Mother's Instinct - A GWH Story

Mother's Instinct - Chapter 7

Mika never heard the commotion inside the throne room after she left. She was already on her way to her next clue after encountering a fortuitous piece of paper stuck to the wall in front of the door:

Password: Y00-N4

Helmet on, assault rifle at the ready, the soldier headed to the security door she hadn't been able to pass through before. She was still wary of the possibility that this was part of the setup, and that she was walking into another trap. But she had no other leads. Her instincts never failed her, and she chose to trust them now more than ever. They were currently tainted by fury, though...

Reaching the door, Mika tried the password on the console. This time, to her great relief, it let her pass. The hallway behind it was really dark, and there was no time to look for the light switch; the woman was racing against the clock now. She activated her helmet's night vision visor and kept moving.

A few moments later, after an uninterrupted passage through the darkness, the Tetran arrived at another door; this one barely open. She knew she couldn't afford to hesitate, especially not at a time like this, but her head was actually spinning a bit from so much conflicting emotion. The young woman closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm down and strengthen her resolve. She opened them again before entering.

It was a nursery. Toys and cardboard picture books of all shapes and sizes littered the foamy, multicolored floor. The walls were decorated with cheerful-looking cartoon animals and alien life-forms. There was a mirror on the opposite wall; surely a one-way window that examiners used to evaluate their subject from the other side. In a corner of the room was a tiny bed, and it had a model of the Nexian star system hanging over it, complete with miniature spaceships orbiting the planets.

And on that bed... was a sleeping, dark-haired two-year-old girl.

"Oh..."

Mika put a hand over her helmet's mouthpiece. Knowing about the baby was one thing, but seeing her in the flesh was... something else. For a moment, all of her worries about a rampant army of cloned super soldiers or Kathryn's betrayal of peace and order just vanished, and only love remained. This new love, this motherly love. This emotion she was overjoyed to know was not dead, and that had the potential to develop into a relationship she desired so badly.

The woman put down her rifle and helmet, and kneeled at the bedside. Her hand shivered as she took one of the suit's gloves off, and as she slowly put her bare fingers on the kid's cheek. The soft texture of the child's skin... even that was like her own, but unlike the soldier, this child had no scars. No stories to tell of battles and hardships; just an innocent, pure being that was unfortunate to have been brought into existence by the wrong people. Mika sniffled, wiping a tear off her face. The girl didn't deserve to suffer the same trials of being a genetically engineered soldier, created only for war and killing. She couldn't be allowed to live the same life her mother had. This rich, beautiful creature deserved better.

"Hey there, s-sweetie. It's me. Your m-mom.", the woman said, her voice trembling.

The little girl didn't wake up; she was in a very deep sleep. Dreaming? No, her eyeballs weren't moving under her eyelids. Her breath was steady, though, and she seemed to be comfortable and healthy. Mika stroked the child's hair. Heck, even that felt like her own. The resemblance was so uncanny.

The people who did this. They would not get away with their plans. The soldier remembered she was on a tight schedule. There was no time to waste here; she would have more chances to have quality time with the girl once this was all over. Putting her helmet and her glove back on, she rested her rifle on the holster on her back. It would be hard to use a rifle if she was going to have just one hand free. Then, Mika picked up her daughter and leaned her on her left shoulder, holding her with the same hand. Holding a little child with such care was foreign to the woman, but she did the best she could.

Taking out one of her handguns and holding it in her other hand, Mikaro moved towards the exit. The next step was to find a way to mess up the Nexian government so they wouldn't pull a stunt like this ever again. But before she thought of a way to do that, or before even getting to the door, she stopped in her tracks. The helmet's visor was detecting body heat just on the other side. Someone was waiting for her... spying.

Mika didn't hesitate. Kicking the door open, she aimed at her target. A familiar pair of light brown eyes was staring at her, illuminated by the light of the nursery, the gun barrel right in between them. But they were not afraid anymore. They showed courage and determination.

"Give me a good reason why I shouldn't put a bullet in your brain." The soldier hissed, sounding menacing but trying not to raise her voice to keep the baby asleep.

"We're on the same side." Prilynne replied. Her voice was filled with resolve as well; a sharp contrast to the quiet attendant from before.

"Why should I believe you? And keep your voice down, I don't want her to wake up and see any nasty stuff go down." Mika still whispered.

"We sedated her so you could take her. She'll be out for a few more hours, and nothing's gonna awaken her until the effect wears off."

"You're..." She began talking quietly, but it felt stupid to continue to do so. "You're giving her to me? Why? What do you want?"

"I want to overthrow Kathryn Granger." The ginger began, making Mika raise her eyebrows, but she didn't stop to answer more questions. "I am one of the 30 surviving clones of the previous Prime, but thanks to this world's strict, unbreakable laws, my rightful succession title as Prime was denied to me. I am more worthy than the poor excuse of a leader we have now; a vile woman that wouldn't hesitate to backstab her former allies or indulge in unethical cloning practices. Alongside my true attendants, we will create a new Nexia with a righteous rule, eliminate our barbaric traditions and contribute to the new peaceful order the UPC is working towards."

Mika shot a glance over Prilynne's shoulder. Behind her, more heat signatures had appeared in the dark. Their appearances weren't too clear, but they were all huddled together, looking this way. Waiting to see how this all panned out. The soldier looked back at the Nexian's eyes. They spoke the truth... but it was too crazy.

"You've been paving the road for my escape with this baby because you need my help in doing this, haven't you?"

"Kathryn has been evil. I apologize for what she did to you and Riku. But even though we've planned for this moment for so long, I fear we still need an extra hand, just to be safe. I ask this of you in the name of honor."

"Well, I have one free hand." Mika said, wiggling her gun at the advisor. "But do not think you understand what that word means. Get it straight; you're fighting for order, as you just said."

"Is one not a component of the other?" Prilynne replied, her brave gaze unwavering.

The dark-haired woman frowned. This girl was right, but it was so unusual for someone in the post-Imperial era to talk about such things; to believe in them. Nobody but those who carried the memories of the Niji Army in their souls fought for honor anymore. If her eyes were really telling the truth, and if this coup worked, then maybe she could spread the word about these long-forgotten ideals. That would certainly make this universe a better place... and, hopefully, it would restore her home's former glory.

It sounded like something worth vanquishing an aspiring warmonger for.

Mika lowered her weapon, and Prily closed her eyes, sighing in relief. The young girl was courageous, but she still was fearful, even though it was too late to turn back.

"You need to grow a bigger spine, kiddo. Now, what's the plan?"