SWNOVELS Chapter Empty
Empty
Block 7,927,978
Han enters the node center. In keeping with his new protocol, he walks to the desk and places the satchel on the desk. He takes the Beta console out and puts it on the desk. He sits down, puts his glasses on, and begins reviewing the data. “Synchronization in progress... estimated time 3:45:12...” flashes across the AI interface. Han understands what this means now, but all he cares about are the numbers.
“AI, call Min.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Ok, are you seeing what I’m seeing?”
“Yep, everything seems to be progressing with no issues. But, wait, hold on...”
“Min, what’s going on? Min? Min?”
Han is waiting impatiently. Several minutes go by, and he watches the number countdown.
“So sorry, Mr. Tan. The EMC director, Arman, called in while we were on. He is not very happy. I explained what we were doing and that we notified EMC per protocol. He still didn’t seem very happy. He is one tightly wound-guy. Anyway, I told him we are monitoring everything and need a full-scale integration before we figure out if this will work. I feel you may be getting a call from him as well.”
“Ok, no worries, I can handle it.”
“Mr. Tan, I suggest we just upload this data, work with it in our AI and go from there.”
“Ok, sounds good. Huifen is joining me shortly so I will be out of pocket until early tomorrow, after our sunrise time together.”
“Yes, of course.”
Han stares at the numbers clicking down. There’s not much to do at this point. “Now, time to focus on Huifen and the kids.” He thinks. He returns to the desk, packs everything up, walks out of the node center, and looks at the mystery device again. Everything seems to be in order.
He enters the AAPD.
“AI, call Huifen.”
“Hello, Lǎopó.”
“Hi, Lǎo Go.”
“I’ve completed my work here at the node.”
“Wow, that was quick.”
“Yeah, we are waiting for some data to upload, so I’ll finish tomorrow after our date. Where are you now?”
Han hears her command AI.
“We are over, Daxiang. I think...”
The call goes silent.
“Huifen? Huifen?”
“AI, call Huifen.”
“Unable to call,” AI replies.
“What do you mean? Call Huifen!”
“Unable to call, unable to connect.”
Han then notices red lights flashing within the AAPD.
“Alert, Alert, Alert.”
“Aerial Autonomous Personal Drone with Huifen, Haoyu, Lixin, and Lilly has crashed in Daxiang district.”
The alert repeats.
“Aerial Autonomous Personal Drone with Huifen, Haoyu, Lixin, and Lilly has crashed in Daxiang district.”
Han stares in disbelief outside of the AAPD. Trying to quickly understand. He was just talking with her.
“AI, plot course to the crash site!” He screams.
The AAPD lifts off and heads over Quanzhou Bay towards Daxiang. The route is as low as possible to minimize flight time.
“AI, casualty report!”
“Unknown.”
“Status of AAPD!”
“Unknown.”
“Shit! Shit! Fuck. Can you go any faster? Go, Go, Go!” He yells. His face is red now. His heart is racing, and he begins to pour in sweat. He can feel the tremor of adrenaline encasing his body. He knows he will soon lose the ability to think clearly.
“GO!” He hits the console of the drone.
“AI, call Min!” He yells.
“Hello?”
“Min, my wife’s drone went down in Daxiang near Quanzhou. Please get there ASAP!”
“Oh, my SO! Yes, sir.”
A new alert comes in while Han is speeding toward Daxiang.
“Yes?” He says with urgency.
“Mr. Tan, this is Arman with ...” Before Arman can continue, “Fuck, I know who you are. What do you want?”
“Your new deployment of the...”
“Fuck you... my wife’s drone just went down.” Han hangs up.
Han’s AAPD approaches the crash site. Emergency drones and emergency personnel are on site. Debris is scattered over a wide field. Han assumes there has been an explosion at altitude.
“AI, descend! Land near crash!”
“Can not comply.”
“What? Descend now!”
“Can not comply. Unauthorized area.”
“Han AI, counter. Land.”
“Can not comply. Unauthorized area.”
Han watches helplessly as the debris is cleaned. He sees no signs of his wife or children.
“Lǎopó, my Lǎopó! Lilly! Haoyu! Lixin! My dear wife, my children, where are you?” He begins to cry. He’s shaking. He screams at the top of his lungs, “Why? Why? How? Damn SO! DAMN SO!”
The lights within the AAPD begin to change. Han knows AI is recording what he’s saying and attempting to adjust his mood. “Damn, SO! Damn SO! How could this be? No warning. AI should know! Damn, SO!”
Han rages inside the machine of the AAPD. His cries go unheard as the AAPD silently shuttles him along.
“No! No! I can’t go home! Han Tech, please!” He screams.
The AAPD course corrects and heads to Han Tech.
The drone lands on the roof of Han Tech. The hatch opens, but Han sits, weeping. Han Tech personnel soon emerge from the rooftop elevator and approach Han.
“Please, Mr. Tan. Please come.” One of them extends their hands and reaches for Han’s hand. He doesn’t move. They gently grab his hand and pull him toward them. He stands, but his legs buckle. Another assistant quickly grabs him, and they carry him to the elevator. Another grabs his satchel. They take him to his office and lay him down on his couch. The AI is working to adjust his mood, but he rolls onto his side with his face toward the back of the sofa. He pulls his legs up towards his chest. He weeps.
The Han Tech personnel leave him.
Han sleeps until the sun comes up the following day. Then, he walks to get his satchel and takes out his notepad, and begins to write:
Love, Love, I never heard.
Love, Love is all I ever learned.
Love, Love is all I ever said
Sweet dreams, my loves
My dream was to hold your hands one more time.
Suddenly, my dream was no more.
Love, Love, I never heard.
Love, Love is all I ever learned.
Love, Love is all I ever said
Sweet dreams, my loves
My dream was to hear “my love” one more time.
Suddenly, my dream was no more.