continuation... page 2
Angel's Heart: The Light in the Midst of Darkness
===================
Iczer 2 gasped; a sudden feeling of dread
overwhelming her mind. Standing up, she scanned the crowd
wondering what it could be that was giving he the chills.
She immediately spotted Michiko marching purposefully
towards her but.....
"Iczer....." she pouted, arms akimbo as Michiko
glared at her partner for the evening.
She staggered as a mental backlash hit her hard
followed by another.
Three sets of voices.
One was afraid.
Another was worried.
Yet another was defiant.
Michiko's voice managed to push through the haze in
her mind.
"Iczer? Iczer?!!" she called out worriedly.
"I must go." Iczer 2 told her. "Stay here. Stay with
Ms. Altirra. I need to do something."
"What's going on, Iczer?" asked a concerned Michiko.
"I'll explain later. Just stay here, alright?" Iczer
ordered as she pushed through the crowds intent on finding
some place to teleport to the area. A rising feeling of
dread filled her heart and she did not like it one bit.
*Those voices.... she seemed to know.... needed to
find out....*
Birdy watched her go, her mind awhirl with dozens of
questions.
*Follow her?* Tsutomu asked.
Birdy smiled.
"Anou....what's going on?" Michiko asked, really
getting pissed off at being ignored.
"I know just as much as you do." Birdy replied as she
picked up her purse.
"Well, I'm going to find out just what's going on!"
she said in a determined tone of voice.
"Oh crap! WAIT!!"
The door creaked open as Iczer 2 stepped out into the
darkened alley, her instincts crying out for her to take
action. Walking purposefully into a small alley, she shut
her eyes as her form was bathed in azure light. The glow
intensified, illuminating the alley with its brilliance.
Faster than the eye could follow, the light surged
into the sky; leaving a slightly distorted view of the
space it had occupied moments ago.
Two figures raced into the alley only to find it
empty once more. One cursed while the other wore a
thoughtful look in her eyes.
"Damn it, Iczer!! Don't leave me!!" she shouted, her
cries echoing in the alley.
"Let's go, Miss...."
"Michiko. Michiko Akagi."
"Listen, I suggest you follow your friend's advice
and stay here where its safe." ordered Birdy as she towed
the girl back to the bar. "Stay here until she returns."
"And where do you think you're going?" she demanded.
Birdy's words were drowned out by an explosion
somewhere in the distance.
"Oh boy." Birdy muttered under her breathe. "Shit!
Wait!! Damn it!!"
Birdy quickly gave chase to the girl; wondering just
what the heck she'd gotten herself into now.
===================
Sylia gasped as she felt her watch tingle. Eyes
hardening, she excused herself from her companions and
left. Linna noticed the change in Sylia's demeanor and
quickly followed; fearing the worst. Leon too noted this
and knew instinctively something was up.
Drinking his scotch, he got up; one hand moving
towards his shades as he walked out of the bar.
He was greeted by the sight of a large fire burning
brightly against the stark blackness of the sky; turning a
part of it into shades of fiery red and yellow. He did not
need to know what was causing it - not with his beeper
blaring loudly inside his pocket.
*Looks like trouble.* he took note.
A loud screech of rubber on asphalt forced him to
tack a step back as a red turn-of-the-century Mercedes
Coupe tore through the alleyway and into the streets. Leon
smiled as he waited for the familiar sound of Priss's bike
making its own way out into the streets.
He was not disappointed as Priss's custom bike tried
its best to break the sound barrier in the small alley.
Leon motioned with his right hand, a familiar sign used
frequently by hitchhickers throughout the world - not that
Priss would even notice it.
Leon chuckled as he left for his own bike; throttling
it to full power, its rear wheels screeching loudly as the
bike literally jumped into the streets and towards the
scene of the disturbance.
*At least the bastards were considerate enough to let
me finish the concert for once.* he thought to himself
idly.
And it seemed tonight had all the making of a really
loooong night.
===================
Fire burned brightly all around her; a bright reddish
glare that heated the air and made it difficult to draw in
breath. Nene gasped as something started walking towards
her, through the fire that seemed to be all around her. She
took a step backwards only to trip on some debris.
The shadow looms closer; taking its time as it
traversed the intervening space towards its chosen prey.
Nene whimpered in fright as she tried vainly to find
some way out of this hellish nightmare she'd found herself
in. She was afraid - paralyzed with fear at the hulking
figure that had assaulted Mackie and her. She looked around
her, wondering when help would come.
The fires parted to reveal the hulking black shape
that had torn the van into pieces with frightening speed.
Nene could feel the rapid beating of her heart and the
rising lump of fear in her throat. Her mind screamed at her
to run - to get the hell out of there! To run away while
the thing was at least a couple of meters away.
Nene sat rooted there; reason having high tailed it
out of the place moments ago.
Fear rooted her in place. Panic robbed her of
strength. Most of all, the feeling of utter helplessness
overwhelmed her.
*Someone!! Help me!!* she cried out in her mind.
*Ohh... Mackie...*
Somewhere not far away, two young women were
examining the wreckage of the van; trying to find out if
anyone was still alive inside its mangled remains.
"Hey! Over here!" her companion called out.
Carrie brushed aside a stray lock of hair as she
turned to her sister who was kneeling by a side alley;
tending over someone though it was hard to tell from the
darkness. The fiery light of the blaze behind her was not
helping any.
Something in her was screaming bloody murder and that
feeling was just getting worse. Carrie ran towards her
sister who was giving her a very worried look.
"Is he alright?" she asked, identifying the
unconscious body as a man from the way the scant light
played across his features. "Anything wrong with him?"
"He's bleeding a bit from a head wound. Scraps and
bruises mostly but he keeps going in and out of
unconsciousness." she explained. "He keeps muttering a
name. I couldn't get it all but it would appear he has a
companion with him when this happened."
"Anything on who it be who would have done this?"
Carrie asked.
"Huh?"
"We really should get out of here. I keep getting
this really strange feeling around this place." Carrie
informed her sister as she eyed the blaze worriedly.
"We better get the heck out of here before whatever it was
that did this comes back."
Kate nodded in agreement. Her sister was right in
more ways than one. After all, she could not afford to be
seen in public with anyone much less her sister.
"I agree. Let's get out of here."
The sound of a vehicle stopping behind them caused
them to face two figures silhouetted by the light of the
fire alighting from the vehicle.
"CARRIE!!!" two familiar voices cried out.
"Rhinoa!! Hiroshi!!" she called out, glad to see her
two friends were still alright.
Someone screamed....
===================
In a flash of light and a distortion of the space
around it, Iczer 2 reappeared high atop a building;
piercing red eyes gauged her options. All three of those
signals she had been chasing for the past few months were
within this area. Each pulsing with its own unique
frequency.
Two of those signals were near. The last one pulsed
with an urgency Iczer 2 knew all too well. A terrified
voice screamed in her mind; pleading for help.
Iczer 2 frowned as she saw a lone woman cringing in
terror at the thing approaching her. Her eyes narrowed as
she recognized it.
A Void.
This did not bode well.
The terrified screams of the girl forced Iczer 2 into
action; jumping off her perch and angling her drop to allow
her to land close to the girl.
In the alley, Kate Madigan collapsed on to her knees;
eyes wide in unseen terror.
Carrie was faring no better as she stood mute in
shock as she tried vainly to control this welling fear
within her. Their friends could only look on with
puzzlement and worry. They needed to get out of here before
things became worse.
They were not going to have that chance.
The battle was joined.
Iczer 2 landed lightly on her feet; red eyes glaring
at the huge black monstrosity in front of her, one hand
outstretched as it sought to feed on the struggling form it
held. Iczer acted quickly; feeling the pain from the link
with the young woman.
Energy sizzled in her right hand; coalescing in a
bright blue blade that hummed with power as she launched
herself into action; her form blurring as she traversed the
intervening space in a matter of a heartbeat.
Blue energy flashed before its eyes as it felt a
searing pain in its arm causing it to drop its prey. An
enraged roar filled the air as blood red eyes scanned its
surroundings for its attacker. Black blood pooled beneath
its feet; a testament to the injury it had received so
quickly.
Nene gasped; coughing up some blood as she tried to
reacquaint herself with breathing. She glanced furtively at
the being that had sought to kill her, her eyes widening in
fear at her fate. Tears came unbidden to her eyes as she
tried to contemplate her life - and its end.
She was not fool.
She was going to die tonight...
*Mackie...* she thought sadly.
She cried out in surprise as she found herself
hurtling into the air; past the wall of fire and out of
harms way for the moment. She craned her neck to see her
savior; only to wonder just who this woman was.
"Are you alright? Are you hurt?" the woman asked.
She nodded.
The woman smiled as she brought them further away.
For some reason, Nene felt she could trust the woman
with her life.
"Who are you?"
"I am Iczer." she answered simply.
Nene screamed as her protector suddenly lurched to
one side; narrowly avoiding the greenish bolt of death that
came at them from behind. She did not need to know where
that came from.
"Yyyyyaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!"
"Hold on!!"
Bolt after bolt of energy rained down on them but
Iczer dodged them with ease. And whatever she couldn't
dodge in time, her shields protected them from immediate
harm. Still, she could not put the shields up indefinitely.
Each strike weakened her shields a little; a testament to
the strength of her attacker.
Iczer 2 wondered what kind of entity that was.
It certainly had the feel of a Void only much
stronger and smarter than the ones Big Gold or Neos made
use of. Parts of it seemed to be melded or fused parts from
assorted boomers. Whatever it was, she would need to
destroy it and whoever had created it in the first place.
But first things first.
She needed to get this girl away from the area so she
could take care of this. She could hardly teleport right
now not with the interference.
An enraged roar was all that alerted her to its
presence. Surprise turned to pain as it drove its fists
onto the back of Iczer 2 forcing her to release her hold on
Nene. Iczer 2 tried to reach out to her but was restrained
by the huge pair of arms that enfolded her in its crushing
grip.
Nene screamed; her hands frantically trying to find
some means of support to halt her descent but it was in
vain. It might have been easier if she was a bird right now
but beggars can't be choosers now can they?
Iczer 2 struggled hard; her mind counting down the
seconds before Nene would reach ground zero.
Ten seconds...
*Damn it!!*
===================
There were times when she really hated her life.
This was one of them.
"You should reconsider." Birdy warned her companion.
"No."
"You sure?" she pressed, hoping against hope.
"I think I told you that already." her companion
snapped at her impatiently.
Birdy shrugged as she throttled her bike faster. That
feeling she had was getting stronger and it certainly did
not feel any better the closer she got to the scene.
Already, the blaze had taken up a city block and lit up the
night sky in hues of fiery red and dark yellow.
"Where to now?" Birdy wondered out loud.
"Iczer is over at the other side of the fire."
Michiko pointed out.
"Hmmm?" wondered Birdy. "And how do you know?"
"Trade secret."
===================
"ETA?" Sylia asked for the nth time.
"Two minutes." Linna replied as she boosted the
Knight Wing's engines another notch. "I'm pushing her to
the limits but it'll still take two minutes." she told
their leader who wore a very worried look in her face. The
first time she or any of them had seen that look in a long
time. "Don't worry, Sylia." she said consolingly. "I'm sure
Mackie and Nene are alright."
Sylia gave a worried smile.
"I certainly hope so."
===================
The ADP formed a barricade across the battle zone;
all of which had been placed at the possible contact
points. another had been dispatched to check out the area
where the disturbance had been first reported.
Leon was feeling very edgy.
Something was not right.
"Status?" he inquired.
"All teams are in place. Reckon team has reported
nothing suspicious. The people they've interviewed so far
have been unable to give a definite profile on our boomer."
"Is it even one?" he asked.
"Uncertain."
"Where is the target now?"
"Team Sigma is currently tracking its whereabouts."
"Damn it." swore Leon. "Tell them to find it fast! I
want to know where it might be headed and I want it now!"
"Yes sir!"
Leon sighed; as he scanned the horizon worriedly. The
fire was raging out of control and would remain so until
they could contain whatever it was that started it. Right
now, he was not happy with the current status of their
target.
*Where the devil is it?* he thought.
===================
Birdy gripped the brakes hard; causing the bike to
stop rather abruptly. Her eyes scanned the area around her,
danger senses screaming warning at her.
Michiko cried out; pointing skywards.
Birdy looked up just in time to see a body rapidly
descending from the sky. Reacting instinctively, Birdy shot
up into the sky; propelled by powerful legs into a thirty
foot jump towards the young woman plummeting into the
ground.
Nene's screams ended abruptly as she crashed into
another body; halting her descent. She remained speechless
until she and her rescuer landed safely on the ground.
"Wha.. Wh..Who are.... y...y...you?" she asked
shakily.
"The name's Birdy." came the answer.
"Nene." the red head managed to say.
"Well, looks like you almost bought it there, Nene-
chan." she observed wryly.
"That woman...." she began, looking upwards.
"ICZER!!!!!" Michiko screamed in terror.
High above, Iczer 2 sought of a way to free herself
from the iron grip of her captor. She was glad to see that Birdy had
arrived as well.
At least, she would not have to worry about the young woman while she took
care of this Void.
Iczer 2 struggled for freedom; straining every bone
and sinew to free herself from her captor. Whatever it was
certainly was very, very strong. Whoever had made this one
wasn't one to take things halfway.
She was very displeased with herself.
Iczer 2 could not believe she was _that_ out of
shape. She would need to rectify the matter soon but first
things first: get rid of this thing trying to hug her to
death.
She smiled coldly.
===================
"What now?" Rhinoa asked as she slowly guided the van
through the small alleyways that seemed to infest MegaTokyo
like a plague. "Looks like we ain't going to find a way out
of this blaze any time soon."
Carrie hmmmed.
Kate merely stared outside; her thoughts far away.
Hiroshi was at the back of the van, taking care of
the young man they came across.
Twin intakes of breath forced the other two occupants
of the van to stare worriedly over the other two
passengers.
"What's wrong with the two of you?" Rhinoa asked.
"Nothing." winced Carrie as she doubled over from
pain.
Kate gasped as she felt a searing heat slash across
her back.
"What the hell?" frowned an extremely puzzled Rhinoa
from the driver's seat.
Both sisters were in a world of pain. so much that it
threatened to overwhelm them but they held on stubbornly;
trying to sort out what the heck was happening to them.
"Out there." Carrie pointed in the general direction
of the fire. "It's coming from there."
"Someone's out there. She's hurt and fighting
something."
"She?" came a confused voice.
===================
High above the skies, the Knight Wing's occupants
surveyed the ground beneath them. Its scanners had homed in
on one the Knight Saber's compatriots. Still, it did not
ease the heart of one Sylia Stingray.
Her brother was not with Nene. Fear gripped her heart
like a vise as she worried inwardly where her brother could
be right now. Mackie was the only family she had outside
the Knight Sabers and she would never forgive herself if
anything ever happened to her brother. Woe betide the
person responsible for all this.
"What's going on?" inquired Sylia.
"THAT!!" Linna pointed out of the cockpit window.
Sylia's eyes went wide at the sight before her.
Sylia Stingray was treated to sight she would forever
remember. A huge monstrosity easily twice the size of the
giant boomer they fought before. Her hackles rose as a
chillingly cold feeling gripped her spine as she gazed at
it.
"What the hell is that?" Priss cried out in surprise.
"I do not know." Sylia answered quietly. "But I am
glad we have two of the motoroids with us. I fear we'll be
needing it against this one."
"No shit."
===================
Iczer 2 was most displeased with her current state of
physical fitness. Well, it really wasn't an issue since
there were not many that could stand up to her in this
world. Those superboomers might but there were pretty rare.
The regular ones were little more than a joke for her
and definitely not worth her time.
She _was_; however, concerned as to whoever it was
that had created this monstrosity. It was stronger and
smarter than most Voids she'd encountered. Yet another
question that begged to be asked was who had made these and
why? Most of the ones she'd fought were merely remnants of
those Neos-Gold had built.
This one was _very_ different from the rest and that
made her worry. She did promise herself a severe workout
once this was all over. Iczer 2 had a feeling she was going
to need whatever edge she could get to handle what was to
come. Whatever it was she had stumbled upon in this world,
she had a feeling she was going to find out sooner or
later.
She watched and waited for the creature to act.
"I must commend you, Iczer. My mistress had warned me
of your kind." Iczer 2 smirked. "You are indeed a worthy
adversary just as she had said and more." it grated on. "I
shall take great pleasure in ripping you apart."
Iczer 2 appeared nonplussed by the Void's threat. A
delicate eyebrow rose in mock fear as Iczer 2 folded her
arms in front of her chest.
The arrogant smirk on her face merely widened.
It had been a long time since she actually fought
anything worth her time. It would be a nice change over the
peacefulness of her current life.
The Void roared with laughter as it beckoned to her.
Iczer 2 merely shook her head at it.
*Time to up the ante a bit.* she thought to herself.
She was tired of playing games already.
Dozens of multi-colored spheres formed all around
her; slowly revolving around her. Iczer 2 closed her eyes
as if in concentration. The void merely looked on, puzzled
by what it was that its opponent was doing.
A full minute passed by before she raised one hand
into the air; fist clenched tightly. As if attracted by
some unknown force, the spheres elongated into thin spears
of light that converge on a single point inside Iczer's
upraised fist.
Iczer 2 opened her hand, palm up as a small bluish
sphere rose up from her palm. It hovered there; arcs of
lightning shot out from the ball, traveling down and around
her upraised arm. Smiling, she closed her hand around the
sphere once more.
A blinding pillar of light surrounded her for a brief
moment. When the light receded, Iczer's tattered clothes
were replaced by her usual attire.
A dark blue bodysuit covered her from neck down;
showing off her lithe frame to good advantage. Over it she
wore a simple deep black chest armor with gold highlights
in it. A black, bikini-like piece of armor fit snuggly
around the lower portion of her body making it look like
she was wearing a black two piece over her bodysuit.
Three overlapping black plates edge in gold, each one
slightly larger than the first flared around her shoulders.
Fingerless, opera-length gloves covered her hands while her
legs were sheathed in black boots that reached just above
her knees.
Long blood-red hair trailed behind her back flapping
gently against the winds; revealing the delicate, upswept
ears that marked her more than just human.
Iczer 2 gestured with her right hand; forming an
energy blade that hummed with power.
"Let's see just what you're made of." she taunted.
Without warning, she surged forwards, sword extended
by her side.
The Void roared its challenge.
She ducked under the claw swipe; blocking the other
with her left hand as she performed a quick slash against
the Void's wide open chest. Her sword met only air as it
had managed backed away at the last moment. Unperturbed,
Iczer 2 stretched one of her arms, palm closed into a fist
and glowing with energy.
Narrowing her eyes, she let loose a barrage of energy
bolts; actin energy sizzled in the air as she opened fire.
The Void crossed its arms around in front of itself,
effectively blocking the attack
Iczer 2 charged forwards, letting loose a deafening
battle cry; reforming her sword as she sped towards her
foe. She closed the distance quickly, executing well-timed
barrel rolls to escape the shots the Void threw at her. The
Void swung at her as she got close only to find its prey
having evaded the blow by planting one hand across its
outstretched arms and somersaulting out of harms way.
It tried to turned around but Iczer 2 had already
upon it, sword raised high.
The Void somehow managed to block the sword with the
back of his arm. Black blood spurted from the gash. It
smiled at her. Iczer 2 pressed on, her sword arm blurring
as she struggled to get past its defenses.
She disappeared suddenly.
The Void's reaction was one of surprise and anger. It
whirled around suddenly; swatting aside the projectile it
had detected behind it. It's eyes narrowed dangerously,
scanning its surroundings for any trace of Iczer 2. It
didn't have to wait long as Iczer 2 reappeared high above
it; sword held high as she descended rapidly. There was a
flash of blue light as her sword met up with the Void
armored back; digging into it deeply. The Void roared in
pain; trying to swat the offending insect behind its back.
Summoning another sword with her free hand, she adjusted
her angle a bit before she thrust the sword into its back.
Iczer 2 grabbed hold of both swords tightly as she
summoned her power through the swords. Both weapons glowed
brightly, sparks of lightning ached around the swords even
as it grew ever brighter.
Roaring in anger, the Void struck back with a speed
that caught Iczer 2 off guard. Somehow, it had managed to
force one of its arms behind its back. A clawed hand
grabbed her by the neck, detaching her from her position
and throwing her hard through the air. Iczer 2 was flung
into the air like a rag doll. The force of the blow was
powerful enough to propel her through two buildings before
she smashed painfully before she fell to the ground below.
Blackness soon surrounded her vision.
===================
Birdy Cephon Altirra was watching the battle unfold
high above the skies of MegaTokyo. She really wished she
could fly so she could kick its ass whatever the hell that
thing was. It certainly looked downright ugly and from the
way her senses were screaming at her, a very dangerous
opponent as well. But it seemed that Iczer was on top of
things.
She saw Iczer take a hit across the face as the
creature took a swipe at her with its fist.
Birdy winced as Iczer plowed through the earth.
*That's gotta hurt.* she said to herself. Turning
towards her companions, she said: "Stay in this alley.
Don't move or even make a sound."
"Where are you going?" Michiko demanded.
"To help your friend." she answered back as she leapt
towards the roof of a nearby building.
Nene could only watched the scene above her unfold.
She cried out as she saw the woman known as Iczer 2 struck
the ground with such force that the earth shook slightly.
Something about her rescuer seemed to tug at the very edges
of her mind. The harder she tried; the more the memory
seemed to fade away.
Michiko could only look on with wonder and awe as her
best friend took one a boomer-like monstrosity. The thing
had moved faster than it should, tagging Iczer with a
fierce roundhouse that took Iczer by surprise.
She had long known Iczer had been keeping secrets
from her. Heck, she'd been too tight-lipped about a lot of
this since she'd first set eyes on the woman. Still, the
things Iczer was doing now defied all logic.
Human logic anyway.
So what kind of woman was Iczer?
*Iczer be safe.* she prayed.
Birdy landed lightly on the rooftop; her clothes
morphing into usual battle uniform. A white bodysuit with
deep blue stripes on the leggings covered her frame. Arm
guards made from the strongest metal alloy the Federation
could create covered her lower arms. These and the ones
that encased her entire lower legs increased her power by a
factor of ten; greatly increasing her strength and
dexterity. The arm guards also contained a small but
powerful particle beam array but was limited in the number
of shots it had.
The suit also provided a personal forcefield giving a
sort of added protection. It certainly came in handy enough
during the past and she'd always made sure to upgrade it
whenever possible. She trained her arms directly at the
thing and opened fire.
===================
"Damn it!! Tell those damn firefighters to get their
asses here pronto!!" Leon yelled irritably at dispatch.
"The fires are spreading and getting worse as I speak!"
Leon stopped to catch his breath. "Look, just do it! Get
them out here before the entire city burns to the ground."
Leon fairly bristled at what he heard. "I don't give a damn
about the boomer. Me and my men will take care of it!"
"How is it?" Daley, his partner, asked worriedly.
"They said they're scrambling some of their people to
take care of the blaze but," he shrugged, "I don't think
they're going to risk going out with that rouge boomer in
there." he finished, pointing at the ever growing blaze.
"Sir!! You've got to see this!" shouted one of his
people.
"Be right there." Leon let go of the receiver and
marched towards one of the TAC vans. "What's wrong?" he
finally asked as he took a seat in one of the chairs inside
the van with Daley hanging back.
"We just got a feed from Chopper 11." The tech
flipped a series of switches as the vidscreens transferred
live footage of the events unfolding within the fire zone.
"I tried fixing up the image a bit but the signal is too
erratic like something was jamming it."
Leon watched the vid with interest; frowning at the
poor image quality and the occasional white noise that
filled it.
"What the hell?"
The footage from the chopper showed the huge
silhouette of the Knight Saber's plane hovering off to one
side. What really caught the attention of Leon was that of
a large floating boomer that seemed to be glowing black?!!
It seemed to be talking to someone but with all the noise
and poor image, they could hardly see the one it was
talking to. Without warning, the boomer turned to face the
camera, red eyes glowing with malice as it raised one arm
towards it, a grim smile creeping into its face.
Leon paled, grabbing the comm link from the tech
beside him.
"SHIT!! Chopper 11! Get the hell out of there!!" Leon
hollered into the comm. "Get away!!!"
Too late.
"Damn it!" Leon tossed the receiver on the floor in
anger. He turned to his partner and said, "Get on the horn.
Tell the firefighters to home in on our position here. Once
they get here, get them to take care of the blaze."
"And you?" Daley asked in a quiet voice.
"I'm going to take some of the men to that place and
check things out."
"I don't think that's a wise choice, Leon."
"Hmp! Like I didn't know that already. Still, you saw
it for yourself, Daley. There are trapped civilians in
there with no way out. I'll try to get them out of there as
quick as I can."
"Be careful out there, Leon. Something about all this
is bothering me." warned Daley.
"That famous intuition of yours again?" Leon asked
with a smile.
His partner bopped him in the head with one hand.
"Get back here in one piece, Leon. I don't want to be
saddled with your trouble back in the office."
"No problem." Leon assured him.
===================
Rhinoa yelped as she hit the brakes; the van sliding
into a halt in front of a jumbled mass of metal and plastic
that had crashed into the ground moments ago.
"SHIT!!" she cursed, recognizing one of the mini-
choppers ADP used.
"What's wrong?" Carrie asked dazedly.
"Looks like something just shot up one of our
choppers." Rhinoa answered as she backed up the van a bit
to circle around the wreck. "Whatever it is that did this
is nearby."
The fire was raging out of control, blocking all
their possible exits with debris and fire. She looked
nervously at the two sisters, her mind awhirl with
questions that begged answers.
"I see some people over that by that alley." said
Hiroshi.
"She's here too." Carrie announced in a quiet voice.
Kate nodded while their two companions wondered what
_that_ had meant.
===================
Iczer 2 lay still on the ground as she assessed her
current status. She now lay fifty feet into the ground, her
sudden descent creating a crater on the ground and
producing a sizable quake in the process. She winced at the
stinging sensation on her cheek where she had been hit. She
laid one hand across her check; her eyes turning into thin
slits as she saw the blood that leaked from a gash on her
face.
She was not happy.
She stared at the blood on her hand as a mixture of
emotions played across her face.
"Bastard." she cursed in a near whisper, the coldness
in her voice enough to freeze liquid nitrogen.
Iczer 2 gripped her bloodied hand into a fist as she
glared at her enemy who was now currently engaging another
opponent. She watched as the Federation officer she had met
in the bar take it on; landing powerful blows across its
gigantic frame before gravity took over and she was forced
to fall back on a convenient rooftop.
She jumped out of the way as a hail of destructive
energy tore the building into shreds. She raised her arm
and targeted the Void. A reddish-white beam of energy
lanced out only to be blocked with ease. She cursed as she
landed on another building.
More shots came her way but she'd managed to dodge
them all - for now. She was slowly running out of room to
maneuver and without her jump pack, she was going to have a
difficult time fighting this thing. She aimed her arms and
fired a spread of shots before she jumped into the air
dodging the void's assault. She ricocheted off a
skyscraper; bouncing into the air higher. A stray shot tore
the top of the building she'd been on just seconds ago,
causing it to topple onto the ground.
Her arm shot forward only to be caught by the Void.
It grinned wickedly at her.
Birdy looked up just in time to catch an incoming
fist with her free hand. She strained under the pressure
the Void was putting to bear. It was strong, stronger than
she had first imagined it to be. Wincing in pain, she
struggled to get loose but without much leverage she wasn't
budging from its iron grip.
*Damn it!* she cursed inwardly.
The grin turned into a sneer.
Birdy bit back the scream as pain shot across his
abdomen. More blows rained down on her; eliciting a
strangle cry from her lips. Blood splattered across the
front of her bodysuit as she fought the blackness that
threatened to overwhelm her.
*Birdy!! BIRDY!!!!* an insistent call buzzed in her
mind. *BIRDY!!!!!*
With one final blow, the Void released the young
Federation officer. She seemed to float for a few seconds
before the Void nailed her with a hammer blow to her back,
sending her plummeting into the ground.
The Void smiled in satisfaction.
*One insect down.* it thought gleefully.
It was floating in the air above her; its mouth set in a
smile that irritated her. One hand reached out; palms
upturned as it gestured at her to come at it.
Iczer 2 smiled coldly; her smile revealing a pair of
sharp canines.
Ruby eyes flashed dangerously; burning with a rage
that could burn up the sun in its heat.
This Void will pay for its effrontery.
She was going to carve the bastard into itty-bitty
little pieces with her bare hands.
She slowly got up, bits and pieces of loose gravel
and rock fell away from her body. Iczer 2 brushed aside her
hair; taking the time to clear it of unwanted tangles.
Suddenly, she shot out of the crater with all the speed and
power of a runaway comet.
Streams of energy bled from her lithe frame;
surrounding her in a field of blue-white. She tore through
the intervening space within the span of a nanosecond;
building up enough mass that her strike had torn through
its hideously thick armor with ease. The sonic boom that
was created from the force of impact tore through the area
with the force of a tsunami; destroying buildings, snuffing
out the fire that blazed across the area, and generally
wrecking havoc across a kilometer wide radius.
She heard its scream in pain as the two of them
crashed through a couple more building; Iczer 2 using the
Void as a convenient battering ram. It grabbed her arm;
trying to remove her fist from its chest.
But Iczer 2 had other plans.
She quickly built up her power into a small area
around her fist. Lightning danced along the length of her
arm as the glow around her increased.
Iczer 2 smirked as she released her hold on the
sphere.
The Void roared in anger and pain as it felt itself
being torn apart from the inside.
A low gurgling sound came from the Void's mouth; its
reddish eyes glowing erratically.
It was still operational but just barely for even its
regenerative systems could only do so much considering what
she'd done to it. The dust cleared; giving her a good look
at her handiwork.
She was surprised that she'd only managed to rip its
left torso into shreds. Normally, it would have pulverized
anything within the blast zone. She should know having used
it many times against asteroids when she was trying to
amuse herself during her travels. Whoever built this thing
certainly went to great lengths to make this thing strong
enough to resist that kind of technique.
Iczer 2 was no fool.
Whatever it was, it was a danger to her and as such
meant that Michiko was in danger. As she'd learned early
on, dangers should be eliminated swiftly but with extreme
caution. It would save her a lot of trouble in the future.
Such was the philosophy she'd lived by - until now.
Well... almost.
This Void was definitely very powerful. Her respect
for her unknown enemy grew. Her fight with the thing had
proven this thing was meant just for her and no one else.
Doubtless this was that strange boomer she'd heard about
haunting the city for some time.
She would need to finish this quickly. Already, this
battle was sapping her strength faster than she had
anticipated. Clearly, she was out of shape - something that
needed to be redressed at the soonest possible time.
Reacting instinctively, she erected her shields just
in time as a gooey midnight black mass leapt from the
void's open mouth. She quickly recognized the black mass.
Nanites.
*So, this Void was had fusion capability.* she thought
amusedly. *Interesting.*
It certainly explained why it looked like it did. Must
have been preying on boomers for a while now. And if she
didn't miss it, a few humans as well though for what
reasons, she did not know.
The smile only deepened.
*Time to end this.*
She fed power to her shields, making it glow brighter
and brighter. The Void howled in pain and denial. It could
not believe the level of power this Iczer possessed. No
being could possibly be this powerful.
It was wrong.
High above the MegaTokyo skyline, a huge blue-white
dome of energy exploded into a pillar of blinding light as
rivulets of multi-colored energy surged into the heavens;
spiraling into each other as it ascended into the blackness
of night.
===================
She stared at the screen; a smile to her face as she
watched the Iczer destroy her pet. Clearly, this one
appeared to be a _lot_ stronger than the others. And this
one had yet to synchronize with anyone to boot. The other
two she'd fought had been strong but she doubt they could
ever handle this one should she succeed in finding a
partner.
She would need to plan harder.
She will not risk anyone ruining her plans anymore.
Once had been enough when those thrice-forsaken
Iczers had dared defy her family. Big Gold should have just
destroyed their creator and her people like they had done
to countless others.
This Iczer that Big Gold had created was an anomaly she had to be careful
of. Of yes, she would take her revenge upon this Iczer but she would do so
very carefully.
This Iczer 2 was not like the other two.
She would need to observe this one before she would
act again. For now, she would need to reawaken the two her
pet had managed to find.
She grinned as she stared at the two prone figures her pet had scavenge
for her. Yes. They would do nicely for now. Something to sow chaos and
disorder amongst the humans of this world and divert the Iczer from
learning anything
worthwhile.
Evil laughter echoed throughout the vast chamber.
===================
The very next day....
Nene woke up in a strange yet familiar place. The
pristine white ceiling was oddly familiar. She craned her
neck to look around the room; her mind trying to reorient
itself after the disastrous event of last night.
*Iczer 2.*
She wondered who the mysterious warrior was. Indeed,
her dreams had held nothing save for that mysterious
scarlet warrior. Her features were burned into her memory.
A slim, elfin face that bore just a hint of aloofness and
pride within those eyes which burned with an intensity that
she could never forget.
She took a deep breath, trying to remember that scent
that seemed to come from the woman who had saved her from
certain death. During that battle, something within her had
awakened.
Nene had found herself seeing through Iczer 2's eyes
as she battled the hideous creature that had assaulted her.
She found the experience terrifying and yet also strangely
invigorating. The battle itself was burned within her mind,
as clear as it had been when she had experienced it through
Iczer 2.
A part of her yearned for that experience once more -
wanted more than anything to take part in such a battle. To
be the one to wield a weapon against an enemy and to
destroy it utterly with her own power.
Nene sighed.
*Yeah right.* a voice in her head quipped. *As
if!*
Still...
"Nene? Are you alright, Nene?" a familiar voice
asked.
Nene nodded; feeling slightly out of it as her body
protested at being moved from its comfortable position
lying on the bed.
"Nene?" the voice repeated.
"Sylia...." she rasped. "Water..."
Sylia handed her friend a glass of water; helping
Nene sit up enough for her to drink it all. With a
contented sigh, Nene slipped back onto the comfort of the
bed; letting the water relieve her parched throat.
"Are you okay, Nene-chan?" Sylia asked in a worried
voice.
"Is Mackie alright, Sylia?"
"He'll pull through. A few scratches and burns all
over his body plus a broken arm. Not bad considering what
happened."
Nene couldn't agree more.
"How long was I out?"
"You were in a coma for nearly a week." came Sylia's
answer.
"COMA!!!!" Nene yelped as she sat up in surprise.
"Yes. They found you unconscious near the center of
that blast, Nene. They were very surprised to see you
unharmed considering what had happened."
Nene blinked.
"What happened, Nene-chan?"
*Could she?* Nene wondered. *Could she trust Sylia
with this secret?*
A part of her readily agreed. Sylia was more than
just a friend to her. She was someone whom Nene trusted
like an older sister she never had.
She was family.
But no.
This was one secret she knew she had to keep for the
time being. She would need to learn more of what had
happened to her before she would be willing to talk about
it. That would mean searching for Iczer 2 in MegaTokyo.
Somehow, she had a feeling that would be the least of
her problems.
"I... don't know really." she began. "All I remember
was this big thing suddenly holding me by my neck and
telling me that he was going to kill me. Then someone
stepped in and took care of it. Next thing I knew, this
blue light surrounding me and then nothing."
Sylia sighed as she set the glass back on the table.
Nene was hiding something from her but now was not
the place to press her for answers. She would come to her
eventually once she'd sorted things through.
"Rest, Nene-chan. We'll talk more later when you feel
up to it, okay?"
Nene nodded.
Sylia knew she was hiding something. Not surprising
really. Still, she would need to make it up to her sometime
soon.
Just as soon as she found Iczer 2 and sorted things
out.
===================
Carrie gasped as her eyes opened. She slowly propped
herself up with her elbows, mindful of the pounding in her
skull. She looked around to find herself in some sort of
hospital - which one she had no idea having never really
needed to seek medical attention save when she had been a
child.
She collapsed back onto the bed; breathing a sigh of
relief as the incessant pounding in her head stopped. She
laid one hand across her forehead; shielding her eyes from
the glare of the light and the way the stark white walls
reflected it.
A soft rustling sound attracted her attention.
Turning on her side, she saw her older sister, Kate Madigan
as she called herself, sitting up. Her sister gave her a
wan smile as she leaned back on the bed's headboard.
"What happened to us?" Carrie asked curiously.
The events of last night were still fresh in her
memory. A monumental thing had just happened last night and
it had left a mark on them that would never fade as long as
they lived. Carrie felt different - everything about her
felt different. She could not put finger on it right now
but she knew it would come to her in time.
Kate shook her head.
"I do not know." she said slowly. "But something
_had_ happened to us."
Carrie nodded.
It was strange really. This feeling she was getting.
Something familiar about it. Curious, she examined it;
trying to gauge just what it was or what was causing it.
Her eyes widened as the answer came to mind.
*What the hell?!!* she thought disbelievingly.
She slowly glanced at her sister. Their eyes met for
the briefest of moments.
Both understood.
*What are going to do about this?* she wondered to
herself.
*Nothing.* came the answer from her sister.
Carrie's eyes bulged in surprise.
"How did you do that?!!"
Kate blinked, clearly no less surprised than her.
"I didn't" she replied. "I heard your thoughts and I
just answered it. I didn't think you'd hear it though."
Carrie sighed.
Empathy.
A power to feel the thoughts and emotions of a
person. It was unlike telepathy which allows you to
technically eavesdrop on a person's memories. So how did
Kate manage to speak to her in her mind like that.
*Don't dwell on it too much.* Kate advised. *The
answer will come around in time.*
*You sound like you know everything, onee-chan*
*Not really. I'm just grasping at straws really. But
considering our problem's not all that big...*
*Easy for you to say. I've got you in my head for
crying out loud.* she complained. *Not a bad thing but also
not a good thing either.*
*We can only sense surface thoughts. Active ones.
Anything you do not want to share, the other will not
know.* Kate explained.
*How do you know?* Carrie asked.
*Do you know who I really am?* she asked with a small
smile to her lips.
*Huh?* Carrie was getting confused here. *Just what
the heck is that supposed to mean, ne?*
Kate shook her head.
*I was merely proving a point.* replied Kate.
Carrie stared at her sister; her thought clearly
stating what she thought about that little question. Kate
could only smile at little sister.
Further discussion was cut off as the door opened.
===================
Light streamed through the half-opened eyelids;
causing him to wince in pain. As his vision adjusted to the
light; he turned to survey his surroundings, his mind
slightly hazy as he tried to remove the sleep from his
mind.
He yawned.
The steady beeping of the monitors could be heard
behind him. The smell of disinfectant hung prevalent in the
air. Mackie blinked a couple of times as his half-asleep
mind sorted some things in his mind.
He was confused; his memory of last night was hazy at
best. He'd tried his best to get them both to safety but
he'd failed.
And yet, he was alive....
*How?*
"Man.. what the hell happened to me?" he asked no one
in particular.
He yawned again as his body began to feel very heavy.
Lying once more back onto the bed; he stared at the
pristine white ceiling as his body slowly shut down....
"Maybe I'll figure it out later...."
With that he dozed off one more into sleep....
===================
She gaped in awe at the sight before her. She'd often
dreamed about this but never in her wildest dreams that
she'd actually soar across space like this. She turned
towards her companion, a smile on her face as she floated
across the vast sea of stars around her.
*Beautiful.*
It all felt so impossibly beautiful. She reached out
with one hand as if to take hold of a star and held it to
close to her body. Everything seemed like a dream to her.
Not once did she ever think her life would be anything
other than its usual dull and boring lifestyle that she'd
wrapped herself with - save for the times she decided to
get out of it now and then.
Iczer 2 could only smile as she watched Michiko. It
had been hard for her to reveal this much about herself to
the young woman this fast. True, she would have told her
eventually but she had planned to do it slowly. She did not
want Michiko to be afraid of her. Just looking at her right
now, Iczer 2 wondered why she was even worried about it in
the first place.
Everything seemed and felt so different. She was both
worried and happy about it. Somehow, she needed to
reconcile with all these changes because she feared she was
losing part of herself with it.
Iczer 2 could not deny it.
For once in her life, she was truly happy.
*Thank you, Nagisa.*
===================
The steady beeping of the machines were the only
signs of life within the semi-darkened room. Various
monitors showed the status of the patient who lay comatose
in the bed. By the light streaming from the windows, one
could see a heavily bandaged figure breathing through a
rebreather unit.
A small light turned red; eliciting a shrill beeping
noise that brought in a number of alarmed doctors into the
small room. Half a dozen nurses and doctors rushed into the
room as they hastily yet meticulously examined all the
information the computer was displaying.
Orders were given and some had rushed out of the room
while those that remained tried their best to stabilize the
condition of the patient. Ten frantic minutes came to pass
before the computers detected any response from the
patient. Silence reigned as they watched the readings
slowly but steadily improving. Relief washed over the group
as they slowly filed out of the room, glad to see yet
another death averted. A lone nurse stayed behind for a
moment; fusing over the patient, a small smile to her face.
===================
Sylia Stingray was worried.
In itself, it was hardly a matter to be alarmed about
given the lifestyle she had chosen for herself.
The Knight Sabers had been a tool she would use to
topple GENOM but she knew better now. All they could do was
stop its excesses and nothing more. Living such a life bore
many risks - one of which was keeping it all a secret.
She'd done quite well in that regard; managing to avoid
from GENOM's prying eyes.
Events of last night made her very worried.
Whatever that things was, it certainly was not any
kind of boomer she'd ever seen or heard of. She'd been
through that entire video over a dozen times already and
yet her questions remained unanswered. The Knight Wing's
computer had captured some shots of those two figures it
was fighting against. Image enhancements had done its best
to reconstruct their features but the fire and smoke had
distorted the pictures.
She was very glad to see her brother was alright;
given the explosion that had leveled every building in a
two city block radius. The press, like everyone else, were
still hung up on the incident.
Anything that did not involve GENOM _was_ news.
The press had dubbed the incident as the MegaTokyo
Blaze.
She shook her head at how cliché it sounded. One
thing certainly never changed about the press.
What reports she'd managed to from her sources could
tell her very little. No one seemed to know what had really
went on that night when the blaze struck. Even the tap she
had on GENOM's database came up with very little.
That really worried her.
She did not like it one bit.
An unknown force was at play here and she was
clueless as to who it was. She wondered if this was Largo -
Mason's work. Nothing of the incident fit his profile
though. Mason - or Largo as he called himself - normally
liked to advertise his plots.
Whoever it was worried her greatly. It would seem she
would have to accelerate the production of the Evolution 3
hardsuits not to mention finish all the tests she'd been
making on some of the newer systems she was going to
install on the new hardsuits.
It would seem time was now against her and she would
need to work fast. She was having a very bad feeling about
it all. And considering this nagging feeling she was having
since last night, she might have to upgrade the weapons
packages on the motoroids as well.
Her musing returned to that of her brother and one of
her closest friends. Nene had yet to be released - nor was
her brother at the moment. Both had somehow managed to get
out relatively alright save for lacerations and other minor
injuries.
She sighed; leaning against the chair's upholstered
back as she stared at the image of the black boomer.....
===================
Leon sighed as he finished his report on last night's
fiasco.
The Chief had not been pleased with the reports her
desk had received over the past day and it showed in her
haggard looks and her slightly waspish behavior. Oh yeah,
was she pissed. The last one who entered her office
certainly felt it after being bodily thrown out of the
office a few minutes ago.
He shutoff his monitor and leaned back on his chair
to relax.
The press had been on the incident like sharks
smelling blood in the water. The people on top were ranting
and raving at them for the incident. He'd done all her
could to help the Chief but it was not enough.
It took all of his self-control just to stop himself
from pulling his gun and shoot the vidscreen; hoping the
bullet would pass through to the other side and shoot the
bastards on the other end.
Too bad life wasn't anime or it would have worked.
"Penny for your thoughts, Leon-chan?"
"Huh?" Leon looked up to see Daley staring down at
him, a small smile on his face. "Oh. It's you." He said as
he adjusted his shades.
"Rough day, ne? I haven't seen you this worn out
since that Largo incident."
Leon nodded solemnly.
"The bastards on top have been on everyone's ass on
this one, Daley. I particularly want to wring the neck of
that Okuda person. The officious *%$#@ had the gal to
bring up the funding issue and having it revoked due to
this incident."
Daley cursed under his breath.
"You should have heard the Chief when she insulted
the fat bastard." Leon added with a smile in fond memory.
"It was worth all the flak I had to go through. One thing's
for certain, the Chief has a colorful library of curses. I
haven't seen anyone squirm like that."
"Which brings us to just what the Chief is hiding
too. Whatever it is that she knows or holds against those
people must be very important for them to be even afraid of
her."
Leon looked thoughtful; digesting the information
Daley had just given him. In a way, he was also suspicious
but never gave it much thought since whatever it was she
was holding above their heads were helping the ADP get back
to its feet.
"I kinda got that impression last night or was it
this morning. Ah well, whatever it is, I don't particularly
want to know about. Some things are better left alone
anyway." said Leon.
"You heard about the incident back in the lab, too?"
asked Daley, taking a seat by his table.
Leon nodded as he leaned further back on his chair.
"Yeah. Those pieces we got from the site just
disappeared. The lab techs were beside themselves when the
Chief came down personally to check up on the matter."
"Any leads on who might have stolen them?" Daley
wanted to know.
Leon shook his head. "Nope. No idea. The truck's been
inspected inside out six times and there _was_ no evidence
of a break in."
Daley sighed as he rubbed his forehead tiredly.
"Yet another case gets dumped into the open files."
"You said it." agreed Leon glumly.
"Why don't we head out to the hospital for a bit?
Check up on Nene or something? This place is starting to
get stuffy." suggested Daley. "We've been at this thing for
hours and I've only got an hour of sleep since we got back.
Let's take a break for a bit. We are not going to do anyone
any good looking like this anyway."
"Why not?" relented Leon. "You know what hospital
she's in?"
===================
"..... and the ADP has yet to release its findings on
last night's incident now dubbed the MegaTokyo Blaze. This
is Ken Nakajima reporting live for Channel 5."
The man frowned as he switched the television off. He
had been surprised by what had happened. More so with the
injuries his protégé had incurred in that incident. He had
ordered his people to search for clues to reveal whoever
was behind it. He had long thought he'd weeded out the
fools who infested his empire. It was nice to have dreams
but fools with dreams were a bad thing especially when they
had the means to achieve it.
He had been a fool for far too long. Nothing was
beneath him as he struggled for the power he had dreamed
of. Years it took to attain but the satisfaction of finally
gaining it was more than enough - for a while.
But now, he had grown tired of it. He had built an
empire that held the world firmly in its grasp but it came
with a price. So many things lost to him but he'd
persevered. Pain and tragedy had become the hallmarks of
his life but he merely hardened his resolve and continued
for a time.
Now, he had left it all.... hoping that perhaps his
chosen successor would learn from the mistakes he had made
and perhaps....
His lips twitched in amusement.
Time will tell.
He was ready to face his fate.
===================
Over a week had passed since the incident but the
uproar over it had yet to die down. The damages were being
repaired and the people who'd lost someone during that
night were trying their best to get by with their lives. It
was not easy but in a city like this, life tended to harden
ones mind and soul to loss.
Somehow, ADP had managed to benefit from the attack.
The incident itself having stirred up the citizens;
demanding someone to blame for the whole mess - most of
which fell upon the ADP. The Chief had sized the moment and
made her department's needs known to many of the higher
ups.
Her demands had been simple and direct to the point.
Whatever it was that she'd used to blackmail the old
bastards, it had worked its charm. Almost overnight, their
funding had been all but tripled much to the relief of
those who served under ADP. At least now, they had some
proper pieces of equipment instead of the junk they had to
settle for most of the time.
For one Nene Romanova, finding herself knee deep in
work was a surprising turn of events. She'd been drafted by
Leon to manage certain tasks that required her ingenuity
with computers. She'd accepted it since it came with a
hefty salary increase and even her own office - which she
hoped would be soon. What she was _not_ expecting was being
asked to make sure the ADP computers were secured from
outside sources. She fully knew just how easy it was to
hack into ADP - provided one had the equipment - and
creating a security lockout was harder than she'd imagined
it. Too many things needed to be fixed and even her skills
with computers were being tested to its limits.
All in all, it was far better than her old job back
in dispatch. Of course, she would probably need help in
this which was why she was reviewing some resumes she'd
received from HRD yesterday. The new Chief was extremely
strict with personnel. The rumor mills around the office
said it was because she was trying to rid of possible
security leaks in the department.
Nene was careful not to arouse any suspicions of her
other activities which wasn't all too hard to do for now.
She would probably need some way to get out of the office
if there was any need. Hopefully just as soon as she
managed to get some help with her job.
He reminded herself to make Leon's life miserable for
a few weeks for getting her into this. Then again, she
might want to do that to herself since it was _her_
decision to accept.
She sighed as she leaned back on her chair. She
rubbed the fading scar on her left arm; her thoughts
turning once more to the woman who had rescued her. It was
strange how she kept thinking of her. Something about her
seemed so compelling... so alluring.
She closed her eyes in thought; wondering what was
coming over her.
Then, there was herself to deal with. Ever since
meeting Iczer 2, she felt different like something had
changed in her. She knew nothing was wrong with her but
somehow that did not reassure her. More than that, she was
reluctant to even tell Sylia this and keeping things from
Sylia was always a challenge but somehow she did which was
surprising.
Nene opened her eyes once more; shelving her own
personal problems for later. She did; however, promise
herself to look for Iczer 2. Finding someone in a city the
size of MegaTokyo was a daunting task even with all the
high technology around to help. Somehow, Nene felt she'd
find her one way or the other.
===================
Iczer 2 wondered if being happy was a bad thing.
She'd been feeling so...good.... for the past week. Ever
since... ever since Michiko had asked to become her
partner. She had not intended for her to ask or to even
know but Michiko had wheedled it out of her. Michiko had
accepted her. Something was not right.
She shouldn't be.... but she was glad she said yes.
She _did_ want Michiko to be her partner but with the
current situation she'd stumbled into, she was afraid for
her safety. Even with the bracelet protecting her, she was
worried. And then there was that girl she'd rescued from
the Void.... and two others....
What was her connection to them?
She felt them now - those three - faint as they were, she
could sense them now - the signals stronger and growing
ever more powerful especially the other one. She was
puzzled and worried about them. She would seek them out
when the time came. She had a feeling she would have to
sometime in the near future.
Iczer 2 let out a tired sigh, wondering just how it
was she managed to get into such a mess so quickly. She
_was_ supposed to keep herself out of these kinds of
problems.
*Ah well....*
The smile turned wistful as she glanced up into the
sky wondering just what would her sisters say about her
right now. Somehow, she'd imaged them laughing at her in
disbelief. She would not begrudge them that; seeing as to
how this particular experience had changed her so.
She was glad she'd ditched those two fools and
listened to herself for once.
Big Gold was her creator but she certainly did not miss
seeing her dead. Neos Gold, one of Big Gold's numerous
siblings she'd scattered across the universe, was even
worse. She was glad she had a hand in killing the bitch.
Neos was too greedy not to mention more twisted that her
mother ever was. She'd even met up with some of Big Gold's
other daughters during her wanderings and had even helped
other civilizations in getting rid of them. Iczer 2 didn't
stay long with them though, preferring the life of solitude
she'd led since she left Earth so many years ago.
How things have turned since then. Her life had come
full circle at last when she'd returned to this world of
her birth. Alien that she was to this planet; it was the
only home she knew and she doubt she would ever find
another place like this one to call home. And home this
world would be for her for a very long time.
That, she knew, would last for a long, long time.
===================
Unbeknownst to Iczer 2, a pair of eyes looked on at
her with interest and love. She had never dreamed she'd end
up like this. True, she never was interested in anyone and
often times her friends had labeled her a closet lesbian.
The truth was, she had yet to find a person she felt
complete with. The fact that said person was a woman from
outer space did not bother her all that much. All that was
important to her was that she was happy to be with Iczer 2.
No matter what anyone would say, she loved Iczer 2 with all
her heart and she was prepared to fight for it as well.
What's more, Iczer 2 had asked her to become her
partner. She did not fully understand what that entailed
but did not care. For as long as she could be with her, she
would do her best to be the perfect partner.
Strange how things have turned out in so short a
time. She had to be careful about how she called Iczer 2
now for most people knew her as Iczer. She laughed a little
as she remembered some of the things she'd overheard people
talk about Iczer 2.
She could not blame them.
Iczer 2 had been a challenge to her. A cold, aloof
individual who merely went about her tasks without
question. One might even call her a boomer considering the
way she acted and with those odd yet alluring looks, it was
not all that hard to imagine her being one.
Then again, from the way Iczer 2 had explained, she
was a bioroid. A mixture of biological and ultratechnology.
She was a being crafted to be a weapon of destruction.
Powerful beyond imagining and yet possessing a body many
females would kill for. Seeing her naked and then some
convinced her that she was indeed a fully functioning human
- albeit of an alien origin.
Her race were essentially not that different from the
humans of Earth save for the fact that they did not have
any males. That certainly boggled the mind and made one
wonder about certain marital aspects. She'd asked Iczer 2
that and all she got was that mysterious half-smile she was
so fond of.
Michiko carefully closed the door; walking away from
Iczer's room to her own. She did not care a whit about
anything else. She wanted Iczer 2 for some time now and had
been too afraid to tell her but now, she was happy.
Screw the fact her friends were right about her
tastes.
She was happy....
===================
"Do you think Nene's going to show up?" asked a bored
Linna.
Priss looked up from where she was lying down and
performing some pushups. Wiping the sweat from her brows,
she got up and took a seat next to her friend. They've been
waiting for over an hour for Nene to get back from the
office in Raven's, Sylia having called them for a little
session in the training room and to make the necessary
adjustments on the hardsuits.
With all the ruckus the press were kicking up
concerning the boomer incident a week back, it was a wonder
things were as quiet as this. MegaTokyo had mellowed down
since they've gotten rid of that Miriam character. Now,
here it was again. Somehow, this city would never know
peace for longer than a month or two.
Strange really how she felt about the matter. There
was a time when she hated it when things were this quiet
but right now, she was relieved to find some time for
herself. True, she did love the occasional boomer busting
but she preferred her music more than anything. And with
what she had witnessed that night, her views had changed
overnight.
Well... kinda.
Suffice that it shook her out of that rut she'd been
wallowing in since she'd lost her boyfriend and two others
which she considered her friends.
"Maybe. Nene's been pretty busy this past week with
that promotion of hers. From what I hear, she's getting
herself run ragged over at ADP. Something to do with one of
their Chief's new ideas or something like that."
Linna sighed as she propped her head with one of her
arms on the table.
"You've been thinking about that _thing_ we saw last
time?" Linna inquired.
Priss looked up from her seat, a look of surprise on
her face. "Huh?"
"You know what I mean."
Priss closed her eyes as she looked another way.
"Well?" Linna pressed.
She knew Priss was thinking of it as well. She'd seen
it look at them with those haunting, red eyes. She'd almost
lost control of herself back then when she found it staring
at them like that. She inwardly felt thankful for whoever
it was the thing had been fighting had distracted it before
it decided to do something about them.
She'd been having nightmares about it for the past
couple of nights already.
"Yeah. I was having some nightmares of that thing."
confessed Priss. "Damn thing kept me awake for three nights
before letting up."
"It would appear most of us have been having problems
with sleeping for the past week?" another voice spoke up so
suddenly that Priss and Linna visibly jumped up from their
seats.
"SYLIA!!!!" both cried out in surprise, glaring at
their friend from their seats.
Sylia sauntered over to them, the delight on her face
very much evident.
"Have the nightmares subsided?" she asked as she took
a seat; folding her hands on her lap.
Both nodded in reply.
"Do you think Nene's also having these nightmares?"
Priss asked. "After all, she was attacked by that thing and
nearly killed by it."
"Perhaps. But Nene's been very tight-lipped since she
had woken up in the infirmary. I'm worried over the
possible mental side effects of her encounter with the
creature." Sylia said. "And considering we've only had a
glimpse of that thing, Nene's might be even worse."
Linna frowned as she realized something else.
"Do you think Nene's still in danger?" she asked
worriedly. "After all, she was the target of that thing."
Sylia shook her head.
"We've not yet proven that Nene was the target.
Mackie's account of the whole incident is sketchy at best
but he was sure the attack on Nene might have been driven
by some other need."
"What about all those other people we saw?" Priss
asked.
"Not to mention that person who was fighting that
thing in the air." added Linna.
"I've some names to those people and their files.
Although it would appear some of those names were under
Class A1 encryption."
That perked up their interest.
"Why would a name be encrypted by something like
that?" Linna wondered.
Triple A encryption were mostly done to very
important secrets and were designed in such a way that it
would need a set number of key words to open the locks. To
date, no one has been able to crack one yet much less
encounter them so. Only one company would have the need for
such encryption.
GENOM.
"You think they're involved in this one?" Priss
wanted to know.
Sylia looked thoughtful for a bit.
"Possible. But somehow I don't think so." answered
Sylia.
"Huh?" came Priss' confused words. "That doesn't make
any sense. What could be so important in those files that
they'd keep it under wraps like that? I mean, they're just
the list of patients that the hospital received that night
right?"
"Unless one of those persons happen to be one of
GENOM's top ranking personnel." Linna suggested. "That
would certainly explain why they did that."
"Speculations. We do not know who our enemy is right
now. That boomer we saw may not even be a boomer at all."
That caught their attention.
"Why do you say that, Sylia?" Priss wondered. "I
mean, it's looked like one from what little of it I saw."
Sylia shook her head. "No. I don't think so. The
scans did not register anything that would point to it
being a new type boomer. Even fusion boomers retain
something of its original self when it fuses with other
materials. This thing has fusion capability without a doubt
but some of the data on the scans point out vaguely organic
components within it - none of which are the bioengineered
components."
Linna could not help shiver at the thought that the
thing could have once been human.
Priss looked sick.
"Whoever it was who made that thing will no doubt try
again. We need to be alert for possible signs of trouble
and most especially, we need to be prepared for such an
event."
"Why does that _not_ surprise me?" Priss deadpanned.
"It's life." was Sylia's answer .
===================
As expected, life had returned to a semblance of
normality since her recent bout with death. She'd used her
position to ensure that her life had not been compromised
by the incident. She had ordered a full scale investigation
regarding the incident.
She felt a growing sense of unease every time she
thought about it. She was worried about the possible
dangers this unknown threat GENOM would surely face in the
future. She had taken great pains to get the remains of the
'boomer' from the ADP.
The lab techs had yet to submit their report on the
thing but from what little she'd learned, she was right to
be worried.
*You worry too much.* a voice chided her amusedly.
*With good reason. That thing was no normal boomer -
if it even _is_ one. Whoever made it could make another one
in due time.*
*You're just worried that this might cut into GENOM
profits.*
Kate smiled.
*That's just one of the reasons, little sister.* she
pointed out. *I'm not that much of a heartless bitch you
know.*
*Yeah, I guess.* her sister, Carrie, conceded. *Just
the heartless bitch who ran out on me.*
Kate winced at that.
*Sorry.* came the apology.
*Don't worry about it. It's true anyway. I _did_
leave you out there to die that night you know.*
Silence.
*Lucky you I'm not the type to go around claiming
vengeance or something.* said Carrie in a slightly hurt
tone of voice. *Cuz if I was, I would have made your life a
living hell.*
Kate leaned back on her chair, a smirk decorating her
face.
*I think it's too late for that one now. Not for all
those times you played around with the mind link we have.*
Carrie snickered which exploded into laughter as she
recalled all those times she'd peeked into her sister's
eyes every so often. She'd discovered the ability late one
night while she was bored out of her mind in her house;
having been given the day off by the Section Chief after
she'd pulled a two day, 24 hour work spree.
It had been quite a surprise to see life through her
sister's eyes. What was more surprising was the her sister
did not notice her.
*Sorry.*
*Just don't overdo it okay?* she reprimanded her
sister.
*Don't worry. I don't rant on my own sister.*
Kate was more than surprised by the feeling that was
transmitted along with those words. She never truly
expected Carrie to ever forgive her for what she'd done but
it would seem that this mind link was helping both bridge
the chasm that had separated them both for the past ten
years. She was grateful for it as it gave her a measure of
redemption for all the wrong she'd committed.
*Still can't believe the old man left you the entire
company, sis.* remarked Carrie who was busy setting up a
bunch of equipment amidst a somewhat darkened room. *You do
realize you've got the world around your fingertips, ne?*
Kate smirked.
*Maybe. But I certainly have yet to bring to heel
those who are openly opposing my promotion.*
*So what? You said you wanted to change right? This
is the time for it, Kate. You have the power to make or
break the world. GENOM is the single most powerful entity
in the entire world - and all of it rests on your shoulders
much like it did with Quincy. It's up to you on how you'll
use that power. Just remember that I can become either your
ally or your own worst enemy, sis.*
Kate sighed; having come to the same conclusion the
first day she'd been informed by Quincy of his decision to
retire. She'd done her fair share of reprehensible acts
over the years - for the company and most of all for Quincy
- whom she regarded as the father she had long lost. Many
feared her for what she was capable of and the power she
wielded. There was nothing she would do to ensure the
safety and success of GENOM. Nothing was beneath her as
long as it did the job.
And now....GENOM was hers to do as she wished.
Some were not happy to see her rise to such power and
were no doubt plotting her end day and night - if she'd let
them. She would need to consolidate her hold on GENOM and
to do so, she would have to take care of the dissenters who
opposed her.
*You don't need to remind me of _that_, Carrie.* she
said in a tired voice.
*Just reminding you, is all.* Carrie quipped.
*Don't worry. I don't think the two of us could ever
be thee same ever again - not with _this_ having happened
to us.*
*Do you hate it?* asked Carrie, her voice sounding
worried and tense.
*No.* was Kate's answer. *Somehow I feel this link is
what has given me another chance in life. A life with you
in it rather than without. If you can forgive me for
everything I've done to you... I -*
* -- I'm your twin sister, idiot! Of course I'll
forgive you...*
*And...* Kate pressed.
*Well... think you could lend me twenty thousand yen?
I'm kinda strapped for cash these days.*
It took all of Kate Madigan's self-control not to
laugh out loudly at the statement.
Too bad it merely lasted for ten full seconds.
*Kate? Kate?!! You okay?*
Laughter filled the link, much to Carrie's chagrin.
===================
"It's been a while since you last came in here,
Detective." a voice commented. "Care to tell me the reason
for this sudden visit."
"Do you have it with you?" another voice wanted to
know.
"Your request came quite suddenly but I've managed to
get by. The price is somewhat steep since I had to call in
some favors to get it here in time."
"It doesn't matter. I'll need to inspect it first
before I give you the money." she insisted. "If you don't
mind."
He considered it briefly and was about to reply but
was cut off as a he was pushed out of the way.
"Don't bother. I'll see to it myself."
He sighed, shaking his head. There were time when he
wondered why he bothered to stay in this line of business
with his attitude towards women.
===================
Nene looked up from her computer to see Noriko waving
at her through the Plexiglas window of her office. She
smiled back at her friend who was carefully mouthing the
words: "When was she going to finish. It's already seven in
the evening."
Nene held up two fingers.
Noriko grimaced, motioning with one hand that she'd
be waiting for her at the usual place. Nene nodded;
watching her friend make her way towards the elevators.
With a small sigh, she went back to the task at hand:
securing the ADP database from any unauthorized access.
That was going to take a lot of work.
She wondered why she chose to accept the assignment
anyway.
Nene suddenly remembered: Leon suckered her into it.
Grumbling a bit, she resumed her work. The fact that
it _was_ a challenge to her own skills did not escape her
one bit. It was just that she hated the jumbled mess that
was the ADP database. She could do it though but it was
going to take quite a bit of time. After all, she _was_ the
only person assigned to it. Sylia had been secretly helping
her but the majority of the work still fell on her. At the
latest, it would take ten months before she could
adequately secure it -- save for herself anyway.
Still, it was taking up too much of her time. Time
she needed to look for that woman. Over the past few
weeks, her body had undergone vast changes. It scared her a
bit but considering what those changes had wrought - well,
she was kinda glad about it too. What woman would not be
glad to loose some unwanted fat?
She'd done what she could to hide it from the others
especially Sylia but she knew it wouldn't last. She needed
to find Iczer 2 as soon as possible - if only to explain
what was happening to her.
===================
Leon sat morosely in his nice new office, piles of
stacked reports and whatnots lined his desk, waiting. Time,
it seemed, was against him for some reason. He glanced
wearily at the clock just above the door. It was a simple
clock - not even a digital. A simple analogue clock that
ticked away at a painstakingly agonizing rate.
It had a long and tiring day and will probably be for
the rest of the night as he plowed through the tons of
reports he had to do. Not only that, he still had to check
up on the new Anti-Boomer Task Force the Chief had asked
him to create.
The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of activity
for him as he combed through the ADP ranks - what's left of
it after the Chief got through with them - for people he
trusted to do the job right.
And with the equipment they had right now, he had a
feeling ADP was going to be able to finally do their job
right this time. Of course, it would still take time to
adequately train his men but for once, time seemed obliging
enough. The city had been quite for some time and would
likely remain so for the time being. Only question was:
when it was going to stop.
The clock chimed eight. He stared at the clock for a
bit before he wearily reached out to grasp another folder
from the pile in front of him.
*I'm going to have to find someone to help me with
this crap.* he thought tiredly.
===================
Iczer 2 seethed inwardly; shooting icy daggers of
scorn for the man who tried unsuccessfully to get her
attention. She strove to control herself; merely warping
the steel tray she held in her hands. The man reached out
to grab her, only to find himself staring at two reddish
orbs not an inch away.
"I suggest you keep your suggestions to yourself."
she intoned firmly before she dropped the man none too
gently back to his seat.
The man could only stare blankly at the woman; his
drunkenness suddenly forgotten. He reached out for his
sake, trying vainly to stop his hands from shaking so. The
other customers merely turned their attention back to their
food and to other more trivial pursuits. A group of high
school girls could be seen giggling uncontrollably as they
watched the poor man calming himself with drink.
Iczer 2 marched stiffly back towards the counter, the
innocent tray in her hands now hopelessly warped. Michiko
looked on with an amused expression on her face; throwing
her a small smile of understanding.
Shooting the man a steely glare; Iczer 2 walked into
the kitchen; her hands pretty much turning the innocent
tray into a close approximation of a well-wrung towel. She
was still quite angry at the fool man who had accosted her
in the dinning room. She had tried her best to remain civil
with the man but it would seem he quite obviously came to
another conclusion to the one she tried to project. The
nerve of the man to even suggest such a thing with her of
all people.
She should have killed him on the spot for being so
forward with her person.
Others had died for a lot less.
Of course, she doubt Michiko would like her doing
that.
She hoped the humiliation she'd given him tonight
would be a fair enough warning.
Iczer 2 snorted.
*Not very likely.*
Men like that were idiots at best.
Now, Iczer 2 was not exactly the very best person
when it came to judging men - even if she was an empath.
Her views of men were very limited and doubtless even more
so since she held no interest with them. One thing she had
learned early on was that her odd looks drew men to her.
Still, she was well equipped to handle such
situations - save for some of the more persistent ones.
That man had been an exception.
She was really bent on killing the man.
*Maybe next time.* she thought.
===================
Her investigation regarding the incident had been an
exercise in patience. She had run across block after block
of things that prevented her from attaining her goal.
It was a relatively simple matter.
Figure out what the hell that thing she'd attacked
had been.
She was not one to admit her shortcomings but she did
so grudgingly - and with great complaint. Her shortcomings
were something she was not happy about and did her best to
compensate - often times going overboard on her
compensations.
But that did not deter her from becoming a Federation
officer.
Besides, she had her own reasons for joining up with
the agency.
It was a stepping stone to gaining her revenge. One
that had lost its meaning the day she discovered a few
secrets that had vastly changed the course of her life and
destroying the very thing that had made life tolerable for
her.
Such was life and thankfully, she had someone who
managed to helped her through it all.
She had requested a transfer to this planet from her
superiors - knowing full well that the chances for such a
thing happening would be quite slim. Still, asking first
would be a lot nicer than simply disappearing.
Either way, she just wanted to be away from it all.
The planet Earth would do nicely.
Besides, she seriously doubt that Tsutomu would be
happy to be away from his family and friends considering
their little condition.
Now, she found herself extremely piqued by the recent
turn of events in MegaTokyo. Events that have somehow been
kept under wraps by the Japanese government and from
overzealous reporters. No mean feat by anyone's standards
especially when one considered the kind of publicity the
incident had caused.
ADP had benefited from the results of the incident -
receiving a more than sizable increase in their budget
overnight. An from the little she knew about that creature
that had nearly killed her, ADP was going to need every
single help it could muster.
She felt that familiar sense of time slowly ticking
away.
Day by day, the feeling only intensified; leading her
to believe that things were about to heat up once more in
the city of MegaTokyo.
She glanced towards the patio, watching as the first
rays of light pierced through the gloom of the slowly
receding darkness.
Time was running out.
===================
Sylia Stingray was never one to show any sort of
emotion in front of others. Emotions were something she had
learned to use and control over time. The identity she
cultivated served well enough as a barrier against unwanted
attention.
Brilliant as she was, she had was no fool.
She had slowly removed herself from the scientific
community. Many had attributed this distancing by Sylia to
the death of her father. She never denied it when her
friends had pressed her for answers, merely giving them
that cold amused smile she used all too often.
Sylia had lived a life as a recluse since the day her
father had died - all in the name of vengeance. Such was
her life until she had recruited the rest of the Knight
Sabers. It was then that her world started to change once
more - spun out of control by the very people she meant to
use as tools for her revenge.
But that was okay.
In a way, she was glad it had happened.
For it had made her into a far better person than she
had started out with.
Leaning back, she pondered the mystery of what was
happening with their Nene.
===================
Across the vast field stood a lone tree.
The leaves rustled as the wind blew past; carrying a
handful of loose leaves and hurtling them into the air.
A soft sobbing sound could be heard underneath.
The wind parted the thick covering of leaves;
revealing a little girl sitting by the base of the tree as
she cried.
"Mother..." she cried out pitifully. "Mommy...
where's my mommy!!!"
No one answered.
"Mommy!!!!!"
A shadow fell across her; prompting the little girl
to look up.
"Mommy??"
The woman merely smiled as she extended her hand to
the little girl.
"Come with me, little one and you'll never be alone
ever again..."
===================
In the black abyss of space....the stars shone in
full glory; bathing the universe in their warming light and
giving birth to... TO BE CONTINUED!!!!!
Nyahahahahahahaha!!!
I just love doing that.
On a side note, I just had to cut this fic short. Supposedly, I
was only going to release this thing once I was done with it. Looks like
I'm going to be spending a lot of time with this one as well.
*sigh.*
RADLER
Nikholas F. 'Radler' Toledo Zu
email me at: radler@tri-isys.com
"A man's house is his SDF. His car is his Valkyrie."
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