"Tell me...do you believe in God?"

“She was catapulted through the static wall, into cluttered vastness, the notional void of cyberspace, the bright grid of the matrix ranged around her like an infinite cage.” ― William Gibson

“Has a fellow Chopin fan graced me with their presence? That’s a very difficult question. All his work is wonderful, so passionate and dark, yet it’s delicate and refined. At the moment my favorite is Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, No. 2. I know it’s one of his most famous pieces and most likely could be called over rated, however, it’s still a magnificent piece. Last week my favorite was Nocturne in B major, Op. 32, No. 1.”

“…We’ve not been introduced.” She extended a hand. “…Doctor Chloe Mason. I only really know you as Mr. Wesley…we have a mutual acquaintance.”

“Has a fellow Chopin fan graced me with their presence? That’s a very difficult question. All his work is wonderful, so passionate and dark, yet it’s delicate and refined. At the moment my favorite is Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, No. 2. I know it’s one of his most famous pieces and most likely could be called over rated, however, it’s still a magnificent piece. Last week my favorite was Nocturne in B major, Op. 32, No. 1.”

“…We’ve not been introduced.” She extended a hand. “…Doctor Chloe Mason. I only really know you as Mr. Wesley…we have a mutual acquaintance.”

“Has a fellow Chopin fan graced me with their presence? That’s a very difficult question. All his work is wonderful, so passionate and dark, yet it’s delicate and refined. At the moment my favorite is Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, No. 2. I know it’s one of his most famous pieces and most likely could be called over rated, however, it’s still a magnificent piece. Last week my favorite was Nocturne in B major, Op. 32, No. 1.”

“...We’ve not been introduced.” She extended a hand. “...Doctor Chloe Mason. I only really know you as Mr. Wesley...we have a mutual acquaintance.”

“Has a fellow Chopin fan graced me with their presence? That’s a very difficult question. All his work is wonderful, so passionate and dark, yet it’s delicate and refined. At the moment my favorite is Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, No. 2. I know it’s one of his most famous pieces and most likely could be called over rated, however, it’s still a magnificent piece. Last week my favorite was Nocturne in B major, Op. 32, No. 1.”

“You carry around one of those music players?”

“Besides, sometimes one just has to move with the times. even if you lose quality with it.”

But the embryos were surviving. They were living within her.

“Has a fellow Chopin fan graced me with their presence? That’s a very difficult question. All his work is wonderful, so passionate and dark, yet it’s delicate and refined. At the moment my favorite is Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, No. 2. I know it’s one of his most famous pieces and most likely could be called over rated, however, it’s still a magnificent piece. Last week my favorite was Nocturne in B major, Op. 32, No. 1.”

“…coincidentally my own favourite.” She smiled warmly, flicking her eyes over him. “Though there will always be a soft spot in my heart for Debussy. His heady, dreamy, mystical melodies simply inspire…”

“Ah, yes, the impressionist.” Wesley smiled, his mind wandering to his music. “His work is wonderful, however, I prefer Stravinsky over Debussy. Even if Debussy got his inspiration from him.”

“I suppose I am…strings have such power to them. They can captivate so much emotion. I’ve always loved the violin and piano. I learned to play a bit in my time actually. Nothing outstanding, but I can play whatever I chose to.” 

“What a wonderful way to look at strings. Music nowadays is just disgraceful.” 

“Hold on, Chloe. Just hold on.”

“…Stop…” She insisted.

“…I love you, Doctor…Zola…” she murmured, staining the pale flesh red with blood.

In spite of his entreaties he still made preparations in case of the worst. He could keep her body alive without her mind if he was forced to. He could even carefully harvest his offspring to be placed in a techno-womb. That wasn’t what he wanted however. 

Her hand fell from his face and her breathing just stopped.

“Has a fellow Chopin fan graced me with their presence? That’s a very difficult question. All his work is wonderful, so passionate and dark, yet it’s delicate and refined. At the moment my favorite is Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, No. 2. I know it’s one of his most famous pieces and most likely could be called over rated, however, it’s still a magnificent piece. Last week my favorite was Nocturne in B major, Op. 32, No. 1.”

“…coincidentally my own favourite.” She smiled warmly, flicking her eyes over him. “Though there will always be a soft spot in my heart for Debussy. His heady, dreamy, mystical melodies simply inspire…”

“Ah, yes, the impressionist.” Wesley smiled, his mind wandering to his music. “His work is wonderful, however, I prefer Stravinsky over Debussy. Even if Debussy got his inspiration from him.”

“I suppose I am…strings have such power to them. They can captivate so much emotion. I’ve always loved the violin and piano. I learned to play a bit in my time actually. Nothing outstanding, but I can play whatever I chose to.” 

Pumping a shot of gel into her hands she worked it in vigorously, before heading to grab her things.

She laid back in her bed that night, thinking over the plan and everything that would need to be done. Dr Mason might end up being a problem if she contacted that group; Gazelle wasn’t worried. She’d taken out the man in the snow cabin. What more could they bring?

Meanwhile, Chloe ensured her home security was up to scratch and that her security knew not to admit anyone to her apartment building who hadn’t been carefully checked first.

“Has a fellow Chopin fan graced me with their presence? That’s a very difficult question. All his work is wonderful, so passionate and dark, yet it’s delicate and refined. At the moment my favorite is Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, No. 2. I know it’s one of his most famous pieces and most likely could be called over rated, however, it’s still a magnificent piece. Last week my favorite was Nocturne in B major, Op. 32, No. 1.”

“…coincidentally my own favourite.” She smiled warmly, flicking her eyes over him. “Though there will always be a soft spot in my heart for Debussy. His heady, dreamy, mystical melodies simply inspire…”

“Ah, yes, the impressionist.” Wesley smiled, his mind wandering to his music. “His work is wonderful, however, I prefer Stravinsky over Debussy. Even if Debussy got his inspiration from him.”

“Hold on, Chloe. Just hold on.”

“…Stop…” She insisted.

“...I love you, Doctor...Zola...” she murmured, staining the pale flesh red with blood.

“Hold on, Chloe. Just hold on.”

“...Stop...” She insisted.

He bounded to her side, his revulsion forgotten. He quickly scanned her, and the results were grim. She was suffering catastrophic brain damage and was fading fast. There was nothing he could do. Not even his nanite technology was enough. Her brain had always been tricky. He pulled her into his arms, cursing in German. 

There was a sad acceptance in her eyes. She knew she was dying.

And now they were awaiting orders.

He immediately went to work on the doors, having them opened quickly. His own security forces as well as drones were there to finish off any remaining insurgents. He let them work, searching through the ruins for the young woman. He had chosen as a companion. 

  And a woman, laying on the ground a short distance away, her limbs in an awkward position, her long black hair fanned out over the floor as if she had simply decided to lay down, her eyes closed, her skin pale, but for streams of blood that seemed to be coming from her eyes, her nose, her ears, her lips...