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  He recognized the obstruction in his throat; he had been intubated; a breathing tube had been put into his windpipe through his nose and now resided in his throat. He still had no idea why he had needed the endotracheal tube. A nurse came to his beside, “You’re awake. That is very good. I will alert the Doctor.” Good, he thought. His medical officer, Elaine Halverson, will explain all of this to him. Then, he slipped back into nothingness.

  Dr. Johnson was examining the patient when he regained consciousness the next time. “Good morning; I am pleased you are with us again. My name is Dr. Johnson. You have been a challenging patient. Can you tell me your name?”

  Akiro Kuriname swallowed realizing his throat was sore and also that the endotracheal tube had been removed. He had to swallow a couple of more times before he could speak, “Water.” His voice was scratchy. Dr. Johnson reached for a glass of water and positioned it so the bent straw was within the reach of his lips.

  “Just a sip for right now, you can have more in a few moments.”

  “My name is Lieutenant Akiro Kuriname; I am a crew member of Eden 3. What happened? Where is Dr. Halverson? She is the medical officer on my crew,” the man squeaked.

  “I’m not at liberty to discuss that with you Mr. Kuriname, but I’ve sent for someone who can. Right now, I need you to rest.” Kuriname watched as the doctor injected a syringe into an IV line, and sleep came to him once more.

  When Kuriname awoke again, he saw a man standing over by the window looking out; he was vaguely familiar. John Thomas Rourke felt Kuriname’s eyes on him and turned to face the bed. “Good afternoon, Akiro.”

  “I’m sorry; you look familiar, but do I know you?”

  “In a manner of speaking, you and I met a long time ago, but the circumstances were rather unusual,” Rourke said pulling a chair near the bed. “My name is John Thomas Rourke, and we have a lot to go over. The story probably is not going to make a lot of sense to you. We can continue to talk more later if you find you are tiring. What is important for you to know is that you are safe and you’re with friends who are going to take care of you.”

  Dr. Johnson was checking the bandaged wound on his chest. “How did I get that wound, doctor?” Akiro asked. “Was it the accident?”

  “No Sir,” Johnson said. “There was no accident, but it appears this probably saved your life, and you have John Rourke to thank for that. He removed a rather large section of skin from your chest; that is all I can say about that right now. Dr. Rourke may explain it in more detail. Your skin is actually made up of several layers. The epidermis, or outermost layer, is what we see, and it provides a protective, waterproof seal over the body. Below that is the dermis which contains sweat glands, hair follicles, blood vessels, and more. The hypodermis or subcutaneous layer lies below the skin and is made up of loose connective and adipose or fat tissues.”

  “The hypodermis binds the skin to underlying organs, while allowing the skin to move somewhat independently of underlying structures. Adipose tissue in the hypodermis provides padding and shock absorption that helps to protect underlying tissues from damage; it is also important in insulating against loss of body heat. This is where the slicing occurred; Dr. Rourke was able to remove the affected area without any permanent damage. The synthetic skin graft is already mending the wound and regenerating the adipose tissue he removed.”

  Rourke asked, “Akiro, how are you feeling?”

  “Confused, tired, and strangely...” Akiro Kuriname searched for the right word. “Strangely alone.”

  “That, my friend, is better news than I could have expected,” Rourke said. As Kuriname watched, Dr. Johnson pressed the plunger on another syringe, and his eyes grew heavy. The last thing he heard was Rourke saying, “We’ll talk more in the morning, and I’ll explain it all to you.”

  *****

  The next morning, Rourke stuck his head in the door, “Good, you’re awake. Good morning, Dr. Johnson; how’s our patient doing today?”

  “Morning Dr. Rourke, he is doing very well. I’ll leave you two alone; I believe he has some questions for you,” Dr. Johnson said.

  Kuriname waved Rourke in and said, “I definitely do.”

  “Akiro,” Rourke asked, “what is the last thing you remember before waking up here?”

  Kuriname closed his eyes and thought, then said, “The last clear memory I have is after we left Earth orbit to start the Eden mission and I was lying down in the cryogenic chamber; that’s the last clear one. However, there are bits and pieces that I think are memories, but they don’t make any sense; they could just be dreams I had in the sleep.”

  Rourke nodded, “What kind of dreams?”

  Kuriname thought, closing his eyes, the effort to drag something out of the depths of his memories or his dreams showed as his brow furrowed, “Another room, similar to this one but very different. I think it was something medical, but I can’t be sure. There is the feeling of being connected to something or someone.”

  “But, you don’t feel that connection now?” Rourke asked.

  “No, I can’t even define what the connection was or even how to describe how it felt, but it is gone.”

  “Akrio,” Rourke said, “the Eden Project returned to Earth, a long time ago. It’s been over 600 years since you launched.”

  Kuriname shook his head, “How is that possible, and why don’t I remember the landing? Did this head wound zap my memory? Do I have amnesia?”

  “No, Akiro, it is a lot more complicated than that,” Rourke said as he reached over and placed a comforting hand on Kuriname’s shoulder.

  “Akiro, I’ve done a lot of thinking about how to ‘catch you up’ on the current situation, but there’s no easy or gentle way to do that. You deserve the truth, but I warn you that it is not an easy or pleasant truth. Based on what I think I know about you, I believe you can handle it though,” Rourke said standing to face the window leaving Kuriname with his own thoughts.

  Several minutes passed before Akiro Kuriname finally said, “Okay, tell me the truth. Give it all to me now and don’t hold anything back. Once I know what the reality is, I’ll deal with it.”

  Rourke spoke softly, “First of all, the Eden Project was a success. The shuttle fleet completed their mission and returned 500 years after the Night of the War, but the world was still in turmoil; in fact, one Eden crew member died within the first 24 hours of their return. The evils that had plunged our world into darkness still existed, and the fight went on for some time after Eden’s return. The crews of the original Eden project have all been dead now for over 100 years,” Rourke looked at Kuriname.

  “A friend of my daughter, a PhD candidate at the University of Mid-Wake named Amanda Welch, recently made an amazing discovery. Her thesis on theoretical astrophysics had allowed her, as part of the work, to be able to examine the electronic logs of the original Eden Project’s 500-year voyage. Amanda found an anomaly; the Eden Project flight had been interrupted, and the entire fleet of ships remained in a geosynchronous orbit around something. She still has no idea what, but the fleet remained stationary for nearly three terrestrial years before it was allowed to continue on. No one understood the significance of that find until recently.”

  “A few months ago, my wife Emma and I were attacked while we were on an archaeological dive in the Mediterranean. One of the attackers was positively identified as Captain Timothy Dodd, Commander of Eden 1.”

  “But, you said the original crews had died over 100 years ago,” Kuriname was shaken.

  “That is correct; the original crews died,” Rourke paused for a moment to let that sink in. Rourke stepped to the bed and clasped hands with Kuriname, “The attacker was Captain Dodd’s clone. You asked if we knew each other; I met Akiro Kuriname when Eden landed. We became good friends and fought together several times; I called him my friend.”

  Three seconds went by, then ten, and then twenty as Kuriname processed the information. Suddenly, Kuriname’s grip increased so strong it was painful to Rourke; he
feared his own hand would be broken.

  “You’re telling me...,” Kuriname said slowly between clenched teeth. “You’re telling me that I’m not real, that I’m not Akiro Kuriname, and that I’m some kind of freak, a clone?”

  “No, I’m telling you that you ARE Akiro Kuriname, with all of his DNA, all of his memories, and most importantly, all of his strength and honor. Eden 3 crewman, Japanese naval test pilot, Lt Akiro Kuriname was my friend, and I grieved at his loss. I want you to become my friend; I need your help. I want to celebrate your rebirth.”

  Tears began to roll down Kuriname’s face; he released Rourke’s hand, “How did I get here? What is going on? Who am I?”

  Stepping back from the bed and rubbing his hand to restore the feeling in it, Rourke faced Kuriname and said, “Here is what I believe. During that sleep, genetic material was removed from all of the crew members of the Eden Project. I have already encountered two Captain Dodds; I suspect there are many more. The tissue I removed from your chest was in the form of a tattoo.”

  “I believe that tattoo, and we don’t understand how, enabled the entities that created the duplicates to control them, bend their wills to the entities own nefarious agendas, and if they are captured, to terminate the duplicates. I gambled on the fact that if that tattoo was removed the bond and control would be terminated and your own personality, morality, and ethics would be returned. It appears I was correct. That means if it worked on you it could conceivably work on the others.”

  “The Eden Project personnel were picked because they were the best candidates to save the human race. The original Captain Dodd must have had personality traits that circumstances perverted, and his psychopathic side emerged.” Rourke paused. “I’m one of the very few who had the opportunity to deal with both the original Dodd and the original Akiro Kuriname. Dodd was flawed; you weren’t. Dodd tried to destroy mankind; Akiro died to save it. I know this is a lot to absorb. I don’t know if I could make sense out of it.”

  “My goal was to rescue you from enslavement as a clone. I will tell you this; I was duplicated, and my duplicates were to be used against humanity,” Rourke said. “I did not allow that; don’t allow yourself to be used against your own people. You have a second chance, Akiro; use that second chance. Be who you are. Be Akiro Kuriname, and help us save your brothers and sisters from Eden. Lieutenant Kuriname, finish this mission; no one else can.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “Good Morning, Akiro,” John Rourke said after opening the hospital room door. “How are you feeling?”

  Kuriname looked up from the magazine and did not answer but waved Rourke inside the room. Folding the magazine closed, he laid it on the bed stand and sat up a little bit. “I’m okay. In fact, they are going to release me today; I suspect that means I’m headed for a jail cell somewhere.”

  “Nope, I don’t think so,” Rourke said turning and reaching outside to retrieve two packages. “Here, this is for you,” Rourke said setting the small package on the bed next to Kuriname. “I think they’ll fit. The clothes you were wearing are still being held for evidence.”

  It contained running shoes, underwear, socks, and an athletic suit that was yellow with black trim. “Ah, very nice, this is just like what Bruce Lee wore. I like it. What’s that?”

  Rourke held up the other package; it was longer and narrower, “This, it’s a surprise for later. Let’s get you outta here. The doctors have signed your release, and you are officially in my ‘custody.’ Change clothes and let’s go.”

  Ten minutes later, the nurse had rolled Kuriname down in the mandatory wheelchair. He stood and walked slowly to Rourke’s vehicle. “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see,” Rourke said. Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to Rourke’s beachfront home. “Here’s where you’ll be staying for a while, my house.”

  “It sure looks better than the jail cell I had envisioned,” Kuriname said and followed Rourke to the front door. Emma opened it and said, “Mr. Kuriname, welcome to our home.”

  Akiro bowed and said, “Thank you for your graciousness Mrs. Rourke.” Not sure how to proceed, he stumbled and started to ask, “Have we...”

  “No,” Rourke said. “Emma was not in my life at that time.” Filling in the blank that Emma had not met the original Akiro Kuriname, Kuriname nodded. “Emma will show you to your room; then, meet me on the patio. Honey, could you bring us some drinks out there? I have to set something up.”

  Ten minutes later, Emma opened the door as Akiro carried the tray with drinks. “John,” he said, “I love your home, and your wife is most gracious. Thank you again.”

  “Akiro, come here please,” Rourke gestured to a cleared area next to the table. Kuriname complied, and Emma set the tray on the table. “Akiro Kuriname, I have something that belongs to you, and I believe now is the time to return it.” Emma stood to one side, and Rourke reached under the table and removed the long box. Slicing through the tape at one end, he directed Kuriname to face away and look at the house. Kuriname again complied but this time with a confused look on his face.

  Rourke withdrew the bag, untied the cord sliding the object out of the bag, and positioned himself behind Kuriname. “Akiro Kuriname, I return this to you.”

  When Akiro turned around, he saw Rourke kneel on one knee with his arms extended forward and his head bowed. Akiro was stunned, “It.... it cannot be.” He said with his voice choking. “It is...,” he said. “It is Saiai no hōmotsu. It is my Beloved Treasure.” Akiro took the sword from Rourke and with his right hand drew it partially from its sheath. “How John, how did you do this?”

  Rising to his feet, Rourke said, “When my friend Akiro died so long ago, I recovered this and have kept it in my family since. I never thought I would get this opportunity; now it is returned to its rightful owner. I never had the ideogram engraving translated. Now I know what it means, don’t I?”

  “Yes, she is called Beloved Treasure,” Akiro said as tears rolled down his face. “Never did I expect to see her again. John Rourke, thank you. I pledge my eternal friendship to you and your family. I pledge also to stand with you in any battle at any time.”

  最愛の宝物

  Beloved Treasure

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Dr. David Blackman listened to John Rourke describing the situation and shook his head. “Dr. Rourke, I have no idea how to even advise you on this case. This is certainly unchartered territory. You want me to describe a treatment modality for something no one has ever attempted. We have no vocabulary to even describe the process.”

  “Doctor, I understand, but this is incredibly important,” Rourke said. “I’m thinking it should not be terribly different from reintegrating a subject with multiple personality disorder.”

  Blackman shook his head, “I disagree; the process would be completely different. By the way, multiple personality disorder has been renamed dissociative identity disorder or DID. MPD, or DID, is defined as a condition in which ‘two or more distinct identities or personality states’ alternate in controlling the patient’s consciousness and behavior. What we have here is an original entity and a duplicate that had no idea he was a duplicate. I don’t care how strong a psyche one has; that is going to have some impact.”

  “I agree with you Dr. Blackman,” Rourke said. “However, in the broad view, I assert there are similarities. The most distinctive feature of what you call DID is the formation and emergence of alternate personality states, or ‘alters.’ Patients experience these alters as distinctive individuals, possessing different names, histories, and personality traits. It is not unusual for DID patients to have alters of different genders, sexual orientations, ages, or nationalities. Some patients have been reported with alters that are not even human; alters have been animals or even aliens from outer space.”

  “Patients with DID experience gaps in memory, sometimes for long periods of their past and, in some cases, their entire childhood. Most DID patients have amnesia, or ‘lose time,’ for
periods when another personality is ‘out.’ They may report finding items in their house they can’t remember having purchased, finding notes written in different handwriting, or finding other evidence of unexplained activity.”

  “Another common symptom is depersonalization, when the patient feels his or her body or life is unreal. Some depersonalization promotes a feeling of being outside of their own body, like watching a movie of themselves.”

  “Okay Rourke,” Blackman said, “I see where you’re headed, interesting. You’re saying the disorder is not alike but the symptoms are, and we should treat the symptoms.”

  “Exactly, Dr. Blackman,” Rourke said. “I knew the original Akiro Kuriname. He was a strong, practiced warrior with a high sense of purpose and honor. Now that we have successfully removed the influence of his creator, the duplicate should manifest the exact same characteristics. Do you agree?”

  Blackman thought for a moment, “Yes, I agree provided he is a first generation duplicate and provided his creation was based on the genetic material from the original. Otherwise, each new generation created has errors. It is literally like making a copy of a copy of a copy. The last generation is not as clear or sharp; simply put, the quality is less.”

  “I believe he is a first generation,” Rourke said. “I’m sure he feels as real as you and I do. He is Akiro Kuriname; I’m saying we have to give him the tools he needs to capture his own heritage.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Paul Rubenstein and his son, Jack, crowded around the computers working on the book, The Unabridged History of the Rourke Family Adventures, it was coming along nicely. It was already up to nearly 50,000 words and still only had chronicled a part of the story prior to the Night of The War. Annie and Natalie had left an hour ago driving to Emma Rourke’s; the girls had scheduled a day of shopping.