I sauntered down the staircase with Marisa by my side. Where were we going? I don't know. What were we looking for? The Annihilation Code, I guess. I'll be honest, I don't really know what we're looking for here. Isn't the Annihilation Code a song? How do you find a song? I'm so confused. I'm still fairly sure we're in a normal spa, but if searching this place gives Atlas peace. I'm willing to do it.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFX4gy4VnzL
"So, what do you think we'll find down there?" I asked Marisa.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HMYprHX4m
"I don't know," she muttered as she hugged herself tightly.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9JFjpwhJj
"These are a lot of stairs. Why the hell do they have so many stairs? They should install an elevator."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnHm3JRWRO
Marisa just nodded along.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3cp3oKaTa
"Do your legs hurt? Mine do. Well, I guess I only have one leg now, but it hurts." I stopped talking when I realized she'd come to an abrupt halt. "Hey, are you okay?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFQb2prqVj
She shook her head, and tears welled up in her eyes.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBWlqeYvEF
Oh, no! She was crying! I don't usually do well dealing with people in emotional distress but spending time with Atlas had given me some practice.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGreiyQI5QO
I patted her head. "There, there. Don't cry."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyY1wWEc90N
She sobbed louder.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbLTIUJNzM
Okay, I needed a new plan. I tapped my toes in a repetitive motion as I tried to come up with something to say. Then I remembered I had an infinite amount of knowledge at my fingertips. I typed, How to console a crying person? Into my cybernetics. I pulled up an article on the topic and began skimming. Step one: Witness their feelings. What the hell does that mean? "Um, I witness your feelings."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bzZwYHikl
She glanced up at me through tear-soaked lashes. "What?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1vLEFHtOF
I returned my attention to the article. Step two: Affirm that their feelings make sense. "Your feelings are valid."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwew2SkPL2
"What would you know about my feelings?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2dvGXv8KT
"Nothing," I confessed. "I don't know anything about how you're feeling." I sat down on the stairs and patted the space next to me. "Do you want to talk about it?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZZtihrQna
She chewed on her lip anxiously as she eyed the space next to me. She reluctantly slumped down next to me.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxeVPY2LLm
I closed the article so I could give Marisa my full attention. 'Now tell me what's wrong."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGAtN1KO9a
She buried her face in her hands. "Atlas hates me."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscZcB21eTo
I rubbed gentle circles on her back. "What are you talking about? Where would you get a crazy idea like that?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKcpJ8E9fC
She didn't look up. "I can tell he's furious with me for talking to Vindicator. I don't blame him. I know it was the wrong choice, but I was scared, and I didn't know what else to do. He made me feel so stupid."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYIb08BZsc
I gave a sympathetic nod. "He could've been less harsh."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLy8hSmaXP
Marisa shot me a quizzical look. "You're not going to make excuses for him?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvUWuyCWxq
"Nah, he's responsible for his outbursts. I understand why he's upset, but that doesn't give him the right to be an asshole. Just because we're friends doesn't mean I have to excuse everything he does."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWuf3NHfXg
She wiped her tears away with her sleeve.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AiN9nDLZ9
"I know he doesn't hate you. He adores you." It was true, I could sense Atlas's feelings through our link. His affection for his sister was unmatched.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dDXg209zT
"How do you know that?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmPV7XJtxO
"I can sense it," I said before remembering Marisa didn't know about our cerebral link. "Because I'm... um... an empath." I decided to roll with it. "Yeah, I'm an empath, and by using my mystical empath powers, I can say with absolute certainty that Atlas adores you."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡal7plKDvtn
"I know Atlas formed a cerebral link with you." She said.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuDdIf5QQB
I chuckled nervously. "What? No. We would never do such a thing. That would be irresponsible and annoying. Who wants someone in their head all the time? Not me!"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wWQyGyX0I
She crossed her arms and shot me a dubious look.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98bwMF9lb8
"Okay, fine! I'll admit it. We formed a link. It was his idea."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlSWIMMCj1
A wistful smile spread across her face. "I'm not upset.
I always hoped, when he finally opened up about his trauma, I'd be the person he'd talk to."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRD8mCYP48
"I'm sorry."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu3NZQW08O
"Don't be. It's just that we were so close as kids. We told each other everything. Ever since joining the army, I feel like I hardly know him. It's like he's an entirely different person." She stared down at her empty hands. "I want my little brother back."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0homhmMzi
I gave a sympathetic nod as I listened. "I get it. You miss the person you grew up with. I can't imagine how hard it is to watch someone you love, change before your eyes."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssKTgpl0hY
"I still love him, you know? He's so different now, I don't know how to connect with him anymore."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO23mQfICk
Let me just say, as someone who has connected with Atlas recently, the Atlas I know is pretty amazing. He's smart and compassionate and so talented." I rolled up my sleeve to proudly reveal the seagull painted onto my arm.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL7sZLO9rf
The smallest trace of a smile formed on her lips. "You're a good friend. I can see why Atlas likes you so much."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55X3mVkiv6
"Of course, he likes me. I'm flawless and everyone adores me."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyBGh0fqAR
"Thank you for listening to me." She tried to wipe away the remainder of her dripping makeup with her sleeve.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q6pu3Mubg
I rifled through my pockets for a handkerchief I could offer her. I was still wearing my outfit from the top party. Everyone else changed before coming here, but I got distracted and lost track of time. I felt a piece of paper brush against my fingertips. I took it out of my pocket and unfolded it. It was the charcoal drawing Atlas had done of me.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf21F7fdJn
Marisa caught a glimpse of the sketch in my hands and let out a soft gasp. "Did Atlas make this?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoDee4n0aS
I nodded.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9TGnmN06x
"It's beautiful! His art has improved so much! He captured all the details perfectly. He has a gift, doesn't he?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1fHdxEB0g
I nodded. Her pride for her little brother made my heart swell. I knew it wasn't too late to mend their relationship. Unless Bionic Corp kills us before they get the chance. I thought glumly.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1y0zrIYDh
Marisa promptly stood up and dusted herself off. "That's enough crying. Let's keep moving."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3QTqEaO4T
I rose to my feet and followed her downward.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HNTL3JVqZ
After descending several flights of stairs, we found ourselves in a pitch-black corridor. The cold, dank air raised goosebumps along my skin. Marisa grabbed a flashlight out of her pocket, and I activated my night vision. There were three doors along the hallway. One to the left, one to the right, and one at the very end.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDtbq8RNe3
Marisa and I shared a wary glance as I reached for the doorknob to the first room.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJNNasYqVT
"Wait!" Marisa said in a hushed tone. "We shouldn't be snooping around here. This is probably just an ordinary small business, and we're trespassing. Let's just go."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSqp3KvELP
She had a point, but I was too curious to leave now. I pushed open the door and looked around. The room was filled with metal shelves with cardboard boxes stacked on top of them. I grabbed one of the brown boxes and rummaged through it. It contained a large stack of books and newspapers. "Who the hell still reads newspapers?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJhwzhYDVR
"See? There's nothing here!" Marisa said.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClIW33dPNF
"We've still got two more rooms to check."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDSi7ao38i
She rolled her eyes so hard; I think she caught sight of her brain. "Fine, but make it quick."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXAW27S7ng
The second room contained nothing but a series of beige file cabinets.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBv8bwyAVQ
We promptly moved on to the third door. I tugged on the handle, but it refused to budge. "It's locked."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJDSmyB7vI
"Can we go now?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2IK7SJR5H
"Nope." I used every ounce of my strength to rip the door off its hinges. I tossed the crumpled remains of the metal door aside. Thank you, cybernetic enhancements!
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuXQnkVf0W
Marisa let out an exasperated sigh. "I guess we're adding property damage to our list of charges."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sIDjJWXxV
"Don't worry, I have spectacular lawyers. They've gotten me out of tons of sticky situations."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfsiXxMz9X
"I don't have lawyers!"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpO6t8MvUO2
"I'll lend them to you."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66jVbL5zs9
The third room was pitch black except for the faint glowing blue light from a large computer screen. We hesitantly tiptoed towards the computer. As I scanned the room, I noticed a tiny red blinking light in the top corner of the room. I zoomed in with my cybernetic vision, to try to identify the light's source. It was a security camera! I hid my face from the camera's lens, then crushed the device with my cybernetic fist. I released my grip and the debris clinked to the ground. I smirked. "Not today, Bionic Corp."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNgmyKz2ce
Marisa approached the computer and examined it. "This is one of the fastest and most expensive computers on the market. This model can store over one hundred sixty terabytes of data. This is the same type of computer Bionic Corp used to use when I was in the army."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SZu6N3qYq
"Do spas typically have computers like this?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVDknc68rN
Marisa shook her head. "No, they do not."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qxZQpCCoL
"So, Atlas was right to suspect something suspicious was going on here?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6JPtCkBsX
"I guess so." Marisa sat down in the leather office chair and tried to access the computer. A notification popped up on the screen, demanding we enter the password.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBgTUAojiH
"Do you think you can hack in?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDl8RxFmSLD
"I can try. This is a newer model than I'm used to working with." She cracked her knuckles and got to work. Her acrylic nails made a clicking sound as she tapped on the keyboard.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrb4CVQHru7
"Are you okay with being out of the house this long? I know it's anxiety-inducing for you."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX9FLWAiRf
She kept her focus glued to the screen. "Nope, I'm not even remotely okay, but I have to keep going. Hacking is a good distraction."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVW6572T21g
I admired her tenacity. "Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U5eIyTxz7
"Yeah. Can you face the wall or something? I can have people staring at me while I hack.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvahZxNudF
"Yeah, I can do that." I pressed my forehead against the wall and stared at the chipped paint. I'm already bored. I counted every cobweb in the room several times, then slumped down in the corner. I wonder what Atlas is up to. I hope he's found something more interesting than this. He hasn't contacted me through our cerebral link, which probably means there is nothing to report.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPy9Jw5wtv
"I'm in!" She threw up her arms triumphantly and leaned back in her chair. "Their firewall is pretty tough, so we don't have a lot of time."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUEovVPJf9
"Great job!" I moved next to her so I could have a better view of the screen. "What are we looking at?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2C1DM9r6g
Marisa studied the screen. "It looks like a database." She skimmed the files. "What would you like me to look for?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsQFV3eOQ5
"Search for the Annihilation Code!" I suggested.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkUEHA8ibz
Marisa typed the words into the search bar.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPEmvaZWRt
０RESULTS FOUND
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bLHiVCW9i
"Dammit! I was hoping it was here. Atlas is going to be devastated."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMSjxGNRes
"Don't lose hope yet. Bionic Corp wouldn't leave the Annihilation Code lying around, listed under its own name. They'd most likely encrypt it somehow."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNWFuupbRf
I nodded. "Good thinking." I wouldn't have thought of that. "Where should we begin searching?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kh5fyfwlt
"I have no idea." She confessed. "We may have to go through every individual file to find it."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBL985j3Yp
"Fun," I said in a monotone.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoHMQwti4P
Marisa clicked on one of the files to open it.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLBdDhSAkx
Cyborg: 1052652512 Call sign: Abyss
Cyborg: 2391419201514 Call sign: Ace
Cyborg: 2652 Call sign: Adrenaline
Cyborg: 139121 Call sign: Aftermath
Cyborg: 54231184 Call sign: Alchemist
Cyborg: 38114412518 Call sign: Alpha
Cyborg: 5221 Call sign: Alpine
Cyborg: 41149 Call sign: Altitude
Cyborg: 1122524 Call sign: Ambush
Cyborg 101145: Call sign: Ambrosia
Cyborg: 114208151425 Call sign: Anaconda
Cyborg: 21715 Call sign: Angler
Cyborg: 815182119 Call sign: Anubis
Cyborg: 10211291 Call sign: Arachne
Cyborg: 18525331 Call sign: Artemis
Cyborg: 71857151825 Call sign: Apparition
Cyborg: 75145 Call sign: Astro
Cyborg: 41131514 Call sign: Avenger
Cyborg: 1491 Call sign: Avalanche
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnGhHmsMmP
Marisa let out a quiet gasp. "It's a record of every cyborg soldier that's ever worked for Bionics Corp!"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorj8FwXrL3
"Can you scroll downward? I'll tell you when to stop."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGVHWpM9nP
She nodded and began scrolling. She paused when we reached Cyborg: 3118121519 Call sign: Curseword.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrFoRCOdKp
I shook my head, and she kept scrolling. That's not who I'm looking for. We continued to skim through the list for what felt like an eternity. All the names and numbers were beginning to blur together. "Stop!" I shouted.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Zz3dIrSTa
Marisa froze.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkR8EG6tsYc
Cyborg: 451291 Call sign: Nightshade
Cyborg: 149381512119 Call sign: Nocturnal
Cyborg: 1259121 Call sign: Nyx
Cyborg 11120189141 Call sign: Oblivion
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uzOM2Okrt
I pointed to Oblivion's folder. "That one."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAxgpbR8qY
"What are you looking to find in there?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPvhNJ8Ppd
"I don't know, maybe they've got a weakness we can exploit or maybe a family member we could threaten."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbQxQv7lQn
"Chase!" Marisa scolded.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDDH8kLkBq
"What? Oblivion isn't afraid to play dirty; why shouldn't we do the same?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0gzBfExgJ
Marisa hesitantly clicked on the file.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcdk8NWDgF
Oblivion
Duty: Assassin
Name: Katrina Madden
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexyzT3HXxL
Holy freaking fudgeballs! She was playing us the whole time? That can't be right, can it? It doesn't add up! Either way, I need to warn Atlas. I activated our cerebral link and reached out to him. "Atlas, are you there?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDDuFGXTpr
"Yes, I'm here. What's going on? Did you find anything downstairs?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVT2Rk4lK2
I let out a long sigh of relief. He was safe. For now, anyway. I let out an anxious sound that resembled a chortle.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCiyvDwg8v
"Um, okay."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ANqVbrYs2
"Oblivion is in the building."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi319aLSLav
"Where?"
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U6gqC90iP
"She's with you right now. Atlas, Katrina is Oblivion."
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmlslVS9c0
I felt a cold metal fist close around my neck, cutting off my air supply. "What do you think you're doing here?"
ns216.73.216.144da2
