Epilogue

The press conference was filled to the brim. Under the flashes of the never-ending photos, The Governor looked over her notes and cleared her throat. One paper blamed the Factory Incident, as it has become known, on Military mismanagement. The other, on the Security Council’s negligence. Either way, the whole thing would be swept under the rug.

The Governor grabbed the mic, her hands trembling. Which version should she say? Which faction should she throw under the bus? It didn’t feel right to keep playing politics like this. A third of humanity almost perished due to a centuries-old conspiracy, and all she could think of was how she could spin it to get more votes?

She knew the truth, of course. The whole truth. A privilege that only a handful of people on the planet had. The “Assistant AI” turned out to be very collaborative, considering the bargaining chip they had. In the end, it wasn’t that much of a revelation since she found out about the immortal Security Council already.

Would it be best to curry their favor? The Military’s? No, she reached her limit. To join the shadowy game of political chess would betray the person she was when she started her career. Fitting that going back into the right path would end it.

She tore both papers. Time to wipe the slate clean. She sent a message on her phone to the assistant AI and took a deep breath. The truth was out.

“My fellow citizens, you are here to learn the truth of what happened in the Industrial District. The truth is more strange than you think. It involves a conspiracy orchestrated a century ago by the Security Council itself. I know my words will be hard to believe, but our government has just released a trove of documents and videos proving what I am about to say…

---..

“…political tremor of the revelation is still being felt today as the Councilors were taken into custody. Councilor Randle accused the former Governor of slander as he was taken away in cuffs, but the DNA evidence-“

Kensu changed the channel. As cathartic as the news was, even he felt tired of listening to it every waking hour. Now that he could finally move his arms again, what better use for his mobility than reaching for the remote? Sadly, considering the magnitude of the revelations, there was little else going on.

“…eneral gave herself willingly to the authorities as the temporary tribunal investigates the Military’s shadow projects. The Senate officially voted to dissolve the Bureau and the Security Council, setting a comitee-“ Click. Another channel.

“Space exploration is put on hold as the investigation is underway. Consequently, the price of goods made from space materials is soaring.” Click.

“While the Governor resigned anyway after harrowingly avoiding a vote of no confidence, her party is experiencing a popularity surge according to recent polls thanks to her brav-“

With a click, Kensu turned off the TV. Maybe social media would be better? He opened his profile, ignoring the messages from his family and colleagues. He was still not feeling brave enough to open them. Even if the media didn’t reveal his name, his status as a “freak” was now common knowledge to anyone who knew him and was able to put two and two together.

Good thing he had to remain in solitude for the time being… or so was the plan. The bell rang. Huh, Kensu wasn’t supposed to be getting visits. He looked at the clock. It wasn’t the time for his medical check either.

The young man grabbed the crutches next to his bed and, using them as support, made the somewhat difficult journey towards his front door. Kensu was inside a private room in a special section of the hospital. The quarantine zone.

The injured man went around the fruit baskets and flowers his family sent him and reached the transparent door of his semi-permanent abode. Standing on the other side of the was a scruffy man with dark brown hair wearing military fatigues. “Ah, Captain. I’m glad you swung by. I never had the chance to properly thank you for saving my life.”

“Actually, it’s Sergeant now… but, you don’t have to thank me. After all, I was just paying back the favor. It was you who beat the odds on his own.”

“Well, beating 67% odds is nothing to brag about.”

“I disagree. So tell me, how does it feel the only person in the world without the Pathogen running through their veins?”

“I feel the same as ever, honestly… Well, not quite. I feel like a bird trapped inside a cage, but that doesn’t have anything to do with the Pathogen, doesn’t it? Can’t even step out without or else that thing returns and marks me for death.”

“Eh, you could always borrow one of the Bureau suits and take a stroll. Plenty of those around after their dissolution.”

“No offense. I rather wear a hazmat suit.”

“Well, at least they are letting you keep doing research into that Pathogen. Maybe one day you’ll find a way to cure it for good without risking all of humanity.”

Kensu rolled his eyes. “Right, if the Professor couldn’t do it in a lifetime, what chance do I have?”

“The professor did it alone. Now that, supervised, genetic research is legal again, you might have some help.”

“I’ll try, but, can’t say I’m feeling optimistic.”

“Cheer up, I have an expert on the Pathogen here who might give you just the insight you need. I’ll leave you two alone.”

The soldier stepped aside to let a woman walk in front of the door. Her hair was black. She looked somewhat young, but the experience in her piercing blue eyes betrayed a wealth of wisdom. She raised her hand against the crystal and leaned in to take a better look.

“…you do look just like him.”

“AIDA?”

Aida took a step back. “But, of course, you aren’t him.”

Kensu did the same. Right, she was the real Aida. What was he supposed to say to that? “Erm, sorry to disappoint?”

“No, I should apologize for being rude. I’m still getting used to this whole …situation. Moreover, I do believe I owe you an even bigger apology for everything my husband put you through. He always had the best of intentions but could get quite …stubborn in the ways he would go about them.”

Kensu shook his head. “No, you don’t have to apologize on his behalf. You are as much a victim as I am.”

Aida directed her gaze to her feet. “Yes, I… suppose so. Still, I can’t help but feel like I share some of the responsibility. I guess it’s fitting, then, that Hiroto’s plan ultimately failed. ”

Kensu narrowed his gaze. “You haven’t seen the shadow yet… right?”

“No, but it’s only a matter of time.”

“You know, if worst comes to worst, we could try the cure. Sure, you only have a 67% chance of survival, and you would have to live in quarantine like me, but it’s the best sho-“Aida chuckled. “What?”

“Nothing, it’s just that… you sound like him. Don’t worry about me, Dr Kensu. I’ll help you cure this Pathogen, but I already lived a full life, and I don’t intend to cheat again if it comes to that. However, you do deserve to enjoy your youth. Once you recover, you’ll see we have created a new Quarantine wing in Newer Dawn Technologies to work together on the cure.”

“Wait, Newer Dawn, is that?”

“The name I gave to Hiro-sorry, Katashi’s lab. I already talked to your co-workers, and they all agreed to help you with the Pathogen research. We even have a sizeable donation from the former Governor to help us get started. You just focus on recovering because the real work will start when you return!”

With that and a few other pleasantries, Aida left Kensu. The injured scientist returned to his bed and allowed himself to smile. It seemed like his life would return to normal after all. Or as close to normal as possible.

The lab, his coworkers, back to the old routine… with one exception. One helping voice that would remain silent forever. Better not think about her. Kensu turned off the lights, raising his phone close to his tired eyes.

“You know that this is harmful to your eyesight, Dr Kensu.” He heard a familiar voice echo in his mind. "Please turn on the lights."

Kensu sat up. “Wait… AIDA?”