The cell was quite reminiscent of the plain white room Hermes was in. Only set aside by the electric bars that buzzed slightly controlled a computer screen next to it on the outside of the cell. The air stood still in the cell as Hermes stood looking at Allie, Swad and Tedra as they were all in matching white prisoner clothes. Tedra couldn't maintain eye contact with Hermes as he looked down in disappointment. Swad grit his teeth and tried to launch at Hermes, but Allie pulled his back. Hermes doesn't say a word and takes a seat next to Tedra.
"What have they done to us?" Swad said, gesturing to the surgical mark behind his ear, breaking the long, uncomfortable silence.
"If I had to guess, I would say you've probably been chipped," Tedra said
"What? No, No, I can't be a mindless tool for these monsters." Swad said.
"Just try to calm down, everything will be alright," Allie said.
"How can you say that? Can't you see where we are? This is all your fault anyway; we should have killed him when we had the chance." Swad said.
"You know what? You're right, but maybe there's still time for you to rectify that mistake." Hermes said.
"What are you talking about?" Tedra said.
"They don't plan to kill me right away; they want to use me for their awful research, but if you killed me now, that plan is ruined," Hermes said.
"What are you SAYING? You can't be serious." Tedra said.
"I'm dead serious. After all, I do deserve it, or don't I? Tedra?" Hermes said and gave Tedra a look.
"What do you mean by that?" Allie said.
"Apparently, I'm a murderer and I've killed so many people for CHAR before Tedra unchipped me, so if you killed me now, it would be a loss for them," Hermes said.
"Hermes, you did not kill those people; the CHAR did," Tedra said.
"I AM THE CHAR," Hermes said.
Swad charged at Hermes and knocked him down. He put his hands around his throat and began to squeeze as hard as he could while Allie tried to stop him. As Hermes was about to lose consciousness, Swad suddenly let go of him. He began to scream in agony as he held his head, and Allie tried to help him. Moof's voice could be heard from an intercom.
"Come on now, play nice, don't go trying to kill our primary test subject. We are keeping an eye on you," he said.
After a while, Swad stopped screaming and went off to sit in the corner with Allie by his side while Hermes caught his breath.
"There has to be a way out of here, right?" Allie said, turning to Tedra.
"I don't think there's a way we can all get out of this alive," Tedra said.
"So much for the great Tedra that was vital to the success of the rebellion," Allie said.
"I don't know what Sobeek has told you about me, but I'm not your salvation; I can barely save myself. All my allies have turned their backs on me, and everything I had has been taken away from me." Tedra said.
"But why didn't you tell me who I was?" Hermes said.
"I didn't know what effect that information would have had on your emotional state. I also thought I would have more time to monitor your progress and development, but I didn't realise the CHAR were already onto me, but Sobeek should have never let you leave." Tedra said.
"He didn't want to, but had no choice. I was supposed to keep an eye out for him." Allie said.
"What? So that's why you've been protecting him all this while, because Sobeek told you to?" Swad said.
"Yes, and do you have a problem with that?" Allie said.
"Me? No problems, I just don't like being lied to." Swad said.
"Why did you do it? Why are you helping the rebellion?" Hermes said.
"I guess I was just trying to atone for the sins of my forefathers. My great-great-great-grandfather designed the first chip; he was fascinated by human emotions and how much they affected all human actions. Most importantly, he thought perhaps he could cure human sadness, grief and other negative emotions that burdened the human heart. After the chip was completed, however, his partner saw its potential as a tool for emotional manipulation and domination. Then, the research was sold to the government and the elite, who used it to exploit the masses. Soon, anyone who refused the chip was killed or driven into the wastelands and the CHAR was formed. My family was given a seat on the council that we could not turn down. We had been trying to atone for our sins, but it seems it's going to come to an end with me." Tedra said as he got up and walked towards the electric bars.
"Tedra? What are you doing?" Hermes.
He turned back one last time, "Hermes, I'm really sorry that I couldn't help you, and I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help to the rebellion," he said and grabbed onto the electric bars.
A huge surge of electricity passed through his body, frying him almost immediately. The lights blinked, and the putrid stench of burning flesh filled the air of the cell. After a while, the lights went out completely, the electric bars disappeared, and Tedra's body became rigid as it collapsed to the ground. Tears fell down Hermes's eyes as he got closer to Tedra's body, while Swad grabbed Allie and charged out of the now open cell. Hermes slowly got up and exited the cell shortly after, then the lights came back on and standing at the end of the hallway was Moof, who had a satisfied smile on his face.
They both began to walk slowly towards each other.
" I think phase one of my plan was an outstanding success. What do you think, Hermes?" Moof said.
Hermes clenched his fist " You will pay for this." Hermes said.
"I'm sorry, but phase two goes a little differently than that," Moof said.
"You made him do that," Hermes said.
"No, I didn't do that, you did, his biggest failure. He must not have been able to take it anymore." Moof said.
Hermes suddenly picks up the pace and charges at Moof, knocking him to the ground before unleashing a barrage of blows at his head, but Moof just smiles through it before grabbing Hermes' hand with his robotic arm, which sends Hermes flying with a shock.
"You really think you could kill me? It seems you still don't understand who's in control here. You're MINE, a toy to play with as I see fit." Moof said.
Hermes struggled to get back to his feet "I will kill YOU", he said.
"As much as I like you like this, you're of no use to me this way. But don't worry, the next time you wake up, you'll be a brand new man." Moof said and brought out a small remote from his pocket.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Hermes said.
"Goodbye Hermes, maybe we'll meet again, I would like that," Moof said and pushed a button which made Hermes fall unconscious immediately.
Hermes wakes up in a bed, the faint orange colour of the sun setting in the sky shone through the open curtains. He got up and got a good view of the city as flying cars went by and industrial buildings stood tall as their chimneys emitted gas and smoke. He closed the curtain and looked around the room. There was a painting of a large green landscape above the bed. A little robot was moving around the room keeping it clean. Then, the door cracked open and in came Moof with a wide grin on his face.
"Oh! You're finally awake. Welcome back, sir." Moof said and took a bow.
"I'm sorry, but who are you? Where am I? Who am I?" Hermes said.
"I'm so sorry, you must not have fully recovered yet, so you haven't regained your memories. I'm Moof, your personal assistant. You're in a bedroom of one of your mansions. And you, sir, are Dr Tedra. You need not worry, I'm going to help nurse you back to health, and your memories will be back in no time at all." Moof said.
"Dr Tedra? I'm a doctor?" Hermes said.
"Yes, sir, and not just a doctor, one of the very best. You're also a councilman, a member of the CHAR." Moof said.
"The CHAR? What is that?" Hermes said.
"You shouldn't bother yourself with that right now. After all, you've just woken up and you need to rest. I'm sure your wife will be relieved to see that you're doing so well and back on your feet again." Moof said.
"I have a wife?" Hermes said.
"Of course you do, and she has been anxiously waiting for you to wake up. Would you like to see her now?" Moof said.
"Yes, yes, I would love that," Hermes said.
Moof nodded and opened the door, leading Hermes out of the room in the hall with a satisfied look on his face.