I didn't learn until later that I'd been out for a whole day after the battle. Amazingly, that was still above the norm, as for people with my level of injury, the average time unconscious, according to the medical archives I'd pulled up from around Earth and the colonies, was at least a week. Most people simply didn't survive the amount of injuries I took in that fight.
Where I woke up, though, was an entirely different story.
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When I came to, the first thin I noticed was that I was inside a white room, apparently a cross between a hospital room and a hotel room. Admiitedly, that was all I could tell from the position I was in, as I couldn't move head or body at all - I was really numb everywhere.
the second thing I noticed was the stationary form of Melissa sitting to my right, face twisted in an expression of ...was that unhappiness? Worry? It was hard to tell, because a moment later her face went blank, before a smile graced it, with the ret of her features moving to indicate relief.
"Well, good morning, sleepy head. How was your nap?"
"Good, I suppose," was my response.
I was having small talk with the being who ruined my life, yet had also saved it. I think the world had gone upside down.
"Well, that's good. I don't want my pawn to be in any distress. At least, not yet."
And she's back to being a jerkass. I guess things just couldn't last.
"And when will it be time for me to be in distress, my high and mighty mistress? Or should I call you master?"
"You may call me Melissa, and as for your first question...I can't really give you a concrete answer their."
Well, that's probably the best answer she could give me, all things considered.
"Fair enough... where am I?"
"Well, you could call this place my realm."
"Realm?"
"Yes. My realm. My haven. A place for my creations to run free."
"You mean, like my hub universe?"
"Yes, precisely, you oaf."
Well, screw you, Ms. High and Mighty.
"I see. Do you mind, um, giving me the tour?"
"Of course," was her response, before promptly shoving a rather large need into my arm. A few seconds later, the feeling returned in my body, allowing me to stand up. Idly, I noted that Melissa had taken the time to clothe me in what could best be described as black robes, which actually felt surprisingly comfy. After taking a moment to get my bearings, I approached my ROB, who was waiting by the door that lead out of the room.
"One thing, though," remarked Melissa, "you have guests."
"What-"
That was all I managed to say before I opened the door, only to promptly be dogpiled by a group of small beings saying 'Dad'. As I focused my eyes on them, I realized that they were my children, with Rory being the one crying into my chest. I stared at him for a moment, before slowly curling my arms around him and his adoptive siblings.
"I thought-I thought...I thought I was going to lose you."
It was hard to hear Rory with his face buried in my chest, but I was still able to make out those words.
"It's alright. I'm still here, aren't I? I'm not going away any time soon."
"...Promise?"
"Pinky promise."
I really hoped he knew what that meant. Fortunately, given that he lifted up his left hand and stretched out his pinky, it appeared he did. I smiled as I managed to dig out m left arm from the pile of kids and coiled my pinky around his, which seemed to make him calm down a bit.
While my children (adoptive and otherwise) took a few minutes to get off of me, I turned my attention to Melissa. "You brought them here?"
"They're your kids. They should be with you when you need them, just as you should be with them when they need you."
Wow. That was actually rather nice of her.
"Well, thank you. For bringing them here."
"I didn't just bring them. Your Freudian Trio and Number Two are here to. I thought you'd like here as well."
"Oh...well, thanks again."
"Don't mention it. Consider it a favor to be repaid later."
I wasn't actually sure if she was being serious there.
"Um, do you want to get to so my realm or not?"
Oh, right. I still had that to do.
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My reunion with my subordinates was...well, it didn't end with me on the floor. Also, Melissa had apparently decided to bring along the leaders of the various alien races I'd created, as well as the genetic heroes, who were all glad to see that I was okay. Synais was especially relieved, even if he hid it - while I could read the emotions of others easily with my psychic powers, I didn't need that to know how worried he had been. He was the only one whose eyes were bloodshot, indicating either a lack of sleep or heavy crying. Or both. I guess that, for all his selfishness, he did like me.
Once we were all together and everyone was sure that I was okay, I finally let Melissa take us on a tour of her realm. Part of me suspected that she just wanted to flaunt her home in front of me, but even if that was the case, I wouldn't have declined her offer - she'd saved my life, so I owed her this little victory, if nothing else.
As it turned out, I had been in a hospital of sorts, as when we exited my room, I noticed several beings, human and alien, being moved between waiting rooms, operating rooms ,and the like, with gurneys passing by at lightning speed. All of the beings that noticed Melissa smiled at her, with a few offering her praise. I wasn't really surprised. After all, someone like her would probably make her subjects undyingly loyal to her, or at least make them think that way. Powerful being usually had egos that they liked stroked.
Once we left the hospital, picking up Cassidy as we left the lobby, Melissa led us to some kind platform located a stones throw away. It looked almost like the top of a ferry, so I assumed that it was the top of a tram car, or maybe the platform hovered in the air, but it turned out that neither of those was the case. When we were all aboard, the gates leading up to the platform closed, and then the platform itself moved, first forward in order to clear away form its mooring, then upward. This let me get a closer look at what our ride was, revealing that it wasn't an airship (my current best guess), but what could best be described as a flying whale. The creature barely seemed to register our presence on its back, merely flying into the sky, to destinations unknown. We were merely along for the ride.
Our flight took us over spectacular landscapes, ranging from grasslands to forest, from seas to cliff faces, and from tundra to deserts. What we saw on those plains were truly amazing to behold.
The first area we passed over was a grassland, where giant beasts prowled the plains, either grazing the ground or preying upon each other. Occasionally, creatures clad in everything from animal skins to military grade camouflage stalked these beasts, and I could already see a couple of them dragging back to a camp to butcher and tan for later usage. A few looked up at us and waved, but most paid us no mind.
Next came a giant forest with trees reaching up into the clouds. The tops of the canopy were difficult for our ride to navigate, but smaller creatures flitted through them with easy, with even our presence doing little to disrupt their daily routine. The creatures I saw their reminded me of the beasts from the Blue Moon segment of the program Extraterrestrial, as well as the beasts from Wayne Douglas Barlowe's The Expedition. Here, too, were sentient beings, mostly ones that lived in the trees, but also a few hiding in the shadows of the forest floor. Few of them noticed us, but all that did waved.
As we flew over a set of hills and ancient looking structures, which I assumed only appeared to look ancient, I noticed Melissa staring at something in the distance. Walking up to her, I tried to focus on it, but all I could make out was that it was a bird of some sort. A really weird looking bird, in any case, for it appeared to completely lack feathers, instead being covered in fur.
"A mighty being, is it not?" asked my ROB, eyes never leaving the beast. "A majestic creature, caring not for the troubles of man unless they bring it harm."
"Well, I hardly find it might right now," was my response. "It's tiny, though it does still have a sense of majesty to it."
"Distance can deceive the untrained eye. This beast only appears small because it is far away form us."
"Well, could you make it come closer?" I asked. I'd really like to see how big it got. Also, I felt like I was looking at something familiar.
"OF course," she responded, extending out an arm that began to glow. A moment later, the bird turned toward us, steadily growing bigger as it neared our great flier.
"Can you tell me more about this bird?"
"It isn't really a bird, it just looks like one. In truth, it isn't alive as science would define it, and it merely a vessel for another being. Yet, despite these issues, it is still a thinkning being in its own right and should be treated as one."
"Vessel for another being-"
It was at that moment that the bird flew right over us, doing a barrel role as it passed by (well, not a barrel role, but what everyone thinks is a barrel roll). It was fortuitous that it did so, as when it did, I got a closer look at its wings and tail...which revealed strange, glowing sigils on all three.
No way.
"That...that...that was.."
"A colossus? Indeed it was. That was the fifth one, Avion."
"Where did you get it from?"
"You are not the only one to travel the universe, and I need not spend all of my time watching what you do. I took this being from a time where the Dormin was resealed within the boy, when this bird had already lain dead for some time. It took only a fraction of my power to raise Avion and its siblings, and only a slightly greater portion of my strength to transport them here."
"Why did you bring them here?"
"...because I don't think they deserved to die. Because what Wander did was, if not wrong, cruel? Because I think the sight of them roaming free is really cool?"
"Okay, okay, fair enough." I got the feeling she didn't want to talk about it anymore.
Still, this was some very interesting food for thought.
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The rest of our ride on the giant flying whale creature went on in silence, barring my children and Cassidy talking about the strange sights before them. Soon, we arrived at our destination: an interesting looking city that seemed to float in the sky, not to dissimilar to the Alin Cities from the Rise of Legends. We docked along one of the outer buildings of the city and quickly disembarked, letting us get a feel of just how...interesting this place was.
For the most part, people were going about their daily lives, buying food, clothes and what not, eating, fighting, and so on, but some things were really catching me by surprise. For one, there were few vehicles in this city, even aerial ones. In their place were giant animals of sorts, which, to my surprise, seemed to have organic versions of seats and air conditioning within their bodies. Additionally, many of the buildings I noticed were made of either plant or fungus tissue, according to my internal scanner, and some were still growing. Lastly, and most surprisingly, at least in regards to my expectations regarding Melissa, few of the inhabitants of the city acknowledged our presence, and those that did chose not to wave at Melissa.
The only acknowledgement we got was, ironically, from a group of children of all sorts of species, who were playing with a Frisbee that just happened to fly our way. The children ran up to get the Frisbee back from us, but froze the minute that the saw Melissa.
Eventually, a little insectoid boy emerged form the crowd and walked up to us, before kneeling.
"Oh dearest creator, we're sorry for interrupting your actions. We didn't mean to do so, we were only playing. Would you be willing to take pity on us and-"
"First," interrupted Melissa, "Stop groveling.
"...of course your excellency."
"Second, stand up."
"Of course-"
"Third, stop calling me by any fancy titles. The most you need to use are 'your grace'".
"Yes, of course."
"And lastly," she began, before gently throwing the Frisbee back at the little bug boy, who hastily managed to catch it," you have nothing to apologize for. I may have created your kind, but I do not need you to worship me. Is that clear?"
"It is, your grace."
"Good. Now have a nice day."
"...okay. Goodbye."
With that, the kids promptly resumed their game, albeit choosing to take it somewhere away from us. I watched them leave, then turned my attention to Melissa, who seemed to be exasperated, before turning to me, confused. I merely shrugged and let her continue on with her tour.
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Our tour, in actuality, merely amounted to us traveling through a few major point in the city, mostly big markets and the line, before finally reaching the city center, which was home to a gigantic tower that acted as Melissa's abode on this world. I noted that the building itself was surprisingly modest, with little in the way of ornamentation on it. I guess Melissa did have a sense of humility.
Once we were all inside, Melissa guided us through her home, showing of all the interesting rooms it had - a movie theater, an aquarium, a zoo, and a simulator for combat training. Melissa abriefly used the simulator to drop a giant meteor on some random target, though the way she called forth the meteor seemed familiar to me. Then, she offered to treat us to lunch.
While I could tell a huge part of this was mostly an excuse to flaunt her powers and wealth to me, all I really noticed was how...empty her home was. No art on the walls, no art period, actually, and a fine layer of dust was present on most of the tables and chairs. Were we the first guests she had ever had? I mean, surely she must have others to entertain and stroke her ego.
Right?
Well, attempt to stroke her ego or genuine kindness, I wasn't going to turn down her offer of lunch.
Melissa, happy with my choice, led us to a colossal dining room, where an army of servants was waiting to serve us. The children sat at one table, the genetic heroes at another, My subordinates and Melissa's at a Third, and Melissa and myself at a fourth.
I won't lie, the food was delicious.
"So, are you enjoying my hospitality?" Questioned Melissa, in between bites of an alien squid creature.
"Yes, I am," I replied, tearing into a giant edible mushroom. "Though, to be frank, I never expected to enjoy hospitality from you."
"Well, there is a first time for everything."
"True...why did you do it?"
"...what?" She's asked after gulping down a giant tuber.
"Why'd you save me? I mean, surely me going out in a blaze of glory would have been entertaining to you, wouldn't it?"
"...you are correct. As is, though, I don't desire to die just yet, and besides, I have issues with how you ended up in that situation."
"...you saved me because it was one of those artifacts that got me into that last stand in the first place, didn't you?"
"I did. I...don't like others interfering with my plans."
"I see...why didn't you heal me on Cephei 37? With your powers, I mean."
"Um...well...you see..."
"Is there some being out there, higher and mightier than you, who is preventing you from using your powers to directly affect me."
"...yes"
"I see."
I noticed she seemed to clam up when I mentioned this. Maybe I shouldn't try to press her about it right now.
We finished the rest of our meal in silence. As for the kids and out subordinates, they were busy going through, so Melissa decided to let themn be and offered to show me a private tour of her abode.
No, she didn't say that in a suggestive way.
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The tour itself was rather boring, in end, and apparently my hostess seemed to notice this, because she tried to finish it up as quickly as possible, before taking me up to a balcony at the top of her home. From there, I could see...well, everything - houses, people, children, animals, the clouds, everything.
"Enjoying the view?" questioned my hostess.
"...Yes, I am."
"I thought you would. Even for beings as mighty as us, there are still sights that can take our breath away."
"Indeed there are...I apologize for asking, but why are you acting so...so...so.."
"So what?"
"So...nice to me? I thought you enjoyed watching me suffer and struggle."
"I do, but everyone deserves a break. And honestly, I find you...too interesting to mess with too much."
"How so?"
"I have seen few Commanders who will fight side by side with their troops, and fewer still who are as...diplomatic as you are. True, your desire to solve things peacefully can make your adventures boring at times, but I still find it an admirable trait for you to possess."
Wow. That was actually really kind of her to say.
For a moment, we just stared out at the city before us, watching people go about their daily lives, without a care in the world.
Then someone had to ruin the moment.
"Now this is an interesting sight: a commander and a ROB sitting side by side, without a hint of animosity between the two of them."
I tensed up at this, as did Melissa. Slowly, I turned around to look at the one who had just spoken. To my surprise, I found myself staring a figure wearing gold and white armor, who seemed to be staring at me intently, despite the fact that they wore a helmet that had no equivalent for eye holes in it.
Also, they were faintly emitting a golden light form their armor, though the light seemed to dim after a moment.
"Excuse me for asking, but who are you?"
Not the most original question, or the most tactful, but I wanted to know who this being was and why they had intruded on our little moment of peace.
"Ah, I see that introductions are in order. Very well, I will clarify things for you," was the response that I got, in voice that seemed to echo whenever this being spoke. Also, I noted the voice sounded like a man's.
"I am Celmepheros Iactos Alon Aquir. You are free to call me Cel or Celm as you wish. For further clarification, you could consider me Melissa's...hmm, what word works best...overseer. Yes, that sounds about right. I am her overseer."
...what?
"Don't -what- me. I will excuse this instance, because this is your first time meeting me, but I do not like to repeat myself, at least not to people who don't need things repeated to them."
...stupid psychic powers.
"They can be a pain, yes, but they have their usages."
Was this guy the reason that Melissa hadn't healed me on Cephei 37?
"I would prefer you not refer to myself as 'this guy', but in regards to the rest of your question, you are correct. As for why, well, I prefer my subordinates not use their power to bring harm to people I am interested in, and for that reason, I limit how, where, and when they are permitted to use their powers. Those who ignore my restrictions are punished...harshly."
I am not to proud to admit I was slightly intimidated by this.
Also, why was this...being choosing to intrude on my meeting with Melissa.
"This being is an acceptable way of referring to me, and as for why I am intruding, well, I would prefer that my subordinates not directly involve themselves with your travels. I am willing to let this incident slide, but future intervention will not be met so kindly. Do you understand this, Agent Omega?"
Melissa meekly nodded in response.
"Splendid. Well, I believe I have stated all that I have made my point. I must be going now. Farewell."
A moment later, Celm, as he asked me to call him, disappeared into a beam of light.
After a moment of silence, I turned my attention back to Melissa, and noticed that all of the color had drained out of her face. That changed a moment later, but even after that point, I could still noticed she seemed to be a little less flamboyant than she was before.
"So, would you like to head home now?"
"I would."
"Very well, I'll return you to your flagship. Though, first, I must ask you one more question."
"And that would be?"
"Did you like the feast I had prepared for you?"
"Wh-yes, I did, and it appeared that my children and subordinates also enjoyed said feast."
"Well, if you'd like, I can give you some of the plants and animals that were in the feast so that you may breed more of them for later consumption. I-I-if you're okay with that, of course."
"Um, sure. thank you."
"You're welcome."
...Wow, she was acting a lot nicer than I'd expected. I guess her overseer really intimidated her.
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We stayed on the balcony for a little while longer, before, eventually, going back into the tower so that I could gather my party for departure. I got the feeling that Melissa would probably like some time alone to compose herself, and for once, I was happy to give her that. Frankly, I needed some time to get my thoughts together after meeting Celm.
Once I'd gathered up everyone, Melissa led us to terrace, where she quickly opened a portal whose exit was within my flagship, and gestured for us to go through. First, though, she had several strange looking beasts move a set of large containers and cages, which contained the animals and plants that had compromised our feast. Those were the first to enter the portal, followed by my subordinates. Next to go through were my adoptive children, who all politely said goodbye to Melissa as they exited. Second to last was Rory, who reluctantly said goodbye to Cassidy before going through the portal, leaving only myself, Melissa and Cassidy still in the tower.
"Well, I believe your time here is at an end," remarked my hostess.
"So it is," was my response. "...thank you again for your hospitality."
"You're welcome. Now go. I already placed your artifact in your ship, before you ask. It seems to have finally calmed down."
I won't lie, I'd actually forgotten about the artifact up until she mentioned it.
"Well, thank you for that. Farewell."
With that, I stepped through the portal, which faded away a moment later.
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Once I got back over, I examined a bunch of topics that interested me, ranging from the results of the battle for Cephei 37, to how everyone was doing, and also the dates important to all of my adoptive children, from their birth days to the days they lost their parents.
Additionally, I sent a request to the Commander of XCOM for a private meeting in person, if he could do so. I had some things I needed to ask him.
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AN: Sorry for not posting this chapter last night, I was tired and falling asleep working on it. Next chapter will be up sometime later today, tomorrow at the latest.
Read and Review! I really would like opinions in regards to this chapter, beyond just likes.
This is Flameal15k, signing off!