A/N: For Warning and Disclaimer, refer back to PROLOGUE

Chapter 9: Return

Serph sat on the bench at Sala Park, staring into space. From a distance, he could see as clear as day the flow of data from the satellites and into space. He neither moved nor said anything and the other members of Embryon thought it best for their leader to gather his thoughts…and his heart.

They didn't know how to tell him. They didn't know what the right words were to say. Serph had come back from the brink of death in hopes of seeing his team alive and well; in hopes of seeing Argilla alive. Gale could still vividly recall how the smile on Serph's face disappeared when he noticed Argilla missing. His eyes hardened and looked around him, looking for any glimpse of her. They couldn't say anything. They all wanted to say something, to comfort him, but no words came and their feet remained solid on the ground in which they stood.

Serph looked into Gale's eyes looking for answers, but as soon as their eyes met, Gale held his gaze for but a second before turning away. As Gale once again met Serph's eyes, he realized the look that plagued his leader's face and eyes. It was a look that he had seen so many times in his life. It was the look of defeat.

Cielo and Sera had started to walk towards Serph when he raised his hands and shook his head. They all understood; he wanted to be alone.

And so, alone was Serph as he sat on a bench at Sala Park.

xxxxx

Argilla was gone. He couldn't believe it. His eyes burned and his hands shook as the implications of that knowledge stabbed him like a dull knife. The pain intensified tenfold as he remembered his other companions.

Roland. It was true that Serph had not known Roland for long and that the air around them was tense, but still, he knew Roland was a good person. They had braved many dangers upon their quest and while he could have avoided direct confrontation, he chose to remain as part of the group. And now, he was gone.

Heat. He was his best friend. Fighting him and knowing that it was he who was responsible for his death, model or AI, had been a terrible burden for him to bear.

"You killed me! Understand!"

Serph could say nothing as Heat grabbed the collar of his suit. How could he defend himself when it was he who had wronged his best friend? Serph's eyes glowed with sympathy and empathy as he realized that Heat was going to die. He had wronged Heat in both lives; both as a scientist, and as the leader of Embryon.

Heat was the one who cared about Sera the most while he had been the one to betray the trust that Sera had given him.

'No! That wasn't me!' Serph shook his head. That was right, it wasn't him. He was different from 'Serph'…He was different.

And then, his thoughts drifted to the only woman he had ever loved. He knew that Sera had created him purely from the image of Dr. Serph. Her love and admiration for him knew no bounds. And as such, he realized that his feelings of yearning to be close to Sera could be affiliated to the fact that he was probably programmed to. But despite his programming, he has evolved and achieved what no AI before him had ever done. He was able to achieve humanity.

He was able to think for himself and decide what went on with his life. It was also then that he realized that he was experiencing feelings and emotions that he hadn't been able to feel or interpret before. He had felt strong feelings for his tribesmen, but none of them caught his attention and feelings the way the only female Embryon member had. As the time rolled by, his feelings grew but he dismissed them as soon as they came to mind.

There was also the issue with Sera. He loved Sera; that was true. But, as a what, he didn't know. What he felt for Sera and Argilla was so alike yet very different at the same time. He wanted to please and protect both of them; he wanted to be with them always. But, in contrast, he wanted to spend his loneliest, darkest and happiest days with Argilla and not Sera. He didn't know how to explain it himself but, he knew that his love for the two differed. He wanted to protect Sera and guide her through life but he wanted Argilla to walk beside him as he braved the unknown world. He wanted to eliminate from Sera's mind, all the painful memories and eradicate anything that would give her pain. But, for Argilla, he wanted to share his pain with her; he wanted to share in her pain, her sorrow.

It was then when he saw a family walking across the street that it all became clear to him. Sera was like a child to him; a child that he needed to protect and shower with love. While Argilla on the other hand, was the partner in the relationship; she was the one who would hold his hand and walk together alongside him as they paved the way, clear of anything harmful for Sera. Argilla was his mate and Sera his offspring.

And now…that person was gone forever, never to return. Serph gritted his teeth in frustration as to how life could be so unfair. It was then that he remembered one of the nights he spent with Argilla at the Junkland. She had asked him what it meant to be alive. Back then, he didn't know…not really. He told her that it was living for one's important people that gave life meaning. Without them, life would be hell. But, by that argument, Serph began to wonder, now that his important person had died, what was the purpose of his life? Wouldn't it be meaningless?

'No…it wouldn't be meaningless. I have the rest of Embryon and Sera to protect. Argilla wouldn't want to see me like this…I will do everything in my power to save and protect them…I promise you Argilla.' thought Serph with resolve anew as he looked up to the heavens.

xxxxx

Serph got up from the bench and walked slowly towards the group. His heart still ached from the loss of his comrade and love, but, there were more pressing matters to attend to, and being the leader of Embryon, he knew the responsibilities that the position held. He knew that he should place his needs and feelings behind everyone else's. Their safety and welfare were the top priority and his, was to be last. He didn't have the luxury of time to think about his own personal problems when the lives of his tribesmen, friends, comrades and the whole earth's population were at stake.

With these thoughts in mind, Serph forced his mind to focus on the current situation. He forced his heart to harden and to be devoid of emotion. He had to act and he had to act fast.

Gale's neck craned up when he caught a glimpse of Serph getting closer to where they all waited. Sera looked at him sympathetically, "Serph…are you alright?"

Serph caught her eyes and saw her concern and he nodded; his face firm. Gale nodded, "Right. We need to stop the data transmission. The only way to do it is to," Gale nodded in Sera's direction, "talk to God, as Sera had already explained. We all need to get to the Sun to get to God. We all know what must happen to get there."

Serph furrowed his eyebrows in comprehension and suddenly, his heart felt lighter. He would have to lay down his life, along with his comrades in order to have a chance at saving the world. He smiled internally; he would be with her again. Somewhere and somehow, he would find her.

Sera took over the briefing as Gale motioned for her to speak, "We need to get to the airport in order to reach the old HAARP Facility. It's a facility that is equipped with technology that will allow us to upload our own personal data to any destination that we may choose. We've only got one shot at this."

Cielo, noticing the extreme tension amidst the group cracked a smile, "Ey! If I was jus strong enough, I'd jus fly us all dere myself!"

Serph, Gale and Sera all chuckled at his humor. Serph then looked into everyone's eyes and headed out of the park.