Title:BGC Blues 5 : Illusions Part 2/5
Author:Shehulk
A Story of Bubblegum Crisis
Kutsuu had kept trying with the drugs. Different combinations,
higher levels, until Priss had lost touch with everything and there was
only Arashi's voice to hang onto. She existed in a surreal world that
had no meaning, but Arashi kept talking to her, kept reassuring her
that she was not alone. Hours after the last drug had been
administered; Arashi had managed to filter enough out of Priss' system
to allow her to fall into an uneasy sleep. She dreamed of Sylia and the
images that filled her mind were not of her nightmares, but of the real
Sylia.
Eventually though, the discomfort of her position began to
penetrate the haze of her sleep and she began to wake. Priss opened her
eyes, realized that the effects of the drugs had faded enough for her
to think again, and sighed in relief. "Thank God." Only no sound
emerged from her throat and Priss froze in horror. She tried again and
again to make any kind of sound, but her voice was gone.
= Calm down, Priss. It's all right. You haven't lost your voice.
Understand? You can still speak.=
<Have I gone deaf?> She moved slightly and heard the clink of the
chain holding her. <No, it's my voice! Arashi what's wrong with me?!>
= Please Priss, calm down. You were hallucinating and beginning
to babble. I blocked your ability to speak so you wouldn't betray the
others.=
<Okay. The drugs are out of my system now so give me my voice
back.>
Arashi was silent for a long moment.= I don't think I should do
that Priss.=
<What? Arashi... give me back my voice.>
= Listen to me, Priss. Things are just going to get worse. I'm
doing what I can but what if you slip and say something before I can
stop you? I can't restore your voice, Priss.=
<No! Give back my voice! Please... Arashi... don't do this!>
Arashi steeled herself against Priss' pleas and concentrated on
repairing the damage that had been done by the drugs.
?????
Priss screamed as she came awake, clutching her throat. Sylia's
arms were around her in an instant and she held her while the silent
sobs shook Priss' body. "Shh. It's all right Priss, it's just a dream."
The worry in her voice belied her reassurances. Priss had been haunted
by her nightmares more than usual, but refused to talk to Sylia about
it. Afraid that there might be a problem with the implanted memories,
Sylia realized that she couldn't let Priss brush her concern aside
again. "Priss?"
Priss heard her and knew what she wanted. "I know, Sylia, but
they just don't make any sense."
"Tell me."
"I keep dreaming that I'm locked in a small metal room. I'm being
tortured." Priss shivered as she recalled the blonde haired woman with
dead eyes. "There's a woman."
Sylia had to agree with Priss, the dream made no sense. "Is that
all?"
Priss shook her head. "Each dream has been different. So weird.
Like images out of horror movies. Blood and pain all mixed up with this
hopelessness that I would ever be rescued."
Not sure what to think, Sylia tightened her hold on Priss. "Do
you know where I am in the dreams?"
Priss laughed bitterly. "That's the worst part. Somehow, I know
that you think I'm dead. That's why I keep thinking that no one is
going to come for me." She buried her face in Sylia's neck and missed
the stunned expression that spread over her face.
Sylia was beginning to think there might be another reason for
these dreams. And she didn't know whether to hope she was wrong or pray
that she was right. 'My God! Could it be possible?' "Why are you being
tortured?"
"Oh. They want me to confess to being a Knight Saber and tell
them who the others are." She rubbed her face and sighed. "Freaky,
huh?"
"Hmm." Sylia paused and then asked quietly, "Did you tell her?"
Priss flinched and Sylia watched her carefully. "No. Actually,
that was what made this last dream so bad. I couldn't speak."
"Why not?"
"Arashi took my voice."
?????
Sylia waited until Priss had fallen back to sleep and then got
out of bed and threw on her robe. She eased out of the bedroom and
hurried out of the apartment. Three minutes later, she was pounding on
Mackie's door. <Mackie! Mackie, wake up!>
Setsu woke him and Mackie tripped his way to the front door to
let Sylia in. "What's wrong?"
She pushed past him and began to pace back and forth, as she
spoke. "I think that Priss might be alive."
Mackie blinked and shook his head. "Of course she's alive, her
clone-."
"No! I mean the real Priss!"
That startled Mackie into a fully awakened state and he looked at
Sylia in alarm. "What are you talking about?"
"Priss... the clone... she's been having dreams, Mackie. Dreams in
which she's being tortured. Dreams in which we all think that she's
dead."
"But how-."
"I don't know. But what I do know is that if there is even the
remote chance that she's alive then we have to find her."
Mackie wondered if Sylia realized how insane this all sounded and
sighed. "All right. I'll tap into a couple of surveillance satellites
and start looking for Arashi's signal." His tone implied that he
thought he would be wasting his time, but Sylia didn't care.
?????
Priss felt the shackle release and knew she was going to hit the
floor. But she didn't. Kutsuu caught her and guided her over to a small
cot that the boomers had carried in. Priss felt herself lying down for
the first time since this nightmare had begun and to her horror, felt
tears sting her eyes. She blinked them back and summoned a glare at
Kutsuu, who was dipping a washcloth into a basin of water. She picked
up a bar of soap and ran the cloth over it.
Priss felt the warm washcloth glide over her face and was very
afraid that this might be the worse torture yet. As the dried blood and
sweat was washed away, Priss felt a bizarre gratitude to her and began
to question why she had been so stubborn. Priss suddenly realized that
she could feel her body again and wondered why Arashi had unblocked the
nerves.
= Because I can't keep you numb indefinitely and she's not
hurting you right now.= Arashi spoke harshly.= She's trying to trick
you again, Priss.=
Kutsuu gently washed her body, being careful not to cause Priss
any pain and saw the look she had been waiting for begin to enter her
eyes. 'Amazing what a little kindness at the right moment will do.'
She continued to bathe Priss, knowing that she was close to her
goal. Kutsuu spoke gently as she worked, keeping her voice at an even
level. "You're very strong Priss. I guess all the battles you've fought
made you that way." She dried Priss with a soft towel and then began to
treat the multitude of wounds. The fire in the burns and cuts eased and
Priss exhaled in relief. "I'm amazed at your courage. Sylia must find
you an important member of the team."
Priss opened her mouth to agree and grimaced when no sound
emerged. Misunderstanding the problem, Kutsuu slipped an arm around
Priss' back and raised her up a little so that she could drink some
water. The tepid liquid was quite probably the best thing Priss had
ever tasted and she gulped it down, trying not to choke.
Kutsuu eased her back down and smiled expectantly. "Better?"
Priss started to nod, but blanched as pain exploded through her
skull. Her hand grabbed the side of her head and she writhed in agony.
Kutsuu was alarmed. "Priss? What is it?"
<Arashi! Help me!> The pain stopped as quickly as it had begun
and left Priss shuddering in the aftermath. <What... what was that?>
= That was me.=
<What!? Why did you->
= You were falling for it, Priss. Hook, line and sinker! She's
playing with your mind and you have to stay focused. This woman is your
enemy! She's going to kill you, Priss. It's just a matter of when. Stop
letting yourself be deceived.=
Priss paled as she realized how close she had come. <Christ! You
were right to take my voice.> She looked up at Kutsuu who was watching
her in concern. Suddenly furious, Priss used her rage to force her body
into motion and she heaved herself up. Kutsuu found herself on the
floor with an enraged Priss on top of her, gripping her throat.
The boomer pulled her away and Kutsuu clutched at her throat as
she struggled for air. She glared at Priss and motioned the boomer to
chain Priss from the ceiling again. "You-you're going to regret that."
Priss' grin was feral and she spat at the woman as she was lifted
into the air again.
Kutsuu got to her feet and took a small bottle of liquid from the
cart. "I tried to give you a chance, Priss, but you threw it back in my
face." She pulled on another pair of rubber gloves and poured some of
the oil into her palm. "Now we have to do this the hard way." She began
to rub the liquid into Priss' skin, making sure to thoroughly saturate
the wounds. When she had finished, every inch of Priss' body was on
fire. "Let me know when you've had enough."
She sailed out of the room and Priss waited until the door had
slid closed before shrieking in anguish. <Arashi! Make it stop! Please
make it stop!>
Arashi tried to lessen the pain, but the total anesthetizing she
had been able to achieve last time was beyond her abilities now. Priss
drew ragged breaths and tried to deal with the burning that she could
still feel. <Gonna kill that bitch.>
?????
Sylia tightened the seal on the hardsuit's right knee and
straightened to find Priss staring at her angrily. She picked up her
helmet and turned to watch Mackie loading her bike onto the truck.
"Something wrong Priss?"
"Wrong? Why should there be anything wrong?" She waved an
impatient hand towards Sylia's armor. "You feel the need to take on a
job without inviting me along and you ask me what's wrong?"
"Priss, the accident..."
"Was weeks ago and I feel fine now. I'm going with you, Sylia and
that's final." She spun around and glared at Mackie as he tried to
slide past unnoticed. "Load my bike, Mackie." She paused, frowning at
him in question. "What's bugging you lately? You have a problem with
me?"
"N-No Priss. I'll get your bike." He almost ran away from them
and Priss looked at Sylia. "What's going on with him?"
Sylia ignored her question. "If you're going then you'd better
hurry. We're on a deadline."
Priss let it pass, filing it away for later. <Arashi? Have you
had any luck with the other enclaves?.>
= No. The other enclaves seem a little, well for lack of a better
word... distant. I'm not sure what's happened, but something is going
on.=
<Since when is this new?> Priss heard the hiss as her suit closed
around her and went to join Sylia.
?????
Quincy watched the boomer drag the remains of one of his former
executives from the room and turned to the others who were trying very
hard to be invisible. "I would suggest that in the future, before any
of you waste my time with incorrect data, that you thoroughly check
your information and make sure that your not setting yourself up to
suffer the same fate as your colleague."
He dismissed them with a wave and activated the large screen
behind him again. Quincy scowled at the footage of the Knight Sabers
destroying a malfunctioning boomer and realized that he was going to
have to break the news to Kutsuu.
?????
Kutsuu took the news surprisingly well and that made Quincy
nervous. He knew what a thorough person she was and had assumed that
Kutsuu would be more upset at his news. "So you see, Kutsuu, there is
no need to continue with Miss Asagiri. Have her body disposed of.
Perhaps we will be able to find you a real Knight Saber to break in the
future. Your fee has been transferred to your account and I added a
bonus for your... persistence."
Kutsuu resisted the urge to smash the screen and smiled at
Quincy. "Of course. A pleasure as always, Mr. Chairman." She shut the
screen off and then gave in and shattered it. The fools! She had to be
a Knight Saber! Nothing else made sense.
But as she studied the data that she had been sent, Kutsuu was
forced to admit that it seemed very unlikely that any of the Knight
Sabers and Priss Asagiri were the same person. The fighting styles of
the Sabers seen yesterday were an exact match for those they had on
record, so exact that there was almost no chance for an error.
?????
"Quite frankly, you should have died several times by now, Priss.
I'm rather curious to see how much more you can take before you do
expire." Kutsuu picked up a long, thin rod and smiled at her
pleasantly.
The cane whipped through the air and struck Priss across her
ribs, but she did not cry out.
She should be screaming, but she merely looked at her with an
eerily calm expression and suddenly Kutsuu felt a flash of what might
be called fear. Priss' eyes promised her death. She shook the feeling
off and struck her again. "You're boring me, Priss. I hate to be
bored." No response. "My employers have informed me that you are not a
Knight Saber." She waited for her reaction.
Priss looked at her and then at the rod she held. Her question
was silent and obvious.
"Oh! Why am I continuing? Like I said, I'm curious." She moved
behind Priss and began to flay her in earnest.
?????
Priss looked at the read out of communications from Sylia'
apartment and squinted in exasperation. <What the hell am I looking
at?>
Arashi sighed and imprinted what Priss would need to understand
the data. Priss yelped and cursed her as she began to scroll through
the list of materials Sylia had ordered. <What does she need with an
incubator?>
= Like I know. Look at all the transmissions to Germany though.
Looks like she's been talking to Dr Fujita about something.=
<Doesn't Fujita specialize in robotics? It's probably just
business.>
= But that isn't the business line. These are all from the living
quarters.=
An uneasy feeling came over Priss. <Okay, that's a little odd.>
= There's one almost every night. Arashi saw the outgoing signal
light flash and checked the
source. Speak of the devil. Outgoing call to Germany.=
<Can you listen in?>
= Of course.=
There was a brief silence and then, "-so when are you leaving?"
The voice was not Sylia's, but Priss had no time to speculate as Mackie
answered.
"In a few days. Sylia asked me to check on something for her, but
I know it's a waste of time and shouldn't take too long. Then I need to
finish packing and arrange for Dr. Raven to take over some stuff I was
working on, but after that I'll be on my way."
"How did Sylia take it?"
Mackie didn't immediately answer and the girl sighed. "You have
to tell her, Mackie. She's your sister, she has a right to know."
"I wonder. She's been so distant lately and she's done something...
I don't agree with. I think she's gone too far this time, Kyouki."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"No. I don't want to burden you with my crazy family problems."
"You know you can talk to me about anything, Mackie."
"I know, but I'd rather talk to you in person. This long distance
stuff is for the birds."
"I know. I miss you, too."
"I hate to hang up, but I have some stuff to do tonight. I love
you."
"I love you too, Mackie."
The call ended and Priss nodded thoughtfully. "Well this explains
some things. I thought Mackie seemed upset with Sylia. I wonder what
she's done this time?"
= A very good question. Mackie's usually game for any of her
schemes, no matter how strange they are. Something that he doesn't
agree with? Definitely, cause for concern.=
<Let's check the financial data for the last month.> Priss
watched the numbers roll past and smiled. <So Mackie's got a girl.
That's why he hasn't been around lately. I was afraid that he didn't
approve of Sylia and me.>
= I wonder if Sylia knows? =
Priss whistled silently. <I seriously doubt it. You can bet that
we'd be hearing about it and probably be running full background checks
on this girl.> Which probably wasn't a bad idea.
= You want to spy on Mackie's girlfriend? = Arashi was shocked.
<Let's just say that I want to make sure she isn't connected to
Genom in anyway. That way if Sylia finds out, I can jump in and
reassure her before she does or says something she can't take back.>
= Not a bad idea.=
?????
The pain had begun again, worse this time and Arashi could do
little to spare her. Priss bit back a scream as the ache in her
shoulder intensified and heard the whistle of the cane rod as it cut
through the air. White-hot agony shot through her as it landed against
her back and she jerked, trying to evade it. Priss could feel her mind
reel and knew that had she been able in that moment she would have
surrendered.
Laughter filled her ears and Priss began to draw into herself to
escape this hell, trying desperately to find something to focus on. She
summoned an image of Sylia to her mind but it burned away in the pain.
Priss cried out for Arashi, but the collective could do nothing to help
her as she was methodically stripped of her reason. Long buried rage
burst forth in a torrent and was useless. Priss screamed silently and
tears fell unbidden from her eyes as Kutsuu worked her craft, not
realizing that Priss not only wouldn't talk, but couldn't.
As the rage began to fade, Priss continued to draw into herself,
desperately searching for a place to hide. Again and again, she tried
to find something to center on, but they all fell before the pain that
wracked her body. Sylia, Linna. Nene, Arashi, her motorcycle... her
music. All were useless to her now in this one moment of true despair
and Priss wept as she realized only now that she had used these
crutches as her shield from the world and from herself. Turning deeper
into herself, Priss began to see her life for what it was, a terrified
flight. She had been running for so long that she had forgot what it
was like to stand still and as the sound of the cane striking her body
echoed in her ears, Priss went even deeper and there, at the center of
all her pretenses, and posturing, between her rage and her
indifference, she found herself.
A strange calm settled over her and she opened her eyes and saw
herself hanging in Kutsuu's playroom. I look like hell. Priss settled
back into herself and her body inhaled sharply as the pain began to
recede. Priscilla Asagiri had carefully pulled herself inside, to a
point of calmness that she had long forgotten she possessed. The center
and the core of what she was and as the rest of the world slipped into
the shadows around her, Priss found something to focus on.
?????
Priss saw the tap into the satellites and wondered what Mackie
was up to. The source was originating from his machine, but she
couldn't tell what he was looking for. <He's searching for something
and according to the log in time; he's been doing it for a few days.>
= I could try to slip into his machine and see what he's looking
for.=
<He and Setsu would spot you. No, I think it's time to confront
Sylia and the others.>
?????
Priss watched Kutsuu leaved the room and didn't trust the smile
that she gave her before leaving. <She's... up to... something.>
Arashi agreed. She scrambled to find something to work with,
knowing that there was nothing left. Every stored resource that Priss'
body contained had been exhausted in order to keep her alive and dull
the pain. Nanobots were burning out rapidly and Arashi had nothing to
make new ones out of. Priss' body was on the edge of collapse.
A voice whispered through the room and Priss jerked her head up
at the sound of Sylia's voice. "Priss."
Priss looked around wildly, but she was alone. <Gone... nuts.> The
voice came again and Priss realized that it was a recording. Endlessly
Sylia spoke her name and after a time more voices were added until the
room was filled with a cacophony of sound that assaulted Priss' ears.
"Priss. Priss. Priss. Priss. Priss. Priss. Priss. Priss. Priss."
Her head pounded from the attack and Priss was vaguely aware that
the sound was getting louder. <Arashi! Do...some...thing.>
=I'm trying to. = Arashi rerouted what she could to the area, but
the nanos didn't get there in time. The sound swelled suddenly and
Priss screamed silently as her head seemed to explode and she lost
consciousness.
?????
<Kill me.> Her mind was wandering and it was difficult to focus
her thoughts enough to speak with Arashi.
= What? =
<Please...Arashi... kill me.> Priss knew it was the only way. The
blood from her ruptured eardrums had dried and Priss could no longer
hear the sound of her labored breathing. She had reached the limit and
knew that there was no option left but death.
= Priss...=
<Not getting out... alive... Arashi... you know.>
= But... =
Priss grew angry and it gave her added strength. <No. Don't let
her... I am in... control of this. I choose... when to die.>
Knowing that she was right, Arashi agreed. As she made
preparations though, something occurred to her and she moved quickly,
using everything possible to set things in place. = When you're ready.
=
<Now.> Priss drew a deep breath, ignoring the pain radiating
through her body. <Hurt?>
Arashi was comforting. = No. You'll just slip into sleep. I'll
take care of the rest. =
Priss sighed and closed her eyes. <I guess ... goodbye.>
= More like goodnight. Are you ready? = Priss nodded and
immediately the darkness began to spread through her mind and she could
hear Arashi as she lost consciousness. = I'm here, Priss. It's almost
over. =
The door opened but Priss did not move. Kutsuu stood beside her
and held up a syringe. Priss didn't move and she touched her shoulder.
She swayed slightly, her eyes open and dead. Kutsuu cursed and felt for
a pulse. "Damn it! That's not fair." She threw the syringe across the
cell and glared at Priss in frustration. "Well I guess playtime's
over." She shrugged philosophically. It had been fun while it lasted.
Kutsuu ordered the boomer in to dispose of the body and watched as the
machine carried away what was left of Priss Asagiri. "How I wish we had
had more time together, Priss. You were incredible!"
?????
Priss gasped as her body spasmed and the glass she was holding
shattered against the floor. She tried to catch herself on the counter
top, but was too weak. Priss hit the floor and lay there as her body
shook uncontrollably.
Sylia had heard the breaking glass and pushed open the door to
the kitchen, her expression puzzled. "Priss? Are you all right?" She
saw Priss' booted feet sticking out from behind the island and shoved
the door open completely. "Oh no! Linna! Nene!"
Sylia knelt beside Priss as she opened her eyes. "Priss? What
happened?"
Priss opened her mouth to speak and then closed it again. How
could she begin to explain the feeling of loss that had overtaken her?
She felt as if something had been ripped away from her soul. "I... don't
know, Sylia. One minute I was standing at the sink and the next I was
on the floor." She tried to sit up, but found that her muscles were
still trembling too badly. <Arashi? What happened to me?>
Arashi could find no cause for the seizure. Everything seems
normal. I'll keep looking, but physically you're fine.
Sylia gripped her arm as Linna took the other and together they
helped Priss to her feet. She swayed unsteadily and Sylia looped Priss'
arm around her shoulders and guided her into the living room.
Priss collapsed onto the couch and they were alarmed at the sweat
beading on her forehead and her bloodless face. Linna glanced at Sylia.
"Could something have gone wrong?"
Sylia stiffened. She knew what Linna was asking and she was
furious that she had spoken aloud. "I don't know." Mentally she fired
off a warning to Linna. <Be careful! I don't think this is related to
the cloning process but if it is then it doesn't need to be compounded
by the stress of finding out what she is.>
Linna's disapproving glare was her reply and it was Nene who
broke the strained silence. "Priss? Would you like some water?"
Priss nodded slightly, very aware that there was something going
on between Sylia and Linna. Nene shot a pointed look at Linna, who
turned without speaking and went back to the kitchen. "I don't suppose
that anyone would care to tell me what that was about?"
Sylia smiled reassuringly. "It's nothing. Linna thinks that I was
wrong to let you climb back into a hardsuit so soon after your
accident. I'm afraid she might be right."
Priss laughed humorlessly. "I think she might be right too."
Linna returned and Priss accepted the glass with a quiet thank you. She
locked her fingers around the glass to keep itt from falling and sipped
the cold liquid. Priss carefully handed the glass to Sylia and leaned
her head back against the couch. "Damn! I feel like I've fought a
battle." She closed her eyes and missed the worried looks that flew
over her head.
Sylia reached down and gripped her hand, wondering if she had
missed something in the process.
Had she made a mistake somewhere? "Why don't you go lay down until
dinner, Priss?"
Surprisingly Priss agreed, making Nene and Linna stare after her
and Sylia in concern as they moved into the bedroom. Linna's voice was
flat. "Something's gone wrong. Sylia just won't admit it."
Nene sighed and slipped her arms around Linna's waist. "I hope
you're wrong."
Sylia returned a few minutes later and went straight into the
kitchen. Linna and Nene followed, finding her on her knees cleaning up
the broken glass. She spoke without looking up as she swept the remains
into a dust pan. "That was quite possibly the most reckless thing I've
ever seen you do, Linna."
Linna remained remarkably calm despite the clear censure in
Sylia's words. "This isn't Knight Saber business, Sylia. This is
personal. You're playing with people's lives and you better get used to
the fact that some people don't like it."
Sylia rose and tossed the shards into the trash. "Perhaps, but
what you're doing will only harm Priss."
"Why not let me decide?" Priss leaned against the doorframe and
waited for Sylia to answer her. Linna and Nene were looking at
everything except her and Priss ground her teeth in an effort to stop
herself from strangling the truth from them. "What are you hiding from
me?"
Sylia spread her hands helplessly. "I don't know what you want,
Priss."
"I want to know why you're all acting so weird! What have I done
to make you look at me like this?" She pointed to Linna. "Please,
Linna! You're my friend and I know that you'll tell me the truth."
Sylia flinched at the implication that she wouldn't and wondered
what Linna would say.
Linna knew that Priss had the right to know and was about to tell
her when they heard the front door open.
Mackie stood in the doorway, his face pale. "I found her."
Sylia felt her world shift. "You're sure?"
"It's Arashi's signal, but it's very weak. We need to hurry."
Priss stared at Sylia, but her lover would not look at her.
"What's he talking about Sylia?"
Sylia shook her head. "Not now, Priss. Everyone suit up."
?????
Priss could feel herself floating weightlessly, but it was the
absence of pain that made her open her eyes. She stared at the vague
twilight surrounding her and tried to remember how she had come to be
here. She felt disconnected and in a strange way, free.
A faint sound in the distance drew her attention and she turned
towards it. Priss could hear Arashi's frantic calling and frowned
slightly. She didn't want to leave. It was quiet here and there was
only pain waiting for her where Arashi was. Pain. Priss knew there was
something important she had to remember, but thinking seemed like too
much effort and she closed her eyes and continued to drift.
?????
The van slid quietly down the darkened alley, the Knight Sabers
riding on the roof and focusing search lights on every crack and
shadow.
Linna watched as her light flared across a set of red beady eyes
and sighed as the rat turned and ran. "What are we looking for, Sylia?"
Sylia was enigmatic. "You'll know when you see."
Priss held her tongue, knowing that Sylia wouldn't answer her if
she asked. She swept the light over the ground and then to a dumpster,
but something made her swing back. She stared hard at the pale hand
sticking out from behind a pile of trash and suddenly realized what
they were looking for. "There!" She jumped down from the roof and
landed next to the body, Sylia with her every step. Priss knelt and
rolled the figure over. She let out a gasp and stood up, moving away
from the woman. Sylia's voice whispered through her helmet. "Priss."
She wasn't talking to her, but to the woman she was now cradling
tenderly in her arms. Pale and gaunt, her face bruised and her body
covered in cuts, she was still recognizable.
Priss watched the readouts of her suit and heard Arashi's
startled exclamation that the woman was exactly like them, but she had
yet to put it all together. In the back of her mind, she knew, but if
she let herself think it then she would go mad. Priss drew a deep
breath and made herself go to Sylia. "She's badly hurt. She needs
medical attention."
Sylia heard her and lifted Priss gently, trying not to injure her
further. <Taisei! Can you connect with Arashi?>
Arashi burst into their minds like a hurricane. = Where the hell
were you? She's been through hell trying to get back to you and you've
already replaced her? Never mind, get us out of here! I need materials
to work with and she's badly dehydrated. =
Sylia laid her down inside the van and removed her armor. The
others did the same and as soon as Priss was free, she knelt beside her
double. Sylia was staring at her battered face in shock and Priss made
a disgusted sound before reaching for the medical kit. She tossed an IV
set at Sylia and prepared an injection of antibiotics. Some of the
wounds were red and swollen, obvious signs of infection. She injected
the antibiotics and looked at Sylia. "Who is this, Sylia?"
She refused to answer and readied the IV with shaking hands.
Priss watched her fumble with the needle and swore softly. "Damn it.
Move, I'll do it." She took the needle away and inserted the catheter
into her double's arm. As she looked down at her own face, an idea too
horrible to imagine sprang to mind. The list of strange equipment and
supplies that Sylia had been ordering in the lastt month was fresh in
her mind and she caught Sylia's eyes with her own. When she spoke, it
wasn't a question. "I'm a clone."
Sylia nodded helplessly and handed her another syringe and a
bottle of vitamin supplement. Priss choked back the bile rising in her
throat and took them from her with barely restrained violence. "You
bitch." She gave the injection swiftly, careful to do it exactly right
and not give in to the wild urge to kill the original Priss. She tossed
the needle away and took the blanket Nene handed her and covered her
double with it. Nene couldn't meet her eyes and Priss felt abandoned.
She turned on Sylia. "How could you do this?"
Sylia couldn't answer her. "Mackie, take us to the clinic."
Arashi protested. = No. There's nothing they could do there that
you can't do at home. I need time and materials, Sylia. She can't
handle waking up in a strange place again. =
<What happened?>
= That's for Priss to tell. Needless to say, she's been pushed
past her limits. =
The van pulled into the garage and they carried the original
Priss upstairs. Sylia automatically placed her in their bedroom.
Priss stood at the foot of the bed she and Sylia had made love in
and watched her bathe the other woman's face. She felt something inside
her break as Sylia cared for Priss. <I'm nothing now. Arashi? My
Arashi?>
= Yes, Priss? =
<What are we going to do?>
= I don't know. The other enclaves have shut me out. =
Priss looked at Linna and Nene, but they couldn't meet her eyes.
She spun away and walked out.
?????
Sylia felt the tears running down her face and did nothing to
stop them. The number of wounds and burns was horrifying and she knew
that Priss had been brutally tortured. <Arashi? What happened? We
thought she was dead.>
Arashi was distracted, but she spared Sylia a short answer. =
Genom happened. Someone drew the conclusion that Priss was a Knight
Saber. They wanted to know who the others were. I need more materials,
Sylia and start another IV. They only gave her enough water to keep her
alive and almost no food. =
Sylia blanched and did as Arashi asked. She heard the murmur of
voices from the living room and knew that she had succeeded in digging
herself a very deep hole this time. <What else can I do?>
= Nothing. She needs rest and sleep. = Arashi could sense that
Priss was struggling to wake and was torn between letting her awaken
and making her sleep.
Priss felt herself pulled back in a sudden rush and her eyes
popped open. She saw Sylia beside her. "S-Sylia?" She had to be
dreaming.
Sylia smiled down at her through her tears and laughed softly.
"Hi."
= She can't hear you. Her eardrums were punctured. = Arashi's
quiet explanation made Sylia wince.
<Priss?>
Priss smiled faintly as she realized that Arashi had accomplished
a miracle. <Guess I missed dinner?>
Sylia shook her head and raised Priss' hand to her lips. <No.
It's ready when ever you are.>
Priss closed her eyes and sighed. <It's good to be home.>
?????
Sylia stepped out of the bedroom and saw Priss at the window.
"I'm glad you didn't leave."
Priss snorted and paced towards her. "Oh, I'm not leaving until I
have some answers!" She saw Linna and Nene enter, but ignored them.
Sylia was the target right now. "How could you do this, Sylia?" She
gestured to her body. "Was I a good replacement, Sylia? Did I give you
as much pleasure as she did?" She moved closer, crowding Sylia back
against the wall, her voice low and tightt. "Was I a good fuck, Sylia?
Tell me, Sylia. Tell me!" Her left hand flew out and through the wall
beside Sylia's head. Sylia stood frozen and let her continue.
"Damn you! What the hell am I going to do? Wander off into the
night while you take back up with the original? How do I live a life
that's not mine?!" She whirled around, not sure she could keep from
striking Sylia and faced Linna and Nene. "Well. I guess I know why you
guys were uncomfortable around me. Sorry to upset you. I'll just scurry
away and let you all get back to your nice, neat little lives."
Sylia shook her head and approached the clone cautiously. "You
can't leave... Priss. I'm sorry you found out this way, but you can't run
from this. We need to decide what to do."
"Do? About me, you mean?" Priss laughed wildly. "I know what
you'll do, Sylia! Strangely enough I don't think that letting you kill
me is a solution that will work for me."
Sylia flinched, her expression shocked. "I would never... could
never.... Priss please!"
Priss reached out and grabbed Sylia by the throat, lifting her
from the floor. "Please what, Sylia? Please follow orders? Please
conveniently cease to exist? Please kiss me?" She took Sylia's mouth in
a rough kiss and Sylia struck out, hitting her face. Priss jerked away.
"See? Not good enough for you now, hmm?" She thrust Sylia away,
watching her crash into the wall with a bitter smile. Priss suddenly
heard a familiar voice echoing through her mind.
<Don't hurt her. She's not yours to hurt.>
The original Priss saw the bedroom door swing open and watched
herself enter the room. <Close the door.>
The door shut in Sylia's face and left her and the others
wondering what had just happened.
?????
Priss watched the clone move to the foot of the bed. <I'm sorry.>
The clone frowned at her. <What the hell are you apologizing
for?>
<I think... for being alive.>
<Not your fault.> She paused and looked at the rapidly healing
injuries on Priss' arm and face. <What happened?>
Priss shrugged. <Got kidnapped. Got tortured. Got killed. And
apparently, along the way I got cloned as well.>
<Yeah, well, you know Sylia.> She shifted uneasily, tucking her
hands into her pockets.
<Hmm, better living through science.> There was no anger in her
statement, only a sad resignation. She would have to deal with Sylia
later.
<So what happens now?>
<I don't know.>
<I still love her.>
<You can't have her.>
<I guess we have a problem then.>
?????
Priss2 walked out of the bedroom and straight to Sylia. She
caught her face in her hands and kissed her thoroughly before releasing
her and heading for the front door. Sylia struggled to catch her breath
and called after her, "Stop! Where are you going?"
The door closed.
?????
Priss2 stepped out of the elevator and found Mackie waiting for
her. She froze, waiting to see what he wanted. Mackie smiled sadly and
gestured to the black motorcycle that Sylia had just finished. "Take
it. She made it for you."
"She made it for Priss."
"No. She knew what you were; she knew what she was doing. The
bike is yours and if you don't take it then I'll destroy it."
Priss2 took the helmet he offered her and searched his face
intently. "Why are you doing this?"
Mackie's features hardened. "She had no right to do this to you.
Had I known what she was doing I would have stopped her. I should have
been paying more attention."
Priss2 smiled suddenly and Mackie blinked. "Don't blame yourself,
Mackie. You've been busy with your own life."
Mackie blushed and stammered, "H-how did you know?"
She shrugged. "When I realized that everybody was keeping
something from me I began to snoop and I overheard one of your
conversations with her. She sounds nice, Mackie."
He turned even redder and grinned sheepishly. "She is."
"Does Sylia know?"
Mackie grew sober. "No. I'm not sure how to tell her."
Priss2 nodded and climbed onto the motorcycle. "Don't tell her
Mackie. Not until it's too late for her to 'help'."
Mackie watched her ride away.
?????
Sylia slipped into the bedroom and saw that Priss was still
awake. She approached the bed slowly, still not quite believing what
she was seeing. <Hi.>
<I was going to ask if you missed me, but I guess I have my
answer.>Priss wondered why she felt so calm. Sylia's actions had taken
an already tangled situation and made it a thousand times worse. She'd
even added a new victim to the growing list and Priss wondered if Sylia
had comprehended yet that she had destroyed a woman's entire life. Had
ripped apart her very existence and left her to fend for herself. Priss
wondered why she still felt happy to see Sylia again, despite what she
had done.
Sylia closed her eyes, unable to witness Priss' disappointment in
her. <I did miss you. So much I was insane with it.>
<Obviously.>
<Priss please. I thought you were dead.> Priss' harsh laugh made
Sylia look at her.
Priss watched Sylia through narrowed eyes and the first hint of
anger entered her words. <I can't believe you did this. Most people
grieve and move on Sylia. They don't go mad scientist and start cloning
people! Did it occur to you that I, the real me, would be horrified by
this?>
Sylia knew she was right, but she was so happy to have Priss
yelling at her again that she was quite willing to let her do it all
night. <I know, Priss. I wasn't thinking.> She sat down on the bed
beside her and touched her hand.
The underlying joy in her voice made Priss scowl more fiercely.
<Damn it, Sylia! Do you realize that you've ruined a person's life?>
Admittedly, it was her life first, but that was beside the point.
<She's lost everything because of you!>
Sylia knew it, but she did not know how to fix it. <What can I
do, Priss?>
<Nothing. It's between us now.>
<What do you mean?>
Priss looked at Sylia calmly. <She challenged me. We'll fight in
a few days.>
Sylia froze. <What!? Priss, you can't be serious.>
<Yeah. The winner takes all so to speak.>
Her stunned look of disbelief made Priss smile. <What happens if
you lose?>
Priss' smile turned dark. <You won't know if I win or lose.
That's part of the deal.>
<How can you think this is funny?!>
<I don't, but its either laugh or scream and I've done enough
screaming lately.> Her blunt statement seemed strangely detached and
again Priss wondered at the level of control she had achieved in the
bowels of hell.
Sylia flinched. <I'm sorry, Priss. I really thought you were
dead.>
Priss shook her head. <And that makes what you did all right?
Sylia I can't begin to tell you what has happened to me in the last few
weeks and I'm not sure I want to. But the one thing I have realized is
that I'm a hell of a lot stronger than I could have ever imagined. So,
I'm going to do something I should have done a long time ago.> She met
her eyes, expression resolute. <As soon as I'm able, I'll be leaving.>
Sylia felt her breath catch, very much afraid of what Priss was
saying. <You... you're leaving?>
Time seemed to stop as Sylia watched Priss nod slowly. She
realized that she couldn't marshal her thoughts enough to send them to
Priss and her voice was a whisper. "For good?"
Priss took her time in answering. She studied Sylia's expression,
easily seeing the pain and remorse. But it was not the first time Priss
had seen these emotions from Sylia and each time Priss had hoped that
it would be the last. Obviously, she had been expecting a miracle. <No,
not for good. I have things I need to do. Things that you would only
complicate.>
Sylia was confused and more than a little hurt by Priss' comment.
<I don't understand.>
<You don't need to, Sylia. Just know that despite the fact that
you're a mad scientist, I still love you.> Priss grimaced. <Which
probably doesn't say too much about me.> She leaned back against the
pillows and sighed. <Just bear with me, Sylia.>
Sylia was still disturbed but she let it go and, realizing that
Priss wasn't going to discuss it with her, she changed the subject.
<How do you think Genom found out about you?> Sylia had been racking
her brain since Arashi had explained why she had been taken. While
Priss had said nothing about what had been done to her, Sylia could
easily see something shadowing Priss' eyes that had not been there
before. A hardness that spoke of something dark and dangerous. Priss
had been strong before, but whatever fire she had walked through this
time had tempered her in a way Sylia could not define. She found
herself a little uneasy of this Priss and wondered if this change was
permanent.
Priss shrugged with a nonchalance she did not feel. <Got no idea.
Kutsuu never said why they thought I was a Knight Saber.>
The lack of information worried Sylia. <If someone knows or
suspects that you're...>
<I think Genom is pretty convinced that I'm not. Apparently while
I was being held the Knight Sabers were seen in action and Genom
realized that there was no way I could be in two places at once.> She
laughed humorlessly. <If they only knew.>
<So they let you go?>
<No. I died.>
Sylia stared at her in horror. <What?>
<Arashi killed me. I was as surprised as anyone when I woke up
here.>
<God.>
Priss' laugh was harsh. <So, I sort of owe my life to the fact
that you cloned me. They probably wouldn't have disposed of my body so
quickly if they hadn't thought that they had made a mistake.> She shot
Sylia a questioning glance. <How did you know where to find me? Hell,
how did you know to even look?>
Sylia shifted slightly, but didn't rise. The urge to pace was
rather strong. <She started to have dreams. Dreams about being
tortured. It didn't take long to figure out that what she was dreaming
of was something more. Mackie began to scan the city for any trace of
the original Arashi's signal.>
Priss wondered just how connected she and her clone were. To
dream of each other suggested, that there was more than just shared
memories and DNA. Priss could feel the fatigue trying to pull her into
sleep. <I need to sleep.> She closed her eyes and Sylia watched the
rhythmic rise and fall of her chest.
Priss' intention to leave troubled her greatly, but she had to
admit that Priss had good reason to want to leave. She had gone too far
this time and Sylia was very much afraid that there was no way to
repair the damage that she had done. <Is Arashi all right?>
=Yes, but she's got her hands full repairing the damage. She
doesn't seem too willing to talk to me at the moment. =
<I'm sorry. She must be feeling as betrayed as Priss is.>
=Yes. =
<I can't blame them.>
Sylia lost track of time as she watched Priss sleep and
eventually she kicked off her shoes and carefully slid under the covers
with her. Sylia turned onto her side so she could see Priss' face and
she fell asleep that way, knowing that Priss was truly back.
?????
Priss woke in the night and felt Sylia next to her. She smiled
faintly and spoke to Arashi. <I need to speak to Mackie.>
Setsu woke him. <What is it Priss?>
<They took my arm, Mackie. I know that Sylia will want to build
me another one, but I want you to do it.>
<Why?>
<She put a kill switch in my old arm. A way to deactivate it. I
don't want that in this one and I want a few extras that she would
question. Can you do it? And as quickly as possible?>
<Okay, but what's the rush?>
<I have things that I need to do. I'm leaving as soon as
possible.>
She didn't elaborate and Mackie sensed that she wouldn't if
pressed. <What extras?>
Priss thought about what had happened to her in the last few
weeks. <Sylia once tried to deactivate the nanos and they sent a pulse
of electricity through my arm to stop her. Can you rig something like
that, but let me control the level of current?>
<Um, yeah, I guess so. Anything else?>
Priss smiled and they began to discuss a few other ideas she had.
Eventually they had a design worked out and Mackie agreed to get
started on it first thing in the morning
He hesitated a moment and then blurted, <I'm sorry, Priss.>
<For what?>
<For not stopping Sylia.>
<Mackie, I don't think anybody could stop Sylia, short of
knocking her on her ass. You have nothing to apologize for. Now get
some sleep and we'll talk later, okay?> She bid him good night and let
him get back to sleep. <Arashi? How are the repairs coming?>
= Well I'm doing the best I can, but it's still pushing it. =
<Create more nanos.>
= I'm sorry, I thought you said create more nanos. =
<I did. Make as many as you need to heal me. Alter what ever you
have to and add what ever circuitry necessary so that you can remain
fully active under any conditions.>
= Priss... do you know what you're saying? =
<Yes. Just do it Arashi.>
?????
Priss awoke to the sound Linna's voice and realized that she
could hear again. She threw the covers back and sat up, looking down at
her body. She was pleased to find that Arashi had made great strides in
healing the rest of her injuries. "Quick work." Her voice was a little
hoarse from her ordeal, but she had it back and her relief was a
tangible thing.
= Well with you making plans to fight that imposter in a week I
figured I'd better hurry.= Her disgruntled expression did not disturb
Priss but her reference to her clone did.
"She's not an imposter, Arashi. She's my clone and if there are
any victims in this tragedy then it's her."
= A victim that wants your life. I'd be a little more concerned
if I were you.=
Priss smiled. <I thought you were me?> She crossed to the closet,
glad that her legs were steady.
Arashi was quiet for a moment.= Not anymore. The aspects of my
personality were recorded into the backup circuits I created in your
head. From that point on, we both began to change as all living things
do. But even without that we wouldn't be the same. Not after what
happened to you.=
"What do you mean?"
=You're different. I can't explain it really, but you're surer of
yourself, more...=
<Focused?>
=Yes.=
Priss shrugged and pulled out a pair of jeans and a black t-
shirt. <I just let go of all the bullshit.>
Arashi knew it was more than that, but she still didn't know how
to describe what had happened to Priss. The level on which her senses
operated had more than doubled. Priss' mind seemed to be in full gear
and there was something else. After such an ordeal, Priss' nightmares
should have been nerve shattering, but her dreams had been calm and
peaceful. Arashi knew that there was rarely a night that Priss did not
have a nightmare and this sudden halt to the endless phantasms of her
mind worried her more than anything else that had happened. = I was
surprised you didn't have a rougher night. =
<Why?> Priss knew exactly what she was talking about and her tone
wwas patient. <Everything that haunted me Arashi was burned away by
what happened. You've seen my dreams. Was there really anything in them
that was as frightening as Kutsuu?>
Arashi had to agree that nothing compared to Kutsuu. =So, you've
put your fears aside? =
<Not aside. That sounds like I'm avoiding them entirely. No, I've
just faced them and seen them for what they truly are.> Priss pulled
the shirt over her head one handed and got into her jeans with
difficulty. <Man, this feels weird.>
=What does? =
<Being dressed.>
She padded out into the living room in her bare feet. Priss saw
Linna and Nene in deep conversation with Sylia and spoke quietly. "Hi
there."
Nene beamed when she saw her and Priss returned her enthusiastic
embrace with one of her own. Linna was only slightly more reserved and
as she ended the hug, Priss cupped her cheek. "Its good to see you
again. Both of you."
Caught off guard by the wealth of emotion from the normally
reserved Priss, Linna stammered, "I, uh, its good to see you too,
Priss." She paused. <Can you hear again?>
"Yes. My hearing's fine now. Arashi's been busting her clusters
trying to fix me." Priss released her and settled herself on the couch,
gesturing for them to sit. "I guess Sylia filled you in about what
happened?"
Nene's nod was hesitant. Something was off here, but she couldn't
tell what. "Yes she did. I'm surprised to see you up this soon after...
I mean..."
"It's all right Nene. You can say it. After I was tortured." She
smiled to ease any sting her words might have held. "I'm all right,
guys and very glad to be home."
Linna wondered how she felt about what Sylia had done. "I... damn
this is hard."
Priss shrugged. "It doesn't have to be, Linna. Stop worrying that
you might upset me or hurt me.
Just say what's on your mind."
Linna blinked at the frank request and it was a moment before she
could speak. "I... I feel like I should apologize about the...
about..."
"The clone? Why? She's me. If you were able to accept her and be
her friend then I'm glad."
Nene spoke quietly. "I think we wanted her to be you."
"And she was. I'm beginning to feel a little guilty for being
alive. I've wrecked her life by returning."
"But it's your life." Sylia's quite comment drew their attention.
She sat in the chair furthest away from them, tucked into the corner.
Priss looked back at Linna and Nene. "I would ask you to do me a
favor, though. If you run into her, please, be kind. She's feeling like
an outcast right now and is very hostile, but she has reason to be."
Nene glanced at Sylia and then back to Priss. There was
definitely something wrong between them. <I think Priss is pissed>. "Do
you think we will see her?"
Linna kept her expression bland. <Do you blame her?>
Priss smiled slightly. "It's likely. MegaTokyo is big, but she'll
probably stick to familiar places."
"I guess we just assumed that she would leave." Nene didn't add
that they had also assumed that Sylia might try and ... delete the
clone so to speak.
Priss leaned back and sighed. "No. She has no where else to go."
?????
Priss2 tossed back another shot and stared at her reflection in
the mirror behind the bar. She'd been drinking steadily for over two
hours, but couldn't seem to get drunk. <You're not keeping me sober are
you?>
=Maybe a little. You don't really need to be incapacitated right
now Priss.=
<Ah, but I'm not Priss am I? I'm a toy. Like one of those
inflatable sex dolls.>
Arashi couldn't help but snicker at the image. =You're a little
too rough around the edges for that.=
<You know what I mean.> She refilled her glass and picked at the
label of the whiskey bottle. <What are we going to do?>
= Well right now, we wait until Priss recovers and then you two
fight a very silly battle.=
<You don't agree with our arrangement?>
= I think you're both nuts, but don't let that stop you.=
Chaos reigns within.
Reflect, repent, and reboot.
Order shall return.
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http://www.freespeech.org/shehulk