CyberCity : Final Act(Justin) Part 2 : The Path to City 13

She snuggles up to him to keep warm on the budget train as it is winter and it has no heating.
Spark wraps his arm around her. "Spark?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm hungry."
"Me too, we can eat at the next station."
Ember smiles as she looks up at him. "Spark?"
"Yeah."
She kisses his cheek and hugs him closely
"I'm glad we met each other, Spark."
Spark smiles as the train pulls into their station.
Looking at Ember, Spark guesses what her favorite food is and takes her to an Italian restaurant that specializes in lemon chicken cooked in white wine. After she eats he takes her to her favorite ice creamery and gets two double scoops of butter pecan. After that they walk holding hands just enjoying the night air as Spark tries to find the words to say how he feels. The sky is clear and there are more stars than either of them have ever seen...
...
Back at the hotel room

Victoria looks at him. "Spark. I... I don't know if this is a good idea. I... I just need some time to think. She says as she walks into the other room.
Spark lays awake wondering if he did something wrong and eventually falls asleep as the sun is rising.
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...
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He wakes to see Ember coming out of the bathroom wrapped in nothing but a towel and he feels his face go red as he nervously swallows.
She acts like she doesn't notice and bends over as she looks for some fresh clothes in a drawer and Spark glimpses the bottom of her butt as the towel fails to cover it.
Ember pulls out some clothes and sees him looking at her and again acts like she doesn't notice as she goes into the bathroom. Spark hears the shower turn on as he lays there red faced.

Getting up he moves over to the bathroom door. He is about to knock when the door flies open and Ember pulls him into the room shutting the door behind them as she kisses him...
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...
A few hours later they sit at a cyber cafe getting coffee as they plan their next move. Victoria is still acting like nothing happened as Spark tries to think of the best way to raise the subject and just blushes everytime he looks at her.
"So where do we go from here?" She asks
Spark looks at her trying not to let his eyes wander as they both get online and check various news websites for information on where cops are looking for them.
Ember looks at Spark. "There is only one person that van help us. They live in what's now called City 13. Its the place we were headed to before Johny law shot us down." She says.
Spark nods. "I think I remember seeing that on the news a while back. They found the former mayor of New York holed up in a fallout shelter and I thought it was funny for him to call himself President of a new country." He says
She looks at him and seems shy for instant then says. "Yeah it was crazy when Mayor Dante declared that he was leaving and starting his own nation. Currently he is the only one that actually believes what our Russian friend was saying and as long as we can make it to City 13 he will give us asylum." Sounding as if she is 100% sure.
Spark feels a little unsure. "Are you sure? That doesn't sound very safe."

"We'll be fine, besides I haven't even told you his plan." She says with a wink.
He laughs. "So how are we gonna get to City 13?" He says looking in its direction over the cold winter Ocean. "Anything that travels there is connected to the police systems and will stop any public transport vehicle a fugitive is in until police arrive. We would have to steal someones Hovercar." He says looking around.

"I have a better idea, we can take the underground water way. Its large enough for someone to walk through and I know where the opening is: It will be hard but if we can sneak past security..." She starts to say but Spark interrupts. "Um. They don't have security to keep people out. They have security because every other day another part of the tunnel needs repairs and floods. Over a dozen people died one week trying to save money and walk. They are close to closing it for good but the Elites keep it open." He says.

Ember looks at him "So will this way be easier?" She asks.
"Well, security won't be looking for us there, but if we go that way we need to bring air masks." He responds.
They make their decision and pack up in the hotel before going to bed. Spark is about to fall asleep as he feels Ember crawl up beside him climbing under the covers. "Hey, what are you doing?" Spark asks
"Well every bed in this place is a twins and the other one is taken." She jokes.
Ember begins rubbing on Spark's chest as she moves her face closer to his as she groans softly. "Could you please... turn off the light before doing that." She says breathlessly. Spark replies by grabbing her in a kiss as he turns out the lights.
He feels her hand reach into his underwear as he begins to moan. He tries to go further, but she stops him "Not tonight Spark." She says softly as she gets out of bed and shakes her butt at him.
Spark lays there confused by what happened. "Is she teasing me or?" He thinks as he gets up and follows her.

He finds her in the separate kitchen and she motions for him to come over to her...
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The next morning

"That was amazing." She says, as she puts her face in his chest hiding from the sun a little longer.
"I'm not a virgin anymore, you took care of that." She says. He looks at her in surprise...
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...
An hour later they are showered and ready to go as they pack light and take only the essentials.
City 13 lays 10 miles off the coast of Cyber City New York. Cyber City being a generic term followed by the original name of the home province or sometimes reversed. New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Miami, etc...
They travel to a small city called Edgarton by cab and bypass the small air port.

Reaching the drop off they exit the caddy moving out into the city streets, the daylight having changed the many colors of neon light stricken buildings and sings into silvery glass monoliths as Cyber City New York transitions to daytime activities. Spark and ember find a local transport to take them to a station within walking distance of the harbor where they can get to the underwater tunnel leading to City 13. One of the few cities in the world to reject more modern technology.

As they approach the tunnel they get off the transport and move through the crowd as they look for a way to get in unseen. Spark notices a news report on a large video screen nearby and they stop to see what it's about.
The screen shows a picture of a man next to the words 'WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE'
He looks at the picture and recognizes himself and then another picture cycles next to his and Ember grabs his hand as several people point their phones at them.

Through the phone speakers they hear. "Remain where you are. Police droids are in route to your location. If you run lethal force is authorized." The security network says.
"I guess we found out we are wanted." Spark says.

Ember scans the area. "We need to get out of here before the droids arrive and things get ugly."
Looking around they see a few maintenance hatches, back doors used for repairing pipes and electrical wiring but nothing else.
An older model police droid rounds the corner ahead as Spark and Ember run into the underwater tunnel to City 13 dodging the security as they frantically try to stop them. "HEY! THERE IS CONSTRUCTION HAPPENING TODAY!" He shouts after them but they can't hear over the police drones firing at them.
A heavy gun fight breaks out as the police droids are built with stronger armor and weaponry making killing them a challenge.
They make it to the underwater tunnel and shut the door behind them blocking themselves in total darkness. They run through the tunnel heading to the other side as they hear the droids bashing at the door.

Spark turns on the night-vision mode his glasses have and hands Ember a visor as they run for miles.... He trips over a rock and looking down he sees a cord shining brightly in the night-vision. Grabbing Ember by the hand Spark breaks into a flat out sprint hoping that they don't explode the Det-Cord before they get far enough away. Tho he can see the brightly glowing cord clearly lining the length of the tunnel.

He looks at Ember. "How deep is the water above us?" He asks.
"Deep enough to drown in." She replies.
He looks ahead to the long line of glowing cord and curses himself for not noticing it sooner. He looks at the roof of the tunnel and sees glowing white letters. "Depth 600 feet. Looking ahead he sees that the tunnel starts going back up and they run further...
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3 and a half miles later

Looking up he sees the 100 foot depth marker as there is whoosh of air and a loud crack followed by a rumbling. Spark cuts the Det-Cord grabbing it in his hands as they run further away from the still active end of the explosives. They make it 100 feet when Spark looks back and sees the Det-Cord explode as it zips through the long tunnel and secondary explosives ignite at tougher sections of the tunnel. Water comes flooding in and Spark climbs an access ladder for divers waiting for the current to stop once the tunnel is filled as Ember hangs onto another ladder close by.
The air pocket closes as the tunnel fills and feeling the current fade away Spark pushes off toward Ember grabbing her as he swims for the surface.
Spark and Ember reach the shore without incident and don't have to worry now that they have arrived at City 13. They get a few odd looks from other people in the area and Spark's visor fogs up as he attempts to wipe his face with his arm.
Ember hails a cab and they go straight to the capital of the man made islands.

Spark feels nervous as they approach the capital building. Surprisingly President Dante is waiting at the top of the steps. As security stops Spark , Ember continues up the steps and hugs the man kissing him on the cheek as Spark is unsure what to think.
Dante waves the security away and Spark climbs the steps and as he approaches President Dante says. "I can't thank you enough for saving my daughter. Come on in and relax. Your safe here." He says to Spark happily shaking his hand.
"Lets have dinner." He says turning to his daughter with a smile.
"I thought you would never ask." She answers him.
Sparks sees the love between them and feels a sense of happiness seeing them together...
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Later as they clean up the dinner table. "So, you are the daughter of the famous and infamous President Dante?" Spark asks looking at her.
"Infamous? I'm not aware that I'm even famous. But you're correct, I am his daughter." She answers.
"You are the light of my life and I will always keep you safe my precious girl. Even if I have to give myself limitations for your safety!" he says kissing her on the forehead

She smiles a bit saying. " I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I had to be sure I could trust you first." He smiles back saying. " I understand we haven't known each other long. I'm glad We met each other." They kiss as President Dante walks in happy as could be.
"Now that is what I like to see!" he says rubbing his hands together. "So, you two love birds ready for your new life?" He asks them.
Ember looks at him and says. "Yes, we are ready." Spark nods in agreement.

Spark looks outside the window to see a dark landscape of trees and homes. Looking at the sky he can't believe he had never seen the stars or the milkyway. Like in pictures he has seen. Having grown up always near the bright neon lights of Cyber City New York with only the brightest stars visible at the outskirts of the massively light polluted city.
Spark is surprised to learn that the land surrounding the city is all parkland with a large forest as well. He thought it would all be development like so much of the rest of the world.

"Quite lovely isn't it?" asks the president as if reading Spark's mind. "We try to keep it free of development, but I suppose there is only so much you can do."
For the first time since his arrival he notices that his glasses aren't connected to the internet. At least not the Cyber City Internet tho it does have daily news and a web browser.
Ember hugs him from behind as Dante is pulled aside by his secretary. "Sir, the DC Cyber City Washington has just declared war on us and several other nations." He says to the president. " They have completely cut all ties and are demanding that we surrender your daughter over to them for execution."
"Well I guess they weren't bluffing when they said they would declare war if we didn't turn her over." He says.
Spark over hears this and turns around. "What is going on?" He asks.

The president walks over as his daughter and Spark look at him. Then Ember turns to Spark and says." Before we met, I was investigating the corruption in the high government. They found out and had my mother killed to shut me up and framed me for her murder." Spark's eyes widen.
He looks at Dante then back at her. "Well I know what that's like, I saw another cop kill my father, he saw me and called it in as Me that shot him. And I bet it all has something to do with the malfunctioning drones. Maybe they aren't malfunctioning." Spark stops to think...
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...
"The little girl I saved, she was a high ranking officials daughter. They claimed the droid was operating just fine and determined through laser analysis that she was dead but I saw her move so I know that thing did to. They then said that I had done CPR and revived her but that destroying the drone was aiding the wanted fugitive that blew up the power station killing 100,000 as the controversial and experimental energy source exploded violently shattering almost all the exposed glass in the three surrounding Cyber Cities. I have no idea how they even made a connection there cause I don't know any of those people and I was always in Cyber City New York to busy working to help.... To help my dad.." Spark says and starts to cry. "Oh no, I'm sorry, I'll be quiet now." Spark says and looks at his hands.
Ember puts her hand on his shoulder. "No it's fine, look he said we are all in this together now. We have nothing to hide from each other."
Ember and President Dante hug Spark as they each cry For their loved ones lost. The president tries to stop anyone from seeing him cry but he eventually fails and cries as well.
"We need to get this situation under control." The president says as he quickly wipes his eyes.

Spark says. "We can't give Ember to them."
The president thinks for a second. "Of course we can't."
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Part 3 : The Conclusion

2 months after arriving Spark and Ember walk along the beach as her father meets with his advisors and diplomates trying find an acceptable solution as they negotiate with the aggressing nations...

2 weeks later.

"NO, THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER WAY!" Ember yells in protest.
Dante holds her close. "There isn't I'm sorry, it's the only way." He says.
"But why can't we just tell everyone the truth?" She says.
He hugs her. "It is true, and one day we will but right now we have to make sure we survive."
"And what about Spark. They'll kill him." She says crying.
"I don't know yet. Lets focus on getting you through this first. Okay?"....
...
She waits a second trying to think of anything else.
She nods and walks in as Spark enters from another door. They enter the Oval Office where President Dante and several advisors and other officials from several nations are waiting.

"Ember, Spark, please sit." Dante says pointing to two chairs set up for them.

Ember looks at Spark feeling like she can't breath, turning quickly she rushes out the door closing it as she slips to the floor in tears... Spark's eyes go blurry as he tries not to panic as his brain screams for more oxygen tho he has plenty.

Dante gets up and puts a hand on his shoulder. ".......... ........". Spark doesn't register the touch or his words as Dante explains that the only solution is to turn Spark over with the security footage and he would be protected until an outside party to all groups involved finishes it's investigation.

Feeling hurt that Ember ran into the other room, he goes over and knocks on the door near the bottom as he sits down."knock, knock, knuck."


They sit and the president begins to speak.
Ember opens the door with tears on her face.
Spark says with a frown on his face. "Why did you leave?"
She grabs him into a hug.
"I'm sorry...."
Spark's face turns from hurt to relieved as he hugs her back. "I Love you Spark. I.." He interrupts her with a kiss and then says. " I love you to.... I hope this isn't the last time we see each other. I'm not gonna lie either. I'm terrified." He says as she holds him close.
Her father comes over. " I' m sorry but. It.. Its time to go. Spark."
Spark nods and is taken into custody by the Secret Service.
Ember gives him one last hug and kiss as he is taken away.
"I will always love you no matter what." She says with tears rolling down her face.
Spark tries to look strong and confident but is already crying as well. "I will... I'll Always love you too." He says as he is escorted out of the room by 2 agents and a Secret Service Droid.
Spark is loaded into transport and secured with restraints meant for someone much stronger as they tighten the kevlar cords around his wrists breaking one....
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Ember watches the transport take off across the Ocean as she holds her belly. She looks at her father then consigns herself to her room.... President Dante looks out over the water. " If there was any other way." He says as he to cries...
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A month later Spark is executed by an unknown government in front of the world as his trial was streamed live. The Cyber Nation of America adamantly denies any involvement Tho the official statement speaks volumes.
"The man was a criminal, a murderer and rapist of children. He was also a cyber terrorist responsible for the death of thousands and indirectly responsible for the Cataclysm that caused the near extinction of the Human race. Such an act should never had existed in the first place and justice has been served."

Ember bursts through her father's door in rage as she throws the paper in his face then tackle him out of his chair. "You... You promised he would be ok... That this wouldn't happen." She cries. Ember's new step mother gently grabs her by the hand and she breaks down in tears as she is helped to her room where the two talk for awhile. Dante feels his daughter is right to be upset with him.
Later that day, Spark's execution is played again on every channel. Ember cries herself to sleep as her pillow becomes wet from tears...
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Late in the night there's no sound inside the Presidential house as Dante sits in his office. He turns to the sound of his door opening and sees his daughter Ember standing there crying. She looks so much like her that it almost breaks his heart.
"What?" He asks coldly.
She fires back just as coldly. "You promised you'd get him pardoned!" Her words remind him of who he just sentenced to death. Almost exactly like her.
"Watch your tone, young lady."
It's too much for her and she collapses into tears....
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An hour later Dante is sure he is alone when the rafters creak and a figure cloaked in dark blue drops silently to the floor. The figure walks up behind Dante and puts a gun to the back of his head.
"You killed my brother. You sentenced my lover to death. Your crimes will no longer go unpunished." The figure whispers and fires a single shot.
The bullet exits the other side of Dantes head and he slumps lifeless into his desk chair. The figure turns and looks at a picture of him and her before leaving as silently as she arrived.

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