Traitor's Legacy: The Claughter Chapter 35

Chapter 35: A Robot’s Heart

            “Well, we did it. The hub’s deactivated and the failsafe didn’t activate…I think.”

            “You’re uncertain Jaina?”

            “Yes, ‘uncertain’ would be the right word Jaden. I doubt the failsafe triggering is obvious. Who knows? The failsafe may have triggered without us realizing.”

            “Have faith Jaina! You’re an engineer! There is nothing you can do wrong when dealing with machines.” Xiara exclaimed.

            “Um…thanks. Though, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, don’t you think?”

            “Jaina, I was an engineer before I joined the military. My superior kept telling me that my skills as an engineer were valuable to the military and that I can do much good even if I never fought in the front lines.”

            “I…see. Hmm, I never see things that way. I always thought that I am nothing but a waste of space who does nothing but repairs and upgrades.”

            “That’s precisely what makes you important to your crew. Do you see anyone else around who has such skills?”

            “Well…there’s you.”

            “Not counting me of course.”

            “Hmm…”

            “Have some self-confidence in what you have Jaina. A Snow Mannihilator Templar should be more than just a hero. They are also an icon, an inspiration.”

            “So you know of our Templar Order? You’re well-informed aren’t you?”

            “Hah! In case you forget, we aliens had a truce with your people and even traded at times. I once guarded a ship sending and fetching supplies between our home planets. I’ve met and befriended a few Snow Mannihilators. We are not so different from one another.”

            “Yeah…I guess we aren’t.”

            “I’m curious though Xiara. Have you ever fought in the front lines during a battle before we met?” Jaden asked.

            “Well, before I joined the military, I never fought in battle before as there was no war. When I became a young soldier during the First Alien Civil War, I was often assigned to repair duty and never given combat training but after defeating a group of enemies that attempted to ambush me, my officer decided to train me in combat.” Xiara explained as she unsheathed her spear and rubbed the blade. “He taught me well. Eventually, I began appearing on the front lines and as luck has it, I’m still alive after the war ended.”

            “How old are you exactly?” Jaina asked.

            “I’m twenty seven. I was thirteen when I first joined the military. It wasn’t too long ago that I became a commando of Femme Fatale.”

            “Damn. Why is everyone around me always older than I am? Well, except Kida.”

            “Hehe, don’t be jealous. You’d be surprised by how much you will miss your youth once you reach my age. Besides, we aliens have slightly longer lifespan than you humans. At least we have the privilege of keeping our body young longer than you humans.” Xiara replied.

            “Now that the hub is deactivated, I can now transfer the virus to my system. And do not worry Jaina. The failsafe did not trigger.” Vader said.

            “Told you.” Xiara said while nudging Jaina, who rubbed her shoulder while smiling at the alien.

            Vader approached the hub, which now had an opening due to Jaina and Xiara’s tampering. He stopped close to the opening and looked down on it. As Jaden watched him, she saw what appeared to be a cylindrical wire, grey in color and slowly ejecting out of a hole on Vader’s back. The wire extended out of the hole and reached the ground, almost resembling a tail of Vader’s. Vader then reached out and grabbed the wire. He inserted it into one of the sockets on the opening and remained still.

            Several beeps were heard and sparks flew out of his chassis. Considering the number of times sparks were seen jumping out of Vader, Jaden began to think that Vader’s age was catching up to him, yet he still seemed completely functional. Jaden then discarded the thought as she knew that Vader was a capable VX Synthetic and as old as he may be, he was still kicking. Heck, if Rex was still functional, so would Vader.

            Minutes later, the wire disconnected itself from the socket and the wire retracted back into the hole in Vader’s back. He turned back to Jaden and approached her while saying, “It is done. The virus is stored within my core. Jaina, Xiara, we need both of you to protect us while we modify the virus.”

            “What? You sure? You don’t need our help?” Xiara asked.

            “Yes. I’m sure. Now, I suggest you two patrol the whole camp. Some of my brethren may notice the virus source being cut off from them and this may trigger the virus to reprogram their codes. They may come at any time.”

            “Why can’t me or Xiara be the one doing the modifying? Jaden’s a better fighter than us.” Jaina protested.

            “Only an organic I can trust can do the modification.”

            “So you don’t trust me Vader?” Jaina retorted.

            “I do, but not as much as Jaden.”

            “Jaina, it’s alright. I can handle this. You and Xiara are more than capable of defending us, I’m sure.” Jaden said, attempting to reassure Jaina.

            “Fine. I have a bad feeling about this but I guess we don’t have a choice.” Jaina replied.

            “Come on! We got a base to defend.” Xiara said while pulling Jaina away by the arm.

            As the duo moved out into the distance, Vader told Jaden, “Now that they’re out of sight, we can begin.”

            “Will there really be VX Synthetics coming to try and stop us?” Jaden asked.

            “No.”

            “You lied to them?” Jaden questioned.

            “No. I was uncertain and it is best that they keep watch. After all, they do not need to know about what we’re about to do to the virus.”

            “You just lied to them. Don’t deny it.”

            “We have pressing matters to attend to Jaden.”

            “Heh, whatever. That doesn’t change the fact that you lied. So, I should meditate now, am I right?”

            “Yes. Do it now Jaden.”

            Jaden nodded before closing her eyes and easing the rest of the senses. Her body went cold as her body calmed down with such intensity. The blowing wind and the scorching heat of the nearby sun upon her skin faded away, along with the ground she was standing upon. All sound she heard went silent and moments later, she heard an echoing familiar voice spoke to her.

            “Jaden Highland. You may start up your systems.”

            She opened her eyes and found herself in a black world. She looked around for a while, realizing that the world she entered was similar to her own mind the last time she meditated. She wandered for a moment before telling herself, “I must have entered my own mind.”

            “No Jaden. Your consciousness is now in my core.” the voice replied, revealing himself to be Vader.

            “What? But, this place seemed so similar to my own mind.”

            “My core is not too different from any of your organs. Understand that this core is created to stimulate an organic brain.”

            “Alright. So, what now?”

            “In order for me to use you as a base for our new programming, I need you to answer a few questions that I will direct at you. Your answer will help me determine the modifications that I must do to the codes. I will also show you several videos of my memories stored within me, which is what the questions will be based on.”

            “Ok. I got you. Let’s get started.”

            Suddenly, a huge screen appeared from out of nowhere in front of Jaden. The screen went static for a few seconds before revealing the video. A sense of déjà vu struck her as she remembered her own Magical Energies showing a similar screen to her back when she meditated the second time. The screen displayed her memories and she knew well enough that the screen will project Vader’s own memories.

            The screen displayed a scene within an urbanized city high on the rooftops, which Jaden immediately recognized as one of the tall buildings in Qurrentine. Furthermore, the building which Vader was standing on was the same building which was right in front of her house. Vader was looking down upon a very young Lucas and Markus, the former cradling a kitten. Lucas was petting the cat gently on its head while Markus watched. Everything seemed peaceful for a time.

            “Come on Lucas! You’ve been playing with that cat for ours! Now it’s my turn!” Markus exclaimed.

            “Naw aw! This cat loves me. This cat is mine now!” Lucas replied while pulling the cat back.

            “Not fair! I want to hold that cat!” Markus shouted.

            “Why don’t you try and take it from me?” Lucas said. He then stuck out his tongue, taunting his triplet brother. Infuriated, Markus charged at Lucas and grabbed him by his collar. The kitten, surprised by the sudden attack, jumped out of Lucas’s arm and ran away.

            “Now look at what you did! That cat ran away!” Lucas cried out.

            “How is that my fault? You’re not even holding the cat properly!” Markus retorted.

            “Why you little…” Lucas said before pulling back a fist, preparing to punch Markus. Before he had the chance, a young female voice shouted, “Lucas! Markus! What you are two doing?”

            A little girl, dressed in a purple singlet, blue jeans and wearing a black blindfold across her eyes, walked out of the nearby hut and stopped before the duo. Jaden quickly recognized the girl to be herself when she was younger. She then remembered the event fully. What amazed her, however, was her obliviousness to Vader’s presence at that time.

            “Lucas was playing with a cat for hours and he never let me play with it.” Markus complained. “Then, the cat ran away! This is his fault!”

            “Hey! You scared the cat away! That is your fault!” Lucas retaliated.

            “No it isn’t!”

            “Guys, do you two really want to fight over a cat? Do you even have any idea how stupid this is?” Jaden said.

            “What do you mean?” Lucas asked.

            “You two really want to tear each other apart to see who gets to play with a cat? Aren’t both your lives better spent on something else? Like training? Raydon and Dementius have been waiting for you two.”

            “Oh crap! I forgot about my training!” Lucas exclaimed. He shoved Markus away, freeing his collar from Markus’s grasp, and ran into the hut in search for his master, Raydon.

            “Oh damn. I also forgot about mine. Sorry sis and thanks.”

            “Just don’t fight over something so small again please? It is already bad enough that you gave Lucas a black eye over a pencil.”

            Markus nodded before he walked back into the hut. The video then paused and Jaden waited for Vader to deliver his question.

            “You broke up a fight between your brothers. Though petty the thing they were fighting for, they were fighting for their rights nonetheless. Explain why you wish to break up the fight.” Vader asked.

            “Vader, they’re fighting over a cat. I think their energies were better spent on their training rather than tearing each other apart.”

            “However, Markus’s right to play with the cat was violated. He demanded fair treatment and Lucas ignored his pleas. Isn’t it alright for him to fight Lucas to see whether or not he was allowed to play with the cat?”

            “Perhaps it is alright but really, think about this Vader. Imagine that you fought with your fellow VX Synthetic over a core. Does it seem right to you?”

            “We VX Synthetics are forbidden from challenging each other.”

            “Alright. Assume that you are allowed to. What would you do?”

            “I would reach a compromise with the VX Synthetic. One possible solution would be to allow one to have the core while the other wait for a new one to be developed.”

            “Exactly Vader. Better that you two reach a compromise rather than fighting over it. It saves time and prevents unwanted casualties.”

            “Jaden Highland…has a point.”

            “I was trying to reach a compromise between the two and since they are so stubborn, I make them stop the fight by reminding them of their training sessions.”

            “We have far lesser understanding of human conscience and freewill as we may have suspected. Very well, let us move on to the next memory.”

            The screen then switched to another scene, this time from on top of a different building. The scene was still in Qurrentine and in view of a market place which Jaden used to frequent when she was younger.

            In the scene, teens Markus and Lucas were both holding on to another slightly bigger boy by the arms, restraining him as he struggles. A teen Jaden stood in front of the boy, looking down at him. At the corner of the screen was Dementius, who was leaning on a wall with his arms crossed, watching the incident. Markus punched the boy several times in an attempt to cease his struggles. Though persistent, the boy eventually gave in.

            “Francis.” Jaden muttered out as she watched the scene. “I remember that boy. He used to bully me all the time whenever we met in the market. He used to physically assault me while shouting out names like ‘blind slut’ or ‘fat mole’.”

            “Come on Jaden. Do it! You’ve been hiding in our house for far too long. It is time to show this son of a bitch that you’re no pushover.” Markus told the young Jaden.

            “Yeah. Time for sweet revenge!” Lucas added.

            Jaden remained silent. She looked at both her brothers before looking down on Francis. He looked up at his former victim, blood flowing down from his mouth, and told her, “Well? What are you waiting for?” Jaden then shook her head and shrugged.

            “Nothing. I was waiting for nothing.” she replied.

            “What? What do you mean?” Markus asked.

            “Guys, let Francis go.” Jaden requested.

            “Say what now? Let him go? After all he did to you?” Lucas retorted.

            “Just let him go. Please.” Jaden persisted.

            The two brothers looked at each other before freeing the battered Francis. The boy stood up and limped out of the area. He walked by Jaden and whispered, “Thanks.” before disappearing from Jaden’s sight. Dementius, who was still watching from the corner, smiled at the outcome. The screen then paused.

            “You deny yourself the chance to exact vengeance and justice upon the human who has hounded you for years and left you with a mild case of agoraphobia. Explain.”

            “There is no justice in revenge Vader. The only thing that revenge can do is to cause more pain than is already done. It also turns you into what you otherwise hated. If I attack and verbally abuse Francis, won’t I become like him? A bully?”

            “Yet Francis has done you harm. It would be unwise to let him go, lest he comes back to hurt you even more.”

            “Then let him. He’s the one at wrong, not me. I would rather die by suicide rather than die knowing that I ruined the life of a fellow human. My mother told me that revenge was what turned Dark Viper into the monster he is right now. I do not want to become like him.”

            “I see…Jaden Highland…mind if I ask you something else? If you are the leader of the humans and the elves have assaulted your people, would you retaliate?”

            “If there are deaths, I would demand from them an excuse why they would do such a horrible act. If their excuse is unacceptable, then they must be punished. If war is the best punishment, so be it. If there are no deaths, I would ask for a reason and see to it that they do not do it again. If they still continue their crimes, then they left me no choice. War it is.”

            “That is a stark contrast to your previous answer Jaden.”

            “The former answer is more of a personal basis. The latter involves a lot of people. If I ever become a leader, my people come first before my own personal beliefs.”

            “Alright. Very well Jaden. Now, let us move on to the next one. This may be the last one.”

            “Huh? Just three questions?”

            “Yes. Just three questions.”

            The screen then switched scenes. The next scene was of a decaying street in Qurrentine which seemed familiar to Jaden. A man was lying on a pool of his own blood on the street with a large wound on his abdomen. Standing next to him was a young blindfolded girl, holding a bloody knife on her hand. Accompanying her was the Warrior, Raydon. In an instant, Jaden recognized the scene and traumatizing memories returned to her.

            Flashes of the memories flew into her mind, showing the bloody knife she held and her hand motion as she stabbed the man right into his stomach. She stood and watched with intense horror as the man fall to the ground. She remembered what she said at that time and her lips slowly formed the words out of familiarity, “I’m sorry!” She remembered Raydon pulling her back and taking several blows for her from angry passersby, who assumed the man was murdered for no reason at all. Finally, she recalled the battered Warrior using his last ounce of strength to pick her up and bring her home as she was too shocked to move.

            That moment was the first time she ever killed another human being.

            “Throughout the time I spent observing you, this moment was the first time you ever killed a fellow human. Explain what happened.”

            “I was…um…nine years old when it happened. Everything happened…very suddenly.” Jaden managed, struggling to speak. “Raydon wanted to…to…to take me to the nearby store to buy me sweet due to…good conduct during…training. This human robber came up to us…with a knife and threatened to kill us…if we don’t surrender our valuables. Raydon fought back but without his greatsword…he was defeated. He tried to stab Raydon…but I stopped him. I made him drop the knife, I picked it up and I…stabbed him. I…killed him.”

            “My scanners indicate that you were traumatized mentally by this incident. How have you managed to kill so many cultists without succumbing like this?”

            “I guess you can say that I overcome the trauma but I still can’t get it out of my head. I did hear Raydon and Dementius talking about the incident. Dementius said that murder always does something to a person the first time, then you get used to it.”

            “I’m afraid I do not understand Dementius’s words.”

            “Then let me explain. When I killed that man, I felt guilty. True, he tried to kill me and Raydon but, how would you feel being responsible for killing a member of your own race?”

            Vader remained silent and did not respond to Jaden. Realizing that he may have recalled destroying the VX Synthetic in their previous battle, Jaden asked, “That VX Synthetic…that was the first time you ever destroyed a fellow VX Synthetic, wasn’t it?”

            Vader remained quiet for a few seconds before replying, “Yes. Indeed, that was my first time.”

            “Do you feel guilt then?”

            “I do not know why my body and my systems were in shock when it happened…”

            “Vader, if you want my input on the situation, I believe that murder, no matter who or what, is always wrong. Even if I murdered in self-defense, I took away a life.”

            “Do your principles apply to non-humans?”

            “Of course! They’re still living things…or sentient in the case of your people. Killing is immoral, no matter who the victim is.”

            “But why do you still kill a fellow human if you deemed it the wrong thing to do?”

            “Because I have no choice. Either Raydon and I die or he dies. One thing I learned is that life is cruel. It makes you do things that you would otherwise never do in the name of survival. Killing a fellow human, or even a member of another race, is wrong, even in self-defense, but I would be a fool to let myself get killed. So, I had to kill him.”

            Vader went silent again for a few seconds. He then muttered out, “Very well Jaden. I see your point. You may now start up your systems again.”

            Thinking that he allowed her to awaken, she closed her eyes and ceased her meditation. She then opened heavy-laden eyes and found herself back on Asimo’s surface, within the VX Synthetic settlement. Her head felt heavy and her sight was blurry, still recovering from not only the meditation but also from the traumas that came from all recalling of bad memories.

            “The results of the questioning were…not what this unit has expected.” Vader said as he approached a dazed Jaden. “This unit aimed to collect data from Jaden Highland’s explanation that would introduce sentience, sapience and self-awareness to my people. However, majority of our data was based on Jaden’s sense of morality instead. I do not know if this would benefit my people.”

            “Maybe not but has it benefitted you?” Jaden asked while squeezing her forehead in an attempt to massage it.

            “It did. I can see now that you and I are not too different. My people and I always viewed your kind as reckless, unrelenting and warmongering based on the actions of the ones that came before you. But you, you’re nothing like them. And here I thought every human would be alike, like how my people are entirely the same model.”

            “Our personalities, attitudes, experiences and perspectives are what differentiate us from one another. You may not realize this Vader but since you spend much of your time with us, your experiences makes you somewhat different from your peers.” Jaden replied. “And besides, you can’t judge an entire race based on the actions of a few notable humans.”

            “You are far wiser and knowledgeable than most humans I have met, especially Reed.”

            “Tch, please Vader. I’m still young and I have much to learn. So, will the data help?”

            “I have changed my thoughts. My people may be able to learn much from all the data I gathered from your answers. I can see now that unlike us, you’re not driven by codes, where everything is set. Rather, your kind has the freewill to decide what is right and wrong in your mind and the ability to change that perspective. With this data, we shall have a new perspective over what is right and wrong and we shall have a new form of decision-making.”

            “I’m glad to be of help then. I’m especially glad that your people may become more empathetic with this data.” Jaden said while sighing with relief.

            “Not bad.” a male voice sounded with an echo. The voice startled Jaden, causing her to recoil while Vader remained still. Jaden unsheathed her katana and enchanted it with Dark Energies, prepared for anything that was to come.

            “A pity. The VX Synthetics would have been valuable allies of Iblisan. Regardless, once I destroy you robot, nothing can stop the virus from turning your people into my own personal army.” the voice added. Jaden found the voice hauntingly familiar and she can almost guess the person’s identity.

            Suddenly, dark, shadowy energies descended from the sky and swarmed onto the ground not far from Jaden and Vader. The energies began to form a humanoid shape and eventually materialize from bottom to top. As his physical body appeared, he spoke, “After all, the virus modification is still within you and until the hub is reactivated, you hold the key to your people’s freedom.”

            “Dark Viper.” Jaden muttered out as the man was fully revealed. The Energy Bladesman had his katana sheathed while his arms were crossed.

            “A pleasure to see you again Jaden.”

            “What the hell are you doing here?”

            “Isn’t it obvious? I created the virus. I wanted to make sure that the virus is able to do as it is made to do.”

            “You have the ability to create a virus?” Vader asked.

            “Of course. Why? You think that a person such as myself are uneducated. You better remember who your master is, Vader.”

            “Vader?” Jaden asked. “He knows you.”

            Vader turned to Jaden and replied, “Yes. However, he is not my master.”

            “No matter. You hold the modification that would undo my work here.” Dark Viper said as he unsheathed his katana and enchanted it with Dark Energies. “I have no intentions of letting you succeed.”

            Realizing that a fight is inevitable, Jaden spoke out to Jaina through telepathy, “Jaina, I need you to come back to us. Viper’s here.”

            “What? Xiara and I are on our way.” Jaina replied in her thoughts, not realizing that Jaden could not hear her.

            “So, shall we begin?” Viper asked as he taunted Jaden with a gesture in an attempt to make her strike first.

            “Ladies first!” Jaden replied.