Another snow day! Which means another update. This time, at least.
So, I've kind of got a game plan for this story now. This is going to be the second-to-last chapter. After this, there's going to be a sequel called "Default." Things are going to get pretty crazy. I can't wait. I literally just finished this chapter and the next few of the series last night, so this is my newest material. Let's see how much I've improved. Even though now I'm back on the iPad. Episode tag to "Rise of the Secret Soldiers."
Let's do this thing!
I couldn't believe how quickly everything fell apart. I watched egos inflate and then explode. And then everything else exploded as well. Everyone was so…angry. I had never seen tensions so high anywhere before. I didn't know whose side to take, what to believe. Things were moving so fast…
And it all broke.
The team broke. The members of the team broke. The people around them broke. I broke.
Anger turned into desperation. And then…
"I want bionics."
Mr. Davenport looked up, startled. It had been a week, and Adam, Bree, and Chase still weren't talking to each other. I had thought that this would only be temporary but soon realized that they were serious. After that wake-up call, I then realized that I had a decision to make. I had decided.
"Hannah…you do realize the implications? The consequences and risks and possibilities…" Then, he stopped himself. He knew that I had thought of this. He knew what I was like. I had already gone through every possible outcome. I had decided. I knew what I was doing.
"Are you positive?" The hopefulness in his eyes was misleading. I wasn't sure what he was hoping, what he wanted me to do. What words did he want to come from my mouth? What answer did he want?
Whatever his expectations were, I had made up my mind. "I'm sure."
He didn't even try to cover up his feelings. His eyes dropped, he frowned, and a sigh escaped his lips. "I…I don't like this. I wish I had never given you a chip in the first place and never had to put you through all of this. I realize that now. I wish there was another option. But…I know where you're coming from. I know your reasoning. Believe me, I've thought through this a million times. I hate to say this, but I can't think of any other option. We can't wait this out anymore. There are too many people dying and in danger for this to continue. They obviously won't bring the team back together, and I can't make them. This may be the only solution. And I am so…so sorry." His eyes held so much sadness, so much age. This was probably the only time I had seen him so vulnerable, so old. The situation must have been worse than I thought to make the egotistical Donald Davenport this desperate.
"I would never force you to do it," he added hurriedly. "I didn't mean to pressure you or anything. I just…because you brought it up and…" He seemed flustered, as if he had made a mistake.
"Mr. Davenport." That made him stop and stare at me. "I need bionics."
He seemed to deflate at this. "I know. I hate this. I wish… I'll go get everything prepared." He walked to elevator slowly, regretfully.
I sighed as soon as the doors closed. I hated putting him through this. But neither of us had a choice in the matter. Adam, Bree, and Chase had made their decision. And in doing so, they had taken away our ability to do so.
I sighed again and headed down to the lab. Mr. Davenport had everything prepared already. "This is going to be painful. And permanent. I can't take this back; there's no way to reverse it once your chip has been activated." He was warning me, one final chance to step out.
"There's also no way to reverse death and danger. I was trained to save people. This is my lifelong mission. And if there are lifelong consequences, so be it."
He nodded, but his brow was furrowed, seeming satisfied but not pleased. "If you're absolutely certain, then let's begin."
I took a breath, raising my chin. "Then let's begin."