Comments and Critiques welcomed, Please.  I want to thank 
Bert(Skyknight) Shannon (Windlilly) and Bruce for the help 
they have already given me on this story

BGC: Beat of Defiance I

Chapter 6 Aftershocks

Priss was unusually quiet after she came out of her
"discussion" with Sylia.
* I knew she'd be pissed, but making me do the
maintenance on ALL the suits for a week?  It will take
most of that time just doing all the reloads! *

[Authors note: if you think this is an excessive amount of
time think of how reluctant Priss is to do manual labor]

However, the look that Sylia was giving her as they took
their seats caused Priss to remain quiet.  * Maybe I can
get Mackie or Pops to help me *

"Now that the other business is done, I believe you and
Priss had something to tell me Linna?"

Nodding Linna said, "Yes, We both think we know who
Defiance is."

Sylia leaned back in her chair.  "I see.  Please tell me
what you know or suspect."

Nene looked between her three friends.   "Sylia, does this
have anything to do with that run you had me make on
that credit account?"

"Yes Nene it does.  I think we all have had a piece of a
puzzle and now we are going to put it together.  Linna,
you start."

"Well during the fight at the tower I noticed that Defiance
was using Capuara moves.  I've checked and there are
only a few people who practice that art here in Mega-
Tokyo.  My new sparring partner also uses that same art
so ..."

===========================

"I know who two of Knight Sabers are guys."

Both Angel and Louis were startled.   "Who?"

"Priss and Linna."

Angel protested. "It  can't be.  Well maybe Priss she
looks like she would like to put on armor but Linna?"

"You train enough in any of the Martial Arts Angel, you
begin to recognize moves.  Train further and you can
identify an individual by the way they do their moves.
The Green Saber had Linna's moves."

"And why do you think Priss is a Knight Saber?" Raven
haired Frenchwoman asked.

Louis signed "I could hear her throughout the battle
Angelique, I didn't think to much of it at the time, I had
to help Tina track the threats, but the Blue Saber could be
Priss."

"I heard  it direct Louis, it was Priss."

Angel suddenly looked very worried.  "If you could
recognize Linna's moves, could she recognize yours?"

Tina leaned back with her eyes closed.  After a moment
she opened them again.  "Yes she could and maybe faster
than I would.  She is actually more skilled than I am.
What makes our matches even is the fact my speed is
greater than hers"

Louis crossed over to sit next to Angel. "So what is our
next move Tina?"

"We wait, I told them to leave word at Smaug's Cave if
they wanted to talk."

Tina then stood and did a cat-like stretch.  "We can't do
any more tonight.  Lets go to bed.  We'll work things out
further in the morning."

===========================

"Tina the E-mail had something from your brother
marked private"

"Thanks Angel"  Tina read the message while sipping her
coffee.  After reading for a few moments she announced,
"Alex will be here in a few days."

"Good I have wanted to meet your twin for quiet a while.
Is he as handsome as you are pretty?" asked Angel.

"Judge for yourself when he gets here.  Any word on Sho
and his mother?"

"She can leave the hospital tomorrow if she can find
someone to do her physical therapy.  If not she will have
to stay in the hospital for at least two more months."

"Do me a favor Louis.  Call Uncle R and Aunt A for me.
Tell them I will be traveling up in ... two days with Sho
and his mother.  It will take a day to make the
arrangements and explain things to them. "

"You said there were some strange things about that set of
"Special Aunts and Uncles", care to tell us?"

"No Louis, it is not my secret to tell.  If they tell you that
is different.  And they will tell Sho and his mother in their
own time."

Knowing the secrets were not uncommon with Tina and
her family Louis did not argue.  "OK I'll make the call.
Where will you be?"

"At the hospital."

===========================

Priss and Linna where also at the hospital, visiting.

"Moma looks better today doesn't she?" asked Sho.

Priss nodded. "Yes and they tell me you can leave soon.
Do you have a place?  And do you need any help?"

>From her bed the injured woman said, "Yes I can leave
soon.  That nice Tina Sho told me about was just here.
She knows some people in one of the mountain provinces.
She said they could do my therapy and also had work for
me.  Sho will be able to live where the air is clear."  Her
eyes were shinning from a dream about to be realized.

Priss frowned slightly.  "Tina was just here?"

Sho nodded "Yes she was, I'm surprised you missed her.
She said she had checked and made the arrangements. All
she needed was our approval.   We are going there by
train.  Oh and Priss, she said if you would meet us at the
station you could come to."

"That's nice."  * How did she get past us?  Oh right if she
is who we think she is, no problem for her. *  Thanks
Sho, Me and Linna will call her and check."

Sho suddenly grabbed Priss' hand "Priss?"

"Yes Sho?"

"Thank you for saving my mother."

"Your welcome Sho, but I only did half of it.  A lady
named Defiance saved her to."

"I know but I can't find her.  But I can find you.  Thank
you again."

===========================

As they drove back Linna asked Priss, "How long before
Nene checks that place Defiance mentioned?"

"She could be doing it now.  How long are we going to
call her two separate people?"

"Well I'm going to do it until she tells us for sure."

===========================

"Tina I wish you wouldn't go."

"Look the Sabers said they wanted a initial meet on
neutral territory.   We already got an idea who two of
them are.  I will just set up the meet for after I take Sho
and his mother to Uncle R's and Aunt A's place."

===========================

Nene was staking out Smaug's.  So far nothing.  Then she
noticed Little Stinker entering the node.  * When I
mentioned Little Stinker, Sylia got that deducting look.
Little Stinker must work with Defiance.  Or she is Little
Stinker!! *  Nene noticed that Little Stinker had placed a
message package with Smaug.  From where she sat Nene
could hear what was said.

"Look this was waiting outside the node.  It is addressed
to the 'Knight Sabers' care of Smaug's Cave.  I figure
someone couldn't get past your defenses but needed to
contact them anyway they could.  I've scanned it, it is
virus free but you can double check."

"I'll take your word for it LS.  I'll hold it but if the
Knight Saber does show up I will not let her run it here,
just in case."

"Knight Saber?"

"Yes, lot of speculation as to who she is.  Didn't make
the top ten and she doesn't show up often, but she is good
enough to get in here.  Most people think she is the
runner for the Sabers.  Others think she _is_ one of the
Sabers.  Still others think she is just a contact point to
reach the real Sabers.  Me, all I know for sure is that the
Saber is a powerhouse.."

"Well thanks Smaug.  What is the real time?"

When she was told LS went "I'm late for a meat world
appointment!! Got to book!! Bye!"  Then the Humanoid
Skunk did a curtsy and jacked out.

Finishing her virtual meal  Nene left as well.  "Well
Smaug I guess you will be seeing the Knight Saber real
soon."

===========================

Priss was quiet for a long time during the return leg.  Sho
had been eager, talking to both of them.  However Priss
and Tina had hardly spoken directly to each other.  Priss
replayed the scene at the station again.

An older couple had greeted them at the station.  The
woman was wearing a dress that allowed free movement,
while the man was wearing Chinese unisex. * Way out of
style, especially the unisex look.  And why is he carrying
that big umbrella? * Both carried themselves well, as if to
disprove the few streaks of gray in both of their hair.

"Aunti A!  Uncle R!  How are you doing?"

The woman accepted Tina's hug.  "Hello Tina-chan.
Sorry about the umbrella we had a bit of weather coming
over.  Uncle R almost couldn't make it." said the woman.
Priss wondered at the expression the man was showing.

"I see"  Tina appeared to have suppressed a grin.  "Well
I've got two people to meet  you."  Tina then introduce
Sho and his mother to her Aunt and Uncle.

"Why does she call you Aunt and Uncle?  Tina is an
American and you are both Japanese!" Sho commented.

"That is a long story.  We will tell it to you on our way to
the dojo." was the man's reply.

The woman now faced Tina.  "Are you sure you can't
stay longer?  My oldest sister is visiting too and she is
insisting on cooking for us.  You always enjoyed her
food."

"Yes it is always great, unlike some people I know." said
the man.  The lady lightly slapped the man on the back of
his head.  Priss somehow got the feeling it was a old joke
for them as the man was grinning as he said it.  The
woman shared the grin.

"No I'm sorry.  I got business back in town.  I will visit
you soon though.  Sho take care of your mother.  Bye for
now you two."  This time Tina gathered both of them into
a hug.

The last Priss heard as she got back on the train was the
man tell the two "There are a few unusual things about the
dojo we've got to tell you up front."

Priss returned to the present when she noticed Tina staring
at her.  The silence in the compartment increased.  Tina
finally broke the silence.

"So how long have you been a Knight Saber?"  * There.
Now it is out in the open *

Priss snorted then said, "I lost the bet.  We bet whether
you would say anything or wait until you got back to our
base"

"You and Linna?"

"No someone else,  I can't tell you until we get there.
But Linna is picking us up."

"Is it just for me?  Or do they want Louis and Angel
too?"

"Just you at first.  My boss thought you would have
support.  If it goes well she will bring them in too.  And
Tina . . .  this has always been hard for me to say but..."

"Your Welcome Priss."

===========================

"Sorry for the blindfold but It is a basic precaution in case
it doesn't work out."  Linna apologized as she lead Tina
up into Sylia's apartment.

"And what needs to be worked out?"

"Our future relationships Tina. Or do you want to be
addressed as Defiance?"  Sylia asked from where she sat
in the shadows.

"Tina will do.  But if you want my full name it is..."

"Christina Charline Wilson."  interrupted Sylia.

"You have done some research on me.  I've done a little
as well.  My sources state that the four of you appear to
be general mercenaries, but you appear to have a grudge
against Genom.  You also do, well ... public service, by
going out and taking on rouge boomers for free."  Then
turning to Priss and Linna, she added "Your boss likes to
pull surprises and be mysterious."

Tina could see the shadowed form nod.  "You also appear
to have something against Genom.  I know you turned
down an offer from them shortly after you arrived in
Mega-Tokyo."

"Them and a few other mega-corps.  I admit though that
Genom leads my 'least liked' list."

"That is common ground we have.  I know my motives
and the others Sabers motives match mine.  I would like
to know more about yours."

"In other words you have a good idea but want to hear my
own words."  Tina held up her hand "Before I start I want
you to know, I can keep secrets.  Most of my life I've
been doing just that.  And I can be discreet as well.  So I
can assure you that no matter what, your secrets are safe
with me.  Do I have your assurances that you can return
the favor?"

"You know Priss and Linna, do you see them violating
any trusts, or working with someone who would?"

"Point taken, however I have my doubts about a woman
who sits in the shadows."

"Let's remove that doubt.   Nene?"

* Who???  Nene?!!  No way!! *  flashed thought Tina's
mind.

The lights came up revealing Sylia sitting there.  Nene
came through a door from where she was controlling the
lights.  However Tina's gaze was directed at the now
visible Sylia.
"I know you too!  You run that shop Angel likes to go
to!!"

"Yes and my name is Stingray, Sylia Stingray.  And I
believe you have met Nene as well."

Tina nodded a greeting to Nene then turned again to face
Sylia.  "My twin has mentioned a Doctor Stingray before.
A relative?"

"My father."

"Then you can understand part of my motivation for
going after Genom.  We've narrowed down to three the
suspects who organized the 'run' that almost killed my
parents.  All three are major executives at Genom.   You
took out our prime suspect a few nights ago."

Something clicked in Priss' mind.  "So that's what you
meant when you said you owed us."

"Yes, Mason needed to be dealt with.  Although my
brother has not yet confirmed if he was the one behind the
run."

"And if it is not him?"

"Then Alex will know who was.  And I can plan from
what he tells me."

* Now the important part * thought Sylia.  "And if it was
Mason?  What are your plans then?"

"Visit my folks for a week.  Come back here.  There are
too many corps and people like Mason around.  Someone
needs to balance them.  Genom is the worse of the lot.
This appears to be the best place to work from.  If I can
help balance the books some, maybe it'll help the world
some.    And ... "   Tina's voice caught as she suddenly
had to fight to keep in control "No family deserves to go
through what my family has because of Genom.  If I help
even one family, it will be worth it."

Satisfied, no relived, by the answer she had gotten Sylia
continued.  "Do you wish to continue as a solo
operative?"

Tina lifted her head.  "What?"

"Tina, you have shown great skill, courage and
dedication.  Still, when you fight you are physically
alone.  Does working with a group appeal to you?"

Tina sat back for a moment.  She remembered how good
it felt, how much better she fought when Alex and herself
had gone on missions together.  She remembered how it
felt when Angelique and Louis had joined up with her.
"More than I can say.  But I'm a package deal.  Louis and
Angel are with me on this.  In fact in many ways
Defiance couldn't continue without them.  If you want me
you are going to have to have to take them as well.  And
if you don't want them, you are not going to get me."

"Well Mackie as complained about having to maintain the
suits with just one other person to help.  Not to mention a
5:4 support ratio would be excellent.  And yes Tina, I
assumed you would not abandon them.  I'm talking to you
initially because you appear to be the teams leader."

"Let me call Louis and Angel."

"No need to.  They are down stairs in the shop. Angel
was informed that she had won a gift certificate for my
shop.  She is down there gleefully examining my
inventory at this moment.   Mackie can bring them up.
That is, after one bit of formality."

Sylia looked at Nene, Priss and Linna.  "Mackie has
already agreed.  Do the rest of you accept Tina, Louis and
Angelique as Knight Sabers?"

Each in their own way, signaled their agreement.

"Then, assuming that your two friends agree as well, you
are all part of us Tina.  Welcome."

Tina looked like someone who had just been given the
world.
Ben L. Harrison - HM1(FMF) USN
Harriso3@ix.netcom.com
====================================================================
Anime Excuse #212: Went  on a  mission with the  Lovely Angels
Anime Excuse #213: Tried to help Linna start her car