A Bio-Weapon’s Rhapsody

At the end Alexa had decided to run away and return the stage to Alexa, what did this mean?

 

“The old one ran away!” Alexa screamed as she was once more sitting with oversized clothes atop her, “And she didn’t even give me my clothes back!”

 

Alexa had rushed the shift and didn’t prepare a change of clothes, so she ended up with an oversized blouse, pants that dropped to the ground, and underwear that she couldn’t fit.

 

She was totally not angry about not being able to fill her top, totally.

 

“I DECLARE INJUSTICE!” Alexa also wasn’t grumbling while repurposing the materials to create a new set of cute clothes for herself.

 

No sir.

 

“Okay, that is good enough for now, Alexa.” [Eleanore] said from the side trying to not laugh at her misfortune, she was not having much success on it.

 

“*Glare*” Alexa glared as she repurposed the weird booba thing into a smaller undershirt she put under her blouse.

 

She was now also wearing a double top!

 

“It… doesn’t make it…. more…. intimidating… just because… you say Glare…” [Eleanore] in the end started laughing at Alexa.

 

Alexa did not share her opinion, she felt intimidating! She was intimidating!

 

What could be more intimidating than Alexa wearing a pink frilly blouse with a pair of cute shorts!

 

“Oh god, I needed that… thank you Alexa.” [Eleanore] said drying some tears from her eyes, it was weird, she had shed tears but to Alexa it didn’t look like something sad. [Humans] were weird. “Okay, that is enough. So…tomorrow you will be going back to class.”

 

That was normal, Alexa had gotten the calendar for her [Education] and it stated that she would be going five days per week. She could go less, but she would need to take some [Exams], and under the new education system, that would mean having a [War] against other students with low grades.

 

So that could mean having more [Combat Tests].

 

“I can eat my opponents, right?” Alexa asked just to be sure.

 

“No Alexa, not munching on your school friends, that is bad manners, good girls don’t bite their classmates.” [Eleanore] said with some mirth in her tone.

 

This was bad for her. It meant that she would need to find the [Human] sample in another place. Perhaps she could attempt to find another [School]? Surely there would be more…She couldn’t go to the others [Eleanore] had offered her to go to; those were for other [Stages].

 

Perhaps she could ask?

 

“Also get ready, we are setting up a big job on the next days.” [Eleanore] suddenly said passing her another [Pamphlet], did they only use these format?

 

“Will it be for Alexa? Or for Alexa?” Alexa asked, “Or will you use Alexa again?”

 

She needed to know so she could prepare better. Nothing much would change if it was Alexa or Alexa, and she doubted they would let her out to play as Alexa. These pesky humans didn’t let Alexa have fun!

 

Well, she had fun as Alexa too…

 

“...Are you doing it on purpose?” [Eleanore] asked with a grimace. “It is for the adult you.”

 

“I mean, we all are Alexa.” Alexa said with a shrug, “But yeah…You can call me Alexa, and the [Teenager Stage] Ale, and the mean one can be Alexandra.”

 

Alexa decided.

 

“Don’t you need to ask them too?” [Eleanore] asked going over by the names.

 

“They won’t mind.” Alexa said pointing at her head, “They all are here and if they want to complain they can do so later.”

 

[Eleanore] just turned to look at her as if to wait for something to happen, only for silence to be the answer.

 

“Fair.” [Eleanore] ended up saying, “And which one will take the name Rhapsody then? That is your code name, but do we use it for the three?”

 

“The one using the [White Mask] is the one that will be called [Rhapsody].” Alexa answered, it was quite easy to decide that one, “That is the name we took to work here, so it is fair for all of us that the one working at the moment can use the name.”

 

And like this, she wouldn’t end up calling herself Rhapso, Rha, and Rhapsody. That just sounded weird.

 

Who would even want to be called Rhapso?!?!? It sounds like Fatso, and that in turn would mean that she would be close in name to Mister Pig! The horror! No one deserved that horror.

 

Alexa couldn’t help but shudder at the image of sharing something with that Mr Pig.

 

“Okay, speaking about that.” [Eleanore] said pulling a photo of the [Lieutenant] forward, “Do you know him?”

 

Alexa was startled at the image of course, she hadn’t expected to see the [Lieutenant] quite here… or now.

 

“Yes….?” Alexa answered unsure of how much she should elaborate, if he was part of an isolated system, then answering positive would mean giving away her past location, and Main Core had been quite adamant that doing so would be bad. “He looks like how you said someone who owns the bloodline of the [Saintsworths] could look.”

 

Alexa pointed at the [Lieutenant] 's shirt. He was wearing a small, jewelry-like decoration of the [Eagle].

 

“...Right, he is indeed someone whose blood is that of a Saintsworths…” [Eleanore] said shaking her head, “This man is Alexanders Saintsworths, the CEO and owner of the Saintsworths Conglomerate. One of the most heinous and dangerous men alive.”

 

…Really?

 

Alexa looked once more at the picture, he seemed like someone [Bored] or [Tired], she of course knew he was dangerous, he had managed to fight against her witouth using any degree of power or [Power].

 

He fought using the bare minimum the [Human Body] could achieve without going into the [SuperHuman], and by doing so, he had achieved the [Core Creation] at the same time as her.

 

So he was dangerous even using the baseline enhancements a normal [Human] had, now that he also had a [Core]? He was even more dangerous…

 

“Even if he looks like someone stupid?” Alexa said aloud.

 

“...Yes Alexa, even if he looks stupid. He is dangerous, especially because he looks like that; even Vulcanus focuses all his gearhead when dealing with him. He is dangerous not for who he is, but for what he can do.” [Eleanore] said once more, as if to make it sure Alexa understood, she then brought a map of what looked to be the upper side of the [Sewer System].

 

So in a nutshell, a map of the [City] she was currently in.

 

“This is our city, and these are buildings owned by his company, himself, or some ghost corporations under his umbrella that we have proof of.” The map had eagles marked upon some squares.

 

Alexa read and went over the names and locations.

 

“[Recorded geographical data, comparing against database…tracing route host has taken since breaching containment…point of origin found.]”

 

“[Recording data, labeling it under database. Columbus, Ohio.]”

 

So she was in Columbus, Ohio…whatever that was.

 

“See? He owes or controls more than half the City. Of course, that doesn’t make him dangerous; plenty of people control more land or people here. Hell, some of the Villain Organizations within this City control more parts of the City.” [Eleanore] smirked as she said that.

 

Then what was the problem?

 

“The problem is that he is legit. He can walk under the light as if he were a saint, and some people do think of him like that. That he is good for the world…That he is helping Humanity move forward…” [Eleanore] said as she balled her fists and made parts of the map crumble under her hands. “But we know better, Vulcanus, Gabriel, Billy and even myself..”

 

[Eleanore] took a deep breath to recenter herself and turned to look at Alexa.

 

“Sorry about that, we have some history with the Saintsworths, and those that stand at the top.” [Eleanore] sighed, turning to look at Alexa then to the picture. “And honestly, we should be thankful to Alexanders, but… I can’t get our interaction with him out of my head…”

 

She knew the [Lieutenant]?

 

“What happened?” Alexa asked, “Was he mean?”

 

She knew the [Lieutenant] could be mean, he had cheated when he fought against her after all… And then he gave her a snack…

 

She still hadn’t made the Blueprint of that [Gun], she needed some chemicals to be able to craft the [Ammunition] first.

 

“I should thank him, he rescued us from a bad spot… And you know what he said?” [Eleanore] laughed…but this was diffeent, it was a sad laugh.

 

“What did he say?” Alexa asked confused.

 

“He said that he was not a good person.” [Eleanore] sighed, “And it was [Truth].”

 

Alexa…did not see the problem there, she did not think the [Lieutenant] was good either. He was mean after all.

 

"But he still helped you, right?" Alexa asked for confirmation.

 

“...I guess, but then what does it mean when someone bad saves you? When he gets praised for his efforts, and they raise a new statue in his honor?” [Eleanore] turned to look at Alexa, “What makes that us?”

 

“We are [Villains], right?” Alexa said, unfolding her mask, “Should it matter this much? What is the deal with what [Label] we wield?”

 

Alexa at least had thought the conversation about [Labels] would have ended when Main Core spoke with [Eleanore], but it seemed that it would continue even with her.

 

“....I guess you are right..” [Eleanore] said, turning to stare at the map once more, “It doesn’t matter what we pretend to be or do, but what we are ourselves. Alexanders may think of himself as a bad person…but that doesn’t mean he is.”

 

“Oh no, he is [Mean].” Alexa said nodding her head, “Look at him, he oozes this ‘I am [Evil]’ vibe.”

 

She didn’t like him, he was mean to her, and also cheated.

 

“He also looks like someone who [Cheats] on [Tests],” Alexa added, yes. He [Cheated], even if she couldn’t prove it…

 

No, wait, she could actually prove it. Didn’t they have the logs of the fight?

 

“[Correct, logs of combat are stored within database for learning purpouses.]”

 

Alexa had evidence!

 

“Hahah, yes…” [Eleanore] laughed with Alexa, “He does look like someone who cheats in his exams…”

 

[Eleanore] then rolled up the map ignoring the parts that had been crumbled, she then sat and sighed, was she tired?

 

“Okay, that is enough of it for now. So…I just wanted you to be aware of this man.” [Eleanore] said, pointing again to the photo, “He looks way too much like you, so he could be one of the people from your family. Either as a brother or as a cousin.”

 

“Not a [Parent]?” Alexa asked, she had thought that would be the first assumption, she suspected her [Blueprint] had come from him after all.

 

“No, he would be between thirteen to fourteen years old if he was to be your parent…Or I guess that would depend on how old you are…” [Eleanore] said, turning to look at her once again.

 

Didn’t Alexa say it before?

 

“Alexa is [Five-year Old]!” Alexa stated once more while showing her hand with each finger extended.

 

“...right…” [Eleanore] didn’t seem to be convinced about that.

 

But it was the [Truth] no matter how she looked at it, Alexa even had proof!

 

 

It said it right there, she was [Five-Year Old]...also [Twelve] and [Nineteen], but right now she was [Five]!

 

“So nothing changes if I meet him right?” Alexa asked pointing at the [Lieutenant], “He is a [Saintsworths] so I must [Run away] right?”

 

Alexa wanted to be sure.

 

“Yes… well, if he doesn’t say anything to you then I guess its fine…” [Eleanore] said thinking, “If he says that you are his family…then it may turn complicated, how attached are you to that apparience?”

 

What?

 

“Alexa is the cutestest.” Alexa stated with seriousness in her voice, all the seriousness and cutestest one could muster!

 

“....we will see about that if it comes to it then.” [Eleanore] said in the end, not sure what that meant though, there was something that couldn’t be solved by being the cutestest? That’s impossible! “So tell me, Alexa, do you have a problem with returning to classes?”

 

No!

 

“No!” Alexa said quickly, “I know the [Test] didn’t end that well, but I want to go back. Next time, I will do better!”

 

[Eleanore] once again grimaced at Alexa’s statement, these [Humans] were weird.

 

“No, that wasn’t a test or anything. It was an accident that shouldn’t have happened. A school is a safe place…” [Eleanore] started saying that, so Alexa brought the pamphlet Mister Pig gave her.

 

And silently placed it in front of [Eleanore].

 

“...that does not count, and besides. They should give you artifacts with shields on them.” [Eleanore] said pointing the data that said such a thing, “Anyway, you were supposed to learn and make friends. Not having a close brush with death and having to knock down a classmate.”

 

…So that wasn’t a normal class day? That meant that her usual class days would be… More boring?

 

“Tomorrow with some luck you will have a more normal class, Lisa may need to take some days off, but we will see.” [Eleanore] said looking at her phone as if to check something, “And it’s way late, okay. Let’s end this here, we need to go back home.”

 

Well, they wouldn’t need to go back to the apartment if [Eleanore] hadn’t decided to come here…

 

“Alexa, do you want us to try and find out your parents?” [Eleanore] suddenly asked, Alexa turned to look confused at [Eleanore] only to find her staring her with her eyes shining in azure light.

 

She was using her [Core Power] to make sure Alexa said the [Truth]? That seemed like…

 

“[Overkill]”

 

An exaggeration yes.

 

“Not really,” Alexa answered. She wasn’t that interested in what [Biological Parents] she had, mostly because she knew that they didn’t exist, not in the same sense that they may exist for a [Human].

 

She wasn’t a [Human] after all, not in the same sense that others thought. She had a [Human] body yes, but that had been crafted from a [Blueprint], any [Biological Parent] that [Eleanore] found would not be her [Parent].

 

“[Truth],” [Eleanore] answered as her eyes powered down. “You make my life harder, you know that right?”

 

Alexa did? Impossible. Having the cutestest around her should make her life easier if nothing else, add the fact that she also had the pretiestest and the most beautiful… Yeah, [Eleanore] should have the best life possible of all.

 

“Okay, let’s do it this way, then.” [Eleanore] said, after thinking for a few seconds. She stood from her seat and walked around the desk to stand in front of Alexa. “If we find your parents, we will let you meet them. But we will not give you to them unless you really want it, all of you. All your bits, not only the ones I know, not only the ones you have shown us. All of you.”

 

…All of Alexa?

 

“Sure!” Alexa nodded. It was a meaningless promise; no matter how much she searched, she would not find anyone with a [Biological] link to her. “But in exchange, I want [Mango]!”

 

Alexa decided to take this chance to take what was due. She wanted mango!

 

“We can do that yes,” [Eleanore] said laughing once again, Alexa liked it more when she laughed. “Let’s go back home.”

 

And just like that, Alexa and [Eleanore] left the office she had come to a few days ago. The same place that [Frank the betle] had pointed her to.

 

The place that had changed her view of [Humanity] in more than one way. She now needed to prepare for another day at [School] and after that, she would get a new [Mission].

 

“Also, stop thinking everything you encounter is a test.” [Eleanore] suddenly said breaking her [Introspection]. “Your only mission is to be happy and learn everything you can at school, let the adult worry about missions, tests and work.”

 

….

 

“So I should let Alexandra worry about work, Ale to worry about missions and [Rhapsody] to worry about [Tests]?” Alexa asked back.

 

Only receiving a chop on her head as an answer, “Cheeky girl, from now on, if you find yourself in a situation like that one, don’t wait for someone to tell you what to do. Your first and most important order is to protect yourself, then your friends or family…Afterward, those you can protect without breaking the first or second priority.”

 

That seemed…. oddly vague.

 

“Okay.” Alexa nodded. She wasn’t quite sure if this would apply to any situation. And what of situations outside [Haephestus’ Forge] area of influence?”

 

“This priority is valid everywhere in this world, not only in this City. No matter where you go, this is valid everywhere. I can guarantee it, my Core Power will not allow me to lie, remember?” [Eleanore] said with a smile on her face as her eyes shone in azure light.

 

Evidence of her using her [Core Power].

 

So…It was that easy?

 

This seemed…[Wrong].

 

But [Eleanore] couldn’t tell lies…

 

What….what did this mean then? The [Rules] she worked were…[Wrong]?

 

She needed more data.

 

Thankfully tomorrow she would get more answers at [School]...She…she many need to re evaluate her life outlook.