Chapter 79: Call Me Uncle

A week has passed since the incident at New Birth known as the Australian Avarice came to light and the war that followed.

At the immediate command of the World Governing Powers, the British and Russian fleet stopped attacking and pulled back. China maintained to continue its attacks but as Australia finally managed to organize its armies and spread their forces, the advanced technology of the EMP fields led them to an easy victory. China was forced to abandon the conquered bases and retreat. Nearly half of the Chinese fleet was destroyed in the decisive battle.

After which, all the fleets of the various super-powers that wanted to invade Australia, stopped as it learned from China's mistake.

The talks of peace then began as the World Governing Powers held a trial for all of Australia's crimes.

The bickering and accusations on Australia had piled up since the New Great Britain released the names of all the hostages they managed to rescue along with a handful of Pangean soldiers.

After a week of collaborating with other nations, New Great Britain released a comprehensive list of all thirty-two individuals who were rescued. Each one of them was people who went missing or were presumed dead due to accidents.

The world erupted at the releasing of the names. There were three individuals who belonged to Russia, four in China, two in Great Britain and the rest came from different countries.

"If Australia cannot send back my countrymen back, then I motion to repeal the prohibition of using Weapons of Mass Destruction against Australia! God knows what they are doing to my countrymen! And why stop with Pangea? What about the Chinese? The Russians? Are you tinkering with their organs too?!" Albert Hoross shouted with fanatical rage.

This caused Australia to immediately release footages of the Pangean native's current statuses. Australia didn't hide the fact that all Pangean Natives were detained as hostages.

"We will not release them! Among our prisoners are natives from all your homeland! We aren't so stupid! If all of you start spreading lies about my country hoping that we would hand over our technology, then we will face extinction! So here! Our country holds over seventy million foreigners at this time. And we won't be afraid to kill them! So go ahead! Send your nuclear rain! You will, however, be forced to enjoy the Cyber Abominations!" General Sledger of the Australian Army threatened.

"ORDER! ORDER!" The Supreme Judge slammed his hammer.

"General Sledger! Threats like that will not do well in this meeting!"

"Threats?! You all bring up lies about our country and attack us without due process and you talk of threats?!" The General challenged.

Australian representatives all pointed to the pieces of evidence that Pangea was probably after their technology and prepared this lie.

The court asked Australia to present evidence of its claim that Pangea attacked without warning but could only bring Pangean equipment's that they managed to salvage on the attack on New Birth Fort. No video evidence was captured due to several reasons.

The Light Breaker disabled all civilian cameras and shooting videos were impossible due to the interfering EMP signal. The only equipment's that could capture video surveillance that may be used as evidence were all wiped clean. No video footages managed to get out of New Birth Fort due to the Light Breaker.

With such an absurd excuse, President Hoross laughed and scoffed at Australia loudly. He did not even act like someone representing a country in a trial that was hosted by the World Governing Powers.

"President Hoross! You are acting out of line! Please allow Australia to make its defense!" The Judge ordered.

"With all due respect your honor… If I am acting out of line, it's because…" Hoross paused.

"MY SON DIED!" Albert Hoross gave an enraged scream which shocked everyone.

As the news continued to play itself on a large TV, Cliff was standing over the wearied bodies of his former gang members.

"What's Cyber Abomination?" He asked in confusion.

"You really need to attend class, Cliff." Lynd laughed.

The gang members expected their once fearless boss to pound Lynd for disrespecting him, but they were shocked at his reply.

"Could you tell me?" Cliff asked respectfully.

"Boss?" One gang member found the strength to ask.

Cliff simply shook his head in response. Are you crazy? That guy could emulate Seeker! So what if he disrespected me?

"Don't worry. You were probably absent during the time this was discussed. If you were present, you should be able to remember it. I think…" Lynd awkwardly covered for Cliff.

"It's a Cybercrime where you record the playful and usually horrible torture and execution of other humans. Back during the Third World War and even during the Continental Wars, another war was happening. The Online War. People were bad-mouthing their enemies online. Trolls were making memes and social media videos where they were bad-mouthing and making fun of these enemy countries. Some memes became known worldwide and the world poked fun at these nations. It was all fun and dandy until these enemy nations managed to capture several cities and started making video memes of executing and massacring people. Some even managed to track the relatives of the most famous meme-makers which insulted their country and killed his relatives following the video style of these memes."

"Why do you sound like Professor Darian?"

"Oh sorry. Force of habit." Lynd laughed.

"Next thing you know; Lynd will be copying me." Alean entered the room.

"Miss Alean!" Lynd stood up and smiled.

"Is this all of them, Cliff?"

"Yes."

"Just be sure to keep them under control. And try not to work them to death. Not everyone is like you. I won't be surprised if they could only reach Unbecoming." Alean gave a word of advice before motioning Lynd to follow her.

The pair walked away

"Looks like it's time for Lynd to become a man." Cliff sighed enviously.

BANG!

A gunfire was heard but Cliff dodged it.

"Seriously? You could've killed me!?" Cliff complained angrily as the two walked up towards the stairs leaving the large white room they were training in.

"Are they here already?"

"Seeker's." Alean nodded.

"Meryl's and your parents are on their way."

BANG! BANG!

The pair gave a confused look towards the room where the gunshots were heard.

"Lynd?"

"How did Mr. Carlean bring a gun?" Lynd wondered as he released his concentration.

"Shot my dad, did he?"

"Yeah."

Alean sighed.

"Well… Chris has been going after our heads for so long. He probably shot my dad on sight… Too bad. He's a day late." Alean and Lynd calmly walked towards the room.

Meanwhile, Harker finally managed to grapple the pair of deranged parents and tied them securely on the seat.

"If you two weren't his parent's I would've beaten you two!" Harker complained as he managed to gag Chris.

"Now…As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted…" Harker frowned as he looked at the two holes behind him.

"Your son is currently in a coma. He is safe and should be able to reawaken in the next week or so. In the meantime, we need you to do a little detective work." Harker smiled.

Alean was the first to walk in the room.

"Good thing you've reached Unbecoming." Alean laughed.

Chris and Grace's eyes went wide open as they saw Alean. Their eyes of shock then turned into a fierce glare.

"Why did you gag them?"

"They've been spitting. A lot." Harker answered helplessly.

"How does it feel to be a subordinate, dad?" Alean laughed happily and disrespectfully.

"Just tell your boss I handled his parents with care."

"Right now, Lynd's my boss."

Lynd finally entered the room.

"Hi, Uncle Chris! Aunt Grace! Errm... Why are they gagged?" Lynd then turned to Harker and frowned.

Harker could only sigh helplessly.

Lynd removed the gags from the two.

"Lynd! What's going on?"

"Long story, Uncle Chris. Let's just wait for Meryl and my parents to arrive." Lynd smiled.

"For the meantime, can you not shoot my subordinates?"

"Subordinates?" Chris and Grace echoed.

"Yeah. I know you and Mr. Cipril has had a lot of history together. But they're kind of like my subordinates for the time being. Well actually, Zeek's their boss. But right now, they're tasked to complete some stuff and I have to keep an eye on them."

"You mean… he's working for you?" Chris answered with disbelief.

"Yeah. Umm… oh, I know! How about this. Mr. Cipril, please call me Uncle."

Harker stood there silent.

Alean gave a light laugh.

"Uncle?" Chris gave a strange expression.

"Well… he's kind of like a well-known General, right? Right now, some treat him as a hero! What if he calls me Uncle? Wouldn't that prove my point?" Lynd smiled innocently.

The soldiers around them gave a curious look at what would happen.

"Unc… Uncle?" Harker hesitantly spoke.

"I think you need to do it more respectfully." Lynd evaluated.

Harker gave a soft growl.

"Uncle Lynd." Harker voiced out.

"Somethings missing," Alean spoke before Lynd could even react.

Harker glared at her daughter.

"Do it with a respectful expression. And kneel down while saying, Uncle Lynd. In fact, let's make it, His Great Highness Uncle Lynd. Also, give a Knight-styled sword salute." Alean smiled.

"I don't think that would be…"

"Just make him do it, Lynd," Alean commanded.

"Al-Alright…Mr. Cipril… If you will?"

Harker was fuming with rage but gripped his fist and gave a respectful bow and patted his chest three times.

"His Great Highness Uncle Lynd." Harker bowed.

Chris and Grace stared with a bewildered expression.

"Yeah…" Lynd smiled embarrassedly.

"I hope that convinces you guys." Lynd smiled and looked at Chris and Grace.

"Make him cluck like a chicken and flap his arms." Grace suggested.

"Grace!" Chris scolded.

Grace gave an embarrassed look.

"Make him do that, topless." Chris then added seriously.

Lynd was surprised but saw the serious stares of Seeker's parents.

"Uh…." Lynd gave a helpless smile.

"Wait… Why am I bringing it up to you? You said Zeek's his boss, right? Well, as Zeek's father, aren't I half his boss? So do what I say, Harker!" Chris declared loudly.

Harker cursed silently.

"Sorry, Mr. Cipril. I mean, you've got to pay for your sins one way or the other right?"

That day, malicious and insidious deeds were made. Harker lost all forms of dignity as a General, in fact, his dignity as a human crumbled right before the eyes of his own soldiers. The tyrannical couple took their sweet time and started with making Harker do the hokey pokey with other soldiers.

As for the other deeds, even Alean and Lynd would never know as they walked out of the room in embarrassment.

Harker died that day. And out of Harker's broken self-esteem rose the Path which Harker would later master, Shameless Audacity.

While Harker did unspeakable tasks that would put the twelve labors of Hercules into mere child's play, a submarine was headed towards the edges of Australia's Area of Responsibility.

Arthur was seated patiently. He was wearing a dark synthetic outfit.

"Are you guys ready?" Arthur turned to a group of twelve. There were teens and adults among the group and the group was evenly divided among the two genders.

"This is crazy, Arthy." Meryl sighed as entered the room.

"No, it's not. A week's worth of training and the fact that they've been taking Charles experimental drugs… This should be enough for these twelve to sabotage Australia from the inside."

"Not that. I mean the fact that we have to ride a missile and jump right before these missiles bomb the base."

"That won't be a problem." Arthur took one more glance at the Twelve Disciples.

Each of the Twelve had a deep hatred for what Australia has done to them. Even at the cost of their lives, they didn't have any problems with this mission.

Meryl gave a light sigh then turned to the Twelve.

"Alright Class! This is going to be your final exam. We'll only help you up to the initial battle. How you infiltrate Australia will be up to you. I hope that you all will make it out alive."