Chapter 399 - 399: Challenge For Authority
"This… is our new home?" The rescued felines murmured in a daze. Even if their base looked rather primitive, it was a million times better than the conditions they had been kept in while in captivity.
Almost stumbling over each other, they dashed ahead… or more accurately walked, since the dire state of their bodies didn't allow them to exert a lot of physical force.
Unlike last time, the guards keeping watch instantly obliged, opening the gates and welcoming their rescued brethren.
Overjoyed, some jumped into each other's embrace. Having been separated for so long, their minds had naturally begun to assume the worst.
With the news of the successful mission, the elders, with Chief Wilson leading the way, made their way to the crew eagerly.
"For upholding your words, we show utmost gratitude." Their backs bent, straining under the pressure of their age in an attempt to bow, only for Michael to raise a hand to stop them.
"No need for formalities." He reassured them with detached eyes. "You have said it yourself, there are a lot of research facilities in the hollow valley. Until we rescue everybody abducted, we won't have completed our task."
Clearing his throat, Wilson shook Michael's hand.
"Nevertheless, we must celebrate our little wins." The old man smiled warmly. "Not to mention you achieved your task without losing a single one of our own. That is truly commendable."
Michael's eyes darkened slightly. They had lost felines… had they been any faster, they might have prevented them from being turned into the aliens' spawn, but alas…
Mourning could always be delayed for later. Now there was work to be done.
Isolating the human guards they had captured from the research facility, the crew got ready for interrogation.
"I want to be the one to do it!" Ruby rolled up her sleeve, eager to get revenge for what their kind had endured.
Though her enthusiasm died down when Michael patted her on the head.
"I will be taking this one." His voice appeared rather comforting, despite his eyes.
Ruby nodded. Among the crew, Michael was the most efficient when it came to questioning. He wouldn't be taking anything else but the full truth.
"Speak." He ordered in a commanding voice. It took but a mere minute for the guard to give in.
"The upper branches, as we call them, are distributed among the feline district in Magmorious. Other than destroying the feline's infrastructure with terrorist acts, they have also been tasked with testing different iterations of the plague and sending some of the Feral Halfbreed here where we can examine them in more detail."
Michael proceeded to hit the man's face. Although he held back, multiple teeth fell out, while his jaw teetered close to being torn apart.
"Call them that again and you would wish you were dead." His emotionless gaze sent chills running down the guard's spine.
After the man muttered an apology, he continued, his voice rougher than before.
"Using the felines delivered from above, the lower branches are tasked with testing the true limitations of the plague and whether it could synchronize with the aliens' infection. All things considered, we are operating on a much higher level than the upper branches, explaining their lack of knowledge about the cult's affairs. They're but goons that do our dirty work, nothing more."
Michael nodded slowly. "Unlike the surface, in the depths not a single one of the felines is infected with the plague. Why is that?"
The guard chuckled.
"Because they were never meant to be sent free. I am guessing that something went wrong that led to some of them escaping. Their original purpose was to be infected and quickly disposed of. Essentially, it's great luck on their part and shameful incompetence on some of the branches that have let their security become lax."
Nyla, who had requested to be present during the interrogation, suddenly bellowed.
"It wasn't luck!" Her voice was laced with rage. "We fought and pushed our bodies to the limit, all just to escape from our abductions! You don't get to brush off our achievements by claiming that it was just mere luck!"
Being part of the cult that despised felines, the guard was about to retort until he felt Michael's gaze upon him. Biting his tongue in regret, he kept silent, unable to respond.
"Why?" Michael asked, genuinely unable to understand it. "Harboring hate for aliens, I understand… but them? Felines who are but victims of rogue AI experiments? From where does such intense disdain arise to push your cruel treatment to such extreme lengths?"
The guard was silent for a few seconds.
"You must know, it's not just their physical appearance… their souls have been altered as well. While you might claim they are still human, we and our leader disagree. The felines have been altered too far to be considered part of humanity. We viewed them as defects… At best they will hold us back. At worst they will align with the aliens in due time. There is no choice but to purge them for the greater good."
"..."
Michael frowned. He could argue about their beliefs. Yet he knew there was no point. People like this, who had made up their minds long ago, were never going to listen to reason.
"If we don't stop the one who orchestrated this whole operation, this will never come to an end." Michael heaved a sigh. "Where can we find your leader?"
"It will be faster to show you." The guard answered.
Michael permitted him to stand, keeping his arms tied behind his back, and led the way out of the cold cave where they had held the interrogation.
"Our Miss is there, surrounded by her loyal legion and her unkillable protector."
Following the guard's gaze, Michael's eyes fixed on the Monarch tier alien still clinging over a faraway pillar, devouring spiritual crystals from the ceiling.
"If you wish to stop this madness, you must first rid the world of the veil monster!" The guard laughed out loud.
At that moment, a window appeared before Michael's vision.
[Quest: Overthrow the Monarch]
[Difficulty: Impossible]
[Task: Dethrone the Monarch tier alien by asserting your authority over its territory, becoming the sole ruler of the depths below!]
[Reward: Mythic cybernetic, 5,000 Skill Points]