“Murder is wrong.”
“Just because you murder a murderer. Or make another murderer do it for you. That doesn’t make it better.”
“If you murder a murderer, the amount of murderers in the world remains the same. You could murder lots of murderers but-, thousands of people work on shows like Slayerz every year and in a way it makes them all murderers. Even the audience, by watching, participates, and that makes you murderers too. Think about it. That’s a lot more murderers.”
“When it comes to murder, just say no. Change the channel, change the world.”
“This message brought to you by People for the Ethical Treatment of People. Press the button on your screen to donate now.”
Epilogue
Outside the arena, the two armoured trucks used by the mercenaries were waiting. Digger, Homer and the other contestants, along with the remaining mercs, Layla, Tommy Nguyen and Miller, picked their way through the rubble and moved through the hole one of the trucks had blown through the arena wall. A sense of relief crossed their faces as they became officially free of the place. Columns of smoke rose from several places across the five rings that made up the enormous arena. In the far distance, where the airship had gone down at the very beginning of the game, a fusion storm had kicked up and was lashing the horizon with glowing rain.
“You’re free to come with us.” Layla said, “We’re going to head back over the border, meet at our extraction point. I know I’ve seen enough of this continent for a while. Or, you can take the second truck if you want, we don’t need it.”
Behind Layla, Tommy and Bolt helped DFN limp inside one of the trucks. The other contestants were all going with the mercenaries to take their chances by returning to civilisation. Digger rubbed his wrist, the kill switch sleeve and map now having been completely removed from his right forearm. Homer watched him silently.
“We might take the second truck, tag after you for a bit, and then go our separate ways. Assuming the little bloke is okay with that.” Digger said, “I’ve got to get back home one way or the other, start thinking about making amends, but I’ve got to find some place for Homer too.”
“Are you sure? People are going to come looking for him.” Layla said, “The people behind Slayerz is going to be after all of us, but-, after the whole world saw what he can do, there’s not a corporation, military or government in the world that wouldn’t kill to get their hands on Homer and try to learn more about his powers.”
“Ah, I’m sure we can handle it, right, mate?” Digger clapped Homer on the shoulder, “All the better not to put all our eggs in one basket.”
Tommy came jogging over, camera sitting on his shoulder although the EMP blast had killed its function, “All of this is going to make one hell of a documentary.” He said.
“Just make sure you keep in my best lines, I’m pretty sure there was some zingers in there.” Digger said.
“Good luck.” Layla said.
The big soldier was still unbalanced from the loss of her left arm, but she offered her right to Digger. He shook it gratefully and shook hands with Tommy as well.
“Thanks a lot, guys, for everything.” Digger said.
The others climbed into the first truck, engine rumbling to life. Both military-grade vehicles were shielded so that, so far away from the epicentre of the EMP, they would work fine. Digger and Homer climbed into the second truck and followed. Wheels kicked streamers of dust into the air as they pulled away and drove across the desert, away from the empty arena.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Epilogue
Kill Switch: Final Season Page 39