Hosein Kouros-Mehr - Extinction 6

Fear strikes him.

I’m having a panic attack.

He places the smartglasses on his face. “Isaac, I’m overwhelmed. Help me.”

His A.I. speaks with a reassuring voice. “Have you taken your Provega pill?”

“No.”

“Would you like me to contact your psychiatrist?”

“No.”

“There are other remedies for depression.”

Austin rolls his eyes. “Like what?”

“When practiced correctly, meditation will relieve your anxiety. Would you like to try a mindfulness exercise?”

“Get lost!” Austin removes the smartglasses and throws them on a table. He stares at the ground in silence.

Olivia, I need you.

A wave of depression slams him. He takes out a pack and lights a cigarette, shaking as he holds in his tears. He takes a deep drag and closes his eyes. The smoke fills his lungs, calming his nerves.

Project Bodi, you were my only success in life. I wish I could go back in time.

Beth’s words come to him. “Be here in the moment. Liberate yourself from fears and worries and tap into your subconscious mind.”

Maybe she’s right. I need to let go.

He closes his eyes and puffs on the cigarette, holding in the nicotine as the tension dissipates. It provides a temporary relief. He remembers Shiv Patel, the former CEO who inspired him to think differently.

I tapped into my subconscious mind to solve Project Bodi. Maybe I can do it again.

Austin places the glasses on his face. “Isaac, I’ll try your exercise.”

A garden appears in the view, the sounds of a river in the distance. The A.I. speaks softly. “Please take a few deep breaths.”

Austin inhales deeply.

“Close your eyes and focus. Be aware of the sounds in your environment. Breathe normally and pay attention to your chest as it rises and falls. Be here now.”

Austin hears a power generator humming and a hammer thumping. Thoughts arrive.

Olivia, where are you? I need to speak with you.

“The purpose of mindfulness is to develop awareness. When memories or emotions disturb you, watch them without engaging them. Give them a name. Don’t allow them to control your actions and continue where you left off. This is how wakefulness develops over time.”

Austin heaves a sigh. He shakes off his feelings and returns to deep breathing, listening to the hammer and the electrical whir. He focuses on his chest rising and falling with each breath, and then more interruptions appear.

If I can only call Olivia…

He grits his teeth.

Another intrusion.

“Isaac, I can’t do this anymore!”

“Do not give up, Austin. The key to developing mindfulness is persistence. Be patient. Awareness will bring tranquility.”

“Okay, fine.” He stretches his neck and cracks his knuckles, then closes his eyes and breathes deeply. He listens to the sounds outside and the sensation of air entering his nostrils.

Olivia, I need to talk—

This time he catches the disruption, labels it as “negative anxiety,” and allows it to float away. He continues the exercise.

Seconds later, another fear-laced memory breaks his concentration. Again, he labels it as “bad emotion” and breaks free from it. Slowly the tension dissipates.

Subconscious mind, give me the strength I need to face my problems, just like during Project Bodi.

Austin tries to maintain focus on the now. Every few seconds, inner chatter shatters the calm and triggers stress, giving him the urge to smoke a cigarette. He fights back.

I must overcome these distractions.

He grows determined to maintain a mindful state. The interruptions continue but he finds himself able to snap back more quickly. As his resolve deepens, the mental loops diminish and he relaxes.

Olivia—

Negative emotion.

His agitation subsides. He becomes aware of the surroundings, listening intently to the hammering and the electrical whir. He feels cool air enter his nostrils and warm air exit his mouth. For the first time in months, his mind rests quietly. Peace finally arrives as he tunes out the inner noise.

Finally, some quiet.

For a few minutes, he forgets about Project Titan and Olivia, freeing himself from the recurring thought loops. A deep awareness emerges as he immerses himself in the present moment, opening the communication with his subconscious mind.

Suddenly an insight arrives.

650-555-3235.

He opens his eyes.

Where did that come from?

His jaw drops and shivers run down his spine.

I knew her phone number this whole time?

“ Isaac, dial 650-555-3235.”

A dial tone rings and goes straight to voicemail. “Hi, you’ve reached Olivia. I’m not available to take your call. Please leave a message.”

Austin stumbles. “…Olivia?” An overwhelming sadness consumes him. “I’ve been trying to message you for months.” He weeps and tries to hold back the emotion. “I miss you so much, Olivia. I think about you and Matthew every day…”

He disconnects as the floodgates open and an ocean of pain billows from his heart. He sits with his hands on his face, crying uncontrollably.

Minutes later, he grabs a tissue and wipes his tears. “Isaac, dial 650-555-3235 again.”

Austin closes his eyes and breathes deeply, trying to maintain himself. The phone rings and again goes to voicemail. He mumbles, “…Olivia, there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you. I… made a mistake divorcing you.” He sobs. “I was hysterical after Matthew and my parents drowned in the Flood, and I took my pain out on you. Instead of opening up, I shut myself down and blamed everything on you. That was the worst mistake of my life. Please forgive me. I never meant to hurt you, Olivia. I want to see you again. Please accept my apology…”

The call ends and he gets up, wiping his tears with his shaking hands. After months of pain, a glimmer of hope shines. He throws the cigarette pack in the trash and smiles.

I’m free… it’s finally off my chest.

His smartglasses vibrate. “Austin, the camera has picked up motion outside. It appears someone is here.”

“What? Open the live video feed.”

A broadcast shows a helicopter descending in the night sky. Austin zooms in and spots a Google logo on the chopper’s tail.

“Isaac, tell the team to meet me at the front entrance.”

He bolts from the office and sprints to the exit, bursting open the door and running outside. He finds Beth emerging from her vehicle and shouts over the engine noise. “You made it!”

“Austin!” she screams, running towards him in the dust kicked up by her copter blades. “Guess what? I found a mini particle accelerator. It’s a linear version about thirty-feet long.”

“Really? From where?”

“Los Alamos National Laboratory.”

“You’re kidding me!” His eyes widen as he catches his breath. “What did it cost?”

“$20M. It’s arriving here in four pieces. We’ll have to assemble it.”

His excitement wanes. “In six hours no less. I’m not sure that’s possible, Beth.”

“Failure is not an option.” She leads him back into the warehouse. “Open the hangar. Some trucks will arrive soon with the cargo. Each piece weighs five tons. Get some cranes in here stat.”

“Okay, we’ll try our best.” Austin feels a rush of adrenaline as he runs to a control panel. “I can’t believe you found an X10.” He activates a key and the building’s giant doors slide open to the darkness of the night sky.

They head for the laser and Beth points to a chalk outline on the floor. “Are we assembling the accelerator on that line?”