[Fanfic] Sousuke's last stand - ch 15 (PG-13)

[Avlor]

Chapter 15 – Awakenings

Even though the lights were dim, they seemed bright to Kaname. She struggled to turn over and put the pillow over her head. “Ugh,” she groaned, it was all she could manage. Her head felt like it was splitting in two, she was in a place she didn’t recognize, and Sousuke wasn’t there with her. She thought he had been there – had he been? Maybe she shouldn’t try to get out of bed – the day was starting out on the wrong side anyway.

“Miss Chidori?” Dr Shou quietly asked as he stepped into the room.

A muffled and grumpy, “Who’s asking and where am I? Where’s Sousuke?” came from under the pillow.

“I’m Dr. Shou. Glad to see you’re awake. You’re the first of the victims to regain consciousness. Sergeant Sagara brought you in yesterday and stayed with you as much as he could before he had to leave on the mission. He was even here when the Captain tried to contact you in the Whispered State.”

“I don’t remember any of it. Can I have something for my headache?” she was playing with her bracelet to relieve some of her frustration.

“Sure. I’ll have the nurse bring it right in. May I call the Captain in? She wanted to know when you woke up.”

Kaname nodded with a confused look on her face.

….

(Sahara Desert: In the tunnels under the complex…)

“Warning. M6A3 detected 50 meters ahead and closing…” Al’s perfunctory voice sliced the silence. Sousuke moved the Arbalest’s index finger up to where it’s mouth would be – to indicate to Hagen to be sure to remain quiet.

“Hagen, I know you’re coming…what poor fool did you bring with you?”, a voice echoed in the tunnel, and sounded like Hagen but a lot more cocky.

“Uh – oh. Anton, my brother is the one in the AS. He’s the best I’ve seen. Do you want to call for backup?” Hagen doubted.

“Negative. This will not be a problem. You will stay here and wait for me to return,” Sousuke answered in his usual terse manner and set Hagen down.

“But…”

“STAY HERE. I WILL RETURN.”

Deflated and afraid for his rescuer, Hagen kicked at the dirt and sat to wait.

…

In the meantime, Kurz and Melissa had their hands full with that one little AI bug. It had managed to get into Kurz’s hull and disabled the AS’s right leg and was working on the cooling system, when Melissa arrived. She didn’t want to shoot or stab at his AS – but she had to do something soon. “URZU-6, EXACTLY where is it?”

Kurz pointed to the M9’s abdomen. Melissa grimaced – the bug was working its way to Kurz. “If that bug comes any closer, I want you out of there. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Mam.” Kurz replied, unusually submissive.

“URZU-7, do you know anything about these nasty little spiders? Will they kill a human?” Mao probed hoping for a No to the second question.

“Yes, I’ve seen several. Yes, they can kill. They are under the control of the 2 Whispereds,” Sousuke informed.

“Damn. URZU-6 we’re getting you out of there, NOW. Maybe then we can shoot it – especially if it comes out after you,” Mao muttered as she held out her AS’s hand for Kurz to jump into. She wasn’t going to make him crawl down past that thing.

…

(At the Whispered Facility…)

Tessa meekly peeked around the corner to really make sure it was ok to go in. Kaname smiled to reassure her that it was. Tessa pulled up a chair and sat formally. Memories began to resurface for Kaname…she had been crying out, hearing Tessa’s voice, then she had tried to ask for Sousuke…

“I’m relieved you’re awake, I was very concerned about you after I made contact. Things just started going crazy. I’ve never seen Sousuke so upset before. He’d break if he lost you Kaname. You’ve changed him so much,” Tessa couldn’t help just going into what she thought, hiding things wouldn’t do. She did her best to smile, hoping to show Kaname she was trying to be happy for them.

Not quite sure what to say to her former rival, who now for some unknown reason seemed to take an interest in her well being, Kaname managed, “Oh……..Thank you.”

“I want to teach you more about being a Whispered. It will help you in the long run and maybe protect you in the future. Sousuke once told me I was stronger than I thought I was. Hearing that made me walk taller. I will live up to what he said. This is one thing I can do to make us both stronger. Will you let me teach you? AND will you help be contact the other Whispereds? Maybe we can wake them up too.”

Kaname blinked a few times, stunned and a bit ashamed to recall some of the things she’d thought about Tessa. She looked down and nodded.

Tessa brightened, “Good. We’ll start with practicing contact tonight. Before that, you’ll have a few hours to get your bearings again.”

“Tonight? What time is it?”

“1400 hours.”

“Ugh. So I’ve lost more than a day? I still can’t remember all of what happened to me. Well, I guess I’ll see you in a few hours then.”

…

(Tunnels…)

Bullets sprayed in front of the Arbalest and bit into the corner wall, as Sousuke was about to round the corner. He stopped, mentally prepared himself with the Kaname’s words when she had told him how to use the lambda driver that first time.

“Heh! Too scared to come around the corner? I said you were a fool – because only a fool would come after me. You won’t be going back to rescue my brother. I’ll make him call more Whispereds and build more of my creations.”

“I don’t need to come around the corner,” Sousuke taunted and figured he’d run a test.

“Oh, fine – you’re still a coward. You aren’t worth personal attention …I’ll send my toys after you,” Anton huffed.

“I knew you would,” Sousuke laid claim to his prediction.

Kaname’s words from that time, echoed in Sousuke’s head, “Close your eyes. Imagine they are doing something terrible to me. You won’t let them do that will you?” - “No. It won’t happen to you ever again,” he talked to the memory of her lying on the floor helpless – anger growing exponentially by the nanosecond.

“Trust me.” - “ I do.”

“Imagine in your mind.” – He imagined the bugs being smashed into dust against the wall.

“Now take a breath.” – He took a big one and held it.

“Hold the image” – He waited for the unsuspecting little beasts to swarm around his feet.

“Now!” she screamed - The Arbalest thrust out its hand and emitted a bright blue glow that exploded to the ground with an unearthly roar and rippled out. The bugs stopped apparently short-circuited or confused, as the light engulfed them. Robotic bugs crashed into the walls and ceiling.

A fine dust filtered the light in the tunnel. This was going to reek havoc with Sousuke’s air filter. None the less, Sousuke had a wry smile on his face and made a mental note to watch a few more horror and sci-fi movies when he got home – so he had things to imagine for next time, IF he would ever pilot Al again.

He was ready to face his enemy now that his lambda driver test on something on human was complete. “Well, it can be hard on a boy to lose his toys. I didn’t think you’d want to see it. I’m coming for you now. Are you going to run?” Sousuke retorted.

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This Chapter came much more easily. I have most of the rest of the story planned in a fair amount of detail – so hopefully I can finish it fairly soon. (crossing my fingers). Please R&R.