Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Machinegun Angel ❯ One-Armed Renegade ( Chapter 1 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: plasticlove 
Miscellaneous: Original Stories Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Sci-fi / Romance / Post-apocalyptic / Mecha / Cyberpunk / Action | Type: Shounen-ai | Uploaded On: 11.12.2007 | Updated On: 11.12.2007 | Pages: 3 | Words: 5.9K | Visits: 330 | Status: Completed
Miscellaneous: Original Stories Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Sci-fi / Romance / Post-apocalyptic / Mecha / Cyberpunk / Action | Type: Shounen-ai | Uploaded On: 11.12.2007 | Updated On: 11.12.2007 | Pages: 3 | Words: 5.9K | Visits: 330 | Status: Completed
Episode 1~ "The One-Armed Renegade"
DISCLAIMER: This is a completely original work of fiction. Any resemblences to actual living or non-living persons/characters/celebrities, etc. are purely coincidental. Machinegun Angel and all of it's characters are legal copyright Sincerity D'Angelo/Plastic Love Studios. I reserve the right to take legal action against anyone who unlawfully uses these characters or their likenesses for any reason without my written consent.
The story begins with Ophelia Desdemona, a raven-haired, fair-skinned nurse working in a hospital. The world that surrounds her is full of chaos, as it is just 60 or so years following the collapse of society. It was the day nuclear war destroyed much of mankind and civilization. The world fell into a deep nuclear winter for nany, many years, killing off much of the plant an animal life, leaving much of the planet a barren wasteland. Now, after recovering slowly from darkness, those who have survived the end have begun to accept what their home had become. As the people began to rebuild, the world was seeming more like the late 1800s, early 1900s durring this 'industrial revolution". An Imperial government had risen to power not long before, composed of the brilliant scientists and politicians that had survived the last days. This empire is known as RUBICON. The hospital where the young nurse Ophelia works is part of RUBICON Industries, as this technology-hoarding empire supplies them with the power and supplies needed to care for it's patients-- for a very hefty price.
Ophelia hated the idea of working as a slave under the rule of a higher power. It was the story of her life, having been raised by an orphanage for as long as she could remember. Now at age 20, she could recall the early years of her life, living a child of the great war that plagued the world shortly after RUBICON's rise. It made her sick to know how they had devloped a means of harnessing electricity now that the sun was blocked out 65% of the year. She shuddered at the thought.
...Human Bodies.
Cloning had been developed not long after the desperate factions of RUBICON could no longer live off of contaminated fossil fuels and hydroelectricity due to ratiation that covered much of the land. Using the last of their energy, RUBICON split up into four main factions, OVERRIDE; which delt with scientific and medical matters, including cloning and genetics, NEO; weapons and robotics technology, SALVATION; being the agricultural and human 'outreach' aspect, and GENESIS; which centered on military and defense. OVERRIDE faction was responsible for developing human cloning in order to harness energy omitted from the human body. For a payment, commonfolk could have their bodies cloned and receive the power RUBICON would otherwise not offer to them, and keep to themselves. Their clones would remain in a lockdown facillity, deep in a comatose state, while wires and plugs drained them of their energy, producing massive amounts of electricity and power that could easilly be harnessed, and channeled just like back in the last days. Who needed the sun when you can play god.
But this was the start of a major revolution. The sub-humans created were thought to have been suffering greatly, which was the case indeed. The commonfolk felt great sympathy for them and formed a huge revolt against RUBICON in order to set them free. This caused an all-out war. Clones had been released into the world, and RUBICON wouldnt stand for it. NEO faction, alongside it's sister faction GENESIS sent out robotic mecha known as Sentinels, as well as human soldiers in order to retain order. The battle was brief, but in the end, the commonfolk lost, and RUBICON prevailed. Not without some changes though.
The clones released were not to return to RUBICON labs. They were now considered "contaminated" They outlawed "perfect cloning", which was the process of deleoping clones with a soul, and turned to building Drones... A human clone without a soul or a mind of its own. Simply an energy cell, and nothing else.
That was how it worked for many years afterward, even now. Although their cities, known as "Sanctions" were ruled by RUBICON, there still remained a few of the people who refused to live under such dictatorship. These people, known as Revolutionists, lived mostly in secrecy, some of them even being the very clones produced by them. Clones who lived in the world were forced to have medical therapy, and shots to prevent the spread of infection. They were also forced to register and receive a serial number in order to keep track of them. Revolutionists wanted nothing more than to stop the process of cloning. After all, the sun was beginning to appear more and more in the sky, and the climate was once again rising... But it was far too late for RUBICON, who kept on harvesting humans, despite the availibility of other methods.
The sanctions were also invaded by sentinels, and gigantic factories that produced them. RUBICON began hoarding everything from plastics, to food and plants, and de-contaminated water, all of the luxuries thatonce existed in the world before the last days. Pollution filled the air once again, blocking out the sun. It was as if the commonfolk were becomming more and more like slaves, which was true.
Ophelia felt this way as she gazed out the window of the hospital at the industrial wasteland she called home. Smokestacks filled the skyline, pumping flames and thick smoke into the atmosphere. She knew so much what it felt like to be a slave, but in her own personal way. Ever since she was sixteen, she recalled a man by the name of Dublin as her guardian and protector. He had found her after the orphanage that had raised her threw her out because she was too old. He offered her a home, and a place to work, which was the hospital where he worked himself, as a doctor. Dublin was much older than Ophelia, and very strict. However, he fell in love with the young woman and she could do nothing but return the 'love' in order to protect herself from him. He trained her to be a nurse and care for the sick and wounded, which became all she knew. The hospital, which was strictly for humans, refused to treat clones...
That is until Dublin was pushed to the side as owner. This infuriated Dublin, but he was given no chioce but to move aside and let this new female surgeon take his place. She treated clones as equals, and this made him even more angry. Ophelia found herself with no choice but to marry Dublin. He controlled her every move, and made her a captive of his world. Although usually, he treated her like a princess, Ophelia knew in her heart that Dublin would hurt her if she ever disobeyed his command.
A pale hand touched the windowpane before her, admiring the tiny white snowflakes dancing in the icy wind outside. She longed for nothing more than to expirience freedom... To see the world through different eyes. She would daydream like this constantly, and Dublin knew it. As usual, he interrupted her thoughts with his sinister voice.
"It never changes, Ophelia. I don't know why you keep thinking it will"
The raven-haired nurse turned, startled that she had been being watched by him. "Oh, I was just.. taking a short break..." she defended herself with, placing a hand over her heart to ease the heavy beating.
"Dreaming again I see. My dear Ophelia..." He approached her, placing an icy hand on her shoulder "...Do i not make you happy enough, that you must dream of something better?" His emerald eyes were like ice as they looked down at her. He was a very attractive man, but his darkness made him ugly in her eyes.
"For some of us, Dreams are all we have" Her voice spoke softly.
Dublin removed his hand and turned away from her. As much as he loved this woman, he hated her rebellious attitude with a passion. He felt compelled to slap her, but withheld his hand to avoid leaving a mark. Instead he grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the window. "I am going on my break now, Care to join me for a spell?"
Ophelia bowed her head, and turned away from him "Dublin, you know i have a lot of work to do. I have patients that need me up here in the ICU..."
"So let the other nurses take care of them. Besides, I have an order of buisness for you. Housekeeping staff is overrun with linen, and i need you to go down and help them do wash. One of our washers is down, so they may need assistance delivering linen to the local laundrettes. You are to help them but you are NOT to leave this hospital, do you understand me?" His voice was stern as he gave his command. Ophelia was angry, but tried her hardest not to show it. before him.
"Besides... I have heard about this new kind of weapon... RUBICON had created to keep us in order. It turns out the subject escaped not too long ago and is roaming free. Damned clones, always causing us such hardships with RUBICON. I dont want you leaving my jurisdiction until after this weapon is captured."
Ophelia turned to him with a look of disbeleif on her face. "Damned clones?? She questioned. "Those clones are humans too. They did not ask to be created, or to be set free into this world. I feel for them greatly." She hung her head in sadness. "I wish... they werent reated so terribly" she nearly turned to tears before Dublin interrupted her.
"They are nothing but energy cells, Ophelia. The ones that are loose in this world are the reason our hospital is so filled with sick and injured people. I want you to stay away from them , do you hear me? If there is one in this hospital, you are NOT to go near them" He touched her pale cheek with a cold hand. She shuddered. "Do you think i want to see my darling wife dying at the hands of those good-for-nothing sub-humans?
"Im going to complete the task assigned to me, Dublin. Good day." She walked away down the stairs, frustrated that someone could think such terrible things. In er heard she sympathized deeply with the clones. There was no way out for her. She was to be forever trapped in this terrible life of serving this man. At least that what she thought. She was completly unaware that her life was about to change.
Ophelia pushed through a pair of double doors and made her way down the hall to the back stairwell. As her black nurse's shoes clacked along the tiled steps, she gritted her teeth in anger that the man she agreed to marry could possibly be so ignorant. It hurt her heart to witness such hatered, but she also knew in her heart that it was the way of the world. Most humans deeply resented sub-humans. She wished that others could see the world through her eyes. She was begining to wonder if she too was a Revolutionist.
In the midst of thought, Ophelia's eyes never looked up to see the figure heading directly at her. With a crash, she nearly fell back. The other person, a slender, short young woman with glasses steadied herself by placing her hand on the wooden banister. "OH Monet! I didn't see you comming! I'm so sorry!"
Monet, who was not only Ophelia's friend, but the head surgeon at their hospital, known by the name of 'Serenity Hospital', gathered her things that has almost spilled, mostly medical charts, and smiled to Ophelia. "Where are you off to in such a hurry? Trying to escape Dublin again?" Monet was also known for her sharp tongue, and never ceased to amaze Ophelia.
"Heh, no... I'm just headed downstairs to help with some laundry folding. I was about to break, but I heard they could use some help. I thought I'd offer some assistance."
Monet was incredibly intellegent and knew the truth, yet she never questioned Ophelia. She knew exactly where her boundaries were, and chose not to get involved with her close friend's intimate affairs. "Well isn't that nice of you." She adjusted her glasses and smirked.
"Monet, can I ask you a question? Dublin told me something about... This weapon, created by RUBICON. Is he telling the truth, or do you think it's one of his scare-tactics to keep me under his watchful eye?"
Monet looked to the frosty window next to them in the stairwell. "Actually, It's true. On the radio I heard a report that sounded the same as what you're telling me Dublin told you. They won't release any details as to what kind of weapon it is, or why they built it. They're just saying he's a clone, unregistered and extremely dangerous. You weren't thinking of going out there were you?"
Ophelia lied. "Oh, of course not! It's far too dangerous! Besides, I don't know my way around too well. I'd probably get lost!" She laughed. Thankfully Monet could not see past her disguise.
"Do me a favor though," Monet began. "If you do go out, Don't let Dublin find out about it. Lord knows what would happen if he found out you were on the outside. He's so unpredictable."
The raven-haired one turned away. "Trust me, he's very predictable."
After he little run-in with Monet, Ophelia continued towards the laundry room. Upon arrival, she found mounds and mounds of soiled linen. This was about to be one huge task! Ophelia was used to grunt work, having orders thrown at her left and right. She knew it was all part of the territory, and it was better than living on the street.
"We need as much help as we can get! One of our housekeepers is now a patient. He was mugged by that same street gang that mugged Monet's husband Daisuke last week. The Cypress Alley... whatevers." A voice called out from across the room. Ophelia remembered hearing about Monet's husband being attacked. He hadn't been hurt too badly, but Ophelia remembered helping stitch him up afterwards. She bent down and began picking up rags, placing them into a bin labeled 'dirty'
"I'm not sure what I should do" Her voice spoke up so that they could hear her over the roar of the washing machine.
"Take this load to the laundromat on 158th street, and be sure to pick up the two loads that are finished on your way back. We're so behind, I'm not sure we will ever catch up!"
Ophelia's eyes widened. A delivery? Did this mean she could break free for just a few minutes and venture outside? It was her one opportunity to see something other than the inside of that dreary hospital. But did she dare defy Dublin's word? Surely it would mean disaster if he ever found out. But what did she care? How would he possibly know?
Without hesitation, Ophelia pulled the white nurse's cap off of her fluffy, slightly curled Locks and yanked the tie out of her ponytail. Long tendrils fell across her shoulders and she grabbed a nearby red coat. She didn't even care that it belonged to one of the housekeepers. Grabbing the four overstuffed sachels of dirty linen, she made her way to the back alleyway exit. "See you later! Be back soon!" she called out, but none of the housekeepers even noticed. They were too caught up in their work to even see the door opening and closing behind them.
Ophelia stepped out into the snowy, rather dreary afternoon. She walked down the alleyway trying desperately to hide her face. Once she reached the end of what seemed like forever, her eyes finally looked up to see the city in front of her.
She couldn't believe her eyes! The city that she called home, also known as "RUBICON Sanction 9" was pretty much what would be expected from a city recovering from a major nuclear blast. Although little significant damage was still prominent, and brick buildings now rose from the shattered foundations of those that once stood before them. The city was dark, and most of her surroundings were blackened by a thick fog of industrial smoke, pumped out by hundreds of smokestacks belonging to factories that produced the many nessecities they required to survive in such a harsh environment. Ophelia could see the lights of the gigantic generators off in the distance, flickering as they pumped the city full of life. Hundreds of people brushed past her, making their way through the crowded market center. At her feet was a torn-up, cracked street that probably once flourished with may automotives. Nowadays, vehicles were uncommon due to the cost of materials and fuel. Since RUBICON was the only source of this technology, most commonfolk were simply too poor to own any kind of transport vehicle. They relied solely on trains and whatever animals they could find to pull them around. Very few people were lucky enough to know someone who can repair lost of damaged technology without the help of RUBICON.
All around her, as she looked to the tops of the buildings, Ophelia witnessed signs. Large neon signs that advertised RUBICON industries. Paintings, much like those of the 1950's were plastered on the sides of buildings, telling of RUBICON's promises for a 'brighter future'. Ophelia had to laugh at the thought.
"Yeah, a brighter future as a SLAVE" She mumbled, then continued on her way. It wasn't at all uncommon to see brothels and whore houses along the streets where she walked. Most clones and non-conformist humans were so desperate for money they were willing to sell their bodies, especially clones. Next to product manufacturing, prostitution was the most common form of employment.
By the time Ophelia stopped to read a street sign, she suddenly realized that she had been daydreaming far too much, and had become lost. She was standing on the corner of a street who's sign had been scorched and melted. There was no way of telling where she was.
"Excuse me!" She walked over to a group of seemingly homeless people crowded around a lit barrel for warmth. "Can you tell me how to get to 158th street? I'm kinda lost"
One of the men, who had deep red eyes, and long matted gray hair, glared at her from beneath the blanket he was using as a cloak. "BITCH! Be gone with YOU! RUBICON scum!" the voice snarled. The others with him, one an older woman and the other, a younger woman, both filthy and having the same grey hair and red eyes as the man, also gave her daggers. It then occured to her that they were clones-- Homeless, unregistered clones. She approached them with a kind hand.
One of them grabbed a stick and lit it ablaze, swinging it in front of her face. "AWAY with you! Get out of here woman!"
Ophelia, who didn't eve hesitate to run, let out a cry and began to run. Her eyes swelled with tears as she was becomming more and more sorry she had ever left the safety of the hospital. Had Dublin been right? Were all clones dangerous, unforgiving creatures?
Not watching her step as she ran, Ophelia suddenly crashed into a set of charred garbage cans. She stumbled to to the curb, as huge rats jumped out of the rusty old barrels and scattered across the slushy street. She sat there for a moment on the icy, wet ground and caught her breath. She then placed a hand on her face and fell into tears. This was the world where she lived. There was no way she would ever be able to escape Dublin now, knowing what was out here. She felt hopeless, wet and cold, and desperately needed to get warm.
Behind her was a brick building that looked like an old-fashioned store. The windows were full of bullet holes, and huge iron gates covered the entire front door and windows, which were boarded up in various places. It was a small building in comparison to the others around it, being only two stories tall. Outside the front door hung a glowing red lantern, with a candle inside of it. Ophelia assumed the store was open by the lit candle. Who would leave a candle lit if nobody was home? Taking the bags in her hands, she dragged herself towards the entrance. She then pushed the heavy iron gate open and walked through the front door.
The inside of the shop was a bit dark, illuminated by a few lanterns here and there, and an occaional light from a window that hadn't been completely boarded up. The shop was filled with what looked to her like relics and antiques. Piles and shelves full of them, all from the previous era. This must be a thrift store of some kind. The air was heavy with a musty odor, mixed with the smell of pipe tobacco and clove cigarettes.
"Hello?" She spoke softly. Her voice was interrupted by a thud on the ceiling above her. "Is anybody there?" Ophelia turned around, noticing a pair of eyes peering at her from a hole in the ceiling. which had only been half boarded up. She had to do a double-take and when she looked back, the pair of eyes was gone.
Suddenly Ophelia heard the cocking of a shotgun, and she turned around quickly with a gasp. There in front of her was an elderly man of eastern descent, pointing a shotgun in her face.
"Are you going to buy anything, or not?" he growled at her, preparing to fire.
"No... I mean.. YES! Please don't shoot, Sir! I'm a nurse, from the Hospital! I just got lost trying to find my way home! I'll buy something if you'd like, just spare me, please!"
The old man lowered his gun and cackled. "heh heh. So you are! Sorry Miss,It's just that we were robbed a few days ago... by one of those damned street gangs. It was a violent robbery too. I still havent finished cleaning the blood from my floor."
Ophelia looked to her feet and saw the streaks and splatters of dried human blood. She stepped away, rather disturbed by the sight. "Im sorry" she muttered, placing the heavy bags down. "But, if it isn't any trouble, could you please give me directions to 158th street?"
The old man laughed. "ha ha! You're a long ways from uptown, nurse-chan! Youre in the slums. This is clone territory. They don't take too kindly to your kind around here."
"I noticed" Ophelia spoke softly. "It's not my choice i'm an uptown girl. I never wanted to be hated so much by them. I actually sympathize with the clones. They are treated so badly by us. I'm so ashamed to admit I work for RUBICON, but I had no choice."
The old man made his way out from behind the counter. "Yes, true. I'm an old man. Ive been around since the late 1900s. I've seen this world die, and be ressurected, only to once again begin to die a slow, painful death. I too sympathize with the clones, hated so deeply by those around them after never asking to be created in the first place."
Ophelia heard a shuffling on the ceiling once again.
"I am Shenji Koto, But most that know me simply call me Koto-San. And what is your name, nurse-chan?" He bowed to her respectfully.
"I am Ophelia" She hesitated. "What's upstairs?" Her eyes wandered back to the hole where she had seen that devious pair of cat-like eyes glaring at her. They were now long gone.
"Oh, up there?" Koto-san seemed to be taken back by what she had said. "It's nothing much. I just use the area for storage" The silence in the room was suddenly disrupted by an ominous humming sound. Ophelia looked around, and gasped a she noticed the glowing eyes all around her, along with long, armored feelers. She let out a scream, and Koto-san backed up into her. The two of them were surrounded by four human-sized mutated cockroaches!
Ophelia hadn't seen anything like it in her life. She knew they existed, but had been sure they lived strictly underground in the vast sewere systems and old abandoned subway tunnels of Sanction 9, feeding off the dead and nuclear waste.
"Mutated cockroaches! They feed in the sewers off our waste as well as the fallout from the factories! We cannot hope to fight them!" Koto-san clutched his cane as the giant man-eating insects closed in on them. Ophelia shivered, her back to the old man's. They were trapped!
Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a shot was fired! The bullet struck one of the beasts in the head, taking it down. Another shot extinguished it's life. The shot fired again, taking down another, followed by another! Whoever was firing what sounded like a revolver was a crack-shot! Within just a few minutes, the beasts were down for the count. Ophelia dropped to her knees, shaking so badly she couldn't stay standing. Koto-san looked up, just as stunned, and heard a loud crack. Right in front of their eyes, the weakened ceiling where the hole was gave way, and came crashing down. A shadowy figure let out a dumbstruck cry as it collided with the hardwood floor in a shower of dust and plaster powder.
Ophelia gasped, and as the dust cleared, her eyes fell on the figure who wasn't moving. She spotted the gun by the figure's side and realized that this person had just saved her life. Koto-san quickly moved over to the person and knelt by their side, placing his hand on the figure.
"GAUGE-SAN!" He cried out, picking the figure's torso up into his arms, and cradling it gently. Ophelia quickly confirmed that it was young male, around her age that had saved her and placed her hand to her mouth. Her nurse instinct kicked in as she heard him begin to cough.
"Gauge-san, are you all right? Are you hurt?" the elderly man asked as the young man continued to cough.
"I'm fine. Are you okay? I'm sorry I was so late!" He gasped for air as Koto-san helped him sit up. Ophelia's gaze fell on him as the young man noticed her standing there in her nurse's uniform. Locks of iron-straight silvery-gray hair fell away from his eyes and Ophelia's were now locked with his.
He was breathtaking in every way to her. Those ruby-red eyes were cat-like and surrounded by thick, dark lashes. One eye carried a long, deep scar that marred the perfectly pale flesh of his face. His hair was wild, but although wiry-looking, she imagined it to be as soft as satin by the way it shone in the darkness. She was so helplessly captivated by him, her eyes moving to his trim and slender body. He had a slightly detectable build, but was a bit too thin in her eyes. This didn't at all take away from his beauty. She was absolutely speechless.
Koto-san helped the young man, seemingly named "Gauge" to his feet, and this is when it occured to Ophelia that it was missing...
...His right arm.
All that remained was a small stump and a sorry excuse for a healed-over scar where the limb had once been. She noticed a filthy bandage wrapped part of his chest underneath his stained gauze shirt. A solitary silver cross dangled on a chain around his neck.
Gauge winced slightly, a sharp pain comming to his right shoulder.
"Your ARM!" Ophelia yelled out, covering her mouth with her hand. "It's GONE! What on earth happened to you? How did you lose it?"
Gauge turned away from the elderly man, whom he seemed to be very close to, and walked over to Ophelia. His slanted, eastern-looking eyes blinked and he tilted his head curiously. A hand suddenly reached out and yanked a lock of Ophelia's long hair.
She let out an angered cry of pain. "ARGH! LET GO OF ME!" Gauge examined her, pulling her close to him and wrapping his hand around her midsection. His hand reached up and grasped her breast firmly. Gauge grinned.
"Koto-san, who is this strange woman? Did you bring me another prostitute? This one has pretty hair! You remembered how much i love nurses!"
Ophelia wriggled out of his grasp and gave him a swift back-handed slap across the face. Gauge released her and dropped to the floor, his cheek swelling instantly. "HOW DARE you call me that!" she scowled at the pretty boy, watching him rub his painful right shoulder. He ignored the slap to tend to it, which puzzled Ophelia. She wondered what had happened to the poor guy to have him in so much pain. The amputation wound was clearly rather old, maybe by two years or so. She tried not to show her concern and kept an angry face.
"OOH Nursey is FIESTY! I like it!" He flipped his mop-like spiky hair back and grinned wide.
"Gauge-san, this is Ophelia. She is a nurse from the hospital. I assure you, she is pretty harmless" Koto-san explained, as Gauge once again stood up. He moved in on her, looking down, which wasn't far due to his only being 2 inches taller than her.
"Yeah, Harmless like a chainsaw! You brought me a REAL nurse?? You know how much I hate hospitals!" His eyes slowly drifted downward, and ophelia soon realized why. The top button of her white nurse uniform had come undone, exposing her rather sexy brassiere. Gauge was obviously VERY interested, reaching a hand out to honk her right breast. Ophelia intercepted, grabbing his wrist firmly before he could even try.
"Keep it up and you'll lose the OTHER arm!" she said through gritted teeth.
Gauge turned away from Ophelia, quickly losing interest as he saw the more than obvious wedding band on her finger. Ophelia noticed this and quickly became a bit saddened. Maybe she had been too hard on him. Another side of her was wishing she hadn't been so rude. After all, Gauge had just saved her life.
"Koto-san" Gauge's boyish, but smooth voice spoke, walking back to the old-man. "I'm headed out tonight. I have something I need to take care of. Will you be okay if I dont come back until tomorrow?"
Ophelia watched Gauge move carefully. He was masculine, yet at the same time, he had quite a few curves to him. In a way, he was almost slightly feminine as well. It was more than obvious he was male, but he was different... Much different in her eyes.
"I will be all right, but please promise me you will be careful, Gauge-san. Ever since Hazel passed away, you are all I have left in this world." Koto-san's voice was sincere in tone, and he placed a caring hand on Gauge's shoulder. Gauge quickly winced, a sharp pain once again filling his entire body. The old man had hit his wound.
"You can count on me! You know I'll be back." Gauge reassured the old-man, then looked over his shoulder to Ophelia who was still standing there, a look of concern on her face. "I'm sorry I touched you" he said, then turned away, heading back upstairs. He exited the room, slamming the door shut. It was an unintentional slam, but Ophelia couldn't help but know she had upset him.
Koto-san turned to her, his head hanging low. "Please forgive Gauge's rudeness. As you can imagine, with his being a clone, he's had it rough. He has been through a lot."
Ophelia's eyes looked away. "It's okay. I had no idea. I shouldn't have hit him. I only hope he isn't too mad at me."
"I'm sure he will be fine. Gauge is very strong... A true survivor. I haven't any idea where he came from, or if anybody even owns him. He first came to me a year ago... It was raining, and I found him huddled up in the alley beind my shop. He was injured and terribly ill with pneumonia. I, along with a dear friend nursed him back to health, and he has been working as a bodyguard for me ever since. About his arm... He has many deep scars other than that missing arm of his. They are quite old. I imagine him to be about 4 by the looks of him, and his mentality. somewhere along the lines he was involved in something awful... something completely life altering, and I have no idea what it could have been."
Ophelia looked to the floor where Gauge had fell, and noticed a small gray lump in the settled dust. She knelt down and scooped the object up in her hands, dusting it off carefully. When she could finally see what it was, she realized she was holding a plush cat. One of they eyes was faling out, and the bow around the neck was tattered. It belonged to Gauge.
"I have a favor to ask of you, Miss Ophelia. I told you a few days ago that we were robbed by bandits... Gauge was shot and I believe his wounds may be infected. Would you please take a look at him? I'm so worried because Gauge can be so stubborn."
Looking up to Koto-san, Ophelia nodded, agreeing to the deed. "Of course I will, Mr. Koto. You can count on me."
She smiled at the thought of getting a chance to see him again.
--
Gauge sat atop the building, looking onward at the city before him. He let out a cry of agony. grasping not only his shoulder but his left side as well. Ruby eyes looked to the sky, which was now darkened, but remained a hazy purple from the snow that was falling around him.
"Ellie," he whispered through his pain, then grasped the silver cross around his neck.
DISCLAIMER: This is a completely original work of fiction. Any resemblences to actual living or non-living persons/characters/celebrities, etc. are purely coincidental. Machinegun Angel and all of it's characters are legal copyright Sincerity D'Angelo/Plastic Love Studios. I reserve the right to take legal action against anyone who unlawfully uses these characters or their likenesses for any reason without my written consent.
The story begins with Ophelia Desdemona, a raven-haired, fair-skinned nurse working in a hospital. The world that surrounds her is full of chaos, as it is just 60 or so years following the collapse of society. It was the day nuclear war destroyed much of mankind and civilization. The world fell into a deep nuclear winter for nany, many years, killing off much of the plant an animal life, leaving much of the planet a barren wasteland. Now, after recovering slowly from darkness, those who have survived the end have begun to accept what their home had become. As the people began to rebuild, the world was seeming more like the late 1800s, early 1900s durring this 'industrial revolution". An Imperial government had risen to power not long before, composed of the brilliant scientists and politicians that had survived the last days. This empire is known as RUBICON. The hospital where the young nurse Ophelia works is part of RUBICON Industries, as this technology-hoarding empire supplies them with the power and supplies needed to care for it's patients-- for a very hefty price.
Ophelia hated the idea of working as a slave under the rule of a higher power. It was the story of her life, having been raised by an orphanage for as long as she could remember. Now at age 20, she could recall the early years of her life, living a child of the great war that plagued the world shortly after RUBICON's rise. It made her sick to know how they had devloped a means of harnessing electricity now that the sun was blocked out 65% of the year. She shuddered at the thought.
...Human Bodies.
Cloning had been developed not long after the desperate factions of RUBICON could no longer live off of contaminated fossil fuels and hydroelectricity due to ratiation that covered much of the land. Using the last of their energy, RUBICON split up into four main factions, OVERRIDE; which delt with scientific and medical matters, including cloning and genetics, NEO; weapons and robotics technology, SALVATION; being the agricultural and human 'outreach' aspect, and GENESIS; which centered on military and defense. OVERRIDE faction was responsible for developing human cloning in order to harness energy omitted from the human body. For a payment, commonfolk could have their bodies cloned and receive the power RUBICON would otherwise not offer to them, and keep to themselves. Their clones would remain in a lockdown facillity, deep in a comatose state, while wires and plugs drained them of their energy, producing massive amounts of electricity and power that could easilly be harnessed, and channeled just like back in the last days. Who needed the sun when you can play god.
But this was the start of a major revolution. The sub-humans created were thought to have been suffering greatly, which was the case indeed. The commonfolk felt great sympathy for them and formed a huge revolt against RUBICON in order to set them free. This caused an all-out war. Clones had been released into the world, and RUBICON wouldnt stand for it. NEO faction, alongside it's sister faction GENESIS sent out robotic mecha known as Sentinels, as well as human soldiers in order to retain order. The battle was brief, but in the end, the commonfolk lost, and RUBICON prevailed. Not without some changes though.
The clones released were not to return to RUBICON labs. They were now considered "contaminated" They outlawed "perfect cloning", which was the process of deleoping clones with a soul, and turned to building Drones... A human clone without a soul or a mind of its own. Simply an energy cell, and nothing else.
That was how it worked for many years afterward, even now. Although their cities, known as "Sanctions" were ruled by RUBICON, there still remained a few of the people who refused to live under such dictatorship. These people, known as Revolutionists, lived mostly in secrecy, some of them even being the very clones produced by them. Clones who lived in the world were forced to have medical therapy, and shots to prevent the spread of infection. They were also forced to register and receive a serial number in order to keep track of them. Revolutionists wanted nothing more than to stop the process of cloning. After all, the sun was beginning to appear more and more in the sky, and the climate was once again rising... But it was far too late for RUBICON, who kept on harvesting humans, despite the availibility of other methods.
The sanctions were also invaded by sentinels, and gigantic factories that produced them. RUBICON began hoarding everything from plastics, to food and plants, and de-contaminated water, all of the luxuries thatonce existed in the world before the last days. Pollution filled the air once again, blocking out the sun. It was as if the commonfolk were becomming more and more like slaves, which was true.
Ophelia felt this way as she gazed out the window of the hospital at the industrial wasteland she called home. Smokestacks filled the skyline, pumping flames and thick smoke into the atmosphere. She knew so much what it felt like to be a slave, but in her own personal way. Ever since she was sixteen, she recalled a man by the name of Dublin as her guardian and protector. He had found her after the orphanage that had raised her threw her out because she was too old. He offered her a home, and a place to work, which was the hospital where he worked himself, as a doctor. Dublin was much older than Ophelia, and very strict. However, he fell in love with the young woman and she could do nothing but return the 'love' in order to protect herself from him. He trained her to be a nurse and care for the sick and wounded, which became all she knew. The hospital, which was strictly for humans, refused to treat clones...
That is until Dublin was pushed to the side as owner. This infuriated Dublin, but he was given no chioce but to move aside and let this new female surgeon take his place. She treated clones as equals, and this made him even more angry. Ophelia found herself with no choice but to marry Dublin. He controlled her every move, and made her a captive of his world. Although usually, he treated her like a princess, Ophelia knew in her heart that Dublin would hurt her if she ever disobeyed his command.
A pale hand touched the windowpane before her, admiring the tiny white snowflakes dancing in the icy wind outside. She longed for nothing more than to expirience freedom... To see the world through different eyes. She would daydream like this constantly, and Dublin knew it. As usual, he interrupted her thoughts with his sinister voice.
"It never changes, Ophelia. I don't know why you keep thinking it will"
The raven-haired nurse turned, startled that she had been being watched by him. "Oh, I was just.. taking a short break..." she defended herself with, placing a hand over her heart to ease the heavy beating.
"Dreaming again I see. My dear Ophelia..." He approached her, placing an icy hand on her shoulder "...Do i not make you happy enough, that you must dream of something better?" His emerald eyes were like ice as they looked down at her. He was a very attractive man, but his darkness made him ugly in her eyes.
"For some of us, Dreams are all we have" Her voice spoke softly.
Dublin removed his hand and turned away from her. As much as he loved this woman, he hated her rebellious attitude with a passion. He felt compelled to slap her, but withheld his hand to avoid leaving a mark. Instead he grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the window. "I am going on my break now, Care to join me for a spell?"
Ophelia bowed her head, and turned away from him "Dublin, you know i have a lot of work to do. I have patients that need me up here in the ICU..."
"So let the other nurses take care of them. Besides, I have an order of buisness for you. Housekeeping staff is overrun with linen, and i need you to go down and help them do wash. One of our washers is down, so they may need assistance delivering linen to the local laundrettes. You are to help them but you are NOT to leave this hospital, do you understand me?" His voice was stern as he gave his command. Ophelia was angry, but tried her hardest not to show it. before him.
"Besides... I have heard about this new kind of weapon... RUBICON had created to keep us in order. It turns out the subject escaped not too long ago and is roaming free. Damned clones, always causing us such hardships with RUBICON. I dont want you leaving my jurisdiction until after this weapon is captured."
Ophelia turned to him with a look of disbeleif on her face. "Damned clones?? She questioned. "Those clones are humans too. They did not ask to be created, or to be set free into this world. I feel for them greatly." She hung her head in sadness. "I wish... they werent reated so terribly" she nearly turned to tears before Dublin interrupted her.
"They are nothing but energy cells, Ophelia. The ones that are loose in this world are the reason our hospital is so filled with sick and injured people. I want you to stay away from them , do you hear me? If there is one in this hospital, you are NOT to go near them" He touched her pale cheek with a cold hand. She shuddered. "Do you think i want to see my darling wife dying at the hands of those good-for-nothing sub-humans?
"Im going to complete the task assigned to me, Dublin. Good day." She walked away down the stairs, frustrated that someone could think such terrible things. In er heard she sympathized deeply with the clones. There was no way out for her. She was to be forever trapped in this terrible life of serving this man. At least that what she thought. She was completly unaware that her life was about to change.
Ophelia pushed through a pair of double doors and made her way down the hall to the back stairwell. As her black nurse's shoes clacked along the tiled steps, she gritted her teeth in anger that the man she agreed to marry could possibly be so ignorant. It hurt her heart to witness such hatered, but she also knew in her heart that it was the way of the world. Most humans deeply resented sub-humans. She wished that others could see the world through her eyes. She was begining to wonder if she too was a Revolutionist.
In the midst of thought, Ophelia's eyes never looked up to see the figure heading directly at her. With a crash, she nearly fell back. The other person, a slender, short young woman with glasses steadied herself by placing her hand on the wooden banister. "OH Monet! I didn't see you comming! I'm so sorry!"
Monet, who was not only Ophelia's friend, but the head surgeon at their hospital, known by the name of 'Serenity Hospital', gathered her things that has almost spilled, mostly medical charts, and smiled to Ophelia. "Where are you off to in such a hurry? Trying to escape Dublin again?" Monet was also known for her sharp tongue, and never ceased to amaze Ophelia.
"Heh, no... I'm just headed downstairs to help with some laundry folding. I was about to break, but I heard they could use some help. I thought I'd offer some assistance."
Monet was incredibly intellegent and knew the truth, yet she never questioned Ophelia. She knew exactly where her boundaries were, and chose not to get involved with her close friend's intimate affairs. "Well isn't that nice of you." She adjusted her glasses and smirked.
"Monet, can I ask you a question? Dublin told me something about... This weapon, created by RUBICON. Is he telling the truth, or do you think it's one of his scare-tactics to keep me under his watchful eye?"
Monet looked to the frosty window next to them in the stairwell. "Actually, It's true. On the radio I heard a report that sounded the same as what you're telling me Dublin told you. They won't release any details as to what kind of weapon it is, or why they built it. They're just saying he's a clone, unregistered and extremely dangerous. You weren't thinking of going out there were you?"
Ophelia lied. "Oh, of course not! It's far too dangerous! Besides, I don't know my way around too well. I'd probably get lost!" She laughed. Thankfully Monet could not see past her disguise.
"Do me a favor though," Monet began. "If you do go out, Don't let Dublin find out about it. Lord knows what would happen if he found out you were on the outside. He's so unpredictable."
The raven-haired one turned away. "Trust me, he's very predictable."
After he little run-in with Monet, Ophelia continued towards the laundry room. Upon arrival, she found mounds and mounds of soiled linen. This was about to be one huge task! Ophelia was used to grunt work, having orders thrown at her left and right. She knew it was all part of the territory, and it was better than living on the street.
"We need as much help as we can get! One of our housekeepers is now a patient. He was mugged by that same street gang that mugged Monet's husband Daisuke last week. The Cypress Alley... whatevers." A voice called out from across the room. Ophelia remembered hearing about Monet's husband being attacked. He hadn't been hurt too badly, but Ophelia remembered helping stitch him up afterwards. She bent down and began picking up rags, placing them into a bin labeled 'dirty'
"I'm not sure what I should do" Her voice spoke up so that they could hear her over the roar of the washing machine.
"Take this load to the laundromat on 158th street, and be sure to pick up the two loads that are finished on your way back. We're so behind, I'm not sure we will ever catch up!"
Ophelia's eyes widened. A delivery? Did this mean she could break free for just a few minutes and venture outside? It was her one opportunity to see something other than the inside of that dreary hospital. But did she dare defy Dublin's word? Surely it would mean disaster if he ever found out. But what did she care? How would he possibly know?
Without hesitation, Ophelia pulled the white nurse's cap off of her fluffy, slightly curled Locks and yanked the tie out of her ponytail. Long tendrils fell across her shoulders and she grabbed a nearby red coat. She didn't even care that it belonged to one of the housekeepers. Grabbing the four overstuffed sachels of dirty linen, she made her way to the back alleyway exit. "See you later! Be back soon!" she called out, but none of the housekeepers even noticed. They were too caught up in their work to even see the door opening and closing behind them.
Ophelia stepped out into the snowy, rather dreary afternoon. She walked down the alleyway trying desperately to hide her face. Once she reached the end of what seemed like forever, her eyes finally looked up to see the city in front of her.
She couldn't believe her eyes! The city that she called home, also known as "RUBICON Sanction 9" was pretty much what would be expected from a city recovering from a major nuclear blast. Although little significant damage was still prominent, and brick buildings now rose from the shattered foundations of those that once stood before them. The city was dark, and most of her surroundings were blackened by a thick fog of industrial smoke, pumped out by hundreds of smokestacks belonging to factories that produced the many nessecities they required to survive in such a harsh environment. Ophelia could see the lights of the gigantic generators off in the distance, flickering as they pumped the city full of life. Hundreds of people brushed past her, making their way through the crowded market center. At her feet was a torn-up, cracked street that probably once flourished with may automotives. Nowadays, vehicles were uncommon due to the cost of materials and fuel. Since RUBICON was the only source of this technology, most commonfolk were simply too poor to own any kind of transport vehicle. They relied solely on trains and whatever animals they could find to pull them around. Very few people were lucky enough to know someone who can repair lost of damaged technology without the help of RUBICON.
All around her, as she looked to the tops of the buildings, Ophelia witnessed signs. Large neon signs that advertised RUBICON industries. Paintings, much like those of the 1950's were plastered on the sides of buildings, telling of RUBICON's promises for a 'brighter future'. Ophelia had to laugh at the thought.
"Yeah, a brighter future as a SLAVE" She mumbled, then continued on her way. It wasn't at all uncommon to see brothels and whore houses along the streets where she walked. Most clones and non-conformist humans were so desperate for money they were willing to sell their bodies, especially clones. Next to product manufacturing, prostitution was the most common form of employment.
By the time Ophelia stopped to read a street sign, she suddenly realized that she had been daydreaming far too much, and had become lost. She was standing on the corner of a street who's sign had been scorched and melted. There was no way of telling where she was.
"Excuse me!" She walked over to a group of seemingly homeless people crowded around a lit barrel for warmth. "Can you tell me how to get to 158th street? I'm kinda lost"
One of the men, who had deep red eyes, and long matted gray hair, glared at her from beneath the blanket he was using as a cloak. "BITCH! Be gone with YOU! RUBICON scum!" the voice snarled. The others with him, one an older woman and the other, a younger woman, both filthy and having the same grey hair and red eyes as the man, also gave her daggers. It then occured to her that they were clones-- Homeless, unregistered clones. She approached them with a kind hand.
One of them grabbed a stick and lit it ablaze, swinging it in front of her face. "AWAY with you! Get out of here woman!"
Ophelia, who didn't eve hesitate to run, let out a cry and began to run. Her eyes swelled with tears as she was becomming more and more sorry she had ever left the safety of the hospital. Had Dublin been right? Were all clones dangerous, unforgiving creatures?
Not watching her step as she ran, Ophelia suddenly crashed into a set of charred garbage cans. She stumbled to to the curb, as huge rats jumped out of the rusty old barrels and scattered across the slushy street. She sat there for a moment on the icy, wet ground and caught her breath. She then placed a hand on her face and fell into tears. This was the world where she lived. There was no way she would ever be able to escape Dublin now, knowing what was out here. She felt hopeless, wet and cold, and desperately needed to get warm.
Behind her was a brick building that looked like an old-fashioned store. The windows were full of bullet holes, and huge iron gates covered the entire front door and windows, which were boarded up in various places. It was a small building in comparison to the others around it, being only two stories tall. Outside the front door hung a glowing red lantern, with a candle inside of it. Ophelia assumed the store was open by the lit candle. Who would leave a candle lit if nobody was home? Taking the bags in her hands, she dragged herself towards the entrance. She then pushed the heavy iron gate open and walked through the front door.
The inside of the shop was a bit dark, illuminated by a few lanterns here and there, and an occaional light from a window that hadn't been completely boarded up. The shop was filled with what looked to her like relics and antiques. Piles and shelves full of them, all from the previous era. This must be a thrift store of some kind. The air was heavy with a musty odor, mixed with the smell of pipe tobacco and clove cigarettes.
"Hello?" She spoke softly. Her voice was interrupted by a thud on the ceiling above her. "Is anybody there?" Ophelia turned around, noticing a pair of eyes peering at her from a hole in the ceiling. which had only been half boarded up. She had to do a double-take and when she looked back, the pair of eyes was gone.
Suddenly Ophelia heard the cocking of a shotgun, and she turned around quickly with a gasp. There in front of her was an elderly man of eastern descent, pointing a shotgun in her face.
"Are you going to buy anything, or not?" he growled at her, preparing to fire.
"No... I mean.. YES! Please don't shoot, Sir! I'm a nurse, from the Hospital! I just got lost trying to find my way home! I'll buy something if you'd like, just spare me, please!"
The old man lowered his gun and cackled. "heh heh. So you are! Sorry Miss,It's just that we were robbed a few days ago... by one of those damned street gangs. It was a violent robbery too. I still havent finished cleaning the blood from my floor."
Ophelia looked to her feet and saw the streaks and splatters of dried human blood. She stepped away, rather disturbed by the sight. "Im sorry" she muttered, placing the heavy bags down. "But, if it isn't any trouble, could you please give me directions to 158th street?"
The old man laughed. "ha ha! You're a long ways from uptown, nurse-chan! Youre in the slums. This is clone territory. They don't take too kindly to your kind around here."
"I noticed" Ophelia spoke softly. "It's not my choice i'm an uptown girl. I never wanted to be hated so much by them. I actually sympathize with the clones. They are treated so badly by us. I'm so ashamed to admit I work for RUBICON, but I had no choice."
The old man made his way out from behind the counter. "Yes, true. I'm an old man. Ive been around since the late 1900s. I've seen this world die, and be ressurected, only to once again begin to die a slow, painful death. I too sympathize with the clones, hated so deeply by those around them after never asking to be created in the first place."
Ophelia heard a shuffling on the ceiling once again.
"I am Shenji Koto, But most that know me simply call me Koto-San. And what is your name, nurse-chan?" He bowed to her respectfully.
"I am Ophelia" She hesitated. "What's upstairs?" Her eyes wandered back to the hole where she had seen that devious pair of cat-like eyes glaring at her. They were now long gone.
"Oh, up there?" Koto-san seemed to be taken back by what she had said. "It's nothing much. I just use the area for storage" The silence in the room was suddenly disrupted by an ominous humming sound. Ophelia looked around, and gasped a she noticed the glowing eyes all around her, along with long, armored feelers. She let out a scream, and Koto-san backed up into her. The two of them were surrounded by four human-sized mutated cockroaches!
Ophelia hadn't seen anything like it in her life. She knew they existed, but had been sure they lived strictly underground in the vast sewere systems and old abandoned subway tunnels of Sanction 9, feeding off the dead and nuclear waste.
"Mutated cockroaches! They feed in the sewers off our waste as well as the fallout from the factories! We cannot hope to fight them!" Koto-san clutched his cane as the giant man-eating insects closed in on them. Ophelia shivered, her back to the old man's. They were trapped!
Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a shot was fired! The bullet struck one of the beasts in the head, taking it down. Another shot extinguished it's life. The shot fired again, taking down another, followed by another! Whoever was firing what sounded like a revolver was a crack-shot! Within just a few minutes, the beasts were down for the count. Ophelia dropped to her knees, shaking so badly she couldn't stay standing. Koto-san looked up, just as stunned, and heard a loud crack. Right in front of their eyes, the weakened ceiling where the hole was gave way, and came crashing down. A shadowy figure let out a dumbstruck cry as it collided with the hardwood floor in a shower of dust and plaster powder.
Ophelia gasped, and as the dust cleared, her eyes fell on the figure who wasn't moving. She spotted the gun by the figure's side and realized that this person had just saved her life. Koto-san quickly moved over to the person and knelt by their side, placing his hand on the figure.
"GAUGE-SAN!" He cried out, picking the figure's torso up into his arms, and cradling it gently. Ophelia quickly confirmed that it was young male, around her age that had saved her and placed her hand to her mouth. Her nurse instinct kicked in as she heard him begin to cough.
"Gauge-san, are you all right? Are you hurt?" the elderly man asked as the young man continued to cough.
"I'm fine. Are you okay? I'm sorry I was so late!" He gasped for air as Koto-san helped him sit up. Ophelia's gaze fell on him as the young man noticed her standing there in her nurse's uniform. Locks of iron-straight silvery-gray hair fell away from his eyes and Ophelia's were now locked with his.
He was breathtaking in every way to her. Those ruby-red eyes were cat-like and surrounded by thick, dark lashes. One eye carried a long, deep scar that marred the perfectly pale flesh of his face. His hair was wild, but although wiry-looking, she imagined it to be as soft as satin by the way it shone in the darkness. She was so helplessly captivated by him, her eyes moving to his trim and slender body. He had a slightly detectable build, but was a bit too thin in her eyes. This didn't at all take away from his beauty. She was absolutely speechless.
Koto-san helped the young man, seemingly named "Gauge" to his feet, and this is when it occured to Ophelia that it was missing...
...His right arm.
All that remained was a small stump and a sorry excuse for a healed-over scar where the limb had once been. She noticed a filthy bandage wrapped part of his chest underneath his stained gauze shirt. A solitary silver cross dangled on a chain around his neck.
Gauge winced slightly, a sharp pain comming to his right shoulder.
"Your ARM!" Ophelia yelled out, covering her mouth with her hand. "It's GONE! What on earth happened to you? How did you lose it?"
Gauge turned away from the elderly man, whom he seemed to be very close to, and walked over to Ophelia. His slanted, eastern-looking eyes blinked and he tilted his head curiously. A hand suddenly reached out and yanked a lock of Ophelia's long hair.
She let out an angered cry of pain. "ARGH! LET GO OF ME!" Gauge examined her, pulling her close to him and wrapping his hand around her midsection. His hand reached up and grasped her breast firmly. Gauge grinned.
"Koto-san, who is this strange woman? Did you bring me another prostitute? This one has pretty hair! You remembered how much i love nurses!"
Ophelia wriggled out of his grasp and gave him a swift back-handed slap across the face. Gauge released her and dropped to the floor, his cheek swelling instantly. "HOW DARE you call me that!" she scowled at the pretty boy, watching him rub his painful right shoulder. He ignored the slap to tend to it, which puzzled Ophelia. She wondered what had happened to the poor guy to have him in so much pain. The amputation wound was clearly rather old, maybe by two years or so. She tried not to show her concern and kept an angry face.
"OOH Nursey is FIESTY! I like it!" He flipped his mop-like spiky hair back and grinned wide.
"Gauge-san, this is Ophelia. She is a nurse from the hospital. I assure you, she is pretty harmless" Koto-san explained, as Gauge once again stood up. He moved in on her, looking down, which wasn't far due to his only being 2 inches taller than her.
"Yeah, Harmless like a chainsaw! You brought me a REAL nurse?? You know how much I hate hospitals!" His eyes slowly drifted downward, and ophelia soon realized why. The top button of her white nurse uniform had come undone, exposing her rather sexy brassiere. Gauge was obviously VERY interested, reaching a hand out to honk her right breast. Ophelia intercepted, grabbing his wrist firmly before he could even try.
"Keep it up and you'll lose the OTHER arm!" she said through gritted teeth.
Gauge turned away from Ophelia, quickly losing interest as he saw the more than obvious wedding band on her finger. Ophelia noticed this and quickly became a bit saddened. Maybe she had been too hard on him. Another side of her was wishing she hadn't been so rude. After all, Gauge had just saved her life.
"Koto-san" Gauge's boyish, but smooth voice spoke, walking back to the old-man. "I'm headed out tonight. I have something I need to take care of. Will you be okay if I dont come back until tomorrow?"
Ophelia watched Gauge move carefully. He was masculine, yet at the same time, he had quite a few curves to him. In a way, he was almost slightly feminine as well. It was more than obvious he was male, but he was different... Much different in her eyes.
"I will be all right, but please promise me you will be careful, Gauge-san. Ever since Hazel passed away, you are all I have left in this world." Koto-san's voice was sincere in tone, and he placed a caring hand on Gauge's shoulder. Gauge quickly winced, a sharp pain once again filling his entire body. The old man had hit his wound.
"You can count on me! You know I'll be back." Gauge reassured the old-man, then looked over his shoulder to Ophelia who was still standing there, a look of concern on her face. "I'm sorry I touched you" he said, then turned away, heading back upstairs. He exited the room, slamming the door shut. It was an unintentional slam, but Ophelia couldn't help but know she had upset him.
Koto-san turned to her, his head hanging low. "Please forgive Gauge's rudeness. As you can imagine, with his being a clone, he's had it rough. He has been through a lot."
Ophelia's eyes looked away. "It's okay. I had no idea. I shouldn't have hit him. I only hope he isn't too mad at me."
"I'm sure he will be fine. Gauge is very strong... A true survivor. I haven't any idea where he came from, or if anybody even owns him. He first came to me a year ago... It was raining, and I found him huddled up in the alley beind my shop. He was injured and terribly ill with pneumonia. I, along with a dear friend nursed him back to health, and he has been working as a bodyguard for me ever since. About his arm... He has many deep scars other than that missing arm of his. They are quite old. I imagine him to be about 4 by the looks of him, and his mentality. somewhere along the lines he was involved in something awful... something completely life altering, and I have no idea what it could have been."
Ophelia looked to the floor where Gauge had fell, and noticed a small gray lump in the settled dust. She knelt down and scooped the object up in her hands, dusting it off carefully. When she could finally see what it was, she realized she was holding a plush cat. One of they eyes was faling out, and the bow around the neck was tattered. It belonged to Gauge.
"I have a favor to ask of you, Miss Ophelia. I told you a few days ago that we were robbed by bandits... Gauge was shot and I believe his wounds may be infected. Would you please take a look at him? I'm so worried because Gauge can be so stubborn."
Looking up to Koto-san, Ophelia nodded, agreeing to the deed. "Of course I will, Mr. Koto. You can count on me."
She smiled at the thought of getting a chance to see him again.
--
Gauge sat atop the building, looking onward at the city before him. He let out a cry of agony. grasping not only his shoulder but his left side as well. Ruby eyes looked to the sky, which was now darkened, but remained a hazy purple from the snow that was falling around him.
"Ellie," he whispered through his pain, then grasped the silver cross around his neck.