Operation Mindcrime 2

This album is not on my list but it finishes the story 18 years later.

The story picks up 18 years after the events of Operation: Mindcrime, on the day that Nicky is released from prison. During his incarceration, Nicky has been unable to let go of his hatred for Dr. X; who has since become rich and powerful, and is preoccupied with thoughts of revenge. He still harbors resentment against what he views as a totally corrupt government. The training (or brainwashing) he received from Dr. X still has a strong hold over Nicky, but he is still conflicted. While he still feels the need to carry out his revolutionary mission, his thoughts drift to Mary.

Nicky wastes no time in landing in trouble with the law once again, and at his trial his pleas for mercy and leniency are lost on a judge and jury still remembering his past crimes. This only deepens his disdain for the government, the legal system and Dr. X, whom he blames for all of his problems. After Nicky escapes and finds himself yet again on the run from the law, his own need for revenge coupled by a vision of the ghost of Mary turns his thoughts toward killing Dr. X.

As the final confrontation with Dr. X gets closer, Nicky starts to have doubts. He questions himself and wonders if it isn’t really his own fault that his life is as bad as it is. Nicky does finally track down Dr. X, crashing his motorcycle into X's limo and dragging a disoriented Dr. X to the church where Mary died, where Nicky finally shoots and kills him. (This section in particular is vague on the album, as it is suggested, but not explicitly stated in the lyrics or played out in the songs that Nicky kills Dr. X. The live performance of Operation: Mindcrime II; however, removes any ambiguity over what happened between them). He gets no satisfaction from killing Dr. X, but rather feels just as empty as ever. The ghost of Mary appears, and appears to take pity on Nicky over the fact that revenge has not brought him any peace.

The ghost of Mary appears again and angrily exhorts Nicky to kill himself. It is unclear, however, if it is actually her or just Nicky imagining her. He starts to think that he is insane and contemplates suicide. Rustling through his belongings, he first picks up a gun, then a noose before finding the very thing that drove him to Dr. X in the first place: heroin. Nicky prepares and injects a lethal dose and dies. As the album ends, Nicky's spirit is reunited with Mary's, and together they reflect that the only times they were happy was in the moments that they were together.

(Note: The story of Operation: Mindcrime II is expanded on with video and actors during Queensrÿche's live performance of the album, which helps to clarify some sections of the plot).