43

"Ahh. More insects…" SHODAN hissed breaking through for a brief moment as several monitors sprang to life. SHODAN’s image wandered and flickered from monitor to monitor as JC’s lips mimicked her words… "I wa-want all of you to know so-som-something spec-special." SHODAN’s words hung in the air reverberating against the marble walls. "This is only the be-gin-ning, your f-first kiss-ss up’on my lips-ss, your virginity ripped from your tender flesh by my meat hooks. Let me in lover and behold m-m-eye spl’end’or." Before her words could finish echoing, JC leveled an assault gun to his twin’s head. "Hey Porky, you actually think we’re gonna bend over and take this shit, be your love monkey?. I didn’t let Gray’s stick probes up my ass and believe me –I ain’t saving it for you." JC coolly replied before continuing his tirade, mocking SHODAN’s stuttered threats in his best Dirty Harry voice. "I g-got one b-bett-ter for you. You t-t-t-ake your shr-shriv-shriv-wrinkled-up, bitch-ass back to hell and when you see that pr-pri-asshole Walton Simons, tell him I said ‘hi!’" JC said with a grin full of ice, leveling his middle finger directly toward his twin and gave him the arm to punctuate his declaration of war and the unofficial signing of her death warrant. "Chrimony! Of all the psycho AI’s to get we get Marriott Great America’s." JC pointed accusatorily waving his driving finger at the monitors and twin while frantically screaming at everyone and no one.

SHODAN was fading fast. The effort it had taken to extend herself through the mental barriers corrupted her. The absolute gall these creatures had was staggering. How could they hope to defeat one so perfect as she? She was god and deserved to take possession of all that she surveyed. No matter, she would never know this conversation took place.

JC slumped to the floor, his mind flooded with the life he never had. The lines between him and Major Ted Maloshka blurred, and for a brief moment knew what it was to love and be loved, hold his newly born children in his arms for the first time, to tell stories of his own childhood to his sons while under the walnut trees on the day he shipped off to begin dying.