01/07/20
How has the first week of 2020 been for everyone? I've been BUSY! Busy with GAMES! Got my own copy of MGSV, got the Resident Evil Triple Pack and I'm still playing Code Vein and Death Stranding even though I beat them soooo yeah. My free time is crowded. And yet all I think about at work is coming home to write more of this.
You can see why this chapter took quite a while eh? But now I have a question to everyone who reads this story. I was considering cutting this story in half, this being everything that happens before Mira, the other being after. That would mean re-titling this one to Xenoblade Chronicles Exodus. Should I? Or should I just say screw it. Cause if you notice, the story description and title is all about Mira, nothing about the Exodus. I'll prob do that on AO3 since they have the series feature which is really nice.
That aside, the source of my lie is in this chapter. Once you see it you'll know. Also, nope this isn't 2054, the story of 2053 is far from over yet...
Welcome to 2020 everyone and more fanfiction updates from me! Also, as of an hour ago 2020 is the year of Jaynix's birth.
(Noun) A group consisting of parents and children living together in a household.
Chapter Nine
Family
The day was calm, peaceful and warm in the household. Upstairs a man was on the computer doing some research on certain mechanical parts he needed for a project. While downstairs a woman hummed a tune to herself while washing dishes. It was picturesque.
Hearing a knock at the door, the woman stepped away from her sink and the remaining dishes. Wiping her hands she walked to and opened the door, coming face to face with two young red-headed girls.
One, eight years old, wore a wide grin and looked to have been scuffed up with cuts and bruises. Even so, her eyes were beaming with pride. The younger one, six years old, looked to have just stopped crying as evident by her puffy eyes and red cheeks. However now she was looking at the older girl with a smile of her own.
"Oh my little Flame…"
Bending down the woman embraced the younger girl.
"Mommy…"
She didn't even need to ask, she knew exactly what happened to the girls on their way home. Her eyes then moved to the older girl.
"You protected her, didn't you my little spark?"
"Of course I did mom! She's MY sister and no one bullies her!"
Removing one arm from around Flame, their mother took hold of the young Jaynix and brought her into the hug.
"You're both home now."
Their father soon appeared at the doorway.
"Sonja…"
"It's alright dear...they're alright. They're strong."
Flame and Jaynix stepped away from their mother, Sonja. She placed one hand on Jaynix's bruised cheek.
"Your sister will always be safe with you there."
With a smile, the father stepped aside, letting the three walk in. As he closed the door he asked Flame if she wanted anything special to eat.
Shutting the door on that warm day, the family found solace in each other.
The year was 2028.
It had been a long few days. Upon learning the identity of their new enemy: the 2nd Soldier Unit. General Kumon had ordered the Reapers to engage in more intense training than ever before under the guidance of Steven Harper. He knew they were up to it, the Lawless were a mistake that he fully intended to correct.
However, before he could dedicate himself to that task, there was another matter that needed to be settled and so Kumon sat in his office, nursing a drink in his hand as Jaynix sat across from him. He had requested a private meeting, things needed to be said.
With a sigh he put his drink down.
"I never spoke of my time serving with Nagi, did I?"
Jaynix shook her head.
"No, sir. Elma told me about it once very briefly and I've always wanted to ask you for some of those stories...I still do but I don't wanna fangirl too hard about it...uh, sir."
Kumon laughed.
"No need to apologize, Jaynix."
There was a silence, it wasn't uncomfortable but Jaynix could tell there was something. The General didn't seem happy. As he took a sip from his glass, she leaned in and spoke.
"General. What do you need me to do?"
Kumon's eyes found her single, burning one.
"You've tempered yourself so well all these years Jaynix. I don't want to destroy what you've built."
The Corporal shook her head.
"I've done nothing special, sir. Everything I am is because of you and the rest of the Reapers...and Lyla."
"Yes...so it is with a heavy heart that I ask this of you. Corporal Jaynix Isaiah Copeland…"
Kumon stood up and took a deep breath.
"I am sidelining you from our future operations against the Lawless. Effective immediately."
Jaynix's eye widened in shock, standing up in a rush she knocked the chair down behind her.
"Sir! With all due respect, you can not be serious."
"I am. I know and I believe that in your heart of hearts you understand that I am doing this for you. Because you are you...and they are who they are. I'll die before you cross paths with them again."
Jaynix shook her head.
"You have to let me be a part of this, sir. I've spent all these years growing. Becoming stronger. Better…"
She hesitated.
"...human."
Kumon narrowed his eyes as she looked back at him, determined.
"I have to do this. Sir."
There was a silence before Kumon let out a heavy sigh. Shaking his head he finished his drink before speaking.
"A part of you wants this Jaynix. Very badly. And I'm afraid that it's not the part you should be listening to."
Jaynix looked down at the ground.
"...is there nothing I can do? Sir?"
"On this front? No...however. Don't think I'm going to have you sitting on your hands doing nothing while we face off against former Coalition officers. I have a task for you...or rather, you've been called in for an assist."
Jaynix looked back up at Kumon. There was a curious look in her eye.
"Who am I assisting?"
Steven stood in front of the mirror in his room staring at his reflection, having taken off his shirt, his eyes looked at each and every scar he had. A particularly savage one along his side cause that familiar feeling to bubble up within him. It always did.
It was that injury. The circumstances around it that forced his retirement. He couldn't justify continuing his service. But he owed Kumon. He owed Kumon a lot. Everything, some would say. And he wouldn't disagree.
There was a knock at the door and a voice came through. It was the Major, Tai Alistair.
"Archer, the General is calling us together. We're gonna do a full briefing on the Lawless. Everything we know, out on the table…"
Steven nodded, of course. There was a lot to clear up if they were going to do this. They had to. Retrieving his clothes he began dressing himself while speaking.
"Understood. I'll be out soon enough, Major."
"Right. Be seeing you."
Tai's steps faded away as Steven grabbed his armor and began putting the pieces on. His eyes traveled to his bows lying against the wall. The Reapers' Strategist had requested a closer look at them, no doubt to design a new one. He was reluctant, it'd been long since he worked with a team.
Grabbing one of the models he used in his last year of service he tested its heft.
"This one will do."
Wrapping it around his torso he clicked the lock in place, testing the flack before sighing. Closing his eyes, he centered himself.
Deep breath in.
Deep breath out.
Opening his eyes he walked towards the door and left the room to join the others.
Upon hearing a knock, a man put down his book and approached the door. Opening it he found a familiar face smiling back at him. With a hearty laugh he held his hand out to his old friend.
"Hideo. To what do I owe this visit?"
"Maxwell. I'm here to ask Sonja for a favor."
Tilting his head, Maxwell searched Hideo's face.
"A favor?"
"Who is it dad?"
The men turned their attention to Jaynix as she stopped next to her dad. Spotting Hideo she smiled and tried her best to do a proper salute, with a laugh, Hideo did the same to her.
"If I may?"
Maxwell nodded and entered the house, Hideo following him and Jaynix trailing behind, her youthful curiosity causing a stream of questions for the older man as they always did when he visited.
"Has your rank changed again?"
"Not quite but word has it they're looking for a new general. Who knows?"
Jaynix giggled.
"Who knows?"
The group came to a stop, looking out into the backyard they saw Flame on the ground messing with her toys, a curious gaze in her eyes as she adjusted her glasses. Quickly, Jaynix ran from the men to join her sister.
Sonja was nearby, watching her daughters before spotting Hideo.
Returning inside the three sat down, the joyous laughter of the girls outside bringing a pleasant smile to their faces.
"They're getting big."
Hideo stated wistfully. He then looked to Sonja as she asked.
"Is there a mission you need me for?"
Maxwell seemed concerned, as he always was. Hideo brought a hand up and shook his head.
"Nothing like that. I have no desire to bring her back into active duty. You've served."
Sonja nodded as Hideo cleared his throat.
"We have...a class at the Academy right now that...there is greatness in all of them. Outstanding talent."
"The Devoted."
Sonja stated. Maxwell nodding as well.
"I've heard of these men and women. It's almost like a group of prodigies…"
"Yes well, we're instructing them as best we can. I've taught them, Nagi has as well...we believe in their potential and it would be a boon if you would consider instructing them...just a few classes. We could really use your talents Corporal Copeland."
Sonja looked to Maxwell to find him looking to her. He gestured for her to make the call.
"Just teaching?"
"Just teaching."
"Alright. I'll do it."
Hideo smiled.
"Very well. I'll get the schedule figured out with the rest of the staff and let you know. Thank you, Sonja."
She couldn't help but laugh.
"To be honest, I was expecting something more intense."
"As was I."
Maxwell said, finally breathing a long sigh of relief.
Standing from the table, Hideo straightened his suit, extending his hand to shake with each of the parents before him.
"I would never dream of it. Thank you. I should be on my way."
With a bow, he turned to leave the home, Maxwell following him as Sonja stepped outside watching Jaynix and Flame run around each other. Flame held out one of her mech figures, Jaynix made a dramatic motion of being hit by an attack and fell to the grass.
As Flame celebrated her victory, Sonja smiled.
Rapid knocking caused Aegis to jump up from Kriss' lap and run off into a corner. The Professor sighed as Elma emerged from her room and opened the door.
"Wait! What if-"
Immediately, Elma found hands on her shoulders and a very concerned one eyed woman looking her over.
"What happened!? Elma what's wrong? Are you hurt?"
Elma smiled, gently she took hold of Jaynix's hands, taking them off her shoulders.
"I'm fine Jaynix."
"Are you sure? Kumon said-"
"The Corporal?"
Jaynix looked past Elma to see Kriss sitting on her couch. Jaynix tilted her head.
"Do I know you?"
"It'd be better for all three of us if you realize the answer is no."
Elma watched Jaynix's face change immediately. Her eye found Elma.
"What do you need?"
Elma gestured for Jaynix to sit at the table before calling Kriss over. The Professor stopped in front of Elma and began to whisper.
"Colonel. We-"
"I trust her."
Kriss laughed.
"Trust? There is that word again. Colonel if there is anyone more likely to shoot me in the back than you, it'd be her."
Jaynix looked to the two.
"Shoot who?"
Elma put a hand on Kriss' shoulder, the other woman moving herself out of Elma's touch.
"Stop it. I'm not here to do this whole friendship thing. I told you that already. I'm here for one thing and one thing only. Vengeance. Help me get that and I'm gone."
Elma sighed.
"You aren't going to make this easy, aren't you?"
The two women stared at each other, Jaynix wasn't sure what to expect. Finally, Kriss shook her head and sat at the table.
"Jaynix. This is Professor Kriss Fowler. I'm sure you remember when Eren and yourself came to me asking about her, yes?"
Jaynix looked to the Professor, she couldn't help but grin.
"Ah, so Eren was totally infatuated with you eh? I can see why."
Kriss raised an eyebrow as Elma continued.
"She has come to me with a rather disturbing tale. It seems even now, in what many claim to be the end of days...there is still corruption within our government. Within the ECP."
Jaynix's eye looked to Elma briefly before looking away.
"What are the odds…"
Her comrades, her team, her family was dealing with the remnants of one of the Coalition's biggest failures and oldest mistakes as they spoke. And here she was helping with the ECP's dirty laundry.
"So. Did you call for me to...y'know…"
Jaynix pretended to hold a gun and fire, Elma shook her head.
"What is it with you two? Did you not hear me? Someone in the ECP has crossed a line, we can't just kill them."
Jaynix remained silent as Elma continued.
"The ECP is the core of Project Exodus, people have faith in them and in the Coalition because they have the only method to save us all from what's coming. If it comes out that someone in the high ranks of the ECP has betrayed everyone's trust and done even half the things that Kriss has told me that they've done...especially now, now that not only is the White Whale complete but several reports have come in from around the world detailing the completion of several Ark ships...can you imagine what a betrayal and loss of faith like this would do?"
Elma held up a finger.
"It's a single seed of doubt yes. One. But one is all it takes for the union that the peoples of the Earth formed thirty years ago to crumble to pieces."
Elma put her hand down.
"If we let that happen. It's over. We all die."
There was a pall in the room, Elma looked to Kriss to see, at long last, a sort of understanding in her eyes. No acceptance, but understanding. That was enough. Then she looked to Jaynix as the Corporal spoke.
"What do you need me to do?"
"The year was 2041."
Kumon started.
"The Devoted were brought in to instruct a unique group of Rhadamanthus Academy's best and brightest. These individuals excelled in fields all across the board, in every facet of combat. It was a team of the greatest that the Academy had to offer in every way. You could say they were that year's own Devoted. What better way to improve the best than to have them train with the best?"
Steven nodded, looking down at the large table the Reapers were gathered around. It displayed the dossiers of all those chosen Officers as well as the other instructors involved aside from the Devoted. A few of which he was sure everyone in the room was staring at.
"For a long time the areas outside of our walls were known as the Uncontrolled Districts...because that's what they were. Uncontrolled. It was in 2041 when that all changed. During a routine training session within the Academy walls…"
Kumon trailed off. The rest of the Reapers looked up at him. Steven approached and whispered something to him. Eren spoke up.
"I read up on what I could myself, General. I'll continue."
Kumon looked at her and nodded.
"There was a series of explosions. One destroyed part of the wall surrounding Noah's Cradle, the section as close to the Academy as it could be. The other was within the Academy. Dozens of officers and several instructors were killed in that blast. Response was as quick as could be, clearly whoever did it was going to attempt to flood into Noah's Cradle through the hole in the wall. So a large platoon of our soldiers including the Devoted and the Officers in their care went out into the Uncontrolled Districts to find the cause."
Steven's eyes moved to each of the Reapers' faces. He wanted to see what they knew. Many of them already knew how the story ended but one of them. One of them did not want to be in the room.
"...and then the Devoted turned. They killed the entire platoon and those who they trained. It was a massacre. Even the most hardened of veterans still have nightmares about what the field of battle looked like when it was all over...not to mention the crew stuck with the daunting task of cleaning it all up. After that massacre, the Devoted vanished. But not before carving one word into the flesh of the head proctor at the time, Markinson. The word was-"
"Lawless."
Tai finished.
"And thus. The untamed wastes were renamed...and groups like us formed to deal with what was out there. And to find the traitors…"
Kumon said, though his face betrayed that there was more to it. Alto, sensing this, crossed his arms.
"So you're telling me...the people capable of that just...vanished? No one has seen them since? Twelve years later, four of them show up in a destroyed building and we just gunned them down? No offense, sir, but how were they the best and the brightest if we managed to kill four of em with no great pain to us?"
Sagis cleared his throat.
"To be fair, Tai and Jaynix were knocked out."
Alto shook his head.
"By a ballistic missile attack. Not by these so called legendary soldiers. The Devoted. Bullshit."
"The ones you killed weren't the Devoted, or rather...they weren't the Lawless. They were trained by the Lawless."
The group looked to Steven again, Eren speaking.
"How can you be so sure?"
Steven turned to Kumon who nodded.
"Because the night of the massacre, most of the Devoted were killed as well."
Eren shook her head.
"That's not...that's not what any of the reports say."
Quickly, the Strategist began searching her datapad, looking through all the intel she gathered on the Devoted and the Lawless and that night in 2041. Tai spoke up as well.
"She's right. We were all told by the rescue team who came back that they all got away. General. Archer. You were both there that night, right? Are you telling us that-"
"We lied."
Kumon stated.
"We had to. The truth of that night…"
There was a pause as the General struggled with his words.
"It's not something I can or should share...however, two members of the Lawless were unaccounted for among the corpses that night. It seems they spent these years training a new unit. For what purpose? We don't know. These two men are our targets."
Kumon flipped the screen to two images.
"This man here is the second in command of the Lawless, Rueben Torrez. He is incredibly gifted in hand to hand combat and has a remarkable mind for technology. He is a toolmaker of skill not unlike our own Strategist."
Eren rolled her eyes as Steven tapped the other picture on the table.
"And this is the Lawless' commanding officer. Decorated soldier, master sniper, respected by all who served with him. He contributed to the development of the Devoted greatly during their time at the Academy...the belief is that he is the one who turned them...no one has ever proven that. Remember his face because if we're going to end this, he needs to die...his name is Lao Huang."
"...and then you punch him like this!"
Jaynix swung her fist wide with all the force that her small body could muster while letting out a yell. Flame leaned back in amazement.
"You could probably beat three bullies with one punch like that!"
Jaynix smirked.
"Of course I can! I'll beat a hundred bullies for you, Flame!"
"A hundred!"
Flame laughed, Jaynix joining her. The sisters heard their father call for them. Realizing dinner was ready, they took off. Sonja left the house as Flame ran past her.
"Wait a moment, Jaynix."
Coming to a halt, Jaynix tilted her head.
"What is it mom?"
"I saw you training your sister. That is what you were doing right?"
Jaynix put her hands behind her back.
"Maybe? I was just giving her advice."
"Are you planning on not being there for her?"
Jaynix shook her head fiercely.
"I'll always be there for her! But I think it'd be cool if we fought together."
Sonja smiled.
"I see."
Sitting down on the edge of the patio, Sonja tapped the space next to her. Jaynix joining her shortly after.
"My little spark. What do you want to do? Be? When your older?"
Jaynix laughed.
"I wanna be like you, mom."
"Oh really? Why is that?"
Jaynix looked over to the swing they had attached to the tree in the backyard.
"Well...you always say that Flame will be safe with me there."
Sonja nodded as Jaynix played with her hands.
"I protect Flame because I love her...and there are a lot of people out there right?"
"There are a few more people on the planet, yes."
Jaynix giggled at that, Sonja running a hand through her daughter's hair.
"Well. What if I could protect...everyone?"
Sonja tilted her head.
"What if?"
"Yeah...what if?"
Sonja stood up, holding her hand out for Jaynix. Helping her to her feet.
"Well then. If you could do that...I think everyone will be safe with you there."
A wide smile formed on Jaynix's face as her mother continued.
"You do know that it'll take a lot of effort and dedication to be able to protect everyone, right?"
"Yeah! But I can do it!"
Sonja laughed.
"With confidence like that, who am I to argue. One step at a time, Jaynix. When you get older…"
Jaynix nodded as the pair reentered the house to join the rest of the family for dinner.
"So, Kriss believes that this Doctor Edwin Benton is behind the raid on LAST's lab and the murders of her comrades?"
Elma nodded.
"She seems pretty certain because...well, she knows."
Jaynix raised an eyebrow as Kriss spoke up.
"Shortly after LAST was formed and we began working on our projects we were contacted by...someone. They disguised their voice, bounced their signal as much as possible and encrypted all their transmissions. This contact gave us assignments and missions. They fundamentally disagreed with the restrictions the Coalition placed on us and so they sought to keep us stimulated in a way best suited to our...proclivities."
Jaynix crossed her arms.
"What does that mean?"
Elma sighed.
"Before LAST was recognized and drafted by the Coalition they performed experiments on their own in much smaller, less organized groups. A lot of it was...illegal. Unethical. Inhumane. Take your pick."
Jaynix looked to Kriss.
"Yeah...that explains a lot about you, actually."
Kriss rolled her eyes.
"There are questions out there that remain unanswered. We merely sought the answers. None of us ever had a moral boundary we weren't willing to cross...the Coalition drafted us so they could...control us. Keep us in line."
Jaynix leaned against a wall.
"Why'd you go through with it?"
"What they offered we could not turn down. The facilities they could provide and the resources were beyond what we could gather on our own. Sacrificing part of our research to strengthen what was deemed acceptable...I convinced them all it was the way to go and so, LAST was formed."
Jaynix shook her head.
"A bunch of geniuses joining together to do who knows what...the Coalition had the right idea to place some limits on you."
Kriss merely laughed.
"Be that as it may...our contact saw things differently. Most of LAST didn't care who the contact was because they allowed us to have the best of both worlds. Endless resources and no limitations due to pathetic little trifles like morality…"
Elma shook her head, Jaynix voicing her thoughts.
"Morality is not a trifle, Kriss. As a woman of science surely you-"
"Elma has given me all the speeches. Whether you like it or not, my research, regardless of its morality has done nothing but benefit all of us. Can you both truly, honestly tell me that in your pursuit of ensuring humanity's future...neither of you has crossed a line? That neither of you has done something others would call...monstrous. Amoral. Inhumane. Are you two pure?"
Kriss watched, Jaynix was far too easy to read, the woman's single eye betrayed some deeper truth. Elma on the other hand, was harder. Kriss could tell there was something there. Something.
"I thought so…"
Jaynix shook her head.
"...how do you know it's Benton?"
"Because, a few of us in LAST didn't like not knowing who was writing our checks so to speak. So we worked together to decrypt, decode and track the source of the transmissions. We traced them to the ECP itself. We all expected that...we just needed the who."
Elma spoke up at that point.
"They scanned for external transmissions from the ECP, there are a lot of them, of course but not many go out into the Lawless Sectors. And once they determined which signal was the one, tracing it back was too easy."
Jaynix nodded.
"I see...that led you to what? Benton's office? Shortsighted of him to contact you from his own phone."
Kriss shrugged.
"The man is a genius. A true intellect. I doubt he's using a personal communicator of any kind. It's a private device no one but him knows about. Undoubtedly hidden in his office somewhere. If I were him I wouldn't make the calls from my office regardless of the security but it's clear that he is too proud of his own genius. He underestimated LAST. He underestimated me."
Jaynix glanced over to Elma who met her eyes at the same moment.
"This is a lot to take in…"
"It's all true."
Kriss stated.
"Before you ask, Elma swore me to transparency and given that I need her...and you to achieve my goals. It's only fair. I admitted to many heinous acts in my past and even more under the oversight of my contact so...do you really think I'd withhold information from you?"
Jaynix tilted her head.
"I want to say no...but you'll have to allow me to be a little skeptical. At least until we have solid proof."
Kriss smiled.
"Well then. Before you got here, Elma and I were forming a plan of sorts to obtain that all so important proof. We're open to suggestions on a few fronts."
Jaynix nodded.
"Alright then. Let's hear it."
Jaynix's eyes were wide with amazement as the family walked through the renowned Rhadamanthus Academy. Soldiers everywhere dreamed of coming here to be taught by the most experienced veterans of war. It was a sight to behold.
"You're gonna teach here mom?"
Sonja nodded.
"Yes. Though it'll just be a weeklong course focusing on my areas of expertise from my time on the field."
Sonja watched her daughter continue to examine everything around them, taking in all that she could.
"You don't tell me a lot about your time on the field. Dad says you're a hero. That you saved a lot of people."
Sonja put a hand on Jaynix's head.
"A lot of people say that. You're only 8 years old Jaynix. I'm afraid my stories aren't the best for your bedtime."
Jaynix shrugged.
"Okay. One day?"
"One day."
"Sonja...and Jaynix! This is a surprise."
The pair turned as Hideo approached them.
"Yes. She's decided she wants to protect everyone...so I thought it best to show her where protectors are forged."
"Everyone eh? That's ambitious."
Jaynix did her best to flex.
"I can do it!"
"When the day comes, I'll be counting on you, Jaynix."
She nodded as Hideo addressed Sonja.
"I'll take you the rest of the way to the class…"
"Of course. Jaynix. You know where your father and sister went, right?"
"Yeah! The uh...technical wing, right?"
"Yes. Run along."
As Jaynix ran away, Hideo crossed his arms.
"She knows the way?"
"The first step to being a protector. Be aware. She looked at the Academy map for quite a bit trying to memorize it. She got most of it down but assured me she knew where her sister was...I trust her."
"Starting that training already?"
Sonja smiled.
"Of course."
Sonja looked down at the ground, Hideo watched her face fall a bit. Her eyes then found his.
"She's my daughter. She's strong."
"...of course."
Hideo turned and held his arm out, gesturing towards a door. Walking past him, Sonja began her weeklong teaching assignment with the Devoted.
"Lyla."
Jaynix was outside of Elma's quarters, looking to her datapad. She had called up her wife once Kriss and Elma's plan was outlined and agreed upon.
"Jaynix...I'm sorry, I know you wish you could be here…"
Shaking her head, Jaynix spoke.
"The General was right...I shouldn't be there. As much as I want to be...it's not like you guys are going understaffed, Steven made a name for himself. You'll be fine."
Lyla laughed.
"No one could ever replace you."
"Nope. But if we needed someone to fill in, not many people out there better for that role than the Archer."
Nodding, Lyla looked off to the side. The rest of the Reapers were gearing up for a deployment later that night.
"Is he fitting in?"
"Well enough. It only took a few spars but it seems everyone at least respects his prowess...he's not at his best however...something along his side pains him."
"A battle scar?"
"Yeah...I'm certain...but even with that, he's incredibly skilled and quite spry for his age. I don't think the man ever misses."
Jaynix nodded.
"Sounds about right. Though let's see him do some fancy stuff with both eyes closed. I think Tai has him beat there."
The pair shared a laugh as Lyla continued watching the group train before looking back at Jaynix.
"I do wonder how you'd fare against him."
"Maybe when this is all over, we can spar. I know he's going back to his retirement when the Lawless are in the ground but I'm sure he'd be fine with a round against me. I'm already looking forward to the idea."
"As am I."
There was a long silence. Jaynix taking a deep breath.
"See this through for me...Lyla."
"For you. Flame. Sonja. Maxwell. I have to. As much as being here pains me...I'll do it."
"I love you, Lyla."
"I love you too, Jaynix."
Hanging up, Jaynix took a deep breath before standing. Reaching into her pocket she pulled out her Holo. Entering the room she called Elma over.
"There's something we have to talk about. Just us."
Elma looked over to Kriss who was watching Aegis with rapt attention. Nodding, Elma stepped outside.
"Do you know what the Reapers have been up to these last few days? I know the General has been keeping Nagi up to date. The pair are having a meeting later today...but he should be keeping you filled in too."
Elma watched Jaynix for a moment before shaking her head.
"I'm afraid I've been occupied by Kriss the whole time. Everything she's told me...it weighs on me a lot more than I expected...I hope the General didn't think I was ignoring him or-"
"Nothing like that. He knows how busy you are...either way. We were at a ruined facility in the Lawless Sectors that was bombed by some unknown party."
Elma recalled the explosions the night Kriss came to her.
"You were at the facility that was raided. The one she escaped from."
Jaynix nodded.
"Not just that. Before it was blown to bits we found a corpse and I took a holo of the person's face."
Jaynix handed the holo over to Elma.
"All Eren could gather is that he was LAST, beyond that any critical information was locked, just like it was with Fowler last year."
Elma nodded.
"What are the odds...it all ties together."
"After I took the holo, we were attacked, most likely by the same people who wiped everyone out."
Elma leaned against a wall.
"Unfortunately, we killed them all in battle and then the place was demolished...but Kumon ID'd them."
Elma was surprised at this news, she looked back to her door, most likely thinking about Kriss.
"Then...why didn't you tell her?"
Slowly Jaynix shook her head. Elma understood.
"You still aren't sure if you can trust her?"
Jaynix shrugged.
"It's a little bit of that but...it has a lot more to do with who came after LAST and Kriss. The General believes who it is with certainty and I just can't imagine why they would want to work with Benton of all people…"
"Who is it?"
Jaynix looked down at the ground.
"The Lawless."
Because she wasn't looking at her, Jaynix missed Elma step back in shock. But she didn't miss the one word that Elma whispered. The name.
"Lao…"
Jaynix looked back up, Elma had just turned away. Lost in thought.
"Elma?"
"Why now? After all this time…"
She looked back.
"You're sure?"
"The General and our new ally, Steven Harper both agreed. It's the Lawless without a doubt. They would never be mistaken. Not about this."
Elma looked away again.
"We have to get to the bottom of this...now."
On the roof of a dilapidated building sat the Reapers and their new ally, the Archer. Eren was at the front of the group looking through a scope at a group of ruined buildings.
"This cell is the closest one to that facility we found completely destroyed. If anyone out here saw or heard anything. It was them."
As Eren put the scope away, Lyla looked to Kumon.
"So what's the plan, General?"
"Recon. It'll be easier to get answers for ourselves. We'll force it out of them if this doesn't work. As always, Agent, Major, take the lead on this. Blood Brothers take the front entrance. Archer, Strategist, with me on the rear gate."
After a chorus of affirmations, the Reapers split up. Lyla and Tai made a straight approach for the ruined buildings.
"Say. Agent...you know you've been putting off a lot of negative vibes all night."
"...I just miss Jaynix...that's all…"
Tai was silent for a moment before shaking his head.
"I don't think that's it. Are you sure you want to be here?"
The pair came to a stop, Lyla turning to face him.
"No. I'd rather be anywhere else...but Jaynix isn't here...I have to see this through to the end, for her sake."
"It's quite a burden to bear."
Lyla nodded.
"I married her. I love her. Her burdens, are my burdens. We carry them together."
Tai smiled.
"Of course. I'm sure a little reminder that we're her family too won't hurt right? Yours as well, Lyla. We'll all help you carry this. Peace of mind."
Tai reached over and put a reassuring hand on Lyla's shoulder. She let out a long steady breath.
"Peace of mind. Thank you, Major."
Exchanging nods, the pair continued ahead, scaling the buildings was as easy as ever. Due to their ruined condition there were many more unintentional footholds. Once on the roof, Lyla found a hole and peered into it, tapping her visor she began scanning the inside of the room and transferring the visual data back to Eren.
"Strategist. What do you see?"
"Nothing. The room is empty...wherever the terrorists are, it's not there."
Tai made a gesture, Lyla followed suit and dropped into the room, Tai right behind her. The pair drew their weapons immediately, gun and hook at the ready. They could make out some faint voices coming from somewhere. Tai held up one of his hands before leaning down to the ground and pressing his ear against the floor.
"They're under us. Basement. A lot of them...can't make it out but I hear magazines being loaded. They're armed."
Lyla turned to the rest of the room.
"Let's find a way down. Quickly.
Searching the rest of the room, the pair found nothing. In sync they burst into the next room, weapons ready and found an arsenal. There were all sorts of rifles thrown about, many were older models and some were quite rusty.
"If...these aren't the weapons they're loading...then what is it?"
Tai shook his head to Lyla's question as the pair moved to the next room, finding a hole in the floor and a ladder. Lyla put a hand on Tai's shoulder. He nodded to her and maintained his position as she descended the ladder.
"Look at this fuckin' thing!"
Lyla ducked immediately upon hearing a rough voice shout. Several other voices joined, impressed by what they were seeing.
"What about this one? What the hell is this?"
She could make out the familiar sounds of arms being passed around and loaded. Chambers being opened. Tapping her visor she whispered.
"Are you getting this, Strategist?"
"Yeah...it sounds like this lot came into possession of some new weapons...I need a visual on what they've got, Agent. But be careful."
With a nod, she advanced, keeping to the cover behind the boxes of weapons. She began examining the crate closest to her from all angles.
"No sigil or logo on these munitions. At least not one I could find."
Kumon's voice came on.
"That'd be too easy...what kind of weapons are they?"
Just then gunfire rang out, followed by laughter. Lyla dropped as low as she could only to realize no one was firing on her. Peering out from behind cover into the room, she saw at least two dozen terrorists gathered around. Before them were some old weapons crates that were now heavily damaged by one of them testing a weapon.
The one in the lead examined the gun.
"This thing shoots light? Where the hell did those nutjobs get this? Any of this?"
"Who cares? They gave it to us and for what?"
"For nothin'! So boss, what's the plan?"
The one in charge put his weapon down and picked up another one, it looked like a shotgun, though there were blue lines of energy traveling through the weapon.
"Strategist. What is that."
"I...I have no idea."
The man fired the weapon, it let loose a storm of plasma bolts, burning through the crates before him and the wall behind it. The men cheered.
"Agent. Get out of there."
Nodding she began backing out slowly as Kumon spoke up.
"We're going to cause some noise out here to get them to come out. Kill shots all around, we can't let these weapons get out into the general populace of the sectors. Get ready."
Reaching the ladder, Lyla climbed out as quickly as she could. Tai standing as she reached the top and following her out of the building.
"Happy birthday Jaynix!"
Sonja, Maxwell and Flame clapped their hands as Jaynix blew out her candles.
"Nine years old! The world is not ready for you."
Maxwell said with a laugh, Jaynix cheering as Sonja began cutting her cake.
The family sat around the table, enjoying the red velvet cake topped with nine red candles. Jaynix asked Flame if she had any specific cake in mind for her birthday in a few months. As the girls began tossing around ideas, Sonja's tablet let out a few beeps.
Taking hold of it, she searched through her messages.
"Is it anything important?"
Maxwell asked. Sonja shook her head.
"Not especially. I requested to be kept up to date with the Devoted's career. I get messages about them from Hideo, Nagi and their commander, Lao."
Maxwell nodded.
"Ah of course. They took to you quite well during your teaching period. I'm sure they're even more effective at their jobs now than they ever would've been."
"Oh stop!"
The parents laughed amongst themselves before Sonja looked at the messages again.
"Dear. I loved teaching. It was only one week but...I got to use everything I learned from my time on the field and pass it on...I want to do it again."
Maxwell tilted his head.
"You do? You enjoyed it that much?"
"Yes...I just want to make sure you can take care of the girls on your own."
Maxwell laughed.
"Is that a challenge?"
"Yes."
Jaynix and Flame abandoned their conversation to watch their parents laugh again.
"What's so funny, mom? I thought I heard you say something about teaching or...something."
"I'm considering getting a job at the Rhadamanthus Academy. One with a longer commitment than what I did last year."
The girls seemed interested by that news.
"I'll have to talk with the heads of the Academy before I decide anything. I may as well call Hideo and ask him ahead of time...this will be the first job interview I've had in years."
Sonja laughed as Flame spoke up.
"You can do it mommy!"
Jaynix agreed, Maxwell putting an arm around his wife and kissing her cheek.
"You think you'll teach me when I get there?"
Jaynix asked, Sonja laughed.
"Oh? So certain you'll get into the Academy?"
"She will!"
Flame said, raising her hand in support.
"She's super smart so she definitely knows!"
Jaynix added, throwing an arm around her sister, the pair laughing while their parents smiled.
"You think she can do it?"
Sonja looked to Maxwell and nodded.
"There is no doubt in my mind…"
Maxwell then reached over and placed a hand on Flame's head.
"And what about you? Feel like joining your sister?"
"I don't know...can I build cool stuff at the school?"
Maxwell smiled.
"You can build whatever you want. As long as you can figure out how it works."
Jaynix watched as Flame brought up one of her mech toys and smiled.
"I'm gonna make him! For real!"
"Giant robot!"
Jaynix cheered. Maxwell leaned back in his seat as Flame explained how the mech works, at least according to the associated source material. He's heard it many times before, as has Jaynix and Sonja.
But the joy and the passion in young Flame's eyes as she talked about what the machine could do. It was too much to ever interrupt.
Within the walls of the ECP's main research facility, Jaynix and Elma walked through the pristine white halls, researchers of all sorts were in every room. Much like the Ark construction platform, the facilities within the ECP had been in constant use since Project Exodus' initiation. Everyone here was working on something critically important in one way or another.
Having finished formulating their plan, the trio decided to put it into action. If Kriss was right, this was a matter that had to be attended to immediately and if Jaynix was right which Elma could not doubt, then this needed to be handled yesterday.
While Jaynix and Elma where here at the ECP to enact the plan, Kriss remained back in Elma's quarters on the comms.
The three determined that they needed at least one more piece for their plan to work and so Elma put out a call and now the two women stood in the main room waiting for their assist.
Jaynix looked down at her wrist, seeing the time display as the last few seconds left and the hour turned over.
"Corporal! Colonel!"
Pulled from their conversation, the pair turned as the last part of their plan approached, Kruse. His presence was a welcome change from the reveal that had taken Elma completely off guard and occupied all her thoughts.
"I got here as quickly as I could but-"
Jaynix stepped forward, waving him off.
"You and Constantine were fishing again right? We didn't mean to interrupt."
Kruse shook his head.
"No, you didn't. Either of you."
"Catch anything, Blue?"
Jaynix watched as Kruse stared at her, a bit of confusion followed up by immediate acceptance.
"A few. Still not as much as Constantine but...I'm getting better. What a time to pick up a new skill, isn't it?"
Jaynix nodded before Kruse shook his head again.
"I'm sorry, I doubt you two called me over here to give me pointers on being a better angler or whatever the terminology is. What do you need?"
Focusing on the task at hand, Elma took a deep breath before speaking.
"We understand that you took some engineering courses back at the Academy with one Harriet Sinclair, right?"
Kruse nodded.
"Y-yeah. She was a year above me and much smarter but we got along...what does my relationship with her have to do with...whatever this is?"
Elma and Jaynix exchanged a look before the former continued.
"We're looking into something regarding Doctor Benton and to find it...we'll need Harriet to not be at her desk for half an hour at most."
Kruse watched Elma, she was clearly leaving things out. He wasn't sure how to address it.
"So you...want me to pull Harriet from her work?"
The women continued to exchange looks before Jaynix finally asked.
"Are you sure we should keep him in the dark?"
Elma looked at Jaynix then back at Kruse, recalling what Kriss had told her when she woke up.
"The less you know, Kruse. The better. Whatever this is, I'd rather not drag you too deep into it. Please."
Kruse crossed his arms.
"This isn't...a matter of trust is it?"
"Of course not Blue! We trust you. But there are...people involved who...well, we'd prefer if their gaze was never on you."
Elma took a step forward.
"I trust you, Kruse. That's why I'm asking you."
Kruse continued to watch her, uncrossing his arms and nodding.
"I understand, Colonel. I'll just tell Harriet I want to...catch up. Maybe go fishing or something...it'll be no problem."
Jaynix chuckled.
"You don't need to lie too, Kruse. Women aren't your strong point, we all know that."
The man sighed.
"Right, well...here's hoping."
The three nodded to one another before splitting up.
Sagis and Alto roared as they opened fire on the ruined building. In sync the pair switched over and fired grenades, the structure collapsing on itself after all the abuse.
The pair fell silent and took cover as a massive blast shook the ruins. Another tore through the ground and the terrorists spilled out in the open, weapons drawn and facing all directions.
The leader stood in the middle and directed them all to search for the assailants.
An arrow whizzed by and pierced a man's skull, as he fell dead, half of the group turned in the direction it flew from. Another arrow stuck to the ground amidst the group, one of the hostiles heard the beeping and called out in panic right before the arrow detonated.
Now broken apart by the confusion, the rest of the Reapers emerged and charged in.
"Major! On your right!"
Lyla called out, Tai detaching his hook and swinging it wide, catching a man and dragging him to the ground. Launching herself at one of the hostiles just as they saw her, Lyla tackled him to the ground.
Wrenching his weapon away, she threw it aside as he got back to his feet. The man's fists came at her with sloppy force, after all the sparring she did with the others and with Jaynix, everything else just seemed slow by comparison. Dodging the blows she moved in and grabbed his arm. Flipping the man over she slammed him into the earth.
Drawing her pistol she fired into him until he fell limp. Someone charged towards her from behind, Lyla called out.
"Whiplash!"
Ducking as low as she could, Tai swung around, the chainlink on his hook stretching far as the weapon sliced through the air, cutting through the hostile. As he screamed in pain and fell over, Lyla silenced him with one more shot.
Nearby the Strategist flipped away from her contacts, ducking behind cover she tapped a few commands into the device on her wrist before drawing her knives and waiting.
One man opened fire on her cover, shooting out from behind the ruins she threw one of her knives into the man's arm. The second fired on her new position as she held her arm out. The space before her was filled by a holographic shield, bouncing the bullets way.
The first hostile pulled the knife out of his arm just as the second hit his reload. Deactivating the shield she closed the distance immediately. The man fumbled with reloading his strange weapon as her knife carved into his chest.
Grabbing the weapon she threw it at the other man, one more strike with her knife finished the first off. Spinning around she threw her knife again.
The man roared in fury as the weapon buried itself in his leg. Distracted he didn't notice Agent come in from behind, grab him and flip him over, bringing him crashing into the earth before a single shot silenced him as well.
Kumon approached the leader as he loaded his weapon and fired. A scattershot of plasma projectiles destroyed the ground around Kumon, the man dove aside, eyes on the strange weapon.
"Reapers. Of course. The only way you lot won anything was not by playing fair."
Kumon laughed.
"Playing fair? Is that what you all do out here?"
Charging forward, Kumon rolled across the ground and under the man's weapon as it fired, the shots going right over him. With a spin, Kumon's blade cut through the armament, severing it in two.
Cursing the terrorist stepped back and drew his pistols. Arrows whizzed through the air, striking both smaller arms, knocking them out of his hands.
Archer emerged, running into the fray. Tight grip on his bow, he made a note of three foes closing in on him and firing.
Drawing an arrow he slammed it into the ground. A forcefield burst from the arrowhead and covered Archer, the rounds colliding uselessly against it.
Forcefield fading away, Archer leapt forward, striking one man in the face with his bow before ducking under the weapons they attempted to ram him with.
Clenching his fist he wound back and slammed into a man's torso. The force in his fist causing the man to gag. Spinning back around, he struck the others with his bow. Dazing them before sweeping their legs out from under them.
All three men fell around him, heavily injured before he drew back on his bow. One arrow to each of their heads. Letting out a heavy sigh, he nodded to himself.
The leader continued to watch his numbers dwindle as the Reapers dealt with his forces. Sagis and Alto continued their destructive rampage from behind cover, grenades of all sorts dispersing the enemies allowing Lyla, Tai and Eren to focus on smaller groups.
One man emerged from cover and aimed at Kumon only for Steven to pull back and fire off another arrow, the man fell over dead.
The leader of the cell cursed as the last of his soldiers hit the ground. Kumon sheathed his blade, nodding to the rest of the Reapers before addressing the man before him.
"What do you know of the Lawless?"
Despite the fact that his entire cell was wiped out before him, the commander couldn't help but be amused by that question.
"The Lawless? Nothing but a myth. You're quite a few years too late for that."
Kumon shook his head.
"No. We're not. A team operating with explicit Lawless training assaulted a facility a few miles west of here and killed everyone within as well as destroying any and all evidence. Your group was the closest, you saw something. No matter how small, you saw something."
The commander laughed.
"Maybe so, but I have no reason to tell you anything! If the Lawless are still active...then no one out here is going to talk to you. No one!"
Kumon sighed, looking back at the group he shook his head.
Eren leaned down and picked up one of the weapons. She noticed that the Commander's eyes were now fixed on her and nervous.
"Well, if he's not going to tell us anything. These definitely will."
Kumon drew his blade.
"Wait!"
With a single swing, the man fell dead. As Kumon wiped his blade clean, the rest of the Reapers approached Eren, holding several of the advanced weapons the cell was using.
"Clearly the Lawless gave these weapons to these guys. So if we can trace their history, find out who or where they were manufactured…"
"We can find the Lawless."
Lyla stated, Steven crossed his arms.
"Very likely. And even if we don't, whoever is at the end of this trail will be very valuable in finding the Lawless."
Tai nodded.
"Then let's get started."
The group turned to leave, Kumon looking out over the battlefield. With a hand on his chin he continued to think. Lyla noticed this and turned back to him.
"General?"
He looked up as she drew close.
"Is something wrong?"
"...part of me is concerned that this was too easy…"
Lyla gazed out over the battle.
"They were horribly inexperienced. Even with advanced weaponry, we had the advantage of surprise and coordination."
"Yes but that's not what concerns me. They were left with too many weapons...there were two or three times what they needed. Was this some show of power? Did they want us to see that they didn't care if we confiscated this many weapons? Do they have something more than this in waiting?"
Lyla crossed her arms.
"Either that...or maybe they want us to trace the weapons? If we do and we find where they are and they know we will, they could set up an ambush."
Kumon narrowed his eyes, Lyla could see anger within his usually calm expression.
"That won't happen, sir."
"No. It won't. Not again."
"Doctor Benton?"
"What is it?"
"You have company."
The man sighed, leaning back in his chair he looked up at his assistant.
"I don't do unscheduled visits. You know this."
"Yes but...sir, it's the Colonel. Its Elma."
That got Benton's attention. Standing he nodded and followed her out to see that sure enough, the Colonel was here.
"Good afternoon, Doctor Benton."
The man bowed his head.
"Colonel. To what do I owe this visit?"
Elma gestured to his office.
"May we discuss in private?"
There was the briefest of pauses before Benton spoke.
"Actually...I think I should take a walk. Get some air. I'm sure you understand that hunching over a desk all day is no good."
Elma smiled.
"Of course. Lead the way, Doctor."
Benton nodded, addressing his assistant.
"Give me half an hour, I'll be back."
With that he walked away, Elma following. A few minutes later, Kruse appeared.
"Hey Harriet!"
The woman looked from her desk to Kruse and smiled.
"Ah, the young wolf. I heard construction on the L-002 was completed. Congratulations."
Kruse shook his head.
"I was just a small part of it...like...1%."
Harriet chuckled.
"Far too modest. How is the old wolf?"
"He's good, as always. Still trying to teach me the benefits of fishing."
Harriet shook her head as Kruse cleared his throat.
"Actually, I was wondering if you wanted to drop by the mess hall. Take a break? Catch up?"
Harriet tilted her head.
"What brought this on?"
Kruse thought for a moment.
"Well...my circle of friends is really small and I...well I don't keep up with the people I know all that much…"
Harriet laughed.
"That's true. You didn't talk to a lot of people in our engineering courses but you were brilliant. Doctor Falkan always knew you'd succeed."
Kruse smiled.
"She thought the same about you y'know."
Harriet sighed.
"Yet here I am. I'm glad to be working at the ECP of course but having to double as Benton's secretary? I'd rather not..."
"Then. Let's talk about how we can fix that."
After a short pause, Harriet stood up.
"Why not? Doctor Benton has a habit of talking without end, I have plenty of time."
With a smile she joined Kruse and the pair walked off, chatting amongst each other. Once they were gone, it was another minute or so before Jaynix appeared. Heading for the door, she picked the lock in seconds and let herself into Benton's office.
"Alright. Let's see what you're hiding, snake."
Jaynix immediately began her search as discussed with Elma and Kriss, she was as careful as could be but made sure to leave no stone left unturned.
Jaynix tapped her ear, turning on the earpiece and allowing Kriss' voice to come through.
"You picked that lock much faster than I thought you were capable of. Here I was, seeing you as nothing more than a brute. Perhaps I was mistaken."
Jaynix chuckled.
"No, brute is right. That's me 90% of the time but my sister and Eren taught me a few things that would be very beneficial when I wasn't punching or cutting things in half."
"I imagine using your brain is still foreign to you."
Jaynix rolled her eyes.
"If you think that, you're underestimating me. I wouldn't do that."
There was a laugh from Kriss.
"Noted. As discussed Corporal, I have reached out to the contact on my device over here, I'm doing nothing but sending interference and random signals over the line so if his communications device is there, it'll be receiving those transmissions. Scan for them."
Jaynix nodded.
"On it!"
As she continued to search, she pulled out her datapad and began scanning for interference on the frequencies that Kriss began reading out to her.
While Benton's office was mostly clean, his desk was overloaded with an absurd amount of paperwork. From what she could see as she glanced at them, most were detailed structures of the mechanisms that make up Mimeosomes, the processes of use and upkeep as well as blueprints for a large facility built to maintain Mimeosomes within the L-002's Habitat Unit.
"If his concern for humanity's fate is all an act I have to wonder why. What purpose would he have to hiring long thought dead soldiers to kill a bunch of scientists?"
Stepping away from the desk she crossed her arms and looked around the room.
"Is it possible the room is insulated to prevent such an obvious tactic?"
"...yes that is a possibility."
Jaynix snapped her fingers and looked to her datapad. Entering some information she began sending her own signals and transmissions back to Kriss, the other woman spoke up quickly.
"Jaynix! What in the world are you doing?"
"Your signals aren't enough so I'm sending my own your way and creating a loop. If I interrupt the signal your sending and he's receiving it'll cause-"
Jaynix's device began to receive some sort of feedback. There was a vaguely understanding and somewhat impressed sound from Kriss.
"You really aren't just a brute…"
Jaynix said nothing, but there was a proud grin on her face as she renewed her search of the room.
"Now it's just a game of hot and cold…"
"It's those girls again…"
"There mother is a teacher here…"
"But still…"
Jaynix and Flame were in one of the outdoor training fields of Rhadamanthus Academy. Jaynix was punching the air while Flame sat with two mech figures, one she received for her recent 7th birthday.
Not too far from the pair, Maxwell was doing research on his own. From his perspective, technology was exploding. Every scientific field was on fire and he could barely contain his excitement.
The family decided to come and surprise Sonja on her six months instructing at the Academy. Her last class was going over a little longer than anticipated so they were killing time the way they each knew best.
Flame stopped playing with her toys and stood, approaching Jaynix.
"Hey, you okay?"
"...they keep talking about us…"
Jaynix looked over to a few Academy officers who were whispering amongst each other.
"Yeah...who cares."
"...I don't like it…"
Jaynix nodded.
"Then I care!"
Telling, Flame to go sit with their father, Jaynix walked over to the officers.
"Hey! Stop whispering! You're creeping my sister out!"
The pair of students looked to each other then back at Jaynix.
"Are you really the Corporal's kids?"
"Yeah. Now buzz off!"
They were much bigger than her and actually trained at Rhadamanthus, but Jaynix was not about to let anyone disturb her sister no matter how big they were.
"We saw you...training. Are you aiming to attend the Academy?"
Jaynix raised an eyebrow.
"So what?"
One of the officers shook his head.
"If you are, whispers will be the least of your concern."
"Why?"
One man couldn't help but scoff.
"You're the daughter of the Bloodstained Corporal? What else do you expect?"
"Excuse me."
The three turned as Maxwell interrupted.
"I'd prefer if you didn't trouble my daughters. Move along. Now."
The officers looked to one another before walking away. Maxwell got on one knee to look Jaynix in the eyes.
"They didn't bother you too much did they?"
Jaynix shook her head.
"No but Flame didn't like them...they wouldn't stop whispering about us…"
Maxwell looked past Jaynix to the departing officers. He expected this. Of course he did. Flame joined them, happy that it was just them now.
"They're gone! Thanks dad. Thanks JayJay."
"No problem!"
Jaynix stated, proud as ever before going back to their spots. Jaynix asked about Flame's new mech. While Jaynix listened to Flame speak, she couldn't help but think about that title.
The Bloodstained Corporal.
"...and that is the current status of the future MMC as I'm aware. Doctor Iris Falkan will most likely be serving as one of the department heads as she is now. A talented mind she is. The Mimeosomes are in good hands, Colonel."
Elma nodded.
"Of course they are. You are all paragons in your field."
Benton chuckled.
"The best of the best. Any other updates you need, Colonel?"
Elma came to a stop, looking out over Noah's Cradle, Benton nodding.
"Still quite a sight all these years later, isn't it?"
Elma waited a few moments before speaking.
"I'm afraid things aren't as cut and dry as we would like them to be…"
Benton watched her, curious as she spoke.
"I've received some concerning news that has been clarified and confirmed by the Reapers. They ran into an odd situation a few nights ago. A research facility of some sort out in the Lawless Sectors was destroyed and anyone who once inhabited it was almost certainly killed. The only proof we have of this happening is the facial scan of one of the victims. Recognize this man?"
Elma held out her device as a 3D image of the man's head appeared. Benton stared at it for a while.
"No...not exactly...though I think he might have been a part of one of the ECP's more...classified ventures."
"LAST."
Benton seemed a little surprised.
"So you do know. I should have expected as much. So, someone attacked LAST?"
"I trust the Reapers to find the gun. I'm looking for the person who pulled the trigger."
There was a long silence, Elma watched his eyes and saw the same calculating depth that she saw in Kriss' eyes.
"Why come to me?"
"Strange signals have been detected coming from the ECP and out into the Lawless Sectors. Someone within the facility orchestrated the murders of dozens of Coalition employed researchers. I'm here to ask if you know anyone that would do that."
Benton was thinking his response over when there was a beep. Pulling out his device he excused himself briefly.
"Yes? Ah. Did not expect to hear from you tonight...you found my package? Wonderful. What are the odds? I'm with her right now…"
Elma narrowed her eyes.
"...yes the package is fragile. Do be careful."
Putting the device away, Benton shook his head and chuckled. Turning to face Elma he bowed his head.
"I apologize but it seems something urgent has come up…but trust that I will be looking into the LAST victims as well as searching my own staff. I'll keep you updated. I vet everyone I work with so I am loathe to imagine I made a mistake…"
"Me too."
Elma whispered as Benton turned away.
"I promise to have your answers soon, Colonel."
As soon as Benton was out of sight, Elma drew up her device and called Kriss. Nothing.
Quickly she began instructing her Ares to come to her location while contacting Jaynix.
Even though only a few minutes passed, for Kriss and Jaynix it felt like far longer. Thanks to the feedback, Jaynix was able to find a tablet hidden in a small compartment under Benton's desk. Picking the locks was easy enough but the device itself was locked.
"Kriss. Any idea how to get into the files?"
"If you want me to hack it I need it in my hands."
"Or you could just tell me what to do?"
At that, Kriss laughed.
"It would be far faster and more efficient for you to bring it back to me than for me to walk you through everything. You've used your brain enough for today, Corporal."
Rolling her eyes, Jaynix chuckled and after ensuring everything was as untouched as could be, she left the room and locked the door behind her.
Whistling a tune, Jaynix made her way for the main hall to meet with Elma.
"So Kriss. Happy?"
"I won't be satisfied until-"
Jaynix clenched her teeth, a pained noise escaping her as a piercing shrill came from her earpiece. Taking it off, she shook her head. Her ear was still ringing when she put the device back in.
"Kriss, what the hell was that? Kriss?"
Jaynix came to a stop.
"Kriss? Kriss!"
Her thoughts exploded with a bunch of possibilities, none of them good. At that moment, she got a call from Elma. Acting quickly, Jaynix ran out of the facility.
"Elma! Kriss-"
"I know. I'll be back at my room soon, get back as quickly as you can but be careful. We don't know-"
Jaynix was faster this time, taking the earpiece out again as the shrill came through. Someone was blocking their communications.
Cursing, Jaynix picked up her pace, shooting across the ECP grounds.
Elma dismounted her Ares outside the ECP staff's apartment complex, she transmitted several instructions to the Skell's autopilot. It flew back up into the air, hovering and establishing a perimeter as she entered the building and ascended the stairs.
Reaching her hallway, she could see the shattered remains of her door and could hear yowling. Running into her room she found the place a mess and Aegis was off in a corner, terrified.
"Aegis, it's okay. I'll fix this. Please just...wait a bit longer."
Elma didn't want to leave the animal alone but she had to get Kriss back. Turning away she ran down the rest of the hall as information from her Ares was transmitted to her.
There were three unidentified vehicles behind the building and three teams of four unknown contacts heading towards them.
She ordered her Skell to engage and disable the vehicles as well as unload suppressing fire on the contacts to keep them there and prevent escape. They would not be leaving with Kriss.
As she turned the corner, there was another squad of four waiting for her. Surprised she ducked back around the corner as they opened fire on her.
"A fourth squad? What's going on?"
Drawing her guns, she focused on her breathing, the enemy gunfire fading away. Unluckily for her opponents, she had access to her Mimeosome's many functions and abilities. They could never prepare for what they didn't know.
Opening her eyes she rounded the corner, the enemy contacts were taken off guard by what seemed like five copies of Elma charging their position.
One hostile called out to shoot all of them as Elma drew closer. Running at a wall, the real Elma kicked off it and flipped over the line of contacts as their bullets shot through the clones with no results.
Now behind them Elma focused fire on one, her shots breaking the protective vest to bits before tearing through his body.
"One down."
The three realized what happened and spun around, she was in too close. Like with Jaynix three years ago she slammed an open palm into one of their chests, throwing them down to the ground.
The remaining two opened fire on her as she ran at a wall again and kicked away, the distance she traveled was covered by her clones.
"Shit!"
One of the men, loaded a round into his gun, the other stepping back.
"We can't do that here!"
However he was ignored as a grenade was fired into the hall, the explosion shattered all the windows and threw Elma back, her clones disappearing one by one.
As she rolled back and onto her feet she gave her Ares new orders and dove to the side, crashing through a door and into a room as the remaining two soldiers opened fire again while the third stood back up.
Elma waited for the familiar sound of the Ares engines to draw near. The men noticed it and turned to fire on it as it let out a pulse. The force of the shockwave threw all three of them against a wall.
Elma emerged from the room and ran back towards them. Quickly, she shot two of them dead before disarming the last one.
"Where is she?"
The man stared at her.
"Where is she!?"
Quickly his hand flew to a knife at his side. Elma stepped aside and fired, blood painting the walls as the knife buried itself uselessly behind her.
Cursing, Elma ran down the hall and around the corner to the back exit. She received confirmation reports from her Skell that the vehicles were disabled and the other squads were taking cover.
As she headed for the staircase, Jaynix appeared at the other end of the hallway.
"Elma!"
Despite everything, Elma smiled.
"They're behind the building! Three squads of four, all their vehicles were disabled but I don't know where Kriss is."
"They won't get-"
Time seemed to slow for Jaynix as a loud shot rang out. Jaynix watched Elma turn in the direction of the sound, reacting faster than anyone Jaynix has ever seen, but not fast enough.
A bullet cut through Elma's torso and threw her against a wall, splatters of blue covered the area around her. Elma gagged in shock.
Eyes widened, Jaynix began running, she could see the laser sight now. She ran towards Elma faster than she'd ever run before. Screaming her name she threw herself at the other woman and covered her body as another shot rang out.
Jaynix clenched her teeth but was unable to contain the scream as she felt something rip through her back. The pair fell to the ground, Jaynix covering Elma as best she could. If they wanted Elma, they'd have to go through her.
"Elma. Elma!"
Jaynix placed her hands on the sides of Elma's face, trying to keep her focus on her.
"Elma!"
"Jay...it's…"
"I know! A sniper. It-"
Jaynix saw the look in Elma's eyes and realized.
"Lao."
Elma nodded. Jaynix turned her head, she saw the laser sight still directly above them. Elma pushed her Skell communication device into Jaynix's hand.
"I don't-"
Jaynix fell silent as Elma made several hand signals. Watching her every move, Jaynix nodded.
"Attention Ares. This is override code Watcher. Control passed onto Corporal Copeland."
Jaynix waited in silence as a line of beeps came through. A form of morse code? She saw Elma nod.
"Find the sniper and kill him! Kill Lao Huang!"
There were more beeps before the Ares took off, Jaynix looked up again and watched the laser sight vanish.
Jaynix did not want to leave Elma but she also couldn't let them get away with Kriss. Realizing the situation they were in, Jaynix felt the fear and despair vanished. All replaced by rage. Hate. Anger.
Even in her injured state, Elma saw the fury in Jaynix's eyes. A look she'd never seen before.
Elma wanted to tell Jaynix not to go, not in her current state, but the pain from the shot prevented her from doing anything more than saying Jaynix's name.
Ignoring the flaring pain in her back, Jaynix stood up. Seeing nothing but red, Jaynix turned and ran towards the rear exit.
Outside the three squads of Lawless soldiers left cover and advanced out of the operation area. There was no sign of the Skell though they did hear weapons firing off somewhere else. No doubt their commander was holding off whoever was coming for them.
The groups were positioned so that each of the men were covering a compass direction, the last thing they needed was any surprises.
However, the three facing back did not see Jaynix climb up one of their ruined trucks, leap onto a building and run along the roof before launching herself off it, she was now directly over the rearmost group.
With a savage roar she landed right in the middle of them, her blade flashed, cutting through one of their bodies with fearsome ease. The man screamed in pain as the other three began to turn.
Swinging around, Jaynix ran her blade through another soldier's head. The last two could now see her out of the corner of their eyes as she tore her blade out of their comrade's skull.
Spinning about again, she stabbed the man in front of her with her blade. The last one had his gun trained on her now. Reaching back she grabbed the weapon and pulled it forward as it fired. His rounds tore through his comrade's body instead.
Drawing the blade out she screamed and swung with all her might, the last man's head was severed from his shoulders.
The sprays of blood from all four victims painted Jaynix a ghastly red. The first soldier she slashed was stumbling back, the long and deep cut along his body bleeding badly as his eyes widened in fear.
Jaynix stepped towards him and shoved her hand into the cut, the man let loose a horrified and pain scream as she tore flesh from within his body.
The other eight soldiers were now trained on her. There was shock in most of their eyes as Jaynix stared at the blood and flesh in one of her hands. Her eyes then moved, locking eyes with them as one whispered.
"The Bloodstained Corporal. She's real?"
"Fire! Kill her!"
The eight remaining troops unloaded on her as she dashed away. She felt several rounds clip one of her arms and legs but it did not stop her charge until she dove behind cover.
"Pursue! Kill her!"
"Ares. Cover! Distract them!"
Jaynix yelled, forcing herself to her feet.
"Wound them if you can...they're mine to kill."
After a series of beeps the Ares headed for her as she heard a grenade load into one of the guns.
Drawing her own pistols she took a deep breath and dove out from behind cover as the grenade was fired and destroyed the structure she hid behind.
Firing from both her pistols, she watched most shots bounce off the Lawless soldiers' armor but a few found flesh and the men grunted in pain.
Rolling across the ground she heard the Ares arrive overhead.
"Cover! Cover!"
The soldiers began to spread apart as the Ares fired. All of the shots missed as intended but it kept them distracted as Jaynix got back to her feet.
Shooting forward, she grabbed the closest soldier she could and pressed her pistol against his gut. She fired, unloading her entire clip into the man as he screamed in pain, blood streaming out of his mouth before she released him.
Tossing the pistol she drew her blade again and charged forward. Everything was a red haze, it only grew more intense as her weapons found flesh.
A man's arm was severed before her blade tore through his eye socket. Another man's kneecaps were shattered by bullets before Jaynix ran her blade through his chest.
One of the soldiers emerged from cover and shot her other pistol out of her hand. Acting quickly she threw her blade, the weapon finding the man's throat. He gagged on the weapon and fell dead as another dove out of cover and fired.
Feeling the round cut through her, Jaynix screamed. The Ares switched its focus and fired missiles towards the various enemy locations. There were cries of pain and panic, the soldiers being thrown through the air by the explosions.
One man stood and aimed his weapon at Jaynix as a shot came from afar and cut through his head. Looking back Jaynix spotted Elma, leaning against the exterior of the building.
The red haze slowly began to disperse. Elma first saw Jaynix's expression, then she saw the last soldier emerge from cover.
"Jaynix!"
Spinning back around Jaynix charged him, his round went off, catching one of Jaynix's arms as she grabbed him with her uninjured hand.
He yelled obscenities as Elma limped close to the pair. Jaynix dropped the man before grabbing the back of his collar and dragging him over to a building.
"Jaynix! We need him! We don't know where-"
Jaynix looked back at Elma briefly, what Elma saw, was a stranger.
Turning around again, Jaynix grabbed the back of the man's head and slammed him against a wall. He cried out in pain, his nose broken.
"Is this...torture? You won't get-"
Jaynix slammed his head into the wall again, then again. The man spat out blood, a wound growing on his forehead.
"You won't...be able to...question me if-"
She slammed his head into the wall again. Then again, not hearing Elma order her to stop.
The man was dazed, slurring his words. The only thing Jaynix could make out were feeble pleas. Nothing stopped her from slamming his head into the wall several more times, she could feel and hear his bones crack and break before finally, one more strike caved his skull in.
His body jerked and fell limp.
Elma came to a stop, taking one step back.
Jaynix looked at the corpse in her hand for a moment before slamming the broken skull against the wall a dozen more times.
Finally she dropped the bloody pulp that was once a man.
There was a long silence.
A whisper escaped Elma.
"Jaynix."
The Corporal did not turn around but Elma noticed that she was now staring up at the sky.
A call came through Elma's earpiece, it was Nagi.
"I've got a team headed for your quarters Elma, there were reports of explosions and gunfire. Your Mimeosome is displaying heavy damage, what happened?"
Elma began walking towards Jaynix as Nagi continued to ask her for a report.
She reached out to touch Jaynix's shoulder but the Corporal moved out of reach and began walking away.
"Jaynix!"
"Elma, the team will be there in five minutes. What happened?"
Elma turned from Jaynix to look back out over the battlefield. The mutilated bodies and blood everywhere, she wasn't sure how to describe it to Nagi.
"You have to see it for yourself. Sir…"
She then turned back to find Jaynix gone.
"Jaynix?"
Panic filled Elma, she attempted to run in the direction she thought the other woman left in but found her body not cooperating and fell over. Her Mimeosome was leaking.
Cursing herself for not considering a certain sniper's presence she yelled for her friend. Pleaded for her to come back.
"She knows?"
"Not exactly...but you know you have a reputation…"
Sonja sighed.
"Were people giving her a hard time?"
Maxwell shook his head.
"No. They simply realized who she was. I'm sure they weren't the first but they were the first she heard…"
Sonja looked away.
"You think she'll ask about it?"
An empty laugh escaped Maxwell.
"You know how curious she can be. She admires you greatly, Sonja. All she knows about you is that you are a war hero...that you protected everyone. She wants to do that too. She doesn't know why you stopped…"
Sonja's gaze returned to Maxwell.
"She won't become like me...I can't let that happen."
"We won't let that happen."
Sonja nodded.
"This family has one bloodstained hero too many. We don't need another...I don't want another…"
Maxwell crossed his arms.
"We could try to get her to stop...she doesn't have to be a soldier to protect everyone, right?"
Sonja laughed.
"This is Jaynix we're talking about...our little spark. She's going to grow to be a raging inferno I can tell already. We can't stop her from doing what she wants to do and we shouldn't."
"I know…"
Maxwell took a deep breath.
"All we can do is guide her."
Sonja stood from her chair and looked outside to see Jaynix pushing Flame on the swing, the pair laughing.
"It won't be just us. Nagi. Hideo. She'll have a better support system than I did...it'll all work out…"
Maxwell joined her, putting an arm around his wife's shoulder.
"It will. She'll be great. They both will."
Sonja smiled.
"What we need is a passionate hero...just like her. A fiery hero. That's what I see her becoming..."
Closing her eyes, Sonja shook her head.
"Look at us...how could we be so worried. She's only nine years old."
"We are her parents. Worrying is a big part of the job."
Sonja leaned into Maxwell.
"Let's give it a few years before we worry ourselves into a coma."
Maxwell chuckled.
"That'd be quite the sight to see. And then what? We leave Hideo alone with the girls? He'll get eaten alive."
"That he will."
Sonja and Maxwell laughed at the idea of Hideo trying to care for their daughters. The couple shared a kiss before seeing Jaynix and Flame wave at them to come and join them outside.
They decided to let the worries die out, there were more important things to use this time for.
The year was 2029.