“Arson Fellis is one of the Geneticists you were suggested to meet when you dealing with the Artificial Death case.”

“One of the Geneticists?” I asked confused.

“Yes Sir, The M.E. Donat Azalias recommended two geneticists to validate the DNA coders used to create the clones when you were investigating. Dr Arson Fellis and Dr Jeca Selin were the names he recommended.”

“I see…”

“And to answer your question. Arson Fellis specialises in DNA sequences. His goal, improve human DNA to survive the harsh environments the world has been subjected to.”

“You’re telling me he’s the reason why we have Doasians outside.”

“Affirmative Sir,”

“Great…”

As I continued making my way through the vents, my mind began to race, thinking of a way that would’ve made this mission easier. After a minute of slowly traversing the vent, nothing came to mind, which only made me feel frustrated.

I thought there must be a way to quell the Doasian’s anger. I let the gears of my mind turn, trying to figure out how I’d be able to stop the massacre that was coming on both sides. I had less than 24hrs to solve this, but no resolution.

“Fuck,” I huffed turning a corner in the vent. “I should be trying to get my ass out of here and I'm worried about other people when my family is in danger. Get. Your. Shit. Together. Cypher!”

I made it to my destination and then grabbed my floating wrist. I stuck my eye close to the vent, then zoomed in on __ as he sat back in the Mess Hall staring into the distance as if he were about to take his life. Depression comes in various forms, I thought, I guess the thought of his life might ending soon has him in deep thought.

“Nova, give me a rundown on Doctor Efroniz. His strengths, weaknesses and what I could use to gain his trust.”

“Trust?”

“Yes, he’s susceptible right now. The Doasians are a concern for him. I can see it on his face. He doesn’t have much confidence he’ll make it out alive.”

“You’re planning to coarse him…Sir?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t—“

“You have a better plan?” I hissed softly. “We lucked out by having him here. I know it’s a risk, but this is our one shot. Getting to a console for you to extract everything is fine and dandy, but if I can coarse him to bring the Hedgehog, that would be a fucking godsend.”

“I understood, Sir, but the information I have on says he’s paranoid. The success rate of our chances to coarse him is only 15%.”

“Good. It’s better than 0%”

“But Sir.”

“Tell me what is our success rate of retrieving the Hedgehog, based on the accumulated data you’ve accumulated thus far.”

“Over 20%…”

“I see, How long have you been with me?”

“I have been mitigating the feedback of your systems from the moment you received your Cybernetics Sir.”

“And what was the success rate for my mission to kill Hortort Calisum?”

“Less than 0% Sir.”

“Good. You said I am needed. If that’s the case then we’ll do as I say.” I said grimly.

“Yes Sir.”

“Right, feed me information based on our interaction, there must be something Efroniz needs.”

“He hasn’t spoken with his sister in seven years. The notes from his psychiatrist indicate they were close.”

“Were they?”

“I can’t confirm—“

“Has either of them tried to reach out?”

“Yes sir, she has, but he’s never returned a call.”

“What was the call regarding?”

“His sister had a twin three months ago as of today.”

“Good. I’ll use that.”

“Understood Sir.”

“Raise the receptor for my ear microphone. Initialise Echosight, but don’t allow the feedback into my contact lens or my cybernetic eye. If someone’s within close vicinity of the doc, notify whilst I speak, understood?”

“Copy that Sir.”

“Good.”

I watched as Efroniz still stared into the distance, hoping to find some semblance of life. His eyes were dazed and his hands were dangling at his side. My lips curled into a knowing smile and I rolled my neck, anticipating how the good Doctor would react. “Doctor Efroniz,” I said firmly. “I’m glad to see you in good health.”

Confusion flashed across Efroniz face as he bobbed left and right as he tried hunting for my voice. His hand slid to the fork on his left and picked it up, sliding it into his sleeve. “I’m not here to hurt you,” I said calmly. “I’m here to help…if you allow it.”

“If you wanted to help you wouldn’t speak from the shadows.”

“Circumstances led to this form of communication. I apologise, but right now. It’s the best I can do.”

Efroniz didn’t answer, but the doubt painted across his face, made it evident. He wasn’t willing to make this discussion go any further. Just the way I wanted, I thought. “Oh, I forgot one thing. Congratulations Doctor Efroniz, you’re an uncle. Have you met…oh…right. You’ve been cooped up here for the better two years. So that’s a no, you haven’t”

Efroniz ground his right jaw as he balled his fist into anger. He

“Sir, You’ve made your point. There’s no need for you to threaten me with my sister.” Efroniz said.

I noted how he didn’t respond to my comment regarding his nieces. It probably meant, he knows, or he doesn’t want to acknowledge their existence out of shame. “It’s not a threat Doc, it’s a sincere gesture. It’s good to have new life in the world, especially when it’s so dark.”

Footsteps approaching the Mess Hall.

I zoomed in on the door and three men patrolling walked by. They peeped into the Mess Hall and continued on their way, patrolling. Efroniz on the other hand was sitting in silence, fidgeting as if he was unsure of how to proceed. Is he here under duress, I mused.

I didn’t have enough information regarding Efroniz to coarse him, but I weighed the options of his current situation as best as I could. The man was locked up in a bunker for months, possibly years. His paranoia had to be at its highest, not by choice. He might want to see his family, but he might not.

In my mind, trying to coarse Efroniz was too risky. Yes, I may have stumbled across him in the Mess Hall by chance, but when an opportunity presented itself, you take it.

I did the same thing with Elhisia, which saved her life. This time, I wasn’t sure it could work out that, but if Efroniz was a smart man, he should be able to weigh the pros and cons of his situation, especially with the Doasians outside.

Mr Black never revealed why he was working here, instead of some mega-corporation. It wasn’t a case that I didn’t want to know, but it was a case of what was fed to me. It wasn’t the best, but it was possibly the worst I had to work through. Fuck…this mission was tailored and made to fail, too many unseen variables.

“I take it you’re not part of Lieutenant Ranton’s retinue.”

“I could be, if you want me to,” I said ruefully.

Efron pursed his lips, then bit his bottom lip. “Who are you?” He asked.

“A friend.”

“Friend?” He answered laughing.

“I don’t need a friend so either you tell me why you approached me, or I’ll take my leave.”

“You’re not an idiot Doc. You know why I’m here. It’s the same reason why you’ve been in this place, hidden from the world for god knows how long.”

“So you are after my Ortho-Interpretive Processor.”

The urge to answer Efron’s question was there. I wanted to say something, but the words simply wouldn’t flow. But what bothered me the most was, that Nova was prompting anything to me, which meant I wasn’t engaging him enough to coarse him accordingly. “Is that a problem for you, me wanting your, toy?”

“It’s not a toy.”

“I know it’s not a toy Professor, but tell me, what are you making it for?”

“To save lives, strenuous and dangerous work that men won’t have to do, an Automaton can do.”

“You don’t see anything beyond your hubris. Don’t you? Do you think men care about work being strenuous or dangerous? You think I’m here because it’s dangerous? I’m here because there’s no one else to do it. You’re only serving to take away people’s jobs Doc, all for the corporations to make a profit!”

“You speak as though you know what it’s like to be a hard-working man.”

“I don’t have to know, I can see…with my very own eyes.”

“Seeing with your own eyes?” Hallon laughed, “What are you a Paragon of the people?”

“Far from, but I know when something’s right and wrong.”

“Right and wrong eh? Well, I’m sorry to tell you. My conscious doesn’t weigh on my heart as it does yours.”

“Of course, it doesn’t but I’m sure the credits you’re getting for completing the Ortho-Interpretive Processor is more than enough to keep it clean.”

Hallon rolled his neck and nodded as if I’d finally been speaking his language.

His sister has Varin, majority of the credits he makes are transferred through many Foundations associated with finding a cure for Varin. His sister believes the credits are coming from him and has been trying to reach him, Nova prompted.

I see so that’s why he’s been out of contact with her, I mused. She’s a distraction from his work, and taking care of her would be too burdensome.

“Get me the Ortho-Interpretive Processor and you won’t have to worry about your nieces,” I said firmly.

“I already make enough credits, what makes you think the credits you offer me are even worth a crumb of sand.”

“Because if you don’t agree to a deal. Your sister and nieces will be killed before you walk through that door, so it’s either you make a decision or we can part ways now.” I said coldly.

Hallon Efroniz balled his fist in anger whilst his eyes slowly began to turn red. I imagined myself in his place, just as I imagined myself as Akatani when I said so.

The only way to force someone to do something they don’t want to, regardless of credits, was to use their family as leverage. I know couldn’t follow through on the threat, but he wouldn’t know that till it was too late, or so I hoped.

“There’s no need for the threats of my family stranger, but I hear your message loud and clear. There’s one problem you must hear before we discuss anything further.”

“And what problem is that?”

“All the research data, prototypes, and 3D models of the Ortho-Interpretive Processor are not within my grasp.”

“What do you mean, not within your grasp?”

“I’m saying, I can’t get the Ortho-Interpretive Processor for you, because Lieutenant Ranton is the one who has the information about it, under lock and key.”

“Figuratively?”

“No…he has everything related to the project within his room. If I’m to help you get it, you’re going to have to find a way to get into his quarters, where everything is located.” Efroniz said calmly.

“I see,” I grunted, fuck.