Error’s Origin Ch. 7
((First Chapter: Here
Previous Chapter: Here))
The lab was dim and quiet, for the most part at least. Besides the whirring of refrigerators, fans, computers, and the dim clacking of a keyboard. Science was hard at work again, as he always was when he sneaked off in the middle of the night. He sat back, rubbing his face softly as he stared at the screen, between his fingers. He let out a sigh as he took off his glasses when the words [ACCESS DENIED] bold in red appeared. It'd been over a year since he tried to access the world's coding through a computer. The lab was high tech and he was sure he could pull it off. He had the power, he just needed the way in..
Science rubbed his eyes before looking down at his hand. A soft smile came to his face at the silver band with a deep blue gem set in it that rested on his ringfinger. Habit and Science had grown extremely close over this time. And, Habit, old-fashioned as he was, asked Gaster for Science's hand in marriage who happily gave his blessing. He hated lying to Habit, that he'd gone against Habit's warnings and would sneak off without his knowledge to work in his lab on this project. But each time he looked at the engagement ring, it only encouraged him. The time in which they had wandered the surface was still fresh in many monsters. Science had been a child when things took a turn for the worst and they had to escape the humans. And already, he missed it so much. He wanted he and Habit to marry on the surface. Sure, they could go to any AU where monsters had already been freed to do so. But, no. It had to be in his home. His and Habit's home.
Newly rejuvenated to keep working with that reminder, Science sat up and got to work again. He paused as he remembered what Habit had allowed himself to teach. Most of what Science had learned about hacking, he taught himself as best as he was able to with the resources he had. Crossing his arms, he went back to the beginning, remembering everything he could. Suddenly...it was so obvious. There's always a back door. You don't go through the firewall, you look for that hidden door!
Science sat up more eagerly as he realized he had a goal now, something to search for. This was his new mission.
Weeks had passed, Science continuing to work in secrecy, spending the days working in the lab on weapons and with his family at the end of the day. But at night, he sat here, typing away on his keyboard. Finally, Science sat alone one night. His soul beat in his chest. Could this be it? Did he find it? He clicked the enter button as the computer went to work.
Science was absolutely still, practically shaking in his chair as he stared wide eyed at the computer with his red-tinted glasses.
[ACCESS GRANTED]
Habit yawned as he made his way downstairs. Science was normally sleeping in as long as he could before work with Habit waking up first. This time, though, Science wasn't there, but he heard his voice outside. He noticed how excited Science was as he spoke to Gaster who was making breakfast. “Please, dad, I know I discovered something big! You need to get me an audience with the king!”
“Sans, have you slept at all tonight?” Gaster raised a brow. Indeed, Science had dark rims beneath his eyes and his eye magic was dull though his eyesockets were wide with excitement. “No, dad, listen to me! I just need the time and the funding! I already got it all planned out! It's easier once you get in and I just need to design the machinery to make it possible! I might even be able to alter the DT Extraction Machine Alphys has been working on to get it done faster if I ask!”
“You haven't even asked her yet, Sans. You know how hard she's worked on it. What if your project fails and she has to undo the damage to her machine?” Gaster asked. He normally wasn't so skeptical of his son, but what he was suggesting...
“I'll fix it! But I promise, I KNOW this will work! We won't even need DETERMINATION!” Sans insisted, not noticing Habit listening in until his voice was heard behind him. “What has you so excited, Sci?”
Before Science could think of a way to avoid revealing what he'd been doing, Gaster spoke for him. “He's claiming he can be able to alter the properties of a monster to be affected by the barrier.”
“Alter the properties?” Habit asked suspiciously as Science glanced off guiltily. “...Science, you...”
“I'm sorry...!” Science whined as he was busted, Gaster raising a brow. “What's going on?”
“He is planning to do something similar to my own abilities, similar to an Error to hack the AU's code. Science, I warned you about this,” Habit's voice wasn't raised but his tone was scolding. Science rubbed the back of his neck, glancing down. “I know, I know...But...Habit, I think I figured it out. If I could just-”
“You are not doing anything, Sans-Script,” Habit said firmly as he walked closer. “I wouldn't even try this and I have been hacking since before you were born.”
“But you said it was possible! And I think I know how!” Science, who was normally obedient to Habit's wishes, was stubborn now. Gaster sighed at the two. “Both of you keep it down so you don't worry Papyrus. Listen...If there really is a possibility as you confirmed, Habit...I believe we should bring this to the King and Queen.”
Habit looked to Gaster, shocked at the suggestion. If anything, he had figured Gaster would be siding with him. “What?”
“This can affect the entire Underground and it shouldn't be a decision to be made among the three of us, even if I am the Royal Scientist,” Gaster said, trying to keep sense of this. “I will plan an audience with the King, Queen and the Royal Guard Captain and I will be there with you both. You'll both say your arguments on your opinions. Then it'll be up to them to decide.”
Science hesitated, exchanging glances with Habit. Habit looked back to Science solemnly. As much as the two loved each other, Habit couldn't let Science do this and Science couldn't let him stop his progress.
Before too long, Science and Habit stood before King Asgore, Queen Toriel, Royal Guard Captain Gerson, and Royal Scientist Gaster. The two presented their arguments calmly and professionally, speaking back and forth to tackle their fiance's retort. Finally, there was nothing else to say and the three went off to discuss what to do next.
Science and Habit sat together next to each other in silence. Finally, Science looked to Habit with a soft frown. “Habit...I'm really sorry for having to bring it to this point, I just...”
Habit sighed softly, staring down. He couldn't be mad at Science, especially as he gaze down at the ring on Science's finger. He slowly slipped his hand into Science's own, grasping it close. “I...understand, Sans. I know why you would want to do this. But...Science, please...don't do this. Something could happen.”
“...I can't do that, Habit...” Science said sadly as he squeezed Habit's hand tightly, his own hand shaking. He was scared Habit would leave him and Habit knew Science enough to notice this. He reached up, taking Science's cheek and pulled him into a gentle, loving kiss. “...No matter what happens, Sans...I will always be by your side. No matter what fate chooses today...”
Science fought back the urge to cry as he looked up to Habit before nodding and hugged him close.
As fate would have it, the four sat down before King Asgore would speak to the two as Science and Habit stood and presented themselves. “After much consideration...we have decided to approve of this project and provide the funding needed so you can accomplish it.”
Habit's soul sank as Science's soul leaped with joy and anticipation. Queen Toriel continued where Asgore left off. “The people need hope. With the barrier still so new...what happened with...”
Everyone in the room bowed their heads in grievance at what happened to the late Chara and Asriel before Toriel composed herself and looked up again. “...The kingdom will die without something to look forward to. The promise of the core has helped, but with the timeframe it'll take to be completed, and even then, as a power source...The hope of returning to the surface will be life to monsterkind again.”
Gaster nodded in agreement. “But...you will need someone willing to volunteer once the machine is completed.”
Science nodded. “I'm sure that'll be no problem. Someone has to, right?”
“I will let everyone in the kingdom know,” Asgore spoke up. “I'll set up an audience. But, I will have to notify them of the risk they're taking when they do.”
“You can count on me, your highnesses.” Science said confidently.
“Nrgh...I still don't like the sound of this,” Gerson grumbled.
Months had passed since the King's announcement of their newest project. The kingdom was lifted in joy and hope, especially in Science's confidence that he had found the answer. He was treated as a hero whenever he was seen in public, given gifts and gold. Gaster and Alphys had shifted from their own projects to help with Science's project. Alphys had even volunteered her DT Extraction Machine so they could avoid some of the work. Finally, the moment of truth was beginning to near. However...
No volunteers stepped forward.
Science paced back and forth in his lab anxiously as he tried to think of what to do. They were SO close, he could practically taste it! It can't stop at this. Habit watched Science with a frown as he sat with Science's lunch. “Science, sit down and eat...”
“I can't...It's scheduled to be completed tomorrow. What's going to happen when I have a machine, funded by the kingdom, and no one to test it?! They said I needed to have someone willing to be the test subject.”
“I don't think anyone really likes the sound of being called a test subject...” Habit muttered as he ate. Science looked to Habit worriedly. “I'm serious...You've seen how happy people have gotten. I can't throw this away. But...Ugh, if they want to reach the surface so badly, they should be willing to take the risk! At least for everyone else!”
Habit was growing anxious at this. He knew what the timeline's future was before he joined it. But now it had drove off its course so drastically. He didn't know what was going to happen. He could only hope that it was better than the future they had. Where Sans would spend years, guarding the king from a heartless human, always fighting...
“Sans, don't stress yourself out, sit down.” Science hesitated before he slowly forced himself to sit. He wasn't hungry but forced himself to eat the meal Habit had packed for him. Habit moved an arm around Science, kissing his head gently “If it's not meant to be, Sans, it's not meant to be.”
No...He couldn't do this. He couldn't do this after promising so much to the kingdom. They wouldn't forget this. He HAS to do this. There wasn't any backing out now.
The next day went by slowly for everyone. Papyrus was at school as they worked so Habit stayed back and helped where he could. They had it handled for the most part. Science had dreamt of this moment for so long. But, now as they stood back, with the machine completed...It was nothing like his dreams. The machine was ready but stayed powered off. No one had volunteered. And now it all seemed so pointless.
“...Wh-What are we going to tell the King, doctor?” Alphys asked finally as she looked up to Gaster. Gaster sighed softly as he held his chin in thought. “...With no volunteers, we can't power it on. That was the agreement.”
“Maybe he can have another audience...?” She asked and glanced to Science who stood there with a grim expression on his face. She was pretty close friends with him and knew how much he had looked forward to this, but his hope was dwindling down as they reached that moment. She wanted to be optimistic, at least for him. Even if the kingdom was only a fraction of the population the monsters had before the war.
But Gaster shook his head, crossing his arms. “The anticipation still buzzes throughout the kingdom, Alphys. Yet no one wants to risk it. No one knows what'll happen, what the window for error is.”
Habit slowly walked to Science as they spoke, hugging him around his waist as he tried to comfort him. He didn't like the silence coming from Science. He had opened up so much since the project had started. He was happy. But now...
Science suddenly spoke up. “I volunteer.”
Habit widened his eyes, trying to hold Science back as he tried to walk forward to the machine. “What- Sans, no!”
“We need a volunteer and if no one else will, I will! I'm the only one who knows this will work!” Science insisted as he tried to pull away. Gaster tried to pull the two apart as Alphys watched with worry. “Both of you, stop acting so irrational!”
But among the struggle, Science shortcutted himself to the machine, powering it on. As it began to whir on, he began imputing the code he wanted to insert into his own coding, where it was to be placed as Gaster came up behind him. “Sans, please be reasonable...”
Science's face darkened as he stared at the screen. “...Dad...You know I'll only continue this myself. With or without all of your help. It's up to you all if you want to stay in here or not. But I'm doing this.”
Gaster frowned softly as he stared at Science who kept his back on the group. Gaster sighed, glancing over to Alphys and Habit who stared at him hopelessly. What else could they do?
Sensing their silence was them submitting to Science's wishes, he went back to work setting the machine up. Soon, it was read and he stared at the chair in which he was to sit in. He felt his soul churning with fear and his body shook softly at what he was about to do. The confidence he'd had up to this point was dwindling. But he refused to back up now. He turned to the others, forcing a confident grin. “Wish me luck...”
Habit stepped forward, pulling Science into a hug and a passionate kiss that Science returned, clinging to him desperately to help buy some time. As they pulled back from the kiss, Habit stared at Science with love and fear. “...Don't do this...”
“I have to...” Science muttered, squeezing Habit's jacket in his fingers. Habit sighed softly and kiss the shorter San's forehead gently. “...Promise you'll be okay. Promise we'll have our wedding.”
At those words, Science only felt the urge to go through with his plan grow stronger. This was why he was risking it. It was all for his family, his kingdom, and most of all, his fiance. “...I promise. I'll see you soon.”
Science and Habit grudgingly let go of each other and Science took a slow breath as he faced the humming machine, waiting for its test subject. Science's legs seemed to move on their own, though shakily. He felt distant from his own body as he saw the chair getting closer before he finally turned around and sat in it. He looked back to see Alphys staying back as Gaster stood by the keyboard, ready to activate it. Habit stood right in front of the machine, intending to be the first person Science saw when he came out.
Science took a slow breath before he nodded to Gaster. “...I'm ready...”
“Activating the Biological Barrier Adapter.” Gaster announced as he activated the machine for its purpose. The chair shook for Science and the doors began to close over him. Just before they closed, he gave a reassuring smile and thumbs up to the others before he was out of their sight. He sat there, waiting. Unsure of what was going to happen. What he was going to feel. It was dim in there as the machine roared around him. Was it accessing his code now?
Meanwhile, the others waited in anticipation, staring at the machine. They held their breaths as what should've been a short process felt like forever. The room never felt colder like in that moment.
Suddenly, Science's agonized screams could be heard, muffled through the doors and just after that, the machine's screen turned red as the word ERROR flooded and blinked over the screen, alarms beginning to go off.
“Oh, no, what's happening?!” Alphys called as she ran to Gaster who attempted to try to force the machine to open the doors. “I-I don't know, I'm trying to get him out now! Why won't it open?!”
A red bone skimmed Gaster's cheek as it crashed into the machine. It was enough to shut it down as the alarms whined to a silence and the machine quieted down. In the silence, they all quickly noticed something. Science was no longer screaming behind the doors that blocked the chair he was in.
“SANS!” Habit tried out as he tried to force the doors open with his magic, Gaster doing the same. Slowly, they forced the machinery to submit and the doors slowly creaked open.
Science was half unconscious, slumping on the door as he lost his energy trying to get free but didn't even react as he felt himself fall out onto the floor. Everyone's voices sounded far away as they called his name, turning him over to look him over and continued to talk. But he wasn't really registering it all. He faintly tried to remember what happened. Why had this happened? Everything had gone black, his entire being felt like it was searing. Why...Why did this happen again...? He couldn't remember. He blacked out again.
“Sans...Sans!” Habit's voice jolted him awake and Science's eyes shut open before he grunted in pain at the light, even if it wasn't very bright to everyone else. His head was pounding. Where was he...? “Habit...?”
“H-He's okay...!” Alphys said happily as Science winced, grabbing his head and slowly looked up at the others who had laid him on one of the beds in the lab. As he saw the three, he slowly begin to remember. “...I...I got to go to the barrier...I got to see if it worked...Y-Yeah, it really hurts, but m-maybe...Someone else will go to collect the human souls...”
“...It didn't work, Sans...” Gaster muttered sadly. Science practically felt his soul shatter at those words. “W-Wha-...H-How do you know...? I need to go to the b-barrier, I need to...”
Science widened his eyes as he remembered. When he grabbed his head...he quickly looked down at his hand and his eyes widened. Pulling his sleeve down, his bones were no longer the milk white color he always had. His forearm was now a bright crimson wide before they changed dramatically to his black palm and then his finger was now ringed with red stripes that led to bright yellow fingertips. Error's hand began to shake as Habit looked away. He knew what had happened and held a mirror for Science to see.
Science's eyes had widened as he saw his transformation. His face, his skull, unnaturally black in color. And from what he could see of his eyesockets and nosegap, the inside of his skull was blood red. The magic formed for his eyesight even looked different, one just a small white dot while the other was a wide blue and yellow pupil. He was nearly the exact image of Habit, though his lab coat had taken on a warped black color.
He HAD failed. Even with his groggy mind as he saw the glitches breaking up his body and the environment around him.
He had become an Error.
