Over in Frigandor, Dr. Borg was waiting on the latest progress report concerning Largandra. \u201cCome on!\u201d she groaned. \u201cWhen\u2019s Kartambo gonna take the throne?!\u201d Just then, her console beeped. She pressed a button. \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMother, it\u2019s bad!\u201d replied Jansha\u2019s voice. \u201cA bunch of duplicates have been activated from multiple robot lines, the same lines we sent to Largandra\u2019s wall.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTheir duplicates have been activated? What for?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re experiencing activation confusion right now. I have a feeling you need to oversee this personally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOn my way.\u201d Dr. Borg ended the call and left the room rubbing her temples. She had a feeling a headache was fast approaching. She made it to the induction room, a place where new robots are familiarized with the Empire and duplicates are given their previous models\u2019 code and memories. Jansha was at work on a console, keying in commands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStill parsing the data from the previous models,\u201d she reported. \u201c\u2026Got it.\u201d A feared silence filled the room. \u201c\u2026I don\u2019t believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d asked Dr. Borg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur robots in Largandra have followed Markulak: Model 7\u2019s example and defected to Realmfleet! Temnasia: Model 4 executed Markulak: Model 8 as he was about to kill his predecessor! They helped a strike team set up explosives within the wall, then evacuate civilians to safer areas within AND without Largandra! Trosalga: Model 90 was the one who detonated the bombs! These bots are descendants of traitors!\u201d Dr. Borg was trembling with rage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOrder all loyal forces to pull back to the Under-realm!\u201d Jansha looked at the Cyborg Sprite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be boxed in before we find the tower!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere will be no more running after this! We should have examined the robots more closely so we could rid ourselves of traitors before they even think of rebellion!\u201d Dr. Borg turned to Temnasia: Model 5, quivering in fear like her compatriots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDoctor, if we could talk to our predecessors,\u201d she suggested, \u201cget them to change their minds-!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPerhaps you could reawaken their patriotic spirit?\u201d guessed Jansha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExactly!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOn the other hand,\u201d remarked Dr. Borg, \u201cthey\u2019re just as likely to convince you to betray us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUs?! Betray you?! Never!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right, because you won\u2019t live to get the chance! Jansha, activate Protocol Ten on these rejects!\u201d Protocol Ten is not a phrase robots want to hear. Upon the protocol\u2019s activation, all duplication programs are deleted from the target\u2019s line and the luckless robot automatically reports to the nearest smelter\u2019s yard. Their identification codes are deleted as well so other robots, especially ones working the yards, see them as mere raw materials. Temnasia: Model 5 pled on behalf of her and her fellows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDr. Borg! Jansha! Wait! You\u2019re making a terrible mistake!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s where you\u2019re wrong!\u201d replied Jansha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut our lines have done everything you have asked of us! I tell you, we\u2019re loyal! We believe in the Empire! Jansha! Please! Don\u2019t do it!\u201d Jansha pressed a button on the console and the robots began filing out of the room, pleading for her to undo Protocol 10. The last robot left, and the door shut behind it. Dr. Borg sat down on a crate and put her head in her hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDid we go too fast?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMother?\u201d asked Jansha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDid we drain the Divine Mana too early? Our Revenants are weakening, and robots are betraying us. What next, the Golems betray us?\u201d Just then, a male Golem entered the room, beaming with pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy Creator!\u201d he called. \u201cWe found it!\u201d Dr. Borg arched an eyebrow, then her normal eye widened in hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA Divine Tower?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, Doctor!\u201d confirmed the Golem. \u201cIt\u2019s in the desert of the Under-realm\u2019s Eastern Continent! Right at the northern shores!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d asked Dr. Borg as she smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGrabben, Dr. Borg.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMr. Grabben, you and your team will be rewarded for this joyous news! Report to the meeting hall in two hours! Before we depart, every single one of you will be rewarded with the Medal of the Trinity Star!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe simply did our duty, Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd that dedication is what earned you that medal! Congratulations, Mr. Grabben!\u201d They shook hands and Grabben left the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFinally,\u201d sighed Jansha happily when the door shut, \u201csome good news at last.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHave our forces be ready to leave in three hours,\u201d ordered Dr. Borg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt once, Mother. Shall I order for the Divine Ones and Oyed to be moved as well?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo. They won\u2019t witness our ascension. Leave them to rot here in Frigandor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, Mother.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, in a private chamber, Oyed was strapped to the wall as a robot kept shoving pizza slice after pizza slice into his mouth. He tried to spit it out, but the robot wouldn\u2019t let him. Yulduk entered the room. \u201cAh, when the stars align!\u201d he cheered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSir?\u201d asked the robot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe found a Divine Tower!\u201d answered Yulduk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPerfect! I\u2019ll have Oyed prepped for-!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, we\u2019re leaving him and his children to freeze here. They won\u2019t get to watch us become gods. How\u2019s Oyed doing, anyways?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYulduk, you miserable, rotten traitor!\u201d growled Oyed. \u201cI will have my reveGAHGHAHAGH!\u201d Another slice of pizza was shoved into his mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFabulous,\u201d chuckled Yulduk. \u201cHe\u2019s never looked better! Gotta say, \u2018Master\u2019, your normal eyes really do wonders for social interactions. I can\u2019t fathom why mist always seeped out of them, but, oh well. Honestly, you being drained was the best thing for morale, really. With you mobile and prattling on about your endgame, it felt like we all married our mother! \u2026Not that I\u2026ever thought about that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStealing my Divine Mana and blending it with my children so you could take their places!\u201d snarled Oyed. \u201cThat\u2019s low, even for you and Dr. Borg! But why am I being force-fed pizzARGHA!\u201d Another slice was shoved into his mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, I just wanted to be mean. You\u2019re never going to eat pizza gain at this rate! Imagine that, life without pizza!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYOU FIEND!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGotta give some instructions, BRB.\u201d Yulduk turned to the robot. \u201cWe\u2019re moving out in three hours. Once I leave, you have two minutes to continue force-feeding Oyed. Once your two minutes are up, join us in getting things packed up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnderstood, Lord Yulduk,\u201d said the robot. Yulduk grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2018Lord Yulduk.\u2019 You know, I think I\u2019ll stick with that when I ascend. Nice and simple, wouldn\u2019t you agree?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt WOULD be easier on the vocalizer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen that\u2019s settled! Lord Yulduk, it is! Now\u2026\u201d Yulduk then picked up a slice that had fallen out of Oyed\u2019s mouth and onto the floor, \u201cit looks like little Oyed\u2019s hungry!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, gross!\u201d gagged Oyed. \u201cIt\u2019s got carpet fuzz on it! I\u2019LL DESTROY YOU FOR THISHGHRAGH!\u201d Yulduk shoved the slice into Oyed\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, yeah, \u2018destroy us for this!\u2019 I\u2019m not the one chained to the wall here, Oyed! Yulduk out!\u201d The Flame Elf Revenant snapped his fingers in a sassy manner and sauntered out. Once the door shut, the robot grabbed another slice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPlease! No more! HAVE MERCIAGHERGH!\u201d The robot made itself deaf to Oyed\u2019s protests as it continued its job, enjoying being able to do that to the former Titan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Over in Frigandor, Dr. Borg was waiting on the latest progress report concerning Largandra. \u201cCome on!\u201d she groaned. \u201cWhen\u2019s Kartambo gonna take the throne?!\u201d Just then, her console beeped. She pressed a button. \u201cYes?\u201d \u201cMother, it\u2019s bad!\u201d replied Jansha\u2019s voice. \u201cA bunch of duplicates have been activated from multiple robot lines, the same lines we […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1914,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[97,238],"tags":[482],"class_list":["post-5264","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-three-realms","category-the-three-realms-book-5-the-final-fight","tag-fantasy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5264","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5264"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5264\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5265,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5264\/revisions\/5265"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1914"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5264"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5264"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5264"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}