PSO2: Legend of Aki [Updated 8/23/14]
Hi there!Most of you probably don't know/remember me. I was pretty active in the PSU sections years ago, but after PSU I kind of stopped posting. >.> Anyway, I love coming up with back stories for my game characters and I finally decided to write one of them down! This is the story of my PSO2 (and formerly PSU) character, Aki. I have to admit, I've never read another PSO2 fanfic and this is the first one I've ever written, so please be kind. xD I'm hoping to release my story in sections, once per week. If you like it, please check back again! Thanks very much for visiting!
P.S. I included some "recommended listening" song links to convey the tone I wanted. You don't have to listen to them if you don't want to, but personally I think it adds something you can't get from text alone.
EPISODE 1.1 [7/6/13]
Spoiler!PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2: LEGEND OF AKI
[recommended listening]
Oracle: An enormous fleet of starships capable of interstellar travel. Its creation ushered in a new age as humanity raced to explore and colonize the vast reaches of outer space. Within the Oracle government, a new organization dedicated to the purpose of charting new planets, known as "ARKS," was formed. Because of the dangerous nature of exploring unknown planets, the ARKS were in need of the bravest and strongest soldiers. To that end, one of their many endeavors was the funding of the "Aki Project"...
Eldona, an Oracle-held planet in the Eldonis System...
"Aki? It's time to wake up, rise and shine!"
"Good morning, Doctor."
Dr. Bowman smiled and stepped to the next alcove, pressing a button on the wall.
"Aki? Time to wake up, rise and shine!"
"Good morning, Doctor."
Moving along to the last alcove, Dr. Bowman pressed another button.
"Aki? Wake up, rise and shine!"
"Good morning, Doctor."
The three of them stepped out of their recharging alcoves in the wall. They were nearly identical except for the style of their shoulder armor and the numbers "01," "02," and "03" emblazoned on each of their left shoulders, respectively. Although they had human-like faces, their bodies were made of solid metal, lightweight but durable substances that gave them far more strength and agility than a normal person. They were CASTs, androids developed by humans to think and function independently. And despite their adult appearance, they had been activated less than a month ago.
Spoiler!
Dr. Bowman turned to face them. "Did you sleep well last night?"
They all replied in unison. "Yes, Doctor."
"Good, because we have a big day ahead of us! Irene, make sure you bring the key to the hovercar."
The doctor's assistant stepped beside him, jiggling the key in her hand. "Way ahead of you, Doctor."
"Then let's go, shall we?"
Spoiler!
* * * * * * * * *
The practice range was about a kilometer away from the lab. The forest wasn't very thick in this area and the morning sun shone into the clearing, reflecting off the Akis' red and black armor. Irene handed out weapons as the doctor began talking.
"I've taught you many things, but now it's time for some real target practice. When I built you, I programmed all the basic combat subroutines into your memory. However, having the knowledge doesn't mean you have the experience. You were built to be soldiers, and the difference between a good soldier and a bad soldier is experience."
"Doctor?"
"Yes, Zero One?"
Aki01 tilted her head slightly to the right. "Why didn't you program us with experience?"
Dr. Bowman chuckled. "Some things can't be programmed, I'm afraid. But that's why we're here today, isn't it?"
"Doctor?"
"Yes, Zero Three?"
"Will we become good soldiers?"
"Yes, yes I'm sure that you will. That's why you were created, the three of you. And in that respect, you have an advantage other soldiers do not. As you know, you three have the ability to share information amongst you when you're recharging in your alcoves. Now, imagine how that ability will help you become better soldiers."
"We will accumulate experience three times as fast."
"Yes, Zero Two, that's exactly right." Dr. Bowman smiled as he stroked his white beard. "And that is why I programmed each of you with a different specialization."
He stepped in front of Aki01. "Zero One the Hunter, master of melee weaponry." Aki01 gripped the hilt of her photon saber.
He stepped in front of Aki02. "Zero Two the Ranger, master of guns." Aki02 rested her hand on her photon rifle.
He stepped in front of Aki03. "Zero Three the Force, master of Techniques." Aki03 held her photon rod with both hands.
"Now then, Irene has been kind enough to set up dummy targets for you, and I want you to do your best to hit them. Take your time, don't rush, and always remember: It's okay to fail as long as you try your hardest. Learn from your mistakes so you won't make them again."
* * * * * * * * *
Three hours later, target practice was over and the five of them returned to the lab in the hovercar. Irene parked out in front and they disembarked from the vehicle. Dr. Bowman was the last to get out.
"You did an excellent job today, girls. We'll continue these little practice sessions every day, so I want you to focus on improving your timing and accuracy even more."
"Doctor?"
"Yes, Zero One?"
"Look, over there." Aki01 pointed to a bush roughly ten meters away. A large red and white bird was sprawled on top of it, clearly in pain and making low gurgling noises.
"Oh my. It seems to be injured," the doctor remarked as he adjusted his glasses.
Irene ran into the lab and returned a moment later carrying a small gray pistol. She aimed it at the bird, but Aki01 stepped in front of her with her arms raised at her sides.
"Wait, you don't need to shoot it!"
Irene smiled. "It's alright, Aki. This is just a tranquilizer gun. I'm going to put the bird to sleep so we can move it into the lab safely."
Aki01 lowered her arms. "Oh. I suppose that's okay, then."
* * * * * * * * *
They brought the unconscious bird into the lab and set up an area for it in the corner. Irene examined its injured wing and bandaged it as best she could. When the bird woke up later, it panicked and began flying around the room--as well as it could with one wing, which wasn't very well. It eventually calmed down and settled into its corner once it realized the five people in the room probably weren't dangerous.
"We need to name it."
"What, the bird?"
Aki01 nodded. "It needs a name."
Irene tapped a finger on her chin. "It's a telpin bird, so maybe 'Telpy'?"
"No, I don't think so."
Dr. Bowman and Irene exchanged amused glances. "Oh? You had something else in mind?"
"It doesn't trust us yet. We need to show it that it's one of us."
Aki02 stepped forward. "In that case, how about 'Zero Four'?"
Dr. Bowman laughed. "Well, it is red just like the three of you." He turned to the bird. "What do you think about that, Zero Four?"
The bird squawked once.
"I think it approves!"
* * * * * * * * *
[recommended listening]
A week passed. The three Akis continued their daily target practice, getting steadily better each day. As they continued to improve, their practice regimen became increasingly difficult. After practice, Dr. Bowman sometimes took them on walks in the forest to gather insects for Zero Four. That particular day they had split into two groups. Zero One and Zero Three went off in one direction and Zero Two accompanied Dr. Bowman in another.
"Doctor, you taught us to protect all life."
"Yes, that's true. Life is something precious, it is always worth protecting."
Aki02 tilted her head slightly to the right. "But we are feeding insects to Zero Four. Aren't insects also a form of life?"
Dr. Bowman chuckled. "That's a good observation, and yes, you're right. But in the life cycle, some things need to be eaten so that other things can survive."
"You are saying the insects are a necessary sacrifice to ensure Zero Four's survival?"
The doctor nodded thoughtfully. "In this case, I suppose they are."
Aki02 was silent for a moment, then looked at the doctor. "Am I alive?"
Dr. Bowman raised his eyebrows as if surprised by the question. "You can think for yourself and move by yourself. You can learn and adapt and grow as a person. You can even question your own existence." He smiled. "Yes, Aki, you are alive."
"Oh," replied Aki02 quietly. "That's good, I think."
There was another brief silence.
"Doctor?"
"Yes?"
"If I am alive, does that make you my father?"
"I am your creator. For a CAST, I suppose that's as close to a father as you can get in this world."
"Then can I think of you as my father?"
Dr. Bowman smiled one of his warm, gentle smiles. "Yes, Aki, I would like that very much."
"Thank you, Doctor."
And with that, Aki02 went back to collecting insects.
* * * * * * * * *
When they returned to the lab, Irene was waiting for them.
"Dr. Bowman, you have an incoming call."
"Who is it?"
"I don't know, I don't recognize him. He said he would only talk to you."
"Very well. I'll see who it is."
Dr. Bowman entered the lab and walked over to his personal terminal. He pressed a couple buttons and the display turned on. A man wearing a black suit and hat appeared on the screen.
The man on the screen smiled, but there was no warmth in his face. "Kurt Bowman, good day. I represent the interests of Dr. Arden Sabik. I am calling you to--"
"I'm sorry but I'm not interested."
"Sir, you would be wise to reconsider. Dr. Sabik is prepared to offer you a generous sum of--"
"Dr. Sabik is a criminal who operates without sanctions. His 'research' has been copied from other scientists and he has been indicted by the Oracle research council for improper conduct and black market trading. So you'll have to excuse me when I say I can't do business with him."
The man in the black suit stopped smiling. "That's unfortunate. Yes, very unfortunate. I'll pass along your message to Dr. Sabik. Good day."
The man's image disappeared as the transmission ended.
Irene walked over to Dr. Bowman. "Who was that?"
"One of Sabik's goons."
"He's still interested in your research data?"
"So it would seem," he replied, his brows furrowing.
"You told him no, I hope?"
"Of course. I don't deal with thugs like him."
"Still, this is the third time he's approached you. Clearly he's serious about it. Should we be worried?"
The doctor paused, his expression grim. "You just leave it to me."
* * * * * * * * *
Another week passed. Aki01 and Aki02 were out at the target range while Aki03 and Irene helped Dr. Bowman clean up the lab.
"Thank you for staying behind to help us." Irene gave Zero Three an appreciative smile. "I know cleaning probably isn't as fun as target practice."
Aki03 set down a large box of instruments, a box that would have been nearly impossible for the two others to lift but appeared as light as a feather in her arms. "I don't mind. I enjoy it," she replied, "because I get to spend time with you and Dr. Bowman."
"Yes, there will be plenty of time for training," the doctor remarked. "And your sisters will share their combat data with you in the recharging alcoves later."
Zero Three paused for a second as if contemplating something, then turned to the doctor.
"Since we were created to be soldiers, does that mean we will be leaving you?"
"Yes, when your training here is complete. You will be joining the ARKS on the front lines of the Oracle fleet."
Aki03 tilted her head to the right. "Will we see you again?"
"Yes, of course, though perhaps not as often as you do now."
"When that time comes, I believe I will... miss you, Doctor."
[recommended listening]
Dr. Bowman smiled. "Let me tell you the story of how you got your name. When I was building you, I had to think of a name for you. I came up with a lot of ideas but nothing sounded right. One night I was thinking of my late wife, Adelle, and suddenly it came to me. I used the first initial of her name, my name, and Irene's name, and came up with 'Aki.'"
Aki03 looked puzzled. "But your name is Dr. Bowman."
Dr. Bowman laughed heartily. "That's true, but my given name is Kurt. Adelle, Kurt, Irene--Aki. So you see, even when I'm not there, just think of your name and you'll know that I'm always with you."
Aki03 paused for a moment, then looked at Dr. Bowman. "I liked that story."
Irene patted the doctor on the back. "When they're gone, I think you'll be the loneliest one."
Dr. Bowman glanced at his assistant and smiled wistfully. "I think you're right about that."
They were interrupted by the sound of fluttering wings and instruments clattering to the floor. Zero Four had grabbed a piece of rubber tubing in its mouth and proceeded to fly around the lab with it. It swept over their heads going in one direction, then again in another. Try as they might, they couldn't seem to calm the bird.
On its third pass, Aki03 leaped up and intercepted Zero Four, grabbing it in both arms. It dropped the rubber tubing and began squawking repeatedly but Aki03 wouldn't let go. "It's okay, don't worry, you're safe," she kept repeating in a soothing tone. Zero Four's squawking became less frantic and it gradually stopped struggling. Finally she set the bird down in its spot in the corner. It looked up at her with calm eyes, its sudden outburst seemingly past.
"It would seem Zero Four is completely healed," Dr. Bowman declared. "I think the time has come to release it back into the wild."
* * * * * * * * *
The next morning they did just that. The five of them climbed the stairs to the roof of the lab, with Aki01 carrying Zero Four in a straw basket. The lab was a two-story building situated on the top of a small hill and they had a magnificent view of the yellow sun rising over the trees.
"Looks like it's going to be a beautiful day," Irene commented.
"It certainly is," the doctor agreed, taking in the view.
Aki03 stood at the edge of the building, looking out over the vast expanse below. "The forest is so big, it seems to go on forever."
Dr. Bowman stepped beside her. "Would you like to see more of it? I think you girls deserve a day off. I know the perfect spot, if you're interested."
"I would like that." Zero Three looked at her sisters. "We all would."
"It's settled, then!"
Behind them, Aki01 stepped forward. She raised the basket over her head, giving the bird inside a front-row view of the forest stretching out in front of them. "Do you see that, Zero Four? It's your home!"
Zero Four squawked once but remained seated in the basket.
"Maybe it doesn't want to leave us," Aki02 suggested.
"Maybe not," Dr. Bowman conceded. "But it belongs in the forest. You should always be where you belong, whether you're a human or a CAST or a bird."
Aki01 turned her head to look at him. "What should I do, Doctor?"
He cocked an eyebrow, a mischievous grin on his face. "Throw the basket into the air."
She did as she was told. Using only a fraction of her strength, she tossed the basket three meters straight up. Zero Four, unsure of what was happening, scrambled out of the basket and flapped its broad wings. After a moment it steadied itself and began soaring straight ahead, gliding through the golden sky towards the great wilderness ahead.
As the five people looked up in amazement, each of them had the same thought, that they were witnessing something truly beautiful. This life they had saved, had cared for, was leaving them now forever. And though it was just one small life, none of them would ever forget it.
They continued watching until Zero Four was just a speck in the distance.
* * * * * * * * *
As he had promised, Dr. Bowman gathered them all in the hovercar for a trip through the forest. Apparently there was a scenic overlook with an even better view than the one from the top of the lab.
[recommended listening]
They had only been driving for five minutes when Irene noticed something was wrong.
"Not to alarm anyone, but the accelerator pedal seems to be stuck." She gritted her teeth and stomped on the pedal, to no avail. "Okay, I take that back. I think it's time to be alarmed!"
"Can you hit the ignition switch?" Dr. Bowman suggested from the seat behind her.
She pressed the switch repeatedly. "It doesn't work! It won't shut off!" Panic was creeping into her voice now.
"Zero Two, can you give it a try?"
Aki02, who was sitting beside Irene in the front of the car, heeded the doctor's request and tested the accelerator and brake with her foot while Irene kept her hands on the steering wheel.
"Both pedals are locked in place, Doctor. I cannot release them from inside the cabin."
"Then we have a problem," Dr. Bowman replied, sounding more concerned.
"We have a bigger problem than that!" Irene shouted as she pointed straight ahead.
Ahead of them lay a clearing in the forest. And just beyond the clearing, perhaps eighty meters away from them, the ground dropped away suddenly in the form of a massive, unavoidable cliff. It might be considered irony that the precipice they were currently hurtling towards was the very same one Dr. Bowman had wanted to show them, the "perfect spot" for viewing the forest below.
They had perhaps five seconds to act, but the Akis didn't hesitate. They had been trained as soldiers, created with reflexes that surpassed normal human limits. Zero One jumped into the front seat and took hold of the steering wheel. She kept the car steady while Zero Two picked up Irene and leaped out the passenger side of the hovercar. Zero Three hoisted the doctor into her arms and jumped out the back of the car. All four of them landed in the clearing, shaken but unharmed.
Her task done, Aki01 let go of the steering wheel and stood up. The hovercar was at the edge of the clearing now, the view through the front windshield a sobering reminder that her five seconds were almost up. Zero One turned and stepped over the seat, dashing towards the rear of the vehicle. The others were standing just ahead of her, reaching out to her and calling her name from the safety of solid ground.
She leapt off the back of the car--just after it went over the cliff. For a moment her leap made it seem like she was suspended in mid-air, reaching towards them. Then she fell... down, down, down, plunging over a hundred meters and disappearing under the tree canopy far below. She was gone.
TO BE CONTINUED
EPISODE 1.2 [7/13/13]
Spoiler![recommended listening]PREVIOUSLY, ON "LEGEND OF AKI"...
Taking a break from their ARKS training, the Aki sisters are on a car ride when the brakes fail. Aki02 and Aki03 manage to rescue Dr. Bowman and Irene, but Aki01 plunges over the cliff along with the hovercar.
The trek back to the lab took over an hour by foot. No one spoke. Everyone was in shock over what had happened, though they held out hope that Zero One might still be alive.
Fortunately there was a spare vehicle in the garage. They used it to chart a meandering course around the cliffs and down into the valley below. Using calculation and supposition, they conducted a search of the forest and eventually found the wreckage of the crashed hovercar. Having fallen from the cliffs above, it had been smashed beyond repair. They hoped Aki01 would be in better condition.
Using the car's location as a focal point, they searched the surrounding area and, twenty minutes later, found Zero One. She was lying on her back, covered in scratches. Her left arm had been completely ripped out at the shoulder joint. Other than that she appeared to be intact, just unconscious. Zero Two and Zero Three lifted her body into the vehicle and the five of them returned to the lab.
Spoiler!
* * * * * * * * *
"She was lucky. If the trees hadn't broken her fall, she would have been destroyed instantly."
Dr. Bowman and Irene finished their preliminary examination of Aki01, who was still unconscious. Her power had been shut off for good measure.
Spoiler!
Aki03 stepped next to the operating table and looked at her damaged sister. "Is she... going to be all right?"
Dr. Bowman put a hand on Zero Three's shoulder. "Yes, she's going to be fine. We can repair her, just as good as new." He stepped away from the table and walked across the room to put away his examination instruments.
Aki02 was standing on the far side of the room when the doctor approached. He looked at her and saw her curious expression. "Are you all right?"
She wasn't looking at Zero One, she was looking at her other sister. "What's wrong with Zero Three? Is she broken?"
The doctor turned to look, then smiled. "No, she's not broken. She's crying."
Aki02 tilted her head slightly. "Why would she do that?"
"Well, because she's sad that her sister was hurt, but also happy that she's going to get better."
"I'm not crying. Does that mean I am not sad for Zero One?"
"No, no, of course not. I programmed you the same way I programmed your sisters, and I gave you access to every human emotion. But the thing about emotions is that everyone expresses them differently. Tell me, did you feel badly when your sister got hurt?"
Aki02 pondered that for a moment. "Yes, I did."
"And did you feel good when I told you we can fix her?"
"Yes, I did."
"There, you see? You simply express yourself differently than Zero Three, that's all. There's nothing wrong with that."
"Aren't our emotions a weakness?"
"Some might think so, but there are plenty of CASTs programmed with emotions, and I don't think they would consider it a weakness. Emotions can be good or bad, Aki, it's what you do with them that matters. Feelings like love and friendship for the people you care about can make you stronger than you'll ever know."
* * * * * * * * *
When they had a moment alone, Irene confronted Dr. Bowman about the crashed hovercar. "Do you think it could have been sabotage?"
"By whom? There are only a handful of settlements on Eldona, and none within a hundred kilometers of the lab."
"Still, we have to consider the possibility. Maybe someone was trying to send us a message."
Dr. Bowman pursed his lips together. "You think it was Sabik."
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't say that, but that's what you think."
"I... I don't know. I wouldn't put it past him."
The doctor rubbed his temples. "Even if that's true, what do you suggest we do about it? We're alone out here, you know that."
"Contact the Oracle government. They could launch an investigation and find out if Sabik's involved."
Dr. Bowman waved a hand dismissively. "The government can't help us, there isn't enough evidence. They won't do anything unless we can prove there was foul play."
"The car was smashed to pieces. I don't think we can prove anything at this point."
"Then like I said, we're on our own."
* * * * * * * * *
[recommended listening]
The doctor spent the next several days repairing Aki01. Her internal damage was more extensive than he'd anticipated; evidently, the shock from the impact had broken and knocked loose many of her components. By the end of the week he had practically restored her to operating condition, though she was still badly scratched up and missing an arm.
"Should I stay and help with the repairs?" Irene offered, though she already knew the doctor's reply.
"No, go ahead and take Zero Two and Zero Three to the practice range. I'll be fine here. I just have a few minor adjustments to make, I can handle it myself."
"Alright. Good luck, then."
Irene and the two Akis left, leaving the doctor alone to work on Zero One. He tightened a few screws, ran a few tests, and then, confident everything was in order, switched her power back on. For a moment nothing happened, then her eyes gradually opened, full of life once again.
"Aki unit Zero One, self-diagnostic complete. Currently operating at 56.8% efficiency."
Dr. Bowman leaned over the operating table, smiling down at her. "I'll have you back to 100% soon, I promise."
She stared back up at him for a few prolonged moments. "Good morning, Doctor."
He grinned. "Good morning, Aki. Welcome back."
Aki01 sat up and looked down at her missing left arm.
"Don't worry, I can fix that too," Dr. Bowman reassured her. "Now then, I need to conduct a couple quick tests. I spent all week repairing you, I just need to make sure you're working properly."
He pulled a small flashlight out of his lab coat pocket and switched it on, shining it directly into Zero One's left eye. The mechanical lens in her eyeball contracted, shrinking the size of the pupil. Though she was an android, many of her systems functioned the same as a human's. By design, many CASTs mimicked human behaviors such as blinking simply because it made them more relatable, even if such behaviors weren't always necessary for efficient functioning.
Satisfied, the doctor switched off the light and slipped it back into his pocket. From the table, he picked up a small notebook and began thumbing through it. "Very good. Now then, I want you to recite something I told you--hmm, let's see--four weeks and three days ago."
Aki01 looked confused. "You told us many things that day."
"Pick one thing, then. I'm just trying to make sure your memory core isn't damaged."
She looked down as if contemplating what to say--another human behavior--then raised her eyes to meet the doctor's gaze. "You told us: 'As soldiers, you're going to have to make choices. Many of those choices, good or bad, are going to affect the people around you. It is your job to be ready, to think critically, and ultimately to do what needs to be done.'"
Dr. Bowman was momentarily stunned into silence. It was true, he had said those words, but somehow they were perfectly fitting now. She had kept the hovercar steady that day, giving the other passengers the precious few seconds they needed to escape before it went over the cliff. Even though it had nearly killed her, and temporarily cost her an arm.
"I am sorry, Doctor."
"For what?"
"For causing you trouble."
Dr. Bowman laughed in spite of himself, then laid a comforting hand on Zero One's remaining arm. "No, Aki, you have never caused me trouble. Do you understand? Never."
She looked into his sincere eyes and nodded.
He smiled back at her. "What have I always taught you?"
"That the difference between a good soldier and a bad soldier is experience?"
"True, but what else?"
She thought for a moment. "To do the right thing?"
"Yes, to do the right thing. And that's what you did, almost at the cost of your own life. You were very brave, no one would fault you for that. It's just that..." He trailed off.
Aki01 tilted her head slightly to the right. "It's just that what?"
The words stuck in his throat but he tried to force them out anyway. "It's just that--"
He was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell ringing.
Distracted by his conversation with Zero One, he didn't even stop to consider who would possibly be visiting their isolated little lab in the forest. As Dr. Bowman approached the foyer, the front door slid open. He stopped in his tracks.
[recommended listening]
Standing in the doorway was a short man in a black suit and hat, the very same man he had talked to the other day. The one who worked for Arden Sabik. Suddenly it all fell into place and he knew Irene had been right. The hovercar mishap had been no accident, the man standing in his doorway was practically proof of that. Now he was here in person, and Dr. Bowman figured there was only one thing he could be after.
Before the doctor could make a move, the man in the black suit made a motion with his hand and a dozen identical CASTs rushed past him into the lab. They were sheathed in black armor, their sleek design and glowing purple eyes giving them the appearance of mechanical ninjas. An assassin model, Dr. Bowman decided.
Spoiler!
"Hello again, Doctor." The man with the black suit smiled, but there was no warmth in his face.
"Get out of here," Dr. Bowman ordered, his expression hardening. "Now."
The man simply laughed. "Now now, you're in no position to make such demands. Not this time."
He gestured again to the cadre of CAST assassins, who immediately began to fan out in a half circle around the doctor and Aki01.
Dr. Bowman quickly realized the position they were in. "Don't do this," he urged. "Be reasonable."
"Reasonable? I tried being reasonable with you, Doctor. But that time is past. There will be no deals this time." The man reached into his jacket and pulled out a small photon pistol.
Dr. Bowman scowled. "What do you want?"
"You know what I want. The research data."
"You can't have it," the doctor replied firmly.
"Stubborn to the bitter end, I see. Unfortunately for you, I wasn't asking. As I said before, there will be no deals this time. I'm going to kill you," his eyes flicked to Aki01, "then I'm going to kill her. Then I'm going to take what I came for."
Dr. Bowman knew exactly what he had to do. There was a tranquilizer gun on the table behind him. He had left it there for an occasion such as this. He wouldn't be able to shoot down the dozen CAST assassins, but if he could take out the man in the black suit, maybe, just maybe, the CASTs would retreat without their master around to give the attack order. It was a long shot, but it was the only thing he could do, the only card he had left to play.
He spun around and dashed for the table, but never made it that far. The bullet struck him in the middle of his back, sending him crashing to the ground in a spasm of violent pain.
"Doctor!!!" Aki01 shouted, rushing over to help him.
The man in the black suit lowered his pistol and motioned to the assassins to close in for the kill.
[recommended listening]
Aki01 stepped between the attackers and the doctor, shielding him. She gripped a photon saber in her one remaining hand, a defiant expression on her face.
Dr. Bowman struggled to focus through the pain. "Aki... You're too damaged, you can't beat this many of them..."
"I know."
"If you know, then... then get out of here! You might be able to escape if I distract them..."
She turned her head to look at him and smiled. It was the first time he had ever seen her smile. "No, Doctor. My place is here at your side, until the end."
His eyes began to fill with tears as the weight of her words sunk in. He wanted her to run away, to be safe, to live a long and happy life. There was nothing in the world he wanted more at that moment. It's just that... I don't want to lose you.
Despite that, a small part of him was happy to have her there with him, at the end of it all. He had no words for her. He simply nodded and smiled, the tears rolling down his cheeks.
Aki01 turned back to face the attackers. She would not go quietly.
* * * * * * * * *
Zero Two and Zero Three were still in the middle of target practice when they heard the explosion. They looked at each other, then turned towards the direction of the lab. A pillar of dark smoke was rising above the trees. They tried to contact Zero One using the wireless radios in their ears but there was no response, only static. Together with Irene, they jumped into the hovercar and raced back to the lab as fast as the vehicle would take them.
* * * * * * * * *
When they arrived, the building was still intact but smoke was billowing from two windows. They entered cautiously, not sure what to expect inside.
The main lab looked like a war zone. The bodies of half a dozen CAST assassins lay strewn about the room. In the center of it all lay Aki01, or what was left of her. Her body had been smashed to pieces; her face was frozen and lifeless. There would be no repairing her this time.
Behind her, Dr. Bowman lay on the floor. He was barely moving. Aki03 and Irene rushed over to him while Aki02 got down on one knee next to Zero One. She looked at her fallen sister, a strange mix of emotions swirling inside of her. Life and death--she had contemplated these things before but never really understood them until that moment. Her sister had been with her since they were first activated. Through the recharging alcoves in the wall they had shared everything--memories, emotions, dreams. In a way, losing her sister was like losing a part of herself. Reaching down, she closed Zero One's eyes.
"Doctor! Dr. Bowman!" Aki03 gently shook his shoulder.
"Kurt!!"
The doctor's eyes fluttered, then opened slowly. He coughed. "I-Irene, is that you?"
"I'm here." She squeezed his hand.
"That's... good." His breathing was shallow and his face was pale. "I didn't know if I could hold out until you got back..."
Irene shook her head. "Don't talk like that."
"Listen... to me. It was Sabik. His men... came here. They got the research data..." He tilted his head to see Zero One's body. "I couldn't... protect her. I'm sorry..."
"No... no, that's not your fault. Whatever happened, I'm sure she wouldn't want you to blame yourself. You know that better than anyone."
Dr. Bowman closed his eyes and nodded. When he opened them again, he looked up at Aki03. "I don't have much... time left. Could you... help me prop up my head?"
Zero Three was already on her knees so she lifted the doctor's head onto her lap. That was when they noticed the large pool of blood beneath him.
"Oh no..." Irene's expression said more than her words. Tears came streaming down her face.
"I told you, I don't have much time left... But I wanted... to say one last thing..." He looked at Zero Three, then over at Zero Two, then finally at Irene. "I never had any children... not even a family since my wife passed away... You girls gave me something, something I thought I had lost... You gave me a place I belonged in this world... Thank you... You'll never know how much that means to me..."
Wet drops fell on Dr. Bowman's forehead. Aki03 couldn't control her tears any longer. "Please, Doctor, don't go."
"I'm sorry, Aki... I won't be there for you. Be strong... be strong for your sister and Irene, okay?"
Zero Three nodded, the tears still flowing. "Okay."
Dr. Bowman attempted to smile. "You know, it's funny... I was always afraid of death. I thought that... when my time came, I would lie on my death bed and look back at a life full of regrets... But now that it's here, none of that matters anymore... because right now... I'm happy..."
And then he was gone.
Aki02 watched the tears falling from Zero Three's face. It was the saddest moment of her life, yet she still couldn't cry. Lying a few meters away was the body of the man who had built her, the man who had raised her, the man who had given her everything she had. The other two people in the room didn't notice when she mouthed the words, "Goodbye, father."
* * * * * * * * *
They put out the fires and patched up the damage to the lab. The following day, they buried Dr. Bowman and Aki01. No one said anything. No one had to.
* * * * * * * * *
"What will we do from now on?"
Irene looked at the two of them. "That's a good question. Your training is basically complete. If you're ready, I think it's time you joined the ARKS. That's why Dr. Bowman built you, after all. I think he would have been happy to see you fulfill your purpose."
Zero Two and Zero Three looked at each other, then back at Irene. It was Aki02 who spoke. "We will join the ARKS. Perhaps, in doing so, we will be able to gather information on the whereabouts of Arden Sabik."
"You don't have to go that far. I don't think the doctor wanted you to get revenge."
"It is not about revenge, it's about justice."
"I hope so. In that case, good luck."
TO BE CONTINUED
EPISODE 1.3 [7/20/13]
Spoiler![recommended listening]PREVIOUSLY, ON "LEGEND OF AKI"...
Henchmen working for Arden Sabik visit Dr. Bowman's lab looking for the research data. Aki01 puts up a fight but eventually is killed. Zero Two, Zero Three, and Irene return to the lab to find Dr. Bowman in his final moments. After the doctor passes away, Zero Two and Zero Three join the ARKS.
- Two months later -
ARKS Colony Ship 29, a.k.a. "Orpheus"...
The door chimed. Colonel Richter looked up from his reports. "Come in."
The door slid open. Aki02 and Aki03 stepped into the room.
Spoiler!
"Good, you're here. First, I just wanted to say I am... aware of the circumstances that brought you to us. It is not usually the prerogative of the ARKS to catch criminals. However, we are still members of the military and can make exceptions when the need arises. I wanted to inform you that we have obtained intelligence which suggests Dr. Arden Sabik has been operating a research lab on Senfis Prime in the Oretta System. Both of you have been cleared to lead a mission to Senfis Prime to apprehend Dr. Sabik."
Zero Two and Zero Three replied at the same time. "Thank you, sir."
"You leave at 0800 tomorrow. Report to Lieutenant Beaugard for further instructions. That is all."
The sisters saluted, then turned and left the room.
* * * * * * * * *
"What we know," Beaugard began, "is that associates of Dr. Sabik have been spotted entering and leaving the building. And while we cannot prove that Sabik is currently at this facility, we estimate the probability at seventy percent. That's high enough for the Oracle military to take action."
There were five of them in the briefing room. Lieutenant Beaugard stood in front of the holographic projector, which currently showed an image of a large structure near the peak of a volcanic mountain. Listening to him were the members of the assault team: Aki02, Aki03, a human Hunter named Byron, and a Newman Gunner named Delfoy.
Spoiler!
Beaugard continued: "Make no mistake, this will not be an easy mission. Arden Sabik is a known criminal wanted for crimes ranging from the sale of illegal weapons to murder. He knows we're after him and will have taken precautions to stop us. When you're down on the planet, you will need to maintain radio silence at all times. Any communication with ARKS Command will give away your presence. In other words, you'll be on your own down there."
Delfoy raised his hand. "What are our team assignments for this mission?"
"The Akis will take point. You and Byron will be there to back them up as needed. It is your job as a team to locate and apprehend Dr. Arden Sabik, and if possible, to gather evidence of his work at the facility. We need to find out what he's been doing there. Any other questions?"
There were none.
"Okay then, get some rest and be at Launch Bay 24C tomorrow morning at 0730 sharp."
* * * * * * * * *
[recommended listening]
Senfis Prime, twenty-two hours later...
Delfoy zoomed in with his electronic binoculars. "You want the good news or the bad news first?"
No one replied.
"Okay, look. The good news is that I only see two guys down there, both guarding the main gate. The bad news is that there only seems to be one way in or out of this place. It's gonna be tough to get in without being seen, not to mention the turrets on the roof. If they get to those turrets, we'll be in trouble."
The four of them were crouched on a ridge overlooking Sabik's lab. They had hiked twenty kilometers up the mountain from the transport drop zone to avoid detection. So far, so good. Unfortunately, the hardest part was yet to come.
Byron shook his head. "That lab is more like a fortress. I don't think we're getting in unless they open the door for us."
Delfoy smirked. "And how do you suppose we get them to do that?"
"We knock?" Everyone turned to look at Aki02.
"I think I have an idea." She glanced at Byron and Delfoy. "But I'm going to need your help."
* * * * * * * * *
Byron approached the front entrance to the lab, his arms raised. "Hey there, fellas!"
The two armed guards raised their guns at him. "Halt! Who are you?"
"Hey, uh, I was on a hiking trip and seem to have gotten lost. Maybe you guys can help me out?" He smiled innocently.
The guards looked at each other, then back at Byron. "I don't think so. You're coming with us."
As they started to walk forward, a shot rang out and the guard on the right collapsed to the floor. Byron waited long enough for the second guard to radio for help, then pulled the photon saber from his back and cut the man down.
"I'd better not stick around for the party." He turned and ran back the way he'd come.
A few seconds later the large entrance door raised up and a dozen more guards came pouring out. As they chased after Byron, Delfoy shot three of them from the ridge above with his rifle. One of the guards pointed at him and shouted something, then four of the remaining guards started running in his direction.
Behind them, the entrance door was still open. Just as planned. Aki02 and Aki03 emerged from behind a large volcanic rock and darted to the edge of the building, then slid along the wall until they reached the entrance. Stepping over the first guard that had been shot, they cautiously passed through the doorway into the building. The entryway was ominously quiet. Apparently, the guards hadn't left anyone behind. The Akis continued down the hall until they reached an elevator. The buttons in the lift went up to 3 or down to B10. Knowing that whatever they were looking for was probably being kept hidden from view, they pressed the button for B10.
* * * * * * * * *
They emerged on the lowest level of the facility. From the stacks of boxes and crates piled around the room, it appeared to be some sort of storage area. Aki03 pried one of the boxes open and found CAST parts inside. Was Dr. Sabik involved in some kind of robotics research? His file at ARKS Command indicated he had been a CAST designer at one point, and his interest in Dr. Bowman's data supported the theory. In any case, they weren't going to find any more answers here. They continued on, deeper into the lab.
Beyond the large storage room was a long hallway, and beyond that, a door opened up to a vast--and poorly lit--room full of large vats. The vats were filled with molten metal, their glow casting eerie shadows around the room. This place had a completely different atmosphere than the upper levels of the facility. As Aki02 and Aki03 looked over the edge of the walkway to the vats below, they realized that this was a CAST manufacturing plant. The parts in the storage area had been made here, within these massive tubs of liquid metal. Whatever Sabik was up to, it wasn't good.
The sound of footsteps ahead caused the Akis to look up. Blocking their way further down the path was a single figure, his body shrouded in shadow. For a moment no one moved, then the shadowy figure spoke. "Dr. Sabik has been expecting you."
Aki02 raised her weapon. "Who are you?"
The figure took a step forward where the lighting was better. A full head taller than the Akis and nearly twice as wide, he was a hulking brute of a CAST. On his shoulder was the word "OMEGA." Whether that was his name or merely a designation, they had no idea.
His reply was short and to the point. "I'm here to stop you."
Spoiler!
[recommended listening]
That was all they needed to know.
Aki02 fired a continuous burst from her assault rifle and Aki03 fired a charged Foie blast from her rod. The space around Omega erupted in fire as the Foie exploded. When the smoke cleared, they saw that he was unharmed. He had both hands stretched out, one facing each of the sisters. Embedded in each palm was some sort of crystal that was generating a localized energy barrier. Unfortunately for the Akis, defense wasn't their only function. Omega thrust his hands forward and energy shockwaves flew out, hitting both sisters and knocking them backwards off their feet. Their weapons clattered to the floor.
Omega walked forward and kicked Aki03's rod away. Stepping in front of her, he opened his palm to let out another energy blast. Zero Three rolled out of the way just in time--the shockwave hit the floor where she had just been, smashing the tile. She rose to her feet and swung a fist at his head but he blocked it with the back of his hand. Pulling her fist back, she swung at him with the other one but that was blocked too. Jumping half a step back, she swung her leg in a roundhouse kick aimed at his side. He grabbed her leg in both arms and swung her around, letting go just in time to send her flying into a pillar. She hit it hard but the pillar took the brunt of the damage.
With Aki03 on the floor struggling to get up, Omega turned his attention to Aki02. She had retrieved her gun by that point and switched it to its secondary firing mode--a grenade launcher. Zero Two pulled the trigger and a grenade flew straight at Omega's chest. He put up his hands just in time and the grenade exploded against his energy barrier. When the smoke cleared this time, Aki02 saw he had been pushed back a step by the blast but was otherwise undamaged.
"Your attacks are futile," he stated flatly. "You will not defeat me."
Zero Two decided to ignore his comment and try a different approach. "Where is Dr. Sabik? What kind of research is he doing in this facility?"
"Surrender now and you may get to ask him yourself."
When she didn't answer, he added: "Resist, and you will be destroyed. What is your response?"
There was only one response she could give. "Arden Sabik is a criminal who must be brought to justice. We will not surrender."
He narrowed his dark eyes. "Then this conversation is terminated."
Zero Two switched her gun back to primary fire just as Omega thrust both hands forward, sending a huge surge of energy in her direction. She dive-rolled to the left, dodging it at the last second. She fired her rifle over and over but the bullets were all reflected by the energy barrier emanating from his palms. Omega walked forward as he deflected the bullets, closing the gap between them. Zero Two stopped firing and Omega backhanded her in the face, sending her tumbling five meters away. Somehow she managed to hold onto her weapon this time.
[recommended listening]
Suddenly Omega was knocked to the floor. In his pursuit of Aki02 he had taken his attention off Aki03 for a moment, and she had used it to kick him in the back. Zero Three tried to go in for another blow but he blocked it with his arm and pushed her away. Standing, he turned to face her. The two of them circled each other and began trading blows. Aki03 got in a few hits but it was clear that she would break before he would.
They locked hands in a contest of strength, and for a moment Aki03 held even with him, then he began to push her down towards the floor. When she was almost to her knees, she looked up at him and smirked. He regarded her expression with curiosity. Then she leapt straight up and he saw that Aki02 had been standing behind Aki03, her weapon pointed directly at him. With his hands still locked with Zero Three's, he couldn't activate his energy barrier. Zero Two fired a quick three-shot burst into his chest before Zero Three reached the apex of her leap. As she swung over his head, she let go of his hands and flipped to safety.
* * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile, a quarter of a kilometer away from the facility, Byron and Delfoy crouched behind a large boulder for cover. A hail of bullets zinged past them on all sides as the guards took random potshots at them from their own concealed positions.
Byron winced as one bullet ricocheted off the boulder uncomfortably close to his face. "We took out most of them, but it seems like the remaining guys have at least half a brain."
"Or at least a lot of bullets," Delfoy retorted.
"No kidding. They've really got us pinned down here."
"True, but you could say we've got them pinned down pretty well too."
As if on cue, a brash guard rushed forward towards their position--and was promptly blown skyward in a deafening explosion as he stepped on a well-concealed trap.
Byron barked out a laugh. "It's times like this I'm glad you carry those things around!"
"It's nice to know someone appreciates my handiwork," Delfoy replied, grinning. "If we get out of this alive, maybe you can pay half the bill from now on. You know, seeing how those traps saved your life too."
"Hey now, let's not get crazy."
They stopped talking for a moment as the enemy fire increased, the roar of the guns echoing like thunder across the mountainside. When it died down again, Byron turned to Delfoy.
"Say, you think the Akis made it in there alright?"
"Those two? Yeah, of course. With any luck they're on their way back already."
* * * * * * * * *
Omega staggered forward, looking down at the fluids pouring from the three holes in his chest. When he looked up again, his previously calm expression had turned to anger. A small compartment on the side of each thigh opened up and two small blades appeared. He took one in each hand and the blades extended, doubling in length to a total of forty centimeters. They began to glow red with photon energy.
He was faster now, rushing forward to stab Zero Two with one of the photon blades. She narrowly dodged the attack but the blade caught the corner of her gun, knocking it from her grasp. He swung at her with one blade and then the other. Aki02 side-stepped left and then right, avoiding them by a fraction of a second each time. Omega swung one of his blades in a horizontal thrust, clearly trying to cut off her head. Zero Two ducked as fast as she could, and though the blade missed the top of her head by mere centimeters, it sliced straight through her hair, chopping most of it off.
Her long red locks fell to the floor around her but she didn't flinch or pause. Knowing that Omega was still off-balance from his thrust, she used the opportunity to punch him from below, her fist hitting the same spot where her bullets had penetrated. She slammed her fist into him again and again until he stumbled backwards, dropping his blades. Grabbing her rifle off the floor, Aki02 fired at him immediately. He tried to get his hands up but wasn't quite fast enough. Her bullets struck his left hand, shattering the crystal in his palm. He managed to get his other hand up and activated the energy barrier, deflecting the rest of her shots.
By this time Aki03 had found her rod and joined Aki02 in attacking Omega. She fired blasts of Gizonde, the bolts of electricity lighting up the dim room as they arced towards him. With only one crystal left, his barrier wasn't powerful enough to completely stop the barrage from both Aki02 and Aki03. He was forced back as he tried to deflect their unrelenting attacks. Eventually he stepped back and almost lost his footing. Glancing down, he saw he had reached the edge of the walkway. He looked back up just in time to see Zero Two arming the secondary fire in her rifle. She pressed the trigger and a grenade flew out, once again exploding against his barrier. This time, however, he didn't have enough energy to stop it. The blast knocked him backwards off the platform directly into the vat of molten metal below.
As a CAST, Omega was programmed to withstand the pain. He did not scream or beg or curse as his body began to melt and his circuits began to shut down. Within seconds he sank out of view and never resurfaced.
TO BE CONTINUED
EPISODE 1.4 [7/27/13]
Spoiler![recommended listening]PREVIOUSLY, ON "LEGEND OF AKI"...
Aki02 and Aki03 are sent on a mission to Senfis Prime to capture Arden Sabik. They sneak into the facility and end up in a fight with a guardian named Omega. After a hard-fought battle, they finally prevail.
Past the manufacturing area were the research and development labs. If Sabik was here, this is probably where he'd be. They walked down the hallways with caution but didn't see anyone around. It was quiet, almost eerily so. The metallic clanging of the Akis' feet as they walked was the only sound they could hear.
Spoiler!
Aki03 glanced into one of the laboratories. It was dark and unoccupied. "Do you think Byron and Delfoy are okay?"
"If they followed the plan, they should be headed back to the drop zone by now."
At the end of the hallway was a large blast door. Sensing their presence, the door raised up automatically. Inside was a fairly large laboratory, and from the look of things it had recently been used. On the far wall was a massive control center and holographic display.
The Akis looked at each other. "This looks promising."
Their weapons ready, they entered the room.
They had only taken three steps into the room when the heavy blast door slammed shut behind them, trapping them inside. On cue, a pair of CAST assassins emerged from their hiding places and charged at the Akis, their photon blades swinging wildly. Zero Two and Zero Three blocked and dodged their attacks, but it was clear the assassins were trying to separate them.
Spoiler!
Aki02 fired her rifle at one of the CASTs but it ran for cover behind some of the lab equipment, narrowly avoiding her shots. When she stopped firing, it leaped out at her and nearly knocked her over. With its photon blade pointed at her chest, it charged forward with lethal intent. Aki02 swung her rifle up and fired a volley into the assassin's head, destroying it. The CAST crashed to the floor and stopped moving.
On the other side of the room, Aki02 saw her sister struggling with the other assassin. Zero Two took a moment to aim, then fired a burst into the assassin's back. It screeched and flailed for a moment, then collapsed to the floor like its partner.
Aki03 stood up. "Thanks, you saved me."
Aki02 looked down at the assassins, then over at the door. "We're still trapped in here." She scanned the wall. "I don't see any control mechanism for the door."
Zero Three glanced in the other direction, towards the control center. "Keep looking. I'll check the console on the far wall."
Aki03 walked over to the control center for the lab. Using the console, she began accessing the computer records. "It appears this is Arden Sabik's lab, after all," she said to Zero Two, who was still searching for the door controls.
Aki02 turned to look at her sister. "You found something?"
Her sister continued typing on the console. "Records, journals, and a copy of the data he stole from Dr. Bowman. There's a lot of information here, I need time to go through it."
"Time is something we don't have."
"You're right." A small compartment in Aki03's wrist opened and she removed the tiny storage device inside. "I'll download the data so we can review it later."
She plugged the device into a slot on the console. As she attempted to download the information from the computer, a warning message appeared on the screen. Suddenly, a life-sized three-dimensional hologram of Dr. Sabik's head and shoulders appeared on the display. To their surprise, it began to speak. "If you are hearing this message, congratulations on making it this far. Unfortunately, I can't have outsiders meddling in my affairs. This lab has been rigged with explosives and your attempt to download the data in my computer has armed them. You will not leave here alive."
The hologram abruptly vanished and a countdown appeared on the computer screen. It read 2:59.
[recommended listening]
Zero Two and Zero Three looked at each other. "Do you think he's bluffing?"
Zero Two considered it. "No," she replied somberly.
"Then we need to find a way out of here, and fast."
2:48.
Aki02 scoured the walls looking for a door switch while Aki03 was furiously typing on the console, trying to access the override for the bombs.
"Any luck?"
"No. You?"
"No."
"Keep trying."
2:21.
Aki02 used her internal sensors to run a composition analysis on the blast door. As she suspected, nothing in her arsenal would even dent it. She ruled out the possibility of using grenades, they would be useless here. She ruled out using the defeated assassins' photon blades, they wouldn't be able to cut through the door. Even if they could, it wouldn't be quick enough.
Meanwhile, Aki03 navigated the computer at speeds faster than any human could have managed, but she still didn't have time to crack Sabik's encryption codes on the bombs. There had to be another way. System shutdown? No, that might trigger them instead. Contact Byron and Delfoy? No, they wouldn't arrive in time. What could she do? What should she do?
2:03.
Then Zero Three had a flash of inspiration, or maybe it was more of a hunch. She accessed the control files and--sure enough--found what she was looking for: the door controls. There was no switch on the wall because the door was controlled by the computer. She had no doubt that Arden Sabik designed it that way on purpose so no one could open the door without his permission. And though the encryption on the bomb trigger was too complex to decode in the time she had, the encryption on the door controls was easier to handle.
1:44.
Aki03 turned to Aki02. "I found the door controls! I think I've almost got it open."
The computer screen gave her a prompt: "Open door? Y/N." She pressed "Yes" and the door raised up, but a second later it came crashing down again.
"What happened?"
"I don't know." She pressed the button again. Once again, the door raised up. And once again, it came crashing back down. "It automatically shuts one second after the button is pressed. It won't stay open because it's in lockdown mode."
"Can you fix it?"
"I... think so."
Aki03 played different scenarios through her mind. The door would stay open for a moment each time she pressed the button. Could Zero Two put something under the door to keep it from closing all the way? She calculated the breaking point of every movable object in the room, but nothing had the power to withstand the crushing power of the blast door. Did she have time to override the lockdown mode? Maybe, but she calculated the odds of her success at only 17 percent. Not good enough. Was there a way to to reprogram the door controls to bypass the lockdown mode? It was her only chance.
1:18.
A few seconds later, Zero Three was finished. She turned to Zero Two again. "It won't stay open long, but it should stay up for a few seconds, long enough to get through. When I give the signal, run through the door as fast as you can. Got it?"
Zero Two nodded. "Got it."
0:51.
Both Akis got into running position, then Aki03 reached over and typed in a sequence of keys, then pressed the activation button on the console one more time. "Now!"
0:45.
[recommended listening]
Aki02 ran through the open door just before it slammed shut, her sister right behind her. Or so she thought. When she turned around, Aki03 wasn't there.
She activated the radio in her ear piece. "Zero Three, come in."
Zero Three's voice responded calmly, "I'm here."
"You didn't make it?"
Aki03 paused. "There was never a way to fix the door controls, but I knew you wouldn't leave without me. I'm sorry."
In truth, she had been continuously prompting the command to keep the door open, if only temporarily. Just long enough for her sister to run through it.
Aki02 pounded on the blast door. "No, there has to be another way!"
"There isn't time."
There was a moment of silence. Zero Two rested her hand against the door. When she finally spoke, her voice was barely audible. "...Why?"
"Because I wanted you to live," Zero Three replied simply, gently. "Emotions are a curious thing. When Dr. Bowman died, I questioned his wisdom in giving them to us. The pain was so overwhelming back then, it was almost unbearable. How could something so painful give us strength? But now I understand that he was right. He was right about everything. I don't regret my choice, though I find I am sad I won't get to talk to you again. Please, finish the mission without me... Goodbye, sister."
0:00.
There was a deafening boom and the ground shook, but the blast door held. The only sound coming from Aki02's radio now was static. Zero Three was gone.
Zero Two stood facing the door, unmoving. A droplet hit her finger and she looked down. Raising her finger up to eye level to examine it, she realized the droplet had fallen from her own face. For the first time in her life, she was crying.
She didn't know whether the tears came from the loss of her sister, whom she had shared her life with these past few months, or from the realization that her last surviving family member was gone and she was now utterly and painfully alone. Maybe it was both. Maybe she was shedding the tears her sister no longer could. Whatever the reason, she would never forget Zero Three's last words. "Because I wanted you to live..."
She pressed her back against the wall and slid to the floor. From that day on, she would no longer be called Aki02. She was now simply "Aki."
* * * * * * * * *
[recommended listening]
- Six months later -
Kittaris Desert, planet Yvarin...
"Look over there, ten o'clock."
Aki looked through the scope of her sniper rifle. "I see it."
In the distance a levi-train came into view, its metallic frame glinting in the mid-day sun. It would be another full minute before the train would pass in front of them.
She and Zack were crouched at the peak of a sandy dune, hiding underneath a camouflage cover to keep from being spotted.
Zack lowered his sniper rifle and looked at Aki. "Look, I know how much this means to you, but don't forget our priorities here. ARKS Command wants this guy taken alive, and to do that we've got to be careful."
Aki didn't look back at him. "Understood."
Spoiler!
They both stared through their scopes as the levi-train got closer. When it was only a few seconds away, Aki made a decision. "I'm going."
"What?! Hold up, we haven't got clearance yet--"
It was too late. She threw off the camouflage cover and ran over the crest of the hill, sliding down the sand dune. "I'll be careful!" she shouted back at him.
Though she never saw it, Zack just shook his head and grinned. "Good luck..."
The slope was slippery and uneven but Aki managed to keep her balance as she slid towards the passing train. Spotting a rock in her path, she used it as a launching pad to leap into the air and roll on top of the last train car.
Inside, Arden Sabik heard the thud on the roof. He signaled his two bodyguards to get into defensive positions facing the rear door. One took the left side of the car, the other took the right. Crouching down, they pointed their guns at the door.
Spoiler!
A moment later, the door whooshed open. The bodyguards fired off a salvo before they realized no one was standing there. As soon as they stopped firing, Aki poked her rifle through the door frame and shot the man on the left, who collapsed awkwardly to the floor. Before the other bodyguard could react, Aki darted to the left side of the door, out of view. The bodyguard's shots came late and missed her completely.
She waited for his second salvo to finish, mentally counting the duration and number of bullets he expended. Based on the previous salvo, she knew almost the exact moment he would have to reload. By the time his last shot rang out, she was already spinning into view. A fiery lance shot out of her rifle, striking the man squarely in the chest. He slumped against the wall and fell over, motionless.
Aki entered the train car, her weapon pointed straight ahead. Dr. Sabik stood between his fallen bodyguards, his hands raised in the air and a scowl of defeat on his face.
She looked him in the eyes, face to face with him at last. She could have pulled the trigger then, no one would have blamed her--no, she would have blamed herself. She was better than that, better than him. It is not about revenge, it's about justice.
"Arden Sabik, for your crimes against the Oracle government, including your role in the murder of Dr. Kurt Bowman--and my sisters--you are under arrest."
* * * * * * * * *
Arden Sabik was convicted on all counts using evidence recovered from his facility on Senfis Prime. After the trial, Aki returned to Eldona to visit the graves of Dr. Bowman and Aki01. Although nothing of Aki03 had survived, she placed a ceremonial marker next to the others for her fallen sister.
For her efforts in capturing Dr. Sabik, Aki was given a commendation and transferred to Zack's team aboard the colony ship Orpheus. She continues to work for the ARKS, exploring new planets on the front lines of the Oracle fleet.
This is not the end of Aki's story, it is only the beginning. Her greatest adventures are yet to come.
EPISODE 1: END
EPISODE 2: DARK RISING
EPISODE 2.1 [8/3/13]
EPISODE 2.2 [8/10/13]
EPISODE 2.3 [8/17/13]
EPISODE 2.4 [8/23/13]
EPISODE 3: PARADISE LOST
EPISODE 3.1 [8/31/13]
EPISODE 3.2 [9/7/13]
EPISODE 3.3 [9/13/13]
EPISODE 3.4 [9/21/13]
EPISODE 4: BROKEN LEGACY
EPISODE 4.1 [9/28/13]
EPISODE 4.2 [10/5/13]
EPISODE 4.3 [10/12/13]
EPISODE 4.4 [10/19/13]
EPISODE 5: BEYOND THE WALL
EPISODE 5.1 [10/26/13]
EPISODE 5.2 [11/2/13]
EPISODE 5.3 [11/9/13]
EPISODE 5.4 [11/16/13]
EPISODE 6: PHANTOM CRUSADE
EPISODE 6.1 [11/23/13]
EPISODE 6.2 [11/30/13]
EPISODE 6.3 [12/7/13]
EPISODE 6.4 [12/14/13]
SIDE STORY
AKI'S BIG DECISION [12/21/13]
EPISODE 7: TEMPEST
EPISODE 7.1 [12/28/13]
EPISODE 7.2 [1/4/14]
EPISODE 7.3 [1/11/14]
EPISODE 7.4 [1/18/14]
EPISODE 8: ALL ROADS
EPISODE 8.1 [1/25/14]
EPISODE 8.2 [2/1/14]
EPISODE 8.3 [2/8/14]
EPISODE 8.4 [2/15/14]
DECONSTRUCTING THE LEGEND
PART 1: COMMENTARY, EPS 1-4 [2/22/14]
PART 2: COMMENTARY, EPS 5-8 [2/28/14]
PART 3: Q&A WRAP-UP [3/8/14]
SIDE STORIES
AKI IN LOVE?! [4/2/14]
A SMALL PROBLEM, PART 1 [5/4/14]
A SMALL PROBLEM, PART 2 [5/11/14]
A SMALL PROBLEM, PART 3 [5/18/14]
A SMALL PROBLEM, PART 4 [5/25/14]
LEGEND OF IRENE, PART 1 [8/3/14]
LEGEND OF IRENE, PART 2 [8/9/14]
LEGEND OF IRENE, PART 3 [8/16/14]
LEGEND OF IRENE, PART 4 [8/23/14]
PSO2 BESTIARY
[[ REFERENCE ]]
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I want to wait and read your story first, though, just to see if it's going to work out. I don't know your character's story so I need to make sure it will make sense for what I want to do. But anyway, we can talk about that later~
I plan on posting a new part every weekend (probably Saturdays), so check back then if you're interested!
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