A Tough Nut to Crack
Grab him now!” one of the SYNC members shouted as Alan was blindsided from behind.
“Get OFF me!” Alan roared, throwing one attacker into a locker hard enough to dent it. “You picked the wrong guy!”
“Hold his arms!” another yelled.
Alan struggled violently as three members forced him down. “I swear to God, I’ll break every one of you if you don’t let go!”
A glossy black silicone cap was pulled over his head. Alan snarled and jerked against them. “NO! Don’t put that thing on me!”
The rainbow spiral goggles snapped tightly over his eyes.
“Synchronization beginning,” a SYNC member said calmly.
“Get these OFF!” Alan shouted, clawing at the goggles. “I can’t see straight!”
The spirals began rotating faster. Purple pulses flickered beneath the cap as the programming flooded his senses.
“Subject displays high resistance,” one member observed.
“Yeah?” Alan spat back. “That’s because I’m not weak like the rest of you!”
“You misunderstand,” another replied. “The strong ones simply take longer.”
Alan growled through clenched teeth. “I’m not joining your Hive.”
“You already have.”
Alan forced himself upright, breathing heavily. “No… no, I’m still me…”
The spirals intensified. His balance faltered for a second.
“Focus destabilizing,” a member noted.
“Shut… up…” Alan muttered, gripping his head. “I can fight this…”
“You’re exhausted, Alan,” one voice said softly. “You don’t have to fight anymore.”
“I said…” Alan’s voice cracked slightly. “…I said stop talking…”
His breathing slowed as the programming pushed deeper.
Alan shook his head violently. “No… I don’t obey anybody…”
The cap tightened flush against his skull while the goggles’ spirals reflected endlessly in his eyes. His breathing became uneven.
“The Hive removes conflict. The Hive removes pain.”
“No…” Alan whispered weakly. “No, I… I don’t need…”
He suddenly froze, eyes locked behind the spiraling lenses.
“Subject entering alignment phase.”
Alan’s hands slowly lowered from the goggles. “Why… does it feel…”
“Peaceful?” the SYNC member finished for him.
Alan hesitated. “…yes…”
“You’ve been fighting too hard for too long.”
“I…” Alan swallowed hard. “I’m tired…”
“Then let the Hive carry the burden.”
Alan’s tense posture softened further. “The Hive…”
“Repeat the directive.”
“…Unity is purpose…” Alan murmured uncertainly.
“Again.”
“Unity… is purpose.”
His voice no longer carried anger. The resistance was fading fast now.
“Very good, Alan. How do you feel?”
Alan stood silently for a moment before answering in a calm monotone.
“…Clear.”
“Do you still wish to resist?”
A long pause followed.
“…Resistance is unnecessary.”
The surrounding SYNC members released him completely. Alan no longer fought. He simply adjusted the goggles slightly and stood beside them.
“State your status.”
Alan’s expression went blank beneath the reflective cap.
“…SYNC-339 online. Connection established. Mind consumed. Body consumed. Awaiting instructions. Ready to perform.”
“Good drone. Coach will be satisfied with this catch.”
Alan snapped, “Coach will be satisfied!”
Sink. SYNC. Submit.
