Chapter 2: Looking for Trouble
~ Zelgadis
The bright blinding light hurts Zelgadis's tender eyes as he shifts uncomfortably on the operating cot.
"Don't move Zelgadis, there is still work to be done," Rezo's calm voice says from Zelgadis's right.
"What happened?" Zelgadis asks slowly as the world around him comes into slight focus.
They are in one of the elaborate infirmaries aboard the Ruby Eyes Battle Cruiser.
"The lab you were working at was attacked and in order to protect our work I was forced to destroy the building," Rezo continues in his customary composed manner. "I had assumed you would take my hint and get to safety, but instead you stayed to complete the data and nearly died for your efforts. You are far too good to me Zelgadis."
"If I hadn't completed it then, it would have taken us years to regain the data and material kept at that facility," Zelgadis replies, but there is a hint of a blush to his checks.
Rezo thoughtfully puts a caring hand down onto Zelgadis's head. "What I have attempted in my long life is nothing compared to what you have just achieved."
"We'd give our lives for you Lord Rezo," Zelgadis says truthfully, all the more apparent given what he has just endured. "You are a symbol of hope; let us do the dangerous work for you."
"But you nearly died," Rezo points out bringing his hand back to his side.
"Then I'll just become stronger. Strength is all we need."
Rezo smiles, but it isn't the type of smile Zelgadis is accustomed to seeing.
"I'm sure you will," Rezo says. "Rest now, you should be well in another day or two after the procedure."
Zelgadis nods and for just a while longer the young man sleeps comfortably.
~ Xellos
This was going to be much easier then he thought, Xellos thinks as he makes his way through the long halls of the impressive Ruby Eyes battle cruiser. Never send a mercenary to do a general priests job, even if the Gabriev Corporation wields one of the most powerful weapons in this sector of the galaxy.
Carefully, the humanoid agent makes his way to sick bay number four of the large ship. No one passes him; the halls are completely empty and silent aside from the droll humming sound emitting from the dim lights along the floor. Everyone on the ship has been ordered to remain away from this portion of the ship unless they are Eris or Rezo himself.
Of course, these orders wouldn't apply to him since he doesn't work on this ship.
With a flick of his wrist and rapid tap from his slim fingers, Xellos enters the constantly changing code onto the key pad. He smoothly walks into the sick bay with a confident stride.
The room is nearly empty except for one person lying on a cot at the far end of the bay. Silently, Xellos begins to methodically search the room avoiding the person tossing and groaning on the cot. For what seems to be longer than it actually is, the determined man searches.
His lips press into a thin line as he realizes that the object he seeks is nowhere to be seen, but he knows it's here. His information is not faulty, so he must be overlooking something.
Xellos's gaze falls on the pathetic boy and the equipment attached to him.
As he walks towards him, Xellos is careful to make his presence nearly invisible. A moan can be heard as he searches carefully amongst the equipment.
"Rezo. . ."
Momentarily, Xellos stops his search and takes a closer look at the boy beside him. The young man is nearly white except for the blue like veins that can be seen glowing beneath his skin. Even with the strange appearance Xellos recognizes the grandson of the Ambassador Rezo. In Xellos's humble opinion Zelgadis does not look to be in great shape, but he'll obviously live. Rezo rarely looses a patient and the wise man is certainly not going to lose his only grandchild.
Shrugging his shoulders ever so slightly, Xellos continues his search and carefully opens a locked drawer in the paneled wall beside Zelgadis's head.
The General Priest smiles, he has found the data chip.
"By your leave Master Zelgadis," Xellos whispers, making his way towards the exit. For a moment the thief looks behind him and gazes one more time at Zelgadis. He feels like he is forgetting something. A rare sensation, but present nonetheless.
Why is this data chip with Rezo's grandson in the first place?
Why is the boy confined in the far recesses of the ship in a sick bay that is obviously rarely used?
Even with these gnawing questions Xellos forces himself to leave the room. His orders are to retrieve the data chip, nothing else. He can always come back and investigate if his master truly wishes him to.
With uncanny speed Xellos travels from one part of the ship to next as if he is flying, no one can see him anyway, unless they have the special astral energy necessary to comprehend his unique presence.
Without wasting any time Xellos re-enters his cloaked ship, latched onto the outer hull of Ruby Eyes and takes off. When he feels that the distance between himself and Rezo is reasonable the general priest attaches the data chip to his ships console and attempts to access its information.
Nothing happens.
Xellos cannot even bring up a file name or information screen, it is as if the device is not even there. Suspiciously, he removes the chip and examines it; he senses a great power within so why is his system unable to read it.
His computer and ship are of the highest make and quality in the entire galaxy. No one has technology like this and humans would gape at it if they ever lived to see it.
Xellos knows that this is the device he has sought, there must be another way to activate it that he is unaware of. With a delicate touch, Xellos uses his elemental energy to attempt and read the information directly.
Nothing, he can only sense an immense power sleeping soundly.
Is this even a data chip? And if not this device is incomplete. He is missing a piece necessary to active the data chip, if that is in fact what it is.
Setting the chip down Xellos contacts his master.
Within a matter of seconds the image of a beautiful woman appears before him. "Were you successful?" she asks with a curt smile.
"Yes Master Zellas, but I'm afraid it is useless to us," Xellos says without batting an eye. "The data chip is incomplete or missing something. It is impossible to read any information from the device."
"I expected this," Zellas admits gladly, much to Xellos's annoyance, but he doesn't show anything to betray his feelings.
"Do you still want the device?" Xellos asks carefully.
"Yes, but we need to find the missing piece," Zellas says. "Don't fail me." With a flick of her fingers the transmission is cut off and the short conversation is concluded.
Xellos sighs, "I should have expected this." He should have trusted his instinct and spent more time in that sick pay. But Xellos realizes that returning now would jeopardize everything.
Eyeing the chip carefully the general priest concocts a plan that is sure to reap the answers he seeks.
~ Gourry and Sylphiel
"I've tried everything Sylphiel, but I cannot find a way to destroy it," Gourry says in frustration to the young dark haired woman looking up at him.
Gourry Gabriev continues to pace around Sylphiel Nels Lahda. She is a trusted friend of Gourry's and is the only person that he could think of to ask for help from.
"I'm sorry Gourry Dear, but I don't know how you could possibly destroy this," Sylphiel says quietly. The woman is not use to seeing Gourry so upset; he is usually extremely calm, but not today. "I'm a White Internal Specialist; my studies mainly focus on elemental healing and defense not destruction. Perhaps a Black Armor Star Pilot could find a way to destroy it? But I rather doubt there is a pilot out there who has enough elemental energy to destroy something this powerful."
"Oh," Gourry stops pacing and his shoulders sag in defeat.
"I'm so sorry Gourry Dear," Sylphiel looks down at her hands refraining from staring at the elegant sword hilt that sits in front of her. She clenches her fists tight.
Every logical thought tells her that she cannot help this man. He has run away from the Gabriev Corp. which is a serious crime and as the Flagoon District Head she has a responsibility to report him but . . . she cannot bring herself to do it. Gourry is her friend and she loves him. His actions are noble and kind; he doesn't deserve imprisonment or worse. "I do want to help you though," Sylphiel stands having made her decision. "No one knows that you are here yet, we will leave in my star cruiser immediately."
"Sylphiel, I couldn't put you in danger, this is my problem," Gourry follows after her as she walks by him with surprising stubbornness.
"You are my . . . friend Gourry Dear and you need my help," Sylphiel stops by her room and grabs a duffle bag from her wardrobe. She only puts one item in it that she has hidden between the floor boards of her room.
It is a sword.
"Sylphiel you couldn't," Gourry says.
"Yes, I could," Sylphiel lifts the bag with great difficulty until Gourry takes it gently from her arms. "I have reasons to leave too after all. If what you say is true about the Gabriev Crop. then it is my responsibility to investigate as head of the Flagoon district.
"Thank you Sylphiel."
In mid stride the woman stops and faces Gourry squarely. The fear in her eyes is obvious to Gourry, but there is still courage there.
"Thank you for trusting me Gourry Dear," she says. "Quick, go get your robot mecha and meet me under the tree, I'll be waiting for you there."
It only takes another hour before the two companions exit the planet's atmosphere and make their way towards the Dil Empire.
Unfortunately, only after a couple of hours traveling in space is Sylphiel and Gourry's inability to drive the cruiser made blatantly obvious. The trip is slow and the two only make it as far as the local outer rim diner by the end of the day. It is here that they stop in order to make some plan and feed themselves.
"If only I knew how to pilot my own ship," Sylphiel apologizes softly. "It's so embarrassing; usually the Flagoon captain or my father drives the ship."
"Don't beat yourself up about it, I can't drive it either," Gourry says. "I never really understood how to program ship coordinates correctly."
"I guess we'll just have to take it slow and drive the ship manually," Sylphiel sips slowly from her drink.
"Better than crashing," Gourry says with a gentle smile
This seems to do the trick and Sylphiel cannot help but smile back.
They do get the hang of driving the tiny ship, but it takes them several days to reach the outskirts of the Dil Empire instead of taking the usual one day.
The two stop at a small market place where a number of shops are strategically placed in order to accommodate travelers and tourists. Gourry and Sylphiel are here in order to restock on some much needed supplies. Unlike most travelers, Sylphiel knows how to cook, so she buys real food rather than the frozen stuff that comes in 'ready to eat and heat' bags.
"I'm so glad you know how to cook Sylphiel!" Gourry says as he begins to pick out things from the shelves that he would love to eat. "This trip would be a disaster if you didn't!"
"Space food isn't the best I agree," Sylphiel laughs as she fills her basket.
Gourry grows thoughtful, "There's a Trade Shop next door, maybe I could sell them the sword."
"You cannot be serious," Sylphiel asks cautiously looking around at the people in their vicinity.
"Why not," Gourry says. "I want to get rid of it and you keep telling me that the sword is impossible to destroy. Even if we find one of those dark mecha pilots they may fail or even turn us in . . ."
"Yes, your right," Sylphiel whispers.
"I am glad you are trying so hard," Gourry smiles generously. "But at this rate we are only going to get into trouble and I don't want to cause you anymore problems than I already have."
With this said Gourry makes his way to the shop leaving Sylphiel in the middle of the isle staring after him. She knows that he is right, but she still doesn't want to give up. She wants to help him. Quickly, Sylphiel makes her way to the register with cash sticks at the ready. There has to be another way.
Meanwhile, Gourry has already entered the shop.
"Welcome to the Magic Shop!" a peppy young girl says from behind a cluttered counter. She is currently helping another customer, but as every retail worker knows, you are suppose to greet any potential customer that walks into the shop no matter what.
She turns back to the man she is currently helping. He has dark long red hair and a toothpick pressed tight between his thin lips. "Thanks again for stopping by Mister Inverse, your business is always appreciated."
"As is yours, I still want to look around at a few things before I get going though. My wife is expecting something special." Mister Inverse gives a hearty chuckle to which the young shop owner joins with her own.
"No problem, holler if you need some help," the girl says as Gourry steps up to the counter. "My name is Clair, how can I help you."
"Would you be willing to buy this," Gourry takes out the cursed sword hilt.
Carefully, Clair picks up the heavy hilt and inspects it with a keen knowing eye. She lifts an eyebrow up at Gourry with suspicion. "Are you sure you want to sell this?"
"I have no need for a cursed sword, it has only caused problems," Gourry says honestly.
"Hey, Mister Inverse," Clair calls across the shop. "I need your help."
With an ornate necklace in his hand, the man with kind red eyes emerges from behind a shelf. "What do you need help with? I know you have a keen eye."
"That's what concerns me," Clair says under her breath.
"Gourry Dear, please don't, I'm sure we can work something out . . ." Sylphiel says as she enters the shop laden with groceries. The woman is out of breath and her determination is admired by all in the room.
Mister Inverse takes the hilt and inspects it as Gourry helps Sylphiel with the groceries. They set them up on the counter and floor, Clair doesn't seem to mind.
"I don't think it's worth anything to your shop Clair," Inverse says honestly as he hands the sword back to Gourry. The toothpick in his mouth barley seems to move as he talks. "Take my advice son, this sword is worth far more in your hands than anyone else."
Gourry grows depressed as he begrudgingly accepts the sword hilt, "Your words are kind sir, but this sword has no worth to me either."
"Only because you aren't using it," Clair says with obvious annoyance.
Inverse grins and seems hum as he agrees, "Clair's right you know. This sword can be a great blessing if used correctly. All you need to do is find something worth protecting." He glances at Sylphiel and Gourry in turn looks at her as well.
She blushes.
"But Sylphiel doesn't need me to protect her," Gourry points out causing Sylphiel to sigh remorsefully.
"Trust me, there is someone out there who will greatly benefit from the protection of a kind lad like you," he smiles with Clair nodding eagerly beside him.
With obvious doubt Gourry grips the hilt in his hand wearily. Compassionately, Sylphiel takes his arm and smiles warmly up at him. "I think he's right Gourry. I know that you can do great good with this sword and undo your family's mistakes."
Gourry stares off into Sylphiel's eyes, giving her words the serious thought they deserve. He was convinced that destroying the sword was his only option; the skilled swordsman has never once considered the possibility of using it.
Can he really make a difference?
Can this sword really be used for good?
"Alright," Gourry finally says. "I'll find something worth protecting."
"I'm glad to hear it," Inverse says.
"Me too," Sylphiel echoes.
"And before you go I have something for you," Clair reaches under the counter searching for something by feel rather than with her eyes. She pulls out a data screen (a book) titled "Dummy's Guide to Driving a Small Star Cruiser. "On the house, you're going to need it." The young shop owner rolls her eyes as Mister Inverse chuckles again.
"How did you know?" Sylphiel asks in surprise.
"Call it a gift," she simply replies.
~ Lina
In a different tiny star cruiser, far on the outskirts of the red rose galaxy in the Dil Empire, the young pilot driver Lina Inverse coasts through cold space in search of rouge pirates and ruffians.
"What exactly are you doing Miss Lina," Amelia asks beside Lina. The princess leans forward and studies the screens carefully. Her purple hair brushes next to Lina's ear, much to the captain's annoyance.
The deadliest mecha pilot in this part of the galaxy is not use to sharing her space with people. It was bad enough when she was traveling around with Naga the White serpent!
Lina groans, "The same thing we do every day." Lina says. "Try to take over the world!"
"Miss Lina!" Amelia shouts right into Lina's ear. "You don't mean you're looking for pirates and ruffians again!?"
"It's rude to yell in someone's ear!" Lina yells back causing the smaller girl to sheepishly look away. "It's a part of your training."
The new medical officer is not impressed by Lina's excuse.
"Hey you want to learn about offensive Dark Elements right," Lina continues.
"Well, yes," Amelia agrees. "You won't get in trouble with the B.A.S.E.D will you?"
"Naw, they don't really care what I do," Lina admits. "Honestly they were glad just to get rid of me! I have a theory that the offensive commands I utilize with my mecha should correlate with your mecha, even if they are different classes. The fundamental ability to utilize Dark and Light Elements is the same."
"But doesn't it take a great amount of concentration to use a B.A.S.E," Amelia asks.
Again Lina shrugs, "Maybe, I admit that very few have the brain capacity to pilot such advanced machinery, that's why the army and mercenaries use those clunky Robot models."
"I have a bad feeling about this," Amelia says as she takes a seat in the co-pilot chair.
"What? About using offensive commands?" Lina is obviously not following Amelia's train of thought.
"No, I'm concerned about your constant desire to go looking for trouble," Amelia sighs resting her chin comfortably onto her hand while leaning over the un-activated console. "Anyway, when are you going to get a crew for this ship? It's a bit difficult with just the two of us. I can't imagine how you did it before I came on board?"
"Well I did have a traveling companion before you came," Lina tries her best to refrain from showing out right disgust upon remembering Naga.
"Where are they now?"
"Gone!"
The princess cannot hold in her disappointed sigh.
". . . Well you should still hire a crew," Amelia continues. "Someone of your high schooling and prestige shouldn't have any trouble."
"Yeah, yeah, I know, but it's so hard to find good help." Lina knows that Amelia is right. While the cruiser is the smallest one available on the market (no bigger than a commercial jet), it is still difficult to run at full power with just two people. And Amelia isn't someone Lina can count on in a tight spot as far as a space battle.
A red light begins to flash across one of the panels in front of Lina.
"What's that, are we under attack!"
"Alright!" Lina shouts in excitement ignoring the concerned princess. "A ship is flying false colors!"
"Maybe we should think about this first!" Amelia pleads into deaf ears.
And with that Lina nearly flies on nimble feet to the back of the ship towards the docking bay. "Amelia, take the controls, I know you can manage that!" the excited red head calls back behind her shoulder. A spaceship 'flying false colors,' is not easy to identify, but Lina has memorized the codes favored by pirates and can tell by system errors when pirates are attempting to mask their presence. Being the genius she is Lina has already programmed her computer navigator to identify such anomalies.
Suiting up into her pink armor in a matter of seconds, Lina activates the intercom connected to the ships helm. "Alright Amelia open the hangers hatch, be prepared to join me after I've immobilized their main cannons."
"Yes Miss Lina," Amelia actually sounds excited.
In a matter of minutes the small cruiser reaches the pirate ship. As soon as the double tight iron doors open far enough, Lina hurtles herself into frigid space at full throttle.
Now a sane person might wonder what kind of chance one mecha suit girl stands against a medium sized space cruiser. Since it is Lina Inverse who is piloting the mecha suit no
explanation is necessary. She already took down a cyborg, with a little help, this should be easy.
"Far winds that blow, Have you as their source, into my hands, Ignite all their force!" Lina cries without giving the pirate ship any warning. A dozen energy lasers erupt from her arms and hit the ship.
The damage is immediate and devastating.
"Direct hit Miss Lina!" Amelia enthusiastically cries over the system. "I'll be right out!"
No sooner does Amelia leave the ships helm then Lina gets an incoming call from the enemy vessel.
"~zzzzt~ We surrender do you copy, we surrender, please cease fire ~zzzzt~," the communication buzzes into her left ear.
Lina smiles, "communication accepted," she pauses as the communication line is connected both ways. She has her suit programmed to only accept transmissions she verbally allows for security reasons. "Your surrender is appreciated," Lina tells the pirates. "But according to the Alliance regulation you have no rights to surrender, I recommend you say some prayers first before asking for a cease fire. Flare . . ."
Before Lina is able to finish her attack a huge hunk of masculine armor zooms past her in a blur. Rather than attack immediately, Lina studies the unidentified flying object.
"Miss Lina who is that?" Amelia calls as she comes beside Lina's mecha. Unlike Lina's pink mecha, Amelia's is silver and a bit smaller than her companions. It is a common trait amongst W.I.S machines.
"I don't know," Lina says, watching the machine carefully.
The unidentified object is a man wearing a robotic suit, much bigger in size then Lina or Amelia's mecha suits combined. Most of his armor is a sky blue color signifying how expensive it is. When she identifies the logo on the man's right shoulder, Lina's voice catches in her throat and she holds back a delighted squeal.
"He's from the Gabriev Corp." Lina squeals.
"Your right, their machines are a lot bigger," Amelia says.
"You've never seen one," Lina asks with surprise.
"Not this model, this is nothing like the royal Seyruun Guard back home. They have . . ."
Lina ignores Amelia as the princess continues to give a detailed description of the royal guard. The red head already knows perfectly well what the royal guard robots look like. What Lina cannot believe is what she is seeing right now in front of her. This man is a Gabriev Corp. Soldier!
She knows that these soldiers are the most prized in the entire galaxy. This special family is rumored to have access to an ancient technology that makes the mech suits Lina and Amelia are wearing look like tin toys. This technology is not referencing the cumbersome robots the family uses of course. Such robot units are the common weapon in all armies and private militias as Amelia has kindly pointed out. No, the ancient technology Lina is thinking about is something entirely different and she is about to witness its power first hand.
Unlike a mech suit, it is whispered that this family has a weapon that is stronger than the strongest attack Lina knows, The Dragon Slave, and it is a weapon that can only be used by Gabriev family members. Lina doesn't know why the weapon is so picky or even what it is exactly, but this is the only knowledge on the subject available to mecha drivers such as herself from the academy.
As the pirates mount a counter attack against the masked hero, Lina and Amelia witness an amazing sight.
"Light Come Forth," the man cries through layers of metal. In an amazing pure white light, the man in the large robot unsheathes a sword like Lina has never seen.
Without a doubt, Lina knows that she is witnessing the Gabriev family's secret weapon with her own two eyes. Lina feels like the damsel in distress she never had the opportunity to be. Here she is, a beautiful young woman witnessing the heroic battle of a manly man from a prominent family. And he is also holding the weapon of her dreams.
Again, Lina suppresses a squeal of delight.
"Lina are you okay," Amelia breaks Lina's romantic dream.
"I'm fine, can you believe this!" Lina cries out instead.
In a matter of seconds the remaining pirates are destroyed leaving Lina in state of ecstasy and Amelia a bit uneasy. The princess wants to know where on earth he came from.
"Are you alright," a female voice calls on her transmitter from behind the two girls.
Both turn around and are shocked to see the prized W.I.S mecha suit belonging to the Flagoon district. Immediately, Lina opens communication between their suits.
"Yeah, we're fine," Amelia happily declares.
"My name is Sylphiel Nels Lahda of Sairaag," the woman says. Her suit is the color of crystal white and purple with the Flagoon's seal on its chest.
"My name is Gourry Gabriev," the man from the robot suit calls as he comes to hover alongside them.
Lina's eyes turn bright with admiration, "Thank you so much for your help, my name is Lina Inverse and this is my medical officer Amelia Tesla," Lina says in the most adorable voice she can, while down playing Amelia's importance.
The man sighs in relief, "I'm glad you are both alright and it's great to meet you."
"What are you doing out here?" Amelia asks calmly.
"We are on a quest of sorts," Sylphiel shyly replies. "Can we help you with anything?"
"Sure you can!" Lina says before Amelia can say otherwise. "If you wouldn't mind, you can help us search this pirate vessel for anything and everything of value."
At first no one responds, but Amelia can be seen shaking her head with mild distaste.
"Excuse me?" Sylphiel slowly says not quite sure if she heard Lina correctly.
"Anything you like," Gourry says. "I will help you in any way I can."
"GREAT!" Lina yells over the intercom and the two set to work gathering valuable junk.
Sylphiel sighs heavily enough for Amelia to hear her. "Sorry," Amelia says. "Miss Lina is always like this, but she really is a nice person."
A blast can be heard from somewhere amongst the wreckage as Lina cries out, "Ho baby, look at the size of this place! I'm going to be rich!"
Amelia has no choice but to let out a nervous chuckle at Lina's more than perfect timing.
Author's Note: The forming of Lina's new crew has begun. I know some of the principles about 'elements' and how the suits work is a little confusing at this point in the story, but it will be explained later on.
For now I will simply list the machines in use.
Star Rank Pink Mecha B.A.S.E suit: pilot Lina
Royal Mecha W.I.S suit: pilot Amelia
Star Rank Silver Mecha W.I.S suit: pilot Sylphiel
Robot Gabriev Crop unit: driver Gourry
Small Star Cruiser Dragon Slayer: Captain Lina Inverse
Class Five Battle Cruiser Ruby Eyes: Commander Priest Rezo