Path of the Hurricane
By Priss. Individual rating: PG.
The sky was overcast by several shades of gray, and the roar of thunder drowned out the din of the rushing city traffic. A few drops of rain landed here and there, signifying that a nasty storm threatened to approach. The vibrant colors of opening umbrellas broke up the monochromatic landscape of metallic MegaTokyo. A few members of its population run through the enormous crowds in search for shelter from the oncoming rain.
A red motorcycle zipped through the streets with ease, with a young woman, probably in her early 20's, driving it. The motorcycle attracted the attention of a group of teens walking admidst the herd of people. They frequented the local club where the young female biker sang. A brunette tapped the shoulder of the male friend standing next to her.
"Hey Tetsu! There goes Priss!" The young girl said as she watched the bike pass them by. "I suppose that band practice is over!"
The girl waved her hand enthusiastically in the air trying to attract Priss's attention, being a fan of hers. Priss took no notice of the girl, and drove on. A few droplets of rain splashed her helmet. She grimaced at the thought of riding through the storm. Priss rode over a bridge and down several streets before she finally stopped at her destination.
Priss dismounted her bike and stood before the Knight Sabers' secret headquarters. Her reddish-brown eyes darkened at the sight of the large building. Her chest heaved slightly as she sighed. Just as she was about to remove her helmet she felt her throat a cold metal hand come to her throat, crushing it. Priss tried to cry out but all she could manage was a dry cough. Her eyes darted from window to window, searching for anybody looking out of them.
She tried to pry herself free from her attacker's grip, tearing off every fingernail she had in the process. She felt a white-hot flash of pain in her hands as the dark red fluid oozed from her fingers. Priss raised her legs to her chest, preparing for a kick in a last ditch attempt to wrench herself free. She thrust her legs back behind her, hitting her target with all the stregnth that she could muster.
Before the last bit of conciousness was sapped away, a shocked Priss felt the appendages of the metal hand loosen their unrelentless grip. Her dangling feet finally found support from the ground below. Priss ripped her helmet off and gulped at the air, rubbing her bruised throat. Then, almost by reflex, she ran towards her assailant and prepared to deliver a killing blow. Priss's eyes were blinded by angry tears so she paused a moment to dry them. After a couple of deep breaths she managed to collect her thoughts. She felt her mind clear itself of anger and confusion. Priss remembered that she wasn't wearing her hardsuit and there couldn't possibly be a way to inflict any lasting damage upon the Boomer.
She was surprised that she had caused any at all.
She realized that she had been standing there for a while so she looked up to she if she had indeed demolished the rogue beast. Priss felt her blood run cold as she took in the vision before her. A dark blue hardsuit knelt before her, glowing in the sun. Priss looked up and took notice that the storm had broken, leaving several thunderclouds.
The hardsuit stood and became still once more. Priss stepped back in fear. A flood of thoughts flushed through her mind...had Sylia replaced her and in a fit of unexplained madness ordered her killed? Or had someone from Genom discovered the technology behind the hardsuit and sought some perverse pleasure in killing a Knight Saber with a replicant of her own suit? Priss shook her head trying not to pay any attention to her paranoia. Suddenly Priss had the insane urge to remove the helmet. She hesitated for a moment then took the few steps to stand in front of her hardsuit.
"Who are you?" she asked.
There was no answer. Priss repeated herself and again she received no response. She waved a hand before the faceplate and, to her relief, the suit remained still. She reached out cautiously and grabbed the clasps underneath the helmet, then released them. She proceeded to pull the helmet, off, exposing its wearer's suntanned skin.The helmet was completely off then and Priss noted the soft shoulder length brown hair falling loosely about the woman's shoulders.
So it's human? Priss thought.
She dropped the helmet and watched it fall towards the damp earth. It made a loud clanging noise as it landed but the woman made no futher movements. Priss's eyes found their way to the woman's lips. They were full but drawn to an emotionless line. Priss looked up to meet her eyes and found them to be identical to her own.
"Is this some kind of sick joke?" Priss exclaimed.
Priss watched in horror as the flesh of her twin fell away from her face, revealing a mass of metal and wire. Soon Priss was left staring at what was some kind of grotesque parody of herself.
It was then that her double reacted. In a blur of motion Priss could suddenly feel its fingers tearing into her eyes. All she could do was scream in pain.
///
The piercing sound of fear echoed throughout Priss's room. She opened her eyes...and found that she still had them. Priss took a quick overview of her surroundings and saw that she was in her bed, the sheets thrown completely off, in evidence that she had been thrashing about. Beads of sweat collected on her brow and her white tank top was soaked in them.
"I had a damn nightmare!" Priss moaned as she doubled over.
She rubbed her hands over her face to remove the excess moisture. Priss scratched her ass and yawned loudly, her mind swimming in an absent minded funk. She got out of the bed and reached over to grab the pair of blue jeans that she had flung over her chair the night before. The jeans felt loose to her that morning as she pulled them over her toned thighs. Priss stood quietly as she ran her fingers through a tangled mess of bed hair. She didn't bother to put her jacket on before she ran out the door.
///
Priss burst through the doors of the Silky Doll. She found Sylia standing in front of the aquarium, her electric blue eyes staring out enigmatically into the water. Sylia turned to see Priss standing behind her, and her red lips curled into a smile. She raised a perfectly arched, light blue brow in her usual playful manner.
"Hello Priss...you look terrible. More so than usual." Sylia said in a low, dulcet tone.
Priss disregarded her comment and cut straight to the point. "Sylia. I'm leaving for awhile."
Sylia's smirk vanished and she was no longer amused.
"Is that your way of asking for a vacation?" Sylia asked as she crossed her arms. Her lithe index finger tapped impatiently.
"I wasn't asking. I'm telling you." Priss replied dryly. "I'm leaving."
Sylia walked away from the aquarium and stood before the changing room curtains. She sighed wistfully, giving up on the idea of having a pleasant afternoon.
"How long will you be gone?" she asked.
Priss didn't answer. She turned heel and proceeded to walk out of the store.
"I expect an answer from you, Priss!" Sylia snapped. Her cold, beautiful face contorted with dark emotion.
"I don't owe you anything!!" Priss shouted. "I'm tired. I want a break! If you don't like it, then fire me!"
Sylia was silenced by shock. Priss hardly shouted at anyone and when she did there was something definitely wrong. Priss walked back to the exit and prepared to walk out again. Sylia followed quietly behind. She reached out a cool hand and laid it on Priss's shoulder.
"I don't want to lose you, Priss. Please know that. I want to know where you'll be so I won't have to....worry." Sylia turned Priss around to face and cupped her face, looking deep into her eyes. Priss found herself looking away.
"I don't know how long I'll be gone!" Priss said. "I don't even know where I'm going."
Sylia curled a finger underneath Priss's chin leveling her face with Sylia's own. She smiled, laughter dancing within her lovely gray eyes. She walked away from Priss, much to Priss's relief. She shook her head, wondering if she could ever get used to Sylia's mercurial mood swings.
"May I suggest a place?" Sylia asked, playful again.
The manner in which Sylia had asked the question aroused suspicion. "Why?" Priss asked flatly.
Sylia giggled softly.
"You understand me Priss, don't you? You see right through me. I admit that the place where I plan to send you will be somewhere where I'll be able to keep an eye on you," Sylia said. "But at least you'll be getting out of here."
Priss leaned back on the doors and sighed, heavily annoyed with Sylia.
"Where do you plan on sending me?" she mumbled.
"How does Chicago sound?" Sylia purred.
"America?!" Priss's eyes widened slightly. "Why the hell do you want to send me all the way to America?"
Sylia shrugged and began to pace.
"You could go there to perform...tour the city! Whatever you like. It would be good for you!" Sylia paused for a moment. "I have a friend who owes me a favor."
Sylia walked back over to Priss and shoved her out of the doors.
"I'll have those tickets in an hour!" she called out, "You'll leave tonight!"
Priss knew there would be no use in arguing with her. She stalked off to find her bike, cursing under her breath.