Incompatible perceptions (updated 2024-02-24: Chapter 9 - The End)

Chapter 5

They left headquarters and barely turned the corner when they saw her: a familiar-looking long-haired woman stood on the street, shifting around nervously, and stiffened when she noticed them.


- Wait! Please! - she called out. - You were working with Ian... Right?
They glanced at each other, both seemingly recognizing her from the earlier encounter.
- You knew him? - asked Constantin carefully.
- Yes. I'm Emily. I am... I mean, I was... His girlfriend.
Linda raised an eyebrow in surprise.
- Oh, - Constantin seemed surprised too. - I didn't know he had a girlfriend...
- Such is the nature of private life, - shrugged Emily.
- Of course, - he nodded. - Anyway. I'm Constantin. And this is...
- Linda, - she finished for herself.
- I'm afraid Ian was killed... - continued Emily. - And now it's my turn.
- Why do you think so? - inquired Constantin.
- Do you know who killed him? - followed Linda, almost at the same time.
- I don't know... I'm not even sure I can trust you. I can't go to law enforcement, they will suspect me... And they suspect you, so...


- We did not kill him, - sighed Constantin. - Though we can't prove it right now.
- Wait, you were there before us. - pointed out Linda. - How do we know it wasn't you who killed him?
- I did not kill him. - Emily echoed Constantin's words. - Though I can't prove it right now.
- Fair enough, - he chuckled.
- When I came in, he was already dead. I didn't know what to do... I grabbed his laptop and ran away.
- So you have his laptop?! - asked Linda.
- Yes, and I think something in there is related to his death. If they know I have it... - she buried her face in her hands. - But it's encrypted. I can't boot it up.


- We can try to unlock it, - suggested Constantin. - Where is it now?
- I've hidden it. I can show you where.


* * *

It was already twilight when they arrived to a nondescript abandoned alley far on the fringe. Emily went up to a porch in the corner, pulled out a laptop from the pile of rubbish and passed it to Constantin and Linda.


- Let us see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore, - whispered Linda under her breath as Constantin settled the computer on the stone parapet.

He turned it on. Several seconds later a password prompt screen showed up.


- Of course the whole disk is encrypted, - Constantin started thinking aloud. - Now, if the password is just a sequence of random characters... I won't ever pick it. So let's assume it is something I can in theory figure out, and go with that... It must be meaningful. And long, kind of like CorrectHorseBatteryStaple, but it has to be something we both knew.
- You think Ian would have foreseen that you'd need to guess his password? - commented Linda.
- He called me, - he nodded, eyes still fixed on the screen. - We used to be friends back in the day. Until he threw me under the bus to advance his career. Metaphorically speaking, of course. Hm, this might be a clue... What did he say then? Ah! The needs of the many! Did he use "of the few" or "of the one"?..

Constantin started typing frantically, then slammed Enter - and the prompt changed to a login screen with username "Ian" selected.


- Yes! - he exclaimed triumphantly. - Now we can mount this drive to any other computer and use this password to read it! But what if he had the same password for login as well?

It worked. A desktop appeared on the screen.
- Woo-hoo! - cried Emily excitedly. - You did it! Thank you!
She then hugged him from behind. Linda tensed involuntarily.


- I didn't expect it to work on the first try, - muttered Constantin, breathing heavily.
- Now, if you don't mind, - Emily reached out to grab the laptop.
He stopped her absentmindedly:
- Wait, this is addressed to me...


There was a single icon on the desktop. From where she stood Linda could barely make out its title - FOR_COSTA.txt. But the font in text editor was too small for her to follow once he clicked on the icon and started reading.

- Wait, what? It can't be... - Constantin frowned. - He says he has evidence... No, no-no-no-no...
- Costa, what's wrong? - gasped Linda in alarm.


He didn't answer. He grabbed his head in his hands and, moaning something indistinguishable, collapsed on the stairs.
At the same moment, before Linda could reach out to him, a sound of footsteps came from the alley, pulling her attention to the other direction.


She turned to that noise and saw two masked troopers with assault rifles at the ready.
- Freeze! - they shouted in unison.


Next chapter

Must have been quite the shocking reveal... and then those troopers show up to interrupt... so inconsiderately! Nice new installment. And I sense a jealousy subplot developing too...

Exciting stuff! Looking forward to learning more!

Thanks!

BAMComix wrote:Looking forward to learning more!

GubernatorFan wrote:Must have been quite the shocking reveal

And while on the subject of learning more, I will address it in this story of course, but I think it won't really be a spoiler if I say that Constantin is an agent and thus is susceptible to issues discussed in the last chapter of Diary of a field agent.

Visisonor wrote:Thanks!

BAMComix wrote:Looking forward to learning more!

GubernatorFan wrote:Must have been quite the shocking reveal

And while on the subject of learning more, I will address it in this story of course, but I think it won't really be a spoiler if I say that Constantin is an agent and thus is susceptible to issues discussed in the last chapter of Diary of a field agent.

I will have to check that out , thanks for the link

Chapter 6

Linda drew her pistol out and angled her right arm around Emily, positioning herself between Emily and the troopers, and shifting her aim from one trooper to another.


- On whose authority? - she demanded the troopers. - I am a field agent.
- We have an order to bring you in on murder charges, - said one trooper.
- Now, hands in the air and drop the gun, - added the other.
- Linda, please, - whispered Emily from behind. - You can't win it.

There was something odd in the calmness of Emily's voice, but it didn't register properly in Linda's mind since she was preoccupied with the situation at hand. And her own assessment of said situation was consistent with Emily's words: with her partner unconscious and unarmed civilian behind her back there was no way for her to protect them both and bring those troopers down.
She raised her hands and let go of her gun.


- Now step back, - ordered one of the troopers.
Linda did so. Emily didn't - she stepped aside instead, then grabbed the laptop from the parapet and headed towards the troopers.


- Emily, what are you doing?
- Y'know, I hate this job. I really do, - Emily stopped between two troopers and turned back. - I've arranged an opportunity for you to get away. If your teammate could just unlock the laptop and give it to me... But now he knows too much. And you are too deep into it anyway.


- So it was you, - Linda groaned resignedly. - You killed Ian and lured us here to unlock his laptop.
- Yeah, - breathed out Emily.
- Why?!
- Guys, - Emily glanced from one trooper to another. - Do the thi...

A roar of gunshots did not let her finish. The troopers crumbled to the ground, shot down by crisscrossing bursts of bullets.
Two unmistakably robotic figures loomed not too far away.


- What?! - Emily turned to where the shots came from.
A moment later she was gunned down too, a damaged laptop falling next to her.


Just as Emily's body hit the ground, Linda dropped to her knees, pulled out Constantin's pistols from their holsters and started shooting at approaching syncons.


But they kept coming closer with rifles lowered, shielding their heads with hands as if warding off the flies.


- Please stop, - said one of them in a calm metallic voice.
- We are on your side, - added the other robot, smaller and looking distinctively feminine.
- On my side? - Linda repeated numbly as both pistols ran out of ammo.


- You must realize you have been betrayed, - continued the larger syncon. - You have seen it with your own eyes.
- He needs help, - the feminine robot gestured at Constantin's unconscious form. - We can get you to safety.


- Why would you... - started Linda, feeling dizzy and disoriented.
- No time to explain, - urged the male syncon. - Our presence has triggered an alarm. We need to go now.

It was one thing being betrayed by someone you trusted. It wasn't pleasant but it made some sense. Trusting someone you've just met while being in the middle of a dangerous investigation wasn't the best idea, and the end result was quite understandable. But this, an offer of help from the evident enemy...

Linda lowered now useless guns.
- How can I trust you? - she murmured faintly.
- What do you have to lose? - asked robotic woman. - If you stay here, you are doomed. But what if we are telling the truth? Will you take this chance?
- What if I say no? - Linda stared intently at her rescuers.
- Then we will leave you alone.

* * *

- Come on in, - invited the female syncon who on their way here introduced herself as "Tess, short for 7355". - We shall take your partner to the medical bay in the meantime.


The large blast door lead to a hall with walls full of lights, buttons and various indicators - Linda had trouble taking in so many details at once so she didn't immediately notice two women standing next to the opposite wall.


- Hi, - the first of them, one with long black hair, waved her hand.
- Welcome to our humble refuge, - added her companion, a redhead.
- Um. Hello there, - mumbled Linda, looking at them approach. - I... did not expect to see humans here.


- Oh, we prefer to stay hidden, - smiled the long-haired woman. - I'm Tomoko by the way. And this is...
- Leliana, at your service, - the one with short amber hair bowed slightly. - And we know that you are Linda.
- Right... I'd say "nice to meet you" under normal circumstances... - Linda hesitated, not entirely sure that what she had in mind was safe to say aloud.
- But we fight on the side of syncons, - finished Tomoko for her.


- Well, yes, - argued Linda - It's an existential war for the mankind, and you fight against us!
- This war is not what you think it is, - Leliana shook her head.
- I guess humans could call us traitors, - reasoned Tomoko. - If not for the fact that we were betrayed first.
- Sounds familiar, does it not? - asked Leliana.

Linda opened her mouth but couldn't find words. Tomoko waited for her to say something, then went on:
- Yes, we had to join what we thought was the enemy. Forced by our own side. By humans! But we found that syncons don't fight to destroy humans. They fight to save people like us.

- What do you mean "like us"? - now Linda felt even more confused.
- Agents, - elaborated Leliana. - It takes a special kind of mindset to be an agent.
- But I've been an agent for less than a day, - objected Linda in a sad voice.
- It doesn't matter, - reassured Tomoko. - It's just a term we use for convenience. You either are a person like this at the core, or not.
- I can't believe it all happened today... - continued Linda, as if not listening. - And I'm suspended anyway. And. Oh...
- The line has been crossed, - Leliana summed up. - Rick and Tess sent us the details.
- Yeah, - Linda winced. - Emily ordered our execution.
- You were not supposed to come back from that encounter with her, - confirmed Tomoko.
- No means of faring home are left me now... - Linda closed her eyes and rubbed her temples.
- I know how it feels, - Tomoko touched Linda's arm tentatively.


- We've all been through this too, - added Leliana. - In some form or another.
- Do you... want a hug? - offered Tomoko.
- Er... Thanks, not right now. I just need a moment to compose myself.

At that instant the door behind Linda slid open again. The other syncon - Rick (or 121C) - stood in the doorframe.


- Your friend's brain activity has returned to normal, - he announced. - He will wake up in a minute or two.

Next chapter

Wow, double-cross and unexpected allies. And nice blood spatters, too. Also relieved about Ian...

Another great installment!

BAMComix wrote:Another great installment!

Thanks!

GubernatorFan wrote:And I sense a jealousy subplot

It wasn't long-lived, but its underlying prerequisites remain in place...
This is something of a missed opportunity for me, really, especially in light of discovering etymology of the name:

Wictionary wrote:English form of Latin Aemilia, a gens name from aemulus (“rival, or those in the next valley”).

Which I learned literally the day before posting Chapter 6.
But the first part of it was written in one go with Chapter 5 and conceived even earlier, my Emily was doomed from the start.

GubernatorFan wrote:double-cross

The Fifth of November date was chosen deliberately

GubernatorFan wrote:unexpected allies

That's the way Team Dai-Gurren Syncon rolls!

GubernatorFan wrote:Also relieved about Ian...

In hindsight, he has something in common with Severus Snape.

Also,

Deleted scene from murder investigation arc:

Wait, are Ian and Costa clones?

GubernatorFan wrote:Wait, are Ian and Costa clones?

Hm. What makes you think so?
In one word, no.

In more words:

Visisonor wrote:

GubernatorFan wrote:Wait, are Ian and Costa clones?

Hm. What makes you think so?
In one word, no.

In more words:

In those photos they seemed to have very similar or identical features, hence my question. But thanks for explaining.

GubernatorFan wrote:In those photos they seemed to have very similar or identical features

Ah, the guy behind the bars in deleted scene? That's not Ian, that's the guy who was arrested for Ian's murder.
He does indeed look almost identical to Costa, both heads are from Soldier Story, and the difference is

subtle:

(one more reason to not include this scene by the way)

Ian, however, looks like

this:

Oh, I was indeed confused by the guy behind bars... I just realize we hadn't seen Ian in a while.

Wow! So cool! Intricate plotting, yet easy enough to follow in the format in which you lay things out.

I was surprised she kept blasting away at the approaching SynCons without realizing where the shots that felled her captors were coming from. Altho' it could have been a conditioned reflex, and an assumption that the SynCons were intent on destroying all humans, no matter their alliances.

I like the "translated" l337 naming convention for the Syncons.

davidd wrote:it could have been a conditioned reflex, and an assumption that the SynCons were intent on destroying all humans

Exactly. She knew where shots came from, but thought she'd be their next target.

davidd wrote:I like the "translated" l337 naming convention for the Syncons.

Ah, I'm glad you noticed

Visisonor wrote:

davidd wrote:I like the "translated" l337 naming convention for the Syncons.

Ah, I'm glad you noticed

I liked "Rick" (or "Ric") for 121C -- that's clever! It's like l337 in reverse!

Chapter 7

The room was darker and smaller. Constantin was sitting on a bed, struggling to open his eyes.
- Am I hallucinating? - he grumbled, looking around sleepily.


Then he noticed Linda entering the room. And then those who followed her in.
- Linda! Watch out, - he shouted, jumping upright sharply and reaching for his empty holsters. - Syncons at your six!
- It's all right, - Linda assured him hurriedly, - They've rescued us.


- They what?!
- Emily brought troopers with her... She then told them to kill us. Syncons arrived just in time and took them all down.
- You should have seen Linda in action, - Tomoko patted Linda's shoulder, smiling broadly. - She almost took down syncons right after!


- Well, it was... Um, - Linda stumbled, then waved her arm around the room, - Costa, this is Tomoko and this is Leliana, agents like us. And these are our rescuers, Tess and Rick.
- So syncons have names... - muttered Constantin.
- While we have not yet verged from the subject of seeing it in action, - intervened Rick, - We have it recorded.

Constantin watched in disbelief as the syncon grabbed a large laptop from the side table and started video playback on it. Linda turned to the screen too, reliving events she was part of, now from a different perspective.


- I wouldn't believe it myself if I haven't seen it personally, - she remarked once it was over.
- Damn. That was bloody stupid of me, - Constantin frowned. - I warned you about possible plots and yet I took her story at face value.
- We cannot confirm or deny whatever Emily was saying since she wasn't our focus, - commented Tess. - We were watching the two of you.
- Watching? - Constantin repeated, looking at her intently. - Wait, I've seen you before...
- Oh, - Linda suddenly remembered. - In the tunnel!
- That is correct, - nodded Tess.
- And you let us out, - stated Constantin.
- Yes.
- What sort of game are you playing? - he asked after a few seconds of contemplation.
- Our game is to end this war, - said Tess levelly.
- End this war? But you are actively fighting against us! - argued Constantin skeptically.
- It is not as simple as not fighting, - objected Rick. - If we do stop, humans will not, and we will be destroyed.
- So you are saying we would still fight you... - reasoned Linda.
- Think of it in terms of cui bono, - suggested Tess.
- Is there any benefit for us in this conflict? - demanded Constantin.
- The whole human population lives in a constant state of martial law, - Leliana, who was silent until this moment, joined the conversation.


- Exactly! - nodded Constantin.
- You have to forfeit your wellbeing to support the vast military, and focus all your efforts on the mission, on the orders. Pretty much every aspect of your lives is sacrificed for the war and regulated to be in line with the needs of the governing structure.
- Yes, the war requires sacrifices, we can't just live like it's peaceful times... - conceded Constantin.
- And who is gaining the most from having this structure?
- Those who are on top of it, - surmised Linda. - The Command.
- QED, - summed up Leliana.

Silence fell for a while. Constantin thought it over, looking visibly stricken.


- It doesn't seem right, - he said finally. - Someone will notice.
- Not everyone. Not even majority, - pointed out Rick. - Some will, yes. Mostly those who are used to thinking outside the box.
- Ironically, human military needs such people, - continued Tess. - Brute force alone is not sufficient to fight us.
- Agents, - gasped Constantin.
- Yes, - acknowledged Rick. - But people like that will eventually figure out that something is not quite right with the system. When it happens, the system tries to get rid of them.
- So here we are now, - sighed Tomoko. - Broken in different ways.
- And the agents are... - Constantin hesitated, looking around them all until his gaze fell on Linda. - Do all agents end up here?


- Those who survive, - clarified Rick. - We try to save as many as we can, but it is not always possible to rescue everyone.
- Wasn't something like that mentioned on that laptop? - asked Leliana.
- I... Yes. It was only an outline... Where is the laptop now?
- It was damaged, - revealed Rick. - We took it along just in case, but it is inoperable.
- Speaking of the laptop, - Linda twitched. - What happened to Costa back then?
- The sheer shock of the revelation can be sufficient to shut your mind down, - explained Tess.
- I guess that's how our brains are wired, - shrugged Tomoko. - But it affects different people differently. I was knocked out for several hours. But you seem to react more like Leliana.
- It depends on many factors, - elaborated Rick. - It is possible that you have not yet realized it deep in your subconscious.
- Which is why we insist that both of you need some rest, - added Tess. - There will be enough time to continue with your questions.
- I'd like to talk to Costa in private before that, if you don't mind, - requested Linda.
- Very well. We'll wait outside.


Two former agents and two syncons left the room, leaving Constantin and Linda alone. Constantin sighed and sat on the bed again.
- Is it all happening for real? - he asked once the door was closed. - Or maybe we both lost our marbles?
- This madness hath the oddest frame of sense, - she replied wistfully.
- This is not very reassuring, you know.
- I'm not sure of anything anymore.
- But do you believe them?


- That's irrelevant, - Linda scratched her chin. - Their story is consistent with the evidence we have. And you? What do you think of all that?
- I don't know, - Constantin shook his head slowly. - There must be more to it. It is consistent, but... I don't know.

Next chapter

Considerable plot development in this episode, but the conversation is kept interesting by the variety of camera angles and the appearance of movement among the characters from frame to frame.

I like that line at the end: That's irrelevant. The story is consistent with the evidence we have. A logical manner in which to proceed. Not that she and Constantin have much choice at the moment. An unasked question hangs over them: what if they choose not to cooperate?

Another great installment, and we got to see more of your fantastic characters. Loving the red head by the way!

I agree, nice installment.

BAMComix wrote:and we got to see more of your fantastic characters

GubernatorFan wrote:I agree, nice installment.

Thanks! Note to self: need to think of bigger roles for them than just exposition.

davidd wrote:I liked "Rick" (or "Ric") for 121C

BTW, Tess and Rick, along with syncon naming convention, were introduced in Diary of a field agent (or will be introduced, if we follow in-story chronology).

davidd wrote:Considerable plot development in this episode

Actually, when I think of it, the plot so far follows Kate's story almost verbatim (intro, some action, computer shenanigans, excommunicado, the first reveal).
In some sense it can signify how common this scenario is, but it also becomes unoriginal.
Maybe I should have started right here: two agents find themselves in syncon hideout, briefly discuss how they were double-crossed, and then their actual story - which I still need to flesh out - begins to unfold...

davidd wrote:A logical manner in which to proceed

Plus internal model of the world needs to be updated if it contradicts objective reality.

davidd wrote:what if they choose not to cooperate?

Ah! I knew I forgot something. Need to address it too, but it was touched briefly in the diary.

Spoiler:

Chapter 8



- Almost forgot, - Linda said, pulling out Constantin's pistols, which were still tucked under her belt.
- Keep them, - he shook his head and gestured with a hand. - As a token of gratitude for saving my life.
- But I didn't...
- You were fighting till the end, that's what counts. Besides, you wield them better than I ever did.

* * *

Constantin turned to syncons when the door closed behind Linda:
- I don't feel like sleeping right now.
- We still need to show you your room, - Tess pointed to the corridor.


They walked in silence for a while, until Rick broke it:
- You probably have more questions for us.
- I bet you have more questions for me.
- A fair observation, - interjected Tess. - You did not tell what you have found on the laptop.
- It's not a question.
- It is not, - she nodded. - We have noticed you worrying that revealing it to Linda can cause her harm.
Constantin stopped, looking at her pensively.
- That's... How did you put it? A fair observation.
- Such prudence is definitely appreciated, - Rick said approvingly.
- However, we need to know what you are shielding her from, - continued Tess. - To find a way to minimize risks when she does learn it.
- How badly is it damaged? The laptop, - Constantin asked, resuming the walk.
- Most of the storage is recoverable, - admitted Rick.
- But encrypted, - added Tess.

* * *

- Linda, can we talk for a minute?


It's been a week since Linda and Constantin arrived. They were gradually adjusting to the life at syncon base: Linda spent a lot of time with Tomoko and Leliana, having found in them the friends she lacked for the most of her life; Constantin seemed obsessed with various details of operating the base, its local network and schematics accessible through it - though Linda kept pace with him when it came to data about human forces and war proceedings.


Most of this information came from the network which humans tried in vain to secure against hacking attempts from syncons. This perpetual struggle involved finding and patching vulnerabilities, but also heavily relied on physical access and compromised hardware at certain points. Humans strove to counter these attempts of course, resetting and replacing infected routers, so it was imperative for syncons to slice into network junctions from time to time and create more points of access.


Most of such hubs were deep within human territory where syncon presence would be detected soon. So only a human agent could reliably finish such task. And it was common to go out in a pair with a syncon who would stay further behind and provide cover. Neither Linda nor Constantin were considered ready for such operation. It was Leliana's turn to carry out a routine mission, together with Rick, while Tomoko and Tess remained in control center. Constantin and Linda stayed beside them to watch and learn.


* * *

Linda left the control room, surprised by urgency of Constantin's voice.
- This is our chance! - he whispered excitedly.
- What chance?
- To get out of here. Come on.
- What do you mean... - she followed him, feeling confused.


- Look, I couldn't discuss it openly. Assumed they were listening and watching constantly. I don't know, maybe they are. Doesn't matter now.
- Wait. You've been planning to leave all this time?
- Of course. You would too, if you knew what I know.
- And what is that?
- There is a computer in the vehicle, I'll show you there.
But Linda halted in the middle of the corridor, forcing him to stop and turn to her.


- I'd prefer to get to the point sooner.
- All right, - Constantin hesitated. - It can knock you out, you know.
- Like you, back then in the alley?
- This, actually, is the first important point, - he gestured frantically. - When they said how our brains were wired... Haven't you wondered why?
- I assumed it had something to do with training we go through.
- No. The training is not the reason, it's a consequence. Field agents are genetically altered humans.
- Genetically altered humans? - she repeated, surprised.
- Ian though we might be different enough to not even be humans anymore. I don't know what to think of it. It's not important right now.
- All right, suppose we are altered... - Linda felt her head spin suddenly. - What does it change?
- Our genetic samples originated from here. From syncons. Human scientists probably thought it was a sequence for super soldiers or something, I don't know. They clone us from these samples in hopes of gaining an edge in the war. But it's a trap! A Trojan Horse! Agents inevitably defect to syncons, to fight against humans!

A wave of vertigo hit in full force: Linda was barely able to remain on her feet, but it eased off almost instantly.


- But we did not defect to fight against humans, - she objected in a strained voice. - We were betrayed!
- It happened by mistake, - argued Constantin. - And we will fix it when we get back with priceless intelligence.
- Wait... - she finally realized what all that was about. - You want to reveal the location of this base.
- Exactly! And everything else we've learned here.
The sense of dizziness intensified again. Linda almost fell, but Constantin caught her.


They stood like that for a few seconds, then Linda regained her balance and freed herself from his arms.
- What about Leliana? Tomoko? Tess? Rick?


- The girls are indoctrinated, - Constantin said with a heavy sigh. - Too late for them, they are on the opposing side.
- They are not our enemies! - she shouted desperately. Then added in a more quiet and resigned voice. - They are not my enemies. I can't let you do it, Costa.
Constantin stared at her intently with a strange expression, as if it was the first time he saw her.

- It would have been much too late to set things in motion now, - he said finally. - I did it hours ago.
- Hours ago? What did you do? - Linda tensed. - Something with Leliana's ATV?
- Correct. I've attached a transmitter to it. Once the vehicle stops moving, it'll start broadcasting.
- But we don't even know our coordinates! - her voice got stronger from the sliver of hope. - Positioning satellites have been defunct for ages!
- The transmission will include ATV's track in reverse.
- Oh, - the hope faded out. - And the signal itself will point to the ATV's location.
- Obviously.
- F**k! They have stopped already!
Linda crumbled on her knees, holding her head in hands.


- Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair! - she groaned, looking at Constantin with tears in her eyes. - What have you done?!
He started to say something, but his answer was drowned in the sound of alarm.

Next chapter

Once again, the plot thickens... Nice imagery and posing, I loved especially the shots of them interacting with the more mechanical-looking robots and vehicles.

Thanks.
Unfortunately, the plot has thickened for me in real life. I can't continue writing right now, the next chapter is unlikely to appear in January. Maybe later.

Visisonor wrote:Thanks.
Unfortunately, the plot has thickened for me in real life. I can't continue writing right now, the next chapter is unlikely to appear in January. Maybe later.

Oh, that's a shame, but real life does have a way of throwing the spanner in the works for us comic book story tellers . hopefully things will settle down for you again soon to allow your creativity to push through again!
I guess until then, we shall all be left hanging for the next exciting episode, just like a great tv show or comic book series

I hope everything goes ok for you, Visisonor.

Chapter 9

The alarm went silent, but its echo still rang in her ears, reverberating painfully with every heartbeat.
It felt like a dream she couldn't wake up from - or maybe everything until now was just a dream.
In a blurry haze in front of her, the man she used to look up to was looking down on her.
Behind, there were footsteps in the corridor, fast approaching.
- There you are! - Tomoko exclaimed, slowing down. - Rick's been blasted along with ATV! Leliana is cut off without communication and no means of escape!


Of course she didn't know.
Linda couldn't bring herself to look at her.
- See what you've done? - she asked stiffly, still staring at Constantin.
- I thought I could save you, - he said regretfully.
Then he turned and darted through the door leading to a hangar. The hangar he brought her to, convinced they would escape together.


Should she have escaped with him, she wondered inwardly - was it betrayal on her part that she didn't? But what were his actions, if not betrayal?
Tomoko froze in her tracks, confused.


- What's going on?
- It was him, - Linda let out weakly. - He rigged the ATV to reveal our location to human forces.
- What? Why?!
- He wants to go back. To humans.

On Tomoko's face, confusion gave way to horror, which was then replaced with determination.
- Tess! - she grabbed her radio and shouted into its microphone. - Seal the base. Now!


Then she pulled the pistol out and headed towards the hangar.
She stopped as she was passing Linda by, offering her a hand:


- You all right?
- I'm not... - Linda struggled to get to her feet.
- OK, wait here, Tess should arrive soon.
- No. I'm coming with you.

* * *


The vehicle sped off from them towards the gate in the opposite wall, but it was evident it would not make it through because the gate was closing rapidly. The brakes whined in protest, and the ATV skidded to a halt, turning slightly and bumping into the shutter.
Constantin rolled to the passenger seat, then jumped off to cover behind the vehicle.
Tomoko started shooting.

Several shots followed in return, forcing them to take cover too.
- You are fighting for the wrong side! - Constantin called out during that pause. - Syncons killed billions!
- Humans did it themselves! - retorted Tomoko. - The war was started by humans!
She fired a few more shots. Linda shot one of her guns too, aiming at the ATV rather than Constantin.


- It's not about how it started! - he shouted while Tomoko reloaded. - Your robot friends never told you what happened when they joined the fray!


- How the hell do you know? - asked Tomoko, resuming the shooting.
- One side lost the fight, - continued Constantin. - It could all end right then! But they released syncons. The dead hand weapon!
- Why should we believe you? - Tomoko discarded another spent magazine.
- I have evidence! Linda, I've told you I wanted to show...
A new barrage of bullets forced him back behind the vehicle again.
- Keep him busy, - urged Tomoko, glancing at Linda. - I'll try to flank him.


Linda started shooting rapidly, reloading as fast as she could - a suppressive fire that soon depleted her small supply of ammo.


She holstered her pistol and pulled the other one, still loaded.


By the time Tomoko reached the vehicle, it was empty too.


The rumble of gunfire died down, but the silence didn't last long. There were two gunshots once Tomoko disappeared behind the rear part of the ATV.
Then Constantin emerged from behind its front, with a revolver in one hand and another hand pressed to his side.


- What is it, Lin? You have a clear shot, - he staggered towards the wall and leaned on it to support himself.
- Out of ammo, - she replied in a hollow voice, walking to him from her cover.
- Huh. Doesn't matter now, It's over for me.
- And Tomoko?
- She was faster than me... - he glanced at his wound. - But not as precise.
- Then finish it! I am the only one left! - Linda cried hysterically. - What are you waiting for?!


- Never intended to hurt you. I just can't, - he threw his gun aside.


As if this act cost him the last of his strength, he slid down along the wall.
- Neither can I, - she dropped her pistol too and knelt on the floor beside him.


- But we both did. I thought you'd believe me.
- Is it true? About the side that lost and dead head weapon.
- Yes, - Constantin wheezed painfully. - Rick confirmed it all.
- What?!
- Gotta give them... credit for sincerity, - his voice was weaker now, barely audible. - Never deny... facts. Just interpret... differently...
He then pulled something from a pocket - a small smartphone - and held it out. Linda took it from his hand.


- I'm sorry, Linda... I...
These were Constantin's last words.


Linda unlocked the phone. There was no passcode, and an audio file was open. She started playback, and Rick's voice - muffled but recognizable - outlined in a few minutes a brief history of the last war. The rise of Confederation Of Non-States, siphoning from the rest of the world those who were fed up with ubiquitous governmental overreach; its struggle against combined forces of all other countries; the failure of deterrence based on mutually assured destruction; and their last act of removing all constraints from artificial general intelligence program - which then evolved into what is now known as synthetic consciousness and quickly took over the militaries of remaining countries, plunging them into almost total destruction.

The recording ended. It all made sense now. And it was too much.
Behind her a door slid open, and Tess called out her name.
Linda barely noticed her, focusing on Constantin's revolver on the floor.


- I believe you now, - she whispered, picking it up and placing the barrel to her temple.
- No! - cried Tess, running through the hangar.


Linda closed her eyes and pulled the trigger.


There was a click. But only a click, not a gunshot. She tried again, with the same result. The gun was empty.
Tess reached her finally and grabbed the revolver, turning it away from her head.
- O churl, drunk all, and left no friendly drop, - murmured Linda, letting go of the gun.
Then she fell backwards into Tess' arms.


The end.

Epilogue/Stinger



- Poor girl. And she actually pulled the trigger.
- Yes.
Kate paced the room back and forth, struggling to hold back tears.

- If she's had enough... And was committed to end it all like that... Did you really need to stop her?
- We would not have been able to stop her. But she did not try it since that day.
- I see. And she is not really herself anymore.
- That is correct. Trapped inside her own mind, one might say. We do not command sufficient understanding of human consciousness to find out more.
- Neither do I.
- And yet you have more in common with her than any other intelligent being. If anyone can bring Linda back, it is you.
- If I had any idea how to approach this... Did she tell you anything else about herself? While she still could, that is.
- She did not. This was everything I knew. Some parts of the story had to be inferred, and I took some liberties to fill in the blanks here and there.
- Oh. So you pretty much wrote all this, put it into a story form?
- Yes. You are not the only one here with creative inclinations. Check out Rick's symphonies: they are quite good.
- Maybe another time... Wait, what do you mean?
- Your diary.
- Damn it, Tess! Do you understand the concept of privacy?