Chapter 34 - Recruiting Tina Sprout

Approximately half an hour ago, Tina was doing as her Master instructed. To investigate the battle took place in the ruins outside of the underground city.

But imagine her surprise when she got a distress call from her Master only to later cut off before any order can be obtained. Minutes later, the government contacted her to inform about the situation and requested her help but without her Master's explicit order, she cannot act. She was brainwashed to be like that which worked against him this time.

So, she sat in the sewer while holding her phone, awaiting the usual call for order. But ten minutes later, nothing happened.

For the first time since she was captured and experimented on by her Master, she felt lost. Without order, she cannot act. She also has no particular loyalty to her Master or acts on her own will. Thus, she waits.

Another ten minutes went by, and she contemplated the meaning of her existence. Her purpose which is now lost. Her Master is kidnapped and possibly killed considering how many enemies he has and chances he will be taken alive is none because of the HYBRIDs under his disposal. The enemies that get him will definitely neutralize him immediately after their objectives are achieved to prevent retaliation.

The thought of her Master being dead made her feel the burden on her shoulder being lifted. But she also felt lost. Her only purpose, meaning of her existence is lost. She has no thought of saving her creator who made her suffer and forced her to dirty her hands.

Thus, she thought of suicide, after all there is still one order remain in her mind if she lost her Master or she is being defeated. She must prevent the Mechanical Soldier tech inside her body from falling into the enemy's hand. For that, she decided killing herself in this secluded place is the best possible course of action.

However, before she could pull the trigger of the pistol she aimed at her temple. A rapid footsteps approach her which turn her into a battle ready state as she arm herself instinctively and ambush the approaching figure.

But instead of the enemy, it's a lady carrying a girl speeding past her. The lady spared her a glance but didn't slow down or stop as she maintained her pace and left.

"Huh?" Tina looked confused and waited for a while thinking it's perhaps a plan to distract her.

Minutes later, the lady didn't return. Then she sat down again, reattempt her suicide.

But again, she was interrupted. Annoyingly so. This time many footsteps with gunshot and explosion echoes through the tunnels. Again, she ready her gun and waited.

Then from the corner of the tunnel, one man dressed in black tactical gear with an odd looking shotgun and a girl with pale skin and dressed in black, armed with a grenade launcher armed to her hip with an exoskeleton like mount, turn towards her direction.

She felt the gaze of the man under his gas mask, it wasn't hostile, much to her relief. But he was strangely elated.

"Don't let them escape!" The soldiers, hot on their tails, shouted and fired at the two.

"Tch, those persistent pests!" The girl with the grenade launcher yelled and turned to her back and came to a skidding halt before she fired two volley of explosive grenades and forced the soldiers to retreat back into the tunnel and hide behind the corner.

Meanwhile the man approached Tina with a friendly gesture saying he isn't looking for a fight.

"You… you are Tina Sprout right?" The man asked.

"Yes…" Tina replied guardedly. "Do I know you?"

"No. But I do." The man said. "Actually, I came to save you."

"Save me?" Tina looks at the man ridiculously. Does she need saving?

"Anyway, no time to engage in chatter here. Let's go, we talk as we move. Okay?" The man asked with a hopeful tone wishing she would accept.

Tina remembers back to her thoughts not a while ago. She lost her Master. Her only purpose, meaning of her existence is lost. She does wish to be saved. But not like this… this is not the superhero she imagined at all. But she also understands now isn't the time to be picky either. Perhaps she can find a new purpose with him. He does look interesting after all.

"Alright." Tina agrees.

"Wonderful." Adam said before turning to Destroyer. "Let's go. My summons will slow them down." Adam summoned his operators to hold the line as they continued their escape.

"Yes, Master." Destroyer immediately curb her bloodlust at the enemies and run as ordered despite how she wished to turn everyone of the soldiers into a bloody stain, decorating the sewer tunnels.

———

"So, how do I begin this…"

"Ah, from there it should be fine." Adam mumbles as he runs before he glances at Tina beside him.

"So, remember that you once wished to be saved?" Tina nods but looks confused how it will relate.

"So, basically imagine Santa heard your wish and decided to grant it. To do so, he sent me here. My mission is to first make you remember that wish. Next is apparently to save you from the clutches of that bastard Ayn Rand." Adam gave her a brief explanation. "I killed him so, you are now free."

Tina was surprised how casually he spoke about it. But she is more surprised he killed her Master to free her apparently. But, she is more surprised and confused about her newfound freedom. As she said, she felt lost. Like a ship in the middle of the sea without a map or compass.

"Why would you do that?" Tina is confused by his motivation.

Adam declared the reason why he went all the effort to kill her Master is because someone, this 'Santa' told him to save her. But what does he gain from this? What are the benefits? As killing her Master is no easy task.

(It is easy.)

"Why? Well, I am a mercenary. I get paid to do the job given to me." Adam replied. "Truth to be told. At first, I am looking forward to the reward promised to me. But that changed when I discovered you."

"Eh?" Tina looks surprised by that statement and gives him a confused stare. "What do you mean, Mister?"

"Hmn, I am not from this world." Adam revealed which gained a look of disbelief from Tina, thinking he was either crazy or delusional. "Back in my world, we have a similar virus outbreak like Gastrea but not as bad. It's relatively tame compared to what Gastrea can do. But I lacked manpower to defeat those infected."

"My purpose here in this world is to acquire this manpower. I discovered the Cursed Children and decided to bring them back with me. Better someone that will appreciate them than those that make them do a thankless job while trying to exterminate them." Adam shrugs.

Tina can see how this fits her into Adam's goal. He is bringing the Cursed Children because he needs help to fight the virus back at his home. Tanya being a very powerful Initiator is definitely someone he wouldn't pass on. Besides, what he said about the treatment is true. Better work with someone that will appreciate her than those that don't and only see her as tools and enemies. It sounded very tempting, to be honest.

A mischievous grin formed on Tina's face as she took a glance at Adam who immediately felt goosebumps.

"Does that mean, Mister wants me?" A hint of playfulness appeared as she grasped the situation.

"Well… yes. I could hardly pass up on the Rank 98. If you agree and return with me to my world, you will truly free from Ayn Rand and this world." Adam said, unaware the grave he dug for himself. "Of course, if you didn't want to fight. I wouldn't force you." He hastily added, fearing she would reject his offer.

Meanwhile Destroyer is confused and angered by how chummy Adam act in front of Tina. Basically, like he is begging for her to agree at this point with how desperate he is inticing Tina.

"Trying to steal me away, Mister is quite bold. But I wonder if you can take responsibility for that statement." She asked. Although she already accepted in her mind but wanted to tease Adam because of how oblivious he talked.

"Hmn. Of course, I promise to prepare home for you and everyone I saved. There, you wouldn't need to feel ostracized by the people and even feel welcomed by the people." Adam explains the benefits he prepared for Tina and the other Cursed Children. "However, if you don't feel like fighting, I can arrange for you to live as civilians too. As I possess the method to resolve the Gastrea Virus. Everything I said is possible. "

"That is not what I meant, Mister." Tina pouted.

"Huh? So is there something else you want?" Adam is confused. "You can just say it. I will try to fulfill your requirements." Adam said and slowed his pace as they approached the manhole that they would exit.

"I want a big brother. I always wished to have one." Tina said a little hesitant from the tone she used.

Adam immediately remembered the scene from the anime. She does state she always wished to have a big brother that she can rely on.

"Sure. I would be glad to have a little sister as cute as you too." Adam replied as he popped open the manhole and climbed out before helping the two to climb out.

He noticed the red blushing cheek of Tina and Destroyer. The former is embarrassed while the latter is jealous. But he didn't think much of it as he is focusing on escape while also looking out for enemies on his minimap. The operators can only hold the soldiers back for five minutes before they are unsummoned.

"Master, this is Agent. We had gathered most of the Cursed Children around the city as you requested."

"Great. Are you all still at the rendezvous point?" Adam felt relieved that Agent succeeded on her part. Not that he doubts her success, knowing how seriously she takes his order as.

"No, we relocated to another location. We underestimated the number of Cursed Children we could find. There are at least 20 thousand of them with us right now and we moved to a bigger and more secure location."

"What about Executioner?" Adam asked.

"She is heading to our location right now." Agent replied.

"Alright. Send me the directions. Our job in this world has been completed. Be ready to leave immediately."

"Yes, Master." Agent ended the transmission.

"Alright. Let's go, it's time to leave this shitty world." Adam said to the two and looked at his minimap being updated with a new direction.

———

Back at Remnant.

While Adam is away, Agent is in charge of the kingdom. Nothing unusual, it's how it usually went except major decision making is put on hold as it requires Adam's authority.

An emergency broadcast flooded the entire Kingdom of Vale. The people that did this was the five Councillor of Atlas.

"People of Remnant. We, Atlas, are the bastion of humanity. It had been like this and we always strived to maintain the peace of Remnants.

Therefore, we have a declaration and a reveal to make. This is of concern to the whole of humanity.

Adam White and the secret organization behind him is the true culprit of this tragedy and the outbreak!

We had confirmed this matter from the secret document left behind by the late General Ironwood. They are the one that created this Virus for their convenience and are trying to trick the world! His action in Vale is a clear proof! He staged a coup and took over the kingdom before reinstating himself the king!

Listen, people of Remnant! Do not be deceived by this Devil! Join us to punish the true culprit behind this tragedy. Atlas will declare war against the false King of Vale!"

Thus the declaration of war descended on Vale.

Although, from what Agent gathered. The people didn't seems to believe the broadcast that much. While shd did some damage control, majority of the population isn't swayed by Atlas.

The main reason is because the coup is supported by majority of the main actors of Vale. Their reason is because the corruption that festered in the Council. Now, another council that lost it's brilliant leader and basically in shamble trying to instigate public unrest? Anyone with any sort of intelligence can see through this trick and came to the same answer.

Atlas is threathened by Vale suddenly being militarized in such rapid pace.

Besides, the other major reason why the people have a lot of trust to the current government of Vale is because ever since Adam came in power, the life of the people had become much better. The public safety are also at all time high with various artificial intelligence and robots taking care of the matter impartially.

Not even the refugee problem impacted Vale as again, the robots handled most of the construction of new residence to accommodate the refugee in the former warehouse area in the dock.

Life quality of the people also increased as most labor intensive job had been filled with machines and robots. The surplus of workforce weren't ignored either as Agent created more job that requires intelect than labor for the people and allocated them there. Those that unfortunately have lesser intelect to participate on those job are recruited into the military, more specifically on the logistical branch.

To make it short, basically everyone is satisfied with the new government than the old to believe whatever nonsense the Councils of Atlas is throwing at them.

Not to mention many importantly and influential figures such as Professor Ozpin is backing Adam up on this smear campaign.

Agent is satisfied that they weathered this incident relatively intact. However, this action from Atlas is calling for a retaliation.

Her trouble didn't end there either. Beside Atlas, there is also the situation with the being her Master called as 'Awakened Human'. The being that can control the Mutated and Zombified Grimms.

It's becoming more and more clear that the enemies are staging an organized assault on the assets outside of Vale, the Dust mines, ore mines and other facilities scattered in the Wilderness of Sanus. The Dummies of Executioner and Destroyer along with the army of robots are barely able to defend those assets. But each wave the enemy failed, they will return with even bigger numbers.

Agent can only pray that her Master will succeed in his endeavours. However, who will she be praying to exactly? Human worship a being they believed as their almighty creator. But the creator of T-Dolls is anything but almighty. Perhaps there is a god for machine out there. Perhaps not, but Agent offer her prayer nonetheless.

—————

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