War for Freedom

(Chapter 53)/Love and War (Part 1)

Huntress's POV:
May 25th, 2093, 09:30:
Main C.A. Bunker Base, Canada:

In the Command Center of the C.A. Base, I was kneeling besides Sayaka on my left and Nabiki on my right behind our Master, Alias. He was talking with the Mercenary Leader, who seemed growing impatient with the fact she hasn't had her time with Zero despite being promised. For the past four days since he was captured, the Corrupter and the C.A. forces under Alias has been attempting to torture and break his will with constant, nonstop pain sessions ever since he woke up two hours after his capture.

However, as I predicted knowing him, he wasn't fazed or intimidated by the attempts of breaking him down. During the whole time, all he did was tell jokes and made fun of the torturers for their methods. In fact, he even managed to drive one to outright quit being a torturer and went back to being a soldier, which I always wondered what Zero said. During those four days, I visited him privately twice, and unlike everyone else, he was completely different with me.

He spoke with respect while lightly joking those times that he'd offer to pull my chair if he wasn't 'hanging around.' As we talked, I found myself...incredibly honest with him, telling him how I really felt about the Corrupters Armada and how I don't feel like I have a purpose. Instead of making jokes about it, he simply suggested for me to make a purpose for myself, how I should have control over my life and beliefs.

Honestly, hearing him tell me that I should have control over my own life and have my own purpose I should believe made me feel...mattered. I know we hadn't started great when we first met each other, since my only thoughts at the time were me trying to catch and capture him. I sometimes wonder if I could've been born rather then created, had a life instead of duty the moment I gained consciousness. Maybe Max could've had his life if the Corrupters Armada didn't take him and integrate him into the ARC that became his new body.

As I thought of this in the Command Center all to myself, our ma-no...Alias Wolf turned to us before saying,

Alias Wolf: "It would seem our prisoner has refused cooperation and has resisted practically every form of torture, both comprehensive and incomprehensible. As such, our true Master, the Corrupter, has ordered us to prepare the binding corruption ritual tomorrow."

Sayaka (looks at Huntress for a moment before turning back to Alias): "Master, are there any orders you wish for us to carry out?"

Alias Wolf: "Sayaka, Nabiki, rise and come to me."

After he said that, I remained kneeling as both of the liquid metal serpent twins walked over to each side of Alias before standing at attention. Afterwards, Alias looked at me, completely silent for a few minutes, his head completely blocking my attempts to use my telepathy at any capacity. Then, he turned around, only for the Mercenary Leader to come up to him again and say,

Mistress: "Alias, we had a deal-"

Alias Wolf (raises his hand): "A deal that became invalid the moment your Mercenary's lost over half of Canada to the Alliance, and now, only a quarter of Canada is under our Master's control."

Mistress (growls): "Do not blame that entirely on me, you promised my people weapons and armor with the resources you gained from the Eastern Continents."

Alias Wolf (pauses for a moment): "...to think I believed you when you said you had the best Mercenary group, it may have been the largest, but it certainly is lackluster in comparison to my Cyborgs."

The Mercenary Leader only growled in anger at Alias, almost getting ready to strike him. However, without turning his head, he ordered,

Alias Wolf: "Sayaka, Nabiki, she's served her purpose."