Chapter 163: Families

Seeker boarded the plane full of medical supplies. Seeker was disguised as one of the crew members of the flight to secretly enter the land of China. As the world had ceased its cross-border trades due to the World Governing Power's new rules, some trades were allowed to continue as it had to do with the lives of the citizens on other nations.

Pangean Eradication tech had very useful, practical and cheap alternatives during many of the advanced surgeries. It was also used as a cheaper way of counteracting leukemia and prolonging the lives of cancer patients. And thus, even in times like this, the WGP allowed medical trades that were deemed to be life-saving or preserving to continue.

All of the crew members were either from Harker's organizations, Meng's secret operatives and some, even where Lennox's employees. Of course, all of them greatly feared or respected their respective leaders and had no need to become Programmed Slaves.

Seeker sat down the plane as it began its liftoff.

He perused over the news which was now showing Harker and Lander's battle.

"This is definitely the Hero of Helion's Tragedy. Here is another footage we have captured during the battle of Helion's Tragedy. As you can see, the technique that this large Exoskeleton used is similar to the spin that Lander used in this footage!"

Two videos appearing side-by-side were being shown on Seeker's comm device. The first one was a video feed that one of New Zealand's soldiers managed to capture before dying. The video shows Lander's attacks and complicated twists when he faced off with several soldiers attacking Fort Helion. The other one was a citizen's recording of the battle. Both videos were taken at similar angles and the movements between the two were seamless and accurate.

Seeker switched to another news site and found several television personas talking about the incident. The one being interviewed was a military official brought in to answer the questions of the terrifying occurrence that day.

"So these rumors were in fact, true? Yet the public was not made aware that alien military technology had infiltrated Pangea? Isn't this a reflection of how weak the army's security is?!" The reporter angrily addressed the government official.

"What we detected was metal. That's it. Metal. You've seen the suit yourself. It somehow looks like it's made with the same form that the Dawn Soldiers of Australia had. The size was just as big. What this indicates is that Lander was wearing a new Dawn Armor Exoskeleton. The boosters and rockets that propelled that large exoskeleton could have been any other technology! You could buy gadgets and build one yourself!" The official angrily argued back.

"That should have been a loophole that you should have made preparations for! War is at the doors of Pangea! A little bit of effort is only needed!" The reporter chastised.

Seeker laughed at the two. Such skillful acting.

BEEP!

A call appeared and Seeker promptly answered.

"Hey, who's this lady reporter in the Phil-Pangean Media Arts channel?" Seeker wondered.

"You don't watch the news, do you? She's a skilled actress and T.V host."

"Is she a Programmed Slave?"

"No. We only made the media heads slaves. Why? Do you want her?"

"And how would I be different from any Aragarian if I said yes?" Seeker frowned.

"Then why are you asking?"

"Well… her acting is really convincing. I'm afraid that more people in Pangea will rally against you and could create more antagonist groups in Phil-Pangea."

"It was you who ordered that this media group go on a full-scale news crusade against us." Harker gave a dissatisfied grunt.

"No. It was Arthur's orders. Oh well… Considering how detailed he is; he should have known the prowess of her charisma. So I'm sure that Arthur commanding you to make this newsgroup create news against us is within his calculations. I wasn't a borne schemer. Why did Arthur plan this out?"

"Perfection is dangerous. If we make Phil-Pangea spotless, and without any forms of strife, we create a utopian image. Which is why he must have decided to make one media group go and fight us. It will give the Aragarians the impression-"

"I get it. That Pangea is not under one banner. If they see us divided, they'd try to exploit or bribe the other parties and more importantly not consider us a threat."

"Yes. We are deliberately putting on a divided front so that our enemies will not be worried. I think Arthur considered this when you told him of the plan to make Colestar our ally. With that recent stunt I pulled, I no longer have political enemies in Pangea. So I guess decided to create one. A political puppet that will act as our opposition."

"Ugh. I'm glad Arthur's here to watch my back." Seeker laughed.

"So, a Dalisay? Who was it that Cliff kidnaped?"

"We hit the jackpot. It's the strongest member of the Dalisy family. Gardo Dalisay."

"The Protector of the Province…"

"Oh? Did you know about him? I expected him to be an unknown figure in your future. I don't recall you ever attending my lectures about the families in Pangea. I thought you didn't care… but it seems you already know."

"No. I don't know about the families in Pangea. I only knew the Dalisay. It's good that we caught him this early. He was an unknown name in the future because he was already dead. Like many great warriors, he was forgotten. But to me, Lynd, Meryl, and Charles… that man probably among the bravest we ever knew."

"He saved your life?"

"Yes. I don't know about the battles that occurred in Pangea. What I did know was that not every family wanted to ally with the Aragarians and many rebelled. The most dangerous group who managed to put up a fight against your armies were the Dalisay clan. When Charles developed the drugs and found a way to push a man to the Unbecoming stage, it was almost too late. Charles would have been captured by your men and our future would have been over. The Dalisay clan was our way out of there."

"He is that powerful?"

"Yes. But it isn't because of his own skill. People attributed me as the first Unbecoming who was successful under Charles' drugs. But the truth is, I only took it because I had the confidence it would work. Gardo Dalisay was the real first. Though he died. We kept it a secret because we thought that if the Aragarians knew Gardo took the first drugs, they might look for his body or blood and reverse-engineer the drug Charles made."

"So this is why you're interested in the families around the world."

"We may never know. The Overcomers may have overshadowed the achievements of the many families on this Earth. But for me, The Dalisay was an extremely important family that made the Unlocking itself possible. Right now, if what Cliff said is true and if Charm really is a True Inheritor, then you have to convince her to take up arms and help you. Are you ready to meet them?"

"Not yet. We're waiting for Cliff to fall into a critical state."

"…"

Seeker was confused and had to use his own Advanced Recall to check if what he heard was correct.

"Critical state?"

"Yes. He said that once he enters a critical state, we can then proceed to show his almost dying body to Charm."

"Our Cliff asked that?" Seeker repeated.

"Yes. He was shot with bullets coated in Eradication technology. But because of his Unlocking, the eradication radiation is taking some time before it could be lethal for him. So we are waiting for the radiation to cause him to go into a more erm… critical state."

"The things we do for love…" Seeker laughed.

"Alright then. Continue with your mission. I may prolong my stay at China to wait for Lowengren and Alean. So until then, announce to have me and certain government officials under lockdown. Use that opportunity to make more Programmed Slaves out of the captured officials or you can use your Path. Have the packages been sent?"

"Yes. The two Aragarian hitmen you captured are being shipped off to the Tatsulok and they'll be sent through the pod soon. Once you reach China, they should be somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean."

"Good. Finally, we have some reliable sources. I can't wait for the Tyrant Empress to control them. If we have information with more Pioneers, we could find a way to get them before they know anything. You now have a reason to block all communications to Pangea and block border-crossing activities. As such, the disappearance of a few Planted hitmen ought to be normal. By the time you allow communication, Charles should be able to move the pod of those Planteds to meet the Tyrant Empress."

"Lucky them. The Tyrant Empress must be so bored of being locked on that pod. I can't imagine what pleasure they will experience." Harker could not help but feel envious.

"Don't be envious. Truthfully, the way she is now, she wouldn't sleep with anyone who isn't an Overcomer."

"Really? A woman like that? She's the very definition of lust!"

"Lust isn't the root of her path. It's pride. Would you have sex with insects? Anyways, I trust you know what to do with the Aragarian Zeraphine?" Seeker didn't bother explaining more and switched to a more serious tone.

"I plan to use Charm as the key piece. If what you said is true and this Zeraphine treats this Charm as a true friend, then if I get Charm to put on the mantle of a True Inheritor, she's sure to help."

"I'll leave you to it. Send the information about the whole True Inheritor business and send me a detailed introduction as to what these mighty Families do and more about their business. Although I'm sure the Humphrey's are already developing their plans to either control or kill the families of this world, I at least need to know the basics."

"I extended to you an offer of attending that meeting three months ago."

"And I thought I didn't need it. I never expected Zeraphine to become a Family." Seeker could only shake his head.

"Seeker… This Zeraphine. If she considers her Charm as her friend… is she an exception to the Aragarians? A soft-hearted person amongst monsters?"

Seeker was silent for a bit.

"She far worse than the rest. It's exactly because she is compassionate that you have to watch out. She is an Aragarian through and through. When it comes down to her compassion and her race, she will choose her race."

Harker didn't reply.

"I'll tell you and only you this. I'm going to play a very dangerous game with her." Seeker's tone suddenly changed.

Harker was surprised.

"Only you have the cruelty and coldness to sacrifice and cut off loose ends. Should you deem her as a threat, regardless of what I say or do, find a way to kill her. Even if it means fighting me." The call suddenly ended.

Harker was stunned at Seeker's words.

"General. Cliff has finally fainted."

Harker was surprised and rushed to check on Cliff's condition on the other room.

"Why does he have burn marks on his chest?"

"He asked us to use stun Tasers at him." The soldier responded.

Harker didn't know what to say. According to ranks, Cliff did surpass the ranks of these regular soldiers.

"Get him inside. It's time to meet those two students."

Charm and Lara waited in the underground areas of the base.

"I can't believe this happened…" Charm continued to sound her fright. They could hear the explosions and witnessed the attack on the news.

Lara was silent. She continued to look at the news which would constantly show the battle.

"Australian tech…?" She pondered.

"No one else can copy that technology. The Dawn Soldiers are something of Presider Gordon's technology. Even if they capture a live sample, there should be no way for them to be capable of creating hardened carbon skin…" Lara was deep in thought.

"I'll have to find ways to communicate with Presider Gordon. And I thought they said Lander died in battle… What's going on?" Lara was confused.

Suddenly, the doors opened. Freakin' fog invaded the entire room as the door slowly gave way. Out in the deep dark hallways beyond the door, a figure emerged.

His strides were grand.

His face was resolute.

His eyes shone with victory and his grin magnified his confidence.

His standing was stalwart and his foot planted firmly on the ground.

Lara and Charm held their breath at the figure before them.

He was the impeccable General.

The warrior who had just defeated Pangea's most feared enemy soldier.

And though he had no wounds to bear testament to his victory. But this was not needed. For victors like him not need trophies of their conquest for his deeds will forever be instilled in the heart of all Pangea.

He was General Harker Cipril. The Light of Pangea.

"Ge-General Harker!"

"My apologies for taking you both captive. I had intended to approach before but found no opportunities to do so that would draw unnecessary attention. At least, with these attacks, I can continue with my plan."

"Not at all, General, it's such an honor to have-"

"You said attacks?" Lara interrupted and raised her eyebrows.

"As expected of the Diamons. You caught on my words. That's right. That attack was a diversion. The rocket was meant to draw me out. That's why before we could even find him, the assassin chose to launch an all-out attack on me."

"Was it really Lander? The Hero of Helion's Tragedy?"

"What remained of him at least. Something was not right in the battle. It was as if I was fighting against-"

"A machine?" Lara continued.

Harker gave Lara a scrutinizing look.

"It seems there are more than meets the eye to you. May I ask what secrets your family has been hiding to this world, Miss Diamon?"

"I will answer and tell you the secrets of my family but you must give me information of equal value." Lara gazed back.

Charm was shocked at Lara's boldness.

"Interesting." Harker smiled.

"Well?" Lara asked once more.

"I'll have to decline." Harker shook his head.

Lara was stunned.

"At least for now. Charm… Three places were attacked. The first was school, the second was on a secret and unremarkable van that was meant to transport President Colestar. And the third was Seeker Carlean."

"What?" Lara and Charm shouted in shock.

"Seeker managed to survive. But only because Cliff protected him. As you know, he was a secret soldier. And this saved Seeker's life.

"Where is Cliff?"

"Next room. His condition is critical." Harker answered firmly.

Charm dashed off without another word.

"Charm!" Lara followed and quickly left the room to follow Charm.

The moment they stepped out, Harker dialed a number and started to take in deep breathes. Sweat poured out down his back but was thankfully hidden by the specialized cloth which made up his uniform.

"Harker?" Seeker frowned.

"You didn't tell me she had mind-controlling or mind-manipulating technologies! I almost gave in!" Harker spoke in a speed and volume that normal humans wouldn't understand.

Seeker froze when he heard it.

His memories poured out once more. Both the Adult and the Child each reviewed bits and pieces of their memories with Zeraphine.

Seeker's other arm was shaking uncontrollably.

"I didn't know. Be careful then." Seeker abruptly hanged up.

The Adult had already manifested itself and sat on the seat in front of the Child.

"…If this is true, then she might have faked her death." The Child was the first to speak.

"I know." The Adult tried to contain his anger.

"So that's how she did it. She was playing with your heart from the start. You couldn't detect or fight it yet. Luckily, Harker specialized in manipulating others otherwise, he might have been affected by her micro mind-controls."

A thought then popped out of Seeker's mind. He immediately took out his phone and dialed a number.

"…Richie. Plans have changed. Finish whatever missions you have to draw out those powerful hitmen and start gathering your team. I will be releasing the Empress a month earlier. I want you two to make war with each other." Seeker coldly commanded.

"Ohhh… Sounds serious." A familiar laugh happened on the other side.