'WHAT?? Let me go!!' i tried to get my hands off her but she's already holding my arms tightly, dragging me towards somewhere that i can't tell. My eyes are still frozen from sleeping on the snow.
'Just keep quiet! you don't know anything about the guardian forces! Not every battalion handles shell chambers!' She yelled at me, while tightening her grip on my hands.
'What?.. What do you mean by it..?' I replied, confused. If i heard her right, she's implying that not every branch in the Guardian forces are working for Shell safety.. But, what does that really mean..?
'You'll see soon enough. Stop resisting! i saved you from the snow, and i'm saving you again! be grateful for once!'.
I was quiet as she said those words. What even is she? She cannot be a children of the shell like me, as she is a female. She couldn't be a Caretaker either because from the touch of her palms, i can tell that she's too young, possibly younger than me.
It doesn't make sense.. at all. I grew silent for the rest of the walk as she guided me through, what i felt like a series of slopes. Ups and downs.
Like going up and up and up, then going down and down and down. That's what i felt like we were doing. I feel the dust debris and snow rampaging beneath my feet. This must be what kyle called as a 'storm'.
Kyle taught me a lot of things about outside world but nothing could have prepared me to endure the real thing. The climate here is turbulent. I feel like the ground is made up with mounds of dust.
It is quite distinct from the snow debris that i slept in. This texture of cold soft dust, grazing my feet, travelling in circles.. the dust never settles in one place.
After a few hours, we reached our destination. The whole time we've walked, i didn't say anything, and she preferred that silence. My eyes aren't recovered yet but i felt her leaving my side to knock on a metal wall.
'We have arrived! open the doors!!' She shouted.
'Vasila? Input your code for entry.', replied a synthetic voice behind the wall. It must the troopers assigned to secure the base from outside visitors.
I never saw troopers myself but i've heard that they're a group of mechanical soldiers who carry out orders from officers.
'You know what it is! VS-6355'
'I'm sorry, i didn't register it. Can you repeat the code again without the "You know what it isss" ?'
This trooper is mocking her... What the hell? I didn't know machines had a snarky personality.
'Erh.. V-S-6-3-5-5!!' she shouted again.
'Access granted. Welcome home, Cadet Vasila of the Undying Iron. Master Ranked Officers are waiting to hear your new repor-'
'I know, now shut up!'
The gate was screeching for a few seconds and ceased. it must be a giant wall of metal.
She grabbed my hands again and now took me straight through the gates. I still can't see anything but i feel that there's someone grabbing my face. Their hands are smooth and cold like steel.
'Ohh? A children of the shell?' i hear an synthetic male voice.
'Yeah. i found him in south side.' She replied.
'Hmm.. his eyes are frozen shut, his knees have bruises and the blood is stuck in place. His nose are not any better either.. Shall i take him to your team quarters and put him in a warm bath?'
'Yeah, You do that. I have other things to attend! where is Korvet! where is Melvin!? Where is Cal?!! Why am i, the ONLY one to read reports??' She said in an annoyed tone.
'Let me think.. Maybe, its because you're the leader of Unit Vasila..? Surely that can't be right, yeah? you can't be the leader..' said the Trooper in a mocking voice, before he took his hand away from my face and grabbed my arms.
'I HATE you, f##ing METAL SOUL!!!' she replied in a harsh, shrill voice and ran away.
The Trooper gently held my left arm, being careful to not break my bones. 'Let's move. we'll talk on the way.'
'O-okay..', i replied. 'I-I don't want to piss you off b-but, can i know where i am?.. and who you are..?'
The trooper didn't reply. I'm guessing he is quietly judging my intentions, watching my face muscles close for any change in reaction to predict my thoughts. After a good minute of walking and silence, he finally decided to reply.
'No need to be afraid, now. You're a new visitor. i know that it feels strange but, we just want to help you. You're in the custody of the Immortal Guardian Force - Base No. 5904 of the North East region under the regiment of the Holy Emperor and God, Wokan. I'm a Trooper class soldier specialising in security and gatekeeping. My code is M-2727. My colleagues call me- I'm sorry... where are my manners, I hope i didn't talk too much about myself and bore you.'
He did talk too much but I can't help but let him tell me more as i don't know anything about this place.
'N-no, no, please tell me more. I d-dont mind it. that girl didn't talk much with me anyway.. my name is Wei la.. code WL-591.. can you tell me your name..? something other than the code..' i replied.
'Ohh? I'm so glad that you asked, Wei la! i didn't know children of the shell had emotions like you do. They call me Markov of the North Gate. You don't need to be bothered by Vasila's attitude, she grew up, spoiled by power and pride but, she is a good person. she is probably one of the most strongest cadet in the history of the Guardians.. So, that comes with a giant ego, don't you think? But, i have to tell you that she's a sweet and kind, don't let her attitude fool you.'
It's hard to see what he considers sweet about her personality but i'm suprised that young girl is high ranking cadet and a leader. Vasila.. I suppose, i owe her my life now, she did save me so she must a good person. But, still i dont have enough clues. I have to confront Markov and ask him straight.
I feel a shudder travelling through my body. I have to find the killer responsible for the death of Kyle.
'Yeah.. i s-suppose.. She saved me when i collapsed outside my shell.. Everyone i know was killed by the guardians..'
Markov turned to look at me, silently. He didn't try to ask what happened. He didn't even think it's highly unsual or defend that Guardian forces doesn't kill people without a reason.
I'm going to confront him. I have to start somewhere to find clues.
'why did they do that? are you guys.. the one who killed kyle?' I stopped and asked with my trembling feet.
The trooper stopped walking. He was silent for a few seconds before replying
'Information denied'.
'D-Did the guardians kill everyone in my shell?!' i asked, loudly.
If i'm going to die for asking it, so be it.
'Information denied.'
'TELL ME!!! WHY DID THEY DIEE???'
'Information denied.'
'Whyyy??'
'Information denied.'
I want to cry but there's no tears.
'Tell me one thing.. Markov.. Please.. Tell me one thing.. D-Did.. you kill Kyle? Did Vasila kill Kyle..? i need to know.. please, i need to know..'
I'm on the verge of a mental breakdown. I have to know if everything i believed is a life. I want to know if Guardian forces are slaughtering shells indiscriminately.
Markov remained silent. I fell to my knees.
Timeskip cutscene:
'You were always bound by the rules, Markov. You never had a will of your own.. What a sad creature you are.' I said looking from above the sky, at the humanoid man playing bingo with himself. 'A sad and lonely creature.. I can't help but think of you as my friend. You're one of the best friends i ever had in all these years that i lived in this base..'
At that moment, Markov noticed my giant black and blue mecha floating in the sky. He stood up smiling, waving his hands at me. I waved back. A middle aged trooper with no facial hair, sharp jawline and jet black hair. He wore his usual uniform of leather coat and black glows. His face never aged a day since I met him.
'If you ever decided to turn into a metal soul.. I'll personally hunt you down and kill you myself. Not because i hate you.. but because i like you enough to spare you from pain'. I muttered to myself and landed on the ground with my mecha in one devastating impact that threw debris all around the place.
'Welcome home, cadet Wei la, the first one. The master ranked officers are waiting for your battle report in the west conflict.' said my mech system's radio. The signal faded away as i turned the system off and sat in the darkness of my pilot's cockpit. I didn't want to get out.
I want to kill more of those rebelling filth that taint the peace of this world..
I didn't kill enough.. It's not enough.. It will never be enough.