Of Wolves and Devils: A Dark Angel Fanfiction Story
Episode 9:
Why is this night in the United States different from all other nights?
There may be a cold chill to the air. But, that's not it.
It's December, and one would normally expect snow.
With the smog out there as a dim reminder of the Pulse…year after year has gone by without snow. But, even this has not stopped the snow this year.
Commercialism is coming back to the good old US of A. And, weather planes of silvery red and white from Canada have been coming for months to gradually part the smog for this special time of year: Paid for and everything thanks to Eyes Only International, when it was really getting off the ground.
For, it's Christmas Eve. And, the people all bundled up on the cold streets of the United States welcome the snow with open arms of pure shock and joy.
The new wave of technology is in high gear. And, just about every computer has come to town: From the remodeled warehouse to the freshly painted corporate office.
They all come in a very bundled but cared for line of packages.
They look like gift wrapped presents: With themes from ducks in the water to space pirates on ice. But, with the flip of a silvery moon switch, the silvery rimmed touchscreen flatscreen slides up up top and the mostly black keyboard slides out the front.
Apps are limited thus far, and chatting is only in chatrooms. But, for just 10 bucks already paid for for the boxed computers, the sales are skyrocketing already.
And, as icing on a much deserved cake…there is no work for the holidays.
With all the joy around, companies small and large have let it go this year.
Though, even with all the holiday cheer in the air…there's a nightmare breaking through the winter breeze: Right down on Jesus Street.
On this holy night, down in California…
On the top floor of a dome like complex… There's a dark red sheeted bedroom with dark green curtains: With a marble white ring around black nightclub theme going on, with dance poles along the neon sign walls lit with dark blue.
Christmas decorations of green and red bows go all along the room.
Between some of the poles is a window of eight neatly thin glass panes, looking out to a little tower of sorts that could be well mistaken for a billboard.
Its mostly blue neon sign is from as far back as 1995. It says:
Seymo_r's, Eat More, Sleep More, Play More.
The concrete roofs before it with a small ladder before the lower one have come all the way back from 1995: Fully retouched and restored like a work of art.
The silvery rimmed mostly brown recliner is there. The silvery telephone booth is there too. And out here, sitting in the recliner…is Sydney in a jet black winter coat and matching gloves: Drinking from a clear thermos of egg cream.
In a dark red comfy chair across from her, there's Sydney's sister Samantha: Typing stuff on a red open suitcase computer like Sydney's. She has kind of short curly brownish blond hair, and a black velvet winter coat and gloves.
With a kind of cheeky smile on her face… Samantha looks up.
She figures, "I got one for you. And, you can't use VR as a answer."
Sydney faintly smiles nervously, "go ahead. I'm ready."
Samantha challenges, "if Santa Claus and his workshop are on the North Pole, how does he stay above water?" Sydney says, "ouch."
Samantha nudges sarcastically, "should I withdraw that restriction?"
Sydney faintly chuckles, "thanks. But, no. I'll get it."
She takes a sip from her egg cream.
She then questions, "where is Duncan, anyway? He'd love to be up here."
Samantha uneasily comments, "you know how he is with his crazy theories. Sometimes, he says he can see the Tree of Life with prison cells growing on it."
Sydney faintly chuckles, "you don't say." Samantha uneasily chuckles.
As she goes back to typing for a bit… She reflects, "ever since the Pulse… He keeps finding new ways to drive me crazy. But, I love him anyway."
Sydney smiles back, "I know."
Samantha steers things back around, "so…about the brain game we're on?"
Sydney figures, "well… Maybe there's docks behind the polar ice caps. And, the ice is mostly just for show to keep unwanted guests off the property."
Samantha chuckles hard at that one. She then catches her breath.
She comments, "only you, Sydney, could think of a stage in the North Pole."
Sydney faintly smiles, "thanks. So…anything on those smugglers?"
Samantha faintly sighs in reflection, "a crap full. Come look for yourself."
A little shaken by this, Sydney adds, "ok. What's…?"
She seals the thermos back up.
She moves over to Samantha's computer to look. And then…it all starts to hit her.
Red lined blue dotted 3D models of electronics stolen and not come up.
They suddenly all come apart in a put together video file. And, the parts fly into one 3D model that resembles a set of mostly reassembled dark blue computer banks: With the mostly dark brown toy box like logo "SyBox" across them.
Sydney realizes, "ohh." In a pained voice, Samantha mutters, "yeah."
Sydney starts getting up.
She checks like it's a trick question, "should I get Duncan?"
Sydney starts heading back for the house, down the little ladder and all.
Samantha nervously concludes, "yeah. You should. Be back in time for carols?"
Sydney pauses. She faintly smiles, "for you and Duncan? No sweat."
Samantha faintly nods, "I've still got a turkey to make. But, be careful out there."
Sydney mostly assures her, "we will." Samantha adds, "ok."
Sydney goes on back inside.
Meanwhile, in Logan's apartment…
Most of the place is in Christmas decorations of green. Some mistletoe hangs over the window. A Christmas tree still in its pot is out in the living room area with lights and bells aplenty. And, four by four candles make a fireplace all their own in the back.
Past the window looking out is a corner. And from that certain corner…comes the sound of rushing water. But, it's nothing to fear.
For, in that corner…is Max lying all relaxed in a black Jacuzzi with yellow Xs around its rim: Water jets blazing around her naked body, and steam aplenty.
Her dark red and dark blue bathrobes are folded neatly, just outside the Jacuzzi for her. Even some of the Chinese screens have been moved around to give her privacy.
From the other side of the screens… Logan wonders, "so…what do you think of your early Christmas present? I know you're not exactly religious. But…you know."
Smiling brightly… Max remarks, "for someone who makes it hard on himself to chill, you sure know how to please a girl. But…thanks. This is straight up awesome."
In a dark red long sleeved shirt… Logan faintly adds, "I'm flattered."
He's looking out to the window now: Thinking back to the message in blood. And, a chill runs right through him.
Max stops the water jets: Letting the water bubbles settle down.
She sighs uneasily, "ok. What's wrong?"
Logan comments, "that obvious, huh?" Max comments right back, "yep. You got that "I'm preoccupied with my mission" vibe on your face."
Logan comes around the screens to her: With crossed arms, as he's in the habit of doing. But, she doesn't mind being seen like this: Not with him, anyway.
Logan asks, "and since when did you believe in vibes?"
With a roll of her eyes… Max faintly smiles bittersweetly, "not exactly. Manticore didn't give us much to believe but the mission. We had to make do with what we could."
Logan awkwardly says, "I'm sorry. Forget I brought it up."
Max insists frankly, "please don't. It's ok." Logan faintly smiles, "thanks."
Max adds, "no problem. So, go."
Logan sighs nervously: His back against a wall.
After a minute…he finds some words, "we both took some time to clear our heads. Only…I haven't exactly cleared up mine quite yet."
Max sits up in the water. She inquires worriedly, "why? What's stopping you?"
Logan implies, "what have you heard? About Canada these days?"
Max annoyedly says, "not much. I already asked why. So, don't make me guess."
Logan goes, "ok, ok! I'll break it down." Max faintly smiles, "sounds good."
Logan explains, "well… A few weeks after we last got in touch with Krit… He got in touch again. Said that there's been suicide bombers attacking large cities in Canada lately. I tried to get more information. I tried to call him back. But…"
Sounding fairly rattled now… Max asks, "but…what?"
Logan heavily sighs, "haven't had much luck, I'm afraid. Canada has closed off their borders until the terrorists are stopped. Communication in and out of the country is limited. And, any attempt to cross the borders by anyone will be considered a act of war."
Max gulps nervously, "ouch. That's got to be a pain in the ass: Not knowing who's left or who to save."
Logan adds, "yeah. And, believe it or not…that's not even the worse of it."
Max attentively says, "ok. Tell me then. Please."
Teary eyed… Logan uncomfortably goes on, "my aunt Toni: On my mother's side. She lives there. And…I hate not knowing where she is in all of this."
Teary eyed herself… Max voices openly, "yeah. Sniffle. I know what that's like."
She starts drying off from a dark blue towel hanging from behind her.
She checks as she does, "sure we shouldn't cancel our plans though?"
Logan faintly smiles, "thanks. But…yeah. I'm sure. I could sure use some mirth."
Max faintly chuckles, "me too. I'll be out soon." Logan solemnly nods, "ok."
With some lingering mixed feelings of what hasn't been said… He turns away.
But, out of nowhere…Max can't help but wonder, "what was Toni like?"
Logan pauses. He turns back.
He painfully recalls, "she…has always been very sensitive. One of the most thoughtful people I know, in fact." Max faintly smiles, "sounds a lot like yourself."
Logan awkwardly says, "yeah. I would say so. My mother always protected her: Particularly from my father Don. She helped out everyone she could. Even Don respected her for it. When my mother died though… Don hurt Toni. Almost fatally. All the accusations, lies, recriminations…it's how it all started. It's why my mother's side doesn't come visit. But, I guess it's good they've found better: Away from it all."
Max solemnly says, "yeah. Sure sounds it. Canada was protected from the Pulse though, and free for all and crap. It's going to be ok. And, not just for Toni."
Still a little more than a little shaken… Logan says, "I hope you're right."
Max starts getting into her dark blue bathrobe.
Max comments snarkily, "I usually am."
Logan faintly chuckles…as he walks back over to the other side of the screens.
Forty five minutes later, over in California…
The pantone lined silvery symbol of Treyarch is up top of a office complex. It's built up with military grade concrete, in painted up walls of whispery silvery brown.
Guys in military uniform are standing behind many windows: Armed and ready.
A body scanner arch is in front of the front doors: With privately designed scanners capable of scanning down to the very DNA of someone, their skin cells and possible acme build up, and their brain tissue in all its levels of creepy.
In jet black jackets and matching black hoodies over their faces… Sydney and another figure stealthily make their way up the snow covered hillside.
There's only a few trees around. But, it's enough to make it up without being seen.
At a near whisper, Sydney asks, "you got the grappling hook?"
The other figure answers, "yeah. I got it, Syd." He un-straps the mostly black grappling hook launcher from the back of his jacket, and passes it to Sydney.
His name is Duncan: Sydney's closest friend since childhood, and the only friend she could always count on. He has mullet like medium very dark brown hair, very focused eyes, a faint mustache, a faint beard, and kind of seriously built arm muscle.
Sydney adds, "thanks."
Duncan uneasily figures, "sure. But…you've been putting off VR for a long time, Syd. And, I just got to ask: Are you sure you're ready to face it? That side of you?"
Sydney's mostly blue cellular phone rings. She says, "hold on. I got to take this."
In his kind of annoying way, Duncan says, "yeah. Sure. I'll just be looking out for you. Business as usual, really."
Sydney just faintly rolls her eyes: Having heard that one before.
Over the phone, she checks, "Samantha?"
From the other end… Samantha half jokingly asks, "who else would it be?"
Sydney acknowledges, "faint chuckle. Right."
Somewhat nervously, Samantha checks, "so…did you make it there ok?"
Sydney answers, "yeah. You know? Maybe it's a little too ok."
Samantha wonders uncertainly, "ok. What's up?"
Fairly nervous, Sydney outlines, "the soldiers in there. They haven't moved at all in the past several minutes. Not even their faces. It's kind of spooky."
Samantha pinpoints, "Sydney...I went out with Mister Anthony himself to get into his files. There aren't supposed to be any on Christmas Eve."
Sydney argues, "that's crazy. I'm looking right in their direction!"
Duncan thinks out loud, "hmm."
Over the phone, Sydney concludes, "hold on. I'll call you back." She hangs up.
She wonders, "what is it, Dunc?"
Duncan figures, "something just doesn't hold up."
He throws a rock at one of the soldiers. He goes down easy: Too easily.
Glass shatters, a alarm goes off… But, none of the other soldiers move.
Sydney exclaims, "Duncan! What were you…?!"
Duncan points out confidently, "come on. Look." Sydney says uneasily, "ok."
He walks right through the door: Not caring how much the body scanner beeps.
Sydney reluctantly follows.
Green blurry lights are up. Screenshots of Call of Duty are framed across the way.
Duncan explains simply, "they're just cardboard, Syd. Little green fake guys."
He knocks over another solider…letting him fall over several more like cheap toys.
Rounds of blanks go off harmlessly across the hall.
A little embarrassed, Sydney realizes, "oh. Sorry."
Duncan mostly assures, "it's ok. Operation Fortitude favors the bold."
Sydney wonders curiously, "what's Operation Fortitude?"
Duncan answers, "I'll explain later. Looks like we're not the only ones here."
A woman wearing a pink short sleeved dress with black triangles comes down the hall: In her late twenties, and with very light medium brown hair over her shoulders.
She nervously asks, "umm…hello. Who are you?"
Duncan has a hand on a gun in his pocket. Sydney mostly assures him though, "hold off there, Duncan. I don't think she means to hurt us."
Duncan solemnly nods. He takes his hand out of his pocket.
The woman says, "that's the last thing I'd want. I was just paid three million off the street to watch over things while everyone was gone for the holidays. And, guard something called a SyBox: Whatever it is."
Not sure what to think, Sydney moderately sighs, "well, I hate to break to you ki… Umm… What's your name?" The woman introduces herself, "Mollie."
Sydney says, "well, Mollie… I think you should consider changing professions. You really don't seem to be good at this."
Mollie nervously reasons, "well…to be honest… These aren't the main defenses."
Duncan sarcastically mutters, "terrific."
Sydney says very uneasily, "we don't want to hurt you. So, how about you make it easier on yourself and tell us what they are?"
Mollie concludes nervously, "actually…they thought of that already. They told me to give this to you. Please don't hurt me: I'm just a messenger."
She hands over a piece of shiny aluminum foil paper. Duncan takes it.
Sydney faintly smiles, "that's the last thing we want. Just don't try something you'll regret, and we won't."
Mollie faintly smiles back, "thank you." Sydney adds, "don't mention it."
Duncan says, "umm…Syd… You should take a look at this."
Sydney starts to ask, "why? What is…? Ohh…shoot."
The paper says this:
Any attempt to shut down, destroy, or reprogram our systems will start a silent self destruct. And, the entire city will be destroyed: Along with our VR.9 system.
Any attempt to leak information about the VR.9 system will be sought out through the system and be destroyed in nanoseconds: Along with your system.
If you value any life… We on behalf of Treyarch suggest you leave now.
Around this time, back with Max and Logan…
It's already 9 P.M. And, the party is just getting started.
The gang's mostly all here. And, there's plenty of booze and eggnog to go around.
Though, after the turkey feast…there wasn't a whole lot of room left for eggnog.
Kendra isn't coming. But, only because it's her first Christmas to be with Walter.
When Max and Kendra were living together, they had a single Christmas together.
Mostly for Kendra's sake, because Original Cindy isn't big on the holidays either.
She dropped off some presents for them. But, she stopped by Max's place to wish Max and Original Cindy happy holidays all the same.
Over on the couch, Syl and Sketchy are talking.
Sketchy is in his long sleeved red lined light tan yellow open overshirt over gray. Syl is in a foggy white T-shirt with a hovering distorted looking halo on it. And, their half drunk eggnog glasses are resting on the long low cut glass table.
Not very far off, Logan is setting a boxed computer in blocky blue up on a marble white camera stand. He's checked the side slot ahead of time to make sure it's working.
With a little unease… Syl asks, "so…how are you holding up?"
With a rattled sigh… Sketchy figures, "not so great. The Homewreckers are looking to come back by next week to wreck my place on some resell kick."
Sounding quite calm now… Syl assures him, "ohh! I wouldn't worry about that. Between the both of us, I'm sure we'll think of something. Awkward chuckle. For a minute there, you almost had me worried."
Sketchy faintly smiles, "thanks. So, what did you think I was going to say?"
Syl awkwardly brings up, "well…Herbal."
Sketchy faintly nods in reflection, "yeah. I sure do miss him. We all do. But…the man is in official unofficial sainthood now. And, the wheels of Babylon go on."
Syl says, "oh, I don't know." Sketchy looks at her kind of defensively, "what?"
A little red in the face… Syl clarifies, "sorry, Sketch. I don't mean Herbal."
Sketchy realizes awkwardly, "oh. I knew that."
Syl chuckles, "whatever you say, Sketch. I just meant the guns and bosses on top. I mean…Eyes Only has pretty much put a high stake in corporate power for the little guys and big guys. Shouldn't that shoot down a good half of those rats at least?"
Sketchy takes a sip from his eggnog.
He solemnly concludes, "you know? You're right. A new year is coming around the corner. We can most definitely hope." Syl faintly smiles, "thanks."
Meanwhile… Max is in a dark gray chair further back: Not far from the candle lit fireplace. She is in her open bright gold army jacket and a white top.
Her mother Anin and Original Cindy are gathered near in gray cushioned chairs.
Anin is in a yellow tinted white sweater like dress. Original Cindy is in a black top: With a silver cross, and the words "Cross Me and U R Dead" in white up and below.
Max offers, "here you go."
She passes a DVD case to Anin, with hints of tree branches in red on the back.
Mostly in Spanish… Anin says, "I have heard of the Bible becoming movies. But… This looks less forceful in its telling of it. Logan is very lucky to have you."
With some amusement… Max faintly smiles, "no one "has" me. But, thanks."
With a mixed sense of relief, Anin adds, "you are welcome."
Max takes the DVD back from Anin.
Turning to her right… Max then asks, "so…what do you think, girl?"
She passes it over to Original Cindy for her to look.
Original Cindy remarks, "damn. The ain't so perfect Mr. Christ himself done up as a perfect man. Wouldn't miss this for the world."
With a faint chuckle… Max figures, "thanks. Now, I just got to see what his Holiness thinks."
And, she's thinking to herself, "and if so, I'll have another person to give thanks to. Kendra: For letting me go through her stuff to pick out something and pass it off as my own. She's cool like that sometimes."
Not very long after…
A little confused… Logan asks, "what's this?"
He was back at his desk for a bit, going through his drawers for something…when Max just starts standing there out of nowhere.
She hands him the DVD.
Turns out it's of The Last Temptation of Christ: With Jesus's face up front and all.
Max faintly smiles, "consider it a early Christmas present."
Logan nervously chuckles as he starts turning the case over to look at the back. He admits, "I got to be honest. As a reformed Christian…I'm not sure what to make of it.
Max sarcastically suggests, "shame. I was kind of hoping we could watch. But, only if you're cool with it."
Logan considers, "still…" Max asks intently, "what?"
Logan comments, "kind of last minute. Don't you think?"
Stuck up sounding… Max adds, "not with The Warriors on reserve. 1979."
Logan realizes, "you've been nosing around." Max casually admits, "maybe."
Logan puts the DVD down on the desk. He gets up to face her.
Kind of not serious though, Logan suggests, "and if I were to change the locks?"
Max bluntly figures, "I'd break them, and then I'd kick your ass. You kind of knew what you were getting into with the bitch."
Logan holds her close. She's already smiling.
And, with his arms around her… He tells her, "and I haven't regretted it: Not for a second."
Max lightly chuckles.
And, then they kiss deeply: Their arms around one another.
Twenty five minutes or so later…
The boxed computer screen is lit with blue as the movie plays.
Computer generated Spanish subtitles cast faint yellow shadows from the screen.
Most of everyone is on the couch.
Max is sitting close to Logan on one end. A calm looking Anin is in the middle. Original Cindy is sitting on the other end, drinking some beer and smiling to herself. And, Syl and Sketchy are cozied up together in one of the comfy chairs.
With a soft but seductively calm kind of voice… Magdalene wonders, "Is it so bad, sharing a prostitute's room? You'll still have your virginity for the desert. I promise."
With a darkly firm but wandering voice, Jesus says, "I can't stay, Mary. I'm sorry."
A little shaken, Logan voices, "yeah. Remember what I said about no regrets?"
Max comments sarcastically, "why? Too much for a Messiah like yourself?"
Logan answers, "not exactly. Just… It seems to go out of its way to be bent."
Retrospectively, Sketchy figures, "but that's the whole point. The Romans were terrifying, man. But, come after hours, and everyone was getting bent just to get away. Prostitutes, crucifixions, bisexuals, bobbing for drinks… Nothing was taboo. What?"
Most everyone else is staring at him.
Well…aside from Max: Who is slightly amused. And, Logan, who is silently calm about it: Knowing Sketchy well enough not to get up in arms over it.
Original Cindy is quick to point out, "you're a idiot."
Syl faintly smiles awkwardly, "but, at least he doesn't try to be."
Original Cindy slightly chuckles, "Original Cindy can't argue with that."
The room calms down after that.
Sounding very relieved… Sketchy adds, "thank you."
With a awkward grin… Syl says, "you're welcome. Just don't expect to do well in history."
Just then, the phone rings.
Before anyone else says anything… Max figures, "no need. I'll get it."
She starts to get up from the couch.
As she heads for Logan's office though… Max pauses, "you ok though?"
Logan faintly smiles assuringly, "yeah. I am. Thanks." Max figures, "good."
She picks up the office phone receiver.
And, she asks, "who is…this?"
From a distance… Her cat like eyes see someone out the window: With a marble white lined black cellular phone. It's Samantha: Still in her black velvet coat.
Over the phone… Samantha says uneasily, "you don't know me. But, listen carefully. I'm Sydney's sister. And, I need you and Syl's help."
Max questions uneasily, "if you need help though…why not just turn to Eyes Only for help? Surely if you know Sydney Bloom…"
Samantha insists stubbornly, "no. This is too big for Eyes Only."
She takes a deep breath. And, she starts getting teary eyed.
Max checks, "you ok?"
Samantha faintly assures her, "no. But, I've been through worse. No. Moderate sigh. That's not true. We're more alike than you know."
In black and white… Memory flashes of two little girls in plaid dresses go by…with the sight of a car crashing off the edge of a river bank into the water.
Kind of amused, Max implies, "you'll have to tell me someday." With a faint smirk, Samantha concludes, "maybe. We'll see. But, that's not important right now."
Max realizes, "right. We'll help. But, only if Logan comes with us."
Samantha mutters lowly, "no!" She moderately sighs, "I'm sorry. But, I can't. If Eyes Only finds out what Treyarch's got…everyone will try to have it."
Max harshly shoots back, "let me break this down for you so you understand. If he doesn't come, I don't. And, then I'll be after your ass to uncover what you don't want me to uncover. So, which is it going be?"
Samantha realizes uneasily, "moderate sigh. He means that much to you?"
Like it's a trick question, Max answers, "yes."
Samantha nervously reasons, "ok. But, no one else."
Max adds hotly, "glad we understand each other then."
She hangs up.
A short while later…
The ramjet is soaring through the departing smog tainted clouds, leaving behind faint trails of smog in the night sky.
Syl and a somewhat shaken Logan are sitting strapped in on some medical beds due to a lack of seats. And, in the back is a bunch of mostly gray old fashioned computers on a black utility cart: All hooked up together with a mess of wires.
Samantha is piloting: With some dark purple velcro gloves laced with fiber optics and a pair of black rimmed sunglasses with a cycling red visor like light. Max is in the co-pilot seat: Looking more than a little uncomfortable in her black catsuit.
In a memory flash, not very long ago…
Max is at the door in her black catsuit. Max turns to leave…when she stops.
She faintly smiles kind of sarcastically, "mother. Come to wish me luck?"
Anin hugs her tight, like it could very well be the last. Max hugs her back.
Anin reflects somberly, "I know. This is what you do. Just please come back."
Max promises, "I will, mother. That's a promise." Anin faintly smiles, "good."
Presently…
It's mostly been a very quiet ride. But, Max breaks the awkward silence.
She has to say it, "I know whatever this is is top secret and crap, and you might make another big deal over it. But, it's hard to know what we're in for if you don't spill."
Samantha begrudgingly accepts it, "fine. I'll give you the cliff notes. You probably already figured out what VR.1 and VR.2 are. VR.3 is a flight simulator for pilots. There were plenty around before the Pulse. But, I wasn't too sure if…"
In a mixed kind of sense, Max insists, "yeah. We kind of did. But, thanks."
Very uneasily, Samantha says, "sure. VR.4 is cyberspace. VR.5 is basic virtual sensory reality. VR.6 is advanced virtual sensory reality. It can transmit thoughts on the conscious level. VR.7 is virtual dreamscape. VR.8. is virtual personality transference."
Syl mutters to herself, "damn. This really is big." Max adds, "straight up."
Samantha reflects nervously, "yeah. It is. And, VR.9…is complete virtual reality immersion. In there…there is no distinction between dreams and reality. Days can go by in seconds. Not unless you're encoded into the system, or can process information as fast as it. I may not know much about Manticore. But, you and Syl can. Most likely."
Logan speaks up in concern, "and if they can't?"
Samantha divulges, "Then… They'd be vegetables in a California hospital."
Logan points out, "you know, that doesn't sound very comforting."
Samantha tries to put it more delicately, "if it was a non-genetically enhanced person…it could lead to brain death. But, that's not going to happen here."
Syl gulps nervously. Max comments, "great. As if being a genetically enhanced killing machine wasn't bent enough."
Samantha concludes reluctantly, "moderate sigh. Guess you should know more of what to expect. Might help more."
Max sees she's on the verge of tears just thinking about it.
With mixed feelings, Max says, "then spill. Please."
Samantha goes on, "ok. After the Committee came down… Sydney created a video game system around VR.9. The SyBox. Easy to use. I tried to talk her out of it. But… Sniffle. She wouldn't listen. In the wake of the Pulse, we thought it was destroyed. And, I felt some small comfort from that. But, now Treyarch has picked up enough pieces to build it up again. And, now here we are: Paying for it. Sniffle!"
She gets out some tissues from a glove compartment: Trying to wipe away her tears with one hand while concentrating on flying the ramjet.
The ramjet starts to nose dive out of the sky.
Logan starts to ask, "you want me to…?" Max insists, "I got it."
She steps in and steadies the controls.
And, after several long minutes…Samantha looks up.
Sounding very embarrassed, Samantha says, "Sorry. All I'm trying to say…is that it's a very small chance, Max. You'll be ok. It's Sydney I'm worried about."
Teary eyed, Max adds solemnly, "I'm sorry." Samantha insists stubbornly, "no. I should be. We both should be. Can I get back to flying now?"
Syl uneasily says, "some reunion."
Max concludes, "sure. But…you know where to find me if you need to crash."
She gives Samantha back the controls.
Samantha figures, "doubt it. But, thanks anyway." Max says, "not a problem."
Back with Sydney, Mollie, and Duncan…
Sydney reasons determinedly, "even with all these fail safes, there must be some kind of backdoor. Every system has a weak point: No matter how small it might be."
Duncan grimly says, "only one way to find out." Sydney faintly nods, "right."
Sydney and Duncan have been in a corporate office, looking over the reconstructed SyBox connected to a row of four black laptops for something that might've been missed.
But, under the lights of the green room… Their vision gets blurrier and blurrier.
They grimly realize they've been at this for hours. And, nothing.
Mollie is coming back from the silver and green blurred Rec room with filled up plastic cups of water. She says, "you seem tired. Maybe some water will help."
Duncan adds, "thanks."
After taking a cautionary sniff… Sydney says, "sounds…good."
Suddenly…the water bubbles up: Melting away into quickly forming sleeping gas.
Sydney and Duncan fall unconscious in a instant. They both fall to the floor.
Out into the real…
From wall to wall…there's phone lines built in: With little holes and everything. A crude VR.5 interface for a crude place.
Mollie is there: Sitting before one of the screens. It shows the scene that occurred.
And, over to the side…the left comatose bodies of Duncan and Sydney are on medical stretchers: Long before they realized too late what was up.
In spite of what she's done though… Mollie looks close to tears.
And, she mutters under her breath, "I'm sorry. But, it's the only way I can be forgiven for my sin."