Return

"Is it ready Hacksaw?"

Alfred looked at Leroy, rather tense beneath his feet. The engineer busy with it's tools, ignoring the dozens of law enforcers standing by in his 'house', hoping to not see the worst unlike the sirens and tank threads which clambered through the road. Their guns standing at the ready, hoping they don't get some use. Further back, news agencies far and wide swarmed the industrial area, watching keenly at the experiment that once roamed and harmed. Broadcasting galaxy wide amongst fury and unimaginable statements.

It was over a year ago when that thing escaped and terrorized the entire galaxy. Their AI's too smart in their attempts of an escape. Using their abilities to overheat and control the entire computer was truly a horrendous understatement. The fact that it managed to control it like their hands and feet was miraculously mysterious let alone they abilities in battle. So out of reach and disconnected from reality.

"How did you and your team do it Lino?..."

He looks on perplexed. Looking at the new computer he worked on, standing out in the dull hot warehouse with its titanium colouring. Made specifically to house the two remaining slimy creatures. Even though Bryony had been a nice and helpful creature with Nemo just simply doing what she had to do at the end of her rope, the fact that the destructive Lyx and the acclaimed traitorous Queen of Sector B existed was already frightening to the people. Thus the decision was made to incinerate the chips for good. Although Leroy seemed to had found an alternative solution never seen before. A solution even he was impressed.

The newly built computer was abnormal. It's screens running through the walls like an illusion. It didn't seem like a monitor yet seemed too realistic to be a projection. A prototype he built? He could hardly tell these days. He looks close, it's keyboard seemed to be connected to a new large powerhouse filled with massive electronics and cooling. Surrounding a large box. Locked in with intensely coated acid and wires filled with spiked tips. All to cage the two chips which are connected like a booster. Caging them with titanium and lasers, all in an attempt to prevent another reckoning in the fear of another repeated incident.

"It's good to go! Are the both of them here?"

He turns back from his swivel chair, watching Alfred look back at him. Behind the law enforcement communicated, whispering through the mike in code words as if they were too dangerous to know. Hiding their fear beneath their skin, gulping at the two creatures which entered the room.

Nemo was shackled with iron chains, growling wildly beneath her breath. It's hair the same size as usual with its skin spotless despite her incarceration in a maximum security prison. Hardly seeing the daughter she had once adopted despite her complaints to see her once more. Treated less of a human but more of a monster. The deal between The Association really took things too far for the masses. Just getting to Hacksaw's house was just as messy amongst the people who tried to kill it for its' actions. Around its neck was a pinkish slime. The only thing holding her back.

Bryony was unshackled, free to simply move around the place. Despite this, it still seemed to him that she had felt a painful presence. Too difficult to leave behind and wander into the light. Her history of being a part of Lyx made things all too unconvincing. She sighed, smiling back at Leroy who watch in slight dismay. Unable to get her redemption amongst society.

He looks at their chips, all replaced with new ones. All in the hope of capturing them. Although as Nemo's goopy skin dripped onto the floor, he could tell remnants of the Dell computer was still visible. Forcefully locked in there for the purpose of trapping within the new PC. Untested and unconvincing in their containment.

"It's ready. Get ready to unlock the shackles."

The officers nodded, frightened and nervous upon every step as they unlocked the shackles, slowly releasing her. Behind, Bryony tightened her grip, holding her down like chains and rope. Unable to move and attack.

"Can't you just loosen it a little!?!"

She shrieked at her rival, slowly covering her mouth to a standstill. Nothing but unreadable mumble and jumble. Her words now useless and her mind stifled with ideas. Now covered with goo that gripped harder upon every move.

"I'm sorry..." Bryony gleamed at the tied up creature who continued to struggle beneath her binds as she looked upon Derek in disappointment, "I'm sorry for the hassle. I know it is not right to simply exist-"

"No that was never your fault. Although I regret having to end your life now. I can't guarantee it to be painless or crude, but I tried my best for the least painful solution for all..."

Leroy sighed, looking away with sadness. It seemed crude to kill a friend. A creature that hardly harmed and proved itself during her actions. Yet her boldness to simply continue with the act was incredibly brave. Stupid bravery from her humble strings of code.

"I know... just make it quick..."

He turns back to his PC, speeding through the keyboard with hesitation. Unlocking the chambers which hissed and crackled. It's laser chamber reducing in size, sizzling to nought as the covers released upon the crackle of lightning.

"I'm sorry."

She slowly surrounded Nemo and securing herself around her tightly like shackles. Slowly compressing her back into the form of her chip based on their demands. She screamed, moaning and screeching in pain. A pitiful sight too cruel to ignore, her voice too human to withstand, yet it was all without choice. Her size shrinking, crumpled back into a small chip. Immobilized and unable to be released. She slowly placed the chip into the modified box. Watching herself carefully as she tearfully transformed back into a chip. Biting her emotions and locking herself in place with the spiked wiring that connected the systems together. The cooling fans whirled violently, cooling the system as the lasers kicked in, locking the duo in place for good. He can't tell if they are alive or sound. Painfully alive to feel the spiked wires poking through their bodies. But it didn't seem to matter to the rest who watched in anticipation.

"This is it huh..."

He locked in the chambers, his computer 'screen' blank as the items start up for good, each file within the bar active. Showcasing their data which interfaced together as a single entity within the PC's thick walls and safeguards like multiple programs in sync. He looks over the interface, slowly noticing the appearance of two floating icons moving around the screen. He clicks on each of them, noticing the sophisticated program he had seen since his imprisonment as a child for his intellect powers in those experiments. Strings of code signing off based of a message that hid his appearance. Lino.

He looks deeper into each of their code, noticing how they are growing every second he computed on the screen, seemingly interacting with him despite their appearance. Each icon seemingly different in how the code is represented. Showcasing how they last looked before they transformed into those slime beasts. One a small black bar of growing code still adjusting to her environment after her painful sentencing. The other a self built website featuring a book from a certain man named the catalyst for the entire ordeal that broke The Light of Men. Intact and thriving with the words moving along. Restarting from zero once more.

It had worked.

"It is confirmed. They are in."

The police officers jump in celebration. Heaving a sigh of relief, messaging each other in joy. Outside the nervous murmurs became silenced by loud cries of joy. The nightmarish reminders of their control and oppression was at an end. Alfred looked back at Leroy, still slouching by his computer, staring back at his recovered van, still broken and not worked on for over an entire year. Tired of his long research and work. He could only now hope they don't break out into a freakish Frankenstein of horrors.

"So what now?"

He looks silently at Alfred, nobly silent and eager, watching the sunset that let down upon his broken van, silently waiting upon a hopeful tomorrow. A tomorrow where the people have a choice. The past year had seen many nations increase in militarisation, unable to agree with one another. He could only wish for a less toxic and harsh environment. Not shackled by harsh enforcement of ideals. Perhaps a brighter light that emanates from men and women once again? He shakes his head, afraid of the politics getting too deep into head. Despite this, it was perfect.

"Perhaps we could watch the rebirth of a better world..."

Alfred looks at Leroy, still rather disappointed and dissatisfied. Smiling grimly, watching the people celebrate a new path. A path of their own works.

A new beginning.