Chapter 26

She's been trying.

For the past few weeks, Alley has been doing her best to contact Boros to see how things were. But so far, all of her calls have gone unanswered. She sighed to it all. She wanted to tell him he was going to be a big brother. Also she needed to know his progress on various project. In fact, one required him to borrow her best droid. She transported him Bofoi and has yet to get the droid back from him.

Since then, all of her calls were missed or never picked up. "I wonder what he is doing…" she thought.

Genus snickered. "You are just like a worried mother. Then again. I feel the same way. I wish to know how my son Gene is doing." Genus explained. "I wanted to let him know about his sister and brother. Perhaps they are too far to reach communication?"

"I don't know. I mean, we have kept in contact this long. There have been no fuzzy signals to say the least. But I also need to respect that he has things to do as well. I mean, he is trying to repair the damage his predecessor did. I can only imagine what scale that would be…"

Genus nodded in agreement. "Sometimes our children grow up faster than we like them to, or anticipate."

She nodded in agreement. "I just wanted to warn him if something happens…"

"Alley," Genus said gently. She looked to him, but he appeared worried. "What has you so concerned? You have spoken in riddles recently, you are doom and gloom and yet you want to be prepared for something that hasn't happened, and yet, has you so worried."

She sighed aloud. There was no point in tiptoeing around this. "Genus, I've been on the dark web lately, and have been learning that there is a plan to take down my family. Resources are being exchanged, information shared about the family and they intend on sending it to Mr. Ubet. Who is a part of all of this. From what I read, they are making a weapon to use against us."

Genus froze. "Are you certain?"

She nodded. "Military grade weaponry is being used for this, I have informed Lt. Cane of it all, he is also aware of this exchange of goods, right now they are tracking them to see where they go. However, the scale of it all… it's like they are getting ready to go to war against us."

He was silent. Alley knew this information wouldn't sit well with him. "How come you haven't tracked it!?" he demanded.

"I have, but they also are aware that I am. They have bits of everything scattered about the super continent, and are awaiting farther instruction. The materials in question are some I am not familiar with. But if I were to guess. These are mere ingredients for the grand finally. Whoever is coordinating this is doing a damn good job. As well, a lot of these things are dummy materials. They have part in the final plan, it's merely to throw us off."

"That's what has you worried. You know something is coming, but can't quite grasp the severity of it with improper material assessments…" Genus whispered.

She nodded. "There are a few items I am familiar with since they came from the Dark matter ship Metal Knight possessed. I know he sent some of the ship to friends of his, perhaps this is the one friend who is taking advantage of the situation at hand, and is out to get us… I think this person knows what became of Metal Knight."

Genus suddenly froze once more, he took a seat as he looked to Alley. "Garou?" he asked.

She nodded. "He didn't tell us until Hunter mentioned about going after him for what he did to the three of us. Dad said don't bother, Hunter protested until Dad confessed that he took care of it already."

Genus nodded. "I have seen how serious your father can be first hand, especially with the clone that tried to experiment on your brothers… but ended up turning the three martial artists instead."

"Dad can be terrifying."

"I would never want to see your mother angry either…"

"You and me both!" Alley snickered. "Dad doesn't even dare to piss her off!"

She smiled for a moment, but became serious once again. "Genus, I don't know what's coming, and I don't know if I am ready to face it yet. But…"

Suddenly a knock came to the lab door. "Come in!"

Zombieman came into the room.

"66?"

He nodded as he turned to Alley. "I thought over your offer… I wish to accept it." He said.

Alley was stunned, so was Genus. "I know this is a lot of ask of you…" she said.

Zombieman nodded his head. "It is, but I understand too. I spoke with Child… Emp… Emp put things in perspective, and he said he would help me if I ask for it. So, with that in mind. I will accept your offer, if something happens to you or the family… I'll step up."

"I have to ask, Alley if something were to happen to you, who in the family takes over?" questioned Genus.

"I got that figured out. I even spoke of it with the family at one point or another. If something happens to me, it will be jointly run by Snek, Yuki and you Genus. The three of you balance each other out. If something happens to you, then it's Pac, Goliath, Draven and Sitch."

"You are scary you do know that? You try to prepare for everything!" Zombieman said offhandedly.

She smiled and nodded. "It's the one way to keep the family safe." Her smile then began to tremble a little. Her lip quivered as her eyes began to water.

"Alley?"

"It… it sucks I have to prepare for something like this!" she protested. "No matter what my family does, it's not enough… it's NEVER enough to show the world that we're people too!"

She collapsed into a chair and cried. Genus froze as Zombieman appeared stuck on what to say.

"It never will be enough for those who don't look beyond your appearance."

The room froze as Amai slinked in.

"How the hell did you get here with that in your gut?" Zombieman demanded.

Amai looked rather heavy still from his last meal, yet he shrugged his shoulders to it all. "I needed the exercise anyways." But he turned back to Alley. "I think you and I need to have a talk,"

"I don't think I am in the mood for a pep talk right now…"

"Very well then, we will have it here and now" he decreed.

"Same as ever," Zombieman muttered.

Amai smirked but turned back to Alley. "You need to understand, what I said is true, just look at me. I got a chance to start again as a hero, when the world somehow forgot what I became… at the same time, so did I. I don't remember how I turned back either. But let's forget that for the moment. Alley, from what I can tell. My career is over. I will no longer do concerts or movies if this Chet person gets into office. I am in the exact same boat as you are, despite all the good I have done, and the efforts I have put in, it won't be enough for the people to look beyond my true form. They are quite complacent with the comfortable lie than the horrible truth, frankly, so was I for that time."

"Amai…"

"Let me finish please." He said gently. "You of all people know where I stood when it came to your family. I didn't want Melee anywhere near Garou. I didn't believe he could be a hero. I am glad to be proven wrong on that. The fact remains is this, those who wish to see the side you are trying to show them, will see it without a shadow of doubt. But those who don't care for you and your family… will never see you beyond your appearance. You could save their lives a thousand times, but it won't be enough." He slinked a little closer to her, taking hold of her hand and said. "Your life has not been easy, I know since I was part of it making it an utter hell for you and your family. I am sorry I did such a thing."

"I still don't believe this bullshit," muttered Zombieman. "Not everyone forgives and forgets so easily Mask. Know that."

He nodded in understanding. "I have wronged you as well. I know when we were about to go after the Monster's association… I accused you of being a monster." Amai said and then forced a small laugh. "Forcing the focus on you, while hiding my own self doubts and truth… I am truly sorry for my actions. You are more human than me,"

With that, he slinked out.

Genus appeared confused and yet at the same time, utterly amazed. "Is that really Amai Mask?"

Alley nodded. "Ever since he ate that clone of mom, he has been able to control himself and his image on a whim with ease. When he lost his 'idol' look the first time, he told Saitama of all people that he couldn't control himself. The monster urges were getting to him. Whatever happened that made the world forget, must have rest something in him too. But he still struggled with it…"

"I still don't believe him," Zombieman muttered. "He changes like a flick of a switch"

Alley nodded. "But there is truth to his words. Titan even said so."

"Titan? Your momma's boy of a little brother?"

Alley smirked. "Yes, and I would be careful around him. Despite him being a momma's boy… we think he's the strongest out of his siblings, even more so than Tempest."

He paused, a look of shock came over Zombieman as he turned to Genus who nodded in agreement. "Apparently the young man is doing a training regiment no one knows of. You are aware as to how strong this metal is that made the Association correct? Titan can dent it,"

"Shit," Zombieman muttered. "Okay, don't piss off that kid…"

"Anyway… I got my head clear, let's keep making preparations." Alley announced.

Genus nodded his head in agreement, however, he appeared reluctant to be doing so.