We got Kyle out of that tank in the testing sections of the Technocrats, but: "Everything is just so… Messed up." I voiced without realizing it. I looked at the corpse like the appearance of my friend. He was hooked up to a machine of the technocrats, reading his blood levels and other arcane measurements, but for once, I got a good look at him without the hood and skigoogles, which normally obscure his face and hair. It really emphasizes how justified Jay's anger was. "I don't know if this was just wishful thinking, but she seemed nice when I first met her."
I closed my eyes, remembering the time when we were at prom. Kyle and Jasmine took to the dance floor. It was one of the most beautiful sights to ever behold. I wish I had a camera with me so I could behold that moment. Both of them take a step close to each other, looking passionately into each other's eyes while the first salvo of fireworks blows up in the distance. That should have been a perfect shot. It would have been the perfect shot.
I buried my hands in my face. I was envious that he had it so easy with the girls back then, yet it was only my own fault that I didn't bother to take any dance classes. Lynn, Sina, and Chloe humored me, but in the end it was my own fault. Towards the end, I stood next to Sina, and neither of us could muster the strength to start a conversation while two giants dominated the dance floor.
"I know, Son." Kyle's foster father said. "My own son seemed to be at ease with her. I thought Jay was exaggerating when he said the Technocrats are getting all of the kids killed in there. I was too complacent in my thinking that they don't suffer extremists anymore. I only became concerned when he said I should make the effort to choose a color for his body bag. I thought it was morbid humor, but still, I scheduled an appointment to oversee the process days later. Only to see the violation they inflicted upon my son." Kyle's father is a giant of a man, but now he seems physically smaller.
"I don't think anyone knew. It's a miracle that Jay got to know…"
"You don't know how much it hurts to see his blue eyes fade to gray. They were simple. Barely any veins, no intention or tension in them. When you looked into them you saw they were as empty as his mind. Devoid of any pestering emotions."
It stung a little how he talked about Kyle, but it made sense. He never shouted at anyone in anger. When he did it was to encourage or as a warning. He was always up to close and personal. But calling it devoid of emotions would be a bit much. His are probably just different.
Peaceful next to him laid 'Kitten', she probably hit it the most that Kyle wasn't returning. It was a fight to get her to leave Kyle's side. Now reunited with him. She lies next to him like a content pet next to her owner.... Nothing but content and peace on her mind. "Commissar say, what exactly are those Meldiers? It's hard to get a hold or read on any of them. They are definitely human, but there is a difference, and nobody seems to be able to lay my finger on it."
The Commissar looked thoughtfully down on Kyle. "It's hard to say, Ibuki, from what the Technocrats say, they are another step towards human evolution. Mechanical ascension, synthetic bliss. Cybernisation efforts. Genetic engineering or cloning. Many paths are in front of us for many ideological utopias. I don't know what their utopia is going to be, but it will divide the Directorate further. As far as the sample research goes for the Technocrats phew, worlds may have one in a couple of billions. Here… They become a common sight, either with handlers or without, if you see a hundred thousand people per day. Maybe fewer than a dozen were Meldiers. The Technocrats theorize the Nightmare outbreaks may increase the likelihood, but that is without foundation, which they can't measure or anything."
We both sighed, the air he exhaled streamed against the Commissar's face mask. I wanted to say something to break the silence, but I couldn't find any words. I looked down on 'Kitten' lying next to Kyle. "I don't know if it is right or wrong to see them like that, but it definitely feels wrong…"
"Right makes right, and nobody is able to tell her what is right, son." The Commissar said.
"Is that even moral? The better question is, who am I, if it is, no matter how questionable it is. It seems like both of them are comfortable with it…"
"It might be her only comfort." Kyle's father cuts in. He stands up, suddenly towering over me. "It is questionable how long it will take for Kyle to bounce back. You'd better prepare yourself for assuming his duties until he wakes up."