Making Headway


Jemma sits in the eerily empty cafeteria as the bell rings. Despite it being lunch time, no one comes in, not even any staff to prepare the meal are working. She looks around, clearly uncomfortable with the situation she finds herself in. Eventually, the doors open and Pandora walks in, an obvious smile on her face. Pandora doesn't notice Jemma right away, simply enjoying the empty cafeteria. Inevitably, their eyes meet and then Pandora's smile disappears.

"Hi..." is all Pandora says.

"Hey..." responds Jemma.

Silence follows the short exchange, until Jemma breaks it.

"So... where are all your adoring subjects? Shouldn't they be laying themselves at your feet so you can walk over them?"

"I gave them some time off." Pandora suggests.

Jemma gives her a strange look before Pandora laughs.

"You actually thought I was serious just now didn't you?"

It takes a second for Jemma to answer, "I wouldn't put it past you, honestly. Not with what's happening to you lately."

Pandora frowns at the idea, "I told you, I'm not a monster. I'm not doing any of this to have people worship me forever and do what I say. What I'm trying to do is liberate them. When all this is over, they get a better world."

"Assuming they'll have anything left." pushes back Jemma.

That doesn't make Pandora feel better as she gets closer to her counterpart, "They'll have their freedom."

Jemma stands up to face Pandora, her hands behind her back, "And that's enough for you?"

"It should be enough for everyone.They've been living under the oppressive system for so long, they don't know what real freedom looks like. As soon as they figure it out, they'll be so grateful."

"I'm sure they'll be building statues to you." Jemma says, continuing to slowly close the distance between them.

"I wouldn't say no if they did. But it's not like I'm going to force them to or anything." insists Pandora.

"So... what does this world look like to you?" questions Jemma.

Pandora gets a curious look on her face, "Why all the questions?"

"I'm just... trying to understand. I mean, if I'm going to have to live in this world, I might as well understand it at least. Maybe if I understood it better, I wouldn't be so afraid." suggests Jemma as she gets up close.

"Yes... but first..." Jemma begins before pulling The Box out from behind her back and putting it against Pandora's chest, "This."

Pandora looks down at The Box against her chest, looks up at Jemma, and her eyes start to glow black.

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