Chapter 13 - Repetitive History

02.05.1642

The City of Above

48:26

"[M4TTH3W]-RY4N, what is it? You look upset. What concerns you?

[RY4N]-...CHE5TER ran away without me again and he still didn't come back! It feels like he is just trying to avoid me lately! Doesn't he... want to stay with me anymore?

[M4TTH3W]-Of course he wants to stay with you! Why do you say such horrible words?

[RY4N]-He always leaves without me! He goes wherever he wants and tries to not bring me at all, to leave me behind! It's like he simply doesn't see me as his brother anymore, only as another stranger!

[M4TTH3W]-Hey now, don't cry...

This faded man... A man that we know from the past, but never had the opportunity to see Him with our own eyes. The true M4TTH3W LENKOV, former Great Leader of the Underground City... and father of the two sons that fight to honour His legacy. He looks at His R born son, a child so innocent, and which remained innocent even in the present, one that is even similar to Him. As little RY4N wipes his tears, He continues His words to calm him down.

[M4TTH3W]-...Do you know why I can trust your decision so easily, RY4N?

[RY4N]-No...?

[M4TTH3W]-It is because you always think of the consequences before you put anything in action. CHE5TER never does that, he simply does whatever he wants! It's not because he doesn't love us, but every person is different from one another. We cannot expect him to be exactly like us. As he likes to be free, you like to obey to the orders, and there's nothing wrong with that!

[RY4N]-But it can put him in great danger one day...

[M4TTH3W]-Don't cry, RY4N... As long as you both are together, nothing can stop any of you. You and CHE5TER can beat anything in this journey, even your biggest fears. You just need to be by his side to stop him from himself.

[RY4N]-...And what if I fail?

[M4TTH3W]-You won't fail. I know you can protect your brother, no matter what life throws at you in the future. When he comes back, promise him you will always be by his side, even if he despites this idea so much. In the end... he will always accept you in his life."

And yet... it is just a memory. Like all the other memories, it has to end at some point. We live in the present, we cannot go back in time to change the way things have turned out to be. It's just how it is, and we have to face it. RY4N has to face it.

Right now, it seems that a mission has started a while ago. Not too long ago, but they are here for some minutes already. RY4N's team works together with Mrs. M4EK0 and surprisingly with Mr. M1SH4M as well, but the Leaders seem to stay together rather than being separated. It looks like Mr. M1SH4M has decided to help out both the East Base and the South Base. The soldiers don't seem to stay with them though, they are all put in different areas, whether they are in groups or alone.

The investigations around the city have persisted, but again, nothing new came up for now. If there is even a possibility, Mr. M1SH4M's team is trying to save some of the slaves taken during these missions, or even some newborns from the central building of the City of Above, which explains why there are new people in the shelters despite the old rescue quests being cancelled, but nothing more.

From these people though, the only one who seems to not work properly is RY4N. He is always distracted by something and looks around the whole city. Even one of the other Leaders looks to have gotten a bit pissed by this action of his as both of them don't really understand what's in his mind.

[M4EK0]-Young Master RY4N!

[RY4N]-...Huh?

[M4EK0]-*sigh* With all due respect, focus on the mission! Ever since I've agreed on this collaboration, you were distracted by something that you refuse to tell us! We are here to work, not to waste time for nothing!

[M1SH4M]-Don't be harsh with him, ALLINA! If there is something that troubles him, we should leave him alone.

[M4EK0]-Well I certainly don't understand why are you here in the first place since the whole idea was for you to help Mr. R4YMOND, but I didn't say anything, M1SH4M.

[M1SH4M]-Technically speaking, I am still helping him, even though I've suggested to help you as well. The entrances to our city are everywhere, remember? Working with you is no difference than staying with him while completing my new task.

[M4EK0]-Yeah right... It's just an excuse for you to stay and do nothing with us.

[M1SH4M]-Not true, since my people are still trying to complete their old tasks and rescue our kind from this city, even with these changes. A part of my team is already near the central building trying to get more newborns from it. I am doing my job after all, no need of you to argue with me regarding who is doing what.

[RY4N]-...Can you two just stop? There is no time for that now.

[M4EK0]-Oh, but it is time for you to be lazy, I assume?

[M1SH4M]-ALLINA!

[RY4N]-...Don't worry, Mr. M1SH4M. It's alright. Mrs. M4EK0 has her rights to be doubtful about my actions. I am aware that I didn't pay much attention lately, so I know I am at fault here.

[M1SH4M]-If I may ask... what troubles you, Master? Maybe we could find a solution. Is it a problem with your father?

[RY4N]-*sigh* No, it's not that... I know the break was unexpected for all of you and that you worry about the present, but He simply had to do it. I... cannot tell you more about it. I'm afraid that the Great Leader will tell you the details only when He comes back.

[M1SH4M]-Then what's the problem? Is it because of what happened ten years ago?

[RY4N]-I... guess it is something like that...

[M1SH4M]-Master... Look, I may be a nobody to you since I'm a simple member of the Council, but throughout the years of me working as the Leader of the North Base, I lost many of my people too. I know it doesn't compare to your loss since he was your family, but little CHE5TER is resting in peace now. We fight to honour the fallen ones, RY4N. Each loss we have it's not a simple waste. Warriors die for a reason, for the future of the world to become more peaceful... and victims of the war are a reason for us to continue fighting further, not to give up because of one death. Your brother is surely proud of how far you've come, even if you do not see it that way. Don't you think that too?

[RY4N]-Yeah... You are right, Mr. M1SH4M.

[M1SH4M]-Just call me EWAN if it's more comfortable for you. *sigh* If anything, I regret I didn't know about what was about to happen to him back then. If only I knew... maybe I could've had some time to take my team and save him... I remember him being a child whose love was aspiring to exploring, but I've never imagined that he will die so soon because of this curiosity of his. Heck, I've never imagined he will go in the City of Above without anybody's awareness and being convicted because of that either! The news were shocking to us too... I understand why you still feel like this till this very day.

[M4EK0]-...But again, that's not a reason to keep yourself in reliving that memory over and over again. I understand that this city may bring you unpleasant thoughts, but you still have responsibilities to take care of, RY4N. Sorry if I sound rude, but better than letting you in the dark and putting the missions in danger. We need you to focus for now, alright?

[RY4N]-I understand, don't worry. I will try my best to focus.

[M4EK0]-You better try more than your be... Ah, fuck it! Never mind! I don't want the Great Leader to return and start shouting at me because of this child.

[M1SH4M]-Tough today, are we? At least try to act helpful for him.

[M4EK0]-Let's just end the conversation here, M1SH4M! We have a mission going on, remember? KAG3, anything new? What's the situation there?

[/KAG3]-No, Ma'am! Nothing new yet! The soldiers are still patrolling over here! There seems to be a hunt for some C borns in these areas seeing how hard they are continuing this charade.

[M4EK0]-Then at least does anybody have any new information regarding what's happening?

[/L0U1S]-Doesn't seem to be something new so far no matter who you are asking. After all, everything on what they are planning is kept secret. If we knew a way to get our hands on their documents, then maybe we could've got a clue.

[M4EK0]-God dammit... RY4N, how did your team find out about the news before any of us?

[RY4N]-I guess it was pure luck someone overheard a conversation in our city.

[M4EK0]-Even if I wanted, I couldn't believe that, but oh well... Guess we have no choice but to investigate the same way as ever.

[M1SH4M]-Are you guys any luckier there?

[/WY4TT]-Master, to be honest, we don't even know what we are suppose to find. Some of us made our way on the roads and vanished into thin air to hear what the soldiers are saying, but I don't think there is any use from what they've found. A guy just got back and nothing from what he had heard seems important at all. I'm still waiting for the others to come and see if they found something interesting, but I don't promise anything.

[/X4BAT]-Eh, it's no use to put us into these kind of missions anyway. If anything, maybe we can take some of the convicted with us if we get lucky enough to not get caught, but more than that, I don't think we can ensure. We are a bit useless in this type of quests.

[/KE1SUKE]-If we are on this topic, some of us from the east found some of the convicted and even managed to get our hands on them. Not all, but better than nothing I guess. Two people are escorting them to the city right now.

[/WY4TT]-Lucky you! We've tried taking some of them too but almost got caught! We had to abandon them because of that!

[M1SH4M]-Alright, calm down! Keep up the work there! It's okay even if we come back empty-handed! KE1SUKE, see if you can save more, alright? If not, I still congratulate you for what you've done so far!

[/KE1SUKE]-Yes, Master!

[M4EK0]-So? Any progress?

[M1SH4M]-Not on what you've wished, but I guess for us, it is a bit of progress.

[M4EK0]-Okay... Then I guess we still have nothing. RY4N, what's your team doi... RY4N?

But the moment Leader M4EK0 looks at the young Officer, the so-called "Leader" until he takes this title or finds out what happened to his brother, she notices that RY4N looks a bit annoyed. It seems like he already asked about the situation, and now is confronting something else rather than his memories.

[/KYR4]-CAN YOU JUST STOP BEING A CREEP FOR FIVE DAMN MINUTES, LUK3!?? WE HAVE A MISSION TO COMPLETE!!

[/LUK3]-But it was just a question!

[/KYR4]-...I swear, if I shout too loud and the soldiers hear me, I come personally to your location and throw you to them, hoping you will become their slave!

[/B4S7IAN]-DAMMIT, KIDS! CAN I HAVE A MISSION COMPLETED WITHOUT YOU TWO FIGHTING EVERY MINUTE!??

[/C0NNER]-At this point, you should've known they are a lost cause, Mr. B4S7IAN.

[/B4S7IAN]-KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT! YOU ARE NOT ANY BETTER, C0NNER!

[/C0NNER]-Well, at least I'm not the one screaming like a maniac in the team call.

[/D4NI3L]-I swear, I can't wait until I retire... It feels like it takes five more wars with you guys until that day.

[/IZA4K]-Can I ask why did we bring the recruit as well? You want him to witness your stupidity that much?

[/LUK3]-Because he is still training!

[/IZA4K]-And what exactly does he learn from this whole joke of a mission? That everybody is brain-dead and he should leave to find a better base than ours?

[/LUK3]-Well, at least I'm trying to teach him something! I didn't see any of you try!

[/IZA4K]-Yeah! Because you took this responsibility when you brought him at the base because of your high IQ move. Seriously now, LUK3, can you think before making any decisions at least once?

[RY4N]-Can you all just stop arguing!? I swear, I'm beginning to have huge respect for the one who led you before!

[/D4NI3L]-If only now you have respect for Him regarding this subject, it's clearly you barely led us in the past. I'm even surprised He didn't go insane because of us.

[RY4N]-If he didn't, probably I will, that's for sure! Now enough with your bullshit! Just tell me what's going on there!

[/D4NI3L]-*sigh* There is nothing new. What should I report? It's the same story everywhere you go.

[RY4N]-Then maybe a sign on you-know-what?

[/D4NI3L]-Officer, if I'm telling you that there is nothing new to report, why do you think I would know if He appeared or not?

[RY4N]-I'm just asking, Officer D4NI3L!

[/D4NI3L]-Alright, alright! Don't get mad at me now!

[RY4N]-KYR4? Did you or C0NNER find anything?

[/KYR4]-No, not really. C0NNER is still watching the city through the cameras, but he didn't find anything new yet.

[/C0NNER]-It's just how Mr. D4NI3L said: it's the same story wherever you look. Master, I'm not so sure why do we keep searching if it doesn't seem as anything has changed. The only way for us to find more about the situation is to take it from the documents, but since that is not possible for now, there is nothing much we can do.

[/KYR4]-Besides, there is no point in asking, is it? If we find something important, you know we will inform you as soon as possible.

Then, he takes a deep breath to calm himself down and look at Leader M4EK0.

[RY4N]-*sigh* No. There is nothing new at their location either, Mrs. M4EK0.

[M4EK0]-Took you long enough... What the hell is happening in that call anyway? All I could understand was complete chaos from whatever you were saying.

[RY4N]-Doesn't matter now. So? What do we do now?

[M4EK0]-Well... I guess we still have to wait and see if something appears.

[RY4N]-Wait for what? In the past days, nothing has changed since I suggested this collaboration, Mrs. M4EK0. Every information is the same!

[M4EK0]-And you think I don't know that!? What do you want me to do? Master M4TTH3W ordered for us to come in this city to find more information regarding this situation! It was your idea for us to collaborate, not mine! Why do you complain? If you don't like what we are doing, you can always cancel the collaboration, remember?

[M1SH4M]-Alright, calm down you two! It's not the best for us to fight about this subject now. We are unlucky that we can't find more about what's happening, it's true, but that doesn't mean we have to start and create a new probl--

[/RY3]- --Master! Master, can you hear me?

As they talk though, Mr. M1SH4M hears a voice in his airpods talking to him.

[M1SH4M]-...RY3?

[/RY3]-Can you hear me, Master M1SH4M?

[M1SH4M]-Yes! What's the matter?

[/RY3]-I-I think I found something...

[M1SH4M]-What is it, RY3? What did you find? ...RY3??

Yet the boy stops answering for some moments for a reason nobody knows.

[M1SH4M]-RY3! Can you hear me??

[/RY3]-...Oh, y-yes! Yes! I can... hear you.

[M1SH4M]-What did you find??

[/RY3]-I-I... Actually... never mind! Sorry I've disturbed you!

[M1SH4M]-RY3, tell me what's wrong!

[/RY3]-It's nothing! I think I'm just hallucinating things, that's all!

[M1SH4M]-RY3, if you found something important, you have to tell me!

[/RY3]-N-No, no! I-It's nothing important, really! I-I just thought that I saw someone I knew with the soldiers b-but I was wrong, hahah...

From his voice though, it doesn't seem as he tells the truth. RY3 is a newcomer in the North Base from some months ago, but doesn't seem as he has the courage to tell his Leader everything. After all, he was involved in a problem a while ago as well, and the only one who knew about it was the same person who helped him in the first place.

[M4EK0]-What is it? Did anyone find anything?

[M1SH4M]-Unfortunately, no... *sigh* It was just one of the new members. Seems like he just misunderstood something.

[M4EK0]-So we still have nothing at all. What a shame...

But from the perspective of that member, he seems to be staying alone, looking in the horizon as if someone vanished in front of his own eyes. Recognise who it was or not, who knows why would he choose to lie.