fanfiction Marcus Notes [Collection]

[GenTech1000]

32      

 

Santiago has been berating me on how we were going to get to ARK Alpha A:1 with an incomplete Exodus. So, I asked him what was needed to be done and we got to it. All of the hardware was in place, however, we had to finish the programming.  

We worked under the cover of darkness. With our combined intellect, we were able to finish the programming right before sunrise. We ran some tests and found everything in order.  

We both decided to tell everyone else that we were on a run for some missing components when we leave. To keep people away from the Exodus, we’re going to tell them that it’s unstable and that it may fire off unexpectedly or explode. We’ll tell them that the components we seek are the key to stabilizing it. To help our message spread, we’re going to bring it to the “leaders” and they should make everyone leave us be.  

We should leave in a few hours. Hopefully all goes according to plan and I can find the answers I need. 

[GenTech1000]

33  

 

Today is the day. Time to find the answers we’re looking for. I studied the ARK’s schematics closely, and know my way around the ARK’s systems, so we should be fine. In the end, we should be there only a few hours if we’re lucky. Hopefully, We at least get there in one piece.  

[GenTech1000]

34  

 

The trip through the Exodus was INCREDIBLE!!!! We flew throughout the entire ARK! But once we made it to space things got even crazier. We became data, flowing into the largest of the ARK, ARK Alpha A:1.  

We arrived in a dark room lit by blue and purple light. The purple light perplexed me. The ARK, as I read, was black and grey in coloration, with blue lights throughout. I told this to Santiago and we turned on our thermal night vision.  

Almost immediately, the room lit up like a Christmas tree. All around us in large clusters was something producing the purple light. I turned on my flashlight to find the walls coated in a black, slimy looking substance emitting purple light from several openings in its surface. It was draped over the walls like a spider web, and even had a few drones trapped within it. Each one attempting escape yet failing each time.  

The scientist in me was full of joy, screaming at me to take some samples. However, I felt a connection with this substance. It was eerily familiar. It felt like, a parental connection. Like this was my creation. I was hesitant, but then produced two containers and gathered some samples. I also took some of the drone parts littered across the floor.  

Santiago and I then explored the rest of the ARK. Everywhere we went, we found the mystery substance coating the wall. We eventually got to an area where it was everywhere, coming from a broken doorway to our right. I went in, but Santiago stayed back.  

The black substance covered almost every inch. According to the schematics, the room was the Evolution Lab. Here, experiments on Element based evolution were done daily to research the effects of Element in order to possibly find a solution for humanity’s oncoming extinction. At that moment, my brain surged with pain. Then, a maelstrom of memories surged into my brain.  

I started remembering the advanced principles of Element based evolution, along with more personal things. I remembered my family’s faces. I remembered so much. I almost jumped with joy until I heard a metallic banging from the hall. Santiago yelled something about “rolling metal balls”. I rushed out of the room, rifle in hand, and opened fire.  

[GenTech1000]

35  

 

The defense drones went down swiftly. I was able to dispatch all three with only a few charges of my rifle. Santiago stared at me in awe. Those extra hours at the shooting range paid off.  

We moved quickly through the rest of the rooms, salvaging what could. We had to move the black substance to retrieve some of the items. However, when we did, it tried to trap us like the drones. It tried to do so several times, but each time we subdued it with our rifles.  

We salvaged what we could from under the masses of the substance. Most of what we found was old parts of drones and other junk. Some of our better finds were an intact, slightly damaged desktop TEK replicator, some lab equipment, and some other things. However, the best thing we found was an Element storage chip.  

With it, we could take a giant parts of the ARK’s database for our own use. Sure, it might have a corrupted file of some past human, but that can be easily deleted. It feels weird talking about a person like that, as if they are merely part of a machine. But hey, that’s the way things are.  

We made a course for the main research hall, salvaging as we went. We were met by defense drones several times, but we dispatched each wave. Each one getting more and more difficult to win. We made it to the main research hall, however, something particularly odd sat in the middle of the room.  

Where a dedicated team of scientists would be working stood a single woman with the black substance all over her right arm and across her torso. I approached her. 

“Ma’am?” I asked. 

She quickly turned at the sound of my voice and recoiled. “What are you doing here!?” She said with an inhuman undertone to her voice. She was pointing at me.  

“Marcus, you know this chick?”whispered  Santiago over the comms in my helmet.

“No,” I replied, “ But she knows me.”  

The woman continued. “Answer me monster! Why are you here!?”  

I slowly started to reply. “Ma’am,” I said, “I’m sorry to be rude but I haven’t the faintest idea who you are.”  

The woman laughed maniacally. “You,” she said in her hysteria, “Don’t remember me!?”  

“Nope.”  She laughed again. “Damn, that mind wipe did a number on your brain!”  

“What?” I replied in utter and complete confusion.  

“What,” she yelled, “ You don’t REMEMBER!?” She laughed crazily at her joke.  

“Ma’am,” I asked with fading patience, “Can you just tell me who you are?”  

“Take a guess Mr. T!”, she yelled.  

At that moment I recognized her. She was Talia Sitrani. She was a specialist in biomechanics who aided in the development of the later cybernetics and Element storage chip technology. We were good friends and work partners. She used to call “Mr. T” all the time after I showed her an old TV show called “The A Team”.  

“Talia, what happened to you?” I asked.  

She looked at me with cold stare. “You did.”  

“What did I do?”  She laughed again. “You screwed the entire human race you dumb f*ck. You ended us all!”  

I stood there dumbstruck. I had no words. Talia continued.“I decided to work in an organic body while up here. But then, you had your little experiment and ended the human race! We banished you to that Ark so you could see what you created, but after you left, your samples up here broke containment. They infected every organic thing up here. It got to me as well, but I’ve been struggling to survive. Soon, I’ll be a savage beast, just like everyone else. And it’s all your fault!”  

“Marcus? What the hell is she saying”, Santiago asked nervously.  

“I don’t know,” I replied solemnly, “But I can tell when one is suffering, and she definitely is.” I raised my rifle to her and whispered, “Goodbye, Talia. May this end your torture.” She screamed in resitiance, but it was already too late. I pulled the trigger and her body slumped to the floor, her screams still echoing through the ARK’s halls. 

[GenTech1000]

36  

 

Santiago stared at me in disbelief. Then, for the next half hour, he yelled his head off over the comms asking what the hell I was thinking. To be honest I don’t know why I did it. Something just clicked in my head that there wasn’t any hope. I tried to explain it to him but he wouldn’t listen. I put on my helmet and proceeded to ignore him.  

After he finally shut up, I quickly made my way to a control panel and worked through the ARK Alpha Database. Within it held the data from every ARK. An uncountable number of files laid at my disposal. However, I only gathered a few things. I gathered the entire Subject Database, every scientific record, schematics for thousands of TEK machines, almost every piece of literature, and everything about Earth. With these, I can lead my people into greatness.  

During the file transfer, several waves of drones attacked. The drones were airborne and rained their fire from above. One almost damaged the control panel I was using. I nailed it in the face, causing it to explode in mid air.  

Santiago had finally calmed down, so I showed him a file on mind wiping. Using a machine designed by Fredrich Wagner, one can alter the memories of a person(s) by subjecting the brain to a special form of Element energy. It, however, is not exact or precise. This can lead to more than what is intended being wiped, such as names or memories of a relationship.  

Santiago wasn’t looking convinced, so I told him about the side effects such as impulses based on your forgotten knowledge. The brain can remember things without the person knowing. This can cause a person to act on knowledge that was wiped. The impulses are almost impossible to resist which can lead to some serious situations. This put Santiago at ease. He couldn’t find a way to incriminate me for actions I have no control over.  

We started to make our way through the rest of the Ark until we were stopped by a sound coming from behind us. We turned around to see about sixteen people watching us from a balcony. Each one was covered in the black substance. All of a sudden, they leaped over the broken railing and made a dash for us. Santiago and I ran as well shooting the attackers. We watched as what used to be good people screech and squeal like animals as they died. Then, we heard a roar from behind us.

We turned to see a Plana eμmarginali simiae (frilled ape) covered in the black substance charging at us. We heard more roars and screeches as we dodged the charging ape. As we looked around the research hall we saw hundreds of animals and humans covered in the black substance charging at us. Santiago and I made the quick decision and teleported back to our ARK. 

[GenTech1000]

37  

 

After we returned to our ARK, Santiago and I discussed what had happened over the last few hours. He immediately went to the subject of Talia. I told him what I knew about Talia and asked me “Why did you kill her if you were friends? Couldn’t you have saved her?”    

I told him about how I didn’t know why I killed her, but I knew she was too far gone. I then told him how painful it was to kill her. He paused and asked me how I remembered her.  

I told him that my mind wipe may be wearing off. If given the time, the brain will make the necessary connections and it will remember  what was wiped. However, a stimulus is required. I then reminded him about how Talia has called me “Mr. T” and explained its significance between she and I. 

After about an hour’s worth of conversation, Santiago left me to my own devices. Once he was gone, I finally read what I should have read first out of all of the files in the message to me. The file Talia record me of. The record from ARK Alpha A:1. 

[GenTech1000]

38

 

“:/opening Ark Alpha A:1 Record/:

-date: June 27, 3511

Loading-

. . 50%

. . 63% . .

File loaded  

Profile: T. Flint

Subject: Torgana Experiment/ Exile  

Marcus Torgana, the man who we all thought was going to be the “Savior of the Human Race”, became its destroyer. His plan was to deposit large quantities of altered bioelement in certain quarantined areas around the Earth, creating Evolution Domes (Evo. Domes) to hopefully accelerate  the remaining humans’ evolution to “ensure our survival”. The result, every human either died of radiation poisoning or was mutated into abominations. Those who were on element chips watched in horror as the remaining organics became horrendous beasts.  

Those outside the Domes were then met by the altered bioelement, which somehow was able to break containment, and suffered the same fate. Furthermore, Torgana then set the backup Arks on Earth to produce dinosaurs to “continue evolving the humans”. In the end, about 78% of all life was either killed, mutated, or infected by a mutated version of Torgana’s creation.  

A species of mammalians evolved as well. They are titanic beasts that we were only able to barely keep contained inside shielded environments. However, a breach of containment is likely due to their strength. The Element then proceeded to evolve the environments around it, creating entire new ecosystems. Some of which we were able to contain with shield spheres that go deep underground.  

The mutated humans were transported to ARK Alpha A:1 to be tested on in hopes of finding a reversal to their mutation. However, those efforts were for naught. Their minds were too damaged to be recovered. They have been transported to ARK Beta C:34 and were let loose to run free in the depths of the ARK’s caverns.  

To prevent anything like this from reoccurring, Torgana has been exiled to ARK Beta C:34, where he may be reminded of his actions every time he sees one of the mutated humans. However, we have wiped his memory to ensure that he cannot reveal anything to the humans on the ARK.  

As for Torgana’s belongings, they have been confiscated and are now being scrutinized to find anything else that could incriminate him. So far, we have discovered several outgoing signals to ARK Beta C:34 from Torgana’s computer. He encrypted them well so we can’t access them at all. Hopefully the firewalls will take care of them. He has been sent to the ARK Beta C:34 and will remain in a stasis pod until the ARK sees fit.”

 

What have I done. 

[GenTech1000]

39  

 

I remember it all, every minute detail. For years I was on a streak of improving humanity. I gave everyone incredible technologies because of my genius, improving everyone’s lives. I was an idol. Everyone wanted my life, but now, I’m just a monster.  

I am an example of human ego at its peak. The human ego builds up over your successes, slowly growing into a massive tumor that leeches off of your common sense. A tumor called confidence. Because of confidence, I didn’t fully think of my actions. I acted too quickly and everyone suffered. Because of my mistake, I ended it all.  

I’m plague that infected everyone’s mind with my charisma and charm, fooling those people into a false sense of security, and then making them suffer. I destroyed the remains of humanity. I destroyed the relics of an age that could have been preserved.  

No, nature does not “preserve” anything. Everything must change. Everything must end. However, they did not need to end then. Sure, we were in a decline but we were working on a solution. We had a chance. Instead, I sped up humanity’s downfall to the near end, leaving only the nonorganics alive. Even they are now dead, and it’s all my fault. The only reason these people stand is because of Yamamoto’s success with bioelement revival.   

I need to get this off my mind. I need to DO something. However, no matter what I do I know it will never truly leave. It will be my darkest secret, a permanent stain on my soul. No one but I and whoever eventually reads these entries shall know. It’ll be our little secret. 

[GenTech1000]

40  

 

I’ve started planning for if my secrets are discovered. If they are, I should be ready. I’m not going to reveal to much in this entry to ensure my safety.  

I’ve also looked into more of the files about Earth’s current condition. Apparently, those mammalians aren’t the only big baddies on the planet. Two different species of reptilians and one species plants also roam the surface. They lead giant hordes of creatures infected by my creation, and seem to spread it wherever they go. So far, they’ve spread it all over the globe. Only certain places aren’t touched by their rampage. Most of which being backup and Proto-ARKs.  

The Proto-ARKs were the first version of the ARK Program. They were small, isolated biospheres of a variety of environments meant to see what we could do. Each one ran off of a single, less advanced version of the obelisks everyone on the ARKs know, allowing for monitoring of the environment, control of the weather, etc. They were a success.  

The backup ARKs were meant for use if any of the current ones were in need of repair or completely nonfunctional. However, they were left on Earth due to advancements in atomic alteration, courtesy of the collaboration of me and...  Santiago?  

Why would a man like he be in such an important project? He was a mere engineer in my memory. Unless this is some more of that mind wipe business. I’ll have to find out who that man really was. 

[GenTech1000]

41  

 

According to these old Terran records, Santiago was a genius in military technologies. His work aided us in the conflict between us and the URE by designing some of the best TEK weaponry. He was one of our most valuable assets, one we could not lose. We even built a villa for him. Sure, it was all just to keep him on our side (and in secret), but he’s just as damn annoying as always. Still has his wit even after all these years.  

Nevertheless, who he is doesn’t matter. He may be a genius, but I can do anything he can do so much better than he can. I created the first Element weaponry to begin with. He just picked up what I did and twisted it into his own weaponry. I’ll need to keep a close eye on him. He could be even more of a threat, especially after ARK Alpha A:1.  

Speaking of ARKs, we should leave soon. We have everything we need and should be able to go back home. Sure, the world will be in shambles for us to pick up, but at least we aren’t locked at the start. We have TEK items, so we should be all set once we arrive.  

As for my belongings, I’m not sure what to take. I now cannot bring Titus due to his blood finally melting the implant. I’ll need to find a way to bring him along. If only he could fit in my pocket.  

[GenTech1000]

42  

 

The idea hit me after reading over the last entry. What if I could shrink a creature to the size of, let’s say, a baseball so it could fit in my pocket. Back in the day, I toyed with the idea after my son, Kent, got into some old cartoon and wanted to “catch our dog”. He grew out of it, but the idea stuck with me. My old schematics were in the ARK Alpha files I downloaded. All I had to do was upload the schematics to the desktop replicator and create the devices.  

The devices were designed to deconstruct an organism at the atomic level, reducing them to an atomic mixture while preserving their minds in chips within the devices. This results in a lot of heat. So, I designed a special Element-based coolant to prevent catastrophe. The coolant lasts about a month. However, once it runs out the device destroys itself. I have considered calling them cryopods because of the coolant.  

Testing with the cryopods has been successful. I’ve been able to store almost any creature in them, and I discovered some interesting side effects. If you release one creature right after another, the second one will come out unconscious. This lasts for quite some time. However, if you try storing the creature again, you cannot. The creature is also more susceptible to harm. I cut a bulb dog on its foreleg and it almost bled out.  

We leave in three days, and I’ve only begun to pack my things. Titus rests in a cryopod and I’ve started packing all essentials. Hopefully no more catastrophes happen before we leave.

[GenTech1000]

43  

 

The day has arrived. We’re going home! We’re leaving the ARK! All of my things are packed and ready to go, and I can’t wait!  

I must admit, a part of me is going to miss this place. Even though I suffered through so much pain and death, I’ll miss it. So much has happened in the time I’ve been here, and now we’re leaving.  

However, there’s another part of me that’s afraid of what we’ll find on Earth. The ARK Alpha records only go so far back, so there’s no telling what’s down there. The things mentioned in the records could be long gone. No matter, if we were able to handle ourselves here then we’ll be fine.  

Everyone’s lined up outside the Exodus. In half an hour, we will walk into it and be sent on a journey through the void. We will fly amongst one another, passing those who remain trapped inside the ARKs. Those who may never see the real sun rise in the morning or feel the real waves of the ocean sweep over their feet. And once our journey is complete, we will do one thing.  

We will survive.

[GenTech1000]

(This page is now open for feedback. Feel free to post how you feel about the fanfic. Your feedback will help me create even better content in the future.)  

Thank you for reading the Aberration section of the Marcus Notes! I hoped you enjoyed it. I’ve had a great time sharing this story with you guys and can’t wait to share more of my content in the future. Be sure to look out for the Extinction section of the Marcus Notes in the near future. They should be coming out very soon. Also, be sure to check out my other content. If you haven’t read my other fanfic Element- A History, I highly suggest you do so. It provides a some substance for the Notes and tells a the story of Marcus’ life as well as touches the origins of the ARK Program. Again, thank you so much for sticking around this long and Happy ARKing!