In the wasteland that was Vorjinn Prime, the ship containing Gridlock had finally arrived.
Ermi didn't waste a second and immediately went outside to greet him. The Masked Man grabbed Gridlock's unconscious body and dragged it outside the ship. When Ermi finally saw Gridlock, his mind started to race.
Ermi commanded, "Kick him till he wakes up."
The Man started aggressively kicking Gridlock until his eyes finally opened.
"My dear Gridlock, do you still remember the fond memories we shared here?", Ermi said.
Gridlock replied, "Of course I do, cunt." Ermi laughed upon hearing Gridlock's words. He said, "Oh my, you're still so funny but let's cut to the chase already."
Gridlock said, "So you're just gonna make me a slave again, huh?" Ermi replied, "Oh dear, not at all. I have different plans. Come here, Tin."
"What?"
Gridlock remained confused as The Man slowly walked over to Ermi. Ermi said, "Its time to reveal our big surprise..." The Man slowly unmasked himself while Gridlock's heartbeat grew faster.
Gridlock said, "Father?" Tin stayed silent. Gridlock shouted, "WHY?" Ermi replied, "Let me explain it to you, dear. All those years ago when you were still a slave, you thought your father had been killed by me. That was not the case. In reality, his death was really just him secretly joining me."
Gridlock stayed silent.
"I had made a deal with him because I recognized his skills as a powerful assassin. The deal was that he would stop being a slave and become an assassin for me instead but only if he killed you and your beloved. He was the masked assassin that killed her that day which eventually triggered you to make that escape. I'm sure you remember that the masked assassin that almost killed you during your escape was the same one that killed Anna. Even though he failed in killing you, he became a high ranking assassin of my organization. He did go rouge from me at one point but we were recently reunited and today he has brought you here to let me kill you with joy.", Ermi said.
Gridlock couldn't say anything. His mouth wouldn't function. Ermi said, "Did you take all that in? Hmm? Do you now understand how pathetic your existence is? You only had value as my slave but you ruined that. Now, I'll kill you in front of your own father who brought you here in the first place. Just think of that... How sad... Poor little Gridlock..."
Two robots flew into the area outside Ermi's labour camp and suddenly took hold of Gridlock's body. Ermi slowly walked over to Gridlock and started vigorously beating him. Ermi shouted, "I'M GONNA MAKE SURE YOU DIE A SLOW AND PAINFUL DEATH! THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FOR LEAVING ME! YOU WORTHLESS SACK OF SHIT!"
Tin James just stood there as he watched his son get brutally punched and kicked by Ermi. Ermi shouted, "DOES THIS BRING BACK MEMORIES? YOU'RE LUCKY I'M TOO LAZY TO GO BACK IN AND GRAB MY WHIP!"
Gridlock, with a weak voice, said, "Father..."
"GET YOU'RE HANDS OFF OF HIM!", Finn screamed while shooting lasers from above.
Ermi shouted, "GET INSIDE!" Ermi grabbed Gridlock's body and ran inside his labour camp leaving Tin and the Robots to face off Fin's spaceship. Finn kept on vigorously attacking his enemies and eventually the two robots were destroyed.
Tin finally decided to use some words. He shouted, "IF YOU'RE HERE TO RESCUE JAMES, GET DOWN HERE AND FIGHT ME LIKE A MAN. SHOW ME YOU'RE WORTHY TO SAVE HIM."
Arsa said, "Stay here... Don't be stupid..." Finn replied, "Arsa go hide in the back and stay safe." Arsa, "Are you being serious?! You're gonna die!" Finn replied, "I know what I'm doing..." Arsa witnessed a new look on Finn's face. A face she'd never seen anyone in the galaxy make before. She then did as Finn said.
Finn landed the spaceship and slowly began to step out. He walked with no fear and his eyes were only filled with ambition. Tin was impressed upon seeing this as it reminded him of himself walking towards Anna.
Tin said, "This shall be an honourable duel." He then dropped all his blasters and began waiting for Finn.
Ermi, while looking out the window, said, "Wow... You've actually made yourself quite a comrade... I never thought you could make a friend other than a fellow slave." Gridlock quickly escaped Ermi's hold to go to the open window. He screamed, "JUST GET OUT OF HERE, BRAT! HE'LL KILL YOU!" Finn ignored the warnings given by his savior and kept on moving forward. Gridlock's body was still weakened by the chip Tin had previously thrown onto his body. Ermi quickly overpowered Gridlock and threw him to the ground. Ermi screamed, "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING, HUH?"
When Finn and Tin finally came face to face, Finn, with a furious voice, said, "I'll make you pay for what you've done to Mr.James." Tin replied, "I hope you do..." Fin swung his fist onto Tin's face but he was immediately stopped.
Tin chuckled and said, "You'll make me pay with a punch like that?" Tin punched Finn directly in his stomach. Finn retaliated immediately and went for a kick to Tin's legs but even that couldn't land. Tin had grabbed Finn's leg. Finn still didn't scream even while being in such a dire situation. Tin threw Finn onto the ground and said, "You are a complete fool. You really thought you could save James with the weakness you possess?"
Finn grabbed one of Tin's blasters from the ground and shot him on his chest.
Ermi said, "It actually doesn't matter if it's out there or in here... I'll torture you to death." Ermi pushed Gridlock onto the floor and began beating him once again. Gridlock was feeling immense pain which was making Ermi smile really hard but his smile faded instantly when Gridlock began to laugh.
Ermi said, "WHY THE HELL ARE YOU LAUGHING?" Gridlock began laughing even harder. He then said, "Ermi... You took too long thanks to the brat who showed up outside. The chip's effects are going away." Ermi began panicking. He tried to sprint away and look for another chip but Gridlock immediately stood up and grabbed his throat.
Gridlock, with a chilling look, said, "I am no longer the weakling I once was during my days as a pathetic slave. I proved you wrong and became powerful. Maybe, that's why you bear more hatred for me that your other ex-slaves. During my stay on Plain, I quickly became their most wanted criminal. Do you know what I'm going to do to you now?"
Ermi felt true fear for the first time in his extremely privileged life. He began panicking. Ermi, while barely able to speak, said, "Wait... I'll give you money... I'll give you shit tons of money if you just leave here... It'll be so much money you'll never have to do criminal acts again... Andromedous has been funding me for a while so I can give you tons..."
Gridlock said, "Andromedous? I shouldn't be surprised... Of course a piece of shit like you would be aligned with them..."
Ermi, in a nervous voice, replied, "What do you mean? They're a good organization..."
Gridlock said, "Don't give me that bullshit... I know their truth and I know you do too since you're working with them..." Ermi replied, "Oh..."
Gridlock said, "Tell me what kinda shit they've been doing with you or I'll make sure you die a fliborian death..."
Ermi said, "Alright! So... There are tons of small rebellion groups formed all the time by the random people of the planets from where the approvals were forcefully taken... Andromedous immediately destroys their ships and gear and turns them into slaves instead of killing them to give them an even harsher punishment. Me and others like me throughout the galaxy are tasked with taking in these slaves. It's why the slaves these days don't compare to the ones from your era. Back then, only the most physically fit and disciplined were chosen and the others were killed."
Gridlock said, "That's horrible..."
Ermi said, "I told you everything... Please let me go..."
Gridlock replied, "Are you stupid? I swore to kill you the day Anna died... I shall give you what you deserve."
Ermi screamed, "WAIT! WAIT! WAI-"
Gridlock had sliced off Ermi's head using his laser pen. Gridlock said to himself, "I did it, Anna... I avenged you using your precious gift." Gridlock then said, "Alright... It's time to go help the brat."
Tin had fallen onto the ground and Finn was about to shoot him until Gridlock suddenly showed up and said, "Stop!" Finn replied, "Mr. James! You're okay!" Gridlock said, "Yes and its all thanks to you, kid..." Finn smiled.
Gridlock said, "Now, give me that blaster... Let me deal with him. You go and make sure Arsa's okay." Finn handed over the blaster and ran off to the spaceship.
Gridlock said, "That laser went in pretty deep... You won't last long, father."
Tin stayed silent.
Gridlock said, "You wouldn't be able to comprehend the amount of tears I've shed thinking you were dead. I won't ask you why you did what you did because it doesn't matter. You still did it. You still killed her. Whatever reason there was, it doesn't matter. I'm actually really happy about having the truth be revealed to me today because there's only one person I have to cry about now."
Tin said, "Son, I lo-"
Gridlock shot Tin in the head.