Author's notes:
Right away the second part.
Enjoy!
Chapter 22 – The long awaited Reunion (2)
While being away from the Organization for two years, Jacqueline had developed a shocking hypothesis on where Yoma might come from, namely that they might be created within the Organization. Hitomi, who she had told about that, was left stunned, to say the least. Instantly, without really realizing it, she asked the most important question regarding said hypothesis: "Why? Why would they do that?"
"Well" Jacqueline answered, after checking whether Vectra was still unconscious, "there could be various reasons. The first one one would probably think of was to earn money, but, if you keep things in perspective, even they would not go that far just to earn money. My thinking is vastly different – and also guesswork – but considering the two Yoki beneath the Organization's headquarters I've been wondering: Since they emit Yoki, they probably are alive, even if barely. Also, they are two different beings, but would also be unique, since there is no Yoki like theirs anywhere on the land we're living on. How so, I wondered? Are they the last of their respective kinds, driven at the verge of extinction for some reason along the lines of money-making? I think not. Neither that they're kept alive for a reason this petty, nor that they're the last of their respective kinds."
Hitomi's heart had begun to beat faster as she continued to listen to her friend's explanation. If not for money, for what then? What else could the Organization gain if they were the perpetrators behind everything? She did not dare to ask and decided to just listen.
"I say, that the land we're living on is not the only land in this world. Just because we haven't found anything else yet, who says others didn't? The Organization's men as well as the two beings they brought with them are probably from another continent that is incredibly far away from here. And, what they do here has nothing to do with earning money, about that I am fairly sure. They are here for research."
Her friend stopped short. "Research? What? And what for?"
"Listen well, because it probably sounds inimitably unlikely: Over there is some kind of conflict, between the humans and those beings below the Organization's headquarters. Those beings are probably superior to humans in terms of strength, speed, size and overall combat power. Also did the humans need to find a way to defeat them. And, through research that I can't even imagine where the idea for it came from, they managed to create a Yoma. Realizing how they were not controllable, but significantly stronger then the average human, they needed to find a way to research Yoma and if they could ever be of any use. Hence they came here. You should understand by now what our continent is to them, right?"
She gulped. Of course she understood. If Jacqueline's conclusions were all correct, then their homeland was but...
"A weapon test facility. You are saying that they made our lands a weapon test facility... and that we are the weapons being tested?" Hitomi concluded hesitatingly, not quite believing in what she herself was saying.
"Considering my hypothesis is correct, that is. And that I will have to verify. If the Organization is truly creating Yoma itself – and I will continue to investigate until I find a definite answer to that question" she said before making a short stage wait, "I will crush it personally."
The hands, forehead and temples of the Organization's Number 5 had become all sweaty. "Crush it? What about the warriors guarding it?"
"I will do what renders to be necessary" she answered short and crisp. She checked on Vectra again, realizing that she had regained consciousness, but was acting as if she didn't. 'How much has she heard?' she mused, 'better wrap things up quickly.'
About to say something, Hitomi got interrupted by Jacqueline: "For now I want you to stay at the Organization. We will meet again the day I decide whether to attack it or return to it. Until that day, even if I attack, I want you to act as a proper warrior and defend the Organization against me earnestly, in case I screw up and get defeated – what seems unlikely given the warrior's current strength. Do you understand?"
Hitomi ground her teeth. She was aware that there where warriors in the Organization that, if they teamed up, at least, could purge her once the Organization found out about her knowledge – especially if Jacqueline was right with everything. Unwillingly she promised Jacqueline to not do anything rash.
After having to also promise her to not tell anyone about Vanessa still being alive, she told Jacqueline about the Organization's Number 3, Lillaine, only to be told that Jacqueline knew about her and that being in the care of someone to restrain her, living a life sheltered inside of the Organization, was the best way for her. Someone with as little control as her would probably awaken right away if they were to fight even once.
Jacqueline then arose, as well as Hitomi. The formers face had nearly returned to its usual blank state, while sadness was reflecting in the face of the latter. She hugged Jacqueline tightly and Jacqueline responded to the embrace.
"I am uncertain about when the day we'll meet again will come, but it's certain that it will" were the last words the deserter had told Hitomi before the both of them were parting.
###
'And then you left me again' Hitomi mused while still walking towards her destination. 'I guess that's just who you are, isn't it? You probably never will understand... just how painful having you being gone is.'
She kept on walking, lost in her thoughts, knowing that she would not reach her destination for another ten days.
Author's notes:
That concludes the events around the mission to bring Jacqueline back to the Organization. With the next update we will get to meet someone who, up until now, has only been mentioned by name and is yet to have some screen time. Happy guessing ;)
As always, thank you very much for reading and reviewing!
kstefan88