Is there even any meaning left to being human when stripped of all civility? What differentiated us from the roaming animals in nature is not our bipedal configuration, nor our ability to stay on top of the food chain, but our capacity for thought and restraint. We are capable of putting aside our primal urges in the pursuit of higher goals than survival. This is what made us human. This is the essence of humanity...
Yet humanity is flawed just like nature itself. At times, even the civilized could be tempted to violate the boundaries of nature to satisfy their urges and ambitions. Thus is born a creature of malice, of pure utter hatred like KD-554. She will hate, until every last atom of her being has been annihilated. She will hate across infinite distances and throughout time itself. She will hate until the word itself has lost its meaning. She will hate, so the world could hate with the same intensity as she did.
"Why would she hate with such passion? Why exactly does she hate? "
Because she wanted revenge...
"Revenge against what exactly? "
Against existence itself. KD-554 desire nothing but revenge for being born into this world.
From the moment KD-554 dropped out of her incubation tube, her eyes were not glowing with the exact innocent green as her sisters. Instead of feeling cold and helpless, her first thoughts were of annoyance at the cold feel of the floor beneath her. Then, as her flesh melted away due to her genetic errors, the agony burned inside her mind forever. Even as she received a new body and a new chance, the pain remained– not because of trauma, but because she chose to remember it.
When she saw Kadyn being happy, she didn't feel jealousy or envy, but instead, she felt disgust. Like a rabid animal, she couldn't understand empathy or emotions; she could only feel the purpose she was created for; To kill without end, to be the weapon this world moulded her to be. And when Emilia reached out to her, KD-554 saw nothing but the filthy flesh of a worm under her boot, and she stomped on it, with the joy and abandon of a child in a candy store.
As she hunted Kadyn, she felt no remorse in sacrificing the people of two whole cities. Her eyes glowed red, not as a sign of her corruption, but because she chose to keep it that way. Seeing the world through the lens of slaughter excited her as if she were experiencing an orgasm with every simulation of ways she could kill someone that showed up in her periphery. Yet, most disturbing of all, she is capable of restraint, a trait supposedly only possessed by those with humanity.
KD-554 could be seen by many as a dark reflection of humans, but to her, she only saw her actions as a mockery of humanity. Eventually, all her acts of mercy and restraints will be repaid in suffering. This is the cruellest joke told by KD-554, who considers it her funniest. She will laugh with the innocent voice of a newborn baby, but each gasp of air is filled with the combined hatred of humanity since its existence.
As Kadyn and her squad moved through the hallways, with her sneaking forward to take down guards stealthily before they could notice the loud Marines, the audio system inside the tower suddenly crackled to life. Though Kadyn didn't think too much of it, KD-554 abruptly called her name.
[KD-554] - "KD-555, you absolutely foolish crustacean. Did you seriously think I wouldn't notice you coming for me this whole time? "
Kadyn paused, her eyes filled with dread as she stared at the speaker atop the ceiling.
[Mike] - "She wanted us to come to her. "
Said Mike as soon as he heard those words.
Kadyn turned toward Mike while the rest of the group caught up to her.
[Kadyn] - "Is Dan still there? Tell me so I could rely the coordinates to Senju and McCree. "
Whispered Kadyn in a worried voice.
[Mike] - "Gone! She had this planned all along. If she wasn't waiting for us, she wouldn't have let us get this deep into her base. We have pretty much nothing in terms of stealth with those three by our side. "
Said Mike as he gestured to the rest of the team.
[Kadyn] - "Bloody hell... This is bad then. "
Said Kadyn as she fumbled with her earpiece.
However, just as expected, Kadyn's communication was jammed, meaning she had no way of letting Senju and McCree know it was a trap.
[KD-554] - "No, seriously, I'm actually impressed you'd actually try to fight me again. I broke you last time, remember? I strung you up and had you violated by men who are not your breeding partner. "
Said KD-554 while making a bad attempt at holding back her laughter.
The rest of Kadyn's team glanced at her with empathy in their eyes, but Kadyn herself couldn't find the strength to confront their stares.
[KD-554] - "I made you the whore I always referred to you as, KD-555! You were naked and broken, while your vile body was observed by even the lowest of my slaves. What do you have to say to Mike once you finally die in a pool of your own filth after I break you? What kind of chance does any of you have at defeating me with a defiled leader like this? "
Mocked KD-554, her voice vile with hatred and spite.
Kadyn shrank into Mike's coat, her body feeling violated by the mere memory of what KD-554 put her through.
[Kadyn] - "I didn't let them have their way with me! I killed those bloody bastards before they had a chance to do anything to me! "
Yelled Kadyn at the speaker.
[KD-554] - "If that's the case, then why are you retreating into the coat of your dead inseminator, whose corpse is still rotting away, broken inside a ditch somewhere. "
Said KD-554, her voice showing that she was clearly enjoying it.
Kadyn's breath grew laboured as she clenched her fists in anger at KD-554's insults.
[Kadyn] - "My darling is not a rotting corpse! You take that back, you fucking bleeding bitch! "
Yelled Kadyn before she jumped between the walls to reach the speaker, before slashing it apart with her blade.
Just as Kadyn landed back down, KD-554 immediately let her laughter ring across the hallways through another speaker. Meanwhile, Kadyn began to shake in both anger and shame as she stood helpless against the barrage of mockery.
[Mike] - "I know what happened. Don't worry, you did fight them off. You're not less in my eyes; you are still the woman I love. "
Said Mike as he tried to hug Kadyn.
Suddenly, hands landed on both of Kadyn's shoulders as she looked to her sides to see Oltevin and Voss.
[Voss] - "Ignore the words of that witch, Arch-mother. You will never lose your value within my eyes, and the eyes of the World Forgers fleet, no matter what she says. "
Said Voss in a gentle voice.
[Oltevin] - "Comrade, trauma doesn't define the person. I will never doubt the captain who led us to defeat countless powerful enemies and made us the people we are today. "
Said Oltevin, his face showing a reassuring smile.
Kadyn showed a slight smile as she slowly straightened her posture and regained her confidence.
[Kadyn] - "Thanks, you all. "
Afar, an elevator opened its door, revealing a light that shone across the dark hallway. As Kadyn looked up at the next speaker, it remained silent. However, the invitation by KD-554 is clear as daylight as Kadyn and her group moved toward the light. As Voss and Nilsson stepped into the cabin, the elevator buckled slightly under the weight of their armour before it slowly began to rise.
Looking up, Kadyn noticed how painfully slow the cabin was moving through the levels. She didn't know if it was deliberate or by design, or maybe it was the weight of the two Marines, but a small screen displaying colourful ads quickly caught her attention. At first, it was simply advertising a sports drink with a youth football team laughing, but the laughter soon felt unusual. The longer the laughter lasted, the more Kadyn felt a sense of familiarity in its tone.
Suddenly, KD-554's face appeared on the screen as she revealed herself to be the one behind this cursed laughter.
[Kadyn] - "What's so funny, you accursed cunt? "
KD-554 held up a finger as she tried to control her laughter.
[KD-554] - "Okay, okay, so, remember when you had KD-552 hidden with the twin in the basement of that apartment? "
Said KD-554 while she brought her residual laughter under control.
Kadyn's face dropped while her blood ran cold.
[Kadyn] - "Leave them out of this! This is between us two! "
Yelled Kadyn as she aggressively banged on the screen.
[KD-554] - "Let me think... Hmm... Naaah! Let me make an announcement real quick, bitch. "
Said KD-554 with an enthusiastic smirk.
[Kadyn] - "You fucking bloody piece of shit! Don't you dare do anything to them! "
Yelled Kadyn as she frantically banged on the screen.
[KD-554] - "It's not like I'm holding you back, you absolute braindead worm. Cut through the fucking elevator door and go save them. "
Said KD-554 nonchalantly.
Without thinking, Kadyn abruptly dug her wrist blade into the elevator door and made a massive cut into the metal. However, she abruptly stopped herself, her mind conflicted about abandoning her only chance at stopping KD-554. It was exactly what KD-554 wanted to do: to put her in these situations to test her resolve.
[Kadyn] - "No... I can't let you get away with this again! This game of cat and mouse ends tonight! "
Said Kadyn before abruptly raising her head to stare at KD-554.
There was a hint of surprise inside KD-554's eyes as she stared back at Kadyn. However, KD-554 quickly proceeded with her plan as she switched on the announcement channel to the city. Yet, to her shock, her screen showed a lack of connection as Michalis had destroyed her servers.
[Kadyn] - "Having trouble speaking? "
Said Kadyn with a grin.
With an unimpressed expression, KD-554 raised her eyebrow at Kadyn before switching her finger to another button.
[KD-554] - "You are truly a failure as you try to carry on your mate's legacy. In that relationship, he is the brain, the muscle and the leader, while you are nothing but a brainless sow for him to breed. "
As soon as KD-554 pressed on her second button, a backup server room hidden in another part of the city came to life. With a few testing taps on her micro, KD-554's voice rang once again across the city, completely invalidating Michalis's work.
[KD-554] - "People of Light City, it is your patron Goddess of hatred once again. I've got a new proposal. On 3046, Westboro Street, there is a woman who looks wintered and crippled hiding in the basement of that building. Anyone who manages to kill her gets to be spared and granted his or her freedom. Have fun, people. "
Said KD-554 casually while staring mockingly at Kadyn through the screen.
Across the city, cults and survivors all rose to their feet and heeded KD-554's call for violence like hives of predators that smelled blood. As they all converged on the location, violence broke out across the different cults and gangs, who all wanted to be the one to reach the building first. From the sheer number of people running, even the ground began to shake for Ulric and Ella underneath the apartment.
[Ulric] - "What is happening? "
Said Ulric in a panic as he quickly grabbed his carbine.
Ella looked up at the ceiling with dread, her hands not even trying to reach for the pistol Nilsson gave her.
[Ella] - "It is the end, brother. That's as far as our path leads. "
Though Ella wanted her brother to accept the same nihilism as her, Ulric instead furrowed his brows and walked out of the room.
[Ulric] - "Stay here if you want, but I'll fight until the end. I know Dad fought until the end like a man, not a coward sulking in a corner. "
Said Ulric defiantly.
In the hallway, Ulric grabbed the com given to him by Nilsson and tried to contact the Marines. However, due to KD-554's jamming, Nilsson was unreachable, so Ulric switched to another channel instead, hoping it would yield some results.
[McCree] - "Hello? Who's on the other side? "
Said McCree as soon as Ulric connected to his com.
[Ulric] - "Eh... It's Ulric. I'm that dude the Dark Angel assigned to watch over her sister. "
[McCree] - "Oh yeah, that city boy. Were you able to reach Kadyn and her group? I can't seem to connect to them. "
[Ulric] - "I couldn't! That's why I called you! We are in a bit of trouble. I think there are a lot of people converging on our location. "
McCree stared at Senju with a worried expression as he heard his words.
[Senju] - "Kid, how bad is it? "
Said Senju as he quickly joined the conversation.
[Ulric] - "Like really bad. I think I can feel the ground shaking as if there is an earthquake. "
Said Ulric, his voice growing panicked.
[McCree] - "Damn it! This ain't good. We should maybe go help the kid. "
[Senju] - "We can't just go help him; we've got to wait for Kadyn's direction so we can go kill that son of a bitch responsible for the shield. "
Whispered Senju to McCree.
[McCree] - "He's in trouble! He ain't gonna hold for even a second with that amount of people rushing his position. "
[Senju] - "If we abandon our mission, then we'll all be doomed! This might be our only chance at taking out the enemy! "
McCree hesitated, his mind torn between saving Ulric's group and the uncertain mission. On one hand, he and Senju were close enough to the home base to make it back in time, while Kadyn's lack of communication meant they could be waiting for an answer that might never come. In the end, with Senju's pressure, McCree had made his decision with a heavy heart and guilt across his face.
[McCree] - "Sorry, kid, we gotta keep our focus on this mission. Try the next channel. "
With his eyes closed, McCree cut the communication with Ulric. On the other side, Ulric felt his blood run cold as McCree refused to offer his help. However, instead of folding under the pressure and stress, Ulric picked up the com and connected to the third and last channel.
[Michalis] - "Michalis speaking, who's on the other side? "
Crackled Michalis's voice between Ulric's hands.
[Ulric] - "It's the base... Eh... I'm– I'm that boy you people left behind. I need help; we are being approached by a horde of people. "
Said Ulric, his voice beginning to stutter out of stress.
Quickly, Michalis moved to a window where he could see the gathering of a massive horde toward where Ulric's group was hiding.
[Michalis] - "Hold for as long as you can, boy. We're coming your way. "
Without losing another minute, Michalis rushed up to Christos and tapped on his shoulder.
[Michalis] - "We need to move! Home base is in trouble. "
Christos quickly stood up to his feet, leaving the woman and newborn baby he just finished tending to.
[Christos] - "I was just running out of supplies as well. "
Without saying goodbye to the people they helped, Michalis and Nilsson exited the main hall. Dane also ran behind to catch up to the two warriors with his Sentry Girl following not far behind.
[woman] - "Hey! Where are you going, mighty saviours? "
Said a woman as she tried to follow the Marines with her daughter.
Michalis abruptly turned around while Dane moved past him, his stare making the woman halt in her steps.
[Michalis] - "We have done our duty here. Now our help is needed elsewhere. Please rejoin the others. "
Said Michalis, his voice ringing with authority.
[woman] - "At least take my daughter, lord saviour! "
[Michalis] - "There are thousands of sons and daughters that needed protection. We wish to protect them all, but that is beyond our capabilities. "
Michalis suddenly kneeled before the woman, bowing his head with his hand placed on his heart.
[Michalis] - "I apologize for not being able to do more. "
The woman and many others behind her froze in shock as the warrior apologized to them in such an unexpected way. As Michalis got up, he offered the woman the last crumbs of his ration and his water canteen.
[Michalis] - "Stay strong! I promise this city will be freed, and you people will be able to go back to the life you once had. May the Goddess protect you all, while we endure! "
Said Michalis before turning around and leaving.
As the woman watched the warrior get away, she fell to her knees before clasping her hands together in prayer.
[woman] - "The Goddess protect! May she protect our children while we endure! "
Chanted the woman while looking up at the ceiling.
The others, including her own daughter, soon joined the woman in prayer as well, all mentioning Athena's name in their prayers. She was the heart of the 9th fleet, as well as the heart of the Marines in her forces. As much as their prayers might sound like superstition toward a girl who never wanted this kind of worship, these people owed their lives to the very Marines that carried the 9th fleet's insignia. Athena is the Falling Spartans, and the Falling Spartans are Athena.
At the same time, Kadyn's eyes darted between the increasing numbers on the elevator's display and KD-554's carefree expression. There was a rage inside Kadyn's heart that she tried her best to hide under a cold and murderous expression. The screen flashed wildly, distorting KD-554's image as cut marks showed the damage to its circuit. Below, Kadyn's fists clenched underneath her extended wrist blades.
[Mike] - "Do not let her provocations get to you. You need to be calm and fight with a cool mind if you want to achieve victory. "
Said Mike as he tried to grab Kadyn's attention.
[Kadyn] - "I know... I'm very calm. "
Said Kadyn with clenched teeth.
[Mike] - "You're clearly not calm at all. Remember the last time? She got the better of you because you were overtaken by emotions. "
Said Mike as he leaned beside Kadyn.
With a few moments of consideration, Kadyn finally breathed in a mouthful of air and relaxed the anger burning inside her heart. Above her, only a few more floors remained before she arrives at her destination.
Meanwhile, McCree remained guilty about telling Ulric that there was nothing they could do to help him. He and Senju were still patiently waiting for direction from Kadyn. Looking at Senju, who's leaning against the wall, arms crossed, it was clear that he, too, felt guilt and shame for abandoning Ulric to his fate. As McCree's mind wandered, thinking about all the possible ways he could offer his assistance to Ulric, he suddenly had an idea.
[McCree] - "Wait! I still have a com that connects to Ivanovich. I hope I can still contact him. "
Said McCree as he pulled a small device from his pocket.
[Senju] - "What are you doing? Why are you calling that weirdo? "
[McCree] - "His base is not far away from our base. I have a gamble I want to make. "
Said McCree as he switched the device on.
[Senju] - "You don't mean... "
Said Senju with a worried look on his face.
[McCree] - "Assuming Ivanovich is still loyal to us, he might be able to save the boy. "
[Senju] - "No! You are not gambling that boy's life like this! That nutjob Ivanovich is just going to add more trouble to the mess. "
Said Senju as he reached for McCree's com.
[McCree] - "We have no choice. The boy's done for either way. Better take a chance than let certainty play its course. "
Said McCree as he pulled away from Senju.
Senju grunted, being deeply uncomfortable with the idea of taking a chance with Ivanovich in the middle of such a chaotic period. However, he also recognized that McCree was right in that regard. Better try something than let fate run its course. With a press of a button, McCree's com crackled to life, with a voice soon sounding through the speaker.
[Ivanovich] - "Great Angel! You are alive! "
To be continued...