Chapter 33: Sombre Toll

The next day. The mood in the Maverick Hunters was celebratory, for the Mavericks are all gone. The reforms could proceed onward to the end. X sat and looked at his own Buster in his office. "Maybe … this is the end … I won't have to fight anymore." He sighed weakly.

"Isn't that good?" Zero came into his office unannounced. "You get to just do … nothing. Let things take care of themselves. No more fighting. Peace is back … and all that remains is to take down that stupid VR program, that ULTIMATE level. I still can't beat Axl's evil brother in that program." He clenched his fists. "Speaking of which, seen Axl lately?"

"He's … been spooked out ever since yesterday's battle. Something about him and Lumine understanding something together … and Axl's been in a daze ever since." X replied.

The snow blowed down heavier on Big City. Axl retreated to a private corner of the HQ he knew no one really accessed and try as he might, he couldn't gather his thoughts properly. A scary thought played in his mind. It repeated over and over again.

He was running down a corridor shooting many Mavericks in the heads, their fluids spilling all over the place. Then … he came to a cliff where Prez was glaring over the bodies of many dead Reploids and humans in a valley below. He found himself mercilessly saying "You're a Maverick … time to die" to Prez before shooting him repeatedly in the head amid cries of "No … this isn't what you think! NO! NO!" Axl even shot down Iris and Lumine, both who appeared from Prez's shadows, and the horror and guilt settled in heavily.

Axl, stop it! Please! Iris cried out inside his head. No more! No more!

But … you are my sister, and Lumine is my brother … and both of you killed so many humans … and I forgot dad did that a lot … my own family … responsible for the murder of so many … but … it's for the peace and well-being of the world. He lifelessly thought.

Iris remembered grasping control of his body after yesterday's battle and leading it back to his cubicle in the Hunters HQ as she walked over to Axl's soul inside his mind and delivered a heavy slap in the face. Axl didn't even close his eyes, but he felt it and was not in a daze.

He jerked himself briefly before closing his eyes to see Iris. A very sad-looking Iris.

"Please … no more … now that you know what's going on … please …" Iris could only plead. "But … what am I going to do? I … allowed myself to bond with you and the human I now call dad …" Axl lifelessly asked. "I … I don't know what's right anymore … I thought we're only supposed to destroy Mavericks, not … to take on the humans."

Iris began a long tirade: "Axl … you don't like being used, right? I didn't like being used. It took a long while for me to learn what happened when I was alive. Sigma manipulated us Repliforce against the Hunters, against Zero … and in the end, we all died for his dastardly goal to take over Earth." Iris sobbed. "I hated it after I awoke in this body … so much."

"Lumine and I saw evidence first-hand that the humans … those nasty humans who played with dad and made him start the Jakob project and wasted all that time for their petty needs … if the Hunters and the Corp didn't work quickly to neutralize the most recent Maverick crimes, if you didn't stop Adel and Agmar … the same humans were planning to dismantle everything we know in the Federation, and it will allow the Mavericks the upper hand on everything we ever knew! It'd cause countless more wars and fighting!"

"They were even planning to use you as a chip to upstage Lumine and everything dad stood for – for the old wishes of that human Dr Light – for their own gain, prestige and standing! There were so much more moral implications for our human creators than you think it merely about killing flesh and blood! If dad didn't kill that human scum Bobby, all of the human race would be extinct by now! If Lumine didn't kill Shou, that human from Area Zero, then he and his allies would've upstaged and demolished you Hunters as part of their desire to take everything in the Corp for themselves!" She sobbed some more, and almost shouted.

"Can you imagine the humans forever using us Reploids as their private armies, being used to wage proxy wars endlessly for dominion over this planet?! That is not the future I was created and saved for, and certainly I don't want it for you, nor any human and Reploid!"

"So …" Axl started. "You have no choice but to perform a kind of lesser evil … to prevent a greater evil from taking place. But … Iris … you and Lumine were so nice to me … and … I could've never thought you capable of being so low as the humans we hated … urgh … I'm not sure what to think already …"

"Like myself and Lumine said a while ago … it pained us to do this. Lumine knew this was bound to happen when dad wanted him to take over, and since we both knew what was going to happen … I had to join him. For everyone's better future. At least … the ones who are not as guilty as the nasty humans …" She panted and paused talking.

Iris was tired, and she fell on the mindscape's invisible floor and sat down.

Axl was a little stirred, and he too decided to sit and look at Iris face-on. "So I guess … we Reploids can go Maverick, but … the problem is, our human creators may be already Maverick to begin with. So … Iris …" He continued as lifelessly. "Is … my creator … is my dad … our dad … a Maverick as well? Please, tell me what you think! You've been learning stuff from him ever since he rescued this body from space, right? Please!"

Iris answered: "Axl … I can only tell the facts, but the judgment has to be yours. I've told you my point-of-view; it was painful but it had to be done." Iris tried to stop her sobbing.

"You're aware of dad's past … he wanted to build a peaceful world, but there were so many Mavericks and selfish humans who can take all that away. If he hadn't dealt with the many selfish humans appropriately during the world's reconstruction after Eurasia until today … we would've been living in a far worse timeline than ever. He had to."

"But … I personally believe that he didn't like being a … Maverick. Neither do I nor Lumine … Remember that time you first met him? He only wanted his family back, and that … is something only love can muster. I believe people who express that … are the good ones."

Axl's mind seemed to snap a little in activity. "So … when Sue cried for her own family, her own dad and brother being killed by our dad … dad had to do it, right? It was embezzlement. And … Sue was crying because she also wants her family back … right?"

Iris nodded silently. "Lumine told me last night after I transferred out. He said he finally saw the connection between Sue's family and some of the missing dots he said from before. It was all their own faults. Sue's family, her friends and their families … Sue and her mum were innocent. Plus dad's history with the female humans. That's why he protected them."

Axl put two and two together. "So … dad had to. It was the other's fault of … abusing public and private cash. Right? And also … the nasty humans are still the nasty humans, right? Bro had to react to prevent them from creating more chaos in the future … right?"

"It's the cold hard truth, Axl." Iris nodded again. "That's why you don't see Lumine so much since he took over from dad … he's been working so hard to make sure everything is fine … and the latest project he's trying is to eternally raise generations upon generations of humans who … won't turn Maverick and become different versions of the nasty humans …"

"No! I don't want anymore!" Axl suddenly stood up. "I don't want anymore nasty humans!" Iris looked in Axl's face. She could see the colour come back to his face. Axl was being Axl again, except maybe more improved, but who was she to judge this kind of thing.

"I … I don't want this sort of thing anymore … humans fighting humans, Reploids fighting Reploids, or humans fighting Reploids or Reploids fighting humans … but …" He slumped down to the invisible floor. "What can I do? I'm just a Hunter, and bro is more versed in this type of … human management, or control, or affairs, like dad than I am …"

"Axl … please let me say this again." Iris arched forward and placed both her hands on Axl's shoulders. Her blue eyes met his green eyes. "I can safely speak that myself, Lumine and dad are very proud and happy with you for … simply being you. Just let us deal with the dirty stuff concerning humans, and you … can be our source of joy and happiness after going through the daily mud of dirty work every day. You've done enough together with X and Zero to be a major Hunter to help us recently. We are proud of you, and we love you."

Iris bent on her knees and embraced Axl even tighter. Axl felt that same feeling of warmth enveloping him again. This time, it was much warmer and soothing than usual.

"You are my other half, my other third – now that Lumine's our younger brother – so … I love you so dearly as my sibling. I know Lumine does too. He knows dad well." She said.

Axl returned the embrace. Outwardly, nothing happened, as no one approached him in his special isolated corner. Axl sighed deeply, sensed all the stress dissipate, and his calmer self came back. Happy-go-lucky for sure, but maybe not an inattentive and forgetful one.

"Well …" Axl let out a longer sigh. "I guess … if it had to be done, then … man, to a degree I can see why X used to want to work for more peaceful ways to solve the Maverick incidences in the past. But … it's their fault so … we can't help but react accordingly."

Iris decided not to affirm that notion with words, but again with a single nod. She let go of him and continued sitting in front of him. "A – anything, Axl?"

"I … I'm fine, and … it will take some getting used to, I mean, dad used to murder people, and you and bro kinda sorta murder people too … and … it worked … and … wait a minute. Bro said something about Sue, right?" Axl quipped without a particular tone.

"Uh … yes. He did." Iris answered. "Something about Sue being a member of the Right Axis lobbying group. At first involuntary, but now voluntary staff. And … according to what I know, she has been active in its activities. And by the way, that one time you saw someone who you thought was her on TV? That is her, but … just hosed with water, but … her protest group is usually a rabble-rouser type. So … I can't really guarantee if Lumine will …"

"Not on my watch! Sue is better than this! She doesn't deserve the same fate as the other humans! She – she's kind and wholesome!" Axl stood up again. "No! I can't let bro take care of her the same way he's dealt with the scummy humans! I – I'm going to him!"

"H – hold on!" Iris held onto him. "It's true that Sue's been given two warnings from the police because of her involvement with the violent type of Right Axis, but … even a hypothetical third or so on warning won't get her in deep trouble! She's not been documented to have, like, thrown a fire cocktail or damaged public and private property at all! I believe she will be fine! But … if you can convince her to stop on her own …"

"Then maybe there's a chance! A – at least I want her to be safe! To hell with all the other humans! I don't care!" Axl became determined. "My, Axl, such language. Don't let your brother's cussing rub on you. I – I will go to brief Lumine now!" Iris transferred herself out.

"I … dang it!" Axl forgot to stop Iris. He wanted to go and meet up with Lumine and perhaps patch things at the same time. "Ah … forget it. I guess she and him can transfer over to my body. I … I'm going to call and talk to Sue! I know! I'll call her and meet her pronto!"

Axl opened his eyes, and he rushed out of the Hunters HQ in his already-switched human form, briefly confusing his colleagues who saw him. He rushed into an alley and teleported off to Sue's home. Presto. Right away in front of her home. The same setting where he last accompanied her home. He coughed properly and then repeatedly rang the doorbell.

"Come on, come on …" He uttered as he hammered on the doorbell button.

The wooden door beyond the gates opened, and an irritated Sue popped out. "Hey, stop abusing our doorbell already! Huh? Axl? W – what are you doing here!?"

"S – Sue, it – it's a bit urgent! I need to talk to you! Please, listen to what I have to say! I – whoa." He stood still as his Reploid mind registered the entries of two personalities.

A – Axl! Please! Don't rush it, okay!? Just talk to her naturally! Iris' voice came first. A – Axl? A – are you okay? Whoa, these memories … ow … you really had a hard time after our last meeting … and … are you sure you want to do this!? I haven't decided on anything! Lumine read his mind and understood what was going on that instant.

"Hey bro …" Axl spoke softly. "I … I just want to try my best … because she deserves better." He then turned to Sue. "S – Sue! Can I come in!? There's something I need to really talk to you! Please listen to what I have to say!" The gates of her home then opened.

"Well …" Sue herself was uncertain. "Okay … but make it really good."

Axl entered her house. It was a decent estate, with a large living room with carpets chairs and other furniture. The huge windows showed the heavy snow outside. He opted not to sit on any of the human chairs, merely on the floor. His body weight might crush all of her belongings. Sue sat close to him.

"Uh … where's your mum? She's around?" Axl looked around inquiringly. Lumine commented briefly – Her human mother … Haraya … indeed it is. "She's taking a nap upstairs. Her company's got a lot of work lately for intel management. Delegated to her by a subsidiary of the Corp. So … you know. Your dad supports us." She answered.

"Hmm." Axl didn't want to delve into that. "Well, Sue … I came to talk about your sort of activism." She jumped a little on the spot. "Bro said … you're involved with an organization he hates … and I think I saw you on TV in a protest riot or something."

"I was hosed by the riot police. Yes … I am part of the Right Axis." Sue said uneasily. "In fact, although my uncle dragged me to this thing of politics forcefully … I found myself wanting to contribute to its cause. I … have sympathies for what they're fighting for. I mean, we don't want a huge overbearing presence of Prez Corp over our lifes, and those of our future generations. And … I am one of the local branch secretaries for Right Axis."

"Uh …" Axl tried to phrase his questions properly. "Tell me in your own words – just exactly what is this human lobbying group fighting for? And … what does it see in Prez Corp's actions that are detestable if not outright vile?" He felt Lumine gritting his teeth inwardly.

"The Right Axis doesn't want the Corp to dictate the lifes of our members and of participant organizations. Well, you'd know from your dad that the Corp has interests in everything. I have some stories of member organizations accusing the Corp of heavy-handed bias and micromanagement. And … we are worried that the Temporary Act which granted the Corp vast powers over the Federation, in effect the world, is being made permanent …"

I am proceeding as I see fit. Lumine commented. I'm not going to allow some human now or in the future dictate how dad's direction for the world is to be implemented. I know him best.

"But … my bro said that the Right Axis had worked alongside with the many humans of the past who forced my dad to create the Jakob project. And look what a waste that turned out to be." Axl countered gently. "And … the way he says it … he doesn't want everyone to take Corp investments for granted, as entitlements to humans who don't deserve it. Maybe that's a certain bias Right Axis members have with regard to the micromanagement thing."

"I understand that too." Sue replied. "But … we believe that Prez Corp management of wage against labour and dictation of daily projects is … too restrictive of employee talent and whatnot. And we are also against how the Corp deals with people who oppose its direction. You know … not just replacement, but outright … arrest and execution." She answered.

Hmph. Lumine grumbled. You humans should be thankful dad merely replaces personnel in cases he sees are minor mistakes. Just as I will. And … sad as it may be, execution is necessary for many humans who take Corp cash for granted and look down on dad.

"Well … I'm not sure about that. I wish I can bring my bro to talk to you about things like this. But …" Axl said diplomatically, to infer that Lumine is somewhat accessible. "But … Sue … as much as I want to understand your cause … the reason I'm visiting here is … to persuade you to not manage or join any of your upcoming rallies."

"W – what?" Sue was aghast to an extent. "Are you saying for me to give up this thing?"

"Look. I know my bro is very … hardcore on things. He follows dad strictly, maybe he's even stricter. But … I'm saying that the part of the protests you are involved in … has some violent tendencies. That's what bro said though. I … heard you've been given warnings by the police. And … I don't want anything to happen to you." Axl said.

He continued: "Plus, who knows … bro seems to have an impression that you're someone he may possibly reason with decently … so … if you want, I can help mediate certain things for you, provided that you leave the Axis and let bro take care of the rest. Mind you, you'll really have to have a superior point of argument to wind him over. He works like that."

"I … I guess I can see the point. Peaceful negotiations and possible way to move forward." Sue surmised. "Sounds interesting … but … how do you know that my particular group has violent tendencies?" Axl didn't answer for a while; he listened to Lumine's comments.

"I get that you have your own bad past. What with dad killing off almost everyone you know. But … bro has told me before that he ordered water hosing on protest crowds because the police reported rabble rousing on their protester's part first. And … you said you were hosed, and I saw you before … bro might make more severe moves in the future if you continue to stick with your group. I'm sure you don't want to be arrested, or worse. So … even if you have a bad past, I don't want your arrest taint your reputation or dignity." Axl responded.

Sue sighed. She seemed to be conflicted, weighing Axl's words carefully against everything she knew, even any sort of personal dissatisfaction she had – what with Prez 'ruining' her life, and so could Lumine too. But … Axl has a point about diplomatic channels …

Axl … you know it's impossible for me to work with the Right Axis. Lumine sighed. I can even decide afterwards that following any unfavourable riots, I can have the entire Right Axis arrested and dealt with, even with blood if needed. Axl thought inwardly, Hush! No need for your killing thing now! I'm trying to protect Sue! You know she's a good person too!

Hey, Iris. Lumine said. You're being really quiet here. Iris pouted back: Hey! Axl's doing all the talking! You may be unnecessarily noisier for all I know! Let Axl do his thing!

"Urgh … Axl … I … I have to … how do I say this, I …" Sue sighed heavily. "At Ruhkalan district south of here, I have to supervise a peaceful Right Axis protest there. We're protesting against the permanentization of the Temporary Act. And … considering the feedback you gave … I will be extra careful for any violent tendencies in my group."

Ha ha. Lumine laughed. What's so funny? Iris asked. Before you called me over, Iris, several human representatives from the Palace told me that an overwhelming majority is ready to pass an amended version of the Permanent Act. Lumine seemed happy. I will get it done more or less around the same time Sue's protest is going on. It's too late.

Iris accessed Lumine's thoughts thanks to the abilities of Axl's mind. Oh … a lot of the Federation structure is changed … and no wonder you established so many committees at different levels here and there … and even the President answers to you. Lumine, are you sure you want to go this way? I don't think even dad wants to make it this way …

Eh, you saw what he said the last time we visited him together, and … okay I recently went to see him, and … Lumine sighed. Oh … Iris accessed his latest memories on that matter. Dad berated you for being uncertain … and told you to be more confident with yourself.

Axl … be careful when the time comes, okay? Lumine simply said. Uh, sure, he thought inwardly. Axl sighed and rubbed his face in his palms. Sue was still in further thought such that she didn't notice that Axl was speaking within his own mind.

"Well … I have to be there, Axl. I'm sorry." Sue sighed heavily. Axl hung his head down. "But …" That make Axl look up to her. "If you're worried for me, then … I guess I want to ask you to be with me. I will still do my best to control the crowd, but … it would be an honour if you could be by my side and perhaps protect me …"

That could work, I guess … if camera footage and police testimony show Sue being innocent … then I guess you should be there, Axl. Just give her a cushion to fall onto. Lumine said.

"Alright, at the very least I'd do that." Axl sighed. It would've been better if she didn't go there at all … but, thanks bro, you're being very helpful, he thought inwardly.

My pleasure, Axl. Just be careful. And … this might be a bad time, but … now you know what I do … are you perhaps going to fight me? Because what you think I did and dad did were wrong? That your point-of-view is correct? Lumine asked.

"No … I … I understand now … but …" Axl spoke softly and sighed again. "I – Iris kinda brought me over, you have to thank her for that … and … if it works, it works … and that kinda brings back that point … I mean, I seem to remember you lashing out at some Reploids in … Giga City when they insulted dad … so … I'll roll with it, reluctantly … but … please don't do this again. Don't kill more Reploids and humans … my brain will burn …"

What Axl said was a flashback to that moment after Prez collapsed when Lumine came out and admitted to killing Massimo and Marino. It didn't strike a cord back then, but now having put two and two together on Sue's feelings, the general dislike to Prez's killing people off, and his own emotional involvement with the humans and Reploids … it struck a touchy nerve whenever he heard Lumine was mass murdering humans and Reploids.

Tsk tsk. His brother clicked back at him. I can't promise you. It'd depend on the individual themselves. But … I will try. If I have to, though, don't say I didn't warn you.

When Axl noticed it, Sue had left the living room to head to the kitchen and prepare some snacks for herself and Axl. She was about to come out when her mother descended from the stairs sleepily and noticed him far away from where she was.

"My dear Suelaz … is that another one of your friends? Or from the Right Axis? I told you awhile back that I don't want you to have those people over!" Mrs Haraya grumbled. "Your friends kept bringing their nasty politics over and over, and they got you hosed! You know you'll do well if you stop this shenanigan!"

"Mum!" Sue was briefly shocked. "T – I stopped bringing those guys over! This … this is Axl. The new generation Reploid prototype. He … he's my friend now. And … he's the only person out there who's really my friend … and yes, great-granddad made him."

Mrs Haraya perked up. "Ah, so THAT'S the new Reploid project he was working on so very long ago! He never told me about it when he said he would!" She rubbed her eyes and walked hurriedly to Axl. Axl had wisely stood up and allowed her to see his full being.

"Uh … hi? You must be the descendant of that human who dad cared for so much …" He said. "Uh … do you want me to switch over to Reploid form? Because … I …"

"No no, it's fine, be yourself!" Mrs Haraya dusted Axl's clothing. He felt his siblings sigh cheerfully inside his mind. "Your father was a noisy sort of human before Eurasia happened. He privately shared with me and my mum about all the Reploid tech he was on. The only one he didn't tell me was something about a new creation. That's why I exclaimed just now. After Eurasia, he was pretty quiet and locked up in his giant grounds. Then on, it's just news and news about what the Corp does. He never told me in person ever again."

Wow. Iris said. Dad told people everything? Lumine said. Axl could hear Lumine's fists clench. Ngh, no wonder. A lot of his stuff I have had a tough time figuring out. Everything about Corp affairs I knew, except his private life before I was made. Made sense. Why would he write down now that after Eurasia, the nasty human politics came? MADE SENSE. OW!

Axl quietly smacked himself in the head. Bro, stop hissing inside me.

"Uh, sorry, my brain jerked. "So … ma'am. It's nice to meet you. Your daughter Sue has been great company. And uh … in case you're wondering … my brother has everything in the Corp fine …?"

"Oh, you mean that creepy no-nonsense Reploid. Yes, I'd expect that." Mrs Haraya said. "My own mum shared with me on how much a no-nonsense guy your father was before Eurasia. I knew it. There's no way your father would trust anything he has to someone he didn't create or made with his bare hands. I can sense a lot of him in that Reploid. I know, I know … that Reploid will keep your father's business and everything he worked for fine. May I give you a hug? Please allow this silly human the chance to savour this moment."

"Uh. Sure?" Axl said dumbfoundedly. Iris and Lumine were also thinking 'Uh, sure?' to themselves. Mrs Haraya hugged Axl as much as she could. "Bless that old man, he's in the hospital now. I hope he does get better." Mrs Haraya mumbled.

"Uh … bro's taking care of it. He wants dad to come back as soon as possible. And healthy too." Axl answered. "Boy, I hope he will …" Mrs Haraya let go, and she was surprised.

"You're saying that Reploid right now … was made by Prez too?" Mrs Haraya asked. Axl responded: "You … have a pretty good intuition. Yeah … dad made me, and then after the whole Red Alert thing happened, he was pretty sad, so he made Lumine to stay with him all the time. Until bro was made to be head of the Jakob elevator and everything … that."

"Oh my!" Mrs Haraya was gleeful. "You have to tell me everything! Prez has not talked to me in ages! I want to know everything! There's so much I want to know! Why did he do this, and that? My mum was filled in with everything he did, so I want similar treatment! But rest assured, I will not tell a soul of what I hear from you!"

Bro, I don't know most of the things that happen in the Corp. Axl thought inwardly. I know, Axl, I know … so … I will answer everything. Besides, it's good to get to know someone who dad personally knows. Why not? Lumine replied. Just don't give me a bad name.

I can't promise you. Axl snickered inwardly. Hey~~ His siblings groaned humorously.

Mrs Haraya saw to it that Axl was treated nicely. Axl decided it was safe to sit on one of the dining chairs present, and when Mrs Haraya was surprised to find out Axl could eat and drink, she made sure that Axl was given loads to eat while she chattered with them. She even rang up delivery services in case her home made food wasn't enough. It WAS not enough.

"Man … where did Axl go?" Zero pondered back at Hunters HQ. "Several Hunters were close to beating LEVEL ULTIMATE. And I'm the closest!"

"You just want bragging rights, don't you?" X said as he sipped on another cup of Energon. "Maybe. It's because we fought that thing together, that's why." Zero answered.

"Axl's probably wandering off somewhere. Probably with Lumine and Iris." X answered. "He's a free wanderer, always has been, always will be. He can jump in here whenever he likes, and he can get away with it." He sipped his cup extra slowly.

Sue took internal notes on how her mother brightened up and acted when Axl was around. Axl (it was Lumine) answered all of Mrs Haraya's questions, and even (Axl) have his own opinions on events here and there (Iris sat back and watched everything). Mrs Haraya was very animated and lifely, quite in contrast to what she knew of her mother usually.

"Hmm …" Sue took a chance to go to the store room when Axl was eating some of her mother's salad pottage. "Mum … is this really how you were when you and grandma were with great-granddad, I take it?" She asked herself.

Images of the good times she had with Axl flashed back. She felt much better being with anyone from Prez's side, it seems. Her own silent heart as yearning for something like that.

It started to make her question her own actions to the Corp in the form of her Right Axis activity. Axl didn't know that.

[AUTHOR'S NOTE]

Feels only right that Axl, a happy-go-lucky Maverick shooter, be fine with killing off Mavericks or any Reploids that insulted his creator (reference back to Chapter 11 when Lumine kills of Massimo and Marino) but himself never thought that Prez could possible be like a nasty human when dealing with nasty humans.

Eh, I'll keep quiet now. Another batch of two chapters coming up.