Previous Story: 89. Settling Affairs - “Up to No Good” - Cynfo Memories

Ryder felt little but a sense of purpose anymore.

Save them! Save them all!

He didn’t know how long he’d been in the lab; only that he and his new friends were making great progress on The Project. Whenever he was tired, he just lay down on the floor. And, when he awoke, he always had more ideas.

Occasionally, the face of Goddess entered his mind, but he pushed the memory away. All she did these days was interrupt his work. She didn’t understand. She didn’t understand that all that mattered was THE PROJECT and SAVING THEM ALL.

Everything that came before seemed so meaningless. Ryder’s previous pursuit of money and power had been replaced by a quest that would SAVE THE WORLD. SAVE EVERYONE!

After the brief moment of distraction, he returned his eyes to the computer in front of him and typed out another line of code.

Shortly afterward, the big man approached. The former captive CyMS who’d been the first to help Ryder was holding an object that closely resembled a chainsaw.

"Is this what you’re looking for?"

"Yes."

Ryder looked over the top of the monitor towards the rear of the lab. Despite its size, The Project was partially obscured by over a dozen hard-working CyMS. But the metallic bulk had now acquired its own fearsome presence.

"Yes. That’s perfect."

Next Story: 91. Settling Affairs - “Up to No Good” - Crime Pays