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<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cYou seem well,\u201d Yamamoto said mildly.<\/p>\n
The cyborg nodded. \u201cYes. I replenished my stock of nanopaste and grafted a fresh arm to replace the damaged one. I am now at a hundred percent operational efficiency.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you brought friends,\u201d Yamamoto added.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course. Someone launched a campaign of murder and terror against the Network. Such an insult cannot go unavenged.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry. The Husks are all dead. Justice has been served.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIndeed, and on behalf of the Singularity Network, we thank you. However, we must take precautions against future assaults. We will claim the body of this Husk, and the other Husks you have slain.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat will you use them for?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery Power leaves a trace of itself in their Elect. We will study the bodies, learn the identity of the Power, and take appropriate actions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fox grinned. \u201cYou mean you\u2019ll declare a vendetta.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do not engage in such pointless trivialities,\u201d the cyborg said. \u201cHowever, we will not abide the continued existence of a threat to ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLodge your complaints with the police and the PSB,\u201d Yamamoto said. \u201cWe will be happy to act upon any information you can provide us. But we will be keeping the bodies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are empty husks, merely broken bones and shredded flesh, devoid of all value. What use are they to you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have heard of what your Network does to the bodies you recover,\u201d Yamamoto said. \u201cYou upload their brain patterns in computers, and you torture these emulations until you get answers. Torture without end, without rest, until they break. And after. When you\u2019re done, or if you can\u2019t recover usable brain patterns, you\u2019ll install implants and cybertech in the bodies and use them for your own ends.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have many questions. We will have answers. And we will not waste flesh when given to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do not deny this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no benefit in lies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou will not have the bodies,\u201d Yamamoto said.<\/p>\n
The cyborg smiled. There was no life in it, only an artificial stretching of the cheeks, a slight upward twist of the lips, a hint of perfect teeth. His biological eyes remained dark and devoid of life, but his cybernetic third eye flicked from side to side, studying the operators.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe we can come to an arrangement,\u201d the cyborg said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe STS handles the dirtiest and most dangerous missions in Nova Babylonia, but you are paid the same as ordinary police officers. Surely you should be rewarded for your service to the people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yamamoto laughed.<\/p>\n
The team laughed.<\/p>\n
Karim laughed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe fail to see the humor in this,\u201d the cyborg said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are the Black Watch,\u201d Yamamoto said. \u201cWe stand fast against the demons that haunt the eldritch dark and reach into the world of the light. If you think, for one moment, that we are motivated by mere money, you are sorely mistaken.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cName your price. The Network is generous to those who have aided us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yamamoto grinned like a reaper.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will not be bought. We will not allow atrocities in our presence. Leave. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2018Atrocities\u2019? They are murderers and terrorists. Why do you care for them?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir souls were twisted by a Dark Power. They were, and are, still humans. I will not allow them to be reborn in a world of suffering.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA man of principles, I see. A rare sight in Babylon. Yet we, too, have our principles. We will accomplish our mission. No matter what.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you walk away, I can give you the name of the Dark Power who orchestrated this campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly a name? We can get that ourselves using our own methods. But if you tell us everything we wish to know, perhaps we shall leave the bodies to you. If you can answer our questions, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can only give you the name. But you will not have the bodies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen we are at an impasse.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIndeed.\u201d<\/p>\n
The samurai and the cyborg went silent. The operators flexed their fingers, subtly shifting their weight. Cold sweat gathered in Karim\u2019s armpits, mingling with old rainwater. The cyborgs continued staring impassively, their hands motionless.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have our orders,\u201d Alpha Epsilon said. \u201cWe will carry them out. You cannot resist us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have our mission also,\u201d Yamamoto said. \u201cDo not test us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know what we are, and the Power who backs us. We are immortal, you are mere flesh, weak and soft. Are you not afraid of death?\u201d<\/p>\n
Yamamoto’s smile illuminated the room like lightning in a thunderstorm.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis dewdrop world is an illusion, a daydream, as fleeting as a cherry blossom. What does it matter if I live or die?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI do not understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow could you? You have given your soul to the Deus Ex Machina, a god yet to be born, in exchange for mere bodies of metal and nanotech. You think of yourselves as beyond the reach of mere men, yet the heavens watch all, and a day will come when you will face the Supreme Judge. I am always ready to make my case before him. Are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Something flickered across the cyborg\u2019s face. Uncertainty? Doubt? Something else? Whatever it was, it was a lingering remnant of the cyborg\u2019s humanity.<\/p>\n
\u201cA believer, I see.\u201d The cyborg turned his eyes on the others. \u201cAnd you? The rest of you? Will you stand in our way?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Wood said simply.<\/p>\n
\u201cI prefer keeping my soul, thank you very much,\u201d Tan said.<\/p>\n
Fox mimicked a yawn. \u201cYou guys are seriously boring.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy trigger finger is itchy,\u201d Connor said. \u201cAre we going to throw down or what?\u201d<\/p>\n
Alpha Epsilon frowned, and looked at Karim.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you, Elect of Galen? What say you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Karim returned the three-eyed gaze. Something within him quaked. But Yamamoto had stood unflinching before an Elect of the Will of the Net, and Karim could not, would not, let him down.<\/p>\n
And Karim would not abandon his new god.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am pledged to a Bright Power,\u201d Karim said. \u201cI do not recognize yours.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Superuser sighed. \u201cIt does not have to end this way, humans. This is your last chance. Walk away.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Yamamoto said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are outnumbered and outmatched. You cannot win this. When you fall at our hands, we will take your bodies and your brains and hand them to the inquisitors. You will die, and thereafter be condemned to an eternity of endless questions and interrogations, and for what? Dead meat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore you do anything stupid, consider your position,\u201d Yamamoto said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou may kill us today. But tomorrow, the STS will destroy the Singularity Network.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou threaten us?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. It is a statement of fact. If an agent of a New God willingly harms an STS operator under orders from his Power, it will be seen as a declaration of war. Total war. It will not be a war you, your Network, or your never-born god will win.\u201d Yamamoto paused. \u201cAnd my argees are live-streaming this conversation to STS Headquarters.\u201d<\/p>\n
The cyborg stared at Yamamoto. Yamamoto stared back.<\/p>\n
\u201cEnough foolishness,\u201d the cyborg said. \u201cWe have other means of obtaining what we need. Let us depart.\u201d<\/p>\n
The thirteen cyborgs turned around and walked away.<\/p>\n
Karim heaved a sigh of relief.<\/p>\n
Alpha-Epsilon looked over his shoulder. Karim tensed, gripping his weapon.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne more thing,\u201d the cyborg said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpeak,\u201d Yamamoto said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have crossed the Singularity Network. Consider yourself lucky that the Will of the Net chose mercy this time. But we will never forget this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNeither will we.\u201d<\/p>\n
The cyborgs departed.<\/p>\n
Karim sagged, exhaling sharply. Connor checked his weapon. Tan relaxed. Wood licked his lips. Fox grinned.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Boss, you have ice water for blood, you know that?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Yamamoto\u2019s lips twitched. \u201cThat would be biologically impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n
She punched him lightly in the shoulder. \u201cYou\u2019re no fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFun can wait,\u201d Yamamoto said. \u201cNow we call the coroner.\u201d<\/p>\n
The storm had broken.<\/p>\n
The operators of Black Watch handed over the scene to the cops and went right back to work. Connor checked the heavy weapons and breaching gear, loading them back up on the Sentinel. Tan tended to his robot. Wood delivered the team\u2019s report over the radio, while Yamamoto briefed and coordinated the cops. Fox stood guard over the corpse. Karim went back and forth, helping wherever he could.<\/p>\n
Under Fox\u2019s watchful eye, the coroners loaded up the body into their vehicle. The cops moved in to clear the hypermarket, gathering evidence and securing the crime scene.<\/p>\n
As Karim loaded up his equipment and ran diagnostics on the gravtruck, he saw Yamamoto approach the cabin. Fox intercepted him along the way.<\/p>\n
\u201cI won the bet,\u201d she declared.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh? You\u2019re the one who shot the turtle in the eye?\u201d Yamamoto asked.<\/p>\n
She flashed a grin. \u201cYes!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell done. It helped the rookie with his fight.\u201d<\/p>\n
She clasped her hands behind her back and tilted forward just so.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo? What do I get?\u201d<\/p>\n
Yamamoto patted her helmeted head.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey!\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat more do you want?\u201d Yamamoto asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re buying my drinks tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure. We all know you can only handle two.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey!\u201d<\/p>\n
The other operators laughed heartily. Karim joined in. He wasn\u2019t sure what kind of relationship those two had, but it seemed that nobody in the STS disapproved of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou done flirting yet?\u201d Connor shouted.<\/p>\n
\u201cFlirting? Was that what it was?\u201d Yamamoto said.<\/p>\n
Fox sighed and shook her head. \u201cYou\u2019re hopeless!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yamamoto walked over to Karim.<\/p>\n
\u201cHell of a first op, isn\u2019t it?\u201d Yamamoto said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d Karim replied. \u201cEven ESWAT wasn\u2019t this crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou gotta keep up, rookie. For us, this is just another day on the job.\u201d<\/p>\n
This was the craziest op he had ever executed. Yet the operators of the Black Watch handled it as though it were routine. Hell, it probably was. Any lesser\u2014or sane\u2014man would back out and no one would think the lesser of him.<\/p>\n
But Karim was an Elect of Galen the Wolf. It was his duty, his calling, to prey on the evils that stalked the night. And the STS hunted the biggest game of all.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will,\u201d Karim said.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcellent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yamamoto turned to go.<\/p>\n
\u201cWait,\u201d Karim said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI heard that no one who worships any of the New Gods is invited to join the STS. Is that true?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the primary mission of the STS?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo apprehend violent criminals and to resolve critical incidents, including terrorism, hostage situations, and supernatural threats.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTextbook. But that\u2019s not the answer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. The primary mission of the STS is to be a bulwark against the New Gods.\u201d<\/p>\n
Karim reeled. The wolf within raised his hackles.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Karim asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Elect gain their powers from the New Gods. But this power comes at a price: the steady erosion of their soul, and a permanent obligation to serve their gods\u2019 purposes. When they lose their souls, they become Husks. But what\u2019s the difference between a Husk and an Elect?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA Husk has lost control of his powers. And his mind.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCorrect. Or is claimed to have gone insane.\u201d<\/p>\n
Karim took a moment to consider the implications.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you saying that the New Gods use the Husks as deniable killers?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou saw it for yourself, didn\u2019t you? What happened earlier tonight isn\u2019t the work of crazed lunatics. True Husks go on a killing and feeding spree until they are put down. But a Husk directly controlled by a Power, or an Elect ordered to act like a Husk, retains the ability to plan, to think, to adapt.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut that means\u2026 the Husks we neutralized tonight, were they\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n
Yamamoto raised a finger to his lips.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have no evidence. But think carefully about what the Husks did, and how the cyborgs reacted to it. And in my entire career, I\u2019ve never heard of a Dark Power named Aruk.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs it a new one?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOr an old one crawling out the shadows.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy God\u2026 Are STS missions as heavy as this?\u201d<\/p>\n
Yamamoto grinned grimly. \u201cWelcome to the STS.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026\u201d Karim shook his head. He wanted to speak, had<\/em> to speak, but words had abandoned him.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a hell of a first op,\u201d Yamamoto said, \u201cbut you survived. That\u2019s what counts.\u201d<\/p>\n Karim wanted to thank his team leader. Then an unpleasant thought floated into his mind.<\/p>\n \u201cYou said the STS is a bulwark against the New Gods. Where does that leave Galen? And me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBy your deeds today, you proved that you will stand with us against the Dark Powers\u2026 and the New Gods.\u201d<\/p>\n There was something in his voice, some strange light in his eyes, that made Karim wonder if Yamamoto were referring to him or Galen. Or both.<\/p>\n \u201cHere we are now,\u201d Yamamoto continued. \u201cYou\u2019ve pissed off the cyborgs, and if you stay, you\u2019ll piss off every one of the New Gods. And the Dark Powers, known and unknown. You sure you want to continue to serve in the STS?\u201d<\/p>\n In the grand scheme of things, Galen was a minor Power at best. To a baseline human he was a god, and he could stand toe-to-toe with a Husk, but in the face of the New Gods, the true powers of the world, Galen was but a fly.<\/p>\n And Karim was only a man.<\/p>\n But someone had to stand against the Dark. Someone had to stand up for the innocent. Someone had to ensure the New Gods did not treat people like playthings.<\/p>\n And he had already sworn an oath to protect and serve.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m in,\u201d Karim said. \u201cAll the way to the bitter end.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCorrect answer. You\u2019ve earned your place here. And on that note\u2026\u201d Yamamoto raised his voice. \u201cThe rookie needs a callsign.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWolfy!\u201d Fox said.<\/p>\n Connor burst into derisive chuckling.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, it\u2019s cute!\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cLycan,\u201d Yamamoto said. \u201cShort for \u2018Lycanthrope\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSounds cool,\u201d ZT said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s \u2018lycanthrope\u2019?\u201d Karim asked.<\/p>\n Yamamoto shook his head. \u201cYou don\u2019t learn these things in school anymore?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m good with \u2018Lycan\u2019,\u201d Wood said.<\/p>\n \u201cNo objections here,\u201d Fox said.<\/p>\n Connor grunted. \u201cSame.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo be it,\u201d Yamamoto said, and extended his hand. \u201cWelcome to the team, Lycan.\u201d<\/p>\n Karim shook. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Previous part:\u00a01<\/a>,\u00a02<\/a>,\u00a03<\/a>,\u00a04<\/a>,\u00a05<\/a>,\u00a06<\/a>,\u00a07<\/a>,\u00a08<\/a>,\u00a09<\/a>,\u00a010<\/a><\/p>\n If you like stories that blend sci fi, fantasy, horror and authentic combat, check out my latest novel\u00a0HAMMER OF THE WITCHES<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Cheah](\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/0x0\/https:\/\/cdn.steemitimages.com\/DQmcSX4MiYdPvqUChc7eBRiaSvNLAb2vT71wFubG75cArg8\/Cheah%20Git%20San%20Red.jpg\")
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