Fan Fiction ❯ Aether Psychoses: Tales from the Planet Solstice ❯ Phase 1, Episode 2: Brother - Sister - Misanthrope ( Chapter 2 )

===> C M A <===

RATING: This story is rated "R" for mature subject matter, violence, and language.

DISCLAIMER: This story, its settings, its characters, and all its distinctive likenesses are Copyright 2004 Carlos Alexandre. This is an original work and may not be published without Carlos Alexandre's written consent. Characters, settings, personas, etc. may not be used without, again, Carlos Alexandre's written consent. Any relation to this story and any real-life events, past or present, is entirely coincidental. And all that other crap.

If you're reading this anywhere but at www.triplepeeps.com, I recommend you go there instead; some places this fic is posted in might not be formatted or italicized/bolded/underlined correctly.

Author notes are further down.
________

Fifteen years ago...

HSD 217 - 04 - 02 - 1640
Diamond Lake, just outside Hyperion City
________

"Tealla, look! Loooooooooooooooook! I caught a fish, I caught a fish!"

"Gross," the girl grimaces, book in hand. "I hate fish."

"Let's grill it! I'm hungry!" the boy pesters.

At first, the girl wants nothing to do with it. But she cannot resist the sad puppy-dog eyes her brother makes for very long. "Alright, alright, but I'm not having any."

"But mama says fish is good for you!" the boy says adorably.

"Mama says a lot of things, brat." She stands up. "C'mon, let's go grill your stupid fish."

"Woohoo!" the boy squeals excitedly. "Fish! Fish!"

The girl giggles a little, unable to resist the infectious childhood energy.
________

"Cook it well; you don't want to be poisoned."

"No worries, big sis!" the boy replies confidently, carefully rotating the skewer over the small fire. "Nothing can hurt me! I'll always be strong, so I can protect you!"

She smiles. "You're sweet."

The quiet afternoon passes quickly, without much event. The boy eats his fish, the girl reads her book, and the two run and play and expend the near infinite energy of youth.

They lie on a hill, staring at the clouds.

The girl hears the boy snoring softly. She edges closer to him and rests her head on his chest.

"Please stay the same, little brother," she whispers softly, growing tired herself. "I love you just the way you are."
________

The sound of something loud wakes up the pair.

"An explosion?" the girl wonders aloud.

"It came from home!" the boy notes, worried.

The two run as fast as they can up the hill.

The house is burning!

"MAMA!!!" the girl screams. "PAPA!!!"

The destiny of these two children changed that day. Forever.
________

Fourteen years ago...

HSD 218 - 06 - 24 - 2057
Cruz Complex, Hyperion City
________

"What are you doing?" the boy asks, voice quavering, unsure of what was happening to his sister.

The two adults say something, but the boy doesn't hear. All he sees is the girl's tear-stained face.

He will never forget the sight. Lying on the table, naked and trembling; she looks so pathetic, so... defeated.

She mouths something. It's barely a whisper, but he hears it with crystal clarity.

"Please help me, Sieg..."

Something inside the boy snaps.

"Get away from her!" he yells, voice still shaking, trails of glowing red circling his young body.

"GET AWAY FROM HER!!!" he screams as the intense aether flames surround him.

Barely able to think, he looks down and sees something in his hand.
A weapon.

It looks like a red stick. It's smooth, comfortable, and feels like it... belongs. About two and a half centimeters in diameter, the rod has strange dark markings adorning the surface. He cannot read them, but he somehow knows what they mean.

A weapon.

The size... it isn't quite long enough to be a staff, but maybe, with two hands gripping one end, he can use it like... a sword.

It glows and burns all except those he chooses to spare. It has no actual literal blade, but it will pierce its targets with fire.

A weapon of fire... a sword of red.

These people... they're hurting Tealla.

They're making her cry.

They're making her want to die.

With this weapon of fire, this sword of red, this Crimson Edge...

"Please help me, Sieg..."

"I'll make you pay!" he promises them.

They're afraid, as they should be, but he doesn't care.

"I'LL MAKE YOU PAY WITH YOUR LIVES!!!"

So much aether... feels like he's losing control...

He focuses on his sister, promising to her and to himself that his power will not affect her.

Then, he charges at the monstrous people that did this terrible thing.

He sees their mouths moving, but doesn't hear their screams. Their pleas for mercy don't matter.

All that matters, to this unfortunate child, is that they suffer for what they did.
________

He's still unconscious.

She's tired and hungry, but she pushes onward, carrying the boy on her back.

All she wears is rags. Her clothes, her room, her treasures... all gone.

Her brother... is all she has left.

But this... all these people... all of these homes... an entire city...

Dead.

Why did he do this, just to protect her!?

"I'm not worth this," she mutters under her breath, tears falling down her cheek.
________

The present...

HSD 232 - 05 - 23 - 1220
Celestial Quarter
________

"My lord?" Her voice in my head again. "They've arrived."

Ah, yes, beautiful.

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

"Proceed as planned, my student."

"Yes, my lord."

The wheels begin turning.

And my beloved Project Estrela will soon be a reality.

The Hyrem children. Beautiful, beautiful children.

You will be mine once again.

"Celestial Knight!" Another voice.

This one is not quite as... beautiful.

"Ah, Shadow Knight, what an unexpected pleasure. To what do I owe your sudden visit?"

"Are those the Hyrem children?" he barks, seeing the holographic images in the profiles I still have open.

"Yours is a keen eye, my fellow knight."

"I still can't believe that High Command bought your ridiculous theory," he says angrily. "Those children have grown into powerful warriors, but I refuse to believe that they are as... capable as you say."

I smile. What a fool. "The proof is, as they say, in the pudding, my dear Shadow Knight. Observe them in the months to come. You will see their power. Now, why, exactly are you still here?"

"No real reason, Celestial Knight, other than to watch you set yourself up for a fall. Be seeing you!"

What an ugly presence. I'm glad it's gone.

He will be one of the first to die.
________

AETHER PSYCHOSES
Tales from the Planet Solstice

An original fic by Carlos Alexandre (CMA)
________

This episode was originally released on December 21, 2004.
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AUTHOR NOTES

I'm always uneasy writing out fight scenes. I never feel like they're told right, or flow right, or whatever. I'm told otherwise by a couple of beta readers, but I still can't help but feel a little uneasy about 'em.

Regardless, I accept, welcome, and encourage criticism, whether it's regarding fight scenes or anything else. Send it to cma@triplepeeps.com or visit www.triplepeeps.com and post in the forum.
________

Watching out only for oneself and those one loves can be seen as selfish.
Others would say that is what it means to be truly human.
Love holds the soul together, but tears it apart as well.

-= PHASE 1
--== EPISODE 2
---=== Brother - Sister - Misanthrope
________

HSD 232 - 05 - 23 - 1221
Within Phoenix Station
________

"How did you and your brother escape the Hyperion Incident unscathed?"

I feel my face turn white. "How do you know about that?" I near-whisper.

"Because, my dear," he breathes, leaning against the cabin wall, "I was there."

"What?" I don't believe this. Nobody survived, except Sieg and I.

He's lying. He has to be.

"I was a soldier back then." He seems so different when he's reminiscing like this. "Entered Cruz Foundation's private army when I was nineteen. Fought for years. Earned just about every honor and distinction that I could. I killed for Cruz. I killed... too many innocent people, both directly and otherwise."

"You sound like you regret it," I observe. And he does, too. "But go on."

"I will, my dear. But there isn't too much more to tell." He looks down, closing his eyes. "I was... a fool. A fool to think I could murder and destroy and somehow, someway raise a family all at the same time. Karma, I think it's called. What goes around comes around. And I was a fool to think that I would be the sole bearer of the weight of my sins."

"Your home was Hyperion City," I say. It isn't a question. "Your family was there."

"Indeed, my dear Tealla. I was visiting them when it happened. I still remember... the heat. The terrible, terrible heat, like a small sun had descended upon my wonderful home. And the smell... everything smelled cooked and charred. Burning flesh... it's a terrible smell. And in the end--"

"Just tell me how you survived," I interrupt. This is starting to make me uncomfortable.

He looks at me for a moment with soul-piercing eyes. "Like you and your brother, I've always had an affinity for aether. I've taken down battleships with just my powers. It took every ounce of strength I had, but I just barely resisted the terrible power that cursed Hyperion that day."

"I see," I say, swallowing hard. "So why let me kidnap you? Surely, you can fight back."

"That I can, my lady, despite being a little out of practice. But that's not important. I ask you again: how did you and your brother escape the Hyperion Incident unscathed?"

I look down and close my eyes. I don't like thinking about it.

"Sieg protected me. He... shielded me."

"How old were you?"

"I was twelve. He was only eight."

"Were you near the edge of the explosion?"

I look him straight in the eye. "Quite the opposite; we were virtually at ground zero."

"Interesting. Your brother must be a rather powerful person to have--"

"It's... a bad memory, okay?" I don't like thinking about it, and this is making me think just a little too much.

"Of course, my dear. My apologies."
________

Tealla exits the elevator, only to run smack dab into...

"Hey, sis," Sieg greets. "Looking sexy as always. You willing to give up your prisoner, or am I going to have to force you?"

Tealla smirks and crosses her arms. She wears a snug shirt with slits on its sleeves, showing small parts of her shoulders. The sleeves are short, ending just before they reach her biceps. It's navy blue with lighter blue areas, revealing the slightest glimpse of her abdomen. Her pants are black with silver buttons on the pockets and above the front zipper. Specially-made to match Tealla's flexibility and overall highly physical lifestyle, the pants cover up stylish black boots. A similarly black belt, wide and lined with silver-rimmed holes, completes the ensemble.

Long and full-bodied light brown hair goes down to her tailbone, some of it falling here and there in front of her face. Twenty-six years old, yet not looking a day over eighteen, her striking visage features no traces of makeup or other cosmetics whatsoever. This woman's beauty is natural.

"Well, let me think," she says. "I either hand over Armen Stratos to you and lose my pay, or beat the shit out of you and get my money. Seems like an easy choice to me."

"How do you expect," Sieg begins, "to keep me busy and prevent him from escaping at the same time?"

"Oh, don't mind me!" Armen Stratos says, smiling. "I don't mind waiting!"

"You know, Mr. CEO," Sieg complains, throwing his arms up, "you really aren't helping."

"It's hard to resist my natural charisma," Tealla mocks, readying herself. "I'm on something of a tight schedule. Get ready!"

"Fine, fine," Sieg sighs.

In an instant, his eyes changing from relaxed to determined, he grabs his aether guns and fires a shot from each.

Tealla jumps out of the way and runs along the side wall. Pushing away from it, she throws out a lightning-fast kick.

Sieg crouches down and circles back. Still kneeling, he fires a round from his left gun. Tealla dodges it and strafes his right side.

"Sloppy--" she taunts before noticing his right gun aimed exactly where she moved.

This time, she cannot react to the shots fast enough. Several tag her before she rolls out of the way.

Tealla holds her ribs in pain. Her aether shield prevented serious damage, but the blasts from Sieg's guns still struck with significant force.

"The twerps have been working on your guns," she comments, a glowing white orb of light forming in her hand.

Sieg, expecting her to fire the mass of icy aether at him, quickly runs towards her. He knows she'll fire before he reaches her and believes he can dodge the shot.

What he doesn't expect, though...
________

She fired at the floor!

That bitch!

Well, now I'm in trouble. As surefooted as I am, I'm not particularly good at keeping my balance on ice. My feet hit the now-slippery floor and I fall rather hard.

That whore.

In an instant, she kneels and foot-sweeps my pistols away from my hands. Lovely.

Before I can do anything, I feel her on top of me. I'm on my stomach, she's on my back, and her arm finds its way around my neck.

"Tap out, little brother!" she demands, her grip getting tighter.

This isn't good. She's ahead by one win! I can't let her get two up on me!

Not that this is an entirely bad feeling, mind you, being held closely by an attractive woman, her breasts mashed against me. Even if she is my sister, it's something I don't mind... appreciating.

Hmm... that gives me an idea!

Oh, man, she's going to hate me for this...
________

"Don't be stupid, Sieg! It's over! Tap out so I can put another notch in my book!" I yell.

I'm ahead by one win! Soon, I'll have two! This is sweet!

He struggles, trying to grab me, but all he can get is my shirt. Sorry little brother, but you aren't breaking out this time!

"Hey... Mr. Armen Stratos," he's barely able to say. What's he doing?

"Yes, Mr. Sieg Hyrem?" the irritating man answers, still unfazed by any of this. "What is it?"

"CHECK OUT THESE BOOBIES!" he screams.

With one smooth, fast motion... he rips my shirt off!

THAT PERVERSE LITTLE MOTHERFUCKER RIPPED MY FUCKING SHIRT OFF!!!

"I say, those are indeed quite nice," Armen comments, cupping his chin. "That bra's a C-cup, correct? And slightly transparent, too; how very seductive!"

THAT DEPRAVED OLD FART IS GAWKING!!!
________

Flushed and embarrassed, Tealla jumps off of Sieg and covers her chest with her arms.

"First mistake, sis," Sieg speaks, standing, and attacking with a rapid red flurry of fire-aether enhanced punches. "Remember what master said? Let nothing distract you!"

Tealla doesn't guard the burning strikes properly and allows several to connect. Finally, with a mighty kick, Sieg hits her against a wall. She drops, unconscious.

"Second mistake," he continues, victorious. "Don't ever assume I won't sink that low."
________

He kneels and holds his hands out over her.

Whispering softly, his hands being glowing a bright blue.

"Heal," he speaks, softly but intently.

The incantation produces an azure aura that extends and engulfs Tealla, slowly but surely mending her wounds and bruises.

He maintains the aura for about a minute. Then, releasing it, he props her still out cold form against the wall in a sitting position.

Noticing that one of her bra straps had fallen to the side of her shoulder, he gently straightens it, returning it to the top. Then, he takes off his armored shirt and, with the same care and grace, lifts her up slightly and clothes her with it. The garment fits a bit loose on her, but at least now she isn't quite so revealed.

"Looks good on her," Armen Stratos comments, standing beside the now bare-chested Sieg.

"Yep," he answers simply, lifting Tealla up and holding her in his arms. "So anyway, I'm here to save you, Mr. Armen Stratos."

"Please, call me Armen," he insists. "I can't stand formalities. But I am glad you came, Sieg Hyrem."

"Just Sieg. Do you know who would hire someone to kidnap you?"

"I have a fairly good hunch who it was, yes. But that's not important. You received a distress call from the decoy Vanguard, right?"

"Decoy?"

"The ship was never scheduled for active duty. She showed up empty. We found nothing out of the ordinary so we let her drift there, rather than waste time manning and docking it."

"Ah, it all makes sense now!" he exclaims. "Tealla told her client I'd come."

"Would she do that to you?" Armen asks.

"Oh, hell yeah! In a heartbeat!" Sieg answers as if the question was trivial. Which it is. "If she thinks I'll meddle in something she's doing, she'll take advantage of me any way she can!"

"This... doesn't bother you?"

Sieg points to Tealla's torn shirt, still on the floor.

"Good point," Armen notes.

"This is all besides the issue." Sieg's voice turns serious, very different from the casual tone he's been taking. "Armen Stratos, my price for rescuing you and helping you restore order to the chaotic skies around this station is three hundred thousand credits. In addition, you have to not only guarantee the safety of my ship and crew once the Vanguards are active, but also the safety of my sister, her ship, and her crew as well."

Armen smiles. "Consider it all done, Sieg."

"Good. Let's roll!"

The two make their way through the halls of Phoenix Station, Armen leading the way.

"The security core's been compromised, Sieg," Armen explains as they continue walking. "Whoever did it is good; an expert hacker, probably the best I've ever seen."

"Interesting," Sieg comments, still holding Tealla in his arms.

"That it is, but I'm more concerned with the situation outside. It's remarkable that conflict hasn't broken out between the rival ships, and I'm more than a little concerned about the panic going on in the disabled Vanguards. We have to remedy this as soon as possible, for the sake of peace."

"My crew is already on its way to the source of the interference," Sieg explains. "I'm willing to bet that either the hacker is there, or at least some clue to--"

"A moment, Sieg," Armen interrupts, putting a finger to his ear, speaking into his TPC. "Uh-huh... uh-huh... hmm, not good. Major, protect the civilians where you can, and be careful."

"What's going on?" Sieg asks, concerned.

"This isn't good. Not good at all. Station defenses, including turrets and robots, have been ordered to kill anyone on Phoenix Station on sight."

"Who ordered this?"

"The hacker."

"My... client..." Tealla speaks weakly, coming to.

With great care, as if he was handling a fragile newborn, Sieg sets Tealla down to her feet.

"You okay, sis?" he asks.

"I'm mad at you," she pouts before turning to Armen. "My client seemed pretty confident that he could hack into Phoenix Station's security systems. It's how I was able to get to you unopposed by anything save a few flesh-and-blood human guards."

"I see," Armen replies, "but it seems as if your client has lost faith in you. The order came from outside the station and came attached with a small memo."

"What's in the memo?" Sieg asks.

"It said 'the bitch took too long, now everyone must die -- CK'," Armen explains. "I'm assuming 'CK' is your client?"

"Yes," Tealla confirms. "That jackass. He promised me he wouldn't do this."

"Tealla, now that your current client has, well, utterly betrayed you, I'd like to hire you," Sieg announces. "How does fifty thousand credits sound?"

She shoots him an angry glare. "Just for your little stunt earlier, you have to triple that."

"Fine. One-hundred-fifty thousand it is. " He offers his hand.

"You got it," she replies, shaking his hand and sealing the deal.

"You still mad at me?"

"Nah, that many creds has mellowed me out somewhat."

"Good." Sieg looks at Armen. "Mr. Stratos, half of my money goes to her. Got it?"

"You bet!" Armen agrees.

"Wow, Sieg, you charged him three-hundred thousand?" She whistles. "I'm impressed--"

"Turned on?" Sieg interrupts.

"You're an idiot. So what's the job you hired me for?"

"Isn't it obvious, big sis? We've got to fix Phoenix Station's mess."

"That's what I thought. Hang on, let me see how the Centauri's doing..."

Still clad in Sieg's red and black top, Tealla pulls out a small, thin device from her back pants pocket.

"Tommy, do you read?" she speaks into the unit, a portable TPC. No response.

"That's a little strange," Sieg notes.

"Yes it is. Tommy, are you there? Centauri, come in; this is Tealla!"

"Sis, how close a look did this 'CK' character get at your ship?"

"Fuck," Tealla curses, pocketing the device. "Probably close enough to figure out how to do to her what he did to the Vanguards."

"Let's shut down the station's defenses first," Sieg suggests. "It's better for us in the long run. The Essex will bring down the interference causing all this, which should restore the Vanguards and the Centauri."

"Plus it'll allow me to make an announcement to the ships, explaining what happened," Armen says. "We've had general announcements going out regularly assuring everyone to remain calm, but unrest is building. Plus, with station security compromised, those announcements have probably stopped. I believe I can calm everyone down if they can see and hear me live."

"Don't worry, sis," Sieg assures, "the good CEO here has assured the Centauri's safety."

"He damn well better have!" Tealla threatens. "Getting a peek at my glorious body isn't free."

"So I see," Armen notes. "Here, you two, take this."

He tosses a portable scanner.

"What's this?" she asks, catching the unit.

"Filepage six-six-six details the safest route to the station's security core," he explains. "Be careful on your way there. I'm off to prepare for my announcement."

"Figures you'd bail," Tealla mocks. "You politicians always find an excuse to avoid the fight."

Armen, calmly walking away, merely waves without turning back.

"Sieg, that man is the second most exasperating human being I've ever met."

"Who's the first, hot stuff?" Sieg teases.

"Funny."
________

HSD 232 - 05 - 23 - 1227
A small island near Phoenix Station
________

Calm water surrounds the island, reflecting the early afternoon sun.

A steel tower, balconies and antennas garnishing its shell, sits in the middle of the isle. The distinctively metal tower makes no attempt to hide its presence from sight.

Soldiers in full black body gear monitor the island and the exterior of the base, loyally watching the waters and the skies for interlopers. They are creepily dutiful, patrolling the grounds without stopping to associate with one another or otherwise horse around.

Despite the tower's somewhat imposing stature and zombie-like watchmen, all is peaceful on this little island-base.

None of the guards notice the trio of children slip inside, though...
________

"We're in, Amy," I say through the TPC, stepping over the unconscious guard's body. "You reading us okay?"

"Loud and clear, Asha," I hear in reply. "Meander, how's your power holding up?"

"This is all well within my capabilities," Meander responds from behind me. "I can keep our communications clear through the TP field and put these clones to sleep all at once without issue."

"Clones?" I ask, curious.

"That's right," Willis confirms, typing something into his portable scanner. "Empty shells, created from someone's DNA, but programmed like a computer. Far lower mental defenses than even the least-gifted human being; only their helmets keep people like you and me, Asha, from overwhelming their minds ourselves. Of course, the helmets are nothing to someone like Meander."

"Sonny would say that it was a 'cinch'," Meander notes. "But I still do not know what 'cinch' means--"

"Enough chatter, all of you," Amy's voice commands. "The last thing I want to do is have to blow up half the damn island because you gave yourselves away. Stick together and shut down that interference! Sieg's counting on us!"

"You got it, Amy!" I say. "Let's go!"
________

HSD 232 - 05 - 23 - 1236
Phoenix Station
________

"Crap, man, that was close!" I yell out to no one in particular as I dodge another of the big man's crazy grenades.

I'm going to have to admit... this fight, it isn't going as well as I'd hoped...

This giant got the jump on me back on the empty Vanguard, knocking me out before I could fight back. I was all excited at getting the chance to teach this mammoth stump one hell of a lesson!

But, unfortunately, a few choice minutes of combat demonstrated several things: he's stronger, tougher, and better armed than I am.

"Not giving up yet," I think aloud.

And I mean it. Because he isn't faster than me. Haven't been showing him too much of my speed yet. Sieg always says to save your best cards for last.

He's about to fire again--

His right arm. That's it! When he fires the grenade launcher his arm's out too much. The man's a giant, his limbs almost double the width of my own; he doesn't need to put his whole body into absorbing the recoil so he's just using his arm to do it!

That's my opening. His cockiness will be his downfall.

Gathering aether within my body, I watch his right hand closely. The twitch will tell me when he's pulling the trigger--

There it is!

Using aether to propel myself forward and a little to the left of the path the grenade will trace, I run at him full speed. He's already committed to firing and does so.

He misses, and I'm still en route to his right arm. Before he can react, I close in and use my momentum to deliver a knife-hand chop to his big bicep.

He grunts in pain, dropping the weapon. I kick it away as far as I can. Damn, hurt my foot doing so! Thing's heavy!

I back away as quickly as I closed the gap. I have to use hit-and-run tactics against this monster or he'll waste me, even without his gun and only using one arm.

"Impressive reactions," he calls.

"Thanks!" I answer. "You ain't half-bad yourself!"

"That, I am not," he says, suddenly holding out his left hand in the direction of the fallen weapon.

What's he doing?

What the!? That thing's moving on its own? No; he's controlling it!

What's this I'm feeling coming from his body? An ominous aether signature, something that feels... wrong, somehow.

The white veins on his bodysuit are glowing, and similar bright lines on his weapon reply in kind. The launcher now floats above his head, its barrel aimed directly at me.

Something's not right, here.

"THIS ENDS!" he bellows as a shot fires. This grenade glows an eerie ivory and reeks of powerful aether.

I know it's coming as I stare at it wide-eyed, but I just can't react fast enough!

It hits me dead on.
________

The bomb explodes into a blindingly bright dome of light.

Maxwell shields his eyes as he relaxes his powers, catching his grenade launcher in his left hand.

The brightness fades after a few moments and Maxwell approaches the small crater to survey his work. He finds his adversary within, groaning and barely conscious.

"It cannot be!..." Maxwell breathes, his voice laced with shock.

Sonny's shirt is ripped and burned, revealing the boy's chest.

"That mark... you're a survivor of the Great Purge!" Maxwell exclaims.

"Yeah, that's right," Sonny returns weakly. "Want to fight about it?"

"No. You have clearly lost. You need rest."

Sonny coughs. "I'll be fine soon enough, big man. Don't think for a second you put my life in danger with your little freak bullet."

Maxwell chuckles. "I knew you could take it. But, regardless, since I am stuck here waiting for word from Lady Hyrem, I will keep you company."

"How sweet," Sonny says sarcastically as Maxwell sits beside him. "So you know about the Great Purge, then?"

"... Yes."

"How much?"

Slowly and intently, Maxwell stands. Unzipping the top of his outfit part way, he pulls the material aside just enough for Sonny to see--

"You have the mark too!?" Sonny gasps. "That means I'm not the only one!"

He tries to stand, but falls to one knee rather quickly.

"Take it easy!" Maxwell cautions, kneeling next to the boy. "You are still injured. You need time to heal--"

"Did anyone else make it!?" Sonny asks frantically. "Did you know anyone named Eleanor or Frank!?"

"Calm down!" Maxwell warns. "No, I do not know anyone by those names. And until I saw your mark, I, too, believed I was the only survivor."

Sonny settles down a little, returning to a sitting position. "Sorry about that. But, man, this is a good thing! It means that I'm not the only one!"

"Indeed. I believe that you and I have much to discuss, young man--"

"Hello! Hello!" a female voice calls. "Maxwell and Sonny! Danger is happening!"

The two look around and see a young girl approach them on a G-board.

"Hello, Vigor," Sonny says very unenthusiastically.

"Vigor says hello to Sonny! Vigor says hello to Maxwell!" the girl, Vigor, greets, as full of energy as her namesake. "Sonny and Maxwell were fighting! Vigor can tell! But no more fighting required! Client betrayed Vigor and friends!"

"Slow down, Victoria," Maxwell says, using the girl's actual name. "What happened?"

"Vigor intercepted transmission! Vigor intercepted transmission! Client set station defenses to KOS! On-sight killing! On-sight killing!"

"Oh no," Sonny says, worried. "The civilians..."

"We must find Lady Hyrem or her brother at once," Maxwell states. "They must be made aware of the situation."

"Actually, big man, knowing those two, they'll find out soon enough, if they haven't already. I'm more concerned about ourselves and the station's occupants."

"Correct equals Sonny!" Vigor squeals. "Danger we're in! Centauri is now disabled too! Brother Tommy told Vigor to stay put, but Vigor couldn't wait!"

"Don't worry about it, kid," Sonny begins explaining, standing and brushing himself off. "The Essex is on its way to the source of the interference. This'll all be over soon enough."

"Then let us endeavor to ensure the safety of as many civilians as possible," Maxwell says.

"Couldn't agree more. Let's do this."

"We will discuss the Great Purge at a later date," Maxwell promises, shaking Sonny's hand.

"Count on it, big man."
________

"I'll never understand," I yell back, running through the bowels of the station, "why the power and security cores of these sorts of places always have to be within their deepest recesses."

"Well, what exactly are you wanting, Sieg?" Tealla responds, following me. "Maybe it should be in a clearly marked building on the surface with a sign reading 'hey, criminals, come here first'!"

"Anyone bold enough to raid this station wouldn't bother, though! They'd expect to find it deeper within!"

"Anyone with the resources to fuck with a place like this, Sieg, will find out what's where no matter what! God, you can be such a retard sometimes!--"

I stop abruptly. Tealla reacts and does the same.

There's something ahead. Something rather... intimidating.

"Some kind of Guardian, I think," Tealla says.

"Sure seems that way from its aether sig," I agree.

I don't like Guardians. They're humanoid robots that stand about seven feet tall. Silver, and very metallic-looking, unlike the more human-styled robot servants that serve drinks and clean after people and such, Guardians are armed with powerful and modular artificial intelligence. Standard issue modules includes all manner of armed and unarmed physical combat, common aether incantations, and, my personal favorite, learning algorithms for dealing with more resourceful pests like, well, me.

"But," I continue, "this signature is too intense. This thing's way more powerful than a normal Guardian."

"What you're sensing is set to become Cruz Foundation's new standard for robot infantry," Tealla explains. "I remember this signature, now, from the last time I did a job for Cruz. It's called the Deathshell. It looks exactly like a Guardian on the outside, but boasts major buffs to both its AI and aether IO capabilities."

"So it's a Guardian on crack, right? No problem--"

"Sieg, if the Deathshell is even half as good as Cruz hopes, it will be more than a match for either of us."

"Again, no problem. We're working together, remember?"

Tealla crosses her arms. "Oh, yeah, that's right. I forget. Poor metal motherfucker doesn't stand a chance."

Continuing on, we finally reach it; the Phoenix Station Security Center. It's a large round dome, at least four stories tall. Computer stations, terminals, and monitors decorate the place, with large screens suspended from the ceiling in the center.

"What the fuck!?" I exclaim angrily. "This place is huge! Why aren't there ways in, like, three fucking floors up!?"

"Stupid little brother," Tealla chastises, walking ahead of me. "The game's no fun if the levels have shortcuts!"

"What does that even mean!?" I ask, befuddled.

"It means--"

Suddenly, I see it in the air. Looks exactly like a Guardian, its metal shell reflecting the room's lighting. But this one doesn't feel like a Guardian; it must be the Deathshell.

Fortunately, Tealla sees it too, and jumps out of the way before it lands on her.

It charges at me next, running at much higher speeds than Cruz's typical robot fodder.

I leap over it, unsheathe my pistols, and start firing.

Crap. My bullets are bouncing right off of it. There goes that plan.

I land, putting my guns away.

"Looks like I'm doing this the old fashioned way, Tealla!" I yell, dodging a few bolts of flame the Deathshell tried to catch me off-guard with. "Just like old times!"

"That's how you should be doing it all the time!" she teases, dashing beside me.

Side-to-side, me on the left and her on the right, we run at the Deathshell, our movements perfectly synchronized. Then, as we get close, we jump slightly. I put my right foot up to Tealla's left, and we kick off of each other, separating before the mechanical monster slams its steel fists down hard.

I land, roll, and face the beast while on one knee. Tealla did the same. I nod to her. She responds in kind.
________

With inhuman speed and accuracy, Sieg and Tealla run and jump-kick the Deathshell's head from either side at the same time. Feeling the metal and circuitry buckle, the siblings flip away, still mirroring each other's movements perfectly.

"Master would've been proud," Sieg boasts.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, bro," Tealla warns. "Check it out."

The machine's head detaches from the rest of its body. From its "neck," a new head pops out.

"That might just be the dumbest thing I've seen today," Sieg jokes.

"Look in a mirror lately?" Tealla retorts.

"Funny girl! What are you, six? Care to tell me I have cooties while we're at it? Or call me icky?" He holds his hands out in front of him, preparing his signature technique. "While you're thinking of your next first-class insult, be a dear and keep the thing busy, please. If we weren't in such a hurry, I wouldn't mind going a few more rounds with you against this machine, but I don't want to keep my crew waiting."

"Pulling out the big guns, eh?" she observes, charging up another ice blast. "You got it!"
________

HSD 232 - 05 - 23 - 1244
The island installation near Phoenix Station
________

"This is the room," I tell the girls.

"Good work, Willis," Meander compliments from behind me.

"Ditto," Asha adds. "So, can I just start yanking cables, or what?"

"In a moment," I say, tapping away at my scanner. Security systems are a little crude in this place; very easy to disarm. Almost too easy, actually. "Go nuts, but be careful. I don't like how simple this was to pull off."

"Hey, don't mouth off a gifted horse!" Asha says.

"Actually, Asha, that is incorrect," Meander notes. "The quote is--"

Meander keeps talking, but knowing Asha, she's long since stopped listening. Ripping apart the wires and connectors tying the device to the walls using wind-type aether and her bare hands, Asha looks like she's having entirely too much fun.

"That should do," I mumble to myself. "Sieg's missing his TPC, though; we're going to have to assume he's done his part already."

"Good work, all of you!" Amy's voice congratulates. "The interference is down! And it looks like the new CEO is already making an announcement! Mission complete! Let's get you out of there--"

All of a sudden, alert klaxons start blaring.

"SHIT!" I curse. I knew it was too easy!

"Did you miss an alarm?" Meander asks, concerned.

"No, I didn't!" I say, typing away quickly on my scanner. "I didn't miss a single one, and we didn't set any off. It was done manually. Someone either spotted us and waited a little too long to set off the alert, or we've been set up and someone waited for this exact moment to sound the alarm."

"Let's worry about what went wrong later!" Asha commands. "We're about to have a lot of company! Amy, can you create a diversion?"

"Way ahead of you, Asha," Amy's voice confirms. "I'll send some engineering bots too. I don't like wasting them but combined with the rather large explosions I'm about to rain on that island, you should have enough time to get outside. I'll focus my fire on the east to southeastern parts of the isle, but I'll avoid hitting the tower directly unless you advise otherwise."

"Understood!"

As the room rumbles and shakes around us, implying that Amy's attack has already begun, I put away the scanner and prepare to fight.

But I still don't understand. Why would someone purposely want to draw us here? This is clearly a trap, but the planning, the guesswork needed, the anticipation demonstrated in knowing that we'd come here after what happened at Phoenix Station... just unreal...
________

"Hurry up, you two!" I shout back at Willis and Meander as I plant my foot on another guard's face.

"Fall down," I hear Meander say, dropping piles of guards to the floor with a few thoughts. Thanks to her, we aren't getting completely overwhelmed, but....

"There's too many of them!" Willis yells, finishing my thought, slamming another of the cloned soldiers into a wall.

Well, this certainly isn't good. The three of us back up into one side of the hall, pooling our aether shields to create one larger, more resilient barrier. The bullets haven't pierced any of our own shields yet, but we're weakening.

Sieg... what do I do!?
________

Six months ago...

HSD 231 - 12 - 01 - 1834
Essex's Training Room
________

Oh, man. What a workout.

Sitting on this hard uncomfortable bench never felt so good!

I take a sip of water and wipe the sweat off my forehead with my arm.

"Not bad today, kitten," Sieg compliments, sitting beside me. "Not bad at all."

"Thanks, Sieg!" I chirp. "But before I hit the shower, you promised you'd go over incantation theory again."

"I did, didn't I?" Sieg teases. "Alrighty, Asha, pay attention."

He stands up, the occasional bead of sweat glistening in the room's light. I'm in shape and all, but Sieg's workouts are reeeeeeeeeeeeeeally tiring. He isn't even fazed by these little sessions, however.

I suspect, to him, a true workout is more like sparring with Tealla for an hour or two.

"As you know, Asha," he begins, forming a small ball of fire in his hand, "aether's the force that exists everywhere in our universe. We breathe it, exhale it, generate it, nurture it, and destroy it. We can shape it to our will, or let it control us."

He punches the air several times, his arms covered in fiery aether. The flames hiss and cackle as he continues.

"This is an example of 'direct utilization'. All I'm doing here is channeling the aether around me into my arms, changing it to fire-type, and using it both to enhance the speed and power of my punches, and to add flames and heat to my attacks. Another example you've witnessed is Tealla's ice blasts; though a ranged attack, she doesn't chant anything, opting instead to merely fling cold aether at her target. Direct utilization is fast and efficient. Almost everyone uses it, and most everyone discovers it for themselves at a young age. We wouldn't be able to match the firepower of a Guardian or a battleship without direct utilization to enhance our speed, power, ability to jump, and so on."

Next, he holds his hands open, pointing away from him. He mutters under his breath for a second, then opens his eyes.

"FLARE!" he yells, thrusting his arms at a training dummy. For a split second, all is quiet. Then, an explosion engulfs the doll, enveloping it in flames. The fire only burns the dummy, though, and not the floor, the wall, or anything else. With a snap of his finger, Sieg turns the fire off.

"That is an incantation," Sieg explains. "Incantations must be 'chanted'. The chant can be literal, like what I did, but it can also simply be thought. The chant focuses aether to the incantation and to the target; unlike direct utilization, where one must be careful not to strike an unintended target, incantations only harm or help whatever or whomever the user wishes."

"Question!" I blurt. He nods. "I've always wondered; your Crimson Edge is an incantation, right?"

"Yup. Unlike Flare, which is a 'common incantation', researched and studied and taught to the masses, the Crimson Edge is a 'unique incantation'. It's mine. I invented it, so to speak, and only I can use it."

"But someone invented Flare, right? Why isn't it unique?"

"Because it was copied over and over again, taught to everyone who could wield fire-type aether. Also, Flare is a rather simple skill; even someone who cannot readily use fire-type aether like Tealla can use it, though hers will never be as good as mine, just as my ice-type incantations will never match hers. Remember, though, that even common incantations will differ a little depending on who chants them. Everyone has their own little 'spin' on things, as it were."

"So can you teach me the Crimson Edge?" I already know the answer.

"I can't. Normally, one can teach a unique incantation to others, though it will never be quite the same; the little 'spin' and whatnot. But..."

Sieg looks at his hand, clenching it into a fist. He seems so... confused when he talks about the Crimson Edge, his fiery weapon that he summons via a chant.

I think... I think he fears that he may lose control of it one day, and hurt us. It scares me a little to think about it, and I wish I could just tell him that everything will be okay, but...

"The truth is, I don't understand the Crimson Edge much myself," he admits what I already know. "One day, it just... appeared..."

"I'd like to try inventing a unique incantation," I say, hoping to change the topic somewhat. "But I don't know where to start."

"Well, think of chants you already use, and just modify them a bit," he advises. "Also, it helps to paint a mental picture of what effect you want your incantation to have. Visualize it, then just do it!"

"I'll work on that!" I promise.

"Never forget the basics, though," he goes on. "You've got an affinity for wind-type aether, so practice stuff like Eddy and Tornado before worrying about moving on to uniques. And remember, for many people, unique incantations only happen when lives are on the line. If your skills are going to evolve, it'll happen when you need it most."

"Thanks, Sieg!" I squeal. "I'll remember that!"
________

The present...

HSD 232 - 05 - 23 - 1248
The island installation near Phoenix Station
________

The hall's getting crowded. They're all lined up, the front lines firing between each other at us. They'll reach us soon.

I look at Willis and Meander. My dear friends. They, along with Amy, Sonny, and Sieg, welcomed me to their ship with open arms. They gave me a home...

I have to protect them.

They're all lined up...

I start chanting softly. It's hard to do and keep the shield up at the same time, but I have no choice. Suck it up, girl, and do what you have to do!

They're all lined up. All I need to do is cut them all down. Like grass... grass in the wind...

"Asha, is something wrong?" I barely hear Willis ask. I ignore him, continuing to focus the energy in between my fingertips.

Like shaping clay, only with my mind, I form the wind-type aether into long, thin daggers.

They're all lined up. All I need to do is--

"CUT THEM ALL DOWN!" I scream, holding the wind blades in front of my face, looking between them at my targets.. "AEOLUS FANGS!!!"

I throw the daggers through our shield and at the clones. Flying straight and true, the knives pierce aether, armor, and flesh, tearing down their ranks in moments.

"Alright, Asha!" Willis cheers, reaching into one of his pouches and revealing a small disc-shaped bomb. "I think your incantation compromised that spot's structural integrity! Cover me, you two!"

He runs, determined, towards the holes, dodging shots from one of the guards that was still able to stand. Halfway there, he throws the bomb at the damaged wall. The device sticks, beeps a couple of times, then...

Black. I'm tired. So tired. I didn't know using a unique was so... hard...
________

"I didn't fire there," Amy thinks aloud, noticing the sudden burst of flame that tore through the tower's exterior.

"That's them!" she realizes. "Hang on, you three! I'm coming to get you!"
________

HSD 232 - 05 - 23 - 1248
Within Phoenix Station
________

"My memories create this weapon," I chant softly under my breath.

The fire gathers.

"My fear fuels this weapon," I continue, feeling the power swell within.

Its form becomes tangible in my hands.

"SIEG!" Tealla calls. "Hurry up! It's adapting to me!"

"My love guides this weapon," I go on. "And my promise keeps it true."

I open my eyes.

"CRIMSON EDGE!!!"

In a bright flash of red, it appears. Runic symbols that I still, to this day, cannot read, adorn the rod. I feel like I can understand them, despite not knowing what they mean.

Holding it in front like a sword, two hands gripping one end, flames surrounding it yet not burning me at all, I make the promise, completing the incantation.

This chant needs a promise made every time it is invoked. I usually make the same promise, though, and this time is no different.

I promise to protect the people I love.

"STAND ASIDE, SIS!" I command, running at the machine. She jumps away.

It fires a volley of projectiles my way. Parrying a few with my weapon and dodging the rest, I slide in-between its legs.

It's over.

Before it has the chance to turn, I jump as high as I can, cleaving the Deathshell in half straight down the middle... or rather, UP the middle, as it were.

As it explodes, scattering its remains across the giant room, I land and give Tealla a thumbs-up.

"Showoff," she accuses.
________

Later that day...

Late afternoon, HSD 232 - 05 - 23
________

"Though the day began in chaos, all of you here today chose not to fight each other," Armen says at the podium, addressing the attendees.
________

"Tealla, why are you wearing Sieg's shirt?" Tommy, the Centauri's second-in-command, asks.

"It's a long story involving an opportunistic pervert working in tandem with another opportunistic pervert that I don't really care to tell," Tealla explains, somewhat, entering her quarters and closing the door behind her.

"The relationship Lady Hyrem and her brother have is certainly unusual, Thomas," Maxwell comments.

"That it is, big guy," Tommy says. "That it is."
________

"This warms my heart, for it means that the desire for peace lives in all of us!"

Applause erupts in the auditorium.
________

"How did it feel?" Sieg asks, standing over the girl.

"Like I was putting my entire soul into it," Asha answers, sitting. "It was amazing; I just knew what to do, and I didn't let anything, not even my own limitations, stop me."

Sieg laughs. "Yeah, that about sums it up!"

"That was amazing, Asha," Willis commends, handing her a glass of water. "You really came through today!"

"I couldn't have done it," Asha explains, taking a sip, "without you, Meander, and Amy backing me up."

"That's right," Amy says, a hand on Asha's shoulder. "We're a team. I'm really proud of all of you today."
________

"The time has come to forget who started this fight. All must be forgiven, and all must begin anew."
________

"No fair," Willis whines. "Armen Stratos gave you bonus credits for protecting the people on Phoenix Station, but I get nothing for finding what caused the threat?"

"Man, when you put it like that, you make me feel all guilty!" Sonny says. "Besides, he gave me this for 'the Essex's boy tactician'. I assume he means you."

Sonny hands Willis a small disc labeled "Phoenix Station Armaments Overview."

"This is nice and all," Willis comments, pocketing the disc, "but I still want money."

"Well, my main man," Sonny smooth-talks, putting his arm around his friend, "how about a date with the young and attractive Vigor?"

"You serious!? When?"

"The next vacation, man!"

"Well, that's certainly better," Willis admits, "but I still want money--hey, how exactly did you get me a date with Vigor anyway--YOU PAID HER TO DO IT, DIDN'T YOU!? SHE GETS MONEY AND I DON'T!?"

"Consider it a gift!"

Willis takes off his HELM and repeatedly bangs his head against a wall.

"Hey, man, you got an itch or something?" Sonny asks.
________

More applause.

"Too many good people have died already. That must not be in vain!"
________

"Did it go as planned, my lord?"

"Yes, my pupil. You performed beautifully."

The young woman nuzzles the man's neck.

"Rest, my student. Rest and prepare for the great work that is ahead of you. With your help, the name of Celestial Knight will be known and feared throughout Solstice."
________

"We must stand united," Armen finishes, "no matter what the cost!"
________

"Messaging is Sieg, for Tealla!" she hears Vigor squeal over the Centauri's intercom.

Dipping her nude body into the soapy water, sinking until it reaches her neck, Tealla relaxes and lets the bath wash away the day's stresses.

"Put him through. Audio only," Tealla says. "What can I do for you, little brother?"

"For starters, you can turn on the video so I can see you naked," Sieg's voice teases.

"Haven't you had enough stimulation for one day?" she mocks. "What do you need?"

"Actually, I just had a question." A pause, then... "Tell me, Tealla; what do you think of Armen Stratos?"

Tealla thinks for a moment. "He's an irritating dumb-fuck of a man who, like you, stupidly believes that everyone in the world will be all nice and peaceful at the drop of a hat. What do you think about him?"
________

Cheers filled the room, drowning Armen in admiration.

The faint traces of a smirk makes itself known.
________

"What do you think about him?" Tealla's voice returns.

Lying down on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, Sieg answers.

"He frightens me."

"Oh yeah!?" her voice responds, surprised. "Why's that?"

"Because what happened today was just far too convenient."
________

--== EPISODE 2... END.
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