CHAPTER 57

SUBJECT ALPHA'S CREATOR

(Here it is at last, the truth as to why Cal is a Male Norma)

It was a strange morning for the pilots of Arzenal since their usual training routines were cut. Drills, exercises and shooting practice had been cancelled on account of the grounds and gym being destroyed. As they were now one squodron the surviving members of third squad moved all their belongings from their locker room to the spares in first squad's. From over her shoulder, Ersha watched Mary and Nonna rubbing Marika's back as she bent over a bucket, still overcome by simulation sickness.

"That was some excellent flying back there Chris." Ersha complimented. "At this rate you might just take over for me as Vice-Captain." Always considered the lesser skilled and meekest of her squad, Chris had displayed a surprising shift in performance during their Category 5 simulation. She had taken charge in Vivian's place as Vice-Captain and with some surprising initiative had formed a group with Irma, Tanya, Miranda, Margret and the new recruits. Together, they had taken out over half the enemy.

"Always the tone of surprise." Chris said as she rolled her eyes. "After all I was the one who was helping Cal with his battle plans this entire week. Guess I was tired of sitting on the bench and letting others hold me back." Ersha noticed how Rosalie looked noticeably hurt by that remark.

"I couldn't agree more." Miranda added, being sure Hilda could hear her. "At least you treated us as equals rather than shields to be thrown away."

"Just hold up you two." Hilda called before they could leave. "I know you have your problems with me, but I'm your Captain. Disobey my orders again and there will be consequences." During their simulation Miranda's decision to join Chris's group had resulted in Hilda almost getting overwhelmed on her right flank. Knowing a firm hand wouldn't work, Hilda tried a softer approach. "Listen, it was wrong and cruel that I said those things. With everything that happened I took my frustrations out on…"

"Save your apologies. You may be our captain, but you're not our friend." Chris said spitefully. "I wouldn't be surprised if you and Ange leave us for dead next time. At least I don't plan on leaving any of my comrades behind. Come on newbie, let's get out of here."

"Chris wait." Rosalie called but Chris, followed by Miranda, slammed the door in her face, leaving an awkward silence in their wake. One by one, everyone else departed leaving only Hilda, Rosalie and Ersha.

"Dammit!" Hilda spat and slammed her fist into her locker leaving a small dent. "How the hell am I supposed to make things right with them?"

"Well can you blame them since you said we were nothing more than a means to distract you from your own misery?" Rosalie told her.

"I said I was sorry. I was a total bitch, but we all have to come together as one squad or it's all our heads." Ersha had a feeling Hilda wasn't talking about the DRAGONs. Rosalie didn't say a word but examined Hilda for a few swift seconds before making her exit. "Dammit, I've really dug myself a deep hole with those three." Hilda sighed rubbing the bridge of her nose

"Just give it time. You'll find a way to get through to them just like you did with Cal." Ersha encouraged her, smiling appreciatively at Hilda as her cheeks went slightly pink.

"Huh…I didn't do anything…" she said with a little embarrassment before recovering and reverting to her usual proud self. "I just gave that dork a slap back to reality." Ersha's heart fluttered warmly. She had known Hilda for years and knew that deep down, there was a kind and sweet person hidden behind the mask. And it seemed the real her had brought back a tiny crack of the old Cal back to the light. "Don't look at me like that." Hilda frowned. "He's still a creep and a pervert."

Ersha tilted her head in amusement and saw right through her mask to the love bites on Hilda's neck. "Oh, so something did happen last night?" Hilda's face went even redder than her hair.

"That's none one of your businesses!" she stammered and Ersha stopped giggling as Hilda looked as though she was about to throttle her.

Returning to Arzenal's main hanger, Lucas immediately got to work driving one of the forklifts to load crates of bullets, weapons and supplies onto the lift where Dolton checked them over. Once they were taken down to the lower chamber, Frenzy and Finn would transfer them to the Aurora's supply hold. After the pilots had finished training, the simulation pods would also be taken down to Aurora next. Every so often, driving back and forth between mall and lift, Lucas' mind kept going back to his and Lucia's conversation with Cal a few minutes ago. Everything he had ever dreamed of achieving since he was a kid was right in his grasp. Siegfried was right there for the taking and yet Lucas had found himself unable to just take the ruby gem bracelet from Cal's hands when he offered it to him. It's new display of power was haunting to Lucas, but it was unlike anything he had seen Istvan display.

His heart gave a painful stab thinking of all he endured to be better for his father, Istvan, Lucia and his people. It made him feel indignant to admit that there was truly someone else better than him and that Cal might just be the worthier pilot. And if Lucas's theory was true and Cal's royal blood or his anger was mutating Siegfried, then it could be just the power it needed to turn the tables against Embryo. He just hoped that he made the right decision to finally reject that burden.

(10 years ago)

The thunk of wood striking wood echoed out through the training arena of Xeon that bright morning. Those in the yard sparring with melee weapons or performing target practice kept shooting glances at two individuals sparring in the centre of the yard. The smaller of the two was sprawled upon the sand, clutching his stomach from his father's crippling blow.

"Come on! Get up and fight!" Zolton barked down at his son; his hard face lined with anger and disappointment. Lucas struggled back to his feet, his eyes glaring at his father with resentment. "If that's all you got then you'll never be ready to join us on missions! Now attack!" Wooden sword in hand, Lucas launched forward, a constant flow of strikes and parries in an attempt to break through his father's defence. "Use your hips more! Stop using standard attacks. Use more unorthodox! Not enough defence!" Zolton parried Lucas' blow and knocked the wooden sword from his son's grip before delivering a back hand punch to his face. "Pathetic." Zolton muttered as he walked away. Beaten and humiliated Lucas wiped a trickle of blood from the side of his mouth and kicked up a dust of sand.

"Are you alright Lucas?" His sister Lucia who had abandoned target practice helped him up, greatly disturbed by what she witnessed.

"I'm fine." he said bitterly. "I'll just have to try harder next time."

"You just weren't ready. You need to stop rushing into things." she said trying to coax some confidence in her brother. "You'll soon join Istvan and the others on their missions. Both of us will."

"I doubt it. I've been Istvan's Steward and apprentice for over three years, and I still haven't improved enough to be in their squad. Sometimes, I'm surprised father hasn't demoted me to the labourers."

"Don't be hard on yourself. He's just trying to motivate you."

"He's got a funny way of showing it." mumbled Lucas.

"Come do some target practice with me. We've got an hour before simulation." Lucia urged, but he wasn't in the mood. Besides, she was much superior with a bow while his skills were with the sword.

"Nah, you go ahead, I'll see you inside the base." Right now, he just wanted to be left alone. Walking across the training arena, he passed by more of their people and Norma sparring together or pushing through the obstacle courses. Some with injuries were being attended to by the medics, including a few Norma Lucas recognised from Arzenal.

"Ouch!" Randall winced as nurse Maggie applied medicine to his grazed arm.

"Stop crying." She teased. "You've only got yourself to blame for showing off. Though I do like a guy trying to impress me."

"No…I…wasn't…I just tripped."

"You know afterwards, I'll need help looking for the sugar in the storage area…behind the crates." She said softly into his ear making Randall go beet red.

Returning his practice weapon to the shed, Lucas trailed through the west side of the island, one of his many short cuts to the centre mountain base for simulation training. As he trailed onwards, he heard two voices nearby and only stopped when Lucas heard his name mentioned. Creeping behind a particularly large tree, he saw it was his father and Istvan standing at the edge of the brush.

"Captain, don't you think you're a bit too hard on the kid?" Istvan argued. "He's improving day by day. If our fight against Embryo carries on decades later, then I have no doubt he'll one day be a better pilot than me."

"I have no doubt he will, but he must know his limits before pushing past them." replied Zolton in his usual hard and stoic manner. "Istvan, if Libertus does carry on longer than we intend then you will never bare the burden that will be passed down to Lucas. The role of Captain and Siegfried's pilot will be on him alone. He will be the single face and beacon for our people to rally behind as Alektra is for the Norma. He must not let his pride and personal emotions cloud his judgment."

"All he cares about is your approval." said Istvan. "I know he'll live up to your expectations. He only needs the opportunity." Lucas felt a rush of gratitude to his mentor. Surely father would consider what he was saying.

"Maybe, maybe so." said Zolton without a flicker of emotion, which diminished Lucas' hopes. "Go now. I'll see you tonight, Gaz has uncovered intel regarding the NMB's shipping routes. And it sounds like they'll be transporting a large cache of weapons." Istvan saluted and once the area was clear, Lucas sat against the tree thoroughly dejected. His downcast manner didn't shake off and throughout simulation training, Lucas used his anger to push through, managing to outscore all the others combined. After washing up, Lucas retreated to his room in one of many cabins built into the treetops. Rather than clear away the forest and attract potential notice from a NMB flyby or spy satellite, the residential block had been built around the natural growth rather than supplanting it. As he lay in his hammock, Lucas began twirling and spinning his knife in his fingers for over an hour until light footsteps came thumping across a bridge connected to his hut.

"Hey Lucas! Wanna play some hide and seek or Manhunt with us again!" Lucas looked up and saw Istvan's son Tusk standing in the doorway. Tusk and all the other kids loved it when Lucas joined in as he always made their games more challenging and fun when he was IT.

"Sorry kid, I'm just not in the mood today." Lucas said gloomily as he leaned back down.

"How about sword training, you promised you'd show me your moves." Tusk imitated a sword fight with a large stick he was holding. "Come on, everyone here knows you're the best. I want to fight as good as you when I'm your age. Father said you're his best student." Lucas couldn't help but smile at that when Tusk's mother Vanessa suddenly appeared beside him.

"Tusk." His mother scolded. "Your dinner is getting cold."

"Sorry mom."

"You can play with Lucas later. AFTER you've finished your studies."

"Aw, okay." Tusk complained as he swept passed his mother and out the doorway.

"Oh right, Lucas come with me. Istvan wants a word." Lucas got out of his hammock and followed her back to base inside the centre mountain. "Lucia told me about your sparing and simulation training today." She mentioned, making Lucas tch slightly. "I know it seems harsh but I think your father was just trying to motivate you. He always respects those who persevere so as long as you don't give up, he'll eventually start being more open in his praise." Lucas hoped she was right, but his father had become a different man ever since mother died trying to steal the Bilkiss from Embryo. He never smiled and he was always angry. Sometimes it felt as if he had forgotten he still had two kids who needed him.

When they finally arrived at the hanger, they were greeted by a dozen of the Ancient Folk's sky calvary, including Jacob. "Well, here he is." She announced as she turned to leave. "Good luck for tomorrow." She whispered to Lucas in passing.

"You wanted to see me?" Lucas asked.

"That's right." Istvan nodded. "Your simulation training was brilliant today, Lucas. You've proven yourself to have a lot of potential. And I think it's time to formally induct you into the squad."

"Sir?" Lucas whispered. All the frustration from his training with father melted away to be replaced with a slowly rising elation. "Does this mean I…"

"You got it." Jacob answered. "Starting tomorrow, you'll be joining with us on our missions. Apparently, the Captain feels you've had enough training and now it's time to put some experience under your belt."

Lucas looked at Istvan who gave a quick wink, Siegfried's gemmed bracelet gleaming red on his wrist. If what his father and Istvan said came true and Libertus was still ongoing years later then it would be him who would have to take both their places. To be the symbol of hope for his people and to guard Villkiss and its pilot as their knight. All he wanted was to see his people take back their world so they wouldn't have to hide anymore. Nothing; not Embryo or his fake humans would stand in his way of becoming Siegfried's next pilot and his father's successor as Captain.

'Owwie!' With a crash that shook the room Vivian awoke to find herself on the floor. Opening her groggy eyes and feeling the wind knocked out of her she saw that one of the ropes holding her hammock from the ceiling had snapped. 'That's odd." she thought. 'Did I gain weight?' As her waking eyes adjusted a dazzle of sunlight hit her face. 'Crap! How long did I oversleep?' Vivian began to panic. 'Big bro and Hilda are gonna kill me. I hope I haven't missed training or breakfast.' Stumbling over some rubble, Vivian hit her head on top of the wrecked doorway. 'Huh, did I grow taller? Cool!'

Cal's mind was spinning to the point it was making him feel sick. Lucas' theory if true explained so much of the wild, unexplained events that kept happening to Cal. But there was a small detail that just wasn't adding up. If Embryo wanted Cal gone then why didn't Blackadder finish him off back when he had Cal temporally paralysed in their first face to face encounter? His mind drifted back to that night he found himself atop Arzenal's cliff edge after losing Naomi. It left no doubt in Cal's mind his clone had possessed him to make his death look like a suicide. Only the familiar icy grip that marked Blackadder's presence was missing. Instead, the trance felt warm and comforting. And the man in the green suit, Cal recalled his very words like a bad dream returning to him.

'You won't lose anyone you love ever again. All you have to do is take my hand.' All those early strange events before Cal got Siegfried: the visions, the dreams, the voice in his head, the man in the shadows. It was Embryo. But he didn't want Cal dead. That was made clear by Blackadder sparing his life. So what did he want?

As he passed by the infirmary, Cal took a detour and peered into one room in particular. Inside, Scarlett lay on her side on the cot. All the fight had died within her as her whole demeanour was like an empty shell. Cal decided Vivian could wait and stepped inside.

"Hey." He said quietly as Scarlett raised herself up from the bed and Cal hugged her without another word. There were no tears, no wails of grief, just dead silence.

"You saved my life." Scarlett finally spoke as they pulled apart. Cal didn't answer. From what little she could remember, Scarlett told him of seeing a green light before the vortex consumed her. It must have been Siegfried's power forming a protective bubble around her like it did for the third squad. But that left the question as to why didn't it protect the rest of second squad as well? "Betty, Sadie..." Scarlett began to cry. "My squad…they're all gone."

"Just hang in there Scarlett." Cal tried to comfort her. "We won't be here for much longer. After today, we can just leave this all behind and start anew."

"What does it matter?" she asked. "Jadis was right. We all die whether it's by DRAGONs, humans or Para-mail. What's the difference? We're Norma."

"You're really going to take the words of some sadistic bitch who was too much of a coward to fight you head on?" He asked as Scarlett met his gaze. "If Zola could overcome what that monster did to her, then you can overcome this. You're the strongest woman I've ever met, and I'm never going to let you forget that." Scarlett buried her face in his chest and Cal felt her chaffed hand grip onto his.

"You're the best friend I've ever had little bro." she sniffed. Cal kissed her just above her bandaged forehead.

"Yeah, me too." He said. "You're one of the few people here who isn't trying to constantly get into my pants." Scarlett gave a half sob, half laugh when Charlotte returned and Cal left Scarlett to her. As he continued to Vivian's room, he had time to think more about what Lucas had said about Siegfried and that it might be mutating due to his royal blood or strong emotions. Cal realized the latter was closer to the truth as it was only Scarlett who survived out of her squad. Was it because he had a stronger connection and relationship with Scarlett that ultimately saved her life in that split second? Cal was forced to shelve those thoughts as he finally arrived at Vivian's room, only to find her gone and Miranda the only occupant. "Have you seen Vivian anywhere?" He asked.

"No." Miranda answered. "We didn't see her in the cafeteria or the showers." It was then Cal noticed she had stored some of her salvaged personal item into a backpack, including the Lilac pilot suit still in its plastic casing meant for Coco which he had gifted to Miranda instead.

"What's all this? And where were you bunking last night?" Cal found it oddly suspicious as Miranda was nowhere to be found last night after Lucas and his crew arrived. Miranda looked sheepish but decided to come clean.

"I was down in the lower chamber with the Norma and humans." She confessed. "I know I wasn't supposed to be down there, but I just wanted to help. I know we're leaving this place tonight, and I just wanted to get everyone out of here as soon as possible."

"Then you know more than most do." said Cal who thought it best to be honest with her. "I can't lie to you Miranda. What's coming is not a safe haven for us. Our lives are going to be in even more danger than before." It felt heavy telling a 12-year-old this, but they were Norma, and she was a soldier and his squad mate and would soon be on the front line with the others when Libertus began. "We may not be fighting DRAGONs anymore, but we'll have still have the entire NMB, Dutch and even more dangerous people to deal with. You understand?" Miranda looked grave but kept herself composed.

"I don't want anyone else to die."

"Neither do I Miranda but it's just the hand we've been dealt. Most of you aren't ready for what's to come but I'll make sure to keep you all safe no matter what."

"Then help me be ready." Miranda fired up. "Lucas offered to train me as his student so that I'll be more help to you, instead of a hindrance." Cal felt a rush of anger towards Lucas for taking advantage of Miranda in her current state and sticking his nose in with his squad. What exactly was he hoping to gain with her?

"Miranda, I want you to listen to me. I don't want you overexerting yourself. I appreciate that you're trying to help but I don't want to have to keep looking over my shoulder if that becomes a detriment to you." Miranda looked as though she was about to cry and Cal knelt to her level. "Miranda tell me why? Why you so desperate to put me and the others lives before yourself?"

"Because if I didn't have you, I'll have no one." Miranda sniffed as she wrapped her arms around Cal who held her in return. "Coco was the only one who made my life worth living. Now she's gone and now you are the only one I have left. I just didn't want you to die or abandon me like Coco, Hilda and my family did." Miranda broke away wiping her eyes.

"Your family?"

"There's something I have to tell you. Something I've wanted to tell you for a long time." It looked as though it was taking every ounce of courage to her get whatever it was off her chest but just as she opened her mouth, to speak the base's alarm suddenly screamed through the hallways. "What's happening? Another DRAGON attack?" Miranda gasped.

"Attention all!" Pamela's voice announced over the intercom. "This is a red alert! A Schooner class DRAGON is loose inside the base! This is not a drill!"

"Urgh my head." Emma Bronson finally awoke feeling like she had a nasty hangover. "Huh? Where am I?" This was not her room inside the Villa, but one of the private infirmary rooms. Then it all came back to her. The DRAGON attack, those 3 para-mail. Emma snapped to the window to see it was now morning. The last thing she remembered the previous afternoon was Maggie offering her a tranquilizer to calm her nerves but now she suspected that pervert doctor had slipped her something stronger. Something was going on behind her back and she intended to find out what, but first she had to find Corporal Lawrence. Turning the door handle she realized it was locked but her Mana took care of that.

"Those Norma, why did they lock me inside?" she wondered. Navigating through the damaged and rubble strewn hallways, Emma tried to contact the NMB but found herself unable to get a signal. She then tried reaching the Corporal to no avail, then her father, but still her Mana was unable to connect to the outside world. "Come on, why aren't I getting through to anyone?" she said in frustration. It must be those degenerate Norma. Somehow, they had put a Mana communications jam over Arzenal. Just what kind of scheme were they planning? As she frantically typed on her Mana window, a smaller window full of static suddenly opened as a man's voice came through, incoherent at first but Emma soon recognized it to be her father.

"Emma…Julio…forces…coming…FLEE!"

"Hello! Father, what's happening!" But as the signal disconnected, Emma suddenly heard lumbering footsteps behind her. "Who's there, I demand to know what is going…" Her words faltered as what she saw made her tremble to the bone and she let out a terrified scream before everything went black.

At first Vivian's new height had been a marvelous feeling to her, but now it was getting to be a real pain as she almost kept bumping her head on the ceiling. But what was even stranger was her body didn't move as usual, like she was waddling rather than walking and the hallways seemed a lot more confined than usual. Then from a bend in the hall up ahead, the Inspector appeared. 'Oh no.' Vivian thought. 'I better play it cool, so she doesn't find out about the twins and their human friends.'

"Hi Ms. Emma!" Vivian called but the second Inspector Bronson laid eyes on her she suddenly screamed and fainted. "Woah are you okay Inspector?" Vivian reached her hands out to her only to freeze in confusion and shock. 'What the?!' Instead of hands appearing in front of her eyes, her limbs ended in three fingered pink scaled webbed claws. But nothing could have prepared her for what she saw next. To her right a security mirror had fallen from its mount on the wall and Vivian squeaked as she looked into the cracked surface to find a Schooner class DRAGON staring back at her. 'No way!' she thought as it became abundantly clear. 'Is that supposed to be me?!'

"What was that?" Vivian looked up just as Pamela, Hikaru, and Olivier appeared from another bend. All three took one look at Vivian and screamed as well.

"Wait a minute it's me Vivian!" But instead of her voice only a loud screech issued from her moved towards them, but Pamela stepped forward to protect her friends and started hurling chunks of concrete and stone at Vivian.

"Everyone get back! Stay away you horrible beast!" Pamela shrieked as one piece bounced off Vivian's snout. Rather than risk attracting even more attention, Vivian turned and fled. 'Big Bro where are you?! Help me!'

The sudden announcement that a DRAGON was loose inside the base sent shockwaves through the surviving Norma who dropped whatever duties they were doing and took up arms. In the hanger, Hilda assembled the pilots and began issuing orders. "Rosalie, Chris, search the dorms. Irma, Tanya, to the eastern block. Ersha release Salia and check the mess hall. We need all hands-on deck. Me and Ange will check the upper corridors."

"What about Momoka?" Ange asked.

"She'll be fine with the kitchen staff." Hilda assured her. If they could hold their own against an entire swarm one lone Schooner wouldn't be a problem. Ange seemed to be satisfied with that just as Miranda came rushing in. "About time. Where's Vivian and Cal?"

"She wasn't in our room." Miranda gasped. "Cal went ahead looking for her along with the maid." 'That idiot.' Hilda thought as she and the others put on their communication headsets. 'Always trying to save others first.' But it was who he was, and Hilda always respected him for staying true to his values.

"Cal do you copy over?" Hilda tried to contact him but there was no response and realized he must have left his earpiece back in the locker room. "Alright, let's catch that thing and kill it." Hilda ordered as everyone saluted.

"Belay that order," Commander Jill's voice announced through everyone's earpiece. "I want that DRAGON taken alive. Disable it if you have to but do NOT kill it!"

"Is she crazy?" Ange cried. "What if it decides to eat Momoka or anyone else?"

"Then we better hurry before that happens." Hilda told her as she chambered her rifle. "Now let's catch us a live DRAGON!"

Rushing into the main infirmary Jill found just the person she was looking for. "Maggie, get as many inhibitors as you can carry." The buxom doctor's eyes widened in surprise, but she nodded in agreement.

"Right. Just leave everything to me. But what about Cal and the humans."

"I've taken care of the humans and Scarlett. Last thing I need is them getting involved." Jill said with her personal radio in hand. As if right on cue, the twins arrived.

"You wanted us, Commander." Lucas saluted.

"What's going on?" Lucia asked.

"Protocol Z." said Jill and they immediately understood. "I've already radioed security to keep your human companions away. I want you two to find Cal. I don't care how much of a struggle he gives you, keep him at bay until we've dealt with the situation. Do you both understand?" Jill shot them a cold glare and they got the message.

Running through the hallways and corridors with his sidearm drawn and ready, Cal listened carefully around every bend and corner. Without his earpiece he was unable to communicate with his squad to confirm the DRAGON's location, but he was more concerned for Vivian and prayed she hadn't been cornered by the DRAGON. No, he shouldn't think that. Vivian was smart and knew how to get herself out of a tight situation.

Stepping into another hallway, Cal almost trampled over something and looked down to see an unconscious Inspector Bronson. "Hey Inspector wake up." Cal dropped down and began to lightly shake her shoulder and tap her cheek. "Inspector did you see anything? Where did the DRAGON go?" Emma didn't even flicker. 'Been hoping for a chance to do this.' Cal thought as he readied himself to slap her hard when a familiar surge of cold stabbed through Cal's heart. 'Damn it not now!' he cursed as that same cold voice hissed inside his head.

"You were warned what disobedience would get you senator! How did you manage to break through the frequency jam I placed upon Arzenal!?" Within Cal's mind burst the vision of a smartly dressed greying man lying upon a wooden floor.

"No! No! I beg you! Please…my daughter!"

"I had to call off my hunt against those monkeys and their terrorist followers because you sought to contact her. To help her and the Norma ESCAPE!"

"No…I just wanted to get my daughter out of there…Please…I did everything you wanted…I kept the male Norma's activities under wraps from the world leaders and council table…but my little girl…"

"Will meet the same fate as those at Arzenal who try to fight back."

"I beg you…please…spare her…"

"And why would I do that? Sadly, your bloodline ends today, Senator! This is what happen to those who betray me!" Cal saw the blackened, scaly left-hand rise and felt Blackadder's surge of vicious anger; saw the old man yanked into the air of his office, writhing in agony until his neck gave a sickening snap and his body went limp as the light went out in his eyes.

"Sir Cal?" As quickly as the vision came, it ended. Cal's eyes flew open and he found himself leaning against the wall shaking all over as he looked up to see Momoka and Ralph were at his side. And judging by their worried looks, Cal's excursion into Blackadder's mind had not passed unnoticed.

"Sir Cal what happened?"

"He…he…he's killed him."

"Who? Who killed who?" Ralph asked.

"The Inspector's father." Cal tried to explain. "He tried to warn her of something." It was crucial that the Commander knew this. No, he had the Schooner to take care of first. Momoka could go and warn Jill. Before any action could be taken however, dual clicks caught their attention and they turned around to see Lucas and Lucia with their rifles trailed on Cal.

"Don't move. Any of you." Lucas warned.

"Lucas? Lucia? What the hell are you doing?" Ralph demanded.

"I'm sorry Ralph but you both need to stand down and come with us. You too Momoka." said Lucia with deep regret in her eyes.

"But what about lady Angelise and the others, we have to help them." said Momoka.

"Are you two kidding me?! There's a DRAGON around!" Cal shouted in disbelief. "I have to find…" He stepped forward but Lucas jabbed the barrel hard in Cal's chest and there was stone cold intent in his eyes.

"You can come quietly, or Maggie will have to treat 2 holes in your legs. Now drop your weapon and come with us." Cal thought quickly. He didn't want to shoot Lucas, but he had to find Vivian. As his eyes darted around, he noticed the taser holstered on the back of Ralph's belt.

"Listen I need to find the Commander." He spoke calmly as he holstered his sidearm. "I just had another vision. Blackadder just killed the Inspector's Dad for trying to warn her about something coming to Arzenal." It worked as they both lowered their guns and Lucia turned to her brother.

"What do you think?" she asked.

"It must be Julio or Embryo." Lucas agreed to Cal's relief as his hand slowly crept to Ralph's belt. "There must be a change in their plans, why else would they put the air jam over…" Cal seized his chance. In one swift movement he yanked the taser and shocked Lucas in the side of the neck before kicking Lucia hard in the gut. They both stumbled backwards but it was enough for Cal to snatch up Lucas' dropped rifle and sprint as fast as he could down the hallway as a single pair of footsteps gave chase behind him. "Lucia keep those two back! You little shit! I'M GONNA SKIN YOU ALIVE!"

Though the lower chamber was deep underneath Arzenal, the sound of the alarms above could not escape Dolton, Finn and Frenzy's notice. Stopping what they were doing, they took the lift back up to the main hanger where they were immediately met by a dozen Norma in green uniforms and protective gear, all holding stun batons and pistols.

"Get back down to the chamber now!" Head officer Trudy yelled.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Finn snarled.

"Tell us what's going on, we can help." Dolton insisted but the security staff activated their batons as blue sparks began emitting from their tips.

"I won't ask again." Trudy glowered at Dolton as she licked her lips. "It'll be a shame if we mess up that handsome face of yours."

"Lights, flour, smash." Frenzy whispered so quietly that Dolton and Finn barley heard him.

"What!" Finn hissed.

"Lights, flour, smash." Frenzy muttered and they both understood his meaning. Just feet away, a food trolly they had not stored inside Aurora was still on the lift with them; the top tray containing bags of flour.

"Get ready." Dolton said quietly as his eyes wandered up to the ceiling lights overhead.

"Did you hear me!" Trudy barked. "Get moving now!" Concentrating his Mana at the central point above them, Dolton popped the ceiling lights and the security staff snapped up and covered their heads as sparks and shards of glass rained down upon them. Once they were distracted, Frenzy used his Mana to send the bags of flour flying at the security staff, who shrieked as the bags smacked and bounced off the top of their heads, causing thick clouds of white dust to explode everywhere. With a roar like an angry bull, Finn along with Dolton and Frenzy charged forwards, sending Trudy and her gang flying in all directions. With the way clear, they emerged through the other side of the white cloud and darted towards the south hallway near the mall with security hot on their tail.

"Spread out they can't catch us all at once." Dolton advised as he and Finn scurried down one bend.

"First one of you ladies to catch me has the honor to ask for my hand in marriage!" Frenzy whistled as they all began shooting. "Sorry! Sorry! You all can be the bridesmaids instead!"

Luckily Vivian didn't come across anyone else as she ran off, eventually finding herself in the mess hall. Checking that the coast was clear, she slowly lumbered down the stairway and her stomach began to grumble. 'I'm starving.' she whined. 'What is going on? Why is this happening to me?' Passing by the main lunch counter a familiar smell caught her attention. Forgetting all pretense, Vivian awkwardly climbed over the counter and was in delight by the large pot that had been left simmering on the stove. 'I knew I smelled curry!'She tried to pick up a spoon that had been left out but her oversized claws prevented her from gripping it. 'Never mind, bottoms up!' Managing to pick up the pot by its two side handles, she lifted it up as though it was light as a feather as her newfound strength crushed the top of the pot inwards. 'Man, this is so weird.' She tilted it at an angle as the red curry covered her entire snout and dripped down her front. 'Yummy!'

Laying the pot on the cabinet next to her, a sudden gunshot blasted through the hall and ricocheted off the pot shielding her. Vivian yelped and saw out in the dining area a single figure pointing their rifle directly at her. It was Big Bro, and the way he was looking at her was of pure hate and murder. It was frightening, Vivian had never seen him look at her like that before. 'Big Bro wait it's me!' She tried to speak but all that came out was a screech.

"What have you done to Vivian you monster! I'll kill you!" Cal roared going completely berserk as he unloaded his magazine at Vivian. She screamed and leapt from the kitchen as she fled back up the stairs and around the dining hall, bullets flying everywhere around her.

"Cal stop!"

"The Commander ordered us to take it alive!" Behind Cal, Ersha and Salia had appeared and were yelling for him to stop but Cal was too blinded by rage.

"They killed Betty and everyone else! I'm not letting it get away." Cal took aim and fired again, one bullet managing to hit Vivian's shoulder but her hard scaled back kept it from penetrating. But the sting of the bullet was overshadowed by the fear and horror that Big Bro was trying to kill her. Luckily, before he could squeeze off another shot, Lucas came dashing into the mess hall and tackled Cal to the floor.

"Stop you fool!" Lucas yelled. "That DRAGON is…"

"Get off me! I won't let them kill anyone else!" Cal raged. With no time to think, Vivian seized her chance and leapt out the adjacent window.

'Oh crap now what?' Vivian panicked as she found herself in mid air and starting to plunge to the rocks and surf below. Suddenly, as if by instinct and reflex, Vivian spread her wings and an updraft carried her up the cliff face and over Arzenal's training yard.

'Huh, how am I doing this?' She wondered as a familiar blonde-haired figure emerged from a stairwell below. 'Ange it's me! Wait they can't understand me. What am I going to do?' How could she show them it was her without getting shot. 'Hey! I know.'

Ange and Hilda prowled through the upper corridors when they suddenly heard gunshots followed by a DRAGON's screech coming from the mess hall. From over their earpieces, Ersha reported that the DRAGON had flow out the window and was now flying around topside. Running on ahead, Ange emerged onto the wrecked training yard when she saw the DRAGON circling overhead. Ange readied to knock it out of the sky when suddenly she realized the DRAGON's screeches were in a rhythm.

"What's it doing?" Ange wondered as she continued to watch. The creature continued to chirp and whistle almost as if it was trying to sing. "Wait. That's my song!" Was it trying to communicate? Why wasn't it attacking? And how did it know her song? Lowering her gun, Ange stepped forward to try something.

Kaesan el ragna

Suna dokei wo

Toki wa afuren

Lulala lila

Her voice and the DRAGONs call meshed together until it was almost as if the two of them were singing a duet. It WAS trying to communicate with them. But why?

'ANGE!' a voice called out in her mind and Ange gasped in shock. It couldn't be! Rushing forward, Ange perched on top of a rock that overlooked the crater carved out of Arzenal's western side and continued to sing.

Iku oku amata no Inochi no honoo

Sururi Ochite wa hoshi ni

Ange continued to sing just as Hilda along with Rosalie, Chris and Miranda caught up with her. "What is that idiot doing?" Hilda wondered.

"Who cares?" Rosalie took aim at the Schooner when the ground next to her foot suddenly exploded, making her shriek and jump back in alarm. "Did that skank just shoot at me?!" she gawked as Ange turned her attention back to the DRAGON. From behind the others, Jill and Maggie came running out of the command center as well, followed by Salia and Ersha. Now the DRAGON was coming down to land in front of Ange and Jill beckoned the others to hold position. From the staircase, Cal came dashing out like a crazed maniac with Lucas hot on his tail as he leapt on top of Cal and locked him in a chokehold.

"Hold your fire." Jill ordered just as Momoka, Lucia, Ralph, Dolton, Finn and finally Frenzy came running up onto the grounds.

"Just what the hell is going on here?!" To Jill's frustration, Scarlett still in her tank top but now wearing her usual yoga pants had also appeared. Her knuckles were bloody and Jill guessed she had pummeled half of security to get up here. "Get off him you punk!" She yelled as she tried to get Lucas off of Cal as Lucia tried to intervene.

"Damn it!" Jill grunted. "So much for keeping this under wraps." Before their eyes, the DRAGON stood before Ange who reached to lay her hand on its snout when it suddenly exploded into a cloud of steam and Lucas finally let Cal free.

"What the hell?" Cal gaped.

"Here's a quiz for ya? Can someone tell me why I turned into a DRAGON?" Within the steam, the silhouette of a small naked figure came into view where the DRAGON once stood and as the wind dispersed, the crowd of onlookers gasped.

"Vivian!" Ersha cried in surprise.

"Wha…what just happened?!" Finn asked.

"Look away you perverts!" Miranda yelled at the humans as she shielded Frenzy's eyes with her hands.

"It can't be." Scarlett whispered.

"Wait," Vivian mumbled in an unusually meek demeanor for her. "Maybe...was I a DRAGON all along? Or a Norma? Which is it? I don't know. Uh oh. I'm getting kind of scared." She began to cry, and Ange moved forward to embrace her.

"It's okay," she assured her. "You're safe now."

As everyone slowly gathered around the two girls, Cal got in front. "My god Vivian are you okay?" As Cal reached out, she gave a frightened cry and held onto Ange tighter, her eyes full of terror at her big brother figure. "Vivian it's me." said Cal and saw the large raw bruise on the back of her shoulder where he had hit her. "What have I done?" He whispered in horror. Maggie came up to Ange and Vivian and without warning, injected a hypospray into Vivian's arm. Vivian gave a gasp and then fell backward into Maggie who wrapped her coat around her before lifting her up as everyone else began to close in, unable to comprehend what they had just seen.

"What are they doing to her?" asked Momoka.

"What is going on?" Miranda asked nervously.

"It looked like Vivian burst out of a DRAGON." said Chris uncertainly.

"No." Hilda realized. "Vivian was the DRAGON."

"Don't worry," Maggie assured them, mainly Cal seeing how devastated he was. "I'll make sure she'll be okay." As Maggie passed by, Cal's mind was still trying to process what had just happened and a realization struck him as his anger flared like a volcano about to erupt. "You all knew about this!" Cal glowered at Jill, Lucas, Lucia and the humans. "What about you!"

"Hey we're just as surprised as you are." said Dolton.

"He's telling the truth." Lucia confirmed. "They knew nothing of this."

"You bastards." Cal took in a sharp intake of breath and picked up a strong smell of gasoline nearby. Ange had noticed it too and she and Cal looked down into the crater where the last of the DRAGON carcasses were being dumped via forklift into a pit dug in the centre. As they watched, Jasmine stepped down from the machine and tossed a flare into the pit to set it ablaze.

"Vivian was a DRAGON all this time?" Cal muttered.

"Which means the girl piloting the red unit and her two companions were DRAGONs too?" Ange added. Both their faces loomed with dread as they looked to each other and came to the same conclusion as the whole horror of the truth was becoming clear.

"Lady Angelise, Sir Cal? What's wrong?" Momoka called. Without another word, Cal and Ange leapt off the ledge and skidded down the slope of the crater, Cal's stomach began to twist as he prayed to whatever God that listened it wasn't true.

"Wait!" he heard Lucas shout. "Get away from there!" Upon reaching the bottom, Cal and Ange sped towards the pit where Jasmine and Vulcan were overseeing the destruction of the corpses. As they approached, Vulcan barked in alarm and Jasmine's eyes widened in dismay.

"Stop!" she cried. "Don't come over here!" She tried to block them off, but Cal shoved past her, and he and Ange stared in sickened horror at the sight before them. Within the flaming pit where DRAGON carcasses slowly began to char into ash, among them were human bodies. And as they watched, some of the DRAGONS were shifting into a human form before their very eyes as they burned. Just like Vivian.

"What the hell is..." Hilda's voice shifted to a gasp as she and the others caught up to them and witnessed the same nightmare before their eyes.

"Wha...what is this?" Ersha trembled.

"They're human!" Ralph whispered. Behind his glasses, Dolton's eyes widened to the point that they almost outgrew his lenses. Finn had gone completely pale while Frenzy, overwhelmed by the sight, fell to his knees. Miranda gave an incoherent cry before turning away and Scarlett clapped her hands over her mouth. Lucia attempted to reach out but Scarlett brushed her away. Lucas remained stoic but even he had to close his eyes and turn away from the disturbing scene.

"I…I…I don't understand." Ange murmured before she suddenly bent over and vomited.

"Lady Angelise!" Momoka bent to her side.

"Now you all understand. It's just the same old story as usual." A voice said mockingly from behind. It was Commander Jill walking up to them. "The humans are monsters in more ways than one. Surprise!" The smugness and her cold demeanor snapped Cal out of his shock and he turned to glare at her.

"What the hell is all this!" He seethed at Jill and he stared down at his uncontrollable shaking hands. "We've been killing humans this whole time?! I…I almost…killed…Vivian! Why didn't you tell me any of this?! What is wrong with you?!"

"Would have it made a difference?" Jill chuckled. "Don't act like it would. You'll be killing a lot more humans with Siegfried regardless of whether they're DRAGON or not. Isn't that right Ange?"

"Go to hell you evil bitch!" Ange snarled. "I'm done with everything! With the DRAGONS! With Villkiss! And this Libertus bullshit as well! So you can go FUCK yourself!" Jill merely shrugged.

"If you would rather be God's toys then be my guest. At least this one's got more sense than you." In the fraction of a second, in the infinitesimal pause as Cal and Jill's gazes met, Cal once again felt the familiar icy thorns close around his heart as the cold emotionless voice crawled into his head. 'Kill, kill, KILL!' The poisonous icy mist finally consumed every part of his sanity as in that instant, there rose within Cal a hatred so powerful he felt in that instant he would like nothing better than to strike, to strangle, to choke the life out of the woman before him.

"WHORE!" Blackadder's scream burst from Cal's own mouth.

Jill dragged out her cigarette and watched the others gaze over the pit of burning bodies. She didn't want them to find out this way, but hopefully it would fuel her the desire of Villkiss and Siegfried's pilots to tear down God and his world.

"WHORE!"

Everyone snapped around to the haunting scream as Cal charged directly at Jill, his face livid and demented. In a blur of her white cloak, Jill dropped her cigarette and slammed her prothetic fist with all her might into Cal's abdomen. The blow should have crippled him like before, but to her shock he acted as if he didn't even feel it. Before she could counter, his hand closed around Jill's throat like an iron vise. She attempted to pry away his fingers, but Cal effortlessly hauled her over to the edge of the burning pit.

"CAL!" Jasmine shrieked at the top of her lungs.

"No!" Hilda shouted.

"Put her down now!" Lucia demanded.

"Cal stop!" Salia begged.

Jill held both hands onto Cal's arm as she struggled for breath as his fingernails began to dig into her skin. The heat of the burning pit surged across her back and for the first time in over a decade Jill experienced something she thought was long destroyed within her. True primal fear. And as she gazed into Cal's eyes, that feeling intensified when she saw the slitted pupils gazing back at her.

It was over, the cold and icy mist froze Cal in the darkness, locked in the coils of a creature that were so tightly bound around him that they were practically fused together. It was so cold that Cal knew he was dead, forever trapped and falling into the darkness for eternity. "Just give in." A voice hissed. "Let it all go and find peace." He closed his eyes readied to meet his end when someone called out to him.

"CAL!" Cal opened his eyes and through the darkness, a bright light revealed the faces of all his dearest comrades, allies, friends, and squad mates. Ange, Salia, Hilda, Ersha, Jasmine, Scarlett, Vivian, Miranda, Rosalie, Chris, Momoka, Maggie, Mei, Abigail, Lucas, Lucia, Jacob, Hosea, Ralph, Dolton, Finn, Frenzy. Their voice and faces reignited his desire to live and the creature gripping him began to writhe in agony. Cal grabbed on to that feeling, used it to pull himself back up as the creature's coils loosened and he finally slipped free.

Regaining control, Cal threw Jill aside from the pit and Jasmine, Lucas and Salia rushed to her side. His stomach suddenly clenched and Cal fell to his hands and knees and began wrenching up a thick black substance that steamed with cold. As she regained herself, Jill pushed away Jasmine and the others and slowly climbed to her feet, her fear now replaced with a manic sense of pride and exultation.

"That's…my…boy…" She smirked. "That's why…you're stronger…than your clone…despite your limitations as a Norma. Because I made you this way." Still shaking, Cal looked back to Jill with eyes that were cold and defiant. "You may hate my guts, but you know deep down if it weren't for me, you would have died a long time ago or submitted to your clone's control. Gaz, Jacob, and everyone else were too weak and soft to see the true potential you have. Never forget that it was me who saved you, who made you stronger."

"Enough Jill!" Jasmine yelled furiously. Somehow, Cal managed to get back to his feet and turned to face the group who were all still in shock by what he had he done. He turned back to the pit and it finally dawned on Cal staring into the huge pile of burning bodies what Blackadder meant during their first encounter. 'I admit I've killed dozens of Ancient Folk and Humans. But your body count is hundreds more than mine. You just don't know it yet.'

"Cal wait!" Ange called as he took off running back up the crater wall. She tried to go after him, but she was held back by Lucas.

"Let him go, that wasn't him." He whispered and Ange understood the severity of his words. It looked like his and Jill's theory about Cal's clone was correct after all.

Just over a hundred miles away from Arzenal across the thousands of islands big and small, a single Mana stealth transport ship had landed on one large island unique to the rest, right next to a collapsed burned structure that had once been a cabin. Deep in the forest past a caved-in entrance, a waterfall cascaded from the slope of the island's largest mountain into a lake where a lone man sat on its bank. For what felt like the first time in years, Dutch Villson sat in silence, sipping his favorite whiskey from his leather hip flask. His search for the truth had now brought him back to the place it had all started. For 17 years he had dedicated his life to finding the man who caused his brother's death and reclaim the male Norma that same human had stolen. All for the sole purpose of keeping Donnie's unfinished work and dreams of the Subject Alpha program alive. But it had all been a lie. His best friend had betrayed him by abandoning him. His little brother had betrayed him and all they stood for. And now master Embryo had betrayed and lied to him regarding the real truth behind the Subject Alpha program. All he ever did and believed in was now crashing before his eyes.

"A thousand times I've imagined this opportunity. To have everything I ever wanted finally come to fruition." Dutch spoke in a shallow voice like a man that had lived a hundred years of misery. "But never like this." He took another swig of whiskey, and all his deep-rooted feelings came spilling out for no one to hear or comfort. "All I ever did, to avenge Donnie and retrieve the male Norma for the man who brought me back from the brink. And what do I get but more betrayals." He took in a deep sigh. "I even wonder if you would have helped Donnie save the male Norma from the lab or even kept your promise to his mother if you knew what that boy truly was, brother. I know now the Male Norma can never be allowed to live." He exhaled sorrowfully. "I can only hope you'll forgive me for what I'm about to do." Dutch finally stood up and looked down at the pile of stones over the grave he had dug with his bare hands after recovering Gaz's body out of that cave the morning after he died. He then poured a generous amount of whisky onto the grave and shrugged as though Gaz was standing right next to him before downing the rest. "Now I know what I must do to protect my master and my dream. Goodbye brother."

It felt like an eternity before Dutch made it back to his stealth transport where he checked his Mana window to see the forces closing in on Arzenal. It looked like they were coming in from the northwest so if he slipped in from the opposite direction, then he would be able to sneak on the island without Julio detecting him. And once he collected the princess and killed Subject Alpha, that would give him enough time to deal with Blackadder.

As he entered the cockpit and gripped both hands on the control wheel to channel his Mana into the vehicle, he felt the surge of new power from the pills course through his veins like fire. Both his hands and forearms were now black and scaly looking, his fingernails yellowed and even more sharp and pointed. The mutation was spreading rapidly as a result of him taking excessive amounts of the dracunium pills. Riza had warned him of this but Dutch did not care. 'This is my fight, and I'll do whatever it takes to achieve my dream.' He vowed. 'I will show Master Embryo I can control this power and once I do, his little pet snake and the DRAGONs will all perish at my hand.'

'Don't do this Dutch.' Donnie's voice spoke out to him as though he was seated right behind him. 'Why are you still fighting for someone who lied, used and betrayed you?'

"Shut up!" Dutch snarled. "You and Gaz were the ones who betrayed me. Without Master Embryo I am nothing! I have to protect him to keep my dream of running my own nation alive. I'll drive out that little snake that stands by his side even if that means killing the Male Norma." His left arm began to throb painfully as the veins underneath burned bright green in a pulsing flow up to his shoulder and neck.

'You're addicted to the power. You're becoming an abomination.' Donnie warned.

"I'm not afraid of the mutation." Dutch countered. "Now when I have this limitless untapped power within me." As he lifted off from the island with the intent of never returning, he spotted five objects in the distance and once he locked on to their signal, he realized they were skyhooks. 'Looks like they're trying to warn Arzenal.' Dutch smirked to himself as he took off after them. Getting the Princess and killing the male Norma would be much easier with hostages to exchange. Especially since the little freak had a fondness for playing the hero.

Unable to stand the stench of burning bodies, Jill took a stroll within the wooded area that ran across Arzenal's northern coast. Her neck was bruised with finger marks but she couldn't help but smile to herself in triumph. Even when she saw in Cal's eyes that his clone had taken full control, he had found the strength within to drive the parasite out. Something she had failed at years ago.

'I knew he could do it.' Jill thought, pleased that she had taken the necessary steps to ensure Cal was strong enough to not give in. 'You may disagree with my methods Gaz but I will always keep my promise.' She thought. 'I'll ensure that boy survives hell and back.'

"God am I?" A smooth, clear voice spoke and the hairs on the back of Jill's neck stood up instantly. She whirled around as a tall figure dressed in a green suit with long blonde hair stepped out from behind a tree. "Very Interesting. I don't think I've ever called myself by that name. But since I did create you, I suppose I could allow it." In a whirl of movement, Jill drew her long-barreled revolver firing two shots at point blank range, only for the bullets to pass through the illusion and lodge in the tree behind.

"Embryo!" Jill hissed in rage at the man she loathed more than anything in this world.

"You're so beautiful when you're angry Alektra. Or is it Commander Jill now?" Embryo's jade green eyes shifted, and his sickening smirk grew even broader. "Shame we must part ways like this again my dear Alektra. You and that traitor Gaz tried so hard to turn my precious little creation against me. But your attempts have failed."

"Cal will never join you." Jill snarled through clenched teeth. "He's stronger than I ever was. I made sure of that." Embryo's attention however seemed to draw elsewhere as he gazed up at the sky.

"Ah, they're finally here." Across Arzenal, a bell began to chime as multiple Mana windows opened throughout the base and a female voice spoke out.

"This message is on behalf of the Norma Management Board. We would like to thank all of you in your combat against the DRAGONS. In a few minutes, we will be initiating your rescue. Please be patient while we begin evacuation procedures."

Jill's attention had been distracted long enough by the announcement that when she turned back, Embryo had vanished. With cold fury driving her every step, Jill raced out of the trees and towards the emergency bunker. It was now her against the world and that suited Jill just fine. Whatever Embryo was planning to do with Cal, she would keep him out of his grasp.

As the first squad and small group of humans reeled over the truth of the DRAGONs true nature, they all stood in silence until a large Mana window suddenly appeared over the flaming pit. They all stared bewildered as the woman on the screen announced the Norma's evacuation.

"Wait really?" Rosalie tilted her head.

"So where are they going to take us?" Miranda questioned.

"Oh what a relief Milady." Momoka cried. "Help is on the way." But Ange wasn't convinced, her eyes narrowed at the Mana window.

"Oh shit!" Lucas shuddered. "Everyone get inside now!"

"Inside, why?" Chris asked.

"Just do what he says girls!" Jasmine yelled who show the same level of urgency on her face as Lucas. "If you don't want to die then RUN!" Once it finally dawned on the Norma what was coming, they all scrambled up the crater and towards the hanger opening, running as fast as they could just as Jill's voice cracked through the entire base like a whip.

"Attention all! Don't listen to a word those lying bastards say, get inside the centre of the base now!"

Across the entire northern section of Arzenal's airspace over 50 Mana transport aircrafts flew over sea, carrying armies of NMB soldiers. Behind the frontal line formed a massive warship known as the Galatea, comprised of thick reinforced steel and such magnificat firepower, no group of Para-mail could stand or cut through it. And surrounding the warships were a dozen fleet, each one assigned a royal Captain from Misarugi by Holy Emperor Julio. He would not have one of Villson's loyalists in charge to protect him, especially after interfering in his sister's failed execution, he would send them on the front line to deal with the Norma's defenses first.

Within the Galatea's command tower Julio himself oversaw the operation from the bridge's main seat. By his side Riza stood ready to carry out his requests. Julio caressed her hand and kissed it lightly and she smirked at him hungrily.

"Your majesty." the CO announced from the command console. "Arzenal is in sight."

"It's time." Riza smirk broadened, her yellow eyes eager to see this through.

"Proceed to make landfall admiral." Julio commanded as he adjusted his eye patch and a truly greedy leer gleamed in his face. 'Looks like this will be our final reunion…Angelise.'

Wanting to put as much distance between himself and the pit, Cal ran to the only place he felt safe, his room. He collapsed on his bed and clutched his banging chest, the smell and sight of burning bodies forever imbedded in his mind.

'When the time comes, when I should appear to you in person again, when you finally see the truth kept at Arzenal and all the Commander's lies are out in the open, I want you and your friends to join me. Just imagine what we could accomplice together, what we could create for a new world…as ONE.'

'I won't allow you to get that far in again.' He vowed as the sudden announcement of the NMB drowned out everything else. Wanting to know what was going on Cal tried to open his door but found it locked. Then an odd feeling came over him, but not the same poisonous cold that signaled Blackadder's presence. This time it seemed time had gone into slow motion while Cal's body felt oddly relaxed and light as though he was floating. It was a feeling he had not felt since finding himself over Arzenal's cliff edge all those months ago. Sensing something was very wrong, Cal slowly turned around and drew his side arm to face a man in a green suit standing behind him.

"Good day to you Cal." The man's voice was smooth and fluent, giving off a great air of refinement. He had a pristine face with a fine jaw and elegantly styled long blonde hair. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you after all this time." His narrow eyes studied Cal and he chuckled. "You look just like your mother."

"Who are you?" Cal demanded, not daring to blink. But he already knew the answer recognizing the blonde hair, the suit and same voice from inside Trager's house and the many visions from Blackadder's point of view. "You're Embryo, aren't you?"

"Very clever. You're smarter than I hoped you'd be." Embryo slowly began to walk towards Cal who did not move. "You poor child." Embryo said with an expression full of empathy. "I know you have so many unanswered questions. I am sorry. I fear I am to blame for all the suffering you've endured in your life. If I had been there before that traitor burned down the lab and took you away from me, you wouldn't have had to experience such struggle." Embryo extended his hand just like he did in Cal's dream months ago. "Take my hand. You and your friends won't have to fight anymore. But you must help me to find them and bring them to safety."

"Do you think I'm stupid!?" Cal glowered. "I know everything that I was told about my creation was a lie. You're just offering a fresh batch."

"Attention all!" Commander Jill's voice suddenly shouted through the base intercom. "Don't listen to a word those lying bastards say, get inside the centre of the base now!"

"Looks like we don't have much time." said Embryo. "Come with me Cal. You and your friends will be safe with me." Cal however refused to budge.

"So tell me, why did you create me? What was the real point behind the Subject Alpha program." He might as well humour Embryo while he had the chance. And maybe he might even be able to trick him into revealing something.

"Because it was essential that I create the perfect being that would one day carry on my work and my future." Embryo explained with attentive care in his tone. "Have you ever wondered why you are the only Male Norma in this world?"

"Too many to count. Go ahead. Tell me why." Embryo closed his eyes, and a mirthless smile curled his lip.

"Because, you don't just have the blood of royalty, but the purest blood and genes that belong to the only living being from the original world. And he's standing right in front of you." Time seemed to freeze as Cal began to put together what Embryo was saying.

"No!" He whispered. "You're…it's another lie!" His finger tightened around the trigger of his now shaking gun but something held him back from firing.

"No." Embryo said. "It's why you're a Male Norma. Because you carry the same blood and genes as me. "You have and always been my flesh and blood, Cal." This was it, the horrifying truth to it all. Cal wasn't just a glitch in the world's system but a glitch in the very man that had created it. Cal's gun suddenly felt very heavy as it slowly slipped from his grip onto the floor while Embryo reached out to lay his hands on Cal's shoulders. "I'm so glad to finally meet you…my son."

TO BE CONTINUED…

ARTHOR'S NOTES

There you have it, the true meaning behind the title of this story and of Cal's existence. I never thought it would take this long and amount of hard work and planning to get to this point, but it was all worth it to keep you all entertained and on your toes. Now with all the build up and plots coming together, the second half of Canon events won't be near as long as the first half, that's a promise. I'm grateful you've all stuck around and supported me throught out this story and my art contributions, you've helped and inspired me to keep going and pushing forwards to complete the story durning my rough and down times. And no matter what, I will finish this story no matter how long it takes, but we're finally coming to the last stretch. Big thanks to Eric Michael Kline who without him these chapters wouldn't be where they are now. Stay safe everyone and keep your eyes peeled for the big battle ahead, there will be many twists, tears, shocks and heartbreaks for the conclusion of ARC 4 just around the cornor.