I Must

Bell jumps up in bed, his breathing erratic and sweat pouring from his body. The sound of the gun setting off and the dead eyes of Anastasia and Dante are impossible to forget.

Veronica said nothing after the fact, only dragging the corpses away to get rid of them without giving the geniuses the time of day. Whatever questions or concerns they had mattered little; they are there for a single purpose. Bell can take solace in that, hoping it will be enough for them not to meet a similar fate.

Elizabeth wakes and embraces Bell. “You’re ok, she won’t hurt us.”

“It’s not that.” Bell holds her hand. “To think that Dante and Bell created that bomb, they should have understood the danger of it. But, what Anastasia said, do you believe him?”

Elizabeth lies her head on Bell’s shoulder. “I do. Bell, did you ever think my progress was slow?”

“Exoskeletons are a very complicated technology.”

“And yet, within months, I’ve already created better versions here. Bell, you’ve always thought the best of others, especially us. But we are different, we see a world of harmony where others see a world of their own benefit.”

“When did you realize this?”

“When I first presented a prototype exoskeleton. It was a group of the world leaders, none asked how we could use this for those in need, for those with impaired bodies. Their questions were all about war. Can it take a bullet, will it help with weapon aim, can they carry more weapons and ammunition with it. I hated them all for it.”

“I’m sorry that happened.”

“It’s fine, I simply held back. At the least, the blood on my hands is much less than Dante and Anastasia, I can sleep still. I… can’t agree with what they did, but I do believe you should think carefully of what you do. Of how you grant others the power you can give.”

“Making that decision myself is overstepping my boundaries, we’ll meet with everyone else and make a decision. I will listen to you all and decide then.”

“That’s fine. But you must not always just follow what others want, think about this yourself as well.”

“I will.”

Early in the morning, the geniuses gather in the lab at Bell’s call. All still frightened by the events that caused the blood spill sitting by the door.

“I’m sure many of you are still distraught by yesterday’s events, you’re free to take the day off but I would like your input on something before you make a decision. Dante and Anastasia, creating the bomb was a mistake. But it is proof, it is an example of what we must be careful of. I cannot agree with Anastasia’s actions, but I believe there is some reason within his thought. Perhaps it is best we go along sharing our gifts in a different manner this time around.”

“I agree.” Lars said. “We understand the capabilities of what we create, understand to what extent we must use them to. It’s unreasonable to believe they will do the same. I will give them technology to improve their bodies, but it is best I do it at a careful pace.”

“I’m not so sure about that.” Zara said. “Holding back will create resentment and perhaps even stifle the creativity that exists elsewhere.”

“I agree with Zara.” Artem said. “We are not the only geniuses out there; I’m sure others would benefit from our gifts.”

“Can you guarantee they won’t misuse them again?” Elizabeth said.

“No one can.” Issac said. “Such is the world we exist in, there will always be those who misuse the tools they have at hand.”

“Instead of holding back or giving it all, we must teach them.” Amélie said. “They know what can happen now, but teaching them will spread awareness and safety.”

“I’m with Amélie, we can develop even greater minds through education as well. We kept to ourselves before, that planted fear within many and lead to this.” Akihiko said.

“Education will take too long; we don’t have enough time before we all die off.” Bell said.

“Begin small.” Elena said. “Energy is most important; we give them that. It will allow them to begin gathering into civilizations once again, that is most important.”

“Elena is right. Bringing back order is the greatest thing we can do now; with Veronica’s city it is possible.” Liang said.

“But that is the problem.” Bell said. “I don’t believe we should be giving such power to someone like her. No, we can’t. She is unstable and dangerous, were she to lose any more control who knows what may happen with the fusion reactor.”

“So, what are you suggesting?” Issac asked.

“We will create our own city. Establishing order will be simple. We can create schools and release technology at controlled levels. That way everyone is safe, but I don’t believe we will be safe under her. She keeps from us; we can’t be deceived again.”

“And you will do this? Do you think yourself capable of it?” Artem asked.

“I must.”

Months later, the fusion reactor is completed. Lily is sent to inform Veronica.

“What are you doing?!” Lily pulls Veronica away from the table in her room. A mess of drugs and alcohol scattered across it. “Are you trying to kill yourself?”

“It won’t kill me. What do you want?”

Lily kneels and stares into Veronica’s eyes. Their bloodshot and exhausted. “Veronica, are still up to this?”

“You’re doubting me?”

“I’m worried about you. You’ve done so much for everyone, carried their wills and succeeded. That’s enough, if you want to elect someone else, we can find someone capable. We have Saul. Heck, even Loki is good enough if it means giving you rest.”

“I’m fine.” Veronica pushes Lily away and stands. Her balance terrible, she holds the wall as she finds clothes on the floor. “Did you come just to check on me?”

“No. The fusion reactor is done.”

Veronica arrives at the lab. It’s clean, tools and papers gone, only the fusion reactor notable as it sits on floating slab at the center of the room. Two robots hold metal wire connecting to it to keep it from floating away.

All the geniuses stare at the creation, smaller and more efficient than before. The new generation of fusion reactor will once again bring a new opportunity for the world.

“Well done.” Veronica said. “When do we hook it up? Most of the city is done, but we need to recharge our robots to finish the last details before everyone can go in.”

Bell steps forward. “We aren’t going to connect it to your city.”

Veronica scans the room; each genius is on the defensive. Although not advanced, they hold weapons at their side in preparation of what Veronica may do, but they are fools to believe they could beat Veronica and Loki alone.

“I’ll give you a moment to reconsider. I want you all to remember who gave you this opportunity, and also the ineptitude of the man you follow.”

“The reason we’re leaving is because we worry of your qualifications as a leader.” Bell replied.

“And those worries are unfounded. My personal life should mean nothing to you when you’ve had nothing but opportunity under my watch.”

“We will not change our minds.”

“Fine.”

“What?” The genius’s recoil at her answer. “That’s it?”

“Yea. I don’t care for any of you, if you wish to be idiots then go ahead. But when you return to me, the stipulations will make you wish you were a genius I put a bullet through. Now get out.”

The geniuses do as Veronica says, their robots pulling the fusion reactor behind them as they set off.

A few minutes later Lily walks in.

“So, can you recreate it?”

A small drone flies beside Lily and aims its projector at the wall. She types on a holographic keyboard projected by her personal casa and displays a video of the geniuses creating the reactor on the projection.

“Yea, we have all their notes and every recording we need. They thought they could sneak away at times but we have recordings of their every second here.”

“Good.”

“Do you think they will come back?”

“I’m not sure, but I doubt they will stay together, their paths are already diverging.”