Chapter 27: A Choice

It was finally Doe that spoke, "No, no no….Dana….Darlin'."

John forgot the brutal battle and cradled the dying man that had dove in front of him to block Hou's blow. The power armor was completely blown off from Hou's attack, shattering the chest piece and causing major bleeding for Dana.

"J-John…are you…okay?"

"Darlin', why did you do that?!"

"You were going to die…I couldn't stand in horror and watch it. Not again. I lost my family and friends when that happened when I was a kid."

"…my fault…all my fault."

"You made up for it by taking me in…saving me…loving me. You're not…bad, John."

"Darlin', I'm shit."

"I love you, John."

"Darlin', no stay with me-"

Hou slid the sharpened steel pole into Doe's heart, driving it through Dana's body as well. John coughed up blood and went limp, cradling Dana's body.

"There…now you two miserable fucks can die together." Hou coughed up blood before passing out. The OIA operatives ran to Hou, completely ignoring Dana and John.

After OIA was finally able to raid the Project Iron Man laboratory, Doe's forces surrenders. Sonya and Johnny went in search of their friends, finding them all alive, if shaken up. They escorted them to a waiting medical tank, where Hou's wounds were treated.

It took over 6 hours for Hou to wake up from his injuries. He was in a room at the OIA headquarters, where Jax and Fenyang were waiting for him.

"Hou?"

"Homeboy?"

"Jackson? Fenyang? You're both alive?!"

Hou grabbed both men and pulled them into a tight hug. The three of them stay like that for some time. "I'm so glad you're both alive." Hou sobbed quietly.

The reunion was interrupted by Johnny.

"Not that this isn't heartwarming, but what happened back there with Doe and Cox?"

"Johnny, this really isn't the time." Jax pleaded.

"Hou just woke up. Interrogate him later."

"Sorry, guys, but Sonya insisted."

"…I don't want to talk about it."Hou told him.

"What matters is they're dead and hopefully Project Iron is dead with them." Fenyang told him.

"You have my word that Project Iron Man is axed, but Hou, we're asking you because we can't find their bodies."

Hou separated from the men he loved, "Oh fuck all kinds of dick….I should have burned the fucker."

"What?" Jax asked him, confused.

"He can reattach his limbs—and heal any major wound to his body-as long as his body doesn't grow cold." Fenyang explained away.

"We'll find him, and Cox too." Johnny promised.

"Cox is dead. I'm certain of that." Hou snarled. He didn't miss the look of sadness that crossed Jax's face.

"What now, Grandmaster 9T9?" Jax asked him.

"…that's right…we're free of American custody now. The Lin Kuei is restored. I need an audience with our brothers. I want their free will restored."

"Hou…are you sure?" Jax asked him.

"As sure as the love I have for you both." Hou offered before he kissed both Jax and Fenyang.

"Brothers. It is I, LK-Unit 9T9. You have many questions regarding what has happened over the course of four months and what will happen now. I was born in the Lin Kuei during the Zhong Dynasty, my departed father as the last human Grandmaster. Many of you felt that the Dynasty was in declined due to my father's tyranny, and you would be right. When I took power from my father, I wanted to break away from that dynasty, to prove that I was not a carbon copy of my father. I thought I could us into a new, better era. That was also the reason I underwent automation. I could do things I could not do as a human. Well, you all knew the outcome of my reign and just how well automation turned out for us. We were more vulnerable as cyborgs than we ever were as humans. My arrogance cost us our freedom, our home.

The time has come to start over from the ground up. We must start over, and not repeat the errors our forefathers—my father—did. I cannot promise Utopia, as no place exists, but I can promise progression. I ask you, not as Grandmaster 9T9, but as Grandmaster Jiao Hou: will you help me rebuild the Lin Kuei? Will you forgive me for the sins of my ancestors? Will you forgive me?"

Much to his surprise, all seven-hundred units—including Odele and Akimbo—knelt before him. Hou's optics began to water in happiness. The cyborgs had chosen.

"Brothers….let's go home."

"Well, the others have been fitted for their new skins, and the carrier is almost ready to take you all back." Jax advised him. They were in the newly reopened DC site of the OIA.

"These next few months are going to be difficult, but it's nothing I can't handle." Hou told him.

"So…"

"So…"

"I guess….this is goodbye?" Jax offered after a pause.

"It doesn't have to be, Jackson. I told you, I love you. I don't take those words frivolously. I mean them. I would love nothing more than to stay in America with you and Fenyang, but my life….my duty is with the Lin Kuei. I have to fix a lot of shit I did, and the shit my father did. That will take time. You're more than welcome to see us." Hou offered.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Can you call Fenyang in here?"

Jax nodded and stepped out of the office to retrieve Fenyang. The Motswana man was in civilian clothes once more.

"Mustard Seed."

"Ketchup."

A smile graced Hou's face. He missed that pet name.

"…what happens now?" Fenyang asked him.

"Nothing. There's no longer any code that you've violated. You're no longer a traitor. You actions against the Project Iron Man and Fei Hong proved that. I know you would rather endure torture than aid me, but thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I know you did it to protect Jackson, but, thank you all the same. I want you to enjoy your life as a teacher, as the civilian that you were robbed of being long ago. But, there's always a place for you."

"Hou…thank you." Fenyang embraced him.

"I'll miss you, Mustard Seed. Take care of Jackson for me? I love you."

"You know I will. I love you too, Hou."