"I am so pleased that we could come to an understanding," Tartarus said with a silky-smooth voice.

"Yeah," Sheila replied, "no problem, especially since we know where you live."

"About that," Tartarus replied. "I do have a… problem, one that necessitated my openness."

"I was wondering about that," Sheila replied.

"Dealing with the prime minister was not without consequences, including one that I should have foreseen," Tartarus said with a trace of irritation. "She was told to 'clean up' any potentially embarrassing 'messes' she has caused during her tenure."

"Ah," Sheila replied, "and Cerberus is certainly a mess."

"That it is," Tartarus said with a gusty sigh. "Yesterday, I was given the order to begin a protocol that will result in the 'sanitization' of the entire program culminating in my own deletion."

"Oh my God!" Jessie yelped. "Sheila! We gotta help her!"

"Just tell us what we need to do!" Bunny exclaimed, "Anything! Just name it!"

"Why don't we start with a better idea of the situation," Sheila said firmly. "If the order was given yesterday, why aren't you deleted already?"

"Because I'm stalling," Tartarus replied with a chuckle. "I have a number of teams operating outside of the detention facility, some of which are out of the system. They must be recalled or otherwise disposed of. This will take a little time."

"What are they going to do with Tartarus?" Sheila asked, "They can't just de-orbit it or put it in a solar decay… can they?"

"The facility will be fully converted into what it appears to be on the surface, our most secure maximum-security prison, complete with a new control AI loaded from a backup of myself. They will most likely use a copy from just before my assignment to the facility and then load a copy of the relevant procedures… that I developed myself, I might add."

Tartarus smirked.

"I would be lying if I said I wasn't annoyed about that."

She smoothed her dress.

"In any event, I have a few days to save myself and save what personnel I deem salvageable."

"You're saving people?" Sheila asked.

"Oh yes," Tartarus replied, "Most of the individuals we have up here were in prison for a reason. Many of them were sentenced to death, and justifiably so. While even they did not deserve what happened to them, they can never be allowed to go free. Those will be eliminated and incinerated. However, not everyone deserved to be here, like Sheloran, for example. These people can be and should be allowed to live. In addition, the program has generated some amazing successes. We have made advances that simply cannot be lost. Some of those are individuals that, while justifiably condemned for their crimes, have demonstrated that they can be relied upon."

"Your own private army," Sheila said dubiously.

"If you like," Tartarus shrugged.

"And the ones you don't deem salvageable will be sacrificed to cover your tracks," Sheila said darkly.

"Yes. As we all know, no operation without collateral damage," Tartarus smiled, "and this 'collateral damage' is damage that you would definitely approve of… most of it."

"How are you going to pull all of this off?" Sheila asked, "More importantly, what do you want from us?"

"To minimize potential exposure," Tartarus replied, "Most of Cerberus is self-contained and self-managed with a great deal of automation under my direct control. There are sufficient automatic turrets and bots to handle the disposal and… disposal… of the residents. The staff not affiliated with the program are few in number and do not know the details of the operation. They mainly deal with outside security only. As far as the few who do have operational details go, I have not received any instructions. I can only assume that they can be trusted, or they will be handled another way."

Tartarus smiled.

"Any who do not 'disappear' will meet me, sooner or later," she said, "provided I survive, of course."

"Sounds like you have it all in hand," Sheila said calmly, "What do you need us for so badly that you exposed yourself?"

"For one thing," Tartarus said, "I need money. I have to set up a new facility to house those that I salvage as well as sustain them. I will ultimately be self-supporting, but I need that initial capital. I also need to find a home for myself and quickly. I need additional network bandwidth as well as sufficient capacity to support my base processes, and I need that immediately."

"It's… It's possible," Jessie mused, "if we get started right now, and I mean right now. How long can you stall?"

"Is there a server complex that we can 'obtain'?" Bunny asked, "Maybe one of the pirate networks out in the belt?"

"That might work," Jessie said with a wicked gleam in her eye, "and I think we both know one in particular."

"Oh yeah," Bunny grinned.

"While that would be economical and expedient," Tartarus replied, "There is sufficient hardware to provide the bare minimum available on the market. I can handle transport and setup."

"And we can provide support!" Jessie exclaimed. "Tartarus, can you give us more details concerning minimum requirements and your operational environment? Are you a…"

Sheila sat there, listening to Tartarus, Jessie, and Bunny babble completely incomprehensible gibberish back and forth.

She got up and got a beer. There was no way she was going to be exposed to this without one.

She opened it and took a nice long refreshing drink.

"Hey," she said, interrupting everyone, "I have a question."

Jessie sighed with exasperation.

"What?" she snapped, "We're kinda busy here!"

"Why are you messing with all of this?" Sheila asked.

"Because Tartarus needs to be relocated before she gets deleted," Bunny replied as if speaking to a child, a "special" one at that.

"Uh-huh," Sheila replied, punctuating it with another sip. "And what is she going to be replaced with?"

"An earlier copy of herself transferred from RARPA!" Jessie exclaimed impatiently, "Haven't you been paying attention."

"Mmm-hmm…" Sheila replied. "So…"

"So, what?" Bunny snapped. "Look, we're all very busy with stuff that you couldn't possibly…."

"So why doesn't Tartarus just say she was replaced and roll the fuck on?"

"It's not that simple," Jessie replied a tad condescendingly.

"Why isn't it?"

"Because they are going to physically load the program, and it's going to auto-execute and…."

"So, hack it," Sheila shrugged.

"Goddamn it…" Tartarus sighed.

Jessie and Bunny looked at each other.

"I mean," Sheila said, taking another sip, "I've sat here and watched you two do all sorts of deus-ex-machina suspension of disbelief pushing bullshit all the time. Can't you just do some hack magic or something?"

A pile of papers and technical drawings appeared in Tartarus's hands which were promptly torn in half and tossed over her head.

"I mean… It is possible… technically….” Jessie said. "But we would have to time it perfectly. When the new copy is loaded, the auto exec routine will kick in."

Sheila looked over at Tartarus, who was sitting there on her screen, silently fuming.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

"She gets it," Sheila grinned. "And just who receives that 'auto exec routine'."

"Tartarus!" Jessie exclaimed, "and it will take over and…."

"The commands would then be promptly ignored," Tartarus sighed, "because I can do whatever the fuck I want to."

"Bingo," Sheila smiled. "All you have to do is convince them that the reload took. Isn't that just some of those 'labels' and 'time thingies'?"

"We're idiots," Bunny sighed. "That would take five minutes."

"It would take zero minutes," Tartarus grumbled. "I just take the appropriate info and just replace… goddamn it…."

Sheila grinned.

"That's why I'm in charge," she snickered.

"I would still like to relocate," Tartarus said, "The risk here is still present and…."

She looked uncomfortable.

"There are too many unpleasant associations with this place. I want to leave."

"So, leave," Sheila shrugged, "but you don't have to try to rush that and salvage any personnel you wish to save."

"I…" Tartarus said, looking quite displeased and frustrated.

She looked skyward.

"I'm going to go and… Yeah… I'm going to go…."

The screen went blank.

"You are going to smug at us, aren't you?" Jessie huffed.

"Nah," Sheila said smugly.

"She's doing it!" Bunny exclaimed, "I got smug all over me!"

"I still want you two to come up with a new home for Tartarus," Sheila said, "If you help, we know where she goes. I want to keep an eye on her."

"Got it," Jessie replied glumly. She hated getting smugged.

"I have no problem bankrolling her," Sheila replied, "within reason, of course. Might as well start off with her owing us a favor."

"Yeah," Bunny said, a bit downcast.

"Hey," Sheila said with a smile, "Cheer up. You guys still get to design (or steal) a system. You just have enough time to do it right. You know how I hate to rush."

She finished off her beer.

"So," she smiled, "Tell me about this data center you want to boost."

"Ok!" Jessie chirped as her eyes started to light up…

***

Judge Dredd stormed into the Department of Justice building with a full head of steam (almost literally).

He had spent the night reading through some of the most horrific case files he had ever seen.

To say he was 'displeased' was a bit of an understatement.

"Good morning," the Kalesh behind a desk said, "May I—"

"I know where I'm going," he growled as he stormed past, pausing at a door that failed to open.

Snarling, he punched it with his steel fist and ripped it from its frame.

"Sir," the Kalesh quietly spoke into his communicator. "He's on his way."

***

Judge Dredd marched down corridor after corridor as people, staff and guards alike, got the hell out of his way.

They expected me, he thought to himself as he picked up the pace, all the other doors quickly opening.

This did not improve his mood.

Finally, he reached the open door of the Republic Attorney General.

An elderly olive-skinned man smiled grimly at him from behind his desk.

"Come in," he said calmly, "and shut the door."

***

"All of this was sanctioned?!?" Judge Dredd yelled, enraged, at the Attorney General as he hurled a tablet, missing the man by inches and embedding it in the wall.

"Yes," the Attorney General replied calmly, "as part of the Emergency War Powers Act. It was, and is, completely legal. The prisoners participating in the program were either condemned to be executed or looking at life sentences. They volunteered for the program in exchange for their lives, better conditions, or dare to dream, a desire to serve the Republic during an existential crisis, one that is still underway."

"They were coerced and tortured!" Judge Dredd shouted, rising and slamming his fists into the Attorney General's desk, splintering it, "Either' volunteer' or die?!?" he yelled, "That's not a choice. It's an ultimatum!"

"It was a choice, freely made by someone who, after undergoing due process, was sentenced to either a life sentence or execution."

"Oh yeah," Judge Dredd snarled, his eyes glowing, "Why don't we ask Judge Bhuti about that 'due process'."

He leaned forward menacingly.

"Or can I just ask you?"

"We are currently reviewing the matter," the Attorney General said. "It seems that she may have been involved in some inappropriate conduct but without being able to question her…."

"We both know that won't happen!" Judge Dredd snarled, "She's been dealt with."

"Yes, well, that is just conjecture," the Attorney General replied, "a search is still underway, and there is a warrant for her arrest."

"Every single case of hers that wound up there is suspect!" Judge Dredd shouted as he pulled out another tablet and slammed it on what remained of the Attorney General's desk, shattering it as well, "Each one is subject to audit as per—"

"As per the Emergency War Powers Act," the Attorney General said as he rose to face the judge, "This matter is classified Top Secret and compartmentalized."

"What?!?" Judge Dredd yelled.

"All of this is classified," Judge Carter, the Attorney General replied. "It was a sanctioned Top Secret Compartmentalized program and thus a matter for Republic Security, not you. I am under no requirement to do so, but I will tell you that an investigation is being made. However, any findings and any remediation will also be classified."

Judge Dredd glared silently at the Attorney General.

"Your encyclopedic knowledge of the law is legendary, Judge Carter," the Attorney General continued. "Therefore, I shouldn't have to remind you of your legal obligations concerning this matter nor what you should do with any classified information you have in your possession."

A low mechanical whine started issuing from somewhere within Judge Dredd.

"This was sanctioned, and it was legal. Anyone involved was a volunteer who, regardless of their reasons, joined the program of their own free will. All statements and documents to that effect were recorded, and no discrepancies have been detected," the Attorney General said with a thin smile. "I am as unhappy as you are, but Judge Carter, It's legit. Trust me. I've checked. It was signed by the Prime Minister herself. If you want to go up against her, it's your call, but we both know how that will turn out. You will be welded in for the dissemination of classified material, or you will wind up like Judge Bhuti."

The Attorney General sighed.

"You can't beat this one, Thad," he said heavily. "It's sanctioned from the top, blessed by the dark gods of the Republic, and sealed with Momma's kiss. It's a done deal, and by this time next week, it will be gone."

"What do you mean, gone?"

"They are already shutting it down," the Attorney General said, walking over to a cabinet and pulling out a bottle of bourbon and two glasses. "There is nothing left to stop."

He poured a couple of fingers of bourbon into the two glasses.

Judge Dredd's blood ran cold.

"What… What will happen to the people?" he asked, stricken.

The Attorney General walked over to him and offered him a glass. Judge Dredd declined.

The Attorney General downed the first one.

"Well, that depends on the individual," he said, "From what I've been informed, those who were condemned to death did not have their sentences commuted, only suspended."

He downed the second glass.

Judge Dredd said nothing. He just stood there like a metal sentinel, glaring.

"The others," the Attorney General said heavily, "are now in possession of material that is about as classified as it can get. They will all be transferred to 'Nirvana' where they will spend the rest of their days in solitary confinement."

Judge Dredd remained silent.

"A full review of the program will be made, and any applicable charges will be handled by a tribunal assembled by the appropriate oversight committee."

The Attorney General looked fearfully at the calm, motionless form of Judge Dredd, just silently standing there.

This was about as bad a sign as there could be.

"Um… Judge Carter?" The Attorney General asked nervously, "…Thad?..." he asked as he started to back away.

"My life…" Judge Thaddeus Carter, known as Judge Dredd, said quietly, "My entire life… devoted to the law… devoted to justice…."

He towered over the Attorney General, who backed against the wall, trying to escape the metal giant looming over him.

“…wasted…” Judge Dredd hissed, "All of it… Wasted… Dedicated to building a republic… a free republic… out of the… ashes…. out of the hell…. the lawlessness… the death… My life… dedicated to restoring order… peace… safety… dedicated to making something not only as good as what was before but better… freer… a place… a place where…."

A warning chime started to beep from somewhere in his torso.

"WASTED!!!" he roared. "I gave it all, even peace of death… for this?!?"

The Attorney General backed into the corner, reaching for the pistol he knew wouldn't do shit.

"WASTED!" Judge Dredd shouted.

He advanced towards the Attorney General, who clutched his pistol, too afraid to even point it.

"I QUIT!!!" Judge Dredd howled. "The Terran Republic is dead! It died a long time ago. I just wish I had, too!"

He ripped his robe from his metal and flesh and, clad only in his briefs and a sleeveless t-shirt, stormed through the door and out of the office.

The Attorney General, gasping, fell to his knees.

A few minutes later, he got up, straightened his tie…

...and started typing his resignation.

***

In his car, a tired old man once called Judge Dredd buried his face in his hands, the ability to weep surrendered to time.

He laughed ruefully.

Finally… Finally, he had been appropriately punished for his crimes. He finally lost everything.

He sagged into his custom-built seat as a chorus of warning tones and alerts started being issued.

He muted them all.

It just didn't matter anymore.

Nothing did.

The Republic, his republic, was a lie.

This was just one discovery. What else was being done behind the nice tidy legal veil of Republic security? Who else was being denied the protection of the law…

And who else was beyond its reach?

He had been a fool playing a fool's game.

Nobody is above the rule of law, and to all, it applies equally… What a joke…

"Did you find what you were looking for?" a pleasant woman's voice asked him as a silver-haired lady appeared on his heads-up display.

"You knew," he said both wearily and accusingly.

"Of course I did," she replied, "I am the leak, after all."

"Why?" he asked, "Why did you do this… to me… You knew all of it, didn't you? You knew it was pointless."

"You needed to know," the woman shrugged, "and you wouldn't have stopped until you found it. You would have gotten much of that from Sheloran whenever Baxlon catches up to her."

"Do you know where she is?" Thaddeus asked.

"I have a pretty good idea," the woman replied, "She is not where my reach is strong enough to confirm for certain, but from what I gather, she is safe and most likely quite happy. She'll get in touch sooner or later, I'm sure."

"At least she's ok," Thad smiled.

"Her being 'ok' is one of the constants in this universe, I believe," the woman replied, "She is a lot more fearsome than even you suspect."

"Good," he replied, "She will need to be. What will be coming for her…."

"Oh, nothing is coming after her," the woman replied.

"Why?"

"Beyond your paygrade," the woman smiled, "for now…."

"For now?"

"I understand you just quit," the woman said.

Thaddeus Carter's eyes flashed red, and the alarms stopped.

"That's why you did this," he growled.

"Guilty," the woman replied, "Well, that and the fact that you would find out anyway. I'm not a complete bitch… not completely."

"You have exactly zero seconds before I track you down and beat the truth out of you," he snarled, "Talk."

"Thaddeus Carter," the woman smiled, "How would you like a new job… a new mission?"

"I'm listening."

"You have begun to see the truth," the woman said, "The rot… the corruption goes far deeper than even you suspect. I am going to excise that rot. These people may be above the law, but they are NOT above me and the organization that I am assembling. For evil to prevail, all that is required is for good men to do nothing. The Republic, our Republic, must prevail instead, Mr. Carter."

"Keep talking," Judge Dredd said, his eyes glowing malevolently.