Out of the Ashes…: Chapter 4
** Disclaimers: I don't own digimon. Never will. This fic was produced for entertainment purposes only, and will not be sold. Leave me alone, you vultures!
** Author's notes: This chapter is setup. But my editor thinks it's interesting, so please read. As will become obvious to you when you read, I'm starting the final push towards the climax.
Yeah! It's Chinese New Year tomorrow! "Gong Hae Fat Choi" (Chinese for "Happy New Year"). Welcome to the year of the snake! Asian pride! If you haven't noticed my updated profile, well, I'm sixteen now, since January 21st.
I also got my report card back. Ironically, English, at 86%, was my worst subject. Hmm…
Oh well, onto the fic!
**********
It was mid-morning. Fleecy white clouds floated slowly across the crystal blue sky, and golden sunlight shone down on the peaceful valley in warm patches. The sweet scent of the forest drifted through the air as the melodious songs of birds sounded in the ears of nine teenagers and their digimon as they walked.
They certainly didn't look powerful. Dressed in dark, non-descript clothes, and not carrying any fancy jewelry, they seemed just like an average party of teenagers, out for a walk. In fact, the only thing that could be said was peculiar about them was their pets that followed their heels.
And yet, these nine teenagers possessed more power than any other human group on Earth. In themselves, and in the men they commanded.
Matt was leading Tai's group on a tour of Zion. The Fremen were settling in, wandering around, trying to acquaint themselves with their new surroundings. Being unused to staying in one place for any length of time, most of them were absolutely flabbergasted by the resources and equipment Zion boasted.
Tai himself was no exception.
"Wha…what a base!"
TK chuckled. To tell the truth, it was indeed, pretty impressive. Zion was small, but boasted proper housing, guards, defensive walls, almost a true military city. To Tai, who had been wandering around among ruins and wilderness for the past four years, this must seem like heaven. "It wasn't easy," TK explained, "and it took us four years of blood and sweat to get this far. We had to unite all the fragmented street gangs in Tokyo and the surrounding area. But after that, we had no shortage of willing hands to help us build."
Sora was walking along on the soft green carpet of grass, enjoying the slight breeze that ruffled her chestnut brown hair. Biyomon flapped beside her, avidly taking everything in with her curious eyes. The girl closed her eyes. "I…I don't remember the last time I've walked in the open without fear of attack." When she opened them again, there were tears in her wine-coloured eyes. "I've forgotten what it feels like…"
Kari smiled at her friend's happiness. "I know what you mean…"
Izzy looked around, his agile mind taking in everything and processing it instantly. He nodded in approval. Matt and TK had chosen their location well. The tiny city was ingeniously hidden within the small, but peaceful valley. Zion was nestled right in-between two huge cliffs of rock, so air-patrols and reconnaissance wouldn't be able to see the base unless they made a conscious effort to fly directly overhead. Geothermal vents, hot springs and geysers dotted the small valley, and moderated the otherwise harsh climate, allowing for agriculture. Farms and fields dotted the surrounding area, with men and women carefully tending to the crops.
The craggy mountains also provided a natural defense. Only Zion rebels knew about the narrow mountain passes that were the only way in and out of the valley. Anyone else, even Bakemon land patrols would be hopelessly lost. With all the cover, forests and caves in the mountains, a capable and well-armed soldier that knew the lay of the land could fight with the effectiveness of three.
Then, Tai cast his gaze toward the center of the valley. A small river sparkled with dancing light as it reflected the rays of the sun. Straining his eyes, he managed to pick out some men wading in the stream. "What are they doing?" he asked, pointing.
Gomamon squinted, following Tai's finger. "They're building a dam," the water digimon explained.
TK smiled. "My father's overseeing the construction," he said proudly. "We already have a simple hydroelectric generator set up, so we can build simple gadgets like these mini-radios," he held up his little communicator. "We hope to upgrade it sometime next year, when the dam's complete. Then we can climb further up the tech ladder."
Tai took a closer look at the communicator. It was really nothing but a miniature walkie-talkie. "Where'd you get this?"
"We made it. A couple Zion rebels used to be electrical and computer engineers before Diaboromon invaded. They managed to whip this up for us from electrical components we salvaged from the city. We don't have enough for everyone, but every cell and platoon leader has one." TK made a face. "But we have to maintain radio silence almost all the time anyway, so they're usefulness is limited."
Willis looked at the actual encampment itself. A rough but sturdy wall with a trench behind it encircled the entire camp, and provided defense in the event of an attack. Small, sturdy timber houses were arranged neatly within the city, some served as dormitories, and some as storage silos for crops. Terriermon looked at the large, timber and metal building in the middle of the encampment. "And that is…"
Kari explained. "That's our command center. In there, we house our supplies and weapons for short-term use. For long-term storage, we have the stuff scattered across the base in silos and warehouses. We even have some secret caches of emergency supplies hidden in the mountains." She nodded at the building. "That's also where we plan our attacks and missions. Why don't you take a look?" The group started walking over to the central building, their feet padding across the soft green grass.
As they walked, Izzy spoke up. "This is quite a base. What about within Tokyo? Have you done anything there?"
Matt smiled. Ever the intellectual one… "Actually, we have. The safehouse in which you…um…encountered David was our original base before we moved out in the spring of 2006. In total, there's twenty-seven safehouses, scattered across Tokyo, adapted from former street gang refuges. Every one of them is equipped with some emergency rations, ammunition, and spare weapons."
Gabumom added to his master's explanation. "Almost all of them are connected by secret passages, adapted from the sewer and water pipe systems, and the subway system. Every safehouse has at least one backdoor or secret passage, in case we're surrounded by Diaboromon's army with no way out."
"How about attack platforms, supply lines, advance bases…" Tai started. He was no longer the simple city-kid he had been. The war had forced him to think like a commander. Strategy, attack routes, supply lines, advance bases, all these were second nature to him.
TK beat him to it. "We have a total of three advance bases, each about two day's march from the outskirts of Tokyo. They're really nothing but advanced safehouses, adapted from abandoned farm house buildings. Each of them are stocked with enough supplies, weapons and ammo to sustain a full rebel cell for a month. Those places are where we launch attacks and recon missions from. Our 'attack platforms', as you put it."
Mimi spoke up. "How many people have you got supporting this? What kind of manpower do you have?"
TK and Matt looked at one another. TK explained. "Well, in Zion, we house about a thousand people. Most of them came from street gangs. But then, Zion isn't strictly a military base. As we said, it's a place of sanctuary. So, unlike the Fremen, we do have elderly people and children. In terms of able-bodied soldiers, we only have about three hundred."
Joe nodded. "Those three hundred are split up into four rebel cells. All of us except Matt…" he pointed at himself, TK and Kari. "…command a cell, numbering around eighty soldiers each. Matt, as the commander, commands us cell leaders. The fourth cell is led by David, whom you've already met."
Kari elaborated. "All of our cells are more or less evenly distributed, except for TK's." She gave her boyfriend a mock indignant glare. "His cell's the smallest, numbering around fifty, but the most deadly. The rebels in his cell are handpicked for their ferocity and efficiency in battle. That's because they see the most action. Somehow, there's something unfair about that…"
Sora laughed and gave TK an appraising look. This was their little crybaby TK? The little innocent boy she had cuddled to sleep on many a dark night in the digiworld? The boy blushed and looked at his feet. "Hmm…commander of the 'shock troops', huh?" Sora chuckled teasingly. "Our little baby TK. Who would've have thought?"
Tai frowned. "Forget that. Who would've thought he'd be dating my sister?!" He gave a mock scowl at the boy, and TK looked even more abashed. Kari stifled a giggle with her hand.
You know," Tai said, mostly to Matt, "five years ago I knew they liked each other. But I said to myself, 'They're still little kids, they're not even dating yet. I'll wait another year or so before I scare TK witless with the keep-your-hands-off-my-sister talk.'"
He gave TK a mock glare. "But it appears I was too late. Unforeseen circumstances. Of course, you realize, as Kari's older brother, I now have to give you the traditional 'beat your sister's boyfriend dead' ceremony…"
TK's face was flaming red. "Uh…no comment. Oomph!"
Without further ado, Tai leapt on the younger boy, put him in a headlock, and with a wide grin, proceeded to give him a "noogie", ruffling his blond hair with his fist. TK struggled in Tai's grip, and the two fell laughing to the ground, rolling about in the grass. Kari tried unsuccessfully to stifle an insane giggle as she rushed to their side and tried to pull them apart. Tai obviously didn't realize that even if he wanted to, there was no way he could beat up TK anyway. Her brother was three years older, but then TK was also the foremost warrior in Zion…
Izzy frowned as he steered the discussion back on-course. "How about weapons?"
Tai and TK sat up again, covered in grass stains. They looked comical, especially TK, with his hair tousled beyond recognition, but the expressions on their faces were suddenly serious again. In contrast, Matt's grin was almost feral in its ferocity. "Quite an arsenal, actually. Over the years, we've foraged and salvaged in gun stores and military establishments. We now have enough guns for everyone. Automatics, rifles, handguns, sub-machine guns, etc. We even have some crude bombs and small explosives, and a couple mortars we managed to salvage. Right now, they're stored in weapons bunkers around this valley"
"The real problem is ammo. Since we can't replenish it, ammo is used sparingly, and as precious as gold. We're working on getting up to the tech level required to produce bullets in mass quantities. Give us another two years or so, and we'll probably be able to produce our own ammunition as well."
Tai and his group looked at each other, stunned. They had never, in their wildest dreams, thought that such an extensive base and safehouse system existed. Being Fremen, after wandering for five years, they had almost forgotten what it felt like to grow roots, and establish oneself firmly in an area.
In the space of five years, Matt had managed to pull together a well-organized army with a clearly defined command structure, and armed them with a fairly potent arsenal of weapons.
With this behind our backs, and with the weapon Izzy and Willis have pulled together, we might actually stand a chance.
The brown-haired boy turned his hazel eyes to Matt. A small, hesitant spark of hope danced in them. Over the past five years, the war had been hopeless. They had been running for their lives, with no chance of striking back. But now, with all this…
"Do you have a place where we can talk? I have something important to discuss."
**********
Several minutes later, they walked into Matt's room, which also doubled as a private ready room. Matt closed the door behind them, as everyone settled themselves into the rough but sturdy chairs arranged around the wooden table. The digimon either leapt into the laps of their masters, or lay down on the floor or table. Joe opted to remain standing by the window, looking out at the scenic wooded valley.
Matt padded over and took a seat himself, turning the chair around and straddling it. Tai smiled. Even as commander of all Zion, the blond rebel still hated protocol and formalities. For the uneducated onlooker, all they would see was a party of teens with some weird pets gathered together for a talk.
Except these teens and their "pets" had the power to decide the fate of two worlds.
"OK Tai, we're listening. Spill it."
Tai and Izzy looked at one another, then Tai leaned forward. "First, let me describe what we've been doing in the past couple years. You've already told us what you've been doing, now it's my turn…
I've already introduced Willis and his involvement in all this." He gestured at the blond boy. Willis cringed, but there wasn't a hint of rancor or hate in the glances everyone shot at him. "We picked him up about four years ago, in New York. Since 2006, we've been wandering around North America. We weren't as lucky as you, and didn't manage to establish a base of some kind. We opted to remain mobile, fluid.
"As you already know, we gathered together and united the street gangs and people that we found along the way. Together, we formed the Fremen. We were a nomad army, constantly on the move, without a home base. Although we were small, numbering around a hundred, Diaboromon never managed to track us down, simply because trying to contain Fremen is like trying to catch water in a sieve. We never stayed in one place for any length of time."
Izzy cut in. "As we wandered, we learned a lot about Diaboromon. His motives for invasion, for example. Have you guys noticed any mining activity around here?"
TK and Matt looked at one another. TK shrugged. "Mining activity? Can't say we have. What we did find is that he's occupied and commandeered some of the surrounding cities' industries, factories, power plants, etc. For what, we don't know. We've tried attacking some, and we have scored some minor victories in our time, but they were always repaired within a matter of days or weeks."
Then, the boy looked pensive. "Actually, come to think about it, we didn't notice any mining in the Tokyo area, but during my long-term recon missions, Kari and I did notice some such installations in mainland Asia. We just didn't think anything of it at the time."
He frowned. "I've always wondered exactly why Diaboromon invaded this world in the first place. We came up with a couple theories, but so far, we've had no conclusive proof of exactly why he attacked."
A slight sigh escaped Willis. Everyone turned to look at the thus-far silent boy. "I can answer that.
"Two reasons." He put both elbows on the table, and steepled his fingers. "One. He's following his programming. Diaboromon is a unique cross between a virus and a digimon. He possesses the intelligence and command of strategy of a digimon, but ultimately, he follows the blind programming of a virus. And that programming absolutely dictates that he destroy anything and everything in sight." He shrugged. "It's literally his 'purpose in life'."
Joe turned from his post by the window. "But that doesn't explain the mining Izzy mentioned. What exactly is he looking for?"
Willis turned to look at the older boy. "He's looking for silicon, copper and other metals, sources of power like hydro, coal, nuclear, etc. etc. He doesn't seem interested in our land, soil and water. Naturally, since he doesn't eat. What he does seem interested in is squeezing our world dry of minerals and metals. We noticed many such mining and production facilities dotted all over US…" he grimaced. "…what used to be USA and Canada when we were wandering."
Gomamon frowned. "Why would he want stuff like that?"
Izzy leaned back in his chair. "Don't ask me why, but somehow, he needs it to maintain and build his army." The auburn-haired boy looked pensive. "Silicon is important for building computers and microchips. The facilities he's taken over needs to be maintained, materials are needed to construct supply depots, etc. etc. Perhaps he needs it to maintain and expand his network. Especially if he wants to take over new territory."
Patamon snorted. "New territory? What is there left to conquer? He's already got every inch of this world in his grip."
"No. There are places left. Lots of them." Everyone turned at Willis' quiet voice. "There are countless alternate universes out there. The digiworld and Earth are only two possibilities out of millions, maybe billions. Izzy told me of the time when you were stuck at Myotismon's gate, fiddling with the cards, because you were so worried about travelling to the wrong dimension. And Diaboromon has already demonstrated his ability to travel between dimensions when he invaded this world in the first place.
Diaboromon isn't stupid. He knows that he'll have destroyed all there is to destroy in ten years time, tops. Drained this world of all resources in, maybe, fifty years. He's already looking for new targets to infect and corrupt. The digiworld would probably be his next choice. And after that, who knows. To expand into alternate universes who require one huge network, intricate machinery and communications links capable of punching through the very fabric of reality.
So there's reason two. Squeeze this world dry of resources. In around fifty years, when Earth is nothing but a charred hunk of burning rock, he'll move onto the next target, and so on and so on. And each time he's conquered a world, his army will grow that much stronger, fueled by the resources he's consumed."
A bitter grin crossed his features. His emerald green eyes looked like razor-sharp chips of jade. "We were 'lucky' to be the first world. I don't know about you, but we Fremen also achieved a couple minor victories in our time. If we were the second, or third, he'd be unstoppable."
A grim silence fell over the group. Izzy, Tai and Willis' information was disturbing. Matt and the others had speculated about the exact reasons for the invasion, but this was the first conclusive proof of a real motive in Diaboromon's mind.
"So…how do we stop him?" Gatomon looked around. "Can he be stopped?"
Tai, Willis and Izzy exchanged meaningful glances, then Willis spoke up. "You weren't the only ones who made significant progress during the last couple years."
He pulled a CD out of his backpack, and held it up. The sunlight coming in from the window glinted off the metallic disc. Willis grinned savagely. "In this CD, we have the means to defeat Diaboromon once and for all."
Matt leaned forward, suddenly intensely interested. In contrast, TK leaned back in his chair, and Kari stared at Willis. Joe, who had been looking out the window, turned around and fixed Willis with an intense gaze.
"Explain," Matt said.
So Willis did. "Ever since Tai and the others contacted me four years ago, Izzy and I have been working on a way to defeat Diaboromon. It was slow going, since we had to make do with our laptops, and we were hunted the entire time, but in the end, it was worth it. What we came up with was this." He waved the CD.
"We created a virus."
Patamon frowned. "What does it do?"
Tentomon jumped in. "Every single digimon under Diaboromon's command, from the highest Diaboromon copy, to the lowest Bakemon foot soldier, is connected to his network. It is through that network that Diaboromon gives orders, and coordinates troop movements."
Izzy placed both elbows on the table, his face grim. "We created this virus to be extremely, extremely vicious. Our template was one of the 'doomsday' viruses created by the US military to wipe out enemy infrastructure before the physical assault even begins. What it does is that it spreads through the network, and hacks into the core programming of each digimon connected to it." The auburn-haired boy's face looked like it was set in stone, hard and unyielding in its coldness. "Once in, it will delete its host. Completely. The process is instantaneous."
For a moment, silence reigned in the room. Then Kari looked at her brother. "What you're saying is, if this virus is unleashed, Diaboromon's entire army will be deleted. And it will all happen within the space of a few seconds."
Tai nodded. "That's exactly what we're saying."
Another moment of silence. TK's normally gentle face had gone dark. His hooded blue eyes flashed.
"That's genocide."
No one spoke, so he continued. "I'm not sure I'd wish this even on Diaboromon's army. They are after all, living, breathing digimon. If we go through with this, at least a million creatures' blood will be on our hands. Do we really have the right to kill on such a scale?"
TK shook his head, troubled. "And what if this virus got loose in the digiworld? Do you know what kind of damage it could cause? The digiworld would be sterilized, cleaned of all life. It was because of viruses like these that this war started in the first place. What makes this one any different?"
Izzy and Willis looked at each other. "It won't get loose." Izzy finally said firmly. "Right after we defeat Diaboromon, all copies of this virus will be deleted. I didn't enjoy creating a monster like this, but I had no choice."
Tai sighed, leaned back in his chair, and ran a hand through his hair. He had expected from the beginning that such an objection would come from TK. The young boy had always been the most gentle and caring of them all. "I know how you feel. I had serious reservations about this in the first place as well."
Then his hazel eyes hardened. "But then, if we don't stop him, genocide will occur anyway. Desperate situations call for desperate measures, and I think the war went past "desperate" five years ago.
If we lack the strength to do what is necessary, and what is right, to win, then we will die. We have to prove ourselves worthy of this life, or be destroyed."
TK sighed, and put his head in his hands. "This is madness."
Tai's voice was space-cold. "This is war."
Another moment of silence descended on the room. It was war. There was no way around it. TK finally nodded reluctantly, accepting the logic. For a second, nothing could be heard but the occasional carefree chirping of birds drifting in through the window.
It sounded oddly out of place.
Then Gatomon frowned. "How about the original? Would the virus affect him too?"
Izzy and Willis looked at one another and shrugged helplessly. "We really don't know." Willis confessed. "It might, and it might not, since Diaboromon is the head of the entire network, literally. What we are certain of, is that it'll work on the rest of his soldiers."
Kari frowned. There had to be a catch. "But…why would you need soldiers for something like this? Why would you need our safehouses, weapons and supplies? Those are the things you use for invasion…"
Surprisingly, it was Mimi that explained. Matt's party looked at her in astonishment. Mimi had never been one for long, technical explanations. Apparently, she had changed.
"The problem is that even though we have access to Diaboromon's network through the net, there's no way we can upload the virus remotely. We can access information through the net, sure, but we can't upload it. To actually feed programs onto his network, and have the network run it, would require us hacking to the highest authorization level. Diaboromon knows the risk of viruses is great. After all," she grinned at the irony, "he's one himself."
Matt frowned. "And can that be done?"
Willis shook his head emphatically. "No. Impossible. I tried, and it would take years of hacking by my best estimate. That's assuming we have a matrix of mainframes and a team of computer experts working round the clock. With laptops like these…" he held up his own computer. "It can't be done."
"We'd have to be physically there at the master terminal in Diaboromon's HQ." Terriermon explained for his master. "That's why we came back to Tokyo in the first place. Only the master terminals in his base would have the highest network authorization codes. We need your resources for the invasion, or possibly infiltration of Diaboromon's base."
Tai looked sharply at Matt. "Now it's my turn to ask you. You guys know this area like the back of your hand. Can it be done?"
No one spoke as they all looked at Matt. The blond boy sighed, and ran a hand through his hair as he pondered the question. Can it be done? This was one of the reasons why he hated command so much. The decisions.
Matt looked up. "TK, what do you think?"
The younger boy gnawed his bottom lip as he put aside the moral question for now. Sure, dump it on me. "I don't know… The security around Diaboromon's base is almost airtight. There are two Bakemon and Diaboromon barracks right next to it, so we can't exactly rush in by brute force. Infiltration? He's got so many intruder detection alarms dotted throughout the entire complex, an ant won't be able to get in without being noticed." He grimaced. "That's not counting the patrols."
"So…you're saying it's impossible?" Agumon said hesitantly.
A moment of silence. Then Kari spoke up. "But those security measures run off power, don't they? What would happen if we cut off their power? Disable the power grid? I mean, I know Diaboromon repaired the power plant and the Internet to feed his own network, but what if we disrupted that system somehow?"
TK pondered the question. "The security around the main power plant of Tokyo isn't nearly as tight. It's also a fair distance off from the nearest barracks. A quick raid with digimon might be able to destroy it, and disable the security measures for a couple days, at least. Diaboromon does have backup generators, but all of that power will be devoted to keeping the network up and running, and not to security systems."
Then, he looked around. "And for good measure, we could cut off some of the high-powered cables that connect Tokyo to neighbouring cities and power plants. A small squad of Zion rebels with a couple demolition charges could take that out, no problem."
Sora spoke up. "But even with the generators down, I don't think you'll be able to get past the patrols. I mean, if there are two barracks right next to it, then the whole place must be positively swarming with guards and sentries. I don't care how good you think your soldiers are at stealth. Unless you can literally turn invisible, there's no way you'll be able to make it in. Security alarms or not." The digital barrier had run out years ago, and none of them had any idea how to recharge it. It was, after all, designed to be a quick save, not a long-term piece of equipment.
"A diversion, maybe?" Patamon suggested.
Sora shook her head doubtfully. "It would have to be one hell of a diversion, like an all-out attack."
Again, no one spoke as they wrestled with the problem. A grim, palpable silence fell over the room like a veil.
"Then let's give them an all-out attack."
Everyone turned to look at Matt. "What'd you mean?" Tai asked.
The blond boy suddenly looked twenty years older. His shoulders slumped as if he was carrying a great weight on his slim shoulders, but if anything, his ice-blue eyes turned colder with resolve. A frighteningly emotionless mask dropped into place. It was disturbing to see one so young obsessed with such a cold, keen…killing mindset.
The curse of the leader. Knowing full well that you may be sending your soldiers out to die, yet sending them out anyway.
"My rebels will be out in the city, causing diversions all around. I can order them to attack supply depots, network links, barracks, or just cause general mayhem. If the Fremen come along, we can most definitely do a lot of damage. Diaboromon will have no choice but to send out his digimon to restrain them, leaving the base relatively defenseless. A small digidestined infiltration party should be able to sneak in."
Protests burst out immediately. "But…but Matt!" Kari burst out. "Sure, we trained our soldiers well, but they'll be slaughtered! I mean, they can probably take on Bakemon on equal footing, and win too, but up against Diaboromon? We don't have the weapons, or the manpower, to take them down! Plus we're outnumbered at least three to one in Tokyo alone!"
"We'd be doing the one thing a rebellion should never do." TK cut in quietly. "Thus far, we've fought as a guerilla unit, striking and fading before casualties can get too high. If we do as you suggest, then we'll be fighting in the open, letting Diaboromon draw us out into a proper, all-out battle. We'd be fighting on his terms, not ours…. Casualties would be…I don't want to think about it."
Matt slammed a hand down hard onto the wooden table. "I know that!" he thundered. Everyone was stunned into silence. "But do we have a choice?" He looked around at the grim faces around the table. His voice softened. "Look. I'm not going to order anyone to do this. We all know that if we go ahead with this attack, a lot of people are going to die!"
He paused to let the ugly truth sink in. "I'm going to give them a choice. My soldiers don't have to come if they don't want to, and no one will think any less of them if they decide to stay, but the attack must go on! Don't you understand?"
A few moments of quiet passed as they all pondered what they were planning. Then Biyomon spoke up. "So let me get this straight.
Matt's army will be wreaking general havoc in the city, creating one monster of a diversion. A team of digidestined will attack the power station to disable the security systems at Diaboromon's base. Another team of digidestined will then try to sneak into the complex, and plant the virus.
Casualties for Matt's army are expected to be extremely high. If the virus doesn't work, then it'd be a total rout. And this all has to be coordinated perfectly, without the use of radio communicators, since that would give away our positions."
A long silence descended in the room. Suddenly, the sunlight no longer seemed so bright, the chirping of the birds no longer so carefree. The once cheery feel of the day had vanished, left with the grim reality of what they were facing.
"It's the only way."
The others waited for Tai to continue. He did.
"We have no other choice. Diaboromon's network is constantly changing. By Izzy and Willis' best estimate, the virus won't work in about six month's time."
"Autumn is the best time for attack, when we've got the harvests in, and supplies are at their fullest. We definitely can't do it during winter, with the snow and the cold impeding troop movements. By spring, the effectiveness of the virus will be compromised. If we're to strike, we have to strike now.
The problem is, it'll be all, or nothing. If we screw this up, we won't get another chance. Diaboromon would guard the power plant better. Security arrangements around his base would increase, and Matt's army and my Fremen would be totally smashed. Four hundred people would die. Without its soldiers, Zion would be helpless, and ripe for conquest. The other seven hundred civilians would follow within a year, at most."
Tai paused to let his point sink in. TK sat with his head in his hands, his glass pendant clenched tightly in his palm. Willis sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Kari sat, frozen. Tai's voice turned even colder as finished his point.
"That means that either we're going to win…" his hazel eyes flashed. "…or die trying."
**********
** several hours later **
Dong…dong…dong
Zion rebels looked up from their work as the warm, brazen tones of a bell rang out over the small city. Farmers dropped their tools, children halted in their games, and soldiers put down their weapons. Glancing confusedly at one another, they slowly filed towards the central building. There was no hurry in their actions. The bell was not a signal for danger, but a signal for assembly.
"What do you think Matt's got to say this time?"
"I bet it's got something to do with those strange kids that came in yesterday…"
"Do you think it's something important?"
"Of course it's something important! Matt wouldn't call a general assembly if it wasn't!"
Slowly, the entire population of Zion, all one thousand men, women and children gathered in the courtyard outside the central building. A sharp whistle sounded out over the valley, and the Fremen followed the Zion members, adhering to the standard Fremen whistle call. Confusion was in the air, but everyone trusted it was something important. There was no grumbling about being yanked from their work. Rather, there was wild speculation about what this was all about.
Matt nodded at TK, and the smaller boy stopped hammering the bell. Turning, he checked to see that Tai's group was all right.
Tai himself was fine. A little nervous, sure, but then, his nerves had withstood a harder beating than this. It was Mimi that was getting stage fright. "Oh Matt…do we have to do this?"
Kari rolled her eyes. "You've faced Diaboromon and Bakemon in battle fearlessly for the past four years. You've fought monsters like Devimon, Etemon, Myotismon and the Dark Masters. And you're afraid of this?"
Gatomon leapt onto Mimi's shoulder and patted her hair comfortingly. "Don't worry. It'll be OK, you'll do fine."
Matt glanced at Tai. "Ready?"
Tai nodded. "Ready."
The blond boy signaled with a wave of his hand, and they all stepped out onto the raised courtyard, into full view of everyone. Respectful silence fell like a rock as the people saw them. Sora looked nervously at the sea of faces staring expectantly back at her. Turning, she looked at the other destined. In contrast, TK, Matt, Kari and Joe seemed perfectly at ease. Easy for them. They're used to it.
Matt stepped forward, and raised his hands to quiet the last few murmurs from the crowd. "Guys, I have something important to say, so if you'll shush, I'll say it." Matt scorned fancy language. His speeches were therefore composed of normal, everyday English.
"Some of you might be wondering what the commotion was last night. Yesterday, TK and David's recon cell came back from their respective missions." A stir came up from the crowd. After a month and a half of recon, those two were finally back.
"They brought with them some new members. TK managed to add five more members to our little rebellion here, but David found something even more important." Matt gestured with a broad grin on his face Tai and his group.
"It's my honour to introduce to you the missing digidestined."
A huge roar erupted from the crowd. Wild shouting and cheering from the Fremen, and confused but elated conversation from the Zion rebels filled the valley. Everyone struggled to get a better look at Tai and his group, children squealing to be picked up so they could see. Over the past four years, Matt and his group had told everyone all there was to know about the 'missing destined'. Coupled with Zion's rumour mill, everyone knew about the ones called 'Tai', 'Sora', 'Izzy' and 'Mimi'. Tai could only wave feebly, with a nervous smile plastered on his face. Matt wished he had a camera to capture his expression.
"The missing digidestined!"
"The ones that Matt kept talking about? This 'Tai' character?"
"That's the one!"
"But I thought he said Tai was dead!"
"Shhh. Look, he'll explain!"
TK stepped forward. His voice rang out clearly for everyone to hear. He wasn't screaming, but somehow, his words cut through the excited babble easily. Although he was but a child, when he wished, his voice carried a note of authority no one could ignore. The crowd quieted down again.
"We weren't the only ones to make progress during the last couple years. Tai and his group have mainly been wandering in America for the majority of the war, as part of a nomad army called the "Fremen". But the last couple years have been worth it. They've finally discovered a way to defeat Diaboromon once and for all."
Confused muttering and shouting broke out again among the crowd. Matt nodded at Willis to let him take over, and Willis nervously took the stand.
"What we discovered was this." He held up the CD containing the virus. He was surprised. His voice was steady, yet commanding. "In this CD is a virus, that, when properly implanted into Diaboromon's network…"
Again, the blond boy went over the capabilities of the virus. Simplifying it into plain English for those that didn't know techno-talk, he briefly explained what the virus would do when inserted into Diaboromon's network and run.
When he had finished, the people were silent. Then Rob piped up, his dry voice carrying through the air clearly. "That fancy virus is all very nice and good, but how do you propose we infect Diaboromon's network with it?" He wasn't trying to ridicule Willis, but rather, he was a practical man. Rob didn't have time for fancy bits of technology that would, in the end, prove to be worthless.
Willis grimaced, and turned to Tai for help. Tai took a deep breath and stepped forward to take the stand. Here goes…"The problem is that we can't do it remotely. Diaboromon's firewall is too strong, and we don't have the expertise, or the hardware necessary. To successfully infect Diaboromon's network, we'd have to implant it manually…"
For the next several minutes, the people of Zion listened intently as Tai described the plan they had come up with. He explained about the power grid, about the security arrangements around Diaboromon's complex, about the necessity of a diversion, and about the "expiry date" of the virus. And the rebels hung onto every word. As Tai spoke, they grew quieter as they realized exactly what kind of operation this was going to be. To their credit, they never shouted or spoke once to interrupt the explanation.
When Tai finished, the crowd was deathly silent, standing stock-still. The brown-haired boy felt like crying at what he was asking these people to do. It was suicide. A lot of people were going to die. They all knew it. Damn this whole f*cking war, he thought bitterly as he bit his trembling lower lip.
Damn this whole f*cking war.
Suddenly, he felt a comforting hand on his shoulder. Turning, he saw TK smile warmly at him.
"I'll do it." he said softy. Suddenly, Tai felt that much better. The burden had been lifted from his shoulders, willingly taken up by another. TK turned and looked at Matt, and his older brother smiled and nodded. He had no problem with TK doing it either. The people trusted and followed the boy loyally. He was the best person for this.
Turning, TK looked out onto the sea of faces before him. Everyone stared intently at the young boy. Giving Tai a final supportive pat on the back, he stepped forward. Tai watched him as he stepped past. There was something palpably different about him. The smile disappeared from TK's lips, and in its place, a grim, determined mask set into place. His eyes were chips of glacier-blue ice. Tai shivered.
This seemingly innocent boy commanded more power than all the leaders who had come before him.
The boy took a deep breath, and began.
"We're not going to order you to do this. We won't force you to come." TK paused. His eyes were suddenly filled with sadness again. Kari turned away, unable to bear seeing him like this. Tears stung the back of her eyes, but she angrily blinked them away. That sadness seemed to be a part of TK nowadays.
"I'm not going to lie to you. This is a very dangerous operation. If we go ahead with it," the boy's eyes looked pained, "not all of us will be coming back. Retreat is not an option. Either we come back triumphant, or we're not coming back at all. It's that simple. If you have family or children, and do not wish to leave them, no one will think any less of you if you decide to stay.
Think carefully before you commit yourself. Would you stay behind with your family, or go for your family? This mission is crucial to the future of two worlds. Do you want your children to grow up in a world of fear, of darkness.…
or a world of hope?"
The boy took a deep breath. His sapphire eyes scanned the crowd, as he felt the words come naturally to his lips. He was speaking from his heart, and he believed in every word with every last fiber in his being.
"Hope has always been the driving force that has kept us going. Its power and importance is oft overlooked. Ever since the beginning of mankind, hope, hope for a better future, for the idealistic world, has driven mankind to improve, to perfect, and has breathed life into this otherwise dead world. It's a ray of light guiding us towards a better world, prompting us to improve and learn. No matter how hard the circumstances, hope has always brought a smile to our faces."
The digidestined and their digimon stood in a row behind him. TK drew strength from their presence. They were his family, his unfailing brothers and sisters, fellow warriors in this insane war of darkness. Kari nodded at the boy, tears in her eyes. From that simple gesture, his own strength was renewed into a blazing fire.
"In a way, it doesn't make sense. We know that no age is perfect, yet it is our ideal of the perfect world, that has driven us to achieve the heights we once did. Yet life is not about cold logic. The quest is not remembered for the destination. It is made legend by the act of reaching that destination. That same hope has given generations of people a purpose, a cause to live for. It is hope that has made possible goodness, trust, and all that we hold dear. It has brought laughter and happiness to our hearts, love and peace to our world."
His cerulean blue eyes flashed, and his voice hardened. "And now, Diaboromon is threatening to crush that hope. If he succeeds, countless worlds will die, without light, without a future.
Without hope.
We few, we band of brothers and sisters, are all that stands between the life and death of countless worlds. This is a choice each one of you have to make for yourselves. I won't have half-hearted soldiers on this.
If there is something in your life that you love enough to die for, then I am asking you to join us now.
Join us to fight…
for our children…
for humanity…
for hope…
The most precious thing."
TK looked once again upon the multitude of faces before him. He took a deep breath, then finally concluded his point with a simple question.
"I'm here to enlist every man willing.
Who's with us?"
For a moment, the crowd was silent. The valley was still. TK could hear the chirping of crickets, the songs of birds, the rustling of the wind through the trees. No one spoke.
Then Shinta and David looked at one another and nodded slowly. Together, they raised their hands high, proudly and boldly. Everyone turned as the two warriors, by their proud and fearless actions, willingly committed their lives without a second thought. Behind them, TK and David's cell lifted their hands high into the air as well.
Shinta spoke out in a loud voice for everyone to hear. "TK. We'll follow you to the end of the world and back. Just say the word."
Silence.
Then, slowly, more hands came up.
And more.
And more.
Tai watched incredulously as hundreds of people raised their hands proudly, lifting their chins boldly. A cheer started, slowly building until once again, the valleys echoed with jubilant shouting.
And that wasn't all. TK watched with tears in his crystalline eyes as more hands came up.
And more.
And more.
People willingly committing their lives to a cause, the fight to free their world. The faces before him were obscured with a forest of waving hands. The cheers and clapping was deafening. All one thousand Zion rebels and one hundred Fremen, every last one of them, raised their hands proudly and fearlessly.
It was a scene that would be forever remembered in the history books as the infamous 'Zion address'. Countless generations to come read and learned about that glorious day. That day, on August 15th, the young, Japanese leader known as Takeru Takaishi delivered his rousing speech. And the day when the people of Zion united in their determination to finally take back what was rightfully theirs. To take a stand. It marked the beginning of a series of dramatic and bloody events leading up to and including 'The Battle of Zion'.
It marked the beginning of the end.
Matt stepped up to take the stand. A small, but tremendously proud smile crossed his features. Spreading his hands out wide, he declared boldly to the shouting crowd.
"So be it. The attack starts in one month. Preparation begins as of today. Cell and squadron leaders, meet in the war room in two hours. It's time to take our rightful world back! Dismissed."
The deafening roar shook the very foundation of Zion itself
whispering shadows…dancing in the cold and cruel night…
fearful thoughts…whose truths were buried in a pool of mystery and despair…
reflecting their darkness on the water…witnessed by silent approval…
yet…
revealing a spark of hope…leading the way to certainty…
and enlightening the path to honesty…
** Author's notes: Three guesses where I got the idea of putting a poem at the end of a fic. *rolls eyes * Yes, I was inspired by logan, who, for some weird reason, always puts a couple verses of poetry at the end of every fic. Hey, nothing wrong with that ^_^. I think it adds a…well…poetic touch. (haha… *sarcastically *)
Absolutely no idea when the next chapter will be up. It's written, so probably not that long. All that's left is a whole lot of editing. Fellow writers, I'm sure you'll appreciate this. I myself always go over my chapters at least 3 to 5 times, and then send it to my editor. And after that, another 2 times. The end result almost bears no resemblance to the first draft. So bear with me!
Oh yes, what do you think of that picture I drew of Nausicaa (from Nausicaa: Valley of the Wind)? It's on my profile page. Any complaints that I copied this from someone's work will be coldly ignored, since I freehanded it from scratch. Conversely, if someone wants to use it (as if you'd want the thing), please email me for permission first. Either way, please email me anyway and tell me what you think. Or just tell me in the review. Thanx ^_^
One final thing. I've allowed anonymous reviews again, so you guys who couldn't review because you didn't have an account, well, rejoice! I didn't mean to disallow it in the first place. It was an accident. Oh well, please take the time to type out a few thoughts below.