining warring factions that fought for control killed each other off. Jack recalled being told in school that most of the animals perished in the great decimation. It was through faith in the UCOA that the citizens lived and thrived once more. Two-thirds of the population perished. Jack and everyone else in Megacity owed their lives to the UCOA.

The train glided past buildings and stores, occasionally stopping and loading up more passengers.

Jack reloaded his vapor cartridge pulling in a well-deserved drag on his cigarette. He had thought about what his teacher had said. Literally, almost animal on the earth perished after the massive solar flares of 2117. The soil after that changed and never was the same. Now, farming was UCOA controlled and done in designated sectors. Mostly for the wealthy. Genetically altered fish and Meats slabs were also cultured but were extremely expensive. Jack smiled to himself, and he watched an SLV take off in the sky. Well, city rats survived and so did roaches, and yes, they were harvested as well. Rats in 2132 carried a plague which killed a few thousand but soon after everyone was inoculated. Science soon brought about a new type of synthetic food. Mostly everything with all the vitamins and nutrients of real grown food. It was all that Jack had ever known. Jack saw more Ads in the air and hologram while simultaneously a smaller replica version would appear in the ATM in front of the viewer. It was all controlled by corporations.

Jack pondered and finished his thought on the effects of the past coupled with what Jack knew as global warming and massive polar shifts to the earth. Displacement of the poles and massive geothermal heat build up, lead to catastrophic tidal waves and major earthquakes. Jack recalled his teacher again telling of the mass destruction. The coastal lines were sunk under the ocean, and the India and part lower China dropped beneath 1400ft of water. Earth and was transformed in 30 to 60 days. The government left everyone to die like rats and hid under the safety of cave systems a mile under the rocks of Colorado. The funny thing was those high-ranking, celebrities and officials all perished under the earth. As the poles shifted, and so did the plates and all geothermic activities. Jack recapped in his thoughts remembering the science behind the whole tragic incident. The poles shifted and instead of the avoiding the destruction, the government, and elitist of the time were buried alive with tons of rocks sealing their doom. Jack adjusted himself in his chair. The UCOA had a special memorial every year celebrating their memory. Jack peered at the skyscrapers and buildings of white and blue jewel tones. The color and etched designs on the walls of the buildings unified the districts aesthetics and brought it together. The buildings elongated reliefs seemed to stretch over the whole building. Past those building where the ORB buildings. They produced the oxygen the city was lacking. These two massive structures were monitored and heavily guarded. Jack would pass this set of particular buildings every day not thinking twice about them. But, all the while every citizen knew those two buildings were the lifeblood of the city itself.

The contrast of scenery was evident to Jack. The cleanliness of the buildings was hypocritical to the city. On the ATM one would look out into the city and come to the conclusion that everything with a corporate insignia was kept up and maintained. The other districts like that of Numar were wet dirty and full of problems. Jack knew all wasn’t bright and pleasant in Megacity. He had been working the Numar district now for almost 10 years. Even to Jack’s own surprise, this Megacity was huge in size, and he still hadn’t visited every district. Each was like that of a small city within itself. Jack drew in deep from his vapor and played with his hologram controls until the ATM stopped. Others got on, and then the ATM continued. Numar district was massive in size, and it would take the ATM at least thirty minutes to leave the area. Megacities twelve districts all connected. Almost twelve cities or districts combined for miles. Its white walls could be seen at a distance between the massive buildings as the transport vehicle cut through the town on its long journey back to headquarters. Jack looked at his watch, and he was late as usual. Punctuality wasn’t his forte. He had his adventure with the two girls and was tiring quickly. NTT left it’s user’s completely drained afterward, and most addicts were found sleeping much of the following day. Jack looked outside and recognized the area the ATM came to a stop.

“You have arrived at your destination citizen. Captain Mathews has been notified of your arrival.”

“dintso.”

“damn it.” Jack was late, and he wasn’t in the mood to get an earful this morning.

Jack’s watch went off with a message from Mathews.

“Officer Reynolds will meet you at the CCU and fill you in. Mathews out!”

Jack was getting blown off, and he knew it.

“But… Sir…?” The doors open and Jack walked through the ATM building, and the sun seemed to be shining. He was burned out, and all he wanted was rest. Several buildings glistened from the sun peaking between the building and the wall that divided the Deadlands from the city. The UCOA CPH(Corporate police headquarters) was his destination. The blue insignia with eagle hovered over the people passing through the entrance of the building. Jack moved his watch over the entrance way, and the doors opened.

“Good Morning Lieutenant Marlow, Captain Mathews was expecting you hours ago” The hologram face was hovering over the entrance instantly transferred to Jack’s watch and continued to stay with Marlow. Each Officer had his own personal virtual assistant. Jack’s PVA was called ‘Circa.’

“Citizen, Captain Mathews has requested you meet Captain Reynolds in the Airlift 25 ASAP.”

“Thanks, Circa”

Jack was walking and stopped a moment.

“Circa what’s the data on sample 323?”

There was a brief pause, and Circa replied.

“I’ve retrieved the information sent from the data you transmitted at 1200 hrs. The Sample contained .003 of NTT.”

Jack thought for a moment. (Those damn girls switched out the samples. Jack was back to zero and had wasted 12 hours.)

“Son of A bitch!”

Jack, knew he had nothing. He slammed his fist into the wall and tried to calm himself. Circa noticed Jacks elevated heart beat.

“Your biometric reading is showing you are under an excessive amount of stress Jack.”

“Yeah, Circa it’s called being alive, and I don’t recommend it.”

Circa replied.

“Protocols prevent me from leaving the CCU. Otherwise, I would try to be of more assistance.”

“Yeah, Circa if only these walls could talk. Pull up the TPS IDS from my phone for review.

Circa responded.

“I have your information ready for you.”

Jack made his way from the evidence locker to his office. He just wanted to sit down. His desk lit up, and there was a hologram of faces and TPS IDs. Jack moved his hand over the images and was scanning through several faces. He took the information from the girls TPS ID’s and loaded them on the screen in front of him.

“Search for possible matches” a voice came over the room.

“Searching.”

Thousands of faces were appearing and flipping through like an old antique deck of cards. Then after a moment. Circa’s voice sounded again.

“There are no matches on the suspects. Shall I rerun it?”

“I Believe these are forged, TPS IDS Jack. Shall I file a report?”

Jack hit the table and leaned over the hologram. This wasn’t making any sense. The program never failed him, ever. He then added the command from his watch.

“Yes, dintso (thanks).”

“Data analysis on 323.”

The watch emitted a hologram that was in the form of what looked like a data packet and moved to the hologram in front of Jack’s desk.

Jack sat down. Jack knew that was a deadly amount of NTT. He was thankful to be alive. Jack grabbed his trench jacket and head towards the top of the building. He saw Mathews he waved him down. His brows knitted and he seemed to be monitoring Jack’s expression.

His look of apprehension became more apparent as he came closer. Jack put his arm on his shoulder then moved his hand up in a swift movement to a salute.

“What’s in God’s name is going on Jack? I’ve have had UCOA agents crawling up my ass all morning. You’re supposed to be with Captain Reynolds by now. You’re late, what in the hell has gotten into you, Jack?”

Jack put his hands up in the air in frustration.

“Look, I had those suspects right in my damn hands about to apprehend the two girls and get the information on the dealers and finally have those bastards put away in cyber freeze prison for a few years. I had those suspects within my grasp! Three months Captain!”

“With all due respect, this is absolute nesmia (crap)!”

Mathews paused for a moment and then turned to walk away.

“I’m sorry Jack this out of my hands. Jack stop busting my balls over this. Look, Intel isn’t giving me any information on this, and I’ve been given direct orders to hand you over to Agent Reynolds.”

Jack pointed in the direction of the E.L.

“well, I have 500 units of legal .03 RIP in the E.L. (evidence locker).”

Mathews looked at Jack with a confused look on his face.

“Long story, Capt.”

“Well, Anyway, Nice Job I’ll have Detective Lawrence follow through on the case. He’s taking it over now.”

Jack’s nostrils flared he loosened his collar.

Mathews walked towards his office and signaled Jack. He closed the door and leaned over his table.

“Apparently the whole city is on lockdown, and it’s all code 99 now. All I know is a bunch of UCOA field agents came in the morning after you left and took over and I was ordered to bring you in.”

Mathews was a big man, and he smelled of cheap aftershave and his white hairs on his head and beard were thick and matted. His lip had a slight scar, and he had a pot belly. Jack notice this man’s face with small pot marks and divots. He had been captain of Numar district for fifteen years.

He reached up and brought down two glasses and filled them up both and handed one to Jack.

They both sat down, and Mathews was staring at Jack a moment.

“Anything I need to know about Jack?”

Jack took his glass, and the bourbon had a sweet and smooth flavor to it.

“Not that I know of... lost, frankly, myself.”

Jack finished his drink and sat the glass on the table.”

Mathews held the glass peering into its golden liquid.

“My father carried this bottle illegally into megacity 30 years ago.”

Jack looked at the bottle and then handed it back to Captain Mathews.

“Dintso, Captain.”

Mathews took the bottle and put back in its keeping place.”

“I would get an earful if they knew we were talking.

“Look, Jack, we’ve known each other what… ten years, now?”

“I’ve always given it to you straight?”

Just, watch your ass and be careful and take care of yourself.”

“Ok?”

Jack just nodded his head and stood up. Mathews opened his door and patted Jack on the shoulder.

“Jack, this is way bigger than all of us.”

Jack remembered that Pasn`e a few hours earlier had said those same exact words.

Jack looked on the Captain’s face. It was a look of endearment, respect and yet a concern. Mathews remembered a call he received from one of the delegates ten years ago. One Jack Marlow fresh from the academy. The phone call was to the point. Hire this cadet and show him the ropes. Captain Mathews then promised never to divulge to Jack this information. Jack had been on the force for a decade and never rock the preverbal boat so to speak. Mathews never questioned authority, and he was fond of Jack. He had watched him blossom and grow into the man that was now standing before him. Grit and full of muscle and determined to complete his mission at whatever the cost. Mathews watch Jack walk away and close the door behind him. Mathews held his drink swirled it around for a second then finished it with a gulp.

Jack headed up in the hela-vator. Jack didn’t know it, but it would be the last time he would see this building or his friend again.

The hela-vator flash blue lights moving up repetitively. The hela-vator made a quiet hollowed tone sound and it was if a stage curtain was being open before Jack’s eyes. She was a beautiful, alluring woman in front of him. He proceeded towards her pushing unprofessional thoughts away from his mind.

Capt Sarah Reynolds was waiting for Jack at the airlift in business attire. She had beautiful dark red hair and ultra-white skin. Her neck was long and well defined. She was tall and looked as if she was in top physical form. As he moved closer to her, she had a pleasant smile. Jack looked her over.

“Citizen Marlow.”

He nodded, and she did the UCOA salute and then shook Marlow’s hand and continued.

“I’ve been assigned to take you UCOA headquarters in the capital district of Centorium.”

Jack walked with her. She was confident and held her head up high. They went to her parked SLV.

She looked at Jack then and touched the door to the SL7. The door opened.

The SAV doors opened vertically, and Sarah sat in the driver’s seat. Jack got in, and she waved her hand over the console.

“Hello, Captain Reynolds. Automated or manual?”

“Manual,” she responded flatly

She operated her hand over the controls lifting the vehicle, and Jack saw the landscape change before him as each view of perspective shifted his vision. The horizon line and perspective changed. He looked down at the people walking, and she leveled the SLV and went into second gear. They were off. Jack never was assigned to Air Way duty. He was of those unlucky bastards that got to look up at these machines from the streets below.