Chapter 14: When Mother Met Mother.
The day was bright and sunny, Alison looked all around her and spied nothing but fields, forest and a very long dirt road. "Can you tell me why you told the driver of that vehicle to let us off in the middle of nowhere?!!" It was indeed nowhere to her, back to nature was the theme for this journey apparently, almost as bad as the jungle.
Mother, in her confined space, had to chuckle since irritating Alison was fun. "My home is around this area, there is a rear entrance that I have used on occasion. I don't want anyone knowing we are associated with that place."
Alison was extremely frustrated, "And you think that driver is not going to think it's strange to leave someone out here in this wilderness; alone!" Her tone left nothing to the imagination.
"We did explain we were out hiking."
"You think he bought that? Look at us, do we look like a hiker?" She waved her free arm up and down her body with a mocking gesture.
"Well, somewhat," she sighed 'Not really,' she thought to herself but Mother didn't care. "It's not a big deal Alison so forget it."
"Hmmrrrph." She snorted, "Ok, you know this area, where do we go from here?" She wasn't happy with this situation one bit but she hoped that Mother could figure a way to separate them. Mother wasn't the only one with memories that haunted her; she missed her husband badly. He was a kind fur, gentle in his touch. She could almost hear his voice if she listened hard enough. Instead she got a kick in the stomach.
"Alison!!! Stop day dreaming!"
"Ooofff." She cried, "Hey!!! Not so hard."
"You were day dreaming again. It's disorientating for me."
"Sorry Mother," Alison said as she rubbed her insulted tummy. "You have to realize this isn't what I thought I'd ever be doing. I mean this isn't something I would wish to do." Allison struggled with speaking modern English at times, usually when she was stressed.
"Oh I know that, it goes the same for me. Let's get to the lab then we can relax some. At which point I will be able to tell you more about our current situation."
Alison couldn't wait, "Point the way."
"Through those trees in front of you, we'll find the entrance there."
It took a long time to trek the distance, more than what Mother had actually thought it would but they were close now. Mother forgot that the body that they inhabited was significantly smaller and it took shorter strides. She looked through Alison's eyes for a specific crack in one of the surrounding rock surfaces. A few minutes more looking and finally they were there.
"Stop Alison, we are here."
"Here? There's nothing here." Alison looked around and sure enough there was nothing around but trees and rocks.
Mother rolled her eyes, "Well, what did you expect, a big door and a sign that said 'Secret Entrance'? Come on Alison think for once in your life-time."
Allison didn't reply; she was pissed. Ever since she told Mother the truth she was pushing and pushing to get here. No rest just push, "What now?" She asked sarcastically.
At this point Mother realized that she struck a nerve and now had made Alison really angry. She toned down her next request hoping that Alison would cool. "Turn to your left, there is a crack big enough for ones paw to fit into. Reach into it and there you should feel a lever, pull it and stand back."
Alison did as she was told and low and behold found the lever. Pulling on it, she jumped back. She waited a few minutes, "Nothing is happening," she responded.
"I know, we have to wait," Mother said as she began slowly counting in her head; the lever mechanism was on a fifteen minute timer. It was done this way in case someone found it. If they pulled the lever they would find nothing happened and more likely leave. Now all they had to do was wait.
"Mother, nothing is happening." Alison said impatiently.
"Yes, I know that, now shush!!!" Mother resumed her counting, all the while Alison walked around fuming. It took longer than she thought but finally she was sure fifteen minutes were up. "Pull the lever again."
Alison rolled her eyes, "Sure whatever you say." 'This isn't going to work,' she thought; 'what a waste of time.' Again she gave the lever a pull and jumped back but this time there was a loud click. Part of the rock face began to move forward then it stopped. A breath later it then moved aside to reveal a stairway leading down. "It worked!!"
"You doubted me?"
"Yes, who would guess about rocks moving?"
"Precisely."
Inside they found a switch to close the rock door behind them. As the door closed shut they were immersed in darkness. "Mother?"
"Wait for it." In a few moments the darkness began to fade as lights began to come on. "Sensors and cameras have just been activated. The minute the door was opened alarms sounded in the mansion. We should expect company soon."
"What do I say?"
"Don't make any sudden moves and obey their commands without hesitation. Since I knew exactly how to get in here they will be curious about how I knew."
"Ok." She gulped. In perspective, they were small compared to most other furs and everything looked threatening.
She was right, soon two males approached them, one a lion the other an otter. Both had guns trained directly at them neither moving one inch off target.
"Stop! Put your paws where we can see them," Alison put up her one paw, "and the other one."
"I don't have another one," Alison said nervously.
One of the guards broke formation and moved in closer to get a good look at Alison. Once closer he could see that she was telling the truth. Her shirt covered the deformity but it was still obvious she had only one arm.
He nodded to his companion, "You will accompany us."
"It doesn't look like I have a choice", Alison said quietly. They moved along the hallway finally hitting an elevator that they entered and rode up into the mansion proper. The place hadn't changed much; Mother and Alison now could see that the place could obviously use a decorator. Mother was a little confused, it had always seemed fine before. Then it dawned on her it had to be one of those subtle changes Alison had been doing.
They moved into the study where the guards cuffed her feet and paw to the chair she was commanded to sit in.
"Someone will be here in time to speak to you." One of the guards said, "Any attempt to leave this room will result in your death." It was a cold statement from an emotionless fur but Alison and Mother knew it to be true. They were left alone to their own devices.
"Mother, why didn't you tell them who you were?"
"The guards won't listen, I will have to speak to the one in charge. They will have ways of verifying who I am, we just have to be patient."
Elsewhere in the Mansion at this time.
The scans of Mother/Swallow (left) paw were inconclusive, the protruding metallic growths through her skin had her and the machines puzzled. More had appeared on her forearm as well. They were not painful but a surprise, the weeks had gone by quickly but she was still no further on the problems that plagued her. Swallow's body had not yet begun to regenerate her quill like fur; much to her annoyance. She felt every breeze, every cold whisper the air around her brought. Swallow's consciousness was nowhere to be found and she hoped that it would stay that way. The sound of the intercom paging her broke her out of her thoughts.
Pushing the button on the small device she responded, "Yes?"
"We have a female intruder." Her guard said unemotionally.
Her eyes opened wide, "Really? A, did you say…she?"
"Yes, she… came in rear entrance #2."
Oh this is interesting she thought. "Where is this intruder now?"
"Restrained in your study, I was sure you would want to question her."
"That I do."
Now this was an interesting development, one she had to delve into. She grabbed her robe and put it on. It was a poor substitute for her fur but it worked. As she rode the elevator up, her mind crunched on the impossibility of how an intruder could have found that entrance; it was perfectly camouflaged. She put her hood on over her head as the elevator bumped to a stop and the doors opened.
"Not too far now" she thought. The hall was but a short jump and then on her right was her study and her new houseguest.
Alison pulled on the pawcuffs but they did not budge. "Who do you think will interview us?"
Alison asked quietly.
"Why, me of course", came a voice from behind her.
"Alison don't talk anymore just listen…ok." Mother warned. "Answer only when and what I tell you."
Alison stayed quiet and watched as a robed fur came into her view. It turned around and leaned up against the mammoth desk.
"My, now aren't you a sight. What kind of creature are you? Nothing I can put my paw on right away."
There was something about this creature that Mother instinctively knew was wrong. She studied its furless face hidden partially under the hooded robe; trying to put a finger on what her mind said was horribly distorted. The creature kept on talking and stroking their fur, still Mother looked closely at it; then realization bit her hard.
Although it appeared much different without its fur she realized who it was, or at least thought she knew; Swallow.
What was wrong was the way she acted, this wasn't Swallow or at least the one she knew. She remembered back to the last conversation they had. It wasn't a pleasant one, in fact it lead to her own death. A shiver rolled down her spine at the thought of dying, now she was here again looking at her attacker from a very different point of view.
Mother walked around her desk and sat down facing her new guest. She really didn't know what to make of it. Its yellow fur and size matched nothing she knew of, plus the fact it was obviously pregnant gave her more to wonder about.
"How did you find the entrance?"
Mother was leery of answering that, tell her "It was a fluke." Alison relayed the message.
"Fluke huh, I suppose it could happen, one in a million chance but there is something about you I can't put my finger on. Oh well, I have time and resources to discover the truth. You unfortunately are now my permanent houseguest." She reached into one of the desk drawers and pulled out a plastic looking ring.
Mother knew what it was immediately, "OH SHIT!!!!"
Alison started to struggle against the restraints, "Nooooo."
"Oh, you act as if you know what this is." She held up the device, "but how could you?" She got up and walked back to Alison's side the put the ring around her neck. "Now you see that wasn't so bad, was it?" Alison still struggled against the pawcuffs. "Now for the bad part, you see this collar has an explosive device in it, travel outside too far and the collar will beep. Travel farther and the collar will continually beep. Keep going and you won't have a head left on your shoulders. Simple huh…?"
Mother knew all about the explosive collars, they were her design after all. Alison stopped struggling and just nodded.
"Good, glad we understand each other. Feel free to explore the grounds. I'll have my guard release you. Now if you'll excuse me I have some other things to attend to but rest assured we will talk again."
The robed figure left but Mother warned Alison again not to talk, just sit and wait; she did as she was told. The otter guard came soon after and undid the cuffs. "You may explore the house and compound but remember your collar." He didn't stay or say anything else, just escorted them out of the room and locked the doors behind him. Seems that was one room they were not welcome in.
"Alison, outside now!" Mother commanded.
Alison found a back door and headed outside, Mother directed her to a spot in the garden and she sat beneath a tree at a certain angle.
"Why here, like this?" Alison said very softly, under her breath.
"Cameras, here they can only see distance, not actual detail. They know we are here but not that we are talking."
"Ah…Ok…something is not right here."
"You have that right Alison, big time. That creature that spoke to us is Swallow, a creation of mine but she sounds nothing like herself."
"So this is Swallow? She haunts you for some reason."
"What? What do you mean haunt?"
"You talk in your sleep." She didn't want to tell Mother just yet that she had seen her creations and the horrors she had done. "Swallow's name comes up repeatedly."
"Alison, Swallow killed me, snapped my neck."
Alison was quiet for a moment, "I can see now why she would be in your thoughts then."
"But this isn't Swallow, her mannerisms, the way she walks and talks; it's all wrong for her."
Alison became quiet all of sudden, her heartbeat picked up and Mother knew something was amiss. "Alison, you know something…spill!!"
"It's only a speculation." She became silent as in thought…, "never mind."
"No no no. I want to hear what you have to say. Since your memories are more complete than mine maybe you have insight that I don't."
"Tell me a bit about Swallow first, then if what you tell me corroborates what I think has happened then I'll explain."
Mother began to tell Alison the inner workings of her projects, mostly concentrating on Swallow. All the while Alison listened intently putting together pieces of a puzzle that was complex and very dangerous. The revelation of what Swallow was capable of put things into perspective for Alison. Finally Mother came to the end of her tale which coincidentally ended with her own apparent death.
"You know, if I were Swallow I would have done the same!"
"Yeah, well spare me; that was another life. I did things to her that messed her up in the head, I'm not proud of that. My goal of an ultimate assassin failed miserably. She was a monster with a heart of gold and I couldn't do a thing with her."
"She is an interesting creature though. This other…Ti…sounds fascinating as well and so does the 'taur."
"Yes I was very surprised to know that they had survived. So, does my tale add anything to what you speculated?"
"Yes, it does," Alison then became quiet; she had a theory but she would have liked to been more confident in her assumption before letting Mother know.
Mother waited and waited, still Alison didn't make a sound. "Well! How long do I have to wait?"
"You won't like my theory," she said quietly.
"Let me be the judge; spill."
She took one more moment to contemplate and enjoy the sun's gentle heat, it was warming on such a beautiful day. It was a shame to ponder one's doom on such a day but reality struck a crushing blow as she felt the collar shift around her neck. She understood completely that they were in deep trouble. If her theory proved correct then they were already dead.
"I believe your Swallow creation has been taken over by a rogue program, one that is familiar to us; in fact it is us."
Mother was taken aback, "You mean that's me…or us in Swallows head?"
"Yes a copy of our core program or maybe more precisely a fragment of our core program. I theorize that Swallow devoured your carcass and it some how interfered with the download process back to the pod. A copy or fragment was left behind; it became aware, then took over or bound Swallow's consciousness in someway and it became dominant."
"OH GREAT!!!" Mother moved so much inside Alison it caused her to let out a large burp.
"Pardon me!!." Alison apologized.
"We are in deep shit, you know!!! She would know everything I know! Now I see how she knew about the collar."
"Ahh…yeah about that." Alison tugged at it slightly.
"Oh don't worry about it, I never did put high explosives in them, although they do emit a high electrical discharge, enough to stun a person. The explosive was always too unstable, the explosives story keeps folks inline better." She didn't really want to tell Alison of the poor souls that did try to escape, ick!!!
"Oh that makes me feel better. Still I don't think I'll try them out." Alison said sarcastically.
"Hey it's a lot better than boom."
Alison gulped, "Yes much better than boom." She sighed, "So now what do we do?"
"We think of a plan that involves us staying alive."
"Sounds like a good activity to me."