Pinpoint Zero
Chapter 25: The Ranks Among The Desired
Vorono clicked his tongue nonchalantly, his heavy boots hitting the cold white floor and sending loud but quickly erased echoes off the walls. He gave the passing greetings to those he saw, secretly wondering if the people he worked with felt just as guilty as he did with their job. He wasn't sure which of his teammates felt glory in making the young girls suffer in here, or those who felt just as much plight but were forced into this servitude. He chided himself for thinking the last part too severely, because even he knew how that sounded. As must as he pitied them, the Diclonius were indeed a very dangerous species. Then again, the only Diclonius that he had ever been around with outside of the facility, other than Ilya and the very few times he saw Elrya, was Garder's own daughter, Veronica.
A painful tingle clutched at his chest. Would things really have been any different, if they had not gone to war? Would Veronica still have remained calm, collected and carefree? Countless studies and experimentation had proven that the Diclonius, for whatever reasons, did have some biological urge for violence, especially against humans. Would it really have been any different? He had two answer to that, the first was uncertainty. Who knew what caused the Diclonius to snap every so often? Veronica had been a voluptuous young woman, became a mother and barely even used her vectors outside of sheer curiosity. But that didn't stop her, that didn't stop her from losing herself completely and lashing out at everyone in a blind rage. Even now the blood from his comrades still lingered on his nostrils, a constant reminder that was never left with his work.
Yes, there had been times when he had to shoot to kill. Though many would disagree, he didn't like to think he was capable of fighting Diclonius, instead it was just his tactical mind working. Fighting Diclonius head on was suicidal, but tactical fighting was another thing. Keep the girl busy, the girl who like Veronica was at wits end, and while she was occupied, have another person take her down from behind.
The second answer he gave to himself was that even if Veronica did not become violent later on, the actions of the King of Deceit would have ultimately destroyed her. Despite being, he used the word "beaten" fairly loosely, Vladimir Cents still remained the dark reminder of the evils in the world. The only thing he could find joy in, was that due to the actions of the heinous man, nobody would ever let his antics rise again.
Who'd have thought, he'd be working for that insane man in a few hours.
"Gah!"
A shocked gasp escaped his lips as Vorono entered the large room, a round table sitting 8 chairs but with only two people there. On the right, his legs crossed and his glasses perched at the end of his nose, Garder nodded his head once at Girikuson's arrival. The second person, most unwelcomed in Vorono's eyes, was none other than Vladimir Cents. There was a notable increase in the length of his hair in front though the back remained cut oddly short. His body, somewhat larger though was not due to fat but an obvious increase in muscle mass. He wore a large onyx coat which for his own personal reasons, decided to put only one arm in, letting the other sleeve dangle uselessly. And of course, such a man would not be complete, without the rods sticking through his neck and shoulder, finishing off the image of brutal grotesqueness.
While Garder sat composed, Vladimir leaned back in the chair, his large legs propped up on the table as if he was at some sort of university party, not a care for anything, much less morals and respect. His hand held a single glass of liquor which was drained, though not to Vorono's knowledge at the time, in a single gulp by the burly man. He might have had even more to drink though no signs of drunkenness had appeared on his face. For Vladimir, who utilized special formulas on his body, this might have been a side effect.
"Hey! Long time no see, soldier, I see your wounds have healed up nicely." He hated that voice, careless and murderous, talking to him as if having a simple conversation. Vorono didn't answer, he couldn't answer even if he wanted to because he feared where it might go. Let the man speak, just don't answer unless he truly had to. Instead he spoke to Garder, whom he really needed answers from. Knowing this, Garder raised his hand for Girikuson to stop, and said aloud.
"I have courteously invited Cents in here to discuss a specific matter at hand that needs to be dealt with. Cents, has agreed to come and listened to me." Vladimir didn't say anything, only nodding his head as a simple gesture. "Vladimir Cents has a great amount of knowledge on the Diclonius race, I have asked him to provide not only his hand in help, but also to provide another function. I have asked him to act as an assassin for me…under pay of course." Cents slightly smirked at the answer. "Money is a great motivator; it really does make the world go round."
Vorono didn't bother wiping the bead of sweat from his forehead, they both knew he was nervous about this. Vorono had known his old friend Garder for a long time and even now he could hazard a guess why he had brought, of all people, Vladimir to him. Garder, especially now, lived a life in the now and for the future, though his heart was seemingly stuck in the cold past. For him, Vladimir Cents was a man that he sought only because Cents provided the necessary functions to help him. Even Vorono would admit that, despite being a true monster, Vladimir Cents was a man with impeccable skills and abilities.
"I have also asked, that he allow you to be part of his group."
At those words, Girikuson had to stifle a hefty retort. He respected his old friend but this seemed like madness. "I am sorry sir, I don't think I can…" but then a thought came to him, an almost dirty one because it meant agreeing with Cents. "…Actually, if I did this…would I too be paid?"
The old man gave him a fleeting look. "I don't see why not, with the specific things I need done, I will grant payment for your actions on top of what you earn here. I am sure any other work you do for others, if such a thing comes, will also be required to pay a specific amount."
"So, is that how it is? Will you lead the way, The Perfect Soldier?" Cents uttered dementedly.
"I have no reason to lead. I am already the director of this specific facility, feel free to lead your group as you want."
"Hahahaha! Very nice, very nice indeed." Then his smiled vanished, his eyes narrowed and his lips became tight. It was such a sudden change in expression that it actually caught Vorono off guard. There was no sign of enjoyment, no sign of happiness or dark delight in his eyes or face. Vorono had seen that face on Vladimir only once before, nearly 5 years ago during his battle with Garder. His cold red eyes pierced directly at Garder, challenging him in every way while the old man returned the gaze with equal, yet calmer, ferocity.
"I have but one point to make. If I am to do this, you are to grant me one thing. You are both, to express without fail, without a single regret or pause, the greatest desire you have." The idea of looks could kill was most prevalent now, without violence, without words, a struggle of domination was fought between Garder and Vladimir in terms of sheer glare. For Vladimir, Garder's actions nearly 5 years ago was an act of unspeakable sin, worse than anything he himself had committed. Vladimir admired Garder because he always thought that the man was like him, not deranged or chaotic, but a man who followed his desires to the very end. He was the only person Cents had ever had a real respect for and by denying him death, by refusing to follow with the desire he once tried to claim, Vladimir felt pitiless fury for the old man. Even now, he still kept that prospect of revenge in his mind, he would never let Garder live that day down.
But he had also come when Garder called. The man had not begged, he had not pleaded or expressed any sorrow for his actions. He had just contacted him and asked if he would come to Japan to speak. He had felt furious the first time, this dreaming bastard who would dare to speak to him as if they were on equal levels. He wanted to come, if only for the purpose of lashing out and taking the man's head, showing it as a souvenir to his army. Yet he had come, not because Garder had asked, but because deep down, beyond the hate filled grudge and disappointment. The golden haired man still harbored admiration for the first and only man he had ever viewed as a true foe and rival.
"What is your desire?" Vorono asked quickly. The smile crept back on Cents' face. "It is what it has always been, what I had sought the moment it came to my mind and what I yearned for as I lead my army through the threshold of annihilation. I wish to create a world perfect suffering."
Vorono narrowed his eyes. "Still on that are you, Vladimir Cents. You must be fond of this anarchy."
"Anarchy?" Vladimir questioned. "I want to create a world of suffering, not a world without law. The world can't run without law or government, we'd get reduced to sniveling animals. I have no intentions of getting rid of order, I in fact support it. If I just let people do whatever the hell the wanted, I wouldn't have been able to keep Armata Lui Dracul under my control. I want to make a world of complete suffering, I want to create a world where there is order but murder, rape, destruction, is so common that it is like a daily chore for people. I want to rule that world, as the usurper king of the new world.
Ha! Anarchy? What a stupid concept that was, foolish men who thought of such things. I desire this world above all else and I will continue to grasp for it until my life has been extinguished.
Hahaha! So…I do hope your greatest desire is not to make a world of total peace."
The buff ex-Captain said nothing to this so Cents posed the question. "Do you have a desire, one above all others, one to seek without fail. No matter what happens, no matter what or who gets in your way, you will seek it? I am not here to grant wishes or dreams, only the most determined will be led by me."
The half-shaven haired man stepped towards the wall, placing his hand on it and then tightening his grip. The greatest desire that he had ever wished for? He had none in the past, he had, as Cents claimed, only dreams. Small wonders of thoughts that could not fully materialize. Even the idea of being a soldier or Captain had been just a small dream that had merely taken root. If he had to have a desire, it would have to be created now and it would have to be something that he would seek and yearn for throughout all the hell that he would go through. In his thought, he could see a small pink haired baby girl, her warmth and care taken away. He could see a young woman, once so beautiful and proud, reduced to wreck of madness. He could see countless eyes, pleading for release of this terrible place. He finally found his desire, something he would work for until the very end.
He desired through the hell and torment, through the murders, that he could at least give a few of these horned girls the salvation and protection that many of their sisters could not have. He would have to kill some of them, the thought had already been burned into his heart well before Cents had arrived to Japan, but if he could at least earn something to release them, then maybe he could do something. He secretly wondered if Garder would have even allowed such a thing, maybe not. But what about the others, there were more facilities out there and if money made the world go round, then if he could earn enough to bribe, his desires might come true. He really was a pacifist at heart and he just wanted to do something for those poor girls.
"Yes. I have my desire, above all else. Nothing will stop it, nobody will stop it. Not Garder, not you, not anyone."
"Ho?" Vladimir pleasured in the determination of the man's voice. With a single whip of his arm, he brought out his gun, aimed and fired once at Girikuson, knocking him against the wall. The man slid down slightly, caught his balance and ground his teeth. It wasn't a fatal shot, and for a trained soldier like Vorono, it would never have hindered him. Besides, he'd gone through much worse, the bullet hadn't even struck an organ. He'd just be feeling pain for about two weeks and he'd get over it in about 2 hours. But what Vladimir was searching for was not tolerance to pain, but the determination on his face. Nothing changed, Vorono's eyes still had that look of determination on him.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! How quaint, you are now a very interesting man...Vorono Girikuson. Oh we are in the country of waves, would you prefer that I call you Girikuson Vorono?" He laughed jovially without letting Vorono answered. "You should've showed this determination in the war, you were like a tank out there. Ah! That's it, that will be code name for you, does it have a nice ring to it? Your rank may change as more people are added but for now, you can view yourself as that.
2nd Cent, Vorono Girikuson, The Tank."
Reaching into his pocket, Cents pulled out two small objects and tossed them casually to Vorono who caught them easily. Two small silver coins, simple and unmarked. As the first, true member of 'Cents' I offer you these two coins. All the others would only be granted one, so use them wisely. These coins will act as a beacon to your abilities, I am merely throwing out ideas here but you could use those as a way to incorporate that amazing prowess you should during the war. He flicked his tongue and stuck it out, revealing the coin that would have the numeral one stamped on it at some point.
"It is rather useless to use this now, but with a single click and I break this in half, I can call Armata Lui Dracul over. It is my trump card, the last thing I use especially as Garder and the rest of you really did put a number on my men. I can no longer carelessly use my army as I did before. Oh please don't worry…" He added, taking quick notice of Vorono's reaction as well as the tensing of Garder's fist. "As I said, it would be useless to use this right now, my men are still stationed at my citadel, and it isn't like I can get them all to come here. But enough of that, I have another coin, a special one I might say designated for the strongest of us all. Usually that would be me, not to be coy or anything but there is another one here." His blood-red eyes circled around back to Garder.
"Your desires of killing me have long since passed, but to accept this, for me to waste even a second longer you must now have a desire. A new one, one that you can never give up, because I haven't forgiven you General Morotisan. I will never forgive you, not once, but what will you do? The precursor of the Zero Cents now rests in my palm, ready for a new master. The only person to rank higher than me, you would in turn have been the leader, but since you've so kindly refused that obviously means I would. But this coin will not be granted to you, until you have a desire ready.
…So what is it…Garder F. Morotisan? Do you have a desire, to grant beyond any other? Watching people die around you, killing, being killed, saving, destroying, loving, hating, all of it, besmirch it, for if it negates your desires, it is a pointless opposition. Tell me! Garder F. Morotisan, the only man to be granted the highest honor and yet holding my greatest hate. Have you picked a desire, because I won't hold back again, I haven't broken my promise, to make you suffer for the heinous act you pulled nearly 5 years ago."
Garder starred at the dull silver coin in Vlad's hand, plain, unmarked until later, the concept of desires etched metaphorically on every groove.
"What I desire most of all…" He thought. He reached out, and picked the coin from Cents' hand, holding it lightly as if expecting it to blow up suddenly. Knowing the man before him, such a thing wasn't entirely out of the question. He gripped it, dull, plain, unmarked, the same as his heart. Even the idea, Zero Cent, representing the zero emotion, zero care, that filled his heart. Was this Vladimir's way of toying with him? Was he really to accept the coin from the man that helped to murder hundreds of thousands? The reason he no longer had a son-in-law or a daughter? But he couldn't defy it because it represented who he was now, a man of logical outcome. Vladimir Cents was a brutal, despicable and heinous man who definitely deserved the worst punishment imaginable. But he was intelligent, cunning, a man with actions and plans whose could rally men with words alone. Because that's why Armata Lui Dracul followed him, why Garder called in for his assistance.
The man was incredible. A horrible bastard yes, but an incredible man who could gain the respect from his followers even if he didn't respect them in return. Did that mean that he respected him? The answer was yes, Garder respected that man because unlike him, that man had never given up. He never once, not once in a single instant, gave up that desire he always cherished. To make the world suffer, Garder couldn't let that happen, he refused to let it happen but he knew that Vladimir provided great assets that he could use. Logical reasoning, use the man to his advantage and be careful with what he does.
Tighter, the coin would leave a small indention on his hand after today, he actually loosened his grip in concern that he might break it. Though it felt like any other coin, it was definitely feebler.
"Yes…I have a new desire…I have had this desire ever since the war ended. I may have had it even before then. But then again, even if I didn't, would you truly leave? I don't require your assistance Cents, I have only asked for it."
"…I see…" The brutal man of wickedness utter, cold eyes of death and despair again burying into the pitched black ones that hid behind spectacles.
"…Keh…Keheh…Kekeheehe…" The low rumble of laughing his throat never left Vlad's mouth, just a gurgling sound, sick and obsessive. "How quaint, but what can I argue again right now? The first members have been decided, the ranks have been given, destined for change perhaps.
Vorono Girikuson, The Tank.
Garder F. Morotisan, The Perfect Soldier.
…And last, but certainly not least, myself.
…Vladimir Cents, The Incorrigible."
"Very well then Vladimir Cents, though it feels strange saying this I do thank you for coming. Unless there is more for you say, then you can leave." Garder uttered coldly, picking himself from his seat. "If it isn't too much, try not to create any problems when your leaving, the last thing I need is panic because the world's most dangerous man decided to waltz in."
Cents chuckled then with bowing deeply with hand in front and the other behind his back, he stated. "As you wish, Zero Cent, I diligently await the time when the members grow and the desires themselves." With parting words that only he would laugh at, Cents left, careful not to catch attention and following Garder's orders, he didn't lay one hand on anybody in the facility.