Code Naia: War Stories 24
Author: James the Lesser
I actually own most of the characters, and ideas, but thanks Moonscoop! And my Muse The Pink Haired One! This is really dedicated to her since the split off/new world was mostly her idea.
A/N Ok, so Code Naia ended but… There was a world war going on! What else happened during that time? We will find out as Code Naia: War Stories unfolds!
Yumi
The voices in my head they talk too me they understand. As time passes with the sand then maybe there will be a hand that will come and make a stand from some one who can…
Jeremie and Aelita
We were getting no where with the attacks. We sent out robots and attacked several times but there were always more robots. We needed a power that could allow us to posses these machines and destroy them. But the only thing that could do that was thousands of miles away.
We sent out a smaller robot for a scouting mission. We had heard talk of a resistance. If we could find them maybe they could get us to France. Of course with Xana controlling these things the Super Computer would be under constant guard. We had robots and with the resistance we might take it back. Maybe destroying it would stop Xana's wrath.
This would be very dangerous. We sent out several scouting robots looking for a clear path. Going north would be easy except for a few areas that were heavily guarded for some reason we couldn't understand. Maybe the robots were just being random but I didn't believe that Xana would be random.
We kept watch on the machines for a few days. The closest area the machines guarded didn't seem special. Just more trees and other things. We would need a path around them.
Aelita was bothering me, again. "Jeremie we can't stay in here forever."
"Of course not but we're not rushing this. I won't take any chances with you." Only one thing could mean more than my wife and it was my daughter.
"And what makes you think I'll take chances with you? Jeremie I know this is dangerous but it will always be dangerous!" Arguing with her wasn't going too help any thing damn it.
"You're getting upset because you're stuck inside all day. I understand but getting crabby won't help us."
"Just because you are used to being locked up in an office all day doesn't make this situation any easier on you. I know you hate being stuck in here too." She crosses her arms and glares at me.
"I do but I know it is better then what could be. What if we weren't fast enough? What if we hadn't gotten the warning about Paris airport? What if we were caught on our way here? I would rather be in here then out there. You know what they do with the women they find." We both shudder. That was one scouting mission we would never forget.
"I know, but, Jeremie we can't sit here and do nothing! We damaged one recharge station and then what? We spy, we scout, and then we spy some more. If we aren't going to do any thing else we should be looking for the Resistance!"
"What would be the point of finding them if we can't get too them? They're spread out all over the world what are our chances of finding them?"
"What would be the point of leaving here if we don't have any Resistance contact? Maybe they could help us if we found any?"
"Hmm, good point. I do have the voice functions on my robots. But any Resistance would see a machine and shoot first ask questions second."
"Aren't your machines nearly indestructible?"
"Well, nearly. But why would they listen? They would just say it's a trap and run off."
"Then we need a way…" She scrunches her face up in concentration. "I got it!"
"What?"
"I talk! They must know what Xana does with women and so if I talk they will know we aren't with him!"
"Brilliant! But this is all based on finding the Resistance."
"Then let's get to work." We focus on the new plan and start hunting for the Resistance.
We were doing our farthest hunt yet. We were out so far I wasn't even sure the robot was in the same country. "The signal is still strong."
"It's getting dark do you want it to come back?" I shake my head.
"I'll set the night vision." The screen goes green. "There now we're ready for night fall."
"Well um, I'll take a nap. When you need some sleep wake me up." Aelita goes to the bed and lies down.
I crawl through the land looking for any sing of life. Where would the Resistance be? If they could hide from Xana how would I find them? This could take a long time. Thankfully the robot I sent could go several weeks with out being recharged.
The sensors picked up a heat signature. I followed it and found a cave entrance. I increased the volume and heard voices. "Abbiamo bisogno del piu fratello dell'alimento." Oh frak they were speaking Italian.
"Translation please," I activate the onboard translation.
"I know brother but the Resistance said too lay low. The machines were close the last time the convoy came through." This voice sounded older, deeper.
"We're almost out, I'm hungry." This voice sounded higher pitched. Like a boy who hadn't reached puberty.
"I know brother, I know." Frak they mentioned the Resistance but they didn't appear too be in it. But if they knew the Resistance then they could help me.
I move the microphone to my lips. "Do not be afraid, I am using a scouting robot looking for help. I will not harm you so please do not attack me." I move the robot in to the cave.
"Stay back! Please, please don't hurt us!"
"I won't! I'm not with the bad guys. I am using a robot I made for just a situation like this. I am Jeremie Belpois of J Inc and I am looking for the Resistance. I think I can help them weaken or even destroy this army."
"We don't buy your lies!" Both of them cower in fear. The older brother wraps his arms around his little brother shielding him.
"I'm not lying. I can help you. I have some food I'll give you but you must help me find the Resistance. I can help them if they can help me." They don't reply. "Ok, stay there I'll get you some food. It will take several hours though so please relax. I won't hurt you."
I wake my wife. "Aelita, I found a couple of people but they're terrified and hungry. We need to get them some food."
"Wait, why are they terrified? Are they Resistance?"
"They think I'm part of Xana's army. And no they know some Resistance members but I don't think they are actual Resistance members."
"Let me talk they should know that Xana doesn't allow women too do any thing." Aelita grabs the microphone. "Hello?" I watch through the screen. "I'm a woman, the wife of the man who built this robot. Please don't be afraid. We won't hurt you."
"A woman?" I see the little brother relax.
"It's a trick NAIA doesn't use woman."
"Exactly! Only the Resistance and other survivors do. I swear I am telling you the truth." I see the older brother grab some thing hanging between his neck. I zoom the camera in on it and see a cross.
"Religious? Please tell me they aren't nujobs."
"Shh," Aelita puts a hand on my mouth. "I swear too Jesus Christ I am not the enemy. We will send you some food soon in trade for your help contacting the Resistance."
"I, we don't have much left and they said they wouldn't come back for at least two more days."
"Then we'll send three days worth of food so you will have plenty. Please relax it is going too be ok." Aelita's motherly side was coming out. "We will make sure you are taken care of."
"I, we'll wait." I see him relax his grip on his brother.
I set up the second scouting robot. It was risky sending it out with the food package since it didn't fit through the secret tunnel I had built too release the robots. "Ok Aelita follow the signal."
"Already doing so." By the time I get back too the control panel Aelita had the robot nearly a kilometer away. "What took you so long?"
"I had to make sure the locks were set. We can't get lax with our security." I sit down next too her. "Are you sure you can handle this?"
"I can control a robot just go to bed you've been up a long time."
"Yeah, I am a little tired." I yawn. "Goodnight Aelita. Wake me up if you need any help." I go to bed.
When I woke up I heard Aelita's voice. "So how long have you been hiding in the cave?"
"Only a couple of days. We were with a convoy but then NAIA's forces attacked. The Resistance hid us here and said they would be back in a few days." I was confused.
"Who or what is NAIA?"
"The thing controlling the robots. We think it's an acronym for some thing else like North American Intelligence Agency." His brother talked next.
"I heard it looked like a girl but with like wild crazy black hair and could shoot lightning out of her fingers. Sounds like an alien." NAIA was doing this? But the NAIA couldn't have had this kind of technology. Only Franz built a Super Computer and created Xana. How could the North American Intelligence Agency have done this?
"Are you sure it was called NAIA?"
"Yeah, that's what the Resistance said. But I guess they lost control of this thing." I see the little brother shiver in fear.
"It's ok, don't worry." If it wasn't Xana then the Super Computer was safe. And with it we could activate Towers and destroy this NAIA thing easily. "Did you enjoy the food my wife provided?"
"Yes, thank you very much. I'm sorry I didn't trust you at first."
"No it's ok with what has happened I understand." I lean over my wife's shoulder for a better look at the screen. "Are either of you injured? I could send medical supplies."
"No we're fine, just hungry."
"And cold." The little brother hugs his older brother tightly.
"Well when the Resistance finds you we'll have a talk and then my wife and I will bring lots of things for you and the rest of the Resistance."
My wife continued talking with the boys while I prepared several robots for transport. The Krabe robot would carry our supplies and we would hide underneath it. With its tough metal shell and several defense shields we should have no trouble. Keyword being should.
The next day several soldiers showed up. The Resistance were first shocked by my robots but they listened. "You claim you are Jeremie Belpois but how do we know?"
"What would you like too know?" The Resistance member wasn't on the screen.
"Well as former Head of the Research Department at the Prehistoric Park what was the hardest part of breeding the animals?"
"That we only had DNA from female animals and so it was impossible too make male animals until we found male DNA. And even after we did there was no way we could make them mate, right Roger?"
"Hello boss I'm sorry I didn't trust you."
"I'm not your boss right now. Like you said you're the former head of Research." Frak, I wonder what happened. We had so many different animals there. I hope this NAIA saw fit too feed and care for them. "So what is going on? What are the numbers?"
"We were supplying a camp too the south when we were ambushed. We lost two members but turned several Cans in to scrap metal."
"Cans?"
"The tall humanoid looking ones Sir. We stashed these two here so they would be safe. Where are you?"
"I'm in a bunker with my wife. We need too get to Paris, is there any chance you could help?"
"Whoa, Paris? No way boss that place is done for. NAIA seems too have made it the main base of its army."
"Well I think I know why." I turn too my wife confused.
"Mrs. Belpois what is your idea?"
"I told you before Roger call me Aelita. And my idea is that there is another power source much like the one that created this thing. It may not yet have found it and if not we can use it ourselves."
"A power source?"
"Yes. We think the North American Intelligence Agency made a Quantum Computer and created this thing. We also built one and had a slight problem with the artificial intelligence. We contained it but obviously the NAIA didn't."
"Wow Sir um, well, if it could help in the war we could see what we can do."
"If you could let one of my robots follow you we will be able too add the location to the database and auto set a military robots to go there. We'll follow it and meet up with you."
"Uh, well um, maybe we could do that. It is dangerous territory around here. Where exactly are you?"
"I won't reveal that. But we can get any where with my machines. Just let us set the signal ok?"
"Well, start following Sir when we are ready." We sit and wait.
I sent one robot out in front as a scout. Hopefully if the NAIA robots saw it they would think it was one of their own. The Resistance followed behind giving directions. I controlled the robot for nearly four hours before we reached a Resistance base.
I met the leaders through my robot and discussed with them my plans for going to Paris. "Well if you can provide your own transport here we could see about getting you farther. We're not making any promises but we don't know the situation we'll have once you make it here."
"It might take us a few days but we'll make it. I'm not sure how too contact you once we leave. You will be staying where you are, right?"
"Yes. We're entrenched here pretty well. The Cans don't like mountains and the Spiders don't travel with out the Cans."
"Give us five days. We're almost ready to leave. I'll send you one more signal before we leave."
"See you when you get here."
Aelita and I leave the bunker together. It was the first time we had been outside together since the war started. The Krabe moved at our pace as two of my scouts moved ahead one hundred meters apart. They would send the Krabe a signal if they spotted any other machine. Hopefully this would give us enough warning.
We walked for several hours before growing tired. We lay down under the Krabe and fell asleep after programming it too wake us up in two hours.
We didn't get that two hours. A high pitched alarm sounded warning us that we had been spotted. The Krabe fired at the Spider that had found us and destroyed it. "Shit who knows if it sent out a signal to other robots. Come on Aelita wake up!"
"I'm awake just a little disoriented." I help her off of the ground.
"That Spider might not be alone." I look at the back of the Krabe. I didn't make a place for a person but it might work. "We need too move fast. I'll help you up on to the back of the Krabe."
"I don't know if I can pull you up."
"It doesn't matter as long as you get out of here safe." I cup my hands together and she places a foot in them. I use all of my strength and get her up. "I bet Ulrich could have done that with one hand."
"And he'd be able too jump up here." She reaches down and I grab her hand. After a little struggling I am able to get up on top.
"Ok, head for the signal." The Krabe starts moving forward and I nearly fall off.
My arms grew tired as the Krabe moved. "Aelita do you need a break?"
"No, I'll make it." I see her arms were shaking.
"Aelita if your arms are tired we can take a break. I know mine are tired."
"I can make it." I give up and just focus on hanging on.
We made it too the Resistance. My arms ached all over and I was almost passing out as I stood in front of some Resistance members. "You made it in less then a day. Your machine is very fast."
"Well it was built that way. But it also has plenty of weapons."
"I like the sound of that." Roger was taking the lead so I focused on him. I was too tired to let the others distract me.
"And I'll use them so I can get to Paris. I'd like the Resistance's help but if you think its too risky then we'll go alone."
"Well Sir there is a small Resistance base there but we aren't sure where. Nighthawk has contact with them so if we can get you to Nighthawk he'll get you to Paris."
"Then let's get this done."
Odd and Sandra
We staid at the caves hoping Tom would come back soon. The kids staid deep in the caves with Miranda while Sandra and I kept watch at the entrance. They were scared, I was scared. The NAIA thing was powerful. It had taken the planet in only a few weeks. All that was left were a few pockets of humanity like us. Could we really fight this massive army of robots and Traitors? The Cybrid forces had a huge advantage over us. But we wouldn't give up.
I was outside looking up at the stars. Every now and then I would see a meteor streak across the sky. "Odd?" I look over and see Miranda.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah I was just getting bored in the caves. Your wife is keeping an eye on Michael."
"She's great with kids. Michael looks a little like my son did at that age, except for the hair."
"What did his hair look like?" She sits down next to me.
"Like mine. His spot wasn't as large as mine but it was there. His sister didn't have it though."
"They were twins right?" I nod. "Strange they didn't have the same spot." I notice her staring at the spot.
"Well I have no idea why I have it so I couldn't even begin explaining why he has one and she didn't." She looks away. "It's ok I've had people stare at it since I could remember."
"Well I don't usually stare its just well, weird."
"Odd, my name's Odd." I laugh at the joke. If I've told it once I've told it a thousand times but it still made me laugh. "Well um, Miranda, any thing important going on down below?"
"Not really. Jeff and Jackie have been so nice. They play with Michael and keep an eye on him when he's napping. Your wife and I have been exploring the caves. We found a couple of dead ends but a few other passages went so far we had to turn back.
"Wow. Be careful we don't need any one getting hurt."
"We're careful. And I don't go too far in case Michael needs me."
"He's how old, five?"
"Seven. I know he's getting a little old for me to be so protective but with this war can you blame me?" I shake my head.
"If I had been as protective as you are my children might be here." I can't help but feel the sadness move through me. "Or I might be where they are." They had to be on Lyoko. Jim and Samantha would have made sure of that.
"You don't know that. This thing struck so fast no one could have done any thing. Hell did any military have the time too react?"
"I heard China fired a nuclear warhead at it, and failed." If a nuclear warhead couldn't stop it nothing could. Why keep fighting? "Why didn't you turn yourself over?"
"I couldn't. My little boy won't grow up in some camp like I've heard about. And the things they do with women…" She shudders. And that is why we fight.
"It's ok. I won't let that happen. Tom won't either."
"Tom?"
"My friend. We were staying here together before going to the base. He staid behind because his military back round will help the others there."
"Oh, you don't have any?" I shake my head. "Oh, I thought you did. And your wife, they named her Sure Shot didn't they? She wasn't in the military either?"
"No but we're fast learners." And we spent years fighting but I couldn't talk about that. "And Tom helped. So I guess we have a little military training."
"I wouldn't mind some training. I just hid with Michael back at the base. I would have been hopeless if those machines got in."
"Well, Sandra and I could probably help you. It's not that hard really you just point and shoot."
"But you shoot at other people. I don't know if I could do that." She curls up and hugs her knees.
"I can't. I point at the robots and shoot. So don't feel bad if you can't shoot another human being."
"You never shot another person? How do you know? The battles at the base sounded like chaos."
"I, I just know."
The next few days we showed her how too work a rifle. We didn't fire it in case the sound of gun fire would attract the Cybrids.
The days and nights passed. I got more and more worried about Tom. What if he didn't come back? With out him I didn't know what we would do. And right now we had plenty of food but it wouldn't last forever and I doubt there was any food left for a hundred miles.
I started rationing the food before we needed too. Better to start now then starve later. It wasn't very popular with Miranda but I made an exception for her son. He was young, still growing, and would need the extra nutrition.
A week of rationing was working well. At this rate we could last at least four more months before we ran out. I didn't know what we would do when that happened but for now we were doing well.
Frak. I don't think Tom is coming back. If he was he would have been back by now. We needed contact with the Resistance but I didn't know how. There were no messages over the radio. The Resistance appeared too be gone. We were stranded at the caves with no hope.
I kept up my upbeat attitude around the others but Sandra saw through it. One night we were in the tent getting ready too sleep when she started crying. I could only hold her and fight back my own tears.
That morning we heard screaming. We ran out of the tent and saw Jeff and Jackie with rifles raised. "What's going on?"
"Two trucks are headed this way! What do we do!?"
"Jackie make sure Miranda and Michael hide deep in the caves, Jeff cover the entrance. Sandra where's your rifle?"
"Got it!" She picks it off the ground near the tent and raises it to her shoulder. "Jeff, Odd, stay back! If I get a shot I'll take it."
"Sandra please don't be stupid!" I find my rifle and aim it at the oncoming vehicles. "Get down maybe they won't see us!"
"They're coming straight for us!" I watch her take aim. In a few seconds she would fire and who knew what kind of fresh hell would be brought down on us. "Holy frak," Oh shit now what? "I can't believe it!" She starts laughing.
"Sandra what are you doing!?" Had she lost it? Gone in to shock?
"It's Tom!" Sandra waves at the vehicles as they get closer.
"Holy frak." I drop my rifle as tears fill my eyes. I was scared shitless by an attack and hearing it was Tom made my mind go a little loopy.
When the two trucks showed up Tom got out of the driver side of the lead vehicle. "Hey guys did you miss me?" I couldn't stop myself. I ran straight to him and hugged him as hard as I could. "Whoa Odd cool it with the fag treatment."
"I, I'm just so happy you're alive." I pull away. "Please tell me you brought food." He smiles and laughs.
"Of course we did! What did you run out already? I thought I sent you out with plenty."
"You did but we didn't know if or when you would be back and started rationing." I look at the vehicles wondering who he brought with him. "How many more?"
"Five more. Don't worry Odd they're all former military like I was."
"What happened?" My wife had lowered her sniper rifle but hadn't put it down yet. "Did they win?"
"Yes and no. Sure we abandoned the base but we took down tens of thousands of them before we did. If we had any more ammunition for the Mecha units we would have staid."
"What about the other survivors? This can't be all who was left."
"Of course not Sandra. We split up in to several groups. Most of them are headed for the East coast." I wondered why.
"Why?"
"The Resistance is the strongest on the East coast. There are some on the West coast but the Cybrids set a few wild fires and most of it is covered in smoke."
"Wow, um, want help unloading the trucks?"
"Sure but we're not unloading them completely. I figure we can stay here for a week or two then head East."
"Sounds like a plan." I go to the truck he had been driving.
We were almost done when I saw her. "Oh frak." I dropped the bag I had been holding and run looking for my wife. This was bad, this was very bad. She couldn't be here what was Tom thinking!?
Sandra was talking with one of the other soldiers when I found her. "Sandra we have a problem."
"What is it?" The way the other person reacted I knew what they thought.
"Not Cybrid but personal," I grab Sandra's hand and pull her deeper in to the caves.
When we were alone I told her. "And like I said before I don't have an employee only section I can hide in. What do I do?"
"What do we do? If she stalks you like you said she'll annoy you but you can handle that right?"
"Well it's more then stalking. Remember she kind of threw herself at me and kissed me. What if she tries more?" Shit, I should have told her right then and there what had happened in the showers. I should have told her right after it happened. But I didn't.
"Tell her no and run away. No matter what you did before you could run away I'll forgive you." She shakes her head and sighs. "This is just like the year I was pregnant with the Twins. I should have never let you go to that Snow Boarding competition alone. All those damn snow bunnies throwing themselves at you." She smiles bringing a smile too my face.
"Yeah and even though I was the reporter I spent a lot of time locked in a very small cabin." I hold her in my arms. "Wishing I was home with you." I take a deep breath. "Mmm, you smell good."
"Stop it Odd," She pushes me away. "We can't be doing that until our new guests are settled in."
"Ok Honey." We go back up. I kept an eye out for my stalker while fighting the images of what had happened last time.
I knew she saw me. She would hover about fifteen feet away and never got closer or farther away. I made sure some one else was around at all times. I couldn't give her a chance of being alone with me. This next week or so would be one of the toughest.
Tom, a newcomer Allen, and I were discussing our plans for heading East. The Resistance had a general idea of where the Cybrids were heaviest. "As long as we avoid the main cities we should get through with out being spotted."
"That means a lot of off roading. Do you have any way of contacting the Resistance once we make it there?"
"We were given the radio signals the Resistance used on the East coast. If any thing we could hide out and wait for a fight. Go there and see who is who and join the Resistance." That sounded like suicide.
"Or look for them. Wouldn't they be hiding in a place away from the cities? So if we sent out a scouting mission we should be fine."
"I'd rather hope the signals we got stay good."
"So would I Tom, so would I." We continue discussing the plans.
I liked the caves. We had all the fresh water we wanted for drinking and bathing. Inside the caves we were never hot or cold. But we didn't have a food source. We had to go East eventually or we would starve. Right now we had more then enough and would have more if we rationed but it would only put off the inevitable. I hope our plans for heading East doesn't get us all killed. I had to make it. I had to go to France, Paris, and see my children again.
A/N Well, More Jeremie and Aelita than Odd and Sandra. But that was because I knew Odd would be short this time. Aelita and Jeremie meet the Resistance as Odd and Sandra plan on going out looking for the Resistance. What will happen? Only I know! And this will be the last CN update since I don't have any others written, yet. Been working on my CLS5 which… is getting really good! Just finished Episode 158!