Subject: [FFML] [Fanfic][MKR] The Ramarian Crisis - Chapter 9a
From: "DarkHorse" <darkhrse@edsamail.com.ph>
Date: 3/20/2002, 4:23 AM
To: ffml@anifics.com


The Ramarian Crisis
By DarkHorse

Chapter 9: Best Laid Plans

*Aboard the Starship Weret, Thousands of
Light Years Outside the Solar System*


  Higon was outside Drak's personal quarters. He stared warily
at the hatch that stood before him. It had been days since
he last saw the Supreme Commander. He knew that he was never
quite himself since that day when the hyperdrive motivators
exploded on this starship. He became more and more recluse,
refusing to come out of his quarters. Lately, Higon learned that
Drak had also begun to refuse food or drink. This was most
unusual. Ramarians rarely became sick and Drak was far too
young to die of natural causes.

  Finally he received a summons from the Supreme Commander,
requesting him to come by his quarters. Now here he was. He
didn't understand his own reluctance. Higon shook his head
to try to shake off the sense of foreboding he was feeling.
With a final nod, he stepped up to the hatch. The computer,
having recognized the visitor, automatically opened the
door. Higon stepped in. It was dark and the air inside stank
of unwashed biological matter. The scientist's eyes
automatically adjusted to the minimal light. As he turned
towards the bunk at the far end of the rather spacious
quarters, he gasped inwardly.

  Supreme Commander Drak was sitting up, reclining on the
headboard and watching him all this time. It was Drak all
right but it was only a shadow of the once mighty and proud
warrior. The creature on the bed was shriveled up, old and
weak. The eyes, which on a normal Ramarian should be burning
a bright yellow, was now of a brownish hue.

  Higon stepped closer until he was standing at the foot of
the bunk. "Supreme Commander," he said in a whisper as a way
of greeting.

  "Esteemed Scientist," Drak acknowledged in a strangled
voice.

  "What has happened to you?"

  "It's over for me, Higon."

  "How is this possible? You are much younger than I am,
and yet..."

  "I have no wish to see our race perish, scientist."

  Higon scowled. "What foolish talk is this? Our race will
not perish."

  "It will if I remain in command."

  "Rubbish!" The scientist exclaimed. He paused when he
realized what he was doing. He was trying to encourage Drak
to live. Didn't he hate the Supreme Commander? Didn't he
think of him as a fool, unworthy of leading what remained of
their race to the Promised Land? And yet here he was, urging
the poor fool to get up and continue on as the leader.

  Drak smiled weakly. "What are you doing, Higon?" He asked
as if reading the mind of the scientist. "Am I to believe
that you actually want me to continue to lead this army?"
For once Higon found himself without words. Drak drew a
shaky breath, closing his eyes briefly before opening them
again. "My time is over, Higon. My kind of leadership is
over as well, I think. I have come to realize that in order
for our race to survive, it will need people like you."

  Higon's eyes actually widened at those words. "Exactly
what are you saying?"

  "I'm saying that from this point on, you are the Supreme
Commander," Drak stated simply.

  "You can't be serious."

  "Oh but I am."

  "But Drak--"

  "Enough! I am tired. Leave me to die in peace, *scientist*."
Drak smiled at his baffled visitor, for once enjoying the
fact that he was the one inflicting torment on the scientist.

  Higon frowned and then stiffened his back. "Very well,
Supreme Commander," he said formally. "Before leaving I
would like to extend my gratitude in behalf of the race
to--"

  "Enough of that! Just go!" Drak used some of his
remaining strength to shout out his displeasure. The last
thing he needed was more platitudes. He was aware of his own
contribution to the survival of the race. He certainly
didn't need this sniveling scientist to remind him of that.

  "As you wish, Supreme Commander Drak," Higon said
resignedly and then turned to leave. Just before exiting the
room, he turned his head for one final look. He raised his
fingers to his forehead in one final salute before finally
leaving.

  Higon stood once more outside Drak's quarters. It was one
thing to be pronounced as the new Supreme Commander by the
previous one, it was another to recognized as such by the
remaining crew. He knew the second in command, Prono. He
seemed to possess more intelligence than Drak. Perhaps there
was hope. Higon walked slowly towards the control center.

  Within minutes, he arrived. Every crewmember in the
control center was standing in attention, their eyes all
focused on him. "What's going on here?" Higon asked.

  Prono stepped forward and saluted smartly. "Welcome to
the control center, Supreme Commander Higon." Higon stood
shock still. Did he hear the words correctly? Prono smiled.
"We heard Supreme Commander Drak's final words, Sir. We are
honored to have you as our new Supreme Commander." Prono
stepped aside to reveal the command chair that Drak occupied
when he was present.

  On wobbly knees, Higon slowly made his way to it and sat
down gingerly. Although the chair was extremely comfortable,
it felt awkward. Prono walked up to the front so that he was
now facing Higon once more. "What is your first command,
Sir?"

  The new Supreme Commander thought for a while. "My first
command is this: prepare a funeral detail. We will honor
Supreme Commander Drak."

  Prono snapped in attention and saluted once more. "As you
wish." He walked away in the formal gait of a warrior and
disappeared behind the new Supreme Commander.

  Higon watched as the starship's crew took up their
positions as if nothing new had happened. His expression
grew somber. The survival of the race was solely up to him
now. This was what he had dreamt of. To finally be free to
forge the destiny that every Ramarian deserved. Even though
he himself was not a warrior, it was a warrior's heart that
beat inside of him. He will conquer Earth and all its
neighboring planets.
                              
                          * * * * *
                              
  Detective Investigator Ryouko Hashimoto sat nervously in
his car gazing at the mostly empty park. Under different
circumstances, he wouldn't mind being here with its calm
serenity, where one could go to escape the frenetic pace of
Tokyo life. But not today. Today, the park represented a
place of danger and risk.

  Hashimoto looked down at his watch. It was almost time.
Somewhere in the tree-lined greenery of the park was a man
whose very nature cancelled out whatever beauty the place
might have had for him. As distasteful to him as this
meeting might be, it was necessary.

  If he was to rise in influence, status and financial
independence, he had to learn to do the things he detests.
Life is like that, Hashimoto decided. You have to take the
good with the bad.

  Reluctantly, the young investigator stepped out of the
car. He took a moment to straighten his tie, studying his
reflection on the car window. This simple and innocent
action served another purpose. If there were anyone lurking
around watching him, he would be able to catch him doing so
on the reflection.

  With one final glance at his tie and another
surreptitious one on the reflected surroundings, he turned
and walked the pathway towards the center of the park.

  When Hashimoto got there he found the man he was going to
meet, the only other human being in that area of the park.
It figures, Hashimoto thought, hardly anyone went to the
park this early in the morning during a workday.

  The man was sitting on a bench, facing away reading a
newspaper. As if realizing that he no longer was alone, he
stood and turned around.

  "Detective Investigator Hashimoto," the man said in
greeting, giving a slight nod.

  "Tanaka," Hashimoto responded with a similar nod, his
voice dripping with disdain. His entire demeanor screamed
the desire to be anywhere but where he was right now.
Tanaka's demeanor however was that of someone who had
triumphed. The glint of amusement in the other man's eyes
and the barest hint of a smile served to further irritate
the young detective. Hashimoto was seething inwardly.

  Tanaka slowly reached into his coat and pulled out a
thick brown envelope. This he presented to the detective.
The latter looked hard into the eyes of the Yakuza before
taking the envelope. Hashimoto unceremoniously stuffed it
into his own coat.

  "Aren't you even going to count it?" The Yakuza asked
arching one eyebrow.

  "Stop playing games, Tanaka," Hashimoto said in response,
stuffing his hands in the pockets of his slacks. "What do
you want to know?"

  "Very well," the other man said as he crossed his arms
loosely on his chest, "I need to know about the kind of
security you have on the three girls that were attacked the
other night."

  So, Hashimoto, it was Tanaka who orchestrated the attack.
Part of him wanted to confirm it by asking but he knew that
the Yakuza will not deign to answer and might even suspect
him for not being on the level. Instead, he asked, "What is
your interest on those girls?"

  Tanaka scowled. "That is not your concern. Come, come,"
Tanaka said, shaking his head and giving a smile that didn't
quite reach his eyes, "you know better than to ask questions
like that. Just tell me what I need to know."

  "I'm sorry," Hashimoto said even though he was not. He
sighed inwardly and resignedly proceeded to disclose the
security measures to the Yakuza.
                              
                          * * * * *
  
  Hikaru gazed out the window of her classroom. The teacher
in front was droning on about the responsibility of
Christians in today's society. Being enrolled in an all-
girls' exclusive Catholic school, she was required to attend
religion classes every day. She was usually fascinated by
ideas of a large number of people around the world regarding
a one true God. Not today, however. She had not been
particularly attentive in any of her classes for that
matter.

  Today, her thoughts were filled with the image of the
shock expressions of her brothers when they finally learned
of her secret. She wondered whether she had done the right
thing telling them. For the first time in her young life,
she had not felt the warmth and protectiveness of her
brothers.

  So she was the Pillar. Perhaps even a...a...goddess of
another world; Hikaru winced at the very thought. But
anyway, what was the big deal? She was still Hikaru, their
little sister. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't
understand her brothers and was therefore feeling
frustrated.

  "Hey...Hikaru!" a voice on her right whispered. This was
followed by a nudge.

  "Miss Shidou!" The stern voice coming from the teacher
finally jolted the redhead from her reverie.

  Hikaru snapped her head forward and jumped noisily to
her feet, almost toppling her chair in the process. "Y-yes
Sister Theresa," she said, struggling to pronounce the
Anglican name of the teacher.

  Sister Theresa's initial scowl softened to a look of
concern. Hikaru Shidou was normally attentive and
enthusiastic during her classes. Today it was obvious that
there was something bothering the typically bubbly girl. Before
class, the other teachers have gotten to talk about it. When a
normally energetic, bubbly and active student suddenly
became pensive and distracted, the entire faculty would
notice.

  "Please sit down, Miss Shidou. And do pay attention."
Sister Theresa favored Hikaru with a small smile.

  "I'm sorry, Sister Theresa. I..." Hikaru paused mid-
sentence as she felt a tingling sensation on her chest. She
looked down and instinctively brought a hand up to where she
felt the sensation.

  Noticing the redhead's sudden change in expression, the
teacher asked, "Is there something wrong, Miss Shidou?"

  "Nothing wrong, Sister," Hikaru quickly replied, shaking
her head vigorously. But there *was* something wrong. The
tingling sensation was coming from the pendant and it was
intensifying. She knew that it was probably beginning to
glow underneath her uniform. The only times it did that was
when Lantis triggered the power of the pendant. Could he be
doing it now? Was that even possible considering he was in
Cephiro?

  One thing was certain. If she didn't think of something
fast, Sister Theresa and her classmates were bound to notice.
"Ah Sister, I'm not feeling very well," Hikaru improvised,
contorting her face a little as if she was in pain, "may I
go to the clinic?"

  The concern on Sister Theresa's face intensified. "Of
course, Hikaru." The teacher sat down and pulled out a Hall
Pass from a drawer in the desk. She began filling it up and
signing it. "Here, take this with you," she said, handing
the slip of paper to the stricken student.

  Without taking her hand off her chest, she hurriedly took
the pass from the teacher's hand and quickly rushed out of
the classroom. "Thank you Sister!" Hikaru said just before
she disappeared.

  The Fire Knight ran fast through the hall desperately
thinking of a place in school that was spacious and private.
She didn't know what to expect but at least if there was
going to be a battle, she would have the room and privacy to
engage it.
                              
                          * * * * *
  
  Lantis dropped to one knee, perspiration dripping down
his forehead and face. He was outside the palace with La
Farga and Ferio. La Farga dropped to one knee as well and
laid a hand on his fellow swordsman.

  "What is it Lantis?" La Farga queried.

  Lantis took a moment before answering, trying to catch
his breath. "I don't know," he said, shaking his head, "for
awhile there I had a lock on the medallion but all of a
sudden it became elusive as if it was running away."

  Ferio, who was also there to provide moral support,
narrowed his eyes. "Well, you've been doing this for several
hours now. You probably need to rest and even get some food
in you."

  "I can't," Lantis replied, his voice hoarse. He took one
more gulp of air and with a grunt, stood. "I'll try one more
time," he said determinedly. La Farga and Ferio stood back
once more and watched the magic swordsman raise his sword to
the sky and close his eyes. Almost immediately, their
comrade was bathed in various colored lights, building
slowly from the ground and then finally engulfing his entire
body. Lantis' sword suddenly flashed brightly. Both Ferio
and La Farga had to shield their eyes using their arms. As
suddenly as the flash appeared, the bright light, including
the light show engulfing the magic swordsman, disappeared.
When Ferio and La Farga finally opened their eyes, they were
stunned. Before them was a shimmering oval portal. Their
eyes turned to Lantis and noted that he, too, was as stunned
as they were.

  "I did it," Lantis whispered, staring fixedly at the
magical window that until now, only a Pillar could create.
He took a tentative step forward. He was going to take
another when he felt a hand on his shoulder. This time it
was Ferio.

  "Lantis, are you sure you want to do this?"

  "He's right, Lantis," La Farga joined in, "have you
thought of what Hikaru would feel?"

  "We've already discussed this," the magic swordsman
insisted, "I don't care how Hikaru would feel. She needs me
over there. She just doesn't want to admit it."

  La Farga nodded resignedly while Ferio reluctantly
removed his hand from Lantis' shoulder. Lantis turned to his
comrades.

  "Thank you for your support, my friends."

  "Just don't get yourself killed over there, Lantis," La
Farga said, his mouth curving slightly in a smile.

  "Or worse, don't embarrass yourself," Ferio quipped, his
smile bigger.

  Lantis didn't smile but there was mirth in his eyes. He
nodded and then turned to face the portal. "Well," he said
almost to himself, "here goes."

  Lantis stepped into the center of the portal. With
another bright flash, the portal exploded into a thousand
motes of light and finally disappeared, taking with it the
only magic swordsman of Cephiro.
                              
                          * * * * *
  
  Malor stood wearily outside the gate leading to the
Shidou residence. He had finally arrived. It had taken him
days of grueling travel. He didn't mind so much the train
ride but the crowd! There were so many people. He had not
been around so many people for so long. Having lived the
last hundred years in near isolation made it difficult to
adjust to the multitudes that he had to face and endure.

  But he had arrived and that was what mattered. A tear
formed at the corner of his eye. He didn't realize, didn't
dare dream that he would live to see the day when a new
Magic Knight would be born. But not only did he live to see
and speak to another living, breathing Magic Knight, he was
able to see and speak to a Pillar. The image of Princess
Hikaru entered his mind. To be a Magic Knight at such a
tender age, no! A Pillar at such a tender age of fourteen!

  He remembered that time when he was still an active Magic
Knight. He was the youngest of the three...at 19! The Pillar
at that time was a man who appeared to look well into his
late twenties or early thirties. That Pillar, of course, was
ages old already. How a Magic Knight was chosen was still a
big mystery. Not even Master Mage Clef could really explain
the mechanics of that particular process. Age or race didn't
seem to be a matter of consideration at all. While Malor,
himself, was Japanese, his two comrades were Australian and
American respectively. He was almost certain that the Magic
Knights that preceded them were just as diverse.

  Malor's thoughts returned to Princess Hikaru. Even from
his home at the foot of Mount Asama, he felt her power. It
was strong and abundant. Not even the Pillar herself, he was
sure, was fully aware of the magnitude of her gift. The feel
of such power was intoxicating and it naturally beckoned to
him. It was for this reason he was here right now.

  There was another reason. A voice deep down in him told
him that he had to be here. He knew there was danger. He
even had the great honor of warning the Pillar of it. It was
not certain what role he would play or whether he would even
become useful when the time came. But he was a Magic Knight
and he had a duty to perform. He was instrumental in
destroying a Pillar during his time in Cephiro. Perhaps this
was the redemption he was seeking, to be able to play a role
in protecting a Pillar this time around.

  Malor took one step closer to the gate and reached for
the doorbell. He depressed the button but did not hear
anything. Perhaps the ring could only be heard inside the
house. He decided to wait before trying the doorbell again.

  He didn't have to wait long. Presently, the right side of
the gate swung slowly inward. A young man with brown hair
stepped out. He was slightly taller and his features
resemble those of the Pillar. A brother perhaps?

  "Yes? May I help you with anything?" the young man
politely queried. Even though hidden behind the polite
facade, Malor could detect wariness in the young man. This
puzzled the old Magic Knight slightly.

  Malor bowed deeply, formally. "Good day to you, Sir. My
name is Malor. Does Hikaru Shidou live here?" He
straightened up and gazed into the eyes of the lad in front
of him.
   
   "Good day to you as well, Sir," the young man replied
after bowing as well. The suspicion in his eyes was even
more evident now. "This is indeed where Hikaru Shidou lives.
What is your business with my sister?"

  Malor's eyes widened. He was correct; this was a brother.
What came next was instinctive. He dropped to one knee and
bowed his head once more. "Your Highness! I, too, was once a
Magic Knight of Cephiro."

  For several seconds neither spoke. Malor raised his eyes
and noticed that the Pillar's brother seemed stunned. "Y-
you're from Cephiro too?" Malor nodded silently in reply.
"You'd best come in here and please don't do that," he said,
waving a hand at his currently kneeling form.

  With ease that belied his age, Malor rose to his feet.
The surprise he saw in the young man's face brought a smile
to his own. "It would honor me to know your name Your
Highness."

  The surprise grew. "Don't call me 'Your Highness'. My
name is Masaru."

  "Ah Prince Masaru."

  "No! No! Just, please...Masaru," Masaru looked deeply into
the older man's eyes, pleading with him.

  "Very well, Masaru. It would take getting used to but if
it makes you feel comfortable."

  "It will make me feel a great deal more comfortable,
Malor. Please come inside."

  Malor smiled and followed the younger man. He hadn't felt
this excited since he was in his teens. He was truly looking
forward to meeting the young Pillar in person.
                              
                          * * * * *


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