13 - Ciel's call

Reports of a black reploid wielding a purple blade surfaced from time to time, both through the info networks of the Resistance as well as Neo Arcadia. But by the time anyone from either showed up to investigate these rumors, they found nothing but someone with a story.

Most of the stories started the same way, "I was running for my life..." generally from Neo Arcadian Retirement Troops, the Units deticated to hunting down and executing runaway humans and reploids. The inconsistencies were sparse when it comes to the appearences of the reploid who was rapidly becoming a ghost story to anyone who'd be outside the direct influence of Neo Arcadia and causing a disturbance; black armor, green eyes, bloodred hair, purple sword, and usually a drawn look on his face.

Both sides of the war searched for Kuro Shadowhisper; Neo Arcadia to kill him, and the Resistance to try and recruit him. It was almost three months after his disappearence, when the Resistance had gained enough resources to become a direct threat to Neo Arcadia, before anybody had a confirmed contact with him.

"This is a call for the Resistance," a voice called on an open air frequency

"Who's this?" The Operator answered warily

"A friend, is Dr Ciel there?"

After a minute, the gentle voice of the young woman came through, "This is Ciel. Who is this?"

"I've saved your life twice now, but I'm not one of your number."

"I see," Ciel smiled, understanding that for whatever reason, Kuro was trying to keep his name secret. "It has been a while, how are you holding up?"

"I'm still alive, but with the way I've been working, not sure how long that will last."

"We have seen you have been keeping quite busy," Ciel had heard of over seventy stories about him in that three month period, "why are you calling?"

a slight laugh came over the radio, "i think part of me is just looking for comeradery, this Lone Ranger thing is pretty lonely."

"If you feel like it, you know you are always welcome to join us."

"I do, but..."

After ten seconds of silence, Ciel felt impatient, even she wanted Kuro as an ally; if she could help him sort out his problems, maybe she could convince him to join them. "But what?"

"If I go to your base, even just a visit..." there was a hesitation in his voice, "I feel like it would sever my one remaining tie to them."

Even the Resistance knew about Kuro's relationship with Leviathan, "I understand..."

"Do you?"

Thinking for a moment, Ciel's mind imagined what it would be like if Zero turned his coat. While it would break her heart, the scientist knew it wouldn't change her feelings for the red warrior. "Yes."

Kuro heard the emotion in her voice and knew she meant what she said. "I do have something else," Kuro seemed reluctant to ask.

"What is it?" Ciel somehow knew that this was meant for her specifically.

"I need some repairs and maintanence. Would you be able to meet me somewhere and do the work?"

"It would be much easier on one of our repair beds," Ciel said matter-of-factly. After a moment of silence, she considered what Kuro had said about going to the base, "I understand... where would be a good place to meet?"

"Is this line secure? Meaning ONLY you can hear me?"

after a series of clicks, Ciel made an affirmative "hm."

"I'm in a mountain range about eighty miles straight south of you. I can't go anywhere because I've seen Fefnir himself in the area. I wouldn't last against a Guardian in my condition, I've been hiding in a cave for a week."

"I'll need to bring support if that's the case."

"Zero."

"And probably a fe-"

"JUST Zero." *click*