Gone Too Soon

It's weird, standing over the barely conscious body of my father figure. I can't remember that much about my parents, just how they died. It's weird how different the things I feel now are from what I felt then. There's no anger in my heart, no sorrow, not even pity. Just relief. It's over. I feel Azure's fingers intertwine with mine and her head rest on my shoulder.

"What do we do with him now?" She asks, and it's a question I'm unsure how to answer. There are still honest cops in this city, but... Well, not enough. There wasn't enough before I tore through this place. If due process is out of the question, then it leaves the vigilante option... But even so, I don't think I could bring myself to end Ludd forever. I guess you really can't choose your family.

"I wouldn't worry." Lux's voice chimes in, and I notice one of her drones approach, displaying a holographic screen in front of us. I hate holographs, the picture's always awful, but it'll do for now. "Someone may have taken a recording of him attacking you two, combine it with his ranting about human abominations and... Well, you can see for yourself." She explains.

The holographic screen fizzles to display a familiar stream. Of course. "Ladies, Gentlemen, Enbies, and beyond. We have breaking news. I'm coming to you live from Police Precinct, or rather, what's left of it. Today a pitched battle took place against a group who had occupied the building. We've confirmed that this group was the cult known as the 'Purifiers', who are responsible for innumerable deaths as well as the destruction of AI. We also received evidence that this group illegally accessed and used a prototype **** known as HEP, which was meant for use by the Ministry of War. Naturally, we passed this information through to the Ministry, and the United Republic's Army are now taking the group's members into custody, as you can see behind me."

The images behind Juno Webb show power-armoured soldiers dragging Purifiers and tossing them into the back of transports. "But this isn't simply a case of an invasion of the HQ, not at all. We've confirmed that these Purifiers are all members of the police by day, including their leader, Police Chief Thomas Ludd. As you can see here, the chief was last seen assaulting two women on the roof of the building before being apprehended by former Police Detective Tera Baker. I've just received confirmation that he is now in custody. This brings up one question: What happens to the police **** now? We've criticised the centralised police system before, could this be the chance for real change? It remains to be seen."

The screen fizzles, and the drone leaves before Juno's sign-off, for which I'm grateful. "Leaked it to the press, classic." I smirk, looking at Azure, who can't seem to believe the brass balls on Juno. I resist assuring her that there are no testicles there last I checked, I don't want to make her mad, and I still haven't told her about Lux's deal. "Let the army clean up here... He's not worth it. Come on." I decide, putting my arm around her as we head back to the lift.

It's arrogant. Stupid. Even if someone's down, you don't turn your back to them. I should expect it when I hear Ludd roaring and his feet rapidly hitting the ground as he charges us. I turn back, but I know it's too late. Even when not vibrating, that blade pierces flesh like it's butter. Blood trickles to the ground so quickly it looks like a waterfall. A silver waterfall.

"Are you... Satisfied now?" Prometheus asks, his breath ragged, impaled on Ludd's blade. "You've got your ****. Is it enough?"

Ludd looks shocked, but it's Azure who speaks. "Father, no!" She bellows, stepping forward, but I hold her back. If we couldn't stop Ludd with all that, we can't just rush in. "Father! Please, there's so much I don't understand. I still need you, please!" She begs, her grey eyes now flowing with tears. Even I'm shaken, I had no idea Prometheus even entered the building. One of Lux's drones must've dropped him off while we were distracted. So stupid. I should have noticed.

"You're wrong, Azure, all this time I was only working because I needed to meet you. You're my dream, my legacy..." He coughs back to us. "But every generation must end to allow the new one to thrive. I've given you your ****, Thomas, now I give you your ****." He roars, pushing Ludd back, right to the edge of the roof, before giving us one more acknowledgement. "I couldn't be prouder of you. Promise me... No more black eyes." He requests, before pushing one last time and falling over the edge with Ludd.

"Prometheus!" I yell, now it's me who runs to the edge. The building's so high that I barely get a glimpse of them falling before I realise Azure has rushed forwards too. I grab her and pull her into an embrace, shielding her eyes. She screams into my chest and tries to pull away... But I hold tight. I couldn't stop myself from witnessing the loss of my parents.

I can at least protect Azure.

*

I'd like to say that the army were detailed and thorough with their debriefs of us, but short of swearing us to silence at the end of several guns, they didn't seem to care about the details. It makes sense, they're here to clean up the mess, not identify the cause of the issues. My best guess is the Mayor will cave and shutter the precinct, replacing it with something less singularly powerful. No less corruptible though, it is Neonfall after all.

They're at least decent enough to drop us off at my loft, seeing as my AV's only suitable for the scrapyard now. Azure's quiet, her grey eyes turning yellow at certain intervals, betraying her thoughts. "What the fuck did I get all this security for? People seem to just be able to walk in." I groan as we enter, noticing Lux on one of my sofas. Azure seems to get distracted by the state of the place, hurriedly moving to clean up some of the glass on the ground.

"When you hang out with a master hacker and the progenitor of AI consciousness, automated defences don't mean much." Lux points out. "I'm... Sorry for your loss, Blue." She adds, giving Azure a solemn nod, who smiles in response, but her eyes remain a mournful grey.

I lean in close to avoid Azure hearing. "If this is about that deal, I don't think now's a good time." I warn Lux, who simply snorts in response. I don't think she would be that insensitive, but it's best to be safe.

"Actually... I'm here on business." Lux sighs. "See, the Purifiers going down lit up the net. Most are cheering, some were sympathetic to their cause. The worrisome bit though is the information being shared in secret. Coded messages. I don't know what they're saying, but I'm sure it relates to what happened at the precinct." She explains.

Suddenly a detail flashes back into my mind. "Londinium. Mendez said he was getting backup from Londinium." I recall. Londinium is the capital, but it's not like capital cities of old, it's isolationist and heavily guarded. It'd be easier to break into a prison. Okay, bad example. "If the Purifiers can get in and out of Londinium, that means they have reach beyond even the Mayor's office." I think aloud. "Which means... We haven't stopped them. We've only taken down one cell."

Lux lets out a breath as she leans back on the sofa. "No more police, the army doesn't care unless HEP's involved. Prometheus is gone. They've got free rein." She points out. I feel a twinge in my chest. Free to do what they want? Anyone and everyone is free to cause all the pain they want. No. No way in hell.

"There's us." I decide. "We aren't the only ones who had problems with the Purifiers, we just need to have our own network. We need to replace the police with something that works for us." I continue, ideas running through my head for training, development, recruitment, all of it. "Juno Webb's pushing for a new kind of police, I think I agree. More than that, I think people are already out there, willing and able to fill the void."

"Prometheans." Azure interjects, approaching the sofas. "Taking light from the gods and giving it to the masses. It's what my father would have wanted." She decides, her eyes a new colour, purple... At a guess, I'd say that means determination. She's as invested in this as anyone.

I nod, taking her hand in mine as she sits with me. "The Promethean Agency then. Protection for those who need it by those that can give it." I grin, bringing a smile to Azure's face, her eyes changing to a deep red.

"We'll fight fire with fire."

End of Part 1.