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Chapter 25: Truth and Hope


January 31, 2024 8:16 AM

The group was silent for a moment after Miranda's answer. The truth and their last hope... Sanders was beginning to understand why Miranda had been so cautious before. If that was true, then telling the wrong person could doom them all.

 

"Well don't leave us in suspense, what does it say?" Gabby asked looking rather excited. Miranda, however, shook her head.

 

"It's...too much to tell really and trying to explain it won't do it justice. I'll need to take you to see it. Besides, there are some technical files you will all want to see on it, anyway," Miranda answered, getting an annoyed look from Darius and Kimberly.

 

"And how do you propose we get to it? Pyrrha is gone and walking will take far too long," Kimberly asked as she crossed her arms. Miranda turned to her with a confident smile.

 

"With the tractor I built. We can use the lift to get down to it and the wagon that came with it to transport all of you. However, the wagon doesn't have enough space to carry everyone. At most, it could hold, maybe, thirty people," Miranda said as she smirked at them. Both Jimmy and Ollie’s eyes lit up at that while the rest of them looked taken aback, Kimberly in particular. Darius, however, simply nodded and looked over to Derek.

 

"Derek, go round up the best people we have and meet us down on the ground. Miranda, if you would," Darius said as he stood up and motioned for her to lead on. Miranda nodded, turned and headed outside as everyone snapped out of their surprise and fell in after her, save Derek who went off to round up some soldiers.

 

Miranda lead them to the lift and they all piled on. Jimmy spent the trip down taking notes and generally marvelling at the lift. Everyone else simply waited for the lift to reach the ground. Once on the ground, Miranda took the lead again and started toward a slowing rotting desk that had fallen over at some point. As they got closer to the fallen desk, Sanders glanced back at the lift and thought of something that made him worry. He moved forward a bit to catch up with Miranda.

 

"Are you OK with leaving your daughter here?" Sanders asked her, worried Miranda might be putting their needs above her daughters. Miranda looked over and gave him a calming smile.

 

"I've left her alone here plenty of times. The hallways here are deathly silent to the point that any noise echoes into this room. The loud footsteps of a giantess would be heard long before she got anywhere near here and Christa knows where every hiding place is in here," Miranda answered, putting Sanders' fears to rest. He nodded in understanding. Good...he didn’t want to feel he had forced her away simply because she felt she owed Isabella or him.

 

"And yet you didn't seem to hear Pyrrha coming," Darius spoke up, getting Miranda to shoot an angry look back at him. Sanders added his own angry stare, but Darius simply stared at them with his usual emotionless mask. Miranda turned away and huffed a bit.

 

"That is because your catmonster was trying to be quiet. Normally, they stomp around just as much as any giantess since they don't think there is prey in here," Miranda said with an odd tone in her voice. Sanders couldn't help but wonder who she was trying to convince of that. Still, most of the Phoenixes were staying behind and, up on that desk, would have good ground to fight a catgirl. Pyrrha barely reached the top of the desk and she was taller than most catgirls. Christa should be safe enough along with those that were staying behind...at least he hoped.

 

“Not like a giantess or catgirl would know to look here, anyway. Took us forever to get here and we knew where we were going,” Gabby added in with a confident smile. Miranda nodded in agreement and seemed to relax a bit more. Gabby was right, it had been a long trek getting here and none of the Society was even in this area. Still, it paid to be prepared.

 

They were silent for the last bit of the trek to the ruined desk. Miranda motioned for them to stay back while she headed into the shelve that had been built into the desk. It was rather dark inside, but Sanders could still make out the shape of a large vehicle of some sort along with other things, probably parts and such. Miranda moved to the vehicle and climbed onto it before starting the engine. Its headlights came on as the tractor rumbled to life, causing all of them to wince at the sudden light. They backed up a few steps as Miranda drove the tractor out of the desk and into sight.

 

Like Sanders had figured, it was the same, or at least very similar to the, model his family used on their farm. It looked like a normal tractor one would have found on a farm from before the shrink, only shrunken down to their size. It had a dulled red paint job, but no real ornamentation having been built for work, not style. Behind it, the tractor was hauling a large open wagon with a similar paint job. It looked big enough to fit them all, though its lack of seats was going to make it rather uncomfortable, and had rails raised above the platform to make sure none of them went flying out. Everyone seemed rather impressed with it save for Sanders and Gabby who had seen such things before. Jimmy, however, could barely contain his excitement as it drove out into sight.

 

"Holy shit a fully functional miniature Society vehicle! When you said you had a tractor I thought you meant like a jury-rigged one, not an actual tractor tractor! I have wanted to get my hands on a miniature Society vehicle forever! Please tell me you'll let me take it apart once we are done," Jimmy begged as he started to study the tractor's every detail, taking notes as he went. Miranda gave him a look that screamed no, which deflated Jimmy faster than Sanders thought possible. Still, he keep at his studying till Darius sighed and rubbed his forehead.

 

"We can study the tractor later, Jimmy. For now, we need to stay focused on the computer. Everyone get on board," Darius said trying to get them all back on task. Everyone snapped out of their awe and climbed into the wagon. Sanders made sure to sit as far from Kimberly as possible and she seemed perfectly happy with that. With everyone on board, Miranda drove them back to the lift to pick up the rest.

 

By the time they got there, Derek and the soldiers he had picked out were waiting for them. There were, probably, twenty-something soldiers in all with various equipment. Most had rockets, but a number had rifles as well. As they pulled up, Derek managed to keep his surprise at the working tractor in check, but most of the soldiers stared in open wonder. Sanders didn't really get what was so surprising, but then he had seen such things before back in Atlanta. He supposed for them, seeing a non-jury-rigged piece of junk vehicle was a spectacle worth gaping at. A few shouts from Derek got them to recover from their surprise and the soldiers all piled in. Just as Sanders had figured, everyone fit, though not comfortably. Sanders had to keep his legs tucked into him so as not to take up too much space, while poor Derek was so huge he had to ride on the tractor itself. Still, everyone managed to get on board and Miranda got them moved toward the exit once everyone was settled.

 

Despite being just a tractor, the vehicle was rather speedy. It was nowhere near as fast as Pyrrha, but a lot faster than them walking. Sanders had picked a spot near the front so he managed to overhear Derek ask Miranda a question.

 

“How long will it take for us to reach the computer?” he asked, just barely getting over the rumble of the engine and the idle chatter.

 

“Thirty minutes, give or take a few minutes,” Miranda answered as she drove them out of the room. Derek groaned at that and didn’t look at all happy about it. Considering he was, literally, hanging onto the side of the tractor it wasn't hard to tell why. Sanders, though, was rather glad for that as he was feeling his lack of sleep starting to catch up with him. A quick nap might not be a bad idea.

 

Having been a Ranger, Sanders was used to sleeping in odd places and with lots of noise. He had fallen asleep more than once on Isabella's shoulder and that had been far less comfortable and a lot louder. Sanders nudged Gabby and motioned to her that he was taking a nap. She nodded before turned to look out of the wagon to keep watch while Sanders did his best to get comfortable. Despite the lack of any real comfort, Sanders managed to slip into sleep without too much trouble.

 

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Sanders smiled as he walked up to the computer. Finally, after so long, he had found it. He had found what both Manchent and Isabella had died to protect. He just wished he could tell Isabella...

 

"I know, Sanders. Don't worry," a familiar voice said from behind Sanders. Sanders whirled and felt a wave of shock, joy, and despair run through him. Isabella stood behind him, shrunken to his size. Sanders didn't understand how she had got here, but didn't care as he felt tears run down his face. He tried to say her name, but could only get out a gasp for air. Isabella seemed to understand, though, as she smiled at him and spread her arms to him. Sanders didn't need any other invitation.

 

Sanders embraced Isabella and couldn't help but cry in her shoulder. Isabella patted his head and shhed him as she returned his hug.

 

"Shh, no need for that, Sanders. This is a time to be happy, you finally succeeded," Isabella said as she hugged him closer to her body. Sanders did his best to dry his tears as he smiled in joy, though a bit confused why he wasn't having to bend down anymore to hug Isabella. He soon stopped caring about that as Isabella pulled his head down into her cleavage. The thump of her heart and the warmth of her took away all his fear, worries, and sorrows. He barely even registered that his feet were having a tough time reaching the ground or that he couldn't quite get his hands all the way around Isabella's back anymore.

 

Sanders wanted to stay like that forever, doubly so when Isabella placed a small kiss on the top of his forehead. He was in heaven...and he deserved it. The warmth of Isabella’s body...the utter and complete safety of her large arms, the slow thump of her heart, everything was perfect.

 

"I wish you could stay, Sanders, but there is more to be done. Things are not over," Isabella said. Sanders didn't want to listen so he just buried himself further into her large breasts and enjoyed their warm-...hmm, they seemed colder than before.

 

"Sanders, please," Isabella asked and Sanders sighed inwardly as he pulled his head out of her breasts to look u- THERE WAS A HOLE IN HER HEAD!!!

 

Sanders jerked back from Isabella, suddenly finding himself on the ground and Isabella back to her normal size. The color had drained from her features and blood was slowly pouring out of the bullet hole in her head....the same bullet hole he had given her...

 

"Oh God...Isa-" Sanders started to say, but stopped as Isabella pushed her cold, clammy, finger into his lips.

 

"I know, Sanders. My death was never your fault. It was theirs," Isabella said as she pointed behind him with her other hand. A deep rumbling came from behind Sanders and a wave of fear washed over him. He didn't want to turn, but Isabella's eyes demanded he turn. He slowly turned his head and the fear turned to utter dread.

 

Towering above them both was Angela and Cathrine's torsos. Angela giggled down at him and made a kissy face toward him while Cathrine simply looked down at him like he was some kind of offending fly. Sanders felt an odd sense of deja vu before he realized he was on the table again, the same table where....OH NO! Sanders spun, but found Isabella gone from where he left her. He spun back just in time to see Angela pulling her up to her mouth.

 

"No, STOP!" Sanders yelled to no avail. Angela didn't even look at him as she brought Isabella up over her mouth and dropped her in like she was a piece of candy. Sanders screamed in horror as Isabella vanished and Angela swallowed with a satisfied ahh. Sanders fell to his knees in shock and despair as Cathrine's hand started toward him. Sanders looked at it and gritted his teeth as he pushed himself back to his feet. No, he wouldn't just give up dammit! Not after they had killed her AGAIN!

 

Sanders turned to run, but stopped dead in his track as he came face to face with Aviel. Aviel looked slightly up at him with a cold glare while Sanders stared in wonder to see her back to her normal height.

 

"Its pointless to resist, Sanders. You've already lost. You lost the moment you hesitated. And now..." Aviel said as a very unlike her smile spread over her face. Sanders was confused for a moment before fear began to grip him as Aviel's eyes became level with his...and then above his. Sanders backed up as Aviel began to grow, and grow, and grow. Her breasts past his head, then her stomach and still she grew. Sanders slow steps back turned into a full on sprint as her hips moved past his head yet her growth only seemed to speed up. He swore before coming to a stop as he noticed four massive feet blocking his path. Sanders looked up in terror and saw Angela and Cathrine looming over him, their feet making a massive wall to block him. Angela laughed at his sheer insignificance while Cathrine placed her hands on her hips.

 

Sanders turned to run back, but stopped as he came face to shoe with Aviel's shoes, now grown so large to be nearly buildings to him. Aviel had stopped growing, but had grown just as large as Cathrine and Angela. She looked down at him with the same glare that she had given him just before dropping him into that catgirl pen.

 

Sanders cursed as he looked around for a weapon, but nothing was around, just empty table. He swore and took off to the right to escape, but was thrown back as a massive foot crashed down with enough force to blast him back and blow out his ears. He struggled to his feet and looked up to see a sight that filled him with dread. Lutice moved to block his path with that same demented smile she wore.

 

"Hello, Sanders, remember how I said I would be angry if you left?~" she said in a playful tone that made Sanders blood run cold. Sanders whipped around to run the only way open to him, but stopped as the only sight more terrifying than Lutice greeted him. A catgirl...on her hands and knees slowly moving toward him...Only this one was gigantic, nearly as big as Aviel and the rest. Sanders backed away in terror as the catgirl licked her lips. The giantesses above him began to chuckle as the catgirl moved closer and closer.

 

"You never should have fought us, fool," Cathrine said as she crossed her arms.

 

"You can't hope to stop us as utterly weak and tiny as you are," Angela agreed before laughing again.

 

"You couldn't even stop me when we were the same size, and now you think you can win with such a disadvantage?" Aviel asked with an utterly disgusted look.

 

"You should have just stayed in my panties and been a good little slave. I might have even let you live to a ripe old age," Lutice said with a sad smile before shrugging.

 

"And now you will die just like all your friends," the catgirl said in Pyrrha's voice before lunging toward him.

 

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"NO!" Sanders yelled as he shot up. Gabby and a few of the nearby soldiers turned toward him in surprise as Sanders gasped to catch his breath. He had...it had...a dream, no...a nightmare...just a nightmare. Sanders felt a wave of relief wash over him as he remembered where he was, only for it to be replaced with embarrassment once he noticed all the people looking at him.

 

"S-Sorry I...I just had a bad dream," Sanders said, unable to think of a believable lie. Gabby smirked and snorted before turning back to look out the wagon. Sanders worried the others would do the same, but was surprised that none of them did. In fact, they looked more sympathetic than judgemental.

 

"Don't worry about it, Sanders. We all get them," a guy sitting next to Sanders said. A number others nodded before turning away as if reliving their own nightmares. Sanders was surprised by that response, however, once he thought about it, it made sense they could relate. He could imagine most of them had unpleasant dreams as well considering all the horrors they faced on a daily basis. However...that dream...

 

He had hoped that he would be able to free himself from some of the weighty responsibility that he had taken unto himself. That finding Manchent's legacy would free him, at least in part, from the burdens that were bearing down on him. That nightmare had reminded him that finding the computer was only part of his task. Angela, Cathrine, Aviel, and Lutice were all still out there, killing and abusing their power. As long as they were alive, he couldn't consider himself freed or anyone truly safe. He owed Isabella, Manchent, and everyone else they had murdered to see this to the end. Heavy though the burden was, he had to keep carrying it till they all paid for their crimes.

 

With his resolve hardened, Sanders turned to look out the wagon along with Gabby. The scenery left much to be desired and didn’t help Sanders’ mood. Old, slowly falling apart hallways with fading posters still stuck to their walls. Old clothing slowly rotting away along with shoes that were nothing more than soles. Books with the knowledge they once contained all but ruined by mold and disuse. Lockers standing as mute sentinels to the slowly fading signs of those that used to use them... Sanders turned back to sit in the wagon rather quickly.

 

Finally, Miranda yelled something back to them, though the exact words were lost to the chatter and engine. Sanders straightened to look ahead of them and saw a massive pile of rubble blocking the way into another hallway. Bits of plaster, cement, lockers, and other debris covered the entire hallway creating a literal wall of junk reaching nearly to the ceiling. Sanders couldn't help but wonder what was so special about this dead end. To his surprise, Miranda headed straight for it.

 

Miranda slowed the tractor to a stop next to the giant pile of debris before turning it off and climbed down. Derek followed after her and looked to have to stop himself from kissing the ground in joy of being off done with the ride. Sanders and the rest of the Phoenixes climbed down too, figuring Miranda must have a reason for them to stop here. Gabby hopped down and starting to stretch along with most of the others.

 

As Derek got the Phoenixes to spread out from the tractor, Sanders headed to Miranda to ask why they stopped. Darius beat him to her, however.

 

"You hid the computer in this rubble?" Darius asked, making Sanders want to slap his forehead. OF COURSE, where else would someone hid something they didn’t want found, ever? Unless the Society dug up the whole area, they would never have found it in there. Miranda nodded making Sanders feel stupider....more stupid, DAMMIT!

 

"Yes. This hallway collapsed a few years back thanks to a tornado. Isabella thought it would make the perfect hiding place so we buried it in the rubble. I can lead you to it, but...well this IS our last hope so,” Miranda said as she eyed the others with some suspicion. Sanders thought Darius might take offense to that, but if he did he never showed it. Instead, he just nodded and turned to the Phoenixes.

 

"Derek, Jimmy, Kimberly, Ollie, you are with me! Everyone else, take cover in the rubble and keep your heads down. There is to be no fire unless you have been made, we don’t want anyone to know we are here if we can avoid it," Darius ordered. A general yes, sir came from the Phoenixes and the soldiers all began clambering into the rubble to find places to hide. While the soldiers got ready for the worst, Kimberly, Derek, Jimmy, and Ollie all came over to join them. Gabby, despite being uninvited, came right along and had a look that just dared anyone to say anything against it.

 

“You can trust these people, they all have very good reasons to want to see the Society defeated, though,” Darius said as he gave Gabby a raised eyebrow. Gabby shot a glare at him and looked about to say something, but Sanders stopped her.

 

“I can vouch for Gabby. We can trust her too,” Sanders said getting a slight smile from Gabby. Miranda stared at the group and looked to debate whether to let them go or not. Finally, she nodded.

 

“Fine, let’s go. Make sure you stay close, this place can get rather confusing,” she said as she motioned for them to follow.

 

Miranda lead their group to a small crack near to where the soldiers were taking positions at. She squeezed into the hole and they followed after her, save Derek who had to find an alternate route being so large. Derek linked up with them a few feet ahead, finding a place he could drop down to them, and they continued onward. Miranda had been right that the rubble started to become rather confusing. Twists and turns seemed to lead off in every direction and it wasn’t long before Sanders was hopelessly lost. Despite the maze-like passages, Miranda forged ahead with the confidence of someone who had done this many times before and only paused once or twice as she debated which way to go. After a minutes of walking, Miranda climbed up a piece of rubble and smiled back at them.

 

"Up here," she said as she helped them up one-by-one. Sanders clambered up with Gabby's help and was shocked to see another prefab building, though this one was completely buried by rubble. A few pieces of rocks and other stuff was scattered about its front, but the door leading inside was unblocked and just waiting to be opened.

 

“Woah...did Isabella dig this place out?” Gabby asked as she looked over the area in wonder. Miranda smiled a somewhat sad smile as she nodded.

 

“Yes. She dug out this little spot by hand before putting the prefab building holding the computer in it and reburying it,” Miranda said with a bit of pride. Gabby shook her head and a bit of sadness flashed across her face. Sanders missed her too...

 

Miranda lead the way as they all headed to the building. Sanders could see everyone getting rather excited seeing their objective so close at hand. Even Darius' usual mask had some cracks that showed a slight smile as they neared the door. Miranda punched in a code on the keypad next to the door and the door's lock clicked open. She pushed the door aside and lead them into the building.

 

Sanders stepped in and found the building completely empty save for a desk and a....computer. Not a jury-rigged, rusted, and barely functioning computer like Sanders expected. No...a real honest to goodness computer... While it had not been designed with the same aesthetic look most home computers were, it was still a wonder of engineering. In fact, it looked closer to a computer that would have been designed for industrial use, where looks and such were unwanted. Its screen didn't have so much as a scratch on it, the parts that were showing from the tower looked to have all been meant to do what they were doing, and the whole thing just looked...like a real computer. It even had a keyboard and mouse! Sanders couldn't help but marvel at the expertly made machine, but Jimmy and Ollie were beyond awed and nearly inthralled.

 

"Sweet Jesus, look at this! I...I would swear it had been made back before the shrink disaster if I didn't know it hadn't! He must have hand-made most of these parts for them to fit so well together, but you would never know it from looking at it. I...I don't think I could even come close to making something like this! And...holy shit are these fusion batteries?! I've only seen these used for the Society's shields! How did he get these or...fuck did he MAKE THEM?! Goddamn, it's a masterpiece!" Jimmy said as he looked over the computer, but never touched it. He looked like he was afraid he might break something if he dared to lay his hands on it. Ollie, however, moved right up to it and rubbed his hands over the keyboard.

 

"Woah...the letters were cut into the keyboard's plastic by hand. And some of this circuits I recognize, their from cell phones and tablets. He must have rewired and modified their circuitry to work together...I have trouble just getting radios to work and he built a fully functional computer out of stuff that was never meant to work that way, AND made it look like it should work..." Ollie said as he looked over the computer. At the last part, though, the young man's face darkened and his shoulder drooped for some reason. Before Sanders got a chance to wonder about that too much, Darius spoke up.

 

"It certainly is impressive, but I am more interested in what it contains," Darius said as he glanced over to Miranda. Derek and Gabby nodded their agreement and Sanders had to admit he felt the same way. The computer was amazing, but ultimately pointless if what it held was useless.

 

"You could have just asked rather than be snide," Miranda shot back at Darius before she shooed the two awed Phoenixes away with her hand. Darius simply crossed his arms over his chest in response. Miranda pressed the power button on the tower of the computer and it hummed to life. Its screen flickered a few times before coming on completely. A few words scrolled across it, moving too quick for Sanders to read, before it seemed to turn off again. Suddenly, the screen lit up again as a sentence appeared on it.

 

"What do you seek?" the screen asked. Miranda quickly typed in her answer before anyone could take a guess.

 

"The truth."

Miranda hit the enter key and the screen flicked off. The computer hummed for a second as Miranda stepped away to let them all see the screen. Everyone moved closer to try and get a better look at the screen as it, slowly, came back to life.

 

"This is what Manchent left for us to find, and what turned Isabella against the Society," Miranda said as the image on the screen came into focus.

 

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Gregor Manchent appeared on the screen. His old and run down form looked nearly identical to the way the group remembered him looking before he died. Around his neck was the collar that set Sanders blood running cold. This couldn't have been recorded long before the train incident... Behind him looked to be a workshop of some kind, though it seemed rather unused and worn down, much like Gregor himself. Gregor let out a long sigh as he turned to the camera.

 

"If you are watching this...then I am, likely, dead. While I wish I could say that was an unlikely outcome, I know that the opposite is true. What I am about to do will, likely, result in my death. I wish… I wish there was some other way, but..." Gregor stopped as he seemed to drift away. He reached down and brought a bottle up from the floor. He looked about to pour the liquid into a cup before reconsidering and just drinking it straight from the bottle. He took another deep breath before turning back to the screen.

 

"What follows are recordings, recording me and my friend and colleague, Henry Martin, made during our time working with the Society before...before all of this. These recording will show you the truth that I learned thanks to Martin's bravery and...sacrifice," Gregor said before taking another long swig from the bottle. He let out another long sigh before turning to the camera with a stern look.

 

"But you will not just learn the truth, you will learn of the one hope we still have. The Society CAN be defeated, and this video will show you how. But, that hope will be snuffed out should this fall into the Society's hands. You MUST protect this computer, you MUST keep it away from them! Without it, there may not be another chance of victory. Listen to the recordings, learn the truth and understand that you may very well be the last hope anyone has of being free of their corrupt rule. I am sorry for putting this one you, but there is no other way. Hopefully, I will be there to share it with you, but..." Gregor said with an intense look. The look faded as he glanced away and took another swig.

 

"Some...some of the records we made are not in this main file. They have no relevance to what you need to see, but are in the computer if you want to view them. I, also, have removed the dates and some of the names from the recordings to protect people from retribution in case...the worst should come about," Manchent said as he slumped into the chair he was sitting in. He looked back to the camera.

 

“I know it is a lot to ask, but please...do not let Henry’s death be in vain. Do not let them get away with their crimes. Even...even her…” Manchent begged as he lowered his head. The screen, suddenly, turned off and a few words scrolled across the screen, again too fast to read. Finally, the words vanished and the screen came back on.

 

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The image was fuzzy for a second before resolving into the face of a man, a man none of them recognized. The man looked at the screen, or rather the camera capturing the video, and frowned a bit. His face was so close to the camera that it was near impossible to see anything behind him. His brown hair was unkempt, messy, and covered in grease. He had a large beard and his clothing looked to be nothing more than tattered rags.

 

"Is it recording?" the man asked as he looked off to the side.

 

"It shouldn't be," a voice that sounded slightly familiar said. The man's frown deepened as he turned back to the camera and began to adjust something behind the lens. He swore just before the video cut out.

 

A second passed before the video came back with a new man staring at the camera. This one everyone recognized as Gregor Manchent, only looking far younger than any of them remembered. Not only that, but he was just as disheveled and nasty as the man before.

 

"Just had to keep messing with it didn't you," the younger Manchent said with a slight smirk as he adjusted a few things past the lens as well.

 

"I don't want to hear it Gregor. OK...yep I'm getting a signal from it now. We're recording," the man from before said. Manchent smiled as he sat down some tools he had before touching something on the camera. Once again, the video cut out.

 

It came back with the other man looking at the camera, looking far more regal and official like. His rags were straightened a bit and his hair looked to have been watered, though was still far from clean. The area around him looked like a warehouse where various junk was being stored. Most of it seemed far too big to be of any use while the rest had just been throw together. The man seemed to glance off to the side for a second before nodding and turning back to the camera.

 

"Greetings to whomever may be watching this. I am Professor Henry Martin, professor of historical knowledge and dabbler in genetics, engineering, and just about everything scientific. My partner running our rather ad-hoc recording software is Gregor Manchent, a some what knowledgeable fellow of engineering and programming," Martin said with a slight smile as he nodded.

 

"Some what knowledgeable? Who was it that designed this software and got this camera working again?" Manchent said from off to the side. Martin looked in the same direction and smirked a little more.

 

"Our good humor aside, we have decided that so much knowledge has been lost thanks to the Shrink Disaster, that we owe future generations to record our findings so as to help restore it. Both myself and Gregor are experts in our fields, even if my skills are mostly self-taught, and feel that a documentation of our experiments, and the trails we faced due to the Shrink Disaster, could be of great interest to later scientists. As such, we will be recording all our progress on our experiments or projects along with giving detailed accounts of any problems we have run into. It is our hope that these videos will prove enlightening to those who did not live through the Shrink Disaster and for others who may wish to reproduce our experiments," Martin said with a pleasant smile. He nodded again and waited a second before looking over to the side.

 

"Is...is it off?" he asked before the screen cut.

 

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The screen came back to life and Martin reappeared. He looked to be in the same warehouse as before, though some of the junk had been removed and replaced with things that looked somewhat like parts. He was working on something off the side as he talked.

 

"This is going to be my first solo video. Since I studied a great deal of genetics in my spare time, I decided I should look into the genes of the giantesses," Martin said as he finished with whatever he was doing and turned to face the camera fully.

 

"According to the Society, the reason they were immune to the Shrink Disaster was thanks to a specific gene they have. I will admit I find that a bit...hard to swallow, but people shrinking to barely an inch would have been too before this and...well," he motioned around him before shrugging.

 

"So I am going to attempt to get some samples from shrunk women and samples from giantess women to see if I can find that specific gene. If I can, it might help us find a cure for the shrinking, or at least a way to make sure newborns are immune to it. Not sure how well that would work, though...Bah, one problem at a time. First and foremost, I need to get some samples," Martin said before reaching up and turning off the camera. The screen, quickly, came back on to show Manchent sitting in the same place.

 

"While Henry is doing his genetic work, I am going to see if I can help redesign some of the building of Atlanta to accommodate shrunken people. That way, I should be able to use the existing infrastructure to get working water, heat, electricity, and the rest into the homes. That would go a long way toward getting people a sense of hope and lessen some of the deaths due to exposure and other things," Manchent said as he picked up a part he looked to have been working on. He reached up and turned the camera off soon after that.

 

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Manchent reappeared with a big smile on his face. Oddly, he looked far cleaner than he had and the clothing he was wearing looked somewhat like real clothing, unlike the rags from before.

 

"My project has been moving along faster than I anticipated. Part of that is owed to the Society who took notice and are now lending me what aid they can. A scientist that works for them, Valery, has been working alongside me to get the designs fully finished while other giantesses are clearing the rooms I want to use. I must admit I was shocked how knowledgeable the Society is on...well everything really. I had thought their name was simply a title, but they have proven to be on the cutting edge of their fields. With Valery's help, I think I will have a prototype within the week and actually working houses in a few months. Once I do, I’ll be sure to report their effectiveness," Manchent said with a bright smile. He looked off to the side and said something the camera didn't catch before standing up and moving aside.

 

Martin appeared and sat down where Manchent had been. He had shaved off his beard and his hair had been properly washed. And, just like Manchent, his clothing looked far better than they had.

 

"I haven't been sitting on my laurels either. I have obtained about fifty to sixty samples of shrunken women to use as my control. Now I just need to get some giantess samples and then I can start worrying about how to map their DNA without the proper equipment," Martin stopped at that and rubbed the back on his head.

"Granted that is going to be a bitch to fix, but I am sure Gregor and myself can come up with something. I do wish there were other genetic experts I could talk to, though, to at least get a second set of eyes to look at the data I get. Sadly, it seems all of them were killed or vanished in the Disaster along with so many other experts… Well, just have to make due, like we always have to now," Martin said with a sad sigh. He managed a slight smile before reaching up and turning the camera off.

 

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Again, the screen came back showing Martin again, however with a very different look. He looked annoyed as he rubbed his hand through his brown hair.

 

"The Society is starting to annoy me. I have asked them multiple times for samples from giantesses, but they just keep giving me the same answer. It is like they are TRYING to drag their feet about this! I understand that Gregor's housing project is more important than this, but how hard can it be to get a single hair off one of their people?!" Martin yelled before turning away from the camera. He paced backward away from the camera as he rubbed his head in frustration. Suddenly, he stopped and turned back to the camera with a smile.

 

"Then again...maybe I don't need to ask them for it...I think I'll go visit Gregor's project and see all those lovely giant ladies. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind talking to me for a few seconds," Martin said with a smirk before flipping off the video.

 

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Once again, the video returned with Martin staring back at the group. This time, however, he wore a large smile on his face. Behind him, Manchent was digging through a large pile of parts looking for something and tossing the stuff he didn’t like.

 

"My idea working perfectly. I managed to snag a good bit of samples from the various Society workers. Not exactly sure how many individual ones I got, but I figure a small test sample won't hurt," Martin said with a smile. His smile faded though as he let out a sigh.

 

"Now comes the hard part, though, figuring out someway to test the DNA of the samples. Manchent and myself made a few prototypes of machines to do that, but none of them are accurate enough to do what I need, and those are the ones that work at all. As much as I hate to admit it, I am going to need proper equipment for this. And the only people who have that kind of stuff is the Society," Martin said with an annoyed groan. He rubbed the back of his neck in thought as he looked away.

 

"After the sample thing, I am loathe to tell them what I want that kind of equipment for. If giving me hair was too big of a hassle, giving me specialized instruments is, obviously, off the table... Though maybe..." Martin trailed off as he rubbed his chin. He paced off the screen as Manchent stopped his digging to look up. Suddenly, Martin reappeared with an excited look.

 

"Of COURSE! I'll just lie! If I tell them it is for research into the affects the Shrink Disaster has had on bacteria and viruses, they might be far more inclined to assist me! Even better, I have wanted to look into that subject, anyway! It's perfect!" Martin said before clapping his hand and giving a short laugh.

 

Manchent, however, shook his head at that and got a worried look.

 

"Henry, that might not be the best idea. I know I would be pissed if you starting using that kind of equipment for your own personal projects," Manchent said as he tossed a part he had dug out back into the pile. Martin just dismissed him with a wave.

 

"Bah, they'll get over it. Now I need to go practice my pitch," Martin said before turning off the camera.

 

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The screen came back with a very different sight. Instead of the rusty, scrap-filled, dirty warehouse from the previous videos, the background was of a shiny, clean, and neat lab complete with proper tools, equipment and everything. The camera viewed the area for a second before Martin appeared from the side with a wave of his arm and a big smile.

 

"Ta-da! Like it, cause I sure as hell do! Gregor pulled some strings in the Society and not only got me set up in one of his newly redesigned buildings, but had it furnished with the latest in shrunken lab equipment!" Martin said before turning to a table behind him. He grabbed a microscope off the table and held it up for the camera to see.

 

"Do you see that? That is a proper microscope, not like the piece of shit one I was using that was really just a glorified magnifying glass. I even got chemicals and baths and...fuck everything I need and then some!" Martin said in a giddy glee. He set the microscope down before sitting down in front of the camera.

 

"Alright, enough showing off, back to buisness. With this lab I can, finally, start my tests on the samples. Of course, I'll have to be careful about when I do said experiments as the Society made it clear they didn't want me looking into it. Bit odd, but they're probably just worried some self-taught history professor might show them up, I know I would be. Thankfully, I managed to find two assistants to work in the lab with me. Their a couple that used to work at the CDC here in Atlanta, that's Center of Disease Control for those that don't know, so their experts in bacterial and viral sciences. Good thing too as I'm a bit rusty on that subject. Anyway, they'll be doing the official research while I do my hush hush stuff. Next report I should have some data to talk about," Martin said with a smile. He looked off to the side and said something the camera didn't catch before moving aside.

 

Manchent appeared and sat down where Martin had been. He looked far better groomed than he had in any of the previous videos and was wearing proper clothes. He had a giant smile on his face and seemed almost giddy with excitement.

 

"While Henry is doing his 'work', I am going to take a break from my projects here in Atlanta to visit the areas outside the city. Apparently, a number of villages have formed outside from the survivors of various other communities. I can only imagine the living conditions there, which is why I am going to try and help them get back some semblance of normalcy. Even if that means just telling them where and how to dig a well, it will still go miles for getting these people back on their feet," Manchent said with a slight edge of determination in his voice. He paused as he  looked away and blushed a bit.

 

"I'll...also be going with a giantess guard so I won't have to worry about any of the dangers out there," Manchent said as his smile seemed to spread at that.

 

"No one will blame you if you just admit that is why you are really going," Martin said from the side in a mocking tone. Manchent's smile vanished as he shot an angry glare toward where Martin was, which only got mocking laughter in return. Manchent turned back to the camera and shook his head.

 

"Anyway, because I am going to be gone, I won't be recording any logs. Once I return I'll give a full description of the trip. Till then, I leave you with Henry, you have my sympathies," Manchent said with a smirk. The camera just caught a “hey!” from Martin before it cut off.

 

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Martin appeared and was looking through a number of pages he had in his hand. He had an annoyed look and glanced over to the top of the camera.

 

"I've done all the tests on the DNA samples I gathered. I thought I had twenty, maybe thirty, different giantess samples. Turns out I only had ten. Worse, I haven't find any real leads from those ten. There are a few gene sequences that they all share, but some of the control group has them as well, ruling those sequences out. That said, it is very likely that the immunity gene is a complex combo of a number of different genes set up in just the right order, so its unlikely I would be able to notice it with just ten samples," Martin said before tossed the papers away with a frustrated sigh. He turned back to the camera and gave it an annoyed look.

 

"Which means I need more samples. Of course, with Gregor gone, I have lost my best way to get said samples. Just like him to be gone when I need him," Martin grumbled before turning away from the camera. He tapped his finger against the desk for a few seconds before turning back to the camera.

 

"Guess I am just going to have to get the samples the hard way. Wish me luck," Martin said before reaching up to turn off the camera.

 

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Martin reappeared, but looking very different. His head was buried in his hands and his hair looked completely disheveled. A bottle with some brown liquid was sitting just inside the sight of the camera and was about half-empty. Martin, slowly, looked up and let out a heavy sigh.

 

"I failed to get the samples...worse, I got caught trying to get them. The Matriarch was not happy...not at all. She gave me an earful and then banned me from going anywhere near a giantess. Can't go to their base, to a site they are working at, nothing. Fuck," Martin said as he banged his hand against the table. He reached over and took a swig of the liquid before letting out a belch.

 

"Hell, they even threatened to kick me out of this lab. Only reason they didn't was because of the research my assistants are doing, which they claimed was all mine," Martin said as he shook his head and sighed again.

 

"I owe the Wolffs big time, now. Need to do something nice for them...maybe get their daughter something..." Martin said before switching the camera off.

 

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Manchent appeared first this time and looked a bit grimy and dirty, but had a big smile on his face, nonetheless.

 

"My trip out of Atlanta was wonderful and was the kind of break I needed. Surprisingly, many of the villages outside Atlanta are, actually, quite well off. Most have clean water they can get in some form and make use of whatever technology they still can. Most of my time was spent just improving their existing infrastructure: improving flow from aqueducts, making better wells, helping them design proper plows, that kind of thing. There were a few that were in just horrid conditions, but they were by far the minority," Manchent said with a relieved smile. Manchent let out a content sigh as he took a sip from some water he had nearby.

 

"Still, I can think of many ways it could be better, and one way in particular sticks out. I am going to go put forward a new project idea to the Society, one that will change everything, not just for Atlanta, but for everyone. If this works like I want it too, I'll be able to help those people far more than any number of trips out there would. I’ll go into the details later, once I have them worked out," Manchent said with a confident and eager smile. He nearly leap up from the chair before striding off out of the camera's sight.

 

With Manchent gone, Martin appeared and sat down in the same chair. Unlike the last video, Martin looked rather happy and seemed to be in a far better mood.

 

"Gregor has more than made up for being gone when I needed him. He was able to get me in touch with a researcher in the Society named-"

Suddenly, the screen cut out and turned the static. Before anyone could react, however, it went back to normal.

"-has agreed to help me get the samples I need. Apparently, she is just as interested in a potential cure as I am, but has been too busy with her own research to look into it. All I have to do is report my findings to her and she will make sure I get what I need," Martin said as his smile spread again. He clapped his hands together and made a pose.

 

"Back in action, baby...OK, I need to see if I can edit that out," Martin said before cutting the video.

 

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The video returned to show a frustrated Martin rubbing his head in thought. He tossed a page he had in his hand behind him and shook his head in annoyance.

 

"Well,-" again the video cut to static before coming back just as quickly.

"-did her part. She managed to get me forty new samples, bringing me up to fifty. Not a great sample size, but enough to get a decent read on these genes...Or it should be," Martin said as he shook his head again and turned to pick up the page he tossed.

 

"I have run the samples through the tester three times, THREE, and gotten the same result every time. I cannot find any gene sequences that the fifty giantesses share that the control doesn't. Sure there a few that get close, but even just one that doesn't have it is enough to debunk it. Fuck..." Martin said before tossing the paper away again. He rested his head in his hand and rubbed his forehead. He lowered his hand and looked off to the side for a second.

 

"Maybe I'm not as good as I thought. Dammit, I wish at least one geneticist had lived through the disaster. At least then I would have someone to compare notes with or to make sure I am doing this right. But they didn't..." Martin said with a heavy sigh. He lowered his head toward his lap before slowly raising it back up. He rubbed his chin in thought as his eyes narrowed a bit. He turned back to the camera and got a worried look.

 

"But they didn’t….I need more samples...but I don't think getting them from a giantess is such a good idea. I'm going to have to get them myself. I hope I am just being paranoid, but..." Martin said as his worry faded to be replaced with a grim determination. He turned to the side and yelled something before giving the camera an odd look and standing up. Martin walked away and the camera is left alone for a second. Finally, Manchent appeared and sat down, looking happy, but worried.

 

"My rail project is going along nicely. The Society have put a lot of resources into it and are helping me every step of the way. Still, everytime I bring up the second part of the project, the Matriarch seems to change the subject. It is starting to worry me if they are going to follow through with the entire thing," Manchent said as he turned to the side and got a worried look. He shook it off, however, as he turned back.

 

"I have, also, been trying to go back outside of Atlanta, but the Society keeps stonewalling me there too. Though, to be fair, I understand where they are coming with that one. I'm sure they want the rail line done ASAP and me constantly going out of Atlanta is only slowing things down. Still, I can't help but feel the people out there need me more than anyone in Atlanta. Think I'll try Cathrine and see if she can do something,"  Manchent said before moving to cut off the camera.

 

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The video came back with a very worried Manchent rubbing his head in frustration and worry. He shook his head and gave long, slow, sigh.

 

"Henry was arrested. Apparently, he was caught trying to get more DNA samples from giantesses. Normally, I would just call him an idiot, but...but the Society put him in their OWN jail, not the community one. And looking at the researcher he has done thus far...This doesn’t..." Manchent trailed off as he went back to rubbing his head.

 

"I managed to talk Cathrine into taking me out one last time. When we do, I am going to use the insurance I have been building with parts I borrowed from the rail project. I...never thought I would have to use it for this reason, but… better to be safe," Manchent finished as he turned back to the camera. He gave it a worried and sad look before cutting it off.

 

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Manchent reappeared a second later. He looked around as if to make sure no one was around before bending closer to the camera.

 

"The insurance is in place. I had some of the locals distract Cathrine long enough for me to slip away and hide it. Hopefully, Henry and I will be laughing about this in a few months and I can go back and get it, but..." Manchent paused as he glanced away.

 

"But with the way Cathrine acted on the trip, the rumors I heard of villages vanishing, and the sounds I could swear were battles that we heard on occasion... Something is going on, something, I fear, that is very, very bad. And this sudden splitting between Swords and Shields is not going to help. Militarizing even part of the Society is a dangerous change, one that fills me with dread," Manchent said as his look darkened. He reached up and cut off the video.

 

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Martin reappeared, finally, as the video came back. However, the middle-aged professor looked like he aged years from the time he had last been seen. His eyes were sunken while his body seemed shrunken and thin. However, his face was set into a grim determination that seemed to have only been hardened by whatever had happened to him.

 

"The Society jailed me when they caught me the second time. They...were not kind to me, far from it. There were many days where they 'forgot' to feed me and their 'questioning' was...brutal," Martin said as his look seemed to falter for a split second. However, it hardened again almost instantly.

 

"Officially, I was imprisoned for 'theft of Advanced Science Society property', which is utter nonsense. The real reason was that I was investigating something they didn't want me to, and I am almost positive why. Still, I am loathe to tell Gregor, or anyone for that matter, until I am absolutely sure," Martin said before reaching behind himself. He picked up some things from the table behind him before bringing them up to the camera. They were strands of hair, only giantess-sized.  Martin smiled as he put them back.

 

"While my time in jail was horrid, it gave me plenty of time to collect samples from my captors and tormentors. I am positive I managed to get another twenty samples and that will give me enough to be sure of my theory. And with this lab which, technically, I shouldn't be in but my assistants have conveniently forgotten, I will have them all run within a few days. And then...then there is going to be reckoning for those oversized cunts," Martin said with a look of hatred. He cut the video as he started to turn back to the strands.

 

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The video came back to show Martin looking intensely at the camera. His hair was almost as messy as it had been when they had first seen him and his clothing looked like the same clothing he had worn in the last video. Despite his intense look, the signs of exhaustion and sleep deprivation were plastered all over his face.

 

"I ran the tests. I had twenty-one new samples rather than twenty I thought and I ran every one of them...And not one had any signs of a shrink immunity gene. The only genes all the giantesses shared were the same ones that the control shared with them. The giantesses are not immune due to some freak accident of genetics bu-"

 

Suddenly, the sound of door being kicked in interrupted Martin's words. Martin glanced away from the camera as shoots came from the distance. A woman screamed for a split second before a loud gunshot silenced her. Martin swore as he ducked back down as more gunshots erupted. Equipment, beakers, and other stuff exploded behind Martin as the bullets smashed through them. Martin cursed as a bullet punched through his shoulder and he fell down out of sight of the camera. More shouts came from the distance along with a few more gunshots.

 

Martin's hand reappeared at the edge of the desk. He managed to pull himself up as he looked at the camera, blood pouring from his wound. He looked about to say something, but never got the chance as a massive fireball sweep through the area. The brief sound of an explosion nearly deafened them all before the camera cut to static.

 

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The screen was silent for a long time after that. A few started to think that was the end, but just as they were about to say something, the screen turned back on. The lab was gone and had been replaced with a workshop. Tools, parts, and a few large things that looked to be incomplete projects were scattered about. A radio was playing in the background while a devastated Manchent sat in front of the camera. He had his face hidden behind one of his hands and looked to be fighting not to cry. Finally, he took a deep breath and turned to look at the camera.

 

"Henry....Henry is dead. Killed by...by Resistance terrorists. The Society and Cathrine are looking into it, but..." Manchent managed to say before lowering his head back into his hand. He stayed like that for a few seconds before looking back up.

 

"I helped them. I built aqueducts, wells, defensive walls, crops, irrigation canals, anything and everything I could that would help them and what do I get in return? I get my best friend killed by the very people I have been speaking up in defense for and spent months helping, AND get a poor girl orphaned? I...I don't even know if I'm angry because I just feel...numb," Manchent said as he tightened his eyes to hold back tears. He rubbed his hands over his eyes before turning back to the camera with an emotionless stare.

 

"I am going to find out who did this, though. I am going to find out which of them killed my best friend and make sure Cathrine kills them in the most painful way she can. My insurance should have saved the last few moments of Henry's life and, maybe, there is a clue there to who attacked them. I just need to make a machine to access it long distance. I should have that done in a week, less considering how motivated I am," Manchent said with a stare that seemed somewhere between uncontained rage and blank emptiness. He reached up and snapped the camera off.

 

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The camera turned back on to show a concerned Manchent. He gave the camera an odd look before starting.

 

"I watched the last report Henry gave. His findings are...worrying on many levels, but I will deal with that later. Right now, all I want is the people responsible," Manchent said before looking away with a sigh.

 

"Sadly, the video doesn't give much clues as to who could have done it. None of the attackers come in sight of the camera and Henry never gets a chance to say anything about them. I wish I could ask- *static* -how things are going, but she left for the Society's HQ and none of the other giantesses seem to want to talk about it. Dammit...there has to be something I can use on this video, I just have to figure it out," Manchent said with a determined look. He turned off the camera.

 

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The video came back to reveal Manchent staring at the camera as if numb to everything. He was silent for a moment before starting.

 

"There was a clue in the video...the gunshots. I had an old expert in firearms listen to the shots, hoping he might narrow down what kind of weapons I was looking for. He told me....he told me they were modern firearms," Manchent said as he keep staring at the camera. He blinked a few times before starting again.

 

"The expert was just as...confused as I am, but he was positive on what they were. The Society has never given shrunken guns to anyone and the Resistance does not have the tools or facilities to make modern firearms. Not only that, but I had a demolition expert look at the lab when the giantesses left the scene. It was a controlled blast, the kind that could only be done with high explosives. While it is possible the Resistance got that, why use it on Henry's lab? There are far better and more vulnerable targets," Manchent said as his eyes started to narrow.

 

"And now...now- *static* -has cut me off completely. Ever since she has returned from the HQ, she has refused to see me outside of official business and talks about nothing save business. She even had the nerve to tell me to forget about Henry's death and just focus on my work...How..." Manchent stopped as he raised his fist. He looked about to smash it down onto the desk, but lowered it down as he stewed in anger.

 

"Constantly trying to stop Henry to the point of jailing him, the lies about the genetics, the oddly targeted Resistance attack, the use of modern equipment that the Resistance shouldn't have, suddenly cutting me off from everyone including- *static*-, AND- *static*’s -sudden change! I can't deny it any longer. The Advance Science Society is hiding something...and I think I know what. I have toyed with the theory before, both me and Henry did, but we never gave it serious study. Now, though, it seems far more likely. Still, I need to prove it. And...I think I know how, though it will take some time to do," Manchent said as he started to rub his chin. He turned the camera off as he started to grab some tools.

 

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The camera came back on to show Manchent holding a remote while he stood next to a large machine of some kind. Some time must have passed between this and the last video as a few more lines had appeared on Manchent's face. He sat the remote down before picking up a wrench and going back to work on the machine.

 

"I...I have been using parts from the rail project to help build this machine. Once it is...finished, I should be able to access satellites information and, more importantly, view their event logs," Manchent said, stopping every so often as he strained to tighten something.

 

"Considering the Shrink Disaster hit the entire world, it stands to reason that it used satellites to spread the energy over the entire planet. Assuming I am right, viewing the event logs on the day of the Shrink Disaster should allow me to follow the beam back to its origins. Whichever satellite was hit first, had to be over the origin of the shrink beam. And if that is not China, then I will have proof that the Society is lying," Manchent said as he started to dig through a large pile of parts.

 

"Hopefully, I can spread that news far enough to make it impossible for them to contain it and they will have to come clean. Then, God willing, we can stop this damn madness before it spreads any further than it has. I am sure- *static* -will come to her senses if I can prove this as well...she has to," Manchent said before finding the part he wanted. He walked back over, picked the remote up and turned the camera off.

 

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The feed returned to show Manchent staring, numbly, at the camera. He lowered the remote and slid back into his chair.

 

"Yabaize..." he managed to say before his eyes, slowly, shifted away.

 

"The origin of the beam that started the Shrink Disaster....is Yabaize...The same Japanese town that the Society's HQ is in...They did it...Those monsters did it… I didn’t want to..." Manchent trailed off as he went back to staring off into the distance.

 

"She knew...she..." Manchent said before tears began to run down his face. The camera feed cut to static.

 

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The feed returned to show Manchent looking more in control of himself. His eyes were still red and he sniffed every so often, proving he had been crying. He whipped his nose with a cloth before starting.

 

"I...I have used the machine three more times and compared the times of events each time to make sure I was right. Every one of them shows the satellite above Yabaize as being the first satellite to be hit by the shrink weapon. China isn't hit till a half second later, making it impossible for it to be the source of the beam. Taking this and all that has happened, I have to accept that the Shrink Disaster is the work of the Advanced Science Society. It fits together too well to be just coincidence," Manchent said before lowering his head. He looked about to start to cry again, but sucked in a big breath to fight off the urge.

 

"The... the real issue is what to do with this knowledge. The most obvious option would be to reveal it, however...however, I fear for the Society's reaction to this. The Shrink Disaster killed hundreds of millions, perhaps even billions, of people when it happened. If the Society was willing to kill that many innocent people to gain power, I have no doubt they would be willing to kill tens of thousands more to keep said power. If I spread this information to the populace, I fear the Society will exterminate everyone in Atlanta to keep it from spreading beyond the city," Manchent said as his shoulders slumped into despair.

 

"However, I...I believe that not everyone in the Society knows this. I doubt such a secret would stay hidden long if everyone in the organization knew it. Most likely, only those high up know the truth while the lower ranks are just as blind as us civilians. Still, that doesn't help me either as I have no way of knowing who in the Society I can trust. If I tell the wrong person, they will kill me and the truth will die as well. And even if I did guess right on who I could tell, what good would it do? That giantess would be in the same position I am of not knowing who to trust and who to be wary of. She might be able to rally a few close friends to her cause, but there are hundreds of giantesses of unknown loyalties and a few are sure to know the truth. A small handful would, easily, be crushed. Worse, all the Matriarchs would have to do is call in support from other Society forces and any revolution would be put down before it even started. Dammit..." Manchent said as he buried his head into hands in despair and frustration. He stayed like that for a second before looking back up.

 

"Still, I have to try to do something. I need to find someway of fighting them, someway to free us from their control without allowing them to get a message to any other forces. And someway to let us shrunken people fight them on more even terms. A handful of giantesses couldn't defeat the hundreds of others, but a handful supported by thousands of shrunken people who can hurt a giantess..." Manchent said as he started to rub his chin.

 

"I will need to think on this for awhile. I am positive, though, that there is a way to do this. I just have to find it," Manchent said as his shoulders straightened and he got a more determined look. He turned off the camera.

 

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Manchent reappeared as the video came back. He looked a bit older with long lines and a bit of grey hair appearing. Not only that, but his clothing and general look was more haggard and run down than it had looked ever before. Still, his face was set into a grim and determined scowl.

 

"I've made some progress in my attempts to find a way to defeat the Society. I have been attempting to hack into their systems using a machine I built, but it has been slow going. Doing such while not being caught is proving more challenging than I had thought and the Society is guarding their secret files very well. Still, I am making progress and I hope to have something in a few months," Manchent said with a slight smile. It faded however as he turned to look behind him. He sighed before turning back.

 

"The rail system is finished...or rather the first part of it is. I had, originally, envisioned it going all over Georgia to link the many scattered communities to Atlanta. The Society, however, has no interest in that, at least not yet. Considering the rumors I have managed to hear from those few who dare to venture out of Atlanta, it is easy to see why. Their campaign of slaughter that they dress up as self-defense is still raging and hundreds of people die to them everyday.... Dammit...I should have done more for them, should have made them underground shelters or..." Manchent stopped as he lowered his head and ran his hand through his hair. He let out a long sigh and moved his hand to turn off the camera, but stopped before he did. He glanced up at the camera and slumped in his seat.

 

"I...I tried talking to- *static* -yesterday... She...she has fallen completely to them. I thought that we...that maybe..." he stopped as he looked away and got a look of complete despair on his face. He, slowly, shook his head.

 

"But that is over now. She has picked her side and I have picked mine. I need to hurry before any sympathies she may still have for me run out. I don't think I have much time," Manchent said as he cut the video, for real, this time.

 

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The video returned to show a very different Manchent. He, once again, seemed older than he had before. The lines and grey had almost reached the point they were at in the first part, but hadn't quite gotten there. However, rather than a depressed and beaten look, he was smiling and looked completely revitalized.

 

"I did it! I managed to hack into the Society's systems! Even better, I got a file that could change everything! I was caught getting it and did have an...encounter with the Matriarchs, but neither Angela nor Cathrine were going to break me. As far as they know, I got nothing from their systems. Still, it cost me my freedom as I am now under house arrest and have a guard to make sure I stay here, but it is worth it. Because I have this," Manchent said as he raised a piece of paper up to the camera for it to see.

 

The paper had a great deal of technical jargon written on it with most of it seeming to be in some odd language. The picture, however, looked like a gun of some kind, a gun that Sanders recognized.

 

"The encryption on this technical readout is difficult to crack, but I have managed to decipher enough of it to learn what this is. It is a shrink gun, a portable version of the weapon used to shrink the world that is capable of shrinking anyone, or anything. This...this changes EVERYTHING! If I could get my hands on one, I am sure I could reverse-engineer it and make more of them. With enough of these, we could bring the Society here in Atlanta to its knees without even having to fight them! Who needs real guns when we can just shrink the giantesses down to our size and use the swords, maces, and such they give us to force them to surrender? Without their huge size, they are just as easily killed as anyone else, after all! Even better, they won't be able to use their own radio equipment to send a distress call out if the controls are too big. A few spec-ops sneaking into their radio room would cut them off from any help!" Manchent said as he practically jumped up and down in excitement. He put the paper down as he took a deep breath to try and calm himself.

 

"Still...still, there are some problems. First and foremost, I need to get one of these weapons. Considering how dangerous it is, I would guess they are guarded very tightly and are rarely removed from where they are stored. It is a good thing that I had a hand in building the Society's base and made sure to leave a chink in it, just in case of something like this," Manchent said as he smiled to himself.

 

"When the Society was sealing off all the entrances shrunken people could use to get in, I made sure one of the pipes leading into the base was mislabeled. According to the base outline, the pipe is only .01 inch in diameter, far too small even from a shrunken person. However, it is actually 1 inch in diameter making it perfect for shrunken people. Even better, it is in a hard to see area that the Society is unlikely ever to find. Using that pipe, I could get into the air ducts of the base and make my way to the armory or any other secure areas," Manchent said with the same smile. However, once he finished, his smile faded a bit.

 

"There are some issues to work out, however. First and foremost, the air ducts are dangerous. If the air or heat is on, anyone inside them would be blown away or cooked alive. I need to find a way to shut them down. Also, even if I could get past that, the shrink guns are sized for a giantess. I would stand no chance of moving one on my own. I need people to come with me, people skilled enough to reach the pipe, make their way through the ducts, get the gun, get it out and, finally, to a save area all without being seen. That kind of mission requires skilled professionals, the kind that I doubt I will find in Atlanta," Manchent said as he sighed. He rubbed his chin as he thought for a second.

 

"I think it is time to call in a few favors," Manchent said as he turned off the camera.

 

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The video resumed and showed Manchent looked almost exactly as he had in the first video. He looked far more haggard and seemed to have some bruises on him, but still looked unbroken.

 

"I managed to get a message out of Atlanta and to a man I know I can trust. His name is William and he helped me a great deal during the years before all of...well this. He is a good man, a wise man, and is part of a Resistance group I hope has the skills I need to carry out this mission. Still, I dared not tell him everything I know, lest it fall into the wrong hands. Instead, I just told him I need him to get me out," Manchent paused as he groaned a bit as he messed with something around his neck. He bent his head back to reveal an object around his neck that was all too familiar to Derek, Sanders, and Ollie.

 

"Unfortunately, getting the message out meant I had to break my house arrest. The Matriarchs were not pleased and Angela had this bomb collar placed on me. Thankfully, I figured they might so I told William to make sure they had a way to deal with one when they did come for me. I am sure Angela and...Cathrine would rather just kill me at this point, but the rail system still has a few bugs they need fixed and my own celebrity status is giving them pause. Still, I am sure it is only a matter of time now before I wind up dead. Therefore, I am going to send all the technical data to my insurance. That way, should the worst happen, it is there for whoever comes to carry on," Manchent said before taking a deep breath and looking down.

 

"This...will likely be the last message I give on this. If there is another, it will be right before I leave and, most likely, was the first video you saw. I...I hope that you are confused by that...that I was there to skip that first video and am still there to help you, but...but if not..." he paused as he looked back up to the camera.

 

"Then please, don't let mine and Henry's deaths be in vain. Stop the Society, use our work to free everyone and end this madness! The insurance has everything you need. Make good use of it and keep the spark of hope alive," Manchent said with a pleading look before the screen went dark.

 

"Replay video?" scrawled across the screen.

Chapter End Notes:

And finally the big reveal. And I got it out on time! Anyway, for the next part I am going to let you guys pick who we follow.

 

We can either stick with Sanders and co and see their reaction to this big reveal along with some other surprises. OR we can go back to Samantha and see if that sniffing was Pyrrha or...someone else.

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