Don't Run Away
Alright ladies and gents, I have returned! It's December – Happy belated Halloween and Happy belated Thanksgiving, by the way – and I snagged myself a job. It's from midnight to eight am and I do a bit of physical labor, but I can deal. I also start school in January...so yeah, missions accomplished! I can get what I need done if I put my mind to it – and so can all of you!
Uh, no solidified update schedule to adhere to, as of yet, but I'm thinking one chapter every two weeks. That's more or less what I had been doing after my amazing streak of ten chapters of DoRA in the starting month. What month was that again?
Here's some important info regarding my writing that'll be posted in more detail on my profile page:
About five stories will have my total attention – in no particular order: A Person Like Me (APLM), Don't Run Away (DoRA), The Celestia versus The World: Ambition That Attracts Darkness (TCvTW:ATAD), The Last Milletian (TLM) and if things work out well with a certain someone, a story that I'd like to adopt since I don't want to see those characters or that idea die. I'd be rotating the working times on the stories, with the bigger projects getting more attention. The bigger projects being DoRA, TCvTW:ATAD and completing chapter six of another story that's been on hiatus for far too long.
I figure if I focus on one chapter of one (say DoRA) and a little bit of the other chapter (TCvTW), I can post DoRA on week two, then update TCvTW one week three. So, more or less, updating DoRA on even weeks and TCvTW on odd weeks. Again! This is NOT set in stone, just an initial idea I have. Since I will be working- and aiding a friend with a film- I'll be pretty busy. Anyway, enough rambling! I'm back, so...
Story ago-go!
Chapter 21 – Time Moves On
"Teacher, please," Brendan pleaded to Tsubaki. "Send us on the search for Lindow too!" He, Tatsumi and Kanon had gathered in front of the reception desk bright and early in order to look for Lindow. But Tsubaki, who was already there, had other plans...
"Don't make me repeat myself." Tsubaki spoke, her tone final. "We have our regular unit mobilized for that wait for the results."
"But the more people we have in the search party, the greater the chance we'll find him!"
Tatsumi now tried his hand with Tsubaki.
"Enough..." She uttered lowly.
"Lindow saved our lives!" Kanon cut in, sounding brave for a change. "That's why we feel its our turn now to -"
"I said enough!" Tsubaki was clearly at wit's end.
"Tsubaki." Hibari called almost immediately after the room fell silent. "The director would like to see you."
"Very well," Tsubaki almost sounded relieved. "Please take over for a while." Tsubaki made her exit, the God Eaters hanging their heads in defeat.
"Yes ma'am." Hibari gave her a nod before turning her focus to her screen once more.
"Hey you guys." Tatsumi, Brendan and Kanon turned to the retired veteran God Eater whose arm was wrapped up in his jacket. "Do you want me to tell you how many people were killed under her command?" Gen asked, his voice haggard and full of remorse.
"Uh-" Kanon, nor anyone else, knew how to respond. Seeing as how his message got through, Gen continued.
"And its her own kid brother to boot. Don't you think she wants to run out there herself?" The three active God Eaters shared looks among themselves, and quickly huddled into themselves.
Kinaia and Kiria, who were watching the scene from the lounge area above Hibari's desk, shrink away from Tsubaki's stare as she walks past them to the section elevator.
"I can't believe Lindow, of all people," Kinaia speaks lowly as she watches the elevator doors close. "Has gone MIA." She shook her hanging head.
"You knew him well?" Kiria asked, her voice its usual monotone.
Kinaia shook her head. "We spoke a few times, yeah, but I wouldn't say we were close. He showed me a few tips even after I joined the Defense Squad, and... he was a great guy." Kinaia let out a heavy sigh. "Not to mention he boasted the highest survival rate out of everyone here."
"I guess...the odds were against him, huh?"
Kinaia gave a slow nod. "A lot of people looked up to him, and even more are probably feeling the pain of him not being around." Kinaia then lifted her head and look at Kiria sitting across from her. "He was your Unit Leader. Aren't you even a bit...emotional?"
"He was a good guy, like you said." Kiria recalled the few times she and Lindow did communicate, falling silent. Kinaia could feel Kiria's mood dampen. "But..." Kiria's tone did not change. "It's a part of the job, so we can't let it get to us." Kinaia noticed Soma emerge from the staircase and walking into the lobby, his eyes on Hibari's desk. "We could all go any day now. I learned that a long time ago – at least, it feels like it was a long time ago..." Kiria finishes, regaining Kinaia's attention.
"You've..." Kinaia knew that she should tread carefully. "Lost someone?" Kiria's reply was a mere nod, and Kinaia could sense it's a difficult subject. "Well... there's no point on dwelling on it so negatively, right?" Kinaia offered, trying to sound bright. When Kiria didn't show any signs of response, Kinaia finished off with: "Besides, I'm sure neither Lindow or your friend would want us moping around."
Kiria made eye contact with Kinaia, giving her a nod and a meek smile. Both young women could hear Soma let out a very clear grunt.
"Don't kill him off yet."
They both look tot he Den Gate and watch Soma glare at them through the sliver of the closing doors. Kinaia visibly shifts uncomfortably in her seat. Kiria only stares at the gate for a moment before speaking.
"Time moves on." Kiria stood up from her seat, noticing Tatsumi, Brenden and Kanon speaking further with Gen. "We need to move on as well." Kiria made her way towards the section elevator, but Tatsumi calls out to her.
"Oh hey, newbie!" Kiria stopped in her tracks and looked to Tatsumi and he waves her over. She walks towards him, giving Kinaia who is watching the scene little regard. Kanon makes her way past Kiria, uttering an apology as she scurries off. When Kiria approaches Tatsumi and Brendan, Tatsumi wastes no time. "You were pretty close to Alisa, right?"
"Not really." Kiria answers automatically, sensing his anxiety. "We talked but-"
"Did you notice anything weird about her, like ever?" Tatsumi presses on. Kiria couldn't help but notice a worried look on Hibari's face.
"Weird?" Kiria keeps her responses short – she can recognize an interrogation. "Like what?"
Tatsumi's expression softens, and he thinks something over with himself for a second. "Never mind." He shakes his head, an apologetic frown on his face. "It's probably just a rumor anyway."
Having heard the commotion and questioning, Kinaia walked down to the lower level. She speaks up from behind Brendan, startling Tatsumi. "What rumors?" Her voice is casual, but in her mind, she can't help but think that there have been one too many rumors going around as of late.
"Like I said, it's nothing." Tatsumi waves his hand dismissively and speaks with clear authority, but his face is still dark. "Besides, Lindow's still out there somewhere, so sitting around and talking about him won't do us any good, right?"
"Right." Brendan finally speaks up, a smile on his face. He breaths as though some tension was coming off of his shoulders. "So, you two want to help the search?" He looks between Kiria in front of him and Kinaia behind him. "Tatsumi and I have a Quadriga to eliminate. It'll be much easier if you two gave us a hand." Kiria and Kinaia exchange looks. Casting a cautious look to Hibari, Brendan then adds: "Afterward, the four of us can take our time getting back to the Den and search for Lindow."
Even without the invitation, Kinaia was ready to join. "I'm a part of the Defense Squad, anyway." She offers with a smile to Brendan and Tatsumi. The give her a nod of confirmation, and Kinaia looks to Kiria. "How about you?"
Kiria checks with Hibari and isn't on standby for First Unit missions. She isn't surprised. "Sure." Kiria shoots a look from Hibari to Tatsumi. "But...didn't Tsubaki just-"
Tatsumi knew what was coming. "She said we couldn't join the search." Tatsumi sported a sly grin.
Brendan's small smirk rivaled Tatsumi's grin. "But she said nothing about us searching on our own."
"You..." Kiria almost sounded amazed. "Really want to find him?"
"Of course!" Tatsumi's voice rose a bit. "No comrade gets left behind!" He offered valiantly.
"But if they do," Brendan spoke a bit more realistically. "It's never for too long." He and Tatsumi shared a look, no doubt Tatsumi felt some sort of way after Brendan's comment. Brendan smiled and said mainly to Tatsumi "We'll find him."
"Damn right we'll find him!" Tatsumi shook his fist at Brendan. With a laugh, Brendan bumped fists with Tatsumi.
"You're all so optimistic..." Kinaia whispered in subdued amazement. Her mind almost drifted back to her old Branch, but she snapped herself out of the momentary trance with a nod. "Alright then," Kinaia gained everyone's attention with her sudden outburst. "We search day in and day out until we find Lindow!"
"That's the spirit!" Tatsumi gave Kinaia a thumbs up. "But first, we have citizens to keep safe!" Tatsumi grabbed the mission info from Hibari and scribbled down Kinaia's and Kiria's names. "Hibari, I'll tell you how everything went when I return, okay?"
Hibari seemed a bit taken aback by Tatsumi's tone, but hurriedly replied: "O-of course. I'll be expecting a full post- mission report from you, Sergent Tatsumi."
Tatsumi let out a huff. Behind him, Brendan shook his head with an empathetic smile on his face. Still, Tatsumi wouldn't be easily deterred – and everyone knew that. "Alright guys, let's wrap this up swiftly and look for Lindow."
"Our target was spotted around this area." Tatsumi spoke, bundling up his jacket. "I know I've already said this quite a few times, but let's finish this quickly; I'm not a big fan of the cold."
"We noticed that," Brendan gave a chuckle. "When you put on four layers beneath your jacket."
"Says you mister 'bare essentials'!" Tatsumi referred to the hat and scarf Brendan put on. "You're only wearing two layers. Do you know what that means?"
"That I'll be warm and it won't hinder my movements." Brendan looked behind him at Kinaia and Kiria, ignoring the look from Tatsumi. "How are you two holding up?"
"Pfft," Kinaia waved her gloved hand dismissively. "Germany's winter is way colder than this." She tugged on her scarf for extra measure.
"How about you, Kiria?" Brendan asked. He stared at the Fenrir issue winter wear she had put on for their mission at the Tranquil Temple, a place of eternal winter.
Kiria only gave Brendan a nod, her eyes scanning the area ahead.
"While it's good to know we're all fine," Tatsumi spoke up. "Even the warmest of clothing can be ineffective here once night fully sets in and the temperature really drops." Kiria looked up at the dozens of stars in th sky, amazed that it was this dark and night had yet to fully fall. "Let's split up and -"
"No need!" Kinaia called out, pointing to a large hole in the wall above them.
"Walking tank, twelve o'clock high!" Brendan readied his Buster Blade and fell in behind Tatsumi. "The usual?"
"Yeah," Tatsumi glanced over his shoulder at Kinaia. "You remember the usual, right?" Kinaia nodded at him, redying her Long Blade. He then glanced at Kiria who shifted her God Arc into gun mode.
"My usual should work, too." She took aim at the Aragami that used its tank treads as four legs. "Open fire?"
Tatsumi looked back at the Quadriga. "Yeah open – wait, guys, is it...blue?!" Sure enough, the usually red and brown Aragami known as a Quadriga sported a blue hue accented with the occasional streak of black in its motor joints and the front of its armored belly.
"Has it adapted to this area?" Brendan asked, watching as the Quadriga turned the opposite direction and walked away from the four God Eaters.
"Is...is that possible?" Kiria asked, her aim still on the Quadriga.
Yeah," Kinaia began, her voice sounding a bit angry. "I've seen it before. Aragami that adapt to the cold. In the German branch we called them 'Arctishk Gotts'
"In English, please?" Tatsumi held up a hand, signaling for the group to remain on standby. "And without the heavy accent?"
"Arctic Gods is the direct meaning." Kinaia translated. "But a more precise term would be 'polar Aragami'. There are a number of species with...polar variants." Tatsumi sensed the change in Kinaia's mood but chose not to acknowledge it at the moment.
"Alright, it may be 'polar' or whatever, but it's still a Quadriga, and the Defense Squad is famous for taking these guys down." Tatsumi turned to Kiria, beaming her a grin. "Today, you're an honorary member of the Defense Unit, Kiria! What's our motto?"
"Fight not to win," He, Kinaia and Brendan chanted. "Fight to not lose."
Tatsumi winked at Kiria. "You're saying it next time."
"You don't have to." Brendan interjected, earning a playful glare from Tatsumi. "Welcome aboard, again." Brendan then looked to the Quadriga. "Let's move." He took off towards the Aragami.
"Hey I'm the leader here!" Tatsumi chased after Brendan. "We move when I say so – don't ignore me!"
Kiria cast a look to Kinaia. "Yes," Kinaia cut her off. "They're always like this. Back us up with Blaze-type bullets, okay?" Kiria nodded as she and Kinaia headed to back up Tatsumi and Brendan...
"Well," Tatsumi sneezed and wiped his nose with a tissue. "What did we learn today?"
"Polar Quadrigas have polar missiles." Brendan shook frost from his boots. "And they have a bit better aim than normal Quadrigas."
"Wha...wha...wha-choo!" Tatsumi sniffled a bit. "What else?"
"..."
"Kinaia..." Tatsumi began, looking to the girl who had an ice pack on her head. He had to withhold a smirk at the irony of seeing her hold an ice pack to her head.
"They have thicker armor plating than normal Quadrigas..." She then looked at her God Arc. "And fighting a polar enemy with a Chill Blade isn't the best of tactics."
"Speaking of elemental properties?" Tatsumi looked over his shoulder at Kiria. "What did you learn today, honorary Defense Squad member?"
"Firing Freeze-type bullets on a Freeze element Aragami is ineffective." Kiria spoke bluntly, earning a chuckle from Brendan and Kinaia.
"And?"
"And to double check and make sure that I'm firing healing bullets when I change my aim to an ally." Kiria's monotone made Tatsumi wonder if she was even sorry.
"I learned that you can catch a cold form Freeze bullets." Brendan chuckled at Tatsumi.
"'I learned that you can catch a cold...neh neh neh!'" Tatsumi mocked Brendan. "That's how you sound!" Tatsumi grumbled. "Still, we did pretty good against an unknown evolution of Aragami."
"That seems to be a trend as of late..." Brendan observed. "Particularly with Freeze element Aragami..."
"What do you mean?" Kiria asked Brendan, her tone unreadable.
"Well, not too long before.." Brendan cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Lindow, Sakuya and Alisa had a mission at the Fallen Carrier and were confronted by Fallen Kongous; Kongous adapted to cold a lot like our Quadriga today." Brendan glanced at Kinaia who visibly stiffened and inadvertently placed a hand on her scarf. He acted as though he saw nothing, but returned a a look to Tatsumi who had also noticed Kinaia's behavior.
"And as we just saw, there are even polar Quadrigas," Brendan continued. "Well, according to the higher ups-"
"Brendan!" Tatsumi interjected. "We can't go around talking about that!"
"We're all a team here," Brendan rationalized. "And we'll all know sooner or later."
"Tch..." Tatsumi crossed his arms., "Just make sure that no one gets in trouble."
Brendan nodded and looked to Kiria. He then said in a low tone: "And apparently, the evolved Vajras that First Unit faced in the 'Moon in the Welkin' mission are known as 'Prithvi Matas.'"
"Pri-?" Kiria's voice caught in her throat. "H...here?" Brendan, Tatsumi and Kinaia visibly saw Kiria tremble.
"Yeah..." Brendan continued. "They were all over the place back in America. Who knew that they'd pop up here, too, and in such numbers..."
Kiria, much like Kinaia when the polar Kongous were mentioned, became quiet and absorbed into her own mind.
Tatsumi sensed the morale of the team dropping from the current conversation, and especially since they found no clues that may have lead to Lindow's whereabouts but did find more Aragami to fight. "Everyone rest up!" His sudden outburst caught everyone's attention. "We said we wouldn't stop until Lindow was found, right? I want all of you to get checked out and then we're headed right back out there! Understood?"
Brendan, Kinaia and Kiria looked between one another.
"I'm not asking you a question," Tatsumi's voice was commanding. "That's an order!" He pointed to Kinaia and Kiria. "You two, go and get checked out first."
"Yes sir!" Both girls responded dutifully and headed towards the section elevator.
"Hm," Brendan smirked as they marched to the elevator. "Both of them, huh?" Tatsumi only nodded in remorse. "Everyone these days has some type of baggage..." Brendan sighed and walked away. "Well, call me if you need anything."
"Don't think I forgot about your funny business today, Brendan!" Tatsumi shouted. He stared at Brendan's back as the Buster Blade user walked away from him. "Hey! Are you ignoring me again?!"
Kiria and Kinaia were headed to the medical ward for minor treatment. The two God Eaters walked in utter silence, each recalling events of their past. They passed through the Intensive Care Unit, and Kinaia looked up at a particular door. Kiria had kept walking ahead a few paces before noticing Kinaia was no longer beside her.
"...Wasn't he just getting back on his feet from that Vajra fight?" Kinaia asked, staring up at a door.
Kiria flinched at the word Vajra, but Kinaia didn't notice. She then looked at the room door and remembered that that was the room X was being held in. "Yeah...he was..."
Kinaia shook her head. "Now this... and it's not just him but Lindow-" Kinaia cut herself off with a sigh. "Do you think it'd be alright if we visit him?"
Kiria's eyes scanned the door. Satisfied, she said: "It doesn't say he can't be visited." Her eyes fall upon the plaque with the room number on it. It is labeled 'Room 07' "The same room he was in last time..." Kiria murmurs. "That's almost ironic."
"Is it really?" Kinaia glances at the number and chuckles. "Oh it is." She then remembered something. "I tried to visit him once before, but he wasn't conscious yet. Then he decided to wake up when the Defense Squad's week got hectic and couldn't stop by." In a joking tone, Kinaia added. "He might have done it just to spite me."
Kiria completely missed the joke. "To spite you?"
"It's..." Kinaia could hear Kiria didn't get it. "A bit of an inside joke."
"Oh, a joke between friends." Kiria nodded, now that she had caught on.
"Although, he and I aren't exactly...friends." Kinaia spoke with a bit of a grunt, remembering their exchange after her first mission at the Far East Branch.
"So...you two are more than friends?" Kiria misinterpreted Kinaia's statement.
Kinaia shook her head. "We've talked once or twice but never 'hung out'. But X is an okay guy...maybe..." Kinaia took a second to think to herself. "Not that I know much about him." What she thought was under her breath, Kinaia added "Although he just seemed to... know me the second we met."
"What do you mean?" Kiria asked, her full attention on Kinaia.
"Well, as you already know, my first mission upon transferring here was with X. He and I fought a Gboro-Gboro, and I ended up fighting it first. I had it on the ropes, but for a Gboro-Gboro it was pretty resilient When he regrouped with me, I had already sustained a few minor injuries, and apparently, X had been watching me fight for a while. He called my fighting 'incomplete'." Kiria picked up the anger in Kinaia's voice upon saying the word 'incomplete'. And saying it through clenched teeth was only more proof the comment upset her.
Kinaia shook her head and asked Kiria: "Why am I being interrogated?" Kinaia's almost trademark half-smirk hinted at something more.
"Interrogated?" Kiria shook her head. "Just curious. Sorry."
Kinaia's smirk did not falter. "What about you and X? Are you two close?"
Kiria quickly shook her head no. "But I know what you mean about him knowing things he...just shouldn't." Kiria gripped her left arm, remembering her encounter with X a few days back.
Kinaia easily picked up on Kiria's discomfort and decided not to probe. At least, not too far. Kinaia's full smirk emerged and she asked in a low, sultry voice. "So...do you want to get to know him?"
"Huh?" Kiria was caught completely off guard and stared at Kinaia vacantly.
Kinaia put her arm around Kiria, drawing her close. "I told you, you weren't off the hook! I've already bugged Alisa about it, now it's your turn."
Kiria instantly remembered the guy talk between her, Kinaia and Alisa at the Fallen Carrier – and she remembered that she got away that time as well. "We should see if he's awake." Kiria slipped out of Kinaia's grasp and pushed the door open.
Kinaia was visibly surprised that Kiria slipped out of her grasp. "Hey," Kinaia protested. "Don't run away!"
Kiria slipped into the room with Kinaia close behind her. The room was medium sized, but was so crowded with a multitude of machines that the girls immediately felt claustrophobic. What they assumed was X's bed was almost totally surrounded by the machines; only his feet were visible beneath a huge mass of wires that lead to the res of his body. He looked like an insect wrapped up in spider thread.
Kinaia let out a gasp. "Whoa...what're they doing to him?"
Kiria felt a pang in her stomach as the memories of her days at the American Branch and all the God Eaters she had seen in similar conditions began to resurface. She managed to contain a shudder, but felt the overwhelming urge to leave nonetheless.
"You didn't come visit me while I was hospitalized..." Kiria heard X's voice echo in her mind from a few days ago. "Maybe it'd bring back bad memories?"
Kiria shook off the thought of leaving and decided to stay. Instead of thinking about leaving, she decided to focus on the various machines in the room. Being a medic, Kiria had full knowledge of many of the medical devices in the room. She pointed them out and spoke their uses out loud for Kinaia's sake.
"That's for blood transfusions." She pointed to a large machine that looked recently used, judging by the bit of blood dripping inside of it. "That's for heart monitoring." She pointed to the machine with a green line on screen that spiked every once in a while. "That's a respirator – he suffered lung damage?" Kiria was a bit shocked upon recognizing the respirator.
"Kota told me that there was smoke in the building he was picked up from." Kinaia explained.
"Then they're cleaning his lungs..." Kiria craned her neck so that she could see the nebulizer attachment. "And that's a P53 Bias Factor supplement device."
"Since he can't go for injections," Kinaia rationalized. "They brought the injections to him."
Kiria gave Kinaia a surprised look. "You know a bit about medical stuff."
"Have to." Kinaia replied shortly. "Survival is our top priority."
Kiria nodded in recognition; Kinaia did have a point. Kiria continued to look around the room, and she spotted a machine she didn't recognize. "What's that?" She mainly asked herself as she began making her way towards it.
"You shouldn't mess with it if you don't know what it is." Kinaia argued as she scuttled past the machines after Kiria. "Especially since it's hooked up to someone we'd both like to live!"
Kiria stopped short. "It looks like..." She looked over the screen with interest. "It's monitoring his Oracle Cells."
"That makes sense." Kinaia made sure she wasn't stepping on anything - vital or otherwise. "He IS a God Eater."
"But...what happened that would require the Oracle Cells in his nervous system to be watched?" Kiria eyed the machine suspiciously.
The door suddenly whooshed open, and Schicksal himself stepped in with a team of doctors. The pair of God Eaters stared at Johannes for a second. Both parties were clearly surprised by the other's presence.
"Director!" Kinaia swiftly stood at attention.
"Private Tsumi?" He looked around the room. "Recruit Jean. What are you two doing here?" His was was low and crouching, like a wolf eying its prey.
Kinaia cast a sad look at X's sleeping outline beneath all the wires – or at least where he would have been sleeping. "We wanted to see how X was doing..."
"Ah," His voice returned to normal – normal for Johannes, anyway. "You were concerned for your comrade's well being." He smiled, and one of the machines hooked up to X beeped for a second. "Excuse me." Schicksal spoke curtly before turning to his tea of doctors. He pointed to one of them, seemingly at random to Kinaia and Kiria. 'See what's wrong with him."
The doctor pressed a few buttons and twisted a few knobs before looking back at the Director and saying "It would seem his stomach growled, sir." Both Kinaia and Kiria were amazed that they were monitoring X so closely.
Schicksal didn't waste any time. "Administer the liquid rations. We need him back to fighting strength."
Kiria wasted no time as well. "What's this?" She pointed to the machine that she had never seen before.
"Recruit Kiria Jean, Medic Class..." His voice fell, almost as if he was contemplating something. "No doubt you've already discerned that it's a device for monitoring Oracle Cells?" Johannes smiled, and the device beeps a second time. X's stomach growls audibly.
'(Every time he smiles...)' Kinaia pondered, looking at X's outline as it writhed a bit. '(Is X conscious?)' She risked a glance at Kiria and saw that the orange haired girl had her eyes on X's frame. No doubt she had picked up on it, too.
"I have." Kiria responded to the Director's inquiry. "What happened to him?"
Schicksal looked over his shoulder to the doctors. "Leave." They looked among themselves, the doctor who was monitoring X was the first to bow to the Director and leave. The others quickly followed, leaving Kinaia and Kiria with Schicksal and an unconscious X.
"He was introduced to a foreign antibody that targets God Eaters specifically." Johannes explained curtly. "If it wasn't treated, he could have died. You could have all died."
Both girls were understandably caught off guard by this information, but Kiria's medical sense snapped in first. "It's contagious?"
"The doctors don't know if it's contagious," Schicksal admitted. "But I wasn't about to stand idle and find out."
"What did this antibody do to God Eaters?" Kinaia asked.
"We're not sure," Schicksal continued in an analytical tone. "But X07's adrenaline was at an abnormally high level and the toxin seemed to be the cause. We can assume that what ever was administered into his system raised his aggression levels through his Oracle Cells."
"His emotions were controlled through his Oracle Cells?" Kinaia asked in disbelief. "That doesn't make any sense!"
"Not his emotions," Kiria rationalized. "But the hormones that the body excrete in times of emotional stress. That antibody most likely altered the normal levels of hormones in X's body and simulated a frenzied state."
"That..." Kinaia placed a hand to her chin. "Sounds a bit like a Burst Inducer."
"A Burst Inducer?" Kiria mimed, curious.
"It's an item that God Eaters can use to put themselves into Burst Mode. Only, it's hazardous to our health and only gives us about half of a true Burst. Still, when used properly, in limited qualities and you keep an eye on your vitality, it can be a huge game breaker"
Schicksal couldn't help but smile at the talent possessed by his God Eaters. Once more, X's stomach growled. "So imagine if something like that spread," Schicksal spoke up, drawing the girls' attention once more. "Every God Eater, new and old, registered and retired, were put into a frenzied state with little to no warning or preparation..." He let the heaviness of his words hang in the air before delivering the final point.
"There would be an almost ninety percent chance that every God Eater would lose control of themselves and go on a rampage." He then pointed to X. "And if they were lucky, would end up bedridden like the Private here. If not...then we'd lose ninety percent of our troops in a single night. Not to mention the expenses required for repairs, research and development of an antidote and the insurance coverage of every God Eater. It'd be an uncontrollable nightmare."
"Is he cured?" Kiria asked, sounding concerned. Schicksal nodded.
"As I said, my team was able to isolate, contain and destroy the antibody before it even had a chance to settle in his body."
"Will he be alright?" Kiria's questions did not let up. Almost on cue, X let out a groan and made a move to sit up.
"See for yourself." Schicksal gestured to X theatrically, almost as if he had timed X regaining consciousness.
"Ugh..." X wanted to hold his forehead, but the mess of wires in and on him prevented him from moving. "Where am I?"
Kinaia and Kiria move to X's bed, slipping past machines and treading over cables to get there. Kiria was the first at X's side. "X, are you okay?" X looked up at her just as Kinaia stepped beside Kiria.
"Looks like you just love being bedridden, X." Kinaia joked, giving him a warm smile.
"Kiria...Kinaia?" He uttered as he tried to look around. The wires he was buried under restricted him from doing even the simplest of movements. "What's going on?"
"You're in the ICU." Kinaia explained. "You passed out a few seconds after boarding the extraction helicopter and well...here you are."
"Everyone was worried about you." Kiria's monotone wavered. "You've been out for -"
"For two days..." X grumbled lowly. Kiria and Kinaia were shocked that X was correct. "What day is it? Monday? Tuesday? These medications mess with my head..."
"Yet you can still divine that two days have passed while you were unconscious?" X visibly stiffened at Johannes Von Schicksal's voice. The Director let out a chuckle and answered X's question. "Monday, June Twentieth, 2071."
X tried to sit up again, this time his body visibly moved. Kiria knelt down to his level and held him down. He looked her in the eyes and muttered. "I'm fine..."
"You were pretty banged up, X." Kinaia sounded calm but was ready to hold X down if necessary. "You should rest."
"I said I'm fine." X repeated, gently placing a hand on Kiria's wrist. She gave him a look, and he let her go, looking away. Kiria ran her hands across and over his body, the whole process taking only a few seconds.
"He..." Kiria sounded astonished. "He is fine." She backed away and X managed to sit upright. He looked himself over, and began to pull the medical wires and cable off of his skin and out of his body. Kiria motioned to help him, but Kinaia put a hand on Kiria's shoulder to stop her.
"I have somewhere to go." X couldn't explain it, but he had the strangest urge to go see Alisa. He then peeked under his bed sheet before standing up. "Where are my clothes?"
"Not so fast, Private X07." X narrowed his eyes but refused to look at the Director. "You're on temporary mission suspension until tomorrow. No need to push your body too hard."
X glared at Schicksal upon hearing this. "I do better without breaks."
Schicksal stared unflinchingly at X, his eyes darkening. "You're better to all of us unbroken."
Kinaia and Kiria could pick up on the intense emotion in the air.
"Whatever." X caved, but his voice did not show it. "I'll go to Sick Bay and get checked out."
"Very good." Schicksal sounded content without sounding smug. "And check in with Licca when you're done. Not only to ensure the durability of your, but to also let her know you're doing well God Arc." He looked at the two female God Eaters, giving them a small nod. "I'll be taking my leave. X, you are to come to my office before the day is through for de-briefing of the 'Moon in the Welkin' mission." Schicksal made his way to the door and it automatically opened. He paused in the door way, and X felt his stomach grumble. He also knew what caused it.
"And Private X07..." Kinaia and Kiria stared at Schicksal's back, but X did everything but pay the Director any mind. "Try to take care of yourself a bit better in the future. You may not think it very often, but you are an invaluable asset to Fenrir." Schicksal made sure his point was across before making his exit.
"You don't like him." Kinaia spoke bluntly a few seconds after Schicksal left, her voice not holding a single doubt.
"Of course I like him," The sarcasm was obvious in X's voice and on his face. "He's my boss." X stretched his arms, letting out a low groan.
Kiria spoke up, the exchange between X and Schicksal the last thing on her mind. "How are you -"
"Alive?" X cut her off. "I didn't want to die."
"No," Kiria held the medical chart from the foot of his bed. "Your injuries may not have been as severe as the ones you received after your fight with the Vajra," Kiria stumbled a bit on the word. "But you hardly had any blood in you. You shouldn't be able to move." Kiria pointed to a particular machine that looked as though it had been run ragged. "Even with synthetic blood pumping in you, you shouldn't be..."
X ignored Kiria's observation when he spotted his clothing, prompting her to stop questioning him. "There are my pants." He pointed to a chair near Kinaia. "Kinaia, would you mind?"
Kinaia threw X his pants. "You'd better be going straight to Sick Bay." She spoke in a no nonsense tone. "I don't care how 'fine' you and Kiria say you are." X pulled his pants beneath the bed sheet and began to put them on.
X looked at Kinaia as he secured his pants. "I'm heading straight to Sick Bay." She stared at him for a second, but felt he was telling the truth. X must have been able to pick up on her uncertainty nonetheless because he gave her a nod. X then glanced over at Kiria who was eying him closely.
Kiria had noticed the x shaped scar on his torso. "That's...a nasty looking scar." Her voice was low and awestruck. X looked down at the two gashes that criss-crossed his diaphragm, and then at Kiria who stared at them with an unreadable interest. He didn't like that look; it made him feel...something. X instinctively went to dismiss the scar, only what he said wasn't exactly what he had planned to say.
"It... was a nasty looking injury." His voice sounded remorseful and unguarded. When he looked away from Kiria, X noticed Kinaia raise an eyebrow at his and Kiria's interaction. He narrowed his eyes at her, but Kinaia's expression did not change.
Kiria's skill as a medic shone through her amazement. "It looks like something cut you," she analyzed the jagged pattern on his skin, raising her hand to touch it. "Something like a saw or -"
"You done?" X stood up and caught his shirt. He looked to Kinaia who only gave him a nod. "Thanks." X spoke in his usual monotone. Kinaia knew he was thanking her for the shirt – as well as helping him avoid the scar conversation.
"No one wants to see your scrawny arms, anyway." Kinaia's voice teased but the stern expression on her face conveyed the true message. You're welcome.
X looked slightly ticked. "I work out regularly..."
Kinaia laughed, her face lightening up. "It doesn't show."
"Or maybe you're just blind?" X buttoned up his shirt and looked around for his Sniper coat. He saw it on the back of the door and -
"I can see it." Kiria spoke up suddenly. X and Kinaia stared at her with vacant expressions for a few seconds. Kiria looked between them and fell silent, knowing that she had interrupted.
"… right..." X spoke awkwardly. "I'm heading to Sick Bay now." X glanced around for something. He then touched his face and his expression darkened. "Right... my sunglasses -" He stopped himself, but looked at Kiria who was staring directly at him.
"You're just going to ditch the two pretty girls who came to nurse you back to health? Kinaia ignored X's last statement, but Kiria's brow furrowed at the mention of his sunglasses.
X roughly pushed the machines to the side so he could get away from his bed. The machine that monitored his Oracle Cells hit the wall with a dull thud. "I only see one pretty girl." He walked past Kiria at the foot of his bed, giving her a wink. "And a tomboy." X saluted to Kinaia when he reached the automatic door. "Private." The door whooshed closed as just as Kinaia scowled at X.
"That bastard..." Kinaia muttered, making a fist. "He's lucky he's still healing."
"No, he's fine." Kinaia looked at Kiria, prompting her to explain her statement. "His skin was warm. If he were still low on blood he'd be a few degrees colder. And there was nothing wrong with his ribs or arms." Kiria then looked around the room at all the machines. "And if you look, none of his vitals were in the red. X is...fine."
"So I should have slugged him for his comment?" Kinaia asked, looking back towards the door. Kiria simply shrugged. "Pfft." Kinaia dismissed it with a slight smirk. "I'll get him later." Kiria was mute as she, too, stared after the long gone X. Kinaia sensed a question from Kiria. "What?"
Kiria looked at Kinaia and with no hesitation asked: "Which one of us is the tomboy?"
Kinaia exasperated and placed her palm on her forehead. "You're hopeless..."
X stepped out of the elevator on the main medical floor, looking to go to Sick Bay. "...making me take mission leave..." He uttered as he made his way to Sick Bay. As he approached the door, he heard voices coming from the other side...
"Don't look at me!" Alisa's voice nearly made X jump. "Just leave me alone!" She sounded frantic. stay away leave me alone leave me alone"
"Give her a tranquillizer. And change the padding!" X recognized Tsubaki's commanding voice easily.
Oh... I'm sorry," Even in her traumatic state, Alisa's voice was full of remorse. "I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" X could hear Tsubaki let out a heavy sigh. "Daddy! Mommy! It's not... It's not what you think!"
X placed a hand to his head when he felt some sort of odd sock course through head – but it vanished just as quickly as it appeared.
"It's me," Tsubaki's voice was calm and reassuring. "Do you recognize me Alisa?" Tsubaki tried to reach out to the girl.
"I didn't... I didn't mean to do it!" Tsubaki's attempts were useless once more. "You're wrong! It wasn't me; it wasn't my fault!" X only stared at the door now, flabbergasted as to what to do next. "Leave me alone!" Alisa's sudden sharp tone sent a jot through X's conscious. "You should have just left me alone!"
'(What's going on?)' X recalled everything that had happened to him two days ago. '(She was with me!)' X remembered. '(Maybe whatever is going on with her is a result of Feit's Mad Gas. If that's the case...)'
X moves\d his hand to the control panel to open the door -
"Oh its you." His head snapped to the right and he found Alisa's doctor, Daigo Oguruma, standing there with a faint hint of a smile on his lips. X glared daggers at the man; why hadn't he heard the doctor approach? "You'd better not see her right now." He advised cautiously. "Once the medication wears off she falls to pieces. You should come back another day." X relaxed a bit, and considered the doctor's -
"NO!" Alisa screamed suddenly. X's eyes shot to the door; he couldn't help but think the timing was some sort of sign...
"I'm sure..." Dr. Oguruma begins, as if picking up on what X is thinking. "You wouldn't want to see her in that state, either." X looked to the doctor and then the door. He pulled his hand back and walked towards the elevator. "Oh, by the way," X stopped mid step. "How are you feeling? I was a part of the team of doctors that helped during your recuperation. You lost quite a lot of blood – you have only a fraction of your own blood flowing through you right now. Most of it is synthetic blood that we'll no doubt have to drain in the next few days as your body produces more. You need-"
"To stay hydrated, get rest and make sure to keep my protein, iron and potassium levels in check. I've dealt with blood loss before." X shot back, his voice clearly conveying his annoyance at the doctor. The doctor seemed startled, unsure of why X was being so...hostile. Then again, so was X.
"Forgive me if I seem-"
"Stuff it." X entered the elevator, Dr. Oguruma gave him a timid wave. X didn't even try to be civil; he merely stared Doctor Oguruma until the doors closed. As he listened to the elevator hum on its way upward to one of the higher medical floors, he remembered Alisa's words.
"You should have left me alone!"
Images of his battle with Feit came flooding back into X's mind. He grunted, feeling the dull pain in his left arm from the piece of wood he had been impaled on. The still healing injuries he suffered from the 'Blue Vajras' began to itch as well. X wasn't sure if this was genuine physical pain, or his mind playing tricks on him.
Or even, his mind trying to tell him something.
He remembered the information he got from Feit.
"We're mercenaries, Silver!
When I get a job, I deliver!
To kill someone...Corporal Lindow Amamiya
Someone inside Fenrir...They called themselves 'The Doctor'
They said they'd get us a free ride on the Ark...
Because he made all the wrong enemies! Sounds familiar, Silver?"
"We're mercenaries...when I get a job, I deliver...to kill Corporal Lindow Amamiya...because he made all the wrong enemies!"
Like waking from a bad dream, X inhaled deeply and shook himself. '(Lindow was murdered. Murdered by Feit...and a 'Doctor' who works with Fenrir...)' X placed a hand to his chin. '(Feit may be twisted, but he's no liar when he has to save his own skin.)' X mulled the thought over in his mind a few times.
'(Lindow died...because of me.)' X dropped his hand and felt his legs go weak. '(Feit found out I was a God Eater. He was the man I encountered on the way to my old home. He most likely took the hit on..)' X struggled to even think of it. '(Hit on Lindow because I had become a God Eater. He'd clearly get more info on Lindow before doing the hit, and what unit I'm a part of isn't exactly private.)' X did not notice that elevator miss the Medical Bay altogether.
'(Feit must have killed Lindow not only for his free ride to whatever 'salvation' he was speaking of...but to also get back at me for 'ruining his life'.)' X reclined on the wall of the elevator. '(Lindow died because of me?)' X knew that he wasn't rationalizing things right. X knew that he never volunteered to become a God Eater. X knew that he never wanted his life to end up the way it did. And most of all, X knew that he wasn't the one who killed Lindow.
But that didn't stop the painful chasm in his chest from forming.
"When things get chaotic," X remembered Lindow's advice to Alisa. "Look up at the sky." As though in a trance, X looked up. He blinked once or twice before seeing he was on the Executive floor of the Den. He walked out of the elevator, deciding to take the stairs instead of the elevator as walking would help him sort things out in his mind. He had every intention of heading straight to his room and lying down for the night.
Until he heard Schicksal's muffled voice coming from his office. X took a few quick and cautious steps to the door, careful not to press the control panel to open it, or activate the sensor to open it automatically.
"You fulfilled your task, however the...additional details caused too much collateral damage. I nearly lost several important God Eaters..." X cupped his hand over his ear and pressed it against the wall so hear could hear better. "Your target may have been 'Silver' but do remember who the captain of this ship will be. And remember who the original target was."
'(Schicksal was in on the hit? I should have known...)' X felt all doubts about himself and Lindow's death vanish instantly. '(I'll kill-)' X caught himself; no need to act upon that now.
"Worry not... I'll take care of the doctor myself..." Schicksal became quiet. "Yes, 'Silver' is alive and well." Silence. "Hm? You make it sound as though you weren't trying to kill him, too. You weren't?"
'(Who is he talking to? He just said he'd take care of the 'Doctor' – no doubt he means to tie up loose ends. Was there someone else in on it? No... he'd have to be speaking to Feit!)' X knew that the Director would want as few people involved in his business as possible. The less people involved, the less loose strings to tie. '(But...Feit is dead. I killed him myself.)' Upon thinking that, X remembered that he saw Feit smiling at him as he hung form the helicopter. '(I wouldn't put it past Feit to have survived that...)' X gripped the wall.
"Then you had better get your subordinates under control." Schicksal laughed. "Right, like I need advice from a Leader who can't control his underlings, nor will meet me face to face." Silence fell again. "You're not getting X07." Schicksal sounded absolute. "His importance to me is too grand for you to understand." More silence, then Schicksal continued as though he were ignoring a comment. "And after that stunt pulled by your man, Feit, was it?, you can forget about having your cult in my new world. But you're still more than welcome to come, as you did keep your end of the bargain."
'(Schicksal's talking to my old Leader?!)' X felt a shock go through his body. '(Leader and Schicksal...were working together? Why? How?)' It then clicked in X's mind. '(Feit was acting on his own? Figures... But what's this about a 'New world'? Is it the 'salvation' Feit was going off about? And what's it got to do with me?)'
"Suit yourself, Leader. Enjoy the Devouring Apocalypse." After a brief silence, "Very amusing... oh, and next time I call you, do pick up. Even if it is midnight. And especially if it's before you being a task I've assigned you." By the time Schicksal hung up, X was already near the elevator.
No sooner had he reached the elevator, his communicator began to ring. He checked it, and raised an eyebrow when he saw Schicksal's name on the caller ID. "Ah, X07," X looked up to find Schicksal looking at him from his doorway. "Your timing is uncanny."
"It really is." X put his communicator in his pocket, ignoring the inquisitive look on Schicksal's face. "What do you want from me now?"
"I'm fine," Schicksal deadpanned. "Thank you for asking." When X made no movement, Schicksal continued. "Does the name 'Prithvi Mata mean anything to you?"
"What?" Tsubaki's voice rose a decibel.
"I said that tomorrow morning, we will be expecting two new...special recruits." Schicksal spoke, his back to both Tsubaki and Sakaki.
"On such short notice?" Tsubaki's eyes narrowed at Johannes' back.
"I've been arranging their arrival for quite sometime now." Schicksal began, explaining himself. "I had planned on telling the two of you yesterday, but with the events that transpired..." He fell silent. Tsubaki's apparent anger subsided and she became solemn.
"So that's why you sent out a convoy yesterday..." Sakaki smiled at Johannes' back.
"You knew?" Schicksal didn't sound the least bit surprise.
"I was out for an early morning walk," Sakaki adjusted his glasses on his face. "Y'know, to help alleviate my lower back and legs from sitting all day long," Sakaki spoke casually. "And I spotted the usual Fenrir employees hard at work in the traffic bay. But imagine my surprise when I saw you down there, Johannes, giving very specific instructions to a black armored car."
"Nothing gets past you, Paylor..." Schicksal's tone was unreadable.
"I figured you just wanted someone to pick you up some junk food from the Outter Ghetto." Sakaki gave a mock shrug. "I had no idea that the convoy would be picking up recruits."
"We recruit on a daily basis," Tsubaki spoke up the moment Sakaki fell silent. "Why should we be present for the arrival of these recruits?"
Schicksal only smiled, although he still had his back turned to his co-workers. "That will be all. You are both dismissed."
"Director," Tsubaki began suddenly. "What about what occurred between Alisa and X07?"
"...You're referring to their odd behavior after their extraction." Schicksal remembered watching the event on his laptop; X and Alisa were shouting incomprehensibly, yet their speech patterns and remarks seemed...oddly linked. "We leave that alone for now. X07 is back on his feet and Alisa is still comatose. Some things just need to sort themselves out."
"They both needed to be sedated," Tsubaki pressed on. "And their conflicting statements-"
"Did I not just dismiss you both?" Schicksal spoke as though Tsubaki had crossed a line.
Tsubaki and Sakaki looked at one another. Tsubaki left first, her heels echoing beyond the closed door. Paylor Sakaki stayed in the room a moment longer and opened his mouth to speak.
"Any luck with the Singularity?" Sakaki asked in a casual tone.
"We're done here, Paylor." Schicksal looked over his shoulder. "It's been a difficult few days and I'd like to get some rest before the big moment tomorrow." Sakaki lifted an eyebrow, but closed his mouth.
"Very well then." Sakaki gave Schicksal a nod and made his exit. Schicksal let out a huff, his eyes transfixed on the picture of a raging storm on his wall.
"The sky darkens...the first violent wind of the impending storm has blown. More of the crew are coming on board...but which will be the one who rides the Plank of Carneades to salvation?"
My dear friend WolfRenshin came up with the idea for me to do recordings of this fan-fiction for all of you to listen to. Now, I for one enjoy the premise of the idea but I have no clue as to how practical it would be. I have the audio software to do so, and can most likely find a few minutes a day to record here and there. There's a Poll on my profile page, so feel free to go ahead and vote so that I can get your feedback.
Who knows? With enough popularity, I may even be able to convince others to do some amateur voice acting, and we can get possibly even get a whole cast behind these readings. If you're all anything like me and dream big, maybe we can even end up animating something involving our Original Characters and it can get picked up for a series! I think big, people. Really big. But for now, just give me your opinion of hearing me read. Thanks for your support everyone, and of course stay frosty!
P.S. If the recording idea thing picks up, I'd also entertain the idea of submitting artwork along with the recordings, so that you can get a visual of the original characters involved. I'd be less willing to draw the canon characters since we can all Google them or refer to our PSPs for their looks, but hey, fan art exists for a reason. Just so you all know, I can't draw all too well – if at all – but if you desire my voice, I'll record it. If you desire some artwork, I'll draw it. I love my fans, after all, and I will do what I can - within reason - to please them. Just...bear with me when it comes to the drawing part. Drawing is hard.