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Post by Man on Jul 19, 2015 22:47:30 GMT -5
“Greetings my dear friend! We have a scheduled audience with the Emperor,” the scientist said, staring up at the gargantuan guard with his white unruly hair split wide enough for his hazel and blue eyes to peer through the dark abyss that was the man’s helmet. The scientist was actually quite young, appearing perhaps in his late twenties and possessed a pleasing shade of red pigment on his skin, not too bright, not too dark either. He wondered whether it had been an icejin hidden within that suit; either way, he was impressed with the new display and loved the establishment. Staring up at the new Imperial Palace, it wasn't as tall as the PTO Headquaters but it was still a sight to behold. What it lacked in size was -as big as it was- compensated in complex and exquisite medieval architecture. It's features were exalted by the lights of the starry universe and the insurmountable hustle and bustle of flying vehicles passing overhead like a cluster of shooting stars.
Ivan donned his lab coat as if it were business attire. He had been going through all the necessary procedures in order to earn an audience with the new Emperor of Beta Major. After arriving to The Omega Collective not too long ago, they had expected to meet up with Arctic and Prometheus Zex, but it appeared much changed during their absence. It was funny really –and somewhat frightening. If they had arrived any sooner they might have found themselves stricken down by the mighty Ninjin Hattori. However, Ivan was now in the progress of starting a nurturing and mutually beneficial relationship with both the Emperor of Beta Major and the new Lord of Alpha Prime. He would have appeared at Ninjin’s door sooner if not for the disbelief that had struck him. It wasn’t until they attended the wedding and saw the former heir of the saiyan throne with flesh and bone that they finally acknowledged his return from the grave. Now, the busy Emperor had at last accepted his request.
Model Zero and Ivan’s trusted associate, The Doctor, flanked both sides from behind. The pair were as silent and submissive as ever. The Doctor, nervous wreck as he was, would pee himself before he even dared make eye contact with the humongous guard –then again, he would’ve been frightened by an ant all the same. His race was unknown, but he looked like a mutated lizard with black scales and a humped back. The Doctor’s tail would swerve anxiously from side to side, nearly tripping whoever stood behind him. Zero stood next to him, staring at the large guardsmen. To them, he would appear a dull machine devoid of any complex personality, but Zero was as curious as Ivan himself. He was equipped, saber and pistol stowed away at his waist, though the android demonstrated absolutely no intention of using them. If requested, the group would surrender all and any weapons or items asked of them by the guards. They were, by no means, seeking trouble. Fool was he who would even think of such blasphemy. Ninjin Hattori stood the most powerful warrior the universe had ever seen. Ivan was surprised he had guards at all! The emperor probably had more zeni than he knew what to do with and kept the guards as charity, to lower the unemployment rate, the scientist reasoned.
The group would follow the guard as they were escorted to Ninjin’s location. Lord William Watson was expected, although they understood the man might be late to the occasion. Such was of little consequence, the scientist knew how busy they must be with being new and all. The life of a ruler was no vacation. As soon as sight of the Emperor was within his grasp, Ivan would spread his arms wide from side to side with a large smile on his face. “I would’ve never thought the great Ninjin Hattori would have use for guardsmen!” he joked. Ivan promptly bowed before the saiyan, The Doctor followed after and Zero kneeled. “We are humbly and eternally grateful for you taking time off your busy day to meet with us, Emperor Hattori. And you,” he said, gazing at the icejin woman who was now Ninjin’s wife, “as beautiful as ever Empress Aella. Congratulations to both of you, I wish you happiness and prosperity! I had the delight to witness your wedding. My name is Ivan, the nervous wreck to my left is The Doctor, and to my right Model Zero. It’s a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance.”
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Post by Lord Zasham on Aug 10, 2015 23:26:10 GMT -5
10 minutes ago…
The room was dark, only a single light illuminating the epicenter. A man sat in a folding chair beneath the spotlight. His breathing was uneven and heavy, his head hanging forward, obscuring his face. Only remnants of a shirt remained, shredded nearly as much as he; cuts ran across his body. Some were short, more a brush stroke than anything. Others were more reminiscent a long agitated mark left when keying a car. Dried blood coated some while droplets of fresh redness trickled from here and there. Several puddles collected around his chair. He sagged in the chair, though he did not seem to be restrained.
“The pain can end whenever you wish it to, you hold the key to your own relief,” came a haunting voice from the darkness. Dual crimson eyes pierced the darkness; flickering flames amidst the abyss. The man stirred a little, as if slowly comprehending the words. Then he sagged once more, relenting to what he knew would follow his answer. “I-I-I… I do not know…” he managed through haggard breaths. A well-dressed man in a dark suit and fine hair stepped to the light’s boundary. Unblinking eyes bore into the man before him, who did not retain the strength to look up.
“Do not lie, I will only ask one more time… Where is the demon? Where is Barakyel?” he questioned as he towered over the lump of a man, his body erect and hands folded behind him. The bloodied human was a Church recruiter, a tick dug out of Beta Major’s skin. His presence meant the UCOO had not met its demise, but also that it was growing; how long before they regained their strength, how long before they are even stronger? “I don’t know… Please… I don’t know, please…” he whimpered, long past the point of crying. The low level pawn had little information to offer, other than old information that had long since been gleaned from the Arbiter’s database. Nothing about the Church’s current state, or more importantly, the location of the being which now held Azuki’s soul.
“Shhh… It is alright. I believe you,” the sharply dressed man as he turned around and disappeared into the darkness with a step. He had not at first, convinced that the recruiter was hiding something. Perhaps it had just been hope that guided him but now he was sure he had nothing left to give. An empty husk sat limply in the chair where a man once had; leaving him convinced the zealot was actually telling the truth. Growling noises emanated from the darkness, deep throaty sounds which shook your bones. It even gave the tortured soul the power to lift his head, as fear so often did, but what he saw was his end.
Now…
The Lord of Alpha Prime walked through the halls of the imperial palace, thoroughly impressed with what Ninjin’s imagination had wrought. Certainly a different style than his own compound however his tastes were eclectic which left him enjoying the architecture of the castle. Though he had downloaded the blueprints into his internal memory and was linked to all its security cameras, he still found pleasure in scoping out its interior with his own eyes. The room Ninjin had afforded him for his… Business… Was deep within the structure, as requested due to noise and privacy concerns. He had taken on the role of finding Azuki’s soul due to the sensitive nature of the task. The saiyan was inclined to brutally murder any member of the Church he came across and while Zasham could certainly not blame him it did make intelligence gathering more difficult. Of course he brought any new information forward, not being one to withhold information from his brother.
When he returned to his brother and new sister the disguised majin found them with company. Entering the room at the tail end of Ivan’s introduction, but having heard it all thanks to the palace’s acoustics coupled with his acute hearing, the apparent human interjected into the conversation. “Ivan what a pleasure to finally meet you,” Zasham said with the hint of a smile. Adorned in an immaculate black suit and matching tie, the suave looking Lord was busy wiping his hands in a red handkerchief. “Man, it is good to see you as well; I must say Ivan, you built a fine machine there, that I can attest to firsthand,” he added, more pleasantries. Though there was truth there, as the android had helped quell an uprising and unwittingly faced down the majin while in Tycho’s form.
It was so strange, to look upon the blonde robot with such a different gaze than he had some months ago; as if looking upon a different being entirely. He felt like he now viewed him through different eyes, or rather through many at ounce. Now he remembered long talks with Ivan and Man, deals being struck, and even training. Memories from the fallen; yet memories nonetheless. Truthfully the ever suspicious, to the point of paranoia, Lord had always mistrusted the android due to his countless unknowns. Now he knew far more about the android of Alpha Prime…
And trusted him even less.
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Emperor Ninjin Hattori
Administrator
Emperor of Beta, Leader of PTO
Gloria in excelsis Imperium
Posts: 665
Base: 202,252
True Power: 404,504
Oozaru: 1,011,260
FPSSJ: 3,640,536
Zeni: 2,486
Items: Simulator
Ally: Aella: 101,126 Brute: 505,630
Profile Link: Ninjin Hattori
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Post by Emperor Ninjin Hattori on Sept 16, 2015 11:24:39 GMT -5
“M-M-My lord?” The timid voice was barely a whisper, but somehow it managed to carry all the way over to where the Emperor of Beta Major, Ninjin Hattori, was sitting at his desk. Though he was at his office in the Imperial Palace he made sure Boreal, his diminutive Icejin personal assistant, was never far off. Though the alien was quite shy and awkward socially, he was perhaps the hardest worker that the Saiyan had ever known. And that was saying something. Boreal was also utterly loyal, doing everything the Saiyan asked without question or backtalk, not that the Saiyan had him doing anything utterly difficult or morally challenging. Good help was so hard to find.
“Y-y-your app-p-p-pointment is in five minutes. P-p-perhaps the throne-room would be the b-b-best location?” The Icejin looked around at the clutter that was the Saiyan’s personal office. Ninjin let out a chuckle and rose from the plush arm-chair he had been sitting in.
“I think you might be right Boreal.”
The Icejin beamed at the positive response and opened the door to the office for the Emperor, bowing as he did so. When Ninjin had passed into the hallway the servant called after him, nearly forgetting to tell him.
“Her majesty is already waiting for you!”
Ninjin chuckled and shook his head without turning around. Soon he sat next to his beautiful wife on his throne when a servant ran in informing them that Ivan, an interesting man that had attended his wedding, and his group, had arrived. Ninjin had been curious when they had asked for a meeting, but he had an open door policy. The guests entered the room and Ninjin raised an eyebrow. The android… it was familiar. Very familiar. He recognized it from the wedding of course… but there was something else. Somewhere else he knew it from. He smiled at Ivan’s joke, though caught off guard by the android he had years of practice in the political realm and had learned to control his reactions and emotions. They bowed before him, the three. Ninjin’s eyes carefully studied them all. An interesting trio no doubt.
Ivan certainly had a way with words, and was charismatic as well. Ninjin nodded when he thanked him for the meeting, and the pair smiled at the compliments and well wishes, offering their thanks in return. Introductions were made and Ninjin’s eyes lingered for a longer moment on Model Zero, though the Doctor was perhaps the most odd out of the trio.
Though Ninjin made to answer it was Zasham’s voice that called out. Ninjin smiled as his brother entered the room. The Emperor’s eyebrow rose as his closest ally and friend aside the blue creature Truffle spoke with some familiarity towards the android. He even addressed it in a different name than Ivan had given.
“Greetings and well met all. It seems some of us have already been acquainted.” His eyes once again lingered on Zero as he said the words, though he could not place why. They were not said without a smile though. It was not as if he were afraid of the android. Merely cautious, and confused. As if looking at déjà vu.
“How can I be of assistance to you Ivan, Doctor, and Model Zero?”
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Post by Man on Sept 18, 2015 23:24:29 GMT -5
Model Zero turned his attention to William Watson as he entered the throne room. It had been some time since he heard that name before and was caught off by surprise. Ivan beamed a smile to the man and bowed once more, "Thank you Lord Watson, I have devoted my life's work in his creation! I've heard many great things of you, m'lord. I'm glad he was of service." Model Zero locked eyes with the new lord of Alpha Prime. The distrust was reciprocated, and with reason. During their first voyage, William Watson had remained unscathed after having allegedly fallen by the hands of Lieutenant Tycho and then again after the great war that broke out in Mement Mor. Regardless, such thoughts were banished from the android's mind at the current moment. Ironically enough, if things went according to plan, the android would now serve under Lord Watson just as he had with Lord Zex. His face was stern and neutral as always. Finally, they broke from their bow and Zero rose from his knees.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Lord Watson." Zero smiled, which might have caught the man off-guard. The android picked up a few tricks in the past six months and appeared less machine-like in his demeanor. "However, I have long since discarded my old name, 'Zero' will suffice." The Doctor remained silent during the exchange, shivering in the corner, hoping nobody brought attention to him. It was then that Zero's eyes shifted to meet with Emperor Ninjin Hattori as he addressed them.
Ivan smiled. Cutting straight to the chase, it's as if King Arctic had never left. He preferred it that way, skipping all the pleasantries and going into the nitty gritty. The scientist, dramatic as ever, slammed his right fist against his chest -over the heart- and tucked the other behind his waist. "Emperor Hattori, Empress Aella, Lord Watson, we have come to you today to officially offer you our services! Model Zero is yours to command, he will do whatever you ask of him. We served our rulers before and it is only right that we pledge to the crown again!" Having taken the place of Lord Zex and King Arctic, William Watson and Ninjin Hattori were, no doubt, aware of the funds which had been transferred monthly to Ivan's laboratory. The scientist had been employed by the previous rulers and depended on his earnings to continue his work. His meeting with the new rulers of The Omega Collective was, in fact, a business endeavor to maintain those funds. The scientist was worried that, the new rulers would discard his services and cut his funds. Ivan would have been left unemployed. Model Zero kneeled once more as a sign of loyalty. Any order they might command, the android would perform without question.
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Post by Lord Zasham on Sept 27, 2015 15:27:32 GMT -5
Ivan had some flattering pleasantries to add before he rose to his feet. Of course Zasham knew why he was here; the payments had stopped coming. He had done so purposely after inheriting Zex’s finances, and asked the same of Ninjin, knowing a day would come when the doctor would come knocking. His intelligence on the duo was gleamed mostly from assimilated memories, given that Man and William Watson had had little interaction despite their former association, so the dapperly dressed ruler figured he should meet them in person. Though expecting the meeting but the Lord, being too immersed in his own investigation, had not thought it would be at Ninjin’s compound, or today.
Then Man spoke of his naming have been changed, sounding far less artificial than usual. Or, perhaps, that had never been his name at all. Not like the disguised majin needed any more reason to distrust the android; though even his distrust of the sentient machines did not equal that of Ninjin’s. A deep rooted dislike due to their wide usage in the Universal Church of One undoubtedly and he could hardly blame his brother. It had probably been androids who had been tasked with the abduction of his slain son after all. “I see, then Zero it shall be. I too have taken a new name upon my ascension, you may refer to me as Lord Zasham,” he said as he neatly folded the red silk handerkerchief and placed it in the chest pocket of his exquisite black suit.
By his brother’s tone and gaze upon the android he had an idea what he was thinking, after all Mement Mor had been a literal warzone. “He was on Mement Mor with us brother, he fought and captured an android Cardinal,” Zasham thought to Ninjin via telepathy as he silently seated himself in midair. Or, rather, so he believed, since he had not seen much of their fight due to his own, not to mention the conditions of her capture seemed quite questionable, given the zealous nature the Church is well known for. Legs crossed the Lord leaned forward as he levitated at eye level with the Emperor’s guests, resting his elbows on his knees as he intertwined his fingers. He asked why they had come; of course they knew but it suited them better for the two to make their pitch.
Ivan’s gesture of loyalty was downright comical, so much so that Zasham could not help but snicker a little as he eagerly snapped his salute and swore loyalty. With that the android knelt once more before them, as if it to cement the doctor’s claim. The Lord of Alpha Prime gently tapped his thumbs against one another as he pondered the truth in their statement. One thing above all was the source of his distrust in the android and his creator. It was as much an affront to his hunger as it was reasonable. Man, or rather Zero, existed before Ivan’s partnership with either Zex or Arctic, so he must have had a purpose outside what was promised them. They were just sources of fuel for the android’s development. So what was their goal? Zero’s purpose? Zasham not knowing the answer to that question was the source of his mistrust.
“Ours to command, hmm…?” He said as his unblinking eyes rested upon the android formerly known as Man. It was then that his curiosity took over him, fueled by the hunger, and he continued, “Okay then, Zero… Kill Ivan.” A slight grin pulled at the corner of his mouth as he leaned forward to rest his chin on his entwined hands. Would he truly perform it without question?
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Emperor Ninjin Hattori
Administrator
Emperor of Beta, Leader of PTO
Gloria in excelsis Imperium
Posts: 665
Base: 202,252
True Power: 404,504
Oozaru: 1,011,260
FPSSJ: 3,640,536
Zeni: 2,486
Items: Simulator
Ally: Aella: 101,126 Brute: 505,630
Profile Link: Ninjin Hattori
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Post by Emperor Ninjin Hattori on Sept 28, 2015 16:12:15 GMT -5
Ninjin sat upon his throne and looked down with much interest at the odd trio that stood before him. The android he had an inherent distrust for, due to his long dealings with the Universal Church of One. “The Doctor” fascinated him, as he had never seen his like before. And Ivan intrigued him. When the android smiled as he talked Ninjin’s brow rose slightly. Was the gesture genuine? Or was it simply a machine that had learned to mimic sentient behavior in order to illicit responses from others? You could never tell with androids, no matter how genuine they seemed. A name change? Ninjin noted that out of curiosity. There was a reason for everything.
The grand gesture and pledge was something that Zasham had told Ninjin to expect. When his brother had absorbed Prometheus Zex he had gained a great deal of knowledge into the inner workings of the Omega system. One of those dealings was with Ivan and Model Zero. With a suggestion he had advised Ninjin to look into his own, or Arctic’s own, dealings. Sure enough Ivan and Model Zero had been hired and were receiving a substantial amount of zeni for “services”. Ninjin was willing to consider the retainer, but his Majin brother had advised this dual meeting. Suddenly his brother’s voice entered his mind. Mement Mor? That was where he had seen the Android before? And the capture of a cardinal? Why was this the first time he was hearing of this?
“My brother, perhaps you would tell me more of the capture of a cardinal later.” [/i] His mental tone was not one of anger, but there was a hint of aggravation of not being told something so... regardless he knew it now. He was seeing the Android in new light now. Could he trust it? What had it done with the cardinal? What did they do with the Cardinal? Was it still alive? Could he trust these three in front of him? Zasham chuckled as the Android knelt. What he said next was not what the Saiyan would have expected.
Kill Ivan? Would the Android follow the order? The scientist had just said that he would do anything that they had commanded. Zasham had commanded, would the android follow? Ninjin doubted, but sat watching intrigued.
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Post by Man on Sept 28, 2015 18:22:37 GMT -5
The scientist broke his composure and gazed wide-eyed at the new Lord of Alpha Prime. He always entered a meeting with men of power while having a good idea of what might transpire, but this... this was something he would have expected from Zex! "What?" he uttered, looking at Lord Zasham and then shifting his gaze towards Ninjin Hattori as if waiting for the punch-line. However, they were quite serious. Zero too, was caught off-guard. Two years ago, when the man first met with the late Prometheus, he had anticipated that such a request might have been ordered and he was ready to meet it. Ivan was dedicated to his cause and would not allow anything to get in his way! The scientist had long since uploaded a virtual representation of his mind to a computer system that would initiate upon his passing, in case such a day had surmised. Ivan had spoken to Zero, and informed him of the plan, telling him to take his life if Zex had ever asked him to. With that said, he believed Azazel's description of their new rulers might have been a bit misleading.
"So..." the scientist said, lowering his hands to his side. The look of contempt was plastered on his face as he stared at the face of those who now governed The Omega Collective. "Here I thought the dark mist had been lifted from this civilization, but you, who now stand at the throne, are no different from those who stood before you. I can see that now..." Ivan would look dead into their eyes, all respect for them having left him with one final exhale. After what he had heard, Ivan truly believed he was in the presence of somewhat just rulers, but it appeared he had been mistaken to give a saiyan the benefit of doubt. Here coming from an orphaned man whom had lived and grown in the Gamma Slums on his own and learned to fend for himself by using his god-given gift of intellect. So many times he had been abused in that forsaken pit. It was the fuel which drove him to success. How he hated those who would abuse their power and use it because they could. It was the very same reason why he targeted the saiyans. -Not because of some glorified diety, but because the saiyans embodied the very thing which had tormented him from such a young age. In time, Ivan had distinguished himself and managed to create a barrier between himself and the Gamma Slums by offering his genius to corporations and government officials, and now all of it was about to be washed away because he made the wrong judgement call.
No matter, he thought. He would miss touching a cold glass and feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin, but his mind would remain intact -and that was all he could hope for. The scientist soon after closed his eyes and clenched his hands. He was prepared for it two years ago and nothing had changed since then. Zero knew what to do...
Finally, Model Zero stood from his knees and glanced at Lord Zasham, Emperor Hattori, and then rest his gaze on his master. As his hands reached for the hilt of his saber, The Doctor yelped and squirmed back. "Wait, Zero, what are you doing!?" He cried. Ivan had never told The Doctor about his plans. It pained him not to keep his most trusted and loyal colleague in the loop, but it was necessary to ensure their employers had the best performance yet. Zero was silent. He had not yet unsheathed his saber. The Doctor used this time to try and persuade them. The lizard man was always so nervous and weak, known to shiver his entire life. The fact that he had mustered so much courage was something Ivan himself could have never predicted. "Y-you're not serious, a-are you? W-we don't need the funds! It's n-not worth it!"
Ivan grimaced and glared back at his colleague. "It DOES matter! As a scientist, my pride and joy is to see my inventions thrive as I had designed them to function. I live for no other reason!" The Doctor looked like he wanted to protest, but he knew there was nothing he could say to convince the scientist otherwise. "Besides," Ivan continued, glaring at Emperor Hattori. "Without the funds we can't continue research and development, and we wont make enough to live a modest life. We'd have to return to the Slums. I might as well be dead!" The scientist then shifted his gaze to the android. He didn't speak, but Zero could read his eyes. What the hell are you waiting for? The scientist had promised that the android would act without questions, the fact that they were having this conversation was a violation of that enclosure. Model Zero, at last, unsheathed his saber. The sword's green and vibrant blade formed as he pulled it from its mechanized sheath and rest the buzzing blade inches from the scientist's neck -execution style.
Zero looked at Lord Zasham, and then Emperor Hattori, as if he were expecting them to call off the order. Unfortunately, it was not so. It was that very instant, the moment they all shared within the Emperor's room, that made Zero think back to a conversation he had prior to the meeting.
“Why do you target the saiyans?”
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“Because it is my master’s wish.”
…
“That’s it?”[/b]
Model Zero found himself face to face with the mysterious man. He had learned that, if he meditated, he could more frequently summon him. Regardless, they could only keep it up for so long. His discovering of this ability started when Master Delashano introduced the concept to him. She was so different from his previous mentors, her teaching methods much more passive and forgiving –especially when compared to Vespasian. The android had soon learned that physical fitness was not solely tied to length and intensity of his spars, but the fitness of mind as well. In fact, training the mind seemed to be just as important –if not, greater. Zero’s strength seemed to have been reaching its limit lately. Ivan had boasted about his ‘infinite potential’ many times. Although it was mostly a marketing scheme to reel in the support from great tycoons like Prometheus Zex and Arctic, the growth rate he had demonstrated at the time was not a lie. Unfortunately, that growth rate had begun to decay for the past six months and the android had not experienced a major burst of energy. It wasn’t until Delashano taught him how to nurture the mind that true improvement began to develop. Frankly, Zero wasn’t all that sure himself about how something so abstract and seemingly useless would help. But it worked all the same.
As customary, Ona was in her laboratory, Ivan was too busy ruling a kingdom, and AEVA had been monitoring his training sessions. The woman would observe curiously. Certainly, she must have been wondering why Zero was sitting in the center of the chamber with crossed legs and eyes closed. He was wearing his heavy weights, the gravity had been set to seventy times its normal output, and the simulator morphed his surroundings into his preferred scenery –an endless field of grass with red blades dancing as the breeze cruised over them. The sun was setting. Zero’s eyes would not open to admire the view, nor would his body move an inch. His affairs were now deep inside, in a dark and undefined space where only two entities existed. Himself, and inexplicably, him. He still couldn’t make out the features of the man’s visage, but it had been explained to him that such thing would never be revealed before an unknown event. All Zero could make out were his brown strands of hair which stopped at the chin.
The android furrowed his eyebrows, ostensibly confused by the man’s response. Taking his silence as a cue, the mysterious man continued, “you would condemn an entire race on the whim of a single man?”
Although Zero could not make out the other man’s facial features, his voice and the way he carried them made a vivid picture. The android could almost see the man by words alone. “My only concern is to do as I am told by my master.” He responded.
”But what do -you- think?” the man insisted. Zero’s gaze lowered. He had never been asked about his own ‘thoughts’ on the matter. The whole thing seemed abstract and foreign to him, without a clear meaning. How could a machine possess his own thought? The mysterious man took the opportunity to attempt at lecturing the android. “I don’t think you understand what you’re talking about. All this time you have been following orders blindfolded without taking responsibility over your own actions. You’re talking about genocide, Zero. An entire race of living, breathing individuals, wiped off the face of the earth forever.”
For a moment he confused the mysterious man with Plation, however, that was impossible. He could still remember the elven man’s words before Zero took his life. The man implied that the android had been hiding behind his master’s demands, using his orders as an excuse to justify his actions and quell the voice of reason within him. In spite of this, his words fell on deaf ears both then and now. An android had no consciousness or ‘voice of reason’. There were no fairies or crickets over his shoulders. There was no right and wrong, to him –just supply and demand; such notions were meaningless to him. Finally formulating an answer, the android raised his gaze. Cold and calculating eyes meet with the shaded visage of his guest. “My thoughts are nothing more than a collection of data stored and programmed into me by my master. His wish, his word, and his desire are my own.”
The mysterious man shook his head. “I refuse to believe that… Was there ever a time when you found yourself hesitate?”
Zero was silent.
“I know there was. I was there when your -master- ordered you to kill your best friend. I could hear your thoughts as your mind raced to desperately find an escape from making that decision. Zero, please, take the time to find out for yourself whether annihilating an entire race is the right thing to do. Don’t do it just because your master ordered you to!”
”I already have,” the android responded promptly. “Champion of the Galactic Tournament, Conri Lane; Queen of New Vegeta, Akassa Hattori; Former Heir to the Saiyan Throne, Ninjin Hattori; they are all well-known and respected saiyans. They are also unpredictable, short-tempered, and possess a warped sense of justice. These saiyans are dangerous individuals whom have already faced extinction once before due to the very same barbaric nature they continue to display presently. They look down on weaker life-forms, deeming them inferior and claim that it is their right to rule or take a life for that mere distinction. Mement Mor opened my eyes to just how powerful they can and have become. It is only a matter of time before they decide to take action and threaten the autonomy and safety of the entire universe. They must be eliminated.”
“But those are just three!” the man exclaimed, audibly disturbed. “Based on the actions taken by three individuals, you would declare an entire race guilty and destroy them for the possibility of a crime they may never commit?”
”Those three individuals are not just any saiyans; they are representing bodies of their people. Is Akassa not a queen? Was Ninjin not in line to rule them? Do they not represent the will of their people? If so, then their citizens are as guilty and stained as the one who rules them.”
Silence…
“Alright,” the man responded. “Following your logic, is your master not King of your people? If he represents his people, then why are there rebels trying to overthrow his reign? Was he not ruled by another? If a ruler represents their people, why was your master trying to undermine Zex?”
…
“Zero,” the man continued. “Perhaps you’re right. Perhaps, the grand majority of saiyans are as Akassa and Ninjin appear –but what about the minority? What about those who are dealt the misfortune of being born under their rule? What of the rebels? What of the innocent lives you condemn based on some generalization? Would you see them destroyed as well?”
Zero closed his eyes. The mysterious man made a lot of sense, he thought. The idea was worth venturing and forced him to stop before answering. The android’s mind raced through numerous possibilities, taking into account various scenarios and scenes. The ugly truth was, although there must indeed exist saiyans who stand as exceptions to the rule, it would be nearly impossible to determine successfully whether each was pure or not. As long as the saiyans existed in the universe, there was no certainty of their safety. Zero opened his eyes. “If it means protecting the greater good, then my answer is yes.”
His mind was made. This very moment stood as proof of their barbarism. It appeared the android had misjudged the ostensibly innocent William Watson whom desired only the safety of his family. The Mr. Watson he had thought to know would have never requested such a thing -then again, it seemed his distrust had been well-placed and justified. Without another moment's hesitation, the android lifted his blade into the air. The Doctor covered his eyes and grimaced as Zero swung down...
-"I will have you know that Ninjin is not a fan of Androids after what the UCOO did to New Vegeta."-
The android's hand stopped. The blade had just begun to caress the scientist's red skin; in fact, purple blood dripped down the man's neck. Ivan's eyes shot open, surprised that he had still been alive with nothing more than a scratch on his neck. Zero's mind had been dwelling over Azazel's words back in Ninjin and Aella's wedding. He was reminded of everything and anything anyone had ever said about any android ever. Nobody trusted them. The Universal Church of One was notorious for their use of androids, and their distrust towards Zero in particular was on point. But... William Watson isn't like this. The android felt as though this might have been a test to verify his loyalty. A typical drone would have performed the task without question, but Zero garnered that Ninjin and Zasham were anticipating him to follow their unlikely demands. By killing Ivan, he would have proven the scientist's claim of following their every command, but he also proved just how easily a machine could be swayed to turn on its own creator -such a machine could not be trusted...
It was ironic really. Six months ago, the android might have considered himself a drone. He would have most definitely gone through with the plan as his master had prescribed, but perhaps Delashano's meditation had influenced him more than previously thought; after all, the exercise forced him to think for himself. The android stood with a choice. Back in Lupin IV, he had killed the only man he would dare call friend because his master ordered him to. He wasn't going to make that mistake twice. Today was a day Ivan would remember for the rest of his life, because it was the day Zero rejected an order -not just from Lord Zasham or Emperor Ninjin, but Ivan's explicit desire and unspoken command to kill him. It was... one of the first commands he had ever given the android...
"I can't do it," Zero finally responded, breaking the silence of the room. He removed his blade from Ivan's neck and stowed it back in its mechanized scabbard. The scientist looked at Model Zero with a perplexed look on his face. What the hell was the android doing? He thought. None of this was part of the plan! Regardless, Zero turned to his new masters. "Lord Zasham, I do not believe you truly wish to see me dispose of my creator," Zero kneeled and lowered his head, "I suggest you reconsider your command."
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Post by Lord Zasham on Oct 6, 2015 22:00:17 GMT -5
Lord Zasham hovered in his seated position, not moving as everything transpired. There was something he was waiting for and was intent to see it through. The disguised majin was happy when Ninjin played along, his faith strong in his brother. Unblinking, his gaze never left the duo; his eyes betraying nothing. He was quite fascinated as the even unfolded, a product of his first order upon being proclaimed master of the android. His life being as short as it was, despite the combined experience of the assimilated, it was strange yet true to say he had known the former Man most of his life.
He had seen an almost invisible evolution within the android, from the rooftops of Alpha Prime, to the tunnels of Belegost, and even now, at the palace of Beta Major. The apparent human was curious, and the hunger beckoned. Then he did it, spared the scientist, turned to his supposed masters and deadpanned refusal. In response the levitating Lord would chuckle, adding a knee slap for good measure. “Congratulations Zero, you have passed the test; you shall receive the funding necessary to continue you’re work,” he stated with a grin. In the heads up display hidden in his eye, scrolled over the android’s blueprints; yet more gleamed thanks to Zex’s inheritance.
Turning his gaze down to the man all bit in pieces upon the floor Zasham added, “I had to confirm a suspicion, as I do not employ soulless machines. No hard feelings?” A sharp toothed smirk greeted the lucky creature who survived his own creation’s programming; an incomplete objective the very cause of the mission’s success it was revealed.
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