Returned to Void
Standard Disclaimer: Finally won the court case with Gonzo and Pioneer. They are hereby releasing the full rights of Vandread to me. Yay! Just kidding!
Spoilers Abound if any!
Floating in Oblivion
5 months before…
Thump…
Thump…
Thump…
'Is it my heart beating or my head?'
'How long have I been here?'
'Better yet, where hell the am I now?'
Hibiki Tokai
Once Nirvana's inhabitant, loudest occupant, and its protector; now floats listlessly in space. Shortly after getting reacquainted with his aibou (partner) all hell just broke loose.
'Ah, my arm still hurts.'
It will heal in time… a voice responds.
'I know but I wish it would be faster.' Hibiki retorts.
In due time… a voice returns.
Looking at the screen module in front of him, Hibiki has grown accustomed to the scenery.
…Black and Empty Space…
A few months has passed since his escape from 'Earth.' The instant he entered his aibou, a deafening silence sweep throughout the room. The guards lowered their weapons and took in the scene in front of them. The black Vanguard sited on the platform laid motionless.
…Moments…
The concept of a moment is poignant matter. This one instance of time can make or break a Destiny.
If I had one more moment, I would have said… Or if I got there a moment earlier/later, I could have done this… Or it just happened at the right moment…
Humans naturally like to put abstract matters into rational and logical thought. This way they have a grip upon reality since they can explain it. Thus the concept of the moment was created in order to put a reference in Time. A human can or cannot recall moment when their Destiny change for the better or worse. There are many 'moments' in the human history. When first humans began to walk upright, the discovery of fire, exploring the unknown, discovery of the nucleus, computers, of course the Plexis pragma and many others…
But this defining moment now is for Hibiki... His Destiny is at a folk… Will he submit and be taken back to captivity? Or will he fight for his freedom…
We all know the answer to that now…
8 months prior…
-Hanger bay-
…The black Vanguard eyes lit up in emerald hue before all…
The guards are shocked yet amazed. One voice shouts out and their manner is changed. Shock has turned into caution. Amazement transforms to fear…
They raise their weapons and take aim at the Vanguard.
At this instant, Hibiki makes a frenetic dash towards his aibou. A voice shouts out another command that causes the guards to change aim and begin to fire at Hibiki. Hibiki dodging the lasers jumps towards his aibou. He lands face first on the Vanguards knees while grabbing on for dear life. Suddenly a slick intense sting grazes his right forearm. He takes little notice and continues to make way to his aibou. '…a few more steps…' Running on the thigh area of the Vanguard, he glimpses that his aibou has changed. The body color changed from yellow and white to a mixture of black with a hint of purple. Certain sections have different complexions. The chest area has a green opal on the front. '…what the…' He takes a leap towards the green opal. It glows briefly and Hibiki is absorbed into it. All movement comes to abrupt stop as the guards take in the scene. Silence…
-Inside the Vanguard-
A young man floats in a forest mossy colored liquid. At this moment his eyes are closed. His arms and legs adhered with the flow of the liquid. He is suspended like a new born…
His eyes open then…
Hibiki awakens only to realize that he is floating. His first initial reaction was to move and get out. Being in a tube for a couple of years has programmed his behavior into fearing of tight spaces. Yet, he feels comfort. This frigid and emotionless environment entices his being. Every part of his nerve is on fire yet no pain accompanies it.
A sharp beep commands his attention to look up. A screen module displays before him with numerous guards with numerous weapons pointed at him. Some are positioned on the floor while others are on walkways on the walls. '…what the?…' Almost on instinct he raises his left hand. Deploy the discs and expand a field…a quite voice whispers. Outside the guards panic grows due to the movement of the Vanguard. The black machine raises its left hand and three discs fall from their slots. The discs start to decent towards the floor only to stop and quickly swing in front of the Vanguard. Hibiki could only stare as the discs start to glow yellowish hue. Expand…a voice again murmurs. Three discs take up a triangular position in front of the Vanguard. An instant later, a yellow sphere begins to inflate from each of the discs. First it surrounds the Vanguard and encloses it within.
The guards deploy their weapons and laser shots fill the air all directed towards the black machine. The laser shots impact with the yellow sphere only to dissipate. Inside Hibiki feels a light tingly sensation on the front part of his body. Concentrate…the voice in coaxes. On cue Hibiki begins to focus. Outside the yellow spheres begin to inflate even more.
At this point, the guards start their retreat while futilely firing their weapons. More…the voice pleads. Focusing even harder, the yellow fields swell into a greater radius at a rapid rate. On the floor, some of the guards are caught and pinned to death, while those on the walkways are embedded into wall by the force field.
'…Yes…die…'
Yelling and screaming accompany the chorus of bodies crunching and grinding as hanger is almost filled with a yellow glow. Hibiki on the other hand is having a time of his life. Those who confined, tortured, and mutilated his soul will pay.
'…Die, all of you die…'
At the end of the hanger, a group of men take up a defensive position. Within the defensive perimeter, a man with a mechanical visor on his eyes can only stare at the scene.
…Everything has not gone to plan…
Hibiki is enjoying himself. He is creating his Destiny. Under his will power, he will achieve his ultimate goal. The goal of freedom…
The dark robot stands up from the platform. It takes a step forward in a clumsy fashion. While inside Hibiki surveys the situation before him. Flesh, guts, and bone paint the walls and floor. Thick rich blood paints the scene. '…Excellent…' Hibiki's attention is drawn to the group of men at the distance. He quickly recognizes the individual within them. '…That bastard, guess time for pay back…' Yes… the voice agrees. The discs retreat into the left arm as the Vanguard raises its right arm. Inside Hibiki feels his right forearm become warm. A targeting scope comes on screen module and a few moments later it locks on the visor individual. '…oh yeah…' A computerized voice declares "target acquired." Outside the Vanguard is seen with its right arm held up. On top of the right arm, a cylindrical cone glows a murderous red hue. An instant later, a red light erupts and illuminates the room…
Outside the Earth base an explosion creates an open a section of the base. Moments later, a blue streak twists out from the newly made 'door' and flies into space. The caged bird makes it get away…
==Vandread==
Presently…
The Nirvana is in a state of calm. Most of the female crew is on stand by or asleep. At this time few individuals had fended off the effect of the Sandman. The Nirvana is docked in one of the asteroid bases scatter through the system. Still awaiting the arrival of the male crew from Tarrak thus it lies on the state of vigilance. At this hour, three individuals who share a certain bond also share insomnia. One is in the garden section. Another is in the tactical command center. Finally one is in the training area. Each has their own ritual to each room.
-Dita-
Star grazing has been one of Dita's favorite pass times. Her fascination with the unknown has always perked her curiosity. This fascination actually led her to meet with her affection. She still could recall the times in the garden when she was finally able to confine him. Of course this would mean raiding the kitchens supply, which would irate Barnett. Although, the trouble it cause could not hold a candle to what she shared with Hibiki.
One particular instance is burned into her memory…
…Sometime back then…
"Try this Uchuujin-san." Dita spoke as she passed him a plate of chicken Alfedro.
"What's this?" Hibiki asked while tearing into the plate.
This is what she liked about him, his openness to try new things so quickly. Their picnics have become a ritual for both them. She would try a new recipe, at the guidance of Barnett, and then entice/entrap Hibiki to the garden. Of course she had to bring a cart full of meals just keep him in place. It still amazes her to this day on how much food the Vanguard pilot could pack into his body. Considering at the time he was smaller in stature and weight compared to her. In between meals, Hibiki would call them 'resting periods'; she would ask questions about him. Hibiki would get off guard and try to resist the questions at first but later would casually answer. Of course no one else was around (to their knowledge that is, 'click') which helped Hibiki's ego. She learned many things from these conversations. His grand pa, who he respected greatly, his life before the Nirvana, and many others were the topics of their conversations. He vehemently avoided questions about the female crew of the Nirvana (herself included).
"Ne, why do like you to stare at the stars so much?" He asked as he took another bite into the pasta.
This surprise Dita a lot, most of the time he would only answer her questions or continue eating during their 'time together.' She closes her eyes and inhales the sweet scent of garden mixed with luscious aroma of her cooking. Taking a moment to think, she exhales and begins to stare into the garden of space.
"When Dita was young, Dita didn't have any parents." Hibiki notices the flare from her eyes has dimmed. "So Dita was move into the lower blocks of Mejeiru." Hibiki recalls the conversation about Mejeiru being too concerned on vanity.
"The people Dita lived with became family. Most them did not have a place to go since their houses got shut down too." She quietly states. Hibiki on the other hand has placed his plate on a nearby rock and could only look intently on Dita. He has never seen the girl before with a sense of sadness attached to her. Heck, he could not see two together, seeing Dita like this made Hibiki share her mood.
"One day, one of older sisters took me out to watch the stars." She pauses. "She told me that the stars are mysterious and have a tremendous power." Her eyes begin water. This catches Hibiki's attention but he lets her continue on.
"I asked her is there enough power for us nee-san." Of course she was referring to the short power supply that was never there in their block.
"She laughed bit at me for some reason. The she looked at me with a smile." Dita's eyes soften as she brings her head down to gaze at the ground. Melancholy, she continues.
"She said Dita that is not the kind of power I'm talking about, its power out there that is also inside of you." Her sister heartily confesses.
"Inside of me?" Dita responds.
"Yes, one day you'll see this…" Her older sister finishes.
Hibiki could only focus on the ruby haired girl. Random thoughts aside, for the first time since they met, she is sad. This did not bode well with loud mouth boy at all. As much he hated to admit, he did not like see others being sad, especially someone like Dita. Taking one last look at the girl, he peers into space. Then in a blissful tone he says…
"You know my grandpa used to say, there are things greater to you." Dita turns her head to him. He catches her ruby jewels...
"He also said there are great things inside all us. It is up to us to make it come out." He states while returning to look out.
"…to make it come out…" She questions hesitantly.
"Yeah, I guess your older sister is right since my grandpa is right most of the time." He chuckles with a wide smile. "So don't be so sad, you're freaking out me." He quickly finishes while turning his head to her.
"Hai!" She returns while wiping her eyes followed by a smile bright enough to blind the sun itself.
"Yosha, what's next to eat?" He gleefully proclaims to get back to pace.
Dita remembers that day as if were yesterday. She shared something special him with that day, thankfully many more after. That ended two years ago. Now, she is sitting in her 'garden' and glancing at the stars. Alone…
-Meia-
…ERROR…
The computer screen displays in bright red for the blue haired captain. Meia has grown an affiliation with this computer. Creating formations and devising simulated battles is one of the tasks of training new pilots. Pausing for a break, she stretches her arms to relieve stress and kinks in them. Rocking her head side to side, she lays her head back on the headrest taking a momentary rest. Creating these mock battles used to be so easy for her. Then again she had the help of a certain rowdy, obnoxious, cocky, and genuinely caring boy. As she recalls, it was comical when he arrive in the tactical center. As routine as the coyote and rode runner was, Dita and Hibiki chase was a time old tradition…
…To get away from the red hair pursuer, Hibiki decided to 'hide' in the tactical center. It was to his surprise to find Meia there. Usually, this room would be empty at the end of the day. Most of their meetings were held in the morning to ensure undivided attention (when there were no battles). She watched his face grow from a surprise to a familiar causal manner, which matched his walk. As he strode towards her, she watched this 'boy'. It still perplexed her on how he could be so honest and loud yet bashful and defensive from one moment to another.
"So what are you doing?" He asks in off hand manner.
Turning back to her consul, she answers him the same way as he did.
"What does it look it like? I'm making battle simulations for tomorrow's training."
"Che, those things again. I rather go out there and have a real fight." He comments distastefully.
'Oh god, this arrogance of his again.' The normally gloomy girl whispered to herself.
"Well when we're not in battle, it's better to train." She spoke in a serious tone.
"It'll be better if those training exercises were a little harder. I would put my aibou in auto pilot if could I during those." He snaps back.
'The nerve! These training exercises are designed to save our lives out there and here he is mocking them. Not to mention all the hard work I put into it.' Again commenting to herself.
"Well I don't I see you making any now do I?" The blue hair girl retorts with hint a of Tabasco sarcasm.
"What! Woman, I could make a better simulation than you any day." He ferociously fires back.
"Then do it…" She replies in a dead tone while swiveling her chair to face him. This caught Hibiki by surprise. Once again his proud and stubborn nature has put the proverbial foot in his mouth as to say. 'Heh, I knew it.' Meia cheerfully observes to herself. 'Idiot does not even know to type…'
"Move it then." The boy demands.
Once again, she is surprised by his reaction. Normally a person would this just submit in order to avoid further humiliation. Rather then doing that, Hibiki would burst on more. 'One of his finest qualities…'
Moving herself out of the seat, Meia watches the boy seat himself and examine the computer consul. Then surprisingly he begins to type. The commands at first were wrong. Misplaced enemy units, outrageous ranges, unreasonable attack patterns were some least of the mistakes. After an hour and so (Meia had to pull a chair aside), the boy began creating basic stimulations. They were easy to accomplish but never the less impressive for someone who did not know squat at the beginning. Then suddenly he spoke.
"You thought I didn't know this crap huh? Well I was an engineer back at Tarraku, so I know had to computers. Even though I only turned bolts most of the time. Gotcha this time huh?"
"Whatever…" Meia spoke quickly. 'Why was he sharing this?'
"Well, I do admit 'some' of your mocks are bit hard but there's not variety to them. You have a sense of pattern attached to each one. You would spread out the enemy then have them attack at various angles. Most are in groups of three's or so. You would hang the enemy ship behind the attackers. Yea, you would the use stuff around us at the time and all but there's no variety to them." He states as he continued to type.
'Who is this boy!? He had the audacity to call her mocks plain. He better get through his head I have more battle experience then he does.' She shrieks to herself.
"But I guess that can't be helped, since you're the only one doing this. After all you only got one head. My grandpa used to say; one head is only good for one way of thinking. When you have friends then you could think a whole bunch of ways." He blissfully utters.
This stopped Meia's rampaging icicle temper on a dime. Gone was her anger towards the boy and replaced with surprise. How could someone with this arrogance and mockery of others change to suddenly to the other spectrum? She still could not figure this boy out. A moment of maturity, he seemed like a different person.
"You know you could ask me to help make some these. I mean…." Stuttering a bit. "Um ah um… I got nothing better to do sometimes…" Hibiki suddenly looses his confidence for a unknown reason. He finishes in a murmur.
'Now he's offering his help. What is up with this boy? How could he change so unexpectedly? I can't figure him out!' Meia mentally slaps herself with this new information.
So from that point on, Hibiki would come once in while to write up tactical battles. They test each other's wits and make adjustments to each other mocks. Eventually, the pilots would to come to complain due to it's difficultly. But hey, better dead here then out there right? Of course there would be a competitive edge and unintended hostility towards each other but it was the first time Meia actually enjoyed his company. It did not happen much though.
Snapping out of her nostalgia, she is greeting again by the blaring red 'ERROR'. It was so much easier when he was here. Inhaling deeply and exhaling quickly she goes back to 'work.' Alone…
-Jura-
'Upward slash followed by absorbing step forward down stroke cleave. Have to use the hip on downward. Also not to hyper extend the elbow on the upward slash. What else???' Ah yes, Jura Basil. The bomb blonde shell is alone in the training room. Doing what you ask? Why of course keeping her sword skills honed. Where Barnett has an infatuation with firing round armaments; Jura is in love with her sword. Contrary to popular belief, Jura does get sweaty when she has to, which is not too often and not in her usual garb. (Damn!) Her sword skills were passed down from her highly admired and loved grandma. Jura did grow up in a prestigious family minus the wealth part. Her family was rich by generational growth although the Mejerran government could not care less. As a result of a block closure in their section, the Basil family lost the majority of their wealth and power. Subjected to humiliation, Jura fostered a certain hostility towards the Mejerran government. This hostility was a driving force for Jura to join the Magno Pirates; that and it was cool. Taking another cut towards her imaginary opponent, Jura becomes lost in the grace and fluidness of the art. Her sword skills are one her most prized possessions along with her looks. This is one thing those Mejerran bitches cannot seize from Jura. Using her saber once again, she performs an intricate kata. (Martial Art exercise) Breathing deeply and focusing intently. She launches into many strikes and stances while maintaining a controlled and a fluid-breathing pattern. Throughout the exercise, she keeps her mind empty and open that allows her to loose herself in the dance. Performing one last forward thrust, she comes to a full stop. Her breathing is slow and without a hint of exhaustion.
'Marvelous…'
Recalling a memory deep in her, she relives the moment when Hibiki began taking lessons from her. It was astonishing to see the boy would actually be willing to take help from others, especially considering she was a female and he a male. Experiencing a familiar memory, Jura retrieves a reminiscence time she longs to have back…
…A penetrating 'swoosh' draws her attention. Circling her head towards the source, the blonde is faced with a wild 'compulsive' boy. She notices he is panting like a dog whose been trapped in cage while left out in the sun. Hibiki takes another cautious look outside.
Jura finds it pleasing to see Hibiki act this way. In battle, he acts savage and determined. Here the red haired pursuer scares him shitless. Of course he fended off Jura's advances, eventually though he would have to succumb to her womanly charms. Jura was more 'womanly' than Dita in many ways.
"Che, doesn't that girl get tried." He off handy speaks out.
"Maybe you should give her what she wants." Jura injects while sheathing her saber.
"You! What are you doing here?" He retorts while giving her a disgusted look.
"Me, Jura is only training. You on the other hand are out of place." She responds in a dignified manner. Turning on her heels, she strides towards the ruffian.
Jura's fascination with the boy began when he first merged with the super modified dread. She became delighted by the prospect of having a magnificently designed machine. To her dismay, she attained a crab shaped machine when she finally merged with him for the first time. At first, Jura detested the grotesque machine but it was Hibiki who showed her the true strength of 'her' machine. It covered a whole planet for crying out loud! Soon after displaying the prowess and capabilities of her machine, Jura came to the conclusion that her Dread is best of the three. It has to be since…well its Jura's. Closing the distance between, Jura locks eyes with Hibiki.
"What...Is there something on my face?" A flustered Vanguard pilot searches his face.
Jura on enjoys the scene before her. At times the boy can act like a complete buffoon while be cute at it. 'I could see why Dita likes this idiot so much…'
"Anyways, were you using your sword?" He prods in a hushed voice.
"What..." Bring her ear closer to him
"I asked were you using your sword?" He inquires again.
"Huh…" Bringing her ear even closer to his face.
"I asked-" Now Hibiki was overwhelmed by her proximity. From her position, he did not have to look hard to gain a view on her 'mountain peaks' as to say. Even in her exercise apparel, her voluptuous figure screams 'worship me… or better yet eat me.'
Hibiki taking a step back to build some distance only find it to be futile. For every step he took, she would take one and a little more. Not to be intimidated, Hibiki finally stands his ground. Making a facade of determination while having terror-stricken composure underneath.
"So…" She nonchalantly asks while looking at her nails the same way. "What are 'you' doing here?" She exaggerated her tone on the 'you'.
"Just trying to get away that's all." The black mussed hair teenager responds while averting his eyes to the side. "Hey do you really use that sword there?" He points to the saber on her left hip.
"What do you think?" Jura replies at the same time placing hand on top of the grip.
"You any good?" He questions.
"Well, Jura does not do this for show you know." The blonde acknowledges.
"Could've fooled me…" He subtly mumbles.
"What!" She yells.
"Nothing, nothing…" He eyes zoom in on the far wall. On this wall there various swords of every type. Some are straight while others are so curvy Hibiki wondered if they cut anything. Their lengths varied from butter knife size to; is that possible to hold proportions? Jura noticed his line of sight and decided to indulge his mind with some information.
"You like, that's Jura's collection." She quietly boasts.
"Eh…that's yours" The boy at this point is perplexed. The Vanguard pilot stands in front of the glass case. He wondered how could someone as 'ahem' confident as Jura hold a sword collection. This is the same person who does not like to do manual labor or attract dirt. Heck, she has other people (mainly Barnett) cook for her. The idea of her polishing and maintaining dangerous steel goes beyond the boy's comprehension. 'Then again this a weird ship, like that girl and her camera.'
"Of course, Jura likes to collect beautiful things. Beauty and Jura go hand in hand." She cheerfully proclaims which Hibiki rolled his eyes to. 'Arrgghhh her ego again!'
"Anyways, you know to swing one right?" Hibiki probes. At this point he found the floor exceptionally fascinating.
"Yes, Jura knows to how swing a sword. She swings-" Emphasizing her point by effortlessly bringing out and placing the tip of the blade by Hibiki's throat. "-very well." She seductively whispers.
"Oh…okay…so…can…you…" He murmurs the last part. Jura is forced to bring her head closer.
"What?" Jura declares.
"Can you…." Once again he mumbles the last part.
"Can you what?" At this point Jura starts to become agitated. She puts away her sword and stands in front the Vanguard pilot.
"I said- canyouhelpmetraintoswingaswordsinceImightneedtobecauseIpilotonewithasword." The teenage boy blurts out. Jura looses her temperament only to gain dumbfounded wonder.
"Slower please…" The blonde coaxes.
He sighs and locks on into her eyes. Jura has never before locked eyes with the boy. Her piercing jade eyes meet his gentle mocha hued irises.
'…Marvelous…'
"I asked can you help me swing a sword since I fight with one most of the time?" He slowly pronounces.
'His lips…'
Jura is rocked from momentary loss of reality. The boy's words register and process in her mind.
"Did you just ask…?" The 'lightly' vain woman hesitantly questions.
"Yes, just don't read into too much. I just need some help kay! That doesn't mean I like you females a lot now. " The black haired boy shouts out.
Jura is surprise beyond explanation. The boy usually avoids interacting with the females on the Nirvana. Let alone asking for help. His over confident, macho, cocky, and inflexible attitude counteract his current persona.
'He's willing to learn huh?'
"This training is not for the weak." She replies in a serious manner.
"I'm up for it." The boy determinedly returns.
"This will hurt."
"My grandpa has this saying, 'no pain no gain'."
"Good then, no crying from this point on." She finishes.
"I know and I won't." The boy smiles and looks up to his teacher. For the first time, their relationship would not be one of necessity. Rather a mutual agreement between the two. "Well to start it's not called swinging a sword, it's called…" And so they began…
From that point on, Jura would guide Hibiki in the art of bushido. During their lessons she would take a façade of strict teaching. Gone was her whimpering and reluctance to work replaced with a determination to make something solidly well built. Jura, for the first time has someone looking up to her. Not down anymore.
A pricking throb snaps her from her daydream. Fingering the blade while you recall a memory does that. Sweet red blood slowly slithers down her saber. '…Pain…" She returns to reality where she is alone in a room. He was not here clashing swords and sharing sweat with her. Rather she there doing a ritual by herself. A task that is hard to accomplish. But she has to do it. Alone…
They would not be alone for much longer….
Author notes: Blah, blah, blah…Yeah gone for a long time but work and school gets in the way. Well, I would like to apologize to my readers and reviewers of my fic. I appreciate the kindness and the patience that people are willing to read this crazy experiment. But hey, you're reading at least right? To my dismay, I would was thrust into a higher position at work with reduced my capable time to write. Heck, I would write the scene in my head during the drive home but lose it when I step through the door. DAMN!!! Oh well…Fret not though, many excellent Vandread related fiction writers are out there. Some of the new stories are great read and find. So go indulge yourselves. Anyways, Ch. 9 outline is done on paper, which means it will come out soon hopefully. Thanks again for reading and have a nice day or night…^_^ Be sure to leave your mark at the reviewer hydrant. Dog joke….