p align="justify"The fire cracked in the chimney, making the room glow, shadows dancing to a silent tune. Jim sat in one of his big chairs, a glass of scotch in his hand. Behind him, Sybil, the maid, was setting a tray with biscuits on the coffee table./p
p align="justify""Bad day, Professor?"/p
p align="justify"Jim took another sip from his drink, not even bothering to look at the girl beside him./p
p align="justify""Predictable"/p
p align="justify""Well you know what they say, 'lightning never strikes twice'!"/p
p align="justify"The man remained locked up in his mind, rummaging what had happened during that day. He suddenly spoke./p
p align="justify""I think it's time for you to leave"/p
p align="justify""Beg your pardon?"/p
p align="justify""Leave. Now"/p
p align="justify"The girl looked back at Jim with her big green eyes./p
p align="justify""But Sir, I haven't finished cleaning the master bedroom…"/p
p align="justify""I. said. LEAVE!"/p
p align="justify"Sybil jumped at the violent outburst. Nevertheless, she fought to keep control of herself, pressed her lips together and exited the room./p
p align="justify"As soon as the girl left the house, James went to his workshop to keep on putting together his latest project. As he was making his way through the house, he replayed the scene at the café in his mind. Mycroft's response had been so predictable; that was why he had taken the liberty of getting in advance what he needed in order to work properly. He truly had wanted to make things as legally as possible, but since the law was so reticent to cooperate, he had to do it his own way./p
p align="justify"It was quite ironic, to be honest. If only Mycroft knew he had just interviewed himself with one of the most dangerous men in New London, a more than promising criminal mastermind./p
p align="justify"Jim owned roughly 50% of the local criminal world; the important half, at least. He sold and bought anything imaginable, from modified steam cars to organs, and performed tasks that went from getting people inside the country to kidnapping a politician. And even though he had a lot of people under his command, nobody did entirely what James wanted; when he needed a kill, someone who stole things for him… There was always something missing, certain limits not even his most experienced employees would cross. And that was because, well, they were empeople/em. Plenty of them had lived the War and that had changed many things, rearranging people's priorities./p
p align="justify"But Jim didn't have the time for that. Who had time for feelings and considerations when there was so much to do, so much money at stake and so much fun to have out there? That was where the significance of his current project laid./p
p align="justify"Jim had taken his time choosing the perfect subject for it. He read the file once again just to confirm he had the right individual:/p
p align="justify"Recently discharged soldier, served during the last years of the Endless War, being distinguished as the best sharpshooter from his Division. Dishonourably discharged due to his constant issues with authority and following orders. Deceased 18 hours ago. Cause of dead: suicide./p
p align="justify"emAbsolutely perfect./em/p
p align="center"*******************/p
p align="justify"There were plenty advantages of planning ahead and Jim knew this better than most people. So when he decided to get the last thing he needed for his project, he already had pretty much developed the "software" he was going to use, along with the "hardware"./p
p align="justify"He took out the rotor that was going to act as the main power source of his automaton and gave it some final touches that needed to be done, before going back to its new host. Now it came the hard part./p
p align="justify"Jim cut through bones and tendons, replaced damaged tissue with his own creation, sewed back where needed and installed everything in order for his project to work properly. As the final touch, he injected the chip he had designed specifically for this model, already anxious to see how it worked./p
p align="justify"After hours and hours of working, and just when the sun was starting to peer through his window, James Moriarty fell asleep on the table, besides what would be without a doubt the biggest success of his career so far./p
p align="center"*******************/p
p align="justify"The next day passed by uneventfully. Jim counted the hours until Sybil's departure to finally go back to his workshop to find out whether his calculations had been correct or if he had to start all over again. The light over the working table flickered on, illuminating Jim's creation./p
p align="justify"emIt/emem'/emems time/em/p
p align="justify"He slowly approached his prototype as if he was afraid he'd scare it away. Of course it was impossible; after all, that was exactly what it was built for in the first place. Jim produced a key from his vest pocket and inserted it in the main rotor, cogs and springs creaking as he turned it clockwise./p
p align="justify""Wake. Up" he whispered. One last turn to the key and a pair of blue eyes snapped open, staring back at Jim. A pair of beautiful and emempty/em blue eyes./p
p align="justify""Hi", breathed out Jim. The man in front of him didn't move a muscle in response. The only thing that broke the silence was the creaking of the clockwork mechanism installed inside the man's chest./p
p align="justify""You don't remember it, but your name is Sebastian Moran", a flash of understanding crossed the blue pools that layed on Jim, "and I am responsible for bringing you back to life", added him with one of his trademark smiles./p
p align="justify""I am Professor James Moriarty and this is where I work. Everything you see here is mine and soon, if you prove yourself useful enough, it might be yours too". Sebastian's eyes quickly scanned the place./p
p align="justify""Now, there is something I really need you to pay attention to", started the Professor, showing the key that now hung from his neck. "This, Sebastian, is the key that activates your rotor system, the one that gives you life. And just as easily as I started it, I can decide to deactivate it for as long as I want to. That means that from now on, I own every single breath of yours; every move you make will be after my command or due to my desire; everything you do will be intended to please me or to lighten any burden of mine. You shall not obey anyone but me, for I gave you life, understood?"/p
p align="justify"The bare-chested man took a few seconds to process the information and gave a slight nod./p
p align="justify""Good. Now, tell me, how do you feel?"/p
p align="justify"Sebastian remained silent for another while. He tested his hands and arms, moving them in various directions. He also tried with his legs and his feet, even testing his toes./p
p align="justify""I feel…" Sebastian looked around, his glazy eyes going back to scanning the room. "Cold"./p
p align="justify""Excellent"/p
p align="justify"A manic smile spread across Jim's face as his project got down from the table he was sitting on and started testing his legs on solid ground. "I'll get you some clothes; you're slightly broader on the shoulders than I thought. And don't worry about the stiffness of the legs. It'll go away soon enough"./p
p align="justify"Jim was about to exit the room to get Sebastian's provisional clothing, when the automaton's deep voice stopped him on his tracks. "What should I call you then?"/p
p align="justify"James smiled. "You shall call me 'Professor'"./p
hr /
p align="justify"emA big thank you to those who have read and are following, I really hope you enjoyed the latest chapter. As for me, feedback is my life so I'd appreciate it in any of its forms, specially reviews. Thanks again and see you soon!/em/p
p align="justify""Bad day, Professor?"/p
p align="justify"Jim took another sip from his drink, not even bothering to look at the girl beside him./p
p align="justify""Predictable"/p
p align="justify""Well you know what they say, 'lightning never strikes twice'!"/p
p align="justify"The man remained locked up in his mind, rummaging what had happened during that day. He suddenly spoke./p
p align="justify""I think it's time for you to leave"/p
p align="justify""Beg your pardon?"/p
p align="justify""Leave. Now"/p
p align="justify"The girl looked back at Jim with her big green eyes./p
p align="justify""But Sir, I haven't finished cleaning the master bedroom…"/p
p align="justify""I. said. LEAVE!"/p
p align="justify"Sybil jumped at the violent outburst. Nevertheless, she fought to keep control of herself, pressed her lips together and exited the room./p
p align="justify"As soon as the girl left the house, James went to his workshop to keep on putting together his latest project. As he was making his way through the house, he replayed the scene at the café in his mind. Mycroft's response had been so predictable; that was why he had taken the liberty of getting in advance what he needed in order to work properly. He truly had wanted to make things as legally as possible, but since the law was so reticent to cooperate, he had to do it his own way./p
p align="justify"It was quite ironic, to be honest. If only Mycroft knew he had just interviewed himself with one of the most dangerous men in New London, a more than promising criminal mastermind./p
p align="justify"Jim owned roughly 50% of the local criminal world; the important half, at least. He sold and bought anything imaginable, from modified steam cars to organs, and performed tasks that went from getting people inside the country to kidnapping a politician. And even though he had a lot of people under his command, nobody did entirely what James wanted; when he needed a kill, someone who stole things for him… There was always something missing, certain limits not even his most experienced employees would cross. And that was because, well, they were empeople/em. Plenty of them had lived the War and that had changed many things, rearranging people's priorities./p
p align="justify"But Jim didn't have the time for that. Who had time for feelings and considerations when there was so much to do, so much money at stake and so much fun to have out there? That was where the significance of his current project laid./p
p align="justify"Jim had taken his time choosing the perfect subject for it. He read the file once again just to confirm he had the right individual:/p
p align="justify"Recently discharged soldier, served during the last years of the Endless War, being distinguished as the best sharpshooter from his Division. Dishonourably discharged due to his constant issues with authority and following orders. Deceased 18 hours ago. Cause of dead: suicide./p
p align="justify"emAbsolutely perfect./em/p
p align="center"*******************/p
p align="justify"There were plenty advantages of planning ahead and Jim knew this better than most people. So when he decided to get the last thing he needed for his project, he already had pretty much developed the "software" he was going to use, along with the "hardware"./p
p align="justify"He took out the rotor that was going to act as the main power source of his automaton and gave it some final touches that needed to be done, before going back to its new host. Now it came the hard part./p
p align="justify"Jim cut through bones and tendons, replaced damaged tissue with his own creation, sewed back where needed and installed everything in order for his project to work properly. As the final touch, he injected the chip he had designed specifically for this model, already anxious to see how it worked./p
p align="justify"After hours and hours of working, and just when the sun was starting to peer through his window, James Moriarty fell asleep on the table, besides what would be without a doubt the biggest success of his career so far./p
p align="center"*******************/p
p align="justify"The next day passed by uneventfully. Jim counted the hours until Sybil's departure to finally go back to his workshop to find out whether his calculations had been correct or if he had to start all over again. The light over the working table flickered on, illuminating Jim's creation./p
p align="justify"emIt/emem'/emems time/em/p
p align="justify"He slowly approached his prototype as if he was afraid he'd scare it away. Of course it was impossible; after all, that was exactly what it was built for in the first place. Jim produced a key from his vest pocket and inserted it in the main rotor, cogs and springs creaking as he turned it clockwise./p
p align="justify""Wake. Up" he whispered. One last turn to the key and a pair of blue eyes snapped open, staring back at Jim. A pair of beautiful and emempty/em blue eyes./p
p align="justify""Hi", breathed out Jim. The man in front of him didn't move a muscle in response. The only thing that broke the silence was the creaking of the clockwork mechanism installed inside the man's chest./p
p align="justify""You don't remember it, but your name is Sebastian Moran", a flash of understanding crossed the blue pools that layed on Jim, "and I am responsible for bringing you back to life", added him with one of his trademark smiles./p
p align="justify""I am Professor James Moriarty and this is where I work. Everything you see here is mine and soon, if you prove yourself useful enough, it might be yours too". Sebastian's eyes quickly scanned the place./p
p align="justify""Now, there is something I really need you to pay attention to", started the Professor, showing the key that now hung from his neck. "This, Sebastian, is the key that activates your rotor system, the one that gives you life. And just as easily as I started it, I can decide to deactivate it for as long as I want to. That means that from now on, I own every single breath of yours; every move you make will be after my command or due to my desire; everything you do will be intended to please me or to lighten any burden of mine. You shall not obey anyone but me, for I gave you life, understood?"/p
p align="justify"The bare-chested man took a few seconds to process the information and gave a slight nod./p
p align="justify""Good. Now, tell me, how do you feel?"/p
p align="justify"Sebastian remained silent for another while. He tested his hands and arms, moving them in various directions. He also tried with his legs and his feet, even testing his toes./p
p align="justify""I feel…" Sebastian looked around, his glazy eyes going back to scanning the room. "Cold"./p
p align="justify""Excellent"/p
p align="justify"A manic smile spread across Jim's face as his project got down from the table he was sitting on and started testing his legs on solid ground. "I'll get you some clothes; you're slightly broader on the shoulders than I thought. And don't worry about the stiffness of the legs. It'll go away soon enough"./p
p align="justify"Jim was about to exit the room to get Sebastian's provisional clothing, when the automaton's deep voice stopped him on his tracks. "What should I call you then?"/p
p align="justify"James smiled. "You shall call me 'Professor'"./p
hr /
p align="justify"emA big thank you to those who have read and are following, I really hope you enjoyed the latest chapter. As for me, feedback is my life so I'd appreciate it in any of its forms, specially reviews. Thanks again and see you soon!/em/p