Freedom

Oflip, Lepebrinz, Former Location of Sector C

Zentrall, Pillar C

"Tanner?"

He looks back at an old man who stood. Solemnly staring back at him in the quiet lobby, much of the staff just simply carrying boxes through the marble floor. Moving too another location he can't contemplate. Ignoring their presence despite the reveal of the experiments in the cold and stormy weather and dim lights.

"Yes? Alfred what are you doing here?"

He looks at the old man, his face rather tired and perplexed. Possibly from paperwork. But even then, he doesn't really care now that he is freed for once. Still too confused with the new world he was in. He doesn't even know where his family was after searching for a year, let alone if they will accept his return. Probably knowing they can never get along.

"Nothing, I just noticed that you are here in this building, are you looking for something?"

He watches with curiosity, seemingly hiding his documents, filled with initials of identification and passport details. Renewed and ready for use once again. His one year in his old town have been stressful. His cryostasis for hundreds of years had made him busy with tons of lawsuits on the organisation and trials from the recent conflict. His identity as patient zero have been frustrating despite all the pity in the world. Seemingly not letting him rest for once, let alone obtain a housing deed from his lack of identification.

"No, just returning to Sebastian's place after obtaining my identification. Also, weren't you part of the now reformed United Union?"

He nods at the man, rather disinterested in listening to his conversation. Wishing he could let him have his lunch. However, he rather not piss him off. His face already screams of moodiness as the old man continued.

"Yes, I am. In fact we will be announcing the dissolution of the Light of Men later this afternoon with many of our staff and soldiers joining the reformed United Union as part of the international army."

"Oh really?" He raised his eyebrow at the old man, surprised at how long the organisation decided to close the Light of Men for good. The fact that much of its members continued to work made him more frustrated. He clenched his fist, hiding the scars he obtained from The Association as he continued, "I thought the organisation would had shut its doors sooner."

"Well there has been some talks left and right before this. I hope you understand." The old man sighs, patting the man's back. Still irking with fear and trauma during the experiments. Only glad that he didn't see the trauma that was the Third World War.

He swallows his words. Wondering if he would like to join the United Union considering his position and plight. His face however says otherwise. Taking a toll from his century old experience.

"Do you want a lift? You seemed tired."

He looks at the bitter man, consoling his rage, tripping his words as he looked at the old man, stoic in his stead.

"Umm sure... it looks like the rain is not going to stop anyways..."

They wander slowly, leaving to the lift lobby amidst the moody skies. Tanner smiles, looking away from the infamous large symbol hung on it's walls. Freed from their pasts for good.

Meanwhile,

Heroes Cemetery, Hoover Valley

She stared at the names, demoralized by her inabilities despite it being one year since the events. Nothing has changed ever since that day. They had been prosecuted, but at what cost? Many of her colleagues, her friends, now gone. Left to dust and stone. Her beliefs challenged, all for her brute strength and force. Neglected and hated after Victor revealed his dark secret. She can never forgive him. After killing their parents in cold blood and then starting a war that tore brothers and sisters apart? Hiding this secret for years strained her, but even then it was his brother. The work he did to forgive himself for his mistake was not to be ignored. She sighs, holding her dark maroon umbrella in the storm. Each drop dripping over each stone, filled with names carved delicately in the fading light. Glimmering in the hope that she could forgive herself for something she didn't do. But won't see to it.

The aftermath had decreased her tension between her and Ashlyn, the middleman. Letting her have control of her body in her stormy peace. Although as she looks at the middleman, sheltered and relaxed by the public toilet far in the scenery, she could only wonder if she could even be trusted, let alone stop her alienating her colleagues and fanatics which dwindled. She still remembered the stories about the being that created the middleman. The cruel planet that had to be stopped by a bunch of bandits on the run. Could it take over her body? The fear and paranoia pondered her mind. Tired and drained from her lack of sleep.

She looks ahead, her fellow colleagues now a part of the cemetery. It was hard getting into the cemetery, let along take the front row seats. Usually the only ones who can take this place are innovators and presidential figures in parliament. Something a super could only envy in jealousy. Many of the tombs such as Sergio's had been marked and stylized. Entered into the hall of fame, filled with overachievers and suffering men. Although throughout the list, she could only wonder how much truly belonged in this place.

Her ex-colleagues graves had been filled with millions of fans and friends, filled with flowers that wilted into nature. It's petals blown away, decomposing into fertilizer like pillars of stone, never to be seen or heard from any living being on the planet. A fertilizer that attempted to aid newcomers to their graves, telling their stories like flowers by the roads. Only to turn to dust once more.

She looks around, staring at her colleagues graves. Their pictures still fresh in everyone's minds unlike the stalk of flowers which laid. All but one. She wanders through the muddy grass patch, noticing the white flower which laid next to Silvia's grave. It seemed new, recently purchased at a florist. It's packaging still fresh but damp. Disliking it's new environment in the storm.

"I hope she doesn't see me..."

The man looked by his binoculars, hiding in plain sight in the storm. He gulps, looking back at the time on his car.

12:23pm.

He wished he could stay longer. But his ventures here seemed harsh for his schedule. His work at M16 had managed to reveal the hidden network amongst The Association. Opening the world to the control The Association once had alongside the darkness which enveloped in the Light of Men. But the paperwork he had to fill had made him busy. He could only hope his time doesn't give him a dressing down.

"Silvia... I know it's been some time... I don't think I can return anytime soon... life has been stressful here in Britain... you probably already know that... but the work to improve the world we live in has only just started... can you wait for me when it comes?"

He looks by the window, spotting Sylvie who seemed filled with curiosity, looking to see who placed the flowers. An innocence he only hoped she saw. He laid his arm by the door, feeling the plastic paneling as a cold shudder lingered. Holding his hand, feeling his presence in what little was left.

"I understand... I hope your endeavors in Britain will be successful... Farewell... I'll be waiting..."

He starts his car, fizzing with gas as the century old Alpine powered away quietly. Wandering through the stormy fog engulfing it in its wake. Far from the curious eyes that was Sylvie. Still wandering around the graves in sorrow.

"Goodbye."