CHAPTER 6 - THE PALE RIDER
Summer squinted as she read the pain in her mother's eyes. Examining closer, Summer noticed the bruises, abrasions and tightly wound medical wrap along her arms and tucked under her clothing. "Mother? What happened?"
Satellizer didn't speak as she rushed toward her daughter. Surprised, Summer didn't understand why she was acting in this way. As Satellizer embraced her, Summer hesitated to return the affection as she gazed over her mother's shoulder and locked eyes with her father Kazuya, who was standing casually near the door.
"I'm so sorry." Satellizer cried. "I left the hospital as soon as I learned of your…" Summer didn't respond as she stayed stiff, not wanting to continue her mother's affection. "Summer? Won't you acknowledge me?" Summer took her eyes from her father and focused them on Satellizer. "So, were you there mother?"
"What?"
"Where you there mother? When I almost died on that hospital table all those years ago?"
Satellizer let go and stepped back. On cue, Kazuya approached and held his wife's shoulders. "Summer, your mother has been through a lot, and I don't think that discussing the circumstances of that incident are appropriate right now."
"Where you there mother?" Summer raised her voice; the glowing hue of her eyes pulsating.
Satellizer gripped her husband's hand and gestured for him to let go. "Yes." She swallowed, "What do you want to know?" Summer felt a thump in her chest as her mother affirmed her suspicions from two weeks ago. The conversation between Summer's father and Wakahisa; unintentionally revealing quite a bit about Summer's past before the young woman was conveniently whisked away by Headmistress Ellsworth to defend the Citadel from Brittany Temple.
For a long time growing up, Summer wondered why she was different than her fellow classmates - why her emotional state was more heightened and unstable compared to everyone else's. Why she felt such turmoil at leaving her home for Basics School. All the reasons behind her amazing abilities came flooding into her mind.
"I want to know what happened to me, and I don't want you to lie about it anymore."
Satellizer's heart was pierced by her daughter's statement. Did she actually lie to Summer? Unfortunately, the young Pandora learned the half-truth from Wakahisa and now both Satella and Kazuya were guilty of withholding the most important information as to the cause of Summer's transformations. "So you want to know what happened?" Satellizer whispered.
Summer remained seated and attentive as her mother explained everything. She stayed silent, allowing her mother to express every detail surrounding that fateful night without interruption. Satellizer fought through her nerves as she told her daughter about the accident and how Summer clung to life after becoming paralyzed. Satella finished the tale by concluding with Wakahisa's miracle research into the implantation of the mysterious Octagonal tablet.
"So you agreed to have one of Great-Grandfather's experimental tablets implanted inside my body?"
"Yes."
"So that explains how I was able to do the things I did at Basics School and at West Genetics?"
"Yes." Satellizer whispered.
"Why?"
Satellizer blinked, but said nothing.
"Why mother?"
Satella looked at her husband and then back on her daughter, who looked more mature and grown-up than the last time she saw her.
"Why did you save my life?"
"Sweetheart, we didn't want to let you go, and when we learned that one of Gengo Aoi's experimental tablets was the key to your life…"
"I should have died."
"No! Please don't say that." Satellizer pleaded.
Summer shook her head, "I'm alive because of Great-Grandfather's technology – another gift from Maria correct?"
There was a long pause as Summer's parents just stared into those glowing blue eyes. "Yes." Kazuya agreed as he took a deep breath.
"How could you keep all of this from me?"
"We didn't know how to tell you, and how you'd respond to it if you knew."
"So you manipulated my life and lied to me."
"Summer, we didn't lie to you." Satella turned away sobbing.
"No? What do you call what you and father did? You agreed to have Dr. Wakahisa experiment on me! I've been a freak ever since!"
"It saved your life!" Kazuya grumbled.
"I don't care."
"You're being ungrateful."
"So what?"
"Summer please!" Satella cried out.
"No! My life is ruined because of all of this!" Summer shot to her feet and paced her cell. Both her parents followed her movements as they imagined how the young woman could be managing her growing anger. "I never wanted to be the savior of mankind! I asked you almost two years ago if the world really needed another Pandora! Do you remember?"
"….And I replied that the world needs you!" Satella replied through her tears.
"Oh it needs me all right," Summer mocked, "It needs me…to destroy my enemies…and control my friends!"
"Your power is a gift to you…" Kazuya tried explaining.
"Just stop it Dad!" Summer interrupted. "I don't want this responsibility; I wished that it could all go away forever! I don't want to be this monster that everyone fears! All I wanted was to stay home and be normal!"
"Enough!" Kazuya shouted. "Your mother gave up everything to give you a chance to balance out your power."
"Should I thank her? What does it mean that I now have your sister's sacreds inside me?"
"Your mother endured a lot for you!" Kazuya defended his decisions further. "She lost everything for you! The least you could do is respect…"
"Didn't I tell you that I'm now mentally connected with Kazuha?" There was suddenly silence - the room fell quiet as if everything around them was muted. "What's wrong father? Are you surprised?"
Kazuya's mindset changed as his shoulders stayed tense. He stroked his chin and ran his fingers through his hair as if lost in thought. Finally, "You've communicated with your aunt?" He asked.
"Yes! What does it mean?"
"When? How can you…?"
"I don't know! I have to concentrate sometimes." Summer ceased her pacing and moved closer to her parents. Summer exhibited calmness on the outside, but inside she was a fury of emotion. It was only a matter of time before she'd break down. Everything was happening so fast. "Where you responsible for my reassignment?"
"No." Satella said, "That was your headmistress's call, she wanted you away from your friends."
"Why is she so against me?"
"Amelia Ellsworth has an agenda."
"With whom?" Kazuya and Satellizer confirmed Summer's conspiracy when they didn't answer. "I want to know what the hell is going on!"
"That my dear is not for your parents to burden themselves with." General Kun stated as he stood in the open doorway. "Listen to me Summer El Bridget-Aoi, you must understand that there are things happening that are way out of your control."
"That's the second time you said that to me general!"
"Then why are you here in a holding cell?" Summer glared at the older man. She was so caught up in desiring the truth about her abilities, she had forgotten the current situation of her being incarcerated.
"I disobeyed the Headmistress's order by listening to you! I was deployed into the field and assisted with the search and rescue efforts."
"No soldier, that's incorrect." Summer raised an eyebrow. What was the general talking about? Shouldn't she be receiving a formal reprimand for insubordination? "My dear Pandora, you're in holding because of your activity in that village."
"Activity sir?"
Kun grew inpatient as he marched up to her. "GM870, you used your Transcendent Form to escape being buried under the building!" Summer blinked as he continued. "You transformed in front of civilians!"
The truth. Summer was doomed, the outside world hadn't seen her abilities and she flagrantly displayed her power openly. Peering over Kun's shoulder, Summer noticed Sister Amelia slowly entering the room.
"Summer, the world is now becoming aware of you. We were able to contain what happened during the NOVA clash, when you crossed the threshold and increased your Stigma corrosion to epic proportions." Summer's lip quivered. "My dear, we can only do so much to cover up your amazing abilities from the prying eyes of the world."
"I…I'm sorry…" Summer lowered her head in defeat, "I should have known better…"
"NO!" Satellizer called. "Don't be sorry!"
"Sweetheart, we are still learning about what you've become." Kazuya added. "Don't sell yourself short of the amazing things you can do."
The world was spinning. Summer felt sick to her stomach. So many things had gone wrong. She never wanted this responsibility. She tried to pretend that she could handle it, faking her way through being a hero for mankind, but it was impossible. The world knows and her secret is out.
Sister Amelia crossed in front of Kun and knelt down next to the sullen woman. The headmistress spoke softly as she placed a hand on her arm. "Summer, we should be the ones apologizing to you."
"I…don't…understand…" Summer shut her eyes.
"We are at a critical point in our mission. There are things in motion that I can't control anymore. I need you more than ever."
Summer exhaled. "You…can't possibly need me…I'm just a pawn in your stupid game…"
Amelia frowned as she gripped the girl's shoulders. "You have no idea how much we all need you! I've done everything I could to keep you out of the spotlight; away from our enemy's realm of influences. Yes, I've been serving both sides of this fight, but it was all part of the mission! As we speak Nightfall is planning something disastrous!"
"…What?"
Amelia explained it all – from back in the beginning of how Minsk Heavy Industries first manufactured the phased weapons, through to Gavril Magda's takeover of the remnants of FloodTide. Amelia added that Sledge, a cyborg working with Marta Maier, was responsible for Minato Osuka's kidnapping. Even Oren Hartwick's origin with the illegal implantation of Stigmata created by the evil schemes of Dr. Litvinchuk further drove the message home on how dire the situation has become.
Summer's attitude slowly changed from a feeling of helplessness to a feeling of conviction. "Serving on both sides of the fight? What does that mean Headmistress?"
"I was working counterintelligence as a double agent within FloodTide before Mavis was killed. With Nightfall increasing its influence, I have no way of hiding my intentions. The time to act is now."
Amelia did her job informing the young Pandora about every piece of information leading up to the one final piece of the puzzle. "There is one other thing you need to be aware about." Amelia paused, inhaling deeply. "There is a massive Anti-NOVA weapon orbiting the Earth right now. It's called Perses Titan."
"Wait a minute." Summer inquired, "As in…space-space? Orbiting the planet right now?"
"It's Nightfall's endgame." Amelia replied, "Their plan is to capture the station and use its supreme firepower to keep the world blanketed in fear."
"But it's an Anti-NOVA weapon. Why use it against humanity? Don't they know that the NOVA will come back? Couldn't they use this Perses Titan to help us fight the NOVA?"
"Nightfall's interests don't coincide with ours. Once they have control over the satellite, they're going to wipe out all the Genetics facilities in each Allied Nation and prove to the world that people don't need the protection of the Pandora anymore."
Summer's stomach twisted, making her wince with pain. As she felt the sensation to vomit, she covered her face and shook her head in denial. How has Genetics failed humanity that things like this happen? Why were they doing this? As Summer reflected on the enemy's plan, the sicker she became, understanding how many innocent people were going to die.
"What…do you need me to do?" She struggled to say, still overwhelmed by everything she'd heard.
Amelia smiled as she straightened. "I need you to trust us." Then she gestured to everyone else in the room, "The people you see among you are aware of the implantation of the sacred Stigmata inside your body. We know the trials you've faced and we'll do our best to assist you where we can." Summer nodded in compliance and then looked up at her parents - they had truly lied, but the circumstances surrounding the situation forced them to stay quiet. She now understood the reason why.
Kun escorted Amelia Ellsworth from the prison cell while Kazuya and Satellizer stayed behind with their daughter. "I'm sorry Summer." Satella said again. "I wanted to tell you about everything for so very long."
"I understand I guess," Summer said, "I knew that Maya McGeady and Kim Okada served in the Great War with you, but you never told me that they were your close friends and teammates."
"As you grew older, we knew that one day you were going to discover your true powers. The three of us took it upon ourselves to take key positions in Genetics so that when the time was right, we were able to look after you." Satellizer stepped away and took a moment to compose herself. Thoughts of guilt and shame flooded her emotions.
"Mother?"
"I told them…" Satella whispered, "I told them to protect you. I instructed them as their team leader to take care of you. Kim…she gave her life for that promise…" Satellizer shook her head in disgust, she couldn't bear the thought of what Kim's final action; her ultimate sacrifice for Summer.
"It's not your fault."
Satella kept shaking her head. "You don't understand, I commanded her to…" Summer quickly went over and embraced her mother. It was difficult for Summer to bear witness to her mother's unrest; Satellizer's grief over what had happened had become a permanent reminder in her everyday life.
"Don't worry mother, I'm going to stop Nightfall. I'm going to protect the innocent civilians of this world… with my life if I have to."
Eleven days had passed since the devastating earthquake that rocked the countryside of Japan. Most of the citizens in the towns and villages surrounding the epicenter were busily cleaning up the debris from the streets while pairs of Sophomore Pandora patrolled the close districts, making routine inspections of the collapsed buildings, looking for any additional survivors.
At the Citadel, Sister Amelia and her groups of Pandora met in the mission briefing room to discuss the deployment of troops for the transportation mission. The word had been given - Olek Litvinchuk's transport details were verified and his final documents approved. The doctor was being released from his current detention center and the combined escorts of Pandora and Allied Nation soldiers assembled to bring the criminal to the awaiting vehicle.
Amelia watched her elite group of Junior class Pandora march into formation as they stood in two perfect lines; the flawless rows of young women impressed the Headmistress. "My Pandora, the time has come to send Litvinchuk to his permanent prison in Eastern Europe. The enemy will be anticipating this move so be prepared." Amelia spoke with conviction as she divided up the duty roster and assigned each young woman a special task for the overall mission. Summer El Bridget-Aoi remained quiet by Amelia's side; a statue of permanence while the Headmistress concluded her briefing.
Each of the units gathered their equipment and exited to the deployment coordinates. The remaining two teams standing before Sister Amelia were Beta and Delta Squad of Platoon 13. The seven young women listened intently as the Headmistress detailed their mission parameters. "Larisa, your team is down a man due to Brittany's absence. I want your squad on point protecting the convoy while Lohman's troop remains behind in a defensive configuration to back up your strike team. Report to the airfield across the campus before meeting up with the transport once they leave the Citadel.
"Yes ma'am!" Larisa affirmed as she nodded to Davina and Corraine.
"Adriana?" Sister Amelia called, "With Delta Squad on support detail, I want to utilize GM901 for a special assignment.
"Pina?" Adriana protested.
"Is there a problem soldier?"
Adriana cleared her throat. "Uh, no ma'am, you can have Pina Marigold if you want."
"Excellent. GM901, please step out of line and join GM870." Pina disguised her nervousness as she moved out of formation and stood alongside Summer. "Beta and Delta teams, you are dismissed. Meet up with the other platoons and await your final deployment instructions.
Amelia smiled down at the small Pandora as the six Pandora exited the briefing room. Gesturing to Summer, the Headmistress explained. "I need you to partner up with your former team leader for a covert operation. Pina beamed with pride, but suddenly felt self-conscious as the Sovereign of the West didn't smile back. "What…what is our mission?"
Sister Amelia turned and strode to the exit. "Ask your teammate." She replied over her shoulder.
"Headmistress?" Pina bit her lower lip as she watched Amelia turn the corner and disappear out of sight. "Summer? What's this all about?"
Summer looked into Pina's eyes as she disclosed the details of the special operation. Understanding the words, the little Pandora couldn't believe what she was hearing. After all this time, their friends had never talked about it; even Kallie refused to bring up that tragic event from months ago. Time had a chance to heal some of the team members' wounds, but for Summer El Bridget-Aoi, her suffering was something else - something deep and excessive; a fire building inside her soul that only retribution could extinguish. The tall brunette muttered the words in such an innocent way.
"Pina, you and I are going to disrupt Nightfall's defensive plan by hunting down and personally eliminating Oren Hartwick."
Eva looked out over the rolling landscape from the co-pilot's seat. Proud of herself, she was successful in sending the final encrypted message to West Genetics, indicating Nightfall's final assault plan. She tried fighting the smirk on her face as she looked back at the full complement of troopers on board the aircraft. They were all going to their deaths, and Eva was delivering them personally. How little did they know about her infamous treachery - she was an assassin after all, the former Wraith of the East and now a harbinger of destruction.
Just when Eva thought her plan was fool-proof, a garbled radio message came in on Nightfall's emergency frequency. What Eva heard was something she hadn't planned within her battle strategy. As the message cleared, it was the Master himself on the microphone.
"All airborne fire teams, alter course and engage the convoy at the Citadel. Wipe them out and then extract Litvinchuk from his prison. Follow Eva's instructions and we will be victorious."
Eva's eyes went wide with panic! There was nothing she could do to belay Gavril's order without disclosing her true intentions. She wasn't ready! She had to continue deceiving them, but what now? Why was Gavril altering the assault orders? Did he figure out her secret messages? What does he truly know? Suddenly, Eva realized the worst - the intelligence she encrypted to West Genetics was now incorrect. The Pandora were going to be caught off guard at the Citadel.
Larisa Tamm walked herself through the mission parameters a third time. Davina Dahwan and Corraine Milford continued to be vigilant, scanning the area for intruders. The INTEL indicates that the aircraft will attack outside the perimeter of the airport.
"Larisa, you've gone over the mission details enough." Davina teased as she circled her team leader. "Why not enjoy the fresh air without too much…" Davina caught herself and immediately looked up into the sky. "No…" She cried, "No way! What the hell?" She turned to Larisa, but the tall Belarusian was already on the move to the Staff Sergeant on duty at the hangar.
"What's that sound?" Corraine cried out looking up into the clouds.
"We've been deceived! It's Nightfall!" Davina responded as she equipped her Volt Weapon. "Corraine, change of plans! They're going to hit the Citadel! Our information was wrong!"
Larisa Tamm had covered the distance across the mini-airfield in moments, skidding to a stop in front of the deck officer, but it was too late. The real surprise attack had started, blanketing the southeast side of the Citadel with large caliber bullets, explosive shells and phased plasma bolts. The escort team of Pandora and A.N. soldiers watched helplessly as the building across the campus from their current position erupted into fire.
Minami Research Laboratory
Pina followed closely behind Summer as they entered the unlit two-story building. From a safe distance, they had observed Oren and his troops infiltrate the structure and were now preparing to enter the laboratory to intercept the intruders as they steal the SSTO materials.
"So why are we waiting here?" Pina whispered.
"Patience, GHQ hasn't given the order for us to engage until Litvinchuk's caravan reaches the designated coordinates." Pina went to nod in agreement, but her handset started vibrating from inside her field-vest's pocket. Pina's expression was slack as she lowered the device from her ear. Shaking her head, she looked into Summer's eyes. "Pina? Something happened at GHQ didn't it? What's going on?"
"They assaulted the Citadel - a surprise attack by an airborne squadron." Summer closed her eyes as she assumed the worst; Adriana, Larisa and her other friends were assigned to escort the prisoner caravan! Taking a deep breath, the Sovereign of the West cleared her mind. She had to be calm and focused; aggression and rage just excites the transformation.
Tapping the small Pandora on the shoulder, Summer motioned them further into the building. "Let's move, we won't be getting any orders now, so it's up to us to finish the mission."
Inner Laboratory – Room 22B
Oren Hartwick effortlessly eliminated each of the armed guards plus the remaining lab techs on duty while his troops surrounded the room's perimeter.
"Weaklings…" He spat at them as he rounded the corner of the counter top and slammed the aluminum case down. "Keep watch!" He ordered to the sentry near the exit, "I'm sure reinforcements are on their way."
Fumbling with the lever on the metal drawer, the male Pandora twisted the feeble locking mechanism until the contents were revealed. Oren paused for a moment as he gazed upon the little canister. Its smooth stainless steel appearance gleamed in the artificial lighting. Reaching his hand in, he gripped the cylinder and removed it from its cradle. Oren let out a quick laugh as he turned the device in his hand; such an elegant form that contains the duplicate artificial intelligence modules installed inside the main computer of the SSTO orbiter. Smiling wide, Oren playfully tossed the cylinder into the air before catching it and placing the slender device inside his oversized attaché. As the villain turned to leave, an unconscious body of one his soldiers flew passed him, crashing into the wall and leaving a permanent indentation where the broken body struck. "Oren Hartwick! You're under arrest for espionage, theft and…first-degree murder!"
Oren blinked multiple times, was he dreaming? Out of everybody in the world, who was standing in his way? It was her, and this time she wasn't alone. The shorter, less powerful Pandora was with her now too.
"The daughter of Satellizer." He hissed, placing the briefcase back on the table. "This is NOT the place where I anticipated our final meeting." The remaining Nightfall soldiers had moved around and trained their traditional weapons on the pair of Pandora, but the girls stood firm as they stared down their main target.
"Give up the SSTO's logic processors and come with us. We would like to spare your men any unnecessary un-pleasantries if you don't comply with my orders." Summer stated coolly.
Oren raised his fists as he edged nearer. "I'm going to enjoy killing your little friend before I have my way with you El Bridget-Aoi."
The short Pandora frowned as she tensed. Summer gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Pina, incapacitate the guards. I'll get the A.I. processors from Oren myself."
"With pleasure team leader." Pina smirked, before performing a Triple-Accel and engaging the armed troopers in close quarters combat.
During the last seven months, Larisa Tamm had lost her edge; caught up in the political turmoil of insignificant countries engaged in civil war, plus personally dealing with the burden of her mother's secret ties to the enemy. However, as she watched the action unfold alongside the head soldier, the calls for help crackling over the radio were too much for the tall Belarusian to handle. Outraged at Nightfall's apparent contempt for life, Larisa renewed her resolve and decided to disobey her orders. "Deck Officer!" She called, "Inform GHQ that I'm joining the defensive positioning at the Citadel."
"Ma'am?" The man nervously questioned as more voices were heard over the radio.
"Just tell them that I'm coming right now!"
"Yes ma'am!"
Like a runner crouching into position, Larisa propelled herself forward - bursting into a Double Accel as she charged across the airfield. As Larisa ran, she thought about her teammates, she never gave them any word of encouragement or even a simple goodbye. Just like always, she selfishly took it upon herself to take matters into her own hands. I'm sorry Davina, but I need to do this. Passing the edge of the airfield, she entered the rear of the quad where billowing black smoke poured from the Citadel's freshly repaired façade.
There were many bodies of Pandora, enemy soldiers and Genetics personnel littering the grounds. As Larisa checked her fallen comrades, the smoldering holes evident in their perforated bodies signified the usage of phased plasma rifles. Seeking revenge, Larisa equipped her Volt Texture, but figured it wouldn't be effective against any of their advanced weaponry.
The roar of the jet turbine engine forced the blonde-haired Pandora to dive for the ground as a single-seat assault plane screamed by. The tiny enemy aircraft circled the sky above, providing temporary air superiority over the burning structure.
Green slivers of phased energy rained down upon the tall woman; exploding along the ground just next to Larisa's position. Jagged pieces of ebony rock and charred earth flew in every direction as the Belarusian evaded the strafing maneuver. Rolling and jumping back to her feet, Larisa tracked the craft swinging around in mid-air to form up another attack run.
Rolling to the side then breaking into a sprint, Larisa spun Simargl around and gripped the Yari as if it were a javelin. As the jet opened fire, the Pandora lined up her shot and heaved the slender weapon upwards. The shimmering Volt Weapon traveled through the air and pierced its mark, driving itself through the cockpit, piercing the pilot and finally embedding itself inside the rear bulkhead of the passenger compartment.
The aircraft instantly rolled to its left and fell out of the sky. The mini mushroom cloud of ignited fuel and other flammable material plumed into the sky as Larisa observed the destruction with satisfaction.
Beyond the acrid smoke pumping from the burning wreckage, the enemy soldiers charged, wielding their traditional weapons and plasma rifles. Driving herself forward, Larisa materialized a new Volt weapon and accelerated her body fast enough to avoid the phased bolts of energy, ruthlessly cutting down each soldier. The imposing Pandora relentlessly maimed and dismembered each victim, moving elegantly from one person to another.
The imposing Pandora relentlessly maimed and dismembered each victim, moving elegantly from one person to another. She was practically a blur - a twirling Dervish dance of death. When it was finally over, the blonde-haired Pandora took several labored breaths as the circle of bodies lay strewn around the perimeter. She felt a slight sting on her left arm, but she seemed fine overall. Upon inspecting the injury, she was alarmed to find that one of the fallen soldiers had successfully shot off a phased energy bolt which grazed her muscle above the elbow, causing severe burns over most of her arm. As she pushed the pain away, she gritted her teeth and looked toward the Citadel.
Enduring the searing flames from the blown-out hole, Larisa entered the demolished building. If memory served her correctly, Litvinchuk's holding cell was two floors underground.
Considered one of the fastest Pandora currently enrolled at West Genetics, Pina Marigold's blistering speed was practically un-challenged. As the fleet-footed woman struck, several shock waves thundered through the room, destroying a wall of windows and other delicate objects made of breakable material. Pina's raw speed overwhelmed the unsuspecting guards as her body practically disappeared from their line of sight. Within twenty seconds of blinding acceleration, Pina had successfully incapacitated every Nightfall foot-soldier inside the lab.
"Impressive!" Oren screamed as he lunged toward Summer with his materialized Volt Weapon. "I'm glad you brought along a worthy friend to help you!" Summer twisted away, deflecting his sword with a slap of her hand. Keeping her fingers in tightly clenched fists, Summer danced around Oren's attacks. "What's wrong?" He mocked, "Why on the defensive? I was hoping you'd use your sword-weapon."
He came at her again, performing a forward flip and charging forward. The Sovereign kept her guard up and deflected each of his thrusts with ease. The man became impatient as his unsuccessful tactics failed to bring in the desired results. "What the hell is this?" He complained, "Why won't you fight back?" Summer didn't have an answer, which left her adversary confused as to why she wouldn't materialize her broad sword.
As the brawl dragged on, Summer found herself beginning to yearn for something more. Proving to be increasingly difficult by the minute, Summer compelled herself to stay focused. Images of fallen 1st Year hopefuls crying out in terror plus the gruesome form of a headless Kim Okada flashed through her mind. Reaching her limit, Summer's true intentions surfaced. Ducking and swaying, the Sovereign of the West feinted to the left before connecting a heavy right punch to her enemy's mid-section.
Oren collided hard into a wall of rack servers as Summer formed up for another attack. Stunned, the man protected his tender abdomen as he wiped the trickling blood from his mouth and nose. "That…was one hell of a shot. You're definitely different from the last time."
Summer walked forward, grabbing the man's vest and tossing him over her head and driving his flailing body head-first down into the polished tiled floor. Pina winced at Summer's devastating attack as Oren's body lay broken on the damaged floor.
Noticing the glow from her eyes, Pina tried encouraging her team leader to back down. "Summer, fight the urge! Don't give in to its primal desires." The tall brunette ignored her small companion as the licking flames of her rage grew uncontrollable. Sister Amelia predicted that Summer would react this way, so she used the distraught Pandora as an unstable weapon against their enemy.
The male warrior coughed up blood as his body was lifted from the floor and carried to an open space in the middle of the laboratory. "Summer…it's over…" Choking violently on blood and bile, Oren appeared to distract his opponent for a minute longer, "You…can't…kill…me, you're…prime… directive…" In defiance, she lifted him higher. Suddenly Oren noticed pairs of brilliant transparent wings protruding from the woman's body. It was a wondrous sight that he had never experienced before. He was almost entranced by it; caught up in the spell of her elegance. Unfortunately, he had just enough resolve for one last strike.
"Summer wait!" Pina cried out.
"Mixing coughs in-between a laugh, Oren pressed the trigger on his concealed pocket pistol. A flash of green light caught the Sovereign off guard; the mighty Pandora pausing just for a moment as she looked down at the smoldering hole in her chest.
Horrified, Pina screamed as she ran over, "No!"
Every sound was muffled, except for the thundering of her heart. Summer couldn't hear her frantic teammate's warning as her vision dulled. The bloodied look on Oren's face was twisted and sinister, which confused the young woman. Instantly feeling the strength fade from her legs, she observed the discharged plasma weapon dangling from her opponent's fingertips.
She moved with silent precision down the darkened corridors. As she ventured deeper into the Citadel, it started feeling unusually warm.
Several conduits lining the ceiling had ruptured, cutting the flow of electricity to various consoles and lighting fixtures. Continuing her journey down the empty halls, Larisa soon discovered several enemy bodies lying on the floor near a stairwell. Larisa crept over and inspected each victim. Judging by their excessively torn clothing and the pools of dried blood, Larisa guessed that these men met their death by the strong hand of a Pandora.
Satisfied, she moved on to the next intersection, discovering more of the same - dead enemy soldiers next to their disabled weapons.
Descending the stairs to the next level down, Larisa felt a tingle, something just didn't feel right as she reached the bottom step. The way ahead was extra dark, forcing the hero to reconsider her option of heading deeper into the abandoned building. Clicking on her PLED, she firmed up her defensive posture. Stepping over another small puddle of drying blood, the blonde Belarusian moved down the corridor until she found herself at the junction of another intersection.
Listening intently, Larisa barely made out the faint sounds of someone in distress. Pinpointing where the sounds had originated from, she quickly darted for the shadow as she heard other voices coming her way.
In shock, Summer gently touched the gaping hole in her upper chest as the aroma of charred flesh and burning muscle curled her senses. Outraged at what her enemy had done, the glowing Pandora mercilessly struck the man square - cracking several of his ribs on impact. As the villain crumpled to the ground, he felt the sharp fragments of bone floating through his body and perforating several internal organs.
"Kim…Okada." She growled through her teeth, "She was my mentor, and my mother's teammate. She was a friend." Oren looked into Summer's eyes and saw nothing but an endless abyss of swirling blue energy. "You're…an illegal experiment…that has to be extinguished." Dread spread across the battered man's face as he fought against the burning pain in his body. So much raw emotion, he thought. What could have made this woman become so powerful? He never anticipated this level of aggression from someone who looked so…so beautiful.
Summer collapsed to her knees as Pina grabbed her by the shoulder. The injured Sovereign reached out to her victim, wanting just one last chance at revenge. Oren sensed his life diminish, but didn't feel any remorse or fear. In a way he was actually curious about how she was going to kill him. He could almost feel her semblance warming him like a heavy blanket.
Through instinct, Summer's loose fingers caressed Oren's neck just above his trachea. The brilliance of her wings had vanished and she had returned to her weakened self; a once imposing force now diminished to just ordinary. "I'll never…forget…" She mumbled, succumbing to her injury.
In a frenzy, Pina looked around for help that wasn't coming. Witnessing everything that had just happened, Pina began whimpering for the loss of her friend, "No. No way…this can't be happening!" Frightened, Pina was at a total loss of what to do. She was always looking up to someone else for the answer; expecting a teammate to cleverly solve the problem or finish the task. Now, she was on her own, making decisions that would change the course of her destiny.
Still numb with the trauma of what transpired, Pina stayed by Summer's side. She cradled her friend for a few moments until the grunts of discomfort stole her attention away. Looking over, she expressed hostility at seeing him still alive.
"You…" She bared her teeth at the dying man, "You bastard! You killed her!"
He forced a smile despite the excruciating pain. "I'm…surprised…she's dead…" Oren wrestled to stay awake as he taunted the little Pandora for the last time. "Those wings…took…her…to…heaven…"
Oren Hartwick then exhaled his last breath. With eyes still open, the body kept a foul ghostly gaze on the two Pandora. Looking away, Pina's tears made clean lines down her dirtied face as she sat helpless. "I'm sorry Summer, I don't know what to do. The Citadel is again under siege! We stopped Nightfall, but now…what do I do about you?"
Summer's body was still; unnaturally silent in the eyes of the little Pandora. Pina fought back her panic as she trembled. "You can't be dead okay? Hang in there, I'm sure you still have a little time left!" Tucking her arms underneath, Pina lifted Summer onto her shoulder and dragged the lifeless form over to the gleaming silver briefcase.
With the attaché in one hand, and Summer slung over her shoulder, Pina Marigold left the Minami Research Laboratory and radioed for the emergency medical team.
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