Chapter 11

"Did they agree to surrender?" Roxanne asked as Varen rejoined the rest of the West Genetics defense. He chuckled shaking his head.

"It seems that they are not here to surrender as we originally hoped." Varen answered.

"Oh well, at least you asked. Quite merciful of you to even offer them a chance." Roxanne answered positively.

"I thought our offer was very generous." He responded to which she nodded. Cassie shook her head in dismay. Amelia patted her shoulder holding back her laughter.

"It's time Justicar." Sister Margaret said looking back at the students and faculty lined behind them. Looks of anticipation, fear, and anxiety was visible on every person they could see. Most of these students had little to no real combat experience and here they stood waiting to be crushed under the weight of Chevalier. Varen stepped up onto a large piece of concrete that had broken free from the wall so he could look over the little over two hundred people left from their home. All of them looked up at him as if searching for an answer.

"I've spent a lot of time wondering how and why people have looked to me as if I would save them from harm. Especially now that I realize I have only brought more harm to those around me. I've let my personal beliefs and vendettas place those that I love in danger. It has placed us against Chevalier and I tell you now that I would do it again. It doesn't matter which one of you is in trouble or in need of me. I would risk everything for anyone of you. I refuse to ignore the lives of the few, to ensure the safety of the lives of the many. Instead, I trust the lives of the many to understand that one day they may become one of the few and in need of saving. I don't want the few to ever question that I will be there for them regardless the risk.

This is the cost of such actions. Standing up for the few shakes the very foundation of Chevalier. Thousands of Pandora, soldiers, and Limiters are prepared to put a stop to such actions. I've said before that I cannot ask for people to risk their lives for me or my ideas, but I'll be honest with you all...I could really use your help on this." Varen said smiling slightly. A few scattered laughs came out of the crowd of people.

"There will be no hiding what happened today. Chevalier cannot sweep this under the rug like they have since their formation. After today the world will know that we stood for the few who have no voice. That it took many to confront us and that when the day ended we never surrendered. That we never bowed down and betrayed the few who needed us most." Varen continued looking over his shoulder at the army of Chevalier and Asakura military.

"People will know that it took an entire country's military and every soldier Chevalier could muster to try and stop an ideal. Long after today our actions will ripple outward and show that we said no more. That we stood for those who can no longer stand, and we held our ground against tyranny and oppression." He said and noticed some students walking through the crowd handing something out to each person they passed.

He paused watching as they continued and only until they came closer to the center of the crowd did he understand. Every faculty member of student wrapped a piece of torn red cloth around their arm. He could only watch as every person assembled tied the cloth tight and then looked back up at him fearlessly. As if the pieces of cloth held some property that dispelled their doubt and fear. The three students who held the boxes of cloth finished handing them out and moved to the front center of the crowd turning to face him stomping their feet down and pressed their fists to their chest.

"West Genetics salute!" One of the Pandora shouted and in unison the entire crowd stood straight bringing their fists to their chest. Not one person missed the call or hesitated. Varen struggled to find words or even catch his breath at the demonstration of support they showed. He looked down closing his eyes steadying his breath before looking back up at everyone.

"Thank you." He said with a nod. It was the only coherent thought he could manage at that moment. Sister Margaret climbed up next to him tying a red cloth around her arm as well.

"Make them remember who we are. Show them why we are the greatest genetics facility this world has ever seen." Sister Margaret said looking at everyone still holding their fists to their chests. Varen and she stepped down off the concrete and moved back to the head of the group.

"This isn't the end. You have a promise to keep." Arnette said stepping up beside Varen. He nodded solemnly.

"I know. Hope you have a dress picked out already." He smiled. Elizabeth eyed them suspiciously.

"A dress? What's that mean?" She asked and Arnette looked away shyly.

"She's embarrassed…she always gets embarrassed about romantic stuff! Are you engaged?" Ingrid cried out pointing her finger towards Arnette. The redhead blushed heavily averting her eyes further.

"Direct hit!" Cassie laughed hugging Arnette.

"Oh my congratulations!" Ticy added.

"This is exciting news." Amelia said with a nod.

"Leave me alone…" Arnette argued, but only halfhearted.

"Alright, that settles it. We beat them back and start working on wedding prep!" Ingrid exclaimed. Elizabeth walked up to Arnette and took her hand bowing slightly.

"Congratulations." She said and Arnette pulled her close hugging her. Varen had skillfully sidestepped out of the immediate area standing next to Andre and Kyoichi.

"You've come a long way from trying to peep on girls in the hot springs." Kyoichi said making Varen glare at him.

"Really?" Andre asked incredulously.

"I'll tell you the story another time." Varen answered with a hint of irritation.

"Going to be a hard fight." Roxanne said approaching them. Varen nodded.

"If each of us takes out ten of them then I think we have this in the bag." He answered making the redhead smile.

"Good odds then. It's been a pleasure spending what little time it was here with you all." Roxanne said holding her hand out. Varen, Kyoichi, and Andre shook her hand.

"Likewise. I'm honored to fight alongside the world's number one Pandora." Varen said.

"I told you already Justicar, you can't win my heart with flattery." She joked making him laugh.

"Right, I'll put more effort in next time."

"West Genetics, this is Nightingale zero one do you copy?" The radio called out. Varen smirked pressing his finger against his earpiece.

"Captain Lane, welcome back. We could use another Interceptor on our side." Varen answered into the radio. There was a brief moment of silence before the radio crackled once more.

"With all due respect commander…I never said I was alone." Captain Lane's voice answered. Varen turned around slowly and everyone did the same. Eyes opened wider and mouths fell as the radio once more crackled to life with multiple voices.

"East Genetics standing by. Midland Genetics standing by. Freystadt Genetics standing by. De Orleana Genetics on site, standing by." Roxanne and Cassie put a hand over their hearts recognizing Shi-Jing, Julia Munberk, and Charles Bonaparte's voices.

"Lowlands Genetics standing by." Another Pandora called out. Hundreds of Interceptors dotted the sky racing towards West Genetics from the northwest. Hastily painted red stripes wrapped around the tails of each Interceptor. A collective gasp went out across the surviving members of West Genetics.

"Genetics coalition, throttle up and descend to the deck. Bring these Pandora to the commander." David ordered. Arnette held back her tears of relief seeing the Interceptors closing in. The questions of how or why didn't matter to her right now. All that mattered was that the other genetics schools were here in force to support them against the very people that controlled them. There was nothing she could do to hide the smile she had as she turned to face Varen.

"It's a miracle, now we…" She trailed off as her smile vanished into a look of confusion. Varen was already over a dozen feet away charging forward towards the Chevalier lines. Rin's volt weapon in his hand as he leaned forward and pressed on.

"Forward! To the commander!" Sister Margaret screamed materializing a pair of tonfas into her hands and leading the over two hundred West Genetics troops behind Varen. Arnette dashed forward using her stigmata to gain ground letting the pole of her scythe appear into her hands as she came up beside Varen matching his speed. They glanced at each other hearing the Interceptors dipping low behind them to drop Pandora and Limiters down and join their charge.

"For Attia and Chiffon?" Arnette asked and Varen looked ahead seeing Chevalier mobilize. Interceptors rose slowly into the air preparing to accelerate towards them.

"No…this is for us."