Blank Reflection-

Blank Reflection-

By Archangel

[Chapter Two]

New Tokyo

In Merian's Apartment

August 28, 3085

5:00 am

In no time at all, Merian got up before his alarm's clock buzzer rang out throughout his bedroom. He was already in the shower when he heard the silence-piercing buzzer. Smiling, he looked toward the door and laughed.

// Mwhahaha… I finally beat you… //

Suddenly, he slipped upon the bar of soap that was lying upon the shower floor and he landed on his butt, the hot water still rushing over him.

// Grr… //

He got up, and wiped himself off. The smell of the soap just made him feel better, feel cleaner. After five minutes, he got out of the shower, ran into his room and shut off the buzzer. Walking out of his room, he came upon all of his baggage that he packed the night before.

"Hn… It's my last day here!" he looked around and collapsed upon the couch. Stupidly stumbling to keep his towel on and from falling off, he got up again and straightened up. Getting dressed, he put what he usually wore around, which were khakis, his polo shirt and his dark brown boots. Looking in the mirror, he fixed his hair with a comb and he looked straight into his blank eyes.

// Good luck… //

With his leather jacket on, he opened his door to find an envelope upon the floor. Bending down, he picked it up, and he opened it. Examining the contents, he found that it was a letter that contained his subway fare.

"Hm…" He thought to himself, as he locked his apartment door for one last time. Stepping back out into the streets of New Tokyo once again, he found that not many people were out then. Looking at his watch, he saw that the time was 5:15.

New Tokyo

New Tokyo Subway System

August 28, 3085

5:16

Before he knew it, Merian was back in the subway system that was under the city. Looking around, he noticed,

// Wow…. It's not that packed right now, is it? //

Only a small handful of people were walking through the station. Taking his time, he ran towards the Uptown sign that lead towards the Nerima Spaceport.

Getting into the train, and putting his bags on the floor, he looked around again. To his surprise, he was the only one in the subway car. He smiled, and looked at the picture of Kelly and him from a couple of months ago. They were on the beach, and they both had their arms wrapped around each other. Suddenly, the conductor's voice interrupted Merian's flashback as he got up and looked at the sign, that read 'Nerima Terminal.' Stepping back out into the station, he found that the place was much more crowded and tons of people were rushing through the station. Somehow, Merian found calm and walked upstairs, to get into the spaceport. The blinking and flashing lights of advertisements throughout the spaceport craved for attention as the bright colors sometimes brought Merian to close his eyes. Out of nowhere, a hand grabbed his shoulder. Surprisingly, he turned around to see Kelly.

"Hey!" said Kelly, embracing him. Trying to separate and keep himself from falling down, he stepped back from her.

"Hey, how did you know about my flight?" said Merian, trying to fix a bag strap.

"Elle told me that you were leaving for a couple of weeks, and your flight was at 6:00.

// Oh, shit! She must have seen the card for too long! //

Looking towards her feet, she somehow managed to say,

"I love you, Merian." He smiled, and he hugged her.

"You too," He looked at his watch. I have around fifteen minutes before I have to leave. She smiled back, and she looked at him. Suddenly, she leaned towards him, and their lips met in a passionate kiss. (( it's not as if I do this like six times a chapter! :: looks in the mirror :: O.o )) Merian slowly separated as he saw the man that gave him the card yesterday.

"I'll miss you, Kelly." He turned away and started towards the man when somewhere he thought he heard something in the background.

"Come back soon!" Merian put his hand up, to wave back. And that was the last time Merian would see of her.

// I'll miss her, really… //

The man that appeared at his Tae Kwon Do academy yesterday greeted him, and gave him a couple of papers. Turning on his heels, he started in another direction.

"Follow me." Merian agreed, dragging his baggage after him while trying to do something with his papers. Stepping into a completely secluded terminal, the man stopped. Handing two tickets to the usher, he kept walking, and Merian took this as to follow. Slowly stepping through the scanners, he finally boarded the small shuttle that was bound for 'EPO Headquarters.'

"So, how long am I going to be gone?" Merian asked, shuffling through the papers just given to him. '

"Sit down for now," said the man. "I'll answer your questions once we take off." He got up and walked towards the cockpit, and in almost no time he came back out and sat down.

"Not for a long time." He stated, plopping himself down. He looked out the window, ignoring Merian.

// Doesn't this guy realize I have a life? // He looked at him, and the man took his hat off, to reveal very short, dark brown hair.

"My name is Claude Valencia." ((those who read 'The Chosen Five' should know who he is. J)) Claude, looked like he was in his late thirties, and he was heavily built, but it was concealed in his military uniform. "I was sent by Anna Klein to retrieve you." ((Her also J))

"For what, though?" Merian began to become intrigued.

"You and five other college graduates have been picked to serve on a task-force terrorist combat team," Claude started, and he took a breath. "Most of you have been experienced in dealings with martial arts, weapons, and other criteria, which means you should be honored to have been picked."
"Sir, I truly am, but…" Merian started, but he was interrupted.

"I've told you too much. You will be briefed at 'EPO' Headquarters." Claude stated, his face turning stern.

// Gosh, he should lighten up a bit… //

Merian looked out the window as the small shuttle jolted, and he saw that they were taking off.

"Please fasten your seatbelts, we will be taking off, and arriving in space in about ten minutes." Said the captain, who mumbled statements over the intercom. After finishing, Merian was forced back in his seat as the shuttle began it's ascent into space. Looking outside the window for about the fifth time, he saw fire coasting past the clear transparent glass, and he could see the deep blue from the oceans.

// Tokyo… //

The fire that engulfed the shuttle was so bright that Merian closed his eyes. Marveled at the sight, the shuttle finally pulled out of the Earth's atmosphere and it astounded him.

// Woow… I'm finally in space… //

He looked around, to see Claude leaning back and asleep in his chair. Moving closer towards the window, he looked towards the front of the plane, and he saw the immense size of the 'EPO' Headquarters. Slowly leaning back, Merian tried to fall asleep like Claude did. But, another sudden movement jerked him out of 'la-la land' and Claude got up. Suddenly, the sliding door on the side of the shuttle opened and Merian stepped out along with Claude. Merian looked around, taking in his surroundings.

// It kinda reminds me of home, how convient. //

Claude turned upon his heels again, and he started off. Grabbing his bags, he started off after Claude. After what seemed like an eternity to Merian, they finally stopped in a hallway that was filled with doors. The stern officer turned around and handed Merian another pile of papers.

"Your schedule should be in there." He started, "So, try and keep up." Merian smiled, and seemed to take up the 'challenge.'

"This is your room, for the temporary time that you'll be here. So, you can stay here, but make sure that you follow the schedule." The officer handed Merian his keys, and then he turned and walked off.

// Wow. He REALLY has to lighten up. He's too serious! //

Merian put the key into the keyhole, and opened the door to find a small, tidy room. The bed was straight across from him, the television sitting right next to it. A recliner sat in the corner of the room, which was next to a door, which was most likely the bathroom. Wearily, Merian threw his bags next to the recliner and plopped himself upon the bed.

// Really hectic day, hasn't it been… //

Thought Merian to himself as he dozed off into sleep.

EPO Headquarters

In a small living quarters

August 29, 3085

1:30 am

Suddenly, a disturbing noise distracted Merian and dragged him out of sleep as he looked at the wall where the noise came from.

// What the hell was that?! //

He looked around, hoping suspiciously that nothing would happen to him.

// Is there another party going to happen? //

A startling knock came at Merian's door, which almost made Merian wet his pants. (( trying to be funny… I guess not.. )) Pulling himself together, he got up, and another knock came from the door. Casually striding to the door, Merian pulled it open.
"Hello." Merian said, rubbing his eyes.

"Merian?" said Sean Hsu. Sean was a man who was in his early twenties, around the same age as Merian. Merian squinted, looking at the person who was at his door.

// Who is he? Oh my god! It's Sean!? //

"Yo!" Merian hugged Sean, bearing the widest grin that you would ever see. Sean sweatdropped and looked at Merian like he was a psycho.

"Calm down, man!"

"Yeah, but it's been a while since I've seen you!"

*Flashback

[Sean and Merian are in Elementary School in Manila, Philippines. They are both four years of age. In other words, they're chibi!]

"Hey, Mewian!" said Sean, trying to grasp a pencil, and write something.

"Hi, Swean." Merian looked toward the floor, and he sat down.

"Whhat's wong, Mewian?" Sean said, looking at Merian.

"I'm leawving."

"Wwhy?"

"I don't knoow," started Merian. "Mwy pawrents said twhat whe're gwoing to jawpan owr sawmthing."

"Bawt yoou can't leavvve."

(( :: slaps himself, then kicks himself :: o.o; that was horrible!!!!! Sorry you had to read that!! ))

*End Flashback

Sean smiled, and he put his hand on Merian's back.

"Lemme guess… you were brought here for some 'Terrorist Task-Group?'" said Merian, looking at his long lost friend.

"Yeah, it's pretty messed up."

"You also got a schedule too?" said Merian. "Cause I have to go to some meeting room tomorrow at seven o'clock in the morning."

"Really? I do too…" Sean looked at his paper and he got up. "It's late, I should go," Merian agreed as he jumped back onto his bed. Sean bid his goodbyes as he walked out of the room.

"Heh… it's been a really long time…" He said as he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

New Tokyo

In a Small Living Quarters

August 29, 3085

5:45 am

Merian slowly came to as he rubbed his opening eyes.

"Hmm…" He groaned, slowly getting out of his bed. As he stumbled to get some papers that were lying across the room, he flipped through the pile and suddenly; his eyes practically became as wide as dinner plates.

"Shit!" He dropped the papers upon the table as they were before and he dashed into the bathroom. In around ten minutes, he was out of the bathroom, and sitting on the bed in a towel.

// Brr… it's cold… //

Getting up, he walked over to the heater and pushed up the dial. Suddenly, a knock sounded from the door as Merian was instantaneously at the source of the knock. Opening the door, he looked out to see Claude.

"I see you're busy…" Claude started.

"Nah, I just finished." Said Merian, shrugging it off. Looking at Claude, he saw a uniform in his hands.

"For…" Merian started, when he got interrupted.

"Yes, for you." After handing the uniform, and a small box to him, he looked into the small apartment.

"I'll be waiting out here." He stepped back as Merian shut the door.

// Well, this'll be fun… //

Looking at the formal uniform, he saw that it had black trousers, and a light blue formal shirt. On the upper right part of the shirt, said 'Black.' On the left, it said 'EPO Taskforce.' After putting the uniform, he fixed his hair and put on the necktie that came with it.

// What about the box? //

Merian looked toward the box and he slowly, meticulously opened the box. Inside it, was an officer's cap, and formal shoes. Putting the hat and shoes on, he stood next to the mirror.

// You're not even a soldier… are you? //

With a stern look on his face, he stood straight, and he saluted himself. Not only did he smile, but he laughed heartily until he almost collapsed from loss of breath. A knock interrupted his session.

"Merian, are you okay?" Claude asked, knocking again.

"Yeah," said Merian, trying to regain his seriousness. "I'm fine." Getting up, he strode over towards the door, and opened it. All of a sudden, Sean popped out from beside Claude, also in uniform.

"Yo, man!" Sean smiled and he and Merian slapped 'five'. (( hn… really… ))

"Follow me," said Claude, who was starting to walk down the hallway. The two young men chased after 'Mr. Valencia,' who pulled into a small auditorium, who had a very serious-looking woman who was standing up upon the stage. She looked in her late thirties, and she had long brown hair that went down to her shoulders. Along with her, there were four other people in the small room, which were a young man, and three other young ladies, who sat far from him.

"Let's sit by the guy over there," said Merian, pointing to Alec Hsu. Setting themselves down in their chairs, they greeted Alec, whispering.

"Hey man," said Sean and Merian, at the same time. Without shifting his gaze from off the front of the auditorium, Alec acknowledged his response.

"Hi." Looking back into his lap, Merian saw that he had a book with him.

"Perestroika?" Merian asked. "Wasn't that from the mid-twentieth century?"

"Yes." Suddenly, A woman's voice broke the conversation between Alec and Merian.

// Hmm… sounds interested in the 20th century. //

Shrugging it off, he looked at the lady who was standing upfront.

"Good Morning," said the lady. "I know you all have been taken out here at such short notice, but I should introduce myself." The lady took a breath. "My name is General Anna Klein and I have hand-picked all of you. Most of the lights shut off, and only floodlights illuminated the stage that Anna was standing on.

// Boooring… //

Merian leaned his head and then he turned his neck as he cracked a couple of vertebrae. Anna's lecture continued.

"You all have been picked to become part of the EPO Terrorist taskforce. The reasons behind these are because of your high I.Q. and your experience in dealing with fighting and weapons and such. You also will be trained to use Votals, which is a large part of our task force that we use to deal with the Tamanayu Conglomerate." Two small screens dropped to the right and left of Anna, and a slide show began to start. "Votals, are slightly humanoid robots that are controlled by a pilot which resides in the chest area. Enough about that, and anyway, you should all know who Captain Claude Valencia is." Claude, in a uniform at the back stood up. He waved, and then sat down. "In a couple of hours, you will meet the millionaires that help support our crusade for peace." She walked off the stage, and then the lights came on. "You can use this time to introduce yourselves to the other pilots, and you will all be working with each other for a long time." Merian stood up and stretched, and then walked over to the girls.

"If I know what you're thinking, you're really stupid." Sean said, placing a hand on his shoulder. Merian pulled it off, turning around.

"Yeah, you know what I'm thinking." He started off towards the three other girls, and then stood next to one. All of them were in their early twenties, and they all both looked stunning to Merian.

// Heh… let's see what I can do… //

One woman had long blonde hair that went down to her shoulders. Looking at her blue eyes, he became mesmerized. She had a strong French accent; bet her movements were so slow, so seducing to Merian's eyes. (( what the hell I'm doing, I don't know… I'm trying to show how Merian falls in love w/ her. )) Slowly, Merian gained enough confidence.

"Hey, people!" Merian stepped up to the small group.

"Hello." Acknowledged Amy Woo, who was around the French girl's height. The young Asian woman had her hair pulled back into a ponytail, and she had bangs that came down in front of her face. She walked off to talk to Sean.

"Bonjour," said Mena Parker, who was the one that Merian was gawking at. He smiled nodded, then turned to the other young woman who was standing with them. She brushed her purple hair back, which she had cut short, and she had bangs that hung way out in front of her face.

"Hey." She offered her hand for a hand shake, and then she resumed her conversation with Mena.

// Wow… Mena's hot! //

Merian smiled, and he saw Amy talking with Sean. Suddenly, she turned away, and she came back to the group. Before she said anything, Merian walked over to Sean, who looked stunned.

"She's Vietnamese…" said Sean, looking at the floor.

"I thought they had something against Filipinos…?"

"Yeah." Sean acknowledged, nodding.

"She was pretty nice, too."

*Note:

The ending of this chapter was based on the fact that Vietnamese hate Filipinos. For whatever particular reason, I have no idea. But I'm using it for this story. So, just deal with it if it's not true.