Warpath Read Free Page A

Jake asked.
    Doctor Messana looked
to Alice then back to Jake. “Your reaction to the reality of your
situation will tell me that. Everything that made Jake Valent ended
up in the bin. Nothing could be saved. Your brain, your everything
was rebuilt or replaced while you were alive, so you’re not going
to feel like there was any interruption in your thoughts, and there
wasn’t, but every cell in your body is different. Genetically
similar, but fresh, it’s a miracle that medical science has gone so
far that your brain could be destroyed and rebuilt at the same time,
while we were able to make this body for you through a series of
transplants and reconstructions. The end result is a completely new
life with your mind intact, now without the restraints and directions
of framework technology. That is how you should look at this, as a
new life. If I were you, I’d keep my mind open to taking a whole
new approach at how you live this one.”
    “Well, I’m not
having a seizure, violent flashbacks, or even a case of mild
surprise, so I think I’m good,” he said, smiling at Alice. “So
the framework is gone,” Jake said.
    “Yes, everything you
were, except for all but your short term memories, are gone,”
Doctor Messana replied. “You’re starting out with a clean slate,
completely human. I’ve programmed your body with functional muscle
memory, and I’m amazed at how well you’re speaking, but I’m
sure you’re going to have to spend some time learning how to do a
lot of things. Do you feel like trying to stand?”
    “Yes,” Jake said
without hesitation.
    Doctor Messana and
Alice pulled the sheets aside to reveal a thicker, more muscled torso
than Jake had before. His body felt heavier, but good, solid. He was
wearing clean, white knee-length shorts. “So, I had trouble with
recovery?”
    “Yes, your muscle
memory map didn’t take, so you could barely speak, let alone walk.”
    “Okay, so what about
this time? Was six weeks in the tank worth it?”
    “So far you’ve been
able to control your arms, you’re speaking clearly, and we’re
about to find out if you can walk. I’d say it’s much better this
time, and you may be able to skip the first two or three months of
physical therapy.”
    “It was bad, Dad,”
Alice said. “You couldn’t stand being out of control, I’m glad
you can’t remember.”
    “So you might have
opted for the six week treatment anyway?” Jake asked.
    “If it meant avoiding
that, yes,” Alice replied. “But they wouldn’t give me much
information, so I didn’t get to weigh in.”
    “That’s all past,”
Doctor Messana said. “Let’s see if you can take a few steps
today.”
    “All right, time to
get mobile,” Jake said. He sat up, was immediately dizzy, and
steadied himself. “Head just spun for a minute, I’m all right.”
    “Okay, take my hand,”
Doctor Messana said. “Alice, take the other one, just let him put
his weight on you for balance.”
    “Don’t worry, I
could dead lift him,” Alice said, immediately cringing as the words
were heard. “Sorry, bad choice of words.”
    Jake laughed a little.
“Time to get me on my feet,” he said.
    “Now, take it one
motion at a time, relax and let your muscles tell you how it’s
done,” Doctor Messana said, “that’s what the muscle memory
treatment is for.”
    Jake pulled himself up
off the bed and onto his feet. His legs felt strong, but the deck
seemed to sway a little. “Sure the dampers are working here?” he
managed to say before he lost his balance and began to fall to his
right. Alice caught him under his arm and propped him up.
    “Relax, Jake,”
Doctor Messana said.
    “Just put your feet
under you,” Alice whispered, helping him by gently pushing his foot
back into place. She was a short pillar of strength and stability
under his shoulder, unyielding and strong. “Now put your weight on
it slowly.”
    Jake did so, and,
slowly he found his stance. He leaned on Alice less and less,