XI - BEFORE ARMAGEDDON
Written by Star
E-mail: star_aki@hotmail.com

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Disclaimer (the stuff for lawyers):

Tekkaman Blade/Tekkaman Blade 2 OAV/Teknoman characters all belong to Sotsu Tatsunoko Productions, Urban Vision, and Saban Entertainment.

~All ficitonal characters and events belong to the author
~No money is being made here

This story may be freely distributed provided each of the following conditions are met:

[1]The above disclaimer accompanies all copies;
[2]The story is distributed in its entirety;
[3]No consideration is requested or recieved in connection with the distribution

Other use of this story is unauthorized and strictly prohibited.

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Chapter 2: Dark Days Ahead

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There is no beauty without ugliness, no enjoyment without suffering. We have to have shade in order to see the light.

She sleeps happily, dreaming of happy tomorrows. She dreams of her son's first words, his first steps, all his firsts up to this date. Lastly, she dreams of her husband - whom she simply could not live without. Stirring from her slumber, she moves to find him. The cold sensation that fills her husband's usually warm side of the bed startles Star. She bolts out of bed in search of Blade. Throwing on one of his shirts lying on the floor, she frantically tries to think straight, then smiles; walking down Blade's familiar path, taken hours earlier. The scene stops her heart; there is her son, curled up on his father's chest; Blade's strong arms wrapped protectively around their son. Star silently drifts towards the camera she has permanently on a shelf in Adam's room, hoping the flash won't wake the sleeping duo. The photo taken, Star places the camera back to its spot and moves towards the two most important people in her life but stops one metre short; wanting this moment to last for as long as possible.

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Katherine Carter solemnly flies back to the Space Ring, disheartened by what life has cruelly denied her. All the while her mate, Blade's younger twin, also the new leader of the Radam, waits for her return.

Where did you run off to Katherine, and why? For your sake, your explanation best be good.'

Feeling unwell, she lies in her quarters; resting for the looming battle.

Not now Cain, I'm not in the mood.

You're pregnant, Katherine. This is to be expected. Cain says in a matter-of-fact tone.

How did you...

Dear wife, I know the signs of morning sickness and the absence of your period...

Don't pretend to care.

I don't.

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Ruffling through her diary, he hopes to find some sort of clue to her despondent mood...

'Maybe, just maybe, she's pregnant...'

Ringo...what on earth are you...

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Happily singing in the kitchen, Star prepares everyone's breakfast. To her left, her husband and son add their own kind of help - staying out of her way. Star smiles and shakes her head...there's Blade, the most respected man on the planet, making baby faces and silly noises to entertain their son. He blows another rasberry on his tummy, and Adam giggles wildly. Blade in turn, laughs back, and continues to entertaning.

He's going to grow up to be just like you, love.

Not when he sleeps like his mother. Blade grins and blows his wife a kiss; Adam imitates his father.

See what I mean? Hmm, perhaps Adam and I have something in common after all.

What's that?

Adam idolises and adores his father. I'd say, even worship you.

Oh gee, you're making me blush honey,

Oh come on you two! It's a bit early in the morning to be making out in the kitchen...in front of you son too! Have a bit of self respect!

We uh...I uh...sorry Maggie. A surprised Blade stammers from Maggie's uncharacteristic attack.

Maggie? I'll go see after her guys. Star breaks from Blade's embrace to catch Maggie who's run outside.

Holy smoke. Ringo, what's going on?

I just can't believe she'd hide this from me...

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Brooding and thinking walk hand in hand for Cain Carter; his body language give enough reason for others to leave him alone. Jurulan learned the hard way. So, when he saw his Lord pacing the room, he turned and left to his spy-hole. Something, he should be more careful about, Lord Evil is not one to be taken for a fool. Yet, he can't help but observe his new master.

'So, even Katherine - my wife, believes my twin is the better one of us. True, he did defeat me, yet he lacked the killer instinct.'

The formidable Tekkaman turns to face his young son. Watching with renewed interest as his son steps ungracefully towards him.

Emotions were sucked out of all of us the day we were transformed into servants of the Radam. Curious how my brothers and wife retained some type of human qualities - I certainly didn't. Perhaps I was always emotionally retarded.' Lucien smiles and opens his arms towards his father. Cain, unsure of what to do next, awkwardly picks Lucien up off from the floor.

Interesting...'

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Maggie, it can't be as bad as you think, surely. Don't worry about Ringo, he's always been a snoop. Why, I remember growing up, keeping a secret from Ringo was almost as difficult as holding back flood waters; you can't do it.

Star, you don't understand. Ringo wants what I can't give him.

What...can't give? I don't understand, Maggie.

Ringo constantly compares our life to yours and Blade's - and it will never happen! It's all my fault!

Maggie, how on earth could you possibly think...

Ringo wants family, Star, children!

Yes, I've always been aware of that, but what...oh...

Yes Star,

Are you 100% sure that...?

YES! Because of that I'm a monster, a damn infertile monster!

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It can't be that bad Ringo. Maybe, the doctor got it wrong - Star always says to get a second opinion no matter how good the doctor's reputation is.

Blade, it's just that she kept it from me! I mean, I'm her bloody husband for crying out loud! Why didn't she ask me to go with her?! Aren't we meant to be supportive with this type of stuff?

Yeah but, Maggie's Maggie and, she's a Space Knight. The Space Knights' women are a stubborn breed, Ringo. You and I should know that more so than anyone else.

Yeah, our luck that we married the two most stubborn. Ok, fine, but put yourself in my shoes: What if Star went behind your back and didn't tell you that she was going to a fertility expert? How would that make you feel?

Well, I'd be hurt, but Ringo, you've got to remember that this whole mess can't be very easy for Maggie, just imagine what she's gone through. Yell, get angry, you'll do more harm than good. Just be understanding and listen to her, she'll come around. Bees fly towards honey, not vinegar.

Wise words from an unlikely source, super hero. I just wish I could've been there for her, you know?

Yeah, I hear you buddy.

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Every time I see you and Blade with Adam, I get all cut up inside. Yesterday was just terrible for me, especially when I saw how happy you and Blade were! How do you think I felt, knowing, that I'll never know how that feels! Ringo, is another matter. When I see Ringo holding him, he just expects that life will be the same for us; that we can just wake up one morning and find ourselves pregnant. How come you fell pregnant so easily?

Don't worry Star, I'm sorry I put all this on to you.

I can understand why you'd be bitter, but what are your friends are for if not times like these? You could've told us, we could've helped you through this.

Oh yeah, sure, you would've gone running straight to Ringo and tell him everything - no thankyou!

I'm sorry you feel that way Maggie. If you didn't want me to tell Ringo anything, I wouldn't have. This could've been easier for you if you had someone to help you through this. It would've been a lot easier for you though, if you'd told Ringo, that's what your husband's for...

Whatever Star. How could you understand what I'm going through? You have a happy life, you have a husband who worships the ground you walk on, and you have a beautiful happy son.

How could any of us know what you're going through, if you didn't tell us Maggie?

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Curious how Blade can have such a normal life. His emotions were sucked dry, just as mine were, yet he can show love to his new family. How easily he forgot us.'

Cain, where is Lucien?

Didn't I tell you to take care of your son, Katherine?

Don't take that tone of voice with me Cain! Did you not have anything to do with the conception of your son? Not to mention the child which grows inside of me at this time?

Do not test my patience Katherine...

I will test whatever I have to if you hurt OUR children!

Such courage...such stupidity. Dare defy me again Katherine and I will leave you and your offspring to those disgusting insects festering the planet below. Perhaps you could bed with my brother, be his slut...

How dare you...

"You easily forgot one brother for another, I'm sure you could do it again..."

*SLAP!*

I'll make you regret that Katherine...

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Hidden deep inside the Alaskan Space Knight Command Centre, Commander Jamison grapples with the complexities of his current equations. He is attempting the impossible, and in doing so, may lose the respect of those closest to him...

'This must be done, especially if Blade and Star refuse to cooperate with the cause. To be fair, Blade has done his share of fighting and he wants a normal life, but how normal can that life be with the constant threat of renewed attacks? How safe would his son be then? How safe will we all?'

Excuse me, Commander? I thought you might like some coffee.

Ah yes, thankyou Tina.

Commander, may I ask a question?

Of course Tina, what is it?

What will you do if they refuse to return? Are you really going to be, and excuse me for saying so, foolish enough to attempt this on yourself?

Blade and Star have a young family and might want to have more children, Tina. All they want, and understandably so, is a normal life. Heaven knows that Blade and Star deserve peace and happiness. It's just that...

The planet may need them again, right Chief?

You're a very perceptive young lady. Perhaps I should name you my successor, hmm?

No way, Star's a much better choice than I am. Chief, why do you persist on Star? Why not Ringo? Ringo's a very intelligent man, and headstrong for tactics...

Perhaps too headstrong. Ringo has a smart head for combat, but is far too rash and hot-headed. I prefer to have Star at the head, she has brilliant diplomatic skills as well as tactical. I wouldn't mind seeing all three of them working at the top, Star could use Blade and Ringo as co-council. They all work well together in a team; they are the Blue Earth Team, the most elite. Three of the most brilliant minds, two of the most skilled fighters...

Chief, I'm glad you understand their standing, because if I were in theirplace, I wouldn't want to give up...uh, just forget where I'm going with that. What's the saying? Stop while you're ahead?

Tina, I don't want to take a happy family, and turn their lives upside down. I just need to know that the cause is in safe and capable hands.

And with that assurance comes a great sacrafice.

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Star, is his weakness. Exploit that weakness, and I crucify the traitor.' The evil Tekkaman turns and laughs evilly with foresight; the plan installed in his brain.

Soon Blade, very soon, you'll pay for your crimes. One way or another.

Katherine Carter winces as she hears her husband's evil laugh; chilling her to her very core. She stands up unsteadily, and reaches for her son. Lucien stares up to his mother's face and pats away her tears.

My darling Lucien, do not fear Mommy's tears. They mean nothing darling, nothing at all. Forlornly saying this, Katherine comes to the conclusion that she says this more for her sake than for her small son.

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Waving goodbye to their friends as they speed off in their car, Blade and Star turn to one another and sigh; the sound is broken by Adam's yawning. A shiver of apprehension rushes down both the ex-Space Knights' spines. Intuitively, their glances face sky ward; the question remains unsaid, but the answer is sadly understood.

~ End Chapter 2

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::Author's Note::

Star, Blade, Ringo and Maggie: I wanted to delve into their relationships and the tender thresholds that come with the territory. I aslo wanted to explore what Cain and Katherine's...uh...marriage was like. If the love of your life died, would you marry their sibling because of your fear of lonliness? What would life be like with a partner you don't love? Poor Katherine, I really feel for her!