Chapter 10

Stephen was silent through out the whole ride, his mouth pressed in a thin line. From time to time he glanced down at the girl lying at his side.

"002" he muttered occasionally. He thought it a stupid name and couldn't believe that the girl is Goldlinor, his Gold. At last they landed in Duplex camp. His father was waiting for him together with some guards who took 002 away almost immediately. Stephen's father beckoned to him and he obediently followed, fearing what awaits him and yet determined not to be intimidated. It wasn't long before Stephen found himself inside his father's office form the first time in his life. He glanced around the office and realized why his father hardly stays at home. Why, the office is more posh and comfortable than a home. He could recognize many gadgets which he had very much wanted at home when he was younger and which his father have denied him.

"I didn't bring you here for sightseeing, Stephen. "His father's voice snapped him out of his reverie.

"So what is the explanation for what you just did?" His father questioned.

"I'm sorry. I just couldn't let her die." Stephen replied looking at his shoes.

"Meaning what?" His father's voice was rising in pitch. "I told you to cut every connection with her once she becomes one of my projects-. And you should do just that." His father barked.

"I've been trying to, father. I just can't let her die."

Stephens father's eyes darkened and Stephen knew he has trespassed.

"You would rather she lives and become an ineffective product? If she dies, it means she is worthy to be part of my projects. Now get out of my sight and do as you told, or you get out of my service. Infidel." His father's tone on the last word was steel. And like a well sharpened steel blade it pierced Stephen's heart and lodged there.

"Why am I even allowing myself to be intimidated?" Stephen asked himself. For the first time his life, he dared to look at his father in the eyes. His tone matched his father's as he said "I will rather leave your service and have you disown me. Father of infidel."

The shade of his father's face changed from white to pink, to scarlet, to purple and finally to green. Stephen's father picked a hand-laser and Stephen prepared to die. But just then, the door slid open and Dr. Salvo walked in. His eyes quickly took in the laser pointed at Stephen and Stephen himself whose eyes were closed and hands at his sides,like the defiant soldiers of the lower nations during the third world war, waiting to be executed. Then his eyes went to the discolored face of Stephen's father and a smirk appeared on his face.

"If you are tired of your son Dr. Luther,you can let me take him, I'm missing mine." He said, still smirking. Dr. Luther's expression quickly changed from rage to anxiety. He knew Salvo never misses his son, not unless something happened. "Again?" Dr. Luther asked.

"Yes"Salvo replied, his face now sober." Again. I don't so much care for him, if Lord Plank isn't stirring up so much trouble about his disappearance, he can incinerate himself for all I care." He said this with such an excited tone that Stephen sucked in air involuntarily. Someone is talking about his son!

Both men glanced at him sharply and very politely asked him to leave. Stephen walked out, glad to be out of the line of sight of his father's laser. But his curiosity have been stirred. He knew the boy in question, he knew the troubles Lord Plank have been stirring, and he knew how it ended the last time it was stirred. So what could have gone wrong in the carefully planned operation?

He wished He could eavesdrop on his father and Salvo. Then suddenly an idea occurred to him. He took out his pen and looked at it. The person in question have been his friend and cousin. He is something else too, something no one but him knows. He is a hacker and programmer. A top skilled one. And as friend and cousin, Stephen didnt fail to get many things from him. Something like a program log that can hack an AI and let one control it. He looked at the pen again, walked briskly to the door and inserted the pen into the memory board beside the door. He uploaded the program and ran it. He lookemdat the text on the board qnd grinned. The AI operating Suplex camp is now under his control and he can release Goldlinor if he wants. For a moment, he toyed with the ideas then decided he wasn't ready for all the dust it will raise. He had only one mission now. He walked to the Guard's room and sat at his desk. Then he opened his drawer and got out an earpiece. He connected the earpiece to his father's office, all the while a nasty grin on his face. He heard...:

....His father's office close.

"He's not there."Dr. Salvo said." A very good boy Stephen is. He always does what he is told. Wonder why you wanted to shoot that laser at him."

"Yes he is."His father said. "But with 002 it is different. "

"Teen boys and girls."Dr. Salvo said." A girl is the root cause of all my problems now"

"Luna. 003 if you please." Dr. Salvo snapped.

"Oh." His father said, a note of understanding in his voice.

"So what's with Lord Plank?" His father asked.

"He claims that finger prints were discovered in Barrister Lavender's office. And that could be a lot of trouble if identified. "

"If it already isn't. But he might just be using it as a threat to make us give up something. "

"A valid threat I might say, because the fingerprint must have been identified already. And we have already had some association with the owner, which means that we can easily be linked to the murder of Lavender." Dr. Salvo said.

"You're right. We are in a lot of trouble. "...

....Stephen started. Someone had tapped him.

"It is time for the introductions of 002 and you are to escort her to the Hall." The person said.

Stephen removed the earpiece and stood up. As he walked towards 002's room, his father's last sentence echoed in his ears.

"You're right. We are in a lot of trouble. "

How true it is. Because nor t only are they in trouble,he too is in trouble. Because...He remembered the day he had to murder Barr. Lavender, And how he wondered what could go wrong. He remembered thinking his father will never know it was actually him and not 002 that did it, he had covered his tracks well. He remembered making everybody think he is in his room he is a master strategist and he remembered how he had done the act itself. He remembered it all too clearly....