Chapter 9, The Breaking
"They've been silent to long."
He stated while he was looking over the documents he had just received from the military. He was busy, as he had always been. This was only normal as he would have had to keep up with most of the documents. But he did use his powers when needed to be used for what he believed was right. He merely sighed as he opened up one of his laptops, and the dark blue like screen popped up asking for his ID and Password. With a quick spin of his fingers over the letters he entered in his ID and password, both having been hidden and encrypted as it was. The Data opened up hundreds of windows and a main on came up as it showed a list of policies and other means as to remind him of the rights he was removing for this moment. The right of Privacy to most of the companies, and to remind him if he was caught by Chevalier, they would just ignore his existence.
He was more then use to this treatment however, it was normal in his line of work and had been the way it was the entire time. What he was interested in though was why he didn't see any updates on the Activity of the Mably Family, and why they didn't mark up something else on it. That along with the fact that it was annoying as it was to go to the Alaskan Base, and get information in person because of the Chevalier. This would seem to him, that they were trying to hide something. But Most of the higher ups were busy following other leads, and not so much the ones to help the Pandora's be treated like humans. Sure they were viewed as glorious and amazing people to stand up for humanity. But this meant nothing if they didn't get treated as what they were. Humans. This was something he US had been trying to stress for some aspect of time. They were, at least in the military, viewed as both weapons but humans. It was important to remember that to top it all off they were a rare breed of women at that.
He sighed once more as he managed to get the files so he could just waltz into the Alaskan base. It was more on the lines that his confirmation by the higher ups allowed the us of the data banks their without permission of the Chevalier. Not ever Country in the world was so complacent about them taking hold of power. Surely even other countries outside of the states where the same on this manner. He pulled up some more documents with an attentive ease to them while he was also keeping track of the activity that came from the feed itself.
Chevalier had many crimes against humanity as it was already. Though it was probably best seen as many crimes against the Pandora. The military may have been tough, but the consequences for betrayal, or anything they assumed to be so was probably worse then it was today in the military. Of course, betraying your country was always a bad thing, but it wasn't so harsh as for one to say getting tortured over as much as getting a dishonorable discharge and living life as a piece of trash in the views of your own people. Though in his mind it was better making this up to them then dieing it wasn't viewed that way by many people. Again he managed to cut through a good amount of noise before stopping on something that seemed fairly interesting.
Compared to the good majority of the complex, there was one area that was now increasing in electrical. He hadn't really seen this room before but from the schematics he pulled up on it. It seemed to be a room used to some extent for 'liberating' the speech of some people needed for interrogation. They had always had some of these rooms but for the most part to even get into these schematics it would have required access to the military data banks, and the data banks of Chevalier. He couldn't help but peak his curiosity at it. As there was a set up of certain levels of camera's and live feeds to monitor the states of the specimen.
There was always many ways to monitor and manage the targets your were interrogating but this was the easiest. They needed to have captured information or else it would have been to say the least, irrelevant when it came to court. He used another window to open up the screens only to see that the camera's seemed to be turned off. This wasn't following any form of protocol. He didn't like this at all, moving to see if he could hack into one camera, at least one. For that was all he needed in the end. If he managed to gain just one camera maybe he could report information to the organization. Of course what this could do to a super power like the Chevalier was little to none. Merely because it would cause a war on a global scale, but if they managed to slowly usurp and put pressure in the right places. An organization could easily change for the better. This was to say, if everything played out right. He didn't want to land up in the middle of a world war while fighting against the NOVA as it was so he needed to be sure that this was more on the lines of, a true breach of human rights or whatever it would be.
It didn't take him long to eventually find one of the camera's based on the blue prints of the entire base. Pulling up the location of the one that was in a more hidden location so they wouldn't see it. However, this was still all ifs and buts. He was aware of that, all they would need to do was look at one of the play back monitors to then turn it off. It wouldn't be well for him, but they would probably just think it to be maybe someone who forgot to turn off one of the cameras. This wouldn't have been so much of a problem as there was still a good amount of them in the area. Creating this sort of mix of cameras. In fact there was 6, though most of them resided within the actual room where a good amount of the work was being done. Of course this wasn't what he wanted when it came down to it. They would easily be able to spot those, so he managed to take one of the 2 that resided outside of the window. Which would have looked towards the patient. This was the best choice.
The camera flickered lightly as it then turned on. The screen on his monitor showing nothing at first as the camera was pointed away from the center of the room, showing him mostly just the wall itself but he could already tell that the actual tormenting was happening as the electric flashes seemed to lightly play on the back walls, showing the reflection of the person being tormented to some degree. He couldn't tell who it was, but this didn't matter. It felt like a pain was growing in him, his own heart was flipping over as it sank at the thought of whom this person could have been, why were they there in the first place? Who they where? And of course what could they have done that was so wrong that they needed to get this kind of treatment.
The camera moved towards the women in the chair. Her body was covered with receivers that were releasing a high amount of electrical discharge into her. Causing her to twitch as the only area that was actually covered was her bra and underwear. With every increase of intensity he could see her twitch more from the pain, droll and tears streaming down her face as she began to even pee herself from the intensity of the electrical shock that was being delivered to her.
He couldn't watch for long as he quickly turned off the camera, pushing off from the laptops and moving away towards the wall of his large room. Covering his mouth with his right hand as his left hand held him up from falling down to the ground. He almost vomited as it was from the viewing of this, sure he had been aware they did all this. That alone was something that he had hated, all this treatment of people, but more so to what he was pretty sure was a Pandora? There was just too much, she was barely alive, and she still held on.
"¿Por qué hacen esto. ¡Qué diablos!" He managed to spurt out in Spanish to himself. Though he made sure it was more silent then not. He didn't need anyone who was listening in to even notice that he had seen that, he couldn't even share it with the people around here. But it was something he had slightly recorded. Though he wasn't sure what good it could do, he was more then certain that he needed to talk to his superior, and send them this information. Though he was going to have to take sometime to compose himself. He didn't even know where to start, more so if they would even believe him unless he sent the evidence.
He put on his blue tooth like phone. Setting up the wired signal to his base of operations as it was picked up instantly by the bureau.
"Yes? Who is it you wish to talk to mister Marius?" The voice stated, it was more computerized then anything, sort of a quick answer system instead of having a person. They were aware of who is calling, that way it was like a person. Though it could be a problem saying whom you wanted to talk to. "I'd like to talk to General Rovelt." He replied
There was a blank moment when the machine began to input in the statement. Then began to pull into a call. There wasn't much when it came to formalities. If you said something about how long it took however the machine would merely reply with the general "one moment please" so it was best just to stay silent until the phone was transferred over. The line, was also being secured, and that alone was another aspect they had to run through. Thus time was always something. He didn't mind though, it allowed his mind to slowly stabilize while he ran threw what data he was able to pick up while connected to that camera for the moment. He still had the urge to vomit every single time he thought about it. Even with all the training in the world, there was just no way he could see a person able to see that and not feel anything about it. He was splitting the files, and adjusting them so they could form more smoothly. Then creating picture files, and he put in the data from the blue prints and of course other means.
He already had one reason now to go there. If this was approved they could dispatch themselves to the location. Of course he didn't know if it was going to be or not, this was mostly just his hopes. They would have to get this information first before they did anything about it. Then after the General saw it, they would then have to put it into higher command themselves while keeping Chevaliers noses out of it, then it would have to be approved like that. Then the mission could be go. He just hoped it was sooner then later. He didn't need his mind wondering on how many other people they would be torturing this way. For god knows what reason.
The call picked up as he heard the generals voice boom onto his line.
"What is it son?" The General stated, his voice for the most part was calm. It was obvious he was busy, though of course it wasn't like there was a time he wasn't busy.
"I have found some…intense evidence." Marius stated as calmly as he could but still his voice cracked to some extent while speaking. Even while trying to suppress it, he still felt sick even talking about it. It really hit him harder then he had expected.
"I see, it must be pretty important for you to call me. Be sure to send it to my account. It's secure, remember to take your time on this. And be sure that you don't expose yourself. We can't have he Chevalier figuring this all out." His father replied as he seemed to keep his normal composure over the line. Almost without much more then a nod. He could see it play out before him, like his father was there.
"Yes sir. I'll send it to you now. Sorry for bothering you." He replied to him, as he heard the line go dead afterwards.
It was always an interesting conversation when it came down to work. He knew that his father was aware that he was deeply undercover, and that his father was the one who put him there. But it still seemed to be a problem for them to talk to one other when it came down to business. Maybe his father had hoped that he would have taken a different path. He wasn't ever sure, but it wasn't like he hated his job. He just hated these moments when he had to face the fact that the Chevalier wasn't as peaches and cream as they would normally portray themselves to be. It was aggravating to say the least. But he just needed to keep up with his own job, it wasn't right to let the Pandora's become the trash left over if this war ever ended. He just worked on his laptop as the information was finalized before he sent it to the secure email, using the military channel of internet.
He had to leave his room, quickly pushing onto the pad so it opened he closed his computer and made sure all his information would be locked off for anyone but him. Of course that was unless they knew what the password and codes where. But if they had managed to get that far they were better off just turning him into the chevalier then leaving him to fall to his own doings. He had to walk off this disgusting taste in his mouth though. The sheer torture she went threw was more then enough to make him dislike the Chevalier even more. That was saying something, as his entire division was pretty much based around not liking them.
There was however only one other person that was completely aware of his true purpose for being in this school. That was Frey, she had been his partner, selected to be with him in just about all of the possible cases one could have wished for. So it was only natural that she would also be part of this. Though she serves the Chevalier just as much as any Pandora, she had always had a different sort of view on it. That was of course one of his reasons for trying to get her. She was different, stood out quite often. Her tease act seemed to be more just out of her own harmless fun then it was for anything else as she didn't seem to hold any other motive behind it. Of course to say when they had baptized at first that he was a fan of her flirting would be wrong. He didn't enjoy that she would do that originally with other men. But she wasn't doing anything else, and to top it off he had seen what happens to the men who now try to make a move on her. She wasn't allowing anyone without her permission re-direct her emotions back to them. Of course, it wasn't like he didn't feel jealousy or anything. He just knew that it was best to keep her as she was.
Almost as though she had heard him calling to her though, she seemed to appear. Her blond hair bouncing in it's pony tail as she came up beside him and hugged his arm lightly. She was generally always faking her happiness like this. There was time where even he was sometimes fooled by it. He merely sighed as he turned to look at her and smiled. Her own was returned to him as she suddenly drew a serious face as they pulled over into a more dark lit area. There wasn't anyone around them in this hall, and for the most part it seemed to be poorly lit compared to the others. This wasn't because of the electricity getting here, it was probably because they hadn't moved to fix this section just yet. He merely sighed as she turned to stand before him, her uniform in tack though with it's usual exposure of some cleavage. She poked him in the shoulder lightly before beginning to speak. Her face being more stern then it was anything else. He could easily tell what she was going to ask him. He just didn't know it was so obvious.
"What happened?" she asked, her stern look seeming to mask the concern she held in her voice. She was obviously worried about him. "I haven't ever felt this around you..it's completely different then normal. What happened." She stated again. Her voice full of resolve as the students in the distant well illuminated hall continued to walk past as if not even noticing this hall was here.
He didn't know if he could even speak it. To be honest it would bring tears to his eyes if he tried to much. He couldn't stand the thought of her or anyone else getting involved in something so stupid as this, but she did deserve to know this, it was only them anyways. He knew that it would be better to possibly get it off his chest. But still, something was trying to force him to lie, to not give her the burden of waiting for a clause for action. To not burden her mind with what the Chevalier had done to that poor Pandora.
"Well….you..you see there is something I dunno how you would feel about knowing. More on the lines of like a really bad thing that I think if we get approved it will possibly be one of the reasons for it." he states, though stuttering not because of Frey, more because he had to hold back his own emotional drive. He didn't want to come off as a big baby.
"Oh?" she asked as she pulled closer to him, placing her arms around him and tightly hugging him, with a quick look up to his face while doing so. Her knew she was trying to make him feel better. To show that she was there for him. " What is so bad that you feel you must repress yourself just so you can say it." She said calmly, with a hint of concern still hanging in her tone.
He wasn't going to lie, her sweet smell and everything else was something he enjoyed just as much as the other man would. But of course it was something he had gotten use to. Never the less he managed to conquer his own self most of the time when it came to these things. He would like nothing more then to kiss and hug her. Just to help suppress what he had saw. But he needed to tell her what it was, that was the whole purpose of this. Plus, at least they were alone.
"it's just the Chevalier have seemed to…." He paused, he still had his own icks about telling her this. He didn't want her to freak out, though he knew she wouldn't there was still something on their own minds that would always cause an explosion. " They seemed to have decided that Pandora's are so much tools that they can torture them when they please…to the point of almost death and toss them aside." Sure he didn't see all of it. But what else would they have gained from this torture. His clutched his hands closed, he almost lost it all in the last part of his statement. Though even as much as he tried tears still ran down his face. "how could they…she was still human…where is the difference? What because they can fight and we can't?" he wasn't loud, merely whispering. But the person who was hearing it all, pulled herself to his height, pulling his head lightly on her shoulder as she patted him.
They did in fact stayed in that dark corridor for sometime. The lights flickering occasionally while they rested there. They even landed up sitting on the floor itself before he finally stopped his held in sobbing. For the most part he knew he couldn't show this to the others. He was to be the leader, he wasn't suppose to appear weak at any moment. But in front of his own Pandora, that wasn't the case. They knew one other well, and hiding these type of things where the best part of it all. They didn't even need to speak to one other to fully grasp it. Though he always felt like others would have looked down on him for showing such a side. He knew that Charles most of all would have probably called him on it. Causing him to chuckle lightly at the thought as they had already begun to move.
"What of Xenovia and Charles? Do you know anything?" Marius then added, they had moved out of the corridor and where in the empty hall. Class was probably in session for some people while others could care less about it. It wasn't that he didn't go to class, as much as he didn't need to. He was in the state where most of his own teachings were done on the more practical aspect and less theory.
She just laughed and pulled on his arm lightly to pull him in closer.
"They are in the baptism process at this moment. It would be best for us not to bother them until tomorrow." Frey stated blinking her blue eyes for a moment then sticking her tongue out with a peace sign just for a fun gesture to him.
He laughed. Though it wasn't to loud he had expected it to happen, but he didn't know it would fall so easily into this situation. When they are baptized it would mean they would have finally become partners. That alone was more then enough to get them the team he wanted. However, to say that it was all he had in mind would be a lie in itself. He had planned for many more people, but the issue was simple. He didn't see the need for them at this moment. Right now they were one of the more powerful teams as it was. Sure he didn't know what weapon Xenovia had, but it wasn't like she was weak without one. It was more on the lines they could move in, take the evidence they needed then move out. Tomorrow, with or without the approval he would probably attempt to get Ms. Smith to allow them to move out.
Of course he needed to check up on a few people first. The most important of them all was his other team mate. Gabriel, probably one of the most mysterious of the people in the group. Charles held his own mystery of course, but he was still pretty straight forward when it came down to his combat, or other means. But he was still sketchy on that one, he couldn't fully say it was full strength or not. But Gabriel…he knew nothing about him when it came to combat. He was the only one to win against him so far, and his Pandora dealt the blows that were needed, even avoided taunts and everything. It was complicated, but he was an interesting member.
Though the one thing that was easy to find about him was that he knew where to look for him most of the time. Gabriel never hid himself, and was usually in the same spot. Only because the student council was just like that. They were almost always busy with something, and for the most part that gave him a valid reason as to way he wasn't partaking in class. They also had to go threw files of which person was truly more powerful then the other. And if they could match up to the 3rd years "Immortal" or not. There was more then one thing they did, but if anything. They always seemed to be expecting anyone who came in. no matter the reason or the occasion.
They approached the massive doors and pushed it open into the student council office that still kept it's same form. Though like always Gabriel seemed to be sitting on one of the couches while looking over documents with a nearby sort of tea or something. He simply looked up with his normal smile and nodded to him.
"Why hello. What can we do to help you today Marius?" He stated it ever so formally, just like his greeting generally started as. He then moved to look to Frey whom he smiled to as well. His Pandora seemed to be hard at work behind what seemed to be a mountain of papers as she was zipping through them. She didn't seem to give a hello back, but Frey moved towards the desk anyways to see what she was going through. Marius however moved to the other side of the table where Gabriel was sitting, and sat down on the couch.
"It seems we may be pulling out soon. I have a few things I'd like us to do before hand, but…a mission is a mission. All we need in the end is Miss Smiths approval correct?" Marius stated calmly, with his own calm tone. He knew he had to keep himself composed, keep himself in control. For showing any weakness with this bunch wasn't something you wanted.
"Hmm, if I remember right." Gabriel stated after placing the paper down neatly and standing up to look at the pile of papers that were hidden near the couch itself. He moved to pull one out of the batch and placed it in front of Marius. "We do need her permission. But I'm pretty sure this is what you were interested in?" Gabriel stated, his calm tone still there as he sat back down on the chair. Looking at the paper.
Marius picked it up, looking it over for a moment. It was a Document on the Mably Family and their sudden bankruptcy. Though it wasn't fully official it was more on the lines of what was gathered with information. The threats seeming to be the drive behind the piranhas in the media as they latched at them. Of course, he didn't think about this. But they could also use this as a means. Without exposing himself, he could pull them into this situation by merely going their as an investigation squad. Marius' lips curved into a sly grin as he looked to Gabriels eyes, making eye contact.
"Ahh, well you caught me on that one. Still I think it would be an interesting trip? We may be able to even see the top Pandora's. That should give us something to go for." Marius stated in a sort of lie. It wasn't fully one though, as it would have been a great trip for them to check out the Alaskan base itself, but it wouldn't have been just for that. He obviously would have investigated the other parts of the building, though with this team he may be able to get into it.
He was aware of Charles' hacking skills, though they didn't fully match the training he did it was still present, along with the connections and information gathering skills he had. Of course, he was never trained. So it was only natural that he wouldn't fall into the same line as he was when it came down to gathering information. However, the fact that Gabriel had showed him this documented information that seemed to be connected to the Chevalier's own network. That in itself was interesting. He knew that Gabriel had a strong sense of Justice for the most part, not that he didn't. it was something they agreed upon. He just didn't understand the means or how Gabriel would go to gain this justice. How much did he really believe in the law system? There was too many hidden things about him and Charles that he couldn't really pin it on them. But for now, he needed to use the information that was provided to him by both the military and Chevalier.
"Well, if we are going to plan for a sort of field trip we had better wait till tomorrow." Himiko stated finally as she had obviously been listening to the conversation. Though Marius did see that Frey was helping a bit with some of the papers. It probably was simple things like claims for victory in combat, and inventory. "One of our teams have today booked as a sort of day off." she stated.
It hadn't occurred to him though the in fact it was more of a night then it was a day. They had all been moving about sure, but they hadn't seen the 2 before they entered into the baptism. It wasn't a bad thing still he wondered on when they started on it. Since that would also be something that could benefit Charles. Regardless he breathed out lightly and nodded.
"Of course," he replied calmly "I'm not going to run into someone merely because they decided they want a day off. I mean if it was all the time then I probably would have something to say about it. But they don't do this, or at least haven't."
"Well unless you count Charles' skipping record of school" Gabriel stated with a laugh while placing another paper he had picked up down. "Then you would probably have to think of something more lengthy about how he is still managing amazing grades, but seems to barely participate in class at all." Gabriel added at the end as he continued to sort threw some of the papers.
With a light chuckle Marius just sighed. It was true, Charles and his group never seemed to participate to much in school. In fact he was the one who wanted him to do so more. However, it was more then obvious that he could careless about what he wanted him to do. So it really just came down to the toleration of it. So long as he had good marks then he would be allowed to not go to all the classes he wanted. Have bad marks then it's study time. Where all this time came in though for him to finish and do assignments still amazed him. But it was just how the marks say.
After a few moments he decided it was best he leave them there. He needed to make sure that Ms. Smith would be more then willing to allow them to even have this mission, or field trip as it were. Because otherwise it was more nothing more then just talking. He knew that he would have to figure out a way to hide it from her though. His own intent, though that wouldn't be too complicated if she was busy worrying about Charles. Which then would help him get the approval that was needed. The Alaskan base held many secrets, which still caused him to have some sort of intrigue into it.
He made his way to Ms. Smiths office. Though for the most part one could just argue that it was just a normal nursing office for those injured. But you needed to have a special permission to be under her care for the most part. Many weren't aware of that factor. Either because they just figured she was always busy, or they never looked into it. She only had a few patients, and most of which landed up being those who were paid by the higher families, or were chosen as special interests by other groups. She herself even took time to choose special characters that she valued as her own experiments. She had probably one of the more brutal Military careers of most of the personnel while also having the most short of them. This all fell into stuff he would rather not think about. But anyways was better then the thought of the Pandora being tortured the entire time. That alone was more of an annoyance to his thought progress then it was not.
He pushed onto the pad allowing the main door to open to see Ms. Smith rocking back and forth on one of her chairs as she looked over the tv. Keeping a rather plain look on her face as the people on it seemed to be screaming for their lives. On closer inspection, it seemed she was playing a game. Of course no one would complain about it, if you balanced out all the people she managed to save here. But still it was quite the interesting sight if you just open the door to see this. Then came the normal response.
"What is it you want, Marius" her voice was stern, and hard. She seemed to be somewhat annoyed at his presence there. Interrupting her break or whatever it was she was currently going into at the moment.
"Well I have a request I wish to be approved." Marius said calmly as he came in and closed the door behind him. She didn't even turn to look at him, continuing her game.
"Continue" she stated calmly this time, as she still however showed no interest in him himself. "I do hope it's not something that will be denied though." She added in, giving a certain air of hostility to it as well.
It was obvious to him that she didn't want anyone to be harmed by a stupid idea. But he was more then certain she wouldn't see this idea as dumb. Since it had it's own reasoning behind it. Of course she wouldn't really needed to know about the real plan unless she was given the orders from the higher ups. He just laughed lightly at her comment to brush it off.
"Well," he began "I believe it's time for us to maybe take a field trip to the Alaskan base. The group has assembled, and I heard it is quite the sight to be seem." He stated calmly as he awaited her response.
The silence was annoying but he could easily tell that she was plotting out the situation in her head. She even stopped playing the game as she moved her hand on a piece of paper near by and began writing on it. Possibly about the costs it would take to run this field trip and much more. He didn't know however, how much she knew about the situation. Though that was a risk in itself, he didn't want to make it seem like he was going there for anything other then a sight seeing operation. That way, it would be even more hidden in the views of Chevalier.
"I see, well I don't think it isn't worth going to see." Ms. Smith replied turning to finally look at him "but I believe it best that I go to. Since you do need to be watched by someone, I'll take that role. I'll deliver it to the principle as well." She stated as she stood up and looked at him.
He really didn't know if she knew or not. Never the less he was happy about the fact that he could get to go there. Of course the obvious reason was hidden, he just didn't need them to think this was an investigation mission. He could do things like this only because the military had limited power over thee area. Though they had funded partly this location Chevalier still had most of the control when it came down to it. He didn't mind the factors of it being like this though. So long as it didn't destroy the rights of the Pandora. That was the whole point of this, to find out why they did it. And to get enough evidence to deal with the situation, and leave without anyone even knowing they did anything.
He watched her walk past him then she stopped turning to look at him once more.
"You should probably leave, I'm sure you have somewhere else you need to be." She stated before leaving the room.
Again, he never knew what was on her mind. She was either kind to you or just acted like she was going to kill you. Though it wasn't like he didn't know why. She probably sensed something amiss, and decided to play along with it for now. It wasn't like she was dumb. Of course if she did know it could pose some problems on them investigating. He walked out of the door as it finally closed and locked behind him. If it was exposed that his real plan was to deal with the investigation, and not just for sight seeing this could be more problematic then anything else. He was sure that Ms. Smith would probably work against him in that aspect, and make sure they never left her sight. He just needed to try to make sure she knew as little as possible about it. Though how to bring the news of the actual mission to those participating in it would be a little more complicated.
Frey made her way towards him as she stopped in front of him. Stopping his walk with a wink and a wave. Clinging onto him afterwards as they made their way towards the room they generally shared. It was going to be a long day tomorrow, and the fact they needed to graduate Charles and Xenovia's pairing at that didn't help with the need to tell them the situation. Of course it could have been worse, he could have had to deal with a limiter without a Pandora partner that was able to fight against him with ease. Loose cannons could be such an annoyance at times.
