Mark McGinnis - The Simpleton

Yes, Cuddy Perkins… can I assist you?

Relieved that he hadn’t been completely locked out from contacting the AI, he proceeded to handle the most important business first.

I would like to set up the Evermore ’s hierarchical command structure.

Yes, Cuddy Perkins… you may proceed.

Captain is Cuddy Perkins. First Officer is… Cuddy had to think about that for a few heartbeats… Kyle Perkins. Third officer is… Jackie?

And the other two on board this ship, Captain Perkins?

Tony Bone… leave him undesignated at this time. Brian Horowitz, though, is not part of the Evermore ’s crew and you are not permitted to follow any of his orders, or directives, without the Captain’s, or First Officer’s, prior sign-off. Is that understood?

Understood and logged.

Now open the hatch!

The wellness chamber hatch slid to one side and Cuddy stared into the brightly lit compartment. Brian was seated in there, naked, directly before him. His hair bun was undone and a long ponytail hung down over one shoulder. His face—his entire body—looked strangely bloated, added to the fact he was glowing bright enough to still see, even in the highly illuminated chamber. To Cuddy, Brian looked like an over-sized, glowing slug as he gazed back at him through half-lidded eyes.

“Orb, what’s going on with Brian? What’s wrong with him?” Cuddy asked out loud.

“Brian has completed his fifth wellness session, Captain Perkins.”

Cuddy realized that this was the first time he was actually hearing the AI orb speaking vocally. Even more surprising, the voice sounded different than its predecessor. More friendly.

“Humans cannot withstand any more than two sessions within the chamber in so short a time span. Why did you let him do that?”

“At the time, there was no hierarchical command structure in place.”

That was true and he should have anticipated Brian pulling something like this. Cuddy stepped into the wellness chamber and took a seat next to Brian.

“Brian… can you hear me?”

Yeah… but can you dial it aback a little… so fucking loud.

Cuddy watched the slightly older man’s face, noting he hadn’t moved his lips. He, like Cuddy, was now part Pashier .

“Are you in pain?” Cuddy asked, keeping his voice low.

Yes.

Cuddy looked up to the hovering orb. What can we do for him?

The wellness chamber was not designed with a human genome in mind. The effects from too many recurring sessions at one time cannot be undone. He may not survive the journey.

You’re not sure?

No, Captain Perkins, as there are no previous records of any such occurrence. No case studies to which to refer.

Cuddy noticed Brian staring at him, only this time he spoke aloud: “You do know… I can hear what you’re saying… your mental chit-chat?”

“Oh… all right. I don’t know how to keep mental, telepathic conversations exclusive to only myself.”

“I’m going to croak… I heard Bob.”

“Bob?”

“That’s what I’ve been calling the orb. Bob… because he’s always bobbing up and down.”

He was surprised to find he felt somewhat bad about what was happening to Brian. It was true, he detested the guy. There was no two ways about it. But seeing him like this, Cuddy actually felt a little sympathy for him. Truth was, this was partially Cuddy’s own fault and now Brian might die because of his lack of forethought.

“I’m not ready to give up yet on getting you back to the way you were, Brian.”

“You sure you want to do that? I know you hated me… and I know why.”

Cuddy waved off the comment, and added, “Oh come on, none of that matters now. You’re part of the crew and we all need to stick together, right?”

“Do I look as bad as I think I do?” Brian asked. He seemed to have grown even more in girth over the last few minutes. Cuddy wasn’t completely sure Brian was capable of studying his own body, due to his now fleshy, protruding neck.

“Well… you still have great looking hair,” Cuddy said, smiling wryly.

That made Brian laugh out loud. He laughed until tears formed at the corners of his eyes. Then he was crying—quietly sobbing.

“Um… do you think you can walk?”

“I don’t know. You and Bob… the orb… will need to help me, I think.”

Cuddy stood in front of him, taking ahold of Brian’s two hands. “When I lift him, get in behind him… okay, Bob?”

Cuddy inwardly heard its mental acknowledgement. “Here we go… one… two… three, stand up, Brian!”

Brian rose halfway up and stalled. But once Bob got hovered in the right position and pushed, Brian rose all the way up, into a wavering, standing position. He put his hands out to steady himself. Only then did Cuddy realize that Brian’s bulbous belly flesh hung over, completely shrouding, his private parts.

“Okay… let’s try to walk,” Cuddy said. “I’ve got a good grip on your arm, so take one step at a time.” Although clumsy and awkward, Brian was able to walk. At the end of the passageway, Cuddy steered him toward the stairway.

“I don’t think…”

Cuddy cut him off mid-sentence. Brian had to climb up to the top level—where the sleeping berths were, and the kitchen—where he would be most comfortable. “We’ll take it one step at a time, okay?”

In response, Brian gave him a weary look, coming to a standstill at the bottom of the stairway.

“You get in front of him, Bob, and I’ll push from behind.” Brian took his first step and then rested on the bottom tread. Cuddy heard his labored breathing.

“Okay… next one, Brian.”

Brian did as asked, but Cuddy, feeling increased bodily resistance, had to take on more of Brian’s weight. This isn’t going to work. Then a new inner nudge came to him:

Use your mind.

Cuddy, readying himself, did exactly that. He willed Brian’s body to move several inches up off the stairs. A heavy strain, he wasn’t sure how long he could hold on to him—even though it was only few inches. “Bob, pull him toward you… up the stairs.”

Brian said, “Uh huh… this is kinda cool. I’m floating like a feather.”

“In time, Brian, you’ll be able to do this all by yourself—it’s part of the package of becoming a Pashier. I can help you learn the kinetic basics tomorrow, if you like.”

At the top of the stairs, Brian—again bearing his own weight—said, “Yes… that would make things a lot easier. Right now, I couldn’t take a crap by myself.”

Between them, Cuddy and the orb managed to maneuver Brian’s bulk around the kitchen and into the top-level passageway, then into the portside berth compartment. It was semi-dark and the others were still sound asleep. Cuddy did his best not to make any noise, though Brian was both huffing and puffing pretty loudly as he was moved to his berth, underneath Jackie’s. Cuddy, judging the bunk to no longer be a good fit, far too restrictive, used mental persuasion to reach out to Brian.

Why don’t you take my berth, Brian? It’s more accessible… a lot easier to get in and out of.

Really? I liked being under Jackie…

Cuddy, catching the slight smile on Brian’s bloated face, thought at least he still has a sense of humor.

Bob and Cuddy together lowered Brian into the one singular berth by the bulkhead in an upright position, letting him then catch his breath. Next, Cuddy grabbed ahold of Brian’s ankles and swung them up some, forcing Brian to lie flat on his back. Kneeling down on the deck, he leaned in close to Brian.