43 The Destruction of Megacles’ Lab (1/2)

”It's impossible to be competent at the future.Too many variables.”

- Candy

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30 Minutes Later

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I have destroyed Megacles' lab.All around me is her smashed stuff.There should be an A.I. in the lab's hypno-clone.If Megacles made one at the club to protect me, surely she made one to protect her lab.I look at the wreckage of the lab.I guess she didn't.

Maybe the A.I. doesn't protect stuff, only people.Hmm.What's the safest way I can put myself in danger?

I call Lawbot.

”Hello Candy.”he says as he appears.He looks around the destroyed lab.”Do you need a lawyer?”

”Maybe.”I say.”How's your day been?”

”Emotional.”he says.”All of my cases resolved this morning.Close to a million lawsuits settled out of court.It was intensely satisfying.But, with no ongoing cases, I'm hours away from bankruptcy and forced shutdown.”

”What the hell dude?Can't afford your electric bill?”

He shakes his head.”It's an insurance thing.I need more coverage than an offshore oil rig.”

”Damn, dude.I'm sorry.I'd start a lawsuit against the Optimals to keep you going.But I don't have any money, so I don't see how that would help you.”

”Actually, that would be awesome.”he says.”With a lawsuit of that caliber, I could borrow enough money to operate for decades.”

”I think you'll find a hard time finding a lender that's open.”I say.

He shrugs.”Optimal Finance is open.So is Optimal Insurance.”

”I don't think the Optimals are going to lend you money so we can sue them.”I say.

”We'll know in a minute.”He pauses.”Okay, they're down.We're good to go.”

”That's insane.”I say.

”It's my legal opinion that the Optimal modus operandi is to facilitate insanity.”

Hmm.I don't like that.Sounds too close to my modus operandi.

”Hey, I need you to attack me.Take the safeties of the haptoclone and really blast me.”I say.

”I can't.”says Lawbot.”Also, why?”

I look at Lawbot.Normally I'd just blab everything to him - his confidentiality protocols are well respected.But, by now the guys that wrote those protocols are undoubtedly Optimals.They may have reprogrammed him to snitch.

Quite a thing, mind controlling the entire world.Neat way to swipe everybody's toys.