The Deadly Game
(That Ever Played)
At the Accretian's base camp,
The Accretians were prepared the camp. Every unit was carrying their purposes, including Zero0X. ExvionE47 repaired them, and replaced their armors. Gruudx13 and Tri-Edge contacted the homeworld. Brutez66 and GungnirT11 exchanged informations. At the mean time, Ranskye and Clytemnestra were tied back to back. The Cora snorted,
"Do you think what they will do to us?" The ranger replied resignedly,
"I prefer to not think about it…" Sighing, the girl asked again,
"Why do you not shot me? You can do that and save yourself…"
Ran answered, "I don't shoot a friend…I won't do that," Hearing that, Cly chuckled,
"Friend…I never imagine to hear that word from a Bellato," The Bellato turned,
"Whatever you say! At least, I don't regret it!" They were silent momentarily until she confessed,
"I think I like you, Ran…" The young Bellato's face instantly blushed red. He asked,
"I…I thought you…hate me…"
"I was," she continued, "But you do everything for me, even though you and I were enemies. You even sacrificed yourself for me. You care of me. Since our lives might be ended here, I decide to tell my feelings to you, Ran," Bowing his head, Ran said,
"Uh, then I stand corrected. I apologize to call you badly before…" The Spiritualist smiled,
"Apology accepted. No harm done." Ran continued,
"One more thing…I think you are very beautiful, Clytemnestra." Now it was the Cora's turn to blush. She continued to hear him,
"I will remember the moment we have meet…I like you too, Cly!" She merely nodded,
"Thank you, Ranskye. I appreciate it…"
Meanwhile,
Gungnir asked Brutez;
UNIT CONSCIOUSNESS SAMPLE:
"Why it took so long to teleport us?" The Mercenary/Warder replied,
"I have received the report that the portal at HQ was malfunctioning. Admin Unit 001B said that it would be repaired…"
"For how long?"
"About 15 hours…" Not for long, the newly-armored Zero inquired,
"Can we use the Dementors' return gate?" To this, Exvion answered,
"The risk is too great. Our loads were greater than the capacity of the Return Gate. Overloading it can be dangerous," Gungnir's CPU buzzed momentarily until the cyborg stated,
"In that case, we will wait until the reparation is finished. Unit x13 was preparing the defense perimeter to ensure no attempt to free the hostages."
Brutez added, "I'd assigned my drones to aid Unit x13 in establishing the perimeter," Then the Accretia commander turned to his other subordinates,
"Unit R46! Unit x76! Keep watching the hostages!" Invictus and Gruud nodded
"Unit X8, continue to monitor the communications!"
Few miles from the base camp,
Shadx13 scouted the perimeter along with two Brutez's drones. So far, its sensors didn't pick anything suspicious. But, something still ticked inside its CPU. Suddenly,
"Ka-chink!" The cyborg turned to the direction of the noise, and saw one of the drones fell lifelessly. The Phantom Shadow quickly gestured to the other drone to take cover. The cyborg did the same thing as well. From the protected position, Shadx began to scan the surrounding. None found. Then it decided to upgrade its vision into IR. Still, nothing to be seen. The Scout theorized the attacker must be the same class. Then it made the secret transmission to the drone, before coming out slowly from the hiding place. It called,
UNIT CONSCIOUSNESS SAMPLE:
"Whoever you are, come out! Let's talk face-to-face…" There was no answer. The cyborg continued,
"As a fellow warrior, I, Shadx13 ask to talk first…" Not for long, a feminine, slender figure came out from the opposite direction, brandishing the assault rifle. She said,
"A tin can like you, have senses to talk with me. I give you the credit for that," she smirked,
"Now, talk! Our time is short!"
UNIT CONSCIOUSNESS SAMPLE:
Analyzing situations…
Identification from the Imperial Database
Primary Target: Corite Hunter…searching
Result: Penthesilea Dorona
Class: Ranger
Sub Class: Hunter-Stealer
Status: Wanted for the sabotage of Elan supply base
Appropriate Action: Distraction
Shadx13 remarked, "You are Penthesilea Dorona who called as Shadow of Elan…" With sneering smile, Penthesilea returned,
"And you are Shadx13, one of the Accretian covert ops…you are infamous after the assassination of Elder Durante. It wasn't easily forgotten," The Accretian Scout nodded,
"I just carry out the duty. My program is to eliminate any threats for the empire…"
In other hand,
Zero went toward the hostages.
UNIT CONSCIOUSNESS SAMPLE:
Analyzing situations…
Primary Subject: Ranskye of Bellato
Secondary Subject: Clytemnestra of Cora
The cyborg asked, "How is your well-being?" The only response it receives was a spit from Clytemnestra. The Warrior wiped the saliva from its armor, while continuing,
"My database conclude that was sign of hostility," Ranskye said sarcastically,
"Those who were betrayed by their friends would do that. I was wrong to trust you," Zero said,
"Your trust is misplaced. What do you expect by hacking and rewrite my database? So that I can be your slave?" The young ranger stared the cyborg evenly,
"I just want you to be my friend…that's all. Are you always carrying the program inside you?"
"That's the Imperial's way; I was programmed to obey and destroy you. I can't become your friend," Ran continued,
"Your body is metal, but I don't believe that they could wipe every emotion inside your organic brain…"
Cly cut them, "Ran, don't waste time to speak with this beast! He has no honor! He won't understand the meaning of friendship. The Accretians don't recognize it…" The Gladius retorted,
"We know the meaning of honor…that's virtue of the Accretia!" The ranger said,
"Then why are you betraying us? You claim that you know honor…but you did the opposite. The honorable warrior won't give his friends to their enemies. What for? Try to find the deeper meaning inside your program. I think I added it," Zero looks confused,
"Honor is to obey the Emperor…to sacrifice for the comrade…" Then the Scientist came,
"Unit 0x, Commander called you for further investigations about the explosion…why are you talking with the prisoners?"
UNIT CONSCIOUSNESS SAMPLE:
Analyzing situations…
Appropriate Response:…
The warrior answered, "I just try to match their information…further inquires," ExvionE47 mused, until it said,
"Acceptable! Go ahead…" As they left, Cly asked, "What is happening?"
Ranskye wondered, "Perhaps…my program isn't completely failed…"
While walking, Zero0x processed the conversation,
UNIT CONSCIOUSNESS SAMPLE:
Analyzing…
Ranskye's Voice Pattern: Try to find the deeper meaning inside your program. I think I added it,
Reviewing Accretian Doctrine…
"Honor defined as obedience to the Empire…to protect and sacrifice for the comrades
[Additional] Honor outweighs obedience whenever the action contradicts the means.
"Abandoning the comrade is not honorable"
The Gladius was silent; it had done something horrible. To protect itself, it did something dishonorable…it had given the comrades to its superior. Zero glanced to the prisoners.
UNIT CONSCIOUSNESS SAMPLE:
Previous Objective: PROTECT RANSKYE OF BELLATO AND CLYTEMNESTRA OF CORA WITH ALL COST.
Calculating…
Zero now realized that it must do something; it must undo what it did!
Return to Penthesilea and Shadx13,
The cyborg said, "In other hand, you are just a scoundrel and scavenger! Even your kinds didn't appreciate you, despite your services," The female Hunter smirked,
"I won't deny that. I might be a thief, but what differentiate you and me is honor!"
Shadx13 continued, but the mocking tone was evident behind his digitized voice, "What is an honor for a thief?" Penthesilea laughed,
"Hah, the scrap metal like you doesn't understand such thing! Speaking of honor, I had guessed that you already instructed your ilk to snipe me as we talk…however, I have taken a precaution…" The Accretian Scout turned to the drone that had fell dead with arrow sticking from its singular eye. The cyborg glanced back, saying monotonously,
"It just a little setback…I can remedy that," The female Cora replied,
"In that case, we are going to settle this with old ways!" Simultaneously, both opponents clicked their weapons and drew the first shoot. They continued their gun-fighting, while take cover at the nearest boulder. Shadx13 tried to contact the base camp; instead the static filled its communication receiver. The Cora must be using magic to interfere…
Back to the base camp,
Gungnir went to Tri-Edge; the ranger had been trying to contact the cruiser. The commander asked,
UNIT CONSCIOUSNESS SAMPLE:
"What is the status? Is there any report from unit x13?" The cyborg replied,
"Negative, Leader! There is no report from unit x13! Somehow the static had filled our communication link," Invictus added,
"This is unlike unit x13. It always report promptly…there must be something happened," The Mercenary/Warder continued,
"I will send other drones to check unit x13. If necessary, I will go there myself!" Gungnir quickly stopped him,
"That won't be necessary, Phalanx! Your presence is needed here! Unit x76!"
Gruud responded, "Yes, Leader?" The commander explained,
"You will accompany the drones to ascertain why unit x13 failed to report. Is that clear?"
"Affirmative," The ranger instantly deployed his Roburite Shooter. Brutez gestured to the drones to follow Gruud. Then Invictus asked,
"Unit R46 requested permission to accompany unit x76!"
Gungnir replied, "Permission granted, unit R46!" The cyborgs immediately left the base, leaving Gungnir, Tri-Edge, Brutez, Zero, Ranskye, Clytemnestra, Exvion and several drones behind.
At the perimeter,
The Cora and the Accretia still locked in a deadly cat-and-mouse game. Penthesilea coordinated two-pronged attack with Atalanta through mental link, something the Accretia not understood. She contacted,
Atalanta, do you see the Accretia? The Archer replied,
No, sis! The cyborg somehow had vanished… Gritting her teeth, the Cora Hunter said,
Keep watching…I don't believe it had returned to the base. We've blocked its communication already…
Understood, sister! Slowly, Penthesilea came out from her Dark Shroud and treaded warily at the terrain. As expected, there were no signs from Shadx13. Yet, she didn't buy it. Activating detection skill, she walked carefully and then a smile crept to her face. She saw several traps scattered around her. Pulling an explosive fuse, the female Hunter put it on the ground and immediately defused all the traps.
However, her satisfaction was short-lived as she heard the warning inside her head,
Sister, look out! He's behind… Penthesilea turned back with gasp, as the suddenly-apeared Shadx13 threw throwing knives toward her. Instinctively, she evaded the attacks. The cyborg clicked its weapon and discharged its contents toward the hunter who flew several steps. Her body was unmoved.
"Sister…" Atalanta screamed within,
At the base camp,
After the departure of Invictus and Gruud, Gungnir continued to watch the perimeter outside. It didn't detect anything suspicious, until an explosion in the midst of the camp rocked. Brutez quickly pulled its mace, and Exvion joined them. The Destroyer detected something,
UNIT CONSCIOUSNESS SAMPLE:
Analyzing situations…
Recognizing Energy Signature…
Hostile present: 3 + 3 MAU
Well-Armed…
Primary Objective: Golden MAU
…Bellato Federation Army
Appropriate Action: EXTREME PREJUDICE
"We have been attacked here! Activate the defensive procedures!" Exvion and Tri-Edge went into Ranger mode, and prepared their Launcher. Zero also pulled its latest weapons, Soul Returnee's Twin Blade. It was given by Brutez to upgrade its weapons. Gungnir glanced to the Gladius,
"Unit 0x, your order is to protect the hostage! They are important for the Empire!"
"Affirmative, Leader!" The Accretians were ready to brace the attack, as the MAUs charging the Guard Towers
Meanwhile, at the perimeter
Shadx13 turned to exult its victory; he scanned the unmoving Penthesilea. There were no vital signs from her body. Even the IR scan failed to detect the body heat. To be sure, it would checked by itself. The cyborg went closer with wariness around the body. Blood splattered. Shadx was sure; there was no Cora who could survive from the blank-close shot of the Plasma Gun. Even so, the scanner still noted there was no sign of life from her. It must be inspected closer! As the Scout bowed to inspect, Penthesilea's eyes suddenly opened. Before it could react, the female Cora Stealer rose and stabbed the cyborg with a large two-handed sword. The weapon broke Shadx's chest panel and protruded through the back. Sparkles showered. In the death throes, Shadx asked,
"Why…it is illogical…" Penthesilea smiled coldly,
"That's my ability…Feign Death. It was so convincing until you fell to it. Your scanner isn't able to tell whether I die or alive. Sorry, but everything is fair in battle…" The Phantom Shadow fell inert to the ground. At the same time, she fell down onto her back and tried to remember all the training she had received. The wound wasn't so light, but it was worth of this. As she tried to breathe, she turned and saw the Plasma Gun directed to her head,
"Die," Shadx13 said,
There was a loud clank, as the cyborg's brain case exploded,
"Adequate," Brood said and puffed his weapon. The Bellato's presence startled Penthesilea,
"What are you doing here?" The Hidden Soldier replied,
"The order now is to not attack you…" Atalanta came and was ready to shot her arrow, but the Cora Hunter shouted,
"Stop!" Atalanta hesitated, but she decided to follow. Lifting herself, Penthesilea stared the young Bellato, asking,
"If you are here, then the others also…where are they now?"
"They were attacking the scrap metals' base camp!"
At the opposing side,
The Red, Black and Gold MAUs were ran side-by-side. From her cockpit, Novem commanded,
"Bravo Beta! Alright, guys! I will storm the camp head-along. Vernitz will take out the towers at the West, while Arnel take at the East! Is that clear, guys?" Vernitz replied,
"Roger that, Bravo Leader!"
Arnel added, "I follow you, Bravo Leader!" Then those MAUs split to their respective directions. Outside, Zephyr was hanging at the MAU for his dear life. The Mental Smith shouted,
"Brace yourself, Major! This will be hurt!" With that the Gold MAU speeded directly toward the base camp.
The Accretians stood impassively, as the MAU continued its path toward them. Gungnir commanded,
"Units, enter to the Siege Mode!" Automatically, Exvion and Tri-Edge entered the Siege Mode with their Launchers. And then!
"Fire at will!" Those cyborgs immediately unleashed their barrage of destruction toward the MAU. Multiple explosions erupted everywhere. It slightly slowed Novem's MAU. To support, Vernitz's Catapult RMAU shoot several projectiles toward the camp. Brutez warned,
"Danger!" The Mercenary quickly ran toward the precarious position. The missiles hit their targets and exploded. Yet, it was not enough to damage the Warder. Nevertheless, the GMAU was close enough. Sensing that, Exvion quickly shot the robot, which managed to cripple its tracks. The GMAU began to lose its balance. Novem warned,
"Bravo Leader is down! Major, you have to do by yourself!" The Wizard answered grimly,
"Understood!" As the GMAU began to fall, he jumped away and landed safely. The GMAU fell, but its speed still enables it to charge. Tri-Edge was late to realize that as the huge robot rolled over him and crushed the cyborg beneath its metal frame. Exvion itself managed to avoid the same fate.
At the perimeter,
Gruud and Invictus only found the mangled body of Shadx13 and the drones. The Dementor said,
"The Corites! They shall pay dearly for this…" Invictus added,
"They had made themselves as enemies of the Empire. We must return to the…" Before the Gladius manage to continue, a loud battle cry came and a small figure leaped with hammer raised to kill. Gruud tried to shot, however the attacker was faster. He managed to crush the Roburite Shooter. The Gladius pulled the mace and brought it down. Its opponent quickly blocked the incoming attack with a shield. When they distanced away, the attacker was revealed as the Bellato. Before Invictus followed, Gruud stopped,
"Triari must return to the base! Unit x76 will handle this midget,"
"That's not the best strategic option, Unit x76! Together we can…" The Dementor replied,
"I can handle this! Commander needs Triarii than unit x76!" Unable to contest the logic, the Gladius left them alone. To this, Armbold mocked,
"You just throw your best chance to win! Nobody will help you now…" Gruud stared evenly,
"I think you don't understand the gravity of your situation…that's a fault!"
"You are a Ranger and I had just destroyed your weapons…"
"Correction, I am not a single-class Ranger…for your information, I am the Cross-class!" From its bag, Gruud pulled a large battle axe to Armbold's irritation. The cyborg continued,
"Before become Ranger, I was a Warrior. You too underestimate your foe…" The Shield Miller licked his lips in anticipation,
"It won't make a difference; you will dead soon!" Gruud's singular eye gleamed eerily,
"We shall see that, Bellato!"
Return again to the Base,
Zephyr stood back after rolling from the fall, only to face the red-armored cyborg. He said sarcastically,
"Hail, Brutez66…I know you well," In return, his opponent stated,
"It seems my reputation had preceded me as you are, Flame of Freedom…" The Wizard merely snickered,
"Had I known I had become famous in the galaxy, perhaps I should retire…" Then he whirled his staff and pointed it toward the Mercenary, "But, first I have to destroy you first and free the hostages!"
Brutez prepared his mace, "Entertain me then, Bellato! I hope you would last longer than the female one," They began to circle each other, trying to find an opening to attack.
While everyone was preoccupied, Gungnir and Zero alone guarded the hostage.
UNIT CONSCIOUSNESS SAMPLE:
Gungnir ordered, "Unit 0x, keep watching the hostages! Our reinforcement would come soon…" The dark-armored Gladius nodded as he approached the hostages. This made Ran and Clytemnestra nervous. The Cora asked,
"What does the Abomination doing? It went close to us?" The ranger gulped,
"I wish I know that…" Once close, Zero said,
"Be ready…" Ran asked,
"Be ready for what?" The cyborg instead raised his blade to the skies. Realizing their fates, Ran and Cly closed their eyes. As they did that, a swift breeze passed them and both felt their shackles…were broken. To his shock, the Bellato asked,
"What? Why?" Clytemnestra shook her head with disbelief, and then staring to the huge cyborg. Those was dispelled when the white-armored cyborg came. It asked,
"Unit 0x, what have you done? You disobeyed the order!" Zero glanced back to its comrade,
"I do what the doctrine dictates…honor! For the honor, I shall protect Ranskye of Bellato and Clytemnestra of Cora until they were safe. That's my programming!" Ranskye felt startled and proud at the same time. His decision to spare Zero wasn't wrong…the cyborg began to learn what is important!
In other hand, Gungnir noted the insubordination; it must be punished severely! The unit pointed its Beam Spear to the former comrade,
"Unit 0x, you has committed mutiny to your commanding unit! Moreover, betraying the Emperor is unforgivable! Your program is beyond repair; therefore it is merciful for me to end your existence here! You are simply another Turncoat like the others before you!" The Gladius lifted his Soul Returnee Blades,
"I wish to explain further, Centurio T11! Yet, words have little meaning to convince you now! We should settle this in a fight…"
"So be it, traitor!" They charged each other, as Ranskye and Clytemnestra watched.
Author's Note: Alright, this getting exciting as Zero0x turned its back toward its comrades. We will see the outcome of the fight at the next chapter, "The Final Stand".