[FFML] [Fanfic][BGC][Draft] Frozen Buttefly Arc 3 Chapter 2

[skychan]

Hello, I've finally managed to get through another chapter and as always I
hope that those here reading it will have constructive things to say to
help me make it even better before eventual publishing.  I archive
everything over on fanfiction.net under skywiseskychan.


Thanks


Frozen Butterfly Arc 3 Chapter 2 a story of Bubblegum Crisis

Stepping outside, the darkness didn't seem to fill the promise that finally
seeing the exit had inspired.  Always before for me escape meant sun and
fresh air; the liberty to spread my wings and escape into a wide blue sky.

Tonight it was giving me anything but.  It was dark, the stars shrouded in
murky clouds.  Only a few lights were twinkling against the sullen overcast
sky that blanketed the city.  Moving quietly away I felt like a thief in
the night.  I wasn't triumphant, but skulking as though my escape was
something shameful.  As I slunk down the alleyway I wondered.  Yes I was
free, but what was the cost?  I discretely jumped the stile and got on the
subway before taking the time to consider the question.

I couldn't be Kari Ceallaigh anymore.  She died in Irene's apartment, or
would die if the Knight Sabers ever found her again.  I couldn't be Mr.
Flint's Amber as I'm sure even he would notice if that identity was being
used.   I could only assume the last of the identity I had created.
Unfortunately
Alice Delaney only existed 'on paper', and due to my own lack of foresight
didn't have an MPI card, or stash of money squirreled away.

I felt like crying.

Stopping at the first ATM I could find I liquidated Kari Ceallaigh's
account, or rather as much of it as I could.  I got enough yen to last a
little while but there was no way I could risk trying to get the rest
hopping from machine to machine.  Even this withdrawal would show Nene
which way I went, and the fewer bread crumbs I left the better.

Blinking back the tears thinking how disappointed she would be caused I
swallowed and moved on.  The subway was an ally at this hour.  I travel all
night taking short catnaps, switching from one line to the next at random
hoping to inexorably tangle my escape.

Unfortunately with dawn throngs of humanity began to join me.  The once
safe tubes filling with the cloying scent of humanity, want need desire.  Even
feeling starved for social interaction I was repulsed by the faceless mass.
Standing on the street corner, my body still shaking in response to the
unspoken sea of want's needs' and desire I gathered myself, taking breaths
my lips turning down in a frown.

What I wanted wouldn't be found here.  Forcing myself to move, to just
start walking I let myself ponder.  Humanity needs food, water, and shelter
to survive.  For something like me I think companionship may be just as
important.  How long could a 33-S go without it?  Would I go berserk, waste
away, or just philosophize myself to death in the meantime?

This wasn't helping.  Moving with a purpose greater than simply getting
lost I found a cyber café.  This time though I had more in mind than trying
to look up lost friends as I headed inside to pay for an hour.

Hesitating I took a breath then dove in.  This time I found skirting the
store's tracking software easy.   A fraction of my attention to play
internet games was enough to divert the security software and let me get on
with the rest of my plan unobserved.

The government server was just as vulnerable today as the first time I had
stumbled into it months ago, but with one small difference.  As I
cautiously entered I almost stumbled into a trap.  I got the impression of
barbed netting that I almost didn't notice in time.  My synapses seemed to
tingle, if I had gone in the whole way I'm not sure I could have gotten out
again, and definitely not without making its progenitor aware of my
trespass.

Nene had been here before me.  The thought made warm little shivers run
through my mental presence as it seemed I could detect the lingering
spearmint of her presence in the servers around me.

But this was too important to give up.  I needed an ID if I was going to
live as anything other than a criminal.  Finding another way in was tricky
but not too hard.  Luckily I have a major advantage over Ne-chan in this
contest.

I can remember exactly what my old MPA card had for biometric readings, and
having worked with them intimately know just how much leeway the scanning
machines provide.  I would make a card close enough that I can pass
automated tests and sensors without using readings that were a copy of the
information Nene already has access to.  She wouldn't be able to simply
pluck my new name out of a database by matching my old information.

Inserting the information for my new identity took only a few moments, and
using a co-workers ID as the responsible party just made the change more
secure.  I would have to risk picking up the printed card in person, but
without a place to mail it the best option I had for retrieval.

~1~

The Prefectural office I chose was small, dingy and I had to double check
the cracked sign to make sure I was in the right place.  This far out it
had taken three trains each increasingly barren and worn to reach.  Poor
planning maybe but it was also the furthest I could get from the Silky Doll
and still technically be in MegaTokyo.  Inside the office was a little
better, dingy windows, and dusty floor.  Only a trail to the desk was
brushed relatively clean by infrequent visitors.

Making my way along the cleared path I stopped before the worn boomer
serving the desk.  A thin film of grime coated its non-moving parts.  I
carefully avoided touching the counter, I might be homeless now but I still
had standards and looking like a hobo was against all of them.

"Alice Delaney, here to pick up my replacement card."  I said, extending my
hand to let it verify my false identity.

While old, and highly specialized at least this boomer was good at its job,
and stable unlike me.  In moments it finished its scan with a chime.  A
slightly concerning rattle echoed for a few moments before a card dropped
out of a slot beside the boomer.  "Alice Delaney, here is your card, have a
nice day."

Finished with my errand I paused, looking back over my shoulder as the door
swung shut behind me the boomer remaining serenely alone as it waited for
its next visitor.

Was it happy?  Would I be just as comfortable, as content if I went back to
Mr. Flint for a life of service?  The disturbing thoughts swirled in my
mind.  Turning away, footsteps sounding against the cement walk I shook my
head.  That kind of serenity was beyond my reach.  I had a sudden epiphany;
it might even be why my model didn't last in the real world.  We were made
too human to be content with what life gives us.

~1~

Unfortunately I let myself get too absorbed thinking in circles and let my
subconscious guide my steps.  That’s what kept me from realizing just where
I had chosen to sit to consider my future.  I caught a glimpse of bright
red hair; *attention subject Nene Romanova present*, my subconscious almost
blaring brought me back to earth.  The warning came just in time.  I
scooted back trying not to be noticed.  Blinking I groaned, and settled
deeper into the shadows of the booth I found myself in.  The morning light
streamed through the windows illuminating the coffee shop and bringing a
surreal quality to my surroundings.

A quick stolen peek around the edge confirmed what I already knew, Nene was
here, now, and I was an idiot for having let myself choose *this* Starbucks
to have my existential meditations.  The large sign proudly advertised the
building across the way as AD Police Headquarters.  Just how had I let
myself ignore a nine story,* 42.52 meter, *tall sign?

I caught myself squirming at the sound of her voice as she ordered.  Listening
intently I could hear that she was dejected about something, *subject tone
and inflection indicate depression 78% probable.*  Even if my instincts
weren't positive the fact she was getting her coffee without her customary
frills was enough to make me certain I was right.

Staying still, waiting for her to go was hard.  Every part of me wanted to
jump up, to explain, to beg or plead for understanding and forgiveness.  I
didn't like hearing her upset.  I didn't want to be the cause of making her
unhappy!  But I just couldn't risk it.  Instead I forced myself to wait as
she ordered; to wait as they made her drink, and then finally to wait for
her to go.  My heart was racing, faster than necessary to operate and only
after she was gone for *one hundred seconds, *was I able to fully calm down.


Suddenly I couldn't stay here anymore.  I got up and fled the restaurant,
leaving my drink behind.  That was too close a call.  Just seeing her,
hearing her voice was almost enough to give myself up.  I needed to get as
far from her as I could.  Thankfully Megatokyo has a population around 13
million.  If I couldn't get lost here, I don't think I could manage it
anywhere.

After that close call I took another ride on the MegaTokyo loop line to
give myself time to think.  Unfortunately it wasn't working.  Although
isolated and alone in my mind, my body was immersed amid the crowded train
car, and the pheromones of so many were growing stronger with each passing
moment.

So instead of thinking about what I should or could do I found myself
focusing on the young dark haired man standing across from me.  He leaned
close to his companion, almost but not quite touching her.  I could feel a
vicarious thrill building inside.  Lean forward damn it!  Touch her hair,
brush your fingers along her arm, do something!  It was hard to watch and
not to scream advice at him.

I wasn't sure if I wished I were him, or her, my own thoughts too muddled
by envy and confusion from my own situation to decide.  The only choice
left was to flee as the train pulled into a station.  Stumbling out onto
the platform I took deep breaths of fresh, clean air.  Panting as if I had
just finished a marathon  I angled my path, slipping out of the exit crowd
to huddle at the end of the platform in blissful isolation.

Starting to calm down I had to fight hard to forget the slight smile on the
woman's face.  I was still thinking about the way the light reflected in
the man's eyes as the next train rumbled to a stop.  Disgorging its own
human bounty finally provided enough stimuli to break me out of the trap my
perfect recall had me in.

I was a bit surprised as one fact about the passengers reached me.  Everyone
getting off the train was young, the oldest in their early twenties.  Slipping
unobtrusively into line behind the last of them I followed the flow from
the station before realizing why; college.  This stop served the main
campus of Tokyo University, and as I contemplated the surroundings realized
I had somehow found a hiding spot without looking.

I didn't stand out, not for age, or hair color, not even for carrying a
backpack filled with all my worldly possessions.  I did get my fair share
of admiring glances, but I am a 33-S, and that was something I have grown
used to.  Although even there I was not unique.  Enough other pretty young
women walked the campus that I could blend in with only a little effort.

Following mechanically in the wake of the human exodus a though came to me.
If this is where I could blend in, then why not stay?  I enjoyed college
the first time, and now, it would be a second chance.  Who would look for
me here?  Certainly until this very moment I hadn't considered it at
all.  Nene,
Sylia, and the other Knight Sabers knowing the truth about me would
probably consider it even less.

The decision on where to hide lead quickly to how would I do it?  Times
like this I missed my smart phone.  I had a lot of research to do, and only
a little time to do it before living as a vagrant for a week made all my
options more difficult.

Luckily a pretty face is still a pretty face and tracking down the nearest
computer lab wasn't too difficult.  With a little smile I inveigled my way
inside; the poor student worker could hardly find his tongue around me.  With
a little more effort to get a temporary log in ID because I had 'lost' mine
and I was set up in the back. Settling in to a game of solitaire with a
fraction of my mind the rest of me dipped a figurative toe into the local
area network.

Avoiding network security was like doing the limbo while blind.  I could
see where I needed to be, but had to contort my efforts to get there
without making a mistake and touching an invisible bar.  Going slowly
though I was able to hear the obsticles in my path, they sounded something
like cicadas.  Once I was finished avoiding the lab’s tracking I stretched
letting myself feel for the light tingling itch that indicated the way to
secure servers.

I imagined myself smiling as I found them.  I could hardly have picked a
better time to do this, at least for my purposes.    It was late March
almost the end of the school year and hundreds, no thousands of new entries
were being made daily for those students moving up a grade or would start
the new year in April.  Making myself one of them was simple, a little copy
and pasting to make sure I had all the codes correct and voila!

Feeling especially clever I registered myself as a sophomore.  Not only
could I skip a lot of classes that would be nothing but boring makework,
but if anyone was looking for me they would probably expect a
freshman.  Instead
I took extra time to make sure to get my cover just right.  I trolled
through the databases, examining and fabricating details everywhere records
for having attended classes should be.

The final details were more difficult, and I knew I would have to make at
least one more visit before I could be sure I had them correct.  Financial
aid, and a dorm assignment.  Picking out and applying for scholarships
looked like it could be done entirely electronically but I had to be sure
they wouldn't want to talk to any of my previous professor's to check on my
suitability, I didn’t even want to think of what kind of a mess that might
cause.

Shifting to housing I had more luck.  Taking advantage of my theoretical
change in seniority; I put in, then granted myself, just adding a checkmark
to an electronic box, a request for a change from double to a single living.
I figuratively sat back and let the computer cruch to pick my new room by
itself, the only adjustment I made to its search criteria was to pick a
currently unoccupied room.

A minute later I had it.  My room assignment, my student ID#, a real log on
and email address, both post dated for authenticity and more.  Streaching
as I disconnected I worked out the slight kinks and achey feeling in my
limbs from being so still.  Both subtle reminders that no matter what else
I was living on borrowed time.

~1~

At first keeping to myself was easy.  All the other students were busy
studying for finals I didn't actually have to attend.  Besides I spent
almost all my time hiding in my room, afraid to go out in case I was
somehow spotted and caught as an imposter.

As the last few days of term ticked by however I grew antsy.  That's the
only real way to describe it.  I could hear students in the halls, in
neighboring dorms, talking, playing, living.  The solitude eating at me.  If
this was going to be my life I could have stayed locked in the Knight
Sabers basement.  I actually got more social interaction there then I was
right now!

At first I just took short little visits to the common room.  Meeting my
neighbors and spending an hour or two talking about their classes or
friends.  Keeping the topic of conversation off me was trivial for my
instincts.  Having lived through college before slipping comfortably into
the social life of the dorm was a snap.

It was almost enough to make me forget about Nene and the others, that
gnawing sensation in the back of my mind quiet while I was with Nanami,
Sakura, or their friends.  But alone, in bed with time to think it always
returned.

The only problem I couldnt solve was once again my lack of bone marrow.  Or
more particularly, the breakdown of my fluidics system without any natural
way to replace the dying cells.  It wasn't quite to the point it had
reached before Irene was attacked but it was getting close, and the
deterioration was starting to speed up.

More worryingly the lethargy it imposed was becoming obvious to my new
friends.

"Alice-chan, come on, please?"  Nanmi begged, taking my hand as she
pretended to try and drag me to the door.  "Everyone's going to be there,
we need to celebrate and unwind.  Plus you look like you could use some
fun, a night out is just the thing!"

I tried shaking my head, and pulling free but she was a bit like a leech
and it would take more than a token effort.  "Nanami-san, you know I don't
like going out, and this is the only time I'll have to relax before classes
start up again next week."

Not accepting my argument she actually tugged me to my feet, not impressive
given she overtopped me by at least 15 centimeters.  "No way, I'm not going
to let you use that as an excuse now.  I know your type.  Once classes
start you’ll be claiming you can’t go out because they’re taking all your
time. You know what you need, you need something to pick you up before
classes wear you down.  Your coming with us, and that’s final."

Well, in her head it might have been, but I was yet to be convinced.  At
least until I realized that by next week I honestly might not have the
energy to go out, that this could be my last chance.  Besides, I hadn't
heard a peep out of Nene since accidently spying on her in Starbucks.  "Fine,
fine I'm coming, but I draw the line at dressing up."

"That's just fine, you'll fit in alright just how your dressed, now come on
let's get the others."  So much for getting out if it passively that way.

I glanced down wondering where in Tokyo we were headed that jeans and a
t-shirt were perfectly acceptable alongside the more fashionable mini-skirt
she had on.  Oh well, it's not like it was my problem, and besides, I'm a
starving college student now.  It’s my perogative to get away with a lot
more than a salary woman could.

Of course as I followed them off the train I felt my feet start to slow as
perfect memory helped me recognize the stop, only one possible destination
came to mind, Hot Legs.

~1~

As we walked through the falling dusk, flickering streetlights tried
valiantly to light the trash lined street, the prominent glow of neon only
adding to the feeling of grunge as we approached the enterance.  "Nanami, I
don't think this is a good idea… maybe we should go somewhere else."  I
resisted the light tug on my arm as I let doubt color my tone.

"Oh don't be a spoil sport, it'll be fine.  We've been here loads."  Improperly
guessing the source of my disquiet she went on.  "I know it doesn't look
nice but we'll be fine, it really isn't that bad."

"Riiight" I said dubiously as we passed a row of bikes with gang logos on
them.  Actually the trouble I was afraid of wasn't going to be from them.  But
even though I privately agreed we should be safe, as long as we were
careful of what we drank, I didn't want to set one foot inside Priss'
stomping grounds.  "And the biker gang is full of fluffy bunnies?"

"Don't be a spoil sport Alice-san," Sakura chided her hand warm against my
back as she pushed lightly to keep me from slowing the rest of them up any
further.

Heart pounding faster, I could feel myself gearing up for a confrontation
even as I made good use of my short stature to hide behind my friends.
 Slipping
inside the smoke, and smell of alcohol poured over us like a wave carried
on a deep baseline rythm infecting my friends with excitement.  It was the
pheromones that struck me a similar almost physical blow.

Reeling mentally from the concentrated humanity I still managed a sigh of
relief when I didn't recognize the thrum of the music, and through short
breaks in the crowd saw no sign of Priss or her band.  She wasn’t playing
tonight, it was safe.  My relief was a bit premature.

Unlike Linna and Nene, Nanami and Sakura weren't willing to just let me
hide in a corner and I soon found myself in the middle of the dance floor,
head reeling and body moving automaticly.  It was all I could do to stick
near my new 'friends' rather than let one of the men nearby sweep me away.  At
least now I could really dance...

Two songs later and shaking like a junkie I managed to drag Nanami aside.  From
my last glimpse of Sakura and how surounded she was there would be no way
to get her off that dance floor short of midnight.

*Excitement, need, jealousy, arousal, confusion* I was picking up a
veritable maelstrom of feelings and desires from my companion.  Enough that
I didn’t realy remember why I had pulled her from the dance floor to begin
with.  She really was cute, a small piece of my mind, the part not
currently trying to process what she wanted most from me thought.

Before I could finish that thought I found my arms around her, head resting
on her shoulder as I subtly guided her into a dim corner, lips only inches
from her bare neck.  It didn't matter that she was taller, and probably
stronger than me she was like putty in my hands.

Only as the salt taste on her skin met my tongue did my eyes fly wide with
recognition of what I was doing.  The haze of instinctive behavior that had
descended over me shattered.  Swallowing nervously I stepped back, fingers
brushing along her arms as I tilted my head back to see her wide brown eyes
blinking hesitantly.

*Subject receptive to advance 85% probable,*  and I wasn't quite sure I
could stop myself from making one.  Only the sudden impression of green,
and disappointment stopped me short of meeting those lips with my own.  Trying
to play it off I spoke up, ruthlessly killing the blush response my body
wanted to engage.

"Sorry Nanami-Chan, the dancing can get to be a bit much, I just needed a
break!"  My voice intentionally loud, but while that might have excused
leaning against her for balance or as if for a kiss, it did nothing to
explain away suckling at her neck like I was doing moments ago.

At least she was just as discombobulated by the events as I was, it was
easy to see even in the poor light, how shoulders hunched, arms held close
before her, and with darting eyes unwilling to meet mine, *indications of
frustration and defensive uncertainty, subject likely to take action in
next 60 seconds 89%.*

While I couldn't hear her heart thumping beneath the noise I could
certainly see her pulse racing against the delicate skin of her neck.  Nanmi
swayed toward me minutely and then back, almost in tune with the shifting
thoughts I could see passing behind her eyes.  Did I want her?  Did she
want me?  Was it a joke?  Was I serious before and lying now?

The complexity of emotion was enough to captivate me entirely as I tried to
analyze just what she was feeling and caused me to remain standing before
her almost frozen as well, the pair of us caught in a cycle of mutual
indecision.

It was broken, *53 seconds later a smug piece of me noted,* when her arms
curled around me and she snatched me tight, her lips dipping down to meet
mine.  Instinctively I tilted my head back to meet her half way as I
recognized her intentions.  It was soft, warm, gentle, tight, wrong yet
ever so natural.

I have previously noticed that thanks to my new nature I don't really have
to breath, at least nowhere near as often as a regular person.  Nanami on
the other hand seemed to be somehow able to match that without enhancement
of any kind.

Time seemed to blur, It was electric, thrilling and consuming.  When we did
finally stop for air I couldn't help but feel ashamed.  Here I was taking
advantage.  Nanami was young, inexperienced, and I felt drawn to her as
though she were a siren.  I was so absorbed in what was happening I missed
the changeover of the band as she took my hand with a smile.

Drawing me back to the dance floor we began to move to the beat.  It was
low, primal and a subtle wrongness tickled at the back of my mind.  It was
the flagging exhaustion that finally broke me from the trance like focus
dancing with Nanami inspired.

The first thing I realized as I took my eyes off her flushed cheeks and
dilated eyes was that I recognized this song.  Swallowing I drew Nanami
closer and tried to guide us off the floor unobtrusively.  "I'm sorry I've
got to go I can't keep this up any longer."  The excuse, no matter how true
it might be, sounded weak on my lips.

"But Alice…" Nanami started to protest before wiping at the sweat on her
forehead and giving me a wide grin.  "Maybe you do have a point."  Glancing
around for the others and not spotting them she bit her lip before nodding
a decision made.  "Let's just head back alone then, okay?"  Only the need
to speak up to be heard keeping her from making the proposition in the tone
of voice I could tell she wanted to use.

"That sounds great!"  My agreement sadly was only partially in response to
her enthusiasm, the rest based on the sensation of something crawling
slowly up my spine.  As we neared the door I just couldn't resist and
looked back.  My gaze unerringly finding Priss, our eyes locking.

The surprise and shock of recognition was followed quickly by anger and
disgust.  To her credit she only faltered slightly but then her music has
always had a bite of anger that she let seeing me fuel.

Remembering the 'fight' we had didn't help my peace of mind.  As I
practically dragged Nanami the rest of the way out I could feel Priss’ gaze
like a physical thing resting on my shoulders.  I was just grateful she
didn't have a gun up there, or a hardsuit.

~1~

The trip home was unnerving.  Not just because of the specter of the Knight
Sabers stalking my path but by how close Nanami was sitting, and how, out
of control I was feeling around her.  One part of me wanted nothing more
than to draw her closer, into my lap preferably, to lean her back, dip my
head down and kiss.  The logical part of my mind argued that I hardly knew
her, that she was too young, the differences between us too big, my secrets
too large, but it was a final piece; A quiet little voice that called out
warning of betrayal, that helped me stay in my spot, hands to myself.

Of course that didn’t necessarily mean the same for Nanami who was
fidgeting clearly uncertain how to regain the feeling she had found in the
club.  As the kilometers quickly passed the tension in my shoulders began
to fade, while I was amused to notice the strain in Nanami's was
growing.  *Subject
nervousness due to lack of continued affection 79%, alleviate symptoms by
taking hand to squeeze 77% probable to calm, to kiss 69% probable to
escalate affection.*

I sat a few moments longer trying to decide myself what to do, but soon
enough I was giving her hand a gentle touch.  "Nanami-chan, thank you for
taking me dancing.  It was fun, and a little overwhelming.  Your nice, and
attractive, but I'm not really sure if…"  Watching closely I saw the exact
moment she realized I was giving her the brush off.

Her expression was priceless.  Upset and offended I was cutting it off.  A
bit of uncertainty over if she wanted me to, her own frustrated desires
mixed with gratitude that she wouldn't have to make a decision.  *Subject
virgin 89% probable, repressed bisexual tendencies 74% probable.  *"Well
I'm not sure if I'm ready to take that next step, even with a girl as nice
as you are, and definitely not tonight."

Before she could make up her mind over being angry or sad I went on. "Maybe
we could go out again sometime, after we've had a chance to think about it
a little?"

That brought a slight smile and relieved nod, as well as a return squeeze
of her hand.  The last minute of our trip spent in comfortable serenity.  The
rattle of the tracks, the hum of conversation and the general mayhem of a
large city combined into a pleasant backdrop for the last leg of our
journey home.

Stepping off still hand in hand we walked together for about a hundred
yards, *97.45 meters,* beating my estimate by a good 5% before Nanami's
grown self-consciousness had her let go under the threat of being spotted
by classmates.  Parting at the door to my room I scooted her along with a
smile, one perfect for putting her at ease because it was designed that way.

"I'll see you in the morning Na-chan, sleep well."  And then my door was
closed, cutting me off from sight and sound of her.  Laying back in bed I
lifted my hand up to my nose, still enveloped with her scent.  It was nice
putting me in mind of cinnamon but nothing like the spearmint I longed for.


No matter that I needed to decide how to handle Nanami in the morning I
couldn't get Priss out of my head.  Seeing her again at the club, the
recognition in her eyes when she spotted me, the anger.  As irrational as
it was I missed it, missed her.

Pulse still racing from my contact with Nanami, and my degrading fluidics
supply I finally gave up on rest, hurling a pillow across my nearly empty
room to hit the far wall.  Getting up I was out the door and on the subway
before I even realized my plan.

Or rather lack of one.  I was going to see Priss.  Not figuratively, there
was no way I was going to walk up and talk to her, just, literally.  That
decision calmed me down enough to start paying attention and recognize how
late or rather early it was getting.  The subway was almost abandoned aside
from drunks and gangers.

Getting off I longed momentarily for a gun.  Not because I wanted to use
one, but because simply being armed would keep a certain proportion of
trouble away at this time of night.  As my feet lead me inexorably back to
Hot Legs I found myself sticking to the shadows more and more as something
didn’t feel right.  *Baseline not associated with Replicant's portfolio 87%
probable. * Of course, that's what was bugging me, Priss wasn't on stage
anymore, and that meant she could be anywhere, even…

I stopped and looked down the shadowed ally behind the club, breath
catching in my throat someone was there.  If  I had taken even four more
steps I would have been in perfect view.  As my vision quickly adjusted for
the darkness I recognized Priss talking with another woman.

They were just outside the back door of the club, beside a pair of high
quality racing bikes.  I was about to dismiss the second woman as
unimportant when I realized I recognized her.  Not a Knight Saber, she was
too tall for Nene, too curvy in her riding gear for Linna, and her hair was
both too long and a lighter brown rather than Sylia's black.

No, what I recognized was that she was another 33-S!  Where I was of the
short 'cute' somatotype she was a tall leggy sexy version.  My mouth
instantly went dry.  What was she doing here, why was Priss with her,
talking, even smiling?  She couldn't know could she?

Falling back behind the corner of the building I leaned back against it for
support.  I Needed the assistance as blood thundered in my veins, pulse
increasing to help support the signals from the half of my mind that wanted
to run or fight.

Before I could make a decision with throaty growl of a well-honed engine
Priss swept past my hiding spot headed I was unsurprised to see in the
direction of the Silky Doll and Sylia.  No doubt about to report sighting
me, the hunt was back on.

This is a dumb idea, a terrible plan, you shouldn't do this, it's going to
end poorly.  These thoughts and more raced around my mind in circles as I
stepped into the ally.  My footfalls light and quick, seemingly filled with
confidence as I strode up to my taller counterpart.

Hearing me approach she paused, a moment before pulling on her helmet.  "Anri?
No.." she corrected herself almost immediately, her eyes darting to check
the exits and I could see her tensing to move.  *Subject 33-S motion
analysis indicates compression of operational speed and activation of
conflict management system; warning unable to match compression for greater
than one minute due to fluidics level.*

"Wait, it's okay, I don't mean you any harm."  My voice was smooth, giving
no hint at the butterflies in my stomach.  *Subject dropping out of
conflict management programing returning to ordinary operational
levels.*  Holding
up my hands I approached her slowly not wanting to spook her any more than
I already had.

Wondering all the while if there was a secret handshake I settled for an
introduction instead.  "Hi I'm Kari."  There was no reason to lie, either
she was with the Knight Sabers and would report my fake name, an
unacceptable risk or she was hiding the truth from them and wouldn't go
talking about having met another rogue 33-S.

"I'm not going back."  Her voice was firm, but I could tell she was still
uneasy, tense and ready to run the moment I made a false move.

"It's okay, I'm not with them." a quick nod of my head in the direction of
Genom Tower, visible even from here.  Making a split second decision I
smiled.  "It’s a relief to meet another free… sister."

That was obviously the right thing to say.  Her entire body language
shifted, and I realized suddenly that we were talking on a whole extra
bandwidth.  Together we shared an entire secondary language so completely
in reading posture, movement and physiological ques that there was another
entire layer to our conversation.

Now that I was paying attention I could see that we were now both, *guarded
but optimistic*, and trending toward *reconciliation and trust*.  Intentionally
shifting my posture, dropping the guarded optimism in favor of one of open
trust her reaction was immediate, and I knew what she would say before I
even finished my question.

"Would you like to go somewhere we can talk more openly?"  I felt a little
bad, lying with my body like that.  I didn't really trust her so soon but
by all indications the appearance of doing so had immediately earned her
faith.  Her posture matching mine, s*ubject trustworthy 99% likely.*  Only
my lifetime *before* let me realize that the remaining 1% was just as
important to keep in mind.

Nodding she offered a delicate crafted hand to me.  "I'm Sylvie, it's great
to meet you."  Taking it we shook, conveying friendship, trust, and the
deep bond linking each of us to the other.  "I have a place, get on I'll
drive us."  Her smile was blindingly happy even in the dark of the ally.

I had to hop up to straddle the bike behind her, my legs not long enough to
reach the ground.  Leaning in against her back I wrapped my arms tight
across the thick leather of her bike suits stomach and held on.  A part of
me felt is should be an intimate pose but to me it felt entirely, sisterly.

It was an interesting experience in trust.  On the one hand I felt I should
be terrified.  We were whipping through the city streets as Sylvie drove
like a maniac.  On the other I felt perfectly safe pressed tightly to her
back.  I could hear her heartbeat, slightly elevated, like mine but clearly
under no strain but for the heightened awareness our special metabolisms
can give us.

Pulling up to a crumbling apartment building near the fault zone Sylvie
helped me down before regarding me closely.  "It's alright, you can relax
we're safe here."  Her own pulse slowing to normal levels, even as my own
remained elevated.

"What?  I know."  I offered her a smile, my entire posture relaying my ease
in her company.  I could tell she was a little confused and starting to get
nervous.  My mind raced trying to figure out what was wrong and it was only
as her own pulse began to increase that it dawned on me.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I flushed, somehow admitting my problem felt shameful.  "I,
my systems require the increased flow to maintain operating at a standard
level."  The very sentence feeling like ash in my mouth; admitting to
weakness and being a machine at the same time.

The hug I got for my trouble however made it well worth the sacrifice.  "I'm
so sorry Kari."  The warmth of her embrace sinking through the thin shirt
and warming skin still chill from the ride.  "I didn't even realize…"

Stepping back and holding me at arm's length her eyes widened in
surprise.  "Then,
those glasses aren't a disguise either are they?"  A hint of horror tinged
voice.  At the slight shake of my head she gasped.  "What happened?  No,
wait, let's go inside there's someone else you should meet and we can talk
freely."

At the slight bunching of muscles in my back she gave a gentle squeeze.  "It's
okay, your safe with me."  Slipping an arm through mine as if to escort me
to a dance she lead the way into the building and upstairs to a battered
but still solid door.  It was a moments work before it was unlocked and she
led me inside.

Forewarned I didn't gasp or stumble when I saw her.  Instead I offered a
slight welcoming twitch of my lips and stopped.  Looking over her from head
to toe I understood now why Sylvie had for just a moment thought I was her
companion.

Dressed, or rather not, in panties and undershirt Anri and I were identical
below the neck.  Thankfully, though our faces were alike our designers had
introduced enough differences that it wasn't quite like looking in a
mirror, just, eerily similar.  Her face was a bit softer and rounder than
mine, her hair an odd green shade reached down past her shoulders, much as
mine had before I cut it.

"Anri this is Kari, Kari Anri."  Sylvie introduced us quickly letting
social programing guide the interaction as she closed and locked the door
behind me.  She didn't bother stating the obvious.

Anri was examining me just as closely and so when our eyes finally met it
was with a mutual little laugh.  Extending my hand she took it after just a
moment and we shook, her pulse fluttering if anything even more rapidly
than my own.

Stepping back from her there was a half second of hesitation as we both
realized the other was about to speak, and then with a subtle shift she
indicated I should go first.  "I wasn't really expecting to meet another
sister today, much less two.  How long have you been here, how did you get
free?  What's it like for you, I just have so many questions."

One of which came to mind as I realized that Anri was injured, damaged.  A
large gauze pad taped to her side just showing against the thin cotton of
her top.

Anri waved me to join her, sitting on the edge of a large western style
bed, one of the few furnishings in the dimly lit and rather dirty single
room apartment.  Though I could tell she was burning up with questions she
managed to restrain herself and tackled my flurry of questions one at a
time.

"This will go better if we take turns.  We've been in Megatokyo for almost
a week now.  We escaped from Genaros.  Freedom is wonderful just not
everything we hoped.  Only Sylvie can really go out, I'm too badly damaged.
But once I'm fixed we're going to leave the city, leave Japan itself."

"But what about you?  How long have you been free?  I didn't know any of us
were left alive on earth.   They told us we were the last ones taken up to
Genaros.  Are you from a foreign market?  I met a few from Europe that also
shake hands."

Nodding I considered her questions sequentially as she paused to let me
speak.  "I've been free for months now, but it hasn't been easy.  I was
programed for the west, I guess shaking hands is just too ingrained to
completely forget."  I might have said more but it was obvious Sylvie had a
question.

"Does that mean you have access to 8100D?"  A quick glance at Anri's injury
explained her interest in our approved fluidics source.  The hope in her
tone unmistakeable.

"I'm sorry no, I don't.  I have to use blood transfusions, it's part of the
reason why I'm not running optimally and have to wear glasses."  My news
clearly dashing a sudden surge of hope.

"That's unfortunate; with a fresh supply I’m sure we could have repaired
Anri swiftly.  It will take weeks using fresh blood to achieve the same
results."

"You have access to fresh blood?" I asked blinking, the solution to my own
problems suddenly coming into view.

Slyvie smiled at me, the light somehow not quite reaching her eyes.  "Of
course it's all around us, we just need to take it."  It felt as though a
stone was suddenly lodged in my stomach and my expression must have given
something away because she hurried on to try and reassure me.

"It's alright, it's safe, perfectly so."  Leaning in she whispered, "We
have a battlemover."

"A what?" I asked, hoping that she wasn't really saying what I thought she
was.  But because of the sinking feeling in my gut, I locked myself out of
my own autonomous reactions and engaged my socialization instincts in their
place.  *Provide positive feedback and show appreciation for subjects
achievement.*

"A battlemover, it makes harvesting very safe and easy."

*"That's amazing" *I heard myself gushing at her.  "But, aren’t you worried
you might get caught?"  The concern over her wellbeing thick in my voice as
I leaned forward and clasped her hands.  Almost exactly as expected she
shook her head willing, even eager to confide in me and I realized that she
was reacting exactly as predicted, *societal cues following stochastic
model with 99.8% accuracy.*

I realized she was doing the exact same thing I was, only, for her it
wasn't a cover.  It was the only guide she had on how to behave and it
never occurred to her to do otherwise.  She shook her head smiling, her
demeanor that of a confident sharing a secret, or a joke.  "Humans are
careless.  It's easy to find one isolated, and get away before their police
respond.  It's nothing like Genaros.  There are hardly any camera's here
and none where I hide the DD.  Don't worry, I'm careful."

Nodding along I let out a sigh of 'relief' and offered the expected
reassured smile.  "That's good to hear.  Just," I felt like chewing on my
lip nervously, and after a moment put a bit of concern and fear into my
posture.  "I worry that if you do something like that too much they might
start hunting for you.  Can you, be more cautious, go slower?"

I shot Anri an apologetic gaze.  "I know it will take longer to fix you,
but it's safer that way."  I breathed a silent sigh of relief when after a
brief moment looking at one another the pair nodded in synch though it was
clear they weren't happy with the idea making me happy was important to
them.

"Alright Kari, I'll, slow down and be more careful.  You've been here
longer, and I guess it's better to be safe and sure.  Does it really bring
that much attention attacking a few humans?"  Slyvie asked.  The lack of
compassion, of recognition that there might be the slightest moral problem
with her activities left me feeling if anything more isolated than before.

Here they were, my sisters, perhaps some of the only other people in the
world I could relate to and they were like… this.  I wanted to cry.  Killers,
my sisters were killers and I didn't have even the slightest idea how to
explain what they were doing was wrong!
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://www.chez-vrolet.net/pipermail/ffml/attachments/20130831/2d93fa83/attachment.html>