"So!" Elise took the cup of coffee from Masahito's hands. "How in the world did you guys get out after our operation?"
"Well, it's a tried and true method actually." The young man turned around and pressed the button on the machine once again. "We simply hid into various rooms and waited for the Department to get out. They assumed everyone had gone out, and thus they left twenty minutes later. Works confirmed the info to me, and we put our normal clothes back on and snuck out of the place."
"Wow, good method."
"And you don't know the funny part yet! One of my men claims he saw governor Ash Taylor in the crowd. I would've sold my soul to see the reaction of this son of a bitch!"
The android chuckled. "He's that bad, huh?"
"Well, I don't like him. Sofia, my home country, is trying its best to repress the massive Reli invasion in Eurasia, it's got loads of funds put into the military, research and development, the citizens are terrorized, the government is desperately calling for help, and you know what? Taylor's sitting on his ass, he's the leader of the only country capable of giving anyone a hand right now, and he doesn't do shit! What kind of government is that?!"
"I couldn't tell... Back then in my days we were the ones with our hands full."
"Heh, good for you!" Masahito grinned, anticipating victory. "And did the Sofians come and help you? Don't answer yet! Who sent troops to defend Elenbakk, huh? Who provided the funds to construct the sentry tower network in the Skyland Chain? That was us, baby! Back then, Sofia ruled everyone! You should've seen the carnage; it was terrible. Hundreds of proud Sofian soldiers with Black Infinity guns neatly lined up and decimating the enemy so well, the pile of dead bodies formed a defensive wall halfway into the battle! And when we were done with the suckers, we networked a bunch of explosives on the bodies and shot a rocket in the heap! Psshhhhhhh!"
Elise just shrugged. "I didn't see anything. I was still in New Colombus at that time. We didn't watch the news that often anyways... Were already occupied with our own battle, me and the Insas."
Masahito suddenly shot her an interrogative look. "Tell!"
The android slowly walked over to the farthest chair in the little lounge. She looked at the wall with her head down, took a small sip of her coffee, put the cup on the table... She stared at the substance at the bottom of the cup, sighed, turned away once again... Slowly, like a human too tired for anything, she turned around, sat on the couch, put her legs on the table... She changed her mind, folded her legs and hugged them. For a moment, she stayed there, seemingly lost in her thoughts. Finally, she closed her eyes and put her forehead against her legs. Her mouth was bearing this odd upside-down grin, as if she was on the verge of tears.
"It's all bad memories..."
Masahito stayed motionless for the next moment, expecting more from her. After a quick look around, he sat on the opposite couch, facing her. She slowly opened her eyes at the sound of the cushions. Her knees parted from each other a little, and she looked at him with her head between her legs.
"Tell me... What do the history books say about us?" She said. Her last word was accompanied by a slight change of tone in her voice. She was expecting the worst. Masahito attempted to take a laidback style once again and casually took a sip of his coffee.
"The books are all opinions agreed upon, you know... History's labeled you and your team as terrorists bent on national domination. The people thought you were a bunch of crazy monsters who wanted things to happen your way. I recall a woman named Armi Prosis saved the day. Her name's in bold in most books I think, but your own names are never mentioned. As for Armi, she was glorified in every way. She received a grand ceremony, was covered with countless medals and decorations, before being buried in the government's honor plot. There's only one picture - it's your leader giving the angry face. That's pretty much it."
The Insa backed up and put her knees together once again. Her forehead went back against her legs, eyes closed and mouth shaping this awkward upside-down grin. She suddenly choked, making her body jump a little - spasm of sadness...
"...Fuck!"
She had trouble saying the word. The first syllable trailed on forever in her mouth, ashamed of leading the curse outside. Some people who had just arrived on the second floor looked and her and thought she was pitiful.
A shape glided into view. Masahito looked to his left and saw Dream landing softly on the couch next to the android, who turned around and hugged, burying her face into the back cushion.
The beautiful mutant mouthed "Go away." to Masahito. He pointed at himself with a shocked look on his face.
"Please..." Her voice was too soft, too charming to receive a no. Reluctantly, the young man picked up the two cups on the table, threw one in the garbage bin, and went to see Works in his office.
Dream turned away from the indiscrete looks, prompting everyone on the second floor to go somewhere else. She rubbed the android's back. Elise looked for comfort in the velvetlike softness of the star's black dress. Her gaze, her whole mind got lost in the sea of black. She felt like a little spaceship in the middle of nowhere, hanging on to the last piece of life support that was left from the explosion of her pride. Elisabeth Marquis, the Insa Type android, had been reduced to a monster by public opinion. There was nothing left to say she and her team had actually fought for a good cause. No one has ever told of them being heroes standing up to injustice.
She hugged harder. She didn't want to let go, ever. She was ready to stay locked against her savior's body until the end of days. And Dream, the goddess, sang.
A chorus met and pleased the android's microphones. The thirteen voices sang in perfect harmony, taking her to another place, where it was full of hospitable galaxies, beautiful planets, and high and proud cities. The night in Dream's robe was the gateway to a new era of prosperity, full of stars and colorful cosmic clouds, outer space full to the brim with life and extending into infinity, a discovery of joy with the potential to last forever. The syllables, seemingly meaningless when listened to with logic, meant everything to her. The charm wasn't in the lyrics, as there were none. Everything was in the tone, the sound and the timing. There were more vowels than consonants, many more, an almost pure and perfect source of peace and happiness. The A's felt like water being poured all over her body and giving her a light and soft massage. The O's were the warm fire on her neglected hands and feet. The I's were the soft little ice cubes walking inside her head and appeasing all the rebel and angry thoughts. The U's came as warm wind gently stroking her face, wrapping around her neck like a scarf and covering her shoulders. And finally, the E's spelled enhancement, for every syllable containing it completed the previous on a pedestal and introduced the next with flying colors straight out of the rainbow. Everything became clear and yet a trifle. Everything was left alone and free. Everything was put aside and forgotten. Everything was now meaningless and she was okay with it. For the instant of a song, she knew what it felt like to be inside the womb.
Elise had chosen. Whereas Shrike was the chief; Dream, the goddess, was now her mother.