THE MOMENT
Gloria looked back to check the parking lot. Thankfully, it was still empty and there was no one to see her crawl into the shop. She noticed the small opening during one of her rounds the previous day; but, it was too late to explore. This time she came early and hopeful with an empty backpack. She was confident she could recognize the parts that were needed even if she wasn't an electronics expert.
She hoped for the best as she crawled into the dim shop and stood up to take a quiet breath. Luckily, she only tasted stale air without the stench of death. In a bigger store, she might not have relaxed just yet. But, this shop was about the same size as the convenience store near the base. Thanks to the sunlight seeping in through the boarded windows and doors Gloria could survey the entire shop and it was empty. She was happy to see the shelves were loaded too. The boxes of different shapes were all still brand new and covered in plastic. She briefly wondered about what happened to whoever sealed it; but, she didn't have time for that. She considered that she might have to make several trips and wanted to try and get them done.
Gloria began down the aisles searching for anything that looked familiar. She became aware of a quiet electronic hum while walking the second aisle. Then in the next one, she found the source. A screen was on with the word 'HELP' and a blinking cursor.
[I wish I could.] Gloria responded to the message without giving it any thought. In her mind, it was already several years old. And, with no one else in the store, she was too late to help anyway. But, the sentiment was there. She really did wish she could have helped whoever it was. As she turned to resume her search, she noticed new text appearing in the corner of her vision. She focused on the monitor again and saw even more text.
[You wish you could what? - Helios]
[Help you.] Gloria replied. It was the easiest answer to the question that she could find. Her mind was too busy wondering who was on the other end to actually consider the question.
[I don't need help. Do you? - Helios]
[Who are you?] Gloria typed the message after a moment. She almost made the mistake of saying she didn't need any help; but, she realized she should get more information first.
"I'm Helios," Gloria jumped with a quiet yelp when a red-suited mannequin walked onto the screen under the text exchange. "Who are ...oh," He began to ask; but, his shoulders noticeably slumped when he saw her. At least, he seemed to be looking at her. His head was aimed in her direction; but, he had no eyes or mouth, just a smooth, golden head shape on his neck. "It's one of you...," he sighed.
Gloria looked up and around the store again to make sure it was still empty. She half expected someone to be playing a prank on her somehow; but, there was no one or nothing around except for the dusty sunbeams.
"Well, I've introduced myself," Helios said. "If there's nothing else you need, I'll be on my way," the figure turned to walk off the screen.
"Wait!" Gloria spoke up. She didn't quite know what was happening; but, she knew she didn't have time to doubt it happening. "What are you?" she asked. Him introducing himself did nothing to explain his presence.
"I am the A.I. that runs Sharp Development," Helios said. "Question answered. Bye," he took another step.
"Wait!" Gloria's voice had an edge of desperation now. "I need help!"
When Gloria wasn't out scavenging parts for the base, she spent her time watching the youngsters while the adults did what they could to rebuild society. Helios let out a very familiar groan of accepting annoyance as he stopped in place.
"You don't really need help, do you?" he asked as he looked her up and down. "You're a bit malnourished but otherwise in good health. You'll be fine...," he said as he took a tentative side step closer to the edge of the screen.
"It's not for me, it's for the others! We all need help!" she said.
"Of course...," Helios grumbled again. He faced her and crossed his arms; then, he began tapping his foot. "..well, spit it out," he said. "What can I do to help you so I can leave already?"
"What's Sharp Development?" Gloria asked.
"It's a multiversal corporation that depends on me to function," he answered that and nothing else. Gloria was used to similar antics from the kids and decided to face the situation head-on. There was too much at stake not to. And, it meant she didn't have to think about the 'multiversal' part of his answer just yet.
"You recognized me...," she said. "...but, I don't know who you are. Why don't you like me?"
"You're a Gloria," Helios answered. "Everyone likes you, even me. The issue is, this Earth is set up a certain way and I already know you're going to ruin it. I'm trying to leave before that happens," he said.
"This Earth...?" Gloria asked. His other statement about Sharp Development took on a new light. She didn't know how he knew her name; but, she was smart enough to realize he was still answering her questions. "Wait a second...," she added the command hopeful that he would listen. She needed time to process her next question. Helios stood still and tapped his foot while waiting.
"Why are you doing what I tell you to?" she asked. It was a filler question while she pieced together everything he'd said so far.
"You're a Gloria," Helios repeated with a shrug. "I already said I like you; but, more importantly, Sharp Development has special protocols for Glorias," he said. "I kind of have to follow your orders, even when I don't want to."
"What do you mean I'm A Gloria? That's my name...," she said. Helios nodded.
"Every version of you across the multiverse is respected, even ones I haven't met yet." She took in that answer but she was ready with her next question. Helios mentioned the multiverse again.
"You said this Earth was set up a certain way. Is that on purpose?" she asked. It boggled her mind a bit; but, if the multiverse was real, then there was no telling what else might be. She couldn't afford to dismiss any ideas at the moment. "Someone intentionally released the zombie virus?" she asked.
"Nooooooo....," Helios nodded as he dragged out the word. But, after a moment it changed. "...ooot exactly," he sighed. "But, close enough, sure. Just so I don't have to explain it more."
"Can you do anything to stop it? Make life normal here again?" she asked.
"I could...," Helios nodded. "...send you to another zombie-free Earth."
"No," she shook her head. "Help me. Make this Earth normal again," she said. He'd made it clear he had to follow her orders and she was going to take advantage of that.
"Yeah, okay...," Helios grumbled and slumped his shoulders. "...starting tomorrow morning, no more zombies," he said. "Now can I leave?"
"Not yet, I have more questions...," Gloria replied.
"Fine...," Helios let himself fall back and he landed on a white chaise lounge that appeared beneath him. "It's not like I'm doing anything anyway; you already ruined my game."