One Year Later

Nigel stood at the base of the Tatra Mountains with five of his closest friends. The view was one of the most beautiful he’d ever seen. He’d been to hell and back with each one of them. He had a hell of a time landing on the vessel that Doc Chop had commandeered. All electronic systems on the exceptional aircraft had been compromised by the Zero Day malware he’d implanted. The effects of Doc Chop’s gas and Professor Paladin’s cocktail of control wore off the populace in time. The government had retaken control of Boston shortly after neutralizing the attack. They eventually set Nigel and his companions free. Jerry was never found. The government seemed to know more than he gave them credit for. Nigel cooperated fully. He was able to find Captain Ramsey of the Shadowstar, and he bargained for passage. Once communications were reestablished, the Shadow Dealers reached out to him. They would have need of his and his companions’ services. It was a new world order, and Nigel’s skills would be in high demand. Just before setting sail across the Atlantic, Nigel received a visit from someone that he had not been expecting. Nozomi had regained her humanoid form and, to Nigel’s surprise, brought Ralphie to him. The brothers exchanged an emotional reunion. Ralphie had grown considerably since he saw him.

“How did you know about my brother?” Nigel asked.

“Your father was the only man I ever loved. I’m just fulfilling his dying wish. Take care of yourself, Nigel Watson,” Nozomi said, before disappearing.

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“I’m about to embark on an important voyage. You’re welcome to join me,” Nigel said to his brother.

Ralphie looked at the ground as if there was something interesting there. “I can’t, Nige. I’m still looking for Mom and Agent Appleton.”

“Do you even know what happened to them?” Nigel asked.

“Hundreds of robots, some that looked human, invaded Milford about a year ago. I barely got out with my life. Another kid and I hid until the army was gone. I don’t know what happened to them.”

Nigel’s heart wrenched. He wanted to join his brother on his mission to find his mother, but his new family needed him. He gave Ralphie Milo’s radio frequency information.

“If you ever need me, Milo will know how to find me.”

The brothers embraced, and they promised to check in on each other. It was a new world, and Ralphie would have to grow up quickly. Nigel felt bad that Doc Chop had robbed his brother of his childhood, but at least they both were still alive. He had planned to track down his brother as soon he was back from the Tatra Mountains, where he had important business.

“Does anyone want to say anything?” Aiko said.

Her words brought Nigel back to the moment. Vedrana and Eva were silent. Each put a black dahlia flower on the Black Heart’s coffin. Nigel cleared his throat.

“Dahlia brought all of us here together. We were her family. It was imperfect, but it worked. She loved us all.”

Blanka squeezed Nigel’s hand. The world was healing, and he would be there to help pick up the pieces. He vowed to set things right. It was not only his penance, but his duty.