Obsession and the Collapse of a Perfect System

This was one of the most intense scenes I'd written in a while. It's in the midst of a major system shutdown brought forth by obsession, curiosity, and obedience.

Genre: science fiction / techno-thriller

Thrilling action scenes are one of my favorite scenes to write. While they've proven to be challenge, sometimes the scene unravels right in front of me.

Dr. Maddox scanned the holographic screen in front of him in his usual slow and methodical sweeping motion as he sat in his observation room. Everything was progressing as it should be and the lab was operating in an efficient manner. That was except for one thing. The personal connection codes were running drastically slow. Communication was lagging. Infants had to be turned away as the system became more and more backed up.

Now Insight had no choice but to upgrade the system. Insight gave reassurance to parents that as soon as the system resumed normal operations, their infant would receive their personal connection code as expected.

“Under the orders of Dr. Maverik, we will begin rolling out the gradual upgrades to the system. Phase one will begin today. It will consist of the first series of updating the personal connection code machines.” As massive and complex the personal connection system was, it was critical that it was upgraded in a gradual manner.

Dr. Maddox continued. “I will be keeping a careful eye on the upgrades as they’re conducted to assure everything is operating as expected.”

The scientists of the tech lab began the upgrades for phase one. Each station was responsible for each phase of the major upgrade. As the first phase of updates progressed, everything appeared to be updating smoothly.

Dr. Maddox leaned back. The upgrade was going precisely as Insight had hoped. He gave a slow broad smile and continued his lab observations. He paused the moment he saw Donovan. His mind shifted immediately to Donovan’s cell phone. What other sorts of fascinating technologies were possible in this mysterious realm Donovan was from?

Dr. Maddox ran his fingers along the nape of his neck feeling the device as another vision materialized in front of him.

He saw precisely what he had seen before. Vehicles that rode on busy roads that weren’t underground but snaked around buildings and vast green countrysides. He gasped in continued astonishment at the multitude that possessed the strange communication device that Donovan had.

What did he call it? Dr. Maddox focused until Donovan’s voice came through the device.

Dr. Maddox gave a subtle smile, satisfied. “Ah, a cell phone.”

He became even more astonished on the nonexistence of the personal connection codes. How could a society function without their existence?

What capabilities would the technologies of Insight have if given the chance? What about the city of Illumina? The rest of the world?

The personal connection system was the most highly advanced communication system that Insight has ever created. With such a major upgrade given it, what else was the system capable of? A deep and heavy fascination fell over him. A fascination he had never felt before about the system.

“Begin phase two!” Dr. Maddox announced in total absolution.

The scientists at every station froze, confused by Dr. Maddox’s abrupt announcement.

“Dr. Maddox, we’re still in the final stages of phase one!” one scientist exclaimed.

“And it is making superb progress! It’s time to conduct the next phase!”

“Is he insane?” one scientist questioned in a hushed tone; eyes wide in disbelief.

“We can’t risk rushing the system!” another concerned scientist called out.

“No, I trust it. Our system is advanced enough to handle it. Proceed.” Dr. Maddox smiled as a world of fascination and the desire to push the system’s boundaries grew stronger.

“By Dr. Maverik and your own orders, Dr. Maddox, you even said it’s an absolute must such a major upgrade to the system be rolled out slowly,” another exclaimed in hopes to reason with the lead scientist of the tech lab.

“We have no choice but to trust and take advantage of its fullest capabilities,” Dr. Maddox replied, his confidence in a sudden upgrade unfaltering. “We have all become aware of the unfortunate reality that the operations of the personal connection codes have been drastically unstable. I6, conduct phase two or I will do the honors.”

The lab grew eerily silent as heavy hesitation filled the room. Dr. Maddox was actually serious.

A scientist at the station responsible for phase two bit their lip in hesitation, took a slow deep breath, and tapped their holographic screen starting the phase two upgrades.

The room held its breath as the second wave of updates rolled out despite phase one not even being finalized yet. The system glitched for a brief moment but the updates continued to progress smoothly nonetheless.

Donovan stood at I7 and stared at the holographic screen in front of him anxiously waiting for his station’s orders to conduct their phase of the upgrade. The atmosphere of the lab has not been this thrilling since the invention of the invisibility component, eludesiht.

“I7, proceed with phase three of the upgrade!” Dr. Maddox ordered.

Donovan’s stomach churned as he heard Dr. Maddox’s orders. He eyed the other scientists at his station.

“We can’t risk the system,” one scientist said in a hushed tone taking a step back from the station. Time seemed to stand still as nobody dared to start the upgrades for phase three.

“Imagine a world of possibilities! Possibilities we can only begin to fathom! ”Dr. Maddox exclaimed. He frowned at the sudden silence and lack of activity. “I7, we must allow the system to reach its full potential! Begin phase three!”

Donovan felt a combination of fear and curiosity. Fear of what Dr. Maddox would do next and his own wonder and curiosity of the system. He hesitated and then before he could change his mind, Donovan tapped the holographic screen beginning phase three of the upgrade.

“No!” the scientist who initially showed hesitation exclaimed in a hushed tone of fear and regret. But it was too late.

Like with phase two, the system glitched out momentarily before resuming normal operation.

No issues so far. Donovan held his breath. The entire lab held its breath.

Dr. Maddox smiled in pleasured satisfaction as he observed phase three’s upgrade. It all was making superb progress! Such wonderful and superb progress!

The system glitched again but this time, all of the holographic screens flickered in a distorted manner.

Suddenly, every screen went black and there was nothing but dead silence.