Sniper gently put down his helmet by the side of his throne. Below his feet, the boogeyman kneeled at the bottom of the steps to the throne. The mood was eerily oppressive as Sniper's anger was translated into reality by his crystals. As Sniper finally turned his attention toward Scaphism, the Cyberknight recoiled slightly in fear. With an elegant step, Sniper descended the first step of the staircase. Immediately, Scaphism began to tremble in pain.
The emotionless, cruel and brutal boogeyman was nothing but a powerless mouse in front of Sniper. With every step, the agony increased for Scaphism, who eventually collapsed to the ground and began to roll. By the time Sniper reached the final few steps, the pain became so great that Scaphism started to tear apart his own body in search of relief. By the time Sniper stood in front of him, Scaphism's mutilated body was already beyond the possibility of movement. The Cyberknight finally cracked as he let out a blood-curdling scream that tore off his vocal cords. There are almost no human parts left in Scaphism, as this wasn't the first time he was punished by Sniper.
Similar to Karson, Scaphism saw Sniper as his rightful master, but while Karson's will was defeated by a perception of infinity, Scaphism's will was defeated by unimaginable pain. To Scaphism, a mere feel of Sniper's power translated to the most intense pain only describable by the feeling of being torn apart by every particle in the universe, while the anguish of every being flooded his mind. This pain defeated his will to resist forever and beyond.
[Sniper] - "You have failed me once again. I thought after spending five years in solitary confinement, you would've become significantly smarter. How wrong was I! To think I once held you in such high regard... "
Scaphism could only breathe while his broken body wiggled helplessly on the ground.
[Sniper] - "I hate to admit it, but Mike is quite hard to tame. He might have found a few clues about the assassination attempt, but he will never be able to find definitive proof of my involvement... Until you ruined it. "
Said Sniper in a cold tone.
After trampling over Scaphism's torso, Sniper began to ascend his throne.
[Sniper] - "His obsession with that "bitch" of his is obscuring his judgement. He refused to see the greater vision of my empire and instead focused on the insignificant things. Every single time, it's a failure after another. First, you failed me. Now, even Mike failed me. I wish to have a right-hand man who doesn't think and only obeys. A God like me is not to be challenged at every turn like a human being. "
Said Sniper as he sat back on his throne.
[Sniper] - "You might be wondering why I'm taking the time to tell you all this, Scaphism. Well, I want you to understand me. To understand my philosophy, my vision and my actions. The day you become the man Mike couldn't become is the day when you will be freed from your shackles. "
Sniper snapped his finger, and suddenly, Scaphism breathed a sigh of relief as the pain vanished from his systems. The cyberknight boogeyman then looked up at his master with a dreaded frown, knowing what was about to occur next.
[Sniper] - "When you are back in your prison, sleep not in darkness but in my words. Prove to me that you are indeed worthy of the power you hold. "
After Scaphism's body phased through the floor, Sniper pressed his head against his hand in frustration. A thunderous sound propagated through the room as he slammed his fist against the armrest in anger.
[Judge] - "I'm here, my lord. What are your orders? "
Said Judge as he kneeled before Sniper.
[Sniper] - "Order Mike here to see me at first light tomorrow. The time for stagnation is over, and his loyalty will be put to the test. "
[Judge] - "As you wish, my lord. "
Meanwhile, Mike entered the interrogation room and saw a battered and broken McCree with both his hands chained to the table. The prisoner didn't look up as Mike took a seat opposite from him.
[Mike] - "Had supper yet? "
[McCree] - "I sure know you had. "
Said McCree with a smug expression.
[Mike] - "Sigh... here. "
Said Mike as he pushed a tray toward McCree.
McCree raised his hand to show Mike his restraints. In response, Mike waved his finger and the cuff dissolved around his arms. Like an inmate on death row, McCree tore through the food without a care in the world while Mike waited patiently.
[McCree] - "So, partner, is this the good cop, bad cop treatment? "
Said McCree as he kept showing food up his mouth.
[Mike] - "I can vary between both depending on how cooperative you are. "
[McCree] - "Okay, before ya start breakin' my knees, I simply wanna know how you sons of gun managed to identify me. I have been a spy for the Allied Forces for 10 darn years, and I thought I was well hidden. How? "
Said McCree as he cracked open a pack of fruit cake.
[Mike] - "Your report on the Italian nuclear incident. Who are your co-conspirators? What are you trying to hide from the higher-ups? What link do you have with Michele's rebellion? "
[McCree] - "Hide? I ain't trying to hide anything. I only followed what that cyberknight guy told me to do. Like, don't tell me I was caught by accident because of that fishy report. "
[Mike] - "Huh? "
Mike was quite shocked to receive this kind of response, as everything he had suspected so far had been put into question. Mike thought for a second before abruptly exiting the room.
[Mike] - "Kadyn, let me have a word with you. "
Kadyn followed Mike into a secluded corner of the facility.
[Mike] - "How exactly did you catch him? "
[Kadyn] - "Well, knife to the throat and examination of identity paper. "
[Mike] - "You didn't find anything else? Like nothing incriminating? "
[Kadyn] - "By the time I figured he was an Allied spy, I thought it was enough. "
[Mike] - "Hmm... then this plot might involve the Allied Forces. "
Said Mike as he turned around to think.
[Kadyn] - "I don't think that's reasonable, Mike. His identification shows he is a sleeper agent, and he apparently hasn't been activated yet. "
[Mike] - "Huh? So you mean we caught him by accident? "
[Kadyn] - "Well... kinda? "
Mike quickly stormed back inside the interrogation room and slammed his palms against the table.
[Mike] - "Who is that cyberknight? "
Yelled Mike without hesitation.
[McCree] - "Don't know. He told me nothing about himself. "
Said McCree before he slurped on some juice.
[Mike] - "Be specific, tell me about his appearance. "
[McCree] - "Well, I'd say he had a weird mask, a cybernetic body, a strange symbol with a skull, chains and wings. I'd say that bastard's quite terrifyin' with that strange, never-fading smile on his face. "
[Mike] - "Lie to me and I'll make sure you regret it. "
Said Mike as the cuffs magically reattached themselves around McCree's wrists.
[McCree] - "I swear on my old man's head. Now, since I have been a cooperative detainee, can you maybe show some gratitude? "
[Mike] - "Death penalty in the empire is impossible to appeal. I'll try to offer you more comfortable living conditions and better food while you wait for your execution. "
Said Mike as he got up from his chair.
[McCree] - "I call bullshit on that. "
Said McCree as he threw a piece of broccoli at Mike.
As soon as the broccoli bounced off Mike's back, McCree's head was suddenly slammed against the table by an invisible force. Just as Mike prepared to leave, McCree raised his bloodied head from the table.
[McCree] - "Armed with such power and yet, you can't afford to spare a regular man's life. That's why it's bullshit! You can end the empire with a slam of your fist, and sparing me is too hard for you? "
Yelled McCree while mocking Mike.
[Mike] - "You have 24 hours, enjoy your last moments. "
Instead of keeping his silence, McCree laughed defiantly at Mike. Even when Mike was outside the room, McCree kept laughing at the one-way window.
[Kadyn] - "Have you seen what that man has on his back? "
Said Kadyn as she and Mike walked in the hallway.
[Mike] - "Not really. "
[Kadyn] - "A bloody Conagher system MK.5! That thing can accelerate your movement and time perception, but could also burn your nerves! That man must have lost his mind. I mean, if I were a human, I would never put my life at an unnecessary risk like that! That's such an illogical thing to do. "
Mike smirked as Kadyn showed her more nerdy side.
[Kadyn] - "And... and he also laughed when he was faced with death! Why? Why did he do that? Human minds are so illogical. "
[Mike] - "We tend to be quite illogical most of the time, but isn't that what makes us different? Imagine how dull we would be if we were just robots. "
Later that night, while Kadyn was taking a shower, Mike contacted Ethan through a holographic display.
[Mike] - "Hey, Ethan, any news since our visit? "
[Ethan] - "Howdy, son. Nothing, unfortunately. How's the interrogation on your side? "
[Mike] - "The convict described a cyberknight with a weird mask, a creepy smile, a cybernetic enhanced body and a symbol composed of a skull, chains and wings. Does that ring a bell? "
[Ethan] - "No clue, unfortunately. Also, this piece you brought me cannot be identified. "
Mike approached the holographic screen in disbelief.
[Mike] - "Impossible! All cyberknights' armours are custom-made with an identification code for every piece of their equipment. A piece this large would surely be easily traceable to its owner. "
[Ethan] - "There is simply no cyberknight in the registry with your description, I'm afraid. "
Mike pinched his forehead in frustration.
[Mike] - "Well, I suppose we'll continue the research tomorrow, Ethan. I need some rest, bloody hell. "
Said Mike as he pinched his eyes in exhaustion.
[Ethan] - "Yeah, rest up, son. I'm going to do some additional digging to see if I can find more information about this. "
Said Ethan as he sipped his coffee.
Later that night, Mike sat down on his bed and reminisced about his encounter with that mysterious cyberknight. A cyberknight with no identification, who has access to the imperial data centre while being able to intervene in IEEB affairs. A person above imperial laws...
Mike's thought was abruptly interrupted by Kadyn, who sat beside Mike with a playful expression on her face. She playfully pressed her cheek against Mike's and stuck her half-naked body against him.
[Kadyn] - "Forget about that. Let's just relax a little, Mikey. "
Said Kadyn while popping a bottle of wine open.
[Mike] - "Skull with chains and wings, does that spark any memory? "
Kadyn grabbed a cup and started to pour herself some wine.
[Kadyn] - "Sounds like an evil angel of some sort. I've got no idea. "
Mike tried his best to piece together everything while Kadyn carelessly drank from her glass. What kind of cyberknight is above the law while sporting an angelic symbol...
[Mike] - "The only person above the law in the empire is Sniper, but... The Divine Servants! Bloody brilliant! Kadyn, you are a genius! "
Mike's sudden exclamation caused Kadyn to spill wine all over her nightgown.
[Kadyn] - "Mike! Not my dress again! "
Yelled Kadyn in a frustrated voice.
[Mike] - "Kadyn, I got it. The Divine Servants! I only heard about them, but I know for a fact they served only Sniper. Most importantly, as Sniper's personal cyberknights, they are above imperial laws and are completely anonymous. "
Said Mike excitedly as he turned toward Kadyn.
[Kadyn] - "Why would they want to hide the truth from you? "
Said Kadyn while removing her stained dress.
Mike's expression turned grim all of a sudden as the realization sank in.
[Mike] - "I don't understand either why Sniper has something to do with it. I'm literally his right-hand man... It doesn't make any sense. "
Kadyn shared a moment of silence with Mike as they both began to realize the gravity of the situation. As they both stared awkwardly at each other, Kadyn slowly raised her glass and drank the remainder of her wine. With a drunken smile, Kadyn then turned toward Mike and pressed her chest against his face.
[Kadyn] - "It doesn't matter. No one can challenge my Mike in this entire world. Screw these bastards and their bullshit. Let's just spend some quality time together. "
Said Kadyn while gliding her hand down Mike's abdomen.
Despite Mike's concerns, the scent of his wife's hair and the feeling of her voluptuous body became an irresistible stimulation. Before long, Mike and Kadyn were embroiled in the heat of their passion. As time passed, Kadyn began to grow weak on top of Mike. Suddenly, seizing the opportunity, Mike rolled over his wife and pressed her under him.
[Kadyn] - "Every time I thought I could take you, you are the one who ends up taking me. "
[Mike] - "You are quite crazy sometimes, you know. We might be in serious danger but your first response is to fuck like an animal in heat. "
Kadyn smiled playfully.
[Kadyn] - "Sniper or not, I know I'm safe around you. "
Said Kadyn as she reached her hand down and grabbed something from Mike.
[Mike] - "Ugh! Come on, Kadyn, I'm serious. "
Said Mike while trying to resist the stimulation from Kadyn's touch.
[Kadyn] - "Mmm... Well, I think risky situations are quite exhilarating. Knowing you, the real danger should be how you have been carelessly dumping your essence into me for the past seven years. "
Whispered Kadyn as she taunted Mike by tightening her hand's grip.
[Mike] - "Yeah, because you can control your ovulation. "
[Kadyn] - "What if I'm feeling naughty and made you put a baby in me without you knowing it? Ironic, isn't it? The great Mike, who can defeat all the enemies in the world, is at the mercy of his mischievous wife. "
Said Kadyn with a smug smile on her face.
Mike knew there could be no serious talk before Kadyn was satisfied. Aggressively, Mike pushed his lower body down against Kadyn with a predator-like stare in his eyes.
[Kadyn] - "Owie! "
[Mike] - "You really shouldn't push me like this, you bad little lemon. "
After a long and steamy ordeal, Mike grabbed the wine bottle and gulped down every last drop of it. Meanwhile, Kadyn sat up and pressed herself against Mike's back before breathing a heavy sigh of relief.
[Kadyn] - "I think we need a new bedsheet. You really made me open the Three Gorge Dam back there, ya bloody asshole. "
Said Kadyn as she pressed her chin on Mike's shoulder, exhausted.
[Mike] - "15-1, you lost again. "
[Kadyn] - "That's because I love you too much, you merciless brute. "
Said Kadyn while giving Mike a congratulatory kiss on the cheek.
[Mike] - "By the way, no surprise pregnancy. I had to care for a big baby like you already, so I'm not feeling like caring for two anytime soon. "
[Kadyn] - "Yeah, yeah, it's not like I want to carry your ugly face down there either. With a kid sporting your stone-wall personality, the gremlin might refuse his or her own birth. "
Said Kadyn in a sarcastic tone.
Swiftly, Kadyn grabbed her wine-soaked nightgown and dropped it on Mike's legs.
[Kadyn] - "Can you put this in the washing machine? I don't think I can move my legs. "
Said Kadyn in an exhausted voice.
Mike took the nightgown, but the wine stain on it reminded him of something. As Mike kept staring at the dress, Kadyn wrapped her hands around him and pressed her chin against his neck.
[Kadyn] - "That woman is pressed against your back, all nude, and you still obsess over her dress? "
[Mike] - "No, that night... "
In his mind, Mike replayed the event of that night in Italy. As the hydrogen explosion occurred, other guests inside the restaurant began to burn before being vaporized by the heat. Mike reminisced about how Kadyn was unaffected by the blast or the heat because she was protected by his ability. All that because of a few droplets of wine. However, what if those few droplets never escaped from Kadyn's glass? An image of Kadyn disintegrating before him flashed inside Mike's mind.
[Mike] - "Mother of God... "
Said Mike with a shocked expression on his face.
The realization was instant. Since Mike cannot be taken out by the nukes, it would only leave Kadyn as the only target of that attack. Mike abruptly got up and rushed to the closet, where he retrieved the small disk from his coat pocket. Without losing a second, Mike immediately began to dress up.
[Kadyn] - "What's wrong? "
[Mike] - "It all makes sense now. Get dressed! We need to go see Ethan right away! "
With every passing second, the broken pieces gradually formed a complete image of the truth. However, unbeknownst to Mike, the truth goes deeper than what he imagined.
To be continued...
*EXTRA
Conagher system:
"A cybernetic enhancement in the form of a spine that can be used to replace a human spine. The most important part of the implant is the brain module, which replaces the cerebellum, part of the brain stem and part of the frontal cortex. Once installed, the Dell operating system will enhance human reactions, time perception and movement speed. "
Limitations:
"The Conagher system is only used by a limited number of individuals due to the danger it poses to the user. The early versions of the system, the Conagher MK.1, MK.2 and MK.3, are known to shorten the lives of those who use the system due to heavy immune response, while the speed enhancement isn't powerful enough to justify the risks. The MK.4, the only safe option for human usage, resolved the immune response problem, but is still too slow for certain situations. Finally, the MK.5 managed to grant the user 2 seconds of super acceleration but is known for accidentally frying the user's nerves and destroying the user's muscle fibres. "
Other trivia about the system:
"The MK.7M used by Kadyn is the most advanced system of the Conagher series, with a maximum of 10 seconds of hyper-acceleration, but Kadyn would usually limit her acceleration time to 3 seconds. Due to Kadyn's biology with a partially cybernetic brain and nerve composition, the MK.7M, which will usually kill a human, will only cause limited muscle damage to Kadyn. "