Chapter 15 The Burden of Survival

Aria’s hands curled into fists.

 "There has to be a way for me to get back to the fight, Dyar. I can’t just… stand still. Not after everything I’ve been through, everything we’ve lost. I’ve given too much to just be tossed aside as if I’m a liability." 

"I don’t care if they see me as human or not. I am still Aria Lock. I will not sit by, waiting for those monsters to attack again. I can still fight, I know I can. There has to be some way to use what I have left, some use for me on the battlefield. I’ll do anything. Anything, Dyar. Just give me a chance."

Dyar sighed.

 "I know this is brutal, Aria. But the news gets only worse. It was the only way to keep you from becoming a target… or worse, executed on the spot. I know, Aria. I know it sounds unfair. You are still you. But the moment that mutation… took hold of you, everything changed. The military has strict protocols. As far as the public records go, Command Sergeant Major Aria Lock died a hero in combat, and the file is closed. Officially, you don’t exist anymore. Aria Lock died in action, and any trace of your record is locked down under top-level classification."

Aria's voice wavered as she repeated, "I don’t exist? How… how can they just erase me like that? I’m here, Dyar, I’m still me. You know I am."

“I know, Aria, I know... And I believe you. Hell, I’m the only reason the ‘hero’ of that record is still breathing. You have to understand that they see you as more than a risk - they see you as a threat. The Council thinks it’s safer if your name fades into memory, that no one asks questions about a half-mutant walking around in the heart of our stronghold. They’re convinced it’d cause panic, even revolt, or worse.”

Aria’s thoughts flashed to all the battles, the sacrifices, every moment she’d devoted her life to their cause. 

“So what now?” she whispered barely holding back her anger. 

"I hide away like some rat? Let them erase me?”

Dyar’s face twisted with frustration.

"If it were up to me, I’d reinstate you right now. But they’re scared, Aria. Terrified of what could happen if the public knew a half-mutant was roaming free. Hell, they’re scared of what could happen if I continue to protect you. The only reason you’re alive right now is because I put everything on the line to keep you safe."

He leaned forward, a hard edge returning to his voice. 

"But make no mistake, Aria. The moment anything goes wrong, any hint that you might be dangerous… they won’t hesitate to terminate you. Even my protection can only go so far. Only a handful of people know you’re alive, Aria. I had you placed in a private wing, kept to the highest confidentiality. And if it were up to them? You wouldn’t even have woken up. But as long as I’m here, you’re here. I’m not giving up on you - not after everything you’ve done for us."

Dyar sighed sadly and continued, "Truth be told, there are not many left to remember your face. Our top three squads got annihilated, all that's left are fresh out-of-academy pilots.”

She slumped back, trying to process his words, her fists tightening against the chair.

 "God damn it! All of them are dead! And I'm what… a ghost now? Can't even avenge their deaths? Stripped of everything I was? I’ve fought for Beehive with everything I had. How could they turn on me so quickly... Dyar... use me. I can be useful. Of the record, some secret agent or something, mercenary if must. Anything."

Dyar's gaze dropped as he weighed her words, the pain in his face mirroring her frustration.

 "Aria… I know how much you've given. God damn, you gave more than anyone! But you have to face the reality here. You’re a soldier without a team, without a tank mech, and - let’s be honest - you don’t even have a fully human body anymore, you can't control the mech the way you are. You would need to get used to your body first. For god sake, you crushed the steel bar like it was cooking foil, imagine what will happen to tank mech controls."

He ran a hand across his jaw, his voice barely holding together. 

"Without a tank mech... how exactly would you fight? On foot? A lone operative, up against forces that took down not just one squad, but our top three? You’re good, Aria - hell, you were the best. But in your state, without a mech or even a pilot partner… any mission would be suicide."

Dyar looked at her, his eyes a storm of frustration and sadness.

"I know it’s brutal. And let God strike me down where I stand if I’m lying when I say that I want you by my side again, out there fighting. I know you’re itching to do something - anything - and believe me, that makes two of us.” 

He paused, his shoulders sagging.

 “But in all honesty, it’s over, Aria. Command doesn’t want you back, doesn’t want to risk it. You’re out of their plans like you never even existed."

He ran a hand over his face. 

"I can’t send you out solo, not in the state you’re in. Believe me, I wish I could. At this moment, all we have left are fresh-faced cadets who haven’t seen a grain of sand of what you’ve faced… and you? You’re a ghost to them. I need you to understand that without a partner to pilot tank mech, you can't make a difference.”

Aria's eyes flashed with a fierce, almost reckless desperation.

 "I can still fight! That’s right! I don’t need a partner. Combelt IV has an AI core to assist both pilots - it’ll be harder, but I know I can handle it solo. The performance will suffer but Combelt IV was amazing. We almost killed Raptor 01 with it. I’ll train, and push through any weakness. I can make it work, Dyar. Just hook me up to the Combelt IV, and I’ll do the rest! I’ll work with my… my body, whatever it takes to control the unit without breaking it. Just let me do this. I can still be out there making a difference."

His fists clenched, knuckles cracking out of sheer frustration.

"That’s the damn thing, Aria - almost. You almost killed it but didn't. With the tank mech that was designed to fight giant mutants. But that fight? It did not go well. The science division pulled every bit of data from the recording we got from your terminal, even from the wrecked tank mech we recovered. And the results… they didn’t hit the mark. I'm afraid the bad news is not over, there's more."