War for Freedom

(Chapter 37)/The Chosen's Divide

Chloe's POV:
May 3rd, 2093, 09:15:
Vanguard Base, Carway:

To say I'm disappointed in Zero with his recent actions would be a severe understatement. Instead of coming directly to me, or Helena, or even Rex, he went to Via before they both decided to leave and seek revenge for what happened to Douglas. Not only that, but even before that, he ran away, without and mention of where he would've been or done and disappeared without so much as a trace.

In Helena's office, I was standing beside my sister, with Rex standing at her other side, as we all looked down at Zero, who sat on the chair in front of us nervously. Everyone else was waiting outside as we three decided on what to do with Zero, this is something we cannot be lenient about. I already have gotten to know what Rex's and Helena's thoughts are on a punishment besides my own.

Rex believes that Zero should take the human punishment of being demoted, albeit temporarily given the war, and take hard, physically painful labor for a duration of an entire week. Helena, on the other hand, believes he should take the Anthro punishment of being whipped with a dozen lashes on his back. Rex's punishment would take too long, Helena's punishment would be too quick, and Zero could just adapt and heal any and all damage he would recieve.

I haven't said my idea for a punishment yet, since I still didn't know what to do. Unlike human partnerships, if a female Anthro's partner did something of this extent, we would make sure they remember the sorrow they put us through. But my punishment must be something he would suffer from, and wouldn't be quickly healed.

Rex (sighs): "Since we're waiting for Chloe to voice her opinion Zero, how about you tell us where you decided to go after your rage fest."

Zero (takes a deep breath): "Well, I left Earth and went to the planet Pluto."

Helena (narrows her eyes): "Why?"

Zero: "I...was afraid to face anyone I cared about when I remembered what I did and left to try and regain control over myself."

Helena: "Then why didn't you just let anyone know Zero? We're in the middle of a war with the Corrupters Armada, Cerberus, and whatever else that might as well show up, like the CICWA. We can't let anything like what happened happen, losing Douglas is a tragedy, but it isn't one where you can just run away without telling a soul."

Zero didn't say anything, only lowered his head back down in shame as he prepared to take whatever punishment would be decided. After a moment of silence, I sighed before saying,

Chloe: "I think we should take him to the Lost, and have them deal with this."

Turning to them, I could see the surprise on my sister's and Rex's faces, like they didn't expect it. Since what happened was a world-wide phenomenon, and I could feel the very Earth change with his actions, I believe that Lost can help make sure such actions can never happen again. As I thought of this, my sister asked,

Helena: "Chloe, why the Lost? This is an Alliance problem."

Chloe (turns to Helena): "I disagree, sister, what happened not only affected us, but likely the Eastern Continents as well, the Lost may help make sure it never happens again."

Rex (curious): "What makes you so sure about that?"

Darkness (walks out of the shadows behind them): "Because they know how to face their demons."

Turning around, I saw the Darkness walking out with his hands raised, likely to keep me from outright attacking him for sneaking up on us. As he did, Rex asked,

Rex: "How long were you standing there?"

Darkness: "About an hour, maybe two, but that's not important now."