2.13|DANGER USURPING

2.13|Danger usurping

Protlyn sat in the monitoring station, staring at the grotesque imagery of the slaughtered beast. She watched the footage of him running into the Oohtlet's traps, falling prey to technology the Oohtlets did not previously know how to use. Tied up, swarmed, impaled and tortured until it was finally decapitated.

"While you were out, the Oohtlets have taken control of nearly a 6th of the rail systems." Amity said, the flickering fluorescent lights dim overhead. "We managed to pacify and fight off their initial raids, but they've become more cunning. They're rapidly organizing and making use of logistics on an order that shouldn't be possible."

Protlyn zoomed in on footage of Theo,. "Impossible without a manipulator

guiding them.." She sighed. "How did it come to this?"

"It's our fault. We made them strong." Amity said sadly.

"I would like to know how we could have been responsible for this." Protlyn said, turning her head to the side. "We were just following the computer's instructions.. working with the logistics."

"That's what we get for trusting Theo." Amity tapped away, pouring through

the data.

"Not that I ever trusted him.. but what's the plan right now?"

"Well, the Tribunal is discussing using lethal maximist grade weaponry against them. Raining Fireballs aren't really ideal, but it's a divisive fraction. The Oohts are very divided between trying to pacify and reign in the constituents of the outsides in or simply exterminate them. Many traditionalist factions blame you and your, 'Hex light' for all our problems, can you believe that? It's a shitshow up in political bird circus right now."

Protlyn watched the flickering lights as Amity described the conflict. It seemed very real to her. The thought of such horrible technology.. such a violent way to solve conflict..

"You are my only hope for peace.." Protlyn breathed, staring into space

vacantly.

"It's been a while since we made that happen." Amity said, "The machine's I made aren't designed to deal with something like this." She rubbed her head. "Ethical decisions, aren't MATRUS's forte."

"But you did say they're running fine right? It's just a spy or someone who compromised them that could be setting things astray. If they're distributing food ratios in bad faith, if they're poisoning the well, they could be trying to spark a war. We just have to find that spy!" Protlyn declared.

"You're very confident, I like that." Amity smirked. "But we're short on time here.." The footage switched to assorted horrors, from Oohtlets ripping apart a Santri's woman's wings and bludgeoning her husband, to several Santri spearing Oohtlets after an ambush, chanting 'Sadtime for Savages!' at the Oohtlets they captured.

"It just keeps getting worse."

Protlyn slammed the console. "Theo!" She grit her teeth. "It has to be him. The

spy, the one who sabotaged the computer systems. This was always his plan!"

Amity blinked and cocked her head. "No. Theo wouldn't do something like

this."

She looked at the hacker aggrieving. "Why wouldn't he?"

"Maybe you're underestimating him, just like you did the rest of us.." Amity

tapped away furiously, typing away with her hands.

"I-I'm starting to wonder if I've just been too trusting." Protlyn shook her head

 and groaned.

"The whole, reawakening my psychic channels thing has tired me out. I'm

going to get dinner and nap."

"There is still plenty to do.. we have a lot to figure out. Rest up." Amity said, looking suspiciously over her shoulder as Protlyn marched out. Protlyn had a lot on her mind and every added little detail seemed to put pins and needles further on her psyche. Some on the streets called her Mara the Protector, the Flicker, Guardian of the Sunkiss. She didn’t know if the Santri’s mindless praise of her was worse than the Oohtlet’s jeerings. When she saw a group of 3 Oohtlets, a large bipedal duck, a lycan and a pointy eared girl covered in metal chains and full of spikes she gasped. Protlyn marched up the Santri who caught them and screamed. “What the hell are you doing?! Get back, get AWAY! How could you do this?”

“Miss Protlyn, what do think about the enemy? Shouldn’t be scared? The enemy is wicked, numerous and very strong! They have the power to destroy all that is beautiful in our city, please make them leave!” The Santri teen pleaded on her knees.

“Flicker!”

“SAVE US LADY MARA!!”

“The Oohtlets must be punished.”

 “Death to the savages!”

“Flicker will destroy our enemies! Flicker will protect us!”

“Our Flicker! Bringer of the Hex!”