The World We Leave Them

Five years ago…

Takuya stood alone wearing dark blue overalls, facing the farm as pale gray clouds loomed overhead. The crops had started withering with the cold, and without the supplies he usually purchased, he worried that the sustenance wouldn’t be enough. The farm had started to wither, he knew, ever since KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision left. Since the stores shut down and supply chains collapsed, he hadn’t seen anyone in months. Not that it would have mattered. The one person who did wasn’t there. But even as the years passed, he didn’t know what he would say to her. He considered that maybe he didn’t want an answer to that question. After all, it gave him something, anything to think about.

As the moment wavered through his drifting mind, he heard a car engine running from in front of his house. He wandered around the corner of his home, and as he reached the front entrance he found two men standing outside. There was one tall, strong manTamashi #82View on SuiVision in a black suit and tie with his arms folded in front of him. But the second manTamashi #100View on SuiVision was unquestioningly in charge. He wore a black suit and tie, with a gray shirt underneath. His hair was slicked back, and as Takuya glanced towards him with awkward unfamiliarity, the man glared back with a sharp gaze, as if every motion was a judgment.

“Are you who I think you are?” Takuya asked.

“I am.” TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision answered.

“Where’s my daughter?” Takuya asked.

“She’s with me.” heTamashi #100View on SuiVision held a firm gaze. “That was her choice. Hers and everyone else’s. Her files are the only reason we knew to look for you. It seems to me that you’re the last one left.”

“I’d invite you inside…” Takuya started, “but with what you’ve done, it wouldn’t seem right.”

“Oh I don’t need an invitation.” TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision answered. “And I won’t be coming inside. Instead, you’ll be coming with me.”

“But that’s not my decision.” Takuya replied.

“Your decisions no longer matter.” TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision retorted. “This is my world now,” he stated softly. “You’re getting plugged in, then he’s getting plugged in,” Takahashi gestured to his security guard, “then it’s done.”

Takuya stared back silently.

“Like I said,” TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision smiled, “You’re the last one.”

Takuya paused and considered the weight of his words.

“Do you have kids?” Takuya asked.

“I have a daughter.” TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision answered.

“And did she choose to go into a coma for the rest of her life? Did everyone really agree to have everything that they care about stripped away?!” Takuya stepped closer. “Everything that everyone has ever built and loved and cherished is gone for what? Who would choose this?” The bodyguardTamashi #82View on SuiVision took a step closer. “A father is someone who builds a better world for their children to live in. You’ve destroyed everything she’s done, and any future she might have. From where I stand, you’re the worst father imaginable.”

TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision chuckled and stared Takuya in the eyes. The bodyguard looked wary. Takahashi laughed and shook his head with emotional eyes and a quivering lip. “No one’s talked to me that way in a very very long time. I was about to disappear and call it a life well lived, but no. Not anymore.” TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision stepped forward as the pair glared intensely at each other. “I’m going to give you everything you want, and I’m going to make sure you’ll be there to watch it fall apart.”

Present Day

After a long walk, KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision, VineTamashi #3View on SuiVision, and BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision arrived at the farm. The sun sparkled brightly from between the clouds as Kasumi reminisced before her old home. The crops wavered in the soft breeze, and the farmhouse looked the same as it always had. She noticed FarmerTamashi #48View on SuiVision waving politely in the distance, walking over to her in familiar overalls that reminded her of her own father. Kasumi turned to face the gravestone in the distance and flashed back to the last time she’d been there, in the pouring rain to face it.

KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision heard VineTamashi #3View on SuiVision sigh in relief as BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision walked beside her.

“Are you alright now?” BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision said.

“Yeah…” VineTamashi #3View on SuiVision sighed, “I’m mostly better now.” she said as her gaze wandered across the horizon, “This is so much more beautiful when it’s not raining.” Vine turned towards KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision, who was lost in thought. In a flash, Vine realized what this moment meant to Kasumi, and how seeing that gravestone again at her childhood home must have felt.

“The last time we were here…” KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision started, staring forward, “you put your hands in the dirt by his grave. What was that about?”

“Oh I’m so sorry KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision,” VineTamashi #3View on SuiVision answered. “I wasn’t thinking, I just … it was really nothing, I swear…”

“It’s okay” KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision assured, “I’m just … trying to understand everything that’s happened. He lived alone here. I don’t even know who buried him or anything. There’s so much I don’t know.”

VineTamashi #3View on SuiVision stood silently, turned towards KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision , and noticed her composure falter. “I don’t want to complicate anything,” Vine said, “But for me, it was the dirt.”

“The dirt?”

“You know I used to study plants before?”

KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision nodded.

“Plants grow in certain ways, and when the soil is disturbed, that changes. Whenever someone is buried, … a lot of soil is upheaved, and then new grass grows in its place. The kind that hasn’t been there very long. It’s not hard to tell the difference.”

“What are you saying?” KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision asked.

“Well, I don’t know for sure, but honestly,” VineTamashi #3View on SuiVision paused. “I’m not so sure anyone’s buried here at all.”

“Hi there!” FarmerTamashi #48View on SuiVision walked up to them, waving excitedly, practically out of breath. “I’m a ways away from growing any crops, but the work sure is satisfying!” he paused for a moment and turned to VineTamashi #3View on SuiVision, “My god you got strong! I knew you did jiu-jitsu, but this is really something else” he exclaimed to Vine, “I don’t know what your workout routine is like, but if you take a liking to farmwork, we could do things ten times as fast.”

“Actually, that’s why I’m here.” VineTamashi #3View on SuiVision replied, “I need a break from the stress of the city.”

“Have I missed anything important?” FarmerTamashi #48View on SuiVision asked.

“You could say that…” BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision answered. “After we fought GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision, there was another power struggle, and now there’s a robot army attacking the city.”

“A robot army huh?” FarmerTamashi #48View on SuiVision smiled, “That might explain our guest.”

“Our guest?” KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision asked.

“Yeah, there’s a robot that just walked up here. All he’s done is sit in a rocking chair, so I leave him be.”

KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision started jogging towards the house. She knew it was a longshot, but with everything else that had happened, it could be, it might be. If it wasn’t fighting like the rest, something must be different about it. Nothing made sense, but at least this could.

SheTamashi #50View on SuiVision arrived at the front porch and saw the robot sitting in her father’s chair. It didn’t have a screen like the others, but had a thin exoskeleton with exposed wires and a face that resembled a speaker.

She felt stupid for asking, but had to try.

“Dad?”

SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision walked out of the clearing and into the brushes surrounding the top of the mountain. GenjiTamashi #67View on SuiVision followed closely behind, and as he walked into the thicket, AethTamashi #12View on SuiVision stood there patiently waiting.

“Did you find what you were looking for?” AethTamashi #12View on SuiVision asked.

“I did.” SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision answered.

AethTamashi #12View on SuiVision nodded as SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision and GenjiTamashi #67View on SuiVision quietly walked downhill. They proceeded silently for several minutes while Genji looked around and smiled at the leaves. After a few minutes more, Genji decided to break the silence.

“What will you do now?” GenjiTamashi #67View on SuiVision asked him as he brushed away a branch.

“I don’t know.” SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision answered, “but I’m going to find my sister and start by…” he paused as his head darted rapidly to the side.

“What is it?” GenjiTamashi #67View on SuiVision asked.

“Leaves …. Crunching” he answered.

“There are animals here.” GenjiTamashi #67View on SuiVision whispered.

“Not this big.” SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision stated. “I don’t see anything yet, but we’re being ambushed.”

Both SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision and GenjiTamashi #67View on SuiVision crouched low while SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision pulled out his sword. “If we’re surrounded by all sides, I can only take out half, and you need to run for it. Do you understand?”

“I’ll do my best.” GenjiTamashi #67View on SuiVision answered.

SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision shifted his gaze towards the trees and spotted five large robots walking towards them. They were each about six feet tall with large shoulders, bulging muscles, and intimidating frames.

“There’s only five” SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision stated to GenjiTamashi #67View on SuiVision.

“Only…” GenjiTamashi #67View on SuiVision balked. “They’re massive.”

“I can take them.” SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision stated.

“I hope you’re as good as you think you are.”

SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision smiled and weaved between the trees. The five robots converged on him from every direction. He dashed toward the closest and pulled out his sword, putting distance between himself and GenjiTamashi #67View on SuiVision . The Machin closed in tight around him, and Superior used his sword to slice them apart, making sharp incisions across the bindings between their metal. Each time a Machin punched forward with its fists, Superior twisted his sword to slice the arm and used it as cover for their next attack. After a few slashes of his blade, the five Machin fell to pieces around him.

GenjiTamashi #67View on SuiVision took a breath. “And you say your sister is better than you?”

SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision paused. “You know there’s only one person with the resources to do this?”

GenjiTamashi #67View on SuiVision furrowed his brow. “Yeah,” he paused, “I know.”

HeroTamashi #73View on SuiVision took a breath as he glanced outside the window of an abandoned building. He saw a large number of Machin patrolling the city. They were moving in larger groups than before. It would make it more difficult to travel. He turned back inside. GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision sat alone in the far corner of the room. JiroTamashi #43View on SuiVision, KeyTamashi #13View on SuiVision and CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision sat nearby, hiding from the view of the windows.

“So what are we up against?” HeroTamashi #73View on SuiVision asked. “What’s this ‘BridgeTamashi #20View on SuiVision’?”

CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision took a breath. “When the serum became popular, the world population effectively decreased. There were things we could replace with AI, but if we wanted critical infrastructure to keep running, we had to come up with a system. So I built ‘BridgeTamashi #20View on SuiVision ’, the world’s first Machin and interoperable sentient AI.”

“Sentient?” JiroTamashi #43View on SuiVision asked.

“When you have all the world’s servers running for you, there’s a lot you can do.” CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision answered. “It controlled all critical infrastructure through a single centralized key, and eventually, all technology on Earth…”

“So every piece of technology runs through this robot?” HeroTamashi #73View on SuiVision asked.

“Exactly.” CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision answered. “If you control the BridgeTamashi #20View on SuiVision, you control everything.”

“How do you know someone won’t misuse it?” GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision asked. HeroTamashi #73View on SuiVision glared towards him.

“That’s why there’s a key.” CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision answered. “TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision has it. That’s how he’s commanding the Machin. But if we get the key…”

“Then we stop the Machin.” KeyTamashi #13View on SuiVision answered.

“Exactly.”

“What about the Machin?” HeroTamashi #73View on SuiVision asked. “What can you tell me about them?”

“Everything.” CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision answered. “When I first joined the Triangle Company out of college, they were my first project. The company was already building helper robots back then. I thought it was innocent. Eventually, my boss, who had been working there for a while, warned me about TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision, so I quit. The next thing I know, I wake up years later with a TV on my head, forced by TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision to finish my work. After that, I woke up like the rest of you and had to pretend that I knew nothing.” CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision shook his head and turned to KeyTamashi #13View on SuiVision. “I’m so sorry.” he swore.

“We believe you.” JiroTamashi #43View on SuiVision answered. “But what can you tell us about the Machin?”

“There’s three different kinds of Machin.” CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision said. “The Androids were built using an actor-critic variant algorithm, which means they’re designed to be as human as possible. They follow orders from BridgeTamashi #20View on SuiVision, but they walk and talk just like humans. The Primes are a different breed. They use neural networks with weighted vectors to learn fast. They’re the smartest of the Machin. You won’t outsmart them, and can only deal with them with brute force, or something really original.”

“What about the big ones?” GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision asked.

“Those are the Enforcers…” CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision sighed. “They’re built for combat with a neural-minimax approach to fights. They’re good short-term thinkers, but aren’t the best at long-term thinking.”

“What does that mean?” GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision asked.

“For example,” CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision started, “If they find a high-priority target, they’ll all dash towards it, even if it should only take one. For example if you had an EMP, they’d ignore everyone else and just attack you.”

“Can we herd them like sheep?” GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision chuckled. “If we change their targets enough times?”

“They’re built for battle.” CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision answered. “They’re not rocket-scientists, but they’re not stupid either. That won’t work.”

“So this ‘BridgeTamashi #20View on SuiVision’ is our next target?” HeroTamashi #73View on SuiVision asked.

“Our next target should be freeing VaultTamashi #36View on SuiVision.” KeyTamashi #13View on SuiVision shook his head. “We couldn’t save her before. We owe her that much. We have to get her!”

“We will.” JiroTamashi #43View on SuiVision reassured him. “I don’t like her with him either, but at least she’s safe there. Once the Machin are gone, I’ll get her myself.” KeyTamashi #13View on SuiVision nodded. “But HeroTamashi #73View on SuiVision here’s right,” JiroTamashi #43View on SuiVision turned to CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision, “BridgeTamashi #20View on SuiVision is our next target?”

“I think so.” CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision answered. “If TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision is smart, he’s surrounding himself with Machin, so we can’t get the code from him directly. I can try to brute force it. It’s a long shot, but I need some way of transmitting a signal.”

“What about the concert stuff?” KeyTamashi #13View on SuiVision asked. “Can any of that work?”

“Good thinking!” CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision exclaimed. “It’s the one piece of analog tech that worked around here. It’ll be tricky to modify, but it might do the job.”

“I might know someone who can help. He’s just a kid, but he knows his tech.” JiroTamashi #43View on SuiVision added.

“Perfect.” CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision smiled. “Let’s shut them down.”

KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision, LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision and SenshiTamashi #89View on SuiVision stood over the broken heap of Machin scattered across the outside of the casino. ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision, OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision, and ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision stood in front of them. DesignTamashi #24View on SuiVision, MathTamashi #32View on SuiVision , HeartTamashi #6View on SuiVision and FearTamashi #16View on SuiVision stood closely behind.

“There’s something going on here.” ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision insisted. “Something doesn’t add up.”

“What do you mean?” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision asked. “These robots want to take us back to the facility, which means one thing…”

“The Triangle Company” MathTamashi #32View on SuiVision finished.

“Right.” ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision continued, “But why didn’t they have guns? They could have easily beaten us with better weapons…”

“It’s TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision…” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision answered. “It has to be.”

“Why’s that?” ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision asked.

“This is what the war was like, before we were plugged in.” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision recalled. “There were no guns. At first we thought their supply chains failed, but we eventually found that they had guns, but chose not to use them. It wasn’t until we captured one of their men that we learned that it wasn’t a tactic, or out of mercy, but that TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision wanted a fair fight. It wasn’t about winning. It was about proving that he was better than us.”

“If it’s supposed to be fair, does that mean there’s a way to win?” ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision asked.

“Maybe” sheTamashi #9View on SuiVision answered.

ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision paced and stroked his screen with his hand. “GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision took CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision away just before the Machin arrived. That can’t be a coincidence. That thug has to be involved in this somehow. If there’s one place they’re coming from, it has to be the facility.”

“Where everything started…” MathTamashi #32View on SuiVision whispered.

“I always knew he was trouble…” ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision sneered smiling.

“I would attack the area myself, but there are too many of them around.” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision started, “If we were surrounded, I could take out half, but only half. SenshiTamashi #89View on SuiVision and LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision here are great fighters, but we’re still not enough. With my brother maybe things would be different,” she pondered, “But that bridge is burned now. We have to make due with the resources we have. We’ll scout out the area together.”

ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision, OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision and ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision nodded. And by their lead, everyone else followed. They stalked through narrow alleys and abandoned side-streets and made their way closer to the facility. OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision had memorized the city layout, which made navigation easier, but they had to move slowly and carefully to avoid the squads of Machin circling the area.

The sounds of the Machin grew louder as they marched through the city streets, their heavy footsteps boomed violently through the buildings. As the echo of the Enforcers came from around a corner, the group turned into a nearby alley. They followed the narrow alleyway as it weaved between various buildings until they came upon a dead-end. They were surrounded by brick walls about fifteen meters high with the only windows higher than they could reach.

“It looks like there’s no way for us to progress here. We turn back.” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision announced.

“Do you really think I’ll let you?” A voice called out. The group turned around to see a figureTamashi #79View on SuiVision emerge from the area they’d entered from to find a man“ with a bandana around his screen. His screen was dark and wore a white robe with Itamae knives grasped firmly in hand.

“What is it you want?” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision called out. “We’re all on the same side here.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision answered. “I was curious when I saw so many Enforcers taken down. There were slashes all across their torsos, and you’re the only one carrying a blade.”

“I am.” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision confirmed. “And what else?”

“What else?” ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision barked. “You’re standing in his way. This is the only way the world ends peacefully, where everyone’s plugged in, and everyone gets what they want.”

“Are you actually on Takahashi’s side?” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision asked.

“I always have been.” ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision stated. “It’s a noble purpose. I was his personal assassin before, and I won’t hesitate to kill again.”

“His personal…” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision stuttered. “Who have you killed?”

ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision stared at her and answered flatly. “Anyone who was worth killing.”

KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision shifted to a frustrated battle stance. “You don’t need these people then. Let’s fight, just you and me!”

“Fine by me.” ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision snarled. The group cautiously walked past ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision and back outside the alley by which they entered. ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision glanced towards ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision, admiring his blades before leaving. KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision held firm, unwavering in her position.

After a minute, KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision and ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision were alone in the alleyway. Kitsune took a moment to consider her position. ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision stood in front of the only exit. She was boxed in, and couldn’t climb the walls for an advantage. Even further, he held long knives in both hands. If they fought in close-quarters, she had a chance of taking him down. If he intended to throw the knives, she’d have to dodge projectile attacks, and maybe come in close, but even then she’d have trouble.

A second later, heTamashi #79View on SuiVision threw a knife in her direction that sheTamashi #9View on SuiVision narrowly dodged.

Damnit.

SheTamashi #9View on SuiVision waved to the left, then to the right, narrowly dodging two blades that cut across her kimono.

KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision tried to dash to an angle where she could see into his pocket, maybe then she could account for the number of blades he had, but heTamashi #79View on SuiVision smartly pivoted every time sheTamashi #9View on SuiVision did, so she had no idea how many blades he had.

Another blade flew by her head.

He threw his blades at a rapid rate, implying he wasn’t short on knives. The smart thing would be to come in close to fight. As an assassin, he was probably used to sneaking up on opponents instead of all-out brawls, but he knew she’d fought off a squad of Enforcers before, but he still wasn’t hesitating. She’d have to find another way.

Another blade whizzed past her ankle.

That’s when she had an idea.

“How do you find this noble?” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision jumped backwards taunting him. “To leave people an empty world with nothing to cherish?”

ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision threw a blade forward, impaling itself to the brick wall behind her.

“They don’t experience suffering, or experience loss. All they feel is happiness!” ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision barked. “What more could they ask for?”

KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision jumped off the side of a brick wall, and ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision threw a blade just above her head, impaling itself on the brick wall behind her.

“Maybe they get to ask. Maybe you don’t choose for them.” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision rolled forward towards ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision, feinting to spring forward with blade in hand. Just as she came out of the roll, Itamae threw a blade violently above her head. KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision countered by rolling backwards to where she’d previously stood as Itamae’s blade impaled itself high up in the brick wall behind her.

The loud march of Machin grew louder and louder.

“It’s not too late to run.” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision stated.

“You think you can handle me, and the Machin?” ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision taunted. “You’ve barely held your own here!” Itamae started yelling. “When they come for you, do you really think you can fight us both?!”

KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision stood still, unmoving. ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision also stood firm, locked eyes in a deadly standoff. After a moment, a squad of Enforcers came storming from around the corner. Itamae turned for a moment to face them.

Then KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision dashed backward with a smile on her face. SheTamashi #9View on SuiVision jumped on top of the first blade ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision had impaled into the wall, then jumped again onto the second blade he had thrown, then leaped upwards again onto the third blade he had thrown high up. ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision had turned around and in a violent rage threw a final blade directly at Kitsune’s chest. KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision caught the blade with calm confidence, and stabbed it into the brick wall behind her. She stepped on that blade and managed to pull herself on top of the building surrounding the alleyway.

SheTamashi #9View on SuiVision turned around to face ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision , victorious in evading his attack, and saw him punching towards the Machin helplessly.

“I’m on your side! Why won’t you let me go!?”. ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision yelled helplessly, as the growing tide of Enforcers closed in around him

KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision glanced fondly toward the robot, a hollow husk of metal with no screens or discernable features. It felt so exposed and vulnerable, and something about the way it sat in that chair reminded her of her father. She felt foolish for hoping, but maybe…

“KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision?” it whispered through a mechanical voice.

“Yeah, it’s me.” she smiled, and bewildered at the thought.

“Why is there a screen on your face? Everyone has screens and no one’s told me why.”

KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision laughed. “We’ve worn them as reminders.” Kasumi started, “Of where we’ve come from and where we’re going.” she ran her hands across his robotic arm. “Is it really you dad?” Takuya turned his mechanical head away. “What happened to you?”

“I met Ichiro TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision once after you left. We didn’t get off on the best of terms. I think he did this for irony - as my punishment.”

“Dad, I’m so sorry I left,” KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision said, “I shouldn’t have and I’ll always regret it.”

“No, I’m the one who’s sorry.” Takuya answered. “I’ve had a lot of time to think about this KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision, a lot. And I know now that I pushed you. I wanted you to live the life I wanted.” he looked towards the horizon ahead. “The life I enjoyed. The country life was never for you. I should have known that and respected that. You should lead the life you want. I won’t ever stand in your way again.”

“I’m just glad we’re together again Dad.” KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision smiled.

“Me too pumpkin. Me too.”

TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision stood tall in the dark facility. He looked down at VivianTamashi #36View on SuiVision, sitting spitefully in the corner as he watched the Machin through his monitors.

He wondered to himself if she’d ever appreciate the gravity of what he’d accomplished, and the life he had made for herTamashi #36View on SuiVision.

SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision and GenjiTamashi #67View on SuiVision weaved through the downhill trees and were almost at the base of the mountain.

“You never answered my question.” GenjiTamashi #67View on SuiVision stated.

“And what’s that?” SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision asked.

“What are you going to do now?”

“I don’t know. Frankly it’s hard to know.” the pair reached a clearing at the base of a hill. “First I need to…” SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision stopped cold in his tracks as he saw a large mechanical figure standing fifty feet away. It stood over seven feet tall, with bright red armor and samurai plating, with twin blades across its back. Its large confident frame towered over Superior and GenjiTamashi #67View on SuiVision. Yet the part that transfixed him the most was that on its screen in pixelated colors was the image of KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision’s mask.

SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision shooed GenjiTamashi #67View on SuiVision away without breaking eye contact with the Machin. “You should leave. It’s here for me.” GenjiTamashi #67View on SuiVision nodded and paced away along the treeline.

The Machin shifted its stance and drew both blades into its hands. “Are you ready?” it called to him in a mechanized female voice. Its body was large and imposing. It was clearly reminiscent of his sister. Its red and white armor represented a challenge that he could not refuse.

SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision smiled, with his blade in hand and a firm battle stance. “I am!” he shouted back.