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"Eh, you do it...""Aren't you gonna come meet our superiors?", the Doctor asked with a private message.
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"Eh, you do it...""Aren't you gonna come meet our superiors?", the Doctor asked with a private message.
"What's wrong? Need some rest?""Eh, you do it..."
The group was standing in front of the door leading into the office. Doc rang the doorbell and waited.The facilities were like a maze from Nick's point of view, the bright lights illuminated everything, several dozen people moved from point A to B, there were people talking as well as people moving erratically to take their wounded companion to the medical area, as the group entered the interception point the place seemed to become larger, while Nick moved like a lost child in the mall, the others moved naturally, this was a place that they learned almost to perfection, from level 0 to level 3121, and now? to finish delivering the physical report that had been requested, they would also have to debate what to do with Nick, the guy had lost any physical identification, legally people could say he was a machine, any kidnapping note in case he disappeared would be lowered to second priority, cybertization was a delicate subject in certain areas of the planet as well as the union of systems that was humanity, there was a limit in which a person could put mechanical implants, the reason for this were several, from the person's own well-being be affected by external influences such as a virus
As well as the improper use of cybernetics, there were hundreds of groups across this single planet that were cyber-enhanced with the sole purpose of being able to have a better opportunity to do what they want
Now another factor to take into account was the group itself, after what they had experienced some would have their own thoughts on the situation, as well as wanting to finish things left behind by this mission, so it was better to let the superiors find the best plan of action with Nick, the group arrived at the office of the guy they made contact with when they left for mondas, he was waiting for them
Roxanne sighs as she awaited for this to be done with, it was gonna be a long dayThe facilities were like a maze from Nick's point of view, the bright lights illuminated everything, several dozen people moved from point A to B, there were people talking as well as people moving erratically to take their wounded companion to the medical area, as the group entered the interception point the place seemed to become larger, while Nick moved like a lost child in the mall, the others moved naturally, this was a place that they learned almost to perfection, from level 0 to level 3121, and now? to finish delivering the physical report that had been requested, they would also have to debate what to do with Nick, the guy had lost any physical identification, legally people could say he was a machine, any kidnapping note in case he disappeared would be lowered to second priority, cybertization was a delicate subject in certain areas of the planet as well as the union of systems that was humanity, there was a limit in which a person could put mechanical implants, the reason for this were several, from the person's own well-being be affected by external influences such as a virus
As well as the improper use of cybernetics, there were hundreds of groups across this single planet that were cyber-enhanced with the sole purpose of being able to have a better opportunity to do what they want
Now another factor to take into account was the group itself, after what they had experienced some would have their own thoughts on the situation, as well as wanting to finish things left behind by this mission, so it was better to let the superiors find the best plan of action with Nick, the group arrived at the office of the guy they made contact with when they left for mondas, he was waiting for them
"Nah, just feeling lazy. You go do it.""What's wrong? Need some rest?"
They hear a person telling them that they "can come in" and when they enter"What's wrong? Need some rest?"
The group was standing in front of the door leading into the office. Doc rang the doorbell and waited.
"Yeah. I'll have the usual.", he casually answered the man as if they had known each other for a while.They hear a person telling them that they "can come in" and when they enter
"Hey, do you want coffee?"
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(I forgot that Doc is the only other character who can say anything right now)
"Yeah. I'll have the usual.", he casually answered the man as if they had known each other for a while.
"Look who we've brought.", the Doctor said while gently placing a hand on Nick's shoulder.
Patrick Jane fixed his gaze on Rox, his expression unreadable for a moment as he took in the situation. There was a brief silence before he spoke, his voice deliberate, as though carefully considering his response."Mister Patrick, i would request Nikolai Shard to be allowed having some time off, what was experienced on the last mission was a life or death situation"
She adds further on shortly after
"It is deserved he is given such time, due to saving me more then once and being a great asset to the team overall, for somebody so valuable, it would be advised to receive the best conditions for their top conditions in the next missions"
"Just me and you, i dont share with anyone my home, its pretty big as well, so its more then enough for two people...although...i may need to clean a little bit around, you will feel as if you are at home though, hopefully"Nick gave a small nod before starting to follow Roxanne, curiosity flickering in his expression. He wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Did she even have a spare room? Or was he going to be crashing on her couch for the foreseeable future? Not that he minded—he’d dealt with worse sleeping arrangements in the past. A stiff couch or even a floor wouldn’t be the worst thing that had happened to him. Still, the thought lingered in his mind as they walked, weaving through the corridors.
After a moment, he glanced over at her, tilting his head slightly. "So, Rox," he asked, his tone light but genuinely curious, "is it just you and me, or do you have roommates?"
The question was casual, but beneath it, a part of him wasn’t entirely sure what answer he was hoping for. Staying alone with Rox... that would be something. He wasn’t sure if he was ready for whatever that meant. But if she had other people living with her, that brought its own complications—new personalities, new dynamics, new potential friends. Either way, he’d find out soon enough.
"Alright, I can help you clean it," Nick said with a grin, glancing at Rox. "After all, I’ll be living there for a while." His voice was light, but there was an underlying sincerity to his offer."Just me and you, i dont share with anyone my home, its pretty big as well, so its more then enough for two people...although...i may need to clean a little bit around, you will feel as if you are at home though, hopefully"
Clarifies it for him as they went or their way to her home
"If you dont mind, although i feel like i should clean my own house and not have you do it as well just because you will be there with me""Alright, I can help you clean it," Nick said with a grin, glancing at Rox. "After all, I’ll be living there for a while." His voice was light, but there was an underlying sincerity to his offer.
"Is something the matter?"As they walked together, Nick found himself glancing at Rox every now and then, wondering how she fit into this world. She seemed so comfortable here, so at home amidst the towering buildings and the ceaseless flow of people. Meanwhile, he felt almost like an intruder, still adjusting to the scale of it all.
Nick gave a small shrug, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he walked alongside Roxanne through the vast city streets. The towering buildings, endless roads, and sheer scale of the place still felt overwhelming, unlike anything he had ever seen before. But amidst all the newness, one thing remained clear—he wasn’t about to freeload."If you dont mind, although i feel like i should clean my own house and not have you do it as well just because you will be there with me"
Commented towards his help at cleaning up with her
As they moved deeper into the city, Nick’s gaze wandered, taking in the sheer scale of it all. The buildings loomed high, the streets stretched far, and even though he had only been here for a short while, it was clear that this place was a behemoth of a metropolis."Is something the matter?"
Asks upon feeling like he was glancing at her for a couple of times recently
"You are way too kind and adorable...hence why i took a liking to you and why you are the only one i ever offered to stay at my place too"Nick gave a small shrug, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he walked alongside Roxanne through the vast city streets. The towering buildings, endless roads, and sheer scale of the place still felt overwhelming, unlike anything he had ever seen before. But amidst all the newness, one thing remained clear—he wasn’t about to freeload.
“Well, okay,” he said, glancing at her with an easygoing expression. “I just feel like it’s the least I can do since you’re kind enough to let me stay at your house for free. I mean, water, electricity... probably not things I can pay for with just a hug, right?” He let out a light chuckle before continuing. “So, I’ll help out where I can—chores, cooking, anything else that needs doing. I can handle that much.”
His words carried a genuine warmth, a quiet gratitude that he didn’t feel the need to overstate. Roxanne hadn’t just offered him a place to stay—she was giving him a sense of stability, something he hadn’t had in a long time. The least he could do was pull his weight.
"At first i was pretty lost, but over time i memorized most of the place after going around a few times, now its not a big deal....dont worry though, you will get used as well, you seem smart enough to remember the landmarks and areas"As they moved deeper into the city, Nick’s gaze wandered, taking in the sheer scale of it all. The buildings loomed high, the streets stretched far, and even though he had only been here for a short while, it was clear that this place was a behemoth of a metropolis.
After a beat, he glanced back at Rox with a curious tilt of his head.
“Just wondering,” he started, his tone light but genuinely intrigued. “This place is big. And considering your job basically makes you part of a police/military force… do you ever get lost around here?”
There was no teasing in his voice, just an honest question. The city was a maze, a sprawling network of streets, districts, and towering structures that seemed easy to get turned around in. Even someone who lived here—someone who worked here—couldn’t possibly know every inch of it… right?
His eyes flicked to her, watching for her reaction as they continued toward her home
Nick nodded, absorbing Roxanne’s words. She had just said that he is too kind and adorable to her, like if he is special for her, and the weight of those words settled deep in his chest. For a fleeting moment, his mind betrayed him, flashing back to that time she had kissed his cheek—oh God. He could still remember the warmth of it, the unexpected event, the way it had lingered in his thoughts long after the moment had passed."You are way too kind and adorable...hence why i took a liking to you and why you are the only one i ever offered to stay at my place too"
Openly stated towards him, looking at him with a smile and glance that one wouldnt normally expect from somebody such ax Roxanne, Nick may understand it better from all of these, he is more special then others for her at least
"At first i was pretty lost, but over time i memorized most of the place after going around a few times, now its not a big deal....dont worry though, you will get used as well, you seem smart enough to remember the landmarks and areas"
After a few more minutes they arrive at her home, its an apartament of a tall building, to which they are taking an elevator in order to get at
"What are they planning to do with him? The higher-ups, I mean.", the Doctor suddenly spoke up.Back in the room, Patrick Jane watched them leave, his gaze lingering on the doorway even after they had disappeared from view. He remained motionless, as if turning something over in his mind, his expression unreadable. Then, with a quiet exhale, he lifted his coffee cup and took the final sip, savoring the warmth before setting the empty mug down with a soft clink.
His attention shifted as his holopad flickered to life beside him, its soft glow casting a faint blue light across the desk. The incoming message pulsed faintly on the screen, waiting.
Patrick raised an eyebrow slightly and turned his head toward the Doctor, curiosity creeping into his expression. Would he say something? Offer a remark? Maybe share a piece of his own experience?
The silence between them wasn’t awkward, but it carried a weight of unspoken thoughts. For a brief moment, Patrick considered breaking it himself—but instead, he let the moment pass. Without another word, he turned back to his holopad and began typing, his fingers moving effortlessly over the glowing holographic keys.
The elevator stopped at the 12th floor before they got out and and she walked up to a door with 96 written on it, out of which she enters a password and scans up her human hand, before it unlockedBy the time they reached the level where her apartment was, Nick found himself standing still for a moment, his gaze drifting. He wasn’t just thinking about the here and now—his mind was replaying everything they had been through together. All the battles, the laughter. Every step he had taken had led to this point, to this new beginning.
This wasn’t just another stop along the way.
This was a new chapter.
For both of them
"We'll have to study him more in that case. I have already read about that program and... Well, I could have come up with a better idea than to turn people into living machines. We've been straying further and further away from the flesh, don't you think?", he asked while taking a sip of his coffee.Patrick studied the doctor for a brief moment before responding, his gaze thoughtful, weighed down by the gravity of the situation. "This person—Nick, he seems like a decent guy. The higher-ups are more concerned with his backstory, though." He paused, his expression darkening slightly. "I don’t know if you’re aware, but Nick was one of the many test subjects involved in a program aimed at creating an army of sentient metal... abominations." Patrick’s voice grew more somber as he spoke, the words heavier now.
"They used fetuses—alive or dead—and mechanized them to forge a symbiotic relationship. The idea was to make them grow, evolve, rather than just modifying them to become bigger or stronger. But here’s the real kicker—Nick probably doesn’t know this, but one of the people behind that program is still out there. And they're still planning, still scheming. It's likely they're plotting to reclaim what was taken from them, and Nick could be a part of that."
Patrick’s tone shifted slightly, a hint of concern creeping into his voice. "The whole thing… it’s a tangled mess, and we may not even fully understand what Nick’s role in it all is. But I do know this—there’s a threat out there, and Nick is probably more involved in it than he realizes."
(IF want you can explore and i will write something)"Huh.... guess the Doctor's actually doing it..." Tosho said to herself, closing the tab on Doctor's private DMs.
"I can just laze around then and find out the full context summarized... Yey.."
Nick wandered around the room, his gaze drifting from one detail to the next, curiosity flickering in his eyes. He wasn't just looking—he was taking it all in, absorbing the atmosphere, the little details that made this place feel lived-in. His attention lingered on the paintings first, the strokes and colors sparking fleeting thoughts about the kind of person who would choose them. Then, his eyes moved to the television—modern, sleek, yet it somehow blended effortlessly with the rest of the room's aesthetic. A balance between function and comfort.The elevator stopped at the 12th floor before they got out and and she walked up to a door with 96 written on it, out of which she enters a password and scans up her human hand, before it unlocked
Nick would see her living room when they get inside, it looked pretty decent, it wasnt now very luxurious, but it clearly wasnt cheap looking either, so she had to have some money to afford it to begin with![]()
"Sometimes, I wonder if people truly believe themselves to be gods," he mused, his voice carrying a weight of contemplation. "As if they have the right to rewrite the very fabric of their own design, to reshape what was given to them into something… unnatural.""We'll have to study him more in that case. I have already read about that program and... Well, I could have come up with a better idea than to turn people into living machines. We've been straying further and further away from the flesh, don't you think?", he asked while taking a sip of his coffee.
She guides him to a room which had a kitchen in it too, with oven and everything included in it(IF want you can explore and i will write something)
Nick wandered around the room, his gaze drifting from one detail to the next, curiosity flickering in his eyes. He wasn't just looking—he was taking it all in, absorbing the atmosphere, the little details that made this place feel lived-in. His attention lingered on the paintings first, the strokes and colors sparking fleeting thoughts about the kind of person who would choose them. Then, his eyes moved to the television—modern, sleek, yet it somehow blended effortlessly with the rest of the room's aesthetic. A balance between function and comfort.
He let out a small breath, nodding slightly. “Nice place,” he said, his voice casual but genuine. “Feels… comfortable.”
Nick turned his gaze to Rox, studying her for a moment, as if trying to connect the space to the person who lived in it. A place like this wasn't just a shelter—it said something about its owner. Maybe it held pieces of Rox that she didn't often show outright.
For a brief second, a stray thought nudged in the back of his mind—had he seen an internet connection around here? But he quickly pushed it aside, refocusing on the moment. There were more important things to think about right now.
"So where is my room, if you dont mind show me?"
(Too lazy(IF want you can explore and i will write something)
"Can't say I disagree with you. There are many... broken things out there, things that I can't fix. What am I suppose to do at that point? Just throw them away and leave them to rot? I don't think so.", he shrugged."Sometimes, I wonder if people truly believe themselves to be gods," he mused, his voice carrying a weight of contemplation. "As if they have the right to rewrite the very fabric of their own design, to reshape what was given to them into something… unnatural."
He paused, letting the thought settle for a moment before continuing, his tone measured yet firm.
"It’s one thing to correct a flaw—to mend what was broken. A genetic defect, a missing limb, a failing organ… Those are repairs, restorations. A way to reclaim what was lost." He exhaled softly, his gaze distant, as if picturing something just beyond reach.
"But it’s another thing entirely to go beyond that—to modify everything until what remains is no longer recognizable as what it once was. To strip away the original design, not out of necessity, but out of a desire to become something… else."
There was no anger in his voice, just a quiet, lingering unease. A question left unspoken. How far is too far?
"Stop being this cute...my god...you will make wanna gobble you up..."Nick took a slow look around the room, his eyes tracing over every detail—the neatly arranged furniture, the ample space, the way everything seemed far more refined than he had expected. His lips transformed into a smile as he turned back to Roxanne.
“Rox, I needed a room, not a palace,” he teased, his tone light with amusement.
He would see that there were other clothes inside the drawers, clothes from somebody else, thats when Roxanne intervenes to tell him againWithout waiting for a response, he stepped further inside, dropping his bags onto the bed with a soft thud. The mattress had just the right amount of give under the weight, hinting at comfort far beyond what he was used to. He let out a small breath, shaking his head with an amused chuckle before getting to work unpacking.
Carefully, he set his bow and arrow clip off to one side of the bed, ensuring they were within easy reach but out of the way. A habit more than anything. Then, moving with casual efficiency, he began transferring his clothes into the drawers, organizing them with a methodical rhythm—something between practicality and personal routine.
Though he kept his hands busy, his mind lingered on the fact that this wasn’t just another temporary stop. This was his space now. At least for the foreseeable future. And that thought, no matter how much he tried to play it cool, carried a weight all its own.
"I've never once turned down your method or tell you stop help people, old friend" he began, his voice carrying a trace of nostalgia "but sometimes I wonder if people should learn moderation. We’ve become too obsessed with the idea of pushing boundaries—pushing beyond what we were meant to be. We live to use the resources at our disposal, not to become the resources themselves.""Can't say I disagree with you. There are many... broken things out there, things that I can't fix. What am I suppose to do at that point? Just throw them away and leave them to rot? I don't think so.", he shrugged.
Nick glanced at the clothes in the room, a question he'd planned to ask Rox before slipping his mind. But then, the moment Roxanne mentioned that this was her room, a subtle change flickered across his yellow digital eyes, which reflected an almost imperceptible shift in expression. It was as if his face had gone pale, the thought of sleeping in her room hitting him harder than expected."Stop being this cute...my god...you will make wanna gobble you up..."
Responded to him back with a sweet and warm smile on her lips
He would see that there were other clothes inside the drawers, clothes from somebody else, thats when Roxanne intervenes to tell him again
"Several of my clothes are in there, its because this is my room, there isnt any other so im giving it to you for the time being, i have a sofa in the living room, so its all good, i dont mind going there, you need it more after all you have been through"
"You saved me a bunch of times, you deserve it...im really im ok with it...its not like you would be up for sharing the bed, so i dont wanna make it uncomfortable for you, its not the first time i slept on the couch, so its fine, really"Nick glanced at the clothes in the room, a question he'd planned to ask Rox before slipping his mind. But then, the moment Roxanne mentioned that this was her room, a subtle change flickered across his yellow digital eyes, which reflected an almost imperceptible shift in expression. It was as if his face had gone pale, the thought of sleeping in her room hitting him harder than expected.
A slight tension hung in the air, and his mind raced. He was about to offer a comment, but before he could, Roxanne casually mentioned that she could sleep on the couch. That remark made him pause for a moment, and without thinking, he quickly responded.
"Eh, no," he said, his voice firm yet carrying a tinge of concern. "This is your house, I couldn’t let you sleep on your couch while I’m in your bed. If you want, I can sleep on the couch instead." His words carried the weight of sincerity, and he felt a knot in his stomach. It wasn’t just about the comfort—he didn’t want to impose on her kindness. Rox had been more than generous letting him stay, and he could hardly bear the thought of her sacrificing her own comfort just because he was there.
He shifted uncomfortably, glancing away for a moment, trying to push aside the wave of guilt that came over him. "Seriously, I’d feel bad if I let that happen. You’ve been way too kind to me already—it's the least I can do to make sure you’re comfortable." He hesitated for a moment before meeting her gaze again. "I really appreciate everything, Rox."
The medic drank from his cup again and sighed."I've never once turned down your method or tell you stop help people, old friend" he began, his voice carrying a trace of nostalgia "but sometimes I wonder if people should learn moderation. We’ve become too obsessed with the idea of pushing boundaries—pushing beyond what we were meant to be. We live to use the resources at our disposal, not to become the resources themselves."
He paused for a moment, a weight settling in his words, his gaze turning distant as though he was seeing something much larger than the room around them.
"The problems this has caused," he continued, his voice now tinged with concern, "are far more than just ethical dilemmas. Take the Dark Holonet, for instance. It's no longer just a shadowy corner of cyberspace. It's become a vast digital ocean, an unregulated underworld where hackers, smugglers, rogue AIs, and people who foolishly believe they can merge their minds with machines swim freely." He shook his head, his expression hardening. "A black market for information, once a separate as the old Dark Web and Deep Web, now a sprawling, interconnected system that spans across the cosmos."
His gaze shifted to the side, lost in thought as he recalled the origins of this digital chaos.
"Since humanity first reached out into the stars, the Dark Holonet became something entirely different—a new frontier of cyberspace, where the boundaries of digital reality blur with the very fabric of the human mind." He paused again, his voice dropping slightly, heavy with the weight of truth. "People are downloading themselves into the system, trying to become machines, a vain attempt to escape the confines of their biological bodies. They believe they can transcend their mortality, but all they’re doing is losing themselves in the process."
He leaned forward, his expression steely. "And while us, Manus Organization is trying to fix this… the truth is, it’s like trying to drain an ocean with a cup. Every effort is met with a thousand new challenges, and the tide only grows stronger."
He let out a slow breath, his gaze unwavering. "The Dark Holonet is our present problem, and it’s growing larger every day, the crime lords/ladies use that place to contact others. And unless we take drastic measures, it will consume us all."
(The medic drank from his cup again and sighed.
"Don't get me wrong. I want to help all of you to the best of my abilities, but... I'm afraid this is one those situations where I am relatively... Powerless."
(OMG TITLE DROP)
His friend’s expression shifted slightly, a subtle change that spoke of understanding. He recognized the weight of what was being felt, the quiet struggle churning beneath the surface. And though he couldn’t take that burden away, he could offer something else—words of encouragement, his number one specialty.The medic drank from his cup again and sighed.
"Don't get me wrong. I want to help all of you to the best of my abilities, but... I'm afraid this is one those situations where I am relatively... Powerless."
(OMG TITLE DROP)
"Are you sure about it Nick? I know you arent used to such physical contact, considering we arent....you know....we both are adults and can make it so nothing goes from this, but it might be too much for you, dont want to have tou feel forced or anything....i assure you i dont mind if i go on the couch, really, i wouldnt mind your idea though"He hesitated, his gaze shifting nervously between the bed and Roxanne, his mind swirling with uncertainty. The words seemed to stick in his throat, and for a moment, his nervousness was almost palpable, visible in the slight twitch of his fingers and the way he shifted uncomfortably on his feet. He wanted to say something, but the right words eluded him.
"W-well," he stammered, his voice a little shaky, "I, uhh, I think we could both share the bed... just one of us sleeping on one side, making sure not to disturb the other." His tone was tentative, filled with doubt and the emotions he was barely managing to control. It was a strange mix of offering a solution while at the same time, trying to maintain some semblance of propriety, unsure if it would be acceptable to her.
He looked at her, the question in his eyes, searching for her reaction. He was already regretting the awkwardness of the suggestion, but he couldn't help the way his mind raced to find a way that would let them both stay comfortable, without him feeling like an inconvenience. "I mean, if you're okay with that... I just, I don’t want to make things weird, or... you know, uncomfortable." His voice softened toward the end, a little embarrassed by the words he could barely bring himself to say.
He cleared his throat, shifting from foot to foot, hoping that she wouldn't take it the wrong way. "I just don’t want to cause any trouble" he added quietly, unsure if it was the right thing to do but feeling oddly relieved to have said it.