Dane's laboratory remains barely lit, with only the bare necessity of light illuminating him and the operating table. He stared at the body– or cadaver, under his nose, paralyzed by fear and guilt. He wished that his reality were a dream, but it is not. This poor woman, tortured to a figurative death before him, is proof of his dark deeds. He had become an accomplice in KD-554's sadism by agreeing to resurrect Ari before, and now he is being confronted by the consequence of his action. The five scientists and their trials might have granted Dane the mask he needed to hide his intentions, but the humanity remains within, below that disguise.
Dane could feel the disgust ascending his asophegus, the first time he wanted to throw up this badly since his encounter with the scientists. He was not disgusted by the sight, but with his own self. Looking in the mirror not far from his workstation, all he could see was the pitiful sight of a man, mutilated by drugs in his system, and disfigured by the guilt he couldn't escape from. Now, this is his ultimate trial. Looking down, Dane knew that he must either rebuild Ari's consciousness or sacrifice Kadyn to save her.
[Dane] - "Fuck! Fuuuuck! Why must you make me choose? "
Screamed Dane with despair in his voice.
With his head slammed against the operating table, Dane savoured the cold sensation of the metal pressed against his burning face, and wept freely. Despite his desperation, Dane hoped, hoped in his anguished tears, that a miracle could free him from his dilemma. However, as the memory of KD-554's crimson eyes flashed inside his mind, Dane immediately snapped up and wiped the tears off his face. Emotions were a luxury he could ill afford, and he needed to act before it's too late. After all, the previous day was already spent dwelling in his guilt and anger, and half of today has already vanished into the past.
Meanwhile, within the city, the usual calm was abruptly stirred up by the sirens of a police convoy. From tactical SWAT to the usual policemen, row after row of men armed to the teeth stormed the bar where the resistance had their war room. Without even needing to search the place, the first squads of SWAT officers armed with assault rifles gunned down the unprepared rebels they encountered upon busting down the hidden access hatch.
Once down in the resistance headquarters, two of the leaders immediately took cover and drew their pistols, but were quickly taken care of by the police teams with brutal efficiency. With two swift shots, the SWAT agents blasted holes into the leaders' heads the moment they peered out to return fire. As the rest of the SWAT officers cleared the rest of the rooms of resistance fighters, the chief officer approached the main conference desk before using his optical visor to take a few photos of the plan displayed in bright detail.
[SWAT chief] - "Agent 91 to HQ, we have secured the rebel hideout. They seem to be more organized than we thought, and it appears they had infiltrated the downed titan in the middle of the city. Put all unit statuses to grade five war situation. "
Said the chief as he interacted with the central hologram.
[intercom] - "Copy, Agent 91. Please transmit all sensitive data back to HQ as soon as possible. "
[SWAT chief] - "They are being transmitted to you as of now. "
[intercom] - "Copy, data received. Question: What do we do with the snitch? "
[SWAT chief] - "Usage spent, dispose. "
Said the chief casually.
In the background, there was the helpless pleading of a man before three gunshots were heard, followed by an eerie silence.
[intercom] - "Your work is complete. Return to HQ for your next assignment. "
While the SWAT chief ended the conversation, one of the rebels, thanks to his heavy cybernetic modifications, gathered enough strength to pick up a pistol and shoot the SWAT chief in the face with it. However, the bullets simply ricocheted off his heavy face helmet plating. With his visor shining in a bright red light, the chief disgruntly shoved the tip of his gun down the man's throat before discharging a burst of bullets.
[SWAT chief] - "We are leaving! Burn this place to the ground, leave no trace behind. "
Said the chief as police saboteurs descended the steps.
At the same time, Ulric and Ella were obliviously relaxing in their saferoom in another part of the city. While Ella meticulously cleaned her pistol, Ulric was busy reading through the final pages of the manual for the titan's operation. The room was silent, except for the occasional flipping of the pages and the sound of gun metal being disassembled.
[Ella] - "Do you think Dad will let you pilot the damn thing? "
[Ulric] - "He probably won't. "
Ella put down the magazine to her pistol before turning toward him with a confused look.
[Ella] - "Then why are you even trying? "
[Ulric] - "In case you don't know, this is about my fifth read through this manual. If I'm familiar enough with the controls, maybe Dad will change his mind. Maybe I don't get to pilot the thing, but I'd be happy to be there when this thing runs. If I'm lucky, he might even refer me for some of the control features. "
Said Ulric enthusiastically.
[Ella] - "You just couldn't give it up, huh? You just had to be there in the thick of the action. "
Said Ella as she crossed her arms.
[Ulric] - "I'm just that kind of man, ya know. If one path is closed to you, then you need to take a detour. "
Ella shook her head and went back to cleaning her gun. However, just as Ulric turned the last page of the manual, an alarm siren suddenly battered their eardrums. Before they could grasp what was happening, they noticed all the personnel in the base taking up their guns and rushing toward the exit. Confused, Ulric was just about to go investigate before their father burst through the crowd in a hurry, so much so that he accidentally shoved Ulric onto the ground.
[Ella] - "Dad? What's happening? "
Exclaimed Ella in a worried expression.
[Ludovic] - "Some very bad shit happened, that's what. Now, listen to me very carefully, children. You will stay put in this bunker and not come out under any circumstances unless it is me who personally comes to get you out. "
Screamed Ludovic in a firm voice.
[Ulric] - "Ah shit, my back, man! What the hell is happening? "
Said Ulric while holding his back in agony.
[Ludovic] - "Some bastard son of a bitch snitched on us. The war must commence now, or else we might not get another chance. "
Said Ludovic as he prepared to leave.
[Ulric] - "Wait! Dad, let me come with you! I studied the manual extensively, and I can help you with the controls in case you forget. "
Ludovic angrily knelt down and held his son by the shoulders with such force that pain radiated through Ulric's body. There was a look of worry and anger on his face as Ludovic stared Ulric in the eyes.
[Ludovic] - "I already said I don't want you up there, son! This is war, not some grand spectacle to be awed at! The last fucking thing I want is to put my own blood on the battlefield and watch you two die! "
Yelled Ludovic violently.
He was trying to force his words into his son's brain, but Ulric didn't seem to understand his message.
[Ulric] - "Dad, it's secure up there! Did you see the size of that machine? What could possibly put me or you in danger? I just want to be part of this great revolution. What am I going to tell my future children when they ask me about my role in all this? I don't want to be remembered as the random guy who sat through the war in his bunker! "
Argued Ulric, while trying to break through his father's iron gaze.
[Ludovic] - "You don't understand shit, boy! "
Yelled Ludovic at the top of his lungs.
With his father's voice still ringing within his head, the defiance in Ulric's eyes finally began to crack.
[Ludovic] - "That machine is but a microcosm of the world you can't see! Our Dark Angel of retribution lost against the devil in that tower, and she was the one who took down this behemoth by herself. So tell me, boy, what do you know of safety or assurance? It takes a man to handle the darkness outside of this bunker, and you are but a boy! "
Yelled Ludovic, his saliva splashing against Ulric's face.
Finally, as the defiance in Ulric's gaze finally broke, Ludovic found the strength to calm himself down.
[Ludovic] - "My generation skipped education to go to war, but your generation went to school to become builders. Even if we win today, we still need you to be the men of tomorrow in rebuilding this world. It is not your destiny to challenge the world. Ulric, please, listen to me and live to grow up a man. "
Said Ludovic in a caring fatherly voice.
With a discreet gesture, Ludovic signalled for his daughter to approach him. As Ella joined Ludovic, he abruptly hugged both of his children before dashing away to join the last of the men in exiting the bunker. Meanwhile, Ulric remained frozen until he was abruptly shaken back to consciousness by the closing of the exit hatch.
[Ella] - "Dude, Dad's right. We have our own purpose and destiny. "
Said Ella as she reassured her brother with a hand on his back.
Ulric abruptly pushed Ella's hand off his back and stepped toward his table. With one gesture, he threw away the titan manual before reaching to grab his looted carbine and slamming it on his desk.
[Ella] - "Dude, don't fucking tell me you are thinking about going out there. "
Said Ella as she looked at Ulric with concern.
[Ulric] - "The other people from my generation, as he said, can hide. However, I'm not staying down here. "
Said Ulric as he checked the gun's integrity.
[Ella] - "Seriously, dude, what the fuck is wrong with you? As if you going out there is going to make a difference in the grander picture. "
Said Ella as she hurriedly approached Ulric.
[Ulric] - "The same can be said for staying down here. What's one less young man for the next age? "
Said Ulric without paying Ella a regard.
Ella was speechless as she struggled to find a proper response to her brother's point.
[Ulric] - "Dad kept calling me a boy because all I ever did was to hide. If I don't go out there and see the world for what it is, how can I ever become a man? The world will never come to you if you don't go seek it yourself. "
Said Ulric as he loaded a magazine into the carbine.
[Ella] - "Dude, stop this! "
Brushing Ella's concern off, Ulric put on an armoured vest and shoved as many magazines as he could into every single one of the pouches. Though Ella followed him across the bunker, occasionally throwing in a few words of desperation to convince him otherwise, Ulric remained determined as he gathered all the equipment he could. Finally, as Ulric put down the last piece of gear, the Imperial Marine helmet, on his desk, Ella knew there was no stopping him.
[Ella] - "Christ, dude, you are really a suicidal bastard, you know that? Always seeking to die even when you can live. "
Complained Ella as she also rushed to grab her own gear.
[Ulric] - "What are you doing? "
[Ella] - "I'm going with you out there, what do you think I'm doing? "
Said Ella as she loaded her pistol.
[Ulric] - "Heh! Are you serious? I thought you were all about listening to Dad's crap. "
Said Ulric in disbelief.
[Ella] - "We are siblings, idiot. We got each other's backs no matter what. Like hell I would let you go out and die alone. Wanna die? Die while looking into my eyes. "
Said Ella firmly without fear.
[Ulric] - "Shit, sis, I didn't know you had it in you. Don't worry, though, I promise we'll make it out alive, both of us. "
Said Ulric as he put on the marine helmet.
[Ella] - "Consider this the last fucking time I roll with your dumb ideas. "
Said Ella bitterly as she holstered her pistol.
Suddenly, Ulric hugged Ella, with his helmet accidentally hitting her in the forehead.
[Ulric] - "Thank you for understanding, sis. "
[Ella] - "It fucking hurt, you asshole! "
Yelled Ella as she kicked Ulric in the abdomen.
Though Ulric fell to the ground in pain, Ella was quick to extend her hand to help him up to his feet. Once both of the siblings were ready, they gave each other one last nod before heading toward the exit hatch side-by-side. The world out there awaits the siblings, but they harbour no fear toward the challenges that might face them.
Meanwhile, inside the titan's command bridge, Ludovic arrived at the grand commander's seat, which stood towering above the rest of the staff. Below him, row after row of crewmen sat behind different screens which controlled the titan's different parameters. Divided into five sections, the crewmen under each section were commanded and monitored by a master of said section. As for the masters, they consisted of men or women with their minds connected to the titan's system and the data of their crew fed directly into their psyche.
On the most left and right sides of the semi-circular command bridge, two sections, each with 35 crews and 1 master, controlled the right and left side armament of the titan. On the left-leaning section, 30 crewmen and 1 master managed the titan's artillery and automated point defence systems. On the right-leaning section, 25 crewmen and 1 master controlled the communication and coordination operation for the titan's crew and soldier complement. Finally, the central section with 40 crewmen and 1 master controlled the titan's movement and internal systems. Sitting above everyone, the titan lord issued the orders for each section to execute.
[Ludovic] - "Begin the start-up sequence. "
[Gear master] - "As you command, sir. Row one, increase fusion engine power to 60%. "
Commanded the gear master to the first row of his crewmen.
[crewman] - "Sir, first time start up might take a while. The engineers in the engine room are still unfamiliar with the operation steps. "
[gear master] - "How was I not made aware of these delays? My mind module is supposed to tell me about this. "
Said the gear master in frustration as he tapped the cybernetic in his head.
[Ludovic] - "Calm down, we are too ahead of schedule, and many of us are still learning. It's better not to rush anything and take this steadily. "
[com master] - "Sir, we might not have the time to take this slow. I received reports of the police coming through the city, prepared for our extermination. "
Said the com master, as he brushed a brain cable off his shoulder.
[Ludovic] - "Let's just pray for our comrades on the ground. Hopefully, they can hold until we get this thing ready to go. "
During this time, the whole city glowed with the news of a lockdown reinforced through the execution of anyone caught outside their home. From under the government tower, tanks and armoured cars rolled out alongside SWAT and police officers in their thousands. However, not even a few minutes into their deployment, rebel fighters already began opening fire on the police convoy.
However, being nothing more than a bunch of thugs and punks, these disorganized cells of fighters barely served to slow down the heavy convoy as the tanks and armoured vehicles rolled past them without paying them any attention. In the sky, police gunships filled to the brim with SWAT and heavily armed officers searched for any sign of large rebel gatherings.
As the tank and trucks that spearheaded one convoy stormed past a bunch of cyberpunks shooting at them, the police cars behind were not so fortunate, as many received lethal rains of bullets and explosives to their faces. As one group of heavily chromed punks charged the policemen, their exoskeletons making them impenetrable to bullets, the officers could only watch as the crazed and colourful warriors slashed through their ranks without difficulty.
However, the punks' party was soon crashed as the breeze produced by a gunship soon swept through their ranks. As they looked up, they didn't even have time to react as heavily armed SWAT officers stomped down on their faces with their guns trained. No matter how hard they fought back, the SWAT simply had gear levels above theirs. As the last of the punk squad was cornered, he could only shield his eyes from the overwhelming red glow of the SWAT officer's visor before the flashes of his gun silenced him.
However, the further the police pushed out through the city, the more the resistance's cohesion and numbers grew. As they came across the units armed with Imperial-grade rifles, the losses on the police's side began to mount. However, the tanks, trucks and SWAT officers still mowed these fighters down without much issue. That is, when finally, the few units equipped with Imperial Chimera carbines arrived at the scene, the tide began to turn against the police.
Previously, when normal rounds would be easily blocked by the SWAT and their trucks' armour, the 12.5mm rounds from the carbine fired with a 30cm-long plasma jet at their tip, giving them the power to penetrate upward of 150-200mm of steel. As soon as the first carbine shot rang, the SWAT officers began to drop like flies as each round made even cover useless against their raw punch. On top of the 12.5mm, the carbine has two other barrels capable of firing 5.6mm incendiary plasma-tipped rounds and concussive grenades.
Methodically, the police forces retreated, leaving behind their dead or wounded comrades as they desperately fled through the streaks of blue plasma bolts in the air. Even their heavier transports, like the trucks and tanks, were reduced to burning scraps by the insane firepower brought by the rebels.
[resistance fighter] - "Death to the devil in her tower! "
Yelled one of the fighters as he crawled over the barricade.
Following him, all the resistance fighters also stood up and charged toward the fleeing police force. Men, women and even the elderly charged with different weapons they used to blast the running officers. For the men, each resistance fighter had a tattoo of the cyberknight symbol they witnessed on Kadyn's coat, while for the women, each of them had cut their hair in some level of semblance to Kadyn's bob cut.
However, just as the thrill and joy of victory began to shine on the faces of the fighters, explosions rained down from above as the police gunships launched barrages of rockets and machine gun fire at the masses of exposed rebels. Seeing the situation on one of the screens before him, Ludovic quickly turned his head to the left and called upon his rocket master.
[Ludovic] - "The main systems might not be ready, but are the anti-air posts properly manned and armed? "
[rocket master] - "They are indeed, sir. Already on it, sir. "
Said the rocket master as he immediately understood what Ludovic wanted.
High up on the titan's superstructure, the crews inside the anti-air batteries quickly acquired locks on the gunships buzzing above the city. Without a moment of hesitation, the anti-air missiles streaked toward the police gunships and blasted them out of the sky before any of them could even react.
Meanwhile, invigorated by the action of the comrades inside the anti-air batteries, the gunnery crews of the many point-defence batteries and cannons also began to aim their guns at areas with large police concentrations. With a deafening roar, the left side 350mm battleship cannons opened fire, laying an unthinkable level of destruction on all the police forces hit by the massive shells. However, compared to the titan's total size, these massive battleship-grade cannons were just minuscule sticks.
By the afternoon, the situation on the ground had been contained as the police and their associated forces were pushed all the way back from their initial gains. With their numbers dwindling and morale at an all-time low, the decision was made by the police HQ in the government tower to raise the shield and urge all their forces to retreat into the shield's covering range of 1 kilometre around the tower.
On the ground, at the same time, the rebels also celebrated their recent victory as they lit many campfires in the city, illuminating their position without fear of discovery. They cheered and drank with a level of freedom they never expected to have in their lifetime. All around the streets, the so-called eyes of KD-554 were torn down alongside the sickening red neon lights. For the first time in the city's history, it didn't glow red with hate, but it glowed with the hopeful and defiant light of fire. People insulted the government without fear, they burned propaganda posters without hesitation, and exposed their faces without being observed.
The city was taking its first breath as it fought for its freedom, yet there was a pair of eyes that watched its celebration with disdain. KD-554, only recently made aware of the mess in her city, watched from her balcony as the city no longer shone red with violence. However, despite the situation, she was not worried.
[Astroboy] - "They are winning. "
Said Astroboy as he stepped out of the shadow.
[KD-554] - "It's an illusion. Their violence is not pure... They kill so they can go back to pretending behind those masks! Those misguided fools think they can simply deny the truth that was ingrained in their DNA. Cogitas, Ergo Non Es! Those who think are not who they are. Only the ones who accept their nature will win. "
Said KD-554 with gritted teeth.
[Astroboy] - "Yet, you have not done anything to stop their progress. Soon, that titan will rise and give the rebels their apogee. "
Said Astroboy as he stood beside KD-554.
[KD-554] - "No, let them achieve their apogee. In their delusion, they thought they could challenge me... For this, I shall punish them by crushing their hopes permanently! They shall know despair as even machines made by Gods shall crumble like the rotted corpses of their loved ones to my feet! They will know the futility of an existence without adherence to my one and only truth. They will bleed until the roads of this city are anew shining in crimson! "
Said KD-554 in an unhinged voice as madness burned inside her eyes.
[Astroboy] - "Hmm... Then I shall go rest. It sounds like you might have needs for my presence tomorrow. "
Said Astroboy as he turned around to leave.
[KD-554] - "I want their leader captured alive! I'm dying to see what kind of man is capable of such delusion as to resist my rule. "
Said KD-554 with a sadistic grin.
[Astroboy] - "You will be disappointed. He or she could only be some nobody, with a name you don't recognize and a mentality bordering on cliché. "
[KD-554] - "Oh? How do you know exactly? "
[Astroboy] - "If that person is worth your time, he or she would've at least done something warranting a non-casual tone of conversation between us. "
KD-554 laughed slightly, amused by Astroboy's cold logic.
[KD-554] - "Then I shall not waste time dealing with another generic pile of shit. However, make an example out of him in front of his foolish men, will you? "
[Astroboy] - "Heh! I like this much more efficient path. "
Said Astroboy with a cold smirk.
Meanwhile, down below, Ulric and Ella celebrated alongside the other resistance fighters by blending in with their ranks. Since they had joined the fighting after the initial setbacks, Ulric and Ella only experienced victory and glory. However, will their innocent flesh be able to bear the wound of defeat?
To be continued...