César ran, pushing himself not to stop and look back. He need to get to the ship, he had to get there in time.
\\ Objective: Protect Rex \\
_ Fear and Worry programs are running in the background _
César stopped thinking and just ran. He didn't stop moving, not until he sealed off the ship and they were airborne. He started the sub-speed engines and glanced around for his little brother.
"Rex?" César called, waiting for his little brother to answer.
But an answer never came.
_ Panic program is now running _
César didn't have enough time to look for him. The reactor exploded just as the sub-speed activated, setting off a series of chain reactions.
_ Danger detected! _
_ Sympathetic Nervous System engaged _
_ Self-preservation program initiated _
César had to get the ship under control. If he died now, then everything they had worked for would all be for nothing. He didn't know how much time passed, he just focused on stabilizing the pod and thought of nothing else. Ignoring every single non-essential scanner and alarm in the process.
_ Sympathetic Nervous System disengaged _
César let out a sigh of relief and began to look for Rex. He often hid when he was frightened; it could be no different now.
{ Hide-and-Seek application is now running }
[Seek subroutines initiated]
César searched the lab. He started with Rex's favourite hiding places, even the ones he could no longer fit in. All of Rex's spots were empty.
[Subroutines exhausted. Redefining application parameters…]
_ Fear program is running in the background _
César began to search the entirety of the pod, nearly turning the ship inside out in his efforts. Soon enough he realized that Rex wasn't onboard.
{ Hide-and-Seek application is shutting down }
_ New input detected _
Processing data…
_ Conclusion: Rex Salazar, Rafael Salazar, and Violeta Salazar have been deleted _
Processing information…
COMPUTATION ERROR! INFORMATION INCOMPATIBLE!
César froze, completely unable to move. Mamí, Papí, and Rex, they were… They were all… César hit the floor.
_ System failure detected! _
_ System failure detected! _
_ System failure detected! _
SYSTEM ERROR!
_ Unit shut down imminent _
_ Reboot system? _ Yes No
System rebooting…
Unit online
César felt himself get up from the floor, and started cleaning the lab from his frantic search. He put files back in boxes and shelves and began cleaning up the smashed beakers and flasks he had unintentionally broken.
Recalibrating all systems…
Sorting recently added data…
_ File found: MamíandPapíReactor _
Opening file…
César banged on the door of the Nanite Reactor Lab. It was futile and he knew it but he had to try, Mamí and Papí were in there! He had to get them out!
"César, stop!" Violeta begged.
César couldn't help it. He instinctively obeyed even as everything else inside of him was calculating, trying to figure out a way to get them out.
"Mijo, listen to us, there isn't enough time to get us out of here," Rafael said. "You need to get to the ship."
"But, Papí, the Reactor-"
"Is going to blow. We can't stop it."
"César, you need to get to the ship, Van Kliess activated the reactor's replication cycle. Rex needs you now more than ever," Violeta said. "You need to protect Rex, find the OM1, and stop the Consortium."
"Mamí…"
His parents shared a glance before their grip on one another tightened. César glanced between them for a few more seconds, torn between obeying and wanting to save his parents. Violeta's words were the last thing he heard before he gave in to the desire to obey.
"Mi hijto, it's okay. Go."
Closing file…
\\Objective Protect Rex: FAILED \\
Redefining parameters…
_ Primary objective defined _
\\ Retrieve Omega-1 Nanite \\
_ Initiate Objective? _ Yes No