[EXCLUSIVE] - Gaia Gear Ch.06 (Full)

Chapter.06
THE LEGACY OF SIEG ZEON

1

　In the heart of Hong Kong...

　The era is the Universal Century. Hong Kong remained as a relic from a bygone age. Throughout various conflicts, such as the Principality of Zeon's One Year War demanding autonomy for Spacenoids, the subsequent struggle between factions within the Earth Federation government, and the skirmishes incited by Zeon remnants, Hong Kong remained a city imbued with the scent of the bygone century. Hong Kong was "sanctified" as a port city connecting Earth and space.

　Certainly, such cities were not rare on Earth. The planet was not so minuscule as one might imagine when gazing upon it from the boundless void of space.

　The limousine, driven by a woman with a fiery mix of red and bronze hair, navigated the labyrinthine, congested streets. This woman, who greeted them, was undeniably career-driven, anything but a demure force to be reckoned with. She even let out a disdainful "Tch!" when compelled to halt the limousine abruptly.

　"Affranchi..." Everly Key clutched her arm tightly against him, her eyes brimming with anxiety. 

　"I don't understand what's going on... Please, just bear with it for now..."

　Before Affranchi could articulate his thoughts, there was a sudden, thunderous bang. 

　"Eek!" Everly pressed herself even closer to Char and turned toward one of the windows. 

　WHUMP! THUD! 

　The glass reverberated once more, with a more violent impact this time. On the other side, a massive Caucasian man peered in menacingly. 

　"Hey!" Affranchi yelled toward the driver's seat. 

　"Don't worry, it's bulletproof glass," the woman's voice reassured them through the intercom. A translucent plastic partition separated the driver's compartment from the cabin.

　The limousine began moving again, nudging the vehicle ahead as the man battering the glass was left in its wake, futilely kicking the rear bumper.

　Though evening approached, the sky remained illuminated. Buildings crowded together, with signage of every kind filling the gaps. This must have been what old-century cities were like. Amidst the cacophony of red, black, green, and yellow signs, a sea of diverse faces ebbed and flowed.

　There was an air of detachment among these people. Unfocused gazes trailed the napes of those ahead, only to sharpen like a predator's when the need to intimidate cars arose during street crossings.

　"Why is it so filthy? Does filth accumulate when people congregate?" Affranchi wondered. "Is this the only way for people living in the cities left on Earth?"

　A sudden, violent sound echoed through the air. It resembled a pillar of fire, but it stirred an even more visceral sense of discomfort.

　"...?"

　Dozens of motorcycles zipped through the spaces between cars. Affranchi and Everly were unfamiliar with gasoline-powered bikes; in their time, bikes were electric and silent, truly meant for peaceful means of travel. These roaring motorcycles appeared to be vehicles of madness.

　One of them, trying to slip past the limousine, inadvertently kicked the window with its rider's leg. 

　"Ah!" Everly cried out, alarmed once again. The bike screeched to a halt in front of the limousine, and a swarm of motorcycles followed suit.

　Loud honking erupted, accompanied by the screech of tires. The sounds were foreign to Affranchi and Everly. The bike that had stopped in front suddenly turned and rammed into the side of another. The impacted motorcycle slammed into a parked car and tumbled between vehicles, pursued by another bike.

　"Aiee!" A strange yell raced across the roof of the limousine from back to front. Then, a man leaped from the hood of a car, darting away just as the bikes collided. Traffic resumed its sluggish crawl.

　"Hey!" Affranchi banged on the plastic barrier separating them from the driver. 

　"Don't worry," the determined woman repeated her earlier reassurance. The bikers were preoccupied with their own competition rather than disrupting traffic.

　One man, striking a karate-like pose atop a car, signaled the direction of travel to the bikers behind him. 

　"Aah!" Amid the din of horns, exhaust, and urban clamor, Affranchi heard the man's final scream with unnerving clarity.

　"Did they use a gun?" Affranchi understood. The traffic inched forward once more.

　"What on Earth?!" 

　"It's like this every day," the driver said as the limousine finally crawled out of the main street. It sped along a narrow road that could hardly be called a highway, ascending to higher ground.

　THUD! CRASH!

　"Uwah!" 

　"Yeah!" 

　Something struck the limousine's roof, accompanied by the shouts of children. Then the glass took a direct hit. 

　"Affranchi...!" 

　"Ah, ah...!" 

　Stones pelted the limousine, too many to count.

　"It's better not to look outside," the woman in the driver's seat advised.

　Stones flew from the shadows of crumbling buildings and twisted metal fences on both sides. Children's silhouettes could be seen through the gaps. Some children were running around in just their underwear or shorts.

　When a large stone hit the car directly, even louder cries erupted. 

　"Is this a slum?" 

　"Not really a special place," the driver replied. 

　The headlights illuminated the cobblestone road ahead, albeit faintly.

　Affranchi let out a heavy sigh. With each acknowledgment of reality, the sound of Affranchi's breath rang and trembled in his head, echoing and causing his heart to feel as if it was being clawed at. 

　"Ugh...!" Affranchi choked.

　"Affranchi?" Everly peered at him. His eyes were filled with tears that spilled over. 

　"Affranchi?! Why?" Everly asked, almost slapping them. 

　"Ah... I don't know why," Affranchi said as Everly's eyes quivered before him. "I don't understand. I just feel so sad. But it's not because I'm scared of people's actions..."

　"I think I understand, kind of..." 

　"It's not even because people are too poor... Can people really become this impoverished?" 

　"Oh, Affranchi... Yes, I'm sure..." Everly's eyes, too, welled up with tears.

　"But there's no need for you to cry, Everly." 

　"Why not? You said something incredibly sad, Affranchi." 

　Everly's tears streamed down as they embraced Affranchi, attempting to absorb Affranchi's tears with her lips. However, Affranchi's tears continued to flow, far more than Everly could handle.

2

　The limousine continued to climb the steep road, its sides scraping against the cracked concrete walls before turning into a narrow alley. The area echoed with the sound of children's voices. The car came to a stop.

　"Here we are. Can you open the door?" The career woman showed her first sign of feminine consideration. 

　"Huh?" Affranchi carefully opened the door, worried that if he hit the wall in front of him with it, the woman might scold him. But upon reflection, she didn't seem to care whether the car was kicked or pelted with stones.

　Affranchi's tears had not yet dried. While waiting for Everly to stand up, he wiped his tears with his fingers. Sharp gazes met him from the other side.

　"Please wait in front of that green door." 

　Without waiting for Affranchi's reply, the career woman drove the limousine away and disappeared around the next corner.

　A cacophony of Cantonese, English, and Thai bombarded Affranchi and Everly. Children, seemingly hidden until now, peered out from windows and alleys, watching the newcomers and whispering amongst themselves. Amid the voices, they heard a clear demand: "Give us money."

　Everly clung to Affranchi's arm as he firmly guarded the canvas bag between his legs.

　"We don't have money!" 

　It was after repeating that phrase 13 times that the green door behind them opened. 

　"Please come in." 

　It was the career woman.

　They climbed the stairs lit by flickering fluorescent lights and turned several corners in the dark hallway with rooms on either side. Some rooms even had transparent light bulbs hanging like those in Truth's room. The career woman opened a thick wooden door.

　"Please," Her sharp brown eyes stared down at Affranchi.

　Affranchi gripped Everly's wrist and entered the room. In the dimly lit space, a man awaited them.

　"Good work," the man said briefly to the career woman. Everly looked around the room while holding Affranchi's arm. The empty room was surrounded by moldy, stained white walls and thick humidity.

　There was another door on the window side leading to another room. A white man in white clothes introduced himself, "My name is Baam Segen." 

　Affranchi asked, "Can you get rid of the smell in this room?" 

　"Miranda!" The man called to the door on the window side. 

　The career woman, named Miranda, entered.

　"Open the window. The cigar smell seems to bother them."

　"Yes..."

　Miranda's shapely nose seemed to give a snort of amusement. The three in the room watched Miranda's back as she opened the window. There was no view or airflow, as the wall of another apartment building blocked the way. Miranda snapped her long fingers, took the lit cigar from the man's hand, and left the room.

　"Are you sure it's not a mistake?" Affranchi asked. 

　"What do you mean?" 

　"That you called us here." 

　"You're Affranchi Char and Everly Key, right?" Baam Segen showed no emotion.

　"Now, how did you find out that we were on that ship?" 

　"You're familiar with Mikhail Kinsey and his friends, right?"

　"Do you really think Mikhail and the others had the time to inform you of our arrival?"

　"Hehe... You have quite the intuition."

　"Then... it must be Truth Stronger?"

　Affranchi's deduction was met with a smile from Baam Segen.

　"Did you ever consider that someone from your own island may have reported you? Perhaps someone who's been keeping an eye on you?"

　"Someone from the island is watching us? You know I'm not originally from that island."

　"Of course."

　"Well, never mind that. What made you want to leave the island? It's such a nice place to live."

　"To go to space!"

　Everly leaned in, her eyes pleading with the man. She suddenly thought that perhaps he could prevent Affranchi from leaving Earth.

　"Please, don't let Affranchi go to space." 

　"Eva!"

　Affranchi gently pulled Everly back. 

　"Are we the ones taking Affranchi to space?"

　"No, no. Affranchi yearns to see the world beyond, filled with strangers!"

　"I see. So, regardless of who we are, our very existence leads Affranchi to space, does it?"

　"Yes, that's it! So please!"

　Everly nodded vigorously.

　"But even if you say so, we can't simply cease to exist." 

　Everly was at a loss for words, while Affranchi was impressed with her insight.

　"If she can grasp situations so broadly, she won't go wrong in life."

　And...

　"Affranchi, Everly doesn't want you to go to space... Are you willing to abandon her for the stars?"

　"Once I'm determined, nothing can sway me."

　He could only say that with resolve.

　"She seems like a good girl. But you can't go to space, you know?"

　"Why not?"

　"Space travel tickets aren't easy to come by. They're for the privileged class."

　Baam leaned against the window frame; his expression was solemn.

　"Of course, there are forced repatriation shuttles. Regular flights are provided by the Earth Federation government. But no matter how many thousands there are, they're like ancient slave ships. They're shuttles forcibly sending the poor and those deemed unfit to stay on Earth to colonies. Can you board one of those?"

　"I understand... You're an Earth Federation official, aren't you?"

　"The Federation government?"

　"Yes. I've heard tales of a department hunting people for forced migration... They say they hunt people..."

　"Even on the island, such stories circulate. We have television and newspapers."  

　"That's right. And outsiders can live there too."

　"So... what's your objective? There's no benefit in you meeting us."

　"I merely wanted to understand why someone like you, living a peaceful life on the island and would never be subjected to a manhunt, suddenly decided to go to space."

　"What for?"

　"No particular reason. I'm simply fascinated by human behavior. I study it after all."

　Affranchi hesitated, trying to decipher the man's words.

　"You're lying, right? It feels like you're watching us."

　Affranchi finally managed to string together the words.

　"No, it's true. I don't need to spy on or watch you to gather information. If I lend a sympathetic ear to people's grievances and anxieties, showing good intentions, they'll reveal all sorts of things," the man elucidated.

　Affranchi considered this, and it seemed the man's claim about his field of study might not be a lie.

　"For example, Stronger was my drinking buddy. Even after he moved to that experimental zone, he would still call me to vent. That's how I came to know about your actions," the man elaborated.

　"Experimental zone? Is that what Truth was talking about?"

　"You failed to recognize the most superficial phenomena, even though you possess a keen intellect..."

　Baam Segen chuckled, a subtle change in his demeanor as he cleared his throat. It was the first time he exhibited genuine emotion.

　"But that's the nature of human perception. I'm not calling you a fool, mind you."

　"Of course not...!" Affranchi retorted, bristling at the man's impudence.

3

　"Didn't you sense something unnatural about the natural environment of those birds?"

　"Managed nature, perhaps? I couldn't tell, as I have nothing to compare it with."

　"Yes, exactly."

　Baam Segen seemed satisfied.

　"Yet, you decided to venture into space."

 　"Perhaps I imagined a truer nature out there in the cosmos?"

　Affranchi spoke as if it were someone else's concern.

　"You longed to witness that. So you traversed the tempestuous seas in a canoe. The power of humanity is truly remarkable. I was once again moved."

　"Really? You might not know the true terror or the true gentleness of the sea."

　"Ah, you're right. My apologies."

　"Could you tell me more about the experimental zone?"

　"It's simple. We still don't know whether artificial environments cultivate or cripple people. This is a global issue, including space colonies. Thus, we must preserve contrasting cases for comparison. That's the purpose of the experimental zones... What does a natural environment offer a person? To answer this question, the Earth Federation government has established several such experimental areas worldwide."

　"I see... Mr. Bureaucrat."

　"I'm not a bureaucrat, Affranchi Char." 

　Affranchi, irritated by the man's haughty tone, said, "Leave me be. I need to find a way to board the shuttle."

　"How?"

　"I have to either settle in this city and make connections or get picked up by the Earth Federation government's manhunt."

　"It'll take you ten years, you know? Earth Federation government officials are lazy, so the manhunt officers won't go after hopefuls. Somehow, they have a knack for choosing only those who are reluctant."

　Tick!

　Finally, a loud sound burst inside Affranchi's head.

　"Do you want me to go to space?"

　"Affranchi!" Everly moaned.

　"There's no way! That's ridiculous, isn't it?"

　"Regrettably, we do desire that, young lady... However, we lack the resources and funds to secure a shuttle. We merely hold a passive interest in preserving the legacy left by our forebears."

　"Passive?"

　"For instance, this building is owned by a company that has long since become a mere shell company. Yet, we maintain a structure that can preserve ownership, and I manage this company as a side business."

　"No way! So you're really...!"

　Everly seemed drained of all her strength.

　"Are you offering us a place to stay for the night?"

　"That's not the primary intention. The company's articles of incorporation state that when a man from the island returns, we must provide this building. I'm merely fulfilling that mandate. I don't know what will transpire."

　"Please stop this, Mr. Baam Segen!"

　Everly clasped her hands in front of the man.

　"Young lady, now that we've confirmed that this Affranchi Char is the one we've been waiting for, there's nothing I can do about it. It's up to him to see if he can succeed. Behold this legacy..."

　"The legacy building?"

　"Yes, but... it's not the building itself that's the issue, is it?"

　Baam Segen opened a door and said, "This way." 

　Miranda, who had been waiting in the room, stood up briskly and followed at the end of the group.

4

　In a structure that seemed partially dilapidated, it appeared that certain sections were still employed by private companies like Baam Segen's.

　"The redevelopment plan has been proposed many times, and there's a demolition plan for this area, but well, our charter says we should take the lead in destroying it. So, the true nature of this building won't leak outside. It was opportune timing."

　"..."

　When Affranchi offered no response, Baam Segen halted under the dim fluorescent light and pivoted.

　"I mentioned it was fortunate timing that you arrived before we were compelled to demolish it ourselves."

　"I see..."

　Affranchi was bothered by the sweaty skin of Everly Key. He thought that he had to get away from this girl somehow.

　There was a thick layer of dust on the floor's baseboards, and no indications of people walking there.

　"Is this floor okay?"

　Baam Segen asked Miranda.

　"Yes, most likely..."

　Miranda, too, responded ambiguously.

　Her rueful smile at that moment appeared somewhat self-deprecating, and there was no remnant of the haughty demeanor she exhibited while driving the limousine.

　"Well then..."

　"Yes..."

　Miranda retrieved a bundle of keys from her bag, examined the number engraved on the bow of the key and the number on the plate above the door, and then used the key.

　Baam Segen entered the door and switched on the lights.

　It was a small room.

　"..."

　"Come on, Affranchi!"

　Everly tugged at Affranchi's arm.

　"No... Eva."

　Miranda opened the portable computer to match the numerals on the lock of the door, which resembled a safe.

　"..."

　In that interval, a tranquil moment ensued.

　Everly Key persisted in kissing Affranchi's arm.

　The stainless door opened.

　"Now, will the lights turn on?"

　In the darkness, Baam Segen reached out and felt along one wall, but the darkness in the back became slightly brighter.

　"I'd like to say, 'please,' but it's my first time too."

　Miranda gestured "forward" to Affranchi.

　Affranchi pushed Everly's arm away with one hand and followed Baam Segen's back.

　"…!"

　Everly's breath grazed his neck, but he ignored it.

　"This is yours."

　The man revealed an object that was a black mass in the dimly lit backdrop.

It was a machine.

　"A machine...?"

　"Yes, a man-machine. Yes, indeed, Casval Rem Daikun."

　"…?!"

　Affranchi staggered at Baam Segen's words.

　"What?"

　He asked while regaining his footing, and Affranchi remembered the name he had heard.

　"…"

　The man gazed at Affranchi's face for a moment without answering and smiled. "It's up to you now. The shuttle to space launches tomorrow morning, but who knows when the next one will be. It's usually about once every three months..."

　"Hey...!"

　Affranchi couldn't articulate the questions surging within him and choked on his breath.

　Baam Segen returned to the small room where Miranda was waiting.

　"Affranchi!"

　Everly sprang into Affranchi's arms as Miranda displayed the bunch of keys and then set them on the floor of the small room before stepping into the hallway. As Baum Segen trailed her into the hallway, he uttered, "Sieg Zeon," and closed the door.

　"Sieg Zeon...?" Affranchi mulled over the words.

　In the meantime, Everly peered down from the floor where they stood. Several floors below, in the darkness, there seemed to be a platform for the machine.

　"It's the same machine that washed ashore on the island..."

　"Is it? It seems different to me."

　Everly, her voice trembling as she covered her face with both hands, was met with a composed response from Affranchi. The enclosed space was serene. Affranchi, aware of Everly's heartbeat even as it pounded within him, couldn't suppress the excitement coursing through his core.