(Zenon, Central Academy Spire, Medbay)

-So… Miss Nelliel, can you tell us anything, about the rogues? - Hime asked her "predecessor" politely.

-You can just call me Nel, and not much I am afraid. - She said as she sat down on the bed with a sad expression. -I can't really recall much from that time.- She said and unconsciously touched her scar.

-How much can you remember? - Ichigo asked next.

-I know… I was a volunteer when I got recruited. There were also a lot of other people there… they injected something in me; it hurt as it spread across my system. I also recall lights and more pain… -

-What about the others?-

-Most of them never made it… at least that was what we were told. After the treatment, I was put into a group of ten; there they told me I was exceptional among them for some reason.-

-How?-

-Unlike the others, I didn't need implants and other enhancements to keep me going. Yes… I remember… the others were given extra shots of that thing they injected us at the beginning. It was to sustain… to sustain…- She was struggling to remember. But the more she tried to recall her memories the worse the pain in her head got. -I'm sorry…I-I can't recall. Its too painful.- she said tiredly.

-I see… we can get back to it when you feel better.- Hime suggested as she stood up from her position.

-But we need… - Ichigo began to protest.-

-Ichigo, let her rest. Trust me… as a medic this time.- She led him out of the room.

-We need any info we can get out of her.- He muttered.

-I know but we don't have to force her or torture her for it. I know she'll tell us everything we want to know once she feels better.- Hime said confidently.

-Can we even trust her word, I mean even Prof. Ran said she is… not stable.- He said weakly.

-You may be just half right; I think the concussion and the fracture in her skull may have damaged her lobe responsible for emotions and memories. But… if we are lucky then the damage was less severe than seems.-

-I don't get it though; she said they needed extra shots of Hollow to sustain something. Can that mean that all the Hollow units like her can't function without it?-

-It can. But remember what Urahara said… someone is producing it illegally. Even if they need regular doses there is someone who can supply them with it. Professor Ran mentioned that all the subjects exposed to both Hollow and that radiation treatment had suffered cellular damage and deformation.-

-Can this mean that they have become addicted?-

-Not necessarily, I think Hollow is more like of a sedative thing in their case. Damaged cells results damaged tissues and organs. Nel even mentioned that she was the only one who didn't need implants. They probably tried to patch up the damaged areas with the implants, besides giving them an edge in combat. - Orihime explained as simply as she could.

-However, the implants didn't stop the degeneration of the damaged tissues so they regularly were given shots to temporarily repair the damaged area.-

-Kisuke did mentioned that Hollow was capable to boost regeneration in most cases.-

-Yes, but they must have encountered this side-effect as well. My question is why haven't they fixed it?-

-That's what the radiation treatments are for.- Ichigo stated, confused.

-No, that was only to avoid mutation, Ichigo. If they knew about the problem then… oh my.- Orihime gasped as she came to a sudden realization.

-What is it?– Ichigo asked worriedly.

-They kept it as a leash!- She muttered under her breath.

(Around Zenon, Orbital Scout Array)

The cruiser exited hyperspace with a flash. The broad side of the vessel opened up, firing more than a dozen pods at the planet.

In one of them, a mysterious figure was waiting for ground fall, memories of past fights rushed his consciousness. He felt satisfaction in them, and the vivid pictures of slain foes invigorated him to fight more. He cracked a smile and watched as the rest of his "companions" entered the sanctuary world's atmosphere.

(UASV Kislev, Core Chamber)

Captain Katherina was trying to stabilize the ruined console so she could prevent the destruction to the rear of her ship. She was covered by Chad who could only watch as Ishida engaged the shape shifting creature.

The captain cursed in her own language then continued on with her work.

-We should leave.- Chad advised.

-You should keep watch, soldier.- She huffed then spat some blood out. -I won't sacrifice my ship just to take the cowards' way out.-

-One of them is still lurking around. I lost sight of the woman who intruded your vessel-. Chad observed.

-Bitch will have her time with me soon.- The Captain clutched her side where her stab wound was. She could see that it was still bleeding and she was starting to feel dizziness from the blood loss.

Chad didn't want to say anything more; he knew the kind ways of the officers like Katherina, back when he was serving with standard heavy infantry. Though she is the first woman who showed this much stubbornness through his relatively short career.

-There, with this I should be able to restart the secondary engines… - She couldn't finish her sentence, since Harribel came down from her hiding place, kicking her back from the console.

Chad managed to catch her; she was grit her teeth and bared them to the other woman like a savage animal and with the killing intent of one as well. She was about to break loose from Chad's hold, but then Harribel launched herself at them.

Chad managed to roll out of the way of her attack taking the captain with him, but he knew he needed to escort her to a safe place in order to stand a chance against the rogue Arrancar unit. Katherina was struggling weakly to get out from his hold but instead of letting her go he tried dashing away.

-Unhand me you idiot!- She ordered. No answer came from him though, which made her more furious.

Chad heard her order but decided to ignore it for the moment, she clearly needed medical attention. Her only hope now was to get out and probably wait for the backup squads to arrive, if they ever do. They both managed to avoid Harribel's attack, who was following right behind them, close in pursuit.

Chad soon felt a sharp pain in his right shoulder, just between where the shoulder guard met with the upper part of the chest plate. The precise slash made him drop the captain to the ground. He was soon turned around only to be face to face with Harribel. With a strong kick she sent the heavily armored elite flying into the wall.

He felt the bone crushing kick sending him off into the wall, he was fortunate that his armor was more durable, along with his bones. Still he felt way over his head when facing his enemy. They may be equal in terms of equipment, but she was far more superior in skills and training. He wanted to use his weapons, but the Core... as she approached him with a drawn blade he struggled with weighing all his options.

-A remarkable effort to save your superior.- Harribel said as she approached Chad. -I would salute to your loyalty, but I must do what I was commanded to do.- Before she finished her sentenced she grabbed the taller soldier by the neck.

-I am a bit disappointed. I expected more from those who were meant to replace us.- She readied her blade to stab him right through the chest.

Chad felt the inhuman power in her clutch as she held him up, he watched as the weapon glowed and whizzed with energy capable of ignoring his armor and ending him right then and there. He must use it…he must take chance in order to survive, for his comrades.

-Direct.- Chad muttered then within a few seconds his entire right arm transformed. The plates of his armor looked like it has fused with his actual arm and a powerful wave of energy rushed down from his shoulders to his fist.

In the blink of an eye he delivered an attach straight at Harribel's head which was enough to crack her helmet. The force was also enough to make her lose her grip on him. He managed to punch his opponent into the opposite wall, buying him and the captain some time. He quickly risked a glance in the direction he'd left the captain and noticed that she had limped her way back to the console to finish the configurations.

He wanted to support her but then he felt something heavy hitting his back, Harribel managed to charge back at him and was trying to tackle the operative. Her helmet, along with her mask, got cracked actually revealing locks of blonde hair, olive skin and a green right eye. Of what he could read out of her expression under the damaged part of her mask, she was boiling in silent rage with a touch of acknowledgement of a worthy foe.

Chad halted her charge then regained his balance, he punched again with his transformed right arm, but it was countered this time with a blow equal in strength. The elites separated themselves from each other, Chad jumped back to Katherina's side checking on her progress. The woman was not in the best shape, he was surprised she survived this long after losing so much blood. He had to end this fight one way or another.

-Death.- He thought to himself, the same process that went through with his right arm went through his left as well. Although his left had evolved into a shield like extension, while at the end of his left fingertips small crackling bolts of energy formed.

He felt it. It was like trying to contain a jolt of high voltage electricity with just his left arm. He felt it was too soon for him to activate the full expense of his weapon system, but he had no time to waste. The Core had already started to react to his transformation, even the captain looked distressed, this man's left arm was syphoning energy from the Kislev's core.

(Zenon, Central Academy Spire, Security wing)

-A Dominion warship has just entered our airspace! - A monitoring staff member remarked as his monitor showed the silhouette of the cruiser.

-Sir, it has started to fire at us!- Another one reported.

-Those are not shells.- Koga inspected the incoming objects. –Pods! Everyone alert the research and non-combatant staff to evacuate. Rally all available security and self-defense forces to the Central Spire, on the double!- He yelled out the necessary orders, while at that same moment, the first wave of attack began to hit the side of the spire, making it shake on impact.

-Koga, what's going on?- Cain asked as he felt the floor shaking under them.

-We are facing invasion, kid.- Koga explained shortly, then left the monitoring room to join those in the defense.

(Central Spire, level 55)

Ichigo and Orihime had also felt the shaking of the structure beneath them. The two operatives immediately began to rush down to check the situation and see if their help was needed. Neither of them expected an attack on the sanctuary world, especially by the Dominion, Hime had a bad feeling about the sudden invasion. She was also still struggling with the thought of her mystery stranger, who had yet to reappear since he vanished after Ichigo found her.

She was concerned, was he just a figment of her imagination or was he the one responsible for the current situation. She felt she had to tell Ichigo about him, but she still hadn't any proof of his existence. It was also a very big possibility that this was all just a coincidence and he was the byproduct of her biological enhancement and augmentation, a hallucination.

A huge explosion stopped the two advancing operatives; a pod had just crashed into the spire on their level. The door of the metallic contraption blasted open and volleys of heavy fire erupted from inside of it.

The two of them managed to get under cover just in time; the shots tore palm sized holes into the concrete floor of the building. Six heavily armored figures exited the pods. All of them had the Dominion's insignia painted on their armor.

-Contact!- One of them shouted as he started to open fire at Ichigo's cover. The rest of them followed and got the both of them pinned down.

Ichigo tried to return their fire, solid ammunition based weaponry was weak against their current gear, however it won't survive this much impact at once. He only managed to fire a few shots away finishing off two and injuring one of their attackers. The remaining three slowly crept behind the rubble caused by their pod and continued firing from there.

-Hime, we need to get moving. Cover me while I'll draw their fire!- He ordered.

-It won't work… there is just too much open space down the hallway and no cover.- She muttered, while calculating.

-Then?- He shouted out in agitation.

-Get behind me!- She commanded and before he could protest she rolled out from their cover.

Several shots of gunfire came her way but were caught up in a bright yellow flash of energy. Orihime held up her right arm, which summoned a shield to cover her. The summoned force field was tall and wide enough for the both of them to get behind, the raw energy that made up the shield was also strong enough to swallow and in some cases deflect the incoming projectiles.

-Sweet.- Ichigo commented in appreciative surprise as he joined his girlfriend. -Is it mobile though?-

-It should be.- Hime said as she started to advance moving her shield before them. -Urahara said it is completely mobile, but I don't know how long I can hold this up.- She answered.

-Just a little more, Orihime.-Ichigo reassured as they were getting closer.

Their advancement caught the remaining landing party off guard. Once they got close enough, Ichigo leaped out of Hime's shield then finished the last of them with accurate fire. Hime canceled the shield and the force field vanished before her, she had to lean off the wall to catch her breath.

-Is everything alright?- Ichigo asked with concern.

-I… just need to catch my breath. Using this…power will take some time to get used to.- She assured him. -But yeah, I'll manage.- She smiled under her helmet.

After exchanging some words with her, Ichigo walked up to the wounded marine on the floor. He had to flip the man over, which was rather easy for him thanks to his augmentations and new armor, the bulky armor was pierced at two points. The kneecap was definitely busted and he was bleeding heavily, while the other shot of energy managed to graze the side of his left glove. Ichigo smashed the helmet in and pulled the injured soldier to the wall making him sit up.

-Talk to me!- Ichigo threatened.

-Go to hell. - He grunted, which earned a solid punch from Ichigo.

-Look, I can just peel this piece of tin off you and trust me what comes after won't be pleasant. Now… talk!-

-You freaks don't scare me… I managed to be shacked up with a similar "genetic wonder" like your buddy and he was sick.- The invading soldier muttered.

-Is he talking about a Hollow?- Hime asked Ichigo.

-Could be. - He answered then turned back. -Hey… who is this "wonder" you just mentioned?-

-A very sick man… you kids don't even know what you have gotten yourselves into.-

-We cleared five of you out… I can make it six. - He threated.

-Go ahead son… I'm a dead man either way. - The man said chuckling.

He was ready to crush this man's skull but Hime stopped him from doing so. Instead she continued with one last question.

-What exactly are you trying to accomplish?-

The marine was shot right in the head before he could say anything, the two of them looked shocked when the unknown marksman appeared from the end of the hallway. He was wearing white armor, but it was a bit more form fitting than theirs. His helmet resembled a warthog like beast and its visors were glowing with an inhuman green color.

-They talk too much. - The newcomer said as he put his rifle away. -I advise the two of you to stay where you are. - He continued stoically.

-What makes you think I'll listen? - Ichigo said aiming his own weapon at him.

-Ichigo, he is… -

-I see…he is a Hollow unit.-

-Stand down, for your own good.- He repeated.

-No! You need to stand down. You're under arrest!- Ichigo yelled as he opened fire at him.

He quickly dodged the bolts with inhuman speed but had yet to return any of it. The gesture made Hime a bit anxious, then all of a sudden He appeared. It was just a second but it shocked her to the core. He wasn't grinning but smiling smugly this time, before she could process it he finally spoke to her.

-Boom. - He calmly stated and she could feel that the floor was gone and a massive force pushed her up then within an instant she and Ichigo were falling down.

Tesra walked closer to the edge and threw the detonator after the two operatives; he then activated his communicator and started to report.

-Sir, I have found Special Operations members on the 55th level of the spire. I have successfully eliminated the both of them.-

-And Nelliel?-

-Negative, I've seen no sign of her, sir.-

-Good, she is mine you hear me? Go on and kill anyone who comes your way, I want no disruption in my hunt.-

-What about the Dominion, sir?-

-Shoot those pests if they get too smart.-

-Acknowledged.- He said and disconnected the transmission.

(Zenon, Central Spire, Nel's room)

She felt shock from the structure beneath her and heard the sound of distant explosions and gunfire from her quarters. She couldn't describe how she was feeling now; she sat on her bed and hugged her legs close to her chest. Her head was pounding and her scar was aching, as if the past was repeating itself around her.

Her door opened and Senna rushed in, she had a concerned expression on her face, being afraid of the attack on the Academy.

-Nel, the professor and the others are evacuating! We should leave while we can too! - She warned the older woman.

-My head, my head, it hurts so badly. - She exclaimed whining at her.

-Nel, we need to get out. - She quickly walked up to her and wanted to grab her arm but Nel caught her by the wrist.

Senna was so shocked she forgot to yelp. The force of Nel's grip on her wrist tightened to the point of pain. She almost forgot that she possessed far superior strength and resilience than her. Nel's expression wasn't the calmest as well, she was gritting her teeth together and she was silently growling like a trapped animal.

Senna was now scared; she had never seen her like this. She had her moments but those were just short mood swings and usually she snapped back instantly. This time she looked like she was ready to kill her instantly.

-Nel, it hurts. - She weakly stammered out feeling her wrist giving up soon. She tried to free it on her own but Nel still kept an iron grip on it.

-Nel… Nel! - She pleaded tearing up a bit.

-Make it stop! Make it STOP! Make the pain go away! - She yelled almost hysterically while getting up from her bed and was now standing in front of Senna. She let go of her wrist but she was now gripping her by the sides.

-You are scaring me… Nel. Nel snap out of it, please. - She pleaded, now openly sobbing

Nel didn't listen though; she tossed her aside and ran out of her room leaving Senna on the floor still shocked. A part of her wanted to follow her but at that moment she just wanted to flee and leave Nel behind. Her instincts of survival won the fight over her logic and she headed straight toward the evacuation site.

Meanwhile Nel ran down the corridors, her legs taking her where ever they desired. She couldn't think clear; her mind was now a tangle of memories and pictures of death and battlefields from her past. She started to remember her first time here… even though she was "vegetating" she heard and saw everything that happened around her during that time she arrived to Zenon.

A pod crashed behind her, pieces of rubble were flying everywhere and thick smoke covered the hallways for many moments. The pod's door blasted open and a group of marines rushed out. They managed to see her and immediately raised their rifles to gun her down if needed.

-Freeze!- One ordered, but she didn't seem to care about the marines behind her. She was staring down at the floor; she saw rubble and dust, while also noticed that she ran out bare foot after the scene with Senna. She felt different, as if something was slowly coming back to her… something simple, yet complicated, something that was bad but felt insanely good. An image of a man manifested himself from the vortex of feeling and memories, he was grinning cockily at her as he had achieved victory over something and another one was kneeling in front of her, bleeding heavily raising his weapon at the one over them.

The marine walked closer and wanted to apprehend her as she was still tripping. The semi cold gauntlet made contact with her skin; Nel snapped back and turned to the man.

-Alright lady you… - He couldn't finish, since Nel broke though the joint between the hand and the lower arm section with inhuman speed and strength. The marine yelled in pain as she broke his hand in the process.

The other marines aimed to shoot her down but in an instant she turned her victim and used his rifle against his comrades. She managed to gun down two of the marines before the rest started to fire at her. She took cover behind the marine, using him as a living shield for the bullets. She heard the armor being pierced and bullets glancing off the plating, soon her opponent was dead and she leaped at the rest.

She smashed the helmet of the nearest marine, she eventually managed to crush his eyes and the man shrieked in pain while Nel was still on him. His partner aimed his rifle to kill her but missed as she kicked out, averting the weapon away from her.

The shots tore fist sized holes into the ground; before he could adjust Nel was already facing him with an emotionless face. Her movements were almost mechanical; her expression remained neutral and calm as she twisted the weapon out of the marine's hands. The weapon was too heavy for her to carry even with her strength; instead she grabbed his side arm and took five shots to finish him off.

She easily walked away from the scene leaving the corpses of her enemies behind, her head was aching and she felt she may have cracked some of her bones in the fight. She cared less for those now, she looked outside through the whole where the pod landed and saw the ship tainting Zenon's sky above.

She didn't give any sign that the small invasion had any effect on her, however, she made mental notes and headed to the lab area. It was still a bit dicey, but she now remembered something important, her purpose for signing up to become a soldier.

(Zenon, Server Hall 7-η)

-Professor, we need you to get to the evac, the situation is getting hotter below us.- A member of the security staff reasoned with Ran'Tao.

-I can't let them get their hands on this data… my colleagues and I won't leave until all of it has been transferred to the backup servers.- She turned back to the holoboard along with her partners.

-Doc, sorry to say. - Cain stated as he decided to butt into the conversation. –For whatever reason the Dominion decided to attach the Zenon, it wasn't for scientific data or lab reports.-

-It matters none whether they are here for research or target practice, Mr. Eric. - She said not looking back at him. -But there's just too much data and it's too important to lose…-

She couldn't finish her sentence because at that moment, the doors of the hall got blown in, three individuals ran in. One was definitely a marine. The one at the helm threw a smoke bomb overhead, the hall quickly filled with thick grey clouds of smoke, blocking everyone's vision.

The professor could only hear the tapping of heavy boots and someone being thrown to the ground. She then heard heavy gunfire and ducked to the floor, a scream came then a grunt, something broke apart then the clanging of bullets on metal was heard soon after. One of the intruders landed next to her, dead. His helmet crashed in and bullet holes filled his armor. The corpse hit the ground with a heavy thud; she was slightly shocked and prayed that whoever came in next was on their side.

The smoke soon dissipated, clearing everyone's vision. She got up from the ground and saw that more than half of the machinery was damaged. In addition the intruders were lying on the floor frozen in their own blood that slowly dripped out from the holes of their armor. She then saw Nelliel kneeling beside one of the fallen marines, she wasn't wearing shoes and her clothes had also gotten dusty and blood stained, still her expression remained calm or cold in this case.

-Nelliel? - She asked as she slowly approached her.

Nel stood up and threw away the pistol she looted from her first encounter with the invaders. She looked around and saw there was no point in checking the rest for spare ammunition or a replacement.

-Nelliel, why are you still here and where is Senna, I sent her to… -

-She is hopefully being evacuated now, but I must stay. - She said monotonously.

She had never seen this side of her, ever since she was taken in, Nel was pretty much childish and overly friendly with everyone at the Academy. Her personality had changed to the opposite, she talked like it was natural to fight and kill, as if she had done this on a regular basis before. The professor came to the conclusion that Nel's inner warrior had awoken, or at least came back for some reason.

-Ma'am. - Cain got up to the both of them. -I think we've done all we can.-

-Agreed. Nelliel, come we are…- The doctor started.

-I'm not going. - Nel interrupted.

-But… -

-Doctor. - Nel said as she gently grabbed her hands. –It's ok. - She smiled warmly.

-Have you… can you remember now? - The doctor asked.

-I do… maybe, but I need you to live, so please go with Cain and stay safe.-

-What are you going to do?-

-I… I honestly don't know. - She gave the scholar a childish grin.

It was more like out of pain than relief, Nel felt lost and confused. She hated how she couldn't make sense out of her awoken instincts, but they told her to stay for a reason.

-Cain… get them out, alrigth?- She let Ran's hands go and started to walk out of the hall, back into the corridors she came from.

-Nelliel! - She called out for her. Nel looked over her shoulder then caught the professors ID. -Knight and Green Lance, exactly in that order.-

(Zenon, level 50)

Orihime regained consciousness after her fall, she opened her eyes and suddenly massive pain struck her from the right. She couldn't move her right arm at all; her HUD even said it was broken along with some her ribs and other smaller bones. The helmet protected her head from most of the impact from the fall; she wasn't feeling dizzy so she was glad she didn't have a concussion at the moment.

She pushed herself up and looked around, she couldn't find Ichigo anywhere. Her HUD said he was a few levels below him. She panicked a bit; if Ichigo had fallen deeper than her then he must be in a worse condition. That Hollow with the rifle and the bombs, they walked right into his trap.

-Look who just decided to wake up. - She heard the mocking voice. Her concern soon turned into almost a full panic when the mystery man walked up to her.

-I mean… sleeping on the job isn't exactly going to get us anywhere, but I must say that heap of junk/rubble looks too cozy to miss out on some R&R.-

-Who… who are you? - She asked nervously.

-Not important! Not important at the current moment, the moment we are or you are in, because if it were important I would have introduced myself before I started talking about how not important it is.- He wasn't making any sense to her as he spoke.

-Ok, now…. I don't know about you, but there is this, you know attack going on upstairs and… you see, Ahh you know. - He waved his hand then sat down on a collapsed beam.

-Can you please… help me? - She asked the stranger weakly.

-Why should I? - The answer came as the stranger jumped up.

-My arm is shattered… and my captain is…-

-You mean carrot head? He is fine, or at least he seemed fine in that bubble or whatever you summoned out of thin air. Oh and the arm and the broken bones… well… check again sister, I see no broken bones here.- He came closer to her and bent his fingers of his right hand, while wickedly grinning.

Hime wanted to frown; this man or thing wasn't making any sense to her. She felt a bit insulted and agitated with him for being too carefree and joking about her and Ichigo's situation. However her anger soon vanished, instead it was replaced by shock, the pain in her right arm was gone along with the rest, and even her HUD told her she was green.

A while ago her right arm was broken at two points, now she felt she could move it just fine. The pain in the various places in her body had also started to ease up, as she pushed the heavy rubble off herself. As soon as she was able to sit up she realized the pain was gone.

The stranger backed off as if he wanted to give her space, she could only look at him in question and disbelief. She opened her mouth but couldn't even form words, instead her partner spoke up first.

-I know, I know what the fuck and oooohhhh it was broken and all that stuff! - He goofed crazily. -How could this be happening blah, blah and blah. - He joked.

-Look girl, to be completely honest with you, I have no fucking idea why I'm here and how I got here but…dramatic pause! - His hands fluttered excitedly. -I'm you or at least a part of you now…- He walked behind Orihime while she stared dumbfounded. -So, let's make the most out of it, what do ya say? - He sinisterly whispered into her ears making her skin crawl and break out into a cold sweat.

So, I'm sorry about the late update, but I was going through a lot of personal life crisises and I was too depressed to do any work on the story. Hopefully I'll be able to update on a bit more regulalry, and advance the plot quicker.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter, please review feel free to express your ideas and opinion in a cultural manner.

Have a nice day!