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 4: The Tortoise and the Hare
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You get to feel so guilty
got so much for so little
then you find that feeling just won't go away
you're holding on to every little thing so tightly
till there's nothing left for you anyway.
~Gone - U2
The citizens of Earth have much to be proud of; they defeated an enemy, and rebuilt after a desperate war. They can be proud that they did it, as a united person, regardless of race, colour of creed - what can be accomplished when one person unites with another, is truly remarkable.
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Bright lights dazzle and blind one's eyes. People were drunk on happiness and well wishings. The pride swelling in every relative or friend could sink the Titanic over and over again. Roles of film were used, batteries ran low, streamers went everywhere, and everyone was sucking the helium out of the balloons.
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The months following Darkon's downfall saw the rebuilding of communities; improving the standards in which the people dwelled. Eventually, the security blanket of order and class deemed too tempting for the war weary people of Earth, who shunned the long road of reform, so things returned to the way they were. Order was restored, governments reformed still corrupt. The faces which masked the corruption were their only changes. Instead of taking the opportunity to improve the way of the world, the people grew lax, forgetting the desperate struggles that turned them into a united people, free of prejudice and intolerance. Instead, the people fell back into their old roles, and the strong, united people that joined together to stop the oppressive invaders, all odds against them, became weak and vulnerable to renewed attacks. Where there is a side who becomes vulnerable, there is an enemy who becomes strong, and thirsty for the sweet taste of revenge.
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The graduation ceremony highlighted the hopes and aspirations of post-war Earth. The two hundred strong graduating body, many of whom were soldiers, revealed their dreams throughout and after the ceremony. Bottle after bottle of champagne was opened, the music blared. Throughout it all, not one of the invited guests believed that they didn't deserve this happiness and pride.
Behind the bright flashings of the cameras, long droning speeches, a happy young woman finds herself surrounded by her family. Her smiles are genuine, she receives genuine affection; she has a bright future ahead of herself. To the right of this young woman, is a young man. He shakes the men's hands, pats them on the back. He receives no less sincerity from his guests and friends. He smiles for another photo, holds dear to a friend, and smiles again.
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How easily one can forget how a hand can be burned, a mistake made. How easily they forget, the difficult times, the desperate fight for survival. How quickly history can repeat itself...
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...take nothing for granted, that's the secret. No pearls of wisdom, no fountain of youth...
Oh man...Adam isn't the only one who isn't falling asleep.
Just smile and nod your head Ringo... Star yawns discreetly and shifts Adam's weight on her hip.
Geez Star, could you imagine a three hour lecture with this guy?
I'd rather be changing a million nappies a day...
A short distance from their spouses, Blade and Maggie are conversing with the newly graduated Tina.
I just can't believe our baby Tina's graduated from university, and as valedictorian!
I guess you're gonna have to give up all your stuffed toys now Tina...
Aww Maggie...gimme a break! How would I get through my exams without them?
You've graduated honey! You don't need em anymore!!!
Yeah, maybe I should give them to Adam.
What?! You'd never give those toys up...
...unless she's got a new toy, Blade...
Well, I did catch you 'talking' to some young man earlier on. He's not bad Tina, not bad at all. Red heads are fantastic if I do say so myself...always in the shadow of blondes though...
WHAT!?! You've been dating, and you didn't tell me?! I should've been there with a shotgun, laying down the law and...
Whoa! Easy there Blade! You'll meet him soon, ok? Just chill...and don't even think about running to Star and Ringo with this, I don't need those two giving me crap too!
Would I do a thing like that? Blade asks with innocent green eyes, but receives a reprimanding look from both the women.
You don't fool us superhero, even if you did save our asses.
Bloody hell! I can't get away with anything! Oh well, I'll just tell Star and Ringo later on...'
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In the story of the hare and the tortoise, the tortoise was the disadvantaged of the two; he had to work harder than the hare to achieve the same goal. The advantage the hare had over the tortoise was so great, the tortoise had two choices, to dismay and give up, or swallow and battle on. In the end, the tortoise battled on and beat the hare...but after the race, the tortoise had yet another crossroad; to continue to fight, or give up, grow lazy. In this instance, the tortoise, proven its point, sits on its belly, and enjoys the warmth of the sun. All the while, the hare plots its revenge.
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...the guy's got the personality akin to a garbage bag! How'd you put up with it?
Hey Tina! Come on here for a sec!
All the Space Knights heads turned to see that the voice belonged to a handsome man around Tina's age. Wearing designer shades and a few inches shy of Blade, he was the same man Maggie saw Tina with before the graduation ceremony began. Smiles lit up on their faces simultaneously...
When did she stop playing with stuffed animals?
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Fools. You're all fools.
My Lord?
Jurulan, I am pleased with your efforts to secure the Eye of Radam. It allows me to see what...
Yes, Lord Darkon had one similar to this. The Eye allowed him to see what he wished.
Yes, my Lord? In that instance, Cain moved like lightening to brutally kick his second-in-command who was standing behind him. Blood streamed down the side of Jurulan's face, but chose to agonise in silence. Lord Evil would not tolerate a coward, and only a coward would utter in pain. He did not become second-in-command by being a stupid man.
Your insolence will not be tolerated. I expect that I can finish a sentence, I believed you to have more intelligence than what you have displayed.
Forgive me my Lord.
I fear you dare too much.
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So Tina, where did you meet this young man?
Oh Star, give me a rest! Yet, Star can't help but giggle. Tina sighs, and resigns herself to the teasing that she knew would come when they all found out about her boyfriend.
At least Maggie's keeping Ringo under control. I remember the 'fun' Star had when he found out about her and Blade...'
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Shut up Ringo... Star mutters under her breath, but Ringo can't help himself. His voice gets louder, more excited...
My little tomboy? My little tomboy Star? Haven't you been a naughty little navigator!
Give me a break Ringo...
An angry, deep voice booms...
Ringo didn't see it coming. If he had only heeded Star's mutter...
OW!! BLADE...!
You've got a dirty mouth Ringo...someone should BREAK IT FOR YOU!
Star winces as she sees Blade's punches flying straight into Ringo, but then, shrugs her shoulders, sits down, and looks at Tina...
Blade seems so much healthier now, don't you think?***********
Tina smiles with the memory. Everyone seems to be so much more mature now, Blade and Star have a child, Ringo and Maggie are married...
Hey Tina, can I talk to you? Tina sighs, and faces a worried faced Maggie.
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Lord Evil! Lord Evil! Come quickly!
What is it? Our Enemy?
No, it's...
What is it you fool?!
...our Queen!
Cain pales and rushes out of his throne room with a sense of urgency.
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No, you go on with all your friends Tina.
Are you all sure?
We're positive. Go, be with your friends. Congratulations once again.
Go along Tina, you have some hard earned celebrating to do. Tina rushes off leaving the Commander, Blade, Star, Rigno and Maggie alone.
It seems hard to believe the young woman who just ran off and the girl who yelled into the blower at the Space Knight Command Centre are one in the same.
Oh! I just forgot!" Leaning on Blade, standing on his tippie toes..."Tina, IF IT'S NOT ON, IT'S NOT ON!!
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Cain Carter has seen in much in his short life; not much has made him speechless. His son, Lucien, runs up to his father with wide amazed eyes.
Dad! Dad! Momma...
I know Lucien, I know.
The servents in the room bow and exit the room. Cain walks towards his wife as though in a trance, while the colour begins to return to the Radam Queen's face.
Congratulations Lord Evil...
Jurulan, GET OUT! Cain roars. Lucien smiles, Katherine glares at the nosey second-in-command, then smiles as the infant in her arms wails.
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"Adam just gets bigger every time I see him."
"Well, you don't see him half as much as you used to Chief."
"That's a sad fact Star. The last time I saw him, he was just learning to walk. Now, I see Blade has a hard time catching up to him." Jamison chuckles as Blade scoops a giggling Adam up in his arms.
"Ha! You were saying Chief?" Blade states, puffing.
"Can you wash Adam, Blade? He's incredibly dirty. While you're at it, have a shower yourself, you stink."
"Don't need a bath!" A scruffy and dirty looking Adam pouts and crosses his little arms as best he can under his father's arm. Blade looks down at his son, and smiles triumphantly. Star shakes her head and goes back inside to get the coleslaw.
"Just what I needed, Blade's own Minnie-Me." Star mutters playfully. The two men watch as she walks inside and a silence grows.
"Family bliss everything you thought it would be?" Jamison asks as Blade puts Adam down.
"That and more." Blade smiles as Star comes out with the coleslaw and drinks.
"Thought you boys might be thirsty." The phone rings, and Star goes inside to get it.
"So Blade, are there plans for another Adam or, a little girl perhaps?" Blade's head turns in surprise but then ducks as his face blushes. He turns to his son and smiles again.
"Ah, Star and I are just enjoying our first for the time being. It's amazing watching him grow. As for another, what happens, happens."
"Yes, it's the one regret I have in life. Especially when I see how happy two people can be."
"It hasn't always been this good Chief, but then, everyone was there, so I guess you do know that."
"No need to get defensive Blade. I'm not here to ask you and Star back into the fold. You've both served your time as Space Knights. Should you choose not to return, then it is your choice. At the same time, let it be known that your respective places will always be there."
"Appreciate that Chief. Hey Adam, whatcha playing with there?"
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She runs her hands through his long red hair whilst gazing into his eyes. He takes her hand into his own and kisses the delicate palm. The wooden logs crackle with heat, and the aroma of smoke fills their nostrils. He rises to place another log into the dying fire and she lies back into her bed contentedly.
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Star rushes outside to see what the commotion was all about. Blade hands Adam to her while he turns to investigate. Commander Jamison joins Blade, while a confused Star attempts to distract her son. Blade pales as he sees the object, Star almost faints.
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The Eye of Radam is a powerful object. It allows the viewer to see everything. Everything that is, except into a person's soul, their heart. A man hovers over the Eye, a wicked grin manifists upon his face. The image that appears, shows his leader succumbing to human emotion.
'Enjoying yourself, o great leader? Another little Carter brat, just what I needed. Bad enough that Blade still lives and has a son, but now Cain has two little blighters. Cain Carter, the infamous Tekkaman Evil...hmph! You're just a second rate loser, at least Darkon was defeated with honour - he died in his battle. You ran away, cheating death. A warrior accepts death at the hands of a better opponent. No, instead you chose to run and hide, playing on your brother's emotions to live and become Darkon's sucessor. Taking Katherine as your wife - a suitable Queen, but you took her just so you could prove something to yourself.' The deep lines which etch Jurulan's face gives the impression that he is much older than he really is. Frowning at the sight of his leader mesmorized with a newborn, he snorts and changes the scene in disgust. As the image fades and another takes its place, a smile appears on his face.
"Ah...it would appear that our hero has found my little gift."
~End Chapter 4
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::Authors Note::
I have to say, I was inspired by Armageddon part 26: oooooops...almost let it slip ^^ Gomen. Well, you'll find out eventually ^_~