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.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAXwF55WbQ5x
"So, what do you think we'll find down there?" I asked Marisa.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAJX4iUCGIS7
"I don't know," she muttered as she hugged herself tightly.
138Please respect copyright.PENANA0JY3kNIgou
"These are a lot of stairs. Why the hell do they have so many stairs? They should install an elevator."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAwxYUflAuO6
Marisa just nodded along.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAIQY4G6xza0
"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?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANABTdaMe6b2e
She shook her head, and tears welled up in her eyes.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAdu1yJ4ktdv
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.
138Please respect copyright.PENANA9v6hJraE49
I patted her head. "There, there. Don't cry."
138Please respect copyright.PENANACukLPPYSnn
She sobbed louder.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAgzHOna1Q2p
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."
138Please respect copyright.PENANA9MHB93mf0B
She glanced up at me through tear-soaked lashes. "What?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANAvYv6gfimog
I returned my attention to the article. Step two: Affirm that their feelings make sense. "Your feelings are valid."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAekQNxDQsAA
"What would you know about my feelings?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANAufhuREF7Ol
"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?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANASdoAT5PYys
She chewed on her lip anxiously as she eyed the space next to me. She reluctantly slumped down next to me.
138Please respect copyright.PENANA23mC8zR32w
I closed the article so I could give Marisa my full attention. 'Now tell me what's wrong."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAi7KiW05Pdl
She buried her face in her hands. "Atlas hates me."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAmg6HBx6wBc
I rubbed gentle circles on her back. "What are you talking about? Where would you get a crazy idea like that?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANAe8l4xdLjz3
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."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAxa4MXJWEkd
I gave a sympathetic nod. "He could've been less harsh."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAOp0CN3SJwn
Marisa shot me a quizzical look. "You're not going to make excuses for him?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANADNmSkSmYDu
"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."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAdib9QaVnh3
She wiped her tears away with her sleeve.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAfLaJjwe7bi
"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.
138Please respect copyright.PENANA6YdwjELHYD
"How do you know that?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANA8lqJ1qdr8U
"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."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAJc0fSNEAUN
"I know Atlas formed a cerebral link with you." She said.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAuTt9VUgNR3
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!"
138Please respect copyright.PENANA2FaiSKxkxn
She crossed her arms and shot me a dubious look.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAztNbazNLtw
"Okay, fine! I'll admit it. We formed a link. It was his idea."
138Please respect copyright.PENANABeot3IyJQX
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."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAFiZ7TfiqRE
"I'm sorry."
138Please respect copyright.PENANARl4Mkt1OJa
"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."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAWdEdNqIQff
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."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAeD8aAO3XY2
"I still love him, you know? He's so different now, I don't know how to connect with him anymore."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAGsPSuLsYgj
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.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAatsOPARMEV
The smallest trace of a smile formed on her lips. "You're a good friend. I can see why Atlas likes you so much."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAcZHHK48kqR
"Of course, he likes me. I'm flawless and everyone adores me."
138Please respect copyright.PENANA01vZDWYQaw
"Thank you for listening to me." She tried to wipe away the remainder of her dripping makeup with her sleeve.
138Please respect copyright.PENANA7YOlq8zjpJ
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.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAyI2XuoQ7jl
Marisa caught a glimpse of the sketch in my hands and let out a soft gasp. "Did Atlas make this?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANAPJUYXYaTd1
I nodded.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAF9uoZFhf3c
"It's beautiful! His art has improved so much! He captured all the details perfectly. He has a gift, doesn't he?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANALctjS0DIO8
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.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAnorvEhwr3m
Marisa promptly stood up and dusted herself off. "That's enough crying. Let's keep moving."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAbw2Yg80RRW
I rose to my feet and followed her downward.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAG3ZXQ2TKcR
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.
138Please respect copyright.PENANA1d7AlEjl3V
Marisa and I shared a wary glance as I reached for the doorknob to the first room.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAtnioEHrK77
"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."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAc4qLpgXPXU
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?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANAKsl9MRkXYB
"See? There's nothing here!" Marisa said.
138Please respect copyright.PENANA2ZeTJzdKcF
"We've still got two more rooms to check."
138Please respect copyright.PENANASdwN7dlw90
She rolled her eyes so hard; I think she caught sight of her brain. "Fine, but make it quick."
138Please respect copyright.PENANASVFWsqGCU4
The second room contained nothing but a series of beige file cabinets.
138Please respect copyright.PENANA8oi3e2Z8nF
We promptly moved on to the third door. I tugged on the handle, but it refused to budge. "It's locked."
138Please respect copyright.PENANA7QCKwebUDq
"Can we go now?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANAyHA4IYx42C
"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!
138Please respect copyright.PENANAv8tvvJVvZ1
Marisa let out an exasperated sigh. "I guess we're adding property damage to our list of charges."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAV2Jfhc9vtw
"Don't worry, I have spectacular lawyers. They've gotten me out of tons of sticky situations."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAne1a8Rnsmu
"I don't have lawyers!"
138Please respect copyright.PENANAgbNzn3XGpu
"I'll lend them to you."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAY8OZR6fL7g
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."
138Please respect copyright.PENANA9scF8oXN7i
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."
138Please respect copyright.PENANABbBgk1PAiE
"Do spas typically have computers like this?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANAC5jKjxuBX4
Marisa shook her head. "No, they do not."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAiXfSYAtlVQ
"So, Atlas was right to suspect something suspicious was going on here?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANABQ7faPgOT4
"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.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAdj79UzaCwU
"Do you think you can hack in?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANApmP8UUZ4tW
"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.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAuM2ol6dCBm
"Are you okay with being out of the house this long? I know it's anxiety-inducing for you."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAKwMSomaJ6T
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."
138Please respect copyright.PENANA947NzLifAm
I admired her tenacity. "Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANAPvzPsvvvcX
"Yeah. Can you face the wall or something? I can have people staring at me while I hack.
138Please respect copyright.PENANATBqBQKtboN
"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.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAxRqrq2MgpE
"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."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAG0CiiV7b4Q
"Great job!" I moved next to her so I could have a better view of the screen. "What are we looking at?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANA1n79xbbTSj
Marisa studied the screen. "It looks like a database." She skimmed the files. "What would you like me to look for?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANA8ML7MampgJ
"Search for the Annihilation Code!" I suggested.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAV20vBmcj5s
Marisa typed the words into the search bar.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAYz9nseJ7Ag
0RESULTS FOUND
138Please respect copyright.PENANAN9K0vSdx2u
"Dammit! I was hoping it was here. Atlas is going to be devastated."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAy1yfTRFdLe
"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."
138Please respect copyright.PENANA1wVpww5kZ5
I nodded. "Good thinking." I wouldn't have thought of that. "Where should we begin searching?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANAyVQ4l3Gw9x
"I have no idea." She confessed. "We may have to go through every individual file to find it."
138Please respect copyright.PENANA8IyuWYuQKg
"Fun," I said in a monotone.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAUSCE7mp4If
Marisa clicked on one of the files to open it.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAsdrdf79JBZ
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
138Please respect copyright.PENANAsxRgD1Imua
Marisa let out a quiet gasp. "It's a record of every cyborg soldier that's ever worked for Bionics Corp!"
138Please respect copyright.PENANAo7VBFDq5JM
"Can you scroll downward? I'll tell you when to stop."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAs2s2hdI8gx
She nodded and began scrolling. She paused when we reached Cyborg: 3118121519 Call sign: Curseword.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAd9YjElrROk
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.
138Please respect copyright.PENANA0R8Faf67j9
Marisa froze.
138Please respect copyright.PENANA3HEyv1an6A
Cyborg: 451291 Call sign: Nightshade
Cyborg: 149381512119 Call sign: Nocturnal
Cyborg: 1259121 Call sign: Nyx
Cyborg 11120189141 Call sign: Oblivion
138Please respect copyright.PENANAcJC9ie9O7t
I pointed to Oblivion's folder. "That one."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAzctrdmTLXM
"What are you looking to find in there?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANAQqCVVgzncN
"I don't know, maybe they've got a weakness we can exploit or maybe a family member we could threaten."
138Please respect copyright.PENANARL6i6BahmL
"Chase!" Marisa scolded.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAKLVU0SXMva
"What? Oblivion isn't afraid to play dirty; why shouldn't we do the same?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANAsG8FcQoJpl
Marisa hesitantly clicked on the file.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAIhichneFhF
Oblivion
Duty: Assassin
Name: Katrina Madden
138Please respect copyright.PENANAiGZNr1JRep
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?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANA29KVYUq35y
"Yes, I'm here. What's going on? Did you find anything downstairs?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANACOEoyXwfLe
I let out a long sigh of relief. He was safe. For now, anyway. I let out an anxious sound that resembled a chortle.
138Please respect copyright.PENANAKmZPi52hx9
"Um, okay."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAR9KCp1qeDc
"Oblivion is in the building."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAa5c3Y2Cauu
"Where?"
138Please respect copyright.PENANAZtp5ajF82K
"She's with you right now. Atlas, Katrina is Oblivion."
138Please respect copyright.PENANAgoknf2Bgrt
I felt a cold metal fist close around my neck, cutting off my air supply. "What do you think you're doing here?"
ns 172.69.6.149da2