Memory

[WP] You have been selected to test the first working prototype of the Faster-than-light space shuttle, but as you were about to initiate the test, you spot a note in your handwriting telling you to abort the test.

******

I saw the note early.

Tucked in between the ignition button and its encasing cavity, it was impossible not to see anyway, but that surprised me. Whoever had put the note definitely wanted it to be seen. And he or she wanted it to be seen by whoever was going to be initiating the test.

Which was me. Everyone knew I was initiating the test. Which was what baffled me the most.

As I picked the note and opened it, I was shocked to see that it was in my handwriting that the scariest words I've ever seen were written:

IN THE NAME OF GOD, OZZY, DO NOT INITIATE THE TESr--

First of all, it was undoubtedly my own writing. When writing something of utmost urgency, I would put it in all caps. Which is why I was shocked. When and Why did I write this down, and why was it so urgent?

Secondly, contrary to my normal writing pattern, the last word seemed so rushed. I knew it was 'test', surely, but it was sol disorganized, as though I was rushing to finish it up.

Something very important written in intense urgency. It became clear to me exactly what had happened. Apparently, I didn't want someone or something to see me writing this, which was why I botched the last 't' in the test while I was rushing to stash it away.

But yet, I didn't stash it away in my pocket or shirt, but in lodged in the little cavity under the ignition button. According to my inferences, two things were involved: either I was afraid of my clothes being searched or that I was very sure no one would enter this cockpit. Or both.

"What's the matter, son?' a voice boomed. It sounded like Captain Mckenzie. "Start the jet!" he said. It was clear his voice was coming from a radio within the cockpit, so I grabbed mine and said.

"My stomach hurts, urgh. I don't feel so good," I said, hell-bent on getting off that jet. I had to figure out exactly why I did not want to be on that jet.

"Alright, come down. We'll retry in 8 hours,"

I came down, and eased past them all, heading for my room. But as I was walking, I faintly heard Mckenzie say "I warned Flynn that the dosage was excessive. It's beginning to have an effect on the kid."

Flynn? Our resident pharmacist at the base? What did he have to do with me? And more importantly, what dosage were they talking about?

I knew my diary back in my room would solve the entire mystery, so I went to my room. But as I was walking, I glanced at the digital clock which showed the date and time.

It was Tuesday, October 20, 2020. 9:00 AM. Entering my room, I suspected someone had been there. I usually leave a piece of gum on the ground, very difficult to see when entering, but also very easy to step on while entering the room.

The gum was not there.

I quickly opened my diary. I wrote all sorts of important things on it. I checked through, and it was complete. Right up to Monday Morning. I didn't write anything that day because I overslept and I was in a hurry to get down and initiate the launch sequence.

But then, I had a hunch.

I took my small UV flashlight and checked something. Because I was paranoid about someone looking through my diary or tearing out the pages, I numbered each page in invisible ink.

Sunday was correctly numbered 18

Monday was correctly numbered 19

Today was su[posed to be 20. As I flashed the light, I saw 21.

Someone had torn Day 20 out of this book.

I paced up and down the room, wondering why someone would tear a page out of my book. The answer was right before me, but I didn't see it until I looked outside the window and saw the mailman leaving on his dispatch bike.

The Mailman usually came on a Wednesday.

I paused.

Could it be...

That explained it. Today was Wednesday, October 21. The electric clock had been tampered with, and someone had torn a page out of the diary to mess with me as well.

It was beginning to add up.

I quietly left my room and headed for the Pharmacy, wanting to confirm my suspicions. As I reached, I overheard Flynn and his Assistant, Marie, taking an inventory of the drug shipment that had arrived yesterday.

"What about this shipment of Benzodiazepine? Seems it was ordered late yesterday and they just managed to squeeze in a unit." Marie said

"Yes, it was used for, eh... that Ozzy job,"

"Oh..." she said.

I left immediately. It was obvious now that they were trying to put me into a real-life simulation of some sort, by making me forget something that I'd seen. Something that made me write that note.

I had to get back into the cockpit. Perhaps, there were a few clues that would tell me why I didn't want to launch yesterday. And why everyone wanted me to.

I snuck back into the cockpit and closed the door. Looking around the place, I couldn't see anything out of place till I heard McKenzie's voice over the radio.

"You're back where we want you. And this time, we have external controls. Let's do it!"

I screamed, but it was too late. I knew when the button was hit. The jet vibrated, buzzed, and then vaporized instantly. In some slow motion, I saw my cells all decimate as I died.

"The prototype is a failure and still needs some fixes. We'll tell the public he tried to steal the jet since we have proof of him sneaking around. Let's carry on now," McKenzie said.

******

@Hanzell @Leo_kitti see this!