Dark Phase by Jonathan Davison Read Free Book Online

did not notice his meddling. After supper, which calmed and cooled, Sarazen collected his thoughts in silent contemplation whilst Keera sat by his side stroking his arm awaiting the night and the inevitable sleep. He awaited the dark phase with trepidation. In the short space of one cycle, he had experienced a lifetime of emotions; he had crossed the threshold of sentience. He ceased to just 'be', he now lived, much like the organics who fought every moment for their continued existence and despite that battle bringing terror, pain and suffering, the one thing they feared most was the inevitable death which would bring an end to all of these things. Sarazen had begun to understand why even when life brought such pain, it was something that he would fight to keep hold of. He would not give up his sentience at all costs and if rejoining his kind in communal ignorance would put an end to his freedom, then he would make sure that that could never again happen.
    “ It is time my darling.” Keera cooed gently in Sarazen’s aural receptors. Indeed it was, the light of the Star was dwindling and he could feel his functions slowing. Moving to the pods, Sarazen gently ushered his companion in and even pulled the network cable from the node and placed it in her hand. He touched her forehead with the tip of his finger and rolled it down her cheek.
    “ Good night, Keera.” He whispered as she smiled and plugged the cable into her data port. Sarazen then stepped up to his own pod and pulled the thick shiny cable towards his abdomen. Looking over to his companion nervously, he carefully watched her to make sure she had safely initiated connectivity and fell into an oblivious sleep. Holding the cable to his belly but never engaging the fastening, he stood back and awaited the curious sensation of power loss and its subsequent effect of an empty, dreamless sleep.

 
    CHAPTER 7
     
    Sarazen awoke, slowly at first but then, when regaining his sense of awareness, sharply as he fought to clear his vision to make sure his partner was still asleep. As clarity returned, he felt a wave of relief as he noted Keera, still succumbed to the dark phase and still connected to her umbilical. Sarazen’s cable was still firmly grasped in his hand, a short measure away from his data port which now began to close up as the light resurrected the thinking machine. Sarazen stepped forward from the pod and stretched his limbs to shake off the inactivity of the night. The light streaming through the window was not as bright as usual and the dark, pendulous and corrosive clouds outside offered nothing but a dark, difficult light phase ahead. No silicant enjoyed the corrosive rains; they tainted all they touched with their all encompassing blanket.
    Keera began to stir and Sarazen stepped up to her pod to greet her into the morning light as he always did. Keera fumbled at her umbilical cable and tossed and turned as she fought off the draining slumber. Sarazen felt that something was wrong; usually her rising would be an easy one. He placed a hand to her forehead to check to see if her temperature was rising as normal but just as he did, she lurched and jolted into consciousness. Stepping back in fright, Sarazen felt suddenly cold as she stood there in silence, staring at him with her suddenly intense and steely eyes.
    “ Oh my! What have you done?” She hissed. Her usually light and breathy voice suddenly contorted and distorted. Sarazen took another step back. His mind raced, he did not recognise his companion, she was now a dark stranger, a foe, the emissary of an angry Mother. Sarazen did not speak, he could not think of an appropriate response. His silence was shattered however when suddenly, his living space door flew open and he realised that the previous cycle’s thoughts regarding fighting for his freedom were about to be realised and he was going to have to live up to his own lofty expectations.
    In the doorway stood a large imposing silicant