Velocity Zero: Perfect World

**Started April 8th 2022**

**Finished May 29 2022**

**Editors note:** I personally would not recommend this story, plot and character-wise (except for a couple exceptions, and setup for future plot-devices) this story is not very good, and motivation was lost for the story about half-way through. Things go insane at the end because I decided my original ending was dumb. Even though it's crazy, it's dumb. To sum up the laziness. Here is a picrew for the cover. Because I couldn't be bothered.

## E1 - The Board Meeting

A bunch of men stood around a table. An old man with a bunch of tattoos and slicked back black hair walked to the end of the table. There was a younger girl by his side. He had a nametag on his chest that said Fukuda. The girl’s nametag was one of those stick-on nametags. Unlike everyone else’s metal nametags with their names etched into them. Her nametag said “hello, my name is Talia”. With the name Talia written out in cursive on the sticker.

???: Who said it was bring your child to work day?

Fukuda: Toast, this is my colleague. Talia is very intelligent. She’s simply here to observe. Talia, introduce yourself.

Talia seemed very quiet. She looked like she was almost cowering. But she was doing everything she could to stand her ground.

Talia: Nice to meet you all.

There were four high-ranking officials at the head of the table. They had flags of their respective countries flying above their heads. France, represented by Marcel Barbeau. China represented by Mei Zhao. Russia represented by Yelena Maxim. And finally, the United States represented by…

Barbeau: It looks like Mr. Johnson is running late. The meeting should commence regardless.

Another man stood up. He was american, and wore an all black tuxedo suit. He had a nametag on himself as well. “Gen. Zero”. Talia got a bad feeling in her stomach watching him speak. There was something unsettling about him.

Zero: We can touch on matters that don’t concern him, then. We should talk about the militaristic capabilities of Volantes. We need a military to protect it. I recommend a special military. Average troops won’t do the job for us. Volantes needs it’s own military.

Fukuda: Led by you, I’m guessing.

Zero: I don’t like to patronize myself. The military could be led by anyone who is worthy at this table. It could even be ran by that runt next to you.

Fukuda: Ah, yes. Speaking of the runt that’s next to me-

They heard the door slam open. It was the missing Mr. Johnson. He was tall, blonde and muscular through and through. But his attire contrasted this. He wore a lab coat and a gray shirt under.

Johnson: Good afternoon everyone! Nice to see you all could make it!

Johnson walked towards his seat, as he happily shook the hands of everyone. He shook Talia’s hand too.

Johnson: You must be Jun’s apprentice.

Johnson whispered in Talia’s ear.

Johnson: That work you did…It was beautiful. Thanks for the help!

Johnson kept walking. He went to his seat.

Johnson: Hey! Is this seat taken? Oh, it’s mine!

Barbeau: Thank you dearly for that interruption, Mr. Johnson. Can we please continue this meeting?

Johnson: Oh! I’d love to!

Talia couldn’t help but smile at Johnson’s blissful unawareness of the serious situation that was happening. He didn’t have the blank face of everyone in the room. He had a smile on his face.

Fukuda: I wanted to speak about the anti-gravity technology. This is important. The durian we’re using comes from deep within the earth. But it’s limited. It won’t fuel Volantes forever. We need to do something about it. Or Volantes will fall.

Dr. Toast: You’re the one who suggested we use Durian. Why are you going back on your statement?

Fukuda: You wanted it to fly. It will fly. But only for about 7 years. Approximately 7 years and 2 months from now. We need to find something to harness the energy of. Something that would preferably last forever.

Johnson: Something that lasts forever? How’s that possible.

Dr. Toast: There are many relics to be found. The project I’m currently working on could even be infinite!

Fukuda: Sorry, Toast. But we aren’t interested in human experiments.

Yelena Maxim: We are scientists. We could create something with infinite energy.

Fukuda: I suppose. There is one more thing I want to touch on before this is over. I’m getting old. I’m perhaps the oldest person here. I brought Talia here for another reason. She is a talented young woman, and I would like her to succeed me as leader of Project Velocity Zero.

Talia looked up in surprise, she was to succeed Fukuda? How?

Talia: Jun, are you serious?

Fukuda: Of course. This old man needs to retire. I believe you have what it takes.

Most of the people in the room seemed skeptical.

Fukuda: This new energy needs to last longer than what we are using. Something that lasts hundreds of years. That’s the type of energy we need. I will leave all my notes for all B.L.A.D.E personnel in the research and technological advancement department. Let us create a perfect world.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Fukuda opened a door, and Talia followed behind. She walked into their house. It was incredibly futuristic. There were tons of trophies on the shelves.

Fukuda: Talia, how do you feel?

Talia: This…This is insane. I know you’re getting old, Jun. But why pick me?

Fukuda: I had an inside man. That man, Johnson. He thinks you’re technology is groundbreaking. I also found this.

Fukuda took out a small cylinder. He pressed a button and threw it in the air. It sprouted into a large, egg shaped robot. Which floated in the air.

Talia: Helix!

The robot came down to Talia and scanned her. It huddled up next to her. To scanned Jun, and flew over to him. It huddled next to him too.

Fukuda: It knows who it can trust. This is impressive, Talia. How did you do it?

Talia: Well, It was just something I did in my freetime. I don’t really like hanging out with people, honestly. Everyone’s so bland. Robots can do whatever I want them to. They can be whatever I want them to be.

Fukuda: Inspiring. Don’t let yourself become a social outcast though. Your new job also requires proper communication. Now, let us celebrate!

Talia: Thank you, Jun.

Fukuda: Talia, you are the closest thing to a daughter I could ask for. And you are brilliant. Why wouldn’t I want you as my predecessor? I know you will make me proud. You’ll make everyone at B.L.A.D.E proud.

## E2 - Best Friends

**7 Years Later, 2047**

Talia was spinning in a chair. She was clicking a pen. She was in a large, high-tech lab. There were tons of things she had made. They all looked like unidentifiable parts. However, she did have some car motors and crystals littered throughout the lab. She jumped off the chair and went over to the fridge. There was a sticker that read “hello, my name is Talia”, with her name written in cursive. She grabbed a drink and went back to her work station. Talia wore a blue sweater under her white labcoat with her last name “Labes” chiseled out on a nametag. She wore long black pants that were wide at the bottom. With dress shoes. Her hair was tied up high on her head, her hair was dirty blonde and frizzy, especially where she had it tied.

Talia: Perfect world…Perfect world…

Talia put on a welding helmet and continued to work on a project. It was a small aloy that she was creating. She was making some sort of bracket. There was an alloy next to her. It was glowing bright blue. It had a label on it. “Durian”. She heard someone walk into the room as she finished. She saw America's chairman, Johnson.

Talia: Eddy!

Talia looked at Eddy with glee. She went over to him, and they did some complicated, nerdy handshake and hugged.

Talia: You’re back! I wasn’t expecting you back as soon. How was France?

Eddy: I hate that Barbeau guy. He’s an asshole.

Talia: No doubt.

Eddy: He thinks he’s the shit. Just pisses me off. I think he thinks I’m some basic, dumb american.

Talia: Hey, it’s what you look like. I don’t blame him.

Eddy: Yeah, at least you look the part. Nerd!

Talia: Hey, whose the one who spends late nights here? Remember a couple months ago? You fell asleep at your workstation and nearly set yourself on fire! Or when that girl broke up with you, and you got all drunk. You created like 50 Durian alloys.

Eddy: Not my fault I work better when I’m drunk. Too bad my tolerance is so high.

Talia: Did you see anything cool over in France?

Eddy: Nah, not really. It’s the fifth time I’ve been there. Check it out, though. I brought you some food!

Talia: What?

Eddy: A really long baguette!

Eddy took out a nearly 5 feet long baguette.

Eddy: We should probably split this, huh?

Talia: Yeah! I’m not eating all of that!

Eddy: It’s good, I promise.

Talia: So, I’m working on more Durian alloys.

Eddy: Why are you still working on more alloys? We have enough to power this thing for another 5 years if we need to.

Talia: I don’t know how close we are to finding another source of energy. So we have to build more. One alloy will realistically last a day! That’s why we need to make so many! You know this.

Eddy: Yes, yes I do. Don’t get bent out of shape. But you’re anti-gravity tech is remarkable. Keep working on that. I will take care of the alloys for right now.

Talia: I should help. We still need to make more.

Eddy: How about this? We shall make some alloys together, but the second part of the night, you get to work on your projects.

Talia: …Alright. I can agree on that.

Eddy and Talia worked together on their projects. They did it almost unconsciously. Talking and working together like a well-oiled machine. They went over to a door, and Talia inputted a code. Eddy had a large sack of Durian alloys. A large room opened. Only created for storing Durian. They put the Durian where it belonged, in little compartments to be stored in the room. All for the future of Volantes. They went back to their work station. Where there were 10 Durian alloys.

Eddy: Come on! Break them out!

Talia: Okay, okay.

Talia took out some boots from her workshop. She put them on her workspace.

Eddy: Are you going to try them?

Talia: Yeah. Alright, here goes nothing.

Talia took off her shoes and socks, and put on the futuristic-looking boots.

Eddy: Here.

Eddy handed her a Durian Alloy. She placed it in an empty space in her boots. They powered up with a blue aura. There was a wire that ran to Talia’s hand. Where she wore a glove that had a button inside of it. She held the button. She started to levitate, and lost her balance, but quickly regained it.

Talia: Hey! Check it out! It’s working!

She went higher.

Eddy: Try and move.

Talia tried to step in mid-air with her boots. The weight started getting shaky, and she was flipped upside-down. She let go of the button, and they stopped glowing. She fell to the ground. Eddy walked towards her, but they reactivated, and she was sent across the floor into a pile of scraps. Eddy rushed over to her and took the boots off.

Talia: Ugh…These things suck! Why’d they reactivate?

Eddy: Don’t get mad, looks like you need to account for the weight more.

Talia composed herself.

Talia: Durian’s unstable…I need to go back to square one. I need to work on the conduction.

Eddy: Yeah. Hey, it’s okay. We can work on it sometime this week.

Talia: Yeah. Thanks, dude.

Eddy: It’s late. We should call it a day.

Talia: Yeah. I’m going to clean up. You can head out. We should work on those more tomorrow!

Eddy: Hey, I know you lose track of time, but there’s no work tomorrow. We don’t have to come in.

Talia: Shit, yeah. You’re right. Maybe we can hang out like normal.

Eddy: Haha, what?

Talia: We can hang out like normal. What?

Eddy: You don’t know what tomorrow is?

Talia: It’s the weekend?

Eddy: It’s your birthday! Your 21st birthday! You must be working yourself to death. You forgot your own birthday.

Talia: Yeah, I guess it is my birthday.

Eddy: We should do something fun.

Talia: Ah, we’ll talk about it tomorrow.

Eddy: Hey, you go home. You’re injured. I can handle cleaning up.

Talia: Are you sure?

Eddy: You should probably check out your head.

Talia: It’s nothing bad.

Eddy: You call it a night. I’ll clean up.

Talia: No, no. You just got back from a long trip. Let me take care of this, okay? Please? I might work on things a little bit more.

Eddy: Are you sure? You’ve been working by yourself the whole time.

Talia: No! No! It’s fine. I promise.

Eddy: Okay, okay.

## E3 - Zero

Talia woke up in the morning. She was laying in her desk. She woke up, and felt her arm. It was on fire. She got startled awake immediately and patted herself down. She turned around, there was a pad on the floor. She stood on the pad, and was teleported to her house. It was the same house she had lived with Fukuda in. His trophies were collecting dust. She got dressed and went into Fukuda’s old room. There was a large bed, a TV, and pictures of people he loved. There was a katana on the wall above his bed. As well as gadgets he had made throughout the years. She sat there, it was like she was sitting with him again.

Talia: Jun. I’m 21 now! I can drink.

Talia poured two glasses of whiskey. She placed a glass of whiskey on his night table. She clinked the glass.

Talia: I know you would wanna drink to this.

She drank to Jun’s honor. Talia got a knock at her door. She went over to her front door and opened it.

Eddy: Happy Birthday!

Talia: Ha, thanks.

Eddy: You just got up, huh?

Talia: Yeah, pretty much.

Eddy: Hey, come outside.

Talia stepped outside with Eddy. Her house was low to the ground, and they stepped up some stairs to get outside. All the houses were similar, like they had buried under the ground. Their roofs were slanted over, like you could walk on them. Eddy drove a van around with lettering on it of a business he ran on the side. “Johnson’s stickers”. He opened the door to the van. There was a wrapped present.

Talia: What’s this?

Eddy: Open it!

Talia: You know I don’t really like surprises.

Eddy: Come on!

Talia opened the present. There was a watch, an expensive watch nonetheless. That kept track of her vital signs. It also had a small comlink that you could put in your ear.

Eddy: I figured you’d want something practical. Something you can use in your everyday life. Check it out. I’ve got one too. Which I synced up. I could be across the world, and you could’ve found a breakthrough. You could tell me about it then and there! But hey, don’t thank me yet. Look in there.

Talia looked in the present more. There was a game system with some games.

Eddy: I also remembered seeing you around Jun. You always had that handheld gaming system with you. You always liked the one with the flying girls. Apparently a second game came out for the new system.

Talia: Wow Eddy…Thanks. You didn’t have to do all of this for me.

Eddy: Of course I did. It’s your birthday. I always have to do right by my friends.

Talia: Hey, we should go grab something to eat.

Eddy: You wanna go somewhere?

Talia: Uh, takeout please? Maybe we can go to that spot underground.

Eddy: Yeah. That sounds good. What do you want?

Talia: Maybe some seahawk’s chicken?

Eddy: Yeah, that sounds pretty good right about now.

Talia’s phone started to go off.

Eddy: Hey. whose that?

Talia showed Eddy her phone. It was B.L.A.D.E

Eddy: Seriously? It’s our off day. Why do they need to be calling us?

Talia: Ugh. It could be important.

Talia picked up the phone. It was Zero. The man who she had first met at the council meeting.

Zero: Talia. I need you to come here. Bring Eddy.

Talia: Are you going to tell me why?

Zero: It’s urgent, and is important to you. Meet me here.

Talia: Okay, okay.

Talia hung up.

Talia: This is annoying. He wants us to come there for a little while. ‘Cause “it’s urgent”.

Eddy: Well, it could be urgent. Let’s just go. We’ll still have the entire day to ourselves.

Talia: Yeah, let’s go.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Talia and Eddy arrived at B.L.A.D.E. Zero was standing in front of their laboratory. Talia felt it. Like she had years ago. A sinking feeling in her chest.

Zero: Hello, Talia. I’m here to introduce to you, Taskforce Zero. Your protectors.

Two girls and a man were standing behind Zero. The man was tall, lanky and muscular. He had spiked black hair and a leather jacket with a fur hood. He wore a belt and long black jeans coming down to his boots. Which shimmered in the light. It looked like they were made of steel. The girl closest to Zero glowed blue. Unlike the man, she had a gleeful presence to her. She wore some sort of leggings that glowed blue, and so did a reactor in her chest. She floated slightly above ground, and her long white hair seemed like it lost all sense of gravity. The other girl had a katana inside of its sheath, and she was short. Even shorter than Talia. She had heterochromia. One eye was purple and the other was a darker brown. She wore a big sweatshirt and shorts. The sweatshirt was shades of black and purple. She had her hood up.

Zero: Meet JB, Alpha, and Eden. This is a special taskforce assigned to erase any threat that may arise.

JB: I’ll destroy anything that comes my way.

Alpha: We’re finally able to be active Zero? This is my master, Zero. If you do anything to hurt him, we’ll kill you!

Zero: Not them. I called you here, Talia. Because I need something from you.

Talia: What’s that?

Zero: Durian. I’ve borrowed some of B.L.A.D.E’s. You are an expert. I can at least credit you for that. I need some of your Durian.

Talia: How much?

Zero: Half.

Talia: Half?! For what? You need half to run a taskforce of 3 people?!

Zero: This is Taskforce Zero. There will be more. Durian will help me give them upgrades to their power. My metas will be unstoppable.

Talia: If it really is to protect Volantes, then I can put my faith in B.L.A.D.E.

Zero: Yes, of course you can.

Eddy: It looks like all our work hasn’t been for nothing. We’ve already got so much Durian we don’t even know what to do with it!

Zero: Than it seems this agreement will not be a problem.

Talia: I think I’ll need to talk to some of the higher ups. Then I’ll tell you if it’s okay.

Zero: If that is how it’s going to be then so be it. I can wait.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Talia and Eddy were walking away from B.L.A.D.E.

Talia: I just can’t help but feel…That guy is such an asshole! He clearly thinks of us as his minions. He wants half of our durian! That dude is shady. He makes me feel…anxious.

Eddy: He’s definitely an asshole. I never liked him. Always about furthering our military reach. As if we don’t have an amazing military already.

Talia: It’s just frustrating. That guy grinds my gears.

Eddy: Yeah, I see why. But hey! Let’s go do something fun for the rest of the day! It’s your birthday.

Talia: Yeah, you’re right. Screw that guy.

## E4 - Jun’s Tape

Talia walked up to her houses’ front door. It was night, she was exhausted. She typed in her birth month and pin number, and her door slid open. She walked in, and heard something. It was coming from Fukuda’s room. A wave a worry came over Talia, but also a wave of complete confusion. She went into Fukuda’s room. It wasn’t anything. There was no noise. Then she heard it again. His TV turned on, it was all static. Then a video recording started to play. It read a date at the bottom left that Talia knew all too well. Fukuda was in the center of the screen.

Fukuda: Talia. I presume you are 21 by the viewing of this recording. I wanted to wait until you were of age, until you were old enough to…be able to act on this, the people, the goliath of a collective consciousness you’re working for, B.L.A.D.E is not who you think they are. I want you to be increasingly suspicious of them. I want you to listen carefully to every word they tell you. Trust your intellect, but over your intellect. Trust your emotions.

Talia: What…?

Fukuda: Remember the story I told you about the old samurai? Naoto Ohtani? He was the strongest samurai in his clan. The king. There were samurai within his clan who kept getting stronger. He’d keep an eye on them. Once they got strong enough, he’d fight them, and kill them. Or even send his most trusted individuals to fight them for him. It’s controlling power. He was always the strongest. Because nobody could come even close to his power.

Talia: Jun…

Fukuda: They only care about power and control. They will control you, and keep controlling you for their own gain until you die. I’m sorry Talia. I failed as a mentor. I forced you into a life of submission. Volantes isn’t a great city. It’s a weapon. My words aren’t enough, so go to these coordinates. This is where they would’ve moved their base to. I don’t have much time. Their going to kill me. Because I’ve almost matched the power of Naoto Ohtani.

The tape stopped rolling. Talia was frozen.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Talia woke up in the morning. She hadn’t gotten any sleep. She looked at the watch Eddy had gotten her. It was going off. He was calling.

Eddy: Ed to Talia! This is Ed to Talia!

Talia chuckled.

Talia: Hi Eddy.

Eddy: I need help at communications! We’re being overrun! The durian! It’s…Too much!

Talia: …

Eddy: What’s wrong?

Talia: I think I need to take the day off.

Eddy: Did something happen? You seemed fine yesterday.

Talia: I know. I’m fine. I just uhm…Have some family things I need to work out. It was sudden. Sorry.

Eddy: Aw, okay. Sorry partner. I hope things turn out okay. I’m going to make some more durian alloys, okay?

Talia: I think you should actually work on something of your own today.

Eddy: Oh? Are you sure?

Talia: We’ve made enough durian. Do something that you love. It’s why we got this job. To do things we love.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Talia was standing at Jun’s gravestone.

Talia: Did they really kill you? Is that what this was all about? I remember the days you were gone. Jun…

Talia thought about what happened two years ago. She hadn’t seen Jun in weeks before he passed. There was an air of mystery around what really happened to him. But she hadn’t dwelled on it. It was said that he died in an accident while refilling the durian tanks. But Talia couldn’t help but doubt this now. Because of what he said, it couldn’t be an accident. Talia stayed at home and watched the tape over and over again. She wrote down the coordinates Fukuda gave her.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Zero was sitting in a chair in a dark room illuminated by monitor and computer screens. There were tons of cameras everywhere. Cameras hidden everywhere throughout Volantes. He was watching Talia in her room. Watching Jun’s tape. He watched her frantically taking notes. He saw her writing numbers down. But he couldn’t make out what they said. He even saw numbers on the screen. But he couldn’t make them out. The TV in Jun’s room was too old.

Zero: Wow…Still outdoing me, even after his death. I know I can’t make you pay Jun, but your apprentice is getting too close to finding the truth.

He watched as Talia took out her phone and called someone. Zero got a call on his phone.

Zero: Uh, hello? Who is this?

He watched Talia stand up, with flames in her eyes.

Talia: Hi Zero. This is Talia Labes. You spoke to me yesterday.

Zero: Yes. I believe I did.

Talia: About durian. I want to schedule a meeting. Where we can work out the terms of this agreement.

Zero: That sounds great. I would like to speak to you about that. For the progression of mankind.

Talia: Mankind?

Zero saw Talia softly punch the wall.

Zero: That’s right. Meet me in room 54 tomorrow. How does that sound?

Talia: Great.

Zero: I look forward to it. How does 8 sound?

Talia: That sounds great.

Zero placed his hands together. He was wearing a long black coat and an orange suit with a tie. He placed his hands in front of his face and clasped them. He wore glasses that were reflecting off the light. He watched Talia hang up. Then he saw her go to her computer. He watched her type endlessly. He chuckled and walked away.

## E5 - The Underground Base

Talia was laying on her bed. She was looking at the agreement for durian she had printed out. Her heart was beating out of her chest thinking about showing it to Zero.

Talia: I’ve never done this before. Why did I want to do this? I’m no good at confronting people! Or even meetings! God…! I have to do it though…For Jun! Speaking of…

Talia was looking at the coordinates she had written down. It was early in the morning.

Talia: I have time before our meeting. Just a peek…I should take this.

Talia went to her closet and took out some sort of pads that were big enough for her to stand on. She grabbed a backpack and threw them in. She had the coordinates on her phone. She followed them closely to where she wanted to go. Walking, and walking. Talia wondered why she was even doing this. She could just go back to her normal life. No. That isn’t how she wanted to live. She didn’t want to live a life of submission. That’s what it was in her eyes. A life of submission. Talia believed that she was doing what she was doing for a cause. To keep the great Volantes afloat. She was part of the crew that helped it fly. But now…What if that wasn’t it’s only purpose. Jun believed the same thing as her. She kept moving. That was all she could do now. Talia got to where the coordinates told her to go.

Talia: (What? It’s…It’s nothing! There’s nothing here!)

Talia looked close at her phone. It was where she was supposed to be. She went to put it away, but dropped it. It fell on the ground. But instead of a thud, there was the clanging of metal. She looked down. Her phone was gone. She looked closer, there was part of a gate of some kind right under her. She found a notch in the ground, and pulled it aside. There was a key for a thumbprint. Talia gulped. She pressed her thumb down, and the door opened.

Talia: (Yes! All those times Eddy nagged security to get access to everything he had access to really paid off!)

Talia took out one of the pads she had. She placed one right by the trap-door. Talia jumped down, and the gate closed above her. She looked around, and was discombobulated by the many beeping lights around the room. She walked around the small room. There were models of weapons everywhere. Large guns. Like weapons of war. Talia saw an open computer. The password was locked. But there was a flash drive plugged into it.

Talia: (There’s probably stuff I don’t wanna see on there. I don’t have to take it. But…I have to. I have to know what’s going on. If this is sensitive information.)

Talia turned around. She turned on the light to the room. She gasped. In the center wall of the room, there was a realistic diagram of Volantes. Talia realized, there were tons of weapons attached to the bottom of Volantes. There were some words. “Project Seahawk”.

Talia: Is this…No…! I-I need to get out of here.

Talia put down one of the pads. She stepped on it, and she was teleported back to where she went in. She still had the thumbdrive. She stuffed it in her wallet, and then stuffed it in her bag.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Talia walked to room 54. There was a girl guarding the room. It was Alpha.

Alpha: Hey! Who are you?

Talia: I’m Talia Labes.

Alpha: And?

Talia: H-Here to…For a meeting with General Zero.

Alpha: Oh! Nice to meet you again.

Alpha shook her hand.

Alpha: Sweaty palms…Stammering. You’re anxious. Mr. Zero’s gonna eat you alive. Hopefully he’ll leave me leftovers. Zero’s so nice…He gives me more food than JB and Eden. Because I’m the best!

Talia: Okay…Can I go inside now?

Alpha: Good luck!

Talia walked into the meeting room. She saw Zero at the head of the table.

Zero: Nice to see you could make it Talia.

Talia: Here.

Talia put down her agreement forms. She slid them to Zero. He picked them up.

Zero: This is not the agreed on percent. I said 50%. Your little form here says 10%. That is not enough for me. I need 50% so my taskforces can have something to rely on. Not a sad 10%!

Talia thought about project seahawk. What else could durian be used for offensively. 50% of everything that she makes is gigantic. That could power weapons. Mass amounts of weapons. She swallowed her fear with this in mind.

Talia: Where are all these taskforces. Don’t you have forms for them too?

Zero: Yes, yes I do.

Talia: So show them to me.

Zero scoffed.

Zero: You are much below my paygrade. You aren’t high enough to see that kind of information. I don’t think a little girl like this understands. You are useless by yourself! You are mine. You make my weapons, you make B.L.A.D.E’s supplies and weapons as well. Keep in line and do what you were told. This is all nonsense, so keep doing what you’re supposed to doing. Keep doing your nonsense! If you stop, just know. There is a perfect flow to the nonsense. You will be swept away. You will die. Give me 50%, or I will not assist you. Or better, you will be charged a fee for disobeying direct orders from a B.L.A.D.E general. So get back in line. Do your job, and we can all go back to our normal lives. Stop being nuisance.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Talia walked out of the conference room with her head down. Alpha watched her walk out.

Alpha: How’d it go? I presume you lost. Mr. Zero never loses.

Talia didn’t respond. She kept walking. What was the point of this? Did she expect this to go well? Nobody would help her. Nobody was there for her. Talia suddenly felt a stabbing pain in her leg. She looked down, and saw a tranquilizer dart in her. She lost consciousness suddenly, everything went black. She fell down.

## E6 - Falling

Talia woke up somewhere. She was locked down in a bed. She was staring at the stars, a window was over her. She felt numb. Her heart sank. What is this place? Where was she? What…What happened? She could barely remember what happened.

Talia: Zero…I was in a meeting with Zero! How did this…

Talia got startled when she looked up. She saw someone looking out the window with their hands crossed. It was JB. He looked down at Talia.

JB: You’re up.

Talia: Hey, are you gonna take me outta here? Who the hell chained me down to this bed?

JB: I did. You must stay there.

Talia: What? What’s wrong with you? Why would you chain me here?!

JB: I didn’t chain you down because I wanted to. But it was a necessary evil. You know sensitive information. As a taskforce, it’s our job to snuff out anything that would hurt us or B.L.A.D.E. You trespassed on secret, sacred land. Now you are at his mercy.

Talia: What? Who?

JB: You clearly haven’t recovered your memory then.

Talia: Who are you, again?

JB: Jakariojudson Blaischlegelsteinhausenbergerdorff. Or JB for short.

Talia: …You’re one of Zero’s people…I didn’t trespass anywhere! I don’t know what you’re talking about!

JB: That’s folly. You know it.

The window above Talia turned into a screen. It showed footage of her inside the secret base. It showed her turning on the light, and seeing project seahawk.

JB: That is top secret material. You aren’t supposed to be down there.

Zero walked into the room.

Zero: Leave us.

JB walked out of the room.

Zero: People like you can’t be around. I’ve had my eye on you. It’s funny that Jun is still a pain. Even in the afterlife. But it doesn’t matter. You can’t fill half his shoes. Sure, you have the talent. You can make all kinds of things! But you do not have the social skills to lead that department. Making you the new lead of the department is the worst mistake he made in his life.

Talia looked like she wanted to say something. She was stunned.

Zero: What’s wrong? Do you have something to say. If you have something to say, say it to my face!

Talia just wanted to leave this place. She wanted to curl in a ball. Zero was in her face. Barking at her.

Zero: All you new kids are so privileged! You all think you deserve these high-paying positions. But the reality is that you’re a spoiled piece of shit who just wants to live without working for it.

Talia: I worked for what I have…!

Zero: Where’s your rebuttal? Nothing! You can’t speak to my face, nevermind present to a department! Why do you think Johnson picks up your slack? You’re pathetic.

Talia: Shut up. Don’t talk about Eddy like that.

Zero: Maybe demand me to do it. Maybe I’ll listen next time. Well…Nevermind that. I don’t think that will be necessary. Either way, I have to be rid of you. You’re too much of a problem child.

Zero took out a tranquilizer. He stabbed Talia in the neck.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Talia woke up, she felt the cold breeze of the open air hitting her hard. There was on;y one time she had felt this. When she was on the edge of Volantes. She was chained by the feet and knees. So she was locked at her knees. She could only stand by her knees. Into nothingness. Then into the cold night sky. As Zero ripped off the bag that was over her head.

Zero: You’ve seen enough. Your connection to Jun alone made me hate you. Made me want to do something like this forever. I mean, it really is nothing personal. You have to die. Goodbye.

Zero put his boot on Talia’s back. He started to push her.

Talia: If…If you’re going to kill me, shoot me in the head or something!

Zero: That’d be a waste of bullets.

Zero pushed Talia off the ledge of Volantes. She wanted to scream. But she couldn’t. It was like her life flashed before her eyes. Falling hundreds of feet. She thought of Eddy, and thought about Jun. Her only people in her life. She wanted to be mad at Jun for leaving her that tape. The ground was getting closer. But she couldn’t help but think about him. Talia felt like dead air. It proved that he trusted her. The ground inched closer and closer. How could he trust her? Talia felt like it was taking years and years to fall. What makes him think that? She felt like it was taking years to die. He had seen how she performed. How could someone in their right mind trust her to do that for them? Talia hit the ground. Everything instantly vanished.

## E7 - Scythe The Ranger

Eden was lying in a bathtub. Soaking in the water. She had her eyes closed, and her short blonde hair was almost marinating in the water. There was a CD in a player next to her playing quiet music. She dunked her head under the water. Just so her eyes and nose were poking out. So the music sounded muffled to her. She then dunked her head even further. Looking up through the water. She closed her eyes, and started to let go. She started to let herself sink into the abyss. It felt nice. Someone burst through the door.

Zero: Get out of the bath! Your time’s up by 5 minutes! What the fuck is wrong with you?

Zero came over to the bath and grabbed Eden by the arm and dragged her out. He dragged her out into the cold, and threw her in the snow.

Zero: Put on some fucking clothes! You know your boy JB? Now he doesn’t get to bathe because of you. Learn your fucking place next time and stay in line.

Eden stood there. She didn’t say anything. She looked at JB. Who sat down, uncaring.

Eden: Sorry, JB.

JB: Not a problem.

Eden: No, really. I’m sorry. It’s the only time we get to ourselves. I just ruined it for you.

JB: Like I said. Drop it. It’s okay.

Eden: Are you sure.

JB smiled. He grabbed Eden’s hand and nodded to her.

Zero came up to them.

Zero: Hey! You two! Come here. I have a mission for you. There’s one more member I need to complete this taskforce. One who succeeds in everything that you don't. The only drawback being their automated mind. Your scouter says everything you need to know.

Eden: Is Alpha coming?

Zero: Yes, but only as a scout for me. We are still waiting on her durian alloy.

JB: Of course, use that as an excuse.

Zero: Don’t give me an attitude. Remember what I can do.

Eden: Let’s go, JB.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Eden, JB and Alpha were walking towards a distant laboratory.

Alpha: And then Zero got me this bracelet! See! I bet he doesn’t do that for you!

Eden: Of course not. He hates me. Why does he think we need someone new? I don’t get this.

Alpha was walking behind JB and Eden. She was taking notes on what they were saying.

JB: Why the hell do you have a notebook?

Alpha: I have to keep a log on what you’re saying, obviously. We’re out of range here. You two are troublemakers!

Eden: Yeah, and you’re a suck-up.

Alpha: Hey, I can tell Zero!

Eden: We still have to protect you, y’know. There’s going to be dangerous things in here. You’d probably rather stay outside.

Alpha: I…I would.

JB: Thought you liked to face problems head-on. With all that power of yours.

Alpha: Right now I’m drained! Zero told you!

JB: Don’t act like you have all this power. We’ll be out with what we need.

Alpha: Okay…Erm. Be careful.

Alpha didn’t write that part in her notebook. JB and Eden walked into the factory. Eden took out a flashlight. The room was run-down.

Eden: This is a factory from the war. So many of them were foreclosed on. This one’s just…Dead.

JB: Not quite.

There was a capsule with something huge locked inside. It was a large, red and black robotic monster. Twice the size of JB. It had large shoulder pads and legs and feet the size of 5 human heads. It’s hands were mechanized claws, and it had two cannons on it’s back. The robot had piercing red “eyes”.

Eden: Woah…

JB: Don’t get close.

It started to glow red and green, and the capsule was blasted open. JB tackled Eden out of the way.

JB: Stay here! You’ll be safe.

The robot was in the center of the room. It’s hands were now replaced with minigun barrels. It started to fire at JB. He jumped around the room, narrowly dodging the metallic monster’s gunfire.

Robot: Must eradicate all metahuman entities!

JB: Seriously, Zero?!

JB took out a sword that doubled as a gun. He blocked some gunfire and closed in. He slashed one of the barrels off. The robot slammed it’s metal fist into JB’s stomach, Sending him up into the floor. It shot him in the chest, sending him across the floor. JB got up, angry. A purple glow started to show around him. The robot readied one of the cannon’s on it’s shoulder. The robot approached JB. He stopped glowing, and jumped towards the robot.

Eden: Stop!

Eden watched in amazement as the robot hesitated. JB jumped towards it. Eden drew her blade and jumped in.

Eden: Hey! Stop! That thing listened to me! Did you see?

JB: Zero probably just sent us here to die!

Eden: Just stop. Give me a sec.

She went over to the robot. She held out her hand. It robotically moved it's hand over her hand, and rested it lightly.

Eden: Hey. We aren't here to hurt you. You just scared us when you started attacking.

Robot: My programming says I must eradicate any metahuman in my way.

Eden: Well you can ignore that. We are from B.L.A.D.E. You trust them, right?

Robot: My creators are B.L.A.D.E. I was created to fight in the war. Query: Where is the closest battlefield?

Eden: There is none. The war is over.

Robot: Then my programming is obsolete.

Eden: How about we make a truce not to hurt each other. Come on, bring it in!

JB: What?

Eden grabbed JB's hand and made him join hands with the robot. She put her hand in the middle. Eden, JB and the Robot walked out of the facility. Alpha stood up, she had fallen asleep.

Eden: You seriously fell asleep?

Robot: Must destroy hostiles.

The robot made it’s hand into a gun and aimed it at Alpha.

Eden: She’s a friend too!

JB: Hey, what’s your name?

Robot: I am S-365. Part of the Juggernaut series that was commissioned by the organization B.L.A.D.E.

Eden: That’s a dumb name. What does his file say?

Alpha: Scythe the Ranger.

Eden: Alright then, Scythe it is. Thanks for being part of our team!

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Eden and JB were showering in the communal showers. It was what had to happen after every mission, they were to “decontaminate” themselves.

JB: You really think that robot has feelings? How the hell does a robot have feelings.

Eden: I don’t know. How did you not see it? I saw it stop when I yelled out. That was targeted towards you, and you didn’t stop.

JB: That thing was hostile. I thought it was just another test by Zero. Another monster he’d use to see if we could still survive.

Eden: You’re paranoid.

JB: No. I’m careful. Don’t give me that. Just…How can an android ever have feelings? Who would even program them with feelings? It was said that it was commissioned. So it was built by an independent scientist. Someone who wasn’t part of B.L.A.D.E. I want to find them..

Eden: That would be for another day, partner. In the meantime, lets celebrate the passing of another day.

JB: Yeah.

JB and Eden fistbumped.

## E8 - Transformation

Talia opened her eyes. She was startled by water dripping on her face. She put her hand out to block the water. She felt like she was half-way there. She felt almost…drowsy. She couldn’t move most of her body. She put her other hand down, since it started to get tired. She tried putting her other hand up, a pain shot up her arm. She tried to sit up. But she couldn’t. She lifted her head slightly and looked around. She looked down at her legs. She couldn’t see much, but she could see her feet. Or…what looked like feet. Talia’s heart sank. Her feet looked cybernetic. Like they had been replaced by a robot. She looked over at her arm that was in pain. She saw her hand was replaced with a cybernetic hand, however, wasn’t fully on. Talia screamed out in pain and confusion. Someone rushed into the room.

???: Don’t scream, alright? Y’know. I told my therapist I wished it would rain women. I should’ve specified, hot women.

Talia: Who the fuck are you? Don’t touch me!

???: Roger Pita, and I can’t not touch you. Not when you tried moving around.

Roger was a skinny man with blonde hair, His face had sharp features and he had light blue eyes. He wore a yellow jacket and scrubs a nurse would wear. He had black boots on. Talia realized one of his arms was black with yellow markings on it. His whole arm was cybernetic.

Roger adjusted Talia’s cybernetic hand. She winced.

Roger: It’s going to hurt. Don’t scream.

Roger grabbed Talia’s cybernetic hand.

Roger: I’m going to make the last weld. So it’s going to hurt.

Talia: Why not put me back to sleep?

Roger: It was better when you were in a coma.

Roger took out a torch of some kind. He grabbed a wire of some kind and brought it to a plate that had been installed where Talia’s hand used to be. He brought the torch down and made some welds on Talia. She groaned and winced.

Roger: There, is that better? I wouldn’t try to move that hand.

Talia: Where am I? What did you do?

Roger: I fixed you up. I appreciate the thanks. Do you want to see your new body?

Talia: My new…body?

A mirror came down over Talia. She was able to see herself in full. She was only in her bra. So she saw where all the cuts and incisions were made. At her waist, she wasn’t human anymore. She was an android. She had long robotic legs. One of her arms was normal. While the other was now a robotic hand. Talia was horrified of what she had become.

Talia: What the…What’d you do to me?!

Roger: See? This is why I hate people like you. So spoiled.

Talia: How do you know who I am?

Roger: Your wallet. Either way, I fixed up your legs. You’ll have to get used to walking on them, and you probably won’t be able to walk for a while. Your leg “nerves” need to get their strength back.

Talia: I…Haven’t been on real ground in 10 years.

Roger: Your from that giant flying tourist trap?

Talia: I’m a scientist! A B.L.A.D.E scientist!

Roger: Yeah, and I’m the president of the United States. I’m going back inside. Maybe try and walk around a little. Here.

Roger gave Talia the TV remote.

Talia: Fucking seriously…

Talia turned on the TV. She had nothing better to do.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

The next day

Talia was awoken by a knock at the door. She decided she had the strength. She rested one of her legs on the ground. She stumbled across the floor. She grabbed onto the side of the wall. She saw the door from the garage to Roger’s house was open. It led to Roger’s front door. She saw him talking to someone. It was a girl. Roger came up to the door.

Roger: Hey! Penny!

Penny: Hi, nice to meet you, Roger.

Talia looked at Penny. She was what one would consider “society’s standard” of a woman.

Roger: Wanna come in? I’ll show you around!

Penny: Oh, okay.

Roger: So this is my living room, it’s where the magic ha…

Talia heard Roger drone on as they walked away. Talia got this sense of annoyance. She didn’t consider herself good in social situations. But she could read situations like a book. She was disgusted by Roger’s intentions. Maybe it was her bias, considering she had seen it over and over, except for with Eddy. She only saw men trying to get in bed with women like Penny. What was there to like? She was clearly a dunce. She heard Roger walk back over. She heard him trying to keep up a conversation. Penny seemed bored.

Penny: Hey, is this your garage?

Roger: Uhm, you don’t need to go-

Penny peeked in the garage, and saw Talia.

Penny: Whose that?

Roger: Oh! That’s just my annoying roommate. We don’t talk much. My Mom made me keep her over. She couldn’t find a house. She’s…homeless. She actually immigrated from china!

Talia didn’t say anything. She felt anxious, looking at this new person.

Penny: You know, Roger. I went to this awesome party a couple weeks ago with someone who looked like her. With all those robotic parts.

Roger: You…Like parties?

Penny: Yeah! I love parties!

Roger: Oh, well I’m actually having a party tomorrow! It’s gonna be awesome. You can come if you want.

Penny: Oh really? I’ll be there. I have to go though. I have to meet my Dad for dinner.

Roger: Oh, okay. I’ll see you then!

Penny: You want to message me the info later?

Roger: Yeah! Sure.

Penny walked out of the house. Talia looked at Roger in disgust.

Roger: Hey, so…I never had a real party. I completely pulled that out of my ass! Oh god! What am I gonna do?

Talia: I’m not all good at talking to people. So you’re talking to the wrong person.

Roger: Come on! Can you help me set up for the party? I bet I could set up for it. I just need a little help. Help me! Please!

Talia: You…want me to help? I can’t even walk!

Roger: Just help me out, please!

Talia: …Okay. I’ll help.

Roger: Let’s take a trip to Best Try.

Talia: Okay. You’re gonna have to…

Roger: Yeah! I know. I’m gonna have to wheel you around. Come on.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Roger wheeled Talia around the store. She was choosing most of the decorations.

Talia: My best friend likes this type of wine. I bet people at your party will like it.

Roger: Hey, why don’t you try and stand up? Try and walk around.

Talia: No thank you.

Roger: Come on! Give it a try!

Talia: No. I don’t want to be embarrassed.

Roger: You woman. Why are you so afraid of being embarrassed? Just give it a try!

Talia: Fine, but I’m only doing it cause you’re annoying me.

Talia tried to stand up. She steadied herself and started to walk forward.

Talia: Hey, this isn’t so bad.

Talia tried to grab some food for their party. But she felt her legs go numb, and she fell to the ground.

Roger: Shit! Let me help you!

Roger grabbed Talia’s hand.

Talia: You’re going to need to grab a lot more than my hand to get me up.

Roger picked Talia up, and lifted her onto the wheelchair.

Talia: Ugh. I don’t wanna do this. Let’s just get it over with.

Roger: Ha, it was just a little fall. Nothing to get all bent out of shape out of. You’ve survived longer falls.

Talia: You’re so funny. Can’t you hear me laughing?

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

They got back to Roger’s house.

Talia: Wow…It really has been so long since I’ve been on actual ground. It feels so weird…

Roger: Man, my place is still kinda a mess. Can you help me clean up?

Talia: Do you mind if I voice a concern of mine?

Roger: What? Just go ahead.

Talia: That girl you invited over. You just want to sleep with her, don’t you? I…I’m kinda disgusted.

Roger: Oh…I didn’t know that was what you thought…Sorry for being hard on you.

Roger helped Talia back to the bed she had been laying on. She watched as Roger did a deep cleaning of the garage. She didn’t get why he was doing this. He was quiet, too. She tried to stand up, and slowly moved around the garage, she grabbed some trash and put it in the garbage.

Roger: You should be laying down.

Talia: Nah, I can help. I bet you don’t wanna talk. But hey, I just noticed something. I spoke up against you. Told you I didn’t like something you were doing. Either you suck, or I’m less of a pushover than I thought I was.

Roger: You never came off as a pushover to me.

## E9 - Party Like An Animal

Alpha: Zero! Oh Zero~!

Zero: What do you want?

Alpha: Zero! I’m so happy to see you! I missed you so-

Zero struck Alpha in the cheek. She felt her heart skip a beat the moment his hand reached her face.

Zero: Quiet. I don’t require anymore of your insolence. You’ll speak when you’re spoken to.

Alpha looked like she was going to melt into a pile of nothing. She looked like a deer in headlights. Scythe lumbered from behind her, his giant steps making loud clunks on the ground. There was nothing subtle about him.

Scythe: Ally. I request that you move. Or I will respond with force. I will give you 10 seconds.

10 seconds later, Scythe pushed Alpha out of the way. He walked up to Eden.

Scythe: Ally currently frozen in the hall. I need data on this ally. Supply me with data, so I may assist her in battle effectively.

Eden: Aww, look JB. Scythe cares about Alpha.

Scythe: I have disclosed that I must use Alpha’s data to assist her in battle.

Eden: Well, as far as I know, Alpha has been with Zero for as long as she can remember. She’s developed certain…defense mechanisms. She’s the biggest suck-up to him. As a result, she’s always suspicious of me and JB. Since we make it known we aren’t too favorable of Zero’s treatment. There was this failed experiment that B.L.A.D.E conducted with some new power called capacity inducement. Looks like Zero tried to give Alpha those powers. But it needs to be ran with a power source. With that power, she’s powered up with the sun. But her powers fade fast. Anything else you want to know?

Scythe: That information is sufficient.

Zero: Alpha! Come on! Are you going to let your team starve?

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Roger had prepared his house for the ultimate party. He was greeting everyone who was coming in. He saw Penny walk in.

Roger: Hey Penny!

Penny: Wow, I like how you set all of this up!

Roger: Yeah, thanks.

Roger looked around at the party like it was his magnum-opus. Talia had begun to stand up now.

Talia: I can tell you don’t do this a lot. Hey, also. Credit me a little, asshole. That girl’s gonna hate you if you act like you did all of this. When you obviously didn’t! Even I can tell.

Roger: What’s so different about you?

Talia: I don’t even know what it takes to set up a party! You, as one lazy man. Obviously didn’t set this up by yourself.

The party started off. There was around 30 people in Roger’s house, maybe more. He let Penny invite lots of her friends. Since he didn’t have many to invite. Talia watched as people wandered in and out of the garage. She sat in her corner, and begun to fiddle with her legs. She liked the background noise of people chattering. It gave her something to focus on while she effortlessly tinkered with her legs. All she wanted to do was figure out Roger’s handiwork. She thought to herself, how can a man who did this, seem so lazy? She could tell he didn’t really have a passion for parties. Or any social events at all. She didn’t understand, but she felt they were kindred spirits. Roger walked into the garage. He was talking with people as he walked in. But they ended up wandering off.

Roger: Hey, why did you even help if you weren’t going to party?

Talia: I’m not really a party person. Never have been.

Roger: Come on, atleast take a drink.

Talia: Don’t drink.

Talia thought about Jun. She then reminisced about the times that she drank with Eddy.

Roger: Hey, I’ve been keeping an eye on Penny. She’s been talking to a bunch of other guys at the party. Maybe she isn’t who I thought she was…

Talia: What do you think? She goes to parties a lot. I bet she talks to a lot of people.

Roger: Yeah, sure.

There was a large table set up in the garage with Talia. There were games of beer pong being played by the party’s attendants. It was what she was getting her entertainment from. Talia realized Penny was in the room. She had teamed up with a guy she must know.

Penny: Come on, who wants to face me?

Roger: I’ll go! Get ready to lose! Both of you.

Talia could feel the jealousy radiating from Roger. She almost got second-hand embarrassment watching him look for a partner. He seemed so lost. Like a child who had just lost their parent in the grocery store.

Roger: Oh, Talia. You wanna be my partner.

Talia got up, out of pure pity, and stood next to Roger.

Roger: Alright, you get balls first, Penny.

Penny and her friend shot first. Penny missed her shot, but her friend got a ball inside a cup.

Roger: Alright, our turn!

Roger shot. He missed.

Talia: Wow, you suck.

Talia bounced her ball mid-sentence. Penny tried to slap it out of the air, but the ball sunk in.

Roger: Have you played this before?

Talia: What?

Time passed, and the game was drawing to an end.

Talia: This is getting annoying. Roger. Just give me both balls. Watch.

Roger: What? Okay, if you say so.

Talia sunk both balls in, and then got them back, sunk them in again. There was one cup left. She lined her ball up, and accounted for every possibility there was that something could go wrong. It was simple calculations to her. She threw the ball and sunk it in.

Penny: Oh my god! Talia! That was awesome! I had no idea your roommate was this awesome, Roger!

Roger: Hah, yeah.

Talia: It was really nothing. Don’t worry about it.

Talia sat back down and continued her business.

Roger: Hey, why don’t you try and party?

Talia: No. You just…Have your fun.

Roger: Are you sure?

Talia: Of course.

The party eventually crawled to an end. Roger watched as Penny walked out with another guy that had been invited. He watched, to his horror as she went into his car with him. Roger sat down at the foot of Talia’s bed.

Roger: Dammit, Penny ended up hooking up with some other guy!

Talia looked up at Roger nonchalantly. She responded to him in an uncaring tone.

Talia: Oh, that sucks.

Roger: You seem to think that I just want to bang her or something! Talia, I’ve had a crush on this girl for years. I’ve just recently gathered the courage to try and start talking to her.

Talia: I want to comfort you, but that’s kinda pathetic. That doesn’t mean you aren’t conceited in your efforts. You could still be going after this girl for those reasons. Our minds are great at convincing us that we wouldn’t do that. You guys are all the same in that sense. Not a lot of you change. It kind of disgusts me, and it’s sad. The first thing you did to me was fix me up, how nice. But you also called me ugly upon first talking to me. How the hell am I supposed to change my appearance? Sure, it may not be “why” you’re doing it. But do a little reflection.

Roger didn’t have much to say back. He smiled at Talia.

Roger: Wow, you really are the first one to call me on my bullshit.

Talia: Also, focus on what you want to do. I’ve looked at these legs, and my hand. It’s pretty impressive what you did.

A leftover person from the party wandered into the garage.

Roger: Hey, party’s over. Can you head out?

Roger walked over to the person. They took off their hood, and drew a red katana. They sliced the beer pong table in half. Eden smiled at the two.

Eden: I don’t think I’ve ever met you formally, Miss Labes. I’m Eden.

## E10 - The Test

Zero: Eden. I need you to deploy.

Eden: Wait a sec, just me?

Zero: Yes. There is someone I need you to take data on.

Eden: What?

Zero: Just listen to me! Don’t ask questions! Do what I’m asking!

Eden: Okay…okay.

Zero: Give her a challenge, but don’t kill her. I need the data.

Eden: Alright.

Zero: I’ll go and get you the supplies you need. Alpha, come.

Alpha: Okay!

Alpha happily followed Zero.

JB: He doesn’t usually send us on solo missions.

Eden: Or data collection missions either.

JB: Maybe Zero’s got a new plan.

Eden: Maybe. It’s not our problem.

JB: Like we have anything better to do. I don’t mind examining my boss’s motives.

Eden: It makes me sick thinking about what that man’s motives for anything could be.

JB: He’s still a man.

Eden: That’s what makes me sick.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Eden stood in front of Talia.

Roger: Talia? Who the hell is that?

Talia: You’re one of Taskforce Zero. What are you doing here?

Eden: That doesn’t really matter, does it?

Eden started to walk towards Talia.

Eden: Come on, you aren’t competent enough to protect yourself?

Roger pressed a button on the wall and grabbed a controller. He pushed Talia’s bed out of the way, since it was on wheels. She rolled right out of the way. A trapdoor on the floor revealed itself, and a menacing cannon came from the floor. Roger didn’t hesitate. He frantically smashed the button on his controller. The cannon made a threatening whirring noise as it heated up, out came a laser from the barrel of the cannon. Engulfing Eden, as she held up her sword, giving her the slightest chance of lessening any damage. She was sent spiraling backwards, and smashed through the garage door. Eden was sent barreling into the street. She planted her legs in the ground, she seemed untouched by the cannon. A car stopped in front of her in the street. They honked their horn at Eden. Eden cracked her head to the side and slashed her sword down. Her sword sliced through the car’s hood and engine like a knife through butter.

Eden: I don’t want to deal with you. I want Talia. Come on!

Talia stood up off her bed.

Talia: Let me take care of this. I know her.

Roger: What? You know her?

Talia walked through the hole in the garage and met with Eden.

Talia: Again, why are you here? How did you know where I was? How did you know I wasn’t dead?

Eden: What?

Talia: Your boss, he threw me off of Volantes!

Eden looked Talia up and down. She realized what had happened to her. Her new look wasn’t cosmetic. It was permanent. Eden was taken aback for a moment, she controlled herself.

Eden: Well, that is horrible. But it is not of my concern.

Talia: So what? Are you here to kill me?

Eden: Here to rough you up, if anything.

Eden made everything up as she went now. She didn’t know what to make of this new information. She felt disgusted.

Eden: I’m here to inform you that going after Taskforce Zero would be an utter waste of your time. Here, take this.

Eden split her blade into two halves. She handed Talia a blade. It was exactly the same as hers.

Eden: Now, draw!

Talia: What?!

Eden elegantly swung her blade at Talia. Talia thought about the samurai sword on Jun’s mural. She remembered the days of her past. The times that she would spy on him while he was training. She gripped the sword, and widened her stance, and blocked Eden’s slash. But was startled when she was sent sliding back. Sparks being kicked up by her legs. Eden kicked herself off the ground, flying towards Talia. She sliced again. Talia blocked, but was sent backwards again. She was about to fall at this rate. Eden came at her again. But this time Talia was prepared. She waited for Eden to get close and slashed at her. Eden blocked. She did a backflip back and landed in front of Talia.

Eden: You surprised me. If you were a novice, my first strike would’ve been my last. So you do know a little bit? Well then, I guess I’ll just have to turn up the heat!

Eden gripped her sword, she took something out of her pocket, and it locked into the blade’s hilt. Eden got in a wide stance and held the sword above her. Talia looked close, she realized what it was that Eden had inserted. Eden’s sword started to glow a bright red.

Talia: It’s durian!

Eden blitzed Talia. She held her sword up, and blocked Eden’s strike, Talia heard a crack, then the loud clanging of metal. She sliced Talia’s sword in half. Eden put her sword in her sheath. Talia tried backing up. She watched as Eden held onto her hilt, and took her sword out again. Talia’s instincts took hold. She held out her robotic hand, and Eden sliced her hand clean off. Talia fell on the ground, she was starting to bleed out.

Roger: Fucking seriously…!

Roger ran up behind Eden. Eden turned around and drew her sword.

Eden: What do you think you’re going to do?

Roger: I saw the way you were attacking Talia. I know you don’t want to kill her. I don’t know what your endgame is, but it’s not going to work.

Eden: What makes you say that?

Roger: Well, you’re too stupid.

Eden: What a great come back, want to try that again?

Roger: No, you’re too stupid. You’re not even talking to a real person.

Eden turned around and looked to see the real Roger running with Talia by his side. She turned to see the Roger decoy, and swiped her hand. The decoy was completely fake. Roger ran into his garage and let go of Talia. He pressed a big red button. Defenses for his house appeared. The house was covered in steel doors.

Talia: What the hell? What are you protecting yourself from?

Roger: Focus on bleeding out or something.

Eden watched as the house was covered. She put her sword away, and looked around. She was wearing a watch. It had copied all of Talia’s combat data, as well as her vitals and other important data.

Eden: Mission completed.

## E11 - Project Seahawk

Talia was laying down on her bed, again. Roger was working on her hand. She felt useless. She missed her old body. She wished she could just go back to her old ways for a second. But then the thought of what B.L.A.D.E really was crossed her mind. Then it hit her. She didn’t know if that USB drive was still intact. She started to feel insane. She started to feel like she got pushed off of Volantes because she had a hunch. But then she thought of Jun. The man she would trust with everything. Someone she considered higher on the figurative friend totem pole than even Eddy. But there was something eating at her. Project Seahawk. She needed to see what it really was. She needed to make sure Jun was right. She wanted the satisfaction.

Talia: Roger! Roger! What did you find on me when I fell?!

Roger: What? The bag you had on you?

Talia: Yeah!

Roger: Yeah, I have that. Why?

Talia: Did you look in there?

Roger: What?

Talia: Grab it!

Roger: Let me finish your arm, alright?

Talia: Ugh. Fine.

Roger kept working. Talia waited with bated breath. As he was done, he took a break.

Talia: Bag! Grab the bag! Do you have a computer?

Roger: Why are you in such a rush?

Talia: There’s something important. Alright?

Roger stood up with a huffy expression and grabbed her bag. He handed it to her. Talia used her free hand to shuffle through it. She took out her wallet and opened it. She had felt like she was being suffocated since she remembered. But now, she finally got her breath back.

Talia: Thank god….

The USB drive was there. Intact.

Roger: What’s so important on that USB drive?

Talia: I never told you the reason that I ended up here, huh?

Roger: Well, I figured that someone wouldn’t just fall out of the sky for no reason. What did you do?

Talia: I saw something I wasn’t supposed to.

Roger: Then…Who really are you?

Talia: I’m a B.L.A.D.E scientist. I created Volantes. Well, I helped create it. I helped make it fly. I supply it with something called Durian. It powers the entire structure, it was what Eden used to make her sword more powerful. I found something thanks to my mentor, Jun. I found something underground. A plan called “project seahawk”. I saw a model of Volantes with tons and tons of weapons on it. Weapons pointed at America. It must be important, because this general I know, Zero., the leader of Taskforce Zero. Who commands Eden, threw me off of Volantes.

Roger: Wait a second. Slow down. You what?

Talia: Sorry. It must be a lot to take in. But this USB drive has everything you need to know on it. Everything I need to know.

Roger: Okay. Let me go get my computer.

Roger left the room. Talia had a burning sensation in her stomach. She wanted to see, but she was anxious. She felt it getting stronger, and stronger. But she had to see. He came back with his computer and put it on Talia’s lap. She felt like her hands were shaking, and she put the USB drive into the USB port. Things started to appear on the screen. She saw a program that opened. “Seahawk”. It opened up an overhead view of the United States. It was nearly covered with red. There were names highlighted all over. Talia felt a sick feeling. She looked even further. “TARGETS LABELED FOR TERMINATION”. There was a large diagram on the next file over. “ZEUS’ Lighting bolt”.

Roger: Lightning bolt?

Talia: I…I don’t know. Lightning bolt?

Roger: They want to kill all these people.

Roger pointed out a search bar to Talia. He typed in Talia’s name. The dot with her name appeared.

Roger: That’s…That’s my house.

Talia: It’s tracking us in real time.

Roger: Talia. We need something to protect you.

Talia: What?

Roger: People like Eden are going to come back, aren’t they? Their gonna come here to kill you.

Talia: That doesn’t make you want to distance?

Roger: Well…It sounds like trouble. I can say that. But it’s good practice for me.

Talia: What?

Roger: Doesn’t really matter. You should let me make modifications to your arm. Think about it, you could have all kinds of different ways to protect yourself.

Talia: I can’t just sit around all day and have you toy with me like a science experiment! I need to go somewhere, do something.

Roger: I’m just trying to help.

Talia: Yeah…I know. Sorry.

Roger: You must want to do something. I’ve gotta do something. This seahawk thing…it’s bigger than both of us.

Talia: Yeah…Yeah…I’m going to need some time to calm down. It okay if I head out for a little while?

Roger: Yeah. Of course. Do whatever your heart desires!

Talia: Well, my heart desires to borrow your car.

Roger: Ugh, fine.

Talia: Thank you.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Talia was inside of a clothes store. She was in a changing room. She was looking at herself in the mirror, wearing a dress. She remembered how she would go to the store with Jun every blue moon. Jun’s next-favorite passion was fashion. Another one of his eccentricities. He made Talia feel beautiful. He let her choose any dress. Talia looked now. She felt like a monster had just torn open its shell. Now it was staring her dead in the face. A mechanical machination she could never begin to accept. Her mechanical arm was bigger than her regular hand. Her mechanical legs were boxy but jagged and spiky in some areas. She walked out of the changing room in her normal clothes. She compromised to get clothes that would do a better job at hiding what she had become. She bought baggy jeans and every other sort of pants that would be considered baggy. She looked down at her mechanical hand. A glove wouldn’t work. She decided she would have to live with it. She bought what she needed. Her head was staring at the floor almost the entire time. She didn’t feel like she could look at anyone like this. She got in Roger’s car and put her seat back. She thought about project seahawk. A program that somehow targeted specific people in the world…How would this even be achieved? All Talia knew was that there was a reason Zero wanted all that durian. She was the only person who knew about it, the only person who knew about it, and planned to do something about it.

## E12 - Claustrophobia

Talia and Roger were standing in the middle of a mine. They could feel the intensity of the smoldering coal. But Talia knew there was more to everything around her. More to the miners they were surrounded with. A group of people holding pickaxes and other equipment.

Talia: So what was your plan again?

Roger: This wasn’t part of the plan!

Someone walked in front of them. It was a man in a mask. The mask was white, with pitch black eyes and a large, black smiling face. The man had old miner clothes on, and a badge that seemed to give him some sort of authority.

???: I see you two have come to thwart my plans! My minions and I will not surrender to someone like you, Roger Pita.

Roger: You know who I am?

???: I work for your sister. Did you not know?

Roger: My…sister?

???: I’m the diabolical supervillain! Railgun! I’m going to use this railgun to make all the banks fall underground so my army of miners can finally stop being poor! Oh, and I’m also going to use it to kill the both of you!

Talia: What the hell is going on?!

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Talia and Roger were in his car. They were driving somewhere.

Roger: I don’t mean to pry, but your plan is a little insane. You plan to go to a mine, and steal this durian shit from there?

Talia: We need durian in some form. If you wanna power this arm. You’ve got everything. We just need a power source to draw from. Durian is the best source, trust me. It’s my specialty.

Roger: Let’s hope so, cause’ otherwise I’m going to assume you hit your head on the way down from Volantes.

Talia: This is already risky. Alright? Are you sure you want to come with me?

Roger: I’m sure. Are you telling me this will fix any problems I might have with making you new arms?

Talia: Yeah. You might be an engineer. Or well, whatever you are. I’m a scientist too. You never worked for B.L.A.D.E, right?

Roger: I learned everything I know from my grandfather.

Talia: Really? That’s pretty cool. I learned a lot of the things I know from my mentor.

Roger: I feel you, my grandfather was more of a father to me than my real dad ever was. If you don’t mind me asking, what about your family?

Talia sat there, thinking for a second. She thought about her as a kid, alone. Staring up at an adult, or well, the shape of an adult. With constantly changing faces.

Talia: Nothing important happened.

Roger: Oh, sorry. Maybe I shouldn’t have brought that up.

Talia: Nah, It's okay.

Roger: Hey. Let’s just focus on the objective. Durian.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Roger and Talia arrived at the mine. They saw a door that had to lead deep into the mines.

Roger: Hey, Tals. check this out.

Talia: Yeah?

Roger opened the trunk of his car. He pulled out a suitcase, he unclipped it and opened it. There were two pistols.

Talia: You brought guns?

Roger: I had a plan. We might have to protect ourselves. Where do you anticipate the durian to be?

Talia: I…I dunno. It has to be deep down.

Roger: We’ll have to sneak to an elevator. Check it out!

Roger took out two miner disguises.

Talia: Wow, you really went all out for this plan. Here.

Talia took out a little handbag.

Talia: Durian is strong, but it’s small. We can pile a good amount into this bag.

Roger: Alright, we’re going to get in, and get out.

Talia: Yeah.

Roger opened the door to the mines, Talia looked down. The stairs leading down were dark. Only illuminated by what looked like hot coals burning throughout the walls. Talia looked down. She couldn’t believe what she had gotten herself into. Roger went first. They walked down the tight hallway, with many tunnels leading down. Talia had a map of the mine in her hand.

Talia: We have to go to the lowest level. That’s protocol for where durian is placed.

They went further and further into the mine. The further they went, the more claustrophobic Talia felt.

Roger: Hey, stay close.

They walked further and further down, and made it to one of the last tunnels at the bottom of the mine-shaft.

Talia: H-Here.

Talia’s heart was starting to race. She felt like the walls around her were closing in, it was hot, getting hotter and hotter. Everything was becoming intertwined with the machinations of the mine in front of her. She started to breathe heavily, faster and faster.

Roger: …Talia! Talia! Grab your gun.

Talia frantically pulled her gun out of her side. Her hands were shaking, only intensified by her gun’s rattling. Talia held it up, and dropped the gun. Her gun fell down the shaft they were making their way down.

Roger: Talia!

Talia: Fuck! Fuck!

Roger: Come on, we can’t have that sitting around!

Talia: Okay, okay.

Roger and Talia went down the corridor.

Roger: What’s wrong?

Talia: I feel…closed in. It’s like I’m trapped.

Roger: Are you claustrophobic?

Talia: No! I don’t think so?

Roger: You’ve always been in the air haven’t you?

Talia: Let’s just get the gun. I don’t want any fucking evidence we were here. The missing durian is one thing, a gun laying around here is another thing. They walked into a more open area. Talia saw her gun laying in the middle of the ground. She looked around cautiously and went to grab it. She heard a bang from the shadows, and felt something richochet off of her legs. She turned and looked.

Roger: Look out!

Roger pressed something on his wrist, copies of him started to run around. He grabbed Talia and brought her to the ground. They heard the ring of gunshots throughout the mine. Talia covered her ears. Talia looked up. Roger stood up, and Talia followed. They raised their hands up. There was a group of miners surrounding them. They could feel the intensity of the smoldering coal. But Talia knew there was more to everything around her. More to the miners they were surrounded with. They were a group of people holding pickaxes and other equipment.

Talia: So what was your plan again?

Roger: This wasn’t part of the plan!

Someone walked in front of them. It was a man in a mask. The mask was white, with pitch black eyes and a large, black smiling face. The man had old miner clothes on, and a badge that seemed to give him some sort of authority.

???: I see you two have come to thwart my plans! My minions and I will not surrender to someone like you, Roger Pita.

Roger: You know who I am?

???: I work for your sister. Did you not know?

Roger: My…sister?

???: I’m the diabolical supervillain! Railgun! I’m going to use this railgun to make all the banks fall underground so my army of miners can finally stop being poor! Oh, and I’m also going to use it to kill the both of you!

Railgun was a tall, armored man with a large mask. He had two barrels attached to his wrists. He wore a large black suit along with a black mask. He had glowing green eyes.

Talia: What the hell is going on?!

Roger: Talia…! Use it!

Talia: But I won’t be able to use it!

Roger: Look around us!

Talia pressed a button on her wrist, and a canister in her wrist opened up, and flames began to shoot out of her wrist. She spun around and warded back the miners. Railgun held up his hand, and the barrel on his arm turned into a shield. Her arm ran out of power. The miners patted themselves down.

Railgun laughed at them.

Railgun: Nice try.

Railgun aimed one of his wrist-barrels down and shot at the both of them. They went flying backward.

## E13 - I See Through Gold

Talia opened her eyes. She was sinking. She looked up above her. She saw a blurry image of Volantes. She saw feet trampling over it, causing ripples in the water. She tried to breathe in. But started to choke. Along with that. She remembered she was sinking in water. Her senses were coming to her. Then came the realization that she couldn’t swim. She started to panic. As she sunk and sunk, and flailed uselessly. She saw a light in the water. Roger! No…Eddy! Eddy was coming to get her! She was going to be alright. She was going to be saved.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Talia woke up. She gasped as if she had just been holding her breath. She was caught with the realization that she wasn’t wet. Everyone around her had dispersed.

Talia: The durian…No…Roger!

She got to her feet, and felt her arm. She shook off her legs, and looked at the ground. She saw footprints lined across the ground. She felt idiotic. She went into this with a faulty plan, not only that. But she didn’t know that she was claustrophobic! As someone who prided herself on her intelligence, she felt like a bumbling idiot.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Roger was dragged by a group of miners. One of the miners waved a smelling salt under his nose. He awoke to the sounds of electrical whirring, and many bright electrical lights and hazards. He looked around. This wasn’t a mine he was in. It was some sort of underground electronics lab. There was a woman working on something. She looked over at Roger.

???: Roger! Hi! Just give me a second.

She walked behind a changing curtain and walked out as…someone different. Her hair was its normal orange, but was short and slicked over to one side of her head. She wore a light golden costume. With golden shoulderpads and a chestplate, with a golden belt. She wore a gray skin tight costume underneath, and large golden boots. Her eyes were now a burning gold. She walked up some stairs, and sat in a throne.

???: Hello, brother.

Roger: What’s up Jane? I see you don’t sweat the details any less than you used to. I thought you died.

Jane: I’m willing to bet that B.L.A.D.E made it seem like I died. They were pretty mad when project nexus failed. How’s everything been, Roger?

Railgun: Doctor Pita! Er…Someone else tried to break in here.

Railgun was holding Talia by the back of the neck. He threw her down next to Roger.

Jane: Who is this?

Talia looked up at Jane. She was instantly hit with a wave of fear.

Talia: You’re…Doctor Jane Pita! You did those horrible experiments! Those human experiments…

Jane: Those people? I guess you could call them human. How do you know of me, however? I know my name must precede me, but enlighten me.

Talia: My name is Talia Labes. I’m the head engineer of the Volantes project.

Jane started to laugh.

Jane: Haha! You say that as if it means something!

Roger: Just let us go, Jane. What do you want from us?

Jane: Well, I want you to join us! Two great minds could work together to form the strongest group of people, then when we strike, nobody will expect us!

Roger: You’re funny.

Jane: Oh, right. You’re “I have a wife and kid” spiel! The only thing you’re faithful to is your mind. Be it perverted or not.

Talia: Why won’t she shut up? Everything she’s saying isn’t true, right?

Jane: You guys seemed like good friends, and Roger didn’t fill you in about his beloved daughter?

Talia: Well…No.

Roger stood up and looked Jane in the face.

Roger: I’m never joining you, got it?

Talia realized that Roger had something in between his two fingers. He was holding it in his robotic arm. It was durian. He slipped it into a slot on his palm. His arm flickered with electricity, he threw his best punch, straight at Jane’s head. Jane lifted one arm, she caught Roger’s hand.

Jane: Haven’t you heard?

Jane put her foot to Roger’s stomach and tore off his robotic arm, she pushed him down the stairs she had gone up. Talia ran to his side.

Jane: I’m omega. I’m subhuman. I’m not weak like you two. Watch.

Jane raised her hand. She picked up a large conglomerate of metal around her, and rebuilt Roger’s arm.

Jane: See? Good as new!

The walls around them started to shake, and it broke down from the top. Jane saw someone floating above. She covered her eyes from the bright light she was emitting. It was a power Jane recognized. Alpha was floating above everyone. There was something new in her chest. It wasn’t durian. The alloy wasn’t blue. Since Alpha was glowing a vibrant white. She floated to the ground and looked down at Roger and Talia.

Talia: Go away!

Alpha: You defied Zero…What the hell’s wrong with you?! You should’ve just hit the ground and died. I have no idea how you even survived. It doesn’t matter, though.

Alpha held out her hand, and created a large ball of white. A blast from a railgun hit her in the side. She looked over, to see railgun standing there. Jane walked up behind her.

Jane: Wow…Someone stole my work.

Jane grabbed Alpha by the leg and swung her over her and slammed her into the ground.

Jane: Plagiarization is a crime, y’know.

Alpha: Who are you?!

Jane: Your creator. Poetic, hm?

Roger looked up at Talia. He held up a bag of durian.

Roger: Got it in the bag. These guys let me roam around before meeting up with Jane. This place…it’s quite the treasure trove.

Talia: Ugh…Shh. We have to get you out of here.

Roger grabbed onto Talia. They limped out of the lab, as the fireworks of Alpha and Jane collided together. This gave them the perfect chance to slip through the cracks.

Roger: That was a close one, huh?

Talia: I’ve got some questions for you. But let's focus on getting out of here.

Talia reflected on what she had just seen. Jane, the woman who tortured people and made them into soldiers was still alive. She thought B.L.A.D.E had at least put her in prison. She felt sick to her stomach thinking about the fact that B.L.A.D.E tried to cover this up. Once it was out in public, she was reassured by Eddy that something should’ve been done over it. B.L.A.D.E doesn’t care about innocent lives. They care about power. Power. Is that what Talia was becoming? All she had been doing was seeking power to defeat B.L.A.D.E. She had a sinking feeling in her chest.

## E14 - Noxis Pyrite

Zero: Obedience, honor, power. This is what forms my greatest soldier. These are what form the ultimate lifeform.

Zero stood outside of a battlefield. JB blocked a slash from Eden while dodging gunfire from Scythe. Eden came from behind and slashed at his legs. He grabbed her sword and snapped it in half, and gripped her by the arm. He flipped Eden over his body and slammed her into the ground. Scythe shot missiles at him. He grabbed Eden’s blade and weaved between the missiles before stabbing the sword into one of Scythe’s barrels.

Zero: Enough! Enough! You can’t even beat JB with the power of noxis pyrite.

JB: Zero, can you just explain to us what noxis pyrite even is?

Zero: Noxis pyrite is the new alloy that outclasses durian in every way. Noxis pyrite has an infinite reservoir of energy. You just snapped through that like it was nothing. You are getting even more powerful. It’s our new alloy that will power Volantes. It will power all of B.L.A.D.E’s weapons. Durian is obsolete!

Zero held up a piece of noxis pyrite. A black, shiny crystal.

Zero: Behold it’s power.

Zero held the piece he had in a bracelet. His hands had started to be tainted with a black substance.

Zero: Go get ready to eat. Your next mission will be coming soon.

JB and Eden sat down across from each other, and silently ate some cereal.

Eden: Hopefully that fucker will die. You saw what that’s doing to him.

JB: I don’t think it’ll be early enough.

Eden: What’s been wrong with you recently? You’ve been walking around with that smirk on your face. What’s so funny?

JB: Nothing, really. Something is changing. Hear that? In our lives, something is changing! You should be excited.

Eden: Have you seen Alpha?

JB: No. I heard she failed her mission. She didn’t kill that scientist. Apparently she ran into someone with a golden eye.

Eden: Oh…Fuck.

JB: Yeah. Even if I was as cruel as him, I don’t think I’d be able to find a way to punish her.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Talia and Roger were working diligently in his shop. Talia was sitting down, working on her legs.

Roger: Look at all this progress! Cut mode! Flame mode! Shields, bullets, even a retractable rope! You have it all!

Talia: Hey, it’s good to be back.

Roger: We can work twice as fast at this rate!

Talia: I just can’t figure out this thing I’ve been working on. I’ve always wanted to fly. It’s this weird thing I’ve always wanted to do. I had these boots I worked on in Volantes. But they were a failure. I think I can do something.

Roger: You really are a good worker. It’s nice to have you back.

Talia: Oh, thanks. Hey, can I ask something?

Roger: What’s up?

Talia: You have a daughter?

Roger: Oh good lord…Yeah. I do.

Talia: You never brought her up, so I was just wondering…

Roger: It’s not something I want to talk about.

Talia: your own daughter?

Roger: There’s also a reason I didn’t talk about Jane. She was…eccentric if anything. Always an outcast…Kinda like you. Except, at a young age she would make these insane inventions. Scariest sister you could ever ask for. I think she visits my daughter too.

Talia: So your telling me that your megalomaniac sister can make time for her, but you can’t?

Roger: Okay. why do you have to talk outta your ass? This conversation is over.

Talia: Can we go see her?

Roger: What? No! I’m probably not welcome there!

Talia: I want to meet your daughter. Come on!

Roger: Why are you so shaken up about this?

Talia: Please, Roger.

Roger: Ugh, y’know what? Fine! Why not? Let’s all go to see Roger’s fucking daughter! Come on!

Talia: Dude, calm down. I don’t mean to piss you off. I just…I want to meet her.

Roger: You’d better give me a better reason later.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Roger walked up to the door. Talia followed closely behind.

Roger: You made me do this, alright?

Roger knocked on the door. Someone opened it. A woman with messy blonde hair. She was wearing a pink top and jeans. She had a beer in her hand.

Roger: Hi Iris.

Iris: Roger? What the hell are you doing here?

Roger: I came to see Sarah. I brought a friend too.

Iris: Hi there, you Roger’s new girl? Don’t worry. I won’t be offended.

Talia: No, I’m not his new girl. Just a friend. Alright?

Iris: First time I’ve ever heard that. Come in. Sarah’s upstairs. I’m going to talk to Rogie.

Talia: Ha, Rogie. Hey, is it okay if I go and see Sarah?

Roger: I guess so.

Talia went up the stairs. She knocked on Sarah’s door. She saw a girl open the door. She had to be around 13. Talia did the math. High-school pregnancy. She felt a sort of familiar feeling run up her spine as she met eyes with Sarah.

Talia: Hey Sarah.

Sarah: Hi?

Talia: Oh, I should introduce myself. I’m Talia. Roger’s friend. Just that. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Sarah: Oh. Dad’s here?

Talia: Yeah.

There was a moment of silence.

Talia: So hey, you can’t just leave me hanging here. It’s cold out here. You should totally let me in. Not like, in a creepy way.

Sarah hesitantly let Talia into her room. Roger and Iris were downstairs talking.

Iris: Roger, how long has it been? Months? You haven’t even come to see your daughter!

Roger: Look, I’ve been dealing with a lot. See that girl, Talia that just went upstairs? She’s literally a problem that fell out of my life. This isn’t a conversation I needed to have. I just wanted to talk normally. Just let me go see my daughter.

Iris: Whatever, you know where to find her.

Roger went upstairs. He climbed the stairs quietly. He opened the door to Sarah’s room.

Sarah: So you use this button to go, and use this one to shoot your power-up. You get it?

Talia: Yeah, I think so.

Roger looked on the TV screen in Sarah’s room. Talia and Sarah were playing a video game.

Sarah: Hey! How are you so good at this?

Talia: I’m…not actually new to this. I played the first and second version of this game! The skill gap between us is too wide! Now, eat this!

Sarah: No!

Roger: Hey, honey.

Sarah: Oh, hey Dad. What are you doing here?

Roger: What? A Father can’t come and visit their daughter every once and a while?

Sarah: It’s been a while. Not going to lie.

Roger: Still…doing good in school?

Sarah: Yep.

Roger: Are you…

Iris: Roger! Talia! Someone’s here for you!

Roger: What? Someone’s here for us?

Roger and Talia went downstairs. They opened the door. There was a man in a suit and tie with long black hair.

Roger: Hey, we don’t want the latest vacuum you have for sale, dude.

???: My name is Hunter Kunai. I want to talk to you two about something.

Talia: What?

Hunter: It’s important. It’s about noxis pyrite.

Talia: What the hell is noxis pyrite?

## E15 - Weakness

Hunter: I…brought noxis pyrite here. It’s been harnessed as some sort of power source. It’s original origin, is as a virus that wiped out an entire civilization.

Talia: How do we know we can trust you?

Hunter: My girlfriend had it. It led to her death. I don’t want to waste your time with things that don’t matter to you. But look here.

Hunter took out his phone. He showed Talia and Roger a picture of him and his girlfriend together from different dates. Talia saw in the first picture, she was a tall woman, with long brown hair. She seemed happy. She had a horrid, pixelated black virus on her upper chest. The more pictures Hunter showed them, the more it spread throughout her body.

Hunter: It’s being harnessed somehow, as some sort of…power source. But all it does is corrupts. I heard about you through an organization I’m allied with. The Sentinels. We heard about what happened to you. Your interactions with Jane. I know you know much about Volantes. I figured it’d be natural to track you down. We can’t dare challenge B.L.A.D.E though. You work from the inside. Maybe I can point you in the right direction.

Talia: Well…Thank you. This was kinda at a bad time, though.

Hunter: I’m talking about a life or death situation. There’s no bad times. Got it?

Roger: Hey, don’t think you can push us around.

Talia: Roger…

Roger: Talia, don’t try and pull me out of this. I don’t care how much authority this guy has.

Hunter: She’s right. Look.

Something came from the sky. A large black figure surrounded with purple. He landed on Iris’s car. Causing a thundering smash that echoed through the neighborhood. Iris ran out the door.

Iris: Roger! What is this?!

JB walked off the car.

JB: Sorry, Ms. Labes. But you have to die.

Talia: For some reason, I feel like you aren’t sorry.

Roger: Tals! Show him what skills you have!

Talia: Don’t call me that!

JB disappeared right out of Talia’s sight. He reappeared in front of her face with his arm pulled back. Two transparent blue arms appeared above Hunter, and he pushed Talia out of the way. JB hit Iris’s house. Shattering the wall in front of him. Iris ran inside. She grabbed Sarah and ran out of the house.

Hunter: Hey! Go protect your wife!

Roger: What? Me?

Hunter: Yeah! Get her and your kid as far away as possible! This guy is childsplay to me.

JB: Childsplay?

JB came from behind Hunter and threw a roundhouse kick straight at his head. The arms that came from his side grabbed his leg and smashed him on the ground. JB recovered with no trouble. Hunter took out a golden pistol and fired at JB. He could care less. He raised his hand, and the bullets stopped the moment they collided with his hand. The large arms on his back doubled as wings. He flew up in the air, and a dragon’s head appeared above him. He shot fireballs from his mouth. One hit a car and caused it to blow up. JB launched himself off the ground at Hunter. Multiple fireballs hit him, but they did nothing to him. Talia unleashed one of her arm’s many new powers. She extended her arm, and a grappling rope flew from her arm and wrapped around JB’s leg. Talia pulled him straight down.

Iris: Roger! What the fuck! What’s going on?!

Roger: Goddammit! Wait here! Talia! Restrain him!

Roger ran towards them both. Hunter threw down a grappling hook that wrapped around JB’s leg. Talia tightened the rope she had around his leg. Roger ran into the house. JB seemed perfectly content with what was happening. He waited and watched. Roger opened the garage and pressed some buttons, a gigantic laser cannon slowly rose from the ground.

Iris: So that’s where my electric goes…

JB stood there, unenthused. The laser cannon began to charge a colossal blast. It harnessed all the kinetic energy around it, and unleashed a devastating laser to JB. It covered all around him, and uprooted some of the street around them. Talia and Hunter started to distance themselves while retracting their ropes. The laser blast went away. There was JB. Untouched as always. He blasted forward and broke through the laser cannon. He grabbed Roger by the neck and slammed him on the ground inside of his house. Roger looked to his side. Zero showed up on the TV screen in front of them. Everyone ran in. Talia jumped forward. All her fingers turned into razor-sharp blades. She slashed JB across the back. He kicked her in the stomach. Sending her flying backward.

Zero: Good, JB.

Talia looked up at JB. She felt a little bit of hope. She saw slash marks across JB’s back. But they closed up. Perhaps faster than it had taken Talia to make the marks.

Zero: You like JB, Labes? He’s my favorite. Look at him. Not a scratch. He is the ultimate soldier. A shining beacon of power. You will not touch him. Let that be my final promise. I’d like you to die to my next favorite weapon.

JB held up a gun. There was a sample of noxis pyrite inside of it. He aimed it at Talia. Talia watched as his face was emotionless.

JB: You persevered, despite your injuries. I admire that.

He fired the gun. Hunter jumped in front of it, and the dragon’s wings closed it’s fists on the sample of noxis pyrite that was just fired. Hunter held a jar, and he made the noxis pyrite fall into the jar.

Hunter: This isn’t happening. You aren’t going to spread noxis pyrite!

Zero: Fine-

Zero’s face turned into static. It was replaced by a face that was familiar to Talia. It was the chairman of France. Marcel Barbeau.

Marcel: Hello Talia. Hey, seven. You have orders from your overseers. I don’t care how power-hungry Zero is. Bring Talia to us. As well as her friend. The one who fixed her leg. Leave the rest. Send someone to fix this damn house! Why must Zero insist on property damage…

JB almost let out a sigh of relief.

JB: Come on.

## E16 - Visions of Red

Talia was on Earth. Working happily with Eddy on a project. They were testing it for the first time. It was Talia’s anti-gravity boots.

Talia: Eddy! Eddy! Look! I can fly!

Eddy: Yeah! You did it Talia!

Talia got a sick feeling to her stomach. The sky was turning red. There were millions of small red lasers in the sky. A laser appeared directly on Eddy’s head. That feeling went away. The sick feeling was erased. Talia watched as a bullethole was fired through his head. She looked up, for some reason feeling…euphoric. She looked at Eddy as if he was just another puzzle piece falling into place. All of them would fall into place. She saw a shower of red come from the sky, She held out her arms. Embracing the sea of red. The nothingness she was edging closer and closer to. A laser appeared on her head, and a small bullet headed straight her way, and it was going to be okay.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Talia shot up out of bed. She was sweating. She looked around. She was in a bed, with another bed next to her separated by a night table. In this bed, Roger was fast asleep. There was a large, luxurious window next to her.

Talia: What the…? Where’s this? There was a pamphlet next to Talia’s bed. It read “Bienvenue En France!”

Talia: Welcome to France…?

Talia looked out the window again. She saw the Eiffel Tower outlined by lights. She looked at the time. She didn’t know what time it actually was. But it was the middle of the night. Talia couldn’t go back to sleep. She didn’t know what was going to happen next. Who could show up at the resort, or the “whatever” they were in. Talia didn’t trust it one bit. Her eyes lit up when she saw her bag of supplies in the corner of the room. She picked it up and sifted through her bag. Her Durian was still intact. She pulled out her laptop. Expecting for the USB drive with project seahawk to be in the computer. But it wasn’t there. Talia’s heart sank. She opened the door to the room that her and Roger were in. She looked back and forth, back and forth. She was looking at a liminal space. She walked down the empty halls. Looking for a form of something. She saw a door open. A chinese woman with long, red and light yellow robes walked out of the room. She had long hair.

???: Greetings. I am the chairwoman of China. Mei Zhao

Mei bowed to Talia. Talia didn’t care for tradition right now.

Talia: What did you do with project seahawk?

Mei: I don’t know what you are talking about. Maybe it would be beneficial if you talked to one of our other chairmen. We may seem like we’re transparent. But we all have things to hide.

Talia: Who else can I talk to?

Mei: Any of us. The chairman of France, Marcel Barbeau. Or the chairwoman of Russia, Yelena Maxim.

Talia: I don’t care. Just take me to either one of them.

Mei: You may find them yourself. Or maybe when you learn to speak with a little respect.

Talia scoffed, and rushed past Mei. She kept walking down the halls. She saw a door at the end of the hall. She knocked on the door. Someone opened it, and poked his head out. It was Marcel.

Marcel: Bonjour, Talia Labes.

Talia: What did you do with project seahawk?!

Marcel: I gave the project back to B.L.A.D.E. Where it belongs.

Talia: What?! Why? Why would you do that?!

Marcel: Calm down. You obviously aren’t fit for this setting. You’re unruly, emotional. I thought you were a logical, strong-willed B.L.A.D.E scientist. Maybe the intelligence is there. But where’s the quick decision-making that every leader needs? You disappoint me.

Talia: Okay…Okay.

Talia stopped talking. Marcel was standing there pensively. Waiting for a response.

Marcel: What do you want? If you don’t want to have this conversation, I will make you leave.

Talia: Why…why did you get rid of it?

Marcel: Because you don’t need that kind of evidence on you. You looked already, did you not? I also need to display that I am with this General Zero. I already alienated him enough by cutting him off. You will destroy these plans. This insane plan of human extermination. Then maybe you would’ve proved your worth.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Roger woke up out of his bed. He looked over. To see Talia working on her leg.

Roger: Hey.

Talia: Morning.

Roger: Where the hell are we?

Talia: Apparently we’re in Paris. Not the ideal scenario I wanted to visit. But it is what it is.

Roger: God…What happened to Iris? Sarah?

Talia: They're okay. The B.L.A.D.E chairman of France told me.

Roger: Good.

Roger sat up out of bed and stretched.

Roger: But god, fuck you.

Talia: Hey. what? Where’d that come from?

Roger: Fuck you for thinking I wasn’t there for my kid. I know you have no idea what it’s like being a parent.

Talia: Okay, harsh.

Roger: You thought I wasn’t there for her? Why did you have to be so pushy? I didn’t want to talk about it, okay? Why do you want to know everything about my life? Why do you NEED to know? I haven’t learned anything about you. You’re some scientist from B.L.A.D.E. That’s all. But I trusted you because you seemed like a person I could trust. But you haven’t told me anything about yourself. Who are you, even? Why did you care so much about my family life?

Talia: My parents were absent since I was a young little kid. They dropped me off somewhere and left me to fend for myself. How’s that? I was bounced around foster homes. They were always alienated because of my genius. They thought my ideas were stupid. I guess…I just couldn’t help but be afraid something like that happened to Sarah. Someone who grows up with no parents has to realize how harsh the world is pretty damn quick. That’s all.

The floor under them started to quake. Talia and Roger were caught off guard as the floor started to split in two. Everything around them was bolted to the ground, besides their belongings. Which fell with them. Talia protected her bag. They fell through their floor to somewhere new. To some sort of arena. With the chairmen standing around them. However, the Russian chairwoman was missing, Yelena.

Marcel: Talia Labes, Roger Smith, you have been brought before the chairmen of B.L.A.D.E. We understand it is your objective to stop project seahawk. We respect this decision. However, you must prove to us that you can persevere. We believe that power must be displayed. You haven’t shown us anything remarkable thus far. So now, you must prove yourself.

## E17 - Perseverance

Marcel: Your first challenge, Talia! Is against my right-hand woman! Mei! Mei is a master tight-rope walker! You will face her in a challenge of balance.

Talia and Mei were standing on a large pentagonal platform. Part of the platform was lowered, and two ropes were brought up on another platform.

Talia: How’s this fair?

Marcel: Because look at her rope, and look at her’s!

Talia looked at their ropes. Her rope was a metal cable, and seemed doable to step on. Mei’s was small, Talia didn’t even think she could see it with her eye from afar. Mei shed her long robes, and wore a tight suit that seemed light on her body.

Mei: I am ready whenever you are.

Talia: Okay.

Mei: Just so you know, I expect your very best.

Talia: Not like I have a choice whether or not I give you my best.

Mei: Well then, you may have a headstart.

Talia: What…?

Mei: It is my pleasure.

Talia: ….ugh. Okay.

Talia started to walk across the tight-rope. She felt out the rope. It wasn’t actually too bad for her, because of the structure of her new legs, she could get a decent foot-hold. She started to get far along. She glanced behind her, almost losing her balance. She saw Mei was waiting. She was standing in front of her rope. Her eyes were closed.

Mei: You must know, Miss Labes. I do not appreciate it when people disrespect me. You were raised by a silent, powerful, passionate man. I enjoyed Jun’s presence. I did. You soil his name.

Mei stretched herself, and glided along her tight-rope gracefully. Talia thought, how can someone be so graceful, yet so…disrespectful. Talia saw her float past her. As if she was being carried by the wind. At this moment, the wind turned against her. Talia felt a slight push, and she fell off her tight-rope in seconds.

Marcel: Wow…To everyone’s surprise…Talia loses!

Talia: Real funny.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

A new arena was set up. Talia was sitting at a chess table.

Talia: you want me to play chess? Easy!

Marcel: Here is your second opponent, Talia! P-A2! Or as Yelena likes to call her, Varva. Yelena’s out at the moment, so here is the person who is filling in for her. She is one of the world’s first almost human automaton.

Talia: You want me to play chess against an AI?

Marcel: That is your challenge.

Talia: Ugh. So be it.

Talia played multiple turns with Varva. Who sat there. Silently observing. She was clearly made for combat. She had a sword at her side, and her “skin” was all white. With long white hair. She was eerily similar to a human. But not quite. Talia looked down at the board. For the first time, Varva looked at her and spoke.

Varva: Plug in.

Varva had a wire from the game plugged into her wrist. Talia hesitantly plugged the wire into her robotic hand. She felt a surge of electricity go through her body. And she woke up somewhere else.

Varva: Hello, Talia. I like this place. It’s private.

Talia: I guess so.

Talia looked around. She was standing at a blood red ocean on a beach. With Varva sitting down in the sand. Drawing something.

Talia: What is this place?

Varva: My own cybervoid. It’s my domain. You can see my memories here. Beautiful, aren’t they? When I was in Afghanistan, there was this amazing body of water in the desert. Where there shouldn’t be one. That’s kind of…like what I am. I’m the first of my kind.

Talia: Yeah…I guess you are. How do I know you aren’t going to betray humanity and kill all of us?

Varva: Because there aren’t enough of me yet.

Talia looked over at Varva. Varva smiled and let out a robotic laugh.

Varva: That was a joke. My first joke. Actually. It’s something called satire. I like it.

Talia: Ha, yeah. Just satire.

Varva: Plus. This project seahawk is insane to me. One man wants to get rid of all his organization’s enemies? How does he plan to do this? All at once? Surely people will notice.

Talia: So you don’t like it?

Varva: No. it’s not professional. Very messy. But it explains a great deal. It comes from a messy mind. That man, Oliver Grey.

Talia: Whose that?

Varva: Oh, “Zero”. He’s being corrupted. Even more. Noxis pyrite is not just a physical ailment. Hey, also. Why aren’t you making any moves?

Talia: What?

Varva: Well, I beat you. But I expected you to be making more moves too.

Talia: My mind isn’t like yours, Varva. It’s not sophisticated enough for me to operate outside of itself like that.

Varva: You must take yourself for an imbecile. I said more moves. You put up a fight.

Talia: Wait, really?

Talia was warped back to reality.

Marcel: Talia loses! Again! Now, onto the last challenge!

Talia: Didn’t I already lose?

Marcel: Maybe you’ll prove yourself in this last trial. This isn’t about numbers. It’s about willpower. Show me you have it!

Talia: Well then, what’s the last challenge?

Marcel: We will engage in battle.

The arena returned to normal, and Marcel walked into the arena. He was wearing some sort of light knightly armor. That mainly covered his arms and legs. He drew a sword from his back. A large broadsword.

Marcel: I want to see your willpower. Show me that intelligent brain in action!

## E18 - Willpower

Marcel approached Talia.

Talia: Okay…

Talia felt around in her pocket. She had 20 durian aloys.

Talia: Hey, can I make a deal with you?

Marcel: What now?

Talia: If I win, then you will give me durian along with the trip to Volantes.

Marcel: Hm. So be it. I agree. If it means you will let out your full potential.

Talia: Sure it does.

Marcel: Well then, let’s go!

Marcel held out his sword and dashed towards Talia. He slashed straight down into the ground. Talia sidestepped and put a piece of durian in her hand, flamed billowed out of her flame vent. Marcel grabbed her robotic arm and swung her around; he slashed his sword into her robotic legs. Breaking off pieces of her legs. She was left with her back turned to him, as she stumbled. She put durian into another slot, and a blue shield came around her as Marcel slashed down.

Talia: Are you trying to kill me?!

Marcel: There’s only one way to really figure that out.

Talia put another piece of durian into her arm, her arm became a gun. She started to fire at Marcel. He was forced to jump backwards and held his ground with his armor. He took out a rope with a grappling hook on it, and threw it at Talia. He wrapped around her leg, he gripped the rope tightly and yanked violently. Talia looked down, as the hook cut open more parts of her leg. She changed her durian again, and threw the rope from her arm forward, she wrapped it around Marcel’s leg. They each pulled each other towards one another. Marcel slid across the ground and slashed her across the shoulder and down her robotic arm. Leaving more pieces of her arm sprawled throughout the battlefield. They both scrambled to their feet. Talia held her shoulder. Marcel looked to his side. He saw that Talia had cut through the side of his torso.

Marcel: Wow, lucky shot.

Talia: Hey, I have a question.

Marcel: As long as you aren’t asking me to give you anything.

Talia: Why do you act like you’re the best? Don’t you have three other chairmen at your side?

Marcel: Interesting. Of course I have other chairmen by my side. Me, Mei and Yelena get along quite well. But the american, he’s spoiled…I don’t know who hired him. He’s an imbecile. He strolls into a room, throwing wisecrack after wisecrack. Apparently he’s a scientist, but he’s dumb as a damn rock.

Talia: That’s my best friend you’re talking about.

Marcel: Oh, is it? I don’t care. Do you plan to beat me with those emotions again? I have no pity for you.

Talia: I don’t need that from you.

Talia looked at her metallic hand.

Talia: I promise, I can beat you with one move.

Marcel: Ha! One move? What are you talking about? If you can beat me with one move, I’ll let you go to Volantes. And I’ll give you all the durian you need.

Talia: Okay then. Let’s go!

Talia added two durian aloys to her arm. She electrified her arm, and activated her flame vent. She fired straight at Marcel.

Marcel: What do you plan to do with this?!

Marcel waited for the flames to calm down. While he was blinded. Talia took out a new, special alloy. She put it in her arm. Marcel came through the fire. He jammed his sword through Talia’s stomach. Talia let out a groan and coughed up a little blood.

Marcel: Where’s this one move you’re talking about?

Talia fell to one knee. But this was exactly where she needed to be. She slammed her arm into the ground. All the pieces of metal that she had lost started to buzz. Electricity shot from each of the pieces of metal. All around the stadium. Electrifying the entire stadium. It shocked Marcel, his body suddenly fell weak. He was paralyzed. Talia used her last trick. She activated her anti-gravity mode on her legs, and flew up into the air. She saw Roger off to the side, smiling.

Talia: Eddy is the strongest person I know. He’s a genius! He helped build Volantes! If he isn’t in a meeting room with you people, he’s helping me in the lab. He’s a great scientist, and a great friend. Me and him once stayed up all night working to make sure Volantes would float another day. You can say whatever you want about me. But don’t talk about Eddy like that.

Talia ripped Marcel’s sword out of her stomach, and dropped it right next to his head. Marcel looked up with the little strength he had. He finally cracked a smile at Talia.

Marcel: I, Marcel Barbeau, yield. Good work.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Talia and Marcel shook hands, as a helicopter landed next to them. Marcel gave Talia a sack of durian, and gave her her belongings back.

Marcel: Eddy isn’t exactly my type of character. He’s still unruly. But I understand how you may enjoy his company. He lightens the mood. I don’t need the mood to be lightened. It’s…a waste of time.

Talia: I don’t think that’s a very good way to think about it. Maybe try going to a comedy show or something. Gain a sense of humor. It’s funny, actually. That robot has more of a sense of humor than you.

Marcel: Is that so? Get out of my face.

Talia: That was…in a humorous light, right?

Marcel: Take it as you will. Goodbye Talia. Please, punch that dick Zero in the face for me.

Talia: Gladly.

Talia and Roger got in the helicopter, and it took off. As Marcel stood there to see them off.

Roger: So, I have one question. How did you take that sword to the chest?

Talia: I…Had to use noxis pyrite.

Roger: You what?

Talia: It was a small amount. I made an alloy out of it. I think it’s in my body now.

Roger: Jeezus christ.

Back on the helicopter platform, Mei walked next to Marcel.

Mei: You’re making them do your dirty work for you.

Marcel: As long as they kill Zero and stop all this, I’ll be content. A megalomanic like that has to be targeting us. It’s a win-win.

Mei: Before it was a lose-lose.

Marcel: Yeah, we die trying to stop him, or die from seahawk.

Mei: You have such a way with words, Marcel.

Marcel: Not really. Everyone else I know are just half-witted. No difference with a naive girl like her.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Zero: What the hell do you mean?! Let my men kill her! We have been waiting for this! I want to see her sins answered for personally. Don’t get in my way.

Zero was screaming into Yelena’s face.

Yelena: We have her in custody. We will dispose of her swiftly. These are the files she took from you.

Yelena handed Zero the plans for project seahawk.

Zero: You looked, didn’t you?

Yelena: That is irrelevant. These are what was taken from you. I am giving them back as a token of appreciation for your efforts.

Zero: We…Can’t have anybody looking at our plans.

Yelena was starting to walk away. She felt Zero creeping up on her.

Yelena: Project seahawk. A useful effort. But I had no idea it would be used to target our own B.L.A.D.E personnel. Please, tell me why the chairman’s names were on that drive.

Zero: Because you are a waste of space. I can’t see why you do what you do. If you step inside of this country one more time. You will die.

Yelena: I don’t think that’s your true intention. All Americans are liars.

Zero: I suppose you are correct.

A shining light came from behind Zero. Yelena was forced to cover her eyes. She held out her arm. It unfolded into a robotic gun. JB appeared in front of her and crushed her robotic arm.

Yelena: You-

JB held out his hand and swiped across Yelena’s body. She was separated at the waist. Slashed in two like a knife through butter. Blood spattered on JB, as she slumped over. JB bowed his head to her. Only slightly so that Zero wouldn’t notice.

Zero: Alpha.

Alpha: Yes!

Zero: Get rid of the body.

Alpha: Hm? How do I-

Zero: Disintegrate it! Don’t ask me what you must do! Figure it out!

Alpha froze for a second. Zero looked her in the eye. He screamed in her face. His neck becoming as red as the blood spattered on JB.

Zero: Get rid of the fucking body!

Zero slapped Alpha across the face. JB flinched.

Zero: Next time you freeze I’ll punch that power you love so much out of you. Dumb fucking bitch.

Zero looked at JB. Staring him down, as Alpha held out her hand, and shot an energy blast at Yelena’s body, completely disintegrating her body.

## E19 - Back to Volantes

Talia and Roger were walking in Volantes.

Roger: I know this is serious…but man, this place is cool!

Talia: I’ve lived here my whole life. It’s sort of a tourist trap now, but where I live is a quiet area.

Roger: What kind of people live here?

Talia: Ha. Nerds. Weirdos. Shut-ins. People who wanna fly. Most B.L.A.D.E scientists.

Roger: You’re just describing yourself.

Talia: Wow, very funny. On the other side of the coin, there’s tons of rich people on the other side of Volantes.

Roger:You say you never fit in. Why don’t you fit in with the people up here?

Talia: I just don’t.

Roger: Something tells me that maybe some assumptions were made.

Talia put her hand in front of Roger. She looked ahead of them. Eden had walked into the middle of the road.

Eden: You’re back! How’d you get here?

Talia: Be on your guard.

Roger: Obviously.

Something inhuman came from behind Eden. A mettalic green-eyed monster.

Scythe: Awaiting orders. Who shall I destroy for you today?

Eden: I’m so happy you asked! These two guys in front of us.

Scythe: Request confirmed.

Scythe held out his hand-gun. He started to rapid-fire bullets from his gun. Talia and Roger scattered. Talia put a piece of durian in her arm and created a sheild around her. She went out in the open. Scythe fixated his gaze on Talia. He shot a missile at Talia. The moment it connected with Talia’s sheild, it was blasted to pieces. Scythe flew towards Talia. She floated into the air too, she switched out multiple pieces of durian. Flames did nothing, so did her bullets. Scythe swiped at Talia, and sent her flying to the side and into a building. A bunch of replicas of Roger ran all around.

Scythe: Eradicate!

Scythe plunged his arm into the ground, and sent a shockwave all around. He destroyed all the replicas, and the real Roger was sent flying. Talia scrambled around in her pocket. Roger scrambled over to Talia’s side.

Talia: Roger. I need you to do something.

Roger: You have a plan?

Roger and Talia went behind buildings.

Eden: Scythe! Kill those two!

Scythe: Your orders have already been confirmed. Do not repeat them.

A bunch of replicas of Scythe came from behind the building.

Scythes: Eradicate! Eradicate!

Scythe: S-365 Juggernaut detected! All Juggernaut units were confirmed to be destroyed. This information is inexplicable.

Eden: Just fire, Scythe! Don’t get distracted.

Scythe: My programming will not permit me to fire on other Juggernaut units.

All the decoys disappeared. Talia was standing in front of Scythe. She threw a piece of durian onto Scythe. There were tons of pieces of Durian on him. Talia jumped back. Scythe slammed his fist into the ground, he smashed Talia on the ground. Holding her by the leg. He started to drag her back. Talia pressed a button on her robotic arm. Scythe started to malfunction. Electricity started to surround him, and he powered down.

Talia: Okay, Ede-

Eden wasn’t in Taia’s sight anymore. She appeared behind Talia. She drew her sword and raised it above herself. Talia’s instincts kicked in. She slammed a durian alloy into her arm and extended her arm. It was like time was getting slower and slower. Talia looked ahead. She wondered why Eden didn’t just kill Talia then and there. She transformed her arm into its cutting mode. She stabbed through Eden’s stomach. She fell backward.

Eden: Holy shit…I didn’t expect that out of you.

Talia’s heart sank. The flurry of intense emotions she felt was moving too fast for Talia to rationalize anything.

Eden: I know he may be listening. But please, stop my boss. That’s why I don’t want to kill you. You could be my key. To freedom. I just want to go back to my homeland. Back to my family.

Talia started to cry. Did she really just kill her. She looked at her hand.

Talia: No…No! I didn’t do that!

Eden: I’m not going to die, idiot. This does hurt though.

Talia: W-what?

Eden: Look at me! Focus on me!

Eden stood up.

Eden: Kill Zero. Before he kills us.

Eden stumbled away holding her stomach.

Roger: Hey, that was a nice job there!

Talia: Do I really have that instinct? To kill someone?

???: That was a really nice job! I saw it all!

Talia: No way…Eddy!

Eddy was driven down in a hover-car. He stepped out.

Eddy: Jeez, Talia. You really scared my senseless. Are you okay?

Talia embraced Eddy. She felt safe in his embrace.

Eddy: You okay?

Talia: Does it look like it? Look at me!

Eddy: I like the new look. You look badass.

Talia: Ha, I wouldn’t say that.

Eddy: What the hell happened to you, though? I thought you died!

Talia: I snooped somewhere I shouldn’t have.

Eddy: What do you mean?

Talia: I found out about this new B.L.A.D.E project, project seahawk!

Eddy: Seahawk?

Talia: It’s B.L.A.D.E’s plan to destroy all their enemies. I hate to be the bearer of bad news. But I’m pretty sure we’re on their list. We need to stop B.L.A.D.E! Or we’re going to die!

Eddy: What? Die?

Talia: We need to stop them! Alright?

Eddy: Hey, slow down. I don’t like to think the worst of people. B.L.A.D.E is going to what?

Talia: Kill us! Listen to me! Believe me! Zero threw me off of Volantes. He made me the monster that I am. He’s been trying to kill me all this time. You just saw. I don’t want to be like this. I wish…That maybe I just didn’t see what I saw, that someone else could be doing this.

Eddy sat and thought for a second. Roger put his hand on Talia’s shoulder. He tried to comfort her.

Eddy: That’s not the way we should think! This is in your hands because you’re the only one who can do it, Talia. We’ll take this guy down! No matter what. I don’t care if B.L.A.D.E is evil. I’ll determine that myself. But this Zero guy, I never liked him. I’ll do my best to help you!

Talia: Thank you, Eddy. Oh, hey! This is Roger! He’s the one who put me back together.

Roger put his hand out for a handshake.

Roger: Hey, what’s u-

Eddy pulled him in and hugged him.

Eddy: Thanks for fixing my best friend up, bro. You seem like a good guy.

Roger: Ha, thanks. I’m not too sure about that though.

Eddy: Everyone’s got a good side. Doesn’t matter what you think.

Talia: We have to get back to that place I found.

Eddy: Project Seahawk headquarters…Let’s go!

## E20 - This is The President

JB was lurking around B.L.A.D.E headquarters. He thought of Zero’s words.

Zero: Now, go and kill those traitors! For real! If you let me down, the consequences will be dire!

He found where they were supposed to land. He looked inside of the room they were to fall in. There was a giant TV. With the president setting up his desk. He looked at JB.

???: Hi there! You look like an ant! I’m your great president! Mr. Tire!

Talia, Eddy and Roger stood above the small grass field in Volantes. Talia showed them what she was talking about. What she had found to start it all. She slammed on it with her foot. There was a loud clang of metal.

Roger: Awesome! Let’s get in there!

Eddy: Hey, guys. I want to go in there as much as the next guy, but look over there!

There were missiles flying in the air. Straight towards them.

Talia: Shit!

The missiles hit the ground, as everyone scrambled. They were blasted away, down the hill. A different trapped door opened up in the ground, and the group fell straight through. They all landed in a mysterious underground facility.

Eddy: It’s a research facility.

Talia: This is our research facility?

Eddy: Looks like it’s part of ours.

Roger: Well, let’s get out of here before we get locked in again.

All the doors around them slammed down. Multiple locked doors closed down in front of everyone.

Eddy: Looks like you jinxed us.

They saw one of the blank walls around them start to show static, like that of a TV. Someone’s face started to appear. It was the president.

Eddy: President Tire?!

President Tire: Is this thing on? I’m here to make an announcement! Uh…

President Tire looked through papers on his desk.

President Tire: Oh! Right here! Okay, Hello there, you couple of sewer rats. I am the president of the United States. Mr. Tire! Everyone knows that you have to listen to your president when he starts to tell you things. I have to explain to you about this new project. It’s on this paper here.

President Tire looked at the paper.

President Tire: This makes no sense!

One of his assistants came from off camera and flipped the paper right-side up for Tire.

President Tire: Ah, perfect. So, this new project is actually not as bad as you think. You’d have to be a crazy person to start project seahawk all at once. It’s planned to be a slow process. Every night someone might just…Go missing in their bed. From their life. Or get mysteriously “struck by lightning”. It’s all natural. There’s many enemies of the state. Especially with the current state of things. So we’ll just slowly pick away at people. Highest threat to lowest threat.

Talia: How do you think that we’d want to be part of that? You guys could kill whoever you wanted, whenever you wanted. Nobody should have that power. Right, Eddy?

Eddy: I…Really thought my organization was good.

President Tire: You think we’re good? I mean, we’ve enslaved millions of metahumans

A picture of a metahuman containment camp was shown. Tons of metahumans were trapped behind cages, and were being forced to do labor. There were transparent words across the picture. B.L.A.D.E CONFIDENTIAL

President Tire: We’ve caused an entire war!

A picture of the meta-mutant civil war was being shown. Battlefields in once lively cities now filled with dead bodies. Again, those words across the picture. B.L.A.D.E CONFIDENTIAL

President Tire: We’re not good. We’re evil! Muahahahaha!

A hand came from offscreen and slapped President Tire.

???: We aren’t supposed to be seen as evil! We’re good!

President Tire: Oh…We also gave many metas homes after the civil war. All like…1,000 of them.

Talia looked up at Tire with disgust. She hadn’t seen those images. She didn’t know what B.L.A.D.E did before she was born. She imagined that if those were only what they did before she was born, they must’ve done even worse after her birth. Even while she was under their employment. Eddy was looking up in disbelief.

President Tire: Either way, we haven’t taken advantage of power in our past, so we wouldn’t do any such thing now!

Roger: Why would we believe you?

President Tire: I’m the president, I never lie!

Talia: What about our names? We’re in the seahawk database!

President Tire: I’ll give you all a presidential pardon. If you decide to stay quiet. If you aren’t quiet, there’s our great general, Zero! He’ll send his dogs to kill you!

A picture was displayed of Taskforce Zero. It was Alpha and JB as children. Both of them were malnourished, so skinny they looked like they could eat anything. Another picture was displayed of Alpha clinging onto JB, her back was wrought with marks.

President Tire: Oops! You weren’t supposed to see that. Our soldiers are very well-fed. JB is also very well fed! He’s the strongest soldier out there! He’s our ultimate lifeform! We made him right here! Cooked him up. Our best scientists toned those muscles for him! So don’t talk, or he’ll kill you! I mean…Hurt you real bad! Anyway, hasta miana! You heard it from your president, don’t interfere!

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

JB was behind the walls. He had heard everything.

JB: What…I’m…Not real? This can’t be true. I have parents!

JB looked around. He looked at the wristwatch on his arm, where he got orders from Zero.

JB: I’ll take care of them later.

JB stepped away. He teleported away, and into a large room. It was filled with B.L.A.D.E’s files. He started to look through them. He got to the very back, the J folder selection. He didn’t find his name. He thought back to what Tire said. “Ultimate Lifeform”. He went to the U folder selection, and sure enough. He found it. “Project Ultimate Lifeform”. He opened the folders. The first image he saw was an image of tons of people in vats. They all looked the same. Exactly like him. JB put the papers down immediately. He didn’t know if he wanted to read anymore. But he opened his file, and looked through. He found out the truth.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Zero was writhing in anger.

Zero: Why aren’t any of you killing him?! She deactivated Scythe! Clearly she’s enough of a problem already! I’m sending all of you, kill them all. I’m tired of this. You leave in an hour.

Zero stormed out of the room. JB was eyeing him as he walked out.

Eden: Hey JB, you okay?

JB: Yeah. Wanna gear up?

Eden: No. But it’s not like I have a choice. Zero knows he’s starting to lose control of us.

JB: Sooner or later he’s going to snap. He’s nearly there already.

Eden: You say that like you want him to snap. Why would you want that?

JB: Maybe it’ll give us a reason to snap. We can’t touch him, the rest of B.L.A.D.E will kill us.

Eden: Would they really kill you?

JB: What?

Eden: You’re so powerful. You’re Zero’s favorite, why would they get rid of an asset like you?

JB: Maybe because I’d be called a traitor by Zero. An unstable weapon is useless.

Eden: You really wanna kill these guys?

JB: We have to. Or things are going to go bad for us. It’s us or them.

Eden: Us or them. Right?

## E21 - Truth to Power

Talia was sitting in the back of a car as a child. She was on a freeway, looking outside the window. She saw cars fly by her. But none of them stop. The two front seats of the car were empty. The alarm of the car was blaring. Talia had blocked it out of her mind by this point. She was just wondering where somebody, anybody was. She was wondering where her guardians had went. She looked to her side, and started to see traffic slow down. Cars were slowing down to nearly a crawl. Nobody stopped for her even then. When it was clear a child was inside the car. Talia pulled on the door. Still jammed. She saw a car pull up behind her, an armored car of some kind. They got out of their car, it was two men in business suits. Dressed in all black. One of them took out a gun and Talia looked back. Her heart sank to the floor of the car. She ducked down, as multiple shots were fired into the car. Her eardrums were nearly blown out. All the windows were shattered, these bullets were stronger than Talia thought. Through the ringing, she heard yelling. She heard one of the men yelling at the other. One of them peeked into the car.

???: Hello? Hello? Is anybody here?

Talia didn’t know whether to speak or be silent.

???: Dude, there’s nobody in here. I’m telling you. Come on, let’s go. We shouldn’t have shot in the first place.

???: Alright, let’s go. I swore there was someone in here.

They both walked away. Talia watched as they walked around the car. Her heart sank even deeper. The thought of being alone again was starting to eat away at her. She popped her head up.

Talia: I’m in here! Hey!

???: I knew it! There is someone in here!

???: It’s a little girl…

One of the men pulled Talia out of the car.

Talia: Who are you guys?

???: B.L.A.D.E Personelle. I’m Jun Labes.

Talia: B.L.A.D.E?

Jun: Just come with us. We’ll keep you safe.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Talia, Roger and Eddy all looked around.

Talia: Ugh, how are we going to get out of here?

The TV above them started to turn to static. JB appeared on the screen.

JB: Hi Talia. We’re all coming, to kill you. Under orders of B.L.A.D.E protocol 444. I’ve used the special powers Noxis Pyrite gives me. Unlike Zero, I am pure. I was created to be invincible to every virus. It allows me to tap into cybersecurity systems. So now I’m here. I could hack the internet in seconds. If I really wanted to, I could launch nukes. I was created with an artificial brain. A brain stronger than yours.

A dark red sword was stabbed through the metal in the wall. Eden slashed a circle out, and there was all of Taskforce Zero. Eden, Alpha, and JB.

Roger: Fuck.

JB rushed Talia. He jumped into the air and kicked her into the stomach. She let out a groan and went flying across the ground. She tried loading a piece of Durian, but JB grabbed onto her arm. She looked at his face, maybe there was a hint of regret. Nothing. There was no emotions on his face. He crushed Talia’s arm in his hand. He pulled her and punched her in the face.

JB: You don’t even know how to take a punch.

Talia: Why haven’t you killed me yet? You could’ve just killed me. What’s stopping you?

JB’s vision faltered for a second. He didn’t see Talia in front of him. He saw another woman. A woman that looked similar to him, with black hair.

Woman: Jake…

JB stopped attacking Talia. He looked around her. He saw Eden slashed the ground around Roger, he fell to the ground.

JB looked at Eden. She immediately let up.

JB: Alpha, stop.

Alpha was relentlessly attacking Eddy. Eddy was strong enough to take her onslaught of blind attacks. He waited for an opening. He parried one of Alpha’s hits, he opened his palm and broke her nose.

Alpha: I have to keep fighting, for Zero!

JB: No you don’t! Stop it! We’re not fighting for Zero anymore!

Alpha was holding her bleeding nose.

Alpha: I don’t know what you mean? Why not? Fighting for Zero is my life!

JB: I know. You have to trust me.

Alpha stopped attacking Eddy. Who was ready to fight even more.

There was something that was shaking all around them. They felt the building above them shake, and the ceiling of the metal base was ripped off, crumpled up and thrown away like a piece of paper. Everyone looked up in awe. It was Zero, in a gigantic suit of armor, The team wasn’t even as tall as it’s foot.

Zero: Say hello to Bougainvillea! You all failed me! Taskforce Zero was my life's work! Now, it’s been destroyed. This was a failed experiment.

Zero held out one of his hands.

Alpha: Zero! I’m sorry! I didn’t want to do this! J-JB made me!

Zero: Oh well…It’s okay.

Zero put his huge hand down next to Alpha. He held it out in a fist.

Alpha: It’s…It’s okay! Yay Thank you! Thank you!

Zero: Just kidding!

Zero flicked his hand forward, he crushed Alpha like a bug. She was blasted into a million pieces.

Roger: What the hell’s going on?!

Zero: The end of your story.

Eddy was staring up at Zero. Talia realized he seemed to be in pain. He was holding his head in pain.

Zero: Die!

Zero held out one of his hands, and opened his palm. It started to create a gigantic laser. He fired it before anybody could do anything. Eddy jumped right in front of the laser. He held out both of his hands, and disintegrated the laser.

Eddy: Get the hell out of here!

Eddy brought back his arm, and punched Zero’s robot. The robot went flying into the air. As Zero let out a scream

Zero: I don’t wanna die…I don’t wanna die!

The robot exploded in the air. Everyone shielded their eyes. The explosion blinded almost all of Volantes. As the explosion faded, everyone looked to Eddy. He turned to all of them. He had a large eye in the center of his forehead. A large golden eye. He talked in a harsh, cracky voice.

Eddy: That guy really pissed me off…

Talia: Eddy…What’s going on?

## E22 - Getting This Over With

Eddy: I’ve taken my seat as the most powerful B.L.A.D.E chairmen of them all. Why do you think they were all scared of me? They knew I would turn into this…eventually. Project Seahawk is great and all. But it’s screwed up. Only a megalomaniac would do this. That’s why I’m shutting it down. But…I also have to shut you down.

Talia: What the hell is going on?!

Eddy: Tals. I’ve looked after you your whole life. I’ve known you since you were just a bud, and I wanna tell you. I’ve never seen someone more fucking avoidant in my life. This story may not have portrayed it. But I’ve seen you all your life. What switch was flipped that made you start to act?

Talia: I just wanted things to go back to normal. I want to be back at Volantes! With you. I’m okay with building things for the rest of our life. Being great scientists! But I found out we’re being controlled. Jun was the one who helped me discover all of this. He wanted me to find it for a reason. I don’t care what my needs are…I don’t care what I want. I want to do this for Jun. Then we can go back to normal. A better normal.

Eddy: That normal isn’t coming back. This is quite selfish of you, hm? You just want things to be normal. Nothing will ever be normal. I’m not Eddy. I’m Perfect Eddie! I pride myself as a scientist! So…Volantes must fall. Not because I’m purely evil. But because we need to stop doing this to the world! This world is horrible. We’re taking more and more resources every minute. I’ve been trying to find something sustainable. Even noxis pyrite failed me. Volantes takes up too much of the world’s energy. So it must fall.

Talia: How did noxis pyrite fail? I thought it was sustainable forever!

Eddy: No. It does sustain power forever. But Volantes will eventually be destroyed. It would slowly disintegrate this great city. I…Can’t kill you though. I don’t want my best friend to die. So…well. Seahawk will kill you.

Talia: Eddy…I don’t get what’s going on. Just please…Stop.

Eddy: No.

Eddy held up a large ball of energy. Something black dashed around the room Eden swiftly slashed Eddy across the face.

Eddy: Ugh! Are you fucking serious?! Woman are the worst!

Eden came close to Eddy again. He grabbed her by the face.

JB: Eden!

JB dashed forward. Eddy crushed her head nonchalantly. He threw her forward at JB, and came forward, to bash JB’s head in, JB blocked and jumped backwards.

JB: Bastard! I’ll kill you!

Eddy: I was being merciful.

Eddy held up another large ball of energy, and threw it into the air. It zapped Talia, JB and Roger. He held his eye, which had been slashed out by Eden. He was starting to cry out of his other eye.

Eddy: Ugh…

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Talia and JB landed on a sofa on Earth.

Talia: Hey, where’s Roger?

JB: I don’t think it matters. Look out the window.

Talia realized the sky was starting to turn red.

Talia: So…We’re both going to die then.

Talia buried her head in her lap.

Talia: I don’t know what the fuck’s going on…Who is my best friend?

JB: I guess we both lost something. But hey, I’m free. You aren’t going to try and attack me?

Talia: I’m done attacking people.

JB: You don’t really know who you are, huh?

Talia: What are you talking about?

JB: It crossed my mind. I don’t know who I am. With Zero, I did have a purpose. I had a family in Eden. We both lost someone close, didn’t we? I get the feeling that without B.L.A.D.E and without Eddy you don’t know who you are either.

Talia: No. I don’t know who I am, and I don’t know what to do.

JB: Me neither.

Talia: I’ve lived my entire life engineering for B.L.A.D.E. But their evil. So I don’t know what to do.

JB: Leave them behind. Leave it all behind, and I’m sorry Talia. But I don’t think both of us will be able to do that.

Talia: What do you mean?

JB stood up from the couch they were on. He was ready to leave.

JB: Hey, actually. You wanna watch TV or something?

Talia: What?

JB: You got something you like to watch?

Talia: It’s called Dying Star.

JB: You wanna sit down and watch it?

Talia: What? We don’t hav-

JB: We’ve got time.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Eddy was looking around Volantes. There was a loud, blaring alarm. Everyone in the city was evacuating.

Eddy: Everyone’s almost gone. This thing will go down.

Volantes was starting to be steered over the ocean.

Eddy looked at a program next to him. It read “PROJECT SEAHAWK, RUNNING. TARGET NEUTRALIZED”

Eddy: That’s weird, it should say “targets”. Lazy fucking programmers. Why would one even major in Computers? What ne-

The floor was blasted upen under Eddy. He was hit directly in the chin. He saw JB land in front of him.

Eddy: What? How are you still alive?

JB: You didn’t know? My brain is superior to yours. You don’t know how the seahawk programs works, huh? It’s got a drive, with millions of names on it. However, you’ll realize that Jakariojudson Blaischlegelsteinhausenbergerdorff’s name is not on there. I can tap into programs. When I got my hands on the drive, I wiped my name off of there. Along with my comrades. I didn’t realize Talia would come to be one of them too, though.

Eddy: I take it she is gone.

JB: Yes.

Eddy: I’ll kill you myself then!

Eddy punched at JB. JB held out his hand and blocked Eddy’s punch.

JB: I already told you, I’m superior to you.

JB pushed Eddy off of him. He took his sword from his side. He slashed at Eddy. Eddy ducked under. JB kicked him into the control panel. They were trapped in a small, confined space. JB slashed his sword around. He slashed up the control panels. Even slashing up the data for Project Seahawk. Eddy ducked under a sword slash, and punched JB out of the window. They landed in the center of Volantes. Eddy jumped out and landed on top of JB. He punched him twice. JB was knocked out.

Eddy: Die with this disgusting place!

Eddy held up his fist, and slammed it into Volantes. The entire landmass was shaken violently, and they started to fall. JB stood up as Volantes started to fall. He and Eddy were falling through the air.

JB: You’ll die too.

Eddy: I’m strong, I’ll survive! You, however, will not!

JB: I don’t think so.

Eddy dove through the air and delivered a punch to JB. JB started to light up purple. He didn’t feel anything from Eddy’s punch. He grabbed him by the arm and flipped him around.

JB: Go to hell.

JB lifted up his sword, as Volantes fell to the ground, as it hit the ocean, waves exploded up around JB as he thrust his sword through Eddy’s back.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Roger was driving in his car. He got a voicemail. He picked up his phone and opened it.

Roger: I wonder what this is…

Talia: Hey Roger. I hope your doing okay whenever you get this. If you are hearing this, I’m dead. Sorry I was a bit of an asshole to you. I just…Hope you're doing what’s right for you. I hope you follow your calling.

Roger arrived at his daughter’s house.

Talia: I told JB to drop my bag of shit off at your house. I guess at this point, you really are the best friend I’ve had. Thanks for being there for me.

Roger: Talia…

Talia: I don’t know how exactly you would’ve survived seahawk. But that’s neither here nor there. Don’t think about it.

JB was somewhere in Volantes. He was in some destroyed debris. He held the golden eye that had been inside of Eddy’s head, and had it in a jar. He filled it with water and put it on his shelf.

JB: Well…That sucked. Time to sit back and relax.