Blood brothers?
-You're an idiot! You let her escape?!-
Cletus and Argus were in a battleship of the organon.
-we separated, I didn't think the Deponian was here- said Cletus –since YOU were supposed to deal with him!-
-Bah it doesn't matter, we're gonna find them this time too and it will be the last- said Argus.
Cletus frowned, what did "last" mean.
Argus then took his helmet off, revealing an incredible resemblance to Cletus.
-Please, cover yourself up. It's creepy, like looking in a mirror-
-don't be foolish, brother, I'm much smarter than you- Argus moved a bit –in fact I ordered the intervention of Machina-
Cletus shivered.
-but…he's gonna kill them all- he muttered.
-So what?- calmly said Argus –They'll die anyway, it's just a matter of time-
Cletus threateningly approached Argus, grabbing his uniform's collar.
-Should something happen to Goal…- he said, looking right into his eyes.
-Don't worry, Machina has been ordered not to harm her-
Cletus let go, but kept glaring at him.
-Do you still have the stick the council gave you?- asked Argus.
-Sure…after all I'm the only one who can use it- annoyingly said Cletus.
-So it seems- answered Argus with a bit of jealousy.
-Did you find the codes?- asked Cletus with a nod of his head.
Argus smiled, then moved closer to Cletus with a malevolent look.
-Do you know why I ordered not to kill that girl?-
Cletus didn't understand.
Now Argus grabbed him by the collar, just like Cletus did before, but unlike him he violently pushed him against the wall.
-You girlfriend stole the ignition codes, cameras filmed the scene and I don't give a shit if she's the general's daughter cause if she doesn't return that chip…- he paused –she's gonna end up like that Deponian when Machina finds him and you'll have to marry her in hell– Argus let go of him –if you want to follow her-
Cletus bowed his head, so it was true, Goal knew it all.
In that moment a guard entered the room.
-Sir-
They both turned.
-We found them, they're headed to Krem-
Once in Krem, Doc and Bozo brought Rufus and Goal to their secret hiding place, it was indeed unlikely for Rufus to find it since it was a lot of meters underground…and, well, Rufus usually explored the surface.
When they arrived in the main hall, they were welcomed by those who, until a few weeks ago, he considered to be filthy, simple inhabitants.
The major, the workers of the construction site he had destroyed multiple times, the technician who fixed the electrical cables that Rufus cut in his crazy attempts to reach Elysium, they were all there alongside other people he had never seen before…and then
-TONY?!- exclaimed Rufus.
-Hey there…- she said with a wave.
-Great, so you were all part of a secret organization built to save Deponia and I wasn't aware of that- the boy sulked crossing his arms.
-It was indeed secret, Rufus- intervened the major –and you can't keep secrets-
-That's not true!- he said, always sulking.
-Let's not start this now, ok?- said Tony, cutting the conversation short –you're one of ours now, aren't you?- asked the girl.
-if I want to- he said, offended.
-Are these people your friend, Rufus? – asked Goal, who was standing beside him.
-Friends, more traitors, I'd say- answered Rufus.
Tony sighed exasperatedly.
-So was it you who had us followed by Doc and the pirate?- immediately asked Rufus.
-I'm not a…- Bozo bowed his head, Doc patted him on the hip, since he couldn't reach his shoulder.
-Yes, I'm sorry Rufus, but when we saw Goal we knew something happened…of course I didn't expect her fall to be caused by you- said the major.
-It was an accident- the boy tried to defend himself.
-You see- continued the major –we've been preparing for this war for a lot…a lot of years…approximately- he paused.
-Approximately 19- continued Tony –I joined the resistance at the age of 12-
-19? But that's when I was born- pointed out Rufus.
Some of them looked away.
-You know, there's something I need to tell you- said the major.
-Patrick…- scolded him Tony.
-No Tony, this could end badly, so he has to now- the major seemed inflexible.
-Know what?- asked Rufus, curious.
-Follow me, just you and Goal-
The two kids looked at each other for a few seconds, then they followed the major and Tony deep inside the structure.
As they proceeded, the walls got more and more run-down and the rotten smelled stronger, to the point that Goal, who wasn't accustomed to it, had to close her nose multiple times. It was like walking in an ants' nest, there was an incredible amount of rooms abandoned for years.
After a few minutes' walk, they arrived in a pretty peculiar room, weird machines time covered in dust, by now disused, but what caught the two kids' eyes was a big cylinder at the center of the room.
The major moved closer to it, turned towards Rufus and inhaled, as if the words he was about to pronounce weighed more than a 10 tons boulder.
-You were born here, Rufus-
Silence.
-This used to be a hospital- said Goal.
-No- denied Patrick –It was an experimental center-
Rufus swallowed.
-Here we brought to the light three humans…with inborn capabilities- Patrick touched the cylinder, as if the contact allowed him to remember those days.
-Elisabeth Hopper was about to give birth to a boy…but the unborn died right before delivery…- The major looked at Rufus –It was you-
Goal opened her mouth wide, bewildered, Rufus remained silence.
Tony, who knew the story, like most of the residents, bowed her head.
-So, since we were working on gene for cellular regeneration…we decided to experiment it to bring him back to life-
-Why…- interrupted him Goal.
-Why, you ask?- Patrick raised his head –Because we were young scientists looking for answers-
-No- said the young girl, who had bowed her head and closed her fists –Why abusing a child's life like this?-
The major glanced at her without losing his temper.
-Why shouldn't we? He was dead-
Goal opened her eyes wide, horrified, and Tony did the same looking at the major.
-Of course we exploited the situation, generating a few genetic changes- said Patrick, stepping away from the center of the room and ignoring the mood of the three.
-As I mentioned, you were not alone- he said, talking directly to Rufus this time –with you there were two unborn kids approved for the experiment, the result? Thanks to the gene for cellular regeneration you came back to life, which was a success- he was walking slowly, until he reached an old destroyed console he laid on –but unfortunately…especially you- the major looked once again at Rufus –after Elisabeth's death you have developed the hideous ability to fear death! Which had been genetically removed from you, yet you keep on risking your life pointlessly trying to reach Elysium, you're a nonsense, a failed experiment-
-OK, THAT'S ENOUGH- intervened Goal, who couldn't stand that man's arrogance anymore –Rufus is Rufus, he has a brilliant mind and he's not afraid of facing dangers, that's called bravery where I come from-
-What do you know about Rufus? You've known him for a few days- intervened Tony, visibly annoyed.
-Isn't it true?- firmly answered Goal.
Tony couldn't retort and the two stared at each other harshly.
-We were three…- muttered Rufus under his breath.
The major intensely stared at Goal.
-Since in the experimental process we used the same DNA base for all of them, their appearance was almost the same-
Goal was startled.
He was referring to Cletus and Argus.
She covered her mouth with the hands, then she started thinking.
-What about my mother, then?!- Rufus raised his voice.
Patrick sighed.
-Oh…of course Elisabeth was heartbroken, but when you came back to life she wanted you back no matter what- then he looked at Rufus –you know Seagul isn't really you father, right?- asked him.
-Yes, I know…- said Rufus, as if he hearing that name annoyed him. –he told me before he left-
-Your true father was a great friend of ours- Patrick crossed his arms and, for the first time, he looked worn out by his own words –Seagul took care of Ellie because he wanted to study your growth-
Rufus smacked his lips.
-Maybe Ellie never got the chance to tell you about your real father and for Seagul, well, it was an experiment- Patrick was serious again.
-Wait a minute!- intervened Goal with decision, looking firmly at Patrick.
-What's you connection with Cletus and Argus? It's them, right?! The other two-
He laughed up his sleeve, but said nothing.
Rufus looked at Goal, surprised, and Tony suddenly turned towards the major.
-What's that supposed to mean?- asked the young Deponian.
In that moment the earth started trembling beneath them, a huge roar followed, the ceiling started collapsing and the lights went off.
It lasted for a couple of seconds.
-Is everyone ok?!- asked Tony coughing because of the dust that had been raised.
-Goal? Goal?!- Rufus' voice echoed in the room.
-Rufus!?-
Tony reached him following the sound of his voice, when she got near him, climbing over stones and fallen machines, the light came back.
The two kids looked around quickly, both Patrick and Goal were missing!
At that point they ran to the main hall, the ceiling had collapsed there too and even some walls, but luckily it looked like no one got hurt.
-Where have they gone?- asked Tony in a hurry.
-oh no, Goal!- moaned Rufus.
-it's the organon! They're attacking us- one of the rebels' watch people ran to warn them –they're here with the battleship- he finally added.
Everybody felt terrified, beside Rufus, who could only think about Goal, even the absurd story of his birth moved to the background. Patrick had betrayed them.
