>>6349604“Regardless, this machine's ultimate fate is up to Emperor Cooler. Who, once I've left, will be told about this.” you tell the two men seriously. “It will be up to him to either allow this to continue, or obliterate it and everyone who knows of what was needed to make it work. I can't begin to guess which path he'll take, this is... Honestly, beyond me. And I'm too personally affected to even begin to offer an objective look at your device.”
Your honest, frank reaction startles Brother Blood, but Ra's al Ghul nods along with your words.
“A wise man knows when his own vision is clouded, and seeks outside council to see what he cannot.” Ra's replies. “For now, we shall continue operations as planned. With a rather... Comprehensive review of all failsafes and safeguards on this power. Your perspective and worry are both appreciated.”
“Junior!” Meloka hisses, you turning your focus from Ra's and seeing your youngest has flown directly up to the machine itself, laying a hand on it as he peers in.
“That little heart in there, beating all by itself.” Junior says, turning his head back towards you all. Expression... Conflicted. “It's lonely.”
“Lonely?” Ra's asks your son, turning to him. “What makes you think this?”
“I asked it.” Junior replies, your young son's expression troubled. “It can't think, not like a person. But it still... Feels things. And it feels lonely, like it's missing something. Like it doesn't want to be in there, but be in a real body.”
“And it... Told you this?” Brother Blood asks incredulously. “The heart?”
“Yeah. Just like this.” Junior says, and as Brother Blood's eyes widen, you realize your son's reaching out to him telepathically. “Like that!”
“Direct soul-to-soul communication...” Brother Blood says, voice awed as he looks down at his metal hands. “I... I see now. I understand. Yes, it all makes sense now.”
And Brother Blood, without another word rushes off to a computer terminal, clawed metal fingers flying over the keys as he mutters to himself. Ra's al Ghul looks to him a moment before turning back to you all.
“You have my thanks, for everything. And take word to your... Our, I suppose, Emperor Cooler. We await his instruction on whether or not we should proceed with our operation, or ceasing all functions.” Ra's al Ghul says to you. The two of you sharing a nod, but as you all return to the elevator, door closing on that room and the memories it reawakened, you look back on your life. On everything you've done, all you've accomplished. Realizing that it is thanks, at least in part, to Nefarious that you've become who you are, and that your family are thriving. Seems his greatest achievement wasn't any of his own inventions, but making you better.
-Saiyan Conqueror Quest 253 paused-
