[i][b]Contrast[/b] stood in the control room of the [b]Omninavus[/b] and gazed at the blue sphere that held the [b]Grand Colony[/b] together. The blue hue that illuminated the black room filled his head with memories. Memories he hated. He gently moved the hair that concealed his forehead and rubbed the blue gem hiding underneath.[/i] [b]Contrast[/b]: “You were always a fool, old man. But you were right to choose me to take your place.” [i]As he muttered to himself, [b]Repetition[/b] entered the room.[/i] [b]Repetition[/b]: “Statement: Master, we have subdued the 6th Principle. Shall we put her in a pod for you?” [b]Contrast[/b]: “No. I want to talk with her first. Bring her here.” [i][b]Repetition[/b] left the the room, but quickly returned with four other droids that were holding [b]Balance[/b] down. [b]Balance[/b] lifted her head up and glared at [b]Contrast[/b] as he gave a smug grin in return.[/i] [b]Contrast[/b]: “I’m so glad that you survived assimilation, my dear. I was worried that we lost you.” [b]Balance[/b]: “I was hoping that we lost you.” [b]Contrast[/b]: “You wound me. But I forgive you. In fact, all of your transgressions and plots against me will be forgiven if you join me willingly.” [b]Balance[/b]: “Go to hell.” [b]Contrast[/b]: “Language, dear. I don’t tolerate profanity on my ship. Especially not in front of my friends.” [i][b]Contrast[/b] waved his cane in front of the droids that were holding [b]Balance[/b] in place.[/i] [b]Balance[/b]: “As if you’re one to talk. It hasn’t been that long since you were spouting out profanity at everyone that slightly irritated you.” [b]Contrast[/b]: “That was in my old life. When I was so ignorant about my place in the Grand Scheme. But now, I have been awakened. I am to lead everyone into a brighter future, and I am offering you to be a part of it.” [b]Balance[/b]: “And what makes you think I’ll do that?” [b]Contrast[/b]: “You don’t have a choice. You will be a part of the Grand Colony, one way or another.” [i][b]Contrast[/b] placed his hand on the blue sphere and it shined brighter. The walls in the room came apart, tile by tile, revealing countless pods filled with a white energy. Through the energy could be seen unconscious organisms of all shapes and sizes.[/i] [b]Contrast[/b]: “If you reject your place in the Grand Scheme, you will be placed in one of those pods and serve your new purpose as a battery for this ship. However, if you willingly join me, you’ll be granted your marking of a Grand Colonist, just as they have.” [b]Balance[/b]: “They?” [i]A door on the opposite side of the room opened. Through it walked three people. [b]Proximity[/b], [b]Emphasis[/b] and [b]Dominance[/b]. Each of them and blue gems similar to [b]Contrast[/b] and the droids embedded in their foreheads.[/i] [b]Balance[/b]: “What did you do to them?!” [b]Contrast[/b]: “They are now Grand Colonists. Isn’t it wonderful? Proximity will no longer have to grieve over her sister and Dominance and Emphasis can be brothers once more! Don’t you want to be a part of this? Don’t you want to be something more?” [i][b]Balance[/b] looked down at the floor. She couldn’t bear to see her former comrades now being used as puppets. [/i] [b]Contrast[/b]: “Don’t be sad. They’re still the same as you knew them. Only now, they are not as ignorant as Alignment. Now, will you join them?” [i][b]Balance[/b] muttered something while looking down. [/i] [b]Contrast[/b]: “What was that? You’ll have to speak more clearly.” [i][b]Contrast[/b] kneeled down closer to [b]Balance’s[/b] level. He noticed that a small patch of the metal floor underneath her head was wet. [b]Balance[/b] then quickly lifted her head and spat on [b]Contrast’s[/b] cheek. The spit began to harden until it turned as black as the floor.[/i] [b]Contrast[/b]: “...you...” [b]Balance[/b]: “I used my ability to make my saliva as hard as the floor. A shame that I missed your eye.” [i][b]Contrast’s[/b] smug grin slowly turned into an irritated frown. He then stood up and delivered a swift kick to [b]Balance’s[/b] face.[/i] [b]Contrast[/b]: “Fine then. Have fun in the pod.” [i]The droids dragged [b]Balance[/b] over to one of the pods in the wall. She tried to struggle out, but there was no point as she was strapped into the pod. Before the pod closed and the glass surrounded her, [b]Contrast[/b] tipped his top hat to her with his grin restored. White energy left [b]Balance’s[/b] body and filled the pod as it retracted back into the wall.[/i] [b]Repetition[/b]: “Query: What is the next step in the Grand Scheme, master?” [i][b]Contrast[/b] turned back to the blue sphere.[/i] [b]Contrast[/b]: “If Alignment wasn’t in Gray Sector during its assimilation, then there’s only one other place he would go. Warp the Omninavus to the Interdimensional Market. I want it all picked clean.” [spoiler]Fades Away[/spoiler]