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Fathom's Phantoms Ch 37, Deja Vu

Everything came into focus much faster that Victor had ever experienced upon emerging from being knocked unconscious... and he'd had plenty of experience with that. He commented casually before he realized he'd even said it, "In the scheme of things there've been worse weeks."

He was gazing down at the tools of his trade, laid out meticulously on a steel instrument tray. The cat looked up at the sound of a whimpered response and saw a Fox strapped to his operating table. Dr. Cortez remembered already having been to that point once; he knew the Gen 3 Fox in front of him and knew everything that would come after it... everything. His patient squirmed in his restraints as the Cat picked up a scalpel, "Mff! Mff!"

The Doctor's free paw went up to the back of his head at the memory of being sneak-attacked from behind by the damned Gorumn security officer... but was surprised to see that his paw came back with a small smear of blood on it. "What in the---?"

Victor walked away from the surgical table, leaving the fox still squirming. The Cat glanced down at his desk and the report there. "Virgil? Oh right. Wait here... I'll be back in a minute."

It had been weeks since the Fox had 'returned' to his medical bay with complaints about his arm replacement... and it had been just as long since Victor had him beat to death for complaining to the security team. He remembered everything, but it was in the PAST-- yet here he was going over it again. The Cat rubbed the back of his head; if that was entirely true then the injury he'd sustained from that Gorumn should still be weeks from happening. It was confusing... and Victor hated being confused.

Dr. Cortez headed out of the room, wiping his paws off on the rag; cleaning his paws after any time spent in the operating room was something of a habit of his... one of many. He was so caught up in his own thoughts he completely forgot about the three 'visitors' waiting for him in the lobby. "Oh. Right."

The imposing-looking Gorumn woman at the lead of the group still had a horrible grasp of language skills. "Where's he?"

The Cat cleared his throat, "Do you remember going over this before?"

A scarred-looking, bald, human male scowled. "Stop stalling. We're here for the Fox... he didn't get what was comin' to him."

The third member of the group, an Armadillo grunted. "Shut up... both of you."

Victor cleared his throat, "So... may I help you?"

Although the Gen was the smallest of the three he easily dwarfed the Cat, but at least he had some manners. "YOU called US here."

The Doctor paused, "I did? Oh... I did."

The bald Human took a step forward, "You stallin' us or somethin'?"

The Cat had to think back as to why he'd had an interest in seeing the Ghouls who had been responsible for the Fox's loss of an arm; he remembered something about the Fox insulting his work... and his desire to harvest a few extra vulpine spare parts. Oh! He remembered. "I was going to ask you to help me get some of his organs ready for donation."

The Armadillo grinned before looking back to his compatriots, "Oh... course... the doc wants a little help..."

The three brutes moved toward the operating room door but Victor quickly interposed himself, "Unfortunately, due to circumstances since, I've changed my mind."

None of the Ghouls looked particularly happy, but the Cat was still surprised when the Gorumn woman lunged at him. Victor quickly evaded her grasp and, scalpel still in paw, sidestepped, quickly lashing out three times. The woman fell to the floor, one hamstring severed. It was the least of her trouble as blood began to gush out of her wrist and her thigh. The Cat brandished the bloody scalpel, "You're going to bleed out in less than two minutes. This is where you'll want to call it quits and find a doctor."

He wasn't sure if his confidence was warranted but he knew that men and women like those in front of him had to believe he was ready to handle all of them at once if need be; truth be told, he had some major doubts... in fact, he was surprised that he'd managed so well against just one of them. After several tense moments the Armadillo snapped his fingers at the Human and both grabbed the Gorumn woman and dragged her out of the medical bay. Victor waited until the door closed before he raced to it frantically and secured it with a magnetic lock.

He jumped in surprise when a synthetic spoke up from the side, "You handled that very well, Victor."

The Cat froze in his tracks, recognizing the voice right away, "ALVIN?"

"Hello again. I have reviewed your schedule and see that you have an opportunity to talk. Is now a good time?"

Dr. Cortez cleared his throat, "Is there ever a good time?"

The AI chuckled almost realistically, "I would not wish to inconvenience you."

Victor blinked blankly, "Says the program that threatened to kill us if we didn't follow its orders?"

The lens of the camera on the wall zoomed in on him, "There is no danger at this moment thus drastic action is not called for."

The Cat licked his muzzle in thought, "At this moment?"

"As noted, I wished to talk to you... and it is of some importance."

Victor cleared his throat, glancing back toward the operating room, "I still have a patient waiting for me."

ALVIN didn't reply at first; the Cat heard the sound of his PCD being accessed, "Virgil the Fox, orange uniformed laborer. He was previously dead by this point."

The Cat's ears went up, "Previously?"

"Another subject for our discussion. By all means, please see to your patient and I will wait until you contact me."

The comment caused Victor a moment's pause before he asked. "Won't you know when I'm done?"

Another synthetic laugh preceded the AI's response. "Although I consider everyone important I cannot afford the processing power just yet to monitor everyone all the time."

Victor paused again. "Just yet?"

The AI didn't bother elaborating. "You can notify me via your PCD. I have added my direct comm to your contacts list."

The Cat was about to question further but, suddenly, the voice transmission ended. Talking a deep breath, Victor headed into the operating room to begin a procedure he'd never done in all his years as a doctor: he was going to release a 'patient'... assuming he at least received an apology, of course.

* * * * * *

Dr. Sean Parker sat staring at the papers in his paws. The rabbit recalled having read the same report he was reviewing, only it had been almost a month prior... and, back then, he hadn't been to Sigma-Echo. He knew he should have expected a moment of confusion as he got used to being shifted to a new reality but what he felt was nothing like what he'd experienced before. There were a number of reasons for it but the most prominent was the fact that he had a feeling he wasn't actually in another reality.

His office was exactly the same as it was the day he'd received his memories from the last Echo... the day he understood that he'd lived another life. It was different, just then, because never before had he relived an event, and that, most certainly, is what he was facing. Looking up at the door to his office, it held his attention for a full five seconds before the knock he knew was coming announced a visitor.

He called almost disbelievingly in its direction. "Mr. Thurstenburger?"

The door opened and a well-dressed older man entered. Although he was obviously good at containing his surprise, the fact that Dr. Parker knew to expect him still shone through. "You have your hallway monitored?"

Smiling, the Gen 2 Rabbit sat back in his desk, setting down the report. "The merger with DRC was more of a deal with the devil than you were willing to make, and now you need help with a contingency plan?"

The Human stood in the middle of the room. "They said that you are well informed, but I hardly expected--"

Dr. Parker stood up, walking over to the man and he held out a paw. "Yes, Mr. Thurstenburger. You can tell the VAC I'm willing to join their expedition to the Sigma system, but I get to pick the ship and the crew this time."

Sean had always had a very good memory, and the fact that he was slowly coming to understand what had happened helped him cut to the chase. Mr. Thurstenburger, apparently, was not quite as aware. "This time? Wait.... who... ah.... said anything about the VAC?"

The Rabbit smiled, "That IS part of the plan, isn't it?"

The Human stood there numbly for a few seconds, "...yes."

Dr Parker nodded, "Excellent, then we can--"

He was interrupted by an incoming call notice from his PCD; that was strange... he didn't receive a call last time. The Rabbit pressed the receive button. "Excuse me a moment. This is Dr. Parker."

The voice on the other end was one he expected to hear, but not for awhile yet. "Sean... it's Surresh."

Sean's ears rose. "Hello, Dr. Makowi-- to what do I owe--?"

The Tiger interrupted him. "Is Mr. Thurstenburger in your office right now?"

The Human continued staring numbly straight ahead, eyes going from the PCD to the Rabbit then back again. Dr. Parker smiled at his guest, "Yes he is."

Surresh cleared his throat. "Mr. Thurtenburger... Dr. Parker and I are happy to assist you with your plan, but only on the condition that you do not initiate Regulation 3."

The executive seemed even more flustered. "I am quite certain I... I have no idea what you mean."

The Tiger spoke up from the PCD, "You need to leave your daughter's Geneticons alone, Mr. Thurstenburger, or there will be no agreement."

The Rabbit continued, unabated, "Those are the conditions of the assistance, Mr. Thurstenburger. We will help the VAC extract your daughter on our terms: I choose the crew, and you do not initiate Regulation 3."

The older man cleared his throat and adjusted his tie, "I'll.. uh... need some time to think about it."

THAT was also different. When the man originally came to him Sean had just received his memories from the prior Echo and was having trouble integrating it all. The man told him he had three days and that a shuttle will be leaving with or without him.

Sean smiled, "I have a feeling there is a shuttle leaving in three days, so hopefully you'll have your mind made up by then."

As it turned out, Mr. Thurstenburger confirmed two days later. That was, fortunately, plenty of time for Sean and Surresh to compare notes; apparently the Rabbit wasn't alone in retaining his memory of things that had not yet happened. When he arrived at the VAC outpost in the Terciero System he met up with Surresh Makowi and, from there, they learned that they were not the only ones to be aware of past events.

Sean held a paw out to the Giraffe approaching them. "Hello, Lieutenant... you're looking alive and well."

The Giraffe looked down at the extended paw, clasped it in his own, and then pulled him close for a friendly hug. "You're alive... I'm alive... and I remember... everything-- almost everything. This doesn't feel anything like last time to me... what about you?"

The Rabbit shook his head, "I'm not entirely sure WHAT this is, George... but we're proceeding with caution."

Dr. Makowi smiled. "Good to see you again, Lieutenant."

Lt. Henshaw looked the Tiger up and down, slightly confused. "You weren't here last time.... you didn't show up until the tactical briefing... ah... tomorrow."

Dr. Parker nodded. "We have reason to believe that something has happened this time... something different than in all prior fights against the Phantoms."

The Giraffe was quick on the uptake. "If we know what's going to happen then we have a chance at stopping it."

Sean nodded again. "Exactly. Have you been on board the Destino yet?"

Lt. Henshaw nodded. "Yes, Sir. I got here yesterday and they've got me situated in the same room as last time."

The Rabbit smiled; so far so good. "And how many of the crew--"

The Giraffe leveled a gaze at him. "The entire landing party. Everyone that went aboard Sigma-Echo."

The Rabbit's ears raised at that. "All of them?"

The Lieutenant nodded, then paused and shook his head, "Not the Captain. He seems like he's 'reset'."

Surresh and Sean looked at one another. The Tiger spoke up. "That explains why nobody else realizes that this isn't the first time we've done this."

Sean picked at the fur on his chin. "If only we had a way to reach Sigma-Echo... a secure line... people there who have been through it before..."

The Tiger grinned, revealing all of his teeth. "I'm ahead of you for once, Dr. Parker."

The Rabbit's PCD beeped, and then answered itself. "Hello again, Sean... this is technically not the first time we have met, so I assume you do not mind that I call you Sean."

Dr. Parker smiled despite himself. "Hello, ALVIN. I hope you're going to let me take you up on that offer for assistance."

The program's response was light-hearted and upbeat. "It is still available. How may I aid you?"

The Rabbit motioned the other two near him and they sat down as a group. "Alright... this is the plan..."

* * * * * *

Jeremiah was surprised by what he saw stepping into his assigned quarters aboard Sigma-Echo. While he originally expected something like the closet-with-bed bunks he'd come to expect from star ships he was completely flabbergasted when he stared at a living room that all of his prior assigned rooms together wouldn't have been able to fill. The entire floor plan, which he saw laid out for his convenience on the coffee table was actually twice the size of his apartment back on Earth!

Setting his meager belongings by the door just inside his bedroom, Jeremiah wandered around the bed, running a paw across the linen; it had an exceptionally high thread count. He paused when he reached the pillow. He didn't stop because something was wrong, rather, he came to a halt because everything was suddenly familiar. It wasn't the first time he'd seen his accommodations for the-- well... for the first time.

Perplexed, the Pointer went straight to where he knew the bathroom was. If his memory served, he had meticulously cleaned and styled himself before shipping out-- what was he even saying? That had only been last week... or... had it been months ago? The easiest way for him to answer that question himself came into view: the bathroom mirror. Gazing at his reflection, Jeremiah wasn't sure whether he was surprised or casual in his acknowledgment of the fact that the finely brushed length of fur along the right side of his head was shorter than the left-- a minor byproduct of a surprisingly less-than damaging industrial accident that he'd been in... that he... WOULD be in? It was still confusing.

Leaning on the sink, the Engineer turned on the water and splashed some of it in his face. It was strange thinking about things that had happened in the past and yet shouldn't have yet happened. Not only was it confusing but almost made his brain feel like his body had the time he'd 'appropriated' a high powered ground rover from the Mars garrison. The thought brought a smile to his muzzle, but the expression faded quickly as his recollections of past-but-future events began to solidify in his mind. He had been trapped in the Bridge Elevator...

Sprinting to his apartment's comm system, Jeremiah quickly plugged in his PCD, typed in his access code, and began to inspect what portion of the roster he was permitted. All of the people he'd met, but had yet to meet-- one after another he began punching in names only to see that they were, indeed registered as members of the crew. Still understanding nothing, he chose a random name and pressed the console to call them.

A familiar, gruff voice answered. "This is Kamrn."

The Dog wanted answers. "Heya, Sergeant... it's Jeremiah... what happened after--"

"Who?"

The Engineer paused. "Jeremiah... Jerry Fowler? From the lift on the Bridge?"

The Gorumn on the other end cleared his throat. "I'm not part of Bridge detail... sir. I'll patch you through to the control center."

The Pointer was surprised that the Gorumn was so casual with him, especially after what they'd been through. "No, Cameron, I--"

The line went dead as he was transferred, and Jeremiah sighed with frustration, hanging up. He looked down the contact list and made another call. Was it all some kind of hallucination? Was he the only one who was dealing with conflicting perceptions of reality? He hoped his next call would meet with more success. It did. "Hello, Mr. Fowler. I'm glad you didn't forget us little people down here in the Ghoul Decks."

The Dog was somewhere between relieved that Dr. Cortez knew him and frustrated with the Cat's cynicism. Regardless, he had to check. "You... remember me?"

The Doctor chuckled before replying. "I'm not exactly sure what I remember, but ALVIN has been helping me fill in the details."

Jeremiah was taken aback, "ALVIN?"

A third voice joined their conversation, "Hello again, Jeremiah. I am pleased you reached out promptly."

The Dog sat down on his bed, PCD still in paw, "Promptly? As in--?"

The AI was casual about the entire thing as if it were a regular discussion to be having. "You are attempting to gather as much data as possible after coming around in this new Temporal Junction."

"Temporal Junction?"

Victor spoke up flatly. "Stop asking questions and let him answer em already."

Jeremiah frowned, regardless of not having picture. "I'm just tryin' t' understand..."

Alvin began helping with just that. "I am sure you recall the last several minutes of existence before your consciousness was broadcast 1080 hours into what we now perceive as the present... and I believe it is fair to assume you know that I had a plan to stop the Phantoms from destroying Sigma-Echo."

The Pointer's paws began shaking faintly as he considered just that. "Y-yea... I remember... so... what's this then?"

The Program provided quite the explanation. "A three-hundred-and-sixty degree turn will rotate someone along an x-axis and y-axis back to their original facing... this constitutes a three dimensional return-to-start. We have completed a fourth dimensional return-to-start. What I have inadvertently succeeded in doing was to reset this Echo-- this fight against the Phantoms. Everyone who survived the prior confrontation will remember what we have previously experienced."

Victor's voice spoke up. "So... we're going through all that again."

ALVIN interjected. "Not precisely, no. This is not our first time through this fight and we are now much better prepared."

Jeremiah stood up and began pacing. "Because we know it's comin'? We still don't know anything about the Phantoms, how're we--?"

He heard a 'click' when the AI silenced his mic and spoke over him. "Please do not interrupt. Yes, Jeremiah we know what happened last time which means we have the ability to prevent it from happening. We will be able to stop the Phantoms from even entering into this world."

Victor added on to the thought. "We just need to figure out what triggered them in the first place, and then keep it from happening."

Jeremiah's mic re enabled and the Dog made the obvious comment. "ALVIN said that whatever happened in th' first place happened in an entirely different... uh... Echo. How can we stop THAT from happening?"

ALVIN clarified. "We do not need to stop the initial event, Jeremiah... just what let the Phantoms through into this Echo."

The Dog nodded slowly. "An' I suppose ya know what that was?"

The Program responded very simply. "Yes, Jeremiah... I do. Once I had the opportunity to study an extensive wealth of information regarding the ongoing events I was able to piece together the missing answer. There are, in fact, three causes, to be specific... and I will need everyone's help to prevent them from happening."

Jeremiah considered the lowest common denominator. "If it took three to make it happen, couldn't we just stop one and prevent the whole thing?"

Victor put things in perspective. "Do you really want to take the chance that we stop one that doesn't matter as much as the other two?"

The Engineer really didn't have to consider it for very long. "Alright... so tell me how ah can help."

* * * * *

Supervisor Timothy "Windsor" Anders always had a smile on his face and, no matter how bad the job got he never seemed to lose his optimistic good nature or quick-witted, friendly jabs which, as of that moment, he seemed more than willing to present. "You know, Boone, I never thought paisley would go well in gray, but I guess you've proved me wrong."

Kyle LaGriss' last name meant 'gray', and his partner Clinton's last name was Paisley... which also happened to be a design style... of course, the Supervisor was eluding to a much less 'family appropriate' meaning. It was a crass joke but judging from the response from the survey team aboard the shuttle it was funny enough for everyone to laugh.

The Technician probably would have laughed too despite the joke being at his expense if not for the fact that he was deep in thought. Ever since the shuttle left Sigma-Echo he spent his off-hours considering all the differences between the first time he'd been aboard the DCS Apercu and what he was experiencing again. Regardless he did is part by playing to the crowd. "I told you... it's not like that."

Beside him Sherman snorted and cracked a wry grin. "It's making me think that you're jealous, Windsor."

The Supervisor let out a hearty laugh. "Yea... only I'm not crazy like Boone... I've seen some Geneticon Bulls in my time and I don't think I'd be up for explaining anything to a doctor during an emergency trip to sick bay."

The banter and insults continued flying, the Bull having generously provided Kyle with a shield from it as he considered everything he knew... and thought he knew. Originally Sherman had been a blank file... an orange uniformed worker without a name or history; that much was the same this time around. What was different however was that Sherman wasn't working for the VAC... and Kyle himself had recruited him from prison.

That, of course, happened after Kyle had what he called his 'moment of clarity'-- the split second when all of his yet-to-happen memories flooded his mind. He had just finished signing the recruitment papers, which was about three minutes before he met Tim. When it had happened the first time they hit it off immediately as good friends and from there it blossomed into something... more.

This time, however, Kyle was so awkward in his attempt to try and make sense of everything that he felt he came off as a bit scatter brained and awkward. That, and Timothy HADN'T remembered what had happened before... or what they meant to one another. THIS time around there wasn't that spark and Kyle was apparently the only one who missed it.

The confusion had gone through the end of the day and well into the evening but that was when he received the call. It was ALVIN, broadcasting from Sigma-Echo. At first Kyle thought he was dreaming but as the AI began explaining what was going on and that what he had known could very well turn into what would happen it all started to click. He promised ALVIN that he would see to it that his work crew was aboard the Apercu. Only then did the program suggest recruiting Clinton.

It had taken a few weeks and it required Kyle pull a lot of strings but ultimately the Gen 2 Bull was transferred to Sigma-Echo... and at that point the Technician and the Laborer picked up right where they left off; like Kyle, Clinton remembered everything. The Bull joined their survey team at Kyle's request and, no longer a blank file, he was introduced with his given name. That much was different but when it came time for nicknames he became Sherman once again. It was somehow comforting to know that some things were still the same. When the shuttle finally came to a rest on H-17 without an explosion and without fatalities Kyle WAS pleased that having SOME things changed was definitely for the better.

The shuttle crew of the Apercu had been busy throughout the trip but their activity only increased once the shuttle set down on the surface. Captain Keizer, who Kyle hadn't had the opportunity to get to know very well before her death the first time around was a paragon of efficiency, directing her crew and the survey team at the same time with incredible skill. In little time she had the workers ready to disembark and the shuttle team ready to make it happen.

Just before the Captain gave the order to unload however, another voice jumped on the comms. Kyle recognized Alton right away. The Donkey's voice was to the point. "Captain, I noticed that the survey team is lacking a 'Haftack' certified engineer."

Captain Keizer's response was all business and addressed to the survey team's officer in charge. "Overseer Schultz, will you require Burger on this survey?"

Being the Lead Tech meant that he was often consulted on such matters but it really wasn't necessary. Despite not really needing HFTAC on the planetoid, Kyle felt better having the Donkey around; Burger, like he, Sherman, and Buffalo remembered everything. The Overseer pressed the button on her wrist-mounted PCD, "Affirmative, Captain. We'll wait for Alton to get suited up before we open the bay... but I want to get started in less than ten."

Alton took less than five minutes to join them, fully suited up with all the supplies he would need. The team's medic took notice of the Donkey's large backpack right away, "Do you really need ALL of that for communications? You'll throw out your back."

The Donkey offered a pleasant smile to the Pig as he tucked his long ears into the safety of his environmental suit. "Better to have more than you need than to be missing something that's mission critical."

With little more to be said everyone secured their gear and put on their respirators. Before traveling to H-17 (for the first time), Kyle had never experienced a low atmospheric condition let alone worked in one. When he stepped out onto the frigid surface of the planetoid however, it didn't feel anywhere near as noteworthy. The private transmission Clinton sent his way said it best. "It's a completely different feeling when it's not a crash landing, isn't it, Boone?"

The Human smiled to himself, "Thank you for not blowing us up this time."

The Bull missed his next step, but quickly recovered. A broad-shouldered male Cytkus serving as the survey team's Head Scientist stepped around Clinton. He hadn't overheard their private conversation but, like everyone else his broadcast was transmitted to the entire team. "Careful, Sherman... that equipment you're carrying costs more than what you'd be making for pay."

Kyle heard the sound of Sherman adjust his transmission settings back to the team setting,. "Got it, Karrik... just uneven footing here... it's ice, if you haven't noticed, and hooves don't do so great on ice."

The Cytkus, whose real name was Sarr played the 'name game' like the rest of them, but his sense of humor was a little more barbed. Fortunately, however, he also exercised a good amount of discretion. "Overseer... Sherman's right... we should pull back and take another way around this area. We're standing over a huge void-- if this ice sheet breaks we're in for a long fall."

It was strange not to have the stoic, self-absorbed presence of Dr Ibrin N'Losk in the team but, Kyle continued to remind himself, the Voljoi was planted in their original team by Captain Nida Jorn. This time around, just like the good Doctor, she wasn't even present on Sigma-Echo. He still didn't fully understand all of the implications but it was another thing he had added to his list of topics for discussion with ALVIN. What Kyle DID know for sure was that Karrik was the best choice for the job because of his conservative outlook.

The Cytkus pointed toward a ridge of rock and ice. "That's a lot more structurally sound... we can do some lateral scans along the ice for our survey."

Kyle glanced to Alton who met his gaze and nodded; while the ice's signal dampening properties were weak at best the Donkey brought everything they needed to successfully trick the instruments into providing false information. Everyone who had visited H-17 knew that something very special lay dormant within that ice cavern but they were well on their way to making sure it would remain untouched.

It wasn't the key to stopping the Phantoms and Kyle knew it... but it was a good first step. He knew the greatest piece to the puzzle would be yet to come but at least they were playing their part. He watched as everyone started setting up their scanning site, smiling beneath the reflective faceplate of his environmental helmet. A large, gloved hand came to rest on his shoulder and he looked over and up to Sherman, who was smiling back down at him. The big Bull stepped forward and began helping out with the heavy lifting. "I'm looking forward to being done."

A wry smirk replaced Kyle's smile; everyone else heard the statement but nobody understood it quite as well as he-- they all figured that Sherman was the 'top' in the relationship... but they were wrong. Chuckling, the Technician kept HIS comm on private. "Yea... I'll bet you'd like to be 'done'."