02/15/20
Note: I updated chapter 14 and added one more scene towards the end with Kriss and Eren. I was originally going to put it in 16 but it didn't seem like the thing to leave hanging so into 14 it went.
I also added a few more chapters to part 1 cause I needed a little more time for a few things. Nothing important really but I'm gonna try to make it work as best I can.
Full disclosure: I may take a bit of a break before 16 simply because season has hit at work and we're back to 8 hour days. In addition I'm doing my 4th Three Houses run (golden deer first time ever) and I reached the KH3 secret episode and OOF. All that together is kinda cutting into my writing time. However while this story may get a bit of a delay, I have some other small thing ready to fill its place for a week or so.
(Noun) The Year Of The Exodus
Chapter Fifteen
2054
Hours had passed before a rescue team led by Steven Harper managed to find ruined and burnt out sublevel containing the Colonel, the General, the Corporal and the Agent as well as the corpse of the enemy commander, Lao Huang and assorted Lawless corpses.
Those hours felt like an eternity to Elma as she was the only one still conscious, keeping her eyes on her comrades as well as checking their pulses frequently. They were all doing terribly, with Lyla on the safer end of the spectrum, Kumon in the middle and Jaynix well in danger as she often was.
Once the team began descending into the battlefield, Elma finally allowed herself to rest, losing sight of everything that would follow.
February 15th, 2054
Three months after the Lawless incident
Elma stood outside of her apartment, Aegis in her arms. The last of the workers stepped outside, greeting her and offering words of gratitude and prayers before departing. The head foreman came to her last, telling her that her home was at long last back to normal, like nothing ever happened. The man prided himself on his work.
She thanked him greatly, Aegis even let out a meow. Grateful? Possibly. The man bowed his head and stepped away, down the hall. Elma watched as workers outside continued to install the new windows after she had destroyed most of them with her Ares. Desperate times. Easy to act without considering what came next.
Her eyes moved to the floor, where she after being shot, Jaynix had tackled her to protect her.
And there it was.
Jaynix was on her mind again.
Shaking her head, she stepped into her home and let Aegis down, the cat immediately ran about, inspecting the apartment. Elma slowly approached her couch before collapsing as she thought about the first meaningful conversation after her awakening.
"...and that is the full extent of your injuries and treatment. Despite the substantial damage, it goes without saying that repairing a Mimeosome is...not easier but not as risky as repairing a normal human body. Not to mention your own strength of will is highly beneficial."
Elma merely nodded as Doctor Falkan finished her report once again.
"It feels like it was just yesterday you were here for your first injuries at the hands of Lao...I trust that this time it won't become routine but who knows what will happen out there."
Elma looked to the Doctor.
"Lao is dead...I doubt anyone will rise to take his place."
"We can all hope."
As Doctor Falkan finished closing out all the holo screens she snapped her fingers.
"You have visitors. This time they went through the proper channels though I will say this whole situation is a true echo of things that happened...will you allow them in?"
"Of course."
With a nod the Doctor opened the door and waved them over. Irina and Gwin walked in as Falkan departed.
Elma couldn't help but smile.
"I hope these few weeks I've been out haven't been too tough for the two of you."
Gwin shook his head.
"Not at all, Colonel."
Irina chuckled.
"No need to put on an act Gwin...we've been busy. Gwin more so than me. The entire advance force chose to stick around and help clean up and recover even though they'd been fighting for far longer than the reinforcements."
Elma nodded.
"If I may...what happened on the battlefield? I know the Lawless ambushed you and the last I saw of Irina she was leaving the Lawless facility with the Professor."
Gwin crossed his arms.
"What can I say? It was a slugfest. Even after Jaynix cleared up a lot of the enemy armor with your Ares, there were more that we had to deal with. On the brink of calling a full retreat, Nagi and the rest of the Coalition forces arrived and it pumped us up...so we advanced again."
Elma nodded as Irina spoke up.
"I returned to the Coalition and left the Professor with the doctors for immediate treatment. Lyla gave her emergency aid on the field to stabilize her as best she could...so we definitely have her to thank for the Professor's survival."
Elma let out a long sigh. That was good to know. The entire purpose of their mission was to rescue her, not engage in a full scale war with the Lawless even though that's clearly what Lao wanted.
"I'll have to pay a visit to Kriss as soon as I'm well enough…"
Gwin and Irina shared a look, Elma seeing it.
"What happened? Is she gone?"
Gwin quickly shook his head.
"No...it's just...an investigation is underway."
"Investigation?"
Gwin looked to Irina again, sighing, she continued for him.
"Once it became known that Lao was dead despite the orders to bring him in alive, the powers that be ordered an internal investigation into everyone involved with the operation. We answered questions but they're more interested in you, General Kumon, Lyla and Jaynix since you were the ones there when he was killed."
Elma nodded slowly.
"What do they hope to gain with this investigation? Why does it matter?"
Irina could only shrug.
"The only ones who truly know would be those in power. The committee members, those on the board, the Chairman and the President."
Elma sighed.
"Well then...looks like I have no time to stay in bed."
As she stood, Irina and Gwin approached, the latter speaking.
"Colonel, with all due respect you need to fully recover before you go and-"
"Clearly. I can't. I've missed out on two weeks worth of events. I have to catch up. I have to figure things out."
Irina and Gwin shared another look. Looking at the Colonel, Irina smiled.
"Then let us accompany you, at least until you are back to 100%."
Elma thought for a moment before nodding.
"First thing we have to do is visit Lyla, Kumon and Jaynix. I want to see how they're doing."
Irina and Gwin nodded before the three departed.
After that, there were so many meetings. So many discussions. So many words and accusations being thrown around.
Some people were even asking to reopen investigations into what occurred twelve years prior. Into how it was that the insurrection truly went off, into how it was that everyone died that night.
Elma brought her hands to the side of her head, it'd been this way from the moment Elma regained consciousness two weeks after she, Kumon, Lyla...and Jaynix...were rescued from the flames.
How she wished people could just accept what happened and move on. There was more urgent work to be done, the man behind it all was dead. His supporters were routed. They could all breath easier.
If only that were the case.
Elma opened her eyes, scanning her home. Due to the frantic pace at which the Coalition began its investigation into all accounts and the local hospitals being swamped with all those gravely injured and wounded from the battle, getting a team to fix her apartment was not high on the list of priorities.
Granted, with all the work Elma had been putting in after being given the all clear by Doctor Falkan, she'd spent more sleepless nights at the office than she cared to admit.
Elma leaned back on her couch and closed her eyes. Irina and Gwin were a great help when she started to catch up on events and once that was done, the second thing she determined she had to do, was pay a visit to the Professor.
"Colonel."
Elma stepped into the room, Kriss was seated on the bed, placing her utensils down and still dressed in the hospital robe.
"You seem much more comfortable than I would've guessed."
Kriss could only chuckle.
"Believe me Colonel, I am anything but."
Elma crossed her arms, letting out a long sigh.
"They've started questioning you?"
"Started?"
Kriss let out a laugh, though it was clear that there was no humor in the situation.
"Since I became able to speak, they've been hounding me. The doctors here are quite dedicated and thanks to the proprietor of this fine establishment...they've been kept at bay."
Elma nodded.
"That's good...I've been dealing with them as best I could but with you awake it'll do us all wonders to get the answers straight from you...if you don't mind."
Kriss moved her tray over to a side table as Elma pulled up a chair and sat across from here.
"A question for you, Colonel."
"Elma is fine."
Kriss gave her a look before clearing her throat.
"Why am I still alive?"
"Why?"
Kriss gestured to her lower torso.
"I was shot...and lost consciousness not long after...I've heard tell of what happened out there. I don't have all the details but…"
Kriss hesitated, shaking her head she let out a sigh.
"Never mind."
"Kriss. You were always the priority. The plan never called for a direct engagement with the Lawless. We were supposed to go in, get you out, then worry about the enemy...we should've expected that they'd expect that. We were desperate."
"To save me?"
Elma smiled.
"...I was desperate to save you."
"Why?"
Elma sighed.
"Hard to say...you aren't a good person, Kriss."
The Professor laughed at that, nodding her head to Elma in full agreement.
"There is a lot about you I don't like...but you are not the enemy. You were being used and once they determined your use was at its end, they attempted to kill you. It may have been brief but I did like having you at the apartment. Aegis certainly did. It's...strange...how one forms bonds with someone…"
Kriss chuckled.
"You're acting like this is all new to you, Colonel. You are human are you not?"
Elma remained silent as the Professor continued.
"I dislike most people. Trust is not something I believe in and bonds only serve to make one weaker, complacent, and easier to abuse…"
Kriss locked eyes with Elma.
"...but with you...that could be different. Possibly. A very slight chance…"
Elma smiled.
"I'll take it."
Kriss let out a long breath.
"So I suppose you want my side of the story at this point?"
Elma nodded as Kriss thought back.
"Jaynix had just retrieved Benton's datapad and was asking me to help her break into it when Aegis started acting up. Something was not sitting right with her...I'd never seen her act like that. Next thing I knew, people passed by the windows outside. I retreated into one of the rooms when they broke in."
Kriss shrugged.
"I'm not a fighter. I had no weapons...they were heavily armed so nothing I did when they came for me helped. One of them stuck something in my neck and I was out until I found myself in the Lawless facility. Lao and Torrez introduced themselves not long after that."
Elma nodded.
"And did they tell you what they wanted with you?"
Kriss crossed her arms.
"Not in so many words...the only reason they wanted me was to get to you."
"...I see…"
Kriss narrowed her eyes.
"The strangest thing about it all was the weapons that they had...I have theories on that but I'd need the official specs. I'm sure your government has confiscated whatever they could find, yes?"
"I'll get that to you right away."
Kriss smiled.
"Oh? So quick to trust."
"Despite everything, I'd like to think we're friends, Professor."
Kriss raised an eyebrow as Elma stood up.
"You don't have to like it...but I enjoy the idea of it."
"Whatever suits you, Colonel."
"Rest up, Kriss. I'll have those files for you soon."
Elma turned to leave when Kriss spoke up.
"What of Benton? We aren't done with him, are we?"
Elma looked back at the Professor.
Despite everything, there was a smile on Elma's face as she recalled that memory. Kriss was true to her word from that moment on. Reliable. Efficient. She got them everything they needed in moving forward with answering the all important question.
How did the Lawless arm themselves so effectively?
Of course, due to the tenuous nature of the truth, Kriss only spoke about her findings with Elma, the Colonel keeping the information strictly classified from everyone else. The last thing she needed was the wrong person hearing about it.
Especially after Kriss told her what Lao said. Benton was involved indeed, but he wasn't the only one. Others sought to use forces like the Lawless for their own means, they needed to be found and cut out of the Coalition and the ECP like the cancer that they were.
Hearing Aegis meow, Elma stood and retrieved her food. The cat following her closer than ever. Aegis didn't like the ECP offices at first but once it became clear they weren't coming home for a while yet, the cat adapted.
"Seems every woman I've ever met has been incredibly stubborn. Irina. Jaynix. Kriss…"
Elma kneeled down and poured the cat food into the bowl, Aegis was there in moments.
"...and you."
Aegis let out a small sound at that before turning all her attention to her meal. Elma smiled briefly before standing. Her eyes fell on the door leading to Aeon's room. Kriss had hidden herself in there, resulting in the place being torn apart.
Elma didn't blame her but it saddened her all the same. Even though it'd been four years since she last saw Aeon. Approaching the door, she opened it and let herself in. Hoping that she never had to deal with this kind of separation again, it kept her anxious in her quietest moments and as hard as she tried, she could never truly accept it.
Four years should be nothing to someone with her lifespan but she'd never spent this much time apart from Aeon. It was not a good feeling.
As she walked through his room, running her hands along the newly built shelves housing Aeon's knickknacks she thought once again to her comrades.
Elma had regained consciousness two weeks after the battle, next at five weeks came Lyla.
Lyla sat in her room as the doctors ran through her vitals with her, telling her all about the injuries she sustained from the battle as well as the damage from the proximity to the raging flames, smoke and ash.
Lyla was ashamed of herself for being absent for most of the battle. She remembered hearing Jaynix call her name right before a bullet that Lao bounced off the surroundings had pierced her body.
The whole time that she laid on the ground amidst the flames she could hear the sounds of combat. Jaynix, Elma and Lao roaring, strikes landing, screams. It was only when a blade was thrown near her that she knew it was her one and only chance.
The weapon had been cut cleanly in what appeared to be half. She was immediately able to recognize it as the remains of one of Elma's swords.
Taking it in her hand she forced herself across the ash and debris covered floor into the opening to witness the battle. Elma moving at inhuman speeds, knocking Lao back with every strike as Jaynix ran in for support.
She willed herself to her knees with every last bit of strength she had just as Lao stepped on her wife's back. Jaynix's cries drawing out a reserve Lyla didn't even know she had.
Enough to call out her wife's name and throw her the blade, a move that allowed them to disarm Lao right before Elma finished the fight, the man lay defeated and Lyla collapsed again, heart full.
Snapping out of her recollection, Lyla looked up as two women entered the room.
Elma and…
"Flame."
A gentle smile formed on the younger Copeland sister's face. Despite the soreness, Lyla forced herself to the feet as Flame crossed the room, the pair embraced each other.
"I'm sorry Flame...I tried to protect her...but I couldn't even do that. I-"
"It's okay...it's okay. Thank you for being her strength as always, Lyla. It means more to me than you'll ever know."
The pair separated, smiling at one another before turning their attention to Elma.
"Lyla. Glad to see you up but maybe you shouldn't be."
The woman chuckled before Flame helped her down and onto the bed.
"Good to see you too, Elma...how long was I out? I think the doctors told me but...my mind was somewhere else."
Elma nodded slowly.
"Five weeks."
Lyla flinched.
"Shit…how is Jaynix? The General?"
Elma sighed.
"Still unconscious and recovering...same with Kumon. They were heavily injured and needed to go through several intense operations. Jaynix especially given the potential spinal damage."
Spotting another flinch from Lyla, Elma cursed under her breath.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have-"
"No...Elma, thank you for being clear with me…"
"I'll talk to Nagi about letting you be with Jaynix. Both of you."
Lyla thanked her before looking at Flame.
"Have you been here the whole time?"
"No...I wanted to come as soon as I could but...Noah's Cradle was on lockdown during and after the incident. Anyone attempting to come into the city was redirected well after the battle ended."
Lyla thought for a moment.
"They didn't want to risk enemy stragglers using travelers to sneak into the city."
Elma nodded.
"That and they couldn't risk them using the travel routes to escape. The enemy had to be completely and totally wiped out, no matter the cost."
"Elma came to get me shortly after she woke up. She felt I had to be here...I don't think I've thanked her enough for that."
"You have. Trust me."
Flame smiled at the Colonel as Lyla spoke up.
"You left Alexa and H.B. to handle the projects? Risky."
The three women laughed at that, Flame speaking.
"Very much so...quirky as they may be, they work magic when they're dedicated and when I left, I saw that dedication in their eyes...not to mention they wanted me to leave. They too, knew I had to be here."
Lyla nodded at that before looking to Elma.
"What else has been happening?"
"The Coalition has ordered an internal investigation and everyone is being questioned."
Lyla looked to Flame, then to Elma once again.
"...about Lao's death?"
"About everything…"
Lyla let out a long sigh.
"They'll want to talk to me? Won't they?"
Elma started to say something, only to shake her head.
"You're Jaynix's wife...yeah...they're going to be here at some point. I've done what I can to keep them at bay. I didn't appreciate being ambushed by them so I'm giving you a heads up."
"Thank you, Colonel."
Elma nodded once more.
"I have work to return to...thank you again, Lyla. For everything."
Lyla bowed her head as Elma addressed Flame.
"You as well...though I wish we met under better circumstances."
"You and I both, Colonel."
Elma took the model Skell into her hands. Remembering the Coalition's reaction upon seeing Elma and Aeon's Ares models. They weren't certain at the time that they could advance technology enough to recreate them. But with what was at risk, they had no choice.
Everyone doubled down, studying the Ares, studying the technology and developing what they needed to ensure their survival.
A lot of the credit for humanity's understanding of Skell technology was easily given to Li Wei Koo, a genius Chinese engineer who was always fascinated by the possibilities of space travel. He himself seemed to believe that being a part of this research was his destiny.
His son Li Qiang and his stepdaughter Liu Yang would join him in his research as he grew older. The three of them, the Koo family, would head up the central Skell R&D Facility that would one day be a part of the Megacity: The Cross.
"They did an amazing job…"
Placing the model down, Elma left Aeon's room and headed for her own, Aegis following her. The Colonel quickly checked Aegis' bowl to find that she did indeed eat everything. As usual. It lifted her spirits to know that Aegis was already comfortable with being home again.
If only Elma felt the same way.
Entering her own room, she thought about her trip to the Cross. It was the third thing she knew she had to do and it led to a meeting she wished had happened far sooner...and with Jaynix by her side.
Elma walked down the hall, making note of the nameplates on every door. It wasn't long before she found the one she was looking for.
F. Copeland.
Taking a deep breath, Elma recalled everything that Jaynix had told her about her younger sister.
Flame was a little awkward with meeting new people, she wasn't as much of a social butterfly as Jaynix was. Probably as a result of being subjected to bullying when she was younger. However, her mind was sharp and she spoke of technology with passion and dedication.
Knocking on the door to announce her presence, Elma stepped inside. She noted that the ceiling had opened up, allowing a Skell to land inside. Three people were currently in the room, operating on the massive machine.
One was a dark skinned woman standing by the controls. Every time she interacted with a button or a lever, the Skell's position changed.
That was Alexa.
Near the machine, watching the moving limbs was a man wearing glasses. After every movement he jotted down several notes and called something out to his comrades.
That was H.B.
Last but not least, inside the Skell itself, looking over the diagnostics, was the reason Elma was here.
Flame.
She looked exactly as Jaynix had described, long orange hair, bright green eyes. The woman adjusted her own glasses before hopping out of the Skell and speaking to H.B.
It wasn't long before she noticed Elma, H.B. following her line of sight as Alexa joined them. The woman gasped.
"Is that...the Colonel? What's Colonel Elma doing here? Flame? H.B.? Is this a prank?"
H.B. shook his head.
"I'm not sure…which is shocking to me...I'm sure of everything."
"You really can't help but compliment yourself, can you Mr. Superior?"
Before H.B. could speak, Flame walked away from them, right towards Elma. The Colonel watched her come closer, her eyes changing from confusion to realization, to fear.
"Is...is Jaynix-"
Elma shook her head.
"She's alive, Flame."
Hearing those words, Flame let out a long breath she didn't know she was holding before stumbling. Alexa and H.B. were right there to catch her as she fell over. The pair eased her to the ground.
"Sorry I...I got really dizzy...it's nothing…"
H.B. shook his head.
"Nonsense. Alexa and I knew how much the situation over at Noah's Cradle has been bothering you…"
Flame locked eyes with H.B. as Alexa spoke up.
"What's up with that? Uh...no offense Colonel. We tried to book passage to Noah's Cradle so Flame could check in on Jaynix but they blocked us."
Elma nodded.
"Standard procedure for...sensitive situations...the fight is long over but now comes the debriefs, the red tape, the questions...I'm here because I know how wrong it is to keep Flame away from her sister."
Alexa and H.B. helped Flame to her feet as she spoke up.
"You're here to take me to her?"
Elma smiled and nodded.
"I can only imagine how happy she'll be to see you when she wakes up. We don't know when that'll be but she's receiving the best care. I assure you."
Flame started to speak, turning around her eyes landed on the Skell before looking to Alexa and H.B., the latter couldn't help but chuckle.
"Flame. This is Jaynix we're talking about. Your sister. Go to her."
Alexa nodded.
"We can take care of all the work here. We wouldn't let you down, boss."
A smile formed on Flame's face.
"I know you won't. Thank you, Alexa. Hector."
The pair nodded, H.B. gentle placing a hand on her shoulder to turn her back around to face Elma. Alexa followed up with a small push.
"We can stop by your home to pick up anything else you need before heading to the Cradle."
Flame nodded, whispering a small thank you as the pair left the room, Alexa and H.B. watching them go.
After a quick stop by Flame's home for clothes and other essentials, the pair headed for Elma's Ares which was parked somewhat awkwardly in the middle of the street.
"I was in a rush."
Elma stated quickly, Flame could only smile at that. Elma turned to the other woman to notice an inquisitive look on her face.
"Is something wrong?"
"No...it's just...it's so strange meeting you, Elma. Uh...Colonel."
"Elma is fine...how so?"
The Ares' cockpit opened up, Elma directing Flame into her place as the woman spoke.
"Jaynix tells me so much about you...aside from Lyla you are the person she loves talking the most about."
Elma felt something warm inside upon hearing that.
"I will say, Flame. The same is true for you."
Both now seated within the Ares, Elma tapped the controls and took off into the sky.
"...all the things JayJay told me about you...it's almost like I met you without meeting you...if that makes sense."
Elma chuckled.
"It does indeed...I feel the same way though I have to say it is an honor to actually speak with you. I hold Jaynix in high regard and she holds you in even higher…"
Flame shook her head, a hand went to her hair, awkwardly brushing it aside.
"That can't be true."
"It is. Every achievement you've ever made brings her such joy. I have to thank you myself as well...your team was pivotal in aiding the Koo family in designing the Skell flight technology."
Flame thought back to those long nights.
"It was the biggest project I'd ever undertaken...working directly with the Koos was intimidating. They're every bit the geniuses everyone says they are and...it's always been my dream to design a flying robot...it was as much for me as it was for humanity."
Elma smiled, she recognized the tone Flame was taking only from Jaynix's description of it. When it came to discussing her work, her ingenuity and her research, Flame's eyes shined and she spoke far more than any other situation.
Flame caught herself a few minutes later, covering her mouth and apologizing.
Elma could only shake her head.
"It's perfectly fine, Flame…"
There was a silence before she asked.
"Is Jaynix alright, Elma?"
It took a few moments before the Colonel spoke.
"She's alive. That's what matters."
Standing in her room, Elma thought about what it was she could do. She hated not being active but after the Lawless, after Lao, after spending weeks incapacitated and months fighting off the investigation...she felt like she'd accomplished nothing from the moment she woke up.
She had to remind herself that the Skell technology was at its peak, the Ark ships were being completed, the Mimeosomes were ready...the hallmarks of the plan she and Aeon had put into place three decades ago were set. Yet she wished she could do more.
She thought of the tragedy that turned Lao on them all, she thought of how his pain then led to the destruction of Jaynix and Flame's family. She remembered the look in Doug's eyes during their last conversation. Doug gave her the only advice he saw fit to give and then he was gone.
Thinking of the older man, Elma couldn't help but recall...
It wasn't long after making arrangements for Kriss, when Elma thought about what to do now that she was active again. She had to bring Flame to Noah's Cradle of course and then there was Benton who she needed to track down. And then there was another small detour she knew she had to make.
A man she had to talk to.
Departing the ECP, Elma had her destination set and so she found herself once again on Doug's doorstep.
She had no doubt he'd heard what happened. Whether an old contact told him or he looked into the issue himself.
Regardless of what it was, she knew she owed him, she knew she had to tell him herself. And so here she was.
Taking a deep breath, she knocked on his door.
Nothing.
She let the minutes tick by thinking over how she would approach this discussion before trying again, ringing the doorbell as well.
Silence.
She wasn't sure how much time had passed before she got up the courage to try once more.
Receiving no answer told her all she needed to know.
With a solemn nod, she brought her hand up in a salute and whispered a low thank you to the man she'd served with for years.
Then she turned on her heel and departed.
Standing around her home feeling the way she did accomplished nothing. Retrieving her gear, the Colonel gave Aegis a pat on the head and ran down the flight of stairs Jaynix had descended during the Lawless incursion.
Recalling that look in Jaynix's eyes. That fury.
It wasn't long before Elma reached the gym, not many people were here today which was just as fine.
Entering a practice room, she drew her blade and began moving through the motions, putting more force into each swing than she's ever done before.
She was antsy, anxious and angry. She always tried her best to fend off those negative emotions but now she simply let those emotions burn. Everything that has happened since she woke up has pulled her in so many directions and brought out so many emotions. It was about time she let herself release some frustration.
In the midst of her swing, her mind wandered and she thought of the General. Hideo Kumon. He woke nearly two months after the incident. Lao's shot had caused more damage to the man than they'd expect. Despite the immense pain and blood loss, it was through his sheer willpower that he forced himself to draw and fire on Lao. Allowing Lyla and Jaynix to disable him and Elma herself to end the fight.
The surgery he was subjected to was long and difficult, several doctors were brought in from other Megacities for their expertise.
Elma wanted to be there when he woke up, she wanted to safeguard him from the flood of questions he'd receive but she had other matters to attend to including her own line of questioning.
As such, by the time she reached the General after hearing of him regaining consciousness, a crowd had already formed, several of which got into his room despite the security's best attempts.
Truth be told, conflicts of interest were abound in the ECP. The security was instructed by the ECP and Elma to not allow anyone in to see Kumon aside from her, but those coming in were instructed by the Coalition and the President to engage in this investigation.
The ECP was born from the Coalition.
And so…
"By order of Colonel Elma! You are all dismissed!"
The head security guard yelled to the leading inspector who simply shook his head.
"Tell that to the President."
The guard threw his helmet off and stepped up to the inspector, jamming his finger into the other man's chest.
"You damn well better believe I will, Birtwhistle! Now, get your people out of here!"
"Don't test me Christoph."
The other security guards approached their commander.
"Sir! We shouldn't pick a fight-"
"We have our orders! We won't let the Colonel down! Will we?"
Before anyone else could speak, Elma appeared, several inspectors lost their nerves but others ignored her as she approached the security and placed a hand on Christoph's shoulder.
"Thank you Michael. I knew I could trust you."
The older man chuckled.
"I get more thanks from you than I do from either of my sons."
Elma couldn't help but smile before Christoph gestured to the room, Elma spotting several men around Kumon.
"I tried my best...what kind of father would I be if I risked a court martial? One son might find that inspiring and I'd rather not."
"Of course."
Elma stepped into the room, her eyes met with Kumon's. Before she could speak the man held up one finger and so she remained silent.
Taking a deep breath, Kumon secured his hands on the side of his bed and stood up. The inspectors took several steps back as the General stood to his full height, easily towering over them.
Closing his eyes, he took another breath. Elma watched his stance and posture straighten before he opened his eyes.
Despite having just woken after so many surgeries, the General spoke. Even. Clear. Strong. Commanding. Intimidating.
"I have listened...to each and every one of your ludicrous questions and I have determined that not a single one is worthy of a response."
A man opened his mouth to speak, Kumon bringing a hand up immediately, silencing him.
"None of you were there. Most of you have never been in combat and none of you have ever been in a situation like the one my allies and I found ourselves in almost two months ago."
Elma watched as the inspectors lost whatever bite they believed they had and took several steps back.
"Agent Lyla Copeland. Colonel Elma. Corporal Jaynix Isaiah Copeland. These women are heroes. I will not stand for any slander to their names. None. Quote me to your boss if you wish. Now go."
The speed at which the room was cleared was unprecedented. Elma looked to Kumon with a smile as a pained grimace formed on the man's expression. His legs began to shake before he collapsed back onto his bed.
Elma was at his side in moments, asking if he needed a doctor.
Kumon shook his head, sadness filling his eyes.
"What I need, Colonel...is to know that I have not failed one of two things I've dedicated my life to…"
"...what would that be, General?"
She whispered as his eyes met hers.
"Jaynix."
Elma brought her sword to a sudden halt, recalling how Kumon's voice broke upon saying Jaynix's name. Closing her eyes she thought of all the time she spent visiting Jaynix. Every chance she could get amidst the investigation and all the other work she had to attend to with casualty numbers and damage reports. She didn't spend enough time with Jaynix.
A constant concern from the doctors was over possible spinal damage given what they were told happened at the end of the battle. Things seemed touch and go but the common consensus seemed to be that Jaynix would not lose the use of her legs.
As Elma had promised, she and Nagi arranged for Lyla to stay by Jaynix's side and once Lyla was given the all clear, that's where she went.
Nagi also kept any officials seeking answers away from Jaynix's room. They were not welcome. Instead, he offered himself up to field all the questions and accusations. The man took so much on himself but he insisted it was the least he could do.
Elma visited Nagi late one night to find him struggling to stay conscious.
"Nagi...you can't keep going like this. You need sleep."
"I know, Elma. I know…"
"You told us to bring him in alive but you knew that would never happen. You knew."
"I did...of course I did but I had no choice. That order came from the joint leaders of the Coalition...and the President. Chausson himself pulled me aside to tell me about the order...he understood why it was given...I did as well."
"Did he…"
"No...he didn't say it, at least...not with words. But in his eyes I could see. He too, knew that barring a miracle...the man was as good as dead the second we deployed."
"...Nagi...we-"
"We have to wait until Jaynix wakes up...we have to…you and I both know that she suffered greatly at the hands of a man we once trusted...she never would've been satisfied with him in cuffs. Even if we executed him in accordance with our laws, she'd never be able to move on."
Elma nodded.
"She had to kill him. It had to be her."
"I can only pray that in that death, she finds the salvation she so desperately deserves."
Elma collapsed to the ground and placed her head in her hands, feeling something wet roll down her cheeks she cursed this unintended weakness.
Things would have been so much easier if she had kept a more detached role when dealing with the humans like Aeon did. But she couldn't help it, she couldn't fight off her desire to learn from them. To understand this species that the Ganglion and the Ghosts saw fit to wipe out. This species that even Samaar was somehow involved in, that the Watchers didn't want to intervene on.
Humanity. Why?
Elma had lived a long life, longer than most could imagine. In the grand scheme of things, all the humans she's met would be gone in the blink of an eye. Barely an impact on her lifespan.
Yet. The idea of living in a world without Nagi's steadfast support. Kumon's commanding presence. Kruse's awkwardness. Irina's devotion. Gwin's poor jokes. Jaynix. That brought a new pain to her that she despised.
Elma couldn't hear the small steps approaching, she didn't react at all until something pressed itself against her. Turning quickly she found Aegis at her side. Apparently the animal had sensed her distress and followed her out of their home and all the way here without her noticing.
"I'm really off my game, aren't I Aegis?"
The cat meowed before pressing itself against her once again.
"I should stop telling my friends that you're a terror...thank you, Aegis."
Slowly Elma brought a hand to her cat's fur and began to stroke the animal. Purrs filling the silence.
The act of one man. Desperate to right a wrong, he lost sight of who he was and had changed everything for Elma. It made her think about who she was, about humanity as a whole and about the Exodus.
Doug's last words to her rang through her head. He acknowledged that the man, the man they had killed, was not the man he had once called brother. Merely a shell.
She had to let go of it all. Of the past. Of those memories. There were people dear to her in the here and now that needed her. People that she wanted to be near. People she had to cherish and treasure.
The Devoted. The Lawless. Lao Huang. That was the past. She'd bury it and move on.
Taking a deep breath, she nodded to herself.
Nagi. The Exodus. The Skelletons. The Reapers. The faces of those who placed their trust in her and those she in turn trusts as well.
That was what mattered.
That was all.
Kumon stood outside of Jaynix's room, Lyla and Flame sat inside, talking to each other. Lyla's hand was holding onto Jaynix's. Despite it all, she had a smile on her face as she spoke to Flame.
Kumon allowed a small smile to form on his face as footsteps approached.
"Sir...someone is here."
"Christoph. No one is allowed-"
"It's Steven."
Kumon closed his eyes. With a slow nod he thanked Christoph, patting his shoulder before moving to meet with Steven.
"I have to thank you. Your aid in our battle with the Lawless was greatly appreciated by everyone…"
Steven bowed his head to the General.
"Thank you, sir...part of me thinks I shouldn't go back to retirement."
"Are you going to?"
"...I'm not sure yet…"
Kumon watched as Steven's eyes trailed away from him.
"Not that I don't enjoy the company of an old friend but why are you really here, Steven?"
The Archer remained silent as Kumon continued.
"The last time we met outside of Jaynix's room it was for you to hurl accusations. Are you here to do so once again?"
Steven shook his head.
"I don't have to...you, the Colonel and Lyla went into battle with her and came back all near death...I think that proves my point without my needing to say anything more."
"...Steven. Jaynix was not herself-"
"Why do you keep defending her?"
Kumon opened his mouth to speak when Steven called out.
"She's not your daughter!"
The general fell silent.
"She is the daughter of Sonja and Maxwell Copeland, heroes taken from us by that traitor, Lao. She and Flame are all that's left and while Flame was able to pick up the pieces and live her life, Jaynix has been bound by her tragedies and allowed that pain to define her and turn her into an uncontrollable monster fueled by rage. She has none of her mother's finesse and none of her father's brilliance."
"Steven."
"She's a rabid dog who maimed me in a fit of rage and then killed a dozen of her own academy mates because she couldn't control herself."
Kumon shook his head.
"She just watched her mother die right in front of her. What was she supposed to do, Steven?"
"How can you not see her for what she is, Hideo? I'll tell you why. Because you still see the young girl you visited all those years ago. The girl who wanted to be a protector. You treat her as your own, you give her protection and all the space you think she needs...not realizing what it is that she truly is."
Kumon let out a heavy sigh.
"What do you want me to do, Steven? The sharks are circling already. How much more tinder do you want to throw on this fire."
Steven shook his head.
"What does it matter anymore...I could tell everyone the truth. That Jaynix drew her blade on me and nearly killed me...that she drew her blade on her allies and cut them down without mercy...that she shot an unarmed man for nothing but the satisfaction and the vengeance...and you'd counter all my points and paint her a hero as you've done for the last twelve years."
Steven stepped back.
"Her blade was covered in the blood of the innocents...in my blood...yet after the scene was fully cataloged by the Coalition, nothing pointed to her...you tampered with the evidence because you knew and you couldn't let things play out. You enabled her."
Kumon turned away.
"I misjudged your feelings on Jaynix all these years...I had no idea your anger ran so deep, Steven. For that I apologize…"
Before Steven could say more, Kumon looked back at him, a steady gaze filled with a quiet anger.
"However...I allowed you to speak and as I expected you've said too much...you can't move on from your past and you can't recognize Jaynix for who she is. You say she is controlled by her anger and her pain...yet the same can be said of you, Steven. You are unwilling to let Jaynix grow or even believe she has because you have to hate her. You have to blame her because without that where does it leave you? In your apartment, alone, retired and vindictive…"
Kumon shook his head.
"Shameful."
"Shameful!? She-"
Steven turned away, taking a deep breath to will the anger away.
"The mission has come to an end, Steven. Go home."
The Archer nodded, mostly to himself.
"Very well, Hideo...just know that I refuse to let Jaynix lead you to your death. Everything I do is to keep you breathing. Understand that, sir…"
With that, Steven walked away. Kumon returned to the window outside of Jaynix's room. Flame and Lyla had fallen asleep as Jaynix continued to breathe yet her eyes didn't open.
"Christoph…"
"Sir?"
Kumon struggled with his words, his gaze focused on Jaynix.
"What does it feel like? Being a father?"
"Sir...that's hard to describe…"
"Your sons. Frye. Phog. What do they make you feel?"
Christoph looked through the window at the women in the room.
"Happy. I suppose. Proud. Frye is strong, tough...his mouth is dirtier than mine and he's a bit of a showboat. He talks the talk but he does walk the walk in turn...he knows he's good and he wants everyone to know. He reminds me a lot of myself and I am at a loss as to how my parents dealt with me."
The man chuckled but Kumon remained silent, thoughtful.
"Frye was a handful as a kid and is a nightmare as a grown man...the only thing I can do to get him to fall in line is fight him. He swears he'll beat me one day but I won't allow it."
Kumon recalled his various sparring sessions with Jaynix shortly after taking her under his wing. The pace of her growth was awe inspiring.
"Phog on the other hand prefers to keep to himself. He's quiet. In turn he has quite a thinker. However he also has this tendency to hone in one thing and that's all he can see and think about. I do like that he's calmer, quieter...but at the same time I knew letting him grow up that way wouldn't reflect in the best adult...he just doesn't get on with people. Beyond his brother and I, he just prefers solitude...as long as he's happy I can't really knock it…"
Kumon nodded once again as he thought of Flame. She was the harder one to grow close to. She was so smart, so brilliant. Everything she did went over Kumon's head. He felt like he was failing in being there for her when he couldn't understand the things she treasured the most.
Jaynix stepped in at that point, keeping her sister's spirits up, encouraging her and cheering her on for all her achievements. In that case, Kumon followed her lead.
It was amidst these thoughts when Christoph voiced something that had been on Kumon's minds for years yet he never acknowledged.
"It's alright if you think of them as your daughters, General."
Kumon looked to Christoph.
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop but Steven was yelling as loud as he possibly could…"
Kumon nodded as Christoph cleared his throat.
"Jaynix. Flame. They've been a part of your life for almost thirteen years now, yeah? One is turning 34 soon and the other 32. They're fine young women. Strong. Smart. That feeling you have...deep in your chest when you look at them. Talk to them. Behold their success. That love. That pride. That's what I feel for Frye and Phog. Let yourself feel it, sir. You are what they have."
Without a word, Kumon entered the room, Lyla remained asleep, her hand holding onto Jaynix's. Flame however, woke up, her eyes finding Kumon as he searched himself for something to say.
Flame watched as Kumon's posture broke, tears filling his eyes. Voice breaking.
"I'm sorry."
Standing, Flame approached and embraced the older man.
"I'm so sorry."
On the top floor of the Coalition's grand fortress, outside of his office with a glass in his hand stood a man who once held immeasurable power but now holds the shadow of a station. Even still, he commands respect from most of the people within all that megacities on the continent.
"President Reeve...Colonel Elma is here to see you."
"Let her in."
His secretary departed as he finished his drink. Placing the glass down he turned as Elma appeared.
"Elma. I expected you to come see me far sooner than-"
"Stop it. Now."
The President cleared his throat.
"I'm afraid you're going to have to be more clear."
"The investigation. There is nothing to be gained from it but the defamation and destruction of the illustrious careers of some of our greatest individuals. I won't allow it."
President Reeve nodded slowly before moving to a table and inviting Elma to take a seat.
"While I did give the go ahead you have to understand that the Coalition is a united government."
"I know…"
"Then you know...world leaders from all corners of the Earth have equal pull here within our united front. The decision was made by many of us...they of course look to me as the one who brought them together although we both know that credit lies with you."
Elma remained silent as he continued.
"Regardless of what I tell them now, most of them wanted to learn more about what happened...you see, Lao Huang's betrayal and the murders he has committed...that was a stain on our history. Something that we could never truly understand. Twelve years ago and today, everyone that knew anything is dead. We can't get answers from corpses...only from each other."
"We all have the same information…"
"Do we? Ms. Copeland...pardon me. Mrs. Copeland was at both confrontations. Twelve years ago and three months ago. Not to mention the one report we could gather from the incident twelve years ago is that Lao and Mrs. Copeland's mother, Sonja were-"
Elma stood up, throwing her chair over.
"If you are trying to suggest...that Jaynix or her mother betrayed us…"
The President shook his head.
"I'm telling you this again Elma. It's not just me. These are ideas thrown around by the other heads of state. I don't agree with it myself but the Exodus is set and in place. We have to be united in all things…"
With a heavy sigh, he continued.
"If you truly want this to end, I'll call a session and you can tell them all that it stops now. We play this game of pretend everyday but you and I both know, that we all know...you are the one in charge, Elma. You and Aeon hold more power than all the world leaders do. Without you two, there would be no us. All you need to do is take that position and your will...shall be done."
Elma shook her head.
"I can't. Taking command of the race I'm trying to save is not...that's not what Aeon or I wanted...despite my experiences, I'm not one of you. I'm just…"
"A guardian angel."
Elma shook her head as the President sighed.
"This is all nasty business but it'll blow over once Mrs. Copeland wakes up...until then, is there anything else I can do for you, Elma?"
Picking her chair back up, Elma spoke.
"Two things. First of all...who proposed the idea of the laboratory that was constructed beneath D-021 Nantucket."
The President remained silent as Elma continued.
"That lab ran experiments I didn't approve of, and their failure to account for Dark Matter's capabilities led to the destruction of Nantucket and the loss of countless lives including Lao's wife and daughter. That one incident is the root of everything. Lao's betrayal, the Lawless. It all started there. Who gave the order."
The President took a deep breath.
"Chairman Ethos. He and several notable intellectuals thought the idea up...a secret facility for experimentation...I would like to say, the Dark Matter was moved there without my knowledge or the knowledge of most of the other world leaders...as far as we were aware, it was still in its container."
"I want names. Of everyone."
"You'll have it...what's the other thing."
Elma closed her eyes.
"Shortly after waking I was made aware of a passing of power. Doctor Iris Falkan is now the head of the ECP Medical Wing and will be the foremost proprietor of the White Whale's Mimeosome Maintenance Center."
"What's wrong with that?"
Opening her eyes, Elma continued.
"That position originally belonged to Doctor Edwin Benton and he was quite proud of that accomplishment as it appealed to his massive ego...yet he gave it up and left Noah's Cradle with little to no warning."
"A loss of talent to be sure but Doctor Falkan-"
"Where. Is. Benton."
The President wanted to ask why but seeing the look in Elma's eyes told him that he was better off not knowing.
"I'll have that for you as well, Colonel."
"See that you do."
Elma stood up and prepared to leave before facing the President once more.
"I had hoped you'd be more involved with all the corruption within your own government."
"Politics are corrupt Elma…"
"Even now? As the sky prepares to fall on what could be the last days of humanity?"
"I'm afraid so…"
"How could you not have all the details on this? How could it not all lead back to you?"
The President stood up.
"Because of my family...much like the rest of our world leaders, we agreed to not seek passage on the ark ships, instead we only wish for our families to take our places...I don't want to give anyone else a reason to rescind my family's passage. The things you've told me are rotten and have resounding consequences...I wouldn't want to be in the strike zone when the punishment is doled out...simple as that. I'm unfortunately blind and ignorant to the corruption for the sake of my family...it's pitiful but it's the only excuse and explanation I have."
Elma stared at the man, prepared to ask something else when the secretary returned.
"Mr. President, your wife is asking for you."
"Ah. Of course she is. Much thanks, Eleonora."
The secretary smiled, bowing her head as the President walked past her.
"I'll have all the information you requested within the hour Colonel. I swear."
After he departed, Elma turned her gaze on the secretary as she raised her head.
"Colonel."
"Eleonora."
Elma continued to watch her. Some small sensation brewing in the back of her head, almost like her hairs were beginning to stand on end.
"Can I help you, Colonel?"
"No, Eleonora. I got what I came for."
Standing aside, the secretary gestured to the exit.
"I'm sure President Reeve is grateful for your visit. Have a nice day."
Elma slowly walked past her, eyes focused squarely on the woman as she smiled at her.
Turning away, Elma immediately felt eyes on her back as she made her way out.
Jaynix found herself sitting on a bench in a very familiar park. Examining her surroundings she tried to recall why it is that she recognized it when she spotted them.
Two young girls running around and yelling to one another about something that didn't matter. The smiles they wore were absolutely radiant.
The younger one almost tripped, the older girl turned immediately and caught her. Hearing other voices, Jaynix's eyes traveled from the girls to their parents.
"Mom. Dad."
Sonja and Maxwell sat on a bench watching the young Jaynix and Flame continue to play.
Slowly, Jaynix stood up, a surge of emotions filling her body as she took a few steps forward. Three more people entered her line of sight.
She recognized Nagi and Kumon as they approached, Maxwell meeting the halfway. The three men began to speak to each other, though Jaynix couldn't hear what they said.
The Corporal's eyes then moved to the last person behind them. This stranger was almost completely covered, Jaynix could barely make out the individual's eyes as they observed the two girls playing.
Jaynix watched the stranger walk towards them as young Flame ran towards them in turn. However, the girl was not paying attention, she was looking back at her sister just as she collided with the stranger.
Jaynix saw Sonja move out of the corner of her eye as the young Jaynix quickly helped her to her feet. Flame looked at the stranger and then hid behind Jaynix who proceeded to talk to the stranger.
Jaynix tilted her head.
"Why don't I remember this...who is that?"
"Jaynix."
The woman felt herself freeze, her heart nearly stopped as she turned to find Sonja staring straight at her. Not the younger version of herself.
But her.
Jaynix stood there, looking at this younger version of her mother, unsure of what to say.
As Sonja approached, Jaynix finally asked.
"Am I dead?"
Sonja came to a stop in front of Jaynix and reached out, her hand coming to rest on Jaynix's cheek.
It was only then that Jaynix realized she had both her eyes, tears trailing down her cheeks as her mother spoke.
Opening her eye, Jaynix was met by a sore pain that covered her entire body. With a heavy pained groan, she tried to push herself into a sitting position but her arms refused to cooperate.
Closing her eye, she tried to steady her breathing before realizing something was on her right hand. Looking over she spotted another hand holding tightly onto hers and followed the arm up to see Lyla, sleeping soundly.
Jaynix's gaze then moved to the window, she could see outside that the General was speaking with Flame. The older man had a wider smile on his face, as if some weight had been removed and he was breathing easy.
Flame was as bright as ever, though she could see on both of them the clear signs of being up for days on end.
Moving her gaze back to Lyla she did her best to speak, her throat dry from disuse. She had no idea how long she'd been out.
It took a few more attempts before she could bring herself to say something.
"Lyla."
It was too quiet, the woman didn't react. Looking down at their hands, Jaynix focused on whatever strength she could muster and squeezed. She then began running her thumb along Lyla's hand and waited as the woman slowly began to stir.
It didn't take long for Lyla to realize that Jaynix's hand was moving and then she immediately looked to her wife. With a smile Jaynix tried to speak again, only managing another whisper.
"Hi."
Lyla embraced her immediately, and words she wanted to say forgotten as she let herself cry tears of joy and relief. It didn't take long for Kumon and Flame to realize what had happened. The pair reentered the room and approached Jaynix, Flame moving in first.
"JayJay?"
"Hey…"
She then looked to the General.
"...sir…"
He smiled, relief flooding his expression as Flame embraced both Jaynix and Lyla.
"Professor."
Kriss looked up from her work as Elma entered her room.
"Ah! The Colonel returns. Your timing couldn't be any more perfect."
Elma raised an eyebrow.
"Did you find something?"
"Is that not why you're here? To check up on my progress?"
Elma approached and sat herself down.
"Yes, though I came to share my own news as well and...don't you think it's time you vacated this room? You seem perfectly fine Professor. The doctors have told me you've been doing physical exercise in the room and-"
Kriss leaned in.
"I'm not staying here for the free food or convenient network connection...in fact, my devices are connected to my private home network...somewhere I don't want to risk going unless I'm 100% certain that all the loose ends have been cut."
Elma nodded her head.
"I see...you could always come back to my place."
Kriss gasped, bringing a hand to her chest.
"Why Colonel! How absolutely scandalous."
Elma rolled her eyes.
"There is no way you picked that up from Jaynix in such a short time…"
Kriss smiled.
"I simply couldn't resist."
"We both know you damn well could."
Kriss merely shrugged.
"As much as I enjoyed our time as roommates, the Lawless did grab me while I was there. I'd rather not tempt fate again, Colonel."
"Very well."
Elma leaned back in her seat.
"So...what did you figure out?"
Kriss gestured for Elma to come closer before angling her laptop slightly so Elma could see better. She pointed at schematics that Elma recognized.
"These are from the files I gave you, right? The weapons the Reapers confiscated and the ones we secured after the battle."
Elma watched Kriss smile.
"No. These are mine."
Elma raised an eyebrow, Kriss clearing her throat.
"More accurately. These are LAST. Just as I suspected...when Lao brought me to their base he showed me their operations line where several of their engineers and such were constructing their arms. I recognized them then but now after seeing their inner workings, I can say with absolute confidence...the Lawless were being aided by my technology."
Elma looked at the screens again as Kriss brought up a side to side of LAST's projects and the Lawless weaponry.
"Benton?"
"That seems likely...perhaps he sold off some of our work? The thing is...some of this stuff hadn't been officially completed such as the anti-Skell artillery. They were developed in the case of rogue agents acquiring Skell technology but it was so farfetched we simply left the design documents in place...we never fully realized it and yet from what I could gather on these reports, the weapons were completed, automated and successfully deployed."
Elma nodded.
"Eren and the other soldiers on the front lines that witnessed these things first hand gave us all the details. Including the heavy shields they had in place that only my own Ares could break through."
"Because your Ares is such an anomaly…"
Kriss and Elma exchanged a look before the Colonel asked.
"So it's not just Benton giving them the file or the information he stole from you."
"No. Someone with the knowhow and expertise finished these projects and led the design team. The Lawless had one of mine with them. A LAST engineer."
Elma narrowed her eyes.
"Any idea who?"
Kriss closed her laptop and shrugged.
"I wasn't really on a name by name basis with most of the people I worked with. I can reach out to my comrades but that would require me leaving the hospital."
"I can give you my protection."
Kriss smiled.
"My hero."
Elma sighed as Kriss placed her laptop aside.
"Unfortunately, they wouldn't want to risk making contact with a Coalition soldier. Especially after what happened with the Lawless decimating one of our facilities."
"They wouldn't even trust me?"
There was silence, Elma watching Kriss' face before nodding.
"Right. Trust isn't really something they do, is it?"
Kriss pulled her sheets off and stood up, after a few quick stretches she began retrieving her personal effects.
"I've been here too long as it is, I'm sure the hospital staff will be delighted to see me gone...I have to get to the bottom of this no matter what."
Standing, Elma took Kriss' laptop and held it out to her.
"Are you sure you should do this alone?"
"Worried, Colonel?"
"Of course. The Lawless took you from my home and I couldn't get you back, not alone anyway. We did succeed but at great cost to everyone. I-"
"You won't have to worry. If I get myself captured again, just go on with your lives. I thought we all agreed that I am not a good person, yes? No need to throw the lives of good people away for me."
Elma shook her head.
"You really don't get it do you?"
There was a pause as Kriss took her laptop back. Adjusting her glasses she faced Elma and smiled.
"If anything goes wrong, regardless of anything I've said...I'm certain you'll be there."
Elma nodded, Kriss chuckling as she approached the door.
"Perhaps having a friend isn't so bad after all."
Stepping outside, Kriss came to a brief halt before looking to Elma once more.
"Lyla. Irina. Kumon. Jaynix. Give them my thanks, I really am grateful for what they did. Truly."
With that, she was gone.
Elma pulled out her datapad, seeing immediately that she had many missed calls and alerts from Nagi, Kumon, Lyla and Flame. Without opening any of them she knew what that meant and began running, nearly colliding with Christoph who was headed her way to tell her the exact same news.
Jaynix was awake.
"I thank you once more for getting me out of there. It was quite a situation…"
Steven shrugged.
"I merely figured that I could use you...the time for that is near."
The Archer continued to examine his gear.
"What could force a man of your caliber to do this?"
Drawing his arrows, Steven looked at each one, a smirk on his face.
"What indeed...these days it seems like the only thing that fuels people is the need for revenge. The Lawless. The message they wanted to send? Vengeance for some unjust act committed on them by the government or what have you. I didn't really care."
"Why not?"
"The Lawless were traitors. They lost the moral high ground when they orchestrated that massacre twelve years ago...it's almost been thirteen now and…"
Steven trailed off, moving one of his hands to his side.
"...things never change."
"Is that what you want? Change?"
Turning to the man behind him, Steven shook his head.
"There is no sense in that...I merely seek to correct a mistake and protect the people that I care about."
"And this will do that?"
"It will...no one will see it as that. It's a thankless effort. I'll be hated till my dying day if I don't die in the attempt but for the security of their lives going forward. It has to be done."
The other man crossed his arms.
"You say all that as if this won't cause deaths in the crossfire. You may have one target but your plan…"
Steven shook his head.
"I have to devote myself to this task completely. It must be done."
"Do you believe you are still sane?"
Steven approached the window, looking out of his apartment to the streets of Noah's Cradle and to the perimeter wall that protected them from those he spent the better part of his life hunting and killing.
"I don't know if I ever had my sanity...at least not after what I've witnessed...my plan makes no sense I'll be the first to admit. It's a pill that is very hard to swallow...but they'll accept it and above all...they'll live."
"Allow me to get started."
Steven merely nodded, the man excusing himself and leaving the home. Closing his eyes, Steven thought his plan through again. The means didn't matter, if he could get them alone, the deed would be done and he could rest easy.
Elma slowed her approach, taking a deep breath as she neared the door. Three months. It felt like so much longer. Nodding to herself she opened the door and stepped into the room.
Lyla, Flame, Kumon and Nagi all stood to greet her. Elma's gaze locked onto Jaynix, the one eyed woman offering a small smirk.
Approaching her, Elma found herself unsure of what to say. All this time waiting for Jaynix to wake and now that she finally had, she couldn't put together words and form a sentence to save her life.
Jaynix reached out first.
Elma took her hand into her own.
"Hey Elma...I don't look that bad do I?"
Shaking her head, Elma lowered herself and embraced the other woman. She wasn't sure how much time passed before she pulled herself away from Jaynix, but she wished she didn't have to.
"How are you feeling?"
"Like shit...lying in bed for three months will do that to you I guess. I want to get right to training up again but…"
Jaynix trailed off, Elma looking to Lyla and Flame.
"What happened? Can she not walk?"
Lyla pulled Jaynix's covers off so Elma could see her feet.
"Jaynix."
The woman nodded and looked down to her feet as they began to move. Elma felt some relief but could also see Jaynix straining herself.
"What's wrong?"
Taking a deep breath, Jaynix stopped moving her right leg.
"It's hard to describe…"
Jaynix held her hand out.
"When I want to ball my hand into a fist, it happens. I do it. But when I want to move my leg...I…"
Jaynix stared at her leg for a few moments before moving it.
"...that happens...it's like...my lower body is being delayed. I don't know how else to say it...lag?"
Elma recalled Lao's strike to Jaynix's back followed by him stepping on her. She felt angry all over again.
"...it's not too bad I just...have to learn how to walk. It's been about thirty years or so since I first learned but hey, I can do it again, right?"
Flame nodded.
"You'll somehow walk better than you used to."
"Here's hoping…"
Jaynix struggled with her next words as Lyla placed a hand on your shoulder.
"You'll be dancing again soon enough, dear. Nothing will keep you from doing the things you love."
With a smile, Jaynix looked to Lyla.
"Thank you…"
There was a long silence before Jaynix fixed her gaze on Elma.
"Nagi and Kumon told me about...an investigation…"
Elma sighed.
"There's nothing I could do to stop it. I tried everything."
Jaynix nodded.
"I see...when will they be here?"
Elma shook her head.
"No way to know, we've done our utmost to keep your condition from them. They won't know you're awake until we tell them. The security detail was picked by Michael Christoph himself and I know I can trust him with anything. When you feel up to it, we'll let the investigators know and not a moment sooner."
Nagi nodded.
"Ivan Birtwhistle and his team can be quite the handful but we've grown used to fending them off. You'll be fine, Corporal."
Jaynix allowed herself to smile as she let out a long breath.
"Thank you. All of you…I'm pretty worn out to be honest. Odd that I spent three months in bed and can't be bothered to stand."
Lyla shook her head.
"Take all the time you need. When you're ready. We'll be there."
Nagi cleared his throat.
"Until then, we have to give the investigators something. So I propose we all go to them together and give them the...interviews they've been waiting for. That should keep them satisfied until Jaynix can speak for herself."
The group all exchanged nods. Nagi departed first, seeing Christoph return to his post he began filling him in on the plan.
Kumon looked to Jaynix, gaze softening as her eye met his.
"I'm so glad that you're awake. Jaynix."
"...I know, sir…"
With a nod he left, Elma watched him go before approaching Jaynix and taking hold of one of her hands.
"I had hoped after what happened at the complex, we'd stop seeing each other like this."
Jaynix chuckled.
"With any luck this is the last time."
Elma gently placed Jaynix's hand back down on the bed and bid her farewell, stepping outside Elma pulled out her datapad and made calls to Irina, Gwin and Kruse. Best to leave someone here to keep Jaynix company.
The Corporal looked to the last two women in her room: Lyla and Flame.
Stepping closer, Lyla asked.
"Do you need me to bring you anything?"
Jaynix smiled at her wife.
"No...just that smile."
Lyla leaned in and kissed her lips, soft and warm before whispering.
"I love you."
"I love you too…"
Jaynix watched Lyla leave before looking to Flame.
"...I must've lost a lot of cool points lying in bed right this long...and right in front of you, eh?"
"Never."
Jaynix held her hand out, waiting as Flame took hold of it.
"Do you remember...running around in a park with me?"
"...we did that a lot, JayJay."
Jaynix nodded.
"We did...but...this time, the General and Nagi were there to speak with mom and dad...and so was someone else."
Jaynix watched as confusion entered Flame's eyes.
"Someone else?"
"You don't remember?"
Flame shook her head.
"I must've been too young...who was it?"
Jaynix thought back to her dream.
"I don't know. Whoever they were, they were covered up. A heavy coat, hood, gloves. I could barely make out their eyes…"
"What brought this on, JayJay?"
Taking a deep breath, Jaynix squeezed Flame's hand.
"Sometimes I think...mom and dad...would've loved to be able to say something to us before…"
Flame remained silent.
"I wasn't there when dad died...and you weren't there for mom but...you have to know how much she loved you. How proud she was of everything you've ever done."
Jaynix shook her head.
"I'm sure she regrets not being able to tell you this before she had to go…"
"JayJay...what are you...saying?"
Jaynix smiled, sadly.
"I don't know...but some part of me thinks that...she wanted me to tell you this. She loved you with everything she had, Flame."
The younger woman allowed herself to accept that. Jaynix would never lie to her about something like this. Ever.
"I know she did...thank you, JayJay."
"Anything for you…"
At the edge of Noah's Cradle, Kriss stood. She looked up and down the perimeter wall. No doubt the guards and stations were all still on lockdown. No one wanted to take any chances, though as far as Kriss was concerned, the worst was over with.
Pulling out her datapad she began entering the appropriate information before hearing a click. Smiling she approached it and found one of the escape hatches. These were designed by LAST early on, one of their many emergency plans in case their facilities were raided. This one led from one of their sites right back into Noah's Cradle. While a lot of those who operated in LAST didn't trust the government they all recognized that in an emergency, being behind the walls was the better alternative.
It wasn't really intended to be used to go back out into the Lawless Sectors but things changed.
"Professor."
Looking up she spotted the LAST contact she had asked to meet with her.
"Did you get a look at those files I sent ahead?"
"I did...no doubt it was one of us."
"Any information you could share with me I may not have? Maybe it's someone you know?"
The man shook his head.
"I'm afraid not...I know some engineers like to imprint their little signatures into their work but nothing about this seemed...extraneous. It's just the work of someone doing their best."
Kriss shrugged.
"I expected as much."
"Professor...there is something I must tell you."
The man glanced around, nervous.
"I tried to reach out to a few more contacts...just in case...and I couldn't find anyone."
Kriss raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"I went to several of our safehouses. I know that's a break in protocol but they were eerily radio silent. The safehouses were empty."
Kriss crossed her arms.
"We did lose a facility's worth of us due to the Lawless raid. It could be the ones that they were assigned to."
"That's what I thought...then I started rifling through their kitchens, their trash...people were in those safehouses. Not anymore. The all clear has yet to be given so they should've remained in place."
Kriss narrowed her eyes.
"You think they just up and left?"
"Or they were taken."
Kriss shook her head.
"Benton is gone...off to some other megacity to hide. But Lao did mention others...it's possible this isn't quite over yet. Thank you. Stay hidden...I have a LAST engineer to track down and answers to uncover."
"Are you sure you should be doing this alone?"
Kriss smirked.
"I'm not too worried."
The woman lowered herself into the hatch, instructing the man to close it up behind her.
"Why so confident, Professor?"
She watched him for a few moments.
"Because...I have a guardian angel."
Elma stood next to her Ares, the information President Reeve got for her in regards to Benton's location was all that was on her mind after wrapping up their conjoined sessions with Birtwhistle's investigative team.
With all of that settled, this was the only other loose end she needed to cut.
Placing the datapad away she got into her Ares, the destination was set to D-030 QueegQueeg. Once she got there and found Benton, she'd get her answers.
"And then…"
Elma thought about the final confrontation with Lao and how in that brief moment of hesitation, Jaynix seized the opportunity and killed the man.
Elma knew it was necessary, the harm he brought to Project Exodus was exactly why she was so determined to do it and yet, Jaynix took the initiative.
"I can't let anyone jeopardize the Exodus...ever."
The Ares shot off into the sky, heading farther north than ever before.
Elma knew that once she found Benton and got the answers she needed, this would only end in one way. This time, Jaynix wouldn't be there.
The trigger was hers to pull.
