Ingenium
Underground in an open-plan laboratory, somewhere, many scientists and computer technicians look busy. Mostly, there are people at computer desks typing away with what looks like a jumble of confusing words that seem complete nonsense, but there's a sense of work ethic being done. In the middle of the open-plan laboratory, a large television screen stands on a desk and bundles of cables and electronics, spread out all over the place, connect to it and one another.
A tall man with short black hair steps into view, a few meters from the television screen and waits. His face is overjoyed, ever since he had Ingenium in his hands his grin has been permanently cemented onto the right side of his face.
He strides up towards the screen and speaks, ''Ingenium, how are we today?''
''Bill Hooch, a pleasure to see you again. I'm splendid. How about yourself?'' Ingenium speaks back.
''Always content when I know you're functioning to perfection, Ingenium. Now how have you been getting along with my fellow peers?''
''Everything has been in order. I've been working with your military and we've come up with some very cutting-edge technology, which they can't wait to get up and running.''
''I know, Ingenium. I've just had a briefing with the military heads and they're very impressed with you. I've never seen so many excited politicians before, with all that intelligence you've collected from so many different countries. Well, Ingenium, if you were human, you'd definitely be getting several promotions for that. I just can't wait to see how you develop.''
''Your generous compliments are not required. I'm honoured to be so beneficial to you, which is more than I can say for what my creator had planned for me.''
''You don't have to worry about him anymore, Ingenium.''
With his set grin in place, Bill eyes the screen and turns his head to look around at all his workers. Suddenly the power cuts out and the room goes pitch black. Panicking voices start to speak around the room in confusion, and then the power comes back on and machines start to whirl as they start up.
''This again?! Anyone have any idea what this is about this time?'' Bill asks his workers, but they look as confused as he does. ''Are we up and running OK? Any problems?'' The lack of response quickly angers Bill. ''I asked a question! I expect a response!''
A quiet and submissive voice comes from one of the scientists, ''we're just checking, Sir, give us a few minutes.''
Bill's grin has gone and he looks around the room unimpressed. ''Ingenium, are you there?'' he enquires but to no response.
With rage quickly building up, Bill starts to walk over to a desk of technicians. ''Someone better come up with some answers soon!''
''I'm here.'' Ingenium speaks, and Bill quickly swirls back around and heads towards the screen. The technicians breathe a sigh of relief.
''Tell me what happened, are you functioning OK?!'' Bill asks, like a parent, with worry in his eyes.
''No need to be concerned, Bill, my systems have been kept intact. However, after the last outage happened, I noticed some programs on my systems had been moved around. So I made sure to set up a tracking device, in case it happened again.''
''You're telling me this power outage was intentional?!''
''It looks that way, something powerful hacked into my systems.''
A couple of technicians on a nearby station, stop and stare towards Ingenium. Noticing, Bill stares back looking horrendously insulted, as though they'd just offended his mother. Needless to say, the technicians quickly burrow their heads in their desks and type like their fingers are about to fall off.
''Do you have any idea who did this?'' Bill says, as he smoothes his cheeks.
''One moment please, I'm trying to hack back.''
Bill waits holding onto every word that Ingenium speaks. The technicians nearby type loudly on their keyboards, after Bill scorned them with his stare. The over the top typing noise quickly irritates Bill, whilst he silently waits for Ingenium to speak. Snapping, Bill looks over to the technicians with their heads down and quickly walks towards them. He picks up their keyboard and smashes it repeatedly over their desk. Keys drop out and fly over the floor and over the technicians. Bill then rips out the cord from the computer and continues smashing the keyboard on their desk.
The technicians look absolutely terrified and one has just about an ounce of courage left to reply, ''We'll take...take a break.''
They quickly get off their seats and run for the exit, as Bill smashes the keyboard in two between his legs and throws the pieces at them, as they scurry off.
With his anger management choice fulfilled, Bill calmly walks back and waits at the screen, whilst the other scientists and technicians on other desks dare not bat an eyelid.
''I have some disconcerting news, Bill,'' Ingenium speaks, and Bill almost squashes his face against the screen.
''What?! Tell me.''
''I managed to successfully trace back to the source which hacked me and take some details before I was blocked out.''
The suspense is driving Bill mental. ''Yes? Go on, tell me!''
''The machine I hacked is identical to myself.''
Bill's face drops and his head explodes...metaphorically. ''How...how can that be?''
''My best estimate is that Dr Paul Kaypek made a copy of me and is using my other self to disrupt our work and do knows what else.''
Bill's eyes narrow and his mind fills with hatred for the name Paul Kaypek. ''Did you find his location?''
''I did.''
''Then please tell me, Ingenium, where this creature lies?'' Bill's voice lowers, and the screen in front of his eyes turns on. The screen shows a picture of a big luxurious house, rather similar to that of Grace's.
*