[IC] Flames of rebellion (Thewindel and FaithfulMuse)

[FaithfulMuse]

"You owe me much more than just an explanation. But if you think it will solve anything, than go ahead, just know that this is likely going to be the past time I'll listen to anything you have to say." Trixie answered. She didn't see how something like an explanation would change any of this. It already happened, so what use it would it have to listen to why it all happened? That would only give her more knowledge that would in fact be rather useless.

Jackson looked at Spencer. Who had appeared at the front door. "The Catalyst was found in this house. The owner, an AI, had given her shelter here and refused to cooperate. We received a warrant and your assistant found the Catalyst in one of the rooms. A small fight appeared during which Elliot was too incompetent to do anything, as a result of that the Catalyst managed to kidnap the citizen and escaped.

[TheWendil]

“Oh no. That does sound bad.”

Spencer frowned at this apparent lack of good news, tilting his fedora downwards to conceal his expression. Giltwith made a mental note that the dark-dressed man usually did so as a habit of sorts.

“Well….seeing as Elliot was the one who made this failure quite possible, perhaps he should also be the one to clean up the mess?”

“With all due respect Mr. Spencer, what are yo-”

“What I’m suggesting we do Giltwith, is that we split up. How about you and Miss Jackson report to the higher ups while Elliot and I search out for the Catalyst? I’m sure poor Elliot here is just dying to prove his loyalty to us, lest we suspect him of unwanted treason?”

He gave Elliot a glance of unreadable emotion.

“Hmm? What do you say?”

"You owe me much more than just an explanation. But if you think it will solve anything, than go ahead, just know that this is likely going to be the past time I'll listen to anything you have to say."

With a frown, Kiara muttered, “Sheesh, didn’t think you wanted a death wish so badly,” before leaning back on the wall to start her story.

“So I’m actually one of the Imperium’s top assassins. Er, former assassin. See, you might have known my work for participating in the Great War? When the Imperium decided to expand out and eventually conquer all the other World Kingdoms? Yeah, I helped with that. And sure, life was kinda nice for a time after all the fighting and bloodshed.”

[FaithfulMuse]

Elliot froze at his place, listening to Spencer. Of course he knew that Trixie was now a fugutive and that both she and the Catalyst needed to be arrested so that they could pay for their crimes. If Trixie would be given the opportunity to, than he was sure that she could explain everything. She was not a bad person, he knew that. But the way Spencer said it made him feel uneasy. Cleaning up the mess...

Nodding slowly, he hoped quietly that Spencer wouldn't expect him to kill off Trixie. "If I may ask, what do you intend to do with the citizen?"

"If I knew who you were, I wouldn't let you stay in my house in the first place. Which as we can now see, was obviously a huge mistake. And what you're saying now doesn't explain why I got all this crap happening to me." Trixie answered to Kiara.

She saw no reason at all to be friendly towards the woman, she didn't deserve that. She didn't even deserve it that Kiara gave her a chance to explain all of this. As if it would make even the slightest bit of difference. Her life had already lost all its value, anyway, and it was all because of her.

[TheWendil]

"If I may ask, what do you intend to do with the citizen?"

“Hmm? I can’t tell if you’re honestly being serious here…or if it’s just a bad joke. Why, I’m afraid we’ll be forced to terminate the citizen Elliot my friend. Direct contact in assisting the Catalyst is punishable by death you know. Orders from the big man himself.”

As Spencer gave Elliot a partway shrug on the notion of mercy, Giltwith stepped forward in hopes of remedying the outcome.

“With all due respect, must we do things so…cruelly? Surely the citizen deserves a hearing in court?”

“Oh? I’d expect you of all people to understand this particular line of duty Giltwith. You know, seeing as you’re a Knight and all that good stuff. Or…am I wrong?”

Giltwith remained silent after that.

"If I knew who you were, I wouldn't let you stay in my house in the first place. Which as we can now see, was obviously a huge mistake. And what you're saying now doesn't explain why I got all this crap happening to me."

Kiara dismissed off Trixie’s outrage with little more than a small wave of the hand.

“Let me finish. I left cause I found out the Imperium isn’t what it’s cut out to be. Actually, I could just leave you in the dark forever, you know? Not my problem if you find yourself being sacrificed to some primordial deity by the end of the night.”

Kiara said this lightly, knowing that that statement would no doubt capture the AI’s attention to listen.

[FaithfulMuse]

"In all honesty, I believe that exterminating the citizen in question would be a little uncalled for. I know that what she did was wrong, but I know this particular AI, and I don't believe that she had bad intentions in the first place. She will have to pay for her crime, I understand, but exterminating her... isn't that a bit too harsh?" Elliot asked, looking at Spencer.

There was no way he was going to kill Trixie. He couldn't and truly didn't want to kill her. She was without a doubt the most kindhearted person he ever met, she didn't deserve to be executed. Yes, he would have to prove his loyalty to the Imperium after the mistake he made, but did that really have to be proven by killing the only friend he had left in this world? That just couldn't be worth it.

"Well regardless of the fate that awaits the citizen, I suppose we head back, so that we can report what has happened." Jackson said to Gilwith, before heading towards the door.

Trixie looked at Kiara, annoyed. The woman wasn't explaining anything clearly, but the last sentence caught her attention.

"What are you talking about?"

[TheWendil]

Spencer shrugged in regards to Elliot’s questioning, though a small smirk of sympathy did play onto his face for a mere moment’s notice.

“How about we start by finding the AI, yeah? That sounds like a good enough place to start.”

Giltwith nodded both in agreement to Spencer’s compromise and Jackson’s request to move on and report their night.

“Shall you lead the way then Miss Jackson?”

Spencer waved them off before hooking his thumbs in his pocket and sweeping his mismatched gaze onto his new assistant and partner for the night. He then spun on his heels and followed in the direction the three had told him the Catalyst ran off to.

“Now tell me Elliot, what exactly is your relation with this citizen? You seem to care quite alot about their well-being….”

Back in the alleyway, Kiara smirked knowingly.

“It’s exactly like I said Trixie. Don’t you find it strange how quickly the Imperium rose to power? How everyone just happened to compromise their laws and follow along? What, you thought it was as simple as that?”

The criminal placed her own hands in her coat pockets, leaning back more on the wall.

“I left cause I found out what they do to people who question things around here, around the world actually. The kill you. Simple as that. Then they use your soul to feed their master. Do I sound crazy to you so far?”

[FaithfulMuse]

"I will." Jackson answered shortly, as always not exactly ready or willing to talk, keeping her sentences short and clear. She was hired to find, arrest and in some cases kill people, not to become friends with her assistants and chat with them.

"Trixie is the closest friend I have. I met her quite a long time ago, when her life was... different from the way it is now. I helped her out back then, and we've been friends ever since." Elliot said.

He saw no reason to hide such information from Spencer. If anything, it could work in Trixie's advantage, or so he supposed. This way, Elliot could answer any questions Spencer had about Trixie, convince him that she really was a good person.

Trixie listened to Kiara and chuckled. "That's not a fair question to ask. You sounded crazy before, and you do so now, too. Only now, even more crazy." She answered.

[TheWendil]

“Oh? It seems you two have quite the bond I take it.”

Spencer walked at a slower pace than usual, as if not really caring for the fate of their intended targets. To be fair, the two criminals had nowhere to go or run to, as the Imperium literally controlled the entire world. By this extent, there were spies and watchers everywhere; there was no rush required on their part.

“So you’re saying that because you were friends with this citizen, we should take the time to spare her of the full punishment required by all those who break the law? Even under the glaring crimes of her assisting the Catalyst? A potential terrorist?”

Back in the alleyway, Kiara smiled, taking Trixie’s chuckle as a sign that the AI was beginning to warm up to her again.

“Yeah, well, the Imperium is all sorts of crazy. You see some messed up things when you work as an assassin. Long story short, your perfect little kingdom is trying to summon some age old deity using people’s souls. Or something.”

[FaithfulMuse]

Elliot sighed and shook his head. "No, what I'm trying to say is that simply killing her without knowing any details would be wrong. I don't know why she did it, but she might as well had no other choice and had no intentions of doing a bad thing, and I don't think it's right to execute a citizen that's not bad. I believe that people deserve a trial before they recieve their punishment, and I'm not only talking about her. I think all people do." Elliot answered, looking up to Spencer. Saying such a thing to Jackson would be useless. He had no idea if Spencer was willing to listen, but it was worth a try.

"Yeah, and that's really terrible and all, but why are you telling me? I probably won't even live for another day, so this information is useless to me." Trixie said to Kiara. Of course it was bad that the Imperium sacrificed its people to some kind of deity, but what could she do about it? Not much, she supposed.

[TheWendil]

“I believe that people deserve a trial before they receive their punishment, and I'm not only talking about her. I think all people do."

“Ah, you really need to lighten up a little Elliot. Sheesh, you make it sound like it’s worse than it really is!”

Spencer looked down at his new comrade and smirked; it was difficult to tell if it was an expression of distaste or approval.

“You sound like Giltwith. A lot actually. Well….hmmm…alright, we’ll see if your friend has anything worth hiding first. Will that suffice for now?”

"Yeah, and that's really terrible and all, but why are you telling me? I probably won't even live for another day, so this information is useless to me."

“Uh, yeah, about that. I still kinda need you, so I can’t exactly let you go. You’re still my hostage after all; once they realize you’re free to move around, I’m gonna be on the run again.”

As if noting that they had been standing around for too long, Kiara grabbed Trixie’s hand and led her further into the darkness of the night.

“Besides, this is your chance to help me! Don’t you wanna save all the people in this city? In the world? If not…then that’s pretty selfish for an AI who’s ‘worked too hard’.”

[FaithfulMuse]

Elliot let out a sigh, looking at Spencer. He doubted that the man would really give anything he said a moment of real consideration, rather than just saying anything that would make Elliot shut up for the moment.

"Fine." He said, supposing that he really didn't have much of a choice.

If she could've, Trixie would have been frowning at the moment. "Oh, so now I'm the selfish one? I was made by you humans just to do whatever you wanted, what you had planned for me, not giving a damn about what I wanted. I was used my whole life long and didn't complain until someone helped me out, and ever since, he is the only human I met caring about anyone other than himself. You trash my home and kidnap me because that's convenient for you, but if I refuse, I'm the one who's selfish? That's bullshit." The AI snapped, clearly still not having forgiven Kiara.

"I'll help. But not because you want me to. For as far as I care, they can arrest right at the spot and take you away. I'm not helping you because you deserve it, but because there are actual good people who need to be saved." Trixie eventually said, glaring at Kiara.

[TheWendil]

“Now don’t be like that! I said we’d hear her out, right? There’s no need to start doubting me. Besides, I am your superior Elliot.”

Spencer fixed a mismatched glance on his younger partner before shaking his head, as if confirming something. It wasn’t long before their trail led them further into the dark alleyways of the city, the area around them slowly turning into the slums.

“Nice backdrop we have here,” Spencer commented idly.

Speaking of alleyways and dark corners, a certain Catalyst was now leading a certain AI away from the shadows and into the bustling and illuminated crowd of the city. Their faces would no doubt be plastered everywhere publicly by tomorrow, so they might as well enjoy the secrecy of night now.

“If it makes you feel any better, I’ll find some way to make it up to you. Though that might be more trouble seeing as you hate me right now. Mind helping me find a place for us to hide out at?”

Meanwhile, Giltwith followed Jackson obediently back to one of the Imperium’s numerous headquarters located throughout the world. Anxious, he allowed the higher ranking Knight to proceed before himself.

[FaithfulMuse]

"That you say something doesn't mean that I should trust you blindy, not even if you're my superior. That's one thing I learned from working with Jackson." Elliot simply answered, looking at the slums they were entering. He didn't get here often, but he had met Trixie in a place like this for the first time.

"Don't be afraid, Gilwith. The worst they'll probably do is scold at us." Jackson said, heading into the headquarter and assuming Gilwith would follow after her. He seemed to be a lot like Elliot, and she wasn't sure if that was such a good thing.

"Oh please, save yourself the effort. There's no way you can make this up to me." The AI responded to Kiara, not looking at her. She was right, Trixie did hate her, but even aside of that, how would the woman make this up to her?

When she asked if the AI knew a place where they could hide, she nodded, and knocked at the door of a mechanic. A young man, seemingly in his mid late twenties, opened the door for her. He had a strong build, tanned skin and his left arm was replaced by a mechanic prothesis. On his upper right arm he had the tattoo of a black ankh. His head was shaved bald and his eyes had a black colour. Looking at the two, he raised an eyebrow. "Trixie? I thought you knew that Maria doesn't work at night." He said, looking at the AI.
"I'm not here for repairment, Ramses. I need a place to spend the night, and I was hoping you had a spare bed."

[TheWendil]

"That you say something doesn't mean that I should trust you blindly, not even if you're my superior. That's one thing I learned from working with Jackson."

“Oooh, watch out now! I didn’t realize I was in the presence of such an exuded individual such as yourself Elliot….”

Spencer’s tone, although appearing light-hearted and teasing, held a hidden venom within that told the younger male to shut up and do his job.

“Why don’t you go searching for clues, yeah? The faster we find your lady-friend, the faster we can leave.”

"Don't be afraid, Gilwith. The worst they'll probably do is scold at us."

“Easy for a higher-ranking official to say,” he muttered too low for her to hear, as they stood before the massive silver gates of the Imperium Hall for this region of the world. Entering inside, they were greeted by hefty soldiers dressed in shining armor that matched the coloration of the gates, painted in deep reds, golds, and grays.

"Oh please, save yourself the effort. There's no way you can make this up to me."

Kiara said nothing in response-what could she say anyway-only sighing to herself. This was going to be a long night.

“You think I like doing this at all? I didn’t choose to be a criminal you know,” she spat before being led to door where a tanned man stood and greeted them. Crossing her arms, she waited patiently for Trixie to do the negotiating here.

[FaithfulMuse]

Elliot let out a sigh, but said nothing in return. Spencer wasn't that different from Jackson, so he supposed he should be used to being treated like this. Still, that didn't make it any more pleasant. Without a word, he started doing what he was told to.

Jackson decided to pay no attention to Gilwith. Instead, she headed towards the office where they should report the happenings of tonight and knocked at the door before waiting patiently.

The man looked at Trixie and sighed. "I suppose it's no problem, but that decision is not just up to me to make." He said, before getting back into the house for a moment. Soon he got back, this time accompanied by his wife, a slim woman with a pale skin and red eyes. She had numerous scars showing on her skin, with one of the scars crossing her right eye. Her hair was cut short and was dyed the same light colour of gray as her clothes. Her belly was slightly starting to grow. She looked at Trixie's companion and frowned, recognising her face.
"You can stay here, but only tonight. Tomorrow morning, I want you two gone and if anyone asks, I won't lie about keeping you here, but will cooperate instead, because I'm married and pregnant now, and can't afford getting dragged into your problems." The woman answered before anything was asked, having heard the question already from her husband. Trixie nodded, supposing that it was better than sleeping on the streets.

[TheWendil]

"You can stay here, but only tonight. Tomorrow morning, I want you two gone and if anyone asks, I won't lie about keeping you here, but will cooperate instead, because I'm married and pregnant now, and can't afford getting dragged into your problems.”

Like Trixie, Kiara nodded in understanding before letting the AI lead her in. Obviously the other girl had been here before for repair, so she would stick by the robot in this new place.

“Thank you,” she said upon passing by the man and woman who had offered up their homes to them.

“I promise we’ll only stay the night.”

Seeing Elliot work was…eh, just a little boring. Spencer watched with his thumbs hooked in his pocket, eyes scanning the dark area while leaning on the brick wall behind him.

“Found anything yet partner?”

Within the Imperium Headquarters, the massive office doors that stood before Giltwith and Jackson began to slowly open up. Swept fully now, the two could look inside and enter the personal chambers of their superior.

An Imperium soldier, one dressed in golden armor to contrast with the silver plating of the base, was perched at his desk, eyes trained on the both of them. Although he was nowhere close to being the Superior’s rank among them, he was still in charge of this city’s district.

“Back so soon? Report, Jackson.”

[FaithfulMuse]

Trixie got into the house where they were allowed to stay and offered the mechanic a smile, for as far an AI could actually smile."Thank you for your help." She said, but Maria didn't smile in return. That should be no surprise, though, she never saw the woman smiling. "Just keep in mind that as long as you are a wanted criminal, this is the last time I help you out with whatever it is you need help with." The woman said, at which Trixie nodded.

"I understand." Trixie answered, looking serious again. The man standing next to his wife, lead the way to the bedroom the two girls would be sharing. "My apologies for Maria. She's usually spoken not kind already, but with her work and the child we're expecting, she's been put under a lot of stress." The man said, although Trixie shook her head. "It's alright, you don't have to apologise."

Elliot looked at Spencer and shook his head. "No, but I'm not quite sure if we will find them here. Because of her past, Trixie usually spoken avoids places like this." He told the officer. Of course it was possible that they were here, but Elliot doubted it.

"The Catalyst was found in the house of a resident, an AI called Trixie. Upon trying to escape, the Catalyst used said resident as a hostage. Upon discovering that the resident was his friend, Elliot Vineblood was shocked and failed to be useful and gave the Catalyst the opportunity to escape. As far as we currently know the, Catalyst is still on the run and still keeps the resident as a hostage." Jackson told shortly, not wanting to waste any time.

[TheWendil]

"My apologies for Maria. She's usually spoken not kind already, but with her work and the child we're expecting, she's been put under a lot of stress. It's alright, you don't have to apologize."

“And so she should be,” Kiara said in a serious tone. “Things are changing, aren’t they? I suppose most people would say it’s for the best but…maybe the world’s changed too much.”

That was perhaps the most solemn thing she had said all night. Casting her crimson-eyed gaze downward, she became lost in thought before snapping her eyes upward and staring at the man with a fiery intensity.

“Sir, may I ask,” she began. “Did you participate in the Great War?”

"No, but I'm not quite sure if we will find them here. Because of her past, Trixie usually spoken avoids places like this."

“Oh?”

Spencer tipped his fedora slightly.

“Well since you seem to have an extensive knowledge on the citizen, then perhaps you can lead us to some of her daily spots? Workplace? Education center? I’m told that she’s an AI and so I’m sure she must go out for repairs too.”

"The Catalyst was found in the house of a resident, an AI called Trixie. Upon trying to escape, the Catalyst used said resident as a hostage. Upon discovering that the resident was his friend, Elliot Vineblood was shocked and failed to be useful and gave the Catalyst the opportunity to escape. As far as we currently know the, Catalyst is still on the run and still keeps the resident as a hostage."

“I see,” the senior Knight replied. “Frankly, I’m going to have to count this as a failure on your part here Jackson. The Superior has issued a first class bounty on that girl’s head and so won’t take anything short of her head. I’ll give you one more chance; after that, you’re dealing with his will yourselves. You too Giltwith.”

The red-eyed Knight cleared his throat.

“With all due respect sir…why is the Catalyst of such dire importance to the Superior himself?”

[FaithfulMuse]

Ramses looked at Kiara and shook his head. "No. I participated in a few wars, including one that caused me to lose an arm, but I didn't fight in the Great war. By then, I already quit my job as a soldier, because I realised that I was getting married, and didn't want it to happen that one day, someone would be standing here at the door to tell my wife that I'm not coming home anymore." The man told her.

"She's uneducated and currently unemployed, neither does it seem likely to me that she would go to her former workplace for any reason. She does have a mechanic, although I doubt that the mechanic would let them in, considering the woman's personality. Regardless, it might be worth it to go see if she's at her mechanic." Elliot explained, looking at Spencer. At the moment, the mechanic was the only place he could think of.

Jackson looked at the knight and nodded. "I understand, it won't happen again. You can tell the Superior that next time I walk in here, It will be to give him her head." She said, showing nothing but determination. She screwed up once, but wouldn't let it happen a second time.

[TheWendil]

"No. I participated in a few wars, including one that caused me to lose an arm, but I didn't fight in the Great War. By then, I already quit my job as a soldier, because I realized that I was getting married, and didn't want it to happen that one day, someone would be standing here at the door to tell my wife that I'm not coming home anymore."

“How noble of you,” Kiara murmured to no one in particular. “I suppose then you were one of the citizens when the Imperium began conquering other Kingdoms. Heh, it’s not fun, is it?”

Putting her hands behind her head, she walked off in the direction of her assigned room. However, she stopped at the doorway before entering in fully.

“Of course, what do I know? It’s not like it’s gonna stop anytime soon. Maybe war is just a cycle thing, you know?”

It seemed as if she were trying to reassure herself then Ramses.

“She does have a mechanic, although I doubt that the mechanic would let them in, considering the woman's personality. Regardless, it might be worth it to go see if she's at her mechanic."

Spencer clapped his hands together to congratulate Elliot on his deduction skills. He’d have to remember rubbing this in Jackson’s face later.

“I see. Lead the way good man.”

"I understand, it won't happen again. You can tell the Superior that next time I walk in here, It will be to give him her head."

“With pleasure. You are both dismissed.”

The Knight motioned for the two of them to leave his office at once, as more important matters needed to be dealt with.