Part 2

Chapter 38 Reality

"Man, he's really messed up," said one scientist to the investigator.

"Yeah, he just keeps going on and on about his `daughter` and how he saved her."

"Did you hear about that psychopath he talks about? The one who conveniently killed all the witnesses to this case."

"I'm thinking multiple personalities. He's pretty coherent now."

"The guy was long overdue for maintenance; it's a wonder that he was even able to walk or even speak."

"His memory's lacking. I'm not sure if we can trust anything he says."

"Strangely enough it all fits though, but he has a hell of an imagination. We found their bodies right where he said they would be.

"How many victims were there? Four?"

"No, five and a vast number of guards at an uncharted high security facility."

"He's really something."

"For now he's too valuable to the government. They need cyborgs like him who can do things like penetrating high security defenses. They're saying that he needs to be controlled more—that's all."

"So they're saying to completely forget about this psycho's killing spree?"

"They're chalking it up to insufficient maintenance work. I gotta` tell ya`…I'm inclined to agree. This guy had a crystal clean record until now. Cyborgs just don't snap like that. They're not regular humans; they hardly have a personality in the first place. I've seen cyborgs that weren't able to get proper maintenance. You ever heard of a person `missing a few screws`? That's literally how it is for a cyborg…it's really weird."

"He's gonna` get out of all these murders on a technicality?"

"Calm down, okay. You're treating the subject like a human. That's where you're dead wrong."

The scientist glared at the other, "He might not be completely human, but one of the most important organs in the human body remains; his brain. That's why he should be treated as such because his mind is that of a human."

"Well, neither the military nor the government wants to hear anything about that kind of stuff. It's the very fact that he is a cyborg that he's being protected."

"They want more control over him," said the scientist thoughtfully. "Ironic. His free will just might be what makes him so skillful; the ability to think outside the box."

"You might want to mention that in your evaluation."

"Hm. I think I will."

"Look at him. Look at his eyes. I just can't read him. That's how I know he's not human. There are no telltale signs of any guilt or remorse. Maybe you scientists will have better luck."

"Probably. He insists on being treated like an object rather than a person.

The scientist walked into the interrogation room where the cyborg was being held. Really, the scientist had nothing to worry about; the cyborg was thoroughly secured by tight-fitting metal armbands and leg bands attached firmly to the chair he sat in. However, the scientist was cautious. The eerie stare that the cyborg gave anyone who walked into the room was unnerving.

"You know, there's one thing I want to ask you, Ziggurat 8. Why did you turn yourself in so willingly? Did you feel guilt?"

"I did what was expected of a cyborg. I came to the major to give my report. Law enforcement came and took over. Now I follow your rules until another supersedes it."

"We told you to tell us the full truth. Did you?"

"Yes. Although now I wish I had fabricated it a little so that it might sound believable."

The scientist laughed, "Fabrication? Don't you worry about that. Now you must come with me for some tests."

The metal bands around the cyborg slid unlock when the scientist said this, Ziggurat instinctively stood up.

"Don't do anything stupid, Ziggurat 8. I control more than you can imagine."

"I don't plan on it."

"Even so, it's a warning that you'll do well to heed."

Ziggurat nodded signifying that he understood. He followed the scientist obediently into another larger room where there was even more equipment.

"Sit over there, Ziggurat 8. Place your arms on the armrests. Yes, that's it. Now, do not make a move whatever happens."

The cyborg found himself again thoroughly secured. His entire body was still. He watched as the scientist typed swiftly on a keyboard.

"This may feel rather funny, but endure it. Analysis will begin and will end in approximately an hour."

The scientist took one last look at the cyborg before leaving.

"Don't fall to sleep, by the way. We don't want pesky little dreams messing with the scanners now do we?"

Ziggurat was glad when he left, but he had nothing more to neither look at nor do in order to fend off the inevitable boredom. Sometimes his patience could be amazing as it was now. He stared dumbly at a metal wall for what seemed like an eternity. There were no daydreams; his mind was void of thought. All the while, he felt the strange tingly sensation of the scanner move slowly up his body. Any other person would have laughed from it, but he, of course, did not.

An hour passed and the scientist returned promptly.

"Astounding; you didn't move a muscle, just like I told you to. You follow directions well, surprisingly. Let's see what the computer thinks of you."

The large computer was already spitting out yards and yards of paper. The scientist lifted it up from the floor.

"Hm, your numbers look fine…your brain functions are fine…hmmm." His eyes searched the entirety of it looking for any abnormalities or nuances—there was none. "Well, you've passed with flying colors, Ziggurat 8. I'm impressed. Surely you couldn't outsmart a computer such as this. Wait for the metal bands to recede and then stand. Follow me so that further tests may be done."

Again the cyborg obeyed. The entire day consisted of tests and more tests. He passed them equally as easy much to the scientist's surprise.

"My, my you are a mystery. Perhaps you are valuable if you are indeed tricking the computer."

"I am not."

"Well, I sincerely hope not, Ziggurat 8. Your entire survival depends upon it."

When the day was coming to a close, Ziggurat was put on a maintenance bed. It was even more thorough than a regular maintenance chair. In light of his previous heinous activities, authorities wanted to be extra careful with the cyborg. He didn't seem to have anything wrong with him, but chances were not to be taken. Ziggurat was under surveillance constantly. Every part of his day was monitored, but he didn't seem to mind.

It was a sad existence. The missions that he would usually be on were halted. There was nothing he could do to take his mind off of the recent tragedies that had befallen him. Instead he was forced to utilize his own methods of coping. Like he always did with other unpleasant things in his life, he simply built up a wall in his mind. It was virtually indestructible and only a certain kind of person could destroy it. People like KOS-MOS or Leah could do so, but it was unlikely that he would ever come in contact with them ever again.

For a moment the following day, he thought about KOS-MOS. What he had predicted had come to pass. He was almost certain that she had forgotten all about him. If he ever saw her again—and he somehow knew that he would—he was afraid that she would never look at him the same way again.

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AN: Anyone who has been reading or just gave up on the hope that I would ever finish this looong story—don't hate me too much when I tell you why it's been so long since I have updated.

I always write my stories out first in my notebook before typing it up on the computer. In truth, I already had the last three remaining chapters written, but I never got the chance to type them. Projects were just coming at me left and right and by the time I muddled through all of them—I hardly felt like typing anything plus I had already started on a story of my own that I want to publish for real. Along with that I…sort of forgot about this story. It wasn't until recently when I checked my stories on Fanfiction that I realized I hadn't finished this story. You should thank my friend Arada. We started talking about the stories we published on Fanfiction and I decided to sign in again. Enjoy the simultaneous upload of the other two chapters and this one.

By the way, I did say that this was going to be a three part story, but I'm getting tired of writing this story—though honestly I think it came out quite well. The third part was supposed to take place during the three episodes during the game…Maybe later if I ever feel like it, but for now, this story is complete.