Code Lyoko: Revolutions and Evolutions

Chapter 73

AN: Due to some events, this chapter had been delayed, but after God looking out for me in more ways than one, I'm delighted to bring you this chapter. Thank you all for your patience, and I'll see you next chapter. As I will have holiday plans coming up, this will be the last chapter until after Christmas. Thank you all, and I hope you review and enjoy.

Pagliacci-11.

The light flickered on after the switch was flung. The area it illuminated was the epitome of empty—blank white walls on either side. The tile was of a sickening vanilla hue with flecks of grey although, the three men who looked on it could tell it was supposed to be black. It wasn't run-down, not at all. Instead, it followed this kind of mindset: generic, basic, fundamental, take your pick. However, in the mind of those faced with occupying this space, where there was joylessness, they'd find time to make their joy and, in some way, leave their mark.

"Well," said one of the men, "it's not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. It just needs a dab of color here and there. It's not like those up top are in too much of a position to say we can't."

"Easy, Hoffman." replied another, "Just because we're in this situation doesn't permit us to take advantage of the institution."

"Beg pardon, sir, but come off! The simple fact we're even here shows how largely we are needed in this regard. Besides, let's choose to look at it as the great fortune it is. We're in charge of restructuring to be a mark of things to come. We can, for once, finally have a say."

"That's only because they knocked down all the other primed elements around. You realize, don't you, Williamson, we are only here because we're the last resort. Perhaps some scale will help. Everyone else ranks beside prime-rib, filet-mignon, London Broil, and even the finest beef, Kobe. By comparison, we are no more than chuck ground beef; being generous, we're ninety-percent lean. Don't delude yourself, and it'll soften the blow of reality."

"Hey, boys," spoke the deep but clear voice of the third man, a tall man of bronzed skin and black hair, "as much as I would like to hear this rant between the optimist and pessimist of this fucked up situation, we do have work to do. The finer details we can sort out later. We'd best get to it." The man advanced towards the room, farthest back.

Hoffman tapped the other on the shoulder, "What's eating him?"

"A couple of things, but that's not going to help us with him. Come on, let's get cracking."

As the two men entered the main room at the back of the hall, they looked around. It was a charming layout overall. It was bare as the rest of the building, but this one room's sheer operational strength was fantastic.

"Oh, wonderful!" Hoffman said as he looked around the main room assessing the place.

The tall man lined up alongside the other, "What's up with him?"

"Ah, this is just his thing, dude. He loves it. Let's let him play for a bit. We'll check out the rest of the place."

The two departed as Williamson began to dream up all manner of effective layouts for the crew's use that was to occupy this floor. It was his passion.

Meanwhile, the other two walked along the halls of the building. "They've done a good job setting us up like this." The shorter man said, "A very unassuming place, middle of the city, close to where we think the enemy is, and yet quite secluded despite being here."

"Indeed." Replied the two's taller as he checked the ceilings, the corners of the hallways, and stairway accesses with his eyes. "Alright, I have an idea for how I want this to play out." He said to no one in particular.