[Ruri, Asuka, Iczer-2, and a very exhausted Andrew are sitting on the couch.]
Asuka: So, how did Worldcon go?
Andrew: It was fun! Although I wish Hideaki Anno had been able to come.
Ruri: What happened to him?
Andrew: He hurt himself falling down an escalator in the Tokyo Subway.
Iczer-2: Which begs the question... did he slip or was he pushed?
Andrew: Hey! THAT'S MEAN!
Iczer-2: That's right.
Asuka: I heard that doctors have prescribed additional examinations of his
head. Can't wait to see the results of that.
Andrew: And before people lynch us for making any more jokes at Anno's
expense...
FIC START<<
In the Rhadam-dominated space not far from the front lines, a fleet of
black ships cruised through the void. The ships' forms were massive,
twisted and misshapen, and they pulsated slightly, as if somewhere inside
their techno-organic frame was a beating heart. The largest of the vessels
was easily twice the size of the Earth, and somewhere inside it, the lithe
figure of its commander relaxed, anticipating the destruction which would
soon come.
Iczer Zero sat half-submerged in a peculiar orange liquid, black and green
organic tendrils wrapping themselves around her body. The forces under the
command of her half-sister were proving quite competent, she noted with
pleasure. Crushing bugs was generally satisfactory, but could never
approach the enjoyment of slowly grinding a real opponent into dust.
Perhaps, she considered, when the Kthulhu forces had been crushed, she
would allow Iczer-One to live... and suffer in the knowledge of her
failure, not to mention in more physical ways. She had said she would
allow Iczer-2 to kill her sister, but she could revoke that at any time.
Iczer Zero's contemplation was interrupted as she sensed a presence in her
mind. She let her body submerge completely in the orange liquid as she
replied.
{I am here, Rhadam, my masters.}
* * * * *
OPERATION: LIGHTSPHERE
An Iczer/Teknoman crossover fanfic
Written by Andrew Dynon
Any and all C&C NEEDED. MSTs especially appreciated.
* * * * *
Phase 3
Chapter 4
"To Separate Battles"
Song of the Chapter: "Stand Up For Victory" [V-Gundam OP - Yes, I have been
watching a lot of Gundam recently. Be afraid.]
* * * * *
"Hey, Star, how're you handling this?" Ringo's asked over the
communicator. "Arrg! Damn it!" he yelled as two of the practice drones
rammed into his mecha, knocking it off its vector.
"I'm not doing all that badly, Ringo. I think it likes me." Star
replied. She dodged her targets' blasts, and plugged two of them with her
beam gun. Flying toward the her final drone, she activated her beam sword
and neatly sliced it in half.
{Star Summers, training mission complete, remaining time four minutes
eighteen seconds.} the calm, feminine voice of her mecha's AI unit sent
telepathically. Star was rapidly becoming used to the sensation after the
initial shock when she had first used the unit. A few seconds after she
had recieved the message, Ringo sighed in frustration as his mecha was shot
down.
"Hey, how come the AI responds so much better with you?" Ringo complained.
General Indigo appeared on the viewscreen as soon as Ringo had asked.
"Like the Iczelion armor, the Kithalos-class mecha react to biological and
psychic rythyms. The requirements are far less specific than those of an
Iczelion, so males are able to use them, but the synchronisation is still
stronger with females."
The Kitalos was a small mecha - standing only eight metres tall - that
formed the bulk of the Kthulhu and allied forces - Iczelions and larger
mecha such as the Delos Zeta were assault forces, and if they were
available the Kithalos was relegated to a suppourt role - but all too often
in this war, they were the most powerful forces available in the battle
against the Rhadam. They were by no means weak - Kithalos mecha in the
hands of skilled pilots could and had taken down Teknomen - but an Iczelion
was just as powerful and much more manuverable.
"Star, you seem to be handling the mecha well. Ringo, you still need to
improve. You head to the front in forty hours, so there's only two more
training sessions to go."
"Mizuki and the others left with Cyan three days ago." Shara said
quietly. "Have they sent a report yet?"
"A report's due in ten hours." Indigo said, and then let out a wistful sigh.
"Cyan..."
* * * * *
Cyan tried to relax as she scanned the area of space that the ship was
heading into. Even with the training she'd had, she couldn't help feeling
nervous about the upcoming mission. What if she made the wrong decision at
the wrong time? What if it got someone killed?
What if she never saw Indigo again?
The knowledge that she had been awarded the highest marks of her age group
in Tactical Studies, and that Iczer One had personally assigned her this
mission, was of no comfort to her. Indigo continually reminded her of the
importance of experience in real combat, and she currently had none - not
as a commander, anyway. Like all of the Kthulhu military, she had served
as a mecha pilot before her promotion - but she knew even from the
simulations that giving orders was far harder than following them.
She had no concern about her combat ability, even though she had not been
chosen by an Iczel. Her customized Delos Zeta was almost on the same power
level as Iczer Robo herself - the squadron she had been assigned to during
her time at the front was generally used in attacks on Rhadam battleships.
But, as she had been told in her first lesson, power, in and of itself, was
meaningless. It was the ability to put that power to use which mattered.
Did she have that ability?
Cyan heard footsteps, and turned to see Mizuki approaching. Nagisa's
sister stopped and stood at attention as Cyan turned to her.
"At ease, Mizuki Kai." Mizuki relaxed, and Cyan gestured, inviting Mizuki
to sit down. "What did you want to talk to me about?"
"Well, it's just that I'd like to get to know you. Since it hasn't been
long since we met, and that."
"I see..." Cyan replied. A long, awkward-feeling period of silence
followed, before Mizuki once again spoke.
"You're very worried about this, aren't you. Even though you know
Iczer-One trusts you."
"Yes, I am. How did you know? I didn't think Earth had developed the
psionic sciences yet."
"No, we haven't. It's just that being Nagisa's sister and having to take
care of her back on Earth, I kind of learned how she thought. You don't
seem that much different from her."
"Really?" before Cyan could continue the conversation, there was a
presence flashed in her mind, prompting her to stand.
"I'm sorry, Mizuki, I need to leave for now." Cyan said, walking away.
The door of Cyan's room slid open, and she wandered in, her eyes adjusting
to the darkness. As it closed behind her, she saw the small form of an
Iczel in front of her.
"Greetings, Cyan." The Iczel said. "I apologise for being unable to meet
with you before you departed. However, final modifications to my functions
were still being made."
"There's no need to apologise. I was not even informed that I was going
to become an Iczelion."
"The matter was not decided until my construction was completed and
checked. The decision was made by Iczer-One herself." the Iczel replied.
"I presume you would be interested in finding out what it's like to wear
Iczelion armor, now?"
Cyan tried to keep her excitement from showing, reminding herself that, as
a commander, she should remain calm in all situations.
"Yes, I'd like to."
"CHARGING!!!"
Cyan felt a surge of energy through her body as the transformation took
place, armor forming around her. When the transformation was complete,
Cyan wore silvery-colored armor over a white and gold bodysuit. For almost
a full minute, she stood still, unable to believe her transformation.
{I'm a Platinum Iczelion...}
{That means ... I'm an Iczelion ELITE TYPE?}
* * * * *
Iczer-One wrapped Nagisa in her arms, carrying her through space at far
beyond lightspeed. The bubble of blue energy that surrounded them, as well
as Nagisa's link with Iczer-One, protected the human girl from the vacuum.
"So, how do you like flying hyperlight, Nagisa?" Iczer-One asked.
"I enjoy it... it feels strange, but it also feels so peaceful." Nagisa
answered. "It's kind of like I'm floating in water, drifting without
making any effort."
"I guess even our synchronization doesn't make everything the same for us.
For me, it feels as if I'm entering a black hole when I go to hyperlight,
and I'm getting pulled through to my destination." the blonde android said.
"Maybe it's because you're moving and I'm just being carried."
"Yes, perhaps."
As the pair dropped out of hyperlight-travel mode, normal space reappeared
around them - a white star, only a little smaller than Earth's sun, burned
nearby, illuminating the turquoise-and-white hues of the planet below them,
and its golden twin moons.
"Oh, Iczer-One!" Nagisa exclaimed. "Ishua's so beautiful! Is it really
the planet you first awoke on?"
"Yes... although, back then, I didn't know what "beautiful" meant... I
could never have understood the concept." Iczer-One said, remembering. "I
didn't understand the concept of embarrassment, either."
Nagisa laughed as an image was projected into her mind of Iczer-One
standing passively as a swordsman sliced through the cloak she was wearing,
which fell to the ground, leaving her naked.
"Of course, at that time, there were many things that were anything but
beautiful." Iczer-One continued, projecting images of Ishuan soldiers
being torn apart by Kthulhu parasite beasts. "But there was also one
beauty that surpassed all others."
"And you're not showing me what Raura looks like?"
Iczer-One smiled and ran her fingers down Nagisa's cheek.
"Wait and see."
* * * * *
"/Vessel detected ahead./" The ship's AI sent to Cyan and the others.
Cyan immediately proceeded to the ship's bridge.
"What kind of vessel?"
"/Vessel appears to be a medium-sized starship. Unable to determine
manufacturing species at this stage - distance too far./"
"Distance, angle and bearing?"
"/Distance approxinately 0.04 light years, angles 342.94 and 12.15,
bearing 178.03 and 190.40/"
"That's nearly a parallel course." Cyan said.
"So does that mean it's hostile?" Nami asked.
"Not necessarily... but it means we'd better pay attention to it. I'd say
they're definitely aware of us, but our sensors are better than most, so
they may still think we haven't noticed them."
"Commander, they're transmitting a message." The young Kthulhu woman at
the communications post said.
"I guess we can scratch that possibility, then. Open a channel." The
comms officer did as she was told, and the form of a humanoid female
appeared on the screen. She had pale violet skin and yellow-white hair,
and bony, fin-like portrusions from her forearms and lower legs.
"Kthulhu vessel," The female said. "State your vessel's title, purpose
and destination."
"Who are they?" Tina asked a Kthulhu crew member who was sitting beside her.
"The race is called the Lyrinae. They're nomads who are variously
traders, mercenaries, and pirates. As far as we know, they have no central
government, and every ship is autonomous."
While the pair were talking, Cyan continued the communication.
"This is the Kthulhu frigate /Seriphos/. We are currently engaged in war
with the Rhadam. I am not at permitted to disclose any more than that.
What is your title and purpose?"
"I am Min'rhe, captain of the /Marras/. We are a mercenary ship which has
been hired by the planet Sarya to fight against the Rhadam forces."
Cyan winced slightly at Min'rhe's statement. Sarya had asked for
increased aid from the Kthulhu several times, but, like all planets in this
sector, was difficult to reach for the Kthulhu. Therefore, the Kthulhu had
not been able to send nearly as much aid as needed. It was unsurprising
that they had turned to other scources of help, not to mention fortunate
that they had held out for as long as they had. But Cyan wondered whether
the lack of assistance on her race's part had resulted in feelings of
hostility toward them.
* * * * *
As the /Fuji Empress/ reappeared from hyperspace, Blade solemnly looked at
the scene in front of them. They were near the front lines, now - over a
part of space as large as that which the term "front lines" was used to
describe, it did not mean a state of constant battle, but simply the area
within which they were in danger of coming under attack at any time. He
leaned close to Star as he spoke to her.
"Star, are you nervous?"
"Yes. A little."
"You aren't nervous enough."
"Geez, Blade, lighten up!" Ringo said. "It wouldn't kill you if you did
it once in a while, would it?"
"If I did it at the wrong time, it might." Blade replied. "Anyway, I'm
sure Saber's somewhere on the front lines. I still need to fight him."
"Need to?" Shara asked. "Nick, you should stop saying that!"
"No, Shara. It's the truth. I'm the one who has to deal with him."
"Nick..." Shara breathed.
Then, the ship rocked as a beam of energy slammed into it.
"What?" Star yelled. "We're under attack! Kawai, didn't the ship's
sensors pick this up?"
"Negative! A Rhadam ship just appeared out of nowhere!"
"Looks like we're gonna see some action." Ringo said, smiling.
* * * * *
Wind whipped playfully across Nagisa's face as she and Iczer-One descended
through Ishua's atmosphere towards the planetary surface. As if on cue,
clouds parted below them, and the white sun illuminated the Royal City of
Karura, the pale silvery-blue stone with which much of it was constructed
shining as it reflected the sunlight. The city, and the castle it had been
named after, had been destroyed in the Kthulhu invasion eighty Earth years
ago, with a Kthulhu fort landing on the castle and killing the king and
queen - Princesses Aura and Raura had been away, and survived. Iczer-One
was still amazed at how much the planet's scars had healed in under a century.
The pair continued their descent, until the castle grounds became clearly
visible. At that point, Iczer-One slid her hand over Nagisa's eyes.
"Close your eyes, Nagisa. Don't open them until we touch the ground."
"You're really building up the suspense, aren't you?" Nagisa giggled.
"Okay, I will."
A few moments later, Nagisa felt her feet touch gently on the ground, and
knew instinctively that Princess Raura was standing in front of her.
Raura, her lover's other love, the girl whom Iczer-One had first
synchronized with. What did she look like? Nagisa opened her eyes.
Raura looked exactly the same as her The pair stared in shock at each
other for long moments.
Then, the two girls took a few tentative steps toward each other, before
embracing each other, joyful smiles on their faces.
"I should have guessed." said Raura. "On Ishua, we believe that a soul
can be shared by two people within the material world. The people who
share a soul will be the same in every aspect, closer than even identical
twins. But most will never know the other."
"I'm glad that at least us two managed to meet." Nagisa said. She knew
without asking that Raura felt the same way.
* * * * *
"Okay, looks like I'm gonna get to test this thing out in real combat!"
Ringo said as his mecha launched from the ship.
"Ringo, stay close to me." Star ordered. "We'll concentrate on the
spider-crabs. Leave the Teknomen to Blade and the others." She had
noticed three Teknomen heading for the /Fuji Empress/.
As the two mecha headet for the swarm of incoming spider-crabs, Kawai flew
to intercept one of the attacking Teknomen. The Teknoman she was about to
engage wore dark blue armor, and carried a wicked-looking, serrated-edged
sword. He flew head-on at Kawai, who tried to manuver out of the way. For
an instant, she thought she was safe - and then she felt something metallic
slam into her torso, and her body tumbling backward.
{He's quick!} Kawai steadied herself, and recovered from the blow. Her
sense of relief lasted only a fraction of a second, as she found the
Teknoman's shoulder pauldrons open, with dark red energy seething from them.
{Iczel, teleport NOW!} Kawai disappeared in a flash of light, just before
the Tekno Bolt would have hit her head-on. She watched as the wave of
energy surged through her former location, and into the ship she had been
travelling in.
The /Fuji Empress/ exploded into a ball of flame.
END PHASE 3 CHAPTER 4
Well, it was a Fuji ship, what did you expect?
I still need that copy of Phase 2, Chapter 1. If anyone else has a copy of
it, please send it to me.
I guess my writing's getting more drama-oriented... I seem to be enjoying
writing drama far more than fight scenes, nowadays. I'm also noticing how
hard it is to write *good* battles. These factors have probably
contributed to the fic's change in tone during phase 3. (By the way, the
story may be turning somewhat dark soon).
For my other fics... "Nagisa^2" is now officially on hold, until I can
figure out a way to do it right. I hope to write the next chapter of
"Sea-Blue of the Stars" before too long. I am also toying with another fic
idea - a Vampire Miyu/Buffy crossover, taking place in an alternate BtVS
third season. That's all I'm saying about that for now.
Oh well, got more uni work to do. Hopefully I won't take too long to write
the next chapter.
________________________________________________________________
Andrew Dynon
"Someone who sucks can still use that to his advantage."
- Shiro Amada - Gundam: 08th MS Platoon, OVA #2
"Stories have to be told to exist. They exist in the telling and retelling."
- Itzhak Roeh