Destiny

Opening.

A month…one month after the Jacinto attack, the COG have still been fighting a losing battle, the locust had barely given them a week before they returned, just as stronger, perhaps more so, then the last, it was something the COG had thought impossible, all hope had nearly been lost, but, the victory at Jacinto has given them the morale needed to keep up the fight, and a few lies from the chairman, saying the locust are making one last bloody stand.

Its almost poetic, almost…but the chairman knew something needed to be done, they did not have the men to prolong the war effort, they had the guns, the ammo, but not enough people to use them, so, a final desperate decision was made, ultimately it was the birth of a fighting force the COG had needed, these Gears were fast, tactical, adaptive, brave, they showed everything needed by a soldier and more, but they, like all soldiers, had a beginning and this is theres, the COG-H division and their destinies in the war for humanity's survival.

Act one-chapter 1: Subject 13.

0200 hours, Monday, two months after Jacinto, COG underground research facility 09

.

Researcher Mayu Asana was walking through the halls of the four level facility, she was currently on level two, her shoulder length fiery red hair was pinned behind her ears, her teal eyes showed she was in deep thought, her face was young looking considering she was 31 years old, her paces measured and calm, the gentle tapping of her heels and the slight sound of equipment echoed in the halls of the facility, currently home to 214 workers, some armed security, and mostly researchers such as herself.

"Miss Asana." a voice pulled Mayu from her thoughts, her eyes turned to the left and she saw one of her colleagues, Henry York, short brown hair, brown eyes and middle aged, wearing a lab coat, just as she was "May I have a moment of your time?." he asked with a serious look in his eyes.

Asana brought her watch up and checked the time, satisfied she nodded "alright, make it quick, I have business." she said as she followed him into the lab room down the hall, inside were more equipment, three more researchers were standing around the various computers and monitors, which blinked and bleeped.

"We've made progress with this one, ma'am, subjects one through twelve had…ceased all mental activity." York reported and gestured to the end of the room where a young man lay, looking to be about 20 years old with long black hair reaching his upper back, the only thing hiding him was a pair of boxers, several tubes and various monitoring equipment were on his chest, arms and legs.

"It is so far the most viable for the project, It's healthy, no mental and physical defects or degeneration detected thus far, considering that it and only three others left, seems we've found the best subject." York said proudly, but it irked Asana when he called the man before her 'It', but she showed nothing for it, it wasn't smart to get attached to ones work.

"Keep me posted on him then, I've got to get going, I have a meeting with several high brass individuals." she turned sharply and began walking back through the doors, she felt the need to sigh, but fought it back, the meetings with the brass were sure to cause her headaches, always the same 'We need results quicker' bullshit, and then if she tells them they're doing all they can, they threaten her with 'then we'll get someone else', but those were empty threats, she was the best at what wanted, what they needed.

With a full sigh she stopped at a pair of steel doors, sound proofed and heavily secured, fours guards standing there, their lancer rifles lowered, with a salute they allowed her inside, sitting on one of the five chairs, she sat straight, fixed her clothes and sighed again, then several monitors lit up and there appeared General Hoffman, Chairman Prescott and Lieutenant colonel Morrison, each was a high ranking figure in the war, lieutenant Colonel Morrison had a old look about him, about 42 years old if Asana's memory was correct, he had seen as much action as Hoffman, if not more, he was rumoured to have been taken prisoner by the Locust, but that was quickly dismissed.

Her thoughts were interrupted as the Chairman spoke "Hello miss Asana, I trust you have good news to report?." he asked deceptively calm, but the look in his eyes showed his true emotions, agitation, fear and desperation, she could relate, this war had taken its toll on them all.

She nodded "I have indeed, our research has recently made a slight jump, at least 42 of the subjects show positive for mental and physical stabilization, twelve have ceased this week, since your last visit, that makes 32 ceases." she rehearsed this speech for about two hours, keeping her voice blank and face emotionless as she could the while.

The chairman looked satisfied to a point "And when can we mobilize them? The first group I mean." he asked, taking a short breath as he relaxed, Asana had predicted this question, and forced down the slight discomfort of the answer.

"Chairman, the first group may be ready in eight months-" she said no more as the chairman's angered yell cut her off.

"eight months?!" he shouted, then stood and slammed his fists onto his table, making the camera shake "Miss Asana, we don't have eight months! We have 5 months at most! The locust constantly push and fight at our already thinning lines of defence! With Jacinto gone we have no place to seek refuge! I have sent hundreds of men to their deaths with false hope! I want results! And want them soon!" he all but screamed.

Asana forced back her gulp and straightened her lab coat "with all due respect mister Chairman, we here are working the best we can, half of us are lacking sleep and even skipping breakfast and lunch to work on this, but, in all honesty, we have accomplished in two months which would have taken at best three years, there is really nothing we can do that would speed up th-" she stopped short as a beeping from her personal data pad startled her.

"Hold on." she pulled it out and looked at it, her eyes reading it quickly, then they widened and a small gasp escaped her, she put it down and looked at the chairman, Hoffman and Morrison with a cheery glint in her eyes "I have to check on something in the labs, please hold on." she stood and rushed out.

"Miss Asana!" the chairman called, but she left too fast, with a frustrated growl he sat down "What could be so important?" he mumbled to himself.

"perhaps, we may have had a break." Morrison said, his voice deep and commanding.

With Asana.

She ran into the lab room where York had brought her before, walking in she was met with the researchers shaking hands, and smiling to one another, exchanging good works and thank you's "Miss Asana, we've done it, we've really done it." Henry hugged her and quickly pulled back, she nodded and turned to see the man was sitting on his bed, staring at them with confusion.

She gasped slightly, the man was alive, he was moving, he was aware, but he looked lost and confused, that was to be expected though, she knew that much, but still, the situation was a miracle of science and a luck that no one dared hope for "How is he?" she asked, not looking away from the man who was still staring with a confused look on his face.

"Its in good health, as you can see, it is indeed aware of his surroundings, we had some slight trouble removing the equipment, but it seemed to understand we mean it no harm, and cooperated with us." Henry replied and then smiled at the man.

Asana nodded and walked over to him, sticking out her hand she smiled "Hello, my name is Mayu Asana." she greeted, she felt the other eyes of her fellow researchers on her back, the man's eyes traveled to her hand and then back to her face, then, as if he was slightly cautious, he grabbed her hand and shook it slightly.

"My name is…" his voice was smooth, yet held an air of confusion, eyes closing and his brows furrowed in thought, then they opened again "I…can't remember…anything…" he stated, looking worried, and Asana felt pity for him "where…am I?" he asked, glancing around.

Asana quickly grabbed his shoulders and gently forced him to look at her "You're safe…you've been in a coma for five weeks, you have to expect some memory loss, whether they'll come back or not is not known to me, but rest assured, your safe here." she had also rehearsed this line several times, she meant every word as much as she could, but those words were lies in the long run, but for now, he was safe.

The man looked confused then nodded, seeming to understand "Alright…" his brows furrowed again "but that doesn't answer where I am." he stated, Asana felt proud of him, he was smart and cut to the point.

"Sorry, your in research facility 09, the only place we could get you the help you needed that wasn't in danger of locust attack." she explained, and then waited, his reaction was crucial.

His eyes narrowed "Locust?…" he asked, his voice confused.

She nodded "yes, I'll explain it later, for now, rest Malikai." she ordered, pushing him softly till he was lying down, he still looked like he had questions, but refused to ask at such a polite request, plus he was tired for some reason, his eyes felt heavy and he soon fell to sleep.

With that done Asana stood and turned to the others "have a room prepared for him at once, I have a meeting to finish." she walked out, leaving no room for replies, quickly she was back in the meeting room with Hoffman, Prescott and Morrison "I have some very good news for you gentlemen." she stated and smiled a reassuring smile "Subject 13: Malikai, has awoken with no mental or physical defects." she stated, silence was what greeted her.

The Chairman was first to speak, finding his voice he asked "are you sure? Positive?" he seemed relieved and his voice held hope, Asana quickly nodded "that is…" he looked for the word "great, it is by far the best news I've heard all month, miss Asana, if you need more funding I will send it." he relaxed into his chair "I am grateful miss Asana…so very grateful." he admitted and then turned to a off screen person, issuing some orders and then turning back to monitors "I have to go, keep me posted Asana, good bye." and his screen went dark.

Hoffman huffed "I just had several gears take back the remains of Tollen, and he says 'good work'" he then sighed "then again, your work is far more important then I'm thinking, good luck miss Asana, Hoffman out," now Hoffman was gone, only Asana and Morrison.

"Miss Asana, may I ask you a question?." he asked, his face calm, Asana nodded "Malikai, he is the first success, am I correct?." Asana nodded again "good work, for what's it worth, you will be saving a lot of lives in the future." Morrison bowed slightly "till then." his screen went blank and she left the room.

Malikai, as he was called, opened his eyes slightly and let them adjust to the dark, with a small yawn he sat up and glanced around, seeing some of the equipment gone from before, a pair of clothes sitting on a table nearby, simple black pants and a white shirt, standing and walking over to them he began to change.

Several moments alter he was fully dressed, walking over to the door he saw a small panel on the side, along with some shoes by the door itself, pressing a green button the small sound was made "Yes?" a voice asked, male and none too kind.

"I want to leave my room." Malikai stated, his voice clear through the com, there was a pause and the door slid open, revealing Miss Asana and a guard by the door wearing a slight frown, Asana smiled in greeting.

"Good to see your awake Malikai, please, follow me, I have some explanations you might want." she stated, gesturing him to follow, he nodded and followed closely behind, Malikai was glancing around, no doubt searching the area for anything of interest.

Good…but soon you'll be searching the field for enemies…she thought as she stopped and gestured to a door, walking in and being followed by him they entered a room, several folders and pictures, his were on there as well "These are files on your last operation as COG-H, Coalition of Ordered Governments Hunter division." she explained, handing him a folder, opening it he began to skim through it, his blood type, birth place, year and age were all on there, time of enlistment into the COG military, everything.

"First Sergeant Malikai Inuwa, COG-H division, last assignment was the complete annihilation of a Locust surface base east of the Ilima city." she paced around him, her heal clicking with each step "Your mission went bad and your squad was killed in action, the retrieval squad lost three of its members to get you, by then, you were unconscious from multiple bullet wounds sustained to your torso, left leg and right arm, during your stay at a field hospital in a mountain area near Ilima, you went into a coma and moved here…" she took a breath and sat down across from him.

Malikai was processing all this information, he was COG soldier? No, he was special forces of COG, Hunter division, most likely big shots under the command of the higher ups, probably handled the most dangerous of jobs…

The last thought sent a spark pride through him, but it wasn't all good news, his squad, who had died, were now gone, fellow Gears taken by war with the enemy, with the Locust "any questions?" he looked up and saw Asana staring at him, her expression slightly worried, he nodded.

"Who…who was in my squad, their names and my history with them?." he asked, sitting straight and looking through his folder, his eyes skimming through everything he deemed important.

Asana nodded "ah yes, there was five of you, a Valerie Maistrum, age was 24, sniper and recognisance expert, you and her trained in the same academy and were first deployed in Tollen before its sinking, she considered you a brother figure, in fact, it was she who covered your and teams retreat." Asana reached into her pocket, and pulled out a COG tag, the name Valerie Miastrum was engraved on it, it was dented and had dirt on it, placing it on the table she slid it over.

Malikai gulped and slowly reached for it, picking it up he stared at it, as if hoping it would bring back his memories of this woman, this fellow gear who died for him and her squad, inside him, he felt slight guilt and something else.

"the next is Lawrence Jackson, demolitions and heavy weapons expert, age was 20, like you, he was young and full of energy, enough so they said his explosives always packed an extra punch, he looked up to you, he spoke highly of you when he was around others, and when in your presence, he was a rival, but a follower at heart…he died shortly after Valerie, we're assuming an ambush, this was barely recovered." she pulled out yet another COG tag, it was even worse then Valerie's.

It was only half a COG tag, the one half looked like it was broken and thrown into a fire, the words 'Lawr' and below it 'Jack' were only visible, another pang of guilt, sighing he laid a closed fist onto the table a little roughly "Can I get something to drink please?" he asked, his voice slightly heavier then usual.

Asana stood and went out into the hall, the guard beside her saluted and went off, turning back to him she sat down in her chair again "your drink will be here momentarily, now, do you still want to know?" she asked, concerned.

He nodded "I wanna know it all." he replied, staring at the ceiling "all of it, their deaths, my past…whatever helps me remember anything and their memories…" he added.

She nodded "Alright…Julias Sykes, age was 38, he was your Second in command on the squad, and a trusted friend I believe, they said there wasn't a better pair of soldier on a team, you both knew what had to be done, and how to get it done, he was your communications expert, and a helluva of a shot if I remember his scores in the range tests." she sighed "he was good soldier, sadly, we could not retrieve his Tags, they were lost with his body." she said lowly, almost a whisper.

"and finally, the last member of your squad, your younger brother Tanner Inuwa, age was 19, he was…always trying to impress you, even challenging your authority from time to time, and like all little brothers, he would have given you life to save yours…he did give his life for yours…when we found you, there was several dead locust around the area, bullet cases and grenade craters…he and Julias put up a final stand to defend you and wait for KR, but when they got there, Tanner was barely holding on, dragging you towards the chopper, his last words for us to tell you, that he died doing what he thought was right, and to not worry, he'll be watching and protecting you from wherever he is now." she explained and sighed "here…these and this are rightfully yours." she placed Tanner's COG tag on the table, and a small photo, examining it showed Malikai himself, his hair was much shorter, not like now, and beside him was a younger version of himself, shorter hair, and darker brown eyes, confident smirk on the younger's face, while Malikai stared with a arrogant smirk.

"He's…my brother?…" Malikai could not stop the question from rising, the photo was worn and slightly torn, a small drip dried blood on it, "he…looks barely old enough to enlist…let alone fight in a war…" he muttered, tracing his thumb over the photo "I…don't know what to say…my brother, my squad…and my memories…" he clenched his teeth "all of them lost…I can't even recall a single event!" he growled and began to pace slightly in the room.

"I imagine this is difficult, now knowing anything and going the word of a complete stranger must be difficult, but I too don't know what else to say, I suggest you rest on this, let it all sink in, and maybe" she sighed "maybe it jog your memories, and you'll find something out." she explained, glancing at the still pacing Malikai, who was still glaring at nothing.

"When can I be re-deployed?" he asked sharply, turning to Asana with a look of anger, and hatred for something.

Asana was taken back by the question "Excuse me? Re-deploy? But Malikai, you've barely had any rest since you've awoken, and even at the most, do you remember your training? Your skills and even how to hold a weapon?." she asked each question, hoping for a reason to stop his foolish thoughts.

Malikai stopped in his tracks, and then looked thoughtful, for several seconds all was quiet "I…I remember…damnit!" he yelled hitting the table "I remember nothing! Nothing at all! What use am I now?! I can't even remember what a god damned rifle is!" he yelled and then the guards rushed in, their lancers pointed at Malikai, who as soon as the clicking of the safeties were heard was already glaring at them, his muscles ready to do something at any given moment, Asana stood to the side, assessing his stance, it was an un-armed fighting stance designed to lure the enemy closer, but rarely employed, locust didn't believe in an even fight.

"Weapons down now!." the guards glanced at her and nodded, their lancer rifles were then lowered slowly and they backed out of the room, as if faced with a rabid dog ready to attack at the first sign of trouble "you'll have to excuse them, they're my bodyguards in a sense." she explained, turning to the now calmer Malikai.

He stood rigid, still at the ready for anything "I'm sorry…I should not have had an outburst like that, I…need to rest more I think…" he stated sitting and sighing heavily "Is there a room I need? Or do I just go back to my old one?" he asked.

She shook her head in reply "No, we've had a room prepared for you, please, follow me." she lead him out of the room, with a quick salute from the guards and they were off into the halls of the facility, "You're very curious aren't you?" she asked, seeing he was still glancing around, his eyes taking in everything they could.

"I'm hoping that seeing something in particular might help me get my memories back…" he admitted, then with a frustrated sigh added "so far, no luck in that matter." his expression was downcast and slightly thoughtful.

Asana nodded, absently making mental notes on things here and there "I see, don't worry yourself too much Malikai, Sorry, I mean Sergeant Inuwa." she corrected herself on his rank, glancing at him at the corner of her eye, seeing him turn his attention to her with a small frown.

Then the frown disappeared and he sighed "Just Malikai please, I don't remember even being in the COG army, so I'm not, not yet anyways." he replied, and they stopped at an elevator, pressing a button the doors opened and he and Asana stepped in and pressed the button for second floor "How many floors is this place?" he asked.

Asana shrugged "three floor, we were on floor one, below the surface, that level contains recovery rooms, medical and temporary living quarters, its were the workers spend most of their time in here" she replied and they stopped at the second floor "this is the second floor, it contains full living quarters, armory and shooting range, mess hall" and the entered a larger main room, several support beams and glass looking a room filled with tables and chairs, the mess hall, Malikai noted.

"this is your room, it's a officer's quarters, someone of your rank would be used to this kind of room." she pressed a few buttons, unlocking the door, "the lock code is 6452, you can change it if you want from here on, its yours now." she turned to him "well, settle in and make yourself at home, we'll get some events set up tomorrow." she turned to leave, but his voice stopped her.

"What events are you talking about?." he asked, his eyes narrowing in thought and suspicion, she laughed slightly and waved it off dismissively "what's so funny?" he asked, not finding any humor in the situation.

She straightened herself out and coughed into her fist "Uh, nothing, the events is some weapons shooting, just to see how much of your military training was lost while comatose." she explained and then nodded to herself "I believe we might make some progress with your memories then." she stated.

"I see, Miss Asana, I have a question, who was my CO while I with the Hunter division?." Malikai asked, wanting to learn more of his forgotten past, he could see Asana tense slightly then relax, not answering his question they stood in silence "Miss Asana?…" he probed calmly, he was feeling slightly flustered that she wasn't answering.

"Your superior was Lieutenant Colonel Morrison, he was the commander of the Hunter division." she finally said, her voice calm and cool, fixing her glasses she sighed "no more questions, your mind might, and mean it, go into pain if you try too hard to remember, rest for tonight, I'll have someone come get you in the morning so you can get to the gun range and see if it helps." she explained as she walked off.

Malikai stared after her and then sighed, knowing he wasn't getting more information till tomorrow he turned to his new room, a bed, simple, yet better then bunks, a table with a computer, several uniforms and shoes, a washroom, clean "Well…" he mumbled Might as well make the best of it he thought and then went to his bed for some sleep.

End of chapter 1.

Now, if would you all please leave a review, with some advice, a nice comment, or on how I can improve, please note these chapters will take quite a bit of time to publish between them, so hopefully they're worth it, thank you for reading and have a nice day/night.