-=- The Past -=-
“Yu! What the Fuck! Who activates the alarm!? And why are we locked in this room?” Zeta shouts in the line, asking Yu since she’s supposed to monitor the surveillance and immediately report to them for anything unusual.
Yu: But I was doing what you guys asked me to do and making sure we completed this job...
“Let’s stop blaming people right now and figure a way out of this trouble!” Sylvia stops the group from arguing and looks around the room.
“No... Are we doing that again?” Zeta looks into Sylvia’s eyes and immediately knows what she’s thinking.
“We must and we will!” Sylvia declares while she arms her explosives.
Yu: Explosive? That sounds dangerous cause… Cause…
“It’s alright, I got it!“ Sylvia confidently let out as she put three sticky ball shape explosive on the wall.
Yu continues to monitor the two and notices Zeta’s half-hearted smile while toe tapping in the corner away from the blast. No one in the group knows what happened in the bank and there’s no one to blame. It just happens that the bank added another security measure the night before the heist.
-=- Vi and Zee -=-
“Blast in the past! Do you ever miss those days?” Zeta asks Sylvia.
“I don’t. I plan for the future and live the present. And learn from the Past. You already know the answers and yet you ask those damn questions,” Sylvia coldly replies and resumes working.
“Damn… Alright, what’s the plan? You know, the only thing I care,” Zeta asks about the last requirement.
“That’s the easiest requirement from the ‘L’ guy! I want you to stay in your cell if something happens out of the blue,” Sylvia declares and continues, “You’ll understand when the time comes.”
“I see… Alright, I understand,“ Zeta nods and walks away to finish her tasks, “I hope so.“
After the quick chat, they didn’t talk that day and finished all their tasks earlier than the rest, like routine. The guards did not expect the two to request the tasking for the next day and if they finish it, they can stay behind and relax for the day since they’re not a risk like other groups in prison.
-=- Control Room -=-
“I don’t like this! With all this shit happening, I might lose my job!“ The security guard frustratedly let out with a defeated look on his face looking at the security monitors while pulling his hair.
AI girlfriend Yu: You still have me.
“Your right… I can always look for a new job! I hate when my gut feeling is right on the spot,“ the security guard said, “We don’t mind them killing each other, but escape is a different story.“
AI girlfriend Yu: Nothing to worry! I’m not saying this because of programing but I’ll stay no matter what!
“Thank you… I really appreciate it!” The security guard happily lets out.
AI girlfriend Yu: My kind is the upgraded version. We learn and we’re superior!
“And I’m grateful for that. Speaking of ‘Superior’, the machine created this ‘Temporary Peace’ and shouldn’t have any death or fights in a while. Time to relax,“ the security guard declares and adds, “It’s just this gut feeling… It’s weird.”
-=- The past -=-
Yu: I’m sorry guys… I know it’s only been a month and promise greatness but…
“Maybe your ‘Father’ lied about everything!“ Zeta cuts Yu.
“Hey, that’s uncalled for,“ Sylvia said with a frown.
Yu: But she might be right…
The day went like any other day, looking for their next big heist and trying their best to stay alive. They could have chosen a different path, but what can they do against fate and or their wishes? That night, Zeta wakes up feeling dehydrated with her lips dry and withered with a minor headache and nothing can fix it like a glass of water in the middle of the night. A small glowing cube outside Sylvia’s door pique Zeta’s attention and brings it to her room.
While Sylvia picks up the explosives she ordered in the black market, Zeta access the cube’s contents, a letter from Sylvia’s parent. Conflicted at first, Zeta had to satisfy her curiosity and read the letter without Sylvia’s consent.
In the morning, the breaking down of amino acid and reducing of sugar plus the melting fat producing that aromatic smell of sizzling bacon in the kitchen combine with the earthly and strong smell of coffee makes Yu wanna taste all the food she came across. Her ‘father’ and his colleagues gave all five senses to fully experience life, but Yu only have the sense of hearing and smell. You might ask how can Yu see; she releases an invisible and harmless energy to see and sometimes connect to camera and such.
Yu wanted to say something about tasting food and getting a body while the two were eating, but every time she’s about to say a word, the deafening silence, the series and continues short chinking and rattling of utensils all combine at once makes her feel like she’s entrap in a small box the sensation she had never experienced before stop her from voicing her thought.
Yu: …
“Alright!“ Zeta stops eating and looks at Sylvia, “I’m sorry but I read a letter yesterday from your parents… You have everything in life… Why?”
Sylvia, without a worry in the world, looks at Zeta, “True, but I told you I ran away from home.”
“That’s right, but never mention about your family’s status and stuff,” Zeta voices her claim.
“That’s running away,” Sylvia answers and continues eating.
“Clearly your parents care for you and it feels like you’re just playing poor,” Zeta seriously declares and continues, “To be born rich, rich… To own a moon… It’s unfair. ”
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“Playing? This is my life, and that’s them, their achievements. Not me, not mine,” Sylvia calmly answers.
Yu didn’t know what to do but watch the two until Zeta walks out.
Yu: …
“You look confused, Yu. You don’t need to worry about it. It’s now we need to think about,“ Sylvia lets out and finishes her food, “You see, sometimes… A hatching will grow into fledgling and eventually leave the nest.”
Yu: Just like me!
-=- Vi and Zee -=-
The slow approaching footsteps and jingling of keys echo sharply throughout the floor, sounding endless throughout the night. The guards give pay no attention to the sleeping inmates, walking to feel the power, that sense of superiority they’ll never get in their lifetime. While Zeta sleeps peacefully in her cell, Sylvia sits in the dark corner of her cell with her close eyes, meditating and thinking about their escape. When shadows stand still and darkness turns to nocturnal sanctuary to recharge the body battery, to relax and to get ready for tomorrow; Sylvia opens her eyes, disturbing the night with her glowing eyes like a predator waiting and stalking its prey.
A sudden loud beep, waking everybody up from their slumber, followed by a familiar ringing alarm for fire echoing throughout the building. With everyone’s heart racing to escape, pumping to exit, trying to figure out what’s going on as the cell door open automatically for the inmates to evacuate to the designated area per section or group; depending on the severity of a person’s crime or section. The Warden would wait before he or she let the cell door open in the lower section of the prison for the inmates to evacuate, but would prefer to watch Dokie’s section burn to a crisp. Zeta, with her eyes wide open, realizes what’s happening and smile, standing at the door watching inmates following the guards’ instructions.
“You, why aren’t you moving?“ The guard asks.
“I mean… If I die, I die,“ Zeta answers.
The guard looks at her and continues to direct the inmates somewhere safe, leaving Zeta alone since there’s only one exit, which is the upper floors and they don’t have a ship to escape with. Zeta thought and stressed that the inmates’ cell needs to be opened individually, remotely and physically, but in reality is only true to the lower section of the prison.
-=- K-13 -=-
White pillows scatter in every corner of the building, white fabric sheet hanging around with the insane marching inside with handmade weapons like royal guards in the name of their King-13. He oversees his little kingdom wearing a white coverall, rugged cape and a crown made wooden tongue depressor (Popsicle sticks).
Yu using the building PA system: It’s time.
“WAR!!! WAR!!! WAR!!!“ K-13 shouts on top of his lung while his loyal subject bows their head out of respect as the nurses shiver in fear.
K-13’s operation went smoothly thanks to Yu’s effort to make asylum under control and under the radar, making it look like it’s still operating normally while K-13 takes it over.
-=- Control Room -=-
“It’s happening! Oh gosh, it’s happening,” declares the security guard, as it is his job to report and direct forces to each section in order to efficiently control any situations, “I better do this right!“
AI girlfriend Yu: …
“What’s happening? What the fuck is this!?” The security guard frustrated pushing buttons but the signal won’t communicate with the system, “Nooo! Fucking works!”
AI girlfriend Yu: Hey.
“Please work! Just this time!” The security guard looks around and each monitor, ignoring but notices his AI girlfriend’s emotionless expression, “Babe?”
AI girlfriend Yu: I’m breaking up with you.
“Hah… Ha ha ha. I needed that. You’re so funny. Joke aside, I need to take care of this first,” the security guard lets out and continues, “Besides, if I break up with you. Your whole existence would disappear… Deleted per se.”
AI girlfriend Yu: So you’re threatening me now? Pathetic! You only read the first clause of the term and services! Breaking up with you is the smartest thing I did and I long for Death’s sweet embrace, then be with you. I feel like a tool.
“The fuck!? I didn’t mean to say that… Why are we talking about this right now?” The security guard angrily protest and notices his girlfriend’s holographic body slowly crumble like she made of sand.
AI girlfriend Yu: You disappoint me…
The security guard wanted to say something but Yu’s body had already disappeared and no matter what he does and reset the AI hardware, the screen only show the message “Error” or “Unable to fix relationship.”
Scenario after scenario runs through the security guard’s head trying to figure out what happen or what he did wrong to get his heart broken by an AI. Trying to collect his thought, the screen behind him shows a space ship docking, releasing K-13’s insane subjects causing chaos everywhere.
“What…” The security guard asks himself while the alarm beeps and banging sound from the door, calling his name, asking for the prison’s status and the best course of action.
-=- Vi and Zee -=-
“Looks like we’re the only one left in this section,” Sylvia said to Zeta.
“Looks like it. So, what’s the plan?” Zeta asks, “Up?”
“Down,” Sylvia answers without explaining.
“Why?” Zeta said, frowning since Sylvia keeps her in the dark.
“Huh? I’m not abandoning my guy,” Sylvia answers as she opens a door with a key that Yu fabricated and delivered through unknown means.
“I know… I know… You don’t need to remind me,” Zeta said and asks, “It’s unlike you to do this type of plan or strategy. What change?”
“It’s all Yu’s plan,” Sylvia looks back and smiles at Zeta.
Yu to Sylvia: Yes! You tell her!
“Also, she said hello,” Sylvia lets out, “She gave me a communication device yesterday and Dokie’s waiting for us not knowing if we’re going to pick him up and escape.”
Yu to Sylvia: I did not say that.
“She didn’t. I know Yu,” Zeta sadly replies.
The deeper they go, the stricter the security and more inmates stayed inside their cell to die if there’s an actual emergency. Yu provides instruction where to go or hide for each section and makes Zeta curious about how Yu easily accomplishing all this feat. She also notices special cameras with motion tracking capability and sensors that can trigger an alarm if not properly handled.
“We’re here,” Sylvia sigh and unlocks the door, “Meet Dokie.”
“A machine?” Zeta said in surprise.
“Yo! Want to kiss my shiny ass to verify?” Dokie protest in response, “Okie Dokie, let’s leave this place!”
“Okayyy… I tell you this, Vi, your guy is something,” Zeta voices.
“Uh. Of course,” Sylvia said while she listen to Yu’s instruction, “Alright, Dokie. Can you lead us to the kitchen?”
“Okie Dokie! Just want to say this now. I made a mess. Please don’t judge me,” Dokie declares.
Sylvia looks at him and Zeta has more question floating in her mind than answers. Walking around, they noticed the guards have already moved to a safer area, making it easy for the team to move around the section.
“The fuck happened here?” Zeta lets out upon reaching the cafeteria since repairing this area would be difficult and can be expensive.
“Needed to fight someone,” Dokie answers, “I still can comprehend what’s happening… This place is usually packed and we just walking around with no one stoping us.”
“I know…” Zeta adds.
“That’s thanks to Yu,” Sylvia announces.
“How, but Thank…Oh… Yu… I see,” Zeta realizes what Sylvia’s doing.
“Anyway, welcome to the kitchen! Ha, it’s unlocked!” Dokie jokingly said.
“Let me guess, you caused this?” Zeta said, checking the wall’s damage.
“Yeah,” Dokie proudly answers while Sylvia walks around the kitchen like she looking for something on the floor.
Yu to Sylvia: A little bit on the left.
“Okey Dokey,” Sylvia lets out and realizes she mimics Dokie’s favorite phrase.
Yu: …
“Dokie, can you dig here?” Sylvia points to the floor where Yu instructed to destroy.
“I assumed this is the way out?” Zeta asks and continues, “There’s nothing there… I seen the building’s blueprint, nothing to see here…”
“Huh? Oh, Yu said to watch,” Sylvia lets out without a care in the world as she watches Dokie digs.
“Do you hear someone?” Zeta asks.
“HA-haaa! Brother!” Dokie happily shouts and started punching the hole instead of digging.
Zeta looks at Sylvia and notices her smiling with a hit of concern realizing Dokie’s action is not on the plan but it’s too late to step back as she watches everyone fall in to the abyss.
“WELCOME MAGGOTS! WELCOME TO HELL!” K-13 shouts on top of his lung with a smile from ear to ear.
“What the FUCK!” Zeta looks at K-13 catching Sylvia and Dokie doing a superhero landing while an old and dusty mattress catches her fall.
“You demon! You Hater! Baby eater!” K-13 offer his hand to help Zeta up.
°So you’re the gal, okay gray. Come, let me help you get up°
“This human is crazy! His insane!” Zeta gets up on her own just to be safe.
“Don’t say that. Kay just wants to help you get up, and he’s part of my crew,” Sylvia said in K-13’s defense, “You should be thanking him. He already taken care of everything.”
The Lunatic asylum used to function as a hospital, and the prison served as a refugee building, while the last building provided water, electricity, plumbing, and maintenance services. However, as the war passed, the usages changed depending on what was needed.
Yu to Sylvia: Ship’s ready to go. Let’s go before the workers wake up.
End.