Jaxon, Baron, and Roxi left the room that immediately filled with activity once they made their departure. The three friends walked for a little while before Roxi could no longer take it.
(RB) “Jaxon, what exactly do you plan on accomplishing with this stunt of yours?” Roxi asked with uncertainty.
(JL) “I’ll be honest with you two since I trust the two of you most of all on this planet. I have quite a few ambitions that I want to realize here. And as it stands, I don’t think you nor the ladies at Femme Fatale can help me achieve that goal.” Jaxon said with a steel resolve.
(BM) “So your only choice is to get the Sun Alliance involved I see. I don’t know if this is the best course of action on your part, Jaxon. But I believe you know your limits best. And I will support you all the way.” Baron reassured his old friend.
(RB) “And I as well. Jaxon, how goes your research into the satellites?”
(JL) “It’s a bit...tough at the moment. As it stands, I am only given resources that I would almost be better off starting fresh from. This isn’t exactly my area of expertise, but I will have to go through a lot of sleepless nights if I want to get this done in the next few decades. Sigh. Perhaps I can get the Femme Fatale to hire a few other researchers from other communities to finish this task.”
(BM) “It’s that difficult is it?”
(JL) “It is a struggle, to say the least, many of their researchers are nice people, but their methods of getting things done are absolutely horrendous. Even backward at some stages. This might be one of the most difficult tasks I have ever had to do. It certainly won’t be easy.”
(BM) “Well, if you do manage to do it, then I believe that you will become one of the most influential people in the Chinese community. Perhaps even on the level of Li Guang. Unlike you two, I will not be able to go down this faster route as you and Roxi have to get fame and recognition.”
(JL) “That may be true, but going down the warfare route, you will be able to have a lot more freedom than either Roxi or I. It is the greatest profession on this planet after all.”
(RB) “Aren’t you going to go down that route with the Sun Alliance too, Jaxon?”
(JL) “Yes, but that is still over a century away. Who knows what might happen during that time. This world is incomparably more interesting than Earth. A place where the likes of us can become even more respected. It was built for people like us, but unsurprisingly, it is filled with fierce competition.”
(BM) “We will be on this planet for a long time, and judging by what the person who sent me to this planet has told me, there is a chance to go back to Earth. Do you two wish to go back? Like at all?” Baron asked in a tone that suggested he had such an ambition.
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(RB) “I wouldn’t mind going back unless our immortality goes away. Then there is no way. I still have quite a few unfinished businesses that I have yet to take care of.”
(BM) “Well, I don’t know what these tasks are, but who knows how long it would take us to go back. It could be in a century, it could be in a few millennia. With the prospect of the Jordsand community in the way, it could take forever.”
(JL) “You see, that is one of the mysteries I want to solve. If I had access to the knowledge that the top brass of the Sun Alliance, then we might get a few clues. I have been just as perplexed as you have of their presence. Just who are they?”
(BM) “I don’t know, but if they have been here and the winners of the tournament for as long as anyone can remember, then it’ll be a mystery worth solving.”
(RB) “Oh, absolutely. For now, I think I am starting to get sick of this community. Not in a bad way, just that I love exploring the world. That has not changed since my death. I think I’ll travel to a few other communities to widen my worldview.”
(JL) “Don’t you have a contract with the Femme Fatale too?”
(RB) “I never really signed anything and so I can go anytime that I want.”
(BM) “Do you plan on leaving soon?” Baron felt a little helpless.
(RB) “I think so. I hate being cramped up in one place for so long. It has been no short of a miracle that I haven’t complained yet despite being here for a few decades already.”
(BM) “I see. Well, where do you plan on going?”
(RB) “Perhaps I’ll follow in the footsteps of the Meng family and go visit the Korean community. Maybe in the next year or two.”
(BM) “So soon?” Baron said then looked at Jaxon who was standing behind Roxi. He was giving him a “don’t look at me” pose that Roxi could not see.
(RB) “Yeah. I refuse to be your supporting character, Baron. No matter how much you wish that to be the case.” Roxi said in a playful tone.
(BM) “I would never dream of such a thing. When do you plan on coming back?”
(RB) “Undecided, but definitely before the Death Match tournament. I can’t leave my two boys to fight without me, can I?”
(JL) “Heh, you sure are the same as I first saw you. How have you not grown up in all that time?” Jaxon returned, equally as playful to which the other two smiled.
(BM) “Well, while I don’t refute that statement, it seems like the three of us are splitting up again in a little while. Why don’t we go celebrate at a restaurant and catch up there.”
(RB) “Oh! I know just the place, follow me.” Roxi said as she started walking to somewhere unknown to Baron and Jaxon.
Baron turned to follow but Jaxon stopped him by placing his hand on Baron’s shoulder.
(JL) “Bro, I thought you loved her, why aren’t you fighting for her?”
(BM) “The feelings are still there, don’t get me wrong. However, there is another side that is starting to grow within me. A side that is as ugly as war, and I don’t want her to ever see me in such a state.
(JL) “So, what they say is true then? That the more war sims you go through, the more of your humanity you give away?”
(BM) “As strong-willed as I am, killing millions of people (even if they are mere simulations) does something irreparable to one’s psyche. I don’t know if I can keep up this facade for much longer, but I already feel as if my mind is slipping to the depths of no return.”
(JL) “We were once the best of friends, so it pains me to see you like this. You must remember what it is that you were fighting for. That way, you will be able to keep your sanity. If you can’t, then make one up.”
(BM) “Don’t worry, that is unlikely to happen to me anytime soon. Though I may be suffering, there is something that I am fighting for. It’s just not easy for me to reveal it to you right now.”
(JL) “Hey, hey, no worries. As long as you are alright, I can rest easy. Come now, let’s follow Roxi before she starts getting curious.”
(BM) “Yea, you’re right. Let’s go.”