Chapter 31: Surrender
09:57 AM (Japan Time), Friday July the 7th…
"… Is this the place, Laser Man?"
"Yes, sir. There's no mistake about it, sir."
Dr. Regal opened a side door of a large factory-like building and walked through a corridor into the underground garage: he then entered the room with the large LCD screen and spotted a camouflaged door which had been left open: he headed over it and knocked on it.
"Please come in, sir…" Anderson replied.
Dr. Regal stepped into the command room and found Anderson standing next to the holographic capsule and seemingly monitoring Annihilator Man's repairs: Guilty Spark was hovering around the area and seemingly examining everything.
"My! What curious technology. My, my! It makes up for those tens of thousands of years waiting for something to happen!" He was exclaiming.
"Rick." Dr. Regal called out.
"Dr. Regal – sama. It's over, sir. But I hold no regrets or grudges: I did what I could yet I was unable to win. Such is the way of life and we humans flow along it." Anderson calmly told him with a sigh.
"I'm proud of you, Rick. You stopped by your own hands. It's a hard decision to take most of the times. But you were able to do it and that makes you a strong man."
"Thank you very much, sir."
"It'd seem everything is being wrapped up! My! I'll be eager to go and catalog everything: my masters would be proud of me! I'm a genius! I'll soon know everything!" Guilty Spark muttered with a hint of amusement.
"I know, sir. I will be going to the Net Police HQ to turn myself in. I am just waiting for Annihilator Man's repairs to finish: it should take another 10 minutes." Anderson sighed.
He picked a normal chair and sat down on it as he closed one suitcase and locked it: he then picked a blue cap with the Scotland flag set on its front and shook some dust off it.
"So you were behind this screen… Did anyone realize it?" Dr. Regal muttered after looking around.
"I don't think so, sir. Everyone believed I was somewhere else and this screen served to relay orders. Even if they let out this location anyone would quickly think it was a dummy HQ and look elsewhere."
"I see. It's not unlike how Yuriko lived in that refuge next to the underground and I contacted her via LCD screens from the tanker."
"I got inspired by your explanations, sir." Anderson nervously confessed while looking elsewhere.
"Don't worry: I won't get angry over that."
"I can't get enough! I know that Installation 04 was fired just once as part of a critical decision forced by the time's circumstances, yet… I've simulated its firing billions of times by now!"
"Oh come on. There's no need to fire your Installation ever again by the present time, thank you very much. I'm sure your makers would agree with that." Anderson told him.
"But of course. Yet… I'm still wondering if it was a bad idea to store some Flood samples for study… Even though the Sentinels could easily destroy and sterilize them… If there were a species which brought any spaceships, then… It would be a calamity! I should really place a warning sign on that sector's entrance." Guilty Spark muttered.
"Do as you like." Anderson made half a smile.
"Certainly!"
"Time estimated to complete repairs: five minutes."
"… Rick. Your aunt… She doesn't know anything, am I correct?" Dr. Regal suddenly asked.
"… I told her I was invited over by you, sir, so she won't be surprised if I spend some time here. She's gone to a trip with her Bingo Club friends to the Highlands." Anderson admitted.
"I see. You didn't want her to be involved."
"No, sir. My aunt is the only family left to me, sir. I wouldn't want to lose them, sir."
"Say… Have you noticed any trace of Dark Land around your activities recently?" Dr. Regal brought up.
"I did, sir, and that's why I decided to meet with you to split the information. And given how we found that agent in the Aquarius Hotel restaurant… I haven't come out ever since that day out of paranoia: I detected someone taking an interest in the building and roaming close to the perimeter, triggering the sensors… I got a photo but I have no means to check any database to ID him…" Anderson rummaged into a drawer.
He took out a photo of a man on his late fifties or early sixties wearing a brown military cap as a well as a trench coat: he sported sunglasses and had a large brown beard.
"Hmmm… That beard looks like it's a wig. And he must be a high-ranking man, like a General, even… Wait. General… It couldn't be…!"
"What's wrong, sir?"
"It could be the leader of Dark Land in person: the age and overall face structure matches!"
"Since his right hand man got caught, he decided to do it himself, huh?"
"I'll rather call for a car to drive us to the Net Police HQ: that man could be waiting to set an ambush, even."
"Please go ahead, sir."
"My, my! This idea of a new energy system would've intrigued my masters! I wonder what the other Monitors would say… They would be totally intrigued!" Guilty Spark commented.
"Bring him along: it'd seem he'll help kill the mood." Dr. Regal suggested.
Dr. Regal took out his Link PET and dialed a number: the line rang before it was picked up.
"Dr. Regal?" A rough, dry and cracked – like voice asked.
"Correct. Mr. Denpa. I am need of a car to bring Rick to the Net Police HQ: we suspect that "General" is roaming around the area. He could try to assault us."
"One will be there in less than 15 minutes. Please make sure to lock the place down."
Anderson brought out his Link PET and inputted some commands to lock the door and engaged some screens displaying input from the perimeter sensors: the "General" could be seen examining one of the walls as if trying to locate a secret entrance.
"Hmmm… Monitor! That Reclaimer is trying to enter a restricted area: it'd be best if you brought some of the Sentinels and kindly told him that he can't be allowed inside." Anderson had an idea.
"What! Vexation! Accessing unauthorized sections in front of my surveillance…! Come, Sentinels!"
Some hovering metallic robots which had a mainly cone-like body with two short "wings" and one blue "eye" formed next to Guilty Spark and they flew outside via the A/C duct.
"Are those holograms or materialized data?" Dr. Regal frowned.
"They are materialized data, sir. I wanted them to be "real" in a sense, sir. Real in the sense of having matter."
"Repairs: complete." Annihilator Man announced.
"Good. Erase anything left on the system and come into my Link PET: we're going." Anderson commanded.
"… Leave me alone, you stupid machines! I am the Supreme General of Dark Land! Bow before my might, you pieces of junk!"
"Your title means nothing! This is part of my programming: no Reclaimers are allowed into unauthorized areas! Turn away or I will be obliged to enforce that policy!"
The "General" could be seen yelling at Guilty Spark and his four Sentinels: both Dr. Regal and Anderson grinned at the scene.
"Where might you be going to? Comrade?"
Colonel Talos came into view while spinning that custom weapon of his on the right hand: he was accompanied by two agents.
"Talos! You lowlife!" The man hissed.
"Colonel Talos, if you may, Supreme General Ottymen."
"Whatever! Hand over the energy system or that brat's aunt dies!"
"Bluff." Colonel Talos countered.
"Try it!" He challenged.
"There's no need. Ever since we knew his ID, I rang up King Land Division: two agents are escorting the lady and her companions and they intercepted two Lieutenants who were but amateurs at stalking."
"What! Impossible! Those morons! Can't do a proper job!"
"Not impossible at all, Supreme General. We are always ten steps ahead: I was a real colonel in the last days of the Soviet Sharo, after all. I would recommend to you to go back to your office. Before the PSB drops by and catches you because of illegally entering the nation."
"Why, you…! I'll remember this! One day I'll have my payback!"
The man ran off while Colonel Talos and the two agents circled and headed for the side door; it unlocked and both came out.
"Comrade Anderson. Good morning."
"Good morning, gentlemen. Should we go?"
"Are those gentlemen coming as well?"
Colonel Talos signaled Guilty Spark and the Sentinels with the head.
"Yes, sir. Monitor! Emergency protocol is over: the Sentinels can be dismissed. And please return inside of the Cyber World for this trip: we don't want anyone trying to get their hands on your valuable data, right?"
"Certainly! I'll enjoy this trip. I'm a genius!"
Guilty Spark and the Sentinels dematerialized while Anderson and Dr. Regal along with the agents and Colonel Talos climbed into a discrete red Hyundai car: Colonel Talos climbed into the front passenger seat while the second agent picked the rightmost rear seat: Anderson sat on the center while Dr. Regal was on the leftmost seat.
"Let us go, Comrades." Colonel Talos commanded.
"Hum! This vehicle is rather basic but it looks intriguing."
"Please don't come out yet."
"Delighted, Reclaimer. I'll just go over the history data."
"I guess the guy does help bring some relief to the atmosphere… It'd been too tense these last few days. I apologize for the disturbance." Anderson muttered before apologizing.
"Oh, don't mind it. While I do not know the context, I assume it is a newly made program with a thirst for information… Right?" Colonel Talos shrugged.
"You are correct, sir. I will mute it for the trip."
"I will make sure it doesn't come out, too." Annihilator Man added.
"Counting on you. If needed, switch it off."
"Understood, sir. Monitor! Over here. This server: study it!"
"Thank you, Reclaimer. Hum! Several GB of data! This will keep me busy for a while, indeed! Ah! Such is the fate of a Monitor! Cannot have enough! Always seeking new horizons! And data! And… LOVE!"
"What the… Sheesh. I overdid it with my programming. Oh, boy!"
10:48 AM (Japan Time)…
"… Welcome. We have been waiting for you, Mr. Anderson."
"There is no need for "Mr.", Commissioner Kifune. I am underage, sir."
Anderson was sitting on a chair placed in front of Commissioner Kifune's desk with Dr. Regal standing close to him.
"Anderson – kun, then. So you want to take responsibility for your actions while at the head of the organization "Rama"?"
"Yes, sir. I am fully aware of the harm I have inflicted. I have already sent a letter to that young man's, Prophetess' victim, parents to announce that even though I didn't allow for it, responsibility falls into me at the end, thus another reason why I am surrendering, sir." He exposed.
"I see. However…"
"Yes, sir? Is there something else I should do, sir? I know I will end up being sentenced, so… Please be honest with me, sir. I have studied the current legislation, sir." Anderson calmly replied.
"… I spoke with a judge and he suggested a better outcome to this affair: a sentence in community hours. You would have to produce something which contributes to society. And that would be the Duel Stage: it would become a boom overnight and generate benefits which could be destined to philanthropist activity. After all… You haven't directly wished for anyone's harm or tried to kill anyone, so… Two robberies is no big deal, that same judge told me." Commissioner Kifune explained.
"R-really, sir?"
"I thought as much." Dr. Regal muttered.
"Indeed. And that was the opinion of a veteran judge after I left him some days' time to look over the list of acts perpetrated by Rama. Ironically enough… Higureya's reputation increased as a result of that small theft and everyone seems to believe his Battle Chips hold more value than anyone thought… Despite Higure – san's eccentric behavior… Some think it's a way to promote the store!" He chuckled.
"It couldn't be…" Anderson looked skeptical.
"Ironies of life, I guess." Dr. Regal formed a small smile.
"So… Anderson – kun: do you still have the means to produce the Duel Stages? We could give some of the "confiscated" ones to some Game Centers and it could become the next-gen Net Battle system for the years to come." Commissioner Kifune asked.
"That factory which served as an HQ was where I built them… They're not terribly complex: I got inspired by the concept of MMPORPGs so that's why they allow up to 4 Net Navis at the same time. However… Even though they use 2GB of RAM memory and approximately the same speed for processors, Net Navis whose programs measure over 750 MB limit its functionality, hence why it was always just two Navis using it."
"Ah. I see. However… You can produce them, right?"
"Yes, sir. I could start right now if you wished to, sir."
"No. There's no rush. Today you need to rest. But I think you don't wish to return to that building…" Commissioner Kifune brought a hand to his chin and looked thoughtful.
"Hmmm… A place for me to stay at… Ah. Maybe…" Anderson trailed off and seemed to have had an idea.
"Do you know someone?"
"Well… I believe that, in terms of proximity, Aru… Ah!" He began muttering only to cut himself.
"…"Aru"…? Wait… Arushi? Wasn't he the boy who disabled that bomb in Tokyo Tower? He's a student of the Hikari twins' institute, isn't he? So you knew him?" Dr. Regal asked.
"… Eh… I did, sir…"
"… Was he one of your men?" Dr. Regal grasped.
"Yes, sir… But… That of the bomb was mere coincidence, sir… He did a very good on-spot job, though…" Anderson sighed.
"Well then… It's decided. We will speak more on the days to come regarding…"
"… Regarding how this world's technological varieties never cease to amaze me! I take passion into studying other technologies and comparing them to our masters' technological evolution. Fascinating! Really fascinating!" Guilty Spark suddenly interceded.
"Monitor! You shouldn't cut a person off when they're speaking. I doubt that being part of your protocols, even."
"It's an AI program which emulates a videogame character which, in turn, is an independent free-moving AI robot… He looked nice so we decided to keep him. As a way to ease the tension."
"Oh. I see. Well… It can't be blamed." He smiled.
"I am sorry for his behavior, sir, but… I made it very similar to the game character and thus it doesn't really know manners or how to address others…" Anderson apologized: he was red by now.
"Let's not mind it. Have a good morning and…"
"… And tell me the way back to my Installation, too! I need to write down a copy of my data to free memory allocation! Or someone give me a server where I can upload a copy of this data! A server! My ring for a server!" Guilty Spark added.
"Jeez." Anderson brought a hand to his forehead in defeat.
"Way too well programmed, I'd daresay, Anderson – sama…" Annihilator Man muttered.
"Do excuse me." Anderson stood up and bowed.
"Let's go, Rick." Dr. Regal placed his right hand over his shoulder.
"Yes, sir. Good morning, gentlemen."
"I'll ring him to explain things…"
"Where the heck is my Installation?" Guilty Spark yelled.
11:05 AM (Japan Time)…
"… Oi! Arushi. Incoming call… The number matches Priest – sama's: so ya would be better off picking it up!"
"Priest – sama? Guess it's new orders."
Arushi picked the Link PET from the living room's sofa right armrest and pressed the "REPLY" button: Anderson appeared onscreen.
"Eh… Priest – sama…? Is that you, sir?" Arushi asked, surprised.
"Just call me Anderson, Arushi. I've been granted a way to help society with the Duel Stages I designed. The only loose end is where I'll stay at, so… You wouldn't mind sharing the flat with me? We'll divide the price fifty-fifty, too." Anderson told him.
"Eh… I am honored, sir…" He slowly replied.
"Now, now… I'm no longer your boss, Arushi. I'm just a Scottish tourist in Japan who needs a temporary living place." Anderson smiled.
"Eh… Then come anytime, eh…"
"Anderson – kun is fine."
"Eh… Anderson – kun… Sounds… eh… strange, really…" He muttered.
"Guess I should be adding the "kun" to your name too, Arushi – kun. We'll be flat mates. Ain't it exciting?"
"I'd be more exciting if you didn't bring troublemakers to my Installation now that I've found it, thank you very much!" Guilty Spark exclaimed.
"Don't mind the voice. I'm on my way there."
"Eh… I will put some order to it, sir."
"I can't have enough!" Guilty Spark exclaimed.
Arushi quickly picked a broom and swept some dust off the ground: he used the mop to cleanse the ground; he cleansed some of the furniture, opened the balcony door to allow some fresh air inside, too.
"Whoa. That's gotta be the fastest aibou has ever bothered to cleanse the apartment." Balrog muttered.
"Phew. I think it's passable enough." Arushi muttered.
DING DONG
"Whoa! It's been 10 minutes already… Cut it in time, I guess…"
He walked over to the door and checked through the peephole before opening it to welcome Anderson.
"Eh… Ah… Welcome. Please come inside." He improvised.
"Thanks."
Anderson stepped in and began to look around while Arushi began to sweat out of nervousness.
"It looks clean." Anderson commented.
"T-thank you very much." Arushi hastily thanked.
"Clean! My Installation is cleaner than anything else: all important structures are kept clean no matter what!" Guilty Spark exclaimed.
"Monitor: save those comments for your Sentinels."
"Vexation! Sentinels do not possess enough intelligence."
"Don't mind it. So… Do you have a spare futon which I could use or do I need to use the sofa?" Anderson asked.
"Ah… I have a spare futon rolled up on the closet… I should cleanse it a bit but it'll be fine… Anderson – kun… It sounds weird."
"Not really. After all, I will only be there until late August: I must return to Scotland by then. So it's not like I'm intending to hang around here forever, Arushi - kun." Anderson smiled at him.
"I s-see…" Arushi looked nervous.
"… Vexation! Vexation! What is this about? Who dared to enter my Control Room? Webmaster? Who is that?" Guilty Spark exclaimed.
"That'd be me when I was setting the scenery up."
"What "scenery"? Nothing is different!" He countered.
"Crap. He can't think about existing "outside" the in-game universe, so he doesn't get it…" Anderson sighed in defeat.
"Huh… I think that… We will be very good flat-mates…" Arushi improvised.
"Yeah. Let's have a toast with some water." Anderson suggested.
Arushi rushed into the kitchen and picked a bottle of water to serve some on two glasses: he brought them to the living room and sat down on the sofa on the left side while Anderson had picked the right side.
"Cheers. To our flat-sharing adventure…" Anderson grinned.
"Uh… Yeah. To our flat-sharing adventure…"
"To the adventure of cataloging everything on existence: that's perfect to kill those dull and bland 95,000 years!" Guilty Spark exclaimed.
"Monitor… Can't you do anything else but yell? Where is your patience at? Did it dust away, too?" Annihilator Man sighed.
"Maybe a cat will think it's a toy." Balrog laughed.
"Vexation! Vexation! Vexation!" Guilty Spark yelled in a row.
"… And to survive Spark's yells, too…" Anderson sighed.
"Yeah… Guess so…" Arushi made a little chuckle.
"Huff. Annihilator Man, switch Spark off for a while."
"Roger. Sorry, Monitor, maintenance time."
"Hey, wait! Under whose authorization do you… Beep!"
"There. Some peace. Well then…"
"Ah! Yeah! For a good cooperation…"
Both made the toast and drank the water up before leaving the glasses on the desk and shaking hands…