Unsung Guardian
This is an older story I wrote in 2008 heavily inspired by Gundam and Zoids. The main thing about it was just to showcase that one of my main characters: AnAnonymousFox and their general martyr complex, on that its a character that will do what they believe in even if it kills them. Basic premise revolves around mechs that actually have a living soul planted in them. And then a long time (probably well over 100 years) before the start of the story there was a massive war raging through the lands and a group of mechs that managed to rise up through that experience to reach a level beyond anything else at the time managed to put an end to the war and found the kingdom they live in and as a reward were given a place of their own so long as they came when needed. And that country has gotten itself into another war and the prince has come to collect on their promise.
I really liked the notion of the fact that in this story you can understand why both take the stance they do and how both feel justified in their actions. I'll also admit this is one of only two short stories that i have done so far that I was genuinely tempted to try and see if I could write a full length story going into what happened prior to the story. Let me know what you all think about that concept.
I step out of the barrier and face them, having already seen the events that are to follow. It is not so much a means of precognition; in fact if such an ability did exist I would prefer to never have a glimpse of what it shows. Nay, I know what is to follow simply because it was an inevitability as soon as the construction of Foznetal was completed. It never was an issue of if they'd come but when. I shall die here, I know. Fox models are not ideal for open conflict. We are built for our guile and maneuverability, not our power or speed. Even one such as I in a body as mine cannot hope to defeat a hundred different units, each one designed specifically for battle. We shall fight here today, I shall die and then they shall lose. It is all so predictable. It is a shame they cannot see this. As the passage behinds me begins to close the skies above us begin to darken in anticipation for what is to come.
One unit in the far back stands as a giant among the others. Not so much in regards to actual size but the bearing of it. The decoration along its sides is proof enough that this is one of the kingdom's princes, even if my sensors are not quite advanced enough to make out any details from this still considerable distance between us. A signal is sent from this unit to me, indicating that the pilot would like to open a dialog. Protocol dictates that I must at least listen to his words, even if I know in the end this conversation will do nothing.
"We have come to see to it that the inhabitants of Foznetal live up to their agreement made between your people and my ancestors several generations ago."
His voice sounded confident and regal which in this case is a fatal flaw. One does not demand anything from us if they expect to be given any consideration. Politeness always has worked far more wonders than any stern command has. Still there is a form of respect to his voice, a sign that though he is sure that I will simply bow down and submit that he knows well enough of what I am capable of. I quickly notice one of their Fox models sneaking a hack into the communication line between the two of us. A foolish little Kit. One that must not know who it is they are trying to hack into. Or perhaps it does. All it seems to be doing is staying in my comm. systems as if afraid to venture further into my mind. Most likely doing only the job given to monitor my communications and if I send any signal back to the Sanctuary to monitor the access codes or frequencies I use so that they may use them later on. Which means that escape is impossible. If I try to run they would be immediately alerted of such and there is a forty-two percent chance that by the time I could get back into Foznetal and have the barrier closed again that at least one of their speed based Cheetah models would have managed to get in as well. Even if it didn't they'd now have the access codes to Foznetal. Still, it was something I anticipated.
"We are not needed. We will not come," I state calmly through the link as I begin to back-hack the kit that had tried to hack into my systems without me knowing.
While there I start to upload a virus into the other Fox model's operating system and it doesn't even seem aware of it. I tuck it nice and securely in the back of its mind in such a place that unless it was familiar with what it could potentially do with its processors it would never check. I then move and ride their own communication network and begin to spread my virus throughout all their units.
"Of course you are needed. Are you not aware of what's going on?"
"I am."
"Then you know that without your help we will most likely lose this war."
"Still, at this time we are not needed." I state as lightning begins to course through the air.
I monitor the reactions to some of the pilots in the various models facing off against me. Some seem very skittish from the lightning, rookies no doubt. Others seem rather nervous, their heart rates racing regardless of the lightning or not. Those must know of who they are facing off against. A few seem to be perfectly calm, however, a sign that they either have no clue what I can do; what any of Foznetal can do, or that confident in their abilities that they feel they would win in a fight. I would not be surprised if one or two of them have convinced themselves that they will be allowed to pilot us once we come out of the barrier. A foolish notion. Still, the prince seems undeterred.
"I'm going to have to demand that you fulfill your vow to us and assist us in this war. Without your aid we will surely lose this war. Thus we do need you."
"If we come when we are needed we will always come when we are needed. If you demand we come when you only think you need us but really only want us, and we come, then next time you will demand we come when you want, but do not feel you need us. If we at this point come then you will demand we come at the slightest sign of trouble, no matter what it may be. By this point this place will seem a burden to you and thus you will demand we destroy our home so that we may better serve you. No, I think we shall stay here."
"How can you say that we do not need you? If you do not come to help us now thousands of people will die within a few months before they can be beaten back later on, even with your help."
With the virus now planted in almost every one of them I begin my next task and slowly start to eat away at the control mechanisms for the units. Seems that this kingdom has forsaken the use of considering the pilot and unit a partnership and have resorted to controlling them instead. I run a quick scenario and find with how things are currently situated I stand a zero point zero two percent chance at survival.
"That is the most likely outcome. But you are incorrectly placing the measure of the value of our lives to your own. To you we are but tools, things to do as you desire; nothing else. Even in the unlikely case that you do hold the value of our lives as being equal to your own it would be acceptable to sacrifice a few of us if it means saving many more lives. But you are mistaken in this. We are not your equals. The value of a human life does not even come close to the value of our own. If a human dies the people around them weep but within twenty to fifty years someone would be able to replace them, having at least as good of skills and understanding as the one that died. How long, human, would it take to replace one of us if we die? How many years would it take before another can come and do what I can do, understand what I understand? Can you answer me that human?"
I pause, giving the implication of providing dramatic effect. The prince seems speechless, taken back from that affront to his own sense of value while at the same time trying to come up with some sort of reply to counter my argument, to convince me of what he thinks is the right course of action. Instead I am using this time to slowly turn the cannons strapped to my back to one side, taking careful aim at one of the more confident pilots in one of the long ranged units. At the same time my virus is starting to activate and proceed to go into its first phase: to start to ruin the visual alignment of all of their weapons. I do not expect for this to work completely. I know that at least a few will be able to adapt to the change very quickly and be almost as accurate after only a few shots. Still it is a measure that must be taken to maximize my chances.
"You cannot. The very reason you are coming to demand our aid is because we are so rare and irreplaceable. If we could be replaced in any timescale that is comparable to the rate that you humans can be replaced you wouldn't be here with a hundred units to try and force us to join you. You do not really understand our value. The very fact you are bringing so many units is proof of this as well of the fact you do not really need us. If we were needed then in a battle we would be placed in the back and protected because your very survival would depend on us staying alive as long as possible. If we are merely wanted we would be placed in the front where we would do the most good. True we would likely win any battle we were placed in, provided numbers were not too one-sided but we would still lose valuable friends, ones that cannot be replaced. The more we are put in the front the more of us would fall and eventually there will be none left. If you understood what we mean to you; what we truly mean to your people then you would not have sent so many to take us with you."
The prince breathes in and out slowly, trying to calm himself. Finally he speaks back through the line.
"Would you allow me to go in there and try and talk to them? Maybe a few would be willing enough to provide some assistance."
"I cannot. Humans are not allowed in Foznetal."
"Then would you go back and ask them yourself?"
"I cannot. Nor would you allow me to. As soon as I'm back inside there would be nothing to keep me from breaking my word and staying inside. You cannot break your way in and you know it. So instead you would try to make one of your runners get in before the barrier closes."
The prince frowns at this, apparently a nerve had been struck. He tries to respond but his voice squeaks slightly and he pauses to get a hold of himself.
"Then would you be willing to send a signal into Foznetal and ask them for me."
"I will not." I state as calmly as I have this entire time.
"Damn it all. We gave you your little home and have allowed you to keep the land that it inhabits. We should have every right to demand you keep your side of the bargain."
"Foznetal was not a gift, it was payment for what we gave all those years ago. It has never belonged to any human, just as there has never been a single human allowed inside of Foznetal."
I pause for a moment. For the most part I stop paying attention to what his response is, it makes little difference. I quickly run a last minute scenario on my chances. As things currently stand I can expect my virus to take out about thirty of them, another twenty will leave now that their control mechanisms are gone. Which leaves me facing off against fifty. I will be given the first shot, whether he knows it or not and my first shot, having had so much time to aim it carefully, will kill that unit and its pilot instantly. The virus will disrupt their accuracy greatly. I imagine four or five will be killed by their own side. After I have taken out about two thirds of the rest of their units the better warriors will finally start to compensate for the virus. But it'll be a rookie that will hit me first. Which one doesn't matter. I would be spending so much time trying to keep the better ones from hitting me that I would be hit by someone who isn't as skilled and would have seemed to be out of the fight while trying to get in one good shot. I'll end up getting a few more shots after that. By the time I would have destroyed the last of the long-ranged fighters I would have sustained major injuries to at least one of my legs. Right after that one of the close combat units will destroy the last of my mounted guns. I'll likely be given one last chance to surrender which I won't accept. It will be only a minute or two after that that I, AnAnonymousFox, a unit that helped form this country all those years ago, shall die. They will likely try to take me in alive but my lightning will make it that only four or five are left fighting when I do fall. And I have placed in my mind a code that when I am defeated in battle and about to either die or lose consciousness that I will use all the control over lightning that I have and use it to destroy this body and any nearby. The only chance I have of living past this battle is if one of the others in Foznetal happen to be near the door and see the fighting before I am already almost dead. But since I am the only one that bothers to check up on the door and none will even notice I am gone for a few more hours, the chances of that happening are zero point zero two percent.
After this battle is over, they will quickly end up losing the war. The loses they will face here are considerable, yes. But it would not hurt them in this war nearly as much as the loss to morale. It is extremely likely that a good portion of them are still fighting as hard as they are while being pushed back because they are hoping to buy enough time for their families for us to come in and save the day. With my death that hope will die. Foznetal will not help the country that is willing to kill or enslave one of us.
"We will not come," I interrupt one of his long speeches going into all of the casualties and areas that will be destroyed if we don't immediately come to his aid. "Further discussion in this matter is useless. You will not persuade me to come when we are not needed and we will be the ones to decide when that is. So will you leave now and let us come when we feel we are needed?"
"We will not," The prince speaks boldly, hoping to still intimidate me.
"Very well." I take my shot.