Giving it to Zeta, I turned to the others. "Okay. That was the proof of concept. We even manage to create a novel technique to use against hostile AEP units and one for males with the female upgrade installed." I smiled as they all smiled and cheered. They surrounded Zeta to get a look at the chip. If he were to die right here, he would be brought to this moment if we put the chip in a baby PEA's body. I saw 05-003 angry and tears were falling from his eyes. In that moment, I realized that I had done the worst thing that I could do to him. Even if it was a natural process and not some foreign symbiote monster this time, this was still something horrible to him. I had known that and still went through with it. For science? For pride? Out of spite? Probably all 3 at the same time. I decided to let him go. I almost undid the bindings and said "Get out of here and never come back." We were planning a very big attack on Water Clan right now. He would snitch on us and make everything harder on us. My clanmates could die because of it. He could not leave, but he could not stay. I came to my conclusion.
The order died on my lips when I saw 03 come into the dojo with 01. They looked at us and then blinked. I blinked back before I asked why they were here. "You've been cooped up in here so long, we wanted to know you were still around. Brett let us in." 01 said. They were still looking at 05-003. Before they could ask me anything, I had to take initiative. "I get it then. You 2 cornered me in the dojo to spar with me again. Come at me!" I challenged. It was clearly not what they wanted to do, but they quickly smiled. They were Conqueror faction AEPs the chance to dominate a human, even one they like, was irresistible. I looked at the others. "I'll be here for a while. Take him to the PEA lab and keep him restrained for now. He is still an enemy." They nodded and got to work. Everyone except for Zeta was clothed already. Thank goodness for that. Zeta scrambled for his pants and helped move the 2 benches with 05-003 on it. He was just in a state of despair. All of his energy had truly been exhausted. That was also really good. He might have spilled the beans. I did not want them to know what I did.
Ashamed, I could not really focus on the spar. They were not holding back either. They shot me with the guns they had installed as well as punched and kicked me. It did hurt quite a bit. I was also unable to hurt 03 too badly because the death of 02 was still in the back of my mind. For them, it was over a year and an acceptable loss. He was easily replaceable. To me, it was a week and some days. He was also a friend. I actually got knocked out. I was not able to move for 5 minutes, and my vision was black. My hearing was muffled. They were not stupid; they could tell something was weird. "Look how he panicked! I bet-" I heard from one of them. I could not tell which one it was. It was to simulate the feeling of being fucked up, but it was not good. My heart was beating faster and faster. I could feel myself being moved and my jaw was opened. Something slid down my throat. It did not stay down. It went up into my sinuses. There was stinging and pressure and it hurt a lot. When I fully came too, both of them were glaring at me. I could not help but wince back. "What happened? My head hurts."
03's glare stopped me from moving. "We used our nanites on you when you were out. Burrowed through your skull and implanted in your brain long enough to capture your memories." 01 said with a cruel smile. I could only laugh. They looked at each other in confusion. "You really are nearly perfect beings." I said. "Cut the shit! We knew you were holding back. We already know you have amazing regenerative abilities. You let us win." "I only let myself lose. You deserved it." I said. 01 grabbed me by the collar. "Shut the fuck up, Brianne! You can't distract us. We saw it. And we felt it. You have been abusing 05-003." he yelled in my face. "Well, you know what we did. I can't let him go. We are moving against Water Clan. If he snitches my clanmates could die in the battle." I said. 03 said "And this is the same person weeping for 02? I don't believe it." That hurt. I sat up. "No. 02 was my friend and that still hasn't changed. We were allies and there was no need to kill him. I still disagree with your leader. Something could have be-" was all I got out before 03 covered my mouth tightly.
