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FICTION
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Chapter 13 - Exodus
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You don't get to live for as long as I did without planning some potential issues like a kidnapping or some hardcore end-of-the-galaxy Scenario.
I am not an arrogant man, I never was. Or, if I had been, even so slightly, it was a trait that didn't survive with time. Complacency was not within my soul, I had long suffered to know how to brace for the worst and get up from it. I had to be ready, I had to avoid mistake. This one? A surprise for sure, but not one that I didn't have a counter to.
If I was to go missing for a week, a special command in my flagship would activate, with the internal AI mustering the ship without anyone on board. The GLN (Grand Light Navy) Enlightement was the one thing I decided to keep 'dormant' for many millennias. It was always improved upon, with the systems aboard and its energy-production far exceeding most of the ships.
It was an 'one of a kind' sort of deal due to the expenses behind it. And it wasn't for its powerful shields and armaments. It wasn't devoid of a crew, not with the robotized infantry, vehicles and aerial forces ready for a ruthless assault to free me up while also destroying the industrial complex of Fundament. I wasn't going to let this slight go unpunished. Even though I was condemning some of the Hive's lives to this.
The 'Freeing Operation' was simple. First, Oryx and their ship had to be out of sight. Then, Savathun and Xivu Arath had to be fairly distant from my containment cell and... my current location was easy to bomb with a heavy Plasma Glassing procedure.
So, on the ninth day of my imprisonment, a bright flash of white came crashing down in a manner that melted the ship I was stuck in and deafened anything or anyone that was close enough to see this happen. Considering the fact I was without a physical body, the blast didn't do anything to me, but it destroyed the very thing that had kept me confined.
I could have just ran back to business to calm everyone at 'home', but I knew that I wasn't done just yet. I promised something, and I intended to keep up to it. I teleported inside the Enlightement's Command Post, the AI noticing me.
"Welcome back, Lord Oracle."
Serena, I need to alter some directives in regard to 'Xi Ro'.
"Understood. What are the alterations?"
I started to dictate the precise commands, knowing that the AI wasn't perfect and using too vague of an explanation could lead to issues. Soon, the parameters were changed, and some armed transports were sent in Xi Ro's direction. I was keen to keep my word plus something more, and I was willing to give her a chance for this to not be a trap of sort. I knew she meant it, but I just got tricked once and I was quite paranoid even now. Then again, things were holding well.
While part of me thought the Hive would have been in a better shape to face this sort of assault, they lacked the right sort of weaponry. The weapons they stole and retrofitted from previous civilizations had long ran out of ammunition and were poorly maintained.
So, when the siege started, the real stalemate unfolded among the ground forces. None of the heavy batteries at Fundament's disposal was enough to even so damage the shields with how dense those were. Everything was under control... until it was not.
"Warning! Detected Darkness! ETA Darkness' Source: 10 Minutes."
What?
The main screen zoomed to reveal a familiar portal and... a pyramidal shape. Three actually. This should have been a sign to get things wrapped up fast, but I didn't exactly come unprepared for this sort of ordeal. This development was... not as unpleasant as many would feel.
The Witness wanted to rumble? Then I guess he can get a bit of me.
Serena, full use of the Super MACs is now authorized.
"Order accepted, Lord Oracle."
Soon numerous unused cannons were aimed at their intended targets- the reason they existed. The pyramid-shaped ships drew close, but they were suddenly forced to slow down as numerous explosions tore into the smooth black armor, shredding into their more important areas where the engines and the weapon calibration systems were.
It was proof that the Witness could be handled with the right amount of preparation... but I couldn't linger any further. Not when the pyramids started to blast back at the shield and started to drain it a bit.
All that was left for me to do was wait for the transports to return and then leave with the flagship.
-d-d-d-d-
'Mother-'
'You have to go,' Xivu Arath interrupted Xavan and turning to the approaching transport dropships. 'Now.'
As expected, her father had been prepared for this. Savathun was too desperate and Oryx was too distracted by her own plight to care for what was going on with their sister. Thus, Xivu Arath had been ready to use this opportunity to save what she could save. It wasn't everything, but her legacy was going to live through them.
'Mother, we can- You can join us.'
'I am afraid it is not that simple, Tir Balok. I have to stay and cover for your escape.'
Humanoid figures made of steel and circuits came through the dropships, securing a perimeter for the exfiltration. One of them approached the group, the guards around the God of War tense but respecting their boss' command to stand down.
Xivu Arath braced for the long-feared goodbye for the time being, but what the robot said as soon as it got close enough stunned her for a moment.
"Unit-6481-CD here, I am assigned to retrieve four individuals. Xavan, An Ragaar, Tir Balok, and Xivu Arath. Other transports are for members of the Hive Group Xivu Arath is in charge of that wish to leave."
...What?
'You mean that Grandfather wants mother to leave too?' Xavan asked and the robot nodded.
"Yes. Her, and the rest of the 'clan' she is in charge of. By the creator's own orders, while the primary purpose is the evacuation of your children, if the conditions are optimal then this transport fleet can and will hold your own host of people to seek protection and evacuation."
'F-Father said-'
6481-CD brought up his right palm up and a hologram manifested.
"This message is to be played in case Xi Ro manifests some reluctance. If this is the case, then I will be brief and direct to you, daughter of mine. First, if I decided to forgive you despite what happened, then it means you learned a lesson- and no, I am not talking about one of those you tended to learn as a child. I am referring about a life lesson not many are willing to accept. And I have a feeling you will be the one to learn from it first. The joy of parenthood, the pride of being a parent, the need to put your life on the line for your children and... your willingness to be strong before what many would call weakness."
'...' Xi Ro blinked as she felt her mind going dull for a moment.
"For many years, I thought that Aurash would have seen glimpses of it, and that Sathona would have been closely behind that. But I knew from the very beginning that you would be the one to understand it. You were always the one that saw the emotion of things. You felt them. You wanted to be the one that put the most out of all- the protector, the warrior... you grew up and, despite that ugly event of the past, you overcame the obstacles."
Xi Ro bowed her head, shame and warmth spreading within her chest. 'I do not deserve forgiveness'.
"And you would think yourself unredeemable because of your mistakes," The message continued, almost 'hearing' her talk. "But you chose others rather than yourself. You chose to give up a chance to be happy for them- and I know it will be your children. You love family the most, despite having been tough on feelings, you couldn't hold back the amount of good in you."
What was left to say? Xi Ro was shocked beyond belief about what she just heard but-
The unit clicked a button on his palm.
"If Xi Ro is getting lost in her thoughts and bashing herself some more... Young lady, this ship has to go and we can talk about this more later. Your kids' safety is in trouble, and we can agree that time is of essence. And no, you don't get to chose on staying. Why? If I have forgiven you, it means I retained responsibility over you and if I told you that I, as your father, told you to get your butt on the ship, it means you have to."
The exchange, to the many others around Xivu Arath and her children, was one of the strangest things they had ever witnessed. For a few rare moments, the God of War seemed to revert to a more childish attitude.
'B-But that's not fair!'
The robot pressed another button. "If she is still fighting about it, I remind you that I can land the ship, give you a few centuries-worth lecture and put the burden of this delay on you for more lecturing!"
...
'Fine!' Xi Ro huffed, hands wrapping around her chest while looking away. 'Let's get moving. Same for you, guards.'
'B-But, our duty-' One of the soldiers tried to say, but the God of War groaned.
'Is to me. And I promised you that freedom would come to you in a way that Darkness wouldn't give to you. Today's the day for me to grant you that. Let's get moving.'
Despite some reluctance, most of the soldiers moved to enter the dropships, with just a tiny minority keeping behind.
To many Hive historians, this would be defined as the 'Schism'. With the once absolute Sword Logic would forever be broken by the notion of 'Betrayal for the Light'.
To Oryx and Savathun... it would be another collapse for their dwindling family...
AN
Hope never dies.