The mood is grim inside the Kremlin, which has been transformed into a temporary headquarters for the Allied Army's central command. The many governments in exile and the battered generals from different resistance groups gathered around the table to discuss the defence of Russia. Following the fall of China under a year-long Imperial offensive, most of the remaining Chinese forces loyal to the government fled to Russia to continue the fight with the Allied Forces.
Inside the room, many European leaders in exile stood alone without the support of their generals or admirals, having lost everything to the Empire. At the other end of the desk stood the Chinese delegation, alongside a few generals and admirals who had just been evacuated from Beijing not even a whole day before. Then, there is the American Ambassador to the Allied Forces, standing alone and afraid in the room. Finally, there is the Russian side with president Viktor Putin and his officers. Their expression is firm, but the obvious signs of fatigue due to the war were clear as the shine given off by the medals on their uniforms.
[Viktor Putin] - "Embassador, the whole world is crumbling, and your USA didn't send a single fleet to help us in our struggle. Does your president not have any shame in watching humanity crumble under the weight of an apocalyptic war? "
Said the Russian president to the American ambassador.
[Ambassador] - "My country's economy was wrecked in the middle of this century. Ever since, we have failed to recover as a proper world power. Currently, we barely have 12 fleets defending our continent, while the Empire has 20 fleets. China lost with a force of 26 fleets built during the war, so we need to ensure our own survival in this case! "
Said the ambassador with a firm stance.
[Viktor] - "Then get out! This is a war room meeting. People who do not share our struggle should not concern themselves with our business. "
Without a word, the ambassador was escorted out of the meeting room by armed guards. Then, an eerie silence ensues as the men have to face the grim reality before them.
[Dimitri] - "Gentlemen, shall we commence? "
Though startled by the abrupt interruption, the leaders and officers quickly sat down to listen to the presentation.
[Dimitri] - "So, as you can see, Russia has built 6 fleet carriers since the start of the war. Then, yesterday, with the unfortunate fall of Beijing, our allies, the Chinese, arrived at us with two of their remaining carrier fleets. Combined together, we have 9 fleets against the 20 fleets the empire has, with Chinese forces downing a further 3 enemy carriers in the battle of Beijing. "
The room erupted in whispers of panic as the different leaders consolidated each other for options and plans.
[Dimitri] - "Ahem! However, the odds are not completely against us. Out of the Empire's 17 fleets, we know that only 4 are undamaged, with the 13 others suffering moderate to high damage. If we focus our 8 fleets on a single point, we can hope to punch through the main Imperial line, targeting weaker and damaged carriers. "
[Admiral Weng] - "Admiral Dimitri, what about our flanks? Their best forces are not with the main formation. Yes, your strategy might allow us to engage the Empire's bulk coming from China, but there, that's the problem. "
Pointed the Chinese admiral at the holographic map.
[Admiral Weng] - "See, the Imperial formation is a line coming from China, stretching all the way to Iraq. However, their best fleet, the 9th fleet and their 1st fleet, are working in pairs far from the main formation to push from Siberia. Meanwhile, their champion fleet, the 5th fleet, is approaching from Europe. How could we spare to defend all sides at once? "
[Dimitri] - "Very simple, see their formation? They placed two of their most damaged fleets beside each other in their formation. Our 8 total fleets will punch through that gap, destroy the two fleets and split to defeat the other fleets in detail. By then, each fight would be a 1 vs 4 situation considering their formation. If their line break like this, I don't expect their best fleet to stay idle while their men get destroyed. They needed to number to conquer America next after all, so they couldn't afford to lose this many ships. "
With the entire room in awe, the Russian president happily stood up and congratulated his Admiral. With an honoured smile, the admiral and Viktor Putin shook hands.
[Dimitri] - "Mister President, I'm ready to lead my fleet to battle tomorrow. "
[Putin] - "These are very unusual times... Young men like you should be practicing sports and going to university, not sacrificing their lives in the military. But things are the way they are, so I will count on you to bring us out of this darkness cast upon us by these evil invaders. "
[Dimitri] - "I shall, mister president. "
[Putin] - "How much time do we have left before they attack? "
Dimitri advanced to the central map and pointed his finger at a few enemy positions.
[Dimitri] - "Not long. It seems like they didn't want to stop the momentum after China. They have enough reserve fleets to basically fight us as if they never fought China. We've lost Vladivostok soon after Beijing fell, so the east is now already under threat. "
[Putin] - "Everyone count on you. I know this is a dangerous fight, and the chances that you embark on a voyage from which you might not return are... well, you know my point, comrade. "
Said Vikotr before he restrained himself from discouraging the young officer.
[Dimitri] - "Don't worry, sir, I'm ready to die for my country! "
Said Dimitri without an ounce of fear in his voice.
The president put his hand on the admiral's shoulder and nodded his head.
After the meeting, Dimitri marched with 2 Rev. troopers around him toward his chamber, where he ordered the two soldiers to stand guard at his chamber door. The young admiral-general sat in front of the table where steamy and appetizing foods were served to satisfy his appetite.
[Nalya] - "Back home already, darling? "
[Dimitri] - "Oh, darling, there you are! Come over here! "
The girl hugged her husband in her arms and smiled with joy. Her beauty was incomparable, and her golden blonde hair sparkled under the light.
[Nalya] - "How was your day? "
[Dimitri] - "Ah, nothing important. I will be leading the attack on the enemy tomorrow, that's all. "
[Nalya] - "Ah, gotta be careful, we are living dangerously these days. One wrong move, and then it's goodbye to this cruel world. "
[Dimitri] - "Yeah, but what can we do? "
After supper, Dimitri took off his shirt before staring at his wife on the bed waiting for him. He slowly approached his bed and sat on the side, where he thought about how he would explain his situation to his beloved.
[Nalya] - "What's wrong, dear? "
[Dimitri] - "About tomorrow's fight... "
Said Dimitri with hesitation.
[Nalya] - "What about tomorrow? "
[Dimitri] - "I may not come back. "
Said Dimitri with a grim expression.
[Nalya] - "What? Don't say these kinds of stuff! "
[Dimitri] - "The situation is grim, and I fear the worst. "
The couple stayed quiet for a few minutes to reflect on their conversation before Dimitri started talking once more to break the silence.
[Dimitri] - "I know how terrible it sounds, but the situation at hand leaves me with no choice. I need to fight for the motherland, or else those invaders will kill us all! "
As the couple talked, the shower was suddenly turned on inside the bathroom.
[Dimitri] - "Huh? What's that noise? "
[Nalya] - "That's strange. Let me take a look. "
Said Nalya as she slowly made her way into the bathroom to investigate the noise.
[Kadyn] - "Look here! "
Dimitri turned to see Kadyn's fist in front of his forehead. Before he could react, a wrist knife extended from Kadyn's arm and stabbed through the young admiral's forehead. In a swift motion, Kadyn extracted her knife as Dimitri's scalp slid off his head. Blood spilled onto Kadyn's face and hands as Dimitri's lifeless body fell to the floor.
In disgust, Kadyn quickly began wiping the blood off her body. After taking off her blood-stained coat, Kadyn began to wipe the blood off her arms. On top of Kadyn's right shoulder, the marking [KD-555] was tattooed in silver letters.
The KD series of laboratory-created demi-humans specialized in annihilation combat and the destruction of a designated target with brutal efficiency. They are indoctrinated from birth to be the most lethal assassins to walk this Earth. Being from the 5th generation of the KD series of bio-engineered killers, Kadyn has a metallic skeleton made from an exotic substance called mercury-titanium poly-alloy, a metal capable of turning solid or liquid through magnetic control.
Units like Kadyn possessed advanced quantic computer enhancement, making up the parietal lobe of their brains, while their spine was replaced by a Conagher MK.7M accelerated spinal cyberwear. In terms of armament, Kadyn's forearms store a high-frequency wrist blade with the same material as their bones, which can oscillate at 50,000 times per second and can basically cut through any material in existence. Meanwhile, her eyes are capable of switching up to 6 different types of vision modes. Finally, Kadyn is also capable of long-distance hacking by wirelessly connecting to a device.
[Nalya] - "Dimitri! "
Screamed Nalya in shock.
As soon as Kadyn turned around, Nalya jumped at her and pinned her to the ground. Anger filled Nalya's face as she began to attack Kadyn. However, with machinery precision, Kadyn was able to defend or dodge every single one of her strikes.
[Kadyn] - "Stop this! Don't force me to kill you! "
Yelled Kadyn as she desperately tried not to harm her opponent.
[Nalya] - "You'll pay for what you did, you bitch! "
Yelled Nalya in a blind rage.
Left with no choice, Kadyn had to fight back when Nalya grabbed Dimitri's pistol. In an instant, Kadyn's irises turned from shiny emerald green to a burning crimson red colour.
*Directive- "Puncture 3 cm into the left arm to reach a major nerve, twist 183 degrees to cause maximum agony. "
With a jab and a twist from Kadyn's blade into her arm, Nalya let out a gut-wrenching scream before losing her grip on Kadyn. With the swiftness of a skilled gymnast, Kadyn slipped under Nalya before holding her blade beside her neck.
[Kadyn] - "Stay down. I have no intent to kill more people than necessary. "
[Nalya] - "Heh... haha... I saw that tattoo on your arm. "
Said Nalya while putting the gun on the floor.
[Nalya] - "Here's mine as well. "
Said Nalya as she revealed the marking on her shoulder to Kadyn.
On Nalya's shoulder, a tattoo marked her as unit [KP-300]. Kadyn was quite shocked to see one of her brethren here, but her blade remained steady beside her target's neck.
[Nalya] - "Unlike you, I was a defenceless model created for human pleasure. I worked all my life for my master Dimitri– He was a nice man! He loved me as if I were a real human girl. But you had to ruin it! You piece of shit Kirchoff-Decimator units have everything we, the rest of the K-series, don't have. You have the ability to fight and even produce offspring. You have everything, and yet, you still choose to come after your own kindred. "
Said Nalya with spite in her voice.
[Kadyn] - "He just happened to be my target. I had my orders, and I didn't intend to come after you or make this personal. "
Said Kadyn while trying to prove her innocence.
[Nalya] - "Orders, orders, heh, have you ever tried thinking for yourself? Oh, I forgot: you are nothing but an emotionless husk with a thirst for blood. You KD-5 units are the most inhumane beasts to walk on this Earth. All you have on your mind is to follow orders and murder others without a second thought. "
Said Nalya with hatred in her voice.
[Kadyn] - "I know how you feel. However, Dimitri was a priority target of the empire. Things like this will happen sooner or later. "
Said Kadyn with a sadness in her voice.
Kadyn moved her blade away from Nalya's neck, but all she got was the same scornful look from earlier.
[Nalya] - "No, you don't understand! You don't know shit about love or emotions! "
Yelled Nalya with murderous rage in her eyes.
[Kadyn] - "I'm different than the rest of my kin! I have given up the life of a killer and sought a new purpose by being in a relationship with my soulmate. He loves me and I love him. I know how you feel, and I'm sorry for what I did. "
Said Kadyn, while trying to explain herself.
[Nalya] - "You? Hehe... what a sick joke. Then why are you here, back at the same old path you said you abandoned? Why aren't you with your so-called soulmate? "
Said Nalya in a malicious, mocking voice.
[Kadyn] - "I– I– I was helping him! Your husband was causing trouble for the fleets, and the others are busy with other tasks. "
Nalya looked at Kadyn in disbelief, anger boiling at the top of her head as she hated the petty excuses her enemy presented. Suddenly, Nalya stood up and thrust Kadyn's blade into her own heart. In a panic, Kadyn tried to withdraw her blade, but Nalya held on tightly to her arm.
[Nalya] - "I have nothing left. You took away the only thing that mattered in my miserable life. "
Said Nalya while staring intensely into Kadyn's eyes.
Blood slowly trickled down Nalya's mouth while her life slowly drained away.
[Kadyn] - "Why are you doing this? "
Yelled Kadyn in a panic.
[Nalya] - "Go back to your so-called soulmate! Live the fucking life you prevented us from having! I hope you're happy– I hope you're happy lying to your future children about your crimes and turning them into killers just like you! "
Said Nalya in a hateful voice.
By the time Nalya finally let go of Kadyn's arm, she was already dead. Now stained with red all over her body, Kadyn immediately rushed into the bathroom and began washing her arm with water. Kadyn let out a few droplets of tears before wiping them off in frustration.
Despite having hundreds of kills to her name throughout her lifetime, the way Nalya ended her life left a scar in Kadyn's mind in a way that she had never felt before. Nalya's words wounded her identity. Where Kadyn thought she had escaped her bloody past, she was reminded of who she truly was. It pained her to think that maybe even her future children would become just like her.
[Kadyn] - "What did I do wrong... Why is... "
Said Kadyn before wiping more tears off her face.
Upon looking at herself in the mirror, Kadyn immediately saw her brutal past play out in front of her eyes. She remembered how, just like her sisters, she used to be a merciless killer who only knew how to resolve problems through bloodshed.
Kadyn kept rubbing on her arm, but the thick layer of blood just won't come off. Her frustration soon turned to anger as she scratched at the bloodstain until her own blood began to mix with the water.
[Kadyn] - "I've parted ways with that version of me, didn't I? Why then... why do these words remind me so much of what I want to forget? "
"I hope you're happy lying to your future children about your crimes and turning them into killers just like you! "
These words echoed inside Kadyn's ears as she began to grip tightly at the sink. Again, unpleasant images began to surface in her mind, but she quickly chose to suppress them.
During all this time, while Kadyn was busy in front of the sink, she failed to notice the two power-armoured Russian Marines who entered the room. Before Kadyn could act, she was suddenly pinned against the wall by one of the Marines' massive arms. Meanwhile, the other soldier slowly aimed his rifle toward Kadyn's head, ready to execute her. Kadyn struggled to no avail against the powerful mechanisms in the Marine's arm. Soon, it was obvious to her that there was no escape.
[Kadyn] - "Let go of me! "
Cried Kadyn in a panic.
Without hesitation, the guard fired a shot at her head. However, the bullet suddenly split apart mid-air before flying around to hit the man in the head, killing him instantly. Mike then gradually stepped out of the metal wall as if the steel were a liquid.
[Mike] - "Guilt Extension: Girlfriend Rescue Special! "
Upon seeing the situation, the second guard charged toward Mike like an enraged bull. However, Mike stood still without doing anything until his enemy got close enough, then he abruptly grabbed the man by the head before slamming him into the wall. The sound of cracked bones filled the room as the soldier's blood splashed onto the wall and floor.
[Mike] - "You're lucky I came to deliver you lunch. "
Said Mike in an enthusiastic voice as he presented Kadyn with a brown bag tainted with the guard's blood.
[Kadyn] - "You did not just name one of your techniques like that! "
Said Kadyn, flabbergasted.
[Mike] - "It isn't even a technique, it's just something that I made the fuck up. "
As soon as Mike's gaze turned toward her, she immediately hid her arms behind her back to conceal the bloodstains.
[Kadyn] - "It's lovely that you were still thinking about me. "
Said Kadyn with a joyful expression while trying to conceal her worries.
[Mike] - "How could I not, honestly? It feels lonely to not have you always shouting reports and offering me hugs in secret all the time. "
Said Mike as he analyzed the corpses of the two dead guards.
Mike walked over and gently hugged Kadyn in his arms.
[Kadyn] - "Hmm, I missed you too. "
Said Kadyn with teary eyes.
[Mike] - "You smell like lavender as usual. "
Said Mike as he sniffed Kadyn's hair.
As Kadyn was about to answer, Mike suddenly broke off the hug and reached for her bruised arms. In a panic, Kadyn abruptly swung her arms behind her back, but Mike immediately pulled them forward.
[Mike] - "Got to stop hiding things from me. "
[Kadyn] - "It's not what it looks like, I didn't mean to- "
Kadyn was surprised to see Mike reaching for the medical kit behind the mirror before gently clearing the bloodstain on her arms with his ability. After cleaning the wounds, Mike dropped down to his knees and grabbed a needle from the first aid box.
[Mike] - "Did they do this to you? "
Said Mike while carefully sewing the wounds back together with a needle.
[Kadyn] - "It's nothing... It happens sometimes in my line of work. I mean– do you really not mind how... indecent I appear? "
Said Kadyn with doubt in her voice.
[Mike] - "Don't be a silly goose, do I look bougie to you? "
Kadyn smiled slightly upon noticing how Mike had messy hair, a sweaty face and a long, soiled coat on his back.
[Kadyn] - "Did you stop taking care of yourself just because I wasn't there? "
Said Kadyn with an amused expression as she sat down at Mike's level.
Kadyn hissed in pain as the needle struck a sensitive part of her arm. Although Mike didn't react to her pain, his fingers delicately changed direction and avoided the nerve in the way of his needle.
[Mike] - "I have a proposal. How about instead of just my assistant, you become my assistant and my wife? That way, it would be more fair toward you. "
Said Mike as he got up and threw the needle away.
[Kadyn] - "Huh? Do you mean... "
Said Kadyn, her eyes in disbelief.
[Mike] - "I haven't gotta the ring yet, so do you want to hold it for now? "
After a brief moment of shock, Kadyn abruptly jumped onto Mike and kissed him on the mouth. After a long and passionate kiss, Kadyn leaned on Mike's shoulder and let out tears of happiness while smiling.
[Kadyn] - "No, silly! I want to be your wife right now! "
Said Kadyn with a joyful smile while hugging Mike.
[Mike] - "Geez, calm down, it's not like it's a big deal. It's not like things are going to be that different from before. We still have our duties, and the war is still not yet over. "
[Kadyn] - "Does that mean we are having children as well? Since you promised me. "
Said Kadyn with excitement in her eyes.
[Mike] - "That will have to wait. However, if the opportunity presents itself after the war, we might be able to start off with a single kid. "
Unable to contain her excitement, Kadyn began to think of a list of all the things she wanted to do.
[Kadyn] - "And... And, I want to try food from all around the world, visit some famous landmarks, erm... maybe do some extreme sports for our honeymoon. Oh, I have so many things I want to do, you have no idea! Also, also, yes, we are finally going to have a family at last. I'm so excited! "
Said Kadyn in an enthusiastic voice.
[Mike] - "But don't jump the train yet! We are going to have a life together, but not the kind of life where you can live free and do anything you want like a civilian. We are servants of the Empire foremost and people after. "
Said Mike as he gently poked at Kadyn's nose.
[Kadyn] - "Yeah, of course. Forget all the stuff I said, I'd be more than happy to be your secret wife and raise our little bundle of joy soon. "
Said Kadyn while holding her cheeks in excitement.
[Mike] - "Not until the situation is stable enough, so don't get your hopes up so soon. "
However, as Kadyn calmed down a little, she noticed the bloodstains still coating her hands and was reminded of Nalya's words earlier.
[Kadyn] - "Mike, do you think our children will become like me? I'm just scared about having them walk the same dark path as I once did. "
Said Kadyn, her happiness slowly fading under her breath.
With a hand on her shoulder, Mike reassured her with a confident grin.
[Mike] - "You'll be a great Mom. If there's a woman I'd trust on this earth to create a happy family, it'd be you. You don't have to worry, I can see that you are no longer the same person as you used to be. "
Kadyn smiled happily upon hearing Mike's words as she leaned in toward him.
[Kadyn] - "All thanks to you for ever believing in me at the start. "
Said Kadyn as she blushed.
Looking at Mike, Kadyn suddenly thought of something she wanted to ask him.
[Kadyn] - "What about you, Mike? What do you want to do if we have more time to ourselves? "
[Mike] - "I will be directing the post-war rebuilding effort, of course and routing the resistance factions and troublemakers. "
Said Mike confidently while looking away.
[Kadyn] - "No, silly, after everything. Once all is set and done, what do you want to do? "
Said Kadyn with a cute smile.
Kadyn suddenly caught Mike speechless. It was a question Mike never even considered in his life. Unlike others, he lived his life by following orders and dedicating himself to the imperial cause. All his decisions, as by the design of his indoctrination, were shaped to favour the best interest of others, while he was forbidden from thinking for himself. Just as Mike grew pale with nervousness, Kadyn abruptly giggled at his frozen expression.
[Kadyn] - "Hahaha! Don't worry about it, soldier boy, we'll figure it out together once that day comes. I'm sure you will learn to dream with time, too. "
Said Kadyn before releasing Mike from her grip.
With a sigh of relief, Mike lifted the bag of take-out he brought for Kadyn earlier.
[Mike] - "Anyways, I brought you lun- "
Said Mike while trying to distract the subject.
Before Mike could finish his phrase, the contents of the bag fell onto the floor with a loud splash before being smeared in blood.
[Kadyn] - "Giorno's Garden, Rome, Italy. "
Said Kadyn in a flash.
[Mike] - "Looks like we are eating out then. "
As Kadyn moved with Mike toward the window, she stopped to look at Nalya's lifeless corpse one last time. It will be a sight which will stick with Kadyn for the rest of her life; however, she was glad that this was the last time she had to witness such tragedy. After paying her respects, Kadyn flew away into the night sky with Mike.
To be continued...