//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 Protector // Story: Black Bloom 2 // by Bronycommander //------------------------------// Chapter 7: Protector Apple Bloom was set into a cell. She was scared as the cell moved. During the ride, she saw humans that were altered. The limb extremities (hands and lower legs) were removed and replaced with bolted-on metallic augmentations, which resulted in a slow, zombie-like gait. The bodies were extremely atrophied and skeletal, with very little muscle or fat tissue remaining. Their facial features have been replaced by a metal plate; their "eyes" are mere pinholes. They were monitored by Soldiers. Still, she was amazed at the site of the citadel. On the ground were three-legged giant spiders walking by. They were brown. During the entire ride, screams could be heard. It sounded like a human was altered. On an upper level, organic ships were on the walls, being serviced by the altered humans. A train was driving by. Going up again, one of those humans was passing by in a pod. He screamed at her. She lowered her ears to stop the screaming but to no avail. After going upwards again, she saw crabs with spiked protrusions and various mechanical systems on its front and rear and strange looking triangular creatures on a conveyor belt. These were probably the units of the Combine used in the war before they were replaced by the Soldiers. She thought. Organic ships were leaving through a window. Out of the window was a perfect view of City 17. The pod moved to an elevator. The pod moved to a room that looked like an office. The door was guarded by two Soldiers in white with a single red ocular lens. The Door opened. A man walked out. It was Wallace Breen. “Well, if it isn’t Apple Bloom, at last. Come in, we have a matter to discuss.” Apple Bloom whimpered in fear as the pod moved in. Brenn sat down in his chair. “Please, don’t hurt me.” “Why should I? I just want to talk.” “How do you know mah name?” Apple Bloom was scared. “Through Dr. Mossman. She told me everything she knows about you.” “Ah want mah mommy!” Apple bloom cried as tears dripped from her face. Breen looked at the crying filly in pity. “Hey… stop crying.” Apple Bloom didn’t listen. “Stop crying, please. Just… stop.” “Why? Y-you would let t-them k-kill me anyway…” “I won’t let them kill you.” “You d-don’t?” “No. I am not a cruel man. Besides, our Benefactors are not without mercy. I have laid the foundation for humanity's survival, not for its destruction. You’re young, aren’t you?” “Yes…” “To be honest with you, even I miss children. Since your ‘mother’ and ‘father’ served our Benefactors well, they will be rewarded. You will too, if you’re answer me some questions and give me the information’s our Benefactors want, you will return home to your ‘parents’. Okay?” “W-what do you want to know?” “You’re shivering, are you cold?” “Yeah, since it’s so cold in there…” “Let me help.” Breen pressed a button on his desk. Apple Bloom was released. Then he walked into another room and returned with a blanket, laying it over Apple Blooms body. She stopped shivering. Breen sat down to her. “That’s better, thank you, Mr. Administrator.” “Please, you can call me Breen. Now, do you know where Freeman is?” “He is on his way to Nova Prospekt, to free Eli with Alyx with a buggy.” “That’s useful information’s. Your cooperation will be rewarded.” Breen turned to a Soldier. “Get her home. I will inform the transhuman forces.” “Yes, sir.” “A polite filly I must say, don’t you think?” Breen had noticed that his screen turned on. A Combine Advisor was on it. “Yes she is. As you promised her, we will spare her and give her full citizenship. Just get Freeman.” The Advisor spoke to him telepathically. “I will not failure you.” Mia was even more depressed. Sure, she got a full ration reward for reporting Freeman and cooperating with Civil Protection, but she feared for Jacob's and Apple Bloom's life as she heard about the raid. The Door opened. Jacob walked in. “Jacob!” Mia hugged him crying. “Yes my dear wife, I am home.” He patted her back. “Where’s Apple Bloom?” “I don’t know. I was knocked out when the attack started.” “I just hope she’s still alive. I won’t ever forgive myself if she’s executed by them.” As the Combine could hear her concern, the crying of a child could be heard. Apple Bloom ran into Mia’s arms, crying her heart out. “Mommy…Ah missed you…” “I missed you too. Shh, I am here for you, no more tears.” She patted Apple Bloom. She cried herself to sleep. “I can see that she was scared and feared for her life.” Jacob looked sad at her. Mia laid her gently into the bed. “Yes but at least, they let her alive.” The TV switched on. “I have been asked to say a few words to the transhuman arm of Sector Seventeen Overwatch, concerning recent successes in containing members of the resistance Science Team. Let me say up front that I regret having to temper my heartfelt congratulations with a strong measure of disappointment. But I wouldn't be doing my duty as your Administrator if I didn't pass along the message I have received from Our Benefactors. The capture of Eli Vance is an event of major significance, make no mistake. And while it's true that conceivably we could have taken him at almost any time in the last several years, the manner of his capture may prove to have unexpected benefits. It cannot have gone unnoticed by all resistance members that Doctor Vance's capture coincided with the act of giving shelter to Gordon Freeman. This might cause other resistance members to think twice before harboring Doctor Freeman. It might cause them to question his allegiance; even prompt some to turn him out, or turn him over to our cause. However, we cannot count on such developments. Doctor Freeman's reputation is such that other desperate renegades are likely to grant him a great deal of license in the spirit of spreading general chaos and terror. This brings me to the one note of disappointment I must echo from our Benefactors. Obviously I am not on the ground to closely command or second-guess the dedicated forces of the Overwatch, but this does not mean I can shirk responsibility for recent lapses and even outright failures on their part. I have been severely questioned about these shortcomings, and now must put the question to you: How could one man have slipped through your force's fingers time and time again? How is it possible? This is not some agent provocateur or highly trained assassin we are discussing. Gordon Freeman is a theoretical physicist who had hardly earned the distinction of his Ph.D. at the time of the Black Mesa Incident. I have good reason to believe that in the intervening years, he was in a state that precluded further development of covert skills. The man you have consistently failed to slow, let alone capture, is by all standards simply that--an ordinary man. How can you have failed to apprehend him? Well...I will leave the upbraiding for another time, to the extent it proves necessary. Now is the moment to redeem yourselves. If the transhuman forces are to prove themselves an indispensable augmentation to the Combine Overwatch, they will have to earn the privilege. I'm sure I don't have to remind you that the alternative, if you can call it that, is total extinction - in union with all the other unworthy branches of the species. Let's not allow it to come to that. I have done my best to convince Our Benefactors that you are the finest the species has to offer. So far they have accepted my argument, but without concrete evidence to back it up, my words sound increasingly hollow even to me. The burden of proof is on you. As is the consequence of failure. I'll just leave it at that.” “It seems that even the Overwatch Soldiers can’t stop Gordon.” Jacob was surprised. “Yes. But now let’s rest okay?” They slept with Apple Bloom peaceful. The next morning changed the fate of City 17. Gordon had managed to destroy Nova Prospekt. It was a symbol of hate. It started an uprising. The citizens of City 17 took up arms to fight against the Combine. Overwatch moved in as Civil Protection was overwhelmed by fighting the Resistance in urban combat. Mia and Apple Bloom were still in their house. Sure, Mia also wanted to get revenge, but she hadn’t any experience with firearms and didn’t want to kill her husband. The TV turned on again. “It has come to my attention that some have lately called me a collaborator, as if such a term were shameful. I ask you, what greater endeavor exists than that of collaboration? In our current unparalleled enterprise, refusal to collaborate is simply a refusal to grow--an insistence on suicide, if you will. Did the lungfish refuse to breathe air? It did not. It crept forth boldly while its brethren remained in the blackest ocean abyss, with lidless eyes forever staring at the dark, ignorant and doomed despite their eternal vigilance. Would we model ourselves on the trilobite? Are all the accomplishments of humanity fated to be nothing more than a layer of broken plastic shards thinly strewn across a fossil bed, sandwiched between the Burgess shale and an eon's worth of mud? In order to be true to our nature, and our destiny, we must aspire to greater things. We have outgrown our cradle. It is futile to cry for mother's milk, when our true sustenance awaits us among the stars. And only the universal union that small minds call 'The Combine' can carry us there. Therefore I say, yes, I am a collaborator. We must all collaborate, willingly, eagerly, if we expect to reap the benefits of unification. And reap we shall.” “Attention all ground protection teams, autonomous judgment is now in effect. Sentencing is now discretionary. Code: amputate, zero, confirm." “This isn’t good.” “Why mommy?” “Autonomous judgment means that CP’s and Soldiers can execute citizens for the smallest crime.” “Uh-oh. Mommy, look!” A small squad of Soldiers prepared to enter the house. “Oh no. Oh god, no! Quick, we must hide!” Overwatch squad leader 1821225 had the honor that a member of the Elite was in his Squad. 1821225 entered first. All rooms were empty. In the living room, he saw a family picture. He examined it and smiled. He smiled even more at the drawing of a child. While Overwatch Soldiers had their memories wiped out, they still had some human emotions. He heard a noise. Careful examining the source of the noise, the Soldier came to a bed room. A woman with the filly in her arms, both trembling in fear, was in the room. Both expected that the Soldier would kill them but instead, he putted his finger to his mouth. “Shh.” Both were surprised by his action. But then, the Elite and the other Shotgun Soldier joined him. “Need any help with this one?” 1821225 asked the Elite. “Move back right now!” “Non-patrol region.” “You want a noncompliance verdict?” Move it.” The Elite shoved him out of the way. “Now get out of here!" The Elite walked into the bedroom. “Suspect, prepare to receive civil judgement!” The Elite activated his Stun Baton. “No!” The woman cowered in fear. 1821225 watched in pity. The Elite beat her over and over again. “Help me!” Then he beat the filly. “No! Spare her!” The woman begged as the filly screamed in pain. But the Elite drew his handgun and aimed at the filly. “Stop! We didn’t do anything!” That’s it. 1821225 couldn’t watch this any longer. The filly closed her eyes. Two shots. Apple Bloom opened her eyes. The two Soldiers were dead, killed by the Soldier that made the “Shh” sound. She cowered in fear as he came closer. Instead of harming her, he gave her his hand. Apple Bloom looked confused at him before he booped her nose and formed a heart. Apple Bloom recognized him. “Konrad?” “Yes, it’s me.” “Uncle!” Apple Bloom hugged him. “Ah missed ya!” “Me too. Now, let’s get you to safety.” Mia took the Shotgun from the Shotgun Soldier. Before she grabbed the pictures, she asked, “What kind of Soldier was that guy?” “An Overwatch Elite. They are the deadliest of the Combine Overwatch infantry. Elites are tougher, achieve better accuracy with their weapons, and inflict for some reason more overall damage than regular soldiers do. They typically carry Overwatch Standard Issue Pulse Rifles, and are able to use the weapon's secondary fire Energy Ball. They use this advantage without hesitation and with deadly accuracy. If an Energy Ball touches you, you will be disintegrated. So you better be careful.” He collected the ball from the Elite. "Can't wait to use an Energy ball myself." “I can lead us to Kleiner's Lab as Barney told me about it once, should we need shelter. I thought that Overwatch Soldiers have no previous memories of their human life and that they are incapable of resisting, disobeying orders, and going rogue.” “That is correct. But humans with a strong will can resist. I suffered a head injury during combat, which caused some memories to come back. After I saw Apple Blooms picture, I regained my humanity and all my memories,” Konrad explained. Shortly before they reached the Lab, a Headcrab pounced into Apple Blooms head. She yelped in fear. “Get it off me!” But then Apple Bloom realized despite her fear, that this Headcrab was harmless. “Wait, its Lamarr, Kleiners pet.” Lamarr perched on the top of her head, as if it was a hat. Barney told Mia also about Lamarr. She told Konrad about this. “You’re lucky that she’s de-beaked." Mia opened the door of the lab. “Hello, Dr. Kleiner.” He startled. “Oh, hello Mia! You are here because you need shelter, right?” “Yes. And I have brought a friend of mine.” Konrad walked in. Kleiner was about to grab his Shotgun as Mia said, “Don’t worry, he’s on our side.” “Yes I am. Konrad Ford, former US-marine, nice to meet you.” “Dr. Isaac Kleiner. Now, where is that filly Barney mentioned once?” Apple Bloom made a Zombie growl and walked to Kleiner in a Zombie-like gait with her fore hooves stretched out as she was about to hit him. At first, Kleiner took the bait before he realized that the Headcrab was Lamarr. “By Schrödinger’s cat! Lamarr! There you are!” Lamarr jumped off and into her crate. “Ah’m Apple Bloom.” She greeted Kleiner. “Hello, Apple Bloom. I am Dr. Isaac Kleiner. You’re can stay here as long as you like.” Kleiner closed her in his heart. “I must say it is fascinating to meet a species like you.” Apple Bloom blushed. “Ah know.” “The reason why, you were sent into City 17, was that our teleport had a malfunction before it was working.” Konrad found a Spray can. He used it to spray the Lambda logo on his arm over the Combine symbol. “I will join the rebels in their fight. And Kleiner, if something happens to them, I swear I will ram your pet into your head until she’s able to control you!” He left. A week passed. Mia stayed with Apple Bloom but was trained as a Medic. Both didn’t heard of Jacob ever since. The Resistance managed to largely gain control of the suburban districts, while the Combine, with their superior firepower and control of the air, held the strategic areas around the city center. War was always a terrible thing, especially for Children. The Seven Hours War had cost humanity millions of lives. The Resistance knew about Apple Bloom. Every rebel was not only fighting for freedom but also for her, since she was the last child on Earth. While the children grow up back then, they all were now fighting to prevent her from having a terrible fate. Suddenly someone pounced at the door where the teleporter was located. Kleiner opened it to aim his Shotgun at it. Lamarr looked curious at the door. “Alyx? Gordon? My god… how did you get here? And when?” “What’s wrong?” Alyx was confused. “My dear, we had given all hope of ever seeing you again.” “I was afraid we might not make it either. I think the teleport exploded just as we were porting out.” “Indeed it did… and the repercussions were felt far and wide, but … That was over a week ago!” “What do you mean? Gordon and I were just there a minute ago.” “Fascinating. We seem to have developed a very slow teleport. This suggests an entirely new line of Investigations.” “A week…” Alyx couldn’t believe it. Mia and Apple Bloom greeted Gordon. “Then what have we missed?” “A great deal, my dear. The blow you struck at Nova Prospekt was taken as a signal to begin the uprising.” “But what about my father?” “Well, that is most troubling. According to the vortigaunts, he is a prisoner at the Citadel.” “We got to get my father out.” “Barney has been leading a push with that very aim in mind. A former Overwatch Soldier is helping him. And another of your friends arrived several days ago.” Kleiner opened a gate. “Dog! You made it! Good boy!” Dog hugged Alyx then Apple Bloom. “Ah missed you too!” “So there, you see? It’s not all hopeless.” “I wish I shared your optimism, Doctor…” A screen turned on. “Doc, come in, are you there? Hey, Doc? Are you there?” It was Barney, behind him was Konrad. Kleiner walked to the screen. “Yes, Barney, and we’re no longer alone. Alyx and Gordon have just arrived.” "Man, that’s good news. We almost gave you guys up for lost! We’re planning to set up a staging area for attacking the citadel.” “Gordon, Mia and Dog can head your way. I want to get Apple Bloom and Dr. Kleiner somewhere safer, then I’ll meet up with you.” “We’ll take all the help we can get.” Konrad shouted to Barney, “Oh crap! Incoming!” They ducked. “Go on, get going! And keep her safe, Alyx.” “Don’t worry I’ll will. Okay, Gordon, Mia you heard him. I’ll catch up with you as soon as I’ve got Apple Bloom and Dr. Kleiner settled.” “Just a minute. I can’t leave without Lamarr. Now where did she get to?” “Oh no…” Alyx complained. “Go on, I’ll take care of this. Take care of yourself out there.” “Be careful out there, mommy.” “Don’t worry sweetheart, I will.” Mia nuzzled her one last time. “Ready when you are Gordon.” She pumped her shotgun. “Dr. Kleiner, there’s really no time.” “Now, now, she’s around here somewhere.” “We’ll find you another pet headcrab! There are plenty to go around!” “There’s only one Hedy.” Apple Bloom saw how Lamarr was going out. “Lamarr, stop!” She followed her out into the street. “Apple Bloom, wait!” Mia called out to no avail. “Now we have to take her with us. Not that I would complain, but I am worried about her safety.” “Don’t worry Mia, I’ll kept her safe, the entire time she was with me.” Gordon assured her before they left into battle.