Chapter 9 - My Mistake

15.03.1642

The Southeast Military Base

51:27

Everyone is getting back from a mission, whose details aren't revealed to us yet. LUK3 barely can walk in the hallway, but he manages to go and meet up with little N04H, who was again excluded from the mission, standing with Miss MY4. So, as a consequence, LUK3 starts talking with her first.

[LUK3]-...MY444, we are still taking C0NNER out tomorrow... right?

[MY4]-Hm? Yes, I think? Why are you asking? I didn't cancel anything.

[LUK3]-KYR4 said that she won't do anything as long as I'm part of the action... Hi, N04H! ...And I don't want her to miss anything!

[MY4]-KYR4 is just joking, LUK3. I'm sure she will come as well. But why are you talking like this? Are you alright?

[LUK3]-No, I'm NOT! I'm tired like shit as if I had to circle the entire city 20 times and KYR4 plays around with me, AGAIN! I feel like I'm dying, I swear...

[MY4]-Speaking of tired... Where is CHE5TER?

[LUK3]-He said something about work to do or shit. You know... same Boss, same excuses every single day... At this point I couldn't care less of what that man is doing, for Heaven's sake...

[N04H]-...To be honest, if we are on this subject, I didn't see Him anywhere in the past few days.

[MY4]-That's why I'm asking, N04H. He didn't come to me at all these few days and I, too, barely saw Him. Something isn't right and I'm beginning to have a bad feeling about this...

[LUK3]-You worry for nothing, MY4! That man is perfectly fine, or, well... as much as I saw. Even if He doesn't appear here, doesn't mean He is gone for good! I mean, He was present at all the missions and, as far as KYR4 told me, at the meetings with the Council as well!

[MY4]-Then why doesn't He want to stay at the base anymore?

[LUK3]-I DON'T KNOW, GIRL! Who the fuck do you think knows about what's in His mind anyway?? I'm too tired to even think about Him! Maybe I can get four or five hours of sleep if I leave now...

[MY4]-*sigh* Then why are you still awake if you know you are so tired, LUK3? Go and take a rest!

[LUK3]-...Yes, Mom, I'm going now!

[MY4]-See you at the exit tomorrow?

[LUK3]-Yeah, yeah...

Then, LUK3 leaves as he was getting more and more tired by each second. It was kind of late, indeed, but after all, some of them need to still stay awake and work. But... MY4 and N04H aren't the ones this time. N04H was getting a bit tired too, but seems as he still wishes to talk.

[N04H]-Why was he so tired anyway? What did they have to do today?

[MY4]-Umm... If I remember it right... I think they went to find some documents from one of the buildings that belongs to the M soldiers. To be honest, I don't know myself why was he so tired all of a sudden. He is just there in case of an emergency, unlike the rescue missions where he is the one doing the work.

[N04H]-Maybe he will tell us tomorrow?

[MY4]-Maybe? But I don't think he did something anyway. Probably it's just that he didn't rest during the sleep schedule of the day, nothing special.

[N04H]-Oh, so he's just exaggerating...

[MY4]-Something like that. But it's normal to be tired at this hour. Half an hour from now on and it's midnight after all. Most of the members that don't sleep at the base already left.

N04H looks a bit at the hour though, surprised, amusing MY4 for a little.

[MY4]-You know what? We should take his example as well. It's kind of late to stay and chat right now.

[N04H]-At least one last question?

[MY4]-Oh, sure! What is it?

[N04H]-Well... about what you guys were talking earlier...

[MY4]-*sigh* I know, I know... I worry a bit too much for someone that is actually more powerful than any of us. But I can't help it. I only want t--

[N04H]- --No, no, not that! I'm not going to judge you on that! I was actually talking about the tomorrow thingy...? I didn't understand it so much.

[MY4]-Oh, right... Sorry.

[N04H]-It's okay! I should've given you more details.

[MY4]-Well... I can't... really tell you much about tomorrow. LUK3 wanted it to be more of a surprise. Even though technically it isn't for you... It's just that we will go around the city and celebrate something. Do you want to come as well?

[N04H]-Oh? Sure! But what's the celebration about?

[MY4]-A small gift for someone, nothing big. Though, I'm not so sure of how much that person will like it...

[N04H]-Alright, I think... I understood.

[MY4]-Don't worry! You will see what we were planning tomorrow with us. For now, it is better for us to take a rest. Come on!

16.03.1642

05:13

And yet, here it is. The time in which they had to wake up and prepare whatever MY4 explained to N04H. But, there is one problem: the organiser is missing. In his room, LUK3 is sleeping deeply, even snoring loudly as if he didn't sleep for months, but at the door of his room, Officer KYR4, Miss MY4 and little N04H are looking at him tired. KYR4 seems annoyed as always, while the others try their best to stay awake.

[KYR4]-Are you serious... I swear, if I woke up and came at the base this early for nothing, I'm going to kill this man with my own bare hands...

[MY4]-Take it easy, KYR4... *yawn* He already said that he was tired when he came to us yesterday.

[KYR4]-Aren't we all or what, MY4!? It was his idea in the first place! Why should we be the ones to wake him up??

[N04H]-So... who is waking him up?

[KYR4]-Not me! That's for sure! You both can do it on your own! I don't want to get involved!

Then, a sudden sound appears randomly in the hallway, a sound of a door shutting, from which the ruler exists, tired like all the others, but keeping Himself up a bit better than them. So, MY4 looks towards the sound and notices Him. At first she thought that she is still seeing things from her tiredness, but she then realises that He is actually there, in front of her.

[MY4]-...CHE5TER? CHE5TER!

[KYR4]-Wait, what?

CHE5TER notices them as well after MY4 shouts for Him. He seems a bit unhappy about this, as He puts His left hand on His head, wondering what the hell is going on, before He approaches them as there is nothing He can do anymore but to give an explanation.

[MY4]-CHE5TER!

[CHE5TER]-...Why are you guys up this early? Do you know what time it is!?

[KYR4]-A better question would be why are you out at this time of day? Just saying.

[CHE5TER]-...

He doesn't respond, but He looks at N04H to search for an answer from him. The little recruit understands that, so he starts talking.

[N04H]-...We are trying to wake LUK3 up.

[CHE5TER]-Huh... Is that so?

Then, He takes a random weapon which He had with Him, a simple gun, and points at a spot above LUK3's head, shooting near him and waking him up. LUK3 gets up in a shock, scared as if someone tried to kill him, but notices from who exactly did the bullet come and gets mad.

[CHE5TER]-Wake up, LUCAS. Your friends are waiting for your arrival and you aren't even ready.

[LUK3]-YOU SON OF A BITCH! I WAS GONNA HAVE A HEART ATTACK!!

[CHE5TER]-That's not how you talk to your superior, Soldier. Maybe if you behave properly, next time I will be more indulgent with you.

[LUK3]-...Yeah, yeah, whatever! Let me sleep for ten more minutes!

From this response of his, CHE5TER gets a little serious on His expression and walks towards him, while LUK3 simply puts a pillow on his head to fall back asleep. Then, He gets him by a hand and slams him on the floor, forcing the hand backwards so that he can feel a bit of pain.

[CHE5TER]-...Did I not make myself clear? I said wake up. Now!

[LUK3]-A-Alright! Alright!! You win, Boss! Just please, stop!!

Then, He lets go of his hand and leaves the room towards the people that are still waiting, looking at the show.

[LUK3]-...Yeesh man, when did you even get here?

[CHE5TER]-He is awake. Now, who is answering my question?

In the end, the one who has decided to obey was the Officer.

[KYR4]-LUK3 wanted us to wake up so we can prepare everything for when we are going out. We were suppose to be already leaving, yet we found ourselves with the organiser still in his bed. Can't really say I'm surprised actually... But yeah, that's the story. He simply told us to wake up early for the celebration.

[LUK3]-IN WHICH I ADD that you gave me the permission to do so in the first place! I got all the rights to do whatever I want regarding this subject! You cannot take this right away from me after YOU gave me the permission yesterday!

[CHE5TER]-And you thought that this time of day is appropriate for this type of things?

[LUK3]-I mean... YEAH, pretty much! After all, KYR4 will have to be present at the meeting too, and I don't want her to miss anything! And after the meeting would end, it would be a bit strange to start everything all of a sudden! Will you be present at this as well by the way? I asked you yesterday too, but you still didn't respond.

[CHE5TER]-I'm still thinking about my answer to that question, that's why. But I suggest you start to prepare now if you truly wanted to wake yourselves up at this time. Though I still don't get what exactly do you want to organise, LUCAS...

[LUK3]-I told you already!! I spoke to one of the barmen to let us have a little party in his bar! Just us!

[CHE5TER]-Mhm... And how much were you suppose to pay the barman?

[LUK3]-Well...

[KYR4]-Oh, no, no, no, no, no! I hope you already paid everything by yourself, LUK3! I'm not even thinking to come with you if you didn't do so!

[LUK3]-WHY NOT!??

[KYR4]-BECAUSEEE you are already in debts at me since a few years ago! I'm not paying shit for you again, you hear me!?

[LUK3]-Oh, shut your ass! You are not gonna pay for anything!

[KYR4]-Mhmmm... Then from who exactly did you get the money to pay?

[LUK3]-FROM HIM, OKAY?? NOW CAN YOU STOP COMPLAINING???

[KYR4]-Oh, dear gods, forgive me... So let me get this straight. You borrowed the money FROM the Great Leader, the one who we DON'T even KNOW if He will come!?

[LUK3]-He accepted, for Heaven's sake!! Why can't you just stop complaining, KYR4!?

[KYR4]-I simply cannot accepted it because of how stupid it even sounds! Why do you have to borrow money all the time from everyone around the base!? What exactly are you doing with your money when you get paid monthly!?

[CHE5TER]-...Alright, just stop already!! I'm already tired and sick of your bullshit! Both of you! At least argue when I'm not around!

In the end, they stop arguing hearing the Great Leader mad. LUK3 seems as he calms down, yet KYR4 just stares at him deadly as if she wants to kill him. Then, CHE5TER takes a deep breath to calm Himself down and finishes His words.

[CHE5TER]-Look... go and organise whatever you have there. You said you want to start early, right? You better hurry.

And so, everyone nods at the Leader for a goodbye and starts leaving, but as they do so, not even two steps are made by the group and KYR4 smacks LUK3 in his head from behind. But, one person remains, MY4, who was looking at Him all this time, waiting for the right time to speak with the ruler. CHE5TER notices her, but He looks a bit away, unhappy, as He knows already what conversation is about to come.

[MY4]-CHE5TER...

[CHE5TER]-*sigh* I know, I know... I cancelled the schedule too many times in a row... But I told you already, I can't be present at them for now.

[MY4]-It's not only that! I didn't even see you at the base in these past days! It's... unusual for you. What is happening?

[CHE5TER]-...Work is happening and you know that. I'm too busy to stay here forever and I'm too busy to enjoy the life you and RY4N want me to have.

[MY4]-CHE5TER... I see it in your eyes that you aren't happy. You are always coming tired and lie to us about everything. You know you can stop this nonsense at any time and just listen to us. We wish you no harm, you know that.

[CHE5TER]-Happy or not, it is an obligation, MY4. Without the Great Leader, the city will be doomed and everyone would get killed by the M soldiers. I'm the one responsible for everything, so I have to make sure everything is at its place.

[MY4]-And without you, we cannot win this battle of Life and Death! I don't care about your title, Ches! And you shouldn't care so much either!

There is a moment of silence between them for some seconds, as MY4 tries to not get too emotional. Then, CHE5TER puts His right hand this time, hand that is still hardly moving properly, on her face, looking at her.

[CHE5TER]-MY4, look at me... Everything is going to be alright. You have to stop worrying about me all the time. I am not the undefended man from back then anymore, you gave me my strength back. I can take care of myself now. You just have to believe in me.

She then puts her hand on His hand that was touching her face, so that she can feel the bandaged arm that is trying to calm her, an arm that she fought to save all this time and still fights to give it its normality back, for the man that she loves and that she knows He loves her back, more than anybody could ever imagine.

[CHE5TER]-...I will come with all of you for some moments, but I cannot stay for long. I promise you.

[MY4]-...Then will you promise me that you will take a rest too?

[CHE5TER]-I will. Now go with them. I know that they are waiting for you to come.