Error 404: An Anthology Series

'Till Betrayal Due Us Part Pt. 1

The crowd was silent. They waited quietly and patiently for the lone woman on stage to give her speech. Many thought she would speak of the city's investors, supporters, and tycoons. In some way, she did. She mentioned the support a certain tycoon receives, in a way that praised the debt-ridden workers. "Slaves," as they were called, by those above them. She praised them in a way that angered the higher-ups. She may have been one of them – an investor, that is – but they always knew she was their supporter. They weren't entirely sure why but very few knew, judging by her dark skin. The very few knew she was a descendant of a history like their own, one filled with workers too poor to be free. By the end of her speech, majority of the workers cheered her name.

"Sonya! Sonya! Sonya!"

Sonya knew very well of the chaos that would ensue. The hurt that may be caused to those she's trying to protect. She said her final words before making her way to her family on the side of the stage. While they showed pride for her and her speech, her husband, Samuel, was more than concerned for his wife's safety and the others.

"They're going to get hurt," he told her.

"I know. I told the others to stay by their sides when they leave," Sonya assured, "and to remain outside their homes tonight."

Umbrae, one of Sonya's bio-suits, a machine made centuries before that could be fitted and operated by young warriors – or Operators - and perhaps the only fully sentient bio-suit, waited for her in the dark, far from what he should and could consider his family. Despite his dark silhouette hiding amongst the shadows, she noticed him, in thanks to the shimmering on the golden accents of his black scarf.

"You can take the kids home now. It's getting late," she told Samuel. Sonya looked down on her kids, smiling at their presence.

"It's not dark yet," the youngest, Michelle, said.

Sonya smiled, nearly laughing, "it is on Earth." She looked back at her husband. "I'll be working with Arlo. I might be home late in the morning."

"Arlo? The merchant on Earth's relay?" Samuel questioned.

Sonya nodded. "Unwanted business, asked specifically for me."

"What about the others? They could've –"

"No, this might be too dangerous. Besides, these people claim to know me."

With concern, Samuel questioned her, asking about anyone she may have "forgotten", only to be reminded about not dwelling in the past and looking to the future. Kissing their goodbyes, Sonya left the ceremony early and went to her ship, accompanied by Umbrae. The lights in her ship flickered on as she walked towards the front of the ship. The ship's A.I. soon awoke and greeted its owner.

"Welcome back, Operator," the A.I. greeted, "How did the ceremony go?"

"As well as anyone would expect an Industrialist ceremony would go."

"Very well. Where shall I take us?"

"Pine Relay, on Earth."

Pine Relay was one of many relays, every single one connecting each planet of the solar system. Each one houses many merchants and A.I.'s, although the A.I.'s – or cephalons – carry themselves through all of them. Pine Relay, although one of many, was unique in its own right. It housed some of the most popular merchants and factions, as well as the most disliked. Arlo, for example, was one amongst the merchants that had many visitors. A particular reason being, he was once an Industrialist. He left that lifestyle in search to help the rising rebellion, not out of his own heart but for his own benefit. Granted, he saw greater benefits of helping various warriors in bio-suits and was happy with the growth he was receiving. Many of the Operators and bio-suits knew this but often didn't really care, especially the bio-suits. The bio-suits, although not completely sentient like Umbrae, were sentient enough to have their likes and dislikes and Arlo's merchandise were things they liked.

Arriving at the relay and sooner to the merchant's store, Sonya found Arlo's store in shambles. Many weapons, their components and modifiers were scattered about. Armor meant to withstand strong forces were in pieces. Arlo and his partner, Clem, were badly bruised. Arlo, who sat on one of his shipment containers, looked up at her in frustration.

"One of your friends," he began, "sure loves to give one hell of a fight."

Sonya's heart gradually began to race and, even though they weren't together as one being, Umbrae felt it. He knew she was always scared of the past creeping up on her, which is why she moved forward, trying everything in her power to leave, to escape, and only leaving a small opening for an old friend, a doctor. She knew it wasn't the best idea – to leave that is – and try not to fix the hurt a former "better half" caused her. If it is who she thought it was, she knew better than to try to "disappear" again, especially now that she has a family to take care of. Trying to calm herself down, Sonya grabbed a nearby aid kit and helped the two bruised men, asking for any names the visitors may have left.

"Rod, was it?.. No. Rei—no, not that. Maybe... I don't remember," Arlo began, "there was four of 'em, can't remember which was which. Three of 'em tried to stop that bigot, clearly they weren't much help."

It wasn't much of a description, but it was enough to let Sonya know who exactly it was. It was someone whom she considered a better half of herself, even though he had problems of his own. Her childhood, one too many would consider unimaginable for a child, was the only reason why she called him her better half. Her complete trust was on him and it came crashing down when she found arms that weren't hers on him. It was on a day she planned to tell him that they were expecting. They were no longer expecting a month later.

"I think I know who it is," she said, "did they say where they were going?"

Arlo shrugged, "like hell if I know."

With both men as patch up as possible, Sonya left with a face and poster that tried to show as little emotion as possible, Umbrae following behind her. She didn't know what exactly she was looking for but she knew she had to look for various colors and green, especially green. For a moment, Sonya thought she had found them. It may have been years, decades maybe, but she recognized the shape of their bodies. They were bulky and large in size, showing years' worth of training, and considered "freaks of nature" by anyone who wasn't like them. She remembered the colors and shapes, each distinct from the other. Their names and faces were the only thing she couldn't remember. It had been too long for her to remember. Their last interaction was nearly 20 years before this, in an Earth that was filled with radiation and all sorts of horribly mutated creatures roaming the lands. Umbrae, seeing the only person he trusts go closer to a dangerously crowded area, grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him. Sonya looked back at him, only to hear him mutter, "home". He hardly ever spoke and that was one of very few words he would ever speak. She agreed and allowed Umbrae to lead her back to the ship.