San clenched her teeth; she despised the T-06 and its tactics. Upon seeing herself outnumbered 2 to 1, she analyzed her situation and propelled herself higher without further a need for combat as she threatened William, "We'll finish this later…consider yourself lucky!"
As she propelled onto a higher elevation, William stared at her flight pattern in disbelief; it seemed there were others like him. As San disappeared, the T-06 hovered towards William, the group, and me as we slowly made our way to William.
"Greetings; I'm sorry we had to meet under such circumstances." The T-06 gently said as it landed in front of William and us. "Let's get out of this area, as it's not safe for conversating, as more enemy drones might be upon us. I'm sure you have a lot of questions that need answers."
The T-06 was beautiful; she looked half human and half drone with all her equipment and gear on. Her tri mini gun was attached to her right-side waist; the minigun was a triple barrel with compensators at the firing end, with a heated shield on the barrels with the gun's trigger and body attached to the waist using a carbon mech arm. Attached to the body of the minigun seemed to have giant bullets fed into the gun, with the bullets reaching across in a dress-like manner to the bullet carrier case attached to her left side; upon closer inspection, you can verify that the bullets were like a lower part of a gown that covered her thighs and her lower torso. On her chest were two huge air ducts next to her torso, where her boosters sat behind the lower part of her shoulder blades.
The air ducts supported the two vast and heavy wings constructed of carbon mechanics, where the wings' feathers were made of 3 barrels on both sides filled with heat shields and a more prominent muzzle to each of them.
"Is there something wrong?" The T-06 asked as she lightly assisted us as we slowly marched. "You seem disturbed…"
I shook my head to tell her no, but I had a million questions for her. Who was she, and where was Gary in all of this? Hopefully, she could answer me, as I thought to myself. I continued assisting as we climbed up a slope to the next mountain, where we rested.
"We can rest here, but we should press onwards." The T-06 seemed nervous and anxious.
"We're going to need more time; give us a break. We've been running non-stop," Lena said as she assisted the wounded soldier. "Please…"
The T-06 gave a grave stare to Lena. If anything, neither of us could afford anything at the time. Time was precious; every second we wasted seemed to bother the T-06. The T-06 stepped forward, and it looked like she would desert us until William stopped her.
"Please, give them 3 minutes," William said, extending his arm to block the T-06's path. "They're not like us; they need time to recuperate and recover."
"And what are they to you?" The T-06 questioned William.
"They're my friends." William answered proudly with a dignified tone, "And I will do whatever it takes to defend them and ensure their safety."
The T-06 smiled as she closed her eyes and returned to the group to help assist one of the soldiers. She then used her wings to administer and carry two more wounded. Finally, she took the limping soldier and placed him onto her ammo carrier to be used as a litter on the left side of her waist. To which the soldier closed his eyes as he gladly accepted being carried.
"Ah…it's warm." The soldier rested on the T-06's ammo carrier and said, smiling, "Thank you…"
The T-06 smiled as we continued climbing the slope with her assistance. By now, the night sky had lit up the sky with stars, and we still traveled. We were no longer traveling by the mountainous terrain; instead, we came upon a mixture of steppes and desert.
"How much further?" Lena asked.
"Not too far, we're almost there." The T-06 replied as she assisted William.
The group climbed up the final cliff of the steppes, and finally, we came to a view of the vast desert landscape surrounding us.
"Here? Or where?" Lena said as she tried to catch her breath.
"Here." The T-06 said as she walked calmly to the center of the boulder, we had climbed on.
"It's…a boulder," William stated as he pointed to it.
"And?" The T-06 replied as she turned her head slightly. "What if this boulder is just a camouflage to a Ravenian ship?"
Before we could say anything, the boulder changed and revealed itself to be a Ravenian Empire ship camouflaged as a boulder. We were all sucked into the tube of the entrance to the ship as the T-06 kicked the ship to signal an entrance code of some sort. We all piled up against one another except for the T-06, who landed perfectly as Ravenian soldiers. Who didn't point rifles at us. Instead, they saluted the T-06 and went on their way, not caring about us.
As we gathered ourselves to look in amazement at the wonder of the Ravenian Empire, we could see the sandstorm going on outside as the ship re-camouflaged itself back into the environment of the landscape. The ship was impressive; the insides included a modern living room with carpet, leather seats, chairs, and a bar with multiple shops.
"Th-this is!?" Lena covered her mouth as she tried to find the right words.
"Welcome. To the capital city of the Ravenian Empire, Ravenia." The T-06 said.
"City is rather small for a capital," William said as he looked around, not watching where he was stepping. "I'm guessing this is just a forward base, and there's going to be some sort of teleporter or warp thingamajig?"
To which the T-06 smiled but tried to cover her smile by nodding to the rest of us that we were standing right on top of the teleporter. Soon, a light beamed at us into the teleporter and teleported us.
"AHHHHH!!!! I HATE IT WHEN I'M ALWAYS RIGHT!!!" William yelled as we were beamed.
When the light had faded, we were in a separate room where there were medics and soldiers alike with what appeared to be a welcoming parade.
"Welcome home, sister Sventia…" one of the drones stamped with T-09 welcomed the T-06.
"Take care of them, Shinta; I have matters to attend to…" Sventia said as she carefully lowered the wounded soldiers onto the floor. "Please tend this one especially," Sventia said as she carefully caressed the wounded, limping soldier's face.
Shinta observed the wounded soldiers as she approached the limping one whose eyes were closed. She took his hand and closed her eyes as if trying to sense something. To which she shook her head, "But Sventia…"
Sventia, who had just stepped a few steps away, replied, "Yes, Shinta?"
"I-I'm sorry, Sventia…this one's been gone for some time now; there's nothing I can do to save or bring him back…"
Sventia remained quiet for some time before walking as if she hadn't heard what Shinta had told her. The rest of us remained silent; nothing was to be said; we didn't know he had passed. We just thought that he was too tired because he probably fell asleep. Shinta placed the corpse respectfully, laying him separately from the rest.
"Does anyone know his name?" Shinta asked as she signaled soldiers to bury the appropriately fallen.
"He is…Brandon, Lee Brandon," the medic stated as she embarrassingly stepped forward, "I-I'm sorry, I couldn't stop the bleeding…"
"And what is your name?" Shinta confronted the medic.
"I-My name is Mai, Vang Mai. I was the medical nurse around when he was shot," Mai said, looking at the ground, expecting she was in trouble. "I accept punishment for my actions and responsibilities."
As Ravenian soldiers grabbed the corpse of Brandon, we all stood in silence as we all knew that this was the result of war. ANYONE can be and will be a casualty.
Mai clenched her eyes shut as Shinta walked over and pressed her cold metallic chest against hers as she hugged Mai. "It's okay; you did fine. I'm happy you ensured everyone was fine and arrived in one piece."
Upon hearing those words of encouragement, Mai broke down and began crying, to which everyone tried to comfort her. Upon seeing her in tears, William brushed off a fake tear, to which he looked and realized that he no longer had any tears to contribute. To which he began to follow Sventia.
"William? William, where are you going?" Lena questioned as she hugged Mai.
"To the bottom of this." As he turned around and continued walking toward Sventia, William declared, "This pointless war has to stop before there's any more casualty and more innocent lives are lost."
"And how are you going to do that, William?" I questioned his direction of thought.
"We're at the Ravenian Empire. Their leader, their monarch, or whoever controls them has got to be here!" William said in frustration as he walked faster.
"I can't allow you to do that, as I have to care for the wounded and fallen," Shinta said as she blocked William's path.
"Get out of my way!" William, who was mad now, was going to engage Shinta.
Shinta readied the soldiers and herself as William's laser blades appeared around him. As we braced for them to begin a fight, the Ravenian soldiers pointed their rifles at William and us.
"ENOUGH!!" a voice declared.
Shinta and the soldiers laid down their arms and kneeled on one knee. As we slowly stood up and wondered why and who they were saluting to, the lights of the majestic room then lit up, revealing a throne room. No carpet was placed on the floor; instead, the place was full of lights reflecting an airport with windows on both sides. At the end of the room were two colossal door frames behind a throne that sat on top of a podium. On the throne sat a beautiful woman with her legs crossed and, in her hands, she held a cup in one hand but a fan in the other. Her hat seemed to match those of the nobles in Japan's warring period, with her in full armor of metallic material and her skirt seemingly made of multiple belts onto plates that made it look fancy but allowed her free movement.
"The T-01 system has chosen him…Will it be he who conquers the Origin drone's memory? Or will he be swallowed up by the corruption that plagues all the Titania? Violence is such a tragic fate for those who follow the uses of the Duvhatian (Do-va-tian) Empire." the lady on the throne said as she lowered her fan to reveal more of her face.
William irritated at this point, shoves Shinta out of the way before holding up his laser blade to threaten the lady on the throne, "And who the heck are you!?"
"My apologies, my dear drone. I am Lady Jenma, or if you prefer, most people here and around refer to me as Queen Jenma of the Ravenian empire."
William, who had questions at this point, lowered his laser blade as it disappeared, as he had too much to ask. Before he could ask anything, the Queen held her hand to halt him.
"I heard everything. Such is the way of this war that has ravaged not only your home but mine. We both strive to accomplish the same mission, that much I can assure you." Jenma continued as she took a sip of the drink in her hand. "My only proposal is that you help me unite the nation under constant warfare to end this civil bloodshed. Now, what is it that you wish to know?"
Before we could say anything, she dismissed the guards and reinstated Shinta as her only personal guard. "First and foremost, I must apologize as the manners of my people have become shortening, as they are the ones contributing the most to my nation's suffering by their acts and sacrifice."
"Who is the Titania!?" William angrily demanded.
Jenma sighed as she forced a weak chuckle. "Oh, Titania…what a wonderful name. Such a rare form of its beholders. Titania are drones, or as you humans would refer to them, mechanical life forms made of metal, distributed and made by the Duvhatian Empire. They only require a predecessor, a person's memory, or even their soul as a cost." Jenma pauses as she detects someone from one of the corridor's entryways, "You may come in Sventia. I can assure you that these "guests" aren't in league with the enemy."
Sventia steps out of the shadow of the corridor behind the throne, embarrassed that the Queen had caught her. Before she could say or make any argument, the Queen held up her fan to silence her.
"My apologies once again, you see. There have been multiple attempts on my life before, and my trusted guards are usually uncomfortable with people from other nations," Jenma reassured us.
"Who is the Duvhatian Empire?" I asked Jenma.
"A once rich and powerful nation, they began mass production of the Titania back on our world, and now they've begun to produce more here on this world." Jenma sighed, "Sadly, we could not apprehend the culprits who designed such weapons and mass-produced them, nor were we able to end the rule of the Duvhatian Empire."
"What do the Duvhatian Empire and the Ravenian Empire have to do with this war?" Mai asked.
"Duvhatians believed that they produced the most powerful weapon in the universe, with a simple cost of life as price, they would hold to ensure that their technological advances would help suffice their civilization's supreme weaponry. If anything, we Ravenians don't like Duvhatians, as many of us don't hold a similar interest in mind." Jenma answered.
Sventia, not wanting to hear more, turned to leave but was stopped by William.
"Sventia…" Jenma assured Sventia, "I'm sure they'd like to know what it's like from your side as well, as I'm sure you know by now that this war just doesn't affect us here, but others.
"What's all this got to do with her?" William asked.
At first glance, she seemed quiet, but eventually accepted her truth as she swallowed and explained, "I, Sventia, am a Duvhatian. I am one of the princesses of the empire, that which they sacrificed to "win" this war that has not ended."
The room was silent. The Queen had the most regret, possibly because she didn't intend things to go as they did.
"Please tell me…how many more are there like us? Like me?" William questioned Sventia.
Sventia hugged herself and cried, "Oh, you think it is so easy? To say you're alive and well, to know how many you kill. But have you ever wondered what it's like not being wanted after having no purpose, with nobody to care about you?"
"You didn't answer me…" William stated.
"I apologize, my dear drone," Jenma said calmly, trying to de-escalate things.
"My name is William, and I'm not a drone." William declared.
Sventia laughed even harder, but more maniacally than before, "HAHA, that's a good one; if you're not a drone, then what are you?"
William and Sventia were about to fight before Sventia yelled at the top of her lungs, "YOUR FAMILY DOESN'T EVEN KNOW YOU'RE DEAD, FOR ALL YOU KNOW, SOME OTHER DRONE COULD BE TENDING TO THEM RIGHT NOW AS WE SPEAK!!"
Furious, William engaged his laser swords, too, which Sventia dodged, and they both took the teleporter out of the throne room.
"Oh dear…" Jenma said as she shook her cup upside down, realizing her drink was done. "You must go after both of them and stop them before one gets hurt."
"Me? I can't stop them; they're more powerful drones than me. What makes you think I can stop them?" I pondered the Queen's thoughts.
"Well, perhaps he can help you?" Jenma stated as she pointed out someone behind the throne.
"Hey kid, didn't expect to see you again, at least not under these circumstances.", said Gary as he was behind the throne.
"Gary?" I was shocked. "W-what're you doing here?"
"She's beautiful, isn't she? Every time she gets mad, she reminds me of herself getting more and more humane, if anything. You guys even made her smile; I couldn't do that." Gary proudly stated, "If anything, you should get her to smile more for me next time."
"…" He's dodging the question again; I thought as I clenched my fist.
"Hehe, relax, kiddo. Sventia doesn't like to defy and fight with the other drones. She's just "testing" him to see if he can defend himself and others around him." Gary stated as he pulled out a cigarette. "Chances are she's probably leading him to that room right now."
Gary and I slowly exited the throne room while Shinta took care of Lena and the others who were with us to their quarters to rest. Jenma finally answered William's question by stating, "There's more like William out there…but I can assure you I've only seen up to T-111."
With that answer, I turned around and thanked her for the response as Gary did, and I wasted no time trying to find where the two drones had gone. The situation was contained when I saw William and Sventia. William was already in a room with many lights inside and windows of multiple thick glasses to block attacks or bullets. In contrast, Sventia was outside, sticking her tongue out as she trapped William inside.
"What's going on here!? And what are you going to do to William?" I asked.
"There's a lot to be done. William, you see, is a predecessor to the T-01 system. The old predecessor's corruption is winning over William, as you can see.", Sventia said as she pointed to William, who was trying to break the glasses with his laser blades. "Aggression is one of the preliminary system symptoms, followed by loss of logic, and soon memory of ally and foe. The corruption is horrid for William. If we had gotten here any later, I'm afraid he wouldn't be salvageable, and perhaps he'd become scrap metal at that point."
"So how do we save him?" I asked Sventia once more.
"You don't know how Titania's systems work, do you?" Gary stated.
"This is my first time owning a Titania, let alone controlling one." I defended.
"It's not your fault.", Sventia said as she increased electrical surges to send William into a conscious state. "Titania's are confusing mechanisms for any ordinary person to understand. After all, I can't blame the fact that you are born and raised within a nation that hates drones."
"What?" I questioned that last statement she made.
"That's right, kid. Eagles use drones to do their bidding, but that doesn't mean they take a good liking to drones in their society. If you're a drone, you're just scrap metal that can and will be replaced. That nation is a dead state for any drone, living or semi-human, or even Titania." Gary explained. "Believe me, kid…I know from experience."
"So…what exactly happened?" I asked Gary.
"Yeah, you tell him what happened. I'm going to deal with mister William over here.", Sventia said as she started controlling what seemed to be some robotic arms to analyze William on a monitor.
"I was very much like you kid…" Gary said as he took a seat and handed me a chair. "I was a young soldier who had survived an encounter with enemy nations, yet unlike you, I was a drone mechanic. A job that, unlike yours, I got to hear those poor drones and their last memory thoughts as they passed on. I've worked on drones that have lost a limb, drones that have their entire autopilot broken, and they've begun acting like your buddy in there. Saying they're not a "Drone" and were whoever they were."
I looked at Gary in horror and sadness. He had gone through shit and hell and back. He had seen those who've passed on and so many predecessors switched in and out for forty years. He's done so much for a nation that doesn't care about his welfare or the drones that he and his mechanic's division put out.
"Things are real as they can get, kid; Eagles don't support their drones or citizens. They only care about the profit a war can make for them. Things went downhill until I met Sventia, who Eagles had shot down." Gary explained.
"How did she get shot down by the Eagles?" I asked.
"There's more to that lying damn nation than meets the eye, youngster. Have you ever seen the "Shadow" models?" Gary questioned.
I shook my head. Is there another form of the Titania model? I've not even figured anything out about them, and Gary's telling me about an entirely different model.
"I thought so, kid…well, afraid not, your William buddy over there is perhaps a GEN-1 Shadow because he's also one of the last Replicas of the lower HUNDRED count Titania, as stated on the drone's chest plate," Gary explained.
"Still…wait, who shot Sventia down?" I asked again, feeling that Gary had again avoided the question.
Gary and Sventia exchanged confused looks, to which Sventia continued her work on the monitor while Gary sighed.
"Model T-01…" Gary said as he covered his face more with his cap. "Most likely not William, but whoever the predecessor before William was. Shot down Sventia during a battle with not a blade-like your William uses, but something bigger, larger. Kind of like a cannon of some sort."
"You don't mean…" I remembered William's fight with San, where he used the halo as his crosshair, and his blades turned into barrels like cannons.
"Yeah, shot my dear Sventia right on the left booster.", Gary said as he pointed out the damaged booster on the left side of Sventia as she was working. "This one's a spare that I made, but I will have to make another one soon as this one seems to be failing. Anyhow, Sventia got shot down, and instead of scrapping her and junking her, I told higher command that I'd fix her up to fight for them, to which they agreed."
He paused while he stared at William, who was still unconscious in the analyzing room. "Fixed Sventia, I did, but who would've known that once we fought for them, they would never acknowledge what we'd done for them? Despite their efforts, I'm sure you've seen how the Eagles despised Drones. Unlike your buddy in there, Sventia never secured a victory, for the Eagles could never do it. We were either always retreating or evading to get captured by the enemy."
"So, what'd made both of you end up here in the Ravenian Empire?" I then asked.
"Well, we were fleeing a losing battle, to which Sventia was seriously damaged, to which I was still an Eagle soldier, and I couldn't repair her; there were no tools nor scrap metal for me to use. Sventia wanted me to abandon her so that I could have a chance to live, but I bravely stayed by her side. We wandered for days until Shinta found us and took us in." Gary explained.
"Shinta?" I asked, "The maid drone?"
"Don't be fooled by her looks, kid." Gary angrily stated as he corrected me, "Shinta may look like she's the caring and careful and weak kindhearted person, or drone, but trust me, there's a good- GREAT reason why she never leaves the Queen's side."
"So, then you guys just never left afterward?" I concluded.
"Not really; we staged a double-sided agent, with me being the insider for Eagles while Sventia stays here in Ravenian Empire; I fabricated a story that Sventia was captured while I was hiding from battle. Therefore, I returned to Eagles and continued my work as a drone mechanic. In the end, Eagles never appreciated Sventia being there; to them, she was just another scrap of metal to be replaced. In our eyes, and probably yours soon too, you'd probably see that the Ravenian Empire is the nation that will unite this civil unrest." Gary concluded with that as he stood up to check on Sventia typing on the monitor.
"Well, I did what I could, but he should be done for now. I'll get Shinta to work more on him." Sventia said as she looked at me and closed the monitor. "He's in a deep sleep, so he won't be up for a few hours at the very least, so I may suggest that you get some rest, too."
"Yeah, rest should be good," I said as I made my way to the quarters with Sventia guiding me.
The Ravenian Empire was a nation whose dream was to unite the civil unrest between drones, humans, and warring nations.