A/N: Ignore the "Part" thingy. And yea, this is really long, longer than the first... Enjoy!
Chapter 2
Not knowing what happened to Mahad and Dahlia, Cortes went straight into action.
"Cheng, could you try and find the location of the Hyperion?" He asked Cheng.
"I'm on it Captain." He quickly responded and began tapping at his computer. Lena was quite worried, but then again, she is always worried when something bad has happened. Who doesn't?
"Captain, The radio isn't picking up but I was able to find their last location."
"Where are they?" Lena asked in relief as she stood beside him, trying to figure what – or where – the flashing light on the screen is.
"The coordinates show an unauthorized area of Babylonia, and since the radio isn't picking up, I guess they've crash landed."
Cortes closed his eyes in frustration, then after a brief moment he opened them again.
"Wayan, set coarse to those coordinates," Cortes ordered.
"Yes sir," Wayan nodded.
The words 'crash landed' made Lena worry even more. Cheng could tell she was.
"Everything's going to be okay Lena," he said placing his hands on her shoulders, "you'll see." Then he sat down again.
Both Mahad and Dahlia weren't in the mood, neither comfortable with the idea of being hostages. Dahlia pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot him if he didn't let them go.
"Just let us go, no one will get hurt" she said.
"Oh, I will let you go," he said bringing his arm up and grab Dahlia's gun out of her hands, "once you help me find this person."
Mahad would have drawn his boomerang but what harm would it do to a human, especially a seijen. Dahlia was about to draw her bow- she stopped; she knew he would take it away from her. And he didn't know she had another weapon. She would use it at a valuable moment.
After a moment, Urie stared his eyes hard at them, and spoke into his radio. They couldn't hear what his was saying but they guessed his was requesting for backup. Mahad just wanted to run, but then what good would that would do. He would leave Dahlia in danger, but then wouldn't Urie chase after him. Which ever, he didn't. The thought of running constantly came up in his head and he just had to do his best to ignore it.
He began to walk towards them after a brief moment of staring at them. The he stepped behind them, Mahad could have sworn he could have run at that very moment, but then he realized the Hyperion. So he stopped himself from grabbing Dahlia's hand and running off.
Dahlia on the other hand, she was losing patience. Not a thing she would usually do. But this moment made her feel different. She was caught unaware. And it shocked her, giving her a sick feeling in her stomach. But she ignored it, if she didn't something could go wrong…terribly wrong.
Just then they were just pushed to the ground, and they didn't see it coming. Dahlia had fallen to her knees and Mahad had fallen on his stomach, rubbing his face across the ground, only leaving a small cut across his left cheek.
Mahad stood straight up, swirled around and was about to push him to the ground. But he saw Dahlia shake her head, so he didn't.
"And you didn't even see it coming," Urie chuckled.
Just then he pushed them once more to make they walk. But something didn't feel right. They knew he had nothing hard in his hands, but something hard like metal was bashing against their backs, which painfully hurt. Mahad guessed his was pushing them with Dahlia's gun he took.
Because of the foggy area, it was quite cool. But when they walked out of it became rapidly hot. Mahad had not known that foggy area was there, or he just couldn't remember. Just then he just realized he was walking away from the only gate way of getting out of here; the Hyperion. The more Mahad had looked back, the harder Urie pushed. And increased his chances of tripping over again. He continued walking and looked at Dahlia at the same time. She didn't seem to notice he was looking…or she purposely didn't look. He blamed himself. It's my fault, now she… and then his thoughts trailed off. He then turned back to his feet and stared at the endless path.
"Commander Oslo. Urie has reported back," the man over the radio said.
"What news do has he reported?" Oslo asked.
"He tells us he has hostages-"
"Why would he need hostages?" Oslo interrupted.
"They are Rebels."
"Do we know what their names are?"
"Yes, Mahad and Dahlia."
"Good. What other news do we have?"
"He has just requested back up, and they are being sent as we speak. But still has no whereabouts of the Guardian."
"Report back when we have more news."
"Yes, Commander."
"Did you see that?" Shoomdai asked amazed at the explosion that happened several minutes ago.
"They're here. I've got to go," Hilary said grabbing the bottle Hanniko provided.
"Whose here?" Hanniko asked.
Hilary laughed, "The Sphere."
Shoomdai and Hanniko swapped glances.
"Where can I find a ship?" Hilary asked.
"Uh… I'll grab a S22 if you want me to."
"How long will it take you?"
"Not long," Shoomdai said handing Hilary a helmet and putting his on his head, "Hanniko I'll be back."
"Be careful," she said.
"You too have to stay out of trouble," he smiled.
"I hate to interrupt this lovely matter, but may we go?" Hilary asked.
Shoomdai flushed and nodded.
Hanniko watched them go. She was going to stay out of trouble, but the explosion made her curious. She wanted to know what happened. She was glad he took only one hover bike, so she could ride hers instead of walking there. She put on her helmet and sat on the bike. She slowly breathed. Then she started her way towards where the explosion.
Cortes sat alone. Everyone was in his cabin. He worried for Mahad and Dahlia's lives. They were missing for hours, and for them to be missing that long made him feel unusual. He signed. Then the computer light up beside him.
"Cortes come in, Puerto Angel to Saint Nazaire," it was Patrucci on the other end.
"What is it?"
"One of our remote blocks have sadly…" His sentence trailed off, "we have lost many innocent lives, Captain."
Cortes groaned. Then the radio transmission cut between them. He then shook his head.
After a few moments Wayan walked in, "Cortes, we're all waiting for you." And then he saw Cortes's expression, "are you okay?"
"Wayan, we've just lost another block," he said coming down towards him.
"I'm sorry Cortes," he said putting his hand on his shoulder, "at least the Sphere can't find us here."
Cortes had parked the Saint Nazaire on an abandoned block a couple of miles away from Babylonia. It gave them time to plan without being bothered by the Sphere and it was large enough for the Saint Nazaire.
"At least." Cortes nodded. Then he and Wayan walked to his cabin.
When they walked in they could see Cheng was trying to comfort Lena. Vector was typing away on his computer. Everyone else was quietly talking but when Cortes came in everyone turned attention to him.
"We have just been reported that a remote block has been lost," Cortes said and he could hear people muttering in the background, "Silence. We need a plan to save Mahad and Dahlia. Vector, any ideas?"
"Before I give any ideas away, my predictions of the weather are wrong."
"What do you mean by wrong?" Cortes asked.
"Ok, maybe saying it was wrong wasn't a good example… But… we're in for a storm. And, in the records I have so far, they are the worst yet."
Everyone started muttering again, this time much louder.
"Silence everyone!" Cortes yelled across the room, and then he turned to Vector knowing there would be more news.
"The storm won't be present for several hours, so that would give us time to find Mahad and Dahlia."
A few people sighed. Lena, Cheng and Vector stared at Cortes.
"We better get on with it," Cortes said.
Urie had made Mahad and Dahlia sit on their knees. The sun started to go down, the sky going from a yellow to pinkish colour. Both he and Dahlia could see a trail of smoke coming towards them, but hardly paid attention to it. A few miles away, tall buildings were seen, but look small from where they were.
Urie walked back and forth restless, like he never run out of breathe. After a few moments he smiled. Three S22 patrollers came into view.
"Well finally you're here," he said then realized a Guardian walked out one of them, "Diwan… what are you doing here?"
"I don't want to be here as much as you don't want me to, Commander Oslo sent me," then she turned you Mahad, "well, if it isn't one of the brats."
Mahad frowned. It's getting a little old, Diwan. Mahad thought to himself.
"And he's brought a friend," she finished looking at Dahlia.
Urie rolled his eyes.
"Don't use that attitude with me," Diwan said walking towards his and poking him in the chest, "you should be glad you're part of the Sphere. Otherwise I would've gotten rid of you already."
"Oh, shut up for once will you," Urie smirked at her and walked towards Mahad and Dahlia lifting them to their feet. He once again, started pushing them.
Diwan looked towards the trail of smoke which seemed to be coming right their way. Then she noticed it was a hover bike. She frowned and turned to Mahad.
"You called someone to come help you, didn't you?" She asked Mahad.
He struggled to talk. "I di...didn...'t."
"Who did you call?!" Urie yelled grabbing his collar.
"No one!"
Urie frowned and pushed Mahad to the ground. He got back to his feet and wiped his sides. Just then three brigs walked behind then and started pushing them.
"Any whereabouts of the Guardian?" Diwan asked walking along side Urie.
"Not yet," he said.
"How do you intend in finding her?"
"I'm working on it. By the way, did you get the water?"
"What does it matter to you?"
"To know if you failed or not."
"Yes. I found the water. It's on the way to Sphere blocks as we speak."
Just then something exploded behind the two. Dahlia had drawn out her bow and shot at two of the brigs and Mahad hit the other Brig with his boomerang. They were about to run but they were struck by an electric shock and they both were falling and falling and falling…
"Wayan, alert the mosquitoes and take the main turret, we're under attack!" Cortes ordered.
"Yes sir!" Wayan said running towards the main turret, getting himself ready to start shooting at the S22's.
"Cortes anything I can do?" Lena asked.
"Keep watch, make sure no one gets aboard the Saint Nazaire and be careful!"
Lena nodded.
The Sphere wasn't giving much of a fight, and they were easily defeated. But one had already called for re-enforcements, which came faster than Cortes could ever think.
"We're almost out of ammo Cortes!" Wayan yelled.
"Keep fighting for as long as we can! Cheng, if you can upload more ammo in the turret!"
"Yes Captain."
"Cortes what in blue blazes is going on?" Vector asked walking past Cheng who almost ran into him.
"We are under attack Vector, what else?"
Vector sat at the computer and checked their whereabouts.
"No wonder"-he turned to Cortes-"we have entered a Sphere territory."
"I think I have found that out already."
"Cortes, ammo uploaded," Cheng said, saluting at him.
"Good job son, see what Lena is up to."
He nodded and walked off searching for her.
Everyone stayed silent. There were no more patrollers. The blue sky became dark after all the shots had been fired.
"Standby Wayan," Cortes said.
"Here she is Cortes," Cheng said coming in, Lena following behind.
"The Saint Nazaire is safe," Lena said.
"Good-" The right of the Saint Nazaire exploded.
"Were under attack again!" A voice called from behind.
And once again the dark blue sky turned to fire red when the fight started again. The radar showed more ships, and this time the Sphere was putting quite a fight.
"Cortes, shields are almost down!" Vector yelled.
The sides of the Saint Nazaire were red with flame as patrollers hit the sides of the shield. And then the right sound of the Saint Nazaire screeched.
Shoomdai thought the mission to get the patroller for Hilary was too easy. There was no one around; it was too simple. When he looked to Hilary, she had a deep frown on her face.
"Why is the Sphere after you?" he asked in interest.
"A reason you may not know."
"Why not?"
"It's private..."
"Come on, I can keep a secret."
"No! You may not know!" She snapped.
Shoomdai bit back on his lip and his questions and bashed at a button to open a garage which revealed a number of old S22 patrollers.
"Here… I'm off now," Shoomdai frowned and threw keys at her.
"What just like that, you're leaving?"
"Yes, how else?"
"I don't know how to fly this rubbish!"
"That wasn't part of the deal."
"What deal?! I asked for S22 patrollers-"
"That's it!" And he stomped away and sat on his bike. He stared back at Hilary who helplessly stood there. "Bye." Was they only thing he could say and he rode off. As he did he heard her curse and throw the keys to the ground.
9 years ago…..
"Is the prototype ready?" Oslo asked.
"Our scientist is still delaying on it Commander," Diwan replied.
"I want you to check up on him...make sure he isn't wasting time, he has delayed to long."
"Yes, sir."
Diwan had walked up to the lab. It was still under construction due to the last failed experiment attempt. It was crowded full of people and brigs. It smelt like something had gone off, but then it would change to a strong smell like some sort of petrol. It was quite loud at the moment and lots of people were rushing around the area. No one seemed to notice her and bumped past.
When Diwan finally approached the desk, she saw that there was no one there but it was covered in papers and blue prints. Its computers were still on and a bottle stood aside.
Then she heard someone walk behind her.
"Well, at last you came," Diwan said.
It was Tybald.
"What do you want?" He asked.
"You have a long delay on your project, and it isn't the first delay you have done. What do you have to report?"
"The only reason is why I have delayed is because of this!" He pointed to the people working on his lab; some stared at him then hurried back to work. "I need to concentrate, I request more time."
"Well, Oslo won't be happy with any of this." Diwan said walking around checking his blue prints.
"He is never happy, why should it be any different…" Tybald said under his breathe. Then he shook his head. "Tell Oslo I will need a few more days."
"You are giving me an order?"
"No, I'm requesting to have more time; I would just think you would inform Oslo."
"Well, that wouldn't be necessary." A voice said behind Diwan.
Tybald jumped from his seat.
"Comm…Commander Oslo," Tybald chocked, "If I knew you were coming"-he looked at Diwan-"I would've have cleaned up the place a bit more."
"I want you to test want you have so far, and that's a command."
"But Os-Commander, I have yet to test, and a whole lot of more research and testing before giving you full demonstrations."
"Be it not! I gave you time and know you have run out."
"Commander Oslo, we have a pirate ship attacking an armada of ships," Diwan whispered in his ear.
Oslo frowned then turned to Tybald.
"You should be glad I'm letting you go," Oslo said and turned the other way and walked out, Diwan trailing behind.
Tybald sighed as he watched them leave the room. Out of all the assignments he was given, Oslo hardly left him off. He should be just glad that this time he did, and get straight back to work.
Now…..
Mahad rolled on his back but felt something beside him. He rolled back onto his stomach and then he felt like he was laying on something worse then what was behind him. He slowly sat up. He vision was quite blurry and it was dark, he could see no lights at all turned on. As he laid his hand where he laid, he picked up the object and felt it. A hammer. He turned to his other side and slowly let his hand slide across the floor to feel what was lying beside him. Of course, using his common sense, it was Dahlia.
He slightly shook her, "Dahlia, wake up."
He shook her again, this time more vigorously.
"Mmm… Mahad…"
"I think you should get up now, enough sleep for you."
"Where are we?"
"Well, I remember this place now. It was an unauthorized are-"
"And let me guess, you tried to sneak in here a few times."
"Ta," Mahad smiled, "they stopped because it was ruining Babylonia's atmosphere."
"Aye," Dahlia said standing up and stretched her back. As she stood up, a door revealed. She could tell it was a door because there was light on the other side. "Mahad, come and look."
Mahad followed the sounds of her footsteps until he saw the door. They both leaned against it to listen. All they could hear was muffled speaking. They could tell it was the two Guardians and another group of Brigadiers. But there was someone else, someone sounded like they arguing and struggling. They both could hear who voice it was.
"Hanniko," Mahad said turning his head towards Dahlia. He couldn't see her, but he felt her breathing under his neck.
"What is she doing here?" Dahlia asked, whispering and sliding down the door to sit.
Mahad thought for a while. Then he remembered. The smoke trail.
"Dahlia, you remember that trail of smoke heading towards us?"
"Don't tell me that was her."
"Ok, I will not tell you," Mahad raised an eyebrow.
"We need to find a way out of here," Dahlia said pulling down on his arm to make him sit.
"How Dahlia? Got any ideas?" He almost fell on her.
She let her hand trail to see her surroundings, and then she started crawling. After a few seconds her hand touched what she was looking for, "Got it."
"Got what?" Mahad asked following her voice.
"What else? A metal rod."
"Why do we need a metal rod?"
Dahlia smirked. "Stand by the door and tell me when you hear someone coming."
"O...k" Mahad leaned against and listened to the conversation.
"Oh, and when you do hear someone, stand behind me, you don't want to get hurt."
"What business do you want with us?" Cortes asked.
"Well, you are rebels. You do have water stolen from the Sphere."
"And why should we give it to you?"
"Once you give me the water, I'll let the Seijen go."
The Saint Nazaire was pulled by a group of rebels, who resisted not only the Sphere, but them. The saw the same view of Skyland being free, but they wanted no one else to get in the way. Their leader would let go of Lena if Cortes gave them all the water they were caring one board. The thing is Cortes couldn't just give them the water. They rightfully found it, and since it was on their ship, they owned it.
He studied the bunch. They didn't look like they -or their leader- was leading a good rebellion or anything, their clothes were ragged and old, their facial hair -of the men- had to be shaved off to reveal their actual faces. Their appearances made them look less bright.
"How did you get those S22 patrollers?" Cortes asked.
"We stole them."
"So, we have killed people that work we you…" Lena said looking up at the man who held her.
"No"-he looked down on her-"Brigadiers."
"How did you get those Brigs to work on your side?" Cortes asked another question.
"We re-programmed them."
"And where did you find them?" Wayan asked.
"What is with these questions?! There is an abandoned facility on Babylonia; we steal what we need from there."
"That must have been the un-authorized zone Mahad and Dahlia crashed into," Cheng said.
"My turn to ask another question; will you give me your water for, this poor innocent girl?" He said rising a gun against Lena's neck. Cortes had never seen a gun in his hand.
Cortes thought, by their looks, the looked… well not so smart, but what could he risk if he was wrong. But they had Lena. He bit his lip…
"Let her go, and we'll give you the water," he said but he winked at Lena.
Lena smiled, now for some fun, she thought.
The man smiled, "so wise of you." And he pushed Lena forward towards Cortes.
"Too bad you're not so wise yourself!" Lena yelled and activated her power and sent the group flying across the room.
"Good job Lena," Cortes said patting her shoulder.
"They aren't dead, are they?" Cheng asked.
"Nah, just unconscious," Lena smiled turning the face of the man who held her.
"Wayan, help me get them off the ship," Cortes said.
"Aye, sir."
Mahad leaned against the door, he was still listening as much as he could to the conversation, but he was lost in his thoughts. He was wondering what Lena and the others were up to. But he was also wondering what Dahlia was going to do with the metal rod, he still couldn't figure it out.
"Sit up, Mahad," Dahlia said softly kicking him on his leg.
"I am, I am." He stood up.
He couldn't take it anymore! "Dahlia… what are you going to do with-" He heard footsteps coming towards the door. "Someone's coming!" He began to run behind Dahlia but he slipped and fell on his behind.
Before he could get up someone opened the door, and guessing by the height of the person, it was Diwan. Dahlia threw the rod into her face like it was a baseball bat and Diwan fell like a large sack of potatoes with a big thud!
"Ahh! Get her off me!"
When light came into the room and Dahlia adjusted her eyes to it she saw Mahad laying on the floor… with Diwan laying on top of him.
Dahlia helped Mahad push Diwan off him.
"Having fun, Mahad," Dahlia laughed.
"Hehehe, so funny, laugh all you want," Mahad frowned in irritation.
Dahlia helped him up. Then they heard someone coming. And they hid behind the door.
"Oh my god, Diwan you fool you let them get away! Get up you old goat!" Urie said kicking at her.
"Urgh!" She got up, and then rubbed her head.
"Go that way and find them! I'll go the other way," he said pointing in different directions.
"What about the girl?"
"She's not going anywhere." And they both ran off in other directions.
As they heard the footsteps go away in the distance Mahad and Dahlia sighed. Mahad began to walk ahead of Dahlia, but she put her hand in front of him and put her finger on her lips.
"Be careful, there could be someone else there we don't want to run into," she whispered.
Mahad nodded and stood behind her, letting her lead the way.
Dahlia stood against the wall, and peered into the corridor. No-one.
"Come on," she said grabbing the metal rod again and walking into the room with the door wide open.
As they walked in they saw Hanniko sitting on a chair with a roped tired around her arms.
"Mahad, Dahlia! What are you guys doing here?" She said slowly like she was struggling for breathe.
"Long story, let me get you out of this," Mahad said already pulling on the ropes. Who-ever tied them up were obviously bad at it; he easily pulled it off.
When Hanniko stood up she hugged Mahad and turned to Dahlia who was standing on the over side of the room near a table.
"Heads up, Mahad!" She threw Mahad his boomerang and his bottle.
She looked down at the table again; there was her gun, bottle and her laser bow and arrow. But across the table were two other guns.
"Were they planning to have a party of something?" Dahlia joked picking up the guns. "Mahad hold this for me," She threw Mahad her lased bow and arrow.
Mahad shoved it down his pocket.
"Hey, Hanniko, you know how to use a gun?" Dahlia asked handing her one.
"Well, I've read about them, so it won't be so hard," she held the gun in her hand and imitated using it, and then it shot a hole through the wall, "no, not at all," she admitted.
"Wow… you're worse than me," Mahad said staring towards the hole in the wall.
"I rather not use one," Hanniko said.
"You'll be fine," Dahlia comforted her, "pretend…pretend it's a toy."
"A very deadly toy," Mahad added.
"Thanks, Mahad, I feel so comfortable about using it now," Hanniko raised an eyebrow.
Dahlia took what she needed and the extra gun and made her way towards the door, "lets get out of here."
9 years ago….
It had been a week since Oslo had last visited Tybald at his lab, but Tybald was glad.
Just then his happiness was ruined when Diwan walked in, but looked behind her and saw another Guardian walked in with her.
"You should be happy Commander Oslo is giving you time for this, but you will be given someone to work with," Diwan said pointing at the lady behind her.
She looked almost like a teenager. Her hair was a nice brown colour and her skin looked so healthy.
"Good day to you," Tybald said at the lady. He then watched Diwan walk out.
"I know. Well, professor, for a lot of failed experiments, I think you're actually going at a good progression rate on this project. Oslo should be proud you work with him," she said.
"Eh, thank you. But he never gave me praise about my work. He only wanted new technology off me but never actually gave me enough time to finish."
"Your lab is amazing," she admired.
"Thank you… I guess we better get on with working. I don't think you've told me your name yet."
"No, I haven't. Hilary," she shook his hand.
"Well, welcome to Tybald Ye's Lab Hilary!"
"Thank you," she smiled.
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Reviews Please... And I'll be writing a different story for a break and get back to this after :P
