UCAC Ch. 03

"And they still can't detail how he died?" I asked.

"I personally think he built a robot to kill himself and sent it preprogrammed to sink to the bottom of the sea. I got reason to believe that Dr. Aheem's son is still alive and that he holds the key to finishing his father's work. Not only that, but the military forces have expanded considerably since their birth thirty five years ago and both the Revivalists and the Ravagers would have a hard time getting into our infrastructure the way they did before," Dr. Helm said, making his way over to me, "I did my own investigation and learned his wife, a medical aid in the Marine Core, was best friends with another nurse named Ophelia Logatti. Pulling her records, I found out that she is from Jeurridam, a city far to the western edge of Murica. Considering it is where Dr. Aheem would mine for gravitanium and neodymium, I could imagine it is where Formalda hid her son. Ophelia, right now is in a submarine in the Scandinavian sea. I would have investigated further, but I have obligatory duties here."

"Wow..." I said utterly astounded.

"I got a lot of pull... I can put you on a team and make sure you're the one investigating Jeurridam. There, I could make you Lead Wing, overseeing a team of Long Wingers. You'll have all the authority you need to investigate fully." Dr. Helm said.

"I'd love to." I responded. He smiled, walking back over to the computer terminal. As he pecked away on the keyboard, arms came down, dismantling the helm.

"In the West, you won't have to worry about many of the issues the Eastern teams have to face." He said.

"Like what?" I asked

"You'll be facing more human threats... Trust me, you want to fight humans." He chuckled.

"I heard there were killer mechs to the east." I laughed.

"You have no idea.." He said in sudden seriousness, "Like, mechanized monstrosities. You'd have to be retrained on how to deal with those and God knows, we don't have that type of time." He watched the helm slowly be reconstructed.

"Are there flying mechs?" I asked.

"Yes! There are giant mechs left over from the war that are built like dragons and pterosaurs. There also are giant mechs that resemble dragonflies and they are very dangerous as well." He responded.

"And they can't be shot down?" I asked.

"Shooting down a machine that thinks its a creature can be tough. Not to mention, these things have been operating for over seven hundred years, adapting to human countermeasures. The Cybernetic Force is something recent, a new counter measure that we're simply afraid to test." He said.

"Damn, it must be terrible over there..." I sighed.

"Yeah. But you'll be ready. I'm getting you some new tech for your suit." He smiled.

"Can I get the cloaking stuff that's on the Forest Winger team? It is so awesome!" I asked.

"No, it isn't compatible with your suits metrics. But the new sensors on your Helm will be quite sensitive. I'm also considering putting a pulse weapon on your Helm. It'd be good for targeting bogies while you're flying but not while you're on the ground. Your next mission will be a ground mission." He said.

"Ground mission? You mean the Spain mission?" I asked.

"It's not in Spain. It's in west England on the coast in a botany lab called Spain. It's gonna be very, very, very dangerous. You're retrieving a machine called a mallet. That's all I'm at liberty to say." Dr. Helm said.

"Oh." I responded, "And please give me the pulse weapon... I hate the quills."

"OK, but we can't test them in here." Dr. Helm warned.

"It's fine." I reassured, "Am I cleared for a test flight today?"

"No, there's supposed to be a surprise party for you today...well it's not a surprise anymore." Dr. Helm laughed.

"Ew why?" I asked, bothered.

"Because of all teams, you have the highest success rate." He said.

"I'm not going..." I said.

"You won't have much choice, I'm afraid." Dr. Helm laughed.

"Oh so it's gonna be an order..." I sighed.

"Your Helm's ready." Dr. Helm said, reaching to grab it. He walked over to me, gently placing it onto my head. My computational systems detected new components, syncing with them. I held up my finger.

"It's updating." I said nervously.

"Ok." Dr. Helm smiled. I watched anxiously as the computer reached the final stages of syncing. As soon as my HUD said one hundred percent, I squealed like a child with a new toy. I saw high and low frequency Sonar, advanced mapping firmware, new ISPs for the new sensors, as well as motion detectors, infrared detectors, ultraviolet detectors and an ISP that compiled the image feed into something called the ultra spectrum. Not only that but I had dual pulse lasers that shot from my optics. This was a complete overhaul considering previously, I only had a motion sensor, passive radar and cyberoptics. Even better, this tech was very discreet, the Helm only being minutely more bulky in the inside.

"Activate ultra spectrum." I said. The Helm whirred and a fraction a second later, the compiled imaging activated. It basically made every shadow visible and every overblown light normalized with the surroundings. It pretty much was super advanced High Dynamic Range. It was an impressive setup. The ISPs had to be powerful to not only render such a detailed image but to be able to keep up with my eyes, refreshing at up to two hundred forty hertz. This could prove very useful in dark situations or when facing the sun.

"How is it?" Dr. Helm asked.

"It's pretty cool! I can think of a thousand ways I can use this." I laughed.

"OK, turn of the lights!" Dr. Helm shouted. I waited for the lights to be turned off but it didn't happen, "How's the night vision?"

"Wait are the lights off?" I asked.

"Yes." Dr. Helm smiled.

"It looks the same." I laughed.

"Alright, try the stereoscopic sonar." He said.

"Activate Ultra Sonar." I said. The Helm whirred and this white flash reverberated all around me. It startled me so bad, I jumped in my seat. The ping returned, sounding like a mix between a shrill squeak and a basey rumble. As it did, the Helm began calculating. It rendered a very accurate three dimensional map of the Hangar. It highlighted the exits as well as the organic matter in the room.

"This thing is unreal." I laughed nervously.

"Lights on!" Dr. Helm shouted. Again, I couldn't tell if the lights were on or off. I took the Helm off, handing it to Dr. Helm.

"This thing is sick!" I smiled.

"Everything that we talked about is of the highest confidence. Do not repeat any of this information." He said firmly.

"Will heed." I said.

As I said that, Raul walked from a cubicle behind our station and headed to the Main Sector. It was the strangest coincidence ever. What reason did he have to be here.

"So how are things?" Dr. Helm asked.

"They could be better. I'm still coping with the Italy mission." I sighed.

"Man, I'm so sorry that mission took a turn like that..." Dr. Helm said.

"It's not your fault. I blame it on Jarvis... His negligence was purposeful and because of something he did, well something he didn't do, it lead to the greatest winger of all time being slaughtered." I said.

"I'm sorry but it'd be hard to trace him back to any deaths he didn't actively partake in. He wasn't Second Wing at the time of Chance's death. If someone dies on the current mission and it's in similar fashion to the way Chance got taken out, it still can't be traced back to Jarvis. However, if a second death occurs under his authority then he'll go under investigation." Dr. Helm said.

"That's fucked up! Three people would have died before he goes under investigation... Even then, he probably would squirm his way out of it because he's just that type of a snake." I said, angered by the fact.

"The rules are kind of fucked up, I know. But I can guarantee you! When you go to Murica, there will be far better organization and far better tactical information. You will fit into a well made system rather than a system being fit around you." He responded.

"Well, that's certainly good. Just don't get my hopes exceptionally high..." I laughed.

"Just stay safe, Denver. I'll get back with you soon." He said.

"Alright," I responded, getting to my feet. I headed to the gate, entering the long corridor that led to HQ. There, Raul stood, pressed against a wall. This was beyond confusing. Nonetheless, I continued to walk forth, not acknowledging his presence.

"So you're just gonna walk past me without uttering a word?" He asked. I stopped, unsure what to make of this.

"You made it clear that we were done." I said, steadily walking past him.

"So that Italy mission was grueling, huh?" He asked, arms folded looking as skeptical as ever. I was reduced to stopping, staring at him, wondering what this was about.

"...Yeah." I responded. His gaze softened up a he geared to say something.

"So you were telling me the truth?" He asked, eyes beginning to well over.

"You know damn well I've never lied to you!" I said.

"Why are you leaving?" He asked, it obviously bothering him deeply.

"You were eavesdropping?" I asked, somewhat surprised.

"I mean..."

"I'm really confused right now, Raul. You made it clear that you wanted nothing to do with me and I respected that... Now you disobey that very boundaries you set???" I asked.

"You can't just leave...you...you, you have a team, and people who you look out for...and...and..."

"You know things could have been so different if I would have done something sooner or if you would have waited a little longer. We can point blame if that's what you wish, but there's still unrepairable damage done. I'm just as alone as the day you found me and it is a reality I... I can accept." I continued to interrupt.

"Why though!?!?" Raul demanded.

"Because I don't know why I'm here! I don't know what I want out of this place and I'm tired of this same old formula... wake up, shipped off to a foreign land and fighting a battle I don't understand. I go in thinking its gonna give me some thrill, some feeling of being alive but at the end of the day, I'm left feeling hollow and disappointed like it was all for nothing. I'm tired of that! I'm tired of hurting people here, I'm just tired..." I said, drawn to tears. Raul was reduced to staring at me.

"Is this about me?" He asked.

"Of course it is about you! I wouldn't be FUCKING leaving if it wasn't for you!" I snarled.

"Oh my god..." He said, feeling overwhelming guilt.

"Dude, chill," I sighed, "It's done now... We both fucked up royally... there's nothing left to do but move on... I thought you already had."

"I thought I did to but you seemed different from before the Italy mission. Even though I didn't want to believe it, something pulled me to investigate then I found out you were leaving and fucking lost it..." He said. All I could do was stare at him out of frustration.

"This isn't some little Easter Sunday scavenger hunt, Raul. I don't like to play games like this... Why do you think I want to leave... you think I could see you and your wall of meat be happy together while I'm miserably sitting somewhere, contemplating all that is wrong with my life?" I asked.

"Wait, don't act like I didn't wait and wait and WAIT ON YOU!! You think I wanted to hear about all the dudes you slept with time, and time again? You say you don't like to play games but look at the one you played!" He snarled.

"It wasn't a fucking game! I didn't know what the fuck I wanted! I was caught up on so much when I was nineteen and twenty and you know it! You know what I came from and how this place was a struggle for me! I'm sorry I didn't fucking grow up fast enough for you! I was busy trying to forget my past and learn how to trust again..." I said back.

"You're not the only one who struggled, Denver..."

"Oh really? Did you lose both of your parents? Did you have to forage, and survive on your own, be hungry and helpless in a cold wet place you've never been before? Did you ever have become apart of a group of bandits that did nothing but defile you from the first time they could? Not only that but they kept you around, simply so they could do it again, and again, and again! Have you ever had to have sex with someone you genuinely don't like because it'd keep you alive? Have you ever killed anything other than an animal before? Have you experienced death they way I have? Have you ever been handed an axle bar and forced to beat someone until they weren't recognizable? Have you ever seen people burned alive before? Have you?" I demanded to know.

"No..." He sighed.

"Then lets leave it at that..." I said, walking away. A firm hand grabbed me, keeping me where I stood.

"You can't just walk away from this!" Raul said, not pleased with me at all.

"What the fuck else am I supposed to do, sit here and argue? What do you want! I don't want to open wounds that are at least attempting to heal." I said.

"You said you loved me!" Raul said.

"...And I do... So what! I'm not going to be caught in the middle of some type of triangle. What has happened has already happened and I have no choice but to accept that. What ever the fuck happens man, just be happy now let me go..." I sighed, looking at his hand as he kept me from living. I was left hoping this wouldn't take an even worse turn.

"So we finally come to terms with our feelings for each other and you simply want to walk away from it?" He asked, truly shocked. It made me so angry.

"All I wanted was just to get back to you," I said through the grit of my teeth, once again drawn to tears, "The whole time, my team was pinned down, seeing people die left and right, people I was close to! I wondered if I ever was going to see you again because I made the realization that I was small, fragile, and very much touchable! Those suits are armors did not mean we were invincible and and it was such a loud wake-up call! I realized that I took you for granted and with my life clinging in the balance, I promised myself that I'd cherish you forever If I survived! Then when I came home and I needed you, your back was turned. You know how I HATE being alone and you did that to me! How could you?"

"I'm so sorry," Raul said, pulling me in close, "It was just a misunderstanding... a big one..."

"Don't touch me..." I hissed, snatching away from him, slowly backing away, "You know how fucking bad my life was, when I had no one... When everything I did was for my own survival, when I was all alone...I didn't know who I could trust and who would waste no time in taking me out... now look what doors you opened back up... LOOK AT IT!!"

"Denver..." Raul said, the guilt beginning to consume him.

"It took a long time before I could trust ANYONE and all of that has gone down the drain... But like I said... be happy! I wish you the best, and I hope you do the same... You'll get your initial wish... We're done." I snarled, leaving the isolated hall.

I hadn't realized how worked up I got over him. I was fuming, literally having to sit to cool down and console myself. I had a serious headache, my stomach feeling knotted up. I just wanted to keep crying but not in this place. I sulked up these tears and forced myself to carry on. I went about my day, returning to the archive. No one was present, just me in an empty hall full of books. I sat at the most isolated nook in the rear, wishing that I could disappear. God knows how much time had passed. At this point, it probably was dark out. I just sat there with no clue of the time, reliving the altercation with Raul...

After a while, tiny little Liam came across me sitting back here. He came to the rear of the archive with a wide smile. His smile diminished when he saw I wasn't too happy.

"You ok dude?" He asked.

"Yeah, just trying to come to terms with some issues... It'll be alright..." I sighed, swiftly trying to compose myself.

"Is it related to Raul?" He asked.

"Kind of. I just need to learn not to depend on people when I'm so fucked up..." I chuckled.

"Dude," Liam said, "Why do you always talk about yourself like that?"

"What? I am! I'm not going to lie..." I laughed.

"What precisely is the issue?" He prodded. I looked at him, wanting to tell him all that has happened but I simply didn't know him well enough. I didn't know how he'd react.

"It's complicated..." I sighed.

"How complicated?"

"Can I trust you, Liam?" I asked.

"Sure, with anything!" He said.

"I'm leaving soon." I sighed.

"Wait what?" He asked, unsure if he heard me right.

"I'm not supposed to tell anyone, but I am. I going to the Americas."

"That explains your interest in American ornithology. Well damn, dude I'm gonna miss you!" He said, very disappointed.

"I didn't even have intentions of leaving, it just sort of...happened. I was trying to squirm my way out of being Second Wing then before I know it, my mouth got me involved into something I simply didn't know what was. Somehow, Raul found out and shit got complicated real fast. All I got to say is that he pissed me off... bad!" I confessed.

"Well I don't want to prod about you and his relationship, I just want to know will you be safe?" Liam asked, full of worry.

"God, I hope so. It is what it is, man..." I sighed.

"What will everyone else, think?" He wondered.

"Captain chewed me up bad. He thought that I didn't like working with him but it wasn't that! It's just that I want to figure some things out and I can't do that here... I got so many inner demons and having to put them to the side to do this type of repetitious work had me just... I don't know. I don't want to talk your ear off about my bullshit excuse for a life..." I sighed.

"I know that feeling of having to harbor something for so long because you have no one to pull you out of your funk. I seldom feel like I can talk to anyone about anything and quite frankly you and Captain are the only people. I at least can return the favor. When you need me Denver, I'll be all ears." He said. It made my stomach churn. That was precisely how Raul and my relationship started. It was how he got my trust in the beginning and then it turned into this mess. I didn't know how to react to Liam's offer.

"Is there something wrong?" He asked.

"No," I said, "It's just like deja vu. It's how Raul got me to trust him. He said I could to talk to him about anything and he didn't like half the stuff I had to say. Of course, the dude was in to me and I was a fucking slut so it...eh." I kind of lost all desire to talk.

"Well, I don't know your dynamic," Liam laughed, "And if you don't trust me with information, it's fine. Just know that you've proven that I can trust you and...even though you're leaving, I'll never forget that! I do appreciate all of what you've done for me."

"Eh, don't do that! I'm trying to be sad and miserable here..." I smiled.

"You're the one who told me that there is always a reason to be happy! Take your own advice, dude!" Liam laughed. He was right.

"You're a genuine kid, ya know..." I said.

He slowly leaned in, our lips coming closer and closer. He kissed me, it sending a powerful charge through my body! It was so unexpected, the kiss and the energy present. I pushed him away, unsure what I could have done that led him to think I wanted to be kissed.

"Dude..." I said, barely able to come to words. He then realized he went too far.

"... I'm sorry..." He pled, unsure how I'd react.

"It's fine, just never do it again... I like you, but not in that way. Besides, you gotta save that for Everette." I smiled.

"I mean... He's nothing like you! I don't think he and I could ever be." He chuckled, sounding rather disappointed.

"You never know... I'm one hundred percent certain he's gay. I can feel it in my spirit..." I laughed.