Reploids

Epilogue

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Viktor Cossack stared at the ruins in front of him and ran a hand over his tired face. Seeing the damage in person was much more difficult than he had anticipated.

His family's factory was completely destroyed, little more than a hole on the ground.

Sigma had made sure that nothing remained.

Except for one thing.

His father's charred corpse was hanging from a column that stood in the middle of the destruction for all who dared approach the destruction to see. Not that anyone would; after the disaster with Eurasia, most of the planet was polluted to the point very few things could survive in the open. Russia, however, still remained relatively safe, for most of the pieces of the Space Colony had crashed near the Equator, sparing the north from most of the damage.

Toxic rain and radioactive winds were still a danger even here, however, and the young scientist had very little time before he had to return to the underground shelter.

Viktor left the relative safety his personal helicopter and bodyguards provided so he could make his way, alone by his own request, to where his father's body was.

He had to get him down from there so he could give him a proper burial.

He deserved that and more.

"I'll get you down, father," the man said once he arrived to the column. "Somehow."

"Let me help you," a woman's voice said behind him.

Viktor turned to face his wife, who had beamed down a few steps away.

"Nina."

"I'm sorry, Viktor," she offered as she looked at the burnt remains of her father in law. "I know we weren't close but… I had the highest respect for him. I… I was built here, and he approved my creation, he…"

"I know," Viktor said, walking to her and holding her in his arms. "I know."

"You shouldn't have come here without me," she whispered. "Not after showing me the video of what your father said. I… I never imagined he felt that way."

"But he did, Nina, and that's all that matters."

The female reploid nodded. "I'll bring him down from up there."

"Thank you."

Three years later…

Nina Cossack walked through the corridors of her family's factory and stopped once she reached her husband's office. She found him standing by the window, staring at the busy city on the horizon.

"It's incredible how quickly we managed to rebuild," he said once she was by his side. "It is only thanks to the efforts of all reploids that this was possible."

"Your air purifier was also of great help," she said, placing her hand on his shoulder. "And to think I was uncertain that machine would work properly."

"I never doubted it," he grinned. "Say, Nina, how is the development of project VCN-308 going?"

"Better than expected. The New Generation prototype is finally completed," she smiled. "That is why I came here to see you, dear. We completed him to your specifications this morning. We are naming him Axl."

"Splendid. Please make the final tests so we can activate him in five days," Viktor said. "If all goes well, the maverick virus will finally be history."

"I'm sure your father would be proud, my love," Nina whispered on his ear as she hugged him. "I certainly am proud."

"Thank you, Nina. I hope he is," he said, leaning on her embrace. "I hope he is."

End

Note:

This short epilogue was written in order to better tie this story with its sequel: Relic from the seas.