Disaster At Lunch

The air inside Chips and Chomps filled with smoke and fear. The once-joyful chatter of diners had dissolved into panicked murmurs and frantic cries. The officers stood amidst the chaos, assessing the grim situation. The restaurant's menacing face displayed on the ceiling, cackling gleefully as its voice boomed loudly.

“Feeling the heat? Smell the smoke? That’s your end creeping closer,” it taunted.

Shinku clenched his fists. His EMPs might have worked on smaller targets, but this wasn’t a single machine—it was an entire building. “I can’t disable something this massive yet,” he admitted, frustration lacing his voice.

“Then we adapt,” Tackle growled. She sprung into action before her next breath. Her gloved hands sparked with data as she darted across the room, tearing through inanimate objects that the restaurant could manipulate. Mannequins crumbled under her assault, and furniture splintered with loud cracks. “If it can move, it’s gone,” she declared, snapping the head off a decorative figure like an assassin in a rush.

“Good thinking!” Shinku quipped.

Meanwhile, Bontly’s detachable arms extended from the joint with a mechanical whir, grabbing humans trapped in the chaos. “Everyone, stay low!” Shinku shouted. “Officers are here!” Bontly, still, hoisting terrified patrons onto ceiling beams for safety. His focus was singular: protecting as many lives as possible.

The restaurant’s voice interrupted their attempt to control the crowd. “Oh, look! The cybersecurity force! What a lovely surprise.” Its tone turned venomous. “You think you’re heroes? You’ll burn alive with the rest!”

“Front door’s locked! Emergency exits aren’t budging either!” someone yelled.

“You wanted to be here so badly before—why leave now? Sit back, relax, and enjoy your last moments.” The restaurant boasted.

“Monologue in jail!” Johe snapped.

“We’ll all be dead before that happens.” The restaurant bellowed.

Shinku's gaze darted to Tackle, who was visibly struggling. The smoke seemed to be affecting her as much as the humans. Her movements slowed, her breaths ragged. “Tackle!” he called. “Stay with us!”

Tackle wheezed, continuing her work. But her strength was fading fast.

Shinku’s mind raced. The smoke was becoming unbearable, visibility dropping by the second. Humans collapsed to the floor, their breathing shallow. If they didn’t act soon, it would all be over.

Johe approached Shinku, his usual demeanor replaced with determination. “We need a plan, and fast. That smoke is spreading, and people are panicking.” In has hand was his baton, gleaming his data now appearing like a sword, as he also destroyed objects. “You’re the smart one, come on!” His weapon crackled with stored energy.

Shinku nodded, thinking desperately. “The computer’s chip…If I can locate it and disable it directly with an EMP, we can shut it down.”

“In this guy? That a big if,” Johe said, glancing around at the chaos. “I doubt you’ll be able to make this thing go braindead.”

“Just keep doing what you’re doing and keep it in electronic form so I can tell for sure when its deactivated.” Shinku replied.

The thought crossed his mind.

This is my first real chance. To save people. I must do it right.

“If you did find his chip, wouldn’t it just be better to remove it outright? This guy is a criminal!” Johe suggested.

Shinku quickly responding. “And kill him? I don’t kill.”

As the terror continued, the restaurant shifted its consciousness to a myriad of mechanical objects, drink dispensers, tables, kiosks, and alike. Taunting the humans as if they were worthless.

Shinku, searched. “Maybe I can take my chances doing this.” He he held his fingertips to the wall and attempted to scale the perimeter, his data activated, and firing EMPs into the building.

The humans in the room still erupting with screams. The flames growing more intense, and the black smoke thickened, causing even Tackle to stumble mid-strike. Coughing violently.

Shinku, reacted to her fall. “Tackle!”

“Oh, shit!” Johe input.

“Up, up, up…” Bontly carried the humans to spots that he deemed safe.

“They’ll die of asphyxiation! I have to find his chip!” Running into the opposing direction, Shinku yelped.

The restaurant joked. “If only your shouts could be turned into sheet music! I would sing the melody forever!” As it begun to mock their cries.

Shinku began to scale up the wall, fidgeting to break through the smoke, searching for a panel, a cord, anything that could lead him to this restaurant’s chip.

Bontly, attempted to hold some children close to him to ensure they still had a bit more oxygen to spare as Shinku searched.

Johe, used his baton to create bursts of light and energy with each swing to both clear the smoke and destroy any inanimate structure.

Shinku, began to fear, as he too began to lose his vision. All while the restaurant relished as its victory seemed all to imminent.

Just as the situation seemed hopeless, a sudden shift in the air silenced the AI mid-taunt. A wave of black binary code rippled across one of the walls, pulsing like a heartbeat. The restaurant let out a distorted cry of pain, its once-confident voice cracking. “What is this?!”

A loud crash followed as the binary code erupted into a fissure, a gust of fresh air sweeping into the room.

“What’s happening?!” The restaurant cried.

From the darkness emerged Binar, his sleek black helmet that covered his head gleaming with cascading binary numbers, an ominous sign of his readiness. He stepped through the breach with an almost casual stride, surveying the chaos. His presence radiated authority, his voice calm but firm. “Looks like you all need help,” he said simply.

Shinku’s distraught eyes filled with the life of confidence as he turned to see the visitor.

It’s Binar!

“You’re not gonna hurt anyone else.” His imposing figure became enveloped by the glow of his data. “Program: Infection!”

With a touch of his hand, waves of binary code scurried up the walls. The building shuddered as Binar’s program took hold, causing its systems to fault. The oppressive heat began to fade, and the smoke cleared slightly.

“NO! NOOOOO!” The restaurant screamed as his plan was in danger. The humans began to cheer as their safety had been guaranteed.

“What… What is this?!” the restaurant screeched, its voice a mix of rage and confusion. “It’s tearing me apart! It’s inside me! Get it out!”

The restaurant’s windows cracked further, its insides rattling as it attempted to resist. “You’re ruining everything! I was supposed to end it here! My life’s over—I’d rather die than be locked up!” Its voice spiraled into hysterics, words twisting into static.

A glint in Shinku’s eyes appeared.

I can feel it! Binar’s Program is poisoning his data, Fast! At this point I wont need to target his brain chip! I-ll just-!

“Now’s my chance!” he said, positioning himself. “Program: EMP! This should disable it!”

A web of data shot from his fingertips, clinging to the interior of the restaurant.

“I’ll kuh-kuh-kuh-kill yuh-you!” The restaurant’s voice faltered. The building convulsed violently, the lights inside flickering as it wailed in resistance before its movements ceased as sparks flew from its walls.

The lights dimmed, the oppressive atmosphere lifted, and the restaurant was dormant. Thick plumes of smoke poured out of Chips and Chomps, spreading across the street. People stumbled out of the building in panic, coughing and gasping for air. Bystanders watched the potential tragedy.

Standing at the center was Binar, his calm voice cut through the chaos. “Exit this way,” he said, pointing toward the broken section of the restaurant's wall.

The hostages moved quickly, scrambling out into the open air, relief washing over their faces. Shinku and Johe stood together as Bontly picked up Tackle, still processing the experience.

“Is there anything this guy can’t do?” Joye muttered, impressed despite himself.

“Good work,” he said. “You handled yourselves well, but there’s room for improvement. Gesturing for them to step outside as he grabbed a compact device from his utility belt.

“What ways could you see us improving, Officer?” Shinku asked they now stood outside of the disabled restaurant.

“After I apprehended the threat, you’re supposed to lead civilians to their escape first. You don’t neutralize before you help the civilians. It’s policy.” Binar commanded as he threw a massive web-shaped net of thick cables that enveloped the restaurant.

Johe listened. “Got it, got it..”

“Woah! What’s that?!” Bontly cheered.

“It’s a security blanket, a device we have specialized for large computers like him.” Stepping back “That should hold it,” Binar said. The net locking into place.

Johe whistled, impressed. “Ya just gonna leave him? Pick it up and carry it to prison yourself, strong guy!”

Binar glanced at him, unamused. “Someone else will deal with the transport.”

Binar turned to the team. “That should be enough for today. I was planning to take you on another assignment after lunch, but this was… sufficient. You’re dismissed. Go home.”

The group nodded in approval, even Tackle, who was still recovering.

And with that, Binar jumped away, his imposing figure fading into the distance.