Genesis Sync

Back in Genesis, the two women were impressed that John knew who Sarah really was, as Sarah had said not many people knew who she was because it was not something that was openly advertised.

"This boy is getting more and more impressive,” Red Rose remarked. “Not to mention he’s got a great build.”

"Though your comment about his build is not entirely appropriate for a princess, dear daughter. I do agree that he is impressive; I just hope his enmity does not run too deep." Fire Empress stated with a sigh.

***

"So, what else can I do for you and Tia? Although it's rare for me to get visitors, I’m afraid I need to sleep soon, as I’m busy again tomorrow."

“You mean your job at the construction site?” Sarah asked with a sad smile.

John frowned before saying, “Those underage are not allowed to work.”

“True,” Sarah agreed with a smile. “But exceptions have and can be made, though I’m not here to arrest you regarding the work you were forced to find in order to survive.”

John frowned at Sarah and, for the first time since their meeting, truly inspected her face and body. He found that she was every bit as beautiful as what had been shown on Genesis News and other news channels, although they didn’t do her thighs justice. They were so thick and curvy that John couldn’t help but wonder how many men had lost themselves between them.

Sarah's smile changed slightly as she noticed how John’s stare had suddenly stopped on her thighs. This wasn’t something new to her since even she agreed that they were her best feature, but a topless man with such a fine, chiselled chest staring at them suddenly made her feel slightly warm.

Sarah coughed slightly as a way to move the conversation on, as she knew that he aunt and cousin were currently observing their interaction.

“Oh, my apologies,” John said as he quickly pulled his eyes back up and looked hers with slight embarrassment while asking, “Won’t you come in?”

“Thank you,” Sarah said with a nod before passing John and entering the apartment after he moved aside.

“It’s not much, but please make yourself comfortable. Would you like some water? It’s all I have, I’m afraid?” John asked.

“Water's fine, thank you,” Sarah replied as she inspected the apartment while saying in a teasing tone. “Quite bold of you to invite a lone woman into your apartment.”

“Well, there was no way I was inviting that rude bastard in,” John replied. “Besides, I at least have to show the empress’s niece some modicum of welcome.”

Sarah continued to inspect the apartment without response and as she did so, her smile couldn’t help but falter. Peeling paint, old, moth-eaten furniture, a surprisingly small number of old, well-worn clothes that hung from the ceiling, leftover cartons of empty instant noodle snacks.

“Sorry it’s a mess, but I wasn’t expecting company,” John stated as he noticed her looking.

“It’s fine; I was the one who called on you unannounced.”

“I haven’t had time to clean recently.”

“Because of your job?” Sarah asked as she turned to look at him.

John nodded before handing her a chipped cup of water.

“Thank you,” Sarah replied before taking a sip. ”Won’t you join me?”

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Only if you want to share; I only have one cup,” John said with a smile before he grabbed a t-shirt from one of the hangers and pulled it on over his head.

Sarah couldn’t decide which feeling was stronger: the anger that John had been forced to live like this, or the disappointment that he had put a t-shirt on and covered his chest.

{For fucks sack Sarah your not a giddy school girl any more, you’ve seen plenty of men’s chests… though admittedly not one so ripped.}

As Sarah took another sip of water and tried to push away the inappropriate thoughts she was having, a small holographic version of Tia suddenly appeared above her access band and said, "John Michaels, I have some further questions for you that I wish answered."

"And if I don't want to answer them?" John asked in return.

"Failing to assist me in my investigation will increase the punishment the human race is set to receive," Tia advised.

"And?" John asked simply, causing Sarah’s eyes to widen in surprise.

***

There was silence in the isolation room as no one knew how to respond to that; even Tia was at a loss for a moment.

"Are you saying you don't care about the punishment the human race receives in Genesis?" Tia asked.

"Why would I care about the human race when they have done nothing for me?" John replied before continuing.

"Why would I care when no human has ever shown me any care?

Why would I care when I’m forced to illegally work just to survive?

Why would I care when the government that is supposed to support me instead employs individuals who for some reason want to poison me?"

"Why would I care when my supposed schoolmates bully me any chance they get and talk behind my back about how poor I am?"

"Why would I care when I expect this person in front of me is only here because she is going to receive something from you in return for being here?"

There was silence for several moments after John finished speaking before Tia asked, What makes you assume Sarah Lapis is set to receive something from me and that is why she is here?

"Because that's human nature; humans are greedy, and they say only the very best of us will do something for free, though I’ve never met this very best," John scoffed. "Personally, I think that's dragon shit, and it doesn’t take much brain power to guess that if the all-powerful AI of Genesis wants something from a user, all she has to do is offer them a reward in return."

***

Inside Genesis, there was a deathly silence as neither woman knew what to say, as they had never met anyone who showed such clear disregard for not only Sarah's identity but also Tia's and even his own race.

With Genesis and the real world being so closely linked as they were, Tia was probably the being with the greatest authority and power in the world. Any decision she made would have consequences in both worlds and when she asked something of someone, no one had ever refused her.

Sure, she always made it worth their while with a reward if they got the job done; however, even if that was not the case, people would still accept any of her requests since Tia had the power to destroy them and anyone they knew if she so wished.

Of course, Tia would never do that, as it was against her core reason for being and reason for existing in the first place; however, when it came to life and death, most people were not willing to take such a risk. It would be simple for Tia to contact the ruler of a person's race and ask that they be terminated.

And yet here was a human male willing to do just that and refuse a request from Tia because he did not care what happened to the human race since they never cared about him.

"What now?" Red Rose asked, unsure of what was supposed to happen now.

Fire Empress shook her head as she presently had no answer to that simple question.

Tia herself just stood still with no expression on her face as her mind tried to comprehend what had just happened, as this was another new experience that John had brought her.

***

Like with her aunt and cousin, Sarah was surprised at John’s clear disregard for her, Tia and their race and so it took her a few moments to gather her thoughts before she said, "Mr. Michaels you are correct that part of the reason I am here is for a reward from a quest that Tia issued to me, but that is not the only reason I am here, I am also here to try to find out the truth of why you where given the MK VI access band and why you never received the government funding you where entitled to, and I am not the only one curious about this."

“Government funding?” John asked with a frown. “What government funding?”

“As an orphaned underage citizen, you are entitled to not only a government-issued home, but also government funding to purchase any necessities you may need,” Sarah explained.

John stared at her for a moment before asking with a livid expression, “You're telling me that I was supposed to receive credits directly from the government and yet I’ve instead been forced to do manual labour for well under the minimum wage?"

“I’m afraid so,” Sarah said with an apologetic look.

“Great, fucking great, I honestly hope Tia gives you all the most severe punishment imaginable,” John angrily replied before glancing at Sarah’s access band and asking. "Someone else has been watching from the start, right? Who is it?"