Disclaimer: - I don't own Torchwood (copyright of BBC). I also don't own the computer application that this is based on (Copyright of Facebook).

Torchwood – Insane in the Mainframe

Prologue – Ctrl, Alt, Del

Welcome to Superpower Inc. The ultimate fight of good versus evil.

Please Type in Password and Access Code.

Lewis typed in the codes that he had been given when he applied to the application in the first place. It seemed too good to be true. He had always been a techno geek and RPGs were his life. Now he had found a game that suited his desire to live as an entirely different person. Superpower Inc had been around for six months and had taken the internet by storm. There was unlimited access, no danger of the server crashing and it came with free antiviral software as well. For a one off payment of £5, it was an incredible bargain.

The game was simple enough. You started with one superpower and you'd battle other people all over the world to gain more superpowers and experience. You also had an alliance with good (under the guidance of the Sol), evil (under the tyranny of the Necrolai) or an interesting group known as the Renegades (fighting for the revival of something called the Mainframe). The Renegades could go ever way, depending on the powers the players used. Each power was designated good, evil or neutral, and constant use would influence the nature of the character.

Lewis eagerly clicked the start icon on the screen to start his new adventure.

Password accepted

Access Granted

Type codename and wait for status update

Lewis followed the instructions and waited for a few minutes with anticipation. At this point, a high pitched whine emanated from his laptop. Lewis looked at his monitor with slight confusion, but dismissed it as nothing to worry about. He took another look at the screen. His information had been processed.

Status Updated

Codename: - FlameThrower

Alliance: - Renegade

Initial Power: - Pyromancy – The ability to conjure and manipulate fire.

Power Type: - Evil

Thank you for pledging your alliance to the Mainframe. You may now begin your quest.

Lewis placed his hands on the metal surface of his laptop. An action that he would later regret. He suddenly yelped in pain as an electric shock course through his body. It wasn't enough to hurt him, but it definitely took him by surprise. He quickly withdrew his hands.



"What the hell was that about?" he thought to himself. He turned back to the screen. Everything seemed to be normal. He tentatively touched the laptop with his finger, half expecting another shock.

Nothing happened.

The shock behind him, Lewis went on to customise his character. He was amazed at the level of detail that the programmers had gone into for this game. In the end, he settled for a body design like his own and a black robe with a flame motif. He was happy with the result and instantly delved into the adventures and quests the virtual world had to offer.

--

"Master!"

010101101 What is your function here? 0101010101

"Another Renegade has been born."

011010100 Excellent! 1010101 Details? 01010101010

"His name is Lewis Adams, a student in the Cardiff area. The programming worked without any problems."

0101011010 And his abilities? 0110101011

"He started off with pyromancy but has also gained flight, phasing and for some strange reason, rapid hair growth."

01010101 An interesting potential recruit 01001011

"Master, do mind if I ask why you put powers like hair growth in to the program?"

01010101 Subject query, access granted. 010101 Unusual powers create the subterfuge of an innocent game. 010101101

"No one would discover your plan master. This is a class 5 planet. Its technology is primitive."

01101101 Subject query, confirmed. 0101100 It also has a population of six billion potential soldiers to mould to perfection. 010101011 However the Sol or the Necrolai would take precautionary measures if they knew of this. 01010101 The Shadow Proclamation would decommission me. 01101011 See File : Adiposian First Family. Subject closed.0110

"Thank you master. Awaiting instructions regarding FlameThrower.

01101010 Subject query, confirmed. 01010101 Metagenic program in place. Activate signal to induce pseudo genetic activation.

"Yes Master!"

--

Lewis groggily awoke the next day. He felt like crap. Actually that was an understatement. He felt beyond crap. His head was pounding, his hands hurt and he couldn't see anything properly. It was like a hangover, if said hangover involved charging headfirst into an elephant.



Lewis' eyes started to acclimatise to early light outside. He shielded his eyes from the rising sun. Suddenly the realisation dawned.

Rising sun?

He knew for a fact that he couldn't see the sun from the window in his flat. As he groped around, he was beginning to realise that something was wrong. It seemed to come in stages. The sense of fear that started to grip his throat, the internal denial and the slow acceptance that he wasn't in his flat. As a matter of fact, he wasn't even in a building.

He was in an alleyway.

Now fully acclimatised to the light, Lewis looked at his hands to identify the source of the pain. The result shocked him more than the electric surge he got last night. His hands were burnt. Practically scorched. What the hell had he been doing last night? He could remember playing Superpower Inc. and going to bed but nothing else. The rest of the night just seemed like a dream. A very blurred daydream. However, Lewis got the final fright when he looked down at what he was wearing.

It was his costume from the game

Right down to the flame motif.

Stricken by a sense of panic, Lewis grabbed a lid from the nearest bin in the alley.

It melted in his hands.

Looking at the mass of molten metal forming by his robes, Lewis glanced quickly at a discarded tray in the bin and instantly regretted the decision. At the side of his neck was a small tattoo in the shape of a flickering flame. That wasn't the disturbing part. What was more disturbing was his eyes.

His dull grey eyes.

Well, that's the prologue finished. Please R & R. Cue Torchwood theme music.