The trio sat in shocked silence at the sudden revelation. The only sound in the compartment was the crates rattling as the train rocked back and forth during its descent.

"What does all this mean?" Becca muttered.

"I'm not sure," said Remy, "but the chip war, the embargo, the airship bombings, and now the riots... They are all linked. There has to be a reason that all of it is happening now."

Becca glanced down at the files on her dossier. "This is getting a little too big for us. How are we supposed to take on the entire military?"

"One thing at a time," said Will. "We will focus on the doctor for now."

"Right," Becca sighed. She paused and glanced at the train floor. "Will, are you okay?"

Will broke out of his reverie and looked at Becca. "Yes?" he said uncertainly.

Becca pointed at his foot. "You have been scratching your prosthetic for a while now."

Will glanced down and saw that he had been unconsciously picking at his metal knee. The shard throbbed under his skin, and his shin felt raw and inflamed.

Will grimaced and pulled his hand away from his leg. "This is nothing new. It will pass."

Becca looked like she wanted to press him further but stopped herself when Will gave her a wan smile.

"I'm fine," said Will, and Becca let out a breath.

The carriage shook as the train began to slow down.

"Floor 20," said Remy. "We're here."

Will turned to Remy. "Where exactly is the doctor on floor 20?"

"He has rented a room near the municipal office," said Remy. "It's pretty close to the station so we don't have to go that far."

Will nodded and stood up. "Let's check the lay of the land first. We need to familiarize ourselves with the layout of the building."

Remy and Becca got to their feet. The train crawled to a stop, and a few seconds later, there was a heavy clang as it docked into place.

Will turned on the strobing lights on his jacket, and Remy followed suit. The train doors clanged open, and a group of bots swarmed into the train. The bots shuddered to a stop when they reached the trio. Will and Remy escorted Becca out of the train, and they quickly made their way through the warehouse. The subsequent tunnels and passageways went by quickly, and they reached the exit.

Will strode forward and swung the door open, and the trio trooped into the station proper. The door swung closed behind them, and Will stiffened. He felt something was off the moment they stepped into the terminal. The overhead departure information boards all showed the same words: "All trains delayed. We thank you for your patience."

The crowd gathered around the platforms looked agitated, and they were all headed towards the exit.

"What's going on?" asked Becca. "Why are all the trains delayed?"

Remy glanced at his slate. "The network is down as well. Something is wrong."

"Come on," said Will, following the crowd towards the exit. "Let's go check."

The trio silently followed the crowd, and as they approached the concourse, Will spotted the flashing red and blue lights through the glass doors. The police were gathered outside the station and were putting up barricades.

"Oh no..." said Will. Past the police force were a sea of people. Loud chanting came from the crowd as they waved signs and placards.

They watched the commuters from the station try to get past the barricade to no avail. The police wouldn't let them pass.

"Why are they not letting anyone through?" asked Becca.

"The protestors probably came from the other floors," said Will. "They are blocking off the station to prevent any more from arriving."

"We need to get out of here before things get ugly," said Remy.

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"There are other exits," said Will. "The cops have just started barricading. We might still find a way out."

"Let's go," said Remy, and they broke away from the crowd. They quickly made their way back into the terminal and took one of the side passageways. A few minutes later, they were out of the station through one of the smaller exits.

"What now?" asked Remy. "Things will only get more dangerous the longer we stay here."

Will considered for a second. "Let's go have a look at the place once before we leave. I don't want us coming all this way for nothing."

Remy and Becca didn't object. Together, they made their way around the station. A few stragglers from the crowd hung around here and there. An overturned burning taxi shuttle lay in the middle of the road, and the trio walked around it.

"Damn," Remy cursed.

"Let's keep our faces covered," said Will and donned a face mask. Remy did the same, and Becca tied a kerchief around her face. They circled the station until they spotted the barricaded entrance. Beyond the police blockade was a sea of people. The protestors stood shoulder to shoulder as they waved their signboards and placards.

"Oh boy... This is bad," Remy looked aghast.

Becca looked around worriedly. "What do we do?"

Will looked past the waving flags. The municipal building was where the crowd was thickest. A barricade had been erected around it, and protesters clashed against police to breach the building.

Will glanced at Remy. "You said the doctor's place was close to the municipal hall."

"It's right next to it. That skinny light brown one over there," said Remy, and Will spotted it. Next to the municipal building was an unassuming beige apartment complex. Being so close to the government offices, it too was essentially walled off by the protesters.

"Damn," Will cursed. His right leg throbbed and began to itch once again. Will shivered and began to sweat. He wanted to scratch his shin badly, but he resisted the urge. "Come on, let's see if there is any way in."

Will dove into the crowd of protestors, and Remy and Becca followed closely. As they squeezed their way through to the other side, the crowd's chants became clear.

"One Voice, One fight! Sovereignty is our right!"

Will glanced at the placards which followed the same theme. They had slogans about self-governance and freedom for the zones.

He tore his eyes away from the signboards and focused on making his way through the crowd. A minute later, they were on the other side of the door, standing in front of the apartment complex.

"Finally," said Remy, and Becca panted with her hands on her knees, while Will looked at the building next to them. The front entrance was guarded by another barred security door. The bars were dented in by the mob, but despite the pounding, it still held strong.

"That's odd," said Remy, staring up at the building. "The doctor lives on the first story, and the entire floor is dark. Is no one home?"

"Or he doesn't want to draw any attention," muttered Will as he took a quick look around. "His apartment extends around the corner."

"There is a side alley there," said Remy.

"We could sneak in through the side and find a way in," said Will.

He was about to take a step forward when Becca clamped down on his arm. "Will, wait. There is something wrong."

"What is it?" asked Will.

"Look at that guy in the green hoodie," said Becca.

Will fell in beside her and nonchalantly took a look to his side. There was a young man with his face half-hidden in shadow. He scratched his chin with a gloved hand, and Will spotted the flash of chrome hidden underneath. Though he was chanting along with the rest of the crowd, he occasionally glanced at the apartment complex.

Will let his eyes wander and spotted several other men who were equally focused on the doctor's apartment.

"Oh boy," Remy muttered. "What are the chances that they're not here for the doctor?"

"Slim to none," said Will. "They're all cyborgs."

"Don't look directly at them," said Remy, and the three of them stopped staring at the group.

Becca pulled Remy and Will close and spoke under her breath. "Why are they all here?"

"Whatever the case, I don't think we should wait and find out," said Will.

"Do you remember the dossier that I sent you? About all those people being made to disappear?" asked Remy.

"Yeah," said Becca.

"Do you think the doctor is next on the list?"

Will and Becca fell silent as they considered the possibility.

"Shit," Will cursed as sweat beaded across his forehead.

"The riots do provide the perfect cover," mused Becca.

"But why now?" Will muttered under his breath. His leg twitched. "Why him? The doctor was the one that led the project."

"Every boss has a boss," said Remy. "Maybe they think he is a liability now?"

"Let's not jump to conclusions," said Becca. "The question is, what do we do now?"

Remy and Will fell silent. The crowd churned around them as a police bot rolled through the sidewalk with two officers who cleared the pavement. Will waited for the cops to pass by them before he spoke.

"We have to get the doctor before they do," said Will. "I'm not about to let our only lead slip through our fingers."

"Someone has to distract the cyborgs if we want to get in that building," said Becca.

"There is one way," said Remy. "Get ready."

Remy channeled his field to his hands and focused it into the center of his palms.

"Remy, what..." began Becca, but before she could talk him out of it, Remy brought his hands together and clapped. The fields clashed against each other, and the clap went off like a gunshot.

Screams rang out as the crowd panicked.

"Gun!" yelled Remy, agitating the crowd even more. They began shoving each other in their hurry to get away, and the cyborgs got swept along with the crowd. Sensing the commotion, the police patrol hurried back to investigate.

"Come on!" yelled Remy, and Will cursed, hoping no one got hurt in their little stunt. During the chaos, the three of them slipped into the side alley, and Will spotted a pipe running alongside the building.

Their endless combat training kicked in, and they were up the pipe in a flash. When they reached the first floor, Will pried the small kitchen window open, and he squeezed himself through. Remy came in next, and Becca followed soon after.

They landed lightly on the tilted floor and glanced around the pitch-dark kitchen. Will closed the window behind him, and Remy gave him a silent nod. Will nodded back. It was time to check if the doctor was in.