Vol. 5, Chapter 69: Scattered Soldiers

The range of Zero's 'awareness' used to be around two meters, and then, throughout the decades that she had been locked in that white room, it eventually increased to five meters. However, ever since 'Project Animus', the project to manufacture psionic soldiers had been completed, her powers as well as her range had grown outrageously compared to the rate of growth she had before. In just a few years, she went from a measly five meters to five kilometers. The reason for that, were the Psions, the numbered children. As their powers came from Zero, when they perish, the powers that had been cultivated within them return to whence they came. For every numbered child that perished, Zero grew in power, and along with that power, so did her sorrow. By now, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her a demi-god or even a proper god. It has gotten to the point that even the military had gotten afraid to deploy her. Yet, she just sat there, in the restraints she could have easily broken.

When asked, "Why don't you just leave?" She simply replied, "Because I've been asked to save the world."

It reminded me of that time, that time when she broke down the door to her room in frustration, only be calmed down by a man begging for her to stay. That man had gotten old and died, but Zero had always held on to his words. He seemed to know where everything was heading, and Zero, most likely, knew where this would end as well. Could she stop it? Now that she has obtained the power of a god? No, apparently not, as she was not the only demi-god born to this world.

"So they have one as well."

"It was theorized that the enemy might have one or two or even a dozen. After all, all of my powers came from the fragments of the old god's remains and the Lunarians have possession of the whole thing. This one, from the looks of it, is most likely a Type Zero."

"Type Zero?"

"I just came up with it. Because this one is like me, you know."

I made no response to her narcissistic naming sense. I was about to, but feeling that she was expecting it, I decided that I didn't want to play into her hands.

"Wouldn't this be a problem? It looked like Nine and Six are in enough trouble as it is."

"Well, it's certainly better than if they made another one of those bombs."

"The one that made the 'Crater'? What did they call it, a 'void cracker'?"

Certainly, at least the Type Ze- demi-gods at Zero's level are only capable of mass destruction rather than causing a large chunk of space to just vanish. At least with the former case, one could always rebuild.

"I would have called it 'Warhead Zero'."

"Enough with the zeroes."

"Oh, it's fine don't you think, it's just a phase."

"If you're self-conscious enough to call it a phase, I wish you'd just stop entirely."

"Well, I have to do something to entertain myself. It's lonely you know, to be by myself in a big empty room. If you hadn't dropped by every now and then, I don't think I could remain sane."

"I... You're right. I should have realized. I'm sor-"

"Oh, woe is I, this Zero's friends are also zero... Get it, because-"

"Stop. Just stop. God, someone wake me up right now."

As I pinch the bridge of my nose in utter agony, I hear her absolutely diabolical chuckling in the background. Did I call her a god? No, she's most definitely a devil, one who thrived on another's agony, my agony to be specific.

"Zero, are you listening? We need you, now."

A voice blared from the intercom installed in the container. Despite the speaker's attempt to keep calm, there were certainly hints of panic.

"Loud and clear, operator. Is it time?"

Zero's lips twisted upwards for a smile. The thought of seeing action after such a long time excited her. There was even a hint of sadistic joy in her smile. Things certainly have changed since she was young, well, younger.

***

"Thirteen! Four! Six! Anyone, come in!"

Over and over again, Nine had tried calling the members of his unit to no avail. Though now and then, he could make out voices through the noise, he could never understand what was said.

Exasperated by his situation, he carefully peeked out the window of the building he's hiding in. He's worried, not only in regards to enemy soldiers but also that shockwave he experienced earlier. That wasn't from one of their own. Not even Seven could have done something like that and as far as he knew and Zero should still be at the base camp, locked in that container they brought her in. Even if they did deploy her, this tremor felt wild and uncontrolled, a feeling completely different from the ones felt from Zero, who had by this point in time gained proper control of her powers.

"Over there! Fire at will!"

A shout could be heard from the street over, and it was soon followed by a chaotic symphony of gunfire. Someone has gotten into trouble, and the thought that it might be someone from his unit made Nine unable to sit still.

He counted the grenades he had with him, and then made sure that the pistol and rifle he carried with him were properly loaded, and after a deep breath, Nine headed out.

***

"Come on, move your feet!"

Thirteen was tugging along Four as they ran from pursuing enemies. However, while Thirteen was physically fit, Four was not.

Four was born weak, her body unable to keep up with intense activities for extended periods. However, due to the raw power she possessed, it was decided that she'd be deployed regardless, and she was placed within Nine's unit specifically for two reasons. Firstly, while Four had massive firepower, she could not control it on her own, requiring Nine's ability of mental manipulation to make proper use of her powers. Secondly, the research facility of Anima wanted to see what would happen if Four were to interact with Thirteen for an extended period of time. For these two reasons, she was entrusted to Nine, who found what others would call timidness, that is to say her cautiousness, to be of excellent counsel. However, in contrast, Thirteen thought of the older woman as a burden, constantly slowing the rest of them down. Of course, Thirteen would never say such thing out loud, but both Four and, of course, Nine could sense it from her.

"Come on, if we don't move, they'll catch us!"

Looking at Four slumping against a wall, panting heavily, Thirteen felt a rising panic in her chest. There were only so many shots she could catch at the same time, and no matter how many times she sends the bullets back, the Lunarian's kinetic shields would simply block them. Without a coordinated offensive, Thirteen has no way of dealing with the enemy.

The thought of leaving Four behind came up in her head. She had considered it several times before. Four was always slowing them down and one of these days she's going to get them killed. She had such thoughts many times in the past.

"We can't stop here. Nine stayed behind so that we could escape. So we have to keep going."

She grabbed Four's hand, forcibly pulling her along. No matter how many times the idea crossed her mind, Thirteen could never bring herself to abandon the woman who birthed her.

"I'm sorry..."

A whisper came from behind, but Thirteen did not reply. She was tired of hearing it, her quiet apologies. Four was always so quick to apologize, especially to Thirteen. It happened so often that it had lost all meaning.

What was she apologizing for anyways? Thirteen wondered to herself. For being weak? For slowing everybody down? Or is it for the fact that I was born here in this hell? But, she knew that woman would never say it out clearly. She was weak and vague and timid and always kept to herself. She'd never speak her mind because she's a coward and she'll always be afraid of what others might think. Even so, she can be so stubborn when she had decided on something. When it was decided that Nine would stay behind, she did not relent no matter how much Thirteen shouted at her. During such rare occasions, she'd stubbornly see things through. Even though she's weak. Even though she's a coward...

"Ha!"

With a shout, Thirteen brought a wall down to block the pursuer's path. They'll find a way around soon enough, but it'll buy them some time.

Turning to check of Four, Thirteen found the woman to be terrifyingly pale, almost turning blue even. She had been pushed too far. It couldn't be helped, they were being pursued by at least a dozen enemy soldiers after all. If they were to stop running, it'd be certain death for them.

"We should keep moving. Come, I'll carry you."

"But, you're already so worn out..."

"Not as much as you are. Come on. I'll never hear the end of it from Nine if I let anything happen to you. Do you know what it feels like when a telepath wants to give you a piece of his mind? Even if you cover your ears he'll just zap his complaints right into your head. It'll drive you nuts I tell you."

There was a chuckle. While it was slight, a chuckle definitely came from that gloomy woman. Hearing the slightest bit of cheer from Four, somehow, it made Thirteen feel something warm inside.

"Okay... but, can you hear me out for a bit?"

"What?"

"Head south."

"South?"

"Um... I'll give you the precise direction as we go, but for now, let's head south."

"Why? We need to find Nine right? south is the exact opposite of where we left him."

They knew Nine had survived somehow. They could hear his voice trying to contact them through the radio. However, due to some interference, he kept breaking off.

"At this rate, we'll lead the enemy soldiers right to him, and I doubt Nine is in a fighting state. Not to mention that with communications disrupted, there's no way for us to know exactly where he is and knowing Nine, I doubt he'll make himself easy to find."

Thirteen was taken aback. This was the first time Four had spoken with such clarity. This was a side of her Thirteen had never gotten to see. Why? Probably because, more than anyone, Four was afraid of her, of Thirteen. It would probably be accurate to say that nothing could possibly hurt the older woman more than to be directly rejected by her.

"So, what's at south?"

"I-it's a hunch, but..."

"Hm-hmm, I'm listening."

"Towards the south, that's..."

***

"Six, aren't you worried about Nine?"

"He can take care of himself. You two, on the other hand, not so much."

With a young woman with short black hair on his back, the Psion tagged with P-015 wasn't all that pleased to hear such a thing. However, he couldn't argue back. He wouldn't admit it out loud, but if it weren't for the red-headed girl, he would not be alive and here listening to her talk down to him right this moment.

"Six."

"Yes?"

"Are you sure this is the best path to take?"

"I'm hoping so."

"Hoping so!?"

"Shush."

"Oh, sorry..."

Reflexively, Fifteen apologized, but he was starting to regret following the red-headed girl to this place. When she led them down here, she seemed so confident that she knew where she was going, to hear her say that she hopes that she's going the right way was rather unsettling. Why? Because at this moment, they're behind the enemy lines. If they were caught, they'd be immediately surrounded without any hope of backup or reinforcement.

"But why here?"

"We were near the frontlines, where the fighting should be the most intense, right?"

"Uhh, right, I think..."

Fifteen didn't like how the red-headed girl sounded like she only had a vague idea of what she's talking about. This too was a problem Nine had to deal with on a daily basis. However, to Nine, the red-headed girl was undoubtedly an asset, not just for combat, but for her at times uncannily sharp instincts.

"So, while the enemy's pushing forward, we'll sneak around behind them."

The plan was so simple, that Fifteen could not help but think that it sounded stupid.

"But the base camp is all the way in our own backlines. How will going behind enemy lines help us get back there?"

"We'll just find an area where the fighting isn't as intense and go through there."

"We'll just what!?"

"Shush."

"S- sorry..."

Fifteen was drenched in sweat. It was not because he had to run around carrying the unconscious Fourteen, he was a trained soldier and the young woman was rather light. No, it was from the cold sweat that has been rolling down his back as he felt increasingly anxious about letting the red-headed girl lead them around.

"What about your teleportation, could you just use that to get us out of here?"

"I ran out. I did it too much while trying to save your ass. The three jumps that took us here were the last for the time being."

"How long can you jump again."

"Maybe in an hour or two?"

"In that case, we should have stayed put in the apartment room you found. You said it was safe, right?"

"It was at the time, but you never know if a stray shell could hit it."

Having it mentioned, Fifteen had started to take notice, that around here, he could barely hear the gunfire and explosions. They were moving further and further away.

"Sounds like we're losing ground. The enemy's pushing in rather aggressively too. I wonder what changed."

Fifteen was somewhat amazed. Just by listening, it seemed as though the red-headed girl was able to tell that the Lunarians are pushing forward. He had heard that the red-headed girl had some impressive spatial awareness, but he never thought that it was to this extent. Then again, perhaps this was just her making wild guesses with her guts. That seemed more likely in Fifteen's mind.

Suddenly, the red-headed girl gestured for Fifteen to stop. With hand signs, she pointed his sight towards what appeared to be a barricade step up on a wide street. With a quick observation, there were relatively few guards there, seemingly just enough to ward off a small unit, perhaps one that's might be trying to get behind enemy lines.

"Looks like they're not expecting too many enemies go come this way."

"So wait, is this it!? Is this where we're going to be breaking through?"

"Looks like it."

They had only been moving for about thirty minutes since the redheaded girl had made her jump and ended up behind enemy lines. They were not slow by any means, but to find exactly what they were looking for in such a short time seemed almost miraculous. Unless of course, the red-headed girl does have as strong a grasp on the battlefield as she made it out to be, and this whole time, she knew exactly what she was doing and exactly where she was heading.

"How did you know?"

"Know what?"

"That we could get out this way."

"I don't, we haven't gotten out yet so I wouldn't know for sure."

Does she mean that nothing in life is for certain? Or was she just going off on a hunch this whole time? Fifteen was not sure and perhaps he never will be.

***

End of Chapter 69