"They're gone, aren't they?"

Yusei looked up. Carly's anxious, squeaking voice. He nodded slowly.

"They're gone."

"Jack... I... is this what you wanted...?" She was crying. Yusei closed his eyes. He couldn't watch. He couldn't watch one of his best friends fall apart.

"Maybe they're not gone. Maybe-"

"Don't be STUPID!" Yusei was stunned by the venom in her voice. "You know Jack. You know Aki. They're gone."

"Carly, I'm sorry. I couldn't predict this."

"I knew that this was happening," she replied softly. "But my stupid pride wouldn't let me ask. He's gone... They're both gone..."

"Come here." Yusei held the reporter in his arms. She felt so weak, as if her bones would break if he pressed harder than neccesary.

"I could have loved her," he whispered into her ear.

"I know, Yusei." Her tone was kind and understanding. "I... I did love him."

***

Ren Ersatz stomped down the halls, her heels clicking. "REN!" Her secretary ran after her, his hoarse voice echoing. "That reporter from yesterday-"

"I told her no! Forget it."

"- is here."

Ren turned around swiftly. The reporter she had turned down the day before greeted her. Ren stared at this budding reporter with her shining eyes and eagerness to learn from the best. She reminded her so much of herself.

Before she had grown up.

"Listen to me, Missy, and you listen good." She leaned forward. "Things in the Satellite will never change. They can't change. And there is nothing you can do about it."

Tears filled the reporter's eyes. "Uh- I- got to go..." She ran out of the building, tears streaming down her face.

"You're disgusting, you know that?"

Ren would recognise that voice anywhere. She didn't even bother to turn around. "Yusei."

"Yeah, it's me. How have you been? How's Carly?" That last line was rich and taunting.

"I haven't seen her for a while. Why don't you search for yourself instead of asking me every time you come?"

"I can't find her, strangely enough. And who was that reporter?"

"Don't no..." Her shapely, red nails tapped on the table. "Don't care."

"I want to see her again and you're the only one who knows her better than me."

"How long are you going to play this stupid game?" she hissed, her voice thick with bitterness. "Carly's gone! Remember when Jack and Aki left? Or does it hurt to much to think about it? Well, she left the next day. YOU told me that YOURSELF. I haven't seen her since."

"You lie."

"You don't want the truth."

Ren flung open her office door and sat down in the ruby red seat. She brushed out her black hair with a silver comb and rolled her eyes as she thought about the desperate look in Yusei's eyes. Why can't he stop bugging me? He knows that I don't know Carly! He keeps acting like I know some thing... I don't get him at all.

Outside, Yusei was contemplating the same thing. Honestly, I don't get Ren at all.

***

Carly herself was in Professor Goodwin's old laboratory. Though not in the form that most would expect.

She wasn't human any more.