Epilogue

Jael enjoyed his creations within the confines of his upstairs office. Two of his most delightful androids obeyed his every request, doing things for him that any human woman would require a tiring amount of coercion. He relished in bliss, taking advantage of every aspect of their obedience. His revelry came to an alarming halt when he heard a destructive explosion from below.

A dozen of them emerged from the shadowed alleys around Vermilion. Each wore identical, violet robes. Their backs displayed the emblazoned symbol that had become synonymous with the anti-synth group Verus.

A bullet found the bouncer’s skull before he fully understood what was happening. His synthetic brain mutilated, his consciousness ceased before his ruined face touched the ground. The line of people scattered into the twilight streets of Rhod. They fled in all directions, confused and screaming. Still, the club goers inside remained oblivious.

The first two through the front door dispatched the hosts with silenced pistols. The intense music continued. The club goers knew nothing. One by one, the rest of the robed figures entered.

The dance floor pulsed in sync with the music. The robed figures situated themselves around the club. Some went upstairs, to the bridge that overlooked the entirety of the club.

When the final silent warrior stepped into position, it gave a signal to the next. The signal passed along to each, until it circled back. In unison, they withdrew their weapons.

Bullets sprayed into the crowd, dropping all in their path. A great upheaval of movement surged towards the exit, but all entrances had been secured.

Light dancers moved in their sensual gyrations, unaffected by the chaos. The mercenaries emptied the last of their ammunition. A small number of patrons lived. Some minorly wounded, fewer still physically unscathed. These were allowed to escape. After all, someone needed to provide witness.

That’s when it came. The scene was prepared for her.

A great explosion rocked the building. A thunderous eruption could be felt for blocks. Windows shattered. Debris rained down on the streets of Rhod. From the great wound in Vermilion, a devilish being appeared, its vaguely feminine form silhouetted by the lights of the city streets.

Jael pushed the android from atop him. The explosion had shaken the room. Some of his belongings had fallen from the walls. Blinds covered the window overlooking the dance floor. He quickly slipped into a pair of pants and unlocked the door of his office. He walked down the hallway towards the staircase that led to the bridge. Where was everyone? he wondered.

He rounded the corner. Atop the bridge stood a robed figure looking out over the dance floor, the metallic glint of a gun barrel in its hands. Bodies littered the floor of the club. The music played on.

Holy shit, it’s actually happening, he thought. The humanists finally made a move. He immediately retreated behind the wall, fear overcoming him. He looked down the staircase across the walkway and saw the shadow of another person climbing the stairs. He quickly ducked back towards his office.

Jael flew inside, locking the door. The two female-model androids were focused on each other. They turned to him as he entered the room, inviting him to join in a shower of flirtatious giggles.

“Power off!” he snapped. They immediately silenced and situated themselves rigidly on the couch, their expressions completely blank. He searched frantically for any mode of escape. The window to the outside drew his attention.

It was his only option. He peered outside and his hopes were immediately dashed. In the alley below stood two more robed individuals. They too were armed.

There was another crash in the vacant office next to his.

Jael carelessly tossed the pleasure androids to the ground as he pushed the couch to the door.

There was the sound of another door being forced in. It was the office across the hall. He heard a defiant scream, cut short by the sound of a single round being discharged. He looked around desperately. Sweat poured down his face. His desk. He ducked behind, curling up into the recess underneath.

The door handle jostled once. Twice.

BAM.

The door held strong.

BAM.

He winced at each attempt. He waited for the next collision. Nothing came. He peered under the gap at the bottom of his desk. The couch remained unmoved. Emerging from the desk, he looked for any sign of forced entry.

A great shadow glided across the blinds. It was taller than any person. A deep dread fell upon him.

The window burst in a grand display of glass shards and blue sparks. The blinds were ripped from their mount by a long, mechanical hand. Jael retreated back under his desk.

Heavy steps approached. With a quick motion, the desk was flung away, crashing into the minibar behind him. Jael hunched over himself, completely defenseless. He looked up and saw the monster.

Surpassing well over two meters in height, the formidable and elegant machine loomed overhead. She walked on two elongated, arcing legs. The sleek torso was modeled with impossible grace, her body plates constructed of durable, lightweight armor. A pallid face was modeled plainly, with only the barest of human features. Her hair was cut to a sharp crop and as black as her lifeless eyes.

This predatory weapon stared at Jael. He was in awe at the sight, paralyzed by its threatening beauty. His gaze was locked to hers as a bird’s to a viper.

She slowly raised her hand such that her open palm faced him. A heavenly, blue and purple light appeared from a core within it, surrounded by kaleidoscopic fractals. His eyes drew hypnotically to the light. He was aware that he was in mortal danger, but he was powerless in her trance.

A small tunnel of light now connected from her palm to his head, drawing his thoughts, dreams, and memories to an internal storage unit. Jael’s gaze was locked as his consciousness drained from his synthetic cell. After a moment the light ceded. Jael’s cell sat empty where he had curled up beneath the desk. It fell to the floor, lifeless.