The Villain Reveal (Collab with Kezika)
06 Sep 2021KazukoHimura
A single question had been weighing on Kazuko’s mind for a while-who was behind her enslavement? That question was mostly pushed aside, as she often had more pressing matters to deal with, such as the expedition she was on, or a goal that Kezika was supporting, since Kazuko semi-blindly followed her in a way. Such a goal was what brought both of them back to Keltim prematurely, at least for a short period of time. But before they were to deliver much-needed supplies to Neomedical Industries, the two were taking a much-needed break in one of Kezika’s mansions on Keltim A5, specifically the one in Fire Opal. The two of them were walking through one of the hallways when Kazuko broke the silence between the two.“I’ve been thinking for a while-for a long while, to tell you the truth.” Kazuko confessed. “Who did this to me? Who enslaved me? Who put this...this parasite in me?” The thought of not knowing practically suffocated her. She was highly certain that it was some group from somewhere halfway across the bubble that she had little chance of encountering again while ‘off-duty’, per se.
“I wouldn’t be able to tell you off the top of my head, especially since I need more information to go on.” Kezika explained, a little stunned by the question. “I do know where we can start, though. While I can certainly access them myself, I would like to know if you have your medical records on you.”
“I had to get them for something unrelated earlier.” Kazuko explained, handing over a media card for their slates. Kezika then inserted the card into her slate, reading over the data it showed.
“Buzhang Flatworm, huh?” Kezika remarked. “That could be any number of-Oh! The doctor that made the diagnosis is still employed at one of my facilities. I can ask him. Hold on a moment.” Kezika then ducked into a nearby room and closed the door.
A few moments passed, with Kazuko waiting patiently outside the room, before Kezika emerged, handing the card back to Kazuko, whom pocketed it.
“I just finished calling your doctor from all those years ago. As I suspected, there are several different groups of slavers who use that particular parasite. Despite that, we were able to narrow it down further, based off of where your escape pod was found. This parasite, the location you were found in, and the ship wreckage nearby all point to the Raiders of StKM 1-442.” Kezika’s words piqued Kazuko’s curiosity.
“Wait, how far away is that system again?” she asked.
“About eleven light years from Keltim.” Those words, on the other hand, deeply unsettled Kazuko. Eleven light years!? That’s right next door, not halfway across the bubble! Fear of being found and captured by them welled up in her, but she couldn’t show it.
“E-excuse me.” Kazuko stammered, before darting into a small door nearby. Once inside, she noticed it was another hallway, which she sprinted down for about a few seconds before drawing her arm back and punching the wall in anger. Shaking out the hand that took the impact, she half-slumped against the wall, closing her eyes while silently crying, trying to keep herself together.
A few moments later, she could see the shadow of the door behind her open, and a figure peek in.
“Kazuko?” Kezika’s voice rang out, a tad concerned. “Are you looking for a specific room? This is a staff hallway.” Upon hearing Kezika’s voice, the last of Kazuko’s metaphorical walls completely crumbled to dust as she sank to her knees, trembling and choking back sobs. Everything she’d worked for over the years almost melted away, and she was back to the scared girl found in the escape pod, all due to the fact her slavers were based out of a system that most ships could get to from Keltim with one jump! That was all she could think about, was them finding her and capturing her again. Even with everyone she knows-and everything she has-at her disposal, none of it could shake that intrusive thought from her mind, that same thought which drug old, long-buried memories to the surface. Memories of long hours in harsh working conditions, of endless hunger, of tasteless powdery supplements made of sawdust, and of being forced to swallow that accursed flatworm. Each and every one hit her like shots from a plasma shotgun as she took gasping, shaky breaths.
The feeling of one of her hands being gently gripped dragged Kazuko straight back to reality, and through tear-filled eyes, she could see Kezika sitting next to her, holding her hand.
“Kaz, would you like to talk? Or do you need a moment?” Kezika asked. Kazuko initially did not respond, but spoke up after a few moments.
“...The first thing I remember was swallowing that parasite…” she whimpered, her voice small compared to before. She initially paused to let Kezika speak, but given that Kezika was just listening for the time being, Kazuko continued to speak.
“I never knew what it was like to not be hungry because of that-we only got enough rations to keep us working-and we were almost always working. I...I’m shocked I even lived long enough to escape…” Kazuko dissolved into sobs once more, just barely managing to speak through them. “Some days I couldn’t..couldn’t even...even muster enough strength to work...and lost consciousness...only to wake up to agonizing pain…” By that point, Kazuko was nigh-inconsolable, crying hard enough that she couldn’t even speak.
“Kaz? Kaz, it’s okay. It’s alright, you’re here in my mansion on Keltim A5. You’re safe now, you’re safe here.” Kezika reassured Kazuko, squeezing her hand a bit. For the first time since this all began, Kazuko finally looked over at Kezika, tears streaming down her face. She was still trembling quite a bit, but that gradually slowed.
“But will I be safe back home…?” she meekly asked. “There’s so many other patients, and one of them could pose as a visitor and and and…”
“The staff wouldn’t let anything happen to you, all CEA facilities are secure. The staff wouldn’t let anyone come in that would hurt you. But if it gives you extra peace of mind, I have living quarters available here at this mansion-I will let my security staff know, and they can keep a lookout for anyone suspicious. In addition, this particular mansion isn’t in a generally well known area outside of the Wylair Verdure Center, granting extra security through obscurity.” Kezika continued reassuring Kazuko, whose sobs soon quieted.
“I have other residences that you could select from as well, if desired, not just limited to Keltim.” Kezika offered. Kazuko then took a deep breath before speaking once more.
“...I weep for the lost, scared, and sick child I was when I exited that escape pod all those years ago.” Kazuko stated, shifting to a more comfortable seated position. “As a CMDR now, I feel the time for tears is over. I accept your offer to move into this mansion here. And after I’m settled in, I have some slavers to destroy.” Before anything more could be said, Kazuko darted out of the hallway, heading to catch transportation to her soon to be former apartment.
---
Kazuko soon arrived at Kezika’s mansion once more, this time with a single crate of cargo, containing all of her belongings. One of the house stewards took care of that as Amaleigh greeted Kazuko.
“Welcome. Come, follow me, Kezika is waiting for you.” Amaleigh led Kazuko inside the mansion and through the familiar halls once more, towards the drawing room Kezika was waiting in. A new-wave style song could be heard over speakers built into the ceiling, piquing Kazuko’s curiosity a bit.
“In a room in a house in a dream
No one's too sure whose dream it is we're living in
If it's real, that's a brand new deal
Ricochet days welcome to reality”
“This song….” Kazuko trailed off. “It almost perfectly fits me, it knows how I’m feeling. What is it?”
“Not too sure.” Amaleigh replied. “Something Kezika put on a bit ago while waiting. She said something about, uh… modern, I think. Doesn’t seem very modern, though...” Upon hearing that answer, Kazuko simply opted to ask Kezika later. For the time being, they’ve reached the drawing room in question.
Kezika then led Kazuko down another hall, specifically to the ‘apartments’ within the mansion that were vacant. Everything was pretty similar size and amenity-wise, but the real difference was in the window view and the decor-but for Kazuko, the former was the most important. Not just for peace of mind, but out of personal preference as well. She finally decided when one of the window views was that of the sky over a grassy field.
“I believe I’ve found the one I want.” Kazuko confidently stated with a slight smile.
“I’ll have the steward bring your belongings up to this unit. While we wait, care to join me for some tea?” Kezika asked, to which Kazuko nodded in agreement.