A Mirrors Beginning Read online

  “I’m acting a lot of faith right now and I already think you are an absurd old man.”

  A smile tugged at the corner of Charlie’s mouth. John felt uneasy under his gaze. It seemed … oddly familiar. He couldn’t explain it, but he felt as if he knew Charlie.

  “Fair enough.” Charlie nodded. “I am the founder and commander of an organization called the Intergalactic Security Commission. The ISC operates under a cloak of secrecy.”

  “Intergalactic?” John zeroed in on the key word. “As in, outer space?”

  “Our main facility is in Charleston, South Carolina, but we do have bases on other worlds.”

  “Other worlds?”

  “Yes.” Charlie nodded. “The ISC works with hundreds of other planets to benefit the galaxy.”

  “Man, I don’t know what you’ve been smoking, but I wish you would’ve saved me some.”

  “I told you, it would save us a lot of time if you just believed me.”

  “Yeah, right, Charlie. I believe you.” John rolled his eyes.

  “Do not mock me, Jonathan.” Charlie’s normally soft brown eyes flashed in anger. “This is important.”

  “All right, fine.” John shook his head, waving his hands out in front of him. “You’re right. Seriously, though, if you have something to smoke, tobacco or otherwise, let me know.”

  “I thought you were clean now after your recent stay in rehab.”

  John froze for a moment before realizing Charlie probably knew because of his file. “Court ordered.”

  “No, not ordered by the court. Ordered by me.”

  “What?” he sputtered.

  “I needed you clean and sober for our conversation. I’ve been tracking you for some time, John. When it came up that you’d been arrested for drug usage, I spoke with the judge to cut a deal. Of course, I didn’t expect you to crack open the skull of a man during a traffic dispute.”

  “You … went out of your way to help me?”

  “I did.”

  “Why? I’m nothing.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong.” Charlie’s expression softened. The look in his eyes seemed both sad and hopeful. “I know you’ve been told all your life that you are worthless.”

  John looked away before the tears could spring up in his eyes.

  “You are special, John.”

  “Look, if you are going to tell me I have potential--”

  “You do, but that’s not what I was going to say.”

  John looked back at Charlie after a few moments. “Okay.”

  “You really are special. I need you.”

  “You need an angry high school dropout who is a former drug abuser?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  For a brief moment, Charlie hesitated. John felt like his stomach had bottomed out into his feet. “You’re smart, strong, and resourceful. You’ve lived a hard life and, regardless what you think, you’ve come out the better end. I call that a survivor, John. And I need men like you on my team.”

  “Seems pretty flimsy of a reason.”

  “I’m offering you a new life here. One free of ridicule and strife. If you come with me, I can promise your life will never be the same.”

  John eyed him carefully, but Charlie didn’t waver.

  “You’re serious?”

  “Absolutely,” Charlie said, getting to his feet. “Or you can head back out on the streets. I think your last known address was your car, right?”

  “Until the city towed it,” John mumbled.

  “Give me a chance,” Charlie implored him.

  John lay down on the bed, looking up at the ceiling. He thought about it for several minutes. Did he believe this guy, coming out of nowhere with this news? But then, he’d heard crazier stories. Really what did he have to lose? He sat up, crossing his legs under him. “You’re on.”

  Chapter Five

  John and Charlie took the next flight out of Las Vegas. A part of him was a little sad as they took off. Deep down inside, he knew regardless of what happened next, his life was forever changed. He couldn’t go back to his old ways.

  “Why do I get the feeling you aren’t telling me everything?” John asked.

  “Because you’re smarter than you give yourself credit for.”

  “That doesn’t exactly fill me with a lot of confidence.”

  “Take it easy.” Charlie patted him on the knee. “Some things are better seen than told.”

  John grumbled, pulling out a magazine he bought at the counter at the airport. The flight to South Carolina went by fast. A taxi was waiting for them as they exited. They drove to a tall office building in the middle of a business district. John looked around as the taxi drove off. He didn’t see any signs or markings on the front of the glass double doors. It looked as ordinary as the other surrounding buildings.

  “Where are we?” John questioned.

  “The ISC.”

  “This is your big headquarters?” He looked at Charlie in disbelief.

  “I told you, we’re a secret organization. We have to remain hidden or chaos would erupt.”

  Charlie pressed a few keys on a security pad and the glass door swung open. His eyes widened as he looked around. Beautiful marble floors led to a glass elevator. A green-skinned woman sat behind a brass computer desk next to the elevator. She smiled, her pink lips nearly touching her ears.

  “Welcome back, Charlie. Is this a new recruit?” She asked. Her voice sounded musical.

  “Yes, Kimara. This is John Brooks.”

  Her yellow eyes washed over him, running a bright pink tongue across her bottom lip.

  “You’re a handsome human,” she purred. “I hadn’t seen one as pleasing to my eyes as you.”

  “Th … thank you.”

  “Forgive my young friend,” Charlie said. “This is all new to him.”

  “So you’ve never seen a non-human before?” Kimara asked. John shook his head. She rolled her shoulders back, leaning forward on the desk and ran a finger across the low neckline of her shirt. “If you want, I could show you the ropes sometime.”

  “That’s enough.” Charlie pushed John toward the elevators. Kimara waved goodbye, blowing John a kiss as the glass doors closed.

  “She certainly is friendly,” John commented.

  “A little too friendly. Trust me, you want no part in her.”

  John bit back a sexual comment, not knowing how Charlie would respond. Charlie twisted a metal band on his wrist until two small buttons appeared on the side. John watched curiously as Charlie brought the band level with his face.

  “Agent Rhodes, could you meet me in Observation Room A?”

  “I’ll be right there,” a soft female voice replied.

  “Who is that?” John questioned.

  “Mackenzie Rhodes,” Charlie replied. “She’s one of our recent recruits as well. She’s been with the ISC only about a month. I figured she could help you.”

  “I still haven’t made up my mind yet,” John reminded.

  “I’m aware. Just listen to what Mackenzie has to say with an open mind. That’s all I ask.”

  The elevator slowed to a stop. Charlie lightly pushed on John’s back as the doors opened. They walked into a room which looked like an ordinary conference room, except one wall was made entirely of glass. Charlie pulled out a chair from the oblong table and motioned for John to sit. At the center of the table sat something that looked like a Christmas tree holder. A small black box sat in the middle of four raised legs. Attached to one side was a small keypad. John leaned back in his chair, propping his feet on the table and lighting a cigarette. A few moments later, a beautiful woman with long, dirty blonde hair briskly walked in the room. She looked to be the same age as him. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She was wearing a pair of black slacks, a navy blue shirt tucked in, and a long white overcoat.

  “I’m so sorry, Charlie.” Her cheeks looked flushed as she chewed on her bottom lip.

  “It’s quite all rig
ht, Mackenzie. I’d like to introduce John Brooks.” Charlie waved his hand over to John.

  John sat up straight, putting out his cigarette in the ash tray next to the black box. Mackenzie’s dark blue eyes swung over to John. She tilted her head to the side, studying him with great interest.

  “Brooks? As in -”

  Charlie cleared his throat and shook his head. Mackenzie stood up straighter and took a seat next to her commander.

  “As in what?” John inquired.

  “You’ll see soon enough,” Charlie said.

  The way Charlie phrased his statement made John nervous. “Are you pulling some kind of con on me?”

  “There’s no con,” Mackenzie said. “How can I be of assistance?”

  “I’m trying to convince John why he should join us.”

  Mackenzie’s eyes lit up. She jumped up from the table and turned off the overhead lights. She walked back to the table and leaned forward to the box at the center, inputting a few commands on the keypad. The box opened up, broadcasting a bright light. A holographic image of Earth began to project.

  “This is our planet,” she explained.

  “Wow! This is cool!”

  “We haven’t even touched cool yet.” She grinned. She typed a few more commands. Earth was replaced by a larger projection of a solar system. Millions of stars and celestial bodies filled the space above their heads. “This is the network which makes up the ISC. We’re one of many worlds who work together to expand our knowledge, promote peace and prosperity, and help advance our technology.”

  John’s jaw dropped open as she spoke. “This is amazing.”

  “We have allies spread across the quadrants. Our reach in the galaxy is quite far. This is our main headquarters but we do have four bases spread out where we are able to operate more openly. Here we have a handful of ships at our disposal. Our focus here is developing new technology and mediation. However, all of our agents live here.”

  “Live here?”

  “We are equipped with every luxury and convenience. We train, eat, sleep, and live.”

  “So you don’t leave here?”

  “There is no need to leave here. It is allowed, but there are restrictions and protocols in place to help keep our secret.”

  “So if I join, that’s it?”

  “This isn’t a job, Mr. Brooks,” Mackenzie sternly said. “This is a life. Of course, if for any reason you choose to leave, you may.”

  “This … is a lot to take in.”

  Mackenzie nodded. “It is.”

  John leaned back in his chair, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders. Alien worlds, bases, protection … a whole new life. He looked over at Mackenzie. The corner of her mouth seemed to twitch as she looked at him. Charlie was right. He could start over now, but what would be the point? Was there a better life out there for him? Could he turn his back now, knowing what he knew now? Or he could be a hero, like the one he used to draw as a child.

  “Why did you join?” John asked.

  She looked taken aback by his question. Charlie tapped on the back of her hand, nodding at her encouragingly.

  “Well, I’m an engineer. And the opportunity came to do something bigger than I could ever dream about.”

  “And you jumped at it? Just like that.”

  “Oh, no.” She shook her head. “I said no at first.”

  Shock rippled through his body at her response. She seemed so sure of herself and the company. Charlie chose her to speak to him about it. And she first said no?

  “Why?” John asked.

  “My family,” she quickly replied. “Being here meant I wouldn’t be with them. But the ISC utilizes a bio program to help maintain our secrecy.”

  “Bio program?” John’s face contorted.

  “Each agent is cloned,” Charlie explained.

  “Clone? As in, duplicate?” John questioned.

  “Yes.” Charlie nodded. “It’s a process we’ve perfected over the years. It’s a simple procedure. We take a blood and tissue sample, and then you take a nap in one of our machines. The machine does a full body scan and transfers all of your memories into a computer. It’s all incredibly painless. The head of our biology department, Dr. Wayne Brody, goes through the process of creating the clone. And two weeks later, your counterpart will wake up in a job we’ve created with no memory of any of this.”

  “Seriously?”

  “I know this sounds like a lot, but it is necessary. Your clone will be protected and monitored. You’ll actually be able to check in on him at any time thanks to a chip installed and today’s technology.”

  “You do this for everyone?”

  “Yes. You could opt out, but it is standard procedure. It’s always best to get the process started as soon as possible.”

  “Trust me, I know it sounds very evasive,” Mackenzie spoke up. “But your clone will be in a good job and home. Because the clone is you, the ISC takes great steps to ensure everything is taken care of.”

  “And you did this?”

  “I did. It was a very difficult decision, but it’s one I don’t regret. Knowing I could be here, and my family wouldn’t miss me, really took the world off of my shoulders.”

  John’s heart plummeted into his stomach. Family.

  “I don’t have a family. It’s just me.”

  “I think you might be surprised. The ISC becomes a family.”

  “It would be nice to be a part of something.”

  “Not just something, Mr. Brooks.”

  “John,” he corrected.

  “John.” She smiled. “This literally means the world.”

  He looked over at Charlie for a moment before glancing back at her. “I can see that.”

  “You don’t have to give a decision right now,” Charlie said.

  “What’s there to think about?” John questioned. “I’m with you. Where do I sign up?”

  Chapter Six

  John followed Mackenzie and Charlie out of the conference room. They walked down the hall into a clean laboratory. Sitting at a computer desk was a heavy set man with short white hair, a full white beard, and wire-rimmed glasses sitting on top of a short nose. The man rose as they entered, rubbing his hands together excitedly.

  “Ah, so you brought me something to do,” the man said.

  “Excuse me?” John balked a few steps.

  “John, relax.” Mackenzie grabbed his arm before he could bolt out the door. “John Brooks, this is Dr. Wayne Brody.”

  “Oh, the clone doctor.” John relaxed.

  Dr. Brody smiled. “That’s a succinct way of putting it. So, John Brooks, huh? How are you?”

  Dr. Brody extended his hand and John shook it.

  “Ready for a drink,” John responded.

  Dr. Brody laughed. “I like him. Come on, let’s get started.”

  “John, I’ll have Mackenzie check on you in a few hours,” Charlie said.

  “I’m sure she has more important things to do than be my personal babysitter,” John said as he followed Dr. Brody to a computer chair and sat down.

  “There is still a lot to go over with you. Once Dr. Brody is finished, you’ll be given a communicuff and shown to your living quarters.”

  “Great,” John dryly said. Living quarters? The phrase conjured up images of being back in the group home.

  Mackenzie smiled politely and bowed her head before leaving the room with Charlie close behind her. John turned his attention to Dr. Brody.

  “Place your arm flat on the table,” the doctor ordered.

  John obeyed. Dr. Brody pulled a syringe and a tray of empty tubes from one of the drawers in his desk. He turned John’s arm and cleaned a spot with alcohol and a swab.

  “Are you queasy? Afraid of needles?”

  “Nope,” John confirmed.

  “Excellent.” Dr. Brody stuck the needle into his arm where he just cleaned, filling the syringe. A fresh cotton ball was placed on the spot as he withdrew the needle. “Very good.”

>   “Ow!” John exclaimed as Dr. Brody plucked several hairs from his head and put it in a plastic bag.

  “Sorry about that. It seems to hurt less if you aren’t expecting it.”

  “Could’ve fooled me,” John sourly said.

  Dr. Brody rotated his arm again, pulling out a pair of nail clippers and trimming John’s nails. A cotton swab swept inside his mouth and right into a tube on the desk.

  “Take off your left shoe and sock,” Dr. Brody ordered.

  “What? Why?”

  “Skin sample, unless you would prefer me to take it out of your face or arm?”

  John glared but removed his shoe. He placed his foot on the table and groaned as a small section of skin was cut from his heel.

  “It grows back really quickly,” Dr. Brody said.

  “I really want to punch you in the face right now.”

  “I know.” The doctor didn’t look bothered at all by the angry look on John’s face. He walked over to a closet door. Instead of it swinging open, it pulled down, revealing a flat bed.

  “The process has slightly changed recently to prevent any errors -”

  “Has there been errors?”

  “No, and I plan on keeping it that way.”

  Dr. Brody reached underneath the bed and pulled a handle, wheeling it over to the computer desk. “Lie down.”

  “Is this for the memory portion?”

  “Yes.”

  John’s tall frame filled the small bed. He had to press his arms to his sides to fit. Dr. Brody placed several sensors on his forehead.

  “You don’t have to do anything here, Mr. Brooks. Just relax. Feel free to nod off if you’d like.”

  John placed his hands behind his head, staring up at the ceiling. His mind reeled from everything he’d seen and heard within the last twenty-four hours. After a few minutes, though, he began to relax. Before he knew it, he drifted off to sleep.

  ~#~

  “John,” a sweet voice called to him in his sleep. “Hey, John.”

  Someone gently shook him. A soft hand touched his cheek. He grinned, reaching for the hand and pulling the voice to him. The voice gasped, crashing down on top of him. With his eyes closed, he reached until he felt a chin.