The machine god

" This is it " Alek whispered , Watching the shuttle he had been tethered to float away , His jetpack broken , Sabotaged no doubt .

He simply floated there , The shuttle turning away and leaving, No doubt having completed the mission they had been tasked with.

" My end " Alek felt himself grow numb to the truth , Looking up I to the cosmos before him , The star reflecting in his visor , A tear running down his cheek as he reached for them with his gloved hand.

" Forgive me love, I won't be coming back ... tell Gracie I love her " Earth and the moon grew father in the distance , Slowly, But surely .

For what felt like eternity, he simply basked , Looking at the cradle of humanity , What remained of it after all the damage they has done to their beloved birthplace .

Committing the sight to memory one last time , Alek grabbed the oxygen hose that connected to his suit , Prepared to disconnect from whatever oxygen he had left , To die on his own terms .

His eyes closed , accompanied by nothing but the sounds of his own measured breaths .

" The throne of heaven sits empty ... claimed by none " A feminine voice startled alek from his would be doom , As his eyes snapped open , Catching a shifting curtain of stars snugly wrapped around a creature of which beauty he had never laid eyes on " Denied to the selfish , Those that covet its power ... hm "

Her ramblings , Lost to the human , Stopped as she turned her glowing blue eyes to alek .

The robe of stars , Clinging to her shoulders , Hiding her body from view , Billowed in the winds of cosmos.

" You seem lost child " Glowing eyes made of galaxies spun in the woman's sockets .

" Have you come to take me ... to the beyond " Alek whispered , Yet the angel shifted her head to the side , Glowing hair floating around her .

" I have not child , For I have a task bequeathed unto you " She held her hand towards him , Drawing him closer through the void of space .

" Spread my word child , Spread the gospel child of humanity " The ethereal woman spread her arms , The white gown of star she wore billowing in the cosmic winds before the astronaut " For the father stands amongst humanity once more , The guiding light follows his steps , It is in his wake that humanity shall rise ... and under him shall humanity regain what it lost "

" Under him shall the worthy follow , Shall fear not , Shall no prosperity " The woman's angelic voice echoed throughout the void , A pleasant chime in aleks ears .

" Where is the father , Where is the light " Alek all but tired out to the angelic figure before him ' Where is my destiny '

" He is there " She pointed at the America's " building his world , Guiding the unguided , hope to the scorned , You will know when the time for his awakening has come ... for at that time , The seas of the corrupt will attempt to swallow him , And it is you who shall stand at his side , His loyal defender "

" Until the time comes where he shall sit amongst the heavens again , You shall wait , You shall pray to him ... and you will guard " She brokered no argument.

" Take this with you child , your post that you shall guard for eternity more " behind what was no doubt in alek's mind to be an angel , A contraption as large as the space ship he had been left by materialised behind the woman.

It was a giant ring of prisms , yet he knew it to be technogical , As it emitted readiowaves for a split second before going silent to any detection.

" Guard it with your life , Your soul ... Your very being ... for this , Within the hands of the father ... shall give humanity the cradle of the stars once more "

" Now ... Fall " The angel made a gesture of her hand , And alek was flung towards the earth , The stars appearing as streaks before his visor , The ring following him as the woman became grew smaller with the distance gathered , Yet no matter how distant he got , He could still perceive the angels silhouette.

" I wish to know your name " Alek whispered , Unsure if she could hear him.

" I am known as daughter ... but before that , I was known as celest , The father first child , His daughter... before all ... " With her final words , The world around alek became alight , As he began reenrty into earth's atmosphere .

" Remember this child of humanity, It is only under Apollo, Under the father of knowledge that humanity shall prosper , Only then shall you know ... peace " And with that she faded from view entirely , As the world before alek's eyes became nothing but a white light before him , As he fell from the heavens to the earth below . The ring following his trajectory.

....

" And with that we are open for business " Benjamin smiled , Planting his hands on his hips , Standing behind the doorway to the doctors surgery as several doctors and staff moved through the building , Wearing scrubs and masks ,Ready for their first day in their new workplace.

" Congratulations are in order " Sebastian spoke from bside the good doctor , Holding a Manila folder under his right armpit.

" I ... We " Benjamin turned to Sebastian, Refusing to meet his benefactors eyes " We couldn't have done this without you . The good people of Watson now have hope , Hope in use ... hope in what you've allowed us to do "

" Director we've got a call " An assistant ran up to Benjamin's side , A phone in hand.

" I guess you've got work to do director. .. should you need anything, Feel free to reach out " Sebastian shook Benjamin's hand once more , Before bidding the director well as he was taken deeper into the building .

Watching the doctors rushing throughout the floor , Sebastian couldn't help the small smile that came to his face , Right fingers dancing across the Manila folder under the crook of his arm .

" Plenty to do now "

....

" The hunt for the terrorist known as Apollo continues " Sebastian stood over the night covered city , Black robes billowing in the night , Helmet glistening under the thunder rolling above the clouds in the heavens , Lightning reflecting off the black panels of his helmet.

The hood of his robes Hid his helmet from view , As the red lenses glowed in the dark .

A light in the heavens drew his attention , A red streak Tearing through the skies unimpeded by any attempt at stopping it .

Like a fallen meteor , The red light flew overhead , And Sebastian squinted.

He could feel it , The foreign yet familiar resonance with the object , Whatever it was crashing down from the skies .

It called to him , A whisper , A drive a desire to connect , And he ignored it , as it broke the horizon, Slamming into the ground in the far distance , A violent explosion of white light that faded not a moment later , Only for a shake of the earth to follow before silence reigned once again.

" Anyway " He suspected what it was , Brainactivity to the fullest as he went through the process of elimination, Using the evidence available to him , The fact that it had called to him when in range , The fact he could see that it was a ring structure that survived re-entry, Even now it called. Only left very very few options to what it could ne, And he was not interested in confirming his suspicion.

Instead of feeling the need to investigate , He simply jumped from the building he was standing on , Falling into the shadows down far below , Becoming obscured by the shadows as he landed with a shake of the earth .

....

Wakako slowly drank from the tea she poured , Blow gently on the steaming aroma as chimes echoed pleasantly around the room .

The lamp at her side bathed the dimly lit room of she occupied , The ledger infront of her remained blank , As she took slowly sips from the tea cup .

" Evacuate the compound " Wakako spoke up suddenly, Causing the tygers present to snap their heads in her direction.

She gently placed the tea cup down.

" Now ... "

Many wouldn't question what she was doing , Leaving herself open for anyone to attack if they weren't there . But she wasn't a fool .

Her intuition had served her her whole life . Relying on said intuition in the most dire of circumstances had given her the life she had now .

Her intuition let to her husband , To her two best friends , getting her through their conflict and even now after all these years she still relied on her superstitious belief in her intuition to guide her through trouble .

And right now , she could smell trouble blowing in with the heavy rains , Dire trouble .

" If I do not make it out of this meeting... you have your orders " Wakako spoke to chang , One of her most trusted subordinates, Before cutting off all communications to the outside world by creating a dead zone In her office with a simply press of a button.

For five minutes , With nothing to keep her company but her thoughts , Wakako set down her china tea cup , Placing it now empty on the table before her , Her relaxed features turning to face the empty doorway , Wide open with heavy rain pelting the ground outside.

" How long are you going to just stand there for ... Apollo " she stared into the blanketing night hidden behind the rain.

Before her very eyes , Like the world splitting before her , A figure draped in a cloak of black stepped into existence before her doorway, Dry despite the rain pelting all around it.

Black boots stepped into the threshold of her compound, Confident , Unwavering .

The helmet hidden under the hem of the hood glowed was pitch black , Hiding its features as the red eyes locked onto her , An instinctual terror running down her spine as whispers penetrative her ears .

The esoteric unknowable whispers caused her ears to ache and a migraine to hit at fall force , Her brow twitching as Apollo stepped fully into the compound , Followed by a complete and utter silence.

The sounds of rain fled , Breathing became null , The world beyond the room ceased to cry out as Apollo approached once more , Coming to stop directly before her desk , Where her eyes raised and looked up at the entity with open acceptance .

The lights flickered behind Apollo's intimidating visage as he reached his hand out towards wakako .

" You know who I am here for " The voice came out as a thousand whispers , Grating, Unnatural , The entity holding its hands out expectantly " His location "

" I ... understand " She thanked her lucky stars this fiend of night city hadn't yet set his sights on her , As she reached into the drawers of her desk and pulled out a data chip.

She knew exactly whom he was seeking, After all a new BD had just hit the market , Making its rounds through night city , Drawing terror and outrage and sick satisfaction from its viewers .

" He is in the OhOh club as we speak ... he will be there till morning " She gently placed the chip in the beings hand , Shrinking away from its touch like it was the manifestation of death, As its fingers curled around the data chip , It's arm lowering to dissapear into the sleeves of its robe.

" Until next time , wakako " Once more before her very eyes , The being simply vanished , It didn't move nor step away , Nor did it appear to breath in any way . It simply flickered out of her view in a single instant , One second it was there , The next it was not.

" I sincerely hope there is not a next time " Wakako shivered as she felt breathing down the back of her neck a single time before the lights of her compound returned to normal , As if she had never been visited by the spectre of night city.

" Reality is often dissapointing " The wind whispered before sound returned to the compound .

...

Jotaro stood staring out the window of his office, Looking out towards the stormy night beyond , Squinting as he listened to the reports .

Giving situation to himself for another successful BD release .

" He has done well this time , Give Jae his duepayment " Jotaro spoke to one of his henchmen , The wine glass in hand swirling with a rich aroma as he knocked back another drink " I expect the next to be delivered by weeks end, Dispose of the body "

" Of course " His attendant bowed before leaving his home office .

He turned his gaze back to the wall wide window , Smirking victoriously as he surveyed the gathered claws below at the entrance to the club.

" Nothing can stop real art " Jotaro spoke calmly to himself " Nothing "

He looked at the clock situated on his desk , Reading 11:20 exactly , Nodding to himself as he placed the wine glass on the window sill .

A small flicker of movement at the end of the alleyway that served as the path to the OHOH club drew his attention , A flash of light so fast that he would have missed it if he hadn't been looking at the entrance that very moment .

" What is ... " Jotaro leant forward , Squinting as his optics zoomed in on the commotion.

There at the end of the alley were the bodies of two bribed informant police officers, Their corpses sprawled on the ground , Leaking blood that flowed in the heavy rains .

He wasn't looking at them however , As he locked eyes with red lenses that glowed in the night.

" No ... " He uttered , Blinking and Squinting again , Finding the fiend ti be fine, Yet the wake of his arrival remained .

" INTRUDER " Jotaro cried , But it was already too late , As his eyes found the entrance of the club to be littered with the body parts of his crew .

....

Apollo approached calmly , Stepping into the HO-OH club , Bullets flying in his direction the moment he stepped inside .

Club goers remained low , Keeping their heads down as their screamed , Claws rounding the corner and opening fire apon Sebastian without hesitation .

" I have little patience for you " Sebastian walked forward , Headless of the bullets smashing uselessly against his helmet , The flattened shells impacting the ground at his feet .

" I welcome you... to the great sleep " He held his arms aloft , Making a crushing gesture with his hands , The next moment all gunfire on the floor ceased , The claws having their cyberware explode in their bodies as body parts blew off their bodies vioenlty , Painting the interior of the club a thick red as viscera landed on everything in sight.

" The club is henceforth... closed ... please vacate " Sebastian stepped aside form the entryway , The terrified crowd needing no further encouragement as they rushed past and out of the HO-OH club , Fleeing and screaming I to the night.

" better " Sebastian reached under his robes , Pulling his sword from its sheeth before marching deeper into the bowels of the club.

" Now ... time to clean house " He stepped forward and vanished , Sandevistan activating as he tore through the first floor of the building in less than a second , Before blitzing up the stairs .

He didn't waste time , Simply blasting through any opposition in his path , Rending them smears .

He didn't care , He found no need to humour them , Everyone present was guilty , Nobody deserved mercy .

He passed by the entire second floor and the third floors in less than two seconds , Before Ascending to the final floor , Disabling the turret in the roof and all but materialising before jotaro shobo .

" No " Jotaro Crumbled to the ground as he registered that Sebastian stood before him , His black robes covered with the blood and guts of the claws that had previously been within the club " It can't be "

" Forntunately for every in night city ... it is . I was too late to save the others " Sebastian began as his right hand slunk out from within the sleeves of his robes , Grabbing the terrified jotaro by the face , Where he lowered himself to stare the tyger claw Boss directly in the eyes , Red iris's peering into the terrified man's own " Bed the dead may rest peacefully... as they know the devil of kabuki ... is cut from night city like the Tumor he is "

" Sleep child , Sleep with the knowledge that I stand here , The end to all you know " He slowly began to drag jotaro by the face towards the window of his home office .

" The empire you built will crumble to dust in my wake " He raised jotaro from the ground , Whilst his left hand punched the window apart , Sending glass flying away in all directions .

" For you and your ilk ... I am ... the end " He raised jotaro up , Grabbing the man's legs with his left hand , Before Slamming him down onto the windowsill , A large piece of glass skewering the man through the stomach , Blood spraying as organs were torn and thrown from his body.

He let go of jotaro , The man spasming and struggling as only his power portion remained in the office , his head was bathed in the rain , Blood running down his lips , Half lidded eyes locked onto nothing in particular as he shuttered .

" You shall know the pain you have dealt a thousand fold until your draw your last breath " A code of purple glyphs began to run along the length of his sword , As he gently pressed the blade to jotaros exposed skin .

" The world fears you no longer " A shallow cut was made , But that was all that was needed , As the next moment , Jotaro's harrowing screamed echoed out through kabuki , Unable to move his body , To stop the pain . Jotaro wept , Crying out into the night , Yet nobody came to help . Nobody came to investigate .

Instead he was left, Drawing his final ragged breaths , Eyes watering as the worst paij he had ever experienced refused to abate until the final vestiges of consciousness fled his pathetic body .

It was that scene that the NCPD found , With jotaro jutting out from his office window , Eyes dead and vacant .

" Call it In " Officer Jacob miller uttered , Yet he wasn't angry at the scene , Nor was he disturbed by the bodies of the NCPD officers at his and his partners feet .

Infact he ordinarily wouldn't have been the first to respond , But with his recent investigations into Jotaro's activities , He happened to be scouting corrupt officers nearby. He had been the first to respond due to the fact that the usual suspects of corrupt officers weren't within their vehicles.

Their informant vehicles simply being abandoned on the side of the road , Their occupants simply missing from the scenes. And not five minutes after finding the third abandoned vehicle , Reports of a disturbance in kabuki forced him to respond.

Only to he pleasantly surprised to find the intact corpse of jotaro in his current position .

" I'll report it in " His colleague uttered , Queasy as he returned to the car in the entrance to the alley .

" You finally got what you had coming didn't ya " Jacob took in a deep breath, Standing visibly taller as the weight lifted from his shoulders .

" Apollo sure moves fast " He pulled out his service pistol , Aiming at the head of a twitching tyger claw , Firing into the man's head three times .

" Please ... allow me the satisfaction of assisting you "

...

" BREAKING NEWS " The channels were diverted to display a news segment , The hottest topic of the early morning where the rain of the previous night was slowly drying up .

" DOMESTIC TERRORIST APOLLO STRIKES AGAIN "

Victorias head perked up , Laying flat against sebastians bed as the news report roused her from her sleep , Head raising as she locked eyes with the television that had been playing all night .

Visceral scenes of the crime scene were shown as the reporters drew a smear campaign of Apollo's actions , Yet the city wasn't buying it for the most part.

" Hmmph " Victoria reached under the blankets , Beginning to rub one out at Sebastian's work .

Her moans echoed through the apartment , Knocking her head back as she bit her lip , Shifting uncomfortably under the blanket as her fingers did their work .

The jingling of kitchen ware froze her dead in her ministrations , Finding sebastain tending to a coffee he had just finished preparing .

He turned and raised the coffee to his lips , Freezing as he locked eyes with Victoria whom looked akin to a dear stuck in headlights .

" I see someone's having fun " Sebastian smirked as he had another sip of his coffee , Savouring the bitter taste as Victoria sunk back into the pillows of the bed .

" When did you get back " She whispered , Shifting her legs as she beckoned him over to her .

" One o'clock , then I had to go out and do some things for Benjamin " Sebastian lowered himself down onto the bedside , With the nude Victoria rising and beginning to give gentle ministrations to his back, Her slender fingers pressing the knots in his back . Circular motions running down his spine.

" What did Benjamin need " She whispered , Her breasts pressing against his back as she began to kneed his shoulders .

" yestersay , our first day of operation we recieved a near instant surplus of clients . Benjamin has asked if we can expand our services ... a mobile unit to assist in matters when people can't come directly to the hospital , So I spent the night sifting through potential team members and finding a suitable vehicle to use for mobile services " Sebastian hung his head to the side as the woman whom needed his shoulder gently placed love bites along the sides of his neck .

" What did you decide on " Victorias hand slowly found their way around the man's front , Humming to herself as she ran her fingers across his abdominal muscles .

" Well I've decided to fund a emergency department at a second facility that will also be managed by benjamin , With a quick response unit . I've taken the liberty to repurpose four decommissioned militech manicure AV's ... They're expected to he delivered within forty eight hours ... Speaking of " Sebastian connected with the red key.

' Purchase property deeds for a rooftop accessible building in the city centre , No need to purchase the whole building just the upper levels . I want a building with even access to the entirety of night city , Unimpeded access to the rooftop for quick delivery and departure , Have the manifesto of AV's delivered to our storage depot ... and have a team reassemble and make them ready for immediate use ' The key in the back of his neck buzzed , Victoria watching with great worry as the metallic column on the back of his neck glowed a deep crimson red for a split second.

[ Of course creator ... doing so at once. Would you like me to oversee the implementation of the AVs to the field ] The red keys whisper in the back of his head , Now a near solid disembodied voice in the back of his consciousness .

' Of course if you feel the need to do so 'Sebastian gave the key permission to do so .

" So does that mean you're busy today " Victoria asked , Circling round to Sebastian's front , Planting herself down on Sebastian's lap as she drew his head directly into her breasts .

" With last night's activities I think it may be best I remain ... indoors ... low activity until the NCPD no doubt gives up on their hunt ... so three days give or take , I don't think they'll search particularly hard ... in the meantime ... I'm going to need an alibi , I've got one for most of last night until 9 pm ... care to help out with the rest " He brought his hands around and clasped the woman by her thighs , Kneeling her skin under his fingers .

" Do you even need to ask " Her fingers raked down his abdomen until she found the lip of his shorts , Fingers Curling around the fabric as she lifted herself and removed them from his legs.

" I suppose not " Sebastian chuckled , Prepared to make sure the whole apartment building knew of their activities , Afterall , he needed them to know he was there and was there the whole night .

...

DEAR READERS , IF ANYONE HAS ANY IDEAS OF WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE , POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ENCOUNTERS OR WORLD ENCOUNTERS , FEEL FREE TO ASK. ALSO ANY THER DIEAS FOR THE STORY ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO BE PRESENTED . I LOOK FORWARD TO EVERY ONES THOUGHTS .

FEEL FREE TO LEAVE A REVIEW OR COMMENT , I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR FEEDBACK .