Chapter 11: Final Test
The buzzard starts as the three gunners are shooting the targets. The targets shoots back as Ceil is doing well. Zero is not too bad but then again he is using his sword for practice. Axl and Colette does well with two guns. Though Colette does do short range fighting as well. Axl looks at Colette as she also hits her target in close range. The group fights for two hours until Axl almost shot Ceil in the arm. Ceil dodges it and pants. Zero rams Axl to the wall and have his sword on his throat.
"What the hell you are trying to do?" growled Zero to Axl. Axl now is more scared than the warning he had before. Ceil looks at this in shock. Colette turns around and finds this shocking as well.
"I am sorry it was my fault. Please do not kill me," said Axl. Colette looks at Zero as she starts to have memories of her two friends that are lovers that she almost hurt as well. Colette sighs as she looks at Ceil.
"Want to leave these two alone while we get munchies. I do believe it is lunch time and we do need to eat before we continue to train," said Colette to Ceil. Ceil's stomach says the same thing as Colette suggest.
"I guess so. We might as well," said Ceil. The two girls left Axl to his doom with Zero. Colette goes to the mess hall as she and Ceil get something to eat. Ceil looks down in her food depressed.
"Is something wrong?" asked Colette. Ceil tries to hide her feelings and Colette see it.
"No nothing is wrong. I am fine," said Ceil and Colette knows that Ceil is bluffing and sighs.
"This is about what happen in the training room isn't it?" asked Colette. Ceil did not want to say anything, but have to now.
"Yes, I do not understand something-" said Ceil as Colette looks at Ceil and her feelings.
"He still loves you. I can tell his heart is torn into two. One he wants to be with his wife. The other he wants to be with you. I can tell his emotions are in a mix now," said Colette.
"You can pick something like that up?" asked Ceil. Colette sighs as she looks at Ceil.
"I have. Remember what I have said last night. The thing is that the guy who loves the other person still loves me. However, his heart is with two people," said Colette.
"So you are still in contact with the person," said Ceil. Colette now looks sad as she looks down in her food.
"No. I lost contact with him and his wife. The two move and did not tell me. I found out by another person. I told that person what is the reason for them to move. I found out that his wife suspect him cheating. She grew cold and bitter. I send a mail to her like I would to a friend. Her reply is that she divorced him. Her daughter lives with her and she tries to move on. I went to talk to the guy who I thought will live happily. I found out he is sleeping with other people. All his dignity is gone. She and I lost him," said Colette.
"What did you do when you find that out?" asked Ceil. Colette looks at Ceil with hurtful eyes.
"I was in an emotional wreck. I literately beat him up. He called me a different name that is was not even my name. When I told him who I was, he is shock. I told him that he destroys all that two people love him for and he throw it away. He tries to seduce me and I did not fell for it. I was not in the mind for it but was for killing him. It was that day when I find out he is playing with both of our hearts. All he wants is to have a play toy to keep him company. Both her and I made another deal. We both made that we both go our separate ways and try to forget our pain that we had. That pain is still with me," said Colette.
"Do you think that Zero," said Ceil as Colette interrupts her again. Colette knows something different.
"No. He is more true to his heart than the guy I have met. That is what is the difference. I did learn the difference from the truth to the fake from that paintings I have did. The painting I did of the person that I love and his first girlfriend. I never release that to the public. For I do not want to expose her or the day her child is created. Even though I was there when it happen," said Colette.
"So Zero is true to his heart. Which makes him in serious pain than what I am feeling," said Ceil.
"I know. Though to have someone care for you and want to help you is what I always wanted. I know that may never happen," said Colette.
"I do think there is someone out there for you," said Ceil. Colette looks at Ceil as she smiles.
"Thanks for the confidence. However, I do hope that both you and Iris are becoming best of friends. Like that both can share your stories and may help Zero in his time in need," said Colette.
"Yeah I guess so," said Ceil. Just then Axl comes into the mess hall and looks at Ceil and Colette. He walks up to the two.
"I just wanted to say I am sorry. I did not mean to shoot you," said Axl to Ceil. Ceil smiles.
"It is ok. I am glad that I am in no immediate danger," said Ceil. Colette looks at Axl.
"We have not properly introduce. I am Colette Noire," said Colette. Axl looks at Colette and Ceil.
"Axl Star," said Axl then looks at Colette, "Wait are you that lady that was with the human that died on the street?"
"The very same person. I can shape shift to any look I wanted. Marone Tahara did risk her life just to get both of us out of harms way," said Colette, "Though I will never forget what she has done and I wish I could do to help that human."
"Wait that was Marone. And why did you tell me a lie," said Axl. Colette looks at Axl.
"There is two things I do not want to jeopardize at that time. My true form to CROSHA and Ceil's location. CROSHA could find her through the means of report incidence. Since Marone is a hunter she can be covered as irregular attack. However, if I mention anything about CROSHA attack. CROSHA would find out and will track us down faster than we can come here."
"I see. I was a meant of hiding. Well then nice meeting you again," said Axl. Ceil looks at the two.
"Colette, why don't we wait until the food settles before we go back to training," said Ceil.
"Very well, we can," said Colette. Ceil smiles as she looks at Colette. Axl looks at Ceil.
"Oh sorry I jumped in your training," said Axl. Ceil realize she forgot to introduce herself.
"It is ok. As long as I am getting training done. I am Ceil Carpathica," said Ceil. Axl smiles at Ceil.
"Please to meet you as well," said Axl as he leaves.. Ceil and Colette sit there and sighs.
"Well, I hope things will go well for the better," said Ceil. Colette nods as the two talk for an hour.
"Well ready for the final test I am going to give you," said Colette. Ceil smiles as she shakes her head.
"Let go. I want to finish my training and hopefully be ready for tomorrow when I go to work," said Ceil.
"I thought you are going since two days after the interview," said Colette. Ceil sighs.
"They need to verify some stuff which it is done electronically. They called me yesterday saying that I am going to work tomorrow. They have to make sure that I have the tour of the corporation by today. Which I am going after the training," said Ceil.
"Ok then lets go," said Colette as the two enters the training room. Zero stand in the shadows. Ceil looks at Colette.
"Ok what is the next part then," said Ceil. Colette sighs as she knows she might get hurt but willing to do what she is planned.
"You are going against me. I am going to be the simulation of how CROSHA will approach you and my goal is to take you away. Your job is to resist me. If I get shot at that is ok. However, I will call quits when you get hurt," said Colette, "The last thing I need is another death to succumb me."
"She won't get hurt," said Zero as Colette smiles. Colette knows if it comes to this type of training he is around.
"I was wondering when you are going to step out to the light. However, Zero I am not going easy on you like I am going to be with Ceil. Knowing CROSHA she will not care if another reploid dies or another person in general. As long as she gets Ceil and start the bio weapon is all she cares about. Though I am going to restrict myself only using her abilities and her abilities alone," said Colette.
"I get the picture," said Zero as he pulls out his Z-Saber. Colette jumps up as her body glows soon it took a shape of a spider like reploid. Zero looks unimpressed as Ceil looks at her in amazement.
"Ok Ceil try not to think of me as Colette. Think of me as CROSHA. So I want you to attack me as if I am her. I will not care if you hurt me. I can hold pain pretty long. I will stop if you are hurt," said Colette. Colette start her attack as Zero blocks her. Colette uses electrical attacks which now Zero is shock. Ceil tries to shoot at Colette which she dodges. Zero and Colette are going on a fighting spree as Colette simulates CROSHA's fighting style. In the end, Colette fell down as her true self. Zero stops as he does not know if Colette calls quits. Colette gets back up but holding her forehead.
"Nice work Ceil. You have passed. If I were you I would be going to that tour now. Keep my buster gun in its holster and hide it within your clothing," said Colette. Ceil nods.
"Ok are you ok," said Ceil. Colette does not want her to worry about the shot wound she has.
"I am fine just go," said Colette. Ceil smiles as she left. Zero looks at Colette wondering what she is keeping her hands in her forehead.
"Can you get the medics here or take me to the medical ward. I am going to need to be there," said Colette as she sparks all over and collapsed. Zero sees the shot wound and looks surprised.