Episode 25. A surprise attack

"Music? Dancing??"

"Yes!"

Y, who was packing up to go outside of IDYPIA, momentarily hesitated at the cheerful sight of the four girls. The children had been more focused than ever on analyzing the songs of the pop groups appearing in the chip's videos ever since they decided to leave IDYPIA.

"Wait, hold on."

"What?"

"Is the reason you want to leave IDYPIA...?"

"Yes, we want to sing freely like the people in these videos."

For the first time, Y wore a bewildered expression.

"I know what you're worried about. It'll probably be difficult to sing and dance on the run. But when I listened to this song, I felt something deep within. Maybe if we share these songs with others like us who still have emotions, we could liberate them, don't you think?"

"Liberating emotions through music, huh."

Siu's persuasion made Y ponder. It was something she had never thought of or attempted before. It seemed like a reckless endeavor compared to simply fighting. Yet, the children believed in it. Leading people blindly and administering shock therapy to their brains seemed less favorable than guiding them through music.

Have I been watching too many movies, just like Granny Yeri?

Since being rescued by Yeri, the former leader of the rebels, Y had experienced a lot. Sometimes they would have small parties, watch movies late at night, listen to their comrades' songs, and jot down the lyrics in a notebook. It was all to soothe weary hearts worn down by prolonged conflict. All those memories were etched into Y's mind.

"Hmm..."

With a sigh, almost human-like, Y realized that despite the absurdity of the idea, they had to try everything they could. Perhaps because it was something they had never done before, it might just work.

"Okay."

"Thank you, Y."

Upon hearing Y's words, the children quickly prepared the chips for dance and singing practice.

"However, let's see first. How talented you all are."

"Talented?"

"If we go on the run, there won't be enough time to practice. So, it's better to give up if you don't have talent."

At Y's words, the four hesitated, swaying as if uncertain.

"Why are you shrinking back like that? Where's the determination you had earlier? If I can't convince just me, no one will listen to your song."

But Y remained firm.

"Let's do it."

"Tyra."

"I thought about it when Marty and I were being chased by AG Security Agents. There's nowhere left to run."

"Tyra's right. Let's do what we can right now."

Encouraged not by their friends' words, but by their resolve, Siu and Zena nodded and took their positions to dance.

"Alright then, show me what you've got."

***

In front of IDYPIA's AG Security Center, there was a smaller administrative building that served as a backup for the Security Center's administrative tasks. AG administrative officers frequented this place.

"M498."

Having successfully completed his re-education and graduated from Noah Tech School, M498 also worked in the administrative department of this subordinate organization.

"Who is it?"

"I'm AG241."

The one who stopped M498 at the park on his way home was none other than AG241.

"Did you come for a work check?"

"Yes."

AG241 examined M498's appearance. He was dressed in a neat gray suit, with polished black shoes, and his hair neatly combed. He perfectly fit the criteria for an administrative officer.

"How are you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Your current condition, or anything like that?"

"I'm fine. As always."

M498's expression and response remained consistent, almost stoic. While it could seem blunt to some, it was evidence that he harbored no emotions. AG241 was satisfied and reassured.

"Understood. Have a good evening."

"Thank you."

M498 continued along the park path. His pace was neither fast nor slow, just average.

Yes, that's normal.

AG241 watched until M498 disappeared into the distance. At the same time, he couldn't bear to keep everything he has been dealing with inside any longer. Stress had been building up for him lately. Meeting M had helped, but it felt like he was running in circles. He felt restless. Sometimes, he even had nightmares of being caught in an avalanche. He'd wake up screaming, only to find his bed soaked. That wasn't the person he knew himself to be. He longed to capture the girls sooner and return to the comfort of the past.

That evening, AG241 received a message from M. It was time.

Freedom from these entanglements.

AG241 couldn't help but let out a laugh.

Huh? Did I really just laugh?

Surprised, AG241 covered his mouth and scanned his surroundings. There was no one around. Everyone was heading down their predetermined paths.

In that moment, everything seemed to freeze, and AG241 felt strangely inhuman. Though it lasted only a few seconds, it was an unprecedented sensation for him. He hesitated, then sat down on a bench, trying to steady his ragged breath and wipe away the sweat.

I should probably go to the medical center for a check-up and get my brain chip replaced.

AG241 slowly got up and hurriedly left the park, feeling as if he were walking backwards.

***

In the hideout, lively music was playing. Y watched closely as the girls danced and sang, not missing a single moment.

"Wait, stop."

"?"

The music halted, and the girls stood before Y with tension evident, trying to conceal their sweat. Y wore a serious expression as she contemplated.

"Where did this song come from?"

"Oh, it was written in this notebook here."

Zena handed Y a small, yellowed notebook she had been holding.

"Oh, I was wondering where that went..."

Y looked at the notebook and found herself smiling involuntarily.

"Actually, this is my notebook."

"Really? So, you wrote the lyrics yourself?"

"I hesitate to call them lyrics. I just scribbled some words to match my colleague's humming. But who knew it would turn into such a great song?"

Y tried to hide her surprise by covering her mouth with one hand, but her expression behind her hand couldn't be concealed.

"Well, if it's alright with you, would you like me to help with your dance and song?"

Marty looked puzzled.

"Are you saying we didn't do well?"

Siu stepped forward and asked.

"According to my data, there's still a lot of room for improvement, but with my assistance, we can definitely do better."

"So, what do you suggest?"

"Yeah, let's try what you said, releasing emotions through music. Let's give it a shot."

The four couldn't contain their overwhelming emotions at Y's words.

"But, in IDYPIA, there's no place to dance or sing, no audience. How do you plan to free them?"

Siu responded to Y's question, "It doesn't matter. Wherever we perform will become the stage. However, we'll need to find a way to make our performance visible to many people."

"That's going to be the most difficult part."

"What if we record our stage performance and hack into the billboards, TVs, and screens all over IDYPIA to broadcast it?"

"It would be great if it could work, but breaking through IDYPIA's security system won't be easy."

"Well, it might be possible."

All eyes turned to Tyra.

"I once sneaked into a special section of the IDYPIA library. I gathered various information about IDYPIA back then. Among them, there was a book containing the security system codes of the Security Center."

"What did you say?"

Y was surprised by the unexpected good news.

"But why was that information there?"

"Well, I think..."

Siu and Zena took turns answering Tyra's question.

"This is just my opinion, but maybe they backed up the data there in case of emergencies."

"Emergencies?"

"Yeah! If something happens, they can quickly restore it."

"Right. That's why the library is located near the Comprehensive Center, so that administrative officers can deal with it immediately."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"And among the students in the Specialized Program, only outstanding students selected to become AG Security Agents can enter, and, above all, the book is thick, complex, and has so much content that it's impossible to memorize no matter how much you look at it."

"Wow! So, did you memorize all of it?"

"Sort of."

Tyra diverted the conversation as if feeling embarrassed.

"Anyway, we've come up with some solutions, right?"

"That's right, under the assumption that Tyra's memory is still accurate."

With Y's response, the group seemed to gain some hope.

"All right. Let's go outside now. We'll explore the possibilities based on Tyra's memories."

It was right at that moment when the excited Marty was about to step forward.

"That's not going to happen."

A voice echoed from somewhere. The four stop in panic.

"You!"

With Y's voice full of surprise, everyone immediately turned their gaze. An AI hologram appeared and reached out a hand towards Y's body.

In the blink of an eye, as if frozen in place, no one could move.

"Run…"

Y couldn't finish the sentence and collapsed on the spot, as if all power had suddenly been cut off.

"Y!!!"

Startled, the girls rushed towards Y's body.

"Are you okay, Y?"

"Wake up!"

They tried shaking Y's body and calling out to her, but Y remained motionless, as if lifeless.

"I think that AI took Y into a virtual space."

"Now what do we do?"

"Let me try creating a virtual space. Since IDYPIA's layers are connected, there must be a point of contact."

Just as Siu rose to her feet to create the virtual space, something unexpected happened.

Whing! Whing!

Suddenly, the emergency alarm installed in the hideout began to blare wildly, and surveillance cameras showed AG241 along with several surveillance drones and AG agents rushing in.

"Run!"

***