::SEAN::

If there's one part of my work that I take pride in above all else, it's the shield.

Generated by a combination of machines and the unknown substance the atmosphere is composed of—filtered and purified, of course. It keeps the city safe. All the time I've been in charge of monitoring its performance, it hasn't so much as flickered. There was a disturbance earlier, about the time of sunset above at the surface but in no way had it anything to do with the shield's inefficiency. No one can do a better job than me. Which is why I've been able to dismiss Lindsay's remarks. She's obviously making it up—I'm that important to the safety of this city, no risks would be taken in regards to me. I've got the best security around me—The actual me, not the machine me. Day in and day out. Which makes the fact Ms. Caghan was able to talk to me slightly worrying. I checked her records, though. She's a dedicated tech, with nothing against her apart from a slight tendency to question superiors. After much deliberation, I decided not to pass the matter to the Councillors. I don't want them to think I'm easily panicked by a breakdown of routine. I'm sure Lindsay got the message that her tricks won't work on me, and that'll make her give up. If she doesn't...

I'm scanning the shield's generators again for abnormalities, when a message interrupts me. That in itself is unusual. Although the message is marked low priority, the only ones who know how to contact me without needing me to initiate it are the Councillors, the technicians immediately in charge of my life control systems, and I learn as I process the message Nina Everhart as well. The message, much like Nina herself, is economical and practical.

Mr. Spring, I do not wish to disturb you but if it's possible I would like to communicate with you. Monitor 24. Tech support Room 12.*

Well, although unusual, that shouldn't be any inconvenience. I finish process of the main shield then open the port to Monitor 24, TSR12. I contact Ms. Everhart through message transmitting. Simple really. I think of what I wish to say and the machine does the rest.

Nika Everhart.*

Hello Mr. Spring* Ms. Everhart does the same. Impressive. *Thank you for accepting my request.* Now that wasn't. She still clings to the common courtesies. I see them as an incomprehensible waste of time. If a job has to be done, it should be prioritize. No buts, no please, and thank yous. She still has a lot to learn, it seems. Perhaps I could give her tips while we have this discussion... Of whatever matter she wants to touch.

Is there a problem?*

Yes. One that I require your assistance for specifically.* There is a slight hesitation before she continues. I opened the links to the back up shield and begin processing that, wondering why Nina would hesitate. She is not given to acting on impulse otherwise she would not have been a tech, even despite her fortuitous personal circumstances. When her answer comes, I am surprised. *My guardian is uncertain about allowing me to continue in the programme. I would like him to meet you in order that he may be able to see what the result of my training will be and withdraw his objections.*

That is illogical. After all, your guardian isn't involve in the matter and his decisions have little authority. If the Council so wished, they could override any objections he made with no opposition.*

Nina replies evenly. *Even so, Mr. Spring I would very much like Thomas Stone to withdraw his objections from a more personal approach rather than political.*

I'd previously considered Nina one of the more pragmatic members of the city. This sudden display of unaccountable emotion was most disquieting. *It would have no significant result either way.*

It would make Mr. Stone happier to know that I was in good hands. And it would make me relieved to have his approval.*

That did have a kind of sense, even if it was based on emotion. Certainly Ms. Everhart would be able to function more efficiently without the worry of her Guardian's disapproval of the matter.

In that case, I will obtain clearance for you to bring him to Tech room 01.*

Thank you, Mr. Spring.*

I close the port and open another one, this time to the manager of security, instructing him that Nina Everhart and a Visitor are cleared to visit me. That done, I settled back to wait. To be honest, I'm curious to see what sort of person Thomas Stone is. He must be quite the character for Nina Everhart to wish for his approval. Although I've dismissed all emotional bonds as constraining and depleting of energy, she insisted on returning home to share meals with him for lunch and dinner, something that slowed her process in adapting to her lawsuit.

Why then?

I have a free minute in between data transfers to satisfy my curiosity some. Thomas Stone's profile is that of many of the current young adult members of the city, born on the surface but raised Underground with a fair degree of success. He holds two positions, one being a Radio DJ for three days in no particular order and dependant on turn shifts during Weekdays, and then a Catering Chef on Weekends, cooking up fine cuisine and the occasional pastries. That would explain Nina Everhart's eagerness to share meals with him. It would seem this was his own choice, as oppose to Radio DJ, an occupation he simply took over in all probability of his Deceased Uncle, a former Music teacher in a Daycare back in Surface times. A lack lustre record, he is reported to be cynical and independent. As of his age, he recently turned seventeen.

—Mr. Spring, your visitors are here.—

—Acknowledged. Allow them to proceed.—

I key in the command for my visor to be detached, shutting down all but the essential parts of the program as I do so. Flicking the last switches, I slide back the protective shield that separates me from the rest of the room. The light rips through my head. I winced, putting a hand up to protect myself.

Damn, the techs.

I've told them the lights needed to be dimmed. They're giving me headaches more and more lately. How frustrating. I can't function like this.

"Mr. Spring,"

It takes me a moment to register the greeting. "Ms. Everhart," Her guardian stands behind her. A Cobalt eyed, blond young man, looking at me with an expression of—what, I'm not quite sure. Since I've dismissed all emotional patterns as inefficient, I have difficulty with this so-called nonverbal communication, which includes facial expressions. "And this must be your Guardian, Thomas Stone?"

"Uh, yeah. I'm pleased to meet you." He stretches his hand out.

Nina gently pushes the hand away. "Mr. Spring considers this type of formality unnecessary." She explains promptly.

Thomas frowns at the girl. "I see. So I guess we get right to the point if that's the case then?" He turned to me.

"Yes. I believe formalities impedes efficiency."

I haven't heard anyone else come in so I'm surprised to hear a new voice. "And Mr. Spring is nothing if not efficient." I never heard her actually speak. But the tone made me guess who it was before I turned around.

"Something other people could learn from, Ms. Caghan," I said with a tone of superiority. "Have you come to waste more of time."

Her eyes flashes. "I've come to save more of your time, actually. By preserving your life." She answered.

I scan the room quickly. Damn, no techs. It must be late. "Your scare tactics were useless before, Ms. Caghan."

"You didn't hear me out, Mr. Spring. I have facts—"

"Which I do not for. I know the machine inside-out. I've been in it my entire life. There's nothing you can tell me about it that I don't already know."

"Except the previous maintainer of the city before you, your brother Luke Spring, died because of it."

Now that was new—but always a lie. "Luke Spring? I told you, I don't have one."

"You don't have one, that's true. You had two of them." Caghan insisted."Luke Spring was your older brother. He would be Thomas's age if he hadn't died. They altered your memory so you wouldn't remember. You also had a baby brother, whom they forcefully separated from you prior to your memory alteration. I'm not sure what happened after that—"

"Enough!" I snapped. "I will hear no more of this nonsense. I never had any brothers. I think I would know otherwise. No one can alter my memory. I alone have access to my memory through the machine. It helps me remember." I turned back to Nina and Thomas who have gone silent during this exchange. "I apologize for Ms. Caghan, I'm not sure what she's trying to accomplish but she will be removed shortly."

"Actually Mr. Spring," Nina said softly. "we're here at her request."

I stared at her, my summons to the floor manager unfinished. A mistake. I yelped as under my touch, the contact link goes down. "What did you just do?"

"Closed the port. I don't want anyone to interrupt this little chat." Caghan states, hands moving fluently over the keyboard. If not for this assault, I'd be impressed. "I've studied the machine for years, Mr. Spring. I've taken down all your communication abilities. Trust me—I'm good at this. Any attempt you make to override me, I can stop."

Oh yeah? I subtlyturned my attention to rerouting a few of my data channels. "And the point of all this?"

"To save your life."

"I thank you for the kind thought. But it is unnecessary. I am perfectly satisfied with my current situation."

"For now you are," She interjects. "but what happens when your strength wears out? You are already feeling the effects of prolonged exposure to the machines. You need more hours rest than you used to, you complain of increasing headaches—"

I cut her off. "That is the tech's fault. If they'd just reduce the wattage of the lightbulbs like I'd asked them to—" I protested.

"Huh? But, wait—" Thomas raised a brow. "these lights are dimmed."

"Got it!" Nina says suddenly. She's at one of the tech computers. "He bypassed the normal communication links, just like you said he would."

"Good," Caghan smiled. "So you've blocked his messages?"

"Block and deleted."

I clenched my fists. They've out maneuvered me. "Why are you doing this?

"It's necessary to save your life," Caghan starts loading things out of her bag. "Thomas, there are some parts in the cupboard. Bring them here."

I watch them sullenly as she starts to assemble something. Nina knows the machine—she could stop anything I try to do from within the system. Instead, I look at Caghan's construction. A kind of generating device with a built in projecter and some sort of communication up link. "It'll never work." I snapped. "the techs see me everyday. They'll notice at once that I'm gone."

"But they don't make direct contact, do they?" Caghan smirked. "give me a little credit, Mr. Spring. I've been working in this room the last year, I think I know how to build a hologram long enough for this baby to do its work." she pats the now assembled machine proudly. "you're going to thank me for this one day."

"Somehow, I sincerely doubt that." I have a bad feeling about this.

"Lindsay, isn't it too soon to do this?" Thomas Stone seems uncertain. "We're not even properly packed."

"We can't waste anymore time, Thomas. We can't wait, we have to act quickly. You know there's no other choice. We wait any longer, it could shorten his lifespan. He needs to start recovering now." Caghan insists. "We can't keep him out of communication for long without people noticing. Don't worry, I'll have the things you'll need. It's best you don't have much packed with you, anyway."

"What about getting him out of here?" Thomas looked my way. "he doesn't exactly sound ready for a road trip."

"He's getting out of here, if he has to be carried." Caghan said in amatter-o-fact tone.

"Carried." I said, my tone making it clear that was the only way I'd be leaving this room.

"Don't get cold feet now, Thomas."

Thomas continued questioning. "Don't you think we'll be just a tad obvious?"

"Not if there's a power failure at Section 15," Caghan said slyly. "so don't worry."

Thomas grunted. "Is it my fault this situation is so disagreeable?" he sighed deeply. "I woke up this morning expecting to go with the motions, there's still so much to consider..."

"I have suits and everything you'll need stowed near the surface. Detention ward 3. Here's the access card to the block. This code will allow you to override any door code, but of course you'll only need the one door. Cell 09."

Thomas looks at the card, indecision on his face.

"Thomas?" Nina takes his arm. "what do you think? I won't go without you."

"It's just happening so fast." Thomas shakes his head. "Like it's now or never."

"Now or Never... Or Capital Punishment." Caghan says wistfully.

Thomas gives her a certain disapproving look. "I could do without the reminder of my possible doom." he said drily before sighing in resignation. "Well, I suppose... Trey wouldn't have hesitated. Then again, he's an idiot so that's no assurance."

Nina laughed, but the reference made no sense to me. "Lindsay, we're ready to go."

"Wonderful. Give me a second to make the transfer."

This cannot go any further. "If I can interrupt for just a moment—" I snapped. I really do not not like the way things are going at all. "I am not ready to go. And I'm not going to. Even if the lights are off, I doubt people are not going to notice you carrying me as I scream through sector 16."

"Then we'll just have to stop you from screaming." Nina said sweetly. I realized she's instructed my life support system to inject me with a plethora of sleeping drugs.

"You are all going to pay for this."

The drugs override my system completely. The last words I hear before I blacked out completely are from Thomas.

"He really doesn't sound happy about this."