Year : 771
A little more than 3 years after the Cell Game
Ruri was used to crossing paths with poachers. For years now she had been on numerous missions to assist in natural parks, and protecting animals from this kind of threat was quite common for her. It was a tough fight, and usually on equal terms. Rangers and poachers, using the same vehicles, the same weapons, the same methods to erase or follow the tracks. And the rangers did not always win. So the young woman had several times seen poachers manage to escape with their "plunder", even if fortunately it was not often.
But this time it was completely different. To be accompanied by a man who could fly, move with an incredible speed and could stop a rifle bullet with his bare hands, it was no longer an equal battle. Thinking about it, Ruri started to laugh.
- What are you laughing about?" 17 asked her immediately.
- I was actually thinking that I was a bit of a fraud.
- What do you mean by that?
- Well, let's just say that going out to look for poachers with you is a bit like... I don't know ... playing poker but with a royal flush in my hands. You know what I mean?
- ... what is "poker"?
- Haha I knew it. I'll explain it to you. Basically, I feel like I cheat a little bit. A lot, actually. I almost feel sorry for the poor guys. Against you, they don't stand a chance!
- Indeed.
- And you are modest too, you are full of qualities haha!
17 didn't answer, but he was somehow "relieved" to see Ruri so cheerful again. Nevertheless, he didn't want to let himself be too distracted and thus let the poachers escape from him. He had promised to find them. So this time he flew at a much higher speed than usual to cover as much area as possible in a minimum of time.
As he had no energy sensor, he could not feel the presence of humans, but he could use the camera in his eyes.
So he had no trouble tracking down the 5 vehicles and their occupants. From the sky, he saw them, stopped, and arranged in a circle. The poachers had gotten out of their cars.
- Great, those jerks are taking a break!" exclaimed Ruri once they were close enough for her to see them as well.
- Yes, they are. I'll take care of them.
- What do you mean by "I'll take care of them?"
- I'm not going to kill them if that's what you're worried about. Just knock them out.
- Can we just test something first?
- Test what?
- Look, I know you're dosing your strength, but I'm against violence. So we should try the soft way first.
- The what?
- Let me talk to them. I'm sure I can convince them to surrender.
17 stopped short.
- ... Are you serious ?
- Absolutely.
- No.
- Yes.
- No.
- You can be so stubborn! And I would like to point out that we agreed before leaving: we decide together.
- ...
- Great, here comes the big silent one again.
- ... I am mostly ... skeptical.
- So here's the deal. Rule #5: Generally speaking, I take the soft way out, you leave it to me, you don't interfere...
- But...
- and if the easy way fails, then we go for the hard way, and there, you're the boss. I don't say anything more, you decide. Deal?
- ... deal.
- Great! So please, just sit close. We'll go talk to them.
After sitting down as Ruri had asked, and although he was more than doubtful about her chances of success, 17 agreed to stay back. While the young woman moved with a firm and decided step towards the poachers, he remained behind her.
However, as soon as they reached the group of humans, they took out rifles, pistols and weapons of all kinds and pointed them in their direction.
"So, rangers, are we being hunted?
The one who had just said this was a tall man with a shaved head. He was dressed in a khaki green jumpsuit, wore tall brown boots and was proudly chewing on a huge cigar. 17 found him particularly ridiculous with his air that he must have thought was threatening, while he was aiming at Ruri with a huge gun.
But as she stopped moving forward, the man suddenly changed his attitude. A big silly smile appeared on his face, and he immediately lowered his weapon.
- Hey, but you're a cute chick! Excuse me baby doll, I tought you were a ranger! Sorry my dear, I must have scared you! Come on guys, put down your guns you'll scare the lady and her ... oh too bad, he resumed as soon as he saw 17, hey guys, she's not free hahaha! The lovers on a walk have lost their way!
17 had promised not to intervene, but now he had a furious desire to crush the skull of this human. With a gesture however, Ruri made him understand that he had to keep his promise, and while remaining at a good distance, she answered:
- I am not a ranger, I am a zoologist. And you, you have nothing to do here. So you're going to put down your weapons and come with us to the ranger camp. If you have not killed any animals, I promise that they will let you all go without calling the police.
After a few seconds of astonishment, the whole group of poachers burst out laughing. The one who was supposed to be their leader only managed to catch his breath after several minutes.
- Hahahahaha ok sweety, I admit you made me laugh. Zoologist, huh? Then listen to me well, (and while he continued his sentence, he pointed again his weapon towards Ruri), you have a great figure, so this time I'm not saying anything. You're going to shut that cute little mouth and go back to studying butterflies. My partners and I will continue our business, and neither you nor your boyfriend will do anything. Understand, dollface ?
- I'm not a doll," said Ruri. And he's not my boyfriend, he's my partner. And you'd better do what I say, otherwise the deal is that afterwards, you'll have to deal with him. And that's not a good idea.
17 sensed from the tone of her voice that she was holding back a huge anger, but was trying to remain calm. Although he was more than a little exasperated by this human, he chose to let it go and see what his reaction would be. He was not disappointed. As he expected, Ruri's little speech didn't really have the desired effect. The chief of the poachers started to laugh more and more.
- Hahaha, and what is the weakling going to do now? What? Come on guys, let's go hunting again! You're lucky my dear, it's really because you're cute that I'm so nice.
And doing so, he got back into his car, immediately imitated by all the other poachers still laughing. The 5 cars started to move away from Ruri and 17.
17 then approached the young woman.
- Well," he said when he reached her, "what do we do now?
- 17?" she answered, with a half-serious, half-amused look.
- Yes?
- I inform you that officially the soft way has failed.
- I've seen it.
- So it's up to you, let's see if the hard way is effective.
- Okay.
- And in case you didn't notice: he called you a weakling.
17 gave her a little smile, and held out his right arm towards the poachers.
- I heard that. And they won't go any further.
The next thing Ruri could see was a kind of "ball of light" coming out of 17's hand and "flying" towards the poachers' vehicles. Barely a fraction of a second later, they had all exploded. In the distance, she could clearly make out the immobilized and smoking masses of the jeeps. Speechless, she didn't know what to say, her gaze going from the cars to 17, then from 17 to the cars.
As for 17, he simply lowered his arm. Then, after a few seconds of silence, he turned to Ruri and, with the most relaxed air in the world, said: "It's done, they're stopped. Shall we go?
17 usually didn't pay much attention to the reactions of humans. He tried to be "discreet" by using his powers, but it was more to have some peace than because he cared about them. But this time he had used a wave of energy on purpose to stop the poachers, when he could have stopped them otherwise. He was very curious of the attitude that Ruri was going to have in front of this demonstration of power. And the completely bewildered air that she raised at this precise moment amused him deeply.
"Come on, show me that you are not so impressionable, human..." he thought. He was certain that she would get a grip on herself easily. And indeed, quickly, a small smile appeared on the face of Ruri. Her eyes began, somehow, to sparkle with excitement.
"That's what I wanted to see," 17 said to himself immediately. He loved the look on her face, and seeing how brave this human was. Nothing seemed to faze her for very long, and for that he respected her more and more. She was really the only human being for whom he felt this way. Without recognizing her as his equal in terms of strength of course, he held her in high enough esteem to really consider her as his partner now, just as 18 had been.
Ruri suddenly interrupted him in his reflections.
- 17 ?
- Yes?
- I'm really, really looking forward to asking you my two questions.
- ... I know.
- But we have more urgent things to do. Can we getting closer?
- Okay.
17 then took Ruri in his arms, and with a jump they joined the wrecked cars. The poachers were just starting to get out of it, with difficulty. None of them was laughing anymore. Most of them looked as if they didn't quite realize what had just happened. But when they saw 17, they all shivered with fear.
But they didn't have much time to react anyway. As soon as they arrived, 17 walked towards their leader. He grabbed him by the collar of his suit, pulled him out of his car and then held him ostensibly above the ground with one hand.
The man did not really understand what had happened, but from the moment 17 had grabbed him, he had felt a prodigious strength in him. This young man was able to hold him with one arm, and without any apparent effort. So he thought it was better to be careful and not to provoke him further. "But... who are you? And what do you want from us?" he asked him cautiously.
17 remained impassive, still holding the poachers' leader firmly by the collar.
- ... keep quiet," he answered in a dry voice. And tell the others to stay calm. Especially the other one, who is trying to take a gun behind me. If any of you move, I'll annihilate you first. Then each of you. One by one. Until the last one.
Hearing these words, the poachers' leader turned white as a sheet. 17 had said the word "annihilate" so coldly and seriously that he suddenly began to sweat profusely. As for the other poachers, they stopped immediately. One of them had tried to grab a weapon discreetly, and all eyes were now on him. Terrified, he released the gun that fell to the ground with a bang.
This was the only noise that could be heard, as a cathedral-like silence now reigned.
- Ruri," 17 said, "they are stopped. What should we do?
After having approached, the young woman answered, while containing as much as possible an urge to laugh more and more pressing:
- The hard way, really, it is effective. I am impressed.
- Sure.
- I'd like to ask this gentleman a few questions, if you don't mind.
- I don't mind.
- So, my dear sir, I told you that it was better not to deal with my partner, right?
The chief poacher did not answer. He just nodded, without taking his eyes off 17, who was also staring at him intensely.
- I think you owe us both an apology, don't you? Dollface, weakling... that wasn't very nice. Wasn't it, 17?
- Yes. Apologize," said 17, amused to see more and more drops of sweat running down the face of this stupid human.
- apologize, stammered the latter.
- Your excuses are accepted, exclaimed Ruri, I'm delighted to see that we can discuss. Then. Let us be brief. Do you surrender?
- Oh yes yes, of course.
- WONDERFUL! answered the young woman, before continuing, this time in a much more serious tone. So, did you kill any animal during your hunt ?
- Uh no no, nothing. Nothing at all. No, no.
17 suddenly had the strange feeling that the human he was holding at the end of his arm was literally liquefying. His body had gone limp in an instant, and the number of sweat drops emanating from his face had increased drastically.
The conclusion was obvious. 17 then brought the poachers' leader to him, almost touching his face with his own. He squeezed his collar much tighter, so much so that the poacher began to have some difficulty breathing.
"You're lying," 17 told him, and the tone of his voice terrified the poor man.
- The car ... green. The back. Sorry...
The poachers' leader said these words in a whisper, without being able to take his eyes off 17, who was staring at him more and more intensely.
Ruri immediately ran to the green jeep he had just pointed out. A large tarpaulin was spread out at the back of the vehicle, hiding its contents. The moment she lifted it to see what was hidden underneath, 17 saw her freeze. Realizing that something serious was going on, he joined her, still holding the poacher firmly in his right hand.
In the jeep were two huge white masses. They were similar to the kind of teeth the young elephant had. But much bigger, and more importantly, covered in blood.
- Tusks. Probably a male, given the size.
Ruri had just spoken, and 17 didn't like the tone of her voice at all. She wasn't crying and didn't sound distraught like before. On the contrary. She was serious. But above all, cold. Inexpressive. She whose liveliness he loved so much, she who made him laugh by the speed with which she went from one emotion to another, she who was so bright, she was suddenly like ... extinct.
Instinctively, he tightened his grip on the poacher's collar even more, and the man began to flinch, frightened.
- I'm sooo ...
- Silence," interrupted 17. If you say one more word, I'll pulverize you. Just answer my question: where is it? Where is the animal you killed?
Ruri turned her face towards him and gave him a small smile. 17 understood that she was thanking him for asking that question. It was exactly what she had planned to ask.
The poachers' leader was truly terrified. He could feel the pressure 17 was putting on his neck, and the coldness of his gaze made him fear the worst. But he was stuck. To lie again appeared to him as the worst solution. So, with difficulty because he was having trouble breathing, he answered:
- Glove box, a card. The cross. Here it is.
And indeed, Ruri found a card in the car, with a cross scribbled with a pen.
She took a deep breath. It was too late. She was too late. She knew what she was going to find, and what was likely to happen. Yet, as she turned to talk to the poacher, she saw 17 still standing next to her, and immediately she felt a little better. She wasn't alone, which was good enough. But having him around was very different from anything she had ever known. He made her feel much better. Because he was powerful, because he was always calm. Because with him everything seemed possible. He had also acted quickly, making the right decisions, asking the right questions. She almost laughed to see him so efficient, knowing what to do as if they had worked together all their lives.
She knew she could count on him, no matter what.
- 17," she began, "could you round up all the poachers and take them to the ranger camp at once?
- ... Yes," 17 answered after a few seconds, "I can put them all in a car and take the car there.
- That's fine. So here's the plan. You put them in a car and deliver them to the rangers. They'll know what to do with them. Then you go back to the watering hole and get my bike and the mongoose. You take her back to the camp too. And then you come back. I'll wait for you here, and we'll go together to look for the animal they killed.
- ... ok.
- Make it quick.
- And... you... are you okay?
- ... I'll be fine. I'm waiting for you.
17 was not happy to leave Ruri alone, but she was right, it was by far the easiest and fastest plan. They should on his abilities, that's why he was there.
- And... continued Ruri, no need to hurt them. I'm not interested in them. I have more important things to do.
Without answering, 17 ruthlessly threw the poachers' leader into one of the cars. He did the same for all the others, and as Ruri had said, he transported them all at once to the camp. He didn't linger, explaining the situation in a few words before leaving as quickly as possible to retrieve the mongoose that was still waiting in the cage. He put the motorcycle back in its capsule, took the mongoose back to the rangers, and left as fast as he could to join Ruri.
When he landed next to her, he expected to be greeted with a little joke, something like "Well, it took you long enough". But she just smiled at him. It was obvious that she was not well. 17 was both disturbed by her behavior and very angry, though he didn't really know why he felt that way. What he did know was that she was waiting for him to help her. The best way to get her back in a good mood was probably to leave this place as soon as possible, and put this story to its end.
- Shall we go? I'll take you," he said.
- Okay.
17 then took Ruri in his arms, as he was beginning to be used to. It was only when he took off that he realized that she had taken one of the poachers' guns with her.
- Why...?
But Ruri didn't let him finish his sentence.
- Look at the point on the map. It's on the left, straight ahead. The blood on the tusks hadn't dried yet. So they couldn't have killed him very long ago. We'll find it quickly.
So they continued to fly in silence. 17 didn't know what he should say to comfort Ruri. He just felt that she needed it. This was the hardest thing for him to do since he started travelling with her. He was still able to feel, and he hadn't forgotten everything about humans and their emotions. But he was really struggling to know how to react, strong interactions with others were no longer natural for him. Human behavior in general remained a mystery to him.
It seemed wiser not to try to do more. It was better to concentrate on the "mission", he would see later about the rest.
After a few minutes of searching, Ruri clutched 17's scarf. He stopped and saw a gray mass below them. It must have been the elephant that the poachers had killed.
17 accelerated and landed right next to it. And it was actually the elephant. A huge elephant, lying on its belly with its head on its side. It was motionless, as if it were sleeping. It was only as he approached that 17 noticed the extent of his injuries. His body was riddled with wounds, he was really covered with them. Blood was coming out of the countless wounds on his sides. And above all, he no longer had his defenses. Instead, there were two gaping holes, also dripping with blood. The skin near the holes was really damaged, only shreds remained.
- They cut the tusks with mechanical saws. That's faster. So as not to spend too much time and risk being seen by rangers. Fast, but expeditious. They didn't really pay attention and cut his flesh at the same time.
Ruri had just given this explanation almost as if nothing had happened. With the same neutral tone that 17 hated. He didn't understand that Ruri was actually upset, and that she needed to focus on the facts to avoid being overwhelmed by emotions. He just intuitively sensed that she needed to be left alone.
- Be careful, she resumed almost immediately, I will check something.
She then delicately put her hand on the head of the animal. And to 17's great surprise, the animal reacted. He began to move weakly. He was still alive!
But it was Ruri's reaction that was the most surprising.
After backing up, she knelt down and threw a big punch on the ground. 17 saw her bite her lips, as if to contain a cry of rage that she refused to let escape. He was distraught. A few minutes before, he had caressed her hair to calm her down, without really knowing why. He had let his body act, acting instinctively in front of Ruri's sadness. But this time, it was not only sadness. And no intuition came to his rescue.
He could only join her, and kneel down in front of her.
- Calm down, he said. Do you know what to do? Then tell me. And I'll do it.
Hearing 17's voice really helped Ruri. He was his usual calm self. Unruffled. And indeed, she knew what to do, she had done it many times before.
She stood up and took the gun she had brought with her.
17 then grabbed her arm.
- What are you going to do?
- Finish him off.
She answered coldly. 17 could not believe that she was talking about killing the elephant herself. Seeing his surprise, Ruri softened a little.
- Look at him.
The elephant was moaning weakly, but constantly. He must have been in great pain from all the raw wounds he was carrying. He was very agitated. No doubt their presence frightened him. Yes, the humans had bruised him, what else could he feel but fear?
Suffering. Fear.
"Staying alive is sometimes worse than dying.
This thought came back to 17. A feeling he knew all too well. How many times had he wished he were dead during the time he had spent inside Cell? Yes, staying alive was sometimes much worse than death.
So he let go of Ruri's arm.
In silence, the young woman immediately returned to the dying elephant. Slowly, she placed the tip of the rifle on its forehead, right in the middle. And after a second of concentration, she pulled the trigger. The sound of the shot tore through the silence of the savanna.
They were too late. But at least the animal was no longer suffering.