บท 172: Chapter 37: An Unexpected Visit
It's so quiet around here.
From time to time, regardless of how much he loved being in the limelight and being the center of attention for the galaxy, Infinity, Absolute Being or even just around his fellow artifact users, Zero do prefer instances where he can just slow everything down and relax for a moment. Now, he will have plenty of time to do just that.
The deep space prison colony that he was thrown into was located on the outer edge of the Olympus system, as he is placed in a singular living room/cell/station that is magnetically locked to be a certain distance away from the main prison station while under the influence of its spin gravitational fields. The magnetic fields keeps him suspended and hence his cell away from everything else, just in case he pulls something other artifact users will do.
He looked out at the cold heartless darkness of the space all around him, occasionally catching a glance of one of Olympus's suns. Someone as high profile as him will never be placed in any normal space prison colonies, and the one that overlooks what could have been his is certainly a fitting punishment. His everyday routine started when the food printer is activated automatically and a simple meal is provided, and ends when the lighting of the entire cell is shut off. There is nothing in between, and Zero have been able to take his time to reflect upon all that has happened. Once a day.
It has been weeks by now.
Being the one to create the training system implemented at the Absolute Academy, Zero knows of plenty of ways to keep his body fit, though there is no chance at all for him to practice his artifacts as any elevation in his physiological statement will lead to a jolt of pain signals starting right from his spinal cord. His nanotechnology enhancements have also been fully deactivated, meaning that he will fatigue and respond to pain and injury like a normal enhanced human being.
Brakagi truly had the entire galaxy within the palm of his hands right here. It all started when Olympus B moves in a completely different direction seemingly out of nowhere, and the timing of it all around the galactic elections meant nobody would dare to be the first one to make the move and make mistakes under the public's limelight. However, when the first move was forced to be made, it, of course, is too little and too late.
Maybe Brakagi is right, maybe the galaxy do need a shock to the system, and each and every one of them have their own roles to play. Zero didn't come in here without a plan, but that doesn't mean he isn't one to act without doubts. You can certainly have both. And at times, he lets the shear magnitude of the uncertainty get the better of him.
Hong Fu...Zero looked out towards where he thought one of his oldest accomplice was in space and counted on his back up plans being carried out by Lady Lily. He can always trust her, and he is certain that both Absolute Being and Infinity are being taken care of at this very moment, thanks to her extremely convincing performance at the trial.
'Do you deny any of the charges?' The judge asked after five minutes of reading as all of the eyes in the room and all across galaxy focuses on Zero, the galaxy's most hated man. He looked at Lady Lily with a blanket look, and nodded. She bit down her lips and looked away as the security droid pinned his skull, wrestled his head and made him face the judge.
'There is no denying.' Zero answered, and then the hammer was slammed.
Entrusting the entire story to Lady Lily, Zero simply became the one in the spotlight as the cog in the machine of his grand plan. He trust that she will not fail him under any circumstances, and trust that the real truth will be revealed. Before the time is right, there really isn't any point in it at all.
His cell rattled unexpectedly, and it is slowly pulled towards the main colony to his surprise. Grabbing onto the handles on the wall, Zero waited around as he pondered what is going on today. Usually, he is thinking about what Brakagi has been doing at this time of the day, how he manipulated the people and created 'New Olympus'. How original.
His cell kissed against the surface of the colony, and a pair of blast doors opened up revealing the insides of the space station. There are still a layer of glass in between him and whatever's in the hallway, as all he could see are his scuffed looks.
'I apologize for downplaying the threats of the artifacts, Officer Uleric.' General Kuviar said as he marched along the hallways of the prison colony as all of the individual cells for each of the inmate spins around the station far out in the distance. 'and now, it has all come to this awkward place.'
'There are still so much we need to know as an agency.' Cellica replied professionally, as she already know about as much as anyone would have needed to figure out most things, and yet the agency and hence the galactic government cannot move without further evidence. However, there are many legal and bureaucratic difficulties when it comes to evidence of artifact usage, and despite what has happened, the majority of the galaxy still think tiny items that defies the laws of physics and can move planets are nothing more than a maniac's talk.
'In my many years serving the government and the agency, I have never seen anything like this before.' General Kuviar admitted, his voice low and strong like the bells rang by monks when they meditate, and it is strangely soothing for Cellica to listen to, 'these things are extremely dangerous weapons.'
'These things can be extremely dangerous weapons.' Cellica corrected, 'In my opinion, Brakagi used his artifacts to not only outright attack the GBI, but also throw Olympus B into the new orbit. But in the meanwhile, the bearers also saved Olympus 2.'
'And destroyed the orbital rings of Prime.' General Kuviar reminded, and Cellica remained unfazed despite her inner turmoil, 'this third group, apart from Zender's group and Brakagi, they are equally as dangerous, and we need to keep an eye on them as much as possible, just like the other two.'
'...' Cellica didn't say anything for a little while.
General Kuviar lets out a little sigh and took off his hat, 'I know that you have been watching over them for a little while, but the public do not think they are what you think they are.'
'It's because the public doesn't know the truth.' Cellica replied calmly.
'Nor should they.' General Kuviar said outright, folding the hat neatly into a single piece with one hand, 'information, regardless of its nature, can be manipulated. That's always rang true since the beginning of the age of information hundreds of years ago. Heck, even way before that.'
'Think about old earth religions.'
Cellica cannot deny that, no matter how ideologically pure she might still be at this point. Well, if there anyone that they can go to when it comes to the topic of information, there is no better person.
'We are in position.' Genearl Kuvair spoke into his interface, and soon a cell floating around is fetched and yanked towards the opening right in front of the two of them.
'Have you done any prison visits before?' The general asked.
'No, Sir.'
'Just follow my lead then.' General Kuviar said, as he looked at at the decelerating cell until it gently kisses it. Zero stood tall as he released the handle, and then, he looked into the eyes of General Kuviar despite not being able to see him. Tapping a finger against the wall, an isolation bubble is formed around General Kuviar and Cellica and the audio channels opened.
'I do not expect visitors.' Zero said.
'I would have been here if you hadn't given me all these extra work.' General Kuviar replied, 'General Kuviar, head of the GBI.'
'Ah...' Zero said with a knowing smile as gently touches a finger alongside the glass in between the two of them, 'the agency that was attacked, and the one that remained silent all these time while the galaxy burns. No hard feelings, it's not like you are prepared for this. Is this only a date between the two of us, general?'
'Officer Uleric is also here, and she has been monitoring your actions for a long time.' General Kuviar said, his arms crossed in front of him.
'I am sure you have, Cellica. How's the GBI doing?' Zero said, glancing over towards Cellica as if there is no one way glass present blocking the lines of sight from the cell.
'Is he activating his artifact?' General Kuviar muted the channels and asked into the audio channel.
'There are no superphysical level change...' The response was clear for the two of them.
'Not all activations are as physically demanding.' Cellica cut in, checking it quickly with a instance of activation of her eyes and seeing the energy signature in front of her that's all too familiar, 'give him a buzz.'
'Yes ma'am.' The command answered, and the energy signature dissipated right in front of her eyes.
'That was for dirtying the glass.' General Kuviar said, unmuting the audio channel, 'now, tell me all that you know about artifacts. Is it really possible that anyone of those can move suns?'
'Just so you know, general, this isn't how things usually go,' Zero said, slouching back and sitting back onto his bunk bed, 'you don't just go up to crime bosses, ask questions and expect full cooperation.'
'Because I am not talking to a crime boss.' General Kuviar said, leading , 'Huh huh...I have dealt with your kind before. High functioning, highly motivated, highly intelligent, all to your own faults. You thought you can alter and control the fate of the galaxy all by yourself, you think yourself above the "incompetant", and you thought you do better while always doing worse. And you desperately want another chance to make it right,'
'I have dealt with your kind before.' General Kuviar emphasized.
'Opportunities are not given, they are created.' Zero responded, looking directly at where General Kuviar is standing at, 'you need a chance to strike back at the Rockies. You want to restore the balance, but have you thought of why someone like Brakagi exists in the first place?'
'Because of you.' Cellica said, and Zero lets out a knowing chuckle. General Kuviar glanced over with a little bit of confusion but didn't ask further.
'Not Brakagi the artifact user, Brakagi the Rocky.' Zero said, 'the GBI isn't exactly the good guys that it is trying to be, and the entire galaxy knows it after the files released by Brakagi. Now, you need dirt on Brakagi to drag him down too. That's why you are here, correct?'
'Give me everything you have on all artifact users.' General Kuviar said, 'if you do that, I can promise you will be released sooner than later for your actions.'
'That will not be needed.' Zero shook his head and lied down on his bed, 'the gears have already started turning, and soon, the galaxy will know exactly what Brakagi has done, thanks to my work. By that time, you would want to come begging for my help in taking him down.'
'Right now, I just wish to enjoy a bit of peace and comfort.'
Muting the audio channels once again, General Kuviar looked towards Cellica and asked, 'what does he mean?'
'Most likley, his forces are already working behind the scenes to gather intelligence, be it Absolute Being, or even Infinity itself.' Cellica explained, 'I hope I don't come across strangely, but Zero is an asset that we will have to rely on in such a scenario. There aren't many things the GBI can do when it comes to the artifact users...'
'Tsk.' General Kuviar cursed underneath his breath about the powerlessness of the organization that he has been running all these years. This is an unprecedented scenario for everyone here, and he is quickly learning that the his agency and the government is quickly getting outgunned in the artifact arms race.
Then, they looked over to see Zero there waving a hand at them and point towards his mouth. General opened the audio channel again.
'I am on your side, General.' Zero explained, 'none of us ever wanted to use the artifacts to directly alter the destiny of the galaxy, and we deemed whatever Brakagi is doing to be way out of line. That's why I will help you take him down. Come to me when the time is right, and release me then. I shall grant you what you want, and in exchange...'
Here comes the deal. General Kuviar waited patiently for Zero to continue.
'Just don't do anything dirty behind my back when I am elected.'
General Kuviar spun around and left Zero behind in the cell. Cellica followed suit and the session is over with the bursting of the isolation bubble. The last sentence was certainly a sting towards what the GBI has done in orchestrating Brakagi's first downfall.
'What a troublesome guy.' General Kuviar remarked as the two of them entered into the elevator towards the levels of the various shuttles, and Cellica could do nothing but nod her head. He ain't seeing half of what Zero has done over the years.
In the meanwhile, as things continue to develop over the galaxy, Zero continued spending his plan thinking of everything that leads up to the point in time where he is at, and thinking about the future that lies beyond. Vindy and Hong Fu are making slowly back towards the Geb system, as more and more citizens are evacuating Olympus Prime at the exact same time.
As it turns out, Olympus B's exit isn't going to affect the newer orbit of the capital city planet, but the massive economic and social impacts along have convinced many to move out and away towards New Olympus, as the fleets of Rocky ships continued to offer free transportation across the systems. The deals initially made to evacuate the inner planets are now altered and bridged into new business deals with the One Rock government, which boosted economic viability of such mass transports even further.
Geb 4 has been transformed form a barren Rocky planet into a booming city planet, as constructions went on for days and nights both on the ground and in orbits, as not only defensive platforms are set up, but also arrays of orbital mirrors, spinning habitats, elevators and few segments of orbital ring salvaged from the phenomenon. Moving large chunks of items and materials in space isn't exactly a tall task, as long as there is enough forward momentum built up.
The discussion of the mysterious groups of artifact users continued to rage on on the internet, as more and more people bring out their potential sightings and activities, with some considering them a governmental hoax, the second coming of the old earth gods or even special research subjects that escaped the grasp of Infinity, and it wasn't long before some suspected that the deviation of Olympus B being the result of an artifact action, and even fewer people pointed their fingers towards Brakagi and the One Rock government. However, those posts are all quickly and quietly removed before they could stir up anything bigger than back alley rumors.
A few weeks have passed since the phenomenon itself, and each of the main players in this galactic conflict has went away back to their own bases and safe houses as they pondered their next moves. The bearers regrouped back onto their shuttle and headed back towards Athena 3 with the exception of Cellica who was summoned urgently back towards the GBI headquarters.
'So this artifact avatar state....' Rydel explained to his groups of friends as they gathered in the main training hall, 'it appeared to have been a way to supercharge your artifact strength, control and power for a short amount of time, and it is also during that time that the maximum output of the artifact are used.'
'From what Rydel and Elmyra have experienced, it is a highly unstable state. But it appeared that we will be able to fully access the powers of the artifacts during that time.' Ol explained as he presented everything they have pieced together in prior meetings.
'Um...what do you mean by fully?' Alrith asked, and Elmyra stood up from her seat.
'By fully, we meant all of it.' Elmyra said, 'I saw the entire bubble, everything that we have been to, everything that we have ever known within the barrier. Rydel probably could have warped entire systems, if he had Lady Lily, Hong Fu and Zero backing him up.'
'Now we know that this higher level of artifact usage exists, we will be training for it.' Ol continued, 'it will be the hardest amount of training that we have ever done, but our goal is only to be able to access that power. Due to its highly unstable nature, it will only be used as a last resort. With who we might be facing in the future, this will be an extremely valuable tool to have.'
And with that said, everybody knew what to do.
As the wheel of time continued to turn, the first half of the story comes to a close as everybody anticipated the second coming of the conflicts, as old enemies arise from the darkness, and new bonds are formed and broken. The fate of the galaxy will forever be altered after the coming battle.
Brakagi looked on at the landscape that is once again changed due to the rapid developments of Geb 4, and pondered both his and the galaxy's future. What will New Olympus become of in weeks, months and years time? This is such a intoxicating and exciting thought, and yet there is still the sense of danger that his enemies, both visible and invisible are preparing to take him down no matter what.
However, tonight is not the night to think about it all.
Behind him, Caliditas slept quietly on his bed with a blanket gently wrapped around her body. He turned away from the city lights and returned next to her. As she moaned and pulled him towards her by his fur, he returned the gesture.
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