I love re-interpreting Harold's captivity as the start of a Decima plot _

I also love that stomach-dropping moment where John is dying and Lambert steps into the room. Because that could have also been the most terrible thing: John has just sacrificed himself to keep Harold out of Decima's hands, and it wasn't enough, because now Harold gets swiped anyway, and brainwashed like Shaw or something, with no one left to rescue him.

But aside from that, this is a nice attrition plot with great interplay between Harold and the Machine near the end. I can see her desperation, and his stubborn refusal to just give up, after everything else they have sacrificed to the cause, and it's like an irresistible force clashes with an immovable object.

It also, of course, raises the question of why the Machine wasn't more careful with her assets before it got this far. Perhaps then it wouldn't have come to this. But then again, maybe she took Harold's limitations to heart at first, and it's only now, with the threat to the last remaining member, to Admin, that the Machine pushes past her boundaries out of desperation and fear, and then has to re-learn what courage and sacrifice really mean.

This is a really good story. More than depressing and sad at times. I really hope that Harold won't end up completely alone in the show, but this certainly was an interesting speculation how he and the Machine might react in such a situation.

Thank you for writing and sharing this story with us!

Wow! That was powerful. Loved it.