ARASAKA ACADEMY
...
David looked down at the bootprint carved into the ground below , thinned lips looking down at the indent.
' Awesome ' Oh what he wouldn't give to be the one doing what those ... monsters did last night. ' I mean sure I had been immobilised for like ... an hour ... and mum... mum '
He winced at the thought of his mother , the sheer panic she had gone through before his eyes as she had become a prisoner in her own body , Forced to state at the live feed along with her son , The panic in her gaze as tears broke free from her eyes as she couldn't move . It was terrifying. The most terrifying thing either of then had ever experienced .
She had called out of her shift today , Having stayed in bed , TV and radio turned off as gossip spread , everyone was effected, those simply tuning in on radio had experienced the same thing as them.
And so within 2 hours of his battle with that awesome behemoth of NEW HOPE , Apollo had become public enemy number one in the eyes of everyone who had been effected .
' And I still have to go to school ' David rolled his eyes , Looking uo at the exploded windows in the middle floor , imagining how awesome the collision of the two monsters must have been ' Preem , I need to get a brain dance of that '
The usual crowd was gone , With the suits now practically shitting themselves at the sheer absurdity a lone word could do . Had refused to send their children to the academy until proved safe.
Even now security stood on guard , Deployed to guard the academy as crews studied the impact crater and affected areas .
' Oh crap I'm late ' David ran forward into the building as the academies bell rang.
....
NEW HOPE
....
RN02 studied its newly constructed arm , Flexing it as the decommissioned RAR armour was pulled apart , Melted down along with the RAR itself being destroyed , Atomically deconstructed under the watch of Sebastian.
" How is your arm " Sebastian checked the system status through a datapad , Looking down at his creation with an caring smile .
" It is optimal ... thank you father " RN02 looked to the side where the helmet of the RAR sat on the bench next to the surgery chair , its data being transferred to a drive to be reviewed later.
RN02 refused to meet his father's eyes , Face crestfallen , Brow knitted . He had attacked his own father , his creator. No matter how he looked at it , it was a betrayal of the highest order.
" I told you before, I'm not upset you know " Sebastian smiled , Placing his hand gently on RN02'S shoulder .
" Why ... " Genuine curiosity , The burning desire to know clear , he truly desired to know why his father allowed him such liberty to act .
" I didn't create you to follow every order I made without question . If I did that I would have done it myself. Created a simple machine to do so . Instead I gave you life , breathed consciousness into you . Your own desires , Your own beliefs " Sebastian knelt down , Staring into his creations eyes " I gave you free will . And to take the step to use it for yourself , To do something for yourself , to take something for yourself . Makes me prouder than you could possibly know "
" The ability to defy my words , Is something I will never take away from you . You followed your beliefs. Showing your convictions. And I cannot , and will not fault you for it " Sebastian reassured his child , Petting him on the shoulder once more before turning to the place where the mass that the RAR used to be , being repurchased for something else.
" However I would advise against showing such ... esoteric technologies that we posses to the public. NEW HOPE now has a lot of attention currently... more than we're ready for . Militech has already reached out in an attempt to garner some kind of deal in an attempt to gain the RAR , As has arasaka , Of course they will be denied " Sebastian moved to the drive that he kept his blueprints on.
" I expect someone to attempt to breach our mainframe within the next forty eight hours to indefinite time. As such " Sebastian promptly removed all blueprints from the system . From their drones to their medical technology . Instead cataloguing and storing them in his mind, Where they would remain safe , nobody in the world could access his mind and the knowledge stored within. As such , it was the safest , Most vast , infinite datastorage in the universe .
" We will leave the absolute most basic technology for them to find , Along with a trap " Sebastian linked to the NEW HOPE data archive , rounsing the hidden beast in the mainframe from its slumber .
' @×+×&><<>)(, What ... can I assist you with , Apollo )(@[[@[ ' The terrified AI Sebastian had allowed sanctuary in NEW HOPE'S databanks, responded , Rousing from its resting state to come to Sebastian at his call .
Not reacting in any way to the AI knowing his identity , It along with he knew just what would happen if it attempted any form of betrayal , instead he interacted without fear .
' Someone somewhere will attempt to break into our subnet , You have my permission to neutralise them ... fear no retribution. You are safe in our network , I expect you to guard us as we do you ' His ' Request ' Was heard and listened to , The AI quickly performing a quick scan of the subnet just incase.
' @-% of course ... my home shall not be breached. I will not fail you , Lord Apollo ' Its reverence was clear , being dismissed by Sebastian, It sunk back into the subnet , Integrating itself with the datafortress , Combing over every little bit of data to pass through , Ready to zero any and all unauthorised access.
...
Turning back to RN02 , Sebastian watched his creation studying his arm for several long moments.
" Tell me , What are you thinking " Sebastian urged his son to speak.
" I have ... garnered new appreciation and understanding of you father " RN02 didn't hide anything, Eyes turning to his father .
" I'm glad you're at ease ... please assist Benjamin during these next couple of days , We're going to have a lot of ... unwanted interactions with the powers that be . Do not acquiesce to any of their requests , Run any and all offers to me " Sebastian requested , His son turning away preparing to leave the lab.
" Of course father "
Watching RN02 leave the lab , Sebatsian slowly sat down in the surgery chair , Not necessarily to perform any modifications, But to simply ponder . Interlacing his hands and crossing his legs , He stared at the ceiling , Eyes closing as he dove into his own mind .
...
MILITECH LAB
...
" Beginning test 032 " Lucas announced into the Mic , Staring into a sound proof room where only a single radio stood , sat apon a stool .
No noise was allowed to escape the room , No electronics nor signals could break in our out of what was essentially a dead zone within the cell .
" Please step into the chamber " Lucas's voice echoed around the lab as two militech chambers pushed yet another disposable subject into the sound proofed room , The soldiers quickly closing the door behind them and stepping away to the minimal safe distance .
" What is this ... LET ME OUT " The subject banging their fists against the glass , His voice couldn't be heard however , everyone watching simply saw the man's mouth move without any form of noise making it through .
" Please remain two metres distance from the chamber " Lucas's reached down to a transmitter.
" Beginning test run 032 " The man pressed the switch.
A sudden change in the air smothered the chamber , The consoles around them blurring for a moment , Glitching as the air around them became Suffocating.
Lucas's himself felt a Splitting headache even standing on the otherside of the lab , With no noise escaping the sealed room , everyone present was still somewhat effected.
" A....ah " Lucas vent over slightly , His cyberware flaring against his will as the instruments around the lab recorded the status's of everyone's cyberware .
The man in the chamber however froze , Plummeting to the ground unable to even blink , The only thing telling he was alive was the rise and fall of his chest. The fear in his eyes as real as the ground he lay on .
Within moments , the lab returned to normal , The militech guards around whom were affected by whatever had occurred rose back to their previous state , Returning to guard the lab as if their lives depended on it ... of which they did .
" Test log 032 ... regarding audio file dubbed Apollo's command , initial tests indicate three things , one , Exposure to audio file compelles cyberware to go into what I can only describe to be a state of forced stasis or self actuation . Effects on certain cyberware vary , neural ware remains largely undetected however appears to go deaf to the users imput until the effects run their course . Body modifications , Appear to compelle the victims bodies to push themselves into in the downward directions ,Locking motor functions until effects wear off " The scientist shook his head as he studied the effects on the rest of the lab before continuing again.
" secondly , We have discovered the audio file contains several frequencies unhearble to human ears lapping over eachother , Hypothesised to bypass the human aspect and interact directly with cyberware within range of the frequencies. Containing analogue , binary and what can only be described as lexical gaps , Completely undetectable to any instrument, But the effects remained to be observed , that have consecutively corrupted all attempts to decipher beyond all usability. It is of my belief that this is what allows the command to take effect rather than the word itself , these frequencies and codes are what entices cyberware to act without input , How it does so and why it bypasses any and all mounted defences remains to be studied "
Lucas hesitated for a moment , Unsure if he should continue.
" Finally . Apollo's command appears to also affect subnets themselves, bypassing ICE and effecting automated functions and very foundations of the net itself , Effectively halting any and all functions of anything and everything electronic material and immaterial... beyond that. The frequencies appear to be somewhat able to pass through electromagnetic shielding designed to interupt and neutralise said frequencies. As experienced by other personell in the lab , Even just the residual waves passing over a person is enough to ... interrupt their neural ware functions " Lucas hesitantly looked through the sealed rooms glass to where the radio was stationed , sitting on its lonesome with the victim still motionless at its base .
" Remove the subject , place under observation " A chime alerted lucas to two new arrivals , President Myers walking into the lab like she owned the place with the current ceo of militech lucas Harford .
" Madam president " lucas hurried over , Watching as Myers clutched her head , Nearly falling over as she was subjected to the residual frequencies bouncing around throughout the lab .
" Madam president you haven't been exposed to ... it have you " Lucas recognised the affects immediately.
Being exposed to Apollo's command once was harmless , basically a shut down meant to neutralise without harm ... but that was just the initial exposure.
Subject 01 had been the first to find out . Exposed to the frequency five times in five hours , Showed excessive harbouraging in the brain . Synapses burning out after the second bout of exposure. Irreparable damage to neural ware after the fourth and the signs that brainwaves of the victims themselves were beginning to be damaged by the command. By the end of the fifth round , 01 was effectively brain dead, Unresponsive as brain activity lowered until it reached the basic levels for sustaining life without thought.
Even lucas himself was aware that despite the very limited exposure he had experienced , blasted with nothing but the degraded frequencies that had gotten past the magnetic shielding , he was still beginning to show the systems synonymous to second round exposure .
" Madam president please follow me " Lucas took charge , Rubbing his brown as his head ached, Taking the chance to prolong recovery , guiding the president and militech ceo away from that particular chamber.
" Madam president I must ask how many times have you been subject to the audio file " Lucas asked , The three taking seats in the cafeteria .
" Once ... why " Lucas sighed in relief, Pulling his laptop out , showing the logs pertaining to the tests to the ceo and Myers.
" Madam president as you can see , from these tests ... as you can see , I'm particularly inclined to call whatever came out of Apollo's helmet ... the voice of God itself "
Myers flinched at the noted logs , The audio files effects remained undiluted no matter how many times it was copied and pasted. Cutting the recording still produced the desired effects , Even removing the frequencies themselves from the file still ... somehow ... produced the same effect. No background influence could interfere , overlapping the audio with another did nothing.
Even converting the sound data to binary coding , uploading it Into any device would immediately produce the same effect. Immediately corrupting anything it was uploaded into .
" as long as the audio file exists and is played ... it can't be stopped . The effects it has on the brain after prolonged exposure cannot be repaired . Madam president " Myers gaze slowly rose from the laptop , From what she was reading about the fifth test and the results .
" Yes " Myers tone wasn't one out of feat, But deep curiosity.
" It is of my belief that this audio file needs to be scrubbed and destroyed from all devices ... everywhere , Every file , Every data cache , Everything needs to be scrubbed of this file . Whatever produced this file , whatever capable of anything need this ... is beyond esoteric in my belief . I don't know whether it was Apollo himself , or something speaking through him or his cyberware , But whatever it is ... is something I shall never pretend to come close to understanding " Lucas expressed , Looking between Myers and the militech ceo lucas .
Exchanging glances between eachother , Myers and Bradford slowly turned their gaze back to the scientist .
" We are of the same belief , We have already taken liberty to have all broadcasts , All copies destroyed as we speak ... as for Apollo ... leave that subject to us " Myers gently closed the laptop and slid it back to lucas " And with that ... we won't take uo any more of your time . Please continue your duties in the meantime "
" Of course , Thank you Madam president " Lucas quickly departed , Heading back into the lab.
Myers and Bradford watched the door close , Expressions severe as the president interlaced her hands.
" what do you think we should do " Bradord asked , Already having an incling of an idea but also wanting to hear Myers opinion.
" I want all copies destroyed , indeed having public access to the file would cease nothing but untold chaos. However ... I want the origional copy stored studied and the effects reproduced if possible , In other mediums ... if we can do that " The rest was left unsaid , the two of them already having a clear understanding of the situation and opportunities before them.
" And what of Apollo himself " Bradford whispered.
" Gaining his allegiance... is imperative ... a variable we can't let slip from our grasp ... he cannot fall into the hands of arasaka or some other party. . I want him found ... now "
" Of course , A nation wide manhunt is already under way ... hopefully we'll hear something soon "
...
NIGHT CITY DAM
...
Staring up at the night sky , Sebastian looked at the two gargantuan holo displays rising above night city and into the skies , Seeing the face of Apollo's wanted poster broadcast over the city for everyone to see , every third screen being a freeze-frame from the night before .
" Brr ... " His bike spoke at his side , Nudging him with its wheel , Drawing his attention.
" Yea ... they're finally taking things seriously " Sebastian slung himself over the bikes saddle , Leaning down as the bike it tore across the dam road , Weaving in between traffic.
Receiving a notification, Sebastian opened up the message , Appearing over his left eye .
[ NUSA has reached out, Wishing to go over a catalogue of our available merchandise ... how would you like to proceed ] RN02s text was read and reread several times over as Sebastian squinted , His bike turning a corner on its own .
' I see ... ' Sebastian mused , entering Watson at speed as traffic lights were interrupted to allow a seamless uninterrupted ride .
[ This is most likely militech probing but none the less am opprtunity , Give them two catalogues . One pertaining to our lower end medical supplies , and agricultural related technologies. And the second being a catalogue of available cyberware available at Red rippers . Inform them we preside over both and will be able to partake in both ventures . However inform them that any contract they make will not be exclusive] Sebastian sent the message only to recieve a reply a near instant later .
[ Of course father... I will keep you updated ] RN02 tuned out just as Sebastian turned into the street containing his ' Apartment '
Of course he could move out at any time and move to the city centre but Watson and the area he was in had a certain ... charm to it .
And with red rippers being not a kilometre away , sixth street guarding with his name on it like rabid dogs , Maines crew practically hovering around for the preem cyberware he offered . His apartment was a relatively safe place , Not to mention being on the edge of night city would allow a far easier escape than being in the city centre . Also tekeyoshi living in the same complex .
Yet he wasn't here for his apartment , Passing by the building he went down the hill towards red rippers , seeing the sixth street cars loitering around , He wound around the back of red rippers to the garage , Driving in as the door closed itself behind him.
' Time to get some work done ' He didn't need to , But he would rather experience the hardship of an honest day's work , keeping himself grounded , Keep reminding himself where his priorities lay .
With the people , Every person that walked through that door was dear to him , A person who placed their lives , Their trust in his hands , He wouldn't abuse that , He wouldn't let them down .
Everything he did ... was for them . It always was ... always will be .
WESTBROOK
...
" Dispatch ... I'm norlt seeing any movement from the residence" Decard spoke into his radio , Looking at a house in Westbrook with no movement in or out .
" Copy that , Proceed with caution " Decard sighed , Looking to his partner , They both knew they'd need to go inside .
" Ah fuck " terry sighed , A man of European descent , unbuckled his belt and stepping out of the car " Let's get this shit done "
" Alright " Decard stepped out of the vehicle , Closing the door to his police cruiser , He and his partner walking up to the unassuming door , Raising his knuckles and knocking .
" NCPD ... open up " Decard yelled out , He and terry waiting through several seconds of painful silence.
Banging on the door , Decards patience wore thin , The loud banners causing several passer-by to hurry away .
" NCPD ... We were notified by a disturbance at the residence ... "
Several more seconds passed, decard and terry waiting for another thirty seconds .
" Fuck it " terry stepped forward , Using his cyberware to force the door open , Tearing it from its hinges and stepping in " NCPD ... "
Terry paused , The hairs on his neck standing on end as he reached for his service pistol. The lights in the house were on , The smell of fresh cooking wafted in front the kitchen , Yet nothing moved , No sound , Just a heavy oppressive atmosphere.
" Dispatch ... call it in , Reinforments requested " Decard hissed into his communicator , Stepping in behind terry as they entered the residence.
Covering terry's flank , They moved through the residence quietly , Their breaths heavy , Their Instincts screaming at them .
" HANDS UP " Terry yelled as they rounded the corner to the dining room " What ... the fuck "
Terry lowered his firearm as he saw the seen . And as decard stepped in , Felt himself freezing at what was beyond .
Sat at a table , Their meals still warm on the table surface. A family of four held eachothers hands in prayer , Yet ... they weren't.
The father , A man of Brazilian descent was leant backwards over his seat , Eyes exploded , ears bleeding as his face was covered in his own blood from a heavy nose bleed . Small gouts of flame circulated his head , most likely from his cyberware spontaneously exploding .
The mother, Slumped over the table , Held her husbands left hand , most likely dragged onto the table as her husband fell back . Her eyes stared forward , Murky , Unblinking , Her neural ware having literally exploded out of the back of her skull to splatter the wall .
In her left hand , she clutched her sons hand , The most effected , His body dragged to the ground as his mother slumped to the side. His head was burnt to a crisp , an unrecognisable mess of gore , the slot in the side of his head melted to his cranium , Eyes quite literally melted from his head as mucus leaked from his ears , Not blood , mixed with something else.
The final family member , Clutching her fathers vacant hand , A girl with straight brown hair draping her shoulders , Twitched on the table , Yet she was almost entirely unaffected , Her pulse faint as she released small moans onto the table.
" Grab her " Terry demanded , cuasing decard to move forward , Crafully removing the fathers fingers from the girls own , Scooping her up into his grasp as he turned her back to his partner.
" What are you waiting for ... get her in the car and wait for trauma team " Terry felt a vein in his head throb as decard rushed past , Observing the scene whilst decard exited.
Stepping outside, Decard opened the back door of his car , Laying the girl down and gently closing the door .
" Gotta call this in " Decard rounded , Pulling own the driver seat and sitting himself in .
" Offcier decard heins, Dispatch do you copy " Decard hissed into the mic .
" Copy that heins " Dispatch responded.
" I need an immediate emergency response team , Trauma team and that damn new hope , Three neutralised, one un... " Decard was startled by sudden movement from the back seat as the girl shot up , Obersving her surroundings critically before her eyes settled on decard himself .
" You're awake sweetheart " Decard let go of his mic and turned to the girl " Everythings going to be alright okay, Just... stay there we'll ... yea "
Decard turned away , Moving to reach for the mic once more .
" You posses the bare minimum requirements for sustained use ... consider yourself privileged " The girls words were drowned out by the loud traffic out side , unforntunate for decard as he raised up and looked into the mirror .
" What was that honey " Decard smiled kindly trying in some way to alleviate the dore situation for the girl , Watching as the girl perk up , Rising so that she was behind his chair as if to repeat herself .
" Well ... "
The child's hand rounded the chair in a flash , Enclosing around decards mouth before he even noticed, And before he could respond in any meaningful way , Everything ceased , Violet bursts of energy transferring from the girls hand straight into decards head , His mouth open in a silent scream as every thing he was , every memory he ever had , ever smell ever relationship . Was torn from his mind and replaced with something else .
And as the process was complete , The now deceased girl fell back , Eyes, Nose and ears bleeding as her cyberware sparked violently , all signs of life Fleeing as soon as the transfer was complete .
Not thirty seconds later , Terry approached , the body falling to the bottom of the back seat .
" Decard what the fuck ... DISPATCH " Terry tore the back door open , Pulling the girls body from the back and onto the pavement.
" Huh ... " Eyes alight with Violet light , acting as he stepped out and moved to assist " SHIT "
...
CHAPTER COMPLETE
I hope you all enjoy this chapter. if anyone has any feed back please let it be known , I enjoy hearing from each and every one of my readers , Until next time friends