Awakening

August 15 2134

I wish I could tell you what I am, but at the moment I'm not quite sure. Because right now, I don't even know my own name. I have a head full of memories, but I know they're not mine. I don't think the same way as the person these memories belong to, but I look the same. I have memories of school that I never attended, friends I never had, and a war I never fought in.

    The first thing I see is a bootup window, like a computer of some kind. Subject 72, Fully Operational. I sit up, slightly put off by the bootup window that quickly disappears. I look around and find myself in a completely white room, without so much as scuff marks on the floor. I get up to walk around, but I find it's a little tricky. Is my entire body new? I can't think on it for long before a voice comes on over an intercom.

    "Number 72, can you hear me?" the voice asks.

    "Loud and clear." I respond, voice weak and barely able to form the words.

    "Vocal abilities are strong… Okay 72, are you aware of your situation?"

    "I'm guessing I'm a lab rat. And judging by the memories I know aren't mine I'm guessing I'm a clone."

    "We prefer to refer to you as Variants." another voice says.

    "Yeah, like that's any better." I respond, sarcastically.

    "Well, 72, what you're called isn't up to you." the second voice retorts. "God, why can't this one just be an information sponge like all the others?" 

    "You gonna let me out, or at least face me?" I ask, spinning around in place. "Do we usually bite? I wouldn't know."

    "Oh god, is this thing actually sentient? When did we figure that shit out?" the second voice groans.

    "Mac, be professional!" the first voice. So their name is Mac.

    "Yeah Mac, I'm just trying to figure out what's going on. Sorry if you don't like how I carry myself."

    "I don't get paid enough for this shit…" Mac grumbles. "You sure talk a lot for someone with fresh vocal cords!"

    I bet we'd get along if they'll treat me like a human. I bet we'll become friends regardless, barring we never see each other again. "I think I'm all warmed up now, actually. So now you'll never get a moment of silence."

"Jesus christ, is it gonna get worn out?" a third voice asks. 

"Ah, so I'm an 'It", am I?" I inquire. "That's nice to know. I sure like being dehumanized- or, I guess I'm not human, am I?"

"We're shutting the comm off now, 72." the first voice butts in. At that moment, a short man enters the room. I take the time to save the audio I've gathered and catalog the voices.

"Good afternoon, 72." I recognize the third voice. "Are you up to take a walk?"

"Do I have a choice?" I respond, before I think about it a moment. "Wait, of course I don't."

The man nods. "Let us go." he turns around, gesturing for me to follow. I'm not inclined to oppose. We leave the white, sterile room and walk down a light grey hallway. There are doors scattered along the sides of the hallways, about 15 feet apart. The rooms aren't very big, then.

"So, you gonna tell me where we're going?" I lean around the man's shoulder in an attempt to get his attention. He ignores me. "How many times have you done this? Decanted clones, I mean?"

"I have been responsible for the last 30 Variants." He replies. "You are by far the most agitating." 

"Oh wow, I've already accomplished something." I smirk. "Didn't think I'd ever get the opportunity- though, I suppose I don't know what you have in store for me." 

"No worries 72, I can assure you we have quite an interesting task for you."

"Oh goodie." I cackle. "Can't wait to wreak havoc on humanity."

"Actually, 72, you'll be doing ambassador work." I recognize the first voice, and see a tall, lanky woman walking down the hallway after us, followed suit by a man in an oversized hoodie and skinny jeans with caramel skin, emerald green eyes, and a fixed scowl. I'm guessing that's Mac.

"Even better suited for my evil ambitions." I respond. All three were getting irritated now.

"72 ,could you please cooperate?" the woman asks.

"Fine..." I sigh, looking wistfully to the side. "You people are no fun."

"How the hell is it that every time we do this, the Variants are less and less like the Original?" Yep, that was definitely Mac. 

"Oh no, you've created a unique individual." I mock him.

"Can we terminate this one?" Mac whispers to the woman.

"Mac, this is one of the most promising Variants we've ever had." she mutters to him in response.

"You know I can hear you, right?" I whisper, leaning in between them.

"Jesus fuck-!" Mac yells, jumping back. 

"By the way, what are your names?" I ask, pointing to the two wearing white. "I want to remember you when I take over the world."

"You have no need to know our-"

    "That's Andrew." Mac points to the short man, then the woman, "and that's Rachel." The two of them look at him. "What? You gave away my name."

Rachel sighs. "I went over this Mac, that was an accident."

"I've been at this job for far less time than you, yet I know the protocol better?" Mac says, sarcastically, "Tell me how that works, Rache."

She shakes her head before turning back to attention. "Let's keep going."

"Fine by me." Mac responds, falling into formation with the other two around me. The more he talks, the more I want to be friends. I need to get him to shut up if that's the case; that clearly isn't going to go anywhere. I decide to save all of their faces before I forget.