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!
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Chase looked like he'd seen a ghost. He clutched my arm, so tightly he almost put a dent in the metal.
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"What's wrong?" I surveyed the alleyway for any sign of danger. Nothing seemed amiss.
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"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.
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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?"
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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."
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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.
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"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."
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I raised an eyebrow. "You didn't have the map I did."
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"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."
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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?"
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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.
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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."
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"What?"
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I took several deep breaths, trying to steady myself. "The song is in Russian, not Icelandic."
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He shot me a questioning look. "How do you know?"
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"Because that song is the Annihilation Code."
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Chase'seyes widened. "What? That's the cyborg murder code?"
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I nodded gravely.
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"Then why didn't I die?" He placed his hands on his hips.
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"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.
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"So, I'm immune to the murder code?" Chase said, with a glimmer of smugness in his eye.
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"It appears so, but don't test your luck," I replied.
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"You know, I always thought the Annihilation Code would be something much cooler."
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"Why would Oblivion need the map if they already have the Annihilation Code?" I asked.
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Chase rubbed his chin. "Maybe they don't want anyone else to have it. They want to keep it for themselves."
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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.
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"Where are you going?" Chase asked.
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"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.
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"Hey, wait up!" Chase sprinted after me.
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Whatever, I didn't care one way or the other if he tagged along, as long as he stayed out of the way.
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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.
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Chase panted heavily, as he struggled to keep up with my pace.
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I stepped inside the shed and retrieved my helmet. I extended my spare helmet to Chase.
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He shook his head. "You expect me to drive one of those? Um, no, thank you, those things are dangerous!"
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"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.
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Chase stared at the Hover-Cycle with apprehension.
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"You don't have to go," I signed. "I can download directions back to Patch's workshop on your cybernetics."
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"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.
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"I can't promise you'll find the answers you're looking for."
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He wrapped his arms around himself in a sorrowful embrace. "I don't have anything left to lose."
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I shrugged. Fair enough. I sat down on my Hover-Cycle and motioned for Chase to do the same.
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Chase reluctantly put on the spare helmet. "Fine, but I'm not wrapping my arms around your waist or anything."
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"Alright, have fun falling off."
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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.
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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.
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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.
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"So, how are we supposed to get a meeting with this guy?" Chase asked.
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I marched up to the private elevator that led to the commentator's suite.
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A frazzled-looking intern ran up to us. "I'm sorry, sir, but no guests are allowed up there!"
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I flashed my V.I.P. Access badge.
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The intern narrowed her eyes at the badge. "This looks very official, but no visitors are allowed in the suite during a brawl."
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"Are you giving my favorite godchild a hard time, Erica?" I heard a familiar voice say over the intern's earpiece.
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"No, Mister St. Martin!" She stammered.
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"Let him in." Gabriel St. Martin said, exasperated.
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The intern eyed Chase. "There's someone here with him. Do you want me to allow both of them up?"
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The security camera on the ceiling turned around to face Chase.
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"If it isn't Chase Huxley," Gabriel said over the earpiece.
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"It is!" Chase said. "Since I'm a super famous celebrity, can I come up to the commentator suite?"
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Gabriel chuckled. "Sure!"
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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."
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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.
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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?
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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."
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Chase smiled. "Thanks, I hate it here."
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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.
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The island's foundations creaked beneath us, and Chase had to bite back a yelp.
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Gabriel gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "You'll get used to it, everyone does."
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"No. I've lived here for decades, and it still sucks." Adrien retorted.
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Gabriel scowled at him.
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"Why do you live here, if you don't like it?" Chase asked Adrien.
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A smirk spread across his sharp features. "Because Ikigai II has the greatest Cybrawls in the world."
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"Have you ever seen a Cybrawl?" Gabriel asked.
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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."
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Adrien cringed. "American Cybrawls don't count. They lack the most fundamental facet of any Cybrawl, bloodshed."
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"Okay, then." Chase laughed awkwardly. "I hear you two are Cybrawl legends." He said, trying to redirect the conversation.
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"We're not just legends," Gabriel bragged. "We're the greatest fighters of all time."
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"No one can rival us," Adrien confirmed.
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"Have you ever battled each other?" Chase asked.
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They shot each other a knowing smile.
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"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."
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"That was one hell of a fight." Adrien reminisced.
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"Well, who won?" Chase was on the edge of his seat now.
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They both chuckled. "It's our secret."
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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.
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"You can't just leave me hanging!" Chase protested.
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Adrien folded his arms. "We can and we will."
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My eyes drifted to a framed picture of Gabriel, Adrien, and Patch. They all looked so young, it was almost startling.
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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.
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Chase gawked at the photo. "Is that Patch? He looks just like Atlas!"
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I nodded. I'd always been told I looked like Patch.
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Chase ran his fingers over the image. "So, how did you guys meet Patch?"
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"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."
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"So, are you really Atlas' godfather?" Chase asked.
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Gabriel nodded.
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"He requested that Patch would make him my honorary godfather, and in exchange, he'd protect me from Bionic Corp." I clarified.
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Gabriel tried to put a hand on my shoulder, but I jerked away. I don't want his affection.
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"Are you still mad at me?" Gabriel asked. "I thought you came here to make amends."
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I told the truth. "I don't know."
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Chase spoke up. "Actually, we're here for a map. It's–"
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"We know." Adrien cut him off before he could finish his sentence.
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Gabriel shook his head. "It seems everyone is after that dammed map these days."
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"Who else has been asking about it?" I asked.
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Gabriel scoffed. "Bionic Corp tried to bribe me into handing it over. They offered to cover the cost of this entire event."
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"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."
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"They offered me 54 million credits."
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Chase let out a slow whistle. "I'm not that rich."
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"Are you going to accept Bionic Corp's offer?" I asked, dreading the answer.
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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."
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"You said no to 54 million credits?" Adrien exclaimed.
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"It's not worth getting involved with a shady corporation that abuses cyborgs like us," Gabriel replied.
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Adrien shrugged his cybernetic shoulders. "Whatever, it's your map. Trade it to whomever you want."
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I gazed at Gabriel earnestly. "What do you want in exchange for the map?"
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"Why do you want it?" He asked.
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"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.
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Gabriel paused for a moment, contemplating his answer. "I want you to fight for me one last time."
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I sighed loudly. "You haven't changed a bit, have you? You're going to exploit me for your own gain again."
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Chase picked at his fingernails, trying and failing to seem uninterested in our quarrel.
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"I fought in a few Cybrawls when I was a teenager and Gabriel was my manager," I told Chase to clue him in.
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Chase eyed me up and down. "You were a Cybrawl Fighter? You're so small and scrawny!
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I rolled my eyes. Chase and I have the exact same physique, he's just a couple of inches taller.
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"Do you know what everyone loves?" Gabriel asked Chase.
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"Cupcakes?"
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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."
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"Why'd you stop?" Chase asked.
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I folded my arms defensively. "I was tired of being forced to give and receive punches for a living."
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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."
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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.
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"If you say so." Gabriel reached into his jacket and pulled out two red glowing knives.
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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.
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"I knew you'd come back someday, so I kept your knives safe for you." Gabriel rested a hand on my shoulder.
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I glanced at Gabriel and then the knives. "Why do you want me to fight again so badly?"
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"I've missed having you around."
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I raised a skeptical eyebrow. "That's all?"
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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. "
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My stomach churned. Something didn't seem right about all this. "Who am I fighting against?"
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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."
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Chase glared at me. "We can't leave without the map!"
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I counted backward in my head. "I'm sorry, I can't do it."
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Chase raised a hand. "Can I take his place in the brawl?"
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