Ever since I escaped from Bionic Corp, I've been searching for a way to atone for what I'd done. Patch and Marisa told me to move on, it's in the past, they'd say. I can't do that. What about everyone I've harmed or killed? Do they not deserve justice? If Katrina is right about the map leading to the Annihilation Code, then I have to find it and destroy it. I won't let that damn code kill anyone else!
397Please respect copyright.PENANAJCNQ7ZJEEC
Chase looked like he'd seen a ghost. He clutched my arm, so tightly he almost put a dent in the metal.
397Please respect copyright.PENANABQIQ9KpHdO
"What's wrong?" I surveyed the alleyway for any sign of danger. Nothing seemed amiss.
397Please respect copyright.PENANA7j4hHzL7qf
"This crazy cyborg cornered me! They asked for the map to the Annihilation Code, but I didn't give it to them! He said, clutching me tighter.
397Please respect copyright.PENANA7dlybLyWU3
I froze. Could it be the same cyborg that attacked me a month ago? I reached into my pocket and pulled out a drawing of my attacker I sketched on one of the disposable coasters. I handed it to him. "Is this the cyborg?"
397Please respect copyright.PENANALTqp7Wb2oL
He stroked his chin as he analyzed the sketch. "No. I don't think so. The mask is different. The cyborg that confronted me didn't have a skull on their mask, it was just plain black." He narrowed his eyes. "Your cyborg looks a lot more muscular too. Mine was pretty scrawny now that I think about it."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAIcWXtHElzR
Perhaps there are two different cyborgs interested in the Annihilation Code. It's very existence puts all cyborgs at risk. "What exactly did the cyborg do to you?" I asked Chase.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAs1uPrVlvDK
"Well, they jumped out of nowhere and pounced at me, begging for the map. I didn't hand it over because I'm super brave and heroic."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAjiOBue4y6A
I raised an eyebrow. "You didn't have the map I did."
397Please respect copyright.PENANATY04pvNPNs
"Anyway, when I courageously refused to hand it over, the killer cyborg was like," He cleared his throat and did an impression of an old hag. "Call me Oblivion, for I am your doom, and then randomly started singing. I don't know what that was about. After that, they disappeared."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAkWjyiPhs6Y
An overwhelming sense of panic grabbed hold of me. My heart palpated violently. A warning popped up on my cybernetics telling me to regulate my breathing, I ignored it. I counted backward in my head like I always did when a panic attack took hold of me, switching languages every time. Veinte, Nineteen, Dix-huit, Siebzhen, 十六, पंद्रह, أربعةعشر, Тринадцать, Doze, じゅういち, Dieci. Once I was calm enough to sign, I asked. "What song?"
397Please respect copyright.PENANAQwJF0fWqq9
Chase grimaced. "I don't know, it was in Icelandic or something, but my cybernetics translated it to something about a wolf eating children." He shivered. "It was freaky." He hummed the cursed tune under his breath.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAN0d9hrasGl
I trembled. That's the song that plays in my nightmares. I prayed I'd never hear the wretched melody ever again. Now every vile note came flooding back to me. "Russian."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAzA1mAPgeoL
"What?"
397Please respect copyright.PENANAQktzuVkDCw
I took several deep breaths, trying to steady myself. "The song is in Russian, not Icelandic."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAPx6x9zZfEV
He shot me a questioning look. "How do you know?"
397Please respect copyright.PENANAHzMpxGSm5a
"Because that song is the Annihilation Code."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAnsSvt9rz4F
Chase'seyes widened. "What? That's the cyborg murder code?"
397Please respect copyright.PENANANZA0w4uo7H
I nodded gravely.
397Please respect copyright.PENANATfVkEBS1RH
"Then why didn't I die?" He placed his hands on his hips.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAgZNZ13Mq9n
"Patch was the one who installed your cybernetics, not Bionic Corp. He was kind enough to exclude the kill switch from your programming." I explained.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAMLC93R1LQQ
"So, I'm immune to the murder code?" Chase said, with a glimmer of smugness in his eye.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAC80KZjPCt4
"It appears so, but don't test your luck," I replied.
397Please respect copyright.PENANApcRIexmCZm
"You know, I always thought the Annihilation Code would be something much cooler."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAYnbtNFJLi8
"Why would Oblivion need the map if they already have the Annihilation Code?" I asked.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAViazcKE34A
Chase rubbed his chin. "Maybe they don't want anyone else to have it. They want to keep it for themselves."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAfctcaDZQtz
I nodded. Maybe, Chase wasn't as stupid as I thought. I took one last glance around the alley, then began marching towards the street.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAslA328zuvQ
"Where are you going?" Chase asked.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAYySliZfVUs
"I need to find Gabriel St. Martin." If what Chase said is true, then it was crucial for me to destroy the code before anyone else could learn it. Which meant I needed to reconcile with Gabriel, even though I didn't want to.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAQvqa9YdF5s
"Hey, wait up!" Chase sprinted after me.
397Please respect copyright.PENANA10burWWuYA
Whatever, I didn't care one way or the other if he tagged along, as long as he stayed out of the way.
397Please respect copyright.PENANA4IKmWOCGvr
I maneuvered my way down several alleyways until I reached the old shed where I kept my Hover-Cycle. I slid the key into the lock and swung open the door.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAJg4W8UOGff
Chase panted heavily, as he struggled to keep up with my pace.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAY4Aq2y3sMO
I stepped inside the shed and retrieved my helmet. I extended my spare helmet to Chase.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAGnqPfCGnDF
He shook his head. "You expect me to drive one of those? Um, no, thank you, those things are dangerous!"
397Please respect copyright.PENANAr5C3js14fd
"I'll be the one driving," I responded. "I don't have time to walk." I pushed my Hover-Cycle out of the shed. I took a moment to admire the immaculate paint job I'd done on it. I'd painted red and black with an image of a roaring tiger on the sides.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAohEjEJ2teX
Chase stared at the Hover-Cycle with apprehension.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAThmVJYVF1b
"You don't have to go," I signed. "I can download directions back to Patch's workshop on your cybernetics."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAi5u2uFBG9G
"No way!" Chase protested. "Somebody's tried to kill me twice, and I'd like to know why! I need to know who's responsible for this!" He gestured towards his cybernetic parts.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAj6BqYiGApg
"I can't promise you'll find the answers you're looking for."
397Please respect copyright.PENANA3edd6TGv9V
He wrapped his arms around himself in a sorrowful embrace. "I don't have anything left to lose."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAjrhGsWbx1e
I shrugged. Fair enough. I sat down on my Hover-Cycle and motioned for Chase to do the same.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAEcO5RNe8go
Chase reluctantly put on the spare helmet. "Fine, but I'm not wrapping my arms around your waist or anything."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAMfNF8CSTnI
"Alright, have fun falling off."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAAfgaCLxI6G
I weaved my way through the crowded streets of Ikigai II. There were no cars on the island. The streets are far too narrow to maneuver a vehicle of that size, and they aren't necessary. Ikigai II is only two square miles, so most people walk from one place to another. Don't let the island's modest size fool you; it has a population of over 35,000 people. The population is vast and diverse, which makes sense since the island docks in every corner of the world. Thanks to cybernetic translation technology, the language barrier became obsolete.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAL2iwyI0CoK
After making several sharp turns, Chase begrudgingly clutched onto my shoulders. We navigated through the winding streets until we reached the center of Ikigai II. Standing smack dab in the middle of the island was the Cybrawl stadium. The architecture was inspired by the Roman Colosseum, with a modern twist.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAJvT1iCnQLP
I parked outside the stadium, removed my helmet, and dismounted the Hover-Cycle. Chase did the same. We entered the stadium's crowded atrium. There must be a Cybrawl today. That could make getting a meeting with Gabriel difficult.
397Please respect copyright.PENANABThMEfCHLA
"So, how are we supposed to get a meeting with this guy?" Chase asked.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAJB3kIx4A9x
I marched up to the private elevator that led to the commentator's suite.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAQdebebxjWn
A frazzled-looking intern ran up to us. "I'm sorry, sir, but no guests are allowed up there!"
397Please respect copyright.PENANAxmkUigrFMI
I flashed my V.I.P. Access badge.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAMirkqxwKPg
The intern narrowed her eyes at the badge. "This looks very official, but no visitors are allowed in the suite during a brawl."
397Please respect copyright.PENANA0LZvLmAAjI
"Are you giving my favorite godchild a hard time, Erica?" I heard a familiar voice say over the intern's earpiece.
397Please respect copyright.PENANApOHgnQd7Hs
"No, Mister St. Martin!" She stammered.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAdpvCukLPRx
"Let him in." Gabriel St. Martin said, exasperated.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAof9eiCMZOu
The intern eyed Chase. "There's someone here with him. Do you want me to allow both of them up?"
397Please respect copyright.PENANAlr9LCmimUT
The security camera on the ceiling turned around to face Chase.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAkxCL6oY7pz
"If it isn't Chase Huxley," Gabriel said over the earpiece.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAo8YgOqGoqz
"It is!" Chase said. "Since I'm a super famous celebrity, can I come up to the commentator suite?"
397Please respect copyright.PENANAayyHOoFj70
Gabriel chuckled. "Sure!"
397Please respect copyright.PENANAao5Zhkw5L7
The intern puckered her lips into a petulant expression, but she didn't argue. She punched in a password on the keypad outside the elevator, and the door opened. "Have a nice visit."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAmd6vbDzxRx
Chase and I stepped into the gold elevator. I stared blankly at the doors as they closed. I know Gabriel, and I know he won't give up anything for free. I'm afraid of what he'll ask for in exchange for the map. I wonder if he knows what it leads to. If he does, the price will be much higher. Whatever the price, I will pay it. I must destroy the code at all costs.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAuGcnnGUUPe
The elevator dinged and the door opened. Gabriel was standing there to welcome us. "Greetings, gentlemen. What a surprise!" He extended one of his cybernetic hands for us to shake. He shook Chase's hand and then mine. I glanced my old mentor up and down to see how much he'd changed since the last time I saw him. Today, he wore a garnet-colored blazer with a black tie and slacks. He still kept his hair in its trademark style, a fade on the sides with dreadlocks on top. I noticed small flecks of gray in his jet black hair, and wrinkles started to show on his deep brown skin. Has it been that long since I last saw him?
397Please respect copyright.PENANAM8wQPVLui4
Gabriel ignored me and focused his attention on Chase. "It's not often I encounter a fellow American in this place. Allow me to officially welcome you to Ikigai II."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAC1U5nMtqDF
Chase smiled. "Thanks, I hate it here."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAPmVWyJBM0i
Someone snickered from the back of the room. "Finally, someone who's honest." I turned my head to see who it was. Adrien Kumar leaned up against the back wall. He still carried the facade of disinterest everyone had come to expect from him. He was also dressed in an immaculately tailored suit. There must be a special fight going on today. Cybrawl hosts don't usually get dressed up unless there's a special event going on.
397Please respect copyright.PENANA8ohw03OwdM
The island's foundations creaked beneath us, and Chase had to bite back a yelp.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAZQODd59L4i
Gabriel gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "You'll get used to it, everyone does."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAtXWv5pdmAH
"No. I've lived here for decades, and it still sucks." Adrien retorted.
397Please respect copyright.PENANArcgSsorwjB
Gabriel scowled at him.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAYARaCy3Nqy
"Why do you live here, if you don't like it?" Chase asked Adrien.
397Please respect copyright.PENANA9EQFJXEz49
A smirk spread across his sharp features. "Because Ikigai II has the greatest Cybrawls in the world."
397Please respect copyright.PENANA8CHv4qGRDr
"Have you ever seen a Cybrawl?" Gabriel asked.
397Please respect copyright.PENANA4P45sa9TNR
Chase shook his head. "No, but my best friend Mason is obsessed. He streams every single brawl, so I've seen a few of the highlights."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAYN67KPGbyz
Adrien cringed. "American Cybrawls don't count. They lack the most fundamental facet of any Cybrawl, bloodshed."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAQ29egJiiiu
"Okay, then." Chase laughed awkwardly. "I hear you two are Cybrawl legends." He said, trying to redirect the conversation.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAssNwaubVT0
"We're not just legends," Gabriel bragged. "We're the greatest fighters of all time."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAjitIL2hmsh
"No one can rival us," Adrien confirmed.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAQdPTuJ8E7e
"Have you ever battled each other?" Chase asked.
397Please respect copyright.PENANASIFUmdJUaF
They shot each other a knowing smile.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAeLtcxBoQ3P
"We did, once," Gabriel said. "It wasn't televised. It was a private duel between me and Adrien. We wanted to settle once and for all who was the ultimate champion."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAUkJqn0BqEU
"That was one hell of a fight." Adrien reminisced.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAcHEZauUfsn
"Well, who won?" Chase was on the edge of his seat now.
397Please respect copyright.PENANACDSydyHB6N
They both chuckled. "It's our secret."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAssgqcGmlpq
When I first heard the story, I begged them to tell me who won, but no matter how much I pestered, they refused to say. I'd always found that odd. Both Gabriel and Adrien enjoy bragging and one-upping their competition. Why do they keep this a secret? I don't think I'll ever know.
397Please respect copyright.PENANA3vcSAnBfhz
"You can't just leave me hanging!" Chase protested.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAx5QJCPOaXi
Adrien folded his arms. "We can and we will."
397Please respect copyright.PENANA22XD3jjbDG
My eyes drifted to a framed picture of Gabriel, Adrien, and Patch. They all looked so young, it was almost startling.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAJkNO7WvyYq
Gabriel caught me staring and moved the photo closer, so we could get a better look. "That was us at our very first tournament. We were nineteen at the time, the same age you are now." His lips upturned, in a brief smile.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAVghNMNCcIN
Chase gawked at the photo. "Is that Patch? He looks just like Atlas!"
397Please respect copyright.PENANAc424UpvymL
I nodded. I'd always been told I looked like Patch.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAxNsMnLkYnP
Chase ran his fingers over the image. "So, how did you guys meet Patch?"
397Please respect copyright.PENANAaWtb4i4Ajh
"Right after Patch defected from Bionic Corp, he got a job as a medic at the arena where we had our fights, and Adrien and I spent a lot of time in the infirmary. Patch became one of our closest friends."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAIn0pVNBduJ
"So, are you really Atlas' godfather?" Chase asked.
397Please respect copyright.PENANA83uyxJEZtt
Gabriel nodded.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAMyeRUz3yQE
"He requested that Patch would make him my honorary godfather, and in exchange, he'd protect me from Bionic Corp." I clarified.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAq2AhL50qN9
Gabriel tried to put a hand on my shoulder, but I jerked away. I don't want his affection.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAuCa5mEiiqi
"Are you still mad at me?" Gabriel asked. "I thought you came here to make amends."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAZjYRSvvOiZ
I told the truth. "I don't know."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAilh0jVNIcJ
Chase spoke up. "Actually, we're here for a map. It's–"
397Please respect copyright.PENANAefHhnFiUZx
"We know." Adrien cut him off before he could finish his sentence.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAVyAGhIkB6j
Gabriel shook his head. "It seems everyone is after that dammed map these days."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAxyq1nGfB6u
"Who else has been asking about it?" I asked.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAUnznmNfGEF
Gabriel scoffed. "Bionic Corp tried to bribe me into handing it over. They offered to cover the cost of this entire event."
397Please respect copyright.PENANA7FzIIv7bx8
"How much did they offer?" Chase asked. "I don't like to brag, but I'm pretty rich. I could probably pay you even more."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAnjoYQCmX5K
"They offered me 54 million credits."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAIeieNQ7GlX
Chase let out a slow whistle. "I'm not that rich."
397Please respect copyright.PENANA9ThSThd5Kw
"Are you going to accept Bionic Corp's offer?" I asked, dreading the answer.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAogfhM1ecn4
To my surprise, Gabriel said, "No. I'm not. I don't trust Bionic Corp, not one bit. If anything Patch has said is true, that company is corrupt to the core and I don't want anything to do with them."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAIOj3gfGMRU
"You said no to 54 million credits?" Adrien exclaimed.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAKdTr8RqdgP
"It's not worth getting involved with a shady corporation that abuses cyborgs like us," Gabriel replied.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAZu2JOP6w6v
Adrien shrugged his cybernetic shoulders. "Whatever, it's your map. Trade it to whomever you want."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAES3v0ES2Rm
I gazed at Gabriel earnestly. "What do you want in exchange for the map?"
397Please respect copyright.PENANA1Vi79ykTLL
"Why do you want it?" He asked.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAugyO4kD0em
"It's important to me," was my only response. There was a chance he didn't know the potential significance of the map, and I wasn't ready to put all my cards on the table.
397Please respect copyright.PENANABYJF0UhVXj
Gabriel paused for a moment, contemplating his answer. "I want you to fight for me one last time."
397Please respect copyright.PENANA1iPEaazWRu
I sighed loudly. "You haven't changed a bit, have you? You're going to exploit me for your own gain again."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAPxHCzoBLzd
Chase picked at his fingernails, trying and failing to seem uninterested in our quarrel.
397Please respect copyright.PENANA9gCF947om6
"I fought in a few Cybrawls when I was a teenager and Gabriel was my manager," I told Chase to clue him in.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAE0dZsp1CKe
Chase eyed me up and down. "You were a Cybrawl Fighter? You're so small and scrawny!
397Please respect copyright.PENANAieSMq75eJt
I rolled my eyes. Chase and I have the exact same physique, he's just a couple of inches taller.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAXEFdxfK027
"Do you know what everyone loves?" Gabriel asked Chase.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAK5fqMhGZgb
"Cupcakes?"
397Please respect copyright.PENANADKjAuG9xwy
Gabriel laughed. "No. Everyone loves an underdog, and that's what Atlas was, someone you could root for. He was young, determined, and easy to relate to. He was everything audiences loved."
397Please respect copyright.PENANACECamkdfPf
"Why'd you stop?" Chase asked.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAE0hfJ6Hf1O
I folded my arms defensively. "I was tired of being forced to give and receive punches for a living."
397Please respect copyright.PENANA66YFB2sXOw
Gabriel clenched his fists. "Don't pretend like I coerced you into fighting. You could've left at any time, but you didn't because you enjoy inflicting pain. I've seen it in your eyes when you fight." His expression softened. "I know it's not your fault Bionic Corp programmed you that way."
397Please respect copyright.PENANASp4ln2GOBR
His words tore through my heart because they were mostly true. He was wrong about one thing: my programming didn't make me violent, I had killed once before then. I've never told anyone, not even Marisa. "You're wrong." My hands shook as I signed.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAlBABB3FMAu
"If you say so." Gabriel reached into his jacket and pulled out two red glowing knives.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAmiu9UXfied
Those knives were mine once upon a time. I hadn't seen them in ages, but I still remembered the best way to carve someone open with them.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAACwptcR37q
"I knew you'd come back someday, so I kept your knives safe for you." Gabriel rested a hand on my shoulder.
397Please respect copyright.PENANAaw2IqAKEa9
I glanced at Gabriel and then the knives. "Why do you want me to fight again so badly?"
397Please respect copyright.PENANAVxcEMOw5bH
"I've missed having you around."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAanIWoREWIa
I raised a skeptical eyebrow. "That's all?"
397Please respect copyright.PENANALgjFTttQ23
He tilted his head to the side. "Well, one of my fighters has been begging to spar against you. Apparently, he's a big fan. "
397Please respect copyright.PENANANAALMiL73U
My stomach churned. Something didn't seem right about all this. "Who am I fighting against?"
397Please respect copyright.PENANA9U2j2d10rz
Gabriel pulled up the fighter's profile on his Holowatch. Cyborg 131191514 Code name: Vindicator. Therewereseveral photographs of a muscular cyborg wearing a tattered cloak and a skull mask, beating his opponents to a pulp. I pulled the coaster out of my pocket and cross-examined my sketch with the pictures in front of me. It was nearly a perfect match. Vindicator is the cyborg that tried to shoot me a month ago! My heartbeat began to race and I felt a panic attack coming on. I shook my head. "I won't fight him."
397Please respect copyright.PENANAIcNdJs9izz
Chase glared at me. "We can't leave without the map!"
397Please respect copyright.PENANAWyzYG7IJcC
I counted backward in my head. "I'm sorry, I can't do it."
397Please respect copyright.PENANA2khlaBOoVk
Chase raised a hand. "Can I take his place in the brawl?"
ns18.226.159.13da2