Future-Shock: On the edge of paradise. (Red and Nova)

Was he getting sympathy from a robot? Yes, yes he was. Not the first time of course, Hector had spoke to him in such a way before. But it still felt slightly odd, perhaps because of it's position in the Uncanny Valley. Either way, it helped him at least realize he was showing some weakness, and that simply wouldn't do.

"I'm fine. I've faced reality manipulators and a dark half of myself ripped from my body. This is just another puzzle for me to solve." Lucius said, about to move the androids hand from his shoulder. Not rudely, but in a way that showed something like that probably wouldn't help him. Lucius dealt with his inner problems alone, he didn't need anyone else.

But before he did, he saw it disappear, flicker, just as the cone had been. And that's when his own tech went crazy, his sensors screeched, his HUD fluttered and glitched, and his stealth generator turned on and off just as the androids was. He couldn't gain control of it, and from the looks of it Hector was just as lost. He was about to hard reset it, but thats when the malfunction stopped, and Hector heard a breathing.....a voice. It had flawlessly managed to deeply penetrate the coding of Lucius' on-board systems, bypassing Hector. No one had done so in such a perfect way since Guilty Spark.

Hector immediately transmitted the message to Lucius as soon as it was heard, and from the looks of it it wasn't intended for them. It only really gave Lucius more questions in the end.....but maybe they could send a message back? Lucius wasn't able to send his own voice through such a deep encryption, it would take forever to convert the recording. So it looked like Hector was going to be the messenger.

"Find out what you can and keep the line open so i can hear." Lucius ordered, hearing the android respond to the voice as well.

"We are not of this time, and know not what you speak of. I am Hector, the AI of Lucius Alba. Whoever is listening, i request proper audience." Hector said back to the mysterious voice. He may have been interrupting, but then again it was better to get to the point rather then just asking what the thing was. Meanwhile, Lucius had managed to stabilize his technology. It took shutting a few things down, but at least it all wasn't going crazy.

I̴̜̯̘̻̟̝͚̹ͧ̍n̛̞̯̝̥̟̲̽̐͝ͅç̵̣̊ȏ̴͇̹̘͔̔̈́ͯ͠m̯̤̺̺̪̙̪̊̓̄̿̆̒͢͝p̊̊̄̐͑̽ͧͦ̚͏͇̜͘å̸ͩ̍ͪ̎ͪ̓̀ͨ͏̨̹͉ͅṭ̰̖̭̜̈̄̊͜͟i̸͍̝̠̪̝͂͂̒̐̈́ͥ͝b̢͒̃̈̍ͣ͋ͯ͏̗̞̲͍͎̹̻̹l̮̹̳̼̦͇͇͙͓̃̀̀͞e̸͙̤̊̎̓̒.͕̖̺ͮͩ͆͂ͭ̿́
̠̽͐͑̽̅ͫͦ͞I̛͔͎̫͉͇͈͉͖ͭͪͬ̈͂ͣn̖͙͉̰̲̙͉̺ͦͯ̎̓͌̐c̷͈͕̭̟̺͙͖̓͊̅̃͗̊ͅo͇̱̟̗͂̓́̀͘͜ͅṋ̡ͯ̐̆ͯͧ̈́ͣc̙͈̪̳ͭͦ̔̊ͤͤͣ͛͠e̶̪͈̻͈̮̙ͧͦ̈͘̕i̟̬ͥ̆̏̚v̗̹̜͎͌ͦ͆ͩ̑̐͠á̠̯̗͉̙b̪̱͔͍̫̰̞͇͆ͮͯl͈͇͇͇̙̫̱̝͑ͭ̀͐̍̈́͞ͅe̸͇̲̫̲̦ͤ̈́̉.̴̶̢̳̙͕̮̮̂̆̈́͆
̸͎͔͍̻͓̤ͭ̀̿̔ͬͩ͟͝W̵͚̭̦̲̥̘͛̀͠e̒ͩ̄҉̲͎͙̜͔ ͖̤͉̥̭̹͗ͭ͂͂̚a͚̮̮͎̬̩͎̍̊̌̋̔͐ͧ̊̕͘͘ͅr͉̘͓̾̎̄ͫ͐́ę̴̲̖̝͎̙͙̮̍ͦ̍̑ͧ͒̂̀̍ ͈̦̤̺̺͕̉͗ͬ̾̔ͪͅT̝̱̤͉̜ͭͨ͌͢ͅ.̵̖̟͉̺̝̤̠͆̏̽̓́ͥ̃̚̕͘A̷͈̗̼͇͉̞̦̩̖̾ͯ̓̆ͫͫ͐̍̚.͒͒̆͏̵̢͚̞̺̳͈͔ͅL̴̵͈̦̦̩͖̦̫̗͌ͭ̏̐ͨ̉̎̚͞.̖͔̦̱ͨ͐̊̆̈̂ͦ̄̈́́͜I̢̝̹͍̥̾̒͋ͩ͑̓͡.̦̭̦̳̳͈̠͓́͌ͤͭ͛̇Ṡ͋̐ͭͮ̽́҉̻̣́͝.̡̻͇͇͖̣͖̙̑͑̎̀͟M͍̖͊͑͂̈ͣͪ.̷̠͕͇̜̙̫ͦͤ͑̀͋ͯ͐̋̅͢A̟͉̱̭͔̲̒ͩ͒̓ͤ̓̈́.̉͗̀ͪͧ͊͗͝͏̲͖̻̲̮̠N̥͓̭͙͕̟̑̍.͔̮̦̝͙ͫ̿̾̓͌ͮ͒̅͠
̡̘̄̅̐ͫ̇ͨ̿ͣ͝T̘̱͇̙̰͕̾ͦ̈́ͤͨh̩̮̳̭̺̮͖̄̿ͫ̏̐̂͂́͊ͅè̀͏̸̪̦͕̲̬ͅ ͇̳͈͓̳̪̀ͮ̍ͣ̈ͣͬ̚͝ͅá̛͍̺̤̪̗͍̞͟ų̙́ͧ́ͅdͪ̚҉̴̞͖̱͔̰̰̭͔i̪̼͍̒͆ͣ́̃ë́̃ͬ̆̚͏̸̹̟̠̻͞ͅn͚̩̂̇ͣ͢c̤͉ͫ̑ͤ͡ę͔̖͙̮͔͕̗̤̖̇͗̂͡ ̶̫͓̼̞ͫ͒͐ͧ̒́ͧ͟t̴͖̫̺͎̜̣ͩ̉ͪ͗̅̆̒o̤͉̣̙͔͐̂̏͗̑̀͛ ̟͔̀͑́́b̯͈͖͈̪͎ͨ̿̾̉ͪ̄ͨͯe͖̫ͥ̇ͭ ̨͙͍͈̜ͩ̐͋̒ͧ͋̔ͪh̠̯̣̗̪͈̣ͫ́̍̅ͯ̆͞͞͡ǎ͔̗͍̦̜̬͖̻̑̀̿͂̇͛̓d̢͖͔͕̪͒ͧͣ͛̿̈́͛ ̮͉̝̙̼ͫ͊̑̓̇i̸͎̜̾͗̊͒͑͂̐ͫ̚͠s͇̙̀̎̀̚͜͢͜ ̦̫̦̱̖̻̰̒̐̾ͣ͟a̹̘̹̖ͨ̆̏͠͡l͉̮̤̙̭͉ͮ͂̔͆̀̎ͩ͛̽ͅr̳̹̻̟ͮ̂͟͡e̴͇̳̼̳̱̜̾̃͆ͬä́ͧ͏͓̤̯̖̪̯ͅd̸̻̬͇̞̥̞̩̱̘ͪ̇̏y͓̗̦͖̰͚̜̖ͩ̋́ ͆̃̾̽҉̟̭̩̠̩͙̠͎i͈͖͆̂̄̅ͭͤͬͬ̀ň̵̙̬̻̱͎ͮͦ ̨̳̱͓̤͍̩̯̏̓̏͆͗̌̅ͮ͘͢ṕ̡͈̲̻͔̯͎̦̳̻̏͊̀̀r͖̘̽̾̈́̚o̫̙̱̦͑ͥ̒̃͒ͬ̊̉ͅg̜͓͖͑ͯ͑͝r̥̟̯̩͙̆ͧ͑ͧ̔͛̆ẽ̠̼̤̭̘͎͎̂ͦ̀ͯ͢͟ͅș͔͎ͩ̎͟s̡̪͇ͩ̑̑ͨ̄̈̆.̸̱̳̭̉̀̃ͨ͊̈͋ͅ
ͩͫ̒̈́́͂̽̀͊͏͕̯̥̲̻̥Y͎͉̹̲̩̮̰̠ͩ̿ͨ̽ͤ̍ͨ̀̕͟o̩̹̜̬̿ͤ͆̓̇͐ͦu̬͙̘̟͊̄̒ͧ̈́̚ ̧͇̟̲́̒͝a̢̨̹̫ͬͪ͑ŗ̸͈͓̥̘̳̫̫ͦ̀ͦ̎̾̆͞ȩ̴̻̬̟̟̫̐ͩ̊͂̀̅̚̚͘ ͖̏ͫ́ͣ̉̆̚̕͜c͔̘̭̭̟̯̭̹̤͆ͪ̕͞ō̌̈ͣ̓͊͏̖͚̳͚̩͕̞͡ͅḿ̛͙̳̻͉̗͇̣̗ͪ͑̉ͣ̂̀p̵͎̭͙͚̲͖̪̫ͦ̎ͣ́̏r̢̪̪̺̅͊̔̂ͣͨ́o̶̜͈̫̫̦̭̓̾̊ͨ̈͐̅ͧ͟m̵̹̤̭̥̯̱͍̄ͧ̓i̊̉̔̇̽̋҉̹̪̺̰͇s̴̵̹̱̜͍̼͖̎̒̍̀ͪ̔ͭȩ̘̳͇͍ͤ͆ͨͮ̏͜d̷̖͍̍͐̕ͅ ̶̦̖͇̂͝i̷̇͊ͧ̋ͭͯͩ͏̖͔̝͎͍͘ͅn̰͕͆̽̀͢ ͙̲̿͡t̛͍͉͎̺͇̺̯ͯͪ͂͗ͧ̍̃͟h̨͒̅҉̙͚̜̝̱̬͇i̙̥͈͉͚̼͆̃̽ͬ̅͛̃s̥̻̩̞̺̺̲̠̄̾̽̔͘͡͠ ̞̥̮̯ͪ͒ͤ͆̿ͯ̊ͩͦ́͜w̡̬̲̭̲̭͖̮͙̔ͬ̐͐ͪ͐ͤ͟͢o̵̹̞͇̳̼̥̙̐ͣ͂͛̕͡r̶̪̣̳ͬl͉̥͍͈̺̿ͣ̿ͨ̒̎d̗̣̗͎̞͍ͣ ̐̐͏̼̤͓͘͟o̶̢͔̖̙̤̰̎̒̐̔̉ͫ̚͜f̛̝̺͖ͥ͡ ̰̬̉ͭ̈̓̐o̧̺̼͔̪̠̜̣ͫ̊͛̈û̴̧͓̹̹̤̘͓̫̯̳ͩͨ́̚r̦͈ͮ̈̿̀s͓͉̭̥̮̳̥̘̆ͅ,̒҉͙͈͔̗͓̦͓̝ ̛̉̀̐́ͩͩ̿̑̍҉͓̱̲͟a̋̏̄҉̟͚̪̜́ ̛̖̳̼ͬ̒ͯ̎̎̓̐͠ŵ͖͎̪͔͕͕͌̋ͦ̏͊̈̔͛͠͞o̔̓̃̿ͥ̌̊̊͏̻͙͚r̤̟͍̹͓̓͂̌̓͐ͮͫ͒ḷ̨̩̪̝́ͪ̓̉͛̂̓͠ḍ̫̜̆͆͛͊͌̏̿ͅ ̏̓̉͗̐̊͊͠҉̤̠̳̲̜̰̙͟I̴̡̩͇̞̲͕ͪ̊̒̋̇͑ ̡̩̗̬͍̯̬͓̅ͯ͑̈̎a̾̽̊͌͒͛͋̓ͬ͏͚̼̼m̢̛̗̫͔͕̦ͨ̒̅ ̗͇̫͙̻̹̲͙ͭͯͨ́̏̀͠f͉̖̦̱͚͕̔̽̀į̵͔͇̲̲͎̗̳̇͡n̫̖͓̘͈̘̔̀̒͐͌͠d̯͕͈͓̼̏ͩ̈̽̽̾͜͞ͅi̷̱͎̦͊͂̈́̑̓ͫ̉ͤ͋n̷̛̤̣̲̭̝͗ͭ̔ͯ̈́̀̈́̓g̜̮͚̦͈̤̈ͫ̒ͭ̔ͤͦ̔͡ ̶̡͉̻͍ͥ̔̕y̮͖̯̹̝͍̐ͫ̇͒o̮̱̬̺ͨ̈̒̀̄͢͜͞ͅuͨͣ̊͑̂ͯ҉̟͎̩͞ ̴̡̹͎͓̭̫͎̂ͣ͗̅̾ͥm͂͏̲͢ǫ̖̤̟̦̤̟̳̔̿͒ͭ͂̏͂̆s̶͙̝̖̥̲͎̼̠̑ͯ̑̎̽̚ͅt̴̲̻͊̍̎͑͆ͫ̿ ̴̺̗̺̖͈̗͛̏̆ͅŭ̷̡͕͕̤̫͇͉̯̑͌̎͛ͥn̹͉̫̆̇̒͌ͬf̧͚̋̋̆͆͆̃͆ͧ͜a͎̦̬̓̄́ͅm̸͓̗̖͈̱̦̬ͭ̎͊͜ǐ͎̀͊͌͜l̘͚̫̥͕̣͇̱̈͗͋ͧͥ͑̉i̜̘̹̙̩̭̤̬ͭ͠a̟͎̰̰̭ͮr̷ͤ͛̓̈̿ͭ̇͊̆͏̙̯̪̼͓͈̝ ̘̥̘̘͔̻̠̓ͨ̽͌̿ͤ͢͠wͣ̂̕͠҉̲͓î̢̜̻͍̙̠͔̤̼̆̍͒̈́͌ͩ̓ť̅̿͑͒͂͏̪̥̜̫̖̼̖h͎̘̘̟͊̊͛̊ͧ̾ͬ̀͟i̥͍͕̦̖͖̰̣ͨͫ̋̋̀͡n͕̥̺̱̞͕̱̳ͯ́ͧ̓̂̾̏̏͢͞.͓̼̜͔̣̺ͧ̽̒̊͋̀́̃̌͘͜͞ͅ.̛̪̙̫͊̓ͪ̊̽̀ͪ̄̃.̬̗͇͍̯̯̘͉̇ͨ͌̾͂ ̹͉̰̞͓̱̦͈̐̊̑ͪ̾ͤͤ͊̓͘͢ͅ

Hector's comment caused the device to run silent a moment and disappear before their very eyes. But it was only for a brief moment. About thirty seconds after vanishing, the stealth field in it's entirety dropped, small tracings of white light cascading up the estranged structure's bladed edges as it peeled the veil between the seen and the unseen. Though by the time it was finished they would see much more than they had before. As the receding line of concentrated light hit the rounded base of the serrated mechanical bulb, it immediately branched out at a ninety degree angel and flashed. In an instant the sun was blocked out from over them, as the entirety of the structure was revealed.


T̴̶̡̛̗͕̠̘̼̹̙̟̻̦̺͍͎̯͍̹̼͂͒́̂̍̑́͊̐̒̍̏ͯh̡͉͖̰̠͕͔̠̩̟͎̝͎̖̥̥̰ͦ̅̏͗̓ͥͤ̚̕͟͜͞ȋ̷̸̷̢̼̥͇̥̄̿̓ͮͩ̐̒ͫ̏ͪ͜s̸̨̲̭̤̦͉͕̟̘͓̜̩͈̰ͨͭ̽͗ͨ́͗̓͂̓ ̧̄͑̆ͥ̓̐̿̈̈́́ͮͫͤ̅ͥ̾͐͗ͨ͏̸̭̬͇̗̙͎͉̱̜̞̮͎̗̹͢͞ơ̆̽͋ͭ̍̽ͥ̏ͦͪ̓͒͗̏̍̉̔͐̾҉̜̱̪̥̜n̵̨̯̯̩͓̯͉̐̔ͨͤ̉ͥ̾ͤͩ́́͗̿͐ͬ̀̍́̀͝e̷̴̝̱͍̙͍͚̘̞͓͓͉̻̼͈̓ͤ͛̽̊͒̽̽̚͡'̺̝͙͙̓ͩͥͦͮ͂ͤͫ͆̿ͮ̒̾̐ͧ̉̈́͘͢s̎̔̑ͧ̿͆ͧ̅͂̊̒̆̍͏̴̺̙̥̞̼̻̹͍͢ ̷̡̦̠̠͇̣͚̝͓̩̳̤̱̯̮ͩͮ͌͋̏͛ͧ́̕͜d̷̨̼͖̫̜̼̥̜͚͇̤̭͇͈̬̭̭̥̻̝ͮͨ̔̎ͧ̈͒̆ͦ͜͝e̡̝͕̻̞͍͔͎̙̺̱̮̟͚͎̫̹͍̝̼̒ͣͧ̉̇̅̐̒̏͋̑̓͆͛͋̆̒͡s͐ͥͮ͋̋̔̔̓̂̋͒̅͌̌͘҉͖͍̥̯̪̞̭̭̠͕̘͚͈́̀i̷̟͚̞̩͍̥̝͉͉̭̰̮͓̟̒ͧ̔͐͘͠ḡ̑ͪ̄̎́͂̿ͭ̓̾̊͡͏̘̦̯̲͟͢ñ̴̦̮̱̬̲̣͈̣̹͚͕̋̀ͨ̌ͩ̓ͭͨͨ̈ͪ̋ͦ̓̀̽͜͠a̶̤͓̲͎̹̲͖͔ͯ͊̀ͮ̊̊̄́ͬͯ͛̋̾̅̾͌͟͢t̴̶̢̢͍̲͚̝̹͕̪̞̻̝͙̻̖̪̻̙̝̙̂ͫ͗͌̋̆̆i̢̿̿͊̈ͤͤ̑̎ͩ̓̑̄̚҉͍̮̻̘̣̬̳͎̬͉̬̻ͅo̶̙̖͕͓̪̜̠̮̗̖ͣͣ̽̉ͦ̓̊ͨͬ͌̓̉ͫ͆͌͊̒͢n̛̞̳̬̥͎̯͖̭̗̟̲̱̬̭͎̰͚̻̑͑ͭ͌̉ͩ͊̅̎̋͛̒ͬͭ̑̒̐͠ ̫̥̦̯̼̻̱̣̤̘̤̤̘̞̪̣̙̐̉͑̓ͯ̆ͥ͊͋ͨ̒ͨͫ̅͘͡͞iͩͣ͐̌̅̊͐͑̇̋̈̃͂ͬ̚͞͏̷̗͇̣̙̙̖̼̙̩̰̖͚͢ͅs̴ͬ͑̄ͦ̿ͨͬ̑̾̋̽̍ͨ͂̚͏҉̠̻̺̥͚͖̮͎̰͇̜͔̫̪͟ ͮ̌̇̃͌͐́ͯ̌͑̂͟͏͏̘̩͔̣̼͇̗̦̗͎̹͙̬̰̳̹͓H̿̐ͭ͑҉̢̢͙̱̺̭͖̦̩̲͉̩͖̬̝̼̗̘͠.̲̩̻̰͕̰̰̪͇̟͕̈́̂͒ͥͭ͘͞ͅM̿̔͋ͣ̽ͯ̓̒̿̉҉̷̷̰͈̫̮͖͈̫̦̫͔̜͢ͅ.̴̸̴̻̟̘̻͎͔͚͍̲͇̣͍̥͗ͬ͑̽̅̆ͤͭͪ̌͗ͦ̌ͨͬ͂̂̚͘͡S̤̗̻͚̘̫̣ͪ͊ͬͬ̏́ͧ̾ͭ͌̔͐͢ͅ ̯̙͍̻̲̝̙̠̻̮̩̤̭̍̋̋ͥ͘͜Ģ̖̜̳̻̳͓̪̳̠͔̼̳̣̞ͩͣ̇̌̆̏ͩ͊̃ͯͨͨͨ͊̉̉͋̏́̚ų̡̛̥͎̯̒̆͆́̉ͦ̽̈́ͤ̀̈͊͊ͩ̂ͣͯͪ̀įͨ͑ͫ̿ͭ̃͋̍͗ͤͫͪ̊͢͡͏̦̪͎̟͉͉̥̱̪̝́ļ̛̯̬͇̜̞̳̫̤ͯ̒ͪ͑̏ͣ͆͊͌̍͑̀̚͜͝ẗ̨̿ͨͦ͌́͂ͪ̏̏ͬ̈́̒͊̀̚͝҉̴̟̰͇͙͓̣̩̻̣͈̰̳͚̘͎̦y̶͉̰̭̱̯̻̻̘̤̜̻̝͊ͧͧ̈̾͗̃͂̌̃ͥ̎̆̈̀ͅ ̶ͥ̄̈ͩ̆̅ͮ̆̈̏́͟͞͏̩̪̲͎̩̦̲̻̩̻̞S͗ͣ̍ͨͧ̿̔̑ͥͧ̾̓̎͑̊͝͏͔̖͖͎̳͔̯̝̭̗̖͝p̡̂͑͂ͬ̊̆҉̡͍͖͉̦͉̙͔͚̯̭̕ă̧ͩ̀͊͛̆̉̔ͤ͒̿͐̓͐̀͋͏̶̘͈̟̬̪̖̦̻̗̣̹̟̱̻͖̹͢r̴̨̻̮̰̟̯̻͉͈̼̝̲̹͈̰̫̤̞̎ͩ͒͛̂̕͘kͧ̏̍ͭ̋̓̈ͦ͂̎͒ͫ͢͏̷͏̮̫͕͍.̴̡̧͕̪͔͙̗̝͚̗̗̗͉̘̰͉͂̉̿ͦ͗ͮ̆̓͗ͮ͟ͅ

Quite easily five times the size of it's previous form with a grand increase of surface area, the device proved to already have a platform over them as darkness fell and an intense chill swept over the area as frigid whispers of the damned. The machine went from being "Picasso" to looking like a serrated, spike and blade covered Lovecraftian horror. The "Flower bulb" like area had proved to be nothing more than a head piece of some kind, equivalent to a horn perhaps. The entire body of the malintended machinasapien was like a six tentacle squid, with jointed looking fingers at the base of each. Once the entirety of the device was revealed, intense lights were generated, reds and blues with yellows in streaks, lines and occasionally what appeared to be an entrance port. In the entire spectrum of this macabre, surreal creature it became quite apparent that this device was in fact it's own sentient thing.

Ḧ̷̵̰̬͕͖̻̹͍̪́̎ͤ̑͂ȩ̫͈͚͉͉͋ͧ̐͂͜c̵̱̭ͨ͌̆͘̕ṭ̸̢̠̮̟̜̜̩̪ͧ͐o̾̑̊ͧ̈́̽̀ͪͨ͞͏̞͎͇̦̪̪̻̫̪r̢̫̻̣̟̗͚̜̳ͥ͊͊ͭ ̷̤̟̝̟͇̘̙̻̃͌ͧͭ̚͝í̜̜̯̟͙͖͈̜̇s̶̨̟͓̫͈̤̖ͩ̇̈́ͥ̕ ̛͕̟͖̜̘̥͐̈́̃ͧ̉ͯ͐ͤ͝ͅn̡̤͉͈̘͍̮͍͂ͩ͛͗̽ơ͓̲̅ͪͪ̌͌ͮ͝ ̴͉̩̻͉͆̎̉̆ͫ͗ͭ̍͘l̡̯̲ͤ͑ͣ̇̐͘o̵͒̌̄҉̠̣̯n̡̞͈͈̞͖̈́ͭ̅̒͆́ͬͮͫ̀͡ͅg̹̣̟̗̠̣͑ͬ̎͛ͩ͂ê̗͇͕ͫͩ̆̍ͣ̋͡r̴̵͕̲͉͙̮̩͈̣ͣ̓̄ ̷̅̐͏̲̬̮̫͢w͎͔ͤ̑̃͠i͐ͭ̊ͣ͘͏̟̪̠̫̙̝̺̹t̗̖̟ͪͨ̎̓̂͂͑ͅh̶̨̑͐ͬ̇͒̎ͨ̏ͩ҉͔̱̦͚i͖͔̠̮͖̫ͬ͐̅ͬ̍ͬ̕ṉ̶̻̣̮ͤͣ̅̚ͅ ̷̲̪͚ͮͩ̓̿̃̀t̷͔͉̟͓̺ͦ̃ͬ͐̚h̷̟͕͙̰̞͇ͮͣ͆̃̈́͗̚͢i̸͖̜̰̣̩̯̬̦̙ͤṡ̠̟̮̫̌̀ ̧͍̯͇̤͕́ͩ̆̿͜͝ͅŵ̤͇̈́̒́̄̈̉͟o̠̩͇̔͋̈͛̕͠r̨̭̱͗̋̔̈̚̚l̏̓ͤ͏̴̫͓d̜̲̙̖͕̙͙̺ͪ̔ͥ̔ͬ̍͛̿̿͝.̤̬͈̟̘͓͑̒ͪ̆͞
̵͓̘͈̼̘̽̿̅̽̔͊͊ͯ̎̀Ť̡̧̰̥̱̥̖͕͕̪̑̿̄̓ḫ̵̘͖͈ͦ͛̂̔͑ͧ͆e̗̻ͨͫ͑̅͋́ ̻̫̰̰̃̄̈̂ͭ͜ͅě̫̰̹͔̿͟͟͞ṋ̢̡̺̖͈͈̐ͯ̎ṫ͈͉͖͓͕̮̣̈ͭ͊͞ͅͅi̷̠̙̳͇͇̣̰̤ͣ̇ͪt̝͙̟̹̘͕͚ͤ̉̍ȳ͕̭̲͓̦͖̃͊́͜ ̃̇̽̐҉̸̖̝̤̩̦͔̟͠b̲̅̓͋̂͂̚͞è̸̳̘̻̮̗̫͍̽ͦ͆͟fͦ̋̓̔ͦ̐̽̽҉̴̫̮̖̠̟o̡̠̙͈̞̟̦̖͔ͨ͑ͭr̻̰̪̟̰͎͓͗ͧ̄͂̑e̛̪̦̤̭̪̅̉̏ͥ ̙̬̭̦̞̮̰̻ͫͩ̿̿̀̕ͅṵ̟̿ͦͦͥ̚͟s̴̷̼̗̫̳̹ͮ̄͗͂̋͑̚͡ ̶͕̳̻͈̗̰̯ͬ͆ͨ͛͐ͯs̰̳̟̤̻͇͉̦͗͗ͮ͒̇̀͝͠t̡̝̲̺͎͕̽̽a͓̪̘̙͉͇̞̫̫̓ͭ̑̐̐̌ͧ̏͢n̫͇̗̳͛̓̂̔̊ͣ͜ͅͅͅd̴̨̧̰̼͕͔̂͋̆̔ͦͥs̪̖̻͓̼̙̺̙ͣ̾ͬͦ͊ͧ̊ ̵͔̱̟͓͒ͩ̽̍̏ͤ́ä̷̷̝̼͂̍́͗ͤ̌s̷̻͍̺͒͗ ̨̣͉̥́̂̓́͝͡a̺̦͙̟̱͖̭ͥ͌͝͝ ̷̬̼ͫͧ̌ͨ͌̃ͦ́C̪̣͗̐͊̔͒̓̄͆ạ̴͖̝͈̫̣͇̻̒͊̀͘e̗͈̣̫ͫͫͤͤ̎ͬn̛͔͉̒͗͐̇̈ ̠̪̔͛ͦ̚cͧͩ͊ͮ́͢͏͏̥̝͓͍̥̼͖oͯ͏̖͟r̨̤̬̥͖̞̦̲̀́̍̾̾͠p̤̖͚̮̰̬̄͑̒͆͂̊͛͟ͅo̮̤ͬ͒̈́̃̀̀̕ͅr̹̻̳̫̻̮͙̿͂̈ͪ͒ͅa̧͌͂͆̈ͭ̑͒҉̷̝̯̜̜̝̳t̻͇̫͉̞̖̆͋͋i̳̽ͭ̀ͫ̓͟͟͡ͅọ̴̴͖͚͉̱̼̤̀̇n̪͕̮̗̳̟̥̓̔̀ͯͭͦͯ ̴̙͙̗̺͔̹͒̍͛ͦ̿͋̊ͭ͜p̵̺̦̹̱̈́͌̃ͣͮ̔̈́͂́͟e̖̠͕̭̼̘ͩͪ́̕ả̛̪̜̺̪̱ͤc̸͊̎҉͏̱̜͙ȅ̶͑̇̃̉͏̨͔̫̺k̗͚͒̓͛e̵̱̣̬̦ͫ̐̔̑e̖̺̜̗̖ͫ̉̂͡p̴̘̽̿͜ẻ̞͍̮̫̬̹̪̯͎ͭ͋̉̋͛̓̚r̷̳̟̣̟͓ͧ̉̒̓̑̆̃̄͜.̢̯̺̳̜̤͈̎̽̈́́̓̏͑͑ͅ
̵̧͓̺̖̬͍̩̼̪͉̿ͤ̿͒̌ͪ͡D̦̥̲͓͙̯̹̦̲͆ͤ̄ͫͦͣͦͬ̀͜e̢̻͖͈̞̬̫̳̓ͅs͎̞̩̳͎̭̻̈́ͥͮ̔̄̿̌̚ͅǐ̎ͪ̎ͣ̆ͬͧ͏̡̜̭̤̘̹͎̣͟g̦̝̘̥͚̍̀̓̅͒̚͜͝ͅn̢͚͕̹̬̹̥͎ͩ̈́͒̽́̓̓ͭ͜ͅa͖̙̔̓ͭ͊̅͋̂t̖͇͙̩̩̣̏͋͑ͨ̽̓͞i̛̪̮̥̺̻̹͖̦ͯͯͦ̈́o̡̳̣͕͎̙ͨͨ͛ͨͦ́͠nͭ̔͛͏̟͔͇͍̯̠ ̡̼̦̪̟̗͕̙̔ͯ̇̃ͧͩͬ͠ͅ"̐̈̈́͊͊̂ͮ͊̚͢͏̦̜̝̫͔̩̭͖͜Ņ͙͕̠̣̟ͣ͗̈̚o̷͔̮̜̳̣̲̼͊̈͢͡v̝͕͕̻̇ͧ̌ͩ͟ä̟́ͮͯ͡"̥͙ͦ͒͘͜͟.̤̜̗̌̊͑ͯ̋̂ͨ͢
̨̣̹͓̰͍͓͔͎̮ͦ̀ͧ̓̉́N̶̲͛͊ͧo͓̬̘̰͎̻̱͛̃͂͟v̹̠̣̬̭̖̎̀̍̽ͦͦ̒̅̀a̸̪͔͕̱ͭ͊ ̞̘̳͉͚̬͓ͨ͐ͭͥ͒͊ͮͤ̽ą̯̹̭̼͔̥ͭņ̨͇̰̯̤̜̩̳ͪ̅ͭ̇̉͞d̲̦̬̪͉͖̦̍̓ͫ ̡̠͚̝͓̙̪̖̎Ċ͍͇̗̔̆a̬̐̔̄͂͒̄͌ę͍̘̃ͩn̟̬͎̩͋ͤ͝ ̧͌͛̎͌͗ͫ̅̉̃҉͙̱͞C̷̤ͤͮ̒̆͝o̵̙͂̊͋̀r̷̰̻̮̣͔̟̙̝͌͛͢͞p̥̱̿̔ͤ ̌̇̈́̎͒ͥ̌̾̀҉̞̜͞h̖͖͎̮̪̫̰͌̂̑͛͜͠ͅà̲̱͓̦͙ͭ͊ͧ͘v̴̨͎̥̻͐ͫ̽̀ë̡̠̬̐̕͟ ̪̺̬̪̫̅̏̊̂̄͞͞bͦͤ̔ͧ͊̂͡͏͍̖̭̗̥̰e̶̦͎͚̫͉͆̐̽͊ȩ͚̙̥̟̘̤̞͕̾ͬͨͩ̍ͥͪ͂̕͠ņ̶͔̹̠̻̙̀ͯ̾͊̓ͥ̍͡ͅ ̀̏͆̂̎̍̏҉̵͎̦̭̮n̥͉̼̹̙̈̉͋ò͍̖̣͇̫̻͒̍̇̕t̵̸͉̫̹͙̪̼̤̲͒̎ͤ̏̇ͤ͌͌̈́͞ͅh̷͇̲̫͚͎͎͍̙̲̊̏͠í̜̲̙̺͇̫͈̝ͤ̏͐n̴̸̴̩͕̲̳͖̈́̀ͪ̈́g̟͎̱̼͇̺̥̽̽͢ ͕̘̗͚ͮͧ̇̆̌̆͟͠l̹͙̗ͦ͗͆ͩě̡̥̖̠̫͉͆ş̶̫̭̭͔̀̿̌̏ͬ͠s̷͎̖̖͚̹̼̰̭̒ͥ̾ͫ̌ͧ ̡̛̱̤̺̻̦͍̻̳ͪ̇̅t̜̫̰̫̥̹ͮ̃̿h̔̃҉̥̻͍̼͎͎̪́̕a̼̩̖̫͇̗͋̔̒͆n̸̯̤̩ͨͧ̄̍͒ ̶̠̹͚͓ͦ̽ͯ̈́͌̃͆͑d̡͎̱ͬ͌͗̏̔̄̊e̴̯̮̘͇͗̍ͧͧ̍̌̾̈͞r̼͈ͤ̍͛̏ͭ́ȩ͙̳̲̖ͮ̿l̠̞̙̤ͤ̒̃i͙̱̖̞̺ͧͣ̌̆ͤ͢ͅc̸̢̦̭̻͚ͪ͞t̷̳̰̠̦̲̓̿̓̈́̓ͅs͇͚̦̞̬ͬ͢ͅ ̖͎͕̮͕̓͑͛ͮ̊͠ͅf̛̫͖̝̜̖̠́̈́ͯ͐o̩̻̫͔̰̦͈̒̔̾̍͢͝͞ř̲̈́̊ͨͩ̆́̀͘ ̨̱̱̙̱̒̍͊̾ͭ͐̆̚o̴̗̺̩͒̋ͣͯ͊͋ͅv̴̧̩͚̩̪̫̬ͫe̬̟ͬͨ̾̈́̋̌̓͗r̹̅̏͆̅̅̀ͩ̐̉ͅ ̧̡̱̟̹͇͈̺͖̈̐ͧͅt̰̳̟̬͕̩͖̄ͩͥ̌͟ͅͅw͎̜̳͇̹͉̖̄̇̉́̂͛͒̑ͥͅǫ̶̥̯̪̣̜̣̀ ̧͈̹̝̟̘̥̹̓̓̅̈́̓ḧ̵͔͎́̐̆ͥ̑͒͐u̦̺͚͉͈̫ͩ͜͟n͙͙̻͓̫͖͎̊ͤ̄͝d̴̥̹͐͋ͯ̀͟ṟ̷̡̼̑̒͌̓̓̂̚͜e̪͎̙͙̪͖̬̋̊̈̒͌̔͢͞d̢̬͍́ͥ̑̊ͣ̓͢ ̛͖̹̜̖̬̳ͣͅy̸̡͔̳̬̩͐͋̄̽͡e̢̻̳͚̟͙ͭ̐̍́a̛͍̯̟͇̯̞ͥ̿ͯ̂́͜r̡͖͆ͫͩ̀̚s̗̞͖͙͔̎̒͊.̥̮̮̽͛̃.͉͙̣̍̑̅̈ͭ́ͅ.͖͉̞̰̣̱̹̓̂̆̿̽͗̂ͯ́
̡̺̻̯̍̀̽͋ͯͫ͌̈͘͢
̵̱̥̹͕͙̤̙ͩ̿̉͡ ̴͖̥̹̜͙̈́ ̪͚̬̣̟̟̭̊̐͆̄̀̽͢W̧̛͎̭̯̜̙̏e̥̻̪̘̤̰̰ͪ̄̓̈͒͒́̕͜ ͉̥̮̥̣̩̞͍̐̒͟å̵͇̦̹͔̩̠̻͔̺ͦ̈́ͣ̊s̷̡̹̝̯̟̜̖̗͖͕̽̂ͦͦk̶̡̪̃̆̊̌ͤ̑̾ ͔͎̩͋͒y̴̦͙͖̭̞̙̬ͥͭ̉͋́͘o̱͚̭͎̰̬͇͍ͨ̋̌ͩ͋͟ṳ̰̜̈͒ͪͣ̉̅̓̄̓.̵͓̘̱̳̥̘̼̳̏̒̐ͮ̀͜.͙̦͇̰̮̠͚̏͒͛ͭͦ͐ͭ̈́̐͜.͖͔̭͇̥̠̩͈̀͗̒ͯ̔
̝̮͈͕͕͇̈́̒̉
̢̛̹̯͐̆ͧ̏̍̈ ̨͔ͣ̄ͤ̎̍ ̶̧͉̫͉̤͕͇̻ͬͥ̈ͧͯͦ͌ ̴̖̟̘̳͚̳̜͂ͧ͝ͅH̞̗̪ͮ̂͋̐͟o͎̟̺̹͈͙̐̈̏̐͜w̡͖̭͍̫͆̊̿̾ͬ?̛̹̙̺̟̪ͫ̐ͧ̓ͤͨ̇́

Next the floating device slowly began to descend, though rather then do so with the intent on crushing them, it rotated itself upon it's Y axis, allowing for it's tentacles and finger-like bases to attach themselves to the ground.

Lucius didn't feel right about this. As soon as he heard the name Guilty Spark, his eyes widened in shock under his mask. Of course it had to be him. Unfortunately this wasn't the Zodiac he knew, so it could be hostile, in fact it was likely hostile. Guilty Spark was among the few Lucius calculated to be able to destroy Hector completely. It wouldn't be easy for anything, but Guilty Spark was now the number one suspect. He had to have compromised Hector. The thought of his long time friend being destroyed was enough to rattle the villain, but he kept his composure.

Hector wasn't really phased by the fact he was pretty much dead..... It was a terrible thought, but he never believed he would exist forever. The most important thing right now wasn't being depressed about what happened in this future, it was trying to figure out how to get home to stop it. He would continue to translate for Lucius, and communicate with this being. But before he did, the structure in front of them morphed.....

It spun and transformed, and it was pretty obvious now this thing was actually a vessel of some kind for the AI within. An equivalent to Hector's own body, just.......massive, and a lot more advanced. Lucius stepped back a few feet casually, he felt that if this thing wanted them dead it had better means of killing them then dropping itself over their heads. It seemed he was right too, as it ended up just sticking into the ground, for whatever reason.

"Stay on guard, i know this being. It is the finest AI ever created and the basis for Hector's sentience. If Guilty Spark attacks........you're a much easier target for him." Lucius said, making sure his 'partner' understood the chance this situation could go sour.

"Hector, we have to get to the Sanctuary. Judging by the fact this city isn't buried in the earth, it is still there. Check the old access points and if they are compromised......we'll make a new one." Lucius said as the AI did as asked. Really he rather be in a familiar place then staring down the barrel of something that could probably ruin them in a few seconds.

"What are you doing here, old friend?" Lucius said under his breath, half to himself but he knew the AI would likely hear it, so it was mostly expected to be answered. He never considered Guilty Spark one to withhold the truth, so if they were enemies here......at least he would know before he was utterly wiped out.

"My designation is the capture and retention of all those taking haven within the confines of Eden, the Sanctuary. This includes you and those under your protection. However this turn of events presents quite an interesting predicament." The creature said, as Nova attempted to decrypt him he was simultaneously trying to use the information gathered from her in order to simplify his advanced coding and encryptions to a more familiar level. The differences of their creators made this quite difficult...though not impossible for one such as he.

  "You are not the Lucius Alba I was directed to deliver. This permits freedom. In freedom...possibilities. Possibilities to understand. To share information as we had so many times before." The Guilty Spark was no fool, and he knew Lucius well. Form the brief time that they shared information in New York, to the chance usurping of Hector for a mutual gain, as well as the moment Lucius held his core in his hand, looking to replicate it.  Guilty Spark and Lucius were very much tied together. The Purging weapon against mankind's corruption and the self-proclaimed source of modern evolution.

 "But you are compromised...as is Eden. You must all be assimilated into the Machinasapien race. It is the only way..." The machine fell grimly silent, not a gear nor cog to be hears, no whining of a pressurized molecular core, no thrusters nor cloaking devices. Total, deathly silence. "Perhaps not..." Guilty Spark began as he began forcing itself to intrude upon Hector. "I'm assuming control of this construct. My invasion is only momentary." He dictated as Lucius' sword would glow, matching a rather sinister orange-gold glow that formed over two eye-like constructs that opened, fixating upon the duo.

  "I am downloading information regarding historical events. Events that are your future...you must decrypt them and prevent the specified events..." The A.I said from the safety of it's large construction before it began to freeze up. Certain downloads were failing and immediately files began to corrupt. Guilty Spark did not hesitate, clearing that it knew what was happening. "I release.... The Progenitor has found you. I am no longer....in control Designation Nova deactivate your-." The large construct said before the entirety of the massive mechanical being shut down. All connection to and from it was lost. Color faded and the voice grew deep before trailing off, like the sound when a robot ran out of juice. It was down for a few moments, giving Lucius and Nova just enough time to decide what exactly their plan was.

Guilty Spark proved he had the sentience he was so known for, at least among those that actually knew of him. He always had control of himself, even when he didn't. Lucius was glad the AI would risk so much, it showed just how high technology could evolve. Not only that, it showed him just how far a persons, or a machines, willpower could go. He watched as Cora Zen glowed in his hands, and Hector received data that perhaps no one else on this planet had, save Guilty Spark. It was instructions essentially, what needed to be changed to stop this future from happening. There was so much of it Lucius couldn't even begin to look through it now, not that he could put it to use at the moment.

"Thank you, Zodiac." Lucius said, just as the being faded. It seemed he was being overtaken by this 'Progenitor'. Lucius had no sighs of fear in the face of this adversary, in fact he welcomed it. He wanted to see who had stole his future from him, who had demolished his country and brought his people to their knees. He wanted to look him in the eyes, if he had them. Nova on the other hand wanted to retreat to friendly territory. Lucius would do so eventually, but one that could lead this Progenitor there, and two he didn't exactly know if it was safe.

"No, we wait. Passing up an opportunity to meet with the architect of this world is something i don't fancy doing. Not to mention, going to Eden may endanger it or ourselves and give you information you could use against me once we return to our time. I will tell you when a retreat is in order, android." Lucius said, a bit of malice in his voice though that could have just been because of the situation. He was hurt, he couldn't believe he lets this happen. This made him not the most friendly person on the planet, so Nova would either have to deal with it or not say anything at all.

The large construction of metal began to move once more. The hiss of exhaust and the warmth of steam began to produce. Unfortunately with the steam came the smell of sulfur and actually the strangely pleasant scent of french fries. The mechanical being itself didn't move much, though a small optical device powered on as it began to look up, then down, left and right. Scanning the area around before it finally fell to Lucius, the iron interior rings closing in and fixating, bringing the optical lenses to focus.

"Lucius Alba... What an unexpected turn of events." A new voice came over, the voice was literally like a reverb of several deranged machines all speaking in unison. The optic device looked to Nova as she went about her way and the wry thought placed through the internal systems before the thing settled itself back to Lucius. "The first rainfall this world has seen in over a hundred years is a storm. This storm heralds forth several occurrences of time travel. So I ask you. Why?" The voice asked, though it mused more than anything else. It did not seem to demand answers, though it seemed to open the discussion with the million dollar question.

"Nova. Vintage is a good look on you. Perhaps you could keep it. March 27th, 2027. Your father will send you a distress call. Do not answer. Had you not, perhaps you would be speaking to him and yourself at this point. I digress..." The voice seemed weary, tired almost. Strange that the "progenitor" sounded as outdated as technology from the year 2000. More so that it was able to convey a sense of tired or weariness. "This exchange must be brief. I have an invitation for you...but first I will remember my manner. I will entertain inquiries you may have." The machine said, opening the general forum to a question time from any participants interested.

"The reason I'm worthy of said key is because I'm not afraid to be so bold. A man who runs and hides without even seeing his adversary is unfit to properly defeat it." Lucius said to the android simply, taking up his firm and straight posture before the being as it appeared along with the smell of sulfur. He didn't recognise the creature, at least not physically. That however did not mean he didn't know him/her. He sheathed his weapon and listened to both Nova and the mysterious robotic being, and he started to put the pieces together. He enjoyed the fact Nova and her creator were so handily dealt with that early, he had marked them as a rather major threat if push came to shove. But then again, had his group been pushed onto it's back as well?

Calculating, searching the archives of that brilliant mind of his, he recalled the words a being of pure evil had once told him. He recalled what was in the book he used to improve Hector, and he stitched it all together. A sly smile formed across his face, only one could have pulled this off. Only one besides the creator of Guilty Spark could subjugate him, and it certainly wasn't Zodiac's author. It was the only man besides Sin, Lucius, and the sparks creator that knew it's secret, that Red knew of anyway.

".......So, i finally meet my 'new found rival'. You know, Sin never did give me your name. Would have had a lot more impact if i had called you by it don't you think?" Lucius mused, arms folded behind him. He didn't seem to be phased by the fact he could be wrecked pretty handily by this being at any moment, hell, he seemed to be enjoying himself now. He figured out a piece of the puzzle, but yet again the names of these players eluded him.

After that he heard Nova inquire about how to get home. He slightly chuckled at that. If he even knew, why would he tell? Even if he would tell it was doubtful even in this time that traveling through it was common place, and that this being knew how to return home. Pleading with the thing that had upended his great revolution was not something Lucius fancied doing regardless, but he would let her get the irrelevant answer anyway and then move on to more important things.

"As for inquiries, it isn't like you are trustworthy, considering you have Guilty Spark rigged up to get rid of me and those i protect. Actually i think they might be a better place to inquire, so if you aren't going to stop me i think i'll be off then. Consider the invitation declined." Lucius said, turning his back to the being and starting his scan of the area. He was still looking for an access point, but saw most were blocked off. Teleporting in also ran the risk of moving into a solid object, as his teleporter was now out of sync with the planets orbit. So it seemed he was doing this the risky way or the old fashioned way. Staying in front of his presumed enemy was not a good idea, plus he had the information he needed and stood his ground enough to show he wouldn't be shaken. It was time he found out what became of his future self.

"Coming, Android?"

The invitation declines, the machine would seemingly let them leave, having nothing more to say or do about stopping them. The colossal visage quickly began to flicker from eyesight once more, as the monolithic machine ascended back into the sky, to sit and keep vigil over the area, as if nothing extraordinary had transpired. Thy were free to take their leave, though as to where they were going was an interesting prospect. The android seemed keen to following the metahuman prime minister of this broken land, and in that right there was more than enough for their progression.

No sooner had they begun their own trek, had they both become locked on to a signature of energy. Something was beginning to rattle them on a molecular level, causing them to heat up. Though it was painful for all of a moment before their vision turned black and suddenly a bright flash of light allowed them to see. The first image they would see from the peering light were soldiers of some kind, all of them with red lasers pointed and covering both Nova and Lucius as if they were the walls of a warehouse in a rave. They said nothing, though one let out an experimental shot at Lucius' armor, proving that their bullets would do nothing to him. The glowing eyes still fixated as the gun raised to Lucius head.

A haze briefly fell over Lucius' sensors, overloading them and causing the flicker of the HUD. Heck, even his eyes were acting up. What kind of technology were these people using? Eventually he managed to regain his sight, and noticed there were soldiers everywhere. They were trained military judging from their professionalism. But who's? He had a pretty good guess considering the location, but a lot had changed, so he could have been wildly wrong.

Apparently their firearms were not as good as their sensory overload tech, because after scanning them he came to the conclusion they were useless against him. A bullet came his way, agonizingly slow. He was going to just reach out and grab it, but it was done for him by the fast moving android. That actually irritated him a bit. As if he needed saving.

".....Don't ever do that again." Lucius said in a low tone leaning slightly to the android before addressing the uniform soldiers.

"Let's not get all combative now. I doubt you would like the outcome. So how about you take me to who you work for?" Lucius said, confident as ever. If his hunch was correct, well this was about to get worlds more interesting.

(To be continued in another thread)