The Man Who Never Was

(Open POV)

City…

Tony is sitting inside a doughnut, eating a doughnut and he looks down to see Nick Fury and Jared Shay looking up at him.

"Sir! I'm gonna have to ask you to exit the doughnut." Nick said, annoyed.

Restaurant…

"I told you, I don't wanna join your super-secret boy band." Tony said, now sitting inside at a table with Nick and Jared.

"No, no, no. See, I remember, you do everything yourself. How's that working out for you?" Fury asked.

"It's… It's… It's… I'm sorry. I don't wanna get off on the wrong foot. Do I look at the patch or the eye? Honestly I'm a bit hung over. I'm not sure if you're real or if I'm having…" Tony said.

"Well, that's what you get for partying with Rhodey drunk as the two of you were in Iron Man suits. And Nick Fury is very real." Jared said, happily.

"Jared's right. I'm the realest person you're ever gonna meet." Fury said, looking at Tony.

"Just my luck. Where's the staff here?" Toby asked.

"The Palladium isn't looking so good." Jared said, drinking a mocha. "Especially on you, Tony."

"Thanks. I've been worse." Tony said, while Natasha Romanoff walks over to them.

"We've secured the perimeter but I don't think we should hold it for too much longer." Natasha said.

"Thanks for letting us know, Nat." Jared said, smiling. "How was it being his secretary?"

"A pain in my ass. He is such a chore."

"You're fired." Tony said, looking over the top of glasses to see Natasha.

"That's not up to you." Natasha said, sitting down next to Fury.

"Tony, I want you to meet Agent Romanoff." Fury said.

"Hi." Tony said.

"I'm a SHIELD shadow. Once we knew you were ill, I was tasked to you by Director Fury." Natasha said.

"I suggest you apologise."

"You've been very busy. You made your girl your CEO, you're giving away all your stuff. You let your friend fly away with your suit. Now, if I didn't know better…" Fury said, looking at Tony.

"You don't know better. I didn't give it to him. He took it." Tony said.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. He took it? You're Iron Man and he just took it? The little brother walked in there, kicked your ass and took your suit?" Fury asked, turning to Natasha and Jared. "Is that possible?"

"Well, according to Mr Stark's database security guidelines, there are redundancies to prevent unauthorised usage." Natasha said.

"That's what he gets for fighting with Rhodey drunk at home, in front of a crowd. The suit gets taken." Jared said, laughing a lot.

"So that's what happened. He is a party animal." Fury said, looking at Tony. "You could have hurt civilians."

"What do you want from me?" Tony asked, looking at Fury.

"What do we want from you? What do you want from me?" Fury asked, as Agent Romanoff leaves. "You have become a problem, a problem I have to deal with. Contrary to your belief, you are not the centre of my universe. I have bigger problems than you in the southwest region to deal with."

"Yeah. Like the Norse God of Thunder trying to be worthy of a magic hammer." Jared said, sadly. "He's in New Mexico at the moment."

"Exactly." Fury said, and Romanoff returns with an injection. "Hit him."

"Oh, God, are you gonna steal my kidney and sell it?" Tony asked, while his rash goes down. "Could you please not do anything awful for five seconds? What did she just do to me?"

"What did we just do for you? That's lithium dioxide. It's gonna take the edge off. We're trying to get you back to work."

"Give me a couple of boxes of that. I'll be right as rain."

"It's not a cure, it just abates the symptoms." Natasha said.

"Doesn't look like it's gonna be an easy fix." Fury said.

"Trust me, I know. I'm good at this stuff. I've been looking for a suitable replacement for palladium. I've tried every combination, every permutation of every known element." Tony said.

"Tony, you haven't tried them all. Why not look at the 1974 Stark Expo model with JARVIS tonight?" Jared asked, leaving the restaurant. "Who knows? The new element you're missing could be there. Anyway, I need to go to 13 Bannerman Road."

Attic…

"Morning, Sky." Clyde said.

"Well, I think I've got everything he wants. Oh, it doesn't matter, Mum, he says, and then when he turns up, it's straight to the fridge, and why haven't we got any bacon?" Sarah asked.

"Well, let him starve. When I went up to Oxford, the cupboards were bare."

"Sky, are you okay?" Jared asked, drinking a mocha frappuccino.

"I'm just a little nervous. I'm meeting Luke face to face, not just on the screen." Sky said.

"You couldn't have a better brother than Luke. Then again, the Railgun couldn't have a better partner than Kuroko."

Sky's room…

Formerly Luke's room.

"Oh. Right, yeah. Not my room any more." Luke said, entering the bedroom.

(Jared's POV)

Attic…

"Luke. Oh, welcome home." Sarah said.

"Hi, Mum. Hi, Jared. Hi, Clani." Luke said, smiling.

"Don't call us that." Rani said, annoyed.

"Clani? Who's Clani?" Sarah asked.

"Clyde, Rani, Clani." Clyde said.

"It's meant to be funny." Rani said.

"He can't keep away." Clyde said.

"Luke, meet Sky. In person. Whatcha think?" I asked, looking between Luke and Sky.

"Sky. Hi. Hi, Sky." Luke said, looking at Sky.

"You're taller than you look on web cam." Sky said.

"Yes, yes, I am. Sorry, I just went in your room. I forgot it's not mine any more."

"It's the best room, and you don't live here any more."

"It's fine. It's really fine."

"Hey. Finally, face to face. It's the clash of the nerds. Sky, behold my greatest success. Frankenbane's monster, now a normal human student living off Pot Noodles, rising at twelve sharp to watch Loose Women." Clyde said, happily.

"Yeah, shut up. Sky, I really hope we can be friends." Luke said.

"Of course we'll be friends. I suppose we're sort of brother and sister." Sky said.

"Want some tea?" I asked, looking at Luke.

"Yeah." Luke said.

Later…

"So where's K9?" I asked, sipping on some Earl Grey tea.

"I had to leave K9 back at Uni. But look. I made this. A dog whistle. Because you never know." Luke said, taking out a dog whistle.

"What's he doing up there?" Sarah asked.

"He's backing up the Bodleian Library. The whole lot. He wouldn't come back with me."

"Oh, good. Ness me, what a terrible shame." Mr Smith said.

"Oi, Mister Smith, don't be nasty. We could always swap you for another computer, like the SerfBoard." Rani said.

"I hardly think that would be a good exchange." Mr Smith said.

"Well, it's the launch this afternoon, at five." Clyde said.

"Yup. It's going to be a nice launch." I said, taking out my iPhone 12 Mini and loaded up a video. "The timeline can finally converge from my own."

"Affordable device. Excuse me. Did I say device?" Serf said, on my phone.

"And nobody knows what it does when you switch it on." Rani said, as I placed my phone back inside my pocket.

"The rumours say everything." Clyde said.

"There's a rehearsal of the launch this morning. Just four of the country's very top journalists have been invited to watch." Sarah said.

"Do you know any of them? Could you, like, blag us in?" Rani asked.

"Rani, Sarah said that just the top journalists have been invited." I said, sipping on my tea.

"Yeah, so what if we swap a ticket?" Clyde asked.

"I mean us. Me and Jared. What do you think pays for all this, taking in washing?" Sarah asked.

"Sorry, Sarah Jane, Jared, I just didn't think it was your kind of a story." Rani said.

"Yeah, almost good enough, Rani."

"I am not going to miss that." Luke said.

"Who said you're going to miss it? Homecoming treat."

"I'm not going to miss it, either." Sky said.

"Fine, you can come too, Sky."

"I've called Mikoto and Shirai. They will be coming later and I'll meet them there." I said, looking at Rani.

"And?" Rani asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry, that's all we could manage. Well, I shouldn't really be taking anybody else. It's highly unprofessional." Sarah said.

"That's so unfair." Clyde said, annoyed.

"Sorry, Clani. Family outing. And Tokiwadai's Ace and her right hand gal is part of Jared's family." Luke said, sadly.

Serf Industries foyer…

"Well, if we talk about the Serf Board before release." Shirai said, sadly.

"They'd sue us to death. Which is great." Mikoto said, frowning.

"But what if I disagree with the terms and conditions?" Sky asked.

"The terms and conditions are okay, Sky. Just sign it." I said, grabbing Mikoto's hand.

"Believe me. If he says they're fine, they're fine." Sarah said.

"Whatever you say." Sky said, signing the document.

"Sarah Jane Smith. Let me drink you in. As lovely as ever." Carson said.

"Luke, Sky, Jared, Mikoto, Shirai, Lionel Carson. An old, old friend." Sarah said.

"I could have been so much more. Now I am a ruin. You remain a paragon."

"Lionel was my editor when I first started on the nationals, and then he moved on to food and wine."

"Why are you covering the SerfBoard, Mister Carson?" Mikoto asked. "Did you use your rank?"

"I did. To impress my grandchildren, I think. I've met the great Mister Serf. I leave the technical stuff to you young people. I can't abide computers. Nothing wrong with a typewriter, says I." Carson said.

"What's a typewriter?" Sky asked.

"It is what came before the keyboard on a computer, Sky." I said, squeezing Mikoto's hand. "My cousin has a keyboard in her bedroom. Back home, that is."

"Goodness me. Make me feel even more old-fashioned, why don't you?" Carson asked, looking at Sky.

"You were already old-fashioned when I was new-fangled. My son and my daughter." Sarah said, looking between Luke and Sky.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I'm John Harrison, Serf Systems public relations. The rehearsal is about to begin, so if you'd like to follow me up." Harrison said.

"Well, that's us. Would you care to accompany me, o radiant one, in memory of what might have been?" Carson asked.

"Oh, go on, then." Sarah said, taking Carson's proffered arm and they walk away.

"Sky, can you feel that?" Mikoto asked, looking over at Sky.

"Yes." Sky said, sadly.

"Feel what?" Shirai asked.

"Electricity is building up here. It's strong, Kuroko. Really strong." Mikoto said, closing her eyes.

"Probably just a storm on the way." Luke said.

"No, Mikoto's right, this feels different, strange." Sky said.

Projection theatre…

"Wow." Mikoto said, looking around the place.

Very steeply raked rows of seats in front of a big screen and small stage.

"This place is nice." I said, smiling.

"And then I shall say, please say hi to Joseph Serf. And cue Mister Serf." Harrison said, while Serf enters by the side of the seating.

"Wow. Not half bad in the flesh." Sarah said.

"He's like you, Sarah Jane, he's got charisma." Carson said.

"Thank you, Johnny. Then I'll say, pleased to meet you. And then I'll do this." Serf said, looking up at the big screen with his face on it. "Whoa, who's that beautiful guy?"

"Yes, very good, sir, very spontaneous." Harrison said.

"Feel anything sissy?" Shirai asked.

"Nothing." Mikoto said. "Is he the one?"

"Yeah." I said, looking at the SerfBoard. "No AIM Diffusion Field Resonance then."

"None at all. It's weird."

"The SerfBoard will revolutionise the way we work, the way we play. Every home should have one. Soon, every home will have one." Serf said.

"Perfect, sir. And then the attendees will each be given a SerfBoard, like so." Harrison said.

The size of a 15 inch laptop, but with curved corners.

"The SerfBoard. Take it home, press go, play and learn. It's a phenomenon, and you're going to love it. You're going to love it." Serf said.

"Why wait is my motto." Carson said, opening the SerfBoard, presses go and an onscreen keypad pops up.

"Download, browse, photos, books, everything. You're going to love it. It's the future, it's tomorrow, and you love it. You want one, you need one, everybody wants one, everybody's got to get one." Serf said, flickering slightly.

"What the?!" Mikoto exclaimed. "Sky, did you see that?"

"Yes." Sky said, looking at Mikoto.

"I did." Shirai said, her hand on her hip. "But that's impossible."

"It really is impossible." Luke said.

"Er, excuse me. Can we have a little bit of hush, please?" Harrison asked.

"But, Sarah Jane, Jared, he…" Sky said.

"Quiet, Sky. Wait." Luke said.

"But you did see that?"

"Yes, but nobody else did."

Because only the adults and I were given SerfBoards and we are looking down at them.

"It's tomorrow and you love it." Serf said.

Serf Industries foyer…

"It's so easy to use. He was right, it's a revolution. It's beautiful. I love it." Carson said.

"Well, it must be good to impress you." Sarah said.

"I never saw the point of computers, but this, this is so easy to use. I'll see you at the launch."

"Bye." Sarah said, as Carson leaves. "Ah, look what you've got. Hurrah for Mum." She offers her SerfBoard to Sky. "Hurrah for Mum?"

"Something weird happened in there. To Mister Serf." Sky said.

"What are you talking about?"

"Mum, Jared, he glitched." Luke said.

"He what?" Sarah asked.

"Mister Serf flickered for a second." Mikoto said.

"Okay. We need to get back to 13 Bannerman Road. To check this out." I said, taking out the SerfBoard I was given.

"That might be dangerous, Jared. You're just like sissy. Act first, ask questions later." Shirai said, letting out a sigh.

"What if I stay, look for more glitches. There could be other people like Serf, whatever he is." Luke said.

"Good idea. Where shall we start?" Sky asked.

"Oh, no. Luke is old enough to look after himself." Sarah said, looking at Sky.

"And I'm not?" Sky asked.

"No, you're not. Sorry." Luke said, frowning.

"You be careful. Come on, Sky, home." Sarah said. "Shirai, stay with Luke for more ground to be covered."

"I'm on it." Shirai said, nodding her head.

Attic…

"Right. Let's have a look at you, my beauty." Clyde said, happily.

"Clyde. Wait. We should check it out first." I said, grabbing Mikoto's hand.

"Only Luke, Shirai, Mikoto, and I saw it happen." Sky said.

"Well, Luke and Mikoto got superior senses, Shirai can teleport from place to place, and Sky's sensitive to electrical fluctuations like Mikoto, however tiny. Mister Smith, tap into the digital database. The rehearsal was recorded, so somebody at Serf must have sent the movie file. Get us a copy." Sarah said.

"That may take some considerable time, Sarah Jane. Here you are." Mr Smith said.

"Hey, you're doing that on purpose now." Rani said.

"It was when Serf was saying everybody will want a SerfBoard." Mikoto said.

"You want one, you need one, everybody wants one, everybody's got to get one." Serf said, on screen.

"Pause the recording between frames 4:34:21 and 23."

"There's nothing there. You imagined it." Clyde said, looking at Sky.

"Sky didn't. Mister Smith, do it at playback speed of 0.25x." I said, squeezing Mikoto's hand.

"Time flexing applied." Mr Smith said.

"That's impossible." Sarah said.

"Enhancing." Mr Smith said, while Serf's head, on a level with his eyes, has pixillated.

"But that's not the recording, that's him. The rest of the picture didn't move." Clyde said.

"That's what I've been telling you." Sky said.

"I'm getting just a bit suspicious. And preparing to say the A word."

"What A word?"

"Aliens."

"Mister Smith. Give us the lowdown on Joseph Serf. Who is he?" I asked, looking at Mr Smith.

"Joseph Samuel Serf, born Dayton, Ohio, 25th May 1972. Graduated Harvard 1993. Founded Serf Systems, then completely disappeared from public view after a near-fatal skiing accident in Val d'Isere in 2007. Following this, he became famously reclusive. No interviews or pictures. The only images available after this date are these publicity photographs." Mr Smith said, going through a photograph slideshow of Joseph Serf.

"Look. In all these photographs, he never once holds anything. He never touches anybody." Sarah said.

"He's a hologram." Mikoto said, an electrical shock coming out of her. "Of course."

"No, no, more than that. He walks, talks, interacts with people. He's amazing. This technology, it's fantastic."

"But he sits down. He gets into cars." Clyde said.

"It's like a photo. You can fold it up, and move it around." Rani said.

"Aye, aye, who's that guy that's always right next to him. Who's he?"

"John Harrison, PR for Serf Systems." Sky said.

"The skiing accident. The real Serf, he died in that accident. He was replaced." Sarah said.

"And shortly afterwards, Serf Systems began the development of the SerfBoard." Mr Smith said.

"Ah, wait. Lionel. He hates computers. The moment he switched that on, he raved about it."

"This SerfBoard, what if it's got some sort of hypnotic power? They've replaced Serf, and took over his company." Rani said.

"But why would he do this? What's this all for?" Mikoto asked.

"And today's the launch. A SerfBoard in every home? You can count me out." Clyde said.

"Mister Smith? Deep scan, full spectrum analysis. Let's see what Luke and Shirai finds out. And while we wait, Jared, Mikoto, and I want an interview with Mister Serf." Sarah said.

"But he doesn't do interviews, ever." Rani said.

"Watch and learn, Rani."

(Open POV)

Serf Industries foyer…

"Mister Serf does not give interviews, Miss Smith, Mister Shay." Harrison said.

"Oh, but the SerfBoard, it's just amazing." Sarah said, over the phone.

Attic…

"Jared and I have to do a personal follow-up with Mister Serf." Sarah said. "We're co-writing it."

"You are invited to the launch later." Harrison said, through Mr Smith.

"Oh, if we could just speak to Mister Serf, just to tell him there are no glitches."

Serf Industries foyer…

"Go on, Miss Smith, Mister Shay." Harrison said.

Attic…

"Oh, well, Mister Serf seems so warm, so real, so natural. We're sure our readers would like to get to know such a…" Sarah said.

Serf Industries foyer…

"Genuine human being." Sarah said, over the phone.

"Well, that's different, Miss Smith. Please, come right over with Mister Shay." Harrison said.

Attic…

"That's marvellous. We'll see you soon. Two of the country's top journalists." Sarah said.

"Wow, Sarah Jane. Just wow." Rani said.

"Isn't that a bit dangerous, though? They know both of you know." Clyde said, looking between Sarah and Jared.

"Oh, we know they know we know. That's the only way for us to get in." Jared said, smiling.

"And they know you two know they know you both know." Sky said.

"Sometimes that's the best way. We need to bring Serf Systems out into the open, find out what they're planning." Sarah said.

"And you and Jared need me and Mikoto. We saw the glitch, and we might see something else."

"What, another family outing?" Clyde asked.

"Yeah. Another family outing." Jared said, happily. "Clyde, Rani, wait here. Call Saten and Uiharu."

"And find out what Mister Smith makes of that. Come on, Let's go." Sarah said.

"Right." Mikoto said, grabbing Jared's hand.

Sarah Jane, Sky, Jared, and Mikoto leave.

"What's up?" Clyde asked.

"It's daft, but I feel like it's watching us." Rani said.

Serf Industries car park…

"How was it spying on them?" Jared asked.

"We checked the car park, we hung about in reception, I got a coffee from their machine, but nothing. No more glitching, nothing weird." Luke said.

"It was a waste of time." Shirai said, sadly.

"It's time for your interview." Sky said, looking between Sarah and Jared.

"Okay. Meet the four of you back here in half an hour. Let's go, Jared." Sarah said, leaving with Jared.

Serf's office…

Harrison shows Sarah Jane and Jared in. Serf is seated behind his desk, with his back to the window cum wall.

"Miss Smith. I hear you and Mister Shay are fans of the Board." Serf said.

"We certainly are, Mister Serf. Call me Sarah Jane." Sarah said, holding out her hand.

"Joseph. I'm sorry, I can't shake your hand."

"Why can't Sarah shake your hand?" Jared asked, sipping on some bubble tea.

"Mister Serf suffers from an acute peanut allergy." Harrison said.

"We haven't been eating nuts." Sarah said.

"But you two might have been in a nutty environment."

"Can't be too careful." Serf said.

"Oh, we're so sorry. How very convenient. Sorry, of course we mean inconvenient. Does Mister Harrison need to be here, Joseph?" Sarah asked.

"Actually, I'd prefer to stay. After all, I'd hate there to be any more glitches." Harrison said.

"Oh, with you around, Mister Harrison, we're sure everything will run like clockwork." Sarah said.

"Oh, yes. I pride myself I can deal with any old spanners that get into those works."

"Before we start the interview." Jared said, taking out his iPhone 12 Mini and immediately called Mikoto to let her and Shirai eavesdrop. "Can Sarah get something to drink?"

"Certainly, Mister Shay. What do you want, Miss Smith? Tea? Coffee? Anthrax?" Harrison asked, looking between Sarah and Jared.

"What was that?" Sarah asked.

"Nothing."

Serf chuckles.

"No, I'll just have water, please. Nice, clear water that we can see right through." Sarah said.

"Coming right up." Harrison said.

"Won't you like some water, Joseph?" Jared asked, sipping on his bubble tea. "It's very hot in this office."

"I'm fine, thank you. Now, let's talk about the SerfBoard." Serf said.

"Yes, let's." Harrison said.

Attic…

"Deep scan complete." Mr Smith said.

"Tell us the worst." Rani said, crossing her arms.

"The Serf Board is a standard low-specification laptop computer."

"And?" Clyde asked.

"That is all."

"But it can't be. The hologram, the big launch tonight, one in every home." Rani said.

"Hold on." Clyde said, looking at Rani. "Right. What if this has got at him?"

"I can hear you, Clyde. And no, it hasn't got me." Mr Smith said.

"It's not the first time you've said something was okay and it turned out to be deadly. Do you remember the Rakweed?"

"Leave it alone. We wait for the others to get back." Rani said.

"But there's not much time. How will you feel tonight when everyone's walking down Bannerman Road with their arms out going, serve the computer?" Clyde asked.

"Clyde, no."

"Oh, come on, the clock's ticking. Let's just switch it on, see what it does."

"Okay. But we do it my way. We take precautions. And some of those precautions involve calling Uiharu and Saten."

Serf's office…

"The implication for global communications…" Sarah said, dropping her pen under the desk. "Oh, butterfingers. Would you mind picking that up for me, Joseph?"

"Oh, please, Miss Smith, do use mine." Harrison said, handing Sarah a pen.

Serf Industries lifts…

"What is it, sissy?" Shirai asked. "Is it an electrical surge?"

"No, Kuroko. This is strange. It's coming from below." Mikoto said, closing her eyes to check.

"We'll tell Mum when she gets back with Jared." Luke said, looking at Sky.

The lift arrives.

"Let's take a look. Come on, it's what you, Shirai, and Mikoto always do." Sky said, happily.

"I'll go with Mikoto and Shirai. Sky, you go back to the car." Luke said.

"Not a chance." Sky said, dashing into the lift.

"Sky." Luke said, sadly.

"Sissy…" Shirai said, frowning. "You and Sky are similar."

Luke, Mikoto, and Shirai get in as Sky presses the button for the lower basement.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Mikoto asked.

"Going down. Luke, how's the liking each other thing going now?" Sky asked, looking at Luke.

"I'll let you know." Luke said.

Attic…

Overalls, safety glasses, rubber gauntlets. Rani opens the laptop with a long prod. It plays the Windows chord as it powers up. Clyde stops Rani from pressing Go on the screen.

"Hey, it was my idea." Clyde said.

"It needs a delicate touch." Rani said.

"Well, I'm delicate, in a very manly way. I've got artists' fingers."

"Just like the old days. You and me, having a laugh."

"Yeah. I meant to say, all that stuff with Ellie."

"It's okay. Right, let's do this." Rani said, pressing Go.

Lower basement…

"What is that noise?" Shirai asked, as there are animal noises from somewhere.

"Okay, I can't sense the electrical surge, but I can hear that." Luke said.

"Coming from further down." Sky said.

"This is the bottom floor. Unless there is an override switch. Let me do this, Luke." Mikoto said, pressing various floor buttons and the doors closed.

"Knew it. Thank you, Railgun." Luke said, looking at Railgun.

Attic…

Uiharu and Saten enter the attic while Clyde calls up the hard drive information. Speed, Bad. Space in use, 2 gigabytes. Space free, 1 byte.

"There's nothing. Really, nothing. I'm going to take these off." Clyde said, removing the safety glasses.

"Be careful." Uiharu said, sadly.

"In fact, it's more than a bit rubbish. Bog standard. What's so special about this?" Clyde asked.

"So it's not the Board itself. That's normal." Rani said.

"It looks cool, that's all." Clyde said, sadly.

"What did I tell you?" Mr Smith asked.

"What is going on with the board if it has low specs?" Saten asked, closing the laptop lid.

Basement…

Sound of regular machinery. A photocopier still wrapped in plastic.

"Down here." Sky said, and through a door and along a corridor with more of the same.

"All those poor animals." Shirai said, while there is an animal screeching noise.

"Yeah. This is less intense." Mikoto said, frowning.

Mikoto, Shirai, Luke, and Sky come to a bolted metal door.

"Whatever it is, it's through there." Luke said.

"But Mister Serf, the functionality is…" Sarah said, her voice over the speaker.

"That's Mum and Jared." Luke said.

"I mean, you've revolutionised the entire concept of mobile…"

Mikoto unbolts the door using her magnetism ability.

"Our dedicated team of specialists made improving the functionality their number one priority." Serf said, over the speaker.

Light chamber…

"Well, you must have been amazed, Joseph, when you got your hands on the keyboard for the first time." Sarah said, over the speaker.

"Well, to make your dreams into a reality. It's something amazing that should be admired. Sarah and I want to tell our readers about how you felt from your point of view." Jared said, over the speaker.

"It was a great moment, but I always had faith in my tech guys." Serf said, over the speaker.

Mikoto, Shirai, Sky, and Luke watch a bunch of figures in welder's helmets and monk's robes operating railway points levers. A sign shows that one set controls Arms.

"Keep up. Keep up." Plark said.

Other signs say Skin, Smile, Hands, Eyes, Fabric, Legs, Hypno. The foreman is watching Serf's office on a screen.

"The ideas man." Serf said, over the speaker.

"Well, ideas can be so intangible, can't they? Oh, dear. What are we saying?" Sarah asked, over the speaker.

Serf's office…

"That's okay, Miss Smith." Serf said.

Light chamber…

"Smile." Plark said.

Serf's office…

Serf smiles.

"Joseph, are you all right?" Sarah asked.

Light chamber…

"Keep up, keep up." Plark said, while some of the minions start squabbling. "Keep up, keep up."

One uses a typewriter keyboard.

Serf's office…

"We all say thongs we don't moan." Serf said.

Light chamber…

"Spelling, spelling." Plark said.

Serf's office…

"Forgove me. Things we don't mean." Serf said.

Light chamber…

"Keep shadow in sync. And smile again. Thoughtful smile, not sexy smile." Plark said.

"Um…" Jared said, over the speaker. "Sarah. He's creeping me out."

Serf is almost leering at Sarah Jane.

"It's incredible." Sky said.

"They're controlling him. Everything he says and does, it's them. Come on." Luke said.

Luke, Sky, Shirai, and Mikoto sneak behind Plark.

Serf's office…

"What else do you want to know?" Serf asked.

"Sorry!" Jared said, knocking over his bubble tea, and it flows across the desk towards Serf.

Light chamber…

"A spillage. Emergency stand. Steady on thumb. And one, two, three, and up. Crease fabric, crease fabric." Plark said.

Serf's office…

"I'm really sorry." Jared said, sadly.

Harrison mops up the taro bubble tea with the tapioca balls, "What a clumsy clot you are, Mister Shay. One of our country's most famously shrewd journalists is, apparently, such a loveable scatterbrain."

"Well, Miss Moth, Mister Bay. Miss Smith. Mister Shay. What else do you want to know?" Serf asked.

"Well, I just hope Jared can stop embarrassing himself, for a start." Sarah said.

Harrison presses an ear bud, "Hypno to ten."

Light chamber…

"Hypno-power to ten. Hypno-power to ten. She must trust. She must trust." Plark said.

"Mum. Jared." Luke said, sadly.

Serf's office…

"You love the SerfBoard, Sarah Jane and Jared." Serf said.

Light chamber…

"It's the most amazing computer you've ever seen." Serf said, over the speaker.

"Stronger hypno. Stronger hypno." Plark said.

Serf's office…

"And I am the most amazing man you've ever seen." Serf asid.

"Yes, yes. You're such a handsome man, Mister Serf." Sarah said.

"Sarah and I, over the years, we've dealt with hypnotism and possession." Jared said, letting go of Sarah's hand. "Comes with the perks of traveling through all of the and space."

"Jared's right. And when it comes to men, I actually prefer something I can grab hold of. Gotcha!" Sarah said, waving her hands through Serf, making him glitch. "That explains all of the drinks you've been having, Jared."

Light chamber…

"Failure. Light sculpture failed. Failed. Stand down, await orders." Plark said.

Serf's office…

"Well, this is alien technology. Not magic. And this. It fluctuates so much." Jared said, looking at the hologram of Serf. "The hologram of Serf is alien technology."

"Alien technology? You mean, something that's not made on this planet, like this." Harrison said, pulling a curved box out of his inside pocket.

"Good thing I have Tokiwadai's Ace and her right hand gal on standby." Jared said, fixated on the large phaser.

Light chamber…

"Asking for help from people that are from Academy City." Harrison said, as Luke sees Sarah Jane raise her hands and back away on the screen with Mikoto and Shirai. "They were the cause of World War III. I don't even know why you bothered with middle schoolers. One false move, Miss Smith, Mister Shay, and you're dead."

"Mum, Jared, no." Luke said.

Plark has removed his welders helmet to reveal that he has one eye in the middle of his large forehead. Sky screams with Mikoto and Shirai protecting her.

"Intruders!" Plark said, and Luke, Sky, Mikoto, and Shirai are surrounded. "You."

"Please, let her go with her friends, she's my sister. She's just a child. Please." Luke said.

"You, you, you. Kill, kill." Plark said.

"They're going to kill us." Sky said.

"You must escape. Run."

"What? What?" Luke asked.

Serf's office…

"What do you know? Who do you two work for?" Harrison asked.

"Oh. Mister Harrison. Dealing with things like this. It's not exactly a new experience for Sarah and I." Jared said, grabbing Sarah's hand.

"And you're not going to fire that gun." Sarah said, looking at Harrison.

"Oh, do you want to bet?" Harrison asked.

"I don't think you've ever fired that gun."

"No, but there's a first time for everything."

"We're walking out now. You won't stop us. Let's go, Jared."

Light chamber…

Mikoto grabs one of the control levers.

"Sissy, what are you doing?" Shirai asked, looking at Mikoto.

Serf's office…

Serf starts leaping around and gibbering. Harrison's phaser shot goes wide. Security runs in.

"Grab them!" Harrison said, while the security guard does as he is told with the PR manager takes the sonic lipstick from Sarah Jane's bag and the sonic screwdriver from Jared's backpack. "Lipstick and screwdriver that bites? How very interesting." Serf is still burbling. "What are you doing down there? Level five, punish!"

Harrison activates controls on his pen.

Light chamber…

The Skullions' collars glow and they scream with pain.

"Luke, Mikoto, make it stop. Make it stop." Sky said, looking between Luke and Mikoto.

"I can't." Luke said.

"Neither can I." Mikoto said, sadly.

Harrison turns his device off.

"Work, work." Plark said.

Serf's office…

"I'm sorry I must have blunked out there for a second. My goadness, what's happening?" Serf asked.

Harrison tunes the television in to the view of the control room, "Plark, forget it. It's too late now. What are they doing in there?"

"Oh, no." Jared said, squeezing Sarah's hand.

"Emergency. Intruders in Light Chamber." Harrison said.

"Luke, Sky, Mikoto, Shirai, get out of there!"

Light chamber…

"Run, run." Plark said.

"Come on." Luke said.

"Damn it." Mikoto said, frowning.

Security arrive in the basement.

"If only we weren't surrounded." Shirai said, sadly.

"No!" Sky said, worried.

Attic…

"Misaka. Answer." Saten said, trying to call Mikoto.

Five telephone calls are being made.

"Kuroko. Where are you?" Uiharu asked, trying to call Shirai.

"Should be back by now. Come on, Luke, answer." Clyde said, trying to call Luke.

"Sky, answer, come on." Rani said, trying to call Sky.

"Oh, pick it up for once, Sarah Jane." Mr Smith said.

Basement…

The security guards stomps on a phone.

"That's my phone." Sky said, looking down at her broken phone.

"Welcome to the club. I've had seven phones in the last two years." Luke said.

"Sarah Jane!"

"Mum."

"Mikoto, where's your phone?" Jared asked, looking at the Railgun.

"I left it at Sarah Jane's." Mikoto said.

"Same here." Shirai said, frowning.

"So neither of you can contact Saten and Uiharu." Jared said, letting out a sigh. "Isn't that great?"

"Coming, Master." Plark said, walking up to Harrison.

"Plark." Harrison said.

"Master?"

"You let these human children roam free."

"Master, no, please, master."

"Level seven, punish."

"Master. Argh." Plark said, groaning in pain.

"Stop it!" Mikoto said, an electrical shock coming out of her head. "You're hurting them!"

"Poor little Skullions? Read my lips, Pollyanna. I. Don't. Care. Plark, get back to work." Harrison said.

"Thank you, Master. Love master." Plark said.

"What are you doing to them?" Shirai asked.

"The Skullions? They merely need a firm hand." Harrison said.

"Listen, I can help you and help them, I can get them home." Sarah said, looking at Harrison.

"I don't need your help, I'm doing fine."

"They're intelligent creatures. You can't treat them like that." Luke said.

"Can't I? I paid enough for them."

"You, you bought them?" Sky asked.

"A ship crash-landed in Central Asia. The survivors were put up for sale." Harrison said.

"What do you mean they were up for sale?" Jared asked, grabbing Mikoto's hand.

"Oh, didn't you know? There's a black market in alien species, if you know where to look. They're smuggled across Europe in crates, then across the Channel." Harrison said.

"A slave trade in aliens. Packing them up in boxes, torturing them. It's appalling. I can't believe anybody could be so…" Sarah said.

"Successful? Bwahahaha. You're so naive. This is the way the world works."

"Not in our world." Jared said, squeezing Mikoto's hand. "And this isn't the world the Railgun and I want."

"Which is why our ideals align." Mikoto said, another electrical shock coming out of her head. "What you want, Harrison. It isn't the real world."

"Yes, it is. Money is exchanged for goods and services. Plenty of bidders at auction, but I paid millions to make billions." Harrison said.

"It's a disgusting plan, Harrison." Jared said, looking at Harrison. "You're a horrible person."

"I do my best."

"I'm beginning to understand what this is all about. There's nothing special about the SerfBoard, is there?" Sarah asked.

"It's rubbish, yes." Harrison said.

"It's not the board, it's Serf, the hologram. He's hypnotic. He can make you desperate to buy one."

"Very good, carry on."

"In a few hours, the launch, it'll be televised the world over." Sky said.

"And Serf hypnotises the entire world to buy a SerfBoard." Luke said.

"You make a fortune. Always with the money. That's all this is. The slaves, they're money and profit to you." Jared said, letting go of Mikoto's hand.

"Shock, horror. Right, enough debate. Put the kids in storage five." Harrison said.

"No, you leave my children and Jared's friends alone. Luke, Mikoto, Shirai, you look after Sky." Sarah said, looking at Luke, Mikoto, and Shirai.

"I will." Luke said.

"I promise I will look after her." Mikoto said, smiling. "I mean, she has me, Kuroko, and Luke."

"Sissy does have a fair point. We'll be fine." Shirai said, happily.

Luke, Sky, Mikoto, and Shirai are being led away from Jared and Sarah.

"You dare harm my children." Sarah said, looking at Harrison.

"I'll deal with them and you two, later. After the launch. This way." Harrison said.

"Oh. We're going to stop this horrible plan of yours. We will stop you?" Jared asked, grabbing Sarah's hand.

"What are you going to do, hit me with your backpack?" Harrison asked.

Storage…

"Are the two of you hurting them? Are you hurting the little people? You and your friend are scum." Adriana said, looking between Sarah and Jared.

"Nope. We're prisoners like you." Jared said, letting out a sigh. "Ugh. This is so annoying, Sarah."

Storage 5…

"The aliens aren't bad, Harrison is. How could he do that? It just makes me so angry." Sky said.

"Humans used other humans as slaves for centuries. Every culture, the world over. Nobody ever challenged them until a few hundred years ago. And in some places it still goes on." Luke said.

"Is this what humans are like?"

"Not all of them. You have bad ones like Harrison. But you also have nice ones like me, Kuroko, Saten, and Uiharu." Mikoto said, smiling.

"Luke, I can sleep somewhere else in the house." Sky said.

"What?" Luke asked.

"If you want your room back. I think it upset you but you're not telling me."

"It doesn't matter. And this isn't the time."

Storage…

"This morning the little man pulled me into the lift. The guards came and they hurt him. I saw others, many others. The guards locked me away." Adriana said.

"The Skullions. One of them must have tried to escape. They must be desperate." Sarah said.

"They are dying and we will die here too."

"Nope. We're gonna get out of here." Jared said, grabbing Sarah's hand.

"And the little people. We must help them."

"I'm Jared Shay. And this is my friend, Sarah Jane Smith." Jared said, squeezing Sarah's hand. "Who are you?"

"Adriana Petrescu." Adriana said, smiling.

"Adriana, you've just restored our faith in the human race." Sarah said.

Attic…

"In just two hours time the SerfBoard will be revealed to the world, right here at Serf Systems. The eyes of the world will be on this building. After months of rumours, leaks, some say deliberate leaks, and endless speculation, we'll finally get the answers revealed by the secretive Mister Joseph Serf." BBC News said.

"That was the latest news transmission." Mr Smith said.

"We've got to get over to the launch. We can take Luke's car." Clyde said.

"Clyde, this event is as big as the Daihasei Festival." Saten said, looking at Clyde. "We can't gatecrash it. The media is going to be there."

"I thought of something." Uiharu said, happily. "Mister Smith. Access Serf Systems hospitality."

"Nice work, Uiharu. Clyde, get your best clothes on." Rani said, smiling.

"Accessing initiated." Mr Smith said.

"Move." Rani said, pushing Clyde away.

"Logging in to Serf intranet." Mr Smith said.

Storage 5…

"Bring food for the young ones. You like us, prisoners." Plark said.

"Thanks." Mikoto said, offering Plark one of the bottles of water. "You need this more than we do. It's only water."

"No, you drink. Pure water burns."

"What do you drink?" Shirai asked.

"Orange, lemon juice, citrus." Plark said.

"Hey, stop." Sky said, walking towards the steel door.

"No. Girl stay."

"We can help you. Let us out of here." Mikoto said, looking at Plark.

"No, you stay, or master punish." Plark said.

"Oh. You need help." Sky said, frowning.

"No. No help. You stay." Plark said, leaving and using a swipe card to close the door.

"He can't go against his master, or he gets another shock." Luke said.

"The collars are controlled through Harrison's pen. We can't do anything to help the slaves until we get it off him. If we could tell Clyde and Rani, get them to grab it." Sky said.

"How? They've destroyed our phones." Shirai said, looking at Sky.

"Luke, what about your dog whistle? Can't we rely on your robot dog?" Mikoto asked.

"K9's miles away, he'd never hear it. He's too far away. We've got to think of something." Luke said.

"What about Mister Smith? Could he hear it?" Sky asked.

"Yes. Yes! You are so my sister." Luke said, hugging Sky.

Attic…

"Rani, Saten, Uiharu, come on. The launch starts in an hour. Oh, Rani, you look great." Clyde said, looking at Rani.

"I've done it." Uiharu said, happily.

"Ahem. We have done it." Mr Smith said.

"That is true." Uiharu said, as Mr Smith produces four press passes. "We're in. Saten and I are part of the NHK. Clyde, Rani, you're Trevor and Janet Sharp."

"Trevor, do I look like a Trevor? Although I am sharp." Clyde said, looking at Uiharu.

"According to this. They're from Twilight Years magazine." Saten said, looking at the IDs. "They're consumer journalists. And their market is for people over sixty years old."

"Geriatric News? Uiharu, couldn't you have gotten anything better?" Clyde asked, looking at Uiharu.

"Well, they are the only ones on the guest list that won't turn up." Uiharu said.

"Mister And Mrs Sharp are stranded at Orly Airport, thanks to a…" Mr Smith said, coughing. "…computer malfunction."

"Mister and Mrs?" Clyde asked.

"They're married. Go figure. I don't know why. But they are." Uiharu said.

"Right, right. The cavalry's coming, it's me and the missus, with their friends, my old Dutch." Clyde said, happily.

"Shut up Clyde. Come on." Rani said, annoyed.

"Wait a moment. I'm picking up a high frequency, modulated signal, in Morse code." Mr Smith said.

Storage 5…

"Brilliant." Sky said, happily.

Attic…

"The transmission is on the command frequency of K9." Mr Smith said.

"Well, that's Luke. He has that dog whistle." Saten said.

"Or it's a trap. How do we know it's Luke for sure?" Rani asked.

"Deciphering. Message begins. Clani." Mr Smith said.

"Yeah, that's Luke. Only he would support Jared's ship name for Clyde and Rani." Uiharu said, smirking.

"Grab Harrison's P E N. Full stop."

"Never been so glad to see a full stop. But what does it mean?" Clyde asked.

"Exactly what it says. Grab his pen." Uiharu said, scoffing.

Storage…

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Jared asked.

"I will help the little people. I'm ready." Adriana said.

"Oh, I hope I am. It's an oldie but a goodie. Go." Sarah said.

"Help! Help! This crazy woman, she's trying to kill me. Help, please. Help, please." Adriana said, while the guard rushes in and the cleaning lady pulls the trip wire taut.

"Yes!" Jared said, as the guard fell headlong. "That was good."

"Hey. Well done, Adriana. Let's go, you two." Sarah said, looking between Adriana and Jared.

They lock the guard in.

Light chamber…

"There must be no mistakes. Everything at the launch must go exactly according to plan." Harrison said.

"Yes, Master. Yes, Master." Plark said.

"This time you are working for your lives. Fail me and it's level ten punish."

"Master?"

"What do you want?"

"We thirst. We so thirsty."

"Ooo, dear. Shall I give you all a drink?" Harrison asked, unrolling a watering hose and starts to spray the Skullions.

"No, Master. Please, Master. No. Water burns, water burns." Plark said, terrified.

"You get the message? Work!"

Plark hisses at Harrison's back.

Storage 5…

"Luke, Sky, Mikoto, Shirai." Jared said, looking at Mikoto, Sky, Mikoto, and Shirai. "We have a plan. Sarah and I."

"We do. But first we need to get that pen away from Harrison." Sarah said.

"We've got that covered." Sky said.

"We do." Shirai said, smiling.

"Thank them." Mikoto said, nodding her head towards Luke and Sky.

"What? How?" Sarah asked, looking at her adopted kids.

"You've got gifted kids." Luke said, spotting Adriana. "Hi."

Serf Industries foyer…

Clyde, Rani, Saten, and Uiharu enter.

"Can I just check that for you? That's lovely, thank you." The receptionist said, scanning the passes.

"Phew. We made it." Saten said, wiping her head.

"Where is he? Where's Harrison?" Uiharu asked.

"He's over there." Clyde said, looking at Harrison.

"Oh. Oh, he doesn't look like much." Rani said.

"And what's his pen got to do with it?"

Harrison is giving an interview.

"Oh, there we go, top pocket." Rani said, smiling.

Light chamber…

"Ready, ready, ready. Near time, near time." Plark said.

"Gah. This place stinks." Mikoto said, pinching her nose.

"Sissy. Look!" Shirai said, looking at the screen.

"They got the message." Jared said, grabbing Mikoto's hand. "I'm glad."

"Wow, my kids are gifted, aren't they?" Sarah asked, looking at Jared.

"No, no. Go, go, go." Plark said.

"It's okay. We're going to help you." Sky said, smiling.

"No help. Master punish."

"Not for much longer. Leave it to Clyde, Rani, Saten, and Uiharu." Luke said.

"What then?" Sky asked.

"Your gifted mum's got that covered, or she will have. Wait here. Adriana, I need something from you." Sarah said.

Serf Industries foyer…

"Right. Here goes." Clyde said.

"Where are they?" Uiharu asked.

"I don't know." Saten said, sadly.

"Are they nearby?"

"Possibly. But where?"

"New approach. We're the voice of youth." Rani said, smiling.

"We're opinion formers. We give a stairlift a five star review, and watch the sales rocket." Clyde said, happily.

"Rocket in a very steady and safe way."

"Yeah, wouldn't want to give our readers any big shocks."

"There aren't enough stars in the skies for the SerfBoard. Everyone will love it. I know you will." Carson said.

Harrison's earbud beeps.

"Escaped? Well, then find them. Now." Harrison said, annoyed.

"Mister Harrison, isn't it? Janet Sharp, Twilight Years. Do you mind if I grab a quick word?" Rani asked.

"Mister Carson, can I borrow a pen?" Clyde asked.

"Help yourself." Carson said, while he has three pens in his breast pocket.

"Thank you." Clyde said.

"You're good, Sarah Jane." Uiharu said, looking at Sarah.

"Thank you for the coverage, Uiharu and Saten." Sarah said, dressed in Adriana's cleaning uniform and is polishing a surface nearby whilst using the phone that is on it. "Send that message now, Mister Smith. Urgent rescue flight needed. Coordinates, the roof of the Serf Systems compound. Yeah."

Attic…

"Earth calling Skultos. Light Sculptors imprisoned. Dispatch rescue vehicle immediately. Urgent, to these coordinates." Mr Smith said.

Serf Industries foyer…

"Hi. Mr Harrison. My pen ran out of ink. Can I borrow yours?" Uiharu asked, walking up to Harrison.

Harrison takes one from his inside pocket and hands it to Uiharu.

"Yes, here. Look, keep it. Thank you, I've got to go, it's almost time." Harrison said, when Clyde runs into him.

"Sorry, mate." Clyde said.

Harrison leaves.

"Waste of time." Rani said, rolling her eyes.

"Three cheers for the old switcheroo." Clyde said.

Light chamber…

"Yes!" Jared said, excitedly.

"He was amazing." Mikoto said, happily.

All seen by the group on CCTV.

"Clyde was good." Shirai said, smiling.

"He did it." Sky said.

"Right. They're free." Luke said.

"Free." The Skullions said.

"Free!" Adriana said, as Sarah Jane enters.

"Clyde's got the pen." Sky said.

"Oh, brilliant. Plark, come with me and Jared. Bring your people up to the roof, quickly. Rescue's on its way. Skultos. Home. Come on, now." Sarah said.

"Quick, follow us." Adriana said.

"Luke, Sky, Mikoto, Shirai. Stay here and keep an eye on Harrison." Jared said, letting go of Mikoto's hand and grabbing Sarah's.

"But Jared…" Sky said, sadly.

"Jared's right, Sky." Luke said, frowning.

"See you soon. Come on, run." Sarah said, running away with Jared holding her hand.

"Run, run, run." Plark said.

Projection theatre…

"Hi, I'm Joseph Serf. I'm here to introduce the SerfBoard from Serf Systems, the world's newest, and best, portable computer. The fifteenth at 5pm." Serf said, on screen.

"A moment of history." Carson said.

"But I don't get it. It's just a pen." Clyde said.

"Don't play with it." Rani said.

"Mine, I think, Janet." Harrison said, snatching back his punishment pen. "Enjoy the show. Get ready, Plark. The time is now."

Light chamber…

"Just one mistake and it's double ten." Harrison said, over the speaker.

"No, he's got the pen back." Mikoto said, looking at Luke, Sky, and Shirai.

"Well, if the hologram doesn't obey, Harrison will know that something is wrong." Shirai said. "He'll hurt those aliens again and stop them from escaping."

"You're right, Shirai. We've got to do something. We've got to work Serf." Sky said.

"What?" Luke asked.

"Come on. We've got to drag the hologram ourselves."

Roof…

"Come on! Come on!" Jared said, worried.

"But they are free?" Adriana asked.

"Almost, Adriana. Almost." Sarah said.

Projection theatre…

"So, before we go through to meet the SerfBoard, let's meet the man behind the SerfBoard. Joseph Serf." Harrison said, and there is an applause, but no Serf. "Ha, ha, hum. Mister Joseph Serf."

Light chamber…

"Ready?" Luke asked, looking at Sky, Mikoto, and Shirai.

"You bet." Sky said, while she is at the keyboard as Mikoto, Shirai, and Luke are at the levers.

Projection theatre…

"Serf. Now, now, now." Harrison said.

Light chamber…

"Left leg, right leg." Mikoto said, flicking a lever.

"Left leg, right leg." Luke said, flicking another lever.

"Walk. Walk." Shirai said, flicking a lever.

Projection theatre…

Serf enters, stiff legged.

"Fella's been drinking." Carson said.

"Welcome to my lovely lunch. My lovely launch. Oh, I am gorgeous." Serf said.

Light chamber…

"Gorgeous? He'd never say that, Sky." Mikoto said, looking at Sky.

"First thing I could think of." Sky said, sadly.

"You keep him talking." Luke said.

Projection theatre…

"What a beautiful day, boys and girls." Serf said.

Light chamber…

"Serf's American, Sky." Shirai said, frowning.

Projection theatre…

"Yee-haw! As I woke up, put my grits on the griddle, I thought, gee, what a cotton picking day to launch a new computer." Serf said.

Light chamber…

"What? What? Sky, you've been watching Toy Story again. I don't want Jared to let you binge watch all three Toy Story films and two from the future." Luke said.

"Ugh, that's five Toy Story films. Does it really need five?" Mikoto asked.

"Wait. Harrison's going to use the pen again. That's bad." Shirai said.

Up on the roof, the Skullions fall to their knees, screaming.

Projection theatre…

"The pen. Get the pen." Serf said.

Light chamber…

"He's hypnotic. We've got to turn up the hypno-power." Luke said.

Projection theatre…

"Listen, everybody. I want you to grab the pen from Harrison. Grab the pen from him." Serf said.

Harrison tries to use Uiharu as a shield.

"I say, that's not on. Leave her alone." Carson said, and Harrison drops the pen.

"Smash it. Smash it! Smash it! Smash it!" Serf said, angrily.

"Smash it." The audience, Saten, and Uiharu said, at the same time.

Carson stomps on the pen.

"No! No! No!" Harrison said, worried.

Roof…

"It stopped." Jared said, squeezing Sarah's hand. "They did it."

Projection theatre…

"Go home. The SerfBoard is rubbish. Bog standard cobblers. Garbage. Go home. Tell everyone." Serf said.

"No!" Harrison yelled.

"Of course it is. Stupid computers. Nothing wrong with a typewriter, says I." Carson said.

"It's grade A, one hundred percent toot. It's bobbins. It's trash. In fact, you think it's rubbish. Go home, tell everyone." Serf said.

"I've got a weird feeling about him." Clyde said.

"Hi, Clani." Serf said.

"I knew it." Rani said.

"Go to the roof. Bye, Clani." Serf said, while the hologram disappears.

Harrison runs away.

Light chamber…

"We did it." Sky said, happily.

Projection theatre…

"Where's Harrison?" Clyde asked.

(Jared's POV)

Roof…

"Sarah Jane Smith. Jared Shay. Step away from them." Harrison said, looking between Sarah and I.

"You're too late. We said we'd stop you." I said, squeezing Sarah's hand.

"You and whose army?"

A massive spaceship pops into existence above the building.

"That army." I said, letting go of Sarah's hand and walking over to the Railgun and her friends.

"I'll take that. Thank you very much." Uiharu said, grabbing Harrison's phaser as he stares upwards.

"We go now. Thank you, thank you. You good people." Plark said.

"I think that's your ride. Quick. Come on." Sarah said.

"Home!" Plark said, happily.

"No. I paid billions. No." Harrison said.

"No, wait." Mikoto said, looking at Harrison.

"You belong to me. You're mine, mine." Harrison said, getting beamed up with the Skullions.

"Yes!" Sarah said, as the spaceship zooms away.

"That was a spaceship." Adriana said, looking up at the sky.

"What will they do to Harrison?" Sky asked.

"Set him to work, I hope." Luke said.

"But it's amazing. Amazing." Adriana said, smiling.

"Er, who's this again?" Clyde asked.

"I'm just the cleaner. I mean I was the cleaner. I have no job now. So you people, you do this all the time? That's wonderful."

"Will Mii Konori like her?" I asked, looking between Shirai and Uiharu.

"She will." Uiharu said.

"She does show promise as a Judgement Officer." Shirai said.

"The question is. Judgement or UNIT?" Saten asked.

"I'd say let her work in Judgement." Mikoto said, her hand on her hip.

"I agree. Let her take those shifts Shirai and Uiharu can't do due to it being a school night." I said, giving Adriana a business card - Judgment 177 Branch Office. "Give them a call. Uiharu and Saten's boss. She's nice. Mention my name along with Shirai and Uiharu's. You're the kind of officer they need. You'll help as a Level 0 and put them on track like Saten does. The pay will be very good. I'll guarantee it."

Attic…

"The SerfBoard has failed to live up the hype, and Joseph Serf has disappeared after the most launch in the history…" BBC News said.

"I think that's enough news for the day, Mister Smith." I said, sipping on some bubble tea.

"Well, I'm certainly not disappointed." Rani said.

"Oh, poor Mister Serf. The real Mister Serf. Nobody will ever know what really happened to him." Sarah said.

"Done it." Clyde said, entering the attic.

"Same." Mikoto said, entering the attic with Shirai, Saten, and Uiharu.

"Sissy, I can't believe Jared asked for that." Shirai said.

"Guess Jared wants to get her into that thing." Saten said.

"I mean, it makes sense. Considering Misaka's obsession." Uiharu said.

"Sky, could you get that CD you promised me, please?" Rani asked, looking at Sky.

"Sure. Won't be a second." Sky said, running out of the attic.

"What are you lot up to?" Sarah asked, looking at us.

"Nothing. Sorry, Sarah Jane, it's a family thing." Rani said, happily.

(Open POV)

Sky's room…

"Hi, Sky." Luke said.

"What's going on? What are you…" Sky said.

"Present for you. I got Clyde to do it." Luke said, revealing a poster of Sky on the wall. "I also asked for Gekota merchandise from Tokiwadai's Ace to be displayed around your room. Along with a flower crown made by Uiharu and some of Shirai's bows."

There is a lot of Gekota merchandise that wasn't in Sky's room before along with bows in the wardrobe and a flower crown on her desk.

"For me?" Sky asked.

"Well, it's your room, isn't it?" Luke asked.

"It's great."

"Nothing's too good for my sister. Come here." Luke said, hugging Sky.

Farewell montage…

"I've seen amazing things out there in space but strange things can happen wherever you are. I've learned that life on Earth can be an adventure too." Sarah said, her voice in Jared's head.

"Mum?" Luke asked.

"Oh, Luke." Sarah said, hugging Luke.

"In all the universe I never expected to find a family." Sarah said, her voice in Jared's head.

And the story goes on... forever.