Content Warnings: ableism, reference to bombings
The project was finally completed: 216894 was up and running again. And Tazina had reprogrammed him not to lie. In an interrogation room, I sat across from 216894 who glared back at me. Leslie stood off to one side.
“First question,” Leslie began. “Is the System listening?”
“No,” 216894 replied. “Connection with the System was cut off as soon as I stepped outside her wall. Why did I answer that?!” He banged his fist on the table.
“Because Taz is an excellent reprogrammer,” I replied with a smile.
“And why is this defect here?” 216894 asked Leslie. “She isn’t necessary!”
“Because we were friends,” I told 216894 before Leslie could respond. “And I wanted to hear what you had to say myself. The director was kind enough to allow that.”
216894 frowned. “Why?”
“Excellent question,” Leslie said, crossing their arms. “Why did you try to kill me?”
216894 scowled at Leslie. “Because you are the leader of the teeirojwekfwjdhfjirhe Strokes. The System tasked me with getting rid of you by any means necessary. Feiwjotkmwfdhsjsect opportunity was the challenging part.”
“And was murdering Outcasts one by one part of your mission?” I asked dryly.
“A side project,” replied 216894 with a chilling smile. “Besides, less Outcasts means less threat.”
I narrowed my eyes at 216894. He’d been reprogrammed not to lie. Why did he still call Outscasts a threat?
“Seriously?!” Leslie cried. They slammed a hand on the table, leaning closer to 216894. “The System has the tech, the System has the resources, the System is a damn machine holding people hostage! And you call us the threat?!”
“The System has left Outcasts alone for centuries!” 216894 shouted back. “Then you started sending in your bombs to hurt her!”
My heart sank, the tips of my fingers went numb. Did I hear that right?
“My mission,” 216894 continued, “was the response to your terrorism! We did not start this war.”
“Are you saying the System isn’t causing the explosions?” I asked before Leslie could say anything else.
“Of course not!” 216894 replied, completely outraged. “The System cares deeply for her numbers – she would never do anything to endanger them.”
I gaped at 216894. “Um, Dax,” Leslie called. They gestured for us to step outside. As soon as they closed the door, Leslie turned to me and asked, “What were you two talking about?”
“The System’s been being bombed for about… four years now?” I paused at Leslie’s incredulous look. “You didn’t know about this?”
“Not a clue!” they replied. “And I would never – ”
“I know.” I scoffed. “But this doesn’t make any sense. When I was in the System, everyone thought it was her trying to make a point.”
“Which means Outcasts really are attacking the System,” Leslie stated somberly. “And since the Strokes aren’t behind it… who is?”
To be continued…