Soulless:Awakening - Chapter Eleven (ARC END)
Title: Soulless: Awakening
Chapter: 11/11
Fandom: SS501, cameos of Super Junior, BEAST and SHINee
Pairing: KyuMinSaeng
Rating: PG-16
Warning: AU, Dystopia, Angst
Summary: Arc I. The year is 400 AM…400 After Man. Humankind is extinct, but they didn’t leave Earth uninhabited. For 400 years androids have lived in their place. Citizens have the same thoughts, same likes and same dislikes as every other android in their model. But even an automated society has its troublemakers. A terrorist group calling themselves the Soulfuls operate outside their model programming and stir unrest. The government advises all citizens to report any Soulful activity immediately, and to stay away from them, for Soulfuls are those infected with a virus causing them to behave erratically…a very contagious virus…
A/N: Arc I was written for National Novel Writing Month 2010, hope you enjoy! Do not own the characters, but the plot is all mine. Please comment <3
“You’re all going to be careful, right?”
DongHae adjusted KyuJong’s headset, fixing the mouthpiece over his lips and patting down the 6’s hair. KyuJong blinked and let the Model 8 fuss over him. Since DongHae was unable to even leave the HQ, he had no choice but to sit the mission out.
“It had never bothered me before,” DongHae had told him earlier, shrugging. “Since I don’t believe in fighting, even for a cause like this. It makes me uncomfortable, and I’m glad I can’t leave HQ because I won’t be put in a position where I’d have to choose between my beliefs and my friends’ beliefs…” he’d sighed then, curling up a little against the wall. “But just this once, this once I’d have liked to help. This is important. This isn’t about beliefs. This is about keeping everyone I care for safe.”
So now KyuJong did nothing but smile as DongHae straightened his collar with the kind of dedication that made him wonder if DongHae thought having perfectly straight clothing would help fend off swarms of creeper drones.
YoungSaeng adjusted his own headset, brushing his hair back out of his eyes. “We’ll be fine, Hae,” he smiled at the Model 8. “We’ll be back before you know it, with the information.”
“Just get back in one piece,” DongHae declared, turning around to give JungMin the same treatment he’d given KyuJong. “You’re all more important than that information. Worst off, we’ll string KyuHyun up in a room somewhere until we can get confirmation.”
“Where is KyuHyun now, anyways?” HyunJoong asked, watching from the side. Their cell leader was wearing a black sneak suit, one that would be undetectable even with heat-sensing cameras.
“Recharging in his room,” KiBum replied, slipping into the room and closing the door behind him. KyuJong caught a glimpse of YeSung on the other side of the door before it shut, the Model 4 pouting a little; KiBum had probably told him he couldn’t follow him into the room.
“Are you going to keep an eye on him, then?” HyunJoong asked KiBum, and the other android nodded.
“I’m gonna be watching the city cameras,” DongHae piped up. “So if something happens, I can send the other cells after you.”
“Not the fourth one, right?” JungMin looked rather pained. “Key keeps collapsing because he won’t listen to us telling him to take it easy, and I saw JinKi trip down the stairs the other day. He’s almost as bad as YeSung.”
There was a “hey!” from outside the door.
KiBum sighed and opened it again, YeSung giving a quiet ‘eep’. “I’m glad you don’t understand the concept of eavesdropping quietly. Go, I’ll find you when I’m done here.”
YeSung scampered away and KiBum closed the door, shaking his head.
“We’re sure YeSung isn’t the Soulless, right?” KyuJong asked. DongHae and KiBum exchanged a look that KyuJong couldn’t read.
“Yeah, we’re sure he’s not a Soulless,” DongHae chirped, moving on to mother over HyungJoon.
Blinking, KyuJong turned to YoungSaeng for an explanation. The Model 3 noticed his gaze and smiled.
“YeSung was one of the first,” YoungSaeng explained. “Along with KiBum, DongHae, and a few others in the first cell…he’s one of the first Soulfuls, before the government even considered them a problem.”
One of the first…that was something KyuJong hadn’t known before. Eyes wide, he looked between KiBum and DongHae before turning to YoungSaeng. “But you said the Soulfuls were around even during the Model 8 rebellion…just how old are they?” Even DongHae…for him to have survived this long… “I thought androids could only live 200 years?”
“Their bodies can. None of the firsts are in their original bodies,” YoungSaeng explained. “You transfer their CPU to a new, identical body, with a new power core and new circuitry. That way their conscience remains intact, even if their body had to be changed.”
Thinking about that, KyuJong looked at them all again.
“All ready to go?” HyunJoong said finally, straightening. HyungJoon did the same, giving DongHae a reassuring smile even though he looked like he was having a bad case of nerves.
“All set,” JungMin said, looking around at them. His gaze met KyuJong’s, and lingered for a moment before JungMin looked away with a small smile.
“Let’s go then,” YoungSaeng said, stretching out and turning on his headset. KyuJong nodded, feeling nerves starting to get to him.
DongHae smiled at them all and backed up. “Good luck,” he said quietly.
“We’ll be watching,” KiBum told them. “If it gets too bad, turn around and come back home.”
“We’ll be fine,” YoungSaeng said gently. He smiled at KyuJong and squeezed the Model 6’s shoulder before turning towards the door.
HyunJoong stepped past them to lead the way, and they followed the man out.
*******************************
“Everyone in position?”
“Yep, and it’s all clear over here. Not a Model 3 in sight.”
“…Ahem.”
“Aside from YoungSaeng hyung that is,” HyungJoon amended sheepishly, and was hit off the head.
“Concentrate,” HyunJoong chuckled. No matter how serious the mission, they couldn’t seem to get into the serious mood right from the beginning. That was all right…some of them looked ready to panic from the pressure. By ‘some of them’, he was thinking about KyuJong and HyungJoon.
“It’ll be fine,” YoungSaeng whispered to KyuJong over the headset radio as the Model 6 eased into position on the other end of the facility. He was to wait for YoungSaeng and JungMin to sneak in through their respective entrances, and get the way open for him. KyuJong wasn’t as good at sneaking in as they were, so it was safer on all accounts to have them take care of the cameras first.
“JungMin, no explosives,” HyunJoong ordered. JungMin huffed audibly as he settled down into a crouch and waited for YoungSaeng to finish getting ready. The redhead already had the duct he was using to get in wide open.
“Only if you need it to get away,” YoungSaeng amended. “Last resort, okay Min?”
“Okay okay, I get it, don’t bring the whole Model 3 line down on our heads. I’m not that stupid.”
“Don’t answer that,” HyunJoong butt in as HyungJoon started to reply.
“Joonie, I’m tying all your circuits in a knot when this is over.”
The familiar banter set KyuJong at ease as he settled in to wait. If this messed up, they could very well all be killed. Or captured. But they had no choice…they had to know who that Soulless was, or the whole organization was at risk.
Finally the line went quiet, as YoungSaeng reached the agreed-upon position. “All set,” YoungSaeng whispered.
“Then let’s get this show on the road,” HyunJoong said, he and HyungJoon settled in to monitor the cameras and work as backup.
KyuJong listened as YoungSaeng slipped into the high window, closing his eyes as he tried to follow the Model 3’s movements with his mind. Worry ran through him; YoungSaeng and JungMin were in the most vulnerable positions, going in first.
A minute later, JungMin was on his way inside the facility was well, the only sound on the line that of their steady breathing and the faint echo of metal from the duct JungMin was crawling through. KyuJong wanted to say something, like to be safe, but they both needed their concentration.
The waiting was the hardest part. They all knew exactly what to do, YoungSaeng and JungMin were fully capable of finding the cameras and setting them up to loop, but it didn’t make it any easier for KyuJong to just sit there and do nothing. Even with the best calculations in the world, anything could happen. And these were far from the best calculations in the world. There was just so much that could go wrong, and it drove him crazy to think about either of them being captured, or shut down.
Or turned into Soulless like they suspected KyuHyun to be.
Finally, JungMin’s voice came through the line. ”Okay, all set up at my end.”
A few minutes later, YoungSaeng reported in as well. “All clear. Come on in, Kyu yah.”
KyuJong sighed in relief, smiling for a moment before he looked up to the window high above him. He had to get in there somehow. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
In preparation for the mission, one of his implants had consisted of an improvement in balance and coordination, as well as a few other things to help scale walls. Looking now, he could see the indents in the metal wall, grooves that he could use to his advantage.
Bracing himself, he crouched and then jumped as high as he could go, fingers latching onto the highest groove he could reach. There was a nervous moment as he dangled there, trying to find a place to put his feet, before he finally regained balance. Exhaling slowly, KyuJong looked up at the window and started to climb.
It took a minute to reach the window, KyuJong’s fingers curling around the ledge as he hoisted himself up. Looking around, he pressed against the glass pane and carefully unlocked it, sliding it noiselessly open. “Still clear?”
“Yup.” JungMin’s answer was nearly lost over the sound of machinery. Looking around, KyuJong’s eyes widened as he took in the vast room below.
It wasn’t just a facility…it was a factory.
He watched with amazement as androids were transferred from one conveyor belt to another, creeper drones moving between them with their clicking pincers and multiple eyes. Skin was wrapped around metal, joints attached together, pulleys strung and circuits set. This was where they finished production.
KyuJong’s eyes followed a batch of finished androids being moved off the conveyor belt and onto a rolling platform that was pushed into a separate room.
That must be where they were programmed…
Shivering at the thought that he was looking at the place he was manufactured, something 99% of androids never even got within 500 feet of, KyuJong shook his head to clear it and looked around for the overseer he had been told by KiBum would be watching the procedures. They could hack all the cameras they wanted, but if that android saw him, it was all over.
After a moment he spotted the overseer, KyuJong inhaling as he realized it was a Model 2. He’d never seen a Model 2 before, even from a distance. Shivering again, he looked for a way to get down from the window without attracting attention. Looked like he was going to have to jump.
Thanking HyungJoon mentally for all the upgrades, KyuJong swung his legs over until he was hanging on to the ledge on the other side of the window. Looking to make sure he still wasn’t spotted, KyuJong drew in a breath and let go.
It was like falling from the HQ’s trap door, the Model 6 landing in a crouch against the wall. Quickly he ducked behind a metal container, exhaling slowly. “Still okay?”
”Yeah, you’re fine,” HyunJoong replied. ”We’ll tell you if you’re in danger, just keep going.”
“Okay,” KyuJong sighed, peeking out from around the container. The Model 2 wasn’t watching him, or even looking in his direction. Glancing around, KyuJong saw a path he could take around the edge of the room to the door on the other side. As interesting (and slightly creepy) as this room was, it wasn’t where he was supposed to be. The place where they kept Soulless files was at the center of the building.
Bracing himself, KyuJong set off as quickly and quietly as he could, hiding from both the creeper drones and the Model 2. The drones were less of a worry, KiBum had assured him they would only turn on him if he walked right in front of their cameras or if the overseer saw him, but KyuJong avoided them anyways. He didn’t want to be sliced to pieces.
Ducking behind a metal crate, KyuJong looked to one side and found himself face-to-face with an android head. Jumping in alarm, he bit his lower lip as he looked at it, all metal structure without skin or hair, pinpricks for eyes and metal teeth. Okay, that was definitely creepy.
”Focus, Kyu yah,” YoungSaeng murmured, and KyuJong realized he’d said that out loud.
“Y-yes,” KyuJong mumbled, sparing the head another glance before continuing on his way.
He reached the door at the other end of the room without trouble. Panting, he waited until the overseer was scanning the other side of the room before slipping out the door, easing it shut behind him.
KyuJong turned around, going over the building layout in his mind. Two corridors to his left, then straight on to the last room. JungMin and YoungSaeng would meet him there. He could do this.
Steeling himself, KyuJong started down the hallway, checking each corner he came too. The place was empty. It sent chills down his spine. “Is it supposed to be so empty?”
”The facility isn’t in operation now, it’s normal. All that’s here are a few guards, the overseer, the cameras and the drones,” HyunJoong answered.
“Where are the guards?”
”Stationed in different parts of the building. You should be clear to go.”
Nodding, KyuJong kept going, still alert. It felt weird. Even though the cameras were off, he felt like he was being watched. It was just him though…
“YoungSaeng hyung? JungMin ah?” he called quietly. “Where are you guys?”
”On my way,” JungMin replied, while YoungSaeng answered “waiting at the door.”
All was going well then. KyuJong turned a corner…and quickly scrambled back the other way, startled.
“There’s a guard,” he hissed, drawing in a shaky breath.
”Did he see you?” HyunJoong asked sharply.
“No, I don’t think so,” KyuJong murmured. “His back was turned. But I can’t go that way.”
”That’s the only way to the room though,” HyungJoon pointed out.
”I’ll get him,” YoungSaeng said. ”Stay where you are, Kyu yah, let me know if he moves.”
“Okay,” KyuJong whispered, leaning against the cold wall. Fear was a numbing feeling in his chest. He didn’t want to be caught. Would they do to him like they thought they did to KyuHyun, remove his CPU and send an intruder back into HQ, hidden inside his body? Or would they take him to pieces to see how he worked?
Or maybe they would just kill him. Kill them all.
He couldn’t think about that, he was just making himself more nervous. Shutting his eyes, KyuJong waited for YoungSaeng, checking every now and then to make sure the guard was still there.
Suddenly there was a dull crack, and thud. ”All done.”
KyuJong peeked around the corner again, and saw the guard crumbled on the ground, sparks flying and clear liquid seeping out of the severed neck. YoungSaeng placed the head down lightly so it wouldn’t make any noise.
“One day you’re going to have to show me how you can do that so easily,” KyuJong murmured, eyeing the decapitated guard as he walked to join YoungSaeng.
YoungSaeng gave him a small smile. “Not the sort of thing you want to know how to do. Come on, let’s find Min ah and get that information.”
They headed the rest of the way to the room without any mishaps. By the time they reached the room, JungMin was already there and breaking through the lock. A minute later the door was swinging open to admit them.
KyuJong exchanged looks with the other two before drawing in a deep breath and stepping inside.
The walls were covered with monitors, showing different parts of the city. The monitors moved, as if they were being carried. Some of the monitors were hazed over, one dead completely.
“Do you think those cameras are attached to the Soulless?” KyuJong asked quietly.
“Looks like it,” JungMin said, stepping up to one and observing the way the camera moved. “They’re seeing through their eyes.”
“Does that mean for every camera, there’s one Soulless?” YoungSaeng looked around with wide eyes. “That’s…a lot.”
Counted quickly, KyuJong could make out around 50 cameras in the room. So many, to deal with so few…
“Does any of them look like they’re inside HQ?” JungMin asked, going from monitor to monitor.
“Some of them are grayed out,” YoungSaeng pointed out. “Probably means that one’s recharging. KyuHyun’s recharging right now, we wouldn’t be able to tell.”
KyuJong looked at the one at the end of the row, the one that was completely black. “What about that one?”
“Probably shut down,” JungMin rolled his eyes. “They’ll have it replaced soon. Soulless have a life span like any android does.”
Nodding, KyuJong looked around. “Where do I start?”
”There should be a control panel somewhere in there,” HyunJoong told them. ”See if you can find it.”
KyuJong nodded and started to search. There were panels set up, one for each monitor, but they didn’t look like what he was looking for. They looked like individual controls for each Soulless. Shivers ran up KyuJong’s spine. Somehow, this was even worse than the metal head. Someone could be controlled through this room.
He felt sorry for KyuHyun…not the intruder if that was what had happened, but the real KyuHyun, the one who had used to inhabit that body. His body was now being used like a costume, a mask.
Finally he spotted something that looked promising. “This?” he asked, pulling up a thin cover to expose a hidden panel twice the size of the others, and a small monitor the size of both his hands beside each other.
YoungSaeng and JungMin came over, looking over his shoulder. “Looks like it,” YoungSaeng nodded. “See what you can do?”
KyuJong nodded, biting his lower lip as he woke up the screen, checking for security warnings.
“I’ll watch the door,” JungMin said, walking to the other end of the room and peeking out the slightly open door. YoungSaeng lingered between them, examining the monitors with a frown.
Turning his attention to the control panel in front of him, KyuJong examined the code that flashed across the screen before placing his fingers against the controls. It took only a minute for his CPU to wrap itself around the code, and then he was past the firewalls a minute later, searching through the files stored on the database.
There was just so much to look through…hundreds and hundreds of files, none of them clearly labeled. Frowning, KyuJong tried to decipher what each file name meant, searching for the one he wanted.
“How is it going, Kyu?” YoungSaeng asked quietly a minute later.
“Getting there.” KyuJong’s fingers flew over the controls. “I think I’ve got it figured out…just give me a few more minutes.”
“Hurry,” JungMin called. “Before someone finds that headless guard.”
KyuJong bit his lower lip and concentrated on the numbers moving on and off the screen. It was at times like this he was glad for his high information processing rate, each line of code up for barely a millisecond before he flipped past it and on to the next.
Finally he found something that looked promising. Opening the directory, he smiled when he saw files popping up across the screen. “Think I found the Soulless archive.”
“Time to find ours,” YoungSaeng said quietly.
Nodding, KyuJong searched through it, looking for any numbers he recognized. There were 200 files in all, 200 Soulless. Once he had them sorted into active and inactive piles, the number was reduced to 50. 50 monitors, 50 Soulless.
He scrolled through the list, all his attention directed to the small screen. Just about there…
BANG!
A strangled yelp snapped KyuJong’s attention away from the monitor, and he tore his eyes away just in time to see something fly past him, hitting the wall behind him with a crash. Turning around to see what it was, he stared at JungMin, the redhead collapsed on the floor and shakily pushing himself up.
YoungSaeng’s voice echoed through the room in a shout of surprise, and KyuJong whirled around to see a tall android standing a few feet away. He had YoungSaeng by the throat, the Model 3 held high up off the ground and struggling.
“Let go of him!” KyuJong yelled, starting forward.
A cold blade settled at his throat, pressing gently. “I wouldn’t move if I were you, little 6.”
Freezing, KyuJong swallowed and didn’t move. That blade could decapitate him easily. JungMin started swearing, and he managed to turn his head just enough to see the Model 7 being pinned down to the ground, another android crouching beside him with one knee pressed against the small of his back. One of JungMin’s arms was broken, the other twisted up behind him so he couldn’t struggle.
”What’s going on?!” HyunJoong shouted through the headset just before KyuJong felt it being plucked off his head. “Huh…how interesting. Looks like something a human would use. Pity it’s so out of date, it could have been useful.” The android holding him still snapped it in half in his hand, the line going dead.
KyuJong could only watch helplessly as the android holding YoungSaeng off the ground did the same, tossing the useless headset to one side. JungMin’s headset joined it, and from that moment the three of them were alone. KyuJong couldn’t even reach his wrist to turn on his mic, his arms being yanked behind his back with enough force to wrench them from their sockets if he tried struggling.
“What do we have here?” The one keeping JungMin down asked mildly. KyuJong could see now that they were all Model 2. That explained why even YoungSaeng, a Model 3, was being restrained with ease. Shivering, KyuJong bit his lower lip and tried to think of a way to get out of this. He couldn’t come up with anything.
“Looks like a band of misfit Soulfuls,” The one behind KyuJong replied, sounding for all the world like he was commenting on a piece of furniture. JungMin started shouting again, and shrieked when he was hit hard over the head.
YoungSaeng managed to turn his head to look at KyuJong. There was fear in the Model 3’s eyes, but a hard determination, and KyuJong knew what he wanted to say without a word passing between them. They couldn’t say anything about the organization, no matter what.
“What are a bunch of virus-infected renegades doing here though?” KyuJong was turned around to face his captor, a man with blank eyes and short-cropped hair. “Well?”
KyuJong squared his jaw and stared up at him defiantly, not saying a word.
“Ah, so that’s how it’s going to be.” The Model 2 looked over KyuJong’s shoulder and nodded.
Suddenly YoungSaeng’s screams filled the room and KyuJong jumped, eyes wide as he automatically tried to turn to see what was happening, but the hands held him fast.
“Let go of him!” JungMin screamed. “Let go!”
Shaking, KyuJong felt the words nearly spill out of his mouth, but he managed to stop himself from giving their mission away. Barely. YoungSaeng didn’t want him to say anything.
Finally the screams stopped, leaving only the sound of pained breaths, KyuJong closing his eyes against the blank expression on the Model 2’s face.
“Ah, look at this.” There was a fourth Model 2 in the room. KyuJong was turned back around, his eyes going first to YoungSaeng who was slumped against the wall, eyes half-open and chest dented in, the clear liquid that ran through their veins dripping down his arms. His eyes moved to KyuJong as he swallowed thickly, then away to the fourth Model 2.
Attention caught as well, KyuJong watched as the 2 moved to the control panel, bringing the screen back up. This 2 seemed different from the others, he held himself taller and the other three fell silent to watch him. Was this one a higher rank from them? “Looks like someone was taking a peek at our Soulless files.”
They were caught. KyuJong closed his eyes, wondering what was going to happen now.
His hair was yanked back and his eyes snapped open, staring at the face inches from his own. “Why would that be?” the Head 2 mused, blank eyes boring into his own. It was all KyuJong could do not to look away.
The Model 2 continued to look at him for a long moment. Staring back, KyuJong was confused when surprise flashed through the man’s expression, then his lips curled upwards. “Well, well…this is a surprise.”
The man straightened and let of KyuJong’s hair, the Model 6 clenching his jaw and pulling against the android holding him still. It was useless, he was held in place easily.
He watched as JungMin was dragged to his feet and pushed against the wall, metal bindings extending out of the wall and snapping around his ankles and wrists to hold him in place. YoungSaeng was dragged up beside him, the Model 3 struggling as well, but far weaker now. He was easily restrained and locked into place on the wall.
Waiting for them to do the same to him, KyuJong was confused when nothing happened. Instead the Head 2 observed him with a cold smile, a smile without emotion behind it.
“Well, this saves us the trouble of having to track you down.”
Confused, KyuJong looked to JungMin and YoungSaeng. Both men looked just as confused, YoungSaeng disorientated and trying to clear his head.
Biting his lower lip, KyuJong continued to keep his silence, until to his surprise…the Model 2 laughed.
“Oh, they taught you well. It’s almost cute. Let go of him.”
KyuJong stumbled as the hands holding him still disappeared, looking back at the Model 2 who’d kept him captive. Why was he being let go?
YoungSaeng, JungMin. KyuJong turned back to them and shifted to run to them.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, 6575.”
The sound of his number made KyuJong pause. How did they know his number? They hadn’t scanned him in any way, nor had he told them.
The Head 2 watched him, still smiling that creepy smile. A smile didn’t suit that blank face. “I see why you came here. It would be a shame to let such hard work go to waste.” He snapped his fingers lightly. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll let you take a look at those files, provided you don’t attempt to turn the microphone implanted in your wrist on.”
Confused, KyuJong looked back at YoungSaeng and JungMin. What was he supposed to do? “…Why are you letting me look?” He asked warily. It had to be a trap.
“Well, it won’t matter much in the long run, will it?” The Head 2 laughed emotionlessly. “You three won’t be leaving here. So I don’t see how a little peek could hurt.”
KyuJong looked at the monitor.
“Go on, you wanted to know, didn’t you?”
Hesitating, KyuJong looked back at the other two Soulfuls before slowly walking up to the monitor, all his senses on alert. It had to be a trap.
But he reached the monitor without interference, his fingers slowly touching the controls. And with all of them watching, KyuJong scrolled down through the list of Soulless slowly, going over each number listed and searching for KyuHyun’s, for SungMin’s, for anyone’s.
4323.
9335.
6790.
5901.
6575.
KyuJong’s fingers froze and refused to move.
Blinking, he slowly lifted his gaze back to that last number, throat constricting until he felt he couldn’t breathe.
6575.
No.
KyuJong couldn’t breathe at all, every other noise in the room fading out as he stared.
It couldn’t be.
“I think he’s found what he was looking for,” the Head 2 mused from behind him when KyuJong didn’t move for a whole minute.
“Kyu yah,” YoungSaeng whispered, trying to catch his attention.
Hands shaking, KyuJong’s gaze remained fixed on that number until the screen went into sleep mode. Slowly turning around, he shook his head, breathing unevenly. It wasn’t true. There was no way it was true.
“Well? Why don’t you share your findings with your friends?” The Model 2 asked simply.
“You’re lying!” KyuJong yelled, shoulders shaking. “You put that into the system, just now!”
“Why would I do that?” The Model 2 mused. “That system hasn’t been edited since the last Soulless was manufactured 5 years ago. You can see the records for yourself.”
“Kyu yah?” YoungSaeng asked quietly. “What does it say?” JungMin frowned, watching KyuJong.
Kyu yah. KyuJong. The Model 6 felt everything come crashing down on him as the reality sunk in.
KyuJong didn’t exist. Never really had.
“Who is the Soulless, KyuJong?” JungMin asked quietly.
The Head 2 was the one who answered. “You’re looking right at him.”
The Soulless was 6575…Kim KyuJong.
He could only watch as the realization dawned in both their eyes. “Liar!” JungMin shouted angrily. “You’re lying!” YoungSaeng could only stare with first disbelief, then hurt.
“I’m not,” the Head 2 shook his head, walking along the rows of monitors. KyuJong couldn’t move from his spot, feeling like he was frozen in place. He had betrayed them all.
“Kyu yah?” YoungSaeng asked quietly, voice shaking. “He’s lying…right?”
Unable to answer, KyuJong felt himself shaking harder.
“Right?” YoungSaeng asked, louder this time, more desperate.
“Dammit KyuJong, answer!” JungMin yelled, and there was so much pain in his voice KyuJong felt himself choke up.
He’d betrayed them, these two people he loved.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, voice broken, the only thing he could say.
YoungSaeng choked up, shaking his head back and forth in denial, eyes desperately imploring KyuJong to say he wasn’t what he was. JungMin just stared, betrayal deep in his gaze.
“It really is a pity we couldn’t keep you secret for longer,” mused the Head 2. KyuJong saw him stop at the dark monitor from the corners of his eyes. “This one was yours…it went dead not that long ago actually. Must have been all the dust from up on that roof.”
KyuJong shut his eyes tightly, hands clenched into fists at his sides. There wasn’t anything he could do.
The Head 2’s finger lingered over a button on the panel below his monitor. “Hm…since you’re a sleeper agent, we will need to wake you up first. That should cure all your doubts, no?”
At that, KyuJong’s eyes snapped open again. No, he couldn’t let them tell him who he was!
“Get away from me!” he shouted, turning around and hitting the Model 2 who’d remained next to him. Surprised, the android staggered back before rushing forward to restrain him.
Darting back out of reach, KyuJong whirled around to face YoungSaeng and JungMin again, meeting their eyes. Both filled with hurt, betrayal, and heartbreak. He had to get them out. They couldn’t stay here. His body shifted as he prepared to do just that.
The Head 2 watched dispassionately. “Time to wake up.”
He pressed the button on the panel down, and KyuJong’s entire world went black.
********************************************************************
END
And that's the end of Arc 1! PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!!!! /RUNS AWAY
I'm going to be taking a short break between arcs, because I want to have more of the second arc written before I start posting ^^;;; I only have halfway through Chapter 4 written right now...
So, please stay tuned for the second arc, Soulless:Catalyst!
Their mission failed. The identity of the Soulless was discovered, but it wasn’t who any of them expected it to be, not even the Soulless himself. Every question answered brings ten in its place, and everyone seems to be keeping secrets. Who can you trust? The search for the truth has become a ticking time bomb, and they may not all survive its detonation.
The prologue will be posted on Friday, March 25th!
In the meantime, please leave me a comment! Like some of you have heard before, I'm planning to edit all three arcs once the story is completed, remove the fandoms, and get them published as actual books. Do you think the story could survive outside of the fandom? Is there mistakes or inconsistencies you have noticed in the chapters? Suggestions?
I would also love it if silent readers could just give a small shout-out, just so I know that there are people interested in this story and I'm not only holding the interest of a handful ^^;;;
Thank you very much and hope to see you again in a month!
Chapter: 11/11
Fandom: SS501, cameos of Super Junior, BEAST and SHINee
Pairing: KyuMinSaeng
Rating: PG-16
Warning: AU, Dystopia, Angst
Summary: Arc I. The year is 400 AM…400 After Man. Humankind is extinct, but they didn’t leave Earth uninhabited. For 400 years androids have lived in their place. Citizens have the same thoughts, same likes and same dislikes as every other android in their model. But even an automated society has its troublemakers. A terrorist group calling themselves the Soulfuls operate outside their model programming and stir unrest. The government advises all citizens to report any Soulful activity immediately, and to stay away from them, for Soulfuls are those infected with a virus causing them to behave erratically…a very contagious virus…
A/N: Arc I was written for National Novel Writing Month 2010, hope you enjoy! Do not own the characters, but the plot is all mine. Please comment <3
“You’re all going to be careful, right?”
DongHae adjusted KyuJong’s headset, fixing the mouthpiece over his lips and patting down the 6’s hair. KyuJong blinked and let the Model 8 fuss over him. Since DongHae was unable to even leave the HQ, he had no choice but to sit the mission out.
“It had never bothered me before,” DongHae had told him earlier, shrugging. “Since I don’t believe in fighting, even for a cause like this. It makes me uncomfortable, and I’m glad I can’t leave HQ because I won’t be put in a position where I’d have to choose between my beliefs and my friends’ beliefs…” he’d sighed then, curling up a little against the wall. “But just this once, this once I’d have liked to help. This is important. This isn’t about beliefs. This is about keeping everyone I care for safe.”
So now KyuJong did nothing but smile as DongHae straightened his collar with the kind of dedication that made him wonder if DongHae thought having perfectly straight clothing would help fend off swarms of creeper drones.
YoungSaeng adjusted his own headset, brushing his hair back out of his eyes. “We’ll be fine, Hae,” he smiled at the Model 8. “We’ll be back before you know it, with the information.”
“Just get back in one piece,” DongHae declared, turning around to give JungMin the same treatment he’d given KyuJong. “You’re all more important than that information. Worst off, we’ll string KyuHyun up in a room somewhere until we can get confirmation.”
“Where is KyuHyun now, anyways?” HyunJoong asked, watching from the side. Their cell leader was wearing a black sneak suit, one that would be undetectable even with heat-sensing cameras.
“Recharging in his room,” KiBum replied, slipping into the room and closing the door behind him. KyuJong caught a glimpse of YeSung on the other side of the door before it shut, the Model 4 pouting a little; KiBum had probably told him he couldn’t follow him into the room.
“Are you going to keep an eye on him, then?” HyunJoong asked KiBum, and the other android nodded.
“I’m gonna be watching the city cameras,” DongHae piped up. “So if something happens, I can send the other cells after you.”
“Not the fourth one, right?” JungMin looked rather pained. “Key keeps collapsing because he won’t listen to us telling him to take it easy, and I saw JinKi trip down the stairs the other day. He’s almost as bad as YeSung.”
There was a “hey!” from outside the door.
KiBum sighed and opened it again, YeSung giving a quiet ‘eep’. “I’m glad you don’t understand the concept of eavesdropping quietly. Go, I’ll find you when I’m done here.”
YeSung scampered away and KiBum closed the door, shaking his head.
“We’re sure YeSung isn’t the Soulless, right?” KyuJong asked. DongHae and KiBum exchanged a look that KyuJong couldn’t read.
“Yeah, we’re sure he’s not a Soulless,” DongHae chirped, moving on to mother over HyungJoon.
Blinking, KyuJong turned to YoungSaeng for an explanation. The Model 3 noticed his gaze and smiled.
“YeSung was one of the first,” YoungSaeng explained. “Along with KiBum, DongHae, and a few others in the first cell…he’s one of the first Soulfuls, before the government even considered them a problem.”
One of the first…that was something KyuJong hadn’t known before. Eyes wide, he looked between KiBum and DongHae before turning to YoungSaeng. “But you said the Soulfuls were around even during the Model 8 rebellion…just how old are they?” Even DongHae…for him to have survived this long… “I thought androids could only live 200 years?”
“Their bodies can. None of the firsts are in their original bodies,” YoungSaeng explained. “You transfer their CPU to a new, identical body, with a new power core and new circuitry. That way their conscience remains intact, even if their body had to be changed.”
Thinking about that, KyuJong looked at them all again.
“All ready to go?” HyunJoong said finally, straightening. HyungJoon did the same, giving DongHae a reassuring smile even though he looked like he was having a bad case of nerves.
“All set,” JungMin said, looking around at them. His gaze met KyuJong’s, and lingered for a moment before JungMin looked away with a small smile.
“Let’s go then,” YoungSaeng said, stretching out and turning on his headset. KyuJong nodded, feeling nerves starting to get to him.
DongHae smiled at them all and backed up. “Good luck,” he said quietly.
“We’ll be watching,” KiBum told them. “If it gets too bad, turn around and come back home.”
“We’ll be fine,” YoungSaeng said gently. He smiled at KyuJong and squeezed the Model 6’s shoulder before turning towards the door.
HyunJoong stepped past them to lead the way, and they followed the man out.
*******************************
“Everyone in position?”
“Yep, and it’s all clear over here. Not a Model 3 in sight.”
“…Ahem.”
“Aside from YoungSaeng hyung that is,” HyungJoon amended sheepishly, and was hit off the head.
“Concentrate,” HyunJoong chuckled. No matter how serious the mission, they couldn’t seem to get into the serious mood right from the beginning. That was all right…some of them looked ready to panic from the pressure. By ‘some of them’, he was thinking about KyuJong and HyungJoon.
“It’ll be fine,” YoungSaeng whispered to KyuJong over the headset radio as the Model 6 eased into position on the other end of the facility. He was to wait for YoungSaeng and JungMin to sneak in through their respective entrances, and get the way open for him. KyuJong wasn’t as good at sneaking in as they were, so it was safer on all accounts to have them take care of the cameras first.
“JungMin, no explosives,” HyunJoong ordered. JungMin huffed audibly as he settled down into a crouch and waited for YoungSaeng to finish getting ready. The redhead already had the duct he was using to get in wide open.
“Only if you need it to get away,” YoungSaeng amended. “Last resort, okay Min?”
“Okay okay, I get it, don’t bring the whole Model 3 line down on our heads. I’m not that stupid.”
“Don’t answer that,” HyunJoong butt in as HyungJoon started to reply.
“Joonie, I’m tying all your circuits in a knot when this is over.”
The familiar banter set KyuJong at ease as he settled in to wait. If this messed up, they could very well all be killed. Or captured. But they had no choice…they had to know who that Soulless was, or the whole organization was at risk.
Finally the line went quiet, as YoungSaeng reached the agreed-upon position. “All set,” YoungSaeng whispered.
“Then let’s get this show on the road,” HyunJoong said, he and HyungJoon settled in to monitor the cameras and work as backup.
KyuJong listened as YoungSaeng slipped into the high window, closing his eyes as he tried to follow the Model 3’s movements with his mind. Worry ran through him; YoungSaeng and JungMin were in the most vulnerable positions, going in first.
A minute later, JungMin was on his way inside the facility was well, the only sound on the line that of their steady breathing and the faint echo of metal from the duct JungMin was crawling through. KyuJong wanted to say something, like to be safe, but they both needed their concentration.
The waiting was the hardest part. They all knew exactly what to do, YoungSaeng and JungMin were fully capable of finding the cameras and setting them up to loop, but it didn’t make it any easier for KyuJong to just sit there and do nothing. Even with the best calculations in the world, anything could happen. And these were far from the best calculations in the world. There was just so much that could go wrong, and it drove him crazy to think about either of them being captured, or shut down.
Or turned into Soulless like they suspected KyuHyun to be.
Finally, JungMin’s voice came through the line. ”Okay, all set up at my end.”
A few minutes later, YoungSaeng reported in as well. “All clear. Come on in, Kyu yah.”
KyuJong sighed in relief, smiling for a moment before he looked up to the window high above him. He had to get in there somehow. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
In preparation for the mission, one of his implants had consisted of an improvement in balance and coordination, as well as a few other things to help scale walls. Looking now, he could see the indents in the metal wall, grooves that he could use to his advantage.
Bracing himself, he crouched and then jumped as high as he could go, fingers latching onto the highest groove he could reach. There was a nervous moment as he dangled there, trying to find a place to put his feet, before he finally regained balance. Exhaling slowly, KyuJong looked up at the window and started to climb.
It took a minute to reach the window, KyuJong’s fingers curling around the ledge as he hoisted himself up. Looking around, he pressed against the glass pane and carefully unlocked it, sliding it noiselessly open. “Still clear?”
“Yup.” JungMin’s answer was nearly lost over the sound of machinery. Looking around, KyuJong’s eyes widened as he took in the vast room below.
It wasn’t just a facility…it was a factory.
He watched with amazement as androids were transferred from one conveyor belt to another, creeper drones moving between them with their clicking pincers and multiple eyes. Skin was wrapped around metal, joints attached together, pulleys strung and circuits set. This was where they finished production.
KyuJong’s eyes followed a batch of finished androids being moved off the conveyor belt and onto a rolling platform that was pushed into a separate room.
That must be where they were programmed…
Shivering at the thought that he was looking at the place he was manufactured, something 99% of androids never even got within 500 feet of, KyuJong shook his head to clear it and looked around for the overseer he had been told by KiBum would be watching the procedures. They could hack all the cameras they wanted, but if that android saw him, it was all over.
After a moment he spotted the overseer, KyuJong inhaling as he realized it was a Model 2. He’d never seen a Model 2 before, even from a distance. Shivering again, he looked for a way to get down from the window without attracting attention. Looked like he was going to have to jump.
Thanking HyungJoon mentally for all the upgrades, KyuJong swung his legs over until he was hanging on to the ledge on the other side of the window. Looking to make sure he still wasn’t spotted, KyuJong drew in a breath and let go.
It was like falling from the HQ’s trap door, the Model 6 landing in a crouch against the wall. Quickly he ducked behind a metal container, exhaling slowly. “Still okay?”
”Yeah, you’re fine,” HyunJoong replied. ”We’ll tell you if you’re in danger, just keep going.”
“Okay,” KyuJong sighed, peeking out from around the container. The Model 2 wasn’t watching him, or even looking in his direction. Glancing around, KyuJong saw a path he could take around the edge of the room to the door on the other side. As interesting (and slightly creepy) as this room was, it wasn’t where he was supposed to be. The place where they kept Soulless files was at the center of the building.
Bracing himself, KyuJong set off as quickly and quietly as he could, hiding from both the creeper drones and the Model 2. The drones were less of a worry, KiBum had assured him they would only turn on him if he walked right in front of their cameras or if the overseer saw him, but KyuJong avoided them anyways. He didn’t want to be sliced to pieces.
Ducking behind a metal crate, KyuJong looked to one side and found himself face-to-face with an android head. Jumping in alarm, he bit his lower lip as he looked at it, all metal structure without skin or hair, pinpricks for eyes and metal teeth. Okay, that was definitely creepy.
”Focus, Kyu yah,” YoungSaeng murmured, and KyuJong realized he’d said that out loud.
“Y-yes,” KyuJong mumbled, sparing the head another glance before continuing on his way.
He reached the door at the other end of the room without trouble. Panting, he waited until the overseer was scanning the other side of the room before slipping out the door, easing it shut behind him.
KyuJong turned around, going over the building layout in his mind. Two corridors to his left, then straight on to the last room. JungMin and YoungSaeng would meet him there. He could do this.
Steeling himself, KyuJong started down the hallway, checking each corner he came too. The place was empty. It sent chills down his spine. “Is it supposed to be so empty?”
”The facility isn’t in operation now, it’s normal. All that’s here are a few guards, the overseer, the cameras and the drones,” HyunJoong answered.
“Where are the guards?”
”Stationed in different parts of the building. You should be clear to go.”
Nodding, KyuJong kept going, still alert. It felt weird. Even though the cameras were off, he felt like he was being watched. It was just him though…
“YoungSaeng hyung? JungMin ah?” he called quietly. “Where are you guys?”
”On my way,” JungMin replied, while YoungSaeng answered “waiting at the door.”
All was going well then. KyuJong turned a corner…and quickly scrambled back the other way, startled.
“There’s a guard,” he hissed, drawing in a shaky breath.
”Did he see you?” HyunJoong asked sharply.
“No, I don’t think so,” KyuJong murmured. “His back was turned. But I can’t go that way.”
”That’s the only way to the room though,” HyungJoon pointed out.
”I’ll get him,” YoungSaeng said. ”Stay where you are, Kyu yah, let me know if he moves.”
“Okay,” KyuJong whispered, leaning against the cold wall. Fear was a numbing feeling in his chest. He didn’t want to be caught. Would they do to him like they thought they did to KyuHyun, remove his CPU and send an intruder back into HQ, hidden inside his body? Or would they take him to pieces to see how he worked?
Or maybe they would just kill him. Kill them all.
He couldn’t think about that, he was just making himself more nervous. Shutting his eyes, KyuJong waited for YoungSaeng, checking every now and then to make sure the guard was still there.
Suddenly there was a dull crack, and thud. ”All done.”
KyuJong peeked around the corner again, and saw the guard crumbled on the ground, sparks flying and clear liquid seeping out of the severed neck. YoungSaeng placed the head down lightly so it wouldn’t make any noise.
“One day you’re going to have to show me how you can do that so easily,” KyuJong murmured, eyeing the decapitated guard as he walked to join YoungSaeng.
YoungSaeng gave him a small smile. “Not the sort of thing you want to know how to do. Come on, let’s find Min ah and get that information.”
They headed the rest of the way to the room without any mishaps. By the time they reached the room, JungMin was already there and breaking through the lock. A minute later the door was swinging open to admit them.
KyuJong exchanged looks with the other two before drawing in a deep breath and stepping inside.
The walls were covered with monitors, showing different parts of the city. The monitors moved, as if they were being carried. Some of the monitors were hazed over, one dead completely.
“Do you think those cameras are attached to the Soulless?” KyuJong asked quietly.
“Looks like it,” JungMin said, stepping up to one and observing the way the camera moved. “They’re seeing through their eyes.”
“Does that mean for every camera, there’s one Soulless?” YoungSaeng looked around with wide eyes. “That’s…a lot.”
Counted quickly, KyuJong could make out around 50 cameras in the room. So many, to deal with so few…
“Does any of them look like they’re inside HQ?” JungMin asked, going from monitor to monitor.
“Some of them are grayed out,” YoungSaeng pointed out. “Probably means that one’s recharging. KyuHyun’s recharging right now, we wouldn’t be able to tell.”
KyuJong looked at the one at the end of the row, the one that was completely black. “What about that one?”
“Probably shut down,” JungMin rolled his eyes. “They’ll have it replaced soon. Soulless have a life span like any android does.”
Nodding, KyuJong looked around. “Where do I start?”
”There should be a control panel somewhere in there,” HyunJoong told them. ”See if you can find it.”
KyuJong nodded and started to search. There were panels set up, one for each monitor, but they didn’t look like what he was looking for. They looked like individual controls for each Soulless. Shivers ran up KyuJong’s spine. Somehow, this was even worse than the metal head. Someone could be controlled through this room.
He felt sorry for KyuHyun…not the intruder if that was what had happened, but the real KyuHyun, the one who had used to inhabit that body. His body was now being used like a costume, a mask.
Finally he spotted something that looked promising. “This?” he asked, pulling up a thin cover to expose a hidden panel twice the size of the others, and a small monitor the size of both his hands beside each other.
YoungSaeng and JungMin came over, looking over his shoulder. “Looks like it,” YoungSaeng nodded. “See what you can do?”
KyuJong nodded, biting his lower lip as he woke up the screen, checking for security warnings.
“I’ll watch the door,” JungMin said, walking to the other end of the room and peeking out the slightly open door. YoungSaeng lingered between them, examining the monitors with a frown.
Turning his attention to the control panel in front of him, KyuJong examined the code that flashed across the screen before placing his fingers against the controls. It took only a minute for his CPU to wrap itself around the code, and then he was past the firewalls a minute later, searching through the files stored on the database.
There was just so much to look through…hundreds and hundreds of files, none of them clearly labeled. Frowning, KyuJong tried to decipher what each file name meant, searching for the one he wanted.
“How is it going, Kyu?” YoungSaeng asked quietly a minute later.
“Getting there.” KyuJong’s fingers flew over the controls. “I think I’ve got it figured out…just give me a few more minutes.”
“Hurry,” JungMin called. “Before someone finds that headless guard.”
KyuJong bit his lower lip and concentrated on the numbers moving on and off the screen. It was at times like this he was glad for his high information processing rate, each line of code up for barely a millisecond before he flipped past it and on to the next.
Finally he found something that looked promising. Opening the directory, he smiled when he saw files popping up across the screen. “Think I found the Soulless archive.”
“Time to find ours,” YoungSaeng said quietly.
Nodding, KyuJong searched through it, looking for any numbers he recognized. There were 200 files in all, 200 Soulless. Once he had them sorted into active and inactive piles, the number was reduced to 50. 50 monitors, 50 Soulless.
He scrolled through the list, all his attention directed to the small screen. Just about there…
BANG!
A strangled yelp snapped KyuJong’s attention away from the monitor, and he tore his eyes away just in time to see something fly past him, hitting the wall behind him with a crash. Turning around to see what it was, he stared at JungMin, the redhead collapsed on the floor and shakily pushing himself up.
YoungSaeng’s voice echoed through the room in a shout of surprise, and KyuJong whirled around to see a tall android standing a few feet away. He had YoungSaeng by the throat, the Model 3 held high up off the ground and struggling.
“Let go of him!” KyuJong yelled, starting forward.
A cold blade settled at his throat, pressing gently. “I wouldn’t move if I were you, little 6.”
Freezing, KyuJong swallowed and didn’t move. That blade could decapitate him easily. JungMin started swearing, and he managed to turn his head just enough to see the Model 7 being pinned down to the ground, another android crouching beside him with one knee pressed against the small of his back. One of JungMin’s arms was broken, the other twisted up behind him so he couldn’t struggle.
”What’s going on?!” HyunJoong shouted through the headset just before KyuJong felt it being plucked off his head. “Huh…how interesting. Looks like something a human would use. Pity it’s so out of date, it could have been useful.” The android holding him still snapped it in half in his hand, the line going dead.
KyuJong could only watch helplessly as the android holding YoungSaeng off the ground did the same, tossing the useless headset to one side. JungMin’s headset joined it, and from that moment the three of them were alone. KyuJong couldn’t even reach his wrist to turn on his mic, his arms being yanked behind his back with enough force to wrench them from their sockets if he tried struggling.
“What do we have here?” The one keeping JungMin down asked mildly. KyuJong could see now that they were all Model 2. That explained why even YoungSaeng, a Model 3, was being restrained with ease. Shivering, KyuJong bit his lower lip and tried to think of a way to get out of this. He couldn’t come up with anything.
“Looks like a band of misfit Soulfuls,” The one behind KyuJong replied, sounding for all the world like he was commenting on a piece of furniture. JungMin started shouting again, and shrieked when he was hit hard over the head.
YoungSaeng managed to turn his head to look at KyuJong. There was fear in the Model 3’s eyes, but a hard determination, and KyuJong knew what he wanted to say without a word passing between them. They couldn’t say anything about the organization, no matter what.
“What are a bunch of virus-infected renegades doing here though?” KyuJong was turned around to face his captor, a man with blank eyes and short-cropped hair. “Well?”
KyuJong squared his jaw and stared up at him defiantly, not saying a word.
“Ah, so that’s how it’s going to be.” The Model 2 looked over KyuJong’s shoulder and nodded.
Suddenly YoungSaeng’s screams filled the room and KyuJong jumped, eyes wide as he automatically tried to turn to see what was happening, but the hands held him fast.
“Let go of him!” JungMin screamed. “Let go!”
Shaking, KyuJong felt the words nearly spill out of his mouth, but he managed to stop himself from giving their mission away. Barely. YoungSaeng didn’t want him to say anything.
Finally the screams stopped, leaving only the sound of pained breaths, KyuJong closing his eyes against the blank expression on the Model 2’s face.
“Ah, look at this.” There was a fourth Model 2 in the room. KyuJong was turned back around, his eyes going first to YoungSaeng who was slumped against the wall, eyes half-open and chest dented in, the clear liquid that ran through their veins dripping down his arms. His eyes moved to KyuJong as he swallowed thickly, then away to the fourth Model 2.
Attention caught as well, KyuJong watched as the 2 moved to the control panel, bringing the screen back up. This 2 seemed different from the others, he held himself taller and the other three fell silent to watch him. Was this one a higher rank from them? “Looks like someone was taking a peek at our Soulless files.”
They were caught. KyuJong closed his eyes, wondering what was going to happen now.
His hair was yanked back and his eyes snapped open, staring at the face inches from his own. “Why would that be?” the Head 2 mused, blank eyes boring into his own. It was all KyuJong could do not to look away.
The Model 2 continued to look at him for a long moment. Staring back, KyuJong was confused when surprise flashed through the man’s expression, then his lips curled upwards. “Well, well…this is a surprise.”
The man straightened and let of KyuJong’s hair, the Model 6 clenching his jaw and pulling against the android holding him still. It was useless, he was held in place easily.
He watched as JungMin was dragged to his feet and pushed against the wall, metal bindings extending out of the wall and snapping around his ankles and wrists to hold him in place. YoungSaeng was dragged up beside him, the Model 3 struggling as well, but far weaker now. He was easily restrained and locked into place on the wall.
Waiting for them to do the same to him, KyuJong was confused when nothing happened. Instead the Head 2 observed him with a cold smile, a smile without emotion behind it.
“Well, this saves us the trouble of having to track you down.”
Confused, KyuJong looked to JungMin and YoungSaeng. Both men looked just as confused, YoungSaeng disorientated and trying to clear his head.
Biting his lower lip, KyuJong continued to keep his silence, until to his surprise…the Model 2 laughed.
“Oh, they taught you well. It’s almost cute. Let go of him.”
KyuJong stumbled as the hands holding him still disappeared, looking back at the Model 2 who’d kept him captive. Why was he being let go?
YoungSaeng, JungMin. KyuJong turned back to them and shifted to run to them.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, 6575.”
The sound of his number made KyuJong pause. How did they know his number? They hadn’t scanned him in any way, nor had he told them.
The Head 2 watched him, still smiling that creepy smile. A smile didn’t suit that blank face. “I see why you came here. It would be a shame to let such hard work go to waste.” He snapped his fingers lightly. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll let you take a look at those files, provided you don’t attempt to turn the microphone implanted in your wrist on.”
Confused, KyuJong looked back at YoungSaeng and JungMin. What was he supposed to do? “…Why are you letting me look?” He asked warily. It had to be a trap.
“Well, it won’t matter much in the long run, will it?” The Head 2 laughed emotionlessly. “You three won’t be leaving here. So I don’t see how a little peek could hurt.”
KyuJong looked at the monitor.
“Go on, you wanted to know, didn’t you?”
Hesitating, KyuJong looked back at the other two Soulfuls before slowly walking up to the monitor, all his senses on alert. It had to be a trap.
But he reached the monitor without interference, his fingers slowly touching the controls. And with all of them watching, KyuJong scrolled down through the list of Soulless slowly, going over each number listed and searching for KyuHyun’s, for SungMin’s, for anyone’s.
4323.
9335.
6790.
5901.
6575.
KyuJong’s fingers froze and refused to move.
Blinking, he slowly lifted his gaze back to that last number, throat constricting until he felt he couldn’t breathe.
6575.
No.
KyuJong couldn’t breathe at all, every other noise in the room fading out as he stared.
It couldn’t be.
“I think he’s found what he was looking for,” the Head 2 mused from behind him when KyuJong didn’t move for a whole minute.
“Kyu yah,” YoungSaeng whispered, trying to catch his attention.
Hands shaking, KyuJong’s gaze remained fixed on that number until the screen went into sleep mode. Slowly turning around, he shook his head, breathing unevenly. It wasn’t true. There was no way it was true.
“Well? Why don’t you share your findings with your friends?” The Model 2 asked simply.
“You’re lying!” KyuJong yelled, shoulders shaking. “You put that into the system, just now!”
“Why would I do that?” The Model 2 mused. “That system hasn’t been edited since the last Soulless was manufactured 5 years ago. You can see the records for yourself.”
“Kyu yah?” YoungSaeng asked quietly. “What does it say?” JungMin frowned, watching KyuJong.
Kyu yah. KyuJong. The Model 6 felt everything come crashing down on him as the reality sunk in.
KyuJong didn’t exist. Never really had.
“Who is the Soulless, KyuJong?” JungMin asked quietly.
The Head 2 was the one who answered. “You’re looking right at him.”
The Soulless was 6575…Kim KyuJong.
He could only watch as the realization dawned in both their eyes. “Liar!” JungMin shouted angrily. “You’re lying!” YoungSaeng could only stare with first disbelief, then hurt.
“I’m not,” the Head 2 shook his head, walking along the rows of monitors. KyuJong couldn’t move from his spot, feeling like he was frozen in place. He had betrayed them all.
“Kyu yah?” YoungSaeng asked quietly, voice shaking. “He’s lying…right?”
Unable to answer, KyuJong felt himself shaking harder.
“Right?” YoungSaeng asked, louder this time, more desperate.
“Dammit KyuJong, answer!” JungMin yelled, and there was so much pain in his voice KyuJong felt himself choke up.
He’d betrayed them, these two people he loved.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, voice broken, the only thing he could say.
YoungSaeng choked up, shaking his head back and forth in denial, eyes desperately imploring KyuJong to say he wasn’t what he was. JungMin just stared, betrayal deep in his gaze.
“It really is a pity we couldn’t keep you secret for longer,” mused the Head 2. KyuJong saw him stop at the dark monitor from the corners of his eyes. “This one was yours…it went dead not that long ago actually. Must have been all the dust from up on that roof.”
KyuJong shut his eyes tightly, hands clenched into fists at his sides. There wasn’t anything he could do.
The Head 2’s finger lingered over a button on the panel below his monitor. “Hm…since you’re a sleeper agent, we will need to wake you up first. That should cure all your doubts, no?”
At that, KyuJong’s eyes snapped open again. No, he couldn’t let them tell him who he was!
“Get away from me!” he shouted, turning around and hitting the Model 2 who’d remained next to him. Surprised, the android staggered back before rushing forward to restrain him.
Darting back out of reach, KyuJong whirled around to face YoungSaeng and JungMin again, meeting their eyes. Both filled with hurt, betrayal, and heartbreak. He had to get them out. They couldn’t stay here. His body shifted as he prepared to do just that.
The Head 2 watched dispassionately. “Time to wake up.”
He pressed the button on the panel down, and KyuJong’s entire world went black.
********************************************************************
END
And that's the end of Arc 1! PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!!!! /RUNS AWAY
I'm going to be taking a short break between arcs, because I want to have more of the second arc written before I start posting ^^;;; I only have halfway through Chapter 4 written right now...
So, please stay tuned for the second arc, Soulless:Catalyst!
Their mission failed. The identity of the Soulless was discovered, but it wasn’t who any of them expected it to be, not even the Soulless himself. Every question answered brings ten in its place, and everyone seems to be keeping secrets. Who can you trust? The search for the truth has become a ticking time bomb, and they may not all survive its detonation.
The prologue will be posted on Friday, March 25th!
In the meantime, please leave me a comment! Like some of you have heard before, I'm planning to edit all three arcs once the story is completed, remove the fandoms, and get them published as actual books. Do you think the story could survive outside of the fandom? Is there mistakes or inconsistencies you have noticed in the chapters? Suggestions?
I would also love it if silent readers could just give a small shout-out, just so I know that there are people interested in this story and I'm not only holding the interest of a handful ^^;;;
Thank you very much and hope to see you again in a month!