10 - Parley
Kuro thought back as he stood on the Transmission Pad...
"I've been what?" Kuro asked when Copy X approached him with a request from the Resistance.
"They seem to believe you'd be somewhat neutral in this case from you helping them in past," Copy X explained, "as such, Dr Ceil has requested that you act as the mediating party at the Parley."
"And what do you think, Master X?"
"I think it is a resonable request," he nodded, "plus even if you had any inclinations, it would be towards us. Especially since you are in a relationship with Leviathan."
"Actually, Sir..."
"Yes, we all know about your spat, all of the Guardians' quarters are on that level. Haven't you noticed the look in Fefnir's eyes? He wants to kill you for upsetting his sister so badly."
Giving a sarcastic huff, Kuro grinned at his leader, "Please, he wanted to fight me before I even had a name."
For the first time ever, at least in Kuro's presence, Copy X laughed.
"Commander Shadowhisper," the operator's voice came over the loudspeaker, "everything ready?"
Standing straight, Kuro gave a thumbs up. Almost immediately, he felt the lurch of Transmission. After the flash faded, he looked around. A few hundred meters to the north, he spotted four figures at the agreed meeting location. He slowly walked towards them.
As he got closer, he ran all four faces through the files he had on Resistance members. He immediately got two hits, the leader of the militaristic wing, Elpizo and The Scientist leader, Ciel. After another moment, he recognized the other blonde, even without a file search. He subconciously reached up to his shoulder, where Zero had stabbed him the last time they'd met. And finally, came the fourth, registered as Unit MW-4423 AKA Cerveau. In other words, the two greatest minds and two strongest swords of the Resistance were there.
"I'm glad to see that you all made it safely," Kuro greeted as he noticed Elpizo's hand hovering near the hilt of his rapier. Brushing that fact off, he continued, "I am Commander Kuro Shadowhisper from the Meikai Army of Neo Arcadia. I will be acting as mediator for this meeting, as per your request."
Elpizo stepped forward slightly, "We are:" he motioned to each in turn, "Dr Ciel, Dr Cerveau, Zero and I am Elpizo of the Resistance."
Kuro looked behind him as five Transmission Streams struck the ground where he'd arrived. He quickly produced four small devices and handed one to each of the members, under the farce of a handshake. "If they try anything, use these."
"E-Pop's?" Zero used an old term that even Kuro as almost too young for.
"Right, emergency transmitters. Dial them to your transmitter's frequency before they get close enough to tell what you're doing."
About ten minutes later, the meeting was underway. Copy X and Elpizo did most of the talking, with their sub-commanders standing behind them. Kuro looked over both parties, trying to gage reactions and interject before anybody got unduely upset. He stopped when he saw Fefnir's attention wasn't on the meeting; the man's eyes burned with fiery anger. He silently mouthed the words, "I'll kill you if you ever upset her again, even against orders."
Shadowhisper cocked his head and also mouthed his response, "it was her fault. She mistook my meaning. I did nothing wrong. I guarentee you, I hurt worse than her... So shut your face."
Narrowing his eyes, "watch your back. I'll be aiming at it."
Kuro turned his attention back to the meeting. His eyes were drawn downwards when he heard a soft click. He knew the click well, somebody just switched off the safeties on a buster. "Excuse me," Kuro interrupted, gaining a confused look from Elpizo and an angered one from Copy X.
"I just heard the arming of a weapon."
"I didn't hear anything," Elpizo said.
"I had heard it too," Zero said, "it was a buster."
Zero and Elpizo both leapt in front of Ciel, drawing their blades. "I hope there is some misunderstanding..." Elpizo said doubtfully.
"No," Phantom had managed to moved almost too fast for Kuro to track. "just a trap."
Zero knocked away the high-speed blow and struck at the enemy who seemed to melt into the shadows on the ground. He reappeared and slashed Zero across the back.
"USE THEM!" Kuro yelled.
Ciel disappeared in a flash of light, followed by Cerveau. Leviathan managed to spot the E-pops as Elpizo and Zero reached for them, and swinging her spear, she fired ice and froze the devices to their hands, neutralizing the electronics inside them. She stepped in front of Elpizo and took a stance, "now, now... I didn't say you could leave."
"TRAITOR!" Fefnir grabbed Kuro by the throat and lifted him high off the ground, "YOU GAVE THEM THOSE! DIDN'T YOU?"
"Harpuia," Copy X turned as the situation in front of them seemed to be working in their favor.
"Yes, Master X."
"You come with me and let them handle this, we have to begin planning the next step."
"Yes, Master X."
"I am sorry to see you as a turncoat and a Maverick, Shadowhisper... But this isn't the first time, is it?"
"You bastard!" Kuro yelled as he struggled against Fefnir's extreme strength, "You had a chance at the peace we wanted!"
"The peace YOU wanted," X corrected, "my peace doesn't involve ANYONE that doesn't follow my orders to the letter... Retire the Mavericks, then return home."
"YES MASTER X!" the three Guardians responded.