INT. MEDICAL WARD - DAY
Daniel lays in a hospital bed. His eyes flutter open and he awakes. Sitting next to him is the Programmer.
DANIEL
Is it just me, or am I experiencing Deja Vu?
THE PROGRAMMER
It’s not just you.
DANIEL
Are the others, okay?
THE PROGRAMMER
Yeah. I was able to pull them out along with you.
DANIEL
I remember...everything. The other Daniel was in control but I… was there.
THE PROGRAMMER
I’m sorry. If I hadn’t tried to hack your mind-
DANIEL
No. No, you did what you thought was best. Diana was… she was just as good.
THE PROGRAMMER
You met her.
DANIEL
She told me everything. Why didn’t you tell us about her? I’m not mad I just… why?
THE PROGRAMMER
She was a good friend. I never believed she was bad. Just met the wrong guy.
DANIEL
Adrian.
THE PROGRAMMER
I haven’t seen her in so long. I thought she was dead. But then the Green Sky and Boss happened. I knew she was the only one capable, I just didn’t want to admit it was her.
DANIEL
I’m sorry.
THE PROGRAMMER
So am I.
DANIEL
Programmer, there’s something I need to tell you.
THE PROGRAMMER
Yes?
DANIEL
Inside the Refugium, during the Combat of Champions, I… turned blue and I felt this power and I… hurt Boss.
THE PROGRAMMER
If answers are what you seek, then I’m sorry to disappoint. I will investigate it. I promise.
DANIEL
Thank you. So, where are the others?
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - NIGHT
FREDDY DOBSON
Do you have any idea what you did!
Freddy Dobson stands across the table from the group.
JOEL
Uhh well, let’s see. If I remember correctly, we saved our friend.
FREDDY DOBSON
You disobeyed direct orders.
BAILEY
You were going to leave him to rot.
FREDDY DOBSON
There are more pressing matters at hand.
GREG
Like what? The Luddites? Do you not remember what happened?
FREDDY DOBSON
Of course, I do. I served with those men.
TYLER
Look, we both made mistakes, but Daniel’s back, and now we can fight the Luddites. The Programmer can fix the sim and everything can go back to normal. Well, OUR normal.
The group nods in agreement.
FREDDY DOBSON
You know, I always wondered why the simulation had you all become friends.
JOEL
Excuse me?
FREDDY DOBSON
Can any of you remember knowing each other before the sim?
The group looks at each other confused.
FREDDY DOBSON
No, of course not. The simulation used its algorithm to group you together. You’re only friends because a piece of code decided it and because of that, everything I’ve fought for, everything I’ve sacrificed, has been for nothing. All of you are on probation. Dismissed.
The group gets up and leaves. They walk down a hall.
TYLER
He was lying. Right? I mean, we’ve always been friends.
JOEL
I don’t think he was and that’s what pisses me off.
The group enters the medical ward and sees Daniel. Bailey runs over to him and hugs him. They kiss.
JOEL
How are you, man?
DANIEL
Better. Thank you, all of you.
GREG
Of course, dude. We’re friends.
TYLER
Well, that's up for questioning.
DANIEL
Huh?
JOEL
Dobson told us that we didn’t know each other in the real world. That the computer made us friends.
DANIEL
Programmer?
THE PROGRAMMER
Unfortunately, yes it’s true. Every subject we chose was random.
JOEL
So, we didn't know each other? Until…
THE PROGRAMMER
I’m sorry.
DANIEL
It doesn’t matter. So, what if we weren’t friends. We are now and we are back together again.
The group of friends smiles at each other.
BAILEY
So, what’s our next move?
THE PROGRAMMER
I’ll finish reassembling the antivirus. Once the Luddites have been taken care of, we all reenter the Refugium. Now, if you will excuse me, I should get to work.
The Programmer wheels out of the room.
The group of friends enjoy their reunion. Unaware of what is yet to arrive.
INT. CAVE - DAY
Diana stares at a laptop. Adrian enters.
ADRIAN
Well?
DIANA
They got Daniel.
ADRIAN
Damn it. It's only a matter of time before they destroy us and reenter that prison.
DIANA
Maybe… we should reconsider what we’re doing.
ADRIAN
How can you say that?
DIANA
After all, we’ve been through, how can I not.
A kneels down in front of her.
ADRIAN
I know it’s hard but we are so close to freeing those people. This world will be rebuilt. We’ll… just have to make a last stand.
END.