Chapter 36
The remainder of the trip was somber, futility fallen about the cabin like a murky cloud. Since the disconnection of their communications, no sentiment could be voice, and no preparation could be had. Bakugou spent the better part of his hours propped against the co-piolets seat, while Mei glued her eyes to the starboard interface, praying that the actions of her peers would not apply to her. A complete role reversal had been exchanged between Izuku and Mellissa, where Mellissa, in her injured state, comforted Izuku as best she could.
Three days had passed, and the flight back to Bunker 51 -890 was passing by faster than they had hoped, knowing the looming hazard that lie ahead. Amid those three days, Izuku divulged his entire journey to Mellissa. Commencing with the establishment of his family's new GAUNT system, to the odyssey he had partook in once in Aspeu. He concluded with the trials he had experienced in the mine. In times of great loneliness, before the Coal Drift operation came to pass, he felt the degrading urge to vocalize his issues to the mere recording of Mellissa, found in AC's mainframe. He considered the opportunity to divulge his contemplations to her in person, as somewhat of a gift. They know sat aboard the blimp, as dusk fell upon the vast expanse of land they soared over.
"So, you still have no idea where your grandfather and sister are being held," Mellissa said, sat next to Izuku. She had made great progress regarding her injuries, regaining the ability to hobble about and use her full vocal range.
"No clue whatsoever," Izuku begun. "Shoto's assured me he has scouts wandering around looking for her, chasing leads when they can, though nothings come up. And the way things are coming up, it seems as if she's the one that's going to have to start pursuing my tacks. Leading all the way down to a dreary cell in some remote location in eastern Aspeu," he terminated with a sigh.
"Hey, stop with that," Mellissa supported, placing a warm hand of comfort upon the small of his back. "UA has taken me in since I was five, I have some leeway there. Once you tell your side of the story, and I back it up, I'm sure they'll see the error in their ways." His spirits were slightly lifted.
"So, you believe me?" he asked, in a shuddering voice that almost failed him.
"Izuku, from what I've gathered, I don't think you have an immoral bone in your body. It's why you joined UA in the first place," she dwelt for a second longer, "and why you were so easily duped by Tenya's cousins. Sorry to say," she confessed, timidly grinning.
"No, you're right. I should have been more cautious," he began. "And because of my carelessness, the whole of UA is in jeopardy." She wished to contradict his statement, for the sake of his emotions. Though, she could not bring herself to lie, knowing full well he spoke the harsh truth.
"I'm so sorry," she declared, with a head hung low.
"Sorry? What do you have to be sorry about?" he asked quizzically.
"I'm sorry for sending you that Godforsaken orb. For orchestrating the separation of you and your family, and for putting you through all this hardship." She terminated her apology staring wretchedly at the blimps, pewter floorboards. A sheepish grin came to manifest on Izuku's visage, granting an irrational look.
"What's so amusing?" she questioned, appearing more fretful than before.
"It's funny really. I don't think I would have wanted a different outcome." She propped an eyebrow up in the name of disbelief.
"Of course, the distance between my family and I has been the toughest challenge I've had to face. But on the other hand, I've witnessed what I would have become if not for AC. Before coming to this country, Tenya claimed that Aspeu was a completely fair meritocracy, where IQ and effort granted the merit you deserved. I've come to realize that's not the case. I've seen the ladder rungs, and I've seen the expanse from one rung to another. There is no room for advancement, and all citizens of Aspeu are fitted neatly in their little pocket of the world, with a wage gap larger than the Davida Ravine." Mellissa kept her eyes on Izuku, transfixed and heeding every syllable.
"That, coupled with the oppressive militias and polarizing mindset of the people, make me want to amend the state of things, rather than just stand on the sidelines." She prepared a coy smile, looking down upon her bandaged feet, then gazing up once more.
"I agree. In some ways, I'm glad to have been part of UA for as long as I have." A moment of fleeting tranquility subsided, with the two allies merely enjoying each other's silent company.
"Izuku, Mellissa," Mei requested from the head of the gondola, "get over here." With trepidations brought about by the forlorn register, Mellissa secured a bracing arm around Izuku as he directed the two to the front of the cabin.
"It's worse than we thought," Bakugou added, with a parallel inflection. Once Izuku had reached the head, he peered down the central window. It was just as Shoto had foretold.
Sluggish, but daunting warships could be spotted from below the blanket of clouds they so cunningly hid among. Gargantuan STEHB's tore down expanses of oak trees as they staggered along. Resembling a legless man, the behemoths used their colossal arms to slog their cumbersome torso across the tormented forest. Flora and verdure were boosted from the forest base, shred to tatters by the league sized fans located at the torso of each STEHB. If squinting, one could almost see the divisions of foot soldiers that segmented the woodlands. Izuku grit his teeth, as a searing wave of crossness welled up from within his abdomen.
"Mei is there any way we can make this bucket of bolts go faster? The sooner we get to the bunker, the sooner we can prepare and state our case." His abundant urgency did very little to move Mei.
"Izuku, the forces bellow are slow. This blimp was built for speed, not scuffle. We'll get there by tomorrow morning, while they'll be on us in about a week and a half's time. It may be enough time to evacuate everybody, harbor them in another one of UA's bunkers." She proposed the idea as a last resort. All were aware that a great majority of assets would be lost if an evacuation were to take place. In addition, an emigration of that magnitude would be extremely difficult to execute, leaving hundreds behind. A moment was exhausted for Izuku to gather his thoughts
"You don't think there's a chance we could stand our ground, given the men and the resources we have," Izuku asked, expecting an evident response.
"No, I don't think so," Mei answered. "It would take a miracle, and even then…" The cabin members hung their heads low, bearing witness to the preordained force that's come to end them in the coming days.
The remainder of their time in the blimp was spent in silence, closing the lids of their restless eyes, mentally preparing themselves for the trials to come. Bakugou sat motionless atop his leather thrown, adjacent Mei, an optimistic force that wished only for the best. Mellissa laid upon the makeshift mattress that Izuku had forged, while he himself leaned dolefully against the hull of the ship. Within the confines of his mind Izuku endeavored to formulate an explanation for way events transpired. He must appear venerable but firm, allowing no detail to escape. He a great remainder of the night in this contemplative state, ushering wave after wave of argumentative form until his brain short-circuited, and fell into a restless slumber.
He awoke once more at the crack of dawn, churned awake by an abrupt nudge to the femur. He found himself sat upright against the hull of the blimp, his glossy eyes discerning the current scenery. He found the source of his awakening, curled in fetal position with beads of sweat washing over her brow. She stammered as she slumbered, murmuring pleas of aid with a troubled wince. Her forearms shook pugnaciously, her breathing was erratic.
"Mellissa, Mellissa are you ok? It's alright, you're here with us now," Izuku muttered, placing a tentative arm on her forearm. The moment he made contact, she stirred awake with a ferocity, her eyes like saucers and her mouth a gap. A beat of silence passed before the lass began to sob, clearly abashed regarding the entire ordeal.
"Hey, it's ok, you're going to be fine," Izuku continued to console, gifting her with an embrace that had been immediately reciprocated. They had been airborne together for a mere three days, though in that time, they had professed his entire past, as did she. When imprisoned in a metal hole for days on end, seldom are there alternatives to ordinary conversation.
"What's wrong, we're almost there, we'll be touching down within the hour," Izuku illuminated.
"Nothing I'm fine, sorry," she sobbed, showering Izuku's shoulder with a salty vapor. It's just nightmares, captivity, a guy that called himself Stain." She undoubtedly grappled with man's alias as it escaped her lips. A repugnant taste formulated on the roof of his mouth as his worry lines manifested in a scowl.
"Don't worry Mellissa, justice will be served, you have to have faith," he consoled while smoothly rubbing the small of her back. "We just have to find a way to explain the situation to UA, then we'll have this all sorted out." They remained in that compromising position until touchdown, landing gently on a grass turf, sheltered by the bulky expanse of trees and shrubbery.
The gondola unsealed, while the drawbridge groaned as it released into the murky soil bellow. Pending their arrival stood Shoto, Naezono, David, and Asuy. Give or take a dozen footman accompanied them, baring arms and standing guard. Unsure of how to proceed the four aeronauts raised their hands in armistice, with Mellissa struggling a great deal to raise her left arm skywards given the injuries she sustained. While David swiftly strode to Mellissa's side to aid her dismemberment, two faceless grunts came behind both Izuku and Bakugou, binding their hands with zip ties. They were led down the ramp to face those they had allied with for the better part of two months, awaiting trial.
A clear deviation in outlook could be registered. Concern was all that Asuy could muster, while Naezono held her scowl vehemently. David appeared torn, swamped with both relief and fury, while Shoto maintained his composure. A man approached Izuku from the rear tearing into his knapsack, retrieving what he could only assume was AC, with a violent jerking motion. The same man positioned a somewhat familiar burlap sack onto his head, blinding him instantly. The final verse Izuku's ears picked up was Mellissa's voice, pleading his captors to halt, before he was cracked over the skull with something firm, and unforgiving.
An indeterminate amount of time had passed before Izuku regained consciousness. The crude taste of copper danced about his pallet. The side of his head felt like a church bell, that had clapped at midday. Dried gore had run down his crown and over his eye, sprinkled at the lashes, blinding him severely. The hindrance to his vision proved more annoying than it did painful. A throbbing ache did register amongst his central ribcage. He presumed the act of someone kicking him for good measure had occurred while he was incapacitated. His hands we're suspended on both sides by linked shackles, as he knelt in captivity.
The situation that had presented itself to him was cruel and unkind. Though, for the sake of his own sanity, he told himself it could be far worse. If Mellissa had not been liberated, that would have been one less credible source to argue for his case. Against all odds, he fended of Moonfish, fleeing from a hopeless situation. A lasting prospect also presented itself, knowing UA could escape the clutches of the military, allowing the resistance to live on in those that survived. These were the snippets of positivity that permitted Izuku to endure, a trait he thanked his grandfather for.
He probed about his cell, critical of his surroundings. The vault he found himself in resembled a stone cave, with a singular iron door fastened awkwardly facing him. The room bore no illumination, with the only source of light escaping from the slits between the window of the iron door.
AC's presence, which he had grown so accustomed to, had departed and left him deserted. He entrusted both Mei and Mellissa with his safety and security, which abated his worry substantially. All that revolved through his cognizance were the wellbeing and security of his fellow inmates, and how they were acclimating to their custodial life.
A superfluous amount of time ensued, with Izuku being subjugated to both solitude and boredom, before the entrance to his cell finally cracked open. Oddly enough, the soul he had most yearned to be with, approached through the drab wall like Venus on a starless night. The black tube top and camo pants failed to obscure the drapes of gauss that he himself had swathed her in. She carried a med kit and hobbled strenuously towards his bound form.
"It's nice to see you again," he claimed, apprehensive of what words he ought to input in which order.
"How about you give me a chance to take care of you, sounds good?" He nodded violently and inaudibly as she fished about the kit and proceeded to address the wound to his brow. She knelt on her knees to reach his lower eye level. Her hands were cold and the bandages that enveloped her palms chaffed his face faintly. He did not mind in the slightest.
"I'm sure David's happy to see you again, that must have been nice?" he claimed, flustering to make some resemblance of small talk, avoiding the weighty conditions at hand.
"I mean yeah it was nice, we had a bit of an argument though," she confessed, unremittingly dabbing his brow with cloth.
"Really, about what? Not trying to pry or anything," he stammered.
"You're not prying, it's about you actually. After what happened with the transmitter, he doesn't seem to trust you or, like you very much at all. I on the other hand think you're not all that bad," she admitted mockingly, instigating a mild arrythmia.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that."
"Don't be, you've spent two months with my father, I'm sure you know how difficult he can be." Dubious of how to answer, he proceeded to the chief concern.
"So, what's my fate in all of this?" he questioned, pending an upsetting response.
"You know Shoto and the higher ups, their all stubborn as hell. Just give them time to mull it over. They'll realize that they're not only wrong, but that they'll need you and that floating little miracle of yours if we're all going to make it out of here in one piece." He shot his head up alarmed at the unexpected bulletin he had just received.
"So, your telling me that they're not evacuating the bunker?" he yelped.
"No, I'm afraid they're not. The nearest outpost is all the way in Tanamál, and we don't have the provisions or transport to make that journey. You should see them up there, scrambling about, preparing for an all-out siege. They're going to try and cut them off before they reach the bunker, using the home turf to our advantage." She advanced, gingerly wiping the gore and muck from his eye.
"Mellissa, home turf or not, we both know that's not going to work," he said disheartened. "Both you and I saw from the blimp what's coming, we don't stand a chance in hell of taking them on."
"Hey, don't be so glum. I've got some good news as well."
"Do you mind sharing? I could use some good news." he asked.
"Apparently some unexpected allies have come from Mastazane, and even Egrary. Your familiar with the Shiketsu faction, right?"
"Yeah, Tenya told me a little bit about them, even before we reached Aspeu. I thought the different factions didn't play well together?"
"Well normally you'd be right, but desperate times call for desperate measures." After she had delivered the news and patched the injury, she proceeded to neatly pack the med kit away. She then folded her hands charmingly on her lap, savoring the remainder of their time.
"I'll try to see what I can do for you upstairs; try to use what little authority I have to bust you out of here."
"Thanks. And thanks for the visit, it means a lot," he said, finding it problematic to gape down her piercing blue eyes.
"And thank you, for everything." She wrapped her non-incapacitated arm around his neck in a quaint embrace. One he sadly could not reciprocate given his cuffed wrists bound skywards. With her chin rested neatly on his shoulder, all earthly problems pertaining to Izuku vanished, if only for a moment.
Regretfully she pulled away, snatching her belongings and proceeded towards the door, leaving Izuku in the dark chasm he had grown to distain. He maintained his composure, unsure of when or if he would receive another visit in the near future. Knowing now that UA was unable to flee, he jogged his mind, formulating stratagem upon stratagem, procuring a route that would lead to a possible triumph. However, all the variables were not in place. He was unaware of the numbers of men UA, and Shiketsu both possessed, and what maneuvers they thought to put into play. This vexed Izuku, this was tantamount to repairing a steam mobile with absent apparatus and blueprints.
His train of thought was terminated once his cell door split open, roughly half an hour after his former visit. Shoto, David, and Asuy burst into his cell, approaching a foot apart from his squatted form. Their expressions and mannerisms had not altered in the slightest.
"So, which one of you kicked me in the ribs?" Izuku asked.
"That would be Naezono," Shoto replied.
"Yeah, wouldn't suspect anything less."
"The charges against you and your friends are very severe Izuku, do not take this lightly, Ribbit" Asuy enforced, like a scolding parent.
"I am not," he responded, unconfident in arguing his case.
"We'll hold a formal trial for you and your little accomplices and decide what we'll do with you duds in the future," David scoffed. "Though we're bringing you up now, catching you up to speed. Not because of mercy or compassion mind you, but because we need men, more than we need you in chains." It appeared to Izuku that liberating Mellissa did very little to gain the favor of David Shield.
"Shoto, what exactly is David talking about," Izuku questioned with cocked eyebrow, visibly perplexed.
"You'll see, just come with us, and don't move unless you're told." From his blazer pocket, Shoto retrieved a set of keys and proceeded to uncuff Izuku from the shackles that bound him. The alleviating freedom in his arms was short lived, as his wrists were bound to each other once more. He expected nothing less and was merely glad to be hauled off, as aggressively as it was, from his chilling cell.
David secured an iron clad grasp on Izuku neck and proceeded out the chamber, down a grimy hallway, towards a rickety elevator. A lever was then drawn, as the compartment jerked into motion, rising skyward. The rusty hull and wobbly movements provided very little comfort to Izuku's already strenuous situation. After a brief interval had passed, he once again found himself amongst the company of others.
They emptied out to a boardroom of sorts, with a long rustic table placed neatly at the center. Many individuals came to congregate, some bore the trademark tattoo of a cog plastered on the nape of the neck, while others dawned leather gauntlets marked with chrome insignia. At that point Izuku presumed this to be the council room. To his right, he witnessed Tenya, Denki and Bakugou, seemingly unharmed, though bound and gagged with constricting binds. To his left, he was met with roughly two dozen men all baring muskets and rackety pistols; draped in black combat attire. At the opposite end of the table dawned a face that had taken a found estate in his mind, a face that at that moment estranged all other men and women.
"Hi Izuku," Shanta whispered shakily, as tears began to well from the seams.
