I know, I know, I shouldn't be writing another story without completing the first, but I couldn't help myself. The idea of this story just popped into my head and I'm like: OMG GOTTA WRITE THIS DOWN! So yeah, here it is!
Astro: By the way, guys, if you haven't checked her other story out, which is Astro Boy 2: Destiny's Core, then I suggest you read it, because one of her OC characters from the story is going to be in this.
Me: Hey, no spoilers, Astro!
Astro: Geeze, calm down, I'm just letting them know.
Me: I've got my eye on you, mister…
Astro: *facepalm*
PROLOUGUE
A tall, dark figure stood gazing out of the large window, looking up at the star-filled sky. Behind him, a kind-looking man waited anxiously for something to be said. He glanced nervously around the room, watching the three small shadows that stood far off to his right. His two sweaty hands were clamped tightly together, his thumbs twiddling around each other as if fighting for territory. The man hoped he wasn't in trouble – after all, he hadn't been president for long, and this unusual meeting was new for him.
"I assume you know why you're here, President Logan," said the darker man, turning towards him.
"N-no, not really. Do you think we c-can put some lights on? It's awfully d-dark in here," Logan replied, shuffling his feet. He didn't normally stutter, but this room had an uneasy atmosphere which made him terribly uncomfortable.
"It's better that this room remains in the black. I mustn't have anyone knowing that we are in here, and I don't want anyone listening in on what will be said. Speaking of which, you three are dismissed." The man gestured to the trio of shadows, and the president watched them disappear into the darkness, followed by the sound of a door opening and closing. The only source of light in the room was projected by the full moon, which flooded the floor with a calming sea of brightness, making Logan feel at least a little better. There he could see a single desk with only a laptop and several files spilled on the surface.
"If I may ask, why use such old-fashioned technology? Surely a holo-computer would be better? Or a holo-desk?" Logan asked, pointing to the half-open laptop.
"Many people these days have no idea how to use them anymore. It's like a child getting a new toy. Pretty soon they'll forget the old one they had, and soon the new toy will end up just the same when something better comes out."
"Oh."
The president felt slightly stupid in having the shortest response in history. He admitted that this man truly was clever, but he'd have to be if he wanted to keep his 'spy' company in business.
"But anyway, back to the point."
"Which is?"
"My posse of inexperienced 'agents'."
"Ah, that. But why does this involve me?"
"Your city holds possibly the world's greatest creation. Do you have any idea how many people would want to harness that power and use it against the human race?"
"Are there really that many heartless souls out there?"
"Yes, and my naïve team are having trouble understanding what they have been assigned to do."
President Logan wondered how on Earth they could be failing. Then again, he'd never met them and had only heard about them and their progress over the holo-phone.
"And what about this robot that you've been talking about?"
The dark man paused, obviously thinking carefully about how he should reply. Upon his face soon shed a look of disgust. He clearly wasn't pleased with the current topic.
"He knows nothing about his origins, including who built him. He didn't even know his name or if he was ever given one. He chose one himself, of course, but it is still unknown if he ever had any real programming."
"I'm guessing his training isn't going so well?"
"No. He is completely clueless in combat and is still unsure of anything he might be capable of."
Logan took a sideways glance over at the door the three shadows exited at. He still didn't know who they belonged to. Bodyguards, perhaps?
"You still haven't answered my question completely. Why am I being brought into this?"
"I want to know if you would keep a secret from the city, even if it meant putting it in danger."
Logan was mortified. Betraying his fellow citizens was the worst possible thing he could do. Why, he wouldn't even be worthy of the title he'd been given as president. If he lied and kept secrets from those who trusted him, there goes the whole "prosperity and peace" slogan.
"Are you crazy?! If I was to put the city in danger, I'd be-"
"What's about to happen is bigger than both of us and the city combined."
The president clammed up, wondering what the big fuss was about. How did this guy know what might become of Metro City?
"Whatever my team does I need you to cover up, especially if they disobey orders or do anything stupid. You're also the best I know when it comes to political ideas, and that will most definitely come in handy when I need the sufficient intel to make sure everything goes smoothly and without fail."
"How do I know I can trust you? Keeping the city safe is my top priority, and I'd hate to have to make changes that the residents may disagree with."
The man turned away from him to gaze back out the window, and there Logan could clearly see some of the features on his face. He held a mysterious expression, as if he was willing to hide any information about him.
"…President Logan, what's your biggest fear?"
He took a while to answer that question. He was worried that this man would do something terrible to the city, so he had to choose his words carefully.
"Well, I'm not sure… I guess it's losing the city to some evil lunatic."
"Then that is why you can trust me."
Logan watched the man walk over to the desk and press a small blue button. The room suddenly seemed to change to a different atmosphere, though it was still unsettling.
"What's that?"
"If your hero is to succeed in protecting the city, he must be kept well trained and busy. Especially if he wishes to prove that humans and AI robots can co-exist." The both of them saw a large government robot zoom past the window and into the city. The president could tell it was loaded with weapons of all kinds. The man picked up one of the files scattered on the desk and handed it to the anxious president, giving him a stern look. "It has been an honour having this conversation, Mr President."
