Blank Reflection-

Blank Reflection-

By Archangel

[Chapter Four]

EPO Headquarters

In a small living quarters

August 30, 3085

4:59 am

// Here I am, sitting here… When… how… did I learn to pilot like that? // Merian lay upon his bed, watching the replay from the simulation.

// It's like second nature… //

Picking up the remote, he clicked off the television and the room faded into silence. Looking at the ceiling, he clasped his warm hands. Closing his eyes, he thought more.

// Am I really a soldier? Am I just… 'The Perfect Soldier?' //

Turning to his right, he wrapped his arms around the second pillow.

// Too much at a time… I feel like my head's going to explode! //

He relieved his grasp off of his pillow and he put his hands to his head, massaging his temples. He could smell the new sheets, the newly plastered paint. Putting his head back down to the pillow, he again wrapped the sheets tighter around him.

// It all seems so familiar… too familiar… //

The sound of knocking at his door ripped him out of his thinking stages as he got out of bed. Dazed and confused, he stumbled over to the door, luckily not tripping on anything. When he opened the door, to his surprise, it was Anna.

"Hey." She nodded, and started speaking right away.

"You and the other four pilots are going to be moved to a training camp on Mars." She took a breath, and continued. "We're leaving now, so get all of your stuff."

// Shit…//

Merian ran over to his bag and put on the first pair of clothes he could find. Then, he stuffed all the stuff that he brought back into the bags that he took into the room.

// It's amazing what a person can do with the right motivation… //

Merian was out of the apartment in less than five minutes, with the rest of the pilots trailing. Sean casually strolled out, and he threw his bags onto the floor. Merian, looking around saw Mena.

"Hey," Merian said as Mena interrupted him.

"Shush… She's starting…" said Mena, who was paying careful attention.

"Everyone's here… Good." Anna flipped through a couple of other papers and she looked back up. "Follow me, please." She started off in another direction and the pilots all grabbed their bags and followed. The pilots, entered a large hangar, which housed many Votals and a small number of shuttles. The entire hangar was busily filled as Merian saw many men and women running around performing their errands. Whether it was delivering a message or tuning up a Votal engine, it had to be done.

// It all looks so familiar… //

He turned to see the other pilots along with Anna, and Claude who just joined up with them, walking up to a shuttle.

"Wait up!" He started to run over, and then stumbled and fell upon the steps up to the entrance of the shuttle. Looking up, he saw everyone turn to at least chuckle or burst out laughing. Rubbing his head, Merian stepped into the narrow cabin of the shuttle.

// Go to the back. //

Looking towards the back, he saw that there were a pair of empty seats. Strolling over, he put his bags down and sat down in the chair.

// Hmm, quite comfy… //

He started to fidget a couple of times, and then he pushed the chair back like a recliner.

"Heh." Looking at the seat in front of him, he saw Mena. "Well… Hey Mena," Merian said casually. She turned around, and took a glance.
"Bonjour." She smiled, then pulled back her long blonde hair. "It is… cold, don't you think?" Merian nodded, and returned his gaze towards the window.

"Yeah, it's kinda chilly," Merian answered as he rubbed his arms. "So, you're from France?"

"Oui," she started. "I am from Paris. It's beautiful there, but I was born around the time when this… beginning of EPO started and they invaded Paris." She also looked outside, then returned her gaze towards Merian.

"You have beautiful eyes…" said Merian, her baby blue eyes focused upon him. A smirk formed upon Merian's face.

"Something is… wrong?"

"No… nobody's said that to me before…" He looked back at her. Suddenly, Anna's stern voice cut through their conversation as she began the flight briefing.

"Please strap yourselves into the seats, Ladies and Gentlemen." She continued, her voice still strong. "When we are entering Mars' atmosphere, we will be experiencing turbulence. So please stay in your seats for the entire flight." She stepped to the side to sit down, as the shuttle began to move. The churning sound of the forward thrusters became louder as they flew out of the terminal. Once again, the immense darkness of space surrounded all of them, as the shuttle pointed toward Mars.

After six long hours, the shuttle that held our pilots started shaking, and jolted everyone out of their sleep. The shaking coming from entering Mars' atmosphere was just like heading back to Earth. Seemingly interested, Alec sat by the window, maintaining his calm while looking outside, amongst the large amount of discomfort that was in the atmosphere. Anna tried to stand up and gain hold of the microphone while the turbulence lasted.

// Fun, fun! A joyride! //

Merian sat uninterested as he leaned back and tried to enjoy the ride.

"Everyone…" She was interrupted by the silence that engulfed the shuttle.

"It's over…" said Claude, who was also looking out of the window. Anna disappeared into the cockpit only to come out a few seconds later. After twenty minutes, the shuttle finally touched down and the pilots felt the ground beneath their feet. Merian jumped out, and he felt the warmness of the sun on his face once again. Being cooped up in a small cockpit or in space isn't really good, especially for a while.

// Sunlight… warm sunlight… //

Starting to walk with the rest of the group, he looked around his surroundings to find that this was a military base, due to the fenced in perimeter and the guards with 'MP' on their armbands. Also, large hangars made up for most of the open space. Small squadrons of men were running, or exercising as he looked to the sky to see a small number of Votals flying in formation.

// Wonder what's in there… //

Suddenly, the pilots came up to a small bunker.

"We're staying here?" commented Tara as she followed Anna in. It seemed that almost everyone but Alec and Merian were making comments about the small bunker that they were going to stay in. Stepping into the small building, they found that it was an entrance to a secluded underground base. The large metal doors slid apart to reveal a large main lobby, where many people seemed to be doing business. Turning into another hallway, the pilots came to another temporary living quarters.

"You'll stay here until I send Claude for all of you. Until then, you can get settled in." She handed out keys and then started off back towards the lobby.

// Maybe I should make my move… //

Turning around, hoping to see Mena, he turned to see Alec leaning against the wall. Looking farther down the hallway, he saw her walk into the temporary quarters that were assigned to her.

"Damnit." He cursed himself for being so slow. Walking over to his quarters, he opened his door to see a room so similar to the one he had at EPO Headquarters.

"Sh.." his commentary was interrupted as Sean came into the room.

"Hey, man." Sean said as he sat down on the bed.

"Yeah?"

"It's really boring here… damn." He looked in another direction, to see Anna leaning in the doorway.

"We're training now, why don't you wait outside." She walked out, followed by Sean and Merian to see the other pilots waiting.

Alec looked up, and nodded. The girls faithfully followed as Anna entered a similar training room.
"I have to assign you numbers, which are to be used in transmissions back and forth to you people while on missions." She looked through the three men and three women. "Merian, you are zero-zero-one. Sean, you are zero-zero-two. Alec, Zero-zero-three. Mena, Zero-zero-three." She took a breath, then continued.

// Boooring… //

"Tara, Zero-zero-Four. And finally, Amy… you're Zero-zero-six." She smiled, and her stern voice returned.

"Go into the pods which have your numbers." The pilots automatically split up and ran towards the pods which had their assigned 'nicknames.'

// Whee… I'm number Zero-zero-one! //

He stepped into the pod and cracked his neck. Putting on the helmet, then strapping on, he shut the pod door and the screen on his helmet and the view screens in front of him flickered to life.

// How does this feel so similar to me? //

Anna's voice came onto the headset as Merian and the others listened intently.

"You'll all have to fight a regiment of Valkyrie types. They have guns; but you have your beam sabers along with wrist mounted gatling guns. The simulation will begin in five… four… three… two…" Merian tensed up and awaited the second that he would begin battle with only computer AI.

"One." The screen darkened into space, and the handle sticks sank into the board.

// Concentrate, man. //

"Activate Gatling guns." Merian looked upon the screen for the radar, and he saw a couple of blips.

"This should be easy, right guys?" he saw that the couple of blips turn to around fifty blips. "Well… that's what a regiment is…"

"Come on! Let's go!" Merian charged on as Amy and Alec followed suit. Suddenly, the first shot rang out as a 'Valkryie Type' exploded, filling the screen with a bright orange light. Outside, the officers that were monitoring the pilot's vital signs, were amazed. You can all sum it up in… 'Oooo…'

"If we're going to do anything, we have to work together!" Merian taunted as he shouted into the micrphone.

"Read ya, Zero-Zero-One!" said Tara, who charged into the fray, regardless of the danger.

"Activate Beam sabers!" Merian charged toward a pair of Valkyries and he ripped them to shreds in less than one swipe. After twenty minutes, the pilots reduced the makeshift regiment to nothing.

// That's it?! It's all gone?? //

Merian switched his view and literally turned the Votal head 360 degrees to check if it was all done, finished off. The pilots hovered there, awaiting any other enemies to approach.

"Keep your guard up, guys!" Alec persisted. "There may be more coming!" He stopped to realize that there was nothing left.

Silence.

Absolute, without a doubt; Silence.

Suddenly, Anna's voice broke through the tense mood to deliver good news;

"It's done guys, you destroyed the computer completely!" Merian almost hit his head against the side of the pod it was getting so boring.

"R…really…" Merian stepped out of the pod, yawning. He looked around, and slumped to the ground, leaning on the pod. All of the pilots came around, and Anna started babbling on.

"Good job, guys." She looked around to see Sean helping Merian up. Well, it looks like a lot of energy got sucked up during the simulation and through the flight, so I'll let you guys sleep this one day off. I'll come to get you all tomorrow morning." She smiled, and walked off with Claude.

Allenson EPO Base

Bunker- Room 001

August 31, 3085

7:00 am

Merian walked into the small room and dumped his shoes next to the cot. He stretched out and rested himself upon the tight piece of canvas.

// Damn this place. If I have nothing to do I think… //

He looked toward the ceiling, which was lower than he thought it was. Pulling the blankets over him, he slowly drifted off to sleep.

*Dream:

The closeness of the cockpit again consumed him as he sat with the helmet on.
"You'll be launched in several seconds…"

"Three…"

"Two…"

"One…"

Merian looked around, unaware of his surroundings.

// What's happening? Why am I back in the simulation? //

Suddenly, he realized that he was not alone. Trying to see the pilot, the mask concealed his face and he could not do anything.

// Why am I back in here? //

He panicked; tried to move around. Pressing several buttons, he ended up trying to press the 'Autopilot activation' button. To no avail, his movements caused no effect to the Votal and it's pilot.

// Check the nameplate! //

Merian looked at his chest, which bore his nameplate and another plate that said 'EPO Taskforce.'

// That's me? What the hell is this supposed to prove? //

Looking at the viewscreen, he came to several images that showed a large number of Votals clashing with the so called Merian and five other Votals.

// Is this the rest of the taskforce? //

The other five Votals fought valiantly against hundreds upon hundreds of what looked like Valkryie-Types. All looked like it was going well; the taskforce was destroying Valkyrie after Valkyrie. The fiery

explosions illuminated the small area as the sounds of screaming on the transmission channels rang out.

// It's too real… //

Gunfire sped past as the Valkyrie pilots fought to no avail and were cut down easily. Suddenly, the pilots stopped.

"It's over?" The voice sounded like Mena, who's voice was so meek; yet strong in many ways. Out of nowhere, a large energy blast came from an unknown direction.

"Watch out!" Merian quickly moved to the side, unknowingly leaving Mena who was in a dazed state. The other Votals except for Mena followed suit, leaving her in the blast range. Quickly, Merian knocked Mena's Votal out of the way. Suddenly, the blast surrounded the Votal, shaking it uncontrollably. He looked around. The circuitry was starting to burn up and the pilot who was supposed to be him was unconscious…

The emergency siren rang throughout the complex as Merian stood up in his cot.

"What the hell?" Sean opened and looked into the door.
"Merian! Get out here!" He turned and ran out into the lobby as many people were running in fear of getting hurt. The two amazed pilots looked out of the bunker to see Votals battling all over the perimeter and in mid-air. Explosions followed by more explosions rang out, as gunfire escorted the bright flashes of orange that illuminated the night. The two powers were clashing with each other as more violence occurred. Anna ran up, as she was shielding herself from any falling debris.

"Get to the Votal hangars! We need you people to help fight them off!" Anna shouted as she looked down a long hallway where other people in suits that looked like they had circuits on them. An explosion rocked the installation as the pilots ran through the lobby, trying to dodge falling rubble. The pilots walked into a large room filled with suits that Merian saw other men running down the same hallway.

// Damn, this suit is pricking me… //

Merian turned to see Anna grabbing a helmet and passing it off to everyone.

"Put these on and follow me." Anna started down another hallway, which lead to elevator. Silently, the pilots strode behind Anna who entered a large, underground hangar.

// These… are Votals? //
The six soldiers walked up past six towering Votals, all-immense in size.

"You're assigned by your numbers, starting from here goes pilot one!" She looked toward the hangar exit as it was starting to open up. "Hurry up!" The pilots climbed up a steep ladder which lead up to the cockpit.

// … Amazing… //

Merian looked at the sea of wires that were behind the cockpit chair. He sat down, and the cockpit automatically activated. He felt the wires stick into him, causing a slight stinging sensation throughout his body. Suddenly, the frontal view showed up upon his view screen.

"You guys ready?" questioned Merian as he put his hands on the handle sticks.

"Yeah!" replied Mena.

"Let's rock…" Sean's booming voice rang out.

"Bring it…" said Amy, who was starting to tense up. As the retro flares lit up, the taskforce's Votals one by one, flew out into the air, awaiting battle. Out of nowhere, Anna's voice came up in the pilot's headsets.

"You guys only have two Beam sabers and two gatling guns on your forearms. The ammo for the gatling guns is limited, so use it if you need it! Also, don't press the blue button near the monitor!"

"Why?"

"Just don't!"

Merian charged into the fray, followed by the other pilots.

"Wait!" Anna's voice blasted into the pilot's headsets, distracting them. "Always be on guard! Make sure you destroy the enemy before you stop fighting! Get going!" the transmission cut off as Merian started slicing and dicing through the Valkyrie-Types.

"Rr..ahhh!" Merian's voice rang out over the other pilot's headsets as they watched Merian fly through many Valkyries at a time, ripping them to pieces. By his side was Alec who looked like the Votal was doing a form while destroying the Valkyries. Surprisingly, two Votals were dodging saber swings as they fired a stream of bullets at their attackers, which sent them toward the ground in a blaze of fire.

"Tara, Mena, are you guys okay?" Merian mumbled through as he took a glance towards their Votals, which were hovering over the ground.

// Must… concentrate… //

Merian's mind had thoughts racing through as he fought with the Votals. Suddenly, his Beam saber's energy ran out as it slowly shut down. A quick hit to Merian's Votal shook it heavily as Merian hit his head on the board. Trying to move, he accidentally hit a blue button. Suddenly, liquid started to leak into his suit and he started to lose thinking. All of a sudden, his body took mind of it's own and he started to begin a new part of thinking he had never seen.

"Shit!" Merian blurted out as he tried to think quick. A Valkyrie rushed straight at him as he dodged and blocked it with the Votal's arm.

// Hand to hand, biatch! //

Charging toward his previous attacker, he quickly dodged the Votal's attack and started a devastating combo toward the chest area. When Merian finished and he went off to attack another Votal, the other Valkryie's cockpit was crushed and it had short-circuited which eventually exploded. A hysterical laugh escaped Merian's lips as he charged toward his next victim.

"Mwhahahah…" He started pounding the Valkyrie's cockpit into a flat pancake, as the other pilots only turned their backs to see the carnage that Merian was inflicting upon the enemy pilot. Turning to attack another victim, the other Votals that prepared to avenge their comrade's death suddenly turned, and retreated, leaving the pilots alone in mid-air. The pilots stopped, and the area drowned in silence.

"It's over?" The voice sounded like Mena, who's voice was so meek; yet strong in many ways. Out of nowhere, a large energy blast came from an unknown direction.

"Watch out!" Merian quickly moved to the side, unknowingly leaving Mena who was in a dazed state. The other Votals except for Mena followed suit, leaving her in the blast range. Quickly, Merian knocked Mena's Votal out of the way. Suddenly, the blast surrounded the Votal, shaking it uncontrollably. He looked around. The circuitry was starting to burn up and everything started to black out…

*Note:

PLEASE!!!! PLEASE REVIEW, GOD DAMNIT!!!! I've poured all of my time into this and I receive nothing? Come on! I write this stuff so you people can read something! Please!!! I'm sorry… I guess I tried in writing this stuff though… whatever. If I don't get any reviews, most likely more than three good ones, I'll just abandon this… or should I not… I don't know, it's up to you people.