A Different Kind of Commandant

by Micske2020

Ever since two incidents that had occurred at the hands of the commandants placed in their squad prior a considerable toll has been delt on the Grey Ravens' three sole constructs' ability to trust any commandant. However as they are again called to meet their newest commandant neither they or Babylonia will expect the kind of bond this commandant is willing to have.

3. Chapter 3 - A Price Willing To Be Paid

Sometime had passed since the Gray Raven's fight in the old church in which Wren immediately seemed to wake up from his unconsciousness with a panicked gasp. Wren while breathing heavily then began to quickly look at his surroundings realizing that he seemed to be lying in a hospital bed for patients and that he also seemed to have been placed in a medical room as well. While looking around the room he then immediately took notice of his commandant uniform along with what looked to be a new coat as well lying on a chair near the far wall. Immediately after taking notice of this Wren then seemed to slowly be able to steady his breathing realizing that the only way that his commandants uniform could be there is because he currently had to be back at Babylonia which could only mean that their rescue had managed to get to them in time. A sigh of relief seemed to escape from Wren as he soon found himself being able to relax as his body seemed to melt into the bed *It looks like we were able to make it back* he thought. However something seemed off. It was then after taking a second to process this that he realized that he didn't know about what the current conditions of Liv, Lee, and Lucia were seeing as they to were also heavily damaged in the fight with Alpha. An uncontrollable sense of anxiety seemed to wash over Wren.

Did they survive? Did they take too much damage? Can they be repaired?* these worrisome thoughts about his team; his friends seemed to ruthlessly pound against Wren's mind who was seemingly now unable to sit still in his bed. After a bit of time passed Wren's worry for Lucia, Lee, and Liv seemed to reach his breaking point as he immediately began trying to get out of bed. It was then that Wren seemed to wince in pain grabbing at the side that was injured. it was then that he seemed to glance at his side noticing the bandages wrapped around his chest among his other seemingly mended wounds. *At least they seemed to have mended my ribs but holy shit this hurts*. The pain in Wren's side only seemed to grow worse and worse as he continued to fight against his own body the aforementioned pain seeming to be its way of pleading for him to stop. But he couldn't stop, he had to know, he had to see them alive and well, he was going to see his friends.

After what seemed to be an endless struggle between his own body and will Wren was soon able to completely get out of the hospital bed as he shakily and painfully made his way to his commandant uniform as he then began to change into them. Due to the excruciating pain in Wren's side it took a significantly longer time than normal however with a bit of perseverance and stubbornness Wren was able to fully change back into his uniform. It was then however as he turned to make his way out of the room that his knee then seemed to buckle forcing him to a knee. However still determined to see his team Wren immediately forced himself back on to his feet as he slowly began to make his way to the door. Once Wren had managed to grab the door knob he then turned it to open it however after seemingly swinging the door open he soon heard a startled gasp as soon found himself Infront of both Celica and President Hassen who had most likely come to check up on him.

"Well it seems like he got himself out of bed" Hassen then says surprisingly calm. However Celica on the other hand did not seem calm at all most likely because she was the one that had been startled from Wren opening the door. "WHAT IN THE NAME OF HUMANITY ARE YOU DOING OUT OF BED?!" Celica then shouted completely shocked that Wren who had been badly wounded when he and the other Gray Ravens were recovered was now standing and in his commandant uniform. "I'm going to see my team" Wren then answered a noticeable strain in his face. "You mean Lucia, Lee, and Liv I believe Asimov and his team might still be repairing them". "Where?" Wren then asks. "It should be in the emergency repair center somewhere in the science and tech sector if I'm not mistaken". "Then that's where I'm heading". "Oh no your not" Celica then says blocking Wren who had tried to move past her and Hassen.

"Do you even remotely know what kind of condition you were in when they found you?", Wren didn't seem to answer remaining silent towards Celica's question. "They had to perform an emergency surgery on you in the middle of transit, those ribs that were mended were mere inches from lethally penetrating your lungs". Wren still seemed to remain silent surprisingly un-fazed from the fact that he essentially could've died if he had not been rescued. "Celica isn't one to exaggerate matters like this if the support team hadn't come to your aid the Gray Ravens would have lost their third commandant" Hassen then comments. "Essentially what I'm trying saying is that we don't know if those ribs could still break you have only just gotten those mended and that last thing we need is for you to undo the work that was done".

A sigh then seemed to escape from Wren as he seemed to be mentally processing on what he was just told. "...I understand why your telling me this" Wren then finally seemed to answer. "You do?" Celica asks hoping that Wren would consider staying in bed until he had properly recovered. "But I'm not going back to that bed, I can't, not while there is no one there to check up on them". "You can't be serious?" "Look the way I see it their is only two ways this can go, either you help me get to the them, or I hobble my way there".

Celica couldn't at all believe what she was hearing. Didn't he at all care about the ramifications of walking around with freshly operated on injuries? this alone was already confusing enough but the fact that he was willing to risk this for those three of which he had only just met yesterday. Having seen the way that Wren interacted with Liv during his first day Celica knew that Wren seemed to treat constructs very differently compared to other commandants, even before then during his first briefing where he had deliberately ignored the personal profile of Lucia, Lee, and Liv's dossiers simply to have an excuse to get to know them from a personal perspective. But this was an entirely new level of care that Celica hadn't expected. This wasn't a commandant worried about some constructs, this was someone worrying about a living being; a friend. *just what had happened while they were down there and in such a small amount of time too?* Celica thought.

"I think its safe to say that Commandant Yamada has no intention of going back to his room, not without having a peace of mind at least" Hassen the says which seemed to snap Celica out of her thoughts. A sigh then seemed to escape from her. However even then she couldn't stop herself from smiling a bit. "fine then if even what I've said can't convince you then here lean on me, the least i can do is make sure you don't fall over" Celica then says having Wren use her as a sort of support to help him walk. "Thank you" Wren then says I noticeable sound of relief in his voice. "You really do care about them, don't you? Celica asks as the three then began to walk in the direction of the science and technology sector. "Of course, they already have to deal with so much out there the least I can do while here is be a good friend to them".

Although the trip to the science and tech sector took much longer than normal seeing as Wren needed to be extra careful to not hurt himself further he, Hassen, and Celica had managed to arrive in which they soon found themselves heading towards the emergency repair center. This place essentially was where heavily damaged constructs or equipment was taken to be repaired as opposed to the construct repair stations that were located in a squad's personal headquarters as those were used for more minor repairs and maintenance. While guiding him to the specific repair room where his team was Celica soon found herself almost being pulled by Wren as the three immediately took notice of a recently repaired Liv who seemed to be nervously waiting outside for the rest of her team. It was then that Wren stopped leaning on Celica as he then seemed to somewhat both run and hobble his way to the Gray Raven's support construct the pain in his side almost completely unnoticeable.

"Liv hey!" Wren seemed to call out an ecstatic look on his face. It was then Liv seemed to only just notice Wren's calls as she seemed to yelp in surprise as she found herself quickly wrapped in a tight hug. "Commandant; W-wren?" Liv seemed to ask surprised to suddenly see him here hugging her. "Yes its me, I'm here, your okay, your all okay" Wren seemed to mostly say to himself the anxiety from before melting away.

Liv seemed to be a bit surprised to what she was hearing. She had never heard him sound so relived before. A small smile then seemed to appear on her face however as she then seemed to reciprocate Wren's hug even melting into it somewhat. As this was happening Celica seemingly stared in surprise at this as Liv due to the two incidents prior was very fearful of having people physically interact with her in that way which was especially certain with commandants. Even for Lucia and Lee her team members who she'd known for a while now had to do a lot of mending for them to be able to get her to let them interact with her in a similar way. However it seemed that Wren a commandant that had only just met her had somehow managed to earn Liv's trust to where she not only seemed comfortable with him hugging her but also seemingly enjoying it as well. *After everything the Gray Ravens have been through the unknowable toll that had been delt on their trust. Those two commandants those wolves in sheep's clothing the terrible things that they had gotten away with for so long with more than half of it all being swept under the rug after they were thrown out. Then out of the blue you show up. I could tell those three were caught off guard when you left with them, a genuine kindness that they hadn't seen in so long. I can definitely see now why Hassen is so interested in seeing how this squad grows.* Celica thought a smile on her face though their seemed to be a hint of sadness behind it the reason for it seemingly being something that Liv was aware of as well.

"Where are Lucia and Lee are they still being repaired?" Wren asks as he and Liv stopped hugging. "Yes however they seemed to be hesitant in repairing Lucia". "Why is something wrong?". Liv then seemed to close up for a bit uncertain of how to respond to Wren's question. It was then that Wren felt Hassen place a hand on Wren shoulder. As Wren turned to look towards him he could see a look of concern on Hassen's face. "Liv was already told this earlier and we had intended to tell you this while you were still in bed but since you decided against staying I guess now would be the best time to tell you" Hassen began to say "when the support team had brought you all back to Babylonia they informed us that you all seem to have taken damage from a blade, a blade oddly similar to Lucia's". "Okay, what are you getting at?". "When Nikola received word of what happened he seemed to be convinced that your injuries are evidence for Lucia trying to go rogue". "What?!" Wren then shouted a look of confusion and even a bit of anger on his face.

"Your injuries isn't the only proof though, considering your squads history their is also a good motive for why Lucia would try to kill you" Celica then adds though their seemed to be a hint of bitterness in the way she said it. "But she's innocent it was Alpha that attacked us not Lucia!". "Alpha?" Liv asks confused on who Wren was referring to. "The name of the construct that attacked us". "And you have proof that this Alpha was the one who attacked you?" Hassen then asks. "Of course we do, you can check all of our mission data the evidence is in there" It was then however that Hassen seemed to sigh a concerned look seemed to be prevalent on his face. "I was afraid that you would say that". "Why?" Wren then asks a noticeable harshness in his voice. "Because the data isn't recoverable" a new voice then says.

It was then that the door to the repair station opened to reveal a fully repaired Lucia and Lee along with a new individual who was standing in-between them. He was shorter than Lee and Wren but taller than Lucia and looked to be a young adult 19 to be exact. He also seemed to wearing a type of white and red science coat. He seemed to also have a very intelligent yet somewhat apathetic look to his face.

"Lucia, Lee are you both okay?" Wren asks seemingly ignoring the new individual for now. "Yes were both fully repaired despite the false assumptions that seem to be going around" Lee then answers. "That's good and whose this?" Wren then asks an eyebrow raised to the new person who had seemingly overheard the conversation from the repair station. "I'd have thought that Hassen would have told you about me but to keep things short I'm Asimov head of Science and Technology". "Right, so what do you mean by the mission data is unrecoverable?".

"When we were repairing Lucia, Lee, and Liv the first thing that we had noticed while assessing their damages was that something had irreversibly fragmented the mission data within their M.I.N.D.s" Asimov began to say "where not sure how exactly but there is evidence that the punishing virus may have had something to do with it". "Their not corrupted are they?" Celica then asks. "No there wasn't enough to cause any of them to fall under its effects but for some reason it was as if it was being manipulated into specifically attacking the mission data only". "manipulated shouldn't that be impossible?" Hassen asks. "Apparently not but its not exactly clear who could have-". "Alpha" Wren then says interrupting Asimov. "Alpha?" Lucia then asks. "Its the name of the construct that attacked us the one you said was messing with your vision".

"That was the name you had mentioned earlier as well if this Alpha is the one who manipulated the virus then its seems she doesn't have any intention of having herself being noticed" Hassen then says. "In any case whether she is or she isn't capable of this is still uncertain however what is is that that the evidence that you need to prove your construct's innocence is unattainable" Asimov then says. "Well there has to be something else we can do?" Wren then asks however it seemed as if nothing else could be done. It was then that Lucia seemed to place a hand on Wren's shoulder. "Its fine commandant I'm prepared to meet whatever sentencing the council will give" she then says a determined look on her face. However Wren could tell it was just a mask truth be told she knew exactly what was going to happen and it unnerved her and somehow Wren could see it.

"No, I'm not letting that happen the academy doesn't inform us exactly on what happens when an accused rogue construct is caught but judging on how Liv had reacted to simply punching me I don't think its good" he then says. " wait Liv punched you?" Celica then asks. "Its water under the bridge but, Lucia I'm not letting you take the fault for something that your not responsible for". "But how are you going to prove I'm innocent our only evidence is destroyed and the chances of anyone in the Babylonia council listening to a construct is non existent". "Then I'll take the fall for it, the council won't listen to a construct who is defending themselves but they'll listen to a commandant". "what are you saying?" Lucia asks. " I might know, as a construct we're essentially property to any commandant that we are assigned to meaning that even if the entirety of Babylonia is against it the commandant is the one who ultimately decides our fate" Lee then says. 'What your planning to do is use the fact that you own us as a method of protecting Lucia aren't you?" Lee then asks.

Letting out a sigh Wren then immediately looked to both Lucia, Lee, and Liv staring directly at them. "I am" he says "Because you guys are not seen as people in Babylonia it gives me the ability to take responsibility for anything that you do it be the same as me crashing into someone who is the one to blame the vehicle or the driver?". "But if you take the fall for what Lucia is being accused for won't you then be given the same punishment" Liv then seems to asks. "He, wouldn't" Hassen the answers before Wren could" If Lucia had been accused of attacking another commandant at worst he would be given a minor jail sentence and a demerit". "However in this case by taking responsibility for Lucia's actions while also being the victim he effectively would be forcing this matter into a paradox". As Hassen explained this it seemed as if Wren's plan was liable to make him and Lucia untouchable however this was not fated to be.

"You seem pretty keen on painting Yamada's plan as not having repercussions president Hassen" Asimov then seemed to interrupt noticing that despite Hassen's more or less positive explanation seemed hesitant about something of which Lee and Celica also seemed to take notice. After hearing what Asimov had said everyone then seemed to look towards Hassen except Lucia who seemed to instead look towards Wren as for some reason that same odd feeling seemed to come back. Hassen then sighed realizing that it was time to essentially rip the band aid off on what the price that the Gray Raven's commandant was paying by putting this plan into motion. "Although commandant Yamada's plan would protect Lucia from her sentencing it isn't without one glaring problem" Hassen then says. "Though the council wouldn't be able to convict him for anything he would be viewed as protecting someone that is presumed to be a traitor and actively prohibiting the council from being able to act". "W-what does that mean exactly?" Liv then asks. " it means that although Yamada couldn't be convicted of anything his standing in Babylonia and most assuredly among his peers for essentially protecting what everyone sees as a rouge construct would be even less than how a construct is viewed" Asimov immediately answered.

After hearing this Lucia, Lee, and Liv immediately seemed to stare at Wren. *If what Asimov says is true then if commandant Yamada intends to go with this he'll essentially be labeled as an outcast* Lee thought. *But why would he go that far?* Lucia then thought as if she knew exactly what Lee was thinking. *He doesn't deserve that* Liv then thought as if also knowing exactly what Lee and Lucia were thinking. Wren seeing the stares of his team, the look of disbelief and even some worry on their faces it honestly made him happy to see that were worried about him. *We haven't even been a team for two days yet and already it seems like we've been friends for longer, I still need to find out what those two other commandants did but whatever it is its really made them miss out* Wren thought as a smile seemed to form on his face. "I know you guys are worried about me but I'll be fine" he then says. immediately the three seemed taken aback *how could he possibly okay with this?* they thought. It was then that the odd feeling in Lucia seemed to get worse. it wasn't this bad when that executor attacked him, It wasn't this bad when she didn't know if he'd survived the fight with Alpha, but now this feeling it had become unbearable for some reason forcing to need the need to know why he would go this far for her.

"How...how is painting a target on your back possibly fine?!" Lucia then asks practically shouting. After hearing Lucia shout everyone seemed surprised at her but not nearly as much Lee and Liv. for the two years that they were together Lucia always had a somewhat emotionless personality even when she seemed embarrassed back at the old church her expression never changed much however now in this instance seemed like a different person. Although her outward expression still hadn't changed the way she had spoke it wasn't her usual voice it was strained as if she was in pain from what no one knew. "I know you care about us, I know you don't see us as just machine but this isn't simply giving us a treat from a vending machine nor is it allowing us to ask you questions in an old church" Lucia then began to say her body trembling. "You are intending on sabotaging your own reputation in the eyes of everyone on this damn station how could you possibly stand their and tell us that your fine with this?!". Although Wren was seemingly caught off guard by Lucia shouting his smile only vanishing for a second however he then seemed to walk towards her in which he then outstretched his arm placing his hand on Lucia's head as he then began to gently rub it like he did with Liv.

"Because I didn't become a commandant for a reputation" Wren then answers. "Back at the academy many of my peers became a candidate because they wanted to be a hero in the eyes of Babylonia, when the news talks about us it does nothing but place us on a pedestal like we are some chosen ones the last hope of humanity". "But I don't care about being some kind of hero or chosen one I just want to help retake the Earth so humanity can have peace again that's all". Wren then seemed to pause for a minute letting his words sink in. "and besides if it means protecting someone that I care about then who cares what people think" he then says his usual friendly and beaming smile now on his face. it was then that something for split second a different feeling seemed to spike in Lucia as her cheeks seemed to become a deep red even more than they already were with Wren petting her head. *what, what was that?* Lucia then thought. This sudden feeling was similar to odd ones she has been having except instead of making her feel worried for Wren this one made her feel warm; really warm. *Is this what Liv was feeling before? no, this is...this is different but why?* Lucia thought. However there wasn't any time for her to figure this out as Wren then seemed to look directly towards Hassen his friendly smile now replaced with a completely serious expression.

"Since this Nikola is the one that is accusing Lucia then I assume he'll be the one presenting this to the council right?" Wren then asks. "Presumably yes" Hassen than answers. "Then can you tell him that he shouldn't bother as I want to have a meeting with him so that we can take care if things without issues". "I can and I'll be sure to tell him that your going to talk to him" Hassen then says with sigh. "Commandant...I" Lucia then seemed to say however Wren seemed to stop her. "Everything will be fine Lucia trust me, but I could use help getting there however" Wren then seemed to say. "What do you..." Liv was then about ask however before she could Wren's knees seemed to buckle out form under him causing Lee and Lucia to immediately catch him. "Sorry, guess i pushed myself a bit too much" Wren then says a strained chuckle soon following. It was then that Lee Liv and Lucia had taken notice of their commandant seemingly gripping his side the same one that Alpha had kicked during their fight at the church. Celica could only sigh at this "I told you that you should've waited until you fully recovered from your injuries looks like your meeting will have to wait for now we need to get him back to his bed". Wren then seemed to feel a shiver rundown his pain as he noticed Lee, Lucia, and Liv were now giving him stern looks after they had realized that Wren had been unreasonably pushing himself despite his injuries. It was then however that Lucia and Lee did seem to help get Wren back on his feet as they began helping him walk back to the Star of Life medical center with Liv, Hassen, and Celica now following them back with Asimov staying behind most likely to get back to work.

With Lee and Lucia supporting Wren the trip back to the medical center seemed to take a much shorter time thanks to their enhanced strength and also seemingly being able to not get tired like humans do. However despite this Wren did seem to be acutely aware of the stares from the other commandants and officials of Babylonia that he and his team were being given. Whether it was because of Lucia or the fact that it was somewhat odd to see two constructs willingly helping an injured commandant while the third seemed to have no problem lecturing said commandant about not pushing his injuries he didn't know. Never the less however it wasn't long before Wren found himself back in his medical room and in bed with his team, Hassen, and Celica now populating his medical room. After a few a parting words Hassen and Celica soon left as well heading to their own duties leaving Wren and his team of who seemed to have chosen to stay by his side to make sure he fully recovered. At first Wren had intended on telling him that they didn't need to watch him but after seeing how stern they seemed to be about himself almost making his injuries worse he figured it be best to just le them be. *I guess it isn't so bad having them watch over me anyways if it helps them feel better than who am I to stop them. We really have come a long way and in such a short time too* Wren then thought as he then suddenly felt the need to sleep his body and himself now finally seemingly able to relax.

Once it was confirmed that their commandant had fallen asleep Lucia, Lee, and Liv couldn't help but stare at him. Despite getting to know a lot about him he still seemed to be able to surprise them with his kindness towards them. A commandant willing to ruin his own reputation for a construct it was such a selfless gesture even if the price was high their commandant was willing to pay it just for the sake of keeping one of his own safe. * I still can't agree with the fact that he's willing to do this to himself but I'll trust him, and no matter what happens we'll still be there for him just like he is with us.* Lucia though. But something seemed off however, it was about the fact that their commandant seemed to be just fine with being an outcast. In fact it seemed like to him being an outcast among his peers was normal to him. *He never did tell us much about his time at the academy even when we asked him back at the church* Lucia seemed to think. *Hopefully soon he'll decide tell us everything about his past.*.