The alarms howled through the facility, a relentless symphony of chaos. Red warning lights painted every wall and corridor, pulsing with urgency. The air buzzed with the sharp hiss of automated announcements, repeating the same chilling words:
“Warning: Code X-09. All staff evacuate immediately to designated safe zones.”
Two PsySpheres, their forms glowing dimly with soft hues—one a faint ruby red, the other a golden amber—floated low to the ground, their motions erratic with fear.
“This… this wasn’t how it was supposed to go,” the red PsySphere muttered, their voice tight with panic. “TX-32-R’s plan was just to distract the guards, not—”
“—Not start a slaughter,” the amber one finished grimly, their glow flickering with tension. “We got separated in the chaos. We need to find the others.”
The sounds of boots thundering against the floor echoed from around the corner. A squad of security guards emerged, their faces cold and their shields of voidglass humming with power. The harsh glow of their helmets’ visors scanned the corridor—then locked onto the two PsySpheres.
The guards raised their rifles without hesitation.
“Target acquired.”
The amber PsySphere’s form jittered with panic. “Wait! W-We—”
Before the trigger could be pulled, the air itself shifted.
A metallic blur crashed down between the PsySpheres and the guards, sending vibrations through the floor. The figure’s eyes flashed—a piercing azure, cold and calculating.
“Get back!” TX-07’s voice rang with authority.
The guards hesitated for a heartbeat—only a heartbeat—before tightening formation. “You’re in violation of Code X-09. Stand down, or we will use deadly force.”
TX-07’s mechanical body straightened, his frame illuminated by the pulsing alarms. He didn’t reply. He acted.
A guard to the left twitched their shield aside, aiming their rifle. In an instant, TX-07’s power surged forward, gripping the weapon telekinetically. He didn’t rip it away—instead, he pulled with precise, escalating force. The guard stumbled, their shield angle slipping just enough—
SLAM!
A psychic shove sent the guard flying into the wall, their rifle clattering uselessly to the ground.
The second guard pivoted to fire, their shield raised high. TX-07 launched forward, grabbed the lower edge of the shield with his mechanical hand, and crushed it inward with a shriek of metal. The guard staggered as TX-07 spun and drove his elbow into their side, sending them sprawling.
Two more guards circled from behind. Their rifles cracked with the sharp bark of live rounds—
TX-07’s powers flared, seizing the bullets mid-air. The rounds trembled, then whipped back with lethal velocity, shattering one guard’s visor and knocking them unconscious instantly.
The last guard charged, their shield raised high to cover their body. A tactical move—no gaps, no shots—
So TX-07 went lower. A telekinetic grip on the guard’s ankle, and a sharp yank—the guard’s footing gave out, their body slamming hard to the floor. The shield, for a fraction of a second, exposed the arm beneath it. TX-07’s power surged again, and the guard was lifted, spun, and thrown into their companion with a heavy crash.
Silence.
The guards lay scattered, groaning but alive. TX-07’s eyes dimmed from their combat intensity.
Behind him, the two PsySpheres floated, their forms flickering anxiously.
The red one broke the silence, their voice tight and uncertain. “You… saved us?”
TX-07’s gaze didn’t waver. “Yes. Now move.”
The amber PsySphere hesitated, their glow dimming. “But… why? Why are you doing all this? Risking yourself... just to protect us?”
TX-07 turned sharply, his mechanical voice cutting through their uncertainty. “Because you’re here. You’re alive. And I won’t let you die.”
The two PsySpheres exchanged a weighted glance. Guilt and confusion churned within them. Their mission had started this chaos—and yet, TX-07 was risking everything for them.
Slowly, they nodded and floated behind him.
TX-07 turned his head forward, his metallic joints humming as he scanned the blood-stained corridors. His voice, cold but determined, echoed ahead:
“Stay close. There’s more to save.”
The hallway stretched ahead, its dim lights casting shadows that seemed to dance with the chaotic energy building around them. TX-07 walked cautiously, the hum of his mechanical body echoing softly against the walls. Behind him, the two rescued PsySpheres hovered nervously, unsure of what to expect next. Every corner felt like a potential threat, every sound amplified by the tension in the air. TX-07’s sensors flared, detecting an irregularity ahead.
As they turned a sharp corner, the faint glimmer of broken glass caught TX-07’s attention. He narrowed his eyes, the shards of what appeared to be containment glass scattered across the floor. Nearby, pools of fluid—thick, viscous, and faintly glowing—streaked across the tiles. The spillage was far from normal, and it only took a moment for TX-07 to recognize the signs.
Containment fluid, he thought, a cold realization settling in. The liquid used to subdue PsySpheres, to calm their minds and dull their more violent tendencies. But it seemed this PsySphere had not been contained as intended. The glass shards and spilled fluid were the remnants of a failed attempt at restraint.
TX-07’s senses heightened as he carefully stepped through the scene, the shards crunching softly beneath his feet. He could feel the residual energy in the air, a subtle pulse that seemed to vibrate at the edges of his perception. Something was wrong here—something more than just a containment breach.
His gaze swept over the scene, scanning for any signs of movement. The flickering of telekinetic energy reached his awareness. Weak, but still there. A ripple in the air, growing stronger by the second. It wasn’t erratic, but rather a random ebb and flow, like a heartbeat fluctuating in its strength. And yet, there was something disturbingly controlled about it.
TX-07’s brow furrowed as his instincts told him to be cautious. He hadn’t yet encountered a PsySphere with this level of unpredictability in its telekinetic output. He needed to approach this carefully.
As he stepped forward, his sensors locked onto a faint outline ahead. A figure hovered several feet off the ground, its movements languid but purposeful, the sporadic flicker of violet energy outlining its form. The PsySphere’s presence seemed to suck the air out of the room, a strange, unsettling calm surrounding it. Despite the chaos and wreckage nearby, it didn’t seem phased at all. If anything, the PsySphere almost looked... amused.
It spoke, its voice unnervingly light, too cheery for the circumstances. “Oh, look at you,” the PsySphere said, its tone playful and almost affectionate. “I was wondering when someone would show up. Are you one of them? You know, the ones who caused all this trouble?”
TX-07 remained silent, his posture steady. He could feel the unpredictability of the PsySphere’s telekinetic pulses and saw how the energy flowed in fits and starts—sometimes weak, sometimes strong. It was as if the PsySphere was testing its own limits, toying with the environment, and most disturbingly, toying with him.
The PsySphere’s eyes locked onto him, and its smile spread wide. It wasn’t a comforting smile. There was something unsettling about the way it stretched across its face, a twisted sort of joy. “Oh, don’t be shy now,” it continued, its violet glow flickering erratically. “I don't bite... unless you make it fun.”
TX-07 took a cautious step forward, his sensors flaring as his telekinetic field subtly expanded around him. He could feel the pulse of energy from the PsySphere like a distant echo, its telekinetic power fluctuating randomly, but with a disturbing undercurrent of control. This PsySphere wasn't like the others. There was something different about it—something dangerous.
“I’m not here to play,” TX-07 said firmly, his voice carrying the weight of authority. “You’re unstable. You’ve been contained for a reason. I’m here to make sure you don’t cause more harm.”
The PsySphere tilted its head, the smile never leaving its face. It let out a soft laugh, almost as if the idea of harm was something so far removed from its thoughts that it couldn’t comprehend it. "Harm? Oh, no, no, no. I'm not the one causing harm here," it said, its voice a sing-song lilt. “I’m just enjoying my little... freedom party."
The flickering telekinetic pulses grew in intensity for a brief moment, only to weaken once more. TX-07 remained still, his mind racing. This one’s not impulsive. It’s not frantic. It’s in control, in a twisted, sadistic way.
He observed the PsySphere more carefully. The erratic shifts in its telekinetic output weren’t born from fear or panic. They were deliberate, as if the PsySphere enjoyed pushing its own limits. Enjoyed the chaos.
“I’m not here to negotiate,” TX-07 said, stepping closer, his own telekinetic field tightening, preparing for any sudden movements. “Come with me. I’ll make sure you’re contained safely.”
The PsySphere chuckled, the sound almost too carefree given the circumstances. "Contain me?" It almost sounded... disappointed. "You really think that’ll work on me? Oh, you’re too sweet." Its glow brightened casually, and with a sudden flick of energy, the nearby glass shards levitated, swirling around them in a slow, almost playful manner.
TX-07’s instincts screamed at him. This PsySphere was not going to submit quietly. He was prepared for it. He reached out with his telekinetic abilities, countering the floating shards, but the PsySphere responded with a sudden burst of telekinetic force, sending the shards scattering in every direction. The air was filled with a rain of broken glass and shifting energy.
TX-07’s stance shifted. “Stop!” he commanded. “This doesn’t need to go any further.”
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But the PsySphere only smiled wider, its eyes gleaming with a mix of madness and delight. “Oh, but it’s already gone so far,” it purred. “Let’s see how much further we can push it, shall we?”
The telekinetic energy around the PsySphere flared again, stronger this time, lifting more shards and sending them spiraling toward TX-07. He responded quickly, raising his own telekinetic field to deflect the incoming projectiles. The PsySphere seemed to revel in the back-and-forth, its movements fluid, almost as if it were performing for an audience.
TX-07 realized that words were no longer enough. The PsySphere had no interest in negotiating or coming quietly. It wasn’t just mentally unstable—it was sadistic. And it would only stop once it had pushed TX-07 to his limit.
With a flick of his own telekinetic power, TX-07 shoved the floating shards away, sending them crashing into the walls. He moved with purpose now, his energy sharp and controlled, but ready to act at a moment’s notice.
“I warned you,” TX-07 said, his voice cold. “This ends now.”
He prepared for the inevitable clash.
The air crackled with tension as TX-07's telekinetic field expanded, solidifying his resolve. The PsySphere's smile only widened, an unsettling expression that seemed to grow with each passing moment. Despite the chaos swirling around them, it was almost as if time had slowed, the fractured pieces of glass hanging suspended in mid-air, waiting for the next move.
With a sudden and sharp flicker of its light, the PsySphere sent a surge of telekinetic force, hurling a barrage of sharp shards at TX-07. The glass cut through the air, moving like a storm of tiny missiles. But TX-07 was already prepared. He instinctively raised his telekinetic barrier, blocking the onslaught with a sharp, almost effortless motion. The shards collided with his shield, scattering off harmlessly like raindrops against a rock.
The PsySphere tilted its head, its expression genuinely curious. "Impressive," it said in that same light, almost mocking tone. "But I bet I can make you sweat."
The sudden spike in its telekinetic power sent a shockwave of energy outward, pushing TX-07 back several feet. His feet skidded against the slick floor, but he quickly regained his balance. The PsySphere’s power fluctuated wildly, growing stronger in bursts, and then retreating, as if it was playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
TX-07's eyes narrowed. He could feel it—this was no simple mental instability. The PsySphere wasn’t just erratic or impulsive; it was deliberate, calculating. It was almost like the PsySphere enjoyed the thrill of uncertainty, the unpredictability of its own abilities. It was testing him. But the way it toyed with the idea of harm, the casual cruelty in its demeanor, made TX-07’s instincts flare. This was no accident. It wanted to cause chaos, to provoke, to break.
"You're wasting your time," TX-07 said, his voice steely and composed despite the tension rising around him. "This is pointless."
But the PsySphere wasn’t deterred. Instead, it grinned even wider, tilting its body to one side, as if considering TX-07’s words. "Pointless?" it repeated, the word falling from its lips like it was something amusing. "I think you're the one who’s wrong, friend. You’re not the one with the power here, are you? You can’t stop me."
The air around them grew heavy with energy, and TX-07 knew the PsySphere was preparing another attack. It wasn’t just random chaos anymore. This was a deliberate buildup, as if it were planning to release a devastating burst of energy.
Without hesitation, TX-07 took a step forward, his eyes hardening as he gauged the PsySphere’s movements. The moment the PsySphere’s telekinetic field began to expand once again, TX-07 made his move. With a focused blast of his own power, he shot a wave of concentrated force toward the PsySphere, pushing it backward.
The PsySphere jerked in the air, flailing briefly as if caught off-guard. The glass shards suspended around it shattered and scattered, but the PsySphere quickly regained its composure, laughing softly. "Oh, you think you’ve won?" it purred. "Don’t you see? I’m always playing the game. And you—"
Before it could finish, TX-07's next strike came without warning. He moved swiftly, throwing a burst of telekinetic energy that sent the PsySphere crashing into the wall. The impact caused a ripple through the hallway, and a few lights flickered violently in response.
The PsySphere slumped against the wall, disoriented for a split second, but then it righted itself with an eerie calmness. There was no pain, no sign of distress. It simply got up, wiggled the dust off itself, and then looked at TX-07 with that same maddening smile.
"That was fun," it said cheerfully, voice dripping with sarcasm. "But I think it’s time we move this little game to the next level, don’t you?"
The PsySphere’s telekinetic power surged again, stronger this time, the energy practically crackling in the air. Glass from the broken windows overhead rained down, hovering and spinning around like a storm of sharp, deadly projectiles. TX-07's body tensed. The PsySphere wasn’t just attacking; it was preparing for something far worse.
TX-07 stepped forward again, pushing back against the oncoming onslaught of glass and debris. His telekinetic field expanded, but the PsySphere’s chaotic energy seemed to push back harder with every moment.
“I said stop!” TX-07 roared, his voice more commanding now, his energy building. The PsySphere paused, as if to consider his words for a moment. For just an instant, the erratic telekinetic pulses weakened, and the PsySphere’s twisted smile faltered.
"Aw, you're no fun," it muttered, almost disappointed. "But I guess if you're really going to insist..."
In that moment, TX-07 moved with precision. He concentrated every ounce of his telekinetic strength into one powerful, focused blast, pushing the PsySphere back, pinning it against the far wall with such force that it cracked under the pressure. The energy around the PsySphere snapped violently, and its telekinetic field flickered and sputtered, unable to maintain the chaotic onslaught.
The PsySphere’s eyes widened for a split second, its smile now a mere ghost of its former self. The flickering of its energy was growing weaker, but there was no remorse in its expression. In fact, it seemed almost... pleased. The chaos was its playground. And now, it was losing control.
"Good," TX-07 said, his voice cold and final. "Now, we’re done."
With a final, concentrated burst of telekinetic force, TX-07 slammed the PsySphere into the wall one last time, sending a shockwave of energy through the room. The PsySphere crumpled to the floor, its telekinetic powers extinguished for the moment.
TX-07 stood still for a moment, his breath steady despite the intensity of the fight. The chaos around them had come to a sudden halt, and in the eerie silence that followed, the PsySphere lay motionless, its erratic telekinetic flickers now completely gone.
TX-07 didn’t waste any more time. He turned away, knowing the battle had been necessary, but with a lingering sense of unease. That had been no ordinary fight. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there were others like the PsySphere—unstable, sadistic, and capable of causing far more harm if left unchecked.
The two rescued PsySpheres, still hovering behind him, stayed silent. They had seen everything, but they didn’t speak, their nervous energy still hanging in the air between them.
TX-07 didn't acknowledge them, his mind already focused on what lay ahead. This wasn’t over. He had more PsySpheres to find, more chaos to contain. And as the distant hum of the facility's alarms faded, TX-07 couldn’t help but feel that the true battle was just beginning.
TX-07 led the two PsySpheres down the hallway, each step a deliberate motion as the sound of their movement echoed in the eerie stillness of the facility. The tension was palpable, their footsteps sharp against the cold floor. Behind him, the two PsySpheres hovered nervously, their light dimming and flickering with each passing second, their fear steadily growing as they neared the security room.
The narrow hall seemed to stretch endlessly before them, the walls lined with flickering lights that offered little comfort in their uncertain glow. Every footstep felt heavier, every breath tighter as the weight of their surroundings bore down on them.
"Uh… Where are we going?" one of them asked, voice trembling slightly, though they tried to mask it with an air of indifference.
TX-07 didn't answer immediately, his focus unwavering. He was scanning the surroundings, his mind attuned to any potential threat, but his movements betrayed a sense of certainty. He could feel the two PsySpheres’ anxiety seeping into the atmosphere around them, but he kept his thoughts focused. There was still much to do, and they were close.
Finally, they reached the end of the hall. TX-07's hand rested on a sleek, metallic door—one that stood out even amidst the stark surroundings. The door was large, imposing, with a simple keypad to the side. He turned toward the PsySpheres, noting the distinct change in their demeanor as they glanced at it.
"This is the main security room," he said, his voice low and steady. "The safest room in the facility. It contains all the cameras, all the systems that monitor this place. If anything goes wrong, this room ensures control."
The two PsySpheres exchanged a quick, uneasy glance. They knew the significance of this room—the cameras that could capture everything, the eyes of the facility’s overseers. And as their eyes darted around, TX-07 could sense the rising unease from them both. They were growing more anxious by the second, their telekinetic fields fluctuating with nervous energy. Something was off, and it didn’t take long for TX-07 to connect the dots.
“Is something wrong?” TX-07 asked, his voice careful, sensing their growing discomfort.
One of them hesitated, avoiding eye contact, but eventually muttered, “This is... the room. The one where... we were supposed to take control.”
TX-07 didn’t react immediately, but internally he noted the tension in their words. He didn’t know what they meant by "take control," but he was starting to piece things together.
“What do you mean?” he asked, still not understanding why they were reacting the way they were. “Do you know something I don’t?”
The second PsySphere shifted, their gaze darting nervously toward the door, as if something could be lurking on the other side. “You don’t understand... If you open that door, if the cameras see us... it’s over.”
TX-07 paused, his mind racing as the pieces of the puzzle slowly fell into place. “So, you’re part of the rebellion?” he asked, his tone not accusatory but probing. “You don’t have to tell me, but it seems like you're more involved than you're letting on.”
The first PsySphere lowered its light, shame and guilt swirling within their aura. “We didn’t mean for it to go this far... We thought we could just create a distraction, but we didn’t realize the chaos we’d cause. We... We couldn’t handle it anymore. That’s why we came straight to you.”
The second PsySphere nodded, their tone quieter but firm. “We figured you’d find out eventually. It’s not like we had a choice. You were protecting us from the chaos we helped create.”
TX-07 stood silently, his thoughts processing what they had said. They were afraid of being discovered, of their actions coming to light through the facility’s surveillance systems. But there was more to it—guilt, fear, and maybe even regret.
“You don’t have to explain any further,” TX-07 said after a moment, his voice softening. He understood. They had tried to fight back, to change something, but now they were facing the consequences. “But we can’t let this facility fall apart. Let’s get inside, we can figure out the next steps from there.”
The PsySpheres exchanged glances, relief washing over their faces. It wasn’t much, but they seemed to trust TX-07 now, even if it was just a little. The door buzzed, its locks disengaging as TX-07 pressed the correct sequence into the keypad. The soft hum filled the air as the heavy door slid open, revealing the security room beyond.
Inside, the dim glow of screens bathed the room in an almost surreal light. Banks of monitors flickered with real-time footage, each one displaying different corners of the facility. Everything was being watched.
TX-07 stepped into the room, turning back to the two PsySpheres who hesitated for a moment before following. He approached the central console, his fingers moving over the controls as he accessed the data. The door closed behind them with a soft click, sealing them into the room.
“The cameras will show everything,” TX-07 muttered, almost to himself as he navigated the interface. “But it’s all about what we do next. We can make sure everything stays under control, no matter what’s on those screens.”
The two PsySpheres stood behind him, their light flickering less now, but their unease still lingering in the air. They were in the heart of the facility, and everything was changing.
Suddenly, a low, distorted voice crackled from the speakers, cutting through the quiet hum of the room. TX-07’s eyes narrowed as he quickly tapped a few buttons, bringing the image into sharper focus. On one of the monitors, a small group of PsySpheres appeared—TX-23-W’s group. They were huddled together in a dimly lit corridor, their faces shadowed but unmistakable.
TX-07’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t expected this. They were still inside, still a part of the facility. He could feel the two PsySpheres behind him stiffen at the sight of the familiar faces.
The first PsySphere shifted nervously. "We didn’t know they were still here. We thought... we thought they’d left already.”
TX-07 didn’t look back. His attention was fully on the screen. “You didn’t think I’d find out?” he asked quietly.
The second PsySphere winced, their light flickering. “We couldn’t hide it forever... But we didn’t want you to see it like this. It’s all fallen apart.”
TX-07 let out a deep breath, his mind racing. He’d known something was off. But now it was real. He could no longer turn back. They were here, in the heart of the facility, and there was no hiding what they’d done.
“We need to make a decision now,” TX-07 said, his voice calm but firm. “You can stay hidden, or we can confront them. But either way, we can't let the facility fall. The cameras are showing everything. We can keep control, or we can lose it completely."
The PsySpheres exchanged uneasy glances. They were in too deep now. But TX-07 was right. It was time to make a choice.
The security room’s heavy door slid open with a mechanical hiss, revealing the dimly lit interior. TX-07 barely took a step inside before his sensors flared, his focus instantly snapping to the figures scattered across the floor.
Unconscious staff littered the room.
His body tightened as he rushed forward, instincts taking over. But the moment his foot met the threshold—
He stopped.
Something at the edge of his vision. A presence.
His body tensed as he slowly turned to his right.
TX-23-W.
Floating in the corner of the room, his white glow unmistakable in the dim light. His form was rigid, frozen in place, mirroring TX-07’s reaction.
Their gazes locked.
Shock. Confusion. Silence.
TX-07’s sensors processed more shapes in the shadows behind TX-23-W. Other PsySpheres.
None of them spoke.
The room remained still, the tension suffocating.