Adam’s Rebirth
A 3-hands short-story - http://www.3hands-novel.com02.com
C CH HA AP PT TE ER R0 01 1 ((0 02 2--2 26 6--2 20 00 02 2)) 2000, December the 21st, 23h40. So dark, so long and cold, with only three little lamps deep-set into large black walls, and so calm. With its stinking air, the atmosphere of Death Row is certainly heavier than anywhere over the Earth. But today, that calm has been broken. "- You're making a mistake! I'm not Adam! I am Andy! You listen to me? I am Andy Wasp! Set me free! You can't do this! You... - Shut up! You should stop and not make me angry. The more you complain, the more you'll suffer, Adam! I hope you understand." Allsgood lit a cigarette and asked to Barkley, one of his special agents, to gag the prisoner. General Everett Allsgood is 45. Born in Dallas, he joined the U.S Army when we was 20, after succeeding brilliant studies at school and at university. Thanks to the American success in the Gulf War, he became a very important person, and got quickly an important post in the army. Most people are afraid of him, because of his appearance (about 6 foot 4 inches, and more than 230 pounds), but also because of his bad reputation and his bad temper. Moreover, a great scar under his right ear reminded how much he had liked fighting with knives since he was young. Besides, he keeps his favourite knife with him, just in case.... “Good, It's better like this. You should take advantage of your last moments of live. Barkley, take care of him, I'll be back in a quarter. If anything happens, you'll remember me the rest of your life!” Allsgood opened a door and disappeared in a small corridor. The 4 special agents and the prisoner continued walking through the long, high and dark Death Row. A few minutes later, they arrived in front of a huge railing. “Open the door, it's Barkley, with the prisoner”, he shouted to the warders stationed behind the railing. The railing opened. The end of the Death Row appeared. Behind a huge armoured glass, the electric chair was standing in the centre of the room. It was black and very cold, built of steel. It was so impressive and so frightening that it could freeze anyone's blood. Nevertheless, So powerful was it that it seemed to emit an inconspicuous heat, "maybe the prisoner we electrocuted last night", Barkley thought. He stayed imperturbable, having witnessed a lot of executions in his life. This was not the case of the three other agents. So, one of them, a bit impressed about it, stopped to look at the prisoner for a moment. The prisoner tried to escape from them. Barkley ran and stopped him, punching him in the head. The prisoner fell to the floor, looking at Barkley. “After that, you won't try that again!”, Barkley said, furiously. He turned round quickly to face the agent responsible of the prisoner's escape, angry with him. With a little sadistic smile which highlighted a wrinkle next to his lips, Barkley punched the agent in the stomach. “Neither will you!”, he added, and turned back round to the prisoner. “Get up now!”, Barkley ordered the prisoner who had just lost consciousness.
Released on 14/04/03 ©ABies77 – All rights reserved
Adam’s Rebirth
A 3-hands short-story - http://www.3hands-novel.com02.com
C CH HA AP PT TE ER R0 02 2 ((0 02 2--2 26 6--2 20 00 02 2)) Five months before... On a rainy afternoon, Andy Wasp was putting on his coat to go working. “Goodbye darling” Ginger said to him. “Bye” Andy replied, kissing her. While he was walking across the garden, Andy shuddered: a strange feeling had crossed his mind, as if someone had been looking at him with bad intentions. He shook his head and whispered: ”Stop thinking such a silly thing Andy! There is no one in the street apart from those children who are playing and laughing”. Then Andy continued walking towards his car, and started it. But Andy hadn't seen the man sitting in the tree in his girlfriend's garden. He hadn't seen his face which was amazingly like Andy's own, even to the beauty-spot on the right cheek. When Andy disappeared round the corner of the road, the man got down the tree. He stared at the place where he last saw Andy and said: “Hello Andy. I am Adam, your double. And now that I am free, I will have such a nice life as you have”. Then Adam walked until a call box, and dialed Ginger's number: “- Hello, Ginger speaking. - Hi darling. I forgot to invite you for a restaurant this evening. - Oh great! You are not used to going out on Monday, but it will change our habits. And where will we be eating? - At “Antoine's”. Someone told me it is a good French restaurant. - Last month you told me it was much too expensive! - That was to create a surprise! - I am so happy! I will be waiting for you tonight. - See you tonight, at eight. Bye. - Bye my love”. Adam rang off, and his smile revealed his perfect teeth. “From this moment, we will see which one will become the ‘real’ Andy Wasp, dear clone”, said Adam, and he started to laugh. He was not aware of people around who were looking at him.
Released on 14/04/03 ©ABies77 – All rights reserved
Adam’s Rebirth
A 3-hands short-story - http://www.3hands-novel.com02.com
C CH HA AP PT TE ER R0 03 3 ((0 03 3--1 19 9--2 20 00 02 2)) Andy arrived at Esperanto's military base twenty minutes after he had left his house. He drove his car in front of to the impressive entrance door which was of the base and inserted his access card into the control panel. The machine made a shrill noise and gave Andy's card back with its digital voice saying: "Access granted Mr. Wasp, good morning." A smile appeared on his face: all the electronic and computerised devices amused him very much. A machine telling you something like: "Hello" or "You are wearing a nice tie today sir" was, in his opinion, a mark of intelligence. He was the kind of person who believed that the machines would rule the world in the very near future, and he was always astonished by the constant progress in these domains. While he was driving through the base, he went past the building where he and the other marines were training for close combat, shooting and other things dealing with killing and murdering. Three years before, he had passed a very tough and selective test to join the Special Forces in order to become a marine. He was the only one chosen among 1,230 candidates and then suffered from the intensive army training. To tell the truth, Andy had a very athletic body: being 6 feet tall for 177 pounds, and strong legs, powerful chest muscles, wide shoulders and very well-formed abdominals drawn helped him not to be bothered by the other kids during his childhood. In fact, he was against any form of violence and always came between those who were quarrelling: his presence commanded respect and he was very well-liked by everybody. Moreover, he was crazy about sport: leader of his university football team that had won the California national tournament in 1995, very tactical boxer and always in the top third of the class, everything was in favour of this promising young sportsman. Until that damned Thursday in July. During the usual end of year school party, Andy was flirting with Sonya Rips, one of the most beautiful girls in the class, and when he wanted to go outside with her, Jack Everett and two other guys at the exit stopped them. Jack was the poorest in the class, the complete opposite of Andy, and he did not like him very much. In fact, Jack really hated Andy for several reasons: Andy was one of the most popular students whereas Jack was unknown. Andy had yet known his time of glory whereas Jack knew only defeats. Andy always flirted with beauties whereas Jack had never had a girlfriend. And now Andy would go out with the girl of his dreams! Jack provoked him and Andy tried to pass by moving him away from him. And then it was tragedy: used to fighting and to pushing the other guys at football, Andy's arm was very strong and Jack fell down and broke his neck on the stairs. Fortunately, the police concluded it was not Andy's fault and cleared him. But that was the beginning of a difficult period for Andy: he was obliged to leave his football team because of the bad reputation that followed him and he lost the great majority of his friends overnight. His results went down and he decided to leave the university, haunted by the death of Jack. That was at this period that he decided to join the army, which was the only solution he could think of to forget this bad memory. He did several top-secret missions during the next two years and some of the friends he had known as a fresh recruit were killed during the operations managed by the government. These memories made him sad and he decided to think about something more cheerful. He finally arrived in front of the officers' building that was situated approximately at the North of the military base. He jumped out of his car and said to himself while walking to the entrance of the building: "Ok! Now you stop thinking of those damn things and go to work mister Wasp!"
Released on 14/04/03 ©ABies77 – All rights reserved
Adam’s Rebirth
A 3-hands short-story - http://www.3hands-novel.com02.com
C CH HA AP PT TE ER R0 04 4 ((0 03 3--2 22 2--2 20 00 01 1)) One Week before... The artificially bright whiteness of the huge room contrasted with the real nature of the base. Built under the mountains during the Cold War to prevent nuclear attacks from the U.S.S.R, the base became in 1991 one of the main American secret centers for scientific research, entirely supervised by the Pentagon. Around the shiny black table, some scientists from the genetics division and agents from the Pentagon were gathered to discuss all the latest discoveries and current experiments. The A1C-Project was one of the topics. Andrew Sheffield, forty-two years old, a brilliant scientist specialised in human genetics, has been in charge of the genetics division since 1992. With his staff, he succeeded in creating a revolutionary technique of cloning. So, in 1997, General Allsgood, who represented the base in the Pentagon, gave permission to start experiments on a guineapig. He ordered Robert Barkley, his hired man, to supervise it. The Adam-First Clone Project was born. Barkley's most important interest was this project. "- He's now got an adult body but, as I was afraid, he's as intelligent as the original, but he's immature. I had said that three years was not enough to make a well-balanced adult clone and... - I know that! You have been repeating the same thing for three years!", said Barkley, interrupting Sheffield in a resigned tone. Looking at Sheffield, Barkley added: "- We both know he's intelligent and very obedient, so I'm sure he will soon have enough maturity to become the best soldier ever known. He will be the first model of a new generation of soldiers. - I'm very sorry but I think you'll have to wait longer than you think! - What do you mean exactly? - I mean that the clone has been going wrong for a few days now. The time difference between his mind and his body is now too important. Day by day, he is getting unstable. I'm afraid he could become dangerous for himself. I think we won't succeed with the A1C, and we should stop... - Oh no! Do you know how much the A1C cost? We have to finish and make a success of it!", said Barkley, who started getting angry. Barkley was usually calm, sometimes giving the impression that nothing really mattered to him. So Sheffield started to be afraid of him. He had never seen him as angry as that day. He had never heard him shouting. It was the first time Sheffield had seen how dangerous Barkley could be. "- Calm down and have a look at Adam on the wallscreen. I think you'll understand my worries", said Sheffield as he pushed a button on the monitor incorporated in the black table. So a large part of the wall lit up. The image came from a movie-camera. "- Here's Adam's cell. - It seems as quiet as usual", noted Barkley. "- It's very surprising", added Sheffield. As he was rotating the movie-camera into Adam's cell, Sheffield felt cold sweat running down his spine. And quickly, Barkley got angry. Indeed, seeing Adam's warder lying on the floor, they both understood what had happened: Adam had left his cell.
Released on 14/04/03 ©ABies77 – All rights reserved
Adam’s Rebirth
A 3-hands short-story - http://www.3hands-novel.com02.com
C CH HA AP PT TE ER R0 05 5 ((0 06 6--2 26 6--2 20 00 01 1)) While Barkley was pushing the alarm button, Adam was hidding behind a thick bush outside the fence round the base. Suddenly a shrill loud noise resounded through the mountains. "It's not worth hunting for me", thought Adam. "I have finally succeeded in escaping from that jail you call a base and I won't be living there anymore." Then Adam started running during nearly two hours, and arrived at a station apparently deserted. A large and pretentious sign announced it was "Hudigston station". Hudigston was a small village in the Appalachian Mountains. Adam took only three minutes to recover his breath, as he was used to running: that was part of his daily training. Then he addressed the man standing beside the track: "- Hello sir. Can you help me ? Is there any train going through here ?" An old man with a long beard turned round and answered him: "- You're lucky young man! The only train this week will arrive in a few minutes. It goes to Rochester. - Can I buy a ticket, please ? - Oh sorry, you'll have to buy one on the train. The company says that it costs most to come here to get the money than what tickets cost. There are so few people here... - Right, I understand." Adam and Joe, the old man, started to talk about the region which, little by little was being deserted by young people who preferred moving to big towns. Joe was just saying it was a pity that nobody wanted to be a farmer when the train arrived, announced by its traditional whistle. After buying a ticket with the money he had stolen from the warders he had knocked-out, Adam settled himself in an empty compartment. Then he started to think about all these events that had led him to this train. All had begun one year ago, when one member of staff said one harmless sentence to another: "How is our clone today ?". Adam might not have noticed it, but the other whispered: "Shut up! If Sheffield hears you calling Adam that way, you'll be fired !". Then Adam started to collect information about himself and his supposed life. In fact, as soon as nobody watched him, he went search on Sheffield's papers. Once, he was nearly caught, but as he was supposed to know nothing, he had no reason to look in secret papers, and was not suspected. Moreover, officially it was just a military training base, so it was not supposed to contain any secret papers. What he found almost made him insane! He was not the boy who had lost his parents when he was a baby and was brought up by Sheffield as representative of the US nation. Neither had he lost his memory in a car accident. Sheffield had been lying to him for three years, Adam would never trust him again. Three years... his age! Whereas the Original, as it was written on the secret documents Adam found, was 25. He was only a clone, a clone of that guy, Andy Wasp. But now, Adam knew everything about Andy thanks to what he had found. Full of resentment and anger, it was then Adam decided to steal Andy's life. He might have the right to lead a normal life. "We'll be arriving in Rochester in five minutes", said a mechanical voice through the train's loudspeakers. Adam felt he had been awaken from a nightmare by the voice. He put the papers he had been reading into his jacket's pocket, and moved to the door of the train. "You're in Rochester station. Please check you haven't left anything on the train", said the same artificial voice. Adam got off the train and asked an employee where the International Credit Bank was. Hopefully Adam had been given a complete apprentice-ship in computer science in the base and he was gifted in it. So he had prepared his escape by opening a bank account with some money he had embezzled. "Taxi!" shouted Adam, raising his arm. A taxi stopped next to him and Adam got it.
Released on 14/04/03 ©ABies77 – All rights reserved
Adam’s Rebirth
A 3-hands short-story - http://www.3hands-novel.com02.com
C CH HA AP PT TE ER R0 06 6 ((0 03 3--2 23 3--2 20 00 01 1)) While the taxi was running through the city, Adam was contemplating Rochester's boutiques and buildings. Indeed, he was like a child in toys' shop: he had only seen towering skyscrapers and beautiful high buildings on photos when he was in his golden jail. And Rochester really exhibited the image of a montage of old and new, tradition and innovation. There was so much to see! Life was suddenly so delightful! He went by the University of Rochester and the beautiful riverside Convention Center poising gracefully over the Genesee River. The word "elegance" came to him spontaneously: all seemed to be like a paradise on Earth. He thought of all the wonders that were in the whole world and decided to visit them before he is old and with white hair. But that would be after he would see his "copy" right in the eyes. Adam finally arrived at the International Credit Bank. He went out of the taxi and paid the driver fifteen dollars for the course. The great building that hold half the money of the city in its safes was standing right in front of him. He climbed the stairs with difficulties, with the fear that his swindling would be discovered. He finally crossed the huge entrance door and entered in a cold world: the floor was covered with grey tiles and the general atmosphere of the main great wall recalled Adam his old jail. He stayed for a moment in the centre of the room, surprised and afraid at the same time. He then decided to go to the window numbered thirteen. "- What can I do for you, mister?", asked the young girl on the other side of the window. "- I... I simply want to make a withdrawal", said Adam a bit disturbed by this pretty employee. "- Of course, sir. Might you please performed that request paper in order to complete the transaction?". She made the paper to slide under the window and Adam took it. That was an official document that asked him to note down his name and his count number. "- May you also give me your identity card, please?", the sweet girl asked him with her beautiful smile. "- Here it is", said Adam with a trembling voice. He knew that it would be a difficult try. In fact, he had no idea about the time the bank would make to be aware of the imposture. He filled the paper in the blanks and gave it back to the employee. She then transcribed all the information and waited for a response from her computer. Adam felt faint and began to imagine the worst. He looked behind him and tried to evaluate the distance that separated him from the outside. "- Your request is granted Mister Belmondau; Here is your money. Have a nice day." Adam jumped. "- Th... Thank you very much miss", he stammered. He took the money and turned around without checking the amount, going toward the main entrance. He had only made three steps when he heard: "- Wait a minute sir!" Adam was petrified. They had discovered the deception! And the computer told her not to let him leave the bank. The outside was at about thirty or forty feet out of him, and perhaps he would have the time to reach it before the alarm would ring. But something prevented him to do so. The game was over and the cops would be here in ten minutes. "- You forgot your identity card mister! Here you are", said the young girl. Adam quickly took his card, stammered thanks and reached the outside of the bank in a light time. "Wow! That was too close!", thought Adam. "I felt like my last hour arrived." He strolled for a while in the streets of the city and finally found a quiet place in order to look at his loot. 1,000 dollars! That was the amount he successfully stole to the bank! With the help of that sum, he would be able to reach easily Auburn City, near Seneca Lake. That was, according to his sources, where his "blood brother" lived recently. But in a first time, it would be a good idea to rest for while in a harmless hotel. He quickly found what he was searching for, took a room for the night and rapidly felt in a deep sleep, forgetting that nearly all the US army was searching for him all day and all night long.
Released on 14/04/03 ©ABies77 – All rights reserved
Adam’s Rebirth
A 3-hands short-story - http://www.3hands-novel.com02.com
C CH HA AP PT TE ER R0 07 7 ((0 06 6--2 26 6--2 20 00 01 1)) The huge room, as bright as usual, is nevertheless noisier than usual. All the scientists and special agents of the base were here, discussing each other in a noisy hum. Colonel Barkley was looking at them, obviously tired, but also clearly angry. "- Be Quiet! Listen to me!" he said. But there was too much noise in the room. He punched the black table. "- Shut up! The next one who says anything will have a lot of trouble with me!", Barkley shouted. Seeing the crack Barkley had made on such a strong table, they all quickly felt silent. "- It's about three days since Adam escaped from his cell. You're all stupid! There aren't a thousand ways to leave the base! Any explanation? - He didn't go out of the base by the south entry. We would have seen him", said a captain. "There were enough soldiers to keep an eye on each square meters there! - We found some strange dust in a room near Adam's cell. I think he tried to leave the base using the ventilation pipe", added a soldier. "- You think he tried to leave?! Are you all as stupid as this guy? Adam went probably several hears ago, perhaps several days! We must find him quickly. One or two more days, and he could have left the USA. - We can't be sure he's gone", Sheffield remarked. "He doesn't know anything about life outside. He doesn't even know what he is!" Another soldier, named Gellar, a bit embarrassed, approached Sheffield. "I'm not sure he doesn't, Dr Sheffield! I remember, a few months ago, Stillberg accidentally made a comment like 'How's the clone today?' or something like that. I was sure Adam hadn't heard anything, but I'm not so sure anymore! - Nice! Things couldn't be worse! ....", Barkley said. Running in, Stillberg approached Barkley and interrupted him. "- Colonel Barkley, we've just discovered that a part of the west fence is damaged. Adam could have left the base there. - So now, we're sure he's gone! Oh, wait a minute soldier: you're Stillberg, aren't you? - Yes, I am!", Stillberg answered, astonished and happy to be recognised by the colonel. "- Come on Gellar! You told me a few minutes ago that Stillberg said... Sorry, would you remind me what he said? - Something like 'How's the clone today?' Colonel", Gellar answered, beginning to freak out. "Right!". Barkley was angrier than ever. He stood up violently, facing Gellar and punched him in the stomach. Afraid of what the colonel had done, Stillberg stepped back frightened of what could happen to him. Barkley turned round, looked at Stillberg with a sadistic smile, took out his gun and killed him. "- I don't need such stupid guys here. If anyone else has something to confess, it's time! The others can get out, except you, Dr Sheffield!" Few seconds later, they were alone in the room. Barkley seemed to have calm down now, while Sheffield was still frightened by what had happened. "- And now Sheffield, what do you think Adam would do? - There... There are two possibilities: if Adam doesn't know what he is, he could travel over the USA, without any target, and could be anywhere. But I think we can suppose he does know, so he will probably try to find the Original. - Why would he want to meet this guy? - I'm not sure he would try to meet him: seeing him would be enough to convince Adam he's a clone. Then he could make the decision to build his own life somewhere else, but Adam has been jealous and unstable for several weeks, so I think he might want to replace the Original! - A kind of you've-stolen-my-life-til-today-but-now-it's-my-turn game? - Yes, something like that.
Released on 14/04/03 ©ABies77 – All rights reserved
Adam’s Rebirth
A 3-hands short-story - http://www.3hands-novel.com02.com - O.K.! Take all Adam's files, and search for the Original. I'm going to call Allsgood! The General will enjoy hearing about what happened here!" Sheffield left the room, worried about the future of the project. Adam would probably be caught, but what would happen next? Would they keep him alive, or kill him and start a second experiment? An hour later, all alone, Barkley hung up the phone after talking to General Allsgood. Of course, Allsgood was furious. Barkley would have to catch Adam quickly. But Barkley kept calm and smiled: "Dead or alive! The hunt starts now, Adam!"
Released on 14/04/03 ©ABies77 – All rights reserved
Adam’s Rebirth
A 3-hands short-story - http://www.3hands-novel.com02.com
C CH HA AP PT TE ER R0 08 8 ((0 06 6--2 26 6--2 20 00 01 1)) The knock on the door made Barkley to wake up. With the events of those days, he hadn't slept, at night, so he had a short rest of an hour. "Come in", Barkley said. Sheffield entered the room. "- Sorry to disturb you, but we have found where the Original is. - At least some good news. So where does he live? - He lives in a town called Auburn City, near Seneca Lake. His name is Andy wasp. - I know his name. What did you say to him? - Say? But I haven't talked to Andy yet. - What are you waiting for? We must know if he's informed of anything! - Ok, should I say the truth to him? It would be easier... - Are you as stupid as this guy who created this crazy situation?", Barkley said interrupting Sheffield, "Nobody will be informed." - Right, I'll phone him immediately. - I've got some phone calls to give too. Come and see me when you'll have talked with Andy." Sheffield got out the room and walked in the corridor until his office. He whispered and sat in the big armchair in front of the writing desk. He took a minute to think over what he could say, and called Andy. He felt quite anxious while the telephone was ringing somewhere near Seneca Lake. -"Hello", answered a man voice on the phone. -"Hello M. Wasp. I'm Dr. Sheffield. You surely don't remind me, but I called you some years ago about some medical test we had to do about a toxical problem on the armament your section was using. - I remember: you alarmed all my section with this, to find nothing. It was a loss of time. - Yes, I know, but today we have found some... strange reactions on soldiers who used those weapons. They... they seems to have troubles in their visions. Most of them have seen, have imagine they have a... a double of themselves. - And now you'll intern me because I could be a fool? - No! I only verify if apart from those cases, some people had the same... hallucinations. - You'll be happy to learn that I hadn't got any "strange visions" at all. - Great, very great.", said Sheffield really relieved. "If you have problems don't hesitate to call me. You have the number." - Yes, but I sincerely hope not to see you again. Goodbye Dr. Sheffield. - Goodbye M. Wasp." Sheffield hung up the phone. At the same time, some hundred miles from the Esperanto base, Andy was hanging up his phone too. "Why do they upset me again with that? All those doctors took so many blood from me, and so many samples of each part of me, that they may know everything written in my DNA. This Sheffield is really fussy!", Andy said with a little anger in the voice. While Andy was trying to calm himself doing some physical exercises, Sheffield was reassured. He dried his face wet with the cold sweat due to all the stress of those last moments. Then he walked back to Barkley's office, and for the second time this day, he knocked on the door. The tone of Barkley's voice went through the door and made Sheffield to sweat. He sponged his face again with his handkerchief. A few seconds after, Barkley shouted: "Come on Doctor, I was waiting for you." Sheffield opened the door and was impressed for the second time by the walls replaced by screens and keyboards: the best technology of the world was hidden behind those walls. Barkley was sitting in front of a big panel, a sort of giant keyboard that can control the twelve screens over the room. "So what about Andy?" Barkley asked. In opposition with the tone he had before, Barkley seemed to be in a quite good mood. "- He knows nothing, and probably thinks that I'm a bore. - It doesn't matter. On my side I found some very interesting information. The first is that all the security control of the International Credit Bank is really a joke! Our clone succeeded in hacking it. It leads me to the second Released on 14/04/03 ©ABies77 – All rights reserved
Adam’s Rebirth
A 3-hands short-story - http://www.3hands-novel.com02.com point: we are sure that Adam was in Rochester last night, and he's got 1,000$ now, so he can travel as he wants. - Are we certain it was Adam and not Andy? - Yes, one of our special agents at Rochester saw him and thought it was Andy Wasp. He called him, but he didn't answered. After a quick verification, it appears that our genius hacked the bank from our own computers, and stole the money with a French name: Belmondau. What do you think about this, Doctor? We created a very dangerous genius. - But what will happen to him if he's found? - General Allsgood was very explicit about that: it doesn't matter what happen to Adam provided that nobody hears about this error. - But he's the result of so many years of scientific researches... - This point is not negotiable."
Released on 14/04/03 ©ABies77 – All rights reserved
Adam’s Rebirth
A 3-hands short-story - http://www.3hands-novel.com02.com
C CH HA AP PT TE ER R0 09 9 ((0 03 3--1 10 0--2 20 00 02 2)) "- Hi John, How are you? - Very well, Lieutenant!" answered John Eells, with a serious face. "- Oh John, please, will you stop this stupid joke one day?" said Andy, with a large smile. "- When you'll be Colonel, Lieutenant!". John smiled too. "- Very funny!" said Andy. In the corridor, walking to his office, Andy reminded his strange conversation with Doctor Sheffield. "- John, do you remember Doctor Sheffer.., No, I'm wrong: his name's Sheffield, Doctor Sheffield. - No, I don't remember him. I should? - About three years ago, we had a medical test to verify if we were victim of a toxical problem due to the armament of our section. Didn't you have this medical test with him? - Oh yes, I remember this test. You say his name's Sheffield? I think I remind him now. But, why are you talking about this old event today? - He phoned me and asked me some strange questions. - What kind of questions? - He wanted to know if I have ever been victim of illusions, like seeing a double of myself, and things like that. He said some other guys of our section have troubles, so he was phoning to all the persons who were in the section. - That's strange he didn't phone me: I was in the section too! When did he call you? - He phoned me at home yesterday, a moment after twenty o'clock. - Andy, are you sure you're alright? - Yes of course. Why do you ask me this question? - I saw you working at your office yesterday, at twenty and a half, when I left the base. You couldn't be at home only few minutes before! - No it's impossible! I remember I watched a movie on TV last night! - Andy, you know I'm your friend. I did see you in your office last night. Have a look at the entrance recorder if you don't believe me! - Yes, let's go!" Walking to the room where everything that's happening in the base is recorded, Andy and John were quiet. John was worried about Andy. He knew he was right: he saw Andy in his office, he was sure of it. He was also worried because Andy seemed totally serious and convinced of having watch a movie on TV. Was Doctor Sheffield right? And why didn't he call him. Was he victim of the same troubles? Andy was more worried about John than about him. John could be victim of these troubles Sheffield told him yesterday. Andy can't even imagine he could have any of these troubles! "- Here we are Andy!" said John, interrupting Andy's thoughts. "- Hi Taylor! - Hello Lieutenant Wasp, can I do anything for you? - Yes Taylor. Could we take a look at the entrance records of yesterday? - No problem, Lieutenant." After a short moment, the screen of the computer indicated all persons who where in the base on sunday. Andy wasn't in the list. "- John, my friend. I'm afraid you could have a serious problem! - It's impossible! I'm sure about what I've seen! - You'd better call Doctor Sheffield and talk with him. - Wait a minute, Andy! I remember you were working on your computer! ... Taylor, could you tell us which computers were linked with the Base Network yesterday, at about twenty o'clock? - We loose our time, John" said Andy, a little exasperated. Released on 14/04/03 ©ABies77 – All rights reserved
Adam’s Rebirth
A 3-hands short-story - http://www.3hands-novel.com02.com "- Andy, please, wait a moment! - That's strange" said Taylor, "according to the computer, Lieutenant Wasp's computer was active between eighteen and twenty-two o'clock last night, but it's impossible: there's no entrance record!" Andy got pale. "Someone worked in my office!" thought Andy, "and he could look like me! Non, no it's impossible! John must have had an hallucination. The computer must have made a mistake! Yes, that's the right way, it must be the right way!". An idea petrified him: "But if John is right ...".
Released on 14/04/03 ©ABies77 – All rights reserved
Adam’s Rebirth
A 3-hands short-story - http://www.3hands-novel.com02.com
C CH HA AP PT TE ER R1 10 0 ((0 04 4--1 19 9--2 20 00 02 2)) It was 22H33, time was passing slowly on the clock hung on the wall in Andy's office. Andy still thought about what he discovered with John on the morning. But what upset him over all was John who was constantly looking at him in a strange manner. "- Besides I work tonight. Why did I accept this guard? I'll talk about this nor to Ginger neither to my parents. If only I could manage to do something... I won't talk to doctor Sheffield, he would intern me. What can I do? I'm really alone in this affair." That was what Andy kept thinking since the morning. He had difficulties to do his job correctly and that made him to be in a worst humour he was. At the same time, at "Antoine's", Adam was drinking his coffee with Ginger. "- What a delicious dinner my darling! I'll always remember this night with you.", said Ginger, taking Adam's hand in her hands. "- I hope so, honey. But it won't be the last, believe me." Then Adam took back his hand from Ginger ones and took out from his pocket a packet of cigarettes. He opened the packet, put a cigarette to his lips and lit it under the astonished look of Ginger. "- What's the matter Andy? You never wanted to smoke before. What does this silly joke means? I don't understand!", pronounced Ginger with quite velocity. Adam kept looking at her for a few seconds, and started to smile. "- It's my work, Ginger. You can understand that all the stress I endure made me smoke. You know that working in Esperanto's base is not a recreation for me. - I understand Andy. But you should have talk to me about it sooner. - I didn't know how to announce you that. But it doesn't matter anyway now. Let's go: I've got to go to the base this night. I'll take you back home and I'll go.", ended Adam in a tone which allowed no protestation. Half an hour later, Adam was back in his hotel. It was a little hotel with bad reputation in the centre of the town. But it had a non-negligible advantage, the four different ways to go out of it: the principal entrance, the back entrance, a little door in the kitchen for food, and a quite big window in the commodities. Adam entered the small corridor supposed to be the hall, he said goodnight to the night watchman who didn't even had a look at him when he answered, and climb the 17 steps to the first stair where he had his room. He chose the number 13, a sort of superstition. Adam opened the door with his key, and raised his shoulders while he saw the room where he lived since a few days. It was a quite small room with pale yellow wallpaper, and light blue curtains on the window that was on the left when you entered the room. The bed was on the right corner, near the little door that leads to the tiny bathroom. An office and a chair were on the left side of the room, with a little cupboard. Adam sat down on the bed and whispered. "- They must have started to hunt for me now", he thought. "They probably even know in which town I am. It will be a difficult game for me right now, very difficult!", Adam said high, and his voice resounded in the small room. Then he lied on the bed, looking at the ceiling for a few time and felt asleep. "- What are you thinking about Andy?", shouted John. "This guy did nothing wrong, only what he was told to do. It wasn't worst punishing him that way! You're not lucky the superior heard about it, and told me to order you to take some rest. Go home now, your guard is ended. And just because you're a good friend Andy, I advise you to take care about what you should say or do about, or because of this strange illness. - Sorry John. I'm really tired; some sleep will make me better. I go. - Be careful Andy, they keep an eye on you. - Thanks John, but I'm sure I'll be in a better mood tomorrow.", replied Andy while he was getting off the officer's building. Then he jumped in his car and drove to the exit of the base. He was so tired that he didn't notice the black car parked near the fence. There were two men in this car, including one very dangerous for Andy: the colonel Barkley. Released on 14/04/03 ©ABies77 – All rights reserved
Adam’s Rebirth
A 3-hands short-story - http://www.3hands-novel.com02.com "- What do we do now?", ask the other man who was the driver but also a very good secret agent. "- Follow his car. Let see where he goes, Jerry.", answered Barkley. So the two cars went throughout the town, one following the other, until the little house of Ginger. Andy stopped his car and walked to the door. "- It's me, Ginger. They gave me the rest of the night, they think I'm too tired.", shout Andy entering the house. "- Great! You should take holidays before dying with all this stress. But I don't want you to smoke in my house, go out if you want to. - All right.", replied Andy. "But... I don't smoke", he added in a little voice. Then he went to the kitchen at the back of the house, and forgot the unimportant sentence drinking a whisky. In front of the garden, Barkley was watching the scene with binoculars. "- Great! We've learned something very important that night, Jerry: nobody new were Andy went when he wasn't in his own house. It's here where his girlfriend lives. Moreover she could help us in case of we can't recognise between Andy and Adam. Even if it isn't really important...", said Barkley with his little sadistic smile. "- I understand what you mean, Robert. Should we go now? We've learned enough", replied Jerry. "- Yes, go on. You're really the only agent I trust in this affair, Jerry. I'm glad to have you by my side. These useless agents we have in the secret base did nothing since the escape. And the poor doctor Sheffield panics because we could kill his precious specimen. What a team!", and Barkley started to laugh in a nervous way. Jerry turned the key on, and the black car moved away from the house, as a raptor that is reassured his prey won't move before it comes back to attack it.
Released on 14/04/03 ©ABies77 – All rights reserved
Adam’s Rebirth
A 3-hands short-story - http://www.3hands-novel.com02.com
C CH HA AP PT TE ER R1 11 1 ((0 09 9--2 26 6--2 20 00 02 2)) "Two days, maybe three. No more. I can't expect having more time to succeed!". Early in the morning, laid in his bed in the silly hotel of Auburn, Adam was thinking about all information he caught about Andy: his life at school and in the army were entirely written in the files he stole at the base, named 'A1C-project Initialisation'. Since two days, he's observed Andy's daily life, but that's not enough. "I must have more information about his past, his childhood and his family. And the most important: I have to be Andy!". Last night, at the Esperanto's military base, he found a lot of information. "Thank you Colonel Barkley, thanks to have learned me Electronic, Computer Science, Psychology and either Biology! I'm now able to find and modify any information anywhere I want!" He laughed. Enter the base network was a game for him, a short game in fact, the base network being so less secured than the Base one. He stole everything dealing with Andy: secret files, official or personal photos, e-mails,... Adam found his life less interesting as he would thought, "probably because of Jack!". In fact, this didn't matter for him because he was decided to give to Andy a second life, "A real life!". In Andy's room, Adam opened the first drawer in the desk, took off a glue pot and replaced it by another one. Faced to the desk, a dark and grey wardrobe. Adam took a dictionary and put it in his bag, with the glue pot. "Ah! beautiful technology of twentieth century. With these little and digital radiophone and camera, I will know you as much as yourself, Andy!". He went back to the desk and faced to the computer. With rubber gloves and a special paper, he also took Andy's fingerprints, "only to be sure you made a perfect work, Dr Sheffield!". He took some draft papers off the trash to learn about Andy's way of writing, and finally left the base. Adam would like to have more time to analyse Andy: how he talks, how he breathes, how he writes, all these little things he needs to become Mr Andy Wasp. As he was studying his files, Adam continued to discover how sad and immobile Andy's life was: "Saturday night at restaurant all weeks when he doesn't work, 2 visits a month to his parents on Sunday, holidays at the edge of the Lake Ontario, near Oswego on July for six years. This guy's really a swisswatch-human! Don't worry Andy, your second birth is coming!". Hours after hours, Adam becomes trustful. "I will succeed, I'm sure of that. But I've be careful now. I can't make another mistake like this stupid affair of cigarette with Ginger." After having driven 2 hours and a half on the highway, Adam arrived in Buffalo. He stopped his car in front of a beautiful white house, the house of Andy's parents. He looked quickly through the windows and around him in the street. Nobody. With dexterity, he succeed in opening a door, at the back of the house, "Weeks and weeks of experiments in my cell!" he thought. The house was as cheerful as Andy's house was sad. During a few minutes, Adam got sadness and disappointed; "Andy probably had a nice childhood in this house. Everything has changed with Jack. A good news for me. Nobody will be surprised when Andy changes one more time!". Adam went to the first floor and found his bedroom. "I can learn your past, I can also imagine all this beautiful life you lived when you were a child, but I didn't live it, I will never live it.". Adam got angry: "They stole my childhood. Now I want to live." In Andy and his parents' bedrooms, Adam found several catalogues with photos, holiday cards, and many other little things like that. He was finishing the last catalogue when he heard a noise, coming from the main entrance. "A key in the door!" he thought. The door opened: Andy's parents were back to home.
Released on 14/04/03 ©ABies77 – All rights reserved
Adam’s Rebirth
A 3-hands short-story - http://www.3hands-novel.com02.com
C CH HA AP PT TE ER R1 12 2 ((0 03 3--2 24 4--2 20 00 03 3)) “- What can I do?”, thought Adam earing Andy's parents entering. Adam first thought about jumping throw the window, but then he remembered what he read about Andy and his parents in the papers he stole in the base. Dr Sheffield wrote that Andy wasn't in very good terms with his parents because he considered they are responsible for Jack's death, especially his father. Indeed it was Andy's father who wanted Andy to take his car instead of going to the end of year's party in the minibus Andy's friends had rent to go together to school. All that would have never happened if Andy hadn't took the car to please his father. So Andy has been obliged to go and see his parents every two weeks, by the analyst he saw during three years after the ‘accident’. Then he kept this habit. But Adam never had a family, and he wanted to know what it could be. So he decided to take his chance: he will gain his own family, this one that Andy didn't want to have anymore. Then Adam shouted: “- Mummy, Daddy, I'm upstairs. - What a good surprise!” answered Andy's mother, while his father made a single mechanical “hum”. Getting down the stairs, Adam saw Andy's parents and regretted his premature decision. Indeed Andy's mother was a quite small and round woman with a big smile on her face, but Andy's father seemed very suspicious. He was very impressive for a person of his age, and still had a great musculature. It was only Andy's father's distance that prevented Adam from running in both arms. But Adam encouraged himself thinking that it was Andy's attitude that made his father react this way. Actually, little by little, the cold atmosphere disappeared, and a soft feeling fill the living room where they took a cup of coffee together. At 16 o'clock Adam told his parents (they did were his parents now!) he had to go. After a quick goodbye, Adam get in his car, and returned to Auburn City. He had all the travel to think about the conversation he had with his parents. After all, he had exactly the same genes and DNA as Andy, so they could be his parents. His own parents, what a strange feeling! But he was so happy! Adam spent more than one hour thinking about his mother: Margaret Wasp, and his father: Maxwell Wasp. Moreover he was used to be called Andy instead of Adam now. But then Adam remembered the problem he had to resolve quite quickly: he will soon need more money. He never thought that living outside the military base costs so much. He couldn't do something using Andy's name, because he was Andy, well he will be soon. So Adam decided to do the same thing he did before : embezzled money to a bank. He could find a computer easily, going to Andy's office at Esperanto's base, and it won't be difficult for him to find a new identity card. Adam was there in his thought when he arrived near his hotel. He kept driving until the next corner of the road as a precaution, and parked his car. He entered the hotel using the back entrance, and went to his room. He quickly took what he needed to embezzle the money, and went out using the back entrance again. But, Adam hadn't see the black car parked, hidden by the red pick-up, in front of the hotel. And just after he arrived at the hotel, the man in the car took his phone and dialed a number. “- Hi Robert!”, said the man. “The subject came back to his hotel, but I don't know if he saw me or not. - It doesn't matter Jerry. I learned that Allsgood granted to Sheffield we'll try to gain information about the clone, in order to prepare next experience.», explained Barkley. »So you'll follow him, discreetly, and keep me inform. Ah, I forgot, informers told me that the original has been having a strange behaviour since Sheffield phoned him. He's a bit nervous. So you must prevent Adam to meet Andy if he try to do it. - Ok, Robert. Well, I go: I perceive Adam going out by the back entrance. “Bye.”, ended Jerry. “- Bye.”, answered Barkley. Then a long pursuit began between Adam seeking for money, and Jerry chasing him.
Released on 14/04/03 ©ABies77 – All rights reserved
Adam’s Rebirth
A 3-hands short-story - http://www.3hands-novel.com02.com
C CH HA AR RA AC CT TE ER RS S ((1 10 0--7 7--2 20 00 02 2)) LIEUTENANT ANDY WASP: 25 years old. Physical: - athletic body : only muscles. - 6 feet high, 177 pounds. - beauty-spot on the right cheek. Psychology: - Likes electronics and computerised devices. - Against violence. - He's respected, appreciated. - Loves sports. - Intelligent. Story: - 1995 : leads his university football team to win the Californian National Tournament. - A Thursday of July : he accidentally killed Jack Everett. - Left the university and join the army. - 3 years before, he joined the Special Force : he was the only one selected. Job: - Lieutenant in the Special Force in Esperanto's military base. ADAM: 3 years old, looks like if he was 25 Clone of Andy Wasp : specimen of the A1C project. Physical: - Exactly the same as Andy. Psychology: - As intelligent as Andy, but immature. - Unstable. Story: - Born for the A1C project 3 years ago. - He was made to believe that he lost his parents when he was a baby, and was brought up by Sheffield as representative of the US Nation. Sheffield told him he lost his memory in a car crash 3 years ago. - Adam discovered he is a clone when Stillberg told something about it. - Then he discovered all the truth, and decided to steal Adam's life. Job: - He was made to believe he was a soldier in the secret military base under the Appalachian Mountain. GENERAL EVERETT ALLSGOOD: 45 years old. Physical: - 6 foot 4 inches high, more than 230 pounds. - Very impressive. - He's got a scar under the right ear. Psychology: - He's got a bad reputation. - He's got a bad temper. - He loves fighting with knifes and always has his favorite knife with him. Released on 14/04/03 ©ABies77 – All rights reserved
Adam’s Rebirth
A 3-hands short-story - http://www.3hands-novel.com02.com Story: - He's working in the army since he was twenty. - He participated to the Gulf War. - His place in the army is very important. Job: - General in the US Army, and even more... COLONEL ROBERT BARKLEY: Age unknown until now Physical: - no information Psychology: - He's a violent person - Could be very dangerous - Usually calm as if nothing mattered to him - Doesn't hesitate to kill people who disobey him Story: - He supervises the A1C project, it's his most important interest Job: - Special agent, hired man of Allsgood DOCTOR ANDREW SHEFFIELD: 42 years old Physical: - no information Psychology: - Attached to his work Story: - He's a scientist specialised in human genetics - He created a revolutionary technique of cloning - He's the most important medical representing in the A1C project Job: - He's in charge of the genetic division since 1992
Released on 14/04/03 ©ABies77 – All rights reserved
Adam’s Rebirth
A 3-hands short-story - http://www.3hands-novel.com02.com
S SU UM MM MA AR RY Y ((1 10 0--7 7--2 20 00 02 2)) CHAPTER 01: 2000, December the 21st, 23H40 Andy Wasp is in the Death Row claiming that he's not Adam. Allsgood and Barkley are leading Andy to the electric chair. CHAPTER 02: Five month before : July Adam saw Andy for the first time. He decided to steal Andy's life, and invited Ginger (Andy's girlfriend) to the restaurant. CHAPTER 03: Andy works in Esperanto's base, as an officer (Lieutenant). We learn about Andy's past. The base is at 20 minutes from Ginger's house. CHAPTER 04: One week before In a military base under the mountain : secret center for scientific research. Adam was cloned (from Andy) 3 years before. He's got an adult body, but he's immature. The A1C goal is to create a new generation of soldiers. Barkley and Sheffield work together on this project. Adam escaped from his cell. CHAPTER 05: The escape of Adam: He took the train in Hudigston station, and went to Rochester. We learn how Adam discovered who he is, and his real story. Adam embezzled money to prepare his escape. CHAPTER 06: Adam is in Rochester. He made a 1000$ withdrawal with a false identity in the International Credit Bank. He will try to reach Auburn City. CHAPTER 07: 3 days after Adam's escape: Barkley discovered Adam know what he is, and killed Stillberg for that. Allsgood told Barkley that they must retrieve Adam dead or alive. CHAPTER 08: Sheffield found the original (Andy) in Auburn City. He asked Andy if he hadn't seen hallucinations of a double of himself. Barkley learned the embezzle of 1000$. Sheffield is made to know that Andy will probably be killed. CHAPTER 09: Discussion between Andy and John Eells (Andy's collegue) about Sheffield and the test. John saw Andy at his desk yesterday at 20H30, but Andy told he was watching TV. In the entrance recorder : there was really someone in Andy's desk. John and Andy are worry for each other to be ill.
Released on 14/04/03 ©ABies77 – All rights reserved
