Chapter 1: The End of the World

The world was coming to an end, Ryo was sure of it. He even had proof, beyond the shadow of a doubt.

First-- life was now officially a cheesy science fiction plotline come to life. Robots were trying to destroy the human race. This was (no duh) because they considered themselves superior to 'puny biological organisms'. Pretty straightforward, no biggie, right?

Yeah, well, that's because in cheesy sci-fi stories, the humans end up winning.

That was the problem with fiction, the good guys either had to win, or the bad guys ended up good, or the book was really creepy… and only demented people would write something where the bad guys would win and not turn good. Of course, this was all according to teammates who didn't know a good plotline from a hole in the ground, so…

Where had he been going with this? Ah yes. Proofs.

The human race was faced with the threat of extinction. That, in a nutshell, was Proof #1.

Proof #2: He was stuck behind the battle lines, doing nothing more useful than cleaning a malfunctioning septic pump.

Ryo grimaced at the very thought. And I thought life would always be exciting here at Exo-Force, He thought dismally. So much for that!

Frowning, the techie tried to think of another proof. I know I had more… Oh yeah.

Proof #3: Sensei Keiken hadn't approved his idea for a new battle machine.

Ryo called it 'Uplink', but he hadn't told Sensei the name just yet, just given him a general idea of what it would be. Sensei practically had thrown it back in his face, telling him that they didn't have the time.

If that was the case, then why, pray tell, did they have the time to clean the septic pumps? How on earth could clean septic pumps take priority over preserving the human race?! Ryo shook his head, sighing.

Proof #4: The food here tastes worse than the gunk in this septic pump smells, Ryo thought, grateful he was wearing a fibrous oxy-filter.

Although it was basically a glorified oxygen mask, the thing still managed to block some of the repugnant scent commonly associated with septic systems. For that, Ryo was eternally grateful. But that didn't mean the world wasn't coming to an end.

Then again, it's always darkest before the dawn, no? This just proved that the world really was ending. Or so Ryo thought, until the strike team sent to sabotage a "secret" robot lab returned… Then he was absolutely positive the world was ending.

Ryo grimaced, shaking his head as he lugged a glob of who-knows-what out of the pump.

Yuck! I wish I could have gone with Ha-Ya-To, Takeshi and Hikaru, instead of cleaning… Oh well, they were only going to mess up a not-so-secret-anymore robot lab. Ha! Exo-Force: 1 Robots: 0 in the destroying secret labs competition. I mean, at least my labs are still a secret, he thought smugly. Of course, to get into my labs, the robots would have to destroy Sentai Fortress… and that would just compound the 'end of the world' issues. Which leads me to Proof #5...


"Hey Ryo! The Gate Guardian needs a little help here, the Robots weren't exactly happy today!" Ha-Ya-To shouted. The red-haired pilot hoped out of the small yet capable Gate Guardian Battle Machine.

"Ryo! Stealth Hunter! Now!" Hikaru yelled, also exiting his Battle Machine. "This thing looks like it's going to blow!" it was an exaggeration, but Ryo didn't have time to correct him.

"Grand Titan doesn't need repairs. I take care of my Battle Machine," Takeshi replied, shooting a killer glare in Hikaru's direction.

"What? That thing's practically falling apart!" Hikaru snapped at the green-haired pilot.

"Not as bad as yours!" Takeshi shot back.

"Oh yeah?!" Hikaru snorted, looking like a bull ready to charge.

"Both of your battle machines need fixing," Ryo piped up, 'appearing' between the two much like a character in an anime might. "And if you two could keep it down, I kind of have a migraine that would appreciate some peace and quiet." Ryo smiled sweetly, but his eyes sparked with badly concealed frustration.

Hikaru glared at Ryo. "Just because you were part of the design team…"

"…doesn't mean you can boss us around," Takeshi finished, folding his arms over his chest. "Anyway, fix Grand Titan first."

"No, fix Stealth Hunter!" Hikaru shot back.

Almost before Ryo realized what was going on, both pilots were tugging on one of his arms, each trying to drag him towards their Battle Machine. That was when Ha-Ya-To jogged over. "C'mon guys, have a little class for the lady's sake," he urged.

Both of them dropped Ryo instantaneously, who hit the floor wondering if this was what an overstretched rubber band felt like. Wait, lady?

Ryo stood and brushed himself off self-consciously, wondering exactly who these guys were talking about.

"So, we rescued you from the robots," Ha-Ya-To said to whomever he'd dragged over. "Would you mind telling us your name? I'm Ha-Ya-To, by the way."

Ryo glanced up and froze in mid-brush.

The girl raised an eyebrow. "You've told me your name three times, and I've tried to tell you mine at least that many. You kept interrupting me. Either that or you weren't listening," she said, smiling at Ha-Ya-To coldly and tossing long violet hair over her right shoulder.

"I'm Hikaru," Hikaru said, stepping forward and extending a hand. "Nice to meet you. You know, after taking the time to beat all the metal heads away from you. That moron with green hair is Takeshi--" Here he broke off as Takeshi shoved him.

"I'm Takeshi, and I'm well capable of introducing myself," The green haired pilot said. "And I don't think we heard your name, miss…"

"Rika," She said, eyes half-closed.

"Oh yeah, This is Ryo," Ha-Ya-To said, pointing at the techie, who had managed to straighten up, but continued to stare at the girl.

Hikaru glanced at Ryo. "What's your problem?" He asked, frowning.

Ryo blinked.

"I know him already," Rika said, eyes cold as ice. "I hate him." She sniffed, spun on her heel and stalked away. "Can one of you get me a room? I need to take a nap," She tossed over her shoulder.

Ha-Ya-To blinked. "Sure, in a second," He called after her, then turned to face the purple-haired techie. "Who was that --what the heck?!-- and how does she know you?"

"She's my sister," Ryo said simply, "And she hates me."

A/N: This story idea has been nagging at me for awhile, so... I thought I'd try it out. Hope you like! Review please! This actually takes place before my first Exo-Force fic, 'I call it Uplink', and it's AU, completely and totally. This is just me making up most of Ryo's backstory for my own enjoyment...