Mobius Read Online Free PDF Page A

would be and confined me terribly. I could barely breathe within it. I walked down the hall with a labored gait and finally came to Sensimion’s quarters. I released the magnetic lock and swung the door open. Sensimion sat up in his bed, his expression that of absolute terror.
    I stepped within.
    Sensimion drew back. “Who are you? Is this a dream?”
    I pulled it away from my face, revealing myself.
    “What have you done, Theron?”
    “I’ve flayed, and now wear, the skin of an orderly.”
    “You’ve gone crazy.”
    “No, I haven’t,” I said defensively. “They didn’t let Mage go free. She didn’t get well like the doctor said. They broke her neck and threw her into the incinerator like garbage.”
    “And wearing their skin like a wild-eyed lunatic is your revenge?”
    “No. I wear the skin of an orderly so I can pass through the main portal of the sanitarium. It was you who told me that the force field of the portal can discriminate the DNA of anyone trying to pass through.” I peeked into the hallway. “We must escape now, unless you want to join Mage in the incinerator.”
    Sensimion agreed, and we snuck to the main portal. The doctor and orderlies were nowhere in sight.
    I whispered, “I’ll pass through first, remove the skin-suit, and throw it back through the portal. When you put it on, be sure to secure these straps to close the openings at the arms, legs, and back. This will ensure your own skin won’t be detected by the portal.”
    Sensimion shuddered.
    “Do you understand?” I said.
    “Yes.”
    I tested the orderly’s flesh, moving my hand toward the portal’s barrier. It passed through freely. Without further delay, I stepped to the other side. I quickly removed the skin-suit and threw it back through the portal to Sensimion.
    I stood nervously. What’s taking him so long?
    Finally, Sensimion appeared. He pulled off the skin-suit with panic and revolt. “What now?”
    “Let’s first get clear of this place,” I said, looking down the dim corridor in which we now stood.

    We ran for hours through a maze of empty corridors, until at last we arrived at the MegaCity’s breathtaking under-workings. I tried to gain my bearings. In preparation for the escape, I had accessed the library view-panel and found pictures and schematics of the MegaCity’s structure. In front of us towered monolithic pillars that served to uplift the city’s diamond-fiber superstructure to its fantastic height. Between the pillars sat great machines, whirring enthusiastically, keeping the city alive.
    I turned to Sensimion. “We should part paths here, and find separate ways to the surface.”
    “I’d rather not be left alone,” said Sensimion. “Why can’t we go together?”
    “They’ll be looking for two of us. Also, we should never speak of these events again.” I frowned. “I’ve done terrible things. I’ve killed and mutilated a man. You’re no less guilty, as you’ve benefited from this sick deed.” My lips curled in revolt. “I’ll never forget the disgusting confinement of wearing another man’s skin. It’ll haunt me forever.”
    Sensimion cocked his head, as if to listen to the MegaCity above. “What do you think’s out there?”
    “Something better than the sanitarium.” I hugged Sensimion. “I’ll miss you, brother.”
    “I’m sorry about Mage, Theron.”
    “So am I. Goodbye, Sensimion.”

DIMENSIONAL
    CHAOS
     
     
    I looked out the window of my apartment on the Brahman Station and admired the magnificence of Jupiter, around which the space station orbited. I looked back to the old framed picture of my wife, Cassandra. It was her birthday today. “I’ll see you soon, my love.”
    I returned the framed picture to the dining table. I touched the window and a control screen popped up.
    “How may I help you Mr. Mobius?” came the computer’s female voice.
    “Upload the program ‘Mobius One’ to my neural interface.”
    “I cannot, Mr. Mobius. That program contains