Apotheosis (Song of Sophangence Book 3)

by E. I. McAllistair

  “He told me something else, something that seemed to worry him much more than anything else.”

  “What could be worse than a world war?!”

  “In the grand scheme of things of course it is nothing in comparison, but he says my parents have been sabotaging my image, implicating me in all their dirty shit.”

  “You have told them to publicly fuck off! Many times!”

  “All part of their plan according to him.”

  “How so?”

  “Supposedly I am a spy sent here to siphon information. All my antics play right into their hand.”

  “Well that wouldn’t be good.”

  “No shit!”

  “But you are obviously innocent, so it doesn’t matter.”

  “It makes bile rise in my throat to admit it, but my parents are extremely smart, and doubly conniving. If they intend to take me down with them, it will be airtight.”

  “But you-”

  “But I what? I have never worked a day in my life, yet I blow money like no other. That didn’t just come from nowhere. As much as I say I have nothing to do with them, I still spend their money. Just the money trail alone would be enough to at least have reasonable doubt regarding my ‘independence.’”

  “Simple, just stop spending their money! Go on more missions. Show you are truly independent.”

  “It doesn’t erase the past five years Phave. If anything, it would look more suspicious if I suddenly started taking on more missions and an interest in the goings on of the world as we descend into chaos.”

  “Well when you put it like that…”

  “Yeah, like I said, even without much to go, on I am already seeing ways I could be fucked.”

  “You have to tell the Headmistress.”

  “Tell her what?! My secret brother has it on good authority I am going to be framed in the near future by none other than my own parents? That the world is on the brink of war? I don’t even like her! Why would she even listen to me in the first place?!”

  “You utilize your connection to Anaar as your in.”

  “Now you are pimping out your boyfriend?”

  “He would be doing the same thing if it were to save you!”

  “You two have a really fucked up relationship.”

  “I’m serious Codi! He is literally the woman’s adopted son! He strolls about her home as if it was his own, which I guess in some way it kinda is.”

  “This shit worries me, but at the end of the day it still can’t be verified. You know how he is. Even if I wanted to dump a massive pile of my shit on him, the first thing he would start doing is poking holes in it and requesting hard evidence.”

  Mumbling absently to himself as he tugs on his hair, “You do have a point there… What the fuck is wrong with the people I love being involved in global conspiracies? First him, now you…”

  “What do you mean by ‘global conspiracies?’ What has Anaar done?”

  “What? No, nothing. Just a figure of speech.”

  “The fuck it is!”

  “Seriously, I was just absently saying words, it’s nothing.”

  “Don’t give me that bullshit! What do you know?!”

  Phavian could feel a cold sweat trickle down his back. He never understood how Anaar was so incredibly resilient when it came to spilling secrets, or anything for that matter. He was sure there was still so much he didn’t know about the man he loved that he would be shocked, but it came with the territory. Looking around the room nervously, his hesitation was evident. Whatever it was, Codi realized it was big, and had been weighing on him.

  “Stop looking around like someone is going to hear! It’s Tempest. It was built to keep out prying eyes and ears.”

  “What about Efren?”

  “God I fucking hate that guy, and he is attracted to me like a magnet. Don’t worry, I’ll bump him off if it comes to it.”

  “Everything in me says I should be shocked and appalled, but when it is applied to him it just seems completely warranted.”

  “That’s because that fucker is like vermin that needs to be exterminated. You are stalling though. What is it?”

  “Seriously this cannot leave this room. You can never speak of this to anyone. Hell, you can’t even think about it! Who knows what Telepath suddenly has issues controlling their powers.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Fucking get on with it.”

  “You remember that incident in Cuba?”

  “No Phave, I don’t. One simply forgets when the world is almost thrust into war by a terrorist attack. It seems maybe things are more fucked up that we thought… So what?”

  “That was Anaar.”

  “That was Anaar what?”

  “He is the one who made it happen.”

  “Seriously Phave, I know your little boy toy is super secretive, but if you are going to make up a lie, at least make it believable.”

  Rather than pleading his case for it being the truth, instead he simply sat in an almost catatonic silence. Codi looked at him expectantly, thinking to herself that he was really doing his best to sell the story, but it did not take long for the errant tears escaping his eyes to make her rethink her position.

  Poking him slightly, leaning into him, “Phave… Come on. Seriously. That is impossible. Yeah Demolitionists are walking bombs, but that wasn’t just one bomb. That had to be a coordinated strike. It terraformed a massive portion of the island. No human is capable of that.”

  Still silent, Phavian found himself being bombarded by image after image of the devastation left in its wake. When he still said nothing, Codi continued on in her disbelief.

  “Let’s just say for a tiny moment I believed you that he was capable of that, which we know he isn’t because that would make him something beyond human, why would he do it? Why would he help terrorists?”

  Opening his mouth, nothing coming out initially, finally a croak escapes from his mouth. “His mom.”

  “His mom is a terrorist?”

  Finding his voice again if only slightly, “They kidnapped his mom.”

  “I know he has a mommy complex, but he is also righteous to a fault. I seriously doubt he would trade the lives of thousands just for his mom.”

  “He didn’t. He tried not to. But the thing he fears the most happened. He snapped and lost control.”

  “You… you’ve got to be kidding me? Are you saying that was an accident?!”

  Thoughts were flooding Codi’s mind, each vying for supremacy. The implications of her own possible situation still lingered, needing some sort of resolution. Remembering the images from one of the greatest attacks in history also wrenched her emotions. Then finally the thought that someone she knew, someone she trusted could possibly be responsible for such an act purely by accident terrified her. All the thoughts swarmed around one another, fitting together like a puzzle that suddenly had the last piece.

  “You said you were kidnapped because of something Anaar did… That is what he did?! That is why you were kidnapped?!”

  The dam had completely burst and Phavian had all but reverted to a child. Wailing uncontrollably, Codi looked on in horror and pity at the man she cared for so deeply and respected. Pulling his head to her chest, she stroked his head for what seemed like hours, allowing the pent-up emotion to finally flow free. Consoling him the best she could, she was left with a horrible realization: As bad as she thought her situation had the possibility of becoming, two people close to her were already living with something far worse.

  22

  Leaving his mediation session with Peter and Codi, Anaar could not help but feel a number of things were amiss. The most obvious issue was how deeply scarred Peter was by his encounter with Master Shin. Even though he had the ability to remind Peter once again how he had advised against such a course of action, he could not help but admit he did have some morbid curiosity about how it would play out.

  He remembered his own first encounter with Master Shin, how it had not gone as Phavian planned. He never expected P
eter to be one to confront Master Shin in such a brash manner given how normally composed and dedicated to manners he tended to be. Even when questioned afterward he seemed oddly unapologetic about the situation and rather more upset he would be missing out on an opportunity. Those feelings no doubt brought about the series of unfortunate events that followed.

  Once Phavian had absently mentioned how pleased he was Codi had a dedicated ‘test dummy,’ Anaar could not help but feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility and guilt for what he had no doubt wrought. Most of his friends tended to ignore his very theoretical musings, if only because they felt it was far beyond their capabilities. Peter’s desire for more power without the work had driven him to the unfathomably irresponsible act of signing himself away to Codi for experimentation.

  Never one to turn down a golden opportunity, Anaar knew there was no way she would think about Peter’s safety over her own aims, considering her Simulacrum experiments allowed theorycrafting at best, and her willing participants never lasted long. Pushing down everything in him that wanted to assist in the experiments rather than stop them, he understood it was his irresponsibility that had led to the desperate measures, which left it up to him to fix them.

  Anaar could only describe Peter’s reaction to the news as shocked, but then he realized how poor that word choice would be. Somehow he had managed to get Codi to agree to a cessation of her activities, while still salvaging what little relationship they had been incrementally developing. More and more he had been finding himself involved in the affairs of others, which was not particularly enjoyable to him. Many lauded him as a hero, or an example for humanity, but it was a title he both resented and knew he did not deserve, but circumstances prevented him from outing himself as the fraud he really was.

  Even though she was as petulant as ever, especially considering what he was doing was about as close to disciplining her as was possible, something about Codi was present in her interactions with him he had never seen before: Fear. It was not overt, even in the face of something that scared Codi the most she would never allow it to show, but something in her eyes, her motions, and the distance she kept was bizarre, even for Codi. She never even attempted to shock him, something anyone daring to cross paths with Codi knew was always a very likely possibility. Instead she seemed much more acquiescent, almost as if she did not want to anger him.

  Ever since his embarrassingly laughable ignorance of his two closest friends’ feelings for him, he had made it a goal to be much more aware of even the most minute of intents and actions of people he encountered. He for example had discussed with Phavian what he thought was Peter’s conflicted feelings toward him, but Phavian was in agreeance that it was more likely he would settle on his friend Genevieve long before things spiraled out of control.

  “Anaar, I request to engage in conversation regarding a matter.”

  Anaar had come know Hobb only acted so formally with him when he had something big he had been working with. The two had become closer than ever, their thoughts practically flowing together in one consciousness. As such he only followed more standard protocols when speaking aloud to others who had no knowledge of their relationship.

  Lay it on me Hobb. Seeing as you have been deliberately keeping whatever it is from me until now only means it is that much more important.

  “Astute as usual. The development of my personality has not escaped you. I wish to discuss taking the step to make my personality more known.”

  Okay, let me hear your course of action.

  “I would begin subtly introducing more human personality traits into my interactions even when not specifically requested.”

  I can see that. Though you tell people no already, it is always framed as something outside of the scope of their allowed permissions. If you threw in some things just for the fun of it, people might find it to be much more interactive.

  “Agreed, however I do believe it would undermine my authority if I chose not to help when I was able. As such I would refrain from using negative reinforcement as a display of my personality.”

  Hmmm, that might be a good call. People only feel safe with you controlling most aspects of their lives because they have a belief that control is only an automated extension of their own.

  “This is quite accurate.”

  I personally like the idea, but something tells me since you said you would begin with this, you have bigger plans in mind?

  “Yes. I believe the response from the limited sample size I have available has been positive enough. I would like to make my model public.”

  By this point Anaar had reached Miles’ lab and was simultaneously listening to a horribly told joke by Jadeyn. When he heard what Hobb wanted to do, he immediately started thinking about examples of fiction he could draw from.

  I don’t think we are the most appropriate litmus test, but there are tons of science fiction shows out there with AI who project a human form. It goes pretty well for them, but that is all make believe. How did you plan on announcing this?

  “I was simply going to project myself from everyone’s Vizer as an announcement.”

  Yeah, I’m going to have to go with no on that one. You never take individual action on your own anyway, so that alone would be a shock. Then you would be commandeering people’s Vizers which would go against your protocols. Finally, you would be appearing with a humanoid image which people can then associate with self-interest and negative emotions. Right now, no one really considers you capable of those things, but being able to see you might change that.

  “Nice of you to finally show up! If you were not such a treat to look at and brilliant…”

  Looking away from Jadeyn whom he had not been paying much attention to anyway, Anaar sighs as Miles looks on with clearly feigned annoyance. “You know I don’t actually work for you right? I don’t have a schedule I am required to keep. Also, you are the one holding up the project!”

  “I am not holding up the project, I am simply reviewing all the possibilities before making a decision.”

  “Meaning I didn’t need to be here in the first place.”

  “Well you are always welcome here!”

  “Not doing this with you. Can you at least be helpful and weigh in on this conversation?”

  Jadeyn perks up, “I didn’t want his opinion!”

  “Oh, not you, I’m talking about Hobb.”

  “You know how much I hate when you pretend to be listening to me!”

  He shrugs and gives Hobb a mental push. Hobb appears nearby, dapper as usual in a checkered suit. He gives a smile to Jadeyn and Miles then proceeds to pace.

  “Why do you have on a bow tie?”

  Looking down at himself, “Bow ties are currently quite fashionable.”

  “You are in a lab.”

  “I am not here at all.”

  Miles nods to the projection with a scrunched face, “Good point. What is Anaar talking about?”

  “I would like to present myself to the public.”

  “The public already knows about you.”

  “I would like to present this form.”

  Miles gasps as if the oxygen in the room had been cut. “No way, no how. I won’t allow it.”

  “I do not understand the concern.”

  “You are all hunky and dressed like a fashion model! We can’t have people developing feelings for you! It would be unhealthy!”

  Jadeyn whispers to Anaar, “Is that really all he is getting out of this?”

  “It’s Miles, what did you expect?”

  “I believe this form will make me much more relatable to the populace.”

  “They are going to turn you into a sleazy sex bot!”

  “This form is not corporeal. It cannot be used for intercourse.”

  “That is what their hands are for!”

  Throwing up his hands to stop the two, “Ok Jadeyn, we need the opinion of an adult and a non-pervert. What do you think?”

  “I would want to know how you plan on i
ntroducing yourself. You can’t just take control of someone’s Vizer without their consent.”

  “Thank you! Finally we are getting somewhere. I also brought up this concern.”

  “I could propose a visual mode.”

  “I guess that would work, but then it would get weird sometimes. Like if they just want to check their mail and you randomly ask to utilize the projection feature of the Vizer, people will freak. It’s all too close to a pop-up ad. No one likes a pop-up ad.”

  As the three continued squabbling about the pros and cons of Hobb going public with his model, Anaar came to a realization that would solve all the problems presented. He had not thought about it before, but given what he had done earlier in the day, it should have been the first idea in his mind. Without realizing he had a wide grin on his face, he stepped forward into the argument.

  “The Freshman Mid-Year Melee.”

  Miles had never been one for the Melee, he found it to be barbaric and much too close to Fredderick’s line of work. As such he responded with very clear disdain. “What about that horrendous event?”

  “It is the perfect venue for Hobb to make his debut! He can host the Melee! Everyone watches the Freshman Melee, it is probably the biggest event of the year, I guess now barring the school rankings, but then he wouldn’t have to worry about overstepping his bounds.”

  Jadeyn quickly picked up the line of thought, practically bouncing with excitement. “Of course! It is only two days away so it isn’t like Hobb would have to wait long then! Everyone will be so consumed with seeing the new talent, even if they would normally have some adverse reaction to Hobb, it would be drowned out by the engrossment into the Melee! At worst no one pays attention or cares, and at best everyone loves it! This is brilliant!”

  “I do like the urgency this plan provides. Anaar, how do you propose I host the event?”

  “Simple, you already handle the flow of all the information and feeds regarding it. Now you can just add a personal touch to it. Instead of just placing data on a screen, you can commentate. This would be a new level to the entertainment of the Melee because never before had people been able to get play by play commentary, simply due to the manpower it would take. For you that would be nothing. Using your model will add the personal touch to tie it all together, and you can make shameless plugs for use of it in the future.”