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Vacation starts tomorrow. Hopefully will have a chance to actually
catch up on some work:
$At last. Enjoy:
Oh, I do. I do.
As usual, I used most of your grammar suggestions.
"Husband?" The word was barely able to slip past Kei's lips.
In answer to the question, Killgore puffed up his chest.
$You know, I wonder, is that name a political statement?
No. It's sounds appropriately 'Tough Guyish' which was what I was going for
since Eugene admits it's cliche.
"EX-HUSBAND, YOU ASSHOLE!" The gun was now quivering in her hand. "We've
been divorced for over sixteen years!"
Killgore shrugged with an obvious lack of concern over Iria's distress.
"Technicalities, Sunshine."
$It's all in the details.
Ain't that the truth.
Killgore appeared offended at the order. "But it's such a cute nickname.
You
never used to complain about it. It just... suited you somehow, the way
you
looked so radiant in the afterglow of our lovemaking. Just like a ray of
sunshine."
$Shoot him now.
What, and screw up all of the wonderful future story plans I have for him?
Probably want me to have Zeiram's ship go haywire and go into a sun and kill
him, thus ending the fic unexpectedly, dontcha?
Grinning even more broadly, Iria asked in honeyed tones, "So, what are you
doing here, Lance?"
$Speaking of names, I wonder if she ever legally changed her last name
back
from Killgore?
Considering how much she wants to forget him, that's pretty much a given.
That shook Kei out of her stupor. "Why? Lance sounds much better than
Eugene." A lot better. She always pictured 'Eugene's as nerdy eggheads
that
got high marks in school and ruined the grading curve for everyone else,
like her.
$I hate being in a class with that kind of person. They make me look
stupider than I really am.
Sorry. But I sort of do that to everyone. It ain't easy being as brilliant
as me. :)
The opinion made Killgore shake his head vigorously. "No way. It makes me
sound like some pathetic holo action hero or something. I only let other
people call me Killgore for business reasons, since the name seems to work
well in attracting potential clients. Natural advertising, in a way, I
guess." He shrugged at the idea, seeming to consider it a necessary evil.
$Better than carving 'If you want THIS done to your enemies, call:
XXX-XXXX' on all the people you shoot.
Oh. I don't know. It sounds like it'd be pretty effective to me.
Deciding Iria's anger probably made her a poor representative for dealing
with all of these newcomers, Kei decided to act as spokeswoman. "Just one.
Her name's Yuri. She's a troubleshooter like me. She's about my height,
has
black hair, and wears the same kind of outfit that I have." Kei then
quickly
added. "She's not as attractive or in as good a shape as me though."
$Maybe not, but I bet she's better in the sack.
Yeah. Yuri comes across as the kind that would read up on techniques and
broaden her horizons.
same brand as Killgore's though a great deal smaller, as though the man
had
very dainty feet. He was about even height with Kei and slender, with
flaxen
brown hair that traveled down his back in a wave that made Kei react in
envy. The troubleshooter noted that he too was handsome, though in a very
different manner from Killgore. Where the big man was all mass and
virility,
the newcomer was lean and trim, almost effeminate, though not in an
unattractive way.
$Hmph. Bishonen.
Very.
Gracefully, he almost seemed to flow as he moved next to Killgore and gave
Kei a firm visual examination as well. Unlike Iria's ex-husband, he seemed
very unimpressed. The redhead decided that in spite of how attractive he
was, she didn't care much for him. Besides, bishonen guys were always a
turnoff for her. She wanted a real man with meat on his bones that knew
how
to have a good time, not those frail pretty boys Yuri seemed to prefer.
$Yuri doesn't go for the rough stuff and thus breaks her toys far less
often.
There is that too.
"I'll notify the other men so they don't accidentally shoot the little
tart," the man said, sounding as though he couldn't care less if they did
empty a few blasts into her. "I trust you'll do the same?" he asked Kei.
$Kei: Yeah, sure. I hadn't planned on shooting her either.
Heh.
and having no openly acknowledged failures to date. And that each member
bore a trio of teardrop tattoos under the right eye in the order of
scarlet,
purple and black. No one knew where they were headquartered, how many
there
were, how they were recruited, who led them, or any other meaningful
information. All that truly existed of them were a host of wild, vague
rumors, none of which were ever proven true.
$Ah. And now she's going to get to kill one.
Shh. That's supposed to be a secret. Besides, she's probably killed one by
accident when she inadvertently decimated some planet's population.
Even hiring them was mysterious. Rumor had it if someone wanted to hire a
Samisdat, they needed to let word filter through the inter-galactic
underworld. The one making the request would be approached if the
assassins
were interested in the contract. Kei knew of at least a dozen attempts by
the 3WA to lure one into a trap, but none of them had come close to
succeeding.
$Well, yeah. If even Kei knew about it, it wouldn't be too hard for
someone else to find out.
She learned of them after the fact, not before.
Cross laughed at the accusation. "Don't be silly. The Samisdat are a myth.
Like the Murder Cabal the Kai Pirates are reputed to possess. As a 3WA
troubleshooter, I would think you'd know better than to believe in tales
of
bogeyman."
$bogeymen would be more appropriate.
Done.
Cross fingered them, as though to remind himself they were there. "I got
them when I was young. I don't even remember exactly. I have several
others
as well, though they're in places I'm afraid you'll never see, Dearie."
$Over his dead body, more than likely.
Nah. Kei isn't really into necrophilia.
"You're being paranoid," Killgore assured Kei, trying to defuse the
situation. "I could never afford to pay Cross a million credits for each
person he's killed.
$He's killed that many, eh?
Well, he still pales in comparison to Kei and Yuri's body count.
"Wait a second!" Iria protested. "This is a crime scene that is under the
jurisdiction of the 3WA. You can't just barge in and take it over."
"Ah, she is right," Kei said, though reluctantly. She found herself not
wanting to do anything to upset the handsome fellow, even if he was Iria's
ex-husband.
$Oh, come now. Surely she isn't that naive.
As mentioned about seven months ago in real time, she's been feeling her
biological clock ticking. This is causing her judgment to be slightly worse
concerning men than usual.
"How about the fact your a backstabbing untrustworthy asshole?" Iria
offered.
$Won't hold up in a court of law.
As he mentions in the next paragraph.
Kei saw Iria shake her head ferociously. Kei was about to say no when
Killgore unleashed that devastating smile again. "Sure, why not?"
Kei noticed Iria's scowl increase by a factor of five. That really wasn't
fair. How could Kei say no to such a handsome...
$Easily, actually.
Depends a lot on the hormones at the moment. Besides, he's raising a valid
point.
"Hello yourself," the tall man said. "I'm Eugene Killgore."
$Iria: Call him Lance. Or better yet, don't call him at all.
Heh. Nice line. Sorry I didn't think of it.
"No prisoners?" Kei asked, marking that Cross evidently had at least some
cybernetic additions to his person, and given his apparent choice of
careers, it would probably be safe to assume he had more than a transmitte
r
surgically implanted in his auditory canal.
$Wow, he mus have huge ear canals if he's got more than a transmitter in
there. Suggest adding 'just' before 'a transmitter'
Oops. Got it.
Though due to his slender form,
it was obvious none of the additions would be heavy weapons. Still,
professional assassins tended to be known for precision, not ungodly
firepower. Such an attitude was almost an anathema to Kei's sensibilities.
One could never have too much firepower.
$Yeah. Unless you're in the middle of a burning explosives warehouse.
But that goes without saying. :)
As fascinating as Killgore was to Yuri, she returned her attention to the
business at hand. She walked over to the man using the computer. "Let me
check." She leaned well forward, allowing the man a good look at her bust.
Years of training had taught Yuri that there were ways other than bribes
to
secure a man's cooperation with a minimum of fuss.
$True, but she didn't have any food on hand.
Or booze.
"Unlikely," Bob admitted. "If both of them say it's gutted, I doubt
there's
anything I can do. I do have limits, you know."
Bob's voice caught Killgore's attention. "So you're still functioning, eh
Chips?"
$Going out of his way to be an asshole, I see.
Bob feels the same way about him, though. Neither is particularly good at
hiding their emotions when concerning the other.
"We'll be too late," Yuri reminded her.
"But if there was an incident, the authorities should have been ready to
handle it with the warning we sent," Kei reminded the duo.
$Assuming they got it, which, of course, they didn't.
True, but they couldn't know that.
"And I could contend it was a guess on my part since I know Iria's history
with Zeiram and that was the only thing that could make her this
agitated,"
Killgore countered. "And in the meantime, Zeiram, should my guess have
been
correct, would be free to rampage about and cause even more destruction
across this part of the galaxy. No one wants that, now do we?"
$Umm, I do. Random violence and destruction is great in my book.
Heh. But they aren't supposed to admit to that sort of thing.
"Pooling our resources might not be a bad idea," Yuri seconded. They
desperately needed more information, and the additional firepower would
not
hurt since, as it now stood, they could not get 3WA reinforcements.
$Oh, good. Looks like the final showdown is coming up soon. You just
added the canon fodder into the mix.
Now, now. Hasn't everyone but the principals been cannon fodder up to this
point? :)
Still,
she would keep an eye on these unknowns. It was very likely there was more
to them that met the eye.
$Which is why both of them wanted Killgore around.
Heh. Well, there is that side of the coin too.
All of her investigative instincts cried out that
one important fact.
It was Iria who expressed the only dissenting opinion. "Screw him.
$K&Y: Can we?
Hehehe. I did inadvertently make it easy in places, didn't I?
"Now hold on just a minute!" The words were authoritative and would accept
no arguments. Yuri had finally had enough of Iria trying to run things.
The
benefits of an alliance were easy to see,
$Well cut muscles, nice ass, ect.
The other benefits in firepower and extra resources weren't too shabby
either.
and it wasn't as though they
currently had much information to trade. Killgore would learn next to
nothing that he probably did not already know if he really was working for
YSC. And it was not as though she and Kei were rookies that would fall
into
a trap. Killgore might have been a hunk, but it took more than a handsome
face to get either one of them to drop their guard.
$Not to make them fight among themselves, but to drop their guard.
Heh. Maybe.
"That settles it," Yuri announced. She had enough of Iria's irresponsible
attitude. It was painfully obvious the bounty hunter would never willingly
agree to work with Killgore, even if he held the cure for the
intergalactic
plague. She had completely lost any objectivity in the matter. It would
fall
to Yuri and Kei to hammer out the details of their alliance.
$Sleeping arrangements and such.
Yuri: I get the right side of the bed.
Kei: I get the left.
Killgore: And where do I sleep?
Yuri: In the middle, of course.
Seeing how events were unfolding, Bob finally decided to give his opinion.
"As much as I despise Lance, and am dubious about what he has to offer, we
should at least hear him out. Getting Zeiram should take precedence over
personal issues."
$For Iria, Zeiram _is_ a personal issue.
Well, over other personal issues is what she means, of course.
"You traitor!" Iria spat at her wrist computer. In many ways Bob's stance
was the worst of the lot. At least the bounty hunter could use their
sixteen
year plus separation as a reason for Kei's disagreement, but Bob had been
with her the majority of her life, through the best and worst of times he
was always there. Especially during her marriage. He knew what Killgore
had
done. He should have been the last one to take his side.
$He's not exactly taking his side.
She's being overly sensative. To her, any apparent agreeing with Killgore is
'taking his side'
"To hell with all of you! I don't need you! I don't need anyone!" Burning
with rage, Iria tore the wrist computer from her arm, ripping the strap
with
an audible tear as she hurled it to the ground. She stormed off, heading
out
of the room and out of sight as quickly as she could.
$But what about Bob?
Technically he is still with her. But she left him behind symbolically by
throwing his transmitter to the ground.
"Did I?" Killgore seemed to consider that. "Well now, why don't you and
the
boys bet on it? Once our temporary agreement with the ladies is over, I'll
let you know who it was."
$Putting my money on Iria.
Cross: I'll put you down for that then. How much are you wagering?
Shouting at the top of her lungs, Kei shouted to the men, "It's okay! The
building's clear of all the bad guys!
$What about the squad of them back there?
Right now until they prove otherwise they are good guys.
We're done in there! You can go in
now!" And there hadn't even been any of the collateral damage she and Yuri
were usually responsible for.
$Yeah, I'd noticed that. At the very least the building should be on
fire.
They've had a busy last few chapters. They can be afforded some slack. :)
The question made Iria's face contort, her anger abating ever so slightly.
"The details aren't important."
$Details are everything.
And more will come out from other parties as the chapter moves on.
Now Kei knew she was hiding something. There was little doubt Iria was
telling the truth about Killgore killing whoever it was she had been
referring to, at least from her perception, but the details were probably
very 'important.' She'd have to grill Bob about it later. From the earlier
exchange it was obvious there was little love lost between the mercenary
and
the human-turned-computer intelligence as well, but it wasn't the out of
control anger Iria displayed. And Killgore didn't seem to hold the same
regard for his ex-wife that she felt for him, otherwise why would he have
saved her from certain death?
$Because he needs her?
A possibility. It would certainly be a reason as to why he saved her.
the 'Destiny'. It was a large spaceship, half again the size of the Lovely
Angel and very oval in shape. Two long tubes ran along the bottom, not
quite
the length of the ship, attached by several pylons each. They were a
couple
of additional engines that could increase the speed of the Destiny by
three
times should the need arise, though Kei was fairly certain that would only
apply to deep space. She was certain they would break off in a planet's
gravity. Having to take transports down to the surface of the planet would
be a hassle, but sometimes that was the price one paid for additional
speed.
$Well, at least they have the Lovely Angel.
True. If it comes to that.
The armor of the ship didn't look that impressive, and Kei couldn't see
much
more than a couple of external missile batteries and a handful of medium
range laser canons.
$Bet there's more tucked away.
A distinct possibility.
I seem to be doing that a lot lately. :)
"Still living people on the ship. I'd have to give that a big
affirmative,"
Kei said with a smile.
"What?" The smaller of the escorts asked.
$Better than 'Huh?'
Why?
Kei held a mixture of the two feelings. Her head trusted Iria's judgment,
but her heart, or more properly her lust, made her want to think Killgore
wasn't all that bad.
$I really don't understand this need for justifications. Screw someone if
they look good enough, but don't marry them unless it's worht it. There's
nothing wrond with sleeping with total scum for nothing but physical
pleasure.
But the catch is, at least in Kei's case, she's looking for someone to marry
and might be trying to hard to find it. Certainly a lot of her wouldn't mind
Killgore being marriageable material. The problem is her desire is clouding
her judgement a good bit.
Certainly Iria was painting a worse picture than what
was really there, and at least over a decade had passed since the two were
married, Kei was sure of that for some reason. That was more than enough
time for any leopard to change its stripes, she told herself.
$True, but the leopard has to want to.
Actually, the metaphor was incorrect (intentionally), since leopards don't
have stripes. They have spots.
One of the men took exception to that. He stood up, all six feet and three
inches of him, and approached the seated five two women.
$Five two women sounds like there's either five of them or two, and you
couldn't make up your mind which. It took me a while to figure out that
it
was a height reference. Suggest removing it.
Should be just 'woman'. I think it will work that way.
"I don't like your
tone, bitch."
$Oh, come on. He's got to have been coached before hand for some reason.
Not even the dumbest man in a professional outfit would start trouble with
people his commander is trying to make allies of.
If someone were being particularly abusive toward the commander for no
reason they might very well challenge them as a matter of pride. Admitedly
it shows a lack of disclipline, but remember this isn't the actual military
and the conduct in the group is a bit more lax. Still, what you suggest
might also be the truth. It's just that I think you're overestimating the
nature of Killgores' group to some degree.
"YSC tends to think of their employees as resources rather than people.
The
even goes for mercenaries like me," Killgore explained.
$Shock! Horror! What bastards!
Well, the unusual thing is he can openly admit to this, not that the
corperation is aloof of people
targets clearly indicates that."
"How is he being controlled?" Iria asked.
$Television remote.
Probably. A VCR remote wouldn't have the range to do it.
and
gave him whatever resources he needed when he worked for YSC."
"So if he was so rich, influential, and brilliant, why would he help
destroy
what made him wealthy?" Yuri asked,.
$Got tired of seeing employees treated like resources?
A possibilty. Though making a Zeiram to go out and kill said employees is
one cold-hearted way of 'liberating' them, eh?
stars.
"These are the operations Zeiram has struck so far, from the first target,
each subsequent one was the closest YSC base of operations in the area."
The trio of women counted the number of circled areas. Yuri was the first
to
notice the discrepancy. "Hey, there's an extra circle there before the
$Yeah, and there's an extra space before circle.
Heh. What an odd coincidence. :)
Yuri shrugged and backed off, not willing to press that point. They had
more
important matters at hand. They could come back to dealing with YSC's
illegal holdings after Zeiram was taken care of.
$Or they could wait and not worry about it.
Well, planning ahead is always a good idea. Still, she is keeping it in the
abstract.
The wary tone at last seemed to break through Killgore's patience
regarding
his former spouse's attitude towards him. "It's the truth, Iria. I've seen
the evidence myself and it all makes sense. YSC wants Zeiram stopped even
worse than you do and for obvious reasons. Anton Scorphius is behind this
for reasons no one other than he knows yet.
$And possibly not even him, you know how those genius types are. He may
have gotten 'which company do I work for?' turned around.
Heh. Perhaps.
are the best at bringing down small scale problems like this. We've been
hired to completely destroy him and all of his remains. I have all the
information I need to get this job done, and YSC isn't going to hold back
any information to get the job done, not with how they're suffering. I
wouldn't place my men in any unnecessary danger.
$Ah, but what about da gurls?
Well now, that is a different matter, isn't it? :)
Then Killgore relaxed slightly. "Believe it or don't believe it, it's your
call. Now it's time to show me your goods."
$Yeah... *pant* *pant*
This is what Iria thought he meant reflexively as well. Not that the wording
was unintentional or anything.
"If so, it's been obvious they've been planning something like this for a
while," Yuri agreed.
$Not necessarily. I know that if I was a big mega corporation I'd have my
own secret force of elite commandos.
Multi-planetary, which would make the possibility even more likely, though
still not a guarentee.
actual plan is. Maybe it's just a trial run with Zeiram and they want to
show how effective he is. Maybe they really think they can cripple YSC
with
just him and a few surgical strikes thrown into the mix to throw us off.
Or
maybe Zeiram's gone into heat and is venting off how horny he is."
$Maybe, but if so, wouldn't it be constantly molesting itself? I seem to
recall that it's asexual.
It is just a joke, you know. :)
"Lot of good you've done on your own," Cross added in an amused tone.
"What he's offering does sound good," Kei admitted. She saw Yuri nod her
head in agreement as well.
$And that's before they discuss sleeping arrangements.
You do have quite the one-track mind, don't you?
"We're batting 0 for 2 so far, Iria." Kei hoped her mentor would see past
her anger. Kei was determined to have Killgore assist them, though she
would
be keeping one eye open on him at all times. Well, she would do that
anyway
since he was so damn handsome, but she would be watching for any shifty
things he might be up to while checking him out. He wouldn't be the first
pretty face that turned out to be rotten underneath.
$All things considered, I doubt that he is a changed man. One possibility
would be a touching heart to heart to heart with Iria in which all is
forgiven and he is really an okay guy. The other, more likely
possibility,
is that she'll get to shoot him in some touching scene. Or variations on
that.
Heh. Either one is a possibilty given the scenario, isn't it?
"It's settled then." Yuri rose to her feet and drew near Killgore. "Our
ships will stay hooked up to yours via standard conduct beams. Not that we
don't trust you, but I think it would be in the best interest in all
involved if we didn't have direct link ups to our master computers."
$Bob might catch the computer equivilent of a vd.
Bob: No way. I have protection programs. Trojan makes the best in them.
of
this mission. They are to be treated with the same respect that you would
treat me. Should I hear someone addressing them with even a hint of
disrespect, even if they are not around, you'll have to deal with me, and
we
all know taking Zeiram on in single combat would be preferable to that.
$Heh, the only thing he'll to is turn them over to the ladies.
Now that would be a fate worse than death. :)
Killgore continued giving orders. "We'll maintain our heading to Baltron.
So
far there haven't been any signals that the YSC holdings have come under
attack, and if Zeiram took a straight course from his last objective, he
should have arrived there already. That means it's not too late. It's
conceivable he has ship problems and could still strike at any time. We
have
to be prepared for the worst." He turned to his new allies. "My crew will
continue preparing.
$AKA writing their wills.
When encountering the DP, that's always the first thing one should
automatically do.
run.
It showed an impressive endurance despite his mass. Both Yuri and Kei
reacted to his approach by smiling pleasantly, then shooting dangerous
looks
similar to what one dog would do to another for trying to grab the same
bone.
$The growls weren't even out of place.
Heh.
"I wonder if you could take a moment so that we could talk. About...
personal matters." Killgore directed his question at Kei.
$Kei: Got that not so fresh feeling?
I've seen enough of those sort of ads, thank you very much.
Despite the fact she wasn't the topic of the conversation, Kei maintained
her pleasant demeanor. The man was devilishly handsome and it wouldn't do
to
appear to be a jealous shrew. "What did you want to know about Iria?"
$Killgore: Why exactly does she like to be called snugglebunny?
Luckily, Kei never had that sort of a relationship with her mentor since she
was a minor at the time they were together. :P
Again he unleashed his whiplash smile. "I don't know what Iria's told you
about me, but I just wanted to let you know what really happened between
us.
I don't want you thinking I'm as bad as she's probably claiming, though I
fully admit to not being perfect either back when we were married."
$Of course, he's perfect _now_...
Killgore: But that goes without saying.
Killgore shifted slightly in obvious discomfort. "I was pretty young when
we
were married. Still a real hot shot that thought he was capable of taking
on
the universe and coming out on top. When I met Iria, I thought she was the
woman of my dreams. Tough. Independent. Capable. A real wildcat in the
sack."
$Meyow!
^_^
That made Kei squirm slightly. She didn't like thinking of her mentor in
those sorts of terms. There was also a tad hint of jealousy that the
bounty
hunter had managed to get married to a real hunk of man while Kei had yet
to
find anyone that came close to being Mr. Right. True, while it hadn't
worked
out in the end, it was still more success than Kei had.
$Oh, I dunno, I'm sure Kei has nailed way more guys than Iria.
Now, now. You can't automatically just because she's the more violent of the
duo she has siginifigantly less morals than Iria.
up. Towards the end we were hurting each other more than loving. In
hindsight, I think maybe it just wasn't meant to be. I'm not sorry we were
married, there were too many good times for that, I'm just sorry things
turned out the way they did. I don't know what Iria told you, but I think
what I just told you was closer to the truth.
$Oh, yeah, of course.
True. Look at the source of the information. On the other hand, at least he
leaves some doubt.
It was an interesting story, and to Kei's trained ears carried the ring of
truth to them. She could see it all in her mind's eye as circumstances
beyond the two lovers' control tore them apart . But there was still one
question that nagged at her. "Iria said you murdered someone."
$Killgore: Murder is such a strong word...
Killgore: Let's just say, he died of natural causes.
Kei: Natural causes?
Killgore: Yes. When you get shot in the head five times with a laser
blaster, it's natural that you die from that cause.
For a moment it appeared Killgore would say nothing. But then he seemed to
come to some sort of decision. With obvious reluctance, he began the tale.
"Devon Nermani was a young kid that met Iria and me about a month into our
wedding. He was eighteen or so when he and Iria kind of latched on to one
another. He wanted to be a bounty hunter, and Iria decided to take him
under
her wing so he could get his license.
$Ah, a great place to be. You're closest to the breast when you're under
the wing.
Definitely exceedingly one track mind. Not that I'm any better, mind you.
up
having his butt loaded up with the stuff. Bastard was going to release
good
ole' Devvy into the city to use as a distraction while he got away in the
ensuing melee. I ran into Devon just when he was about to reach the city,
I
guess the kid was trying to get to a hospital before he croaked, not that
it
wasn't too late anyway. I couldn't let him enter it and wipe out the
millions of innocent people there, so I did what any responsible person
would have done.
$Coincidently, just what a jealous husband would have done.
Killgore: Now you're just being paranoid. I'm a soft and understanding
fellow. I would talk things out rather than shoot a rival. It's a bad rep I
got just cause I got one of them violent sounding names.
have
blown the containment unit on the bio-virus that had somehow ended up
getting released when the main reactor to the place blew up during the
fight.
$Yeah, that time it was probably Yuri.
Yuri: I object to that! Kei is the violent one. I'm the nice, peaceful one.
I would never blow up a reactor and let loose a virus that would decimate a
planet. Not intentionally, anyway.
They were just lucky they had made it off the planet alive.
At that point in the tale, Killgore seemed to soften a little.
"Unfortunately, what I didn't know at the time was that Iria had snagged
the
cure for the bio-virus off the scientist guys that created it. But since
my
communicator was busted, I didn't know.
$Was it, now?
Killgore; Of course. I would never ignore Iria's letting me know she had the
cure and shoot the kid anyway. What kind of a mercenary do you take me for?
I'm a nice one that would never hurt a fly unless every possibilty of a
peaceful resolution was exhausted, and even then I would use a minimum of
force.
"Hell, yeah." Yuri's voice was full of righteous indignation. "I noticed
you
checking him out too."
"He's hard not to notice. And a gal's got needs that require fulfilling. I
think he could fulfill them quite nicely."
$Maybe: 'full-fill' them quite nicely." Heh, he's probably small.
Could be, though you'll notice Iria has made no cutting remarks about bad
sex.
A full minute passed before Kei was convinced Yuri had departed the bridge
for good. Once she was certain, her hands went to the links to their
communication system. They might not have been willing to allow a direct
linkup to 'The Destiny', but the one to Creeper V was still there. "Hey,
$If you're going to leave 'The Destiny' like that, shouldn't 'Creeper V'
be
in quotes too?
A mistake. Will change 'The Destiny' bit.
she had been growing up? That was the sort of character trait Bob thought
would never leave the girl; it was too ingrained into her personality.
Perhaps in the end it didn't matter. Kei was an adult now, having fully
blossomed into a woman some time ago, and had to deal with the valleys
life
dealt her was well as the high points.
$And the problems with men those caused.
Yep. All part of growing pains.
"Until today," Kei repeated, letting all of the information sink in. That
certainly painted a different picture from the one Killgore had told her.
$Not too different. Not to me, anyway.
Actually Kei was focusing on the part with his responsibility of the
marriage breakdown with Iria. Someone else said the same thing. I'll try to
make Kei's meaning clearer.
highway. Probably Phalanx, his heavy weapons man. He was a seven foot,
four
hundred and fifty kilogram mass of drug enhanced muscle with a cybernetic
reinforced skeletal structure. The man was capable of handling three
quarters of a ton of firepower and had been called upon to do so on more
than one occasion. He made a darn good quiche as well.
$Oddly enough, they frequently do. It takes one huge mother to make a
sissy food and not get mocked.
True. Same way with guys who where hot pink. :)
Killgore could barely make out Phalanx's "Hey, those are the Major's
quarters. You can't go in there."
Ah, he was wondering when she would show up.
$Who, Yuri?
Nope.
tenth of the way you hurt me. I'll kill you, even if I have to shoot my
way
through this pack of rats you have following at your heels. I'll kill
every
one of them to get to you. Do you understand me?"
$But it won't work, you see. Killing them wouldn't bother him at all,
except maybe as an annoyance.
Now, now. I think you're underestimating the bond between comrades in arms.
They can be quite strong, you know. Of course you might be right as well.
You'll see over time.
Even Killgore was somewhat taken aback by the viciousness in her voice. He
hadn't thought she would remain this angry with him for so long. None of
the
other women in his life ever had. Of course, he hadn't married any of
them.
$Just goes to show you.
That he learned his lesson? Probably.
She was halfway to the door when she turned and said, "By the way, Cross
is
gay and has the hots for you."
$Heh, figures. Considering that he's bishonen and all.
Hey now. Just because a guy's bishonen doesn't mean he's gay. Lots of chicks
go for that look. Just look at the male cast of Utena. :)
Killgore gave a haughty smile that made Iria's brows furrow in irritation.
"Of course he does. How else do you think I could keep a Samisdat assassin
on my payroll? Sometimes I even flirt back with him to keep him around.
He's
really one of the best. Almost as good as me."
$Ah, nifty. He'll go down relatively quickly.
Oh? What makes you say that?
up
and gently examined it with his fingertips. "That little tart did that to
you, eh? Shows you should exercise better judgment when you stick that
piece
of yours in other people's business. Want me to kill her?"
$Or try, as the case would/will be.
Now now. Are you saying I'm being predictable here? We shall see if your
predicted showdown comes to pass.
Cross gave a high-pitched snort. "As usual, you underestimate what a woman
scorned can do to a man. I used to be the same way. One of these days I'll
show you the scars I got when I learned that painful lesson."
$Or at least Cross hopes that he'll get to show him.
Heh. True.
This was a day full of surprises. "You managed to get a woman angry at
you?"
$Yeah, he stole her boyfriend.
Could be. :)
That made Cross chuckle. "Not that way, Major. And rest assured, you're
far
better at that sort of thing than I'll ever be."
$Yeah, nobody pisses em off like Killgore.
Killgore: Got that right. When I do a job, I do it right.
Iria picked up a box of ammunition and threw it against one of the sides
of
the ship, barely missing a portable tracking unit that had been left lying
on a table.
$Good thing it wasn't mercury fulminate loads.
Heh.
"That BASTARD!"
A quick quip came to Bob, but he refrained from voicing it.
$Oh? What? Oh my god, he killed Nermani? That bastard?
Hehehehe.
direction that the redhead was leaning toward. Bob still hadn't told Iria
about that little detail, or their conversation at all. There was no
telling
how she would react if she thought Kei was seriously interested in the
mercenary, but it would probably involve excessive amounts of bloodshed
and
violence.
$Yay! Fanservice!
Not yet.
"She might not be happy about it," Iria admitted. "But it's a reasonable
request and it'll get her out of harm's way. Both her and Yuri know
there's
no way in hell I'll let Lance out of my sight. And I'll just tell Kei I
trust her more than Yuri to get this important information we need.
Besides,
you know Mikael."
$He'll hump anything that walks?
Perhaps. But if that was the case, why would Iria be sending Kei to him?
Yes. It was time for Kei to go back and visit the old homestead.
$Meanwhile, back at the ranch.
Pretty much.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
About time I got to finishing this up. Sorry for the delay, but with the
holidays and other projects grabbing my attention, I just haven't had the
time. Haven't even had the chance to play the new game I got for
Christmas.
$Oh? What'd you get?
Diablo 2. Not a 'new' game, I know. But it's new for me. Does tend to eat up
the time.
Hopefully will get to the next chapter much sooner, since I should be
getting a week off in late January that I intend to use on catching up on
some of my backlog of work.
$Yeah, I really should have had this out sooner. 3/4s of it has been done
for a while, but as far as finishing it... Ah, well. Enjoy.
I'm still way behind. Hope to catch up soon now that my vacation has
started. Haven't even written a thing since i released this.
Thanks for the lengthy C+C. It's really appreciated .
D.B. Sommer