Relics

Chapter 22: Heresy Unleashed

by Silver

Author's very delayed note:

Hi.

Long time, eh?

I mean… really, really long time. Six months, at least.

Where, oh where have I been? Long story, but here's the ten cent version:

I was sick at home with a cold during the winter of 07 when I started writing an original story. At first, I divided my attention between this fan fiction and my original piece. In time, however, the original work drew me in far deeper than the fan fic, and I devoted all my energy to it. I have since completed the first draft and am in the process of a heavy revision.

Yet I hate it when people leave their fan fics unfinished. I never forgot about this fic, and now I mean to carry on once more. I won't lie and say that updates will be more frequent. I still want to devote a good deal of energy to my original work. But there will be updates and I still intend to finish this piece. Unfortunately, I couldn't reach ZeroPioneer for a proofread, so I have done my best to keep the spelling errors to a minimum.

So to all who waited, all who reviewed, added this story to their favorites, or just clicked to take a peek: thank you for your patience. I am grateful.

And without any further delay, the next chapter of Relics.

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By the pricking of my thumbs,

Something wicked this way comes.

- Macbeth, by William Shakespeare

Scene 4, Act 1

Do something!

Stoller mentally repeated the command over and over, but couldn't move. He was powerless at the back of the procession, following Polta and his subordinates. All because he was afraid of losing one woman. One incredible, brilliant woman.

Yet his feelings would not matter if they unleashed whatever was sealed below. They'd all end up dead. Cold numbers laid it all out: two lives against the whole populace of Zi. It was simple and practical. It was also impossible.

Stoller continued to scan the ship's interior, trying to spy anything that might work in his favor. The featureless passageways yielded nothing. If only the Caretaker hadn't died so suddenly.

Foolish man, Stoller thought to himself. What good was focusing on the things he could not control? Stoller continued to follow after Polta and Celica, tolerating another poke from the soldier at his back. It all came down to Leo. He was supposed to become a guardian for the world, as surely as Stoller wanted him to become a member of the Guardian Force. Perhaps only he could invoke a miracle.

The gathering of prisoners, profiteers, and soldiers made their way down the corridors. Whenever they arrived at a lift tunnel, they unbound Celic and Stoller's arms, then sent one ahead. Upon landing, they'd secure the prisoners once more and continue on. They never allowed Celica and Stoller to come close enough to conspire. Stoller had to begrudge Polta some credit. A fool motivated only by his own benefits, he still knew how keep control of the situation.

He was the one with all the power, yet he was also the weakest. "Commander." Stoller called up ahead. "May I have a word?" The procession halted and Polta turned to face him.

"What?"
"I want to talk to you about something important; something concerning the treasure."

"Pfht." Polta waved the idea away. "You think you can keep using that same trick?"

Why not? It had worked for more than half the night. "No more tricks. You're heading for the only secret left on this ship: the secret chamber where we found that Organoid. But there are safeguards in place, and it'd be dangerous to barge in without hearing me. Just have Ms. Lucraft change places with myself and we can speak as we move on."

Polta considered, his rat-like eyes darting back and forth. He signaled for Stoller to come forward and pushed Celica towards the rear. The nearby soldiers trained their weapons, ready to fire if the prisoners attempted any sort of escape. Celica glared at Stoller as she passed. Her eyes asked, "What do you think you're doing?"

Stoller could only offer a confident smile as they passed and he fell into step with Polta. They moved a little farther ahead of the group and kept their voice low.

"I know who you really are, Major Polta."

"Humph. It's Commander Palta now."

"You could have worked harder on your name."

Polta held up his firearm. "You honestly think you can blackmail me with that kind of information, Stoller? I'm a ZBC soldier now, and I could end you without a second thought."

"Perhaps, but you're not really Backdraft or ZBC, are you? You won't turn the riches of this ship over the Commission, and somehow I doubt that you'll return to the Backdraft. Being a deserter myself, I can sympathize."

"Get to the point."

"Let's talk, businessman to businessman. How many soldiers are with you at this moment? Eight? Ten? It will be hard to split the shares so many ways. You command these men now, but what about when you return to the hidden chamber? Can you trust these men to hold their loyalty? How do you know they will not turn on you once the riches are uncovered?"

"They wouldn't dare."

"They wouldn't as long as they knew they'd have to answer to the ZBC. You've enjoyed that shield up until now, but soon your soldiers will have to make a choice between remaining with the Commission's forces or becoming profiteers. Either way, they don't hold any loyalty towards you."

Polta looked at the firearm that had seemed so secure a moment ago. Stoller could see his mind working through possible scenarios, wondering how many rounds he could fire. If memory served, Polta's aim was sub-par.

Stoller pressed,"I'm afraid you've made a mistake, Polta. You brought too many soldiers with you. They could overwhelm you easily. Your safest bet now is to find a way to lose them and thereby cut out most of the shares."

"And how would I do that?" There was eagerness in Polta's voice. Barely controlled, but there nonetheless.

Stoller shrugged. "We're inside an ancient ship that's upside-down and half-buried in the mantle. Accidents happen. I'm sure you can think of something. You could also take my life and Ms. Lucraft's, but then you'd have no advisors. I won't help you if you harm Ms. Lucraft, so it is an all-or-nothing deal."

"Oh? And what if I take care of you and keep Celica for myself?"

Rodent. "I suppose that's a matter for Ms. Lucraft. She might help you or she may not. I won't speak for her."

They continued on in silence. Polta forced Stoller back into his place at the rear, keeping Celica at the front. They seemed to be speaking, but their environment suits prevented lip-reading. He trusted Celica. She was sharp and innovative, far beyond her years.

Up ahead lay another lift shaft. Stoller checked over their path and realized they were a mere five decks away. Not much time for Polta to make a move.

Polta held up a hand and the party stopped. "All right. You lot," he pointed to several of the soldiers, "you first." He motioned for them to repel down the shaft's walls to a portal they'd blown open several decks below. The soldiers looked at each other quizzically, surprised by the sudden change. "Now!" They hustled down and over the edge.

Stoller considered. Only three soldiers left to serve as guards. He tried to catch Celica's gaze and give her a signal, even just by eye contact, to warn her of what was coming. She nodded.

The soldiers hadn't even descended a full deck when Polta made his move. In one fluid sweep, he raised his gun and aimed at the remaining men. The gunfire echoed through the passageway. The three soldiers fell to the ground, lifeless. There were shouts and exclamations from within the shaft. Polta aimed his weapon at the tether. One shot was all it took. Stoller could not see the men's faces, but he heard the terror in their cries as they plummeted into the darkness. He winced, wishing there had been another way.

"Well now." Polta aimed his gun at Celica and Stoller. "We can talk a little more openly." He motioned them over to the wall. Celica and Stoller obeyed, careful not to step in the pools of blood that slowly spread out underneath the murdered soldiers. Polta held the gun on Stoller and motioned for him to spin around. He then produced a knife and cut the binds on Stoller's arms. He tossed another binder on the ground. "Pick it up and tie Lucraft's feet."

Stoller did as instructed. Moving Celica away from the bodies, he bound her feet as firmly as he could without causing pain. Polta kept watch, making sure the straps held Celica in place. "Now turn off her oxygen tank."

"What?" Stoller glared back. "There's no need for that. She'll suffocate."

Polta shrugged. "If she doesn't move around, she'll have enough air in her suit to last a little while. I want you to have some motivation. No more delays." He waved the gun casually.

"It's okay, Stigma." Celica's calm was unbelievable. "I can hold out a while."

Stoller reached down and twisted the oxygen tank's valve just enough to limit the airflow without completely cutting it off.

"Stay still, Celica. I will be back."

"I'm holding you to that." He could see her smiling. "It's a promise."

Under Polta's supervision, Stoller fished out a length of rope to replace the shot out cord and strung it down the shaft. He went down first with Polta close behind.

Leo, thought Stoller, hurry!

X X X X X X X X

The attack started just before dawn. It would have commenced sooner, but there'd been a complication: Uriel.

Leo, Naomi, and Brad had gathered around the small table in hotel room, going over the layout of the ZBC camp, the Globally 3's position, and its defenses. All of them agreed that the four Snipe Masters were the greatest threat. They covered covered far greater range than Naomi's Gun Sniper. The ground was almost completely flat, and the rising sun would make stealth impossible. Naomi and Brad were more optismistic.

"We'll be able to start the attack before sunrise," Naomi assured him. "Just leave it to us."

"What about your Organoid?" asked Brad. "They say that Organoids can merge with other Zoids and enhance their abilities. Could it join with Naomi's Gun Sniper and extend its range?"

"I don't know." Leo clasped his hands behind his head and leaned back in his chair. "It hasn't come up yet."

"By the way," asked Brad, "where'd that weird Organoid go?" Uriel had vanished from his field of vision.

Leo replied, "He's crouched under Naomi's chair, trying to get a look at her ass."

"Ro-ho-hooo!"

"Oh for-!" Naomi bolted up, seized her chair, and bashed it atop Uriel's head. The back splintered and fragmented, but didn't break. So Naomi kept swinging.

"I am sick-"

SMASH!

"and tired-"

CRASH!

"of this stupid-"

BAM!

"pervert!" She beat Uriel with the chair until it was barely more than a collection of toothpicks.

"Shouldn't we help?" asked Brad.

"I guess." Leo spoke up. "Naomi, swing from the shoulder. You'll hurt your back otherwise."

Brad sighed. "I meant we should help your idiot Organoid."

Leo looked at his former teammate. "What are you thinking?" Though eventually they did have to step in when it looked like Uriel had stopped twitching. It was a small—but not entirely unwelcome—delay. Leo managed to rouse his half-willing partner and asked about merging with Big Red.

Nope. I'm only meant to merge with the Newborn. All other Zoids are too different. It hardly mattered, because Naomi no longer wanted anything to do with Uriel.

"Just keep that thing away from me or I swear I'll use Big Red to blow it to scrap!" They set off for the campsite. Leo was still uncertain of his cockpit phobia, so he rode atop Uriel as the Organoid sprinted over the sand. Uriel protested the whole way, but Leo threatened that he would give Naomi another chair. Uriel shut up.

Moving in silence, the Shadow Fox and Gun Sniper crept upon the base without detection. The Fox blended it with the waning darkness perfectly, and Naomi new exactly when to move and when to duck. Leo marveled at their skill. As the first ray of sunlight reach over the dunes, Naomi struck. The eastern guard might have had enough time to notice a glint amongst the sand before a blow to the Snipe Master's leg toppled the Zoid. Its cry spread out over the camp, sending everything into chaos. Brad sprung from his hiding place and fired at the western Sniper Master. A stream of laser shots pelted across the Zoid's torso, overwhelming its armor and sending the command system into a freeze.

The northern and southern guards couldn't move without trampling the camp, and Pteras was not yet manned. Brad and Naomi moved to face the remaining snipers while Leo and Uriel stole into the camp. There were shouts for sit-reps, orders for reinforcement deployment, curses and threats against no on in particular.

A single guard stood watch over the excavation team's tent, looking left and right nervously. Hidden behind the side of the tent, Leo pressed a hand to Uriel's head and conveyed a plan. The Organoid nodded and hustled around the back of the tent while Leo moved forward. He counted up to ten, then stepped around the tent. "Hey."

The soldier snapped up his weapon and took aim, but faltered when he registered Leo's face. "No-Name?" A shadow fell across his back with a loud metallic clank. Startled, the guard spun to retrain his rifle, but Leo sprung before the man could loose a shot. He reached over and seized hold of the man's weapon, pulling it back against the man's throat. The guard hissed and struggled as Uriel's tail rose up.

"My name is Leo!" He jumped away just before Uriel struck and felled the man in one blow. Leo congratulated his accomplice and relieved the soldier of his rifle. The man was also carrying a side arm.

Leo told Uriel to wait outside and stepped into the tent. The excavation crew, men and women whom Leo hadn't taken the time to really meet, were huddled under their cots or on the open floor. A few peeked up at his entrance. Others just curled up even tighter. One member, a tall man with unusually pale skin and round face, stood up and took a step towards Leo. "You!"

"Me." Leo smiled. Somehow it felt funny to return to these people with his new sense of self.

"What are you doing here?" The man demanded. "What's going on?"

"I don't have time for long explanations, so here's the basic idea: Commander Polta was really a Backdraft agent. He's seized this camp and is planning to sell the Globally 3 secrets to the highest bidder. I came here with a group of Zoid Warriors to rescue everyone being held hostage, and you now need to get out of here. There's a town a few miles to the south. Take whatever you can from the motor pool and go there. Call for help and go home. Don't ever come back here."

"You can't be serious." The man shrank a little.

"I'm am. Now tell me, where are Celica Lucraft and that man Stoltz?"

"Why are you looking for them? They say that Stoltz was a Backdraft man in disguise, and all of Ms. Lucraft's credentials were forged. How do we know you're not with the Backdraft as well?" The man backed up as if to duck back under a cot. "You're trying to trick us!"

Leo stepped forward and seized the man before he could crawl back under. All other staff members cowered on the floor. Leo felt a strange mix of contempt and pity for the people before him. He looked the pale man in the eyes and said, "You can trust me or not, but I'm telling the truth when I say that you need to get out of here. Now tell me, where is Celica?"

The man stammered, "T-the commander took her back into the ship, along with the man who called himself Stoltz. Th-they've been in there f-for most of the night!" Oh, great. Leo could hear a clock ticking away to the world's destruction. He let go of the man and left the tent. Uriel was waiting outside, just beside the door.

"Has anyone seen you?"

No, they're all too busy running and shooting. So where's the naked lady?

"Celica."

Whatever.

Leo huffed and started running towards the Globally 3. "She's inside the ship. We need to get in there." Uriel let out a low groan and Leo knew they were thinking the same thing. The heresy was about to be unleashed, and they were too far away to stop it.

X X X X X X X X

Edging through the dark passage, Stoller took stop of his options. He'd exhausted deceit, bartering, manipulation, and negotiation. All he had left was honesty, a tactic he seldom used. Only a few yards away from the secret chamber, Stoller took a deep breath and said, "Palta, you need to stop this now."

Palta scoffed and nudged Stoller with his pistol, a habit he must have picked up from his former subordinates. "You're begging now? Honestly, Stigma Stoller, I expected more. You always acted like such a bigshot in the Backdraft."

It was so hard to hold back a retort. Stoller could fill hours about Polta's own attitude within the Backdraft, a scheming and cheating without any skill to back his bravado. He somehow managed to hold these words back. "Yes, I'm begging. I don't know what's in this side chamber, but we've seen multiple warnings that it's too dangerous to unleash. It might even destroy the whole of Zi. It's not worth the risk, Polta. How will you spend your wealth if the whole world is burning around you?"

"Tsk." Palta shoved Stoller with his hand. "You really think I'd stomach that garbage? That's the most basic trick for guarding treasure. Besides, you'd be amazed at what money—mountains of it—can accomplish. Now hurry up. Celica's getting light-headed by now."

Stoller couldn't hold back a growl, earning a laugh from Palta. "You've got a thing for her, don't you? You've got to be old enough to be her father, you crusty old pervert."

"You can call me whatever you want," Stoller put as much ice into his voice as possible, "but it doesn't change the fact that you're throwing the whole world away for a dung pile of money."

"'Dung pile of money?' Heh. Gives a new meaning to the term 'stinking rich!'" The chamber that had held the Organoid looked much different after the Caretaker's death. The semi-circle of computer terminals hung overhead, dead and quiet. The debris from Palta's forced entry had damaged much of the equipment. Chunks of slag and steel had smashed through several screens and bombarded the computer cases. Almost all of them featured dents and holes. Several stations had been gutted, their memory cores ripped out. Stoller glanced at Palta, who simply shrugged and said, "I brought some tech heads with me the first time. While we were chasing No-Name and that Organoid, I had them pull out he memory cores and send them back to Jusight. Gotta throw the ZBC some kind of bone."

"Risky. You might have just sent off your fortune."

"I doubt it. Any smart mans knows that you don't keep money in obvious places like a safe. You hide them in the wall next to the safe. With the ship powered down, I couldn't access the computers anyway. I'm betting that whatever's here in this room is worth a hundred times more than anything I've sent away." Palta eyed the doorway on the other side of the room. "What do you say we take a look over there?" He checked a sensor strapped to his wrist. "Well, well. Oxygen's flowing out of that room. There's enough to breath." Palta used one hand to pull off his mask and took in a whiff of the newfound air. He sighed, "That smells like money to me. Want a taste?" He pulled off Stoller's mask as well. The air smelled of tin that made Stoller's nose itch, and his skin prickled. It made no sense. The Caretaker was dead. What could be generating air?

Glass shards crunched underfoot as they stepped over the remains of Uriel's capsule. Stoller had hoped that the portal led to another long hallway. Anything to buy more time. To his dismay, the hallway opened up into a wide pit, big enough to swallow a Zoid. A catwalk encircled the room, held aloft by steel cables. Violet water pooled across the pit, casting everything in pale light.

"A birthing pool." Palta whispered. The hand holding the gun trembled. Stoller didn't like the look in Palta's eye. "And what's that? Another Organoid pod?"

High above the pool hung a metal capsule, the same shape and size as the pod that had held Uriel. Yet this capsule was completely sealed. A strong plate had been riveted across its surface, eclipsing the contents. Stoller looked from the pod to the pool and back again. The heresy warned of by the Zoidian's message didn't mention anything about a birthing pool or a capsule. Danger would come from one of the two sources, the other must hold the Newborn. It didn't make sense for the Zoidian's to seal away their countermeasure behind a steel prison, so the capsule had to be the threat.

Stoller chuckled, "Too bad, Palta." Snarling, Palta shoved him against the catwalk railing and pressed the gun to his temple. Stoller never stopped smiling. "It's not as if you can just tuck these things away in your pocket and stroll out of here. You gambled and lost. Better to leave now."

Palta's grin looked especially twisted in the pale violet atmosphere.. "I dunno what you're talking about. This is perfect. Forget selling this stuff. I can raise a whole army in here. A birthing pool that's completely off the map, and a ship's worth of materials to grow Zoids. How many cores do you think are down there, huh? Doesn't matter. I've got a Konig Wolf, a Pteras, and four Snipe Masters ready for cloning."

"The ZBC already knows you found this chamber. What do you think they'll do when the camp stops sending reports? What do you think will happen when your own soldiers learn that you killed the men who came in here with you? This can't last, Palta. Cut your losses and run."

"Shut up." Palta sneered. "It'll work. I'll make it work. The ZBC will buy whatever I sell them. And like you said, accidents happen. All the soldiers died in a tragic mishap. That's right. I haven't lost anything. I'm still on top." He looked up at the capsule. "Especially if I have an Orangoid. All's I need to get it out of there."

Stoller winced as the railing dug in against his hip. "Good luck getting it out of there." The gun lifted from beside his head. Palta drew a bead just above the capsule. "What are you doing?"

"I don't have the break open the capsule. I just gotta drop it down and let the pool eat up the metals. Organoid'll come jumping out soon as it's awake." He fired. The shot went wide and ricocheted off the hull plating. Palta ducked as it bounced about the chamber, ringing out with every rebound.

"Stop, you fool!" Stoller bellowed. "You'll kill us both at this rate."

"Quiet!" Palta smashed his fist above Stoller's ear. His vision blurred and he toppled to the ground, dizzy. Palta attempted two more shots, his hand becoming shakier with each attempt. "It's fine. I'm so close. Just one good shot and it's all mine!"

Still disoriented, Stoller managed to draw his legs under his chest and sprang up. He aimed for Palta's chest, but missed and collided with the man's shoulder instead. Crying out, Palta spun and fired another shot that glanced off the doorway and landed in the pool with a soft splash. Stoller staggered to stay upright and whirled, lashing out with his leg. The blow connected with Palta's knee, forcing him into a crouch. Stoller charged again, intent on shoving Palta over the railing. Let the pool's chemicals see what they could make of the man. He could not become anything worse.

Palta met the charge and shoved back, pushing with his arms and legs while Stoller's hands were still bound at his back. For a moment they strained against one another, but Palta seized a fistful of Stoller's hair and yanked his head aside. Stoller tripped and sprawled across the catwalk. He turned to spring up again. Palta's knee ground into his stomach, drawing up bile. Stoller opened his mouth to groan and Palta drove the muzzle of his pistol between Stoller's teeth.

The gun clattered between Stoller's incisors. He winced at the taste of grease and metal. Palta leaned in close, his eyes needle points against white voids. Spit frothed at the corners of his mouth as he spat, "I've had enough of you. I've got everything I need. I'm in control. You're out of time, Stigma Stoller."

His finger tightened around the trigger.

X X X X X X X X

The cacophony of gunfire and explosions could not reach Leo so far inside the Globally 3. Clinging to Uriel's back as the Organoid sweeped down the hallways, Leo could barely track the number of doorways they passed. Palta and his troupe had blown open half the ship while traipsing around. It left an easy but winding trail.

Having pilfered a mini oxygen tank and mask, Leo and Uriel had stolen into the ship while everyone else was engaged with Brad and Naomi. Fortunately, Uriel didn't seem to need oxygen as badly and could fare on the stale air within the ship. They'd already traversed several decks without seeing anyone. Most of the remaining guards awaited at the upper levels and had been too shocked at seeing Uriel to put up any fight. Most were lying unconscious. A few had run away.

Giving up on following the trail of blown out hatches, Leo and Uriel had agreed to make for the secret chamber. It was the best bet. Leo took note of the tether lines hanging down the lift shafts. Uriel's wings made for much faster travel, but Palta's group had a significant lead.

Up ahead lay several figures, all clothed in environment suits. Pools of dull crimson lay beneath several, and the fourth was twitching slightly. Leo signaled to Uriel and the Organoid skidded to a stop before the prone figure. Leo could see that the person's hands and legs were bound. Confused, he turned the figure around.

"Celica!"

Her face was pale and her eyes were half closed. Her lips moved faintly, but Leo couldn't read what she was saying.

"Gurhe." Uriel pointed to Celica's back, and Leo saw that the valve had been nearly closed. He twisted it open and heard the renewed hiss of air passing through Celica's mask. She drank in with deep gasps and coughed as Leo helped her upright. Uriel used his claws to break the binds holding her.

"Stoller." Celica gasped. "Palta took him up ahead. They're heading for the chamber."

Leo swore. "How long?"

"I don't know. I nearly blacked out. It's been a while. They might already be there. We have to go." She stood, wobbling like a toddler. Bumbling over to one of the fallen bodies, she took the soldier's weapon and slung it over her shoulder. "Can Uriel carry both of us?" He could. It was slower than before, but with Celica clinging to Uriel's back and Leo held in his claws, the Organoid spirited them down the shaft and along the hallways with little trouble.

They emerged into the hidden chamber's control room. Gunfire sounded from the adjacent room, along with shouting.

This is bad. Uriel growled into Leo's mind. They're right next to the Heresy.

Leo and Uriel dove for the doorway with Celica close behind. The first thing they saw was Palta holding a gun up to Stoller's mouth. Roaring challenge, Uriel charged. Palta's head snapped up bearing the frantic image of a man twisted beyond limits. "This is mine!" He screamed and aimed the gun at Uriel. The Organoid pivoted on one foot and brought his tail around like a whip. The crack of his connection with Palta's shoulder made everyone wince. Palta flopped to the ground, screaming and rolling while clutching at his shoulder.

Celica brushed past Leo and knelt beside Stoller, cradeling his head in her lap. Leo raised his own weapon and aimed it at Palta. "What happened to him?" The transformation from cruel entrepreneur to wide-eyed psycho made Leo doubt if this really was the base commander.

"Control issues." Stoller coughed and struggled to stand. Uriel came over and snipped his bonds. "It's over, Palta."

The fallen ZBC officer and former Backdraft schemer struggled up on one knee, hissing at all of them. "I've been waiting years for a payoff like this! My prize is right in front of me and you think I'm just going to stop?" He clutched something in his undamaged hand. A small grenade with a silver pin. With frantic abandon, Palta brought the grenade up to his mouth and took hold of pin with his teeth.

"Don't!" Leo and Celica both took aim with their weapons. "Just put it down!"

Palta—alone and desperate—offered only a mocking grin as he ripped the pin away as a wolf might tear meat from a kill. With his free hand, he vaulted the grenade up high. Leo and Celica opened fire. Leo's bullet landed in Palta's side while Celica's pierced the man's shoulder. Palta spun in an awkward pirouette before settling at the base of the wall, groaning.

In their haste, neither Leo nor Celica had taken aim at the flying grenade. The explosive soared up with fateful accuracy. It pinged against the side of the side of the sealed capsule. Leo gasped as the tone reverberated in his brain and his heart trembled. An icy hand clenched his heart. Even the heat of the growing explosion couldn't warm him. Thrown back by blast, Leo could only squint through the flash of light to watch the sealed chamber.

Everyone had been tossed against the wall. They all moved, but Leo could not hear anything above a ringing in his ears. The cable holding the pod smoke and swayed like a pendulum, but held firm. The chamber had not fared nearly as well.

Deep cracks spread across the superheated metal. Small bits rained down into the birthing pool, dissolving as the nutrient liquid absorbed the metal. Sound returned to Leo's world just in time for the metal to groan. A bulge grew on the weakened side, accompanied by a sharp hammering. A second impact warped the metal even further. Leo, Stoller, Celica, and Uriel watched with held breath as a pitch black wing punched through the metal casing, flinging it free. A second wing emerged and pressed against the gap, widening it. A second pair of wings emerged from the dark, so black that they seemed woven from midnight.

The metal shrieked as if terrified. The two sets of wings pressed outwards, widening the gap until the plating could take no more. Brittle and weak, it shattered into flakes as a roar shook the chamber. The capsule broke in two, torn through the middle. On pitch-black wings hovered a golden Organoid with blood-hued eyes. It was half-again Uriel's size and adorned with twin crescents atop its brow. Its joints flexed and rippled like natural muscle, more flesh than metal.

Leo's breath caught in his lungs and something primal within him cried out.

Heresy had been unleashed.

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Author's Note: While I have your attention, I'd like to mention that I've started taking commissions at my DeviantART gallery: .com/. I'm faster with the drawings than new chapters, so give a holler if you want to see a rendering of your favorite character, scene, or mecha. I can also help with original characters.

In the meantime, I shall do my best to have a chapter out before another six months pass. Thanks for reading!