A Genetic Defect
Chapter 4
by deadkitty1
Sharp, hard steps vibrate through the huge hall as dozens upon dozens of people rhythmically march through. They line up one by one as they silently wait on two prominent figures. A man sharply announces their arrival as they are brought in with guards by their sides.
"Legionnaire Caine Wise. Your case has been judged and you are hereby discharged from the Legion on accounts of attempted murder of an Entitled due to a defect in your genes. Legionnaire Stinger Apini, due to your insubordination at defending a guilty party despite military proceeding and demands, you are also hereby discharged from the Legion. Respond!"
Both men answer loudly, "Yes. Understood."
The officer lets the quiet atmosphere ride out as the proud Legionnaires in the background expose their wings in a slow procession. The stalling doesn't go lost in the eyes of the disgraced members, but they also fail to raise their heads to meet the eyes of any of their friends. Caine especially carries more guilt as he can only plead softly for his commanding officer by his side to be let go.
"Please. Spare Stinger. He didn't do anything wrong. I forced him – "
"Caine! Keep your mouth shut!" demands the tough bee-splice.
Both of them get kicked for talking as they are brought down to their knees.
"There is no going back on your mistake for both of you, so face the consequences," states the leading officer.
A Legionnaire orders the wolf-splice's jacket and shirt to be removed to free his majestic gold and black wings. His wings catch the light as the sheen reflects to show its vibrant color. Being with his comrades, with everyone carrying their own unique feathers out for display, he knew it would be the last time he'll ever be with them like this... as one of them.
Stinger groans as his translucent wings only make the huge welt on his back more prominent. The jagged scar serves as a reminder to the soldiers on the consequences for disobeying orders. Protocol must be obeyed. The military doesn't need a soldier who won't obey orders, but they will regret their decision in letting go such a valued leader. Stinger wouldn't carelessly defy orders unless his friends were in trouble. His only consequence is being too loyal to his soldiers.
"Caine, you ready," one of his comrades asks.
"Just do it."
With one clean slice, the skillful man cuts through flesh and bone as Caine shouts in agony. The same movement is done on Stinger as he collapses on the floor in pain. Then just as easily as the pain overcomes their senses, so does the healing. Soon the pain disappears as a dull ache. The broken Lycanton watches in disbelief as his wings decorate the cold, hard floor before him. Tortured groans erupt from the bee-splice who grasps his shoulders at the lost of feeling. The physical pain leaves them. What's left is the emptiness and shame that will continue to haunt them in their wake.
The wings represent more than a status symbol. It's also a symbol of unity for the Legion. The group wasn't known as just a couple of hot-headed hunters formed out of androids, animals, and humans, they are the perfect soldiers meant to protect the people from harm by acting as their own personal guardian angels. The image of them symbolizes faith and hope. After all the sky is the limit.
Caine's wings didn't use to be his. They once belonged to an old teacher who taught him so much about the world and life in general. The wise soldier passed away, but when he earned his right to choose his own wings, he only wanted one pair. The wings of his teacher. As those wings lay disgraced on the dirty floor with flecks of his blood mixed in, it's failing to live up to his teacher's expectation of what a Legionnaire should be. The splice has failed.
The albino half-breed watches in shock as they carry off his only badge that gave him worth and meaning to life and his last remaining friend disappear into a hidden hallway to be exiled on some unknown planet. He lost everything. His job, his pride, his friend. He's reduced to the abandoned creation some mad scientist made during some spur of the moment afterthought. Why jail him when they might as well execute him? He's heading down that road anyway.
His muted obedience helps the guards escort him to his containment silently. Once alone, Caine opens his hand to stare longingly at a feather he managed to grab before they took his wings away. A small reminder of what was once his. A life he will never be able to bring back. He's a nobody now. He lowers his head against his arms, surrendering to the call of the darkness.
For days upon weeks, he didn't take meals or answer to anybody. He ignores the few friends who managed to get past security to convince him of plans for his escape, but he wouldn't budge. He'll only answer to death. Death comes for everything, even the ones taking the Regenex, and yet, it didn't answer his call. He thought his stubborn will is enough to confirm he die in a stone cage, but his training ingrained in him triggers for him to live. The words of his teacher and sarcastic bee-splice commander float around his head to scold him for giving up when breath still warms his body. These fists can still hit a wall and these teeth can still slice off another Entitled if he wants to. The hardened man stares back at the feather as he crushes it underneath his hands. He's been here before at the bottom and he can work himself back up. He's done it before and he'll do it again. He'll endure the long punishment for as long as they will it until an opportunity comes for him to regain his spot back in the Legion. That's when he'll fully gain his redemption and show everyone what he's made of.
Author's Notes: So uh, I meant to not write anymore after the first two chapters. I mean I even have it marked as complete but I guess it couldn't hurt just adding a few more seeing as a lot of people seem to like reading it. I might add at least two more to make it to the end of the movie to wrap it up, if I remember what happened. Haha~!