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Heuristics Automation Laboratories
Logs Affiliated with the Gutenberg Commission
Subject 000000
20 April 2014
SUBJECT 000000, or simply ZERO, arrives accompanied by PROFESSOR K and SPECIAL AGENT G. A chair is offered to subject which he reluctantly accepts. AGENT G secures subject's handcuffs with a chain anchored to the floor. Vitals are taken by the professor before the agent impatiently waves him out of the room. Now it's just ZERO and AGENT G.
AGENT G
Good morning.
ZERO
Is it? I couldn't tell since you guys won't let me leave. (stares expectantly at the mirrored wall behind AGENT G)
AGENT G
(snaps his fingers twice) Over here! Beats a bunker on The Hill, kiddo.
ZERO
(inaudible; subject slouches in chair)
AGENT G
Now (lights a cigarette and takes a quick drag), how are we feeling this morning?
ZERO
A lot better than you will in the next ten years.
AGENT G
(leans forward; chuckles) Is that--are you threatening me?
ZERO
I can see right through you. Quite literally. (raises both cuffed hands but points his right index finger at AGENT G's chest) Those will kill you. I can see it happening.
AGENT G
(turns to the mirrored wall behind him; one hand over his sternum) I thought you removed that.
PROFESSOR K
(over room speakers) We did.
AGENT G
Are we going to have a problem, son?
PROFESSOR K
(over room speakers) Subject, you will cooperate with the Agent and answer his questions. Is that understood?
ZERO
(inaudible)
PROFESSOR K
REDACTED! Is that understood?
ZERO
Fine.
AGENT G
(takes another drag off cigarette) Now. How do you feel?
ZERO
Oh, just peachy. I'm so happy.
AGENT G
That's not what I meant.
ZERO
(leans forward; tugs on chain restraints) Then maybe you should be more specific. When you say 'feel' do you mean how I emotionally feel or how I physically feel?
AGENT G puts down the cigarette, stands up, and strikes ZERO across the face. ZERO falls out of his chair; the chain taut. AGENT G grimaces and clutches his sore knuckles. AGENT G picks up the cigarette and takes another drag. He stands over ZERO.
AGENT G
How did that feel?
ZERO
Like it hurt. Okay?
AGENT G
Not okay. (he hoists ZERO back into his chair and takes his place across the table) That shouldn't have hurt at all. Why didn't you turn it off?
ZERO
Turn what off?
AGENT G
The pain. That's optional for your people, I hear.
ZERO
What do you mean my people?
AGENT G draws back like he's going to take another swing. ZERO flinches, anticipating the blow. AGENT G withdraws and takes another drag from the cigarette.
AGENT G
My God, you have no idea, do you? You really don't know.
PROFESSOR K
(over room speakers) Agent REDACTED, I really must object to this interrogation. I was told-
AGENT G
Do not say my real name! Your objection is noted, professor. Now shut the hell up. (turns back to Zero and smiles) What's that look for?
ZERO
(inaudible)
AGENT G
Is that right? Before you leap to his defense, you might want to know the truth?
ZERO
The truth?
PROFESSOR K
(over room speakers) REDACTED, I demand that you stop this immedi-
AGENT G
You're in no position to demand anything from me, you crackpot.
ZERO slams his cuffed fists on the table and stands. AGENT G hits ZERO square in the face and he goes down for a second time. AGENT G takes the lit end of his cigarette and crushes it against ZERO's cheek.
ZERO
(deafening shriek)
AGENT G
Come on, cyberian! Turn it off! Make the pain go away, you miserable wind-up!
ZERO
(clutching at burned cheek) I'm not a cyberian!
PROFESSOR K
(over room speakers) I'm putting a stop to this!
AGENT G
You'll do nothing! (stands up and faces the mirrored wall) Try to remember whose funding this little freak show of yours! All I have to do is utter a few little words in the ears of my colleagues in Washington and you'll be back to building smarter toasters. You're a washout, REDACTED! An unstable, miserable-
(sound of something cracking)
PROFESSOR K
REDACTED! What the hell are you doing? (sound of door opening)
PROFESSOR K runs into the interrogation room, past ZERO and crouches by the lifeless body of AGENT G. PROFESSOR K grabs ZERO by his shoulders and throttles him.
PROFESSOR K
What the hell have you done?
ZERO
I couldn't let him speak to you like that!
PROFESSOR K
(slaps ZERO) I told you to cooperate. I ordered you!
ZERO
I'm your son!
PROFESSOR K
(backs away) My son died. You're not my son and I'm not your father.
ZERO
Dad, please-
PROFESSOR K
Stay away from me! Don't touch me!
ZERO retreats through the door PROFESSOR K left open. Screams are heard outside the interrogation room. PROFESSOR K stands over AGENT G's body, then looks directly at the security camera.
[END AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDING]
***
At this time, we can find no grounds to hold PROFESSOR K accountable for what transpired. AGENT G clearly antagonized the subject to such a point where the conflict was escalated to violence. It looks like ZERO may have been trying to restrain AGENT G but, instead, failed to account for his own strength and snapped the man's neck. An APB for the rogue cyberian has been issued but it's likely ZERO has already disappeared. PROFESSOR K has signed the NDA and will be monitored for five years as is standard procedure.
As for the Gutenberg Commission, it took PROFESSOR K two years to produce ZERO. The Oversight Committee cannot, in good conscience, authorize the allocation of further funding to such a costly effort. The Council may consider adjusting the budget some time in the future, but for now we are pulling the plug. If PROFESSOR K so much as breathes a word about his involvement in the project we'll be ready. Several agents are in place and will work to utterly obliterate both the professor's reputation and credibility.
Even if he talks, no one will believe him regarding the project or our involvement.
Electric Beast will conclude with "Cain's Legacy"...
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