"So tell me, why shouldn't I have you either thrown into a maximum-security prison or executed?" Empress Yu's voice dripped with authority and disdain as she looked down from her ornate sofa at Amalia, who now sat in a wheelchair, her once proud demeanor diminished by her circumstances.
Amalia remained silent, her eyes locked onto the Empress with a mixture of fear and determination. Her hands gripped the armrests of her chair tightly, knuckles pale from the intensity of her grip.
"Speak," Yu commanded, her tone leaving no room for disobedience.
Amalia felt the weight of the moment pressing on her chest. Her expression shifted as shadows of regret passed over her features. "Your father confided in me. He shared everything. The dark secrets of what he had done, the ambitions that drove him to create the project he left unfinished."
A flicker of surprise crossed Yu's face. "Oh? Is that so?" she replied, her interest piqued.
"I can prove it," Amalia asserted, her voice gaining a hint of vigor. "He had a research lab constructed deep within Terenihle Mountain. There, you will uncover all the extensive research related to power generation through Resonance, as well as the groundwork for the Nova Genesis Project."
Yu's eyes narrowed into slits, analyzing Amalia's desperate plea. "Do you honestly believe that by presenting me with information, you can evade the consequences of your actions and expect a reward in return?"
"I can make things right! Please!" Amalia's voice trembled with desperation, and she leaned forward slightly, as if trying to bridge the gap between herself and the Empress. "Let me go to your father's old lab and continue his work. If I can have this opportunity, I will rectify the wrongs I've committed."
"And why on earth would I ever consider allowing you to conduct that kind of research again?" Yu retorted sharply, rising from her throne with an air of menace. "If your intent is to complete the Nova Genesis Project, one that has wrought so much havoc! You've made a terrible miscalculation in asking for my assistance. Do you not comprehend the enormity of what you are suggesting?"
"I understand the risks. Just grant me the chance to create one final android. Just one. This will be the culmination of everything, and then I will agree to end the Nova Genesis Project entirely," Amalia replied, her voice firm despite the fear coursing through her.
Yu stood and strode to a nearby shelf adorned with relics of past glories. With a swift motion, she opened the glass case and retrieved one of the old bolt-action rifles displayed within. The cold metal felt heavy in her hands as she methodically checked the chamber, while Efeliel, her loyal hand, stepped forward to hand her a bullet.
"Yu?" Pai called out, confusion evident in their voice as they watched the scene unfold.
Without breaking her focus on Amalia, the Empress loaded the rifle, raising it deliberately as she pointed it directly at her Vice Minister. The tension in the air grew thick, the gravity of the situation palpable.
"Please, Yu. I can do this. Just give me this chance," Amalia pleaded, her voice breaking as her vulnerability was laid bare.
"Why should I?" Yu inquired, her gaze unwavering.
"Because I love the Empire. I have always yearned to serve the Empire and contribute my knowledge and skills to its greatness. the greatest empire the world has ever known. So please, I am asking you to give me this opportunity," Amalia begged, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Yu's expression hardened, her features set in a mask of resolve. "Every one of you who served under my father are nothing but snakes and scum, betraying the Empire for personal gain. You all seem to believe that the people and resources of this great Empire exist merely as tools for your ambitions."
"Yu... please! I have known you since you were just a little girl! Longer than anyone in your father's cabinet. I have never deceived you about anything!" Amalia's voice rose in pitch, her panic evident as desperation clawed at her throat.
"Yet you are lying right now!" Yu shouted angrily, her anger igniting the room. Her finger tightened slowly around the trigger of the rifle, the ominous hum of the AC echoing in the thick silence.
"Efeliel," Yu asked, her voice suddenly calm and steady, as if a storm had passed, "who was it that killed my father and staged it as an accident?"
The answer came immediately, filled with a chilling certainty. "Amalia VolStenthorn."
A wave of dread washed over Amalia as the weight of the accusation settled on her like a shroud; her face turned ashen, leaving her looking ghostly in the dim light of the chamber.
"It was an accident! I never intended for everything to unfold the way it did, but I swear it's the truth!" Amalia cried out, her voice trembling with emotion. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she continued, "I was only trying to protect the project from being misused! I didn't think it would lead to his death!"
Yu's expression twisted with fury as she glared at Amalia. "Liar! You damn lying snake! You didn't even pause to think about it! You were fully aware of what might happen, and yet you felt no remorse for killing him and stealing the project! Did you really think I wouldn't uncover the truth?" Her voice rose in intensity, her face flushed with rage, fists clenched at her sides.
"Yu... please, I'm begging you..." Amalia whimpered, her voice small and desperate as she took a step back, as if trying to create distance from the chaos closing in around her.
Yu's finger tightened around the trigger of her weapon, her breath slow and deliberate.
With a deafening clap, the gunshot reverberated through the room, bouncing off the walls like a terrible echo. Yet, in an astonishing turn of events, the residual Resonance that lingered in Amalia's body surged to life, responding to her desperate will. The bullet halted abruptly, suspended just inches from her terrified face, shimmering in the dim light. For a heartbeat, time seemed to freeze; then, with a soft thud, the bullet fell harmlessly to the ground.
Yu stood frozen, the realization of what had occurred washing over her like a cold wave. Her hands trembled, engulfed in shock and disbelief. "You… you did this to yourself…" she whispered, the words barely escaping her lips as her gaze fell to the discarded rifle, which clattered to the floor.
"It's not what you think, Yu!" Amalia shouted, her tone rising with urgency.
"Efeliel…" Yu said softly, her eyes flickering back to the man standing ominously beside them, who was watching the scene unfold with a cold, calculating intensity.
Efeliel pulled a handgun from an inner pocket of his coat, the metal gleaming ominously as he aimed it directly at Amalia. She recognized the weapon immediately; it was a termination gun designed for androids, and she knew that using it on a human would result in unspeakable mutilation and instant death.
"Wait! No! It's not what you think!" Amalia pleaded, her heart racing as she took a shaky step forward, desperation etched across her features.
"It is," Efeliel replied curtly, his voice devoid of warmth. "You're the only one who could have done this. I should have seen the signs from the very beginning." Disgust flickered in Yu's eyes as she studied Amalia, as if she were seeing a stranger rather than a friend.
"No, no, no, no, no!" Amalia gasped, her voice rising in a frantic crescendo. Panic surged within her, threatening to consume her completely.
"Pull the trigger, Efeliel. Just kill her," Yu commanded, her voice unwavering, a dark resolve settling over her like a storm cloud.
"No! Yu, please listen to me!" Amalia cried out, her eyes wide with terror, pleading for understanding, trying to convey the depth of her desperation.
"Yu! Efeliel! Wait!" Pai yelled, sprinting forward and positioning herself between the two women, her heart racing as she tried to defuse the escalating situation.
"Get out of the way, Pai," Efeliel ordered sharply, the harshness of his words startling the girl and causing her to tremble.
"Yu, I think we should at least hear her out," Pai implored, her voice shaking slightly but firm in its conviction. She could sense the tension crackling in the air, like a storm about to break.
"Step aside, Pai," Efeliel insisted, his voice unyielding.
"No, this isn't right. You know it isn't the right thing to do," Pai replied, shaking her head vehemently as she dug her heels in, refusing to back down.
In a swift motion, Efeliel seized Pai by the collar, his grip merciless as he drew her closer, his eyes burning with anger. "What do you think you're doing?" he growled, his voice low and threatening, fingers tightening around the fabric of her clothing.
"Please… just hear her out…" Pai stammered, her heart pounding in her chest.
"We've already heard her lies. Do you want to be an accomplice to this?" Efeliel spat, his fingers digging into her dress as he restrained her.
"Yu, please!" Amalia cried, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on her.
Yu fell silent, her gaze drifting away from Amalia, overwhelmed by a tumult of emotions. The conflicted look on her face betrayed her internal struggle, unable to meet the eyes of the girl pleading for mercy in front of her.
"Pai, Amalia is a traitor and a murderer. She deserves nothing but death."
"Yu... please, please don't do this... Amalia has don so much for us." Pai begged, her eyes brimming with tears.
"She doesn't deserve any pity, any mercy, any second chance." Efeliel sneered.
"But what if it's true? What if she didn't mean to kill-"
"Pai. What she has done is unforgivable. She betrayed her people and murdered the man who taught her everything. Then went on to use his research to empower herself. You've seen the damage done to the northern district. That's the lengths she'd go to to protect her interests. The first time the Empire fought the Meteorn 200 years ago should have been the last time." He said coldly, his grip tightening. "When the royal family hid the Longinus in the sea they did not intend for us to retrieve it not in 100 years, not ever! And who do you think shared the secret of that weapon's existence with the military? And where would she get the sheer amount of blood to activate it? our population? These are crimes, Pai."
Pai struggled against the man's grasp, but could not break free.
"Open your eyes to reality, girl. Actions have consequences and decisions carry accountability. In life, for some to have a good ending, some must have a bad ending." He shoved her aside and turned to face Amalia.
The older woman's face was pale, her lips quivering in terror.
"I won't repeat myself again. You're either dead or a prisoner." Efeliel raised the termination gun.
"Efeliel! Stop!" Pai yelled out.
Gunshots rang out, and the shots were deflected by a camouflaged form appearing in front of Amalia.
"Who are you?" Efeliel demanded, his eyes focused on the intruder.
The figure stood in front of Amalia, her form distorted by the optical camouflage, a faint outline visible.
"You shouldn't kill her. At least not yet..."
"That voice... Atlas?" Amalia spoke with a gasp.
"0-4 mentioned something about the Empire's androids. And with the Two most notable figures now in the same room, I can expedite that investigation." he replied, disabling his cloaking.
"An agent of Requiem? What the hell are you doing in here?" Efeliel asked in a low tone.
"Investigating the matter of a certain individual, and as fate would have it, I came upon this. Rather than you executing her, I'm going to detain her and have your former Vice Minister interrogated about her research into the Meteon." Atlas declared, his visor turning towards the Empress.
Yu stared at him for a moment, then nodded. "I assume you mean the Nova Genesis Project, is that right?"
Atlas gave a simple nod, "Yes."
"You're wasting your time. My father's project was scrapped. We no longer have any interest in pursuing the project." Yu's expression hardened, her face reflected by the shine of his visor.
"Is it? Do you truly believe that only one facilty existed? If it was scrapped do you think she'd be here begging you to let make one more android?" Atlas's voice was cold, his posture stiff and unwavering.
"What are you trying to say?" Efeliel took a step forward.
"Why would the Ministry of Defense need such a large portion of the entire Union's manufacturing industry for the military androids if there wasn't more than a few facilities scattered around the globe?" Atlas countered.
Yu's eyes widened, her mind racing. If she had let Amalia go, an entire military of advanced androids like the 701st could have been unleashed.
"With how long she has been in your service, the Argentia Empire, the heart of the Schreadel Imperial Union, could have easily fallen under her influence."
Yu's blood boiled as his words reached her ears. If she had been tricked by Amalia, then her rule could've ended at any moment.
"I thought Requiem was only interested in managing the Meteorn threat?" Efeliel challenged, his finger hovering over the trigger.
"This is an extension of that. And at some point in the near future, your Empire's use of Meteorn as an energy source will be brought under question as well." Atlas replied coolly, his voice never wavering.
"You're not the only one who can gather information." Yu took a few steps closer to Atlas, the tension in the air palpable.
His cloaking reactivated, and his form faded into a haze. "That may be, but there is something you should know."
"And what is that?" Yu asked with a frown.
"Requiem will shine the light on every shadow in due time." His near-invisible form quickly lifted Amalia from her wheelchair and then calmly walked out of the room.
"Damnit." Yu hissed under her breath, turning to look at the empty chair.
"Shall I inform the police of this situation, Your Highness?" Efeliel asked, his expression unchanged.
"No, they won't be able to catch him. Evasion is one of the few skills we know that man excells at." Yu answered.
"Then what should we do, Your Highness?"
"There's nothing we can do. Let's stick to our plans and focus on the Republic for now." Yu sighed.
"As you wish."