Phantoms 99th Percentile Round 2: Writers Debate

Chapter 7: The truth"You really don't know what you are doing do you? All these.... Complications.... Could have been saved in the first place if you just went a long with the testing to begin with." The voice says trying to muster up a snide and arrogant voice."Why? What is the point of this... 'testing'? How does it coincide with your goals?"The voice chuckles. "I said you were destined for greatness, did I not? Well you are great. We wouldn't be here, having this conversation if you weren't. I have made you smarter than the rest of the failed subjects. Your willpower is incredible, the likes in which can rarely be seen in humans. The tests are a series of designed ways for us to make sure that you are ready for leadership. We need to know that you are ready to do what needs to be done."I breathe in, before asking the question that I already know the answer to."And what is it that needs to be done?""We have hundreds of Dyrkite aboard this ship. I plan on unleashing them on Earth when we arrive. The small numbers of Dyrkite alone won't be enough to destroy an entire race of people, obviously. But the airborne virus that they will deliver should be enough to destroy the population without a problem. You... You and the rest of the clones are the 'clean-up' crew. You will be a great and victorious leader, as you lead men valiantly into battle. Dyrkite, and mutated man will be your enemy in your noble pursuit. We will have a new race... full of perfect individuals. No more corrupt world leaders. You already have shown that your morality is satisfactory after showing distaste on the death you have caused when faced under no other choice. Earth needs people like you."My heart sinks as I hear Brian's plan, and I wish I never heard it. "You can't do this! What benefit will there be to slaughtering an entire world of human beings?!""...there is hope for the future. When the world is ready for a new and better life, all this will someday come to pass, in God's good time. Captain Nemo, 20000 leagues under the sea. #319, why can you not see the greatness in this? The greatness in yourself?"Then I decide. I see a compartment near the bottom of the captains chair. I open it up, and inside there is a first aid kit, a flash light, and a lighter. I grab the flashlight, and stuff the lighter in my pocket, just in case."What are you doing subject #319? I wish I could hear your thoughts once more."I ignore the voice. There is no further benefit to talking with him. Memories or no memories, I need to stop Brian. As tempting as it is to know... To have recollection... I need to destroy this evil entity. I rush through the tiny room filled with a bunch of ripped and torn chords.I send a hard kick at the tin wall that was my savior, and it goes toppling down with a loud clang on top of the still unconscious Dyrkite on the ground.Instantly I hear the response of growling down the hall, as the two remaining hungry Dyrkite from earlier realize I have left my hole.I flash my flashlight on and point it down the hall, shining the ultra-florescent light beams on their slim and shiny figures. Instantly roars of pain sound. They try to break through the wall again, but realize this is futile, as the walls are too thick to break. The entrance behind them is too far for them to escape. The two monsters writhe in pain, before eventually bubbling into a steam of black goo, never to arise again. I run past them as quickly as I can, and climb out of the hole I created.I am in the bloody coliseum again."#319, are you not reminded of the greatness you have created? Pursue this once more with me!" The voice bribes me.Still ignoring the voice, I run over to the door that led into the Coliseum, knowing that's where the cloning lab is. I try to figure out where the AI core would be from here.I walk into the cloning room, and my eyes suddenly open in horror. All the tubes, they are wide open! This must have been a result from my wire massacre earlier.All around me are humans crawling around confused, coughing."These weren't ready yet, #319. You released them too early, and now I will have to destroy these and create a new batch." The confused and human replica's of me are surprised and confused by the voice, and are startled. I instantly raised my axe in case one of them decided they want to go crazy on me again.The voice laughs. "Don't worry, #319, these ones are normal. The one you killed earlier, I had been filling his brain with video of wild animals destroying their prey. He had been watching similar bits of footage for about 20 years. I also had injected him early on with my anti-atrophy serum. I did not share the same courtesy with these clones, they were never supposed to be released. These ones, are harmless." I breathe a sigh of relief, and lower my axe. My eyes then fleet over to the middle of the room, where a female is laying confused clutching her head in pain. Sarah.I run over to her, and she looks up at me confused. "Hi, Sarah, My name is Roger. I am a friend. I am here to help you." I say.She attempts to respond. "Whuu are yu? Wheerre am eye?" She struggles to respond. The half naked woman, is still facing the results of atrophy. "Listen, I don't have time to explain. I need your help though." Without permission, I lean down and pick her up, knowing she won't be able to walk. Surprisingly, the woman is very light and easy to carry."Lemme goo!" She screams frightened."I am not going to hurt you, I just need your help." I shout angrily.While the woman keeps shouting nonsensicals at me, I observe the room. Then I see it. A small rectangle outline on the right wall. This must be where the AI system told me the computer core was located.Guessing that it can only be opened mechanically, I put Sarah down a few feet away, and run at swinging my axe. I bring it down hard, and see that I have left a big dent in the door. Then I am busy at work hacking away at the door.While I am busy at my task of breaking through the door, Brian talks to me once more."What do you expect to do #319? Kill me? I am immortal. When you are long dead, I will always remain, still alive." He taunts me.I continue to ignore him, and bring another whack at the door, this time, going through leaving an axe sized slit in the wall."You really ought to be more respectful towards others properties. I don't think you understand the power I possess."I bring the axe down again, creating another hole. "Alright, alright, stop hitting my door. I will open it for you." Brain says.I comply, as I watch the damaged mechanical door rise, revealing a big room.I grab Sarah, and go inside, trying not to be shocked at what's before me. I hear the mechanical door close behind me. Sarah is still crying out obscenities, and yelling, but as I stare at what's before me, I ignore everything.It has two huge mechanical Stilts, each about 6ft tall. Legs. It has a big curved metal shell in the midsection. A body.Two big devastating joints, sharpened both with blades at the ends. Arms.And at the top, a huge round sphere, with a glowing centerpiece. It's head.I am staring at a devastating, menacing mechanical giant. I feel my heart drop, and I drop my puny little axe to the floor and set Sarah down.The giant Robot takes a step towards me, then speaks.It is Brian's voice. "You didn't think I wouldn't make plans to avoid this kind of thing #319? As you can see I am not some helpless little computer core." He taps the huge shell body making loud metal clangs as he does so. I understand now. The computer core is inside.... It's body...The voice continues."It's really too bad you chose this, #319. You and I could have accomplished great things together. I guess I will have to go 'back to the drawing board' as they say."He raises his giant robot arm, and charges towards me.Sarah stares wide eyed at the mechanical beast charging at us.PROBLEM: Roger is out matched by his opponent, and needs to figure something out fast, as he is faced with death.