26. Chapter 26

So far, the XJs were doing just fine. The only exception was a small dent that XJ8 received from a bullet in her right arm. An officer accidently shot her with it when he was aiming at something completely different. XJ8 had run right into the path of the bullet without realizing it ahead of time.

Luckily for her, that small dent didn't make her any less functional. Plus, the dent would repair itself in a matter of minutes anyway. Even so, she knew that she couldn't afford to keep making mistakes.

The young woman from the Mudslinger incident was sitting the police station as calm as usual. She was there upon request from an inspector about an hour before the chaos began. Two officers were left in the station to guard it and any innocent people who were also in there.

The woman continued staring straight forward with a perfectly calm expression that was starting to bother the others in the room.

One officer finally spoke up saying "Ma'am. How can you possibly be so calm at a time like this? Are you even aware of what's going on?"

A moment later the woman said "Of course. I'm well aware. I just don't get excited or nervous very easily. I knew something was going to happen soon, something terrible, but I've had plenty of time to come to terms with it. If this is the end, if I die here in this building, I accept it. I realize no amount of crying or screaming is going to help us, so I choose to remain calm and let the storm pass."

The other officer spoke up saying "Shit, I envy you lady. Most of us aren't that strong. Most of us can't stand as firm as you are right now."

"But I'm sitting right now officer," the woman said smiling.

Everyone else in the room giggled a little at her comment.

"Fine, you win. I guess we should try to lighten up a little bit. During our training, we were taught repeatedly to keep our cool and focus in any situation. We'll have a better chance of getting through this alive if we do. I just wish everyone else could follow your example right now," The first officer said.

Unfortunately, keeping your cool and focus in any situation is sometimes easier said than done, especially when you're right in the middle of the crisis. XJ4 is a prime example of this.

She was doing fine until a car exploded next to her, sending her flying into a nearby wall. The damage to her exterior was actually quite minor, but that wasn't the case with some of her interior. She hid in a corner and ran a self diagnostic for damages.

"This isn't good at all. I was wondering why I couldn't move my arms very easily. If I can't use my arms, I'm completely useless right now. I need to find a safer place to hide," XJ4 said before scanning the area for a good hiding place.

It would take about an hour for her body to repair her damages.

After finding a place on top of a roof, she contacted the others saying "I'm sorry, but I'll be out of it for at least an hour. I got hit by an explosion from a car. My damages aren't too serious, so you don't have to worry too much. Also, I don't want to rush you, but I really wish you could get here sooner Melody. I don't know how much more of this I can take."

"I'm moving as fast as I can. I'll be there in about sixteen minutes. Try to stay alive until then," Melody said.

"I'm not damaged, but I don't know how much more I can take either. It's really turning into a war zone out here. I never thought I'd see a dead body in real life," XJ6 said.

"I know what you mean. It's the same cycle over and over. I break into your house because you have something I want. You say no, I earned that. We both fight, and one or both of us gets seriously injured or killed. It's not so bad if it only happens once in a blue moon, but it's happening all over the city. Is it genetic or something? Most of them think alike," XJ5 said.

"Yeah, I'm getting the same thing over here. Also, it seems like all of them see this as an opportunity to steal what they've always wanted because it's really hard to see them when they commit the crime. They're not really thinking though. While they're out stealing from one location, somebody is stealing from their house. When they return home, they realize their mistake. This creates even more chaos when they get angry because of it. Honestly, I don't know how long this is going to go on. If even the military is having a hard time solving this problem, I don't think this is going to end any time soon," XJ7 said.

The green computer screen flickered once again and a line in red read "CONVERSATION CHANNEL OPEN," appeared on the screen.

Another line in blue read "Now it's finally starting to get interesting."

Another line in black then read "Yes, humanity at its finest."

Another line in blue read "Even I had doubts that this would work out so well. I even had doubts that you would be able to find the final component, but you found like you said you would. Soon we can begin the most important phase."

Another line in black then read "Yes, of course. I guess it's about time to get prepared then."

Another line in red then read "CONVERSATION CHANNEL CLOSED."

The usually dark room began lighting up. Any kind of noise that machines are known for making was being made as they all activated. The computer screen flickered a few times, and then turned off.