Heroic New Era: Fantasies of Heroism
Chapter 5: The Ups and Downs of Sibling Love
The main group returned to Banges Port to see Hilda and Kolador checking up on the trio, with multiple bandages on Popol and Yang, and Heiwa being given some supplementary oxygen along with a few bandages on her as well, the supplementary oxygen being given just in case the Seraphim damaged her lungs, as Shirli was the first to walk in.
"How are they?" Shirli asked Kolador and Hilda.
"They're going to live, that's for certain." Hilda said. "That's the good news."
"The bad news?" Brazera asked, having arrived.
"Their injuries are quite grievous." Kolador explained. "It will take quite a long recovery time. Heiwa, not so much, considering we just need to check if her lungs aren't damaged, but Popol and Yang…"
"...These are consequences that we all have to bear for my actions…" Richard stated, before he then grit his teeth. "But there will be no more who will have to end up like this… next time the Seraphim come… we will be far more ready."
Destiny looked at the trio with a sympathetic expression, as she sighed looking at them. "This is awful…. And the World Government just harrasses you all like this? All the time?" Destiny asked in disgust and shock.
"That's just the beginning for us. They only came because I dared them to come." Richard answered back. "The World Government doesn't release a grudge easily, but that's no excuse to do nothing. If we fight, we fight for those trampled by their ambitions, the countless dead who cry for retribution and justice. That is why I refuse to stand by, and as Magina has reminded me… I will remind them that they should not be complacent with us."
"Damn right, I don't know what comes next… but in time… not even the Seraphim will be a match." Mokou answered back with passion burning in her eyes. "The more we fight these kind of monsters… the more we understand… and the more favorable our battles will be, since we will be used to such monstrous foes."
"You guys are really dead set on sending a message eh." Klora mused. "Well, consider yourselves lucky you got three ladies on your side with no issues telling the authorities to fuck off. I'm more than eager to step on some corporate toes, no matter who they are."
"Hmph. No one should tell others what they should or shouldn't do, or rule them in fear." Ryojmia simply stated. "People should be free, and they should be able to decide their own destinies and fates without fear of condemnation."
"In any case we should stay here until Commandant returns." Lucia suggested.
"Right…" Mokou nodded in agreement,
Meanwhile, up in Hykros…
Siege, Ramlethal, Valentine, and Kaguya could be seen walking up to Dr. Joaquin, as they were ready for the next assignment.
"We're present and ready, Doctor. What Simulacra are we chasing down this time?" Siege asked.
"We're looking for the original data of Simulacra T-04. It's been taken from our records and now any time someone tries to work with her via our Simulacra systems, they mutate into aberrant hybrids." Dr. Joaquin explained.
"That sounds rough." Ramlethal winced.
"It is. And we need it back. We believe it's in the possession of Samir, someone who's related to Simulacra T-04." Dr. Joaquin explained.
"Just tell us where we should look." Siege declared.
"She has a house in the outskirts of Banges, start by looking there." Joaquin explained.
"You got it." Ramlethal nodded as the squad of four transported back to the ground level, their search taking them to Banges where they found a house aloof from the others.
"This must be it." Siege mused, looking to see a numerical pad on the door, as he walked up to it when…
"Hi! You've reached Samir, I'm not home right now so if you need anything, please punch in one of the following prompts. For weather conditions, press 1, for random fun facts, press 2, to schedule an appointment, press 3, to take me out to lunch, press 4." Samir's voice came over the speaker.
Kaguya immediately pressed the 3 button, expecting a response to come.
"If you would like an appointment, please leave your name, number, and address so that I can personally schedule you in! Thank you, and have a nice day." Samir's voice said cheerily.
"This is getting us nowhere…" Siege huffed as he pressed something else.
"If you're not here for the prompts, you can leave the package outside my door, thanks." Samir would say.
"We're not the mail men." Siege growled.
"What? You're not? Then who are you and what the hell do you want?" Samir asked, indicating she was home indeed.
"We're here to discuss some matters with you." Kaguya gently stated. "Look, it would be better if we explain a few things, and get some answers. That's all we need to ask… as long as things don't turn bad."
"I'm glad for the polite tone, I would love to speak with you personally and not the gruff tone guy but, I'm pretty busy here so why not run along and come back later, okay? Buh bye~!" Samir's voice rang as the voice responder ended.
"Damnit…" Siege huffed.
"Having trouble?" A soft voice spoke up as the group turned to see a woman in military-esque gear and short white hair before them.
"Yeah, a little bit. We're from Hykros, and we're trying to get back some stolen Simulacra data." Siege said.
"Here. Let me try." The soft spoken woman said, walking up to the voice command and when asked for her name she said, "Flora."
"Flora!?" Samir's voice resounded in shock on the other end, before she then unlocked the door.
"...Just a hunch but are you and Samir related at all?" Siege would ask Flora.
"Yes. She's my sister, after all. Also, please refer to me as Huma, not Flora." Huma stated.
"Noted." Siege nodded as the group walked inside… finding no Samir, and after searching a bit, no Simulacra data either.
"Nothing." Ramlethal sighed as the group finished the search of the house. "No Simulacra data here."
"Samir must have it on her person. We find Samir, we find the data." Siege deduced.
"Well, we've got to find a way in first, I doubt that she would be clumsy when it comes to keeping her own security…" Kaguya remarked. 'Huma… Do you know any ways to get into the place other than the front door?"
"Sadly no, and before you go any further, this room is all this house has. I doubt she'd hide it anywhere else, and I'd doubt she's here. We need to go find her whereabouts. Maybe she's over at the Banges Motel?" Huma suggested.
"Worth a shot." Siege said as they made their way over, seeing Sam and Lucia trying to piece together what a package would be doing at the Motel when they saw Siege and the others approach.
"Hey boss. You hunting down that Simulacra?" Sam quipped.
"Yeah, we're just having issues finding the girl who took it. You two wouldn't happen to have seen Samir, would ya?" Siege asked.
"A woman named Samir? Negative. There isn't even record in Banges of someone by that name." Lucia declared.
"Maybe you'd know her better as Peach?" Huma asked.
"Peach? ….Found records of someone named Peach." Lucia declared.
"Yeah that's who left this package too! It's for someone named Flora!" The owner smiled.
"Let me see." Huma would say, opening the package to see a letter, a letter of apology from Samir it seemed, and saying there was something else left to help find her, specifically at Grandma Lucy's.
"What is… this?" Valentine said, as she read the contents of the letter. "Grandma Lucy… is that someone important?"
"The person who raised Peach and me." Huma explained. "She lives not too far from here."
The group made a quick trip over, finding a note left by Peach there as well, talking about a research facility of sorts, located on the outskirts of Banges.
"Research Facility?" Siege asked. "What's that got to do with anything?"
"I'm not sure. But it's the only lead we have." Huma said.
"Then let's not waste time." Kaguya stated, as they headed to the location that Huma stated.
Heading inside, they searched the initial room for the T-04 Simulacra data. However, they found it wasn't in the initial room, but found ways to go further into the facility… however, as they traversed there, they ran into a trap that started separating them from Huma!
"Huma!" Siege exclaimed as the laser traps continued pushing the squad of four away from Huma.
"Well, it seems that you're nosing into matters that are not yours." Samir's recorded voice rang through the entire corridor. "Well, I can't warn you at this point, so I'm afraid that you're going to have to be quick about finding your way out."
"Damn… I never thought that she would be this thorough…" Kaguya cursed.
"May I suggest that we-" Valentine stated, as she planned to use her own powers to destroy the traps.
"Inadvisable. We cannot risk harming Huma by such a destructive method." Ramlethal quickly shot the idea down.
Kaguya then noticed that there was a number-pad on both sides of the trap.
"Huma, over there!" Kaguya exclaimed, gesturing at the number-pad on her side, as the laser-traps on the outer edges were moving closer to the group.
"They're locks for the doors! I'll get mine unlocked, you guys get that one unlocked and we'll meet up soon!" Huma exclaimed as she began punching in codes.
"Our best chance we got, take care Huma!" Siege exclaimed as he inputted a code after remembering what it was from the code log he spotted while searching for the data in the room previous, as such, the door for them opened easy as the group ran through, going into a room full of doors with various numbers as the one they opened closed behind them.
"It seems as if we're in a puzzle area now. Doors with various numbers and only one leads to our goal." Ramlethal mused.
"There's some working panels in here. Let's try some of those." Siege stated.
After a few tries of combinations, the group suddenly opened a door that revealed a bright light at the end of the corridor, the shadow of someone standing in it.
"Eureka!" Siege exclaimed.
"Over there!" Kaguya shouted at the others, as they immediately entered through the door, as it shut before them. "...Oh, come on-"
Before Kaguya could even continue to complain, the doors opened again after a brief delay, showing that there was no-one behind the door, confusing her.
Regardless, the group entered the room, as they saw that there was a large lab facility before them, as there was a circular lab chamber before them, as inside was a biotic tank containing someone that the group just saw.
"...Huma?" Valentine remarked, seeing the slumbering girl inside the tank.
"...I thought we'd been played." Siege said in a sour tone.
"What do you mean?" Ramlethal asked.
"I remember in Hykros records about Huma." Siege said. "How she was brought here because they needed to find a way to properly save her while also keeping her proper consciousness. I forget the specifics… but Huma wasn't with us at all."
Siege then looked around the room. "Samir! You've set us up on this little journey and here we are so you can spit in our faces by tricking us into believing you're Huma! I know that was the entire reason you even let us get this far, so come on, come and claim your victory!"
"My, my." Samir's voice rang, as she revealed herself, being a woman with light brown hair in a pony-tail, and yellow eyes, entered the room. "And here I have thought that you have never figured it out."
"I know why you did this. You don't trust us do you? You believe that if we take that data that Hykros is just gonna sit on their laurels with your sister just as 'they've always done.' Am I right?" Siege spat at Samir.
"Samir… what is the meaning of this? Is what Siege says true? The data chip in your hand, and the body stored in there… they're both Huma, but separated as body and personality!?" Kaguya exclaimed.
"Exactly right, the both of you." Samir remarked, before she then turned to the tank holding Huma inside. "Isn't it ironic? The adventurer party finally manages to penetrate right into the depths of the demon lord's castle, and find their princess… only for her to never wake again. A cruel ending, that's all that this is."
"What do you hope to achieve with this act?" Valentine asked back. "If all you intend is to provoke us, then there is no reason to lead us here only."
"No. It's something more than simply provoking us." Siege declared as he stared Samir right in the eyes. "She's telling us she will never hand us the data. That we can never understand the pain and heartbreak of her position."
"A game of cat and mouse…" Kaguya stated, before her eyes widened in realization. "...That's it, it's a message… much like Richard did with the World Government… this entire 'game'... it was for the intention of saying that she'll NEVER hand Huma back over to us."
"What….?" Ramlethal asked.
"Well, Samir. Congratulations, you've officially ticked us all off and won your pretty little game, believing we have no idea of the pain you feel." Siege said as he had his fists clenched. "But suppose, in your little trick, you've pulled and tugged on the heart strings of a man who knows EXACTLY what the pain of a miserable sibling is like. Suppose, all this time, you've been playing with a man who watched his own sister die in his arms! Suppose you've been toying with someone who's been EXACTLY where you are! What then, hm!? What's your excuse then!?" Siege spat in malice.
"And what does that change? You think just because you lost a sibling, that you would know anything to bring Huma… no, Flora, right back to me?" Samir answered back, before her expression became dark. "Don't try to make me the villain of this little story. You asked for all of this when you followed the trail to where it leads. If you think that you can fix her, then you'd be trying far harder. But you're not. To all of you, Huma is nothing but a means to the end. You want to know something, dear Executor? I searched for her for years, clinging on to a pathetic hope that she would be the same. And when I found her, that hope was torn to shreds. Her body was left a mere shell, a shell that others toy and experiment for their own uses. Tell me then, do you think that's a worse fate than death, to be left screaming in a shell of your own body without control? Because that's how I see Flora's fate being. Her body was not their rightful property, and they took her without any care about me. So why should I care about any of them, when they use my sister like this. All that's TRULY left of Flora is this chip, and I hate the fact that it ended like this. So I don't care what happens to me… Flora will never be yours, I would sooner seal this entire facility to be never found again, than let that heart-break happen. Does it hurt you? Does it make you feel lost? Because now you know what it means to-"
"...No, I understand." Valentine stated, with a lack of any malice, which actually surprised Samir,
"We all do." Siege said, his anger subsiding to sympathy.
"What?" Samir answered.
"You only wanted the best for her, and you feel like the entire world wants to hurt her…" Valentine answered back, before closing her eyes. "But I don't feel any hate, not even after what happened. Because all that is washed by the fact that I sympathize with you. I was a worse sister than you could have been."
"Granted, I reacted with anger at first, but I need you to understand two very important things, Samir." Siege said. "One. I'm not with Hykros to begin with. None of us are. We're a team from a far off world that seeks to help other worlds such as this one, and every individual within it. And secondly, I want to help Huma just as much as you do, and before you blaspheme that claim, I can introduce you to someone who is a sibling to one of our own members. We can even bring said sibling of this person here, but I want you to meet someone who we found in similar condition to Huma, Samir."
Siege suddenly typed in things on an arm keyboard, before on the main monitor, a picture of Lucia's sister, Luna, appeared on the screen, hooked up to medicinal equipment, and receiving the best of care, as she suddenly saw Huma and Samir.
"...Ah… this is a familiar sight…" Luna said, albeit weakly, as she looked at the scene. "I remember a time my sister looked upon me as I was in a test tube like that… it wasn't a good feeling at all… led her to do many bad things…. But it's in the past now that I'm getting proper help…"
"Samir, this is Luna. She, like Huma, was taken in by people and experimented on for a project in their world that attempted to turn normal kids like her into beings that could suppress the Punishing Virus in their world. Unfortunately, their tests failed on Luna, and she became put in this state. I am doing everything in my power to cure her and bring her to full health, unlike the idiots of the world she came from." Siege informed. "As of now, we are 85% of the way complete in our curation process, all in the course of a mere month." Siege explained, turning to Samir. "Do you get it now, Samir? I'm not here to tug and hurt your heart further. I'm here to help. And if you hand over the data, I will explain to Dr. Joaquin myself that I will take Huma into my own personal staff of medics and techs to locate and fix this issue. You just have to trust us, Samir."
"You don't have to be against the world." Kaguya responded back. "There may be shitbags and bastards everywhere… but there are people like us who are willing to do the right thing. We won't even need the data itself, if you come along with us. In fact, since you're the only one who knows Huma so well… it's best that you also be the one to take care of her. Come with us, we can fix all of this."
Samir was hesitant for a moment, before she then looked at Huma for a moment, as there was a sparking hope in her eyes, before she then let out a deep sigh.
"...I do not know what the Punishing Virus is… nor do I know you all truly, other than what I have heard from this entire act… But that girl alone… the one you call Kaguya… ever since she tried to be diplomatic, there was actually a faint hope in me." Samir admitted. "...But hearing all of this… you didn't even try to force yourselves in. You actually listened for once, and just let me vent. For that, you are far better than most people I have met, in the fact that you're at least honest to a considerable degree. Alright, I'll take your word, but I will be on guard the entire time."
"We wouldn't ask any less." Kaguya stated, with a hopeful smile.
"Indeed. We understand you can't trust easily. Not after the misuse of trust from Hykros. I'll talk with Dr. Joaquin to hopefully smooth things over without us handing over the data or you get too severe a punishment from this. After all, they have their own part to play in your suffering and I intend to remind them of that." Siege declared firmly. "Now come on, let's get Huma fixed, Samir." Siege said with a sympathetic smile, as Luna smiled from her hospital bed at the scene.
Samir then walked over to a nearby console, as she inputted a few commands, before the front door into the lab chamber opened, revealing that the group had managed to get through to Samir, as she walked forward.
"...So, what's the first step about all of this." Samir stated bluntly. "We first head to Hykros to tell Dr Joaquin all that happened here? In your own version?"
"You're not required to come with us for that portion. Hold on to the data. I've got a conversation with the good doc that might get a little heated. Kaguya will handle getting Huma transported to our vessel so our team can get to work on diagnosing and working on a cure for Huma." Siege said, as he soon contacted Richard on comms. "Richard, it's Siege. I need a special order sukima, right to Hykros."
"One trip coming up." Richard stated, as the requested sukima appeared right before them.
"If I'm not back for a long time, know I was ripping into Joaquin pretty good for this." Siege said as he hopped in, and sought out Dr. Joaquin for the report, soon finding him in his usual place.
"Doctor, I have news about the T-04 Simulacra data." Siege would start as he approached.
"What of it?" Dr Joaquin asked back.
"Well, in a manner of speaking… We successfully retrieved the data and got Samir's cooperation." Siege informed.
"That's good to hear… but I suppose that's not all of it, from what I can see on your face." Dr Joaquin stated.
"Deducing as ever, Doctor. Allow me to cut to the chase and say this then:" Siege said. "She's giving the data to us. And you will not be seeing the data in your possession as the result of our efforts."
"I see. That's a shame… but if this is the price it takes for her to hand the data over… I suppose that it is better that it is in trusted hands, rather than ours…" Dr Joaquin sighed. "...I suppose that you might want to know why T-04 ended up as they were."
"No need. Samir told us everything from her point of view in regards to that. And that's all the information I need on the subject." Siege said. "We will work to ensure the T-04 data can be returned to you as expediently as possible. However, we'll need it to properly ensure Huma returns to Samir in full condition before it can be returned proper to you. Part of our agreement with Samir. In any case, you can expect the data to be returned to you upon our success in returning Huma to 100% condition."
"That is acceptable conditions." Dr Joaquin answered back. "I hope for your success, for you might do what we cannot."
"I'm surprised. I didn't expect you to be so cooperative regarding the data not being in your possession." Siege mused. "Considering the urgency you had when we first breached the manner on the data not being in your possession." Siege added.
"I think that after seeing the results you all have achieved, I have no rights to argue for something that has been our fault to begin with." Dr Joaquin admitted with a sigh. "Consider it partial atonement for something we are at fault of."
"Well. Samir will be happy to hear that you admit your faults." Siege said. "And my respect of you is restored for your honesty and integrity, as difficult as it must be to admit such a thing." Siege said with sympathy. "Well, if we're done here, I'll report to Samir and then we'll be going back to the mission of shutting down the other Omnium Towers." Siege informed.
"Ah, that's right… how goes that?' Dr Joaquin asked. "You have been fairly effective in dealing with this great problem for all of us, and once again, you have eternal gratitude from countless people for that."
"We have 2 of the 5 Towers disabled. But the World Government is driving roadblocks for us left and right. It's infuriating, but the more they resist and get slammed for it, the more our message to them is sent, so it's a double edged sword for them. They send more to not show signs of weakness, but the more they're resisted the more they understand the threats we are to them." Siege stated with a small chuckle.
"Hmm…" Dr Joaquin stated with a frown on his lips. "I sincerely hope that they will be dealt with soon… considering what they are willing to do… they are no less a threat than the Heirs of Aida."
"Oh! News on that front as well! Frigg, one of the Heirs of Aida, is considering switching sides. She can't right now, considering what Sage might do to her, however, she will defect when the time is right." Siege stated with a smile.
"Oh, that's great news to hear, to see that even among those Heirs, there are some who can be turned to realize what kind of ending that the ultimate goal of the Heirs would cause to people who have no right to be dragged into this struggle…" Dr Joaquin remarked.
"Indeed. Anyways, I'll get back to it, take care Doc!" Siege smiled as he portaled back to Banges, as the group had just finished transporting Huma to the Golden Blaze, leaving the facility with Samir with them.
"Ah, that didn't take long." Ramlethal mused.
"That's because Joaquin actually admitted the faults of Hykros and said us taking Huma was partial atonement for what they did. No issues whatsoever." Siege smiled.
"That's a surprise. I thought that the professor might have reservations… but then again, it's refreshing to have someone admit they're wrong, even when it's not the best to do so." Kaguya answered back.
"So. What's our next move?" Ramlethal would ask.
"Our next tower is going to be located near Cetus Island. We won't need much for the force going in this time, considering there's only so much room inside a dirigible." Siege explained.
"A dirigible…?" Ramlethal asked.
"You'll see when we get there." Siege said. "That is, if you're coming."
"I suppose I could." Ramlethal mused.
"Think I should come this time, Siege?" Kaguya asked. "I mean, Richard could just transport us around, once you make land-fall in Cetus Island."
"Yeah, you can come. In case any more Seraphim cause us issues." Siege mused. "Samir, you looking to join us?"
"Eh, why not. I could use the work-out." Samir stated. "Besides, you'll need someone who knows more about the world than the rest of you. I could help spot out a few things that you guys and girls might miss."
"That's highly appreciated." Siege smiled, before contacting Richard. "Yo, Richard, it's Siege, we're fixing to head off to Cetus Island and the next tower. There's probably only room for two more in a dirigible, so you comin'?"
"I'm coming along." Richard answered back, as he produced a small hand-held radar. "And using some fragments on that scrapped Seraphim, I've also managed to get the personnel to fashion a radar for us, a la Dragon Radar style. This will make sure that the Seraphims don't get the drop on us this time. We already got three members licking their wounds because we didn't prepare well enough. A second time is not happening."
"Roger that good pal." Siege smiled as he watched Richard come to them via sukima, with Ruby by his side. "Ruby?"
"I want revenge on those damn Seraphim for what they did to Yang. We may not be related by blood but she and I have bonded enough I can call her my sister if I want damnit. And they're not getting away with hurting her!" Ruby spoke in fury and determination.
"Save the rage for the Seraphim. It will help." Siege suggested. "Alright crew, shall we be off to Cetus Island? Don't get distracted at the carnival, it's gonna be a wild ride as it is!"