Zone Of The Enders Fan Fiction ❯ Zone of the Enders: Triad 2177 ❯ Suggestions ( Chapter 22 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Silvace Atronach 
Many people make a few good suggestions as the battle ends and the aftermath settles in.
Non Anime: Zone Of The Enders Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Sci-fi / Romance / Mecha / Comedy / Adventure / Action / Angst | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 02.16.2004 | Pages: 7 | Words: 8.4K | Visits: 192 | Status: Completed
Many people make a few good suggestions as the battle ends and the aftermath settles in.
Non Anime: Zone Of The Enders Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Sci-fi / Romance / Mecha / Comedy / Adventure / Action / Angst | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 02.16.2004 | Pages: 7 | Words: 8.4K | Visits: 192 | Status: Completed
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<CENTER><I>"But if you want the answers, You better get ready for the fire"
<BR>- System of a Down, from "Suggestions"</I></CENTER>
<CENTER><P>-----------------------------</P></CENTE R>
<P>"So you say, huh?" Leo said, thinking over Nash's recollection of the battle.
<P>"Big blob, scooped up in a ship, and left. Simple as that," Nash said, nodding.
<P>Leo sighed, gazing over the scene there in the middle of the terraformed Martian outback. Freya was bent down beside Masamune with Vera sitting on the edge of Masamune's open cockpit, staring at the unconscious Miryhn. Judas sat on a rock, Michael behind him, staring at the ground in thought. Zeus was beside it and beside Zeus were Durandal, Ardjet, and Jehuty all in kneeling position. Dingo was on top of Durandal, examining the area while Ken wandered over to where Vera was. Leo and Nash were standing in between Zeus and Jehuty, talking amongst themselves.
<P>"For such a violent, one-sided battle, it's amazingly clean out here. They weren't serious about it eating LEVs and people, was it?" Dingo said to himself, a hand at his forehead to shade the sun. He carefully climbed back down the Frame and stepped up beside Leo. "I'm absolutely dumbstruck. You're serious about everything you just said?" he said, glancing at Nash.
<P>"I'm dead serious. I have three other witnesses here to back me up," Nash said, nodding his head towards the others.
<P>"What could have done this? I mean, I'd hate to sound like a cliche clueless movie extra, but just what in the hell was it?" Leo said, turning to Dingo.
<P>Vera was a little apprehensive about touching him. This was the second time she found Miryhn passed out in a cockpit, but somehow, in front of everyone else, it would have been a bit embarrassing to show too much concern. Still, he might have had a concussion or was in a coma...or worst. She was worried, but knew he'd been through worst and survived; why not now?
<P>"You sure he isn't just asleep?" Ken's voice said from behind.
<P>Vera looked down at Ken, climbing up the side of Masamune's cockpit. "Why would he be?"
<P>"Trust me, I deal with the laziest man on Mars on a daily basis. He sleeps like bear, smells like one often too," Ken said, standing up in the floor of the cockpit in front of Miryhn.
<P>"Don't do anything to him. He might be hurt," Vera pleaded.
<P>Ken grabbed Miryhn's shoulder and shook it some. Miryhn's body waved around lifeless. Ken sloped her brow and put her foot in his abdomen, jamming it into him a few times. Miryhn didn't respond.
<P>"I told you, he's out cold. We don't know what's wrong with him," Vera said loudly.
<P>"Nonsense! Watch!" Ken said, sneering. She raised her hand and smacked Miryhn clean across the face. His face instantly sprung to life, wide-eyed and awake.
<P>"Damn! I'm up! Sheesh!" Miryhn shouted, grabbing his now beat-red cheek. "Oh, um, hi?"
<P>"Told 'ya it'd work," Ken said, turning her head and giving Vera a smug grin. She smiled proudly and hopped out of the cockpit, walking back toward Dingo and Leo.
<P>"What's her problem?" Miryhn said, starting to stand up.
<P>"What were you doing?" Vera shouted, sending Miryhn staggering back to his seat.
<P>"What? Huh?" Miryhn said, groggy and puzzled.
<P>"You were asleep the whole time? Do you have any idea how worried I was? You idiot!" Vera shouted, folding her arms and turning her head away with an angry look on her face.
<P>"What are you talking about?" Miryhn tried to ask, but Vera hopped off Masamune and walked away. With a sigh, Miryhn stood up and climbed down out the cockpit. He began walking towards the others, rubbing his face like he had just had a very uncomfortable sleep.
<P>"It was obviously something created of Metatron. Nothing else could stand up to it," Nash said, shrugging.
<P>"But 'liquid' Metatron? That doesn't exist, does it?" Leo replied, looking at Nash to Dingo.
<P>Dingo rubbed his chin, completely puzzled.
<P>"You all should stop speculating. You saw it with your own eyes. The blob, Merkava, all of you witnessed it in some way or form," Judas said loudly enough for the other six to hear.
<P>Everybody stood in place, glancing at Judas.
<P>"You heard me," Judas said, gazing from his far right, Nash, to his far left, Miryhn.
<P>"You know something, don't you?" Dingo said, charging towards Judas. He reached down and grabbed Judas by his shirt, pulling him up.
<P>"Of course I know something, I use to work for them," Judas said, keeping a serious look in Dingo's intense stare.
<P>"Who's 'them'?" Dingo demanded to know.
<P>"The Seraphic Order. The bringers of a new age of mankind. The ones who, supposedly, will bring about mankind's 'salvation from itself' through Metatron. We worship the stuff, even make our weapons out of it," Judas explained.
<P>"Are you some kind of cult?" Dingo asked, same tone as before.
<P>"Cult, no, organization, yes," Judas replied.
<P>"So you're more like a religion?"
<P>"Perhaps, if you want to call it that," Judas said, glancing to the side. The others had gathered around the two of them in a semi-circle, all curious.
<P>"Dingo, put him down. He can answer your questions sitting, can't he?" Ken said sternly.
<P>Dingo shot his gaze back to meet Ken's angry stare. He thinned his eyes and put Judas back down on his rock. Instead, he took out his Enforcer and clicked off the safety. "Fine, but you're not going anywhere until you tell me the whole truth. Like, for example, how do I know you're not just bullshitting?"
<P>"Why would I?" Judas said, giving Dingo and angry sneer.
<P>"He's not lying," Miryhn chimed in.
<P>Dingo slowly turned his gaze to Miryhn. "And how do you know that?"
<P>"That Frame he pilots, it's the exact same model as the one that I fought a while back. One of their members went after me," Miryhn explained.
<P>"That was Lazarus. He's our leader," Judas commented.
<P>"And he's right about wielding Metatron weaponry, they gave me one when later they kidnapped me," Miryhn added.
<P>"Wait, wait, you're telling me that you're a part of this too?" Dingo said, shaking his head in confusion.
<P>"Not at all by my choice," Miryhn replied, folding his arms.
<P>"The reason Miryhn is involved is unknown to me. Only the higher-ups like Lazarus and Joker know that information," Judas said, looking at the ground.
<P>"Alright, all this business with Miryhn doesn't matter to me, there's no need to explain," Dingo said, sighing. "Just tell me, what was that thing and what are they going to do with it?"
<P>"Lazarus calls it 'a mighty vessel for God's wrath'. I guess it's suppose to be his doomsday device, something he'll use to exercise his vision through," Judas explained, looking back up at Dingo.
<P>"Orbital Frame Deus," Miryhn said softly.
<P>Everyone turned their sight to Miryhn.
<P>Miryhn, sensing everyone's gaze, looked across the group and grimaced. "Hey! Don't stare at me!"
<P>"What did you say?" Dingo said, puzzled.
<P>"The way Judas just talked about it, it reminded me of something Joker once rambled about when I confronted him," Miryhn explained.
<P>"Wait, you've met the leader and this 'Joker' guy?" Dingo asked.
<P>"And lived," Judas said under his breath.
<P>Dingo caught what Judas said, but kept his eyes on Miryhn.
<P>"Well, yeah! They both kicked my ass and left me for dead, but yeah," Miryhn said, shrugging.
<P>"And what is, exactly, 'Orbital Frame Deus'?" Dingo asked.
<P>"Don't know, all I heard was a name. As Judas said, Joker and Lazarus are probably the only ones who know," Miryhn explained.
<P>"That thing wasn't an Orbital Frame, though!" Nash chimed in.
<P>"Yeah, it it didn't even have shape, or form, or anything! It was like a jell-o mold!" Vera added.
<P>"Whatever it was, they took it in Merkava," Judas said, looking down.
<P>"And what, exactly, is 'Merkava'?" Dingo asked. "You don't mean that old BAHRAM Margaritifier-class ship I saw leaving the atmosphere, do you?"
<P>"Exactly that," Judas replied.
<P>"And what do you know about that?"
<P>"I saw it, a few years back, and someone told me its name," Judas said, thinking back. He remembered back to the day where he first heard about it, when that man pulled him aside and told him- "That's all I know."
<P>"So let me get this straight, a crazy cult is flying old battleships around carrying blobs of Metatron that wipe out small militias?" Dingo said, rolling his head back as he thought.
<P>Judas slowly nodded.
<P>"And they want to kill you, but they also are being beneficial to you?" Dingo continued to ask, turning to Miryhn.
<P>Miryhn shrugged.
<P>Dingo stared off for a moment. "I'm going fucking nuts, I know it now."
<P>"I don't find it so hard to believe," Leo said, grabbing the attention of the group. "We still don't know everything there is to know about Metatron, do we? We being the collective human race, that is. I mean, if it means protecting innocent lives, then I'm willing to do something about this...'religion' or 'cult' or whatever."
<P>"You can't possibly hope to stop them," Judas said, sighing.
<P>"And why the hell not?" Dingo asked.
<P>"Trust me, no normal man can stand up to these people. They're above mankind," Judas said, looking up at each of them.
<P>"Presumptuous son of a bitch," Dingo muttered. "Look, you, the kid's right. As long as people's lives are at stake, something has got to be done about it," Dingo said, pushing it way out of the semi-circle and looking across the battlefield. He looked to each far side and then back at the open semi-circle. "I don't care who it is, I'm going to put an end to them if they're capable of all this."
<P>"There's no need. My brother...I mean, half-brother is going to take care of them eventually. I'd suggest you not get involved in his conflict," Judas said aloud, standing up.
<P>"What do you mean by that?" Leo said, curious.
<P>"My half-brother, Trent, use to be the leader of that group. He wanted nothing of the madness going on now among the Seraphs. But Lazarus and Joker seized control and now he's planning a coup," Judas explained.
<P>"Alright, we'll, I'll go ally with him and help out. Of course, after that, the military might step in and assimilate the group-" Dingo began to say.
<P>"I can assure you that he'll never place his trust with an Earth military officer, assuming that's what you are. Even if you're just with the Peacekeeping force, he'd never, ever, work with your kind," Judas said with conviction.
<P>Dingo sneered. "Fine then! I'll just do it myself! No, we will!" he shouted, pointing to Ken and Leo after his statement.
<P>"You know I'm for any plan you're for," Ken said, smiling in reply.
<P>"I would have done something even if you weren't," Leo said, laughing.
<P>"You're all going to die trying. No one can stop them!" Judas pleaded.
<P>"That's what they said about BAHRAM and look what I did!" Dingo said with a boastful laugh.
<P>Ken stepped on Dingo's foot. "Excuse him, he's in need of a lesson in humility."
<P>Leo laughed some more and shrugged for his companions.
<P>Judas bit his lip, frustrated with how hard-headed these three were.
<P>"And what about you three?" Dingo said, looking at Miryhn, Vera, and Nash.
<P>Vera and Nash had been entranced, staring at the conversation like it was a TV they were watching. They simulaneously looked at Dingo.
<P>Miryhn had his arms folded and was staring at the ground. He looked up and to the side at Dingo. "I'm not doing shit," he said simply.
<P>"You mean after trying to kill you, you aren't going to do anything about them? What if they come after you again?" Leo exclaimed.
<P>"I don't care. I honestly don't. I have my own problems to deal with, and besides, I have nothing to gain by fighting back. I'm not joining either side of this shit-storm," Miryhn said firmly.
<P>"But Miryhn, they're right! How can we just sit back and let these people kill innocent people?" Vera said, looking up at Miryhn.
<P>Miryhn turned his gaze to the other side. Vera bit her lip and began to look saddened.
<P>"He's right, Vera," Nash chimed in. "I really don't care about fighting anymore either. In fact, I'm considering cashing in my Frame and just sticking to the mechanic's way of life. Any of us could have died in that battle and if that's what we're dealing with, I'd rather not take my chances."
<P>"But...but..." Vera said, about to cry.
<P>"The only reason I even came out here is because I was getting paid, you know. I get absolutely nothing out of saving lives. I did at one time, but then I found out I was just being used, so it kind of soured the taste for me," Miryhn said, looking back at Vera. "And besides, I'm sick of fighting crazed lunatics. For the past two months, I've fought an overzealous British environmental activist, a corpse in a space suit, an religiously obsessed ex-ally, a woman who's literally in love with Metatron, and worst of all, a demented martial arts anime otaku! Why can't normal people be pissed at me?" he cried out.
<P>Everyone stared at Miryhn.
<P>"Forget it, I'm going home if the rest of you are done with me here," Miryhn said, sighing and heading for Masamune.
<P>Dingo stepped forward, remembering something after being reminded by Ken's remark about humility. "Hey, look, I'm sorry last time. I let my pride get to my head and all, alright? If it's because of me, then just let it all be water under the bridge, okay?"
<P>Ken smiled and hugged Dingo.
<P>"It's not you, it's not anyone, alright? It's just...well, I have something to do first. After that, maybe...if you pay me enough, that is. I don't feel like doing anything for free," Miryhn said, stopping and turning his gaze back towards the others.
<P>"If that's your decision, then I'm going to have to treat you as an obstacle in this dilemma. You're a target, Miryhn, they want something from you or want you dead," Dingo explained. "I'm not going to beg for anyone's help, but considering your situation, but I suggest you get someone else's."
<P>"Whatever," Miryhn said, continuing to leave.
<P>Vera wiped her eyes, leaving for Freya. "Come on, Nash, let's just forget any of this happened. Miryhn's right, what place do we have in this?"
<P>"Sorry, no-can-do," Nash said, giving Dingo a smug grin and jogging back to Zeus. All three Frames took off overhead within a moment.
<P>"As for you, I'm keeping an eye on you," Dingo said, putting his gun away and facing Judas. "You might be handy for information. What are you doing here anyway?"
<P>"I live with them," Judas said, jerking his thumb in the direction Miryhn, Vera, and Nash left in.
<P>"Good, good, I look forward to future business prospects," Dingo said, smiling.
<P>"Right, well, I have to get going. But still, I urge you not to get mixed up in this," Judas said, shaking his head.
<P>"And I have a suggestion for you. You don't tell Dingo Egret what to do and not do!" Dingo said proudly.
<P>"Or us," Leo added, pointing to himself and Ken, feeling a bit left out of Dingo's announcement.
<P>Judas sighed and headed back to Michael. In a moment, the Frame left.
<P>"Well, time to get on our new case!" Dingo said, clapping his hands together.
<P>"Huzzah," Leo mumbled, shuffling back to Jehuty.
<P>"Huzzah, indeed!" Ken said, jogging back to Ardjet.
<P>"Was that sarcasm? Hey, wait!" Dingo shouted, running for Durandal.
<CENTER><P>-----------------------------</P></CENTE R>
<P>Maria Beardsley slid her cash card through the slot on the jukebox, then pressed the button for a single track play. She flipped through the album list and picked the most solemn song she could find and picked it. Sitting back down at the bar, she ordered a drink and sighed before taking a long sip of it. She sat there, clad in white high-heeled boots, white form-fitting pants, a white long-sleeve top that laced up the middle from her belly-button to her cleavage, and a brown coat with fur trim.
<P>"So what's a pretty thing like you doing in this rotten old town?" the bartender asked, smiling.
<P>"Don't hit on me, I don't feel like it right now," Maria said, rolling her eyes.
<P>"Hey, calm down, just being friendly," the bartender replied, shrugging.
<P>"Well, don't get too friendly or I'll stab your eyes out," Maria said firmly, then taking another sip of her drink.
<P>"Man, what a bitch," the bartender mumbled.
<P>Maria ignored that comment.
<P>"So really, why are you here?"
<P>"I'm...hiding for the time being. I need to stay here on Callisto until things calm down. I want to go back to someone I really care about, but I can't with trouble following me. As far as they should know, I'm as good as dead," Maria replied, tracing the top of the mug with her carefully red-painted fingernail.
<P>"Damn, that's nothing new. I can guarantee you that ninety-nine percent of everyone on this snowball are just people who ran away and are in hiding," the bartender replied, leaning against a cabinet of liquor. "Everyone here is some form of scum, even me! I owe thousands in back-taxes back on Earth! You'll find one of everyone here, you know. Thieves, scam-artists, liars-"
<P>"Will you shut the hell up already?" Maria snapped.
<P>Ever patron in the bar glanced at her, then went back to their business.
<P>"Sheesh, sorry, alright?" the bartender said, then stepped away.
<P>Of course, that's why she was there; she was hiding from the slowly collapsing Stein syndicate, right? Nash told her to hide here, right? Everything would be okay as soon as she could get in touch with him, right? Everything was going to be alright.
<P>Things couldn't be alright. Maria was so scared she could hardly stem her tears most of the time. She was about to break down right there at the counter of the bar, but like before, she simply knocked back a gulp of the swill she ordered every time and kept it to herself. She couldn't show weakness around these parts; she never knew who or what was lying in wait to get at her. She wanted nothing more than to go back to Nash, but she had no idea where to start to look; that, and she wasn't sure if he'd go looking for her. She sighed and laid her head on the counter-top, wishing there was a way she could just leave this living hell and move on.
<P>"Excuse me, but I have to see you outside about something, lady," a voice said from behind.
<P>Maria didn't care; she didn't move a muscle. Something jabbed into her back.
<P>"That ain't my dick, lady. I think you know exactly what I want, now get outside," the obviously male voice said.
<P>Maria sighed and climbed off her chair. She stood right in front of the man, his face obscured by a low-worn hat and body by a long coat, and smiled brightly. "Oh, I think I know exactly what you want," she said as sensually as possible. She slowly reached to her front and grabbed one of the strings holding her top across her body showing off her features.
<P>"Hey, wait a sec-" the man began to say.
<P>"Oh, don't play with me! I know what you're getting at," Maria said with a playful giggle. With one pull, her top opened and exposed her breasts to the man. The man's eyes widened right before Maria grabbed her mug and smashed it against the counter. She swung the jagged glass handle forward right into the man's left eye. He screamed in pain and Maria threw her other arm back and slashed open his throat with her fingernails in one quick swipe. The man fell to his back, juggular spraying blood around and he passed out, dead.
<P>Many of the bar patrons ran like hell out the door. Most just sat and kept to themselves.
<P>"Hey, now, what's this all about?" the bartender shouted, running back down the bar to Maria.
<P>"Sorry about the mess," Maria said, clumsily tying her top back up before anyone else could get a peek.
<P>"Lady, you just killed someone in my bar!" the bartender screamed.
<P>"I'm afraid that's what I do best...kill people, that is," Maria said with a sigh, wiping flecks of blood off herself.
<P>"Look, you're driving off business, just get out of here! I'd suggest you leave town too, you never know how important a life you take around here might be," the bartender commanded.
<P>"Fine, I was thinking of moving on from this town anyway. Nowhere decent to stay anyway. I suggest you clean that up too," Maria said, sighing and buttoning up her coat.
<P>The bartender couldn't help but be curious as she was leaving. "Is that why you painted your nails red?"
<P>Maria stopped for a moment. "It isn't nail polish," she said bluntly, then continued out the door. She stepped out onto the street, holding the top of her coat closed in the frosty air and continued down the street in an arbitrary sense of direction choice. There wasn't a set place to go when you're wandering around in Hell, after all.
<P>Something on the horizon, just below the heavily overcast skies caught her attention. She stopped at the corner of the block and looked up, seeing something flying towards the mountains in the south. "Wonder what that is. There's no spaceports anywhere around here, or to the south of the settlements," she said to herself. With a shrug, Maria sighed and turned to cross the street where no cars were moving and no one did anything but sit on their front steps and wallow in misery...
<CENTER><P>-----------------------------</P></CENTE R>
<P>"Tests show that we left it to incubate for far too long," Cyril said, looking down at the pit where the blob sat quietly.
<P>"Well that was brilliant," Sylfa said, rolling her eyes.
<P>"How were we suppose to know? Our data on it is incomplete," Annallee said, walking across the catwalk of the Merkava hold that was carrying the blob. The Seraphs, save Quinn and Lazarus, were scattered across it.
<P>"How can someone blame it? It's more anxious than we are," Leonard said, folding his arms.
<P>"Leonard, don't act as if you know anything about this matter. The fact is, as anxious as it was, there is no way in hell anyone could have released it," Sylfa pointed out.
<P>"Unless it released itself," Trent said, raising his voice for once, loud enough to interrupt. He quietly walked up to the railing and looked down at the quietly stewing blob. "It is the vessel of God, right? Or so Lazarus claims."
<P>Joker, leaned against a wall with his hands behind his head, frowned at the debate. They had been arguing for fifteen minutes so far. He closed his eyes and smirked, chuckling to himself.
<P>"You know what? All of you just stop it!" Annallee commanded. "We have it here with us now, who cares how it was released? We'll begin the formation process immediately as per Lazarus's defined schedule."
<P>"That sounds great, but we're still missing the other one, thanks to someone," Leonard said, glaring at Trent.
<P>Trent returned the glare with his icy stare. "That was no one's fault," he said simply.
<P>"In the meantime, half of us are to engage in the formation. Lazarus has asked that some participate in the execution of Thanatos. He's of no use to us anymore and Lazarus wants him eliminated as to ease his own mind," Annallee commanded.
<P>"Of course, I'll be heading the formation. I'm not that interested in bloodshed and all those kinds of nasty things," Cyril said, making a disgusted face.
<P>"And Joker, you've been asked to be a supervisor in tracking Thanatos. Supposedly your time on Mars grants you favor with Lazarus in his decision, however, since you failed to kill him once, you are to no longer engage him," Annallee said, turning around to Joker.
<P>"What? But I'm the most fearsome of all of you! How can he command that?" Joker shouted, leaning off the wall and taking a step forward.
<P>Annallee walked up to Joker and grabbed him by the throat, pulling him to her level, face-to-face. "This isn't about your fucking vendetta, McArthur Anderson! Personally, I don't blame Lazarus for taking you off the case. All you ever do is talk about 'King'-this and 'King'-that. I'm even more fed up with you fucking things up than Lazarus is and you should be grateful he's being ten times as patient as I am!" she said in a whisper. She let go, keeping her eyes on his as he stood back upright. After a good, long stare, she turned back to the others. "You have your orders! I'd suggest you all get on it right away! Go, in the name of God!"
<P>"Amen!" the others replied, bowing their heads. Joker didn't reply.
<P>Annallee turned around, giving Joker another cold stare. Joker thinned his eyes and smirked. "Amen," he said, bowing his head.
<P>Annallee marched out the door, leaving the others to themselves.
<P>"What an ice queen," Leonard said, shaking his head. "Strict, but firm, and phew, I do mean firm," he said, outlining an hourglass figure with his index fingers.
<P>"Pig," Sylfa said, heading out the door.
<P>"Hey, come on! I'm more than just perverted comic relief! Give me a break!" Leonard pleaded, leaving as well.
<P>"Well, I'm going to get something to eat before work. Toodles," Cyril said, shuffling out the door.
<P>Trent and Joker were left, looking at one another.
<P>"The plan is almost complete," Trent said in his usual monotone.
<P>"Indeed it is," Joker replied, still smirking.
<P>"But I'm curious. What if it doesn't accept any of us? Or, what if one of us were to seize it and betray Lazarus?"
<P>Joker chuckled. "Then they'd truly be the wisest of the group. Who's stupid enough to trust this thing with more than one person? After someone is accepted into the vessel, what about the others? They'll just be useless then."
<P>"Indeed," Trent replied, looking down at the blob. "Who is stupid enough to trust this thing with more than one person?"
<P>"I'd suggest that you don't trust anyone around here until it all comes down to it, Trent," Joker said, starting to leave.
<P>"Likewise, I suggest the same, McArthur," Trent said, nodding.
<CENTER><P>-----------------------------</P></CENTE R>
<P>"How much did we loose?" Norris asked, sipping at his glass of wine and staring out the window from his chair.
<P>"Total damage estimates at around thirty billion credits. I'd suggest going for repairing what we have first," Lamar replied, reading off a clipboard.
<P>Norris sighed in reply. "Fine, pay it, just replace and repair everything you can as soon as possible. Make sure Wolfgang knows this, his unit got the worst of it."
<P>"Yes, sir," Lamar said, nodding.
<P>"Look at it, Lamar," Norris said before taking a sip of his glass.
<P>Lamar looked up at the back of Norris's chair, curious.
<P>"The first snow of the season," Norris said, smiling. Outside, snow was beginning to come down. "Unlike Earth, Mars has a longer revolutionary period around the sun, so the seasons last longer than they normally would for an Earther. Or at least that's how climatrol for the spheres is set up. This is going to be one hell of a winter from here on out."
<P>"Do you mean something by that, sir? I'm beginning to see that you speak in rather vague platitudes," Lamar said, smirking.
<P>Norris paused for a moment or two, then took a sip of his wine. "No, absolutely nothing, I just like snow, that's all. I'd suggest you learn to enjoy it if you haven't Lamar. This winter will probably be a long, harsh one if the snow has already started."
<P>"If you say so. Have a good day, sir," Lamar said, then stepped out of the office.
<P>Norris continued to stare out the window, lost in thought. "To come so far, only to have the past catch up to me," he said, propping his head against the arm of the chair with his free hand.
<CENTER><P>-----------------------------</P></CENTE R>
<P>Browning staggered back into the filing cabinet after the hard punch to his stomach. The two soldiers behind General Majetsu* raised their rifles, obviously with every intention to kill him in the drop of a hat.
<P>"Major General, my patience is wearing thin. Where did you send those three Frames? My men ran a thorough inspection on your warehouse and found no trace of them. Your underlings refuse to speak and deny their existence, but records show Jehuty, Ardjet, and Durandal were stored here," Majetsu demanded to know.
<P>"I moved them to a different spot. Terrorists were rumored as trying to pry into here and steal Jehuty for an uprising. The paperwork just hasn't been completed," Browning replied after getting his breath back.
<P>Majetsu thinned his eyes. "I don't believe you."
<P>Browning looked up at him and sneered. Majetsu was the High Command sympathizer who was in control of Deimos during the affair with Radium Lavans attacking the Orbital Elevator. Although he screwed up by falling for Radium's trap, leaving a decoy rebellion on Mars while Radium invaded, Majetsu's undying support (ass-kissing) for the re-invasion of Mars granted him much clout with High Command. He was just as jaded as they were and he hated Browning and his humanistic sympathies more than anything else on Mars.
<P>"Tell me or I'll execute you now on the grounds of treason with unsupported evidence otherwise. Armed citizens are firing amongst each other in the street thanks to that asinine gang war and the U.C.M. Peacekeeping Force and the Earth military alike are unable to stop it, not to mention pathetic terrorist attacks on the military. With all this violence prohibiting High Command's plans, this is the last thing we need! If you're responsible for the release of Orbital Frame technology among the masses, then I can assure you you won't live to see another day," Majetsu said firmly.
<P>Browning gritted his teeth. He couldn't die here, not now; there was too much riding on his survival. However, if he told them, Elena and her group would be at risk; De Franz wouldn't hesitate at all to execute them. High Command would condemn any Martian riding in an Orbital Frame from here on and anyone responsible. Either way, he was screwed, but he had to get Majetsu out of there so he could warn Elena in time. "I gave them back to their owners. They barged in, waving guns around, and demanded to have them back. They were sick of being screwed around with by High Command, saying LEVs weren't enough to deal with the dangers they were put up against. They hated High Command, even blamed them for deliberately putting them in danger," he explained.
<P>"That's blatant defiance of protocol! You don't mean Leo Stenbuck and Dingo Egret and his Martian whores, do you?" Majetsu said, hot with anger.
<P>Browning sighed, having sealed their fates. He slowly nodded in response.
<P>"You just bought yourself some times before an official investigation is in effect. I still don't believe you, but the most important thing now is to report this to High Command and have those traitors dealt with! I'd suggest you not do anything stupid, Major General, we'll have an eye on you as of immediately," Majetsu said, turning to his men and waving for them to follow as he charged out of the office.
<P>Browning sighed and stepped over to his liquor cabinet, grabbing some scotch and drinking it straight from the bottle. After a moment, he looked out the windows of his office and grabbed the phone, ignoring the fact that it was more than likely tapped. He pressed a number in and waited for it to pick up. "The shit's hit the fan. I'd suggest getting ready to leave. Call Weinburg, tell her the same."
<CENTER><P>-----------------------------</P></CENTE R>
<P>Miryhn yawned, rubbing his slightly numb cheek. Ken had some power behind that hit, but Miryhn never thought a woman was capable of delivering such a blow that his face would be numb. Half-asleep from sitting there for so long, he reached back and started combing his hands through his hair.
<P>"You know, it isn't so hard flying without A.I. I kind of like it better," Vera commented over the comlink.
<P>"That Leo kid was shocked when I told him that ADA disappeared off our Frames. He said his Frame still had it. Although, he went into a rant after that about how ADA is like the 'soul' of his Frame and you can't seperate the 'soul' from the 'body'," Nash replied.
<P>"What do you mean his Frame had ADA? I thought only ours had it," Vera replied.
<P>"Vera, that's Jehuty. That Frame has been around a long time. Our Frames are probably fairly recent and have a watered-down version of the A.I. I had a peek at his version and it was much more advanced. It even seemed to possess personality perameters seeing as it was rather sarcastic with me. I asked it about our Frames and it said I knew absolutely nothing," Nash explained.
<P>Miryhn folded his arms behind his head, trying to doze.
<P>"Alright, so let's assume that was the original. It must have been a totally different version or not really connected to the 'network' that was mentioned by our version. Was ours lying?" Vera said, pondering.
<P>"There's no way to tell. Every trace of ADA has been wiped off the Frame. We're on our own to figure out how to fly these things from now on," Nash replied.
<P>"Oh? By that do you mean you might keep yours?" Vera said, giggling.
<P>"Zeus is kind of growing on me. I just said that crap because I was turned off to the idea of getting into a war," Nash said, trying to sound smug.
<P>"And what about you, Miryhn?" Vera asked, sounding cheerful.
<P>Miryhn didn't reply; he was almost asleep again.
<P>Vera forced a video feed to his cockpit. "Great googley-moogley! Miryhn, grab your controls! Do you want to crash?" she screamed.
<P>Miryhn shot forward, wide-eyed. "Huh? What?" he said, then trailed off into mumbles. He shook his head a few times and blinked, awake again.
<P>"Miryhn, there's no A.I. on your Frame anymore, it can't enter autopilot anymore! Grab your controls, now!" Vera commanded.
<P>Miryhn looked around, then at his console, and finally out the window. "Um, it's flying itself."
<P>Vera gave him a weird look.
<P>"Hey, don't ask me. I'm not touching anything and it's flying straight as an arrow," Miryhn said, holding up his hands.
<P>"But that can't be! Orbital Frames can't fly themselves!" Vera replied, completely puzzled.
<P>Miryhn waved his hands around, showing he still wasn't touching anything.
<P>"That's creepy! Do something about it!" Vera whined.
<P>Miryhn smirked and chuckled a bit. "Alright, I will. Watch, I'll show you I'm still in control here by banking right some," he said, lowering his hand for the left control sphere. The Frame banked left a little as he said it would.
<P>"Okay, good," Vera said, nodding.
<P>"Um, Vera," Miryhn said, sucking his teeth. "I didn't do that."
<P>Vera leaned over to her video link some, seeing that Miryhn's hand was only about halfway down to the control sphere. "You're just trying to scare me! Stop it!"
<P>"No, really, watch!" Miryhn replied. He looked at the sphere and began to slowly put his hand on the sphere, this time, the Frame banking right.
<P>Vera screamed in terror. "Stop that! Stop it now!"
<P>"You're freaked out? Think about me! I'm inside the damn thing!" Miryhn cried out, trying to sound calm.
<P>"You're both acting like idiots. Let me see," Nash said, skeptical. He opened a video feed too.
<P>"Guys, it's like this thing knows what I'm thinking. I think about, or imagine in my mind what I want to happen and it happens before I even touch the controls," Miryhn explained.
<P>"Come on, show me!" Nash said, daring him.
<P>"And keep your hands where we can see them!" Vera pointed out.
<P>Miryhn folded his arms behind his head.
<P>"Feet too!" Nash added.
<P>Miryhn mumbled a few explatives under his breath at how stupid that comment was; but did it anyway, putting his feet on the console to each side, the bottoms of his shoes visible on Vera and Nash's screens.
<P>"And say what you're going to do out loud!" Vera demanded.
<P>"Fine! Gain altitude!" Miryhn said aloud. Masamune responded, gaining a bit of altitude above Freya and Zeus.
<P>Vera squirmed, frightened beyond belief. Nash turned pale.
<P>"Something else! Now!" Nash demanded.
<P>"No! Nothing else! Stop it!" Vera whined.
<P>"Drop altitdue, do a barrel roll, and draw the katana," Miryhn said in a monotone. Masamune dropped back to Freya and Zeus's level and did a barrel roll, stylishly drawing its katana at the end of the roll. "And sheath it," he added, Masamune responding accordingly sheathing the sword.
<P>"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!" Vera squealed. "What the hell is wrong with your Frame?"
<P>"What in the hell?" Nash said, sitting back with eyes wide. He shivered a few times, becoming fearful.
<P>Miryhn shrugged, sitting normally with his hands in his lap. "As long as it does what I want it to, I'm cool."
<P>"But that's just....that's just wrong!" Vera cried out.
<P>"I'd suggest you stop doing that. Something is wrong here," Nash pointed out.
<P>"I'd suggest you go see Doctor Ricdeau about that," Judas said, Michael finally catching up.
<P>"Why do that?" Miryhn asked, curious.
<P>"He knows someone who might be able to tell you what happened to your Frame," Judas explained.
<P>"And how do you know this all of the sudden?"
<P>"I'd suggest you not ask those kinds of questions. I prefer to keep some things secret. I think I know where he is, we'll visit him as soon as possible," Judas replied.
<P>"I suggest going back to the ship before we get in trouble with Jim again for brushing off chores. Besides, I need a shower," Vera said, insistingly.
<P>"Damn it, she's right. We've been gone all day," Nash said in agreement.
<P>Miryhn sighed, putting his hands back behind his head. "Suggestions, who needs them? Just tell it to them straight for once," he mumbled, trying to doze again.
<CENTER><P>-----------------------------</P></CENTE R>
<P>* General Majetsu, a minor character in the Dolores anime, makes a cameo here.
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<CENTER><I>"But if you want the answers, You better get ready for the fire"
<BR>- System of a Down, from "Suggestions"</I></CENTER>
<CENTER><P>-----------------------------</P></CENTE R>
<P>"So you say, huh?" Leo said, thinking over Nash's recollection of the battle.
<P>"Big blob, scooped up in a ship, and left. Simple as that," Nash said, nodding.
<P>Leo sighed, gazing over the scene there in the middle of the terraformed Martian outback. Freya was bent down beside Masamune with Vera sitting on the edge of Masamune's open cockpit, staring at the unconscious Miryhn. Judas sat on a rock, Michael behind him, staring at the ground in thought. Zeus was beside it and beside Zeus were Durandal, Ardjet, and Jehuty all in kneeling position. Dingo was on top of Durandal, examining the area while Ken wandered over to where Vera was. Leo and Nash were standing in between Zeus and Jehuty, talking amongst themselves.
<P>"For such a violent, one-sided battle, it's amazingly clean out here. They weren't serious about it eating LEVs and people, was it?" Dingo said to himself, a hand at his forehead to shade the sun. He carefully climbed back down the Frame and stepped up beside Leo. "I'm absolutely dumbstruck. You're serious about everything you just said?" he said, glancing at Nash.
<P>"I'm dead serious. I have three other witnesses here to back me up," Nash said, nodding his head towards the others.
<P>"What could have done this? I mean, I'd hate to sound like a cliche clueless movie extra, but just what in the hell was it?" Leo said, turning to Dingo.
<P>Vera was a little apprehensive about touching him. This was the second time she found Miryhn passed out in a cockpit, but somehow, in front of everyone else, it would have been a bit embarrassing to show too much concern. Still, he might have had a concussion or was in a coma...or worst. She was worried, but knew he'd been through worst and survived; why not now?
<P>"You sure he isn't just asleep?" Ken's voice said from behind.
<P>Vera looked down at Ken, climbing up the side of Masamune's cockpit. "Why would he be?"
<P>"Trust me, I deal with the laziest man on Mars on a daily basis. He sleeps like bear, smells like one often too," Ken said, standing up in the floor of the cockpit in front of Miryhn.
<P>"Don't do anything to him. He might be hurt," Vera pleaded.
<P>Ken grabbed Miryhn's shoulder and shook it some. Miryhn's body waved around lifeless. Ken sloped her brow and put her foot in his abdomen, jamming it into him a few times. Miryhn didn't respond.
<P>"I told you, he's out cold. We don't know what's wrong with him," Vera said loudly.
<P>"Nonsense! Watch!" Ken said, sneering. She raised her hand and smacked Miryhn clean across the face. His face instantly sprung to life, wide-eyed and awake.
<P>"Damn! I'm up! Sheesh!" Miryhn shouted, grabbing his now beat-red cheek. "Oh, um, hi?"
<P>"Told 'ya it'd work," Ken said, turning her head and giving Vera a smug grin. She smiled proudly and hopped out of the cockpit, walking back toward Dingo and Leo.
<P>"What's her problem?" Miryhn said, starting to stand up.
<P>"What were you doing?" Vera shouted, sending Miryhn staggering back to his seat.
<P>"What? Huh?" Miryhn said, groggy and puzzled.
<P>"You were asleep the whole time? Do you have any idea how worried I was? You idiot!" Vera shouted, folding her arms and turning her head away with an angry look on her face.
<P>"What are you talking about?" Miryhn tried to ask, but Vera hopped off Masamune and walked away. With a sigh, Miryhn stood up and climbed down out the cockpit. He began walking towards the others, rubbing his face like he had just had a very uncomfortable sleep.
<P>"It was obviously something created of Metatron. Nothing else could stand up to it," Nash said, shrugging.
<P>"But 'liquid' Metatron? That doesn't exist, does it?" Leo replied, looking at Nash to Dingo.
<P>Dingo rubbed his chin, completely puzzled.
<P>"You all should stop speculating. You saw it with your own eyes. The blob, Merkava, all of you witnessed it in some way or form," Judas said loudly enough for the other six to hear.
<P>Everybody stood in place, glancing at Judas.
<P>"You heard me," Judas said, gazing from his far right, Nash, to his far left, Miryhn.
<P>"You know something, don't you?" Dingo said, charging towards Judas. He reached down and grabbed Judas by his shirt, pulling him up.
<P>"Of course I know something, I use to work for them," Judas said, keeping a serious look in Dingo's intense stare.
<P>"Who's 'them'?" Dingo demanded to know.
<P>"The Seraphic Order. The bringers of a new age of mankind. The ones who, supposedly, will bring about mankind's 'salvation from itself' through Metatron. We worship the stuff, even make our weapons out of it," Judas explained.
<P>"Are you some kind of cult?" Dingo asked, same tone as before.
<P>"Cult, no, organization, yes," Judas replied.
<P>"So you're more like a religion?"
<P>"Perhaps, if you want to call it that," Judas said, glancing to the side. The others had gathered around the two of them in a semi-circle, all curious.
<P>"Dingo, put him down. He can answer your questions sitting, can't he?" Ken said sternly.
<P>Dingo shot his gaze back to meet Ken's angry stare. He thinned his eyes and put Judas back down on his rock. Instead, he took out his Enforcer and clicked off the safety. "Fine, but you're not going anywhere until you tell me the whole truth. Like, for example, how do I know you're not just bullshitting?"
<P>"Why would I?" Judas said, giving Dingo and angry sneer.
<P>"He's not lying," Miryhn chimed in.
<P>Dingo slowly turned his gaze to Miryhn. "And how do you know that?"
<P>"That Frame he pilots, it's the exact same model as the one that I fought a while back. One of their members went after me," Miryhn explained.
<P>"That was Lazarus. He's our leader," Judas commented.
<P>"And he's right about wielding Metatron weaponry, they gave me one when later they kidnapped me," Miryhn added.
<P>"Wait, wait, you're telling me that you're a part of this too?" Dingo said, shaking his head in confusion.
<P>"Not at all by my choice," Miryhn replied, folding his arms.
<P>"The reason Miryhn is involved is unknown to me. Only the higher-ups like Lazarus and Joker know that information," Judas said, looking at the ground.
<P>"Alright, all this business with Miryhn doesn't matter to me, there's no need to explain," Dingo said, sighing. "Just tell me, what was that thing and what are they going to do with it?"
<P>"Lazarus calls it 'a mighty vessel for God's wrath'. I guess it's suppose to be his doomsday device, something he'll use to exercise his vision through," Judas explained, looking back up at Dingo.
<P>"Orbital Frame Deus," Miryhn said softly.
<P>Everyone turned their sight to Miryhn.
<P>Miryhn, sensing everyone's gaze, looked across the group and grimaced. "Hey! Don't stare at me!"
<P>"What did you say?" Dingo said, puzzled.
<P>"The way Judas just talked about it, it reminded me of something Joker once rambled about when I confronted him," Miryhn explained.
<P>"Wait, you've met the leader and this 'Joker' guy?" Dingo asked.
<P>"And lived," Judas said under his breath.
<P>Dingo caught what Judas said, but kept his eyes on Miryhn.
<P>"Well, yeah! They both kicked my ass and left me for dead, but yeah," Miryhn said, shrugging.
<P>"And what is, exactly, 'Orbital Frame Deus'?" Dingo asked.
<P>"Don't know, all I heard was a name. As Judas said, Joker and Lazarus are probably the only ones who know," Miryhn explained.
<P>"That thing wasn't an Orbital Frame, though!" Nash chimed in.
<P>"Yeah, it it didn't even have shape, or form, or anything! It was like a jell-o mold!" Vera added.
<P>"Whatever it was, they took it in Merkava," Judas said, looking down.
<P>"And what, exactly, is 'Merkava'?" Dingo asked. "You don't mean that old BAHRAM Margaritifier-class ship I saw leaving the atmosphere, do you?"
<P>"Exactly that," Judas replied.
<P>"And what do you know about that?"
<P>"I saw it, a few years back, and someone told me its name," Judas said, thinking back. He remembered back to the day where he first heard about it, when that man pulled him aside and told him- "That's all I know."
<P>"So let me get this straight, a crazy cult is flying old battleships around carrying blobs of Metatron that wipe out small militias?" Dingo said, rolling his head back as he thought.
<P>Judas slowly nodded.
<P>"And they want to kill you, but they also are being beneficial to you?" Dingo continued to ask, turning to Miryhn.
<P>Miryhn shrugged.
<P>Dingo stared off for a moment. "I'm going fucking nuts, I know it now."
<P>"I don't find it so hard to believe," Leo said, grabbing the attention of the group. "We still don't know everything there is to know about Metatron, do we? We being the collective human race, that is. I mean, if it means protecting innocent lives, then I'm willing to do something about this...'religion' or 'cult' or whatever."
<P>"You can't possibly hope to stop them," Judas said, sighing.
<P>"And why the hell not?" Dingo asked.
<P>"Trust me, no normal man can stand up to these people. They're above mankind," Judas said, looking up at each of them.
<P>"Presumptuous son of a bitch," Dingo muttered. "Look, you, the kid's right. As long as people's lives are at stake, something has got to be done about it," Dingo said, pushing it way out of the semi-circle and looking across the battlefield. He looked to each far side and then back at the open semi-circle. "I don't care who it is, I'm going to put an end to them if they're capable of all this."
<P>"There's no need. My brother...I mean, half-brother is going to take care of them eventually. I'd suggest you not get involved in his conflict," Judas said aloud, standing up.
<P>"What do you mean by that?" Leo said, curious.
<P>"My half-brother, Trent, use to be the leader of that group. He wanted nothing of the madness going on now among the Seraphs. But Lazarus and Joker seized control and now he's planning a coup," Judas explained.
<P>"Alright, we'll, I'll go ally with him and help out. Of course, after that, the military might step in and assimilate the group-" Dingo began to say.
<P>"I can assure you that he'll never place his trust with an Earth military officer, assuming that's what you are. Even if you're just with the Peacekeeping force, he'd never, ever, work with your kind," Judas said with conviction.
<P>Dingo sneered. "Fine then! I'll just do it myself! No, we will!" he shouted, pointing to Ken and Leo after his statement.
<P>"You know I'm for any plan you're for," Ken said, smiling in reply.
<P>"I would have done something even if you weren't," Leo said, laughing.
<P>"You're all going to die trying. No one can stop them!" Judas pleaded.
<P>"That's what they said about BAHRAM and look what I did!" Dingo said with a boastful laugh.
<P>Ken stepped on Dingo's foot. "Excuse him, he's in need of a lesson in humility."
<P>Leo laughed some more and shrugged for his companions.
<P>Judas bit his lip, frustrated with how hard-headed these three were.
<P>"And what about you three?" Dingo said, looking at Miryhn, Vera, and Nash.
<P>Vera and Nash had been entranced, staring at the conversation like it was a TV they were watching. They simulaneously looked at Dingo.
<P>Miryhn had his arms folded and was staring at the ground. He looked up and to the side at Dingo. "I'm not doing shit," he said simply.
<P>"You mean after trying to kill you, you aren't going to do anything about them? What if they come after you again?" Leo exclaimed.
<P>"I don't care. I honestly don't. I have my own problems to deal with, and besides, I have nothing to gain by fighting back. I'm not joining either side of this shit-storm," Miryhn said firmly.
<P>"But Miryhn, they're right! How can we just sit back and let these people kill innocent people?" Vera said, looking up at Miryhn.
<P>Miryhn turned his gaze to the other side. Vera bit her lip and began to look saddened.
<P>"He's right, Vera," Nash chimed in. "I really don't care about fighting anymore either. In fact, I'm considering cashing in my Frame and just sticking to the mechanic's way of life. Any of us could have died in that battle and if that's what we're dealing with, I'd rather not take my chances."
<P>"But...but..." Vera said, about to cry.
<P>"The only reason I even came out here is because I was getting paid, you know. I get absolutely nothing out of saving lives. I did at one time, but then I found out I was just being used, so it kind of soured the taste for me," Miryhn said, looking back at Vera. "And besides, I'm sick of fighting crazed lunatics. For the past two months, I've fought an overzealous British environmental activist, a corpse in a space suit, an religiously obsessed ex-ally, a woman who's literally in love with Metatron, and worst of all, a demented martial arts anime otaku! Why can't normal people be pissed at me?" he cried out.
<P>Everyone stared at Miryhn.
<P>"Forget it, I'm going home if the rest of you are done with me here," Miryhn said, sighing and heading for Masamune.
<P>Dingo stepped forward, remembering something after being reminded by Ken's remark about humility. "Hey, look, I'm sorry last time. I let my pride get to my head and all, alright? If it's because of me, then just let it all be water under the bridge, okay?"
<P>Ken smiled and hugged Dingo.
<P>"It's not you, it's not anyone, alright? It's just...well, I have something to do first. After that, maybe...if you pay me enough, that is. I don't feel like doing anything for free," Miryhn said, stopping and turning his gaze back towards the others.
<P>"If that's your decision, then I'm going to have to treat you as an obstacle in this dilemma. You're a target, Miryhn, they want something from you or want you dead," Dingo explained. "I'm not going to beg for anyone's help, but considering your situation, but I suggest you get someone else's."
<P>"Whatever," Miryhn said, continuing to leave.
<P>Vera wiped her eyes, leaving for Freya. "Come on, Nash, let's just forget any of this happened. Miryhn's right, what place do we have in this?"
<P>"Sorry, no-can-do," Nash said, giving Dingo a smug grin and jogging back to Zeus. All three Frames took off overhead within a moment.
<P>"As for you, I'm keeping an eye on you," Dingo said, putting his gun away and facing Judas. "You might be handy for information. What are you doing here anyway?"
<P>"I live with them," Judas said, jerking his thumb in the direction Miryhn, Vera, and Nash left in.
<P>"Good, good, I look forward to future business prospects," Dingo said, smiling.
<P>"Right, well, I have to get going. But still, I urge you not to get mixed up in this," Judas said, shaking his head.
<P>"And I have a suggestion for you. You don't tell Dingo Egret what to do and not do!" Dingo said proudly.
<P>"Or us," Leo added, pointing to himself and Ken, feeling a bit left out of Dingo's announcement.
<P>Judas sighed and headed back to Michael. In a moment, the Frame left.
<P>"Well, time to get on our new case!" Dingo said, clapping his hands together.
<P>"Huzzah," Leo mumbled, shuffling back to Jehuty.
<P>"Huzzah, indeed!" Ken said, jogging back to Ardjet.
<P>"Was that sarcasm? Hey, wait!" Dingo shouted, running for Durandal.
<CENTER><P>-----------------------------</P></CENTE R>
<P>Maria Beardsley slid her cash card through the slot on the jukebox, then pressed the button for a single track play. She flipped through the album list and picked the most solemn song she could find and picked it. Sitting back down at the bar, she ordered a drink and sighed before taking a long sip of it. She sat there, clad in white high-heeled boots, white form-fitting pants, a white long-sleeve top that laced up the middle from her belly-button to her cleavage, and a brown coat with fur trim.
<P>"So what's a pretty thing like you doing in this rotten old town?" the bartender asked, smiling.
<P>"Don't hit on me, I don't feel like it right now," Maria said, rolling her eyes.
<P>"Hey, calm down, just being friendly," the bartender replied, shrugging.
<P>"Well, don't get too friendly or I'll stab your eyes out," Maria said firmly, then taking another sip of her drink.
<P>"Man, what a bitch," the bartender mumbled.
<P>Maria ignored that comment.
<P>"So really, why are you here?"
<P>"I'm...hiding for the time being. I need to stay here on Callisto until things calm down. I want to go back to someone I really care about, but I can't with trouble following me. As far as they should know, I'm as good as dead," Maria replied, tracing the top of the mug with her carefully red-painted fingernail.
<P>"Damn, that's nothing new. I can guarantee you that ninety-nine percent of everyone on this snowball are just people who ran away and are in hiding," the bartender replied, leaning against a cabinet of liquor. "Everyone here is some form of scum, even me! I owe thousands in back-taxes back on Earth! You'll find one of everyone here, you know. Thieves, scam-artists, liars-"
<P>"Will you shut the hell up already?" Maria snapped.
<P>Ever patron in the bar glanced at her, then went back to their business.
<P>"Sheesh, sorry, alright?" the bartender said, then stepped away.
<P>Of course, that's why she was there; she was hiding from the slowly collapsing Stein syndicate, right? Nash told her to hide here, right? Everything would be okay as soon as she could get in touch with him, right? Everything was going to be alright.
<P>Things couldn't be alright. Maria was so scared she could hardly stem her tears most of the time. She was about to break down right there at the counter of the bar, but like before, she simply knocked back a gulp of the swill she ordered every time and kept it to herself. She couldn't show weakness around these parts; she never knew who or what was lying in wait to get at her. She wanted nothing more than to go back to Nash, but she had no idea where to start to look; that, and she wasn't sure if he'd go looking for her. She sighed and laid her head on the counter-top, wishing there was a way she could just leave this living hell and move on.
<P>"Excuse me, but I have to see you outside about something, lady," a voice said from behind.
<P>Maria didn't care; she didn't move a muscle. Something jabbed into her back.
<P>"That ain't my dick, lady. I think you know exactly what I want, now get outside," the obviously male voice said.
<P>Maria sighed and climbed off her chair. She stood right in front of the man, his face obscured by a low-worn hat and body by a long coat, and smiled brightly. "Oh, I think I know exactly what you want," she said as sensually as possible. She slowly reached to her front and grabbed one of the strings holding her top across her body showing off her features.
<P>"Hey, wait a sec-" the man began to say.
<P>"Oh, don't play with me! I know what you're getting at," Maria said with a playful giggle. With one pull, her top opened and exposed her breasts to the man. The man's eyes widened right before Maria grabbed her mug and smashed it against the counter. She swung the jagged glass handle forward right into the man's left eye. He screamed in pain and Maria threw her other arm back and slashed open his throat with her fingernails in one quick swipe. The man fell to his back, juggular spraying blood around and he passed out, dead.
<P>Many of the bar patrons ran like hell out the door. Most just sat and kept to themselves.
<P>"Hey, now, what's this all about?" the bartender shouted, running back down the bar to Maria.
<P>"Sorry about the mess," Maria said, clumsily tying her top back up before anyone else could get a peek.
<P>"Lady, you just killed someone in my bar!" the bartender screamed.
<P>"I'm afraid that's what I do best...kill people, that is," Maria said with a sigh, wiping flecks of blood off herself.
<P>"Look, you're driving off business, just get out of here! I'd suggest you leave town too, you never know how important a life you take around here might be," the bartender commanded.
<P>"Fine, I was thinking of moving on from this town anyway. Nowhere decent to stay anyway. I suggest you clean that up too," Maria said, sighing and buttoning up her coat.
<P>The bartender couldn't help but be curious as she was leaving. "Is that why you painted your nails red?"
<P>Maria stopped for a moment. "It isn't nail polish," she said bluntly, then continued out the door. She stepped out onto the street, holding the top of her coat closed in the frosty air and continued down the street in an arbitrary sense of direction choice. There wasn't a set place to go when you're wandering around in Hell, after all.
<P>Something on the horizon, just below the heavily overcast skies caught her attention. She stopped at the corner of the block and looked up, seeing something flying towards the mountains in the south. "Wonder what that is. There's no spaceports anywhere around here, or to the south of the settlements," she said to herself. With a shrug, Maria sighed and turned to cross the street where no cars were moving and no one did anything but sit on their front steps and wallow in misery...
<CENTER><P>-----------------------------</P></CENTE R>
<P>"Tests show that we left it to incubate for far too long," Cyril said, looking down at the pit where the blob sat quietly.
<P>"Well that was brilliant," Sylfa said, rolling her eyes.
<P>"How were we suppose to know? Our data on it is incomplete," Annallee said, walking across the catwalk of the Merkava hold that was carrying the blob. The Seraphs, save Quinn and Lazarus, were scattered across it.
<P>"How can someone blame it? It's more anxious than we are," Leonard said, folding his arms.
<P>"Leonard, don't act as if you know anything about this matter. The fact is, as anxious as it was, there is no way in hell anyone could have released it," Sylfa pointed out.
<P>"Unless it released itself," Trent said, raising his voice for once, loud enough to interrupt. He quietly walked up to the railing and looked down at the quietly stewing blob. "It is the vessel of God, right? Or so Lazarus claims."
<P>Joker, leaned against a wall with his hands behind his head, frowned at the debate. They had been arguing for fifteen minutes so far. He closed his eyes and smirked, chuckling to himself.
<P>"You know what? All of you just stop it!" Annallee commanded. "We have it here with us now, who cares how it was released? We'll begin the formation process immediately as per Lazarus's defined schedule."
<P>"That sounds great, but we're still missing the other one, thanks to someone," Leonard said, glaring at Trent.
<P>Trent returned the glare with his icy stare. "That was no one's fault," he said simply.
<P>"In the meantime, half of us are to engage in the formation. Lazarus has asked that some participate in the execution of Thanatos. He's of no use to us anymore and Lazarus wants him eliminated as to ease his own mind," Annallee commanded.
<P>"Of course, I'll be heading the formation. I'm not that interested in bloodshed and all those kinds of nasty things," Cyril said, making a disgusted face.
<P>"And Joker, you've been asked to be a supervisor in tracking Thanatos. Supposedly your time on Mars grants you favor with Lazarus in his decision, however, since you failed to kill him once, you are to no longer engage him," Annallee said, turning around to Joker.
<P>"What? But I'm the most fearsome of all of you! How can he command that?" Joker shouted, leaning off the wall and taking a step forward.
<P>Annallee walked up to Joker and grabbed him by the throat, pulling him to her level, face-to-face. "This isn't about your fucking vendetta, McArthur Anderson! Personally, I don't blame Lazarus for taking you off the case. All you ever do is talk about 'King'-this and 'King'-that. I'm even more fed up with you fucking things up than Lazarus is and you should be grateful he's being ten times as patient as I am!" she said in a whisper. She let go, keeping her eyes on his as he stood back upright. After a good, long stare, she turned back to the others. "You have your orders! I'd suggest you all get on it right away! Go, in the name of God!"
<P>"Amen!" the others replied, bowing their heads. Joker didn't reply.
<P>Annallee turned around, giving Joker another cold stare. Joker thinned his eyes and smirked. "Amen," he said, bowing his head.
<P>Annallee marched out the door, leaving the others to themselves.
<P>"What an ice queen," Leonard said, shaking his head. "Strict, but firm, and phew, I do mean firm," he said, outlining an hourglass figure with his index fingers.
<P>"Pig," Sylfa said, heading out the door.
<P>"Hey, come on! I'm more than just perverted comic relief! Give me a break!" Leonard pleaded, leaving as well.
<P>"Well, I'm going to get something to eat before work. Toodles," Cyril said, shuffling out the door.
<P>Trent and Joker were left, looking at one another.
<P>"The plan is almost complete," Trent said in his usual monotone.
<P>"Indeed it is," Joker replied, still smirking.
<P>"But I'm curious. What if it doesn't accept any of us? Or, what if one of us were to seize it and betray Lazarus?"
<P>Joker chuckled. "Then they'd truly be the wisest of the group. Who's stupid enough to trust this thing with more than one person? After someone is accepted into the vessel, what about the others? They'll just be useless then."
<P>"Indeed," Trent replied, looking down at the blob. "Who is stupid enough to trust this thing with more than one person?"
<P>"I'd suggest that you don't trust anyone around here until it all comes down to it, Trent," Joker said, starting to leave.
<P>"Likewise, I suggest the same, McArthur," Trent said, nodding.
<CENTER><P>-----------------------------</P></CENTE R>
<P>"How much did we loose?" Norris asked, sipping at his glass of wine and staring out the window from his chair.
<P>"Total damage estimates at around thirty billion credits. I'd suggest going for repairing what we have first," Lamar replied, reading off a clipboard.
<P>Norris sighed in reply. "Fine, pay it, just replace and repair everything you can as soon as possible. Make sure Wolfgang knows this, his unit got the worst of it."
<P>"Yes, sir," Lamar said, nodding.
<P>"Look at it, Lamar," Norris said before taking a sip of his glass.
<P>Lamar looked up at the back of Norris's chair, curious.
<P>"The first snow of the season," Norris said, smiling. Outside, snow was beginning to come down. "Unlike Earth, Mars has a longer revolutionary period around the sun, so the seasons last longer than they normally would for an Earther. Or at least that's how climatrol for the spheres is set up. This is going to be one hell of a winter from here on out."
<P>"Do you mean something by that, sir? I'm beginning to see that you speak in rather vague platitudes," Lamar said, smirking.
<P>Norris paused for a moment or two, then took a sip of his wine. "No, absolutely nothing, I just like snow, that's all. I'd suggest you learn to enjoy it if you haven't Lamar. This winter will probably be a long, harsh one if the snow has already started."
<P>"If you say so. Have a good day, sir," Lamar said, then stepped out of the office.
<P>Norris continued to stare out the window, lost in thought. "To come so far, only to have the past catch up to me," he said, propping his head against the arm of the chair with his free hand.
<CENTER><P>-----------------------------</P></CENTE R>
<P>Browning staggered back into the filing cabinet after the hard punch to his stomach. The two soldiers behind General Majetsu* raised their rifles, obviously with every intention to kill him in the drop of a hat.
<P>"Major General, my patience is wearing thin. Where did you send those three Frames? My men ran a thorough inspection on your warehouse and found no trace of them. Your underlings refuse to speak and deny their existence, but records show Jehuty, Ardjet, and Durandal were stored here," Majetsu demanded to know.
<P>"I moved them to a different spot. Terrorists were rumored as trying to pry into here and steal Jehuty for an uprising. The paperwork just hasn't been completed," Browning replied after getting his breath back.
<P>Majetsu thinned his eyes. "I don't believe you."
<P>Browning looked up at him and sneered. Majetsu was the High Command sympathizer who was in control of Deimos during the affair with Radium Lavans attacking the Orbital Elevator. Although he screwed up by falling for Radium's trap, leaving a decoy rebellion on Mars while Radium invaded, Majetsu's undying support (ass-kissing) for the re-invasion of Mars granted him much clout with High Command. He was just as jaded as they were and he hated Browning and his humanistic sympathies more than anything else on Mars.
<P>"Tell me or I'll execute you now on the grounds of treason with unsupported evidence otherwise. Armed citizens are firing amongst each other in the street thanks to that asinine gang war and the U.C.M. Peacekeeping Force and the Earth military alike are unable to stop it, not to mention pathetic terrorist attacks on the military. With all this violence prohibiting High Command's plans, this is the last thing we need! If you're responsible for the release of Orbital Frame technology among the masses, then I can assure you you won't live to see another day," Majetsu said firmly.
<P>Browning gritted his teeth. He couldn't die here, not now; there was too much riding on his survival. However, if he told them, Elena and her group would be at risk; De Franz wouldn't hesitate at all to execute them. High Command would condemn any Martian riding in an Orbital Frame from here on and anyone responsible. Either way, he was screwed, but he had to get Majetsu out of there so he could warn Elena in time. "I gave them back to their owners. They barged in, waving guns around, and demanded to have them back. They were sick of being screwed around with by High Command, saying LEVs weren't enough to deal with the dangers they were put up against. They hated High Command, even blamed them for deliberately putting them in danger," he explained.
<P>"That's blatant defiance of protocol! You don't mean Leo Stenbuck and Dingo Egret and his Martian whores, do you?" Majetsu said, hot with anger.
<P>Browning sighed, having sealed their fates. He slowly nodded in response.
<P>"You just bought yourself some times before an official investigation is in effect. I still don't believe you, but the most important thing now is to report this to High Command and have those traitors dealt with! I'd suggest you not do anything stupid, Major General, we'll have an eye on you as of immediately," Majetsu said, turning to his men and waving for them to follow as he charged out of the office.
<P>Browning sighed and stepped over to his liquor cabinet, grabbing some scotch and drinking it straight from the bottle. After a moment, he looked out the windows of his office and grabbed the phone, ignoring the fact that it was more than likely tapped. He pressed a number in and waited for it to pick up. "The shit's hit the fan. I'd suggest getting ready to leave. Call Weinburg, tell her the same."
<CENTER><P>-----------------------------</P></CENTE R>
<P>Miryhn yawned, rubbing his slightly numb cheek. Ken had some power behind that hit, but Miryhn never thought a woman was capable of delivering such a blow that his face would be numb. Half-asleep from sitting there for so long, he reached back and started combing his hands through his hair.
<P>"You know, it isn't so hard flying without A.I. I kind of like it better," Vera commented over the comlink.
<P>"That Leo kid was shocked when I told him that ADA disappeared off our Frames. He said his Frame still had it. Although, he went into a rant after that about how ADA is like the 'soul' of his Frame and you can't seperate the 'soul' from the 'body'," Nash replied.
<P>"What do you mean his Frame had ADA? I thought only ours had it," Vera replied.
<P>"Vera, that's Jehuty. That Frame has been around a long time. Our Frames are probably fairly recent and have a watered-down version of the A.I. I had a peek at his version and it was much more advanced. It even seemed to possess personality perameters seeing as it was rather sarcastic with me. I asked it about our Frames and it said I knew absolutely nothing," Nash explained.
<P>Miryhn folded his arms behind his head, trying to doze.
<P>"Alright, so let's assume that was the original. It must have been a totally different version or not really connected to the 'network' that was mentioned by our version. Was ours lying?" Vera said, pondering.
<P>"There's no way to tell. Every trace of ADA has been wiped off the Frame. We're on our own to figure out how to fly these things from now on," Nash replied.
<P>"Oh? By that do you mean you might keep yours?" Vera said, giggling.
<P>"Zeus is kind of growing on me. I just said that crap because I was turned off to the idea of getting into a war," Nash said, trying to sound smug.
<P>"And what about you, Miryhn?" Vera asked, sounding cheerful.
<P>Miryhn didn't reply; he was almost asleep again.
<P>Vera forced a video feed to his cockpit. "Great googley-moogley! Miryhn, grab your controls! Do you want to crash?" she screamed.
<P>Miryhn shot forward, wide-eyed. "Huh? What?" he said, then trailed off into mumbles. He shook his head a few times and blinked, awake again.
<P>"Miryhn, there's no A.I. on your Frame anymore, it can't enter autopilot anymore! Grab your controls, now!" Vera commanded.
<P>Miryhn looked around, then at his console, and finally out the window. "Um, it's flying itself."
<P>Vera gave him a weird look.
<P>"Hey, don't ask me. I'm not touching anything and it's flying straight as an arrow," Miryhn said, holding up his hands.
<P>"But that can't be! Orbital Frames can't fly themselves!" Vera replied, completely puzzled.
<P>Miryhn waved his hands around, showing he still wasn't touching anything.
<P>"That's creepy! Do something about it!" Vera whined.
<P>Miryhn smirked and chuckled a bit. "Alright, I will. Watch, I'll show you I'm still in control here by banking right some," he said, lowering his hand for the left control sphere. The Frame banked left a little as he said it would.
<P>"Okay, good," Vera said, nodding.
<P>"Um, Vera," Miryhn said, sucking his teeth. "I didn't do that."
<P>Vera leaned over to her video link some, seeing that Miryhn's hand was only about halfway down to the control sphere. "You're just trying to scare me! Stop it!"
<P>"No, really, watch!" Miryhn replied. He looked at the sphere and began to slowly put his hand on the sphere, this time, the Frame banking right.
<P>Vera screamed in terror. "Stop that! Stop it now!"
<P>"You're freaked out? Think about me! I'm inside the damn thing!" Miryhn cried out, trying to sound calm.
<P>"You're both acting like idiots. Let me see," Nash said, skeptical. He opened a video feed too.
<P>"Guys, it's like this thing knows what I'm thinking. I think about, or imagine in my mind what I want to happen and it happens before I even touch the controls," Miryhn explained.
<P>"Come on, show me!" Nash said, daring him.
<P>"And keep your hands where we can see them!" Vera pointed out.
<P>Miryhn folded his arms behind his head.
<P>"Feet too!" Nash added.
<P>Miryhn mumbled a few explatives under his breath at how stupid that comment was; but did it anyway, putting his feet on the console to each side, the bottoms of his shoes visible on Vera and Nash's screens.
<P>"And say what you're going to do out loud!" Vera demanded.
<P>"Fine! Gain altitude!" Miryhn said aloud. Masamune responded, gaining a bit of altitude above Freya and Zeus.
<P>Vera squirmed, frightened beyond belief. Nash turned pale.
<P>"Something else! Now!" Nash demanded.
<P>"No! Nothing else! Stop it!" Vera whined.
<P>"Drop altitdue, do a barrel roll, and draw the katana," Miryhn said in a monotone. Masamune dropped back to Freya and Zeus's level and did a barrel roll, stylishly drawing its katana at the end of the roll. "And sheath it," he added, Masamune responding accordingly sheathing the sword.
<P>"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!" Vera squealed. "What the hell is wrong with your Frame?"
<P>"What in the hell?" Nash said, sitting back with eyes wide. He shivered a few times, becoming fearful.
<P>Miryhn shrugged, sitting normally with his hands in his lap. "As long as it does what I want it to, I'm cool."
<P>"But that's just....that's just wrong!" Vera cried out.
<P>"I'd suggest you stop doing that. Something is wrong here," Nash pointed out.
<P>"I'd suggest you go see Doctor Ricdeau about that," Judas said, Michael finally catching up.
<P>"Why do that?" Miryhn asked, curious.
<P>"He knows someone who might be able to tell you what happened to your Frame," Judas explained.
<P>"And how do you know this all of the sudden?"
<P>"I'd suggest you not ask those kinds of questions. I prefer to keep some things secret. I think I know where he is, we'll visit him as soon as possible," Judas replied.
<P>"I suggest going back to the ship before we get in trouble with Jim again for brushing off chores. Besides, I need a shower," Vera said, insistingly.
<P>"Damn it, she's right. We've been gone all day," Nash said in agreement.
<P>Miryhn sighed, putting his hands back behind his head. "Suggestions, who needs them? Just tell it to them straight for once," he mumbled, trying to doze again.
<CENTER><P>-----------------------------</P></CENTE R>
<P>* General Majetsu, a minor character in the Dolores anime, makes a cameo here.
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