Chapter 47: The price we pay
We're still fighting this battle although be it with our weakened riot shields and just our side arms now. It concerns me that one by one, our own troops start dying rapidly even a few simultaneously as we try our best to kill as many as we can, but there's still no signs of their army weakening or even a sign that there's no more of them coming. I'm getting more concerned that morale may run low now, and can only hope that it doesn't affect our ability to fight too much.
It's not really very long until only me, White and our sisters remain standing. Blimey just us now against all of them. Can our massive health and unlimited ammunition hold them back long enough for our planes to come?
I sense my allies feeling drained, concerned, even if they keep fighting like I do. We must have been standing there for what felt like hours, it is the fatigue of them constantly coming with no end in sight, it is also the concern that we have lost all of our troops now. While it is wonderful that we can get them back, that is only if we can survive this.
Before I know it we're surrounded by the enemy, every direction I look there are enemy soldiers so we then take a formation where we're all back to back. While it is the best we can do to ensure we don't get flanked, this increases the morale of our enemy as they think they've got us cornered, almost like they have a captured someone of great value. In this case the leaders of their enemy.
But even though we're surrounded, we have not surrendered and we never will, we can't, not to these guys. So we just kill as many as possible, reload then kill so more. Although there's not many of us now we still manage to take out a good number of them thanks to our reload speeds, but there's still too many of them and we no longer have the fire power to hold them off, not unless we get our air cover.
But just as when we have lost hope, increasingly concerned that we would die as our shields were about to break, our air cover arrives, they drop loads of bombs all over us. As the bombs drop above us the ground rumbles and my head appears funny, unable to hear or see as well, in fact my movements have slowed down by a significant amount. This brings me back to my days playing Cod where I was hit by an allied bomber. Fortunately though all of the symptoms vanish quickly, and I look around to see my friends unscathed, not even a scratch.
For the enemy it's a completely different story. That enemy that has surrounded us that appear to be endless, are now all dead. I see the entire ground completely covered with their dead bodies and some of their limbs scattered, covered in their blood. Not a single living enemy soldier in sight.
As we look around we feel a mixture of emotions, relief to have won and to be alive without a scratch, but much horror and sadness at the enemy death toll, all of those enemies we were forced to kill, I take note of my friend's expressions, especially Noire's as she didn't want this to happen. She's frustrated, upset and disgusted, all she wants to do is help the people of Gameindustri but she feels that all she ever does is kill lots of enemies, just soldiers. We all feel this is an uphill battle but it is one we cannot afford to lose for the sake of all those who have lost their lives in this conflict.
"The Leanbox army is confirmed to be dead." The pilot said calmly.
"Well done guys, thanks for the assist you have saved us from defeat once again." Noire replied via her radio, sounding happy with the success, and doing her best to conceal her depression due to morale.
"We have finally won the battle, but the price we pay for our victory, are all of those casualties, all that blood. Unfortunately though, war can be like that, with each victory comes not just heavy prices to pay, but more obstacles to overcome." The silver haired beauty said with much sadness in her voice.
In fact we all have glum looks, I'm convinced they wanted to cry but they were determined not to because no doubt that's what Neptune wants, us to be upset, to be bothered by the carnage, so that she can exploit it and with insane twisted logic make out that we cause it with our resistance.
"But I thought we don't suffer casualties because I thought if any of troops die we can revive them." Ram asked sounding concerned.
"We didn't lose anyone or anything on our side did we?" Rom asked agreeing with Ram and sharing the same tone.
Noire then calmly does her theatrical finger snap of doom.
"That is true my friends we have suffered no casualties but I was referring to the enemy. All of them we killed, they were just innocent people, no different to our own. And yet we were forced to wipe them out by the thousands. People I wanted to see be happy, be prosperous and to have a wonderful existence in Gameindustri are just lying dead by our own hands. They spill their blood onto our hands; it's not good, not good at all. I guess it's a price we have to pay to protect our land but it's a price I doubt any of us wishes to pay." The Lastation CPU makes her speech, she sounds sad, upset, stressed, frustrated even.
"But at least we can try and ensure that their sacrifice though huge will not be in vain, if we have to kill lots of enemies to ensure we get peace then so be it, because I'd rather their blood be spilt for a better Gameindustri than our blood be spilt for a worse Gameindustri. We should not blame ourselves for the massacre; we must blame those responsible for this: Neptune, and do all we can to ensure that we are closer and closer to bringing her the justice she deserves." I said with optimism placing my hand on Noire's shoulder for reassurance.
"You are right Black, we must be strong, we cannot afford to be weak. If Vert wants to throw her soldiers away like confetti then so be it, but we will do our best to ensure minimum casualties occur. I admire them fighting to the death for their goddess, but they need to fight for us, for our cause is more noble and will be better for everyone, for my way ensures prosperity, long healthy lives along with fun and fairness. I just hope that if we can't save everyone we can at least save our own people and perhaps a few of their troops at a time if we're lucky." She smiled appreciating my hand on her shoulder, as she speaks with more optimism in her voice.
We then move closer to our troops who are glad to be alive. It is nice to see them resurrected from the dead without them becoming zombies, or anything else other than our loyal troops. In fact they're all alright, no injuries or anything like that and they all stand saluting smiling, grateful for their revival and to be able to serve us once again.
"Everyone, we cannot be proud for having to massacre so many of their enemy troops, it is a lot of enemies dead, a lot of lives lost especially for no reason, other than Neptune's cold heartless ambition. But we can proud of how hard we have fought today, how hard we have fought for a Gameindustri we all want, full of peace and harmony and progress. I am proud of each and every one of you for fighting to the death, to protect our nation and to protect your leaders. I am honoured with all of your sacrifices you have made today with your lives. So I am ever so pleased to be able to grant you your lives back.
We may have been defending today, but it has been a very important battle that we have won, and while those lives we took cannot be revived, we will make sure they are not in vain and we will ensure that we will someday take the fight to them. We have all fought well and you lot can all be proud to have fought for Lastation, for Lowee, for us and for what we know is right. I order you lot now to return to base, have some fun, and ensure you're ready for our next battle. Because you have more than earned it my troops. I thank you lot for serving us, and for your success and I intend to reward the lot of you with a concert very soon, along with other exciting activities.
As for you Pokémon trainers we have plenty of Pokécentres for reviving them, bringing them back to full health as well as providing them with food and care. I hope you find them excellent, your Pokémon have fought very well and you've done very well in training them." Miss Lastation spoke with much pride in her voice and a large smile on her face.
The troops then give a large round of applauds and wolf whistles at her, causing her to smile and flirt in appreciation. Her interaction with her people never ceases to amaze me. It's nice to see this happen for a while before they then head back to base with pride: a job well done.
As if on cue, one of Noire's pilots speak to her via a radio:
"Lady Black Heart, we have found a few enemy snipers in the forest, proposed cause of action?" He asked casually.
"Knock them out with some gas, I'll go and pick them up." She replied calmly.
After she hangs up, Noire smiles with excitement at the good news, finally a few Leanbox troops that won't die needlessly. She then makes a request for someone to bring their super sports cars for them and it is then she announces the good news with happiness.
"I'm pleased we can capture some Leanbox soldiers instead of killing them, though they may be only a few of them, this will be the first time. About time." The Lastation CPU spoke with much joy in her voice and in her expressions.
"Do you think they'll be able to provide us with any useful information?" Blanc asked out of curiosity.
"I don't expect them to; if they do then it is a bonus. I do not want to capture them so I can torture everything they know out of them, dear goddess no, I don't even want them to fight for us. I wish to capture them, so that we can become friends with them, so we can give them a better life here. I want them to still feel proud of their nation, but give them the wonderful life we have that all the good innocent people of Gameindustri deserve. Besides people are more willing to cooperate if they are your friend, than if they're your enemy, and even if they don't provide us anything, then our technology can provide all the intelligence we need to know." The silver haired beauty replied with much pride in her voice.
We then wait for our rides so we can bring them in, but as we wait something unusual happens with our CPUs.
"I feel much more powerful now." Ram remarked in amazement.
"I feel stronger too." Rom agreed sharing the same tone.
"I sense more power inside me as well." Blanc added sounding happy.
"Not only do I feel way better than I ever have now, you look different Uni." Noire remarked in an excited manner.
"I agree you look different too Noire and yet the Loweean CPUs look the same as before." Uni observed sounding pleased with what's happening.
I can definitely agree with them, for some reason I sense that the CPUs are indeed stronger. I can also sense a more powerful aura about them. I feel they have more faith from their people, while we have won such an important battle, I'm still surprised that this has occurred. I find it baffling as to why the Loweean CPUs still remain the same, but Noire and Uni appear different? For our Lastation CPUs their colour scheme has changed, while they used to be black and silver they still have their black colour, but their silver colour has changed to a royal blue shade. Every part of their costume that was once silver is now that blue, even their hair is now blue but why is this though? I wonder…..
"Ahhh this must be our people playing on our new PS4s and Wii Us. Our new consoles provide us with more power than before, hopefully with our new found powers we can do even more good for Gameindustri, perhaps now we can save more lives." Noire said appreciating her new powers and sounding ever so happy about this.
"Yes along with our people who I am indebted to, those Pokémon and their trainers have fought very well even if it meant they fainted." Blanc spoke with much pride and sounding increasingly happy with this new power.
"Nice it's so wonderful that you've gained more power from your consoles. I like the new look, you know royal blue suits you." I say to her sounding pleased for her.
"Thank you. I'll be curious to know what my people think of it, whether they prefer royal blue or silver." My girlfriend chuckled in a friendly manner, appreciating my compliment.
I love the blue scheme they have I really do, it goes with the PS4 and blue has always been one of my favourite colours…along with black and silver. Noire always had such long, soft shiny beautiful hair which was silver and it's nice to know it's still the case. The wonderful royal blue shade suits her very well. My goddess always looks attractive and I'll always love her, and I'm proud to be with her and making a huge difference with regards achieving our goals, and hope to achieve more.
As if on cue the CPU's cars arrive. I notice that like with the CPUs the Lastation vehicles now have a black and blue colour scheme, in which exactly every square centimetre of the vehicles that was silver is now blue, even the pictures of the CPUs have changed colour. The Loweean vehicles remain the same in appearance though I wouldn't be surprised if their vehicles have been given an upgrade like the Lastation ones.
All this must mean that we have reached a new generation of consoles: our PS4 and Wii U taking on their X Box One. A new generation indeed. A new generation we must win. Interesting how it's a similar time to Noire has allied with Blanc, no doubt these two are signs that things will turn around after the previous generation, and we will ultimately win this war, but at the same time it's up to us to do it even if that is what should happen.
It's not long at all before we all board our cars that our racers have provided for us, and we set off to pick them up with the CPUs at the driving seats of their respective cars. Because they drive at maximum speed we get there in no time at all.
As the unconscious soldiers are picked up, I notice how they all appear to be blond while some are male and others female. Their hair varies in length as well as their build, their height. Pretty soon they're taken into our cars ready to be taken back to Lastation.
While driving back through the different terrain and features of Lastation, I can't help but wonder whether we can get rid of their brain washing, since we have no doubt in our minds that they are brain washed. After all they'll fight to the death and happily sacrifice themselves in such inefficient, needless ways. Even if we can rid other brain washing, they may still be willing to fight for Vert, while I can understand that can they understand that they're fighting for the wrong Vert? A Vert who is brainwashed, a Vert that doesn't appear to care for her people?
I also think of whether they have had a good healthy life in Leanbox? Do they starve? Do they have enough to drink? Do they have sanitation? Do they have accommodation? Do they have good life expectancy? Do they have anything to ensure they have good morale? I don't know but I don't think so, considering the shape Leanbox seems to be from what we have seen on the battlefield, and from what we have seen from the actions of their leader.
I can only hope we can help them in some way, it's what they deserve.
It's not long thanks to the driving skills of our CPUs and the physics of this world, before we get back to the jail in our capital city, in which we would do our protocols ensuring that they are no longer brainwashed when we have finished.
The prison itself while empty and contains no prisoners is actually in a really nice shape, in fact much of the area is except for a few places.
"Wow Noire this place isn't just nice for a prison it's nice full stop, it seems everywhere is so nice in Lastation." White observed in amazement.
I couldn't agree more as this place is nicely decorated with black wall paper and black carpet, there are plenty of comfortable black chairs and large TVs as well and even PlayStations and atom manipulators. There's also rooms leading to toilets, showers, baths, and bedrooms. Here, it feels more like a large lounge or a bar or something like that, it doesn't feel like a prison at all, but perhaps like with everything that's how Lastation is, trying to make stuff as genuinely idealistic as possible.
"Why thank you for the compliment White. Although we're in a prison we don't really use it like a prison as such, in fact crime does not exist in Lastation and there's no criminals either, thanks to the brilliance of both me and the people. Instead this facility was built and designed for captured enemy soldiers. We intended to bring captured soldiers here so we can convince them to join our side.
We wish to treat them well and with dignity, hence why everywhere is so nice, even the interrogation rooms if you can call it that, are really more like super comfortable lounges where we have informal friendly chats. We have also installed some brain wash scanning equipment in here when we learned of that brain washing, but sadly until now this place has never had any captured soldiers, because they all fought to the death unfortunately.
There are also a few places in this building where we would house evil enemies like Neptune and Plutia, which are full of various torture equipment, and the cells there are deliberately made as horrific and smelly as possible to make those evil villains suffer immensely.
But these captured soldiers are no villains they're just following orders and like our people deserve to be treated well. Our guys would usually deal with captured soldiers, they're highly trained with this, but since it's just a few, us CPUs can do it, but first we need to give them the revive drink, kill them, then revive them, then scan their brain, then finally we can then wake them up and do our so called interrogation. Remember guys we mustn't harm them or force them to fight their own people in anyway." Noire informed calmly and in a friendly manner.
The protocols take a short while but when that's done, our CPUs take each one in a separate room on the same floor, me and White then go to a room full of TVs that show cameras of each room the CPUs are in.
I watch the interrogation happen through a television screen and from there I just see a black room with two black comfortable sofas and a table. There is also a TV here as well. Even after talking about it I still find it odd that it doesn't look like an interrogation room, rather it looks like a pleasant lounge. Noire sits on one of the comfortable seats while a Leanbox female soldier is sat on the other.
She's dressed in standard Leanbox uniform, which is basically little more than woodland camouflage trousers, a green t shirt and black boots. Her hair is medium length and blond. Right now she is fast asleep, as we needed to knock her out to get her to surrender, just like the others that remained at that battle. We also made sure she was no longer brainwashed as we have realised that all of Leanbox is brainwashed. That's probably why they will fight to the death as Noire said, what a tragic shame. Thankfully though, we now have for the first time a captured Leanbox soldier in fact a few, an achievement indeed.
As part of protocol Noire gets out her G Con 45 and attempts to shoot the sleeping girl, but no bullets come out. Relieved she quickly holsters the gun as this shows the blonde is not a threat and more importantly she is on our side now.
"Wake up my friend." My goddess called out in a calm, soothing voice.
She does slowly and when I see her blue eyes they tell me she's afraid, when she sees Noire she understandably panics and curls up into a ball, shaking with fear.
The blue haired lady notices this and so she attempts to calm her down.
"It's alright, it's alright. I won't hurt you. I mean you no harm. I do not wish to interrogate you. I am Lady Black Heart and I would like to welcome you to Lastation as a friend, would you like a drink, anything to eat? It can be anything you wish." Noire said using the same voice, she emphasises in her body language how much of a friend she is and means no harm whatsoever.
The Leanbox youngster stretches her legs out as though to sit down although while she appears more relaxed, her body language still shows fear.
"Ap app apple t t ta tan tang gg go and en ch ch ch iladas p pl ple please please. Wha…wha…what do you want from me?" She panicked, due to concerns of who's in front of her, and the situation despite reassurances.
Our CPU smiles with care and understanding as she attempts to sooth her even further, she gets up and heads to a nearby atom manipulator, to produce the food and drink for her. Pretty soon afterwards she gives the poor girl the food and drink. Though she tries her best to eat and drink in a sophisticated manner, she ends up gulping the apple and scoffing down the enchilada. It's clear that she hasn't eaten and drunk much before coming here, plus her body suggests this as well. How tragic, but at least it's temporary and her body will improve in shape soon enough.
"Just for you to live in Lastation and for you to answer some important questions, but what I mainly want from you is to not worry. I'm not going to torture you, I'm not going to make you a POW. You can just live here, I'll give you a job and I'll ensure you have a wonderful time in Lastation as one of its citizens. I won't even make you fight Leanbox, you don't have to compromise your nation. So my friend what is your name?" While Noire sounds as though she's caring, I notice she now talks like they're both good friends.
I must say it is nice with the way Noire is conducting this and now I have once again seen for myself that she cares about the people, be it her own, or her allies own, or even her enemies own. I'm pleased she's making good progress with this. The girl finishes her mouthful with more confidence than before, before she speaks.
"Amy." She replies calmly. For the first time the blonde girl was not panicking any more, in fact she is smiling.
Just as we thought Noire has been successful in taking away her fear. We both sense that the Leanbox girl is more relaxed now and overwhelmed with the CPU's kindness.
"Amy, that's a nice name. Do you have any family? We can try and help you get in contact with them." The CPU asked in her same tone and expressing the same body language.
"No, well I used to but they're dead, all dead, killed in action." Amy said glumly and her body language shows much depression and sadness.
The news shocks Noire, and she herself is looking glum as she remembers how we have killed lots of Leanbox troops today in battle, all those innocents gone, the amount of families losing a loved one, maybe an entire generation gone. And what a waste and all because of this Vert. Despite just merely defending our land and fighting for what we believe in, not to mention our wonderful way of life, we do feel responsible for their deaths, even guilty. It does make me feel yuck as Vert who's no doubt brainwashed, just pours gallons and gallons of their blood onto our hands.
How tragic: Noire cares about the people while this Vert does not. And yet because of this Vert's carelessness we all have to suffer. Vert's people have to suffer countless deaths, while we have to suffer with guilt and their blood. The unfortunate thing is it doesn't look like this war will end soon. How has Vert become brainwashed? This must be all Neptune's doing and I am constantly reminded of why she needs to be taken down, quickly and completely.
While I think as I watch the TV, Noire looks at the black carpet on the floor, her hands supporting her head stressed, she even sighs. I wonder whether she will cry, she's quite close to it. She must be thinking the same as us as we both look at each other with concern.
"I am terribly sorry about the loss of your family Amy. Do you know where they are? Perhaps we can attempt to bring them back to life." Noire says trying to help Amy as best as she could, and sound fairly hopeful.
By this time, Amy has finished eating and drinking her meal, pleased with how nice the food was and how she was able to eat it all.
"No, but it's OK. It's not your fault, I have heard your announcements to us, telling us to stop fighting you guys so less bloodshed will happen, but alas I was brainwashed and so all I could do was obey our superiors which was to fight to the death. Now I have seen you for myself, I can see you are much more caring, benevolent and kinder than Lady Green Heart, especially being how she is brainwashed, you're also smarter too and a lot more fun. It's so tragic she wishes to fight you my lady, all this conflict is doing is ending countless lives with no progress on either side.
Lady Black Heart I know you said you won't make me fight Leanbox, and I know you said I won't have to compromise my nation, but can I please fight for Lastation? It is the least I can do. My very limited knowledge of the Leanbox military and strategy is all yours." Amy proposed sounding ever so grateful with the situation, and her body language pleads with Noire to allow Amy to serve the Lastation goddess.
"Are you sure? You don't have to fight with us, I want this war to end as well for both my people and yours, so then we can be at peace again, and both Lastation and Leanbox can grow strong." The Lastation CPU spoke with kindness and her body language shows much compassion.
"Yes, as much as it pains for me to say this, I have to save Leanbox and unless she's stopped, Lady Green Heart will destroy Lastation and Gameindustri will be doomed, and will decay due to everyone being mindless drones. I am grateful for being rescued by you, I wish to return the favour and I hope I can be of great help. Plus which I've heard the PS4 is better than the Xbox One, but in all seriousness… I kinda feel like a traitor to Leanbox." The blonde girl spoke with concern and her body language emphasises this as well.
"Heh heh, I'm pleased you think that but don't worry, I don't see you as a traitor to Leanbox. If anything you're one of the many heroes of Leanbox who wants their nation to be good and strong again, just like how Lowee once was or like Lastation is today. Welcome aboard Amy but I wish to say if you fighting your own people becomes too much for you, you can go back to Lastation, my people are kind and are very tolerant of all nation's people. Come I have business to attend to but I'll be doing a concert in this city later today, in fact in my own skyscraper and I would like you and your Leanbox friends as my own personal guests. In the meantime I have arranged for some accommodation for you, I'll let you see it for yourself but I'm sure you'll find it to be wonderful." For the first time in this session Noire spoke with her usual pride and her body language suggests a big welcome from her as well, in fact she's smiling greatly in a friendly manner.
She's smiling at how she has managed to not only get Amy to trust her, but she even had a bonus of getting her to fight by her side. Another victory: how ironic that with before they were concerns of us being brain washed with the rest of them to fight for them. Yet now this is the first time we got one of them if not a few of them to fight for us, and it is without brainwashing. I loved how it went and I enjoyed seeing how much my sister cared for the Leanbox soldier. Not a single attack was committed, nor harsh language, nor yelling. It felt more like a friendly chat than an interrogation. Both me and White exchange smiles at the success of bringing a better life to a soldier of Leanbox. It's amazing how Noire even offered Amy to visit her concert in her skyscraper, and this must be a clear indication of how much Noire trusts Amy, and how she wishes to make it up to her for her experience in Leanbox because of the brainwashing. I know Miss Lastation to be very intelligent and an excellent judge of character, and her doing this is an indication of Noire knowing they were enemy soldiers because of circumstances but not anymore, now they are with Lastation. I hope that this can be the first of many defects, which even if it may not demoralise Leanbox, it does bring us hope that at least some brainwashing can be broken, and overtime there will be a way to break it ultimately for everyone.
"Thank you for your hospitality Lady Black Heart and thank you so much for the meal. It's the best meal I've ever had. I can't remember when I've had a proper meal." Amy smiled and her body language clearly shows how truly grateful she is.
At first Noire smiled, even chuckled at the first part of Amy's sentence but in the second her expression changed to concern, shock even horrified as she leaves the room. Noire ensured everyone had a good breakfast today, and Vert hasn't even ensured that everyone has had a decent meal. That is indeed tragic to say the very least.
Eventually all of the CPUs have come back smiling to where me and White are to discuss what we have learned.
"The one I spoke to was really frightened of me, it took me a few minutes to calm him down but he ended up talking, his name is Bert. He doesn't know anything useful for us but he'll happily fight for us, one thing that shocked me was that he hasn't slept on a nice bed for ages. What about you Noire?" Blanc reported concealing her shocked emotions as she explains what she's found out.
"Similar case to you. Her name was Amy and she said that she hasn't had anything decent to eat before coming here." Noire commented in the same way as Blanc.
"Mine was initially shy but very nice, his only known name was Grunt, and he told me how he's unable to keep himself clean due to poor facilities." Ram mentioned sounding pretty glum.
"Mine too but he was called Tex, his quarters are very cold." Rom agreed sounding just as depressed.
"For me she was called Oi that what she was always known as, she told me how crowded it was. I offered her to have her name changed because she hates it so much, she said she'll think about it." Uni commented as calmly and casually as she could.
Just as we thought they all had a similar story, great this Vert doesn't even treat her own troops particularly well when they're not fighting. I would normally be asking myself at this point why is she so cruel to her own troops, but the answer is obvious, this Vert is not the real Vert, and it isn't fair for us to ask that question. The question we should be asking is why doesn't the brainwashers of Vert, don't treat their own troops particularly well when they're not fighting. No doubt because to them they are mere tools, mere confetti to be thrown away out of spite against us.
As if on cue someone calmly radios Noire.
"Lady Black Heart our satellites have found 3 people who have appeared in our borders out of nowhere. There's a male about average build, skinny, has a beard and moustache wearing jeans and black t shirt. The other 2 are females, one with long black hair wearing an Asian school uniform. The other with long red hair, a black t shirt and jean shorts."
"OK we'll pick them up." Noire said calmly and in a friendly manner hanging up the radio.
"I think they could be who I think they are. I'll go and pick them up." I said to her politely and casually.
"I've got a new car for you, I'll show it you. I'll be back in a few minutes." She said with excitement and joy in her voice.
With that information we leave the prison waving "see you later" to our friends, I wonder what powerful superfast sports car it could be? No doubt it'll be very impressive after everything I've seen so far.