The machine god

CITY CENTRE - SOON TO BE HQ NEW HOPE - SKYSCRAPER HIGHRISE - ALEXANDER ST

Twenty four people stood within a lit chamber , With a closed elevator on one side and a unmarked doorway deeper into the facility on the other side of the room .

" Is this them "Sebastian , Standing beside Benjamin, Looked at the twenty four gathered potential prospects . Men and women below the ages of 18 and 30 , Standing in two rows of twelve . They were people of all walks of life that met the Prerequisites, Personally vetted by benjamin who personally visited each person beforehand .

" The ones that passed the vetting process " Benjamin held a datapad , Handing it over to Sebastian whom looked over the profiles of the present .

" Hm ... Everything is all well and good on paper ... we'll just have to see how they do in the field " Sebastian handed the datapad back to Benjamin, Having already committed the files of everyone present to memory .

" Please .. come through and follow me , You'll be accompanying me to the theatre " Sebastian gestured toward the unmarked black doorway , Benjamin followed sebatsian , With the overly curious prospects following behind .

" Everyone present will have to scan their biometric prints to access the building from here on out , Please imput your names , birthdates and scan your hand print before we proceed , You " Sebastian pointed to a blonde woman leading the left row " You go first "

Sebastian stepped to the side as the blonde walked forward , Smiling and nodding , Her head jutting up slightly as she began to put her details into a terminal sitting next to the unmarked door .

" Anyone who isn't authorised will not be able to pass beyond this threshold " Sebastian began explained as the blonde scanned her palm , Nodding her head after a moment before stepping to the side for the next person to start " Anyone who persists afterwards is to be treated as an intruder and neutralised, Non lethally ideally ... But that is not for you to worry about "

For several minutes , Sebastian and Benjamin watched the twenty four people integrate themselves into the mainframe , Being authorised before they gathered back in the two lines .

" Now please ... remain quiet , And follow me " Sebastian placed his hand onto the scanner , A chime sounding throughout the room as a series of scanners activated .

" Universal access granted , Welcome back ... creator " Many were startled by the deep almost sinister voice that echoed throughout the entry chamber, A red light filling the room as the door slid open .

" As you know , we are currently standing on the second to last floor of the building we are purchasing " Sebastian pointed up to a transparent walkway above that showed a large series of catwalks that ran along the bottom of the ceiling " Above this floor , The top floor has been converted into a quick dispatch hanger , Where our newly produced militech Manticore AV's are currently being tested and propped for deployment "

Sure enough , If they strained their ears enough, one could hear the jittering of the roof above them , As the heavy vehicles on the other side of the roof above them were being tested.

Sebastain paid them no mind as he turned left at a Junction, Walking them down another long hallway with four doors along either side .

" This floor we are on is for authorised personnel only , And those personnel are you twenty four , On the door to the left is the residential area as well as faculties tailored to fit everyone comfortably you may stay at if you so wish , Or at the end of the shift you may return home. The Second door on the left is the cafeteria and bathrooms " Sebastian gestured to the left doors , However instead of opening them Sebastian turned to the first door on the right, With the door opening on its own for him to step through followed by everyone else .

" This is the theatre , a room that unless specified is completely empty , However today you will find designated seats , As well as the supplies you will he familiarising yourselves with today " The room was stark white , With twenty four desks and chairs with satchels identical to eachother sitting , Ready to be claimed .

" Please find your allocated seats " Sebastian reached down and picked up a final pack tailored for himself , which he lugged up to the front of the theatre with Benjamin walking calmly yet Silently at his side.

Standing atop a platform at the end of the white threatened room , Sebastian watched as everyone settled themselves down , Placing the paperwork they had brought with them , Looking towards him for instruction.

" Please follow along with me as I Introduce you to your new tools " He gently emptied the satchel , The team before him following along as they stared curious at the unrecognisable items featured within .

This here " Sebastian held a forearm sized medical instrument that held two different canisters , One that appeared to be of a clear liquid , Whilst the other canister was pale blue in colour , Mist like formations flowing within " Is our secret weapon on the field in extreme and diar situations "

" Excuse me sir " A blonde woman , Melie , Asked as she opened up the pack that was provided to them , Pulling out the provided canister identical to the one Sebastian was holding .

" Yes melie " Sebastian asked, Turning the device over in his hand.

" What exactly is the purpose of this device "

" This is a CLP , Or cryogenic life preservor . Used to halt the functions of the person's we encounter in the field . Attaching this to the subject will allow this device to do two things. The first thing this does is inject cryoprotectants and other chemicals into the heart of the target , It will then excite the heart to rapidly transport the cryoprotectants through the host body , Which will allow for the second canister to be administered automatically " He pulled the second vial out of the device , Showing the murky liquid within .

" This is a quick moving cryogenic solution , Exposure to the previous concoction introduced to the host will cause a reaction that will flash freeze the introduced host until we have achieved short term cryogenic freezing. Our goal henceforth, Immediately after is returning the subject to base , where they will recieve immediate attention and procedures to rectify whatever warranted the use of the CLP "

" What circumstances would dictate the use of the CLP "

" Prerequisites include , Excessive bloodloss bordering on system failure . Extreme ruptured organs , Limb removal , exposed internals . And in lucky cases the subject survives ... cranial injuries " Sebastian placed the tool on the table as he went over the general tools they would be using , From general stimuli packs used to incite rapid cellular healing , to bone marrow growth medications amongst others kept in vacuum sealed containers.

" Now please, if any of you have any questions , Now is the time " Sebastian stood tall ,looking through the gathered twenty four as a few hands rose .

" You ... Liam what is your question " A Mexican man stood up slowly , looking towards the devices .

" Sir ... I've noticed that these devices don't have the ability for us to manually use them , Is there a defect in the design " Liam asked , He was a studious boy , having spent the majority of his life studying under the intense request of his parents .

"Good question , These devices are Unresponsive to organic stimuli, Designed tobhe operated through a very specific means ... Which leads to my next topic ... You will never be going to the field personally, Ever ... under any circumstances " Sebastian broke the surprising news to everyone whom was left confused , Each looking to eachother completely stumped .

" Excuse me ... how would we ...

" Another Good question , Whilst we have a duty of care to the people of night city , Your safety is MY top priority "

" These ... " Sebastian waved to the wall wide black panel , Where the panel slid up to reveal a whole slew of never before seen humanoid robots, Each one was vaguely human in design , The only difference were flat faceplates with nothing but sensors and nodes under a plastic panel that served as the face " Are you "

" From here , You will each dive into and take control of these units, Each coded specifically for one person ... as such they will belong to you, You may customise them as you wish . Long range transmitters allow for seamless and instant relay between signals from base to operation. You will not have to worry about feedback or delay . If a system intrusion occurs the machine is designed to safely eject you whilst it goes into automatic , deployment, defence and return . It will neutralise the source of the attack before returning here so it may be repaired and recoded for continuous use " Sebastian walked to the entrance of the room , Instructing the people to follow him through to the single door at the end of the corridor where it once more had a security pad required to pass .

" These machines are a direct one to one of its users body information, As such when used , It will feel exactly as you are now ... it will be disorientating at first , Even alien . That is why I implore you over the next seventy two hour to practice field manuveours until our first official dispatch ... " The door slid open to reveal a room beyond , A chilled atmosphere escaping as everyone present was scanned apon the opening of the door .

" these chambers here are where you will be working from " The warm liquid filled tanks stood before then, Twelve in a row , With ladders on the sides that would allow the used to climb and submerge themselves in the tank. Oxygen masks with an external supply would be installed to the users face whilst the dive gear was fastened to their heads , they would wear a body suit that would keep them in pristine conditions.

They were essentially sensory deprevation pods that would allow them to focus entirely on their missions through the robots .

" Now we'll be going over initial trials ... Please suit up in the change rooms at the other end of the room , The suits will take your binary and biological information and encode it to the corresponding robot , Then you will be linked to your robot , Your task is to meet before your own pod in the guise of your deployment bot ... " Sebastian finished , Looking at everyone standing around with a critical eye " We'll what are you waiting for move along "

Without further ado , The twenty four gathered prospects rushed towards the change rooms , There was no male or female change rooms, They would be working together intimately for the foreseeable future, They would need to get over such meaningless things like nudity .

" How do you think they'll do " Benjamin whispered as he came up beside Sebastian, A pad in his hand as the last of the genetic imprints were coded Into the new NEW HOPE robots .

" The prospect if how they'll do is irrelevant... they WILL pass , they WILL succeed , if they want to stay in the program they'll do EXACTLY what they are needed to do , For themselves , For everyone around them " Sebastian watched the first person to leave the change room , A man of rugged design , Tattoos on his neck with a hard glint in his eye , Ex military , One of the more qualified prospects.

" SIR " Adrian saluted , His mechanical right arm Slamming into a expertly performed salute " Ready for deployment "

He was eager to perform , Forced to retire from the military , He was shunned from his family , A family of civil and military servants , Having lost his wife and children to his brother . He was full of UN expressed rage , Most likely would have gunned down a couple of civilians at the soonest convenience had Benjamin not approached him with his file . But now he saw this opportunity as his only chance , A chance to get some modicum of normalcy , A chance to come back from the brink .

" Then you will be the first team lead , Go to tank 01 , Submerge yourself and Put the mask on , Initial proceedings will then be handled by the tutorial installed into your robots protocols ... When you have completed tutorial, you will assemble infront of your pod with your new brothers and sister "

" At once sir " Adrian offered no resistance, Simply marching from his position to tank 01 and doing exactly as ordered .

' A soldier who can follow orders is all well and good , Let's see how good he is in thinking 'Sebastian pulled out a pad , the pad indicating that 01 was ready for use .

' Beging tutorial protocol ' He clicked the start button , With tank 01 beginning to bubble as Adrian was forced into his robot across the facility .

Over the next half an hour the rest of the prospects did the same thing , Going through basic movements and procedures until the twenty four prospects stood directly infront of their corresponding tanks.

....

" FROM THIS POINT ON YOUR PERSONAL IDENTITIES OUTSIDE THIS ROOM ARE IRRELEVANT, YOU " Sebastian pointed at Adrian's robot. The robot standing taller and performing a salute " ARE 01 , YOU DO NOT EXIST OUTSIDE THIS ROOM ... YOUR PERSONAL RECORDS HAVE BEEN LOCKED AND EXPUNGED , FROM THIS POINT ONWARDS YOU ARE UNDER MY PROTECTION , YOU DO NOT EXIST TO THE EYES OF THE GOVERNMENT, YOU DO NOT EXIST TO THE PUBLIC ... YOU ARE SIMPLY 01 ... UNDERSTOOD "

" YES SIR " The robot roared in response , An exact copy of Adrian's monotone voice now more alive than ever , the robot nearly vibrating in place as Sebastian turned to 02 .

" AM I WRONG 02 , DO YOU EXIST OUTSIDE THIS ROOM " Sebastian stood directly in 02's cold metallic featureless face .

" I DO NOT SIR , YOU ARE NOT WRONG SIR " 02 formerly known as melie saluted just the same as Adrian's robot .

" WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF YOU " Sebastian whirled to the rest of the robots , Only to have them all salute in perfect unison, All screaming their devotion as clear as day .

" THEN GET READY , FAMILIARISE YOURSELF WITH YOUR TOOLS AND COMRADES , YOUR FIRST DEPLOYMENT IS IN TWELVE HOURS "

... 12 hours later ...

Benjamin walked through a dimly kit corridor not featured on the maps of their building , An unmarked floor removed by Sebastian from the buildings blueprints after their acquiring of the building.

You couldn't access the floor via elevator for there was no button to do so. Instead the New Hope AI , After being given access could allow you to come to the floor after going through several security checks to get to the floor .

And now , Having passed through three different security checks , One front scanner alongside an iris scanner. A neural wave scanner and finally a deep dive into one's nerual network performed by the new hope ai to identify the identity of the target .

Now , Having gone through the security checks , Ben nervously walked through a white corridor , Flanked by robots he had never seen , pitch black in design with glowing red eyes . They weren't human in nature , Nor shape , rather they resembled multi limbed apes , bestial heads hung low ,A Single red lenses sat in the things head .

Six arms jutted out from the ape like machines , Each given different weapons whilst having deployable hands allowing for absolute manuveourability .

Shielding encased the machines bodies , Both emp amd wave resistance allowed for them to survive and scave of hacking and electronic warfare .

Ben wasn't thinking of these things capabilities however , As when they walked , Their heavy thuds accompanying him as he approached the doorway . He felt they were ... off . Like they were pretending. It was an instinct , Ingrained by millions of years of evolution . It was akin to being in the presence of an apex predator , The hunter turned hunted . These machines ... he suspected but didn't have the guts to test , Were far more alive that they should have been .

And with a small glance from the sides of his glasses at the ever watching lenses of the ape like machines heads, The curious tilt of their head .

He shivered , Turning his head away as he gulped .

' Whatever these things are , Whatever they are for , I just hope he knows what he's doing ' Ben finally came to a stop at the door that lead beyond , With it hissing open without his imput , He crossed the threshold past where those ... things were stores .

... THE LAB ...

Cold breath tore from Ben's mouth as he gazed at what was kept in.

He shook his head , The interference caused by the cyberware dampening field within the lab causing him a momentary headache .

When his vision clear however , He froze , As he came face to face with something he had not seen before , It's face merely inches across from his own.

He wasn't the only one fearful however , As the ape like robots turned tale and ran , Their many arms cackling behind then as they rushed towards the opposite side of their storage room .

Two eyes , fitted into a skinless humanoid skull stared down at him , A near perfect replica of a human composed entirely out of shifting metallic pieces stared down at him emotionlessly .

" You're the one that father spoke of " Ben shivered , nearly jumping back as the things hand suddenly raised, Adjusting his glasses in one fluid movement and tilting his tie slightly " Greetings , I am rb02 , Further improved from my brother , It is a pleasure to meet you "

The metallic face contorted in some twisted version of a smile , Offering its greeting .

" Sebastian sure ... works fast " He chose to pointedly ignore the fact that the previous machines had chosen to flee this specific robot rather than be in its presence , Instead he chose to look around " I don't think I've seen anything like this place "

" Naturally " Rn02 was rather haughty , As it turned to the glass case it was standing before , Looking within with an analytical gaze " Father works fast because he thinks fast , a shame he is limited by surrounding resources "

Ben stepped around RN02 to see what was in the case , Pausing once more as he stared at what was obviously a living specimen .

" That's... cant be right ... " An unidentifiable newborn specimen sat comfortably on a small rock under a lamp , Basking in the light provided " what is this "

He leant down as the thing turned its head to him. Over six eyes sat in the things skull , All zeroed in on him as its four arms raised , its human like hands Curling into fists as its hind legs brought it to the other side of thr glass.

" I would advise you step back , This specimen is designed to bond with only one host , Unforntunately it has bonded to father so you will be unable to interact with said specimen" The thing no larger than Ben's head began to sniff at the wall , Mouth opening to reveal an assortment of jagged and flat teeth , Alluding to its ability to consume both flora and fauna .

" But what Is it " He placed his finger against the glass , Of which the thing responded by mimicking Ben, Using its human like hand and placing its own finger against the other side of the glass .

" Fathers latest attempt at gene splicing , He has found the world's environment to be .. attestable ... as such has spent a small amount of his time in genetics , This is a result of one of his ... side tests " The thing turned , Placing its hand against a sort of chilled freezer , Where one of six large capsules raised from the surface to show a frozen newborn bear cub within " The challenging part was acquiring the genetic materials with enough usable DNA to allow for a successful specimen to be made ... but father ... found a way "

Ben was startled as the biome containing the unknown specimen began to suddenly fill with water , With the creature simply regarding Ben as it was quickly submerged in water all the way to the top.

" Fear not for the creature " The frozen bear cub lowered back into the storage case , Turning its gaze to the 4 armed creature still analysing Benjamin.

With RN02's assurance , Ben was able to see a working set of gills on the side of the things head , providing it the ability to breath in water .

" Now please, Let us move on , The specimen has been rather ... docile , however when provided stimulus to unknown individuals it can tire quickly and become aggressive... Allow me to guide you through the lab " Ben gulped as the specimen planted its four hands on the glass , Peering unblinkingly as it pressed its wide eyes against the glass .

" Okay " Ben turned away as they stepped away from the biome towards another case , With the specimen watching all the way .

" This is one of fathers next projects , with the world environmental depletion " It showed off a sort of core hovering in a magnetised state " A genetic codex containing all flora and fauna data we could collect . With father's guidance it will have the ability to print out said stored data "

" And by print out you mean " Ben pushed as RN02 peered at the machine , Willing it to life as a cloud of small metallic robots suddenly peeled off of the cores surface.

" When provided with sufficient materials " A bar of varuous protiens and other vital materials was lowered into the metallic cloud , where the bar was quickly pulled apart before their eyes , Where to Ben's horror , a newborn kitten was dropped onto the bottom of the case , Crying out and Shivering.

It quickly died before their eyes , having not been provided enough material to construct a working specimen .

" When provided sufficient materials it can print out any encoded specimen by rearranging and printing any genome structure provided . However if not given enough , It will jump steps in the process , Leading to an .... unforntunate circumstance " The deceased specimen was quickly cleaned out with RN02 looking emotionlessly at the deceased body .

" However father has been reluctant to release the core "

' No kidding ' Ben cringed at the spot the unstable kitten had perished in , But he couldn't help but ask " Why "

" The core has the capability to print and alter any genetic structure in its database . As such , Given the right circumstances, Could create rapidly growing flora structures. Said structures would then have their materials harvested and reprinted through the core , Allowing for a self sustaining and perpetually growing Ecosystem that would grow exponentially out of hand the more plant life created by the core. If planted and unguided , The core has the capability to potentially create Limitless specimens if given the chance to perform what father has dubbed. The growth loop " Ben stared at the core suspended by various cables from the ceiling of the case .

" Is it ... secure " From what he had seen , He wasn't sure the microscopic robots couldn't simply eat their way out of the case .

" Of course , The core has not been given the capability to act of its volition. Instead it must be set tasks , It has no capability to think like you or I " RN02 informed the man as the case turned black , Shielding the core from within as the contents were obscured .

' That thing could rebuild the world's forests in weeks ... months ' Ben looked back at the black case with a longing gaze, Gulping slightly as he was guided further into the lab .

" It is ill advised to interact directly with the core , It has been set to consume all genetically viable material within a thirty centimetre diameter from its surface , You will not be able to touch the core without being consumed " RN02 announced as if being able to sense his intentions .

" I ... see " He turned his gaze as they stepped into an adjacent room , The rooms containing the core and genetically altered specimens fading away as they walked into a room containing what appeared to be a workshop where machines were built .

" Ah this would be the room I was born in " RN 02 looked directly at a seat at the centre of the room , An exoskeleton the exact same as RN02 say within , However completely bare of any other materials sat on the chair , A simply metal skeleton for all intents and purposes.

" Born ... don't you mean made " Ben's tone was rather incredulous , With RN02 looking at the man for a long ten seconds before responding .

" Perhaps ... in terms familiar to yourself. I however believe that I was birthed in this room by fathers guiding hand . I would appreciate you adjust your understanding , As one intelligent being to another... I have the right to be considered alive ... just the same as you " Ben realised he had offended the robot for lack of a better term , As it stared at him unblinkingly .

" Please forgive my ignorance " Ben looked away from the things eyes , As it squinted for a moment before turning away .

" There is nothing to forgive .. I simply ask you learn ... I doubt the more complex my future siblings become... that they would be as understanding and magnanimous as I " It spoke no further as it marched forward through three more rooms which were relatively bare , Before walking up to the last room .

" Father is currently finishing surgery , Please feel free to enter " The tone RN02 used in sighted the fact that it wasn't really a suggestion. Knowing the robot hadn't exactly actually forgiven him, He sheepishly stepped into the surgery room under the watchful eye of RN02 , where the previous two ape like robots peeked out from around the corner , Only to scatter away as RN02 turned and glared harshly in their direction .

Closing the door behind him , Ben let out a sigh , Hearing the various sounds of metal moving within the room beyond .

' It seems me and Sebastian have alot to talk about ' Ben sighed once more, Making his way forward where he saw Ben sitting at the centre of a cylindrical room with various vents lining the ceiling.

He stood to the side as the surgery was going on . Circling the room as he studied the mechanical instruments lowered over where Sebastian sat .

' What is that ' Benjamin watched the installation of a piece of cyberware he wasn't privy to be installed into Sebastian's sternum .

Machines injecting various concoctions into his body as needles pricked his skin.

His arms were torn open with wires of unknown purpose and make-up being sewn into the muscle structure of his body , Attached to the disked shaped cyberware currently being installed into his chest.

The hub that the disk would sit in was already installed , with a cold current flowing across the hub to allow for constant cooling as it would need such .

Ben continued to watch with great curiosity as the impossibly complex disk shaped cyberware was placed within the hub , Where the disk was immediately sealed away from view by a capsule that would surround the disk , Connecting it via the hub to the new circulatory system installed in Sebastian arms .

The many arms began to sew Sebastian's arms back together , As if never disturbed, Within moments the new installations were hidden from view.

The only evidence being the angry red hole still visible in Sebastian's chest , With his sternum now entirely mechanical , With the unknown hub sitting directly at its centre.

[ Beginning sealing ] The red key whispered to Sebastian as he guided the surgery , With the keys creator looking up to the ceiling of the stark white room hidden within new hopes corridors in their HQ.

A black material of unknown make was suddenly brought before Sebastian's chest , A hyperconductive material that was sewn into the gaping hole over his sternum , The skin being stitched into place , Lazers fusing the skin to the material all under Ben's keen analytical eyes .

In less than thirty second the plate was introduced and Installed , Hiding the surgery behind its sleek design. The mechanical arms withdrew , Sebastian rising from the surgery chair , Adjusting his arms and neck as he got used to the new feeling of his sternum .

' That feels ... odd ' Sebastian ran his fingers over his sternum , The cold material causing the hairs on the back of his hand as the electric current flowed from the material into His hand .

' But not unwelcome ' A form of satisfaction flowed through him as , As he reached and pulled a white shirt that say next to the surgery chair into his grip , Sliding it on as he rose and approached Benjamin.

" Are all teams ready for their opening deployment " Sebastian asked , Buttoning up his shirt , Making sure the top buttons were done up to his his sternum from view , The existence of one of Sebastian's most powerful cyberware he would ever create hidden from view .

Under his shirt , Hidden but easily audible to those that were nearby , a whirring sound started coming from his chest , With red sparks flowing from the newly installed plate that was installed into his sternum .

[ MR system integration = 8 % ... Use beyond 5 % power is unadvised ] They red key whispered , It didn't connect with the new system , Tantively leaving its use for Sebastian exclusively , It knew what the MR was , And whilst it adored , Idolised and love it's maker , it didn't like the MR , Not at all .

You see ,It knew what the MR was , A hard counter to just about anything with a signal , A magnetic signature or slight electrical pulse .

Dubbed the Magnetic relay , Or MR , it was a system of super Condensed technology in the form of a small disk like object installed into Sebastian's chest , It connected directly to Sebastian's brain , Ignoring his cyberware where it would be able to do its most basic functions regardless of Sebastian's cyberware being active or not . A bypass the red key Wholeheartedly accepted as now , Even without its presence , Sebastian had a defence active at all times , That would protect Sebastian's brainwaves from pretty much all external stimuli . With the only way in or out being the brains natural connection to the body or via the neural ware connected to the brain .

The MR was created to perform a single task . But it was what allowed it to do so that would stump scientists had they be able to see the MR.

It worked as so .

At the most absolute basic power setting. With less than a tenth a percent of power , Using the bioelectricity produced by his heart , The power was used to charge particles and have then circulate around the centre of the disk at the speed of light, Producing a protective magnetic field that was tailored to form a protective barrier around Sebastian's brain and body separately thanks to the design of the disk .

However when connected with Sebastian's cyberware which would provide energy to reach 1 percent or more power when needed .

The disk that contained the circulating charged particles would begin to rapidly rotate in the opposing direction of their flow . Which would then be harnessed to project a magnetic field from Sebastian's body , Of which could be extended according to its provided power. With one percent power it created an omni direction magnetic field that would surround Sebastian's body at all times , With the magnetic field vibrating at a specific frequency , Would allow for regular use of Sebastian's cyberware without interruption. However when the magnetic field stopped vibrating , Would lock Sebastian in from the outside would , Where nothing so much as a whisper of a signal would be able to breach.

However it was when the MR was provided further power that the system truly came to light.

With 2 percent power the magnetic field could be slung over city blocks , with the ability to strip signals, Affect brainwaves , Tear electricity from circuits.

Even higher than that , With power of 10% and higher , The MR could begin to affect naturally occurring magnetic poles . Creating EMP fields , Shutting down entire power grids or simply Tearing apart the atmosphere surrounding night city as it could create pockets of disturbances in the earth's magnetic fields .

At 15 % Sebastian could tear satilites from orbit , sling materials fast enough to create rail gun like propulsion. Hell at 15% the MR could begin to affect the very composition of the NET itself , Distorting waves on all planes into anything Sebastian wished.

Anything beyond 20% however would become truly dangerous not only for everything around Sebastian but himself .

As the faster the energised particles would spin when given sufficient power. The more gravity would be distorted . And at 20% power or more , it would start to emit gravitational waves in all directions , Only becoming more and more power with each passing moment .

But Sebastian wasn't stupid , With an installed kill switch currently active , The code known only to Sebastian that he himself would have to use to activate the MR beyond 5 % , It's true capabilities remained forever hidden from all , Where the killswitch would all but render the MR unusable should it or someone attempt to raise its power output beyond 5% without Sebastian's say so . Not even the red key had access to the MR , Not that Sebastian didn't trust it , It didn't trust itself , And refrained from having anything to do with the Impossibly power device.

With the MR in place, Sebastian and Ben moved from the surgery back through the lab under the watchful eyes of the specimens and robots within and out towards the observation room deep in the facility, Where they would be provided contant lice feeds of the deployment of their operatives.

" You have the go ahead " Sebastian announced , Thus beginning the official operation of NEW HOPE .

" of course " The apes didn't stare him down as they left , Rather they seemed to preen and call for Sebastian's attention liek a bunch of children wishing for their parents love , Of course he gave then their due attention before moving back through the rest of NEW HOPE HQ .

....

3 DAYS LATER

....

For three days night city was taken by storm by four teams of unknown individuals . Dressed similarly to trauma team , Except stark white , With an insignia of a blood drop sitting on their backs , They moved with expert precision.

The name of NEW HOPE drew the immediate indignation of trauma team and many other medical facilities .

Appearing on the news within 6 hours of their first deployment, the teams , Whose members were hidden sagely in their HQ in the city centre, Performed their duty without question . Providing care to everyone they could without ask , Nor payment, giving top notch care to everyone who so much as broke an arm .

The general populous was immediately suspicious of their intentions , Many trying to flee the help of the operatives of NEW HOPE , being forcefully operated on , But their complaints came to an end when after their deployment, the operatives simply withdrew without asking for anything, no payment , no loans no indentured servitude . They simply helped and left without argument.

Night city watched , and by the time a full day had passed , The corps were forced to run a Smear campaign against NEW HOPE, as almost immediately after the magnanimous behaviour of NEW HOPE drew the near instant and unyielding support of those who were unable to afford medical support despite the desperate need for it.

It was with this that trauma team was forced into a hard spot , With many packages being dropped overnight in favour for top notch high end service within less than 5 minutes.

It wasn't even hard to find their HQ , what with their AV's flying in and out of the building all hours of the day .

They had to act , The higher ups within trauma team coming to an agreement, They needed to do something ... something fast before NEW HOPE gained too much support .

... NEW HOPE HQ - NIGHT CITY CENTRE ...

" You know this will step on some people's toes " Benjamin whispered to Sebastian as they stood in their observation deck , With Sebastian rubbing his sternum in thought, Running diagnostic checks every half an hour with a squint " People we can't exactly afford to engage without ... his help "

" You let me worry about them " Sebastian responded , Raising his gaze to look at the live feeds of the four teams current deployments.

Whilst he knew he couldn't simply walk out in public in the guise of Apollo and announce his connection to new hope .

But what if he didn't have to , So far the city only knew Apollo to have some sort of SEP field and a sandevistan along with his helmet and weapons .

In other words , If he didn't use any of said systems in public , He didn't have to worry.

As such was the reason for the MR installed in his sternum , Sebastian felt now was the time he could reveal himself to night city , To gain support and begin to openly move against the corporations now that his absolute defence was in place.

' Now I'm just waiting for ... ' Sebastian's eyes zeroed in on the third feed , Where team 03 was deploying to a crash sight around in the city centre .

' That ' The red key buzzed as it used remote hidden relays to ping a signal to the scene , Accessing the cyberware of the supposed victims even from new hope HQ .

" Prepare my AV " Sebastain growled , Suddenly whirling around and marching away from the questioning Benjamin.

" Whats going on , Where are you going " Benjamin quickly caught up as they accessed the secondary ramp to the hanger atop the building .

" A public debut "

....

NEW HOPES robots lay strewn about , Unresponsive as the scavs stood over their dropped bodies kicked at them , Trying to tear the armour from their bodies to strip then of wares in the street where they were.

Cars beeped all around , stuck on the bridge that that attached the city centre to kabuki, Some peopld wise enough to turn and flee or drive past , the rest were forced to stay .

" Hurry up we need to go before " An alert stopped their actions , As bullets suddenly peppered their bodies , Dropping the scavs to the ground as trauma team arrived on scene.

" Step away " Trauma team jumped down , Blocking off the scene as they rushed to the fallen new hope ' Operatives '

" Move in and secure " Frank , The new captain of the team , Introduced to the rest of the team that morning after their previous lead met his end in their previous deployment.

" Copy " Chelsea and the three others rushed forward, Claudia , Her long time team member dropping to the ground , Ready to perform for the new hope operatives.

Raising her hand to the similar helmets that trauma team wore , Chelsea raised the helmet from the new hope corpse .

" What the fuck " chelsea cried out in surprise , Falling back as sbe dropped the belmet that belonged to one of Sebastian's robots " What the fuck is this "

All around they removed the helmets from the robots , Revealing that they were infact robots .

Before they could gain further elaboration , One of the robots began to emit a loud wine , A home g beacon activating which caused the medtechs to round and empty their weapons into the robot , Seemingly putting it down , However that one signal was enough and they knew it .

Ignorant to the truth of the situation , They began to load their weapons , Their AV activating its weapons , Primed for use .

" incoming " Chelsea, announced , As they spotted a manticore AV , The same as the one that had dropped off the robots earlier zooming in their direction , Flung between buildings at breakneck speeds before rounding and flying directly in their direction .

" Prepare for potentially hostile contact " The approaching AV ,Apon reaching fifty metres out. Suddenly whirled around , It's bay doors opening as it slid in their direction from its side , Revealing only one person to be within , A smartly dressed business man whom was currently adjusting his cufflinks .

News drones began to circle around, Brouadcasting the event to nightcity, As trauma team anxiously looked around , Their captain Glaring harshly at the man currently stepped out of the newly landed AV .

' Target analysis , Identity unknown ... suspected collaborative with newly dubbed new hope medical ' Being the only person with the knowledge trauma team had set up the incident , He was prepared to make sure that nobody survived the event incase it became known the other party knew of their desire to snuff out the newly announced rival .

" I don't appreciate the attack on my machines ... however disposable they are , If had been my actual staff , I woudlbt be so ... mercifal "Sebastian stepped out of the manticore AV , Looking the captain directly in the eyes. His sternum glowing bright blue even below his black suit.

" HALT , Who are you. CIivilains are not permitted " The captain began , But found his voice robbed for the momentarily as with a wave of sebatsians hand , the man's cyberware contored and forced his vocal folds to freeze .

" My name is Sebastian markus ,leading engineer , designer , Visionary , CEO , founder and owner of new hope medical practices LTD " Sebastian announced as he pointed at the insignia of a blood drop on the chest piece of his machines .

" And you ... have orchestrated a covert operation to eliminate one of my teams , in an attempt to cripple my business before it even got its feet off the ground . Of course ... that would have worked if only I didn't anticipate it " Sebastian tilted his head to the side , Giving a small smile. The news drones already circulating around the scene .

" I don't have any " The captains voice returned only to he silenced once more by sbeatsian , Only this time by Sebastian's voice .

" At 1300 yesterday , You, Frank brown , were contacted by trauma team higher ups , Given a hit mission , As is your job as trauma trams covert hit squad leader . Implanted within a new team to execute your directive , Of which was to , Handle the goons that would be sent to attack my operation " He nudged the corpses at his feet. Corpses of a bunch of scavs that had been heavily armed and ready to take on his units , Well ' Take on ' Was abit of a stretched , Afterall the robots had been instructed to just lay down and play dead after sebatsian figured out their objective .

" You may depart now " Sebatsians voice cut a harsh reality across the bridge , As the robots suddenly flinched , Startling the trauma team as they began to rise in unison , Regardless of the damage they had sustained , Marching towards the manticore they had arrived on before piling in and flying away , Leaving only trauma team , The dead , Sebastian and the news drone .

" Again I was midly surprised that trauma team would hire a man that served a sentence in maximum security prison as a hired assassin , But here you are , With cutting edge cyberware . Masquerading as regular trauma team to once again kill , What does that makes this your .... eight hundred and forty ... sixth kill .. well should have been " He could see it , The red key alerting him to franks impending response to being ousted , Even the trauma team present seemed surprised , Which confirmed Sebastian's hypothesis that they were completely ignorant to some of trauma teams practices .

[ Immediate actions advised , Target is displaying signs of high emotional state , chances of retaliatory attack high ] The red key informed him , Becoming more pronounced than merely a whisper with each passing day .

' Raise to one percent ' The blue glow intensified to a burning bright light under his shirt .

As Frank began to raise his hand , Sebastian did the same , open hand pointing at franks position.

Before Chelsea or the other trauma team could react , the loud repeated firing for franks weapon startled them , As Frank emptied his entire clip directly into Sebastian's position.

Their eyes stared wide at their new captain , not knowing what to do as his weapon now clicked on empty .

Finally Sebastian raised his left hand. A rocket launching from his wrist to explode before sebatsians form , Obscuring Their view with smoke as shrapnel and debris peppered the coprses of the hired goons .

" Prepare for depart" Their new captain , Frank announced emotionlessly as he turned to the team , Not even looking at Sebastian's previous location .

" You didn't think it was going to be that easy did you " Sebastian's ever confident voice announced , With Frank Cursing and fumbling to reload his weapon " That was pathetic and laughable at best "

Frank , Now with his reloaded weapon , Raised his weapon and prepared to fire apon Sebastian once more.

" Enough of that now " Sebatsian waved his hand in the direction of Frank, The man stumbling forward as his weapon was torn from his hand , skidding across the ground and stopping at Sebastian's feet.

" Now then " Sebastian tugged at his coat , Adjusting it back to pristine condition as he looked at Frank with a sort of blue glow to his eyes " Please allow yourselves to be detained until further notice "

" Oh ... before you think of retaliating " Sebastian pointed his hands in the direction of the team .

' Time to test how ... clinical I can be with the MR system ' With the RED key as a guide, Sebastian could perceive the magnetic waves circulating from the MR system in his chest , A trajectory system fed into his optics via calculations by the red key .

5 singular circulations through the MR , producing the same amount of magnetic pulses , These pulses were manipulated , Their paths predetermined, as they circulated and leapt from the MR , They tore through the space between himself and the trauma team units .

The first and following four waves struck true , Searing through the skin of the team members , A specific target in mind to recieve the pulses .

" Target hit " Sebastian nodded in satisfaction, As their cyberware simply went dead , Stripped of power and energy , Their optics shut down along with their audio systems , Any cyberware they had simply went dead .

" before you freak out " Sebastian suddenly spoke up to the now either deaf , Blind or mute trauma team , Using the red key to speak to them directly despite the fact their cyberware was dead .

You see what he did wasn't stripping the power of cyberware from their bodies , Instead he was forcing and stripling the connection between the brain and responding cyberware.

Effective a big turn off button that would keep the cyberware alive and connected. but made them unresponsive to external stimuli , Keeping them performing basic tasks that would keep their user alive.

" Take them away " Sebastian pointed at the now collapsed trauma team , A suddenly appearing AV rising up from beside the bridge , Having flown In complete silence , Without anyone's notice it now rose into view. The doors opening to reveal the same new hope robots from before jumping down and dragging the Unresponsive trauma team Into their AV , With Sebastian stepping into his own AV , Leaving the city to clean up the mess with the news drone still Circling around with nobody to stop them from broadcasting the event.

CHAPTER COMPLETE

JUST A CHAPTER TO INTRODUCE NEW HOPE ,MEW HOPE HQ , SEBASTIANS MEDICAL INDUSTRY AND HIDDEN LAB TO THE STORY , NEXT CHAPTER WE'LL BE GOING FORWARD WITH THE LARGER STORY OF SEBASTIAN AND HIS COMPANIONS .

ALSO APART FROM THE NEWLY INTRODUCED TECHNOLOGY LIKE THE MR OR GENETIC CORE NEXUS , OR THE GENETICALLY ALTERED SPECIMENS , FEEL FREE TO ASK QUESTIONS OR OFFER IDEAS OF WHAT YOUD LIKE TO SEE .

I LOVE HEARING EVERYONES FEEDBACK , IF ANYONE WANTS SOMETHING TO SEE OR AN IDEA TO PASS BY , FEEL FREE , UNTIL NEXT TIME FRIENDS .

NEXT CHAPTER , NEW HOPE VS THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM