Currents- Chapter Thirteen

[asheth]

“Fuck that guy, honestly.” Yugi growled, gripping Atem tighter. Atem squirmed in response, shifting his position on the chair. It was a one person seat, which forced Atem to half sit in Yugi’s lap to allow them space to somewhat move.

Atem didn’t seem to mind, leaning heavily on Yugi’s shoulder for support.

“I guess I’ll go ride with Anzu, since you two seem rather… arranged.” Mana coughed awkwardly into her hand, stopping the mech.

“Yeah, you do that.” Yugi grunted, sliding out of the seat to allow Atem the space. He gently wrapped the seatbelt harness around Atem’s body, offering a small smile in apology at how tight he had to pull it.

“It’s fine.” Atem said, his body sagging once Yugi was done. “I’m not moving anytime soon.”

“Once we get back to base, we’ll get Yusei to look you over, try and sort out this mess. Until then, please don’t stick your hand into any more electrical sockets.”

Atem flashed him a weak smile before closing his eyes, head lolling to the side.

Yugi left him alone after that, climbing into the pilot seat. He tossed the ear piece away back into the compartment, not needing it anymore. He took the handles into his hands, pushing the mecha back into a standing position.

“Anzu, you good over there?” He asked through the speaker, peering over to where Anzu’s mech was, also rising to its feet.

“Just peachy,” she grunted back. “I’ve got Mana here now. We can head off when you’re ready.”

“Roger.” Yugi switched off the radio, setting off.

As the mecha bounced along, Yugi found he couldn’t get his hands to stop shaking. His heart was racing, adrenaline still stubbornly pumping through his system. The weight of the guns at his sides ever present and heavy on his mind.

He tried to light a cigarette, but his hand could barely hold the stick longer enough to raise it to his face. He fumbled with it, dropping it several times before he called it quits, swearing at it and turning back to the window.

The base soon came back into view, and Yugi radioed in, glad for the distraction. “Ryou, we’re back, can you open the hanger?” He asked. Static came back down the line, and he blinked in surprise.

“Ryou?”

A sudden loud noise caught Yugi’s attention, and the doors to the hanger bay were opening.

“A simple ‘roger’ suffices, you know.” Yugi muttered, rolling his eyes and switching off the radio. He had a few words to say with Ryou, considering they hadn’t met Jou and Honda coming for them at all, meaning Ryou hadn’t sent them out. It’s not like Ryou to ignore an order, especially given the circumstances. I wonder what is on his mind? Yugi thought.

He let the mech trot forward, slipping through the doors and inside. He was itching to get Yusei to check over Atem, not wanting to waste any time that could mess with Atem’s system. Instead he was greeted by a strange sight.

In the middle of the warehouse, tied together in a circle were Ryou, Honda, and Jou. Behind them was a mech with an unfamiliar design; one he had never seen before. He squinted his eyes, mouth open in disbelief.

A second later they widened in realisation, and he had just enough time to swear before something landed on the window of his cockpit.

He was suddenly staring down the barrel of a gun, a long metal cylinder that could only belong to a kind of rifle.

“Touch anything and you die,” a voice said. Yugi glanced upwards, taking in the figure holding the weapon.

It was a tall man, towering over the cockpit. Yugi was sure his long arms could reach the metal supporting the top of the window behind Yugi, he was that tall. Why is a man this tall using a rifle? And at such short distance too, must be inexperienced, Yugi mentally scoffed. If that was the case, then it would be easy for Yugi to worm his way out of this situation.

“Take your hands off the controls. Now.” The man said.

“What do you want?” Yugi asked, lifting his hands up in surrender. “Who are you?”

“You’re in no position to be asking questions, General Mutou.”

“But you know all about me by the sounds of it, and yet I don’t have a name to your face,” Yugi clicked his tongue. “Guess I’ll just call you rifle man for now.”

The man’s brows drew together in a scowl, his eyes drifting away from Yugi when they both heard Atem let out a sigh.

“Yugi… I need Yusei.” He moaned, one eye open to look around hesitantly.

The man’s eyes shot open wide, and his mouth gaped openly. “Atem…? You’re… alive?” He whispered, voice unsure.

Yugi raised an eyebrow. Well this is interesting. “How do you know Atem?”

Those eyes returned to him, and Yugi’s hair spiked at the look he was given. Oh that’s not good, Yugi inwardly cursed.  

“Mahad! Stop don’t shoot him!” Mana’s shrill voice called out over the speaker of Anzu’s mech. It was enough to jerk the man’s attention away from putting a bullet in Yugi’s skull.

“Mana? Is that you?” He asked, eyes searching out Mana’s form in the cockpit.

“Yes it’s me, put your gun down!” She yelled back, just as Anzu opened the hatch, the windows lifting up to reveal them seated within. Mana to the rescue again, I really owe this girl today, Yugi noted.

“Are you a prisoner?” The man- Mahad- called out.

“No, we’re working together!” Mana said. At the confused look Mahad gave her, she rolled her eyes. “It’s complicated, but I can explain. Get your gun out of Yugi’s face and let’s all talk this out.”

Yugi snorted, and Mahad’s attention finally returned to him.

“Get off my mech, please.” Yugi gritted out, making a shooing motion with his hands. Mahad lowered his rifle with a grunt.

He finally removed himself from the cockpit window, jumping down to allow Yugi to park the mecha. He gently lifted Atem, helping him out the side, where Mana and Mahad were fluttering around.

Anzu had gone off to cut the others free, leaving Yugi alone with all the Armesians.

“Yugi…” Atem muttered weakly, his fingers digging into Yugi’s shoulder.

“I know, I know, we’re going now.”

“Please hurry, it hurts.”

Yugi turned back to Mahad and Mana, gaze serious. “Listen, I’m going to let you off the hook for now with just a stern finger waggling, but try anything, and I’ll shoot you in front of your friends.” Mahad shifted uncomfortably, but nodded his consent to the threat.

Atem however gave him a worried glance, and Yugi shot a look back that screamed ‘try me’.

“Yugi please don’t-”

“I’m not going to shoot him, it was just a threat to make sure he gets the message I won’t screw around.” Yugi sighed. Damn I give in to that face too easily, his gaze found Anzu’s, and from the look on hers, she seemed to be thinking the same thing. She cocked an eyebrow at him, motioning to Atem.

“I can handle things out here, you needed to see Yusei, remember?” She called out.

“Right, shit,” Yugi grunted. “Come on Atem, we need to give you check up.”

“Wait, where are you taking him?” Mahad stepped in, shooting Yugi a glance.

Mana jumped in before Yugi had a chance to snap back. “I’ll explain the situation to him, just go see Yusei.”

“Who is Yusei? You mean the android?”

“Yes. Him and his partner, my mechanic and doctor.” Yugi crossed his arms over his chest. “Where are they?”

“I locked the doctor and his android in their lab.” Mahad said in way of an explanation.

“Well let them out, I need Yusei to do his job, and he can’t do that if you’re holding him hostage.” Yugi growled, stomping over to the lab door.

“He was in your base, and he works for the Empire. I didn’t care for his job, just that he was restrained.” Mahad muttered behind him. Yugi promptly chose to ignore the soldier, jamming his override code into the keypad to open the door.

He was greeted with a worried looking Bruno holding a wrench.

“Oh, Yugi, you’re back.” Bruno said, lowering the tool. “And not dead.”

“Always a plus, I find.”

“So the guy who showed up…?”

“It’s taken care of.” Yugi waved his hand dismissingly.

“Oh. Do you need help burying the body?”

“What? No, I,” Yugi snorted. “I didn’t kill him, just convinced him to stand down. Anyway I’m sorry Bruno but I really need to see Yusei. He’s in right?”

“We’ve been trapped in here for a few hours, and yet he’s just been working away like nothing happened.” Bruno chuckled, turning around. “He’s in.”

Yugi followed Bruno, dragging Atem through the lab to where Yusei was behind his computer, as seemed to be the common whenever Yugi visited.

“The situation is clear?” Yusei asked, barely looking up.

“Yeah, it’s all good now. You’re as calm as ever, I see,” Yugi nodded in greeting. “I need you to take a look at Atem. I’ll fill you in, there’s quite a lot that’s happened recently.”

“Not a good trip then I suppose.” Yusei spoke, stepping away from the computer. “Let’s see the damage.”

Yugi led Atem over to the examination table, quickly running through everything Atem had been through, giving the mechanic as many details as he could.

Atem coughed weakly, eyes shut and face twisted in pain.

“I need a moment to check his brain.” Yusei muttered, gently guiding Atem’s limbs flat against the table. Atem gave Yugi a questioning look, and Yugi in return gave a reassuring smile.

“Yusei will look after you, and I’ll be right here, not going anywhere.” Yugi promised.

“Okay…” Atem relented, allowing Yusei to position him properly.

Yusei pressed some buttons on a nearby keyboard, and a blue circle of light appeared above Atem’s head. He closed his eyes, and the circle slowly moved up and down Atem’s head, resizing at intervals.

An image of Atem’s brain appeared on a nearby screen. Bruno was at the chair there, typing up something to go along with the results. Yusei muttered some terms to him, and the android quickly jotted them down in the program.

Once he was done, Yusei pulled the object away from Atem’s head, and the lights flicked back on.

“The modified emotion chip I put in last time is gone. Hs system has tried to jolt his brain back into his original programming,” Yusei said, turning towards Yugi. “I can put a new one in, it will take some time though.”

“Please do.” Yugi nodded, and Yusei went back to concentrating on Atem.

Yugi stayed in the lab while Yusei sedated Atem, slipping out only once Atem was asleep so he wouldn’t know Yugi had left.

Back in the hanger bay, Mana was still running through the recent events, bringing Mahad up to speed with them.

“He really did that? Kidnapped Atem and helped some creep rewrite him?” Mahad said in a hushed tone. His expression was horrified, and Yugi could tell he cared deeply for his friend. Atem really has some loyal friends here, he noted. It would be best for him to go back with them once we take care of Dartz.

Mahad chose that moment to look up, and his eyes locked with Yugi’s.

“Ah, General Mutou.” He said, having the grace to blush. “Mana has told me all you’ve done for Atem since he entered your care. I’d… like to apologise for my behaviour before. I was quite rude.”

“Given the situation, I’d say you were in the right,” Yugi shrugged. “I would have done the same as you, maybe even worse.”

“Still, I pride myself on being quite civil, but when I tracked Mana’s mech down and found she wasn’t there, I was beside myself.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot we left that behind.” Yugi snorted. Mana turned wide eyes to him.

“What do you mean you forgot? I thought you didn’t let me take it because you were worried I would try to escape!”

“Escape?” Mahad echoed.

“Well, I suppose I was worried you would try to radio in for help, still thinking I was kidnapping Atem or something,” Yugi said, “but in all honesty, I did forget about your mech. Sorry.”

Mana grumbled under her breath, crossing her arms angrily.

“It doesn’t matter right now anyway. We have more important things to worry about.”

“Like what?” Mahad asked.

“Getting back at Dartz.”

“The man who helped Raphael kidnap and hurt Atem?”

Yugi nodded. “That’s the guy.”

“Then count me in,” Mahad said. “He’s hurt my friend, and by the sounds of it, these two are traitors to both our factions. I believe a temporary truce to rid us of them would be beneficial.”

“Glad we’re on the same page.” Yugi held out his hand, and Mahad shook it.

Anzu was close by, smoothing things over with the others, but at Yugi’s glance she came over with the boys in tow, all looking at Yugi, waiting for him to give them the order.

“One things for sure, we’re going to track down that bastard and make him pay. I won’t rest until that happens.” Yugi swore, looking everyone in the eye one at a time to make sure they understood. He received a series of nods back in return, Jou going so far to shout in reply. Satisfied, he turned away, heading to his private quarters.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That night Yugi found himself on his balcony, leaning out to gaze over the rocky terrain. He couldn’t see much, but he wasn’t really looking, his eyes glazed as his mind travelled far away.

So much had happened, and in such a short period of time. Yugi was beginning to question if he would need a long vacation far away after this to clear his head. It felt like his restlessness was only getting worse with all this worry. And when will it end? Will it even end? Where was the point when this was no longer his concern?

Maybe I should consider retiring, Yugi hummed, tapping the balcony. Leaving the army and just have a boring day job. Or become a farmer, something far away from this all. The war won’t last much longer anyway. Soon enough it’ll die down, a treaty coming forth maybe.

The door to his quarters opened, and seconds later he heard the soft footfalls of someone approaching.

“Can’t sleep?” Atem’s soft voice asked. He perched himself next to Yugi on the balcony, head turned out to the landscape.

“Never can these days. At least, not well.”

“Nightmares?” Atem turned to him.

“Memories.”

Atem nodded, humming in acknowledgement.

“Why are you up this late? I thought you’d be with Mana and Mahad, catching up and what not.”

Atem squirmed, shifting his position somewhat restlessly. “I tried, and we did for some time, but… It felt awkward.”

“How so?”

“I just… can’t stop thinking about what happened.”

“Ah,” Yugi hummed. “Would you like to take about it?”

“…Yes.”

“All right. Tell me what’s on your mind Atem.”

“I just… What if… it could happen again?” Atem sighed, a quiet sound. “Dartz overrode my system so easily, he erased the side of me that is still human with the flick of his wrists. I don’t… I feel uneasy, that someone has such power over me like this.”

Yugi turned to the other, taking in Atem’s appearance. He looked dishevelled, hair sitting in wild clumps, stuck out everywhere, bangs curled behind his ears in an attempt to tame them. His eyelids drooped, despite the obvious intent to keep them up he exhibited. Looks like I’m not the only one unable to sleep, Yugi observed.

He moved closer, placing a hand over Atem’s. “It’s a possibility, I can’t lie,” Yugi started. “But you’re not alone. You have friends, and people who will help you. A part of you is still human, and that part of you fought back tooth and nail against Dartz’s programming. It’s the only reason you broke free long enough to help stop yourself.”

“My identity is worth nothing if it can be turned off at the mere flick of a switch.” Atem’s shoulders sagged. “I’m to spend the rest of my life like this, aren’t I?”

“Yes. I’m sorry.” Yugi whispered, his words genuine. “But, now that you’ve got most of your memory back, you can go home.”

Atem rounded on him. “What?”

“Mahad and Mana are here to take you back. So go back home, surround yourself with friends who will help you.” Yugi shrugged, trying to play it off.

“But I don’t want to leave, I mean… I don’t think I could. I’m supposed to be here for you.”

“You’re not a mindless soldier Atem. You don’t need to stay here.” Yugi said mildly.

“You don’t… need me anymore?” Atem looked crestfallen, biting his lip. “Why?”

“I’m not about to ship you off to a war you don’t need to fight, Atem,” Yugi sighed, hand slipping into his pocket for a cigarette. “You deserve to live peacefully for the rest of your life. You won’t find that peace here.”

“But… what will you do?”

“Keep going till I die, I suppose.” Yugi shrugged, flicking the lighter on.

“What do you fight for though? You are not loyal to the Empire.”

“There’s nothing left for me here, true. I’ll just carry on till I disappear.”

“There must be something for you. You deserve better.” Atem pressed, edging closer. Yugi glanced at the other, letting out a low sigh.

“It’s not that simple Atem… And besides, this isn’t about me, it’s about you. Don’t change the subject.”

“I don’t want to leave.” Atem said, gaze turning away. “If… If I was an obedient android again? Would you keep me around then? Would I be useful again?”

Yugi gave him a horrified look, almost choking on his cigarette. “What!? How could you think that?”

“You want to send me away, and I… I don’t want to be abandoned. Mana and Mahad are my friends, yes, and that country is my home, but… I don’t feel like I belong back there anymore.” Atem lowered his head. “I’m not exactly a human anymore.”

Yugi paused, staring down at the faint embers that burnt the edge of his cigarette. He brought it to his mouth, slowly taking a drag, leaving the exhale just as long.

“If you want to stay, I won’t stop you,” he finally said. “If you want to leave, I won’t stop you either. It’s your life, Atem. Do what makes you happy.”

Atem flashed him a smile, hand squeezing Yugi’s. “Thank you, Yugi.”

“I promise, Atem; I will never abandon you. You’re part of the team, and we stick together.” Yugi grinned, giving him a gentle muss of his hair. “Now get some sleep, you. We have a lot of brainstorming to do tomorrow.”

“Yes sir.” Atem said, and Yugi had to pause for a moment to work out if he was being serious. The grin Atem gave him back told him otherwise, and he let a chuckle escape his lips.

“Goodnight, Atem.”

“Goodnight Yugi.” Atem said softly, before he padded out of the room, leaving Yugi alone in the cool night air.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yugi stared at each person sitting around the table. Anzu was to his left, Atem to his right. Mana and Mahad sat awkwardly together on Atem’s side, while Jou, Honda, and Ryou sat opposite.

“Everyone’s up to date with current affairs?” Yugi asked.

A round of nods answered him.

“Good. We need to work out where Dartz’s sorry ass is hiding. Any ideas?”

“Headquarters would be a good bet, but trying to storm in there would be near suicidal.” Anzu spoke up. Yugi nodded.

“That’s true. I wouldn’t put it past Dartz to go skulking back to Gozaburo now that he doesn’t have to worry about his base of operations being discovered.”

“You think he would go back though? It’s quite the risk, knowing that you have easy access into HQ.” Jou spoke, putting forth the argument.

“That’s true,” Yugi groaned, curling his fingers into his palms. “And all of his facilities and outposts have been uprooted or destroyed. I don’t know anywhere else he could be hiding.” He dragged a hand down his face, looking around the table.

No one met his face, eyes mainly focused on the table while everyone considered their options. We’re running out of leads to go off, Yugi silently cursed. What else is there to work with?

“Wait, you mentioned before that Raphael was involved in this, correct?” Mahad suddenly spoke up.

“He is working with Dartz, and from what Atem remembers, was the one who knocked him out and kidnapped him that night.” Yugi supplied, to which Atem nodded his agreement.

“What if Dartz went into our country to hide? He could have used Raphael’s connections as General to slip away from any trouble you could stir up in the Empire.”

Yugi paused, eyes stretching wide in surprise. The more he thought it over, the more Mahad’s words made sense. “That… could be true. Would there be anywhere Raphael would be likely to lead Dartz too? A hideout of some kind, or a remote base?”

“We have a few idle bases on the outskirts of our country, but  as for any that Raphael has shown an interest in, none come to mind.” Mahad stroked his chin, frowning and deep in thought.

“What about the routine patrols he went on? He always took at least two days to do them, and he never took camping gear.” Mana mentioned.

Mahad’s eyes widened, and he blinked. “Yeah, actually. There was a base along that route I believe.”

“What kind of base?” Yugi asked.

“Something to do with test firing or something I think.” Mahad kept his finger to his chin.

“Is it actively in use?”

“It’s not in my area of jurisdiction,” Mahad answered. “I’m pretty sure Raphael was in charge of it.”

“Sounds like it could be our place then.” Yugi grunted.

“I can bring up the location on a map.” Mahad offered.

“You sure you want to go to this place Yugi?” Anzu asked.

“We’re in the dark, and we don’t have many options left. If there’s a chance Dartz is hiding here, then we should take it.”

“Well all right then,” Anzu nodded.

“We’re behind you all the way Mutou!” Jou gave him a thumbs up, and a chorus of agreements rang out.

“If there is a chance we’re wrong, I don’t want to risk our place of action being destroyed,” Yugi said, gaze shifting over his subordinates. “Jou, Honda, Ryou, you three stay here and man the base while we’re out. Ryou’s in charge.”

“Naturally.” Ryou smiled, nodding his acknowledgement.

“Aw man, no action?” Honda whined. Jou fake cried, and Yugi just rolled his eyes.

“If Dartz attacks our base, you’ll have all the action you want boys.”

“This is true.” Honda nodded, exchanging grins with Jou. Yugi meanwhile turned to the others, determination glimmering in his eyes.

“The rest of you, pack your bags and polish up the mechs. We leave first thing tomorrow morning.”