Published at 10th of March 2026 7:03 am

Chapter 14 - The Future Of Due Process

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The journey to Technologica’s space base is a dark blur. Waters’ ability makes the surroundings bleed together, but at least on the planet, there are tons of colors blending to create an interesting sight. In the vacuum of space, it's just an endless black void in whichever direction I look. But less than five minutes after we left my base, we arrived. He's nothing but a leashed hound snapping at strangers walking by the house. He's not a true opponent for me; his boss is. His ability is certainly versatile and powerful, but he isn't. He thinks he's untouchable, but there are several pieces I could use against him. Tuesday could make him think he's escaped while she slits his throat, and Subject Zero would neutralize him if he attacked her. When the time comes, I'll euthanize Technologica's dog.

One of Technologica's bodies is waiting for me when we arrive. Her glowing grin is a reminder of how she feels about me. Less than. A bug beneath her boot that should be happy it isn't being squashed. Unlike every other time we've met, my thoughts are lucid, and my emotions are regulated. All those problematic personality pieces are locked away within the Subjects. This is my chance to finally be able to converse with her with a cool head and a clear mind. I doubt I'll be able to win her over, but I can start taking steps to make our relationship less volatile. I will kill her one day, but before then, I'd be stupid not to try and extract as much value out of her as possible. Technologica is one of the Supreme Six, an incredibly dangerous and resourceful Neuvohuman, and maybe the oldest person alive.

“Thank you, Andrew. You may take your leave,” Technologica said, dismissing him.

“Let me know when you want me to bring him back. See ya,” Waters said.

The Special Agent snaps a crisp salute before disappearing in a blur. Now it’s only Technologica and me in the silent hangar where Andrew dropped me off. Hangar isn’t the right word; there aren’t any aircraft or spacecraft located here. Nothing is here, and I can’t help but assume that it is on purpose. She does not trust me and has taken almost a perverse pleasure in holding our informational difference above my head. A level of pettiness I would expect out of someone my age or younger, not someone older than my great-great-grandfather. Is it all an act by her? I’ve seen her main form before, and it contained a brain, so it’s likely that her personality is just rotten. It doesn’t even matter; I am still at her mercy until I can gain leverage.

“Good afternoon, or is it evening? I’m not quite sure how time zones work in space,” I said jokingly.

Deference won’t work; it wouldn’t be believable from me after all I’ve said. Neither would treating her the way I would treat anyone as Nobody. I also can’t use the personality I made for Eryk. If I am going to reach a point where she doesn’t just openly despise me, I’m going to need to craft a new personality just for dealing with her. If I am going to contend with her and other powerhouses, I am going to need to be able to exist as a Cowl that can be reasoned with.

“CLT. Coordinated Lunar Time is how time is measured in space. Do you have any inkling of why I had you brought here?” She asked me.

“I can only assume you have a mission you’d like me to go on,” I answered honestly. “I am quite curious about where I’ll be sent this time, and with whom.”

“You are correct that I require you to complete a task for me. But that isn’t the only reason I’ve brought you here. Step onto that circle, I will explain more once we get to our destination,” Technologica said, pointing over to what I have to assume is a platform.

I step into the thin-lined circle on the ground, and it begins moving up, carrying me with it. Technologica floats through the air weightlessly as if gravity is a suggestion, twisting and contorting her robotic form in ways a human body could never do. It’s a stark reminder that I’m dealing with a mechanical avatar controlled by the puppet master who has manipulated the trajectory of our species for decades. The platform I’m on follows just behind her like a child carrying a balloon. Our journey through the halls and spheres takes around fifteen minutes, and the quietness is starting to make me question her intentions. She takes a right, arriving at a door that slides open as we approach.

The lights click on one set at a time, dramatically illuminating the room a couple of feet at a time. This place is another one of her labs. Eight-foot-tall steel cylinders are all along the left and right walls, and the temperature in the room is approaching sauna levels. When you don't have skin temperature ceases to be a concern. There’s a large screen embedded into the wall on the other side of the room. A loud click comes from one of the steel cylinders to my right as the metal plating recedes into the wall, revealing an unconscious person floating in a greenish-blue gel wearing a respirator mask. They're naked and covered in sensors that are hooked up to the top of the machine. They're stasis pods or something very similar. Another nine clicks echo out as the remaining pods open to reveal nine adults of varying age, sex, and race floating within.

“I see we share a hobby for kidnapping strangers,” I joked in an attempt at levity.

Her avatar spins around doing a figure eight like some sort of eel. Her digital face changes from the mocking court jester-like grin to an aggravated frown. Technologica holds her hand to her chest like she’s offended.

“I believe I’ve warned you about comparing us before. Your attempt at humor comes across as painfully sycophantic, child. Your Doctor’s experiments show a modicum of promise, but that does not mean your little torture camp is equivalent to what I am doing,” she responded aggressively.

She really hates my guts. I know I didn’t make the best impression on her in our previous interactions, but she can’t fucking stand me. Have I personally offended her in some way? If she is so above me like she claims, then why am I on the receiving end of such vitriol? All I can do is try to raise her opinion of me via professionalism. I don’t have my helmet with me; it’s back at the base. I drop the friendly face and act. Maybe she’ll respect this more.

“No comparisons or jokes. Noted. May I ask some questions?”

“Fine,” she said, flying over to the wall with the display.

“These people are obviously Neuvohumans who have a power you’d like me to transfer. Does that mean you have found someone worthy of helping you steer the world? I’ll assume this person or persons isn’t one of your Numbers. They seem to be more disposable, for lack of a better word,” I remarked.

“You would be correct on both of your assumptions. But the Numbers aren’t disposable, and they all understand there is no cost I wouldn’t pay to preserve humanity, which brings us to the people contained here. Not that I believe you would care, but all of them are Cowls who were serving life sentences in Omnimax prisons. They will not be missed, and thus we are free to use them as needed. Take their powers, explain exactly what the mechanics of them are, and inform me of what the side effects are,” she ordered without turning around.

Of course, she knows about the side effects.

“If the side effects are particularly bad, will you still use them?” I asked.

“Are you asking because you want them? Oh, Eryk, you greedy little boy. We do not have the type of relationship where you receive anything except me prolonging the date of your execution. We are not partners. You are a hound, a hunting dog, whose only responsibility is to follow orders. If I tell you to jump, you will jump. Not because you will receive a treat, but because the alternative is me lobotomizing you into an egoless puppet,” she answered disdainfully.

Her berating me would have set me off if I still had pride, or aggression, or narcissism. But I don’t, so her words break against me like waves upon a cliff. I will not give her the reaction she wants or expects. I am in control of myself, and no amount of goading from her will change that. She can call me whatever she wants if I can gain a power from it. I’ll do whatever it takes so that one day I will stand above her.

“I understand where we stand. In our previous interactions, I was prickly and hostile, and for that I am sorry,” I apologized. I don’t bother to pretend to look sincere; she’ll either see this as genuine or she won’t. “From what little I have glimpsed of your network and resources, it appears that you do not have a problem working with Cowls, per se. In that case, I am quite interested in working with you if possible. Not as equal partners, but maybe some contractor work?”

Her head rotates toward me while her body stays facing forward. I don’t think it is an attempt at intimidation or scare tactics, but it is certainly an inhuman act.

“Never in any of the thousands of simulated conversations I’ve had with you have you apologized. What is going on?” She asked, flying over to look at me.

I have this feeling that I am suddenly occupying a significantly larger portion of her attention than I was before. Maybe even a whole percent instead of a decimal. Did I misplay this?

“In all the footage you watched of me from my original helmet, you must’ve seen that I can be a reasonable person. Is it really so abnormal that I would accept the gulf between us and try to make amends? I am capable of growth. I’d like to think that what I showed in the mission you had me join proves that.”

If she doesn’t bite here, or at least show that she’s going to consider it, then I’m truly screwed. Having a Sword of Damocles hovering above me at all times is a danger I do not need. The avatar of Technologica hovers perfectly still in the air as if frozen. It’s a bit odd standing here waiting for her to respond.

“I may have misjudged you slightly. You will never be one of my Numbers; you lack the dedication and mindset for it. But perhaps there is value in you. Back to the matter at hand, get to work,” she ordered.

The pods all start to drain rapidly, and the occupants fall to the floor. I make my way over to the closest one, and it lowers halfway into the ground. With a hiss and a pop, the top of the machine opens, allowing me access to the person inside. I get to work and start absorbing while under the watchful gaze of my warden.

“Biological Tinkerer, specialty is creating the perfect life form. Can only have one creature exist at a time, but said creature can be continuously upgraded. Can graft other Neuvohuman pieces onto the being to allow it to use those powers. Theoretically, the being should be able to trigger, too,” I said.

“That last part was not known. Side effects?” She asked.

“Single-minded focusing.”

“Easily workable. Possibly a Rank 4 or 5, depending on the creator’s imagination and ingenuity. Continue,” Technologica said.

“Environmental Alter, the user is able to project pulsing jagged red lines onto anything their body is touching. They continuously spread the longer the contact is held, and make whatever it is structurally weaker. It works on people and animals as well. Recipients feel sick, sluggish, and drained. From what I can tell, it isn’t a fast effect. The side effect is an aversion to large groups,” I said.

The personality piece is actually cynicism, but lying to Technologica makes the situation slightly more tolerable. The second emotion to be found amongst the Cowls she abducted. The other emotion I found was trust. Being able to trust someone without needing to constantly suspect them must be a wonderful feeling. Finding two emotions has only made the objective of getting on Technologica’s good side even more important.

“That side effect is a non-factor. Power is a Rank 2; it takes too long to work and looks undeniably evil to the public. What is the last one?” She asked.

“The final ability is a Caster/Neutralizer one that allows the user to summon a scythe from within themselves that can cut anything. It ignores the durability and toughness of materials or Neuvohumans. It can cut a Bruiser whose body is functionally invulnerable, cut through fire, energy attacks, and even air itself. The cuts can be shot out at a distance, allowing the user to cut things before they’re in range. The side effect is the desire to travel,” I said.

“That is within the previously understood parameters of the Reaper’s powerset. Rank 7. Side effect is inconsequential. Alright, put them all back, and we can talk about the other reason I had Andrew bring you here,” she commanded me.

While I’d love to keep all these powers and emotions, I knew she wouldn’t let me. If push comes to shove, I can always take them back. Keeping the smile off my face is tough because I once again triumphed over her. Once I’m back in Quinstin, I’ll be able to use these people’s bodies to know whether Technologica is above me or not. It won’t be enough to locate this space station exactly, but it is a start. If Zero can accomplish what I need her to do, there is a chance I might be able to rid myself of this Technobitch once and for all. I walk over to the first person and start the transfer back. This is going to take a bit.

Once I finish transferring the last power back to its original owner, the stasis pods move back into place. The cyan liquid from before starts pouring into them, refilling quickly before the metal plating emerges from the walls to cover the tubes. Despite Technologica confirming to me that she did find someone worthy of helping her protect the planet, she hasn’t shown or mentioned them since. If that isn’t the reason I’m here, then what is? Wracking my brain creates no results; the lack of any Numbers means that I’m not going on another field trip.

“All done. Now, what was the other reason you had Special Agent Waters bring me here?” I asked.

“You live in and operate out of Quinstin, so I know you’re well aware of what happened earlier today,” she said.

“Yes. One of mine tried to stop it from happening, but the Heroes’ Union’s interference allowed Ares to succeed in setting off his bomb. Now, I’m racing against time to find a method that will save his life,” I shared.

“Ares’ actions today have set off a series of events that are going to affect the trajectory of the world as we know it. I am not being hyperbolic. Several hours ago, the United Nations had a meeting about what happened in your city. The contents of said meeting and which countries’ leaders voted which way are not important. What is important is the decision they landed on,” she said ominously.

“Which was what?” I asked, careful not to interrupt her.

“That a Kill Order was declared on Ares. He isn’t going to be brought in or captured. There won’t be a trial or judge or a jury of his peers. The BNA has sent a Strike Force into your city; they’re already there with the UN-approved mission of murdering him,” she answered.

What? The BNA sent a hit squad into Quinstin? That’s insane. The United Nations cannot decide to just murder someone, regardless of what crimes they have committed.

“That’s crazy. But why are you telling me?” I asked honestly.

“Because this can’t be allowed to happen. If the Strike Force succeeds, it will only embolden the UN to use this again in the future. The United Nations cannot be allowed to sanction the execution of people, whether they are Cowls or not. This is one of those things that will dynamically shift the course that our planet is on. It is a slippery slope that will only lead to insurrections, fear, and global instability,” she explained.

“Sorry, I understand why this is important; I meant, why are you telling me, specifically?”

“Because Eryk, I do not have any Numbers in Quinstin or the surrounding area that can prevent this from happening. The only hope is that someone gets to Ares first. If the mission fails because a local Cowl got to him before they did, I will be able to pull on some threads to prevent this from being suggested again. It is no exaggeration to say that you are right in the middle of the most important manhunt of our species, and there is no room for failure,” Technologica said.

I don’t like where this is going at all.

“I need you to kill Ares before they do. The future of due process and justice depends on it.”

Fuck me.

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