Firstly, sorry about the wait. Secondly, thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter!
Dr. Nero found Professor Pike working on a charred circuit in Holographic Lab 1, the new cavern that had been built to test the experimental hologram technology that Professor Pike had invented. "Ah, hello Max," greeted Professor Pike, putting down his equipment. "I was just installing a new monitor for the quantum generator."
"English, please." chuckled Nero.
"Sorry. What can I help you with?"
"Well, HIVEmind has been malfunctioning lately. One second he tells me something, and the next second it never happened!"
"Hmm, I see," replied Pike, stroking his chin. "I'll take a look at the core records."
Professor Pike flipped open his Blackbox. "HIVEmind, please give me access to your data core." he requested.
"Data core access granted to Professor William Pike, security clearance Violet Delta." confirmed HIVEmind. A string of information appeared on the Blackbox screen, and Professor Pike took an involuntary gasp.
"What is it?" demanded Nero.
"HIVEmind records wiped by," began Pike.
"Go on!" urged Nero.
"Otto Malpense."
Dr. Nero was in a fit of rage when he stormed across the accommodation blocks and entered Otto and Wing's room. "Mr. Malpense - that's a detention!" he began. "No, wait, that's not enough. Make that 25 detentions spread into the space of 3 days! We begin NOW."
"Is there something wrong, sir?" asked Otto, looking taken aback. Dr. Nero opened his Blackbox and called Professor Pike.
"Professor, didn't you tell me that Malpense was responsible for this abomination?"
"What abomination? Max, we haven't seen each other for two days. Are you feeling alright?"
When Dr. Nero sat back at his desk, he felt like a madman. His Blackbox beeped, and he opened it. "What?" he grumbled in a tone that could freeze blood.
"Dr. Nero, there is a fire in the hydroponics lab. It is spreading to your location, you may wish to evacuate."
"No thank you, HIVEmind. I won't stand for any more of these tricks." he said, snapping the Blackbox shut.
Satisfied that he had evaded this trap, Nero settled back in his leather armchair. That was when the door caught fire, trapping him in a burning room.
"Students of HIVE. Ladies and gentlemen," began Otto, adopting his best camera tone. He was speaking into a direct link to every screen in HIVE. "As you know, Dr. Maximilian Nero is the headmaster at this wonderful school. But is he really the mastermind we believe him to be? First, he conducted a lesson on a person that doesn't exist. Second, he rushes into the sickbay asking about nonexistent students that apparently have been shot, and the chief medical officer doesn't know what he's talking about. Thirdly, he tries to punish a student for an offence that never happened. And, just a few hours ago, he stands by and does nothing during a major fire. What kind of a delusional madman is our headmaster? He is, and not for long, I say."
"As you will notice, I have rewired your intercoms. If you press them, you will be recorded as a vote in favour of me stepping in as headmaster. If I reach 300 votes, then by the power invested in the student body, I will take up the post of Headmaster of HIVE."
He reached 698 votes.
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