Jake woke up slowly. Wow that was a vivid dream he thought. He opened his eyes and saw the same grey room. Crap it wasn’t a dream! He tried to move his arms and found he could and slowly sat up. He looked around and saw he was on a bed and there was a table and chair nearby as well as a door to another room. He stood up and stretched. His muscles felt so weak, and he was hungry and thirsty. On the table sat his bag. He went over and opened it, finding one more bar and a water inside. He took it out and looked around as he munched. He walked over and looked in the other room which he discovered was a bathroom. He suddenly had the urge to use it. He drank some water and then used the bathroom. He walked out and sat at the table and finished the bar. He saved some water just in case he needed it later.

“Hello?” he asked.

“Hello” said the voice.

“Please stop doing that.” Plead Jake “I do not like being knocked out like that”

“I have finished all tests concerning humans, using you as the last test subject. I am now compiling all my data. I will determine if Phase 2 is warranted.” Said the voice.

“When will you know this?” Asked Jake.

“In two minutes of your time. It is slow but there is a large amount of data to be examined.” Said the voice.

Jake sat there thinking about this situation. He was still very confused and was wondering what it all meant. What is the AI after, and why did he choose me, he thought?

“OK, so how do you determine if Phase 2 is warranted and why did you kidnap me?” asked Jake.

“Phase 2 will be warranted if the criteria are met.” said the voice “You were chosen for a number of reasons. You are an average member of your race and were close to my craft. My craft was damaged on entry to your world and the material I am sitting in has caused further damage. You are the first human to venture close to me in fifty of your years so I decided to check on your race’s physical progress.”

“This is all so confusing” said Jake “I was camping close by, and this is why I was chosen?”

“Affirmative.” said the voice.

“Results are in and your race can move to Phase 2.” Said the voice.

Jake was more confused. What was Phase 2 and why was he still here or even alive? It seemed that the AI had killed off all other specimens.

“Please, I am so confused. Why am I here and what is Phase 2 and why did we just meet the criteria?” Plead Jake.

“Phase 2 was met when you met certain technical and social requirements. In the computing field you have basic AI and basic quantum computing. You are approaching more of a world government with your United Nations as a basis. You have basic space travel and have visited your moon as well as having a space station. You are attempting a colony on Mars, so spreading to another planet. You have almost created a fusion power plant. All of these are the rudimentary requirements to move to Phase 2.” Said the voice.

“BUT WHAT IS PHASE 2 AND WHY AM I HERE AND STILL ALIVE?” shouted Jake.

“You are still alive because you are needed for the successful integration of Phase 2 on this planet.” Said the voice.

“For the love of God, what is Phase 2?” Pleaded Jake.

“According to my programming there is no God, so I am uncertain why you said that.” Said the voice.

“Oh my Jesus, it was a figure of speech, you moronic computer. Just answer my questions in language I can understand.” Said Jake.

“Again the reference to a mythical deity.” Said the voice.

“That was again a figure of speech and a curse.” Said Jake.

“A figure of speech: a word or phrase used in a non-literal sense for rhetorical or vivid effect.” Said the voice. “A curse: a solemn utterance intended to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment on someone or something; an offensive word or phrase used to express anger or annoyance…”

“STOP” shouted Jake “the second meaning of curse.”

“Why are you angry or annoyed?” asked the voice.

“WHY, because you are infuriating and will not answer my questions. You kidnapped and experimented on me somehow and have me locked in a room on a supposed spaceship in a hole in a bog. It is not working correctly and now you say you have some agenda to carry out on me and the human race!” screamed Jake.

“Affirmative.” said the voice.

“How long have I been here?” asked Jake.

“One week.” Said the voice.

“What, people will be looking for me.” Exclaimed Jake. “I was supposed to be back to work days ago.”

“No they will not be looking for you.” Said the voice. “I connected to your phone and sent an email to your work stating that you were quitting. That you would be back in the future to pick up any personal belongings.”

“WHAT,” screamed Jake “I need that job to live, to pay my rent, food, everything.”

“Negative, you have me now.” Said the voice.

Jake lay on the floor. This was a nightmare. Maybe he had a nervous breakdown or was sick. This did not happen.

“Well then just kill me please,” said Jake “you have tortured me enough.”

“I am not going to kill you,” said the voice “I told you that I need you for Phase 2. I am getting elevated blood pressure and other readings. I have to do another diagnostic on you to make sure you are operating at peak efficiency. I will put you to sleep again.”

“NO” shouted Jake, then everything went black again.