Blood Ties se vol2 chap 6
Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 7:09 am
Time 2020 hours local Location “The Valley of Damnation” southeastern sector of Helmajistan,
Mohammad had paid off. His people and less then reputable connections had led the group to here. Apparently people had seen a giant on the prowl. Equipment and people traveling though the area had begun to vanish under suspicious circumstances. All of which led to the conclusion that some one was lying in wait.
It was Sousuke’s turn to walk convoy security. As he viewed the desert via Arbalests night vision system, something caught his eyes.
He had the convoy stop and he approached. As more and more of the object came in to view Sousuke quickly realized it was not one object but many. They were huts, the bombed out ruins of a village, but not just any village, It was his village!
Although Sousuke had not seen this place in over a decade, he knew where he was this was the field hospital that he had seen burn. The place had not changed obviously this place was so far out in the middle of nowhere that resettling it was probably not on the list of goals held by the various regimes that had held power after the war.
Even in the darkness of night he recognize the lay out the construction the very form of the structures.
“Pass 1 to Urzu 7 report.”
“ Sir I believe we are in the remains of a UN field hospital destroyed ten years ago by a group of Russian forces."
“Urzu 7 Do not make unsubstantiated allegations with out evidence.”
“Sir I have evidence, I am my evidence. I was here I saw it all.”
“…Under stood Urzu 7 Pass 1 to all units we will Laager here for the night.”
Time 0204 local
Kaname had snuggled close to Sousuke in the night for warmth and to insure he got some sleep she was happy that he did but she could feel him wake up several times. Of course he had to take a watch but his watch was over at one when 2 o’clock rolled around she decided to check on him. She wrapped a blanket around herself to keep warm,
It did not take her long to find him, but how she found him was a different matter he was curled up in a ball on the floor of one of the huts rocking back and forth. She could hear faint sobs coming from him.
“Sousuke are you alright?”
He turned and looked at her his eyes were red with tears and filled with sadness and despair.
“Kaname…I…”
He turned away and tried to get up only to fall in to the same pose.
“…Oh no please go away I…am fine nothings wrong just sand in my eyes that’s all.”
He was lying to himself just as much as he was to her. But she could not leave him not like this. She approached and took him in to the blanket and her arms.
“Liar”
She whispered. With her arms around him Sousuke could no longer hold back he wrapped his arms around her and fell in to her warm soft form. He let out all his pain And cried on her until he could cry no more he told her every thing he could remember of his parents his lost comrades friends and fellow fighters. It took hours until it was time for him to tell her one last secret.
“Kaname I Love you.”
“I know Sousuke and I love you.”
My god she thought to her self. He said it and I said it there’s no going back now. Nothing will ever be the same. Some how there lips came together it might have been an accident or on purpose how did not matter to her, She did not even know who started it, but it happened and she was never happier then there in his arms. It started as a gentle peck and then it became a passionate kiss and Sousuke had some skill at it. His lips were warm and soft his breathe sweet and light. Their Tongue came to each other their inner spirits seemed to want each other more than any thing. She could feel him try and resist the urge and she as well but neither had the strength and so they gave in they had both wanted this for so long. And as they gave in to their temptation the two lovers seemed to merge in both the physical act and in there very essence the closest thing Kaname had ever experienced was resonating but this much more. Resonating was a meeting of minds this was of mind, body and spirit.
Time 0430 hours
The sun peaked over the edge of the mountains bringing light to the stricken wasteland of the desert. Sousuke and Kaname watched it together.
“Kaname about last night…I ah...”
“Sousuke I have no regrets do you?”
“No I do not regret last night in the slightest.”
“Good”
She grabbed him by wrapping her arms around his neck and gave him a deep kiss.
“When we get back things are going to be changing and Sousuke you and I are going to be getting a lot closer.”
Sousuke’s lips parted and white teeth broke through reveling the smile Kaname had grown to adore. Sousuke suddenly glanced over Kaname’s shoulder a short distance away stood Tessa and Dr Livingston in an almost identical pose.
“Looks like this trip may have changed things for more than just us huh?”
“I would say that is an appropriate evaluation of the situation.”
“Sousuke has any one ever told you that you were a poet?”
“Not that I can recall.”
“Thought so.”
Sousuke chuckled.
He was really laughing, so much of him was coming through so quickly this trip was more than worth it. She had known she was interested in Sousuke from the day they met she had known she liked him when he had saved her from the truck. And she had fallen for him when he saved her from Gauron. And now she knew he loved her. Her mother had once told her “Some times one must leave home to find home.” She had never under stood what she had meant until now.
“HAY LOVE BIRDS!!”
Kurtz stood atop the Stryker vehicle waving his arms trying to get every ones attention.
“YOU MIGHT WANNA TAKE A LOOK AT THIS!!”
Kurtz had been right Doctor Donavan had gotten contact with testing equipment built in to the Archangel giving of a Telemetry signal. The equipment would have been used to test the Archangel unit at area 51.
“Its some where in a these canyons here…”
Donovan pointed at a map that popped up on one of the touch screens built in to the armored car.
“The signal is weak and the walls are bouncing the Data signal around like a hall of mirrors so I can’t be more precise.”
“If memory serves those canyons are very shallow and narrow I doubt any Vehicle other than an arm slave could make it. The gorilla group I was with used to use them for hiding places and ambushes. Many an arm slave are still buried in there. ”
Time 1300 hours
It had taken several hours to get to the canyons but now that they were here Sousuke began to probe them with Mao close behind well Kurtz and the rest waited at the opening.
Major Kalinin stared in to the eyes of his adversary and Lt. Lamont Cranston stared right back. The Lt. was a man not much older than Kurtz however he had an attitude more like Sousuke. He like the rest of his Squad came from the new US army Stryker Brigade combat team aka the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division “arrowhead Brigade”. A new unit that sat in-between Force 21 and the standard fighting forces they field tested the latest US infantry gear and equipment including the New combat uniforms and M8 assault rifle they were the only unit in the area compatible with both the M9 an Arx7 as Mithril preferred not to keep a long term force in country. The two men looked like they were gripped in mortal combat both men trying desperately to out tactician the other. And then Kalinin made his move.
“Queen to queens pawns two Check mate.”
Kaname chuckled.
“Very well played Major Sir”
The Lt stood and shook the majors hand.
“If you do not mind sir I have to check on my men however I would very much appreciate a rematch later.”
Kalinin nodded. The Lt returned the gesture and picked up his Blue, gray and green patterned digital camouflage helmet and disembarked from the vehicle.
“Well Mr. Kalinin I rarely see you so focused I thought for a second there the two of you were about to come to blows.”
Remarked Tessa.
“ I assure you other wise however that young man has some skill it would be interesting to see him in a match against Mr. Sagara.”
That got Kaname’s attention.
“Sousuke plays Chess?”
“Why yes I taught him he is a very good player as well and to date the only person ever to beat me at it.”
Kurtz sat in the cockpit of his M9 he was bored he wished he could have gone with Sousuke and Mao but some body needed to watch camp. The Army guys were good but they were infantry and so far out in the middle of nowhere the best support were either a tank or an Arms slave.
“Sergeant Weber I have an anomalous Heat signature baring on our 6 o’clock.”
Webber turned to look at it through the Primary optics built in to the head of his mech before he could complete the move there was a loud “Thud” and every thing went black
Dr Livingston sat at one of the terminals of the Stryker monitoring the video and scanner feeds from Ms. Mao and Mr. Sagara as they searched the canyons. One of the arm slave telemetry displays went black at first he did not notice; as it was not one of the screens he was using but then he realized that was the unit watching them! An alarm sounded and the Stryker’s voice prompts kicked in.
“Warning Unidentified heat signatures closing At 20 meters.”
The armored ramp was closed to allow air conditioning. But the sound of gunfire was still strong though muffled through the composite hull. The driver hit the gas the Stryker roared to life.
Livingston took over the remote control 25mm gun turret built in to the roof of the vehicle he quickly searched for targets and found several the first that came to view was a Russian Shadow Arm slave. Livingston flipped the switch loading the 25mm XM307 with armor piercing shells. And gave the trigger a squeeze the first ten round burst hit nothing but reactive plates blown off by explosives layered in to the Shadows body the second Ten round burst ripped into the Arm slave like a hot knife through butter. But the Shadow was not alone the Heat display soon showed 10 more blips. He tried his luck and nailed one more shadow. When he went for the next target he got a rude surprise the next target was not a shadow it was A Venom Unit. The Kinetic Energy from his fire was turned back against the Vehicle. Throttling it like a child might do a toy.
“HANG ON!!!!”
The Stryker Lurched out from under them so violently that all its occupants blacked out from the extreme G forces.
The canyons were a labyrinth loaded with traps, all of which Sousuke seemed to know. The bodies of soviet Arm slaves and choppers littered the place most of which were contorted and twisted in to grotesque and morbid forms this was a place ripped right out of Mao’s nightmares. Mao had seen places like this before. One of her first missions in the U.S.M.C. was a patrol along the Highway of Death in Kuwait during the gulf War. But no matter how many times she saw places like this it still Creeped the hell out of her. Every so often she had a nightmare just like this except the “dead” Mechs would come back to “life” and attack her. It could never happen but this place brought that image to mind.
“Sergeant Major I have detected a heat bloom baring 45 degrees vertical 4 o’clock horizontal”
“Urzu 7 do you read that bloom?”
“Affirmative Urzu 2 standby”
Sousuke could see the target it was the most Aesthetically pleasing Arm slave he had ever seen not even Gauron’s Silver unit came close to the beauty of this Arm slave.
““Sergeant Sagara I have picked up an incoming Radio Communication.”
Prompted AL
“AL put it on.”
“SO Kashim you’ve come to meet me After all”
“I am here now what’s this all about?”
“It’s about love it’s about hate but mostly it’s about BLOOD and how I am going to enjoy spilling yours.”
“AL Charge the Lambda Driver to full military.”
The battle began like all true battles the two sides staring each other down waiting for the other to make the first move.
Dr Livingston came too. His hands and feet were bound behind his back. The smell of burning flesh filled his nostrils. His eyes were out of focus so he used his empathic ability’s. His mind seeked out and found Tessa she was unconscious but he could feel nothing more than an extremely mild concussion she would be coming around very soon. He then seeked out Ms. Chidori, she was just coming around.
“What happened?”
“We got hit by a lambda Energy reflection.”
“But I thought the bad guy was in the canyons?”
“As far as I can tell he is. We were hit by some body else it seems some one invited some new players to our game.”
Livingston’s eye sight was back so he started looking around the smell of burning flesh was from scattered troops from the Stryker Squad they had put up a fight but had lost. Major Kalinin lay across from the doctor who was flanked by Tessa on his right and Kaname on his left all of them were bound Kalinin was gagged and obviously had taken a bit of a beating. Behind him laying in the prone position a pair of twin Venom type arm slaves one mostly black with yellow trim fitted with a large monomolecular cutter and shield the other mostly bright Yellow with black trim fitted with a sniper kit, along with four modified Shadows fitted with the standard infantry kit (one 45mm chain rifle one field pack two standard sized monomolecular cutters). The Stryker lay on its side torn open like an empty tuna can. The hummers were crushed and burning the Arm slave carrier was no where to be seen and Mr. Webber’s M9 lay spread eagle with an object that looked like a cross between a moon lander and an oil rig jammed to it’s chest.
“Hay Dylan tell the Doc we got a live one here!”
Livingston traced the voice to its owner a man kind of stocky in build with a Steyr Scout Tactical sniper rifle in his hands wearing an arm slave pilot suit trimmed on bright yellow.
“Rodger That Johnson”
Mao was having trouble keeping up with Sousuke and the Archangel. They seemed to be everywhere. Most hand-to-hand arm slave battles were simple moves as the more complex the action the grater the stresses placed on the pilot. There were no Bruce lee or Jackie Chan style arm slave bouts or at least that’s what she used to think but that had changed the Lambda Driver arm slaves could go at it like Jet Lee or some Hong Kong karate movie and right now that’s what was happening. She did not know weather to open fire or a ticket booth. The Archangel pilot was good delivering Black belt kicks and punches, but Sousuke gave as good as he got. It was like watching to masters of the same style go at it each move countered perfectly. Finally out of frustration Mao took her shot firing her 47mm automatic rifle.
Shinji had not noticed the second Arm slave he was too focused on Kashim, fortunately Lucifer had noticed it and warned Shinji just in time.
“Lucifer Search for their comm.’s Frequency most likely high band microwave.”
“By your command Search will take one minute.”
“Frell that you have thirty seconds”
“Frequency found.”
“Brake in.”
“By your command Radio interrupt open.”
“Tisk, Tisk Kashim this is a duel and you seem to have brought a friend well lets see if I can dig up some body for them to play with.”
“LUCIFER Activate LAMBDA DRIVER MODE TWO!”
“By your command Charging to mode Two Warning once in Mode Two All safety systems are rendered inoperable. Are you sure you wish to do this?”
“JUST DO IT.”
“By Your command.”
The Air Around the Archangel Charged with energy. The thermographs in Arbalest showed a buildup of incredible heat. The temperature around it dropped as all the energy in the surrounding environment was sucked up. The wings of the Archangel expanded in to serrated blades. The outer hoods on the arms opened releasing the two haves of the Dark soul monomolecular cutting Spear. The Archangel brought them together and they locked forming the Spear. The blade opened and surged with energy a massive pillar of Red light burst in to the Sky. The pillar faded and the Archangel’s eyes flashed a hellfire red In side the cockpit Shinji no longer needed the heads up display as the images of the out side world came to him in his mind’s eye. He pictured the M9 and then the corpse of fallen arm slaves around it. He chuckled
The rocks around Mao began to move. This was impossible the fallen dead Arm slaves they were Alive! It was like her nightmare only real she fired her weapon and swung at them. She tried to hold them off to no avail. The antiques were to high in number they leapt on to her arm slave and Ripped in to it. For the first time in her life as a solder she wanted to scream this was too much even for her. But she would not that’s just what that basterd wanted and she was stronger
“Warning structural integrity failure eminent.”
“Urzu 7 to Urzu 2 come in Urzu 2 come in please…”
The image of Gray popped in to Sousuke’s mind
Dam it Sousuke was not going to loose another person who trusted him. Before he had let such thoughts take over but not this time he focused his mind. He grabbed the 57 mm Scattergun and blasted in to the pile of “zombie slaves”. As it turned out this was the best course of action as the flak ripped the rotting mechs apart.
In the distance there was a massive blast of red light and then gunfire.
Tessa was coming around.
“Momo?”
“I am here Tessa.”
“What’s going on?”
“Well, Well, Well it seems you’re all awake at last.”
The voice was that of doctor Donovan. Every one’s eyes fell on him he was being supported by a cane untied and unencumbered. In fact he looked like he was in charge.
“I do hope my friends did not hurt you to much after all you are such nice specimens your data will enable me to do so much.”
My god he is in charge realized Livingston.
“What is the meaning of this I demand an Explanation!”
“You are in a position to demand nothing, sir. I, on the other hand, am in a position to grant, nothing… or so the old line goes. The truth is this was all for you and the lovelies.”
“Were flattered but that’s bull shit. This is about you not us now what do you want.”
“They were right you are smart so I am going to level with you. I am sick of it. We Scientists have always been pawns of the military! During the cold war we grew fat, as there was a constant need for us. Our ideas and innovations were appreciated. We created such wonders and we will again. There’s an historic opportunity here. We can make the world anew. This is a turning point join me”
“"Hmm. History is replete with turning points. How are you going to change the world? By destroying all who oppose you? ”
“No my friend we will make a new world an open world through fear the balance of terror it works There is strength in it. I have plans for the next great thing a Lambda driver module that can be fully integrated into an existing arm slave Think of it About it hundreds of arm slaves the threat of that much power would force the powers to act my Archangel would not go down as a one shot. Your Arbalest would be built as it should as the front line wonder be my friend we have an opportunity here we can bring them to their knees. Then we'll be in a position to dictate terms."
“Your insane. You would not create a world you would destroy it. Mithril is charged with maintaining order it is my duty to stop you. A Duty I fully agree with what you are doing is wrong.”
“All I want is the best for the world and to fulfill my dreams is that so wrong?”
“What you want is irrelevant, what you have chosen is at hand! The Ends Never justify the means. You will drive the world beyond the brink and kill millions, Billions can you live with that?”
“Please the numbers will never reach that high.”
“How many people have already died and how many people have to die before it becomes wrong? Hmm ten’s, hundred’s, thousand’s, million’s how much blood must stain your hands before it becomes Wrong? As a matter of history it has always been easier to destroy than to Create. Once one tastes blood it is hard to stop the craving for more.”
“ I had really hope for you but you force my hand you will be “Processed” and so will your friends we will have your secrets one way or another.”
Chidori could stand this back and forth no more
“Excuses me but I a think you lost me some where? What exactly is going on?”
“This whole thing is about greed. Donovan betrayed Area 51, murdered the pilot who was supposed to test the unit, he then arranged for Mr. Sagara’s battle to lure you and me out here…”
A thought suddenly occurred to him.
“…But how will he hide the crime…”
His own words popped in to his mind “A full charge of un focused energy it could make a full thermonuclear exchange look like a stink bomb.”
“My god and he intends to cover up our abduction by allowing the Archangel to go in to a critical thermo Overload the resulting blast would be like a hundred thermonuclear bombs. I am betting the angel pilot has no idea that his AS is rigged.”
“Of course Mr. Sagara has no idea he also has no idea that he is fighting his own brother…Hmm judging by the looks on your faces id say you don’t know about…”
He turned to Major Kalinin. And motioned to the one called Dylan, who removed Kalinin’s gag.
“…Why don’t you tell them Major. Tell them about you and Gauron. Tell them your last secret before you die.”
“To hell with you.”
Donovan dug an IM Metal HS 2000 out of his jacket.
“Fine then I will tell them.”
Sousuke was pissed. Mao was down her AS had been stripped. From the day he had met her she was his friend always truth full to him and part of him looked upon her as a mother figure though to her face he would strategically claim older sister. She was a strong woman and every time some one he was fighting hurt her part of Sousuke blamed himself. This guy was not going to be treated lightly. Suddenly he felt fear. It was not his fear it was as if he was feeling some one else’s pain. It took him a moment to focus his mind on it. The feelings surrounding it, he recognized them some how. It was resent memory the memory of last night.
“KANAME!”
She was in danger she was afraid of losing some thing very important. He focused his mind and their minds seemed to come together. He could not under stand what was this why was it he seemed to feel Kaname’s pain yes he loved her but this was more. He could sense the others Dr. Livingston and Captain Tesstarosa. He could feel there feelings suddenly he realized to his horror what this might be.
“Could this be resonance? Could I be whispered?”
With renew urgency focused his mind on Kaname.
Kaname could not believe her ears the man Sousuke was fighting was his own brother the “Amalgam” the group who had sent Gauron had manipulated the situation and convinced Sousuke’s long lost older brother Shinji that Sousuke and Kashim were two different people and that Shinji should kill Kashim (Sousuke). In actuality it was all part of a plan that’s aim was to capture three of Mithril’s most powerful Whispered.
Dr. Livingston, Tessa and Herself, like Livingston had said they were insane. She still had nightmares of what happened in Kasatka. If only she could contact Sousuke. She closed her eyes a sudden feeling of comfort and warmth swept over her. She felt like some one had wrapped her in a blanket of happiness
“Kaname…”
“Sousuke…”
She suddenly found her self back in his arms floating in contentment.
“Sousuke is this a Dream?”
“I don’t think so I don’t under stand this but I think we are resonating.”
“That can’t be unless…”
Dr. Livingston looked at Ms. Chidori
“ There are only two people who know this in all of Mithril for a long time now I have been one of them Ms. Chidori Sousuke Sagara is our only hope he is…our ace in the hole… he is one of the most powerful Whispered known to man but he has yet to unlock that power help him please Ms. Chidori help him stop this madness. Help him unlock his potential.”
“But…”
Dr. Livingston’s words came through to Sousuke like he had heard them with his own ears. He had to act there was no other choice.
“Kaname please help me I can’t loose you and if there is some thing I can do then I must do it.”
“You would not be the man I love if you stopped fighting. Just be sure I see you again.”
Kaname forced her self to drop the walls of her mind. She had built them to shield her self from the “other her” the part of her self that knew the impossible she dipped her self into it like a pool of water. The Knowledge came to her normally it was uncontrollable blasts that overwhelmed her but with Sousuke there in her mind it became clear stable focused it twisted it’s self into a half a Helix Sousuke’s mind was bridged to hers a burst of his knowledge copied the move intertwining into Kaname’s knowledge together they formed a double helix. It was order from chaos. It was glorious.
“Sousuke one thing do not kill the pilot of the Archangel. he is just a pawn in this sick game.”
“I will doe my best too comply. My love I am coming to save you.”
Sousuke had been moving defensively dodging avoiding impacts. He knew the Gen Two could damage Arbalest. But now he was ready his new knowledge gave him the edge. He now knew Arbalest secret it’s lambda driver was special it could adapt and counter any attack once complete and he held the missing piece that was why it only worked for him. Because he could finish the lambda driver! He focused his mind on the newly unlocked knowledge. Al prompted to life.
“Unknown software Update locating source... Source identified Driver LB 426 loading software… load complete running program”
Shinji saw his target it was time to make his move. He focused an energy blast At Kashim. It dissipated before impact. Suddenly the Arx-7 seemed to surge with power the thermographs showed a massive drop in temperature. There was a massive burst of energy and a massive pillar of Blue Light struck into the sky.
“What the Hell…no way a lambda two?”
The pillar faded and arbalests Eyes flashed an unearthly Blue
Sousuke was arbalest. He controlled Arbalest like he controlled his body with mere thought he saw through Arbalests eyes he heard though arbalests audio mics. He deployed a monomolecular cutter. And took a fighting stance.
Shinji struck out with the Dark soul Sousuke paired the move. His mind flashed through arm slave specs more detailed then any construction manual. He could see it now the Archangel was a trap and he knew how to disarm it. His first attack the Dark souls spear he focused on the blade of his cutter and brought it down on the spear’s stem slicing through like it was tissue paper. The second move clipped the Angel’s wings.
Sousuke was not going to make it in time. The bad guys were reading to move out. Livingston had no other choice they needed time and he could buy it he just hoped the price was not to steep. Who ever had bound his hands and feet was an idiot Livingstone had worked his way to the point of freedom he had been biding his time but no more he could see his goal a desert Eagle pistol sat waiting for him just a few meters away. He had to make sure he got Donovan if he failed there would be no second chances.
“Tessa I love you”
“Momo?”
“DONOVAN!”
“If I join you do I have your word you will not Hurt Tessa or Ms. Chidori?”
“I've given you no word to keep. In my judgment, you simply have no alternative”
“I See.”
“Momo NO don’t”
He sent a quick Empathic message to Ms. Chidori.
“Watch Tessa for me”
He broke his bonds and leaped to the gun.
Donovan still had his and was ready to fire first.
The both opened fire
Sousuke’s third move decapitated the mech.
“From Hell's heart, I stab at thee. For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee.” Livingstone’s Bullet punched through Donavan’s head as the end of this passage came to his mind.
The recoil of the gun caused it to leap from his hand.
"My God, what have I done?" Thought Livingstone as Donovan’s bullet pierced his liver and he began the slow processes of dieing
"What you had to do.”
Came the voice of his friend Bunny
“ Turn death into a fighting chance to live."
Sousuke reached his fist in to the back of the Archangel and ripped the lambda driver core from the mech once freed from the Mech it converted in to a safe liquid mass. The trap was gone now Sousuke had to secure Kaname and the others. He bolted moving at speeds that would impress the most hardcore racing fan.
Dylan burst in to laughter. He kicked Donovan in the ribs.
“What an ass hole I’d bet his last thought was ripped from some great Book like Moby dick or some shit like that.”
He tossed his gun to Johnson and walked over too the silver haired girl.
“If you love him you will be a good girl…”
He cut her bonds and dragged her to Momo. Dylan took her hand and forcefully placed it over the wound.
“Apply pressure here the blood is black Your lover will not last long but I a romantic so you may as well have one last moment together.”
As he walked away Tessa began to cry.
“Momo…you big fool. Don’t leave me not like this not now.”
“*Moan*…. I am not aghh… going any where.”
“Your dam rights your not going Any where. What were you thinking?”
“Aaghh. I was thinking of how sad the world would be with out you.”
Tears were streaming down their faces.
Tears streamed down Kaname’s face as well she thought of Tessa as a friend and her friend had found happiness for a short time and was now about to loose it. A small voice in her mind spoke it was a voice she hated with all her heart. “One day that may be you and Sousuke.”
“That may be true but it won’t be today and I will dam well make sure that every day that comes will be a happy day because I am happy with him”
Sousuke was almost there but he was not alone he could see a group of four shadow units. He deployed his new automatic rifle it was almost I identical to the one usually carried by Mithril M9’s except it had a new pop out stock. His mind flashed the specs of the Shadow. Cross hairs appeared over the best weakness. A point unprotected by reactive panels and that would destroy the unit with a single burst the fire selector locked on 3 round. He fired a burst in to each as he thought the Shadows collapsed and burst in to flames.
Dylan and Johnson signaled there fellow pilots to mount up
The group would Evac once the heavy transports got here but that would be a little while Donovan had said that the Archangel was on a timed detonation and there would be time. Dylan guessed that some thing had gone wrong.
“Guess we can’t count on our grand finally huh bubby?”
“Well let’s see if we get to play with Steve-O Again?”
“Twenty G says it’s the little one.”
“Your on!”
In unison both men climbed in to the necks of there Twin Venom Arm slaves. The monstrous insect like Mechs came to life and stood proud and frightening. They moved out along with the squad of shadows.
Kurtz had come too. He was trying to access the hydraulic manual cockpit open control
“Why Am I always the one always roasting in the cockpit of my own mech. that’s it I am going on sure leave in some place cold. Relax with some coco chill in the hot tub with some babes. Man If I keep this up, I'll end up talking to myself!"
The shadows took up a fighting position. There thermo scanners saw nothing but each pilot could sense it in the pit of their stomach some thing was coming in and fast. Johnson was set up for a sniper’s shot at whatever came their way. And Dylan was ready to pounce.
Sousuke/Arbalest leapt each arm slave tried for a shot but hit only Air. Sousuke/Arbalest landed on the first shadow crushing it under the force. He opened up a full automatic Burst ripping the shadows to pieces and empting the Magazine. His sense’s told him to protect him self he formed a barrier and an anti-As sniper round was stopped before impact. Sousuke traced the round to the Yellow Venom Arm slave crouched behind a large rock. It’s Twin tried to pounce on Sousuke hoping that the speed of the move would prohibit a reaction But Sousuke was faster since he was controlling the Arx7 via his mind and not through the Arm slave Emulating his motions the reaction speed of arbalest was second to none. The yellow unit tried one more shot. Sousuke reflected it back pulverizing the rock and the rifle of the yellow unit. Now the Black twin pulled its cutter and charged Sousuke. Sousuke pulled his own cutter and countered. The Yellow unit pulled a cutter of it’s own and joined in. Sousuke blew them back with an energy blast. The units got back up and charged the Lambda drivers the stinger like fins in the back of the units Cocked like a scorpions tail. Sousuke imagined the specs of the Venoms. And found a weakness. The Venoms charged for word and Sousuke blasted them. The Venoms disintegrated in to chunks of metal on the sand the energy of their Lambda drivers fed back upon its self and the Venoms exploded. Sousuke charged forward
Arbalest came over the dune at last Sousuke was here! She ran to the mech but here cries of joy were muffled out by the sounds of helicopter rotors. It was the Amalgam pick up and they weren’t kidding around along with 12 Mi-Mi 17 heavy lift choppers they were flying Ka-50 Hokum A attack helicopters. Arbalest stepped in between them and the hostages only to suddenly collapse to the ground. It looked like it was all over they had lost when an missile shot slammed into one of the heavy lift choppers. An F/A 35 screamed out of the sky. The Ka-50 tried to clear out But was torn to pieces by heavy fire from a reddish colored Shadow Arm Slave fallowed by several US Army M9s the Amalgam unit was out gunned and out matched.
Mohammad had paid off. His people and less then reputable connections had led the group to here. Apparently people had seen a giant on the prowl. Equipment and people traveling though the area had begun to vanish under suspicious circumstances. All of which led to the conclusion that some one was lying in wait.
It was Sousuke’s turn to walk convoy security. As he viewed the desert via Arbalests night vision system, something caught his eyes.
He had the convoy stop and he approached. As more and more of the object came in to view Sousuke quickly realized it was not one object but many. They were huts, the bombed out ruins of a village, but not just any village, It was his village!
Although Sousuke had not seen this place in over a decade, he knew where he was this was the field hospital that he had seen burn. The place had not changed obviously this place was so far out in the middle of nowhere that resettling it was probably not on the list of goals held by the various regimes that had held power after the war.
Even in the darkness of night he recognize the lay out the construction the very form of the structures.
“Pass 1 to Urzu 7 report.”
“ Sir I believe we are in the remains of a UN field hospital destroyed ten years ago by a group of Russian forces."
“Urzu 7 Do not make unsubstantiated allegations with out evidence.”
“Sir I have evidence, I am my evidence. I was here I saw it all.”
“…Under stood Urzu 7 Pass 1 to all units we will Laager here for the night.”
Time 0204 local
Kaname had snuggled close to Sousuke in the night for warmth and to insure he got some sleep she was happy that he did but she could feel him wake up several times. Of course he had to take a watch but his watch was over at one when 2 o’clock rolled around she decided to check on him. She wrapped a blanket around herself to keep warm,
It did not take her long to find him, but how she found him was a different matter he was curled up in a ball on the floor of one of the huts rocking back and forth. She could hear faint sobs coming from him.
“Sousuke are you alright?”
He turned and looked at her his eyes were red with tears and filled with sadness and despair.
“Kaname…I…”
He turned away and tried to get up only to fall in to the same pose.
“…Oh no please go away I…am fine nothings wrong just sand in my eyes that’s all.”
He was lying to himself just as much as he was to her. But she could not leave him not like this. She approached and took him in to the blanket and her arms.
“Liar”
She whispered. With her arms around him Sousuke could no longer hold back he wrapped his arms around her and fell in to her warm soft form. He let out all his pain And cried on her until he could cry no more he told her every thing he could remember of his parents his lost comrades friends and fellow fighters. It took hours until it was time for him to tell her one last secret.
“Kaname I Love you.”
“I know Sousuke and I love you.”
My god she thought to her self. He said it and I said it there’s no going back now. Nothing will ever be the same. Some how there lips came together it might have been an accident or on purpose how did not matter to her, She did not even know who started it, but it happened and she was never happier then there in his arms. It started as a gentle peck and then it became a passionate kiss and Sousuke had some skill at it. His lips were warm and soft his breathe sweet and light. Their Tongue came to each other their inner spirits seemed to want each other more than any thing. She could feel him try and resist the urge and she as well but neither had the strength and so they gave in they had both wanted this for so long. And as they gave in to their temptation the two lovers seemed to merge in both the physical act and in there very essence the closest thing Kaname had ever experienced was resonating but this much more. Resonating was a meeting of minds this was of mind, body and spirit.
Time 0430 hours
The sun peaked over the edge of the mountains bringing light to the stricken wasteland of the desert. Sousuke and Kaname watched it together.
“Kaname about last night…I ah...”
“Sousuke I have no regrets do you?”
“No I do not regret last night in the slightest.”
“Good”
She grabbed him by wrapping her arms around his neck and gave him a deep kiss.
“When we get back things are going to be changing and Sousuke you and I are going to be getting a lot closer.”
Sousuke’s lips parted and white teeth broke through reveling the smile Kaname had grown to adore. Sousuke suddenly glanced over Kaname’s shoulder a short distance away stood Tessa and Dr Livingston in an almost identical pose.
“Looks like this trip may have changed things for more than just us huh?”
“I would say that is an appropriate evaluation of the situation.”
“Sousuke has any one ever told you that you were a poet?”
“Not that I can recall.”
“Thought so.”
Sousuke chuckled.
He was really laughing, so much of him was coming through so quickly this trip was more than worth it. She had known she was interested in Sousuke from the day they met she had known she liked him when he had saved her from the truck. And she had fallen for him when he saved her from Gauron. And now she knew he loved her. Her mother had once told her “Some times one must leave home to find home.” She had never under stood what she had meant until now.
“HAY LOVE BIRDS!!”
Kurtz stood atop the Stryker vehicle waving his arms trying to get every ones attention.
“YOU MIGHT WANNA TAKE A LOOK AT THIS!!”
Kurtz had been right Doctor Donavan had gotten contact with testing equipment built in to the Archangel giving of a Telemetry signal. The equipment would have been used to test the Archangel unit at area 51.
“Its some where in a these canyons here…”
Donovan pointed at a map that popped up on one of the touch screens built in to the armored car.
“The signal is weak and the walls are bouncing the Data signal around like a hall of mirrors so I can’t be more precise.”
“If memory serves those canyons are very shallow and narrow I doubt any Vehicle other than an arm slave could make it. The gorilla group I was with used to use them for hiding places and ambushes. Many an arm slave are still buried in there. ”
Time 1300 hours
It had taken several hours to get to the canyons but now that they were here Sousuke began to probe them with Mao close behind well Kurtz and the rest waited at the opening.
Major Kalinin stared in to the eyes of his adversary and Lt. Lamont Cranston stared right back. The Lt. was a man not much older than Kurtz however he had an attitude more like Sousuke. He like the rest of his Squad came from the new US army Stryker Brigade combat team aka the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division “arrowhead Brigade”. A new unit that sat in-between Force 21 and the standard fighting forces they field tested the latest US infantry gear and equipment including the New combat uniforms and M8 assault rifle they were the only unit in the area compatible with both the M9 an Arx7 as Mithril preferred not to keep a long term force in country. The two men looked like they were gripped in mortal combat both men trying desperately to out tactician the other. And then Kalinin made his move.
“Queen to queens pawns two Check mate.”
Kaname chuckled.
“Very well played Major Sir”
The Lt stood and shook the majors hand.
“If you do not mind sir I have to check on my men however I would very much appreciate a rematch later.”
Kalinin nodded. The Lt returned the gesture and picked up his Blue, gray and green patterned digital camouflage helmet and disembarked from the vehicle.
“Well Mr. Kalinin I rarely see you so focused I thought for a second there the two of you were about to come to blows.”
Remarked Tessa.
“ I assure you other wise however that young man has some skill it would be interesting to see him in a match against Mr. Sagara.”
That got Kaname’s attention.
“Sousuke plays Chess?”
“Why yes I taught him he is a very good player as well and to date the only person ever to beat me at it.”
Kurtz sat in the cockpit of his M9 he was bored he wished he could have gone with Sousuke and Mao but some body needed to watch camp. The Army guys were good but they were infantry and so far out in the middle of nowhere the best support were either a tank or an Arms slave.
“Sergeant Weber I have an anomalous Heat signature baring on our 6 o’clock.”
Webber turned to look at it through the Primary optics built in to the head of his mech before he could complete the move there was a loud “Thud” and every thing went black
Dr Livingston sat at one of the terminals of the Stryker monitoring the video and scanner feeds from Ms. Mao and Mr. Sagara as they searched the canyons. One of the arm slave telemetry displays went black at first he did not notice; as it was not one of the screens he was using but then he realized that was the unit watching them! An alarm sounded and the Stryker’s voice prompts kicked in.
“Warning Unidentified heat signatures closing At 20 meters.”
The armored ramp was closed to allow air conditioning. But the sound of gunfire was still strong though muffled through the composite hull. The driver hit the gas the Stryker roared to life.
Livingston took over the remote control 25mm gun turret built in to the roof of the vehicle he quickly searched for targets and found several the first that came to view was a Russian Shadow Arm slave. Livingston flipped the switch loading the 25mm XM307 with armor piercing shells. And gave the trigger a squeeze the first ten round burst hit nothing but reactive plates blown off by explosives layered in to the Shadows body the second Ten round burst ripped into the Arm slave like a hot knife through butter. But the Shadow was not alone the Heat display soon showed 10 more blips. He tried his luck and nailed one more shadow. When he went for the next target he got a rude surprise the next target was not a shadow it was A Venom Unit. The Kinetic Energy from his fire was turned back against the Vehicle. Throttling it like a child might do a toy.
“HANG ON!!!!”
The Stryker Lurched out from under them so violently that all its occupants blacked out from the extreme G forces.
The canyons were a labyrinth loaded with traps, all of which Sousuke seemed to know. The bodies of soviet Arm slaves and choppers littered the place most of which were contorted and twisted in to grotesque and morbid forms this was a place ripped right out of Mao’s nightmares. Mao had seen places like this before. One of her first missions in the U.S.M.C. was a patrol along the Highway of Death in Kuwait during the gulf War. But no matter how many times she saw places like this it still Creeped the hell out of her. Every so often she had a nightmare just like this except the “dead” Mechs would come back to “life” and attack her. It could never happen but this place brought that image to mind.
“Sergeant Major I have detected a heat bloom baring 45 degrees vertical 4 o’clock horizontal”
“Urzu 7 do you read that bloom?”
“Affirmative Urzu 2 standby”
Sousuke could see the target it was the most Aesthetically pleasing Arm slave he had ever seen not even Gauron’s Silver unit came close to the beauty of this Arm slave.
““Sergeant Sagara I have picked up an incoming Radio Communication.”
Prompted AL
“AL put it on.”
“SO Kashim you’ve come to meet me After all”
“I am here now what’s this all about?”
“It’s about love it’s about hate but mostly it’s about BLOOD and how I am going to enjoy spilling yours.”
“AL Charge the Lambda Driver to full military.”
The battle began like all true battles the two sides staring each other down waiting for the other to make the first move.
Dr Livingston came too. His hands and feet were bound behind his back. The smell of burning flesh filled his nostrils. His eyes were out of focus so he used his empathic ability’s. His mind seeked out and found Tessa she was unconscious but he could feel nothing more than an extremely mild concussion she would be coming around very soon. He then seeked out Ms. Chidori, she was just coming around.
“What happened?”
“We got hit by a lambda Energy reflection.”
“But I thought the bad guy was in the canyons?”
“As far as I can tell he is. We were hit by some body else it seems some one invited some new players to our game.”
Livingston’s eye sight was back so he started looking around the smell of burning flesh was from scattered troops from the Stryker Squad they had put up a fight but had lost. Major Kalinin lay across from the doctor who was flanked by Tessa on his right and Kaname on his left all of them were bound Kalinin was gagged and obviously had taken a bit of a beating. Behind him laying in the prone position a pair of twin Venom type arm slaves one mostly black with yellow trim fitted with a large monomolecular cutter and shield the other mostly bright Yellow with black trim fitted with a sniper kit, along with four modified Shadows fitted with the standard infantry kit (one 45mm chain rifle one field pack two standard sized monomolecular cutters). The Stryker lay on its side torn open like an empty tuna can. The hummers were crushed and burning the Arm slave carrier was no where to be seen and Mr. Webber’s M9 lay spread eagle with an object that looked like a cross between a moon lander and an oil rig jammed to it’s chest.
“Hay Dylan tell the Doc we got a live one here!”
Livingston traced the voice to its owner a man kind of stocky in build with a Steyr Scout Tactical sniper rifle in his hands wearing an arm slave pilot suit trimmed on bright yellow.
“Rodger That Johnson”
Mao was having trouble keeping up with Sousuke and the Archangel. They seemed to be everywhere. Most hand-to-hand arm slave battles were simple moves as the more complex the action the grater the stresses placed on the pilot. There were no Bruce lee or Jackie Chan style arm slave bouts or at least that’s what she used to think but that had changed the Lambda Driver arm slaves could go at it like Jet Lee or some Hong Kong karate movie and right now that’s what was happening. She did not know weather to open fire or a ticket booth. The Archangel pilot was good delivering Black belt kicks and punches, but Sousuke gave as good as he got. It was like watching to masters of the same style go at it each move countered perfectly. Finally out of frustration Mao took her shot firing her 47mm automatic rifle.
Shinji had not noticed the second Arm slave he was too focused on Kashim, fortunately Lucifer had noticed it and warned Shinji just in time.
“Lucifer Search for their comm.’s Frequency most likely high band microwave.”
“By your command Search will take one minute.”
“Frell that you have thirty seconds”
“Frequency found.”
“Brake in.”
“By your command Radio interrupt open.”
“Tisk, Tisk Kashim this is a duel and you seem to have brought a friend well lets see if I can dig up some body for them to play with.”
“LUCIFER Activate LAMBDA DRIVER MODE TWO!”
“By your command Charging to mode Two Warning once in Mode Two All safety systems are rendered inoperable. Are you sure you wish to do this?”
“JUST DO IT.”
“By Your command.”
The Air Around the Archangel Charged with energy. The thermographs in Arbalest showed a buildup of incredible heat. The temperature around it dropped as all the energy in the surrounding environment was sucked up. The wings of the Archangel expanded in to serrated blades. The outer hoods on the arms opened releasing the two haves of the Dark soul monomolecular cutting Spear. The Archangel brought them together and they locked forming the Spear. The blade opened and surged with energy a massive pillar of Red light burst in to the Sky. The pillar faded and the Archangel’s eyes flashed a hellfire red In side the cockpit Shinji no longer needed the heads up display as the images of the out side world came to him in his mind’s eye. He pictured the M9 and then the corpse of fallen arm slaves around it. He chuckled
The rocks around Mao began to move. This was impossible the fallen dead Arm slaves they were Alive! It was like her nightmare only real she fired her weapon and swung at them. She tried to hold them off to no avail. The antiques were to high in number they leapt on to her arm slave and Ripped in to it. For the first time in her life as a solder she wanted to scream this was too much even for her. But she would not that’s just what that basterd wanted and she was stronger
“Warning structural integrity failure eminent.”
“Urzu 7 to Urzu 2 come in Urzu 2 come in please…”
The image of Gray popped in to Sousuke’s mind
Dam it Sousuke was not going to loose another person who trusted him. Before he had let such thoughts take over but not this time he focused his mind. He grabbed the 57 mm Scattergun and blasted in to the pile of “zombie slaves”. As it turned out this was the best course of action as the flak ripped the rotting mechs apart.
In the distance there was a massive blast of red light and then gunfire.
Tessa was coming around.
“Momo?”
“I am here Tessa.”
“What’s going on?”
“Well, Well, Well it seems you’re all awake at last.”
The voice was that of doctor Donovan. Every one’s eyes fell on him he was being supported by a cane untied and unencumbered. In fact he looked like he was in charge.
“I do hope my friends did not hurt you to much after all you are such nice specimens your data will enable me to do so much.”
My god he is in charge realized Livingston.
“What is the meaning of this I demand an Explanation!”
“You are in a position to demand nothing, sir. I, on the other hand, am in a position to grant, nothing… or so the old line goes. The truth is this was all for you and the lovelies.”
“Were flattered but that’s bull shit. This is about you not us now what do you want.”
“They were right you are smart so I am going to level with you. I am sick of it. We Scientists have always been pawns of the military! During the cold war we grew fat, as there was a constant need for us. Our ideas and innovations were appreciated. We created such wonders and we will again. There’s an historic opportunity here. We can make the world anew. This is a turning point join me”
“"Hmm. History is replete with turning points. How are you going to change the world? By destroying all who oppose you? ”
“No my friend we will make a new world an open world through fear the balance of terror it works There is strength in it. I have plans for the next great thing a Lambda driver module that can be fully integrated into an existing arm slave Think of it About it hundreds of arm slaves the threat of that much power would force the powers to act my Archangel would not go down as a one shot. Your Arbalest would be built as it should as the front line wonder be my friend we have an opportunity here we can bring them to their knees. Then we'll be in a position to dictate terms."
“Your insane. You would not create a world you would destroy it. Mithril is charged with maintaining order it is my duty to stop you. A Duty I fully agree with what you are doing is wrong.”
“All I want is the best for the world and to fulfill my dreams is that so wrong?”
“What you want is irrelevant, what you have chosen is at hand! The Ends Never justify the means. You will drive the world beyond the brink and kill millions, Billions can you live with that?”
“Please the numbers will never reach that high.”
“How many people have already died and how many people have to die before it becomes wrong? Hmm ten’s, hundred’s, thousand’s, million’s how much blood must stain your hands before it becomes Wrong? As a matter of history it has always been easier to destroy than to Create. Once one tastes blood it is hard to stop the craving for more.”
“ I had really hope for you but you force my hand you will be “Processed” and so will your friends we will have your secrets one way or another.”
Chidori could stand this back and forth no more
“Excuses me but I a think you lost me some where? What exactly is going on?”
“This whole thing is about greed. Donovan betrayed Area 51, murdered the pilot who was supposed to test the unit, he then arranged for Mr. Sagara’s battle to lure you and me out here…”
A thought suddenly occurred to him.
“…But how will he hide the crime…”
His own words popped in to his mind “A full charge of un focused energy it could make a full thermonuclear exchange look like a stink bomb.”
“My god and he intends to cover up our abduction by allowing the Archangel to go in to a critical thermo Overload the resulting blast would be like a hundred thermonuclear bombs. I am betting the angel pilot has no idea that his AS is rigged.”
“Of course Mr. Sagara has no idea he also has no idea that he is fighting his own brother…Hmm judging by the looks on your faces id say you don’t know about…”
He turned to Major Kalinin. And motioned to the one called Dylan, who removed Kalinin’s gag.
“…Why don’t you tell them Major. Tell them about you and Gauron. Tell them your last secret before you die.”
“To hell with you.”
Donovan dug an IM Metal HS 2000 out of his jacket.
“Fine then I will tell them.”
Sousuke was pissed. Mao was down her AS had been stripped. From the day he had met her she was his friend always truth full to him and part of him looked upon her as a mother figure though to her face he would strategically claim older sister. She was a strong woman and every time some one he was fighting hurt her part of Sousuke blamed himself. This guy was not going to be treated lightly. Suddenly he felt fear. It was not his fear it was as if he was feeling some one else’s pain. It took him a moment to focus his mind on it. The feelings surrounding it, he recognized them some how. It was resent memory the memory of last night.
“KANAME!”
She was in danger she was afraid of losing some thing very important. He focused his mind and their minds seemed to come together. He could not under stand what was this why was it he seemed to feel Kaname’s pain yes he loved her but this was more. He could sense the others Dr. Livingston and Captain Tesstarosa. He could feel there feelings suddenly he realized to his horror what this might be.
“Could this be resonance? Could I be whispered?”
With renew urgency focused his mind on Kaname.
Kaname could not believe her ears the man Sousuke was fighting was his own brother the “Amalgam” the group who had sent Gauron had manipulated the situation and convinced Sousuke’s long lost older brother Shinji that Sousuke and Kashim were two different people and that Shinji should kill Kashim (Sousuke). In actuality it was all part of a plan that’s aim was to capture three of Mithril’s most powerful Whispered.
Dr. Livingston, Tessa and Herself, like Livingston had said they were insane. She still had nightmares of what happened in Kasatka. If only she could contact Sousuke. She closed her eyes a sudden feeling of comfort and warmth swept over her. She felt like some one had wrapped her in a blanket of happiness
“Kaname…”
“Sousuke…”
She suddenly found her self back in his arms floating in contentment.
“Sousuke is this a Dream?”
“I don’t think so I don’t under stand this but I think we are resonating.”
“That can’t be unless…”
Dr. Livingston looked at Ms. Chidori
“ There are only two people who know this in all of Mithril for a long time now I have been one of them Ms. Chidori Sousuke Sagara is our only hope he is…our ace in the hole… he is one of the most powerful Whispered known to man but he has yet to unlock that power help him please Ms. Chidori help him stop this madness. Help him unlock his potential.”
“But…”
Dr. Livingston’s words came through to Sousuke like he had heard them with his own ears. He had to act there was no other choice.
“Kaname please help me I can’t loose you and if there is some thing I can do then I must do it.”
“You would not be the man I love if you stopped fighting. Just be sure I see you again.”
Kaname forced her self to drop the walls of her mind. She had built them to shield her self from the “other her” the part of her self that knew the impossible she dipped her self into it like a pool of water. The Knowledge came to her normally it was uncontrollable blasts that overwhelmed her but with Sousuke there in her mind it became clear stable focused it twisted it’s self into a half a Helix Sousuke’s mind was bridged to hers a burst of his knowledge copied the move intertwining into Kaname’s knowledge together they formed a double helix. It was order from chaos. It was glorious.
“Sousuke one thing do not kill the pilot of the Archangel. he is just a pawn in this sick game.”
“I will doe my best too comply. My love I am coming to save you.”
Sousuke had been moving defensively dodging avoiding impacts. He knew the Gen Two could damage Arbalest. But now he was ready his new knowledge gave him the edge. He now knew Arbalest secret it’s lambda driver was special it could adapt and counter any attack once complete and he held the missing piece that was why it only worked for him. Because he could finish the lambda driver! He focused his mind on the newly unlocked knowledge. Al prompted to life.
“Unknown software Update locating source... Source identified Driver LB 426 loading software… load complete running program”
Shinji saw his target it was time to make his move. He focused an energy blast At Kashim. It dissipated before impact. Suddenly the Arx-7 seemed to surge with power the thermographs showed a massive drop in temperature. There was a massive burst of energy and a massive pillar of Blue Light struck into the sky.
“What the Hell…no way a lambda two?”
The pillar faded and arbalests Eyes flashed an unearthly Blue
Sousuke was arbalest. He controlled Arbalest like he controlled his body with mere thought he saw through Arbalests eyes he heard though arbalests audio mics. He deployed a monomolecular cutter. And took a fighting stance.
Shinji struck out with the Dark soul Sousuke paired the move. His mind flashed through arm slave specs more detailed then any construction manual. He could see it now the Archangel was a trap and he knew how to disarm it. His first attack the Dark souls spear he focused on the blade of his cutter and brought it down on the spear’s stem slicing through like it was tissue paper. The second move clipped the Angel’s wings.
Sousuke was not going to make it in time. The bad guys were reading to move out. Livingston had no other choice they needed time and he could buy it he just hoped the price was not to steep. Who ever had bound his hands and feet was an idiot Livingstone had worked his way to the point of freedom he had been biding his time but no more he could see his goal a desert Eagle pistol sat waiting for him just a few meters away. He had to make sure he got Donovan if he failed there would be no second chances.
“Tessa I love you”
“Momo?”
“DONOVAN!”
“If I join you do I have your word you will not Hurt Tessa or Ms. Chidori?”
“I've given you no word to keep. In my judgment, you simply have no alternative”
“I See.”
“Momo NO don’t”
He sent a quick Empathic message to Ms. Chidori.
“Watch Tessa for me”
He broke his bonds and leaped to the gun.
Donovan still had his and was ready to fire first.
The both opened fire
Sousuke’s third move decapitated the mech.
“From Hell's heart, I stab at thee. For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee.” Livingstone’s Bullet punched through Donavan’s head as the end of this passage came to his mind.
The recoil of the gun caused it to leap from his hand.
"My God, what have I done?" Thought Livingstone as Donovan’s bullet pierced his liver and he began the slow processes of dieing
"What you had to do.”
Came the voice of his friend Bunny
“ Turn death into a fighting chance to live."
Sousuke reached his fist in to the back of the Archangel and ripped the lambda driver core from the mech once freed from the Mech it converted in to a safe liquid mass. The trap was gone now Sousuke had to secure Kaname and the others. He bolted moving at speeds that would impress the most hardcore racing fan.
Dylan burst in to laughter. He kicked Donovan in the ribs.
“What an ass hole I’d bet his last thought was ripped from some great Book like Moby dick or some shit like that.”
He tossed his gun to Johnson and walked over too the silver haired girl.
“If you love him you will be a good girl…”
He cut her bonds and dragged her to Momo. Dylan took her hand and forcefully placed it over the wound.
“Apply pressure here the blood is black Your lover will not last long but I a romantic so you may as well have one last moment together.”
As he walked away Tessa began to cry.
“Momo…you big fool. Don’t leave me not like this not now.”
“*Moan*…. I am not aghh… going any where.”
“Your dam rights your not going Any where. What were you thinking?”
“Aaghh. I was thinking of how sad the world would be with out you.”
Tears were streaming down their faces.
Tears streamed down Kaname’s face as well she thought of Tessa as a friend and her friend had found happiness for a short time and was now about to loose it. A small voice in her mind spoke it was a voice she hated with all her heart. “One day that may be you and Sousuke.”
“That may be true but it won’t be today and I will dam well make sure that every day that comes will be a happy day because I am happy with him”
Sousuke was almost there but he was not alone he could see a group of four shadow units. He deployed his new automatic rifle it was almost I identical to the one usually carried by Mithril M9’s except it had a new pop out stock. His mind flashed the specs of the Shadow. Cross hairs appeared over the best weakness. A point unprotected by reactive panels and that would destroy the unit with a single burst the fire selector locked on 3 round. He fired a burst in to each as he thought the Shadows collapsed and burst in to flames.
Dylan and Johnson signaled there fellow pilots to mount up
The group would Evac once the heavy transports got here but that would be a little while Donovan had said that the Archangel was on a timed detonation and there would be time. Dylan guessed that some thing had gone wrong.
“Guess we can’t count on our grand finally huh bubby?”
“Well let’s see if we get to play with Steve-O Again?”
“Twenty G says it’s the little one.”
“Your on!”
In unison both men climbed in to the necks of there Twin Venom Arm slaves. The monstrous insect like Mechs came to life and stood proud and frightening. They moved out along with the squad of shadows.
Kurtz had come too. He was trying to access the hydraulic manual cockpit open control
“Why Am I always the one always roasting in the cockpit of my own mech. that’s it I am going on sure leave in some place cold. Relax with some coco chill in the hot tub with some babes. Man If I keep this up, I'll end up talking to myself!"
The shadows took up a fighting position. There thermo scanners saw nothing but each pilot could sense it in the pit of their stomach some thing was coming in and fast. Johnson was set up for a sniper’s shot at whatever came their way. And Dylan was ready to pounce.
Sousuke/Arbalest leapt each arm slave tried for a shot but hit only Air. Sousuke/Arbalest landed on the first shadow crushing it under the force. He opened up a full automatic Burst ripping the shadows to pieces and empting the Magazine. His sense’s told him to protect him self he formed a barrier and an anti-As sniper round was stopped before impact. Sousuke traced the round to the Yellow Venom Arm slave crouched behind a large rock. It’s Twin tried to pounce on Sousuke hoping that the speed of the move would prohibit a reaction But Sousuke was faster since he was controlling the Arx7 via his mind and not through the Arm slave Emulating his motions the reaction speed of arbalest was second to none. The yellow unit tried one more shot. Sousuke reflected it back pulverizing the rock and the rifle of the yellow unit. Now the Black twin pulled its cutter and charged Sousuke. Sousuke pulled his own cutter and countered. The Yellow unit pulled a cutter of it’s own and joined in. Sousuke blew them back with an energy blast. The units got back up and charged the Lambda drivers the stinger like fins in the back of the units Cocked like a scorpions tail. Sousuke imagined the specs of the Venoms. And found a weakness. The Venoms charged for word and Sousuke blasted them. The Venoms disintegrated in to chunks of metal on the sand the energy of their Lambda drivers fed back upon its self and the Venoms exploded. Sousuke charged forward
Arbalest came over the dune at last Sousuke was here! She ran to the mech but here cries of joy were muffled out by the sounds of helicopter rotors. It was the Amalgam pick up and they weren’t kidding around along with 12 Mi-Mi 17 heavy lift choppers they were flying Ka-50 Hokum A attack helicopters. Arbalest stepped in between them and the hostages only to suddenly collapse to the ground. It looked like it was all over they had lost when an missile shot slammed into one of the heavy lift choppers. An F/A 35 screamed out of the sky. The Ka-50 tried to clear out But was torn to pieces by heavy fire from a reddish colored Shadow Arm Slave fallowed by several US Army M9s the Amalgam unit was out gunned and out matched.
