The True Lion
Chapter Six: Freak Nation
Squall's POV
We're finally here. The train makes a slow stop and we get off as fast as we can. The sooner we get to Terminal City, the better.
There are guards everywhere, and a bunch of people wearing shirts that say 'Kill the Freaks'. It's really creepy how hated we are. All because of the media. Everyone believes the lies that we are killers. They think we go after whoever we can. It's so wrong.
Most of the soldiers greet me. I hate being so famous. It will be nice to be around people like me.
I still worry about Rinoa, but I know she'll be okay. She's holding my hand softly, squeezing occasionally to reassure me. It does help, to be loved.
Terminal City is out of the way, but we're better off walking. I don't want to rent a car and be tracked there. Most people already have suspicions about Terminal City, so the less attention the better.
It's a long walk. About two hours to get there. The place is still fenced off, as it has been since the spill. But there are crowds of people around, throwing things and screaming in a frenzy.
We take the back way in. The people here already know I'm coming.
We're greeted by a strange looking man. He has pointy ears, like an Elf. His nose is big and so are his eyes. He's probably a Drone. They were built to do hard labor, and they're good at it.
"Welcome!" he says
"Yeah. I hope you guys don't mind a human hanging around."
He looks at me, "Nah. She's a fox, I doubt they'll mind. Besides, at least she isn't against us."
"True."
He smiles, "Well, my name is Jinx. You are obviously Squall. What's the human's name?"
"I'm Rinoa."
"Alright." Junx says, "Follow me in."
The buildings are a little run down, but everything looks great. I didn't realize how many transgenics there were.
"A lot of good stuff was left behind here. Computers especially. We have surveillance all over the city." Jinx says
"How many transgenics live here?" I ask
Jinx laughs, "Oh, probably a few thousand. We used to be divided. The X Series stayed with their own kind. So did the anomilies, and the specially made. We all basically united when the whole thing started with those ordinaries…no offense."
Rinoa smiles, "None taken."
"This is the main place. Most of us are in this building. Your weapons are working great. I'm glad we got ahold of that while you were in Garden."
"Yeah, it's nice to be able to do."
Jinx introduces us to a bunch of the transgenics around. The one made for cold weather, Albino. The one made for deserts, Gilla. And a few others. Gilla doesn't seem too happy with Rinoa's presence, but most of the transgenics don't mind.
Jinx looks at me, "You need to give her some blood. We don't want her to get sick."
"Yeah, I know. I stole the equipment for it."
"Good. See you two around."
Jinx leaves and Rinoa and I find a nice spot. I have to make sure she isn't affected by the radiation here.
The people all around us are talking. It's funny, how much they seem like ordinary humans.
But that's who and what we are. We're people.
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Zell's POV
The people outside of Terminal City are getting hostile, so SeeD has to take over the area. Headmaster Cid discusses his plans with us.
"I'd be great if Squall showed up, but here's the plan. We're going to have to storm the city and round them up…"
"Wait sir." I say.
Cid looks at me.
"I know where Squall is."
"Where?" he asks
I point to the city, "In there."
His eyes widen, "What?"
"Look, Squall's one of them. They aren't hostile. I overheard him talking. Those transgenics aren't looking for a war, they want peace."
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Squall's POV
I finally find my sister, Max. I'm so glad she's okay. She came here from Galbadia, after a big situation.
Max's friend is an interesting guy. His name is Joshua. He was the first transgenic made by Sandeman, our creator. Unfortunately, Joshua has too much canine in him. But he's a neat guy.
Max knows a lot more about this than I do, though.
She and I sit alone while Rinoa talks to Joshua.
"What all do you know?" I ask
She smiles, "Well, you know Ames White?"
"Yeah, he's our #1 enemy. He's the one exposing us to the public."
"He's part of this breeding cult. I saw the place, it's messed up. They use this selective breeding process to make people really strong. Stronger than us, Squall."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. I fought these people. They're incredible. And they have no barcodes."
I shake my head, "Man."
"Anyway, Sandeman was a member of the cult. Ames White is his son."
"What? White is the son of our creator?!"
"Yup. Sandeman got out of the cult because his other son wouldn't have passed the whole initiation thing."
"What's that all about?"
"They kill this snake and put its blood into you. There is some kind of virus in the blood. If you make it, you're in."
"Weird."
"Yeah, but get this. We're immune to the virus."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. And White is freaking out. See, they recently did a DNA scan on me, and found something. Squall, being twins, we have NO junk DNA."
I shake my head, "That's impossible, all living beings have Junk DNA. It's just leftover parts that don't matter."
"I know, but you and I have none. I'm telling you. That's why Ames is freaking out."
"Why?"
"Well, I'm not sure. I know that they're going to spread this virus, but you and I can save people somehow."
"Max, what do you mean?"
"I'm not sure. I just know Ames made it sound like we were the Second Coming or something."
I shake my head, "This is crazy."
"Yeah, but we have other worries now. We should hold that one off."
"I agree."
We both get up and walk over to Rinoa and Joshua. Joshua is painting something.
"What is that?" I ask
Rinoa smiles, "The flag."
Max looks at me, "The flag of the Transgenics."
The flag is huge. It has a white dove in the center, and a barcode on the bottom. There are three stripes. The bottom one is black, the middle is red, and the top is blue.
"What does this mean?" I ask
Joshua looks at me, "Black is where we were in Manticore. Red is where we are now. White is where we want to be."
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Zell's POV
Headmaster Cid is still shocked, but he's decided not to storm the city. The new plan is to observe and try to make peace.
I'm outside, eating breakfast with Irvine, when a strange sight emerges.
Something is rising, it looks like a sign. But we soon realize what it is.
A flag.
It is beautiful, and everyone is in awe.
But the most shocking thing is the amount of transgenics standing on the roof, under that flag.