Chapter One:
Zanria Space Port was one of the roughest "gas stations" I have ever been to. If you wanted to find the nastiest bunch of hunters or the worst food on this side of the galaxy, then this place is for you. Landing the Korna was interesting enough, with all the air traffic. This place was a regular five and dime. Always on the go, always has someone important visiting, always having some huge politician making addresses from broadcasts all over this quadrant. I managed to radio in and after much deliberation with the main branch office they finally cleared my ship for a spot with the codes I supplied. Of course, they aren't really my codes, but registration is such a pain and a waste of time, why not give them the type of clearance they are looking for? Why not let them believe she's a cargo ship on a normal universal delivery? Suites me and the Korna just fine, even though the descriptions of her cargo are a times a little degrading. It keeps the law off our backs with ludicrous accusations, but that's an entirely different story all on its own.
I was cleared for a spot next to the gate, a great place for our little rendezvous to start. If something were to happen at this negotiation of the Eye of Siluna, I could easily leap over that fence, and make my way into the ship, quickly taking off without hesitation.
I loaded up with plenty of ammunition, sliding guns in holsters on my sides, and legs. I slipped a few magazines in my back pockets, and some regular bullets for the shot gun I carried on my back in a sheath. After readjusting my knife inside the leg of my knee length boot, I swung over my trademark long black and red coat, with the dark grayish buckles dangling from the ends. I strapped on the gloves I had loved to wear, the middle finger and thumb cut out so I was able to successfully handle my fire arms with a firm grip. I was finally ready to try and make this deal. There was a good amount of money on the end of this and I desperately needed to do some upgrades on the old girl. I almost forgot the most important weapon of all, and I made my way back down to the spare room, a cargo room, on the other end of the ship. I opened the door, and there it was. A furry creature, very cat like if you will. This animal stood on all fours; it's back as high as my lower thighs. She turned her head, which was more than three times the size of my own, and stared at me, this yellow and black fuzzy face of that of some type of bear. A mane of golden streaked hair feathered her face, with two huge green eyes. She leapt to her feet, and with a growl like purr I wrapped my arms around her furry head as two claw driven paws met with my shoulders.
"Ok, alright, I get it! You missed me a whole day, but I had to lock you up in here, you know that! Those patrol men wouldn't exactly let me pass through with you waving your tail at them through Narsis!" My face was nuzzled by her cold nose and snout, as she continuously purred very loudly, rubbing her head under my chin and jaw. "You ready to make some noise, my little Neko?" With a growl of joy she leapt down and stared up at me with those eyes again. Those huge green eyes are what had brought me to her to begin with back on Isley. She was only about maybe a few months old when I heard something screaming in the dead of night. I awoke from my spot and investigated to find a small furry feline, about the size of a normal dog, caught in a trap. I reluctantly went to the aid of this thing full of teeth at such a young age, and released her foot from the trap. She amazingly allowed me to bandage her injuries, and followed me back to camp. Ever since then, she hasn't left my side. This wonderful cat of which I found out later is called a Lorua, dates back to prehistoric age in her genetics. "My little Neko" I repeated. These types of animals can be both extremely dangerous, but also very dedicated and loyal.
Walking out of the cargo hold, Neko followed me at my side, my two steps equaling about a step of her own. I stopped at the arms locker for one last check on all of my weapons. I slid open a small door on the top of the locker, revealing a classic styled protector I had become very accustomed to. As the number of my guns grew, so did my use for this weapon. I took the Mussashi Katana I had gotten about 7 years ago to my visit to a planet named Earth, way out on the Milky Way Galaxy just past the ports off of Uranus. I was there on assignment to collect data for an anonymous bidder, about the planet's interactions with natives and atmosphere. Who ever was the dealer paid dearly for this long trip I took for having no knowledge of what the information was being used for. As far as I was concerned, my ship needed some desperate repairs and I had to have the funds as soon as possible. But this particular planet always had my curiosity, for the many cultures one small blue planet obtained. I visited many places and planets of my time, but none so innocent, never one so unknowing to the other worlds that were merely at their own doorstep. As I strapped the blade forged with its beauty of steel, silk and silver, I did remember of hearing of that small planet's depression, and how the Aucusians were actually waging a war on this small desolate place. I'm not sure of the details, but it seemed to me that they had found something on that planet of great value and would go to great means to get it. Recollecting on the times I spent on Earth, I slid the sword under my coat, and tied it to my side, double knotting the silk string to secure the sheath. Now, I was ready to take on the rest of the known universe.
We exited the airstrip and walked down town. , towards the many shops and restaurants that seemed to flood the streets. Who would've known that Neko was so accepted in this type of place? Of course, I would've cared less if it HAD bothered the other pilots and tourists. There was no way I was making this deal without her. Neko could be very protective when it came to a draw of a fight, and twice as lethal. She was my trump card, my ace up the sleeve, and so on. We walked in this god forsaken cold, seeming the sun for this port was non-existent, and everything was artificial. Zanria was even supported by the changing of the seasons, which by no means made any sense to me. Unfortunately we had chosen the dead of winter's chill to make this deal, and with every step into the bitter wind that iced my cheeks I regretted even agreeing to meet here. Neko, with her thick fur, was accustomed to this type of snowy weather and stared up at me with those huge green eyes that shined in the bright whiteness surrounding her. "Yes, I am freezing my ass off." I laughed as I read her mind. It seemed she laughed at me as she looked back in front of us, slightly rubbing her head against my leg. I smiled, and kept forward. I glanced down at my watch, and it was nearly an hour before I was to meet with the Nestors at the Shinlo Factory. As we walked down the street, my attention was caught by a near by display of a holovison, showing footage of late breaking news for the port. I stopped and saw the short haired female reporter explaining that a gang related incident had undoubtedly caused an explosion at a down town landing. From what I could gather (My Xaoician isn't that well, which was the main native language on this heap) there was an Imperial Cruiser that was attacked shortly after it landed for some fuel on its way home. The images shown a massive blow to a ship I definitely recognized with every aspect of detail. I was sure it was Aucusian, but I had no intentions of making my presence known to Cooler and his men. I wanted nothing of them and I'm sure at this time they wouldn't want to deal with an old warrior such as myself.
As I walked off, I turned back and took one last look at the holovison. Why I am so concerned with them, all of a sudden, I thought. Well, I had better things to worry about, like trying to find my way around these civilians for this exchange. No one was tailing me; otherwise Neko would've picked up on their scent and alerted me. I checked my GPS once more for the location, a device that was hidden away in my inside pocket, as well as my cigarettes. I roamed around and came upon a real piece of work, a broken down factory. I made my way to the front of the building, and I could feel the presence of something familiar. It was a ki power, just faint enough to catch my attention, but not enough to concern me. Who ever it was wasn't all that impressive by power alone, so I had nothing to worry over. I stepped up to the iron door, covered in snow and dirt alike. The junk lying around the door was clear evidence that this place hadn't be used for some odd number of years, and had no further construction plans in the future.
I heard a low snarl from Neko as I turned to see a figure standing above me. I stared up into the face, a man about in his mid thirties, a young one compared to me. It was the scruffy looking Ruji, one of the Nestors's counterparts. I smirked as he drew his weapon and rested it over his left shoulder. "I always perceived you to be a bit arrogant for a man of your stature, Haido-san" he said, his feminine voice echoing throughout the court yard. His black slicked hair was waving behind his neck as he stood in arrogance before me. I was slightly annoyed by this one especially, seeming that the last time we had a disagreement ended up in a super brawl.
Of course, being that warrior that I am, revealed and grabbed the katana at my side as I could feel the hairs on Neko's back rising as she continued her growling. His taste in weaponry was always as outrageous as he was. This particular choice for today was a huge blade on the end of a bo like handle, about as long as he was tall. Ruji was always a stickler for his personal touches on his arms, and this sword was no different, as I noticed the white silk tied to the base of the blade. He took one step off of the 3 story building and allowed his body to float down, his coat just below his thighs swaying behind him. He wore a light blue scarf that barely hung around his thin neck, and past his small boy like chest. He was nearly eye level with me now, descending to the ground, a firm grip still on the end of his weapon. His black dress shoes touched the icy floor gently, as he stared up at me, his head nearly up to my collar bone, with those childish blue eyes, readjusting his tanned cargo pants. He looked so young and very proper to me, but I knew the attitude behind that smile of his. "I am surprised to see you have made it back in one piece, old man" he smirked, standing one foot in front of the other as if he were trying to seem innocent to me.
"You concerns for my well being are always a marvel in themselves, Ruji" I replied, shifting my hand the katana. "Where is that cousin of yours? Still enchanting the men as usual?"
"My cousin is not your business right now, old man."
"This was always the problem I had with you, Ruji. You seem to want to try and get under my skin."
"Where is the diamond!" he demanded, gripping the handle of the sword tightly threatening to draw.
Before I had any time to reply, Neko had had her fill of this human in front of her, and leapt into action. She had him down on the snow buried under her massive paws before he ever had a clue as to what was going on. Snarling down at him, her claws dug into his shoulders, she bared her teeth nearly in striking distance of his neck. His shrieks of pain filled the area but were quickly silenced by the growls of the feline above him.
I stepped over to his head, smiling at this creature that acted on my own desires, and knelt down to stare into this man's eyes filled with sudden fear. "Do not try my patience, Ruji, or this huge animal will rip your dammed throat out, on her own account." I patted her head as she continuously snarled at him, and with one look of my face she released her claws from his shoulders. I stood to my feet watching as Neko backed away, hair still standing on her back from her excitement. Ruji scrambled to his feet, but slowly this time to not disrupt the cat again who was already anticipating another chance to strike.
"I will take that suggestion into consideration, seeming that your partner here can understand the human aspects of interaction." Trying to gain whatever level of integrity he had now lost, he straightened his coat out and knocked the snow that stuck to his clothes. "You really should put that thing on a leash, Haido-san" he griped as he bent down to retrieve his sword.
"As should they to you, Ruji, but I don't see that happening any time soon." I snapped. "Where are they?"
"It's out back behind the reactors. Come." He threw his blade back over his shoulder with a clink of the sword, and walked in front of me.
"You were always a pleasure." I walked along, not following too closely, as Neko trotted by my side, still on edge. We strolled around the corner of the building down a small path made in between the cluttered alley. There was a small shed at the end of the space, no bigger than a tiny closet would be. This had to be the entrance to where the Nestor's were hiding themselves. It had their usual dinginess to it, with the small round window broken into. As we approached the door, it swung open from the inside and revealed a very short creature barely reaching the door handle himself in height. He was a rugged looking fellow, with a stout posture and a beard growing from his chubby expression. He had a hand on his side, gripping his small gun, and smiled around his bushy mustache at the sight of us. "Shu wate` ka pruske` mon Clier-sa, eyyyy?" he laughed to himself. The only thing I was able to make out from this statement was 'shu wataka pruske' which was obviously his native tongue that meant You arrive no soon, in literal translation of Shuon. They were strange creatures, the Shuon, only standing about 3 feet and majority of the time about as wide. Their small dog like ears extending from the tops of their heads was the only thing that was dignified of their species. Over all, they were sluggish warriors, such as us Seiyajiins were, used as attack dogs just alike.
"It would seem so, my friend." I replied. I stepped inside behind Ruji, and Neko followed close by. There was little light to see by in this room, and I stepped down into what seemed to be a box of steel. The floor clinked with the weight of us 3, and shifted under my foot just a hair. I realized it was an old elevator shaft, and turned my face forward, looking to the door that I had just past through. "This is impressive..." I muttered down to Neko, who replied with a low growl as she rubbed her head against my leg. There's that ki again. I felt a small shimmer of it, just enough to grab my attention. Maybe it was just my imagination, but why would I feel as if I recognized it? It was familiar, something from way back. Whatever the case, now is not the time to be concerned. I needed to focus on this task at hand, due to the fact I was expecting a double cross with all of the personnel hanging around.
With the sound of the door to the outside slamming shut, Ruji lifted a small grey panel and switched a small toggle button. This made the entire floor jolt and it startled this old man a little, with the sudden movement of descending below. The floor was soon above me as we went down further into the darkness, the lights on the shaft wall reminding me of stars as they passed by. This was the path I had chosen in my life some 25 years ago, and I was not at all nervous. I was actually excited that this had been such a hard deal to make. There was nothing more invigorating like a challenge for an old dog such as myself to tempt the body and mind with. I hadn't anyone to care for in many years, so I could afford to take the risks such as this. I felt the fur beneath my hands as Neko rubbed her head on my fingers, and I glanced at her. She had such a trusting expression, and I caught myself smiling back at her with the same face. "Yukire mo wa iato." I said in her world's language, which meant "You're on 'back up' for me." With a loud purr, she acknowledged, and I watched Ruji's nervousness arise as she stood to her feet just inches away from his hip. "Easy, girl." I warned. "Relax Ruji; she's already had her dinner for the night."
"That's very reassuring." He snapped. The shaft jolted once again, and it felt as if my kidney's bumped into my stomach as it stopped on the bottom floor. Just where the lowest and yet brightest of the scum of the universe could be found, I thought. Right at the bottom of this space station was their dwelling spot. Things were going to get a bit interesting from here on out, as the bars slid to the right and released us from this iron cage. I reached inside my coat once more and felt the hilt of my sword, adjusting it to fit my standards. This was it; it was the deal of a lifetime. There was no turning back now.