Vandread Fanfic - Until the End
Chapter IV - Among The Stars
Rating - G / Romance / Sci-Fi
Author's Note - Home...
You can be
what you wanna be
if you follow your heart
you can do
what you wanna do
in the dark of the night
Overload - Blackout from Initial D Selection 3
"SARA!!"
Rick rose from the bed with sweat on his face.
"Huh...it's only a nightmare. Umm...how long I've been sleeping? Guess I'll play a tune or two..."
Rick takes his guitar and played a tune.
"That melody is nice." a voice came from the entrance.
"Huh? Emm...aha...Dita is it? What are you doing here?" Rick remembered this childish voiced girl.
"Have you seen Uchuuji-san?"
"Uchuuji-san? Oh, you mean that Hibiki kid. No. I haven't seen him."
"Where could he be? I've search everywhere." Dita sighed.
"Maybe he's in this room. Why don't you make a search?" Rick suggested.
"No. I don't think he's in here. By the way, what was that music you're playing?"
"Uhm...well, this is my own music I created."
"I've heard that you're a musician back in your world."
"Yeah, it's nothing special. It's just natural to me."
"Do men and women at your world like each other?" Dita asked curiously.
Rick is perplexed by the question. Then, he gave a smile and replied,
"Why, yes. It's natural for men and women like each other. I don't know why they hate each other on this side of the universe and I certainly don't wanna know about it."
Then, his stomach gives a grumbling sound.
"Darn, I didn't eat anything since I arrived here. Hey, is there any cafeteria or something around here?"
"There is a cafeteria. I'll show you the way. Follow me."
"Thanks." Rick slips into his coat and slings his guitar on his back.
After the two of them left the room, Hibiki emerges from under the bed.
"Hmmph. What did he meant by 'it's natural for men and women like each other?"
"Boss, here are Xero's shuttle log file and the data about the black Vanguard we got from Pyoro." BC shows the data on the monitor.
"I see. He's telling the truth. He's really from another world. Record the coordinates of his home world on the main database. What about this Vanguard that he piloted?"
"It's actually a superior version of the normal Vanguard. It's a prototype and still under development. It's called 'Vanguard X Prototype 4' or better known as VX4. It's using a technology called 'nanomachines'. This enables it to repair almost any damage in a matter of time. It also has its own artificial intelligence that can make any decisions by itself. Furthermore, it has developed some kind of attachment to Xero. This probably means that only he can use it." BC explained.
"Hmm...I never knew men can develop such an advanced weapon. Luckily they didn't finish it in time. How is the condition?" Magno said.
"According to Parfet, it will take several months to fix it due to its extremely complex structure. By the way, I just want to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"How do you know that Xero is using that Vanguard?"
"I sensed some kind of potential in him. I also felt something evil and powerful inside him. He might be dangerous but he can also prove to be useful to us." Magno explained.
"Here we are." Dita says as she leads Rick inside the cafeteria.
The whole cafeteria suddenly becomes quite the moment Rick entered.
"Umm...why are you all quite all of a sudden?" Dita says after the short silence.
"Darn, I don't like this kind of treatment." Rick muttered to himself.
Suddenly, the place comes alive and they continue their business.
"Hey, over here!!" Bart shouts from the back.
Rick and Dita approach the table. With him is Duero, the doctor.
"Please have a seat." Duero invited Rick to sit down.
"Thanks." Rick replied as take a seat.
"We're not been introduced yet. I'm Duero McFile and this is Bart Garsus."
"Nice to meet you two."
"What would you like to eat, Kuroi-san?" Dita said. Rick almost fell off his seat upon hearing that.
"Hey, don't call me that just because I'm wearing black."
"Ha ha ha...you'll get used to that soon." Bart chipped in.
"I'm gonna get some meal for you." Dita then walked away and approach the counter.
"By the way, how do you know how to pilot that prototype? I've heard that many were seriously injured when they test run it back at our home." Duero said as he sips his drink.
"How the hell should I know? It simply said it wants me to be the pilot." replied Rick.
"Maybe you've been 'chosen' by it." commented Bart.
"Yeah. You're probably right. Well, I've gotta go back to the infirmary."
With that, Duero stood up and exit the place. A short while later, Dita returns with a plate and cup.
"Here. Hope you like it." she gives a smile as she puts them on the table.
"At a time like this, I'll eat anything." Without delay, Rick started eating.
"Dita, where's Hibiki?" Bart asks.
"I couldn't find him anywhere." Dita gave a sigh.
"Whew. I'm full. This meal is really delicious." Rick says as takes a sip from the cup.
"Wow...that's fast. Well, I think I'll be hanging around at the infirmary with Duero."
With that, Bart leaves Rick and Dita. Hibiki entered the cafeteria shortly after that.
"Aah...Uchuuji-san!!"
"Stop bugging me!! I wanna have some food." Hibiki takes a seat in front of Rick.
"I'll go get some food for you."
"Does she always like that?" Rick asks.
"Yeah. And I don't like it." Hibiki sighs.
"Hey, you should be happy that a cutie like that chases after you." Rick said.
"I...should be happy? Are you insane? I don't like women." Hibiki raised his voice.
"Hmm...whatever. I know that someday you're gonna like her. Well, gotta run. Ciao!"
With that, Rick left the cafeteria.
"Hey, wait! Darn..."
Rick enters the hangar where VX4 is situated. He sees a female with round glasses making repair in the cockpit.
"Hey, you must be the mechanic." Rick yelled from below.
The female mechanic jumped out from the cockpit.
"Actually, I'm an engineer. I'm Parfet Balbair."
"I'm Maverick Xero. So, how's the repair?"
"It could take several months to fix it. Well, I think I'm finished for the day. See you." She then took her equipment and left.
"So, how you've been?" Rick asked VX4.
VX4 gave a hum.
"Well, better believe it. You'll be out of action for several months." Rick replied.
"I'm gonna leave you for a while. I'm going to check if my shuttle can be repaired."
Rick leaves the area and takes a look at the shuttle.
"The oxygen tank is totally out. Gotta get a new one. Other than that, I think I can fix it."
Meia is walking along the corridor when she sees a light from the hangar. She approached Rick's space shuttle and saw many tools were scattered around. Rick came out from the shuttle and greet her. He doesn't have his coat on and is all dirty from head to toe.
"Hi. Can't get some sleep?"
"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be sleeping right now."
"Oh. Just thought that I should make some repairs before having a few z's."
"You shouldn't be here. You're only allowed to be at the park during curfew."
"I didn't know that. But can you give me a few more minutes? I'm almost finished."
"...Fine. I'll give you ten minutes."
"Thanks. I really appreciate it," Rick gives a wink and goes back inside the shuttle.
Meia was waiting outside the shuttle for five minutes when she saw a lid behind the guitar that was nearby. She opened the lid and found a few pictures and a disc titled 'Project Zero Grand Tour'. She looked at the pictures. Most of them are pictures of Rick and the girl that resembled her, Sara.
(Our resemblance is almost uncanny...)
"Okay, I'm finished. Huh?"
"Uhn...I was just..." Meia tried to form an explanation.
"It's fine. I guess you're just curious. I'm already cleaned up and thinking about going to the park. You're coming?"
"...I guess so."
"Great. C'mon, show me the way."
At the park...
"Wow! This is great! I've never seen anything like this for such a long time," Rick exclaimed as he sit on a rock near the lake.
"Come on, take a seat."
"I prefer to stand. It makes me remain vigilance." Meia replied without looking at Rick.
"Oh, how come you didn't know that we've been watched?" Rick said casually as he play his guitar.
"We've been watched?" Meia looked around her surroundings for anything suspicious. Then, she saw a movement behind the trees.
"Who's there?" Meia pointed her ring that doubles as a laser blaster.
"Don't shoot! It's only me." Dita emerged from among the trees.
"Dita, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in your room?" Meia almost raised her voice.
"I just couldn't sleep. So I decided to take a walk. That's when I saw you two coming."
"It's okay. Wanna hear some music?" Rick asked the two girls.
"I'd love to." Dita replied.
"As long as you don't make much noise, its okay." Meia said.
"Okay, hear me sing!!" Rick gave a shout and play a song.
I - I'm lost in space for you baby
oh - oh - get ready
that's why oh honey you drive me crazy
oh - oh - tell me why
now we're together runnin' in the blue sky
and I'm gonna touch you flashin' in the night
now and forever keep your soul on fire
interplanetary lover - you take me higher
spacelove, make a move dance to my atomic groove
spacelove, spacelove, let me be your lover
spacelove, take a chance, come with me to wonderland
spacelove, spacelove, I feel you spacelove
spacelove, make a move dance to my atomic groove
spacelove, spacelove, let me be your lover
spacelove, take a chance, come with me to wonderland
spacelove, spacelove, I feel you spacelove
I feel you spacelove
I - I wanna ride with you baby
oh - oh - get ready
let's fly, oh honey say that's amazing
oh - oh - so tell me why
Fastway - Spacelove from Initial D 3rd Stage
"Oh, that was great!!" Dita said excitedly.
"Thanks. I didn't sing for quiet sometime now. It really feels good. How about you?" Rick said to Meia.
"I...I got to go now." Meia said hesitantly and leaves.
"What happened to her?" Rick wondered.
"Kuroi-san. Can I ask you something?"
"Sure. Shoot."
"How do you get those scars and burns?"
Rick's face turned sorrow after he heard that question.
"I...rather not talk about it. Sorry." Rick replied.
"I'm...I'm sorry." Dita apologized.
"It's okay. I'm sure others will be curious about it." Rick gave a weak smile.
"I think I better be going. See you." Dita then leaves the place.
"Yeah, see you."
Rick looked idly towards the stars above.
"I wonder, where's my home among those stars?"
Your fingertips moving gently to my heart
The force of Life goes on and on
The song remains
Like a haunting melody
Of angel music held in chains
Stars of Tears from Xenogears
