Chapter Text
In the back rooms of Herta space station. Herta and Screwllum face each other while Ruan Mei sits to the side. A table between them as they play 4D chess. A row of chest boards tower on top of each other with each player having their own pieces. Herta grabs her pawn, sliding it forward.
“The simulated universe is moving promisingly.”
Screwllum eyes each board. He grabs a knight, placing it on the board above. “This is not about the simulated universe.”
Ruan slides her brook forward, stealing a piece from Herta. “Then why have you brought us?”
“Since Duke Inferno's attack the Herta station has been a little tense. I recommend-”
Herta places a hand In front of Screwllum. “I'm not getting a bodyguard.”
Ruan Mei tilts her head to the side. “Don't you have your little stellaron.”
Screwllum interjects “She's busy, it would be wise to have a guard 24/7 on Herta.”
“Impossible.”
Ruan Mei glances at her. “How so.”
Herta sighs, pressing a button on the table. The chess boards statics in and out before fully disappearing
“A guard would need to be strong enough to push back someone like Duke Inferno. Know my current location at all times as I switch between my dolls and move there instantly. Of course, be willing to have Their memory wiped so they don't leak current scientific products and be trustworthy.”
Ruan Mei thinks for a moment. “I see.”
“It's impossible to check all my criteria, it would take more work to get a guard than replace a doll.”
Screwllum speaks up. “If I provide you with a sufficient candidate, will you change your decision?”
Herta sighs. “I suppose.”
Screwllum glances at Ruan Mei. “Will you assist?”
“For a friend, I shall. There is a current project I'm working on that may provide some assistance.”
Herta looks back and forth between her two colleagues. “If they don't meet my criteria I'm not taking care of them.”
“I will eliminate the project if it doesn't fit your criteria, don't you worry.”
Herta switches dolls. Her previous doll stands up, stepping to the corner of the room. Ruan and Screwllum get up. Ruan Mei leads them to a private elevator. The elevator goes down in the seclusion zone. Small creatures litter the area. Most of them turn to the elevator and run over to Ruan Mei exactly.
She reaches down and pets a handful of them, her cold expression remaining. They keep moving through the corridor, heading into a curved hallway, leaving the small creature behind. Now lesser sting of the hive fly about.
Screwwlllum glances at one. “Is it safe for them to linger?”
“They have nowhere to go. I made sure they don't go near the other specimen.”
They enter a massive circular room with a hologram of the swarm king in the center of the room. Ruan Mei swipes her hand across the air, erasing the hologram.
“Shall we get to work?”
“Affirmative.”
In a worn-down destroyed planet swarms of biolucent winged insects surround four unique Strategic assault mechs, standing back to back. The biggest mech thrust both arms out. Cannons open out in its wrist, blasting flames forward, incinerating a wall of insects only for them to be instantly replaced. Two bulky medium-sized Mechas burst cannons from their shoulder blasting beams of flames, disintegrating all that touch it yet once again the swarm returns. The thinnest one gazes at the massive swarm In front of her, anxiety spiking in her body. Hands shaking. The other three keep blasting flames only for each insect to be quickly replaced by another. The biggest Mecha turns to the youngest one.
“Snap out of it AR-35173!”
“We are surrounded and outnumbered….”
“AR- 3194 initiate flame bird.”
The smallest reaches its hand forward. “Wait don't–”
One of the medium-sized Mecha kicks off the ground, launching into the swarm. Each insect instantly strikes the mech on all sides. The biggest unit grabs the other two and pins them to the ground.
“For Her Majesty!!”
The biggest Mecha pulls out a controller and presses a button. Fire erupts from the medium mecha, burning every single one of the insects. Flame scorches the ground. Ashes fall from the sky. The three Mecha stand up, brushing the dust aside.
AR-35173 Mecha's armor disappears in fiery light showing a young feminine figure in a skin-tight white suit. Her short hair flows down her face. Her pink-blue eyes water. She falls to her knees. The biggest mech steps behind her. Its voice booms.
“Article 4 of the Glamoth’s military regulations, leaving the cockpit is strictly prohibited!”
Flames dance around the medium-sized Mecha, shifting the armor to embers. She has the exact same clothes, body figure, hair, and eye color as the other but her hair is longer made into a ponytail with a softer expression. She rushes over to the other girl, kneeling and placing her hands on her shoulder.
“There, there 35 it's ok. She saved us, don't you cry.”
A heavy metal sigh blows behind them. “AR- 7391 Article 4 of the Glamoth’s–”
73 turns to face the big Mecha, gently rubbing the girl's shoulder. “Our sister is sad. Come on and face us so we can cheer her up.”
The big Mecha disappears now showing a similar girl but this one has long scruffy hair, along with the skin-tight suit she has a dark crimson bomber jacket covered in patches. She slides her hand into her jacket pockets and moves to the others.
“We are not sisters! And AR-3194 wouldn't have to die if this one did as they were told.”
35 tightens her grip in fists, murmuring under her voice. “You gave the order…”
The leader bends over, leaning over 35 shoulders. “What was that? I can't hear you!”
35 lowers her head, speaking even softer. “nothing..”
“That's what I thought.”
73 pushes the younger girl against her. “Don't listen to her. Just do your best and when you are in need your big sisters will keep you safe.”
The leader sighs. “There is no time to contemplate. Swarm reinforcement will be here shortly. We must eliminate the True Sting.”
35 jolts up and wipes her tears away. “Ok. I will fight this time. I swear…I won't burden you two…”
73 smiles. “You're never a burden. Let's do this without any more loss”
Flames dance between the three of them, materializing their armor. The leader rockets forward, while the other two follow behind. Each stomp they take shakes the earth beneath them, cracking it. Small Lesser sting burst from the ground in front of them. They fly towards the Mecha hornets thrusting forward.
35 dashes pass the other mech and fires forward, burning all the smaller bugs.
Her voice is mechanical and deep. “See I did it.”
73 pats her head, metal scraps against metal. “Good work.”
The leader sighs. “Those were the weakest swarms known in the database.”
35 lowers her head. The leader stomps past the other two and peeks her head through the hole into the ground.
“35 go in.”
“Huh, why!”
“You're the smallest. Use your flames and explosion to expand the hole I can direct many living organisms deep underground.”
73 pushes 35 forward. She stumbles forward, turning to her companion. They just stare at her their expression hidden by their helmets. She gulps and thinks about her recent loss. She won't let this happen again. No one will have to die. She takes a heavy breath and then leaps into the hole. The cramp earth pushes against the armor. She lowers her posture and crawls deeper.
Crimson eyes glow at the end of the cave. 35 slowly takes a step back but hundreds of eyes illuminate the cave. Each insect zooms forward, thrusting their stinger and horns. 35 holds the flame in her chest, burning her lungs. Stingers cut into her armor, stabbing into her flesh.
“For my sisters!”
Flames erupt out of the armor, blasting it apart and melting each bug. Flames burst from the ground, exposing the cave. 35 flies out of the cave with burn marks across her body and suit. The leader leaps off the ground and catches her, holding her close. She crashes to the ground. Her armor disappears, shaking the girl in her arms.
“I ordered you to not die if you do. I will report your insubordination to our majesty.”
35 opens her eyes and slowly adjusts her sight. “Sorry, I keep holding you back.”
The leader lets go of the girl, dropping her to the ground. She huffs loudly. “You're so annoying. Next time I won't save you.”
35 leans up, smiling. “Ok, I promise I won't need you next sister.”
A massive crimson beam shoots at the two girls. A SAM unit slams down between them, erupting a flaming wall, shielding the three of them. Its voice is deep and robotic.
“aww, you two are so cute. Good work sister. You killed so many.”
35 smiles brightly, her cheeks flushing red. “Thank you. I tried my best..but ummm..my armor is temporarily shattered.”
The Flamewall disappears. Ashes blow in the wind. Two massive claws sprout from the cave, stabbing into the ground. They lift a massive swarm king from the ground. It looms over the three girls. Its four wings buzz loudly, blowing small dust particles in the air. Each dust particle touches the ground, morphing into a small stinger.
35 eyes widen as her entire body shakes. “The three of us can't take on that…”
The leader takes off her jacket and throws it on 35 face. “Just replenish your energy.”
Flames dance over her body, forming her armor. She sprints at the beast, 73 dashes to her side.
Small insects fly at them, swiping their stringers across the air. The leader blasts a wave of fire, burning them all. 73 leaps above her ally. Cannon pops from her shoulders, firing beams of plasma at the King, exploding on impact. Smoke blows on the battlefield.
King Stinger roars loudly, blowing the smoke aside. It fires bolts of energy down on the two, crashing into them. Their armor cracks and they fall to their knees.
“I will help.”
35 steps up. The leader slams their fist against the ground, cracking the floor beneath 35. She falls to her knees. The leader pulls out two switches.
“Wait, don't! If we fight we won't have to.”
73 turns her helmet to 35. “Sister, take care. One day I hope you can live in peace.”
“No, please! I need my sisters!”
The SAMs kick themselves off the ground, fire-blasting any insect that comes in contact.
“For her Majesty!!”
They both scream out as loudly as they can. Two spikes jut out of the King swarm stabbing through their chest, shattering their armor. The leader drops both their remotes to the ground. The spike disappears, dropping both girls on the floor.
35 stares at her two friends. Their expression is empty with no light behind them. 35 heart races heavily. Everything blurs around. She grips her chest tightly and she falls to her knees.
King Stinger glows with energy, flying higher in the sky.
She gazes up at insects. Smaller Stinger buzz about. Her ears ring loudly as everything just ignores her. Her stomach twists and she crashes her head against the ground. The crimson jacket sleeves fall against her arms. She glances at it, imagining her sister's face.
35 screams as loud as she can, she puts on the jacket and runs as fast as she can, glaring at the King. A small insect slams its body at her, knocking her to the ground.
She lays againsts the ground. Blood drips down her face, covering her eyes. She weakly stands up with shaky legs. She spits out blood. Five small insects surround her.
“I won't lose. For my sister.”
Her vision blurs as she collapses to the ground. She tightly grips her hands into fist.
“No…”
Visions of her sisters fill her mind as everything goes black.
Blue to purple lights twinkle in the wind. 35 finds herself in a blank black void. She sits there tilting her head to the side. She looks around, quickly turning her head around confused.
“Huh! Am I dead!”
She quickly twirls around, trying to find anything.
“Sister! AR- 7391!!”
Nothing. She falls to her knees, clinging to the crimson jacket. Tears welling up in her eyes, dripping onto the void. A purple-blue arrow glides in the air, decorating the sky with a rainbow trail. It crashes in front of 35. She admired the arrow. She reaches forward, gripping it tightly. Energy blows in her body, bursting from her back. Pure energy envelopes her body.
A cosmic entity blooms above her. A blue and purple astral half humanoid half horse figure glows brightly. The back of its legs are a chariot. It's holding a godly bow in its hand. They pull back their bow string, firing a rainstorm of arrows down on the tiny mortal.
35 blood strain eyes awake. She shakily stands up. A lesser stinger zooms at her. Golden energy blooms around her. A golden sword materializes in her hand. She stabs it into the bugging, twisting her blade and swinging it down, cutting it in half.
Every swarm beast turns its attention to her. Her eyes glow with a crimson fury, illuminating the darkness. She digs her feet into the ground and sprints at full speed, focusing on the king. Hundreds of swarm beasts dash at her. She slashes her blade angrily at each insect in her path. One swings her for legs, she jumps up cutting three in the air. Two fly at her side. Another golden blade matalizes in her hand. She spins, slicing them both to pieces. She lands on the ground, dashes forward.
Two larger hive beasts fly down, firing beams of energy at 35. Both beams melt the ground in their path, destroying their own kin. Golden energy illuminates three corpses, forming three golden beams of light. Prices of armor scattered around the battle join up, flying around 35. They connect together forming a wall of metal. Both beams crash against the wall, slightly pushing it back. 35 digs her heels in the ground holding both arms out.
“I won't let you!”
The metal wall explodes. 35 jumps from the smoke screaming out. Prices of metal twist in the air, connecting to her body. They form into large heavy metal gloves and boots. She thrust both blades down, stabbing into one of the large stingers' heads. She twists the blades, digging into its brain. It crashes to the ground.
The other large stinger slams into her. She crosses both blades, blocking the horn strike. It pushes its weight down, pushing her down to her knees. Two more swords descend from the sky, stabbing into the creature. Its corpses flops down.
35 slowly stands. Armor shards attach to her body, connecting together to form a new set of SAM. Stained with black dust, darking the entire armor. Golden energy glows inside, sparking out of the armor. She spins her sword, attaching both hilts together. She grabs her other sword, morphoring it to a long string, connecting the blades ends together. Both blades bend. She grabs the last sword, connecting it to the string and pulling it back. The string pulls back, bending the bow.
King Stingers charges up massive energy. Thousands of Lesser stingers swarm together.
A scope appears in front of 35 eye, zooming in on the king.
“Lock on….. Firing.”
She lets go, the sheer force snaps her armor to pieces, throwing her back. An arrow crashes in the air, destroying everything in its path. It stabs into the King's head, exposing into a golden light. Chunks of flesh splatter to the ground.
35 lays on the ground, reaching her hands up towards the sky. Glistening stars twinkle in the night sky.
“Sisters.. I did it.. haha… who wouldn't though… let's celebrate…”
A bare young girl awakens in a pod, water fills the pod and an oxygen mask covers the girl's face. Her vision is blurry but she sees two figures step to the pod, slightly touching it. A soft feminine voice speaks up.
“Visual receptors online, Audio receptors online. All senses are back to efficient levels. Life signs are normal for one such as herself.”
A robotic voice whispers. “Damage tissue completely restored. Activating unit zero one."
The water pours down the pod, turning to steam. The pod opens up, unmasking the girl. Her short fluffy hair flows down her face. Her maroon eyes blink. She falls to her knees, gazing up at a young woman with fair skin and long brown hair. The woman places a towel over the girl, holding a metal tablet. She places two fingers on the younger girl's neck.
“Hello there. I need to ask you some questions.”
The smaller girl tilts her head, feeling the soft warm hands on her neck.
“Can you understand me?”
She nods.
“Can you speak?”
“Y…yes…”
The older woman slides her fingers up the girl's neck, stroking her cheek with a finger. The young girl's heart skips a beat with flushed cheeks.
“Do you remember your name?”
She shakes her head.The older woman let go of her touch and touches her tablet. A hologram appears in front of the younger girl.
AR-35173
“Do these numbers mean anything to you?”
The younger girl glances at them. A hazy memory appears in her mind. A familie face blurs before disappearing completely. She shakes her head.
“I see.”
The numbers flip around ELISE. The young woman speaks. “My name is Ruan Mei. This is your name, Elise and here is my colleague Screwllum.”
A robotic male steps over and bends a knee handing the younger girl a hospital gown. “Here you go, it may be more comfortable.”
She slowly stands, stepping out of the pod. Quickly putting on the gown.
“Elise…”
Ruan Mei gazes at her. “Yes, that's what you will go by.”
Ruan Mei flips the tablet over showing a mirror, revealing Elise her reflection.
She blinks her red eyes multiple times, brushing a hand down her hair. “I look different.”
“Is that a problem? You were quite damaged when I found you, I repaired with what I could with random scraps. I can return you to your original style if needed.”
Elise shakes her head. “I like it..”
“I see. Come, we must perform more tests.”
Ruan Mei walks down the metallic hallway Elise skips forward, moving towards her side. Screwllum moves to the other side of Ruan Mei.
“Wouldn't it be better to perform her test once she is better awake?”
“She doesn't need to sleep. Her speech should improve once the test starts.”
They reach the end of the hallway. The door opens once they step near it, entering a large metal room with walls of mechanical robots attached to them. Ruan Mei reaches the middle of the room.
“Elise go there.”
Elise looks at Mei for a second but just nods and steps to the middle of the room. Following orders felt natural. Like she was made for it. Her mind feels foggy, she tries to think about anything but it's a blur. Faces, people, words all felt off.
One of the machines drops from the hall, pointing a cannon at Elise and fires a grenade at her. Golden swords form in both of her hands. She ducks beneath the grenade, dashing towards the robot slicing it in four pieces.
Another robot drops from the wall, this one much bigger with a chainsaw for a right arm. It steps at Ruan Mei and swings it's saw at her.
“Ms Mei!”
Elise disappears and reappears between them, holding her swords together. Their blade clashes. The saw spins against the two swords. Elise hisses as two swords manifest above the machine and stab into its shoulder, cutting both arms off. Elise leaps off the ground and slices her blade down, cutting it in half. She turns to Ruan Mei.
“Are you ok?”
Ruan Mei nods, gently patting the girl's head. “Good work.”
Elise smiles brightly.
“Now tell me how did those swords appear?”
“ummm…I don't know.”
“Can you summon more?”
Elise concentrates hard, thinking about her blade. She takes a heavy breath. “No.”
“I see. Screwllum.”
The robots types on a similar tablet. “Yes I believe it's the imaginary element. Path is hunt, possibly destruction.”
“I suspect she follows the hunt path. Look at her cuts, they are precise. She elegantly cut each machine. She even stops once they are no longer a threat.”
Screwllum gazes at Elise. “Miss Elise. Do you feel like anything is missing? Anything at all.”
Elise makes all of her swords disappear in golden energy. She puts a hand on her chin thinking. Something off. Besides her memories she can't
Elise makes all of her swords disappear in golden energy. She puts a hand on her chin thinking. Something off. Besides her memories she can't think of anything. She is following her orders. She has her blades. Her powers seem a little off. Fire? Flames? No, that doesn't feel right for her.
“Armor..”
Ruen Mei writes something down. “Perfectly. Now can you imagine what your armor is like.”
Elise pounders. White…no black… gold… red… “yes.”
“Good.”
The wall twists, dragging the machine away and replacing it with a standard Firefly- Type IV Strategic Assault mech.
“Is this what you used?”
Elise steps in front of the machine. A flash of a memory fills her mind. She brushes against the chestplate with her hand. Yellow energy fills the armor, emanating in power. The armor shifts, lowering its shoulder plates, darking pitch black with a side of gold energy glowing around the cracks. It's eyes glow crimson. The armor breaks apart, attaching itself to Elise. She towers over Ruan Mei, gazing down at her.
Screwllum moves in front of Ruan Mei. His voice “Elise how are you feeling?”
Elise's voice speaks robotic and more masculine. “Good. This feels… natural.”
“Can you remove your armor?”
The armor disappears into golden light, Elise falls to the floor but Screwllum quickly catches her in her hands, gently placing her down.
“Thank you Mr. Screwllum…”
He gives a bow. “Don't worry about it and call me Screwllum my dear.”
She nods.
Ruan Mei steps behind her. “Now stand up, we need to give you some proper attire. First I will measure you.”
Elise stands. Screwllum scoots out of the room. Ruan Mei steps behind Elise and quickly unbuttons the gown in an instant, dropping it to the floor. Elise cheeks flush bright red and take a step back. She covers her more sensitive area with her hands.
“Is this necessary..”
“Yes, please remain still.”
Her cheeks turn bright red. “Uh… fine.. don't look too much..’
Elise drops her arms down. Ruan Mei steps in front of her, tracing her fingers across her body. She sends chills down Elise's body.
“Are you done..”
Ruan Mei writes notes on her tablet. “Yes..”
Elsie puts her gown back on with her entire face bright red. Screwllum walks back in.
“You ok there Elise.”
Elise’s mind is lingering on the touch. Her skin is still tingling from Ruan Mei soft fingers. She just nods over and over again.
“Umm ya sure…”
“Ruan Mei, it seems you have broken her mind. I would refrain from physical contact.”
“I see. She is quite the little cutie blushing.”
Cutie! Elise's mind explodes. She falls over but Screwllum quickly catches her.
“Please refrain from teasing her. It could tamper with the currency assignment.”
“Fine.”
The wall shifts away from the now empty stock replacing it with a row of white skin tight suit. A familiar vague memory fills Elise's mind.
“Quickly choose your attire, we must be leaving soon.”
Elise walks over to the wall, glancing at the suit. It feels off. It's missing something. Something warm. Screwllum steps to Ruan Mei, whispering.
“Is it wise for Elise to see her? She has just awoken.”
“She is quite picky and this project has taken too much time. It would be better to give her Elise now.”
“I see but is it best for Elise? She has no memories. Would she truly act in our best interest.”
“Yes I made sure of it. She is the perfect subject for her. She will not disobey my order.”
Herta stands in her office tinkering with a control panel with the simulated universe when suddenly she hears a group of footsteps stepping in. Screwllum and Ruan Mei with a third figure hidden between them.
“We have finished the puppet guard project.”
Herta waves a hand at them both. “You're still working on that. didn't I tell you two to drop that since it's impossible. It's been months since you started it.”
Screwllum chuckles. “Do not worry we have finally found the perfect subject.”
Ruan Mei softly speaks. “She fits all the quiteria.”
Herta puts her hand on her waist and sighs. “Her?”
Ruan Mei and Screwllum step to the side, showing off a young girl with short platinum blond hair, crimson eyes, and soft round features. She is a head taller than Herta’s doll, wearing a puffy crimson bomber jacket that's too big on her underneath is a skin tight black latex suit with tints of gold.
She grips the end of her jacket and does a curtsy.
“It's nice to meet you..umm…madam Herta. I think I'm here to be your bodyguard.”
Herta sighs heavily, checking out this new girl from top to bottom. Gazing at her curves. An image of a cherry pops in her mind.
“Before you become my guard. Let's see if you can pass my trials.”
“Huh trials!?!”