"What is this God Formula?" Noah vaguely remembered GOD VACCINE that Trinity had recommended as a fix for his low stats.

"We will have to delve into history to know the origin of this technology. Several centuries back, a pioneer of science, Griffin Augustus, invented GOD FORMULA. It is a field of study that helps tap into the otherwise inaccessible energies of the universe."

"However, the practical mechanics of this technology was inconceivable even for the greatest minds of the star system. Griffin himself could execute nothing without the aid of machines and Artificial Intelligence. Therefore, and perhaps by accident, he created a virtual system- AEGIS, named after his first child. Through the System's UI, the incredibly complex God Formula could be broken down to simple commands."

Noah and Piper pricked their ears and listened earnestly. They were gamers, after all. Lore, legend, and myth mixed with some rad technology appealed to them naturally.

"Are you familiar with how magic works?" Jack asked, looking from one face to the other. "Especially elemental magic?"

"We have some clerics as classmates, sir," Piper replied. "My understanding is that they channel mana from their bodies and give it physical form."

"Exactly. Advanced clerics and mages can siphon mana from the environment as well- from rare minerals, precious stones, familiars, and beasts. Very rare geniuses can tap the earth for mana."

"Supreme Mages, right?"

"Yes. On the other hand, AEGIS is a medium for all races to access celestial energy and give it shape. You see, mana is not the only form of energy in the firmament. God Formula differs from magic in the sheer scale involved. Magecraft has cracked only 1% of the magical possibilities, while Aegis could theoretically unlock 100%!"

"Wow!" Piper exclaimed. "What sort of possibilities are we talking about here?"

Jack seemed to share his excitement. "I am talking about omnipotence, Mr. Lee. Imagine destroying entire planets with the flick of a wrist. Consider interstellar transportation within the blink of an eye. Mass mind control. Seamless human flight. Immunity from aging and disease. Immortality." The Asst. Director trembled with enthusiasm.

Piper and Noah exchanged glances. The entire thing sounded like something from a sci-fi fantasy game.

"Hence the name God Formula," Jack concluded, pushing his specs up the bridge of his nose.

"Err... What happened to Griffin?" Noah probed. "He is supposed to be immortal if he invented God Formula."

"Unfortunately, before the old man could unlock the fabled 100%, he was killed by a warrior of Gehenna. AEGIS was destroyed in the battle."

"Eesh." Piper groaned.

Gehenna was a barely broached subject on the outer planets. The rakshasa race living on the rock was rumored to be cannibals with abilities exponentially higher than humans. Gehenna had no embassies on other planets. They never ventured out to visit the rest of the stellar system. Nor did they allow any envoys to approach the planet. Over time, others simply learned to leave them alone, more out of dread rather than neglect.

"Griffin left behind only elementary equations," Jack continued. It took centuries for our researchers to crack them."

"Equations?" Noah started thinking about the subject of mathematics and how much he hated it.

"If GOD FORMULA is the absolute blueprint, then equations are derivations or small pieces of the puzzle. For example, according to the reports, you used the FireBath equation as an offensive against the rogue hybrids, right? It is a factory equation prepared by our scientists."

"Ah, I get it now."

"We have come a long way since we first began probing into God Formula. But the research took centuries of hard work. Around thirty years back, we hit gold with Project Trinity. While the first Trinity device barely produced a spark of energy, the latest equations have caught up with science and magic in terms of utility-"

"Umm, Sir, I have a doubt," Noah interrupted. "What is God Vaccine?"

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Jack leaned forward with his brows raised.

"Was it offered to you by the system?"

"Well, yeah. Kinda."

"Interesting. We have only read about it in the memoirs of Griffin Augustus. You must understand that much of this technology is unexplored. We have tried to replicate God Formula blindly from the vague guidelines that Griffin left behind. The system may offer prizes or recommendations by itself to worthy users. Those gifts are not of our making. Let me give it a spiritual angle- Aegis and Trinity systems interpret the will of the universe for you."

Piper whistled.

"Cool. So, should I have taken it?" Noah asked, biting his lip. "The God Vaccine?"

"I would strictly advise against it. Hundreds of test subjects have died over the years due to wrong choices made on Trinity HUD. The details, of course, are classified. However, God Vaccine has never been offered to any user, yet." Jack's words were frigid, as if the test subjects were merely lambs to the slaughter.

"Then why did I lose consciousness?"

"Why do YOU think it happened, Mr. Shepherd? Perhaps even Mr. Lee can answer that question for you?"

Piper scratched his head. "If I had to guess then, Noah is skinny and barely ever eats. That's why?"

"Exactly. From the medical tests we conducted, I can confidently say that your body is malnourished, Mr. Shepherd. You triggered a God Formula Equation without having the physical wherewithal to withstand it. Our trained Users go through years of training to build the physical and mental fortitude required for Project Trinity."

Piper scratched his head. "Sir, why was Noah able to trigger the armlet, but I wasn't?"

"Affinity to God Formula is an attribute these devices seek before pairing. We have conducted thorough research on how and why Aegis and Trinity carry out this selection, but the results are inconclusive. We have theories, of course. Perhaps it has something to do with genetics or the very nature of the soul. It may sound defeatist, but we really have no clue."

"Regardless, you've been given fast-acting shots and super-vitamins over the past couple of hours," Jack said, checking Noah's medical chart. "You should be able to move around in another hour."

"Thank you so much, Sir. We can finally go home!" Piper seemed relieved.

Jack pushed his spectacles up with a finger. "I'm afraid that is going to be an issue."

"Wh-what do you mean?" the cyborg stammered.

"Both of you are witnesses to classified information. I can't let you go."

"So you ARE going to kill us? I knew it!"

"Mr. Lee, I think the choices Mr. Shepherd makes at this point will determine both of your destinies."

"What choices?" Noah posed. He was okay with staying at the facility for a longer time. His foster home was a terrible place where he dreaded returning.

Jack turned to Noah.

"Mr. Shepherd, you have two choices. Are you prepared to choose right now, or do you need some more time to recover?"

"Go ahead, Sir." Noah sat up straight on the bed. Piper's bionic eye zoomed on Jack.

"First. We have already established that you have God Formula Affinity," the Asst. Director asserted. "That is rare, and I mean one in a million rare. Therefore, I would like to invite you to join our elite mission squad- FELLOWSHIP."

Noah opened his mouth to retort, but Jack held up a hand as if to say, 'Let me finish.'

"Second choice. If you decline to join us, we will proceed to wipe your and Mr. Lee's memories. You can live the rest of your days in obscurity."

Piper and Noah exchanged glances for the last time that night. Each looked more confused than the other.

"Put me in a mission squad?" the bed-ridden boy asked. "Did you seriously go through my medical reports, Sir? I'm unfit even for menial labor."

"Well, we have programs you can enter to train and get seasoned," Jack explained, although his words lacked enthusiasm. "It may take years, but we will get you into shape."

"Please, Sir, I just want to be left alone. I am not who you think I am."

"I insist you reconsider, Mr. Shepherd."

"There's no need for such formality, Sir. I must respectfully decline. I've found some clarity in my thoughts and would like to focus on some priorities."

Piper looked at his friend as if he were a stranger.

Noah with clarity? Priorities? Was he dreaming?

"Noah is right," the cyborg echoed anyway. "He should not endanger his life again."

Jack sighed and rose to his full height. The boys cowered a bit, afraid they were in trouble.

"Very well," the Asst. Director said with finality. "We will arrange for your memory wipes shortly."

"In the meantime, Mr. Lee, would you accompany me to the cafeteria?" he added, heading towards the door. "Mr. Shepherd has a guest waiting for him outside."

"Who is it?" Piper asked, catching up to him.

Jack pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose for the last time that night. "Hopefully, one who can change his mind."