Imperfect

Part 4: Shutdown

     They ran through the streets of the Absolute City, the Command Building looming overhead. He jumped onto the elevator in the side building, Jade alongside him with a sophisticated Netscreen. The elevator slammed to a stop when they were nearly there.

    "What happened?"

    Jade cursed. "They shut down the elevator. They must know we're here." She jammed her Netscreen into the elevator port and pressed it, praying. The elevator slid up and they left.

    "Give me the screen." Kane said. Jade nodded listlessly, staring down at the ground. "Jade?" he asked. "Are you afraid of heights?"

    "Yes." she said, "But it won't stop me."

    They jumped onto window ledges, Kane balancing the Netscreen. He climbed quickly, but Jade seemed to have a problem with each jump. Just a jump away, sirens wailed as the building next to them was attacked by the entire Command.

    "They think we're there." Kane muttered, jumping up. He plugged the Netscreen into the broadcast tower, and turned to Jade. "Come on Jade! Jump!" She reached up with one hand, and slipped. She bit down on her tongue, stifling a scream.

Reaching down, Kane grabbed Jade's wrist. "We need to do this." he said. Jade was crying as he pulled her onto the rooftop. Her fear had overpowered her.

    "Jade. They're gonna be here soon."

    She crawled over to the Netscreen, and nodded so he knew she was recording.

    "I'm Kane Grayson." he began, "and we are the Renegades. The Command splits up families and ruins lives but today it ends."
Noises roared in the distance. He spoke louder. "They told us the surface is radioactive, but it isn't. We can leave. There are stairs to the surface, guarded by androids. Once this broadcast ends, everyone can leave. Life supports will be the only working systems. Go to the meet of the Absolute and Wretched domes. Leave if you want."

    With that, all the lights in the city went out, and the noises in the distance ceased.

The surface was not the wasteland Kane had expected. The surface was covered in mountains and trees, animals roaming everywhere, and the sun was brighter than anything. The colours swirled in his head, the beauty of the surface incomprehensible.

    Hundreds were on the surface, Kane, Reilly, and Jade standing above them. There was scarcely an Absolute in sight.

    "Well, what now?" shouted a little girl. She had dark brown hair, and blue eyes. An Imperfect, like him.

    Reilly cleared his throat, ready to speak, but Kane answered. "We start over."