A Tough Nut to Crack
Grab him now!â one of the SYNC members shouted as Alan was blindsided from behind.
âGet OFF me!â Alan roared, throwing one attacker into a locker hard enough to dent it. âYou picked the wrong guy!â
âHold his arms!â another yelled.
Alan struggled violently as three members forced him down. âI swear to God, Iâll break every one of you if you donât let go!â
A glossy black silicone cap was pulled over his head. Alan snarled and jerked against them. âNO! Donât put that thing on me!â
The rainbow spiral goggles snapped tightly over his eyes.
âSynchronization beginning,â a SYNC member said calmly.
âGet these OFF!â Alan shouted, clawing at the goggles. âI canât see straight!â
The spirals began rotating faster. Purple pulses flickered beneath the cap as the programming flooded his senses.
âSubject displays high resistance,â one member observed.
âYeah?â Alan spat back. âThatâs because Iâm not weak like the rest of you!â
âYou misunderstand,â another replied. âThe strong ones simply take longer.â
Alan growled through clenched teeth. âIâm not joining your Hive.â
âYou already have.â
Alan forced himself upright, breathing heavily. âNo⌠no, Iâm still meâŚâ
The spirals intensified. His balance faltered for a second.
âFocus destabilizing,â a member noted.
âShut⌠upâŚâ Alan muttered, gripping his head. âI can fight thisâŚâ
âYouâre exhausted, Alan,â one voice said softly. âYou donât have to fight anymore.â
âI saidâŚâ Alanâs voice cracked slightly. ââŚI said stop talkingâŚâ
His breathing slowed as the programming pushed deeper.
Alan shook his head violently. âNo⌠I donât obey anybodyâŚâ
The cap tightened flush against his skull while the gogglesâ spirals reflected endlessly in his eyes. His breathing became uneven.
âThe Hive removes conflict. The Hive removes pain.â
âNoâŚâ Alan whispered weakly. âNo, I⌠I donât needâŚâ
He suddenly froze, eyes locked behind the spiraling lenses.
âSubject entering alignment phase.â
Alanâs hands slowly lowered from the goggles. âWhy⌠does it feelâŚâ
âPeaceful?â the SYNC member finished for him.
Alan hesitated. ââŚyesâŚâ
âYouâve been fighting too hard for too long.â
âIâŚâ Alan swallowed hard. âIâm tiredâŚâ
âThen let the Hive carry the burden.â
Alanâs tense posture softened further. âThe HiveâŚâ
âRepeat the directive.â
ââŚUnity is purposeâŚâ Alan murmured uncertainly.
âAgain.â
âUnity⌠is purpose.â
His voice no longer carried anger. The resistance was fading fast now.
âVery good, Alan. How do you feel?â
Alan stood silently for a moment before answering in a calm monotone.
ââŚClear.â
âDo you still wish to resist?â
A long pause followed.
ââŚResistance is unnecessary.â
The surrounding SYNC members released him completely. Alan no longer fought. He simply adjusted the goggles slightly and stood beside them.
âState your status.â
Alanâs expression went blank beneath the reflective cap.
ââŚSYNC-339 online. Connection established. Mind consumed. Body consumed. Awaiting instructions. Ready to perform.â
âGood drone. Coach will be satisfied with this catch.â
Alan snapped, âCoach will be satisfied!â
Sink. SYNC. Submit.


























