Bubblegum Crisis Post 2040 Fanfic Series

Bubblegum Crisis Post 2040 File 1: Dominant Species

Part 3: Casualties

Chapter 36: Outside of the Box

by P. Kristen Enos (bgcpost2040@aol.com)

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A Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 English Dub Version Fanfic. All rights belong to AIC, ADV Films and the other creative powers that be. I just want credit for writing the story. Contains spoilers! Rated PG13. Yuri warning! Nothing in here should be a shock if you've watched the episodes and paid attention. All I'm doing is filling in the gaps with my own interpretation of events! Special thanks to Greenegret for betaing!

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"Have you started feeling hungry yet?" Sylia asked as she studied the readings on the monitor before her.

"I believe so. My mind has been preoccupied with thoughts of food when I am not currently engaged in a task, and sometimes even then," Sylvie responded as she sat perfectly still on the examination table while cables connected her to Sylia's terminal.

"I'll be certain to have Henderson set an extra plate at the table for you tonight. Once you've eaten, you'll probably notice an increase in your energy level as well since you'll eventually be weaned off of the direct electrical feeds we're giving you each night. You'll also start to feel signs of sleepiness and exhaustion. Apart from the duplication of human cycles, it's also your body's way of regulating your energy consumation and expenditure. I think we'll hold off on the next set of enhancements until we see how well you adapt to these."

"I will let you know the results.... Have you uncovered any evidence yet to help with the Plaza Slaughter?"

Sylia shook her head. "No, not yet. Even though we still have quite a bit of code to wade our way through, I have the sneaking suspicion that you were purged of such data before you were deployed on your last mission. But I don't want to tell Daley anything until I'm absolutely certain there's nothing we can do. Capturing you was an extreme chance we knew we were undertaking from the beginning."

"If you knew beforehand that I did not hold any evidence, would you have captured me alive?" Sylvie asked.

"No," the woman admitted. "I would have destroyed you upon sight. You were there to kill one of my best friends. That's not something I tolerate."

"Yet, you let me move about your home even though you have not yet been able to purge or override my assassination order. Why is that?"

"Consider it a conditional sort of trust," Sylia answered. "I never hid the fact from you about the kill-switch I've implanted around your core should you take any action that betrays my trust in you. I do believe you are potentially trustworthy, given where you are in your personal evolution. However, you have that post-hypnotic suggestion that is still extremely dangerous. That's why I can't let you leave unsupervised or gain access to any information which would result in your knowing where Linna currently is."

The boomer was quiet for the longest time before asking, "If this assassination command were no longer an issue, then would you remove the kill-switch?"

Sylia frowned and said sincerely, "I would like to say yes. But I can't commit to that right now."

"I see... So what are you going to do about Priss?"

"Do?" the woman responded without looking up from studying the monitor. "I can't force her to fight again. Though it was nice to see some fire in her again.... And what gets me is that I agree with her, but there's a problem that I don't have the luxury to ignore. I'll just have to find some way to work around her and hope in the mean time that nothing else happens before I'm healed well enough that I can return to active duty."

"Nigel won't like that. Even if you are fully healed."

Sylia looked up sharply.

"He won't," the boomer stated. "He frowns when you mention going into combat the same way he frowns when you flinch from your wound."

Sylia let out a deep sigh and then said, "How do you feel about running the shop by yourself today?"

"It was challenging but fascinating," Sylvie admitted. "I've found that people's expressions and body language don't always match their words."

"Well, you are in a high priced clothing store. That's to be expected," Sylia said with wry grin. "Did anyone engage you in conversation for subjects other than clothes?"

"Yes, several in fact. I was clearly an object of fascination to them. When I told them I was your cousin, they asked several more questions about myself, and about you as well. I think I was successful using your guide of being 'evasive yet flattering.'"

"I couldn't have come up with better virtual socialization lessons for you. I'm glad you seem to be enjoying them." Sylia gingerly sat down in the nearest chair, wincing at the pain at her side, waiting for it to pass.

"Your wound is getting worse," Sylia noted, her shifting gaze the only indication that she had been watching Sylia. "Returning to active duty status will become almost impossible if you do not take better care of yourself."

A dark look passed over Sylia face as she regarded the boomer. "I suppose there is a reason why you pointed this out?"

Sylvie actually paused for a moment. "Of the four Knight Sabers, Nene is the only one able to engage in combat should the need arise before the case is settled completely. Judging by your past comments, Nene was also the weakest fighter of the four of you. It would seem that your comfort level would increase tremendously if you had someone of her fighting skills or greater also currently available for duty. Is there a particular reason why you have not considered me as a viable candidate?"

Sylia's eyebrows were practically at the top of her forehead at Sylvie's words.

She cleared her throat and then said, "Well, there's a very good chance you would be fighting your sisters. How would you feel about that?"

"If you mean the other prototypes, I have no loyalty to them. I do not consider us to be part of the same group anymore," the boomer answered. "And my past actions are not actions that I am proud of. I would look at this as an opportunity for redemption."

"How do I know you won't betray us?"

"You ensure my compliance to your wish that I remain within the confines of this building with the kill-switch you have implanted in me," Sylvie pointed out matter-of-factly. "I would assume the same insurance would be available and used if I was elsewhere doing other things."

"But do you want to do it?"

Sylvie turned and looked at her. "You are helping me to achieve sentience and freedom. I wish to return the favor by assisting with a need you have... If having me as regular member would be unsuitable and too risky, then perhaps at least consider me as a last resort option should something happen before you can get another member available."

Sylia studied the boomer from head to toe with a new analytical eye as the words turned in her mind. A small smile actually curled Sylia's mouth.

The boomer waited patiently for a verbal response.

Then Sylia chuckled and commented, "Well, we never played by the rules before. Why should we start now? Let's see how you are in the simulator booth, if it'll even work on you...."

-- End Chapter 36 --

-- End Part 3: Casualities --

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