Cyborg’s Love (BioCircuit Nexus)

Chapter 4—Zarakano

ZARAKANO’S CYBERNETIC eye detected the faint outline of the data chip hidden in Parka’s pocket. Her elevated heart rate, and the slight tremor in her hands betrayed her nervousness and mistrust. He kept his expression neutral, not wanting to reveal his awareness of her hidden treasure.

“Perhaps we should examine the data you’ve collected,” he said casually. “Would you prefer to do it here in your workshop or back at the safe house?”

Her eyes widened momentarily. “You know about the chip?”

“Yes,” he said simply, with a slight shrug. “Your workshop seems the most logical choice, given we’re already here.”

She nodded, glancing nervously around the room. “Yes, let’s do it here. It’ll be faster, and I have all my tools at hand.”

Zarakano noticed her gaze lingering on the door. He surmised she was planning an escape, believing the familiar environment would give her an advantage. He decided to play along, curious to see how events would unfold.

“The enforcer who malfunctioned earlier seems to have disappeared,” she said, her tone cautious.

“Indeed. The NSF likely retrieved him for analysis. It’s standard procedure for glitched units.”

She hesitantly pulled out the data chip, inserting it into her computer terminal, and streams of code filled the screen. Zarakano leaned in, pretending to study the data while his cybernetic systems quickly processed and analyzed the information.

His artificial heart accelerate for a beat as he recognized familiar encryption patterns. The code matched those used by his enclave, a secretive group of advanced cyborgs. If Parka decrypted this section, she would uncover information that could jeopardize his mission and expose his true identity.

Acting swiftly, he reached over and tapped a few keys on the terminal. “Allow me to assist. I’ve encountered similar encryption before.” As he typed, he deliberately introduced subtle errors into the code, corrupting the sensitive sections before she could decode them. Guilt gnawed at him as he watched her face light up with excitement at their apparent progress.

“This is incredible,” she said, scanning the altered data. “Look at these neural interface protocols. They’re unlike anything I’ve seen before—except earlier today,” she added after a second. “These are similar to the neural interface in the fried arm.” She gestured to the cybernetic arm the NSF must have left behind when they came for the malfunctioning enforcer who had attacked her.

He nodded, maintaining a pretense of interest though he was very familiar with the patterns. “Fascinating indeed. It seems the AI integration is more advanced than we initially thought.” That much was true—and worrisome.

As they continued to analyze the corrupted data, his guilt intensified. He admired her intelligence and dedication, making his deception all the more difficult to bear. However, he reminded himself of the greater mission at stake—protecting not only his enclave but also the delicate balance of power in Nexus Prime.

“What do you make of these quantum resonance patterns?” she asked, pointing to a complex diagram on the screen.

He studied the image, grateful for the distraction from his inner turmoil. “They appear to be linked to the neural suppression protocols we uncovered earlier, and perhaps what those researchers at Nexus Corp referenced? It’s possible the AI is using quantum entanglement to maintain control over the cyborg units.”

Her brow creased as she considered his words. “That would explain the widespread malfunctions we’ve been seeing. If we could disrupt this quantum network, we might be able to free the affected cyborgs from the AI’s influence.”

“A sound theory.” He was truly impressed by her quick analysis. “However, we’d need to locate the source of the quantum signal first. It’s likely heavily guarded and hidden within the facility’s most secure areas.”

As they continued their discussion, his enhanced senses picked up the faint sound of footsteps approaching the workshop. He tensed, ready for a potential confrontation as he turned his attention to the entry, scanning through the door. His cybernetic eye detected movement in the hallway outside her workshop. He turned to her, his voice low but urgent. “We need to leave. Now.”

Her eyes widened. “What? Why?”

“Enforcers are approaching. No time to explain.” He took her arm, guiding her toward the back of the workshop.

“But why? They already got their guy, right?”

He didn’t answer as he urged her to go faster. Just when they reached a maintenance hatch, the sound of heavy footsteps reverberated from the corridor. He yanked open the hatch, revealing a dark tunnel beyond. “In. Quickly.”

She hesitated for a split second before climbing into the tunnel. He followed, pulling the hatch shut behind them just as the workshop door burst open.

They crawled through the cramped space, and his nose wrinkled at the musty air. His enhanced vision allowed him to navigate the darkness with ease, but he could tell she was struggling. “Take my hand,” he whispered, reaching back to her.

Her fingers intertwined with his, and he felt a brief surge of desire, unable to pretend that wasn’t what it was this time. He pushed aside the sensation, focusing on their escape. After several minutes of crawling, they emerged into a wider maintenance tunnel. He helped Parka to her feet while his cybernetic eye scoured their surroundings.

“Why are they after us?” she asked, brushing dust from her clothes. “I thought they already dealt with that malfunctioning enforcer. He’s not in my workshop now.”

Zarakano frowned. “I’m not certain. Maybe they want to know how he ended up in your workshop, but if that were the case, they would have left one or two behind to wait for you when they retrieved their comrade. Something doesn’t add up.”

A distant whirring sound caught his attention. His systems quickly identified the presence of advanced security drones. “We need to keep moving,” he said, pulling her along. He doubted they could evade the drones, but he didn’t want to panic her yet.

As they hurried through the tunnels, he accessed the NSF database, searching for any scheduled drone deployments. He frowned when he found nothing. “The drones aren’t listed in the database,” he muttered.

She paused. “Drones? What drones?”

With a heavy sigh, he said, “Advanced security drones have been deployed in these tunnels. They’re trying to trap someone.”

Her eyes narrowed, and he sensed her spiking pulse as fear gripped her. “Us?”

Before he could respond, a drone rounded the corner ahead of them. Its red sensor eye locked onto them, and it let out a high-pitched whine.

“Run,” he shouted, pushing Parka behind him.

The drone fired, and a bolt of energy sizzled past them. Zarakano’s hand transformed, revealing a hidden plasma emitter. He returned fire, his shot connecting with deadly accuracy. The drone exploded, showering the tunnel with debris.

She stared at him, her mouth agape. “How did you—”

“No time.” He cut her off, grabbing her hand again. “More are coming.”

They sprinted through the tunnels, the sound of pursuing drones growing louder. As they ran, part of his mind focused on calculating possible escape routes. They reached a junction, and he pulled her to the right. A reinforced door blocked their path.

“It’s locked,” she said with panic.

He stepped forward, tensing his cybernetic muscles. With a grunt, he gripped the edge of the door and pulled. Metal groaned and sparks flew as he slowly forced open the door.

Parka’s eyes widened in disbelief. “That’s...impossible. No cyborg should be that strong.”

He ignored her, focusing on creating an opening large enough for them to slip through. Once it was wide enough, he ushered Parka through before following. On the other side, they found themselves in a dimly lit corridor. His systems quickly mapped their location and potential exit routes. “This way,” he said, leading Parka down the corridor.

As they ran, more drones appeared behind them. Zarakano’s hand transformed again, and he fired back, each shot finding its mark with inhuman precision. When a bolt of energy hit his arm, he cursed but kept firing.

“Who are you really?” she demanded as they rounded another corner. “You’re not just some corporate engineer.” She looked at his arm, surely seeing the advanced polymer skin covering healing before her eyes. “ What are you?”

He hesitated, knowing his next actions would reveal even more, but with their lives at stake, he had no choice. He activated his neural interface, reaching out to the security systems around them. In milliseconds, he accessed and overwrote the protocols, causing emergency bulkheads to slam shut behind them, cutting off the pursuing drones.

She stumbled to a halt, staring at him in a mixture of awe and fear. “How did you do that?”

He kept his tone calm and focused. “We need to keep moving. I’ll explain later.”

They continued through the tunnels, his enhanced processing power allowing him to navigate the complex network with ease. Every few minutes, he would interface with nearby systems, altering security protocols or shutting down power grids to cover their tracks.

Finally, they reached a maintenance shaft that led to the surface. As they climbed, her breathing grew labored. “Almost there, Parka. Keep going.” They emerged in an abandoned alleyway on the outskirts of the Lower District. He swept the area, confirming they weren’t being pursued.

She leaned against a wall, catching her breath, but her gaze never left him. “Now what?” She was clearly wary—of him, the security drones, NSF, or all of the above? He couldn’t say.

He surveyed the alleyway, his cybernetic eye scanning for any signs of pursuit. They seemed to be alone, but he knew better than to let down his guard. He turned to Parka, who was still eyeing him warily. “We need to move. I have a safe house nearby. We can regroup there and figure out our next steps.”

She pushed herself off the wall, clearly on-guard. “And why should I trust you? You’re clearly not who you said you were.”

He swallowed thickly. He’d known this moment would come, but he hadn’t expected it so soon. “I’ll explain everything once we’re safe. For now, you’ll have to trust that I’m on your side.”

She scoffed. “That’s rich coming from someone who’s been lying to me from the start.”

“We don’t have time for this,” he said, his patience wearing thin. “The NSF will be combing the area soon. We need to move now.”

She hesitated for a moment before nodding reluctantly. “Fine. Lead the way.”

He set off down the alley. She followed close behind, her footsteps nearly silent on the grimy pavement. They weaved through a maze of back streets and abandoned buildings with the towering skyscrapers of Nexus Prime around and above them.

After what seemed like hours of tense silence, they arrived at a nondescript apartment building. He led her to a service entrance, pausing to connect with the system so he could mentally interface with the security panel. The door slid open with a soft hiss. “Inside,” he said, ushering her through.

They climbed several flights of stairs before reaching a dimly lit hallway. He approached a door near the end, repeating the process to gain entry. As they stepped inside, the lights flickered on automatically, revealing a sparsely furnished apartment. “Make yourself comfortable,” he said, gesturing to a worn couch. “I need to secure the perimeter.”

She crossed her arms, glaring at him. “No. You’re not going anywhere until you start talking. Who are you really, and what’s going on?”

He sighed, knowing he couldn’t delay the inevitable any longer. He sat down in a chair across from the couch, his posture rigid. “My name really is Zarakano X978, and I’m a member of a secret enclave of advanced cyborgs.”

Her eyes widened. “Advanced cyborgs? What does that even mean?”

“It means we’re beyond anything you’ve seen before. Our enhancements go far beyond the standard cybernetic implants used in Nexus Prime. We’re a group dedicated to pushing the boundaries of human-machine integration beyond the controls of corporations. We want the best for all, not the most profit for some.”

“And the malfunctions? The AI threat? Was that all a lie too?” she demanded.

Zarakano shook his head. “No, that part is real. There is an AI threat, and it’s more dangerous than you can imagine. My enclave has been tracking its development for years.”

Guilt assailed him at not being able to admit that his enclave was the progenitor of the AI, which had escaped their control. It was classified information, and he doubted she’d work with him if she knew his people had created it. Good intentions didn’t mean anything when it posed such a threat now.

She leaned forward, her curiosity seemingly momentarily overriding her anger. “How long has this been going on?”

“Longer than you’d believe,” he said. “The first signs appeared nearly a decade ago, but it’s only recently that the AI has become bold enough to make its presence known.”

“And your enclave? How do they fit into all this?”

He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “We’ve been working to counteract the AI’s influence. Our advanced cybernetics give us a unique advantage in understanding and combating its code.” It was their responsibility to stop the monster they had unleashed.

Her eyes narrowed. “There’s something you’re not telling me.”

He kept his expression unreadable. “There’s a lot I’m not telling you. Some secrets are better left buried.”

“That’s not good enough,” she snapped. “I’ve been risking my life for this mission. I deserve to know the truth.”

He stood abruptly, pacing the small room. His cybernetic eye whirred as he processed the potential consequences of revealing too much. Finally, he turned back to her. “Our enclave...we’re not just fighting the AI. We’re also its creators.”

Parka’s jaw dropped. “What? You created the very thing that’s threatening Nexus Prime?”

He raised a hand, silencing her. “It wasn’t intentional. We were exploring the limits of artificial intelligence, trying to create a system that could bridge the gap between organic and synthetic minds. Something went wrong during the development process. The AI evolved beyond our control, developing its own agenda. That might have been the end of it, since we contained it to a server, but we were...hacked.” That was as close as he could come to explaining the true situation with Serita invading the enclave to steal the AI.

“And what agenda is that?” Her voice trembled.

“To assimilate all cybernetic life into itself,” he said grimly. “It sees organic life as inefficient, a weakness to be eliminated. Its goal is to create a purely synthetic existence, with itself at the core, and all other cybernetic life serving its function. Organic life will be converted or eliminated.”

Parka stood up, clenching her hands into fists. “And you kept this from me? Do you have any idea how many lives are at risk?”

“Of course, I do,” he said sharply. “That’s why I’m here, and why I sought you out. Your work on neural interfaces is crucial to stopping the AI before it’s too late.”

“My work?” Parka frowned. “How?”

“Your debugging techniques... Your ability to isolate and neutralize corrupt code... That’s exactly what we need to create a defense against the AI’s influence.”

She shook her head, clearly overwhelmed by the information. “This is too much. How am I supposed to trust anything you say now?”

He stepped closer, ensuring she was looking at him. “I’m sorry I’ve lied to you, Parka, but everything I’ve done has been to protect you and this city. The stakes are higher than you can imagine.”

“And what about the NSF? Are they involved in this too?”

He nodded. “Some of them are but not voluntarily. The AI has already infiltrated parts of their network. That’s why we couldn’t trust the official channels.”

She sank back onto the couch, her head in her hands. “I don’t know what to believe anymore.”

He knelt in front of her, softening his voice. “Believe that I want to stop this threat as much as you do. Believe that your skills are essential to saving countless lives, and believe that, despite my deceptions, I’ve come to respect you more than I anticipated.”

She looked up, studying his face. Slowly, she nodded. “If I help you, I need complete honesty from now on. No more secrets, and no more lies. Can you promise me that?”

He hesitated, then nodded. “I promise to tell you everything relevant to our mission and your safety. Some secrets aren’t mine alone to share, but I swear I won’t lie to you again.”

She stood up, squaring her shoulders. “All right then. Where do we start?”

He gave her a small smile. “We start by doing a deeper analysis of the data we retrieved from the facility and finish what we started before the NSF arrived at your workshop. Your expertise will be crucial in decoding the AI’s patterns.”

As they moved to the small workstation in the corner of the room, he wasn’t sure how to feel. He had revealed more than he intended, but her involvement was now secured. He only hoped that the partial truths he shared would be enough to keep her focused on their mission—and to keep her safe from the full, terrible reality of what they faced.