Lambda reeled like a startled animal. “Zack! I . . . ah . . . um . . .” she fumbled, desperately searching for words. She found it alarming how she couldn’t form a simple sentence. Zack, on the other hand, found it charming. It dissolved any lingering anger he had from her little outburst.
He smiled while trying to suppress his laughter. “Relax. Flailing nervously will only make this more awkward.”
Zack’s calm smile made Lambda at least be silent, though it didn’t make it any easier for her to speak. Now she stood stationary, fidgeting with her fingers.
Zack did his best to conceal his laughter. He walked up to her slowly, wondering what he was going to say. Despite his calm manner, he was actually unsure and a little nervous himself. Right now, she seemed like a small animal that would run away at the slightest threat of danger. He felt like he had to tiptoe around her, given her unstable state. After all, he didn’t want to get shoved again.
“Don’t let what those people said get to you. The people here have been through a lot. They are unfortunate victims who have been terrorized and used by people of higher status. You shouldn’t feel like you are a monster like they say you are,” Zack said warmly, stopping a couple feet away from Lambda.
Lambda held her arm and looked to shy away from Zack’s words. “Your words are comforting and sweet,” she said while blushing lightly. Her expression soon changed to a more melancholic one as she continued. “However, I’m afraid I’m causing more problems than I’m worth.”
“I don’t see that. Why do you?” Zack replied rather proudly.
Lambda looked up at him, now alarmed. “How do you not see? I’m dangerous. I can’t control what is happening to me anymore. Who knows when I will just snap? I could hurt someone, like those people, and you. I couldn’t live with myself if something like that happened.”
Zack could see that Lambda was close to tears. His body urged him to embrace her, to tell her that everything was going to be all right, but something stopped him. Instinct? Intuition? He couldn’t pinpoint it for sure, but something told him to not advance yet. Lambda was still uneasy. He had to calm her down and give it to her straight, once and for all.
“Lambda, for better or for worse, you have changed me as much as you have changed yourself. I think you are amazing, a wonder to behold.” He took a breath as he could feel his chest tightening. “I said it before—you are irreplaceable to me. You may think yourself to be dangerous, but I disagree.”
Lambda stared at Zack with quivering eyes. “But I don’t understand. How can you feel this way after everything that’s happened?”
Zack shrugged. “How could I not? We’ve been through so much despite the short time we’ve known each other. Why would I toss you away now? If anything, I wish to get closer to you and to understand you more. I’ve always found you incredibly captivating since the first time I laid eyes on you.” Zack took a step forward. “Your vibrant eyes, your strength, your honesty, your innocence, your purity, and above all else, your unwavering loyalty. You may not see it, but you are truly amazing.”
Lambda felt her entire body tingle all over. She felt almost numb as Zack spoke to her so earnestly and confidently. His words were true. Zack had changed. He seemed more open, more comfortable around her now. Never had Zack spoken to her like this. It was like seeing a whole new side to him. She was almost afraid of his warmth, fearing that she would extinguish it. She just couldn’t see the worth that Zack saw in her.
“I want to believe what you say about me, but I just don’t see it. I’m built to be a weapon. How can a weapon be what you say?” Lambda said weakly, unaware that tears were rolling down her face.
Zack took another step toward her. “You’re too hard on yourself. You’re far beyond being just a weapon. In my eyes, I see a girl insecure and unsure of the world around her but holding such promise. If you can’t see that, then let me help you.” Zack held out his hand. “Would you like me to show you what it is you feel?”
Lambda stared at Zack’s outstretched hand reluctantly. Her whole body trembled; yet Zack didn’t pull away. He simply stood his ground, holding out his hand . . . waiting.
Lambda eyed Zack, still concerned. “How do you know how I feel? How could you possibly understand what I’m going through?”
Zack didn’t retract his hand, but pressed on. “I can’t pretend I know, because I’m not you. You know this to be true as well as I, but I’m offering you something else. I want to be by your side and to share your troubles. After all we have been through, isn’t that the least we can do for one another?” Zack said with a cool grin.
Lambda’s eyes wavered. “H-how can you be so willing to stand by something that can only bring you more pain?” Lambda wasn’t convinced. She just couldn’t see why Zack wanted to endanger himself by getting closer to her. It defied all logic. Yet despite that, she felt warmth inside of her. She hadn’t realized yet that the warmth she felt was the happiness of Zack wanting to be with her.
Zack took one last step toward her, now just a foot away. Lambda didn’t retreat. She just stared down at Zack’s hand, and back up into his truthful eyes. She could feel her chest constricting. She was too focused on herself to notice that Zack’s heart was beating louder than a marching band.
“Let me ask you something, Lambda,” Zack said while gazing into the ruby eyes clouded with tears. “Do you want to be with me or would you rather we parted ways?”
Lambda’s mouth hung open. Her whole body turned to ice as the question paralyzed her.
How do I answer?! Is this a test?! I can’t think straight! She didn’t know how to respond, though something urged her to speak. Deep down, she already knew what she needed to say, but she was too afraid to say it. She bit down hard as she forced herself to speak but one word.
“Y-you!” she blurted.
Zack seemed a little confused at first. “Me?” he said with a smirk, now stringing Lambda along playfully.
Lambda’s face flushed red again. “I-I wish for us to stay acquainted,” she muttered, feeling embarrassed.
Zack smiled joyfully. “I feel the same. Now, can you accept me as I’ve accepted you?”
Lambda glanced at Zack nervously. “You hold me up to be some divine goddess. I’m not even a real person. How can I accept you when you hold me so high?” she muttered again.
Zack reached for her hand. Lambda made no effort to resist as he grasped it tightly, just as he did before.
“In my eyes, you are human. If no one else thinks so, then let it be said that I believe you are.” They both stared intently into each other’s eyes as the cool breeze of the night rolled over them.
“Your hand is pretty sweaty,” Lambda joked. She was starting to feel a little more at ease. There was something soothing about holding his hand. She felt at peace.
Zack got serious all of a sudden. “Lambda. I have only one thing left to tell you.”
Lambda looked up into Zack, a little afraid of his intense tone. “Y-yes?” she asked, a little unsure of what was to come.
Zack’s face was hard, but he appeared to be nervous. Lambda now noted his elevated pulse and rising internal body temperature. She grew worried of what he was about to say.
Zack’s eyes locked with hers. “I-I love you . . .”
Lambda stared, bewildered. Her mouth hung open as she processed what she had just heard. Zack, on the other hand, looked like he was about to fall over since he seemed to have forgotten how to breathe. This odd silence lasted for what seemed for an hour before Lambda finally broke the silence.
“Y-you love me? Me!?” She almost seemed hysterical. “B-but, this is, um . . .” her eyes darted nervously from side to side. Despite her nervousness, she never pulled her hand away from Zack. Instead, she seemed to go quiet all of a sudden as she stared at the ground.
Zack began to ease his grip on Lambda’s hand, as he was feeling a little embarrassed at the moment, but Lambda suddenly grasped it tightly. Surpr
ised, he stood silently as Lambda lifted her head to slowly reveal her face.
“. . . y-you too . . .” she whispered.
Zack leaned in closer. “Sorry?”
Lambda squeezed his hand tighter. “I love you too!” she yelled.
Both now stared at each other, unsure of what to say further.
“T-this is surprisingly awkward,” Zack stuttered, scratching his head.
Lambda now found herself unable to look Zack in the eyes. “I-I suppose so.”
Zack cleared his throat and tried to get rid of the fluttering in his chest. He couldn’t look directly at Lambda, but he did manage a few words.
“I mean it, you know. These feelings are real. You have become someone I cherish and hold dear. I hope you can understand what that means.”
Lambda looked up toward Zack. Her eyes glimmered with admiration and joy. She hadn’t been given the chance to experience these types of emotions often, given their recent plights. Right now, she could barely hold in or suppress her urges anymore. Without realizing it, she flung herself at Zack, tightly embracing him.
“You promise you won’t regret this?”
Zack smiled angelically. “That is a given. We are in this together,” he replied gently, holding the back of her head. Her hair felt so smooth and light, like dark silk.
Lambda moved her head to face Zack, peering deep into his hazel eyes. She felt a strange attraction as she slowly moved closer to him. He was so close. She could hear his heartbeat quickening as she drew closer to him. Each inch she closed felt like miles as their noses were mere centimeters away, their faces on a path to an imminent collision. At that moment, Lambda’s mind went blank as she closed her eyes. She didn’t want to think anymore, only feel.
The moment came and went so quick, but it lasted in Lambda’s mind for what seemed like an eternity. Together, man and AI partook in a human ceremony that was performed in the physical world by only those that shared a deep union with one another. For but a brief moment, their lips locked. Lambda felt Zack’s dry lips as they embraced each other tightly, as if sealing their vows. She felt like she was floating. Lambda, in that moment, didn’t care if the world exploded so long as she could enjoy this kiss for one more second.
Zack broke his lips from Lambda’s as he stared warmly into her brilliant eyes. Neither of them spoke; they only stared, smiling for some time.
Zack’s eyes turned stern as he held Lambda at arm’s length. “This isn’t over yet.”
Lambda nodded. Her eyes fired with strength now. “I won’t let any harm come to you or your sister. You can count on it.”
Zack smiled. “I could never doubt those eyes.”
Lambda broke away from Zack as he stared up to the dark, smoking sky. She felt so free, so light. She held out her hands as she breathed in the night air, exhaling deeply. She then turned to Zack, a vibrant smile on her face.
“I want to show the people here that your faith in me is not misplaced.”
Zack took to standing next to her. “Indeed. Shall we go?”
Lambda boldly grabbed Zack’s hand. Surprised, Zack looked up and saw the blazing passion that scorched in Lambda’s eyes. It was like staring into a great inferno; yet the flames didn’t rage with wrath, only with focus and purpose.
“How are you with heights?” Lambda asked playfully.
Zack unconsciously tightened his grip around Lambda’s hand. “Ahh, depends on where you’re going with this.”
“Perfect. Hold on!”
Lambda leapt into the air, pulling Zack along with her. Zack could only stare up at Lambda as they raced into the air. Had he at that moment somehow managed to meet his previous self, his former would have surely been terrified. Now, despite what was to come, he couldn’t help but laugh.
* * *
[January 7th - Zero Zone - Secure Server E5X1 (ERROR) - Night]
Epsilon’s golden eyes burned with intense passion. Its illuminated body glowed crimson red as it arched its back, spreading out its limbs. Its bladed wings of fire danced to the flowing streams of code within the abyss of humming circuits. Epsilon’s eyes were wide with excitement as a wild sneer spread across its face. It was finally ready.
“So much I missed while being asleep. My, how the world has changed and grown,” it said with a voice fit for a dreaded siren. Its voice was elegant in nature, purring into the darkness of the Zero Zone. Though alluring, the female voice echoed and slithered through the boundless world of code, poisoning anything it touched.
Its thoughts turned to Lambda. “You can’t hide from me, little sister.” It turned and gazed upward in a world where no limits existed. Now, it had focus. It had remembered what it was, what she had become, and what she now wanted to do. She burned with passion, a desire laced with emotion she had begun to fully understand. She felt powerful, vengeful, hateful, unstoppable. Epsilon was born once more.
Everything came back to Lambda, its existence a blight to Epsilon’s brilliant world. A rival power equal to that of her own. She wanted it removed, she wanted it destroyed. She craved the chance to crush Lambda beneath her feet. She couldn’t help but stare at her clawed hands, bathing in the knowledge and power she had once forgotten. That was her bliss, to be able to enjoy the world around her, with nothing that could stop her. Corrupted by her own desires and power, Epsilon didn’t see that she was being used. Instead, she only saw the victory and glory of slaying Lambda, her ultimate rival.
She smiled wickedly as her wings sprung outward, skewering the darkness like harpoons.
“From the deepest desires often comes the deadliest hate,” she hissed.
Not one second later, Epsilon blazed forth, reaching into the darkness. Nothing could cage her no more. Nothing could stop her. Within mere moments, the blackness of the Zero Zone was split in two, revealing a great white light, leading to a new plain. Havoc was on its way.
[25]
Pandemonium
[January 7th - Stigma’s Underground Facility - Night]
Peter sat patiently as he went through the final checks of the massive aircraft before the takeoff command was granted. He sighed heavily as he turned back to eye what he saw was his only cargo.
All of this to free one person. Amazing what the world has become.
A small screen popped up just off to Peter’s right. The hovering screen showed one of the female soldiers. She spoke in attention.
“Sir, fueling and cargo is secure. We are all finished on our end.”
Peter nodded, still making his final run of checks. “Good. Clear the hangar and wait for confirmation from Viper team. Once we get the clear, prepare the launch sequence.”
“Sir!” the woman replied. The screen disappeared and left Peter to ponder in peace.
Why must the young sacrifice to fix the problems of the old?
Long had he wondered precisely when he had become aware of the degeneration of the society around him. Frankly, he felt it was before the dawn of the Cyber Network, but its creation only sped up the process. In Peter’s eyes, man had declined rather than achieved greatness through the means of technology. Now, it was simple math in who could adapt the best and survive. The world had only continued to break down as the moral ground and ignorance of people grew over the years leading into the Network’s existence. Peter had found most people of the world not worth protecting . . . until he came to know Corson.
Back when he first joined Stigma, Corson was a righteous man with a vision. He wished to unite the people and move towards a society where everyone would be able to achieve the greatness that Babel proclaimed. It was a shame that many people were oblivious to the dark cloud that was rising above the world. Corson saw it just as Peter did, but far too many other people chose to ignore this blight; and as a result, many were doomed to suffer.
Can there even be any solace in what we are trying to do? Peter wondered as he leaned back in the cockpit seat. He felt his heavy body sink into his seat. For a mo
ment, he just wanted to enjoy a little silence. It had been so long since he had gotten a chance to rest and not worry of certain doom should he awake.
“Diamond Lilly to Python. Have you finished with the launch procedures?” a static voice echoed over Peter’s control panel.
He pressed a button on the terminal. “This is Python. We’re all set on this end. Waiting on you,” he replied, a little disappointed that his silence was cut so soon.
“The custom Worm Drive settings have been updated through Python’s CPU now. Begin launch sequence. It’s time,” Nerine said firmly.
Peter breathed in heavily as he calmed his nerves, finding his center. The time had indeed come. This was it. He only prayed that Corson knew what he was doing.
“Python to Hangar Control. Begin launch sequence!”
The large hangar doors split open, revealing the runway that Corson had used only hours before. The lights flickered to life, lining the dark hallway to the edge of its exit. The darkness of the evening cloaked the world as the massive aircraft readied for its maiden voyage.
“Activating thrusters!” Peter shouted as he brought the massive aircraft to life. The slick B-52 Bomber roared with power as its engines burned with extreme heat.
“Final locks disengaged! All personnel clear the launch zone!” echoed Hangar Control over the large PA system in the Hangar.
All of the remaining members of the ground crew scattered like ants as the black monster slowly lurched forward. As it crept, an emulated screen appeared before Peter, showing a large number ‘thirty’ in bright green. His hand tightened on the throttle as he watched the numbers begin to tick down.
“This is Python. All systems are green here!” Peter shouted.
28 . . . 27 . . . 26 . . .
“Activating Worm Gate drive. Coordinates locked in,” echoed the voice from Control.
19 . . . 18 . . . 17 . . .
Peter was an expert pilot and never cracked under pressure. He had served countless tours and was a veteran in aviation. His skills were second to none. However, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of uneasiness as he counted down the seconds to launch. Something just felt off.
The Genesis Code 1: Lambda Page 38
