A Hero's Beginning Event/Turning Point
After splitting up from Alk, Nate is captured by Themis, who has agreed to the corporate world's new anti-hero policy.
King Johnson: I've already filed a complaint and asked for compensation since she attacked first, but...
King Johnson: You still understand what you did wrong, correct?
Nate: Yes, sir... Sorry.
King Johnson: That yes-man act of yours is what I like about you! Now just apply what you learned going forward, and you'll be set!
Nate: Urgh... Yes, sir... I'm really sorry...
King Johnson: Now, what did you want to talk to me about, Alk?
Alk: I... think I've seen those machines before.
Alk: What about you, Johnson?
King Johnson: Hm... What about me? You're going to have to be more specific than that.
Alk: *sigh* Guess I'll have to ask him myself.
Nate: What's going on?
Alk: Those machines are probably from another world. And I have a sneaking suspicion that I know who brought them here.
Alk: Sorry to do this to you, but I need to go find this guy. Mind taking care of things alone while I'm gone?
Nate: No problem. Leave it to me.
Alk: All right, then I better go find him. I'll be back as soon as I can!
Nate: Jeez, he worries too much.
People from the Past: It's easy to tell you were the master and pupil... Your master's desire for justice lives on in you.
People from the Past: It hasn't been long since your master passed, but you're already working so hard... Excellent job, Themis.
Themis: That's all people ever want from me.
Themis: Be it sin, responsibility, justice, or their own will... They want someone else to take on that burden for them.
Themis: If such thoughts are just me "judging people based on assumptions"...
Themis: Then my judgement is that the refusal to shoulder one's own burden to another evil in this world.
Manager: Rise and shine. How do you feel?
Themis: I'm not experiencing any issues.
Manager: I sure was surprised when you said you'd join our plan.
Themis: Having a hero on our side really lends us some much-needed credibility.
Themis: Upgrade complete. Automatos system, activate.
Themis: With this... We'll end the age of heroes.
Nate: *huff* *puff* I can't stop here. I gotta-
Themis: Instead, you'd rather just play the victim. Isn't that right?
Mother: Now, don't end up like your sister, okay?
Mother: We wouldn't want another failure in the family, would we?
Nate: Maybe I should just roll over into a ditch and give up.
Nate: Ah! No, that's not what I want! I-
Nate: The hell you want? And what's with the dramatic entrance?
Themis: You and I need to talk.
Nate: Look, if this is about before, I-
Nate: What are you doing?
Themis: That depends on your reaction to my proposal.
Themis: My company has decided to support a new policy... one forbidding vigilante justice.
Nate: Huh? Wait... What are you saying?
Themis: Having people trying to rein in crime is inefficient, regardless of whether they're bionic or organic.
Themis: Multiple districts have reported historically low crime rates after switching to a fully automated task force.
Themis: Over eighty percent of corporations have decided to enact similar policies, including AltMeme and Noxel subsidiaries.
Nate: Wh-what? No way are the heroes of this city going to take this lying do-
Themis: The concerned corporations in agreement... The new way is more profitable.
Themis: In this new era, all heroes, including myself, will be replaced by security robots.
Themis: Times are changing. There's no use fighting it... Give up on being a hero, Nate.
Nate: N-No... I can't... Without this power, I'm-
Themis: So you've grown accustomed to power. How pathetic.
Themis: Removing admin status and forcing shut down of subject ID: PBC001.
Nate: What the- why can't I move?!
Themis: You have exhibited intent to rebel. Therefore, under the new company bylaws, I'm placing you under arrest.
Themis: This is for the best. People were never meant to be heroes.
Themis: Especially people like you.